Category Archives: Review

May 31, 2020 · 10:46 am

Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Seleccion, Tarazona and Jacoubs Cigars

I’ve been a fan of Hoyo de Monterrey cigars for just about as long as I’ve been a fan of cigars. I used to splurge on a huge $5 Excalibur No. 1 from time to time, and have smoked tons of Rothschilds and Sabrosos over he years. I’ve enjoyed a great many of the recent iterations of the Hoyos from the AJ Fernandez collaboration as well. I finally got around to smoking the newest Hoyo de Monterrey, made at the HATSA factory in Honduras, the Epicure Selección. I smoked the No. 1, which is a corona gorda, 5 5/8″ x 46,  a size I really enjoy. They also make a No.2 (4.9″ x 50) and a Toro Especiale (6″x50). Certainly I’ll be seeking out the Toro at some point. This was a really good smoke. Very bold and straight forward Honduran heavy, dark tobacco. It was rich and earthy with some spice. I enjo

yed it a lot. I didn’t find it to be complex, and it lacked any subtlety whatsoever, which is what I liked about it. It screamed “cigar” and was unapologetic. I dug it. I think Frank Llaneza would be pleased. Once again, neither the Hoyo, nor the new CigarWorld sites are updated with information about this cigar.

 

I ran into Eddie Tarazona at the TPE show and I hadn’t seen Eddie in a few years. I think I met Eddie in 2011 or ’12 at one of the Delaware Cigar Festivals that were held at Delaware Park racetrack. At the TPE he gave me a couple cigars, one of which was a Tarazona Guerilla 305 El Jefe Flaco. This is a 6 ½” x 42 lonsdale-ish sized cigar, with a H2000 wrapper grown in Ecuador, Sumatra binder and Piloto Viso, Criollo 98, Corojo Seco, Connecticut Broadleaf fillers. One does not often see Broadleaf in the filler blend. H2000 wrapper has come a long way. When it was developed in 2000 it didn’t burn. It was better suited for wrapping electrical wires or making jumpsuits for Indy car drivers than cigar wrappers. If those analogies need further explanation, the stuff was flame retardant, it didn’t burn. In the last twenty years the pre-industry tobacco folks have figured out how to ferment the stuff and now it works like cigar wrappers should work, and it tastes pretty yummy too. Platinum Nova Cigars uses it on a lot of their cigars and they are quite expensive and pretty darned good. Something makes me thing Saka used it one of his special editions, although I can’t bring it to mind, and I could be wrong. Anyway, the El Jefe Flaco was a nice smoke, it burned perfectly, and I was careful not to over-smoke it lest it heat up and get bitter. It was smooth and had a great flavor, medium bodied and nutty, with some sweetness, no doubt from the Broadleaf in the f

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iller. It was a good smoke. Eddie’s a good dude, and he puts out some good cigars. I have another he gave me that I can’t wait to sample. 

 

My last cigar was a one-off that probably doesn’t even warrant discussion, because I don’t even know if it’s available and I don’t know much about it. I was rummaging around the humidor as I’ve been doing lately, just sort of selecting oddities to smoke that have been around a while, or things that I don’t need to write about, or are just random one-offs. This torpedo came from my first visit to a shop in Ridley Park, PA, which is about 5 miles from the Philadelphia International Airport, called Jacoubs. It’s a nice little shop with a lounge, take some change for the on street parking meters, it’s better than the airports cell-phone lot to wait for an airport pick up. It’s owned by a guy named, now get this: Jacoub. Weird, huh? This torpedo came from my first visit to this shop which was in the spring of 2016, so it somehow got buried for the last 4 years. I had the good sense to put a post-it on it with “Jacoubs” on it, so at least I had some idea of it’s provenance. Sadly, it was an exceptional cigar. I say “sadly” of course, because I’ll not have the chance to smoke it again. It’s not that big of a deal really, because, while it was a really great cigar, it wasn’t one that was particularly distinctive or different, know what I mean? It was a cigar that, while smoking one thinks “that’s a really good” smoke, but there’s no point where  you think, “gee, there’s a flavor I’ve never had in a cigar before, that’s really unique”. So it was a good, well aged, well made torpedo, obviously made with good materials. I suppose the next time I’m down that way I’ll ask Jacoub about it. 

