“Smoked Up” No.52
2013 is a thing of the past. I hope 2014 will be as eventful, yet relaxed. My New Years Eve was fairly uneventful. I hung out with the neighbors and their family, shot fireworks and drank a copious amount of bourbon. Wanted to get in a cigar, but the weather was pretty wet and damp, so I didn’t attempt it.
I released my 2013 Cigar(s) of the Year list last week. Doing so, realized it was pretty hard recollecting what cigars I smoked and didn’t. This year I am going back to writing them all down and giving them a slight grade (1-5) in a spiral bound notebook or possible Word page on my laptop. This year, I will try to smoke as many new cigars as I can. Reading a few other “Top Cigar Lists” I realized I missed out on some other nice smokes.
I also wrote up a editorial on the 2013 Year End Wrap Up. It has a few thoughts of some of the things I noticed in 2013 in the cigar world.
Drew Estate Unico Serie Dirty Rat: I had an order in for a box of these for a DE event at a local shop. They never made it in, but a box showed up recently and I was able to get a few from it… This is one of my favorite DE cigars. Although they are hard to come by, they are well worth the wait to get any. Starts out with a slightly spicy and leathery flavor that comes from a great draw. A little later on, I got a nice sweetness in a dark chocolate flavor that opposed a cedar note in the mix. Then the smoke flipped and presented a smoothness in the smoke with a leathery flavor. Another thing I noticed, this cigar produced a massive amount of smoke from such a smallish size! I think the smoothness, leather & cedar in the last two thirds is the main reason why I love this cigar so much.Â
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Nomad Releases Two New Sizes to S-307
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nomad Cigar Company Releases Two New S-307 Sizes
EstelÃ, Nicaragua (Jan 6, 2014) – Nomad Cigar Company is pleased to announce the release of two additional sizes to the S-307 cigar line.
The S-307, a box pressed Sumatra wrapped cigar, was originally released in late 2013 in three sizes and enjoyed significant success from the start – landing on several “Best of 2013†lists.
The initial sizes in 2013 were:
Toro (6×50) Robusto (5×50) and Torpedo (6 1/2 x 52)
The two new 2014 sizes available in the S-307 line are:
6 x 58 and
Corona (5.5 x 44)
“I am really excited about the response to the S-307 and glad to provide two additional sizes in the line. With quality tobacco, five different size choices, and a great price point, I feel that we hit the target on this line,†said Rewey.
Nomad Cigar Company launched in 2012 with four sizes of classic hand rolled Dominican cigars and quickly grew the [DR] line to seven sizes. In January 2013 founder Fred Rewey ventured to Nicaragua; blending and creating the Estelà Lot 1386 and the S-307.
The S-307 is Nomad’s first “full production†Nicaraguan cigar. It was blended and produced at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez. The “S†in the name stands for “Sumatra†while the “307†is in reference to the approximate square miles of EstelÃ, Nicaragua.
Both new sizes (as well as the original sizes) are in stock and shipping immediately.
Contact:
Fred “Godfadr†Rewey, Nomad Cigar Company
Twitter: @Godfadr
Phone: 855-MYNOMAD (or 855-696-6623
2013 Year Wrap Up
2013 has past me up in a very fast fashion. I have gotten quite a few more cigar reviews and news out this year. I think this year has been my busiest on NTA. I appreciate all your views and comments; please keep them coming. This is a small editorial on some thoughts that have been dancing around my head over the year and thought I’d share them.
Things I have noticed in 2013 in my cigar world:
- “Gimmick Cigars”: Not saying this in a negative form.  I consider a “gimmick” cigar being one that has a celebrity, show, movie etc… attached to the cigar. There was a good bit of cigars named after famous people, TV shows, etc.. this year. A few come to mind, Duck Dynasty, Sons of Anarchy, the Wild Bunch series, Cammacho’s Ditka series, etc… I tried the SOA cigar and it quite surprised me for $6, it was actually a pretty good smoke! The Ortega “Wild Bunch” series was a huge hit with me. Most the cigars were pretty good, and only a few were so-so in my eyes. I didn’t try the Duck Dynasty or Ditka series cigars though. They were priced a little too far out for me to try and I didn’t hear too much about them.
