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Episode 191: Ramon Bueso Olancho Vintage

March 30, 2019 By Kip Fisher

Ramon Bueso Olancho Vintage

Forum member AKPreacher supplied this episode’s featured cigar. Frankly, neither Craig nor I knew enough about it previously to give a great deal of detail. Of course we could offer preliminary inspection and description of its physical characteristics (which we do during the show), and describe it as we smoke it (also…during the show), but we weren’t intimately familiar with this line beforehand. Also, I never received any sort of press from the company – so, the following information comes from the Cigars International description:

“We’ve got an aged 2005 binder leaf from Talanga Valley, and a wide variety of long-filler leaves including selections from 2008 Nicaraguan Esteli, 2010 Honduras La Entrada, 2008 Honduran Jamastran, and 2003 Honduras Olancho. On top of all of that, the wrapper is a Colorado Oscuro Olancho, grown exclusively for this cigar. These leaves were purposefully fermented for a shorter amount of time than industry standard, and the experiment paid off with an absolutely unique flavor unlike any other cigar on the market.”

Cigar News

We kicked around a few stories and rumblings this week, but did not specifically cover anything indepth; we opted to let this episode progress as it may and talk a bit more about the Cigar of the Week.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Padrón Dámaso – I still love those connecticuts. By far the best balanced Connie I’ve ever smoked. The crisp bitterness is present in minor flavor alone and not at all in sensation or drying effect.
Ramon Bueso Habano Torpedo – An unbanded for our boxpass on HA .com – LOVELY

Kip

Cigars – casi nada
Pipes – latest GLP for me is Caravan. WTH was I thinking not exploring this blend back in the day?

Episode 190: Unbanded MF 2

March 29, 2019 By Kip Fisher

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Unbanded MF2

Precious little pre-smoke detail as always on our Unbandeds. This one is roughly 4-¾”x(34/47; somewhat pressed ) and has a true to life pig tail. Let’s see how it goes….

Cigar News

The CRA added a tool to its approach, or at least renewed one. They’ve sent a letter to every sitting state governor detailing the potential impact of FDA over-regulation of premium cigars. The letter doesn’t share any new information, but points out the possible loss of jobs and tax revenues, which are important issues on a state level. The letter also makes clear a couple of differences between premium cigars and other items such as cigarettes (namely, that the cigars at hand aren’t highly sought after by underage smokers, etc.), and asks the governors to throw their influence behind legislation that would exempt premium cigars from even more regulation.

A couple weeks ago, it was announced that TMA (Tobacco Merchants Association) has completed an acquisition of SpecComm International, Inc. – parent company of several tobacco related trade magazines, including Pipes & Tobacco, Cigars & Leisure, and Tobacco. The press release didn’t provide great detail about future plans for the content, only that these along with their other media holdings will be rolling out in a new division and that “TMA will create a tobacco and nicotine content experience for industry and all stakeholders that has more depth and coverage than anywhere else. And watch for new topical content coming soon”. They organization more than two dozen outlets in total. This afternoon, halfwheel is reporting that they have sources reporting that the three above-mentioned magazines will be shuttered. As of yet, TMA has not responded to their request for confirmation. Original story here

Hawaii, which has a history of being at the forefront of tobacco control legislation, has a couple of new/renewed proposals. First, there is a new introduction of a bill that would prohibit mail-order or internet sales of cigars and OTP into the state. This has been unsuccessfully proposed in the past. It is already illegal to conduct sales of cigarettes via these methods on a federal level, so this is specifically targeted at cigars and other tobacco products. The bill also includes a twelve-fold increase on the annual tobacco permit fee. Secondly, USAToday and numerous other outlets report that State Rep Richard Creagan has proposed what essentially amounts to a phased prohibition on cigarettes as a whole. The bill would raise the cigarette age requirement to 30 next year, 40 in 2021, 50 in 2022, and 100 in 2024. This bill would exempt cigars and OTP and is specifically targeted at cigarettes. It will be in committee for debate in the coming days. Hawaii was the first state to raise the purchase age to 21, and has been followed by several other states in that regard. While lawmakers have said the bill is likely too abrupt to pass this time around, others have asserted it is time to start thinking about an “end-game strategy” for smoking because the number of smokers has dwindled low enough that smokers don’t have the same power or voice as in the past.

