Coral Gables, FL April 2012 – La Flor Dominicana rebrands its original line “Premium Line” as LFD Light.

La Flor Dominicana, who has a reputation for some of the strongest cigars on the market, will be giving its Connecticut shade wrapped mild cigars a facelift. The changes will include a couple new sizes as well as new shelf friendly packaging.

“This line is very special to me and we need to ensure that it stays consistent with where our brand is today. We have come a long way since we originally released this cigar and most people are unaware that we even make mild cigars,” says Litto Gomez, who co-owns La Flor Dominicana with his wife, Ines Lorenzo-Gomez.

The two vitola additions will be a 54×6, called the Maximo, retailing at $8.50 and the Governador, a 60×6 1/4 that will retail at $9.00. The packaging will be in the company’s taller “space saver” boxes as opposed to the flat wide boxes that seem a bit outdated in today’s humidors.

“We’re obviously known for our fuller bodied cigars and as I travel around the country I meet so many people that have no idea that Litto started with very mild cigars that are still in our portfolio. I’m excited about these changes, because I think there is still a large segment of the market that enjoys a milder smoke,” says Andrew Brennan, Vice President of Sales LFD.

LFD Light is expected to be landing on humidor shelves in May of this year.

La Flor Dominicana is a vertically integrated premium cigar company, where we proudly control the process from the seed to the final grading, inspecting and packing process. Our tobaccos are grown at our farm in La Canella, Dominican Republic. Our factory is located in Tamboril.

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The Intemperance name is from the history of prohibition. The logo is inspired from a propaganda/political print from 1855 by A.D. Fillmore.
“In the last sixty years, this anti-smoking movement has grown in influence and power much in the same way the temperance movement before it grew. We believe that it is well past time to initiate our own modern intemperance movement.”
For more information on the whole Intemperance lines click here.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: ?
Filler: ?
Vitola: Perfecto
Cost: About $6.50
Source: Purchased from sampler
The Intemperance Volstead Sampler

First Third: The small ring gauge of the shag foot easily lights up with minimal toasting time. First tastes I get are of light woody and somewhat nutty notes. A spice note is also present that hits me on the tip of my tongue. A slightly sweetned note of pistacios is what I’m going to say what tyhe nut note reminds me of. The spice towards the end of the first third turns creamy, still not overpowering. The burn is even producing a 1″ ash, that fell into my lap…

Second Third: Working into the second third, I got a few tastes of an undertone that reminded me of the aftertaste of a hot cup of coffee. But, its still maintaining the woody and slightly nutty notes as the first portion. The spice is seeming to ease off slightly and is less than it was at first. The draw is still dead on, but the burn is starting to get slightly wavy, but needing no touch-ups yet. Suprisingly, I get nothing much on the retrohale, just a tad bit of spice on the back of the mouth. Towards the last part of this portion, I’m starting to get a malty tone to the smoke and a little more spice is starting to creep back into the smoke.

Final Third: The woody notes get alot “darker” than they were at the first part of the smoke. The dark wood quickly evolves into a a chocolate, but not a rich chocolate, taste with some spice still lingering in the background. The burn evened off a good bit towards the end with an excellent draw still. Towards the nub, the smoke got a little sour. But this was more than likely due to me smoking it too fast (im really enjoying this!). A simple purge and let it sit a few minutes to cool and the sourness went away.

Final Thoughts: Overall a good cigar. Its has varying strengths of spice that pop in and out at very random times that really kept me on my toes. The draw was almost perfect with a 1/4″ cut off the cap. The ash was grayish that usually held for about an inch or so. The burn started great, which is unsual for my experience of perfectos. Usually I have to do a few touch-ups to even it off. Not a singel touvh-up the the Faith. Varying flavors of light & dark wood, nuts, & a showing of chocolate towards the end.

