Category Archives: Review

by | February 17, 2019 · 8:45 am

A Rant, A Gurkha Ghost and A Room101 Uncle Lee Cigar

It’s been a long week and it’ll be Thursday before I get another day off. This will be a short one as I have to work today. Tuesday was my last day off, and I had to pick my son up at Philly airport, so I decided I should kill some time at a cigar shop close to there, but I decided too late (it was snowing/raining and took longer than I thought to get there), so I just stopped in Jacoubs Cigar Shop in Ridley Park and picked up a few cigars. This place is four miles from PHL, so a little better planning in the future is in order. Had I thought of this an hour earlier I would have easily been able to have a relaxing smoke in the spacious lounge at the shop after selecting a cigar from the walk-in humidor. Jacoub, the owner, is a welcoming gent, and gave me a dime for the parking meter (bring change, the rates are fair). He said that the Gurkha Ghosts sold well for him, so I bought a couple of the Phantom and Spook sizes, because they are newer and I like perfectos and hadn’t smoked them yet. I smoked a Phantom later and really enjoyed it. The Phantom is a 5″ x 58 perfecto with a curly bun on the cap which pinches off easily, but a snip with a cutter opens it up better. The Brazillian Arapiraca wrapper is dark and oily and has a nice look, and has the dark cocoa flavor I like. In truth, when these first came out five or so years ago, it took me a while to warm to the blend, there was something I didn’t like a about the first several I smoked, and I wanted to like this cigar. Now I like it, and it’s one of my favorites in the Gurkha range. The prismy band is pretty spiffy too.

 

Which kinda leads into my rant, only because Gurkha seems to be a frequent target of this topic. Too often I see people on social media, and to a lesser extent in shops, stating as fact, that cigar X is “crap”, “garbage”, or some other word that states definitively that the cigars is sub-standard and unworthy of the title of cigar, as if that person was a

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n expert on such things. This irritates me to no end. This is actually why I don’t review cigars per se, and don’t use a rating scale on my site, even though it would probably benefit me as manufacturers like ratings and would publicize my site more if I were to go that route. Here’s the thing: taste is subjective. Sure, there are objective qualities of cigars, construction, draw, combustion, but there are very few cigars that make it far with long-term problems in these areas. If a cigar tastes bad to me, that’s my problem, not the cigar’s problem, so the cigar isn’t a bad cigar. An example I like to use is

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this: I don’t like Lima beans, the flavor is disgusting to me, I can’t imagine how anyone would put sometime so vile in their mouths, but people eat them, and, presumably, like them! By that logic, obviously, Lima beans aren’t crap, they just aren’t for me. Let’s apply that to cigars, if we have a cigar and the flavor doesn’t appeal to us, let’s not go on social media and declare that brand Y, which, by the way, may have a huge, loyal following and has been in business for 20 years, is “crap”, but accept that maybe their cigars aren’t for us and move to the hundreds of other brands out there that may suit us better!

 

Now that I got that off my chest, which is a little congested this morning, lets circle back to a few nights past, when I cracked open a ten-count box of Room 101 Uncle Lees that I almost forgot I had and came across while rummaging around the humidor. Not complaining, misplacing a box

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of cigars in the humidor isn’t a bad problem to have. I bought this box after smoking an Uncle Lee at one of Matt Booth’s last events before he left Davidoff, so it’s been a few years. This cigar is presented in the 6½” x 50 Ranfla perfecto size, wrapped in tissue paper with a paper sleeve, much like the Chief Cool arrow and Johnny Tabacconaut series were. I love this blend, it has an Ecuador Habano wrapper, and Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, but is has a flavor unlike any other cigar I’ve smoked. There’s an almost floral flavor that’s light and refreshing. It’s an interestin

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g change of pace, and if I thought I would ever be able to replace these cigars, I’d probably smoke the other 9 cigars in the box pretty quick. I’ll ration them out as it is. Uncle Lee should be proud.

 

That’s all for this Sunday, until

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the next time,

 

CigarCraig

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by | February 10, 2019 · 10:53 am

Nothing New This Week! Some News and “Comfort Food” Cigars

I was a slug this week, I just grabbed cigars I felt compelled to smoke because I wanted to smoke them. I went back to the Bolivar Heritage 550, an Ecuador Sumatra wrapped cigar that was a Michael Giannini creation when he was still with  General Cigar Co. They did a thing with Bolivar and Ramon Allones under the Foundry line, which they recently sold to Ventura, obviously without those two trademarks, and I loved the Bolivar, but the Ramon Allones was distasteful to me. The packaging was creative, but I don’t know that it was embraced by the traditionalists. Like I said, I love the Bolivar Heritage, it’s a full-bodied smoke that I find rich and satisfying, and it’s very reasonably priced.

