Cuba | Half Ashed

Half Ashed 176: El Rey del Mundo Grandes de España

March 27, 2018 By Kip Fisher

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El Rey del Mundo Grandes de España

Craig – El Rey del Mundo Grandes de Espana. The cigar that is a Lancero’s more suave brother. 38 x 7-⅝” naturally box pressed. This cigar is 21 years old this month and smokes as if it’s got the college education of a 21 year old. I’m hyperbolic because I love this cigar. Of all that we’ve had on Half Ashed, the El Rey del Mundo brand represents the best luck with vintage cigars that I’ve been lucky enough to experience. These are a rare treat for me. Floral, sweet and bready; almost akin to a breakfast pastry. They represent the perfect balance & complexity that a completely mild cigar can provide. They have decades left of substance and I look forward to continuing their journey right along with them. Creamy tea flavors with honey and spice round out the expected profile. When younger, which technically these are when talking vintage ERdMs, they can also be slightly toasty.

Cigar News

Soneros is back. The brand went away a few years ago, after an ownership disagreement between the Gonzalez family and Cubanacan. The case has since been settled, and the Gonzalez’ will again make the cigars (now in their La Corona factory), and White Hat Distribution will be bringing them to the US…a name you may know from the fact that they also distribute Hirochi Robaina’s lines. The Soneros will again be available in two wrappers: Habano Claro (Corona Gorda, Robusto, Toro, Gordo – ranging from $5.45-8.45) and Habano Maduro (same vitolas, at $0.50 more per cigar). Becoming available over the next several weeks.

Lots of FDA movement over the past 2 weeks. First, they are soliciting comments regarding flavored tobacco products – specifically, their appeal/usage by underage smokers. The comment period will run for 90 days, expiring in mid-June.

Next, the Omnibus (spending bill to fund the government) has gone through…again without any exemption for premium cigars. So, cigar manufacturers/retailers/smokers hopeful for some relief from oncoming regulation and deadlines will have to wait and see how some of the existing lawsuits shake out. But in the meantime, the FDA is expected to open a new comment period next week for the impact of these regs. This time, the expectation is more focus on defining premium cigars and if/how they should be regulated.

Popular forum/messageboard/gathering spot/trading club REDDIT has forbidden the trading, buying/selling, and giving of tobacco products on their software, including cigars. They issued the notice regarding a number of products, which include tobacco – and prohibit using “Reddit to solicit or facilitate any transaction or gift involving” these products.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –
- 2003 “Yolanda” Salamone
- AVO Syncro II Nicaragua Special Toro Fogata
- Southern Draw Pennsylvania Broadleaf Corona

Kip
- (DE) Herrera Estelí Norteño Belicoso Fino (5”x50) – I smoked one of these this week. I have to say that even though I enjoyed them when they debuted in 2013/14ish, the most recent one was much better. They were enjoyable for me originally, but could sometimes tapdance on the line of “shrill” or “astringent” in that their strength could overpower the flavor. This most recent example was perfectly balanced, with a good dose of chocolatey-chile flavor and heavy medium/light full strength. Very well made. I dug it.
- Crowned Heads La Imperiosa Magico – I also had the chance to revisit the Crowned Heads La Imperiosa this week. I smoked the Magico vitola (4.5”x52), which I have to say was another pleasant surprise. When these came out in 2015, they were reportedly spun off the 2014 Las Calaveras blend – which was my favorite to date. It seemed a bit more suave than I remember the Las Calaveras being…but deliciously tasty. There was some spice (actually most realized on relighting it hours after putting it down the first time), but this was tempered by a background sweetness that I really liked a lot.

Half Ashed 175: Unbanded 033

March 27, 2018 By Kip Fisher

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Unbanded 033 from DC

Sent in by DC all the way back in 12/2016, tonight’s featured cigar, Unbanded 033, is draped in a dark”ish” wrapper (mid-tone brown with some much darker mottling) and a sweet but cedary aroma from the foot. It is 5” x 50 by my measure, with moderate veining and a wrapper that looks dry but *feels* oily and supple. Let’s see how badly we can be fooled, shall we?

