“Smoked Up” No.18
Another week has gone by and another issue of “Smoked Up” is here. Tried a new cigar size of a cigar I already like this week. I am trying to branch out from my “usual” cigar sizes and try a few new sizes here and there. Basically, I am trying to see if there is another size of a cigar that I may like more than the usual size I smoke. No events or anything of that nature to tell you about. But there is a Jonathan Drew & Will Herrera event coming up in a few weeks I will be attending. So be on the look out for a small story of that event in two weeks or so.
I am doing a week long “product testing” review of The Cigar Clip. I am putting it through its paces finding its pros and cons. Look for this review out towards the end of the week.
Cigar Views
Rock-A-Feller Habano Torpedo: I usually smoke a lot of the short pyramid size and its a pretty good smoke at a decent price. But I am branching out to see how the other vitolas are. The torpedo has some nice coffee, wood, with a decent bit of a pepper undertone. Had a great burn, draw and produced 2″+ nice tight ashes. Going to smoke the other sizes to see which one I like most. This one seemed to be a tad bit more peppery than the short pyramid. But this one is pretty tasty and worth a try. Also looking forward to trying the Connecticut line of this blend. I suppose it will be somewhat lighter bodied, but I’ll have to find that out soon.
The Cigar Clip
Have you ever had a cigar that was so good you smoked to the nub and literally burnt your fingers? Well today the idea of “burnt digits” is over with The Cigar Clip!
I have seen many new and unique cigar accessories come out over the last few years. From notebooks to write down your cigar thoughts, new types of cutter designs, cigar holders etc… Some of these ideas are good ideas and some are either too bulky, too hard to use etc… and quickly fade into the sunset. I recently saw on Twitter a new cigar accessory called “The Cigar Clip”. Just looking at the pictures on their website really had me intriqued about the product. I followed them on twitter and was contacted by them in regards to a review and thoughts of their new product. I received it in the mail and gave it about a week’s worth of testing. Not so much testing, but more of “What can I do with this thing??”
But, before I get to the things I did with it, I’ll give you a overlook of The Cigar Clip. The clip comes in a plastic package that’s easy to display in cigar shops and doesn’t take up a whole lot of shelf space. Inside the package is the clip with a handy sheath with The Cigar Clip’s logo embossed into it. Now, that right there is a plus to me. There are companies that if you buy one of their accessories, you have to go online and register it in order to get the sheath. That usually takes two or so weeks to get, so getting the sheath right off the bat is a plus! Another plus is the clip itself is not very big in size and the clip & sheath fits easily in my pocket or travel humidor. Perfect for carrying to a herf or a B&M.
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“Smoked Up” No.17
I Â am back into the swing of things this week. I have gotten over my soreness and overall icky fealing I had last week. Things at the house have leveled off back to “normal”. The weather has been absolutely beautiful this week. It rained a a day or two, but no big storms. The breeze has kept the heat to below 80* and the humidity has been fairly low. So, its been some cool nights to sit outside, enjoy a cigar and a beer or bourbon.
I did get to go to the 2013 “Mopars at the Battleship” this Saturday. I have been going to this car show for 10+ years with my buddy Josh D. So, its like a tradition every year that we go. I know this is a cigar site, but I figured I’d post a few pics I took of some nice cars for you car nuts to enjoy.
Cigar Views
Ortega Cigars “Wild Bunch” Island Jim: The Wild Bunch line of cigars has always caught my attention. I got ahold of 2 samplers of the first three lines and this is the third line of the series. Had a great draw and burn; no construction issues at all. Good woody & nutty flavors that are similar to the Serie D Natural line. Mixed in were some hints of nutmeg & candy-like sweetness at the end which really made this cigar for me. It was not my favorite Wild Bunch, but still a good smoke. The Iron Mike still reigns as my favorite Wild Bunch so far. I am looking forward to the other cigars from the series.
