Half Ashed

Cigar Podcast and Cigar Reviews

Home » Tatuaje

Half Ashed 185: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

dunbarton tobacco trust mi querida

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

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

tatuaje brown regios

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 180: Caminos TMM Robusto

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

caminos tmm

 

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 177: Southern Draw Quickdraw PA

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

southern draw quickdraw pa

Southern Draw Quickdraw PA

Tonight we’re smoking the Southern Draw Quickdraw PA with a Pennsylvania wrapper (also available with Ecuadoran Dark Habano or Ecuadoran CT). The binder is Nicaraguan, and filler composed of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos. We have the Short Panatela, coming in at 5.5” x 40 – but the blend is also available as a 4.5” x 44 petit corona. These are about as fresh as can be, as I only ordered them about 4 months ago and had Mike bring them down. They are AJF-produced cigars, so although owner Robert Holt’s fingerprints are all over the blend you can still see AJ’s touch come through as well. Let’s see how the night progresses.

Cigar News

My old homeland continues to slide. The University of Tennessee is going tobacco free. Of course, it’s not a huge surprise that a university – especially a state school – would go smoke free. I’m only surprised by its depth. The ban prohibits “inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette (including any electronic cigarette or similar device), pipe, or other lighted tobacco product.” The prohibition extends to private vehicles parked – or operated – on university property. How exactly do they expect to enforce that? ORIGINAL STORY HERE

For those keeping score, Tatuaje is about to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Pete Johnson has been showing the Anniversary blend in development. According to his pictures and comments, the blend will come in two sizes: Belicoso Fino (5 1/2 x 52) and Torpedo Grande (6 1/2 x 52). Also revealed is that there will be two available wrappers: Ecuadorian rosado claro or Ecuadorian rosado oscuro. The cigars will be a regular production item (like the 10th Anniversary Belle Encre and Bon Chasseur vitolas).

We’ve talked about the process for ages, probably since before Half Ashed even existed – but more cigar companies are continuing to explore markets outside the U.S. Fratello recently announced an expansion with a new distributor in the German marketplace. Omar (de Frias) already has a few European arrangements, as do several others. I speculate that we’ll see this trend grow quickly as more companies seek to develop other markets to potentially fill in gaps that *may* develop should the American market drop off…kind of spreading eggs into multiple baskets. We’ll see I suppose.

There’s been *a little* bit of movement with the ongoing big-picture story of the FDA’s quest to regulate cigars. Our last show, we talked a bit about the fact that a new comment period and review had begun to investigate the definition of a premium cigar and the efficacy/value of FDA regulation. Since then, the CAA, CRA, and IPCPR have moved to try and delay the onset of warning label requirements. These are set to begin in August, and will be the first major expense for companies complying with the regs. The requested delay stems from the fact that a new review of the upcoming regulations and if/how/whether certain aspects should be carried out may mean that the requirements will change or be removed entirely. Should this be the case, the industry would have spent a huge amount of money on pointless compliance to unnecessary/voided requirements. About the same time, a group of healthcare related entities have sued the FDA because of existing delays that have come about through moving timelines and commencement dates for various parts of the rule (as we discuss, most of these groups bringing the suit already attempted to be deemed co-defendants, alleging that the FDA would not adequately fight for oversight of the entire industry).

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

This week, Kip has smoked almost nothing….but Craig has a special Padron to talk about.  Tune in for the whole scoop.

 

Half Ashed 175: Unbanded 033

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

unbanded 033

Unbanded 033 from DC

Sent in by DC all the way back in 12/2016, tonight’s featured cigar, Unbanded 033, is draped in a dark”ish” wrapper (mid-tone brown with some much darker mottling) and a sweet but cedary aroma from the foot.  It is 5” x 50 by my measure, with moderate veining and a wrapper that looks dry but *feels* oily and supple.  Let’s see how badly we can be fooled, shall we?

