“Smoked Up” No.47
I hope every body had a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Mine was pretty low-key. Spent most the day with the fiancé and Satori. A little after lunch time, we went to her parents house for dinner. Afterwards we had a few drinks, relaxed and watched some tv. When I got home, I braved the 35* weather, watched MS State win the Egg Bowl & enjoyed a Drew Estate UF13. I really enjoyed that cigar and is quite possibly one of my favorite DE cigars I’ve had.
My weekend was pretty busy. Started after working Black Friday by going to a local cigar shop. Enjoyed some Knob Creek bourbon and had a few cigars. 1st was a Sons of Anarchy, which I figured it would be lacking for a cigar named after a TV show. It turned out pretty good actually (see below). Then I had a “highly acclaimed” 94 rated Sublimes. To be honest, I really didn’t care too much for it. But willing to give it another go later on. Saturday, I hung up more Christmas lights, worked on my “main attraction”. Sunday, me and the misses went Christmas shopping and had an early Birthday Dinner for her.
Cigar Views
Drew Estate UF13: I have been looking for these cigars for a while. Luckily, my local shop got a box in and kicked myself in the butt for not buying more than one. This is one of my favorite DE cigars I have had! Had awesome dark and “meaty” flavors that I like in a cigar. Some creamy dark caramel with charred wood notes and a hint of a dried apricot note as well. Towards the end, I got a nice chalky cocoa flavor that was a nice way to end the cigar. Had an awesome draw, great burn and nice tight ashes. This is a cigar to seek out and buy handfuls of. Reminded me of a Dirty Rat in a way. Larger ring gauge and similar flavors. I paired the UF13 with some Knob Creek Small Batch and Coke (I had to work on Black Friday morning). The only complaint I have with DE LEs is they don’t use enough glue on the caps. Seems like almost every cap on DE cigar comes off too easily. Too much glue on the band, not enough on the cap.
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ESPINOSA PREMIUM CIGARS PRESENTS THE LA BOMBA MIKEY STORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ESPINOSA PREMIUM CIGARS PRESENTS
“THE LA BOMBA MIKEY STORY”
Hialeah Gardens, Florida (November 27, 2013) – Espinosa Premium Cigars has released a short film entitled “The La Bomba Mikey Story” today on their website and YouTube Channel. Earlier in the year the company began an advertising campaign to promote the strength of their extremely full-bodied 601 La Bomba line. The first ad introduced a skinny guy with permanent marker writings all over his face and arms, and surrounded by some of the guys from the Espinosa Cigars crew writing on him. The skinny guy, who eventually was nicknamed “La Bomba Mikey” appears to have been overcome by the strength of the 601 La Bomba cigar. This ad also dared cigars smokers to take the “601 La Bomba Challenge” by posting a before and after picture of their experience with the cigar to prove they could handle it.
The follow up ad showed La Bomba Mikey pinned to the back of a police car with the words “Under the influence? Officer, it was a 601 La Bomba, I swear!” After the encouraging feedback, the company knew they had to conclude the story somehow. So they created a short film to conclude the popular series in conjunction with a new promotional campaign “The 601 La Bomba Experience” contest which asks their smokers to submit their own La Bomba experience in video or photo.
The short film and contest details can be view on the company’s website at
espinosacigars.com/labombamikey
“Smoked Up” No.46
The holiday season is getting into full swing. The stores have Christmas music playing, with trees, lights and other holiday accessories out. The weather is getting pretty brisk and Thanksgiving is Thursday as the year is creeping to an end. I hope everybody has a safe and happy Thanksgiving no matter what your plans are. Also realize we don’t have to wait till Thanksgiving (or November) to be thankful. Be thankful every day.
Saturday I spent most the day building Christmas yard decorations. My Dad helped me build a major part of the light display. We worked till late in the night and we finally had to call it quits after the temperature dropped into the 40s. Sunday, I had planned on doing the Bonita Smoke Shop 18th Anniversary review, but it got postponed until yesterday. I ended up adding three extra electrical outlets outside my house. I am planning on a huge amount of Christmas lights this year and wasn’t going to test the current electrical situation at my house. My great buddy Wes, helped me out a lot and made the job much easier. The few hour job turned into many hours after a few minor snags in the plan. But was worth it in the long run. I ended up testing out each outlet with a few hundred lights and found no issues. I plan to keep adding lights to the yard as the days/weeks go by and will post up a video of the who display once I am done with it in a few weeks.
