Crowned Heads | Half Ashed

Episode 170: Crowned Heads Mason Dixon

December 27, 2017 By Kip Fisher

Crowned Heads Mason Dixon North

After its 2014 debut, the Crowned Heads Mason Dixon Project returned with few changes in 2015. As you all may remember, the line has two different blends – the North and the South, with each being marketed in their respective territories (although I knew a few shops at the time who did some trading so that they could offer both versions) and produced for Crowned Heads by My Father. Tonight, we’re smoking the Northern Edition – which, for 2015, featured an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. For reference, the Southern Edition had a CT broadleaf wrapper, also over Nicaraguan binder and filler. For 2015, the line had a singular 6” x 52 toro vitola, although this production came pressed rather than round as the first year. The 2015 line was limited to about 30,000 cigars per Edition. They retailed for just under $10, and in fact I spotted a few still on shelves this past summer. Maybe there are still some out there if you’re interested. Initial notes – cold draw is “oaty,” or even earthy to me (Kip). It reminds me of a pretty straightforward VA pipe tobacco blend. Great draw, and seemingly well built in every respect. Evenly colored, veiny medium brown wrapper.

Cigar News

- …and the industry drought continues….
- A couple months ago, we talked about the fact that six health groups/organizations filed a motion asking to be declared defendants in the joint suit that the cigar industry (via CRA, IPCPR, & CAA) have underway. If you remember, the groups asserted that they wanted this because they did not believe the FDA would aggressively defend the legislation in its entirety. A District Court judge has rejected the request, on grounds that no evidence has been provided that the FDA would not do so, and that there was no indication of legally defensible injury to the six groups that would qualify them as defendants in this case.
- Also on the legislative front, an extension has been granted to the deadline for cigar companies’ filings of product ingredient list. This is actually the portion of the legislation that has piqued my (Kip) interest most. I’m interested to learn how aggressively this will be pursued, and how apt cigar manufacturers are at providing the list. Early in this process, it was asserted that manufacturers would need to publish anything beyond tobacco and potable water that are a part of the process. I know that more than a few (and far more than would admit it) cigar makers use some variation of “betún” to color/flavor cigars. These concoctions typically consist of some mix of any number of things – rum, wine, a tobacco “tea,” etc. It is typically used to maintain a consistent color match within batches. I’m wondering how upfront makers will be in its use and composition – and how stringent the FDA will be in pursuing the information. In any event, betún or not, the deadline has been moved back six months to May 2018. The change was made in response to hurricanes, fires, and floods in numerous cigar areas – and applies to makers/importers in those areas.
- New Davidoff HQ in Switzerland…

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig
- La Aurora 107 Robusto – The Dominican Republic rolled into a cigar
- Tatuaje Belle Encre 2014 – These are getting stronger!

Half Ashed Episode 154: 2015 Angel’s Anvil

October 31, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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2015 Angel’s Anvil from Crowned Heads

Tonight we’re smoking the 2015 Angel’s Anvil from Crowned Heads – the second in this series of TAA-limited releases. The 2015 edition came in the form of a 6” x 52 toro (as opposed to the 2014 edition, which was 7.125” x 49, featured on Episode 152). It features an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers, and retailed for just over $10US at release. Total production was 20,000 cigars.

Cigar News

Minute Musings and motivation….
The FDA has made an initial response to the lawsuit filed by CRA, IPCPR, and TAA back in July… [ halfwheel article ]
Donations to the troops is forbidden…but not for you personally. Tune in for our wrapup on what this all means, for manufacturers, retailers, and YOU.
In what was a surprise move to me (Kip), Cigar Aficionado is reporting that Jose Blanco has joined EP Carrillo as Sr. Vice President….
Edolara Cigars is no more…

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Ashton Aged Maduro Corona
La Flor Colorado Oscuro
The Mimic A & B
Undercrown Shade

RoMaCraft Aquitaine Anthropology – I’ve had a singular one of these staring at me from my humidor for months. I’ve abstained from smoking it, knowing I couldn’t easily get more. With a friend visiting the US this week, I took advantage of the opportunity to have some more brought down so I fired this one up. Like always, it didn’t disappoint….
Camaleon Huevo de Oro – The Golden Egg. This is another of the newer companies putting out a cigar here in the DR. I don’t know if/when they will be available stateside. I enjoyed this one, but found it slightly out of balance with more potency than flavor….what this means is, it whipped me. Nice, slightly sweet profile overall – and while the strength wasn’t brash, it snuck up on me.