Cigar News

    • Habanos Festival
    • PROCigar Festival
    • CLE sent out an email a couple weeks ago, detailing the fact that they are making a concerted effort to fill backorders on many of their cigars…and that effective this week they will no longer be opening any new accounts until they’re caught up.  The backorder situation must be sizable, as they mentioned they hope to be caught up by 3rd quarter 2018.
    • Erik Espinosa is once again releasing the Wasabi.  It was originally released a couple years ago as a lounge exclusive, although it’s more widely available this time around.  There are only 5,000 cigars in this production run and they’ll retail around $8. There aren’t any specifics to be found about the blend, although it’s described as a “spicy candela.”  This intrigues me. I’m not at all a fan of candela wrapper in general because it often comes across as “papery” or vegetal in flavor to me. For some reason, though, I’m fascinated by the idea of a spicy version….and exactly what that might mean.
    • Fresh on the heels of the sale of my once-beloved Tampa Humidor, Casa de Montecristo continues their very aggressive strategy of acquiring/partnering with retail operations, this time in South Florida.  The Mancave, a south FL retailer, will be opening a CdM franchise next month. The new location will be over 2k square feet, and will feature a bar in addition to the cigar lounge. This brings the CdM number of facilities up to nearly 30, with a majority owned by Imperial.
    • Lots of news coming out of Tatuaje/L’Atelier.  Co-founder Casper Johnson has announced his departure from L’Atelier to take a job in the music industry.  Trailing this news was the announcement that L’Atelier will merge with Tatuaje by the end of this month. I’m not especially clear what this may mean to those of us who just enjoy the product.  The cigars from both companies, to my knowledge, will continue to be produced by My Father and be distributed much the same.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

  • Craig –
    • Unbanded DC#2 – Addition by subtraction: not spicy, not overly bold or full = Old school dominican soul?
    • AVO Synchro – I’m left wanting. I enjoyed this cigar for its individuality back upon release. I did not enjoy this cigar because of its monotony at this time. It’s a shame. I wanted this line to consistantly remind me of the LE releases of the 2000s that really shined well on the legacy of AVO cigars.
    • Headley Grange Drumstick – An interesting cigar. It smoked bigger than it was. This cigar is an almost 8” long lancery that took abuse, smoked quickly and NEVER harshly. Enjoyably sweet and homey. If this cigar was 5” long I’d be a regular buyer.

 

  • Kip
    • Mike brought be down some RoMaCraft Aquitaine back in January.  I’ve been hitting those pretty hard the past couple weeks. Too hard, based upon how quickly my stash has dwindled.  I just simply can’t seem to keep my hands off them. This line may very well be my favorite Nicaraguan cigar in the marketplace today (Ecuadoran wrapper and Cameroon binder notwithstanding).
    • I’m still pawing at my pipes as well.  Lately, I’ve been smoking through a tin of GL Pease Sextant.  I think I may have mentioned this blend last episode. KY/Latakia/Turkish/VA, with a very slight spritz of rum.  The rum is applied sparingly, which leaves it plenty dry to burn well but imparts a nice, caramel note across the otherwise traditional English campfire flavor.  I’m not sure I’d smoked this before popping this tin; I wish I had…I’d have bought a bunch of it back in the day to set aside. I enjoy the fact that the latakia is front-loaded.  What i mean by this is that it is dominant early on, but subsides by mid-bowl and lets the Virginias bring their sweetness into the foreground. Whether by design or simple palate calibration on my part, the effect is spectacular.  I love it.

 

Episode 169: Unbanded 032 from J. Ledou

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

Unbanded 032

Unbanded 032

  • Kip – Mine is a lightly colored CT-ish looking wrapper; very faint smell, containing little more than a general wisp of tobacco aroma on the wrapper; slightly more on the foot, with a darker character (brown sugar/molasses, but still faint); good draw – deliberate but free, with a bit of dusty sweetness
  • Craig – I can agree with your comments 90%. The wrapper has no discernible aroma but the foot description is spot on. I’ll also add that the wrapper has the “dirty”, sticky feel that comes from some aged cigars… No cold draw flavor

Cigar News

The FDA has published guidelines on the do’s and don’ts of free samples…and specifically, what is illegal.  I don’t think there is a great deal of new information contained in the guidance document; just clarification on what was, for the most part, already known.  To try and distill this down to its essence, consumers are prohibited from receiving free cigars from manufacturers, reps, retailers, etc. – unless money has been exchanged for tobacco in the transaction.  For example, a “Buy 3 get 1 free” event is perfectly acceptable.  A retailer handing a customer a free cigar simply to try is not.  I believe this was pretty well expected/known previously.  The gist of the new information was further clarification that business-to-business samples are allowed…but only in “limited quantity,” and only as necessary to achieve a market goal.  No new guidance was offered with respect to charitable donations; consumers may still donate but manufacturers and retailers may not…which hurts organizations like CFW because the bulk of their donations formerly came from manufacturers.  In reading the various summaries of the guidance, I noted a good point made in halfwheel’s coverage in that since giveaways require a purchase to have been made previously, most states would consider the exchange illegal because these types of promotions are required to be NO PURCHASE NECESSARY arrangements.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig – L’atelier Cote d’or 2015 – So much more

 

Episode 168: La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

la aroma de cuba mi amor

 

La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor

La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor “Magnifico” – 6”X52; A cigar we’ve talked about at various times over the years, these run about $7.50 for singles in Tampa, and $6.75/ea by the box.  San Andres Mexican wrapper grown from Cuban seed with Nicaraguan fillers & binder.