Cigar Views
Iconic Leaf Recluse Draconian Robusto*: I did a full review of the prerelease sample of this cigar a while back. The smoke was fairly smooth and had a slightly creamy aftertaste to it. I got a nice amount of a dark chocolate and an easy black pepper. The combination doesn’t sound like it would be pleasurable, but the black pepper wasn’t too strong or “bitey”. The flavors were exactly like I got in the prerelease sample. I am glad to see they kept the blend the same as it is a pretty good smoke! The citrus zest, French bread and coffee flavors I got in the prerelease are still there as well. The draw was great, burn was straight as an arrow & produced massive amounts of smoke. The only difference between the prerelease and the production, was the production was a soft box pressed cigar and the prerelease was a parejo.
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Bonita Smoke Shop 18th Anniversary Blend
A few months ago I did a review of the Bonita Smoke Shop Time Warp and it hit me as a pretty good smoke for a “house blend cigar”. It was not your typical cheep $3 house blend cigar that’s basically a 2nd of another company or a cheep unbanded cigar from a large distributor/company. The 18th Anniversary s just like the Time Warp in the fact that a lot of time and patience was taken when this cigar came about.
Both the 18th and Time Warp were blended by Willie Herrera (now with Drew Estate) under the watchful eye of Jackie from Bonita Smoke Shop. Rolled using the entubar way at the ETB Cigars factory, in Little Havana, Miami, FL.
Cigar Stats
Size: 6×50 (Also available in a 6×60 “Grande”)
Vitola: Toro
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Wrapper
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican
Country: Miami, FL
Cost: $6.95*
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“Smoked Up” No.45
This week’s smokings has been fairly light. The weather was cold one day, cool the next , rainy another and then warm the next. It wouldn’t surprise me if I ended up with a runny nose by the end of this week. Nothing some bourbon, lemon juice and a few cold pills wont sweat out. I spent a lot of time with friends and family and less with cigars this past week. When the weather gets reasonable at night, I can see a few bonfires and cigars in the making. Work is pretty hectic and been trying to play catch up for the last few weeks. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but its pretty faint!
My weekend was pretty low-key. Went to a community arts and & crafts festival and found out my hometown has no open container law. Which made me being there a bit easier to manage (haha). After that fiasco, I went to the local shop and watched the AL vs MS State game; that was an aggravating ordeal to watch. But, was happy to see State held AL to only 20 points in the game. That was the least points they have scored all season and I held my head high after that game (being a MS State fan). Seeing MS State is an unranked team and AL could only score 20 points on them was a feat in itself.
Cigar Views
East India Trading Co. Red Witch Double Fuerte: A new extension to the Red Witch line that I have found to be a pretty good medium bodied cigar. The Double Fuerte has twice the ligero as the original Red Witch and it shows right out of the gate. It is a fairly good bit stronger than the original and a unhealthy amount of spice right at the start. I also got some hints of nuts and coffee in the flavor profile and I progressed into the cigar, the spiciness of the smoke eased off and let an ample amount of caramel show through. I enjoyed this cigar somewhat for a more fuller part of its predecessor. With an inch plus left, the flavors got off and got tired of touching up the off burn; so I laid it to rest there. The 6×56 size of this cigar is about the limit when it comes to cigars. I like that the blends are somewhat similar and I can get a medium bodied smoke from the original Red Witch and a more fuller evening time cigar from the Double Fuerte Red Witch.
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“Smoked Up” No.44
2013 is flying past me at brisk pace. I usually start my holiday planning after the county fair and Halloween is over. Well, the fair ended last week and so was Halloween, so I am making lists of presents for the ladies in the house & other family. I am also starting looking at my Christmas light display I put up every year. Last year I had a few thousand lights up in the yard. This year will be a little different, I will have more…. WAY MORE! I got an electrician lined up to add a few circuits and outlets outside for the added light count. As much as it would boost my ego tripping a breaker, I don’t really want to this year with the amount I am planning on. My daughter loves the lights and it warms my heart to see the smile on her face when they kick on every night.
I have gotten in a handful of cigars in to review for the next coming weeks. I hope to try to get as many in as I can before the holiday rush hits me. I have at least a month and a half of reviews lined up, so I will be cutting it close this year.