Half Ashed Episode 148: Crowned Heads and Diamond Crown 20th

August 21, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Crowned Heads & Diamond Crown

Kip – Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2016 – I’m having the 5×50 edition of this year’s release. It has a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper over Nicaraguan fillers. Produced by My Father. Based on my first experience, I’d liken it more akin to the 2014 version than 2015…which is great for me.
Craig – Diamond Crown 20th Anniversary – A lovely gift from Kip that seemed like it was calling out to me this evening.

Cigar News

FDA Panic much?!

Recluse….9 new lines, with 14 sizes each?!?!?
Kings Cigars will be releasing some new limited editions…to the tune of 40 new facings in 14 different blends!

1502 has given some detail – but not much – on their latest release, the Blue Sapphire. I’ve been a fan of Enrique’s style since he first hit the shelves with the Ruby & Emerald several years ago. The Blue Sapphire will again be a Nicaraguan puro, but little is yet know about the blend outside of it being described as medium-full to full. It’s strange that so little detail sparks an interest from me, but knowing how much I’ve enjoyed his past efforts I’ll be excited to try this one.

Many listeners may not be familiar with El Artista, but I’ve lived just a couple miles from their factory the past year. The company is celebrating 60 years in business, although they don’t have huge name recognition in the American market. They do a steady business of house blends and a few others you may know like the Puro Ambar. I profiled them a few years back at the 2013 show. They have a long history in growing and buying/selling leaf, as well as making cigars. This year’s new release is the Pulita, which uses negrito wrapper, criollo 98 binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Colombia, and Pennsylvania. The Aniversario will come in two sizes, a 5×50 Robusto and 6×54 Toro.

Celebrating a 10 year anniversary, illusione will have several changes in the works for this year’s show…but probably few will bring a tear to my eye like the fact that the eccj blend is going mainstream! The robusto, churchill, and corona gorda will become regular production items. Secondarily, my other favorite bit of news from Dion is that there will be a 5-⅝” x 46 Fume D’Amour called the Concepcion. Hoowahh!

One last item that has my knickers in a twist is the Yamasa from Davidoff. I’ll be attending a media gathering in their booth and the official launch at the opening of the Davidoff lounge in Vegas. This blend will feature tobacco from a region between Santo Domingo & Bonao in the Dominican Republic, where they have some limited tobacco crops. The region is known as Yamasa, where the cigar draws its name and wrapper. The binder will also be from here (San Vincente), and the filler will have tobacco from Condega and Estelí, Nicaragua and other Dominican tobaccos (piloto and mejorado). There’s been a good deal of science applied in their development of these tobaccos…as well as its treatment during processing. It’s available in Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 52), Pirámides (6 1/8 x 52) and Petit Churchill (4 x 48), and will retail between $13-23 per stick depending on size

What the frack is an “energy cigar?” The Nicaragua Cigar Distributors are banking on the energy drink phenomena with an entry this year. They claim to have infused FDA approved food grade components to provide a “boost” minutes after lighting the cigar. Interesting idea, or regulation-fodder? There will be a premium version as well as an inexpensive mass market short filler edition…

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

España Corona
Crowned Heads Four Kicks Torpedo

Kip

RoMaCraft Aquitaine Anthropology
EZ Tantrum PA
Oliva Serie V Maduro x2
Emilio Carpe Noctem & AF2

What have we been enjoying in the world of cigars lately?

Writing again! I’ve got a hankering to put a story idea down on paper. It’s somewhat autobiographical but more off, it’s a great accompaniment to the cigar.

Half Ashed Episode 142: Tabaqueria 1844 Campesino Series

April 25, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Tabaqueria 1844 “Campesino Series”

Another of the DR-based small batch lines I’ve talked about in recent months (Chogui, CDR, El Compartir, etc.), the Campesino Series by Tabacalera 1844 is tonight’s featured Cigar of the Week. The line is owned by Edgar Sued, proprietor of a cigar shop by the same name in Cabarete, DR. It’s produced by the same unnamed factory in Tamboril that manufactures the Chogui, and is a Dominican puro (Havana Vuelto Abajo wrapper over DR filler/binder). Personally, I find them to be more akin to what I envision as a traditional Dominican cigar than others, like Chogui. It has more sedate flavors with a touch of sweetness that never overwhelms the blend but adds a nice accompaniment. I’ve smoked both the robusto and toro, and now tend to prefer the toro for some intangible reason. Let’s see how tonight goes….

