All Saints Solamente Cigar

Most people probably don’t remember when Mickey Pegg was the VP of sales for CAO cigars before General Cigars acquired the company, but he’s back now with the brand All Saints Cigars. He also lives near me, although we still haven’t met, ,which I’m sure will amuse Kevin at Cigarprop. It’s s bit of a running joke between Kevin and I, because I’ve had had the great fortune to have met so many people in my cigar journey. He thinks I know everyone, but there are plenty of people I don’t know, and many more don’t know me 😁.  Anyway, meeting up with Mickey is on my list, we’ve discussed it, between the pandemic and schedules, we haven’t managed to make it work out. I did come across some All Saints Solamente cigars in a recent cigar shop visit and figured I needed to smoke some. 

 

The Solamente is a 5″ x 58 cigar with and Ecuador Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and fillers. I believe that they work with TAVACUSA in Esteli, Rocky Patel’s factory. It’s a very nice looking cigar, and an interesting size. I don’t have a problem with the size, I kind of like it actually. The burn and draw on this cigar were perfect and I’ve had a few disappointing experiences recently, so this was extremely welcome. I’m not one who is a big fan of cedary cigars, but this cigar was cedary really tasty. One would think this cigar was presented in a cedar sleeve, it was so cedary, yet, I really enjoyed the flavor. There was a sweetness that balanced it out, I think, which is what I liked about it. I’m glad I bought two, and I’ll smoke more for sure. I look forward to exploring the San Andrés Mexican Maduro wrapped Dedicación. 

 

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

 

CigarCraig

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News: Southern Draw Announces Two New Desert Rose Sizes

Here’s some news from Southern Draw Cigars. They’ve been quiet recently, but are breaking their silence with these two announcements, with the promise of more in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!  

 

Southern Draw Cigars, the family owned premium cigar brand announced two unique line extensions for the DESERT ROSE cigar blend. The first “new bloom” is the Famous Exclusivo (Famous Smoke Shop) and the second is for general distribution to all valued retail partners.

 

Leading off Southern Draw Cigars’ exciting 2020 Fall Release Collection, are two new renditions of the Desert Rose cigar blend. This includes sizes intended for any consumer who wants to experience the heartier Rose of Sharon blend in the ever-popular Toro 6.0″ x 52 and the company has heeded the overwhelming requests and now offers an elegant Lonsdale 6.0″ x 44. Southern Draw has also made a commitment to expand the award winning 2019 release Desert Rose Belicoso Finos 5.5″ x 54, production is set at 80,000 cigars per year and these are now available for purchase in standard 20 count boxes and a limited amount of 20 count bundles.

 

Commenting on these developments, Southern Draw Cigars’ Boss Lady and the namesake of the Rose of Sharon blend, Sharon Holt said “We had to wait much longer than desired but the Desert Rose now headlines the 2020 Fall Release Collection in sizes that I find most enjoyable, offering a wider variety of smoking experiences of the blend. Simply put, the two new sizes of Desert Rose provide consumers, what I personally consider the two best smoking experiences for the blend and I have tried it in many sizes and formats. That said, we understand that

our customers are sometimes very focused on new releases, wanting products that are specifically tailored to uniquely highlight the blend, so these are my gifts to them. These product line extensions address this desire for new releases while honoring the character of the original blend and by working closely with Famous Smoke Shop over the last 18 months, we were able to bring yet another exciting exclusivo cigar offering to their loyal consumers.”

 

Southern Draw Cigars is elated to announce the Desert Rose Toro 6.0″ x 52 Famous Exclusivo. A toro size in an eye-catching round format, each cigar is dressed in the iconic pink main band with a unique Exclusivo secondary band each produced by Cigar Rings, Estelí, Nicaragua. Production of the Famous Exclusivo has been limited to just 250 boxes of 10. “Considering Southern Draw’s continually growing popularity,” added Jim Charnley, Director Purchasing & Merchandising at Famous Smoke Shop, “we’re expecting the cigar to sell out quickly. This is not one to sleep on.”

