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Half Ashed 182: LFD Air Bender Maduro

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La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Maduro

The La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Maduro is a cigar that has tempted me since its release. In early 2011 I visited the Dominican Republic for the first time and toured a farm where the Gomez family grows some of its tobacco. Not typically a fan of LFD I often overlooked their releases. The visit to their fields was a welcome awakening for my palate. My traveling companions and I were treated to Air Bender Torpedos and I was immediately surprised by the blend. Being one to typically shy away from strength to the nth power, I expected nothing else from the famed “double” and “triple ligero” manufacturer. I was shocked to find a blend nuanced with spice, sweetness, and hard flavors wrapped in subtlety. Pair that blend with a sweeter Maduro wrapper and I was intrigued. Fast forward to last winter and I finally had a chance to get my hands on some of them.

This 6-½”x54 behemoth of a cigar has Dominican internals and a Brazilian Habano wrapper. It’s aroma is unique in a spicy sort of presentation and the prelight is similar. The cigar reminds me of a spiced and harder version of the original. Bitter citrus notes cut through the low end to come together in an enjoyable, different package. Speaking of packaging, this cigar was only available in 24 count “Curing Barn” humidors.

Cigar News

Happy birthday Bob McDuffee!

IPCPR was this past week, and as expected there isn’t a huge number of new cigar introductions. I did notice several new things coming from Fuente, although most are limited items that are incentives for retailers. The thing that most readily caught my eye was that the 888 will be available in the Opus blend. I love this size, and frankly I believe Fuente shines in these smaller ring cigars (Casa Fuente lancero, Don Carlos lancero, Opus lancero, etc.). The 888, of course, was the Añejo vitola that launched a few years ago in limited fashion. It is one of my favorites in the line, and I’m betting it could be a favorite for my tastes in the Opus line (which I often pass over in favor of Don Carlos or Hemingway). It will be 6.875” x 44, and is listed as a Dominican puro (obviously). I have to admit, I haven’t been this excited over an Opus introduction in a long time. MSRP is $13.50, but as we all know all bets are off when they actually land on retailers’ shelves…

In a followup to a judgment that went against the cigar industry with reservations, Judge Amit P. Mehta has ruled in another case that the labeling requirements required by the incoming FDA rule must be delayed until 60 days after another pending case has been completed. The labeling requirements have long been considered one of the more onerous items in the rules, and many companies have already invested a great deal of time and money into preparing.

Halfwheel reported on a new Total Flame cigar that is on its way, which includes some Iranian tobacco in the filler blend. It will feature a CT wrapper over Indonesian Sumatra binder and fillers from Iran, Nicaragua, and PA. You may remember this company from Bob McDuffee’s focus back at IPCPR 2012. I have never smoked their lineup, but I’m fascinated with the idea of Iranian tobacco considering the near- and middle-eastern prominence in pipe tobaccos. I’m intrigued as to whether the tobacco will be similarly treated during the curing process, and if they might provide a fire-cured nuance. Anyone who sees these should drop us a line and let us know how it goes….although total production is only 10k, and only half that in will ship to the U.S.

Smokers of AJ Fernandez’ San Lotano Oval will be disappointed to hear that the line is being discontinued, reportedly to avoid confusion with their Requiem line. Apparently, CI has opted to buy out the remaining inventory to make it an exclusive for them until inventory is depleted. Better act quickly….

Drew Estate has entered into the bundle cigar arena, with some very inexpensive value priced cigars. I’m wondering how this will go, and how much influence is coming from parent company Swisher in this endeavor. I could speculate, but probably shouldn’t….tune in to the show to find out why.

Our buddy Luis at La Tradicion Cubana is releasing some aged cigars he’s been sitting on for many years. Fourteen years, to be exact. The cigars are known as the JML 1902 Reserva Familiar, and were rolled at his factory in 2004. The blend is a PA wrapper over Dominican Criollo ‘98 binder and PA filler. I wonder Production numbers haven’t been released, but they will retail for $6-7 in two vitolas – 5”x50 robusto and 7”x50 churchill

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Tatuaje Cabaiguan Maduro Robusto Extra
Tatuaje Cabaiguan Maduro Robusto Extra
Tatuaje Cabaguan Maduro Robusto Extra

Kip

Dunbarton Tobacco Trust Sobremesa Robusto Largo (5.25”x52)…”the marker”
OMS Pipes…mostly with MacBaren Navy Flake. Wow!
I replaced my Xikar MTX scissors. Oh, sweet mystery of life at last I’ve found you!

