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Half Ashed Episode 137: Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda

February 15, 2016 By Kip Fisher

Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda

Re-released for the Tatuaje 10th Anniversary in 2013 (after a limited 2007 initial release), the Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda is one of my favorite Tatuaje blends of all time. They’re rolled by My Father, and feature a Sungrown Criollo Estelian wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler blend. It comes in at the typical 5 5/8” x 46 and retails somewhere around the $10 mark, depending on retailer.

Cigar News

El Niño is wreaking havoc with Cuba’s tobacco crop…what are the lasting effects after 3-4 consecutive years of weather troubles?

This news came out a couple weeks ago, but I don’t believe we talked about it. Chicago has a new proposed tax increase on cigars…to the tune of $.90 per cigar! According to some estimates, it will add upwards of $2 to the completed retail pricing of some cigars. The proposal asks for the tax to finance transition classes for incoming high school students.

I smoked a couple of new upcoming blends from TL Johnson this week…including the Counsellor, a prototype cigar for a retailer, and a blend slated for this year’s IPCPR which he’s not yet ready to talk much about….

PSA: It’s that time of year to stock up before the annual price increases for many brands….I know Altadis (to be fair, some of theirs are decreasing), Fuente, CLE, AKA all have planned increases come February-ish.

Halfwheel is reporting the formation of a new distribution company – White Hat Tobacco – by former Cubanacan employee Spence Drake. The company will distribute Hirochi Robaina’s cigar(s). The expected launch is due in March, with coverage of the existing HR Habano. Two additional lines, as yet unnamed publicly, will launch at IPCPR 2016. Both of those lines will come in significantly less expensive than the HR Habano.

Diana Silvius of Up Down Tobacco has passed away as of last Saturday night. Our condolences to the family.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Club Havana Coronas Especial (Lag#2) – Short Lancero – These are from a bundle just over a year old. They’re not going sick but are perhaps a bit flat. Good sweetness & mild strength but a shadow of what they were when ROTT

La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Torpedo – This cigar was self infused. I was given it at Christmas and forgot about it in my truck for a few days. WHen I came back to it, the cigar desperately needed humidification. I put it in an old tubo with a dab of the only water I had; coffee. I closed the top, left it sit for a few weeks and it was… spectacular.

Pipe tobacco – Escudo Navy De Luxe – 04/04

Kip

TL Johnson: Counsellor, something for a retailer (possibly), and something in the works for IPCPR 2016….

Next Episode

In the next episode (138), we will be smoking the Hirochi Robaina HR Habano. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 133: Bolivar Libertador Francia

January 21, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Bolivar Libertador ER Francia

This cousin of the CotW from episode 131 is an even larger cigar, coming in 54x 6-1/2” – the Bolivar Libertador ER Francia. We put off smoking this cigar previously because multiple samples smoked by us collectively were obviously in a transition phase. After 4 additional weeks of rest we’re revisiting in an attempt to complete this mini vertical review. The Libertador is a French regional release from 2006 and a highly anticipated cigar at the time. Both of these were large ring Boli’s but the French variant was a significantly milder cigar 9 years ago. Bolivar is known for earthy, tobacco centric flavors and this cigar always just hinted at that. Today, we’ll see how nearly 10 years of box time has molded what this cigar has become.

Commissioned by the French Habanos distributor, the Libertadores are the largest ring Bolivar to ever be produced.

The Regional Editions began after the success of two specially commissioned cigars in 2004. The reintroduction of the famous Bolivar Gold Medal and a VR called the Jubileum were released in Germany to critical and market success. Habanos capitalized on this success with three REs in 2005 and exponentially more in the years following.

Cigar News

Villiger made a sudden move this past week, unexpectedly terminating most all of their US based sales employees. In information subsequently provided, the company says they will be moving their American headquarters to Miami and – at least in the interim – will be going to a broker/inside sales arrangement for their US distribution. Finally, they will be appointing a new GM stateside, although they chose not yet to name who that is…but judging by some of the retailer backlash I’ve seen online I’d say he/she will have their hands full.

