CigarCraig's Blog

July 19, 2026 · 7:00 am

Don Emmanuel Sun and Moon and Plasencia Triunfal Cigars

This week I smoked a few limited edition cigars that were sent to me by the folks at the folks at Don Emmanuel and Plasencia Cigars. Don Emmanuel is a cigars sommelier, who partnered with Eladia Diaz, formerly of Davidoff, to create the Don Emmanuel brand. I’ll be totally honest, the Annunaki wasn’t for me, and I still have a robusto and petite corona waiting for me to smoke, so I was concerned when these arrived. Would the Sun and Moon LEs suit me? I started with the Sun. The Don Emmanuel Sun has an Ecuador Connecticut wrapper and Dominican binder and filler. This is presented in a 6½” x 50 toro, and they produced 777 numbered boxes containing seven of each of the Sun and Moon cigars, which sells for somewhere around $315, making them $22+ cigars. The Sun was a really enjoyable cigar, it was creamy and nutty with some spice. Shade cigars aren’t the mild, flavorless cigar they used to me, this one was loaded with flavor, had a bit of a sweet spice in the second half. I found it to be very good.

I went into the Don Emmanuel Moon thinking that if I liked it half as much as the Sun I was going to be happy. The Moon, also a 6½” x 50, has an Ecuador Habano Oscuro wrapper, Mexican binder and Dominican fillers. I kinda dig the spacy thing Don Emmanuel has going one with the Annunaki, which translates roughly to “princely seed” or “offspring of An” (the sky god) and Ki (the earth goddess) in Sumerian theology, and Sun and Moon. I’m personally a big fan of the Sun and Moon, where would we be without them? I lit up the Moon after a long week and it was not disappointing. It started out very interesting, with a hint of cinnamon, espresso, and ending with some spice. I don’t know how one quantifies liking something half as much as something else, but I definitely liked it more than half as much as the Sun. I’ve changed my mind about cigars from Tabacalera Diaz Cabrera, based on a very limited sampling. The Sun and Moon are winners. I’ll revisit the Annunaki at some point.

I suppose today is the final of the FIFA World Cup tournament, with Spain and Argentina? I’ve never been able to watch soccer, I’m not really much of a sports fan with the exception of hockey, which I like very much. The folks at Plasencia apparently like soccer, because they have the Plasencia Triunfal to commemorate this event. They made 5000 boxes of this 6¼” x 54 toro, with a wrapper from Jamastrán, Honduras, binder from Olancho, Honduras, and organic fillers from Jalapa, Nicaragua & Jamastrán, Honduras. The wrapper is very light, looks like a shade grown wrapper, maybe it is? Perhaps I should have waited to smoke this while watching the final game, but I knew that I wasn’t going to watch it, so I smoked it yesterday afternoon. These come in boxes of ten that run around (cough) $600, making this a $60 cigar. I didn’t know that when I smoked it. I don’t know if that knowledge would have prevented me from firing it up, probably not. I don’t make a habit of smoking cigars that expensive. I’m to understand that ony two rollers made these cigars, and they did a great job. This cigar started out with an interesting tingle, it had some cocoa and wood, with some spice. It was a darned tasty cigar, I’m glad for the opportunity to smoke one, thank you Plasencia!

That’s all for today, until the next time,

CigarCraig

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New England Cigar Militia 250 Years of Independence, Villiger 1888 and Room 101 Cigars

You know how sometimes I smoke with a theme in mind, and sometimes it just works out that way? This time it was cigars with numbers in the name I guess. Totally unintentional. I’m starting out with a cigar from the New England Cigar Militia, which is a facebook group founded by Kevin Parow. This cigars is the New England Cigar Militia 250 Years of Independence. There isn’t a lot of information about this cigar out there, and I was rather hoping to have more info before I wrote this. I suppose I’ll be updating a few things later. This is a perfecto, or salomon cigar, it’s 6″ x 54 by my measuring and, best I can tell, it’s made at American Caribbean Cigars S.A. in Esteli. This is the factory that makes Rock-A-Feller Cigars. I really should have smoked one of these last weekend, given the overall theme of the cigar. I think it’s probably good all year, right? Even with the nipple at the foot, it had a great draw. I got some sweet, nuttiness over the course of the smoke. The wrapper wasn’t the prettiest, and I suspect it was a Habano of some sort. I probably am safe saying this is a limited edition cigar, and, once again pending an update, I don’t know where one would purchase these cigars. This part of the article is pending updates.