Cigar News

Crowned Heads’ Famous Smoke Shop exclusive the Black Belt Buckle has expanded. Originally slated for a 10,000 stick run of corona gordas, they have added 2 sizes (6”x54 Sublime and 5”x50 Robusto). It will be an ongoing project, and retail for $8-$9). The line is an adaptation of the Four Kicks, but with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.

Congrats to Cigar Aficionado’s latest inductees to their Hall of Fame – Litto Gomez, Jorge Padrón, and Rocky Patel – bringing the total number of inductees to 18.

The guys at Ezra Zion released a follow-up maduro version of the All My Exes line. This version has a couple of minor blend tweaks, with the most significant being the addition of a San Andres wrapper (vs. the original Ecuadoran Habano). Total production is 800 boxes of 25 in three sizes – Toro, Lancero, and Robusto. Pricing is set at $8.50-$9, based on size. The cigars are made by Noel Rojas at his Tabacalera Aroma de Jalapa.

In the continuing legacy of Smoke Inn’s Microblend Series, Davidoff will be producing the 13th iteration of the line. It’s a celebration of Smoke Inn’s 20th Anniversary, and will feature an Ecuadoran Connecticut wrapper over Dominican internal components. Pricing is set at $19.95 per stick, and should start shipping in about 3 weeks. Total production is 300 boxes of 10.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Farm Rolled Cuban Cigar – Legal! – Very unique with a slightly floral sweetness. Unlike any cuban cigar I’ve had.

House blend cigar for The Cigar Lounge – I’ve discussed my take on house blend cigars before and this one is a perfect example of what I believe in: putting your name on something you stand behind. FYI, Casa Fernandez can learn a thing or two here. This is what their cigars should be :)

Kip

San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe- ~4.25” x 42. I really enjoyed this, even though one of the two I had was a bit tight and gave me fits. Lots of mild (almost faint) floral flavors, tempered with some cacao/dark chocolate.

TL Johnson Legend Reserve – Sweetness!

Nestor Miranda SS Regional Exclusivo – I revisited this after forgetting about them for a couple years. They’re definitely not over-the-hill, but the flavors were far more muted. And, while the strength was still in the medium range it seemed a bit lighter than I remember as well. Bold milk chocolate and mild spice. Good stuff…wish I had more.

CDR (Christian del Rosario de la Rocha) – This is one of the Dominican lines that I’ve recently been exploring. The flavors were very good – they seem more spicy than most, a bit like a more approachable version of some My Father blends – but my only example to go on struggled with the burn for the first couple inches. It wanted to tunnel and the wrapper/binder were resistant to combustion. I persisted, and it finally came around. It was worth another try, though. I’ll report back whenever I get around to it.

Next Episode

Next episode (143), we will be smoking the Club Havana Coronas Especiale. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 139: Unbanded 026

March 20, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Unbanded #026, from K. Hasselwander

The unbanded vitals, as we have ’em before the unveiling….

Kip: 6.875” x 36; nicely assembled (from outward appearances); even-toned, dark brown, dry complexion.

Craig: My measurements have it at 6 ⅞” inch x 36 ring gauge. Very dry in appearance and slightly rustic, almost in a saturated and dried out sort of way.

Cigar News

Tampa’s new Davidoff lounge has its grand opening tomorrow…

Continuing with the TAA-limited releases, this year’s Angel’s Anvil has been announced by Crowned Heads. This year, the release will feature a CT broadleaf wrapper over Nicaraguan internal components. It’s a 5.5” x 54 box-pressed (Cañonazo?), made at Tabacalera La Alianza (EPC), and will retail for around $10.50 a stick. Expect these to begin shipping in May – only to TAA retailers who order at the annual meeting.

Next year’s federal budget could include a doubling of the federal cigar tax. A new program has been proposed – Preschool for All – which could be funded by an increase on tobacco taxes. Federal cigarette tax would increase from just over $1 to almost $2; the $.40 tax cap on cigars would increase to about $.94. Pipe tobacco would suffer a far greater fate – halfwheel is reporting an increase there from $2.83 per pound to $44.23! This is not likely to come to fruition, but like everything else it’ll come back around again….