Legislatively, there was a sliver of hope followed by the agony of defeat this week for cigar smokers. The Omnibus Spending Bill, which outlines which programs will be receiving monies for the upcoming budget cycle, had a rider attached that would have protected premium cigars from FDA control – but the measure was stricken from the bill before passage. Despite there being little chance of it making it through, many in the industry were optimistic that it would. No protections were included in the final bill, so now we wait for the Office of Management and Budget to evaluate the FDA’s intent and figure out what the ramifications would be.

Quality Importers, following their recent trend of buying out/reviving things (Ortega, Cigar Caddy, Palio, etc.), are bringing back the Shuriken cutters….

To the dismay of many, halfwheel is reporting that Pete Johnson has revealed to them that Tatuaje will be discontinuing single store releases, citing “factory constraints and production limits.”

Guayacan will be moving into new digs come January 1. In a partnership with Brandon Hayes of Renegade Cigars in Texas, the New Order of the Ages factory will be opened in Estelí. Guayacan previously split from their previous partners over the past year.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Kip

El Compartir
DE Dirty Rat
Emilio Draig K
Quesada España corona

Next Episode

In the next episode (134), we will be smoking Unbanded #023, from S. Dunlap. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails:[email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 132: Asylum 99 Problems

January 21, 2016 By Kip Fisher

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Asylum 99 Problems

The singular oddball in the Asylum 13 lineup, tonight’s cigar is the Asylum 99 Problems – a 7” x 38 lancero standing in stark contrast to the rest of the line – which typically runs in oversized vitolas. The cigar is a Nicaraguan puro, although it is manufactured in Christian Eiroa’s “El Aladino” factory in Honduras. The story says owner Tom Lazuka asked Christian Eiroa how many lanceros would fit in an Ogre box – and the answer was 99. Hence, the name. The cigar was produced in limited quantity (500 boxes of 99), and retailed around the $7 mark.

Cigar News

The Oliva Serie V Maduro for 2015 has landed. Like last year, it’s in a 6” x 60 vitola with San Andres wrapper. MSRP was reported at $10/stick, up $.50 each over last year – but my old shop has them at $9.60 for singles and $86 per box of ten.

Casa Fernandez has expanded the JFR line…and it’s not in a behemoth ring! It’s a 7” x 50 churchill, and will be made at the CF (TABSA) factory in Estelí. It features an untrimmed, shaggy foot and will retail around $8. Should be shipping this week.

In our final of these updates this year, Quesada has released the last allotment of the España petit belicoso. Rather than the typical singular box of 100 to a selected retailer, TWO were sent out for December…Mickey Blake’s in Connecticut and Tobacco Plaza in New York.

Right on time with our recently begun semi-vertical tasting of ER’s, two new ones are coming down the pike:

The La Escepcion is being expanded with a second size, as an ER for Italy. It comes in a 5” x 48, and will retail for the equivalent of just over $16USD….but to get them you’ll have to go to Italy or know someone who is

There’s also a new French ER, in the form of the Quai d’Orsay Robusto Diplomatico. It’s also in a 5” x 48 vitola, will retail for just under a $14USD equivalent.

Victor Nicholas, of Chogui, announced this week that he’ll be adding another vitola to the Dos77 lineup – the “longsdale” at 6.5” x 46….same blend as the “rogusto,” and shipping in Jan/Feb 2016.

C.Gars Limited’s winter auction!

For reasons that aren’t all entirely clear to me, the FDA has reopened a comment period for their upcoming proposed regulations concerning cigars and other tobacco products. You can make your comments through December 30th…so get on it.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Warped La Colmena #36 – A slighter Laguito #2, this 6×36 is a powerhouse! It’s sharp & flavorful with lots of smoke production & a terrific draw. There’s a lot of marketing hype surrounding these but the cigar stands for itself. It’s In your face enough to please seasoned smokers but approachable enough to slyly make a newby green. I enjoy the mild sweetness in the first third and the blossoming depth as it progresses. A slight room aroma of pot was a distraction. This was the worst part of the experience for me.

Kip

Outlaw Cigars Gunslinger “Drifter” – another AJF produced stick…but I didn’t find it typical. You can pick out AJF’s signature here & there, but it was more sedate and lacked the “bite” that I often find in his blends. I really enjoyed it – lots of nuttiness throughout, earthiness in the middlegrounds. Flawless construction. Dig it.