Episode 168: La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor

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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 159: Asylum Nyctophilia

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Asylum Nyctophilia Robusto

Tonight, we’re smoking the 5” x 50 Asylum Nyctophilia, although it was also available in 6” x 60 and 7” x 70. It was one of the TAA exclusives in 2015, and in fact I believe was the final cigar I bought before moving out of the states in June 2015. They were marketed in limited supply at around the $8 mark, and featured a dark San Andres wrapper over Nicaraguan internal components. I bought a few of these at the time, and really liked them initially. After a few months, when I smoked the last one I’ve had to date, there was some tannic intrusion that I wasn’t a huge fan of….we’ll see how they’ve progressed over the past year.

Cigar News

Jonathan Drew is returning to an “executive operating role” with Drew Estate, a slightly different role than he has played in the two years since the company was sold to Swisher. The move is promoted as one in which the company will “return to its iconic roots and core values. The objective is to unleash the entire team’s creative power under the leadership of JD.” JD was quoted in the press release as saying “We will return to high-level curation, mixed media platforms, and true collaboration. We have lost our way a bit, but DE will bubble back 1,000 times stronger. Believe me.”  What are our thoughts? Tune in to hear….

Continuing with the Drew Estate news, reports of a new Undercrown line are popping up around the U.S. The Undercrown Sungrown features the same vitolas as the existing line, and red banding rather than the traditional blue and the white found on the Shade. The company hasn’t yet released any blend details, but I imagine they’ll be forthcoming. Kip *really* digs the original line in the robusto vitola, and has an appreciation for the Shade (although it’s not exactly up his alley in terms of personal flavor preferences).

Bill Nelson has introduced a new(ish) bit of helpful cigar legislation….

Politicians in two states are currently calling for massive increases in cigar taxation. Gov. John Kasich of Ohio is requesting an increase from 17% of wholesale per cigar to 69% (an increase of over 300%) in his new proposed budget. Meanwhile, New Mexico’s SB 231 would increase cigar tax from 25% to 75% of wholesale (up 200%). Neither of the measures are new, although they are heftier increases than previous attempts…Gov. Kasich’s budget goes next to legislative review, while the NM bill goes to committee.

A couple of total rabbit trails….

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

PL PC – Don’t you just hate it when a good cigar is transitioning? This PL was soapy and sour, yet I could still taste the profile in the background. This just irks me.
Core Zero Robusto – Way back before the last Dogwatch, Dale asked me to smoke a couple of cigars for the show. I did, or so I thought I did until I found one last one in my singles drawer. Full of sweet spice and a decidedly peanut-brittle type flavor, this brought a lot of good to the table. The good was matched by some minor issues, including a bite that wasn’t “strength” so much as it was harshness. It wasn’t a cigar for serious smokers and probably would have scared off newbs as well. I’m not quite sure who the audience was for this but could certainly find enjoyable aspects in what I had.

Kip

Cantinero
Chogui Longsdale
EPC Edicion Inaugural 2009

Notes on the Xikar MTX scissors…

Florida Sun Grown coming to Corona Cigar

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Drew Estate Announces New Florida Sun Grown “FSG”

Jeff Borysiewicz Florida Sun GrownOn Half Ashed, we’ve been talking about Jeff Borysiewicz’ efforts at re-vitalizing Florida-grown cigar tobacco ever since the first crop in 2013.  Those efforts are finally coming to fruition, in the form of a new line from Drew Estate – the first to utilize the tobacco.  The cigar maker is now officially launching the line, dubbed “Florida Sun Grown,” or “FSG.”  It features leaf grown near Clermont, FL just outside Orlando.  The growing operation is spearheaded by Borysiewicz, owner of Corona Cigar Co.

The Florida Sun Grown line will feature four vitolas:

  • Robusto (5 x 54), MSRP $230/20ct box
  • Toro (6 x 52), MSRP $260/20ct box
  • Belicoso (6 ½ x 54), MSRP $280/20ct box
  • Sixty (6 x 60), MSRP $300/20ct box

The blend for the FSG features the Florida tobacco as an accent, or condiment, tobacco.  It purportedly “adds nuance and depth to the blend, but [the cigar] also features select Nicaraguan fillers. The binder is a Habano seed tobacco from Honduras and the cigar is finished off with a lush Brazilian wrapper.”