Cigar News

- Habanos Festival
- PROCigar Festival
- CLE sent out an email a couple weeks ago, detailing the fact that they are making a concerted effort to fill backorders on many of their cigars…and that effective this week they will no longer be opening any new accounts until they’re caught up. The backorder situation must be sizable, as they mentioned they hope to be caught up by 3rd quarter 2018.
- Erik Espinosa is once again releasing the Wasabi. It was originally released a couple years ago as a lounge exclusive, although it’s more widely available this time around. There are only 5,000 cigars in this production run and they’ll retail around $8. There aren’t any specifics to be found about the blend, although it’s described as a “spicy candela.” This intrigues me. I’m not at all a fan of candela wrapper in general because it often comes across as “papery” or vegetal in flavor to me. For some reason, though, I’m fascinated by the idea of a spicy version….and exactly what that might mean.
- Fresh on the heels of the sale of my once-beloved Tampa Humidor, Casa de Montecristo continues their very aggressive strategy of acquiring/partnering with retail operations, this time in South Florida. The Mancave, a south FL retailer, will be opening a CdM franchise next month. The new location will be over 2k square feet, and will feature a bar in addition to the cigar lounge. This brings the CdM number of facilities up to nearly 30, with a majority owned by Imperial.
- Lots of news coming out of Tatuaje/L’Atelier. Co-founder Casper Johnson has announced his departure from L’Atelier to take a job in the music industry. Trailing this news was the announcement that L’Atelier will merge with Tatuaje by the end of this month. I’m not especially clear what this may mean to those of us who just enjoy the product. The cigars from both companies, to my knowledge, will continue to be produced by My Father and be distributed much the same.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –
- Unbanded DC#2 – Addition by subtraction: not spicy, not overly bold or full = Old school dominican soul?
- AVO Synchro – I’m left wanting. I enjoyed this cigar for its individuality back upon release. I did not enjoy this cigar because of its monotony at this time. It’s a shame. I wanted this line to consistantly remind me of the LE releases of the 2000s that really shined well on the legacy of AVO cigars.
- Headley Grange Drumstick – An interesting cigar. It smoked bigger than it was. This cigar is an almost 8” long lancery that took abuse, smoked quickly and NEVER harshly. Enjoyably sweet and homey. If this cigar was 5” long I’d be a regular buyer.

Kip
- Mike brought be down some RoMaCraft Aquitaine back in January. I’ve been hitting those pretty hard the past couple weeks. Too hard, based upon how quickly my stash has dwindled. I just simply can’t seem to keep my hands off them. This line may very well be my favorite Nicaraguan cigar in the marketplace today (Ecuadoran wrapper and Cameroon binder notwithstanding).
- I’m still pawing at my pipes as well. Lately, I’ve been smoking through a tin of GL Pease Sextant. I think I may have mentioned this blend last episode. KY/Latakia/Turkish/VA, with a very slight spritz of rum. The rum is applied sparingly, which leaves it plenty dry to burn well but imparts a nice, caramel note across the otherwise traditional English campfire flavor. I’m not sure I’d smoked this before popping this tin; I wish I had…I’d have bought a bunch of it back in the day to set aside. I enjoy the fact that the latakia is front-loaded. What i mean by this is that it is dominant early on, but subsides by mid-bowl and lets the Virginias bring their sweetness into the foreground. Whether by design or simple palate calibration on my part, the effect is spectacular. I love it.

Episode 168: La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor

December 27, 2017 By Kip Fisher

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La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor

La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor “Magnifico” – 6”X52; A cigar we’ve talked about at various times over the years, these run about $7.50 for singles in Tampa, and $6.75/ea by the box. San Andres Mexican wrapper grown from Cuban seed with Nicaraguan fillers & binder.

Cigar News

In a move that shouldn’t be unexpected to anyone, CAA, CRA, and IPCPR filed a motion for injunction against the upcoming FDA requirements. The motion asserts that the labeling requirements are onerous and unconstitutional in their scope, as well as several other assertions. Additionally, the groups allege that the omission of the same requirements on the e-cigarette industry violate existing law in the equal protection clauses – which are spelled out in the 5th and 14th amendment. This assertion falls beneath 5th amendment protection in that rights may not be denied without due process (i.e. the requirements being enforced unequally). There are other items listed in the motion, such as the inclusion of tobacco retailers who blend pipe tobacco as “tobacco product manufacturers.” Specifically, the groups ask that the court:
1. Vacate and set aside the:
  Warning labels
  Classification of retailers who blend pipe tobacco as manufacturers
  FDA’s definition of “component or part” to include pipes
2. Vacate and set aside the user fee
3. Declare the deeming rule violates the first amendment
4. Enter a permanent injunction on the warning label requirement
5. Enter a permanent injunction from implementing or enforcing the other challenged aspects of the deeming rule
6. Enter a permanent injunction against the user fees
7. Award plaintiffs their attorneys fees
Following the devastating damage left behind by Hurricane Irma, TAA is opting to relocate this year’s gathering to La Romana, RD. It was slated to be in St. Maarten, but with the near certainty that the island will not be fully back in business by April, a decision was made to move the annual meeting.
In a familiar storyline, Drew Estate has recently had a truckload of cigars stolen. The scenario is very similar to a shipment of Arturo Fuente cigars that were stolen this past April. Like the first time, this truck was taken in the Miami area. Drew Estate put out the notice to inform the public – but also for retailers to be on the lookout for anyone offering discount rates on DE cigars. The specific cigars taken on the truck were Tabak Especial and Undercrown Shade.
Tatuaje has announced this year’s “Unlucky 13” retailers who will receive the bulk of the line’s dress boxes. The cigar is the “Michael” this year, based on the Halloween series of movies’ protagonist Michael Myers. Of course, if you don’t want the hassle of trying to track down and pay double or triple the MSRP for a dress box, there will be a number of regular boxes as well. As always, there will be 666 numbered dress boxes – but the standard boxes will number around 5000. The cigar will come in a singular 6.5” x 52 vitola this year, and feature an Ecuadoran habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler mix. It is set to retailer at $13 per cigar. I won’t drone on with the whole list here on the show, but will post the designated retailers in the notes…