Next Episode

In the next episode (132), we will be smoking the Bolivar Libertador ER Francia. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails:[email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 131: Bolivar Colosales ER Alemania

December 18, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Bolivar Colosales ER Alemania

The Bolivar Colosales ER Alemania is a moderately large cigar coming in by direct measurement of 52x 6”. We were intending to review the Libertador from France this week but after each of us smoked them and discovered that they were in a bit of a funk, we punted, and changed over to the other RE we have for this mini vertical review. The Colosales is a regional release from 2006 and a highly anticipated cigar at the time. Both the Colosales and the Libertador were large ring Boli’s but the German variant was a slightly deeper, stronger cigar 9 years ago. Bolivar is known for earthy, tobacco centric flavors and this cigar is akin to that, though more citrusy & sweeter than typical.

The Regional Editions began after the success of two specially commissioned cigars in 2004. The reintroduction of the famous Bolivar Gold Medal and a VR called the Jubelium were released in Germany to critical and market success. Habanos capitalized on this success with three REs in 2005 and exponentially more in the years following.

Cigar News

PDR joins Pro Cigar –

Congrats to Liana Fuente, who is getting married tomorrow.

Proposal by HUD to ban smoking throughout all public housing – citing concern for health dangers from secondhand smoke…would help improve the health of ”more than 760,000 children and help public housing agencies save $153 million every year in healthcare, repairs and preventable fires.” (Washington Post)

The C.Gars Ltd Auction, which we spoke about a bit a couple weeks ago, is scheduled and features a FULL 250-count (!) pre-embargo of RyJ Invencibles (5.5”x33). The auction will take place on Nov. 30th.

Christian Eiroa is celebrating 20 years, kinda. It’s been 20 years since he first began working in the industry, although he did have an almost 4-year hiatus after selling his former company (Caribe Imported Cigars, which included Camacho) in 2008. The “First 20 Years” line will made at his El Aladino factory in Honduras, and come in 4 sizes – a 6”x46, 5”x50 robusto, 6”x54, and 6”x60. It will also be a Honduran puro with all-Jamastran tobacco. Christian’s father Julio reportedly grew the binder & filler from a seed varietal that hasn’t been grown in 50 years and presented the tobacco to Christian for the celebration of his 20 years. MSRP will run $12-14 per stick.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Chogui – Opus Angel Share, anyone?

Partagas Maduro No.1 – Surprisingly good but in no way a formal endorsement. Dark & sweet, thought not overpoweringly so.

Padron Damaso – These really do line up for my take on what a Connie should be.

Diplomatico #4 (1997) – Damn good Montecristo…

J.Fuego Corojo Oscuro – Yum! Great sweet bready flavors & spectacular construction. Thank you!

Kip

Punch Signature Gordo…yes, a 60 ring! And I liked it! I enjoyed the Robusto in this line several months ago when it was introduced. A kind listener sent me one of the Gordo 6×60, and while I don’t typically smoke big ring cigars I gave this one a try. I have to say it did not suck at all. In fact, the 89 score on the robusto would probably have been a point or two higher had I smoked the Gordo. It had the sweet, peppery spice like the robusto – but with more emphasis on the “sweet.” It also had lots of nutty accompaniment throughout its length and occasional flashes of chili-chocolate (also like the robusto). Although it still featured a good bit of strength, I found it more manageable than the robusto even. Loved it, and knowing it can be found for a very reasonable $4.35/stick it’d be hard to beat.

Ashton’s LAdC Mi Amor Reserva…Without smoking them side-by-side, I have difficulty nailing down differences between the Reserva and standard blend in this line. Lots of cocoa, backed up by a healthy but approachable dose of Nicaraguan spice. Very good.

The other Bolivar Colosales ER Alemania….

Miscellaneous

Tonight we have a special topic to kick around for a big part of the show….Fermentation! Craig and I kick around a few thoughts on fermentation, aging, and how the two differ…

Next Episode

In the next episode (132), we will be smoking the Asylum “99 Problems”. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails:[email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 129: Unbanded 025

November 1, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Unbanded 025, from Dan C.

Kip’s preliminary observations: Unbanded #025 is a pretty straightforward 5” x 50ish (5”x52 for Craig) robusto. Construction appears spot-on for both examples; wrapper has a slight sheen and moderate-heavy veining. Somewhat sweet aroma at the foot, akin to a hay stall but with a bit of molasses if I focus enough. Milder aroma on the wrapper. Absolutely perfect cap build and, subsequently, draw. The draw has a very slight earthy nature, but overall is sweet and grainy. Tune in to find out how it went….and thanks, DC!