Big Sale is now Public! – The sale (personal sale from a friend who is clearing his collection) we’ve referenced multiple times before will now be available to anyone. Interested? Come to Halfashed .com/forum

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –
- (Last Time: Hoyo Añejado CG — For the completists out there)
- La Aroma – Robusto OR – We’ve smoked thee cigars on the show before and they continue to evolve. If I recall correctly they were much lighter and almost “tangy” when we tasted them. A far cry from their original dark and rich profile, their intermediate evolution left me underwhelmed. Now 9 years after their release the cigars are blossoming into a more complex, more harmonious combination of their initial flavors and their reviewed state. They’re hitting their stride… Some of these are added to the box pass currently going on over at Halfashed .com/forum
- Principle Cigars – Accomplice Lancero – I am rarely unprepared for a cigar to be delicate or complex. This cigar bested me. I had to throw it out halfway through because I had so abused it. It was rich and soft and robust and falsely bold.
Kip
- Pipe tobacco – a couple blends from GLP, Regents Flake and Gaslight Plug
- Other than that, I believe the only cigars I’ve smoked since last show were some of my cohort’s offerings….which are inconsistent and unpredictable. What can I say about that? :)

Episode 189: El Titan de Bronze

March 29, 2019 By Kip Fisher

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El Titan de Bronze

Tonight we’re smoking the Sungrown version of the Redemption line out of El Titan de Bronze in Miami. We have the 6” x 52 toro, which features a Sungrown Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. The line is also available wrapped in a “Dark Habano” or Mexican Maduro wrapper. I picked these up in a friend’s collection selloff last year, and I jumped on them because I remember back in 2012-ish really digging these sticks. At the time I found them sometimes aggressive, but *always* enjoyable. I have had some strong opinions on progression of these through time, and I believe they have a good bit of age on them (truly unknown, as I haven’t asked the seller). Let’s see how tonight goes….

Cigar News

Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla) has introduced a bill (S.9 – Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2019) which would exempt premium cigars from FDA regulation. Actually, it is essentially a re-introduction as the bill’s content is the same as has been previously proposed. The bill does create a definition for *premium* cigars – which is familiar if you’ve been with us for a while. To qualify, a cigar must be:

Wrapped in 100% leaf tobacco, as well as filled by 100% tobacco filler
No filters nor tips
Does not meet the existing legal definition of a cigarette
>= 6 lb. per 1,000 cigars and either:
100% leaf tobacco binder & hand rolled
100% leaf tobacco binder & hand-lain on a singular machine that finishes the cigar, OR…
homogenized tobacco leaf binder & made in the US and hand-lain on a singular machine that finishes the cigar

Several other co-sponsors have signed onto the bill, from both sides of the aisle. We shall see if this gathers any momentum beyond awareness….

The ongoing lawsuit brought against the FDA by CRA, CAA, & IPCPR has been delayed again, this time due to the government shutdown. The DOJ has requested and been granted a stay due to the circumstances. The stay will endure until 14 days after funding resumes.

This week’s “three-pipe problem”. I often hear – and have been guilty of saying myself – that a tobacco seems like it’d age well (whether a cigar or pipe blend). Upon hearing someone say this recently, I wondered what is it that makes us say that? Despite having said it myself, I can’t lay any tangible, measurable quality to it. What sayest thou?