 

Speaking of Ventura, I received the following news item from them this week:

         

Kretek International, Inc. Now Exclusive Importer of Gawith Hoggarth Pipe Tobacco Products

Kretek’s specialized subsidiaries to be utilized for expanding reach of the historic premium pipe tobacco brand.

Effective immediately, Kretek International, Inc., the United States’ largest importer, marketer, and distributor of specialty tobacco products, is pleased to announce their new role with the legendary Gawith Hoggarth brands. Established in Kendal, England, in the mid-1800s, Gawith Hoggarth has a longstanding tradition of excellence within the pipe tobacco industry, offering a line of products that are highly sought-after by both tobacconists and consumers. Kretek International, Inc. already imports and distributes its related brand, Samuel Gawith, and aims to increase the reach and accessibility of Gawith Hoggarth through the well-established sales channels of their subsidiaries.

Gawith Hoggarth has maintained their top-shelf foothold in the tobacco business for almost two centuries with the time-honored techniques of pressing and twisting tobaccos to bring out their robust flavors. They are especially known for creating small-batch tobacco blends that carry unique, old-fashioned essences, like licorice, geranium, and rose.

Kretek International, Inc. will be utilizing the sales forces of Ventura Cigar Company and Phillips & King to distribute about 30 tobacco blends from Gawith Hoggarth. The Ventura Cigar Company sales team will focus their efforts on the premium tobacconist channel, and the Phillips & King sales team will offer the products to smoke shops and other pipe retailers.

The Gawith Hoggarth products join 4th Generation, Comoy’s of London, and Samuel Gawith as another high-quality pipe tobacco offering in the Ventura Cigar Company and Phillips & King portfolios.

“Gawith Hoggarth is a natural fit for Kretek,” says Erik Stokkebye, Brand Manager at Kretek of pipes and pipe tobacco. “As a fourth-generation master crafter at 4th Generation, I know a thing or two about pipe tobacco. Gawith Hoggarth is a brand my family has long-admired for its traditions and its quality. It has the values of a Kretek product, and using its distribution arm will only strengthen the brand even further. I’m very pleased to welcome them to the Kretek family.”

“We’ve been going through a lot of changes at Ventura Cigar,” says Michael Giannini, General Manager at Ventura Cigar Company. “As a newly-formed standalone subsidiary of Kretek, we’ve been building a sales team that is hyper-focused on reaching and growing the tobacconist channel. Gawith Hoggarth has a long history of performance for retailers and is a top draw for consumers. It’s a brand that we are proud to present to our retail customers.”

Ventura Cigar Company plans to begin shipping the Gawith Hoggarth products in late spring/early summer 2019. For more information about Gawith Hoggarth, please visit venturacigar.com.

# # #

About Kretek International, Inc

Kretek International Canada was founded in 2000, as a branch of Kretek International, Inc, which is the United States’ number one importer, marketer, and distributor of specialty tobacco products to convenience, mass, and national retailers. For over 30 years, Kretek has enjoyed a strong reputation for providing exceptional customer relationships and top quality goods. Kretek International Canada has followed in the path of its parent company, offering the same outstanding service and specialty tobacco products to the Canadian market.

About Ventura Cigar Company

Ventura Cigar Company (VCC) is a unique cigar brand born in sunny Southern California that is on a mission to create memorable, complex cigar blends that excite the senses and reward discriminating palates. Their flagship Archetype, Case Study, Project805, and PSyKo SEVEN brands offer multiple award-winning blends that earned 90+ ratings in Cigar Aficionado, Cigar &a

mp; Spirits, and Cigar Snob. And Archetype’s Axis Mundi won #13 Cigar of the Year for 2017 from Cigar Aficionado. Ventura Cigar Company also distributes the 4th Generation and Comoy’s of London line of pipe tobacco products, extending its reach and tradition of offering top-quality tobacconist products. Pipes and blends under these brands are cultivated through generations of craftsmanship, making them longtime favorites of pipe tobacco enthusiasts.