Next up was the Villiger 1888 San Andrés toro. People seem to dump on Villiger as a brand, and I’ve never been able to figure out why. A lot of cigars aren’t widely available, and a lot of brands are on the market for years and don’t get a lot of traction. In the probably 15 years I’ve been smoking Villiger cigars, and I mean the premium ones, I haven’t had a bad one, and there’s quite a few I’ve really enjoyed a lot. Sure, they screwed up many years ago when they eliminated their sales staff, really screwed up (leaving people stranded away from home isn’t right). Since then Renè Castañeda has been leading the brand in the U.S. and making some excellent cigars. This 1888 San Andrés is one of the better ones. I smoked the 6″ x 50 toro, which is box pressed. I see they make a Churchill, I really want to get my hands on some of those! I like a traditional Churchill, even though this one is 7″ x 50, I’m willing to give it a shot. Anyway, this has a San Andrés wrapper, Ecuador Habano binder and Nicaraguan fillers, and it’s made at Villiger de Nicaragua, which is a factory within the Joya de Nicaragua factory. The wrapper is beautiful, dark with some oils showing. I get some dark chocolate and espresso, without the earthiness that one sometimes get with Mexican tobacco. I’ve been a fan of the Mexican leaf since I started smoking Te-Amos back in the 90s, and this one is far more refined.

I came across a Room 101 Doomsayer toro in the humidor and realized I’d never smoked one, so I lit one up last night. This line has been around for a few years, if comes in two styles, the Passive and the Aggressive. I smoked the Passive, which has a Ecuador Habano wrapper, Indonesian binder and fillers from Honduras, Nicaragua and Pennsylvania. It’s a 6″ x 55 toro. This line came out before Scandinavian Tobacco Group acquired Room 101. It’s made in the Dominican Republic at Tabacalera William Ventura. I think these came in a box of 55 for some reason, and they appear to be still available here and there. This cigar smoked very well for me, burn and draw were perfect. There was a nice spiced bread sort of flavor that was intriguing. the number 55 must have some significance, the ring gauge and box count both being 55, but I sure don’t get it! It was a good cigar, seems to be a value price, and I would recommend it.

Tonight we are attending a Diner en Blob, which is based on the Diner en Blanc, which is a pop-up white party we have attended in years past. This is in conjunction with Blobfest, which is held every year in nearby Phoenixville, PA. The 1958 classic “The Blob” was filmed at locations around our area. This dinner is being held at a secret location, we dress in red, bring our own food, and we’ll see how it goes. I have a selection of Red cigars picked out for the evening, if the opportunity present itself to smoke. Bariay 1492 Red, West Tampa Red, Macanudo Inspirado Red, Red Meat Lovers and Hoyo de Monterrey Rojo cigars will be in my pocket. We anticipate a good time. That’s all for today, until the next time,

CigarCraig

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Tagged as 1888, 250 Years of Independence, cigar, cigars, Doomsayer, New England Cigar Militia, Passive, Room 101, San Andrés, Villiger

July 5, 2026 · 11:05 am

Some Firecracker Cigars and a Rocky Patel Thirtieth Anniversary

I hope everyone made it through the Independence Day holiday unscathed. We had some wicked thunder storms roll through right around sundown yesterday which knocked our power out until about 2am. In honor of the holiday, I smoked the range of United Cigars Firecracker cigars. These are little cigars, 3½” x 50, with a long “fuse” pigtail cap. These are all on the stronger side, I started with the Connecticut version with coffee Friday morning. It’s got the creamy/nutty flavor one would expect, with some added punch. It was a very good little cigars. Later in the day I fired up the Maduro, which was, once again, what one would expect, a strong, chocolaty smoke.

Yesterday I started my day with the Sungrown. I smoked this one in the car on my way to wander around Valley Forge National Park, and it fit in the twenty minute drive nicely. This definitely had the punch, with some wood, leather and spice. I was a little disappointed that the park was not showing the half-hourly film in their theater, but instead was holding some sort of court martial re-enactment. I wondered about this for a minute, then I decided to take a walk to one of the encampment areas, where they were demonstrating some musket drills. I can’t imagine the reenactors wearing wool uniforms in the near 100 degree heat. I didn’t hang out long, just long enough to soak up some of the history there. It was fairly crowded. I went there a lot as a kid, but particularly remember going there in ’76 when a bicentennial wagon train was traveling through. Anyway, the Firecrackers are good little cigars, but they are little, I wouldn’t have chosen such small cigars to smoke, but felt compelled due to the holiday.

