I’ve been talking about having a contest for a while, and thinking about doing it for longer, and I finally have gotten around to it. My friends at Drew Estate sent me a really neat item that I think you’ll really like, and I have some other cool stuff to add too. I love stuff as much as the next guy, but I have an abundance of riches, and it’s much more fun to share. The main item is a Liga Privada Survival Kit! It’s a Tin containing a really cool folding knife, a tactical flashlight and a backpack (please note that I did not open. up the backpack to take a photo because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get it folded back up right. I’m sure it’s cool)! I’m going to add a camo Barnsmoker cap and some other DE odds and ends, and some assorted Drew Estate Cigars from my humidors! Those who have won my contests in the past can attest to the fact that when I say that I’m throwing some cigars in, I throw some cigars in! One cigar will be a new Year of the Rat, I’ll tell you that.
So if you don’t know the rules already, just leave a comment on this post, not on Facebook, Twitter or anywhere else, just this post! Just one comment per person please, and I’ll select a winner by random drawing next Wednesday, June 3, 2020. You must be 21 or older to win, so I don’t get in trouble, and I’ll request proof of age. I gotta CMA. Feel free to tell your friends, unless you’re afraid that will reduce your chances! Many thanks to Drew Estate for the goodies! Good Luck!
Edit: I poached a picture with the backpack:
Speaking of the Year of the Rat:
Liga Privada Unico “Year of the Rat” Heads to Drew Diplom
Drew Estate announces today that the Liga Privada Unico Serie “Year of the Rat” is shipping to Drew Diplomat retailers hosting Virtual Events starting on June 1st. This release will be showcased on the upcoming Freestyle Live: Special Edition hosted on facebook.com/drewestatecigar on June 11th from 7:00-9:00pm EST, and includes special guests, surprise announcements, and giveaways.The Liga Privada Unico “Year of the Rat” cigars are presented in a 5 ½” x 46 vitola, featuring the iconic fan tail capa illustrated on select Unico Serie cigars. This commemorative cigar is highlighted and defined with a lush Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, a dark, rich Brazilian binder and nasty, hearty Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers. Each “Year of the Rat” is wrapped in gold foil, packaged in a beautifully embossed, blue Liga Privada Unico box.
Liga Privada Unico Serie “Year of the Rat” will be available for purchase at Drew Diplomat retailers hosting Virtual Events starting June 1st. The list of upcoming Virtual Events hosted by Drew Estate can be found at www.drewestate.com/events which is continually updated.
han Drew Founder and President of Drew Estate exclaims, “The Rats are coming June 1st … so we kindly ask you to welcome them with open arms during the planned virtual events that the team has been working on. Year of the Rats were first released many years ago in partnership with the Flo
rida Panthers and were only available at their stadium in Miami. Later, I used them for some of my personal events until Willy and the Marketing dudes forced me to give em up. Frankly, me and the Rats are still kind of annoyed about it. I have a conference call with the Supreme Team Rat Lords to review how we will respond. Stay tuned …”
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
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
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
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
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!
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.
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.
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
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
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
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,
f course, love of cigars. Dustin Prudhomme. founder of Cajun Cigar Czar feels confident that he can provide new opportunities for cigar makers, by expanding sales in hard to reach markets.
Dustin Prudhomme, a Louisiana native, took on the challenge to distribute premium handmade cigars, by way of a challenge. An industry insider tried to dissuade Dustin from getting into the cigar industry. This only motivated Dustin to use his grit, technological education, and Six Sigma background to open Cajun Cigar Czar in 2017 with zero capital.
Dustin was able to identify locations in where consumers may find it difficult to access cigar shops. Dustin first approached one of the largest independent grocers in the US and offered to create stylish custom humidors for each location. Each, with a built-in computer system created by Dustin, which alerts Cajun Cigar Czar when the humidor needs replenishing. This creates a hands-off and profitable business opportunity for the retail owner and increased sales for the cigar manufacturer. Dustin’s proof of concept exceeded expectations and was able to expand to CTE stores, gas stations, country clubs, private clubs, liquor stores etc. in 17 states and growing.
Dustin Prudhomme stated: “We at Cajun Cigar Czar have worked hard to present the art of handmade cigars to untapped markets. It has been a pleasure to work with some of our partners like Espinosa Cigars, Rocky Patel, Drew Estate, Villiger Cigars, General
Cigars to name just a few. We look forward to expanding our footprint and partner up with retail shops and continue a fruitful relationship with our cigar manufacturing partners.”
Cajun Cigar Czar will continue to evolve as they are a major stakeholder in Tubeaux, LLC. Tubeaux, LLC has launched a multinational patent-pending space optimization, to allow the continual deployment of premium tobacco to spaces which never were feasible prior.
Dustin Prudhomme, a proud Louisiana native with a love of cigars and a knack for technology. Cajun Cigar Czar is one of the fastest growing cigar distribution companies in the USA. Using custom made remote managing humido
rs, Cajun Cigar Czar provides high quality handmade cigars to consumers via handpicked retail partners. Cajun Cigar Czar is currently located in 17 States and growing.
Edit: I poached a picture with the backpack:
