Crowned Heads | Half Ashed

Half Ashed Episode 109: 2011 EP Carrillo Dark Rituals

April 5, 2015 By Kip Fisher

2011 EP Carrillo Dark Rituals

Welcome everyone to Episode 109, featuring the original release (2011) EP Carrillo Dark Rituals. I will be posting a written review of this cigar as well, so check back for that in our review archive. This limited edition run is one of Craig’s CotW selections, and he describes it thusly:

The Ernesto Perez Carillo Edicion Limitada 2011 Dark Rituals is a black beauty that makes even Ram Jam proud. A large cigar for either Kip or me, it checks in at 6-½” x 56 by direct measurement. The wrapper is labeled as an Oscuro Maduro with no country of origin, while the binder is an ecuadorian grown Sumatran leaf. The filler is only labeled as “Nicaraguan”. The box has been in my humidor for over three years and all samples seem to have at one point been absolutely saturated with oils. The wrapper on tonight’s sample even has a few spots where it looks water damaged after the natural changes the leaf has gone through. It is nearly striking how saturated it looks to have been. The two of these cigars I’ve smoked in the past both seemed incredibly full bodied (perhaps due to an overwhelming smoke production) but without major complexity. Deep and sweet flavors accompanied by some tartness were basic descriptions of how the flavor presented itself. We’ll look forward to seeing how tonight’s samples compare.

News

We began the show with a then-breaking story on an announcement from Michael Huff that effective immediately he was leaving Dante Cigars. Per his announcement, “It’s with a heavy heart that I inform you that as of 8:30pm today EST I am no longer partnered with Mohammad Fakhro and M Tobacos INC. Any questions about Dante Cigars, accounts, orders, and special appearances please call Mr. Fakhro at [….]. Thank you all for the great ride with Dante, but no worries I’ll be back to the industry soon with crazier creations” This was an unexpected turn of events, especially in light of the fact that we had recently on bringing Michael onto the show to talk about Dante’s upcoming Purple Mofo cigar. No news as of yet on the future of that cigar.

Fred Rewey of Nomad has been trickling out details about his new Nomad Esteli Lot 8613 for a few weeks now. It is finally nearing released and should be shipping this Monday. He hasn’t given blend specifics, although it is another production out of AJ Fernandez’ operation. It will come in five vitolas (Robusto (5 x 50, $8.50), Coronita (5 1/2 x 46, $8.50), Toro (6 x 50, $8.75), Grand Toro (6 x 58, $8.95) and Churchill (7 x 48, $8.95), and in boxes of 21.

I know we have a number of Canadian listeners, so I thought I’d pass along that Alec Bradley is putting out a Canadian exclusive size in the Black Market line – called the Chunk. Presumably it carries the same blend as the rest of the line (Nicaragua over Sumatran around Honduran/Panamanian) but in a stubby little 4.25” x 60 vitola.

Another week, another limited cigar from Crowned Heads. THIS TWEET related a few details about a new event-only cigar from the company called Snake Oil. It will be a 5.5” x 48 “Super Corona.” Halfwheel has reported a few more details – namely that it’s another My Father-produced stick and that it will carry an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. Initial run is 6,000 cigars, but the line will be ongoing (but event-only).

Per a press release sent out this past week, Asylum is adding the 8”x80 & Super 11/18 (8” x 60/70/60) to the existing Asylum 13, 13 Corojo and Ogre lines. The former two lines will carry the sizes at $8 per 11/18 and $10 for the 8×80…while the Ogre line will be $1 more each respectively. They are now availalbe in trays, and boxes will be forthcoming in May.

Cigar Hustler (in Deltona, FL – between Orlando & Daytona) has an upcoming line to be manufactured by the Nica Sueño factory (of RoMa Craft fame). The Powstanie (Po-stahn-Ya) will be available at their shop, and will also be brought to market at a limited number of other retailers around the nation. Several pictures have made their way out this week, mostly via Instagram for the shop and Skip Martin. The line will feature two blends, one for each of the co-owner brothers (Mike & Greg Sczcepankiewicz). The two worked with RoMa Craft to develop some samples and had their customer base smoke them and help in selecting the final blend (a la Cuenca 5). Mike’s blend – the Powstanie Habano – will be out in May, and features Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over Indonesian binder and Nicaraguan/Dominican fillers. Greg’s, the Maduro, will be shipping in August, and will carry broadleaf maduro wrapper over Indonesian binder and Nicaraguan fillers. Initially, a 5.25” x 54 belicoso and 6×52 toro will be the only vitolas, with possibility for more in time. Pricing is expected to be between $9-11 per stick in boxes of 21.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Punch Super Robusto E.R. Asia Pacifico 2008 – Wonderful soft “Punch” flavors with a terrific burn. Smoking time for this Canonazo was quick, at about 90 minutes, but the flavors were all there. This cigar seems to be at its peak (only 7 years old!). If I had to guess, it seemed almost hollow; as if there wasn’t anything behind what was being tasted. Remember me talking about cigars that allude to so much more flavor that isn’t being released yet? Well, this cigar was just the opposite. I swear it was nearly like a victory lap from a retiring legend.