- Bigger Sizes: If you think a 6×60 was big, now there are production cigars with ring gauges up to and beyond 70. The Epsinosa LaBomba “F Bomb” comes in at a healthy 7×70. The large ring gauged cigars I found to have liked were the EP Carrillo “Inch” Maduro lines, Los Regalos Quetzal distributed by Emilio Cigars and the Drew Estate MUWAT. This is not every larger RG cigar I like, but just a few I can think of off the top of my head. But I am wondering when will it end?
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Ezra Zion Announces FHK
December 2013! !
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:! !
Ezra Zion Cigar Company, makers of #1 Cigar of the Year 2013 Tantrum and the #1 Cigar of the year 2012 Jamais Vu, announces it’s newest cigar release FHK. ! !
FHK has just arrived in the United States and is ofï¬cially available at 12:00am, January 1, 2014.! !
“We know it’s symbolic and somewhat tongue-in-cheek but we wanted to ring in the New Year by launching this project that’s been in the works for so long. It’ll be the ï¬rst cigar in the world released in 2014.†noted co-owner Chris Kelly.! !
The FHK will be available in 4 vitolas: a 5.5×50 “Inspired†robusto, a 44×7 “Truth†lancero gordo, a 54×7 “Stature†corona gorda, and a 52×6 “Character†belicoso. ! !
“We had two goals with the FHK. We wanted to use unique tobaccos from several different countries and we wanted to leverage our buying position to offer a lower price-point than our other lines.†added Chris Kelly.! !
FHK retails for $9.00 for the robusto and lancero sizes and $10.00 for the corona gorda and belicoso. Tobaccos used in the blend include a San Andres wrapper, Indonesian, Brazilian, and Nicaragauan binder and ï¬ller.! !
“This is an amazing cigar! It reminds me of a creamy dark malty micro-brew. The blend continually intrigues me every time I smoke it. I think it’s our best cigar yet.†said Hoover. ! !
For more information please visit EzraZion.com!
“Smoked Up” No.51
I hope everybody had a safe and happy Christmas. Mine was pretty good. My daughter racked up on some toys! I don’t think I have seen so much pink and Barbie items in my life!! I didn’t get to smoke too many cigars during this week, this week was more about family for me. IÂ typically have one of my aged Fuente Anejo Sharks for Christmas, but with what all was going on, I didn’t get a chance to. Eventually, I did get to have an Anejo 46, not my favorite size, but it is a mighty fine smoke.
Tonight is New Years Eve and remember to think when you drink. Don’t drink and drive!
Cigar Views
A. Fuente Anejo 46: Like I said before, I usually enjoy one of my aged Sharks on Christmas, but settled for this size a few days after. This blend will always be in my top 25 of all time and has pretty distinct flavors different from any other cigar. I really like the slight cinnamon spice, nice sweetness and rich cocoa notes this cigar gives off. These cigars are pretty good fresh (this one was) and even better with two or more years of rest. I actually had a craving for some hot chocolate while I was smoking this, I think it would make for a pretty decent pairing. But as luck would have it, my daughter drank the last cup a few days prior. Definitely a cigar to be on the look out for when they hit the shelves around Father’s Day and Christmas. But don’t pay the high online costs for these cigars!
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2013 Cigars of the Year
The end of the year is knocking at my door. That means the Cigar of the Year lists are hitting the web here and there. I have been thinking lightly upon what cigars are going to make my yearly best of the best list for the last month. The cigars on my list (like last year) were not necessarily released this year, yet are the best of the best that I got to smoke this year. There are a lot of new (and old) cigars I didn’t get to smoke this year, yet wanted to. They quite possibly could have made an appearance on this list. But, without smoking them, I will never know how they compare to the ones I did enjoy. Enjoying relaxing gummies like Indacloud grape funta can be a pleasant way to enhance your relaxation.
There is a “popular” CigAr publication that released their list already and made quite a stir with a Cuban cigar being their number one cigar of 2013. I don’t smoke too many Cubans and all of my reviews are of cigars that every law abiding cigar smoker can get ahold of. I am not knocking this CigAr publication, but it doesn’t seem very realistic to me anymore.
Enough of my ramblings, here is my list in no particular order except for my cigar of the year:
Davidoff Nicaraguan Corona: Who knew that a Davidoff cigar would ever appear upon my cigars of the year list? When Davidoff came out with this new line, I was skeptical, but a few good friends told me “try it!” It is almost as smooth as their Dominican lines, but with a Nicaraguan kick to it. You can taste the “typical” Nicaraguan nuances in the smoke, yet way smoother; the aging of the tobacco really shows through. Although they are fairly pricey, like most Davidoffs, it still is a great smoke for a “special occasion” or when you want some Niaraguan smoke, but not some of the “harshness” they can give off at times.