 

That’s all for today. Don’t forget to go back to Wednesday’s post and enter the contest if you haven’t already

. If you have, good luck, don’t enter again! Until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig

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May 24, 2020 · 10:04 am

Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust Muestra de Saka Unstolen Valor and Umbagog Cigars

I did some searching around locally last week for Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust‘s latest release, the Muestra de Saka Unstolen Valor. The closest practically local source was only selling by the box, and as much as I’d treasure having seven of those in the humidor, and as much as I trust Saka’s palate to line up with my own and not get stuck with cigars I don’t like, It’s hard to drop over $100 on seven cigars right now. I just can’t do it. Heck, I’m a cheap bastard (and Saka is well aware of this), it was hard enough for me to shell out the 18 bones each for two of these. I finally ended up buying them from 2 Guys Cigars in New Hampshire, and I have a bone to pick with them! I should have called Barry and ripped him a new one (listeners to The Cigar Authority will appreciate the following). I placed the order on Tuesday and, once again, being cheap, I chose the least expensive shipping option, USPS. This was a 3 day option, which ended up with a Saturday delivery commitment. No problem, I thought. Friday rolls around and what shows up in my mailbox but a parcel from 2 Guys, a fricking DAY EARLY! What the heck? I mean, they promise a guy it’s going to be delivered on Saturday, and it shows up on Friday, doesn’t anyone do what they say they are going to do any more? Do they want my cigars to be delivered in better condition than I expect? Am I supposed to smoke these sooner than I planned? What if I hadn’t made room in my humidor yet? C’mon guys!  Of course, I kid, 2 Guys always provides exceptional service, Dave has always been a great friend and I’m happy to through a little bit of business his way here and there. I did try shopping locally and it didn’t work out, so I shopped Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust’s local. 

 

I normally would have let the cigars rest in the humidor for a while, and one of them will spend a while with some other Muestra de Sakas hanging out, but I checked the cigar with the Humidimeter and it was in great shape, having arrived in a timely manner, and I decided to smoke it yesterday. It rained yesterday so instead of taking a walk I parked my butt on the porch with this beautiful cigar that was blended not by Steve Saka, but by Raul Disla, who oversees the NACSA factory where it is rolled along with the Mi Querida and Umbagogs. I’m sure this is common knowledge among my

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readers,  but Raul Disla is the brother of Esteban Disla, who is a partner in RoMaCraft’s Nica Sueno factory. He also has quite a pedigree, having worked for Cuevas y Torano, Davidoff, AJ Fernandez, and British American Tobacco. Saka had Raul make some blends and they each chose their favorite, and Saka chose his favorite to release under his banner. This is a Nicaraguan puro, from what I can gather. It seems Saka has been too busy fishing and being the guest on podcasts to update his website  😂.  I can say that the burn and draw were what I expected from an expensive cigar, perfect. it had a flat ember that tel

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ls me all the components are burning at the same rate, no small feat. It helps that I smoked it slowly, savoring every pull. It had a fascinating flavor. There was a sweet component that was reminiscent of the Mi Querida, but then there was a savory, barbeque/mesquite almost flavor that was there. I’m almost…almost regretting not putting myself into debt to get the box of seven, although seven wouldn’t be nearly enough. 

 

After dinner the skies cleared and I was able to get my daily walk in so I grabbed an Umbagog Toro Toro and hit the bricks. I love the Umbagogs so much. I look back and am surprised at how many Mi Queridas and Umbagogs I’ve smoked, but I shouldn’t be, because they are just so darned good an

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d hit my palate perfectly. There’s not much more to be said that I haven’t said before, so I’ll let these pictures say it.

 

That’s all for now. It’s Memorial Day Weekend. This seems a little surreal from my standpoint, three day weekends mean nothing to me right now, I’ve had about a 192 day weekend and I’m a little bit tired of it. We are doing a little something for the neighbors today, so

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I need to get to picking out cigars…er…setting things. up for that, and getting that contest together I promised last week. Until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig 

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May 20, 2020 · 8:55 am

News, Etc: Island Lifestyle Cigars ADAP Program, New Packaging and Sungrown Toros

Here’s some news from my friends at Island Lifestyle Cigars, but first, I smoked a few of their cigars over the last few days while I was thinking about these two news items. Also, I know I said I’d have a contest this week, I’ll get to that later in the week, patience, amigos. I’ve actually been doing some projects around the house in my copious free