In addition to the regular production items, a special limited edition “Trunk-Pressed” Toro (6 x 54) will be produced.  This limited size will contain a different blend, utilizing a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over Mexican binder and Florida Sungrown/Nicaraguan/Honduran filler components.  The LE will retail for $150 per 10ct. box.

Willy Herrera Florida Sun GrownThe FSG was blended by Drew Estate Master Blender Willy Herrera over the past two years that the company has been processing the new leaf.

Willy says, “it was a unique challenge working with the Florida Sun Grown tobacco. It was something completely new to me, and it took me numerous blends to figure out how to incorporate it into a blend I really loved. The final blend we’ve come up with is one I’m extremely excited about, and I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks of this special new tobacco.”

Asked about growing this tobacco, Borysiewicz said, “this has been one of the most difficult challenges of my life. Tobacco growing is just as much an art as it is a science, and growing tobacco in this area of Florida was totally uncharted territory. It took a lot of trial and error to get it to where it is today, but we couldn’t be happier with the way it’s smoking.”

Jonathan Drew, of Drew Estate, relates: “My first memorable experience with Jeff Borysiewicz was at 1am in the morning inside the DE factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.  We spoke until 3am, while DE’s first seven packaging girls and myself prepared for the launch of ‘NATURAL Cigars by Drew Estate’.  It must have been 2000.  The next morning, after sleeping only a few hours, I drove a rented car four hours to Managua on that pothole crater-ridden Pan American Highway just to bring Jeff some samples of what would later become ‘Industrial Press Cigars’. Friendship founded, boom, for life.  Here we are, now 17 years later and ready to make magic happen again. Florida Barn Smoker and the FSG Label bring me back to the earliest days when we had nothing but a dream.”

The Florida Sun Grown line will land on retailer shelves in June, and will be available exclusively at Corona Cigar Co. To be among the first to try the new Florida Sun Grown blends, attend the Florida Barn Smoker on June 4th, 2016.

Florida Sun Grown

Six New Drew Estate Lounge Exclusives Announced

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Drew Estate Announces New Lounge Exclusives For Corona Cigar

Earlier today, Drew Estate announced plans to release six new exclusive sizes from five different lines for the Drew Estate Lounge at Corona Cigar in Orlando, FL.  The cigars will be available this month at the Corona Cigar Sand Lake location, and include vitolas from the Herrera Estelí, Liga Privada No. 9, Undercrown, Natural, and Tabak Especial brands.

All the line extensions are in a 6″ x 50 format, with three of them featuring a soft press and the other three a square box press.  Specific details are given below:

  • Tabak Especial Negra (Soft Press)
  • Tabak Especial Dulce (Soft Press)
  • Natural (Soft Press)
  • Herrera Esteli (Box Press)
  • Liga Privada No. 9 (Box Press)
  • Undercrown (Box Press)

 

When asked about the new cigars, Jeff Borysiewicz, owner of Corona Cigar Company, stated: “The introduction of the world’s first Drew Estate Lounge has been a rousing success at Corona Cigar. We have a large contingent of diehard Drew Estate fans among our customer base and the addition of the new Drew Estate Lounge has caused quite a bit of excitement around the shop. These exciting new offerings from Drew Estate will add another dimension to the cigar smoking experience in Corona’s Drew Estate Lounge and guaranteed to excite our customers. We can’t wait to receive the first shipment this week!”

Drew Estate President Michael Cellucci commented, “Jeff and Corona Cigar Company have been a long-time ally and business partner with Drew Estate. We’re proud to call Corona Cigar home to the first ever Drew Estate Lounge, and we’re looking forward to Corona Cigar’s consumers trying these exclusive new sizes.”

 

The new Drew Estate exclusive sizes will only be available at Corona Cigar Company’s Sand Lake, FL location at 7792 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819. To stay up to date on all of Drew Estate’s latest news, follow them @drewestatecigar on Twitter and Instagram.

About Drew Estate

Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”TM, Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that have attracted new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Herrera Estelí Norteño, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Natural by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Nirvana, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, and Java by Drew Estate.