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig
- RASCC– So so good. Such a fruit centric Ramon Allones. Fruity & Nuts (whose?). It’s like my own personal trail mix I light on fire!
- Cab Maduro Guapos OR!
Kip
- El Artista “Pulita” – a solid offering, probably my favorite ever from this factory (home of David Ortiz’s “Big Papi”). That being said, I haven’t beaten down any doors trying to find more.
- I’ve probably had fewer cigars the past 30 days than any other month these past 10 years…and of those, many were colmado cigars. So, not much on this front for me. The good = AJF Diesel, La Aurora ADN, Nica Rustica; the bad = some underfilled, hot no-name cigar I got from a friend; the ugly = colmado cigars. Always ugly, but worth every penny of the $0.04 price tag…

Episode 165: Hoyo de Monterrey Añejado

October 27, 2017 By Kip Fisher

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Hoyo de Monterrey Añejado

The Hoyo de Monterrey Anejados! The proverbial “Found in a warehouse” aging story come to life! SRP DIC 06 REVISADO is the box code on today’s CotW. If you buy into the marketing, these, along with a series of other initial vitolas were released in 2015. The series came from a 2006 idea to finally bring the vintage market to the Cuban distribution machine. Met with mixed reviews, this Hoyo version displays how Cuban tobacco can shine in a mild form. The cigar is a traditional Hermoso #4 (a longer & skinnier robusto) and appears dry and slightly humidity soaked. Having seen three boxes in person, all seem to appear the same. They display clean, crisp sweetness with only minimal “hoyo” sweet woody flavors. They taste more vintage than aged but only when comparing the shear amount of flavor present. Nonetheless, their flavor is enjoyable and they way they present themselves is not common amongst newer releases.

Cigar News

First up in a night of legislative news, six anti-tobacco/health groups have asked to intervene in the ongoing CAA/CRA/IPCPR lawsuit. The groups filed a Motion to Intervene, which means they are requesting the courts to include them in the suit as defendants – noting that they believe the government is not/will not properly defend the FDA regulation. The groups are:
1. American Academy of Pediatrics
2. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
3. American Heart Association
4. American Lung Association
5. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
6. Truth Initiative

UPDATE from CRA: Today, the District Court for the District Columbia rejected the motion of six public health groups to immediately intervene in the premium cigar industry’s joint lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Court will reconsider the issue if there are new developments.

In what is probably the bigger story over the past few weeks, the FDA has announced a big delay in the substantial equivalence deadline – a three year delay. The new deadline is Aug 2021. Other deadlines and guidance (or lack thereof) remain the same – including packaging requirements, etc. What this essentially boils down to is that products in the marketplace before Aug 2016 will be allowed to remain until Aug 2021 without gaining approval (the previous deadline was May 2018). This is huge for the smaller companies that were facing very expensive compliance with a foggy regulatory set in the near-term. They now have longer to prepare and budget for the process – and hopefully, get more guidance in what will even be required to meet the SE regs. The FDA commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, has also noted that a new comment period will be opened to receive and evaluate public comments about cigars and their use. The pathway to substantial equivalence – even with the new, more distant deadline – is fairly obscure, with little guidance from the FDA in what specifically will be required to demonstrate compliance.

Per a statement issued by CRA & IPCPR, Commissioner Gottlieb also noted that the FDA will undertake a new approach to evaluating tobacco policy – one “that notes a “continuum of risk” that recognizes the differences in tobacco products.” It’s worth noting also that Dr. Gottlieb stated that the FDA will “reexamine the treatment of premium cigars under the agency’s current regulatory structure. Ultimately, the agency will open a new rule making process to engage with the industry to better understand premium cigars, specifically.” In theory, I find this encouraging…but time will tell if practice meets theory.

Hawaii, California, New Jersey, Maine, and now Oregon have raised the legal purchase age for tobacco to 21

As discussed on last week’s “hangout and not a show”, the results are in! The Friends of Habanos Mould Report is in and able to be viewed. With over 30 cigars with plume/mold to choose from, 10 distinct samples (in appearance) were selected. Out of those 10, only 4 distinct components were detected. All 4 were mold. As such, FoH is offering a $250 store credit for anyone who can produce a cigar with plume. http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/topic/131757-final-mould-report/

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Kip –

RoMaCraft, RoMaCraft, RoMaCraft!
Serino Maduro XX – Ec. Habano 2000 over Nicaraguan binder & filler; produced by La Corona (Omar González Alemán). Tons of cocoa and berry sweetness…one of the better cigars I’ve smoked in a long time – even with the nearly $12 per robusto price tag.
Emilio Carpe Noctem. I found these languishing on a retailer’s shelf during my visit to TN. It was a shadow of its former self from a few years ago. I felt like it had gone very flat during that time, with some muddling of flavors and an occasional metallic taste that I didn’t care for. Tragic, since I really liked these when they hit the market.