I only had two entries in last week’s “Smoked Up” contest. I will be sending both people an email for their addresses to send the cigars their way.
Cigar Views
Ventura Cigar Co. Psyko Seven Robusto: This is an other interesting cigar from Ventura Cigars. I reviewed their 805R a bit ago and was a pretty good smoke and this new blend from them is no different. The first inch or so was so complex, I couldn’t get a grasp on the flavors. When it did settle down, I got a healthy dose of black pepper, some wood and cream. Around the midway point, the sharpness of the black pepper eased off a bit. The easing off black pepper let a nice leathery flavor enter into the mix of flavors. Had a nice, but slightly thicker draw, great construction and long tight ashes. Look for a full review of this cigar later on in the month.
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“Smoked Up” No.43
I am really enjoying the cooler weather we have gotten here lately. I just wish it would make up its mind and stick around! One day its in the 70s, the next its in the upper 80s. Its amazing how I stay from getting sick. The better weather and my new laptop allowed me to get in two cigar reviews this week. Hopefully the weather can stay pleasant and I can keep up the pace on the reviews.
Halloween went well, we went with the “in-laws” to a Trunk or Treat at a Church. Satori had a blast and got way too much candy than a 2 year old should ever have. Satori won the 0-3yr old girl’s costume contest too! Her mom spent a lot of time hand making her costume and was a great success. I went as a “hunter”, wearing full camo… which is not anything unusual for me as I wear camo here and there during the fall/winter.
Saturday, I was the winner of some Commonwealth Cedar Spills after I answered a Rocky Patel trivia question on the Kiss My Ash Radio show. They will be here in a week or so and am looking forward to giving them a try and let you know what I think of them.
Cigar Views
Emilio Draig Cayuquero Toro: The 2013 Emilio Draig is called the Cayuquero and I got a few to sample from Emilio Cigars. This year’s Draig had a better draw than the Draig K, although I did sit it outside on the ashtray, got sidetracked and almost forgot about it. So the humidity level of the cigar was a bit on the higher side; causing a tab bit thicker draw and slightly off burn. Started off with some hints of chocolate, cinnamon and a vegetal/floral twang to it. 2nd portion had some smooth wood, and coffee notes. The final portion had similar flavors as the middle portion, yet darker and richer. I didn’t care much for the long finish during the final part. I am on the fence about this cigar. If the draw of the Draig K would have been less snug, I would have liked it over the Cayuquero. None the less, it is a cigar I would suggest to try.
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NOMAD RELEASES MUCH ANTICIPATED “S-307” CIGAR
NOMAD RELEASES MUCH ANTICIPATED “S-307” CIGARÂ
EstelÃ, Nicaragua (November 4, 2013) – Nomad Cigar Company is pleased to announce the release of the much-anticipated Nomad S-307.Â
Nomad’s first full production cigar in Nicaragua, the S-307 is a box pressed Sumatra wrapped cigar blended and rolled at the AJ Fernandez factory in EstelÃ, Nicaragua.Â
In July 2013, Fred Rewey, founder of Nomad, made a significant splash at IPCPR when he expanded from his Dominican produced core line to include the Nomad Lot 1386, a Nicaraguan Limited Edition cigar that almost immediately sold out at the show.Â
Rewey then returned to Nicaragua with the continued goal of creating an even higher caliber cigar than the last all the while delivering competitive pricing for the consumer. The result is the Nomad S-307.Â
Name: Nomad S-307
Wrapper: Ecuadorian SumatraÂ
Binder: Ecuadorian Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: AJ Fernandez
Notable: 21 count, Box Pressed
Sizes / Pricing
Toro (6×50) – $7.95 MSRP
Robusto (5×50) – $7.75 MSRP
Torpedo (6.5×52) – $7.95 MSRP
In keeping with his trend, Rewey gave meaning to the name of his new cigar as well. The “S” stands for Sumatra. The “307” pays homage to the approximate square miles of the Estelì area.Â
“I am really excited to get this one in the hands of cigar aficionados. I received a ton of great insight and encouragement from some industry icons in Nicaragua. I am just taking it all in, learning, listening, and enjoying the journey,” stated Rewey.Â
Rewey launched Nomad in 2012 and immediately started adding his own twist to the cigar industry. Rewey was the first cigar maker to add social media to the outside of a cigar band by printing his personal Twitter account (@Godfadr) – an account that has continued to grow to over 20K people as Rewey engages in constant conversation with his followers.