Deffinately worth a try. Im glad I got the sampler, I got to taste each one of the wrappers and vitolas, deffinately something to look into. The BA is a little stronger than the EC. Some may like the EC more, some may like the EC more. We’ll let you decide which one you like the most.

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PINELLAS PARK, FL, APRIL 16, 2012 — Camacho, the world’s best-known producer of bold Honduran smokes, has announced the release of new 4-pack assortments for its popular Corojo and Connecticut lines. Camacho Corojo, released in 2000, is the highest rated product in the Camacho portfolio and has been in Cigar Aficionado’s “Top 25” both in 2010 and 2011. Comprised of 100% Authentic Corojo tobaccos, the Corojo is Camacho’s crown jewel and has been a staple amongst full-body cigar lovers for more than a decade.

Since it’s introduction in mid-2009, the Camacho Connecticut has become one of the most attractive lines for the brand. Adorned in a silky and luxurious Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, this milder-mannered offering was built with the milder smoker in mind, while maintaining the signature body that Camacho is known for. The result was a medium bodied smoke to be appreciated by both novice and seasoned smokers alike.

“Next time you walk into a cigar store there will be no doubt as to where you can find our Camacho Corojo and Connecticut products. The presentation of these new packs is stunning and one that cannot be overlooked in a humidor,” said Dylan Austin, head of marketing for the Camacho brand.

The new Camacho Corojo and Connecticut 4-packs will begin shipping to fine cigar retailers nationwide on Friday, April 27th.

Camacho Connecticut
Since it’s introduction in 2009, Camacho Connecticut has become one of the most attractive lines for the brand. Adorned in a silky and luxurious Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, this milder-mannered offering was built with the milder smoker in mind, while maintaining the signature body that Camacho is known for.

Camacho Corojo
Camacho Corojo, released in 2000, is the highest rated product in the Camacho portfolio and has been in Cigar Aficionado’s “Top 25” both in 2010 and 2011. Comprised of 100% Authentic Corojo tobaccos, the Corojo is Camacho’s crown jewel and has been a staple amongst full-body cigar lovers for more than a decade

About Camacho Cigars
: Founded in 1961 by Simon Camacho, Camacho Cigars was acquired by the Eiroa family in 1995. Now part of the Oettinger Davidoff Group, Camacho Cigars is one of the key players in the international cigar market. The flagship Camacho brand, made at Rancho Jamastran in Danli, Honduras, is comprised of 11 premium and super-premium line extensions: (Super-Premium: Diploma, 10th Anniversary Corojo, Liberty Series, Triple Maduro™, Select) (Premium: Corojo, Connecticut, Coyolar, Havana, SLR and Room101). Camacho Cigars also has 7 core brands, including Baccarat The Game, one of America’s top-selling premium cigars.
For more information visit: www.camachocigars.com.

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I’ve been a fan of the La Traviata line since it’s a debut a couple of years ago. To me this cigar always delivered great flavor at a reasonable price. So when General Cigar sent me three samples to smoke I’d have to say I was a little excited to try the cigar in one of my favorite sizes.

Name: La Traviata Maduro
Company: CAO
Wrapper: Connecticut Maduro
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican
Comes in: Box of 30
Price: $5.10/stick
Vitola: Luminoso (4 1/2″ x 50)

Pre-Light

This cigar comes wrapped in cellophane. Once the cellophane was removed a robust barnyard aroma, full of earth and manure, greeted my nose. The wrapper aroma was far stronger than the foot, which had more of a wood and hay aroma. The oily looking wrapper was a dark shade of brown and had a maze of veins. Surprisingly the wrapper felt drier than what the appearance lead me to believe.

Flavor & Burn

Once I fired up the La Traviata Maduro Luminoso I quickly noticed a strong taste of black pepper. The Spice was quickly accompanied by a strong tobacco flavor with hints of espresso. After smoking about a quarter of the cigar I began to notice a lingering nutty finish. Around the midway point the Luminoso developed a slight bitterness and increased spice through the retrohale. The cigar finished much they way it began. Overall I’d categorize this cigar and medium-bodied with low to moderate strength.