Episode 163: Cohiba Magico Maduro

July 7, 2017 By Kip Fisher

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Cohiba Magico Maduro

From Craig…

LSO JUN 07 Cohiba Magico – These cigars from the original production run of the first non LE post revolution Cuban cigar. In 2002 Cuba started aging the Maduro wrapper leaves for what would eventually become the Cohiba Maduro cigars. Available in three vitolas; Secretos, a Tres Petit Corona, Magicos, roughly a rothschild and the Genios a toro sized cigar. These cigars were met with much anticipation and limited success. Heralded as the best Non Cuban cigar to come out of Cuba, the much maligned “Cocoa & Coffee” flavors reminded smokers of non cuban flavors. For those of us who love cigars from all countries, these cigars represented a holy grail to a small population that appreciated the marriage in style and sensation. Full bodied without being strong, these cigars were sweet and rich, without being overpowering. When on they were some of the best maduro examples ever to be sold. This box is original to the first shipments hitting global market and has been in my possession for nearly 10 years. I broke it open for this occasion and have yet to smoke a single cigar. I smoked numerous boxes of Secretos and found them to run between acceptable and flawless…

Cigar News

There are “hundreds of thousands” more Fuente cigars floating around the black market than 2 weeks ago. An entire 40 foot cargo container was stolen some time between being offloaded in Miami and its scheduled delivery in Tampa. The tractor, and subsequently the trailer, has since been recovered,. Expect some Fuente shortages again this year…..

So Xikar is adding graduated laser etched markings on the blade of some cutters that measure the diameter of the cigar being cut, notably the Ultra Thin model. At first, I thought “that’s neat.” Then, I wondered what the point was? Do these markings gauge the entire diameter? Or, how much someone somewhere thinks should be trimmed off the cap (which should, of course, be less than the overall diameter of the cigar)? Are cap/heads of cigars uniform enough this is close enough to a fixed amount to be trimmed? Does anyone think it matters? There seems like a lot of variation amongst manufacturers’ ability to maintain consistent ring measurements on their cigars.

Turns out…kids aren’t springing the cash for premium cigars! Who’d a thunk it? A study partially funded by the FDA determined that of over 13,000 kids aged 12-17 only 2.3% had ever had a premium cigar (with “ever” meaning have ever had even 1-2 puffs). Less than ¾ of 1% had done so in the past 30 days. This data was part of a much larger study, covering a sample pool of almost 46,000 children and adults. Additionally, the study included the use of flavored cigars – which are often the evil scapegoat decried by anti-smoking factions. The study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the FDA, and interestingly, the FDA does NOT include these findings in the tobacco section of their website. Originally published by Cigar Aficionado.

Tatuaje has announced the final two offerings in the long-running Monster series. Later this year, “Michael” will be released, and “The Bride” will be the (presumed) final release in 2018. Along with this announcement, it has further come to light that another subset of the Monsters will be coming down the pike. A Cazadores sampler will be coming in the next month or so, and will include 10 of the Monster blends in a 6 ⅜” x 43 vitola. There will also be a lancero version of the sampler in 7 ½” x 38. I’ve enjoyed the regular Monster lineup over the years, but never really went nuts over them, as the sizes tend to run a bit bigger than I typically reach for. I really liked the Skinny Monster release last year, and will go out on a limb to declare I’ll probably invest in the Cazadores…and Lanceros…and one or both a second round after I have had a proper amount of testing :). The Cazadores will run around $90 per sampler, while the Lanceros will come in at about $5 more.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

SCdlH El Principe – My love of small cigars is not hidden to anyone who listens to this show. The El Principe always floats amongst my favorites in this vitola. Sweet, flavorful and, like the best Cuba has to offer, always drops an individual thread to accompany the overall theme the island’s tobacco brings to the table. Terrific.
Partagas 898v – Absolutely loaded with amazing sweet spice and tobacco flavor. Also loaded with a roughness akin to youth and bad luck.

Kip

Davidoff Chef’s Edition…typical Davidoff (I dig it).
Lots of Quesada España and 40th Robustos
Partagas Heritage (General) – They have my attention…

Episode 161: Unbanded 030

April 4, 2017 By Kip Fisher

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Unbanded 030, from Kevin H.

Tonight’s example is roughly a corona gorda, with a lovely dark, evenly colored wrapper leaf. There’s one prominent vein but not a great deal of other relief to wrapper, which is almost oil-free to the touch. It actually feels like there’s a bit of dry residue where oil once lay, and with a decent amount of yellowing to the cello it came in, this could well be the case.

Cigar News

Since our last show, we’ve had a nominee added into the fray to head up the FDA under the Trump administration. Scott Gottlieb comes out of the healthcare industry in various facets, and has a history of tangential support of the premium cigar industry. He’s written various articles that at the very least assert the FDA is over-reaching in its assimilation of premium cigars into its regulations. We’ll post more as the days come and confirmation hearings proceed.