United cigars did make a special Firecracker for this year, the Independence Firecracker. Usually they have an established company make a Firecracker, I’ve smoked a bunch over the years, many have been a treat. The Mi Querida Firecracker actually spun off a whole line (the Triqui Traca). This one, like the above three, I believe, is made at the Arnold André Dominicana S.R.L. factory. It’s strong off the bat, with earth and leather. It has a Mexican Habano wrapper, Dominican binder and Dominican and Nicaraguan ligers in the filler. The 12 count tin box can be turned over and used as an ashtray. It’s neat, but why not make it 13 in a box? I’m sure they tried.

Yesterday was also my wedding anniversary, so I picked up something special to commemorate the occasion. I selected the Rocky Patel Thirtieth Anniversary in the gordo size, it was more than I would usually spend, but what the heck. This one has a San Andrés wrapper, double binder from Nicaragua (Aged 7+ years), and tobaccos from Honduras & Nicaragua (Aged 5+ years) in the filler. This is a box pressed cigar. The color scheme struck my eye, it has a Tiffany blue footband, which is personally significant. My wife and I have exchanged items from Tiffany for anniversaries over the years. I looks a lot like the Rocky Patel 60, which I really like. I would have liked this cigar to have been a little dryer, as it smoked a little on the steamy side, but it had a really nice. flavor. It was earthy, with some dark chocolate and espresso, right up my alley. I doubt I’ll spring for another, but this was a nice treat. I didn’t want to smoke the same old Padron 1964 Exclusivo that I usually smoke (I lie, I almost always want to smoke one of those!). I can’t help but draw some comparisons though. Thirtieth was the closest I could come, maybe next year someone will have a fortieth anniversary cigar that will be appropriate!

That’s all for today, until the next time,

CigarCraig

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Tagged as cigar, cigars, Firecracker, Independence, rocky patel, Thirtieth, United Cigars

June 28, 2026 · 10:34 am

Knuckle Sandwich Avant Garde, ATL La Carousel and Carrillo Ascend Cigars

After a stretch of really having to hunt down new cigars to try, I find myself with a nice variety to choose from. I can tell you that next week’s post will likely have a theme, and it will be consistent with the holiday! I also have a giveaway coming up, so that’s something to look forward to. I have a problem with ending sentences with a preposition, it’s a lifelong struggle. It just seems awkward to say “something which to look forward”, it’s not the way I talk. I hope you can forgive me. Anyway, on with the show. I started off with an Espinosa Knuckle Sandwich Avant Garde, generously gifted to me by Dan of Wooden Indian fame. These are $18, which is over my personal threshold. This is a 6″ x 54 toro, with an Ecuadorian Habano oscuro wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan fillers. Oscuro is an odd descriptor, as it has a lighter wrapper. I was told that this cigar sneaks up on you, which runs a bit contrary to the press on it, which says it’s supposed to be more approachable. I found that it started bready and went from a saccharine to a cane sugar sweetness. The second half didn’t ramp up the way I was led to expect, I’d say that, yes, this is a very approachable cigar, and delicious. I really liked it and it’s a cigar that I may pry my wallet open to buy if I’m feeling reckless. Of course, the Knuckle Sandwich line is made by Espinosa for Guy Fieri, who’s fairly well known, and recently partnered with Espinosa to build a factory in the DR. Thank you Dan for allowing my to try this cigar!

I received a couple cigar from the folks at ATL Cigar Co. this week, their latest offering, the La Carousel-1960. You may remember that I talked to them at the TPE show a few years back, for your convenience, here’s a link. Unlike Espinosa, ATL has this cigar listed on their website! I guess it’s a long standing peeve of mine that companies can’t keep their sites up to date! Anyway, the La Carousel was a 6½” x 56 toro, and is also available in a robusto. Of course, I prefer the toro (extra), and I’m glad they sent me that size. Whe cigar is wrapped in dark Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro, with a Jalapa Valley binder and fillers from Jalapa and Estelí, and is named not for a children’s ride, but a jazz club that was known as Atlanta’s jazz Mecca, as well as an early non-segregated nightclub. It opened in 1960. Even though this cigar has a similar wrapper to the Knuckle Sandwich, it tastes nothing like it. OK, some sweetness comes in toward the end, but it starts out leathery with some spice. The burn and draw were perfect. I was not disappointed.

