My Father | Half Ashed

Half Ashed 181: Unbanded 035

August 24, 2018 By Kip Fisher

Unbanded 035

Unbanded 035, tonight’s Cigar of the Week, is roughly 5″ x 50 and has a moderate but even brown coloring. The cold draw is dusty, and there is very little aroma on either wrapper and foot. It was send in by Michael F. (much thanks, Michael), and we’re finally getting around to smoking it. Let’s see how it goes….

Cigar News

AJ Fernandez is now shipping the new Ramon Allones. As we talked about several months ago, General reached an arrangement with AJ to produce the brand. I’ve been running this through my mind in the time since it was announced, and I wonder how this is going to play out. The line shares a name with a popular Cuban marca, but doesn’t really enjoy the same success. It had seemingly faded a good bit into many folks’ memories before being revived by this arrangement with AJF. Maybe new blends and a new manufacturer will breathe new life into the line…but I’m not yet convinced. The reason? The new cigars are to retail in the $12+ range. Unless AJ has departed from his core blending style, I’m not sure I’d personally drop the money for them knowing I can buy many of his other cigars at a much lower pricepoint. I don’t know if the uninitiated will spring to try them, either…and I’m certainly not sure there’s a strong non-Cuban RA following to pick up the slack. I’m not even sure why I’m even this interested in the story, but I am anxious just to see how it shakes out. Just for those interested, it carries an Ecuadoran Habano Oscuro wrapper over Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99 binder and filler mix from several Nicaraguan regions. Available in 4 vitolas – Robusto, Toro, Churchill, Torpedo.

While we’re on the subject, AJF has some more news coming down the pike. When I was at IPCPR 2016, the Bella Artes was all the rage. I couldn’t seem to get away from it conversationally. I smoked one at the show, and a couple since – and found it to be one of his offerings that appealed to me more than most, but not life-changing. It’s very good, and while it does fall into what I call his “core” flavor profile, I found it a bit lighter in flavor and a little sweeter. This year, he is releasing a maduro version for the line. It is to have a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper (there’s a blast from the Dogwatch days), Mexican San Andres binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. It’s available in a Short Churchill (6” x 48), Toro (6” x 54), Gordo (6.5” x 58), and Robusto (5.5” x 52). Pricing will be in the $10 range at retail.

It’s getting close to that time of year again. Well, almost. As has been the case for the past decade, Oliva will be releasing a maduro Serie V come this November. In fact, there will be two this year – the seemingly now-standard Gordo (6” x 60), and a 5” x 54 Double Robusto. Total production this year will run around 60k, and retail pricing in the $9-10 range. I, for one, couldn’t be happier to hear of the return of the Double Robusto. This is the vitola I first loved for the line. I liked the Belicosos as well, but this guy was outstanding. I’ll be arranging for some of these once they hit shelves…

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Maduro (“Casita” Cigar) – This strong Maduro cigar was delightful. Really rich and aromatic both prelight and room aroma in my truck. Tip of the Day: DON’T relight this cigar. It did not fare well.
My Father Event Cigar – Truly a great approachable blend. The only My father product that smacks of sweet bready flavors. Terrific, terrific offering from the factory.ol

Half Ashed 180: Caminos TMM Robusto

August 9, 2018 By Kip Fisher

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Caminos TMM

Tonight’s cigar, the Caminos TMM comes out of the same small, publicly unnamed “Top Secret Nest” factory in Tamboril, RD that Chogüí comes from….although I’m not sure it’s such a secret any more. C’mon down and I’ll show you where it is 😊 . The company is run by Cesar Reyes, one of the young gents I’ve talked about over the past 3 years. The Caminos TMM is available in robusto, toro, torpedo, and there was a limited run of 6”x56. I have gotten mixed information about its composition, but my understanding is that it has a Dominican HVA wrapper over Criollo ’98 binder and wide-ranging Dominican mix of filler leaf. I tried their earlier offerings with good success, so when this one hit about a year and a half ago I figured I’d give it a go. I grabbed a few of the 5” x 52 robustos and forwarded a couple to Craig blindly…so let’s see how it goes. These tend to run about $9 stateside, but can be had here in Santiago for the equivalent of about $6.

Cigar News

JC Newman has revived their “Save Cigar City” campaign, including covering their sign with a plea to “Save American Jobs”. Additionally, they have sent 100k (!) cards to their retailers across the country. These cards are preprinted and addressed to the FDA with comment requesting the agency to exempt cigars from the regulation. If you see these in your local B&M, all you need do is sign your name and drop in the mail. The postage is even paid already. I’m not sure of the efficacy of this particular plan, but I’m hoping for the best….and it certainly can’t hurt.

Another new shop in Santiago, for all you cigar touristy types….

Don Pepin 15th is landing…at a price. Comes in 2 vitolas (5.75” x 50 for $20, and 6.5”x52 for $24); features a habano rosado oscuro wrapper over mostly DPG-grown innards. 28k total production, in boxes of 14.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

Tatuaje Petite Tatuaje Reserva – OR – The best regular tatuaje I’ve ever had. 4-⅛” x 32 . Amazing
Esoterica Tobacciana Margate pipe tobacco. And a sh*t ton of it.