The “La Tache” is coming from L’Atelier, a limited-edition 5.5” x 50 robusto. It is based off last year’s LE Cote D’Or (which we smoked back on episode 127) – which included Nicaraguan binder and filler. The La Tache will have a wrapper Sanctic Spiritus wrapper, but from a lower position on the plant than the original.

Tatuaje has announced the impending release of the “Skinny Monsters,” which will be offered in a sampler containing each of the past 10 Monsters Series blends…but in a 6” x 38 petit lancero. According to an interview on Cigar Chat, it appears that the blends will be available singly in 25 count boxes some time in the future. Expect these to ship between now and the July IPCPR trade show.

Congrats to Skip Martin and Michael Rosales for the opening of their new RoMaCraft headquarters in Austin, TX. The new site will house offices, packing for distribution, and a lounge area. Don’t get too excited for a visit, though. Unless you’re a retail account, I don’t believe it’s open to the public.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Ashton VSG Tres Mystique – I used to love these. The VSGs were my go to “luxury” cigar in the early aughts. Something has changed in them though. They’re good, but they’re not the unique, bold expression they once were. This is a little too run of the mill. It was my first cigar in 4 weeks, other than our last CotW. My palate was fresh, though I have been medicated…

Kip

Suriel – (made at Kelner Boutique Factory; Brazilian wrapper over DR/Nica/Peru…a slightly tweaked version will be hitting American shores soon).

AF SG 858 – Please, sir, I want some more…

Next Episode

Next episode (140), we will be smoking the Arturo Fuente Añejo 888. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 130: EP Carrillo Short Run 2015

December 7, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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EP Carrillo Short Run 2015

The 6th in the series, this year’s EP Carrillo Short Run comes with a Nicaraguan (Jalapa) Criollo ’98 wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan/Dominican filler components. It is available in 3 vitolas – the Napoleon (5″ x 50), Imperios (6″ x 60), and tonight’s featured cigar, the Vencedor (6″ x 52). Depending on size, the MSRP runs from $6.75-8.75 for the line, and production was capped around 1,500 boxes of 24 for each vitola. I enjoyed these when they first hit the shelves in March/April 2015, and thought them worthy of a spot as a featured Cigar of the Week. Tune in to see how it went!

Cigar News

Ernesto Perez Carrillo is releasing some of his personal blends to the marketplace. The line, called “Ernesto’s Humidor” will initially be comprised of three blends – with CT, Sumatran, and CT Broadleaf wrappers. Ten each of the three blends will be packaged in a humidor, with the total package retailing for $395. Only about 500 humidors will be produced.

Continuing with our year-long pattern of these PSA’s, the November box of Quesada España Petit Belicosos is going to McCoy’s Fine Cigars in Houston, TX.

As we’ve mentioned over the past few weeks, we have more news from Chogui. First, the PrimerAño is nearing commercial availability, although it will only be a Dominican release. I had the chance to smoke & review these, which you can find on Half Ashed. Also, the initial shipment of the company’s core Dos77 line has reached American shores. Owner Victor Nicolas is in New York for a launch event….look for them on shelves. I’ll vouch for them….. The Dos77 is 5×52, and is a Dominican puro with a criollo 98 binder and Habano 20/20 & corojo filler. Wrapper details are a bit fuzzy, with its only description being “havana-seed Dominican grown.”

The 2015 Mason-Dixon Project from Crowned Heads is here. This year, the line continues to be produced by My Father in Estelí, with the “North” featuring an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder/filler. The “South,” however, has a CT broadleaf wrapper over Nicaraguan fillers/binder. There are about 1500 boxes of 20 for each 6×52 offering, and will be available regionally based on their names. Last year, retailers were known to do some trading across the border if you’d like to give both a try….

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Cohiba 30th Anniversary Dalia (Jar)– Next year is the 50th anniversary of the Cohiba line. This cigar was released to celebrate the 30th. If I didn’t know for sure it was 20 years old, I would never have thought it was. This cigar had more “ability” than any I’ve ever smoked. It was full of beautiful cohiba grassy flavors and an unbelievable, rich dark depth that bordered on earthiness. That is a new flavor experienced in pre-Medio Tiempo releases. Splendid

Pre Revolution Don Alfredo 53 – I purchased 4 of these cigars for an unbelievable price years ago. They were opened as a box split from a well known, and well trusted collector. The cigar had body that was unquestionable and flavors that were reminiscent of well mingled Partagas of days past. It had strength & complexity that was fulfilling beyond my wildest dreams. It was not perfect. It was forever memorable.

