Tag Archives: Protocol

by | January 16, 2022 · 10:57 am

Protocol Bass Reeves Natural and Maduro Cigars

On Friday Son’s Cigars hosted the Bass Reeves launch party with Juan and Kevin from Protocol Cigars in attendance. I was busy with the 1st and 15th podcast recording so it wasn’t until about 9 o’clock when I rolled in, which is pretty late for me. I admit I had to talk myself into leaving the house that late! I didn’t want to miss hanging out with these dudes though, and I had been looking forward to trying these cigars. I got there and lit up the Bass Reeves Maduro. Both cigars are 6″ x 52 toros, and both are made in AJ Fernandez’ San Lotano factory via Espinosa. All the specifics can be found in the press release which I posted back in June (here). The maduro has a dark, Nicaraguan Habano and has some hints of licorice here and there. It was a nice, medium bodied cigar, at least that was my thought, but I had smoked a Todos las Dias Thick Lonsdale earlier, and they are “mas fuerte”. It had loads of flavor as was quite satisfying. It smoked for a good hour and 45 minutes, or until closing time, which was way past my bedtime. As one would expect from a Protocol event, it was low key and mellow, a fine evening of civilized conversation. I’m glad I talked myself into going. 

 

Naturally, I had to smoke the Ecuador Sumatra wrapped version yesterday. I dig Sumatra, but they can vary widely from growing region to growing region, I find. This was a good looking cigar, with a ruddy brown wrapper. Flavorwise this, to me, was on the earthy, leathery side with a little spice. It lacked the sweetness I expect in the  Sumatras I enjoy the most. It was still a good cigar, the construction was spot on, as was the maduro. So far that has been the case with the cigars I’ve smoked from that factory (Espinosa has the Murcialago made there as well as some of the 601s and the Laranja Reserva Azulejo). The Sumatra was good, but my palate prefers the maduro in this case. I can see where I’m going to go back and pick up the others in the Lawman series and give them a try. I should have grabbed them all Friday, but I was in a hurry to get a cigar lit and just went right for the Bass Reeves. I’m sure I’ll be back to Son’s soon, they have them all! 

 

Check out the 1st and 15th Podcast where I don’t think I made too big a fool of myself (the competition was fierce!) in places where one finds podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or embedded at https://www.comedycigarsmusic.com/. I think we had a different approach to talking about the CA top 25, but this particular group has a different approach to most discussions! It was actually pretty tame. That’s all for today, until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig

 

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by | June 23, 2021 · 6:36 pm

News: Protocol Cigars Introduces The Protocol Bass Reeves

You see, I knew there was another press release from Protocol! This is another pair of cigars in their “Lawmen” series, which I will have to try one of these days. I suppose a trip up north is in order as nobody seems to have them around here. Check out this news item: 

 

Protocol cigars is proud and honored to announce the third installment in the Lawmen series that will debut at the 2021 PCA Trade Show, The Protocol Bass Reeves. The Protocol Bass Reeves, like the other installments in the Lawmen Series, is being offered in both in natural and maduro. The Lawmen Series is a more classic, traditional, refined, and regal look Protocol Cigars has been offering since it’s launch of the Protocol Sir Robert Peel. The Lawmen Series is the company’s concept where they pay homage to the men and women of law enforcement who spend hours working tirelessly to catch the bad guys. 

 

Bass Reeves was one of the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshals in history. During his long career in Arkansas and the Oklahoma Territory, Bass Reeves arrested more than 3,000 dangerous criminals. In 1875 he was sworn in as a U.S. Deputy Marshal. “Bass Reeves was the inspiration for The Lone Ranger and we tried to incorporate that into the design of the packaging. We added a white horse and incorporated silver into the design on the vista and band because The Lone Ranger’s horse was named silver. We can not think of a more deserving historical law enforcement figure to get a cigar in their honor!” Said Kevin Keithan. 

 

The Protocol Bass Reeves comes in a 6×52 box pressed toro in a 10 count box. It is being produced at the San Lotano Factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua under the watchful eye and tutelage of Erik Espinosa. The MSRP is $119.50 per box. “Bass Reeves was blended with tobacco leaves from the different growing regions of Nicaragua. Both were blended to have  incredible taste and balance. The maduro is a dark habano with sweet subtleness. The natural is a nutty sumatra with a delicious underlying spice note.” Added Hector Alfonso Sr. Espinosa’s Master Blender. Juan Cancel added, “We are proud to feature Bass Reeves as the newest addition to the Lawmen Series. I feel it truly shows the diversity of the law enforcement community as a whole, that men and women from all races and ethnicities come together to serve the public at large.”