Asia Marketing Services to represent Drew Estate

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This past week, Swisher International Inc. and Drew Estate announced the appointment of Asia Marketing Services (AMS), led by Hans Rijfkogel, as an Independent Sales Representative for the Asian Domestic and Duty-­‐Free Market.  The company is based in Taipei, Taiwan.

“The international marketplace holds tremendous growth opportunities for Swisher and Drew Estate. As the two companies have been able to combine resources in specific geographies following the acquisition of Drew Estate last year, we have seen an almost immediate increase in the number of retailers carrying our brands and the number of consumers smoking our product.” stated Alex Goldman, Vice President of International Business Development.

Joe Augustus, Senior Vice President of Global Affairs, added “The Asian region has been a growing market for Swisher for several years, and we have set some ambitious goals for its growth. With the addition of the Drew Estate portfolio of products, it made sense to add a resource located in the region to better service our customers, and keep them informed of our growing product mix. With over 20 years of selling experience in the region, we feel Hans and his team are the perfect representatives to help further our goals.”

Reached at AMS headquarters in the Taipei 101 Tower, Hans Rijfkogel, Director of Asia Marketing Services stated “When I started AMS the goal was to build solid relationships with a small group of prominent manufacturers in order to represent a well rounded portfolio of quality products. Adding both Swisher International and Drew Estate to our mix has allowed us to reach that goal. I am excited to be a part of the Swisher/Drew Estate family and look forward to great success in the future.”

AMS will represent both Swisher and Drew Estate in several domestic and duty-­‐free markets, including China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan (Swisher only), Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and India.

About Swisher International

Swisher International, Inc. is a leading tobacco manufacturer of various filtered cigars and smokeless tobacco brands as well as a number of premium cigars through its Royal Gold Premium Cigars division. Swisher products are exported to over 80 countries. Swisher International, Inc. is headquartered in Jacksonville, FL and also has manufacturing facilities in Wheeling, WV and Santiago, Dominican Republic.

About Drew Estate Inc.

Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”TM, Drew Estate has led The “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that have attracted new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Natural by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Nirvana, Tabak Especial, UnderCrown, and Java by Drew Estate.

About Asia Marketing Services

Established in Taipei in 2013, Asia Marketing Services (AMS) has been successfully marketing and promoting imported tobacco products of the highest quality throughout Asia. AMS has developed a deep understanding of how to market and promote these products and build them into powerful brands. AMS represents Swisher, Drew Estate, Royal Agio Cigars and Flandria in the Asian domestic and duty free markets and maintains close relationships with all the major tobacco importers and Duty Free operators.

 

Half Ashed Episode 108: Herrera Esteli Norteño

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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 103: AJ Fernandez New World

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AJ Fernandez New World Gobernador

Welcome to Episode 103 of Half Ashed, featuring the AJ Fernandez New World “Gobernador” as our Cigar of the Week.  This is AJF’s latest major release, coming onto the scene after the 2014 IPCPR tradeshow.  The story behind the name is a celebration of the New World discovery of tobacco some 500 years ago.  Further, they related a bit more info in their press release last July:

The New World Cigar relates to expanding one’s knowledge and questioning the status quo by discovering our personal New Worlds as we go through life. The team at A.J. Fernandez Cigars is grateful for the amazing support we have received from the consumer and therefore will offer the New World Cigar at a value price as we invite everyone to join us on our New World journey.  Furthermore, I am especially proud to announce that my father Ismael Fernandez who recently retired after 17 years with the Plasencia family has now joined the A.J. Fernandez family. New World marks the first cigar that we work on together since he joined the company. “ — A.J. Fernandez

The cigar features a Dark Nicaraguan wrapper, a Jalapan binder and filler blend from Ometepe, Condega & Estelí.  It comes in four vitolas – Navegante (5.5×55), Almirante (5.5×55 belicoso), Gobernador (6.5×55), Virrey (6×60).  The cigar retails for about $5.25-6 each in the Tampa market.