TL Johnson Legend Reserve 63 – A beautiful robusto-ish sized cigar with the trademarked Luis Sanchez extreme box press. This cigar is not one to be trifled with. It is strong and flavorful, full and lasting. I find it to be at the edge of my (albeit wimpy) wheelhouse, forcing me to expand my horizons. I can dig it.

Kip

JDH SIngle Action and the Ashton VSG Tres Mystique – tune in for my thoughts here!

Next Episode

Next episode (110) we will be featuring Unbanded 022, furnished by Stephen D. 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 me an email to [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!

Half Ashed Episode 108: Herrera Esteli Norteño

April 2, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Herrera Esteli Norteño Coronita

Welcome to Episode 108! I apologize for the late posting this week, but it’s been a hectic one. Episode 108 features the Herrera Esteli Norteño, in the 4″ x 46 Coronita. From the Drew Estate website:

This full bodied, Maduro expression is the first blend released from the Drew Estate factory since Herrera was named Master Blender in June, 2014. The “Norteño” showcases extensively aged tobaccos from the Estelí and Jalapa growing regions of Nicaragua, coupled with a spicy Honduran binder and a rich, bold Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper. The “Norteño by Willy Herrera” will be available in the following six vitolas at select Herrera Estelí retailers nationwide. 4×46 Coronita, 4.75×48 Corona Extra, 5×50 Belicoso Fino, 5.5×54 Robusto Grande, 6×50 Toro, and 6.5×44 Lonsdale Deluxe.

News

Drew Estate has announced some changes to the existing Papas Fritas packaging. The cigar remains the same, but instead of the familiar metal tins you’ll start seeing them in 50-ct boxes. This will reduce the single stick price from $6.40 to $5.25. The blend (CT broadleaf over Brazilian Mata Fina binder over cut Nicaraguan fillers) will remain the same. The new packaging will begin to arrive on retailers’ shelves in the next few weeks.

The price increases are rolling in now, with Oliva this week and Padron next week. Oliva is going up by about 2.5-5% on average; Padron goes into effect April 1st, with about a $.20/cigar increase. Rocky Patel is also raising some prices April 1st – but not an across-the-board increase. Some lines; up to 5%.

Last week we talked a bit about Crowned Heads’ “Single Action”; this week, we have a bit more news about this year’s Angel’s Anvil. It will be coming down the pike in June. The 2015 edition will be a 6×52 toro, running about $10.50 at retail. Total production will be about 20,000 cigars – which will only be available at TAA member retailers. The line is made by EPC, and carries an EC Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder & fillers.

One other TAA exclusive is being produced with a twist this year. LFD will be presenting 3 different blends to the TAA membership at their 47th annual meeting this year. Retailers can place orders for their favorite of the three….and only the most-ordered blend will be produced/shipped! Other orders will be canceled. I like it. It’s a fun twist, although I’m interested to see if the retailers who want a nixed blend get a bit upset.

Espinosa/La Zona fans have something new to look forward to: the Espinosa Especial. This new line from Erik is due out in April, and brings 3 vitolas – the 6.5×48 “No. 1,” 5×52 “No. 4,” and 6×54 “No. 5.” (What happened to numbers 2 & 3?). It will feature a Mexican Capa Negra wrapper and Nicaraguan binder/filler.

In addition to the already unique focus on small batch production, Viaje is mixing it up again. They are partnering with (yet) another cigar factory for some of their lines. Pinar del Rio in the DR will be producing some of their lines. One new introduction, the Viaje Collaboration 2015, will be the first major batch created in the partnership, but PDR will assume production for some existing marques as well.

In a story that reached local to me, the Florida ABT has seized upwards of $100k in counterfeit cigars and tens of thousands of counterfeit boxes & bands – mostly Cohiba. One of the main culprits in the operation was Island Cigars, based out of Oldsmar, FL and Weekiwachee, FL (just a few miles from my house).