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

- Jericho Hill

Kip

- I popped a(nother) tin of 2004 Abingdon this week. Since I’ve been opening up some 12-15 year old tins as of late, I’m continually impressed by the condition of Pease (hence, C&D’s) tobacco in the tin. I’ve encountered a number of problems with some brands over the years – mold, rust, imperfect seals, etc. I’ve not had any issue whatsoever with these 2002-2005 Pease blends, which gives me great hope as those were prime cellar-building years for me. With the sheer volume I set aside, I’m comforted that my investment seems sound. As for the tobacco, what a delight. I love Abingdon when fresh, with its bold, smoky presence in the bowl and charred, campfire aroma before light. But with age, there’s a sweetness that isn’t there when young that I genuinely adore. It borders on – but never crosses into – a floral character. It is sublime for my palate.
- Fonseca Nicaragua. I loved ‘em two years ago. I picked up some recently and find them a bit overpowering and aggressive, with a wonky burn. I hope this is settles out of the remainder after some time of rest….

Episode 188: My Father LE 2010

February 1, 2019 By Kip Fisher

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My Father LE 2010

Craig – In late 2009 I was preparing to take my second trip to Nicaragua. I had visited a few years before in 2006 when I took a day trip to Jalapa from a home base in Danli, Honduras. This time I was staying in the cigar town of Esteli, and I couldn’t be happier. That was until I started hearing whispers of “special” cigars being made at the My Father factory. In January of ‘10 I had the pleasure to personally witness the manufacture of these very cigars we’re smoking tonight. Jaime and Jose Garcia had individualized rolling tables next to each other at the head of their main rolling room where each and every one of these 24, 000 2010 My Father Limited Editions were made… by them. Pepin was 100% tight lipped about the experience except to say what later became his marketed release: 6-½”x52 all Nicaraguan innards grown at the farm. A Nicaraguan wrapper grown elsewhere.

The only 1st hand thing I could take from the experience was their pride. Both Jose and his son were bordering on giddy about this project. I don’t know if they felt like the cigar was exceptional, rather I think they were proud to be doing what they know and love.
The cigar is perfect in appearance and obvious construction. Color, weight, density, spacing “the face”, the prelight draw (albeit easier than I would prefer). I can’t score the cigar high enough on initial quality. It tastes almost dominican on the prelight with sweetness, cedar and a noticeable tingle of spice. These cigars were intimidating when my box was opened at 5 years old. The cigars were strong and bold. Both moreso than I would prefer. At approaching 10 years old I expect them to have continued in their maturation and overall balancing.

Kip’s initial thoughts: Incredibly solid construction. Like…laser lined and leveled. Crazy good. Lovely, dark aroma of figs or raisins on the foot; less so on the wrapper. Near perfect draw, just ever-so-slightly more tight than what I’d call perfect. Some slight sweetness along the same lines as the foot aroma previously mentioned. The only real negative I can dig for is that it appears both of the samples I have were put into the casket while the finish was still wet. This sounds far-fetched because it doesn’t seem to make sense, yet there are splotches of varnish inside the casket and on the cello (thankfully it has cello). It doesn’t harm the cigars; just something I noticed. Presentation is tastefully and nicely done – showing care for the product and its appearance, rather than just simple “flash”.

Cigar News

Rather than the typical news items, which have been scant in recent months, tonight we’re talking about Kip’s “Crotchety Old Guy’s Smoky Hopes for 2019…

A bunch of people are shuffling around the industry, through RIF and incestuous fishtrading. On an individual level, I feel for these folks and hope they land on their feet in a position where they’re fulfilled and happy.

Price increases are coming….happens about this time every year. I hope they’re of little impact.

Several companies are releasing cigars they swear have been hanging out in storage just waiting for the right time. I hope they’re noteworthy. I hope the same for special limited vitolas in existing lines that seem to be oozing out of the woodwork.

I’ve seen a few packaging schemes changing. Some of the changes don’t seem like progress. I hope it pans out for the companies and bears the intended fruit.