Emilio Draig K Limitada Corona
If you have been smoking cigars for any amount of time, I am pretty sure you have heard of Emilio Cigars. If you haven’t, they are a unique large boutique line of cigars company. Not only does Emilio produce cigars, they also distribute a handful of smaller boutique companies. My favorite Emilio cigars are the AF2 and Grimalkin (now re-branded as La Musa). Late 2012, Gary Griffith released the Draig K Limitada in three sizes (Corona, Robusto & Toro) with limited production of 400 boxes in each size. There is some history of the name and why a pink dragon on the band, but I am not going to get all historical on you. Just think The country of Wales, their national symbol & Gary Griffith’s Welsh herritage and you should get the picture!
I had a few toro and corona when they first were released and had fair results with them. They seemed to have bad burn and sometimes a very stiff draw to them. So, I almost gave up on the line. A few fellow BOTLs told me to get a few and let them rest for a while, that the draw and burn will come out better after some rest. So thats exactly what I did with this one. This one has been resting ever since Gary gifted me this cigar a few months back (Thanks Gary!!). Then, I dry boxed it two days, just to make sure it wasn’t too wet still.
Cigar Vitals
Size: 5 1/2 x 42
Vitola: Corona
Wrapper: Columbian Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan & Handuran
Filler: Nicaraguan & Honduran
Cost: $9.00
La Palina releases the second Goldie from the La Palina Collection​: The Goldie Laguito No.5
La Palina releases the second Goldie from the La Palina Collection:
The Goldie Laguito No.5
Goldie Drell Paley, the namesake of La Palina cigars, was the wife of Samuel Paley,
who founded the company in 1896. Bill Paley, Sam’s grandson and current owner,
created The La Palina Collection Goldie to celebrate the history, contributions and
accomplishments of women in the cigar industry. Bill is proud to present the initial
release of the new Goldie in late May, with a second release in August of 2013. The
La Palina Collection Goldie Laguito No.5 will be limited to 2500 numbered boxes.
Produced at the El Titan de Bronze factory in the Little Havana neighborhood of
Miami, the Goldie is made under the supervision of owner Sandra Cobas. The La
Palina Goldie Laguito No.5 will be a 5 5/8 x 54 cigar and presented in boxes of 10.
Master roller Maria Sierra, who will have signed each numbered box, rolled the entire
La Palina Collection Goldie Laguito No.5 release. Maria was one of the first women
trained to roll cigars in Cuba. Her historic 32 year career at Villa El Laguito began
July 22, 1967. Maria is a 95 rated, category 9 roller trained by Fidel Castro’s personal
roller Eduardo Rivera Irizarri, as well as Avelino Lara, the creator of the legendary
Cohiba blend.
Each cigar is finished in the traditional Laguito style with a fan cap, exclusively taught
to rollers at Villa El Laguito. The Goldie is blended with the prized Medio Tiempo
leaf, found on only 10% of tobacco plants.
The La Palina Collection Goldie Laguito No.5 embodies the tradition, expertise and
passion of women in the cigar industry.
Bill Paley and La Palina will debut the La Palina Collection Goldie Laguito No.5 at
Nat Sherman International in NYC on May 9, 2013. Maria Sierra will be rolling the
Goldie Laguito No.5 at the event. Please contact Nat Sherman 1-800-MY-CIGAR
regarding attendance. The May release will be limited to 1000 boxes, and distributed
to select accounts across the country. The rest of the release will become available
sometime in August.
Nomad to Release Nicaraguan Cigar
Nomad Cigar Company To Release Nicaraguan Cigar At IPCPR
Orlando, FL (April 23, 2013) – Fred Rewey, founder and president of Nomad Cigar Company, formally announced the introduction of a Nicaraguan blended cigar to the Nomad family. The Nomad Estelà LE Lot 1382 will be released in July at IPCPR with future blends later in the year.
Until now, Nomad’s entire production has been limited to Dominican Republic. The move of expanding the line to include Nicaraguan tobacco seemed a natural one.
In keeping in line with Nomad’s philosophy, the release will have a few “twists.â€Â Â
Nomad Estelà LE Lot 1386, will be limited to 307 (12 count) boxes.
The box count is Nomad’s tribute to the approximate square miles of EstelÃ. The reason behind the lot number is a bit more secretive.
When asked about the release, Fred added…
“Take one look at the foundation of the town of Esteli, Nicaragua and you can understand why some of the best tobacco blenders in the world come to this small town.