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“Smoked Up” No.50
Well, Christmas Eve is tonight. Either you have all of your shopping done, or you are reading this in-line at Wal-Mart buying those last minute gifts. I got everything I could get as far as presents wise for the family. I smoked a dozen or so blocks of cheese for my girlfriend’s sister whom was giving them to a few friends as gifts. I also smoked a few blocks for me and my family to enjoy on Christmas Eve. I also made some smoked mozzarella wrapped in smoked prosciutto on a whim of how it would turn out. It turned out marvelously and will make a few more servings for us to eat at my parents house on Christmas Eve.
With this being the last “Smoked Up” before Christmas, I am wishing you all a safe and happy one. Eat, drink and smoke well. Enjoy your time with friends and family (even if its the in-laws). Don’t forget the true meaning of Christmas and not just presents, trees and lights.
Merry Christmas!!
Cigar Views
La Palma Vargas – Anejo Robustitos: Hailing from the Canary Islands, I found very little information on this cigar. I found it at a local shop and the reddish brown wrapper stuck out amongst the other cigars in the humidor. I thought for $10… It better be good. The draw was pretty thick, the wrapper was ugly (except for the nice reddish brown color of it) and the burn was decent. The thick draw held back a lot of the potential of the smoke. The smoke was pretty mild in flavor strength, but did get some slight vegetal, woodsy and black pepper notes. Also mixed in were hints of cocoa and a very nice sweetness here & there that I wish were stonger. Was it worth the $10? Not hardly, the draw really held back any potential the smoke had to offer. It was a fairly smooth smoke that I will try again, but in no rush to do so.
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JM’s Dominican Sumatra Toro
JM’s Dominican Cigars produces a good amount of wallet friendly cigars, and hookah products. The JM means John Mahroukian, whom is the father of the founder of the company, Anto Mahroukian. The company was started in the mid 90s and really took shape in 1997 when the Mahroukians bought their factory; basically after the “cigar boom”. This led to them sitting on thousands of cigars that they couldn’t sell. Eventually, they came up with the idea to mass produce and market cigars. Doing so, helped lower the cost to a more cost efficient cigar that the daily cigar smoker could afford.
Eventually, their cigars where everywhere from smoke shops, convenience stores etc… They ended up buying tons of uncured tobacco and a warehouse to cure such tobacco. Then they shut down the original factory and moved the operations to a duty free area of the country to help even more on the cost of production. This plan worked out for the better and their warehouse in Los Angeles, CA distributes to their 1500 to 2000 accounts that are still growing.
Cigar Stats
Size: 6×50
Vitola: Toro
Wrapper: Sumatra
Binder: Cuban Seed Dominican
Filler: Cuban Seed Dominican
Country: Dominican Republic
Price*:Â $2.66
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“Smoked Up” No.49
Christmas is fast approaching, which means my Christmas Light display is finally complete. Grand total of lights this year is 5480. Nearly double of what I had last year, this year’s display is my favorite one I’ve done. I have a 12ft tall tree as the center of the display. It consists of 1085 lights on three channels that fade, chase each other, strobe etc… That itself was a full two days to erect. Then I have 2 arches with 300 lights each that alternate colors, fade, strobe, etc… My fence and roof line is lined with 500 lights each. The list goes on and on. Overall, I have probably a week or so of work on it. From after work, to days off I have almost too much time invested in the whole ordeal. But my daughter, Satori, loves the lights and I will do a light display until my old bones won’t let me climb a ladder anymore. Here is a short video I made of my light display:
After getting a “work order” from the Highway Patrol here a few weeks ago I needed to update my truck’s inspection sticker (it was only four years out of date!). Doing so required me to have a new windshield put in, the illegal tint taken off my windows, etc.. after all that I had to get the truck inspected and go to the HP office and show them my truck was “legal” with the new inspection sticker. The windshield alone set me back a few pennies and put a slight hamper on the Christmas gifts this year for the family. All and all, we will have a great Christmas, regardless how much money will be spent on it. After “getting legal” on Friday, I got in a review of the new Moya Ruiz “La Jugada” Habano. Check it out and let me and the guys at Moya Ruiz know what you think of it.