News

In the news, we cover several items, including:

Jonathan Drew posted up some further detail on the Pope of Greenwich Village.  From his Facebook post: “Pope Of Greenwich Village” is a specialty cigar that we created for our friend Abe at Smoke Inn Cigars for his “Micro Batch” series – that he’s been developing for the past five or six years (approx). … I believe that DE is the 10th installment with POGV … This 6×40 sized panatela is unique at‪#‎DrewEstate‬ because we don’t typically make an exclusive size outside our specific brands. Anotherwards, typically when we make the occasional commemorative or limited product such as Dogma or Shady15 or Def Sea or Cafe con Leche – it falls below a certain brand. This time it’s different and stands on it’s own. … the Pope Of Greenwich Village is strong, sound, and balanced, not a beginners cigar – but not made to blow your pretty head off your body. Please look for the limited release from Smoke Inn coming soon. They come in Soft Pack 10’s and ain’t that many of them. I BELIEvE that they retail for about $7.95 or so, but maybe a bit off. … Tonight is the Great Smoke Pre-Dinner and Drew Estate is honored to be the special guest with our friends at Smoke Inn.

We failed to mention it last week, but our condolences to the Padron family.  Jose Orlando Padron’s brother Estelo Padron – retired head of Villazon’s Honduran American Tobacco S.A. passed away, and was laid to rest 2/10.  He was 87 years of age.

Another Nebraska update!  As we mentioned a couple weeks ago, a bill was put forth to clarify the NE legislature’s intent NOT to include cigar bars & shops under the existing smoking ban.  The new bill specifically exempts such establishments, and has passed by a margin of 45-3!  The bill now goes to the governor who has until next week to either sign or veto (no pocket veto….no action = the bill becoming law).

There have been a few news items with various cigar companies building/establishing their presence in other non-US markets.  Most recently, CLE/Asylum partnered with a German distributor.  I’m wondering if this is typical organic growth, or if cigar companies are hedging their bets against an increasingly tough US market – whether because of increasing legislation/regulation or the possibility of an open Cuban-US market in the years to come….tune in for our total speculative thoughts on the matter.

Dante Cigars is putting out their next release – the Purple Mofo.  Like other offerings, this will be a Casa Fernandez produced cigar, laden with AGANORSA, and is to be produced at CF’s Miami rolling operation.  It will be a limited release of 1500 corona gordas, in 50 20-ct bundles and 100, 5-packs.  The line will only be released to a few retailers – including Burns in Chattanooga, UnderGround Cigar Shop (Ft Worth, TX), WestSide Humidor (Wichita, KS) and Cigar Federation’s online store.  Criollo wrapper over ‘99 corojo binder and Estelian fillers.  Due out mid-late March.

Knowing Craig’s penchant for enjoying Quesada’s cigars, I thought I’d mention the latest news from them.  Cigar Aficionado reported from this past week’s ProCigar event on the Quesada Reserva Privada, available in 3 vitolas (4.75” x 52, 5.625” x 54, and 6.5” x 56).  It is set to debut this Spring, and will feature tobacco from a 1997 crop.  It will carry an EC -CT seed wrapper over DR Criollo 98 (97 crop), and DR San Vincente / PA Ligero filler leaf.  The cigar will reportedly be held for aging at the factory for one year beyond rolling.  Releases will initially be limited to “key retailers,” and should ramp up at this year’s tradeshow…

What We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

La Gianna Havana Maduro – Toro – From United Tobacco made for David Garafolo’s daughter Gianna. A Honduran cigar with a nice cookie sweetness. The problem lies with the style of blending, not the blend itself. It’s stronger than the flavors “want” to be and is almost rough & Alec Bradley-like. Very similar but sweeter to the Alec Bradley Tempus I reviewed on Halfashed.com for the blind review last month.

EPC 5 Year – This is a good cigar that needs some time. There are great flavors there but I feel like they’re muddied or almost blinded by some of the tobacco characteristics.

Kip –

illusione ECCJ 20th

Leccia Luchador re-revisited

Oliva V lancero

Wrap Up

Next episode we will be featuring a yet-to-be-determined selection from Craig.  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 sending an [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 096: illusione Fume D’Amour

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illusione fume d amour

illusione Fume D’Amour

Welcome to Episode 096!  Tonight, we’re smoking the most recent full line introduction from illusione.  After about a 3 year break from core additions, the Fume D’Amour (Smoke of Love) came out at the end of August 2014.  One of the more interesting aspects of this line is the total absence of ligero.  Dion (Giolito) claims to have found enough flavor and strength in some of the lower viso and seco primings from available AGANORSA stock.  It comes in 4 vitolas (Lagunas – 4 1/4 x 42 Viejos – 5 x 50 Capistranos – 6 x 56 Clementes – 6 1/2 x 48).  The illusione website remarks that it comes in these four…but more are to come.  Even with a later introduction during the year, the line made it into the number three spot on Cigar Aficionado’s Top Cigars for 2014.  Tune in to the show to find out how it went!