About Phillips & King International

Phillips & King International, a division of Kretek International Inc., is the leading distributor of premium cigars, specialty tobacco, vapor, and alternative smoking products and accessories in the United States. Since 1906, the family-owned company has built a strong reputation by focusing on independent brick-and-mortar shops, priding itself on offering top products and the best service to their customers. Their highly experienced sales staff works with thousands of shops in all 50 states, US Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and globally to US military bases. The company distributes over 21,000 SKUs, warehoused in a 150,000 sq. ft. semi-automated facility. In addition, they have a portfolio of proprietary brands including Ventura Cigars, Ventura Vapor, Greenhouse, EZ Cig, FasFil, and more. Phillips & King also distributes the Price Kutter, a monthly buying guide that outlines best-selling products, deals, and information for the tobacco and tobacco-related industry. For more information, please visit phillipsandking.com.

 

Since I don’t really care about pipe tobacco, I didn’t give it it’s own post, and I really wasn’t going to post it here, but I didn’t have much to write about today.

 

I was in the mood for some Broadleaf, which is kinda normal, so I smoked a Foundation Cigar Co. Tabernacle Toro, the 6″ x 52 in the line. It drives me nuts when people get Foundation and Foundry confused, I hear it pretty often. I think if you’re going to the trouble of either writing about cigars, or talking about them on a podcast, you should have your facts straight and not mix easy facts like that up. The Tabernacle is a great smoke, it probably beats out Nick’s previous work on the Liga Privada No. 9, which I also smoked this week, and is right there with the Mi Querida (and Umbagog) as one of my favorite Broadleaf cigars these days. It reminds me that I need to get my hands on the Tabernacle Havana Seed CT #142.

 

Speaking of Drew Estate, I almost missed this because no matter how many times I’ve asked them to change e-mail addresses, they don’t listen. As I’ve said before, little cigars aren’t my thing anyway.  But, since they are friends of the site, here is the latest from DE:

ACID and Tabak Especial Release “Frenchies”, a New Quick Smoke

Drew Estate announces today the launch of a new series of quick smokes, the ACID and Tabak Especial “Frenchies.” These small cigars will be introduced at the Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) held in Las Vegas, Nevada February 11-13th.

The ACID Frenchies are small cigars wrapped in a lush Sumatran wrapper with Nicaraguan fillers, producing a delightful, sweet smoke with a pleasing room note. The Tabak Especial Frenchies are wrapped in smooth Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade with Nicaraguan fillers that are perfect to pair with your cup of coffee in the morning.The ACID and Tabak Especial Frenchies are 3 1/4” x 20 small cigars. ACID Frenchies are packaged in both 5 and 10 count packs, while the Tabak Especial Frenchies are sold in 10 count packs only. Each is shipped in a shelf merchandising sleeve of 10 packs for retailer convenience, with each pack individually humidified with Boveda for placement both inside the humidor or at the register.

From the Wynwood Safehouse, Jonathan Drew, Founder and President of Drew Estate notes, “Frenchies are the mega start to kick off the 20th Anniversary of ACID, and a perfect way to enjoy ACID in any moment during your day. For you coffee freaks, we also have the Tabak Especial in this new mini size. Why Frenchies you ask? Well, French is the language of romance and people are going to LOVE these sticks.”

The ACID and Tabak Especial Frenchies will be shown at TPE in February with Phillips and King taking pre-orders, and shipping to retailers in June. Kwik Trip will sell the ACID and Tabak Especial Frenchies in a first to market period of 60 days, starting March 1st, throughout their 650 locations. A full introduction of these small cigars will take place at the 2019 IPCPR for all customers and sales channels.

The ACID Frenchies are available as follows:

  • ACID Frenchies 5-Count pack MSRP $5.99/pack, shipped in shelf sleeves of 10
  • ACID Frenchies 10-Count pack MSRP $9.99/pack, shipped in shelf sleeves of 10

The Tabak Especial Frenchies are available as follows:

  • Tabak Especial Frenchies 10-Count pack with an MSRP of $9.99.
ABOUT DREW ESTATE

Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”, Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that attracting new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Herrera Estelí Norteño, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, Florida Sun Grown, and Java by Drew Estate.

 

Honestly, there’s zero chance I’d smoke these. I’m not opposed to enjoying one of the tinned coronitas from time to time, the Undercrowns are tasty, but they seem too much like “catching a smoke” to me, when cigar smoking represents taking an hour or so to relax and unwind, a forced slow-down. But that’s just me, who am I to tell people how to enjoy their tobacco time! I’m in a curmudgeonly mood this morning!