Kip

Cigars from the Campo….tune in for my adventures in the campo…

Next Episode

In the next episode (131), we will be smoking the Bolivar Libertadores RE Francia. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails:[email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 125: Crowned Heads Jericho Hill OBS

September 24, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Crowned Heads Jericho Hill OBS

This week, we’re smoking the OBS (Orange Blossom Special), from Crowned Heads’ Jericho Hill line. The OBS is a 4.75”x52 robusto, and Kip’s favorite from the line thus far. The Jericho Hill is produced for Crowned Heads by My Father, and this particular vitola retails for $8.75. It features a Mexican San Andres wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler.

Cigar News

Palio lives! Well, kinda. Maybe not really….Quality Importers has acquired the company. QI is predominantly a humidor and accessory distributor who has taken over distribution for a handful of other branding in recent years (most recently Eddie Ortega’s cigars). They did NOT assume control of the Esencia cigar line with Palio. Halfwheel is reporting that the company will honor existing warranty claims, and that its very unlikely that production will be US-based. Michael Giordano, QI president, doesn’t seem to think it’s feasible to continue producing the products in the U.S. due to production costs, leadtimes and inflexibility…

This year’s Tatuaje TAA blend has shipped, and I (Kip) can’t get ‘em. For the first time in its history, I’ll be missing this release. Reportedly, it’s based on the 2011 blend – which was the best (or 2nd best) blend for my personal tastes. As usual, it’s only available at the 75 or so TAA retailers. This year’s production is up significantly to 3,800 boxes of twenty; fewer than 3,000 boxes were produced last year. Pricing is set at $11 per cigar for the 5-⅝” x 54 stick, and it will feature CT Broadleaf over Nicaraguan binder/filler.

In a move that should surprise no one, the Cubanacan/Gonzalez battle (remember…Hirochi Robaina, etc.?) has moved into the judicial system. The Gonzalez family claims they were never paid any of the funds they were due from sales of the Soneros branded cigars. Additionally, there are allegations of other unpaid debts, trademark issues, and various ownership disagreement.

The IPCPR is reporting to Halfwheel that Operation Chokepoint is continuing and expanding to one South Florida manufacturer. Article

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Bolivar Petit Corona – Perhaps the best Bolivar out there. Deep dark & earthy with an amazing citrus sweetness that’s reinforced with graham cracker tastes. Ahhh…

Kip

TL Johnson Legend Reserve 63, taking a cue from Cigar Coop last week.

90 Miles from Flor de Gonzalez

Next Episode

In the next episode (126), we will be smoking one of Craig’s selections, the 1993 Punch Margaritas. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 120: Nearing Normalcy

August 2, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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[EDITOR’S NOTE: In what has been a rapid-fire game of catch up, this is the final of 4 episodes publishing in quick order. My move to the Dominican Republic delayed our publication for a bit but I’m now suitably connected to the web and ready to get back in the game. Please pardon the condensed show notes until we get back on a normal schedule July 31st, 2015.]

This Week

In what should be our final “off” week, here’s Episode 120 – we’re finally nearing normalcy. With my move (mostly) complete, we can settle back into a regular routine and follow our standard format beginning next week (July 31, 2015). This week, however, we did cover a few news items from Padron, Hirochi Robaina, Steve Saka and Crowned Heads. We also talked a bit about my new environ and what we’ve respectively been smoking the past week.

Next Episode

In the next episode (121), we will return to our standard format and routine and will feature the Señorial by Jose Blanco as our Cigar of the Week. Come by each Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 116: San Cristobal Mercaderes (2007)

June 20, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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San Cristobal Mercaderes (2007)

From Craig: A commemorative release from the brand meant to pay tribute Cuba’s capital. Roughly 6-½ x 48, a special vitola rolled initially just for this cigar. Filled with cocoa & graham flavors, this medium bodied and strength cigar is a slightly savory dessert like treat. Box code EMA Jan 07

Cigar News

As a followup to a story we covered several weeks ago, Gov Sam Brownback of Kansas has formally introduced his budget proposal for the upcoming year….to include increases on tobacco and liquor tax. Cigars would see an increase from 10% to 25% of wholesale pricing added to them, while cigarettes would be harder hit with a net increase of $1.50 per pack.

