Pinar del Rio | Half Ashed

Half Ashed Episode 131: Bolivar Colosales ER Alemania

December 18, 2015 By Kip Fisher

Bolivar Colosales ER Alemania

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

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

Cigar News

PDR joins Pro Cigar –

Congrats to Liana Fuente, who is getting married tomorrow.

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

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

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

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

Chogui – Opus Angel Share, anyone?

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

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

Diplomatico #4 (1997) – Damn good Montecristo…

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

Kip

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

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

The other Bolivar Colosales ER Alemania….

Miscellaneous

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

Next Episode

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

News: El Primer Mundo Ends Distribution Agreement with PDR

November 17, 2014 By Kip Fisher

El Primer Mundo Cigars & PDR Cigars End Distribution Arrangement

According to a press release received from El Primer Mundo yesterday, the Atlanta based company’s cigars will no longer be distributed by PDR Cigars USA. The agreement had been in lace since May of 2013. El Primer Mundo will distribute its product lines through an existing network of independent sales brokers throughout the United States; Asian distribution will be handled via partner ChindAsia Lifestyle Group.

Brand founder and owner Sean Williams was quoted in the release as saying, “I’m really excited about fine tuning the focus as we move into 2015. This past year has been a whirlwind. We launched a new product with Costa Fuerte, re-launched Epifania, and basically repackaged the whole line-up, including La Hermandad. This was all done while Abe and the factory were major league busy doing great new stuff for PDR as well as a number of other brands.“

Abe Flores and the Pinar Del Rio factory make cigars for a number of brands, including Gurkha, Kristoff, La Palina, Ortega and one of this podcaster’s favorites: Frank Herrera’s Biography. Two blends coming from this factory were selected in Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 in 2013. Existing Epifania, La Hermandad and Costa Fuerte lines will continue to be produced by PDR in Tamboril, Dominican Republic.

“Abe makes great cigars and I’ve really enjoyed making my lines with him. I definitely look forward to continuing with the relationship,” said Williams of the ongoing relationship.

El Primer Mundo was founded in 2006, and has been well received over the years, with accolades to include a Cigar Trophy nomination for Best Brand USA in 2013 for its Epifania line. Williams believes the next 12 months should be an exciting time for EPM as he looks forward to a number of new projects, including work on El Primer Mundo’s 10th Anniversary Cigar slated for release in 2015.
www.elprimermundo.com

Press Release: Pinar Del Rio Announces New Lines

June 25, 2013 By Kip Fisher

Pinar Del Rio Cigars Announces New Signature Lines

June 17, 2013: Doral, Florida based boutique cigar maker, Pinar Del Rio (PDR) Cigars is excited to announce the release of two new signature cigar series to debut at this summer’s IPCPR show in Las Vegas, to be held at the Sands Expo Center from July 13-17. The AFR-75 is a rich, full bodied cigar with a balanced blend of Nicaraguan Criollo 98, Connecticut Broadleaf, & Dominican filler enveloped in a beautiful San Andres Maduro wrapper. The AFR-75 will be available in three sizes; the Sublime(5×56), the Edmundo(6×58), and the Inmenso(7×60). There will only be 500 boxes per size made available this year. The AFR-75 marks the second release in a series of signature lines from PDR. AFR-75 references the initials for Master Blender Abraham Flores Rosario and his year of birth, 1975. “I’m really excited about the new lines. We had a lot of success with the A. Flores Serie Privada line and we’re going to be doing more special release small batch projects. As a blender I have a lot of fun creating different blends that we can put out in smaller amounts for the hardcore cigar guys to enjoy”, says Abe Flore of PDR Cigars.

Accompanying the AFR-75 this summer as a new release will be the A. Flores Gran Reserva. As is the AFR-75, there will only be 500 boxes of each size of the A. Flores Gran Reserva made available. Replete with a delicious Corojo 2006 Domican wrapper the Gran Reserva delivers a rich, creamy, medium body smoke. The filler is a complex blend of Corojo Dominican and Habano Nicaraguan tobaccos. The A. Flores Gran Reserva will be made available as a Half Corona(3.5×46), Robusto(5×52), Gran Toro(6×54). The Half Corona will also be available in a 5-count tin as a regular production line. Both the AFR-75 and the A. Flores Gran Reserva will begin shipping in July as this summer is shaping up to be a very exciting one for PDR Cigars. The factory is also producing new releases for El Primer Mundo Cigars with its Costa Fuerte line as well as new lines for Kristoff Cigars and Ortega Cigar Company.

www.pdrcigars.com

Press Release: PDR CIGARS ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF THE RESERVA SUPERIOR SALOMON

July 29, 2012 By Kip Fisher

(Miami, FL) – July 28th, 2012: PDR Cigars USA, which boasts some of the most distinctive blend profiles in the premium boutique cigar market is excited to announce the release of their most artisanal vitola to date, the 6×66 Salomon which will debut at this year’s IPCPR trade show in Orlando, FL on August 2nd.

The Reserva Superior Line is a Limited Edition line first introduced by PDR Cigars at last year’s IPCPR convention in Las Vegas with a 2000 box production run that was only available at the convention. The Reserva Superior Salomon will be a terrific addition to the portfolio. The Salomon will sport a double wrapper comprised of a maduro coupled with a natural wrapper at the foot and on the head of the stem. With an 80 year history in cigar making the PDR Cigars factory will showcase the skill and attention to detail possessed by its master rollers in the making of this beautiful offering. Now in its 8^th year of independent operation, under the leadership of Abraham Flores PDR Cigars has continued to offer cigar enthusiasts a solid selection of flavorful, well-made cigars. The Reserva Superior Salomon will be yet another testament to PDR Cigars’ commitment in that regard.

“I felt that it was important at this stage in our brand to offer something truly special and limited to the consumers that really enjoy the brand. The Salomon also allows us to offer something super exclusive to the family of retailers that support the brand as well,” Said Abe Flores, President of PDR Cigars. “This is truly a connoisseur’s cigar”

The Limited Edition Salomon will be packaged 10 cigars to a box and each individual cigar will be nestled inside a coffin. The blend for the Salomon is the same as the rest of the Resreva Superior line. The primary wrapper is Dominican Habano while the binder is Brazilian. The filler is Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Lancaster PA. The Reserva Superior Salomon will only be available at the IPCPR convention in Orlando FL next week. With a box production of only 500 this rare offering will be limited to select retailers throughout the country.

“We’ve enjoyed great support from our family of retailers and we’re excited to have the opportunity to provide them with this truly limited cigar. We enjoyed making the Salomon and designing the packaging as well. It’s really a special project,” Said Flores

With its current catalog of premium boutiques lines, which include PDR Small Batch and PDR 1878, along with quality value offerings such as Flores y Rodriguez, the Salomon along with the rest of the Reserva Superior line further solidifies PDR Cigars as a mainstay in the premium boutique cigar market. More information can be found on PDR Cigars at www.pdrcigars.com .