Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

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…