Two representatives and a Senator from Connecticut are trying to protect use of the word “Connecticut” in tobacco branding/labeling. They’ve submitted a letter asking for an examination of how products are marketed and labeled with the name, specifically in reference to tobacco grown elsewhere using CT seeds. They claim to have heard from constituents who feel undercut by brands that utilize “Connecticut” leaf that may have been grown in other countries. The letter has been submitted to the FDA and FTC, both of which govern tobacco labeling for various reasons.

La Palina has announced an update to their Classic line of cigars. Most surprising to me is a move for production from PDR to General Cigar. Details beyond that are sparse, except that the line will feature three branches: Classic Connecticut (EC CT // DR // DR-Nica), Classic Maduro (Hond // Hond // DR-Nica-Hond), and Classic Rosado (Hond // Hond // DR-Nica-Hond). It’s to come in 3 sizes per wrapper and retails for $6.50-$8 US).

Joey Bravo, son of Berta “Guayabera Lady” Bravo and former sales head for J. Fuego, has co-founded a new company with his Mom and friend James Thomas. The company, named Cypress Group Miami, will oversee distribution and sales of the J. Fuego brand in the U.S. and elsewhere. The move is being made to free up Jesus Fuego to spend more time at his factory in Estelí rather than stateside with sales commitments.

By the end of the semester, the University of Texas will be tobacco-free on all its campuses and properties. Texas, for cryin’ out loud! This is a policy change for the University, but there’s also a bill up for consideration that would ban tobacco and e-cigarette use on all state-owned properties throughout TX…

Australian cigar merchant and internet playground master, Friends of Habanos is currently hosting a truly special event. Rob Ayala, FoH’s owner and “el presidente” is calling upon the site’s members to share cigars with what they feel to be either mold or plume. Once a substantial offering has been received the cigars will be documented, photographed and sent out for “independent scientific testing”! This is the first public mold testing I am aware of and I am anxiously awaiting the report. I feel we will see substantially more samples coming back as mold than plume… The results could potentially be the building blocks for a mold/plume tutorial the likes of which have never been seen.

2017 Cuban tobacco harvest is the first in at least 3 years to have been universally heralded as above average. The quality is good and as many as 23k hectares have been successfully harvested. Late 2018/early 2019 Cuban cigar production should be expected to exceed recent quality.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

RoMaCraft Fiorella
JC NewmanBlack Diamond
2002 RA PC, 2013 RA TPC
Tantrum
Jericho Hill

Kip

Colmado cigars. Who’d a thunk it?!?
LFD Andalusian Bull

Half Ashed Episode 153: Cohiba Behike 56

October 30, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Cohiba Behike 56

From Craig:

In 2010 Cuba did something the cigar industry had never seen before. It figured out how to utilize a segment of the tobacco plant never used for a cigar before. The Medio Tiempo leaf was included in the Cohiba Behike line, representing its first use in any major production vitola. It is essentially the two (or 4) leaves atop of a tobacco plant that SOMETIMES grow. This is not the corona, where the ligero comes from. This is above the ligero.

The Behike was released with the front marque of 52, 54 & 56, and logically grew in size amongst its three offerings and brought an entirely new depth of flavor to the famed Cohiba flagship. Cohiba was finally deep & dark, dirty & grimey. And people loved it. A friend returned from the island in early 2010 with a bundle of 56s prior to their release. These are the cigars we’re smoking from tonight. I can’t be certain they represent the final production blend, or even the same blend amongst the entire bundle. I can be certain that they are characteristically Cohiba and many are downright earthy enough to keep even the biggest fan satisfied. Brown sugar, vanilla & earth are primary flavors. Citrus weaves in and out as a welcome palate cleanser amongst these sticks.

Cigar News

The big news for the day is another round of changes for those Cuban aficionados who travel abroad. President Obama has further loosened the restrictions on bringing Cuban goods – especially tobacco and alcohol – back to the U.S. It appears that soon the $100 limit on those 2 classes of goods will be lifted, and the allowances will be brought in line with similar products from other countries. Additionally, you will be able to bring back Cuban goods without setting specifically traveling there. Formerly, one could only bring back Cuban items if they had traveled to Cuba; now Cuban goods can be returned from trips to third-party locales. The big question remains “Can I buy Cuban cigars from American retailers? Order them online?” The answer to that – legally – is “no.”

The CAO Amazon is back! Of all the CAO releases – both pre- and post-General buyout – this was my favorite. The problem is, it’s limited in scope. The story says it’s a rare, little-produced tobacco within the blend that limits production due to its scarcity and difficulty in bringing it to market. It was originally released in 2014, but was short-lived. The latest batch should be hitting shelves over the next couple weeks. The blend is Ecuadoran Sumatra over Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan/Brazilian fillers. The special leaf contained is known as Bragança (I believe this is pronounced bruh-GAHN-suh). The new cigars come in just over $10 per stick.