Nomad has been gaining international attention of cigar fans due to creative marketing and noteworthy cigars. All the while, Rewey has remained grounded.
“I try and surround myself with really smart and experienced colleagues. I am always learning new things. New techniques, new aging methods, new blends. I am thrilled Nomad cigars are so well received, it has been awesome journey so far and I look forward to the future,” said Rewey.
The S-307 is now shipping to retail locations and is Rewey’s third cigar blend offered to the retail market, following the success of the Dominican line and Nicaraguan Lot 1386.
Contact:
House of Emilio Cigars – 615-691-1654
Fred “Godfadr†Rewey, Nomad Cigar Company
Twitter: @Godfadr
Phone: 855-MYNOMAD (or 855-696-6623)
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J&D Allure Habano Toro
J&D Cigars is a boutique cigar company that was founded by David Insignares & Jorge Gil.
Jorge Gil was born and raised in Cuba and was introduced to Tobacco at an early age. Now he lives and runs a successfully Tobacco business in Esteli Nicaragua.
David Insignares’s family hails from Colombia, but he was born and raised in NY. He now lives in Miami where he met Jorge some 20 Years ago. That is where their friendship and J&D Cigars began.
Jorge owns many tobacco farms and is in charge of the whole growing process. He is also a master grower with 12+ years of tobacco growing experience under his hat. The factory, in Miami, is ran by David. They have many Grade 9 (the highest level a cigar roller can reach) torcedores. Those torcedores are able to roll even the most difficult sticks, the Perfecto & Salomon. With all of their combined efforts comes the Allure line of cigars. The Allure is available in a Habano and Maduro wrapper.
Cigar Breakdown
Size: 6×50
Vitola: Toro
Wrapper: Equadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan from Esteli, Jalapa and Condega
Country: Nicaragua
“Smoked Up” No.42
The fall is upon us here in the deep south. The days are more enjoyable and the nights are way more comfortable for sleeping with the windows open. That means the evenings are getting way better for cigar smoking out under the carport. The work week has been one of the worst I’ve had all year. The “big wigs” came in and threw my next two plus work weeks in a whirlpool. Owell, I still have my job, so I’m not complaining too much.
I grabbed a handful of new cigars from a local Tinder Box as well as went to a Quesada Oktoberfest event held at The Cigar Shop Biloxi. The Cigar Shops’s Oktoberfest event was a good success. They had four or so types of German Sausage, kraut, onions, etc… Plenty of ice cold bottled Oktoberfest beers (Shiner, Sam Adams & Leinenkugel). I like the Shiner and Sam Adams, but the Leinenkugel I didn’t particularly care for. They also gave deals on Oktoberfest cigars and had some swag to give away with box purchases. I had plenty of beer, food & cigars. And yes, the Oktoberfest beers do pair well with the Quesada Oktoberfest cigars. Overall, the weekend was pretty good. Good weather, cigars, food, beer, friends etc… Although I did christen my new laptop with ash…. I knew it wouldn’t take long!!
I also got a sneak peek at the Viaje Full Moon cigars. They looked like a good smoke, but I will have wait till they are on the shelves to try. From what I was told, the price point on them will be estimated around the $8.50 price range. For a LE Viaje, that is a pretty good deal as many of the LE Viajes go for $10+. But I have seen a few sources online that say it will be more around $11+.  They also had the WLP Stuffed Turkey cigars and another similarly packaged Skull & Bones (with glow in the dark bands). I am not sure how many of the Viaje LEs I will get this season. Although I have had good luck in aging the LE Viajes in the past, I am not sure if I want to do it again this time. But only time and my mood will tell when it comes to purchase time.
Cigar Views
Ezra Zion Eminence*: A totally new smoke for me that I really enjoyed! Pretty much every Ezra Zion cigar I come across is a good smoke. Then the next blend they come out with seems to top the previous. This cigar is far from being a beauty queen, as the wrapper is not as smooth as other cigars I’ve came across. There were a few soft spots that did effect the burn some. But, it didn’t affect the smoke. Had a great draw that helped open up the cigar to its full potential. Produced thick billowing clouds of smoke. From that smoke came a fairly strong peppery flavor with some charred oak as well. Look for a full review of this cigar coming up in the next few weeks.
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