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Episode 196: Hirochi Robaina

August 31, 2019 By Kip Fisher

Hirochi Robaina mixed bag

Kip – I’m smoking the HR Claro, which features an Ecuadoran Habano Claro wrapper. This particular example was given to me at the 2016 IPCPR, and is the ‘109’ vitola at 7.25” x 50….although I see in looking around the internet it lists in many places today at 7.5”. In any event, I had actually not made a stop at the HR/White Hat(now La Familia Robaina) table during the show and happened to all but accidentally find myself there at the end of the show. The folks were cheerful offered me a seat and a cigar. This one has been waiting ever since for tonight, although I’ve smoked a fair number of HRs in the meantime. The cellophane on this cigar was sinfully dark for only 3 years’ time. It has a smooth, dry-feeling, lightly veined wrapper and a closed foot.

Other info: Also available in Robusto Gordo (5.5” x 56), Rothschild (5”x48), and Toro (6” x 52); pricing runs from about $9 to $12

Craig – HR Toro – 6” x 52 This is the original HR blend and is Nicaraguan innards wrapped in an Ecuadorian Habano Maduro wrapper.

Cigar News

The IPCPR is making some changes…and ruffled a few feathers in the process of (not really) announcing it….CA STORY HERE, and HALFWHEEL STORY HERE

It’s coming back! Pete Johnson posted up a couple of pics announcing the return of the Mexican Experiment, and introduction of the Mexican Experiment II….hooowwahhh!

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

Quesada 40th Robusto – Ehh…
Illusione ECCJ 20th – Oh good gravy. Sweet, complex, balanced, black tea to balance it all out and give it a wonderful herbaceousness

Kip

Petersen & Sorensen Scottish Blend from 2008. Nope.
Recent GLP Abingdon. Yeshh.
Rodriguez Cigars – a heretofore unknown brand for me….

Episode 195: Unbanded 039

August 31, 2019 By Kip Fisher

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Unbanded 039

NOTE: Image is a sample image only; not this week’s cigar…my apologies, but the original image was lost in the shuffle. Description: Roughly a 5”x44rg heavily box pressed cigar with a beautiful even colorado wrapper. Possibly even a half shade darker. Smooth veins and an even overall texture make this an absolutely gorgeous cigar with near perfect appearing construction. The prelight aroma is slightly tingly with a touch of a cheesy funk. Normally I’d raise my eyebrows to the smell but something about it works here. It’s more reminiscent of a typical cigar barnyard funk than anything off-putting.

Cigar News

The American from JC Newman launched today. They’ve been talking about this cigar for quite a while. It’s interesting in that they’re marketing it as the first *fully* American cigar – which means not just wrapper, binder & filler; even the boxes, packaging, cellophane, and molds were made in the USA. Manufacturing is at JC Newman’s El Reloj factory in Tampa as well. The wrapper actually comes from the Florida Sun Grown being grown in Clermont, FL at the Jeff Borysiewicz (Corona Cigars) farm, which was also the source of some Drew Estate projects (FSG, for example). The wrapper is a CT broadleaf, from CT. FInally, the filler is a mix that includes more CT tobacco, as well as some Mennonite-grown Pennsylvanian tobacco. It will come in four sizes at launch, and will be available on some limited basis through Corona Cigars.

I’m not sure JC Newman has the marketshare to sustain this type of product in today’s climate. It’s solely a small-batch cigar unless something drastic happens with the FDA. Is there enough of a patriotic clientele to grab ahold of what has become a politicized ideal? I’m not sure there is enough allegiance amongst for that market to pay 2-3 times the “normal” price just for the Americana cache.
No.1 (7 x 47, $19), No.2 (6 x 54, $18.50), No.3 (4 1/2 x 50, $16), No.4 (6 1/8 x 52 Torpedo, $21)

Black Label Trading, who previously ‘merged’ with Emilio and took over production and marketing for the company, has announced a revamp of the AF1 and AF2 marcas. The AF1 will have a Mexican wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler, while the AF2 will have an Ecuadoran wrapper over similar mix. Both lines will comes in Robusto (5”x50), Toro (6”x50), and Grand Toro (6”x58), but the AF2 will additionally be available in a 5.5”x42 Corona. The line will retail from $8.50 to $10 per cigar. Just on a side note, I (Kip) could wax poetic about the original blends from back in Gary Griffith’s days with the company. These two lines were some of the cigars that sent me headlong into my time of fascination with “boutique” cigars. I thought both were great; the AF2 was spectacular for my tastes. They were made by AJ Fernandez – hence the “AF” moniker. I have to wonder in light of the current owners’ production being elsewhere…and having changed up the blend….and packaging, why are they keeping the same name? The press release for these new ones say they’ve received “the Oveja Negra makeover in appearance and flavor”. Why not a new name?