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Partagas Serie D Especial Edicion Limitada 2010 – *breather* – A great cigar. Half because it was a great cigar and half because it was a great gift. Not overly “EL-ish” from the dominant wrapper flavor, filled with brown sugar, earth, pepper and citrus. This was a delightful full bodied and medium to strong cigar. Yum

2010 Montecristo #2 – I’m never sure what to expect with Mc#2s. This was a stronger cigar with less tang than the 2000 vintage sticks we smoked last year on the show. I got only moderate cocoa & sweet coffee flavors that are the hallmark of this classic cigar. Marred with the highest expectations, this cigar often seems to fall short. This was an enjoyable experience but inconsistency of expected blend integrity took away from the singularity of its tasty experience.

Kip

7-20-4 Londres (5×42): Nicaraguan, Honduran, Mexican and Colombian, long-fillers, Costa Rican binder, and Brazilian Mata Fina wrappers (!) I’ve enjoyed these for a couple years on occasion. They’re a “workhorse” smoke for me – they don’t really ever stand my world on its head, but they never fail to provide an enjoyable experience. Solid woodsy core with some modest spice, decorated with an intermittent sweetness.

Punch Signature (4.5×50): I had a Rothschild in this new line, and it might be the best Punch I’ve had since the Grand Cru maduro #2 (my favorite). EC corojo wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and Nica/DR fillers. Bright spice, some cedar at times. Was a bit more potent in terms of strength than I expected. Not overpowering, but brought the “oomph” with it…

Wrap Up

Next episode (109) we will be featuring EP Carrillo Dark Rituals. 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 [email protected]. This email address goes directly to my wife, so you can simply suggest an unbanded cigar for her to source, or send me an email [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!

Half Ashed Episode 107: Unbanded 021

March 25, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Unbanded #021, from DC

Welcome to Half Ashed Episode 107, featuring our 21st Unbanded, which happens to have been supplied by friend of the show Dan Crouch. We can’t say much about it here in the notes without spoiling the show, except that it was a 6″ x 50(ish) torpedo. You’ll have to tune in to get the full scoop and see us once again humble our palates…

News

Recent guest of the show Bodega Premium Blends will be taking over their own distribution effective April 1st. They had announced some limited changes a while back, but will now be parting ways with House of Emilio with regard to their distribution. From all outward appearances, it’s an amicable split; BPB just wants to have more fine-tuned control over the process and the ability to focus on select markets where their products presumably do well.

A few weeks ago, we reported the Crowned Heads would be shipping a JDH Reserve “Single Action” – a 6×38 petit lancero based off the JDH line. It has begun arriving on retailers’ shelves. As mentioned, it has the JDH blend – Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper over Ec. Sumatran binder and Nicaraguan fillers. Only 2,000 boxes of 10 have been produced.

Long time listeners will remember last year when we talked about Operation: Chokepoint – a governmental program that classified some industries as “high risk” and led banking institutions to unfairly target them with the loss and/or heavy restrictions on their bank accounts. Several tobacco retailers were impacted, as were many other organizations (namely, firearms, gambling and some lenders). This past week, spurred on by the firearm industry, Arizona representative David Schweikert introduced a bill that would defund the program and prevent any future attempts at the same type of program. Several co-sponsors have already signed on to the bill, but it would have a pretty long way to go to make it to law.

Rocky Patel is releasing a special 10th anniversary Edge. It will be a singular vitola, a 6×52 barber pole. It’s to be called the “A-10” and will retail for $7.50 per stick. No specifics on the wrappers in use.

While there will NOT be an Avo “birthday cigar” this year, there WILL be a Limited Edition. Fresh on the heels of the company’s rebranding (and reduction in offered lines), parent company Davidoff has teased some details of a new limited series called the Avo Improvisation Series. It will draw its inspiration from previous Avo lines, and the 2015 LE will be Classic Covers. The installment will be based off the original Avo blend and will use Nicaraguan, Mexican and Ecuadoran tobaccos. It will only be available in a 6×50 toro and will retail for $16

What We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Bolivar PC – For the first time I tasted Ginger in this cigar. It was terrific. It worked right into the suggestive flavors Kip has planted in me, with all of his “sweet and sour” talk. It really worked beautifully with the rich, deep earthy sweet core to this cigar.

Por Larranaga Panetelas – A sweet cigar but not cloyingly so. Brown sugar & cherry pie tastes are here. The tartness of cherry with the sweetness from the sugar made for a terrific “dessert”

Kip

Destino al Siglo – a CFC holdover. Lots of sweet, charred oaken flavor. Baking spice; typical but bold Fuente sungrown-flavor. Very good.