Fresh on the heels of resigning from Maya Selva, Gabriel Alvarez has joined a different cigar company – Casa Cuevas – as Director of Sales. I have to admit I had never heard of Casa Cuevas, although they apparently have a factory nearby in Santiago. Based on their website, they’ve made cigars for Toraño, Leccia, and Gurkha. They previously specialized in making cigars for others, but have decided to branch out and produce some under their own name. I will report back when I know more on the brand….

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

Hoyo de Monterrey Anejados – Hermoso #4 – Lovely
Margate Pipe Tobacco

Kip

Diplomatico

Fonseca Nicaragua petit corona. Nica puro, made for Quesada by Plasencia. Wow. What a difference a vitola makes….
Leon Jimenes 300 Series

Half Ashed Episode 150: Montecristo No 2

September 28, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Montecristo Number 2

From Craig:

Created in July of 1935 at the Particulares factory in Cuba by Alonso Menendez (Benji), Montecristos were rolled there until 1937 when production was transferred to the H.Upmann factory, also owned at that point by Menendez. Montecristo cigars’ little known claim to fame is that they were the first cigar ever blended to focus on a core of flavors besides the typical tobacco & spice flavors. Being dubbed “new school havana flavor”, they started a revolution that continues today with many notable blends from all over the world. The #2 is the most famous of the line, though not the best selling, and undoubtedly thought of as the world’s greatest torpedo.

Cigar News

Outside of FDA items and post-tradeshow details, there isn’t a ton of NEW news this week…so I thought I’d kick around a couple things I’ve had from the show.
- Dunhill Aged Maduro. I believe this is the first time a true maduro has carried the Dunhill name. It has a Sungrown Ligero wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and Dominican/Nicaraguan filler mix. I smoked the 4”x54 short robusto, but it’s also available in 5.125”x42 Marevas and 5.5”x54 short churchill. I had mixed results with this one. After smoking two I’m torn. The first was a bit monotone, with an occasional foray into some slight bitterness. I wasn’t a fan. Giving it a second try, though, was rewarding. I still had some occasional tannic notes, but overall was much better. I’ll report back once I’ve had the last one…but for smallish cigars that will run $9.50-12 at retail, I’ll have to be pretty impressed.
- Sticking with the General Cigar theme, I also had the CAO Consigliere. This, for those who haven’t heard, is unofficially a re-introduction of the Sopranos, sans series nomenclature. The company says this allows for a much lower MSRP than the Sopranos (now $7-9 in 3 vitolas). I smoked the 5”x52 Associate (also comes in 6”x54 Soldier and 7”x56 Boss). I had better luck with this than the Dunhill mentioned above. I played Craig just for a few minutes and trimmed away some of the wrapper. Removing the wrapper gave it a very sweet essence – akin to root beer, in fact. I’ll be trying these at least once more when they hit shelves. Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper over Honduran binder and Colombian/Nica/DR fillers.
JC Newman, even in the face of new legislation and regulatory oversight, launched a new “boutique” division – 4th Generation. The company has already begun shipping (to beat the 8/8 deadline) three lines – The American, The Admiration, and The 1954. Interestingly, the cigars will be produced at their Ybor city factory rather than their Nicaraguan operations – although production is in NIcaragua until the factory has been readied for production. The company will be headed by Eric’s son Drew and wife Ariel. The American will be an American puro, featuring the FSG wrapper grown by Jeff Borysiewicz in central Florida. It will also have CT broadleaf, CT habano, and PA. The Admiration is a mix of American and NIcaraguan tobacco. Finally, the 1954 is an attempt at recreating Stanford’s Cuesta Rey 95. 1954 commemorates JC Newman’s move to Ybor. I’m interested in seeing how these lines are received, as they all carry pricing from $16-20 per stick.
The FDA lost a lawsuit this week. A district court judge sided with the tobacco companies and deemed that new packaging does NOT necessarily mean a new tobacco product. This was specifically in regard to a cigarette suit, but should cover cigars as well. FDA asserted previously that a change in any packaging would start a new application process. Notably, the judge also deemed a change in package quantity DOES signify a new tobacco product.
Kevin Talley – Sr. Directory of Legislative Affairs – has left IPCPR. No reasoning was given, but I’m intrigued by sheer curiosity of the timing…

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig – A GREAT couple of weeks for me

ECCJ 20th was the dog of the show. That should tell you something
Reynaldo Canonazo 2014 from Zedman
1998 Montecristo Especials
L‘Atelier Racine – How polar opposite this experience was… from itself
Avo Syncro Fogata
Davidoff Yamasa

JC Newman Perla del Mar Maduro
The revived Oliveros from Aging Room

Half Ashed Episode 146: Punch Exclusivo Asia Pacifico

July 22, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Punch Exclusive Asia Pacifico

From Craig:

2006 Punch Super Robusto RE Asia Pacifico – 6.1”x50 – As we’ve discussed numerously, the Regional Edition releases have been a successful gimmick from Habanos SA. This vitola, popularized in basic format by the Cohiba Siglo VI in 2002/03, is one of the first large ring releases in the punch line. The line benefits from the added girth by bringing brown sugar & a little citrus to the typically tangy, almost whiskey-like spicy characteristics of the basic punch line. A classic performer and a standout in the already premium RE releases. A classic in the future.