Palio lighters are now plastic, under $20US, and come in cardboard counter-top boxes. I hope they’re worth it.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Deadwood Tobacco “Sweet Jane” A, from Drew Estate – There’s a good cigar in here, maybe even a great one. It’s just wrapped in a layer of sweetness that has been added to the seemingly Broadleaf wrapper. The cigar took over 150 minutes and still had 3” left. The sweetness never built but never went away. I’d like for someone to figure out how to make it water soluble so it disappears after being exposed to your saliva for a while…

Hoyo de Monterrey Añejados Robusto (Hermoso#4) – Tangy, tart, sweet and woody. Part perfect Hoyo, part deflated aged tobacco. This box was stored poorly at one point and has that funky aroma. It’s detectable on the band and was perceptible while smoking. It didn’t take away from the experience but it certainly wasn’t helped by it. Good not great

Kip

Tatuaje El Triunfador #3 (5.625” x 46…ish; Ec Hab over Nica/Nica) – bought these from a friend’s big sell-off…holy crap. I’m not sure the age, although the cello is very, very yellowed. These are a favored line for me, and these specifically some of the best I’ve ever had. Either they’re just randomly great or I should be stockpiling these to lay down for years to come. Phenomenal. Caramel, coffee, pure/simple/beautiful toasty tobacco flavors.

Episode 187: Asylum Ogre 7×70

January 31, 2019 By Kip Fisher

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Asylum Ogre 7″ x 70

Oof. The Asylum Ogre 7” x 70. What a behemoth of a cigar. It features a Habano/Candela (Nicaragua) barber pole wrap over Nicaraguan internal components. JLedou sent these in long ago, and we’ve been a bit scared to light them up. Originally planned for a Halloween show, they were delayed until tonight. Let’s see how it goes….

Cigar News

Kretek (y’all might be more familiar with them in the cigar world as Ventura) has bought Foundry Cigar from General (STG). Michael Giannini led the creation of Foundry – you may remember Bob McDuffee chatting them up following the 2012 IPCPR show, as a result of their steampunk themed marketing. I’m not sure the market for Foundry’s product lines persisted after initial periods of launch/promotion (whatever happened with the contraption-based token/ring/fuse/whatevers that were coming originally?), as the lineup went through some changeups and cancellations around the time Giannini left General in 2016. But, since he is currently the General Manager at Ventura, he is reunited with the line and we’ll see where he takes it.
NBC reports that the FDA has begun in earnest to approach an outright ban on menthol cigarettes…and “flavors in cigars.” In comments on the move, Robin Koval (of the Truth Initiative, an anti-smoking group) stated outright his desire that “They need to get rid of all the flavors. They need to ban online sales.” The move is not unexpected, and hasn’t been a secret – but has now progressed into more public view. We’ll see how aggressively this goes through.
So. Florida has passed a Constitutional amendment (#9) that prohibits offshore drilling….and indoor vaping….on the same ticket. Go figure.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

A listener was kind enough to send Kip and I a few vintage cigars that he came into recently and was looking for us to share our opinion. I’ve now smoked several of these and have some unfortunate opening opinions. I think the cigars were dry at one point. They have a acrid bitterness in common that crosses brands and sizes. They seem like mere shells of themselves. So far a Cuesta Rey, Romeo Limited Edition and Upmann Chairman’s Reserve have all shared the similarity. All three cigars are from different locations, use different tobaccos and are completley different styles, yet still have the same common misfortune. I feel for our friend…
Viaje Stuffed Turkey – What an interesting cigar! Toasty flavors in spades without coming across dry or dead. Smoky flavors that didn’t seem as if the cigar was too “hard”. Richness that didn’t convey heaviness of body. The cellophane on these was nearly Amber where it contacted the cigars. I’m curious if that’s a sign of oil or another outside influence. Truly spectacular, especially considering I had little hope for the cigar.

Kip

Rattray’s – Black Virginia, in the same vein as my dear Marlin Flake – but perhaps a bit more subtle and less sweet. It had been over a decade since I’d popped a tin. Good stuff, although I still favor Marlin Flake if I had to pick from the Rattray’s lineup.
GL Pease – Key Largo. The cigar blend that doesn’t try too hard. My longstanding criticism of cigar leaf in pipe blends is that it is often carried out too heavy-handed. Not so with Key Largo. In fact, the cigar leaf seems to disappear at times for me. While I do enjoy KL, I still assert that if I want a cigar I smoke a cigar – and if I want a pipe, I’ll smoke a pipe. The blend is a pretty straightforward, Oriental/Latakia blend with a nice Virginia “framework”. I find lots of coffee and dark chocolate flavors throughout the bowl. The cigar leaf is kept at what I’d call a condimental level, which means it is there but not in your face. Since the long-forgotten demise of Billiard Room from C&D, and more recently of McClelland’s Dominican Glory, this is probably my favorite blend of this genre.