Cigar News

  • In a move that shouldn’t be unexpected to anyone, CAA, CRA, and IPCPR filed a motion for injunction against the upcoming FDA requirements.  The motion asserts that the labeling requirements are onerous and unconstitutional in their scope, as well as several other assertions.  Additionally, the groups allege that the omission of the same requirements on the e-cigarette industry violate existing law in the equal protection clauses – which are spelled out in the 5th and 14th amendment.  This assertion falls beneath 5th amendment protection in that rights may not be denied without due process (i.e. the requirements being enforced unequally).  There are other items listed in the motion, such as the inclusion of tobacco retailers who blend pipe tobacco as “tobacco product manufacturers.”  Specifically, the groups ask that the court:
    1. Vacate and set aside the:
      Warning labels
      Classification of retailers who blend pipe tobacco as manufacturers
      FDA’s definition of “component or part” to include pipes
    2. Vacate and set aside the user fee
    3. Declare the deeming rule violates the first amendment
    4. Enter a permanent injunction on the warning label requirement
    5. Enter a permanent injunction from implementing or enforcing the other challenged aspects of the deeming rule
    6. Enter a permanent injunction against the user fees
    7. Award plaintiffs their attorneys fees
  • Following the devastating damage left behind by Hurricane Irma, TAA is opting to relocate this year’s gathering to La Romana, RD.  It was slated to be in St. Maarten, but with the near certainty that the island will not be fully back in business by April, a decision was made to move the annual meeting.
  • In a familiar storyline, Drew Estate has recently had a truckload of cigars stolen.  The scenario is very similar to a shipment of Arturo Fuente cigars that were stolen this past April.  Like the first time, this truck was taken in the Miami area.  Drew Estate put out the notice to inform the public – but also for retailers to be on the lookout for anyone offering discount rates on DE cigars.  The specific cigars taken on the truck were Tabak Especial and Undercrown Shade.
  • Tatuaje has announced this year’s “Unlucky 13” retailers who will receive the bulk of the line’s dress boxes.  The cigar is the “Michael” this year, based on the Halloween series of movies’ protagonist Michael Myers.  Of course, if you don’t want the hassle of trying to track down and pay double or triple the MSRP for a dress box, there will be a number of regular boxes as well.  As always, there will be 666 numbered dress boxes – but the standard boxes will number around 5000.  The cigar will come in a singular 6.5” x 52 vitola this year, and feature an Ecuadoran habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler mix.  It is set to retailer at $13 per cigar.  I won’t drone on with the whole list here on the show, but will post the designated retailers in the notes…

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

  • Craig
    • RASCC– So so good. Such a fruit centric Ramon Allones. Fruity & Nuts (whose?). It’s like my own personal trail mix I light on fire!
    • Cab Maduro Guapos OR!
  • Kip
    • El Artista “Pulita” – a solid offering, probably my favorite ever from this factory (home of David Ortiz’s “Big Papi”).  That being said, I haven’t beaten down any doors trying to find more.  
    • I’ve probably had fewer cigars the past 30 days than any other month these past 10 years…and of those, many were colmado cigars.  So, not much on this front for me.  The good = AJF Diesel, La Aurora ADN, Nica Rustica; the bad = some underfilled, hot no-name cigar I got from a friend; the ugly = colmado cigars.  Always ugly, but worth every penny of the $0.04 price tag…

 

Episode 164: Psyko 7 Maduro

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

psyko 7 maduro

Psyko 7 Maduro

I received these samples from Ventura right around the time that I moved out of the country – so they’re about 2 years old at this point. I had a good go with the original line, although I suppose it didn’t earn a place as a frequent occupant in my humidor. I smoked a couple of these at the time they came out, but frankly I was smoking a lot of cigars at that time and didn’t keep notes…I was expecting them to come up sooner in the Half Ashed rotation. Tonight we’ll see how they’re holding up. The online description says that the “PSyKo Seven Maduro is graced with a deliciously dark and oily San Andres maduro wrapper concealing an Ecuador Hybrid 151 binder and Nicaraguan ligero, Peruvian Pelo de Oro, Dominican Hybrid, Honduran Holancha, and Pennsylvania ligero long-fillers.”