 

The Famous Exclusivo is avail

able for purchase during a live virtual event hosted by Famous Smoke Shop & Southern Draw Cigars from 7 – 9 pm ET on September 30th . Now in their 81st year of operation as a private, family-owned business, Famous Smoke Shop owner Arthur Zaretsky noted a special connection with Southern Draw: “To work with another family-owned company, it’s a connection that allows our families to collaborate so easily, and create exciting cigars our customers will enjoy.”

https://zoom.us/j/95135283424?pwd=V1NvTU51cXl3ZElZaE00c0xDay9Idz09
Meeting ID: 879 7929 7165
Passcode: 176484

 

For those unable to attend the virtual event, all remaining 10 count boxes will be made available via the Famous Smoke Shop website on October 1, 2020 by clicking on the link: https://www.famous- smoke.com/brand/southern-draw-rose-of-sharon-cigars

 

The second Desert Rose line extension is a subtly sophisticated Lonsdale 6.0×44, also rolled at AJ Fernandez Cigar Co. in the traditional “redondo” format with a “flag” cap and packaged in artful 12 count box designed by Humidif Group USA, a shelf friendly design that offers an eye-catching display for the new size. Production is slated for 4,000 boxes per year and all valued retail partners can now pre-order the initial 1,000 boxes that are expected to begin shipping in October 2020.

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News: Fratello Cigars Launches The Pennsylvanian

Ya know, I just bought two more Space Fresh Packs, now I’m going to have to spend my allowance on more Fratello cigars! I’ve been hoping for a Fratello Pennsylvanian, I mean, I have been talking about Omar’s cigars from the beginning, and I am from PA! I kid, it seems a shame there isn’t any PA Broadleaf in the blend! I can’t wait to try this one! 

 

 

FRATELLO CIGARS ANNOUNCES THE PENNSYLVANIAN

 

Omar de Frias is proud to announce the launch of The Pennsylvanian. This blend will be sold exclusively to retailers in Pennsylvania and will be part of a series of state releases by Fratello.

 

The blend uses an Habano Ecuador wrapper with a Dominican binder and Nicaragua filler tobacco.  

 

“Pennsylvania has been critical to the success of Fratello from the beginning, and what better way to say “Thank you” to the retailers there than with a blend exclusive to the state.” said de Frias.  

 

MSRP: 11.00 

Size: 6×52  

Box of 10 Cigars

Strength: Medium Body

Factory: La Aurora Factory in Dominican Republic.

Official Launch: November 2020

 

Fratello released the DMV in November 2018 to be sold exclusively in D.C. Maryland, Virginia and Delaware.  The Texan joined the ranks of the series of state releases in November 2019.

 

The production is limited to 300 Boxes.

 

 

About Fratello

 

Fratello Cigars was established in 2013. Since inception Fratello has grown to be sold in 800 brick and mortars in the US and 11 international destinations. Fratello is considered one of the fastest growing manufacturers in the last five years.

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Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua and Bellas Artes Maduro Cigars

I mentioned that I picked up some new-to-me cigars recently, and one of those was the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua in the 6″ x 54 toro size. I can’t say as I’ve really taken to a great many Romeo y Julieta cigars, although I do recall enjoying the Reserva Real line the most. I have enjoyed a few of the newer RoMEo blends, although none were particularly mind-blowing for me. As with many cigars in the Altadis portfolio, it seems that the ones I’m drawn to are the ones that come out of the A.J. Fernandez partnership. There are some exceptions in the Montecristo line, but the only H. Upmanns I really like are the A.J variety, and this new Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real, blended by Rafael Nodal and Abdel Fernandez really hit my palate right. This is a Nicaraguan puro, made with tobaccos grown on A.J. Fernandez farms. It’s a beautiful looking cigar, milk chocolate colored wrapper, perfect draw and a solid ash. It was a pleasure to smoke. It kind of has a bready, sweet flavor, with some spice. It’s reminiscent of the Reserva Real, with a Nicaraguan spin, and I like it a lot. It’s a $9 cigar, and it wasn’t that long ago that I’d bristle at spending that much on a cigar, now I do it without much thought. Weird, huh?