Kip

New Cantinero Coctel
More pipin’ – Escudo, GLP Sextant, Brebbia No. 60 (Preludio)

Half Ashed Episode 127: L’Atelier Cote d’Or

October 29, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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L’Atelier Cote d’Or

The L’Atelier Cote d’Or debuted in April ‘15, as a special limited release. It was produced by My Father for the company, and features a small amount of Pelo de Oro, an Ecuadoran Sancti Spiritus wrapper, and an all-Nicaraguan binder/filler combination. Total production for the cigar was limited to about 21,000 cigars, packaged in boxes of ten and retailed for about $16 per stick. It measures 7”x47.

Cigar News

In celebration of Carlos Fuente Sr.’s 80th birthday, Fuente is releasing the famed “Senior Blend” Don Carlos to the public. Previously, it was hard to come by outside of a few events or from a family members’ hand. It is a tweaked version of the regular production Don Carlos blend, and will be available in two vitolas – a 5×50 robusto ($14) and the “Eye of the Shark,” a box pressed belicoso measuring 5.75” x 52 ($11.95). The robusto is all Dominican internally, with a Cameroon wrapper – while the blend details for the Eye of the Shark have not been revealed. Cigar Aficionado has mistakenly reported that this is the 30th anniversary of the Don Carlos line….however, the series came out in 1976 and celebrated with the 30th Anniversary blend in 2006….

Hammer & Sickle, a cigar line with which I’m only vaguely familiar, is releasing a special “Peat-fired” cigar called the Caleanoch 25. I understand some of the leaf is fire cured like others we’ve seen in the past – with one change. Rather than various hardwoods being used, peat will be burned during the curing process. It will feature an Ecuadoran CT wrapper over Dominican corojo binder and Dominican fillers. Initially, the 25 will have about 25% peat-fired leaf in the filler blend – but, subsequent releases will have 50 and 75%, and be renamed respectively. It will be available in a single 6”x50 vitola and retailer for $12.50.

Cubanacan Eastern Sales Manager and friend of Half Ashed Nate McIntyre is launching his own line of cigars, called Percy Ray Cigars. It will be a limited annual release, produced by Cubanacan in their Nicaraguan factory, with the first release coming in a batch of about 800 boxes. The name of the line is a tribute to McIntyre’s grandfather, to whom Nate attributes his work ethic and values.

Chogui, a line currently only available in the DR, is coming to the US. I had the chance to sit down at a Santiago cigar shop with Victor Nicolas last week, and he tells me he’ll soon be shipping several thousand cigars to the states. They will be from his second offering, Dos77 (which has an interesting backstory for that name), and were rolled in August 2014. I am trying to catch up with him at the factory this upcoming week when he returns to Santiago and check out his next project….I have to tell you, though, the Dos77 is probably the most refreshing new cigar I’ve had since moving to the DR.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Reynaldo Corona Gorda 11/14 – Gift from Zedman – An alluring mild/medium cigar. Slightly tannic & tart but with a terrific pseudo-cocoa undertone. It was sweet and difficult to describe. The burn was perfect, even while driving, and smoking time was nearly 90 minutes

Southern Draw Kudzu – AJ Fernandez through and through. Nicaragua sweet spice. Dusty & full bodied. Strength was there but not overpowering. The palate pollution was a bit high but trading swigs of water and puffs kept it at bay. Very very enjoyable if you like the style.

Arturo Fuente Destino al Siglo – Lots here. Not all of it is good.

Kip

Recent production Fuente Shark

Chogui Dos77

Quesada Oktoberfest 2015

Next Episode

In the next episode (128), we will be smoking one of Craig’s selections, the Room101 Serie SA. So come by Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected] Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the Half Ashed YouTube Channel.

Half Ashed Episode 125: Crowned Heads Jericho Hill OBS

September 24, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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Crowned Heads Jericho Hill OBS

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

Cigar News

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

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

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

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

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

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

Kip

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

90 Miles from Flor de Gonzalez

Next Episode

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

Half Ashed Episode 118: Catching Up

July 24, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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[EDITOR’S NOTE: In what will be a rapid-fire game of catch up, I will be publishing 4 episodes this week. My move to the Dominican Republic delayed our publication for a bit but I’m now suitably connected to the web and ready to get back in the game. We will not likely have a live show this week, but there will be plenty of Half Ashed to keep you occupied for a while…]

This Week

This week is a bit different than normal – as has become the case during these recent tumultuous times. We take the opportunity to do a bit of catching up before my final flight to the Dominican Republic for the move. Come join us for a few laughs and maybe just an item or two of cigar news!

Next Episode

In the next episode (119), Craig will be flying solo….I can’t wait to see him self-conversate for an hour or so. Come by each Friday night and hang out with us in the chatroom during the show. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us via the Contact Page or the following emails: [email protected]@halfashed.com. 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 105: La Flor Dominicana 1994

March 10, 2015 By Kip Fisher

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La Flor Dominicana 1994

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

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

News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

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

Kip –

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

Wrap Up

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

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

Half Ashed Episode 092: My Father Lancero

November 23, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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This 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!

