“Smoked Up” No.49

Posted by Shawn

December 17, 2013

Christmas is fast approaching, which means myÂ 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 ofÂ 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from the Highway Patrol here a few weeks ago I needed to update my truck’s inspection sticker (it was onlyÂ four years out of date!).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.Â 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.

L’Atlelier Imports El Suelo – Terreno: This is a very “cost efficient” cigar coming in at $4.50. If you are like me, you are always on the look out for a diamond in the rough cigar. One that’s inexpensive, good flavors and worth the (little) money paid. The El Suelo was pretty woody with a semi-sweet caramel note on the last half of the draw. The draw was great, as well as the burn. The ashes fell fairly fast as this may be a mixed filler cigar. IÂ wouldn’t smoke this cigar on a regular basis, but would be pretty goodÂ for cutting the grass,Â walking the dogÂ or working in the garden. Its not a total diamond in the rough, but a decent smoke for the money.

Ortega Serie D No.8 Maduro: I won’t go into too much detail on this cigar as it has become one of my regulars. I got a little over half a box left and is a great smoke for the money. The fact that Eddie makes the Serie D in 10 and 20 count boxes is a great idea and wish more companies would go this route. Great smoke, had a slightly tighter draw than the others from the box, but over all a well constructed cigar. I like this blend in smaller ring gauges, this is not my favorite size, but the next size up. I paired it with a few fingers of Glenfiddich 18yr ScotchÂ and when that was done, one of my favorite Bourbons; Woodford Reserve.Â The bourbon brought out more of the woodiness in the smoke. That and I am partial to bourbon over scotch!

Casa Magna Dominus Magnus II: started with a nice coffee and woody flavor. I got a slight tingly spice on the tip of my tongue & a lesser creaminess on the back half of the smoke. With about an inch+ left, the smoke got bitter & too much for my likings, so thats where it ended for me. Not a over complex smoke, but a solid one. Paired well with a cup of Sumatra coffee.