Crowned Heads Angel’s Anvil – last year’s TAA exclusive from CH. Ecuador over Nica/Nica. 7.125 x 49; rolled by EPC; limited to 1,000 boxes of 20. I. Love. This. Cigar. A bunch. Bright, sweetened spice with some strength – although that could be due to the cumulative effect of its size and my desire to smoke every last leaf away.

Asylum Dragon’s Milk I enjoyed this one….mostly. It began pretty nicely, with “creamy” (yeah, I said it) flavors; I remarked that the infusing knocked the edge off. Still some spice on the retrohale, but overall . The flavor from its early life in Dragon’s Milk barrel was sedate and light-handedly applied. I dug it a lot…until the final 1/3rd. It grew a bit bitter and a bit overly tannic.

Listener Email

From Christopher L.

Good evening. First off I love the show I download the podcasts and listen while driving my truck. I’ve smoked a pipe for awhile but always the same local blend never trying anything new. Which is funny because I’m always smoking new cigars. Not sure how that works. Lately I’ve tried frog Morton on the bayou and across the pond. I loved them both and was wondering if you would have any recommendations based off that. My local shop hires idiot kids so no help there. I’ve also upgraded to a nording pipe which is also a big improvement. Hope your have a great day and forgive my spelling and grammar I’m a Montana redneck.

Kip’s (abbreviated) reply – These two blends have a very similar foundation (Latakia, Turkish, VA), with On the Bayou also including some perique. The thing that stands out to me in the blend is the Turkish. It gives it that indefinable – almost cola-like quality. If that’s what you’re drawn to, you might try C&D’s Adagio – it has a good bit of Turkish as well, with a bit of nutty burley in the mix. Other notable C&D blends are: Orion’s Arrow and Virginia Gentleman. There are innumerable Balkan blends out there with Turkish components; that’s where I’d keep looking for the time being. However, you might try some of the other blends that have some Syrian latakia also. There aren’t too awful many of them around these days, but I’d recommend MacBaren’s HH Vintage Syrian. It’s quite different from the FM blends, but you might really enjoy that one. Just let it dry a bit first, as MacB blends can sometimes bite.

Wrap Up

Next episode we will be featuring Herrera Esteli Norteño Coronita. Be sure to tune in 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 Us!” tab at the side of this page, or at 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 [email protected]. This email address goes directly to my wife, so you can simply suggest an unbanded cigar for her to source, or send me an email to [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!

Half Ashed Episode 105: La Flor Dominicana 1994

March 10, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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La Flor Dominicana 1994

Welcome to Episode 105 of Half Ashed, featuring the La Flor Dominicana 1994 as our Cigar of the Week. Here was my description for the cigar:

The “1994” was launched this past year to commemorate the Gomez’ family’s 20 years in the cigar business. There are 4 vitolas in the regular production lineup (which is what we’re smoking tonight): Conga (5×52), Aldaba (6×58), Rumba (6.5×52) and Mambo (7×54). There is also one 6×54 Limited vitola that shipped in beer steins. Unlike the regular production, this version carries a maduro Mexican San Andres wrapper. Tonight’s cigar, however, has a *natural* version of the same wrapper over Dominican binder and fillers. After having smoked a dozen or so of these in its young life, I’ve had a strange wandering opinion of this cigar…..but more on that as the show progresses. They range from $6.50-7.00 in the Tampa market in box quantities of 20. The limited Beer Stein edition, if you can still find them, runs about $225 for the stein and 20 cigars.

News

From Jeff Borysiewicz: Big day for us at Corona Cigar and our Florida Sun Grown tobacco team. It’s been nearly 40 years since the last cigar leaf was grown in the Sunshine State. Willie Herrera and the Drew Estate team put together a pair of outstanding blends using ‪#‎Cuban‬ seed, Florida Sun Grown tobacco from our 2013 inaugural crop. There is less than 800 lbs of this unique tobacco so any cigars that use FSG will be a true micro blend in every sense of the word. We look forward to the near future when we can share these cigars and this fruits of our labor and dedication with other retailers and cigar aficionados PICTURE

