Tag Archives: Rabbit Hole

El Mago, LOFB, Deisel Cigars and a Lighter

Do yourself a favor and keep an eye out for Smoke Inn‘s (not a sponsor) weekly deals.  I get them in email, but it doesn’t really work into my posting schedule to share them, but if you follow CigarProp (also not a sponsor) on Facebook, he generally passes them on. I sometimes find them difficult to pass up.  For instance, a couple weeks back they offered three El Mago Miami Maduro and three League of Fat Bastards Serie L in toro size that I hadn’t smoked before for something stupid like $20 delivered.  It’s stupid not to buy these, right?  I had a good experience with the El Mago in the past, and, as much as I dislike the name, the LOFB cigars sound interesting and support a worthwhile cause.  I’m also always on the lookout for new to me things to type about on Sundays!  El Mago is an interesting brand, based in Miami and created as an homage to the brand owner’s grandparents who died in the condo collapse in Miami a few years ago.  The Mami Maduro has a San Andrés wrapper, Sumatra binder and Nicaraguan fillers, made in a factory in Esteli. Like the Disco I smoked previously, this was a terrific cigar.  It burned perfectly, and had a pepper spice and cocoa thing going on.  I like that a lot, it’s a trait that some of my favorite cigars possess.  I will definitely continue to explore this brand! 

 

The LOFB, or League of Fat Bastards, is a new brand that commits something like 40% of each cigars proceeds to men’s mental health charities.  This is certainly a noble cause, and one that’s likely underserved.  I know as a man, it’s hard to admit to anything that would leave you vulnerable. I know I’ve never admitted to anxiety, until recently when my mother’s health was failing and I asked my doctor to get me something to take the edge off. The whole parent passing away, and the subsequent managing of the estate carries a lot of pressure.  Anyway, I wasn’t going to go out of my way to try the LOFB cigars because somehow I don’t feel like I identify with the name, although I have my share of fat, but I don’t think I’m a bastard! Since these were with the El Mago deal I didn’t have much choice!  Turns out this is a really good cigar.  This 6″ x 54 toro has an Ecuador wrapper of some sort, and Nicaraguan binder and fillers.  This was another perfectly made cigar that was a joy to smoke.  It had a spice cake sort of flavor, very enjoyable.  My opinion has changes on this brand, but I still don’t like the name!

 

I have a problem.  Whenever I check out at Walmart and I see a torch lighter in the checkout line, I have to buy it.  Last time it was a Djeep torch, which has turned out to be a really nice single torch lighter, this time it was a colorful display of MK lighter that caught my eye. I have an absolute shitload of torch lighters, there are three on my smoking table right now, so I didn’t need another, but I don’t have a blue one, so onto the checkout belt it went. I don’t find this one to be as ergonomic as the Djeep, which was a lot more expensive than this one ($5 vs the $4 MK). I also feel like aesthetically it looks a little top heavy, but it’s light weight.  I can say that it has a large fuel tank, produces as good a torch flame as anything, and works well. It has a lock to lock it off, but not on like the Blazer PB207, which is good I guess.  If you’re travelling and want a cheap reliable torch, or one to keep in the glovebox, this is a great choice.  

 

Finally, I smoked the new Diesel Founder’s Collection Raceking.  This is offered in a 6″ x 52 toro and has an Ecuador Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and fillers.  Apparently some of the tobaccos are aged in Rabbit Hole’s Raceking bourbon barrels. I don’t know anything about bourbon, but I do know that I really like the Deisel sherry cask cigar in the Rabbit Hole series.  I also know that I wasn’t overly fond of the original Rabbit Hole blend, but many people loved it.  While I enjoyed this Raceking, I thought it reminded me more of the original. I thought it had a bready component. I have smoke many many cigars that I didn’t enjoy as much, it was a perfectly good smoke. Maybe I need to revisit the first Rabbit Hole cigar.  Out of all the Deisel cigars I’ve smoked, and I’ve enjoyed more than I haven’t, this was in the upper half.  Good cigar. 

 

As I write I’m smoking a Hoyo de Monterrey Shade, but I’ll get to that one next week. That’s all for today, until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig

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News: Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask Launching in June

Here’s some news from General Cigar Co. I admit that the first Diesel Whiskey Row wasn’t for me, I tried several times, but it just wasn’t up my alley. As much as people who’s tastes I respect raved about it, I just don’t get it. That’s OK, not every cigar is right for everyone! I am looking forward to giving this a whirl, Broadleaf and Arapiraca? what can go wrong?