The Luminoso started off with a draw that was slightly tighter than a milkshake. After the first few puffs the draw loosened up to something slightly less resistant than a milkshake. The cigar burned slowly (well over an hour) and evenly beginning to end.

Final Thoughts

In short I think the La Traviata Maduro Luminoso is a good cigar that could benefit from 6-12 months of age. To me there was a lack of balance, mostly because of the bitterness, that limited my enjoyment of the cigar. Right now this cigar is something I’d fire up on the golf course. It’s good enough to smoke, but not so good that I feel like I have to give it all of my attention.

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To pay my repspects to Mr Rolano Reyes Sr. I am going to have a look at the Puros Indios Siembre de Oro Short Maduro.

Size: 4×48
Wrapper: Habano Seed Maduro
Binder:?
Filler: Honduran & Nicaraguan
Country: Honduras
Purchased from: Cigars International for $15 for a bundle of 20.

First Thoughts: This Puros Indios is a firm cigar but its not a tough firmness. A medium brown wrapper with a few viens wraps the cigar. Its not the prettiest of wrappers but its no ugly dog either. A guillotine cut produces a milshake thick type of draw. Its not too tight, but no where near being a loose draw. The draw is pretty dead on to my likings.

1st Half: The Siembra de Oro lights up quickly and produces a good amount of smoke right off the bat. The first notes I get off it is a light spice with wood notes. Then as I proceed a bit of nuttiness comes out some on the pallet. The nut flavor has a slight twang to it as it proceeds into the cigar more. Here and there a bit of pepper shows its way through the nutty-woody flavors. About an inch into the cigar, I get a slight blast of cocoa and a lingering spice.
Working towards the halfway point, the spice subsides and the smoke mellows off a good bit and is quite more pleasant than the first few draws. The flavor goes into a earthy tone that mellows nicely. Its not a mild flavor, but its nice and mellow.

Second Half: The last half starts off earthy and woody. The earth is a undertone to the woodiness thats still mellow as before. The retrohale reminds me of coffee with a kick of spice to boot. With about an inch left the flavors started to foul up on me. I slowed down and the “funk” eased. Right towards the end, alot of strong black pepper notes show off. The spice subsides totally and is a nice finish to this short smoke.

Overall a nice medium smoke with nice woody, earthy, & nutty flavors. Starts off a little loud, but mellows off nicely into a good smoke that I really like. For the low cost, they are deffinatley one of my go-to smokes that when I want a mellow smoke and when Im short on time.

Mr Rolando Reyes Sr. will be missed throughout the cigar community. Im sure at one point in a cigar enjoyer’s life, they have had one of his cigars, or a cigar he had some input on. I started out smoking alot of Puros Indios and continue to do so this day.

Mr Rolando Reyes Sr
1924-2012

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General Cigar will be the toast of Indianapolis this weekend, with sampling events that are on par with the Big Game itself. In fact, two of the three events that General Cigar is participating in have been named to BleacherReport.com’s highly-publicized ranking of the “10 Best Parties of Super Bowl Week.”

According to Alan Willner, General Cigar’s vice president of marketing said, “General Cigar has long been known for associating our brands with high profile events that elevate the cigar smoking occasion. This year, we’ll once again be at the best parties leading up to the ‘Big Game’ to bring the ultimate cigar smoking experience to A-list athletes, celebrities and football enthusiasts.”

Last night’s Jaws Cigar Party was hosted by none other than Ron Jaworski at Nicky Blaine’s cigar bar in downtown Indy. This fundraiser benefitted Ron’s pet charities — Jaws Youth Playbook Foundation and Gleaners Food Bank’s BackSack program.

An array of General Cigar favorites, including La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale, CAO OSA Sol and Macanudo Cru Royale, as well as Macanudo Vintage 1997 Maduro were available for Ron’s guests which included his ESPN boothmates. We’ll provide more details on the event, including photos, next week.