For me, the tobacco grown here was a newfound playground.
When I launched Nomad I wanted the company to be like its namesake. I figured I would wander where I needed to create the type of cigar I was going for.
It was a simple fact I would end up in Nicaragua sooner rather than later. This [first] cigar is the result of that very endeavor.
The Nomad Esteli LE was limited to a production of 307 boxes. I chose “307†because it is the approximate area (in miles) of this rich area.
I chose “Lot 1386†by also paying homage to the region – How exactly I will leave to those who speculate the topic over a cigar.
The town of Esteli was easy to love. The culture, the people, the tobacco. I hope that my initial plunge into a Nicaraguan blend can pay them some small form of the respect and honor they have so earned.â€
To order, or find out more information, use the contact information below.
Contact:
Nathan McIntyre, National Sales Director
Emilio Cigars
Twitter: @CigarNate
“Smoked Up” No.16
This week’s “Smoked Up” is extremely light. I haven’t been fealing all that great this week. My tastebuds are off, so it was tough to enjoy a cigar. The latter part of last week was sort of hetctic at the abode with my daughter in and out of being sick, so I spent a lot of time with her. The weekend blew by me. I got to enjoy my only cigar on Saturday while listening to Kiss My Ash Radio. Then got to give the guys over on Stogie411 a hard time on their 2nd Anniversary Episode. That was a good time (as always) and I won a few swag items as well as everybody else who joined in in the chat room. So keep an eye out for thier live shows!
Then Sunday was going to be my review some cigars day. And that turned out nothing like I expected. Ended up helping my neighbor move and in the process she gave me 125 patio blocks. But, I had to get them out of her yard that day! That, moving who knows how many shovel loads of dirt and laying 80 of the stones to make a walk way all got the best of me. I was so sore and “stoved up” the next day at work, I left early and went home. I took some meds and passed smooth out til way past lunch. Today has not been much better, still fealing sore and a little under the weather; finding my taste buds are not right. So, it would not be fair to try and review anything today either…
But, thanks to my readers (the “NTA Nation”) for following and reading my posts. Without your support, NTA wouldn’t be around! Don’t forget, you are always encouraged to post a comment on your thoughts or views of the posts or cigars.
Cigar Views
Espinosa La Zona Conneticut Robusto: This is my 2012 Cigar of the Year and I am still liking it. Its odd that I mainly smoke more fuller bodied cigars, but this one I find myself smoking more in the morning or as my first smoke of the day at times. Good draw and burn with nice nutty and toasty flavors keeps me coming back to it. I had this one Saturday with a two cups of Cuban Coffee while listening to the Kiss My Ash Radio show where Erik and crew were on. Looking forward to trying the new Maduro line Espinosa is releasing this week!
MACANUDO SPONSORS UPCOMING SEASON OF “BIG BREAK†TELEVISION SERIES
Macanudo®, America’s best-selling premium cigar brand, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of Golf Channel’s hit series Big Break. The reality competition’s 19th season, called Big Break Mexico, premieres on Monday, May 13 at 9 PM ET.
Alan Willner, vice president of marketing for General Cigar, parent company of Macanudo said, “Whether on the course or at the 19th hole, bonding with friends through golf often includes the enjoyment of a fine cigar. Aligning Macanudo to Big Break, Golf Channel’s longest-running original series, brings this long-standing tradition of camaraderie to life in a breakthrough way. Our sponsorship of the show will drive tremendous awareness for our brand among millions of golfers, golf fans and the multitude of devoted Big Break viewers.â€
Produced in partnership with the Mexico Tourism Board and filmed at IBEROSTAR Playa Paraiso Golf and Spa Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico, Big Break Mexico will feature a cast of six men and six women in a mixed team format. They will compete in various golf-related skills challenges, with the ultimate winner receiving his or her “Big Break†– an exemption to compete either on the LPGA Tour at the 2013 Lorena Ochoa Invitational presented by Banamex and Jalisco or on the PGA TOUR at the 2013 OHL Classic at Mayakoba (both Nov. 14-17), plus cash and other prizes. For details about the cast, please visit www. www.golfchannel.com/tv/big-break-mexico.