 

DIESEL TO LAUNCH WHISKEY ROW SHERRY CASK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RABBIT HOLE

New Collection Marks the Second Collaboration between Two Maverick Brands

Diesel Cigars and Rabbit Hole Bourbon have reignited their partnership with Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask, a new, three-cigar collection shipping to all channels on June 3, 2019.

Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask is a cigar with epic depth and sublime flavor. Developed by Justin Andrews, blended by AJ Fernandez and handcrafted at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Esteli, Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask features Nicaraguan-aged tobaccos cultivated on three continents. This exciting new collection once again calls upon a proprietary aging process developed by AJ to deepen the complexity of the smoking experience by barrel-aging the binder leaves.

 

Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask is centered around a rare Arapiraca leaf from Central Brazil’s Alagoas region. This binder leaf was selected for aging in Rabbit Hole’s Pedro Ximénez Sherry barrels to bring forth subtle notes of honey, vanilla and molasses. When blended with spicy Nicaraguan Habano and crowned with a lustrous Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, this Maduro cigar is a study in contrast, as cigar meets bourbon, salty meets sweet and earth meets spice.

 

Justin Andrews, senior brand manager for Diesel cigars said, “With Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask, we set out to expand the Diesel portfolio by offering cigar and spirits lovers a deeper sensory experience and I believe we have delivered that in spades. This new blend is perfectly suited to pairing with a fine spirit, stands up equally well on its own, and has all the makings of another runaway success for Diesel.”

 

Kaveh Zamanian, founder and whiskey maker of Rabbit Hole said, “For our second collaboration with Diesel, we selected our rich and aromatic Pedro Ximénez sherry casks for AJ to use in the tobacco aging process because we knew they would lend a stunning complexity to the blend. ‘Sherry Cask’ speaks to the power of our partnership with Diesel and our collective focus on combining heritage technique and refined innovation to heighten the experience of fine cigars and spirits.”

 

Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask will be available in three sizes, each presented in 20-count wooden boxes that give a nod to Rabbit Hole’s unique branding.

 

Robusto (5” x 52); SRP per cigar is $8.49

Toro (6” x 50); SRP per cigar is $8.99

Gigante (6” x 58); SRP per cigar is $9.49

 

Diesel Whiskey Row debuted in June 2018 and marked the first collaboration between Diesel and Rabbit Hole. It was the first cigar to feature a binder leaf aged in Rabbit Hole’s bourbon barrels and generated a significant following among cigar lovers nationwide.

 

About Diesel

Handcrafted by artisans in Esteli, Nicaragua, Diesel cigars are “bold by design.” The brand challenges the current conventions of the handmade cigar category through the bold, unapologetic style of its Cigar Master, AJ Fernandez. Diesel cigars are unified by their deeply complex flavor which is achieved through AJ’s steadfast adherence to time honored cigar making techniques. Whiskey Row is the second brand in the Diesel portfolio, joining Diesel Grind which debuted in 2017. Follow Diesel on Facebook and Instagram @Dieselcigars.

 

About Rabbit Hole

Diversifying the spirits landscape with a modern approach to whiskey is Kentucky-based Rabbit Hole. Established in 2012 by Founder and Whiskey Maker Kaveh Zamanian in the heart of Louisville’s urban Bourbon Trail, Rabbit Hole unifies heritage techniques with innovative mash bills, creating unique expressions of American whiskey. With four signature bottlings – Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in PX Sherry Casks – Fingerprint Edition and London Dry Gin Kentucky Rye Barrel Finish – Fingerprint Edition – Rabbit Hole turns the whiskey world on its tail, inviting imbibers to take a sip and dive down the rabbit hole, where “there’s no going back™.” The brand’s 55,000 square foot, awe-inspiring distillery opened May 2018 and showcases the tradition and legacy of bourbon making in an all-encompassing experience, unlike any other distillery in the country. Having been inducted to full proof membership in February, 2019, Rabbit Hole is the newest member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Follow Rabbit Hole on Instagram @Rabbit Hole and Facebook @ Rabbit Hole Distillery.

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