News

  • Cuba?!?  What does it all mean?  We wanted to spend some time talking over this week’s news concerning some restored relations with Cuba…and no, you can’t run out next week and buy Habanos at your local shop stateside….

    Craig’s Notes:

    • The council on Foreign Relations: After 2008 Cuba’s private sector has swelled as a direct result of these reforms; in 2014 it was reported to be about 20 percent of the country’s workforce. A report [PDF] by the Center for Democracy in the Americas (CDA) states that Castro’s reforms highlighted “an acceptance that market forces can play a role in economic policy and that economic growth must be the central criterion to judge economic success.”
    • Am I happy about the change? You can bet your ass, I am. Do I expect anything to be different for you and I in 100 days when things take effect (affect?)? No, I do not. The majority of people out there are keeping this in perspective but I’ve seen some facebook posts that talk about “finally” being able to get their hands on a Cuban, or “when will cubans be for sale at the tobacconist?” These posts are uninformed and potentially just a spur of the moment quip. I don’t think the majority of citizens believe this is “it” in regards to the embargo. I DO believe this can be the beginning of the end of the embargo. It can also be the beginning of its strengthening if the next congress and next president are suited and like minded to claim Obama’s declarations were not only incorrect, but helpful to an enemy.
    • Much will depend on Kerry’s analysis of Cuba’s status as a terrorist state and whether Cuba does truly lower some of the restrictions they have on contact to the outside world. If Cuba shows ANY legitimate human rights improvements (yes, the internet is a human right derived from free speech) there is a chance that this gains some momentum and the embargo could end after the next congress (Jan 2017) are sworn in. There is little to no chance this will occur in 2015 since the Republicans have taken power of the house. There would have to be SWEEPING change in Cuba for the likes of Rubio and others who want the 29 (27?) electoral votes in Florida to change their public opinion on this. It’s just too critical of a voting base to alienate the Southern Florida core of Anti-Castro citizens.
    • If Kerry does not rescind the edict that Cuba is a state that assists terrorism (there is an official phrase here that I’m missing) OR major humanitarian improvements are not witnessed, I am fairly certain that the next president will swiftly and completely go the other direction with his ruling on the matter. Think Bush’s change in 2002, I believe. He lowered the visit limit, removed the legality of “financial assistance” to Cuban family members and made it even more difficult to travel to the nation for aide workers. We could go right back there, if not even further.
    • Cuba, and its citizens, have been made more of a pawn in the recent years than ever in the past. Even in the election of 64 when it was the first chance for a new administration to address the “blockade” as it essentially was in its initial form, it was not as polarizing of a topic as it became later in the Castro regime’s tenure (I understand LBJ held office. It’s speaking to the fact that it was not a point of contention between candidates). We have to realize that the goal here is an improvement of life for the citizens of our southern island neighbor. This is the first real attempt at improving that which I can recall. I am not an expert on the topic but I don’t believe there have been public declarations from the POTUS as strongly worded as those shared Wednesday in regard to the failure of U.S. policy on the matter. There is a real chance that THIS declaration is enough. There is a real chance that Cuba will give a little in response. And there is a real chance that this may be a day we remember for the rest of our lives. It’s possible the U.S. just got a little less hypocritical in its foreign relations (think human rights & the torture report). When a major government does that, we’re all in a better position.

 