Governor Tom Wolf of PA has proposed a $30 billion state spending plan that would, in part, rely on hefty tobacco taxes for funding. This would include a cigar tax at 40% of wholesale, in drastic contrast to the current status of having no cigar tax. The plan includes a $1 per pack increase on cigarettes (from $1.60 to $2.60 per pack), and 40% of wholesale on smokeless tobacco, large cigars, loose tobacco and e-cigarettes. The governor expects an additional $358 Million of revenue from the cigarette tax and $84 million from cigars and OTP. The cigar retail industry currently thrives in PA, largely due to the fact that surrounding states’ higher tax rates have driven them to the state. Retailers have pointed this out, and some report even considering a move to Florida should the tax be passed into legislation. PA is home to large cigar retailers Famous Smoke Shop and Cigars International, as well as numerous other smaller retail operations. STORY HERE

Crowned Heads will be releasing another state-exclusive cigar, the Yellow Rose for Texas. The blend matches that of previously released Tennessee Waltz – CT broadleaf wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler blend. It will retail for $9.50 per cigar, and only be available from Texas retailers with Crowned Heads accounts. Shipping late March/early April

For the 6th year in a row, EP Carillo will be releasing a Short Run blend. The line will be shipping some time in the next couple of weeks. Unlike earlier iterations, the 2015 Short Run will feature a Nicaraguan wrapper – a 98 Criollo coming out of Jalapa. The binder will be Nicaraguan and filler blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican leaf. They will be delivered in 24 count boxes and three vitolas: 5×50 Napoleon, 6×52 Vencedores, and 6×60 Imperios.

Before the 10th installment of Smoke Inn’s Microblend Series has even shipped, the 11th has been announced. It will be the Little Big Delicious, produced via Room101 for the series. The blend will be the same as the Big Delicious from 2013, only shorter at 4.5”: Ec Habano wrapper over Honduran corojo binder and filler mix from Honduras, the DR, Brazil and Nicaragua.

There will be an extension to one of my favorites “go-to” cigars – the My Father Flor de las Antillas. A maduro version is slated to be released at the 94th Anniversary party for Federal Cigars in New Hampshire. The cigar will be in a 4.5”x50 vitola, and will be available in-store at the shop’s part March 14th, and on the website March 16th. The original Instagram poster remarked that you won’t see the line again for the next year and a half after the celebration…

Quesada Espana Madness! CDM cigars and Federal Cigar are each getting their own special release of the Espana; a beli-lance for CDM (and a new and a Petit beli for the latter. Quesada also announced that a regular lance will be released again to Stogies in Houston. These are a “special” special release having been wrapped in a 3rd band specifically labeled H-Town to celebrate the shops great success and loyal following for the pencil sized vitola.

Habanos Man of the Year talk: Three awards were given for Habanos Man of the Year. Gary Heathcott, an American freelance writer who has supported humanitarian aid to Cuba and other Latin nations, won in the communications category; George Fereos, who owns and operates the Casa del Habano in Cyprus, won in the business category; and Rogelio Ortuzar, a Cuban farmer who has been producing tobacco for more than 40 years, earned the nod in the production category. From CA

Habanos news: The new Anejados are out; and they’re rather controversial. Word on the street is that they’re just a regular production cigar, picked out of the escaparate, and slapped with a special blend. RyJ Torpedo & Montecristo Churchill.

What We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

CroMagnon Breuil Panetela – Not my favorite vitola in the line. There were moments of that beautiful spicy sweet profile but it seemed somewhat ashy and overly peppery for my preference.

Kip –

Room101 Big Payback – Underfilled with a squishy head. The flavors were pleasant enough, though. I just had to smoke it with kid gloves. For $4.79 it was a respectable smoke….at $6+ I’d pass on it next time. Healthy but manageable spice; entertaining core of black tea and leather. A bit of a wonky finish though: long lasting but almost papery at times. [EDIT: In the final 3rd, became impossible to keep lit. Bummer.] The second I tried was markedly better, but I’d still be reluctant to pick up more….maybe.

Wrap Up

Next episode we will be featuring one of Craig’s selections, the Quesada España Ninfa. Be sure to tune in 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 Us!” tab at the side of this page, or at 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 [email protected]. This email address goes directly to my wife, so you can simply suggest an unbanded cigar for her to source, or send me an email to [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!

Half Ashed Episode 101: Unbanded 020

January 31, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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*I failed to take a pic of tonight’s 6.25″x52 torpedo, so enjoy this picture of a giant stick made by my buddy Arnold!

Unbanded #020, suggested by Steve McHenry

Welcome to Episode 101, featuring our 20th Unbanded cigar, suggested by listener Steve McHenry (Thanks Steve for the submission…tune in to see how it went!). This Unbanded was a bit of a surprise to both of us at the grand reveal. I don’t believe either of us had any familiarity with the cigar, and I think it shows :). Give a listen and find out what this 6.25″ x 52 beauty turned out to be!