Cigar News

President Trump has announced changes to former President Obama’s changes toward travel and trade with Cuba. Specifically, the announcement is more akin to an announcement that there will be changes – rather than what those changes will be. It’s not overly clear exactly what this will mean in the future. For now, not much is different than it was as of January 19th – but this could be tossed around and remixed without warning. For the time being, you can still travel to and bring back goods from Cuba. Most are speculating that the major changes will include more restrictive travel allowances – which means fewer allowable reasons to visit Cuba and more restrictive guidelines on where you can stay, eat, travel, etc. while there. We will see in the months to come.

Ernesto Carrillo is teaming up with General Cigar again. Some may remember the Re+United from several years ago (We even smoked it on the show, back on Episode 069) as the most recent collaboration. This time, however, Ernesto’s La Alianza factory will be producing the La Gloria Cubana COLECCIÓN RESERVA. Unlike the Re+United, the LGC CR will be regular production. It will be available in three vitolas (5”x54 Robusto, 6” x 54 Torpedo, 7.5” x 54 Presidente), and features and Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers.

Come July 1st, several of Tatuaje’s lines will be less available…Ambos Mundos, El Triunfador, La Casita Criolla and La Riqueza will become off-list items, available in small batch releases and at some events. It appears (and doesn’t seem to be a secret) that some of these lines have pretty geographically limited market shares, so they are being scaled back. Pete has said publicly that the lines are important to him and aren’t going away; they just will not be kept at the current stock levels for distribution.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig
illusione Fume d’Amour Tres Petit
Fuente Opus Destino al Siglo Churchill

Kip
2009 Oliva Serie V Maduro, from Joe V.
Stunningly good Fuente 858 SG from Slagle…
Black Chapel from Evil Genius Cigars; I should have paid more attention earlier….

Episode 163: Cohiba Magico Maduro

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

cohiba magico maduro

Cohiba Magico Maduro

From Craig…

LSO JUN 07 Cohiba Magico – These cigars from the original production run of the first non LE post revolution Cuban cigar. In 2002 Cuba started aging the Maduro wrapper leaves for what would eventually become the Cohiba Maduro cigars. Available in three vitolas; Secretos, a Tres Petit Corona, Magicos, roughly a rothschild and the Genios a toro sized cigar. These cigars were met with much anticipation and limited success. Heralded as the best Non Cuban cigar to come out of Cuba, the much maligned “Cocoa & Coffee” flavors reminded smokers of non cuban flavors. For those of us who love cigars from all countries, these cigars represented a holy grail to a small population that appreciated the marriage in style and sensation. Full bodied without being strong, these cigars were sweet and rich, without being overpowering. When on they were some of the best maduro examples ever to be sold. This box is original to the first shipments hitting global market and has been in my possession for nearly 10 years. I broke it open for this occasion and have yet to smoke a single cigar. I smoked numerous boxes of Secretos and found them to run between acceptable and flawless…

Cigar News

There are “hundreds of thousands” more Fuente cigars floating around the black market than 2 weeks ago. An entire 40 foot cargo container was stolen some time between being offloaded in Miami and its scheduled delivery in Tampa. The tractor, and subsequently the trailer, has since been recovered,. Expect some Fuente shortages again this year…..

So Xikar is adding graduated laser etched markings on the blade of some cutters that measure the diameter of the cigar being cut, notably the Ultra Thin model. At first, I thought “that’s neat.” Then, I wondered what the point was? Do these markings gauge the entire diameter? Or, how much someone somewhere thinks should be trimmed off the cap (which should, of course, be less than the overall diameter of the cigar)? Are cap/heads of cigars uniform enough this is close enough to a fixed amount to be trimmed? Does anyone think it matters? There seems like a lot of variation amongst manufacturers’ ability to maintain consistent ring measurements on their cigars.

Turns out…kids aren’t springing the cash for premium cigars! Who’d a thunk it? A study partially funded by the FDA determined that of over 13,000 kids aged 12-17 only 2.3% had ever had a premium cigar (with “ever” meaning have ever had even 1-2 puffs). Less than ¾ of 1% had done so in the past 30 days. This data was part of a much larger study, covering a sample pool of almost 46,000 children and adults. Additionally, the study included the use of flavored cigars – which are often the evil scapegoat decried by anti-smoking factions. The study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the FDA, and interestingly, the FDA does NOT include these findings in the tobacco section of their website. Originally published by Cigar Aficionado.