D’Crossier Cigars, which we smoked blindly last year, has moved their distribution to Espinosa. Their cigars are not manufactured by Espinosa; owner Isaias Diaz is simply aiming at a greater exposure and accessibility for his cigars through a bigger, more established distribution network.

I monitor some of the many bans that pass these days – there are so many it’s tough to keep close watch. One in particular hit home this past week. Waynesville, NC – a town I’m quite familiar with – has banned smoking (including e-cigarettes) in essentially all public places…including sidewalks, parks, govt. vehicles, greenways and around public buildings. Never thought I’d see the day bringing this news from NC.

For those Crowned Heads fans who are interested (like me), this year’s Las Calaveras has left the MF factory and are headed to CH headquarters. Look for them to hit store shelves in the next few weeks…

Gran Habano has released something special from George Rico’s personal reserve…the Private Humidor Selection. Apparently, GAR has stockpiled some 30,000 cigars in his personal stash in various sizes and shapes. This first release is a 7.5” x 38 lancero that has been waiting in the wings for the past 7-8 years. The Nicaraguan puro was made at Gran Habano’s Honduran factory and will retail somewhere around the $10 mark. A total of 100 boxes of 25 were released, and only a handful of retailers will be receiving them, predominantly in California, Hawaii and Texas.

Relative newcomer to the US market, Roberto P. Duran, has hired Cristano “Santo” Cardenas as their master blender. Cardenas has been in the Cuban cigar industry for 55 years, dating back to 1960. He has spent his tenure with the Upmann, Montecristo, El Rey del Mundo and Partagas marques. He also served as a global ambassador for Cuban cigars in recent years. Roberto Duran said in the press release that Cardenas had been his a major influence of his when he worked at the Partagas factory in Cuba. Cardenas will head up the company’s Nicatabaco factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

06 Party Corona – Excellent bready tobacco savory flavor
03 SLR Regio – Wonderful slightly salty sweet citrus flavor
10 AF 858 SG – Perhaps age isn’t the best for this cigar. Almost too crisp and not the slight edge that helps the young versions
03 RJ Ex#4 – Slightly too much sweet herbal flavors

Kip

United Cigars – Bandolero

Asylum Nyctophilia – made entirely of maduro leaf, featuring San Andres wrapper and Nicaraguan internal components. I tried the robusto, which retails for about $6. The other available vitolas are 6×60 and 7×70. It’s “kinda” a TAA special, in that it will only be available at TAA shops for the first several months to a year. I was apparently one of the first consumers to buy one of these, if not the first…

Ortega –

Other Rabbit Trails…

NOTE: We ended up getting off on a tangent, but here’s the excerpt from our show notes that got the whole discussion kicked off….

Is it just me or has the store-exclusive and limited schtick exploded recently? Every week, we have stories of more shop exclusives…and not just one or two. It’s mind boggling for the feeble minded like myself to try and keep track of. I have previously kept loose tabs on them, and tried to buy at least a couple from a few manufacturers…but I’m about ready to throw in the towel on even considering more than a passing glance at this point. The distinction has blurred such that most I have try hold very little interest for me. At times it seems the cigars are less likely to be a new/different blend than just another vitola in a standard production line. If I happen to be in a store with some I’ll consider it…but it would be out of the ordinary to even think of making a phone call to buy any these days. Mind you, I have no beef with house blends….just this LE shop-exclusive hype machine. Maybe I’ll eat those words at some point, but I’m fatigued with the myriad makers, lines and limited edition “specials” at this point.

Next Episode

In the next episode (117), we will be smoking the EP Carrillo La Historia Dona Elena. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

P.S. – If you have unbanded suggestions or contributions, you can get those to us by sending an email to [email protected]. This email address goes directly to my wife, so you can simply suggest an unbanded cigar for her to source,[email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!