  • We finally have some “official” light shed on the Florida SunGrown project that Jeff Borysiewicz has been growing here in central FL.  The tobacco is being sold exclusively to Drew Estate.  From THIS IMAGE: “Jeff Borysiewicz from Corona Cigar Company grows the Florida tobacco exclusively for Drew Estate. The tobacco plants in the photo are experiental because they are Sumatra Seed. We have been growing and curing the Corojo Seed since 2013 and blending with the first crop. I believe that this is the first time Florida tobacco has been grown for premium cigars since 1979. It’s expensive, but we are getting more confident each passing month that it’s worth it. So proud of Jeff Borysiewicz. Waiting to see Willy Herrera and DE Production Team’s final blend from the 2013 crop.”
  • Fresh on the heels of the recent release of Smoke Inn’s MicroBlend Series “Pactum” from illusione, the next iteration has been announced.  Drew Estate will produce the cigar in a singular 6”x40 vitola.  Interestingly, the name will be the “Pope of Greenwich Village.”  No real blend detail is available as yet, but it will soft launch at Smoke Inn’s Great Smoke VIP event in February.  Official full launch will be later, in April.
  • La Flor Dominicana 707 – another 7×70 cigar…biggest ever from LFD….
  • Cigar Aficionado’s ever-popular/ever-controversial Top 25 list is out.  Congrats to the folks at Oliva for taking the #1 spot this year with the Melanio.  I was surprised with the EPC La Historia at number two.  Tonight’s featured CotW is number three on that list.  Rounding out the top ten were:

4. Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial (Tubo)
5. Rocky Patel Royale (?!?)
6. Opus X Perfecxion X
7. Padron Reserve 50 Years Maduro
8. Ashton ESG 22 Year
9. Monte by Montecristo Jacopo #2 (Altadis USA)
10.  A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Capa Habano

What Have We Been Smoking?

Craig

  • Unbanded#1 for Halfashed.com

 Kip

  • Padron Principe – natural.  I grabbed a natural version of this after Craig’s recent comments on its maduro brother.  I’ve never had much experience with the natural, but I’d say these have experience blend drift as well.  The couple I had this week were – like Craig’s maduro – considerably more spicy than I remember.  More bold, both in flavor and strength.  Still an amazing smoke.
  • Padilla Reserva Maduro….picked up a few on clearance at my local.  Crisp, bold new-school Nicaraguan style blending.  Great construction & burn.  Much better as a $5 stick than $9-10.  If these were to debut in the $6.50-9 “sweet spot” they have the potential to be a big hit.
  • L’Atelier LAT38 Special lancero…I wanted to love this cigar.  I love its shorter brethren.  How could I not fall head over heels for a lancero?  I picked up two this week, and couldn’t finish either.  Both were plagued with burn issues and absolutely refused to stay lit.  I gave up on each about halfway through.

Listener Email

  •  No listener emails discussed this week.

Wrap Up

In the next episode we will be featuring a yet-to-be-determined cigar from Craig’s offerings, 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 new and much improved chatroom.  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.

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 092: My Father Lancero

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My Father LanceroThis week, we’re smoking the 7.5” x 38 My Father Lancero (aka No. 4).  It features an Ecuadoran Habano Rosado wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler leaf and retails around $9.90 per stick.  Our cigars this week are recent production from early 2014.  These seem to be a notch or two lower on the strength-o-meter for me in comparison to many other My Father offerings within this line, yet retain much of the prototypical “Pepin spice.”  Craig would disagree on that strength rating….so take it with a grain of salt.  I really dig the aforementioned  spice, but love it when these provide a characteristic citrus sweetness to accompany.  This sweetness can at times build into tropical spice/cedar kind of mishmash that I truly enjoy.  One of my favorite vitolas in this line….strangely enough, my other favorite is about as opposite as you can get: the #1 (Robusto at 5.2”x52)

In the news this week, we dedicated a bit more time to the study that recently made some bold claims about “cigar smokers” without accurately recording, measuring, or reporting any differentiation between 2-pack per day little cigar smokers and one per week premium handmade long filler cigars.  The Stogie Guys have posted an insightful article after some communication with the folks behind this study.  Additionally, we covered items from El Primer Mundo, Davidoff, and two interesting Drew Estate stories.  As always, we also talked about a few things we’ve been smoking this week and a couple minor updates to the Cigarmy/Half Ashed merge.

One final note for this week: By popular demand, we will be publishing a second video for this show.  For those who don’t have the time or desire to watch the entire 1.5-2 hour show, I will be stripping out the portions focused solely on the Cigar of the Week and publishing that on our YouTube channel.  It will act as a simplified review for our focal cigar each week.  It will generally run 15-20 minutes and cover our thoughts on the cigar at critical stages throughout.  A subsequent post will give full details in the next couple of days.

In the next episode we will be featuring the Tatuaje La Verite 2008 as our Cigar of the Week.  Be sure to check back in Friday night at 9:30pm EST on our Half Ashed LIVE page, where you can catch the live video feed and join Craig and myself, as well as other listeners, 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.

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!