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig: Partagas 165 Big Ass MoFo vitola. It was big, beautiful and expensive. Too bad it wasn’t great

Kip: Cri-Ojo, by Rocky Patel – whut-whut?!? Perfect construction; Crazy smooth wrapper; Bright, at times minty, flavor; Very clean on the palate

Episode 194: Host’s Choice

May 31, 2019 By Kip Fisher

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Host’s Choice

Craig – 2015 Davidoff Nicaragua Diadema – I had been taking this cigar with me to Colorado for the past three summers and finally decided that I wasn’t going to wait around for the 4th failed attempt to smoke it in the mountains. An old deceased friend always said that he would mortgage his house for more “original” Davidoff Diadema’s. Just this week I got an email that they’re being sold again. In his honor and since I have none of those 14 year old cigars, I’d smoke the closest thing I had, this Nicaragua celebrating the same vitola name. It’s nutty and full of zing and is slightly overmatching my out-of-practice palate. I’m coming off of a spring cold and it has severely diminished my tasting ability. This cigar is one of the best things I’ve consumed in nearly a month; and I’m only an inch in…

Kip – 2008 Oliva Serie V Maduro revisited. I bought an unopened box of 10 of these from last year’s sale via Craig. I was such a *huge* fan of them originally and at every step of the way until I ran out, that I wanted to see how they’re doing 10+ years on. The 2008 was a 6.5”x52 beli that had a CT broadleaf wrapper over NIcaraguan binder/filler. Interestingly enough, CA reported a story on this line just this afternoon….In the way of preliminary notes, here are my thoughts. Tune in to the show to see how it ended!

Cold draw is quite a bit more ‘raisiny’ than I remember; aroma pretty barnyardish. First light does *not* say 10 years of age. It initially feels aggressive and bold through the nose. It doesn’t taste young per se; it is tempered by a leathery flavor that adds a dimension to what I remember in the past. It is just still more bold than I would expect, even having smoked one of this box already a month or so ago.

Cigar News

Federal proposal to ban online cigar sales, raise buying age to 21, etc.

Imperial is getting out…and there’s a lot up for sale if you’re interested

The FDA lost the one case we’d like to see them win….

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Kip –

Brebbia ‘Classic English’ #70
GLP Charing Cross….how do you say that again?

Episode 193: Tatuaje Black Petit Lancero

April 30, 2019 By Kip Fisher

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Tatuaje Black Petit Lancero

Craig – A great (and quite lucky) acquisition from the liquidation sale over at halfashed .com, this box of Petit Lanceros is a sight to see. All standing at attention on their foot, the 6-⅛” x 38 ring cigars are perfectly matte maduro in shade and with a thick “blanketing” type wrapper over a veiny binder leaf. The smoke is a legendary offering from Pete Johnson. Initially released in 2008 to commemorate a peso cigar smoked on a trip to cuba, they are said to be rustic, bold and a fashioned after a cuban cigar that is completely opposite that available for retail sale on the island. This Nicaraguan cigar embodies the bold and rustic characteristic of its Cuban muse but aligns quite well with the palate of an average Nicaraguan smoker.

Cigar News

Thompson closing…STG is closing the doors of the Tampa headquarters in late June, according to an article in the Tampa Bay Times. The plan is to continue with consolidating operations in Bethlehem, PA.

No smoking at Disney. Thhhrrrppptttt.

Simon Chase has died. 1944-03/11/2019 – The former marketing director or H&F in London has passed away at the age of 74. Chase, perhaps best known as the emcee for Habanos annual collectible auction

A few more tidbits that come up via rabbit trail as we are prone….

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig –

Mons DC
La aroma de cuba – Noblesse

Kip

Cigars – La Aurora Black Lion; 858 Maduro; Tatuaje Black
Pipes – Nothing new, but did have an infusion from my stash back home.

Episode 192: Unbanded from Dan C

April 30, 2019 By Kip Fisher

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Unbanded from Dan C. March 2019

Craig – 4-⅜”x50 by direct measurement. “Washed out”, matte brown wrapper. Very little cap. A completely different “tobacco” aroma; I can tell it’s tobacco but it doesn’t smell like cigar. Almost aromatic or cured despite being faint. A very cool definition of wrapper, binder and filler leaf from the foot.

Kip – A heavy 4.375” x ?? (can’t find my gauge). Medium/Dark brown, mostly even coloration. Barnstall aroma at the foot; less pronounced on the wrapper. Moderate veins on the wrapper, but it telegraphs every nook, cranny, and lump underneath. Very fine tooth throughout its surface.

Cigar News

With an abbreviated show, we only kicked around a few tidbits of news this week – mainly, the news that a new FDA director is waiting in the wings….

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Padron Anniversary Toro-ish from the last Box Pass – Absolutely divine. I think I need to smoke more regularly to train my palate to be ready for these.
Tat Monster (Light blue band 109 type vitola) – Lovely prelight but tight draw and an inability to burn. Wonderful room aroma
Essencia E – These are heaven and a tragedy to lose from the industry. Light, complex and phenomenal
Essencia – Like all the best things about an Illusione but rolled together in one stick.
Cabaiguan Maduro Guapo – Have I mentioned that this reminded me of something? Oh yeah, a Cab Maduro. Ahhh…
RASS – From Box Pass. This had all the flavors and perfection of a good RASS but was light on all of them. I’ve had these that POP. This didn’t but still was enjoyable throughout.

Kip

Cigars – casi nada (again)
Pipes – Billy Budd Blonde from C&D; Escudo;
Up next: GLP Sextant; HH Vintage Syrian

Episode 191: Ramon Bueso Olancho Vintage

March 30, 2019 By Kip Fisher

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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.