Half Ashed 186: Unbanded 036

November 30, 2018 By Kip Fisher

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Unbanded 036 from zedman

This week we’re smoking Unbanded 036 submitted by zedman. I have to apologize for the fact that my audio was atrocious due to some unforeseen technical troubles. Hopefully that will not persist, nor be too annoying for you. Also of note, this week’s show is very different from most. We did not have a great deal of news to discuss from within the industry, so we took advantage of some time to simply hang out and talk about the cigar we’re smoking. Speaking of which, here are our pre-smoke notes:

Kip

I’m measuring about 6” x 46/48ish, with very uniform medium brown coloration. The wrapper seems to telegraph every single detail underneath, which gives it a bit of a rustic appearance; it’s “slightly very” lumpy – the lumps are slight in magnitude, but prevalent in occurrence. There isn’t much in the way of aroma from either wrapper or foot. Also, as I’m sure zedman would point out if he were here on the show with us, we’ve had these for almost two years (Dec 2016?)….I do not know actual age since rolling.

Craig

My size is also 6×46 with a very spongy feel and slightly light weight in the hand. This telegraphs Cuban Custom rolled cigar from the appearance and color. The wrapper has the hallmark flavorful “look” but without the beauty that a top graded wrapper leaf would have. The look is akin to a wet wrapper application. It telegraphs the texture with a minutely different coloring or shadow. The foot is closed and the prelight seems greatly diminished, as if it’s been diluted over the years of being loose in a plastic bat.

Half Ashed 185: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida

October 31, 2018 By Kip Fisher

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Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust Mi Querida

From the DT&T website:

Mi Querida literally translates as “my dearest”, however it is a rather provocative word within Nicaragua used to expressly describe your secret mistress. While this may sound like an oxymoron, it is not. It is not uncommon in the culture for a man to have a mistress that is both known by and basically approved of by his wife, whereas the “Mi Querida” is the woman who neither his wife or mistress know about or would ever approve of. Cigar wise, it represents my personal maduro desires: a robust, extremely flavorful liga comprised of rich Nicaraguan leaf hand rolled in a 100% naturally fermented, heavy Broadleaf capa. Earthy and dense with a long teasing, slightly dirty finish, Mi Querida is delightfully lush and full bodied on the palate offering an extremely satisfying experience for the most passionate of cigar smokers.

US CT River Valley Broadleaf over NIcaraguan binder & filler; we are smoking the 5” x 52 “Ancho Corto”

Cigar News

- Our condolences to family and friends of Casa Fernández blender Arsenio Ramos, who passed away at age 83.
- Oliva is releasing a Cain Daytona in 7” x 70 format. If that’s not enough WTH for you…it’s going to the European market. Has the whole world gone T-U?
- Pete Johnson announced the “Unlucky 13” retailers who will be receiving this year’s limited run of Halloween series boxes. Presumably, unless you’re trying to ferret out the specially painted box, the cigars will be available in less-limited packaging nationwide….tune in to the show to find out which retailers will be receiving dress boxes.
- AJ Fernandez has an extension coming to the New World series – a Cameroon offering. The cigar will be available in 7(!) vitolas – Petit Lancero (5 x 38), Short Robusto (4 x 48), Corona (6 x 46), Robusto (5 1/2 x 54), Toro (6 x 50), Churchill (7 x 48), and Torpedo (6 1/2 x 52). It comes with a Cameroon wrapper over Nicaraguan insides, and will be priced between $5 and $7, depending on size. It should be launching this Fall.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

- Craig
  - Tatuaje Caz – Last show cigar, again
  - Monte #2

- Kip
  - Not much at all, as I’ve had little time and been mostly occupied by cigars you’ve all heard about recently……..