Cigar News

Robert Caldwell, of Caldwell Cigars, has publicly confirmed a planned maduro version of the Eastern Standard. The line will feature four vitolas (Corona (5 3/4 x 44), Piramide (6 x 49), Rothchilde (4 3/4 x 49) and Toro Gordo (6 x 50), and run somewhere near the price of the existing line, but possibly with a slight increase. The Eastern Standard can be found in the real world between $8-12 depending on size.

Omar de Frias has announced via social media and press release that Fratello will be releasing a limited edition sampler, the Boxer Series. The sampler will include the Boxer, a 6 1/4 x 52 belicoso, the Boxeador (6 x 54), Boxero (5 1/2 x 50), Boxista (5 x 48) and Boxerito (4 3/4 x 46). The blend will be the same as the original line (Nica Habano over Ec. Sumatra and Nica/Peru filler), but will be box pressed. Three thousand of the samplers will be produced, and should retail around $45…and the packaging itself is noteworthy. The box looks like a small cigar mold. I personally thought it was pretty creative and nicely done. I like it….

The game is afoot, legislatively. Since our last episode, we have learned that a.) the FDA has submitted its proposed plan to regulate premium cigars (and other tobacco products) to the Office of Management & Budget (OMB), and b.) eleven Democratic senators have urged the OMB to complete the review as quickly as possible. The OMB measures the feasibility of these types of proposals, and is expected to recommend action on it after review. As an executive agency, congressional approval or vote is not necessary for the FDA to implement new regulation – just OMB approval. What is NOT known are the exact contents of the FDA’s plan. A couple of options were thrown around in their earlier “Deeming document,” but as of yet the finalized, formalized plan has not been revealed outside government circles. As always, the aforementioned urging senators are pushing this expediency that rarely exists elsewhere in US government to prevent tobacco use by our youth. Possibilities are myriad; this is what we’ve been talking, writing letters, emailing, and calling politicians about for the past 3 years+. If you’ve not done any of those things shame. On. You. Senate bill 441, which would call for an exemption for premium cigars, has the support of 18 senators at the moment….

Following similar releases for the Davidoff and AVO segments, Oettinger Davidoff is preparing to release a Griffin’s Nicaragua. It will feature a Nicaraguan habano wrapper over Dominican piloto cubano binder and five filler tobaccos from Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua.

Epicurean Sues H.O.E.: In a move that further exemplifies the turmoil that the House of Emilio distribution giant has been experiencing in 2015, one of its original brand owners is suing the group over alleged lost/withheld income. The sum is a modest one, over 150k, but certainly represents a sizeable amount of cigars when considering the reported purchase price of 27% below wholesale that Halfwheel is reporting. That, if all attributed to purchased cigars, computes to a bit under 50k cigars. Yikes.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Padron Damaso: Don’t listen to the negative press on this cigar. It tastes like a Padron. It tastes like a connecticut leaf. It’s good and it’s worth trying.

Kip

Chogui!

a Fonseca from 1995…

Next Episode

In the next episode (130), we will be smoking the EP Carrillo Short Run 2015. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 124: Special Guest Cigar Coop

September 10, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Special Guest Cigar Coop

This week, in Craig’s absence, Kip is joined by special guest host William “Cigar Coop” Cooper. Tune in as Kip has the chance to pick Coop’s brain about the current state of the cigar industry and some recently introduced cigars. We have lots of great conversation in store, so this is one you don’t want to miss!

Cigar News

In episode 122, I pontificated a bit about the status and future of House of Emilio. Now, just a couple weeks later, yet another member (Guayacan) has left the fold….. How does Guayacan differ from the other brands that have dropped from the fold? What is going on with House of Emilio itself? Tune in for some lively discussion on this….

Smoke Inn’s Microblend Series sampler of past offerings from the limited series (from Cigar Coop and Toasted Foot)

Earlier this week, Boutique Blends announced the promotion of Charlie Lopez to their Director of Sales. Congratulations to Charlie…and more on why this is a big step for the company.