 

The Protocol Bass Reeves

Vitola: 6×52 Box Press

10 Count Boxes $119.50

Natural:

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Maduro:

Wrapper: Nicaragua Dark Habano

Blinder: Nicaragua 

Filler: Nicaragua

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by | · 6:21 pm

News: Protocol “Blue” Line Adds 6″ x 60 Gordo

Since I’m in the middle of smoking my way through the Black Lion Luxuries Cigar of the Month Club pack, I’m being lazy and posting some news items. It’s that time of year anyway, so there’s going to be a lot of news over the next few weeks as the PCA show approaches. Here’s a tidbit from Protocol, I think I have another one around someplace…

 

Protocol Cigars is pleased to announce a 6 x 60 Gordo line extension in the Protocol “Blue” Line debuting at the 2021 PCA Trade Show. The Protocol “Blue,” which it has unofficially been referred as, was the first release for Protocol Cigars back in 2015. As it stands the original Protocol line comes in a 6 x 52 Toro, a 7.5 x 38 Lancero, and a 5 5/8 x 46 Corona Gorda. This is Protocols first 6 x 60 cigar and we are planning on doing more Gordo line extensions in the future if this goes well. “The demand for a 6 x 60 has steadily been increasing over the years from our supporters, so we decided to feed that demand.” Said Kevin Keithan co-owner of Protocol Cigars.

 

The Protocol Gordo will be the same blend as the original line. It will be a Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro Leaf, wrapping around a Nicaraguan Habano, covering all Nicaragua long fillers. This cigar has quadruple ligero in the blend, making it full bodied and bold. The double habano wrapper and binder combination balances out the quadruple ligero giving it a creamy finish. “We had to listen to the demands for a 6 x 60 vitola, so we couldn’t think of a more appropriate blend to launch a Gordo than the original “Blue” Protocol. We feel this blend will hold up great in a 6 x 60 format” added Juan Cancel founder and co-owner of Protocol Cigars.

 

Like it’s predecessors, The Protocol Gordo will be manufactured at the La Zona Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua under the watchful eye of Erik Espinosa and under the tutelage of La Zona’s Master Blender: Hector Alfonso Sr. The MSRP will be $110 per 10 count box and $11 per single stick. The cigar will ship shortly after the PCA, tentatively.

 

The Cigar:

6 x 60 Gordo

MSRP $11 single stick. $110 10 count box.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro

Binder: Nicaragua Habano

Filler: Quadruple Ligero Nicaragua 

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by | August 17, 2020 · 9:55 pm

News: Protocol Cigars Announces Protocol Eliot Ness

I think this is the best press release from Protocol issued to date! I’m looking forward to getting ahold of this one, but I still haven’t tried the Sir Robert Peel yet, so I’m a little behind on my Protocol sampling. I’ll  have to do something about that. 


Protocol Cigars is proud to announce the release of The Protocol Eliot Ness. It is the second installment of the newly created “Lawmen Series.” The Protocol Eliot Ness will continue the more refined and regal look of last year’s release of the Sir Robert Peel. The Sir Robert Peel was a bold change from the more modern look that Protocol Cigars had established up until that time. It used more of a traditional, elegant, sophisticated, and regal packaging design. Juan Cancel, co-founder and owner of Protocol Cigars said: “The Sir Robert Peel was a total change of direction for the company. We wanted to offer our supporters a more regal product from marketing, packaging, and to the actual tobacco used in the blend. We wanted to stay true to our working class supporters, but wanted to also offer them a higher end product. Sometimes the average working Joe likes to put on a suit and get a little fancy while smoking his cigar. It was a bold move and it paid off. The Protocol Sir Robert Peel was and continues to be a tremendous success for us. We figured why not continue on the coattails of that success.” Continuing that look and feel we present the Protocol Eliot Ness.  

The company has created the “Lawmen Series,” which Sir Robert Peel was the first installment. Continuing with the company’s law enforcement theme, they have created the Protocol Eliot Ness. The concept is that criminals are so often glorified in Hollywood and in media. Very rarely do the men and woman who work tirelessly to bring these criminal to justice are ever recognized. This is where the “Lawmen Series” comes in. The “Lawmen Series” will pay homage to the law enforcement personnel that bring these glorified criminals to justice. 

 

Eliot Ness was a Federal Agent in the Bureau of Prohibition. This agency was created in 1920 to enforce the National Prohibition Act of 1919. Eliot Ness was assigned to Chicago, Illinois. In 1931 Eliot Ness arrested American Gangster Al Capone. That year adorns the Protocol Eliot Ness Band. The Protocol Eliot Ness was created to honor this dedicated and hard working law enforcement officer.