News

In the news, we covered several items, including the following stories:

Well, I suppose it had to happen some time. Christian Eiroa put up a pic this week for an 8”x80 behemoth coming from Asylum. Madness.

The follow up to a cigar we’ve featured – the eccj from illusione – is out nationally. The eccj 20th shipped this past week. 6.25”x48 with Nicaraguan Corojo 99 wrapper over Nicaraguan Criollo 98 & 99 fillers. 15 count boxes with an MSRP of about $12/stick.

HB1590 in VA looks to increase various tobacco taxes, including an increase from 10% to 60% of wholesale on cigars! That will basically make Virginians’ $10 cigars jump to $15! It includes several other complex increases on loose tobacco and cigarettes, but I knew a healthy number of the audience calls VA home and would want to know they’d better contact the reps….**UPDATE** Virginians dodged a bullet. This bill was tabled on Wednesday, which effectively kills it….for this session. I little doubt it won’t resurface soon.

In what’s a clear pattern with Crowned Heads, they have another LE coming soon. Some time between Feb-March, they’ll be releasing a 6×38 petit lancero called the Single Action. It will be an extension of the JDH Reserve line, and only have a production run of 2000 boxes of 10. MSRP is at $9.25/stick. Brazilian Aripiraca wrapper over Ecuadoran Sumatran binder and Nicaraguan fillers.

While I’m not a huge Viaje fan in general, I do love their SuperShot series, which hasn’t been shipped since 2013. Well, it’s coming back and will be shipping to retailers this week. This time, there is no Corojo version; only the Criollo. It comes in two sizes: the 10 Gauge (3.5”x54) and 12 Gauge (3.25”x52). I’m a sucker for the shotgun shell box-packaging on this line as well as the cigar itself….

What We’ve Been Smoking

Craig – Club Havana Laguito#2 (short Lancero), Elogio Habano, Quesada 40th, The Smoking Jacket

Kip – Avo XO Intermezzo (robusto), Gran Habano GH2

Listener Email

Officer Paul gave us an update on my advice for rehydrating some pipe tobacco from a couple weeks ago:

It worked. I put the tobacco in a canning jar with the cap of water after s few days the water was almost gone but the tobacco was the same. I think I was humidifying the air. I moved the tobacco to s much smaller Tupperware container and put another cap of water inside. After 4 or 5 days the tobacco was back. Moist and holding together somewhen I squeeze it but not completely sticking together. I’ll light it up during tonight’s show to be sure.

Wrap Up

Next episode we will be featuring one of Craig’s favorites as our Cigar of the Week – 2005 Vega Robaina Farm Rolled. Be sure to tune in next week [monitor our Twitter/FB feeds for exact time this week; I’ll be traveling and unavailable during normal recording time]. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the “Contact Us!” tab at the side of this page, or at 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 [email protected]. This email address goes directly to my wife, so you can simply suggest an unbanded cigar for her to source, or send me an email to [email protected] if you have something you’d like to send in. I will provide an address to send them. Thanks!

Half Ashed Episode 099: 2000 Partagas Serie D Robusto

January 21, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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2000 Partagas Serie D Robusto (#4)

Welcome to Episode 099 of Half Ashed, featuring one of Craig’s selections – and quite a treat – the 2000 Partagas Serie D #4 Robusto. Craig’s words about this special cigar:

A traditional robusto which helped popularize the size in the 70’s. This classic cigar from Cuba is the only remaining specimen from a 16 cigar series from A-D & 1-4. Originally the rings escalated by letter and lengths shortened by number. This little trivia tidbit is a lesser known fact about what is now an incredibly popular cigar. Filled with classic “old school” tobacco based flavors, this cigar blossoms with “twang” and displays quite a bit of spice and bold sweetness when young. With a decade and a half of age, these samples are well rounded and smoothed out, while still being powerful enough to hold anyone’s interest.

News

In the news, we covered and explored a few items, including the stories summarized below.

We haven’t talked much in the past about Cabal, but they’ve been busily building a growing following. It’s a partnership between Chris Arolfo and Hendrik Kelner, Jr. as the flagship line for Kelner Boutique Factory in the DR. Chris posted up this week that he will be releasing a new line – the Linda, in honor of his Mom who passed away with a rare brain disorder 2 years ago. It will help support a research/support organization for Frontotemporal Degeneration. No details for the cigar, but I dig the idea already.