Steve Saka’s Update on Sobremesa – 1) The 6 x 52 Belicoso Largo was replaced by the 6 x 54 Torpedo Tiempo; 2) Orders expected to ship on November 1st but because of overwhelming demand they will not be able to ship the full orders to retailers. Instead each retailer will receive an “equitable share” of the first order and the remainder will be filled as soon as possible. Saka says he wil not deviate from his production plans of 1,000 boxes per month.

Jonathan Drew has begun to feed info out of a new project he has…only it’s not a cigar venture. He’s going into the distillery business with John Drew Brands. I’m a bit uncertain what *exactly* he has planned, but the website lists Vodka, Whisk(e)y, Rum, Shine, Hard Tea and Craft Coffee (something else that seems to be taking hold with traditionally cigar-themed companies…how much involvement these companies have in developing a coffee blend is something Kip is skeptical of at this point). More details will follow, but the company is slated to launch April 2016. I’m personally a bit intrigued, but wonder how this will look in reality rather than the theory wherein it sits now. Why is Jonathan Drew opening pandoras box with announcing this now?)

I continue to be concerned with the increasingly frequent news items I see go through my feed about new legislative attacks on smoking. The stories have moved from the larger municipalities into small town America. None of this *surprises* me; I just hate to see the attacks intensify. Quite a number of new ban proposals, ranging from parks & government property to private businesses and even residences (multi-family) seem to hit the legislative floor every week. We offer more indepth analysis of the situation and how much of the news being reported by other outlets do not apply to cigar smokers. While I get it infringes on our civil liberties, I think it takes the focus off the real problem at hand with FDA control.

The AVO Syncro has now begun to hit the market. Kip hasn’t personally had the chance to try this yet, but despite being out of touch with AVO for a few years I’m intrigued to say the least. If nothing else, the novelty and willingness to try something outside the normal modus operandi of a company’s past is interesting. How “different” can a cigar be with the all too common EC CT wrapper and Dominican/Nicaraguan internal components. The addition of some Peruvian tobacco is what draws me to it right now. Coop has smoked it, and gives his analysis of the blend…

Drew Estate is releasing an exclusive extension to the KFC lineup for Alliance Cigar. I’m frankly not sure why. While I was initially intrigued by the KFC launch, I couldn’t handle the heavy handed fire cured content. Subsequently, after trying most all of the available vitolas, I don’t find much variation throughout the lineup. I’m not sure another vitola (this time 5.5”x52) will do the trick.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Coop

Imperio Cubano Miami Natural
Dunhill Seleccion Suprema
Recluse Amadeus Habano Reserva
Tatuaje Jackel

Kip

tonight’s chosen cigar from Caldwell
Tatuaje Mexican Experiment
Tatuaje Belle Encre 10th from original 2013 launch of the vitola

Next Episode

In the next episode (125), Kip will be rejoined by Craig for regularly scheduled programming. 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 theContact Page or the following emails: [email protected] [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 116: San Cristobal Mercaderes (2007)

June 20, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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San Cristobal Mercaderes (2007)

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

Cigar News

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

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

Kip

United Cigars – Bandolero

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

Ortega –

Other Rabbit Trails…

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

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

Next Episode

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

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

Half Ashed Episode 113: Davidoff Nicaragua

May 20, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Davidoff Nicaragua Short Corona

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

News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Dale

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

Kip

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

Next Episode

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

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

Half Ashed Episode 112: Southern Draw Cigars

May 10, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Southern Draw Cigars – Kudzu Toro

Welcome to episode 112! This week, we have guest Robert Holt of Southern Draw Cigars. Tune in as we chat with Robert about his cigars, the philosophy behind the brand and blending, as well as a few off-topic rabbit trails. We had a fantastic time…all while smoking the Southern Draw Kudzu. Tonight’s stick is the 6″ x 52 toro, featuring Nicaraguan internal components wrapped in a Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro wrapper leaf. The Kudzu is softly pressed, with moderate tooth and beautiful dark chocolate-brown coloration throughout. It also has an element I increasingly enjoy for lighting purposes – a closed foot, which makes lighting a breeze. Besides the toro, it is also available in a 5.5″ x 54 robusto and 6.5″ x 60 Gordo. Tune in to see how it went!

