Now Available From Davidoff – Colorado Claro Aniversario No. 3
Davidoff Cigars announced today the release of the Colorado Claro Aniversario No.3
The 6×50 Toro size sports a Ecuadorian grown Connecticut Seed wrapper. With binder and filler from the Dominican Republic. They are available now at a Davidoff Appointed Merchant.
“Davidoff stands for expertise and quality supported by deep heritage and craftsmanship to deliver unforgettable moments of pleasure. The Davidoff Colorado Claro series is expanding with the addition of the highly regarded Aniversario No. 3. Featuring a sun-grown Connecticut Ecuador wrapper reminiscent of the Cuban varietal – dark, reddish-brown in appearance – and stronger in taste, the new Colorado Claro Aniversario No. 3 creates a new moment of pleasure. This rare Davidoff series has been produced in very small quantities for cigar enthusiasts and aficionados who seek an exceptional taste experience.”
“Smoked Up” No.38
Well, the weather seems to be cooling off some down here in the south. That means it is somewhat easier to get out and do odd projects around the house that have been neglected this summer. As well as enjoy a few more cigars. I started getting my hunting/camping gear ready for this season and I am really looking forward to “getting back to nature soon.” We got a week long “man trip” hunting and camping trip coming up in October. Maybe I’ll catch a few nature & cigar pictures on the trip and share with you when I return.
I made it to two cigar events, for the same cigar company, this weekend. Previously, I told you about a local man who was wanting to get back to his family’s heritage and start up his own cigar company. He had a few blends made up then a few guys and I sat around one evening tasting them and giving him feedback on “more of this, less of that etc…” type of things. The project came to life and got up and going fairly quickly. The name was set at Puro Vida Cigars and three blends were made.  After the blends were tweaked and finalized, the launch was done this weekend at two local shops. I attended both to help promote a fellow BOTL and give my thoughts on the cigars to other cigar smokers. I don’t work for the company, just was involved in the taste testing stages. Well, the cigar came out pretty good. The changes we mentioned seemed to help the blends a good bit. There was a pretty good turnout at both events and the brand owner, Eddie, said he was hearing good things about the cigars and I did as well. He was also thinking about getting up a line of coffee to pair with his cigars. His Mother owns a substantial amount of coffee land in Nicaragua. I got a sample of some of the dark roasted whole beans and ground up a cup on Sunday, and another, and another. It was a pretty good cup of Joe that went well with the Ortega Serie D Natural I was smoking.
Cigar Views
Viaje Late Harvest LH648 (2012): This is one of my favorite sizes when it comes to cigars. The blend is one of my favorites from Viaje as well. Its not top five or ten, but its close. I paired this cigar with some Flor de Cana 7yr Rum and Coke. The pairing did nothing for the cigar, in fact, it may have hindered it some. The smoke didn’t seem as good as I once remembered. I think the Rum overpowered a few of the key flavors in the smoke. The draw was slightly thick, the burn was absolutely horrible! I had to relight it a about three or four times, as well as numerous touch-ups to correct the off burn. I know my humidor RH is good, to be honest, its probably a little lower than I’d like it to be. So the storage of the cigar is not the reason of the issues. Overall, I got a few more resting in the humidor. I think I will let them rest more and not drink rum with it next time.
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Guayacan Cigars Expands Offerings
After meeting with Guayacan Cigars owner and blender Noel Rojas this morning Gary Griffith of the House of Emilio is pleased to announce size extensions to the original Guayacan blend.
The original Guayacan with an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper will be available soon in two new sizes: Corona and 6×60.
In addition, there willl be 4 sizes released in a new blend featuring a San Andres maduro wrapper and entirely different filler.
These new products will give Guayacan a stronger market presence, and fill niches that consumers have requested.
According to Griffith the new vitolas should be available around the end of the year.
Gary A. Griffith
Emilio Cigars
Emilio Cigars to release Draig Cayuquero
House of Emilio Announces Master Retailer Program
Newark, DE
September 23, 2013
House of Emilio Announces Master Retailer Program
Gary Griffith announced today that House of Emilio, which includes the Emilio, 1502, Ezra Zion, Nomad, Epicurean, Rodrigo, Guayacan, and Bodega Premium cigar brands has created a “Master Retailer” program.
Participating retailers receive training for their staff on all House of Emilio brands and blends so as to best serve the consumer. Qualifying retailers carry facings from every brand in the line, assuring consumers the best possible selection from a well-informed and educated staff.
In addition consumers can be assured that Master Retailers have the earliest access to new product releases, and enjoy the benefit of extra allocation of limited edition products.
“This is an important step for us,” says Griffith, “in that we are able to be certain that retailer staff is well versed on the profiles of each of the blends in order to appropriately make recommendations to consumers.”
Over time this program will be expanded to include additional enhancements that will have value for both the retailer and consumer.
Interested retailers may get additional details by contacting Nathan McIntyre, National Sales Director.
Gary A. Griffith
Villiger Cigars Export Brasil
I have never done a machine made cigar review. Mainly due to the fact that not too many, if any, are worth doing a review. A few weeks ago I came across the Brasil line of Villiger Cigars Export line of cigars. Villiger has been in the cigar business since 1888. If I am not mistaken, they are one of, if not the, top producers of machine made cigars.