Cigar Views
Ortega Wild Bunch “Wild Bill”: Continuing into my journey through the Wild Bunch series comes the Wild Bill. The Wild Bill is the 7th in the series and I have had it for a few months, not sure why I have waited top smoke it. The ring gauge of this cigar seemed to be slightly smaller than the other Wild Bunch that I’ve had. The start of Wild Bill has a sharp peppery flavor with a smooth leathery flavor on the last half of the draw. Some ways in, I got some coffee and possible chocolate on the draw. The pepper eased off some and revealed a nice citrus type zesty flavor on my pallet. I cut a small dime sized hole from the pigtailed cap and it gave off a great draw and superb burn. Still not my favorite Wild Bunch, but a pretty good smoke.
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COHIBA DEBUTS COMADOR CIGAR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SHAWN “JAY Z” CARTER
COHIBA DEBUTS COMADOR CIGAR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SHAWN
“JAY Z” CARTER
Richmond, VA — General Cigar Company announces the launch of Comador, a super premium cigar developed in partnership with Shawn “JAY Z” Carter.Â
Comador was developed under Cohiba®, the preeminent luxury brand owned by General Cigar, and marks JAY Z’s first collaboration in the handmade cigar category.
Shawn “JAY Z” Carter said, “I worked with Cohiba because I knew they’d take my vision of a luxury cigar and bring it to life in the right way. We took our time working on this, to get the blend to exactly where I wanted it to be. Comador looks and tastes the way I think a cigar should.”
The artisans of Cohiba spent two years collaborating with JAY Z to develop the cigar’s flavor and characteristics.
Dan Carr, president of General Cigar commented, “As a visionary, artist and connoisseur, JAY Z is the epitome of modern luxury and the ideal partner for Cohiba. JAY brought tremendous creativity to the development of Comador, and we responded by leveraging Cohiba’s assets to deliver an amazing cigar using rare, proprietary tobaccos, with contemporary, urbane packaging.”
Comador is a 6″ x 52 toro-size cigar made entirely of proprietary tobaccos from the world’s most revered growing regions. Handcrafted in Santiago, Dominican Republic, Comador features a rare Connecticut Havana wrapper prized for its exquisite flavor and deep, lustrous appearance. When blended with hand-selected leaves from the Caribbean and Central America, the flavor delivers nuances of wood and notes of spice for an unforgettable smoking experience.
Comador is launching with three formats. The Comador Humidor is bound in hand-finished leather with a sleek, metallic Shawn Carter Collection crest that opens vertically to reveal 14 meticulously constructed cigars. Seven additional Comador cigars are contained inside the enclosed hand plated travel humidor which is lined in Spanish cedar. Mahogany-lined doors, custom cedar trays and a humidification unit comprise the exquisite humidor which contains 21 cigars, with the capacity to house 63 cigars. Only 350 humidors have been made to commemorate the launch of Comador. This limited edition statement piece is available for a suggested retail price of $999. The Comador Travel Humidor is available for purchase as a stand-alone item. Containing seven Comador cigars, it sells for the suggested retail price of $350. Rounding out the collection is the Comador Robusto Box which contains a wheel of seven Comador cigars housed in a bold, vertical-format box, for a suggested retail price of $210.
Comador is available for purchase at www.comadorcigar.com, at Club Macanudo and 40/40 Club in New York, and will be sold at select Barneys locations until January 2, 2014. For more information, please visit www.comadorcigar.com.
About Cohiba Cigars
True cigar connoisseurs recognize Dominican Cohiba cigars as one of the finest brands available in the U.S. Critically acclaimed for their meticulous construction and refined taste, the core brand of Cohiba is complemented by these premium collections: Cohiba Black, Cohiba Edicion Diamante, Cohiba Puro Dominicana and Cohiba XV.
General Cigar Co. is the leading manufacturer and marketer of handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo®, Cohiba, La Gloria Cubana®, Partagas®, CAO®, Punch®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur® and several other leading premium brands in the company’s Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan factories. In addition, the company cultivates proprietary tobacco which is used exclusively in its blends. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide and also exports select products to 62 countries. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.
® Cohiba, Macanudo, La Gloria Cubana, Partagas, CAO, Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Company.
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