 

That’s all I have today. I need to find something interesting to smoke for the next time. I have a fiver of cigars a neighbor sent me from Key West that look interesting, and if I get bored mid-week I might have to put a little contest together or something. Until the next time,

 

CigarCraig

 

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by | February 3, 2019 · 11:45 am

Casa Favilli and Mi Querida Cigars and Groovy Groomsmen Gifts

It was cold this week, and I had a hard time getting opportunities to have a cigar.  Last Sunday when I visited Pairings Cigar Bar in Media, PA, I picked up a couple Mombacho Casa Favilli torpedos that I spied in the humidor I was sitting next to. I didn’t even look at the price, uncharacteristic of me, I just knew I wanted to try a cigar with a broadleaf wrapper grown in Jalapa, and I knew these were not widely available. The opportunity presented itself and I had to take advantage of it. I still don’t know what they cost, and I don;t want to know, I paid my tab and felt like I got a good value for my visit after spending a nice afternoon with Bill Coyne, recording a good podcast episode, and having a nice smoke in a nice place! At any rate, I did smoke the Casa Favilli, named after the Mombacho factory in Granada, Nicaragua, which is named after the Italian architect who designed the colonial mansion in which the factory is located. visiting this factory is on my wish list, BTW. I’ve only whisked through Granada, it looks like a beautiful little town. As I mentioned, the wrapper on this cigar is from an experimental crop of broadleaf tobacco grown in Jalapa, with a Jalapa binder and fillers from Jalapa and Condega. The flavors in this are interesting, there’s some sweetness, which one expects from Jalapa, but the Broadleaf wrapper offset it with a little bitterness, not unlike the espresso-like flavors in Connecticut broadleaf. It’s a must-try for Broadleaf fans, I think, and another great cigar from Mombacho,  who’s cigars have grown on me lately.

 

Since it was really cold this week, I took a few nights off, but one night I snuck in a little Mi Querida Firecracker, a Two Guys Smokeshop exclusive from Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust.  I understand these will be making a comeback, which is a good thing, because this was a really nice little smoke, distinctly different from the slightly larger Gordita, as it has some Ligero loaded in the front to give it some punch, and slow the smoking time. For a 3½” x 50 cigar, it smokes for a good 45 minutes and the flavor is fantastic. Of course, I’m a fan of the Mi Querida, and it’s ugly (Saka’s opinion) sibling, Umbagog, in any size and shape, but this little bastard has a little extra oomph which sets it apart. I’ve had the good fortune to have smoke several in the Firecracker series, although, oddly, never the original Don Pepin versions, and they all are excellent. One of my favorite cigars of last year was a Fratello Firecracker smoked on the Spanish Steps in Rome! For little cigars, they are yummy!

 

Last year I featured a lighter from Groovy Guy Gifts, and last week their partner site, Groovy Groomsmen Gifts got in touch with me and wanted me to have a look at one of their cigar related offerings. I found that most of the offerings they had were combination cigar/booze accessories…cigar holders with flasks, that sort of thing, and frankly, I have no real way to evaluate that kind of thing. When one isn’t a drinker, drinking accessories aren’t really of interest, and, come to think of it, at my age, chances of me either being a groomsman, or having them are relatively low. Regardless, I decided to have a look at one of the engraved humidors they offered and see how the fit and finish looked, and how their turn around time was.  The item was the “Coolector“, which is a 9″ W x 8 1/2″ D x 2 1/4” H cherry finished humidor. Since I have a relationship with the folks at Prestige Group, who make s this humidor, I was able to get some details, such as this is Spanish Cedar lined, and is used by a lot of companies for promotions.

It’s a pressboard construction and seems to seal well, it closes with a nice enough “woosh”. As you can see in the animated gif I made, and the photo, the engraving is very nice, and they turned it around in about 5 days. I would say if you are in the market for personalized gifts to mark an occasion of reasonable quality, I wouldn’t hesitate to use Groovy Groomsmen Gifts, they have a lot of options and they do a nice job of personalizing and shipping quick. The cigar accessories are sourced from a major importer, and while they’re not Elie Bleu quality humidors, they are perfectly usable. My cabinet humidor is from the same company and I’m quite happy with it.

 

I also managed to get in a Cornelius and Anthony Meridian Robusto, which is number four of my favorite C&A cigar behind the Cornelius, Señor Esugars and The Gent. Heck, they are all good. I still need to revisit that Mistress, although I get a little queezy thinking about it…soon…anyway, that enough for today, until the next time!