Cigar News

Since the last episode, I’m sure we all celebrated “World No-Tobacco Day.” I know I did, with a couple cigars of which I chose to rid the planet in a series of very small fires. The United Nations took advantage of the occasion to advocate for plain packaging laws around the world. For those not familiar, these are the laws we talked about long ago in Australia – which essentially eliminate characteristic packaging on tobacco products. Boxes of cigars must be presented in basic, drab colors with little or nothing besides text identifying them as such (except in some cases, graphic depictions of tumors, etc.). The established standard “entails restricting or prohibiting the use of logos, colours, brand images or any promotional information other than brand and product names displayed in a standard colour and font.” U.N. thinking asserts that this lowers the demand for the product, and supports the goal of elimination from the marketplace. An official in a un.org article claims the laws have reduced the number of smokers in Australia by 100,000 in 34 months. How these folks continue to tout the huge drops in numbers of smokers while concurrently claiming rates of smoking commencement are at all time highs is beyond me. The aforementioned article concludes with a quote from the WHO Director General: ““On this World No Tobacco Day, we are telling the world to get ready for even more comprehensive tobacco control.” Brace yourselves, fellow cigar smokers….especially those in Canada and the U.S. You’re next in line for new legislation, including plain packaging proposal.

Those of you who enjoy a good flavored cigars have dodged a nearer bullet. As outlined by the CSP Daily News, a site dedicated to convenient stores and their sales, the original proposal of the new FDA regulation would have almost immediately killed off many or most flavored cigars – with a 90 day limit on the approval/substantial equivalence process. If you enjoy these cigars, be ye forewarned: they’re in the forefront of regulatory sights. Even though the original language was stricken, there was a phrase included that declared a longer goal to “eliminate characterizing flavors in all cigars including cigarillos and little cigars.”

Yesterday, Enrique Sanchez of 1502/Global Premium Cigars filed what I believe is the first lawsuit spawned from the recent FDA regulations within the premium cigar industry. There are a number of subtleties, but two overarching allegations in the suit:
- GPC claims the FDA is infringing upon First Amendment rights with the labeling requirements. The claim is that a.) the government has not provided any evidence that these labels are protective of public health and b.) the warning labels impede First Amendment rights by hindering the manufacturer’s ability “to communicate with the public through packaging, advertising, and intellectual property.”
- Secondly, the suit claims violation of Fifth Amendment rights. A clause in the amendment forbids the government from seizing property without just compensation. The claim is that the space to be occupied by labeling requirements on boxes and advertising materials has been unjustly seized without compensation. Additionally in this section, a claim is made that the February 15, 2007 grandfather date is arbitrary.
- It is also claimed that the provided pathway to approval is flawed and unlawful – in essence that no cigar maker would pursue the approval process for post-Feb 2007 products if they can’t show substantial equivalence due to the cost. Substantial equivalence procedure, according to FDA estimates, would run in tens of thousands of dollars…while the alternative to introducing a product will likely be hundreds of thousands.

As I mentioned, there are quite a few other intricacies with the suit. I will try to post a link to the info on our forum this week. During an FDA webinar last week, some guidance on the intent for the samples ban was provided. For now, at least informally, promos with purchase are safe. The simple giving of a sample is what will be prohibited. Making purchase to gain additional cigars would seemingly be allowed. No more samples from reps to shop customers, etc. though.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Partagas Serie du Connoisseur #1 – Much of this box has been a letdown. This cigar was not. Full, rich, spicy, everything a partagas should be. It’s always interesting to me when nearly every cigar from a box is average, then at #23 or 24 you finally get a gem. Did it just need 10 years of box time? Was it the only one with high quality tobacco in it? The world may never know…
Punch Lunch Club – These are an old Dogwatch favorite. While noticeably youthful, the flavors are there. This just goes to show that the big boys do have some mighty tasty tobacco…

Pretty run of the mill past couple weeks for me. Actually not much stuck out aside from a Ramon Allones (robusto?) and its uncharacteristic flavors…peat. Peat-fired malted barley. Weird…

Half Ashed Episode 143: Club Havana Coronas Especial

April 28, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Club Havana Coronas Especial

This Laguito #2 vitola, commonly known as the demi-lance around these parts but colloquially understood to be a 6”x38 rg, is a what’s commonly referred to as a “custom” cuban cigar.

Originally blended by the late Enrique Mons, this house blend for “Club Havana” is a brother of the commonly known “mons-dale”. Tonight’s examples were acquired in January of 2015 and are one of my favorite “customs” from the island. They are a wonderful mixture of brown sugar, sweet nutty flavors and at times a lovely mocha undertone.