News

Big news today from House of Emilio. Founder Gary Griffith has left the company, per a statement from them on social media this afternoon:

Today’s post is to inform our friends in the cigar industry about the retirement of Gary Griffith from Emilio Cigars, House of Emilio, and Delaware Cigars. Gary was a visionary and a social media marketing pioneer. His time with us was filled with laughter, caring, and many great cigars. Going forward, his legacy will continue through the brands he’s helped, the distribution company he led, and the cigars that he blended. We wish him all the best in his future adventures!

So…what does this mean? Nate McIntyre left a few months back, and I’m not even sure who is left to take the helm. I know they have several sales folks at this point, but I don’t know who is in a position to continue on.

Yesterday, we learned of that 4 Senators (including Craig’s own Dick Durbin) have proposed a NEW tax on tobacco products, including cigars. The proposal would add $0.94 per pack of cigarettes and an “equivalent amount” on other tobacco products. One of the specified goals is to make the taxation similar on all types of tobacco usage. And…predictably….it’s “for the kids.” Speculation is that the tax would add close to $1 to the retail price of premium cigars, depending on wholesale pricing. While it isn’t expected to make it to law, some day it will likely do so should the environment shift….

Nicholas Melillo – aka Nick R. Agua – has been hinting around for weeks or even months concerning possible future involvement in the cigar industry post-Drew Estate. He finally made it a bit clearer this week, with a post stating that “I don’t think there is any better way for people to understand my experience in Nicaragua than through a cigar and a brand, which i hope to debut this summer/fall. As I did with Drew Estate I am putting heart and soul into these new projects, because that’s the only way I know how to do it.”

In a story we didn’t get to last week, Davidoff will be mixing it up again – they will be introducing a Brazilian themed line. It will be rolled in the Dominican Republic, and feature tobacco from the DR, Ecuador and Brazil. Availability is limited to three vitolas – a 3.25” x 50 short robusto, 4.5” x 54 robusto, and 5.5” x 58 gran toro. Pricing has not been released, but the smallest is expected to come in around the $10 mark. The line should debut at this year’s IPCPR tradeshow.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

isla del sol – What can I say about a sugar tipped cigar from my boss? The gift was a nice gesture while we were working together on site but the reality is not my style. A better quality wrapper would have been appreciated. As would no artificial additives to the wrappers head. The cigar had an enjoyable natural tasting sweetness that I did find palatable but I just can’t get over the sticky coating. My lips ripped the wrapper a quarter of the way in and I progressively had to pick pieces off of my lips. If I wasn’t frustrated continuously I would have enjoyed the experience a bit. It reminds me of something my dad would smoke. I’m sure I’d find myself smiling one day after he’s gone if I happened to light one of these up. Too bad it would be the type of laughter accompanying those frustrating moments in life that are so mundane they’re humorous. I guess there’s something redeeming in everything if you look deep enough.

Kip

Tatuaje “Hassell” from 2013 SNS pack. Incredibly sweet aroma off the foot; The initial puffs were wildly entertaining – dark and chocolatey; lots of early sweetness with dark, cherry flavors. From midpoint on, I got a peculiar and unique flavor – hoarhound candy, or even root beer. One of the best cigars I’ve had this year….wish there were more.

Ortega “Cubao” – A couple years ago, when Eddie re-introduced these, I really enjoyed them. They had lots of bright, approachable spice and just enough of a kick to stay interesting. They seem to have maintained all their strength but lost some flavor. It seemed a bit out of balance; definitely tilted toward strength on the ol’ scale.

Some Fuente prototype from CFC2012. I love Fuente. I truly do…but I was left a bit disappointed by this one. It began with delicious, sweet toasty goodness. But around the midpoint, it became increasingly hard to get smoke from it – and the flavor went a bit more vegetal than I’d typically prefer. At first I wished I knew what it was and how to get more…but by the end I didn’t really care.

Next Episode

Next episode (113) we will be featuring the Davidoff Nicaragua short corona, with special guest Dale Roush. So come by Half Ashed Friday night at 9:30pm EST and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

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

Half Ashed Episode 111: Crowned Heads Single Action

May 3, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Crowned Heads JD Howard Reserve Single Action

One of several 2015 LE’s from Crowned Heads, the Single Action was an addition to the JD Howard Reserve line. Only about 2,000 boxes of 10 cigars were produced, and the cigar carries an MSRP of $9.25 per cigar (and they’re still out there if you’re interested). It is a 6×38 petit lancero, featuring a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper over Ecuador Sumatran binder and Nicaraguan fillers. The line is produced by EP Carrillo in the Dominican Republic. Carrying with the JD Howard theme, the cigar is named after Jesse James’ weapon of choice – the Colt Single Action.