Old on the Left, New on the Right

time, and time got away from me.  Anyway, I smoked some Island Lifestyle Sungr

own Toros, an old one and a new one. The old one was from the original release, several years ago. It was a tightly guarded secret who made the original release, try as I may, I was unable to get the guys there to tell me who was making them, until later last year when they changed factories, and they revealed that the old versions were, in fact, made by Perdomo. This certainly came as no surprise as the quality was always excellent and the cigars were very good. The new cigars are made by the Oliva Cigar Company, and maintain the excellent quality. While comparing the aged old version to the less aged new version is an unfair comparison, the new version seems to me to be an improvement in depth of flavor. The Sungrown has some strength, some spice, but has a nice ballance and were very nice cigars. I’m a little sad that the old one was the last one I’ll smoke, but happy that I’ll be able to get the new ones, especially because there’s a shop not far away that carries them. They livened up the bands too, they look really nice! 

 

ISLAND LIFESTYL

E AGED RESERVE CIGARS NOW IN REVAMPED PACKAGING

Island Lifestyle Importers is pleased to announce their highly rated Island Lifestyle Aged Reserve Cigars

are now packaged in beautiful 10 count boxes. The new white boxes with the distinctively colorful box wraps are more emblematic of its tropical namesake. 

Island Lifestyle Importers focused on a box quantity more in keeping with today’s consumer wishes.  The 10 count box is not only more economically friendly for the consumer, it also allows for a smaller footprint within the retailer’s display areas.  The new packaging replaces the old 25 count box quantity.

According to Ryan Frailing, Chief Operating Officer for Island Lifestyle Importers, “We listened to our dealers’ feedback regarding space and consumer retail buying trends and we adjusted accordingly.  We want them to know we are committed to assist them in the success of their stores.” 

Island Lifestyle Importers is the owner and importer of Island Lifestyle Aged Reserve and Island Club Cigars.    Island Lifestyle Importers is also the exclusive designer, manufacturer and distributor of Tommy Bahama Luxury Cigar Accessories.  These accessories are known for their beautiful look, leading edge technology and outstanding quality.  

For further information contact Rick@IslandLifestyleImporters.com or (941) 378-3200.

 

ISLAND LIFESTYLE IMPORTERS CREATES THE “ADAP” PROGRAM

Now that the PCA convention has unfortunately, but necessarily, been canceled for 2020, Island Lifestyle Cigars and Tommy Bahama Luxury Cigar Accessories have established the Additional Dealer Assistance Program (ADAP) for retailers. 

In announcing the new program, Ryan Frailing, Chief Operating Officer of Island Lifestyle Importers said “We will miss seeing our old

friends and making new ones.  We enjoy spending that time getting to know and learn more about their businesses.  It provides valuable feedback as we grow and develop new products.”  

Earlier this year Island Lifestyle Importers announced they had taken back responsibilities for all marketing and distribution functions of their products.  Island Lifestyle Importers had planned to offer additional discounts and a number of exciting promotions at PCA 2020.  

Frailing stated “In an age of uncertainty Island Lifestyle Importers desires to do everything possible to assist in dealer’s success.  With the cancelation of the convention, Island Lifestyle Importers will be taking the monies wenormally spend on the trade show and rededicate it to the dealer network through weekly specials.”

The Additional Dealer Assistance Program (ADAP) will be emailed each week with promotional offerings including deep discounts, product specials, new product releases and no minimum order requirements.  Frailing went on to say “We established this program to give our retail partners greater flexibility and profitability as we work together to move beyond the challenges created by the Corona virus.”

Island Lifestyle Importers is the exclusive importer of Island Lifestyle Cigars and manufacturer of Tommy Bahama Luxury Cigar Accessories.

For further information contact Ryan@IslandLifestyleImporters.com or (941) 378-3200.

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May 17, 2020 · 10:13 am

A Tale of Two Undercrown Corona Pequeñas and a Year of the Rat Cigar

I had occasion this week to smoke one each of the newish size of the Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro and Shade, the 4″ x 44 replacement for the Chateau Real Small Club Corona  (at least that’s my theory). The Maduro I smoked one evening after taking a walk with a Liga Privada Serie Unico Velvet Rat (which was quite delicious), and there being nothing on TV, I decided to stay on the porch for another hour and have another cigar. The Shade was a few days later when I had eaten dinner much later than usual and just wanted a short smoke and had taken a nice, long walk earlier in the day. This size fits into those times really nicely, but, for some reason, the Undercrown blend just doesn’t do it for me in the small size. I find that the Maduro lacks the deep, rich San Andrés earthiness that the larger sizes present, and is just kind of there. The Shade is just distasteful to me. There’s a flavor there that I just don’t like. I smoked a Shade Suprema, which, oddly, is another old Chateau Real size, and it tasted great! it had the creamy notes I love in the Undercrown Shade blend. I really wish they would make the other styles in this size. Funny enough, I kinda like the Undercrowns in the tins, the Coronets, however I c