 

Another first time and bold move by Protocol Cigars was to offer the Sir Robert Peel in a Natural and Maduro. To keep with that history, the Protocol Eliot Ness will also come in a Natural and Maduro offering. Both blends are Nicaraguan Puros, where all tobacco comes from Nicaragua. The natural will have a Double Habano wrapper/binder with Viso/Seco/Criollo fillers. The maduro will have a beautiful dark and oily Nicaraguan Broadleaf. Both the natural and maduro share the same habano binder. The natural’s filler are Viso/Seco/Corojo from Esteli and Jalapa. There is something very special about these 2 blends. It is the first time Protocol Cigars have offered a cigar with no ligero tobacco in the blend. Kevin Keithan, co-owner states: “We wanted to do something new and exciting for us. This is the first blend we offer to the market that has no ligero tobacco. A far cry from our first offering in 2015 that had quadruple ligero in the filler. So all the strength and power of the blends come from the other tobaccos. It is a very unique smoking experience, especially for those who are used to smoking Protocol Cigars. We are super excited about this project!” The Protocol Eliot Ness will come in 10 count boxes in a 6X52 Boxed Press Vitola. The MSRP will be $119.50 and available by mid to late fall and will be a full production line. 

 

Another first for the company is that the Protocol Eliot Ness will be manufactured at AJ Fernandez’s San Lotano Factory in Ocotal, Nicaraguan, under the direction of Erik Espinosa. The cigar was blended by Protocol Cigars, under the guidance of La Zona’s blender Hector Alfonso Sr. “We really wanted this cigar to be done with a Connecticut Broadleaf, unfortunately it’s very scarce right now. We are fortunate enough to have a great relationship with AJ Fernandez. AJ offered us the use of his proprietary Nicaraguan Broadleaf, which lead to his offer to actually manufacture the cigars in his factory. The Protocol Elliot Ness will be manufactured using his tobaccos, while following the blend we created. We are eternally grateful to AJ Fernandez, Erik Espinosa and Hector Alfonso Sr. for their help in making this project a reality!” Said Juan Cancel.  

 

Protocol Eliot Ness Natural:

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano

Binder: Habano, Esteli

Filler: Nicaraguan Viso/Seco/Criollo 

 

Protocol Eliot Ness Maduro:

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Broadleaf

Binder: Habano, Esteli 

Filler: Viso/Seco/Corojo: Esteli/Jalapa

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by | June 10, 2020 · 6:34 am

News: Protocol Cigars Announces John Doe 2

I’m catching up on some news items this morning, so strap on your seatbelts.  The first one is a shop exclusive from Protocol cigars. I’m a little bit out of touch with the goings on at Protocol, but there seems to have been some changes there. I guess I need to catch up with Juan and see what’s going on. I sent him a CigarCraig sticker for his humidor door but didn’t get any feedback on it! 

 

Protocol Cigars announces their second release in the Protocol John Doe Series with the John Doe 2.0. John Doe is the name given to unidentified males until identification can be made at a later time. The cigars will be available in 10 count bundles with a $92.50 MSRP. The wrapper, binder, and filler are unidentified at this time. The only information available is place of birth. At this time it has been confirmed that the place of birth is the La Zona Cigar Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. This installment in the series is a true limited release with only 225 bundles in a 5X52 vitola, with an unidentifiable plain white cigar band. John Doe 2.0 will be available for purchase one time only, never to be released again. Once they are gone, they will be gone forever. 

 

Pedigree information: 

Wrapper: Unidentified

Blinder: Unidentified

Filler: Unidentified 

POB: La Zona, Esteli, Nicaragua 

 

Protocol Cigars is proud to offer this installment through Omerta Cigar Co. of 7700 S. Western Ave, Suite B, Oklahoma City,  OK 73139, and their online site: www.purocigarhouse.com. The release date will be Saturday, July 11th, 2020. There will be an in store event and online sales, more details to follow on both companies social media platforms. Bundles and single stick sales will be available to the public on a first come first served basis. 

 

“We are excited and honored to have been selected by our great partners in the industry for this phenomenal release. We look forward to a great rollout event and being a part of Protocol’s rise in the industry especially here in the MidWest! Thank you Kevin and Juan for this opportunity. ” Jarrett Jackson Managing Partner Omerta Cigar Co.

 

About Cubariueño Cigar Co.

 

Cubariqueno LLC (Protocol Cigars) founded in 2015 making hand rolled cigars in partnership with Espinosa Cigars and the La Zona Factory in Esteli Nicaragua.

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