Half Ashed 184: Tatuaje Brown Label

October 30, 2018 By Kip Fisher

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Tatuaje Brown Label (Selección de Cazadores) Regios

We all know the Tatuaje Brown label as a cornerstone of the industry post 2003. These cigars are one of the best examples of “New School” Nicaraguan blending style. Bold and citrusy, this New World example of Cuban heritage comes tonight in a 5-½”x50 Robusto Extra vitola. Sit back, relax and join us as we smoke this version from January 2010, when the Brown label was still a true Nicaraguan puro.

Cigar News

Fred Rewey sells Nomad to Chris Kelly & Kyle Hoover of Ezra Zion… OPEN LETTER
We talked, I believe, on the last show about the fact that the next Nicaraguan Puro Sabor festival has been canceled – or, more accurately, relocated and scheduled to occur in Miami in January 2019 – due presumably (although not stated overtly) to civil unrest in the country. Now, Drew Estate has also canceled their Cigar Safari events until late 2019. The Cigar Safari events are wildly popular among DE fans, and take place at various times each year. Ticket sales were originally postponed a bit, but now won’t begin until May 2019 – with travel dates falling in Autumn of next year and Spring of 2020. Additionally, remaining dates for this year have been scrubbed.
While we’re discussing cigar festivals, the Dominican ProCigar event has opened registration for next year’s event. It will take place Feb 17-22, 2019, and the ticket price for the entire event is now $1200US – not including hotel or airfare(!). This festival comes in stages, with the early portion taking place in Caso de Campo and the latter in Santiago.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig
- Lou Rodriguez – holy crap. Where did he go?!
- Bolivar Gold Medal 2006. Interesting…
- Marlin Flake – Pipe! – Butter butter butter. With a side of butter

Kip
- Original Grimalkin from Emilio (not the recent re-release). It was a decent cigar still, but not the cigar I remember so fondly. It seemed to have faded a good bit, and was somewhat muddled with its flavors. Worth smoking if you have them onhand, but not worth seeking out for me.
- Pipes – Full Virginia Flake (which I opened during our last show). I set a land speed record smoking through this tin. I always liked it fresh, but have to say time does very good things for this blend. My only regret is that I didn’t cellar it in pounds rather than the handful of tins I did put aside.

Half Ashed 183: Pipe Night Part Tres

September 29, 2018 By Kip Fisher

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Pipe Night Part Tres

Tonight, we revisit the pipe again, in Part 3 of our Pipe Night Series. Join us as we talk pipes, tobacco, and a few useful tips and tricks to getting full enjoyment from your pipe. Craig is smoking Westminster, and Kip something special….

Tonight’s Pipe Night Discussion

Pipe smoking and all its associated ephemera and methods are an art – and, a science.
Don’t focus on the tools of the trade. Get basic – but suitable – gear, and experiment with tobacco until you find what suits your preferences.
Be simple. It’s not as complicated as it looks. It’s not as cumbersome. This hobby is all about enjoyment.
Don’t be “that guy”
Try stuff. Do stuff. Experimentation is key
Relights and tongue bites – and what you can do to prevent them. Maybe a tip or two about relieving tongue bite should you have gone too far.
Tip o’the week:
Pipe cleaners – while smoking; after smoking; when cleaning.
Discuss drilling/tobacco issues: what you can do before even buying that pipe or tobacco; Tongue bite; prevention & treatment (Biotene/time, tobacco cut and drying)
Cleaning and maintenance between smokes.

Reminder: Don’t give up if at first it’s not the best experience; Do invest the time and an appropriate amount of money if you really want a lifelong hobby

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Santos Miami
Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2018(?)

Kip

Esencia “E”
Leccia Black
LTC Corona
GLP Virginia Cream

Half Ashed 182: LFD Air Bender Maduro

September 1, 2018 By Kip Fisher

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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 n^th 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!