Tonight (Friday, Feb. 3) is the SPP Sports Poker Tournament to be held at the Indianapolis Zoo. General Cigar will be on hand to sample Punch, Grand Puro and Grand Cru cigars to event hosts Devin Hester, LeSean McCoy. Other noteworthy names expected to attend are Patrick Warburton (Rules of Engagement) and Quinton Aaron (The Blind Side) and a slew of NFL greats. Stay tuned for more info.

Saturday night is the big Rolling Stone party at the Crane Bay event center. To celebrate Bacardi’s 150th anniversary, General Cigar has teamed up with the premier rum brand and will serve La Gloria Cubana and CAO La Traviata to a roster of A-list guests. Jeff Gordon, Joe Jonas, Marc Anthony, Nikki Reed and Andy Roddick are all expected to attend.

Outside of Indy, General Cigar is once again participating in Franco Harris’ annual Immaculate Reception. This year’s event will be held in Sin City and will benefit Soldier’s Angels. Franco’s beloved Punch Grand Cru cigars will be on hand for guests to smoke and savor.

** Event recaps and photos will be available following the Big Game.

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Name: Black Market
Company: Alec Bradley
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Sumatra
Filler: Panama & Honduras
Comes in: Box of 22
Price: $7.40/stick
Vitola: Toro (6 x 50)

The Black Market did not let me down. It was a well balanced medium to full-bodied cigar with tons of flavor. I picked up lots of espresso and cocoa and some notes of wood and spice. The Tempus is still my favorite cigar from Alec Bradley, but I think the Black Market is now my second favorite, demoting the Prensado to third.

I strongly suggest giving this cigar a try. It’s box worthy to me, but it’s definitely worth picking up a 5-pack if you’re looking to give it a try.

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Details

Size: 16-3/4″ W x 10-3/4″ D x 6-3/4″ H
Capacity: up to 150 cigars
Comes With: Humidifier, Hygrometer, Cigar Scissors and 3 Adjustable Dividers
Price: $189.00

Form

First off the Winston Humidor’s combination of eye catching shape and finish make for a nice addition to any smoke room. My personal taste leans towards darker finishes, but in the case of the Winston I really enjoy the mesh of light and dark colors. The unit as a whole is feels heavy in the hands. Quality hardware, in the way of hinges, was used which made for easy opening.

In my experience most humidors of this size are equipped with a lock. The Winston, however, does not come with one. I’m not sure that a lock is actually necessary, and in some cases it becomes a burden when a key is misplaced, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

The Winston humidor includes a humidifier, hygrometer and cigar scissors. All of these items attach nicely to the inside top of the lid using a magnet that is hidden inside the lid. To me this is a nice touch considering the Velcro used in equally expensive humidors which always seems to fail after prolonged exposure to humidity.

Function

The humidor that’s in my procession didn’t seem to have the tightest of seals when I first unpackaged it. I came to this conclusion based on personal experience with other humidors. With others I could always sense a “grab” when the lid was lifted from the base. To me this was indicating a tight fit between the lid and base. I didn’t feel that same “grab” with the Winston. Then I remembered an old trick a local shop owner taught me years ago to test a humidors seal. He told me that if you close a dollar bill between the lid and base that you should be able to feel significant resistance as the bill is pulled out. That indicates a proper seal. I tried this with the Winston and found the seal to be adequate.

Since I’ve been using this humidor for approximately 4 months I’ve had the opportunity to use the humidor in a variety of humid and dry weather conditions. All humidors, in varying degrees, fall prey to the extremes in weather, and the Winston was no exception. During humid times I had to refill the humidifier every two and a half weeks. During drier periods the refills fluctuated between one and a half to two weeks. Overall I’d say the humidor performed rather well. I was able to keep the humidor in a range of 62-8% RH with little effort.