Half Ashed Episode 091: Tatuaje Belle Encre Reserva

November 19, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Welcome back for another fun-filled, exciting episode of Half Ashed! This marks the 91st episode of the show, and features the Tatuaje Belle Encre Reserva as our Cigar of the Week. The cigar was one of Kip’s selections, and he described it thusly:

The Tatuaje Belle Encre Reserva was a limited run of the Belle Encre (5 ⅜” x 48 perfecto), featuring a CT Broadleaf wrapper rather than the Ecuadoran Habano found on the standard line. It’s packed with the same internal components as the regular line (Nicaraguan throughout). This was released early this year as part of the 10th Anniversary product lineup from Tatuaje, and features the 10th Anniversary band. The standard Habano-wrapped version will continue, although the Reserva was limited, and may or may not see the light of day once again. These retailed at ~$11/stick, which was about $1 more per cigar than the standard line. Total production was just under 2000 boxes of 22 (just shy of 44k cigars). I did a brief comparison of the two back in May 2014.

In the news, we covered items from Smoke Inn’s Microblend Series, Casa Fernandez, Villiger, and Davidoff. Legislatively, there were stories from Nebraska and Massachusetts. As always, we wrapped up with what we’ve been smoking, talked through the ongoing upgrades to Half Ashed and covered a listener email from Ian Winchester.

In the next episode we will be featuring one of Kip’s favorites, the My Father #4 Lancero. 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 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!

Half Ashed Episode 087: Don Pepin Garcia Blue

October 24, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Good day everyone! I hope the week finds you doing well. Welcome to Half Ashed Episode 087, featuring the Don Pepin Garcia Blue Exquisito (corona gorda; 5-5/8″ x 46). This was one of my (Kip) suggestions, and my brief summation was:

For a time, this was my favorite vitola in the DPG Blue lineup. Nowadays, I strongly prefer the robusto or lancero in the line. Constant, but not overbearing spice is a fixture with this blend. The other vitolas have markedly sweeter dispositions. This one is pleasant in its own right, but has more of a savory bent to it. The DPG Blue comes in no less than NINE vitolas, so you have a big range to choose from. The only blend specifications known are that it’s a Nicaraguan puro with corojo wrapper. For whatever reason, I find wildly varying pricing for these. Tonight’s selection can be found anywhere from $6-8 locally.

In the news, we had items from Alec Bradley, IPCPR, a PSA for all costumers out there, further updates on the Cigar – Half Ashed migration, and a good bit of news for some of the displaced Torano salesforce. As always, we covered several cigars we’ve enjoyed this past week and hit a few ratholes along the way.

In the next episode we will be featuring our first “semi-pipe” show, so be sure to check back in Friday night at 9:30pm EST on halfashed.com where you can catch us recording and participate in the chatroom. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact page or at the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected] Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the CigFed Half Ashed Video Archive.

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 086: My Father Flor de las Antillas

October 19, 2014 By Kip Fisher

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Good day, folks. I’m having to dig out the wayback machine to even post this episode. We recorded this on October 3rd, but after a week off I still failed to get it posted. None the less, here it is for all you listening pleasure. In Episode 086, we take a look at the My Father Flor de las Antillas. Specifically we’re smoking the 6×60 edition of this line, a retail exclusive for Binny’s Beverage Depot which is a chain of cigar/liquor stores in the Chicago Illinois area. Craigs words:

A shop exclusive to Binny’s Beverage Depot out of Chicago, this behemoth rounds out the large cigar offerings for the FdlA line. Binny’s says it is “Relentless from beginning to end, this medium to full-bodied blend is loaded with coffee and cocoa notes that are accompanied with a sweet woody finish and just the right amount of spice. Only 500 boxes will ever be produced” A nicaraguan cigar with a sun grown nicaraguan wrapper. I was given a box of them and they’re what I have to reach for when I want the FdlA blend. They’re… different. Imagine going from espresso to american coffee. Flavor is still there but not as robust as it could be.

In the news, we have items from Tatuaje (the “Unlucky 13” have been announced), Quesada, Oliva, and a bit of historical background from Craig. Of course, we cover what we’ve been smoking and what has drawn our attention lately. Additionally, this week we talk about some pretty massive changes coming for our websites. The Cigarmy and Half Ashed are being merged into one singular media outlet at halfashed.com.

In the next episode we will be featuring another Don Pepin Garcia cigar – the DPG Blue Exquisito (corona gorda), so be sure to check back in Friday night at 9:30pm EST on halfashed.com where you can catch us recording and participate in the chatroom. If you would like to contact us in the meantime, you can reach us through the contact page or at the following emails: [email protected] or [email protected] Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions you’d like answered, comments to make…or even compliments and complaints. We love to get your emails! Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive. You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), find us on iTunes, or subscribe with any podcast app at our RSS Feed. Video, as always, will be available at the CigFed Half Ashed Video Archive.

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!