Cigar News

EP Carrillo has shipped this year’s Short Run. It’s a new blend (Ecuadoran Habano over Nicaraguan internals), and it only comes in a single 6” x 52 vitola limited to 2,500 boxes of 10. The blend stands on its own, rather than being spun off another existing line like previous iterations. The most striking thing I noticed, however, is the price increase. MSRP this year is $12. Last year’s edition in this size was under $8…which makes for a greater than 50% increase. I realize it’s a more limited production run, and possibly better tobacco (although EPC hasn’t said anything to indicate what’s special in this year’s run, except for some Criollo ‘98 Comoto (Nicaragua) in the filler)…but I wonder why such a marked increase?

Legislative happenings….
Originally, on 4/13, the House Committee Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture passed the FY2017 appropriations bill – including language to exempt premium cigars from FDA regulation. The bill must go before the House Appropriations Committee to be finalized. The proposal withholds funding for the FDA to put in place their intent to regular traditional premium cigars.*

During the House Appropriations meeting, Repr. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) proposed an amendment that would *remove* the existing language that protected premium cigars. This amendment failed at vote.

Repr Tom Cole (R-OK) also introduced an amendment that removes the existing “grandfather” date of Feb 15, 2007 to the date actual FDA rules are finalized.

While this is all good news, it’s not over. A similar passage was in last year’s appropriations bill – but didn’t make it through the entire process.

* For general information, the included language qualifies a cigar as “premium” if:

rolled in 100% leaf tobacco, bunched with 100% tobacco filler AND contains no non-tobacco mouthpiece AND weights at least 6 lbs. per 1,000 cigars AND
has 100% leaf tobacco binder and is hand rolled
has 100% leaf tobacco binder & is made using human hands to lay the wrapper or binder onto only one bunching machine [i.e. Leiberman] OR
has a homogenized tobacco leaf binder & is made in the U.S. using human hands to roll the wrapper onto only 1 machine that bunches, wraps and caps each cigar AND
is not a cigarette or little cigar (per existing definition from 2009)

Tatuaje’s Skinny Monsters have begun to arrive at retailers around the U.S. I never had much of a drive to seek out the Little or Pudgy Monsters, but I’m in for these 6” x 38 petit lances. We talked about these several months ago; this week’s initial launch is for 10,000, 10-ct samplers (1 each of the existing series) – but after this summer’s IPCPR tradeshow, there should be 400, 25 count boxes of each available. I can dig it. The samplers are running $80-85 from what I’ve seen in retailer adverts – which means you can try them all now and pick up your favorite in quantity later this year.

I think we mentioned a couple weeks ago that 1502 (Global Premium Cigars) had arranged for some limited distribution in the European market – following a few other, bigger brands over the past couple years. Now, Guayacan has joined the ranks. They announced an entrance into the Netherlands this past week. I’m still wondering what the base motivation for this phenomena is? Is it simple growth by these companies into new markets? Are some just hedging bets in case of legislative catastrophe in the U.S.?

A 6.5” 46 version of the Chogüí Dos77, called the Longsdale [sic] has shipped….and I still haven’t even tried it. I had an invite from Victor Nicolás to come by the “Top Secret Nest,” but haven’t had the chance with his recent travels and my schedule not working out. Based on my appreciation of the Rogusto, I gotta get my hands on these pronto. U.S. retail should run about $9.75 on these, and the blend is listed as being the same as the Rogusto (Dominican puro – with Havana seed wrapper over Criollo ‘98 binder and Habano 2020/corojo filler).

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Gurkha – Some Big mother *@$% from CI – As classy as its name
Cohiba Siglo II – Sick!
Ramon Allones Small Club Corona – Classy!

Kip

I expanded my Cuban sampling a bit recently, with the Hoyo de Monterrey Añejados. I honestly think I like most every other HdM I’ve tried more than these. The profile had a woodsy core that dabbled with a touch of bitterness at times. This one wasn’t worth the extra expense that came with it for my tastes.

Edouardo de Lara (El Compartir) launched a small batch of cigars locally called the Yute. The packaging is interesting, with both the band and bundle wrap being jute (the burlap material used to wrap tobacco bales). I think I actually liked these better than his original El Compartir line. They are very clean on the palate, with a bit of bright, sweet spice throughout. The price was a huge appeal as well, coming in at 156 Dominican pesos (~$3.46US) before tax. One other interesting – but perhaps controversial to some – feature is that the cigars are cut flush at the head, with a simple leaf applied over it. This necessitates either using a punch or fingernail to open the end. I don’t know that I felt one way or the other about this…I just smoke these things. It was a conversation starter, but not much more for me. I dig ‘em. So much that after trying one I committed to a bundle. The only problem is the size of the run. Only 1,000 were produced. Comes with HVA (Habana Vuelto Abajo) wrapper (Dominican) over Criollo ‘98/Habana 2020 filler.

Cigar Sidelines

Tune in toward the end of the show for a minor “crotchety old guy” rant that I had recently about how the manufacturer/distributor/authorized/non-authorized retailer system sits today. Despite differing thoughts from both Craig and Will Cooper, I’m still of the same mind as when I went into the conversation (even though I can agree with some of their points, I think the exceptions are just that – exceptions. Not the rule).

Next Episode

Next episode (144), we will be smoking an Unbanded – #027, from Dan C. 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.