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an’t get passed my feeling that tiny cigars are a cigarette replacement. I think the trick with the Pequeñas is definately to smoked them slowly, I spent an hour with each, and I could tell when I did smoke them faster they began tasting worse. I tried them bac

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k in February and wasn’t impressed, so I let them rest, and still feel the same. I have a couple more of each, I’ll revisit them periodically, but I think I just like the Toros in the Undercrown blend! I might have to see if I have some Chateau Real Small Club Coronas left and see how they are (Maduros are the ones I had, I doubt the Connecticuts would have stood up). As with anything else, don’t take my word for it, if you like small cigars, and you like Undercrown, give them a try!

 

I really struggled with whether or not I should post this, I usually let negative experiences slide, but I felt like I had to be honest ab

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out these little guys. So when I got a package with some Liga Privada Serie Unico Year of the Rats I had to give one a try. I smoked

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on at the TPE show and really liked it, but it’s always hard to adequately judge a cigar at a trade show.  The Year of the Rat started out as the shop exclusive for the BB&T center in Sunrise, Florida, home of the Florida Panthers hockey team. Now it’s widely available, at least at Drew Diplomat retailers.  It’s a 5½” x 46 corona gorda with a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, Brazilian binder and fillers from Nicaragua and Honduras. It’s a little bigger than a Dirty Rat, a little smaller than a Velvet Rat. Corona Gorda is a size I actually really like, it’s probably as small as I like to go on a regular basis. I enjoyed the crap out of the cigar! It was bold, it had the strength and sweetness of the broadleaf and Brazilian and was rich and had a ton of smoke. This one was actually better than I remember the one I smoked at the end of January, although the one I smoked in January was at the end of the day, in Vegas, and it didn’t have the fancy gold foil. I’m sure the gold foil makes a big difference, it is a pain in the ass to remove! It does look spiffy though. This was an exceptional smoke, and I was actually planning to smoke another cigar after smoking this one, however I was left satisfied, and didn’t end up following through on that! 

 

I think I’m way overdue for a contest! I’m putting a little something together for mid-week, so stay tuned!  That’s all for today, until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig

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May 11, 2020 · 8:00 pm

News: Black Label Trading Company Ships Bishops Blend 5 Year Anniversary Cigars

Here’s some news from BLTC. You may recall I posted about the release of the Lancero back on March 31st. Now they are shipping the Corona Larga and Robusto. Hopefully when these get to the stores they are open, at least enough so that you can get to purchase them. Oveja Negra always makes some interesting and tasty cigars. 

 

Black Label Trading Company is pleased to announce the shipment of Bishops Blend 5 Year Anniversary to select retailers. Bishops Blend is hand crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra.This is the fifth-year anniversary of Bishops Blend in the Corona Larga and Robusto vitolas. The Lancero vitola was released earlier this year. By releasing one of its top selling Limited Editions, BLTC hopes to encourage sales for its retailers in this difficult time.

 

“This has become our most anticipated release of the year. With that anticipation comes extra excitement when we are finally able to ship it to retailers. Bishops Blend boasts big bold flavors of

anise, pepper, raisins and a sweet earthiness on the finish. It is very complex and extremely refined. As with the past vintages, the broadleaf fillers shine at the forefront and are perfectly balanced by the Nicaraguan filler tobaccos,” said James Brown, creator of Black Label Trading Co.and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

BISHOPS BLEND will be available at select retailers.


Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Habano Maduro

Binder: Ecuador Habano

Filler: Nicaragua, Connecticut & PA Broadleaf

Corona Larga – 6.25 x 46 (20 count) MSRP $11.50

Robusto – 5 x 48 (20 count) MSRP $11.00

 

Black Label Trading Company is redefining the standards for cigar making. With a “less is more” philosophy, Black Label Trading Co. creates hand crafted premium cigars of the utmost quality in small batch, limited quantities. For more information please visit OvejaNegraCigars.com. Consumers may search by zip code for retailers nearest them.

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