Tatuaje has announced the final two offerings in the long-running Monster series. Later this year, “Michael” will be released, and “The Bride” will be the (presumed) final release in 2018. Along with this announcement, it has further come to light that another subset of the Monsters will be coming down the pike. A Cazadores sampler will be coming in the next month or so, and will include 10 of the Monster blends in a 6 ⅜” x 43 vitola. There will also be a lancero version of the sampler in 7 ½” x 38. I’ve enjoyed the regular Monster lineup over the years, but never really went nuts over them, as the sizes tend to run a bit bigger than I typically reach for. I really liked the Skinny Monster release last year, and will go out on a limb to declare I’ll probably invest in the Cazadores…and Lanceros…and one or both a second round after I have had a proper amount of testing :). The Cazadores will run around $90 per sampler, while the Lanceros will come in at about $5 more.

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

Craig

SCdlH El Principe – My love of small cigars is not hidden to anyone who listens to this show. The El Principe always floats amongst my favorites in this vitola. Sweet, flavorful and, like the best Cuba has to offer, always drops an individual thread to accompany the overall theme the island’s tobacco brings to the table. Terrific.
Partagas 898v – Absolutely loaded with amazing sweet spice and tobacco flavor. Also loaded with a roughness akin to youth and bad luck.

Kip

Davidoff Chef’s Edition…typical Davidoff (I dig it).
Lots of Quesada España and 40th Robustos
Partagas Heritage (General) – They have my attention…

Episode 156: Cuban Travel with Zedman and Unbanded

By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS | Upcoming Schedule

cuban travel unbanded 029

Cuban Travel Episode w/Zedman and Unbanded 029

Tonight, we have an Unbanded from Dan C. and special guest Zedman, who is here to talk about his recent Cuban travel.  There’s not a great deal to say about an Unbanded without spoiling our chance to humiliate ourselves…but for preliminaries, it’s 5-5/8″ x 48 and sports an attractive medium brown, supple wrapper.  Tune in to see how far off we can be….

Cigar News

  • JC Newman (finally) launched the Black Diamond today.  I’ve been hearing about this cigar for 3 years or so, and my understanding from past chats with folks within the organization is that it went through a few stages before bringing it to market officially.  It was originally going to be the Diamond Crown maduro repackaged, but they had such an affinity for the name an entirely new cigar was created for it.  It’s going to come in three vitolas (Emerald (6” x 52), Marquis (5-¼” x 56) and Radiant (4-½” x 54)), and retail for $16-20 per stick in boxes of 20.  It, like other Diamond Crown products, is being rolled by Fuente here in Santiago.  The wrapper is a CT Havana-seed wrapper grown in the DR (!), and it brings Dominican filler blend as well.  It is available at Diamond Crown lounges around the U.S. – but if history repeats availability will open up to other JC Newman accounts after 6 months or so.
  • The Oliva Serie V Maduro is stuck in a loop.  This year’s edition has begun to arrive in stores and it’s very familiar if you’re a regular fan of these.  For the 3rd year running, it’s in a 6” x 60 format and features a San Andres wrapper.  MSRP is about $10, with production numbers similar to recent years around 60-80k cigars.
  • Chogui has released its latest offering in the DR, although I haven’t yet smoked this one.  The Papa Chogui began to appear in the capital last week, and should be in Santiago at this point.  It will be showing up on American stores shelves already.  It’s a Dominican puro, and was rolled in 2014.  Total production was only 8,000 cigars, so if you’re a Chogui fan you might want to get your hands on them quickly.  They’ll set you back about $9/stick.
  • I suppose I can go ahead and smoke the lone original Tatuaje Pork Tenderloin that I have staring back at me in the humidor.  It’s making its return on the upcoming “Oh F*ck I’m Lost” tour by Tatuaje.  Additionally, the Pork Chop and Le Vignoble are coming.  Pete has said he tried to recreate the blends as closely as possible to the originals, using the same blend.  It will be extremely limited, in that it will only be sold at the 9 stores on the tour dates…but plans are in the works for subsequent releases.  The pricing is set at PT=$9, PC=$12, and LV=$12.  The details on those originals were:
    • Pork Tenderloin – 4” x 46 Nicaraguan puro
    • Pork Chop – 5-⅛” x 52 CT Broadleaf over Nicaragua/Nicaragua
    • Le Vignoble – 6” x 38 Ecuadoran Habano over Nicaragua/Nicaragua

What Else We’ve Been Smoking

We didn’t get around to this segment for Episode 156, as we were keen to talk with Zedman about his recent vacation in Cuba.  You don’t want to miss his take on his trip post-American influx.