 

Yesterday I had the occasion to visit one of the several local CigarCigars stores, this time the one in Downingtown, PA. Beer fans will know that name as the home of Victory Brewery. It’s the town I lived in when CigarCraig.com launched in 2009. Anyway, my friend Kevin,  who had been the manager of that store, was celebrating his retirement, passing the reins to Tom, and they were having a little celebration. I stopped to pay my respects. They also had an A.J. Fernandez event, ironically, so I bought so more AJF cigars. I finally, after many years, met Art Toll, who is one of the owners of the CigarCigars empire, and we had a nice chat, I even got some inside info. More on that as it develops. We’ve “known” one another for many years, but hadn’t met in person. This is not uncommon in the virtual world, I “know” people for 20 years that I haven’t met yet. Anyway, one of the cigars I picked up was the Bellas Artes Maduro in the Short Churchill size. Saka’s Short Churchill is a Robusto or Hermoso sized cigar, where this one is a 6″ x 48 thin toro, or fat lonsdale. Maybe it’s a long, fat gorona gorda, heck, I don’t know what it is, Saka has a 6″ x 48 in the Umbagog line he calls a Corona Gorda. It’s a good size whatever you call it and this one was delicious. Brazilian Matafina wrapper over a San Andrés binder with

Nicaraguan fillers. This is my kind of cigar, deep, rich chocolate flavors, with some pepper. Delicious cigar. Of course I’ll miss hanging out with Kevin at the shop, and I’m sure he’ll have a wonderful retirement travelling the country. 

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Have you ever lit a cigar and struggled to get smoke, but when you blow through it smoke billow though it like a california wildfire? That pisses me off. That’s all for today, until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig

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Fratello Arlequin and CAO Bones Blind Hughie Cigars

I’d like to remind contest winners Xolatol and Gregg Hearl to send me an email with your contact info so we can get your CigarProp Smoke In Battle of the Bands Samplers out to you! I’d hate to have to track you down and drag the info out of you! Time is running down on this promotion and CigarProp is still in the lead! The Dojo sampler is sneaking up and Dojo has a huge following, so anything could happen. Kevin’s sampler is made for the cooler weather that’s coming, so stock up!  

 

I had read somewhere that Fratello‘s Arelequin was due to ship soon  to retailers and I decided I should smoke the one that came in the Space Fresh Pack that I recently bought. I had been looking forward this one, it has a San Andrés wrapper, Ecuador Habano binder and fillers from Nicaragua and Peru, and sounds like a darned tasty blend. This was a toro, measuring 6″ x 5o, an ideal size in my opinion. I believe the production version will be 6″ x 52 box pressed. This, like all but the Oro, is made by Joya de Nicaragua. I absolutely loved the last half of this cigar, and that requires some explanation. I’ll also say that I’ve purchase two more Space Fresh Packs (because why not? Fox Cigars has them!).  The first half of this cigar was plagued by a void in the filler somewhere, which resulted in a tunnel, and hence a bad draw. This, in my experience, is an anomaly for cigars from that factory. It’s probably the first cigar of hundreds I’ve had a construction problem like that with. You might ask why I mention it at all, fair question, it’s not meant to disparage the brand or the cigar, it’s an odd situation, it was not exactly a regular production cigar, and once it burned past the void and started burning right, it was delicious! So much so that I was compelled to seek out more so that I could smoke it again as soon as possible. Maybe the responsible thing would have been to wait until I got the replacements and ignore the problem, but sometimes stuff happens and if I had given up on the cigar I would have missed out and not gone back for more! It had a nice rich cocoa flavor with that s

pice that’s unique to Peruvian tobacco. I can’t wait to smoke this again.

 

I probably should have kept to a theme and smoked a Fratello Bianco or Classico, but I had wanted to try the new CAO Bones in another size, so while I was out over the w

eekend, I picked up the Blind Hughie 6″ x 54 Toro size. Blind Hughie is a dominos game, the whole line being themed after the game.  If you missed it last time, this cigar has a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Connecticut shade binder and Honduran, Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. This cigar might be my favorite CAO cigar since the Flathead series, and it’s priced better, which is a win. I like the interplay between the Broadleaf and shade, although it’s less prominent in this vitola than the robusto to me. I still enjoyed this cigar quite a bit, it really hit the spot tonight, burn and draw were just right and it was a finger-burner. I need to give the Churchill and Gordo a try.

 

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

 

CigarCraig

 

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