I had tried the maduro and natural lines of the Export back in 2010 when I went to the IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans, LA. I was given a handful of each while visiting the Villiger booth. I had basically shrugged the cigars off and put them in my humidor. One day I figured, why not give them a try. I did, and enjoyed the maduro line for a quick lunch break cigar. A few friends tried them, liked the maduro as well and we dubbed it “the little candy bar cigar.” The natural was “ok”, but nothing to write home about.
I am not sure how “new” the Brasil line is, but a local shop started carrying Villiger and the Export lines. I saw they had the Brasil line and figured “Why not? Its only $1.75!” I figured why not do a small write-up on what I experienced in the cigar.
Cigar Breakdown
Size: 4×37
Vitola: Cigarillo
Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca
Binder: Natural Leaf Tobacco
Filler: Natural Leaf Tobacco
Country: Switzerland
Cost: $1.75
First Looks
The first thing is pretty obvious that this is a short cigar with a green paper wrapper with the “Villiger” name all over it. Once it is unwrapped, you see a modest looking cigar. Its no beauty winner, but it is fairly smooth, tight seams, and little or no wrapper discoloration.
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“Smoked Up” No.37
The lesson I learned the past week is: You don’t really know how good you have it sometimes. Going back a few months, I told you about our good friend “Uncle Bob”, the bad stroke that happened to him and the condition he is in. Well, Bob has moved closer to his daughter in New Orleans about an hour and a half or so away. Three buddies and I made the trip to visit with him this past Sunday. It was both a nice and sombering trip. The place he is in is top notch. He has his own room with tv, pictures from home, etc… It is really nice to see him being taken care of, but at the same time, his health is depreciating. He is now on puree’d food and doesn’t move or talk much. He still has some strength in him; with a firm handshake when we left.
I look at Uncle Bob and my Dad being the same age and realize, I am glad to be in the health I am in as well as my Dad. I also came across a lot of people I know who have been coming into work that at one time were genuine good people. Now, the drugs and alcohol has taken a toll on them and a few of my once “friends” were taken out in handcuffs for shoplifting.
So, overall I am glad for the health my good friends, my Dad and I are in. I also realized, I need to get more medical check-ups as I get older. Also, try to get back in touch with a few other friends; both young and old. Like the song said “You don’t know what you got until its gone.” – Then it is too late
My cigar views this week are pretty slim. The middle of last week, my gums were hurting me something fierce. I had thought I had had an impacted tooth, but it wasn’t the case. I had gotten a spice from some chili down in where a tooth used to reside and it irritated my gums and swelled them up some. Needless to say, that didn’t last but a day or two and went away as fast as it came up. During this time and afterwards, I didn’t want to irritate my gums any more; so cigars were put on hold for a few days afterwards.
Cigar Views
Arturo Fuente Work of Art Maduro (2011): I know what I am asking Santa to bring me this year! These are one of my favorite cigars aged. They age so beautifully that it is hard sometimes to get more than a year or so on them. I have had one that was about 3 1/2 years old and was even better than this one at 2years old. Great dark, but smooth flavors with a great draw and burn. The ashes held so good, I only ashed this cigar three times. After a long weekend, this was a well deserved treat and hope to score a box to age this holiday season. That’s if they last long enough to age. They are good fresh, but better aged.Â
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September Contest Winner Announcement
The September Contest went great! I would like to thank everybody who entered and gave their opinions on what new cigars they are looking forward to trying in the upcoming months. There was a good turn out and had about 25 entries. Without further ado, the winner is…..
“Andrew”
Andrew, check your email, I am sending you a confirmation email for your address. Thanks again to all who played along. Hopefully, next month, I can get up another contest to win some cigars!
Thanks again!!
“Smoked Up” No.36
Another week past, another issue of “Smoked Up”. Not much going on in my neck of the woods. Its still hot and humid, but some relief comes in the late evening, which is when I usually enjoy a cigar. I’d like to stay up later when its even cooler, but I have to be at work at 6am and staying up late wouldn’t be feasible for me.
Not much cigar news this week. I do have the September Contest going on until tonight at midnight (central time). I’m giving away a 5pk of some new cigars and a few of my favorites.
Cigar Views
Ortega Wild Bunch Honest Abe: This cigar, to date, is my favorite of the Wild Bunch series. I am waiting on a sampler of the new cigars to come in. But, there hasn’t been a single cigar in the line that truly disappointed me. Some I liked more than others, but all were a good smoke. The Honest Abe had creamy woody notes with hints of a nuttiness as well. A strengthening black pepper note showed up working into the final few inches of the smoke, that wanted to overpower the other flavors. The end of this cigar seems more stronger in power than its start. But none the less, a great smoke!
Kings Cigars – King of Kings “Cuadrado”
Kings Cigars has been on the market for a decent amount of time now. They made an appearance at the Third Annual Chattanooga Tweetup back in August and their popularity has grown ever since. Kings Cigars has two factories, the first in Santiago, Dominican Republic, and the second in Esteli, Nicaragua. Although, I am not exactly sure where the Cuadrado is made.
The Cuadrado is available in one size, a soft pressed 6×64. I am not a big fan of many cigars over a 54 ring gauge, but I have found a few recently that did cut the mustard that were 60 & 64 ring gauge.
Cigar Stats
Name: Cuadrado
Size: 6×64 Soft Pressed
Wrapper: Habano
Binder: Habano Criollo
Filler: Kings Proprietary Blend
Cost: $190/box (price via Charmed Leaf) *
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