First off.this is absolutely NOT a dig on Xikar. I’m a huge fan and have been for many years. I own no fewer than a dozen pieces of their product, and believe they produce a quality product. This is merely an honest request to see if someone has a solution for this. The Xi1 pictured above is one of my favorite cutters. It’s been a trusty companion for an unfathomable number of gatherings, clipping hundreds – if not a couple thousand – of mine and any cutterless cohorts’ cigars. But, in recent months it has begun to stick. Badly. The picture shows what happens when I press the button down these days. It simply won’t open without several gyrations and attempts at prying it open to make the cut. This wouldn’t be a huge issue, except it also sticks when actually making the cut.which often tears or dings the head of the cigar producing a poor cut. A quick Google search produced advice that it was merely getting sticky from bits of tobacco leaf, oils or other detritus. The solution is a quick soak and/or scrub with rubbing alcohol.

So that’s what I did.

I’ve soaked. I’ve scrubbed. I’ve removed the button and really gone to town with an alcohol-drenched Q-Tip in ever nook, cranny and crevice. It’s about as clean as a lay person can get it. Something is still “catching” every time.

I know – Xikar has a great warranty. I could send it back and they’d likely repair/replace it without even question. I’ve done such before with lighters. However, I am trying to avoid that if there’s another good solution I could just do myself and save the time and trouble of shipping, etc. Yes, I have other cutters that would suitably stand in during transit. I get it. I’m just “that guy.” If there’s a quicker way, I’m up for it.

(And no, I’m not looking for advice on a different brand. I have plenty. This particular cutter just has some sentimentality behind it.)

So I’ve finally got the morning revved up and rolling..and realize it’s noon already. Sleeping in and car repairs have pushed my morning coffee and cigar back into lunchtime territory. I’m not happy about *that*, but I am happy with this little guy. I’ve been a big fan of Sam Leccia’s Black since day one. I was intrigued when he came on Episode 10 of Half Ashed and told us a little about the upcoming blend, and ran out to pick up a few as soon as they hit shelves. I’ve been buying them ever since.

The sheer volume of *Black* robustos I’ve smoked is incalculable at this point, but it’s a pretty big number. They’ve become a “workhorse cigar” for me, and often fit the bill when I don’t have something specific in mind. I know they never disappoint, so it’s a great opportunity to grab one and go. I love Sam’s use of the KY DarkFire leaf in this blend. In comparison to some of the other fire-cured blends that hit the market around the same time, the leaf is much more delicately applied in the *Black*. It’s bold enough that anyone can find it from first puff, but not so in your face that it becomes cloying. It’s a good match for my personal preferences. I dig it

Tell me about your longstanding favorites. Like I said, this one is a “workhorse” for me. Reliable; dependable; often filling the niche of when something else “just won’t do.” What’s your default that you know – without doubt – will perform day in and day out. Something of which your humidor is never devoid. Drop me a line below..

Tonight I’m wrapping up the evening with an El Triunfador lancero, one of my favorite (and incredibly under-rated) cigars. After all the years these things have been out, I still love ’em..and don’t understand why the rest of the world doesn’t clamber after them. The woodsy, charred-oak flavors, impeccable burn and reasonable price make them a home run for me.
Granted, I know most of the cigar buying public are regrettably head over heels for bigger rings these days, at least in the U.S. Still, you’d think these would get *some* attention in the public eye. I encounter a lot of people who are not even familiar with the line. There’s no accounting for taste, I reckon. I suppose I should be thankful there are more for me :).
What about you all? Any favorites that you adore but scurry off with, to tuck them gently away in your reserves..chuckling at all the other folks who are missing out? What are your favorite line(s) that maybe don’t get the attention they should? Maybe something you’d recommend trying?

So I’m just hanging around the house today getting caught up on a few web maintenance items I’ve been putting off. I decided to light up a Crowned Heads Mason Dixon Project Northern edition. This is my second of the Northern line, which has a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over Nicaragua binder & filler – as opposed to the Southern edition’s Ecuadoran Connecticut binder.
After trying both, I believe I’m a much bigger fan of the broadleaf. Being born, bred and raised Southern, it feels a little odd even saying that. None the less, the Southern is a little “bright” for my tastes – there’s nothing inherently wrong with the cigar, it’s just a personal preference thing. I’m really grooving on the dark, sweet flavors that push through (more noticeably in the midsection of the cigar).
I am more than a little surprised at how light the spice is on this blend, considering it comes out of the My Father factory. It’s almost an afterthought and never builds to any great amount at any point in the smoke. I might have to dig u a couple more of these before they’re gone and do a side-by-side review.
What about you guys? For those who have tried both, which do you find yourself preferring? And, why?

The day doesn’t seem to have been very busy, but inexplicably I’m beat. I even had a nice “old-man” nap this evening. A couple of corn dogs later and I’m ready for a cigar. Coffee is brewing, and I think I’ll fire up this little guy. The Anejo 888 was a new introduction from Fuente this past year, although I had the chance to sample it at last year’s CFC event (which I’ll be returning to in a couple weeks.hoowahh!). It didn’t seem to drum up as much hubbub as I expected, but I have to confess it has quickly jumped to the top of my favorites list in the Anejo lineup. I love ’em.and they’re much easier to find (and cheaper) than Sharks. There are at least a couple of shops around here that still have them. There’s a full review of them posted up around here somewhere..I’ll link to it in a bit, as I’m sending this post from my phone.

What are you all smoking tonight?

Having had such a good day of smoking, I decided to tempt the fates and go for an Opus Power Ranger (xXx). I’m the world’s biggest Fuente fan, but not so much a fan of the Opus. I do, however, love this little guy’s flavor..but its potency tends to be a bit much for me. I reckon I’ll light it up and have a go anyway, though.

It does have a few years on it, so it should have calmed down to a manageable level. Even for a nico-wimp as myself.

No matter how many Sungrown Hemingways I stash away on the rare occasion of their appearance, it’s never enough. I absolutely adore these things, and always forget between batches just how much. It’d be nice if Fuente would release them a bit more often. Anybody else pick some up in December? It seems to be a particularly good batch.