Half Ashed Episode 113: Davidoff Nicaragua

May 20, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Davidoff Nicaragua Short Corona

I’m joined this week by longtime friend of the show and former Dogwatch Cigar Radio cohost Dale Roush. A huge thanks to Dale for sitting in with me and catching up. We’re smoking the Davidoff Nicaragua Short Corona, a 3.75″ x 46 beauty featuring a 10 year old Habano seed Rosado wrapper, and Nicaraguan binder/fillers. This line debuted in summer of 2013, and retails for about $9.90 depending on local tax situation. Tune in to get our thoughts on the cigar, as well as a chance to see what Dale has been up to and a bit of cigar news!

News

In a topic we talked briefly about last week as an outlying possibility for a developing trend, Camacho has announced their contribution to the world of barrel-aged cigars. The Camacho American Barrel Aged will feature bourbon barrel-aged corojo as a core component. It will also come with a 5-year old American broadleaf wrapper. In fact, it almost exclusively utilizes American grown tobacco, including the broadleaf wrapper, binder and filler – including a maduro filler tobacco from Pennsylvania. A single leaf of six year old bourbon barrel aged Corojo was added to the recipe. They are promoting a national event tour to launch the line, beginning in Orlando June 8th and ending up at Tampa Humidor December 19th. It will be shipping June 15th and retail for $10-12 per cigar. I posted a story about it on the website with full tour schedule.

United Cigar, who we’ve spoken of several times in the past 2 months, is partnering with Selected Tobacco to extend the Byron line by two vitolas. Both cigars are the largest Byron vitolas to date, and as a result each blend is tweaked a bit with a higher priming to maintain the strength and flavor required to match the larger ring gauge format. The packaging has also been revamped and will include individual humitubes with the cigars. MSRP has been set at a whopping $33 a stick. Here are the details on the cigars. See full story posted earlier.

The Serie Siglo XIX, was blended by Nelson Alfonso with a goal of best representing Cuban Cigars of the 19th Century is now available in a 6 x 56, known as the Grand Poemas.

The Serie Siglo XX – also blended by Nelson Alfonso – aims at representing Cuban Cigars of the 20th Century, and is also available in a 6 x 56 format known as Habanero.

A few weeks ago we reported on an upcoming event-only offering from Crowned Heads…just as an update, the name has changed from “Snake Oil” to “Blood Medicine.” Turns out, Kendall Culbertson of Outlaw Cigar Co. owns the trademark for Snake Oil. So, to maintain the peace, the Crowned Heads folks opted to just change the name. Other details remain the same: it’s a 5.5” x 48 “super corona”; Ecuador Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. It will not be available for stand-alone purchase, and will come through event special purchases.

The still-recovering Skip Martin is closing in on shipping the much-anticipated release of RoMa Craft’s Neanderthal this upcoming week. The line carries a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Connecticut broadleaf binder and fillers that include tobacco from Condega, Estelí, Jalapa and Pueblo Nuevo from Nicaragua; Dominican olor ligero and Pennsylvania “Green River Sucker One” double ligero. The line will be distributed initially in a single 5” x 52/58 vitola, but will also include extensions soon. A shop exclusive/event 4.25” x 52 vitola will also be available soon for Riverside Cigar Shop in Indiana and Serious Cigars in TX. These two sizes will retail for $12 and $9 respectively.

While cruising the social media nether regions today, I noticed an article halfwheel posted up that they’d found in the Cañon City Daily Record from Dale’s home state of Colorado. It appears some folks in Cañon City CO are shooting for a ban on outdoor smoking in the Central Business District of the city. The claim is that smokers spilling out of buildings (due to an indoor ban) are giving the area an inconvenient image. Councilman James Characky, Jr. said. “I want to create an image of healthy, vibrant people, not an image of cigarette smoking, beer drinkers.” The mayor has proposed limiting the ban to Main Street alone, rather than the entire district.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Dale

Man O” War Armada War Horse
Black Market Vandal Toro
Camacho Triple Maduro Robusto

Kip

A peculiar Tramp Stamp – Wrapper: Habano Ecuador, Binder: Nicaraguan, Filler: Nicaraguan

Next Episode

Next episode (114) we will be featuring the Unbanded #024 from zedman. So come by Half Ashed Friday night at 9:30pm EST and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails:[email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

P.S. – If you have unbanded suggestions or contributions, you can get those to us by sending an email to [email protected]. This email address goes directly to my wife, so you can simply suggest an unbanded cigar for her to source, or send [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!