“Big Break Mexico features PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour hopefuls competing for tremendous prizes and this wouldn’t be possible without without support from our partners, like Macanudo,” said Rob Caravello, Golf Channel vice president of Partnership Initiatives.
As a sponsor of Big Break Mexico, Macanudo will be featured prominently during the 11-week season. In addition to the luxurious Macanudo oceanfront lounge that will appear in several episodes, the brand will be incorporated into other elements of the show, including the skills challenges. Macanudo’s Facebookand Twitter feeds will be updated weekly with Big Break Mexico news following the May 13 season premiere.
About Golf Channel
As the fastest-growing network on television, Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. The Golf Channel cable network, co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and part of the NBC Sports Group, is available in more than 120 million homes worldwide through cable, satellite and wireless companies. As part of the NBC Sports Group, professional golf coverage on NBC is branded “Golf Channel on NBC,†further extending the Golf Channel brand to NBC’s broadcast audiences. Exclusive partnerships with the world’s top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, added to a programming schedule distinguished by golf’s best news, instruction and original programming. Golf Channel’s digital platform of businesses is led by www.GolfChannel.com, a leading golf destination on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf, as well as services that help the recreational player with how to play, what to play and where to play golf.
About Macanudo Cigars
Since their introduction in 1968, Macanudo cigars have been a favorite among premium cigar connoisseurs. The brand continues to be the best selling premium cigar brand in the U.S. and also sells in more than 90 countries worldwide. In addition to the base brand of Macanudo cigars, the brand also features these collections: Macanudo Maduro, Macanudo Robust, Macanudo Gold Label, Macanudo Vintage, Macanudo Cru Royale and Macanudo 1968.
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About General Cigar
General Cigar Co. Inc., a division of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar’s skilled artisans produce Macanudo, Cohiba®, Partagas®, La Gloria Cubana®, Punch®, CAO®, 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.
® Macanudo, Cohiba, Partagas, La Gloria Cubana, Punch, CAO, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Company.
“Smoked Up” No.15
Another week has crept passed us, which means another issue of “Smoked Up”. This week’s issue is late due to some typical “Spring Cleaning” and unexpected truck mechanical issues… Like usual, I had a variety of cigars when I did get time to sit down for a smoke. From light and mild to bold and powerful. I didn’t get a chance to do a full review this week, but hoping to get two in this weekend.
I also went to a Studio Tobac event at The Cigar Shop in Biloxi, MS this past Saturday. Even though they aren’t giving away a Corvette this year, it still was a good time. Had Matt Schulte rolling some cigars, deals on Oliva cigars and a semi-new MS brewery “Lucky Town” had two beers on tap for us all to try. Overall a fun time and worth a stop if the Studio Tobac tour comes to a shop near you.
Cigar Views:
East India Trading Company (Gurkha) Red Witch Robusto: Another new “oval” pressed cigar hits the shelves. The shape is still something to get used to. Had a great draw, burn & produced a good amount of smoke. Nice leathery earthy flavors filled my pallate. There was a slight hint of a pepper & sweet tone here & there as well. A ways into it, I got some subtle coffee notes as well. Not too my Gurkhas I really care for, but this one is a pretty good smoke and worth a try for sure.
Alec Bradley American Blend Sun Grown Toro: This cigar’s wrapper smelled like total barnyard! Started off with a musty type of wood flavor that wasn’t all that great to be honest. But, it slowly turned into a decent smoke. Had medium strengthed flavors of musty earth then had some sweet flavors (similar to a marshmallow). The last portion had a note of leather as well. Had a decent draw, burn & produced a good amount of smoke. This cigar tasted more like a maduro, to me, than a Sun Grown. It wasn’t my favorite Sun Grown cigar, nor the worst. I will pick the Connecticut in this blend anyday though.
Espinosa Drops the F-Bomb!
Espinosa Cigars (the maker of my Cigar of the Year) announced they are dropping the F-Bomb! No, not THAT F-Bomb, a new size to their La Bomba line of cigars. The F-Bomb is a massive 7×70 size that has been added to their already popular “La Bomba” line.
http://www.espinosacigars.com/