The description states that “up to 150 cigars” can be placed in this humidor. I can wee that if they were all coronas. However, I’ve had a variety of sizes in the humidor so I’ve been able to fit anywhere between 30 and 60 sticks in the humidor at one time.

Final Thoughts

Overall I’ve been very pleased with the Winston humidor. To me it performed well in all the areas a humidor should. The cherry on top is the appearance, which in my opinion is stunning. To me this humidor is a great buy, one that I would spend my own hard earned money on.

For better picutures of the finish and interior of the Winston humidor please visit the 1st Class Cigar Humidors. Also, please leave any feedback you have on this review. Since it was my first time reviewing a humidor, other than an travel humidor, i’d appreciate any feedback you may have on how to make any future articles more informative.

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In the coming months we will finally be launching a redesigned site that we’ve promised for the last two years. Along with the redesign we’re hoping to improve the way you’re able to view our content. I’m also hoping to change things up and provide some different types of content. With that said, I’d like to once again ask for your input regarding what you’d like to see. What can we do better? What would you like to see? Should we just STFU?

Also, this New Year is going to bring about a change for me. Throughout 2011 you might have noticed a drastic drop in the amount of posts from me. Well without going into a ton of detail I’ll just say there were a number of personal and professional reasons that I just couldn’t keep up. Good news is things are starting to slow down and I should be back to regular weekly posts. I’d really like to thank Ben and Shawn for keeping this boat afloat while I was absent.

One more piece of business. At the beginning of December I posted the “Sometimes I Just Want and El Cheapo” article along with a contest. I sent and e-mail to the winner, Brian, but have not yet heard back. I’ll give Brian until midnight Friday, January 6th to reply. If I don’t receive a reply by then I’ll choose a new winner via a random number generator.

So that just about wraps up all I have to say. We hope you have a great year and look forward to seeing what you have to say.

Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em

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This was a great year for cigar lovers.  So many great new cigars were released as line extensions, new lines or limited releases.  Every year it gets hard to try to come up with a list of the top cigars of the year.  This year, I’m doing it a little different.  I chose my cigar of the year and five runner up cigars that, at one time, were all my cigar of the year.  After that, I have my Lucky 13 which I consider, for me, to be the best 13 cigars of the year.  Finally, I picked two cigars that I call my budget cigar of the year and my surprise of the year.  The budget cigar is pretty self explanatory, but the surprise cigar of the year one I consider that came out of nowhere and just wowed me.  So, without further ado, here is my Cigars of the Year for 2011:

Budget Cigar of the Year: 

Habana Port Tabacums

Coming in at around $4.50 a stick for the robusto, you just can’t beat these.  They are worth more than that.  They are available in both Connecticut Broadleaf maduro and Ecuadorian Habano, each one is a flavor bomb.  Its hard for me to choose which one I like better.

Surprise Cigar of the Year: 

Reinado Torpedo

When Antonio Lam sent me these cigars, I didn’t think much about them.  He mentioned that they use a special fermenation processes that gives the cigar unique flavors.  Wow, was he right.  This cigar really caught my attention and I can see why this cigar is getting increasing popular.  A little hard to find as they are a boutique brand, but the number of retailers carrying them in steadily increasing.  This is one cigar not to be missed.

Best Limited Edition:

Casa Magna Domus Magnus Optimus

Wow, Quesada has really be on a roll this year.  I was never a fan of the original Casa Magna line, so I was unsure what to make of the cigar.  What a treat!  This is the most complex cigar I’ve had this year.  Flavors just came and went, evolving throughout the cigar.  Amazing cigar.  If it wasn’t for the Espana, this cigar would have been a contender for my Cigar of the Year as well.

Lucky 13 Cigars of the Year for 2011:

Quesada Oktoberfest Bavarian

This new cigar was introduced at the 2011 IPCPR from Quesada Cigars.  The concept behind this cigar was that it was supposed to pair well with hoppy beers.  Well, they accomplished that.  This cigar has a great flavor and, maybe its a marketing, but I get a nice hoppiness out of the cigar.  Never the less, one of best cigars I’ve had this year.