 

CigarCraig

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by | January 29, 2019 · 9:51 am

Podcast: Episode 12: Kristoff’s Bill Coyne at Pairings Cigar Bar

I know, I know, it’s been way too long between episodes.  I finally got my act together and recorded one, and I have Bill Coyne, the area Kristoff Cigars rep, to thank. He reached out to me and suggested we meet up for a smoke at Pairings Cigar Bar in Media PA. I’ve been itching to get to Pairings, but, as someone who doesn’t drink, bars aren’t really my thing, so it hasn’t been at the top of my priority list. I’ve been hearing great things about their cigar selection in the last year or so, and I figured it was high time I check it out

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. A Sunday afternoon was a good time, and I had met Bill briefly and wanted to get to know him better. I understand Pairings has some great events, and they have a DJ there on Fri

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day nights, so I guess it gets pretty rockin’ there! I’m old, I like quite places to relax with a cigar…and we had a nice quite chat about Kristoff cigars, Pairings and Hockey.

 

Thanks to Bill for chatting with me, and Pairings Cigar Bar and their wonderful staff! The next time Bill and I will delve into the topic of prog rock drummers! Until the next time,

 

CigarCraig

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by | January 27, 2019 · 8:06 am

A Julius Caeser and a Brick House and a Podcast Appearance

As I mentioned last week, J.C. Newman is a new sponsor here at CigarCraig.com, and I couldn’t be happier to have them on board. If you notice their a

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dvertisement, you can click through for a chance to win one of their beautiful Diamond Crown humidors, and I’m all about contests! They were also kind enough to share a couple of their latest offerings with me, which I sampled this week. Of course, I couldn’t wait to smoke the Julius Ceaser Hail Caeser, the 6″ x 60 Gordo in the line. I think the last time I smoked a Julius Caeser was 2012, the night of the launch of Bernie Parent’s BSB No. 1 cigar at a dinner sponsored by Ned’s Cigars in Newtown PA. The owner of the show, a gentleman named Luca, who has since tragically passed, gifted me a Julius Ceaser when we met up before the event to get acquainted. It’s one of those cigar moments one remembers. I have another one in one of the Toast Across America coffins in the Shark vitola from 2014 that my daughter bought me (5 years ago, I guess they are about ready to smoke now!). Point is, I don’t smoke a great many Julius Caesers, so I was excited to smoke this one. I know a lot of my colleagues aren’t big ring gauge fans, but I happen to like them in many cases. This cigar has an Ecuador Havana Seed wrapper, with “Caribbean and Central American” fillers, which is rather general, aged for five years. When I think of how I expect cigars over $15 should smoke, this one is in full compliance. I had no complaints at all, the physical performance was perfect.  As far as flavor goes, it was very flavorful, even for a large ring cigar. It’s a cigar I find more wood and earthy notes in than spice or sweetness, although there is a hint of cocoa. It’s a cigar that I’d keep in my humidor if money were no object. I’m reminded that it’s been forever since I smoked a

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Diamond Crown Maximus, and I need to remedy that.

 

I had the honor and privileged of appearing on The Retrohale Podcast this week with Bret and Mark. It was recorded Sunday night and released later in the week. I have been enjoying their show for a while and have contributed to their website, and they have been very generous in promoting my site on their show. It was fun, although I think Bret thinks I’m a little more high-falutin than I really am! Maybe I have become more of a cigar snob in later years, but I’m still a cheap bastid at heart! The guys at the Cigar Hacks Podcast turned me on to The Retrohale, and they are hosting them this coming weekend in New Hampshire, and I sure wish I could join them! Give both shows a listen, both are entertaining, I’ve tried not to make a fool of myself on them both and consider all those

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folks friends!

 

The other cigar that J. C. Newman shared with me is the Brick House Double Connecticut Mighty Mighty, a 6¼” x 60 gordo. This is on the other end of the price spectrum from the Julius Caeser, coming in around $7. The Brick House line is made in their Nicaraguan factory, PENSA, and has a U.S. grown Connecticut Shade wrapper over a U.S. grown Connecticut Broadleaf binder with Nicaraguan fillers. This is presented as a mild cigar, and I found it to be medium, and maybe full flavored. It had LOADS of flavor!  The shade wrapper had its signature grassy flavor that was unmistakable, but the chocolatelyness from the broadleaf was there from the binder, which also gave it some body, which was most appreciated. Well put-together, everybody knows, this is how the story goes. I found this cigar to be very interesting. I know this has been around for over a year, but it’s been one I’ve missed, and I like the regular Brick House line. The combination of the two Connecticut leaves really provides an interesting flavor sensation, and I think at this price, it’s a no-brainer. I’ll be trying this in other vitolas, but the Mighty Mighty is just lettin it all hang out.

 

That’s all for today. Since I rarely string two days off in a row any more it’s hard to get anything done around here, so things like the podcast and content have suffered. Hopefully I get a chance to get something recorded for another podcast episode soon.  Ideas are welcome! Until the next time,

 

CigarCraig

 

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