Tag Archives: Jalapa

More Ortega Cigars: The Jalapa, M3 and Cubao

I worked on finishing off the Ortega sampler that I ordered, so far I have my favorites, and I still have the Serie D Connecticut yet to smoke (I’ll probably smoke it today). I found a Cult cigar from a few years ago in my humidor which is made at the same factory which I may smoke later as well. The Cult cigars were made for Quality Importers, where, ironically, Eddie Orega spent a short time working, which may explain his association with the TACASA factory. I started out with the Jalapa Habano, which has a plain band which is reminiscent of another brand, and I hope that doesn’t cause any problems down the line. This was a tasty cigar, fairly heavy on the spice, which I wasn’t expecting. The wrapper is a Jalapa Habano, the binder is San Andrés and the fillers are Nicaraguan. I enjoyed this cigar, and I’m really interested in smoking the Maduro version, and I’ll order some once they show available on the website. I notice a lot of things are out of stock on the site right now, I’ll ask Eddie when he’s expecting a shipment. He does seem to have the samplers available though!  Anyway, the Jalapa Habano was a good smoke. 

 

The M3 Habano was next, and it has the same wrapper as the Jalapa, with difference being the binder which is is from Nicaragua in this case and the fillers from Nicaragua. This was a bit less spicy, but also had a little kick. Something I notice with the entire range of cigars is that either they all seem to burn a little faster than I’m used to, or maybe time is just passing faster this week. It’s not as if they are loosely rolled or anything, they all have burned perfectly, I don’t know the answer. Perhaps it’s just the style in which they are made. It could just be that they are good and they are gone and leaving me wanting more. Let’s go with that. Again, I’d be interested in trying the Maduro version. 

 

Finally, and perhaps my favorite of the bunch next to the Serie D Maduro, is the Cubao Habano. This is one of the original brands from EO Brands that was originally made by Pepin Garcia. It’s now being offered in four wrappers, Habano, Maduro, Sumatra and Cameroon. I’ll take a sampler of Cubao please! If I had any complaint it would be that my device spellchecked “Cubao” to Cuban” and I didn’t catch it and had to edit my social media posts. The Cubao Habano hit my palate just right. It had the perfect balance of sweetness, spice and earthiness. I dug it. I smoked it later than usual, and it wasn’t so strong as to cause me any more trouble sleeping than usual. This was a terrific smoke and I greatly enjoyed it. I’m tempted to shop for some five packs as the Cubao seem to be in stock. Good stuff from a great guy. I’m looking forward to smoking that Serie D Connecticut later! 

 

I still have to put together a contest, I’ve been slacking! I’ll work on that. There’s a chance I’ll be talking to Kaplowitz on his Instagram Live or Facebook Live this afternoon, so keep an eye out for that (he’s very entertaining). Until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig

 

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Berger & Argenti and Toraño Single Region

Sunday evening, after a very busy weekend, I had a hankering for a Berger  & Argenti Mooch Loll maduro.  This was a really nice looking 6″ x 52 torpedo, perfectly proportioned with a beautiful dark wrapper.  I have to say that in this case, I really enjoyed the natural wrapper more.  Still, it was a delicious cigar that performed admirably.  I had spent the afternoon at a street festival in my town, I had hoped to smoke a cigar or two while there, but it rained and was cold.  My youngest son was playing in one of his bands at the festival, they played at one of the locations, but their set at the main location was cancelled due to the weather.  I had planned on smoking one of the camouflage wrapped American Eagles cigars, so if someone complained, I could act like I didn’t know what they were complaining about!  This joke probably goes over better in my head, just like when I run into the rack of camo clothes in the sporting goods store and saying I didn’t see it.  Anyway, I still like the Berger & Argenti Mooch line quite a bit, the name may be a little odd, but the cigars are good.  This one was a sample from the IPCPR show.

 

Tuesday I selected a Toraño Family Cigars Single Region Serie Jalapa, which I bought at G & G Cigars on a recent visit.  This one was the 6″ x 54 Toro  Grande.  I;m not usually a fan of Criollo wrapped cigars, but this one, with it’s entirely Jalapa grown tobaccos, was sweet and rich, and I really enjoyed it.  It didn’t burn arrow straight, but I still was a very relaxing and enjoyable cigar.  My son, Corey, joined me on the front porch with a Cain F Nub and it didn’t kill him.  The Single Region Serie Jalapa is made completely from tobaccos grown on the El Estero Farm in Jalapa, Nicaragua.   A unique cigar, very nice.

 

Here is a little video I took with Charlie Toraño a the IPCPR show last July.  As with all my videos, don’t forget to turn your computer speakers down after watching!

 

That’s it for now, until the next time,

CigarCraig

 

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Filed under IPCPR, Review, Video