Illusion MKULTRA

This cigar is another flavor bomb.  Such a rich and powerful cigar, it was supposedly the original blend of the MK.  I’m glad Dion reintroduced this cigar.  Amazing flavor in a great size for a great price.  You just can’t go wrong with any Illusione.

Drew Estate Undercrown

The bastard child of the Liga Privada No. 9 and T52, this cigar was made for the workers at the Drew Estates factory to stop them from smoking up all the Ligas!  Well, I’m glad Jonathan put a stop to that because they came up with a great cigar as a substitute.  A very rich cigar, it combines the best of the No. 9 and the T52.  Is it better than my beloved T52?  Hell no, but it is still damn good in its own right….and cheaper!

Kristoff GC Signature Series robusto

This cigar was another surprise for me.  My local shop, The Cigar Shop in Biloxi, MS, got in the whole Kristoff line after the owner tried their Ligero maduro cigar and fell in love.  I love that cigar too, but when I saw these, I had to give it try.  Out of all the cigars I’ve smoked in the shop, I’ve smoked this the most.  Great flavors.  Watch ou for the upcoming review soon.

Ashton VSG Pegasus

The Pegasus is a new line extension for my beloved Ashton Virgin Sun Grown line.  Its a round short robusto format, but that’s not the only thing different about it from the standard line.  According to Evan Carpenter, our Ashton rep, this cigar is the original Ashton VSG blend when it was released in the round format instead of the current box pressed shape.  The flavors are mostly like the standard VSG blend, but with a nice sweetness to it.  I’ve been grabbing at least one of these every time I go to the shop.

Nestor Miranda Grand Reserve

This box pressed torpedo is the flagship of the Nestor Miranda line and, with a $14 price point, it better be.  Even at $14, the cigar delivers.  Great rich flavors throughout the cigar.  Definitely the best cigar every to come out of the Nestor Miranda line up.

EP Carillo New Wave Connecticut

I wasn’t enamored with the Inaugural Edition 2009, but, so far, every other release that Ernesto Carillo has produced as been a winner.  This New Wave Connecticut is another.  Great sweet, creamy profile, but with a lot of body, this cigar has redefined what a Connecticut cigar is all about.

Curivari Reserve Limitada Cafe 52

I know some of  you are saying, “Who?”.  Curivari is another boutique cigar that has burst on the scene this year.  Luckily for me, another one of my local shops, Crescent City Cigars in New Orleans, got in their whole line.  Armando Ortiz, the owner, sent me a sample of some of them. They are all very good cigars, but this one blew me away.  Coffee and cocoa bean are the main notes with a full body.  This is the next big brand.  Watch.

La Flor Dominicana Factory Press 4

This one is a late comer to my party.  I first had this cigar after a big steak dinner at NY Prime in Atlanta during the Atlanta Tweet Up earlier this month.  Wow.  What a cigar, especially after a big steak dinner.  Full bodied, spicy with leather and earthy notes.  The box press on such a big cigar makes this one look like a candy bar.  Amazing cigar.  Watch for an upcoming review on this cigar.

Cromagnon Anthropology

As most of you know, this cigar is a collaboration between my friend, Skip Martin, and Mike Rosales of Adrian’s Cigars.  These are full bodied…..and I mean FULL BODIED, but with great flavors.  I saw it as a cross between a La Flor Dominicana DL660 maduro (official cigar of the CGAR Clan on Call of Duty) and the Joya De Nicaragua Dark Corojo.  It comes in 5 sizes, but I prefer the Anthropology. Not just because its in my favorite size, but because it has a sweetness to it that I think adds more character to the cigar for me.

Viaje Late Harvest robusto

Another home run from Viaje.  This cigar had a unique flavor profile that I haven’t found in any other cigar: buttery corn.  I know, you’re saying, WTF?  I swear its there and its awesome.  I wish I was able to buy a box of these.

Lou Rodriguez Edicion Reserve Lancero

I could have picked any size of the Edicion Premier or Edicion Reserva from Lou Rodriguez, but I decided to go with the Reserva lancero.  Mainly because it was the last one I smoked and because its one of the best lanceros I’ve ever had.  Leathery, coffee and chocolate profile, this cigar just delivers….as does the rest of the line.

Gran Habano STK Zulu Zulu Habano

Another great lancero.  I really like this bigger size also.  Something about that 40 ring gauge….anyway, besides having amazing flavors, this cigar is also for a charity.  Proceeds of this cigar will be going to Invisible Children.  An organization that help being awareness to children soldiers in Africa.  Great cigar, plus  you’re helping a great cause?  Winner, winner.

Cigar of the Year Runner Ups:

Quesada Seleccion Espana

Short robusto, robusto, corona…who cares.  They were ALL amazing cigars.  Complex, medium bodied, rich flavors.  I know this has been thrown around a lot, but this is the most “cubanesque” cigar I’ve ever had.  Only supposed to be sold in Spain….cough….cough…..I was able to get a sampler of 2 of each size.  Let me tell you, this cigar is a death bed cigar.  Quesada….FOR THE LOVE OF GOD….release this in the United States!

Crowned Heads Four Kicks Robusto

Well, I’m glad I have this picture to remind me what my box of Four Kicks robustos looked like.  I swear I’ve never burned though a box of cigar like I did these.  Amazing flavors in a medium bodied cigar.  I have yet to find a person that didn’t love this cigar.  This cigar is something special.  I actually believe the hype UNDERsold this cigar.  Absolutely unbelievable cigar.  Epic.

Emilio Grimalkin

This is the only cigar I’ve ever smoked where I was smoking my one and only sample and immediately had to stop and set up my review station to record a review.  It was so good, I just had to get it on video.  Great flavors and at around $11 a stick, well worth the price.  I sought out a box of these like Indiana Jones after the Ark of the Covenant.  This is also the single most shared cigar I’ve ever had.  I’ve given these out to my friends and cigar shops I want to carry them so they can see how great these are.  One of a kind.

Viaje Tower 45th Anniversary Exclusivo

Best Viaje cigar I’ve ever had.  That’s saying something considering I’ve smoked every Viaje cigar ever released.  The Exclusivo blend really pops in this larger, boxed press cigar.  Mark Just of Tower Cigars and Andre Farkas really came up with an all time Champion here.  Its the only Viaje cigar that I’ve managed to get a whole box of and I was DETERMINED to get a box of these.

AJ Fernandez San Lotano Oval

What a great shape for a cigar.  Oval!  It feel really great in the mouth and also doesn’t have all the burn problems of most box pressed cigars.  The do this by pressing the cigar in a mold with oval sides.  Works great.  Also has outstanding flavors of wood, spice and coffee.  Every size is great, but, for me, the robusto is something special.

….and now the moment you’ve all been waiting for……

Ben’s 2011 Cigar of the Year

Tatuaje L’Esprit de Vérité Robusto 2009 Vintage

One of the best cigars I’ve ever had in my life.  Great flavor profile of sweet coffee, leather, cedar and nuts.  Very elegant and smooth cigar.  If you look up elegant and smooth in an dictionary, there will be a picture of this cigar and Billy Dee Williams aka Lando.  All tobaccos are from a single farm which Pete Johnson has treated like Bordeaux wine.  First, pricing them like Bordeaux wine futures and having vintages as well.  What a great concept.  As a wine newbie, this really sparked my interest.  A truly world class cigar.

There  you have it.  My best cigars of 2011.  I could have added about 10 more, but I had to draw the line somewhere.  What a great time to be a cigar smoker.

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