My final cigar for this instalment was given to me by Salim Hanono, the COO of Casa Carrillo, at the Smoke-onos. It’s the latest offering in the Perez-Carrillo line, the Ascend. I smoked the 5″ x 50 Saddle, with the other sizes available being the 6″x52 Ridge and the 6¼” x 58 Peak. These names represent the stages of a climb, mountain, I assume. I didn’t think I was smoking with the theme this week, but apparently I did. The Ascend has an Ecuador Habano wrapper, binder form Esteli and Nicaraguan fillers, all made in the Carrillo factory in the DR. It’s funny how when I think of Dominican cigars, EPC doesn’t really come to mind, although I know Ernesto has been making cigars there since the mid-90s. I honestly don’t care where a cigar is made as long as it works right and tastes good, which this cigar did. It started with some sweet woodiness, and developed some spice. All three of these cigars with Ecuador Habano wrappers had a distinctly different taste. Those people who say that 80% of a cigars flavor comes from the wrapper are full of shit, or my palate sucks.

That’s all for today, until the next time,

CigarCraig

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Zino Honduras, Cigar Clowns Cigars and a Shop Visit

I am sitting on my porch typing this on the first day of summer and Father’s Day, smoking my traditional Father’s Day cigar, an Esperanza Para Los Nińos, which is still smoking well 27. years after it was rolled. If you aren’t familiar with this cigar, I wrote about it here. It’s been a crazy busy week for me, but I managed to get a few cigars in. First off, I want to talk about the Zino Honduras. I smoked both the Robusto and the Half Corona this week. These are made in Honduras, with an Ecuadorian wrapper, and fillers from Jamastran and Copán in Honduras. The Robusto came in a freshpack, and it’s pre-cut, meaning it it already punch cut, which can be a convenience. The hole was appropriate to the size of the cigar, 5″ x 54, I’d guess 13mm (I didn’t get my calipers out to check). I found the robusto started out on the harsh/bitter side, maybe these need some humidor time. It really never smoothed out for me, it burned very well and the draw was fine. I did get a little walnut flavor, and I really don’t care for walnuts. I’ll bury these and revisit them in a few months. The Half Corona (4″ x 44) also come punched (maybe 9mm? again, I didn’t measure) seemed to be a different story. I went into it expecting the worst, but was pleasantly surprised. I’m to assume that it depends on the packaging which cigars are pre-punched and which are not. It looks like full boxes are not cut. As you can see in the photo, the Half Corona comes in a tin of 5 pre-cut, as well as boxes of 25 (it doesn’t say pre-cut, so I assume it’s not). Similarly, the Robusto is in the 4 cigar freshpack cut, and boxes not. I got off track. I quite enjoyed the Half Corona, which is not a size I generally go to. It fit perfectly into my evening last night. I lack the palate to get the cream, orange and rosewood that the website lists as flavors, it tasted like honduran tobacco to me!

I have been hearing about the Cigar Clowns for a while, a couple of New York guys who started a Facebook Group and turned it into a cigar brand. I bought a sampler from Smoke Inn that had a Cigar Clowns Goldie Grace in it (there were other cigars I wanted to try as well), and I gave it a go this week. I looked at the website and found an impressive amount of information about human trafficking, which proceeds of this cigar go toward preventing. The cigar is a box pressed corona, 5″ x 46, with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and fillers. This was an interesting cigar. If I was smoking this blind, I would have sworn it contained some cased pipe tobacco, it had a rather cloying sweetness, not unpleasant at all, but unexpected. I enjoyed this one, there’s a couple other cigars in their range I want to try, notably the Pagliacci Di Sigari. Side note, I’m amazed at how good this 27 year old Esperanza is!

Yesterday I was out and about and stopped in to New Tobacco Village in Whitehall, PA. They were having an Espinosa event celebrating the store’s anniversary and John Remer’s (Johnny Smokes Uncut), 60th Birthday. There were quite a few folks there who I knew. I had a chance to chat with Hector Alphonso and Rami Dakko of Espinosa, and smoke a 601 Blue. I hadn’t smoked one of those in along time and it was excellent, like smoking a chocolate bar! The shop isn’t huge, and it was packed. They have a great selection there, if you find yourself in the Allentown area, stop in and see Lena. I’ve been there on quieter days and it’s a comfortable lounge to hang out in, and the cigar selection in quite impressive.