News

I got some info on a new line from Luis Sanchez this week, called the Figurado Series. It will initially be available in a single 5”x54 “Chulo” vitola, and two different wrappers -Ecuadoran (natural) and San Andres (maduro). Filler leaf will include some of the tobacco grown by Luis and Terry Johnson at their DOMUSA farming operation in Villa Gonzalez, DR. I did not get pricing information, but it should be stateside in the next couple of weeks.

AJ Fernandez is extending the New World line to include a Connecticut wrapped version. The New World Connecticut will feature an American-grown CT shade wrapper, Mexican San Andres binder, and a filler mix of Nicaraguan and Brazilian leaf – which is very different from the standard New World (“Dark Nicaragua” wrapper over Jalapa binder and a filler blend of Viso Ometepe, Condega ligero, and Estelí-Finca Soledad ligero, and “Dark Nicaragua” wrapper). It will be available in four vitolas – Corona Gorda (5.5×46), Robusto (5×50), Toro (6×52), and Belicoso (6×54). Pricing will be in line with the existing New World lineup.

Following our recent mentions of a few pipe tobacco related items, I’m happy to report that Pete Johnson is working on some blends himself. He posted up a pic of something he was smoking this week and commented that he was working on something new. He said he hopes to have something by the tradeshow. I asked where his focus might be in terms of the types of blends he was working on, and he said “Plan on more English and some English with some aromatic twists.” If that’s the case, I’m all in for trying them out. I’d love to see this project take on life. I really hope he’s actually creating blends from the ground up, and not going through a bulk blending house and just mixing off some existing compositions. Pete’s history, palate and following could really make this a boon to the pipe tobacco industry. Time will tell…

A few weeks ago, we talked a bit about La Flor Dominicana’s novel idea for having TAA members vote on this year’s TAA LE with their pocketbooks. The gathering is over, orders placed and a winner selected. The winning cigar is the 5.5” x 52 robusto. The line features an Ecuadoran habano wrapper, Mexican binder, and Dominican fillers. MSRP is about $9 per stick, and it should arrive on retailers’ shelves in about a month – assuming you have a TAA member retailer in your neck of the woods.

Following the lead of several municipalities around the state, Florida’s capital Tallahassee is looking to make it harder on employees who smoke. An intent has been announced to end the hiring of any tobacco users, and prohibiting tobacco/e-cig use in all govt owned buildings, vehicles, etc. – even during break times. Hiring changes would go into effect July 1, 2015, while other aspects would be phased in over the next two years (including a $20 fee [and it’s not an increased insurance premium….it’s a fee]from employees’ paychecks if they smoke).

A follow up to a program we previously discussed called Cigar Sense. Back in November we (Craig) had some choice words for a few of the statistics they shared from a survey of 400+ cigar smokers they recently spoke with. We saw some irregularities and downright confusing data being thrown about and rightfully scratched our head when trying to make heads or tails out of it. That same organization has just today discussed that they are using a “control” group of over 1,200 cigar reviews to provide a database to help smokers pinpoint sticks that will line up with their palate. The rub here is that the program determines what will fit your tastes based upon what else you like. Check out cigarsense.com for some cool introductions into the program and to formulate some of your own opinions.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

This is where we chat about our week in smoke…tune in to the show for full details about our experience with these (and more).

Craig

TL Johnson Legend Reserve 63 Maduro – I second what I said a couple shows back. Genius exemplified in a cigar.

Kip

LEAF by Oscar Connecticut. I got this from Franky99 when he was down from the GWN visiting Tampa.

Nestor Miranda SS Exclusivo Regional –

Listener Email

We (finally) got around to an email series between Craig and listener “Cigar City.” Craig fills us in on the exchange about David Garofalo’s recent trip report about his excursion to Cuba…

Next Episode

Next episode (112) we will be featuring the Southern Draw KUDZU, with special guest owner Robert Holt. So come by Half Ashed Friday night at 9:30pm EST and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected]. Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

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