Jon Huber at The Crowned Heads has again hinted at another upcoming project for the company. He put up a picture captioned: “Dark..bold..& beautiful. An old vitola called “Dukes” (5 1/2 x 54). Coming #2015”. That’s all the info he’s given out thus far, but it did indeed look dark, bold and beautiful….

Longtime general manager of Davidoff’s Dominican operations Hendrik Kelner has handed over the reins. He’s not leaving the organization, but taking on “a more global role within the company.” Longtime employee and current VP of Tabadom’s cigar operations Hamlet Espinal will be taking over. “Some of Kelner’s new global roles will include government relations, corporate affairs, chairing the blending and tasting panel at Tabadom and conducting educational tasting seminars around the world.”(story from Cigar Aficionado)

The CMA, which we are a part of, put out their list of awards today. This inaugural year included three awards:

Cigar of the Year: illusione Fume D’Amour
Company of the Year: The Crowned Heads
Cigar Media of the Year: Cigar Dojo

New Orleans is trying to pass a smoking ban that would prohibit smoking at most businesses and public space throughout the city….the year IPCPR is coming to town….

Back to Nebraska! A bill has been introduced – but no action taken – by State Senator Ty Larson that would restore the ability of cigar bars to allow smoking in their establishments. It has language that differentiates cigars and pipes from other tobacco use and asserts that the exemption does not interfere with the intent behind the existing smoking ban. We’ll keep you updated on this story as it continues…..

Sam Brownback (gov., Kansas) has been busily making cuts to government in his home state…but has just this week proposed making up the near $650 million budget gap in increased taxes on tobacco and alcohol. Liquor would have an increase of about 50% (from 8% up to 12%), while tobacco would see a much bigger jump…especially cigarettes, which have the tax rate nearly tripled.

Finally, Craig had some more insight into the recent changes in U.S. relations with Cuba – and specifically how the requirements for travel are slightly different than originally promoted…

What Have We Been Smoking?

Craig – KBF Smoking Jacket, EPC La Historia, EPC 5-year Anni, Behike 52

Kip – The Crowned Heads Four Kicks, La Flor Dominicana 1994

Listener Email

We talked over one listener email question this week, from Officer Paul:

In November I picked up a pipe and a tin of Dunhill tobacco. I left the tobacco in the tin because it looked like there was a seal on the lid. I opened it last week to find it had dried out. Is there a way to rehydrate it or is it dead and gone?

Tune in for my answer!

Wrap Up

Next week, for our 100th Episode (!) we’ll be featuring the 2005 Opus X Double Corona as our Cigar of the Week. Be sure to tune in 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 Us!” tab at the side of this page, or at 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.

Feelin’ Musical Tonight

January 13, 2015 By Kip Fisher

So, I opted to wrap up the evening on the patio with a Crowned Heads Four Kicks and some Led Zeppelin. I’m not really much of a Kings of Leon fan, so I won’t be too dedicated to the cigar’s namesake. I guess the closest I’ll get tonight is maybe a playing of Four Sticks..
I usually like to have something playing in the background when the evening hours roll around, whether it’s Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 80’s hair metal or even some Delta Blues. What about you fine folks? Have a regular go-to playlist of band you prefer when you’re relaxing with a good cigar?

Half Ashed Episode 097: Joya de Nicaragua “Joya Red”

January 6, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Joya de Nicaragua “Joya Red”

Welcome back for Episode 097 of Half Ashed, featuring the Joya de Nicaragua Red. Kip’s preshow notes about the cigar were:

In June 2014, Joya de Nicaragua announced a new blend to be available at IPCPR 2014 (story archived at The Cigarmy). The line was dubbed Joya Red, and marketed as a bit of a departure for the company in that it would forego the typical high-ligero content often present in their cigars. The Joya Red would be more sedate in potency, yet strive to achieve boldness in flavor. It carries a Nicaraguan Habana wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan filler from Jalapa, Condega, and Esteli. Four vitolas are available, the Short Churchill (4.75” x 48), Robusto (5.25” x 50), Cañonazo (5.5” x 54), and Toro (6” x 52). I was skeptical at first, but have come to appreciate the kinder, gentler JdN offering. I often get lots of bright, airy citrus flavors from these, with some lighter leathery flavors at times. While I can’t say that I’ve mortgaged my house to stock up on them, they’re not a rare occupant of my humidors.

Tune in to find out how it went!

News

In the news, we had several stories to catch up on after missing last week’s show. We discussed a couple of items related to Quesada, notably that they are producing a St. Patrick’s Day cigar – the Quesada Keg Edition. Similar to the Oktoberfest cigars, it is intended to be paried with a beer, this time an Irish stout. It will come in a singular 6”x50 vitola carrying a PA broadleaf wrapper over Nicaraguan filler & binder. It will launch in March, and be available in 21-ct kegs (250 keg/5250 cigar total production). MSRP is $7.95, and production is set in the Plasencia factory in Nicaragua. Secondly, they are expanding the Casa Magna lineup with a 3-vitola extension to the Domus Magnus II line. The extension is collectively called the Three Good Emperors, and features the D-shaped “Trajan” (5.5”x60), and two other vitolas (Marcus Aurelius and Hadrian), which have not had details yet released. I understand the blend will be much like the standard Domus II offerings, but with a few tweaks.

We also covered an upcoming release from The Crowned Heads. They will be introducing a 4”x42 vitola to the Jericho Hill line. They will be called “Shots” and should launch somewhere around February 2015. It is being marketed as a winter time smoke, due to its diminished size. Halfwheel is reporting total production around 50k, but some hopes of seeing them again in 2016.

Room101 non-chalantly changed their header image on Facebook today….to a teaser about upcoming Master Collection Three. No comment; no detail. Just that it’s coming in February 2015. I know a lot of listeners were fans of the first and/or second series…so get ready for the third!

Back in 2011, a short run of 5,000 cigars known as the M80 were released by Tatuaje and sold exclusively through Two Guys Smoke Shop. It was a 4×50 petit robusto, and its end has been much lamented ever since. Well, it’s returning. Pete Johnson made comment this week, detailing that the blend will remain the same (Ec Habano Maduro over Nica/Nica), but packaging will change to avoid confusion with the original release. It will be a regular production item, but still only available through Two Guys.

Also – and you’ll have to tune in to the show for this – I had a bit of a catharsis on the myriad “Top ??” lists for 2014. Every Tom, Dick and Harry put out a list this year, but I’m not sure they’re all necessary….

What Have We Been Smoking?

Craig – Santos Corona Gorda

Kip – 2014 Casa Fernandez Aniversario, more LTC Reserva Familiar, La Aurora Preferido Corona Esp. Platinum (Cameroon), and Fratello

Wrap Up

Next week, we’ll be featuring the Bodega Premium Blends “Digestivo” as our Cigar of the Week. Be sure to tune in 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 “Click to Contact Us!” tab at the side of this page, or at 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 089: Cohiba Reserva Media Corona

November 3, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Welcome to Episode 089 of Half Ashed, featuring the Cohiba Reserva Media Corona

This week, we’re smoking this very special selection from Craig’s list of favorites. His own words about the cigar:

5-⅝”x38rg – A size only produced only for the 2002/03 “reserva” assorted box of 30. All tobacco was aged a minimum of 3 years prior to rolling; a rarity for cigars from Cuba. It is said that premium selections from the ‘99 harvest was all that went into these cigars. Typical Cohiba “beany” flavors are present and though thought of as a “special” release, these just seem to be standard in flavor intensity and complexity. Nevertheless, they are enjoyable examples of the blend.

Tune in to see me falling all over myself enjoying this cigar. In the news, we covered items from Alec Bradley, AVO, Crowned Heads, Jose Blanco, and Xikar. We also talked over what we’ve been smoking lately, discussed the continuing upgrade of Half Ashed (and consolidation with The Cigarmy), and took a moment to answer a recent listener email. In the next episode we will be featuring the Blessed Leaf Kairos, so be sure to check back in Friday night at 9:30pm EST on halfashed.com where you can catch us recording and participate in the chatroom. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact page or at 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 085: Cigar Federation “Collective”

October 5, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Sorry for the late post again. I should be all caught up and back on schedule after this week. In the interest of brevity I’ll just include a short list of topics for this show:

Cigar of the Week: Cigar Federation’s “Collective”

News:

Don Kiki Berger passes
Cigar Federation charity raffle comes to a close
Crowned Heads has another LE coming down the pike – the “Hecho con Corazon”
Operation Chokepoint = potential bad news for cigar retailers
Room101 Uncle Lee has been announced
Speculation on some possible news items coming soon….

Next week, we will be featuring the My Father Flor de las Antillas 6×60 Binny’s exclusive as our Cigar of the Week. Be sure to check back in Friday night at 9:30pm EST on halfashed.com where you can catch us recording and participate in the chatroom. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact page or at 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 our YouTube channel.