At the opening dinner, Macanudo Inspirado provided capa, binder and tripa fumas. This is the first time I have seen this presentation, a chance to experience the tobacco that goes into a cigar by itself. I am intrigued. Continue reading Macanudo Fumas
Hamlet 25th Year Master of Tobacco Robusto
Size of cigar: 5½ inches by 50 ring gauge 
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Pennsylvanian Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaraguan & Honduran
This is the second blend issued by Hamlet Paredes since he joined the Rocky Patel family. Continue reading Hamlet 25th Year Master of Tobacco Robusto
AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Robusto
This is a new blend of an old favorite. A rich dark wrapper with only minor veins that smells heavily of cocoa, with more of the same from the foot. The bunch is firm and the cold draw is good.Ash fell off just past the first inch (fortunately not in my lap).
The cigar and the coffee are matching extremely well (can’t beat a cup of fresh roasted torquino). Good smooth smoke with a good amount of black pepper on the retrohale. Firm light grey ash and an even burn. So far this is definitely a very pleasant experience.
At one third the pepper has settled and a nice lingering bittersweet flavor has developed. The cocoa notes are very subtle but add nicely to the profile. I would call this a medium+ bodied smoke with medium flavor.
After 2/3 the pepper notes return in the retrohale and the overall blend has really come together with notes of cocoa and coffee. I always start a cigar expecting the best and this one has definitely not let me down. The burn has remained even throughout with a nice conical burn.
Approaching the final inch the ash fell off again, this time nailing my shirt. Not that big of a deal, but the ash could have been firmer. Still, this is a very good cigar with a great complexity of flavors. 90, Joe Bob says check it out.
Room 101 Johnny Tobacconaut
Before I cut or lit it I noticed rich tobacco aromas from the cigar. The dry draw was perfect and tasted wonderful.
I am a big believer in giving every cigar a chance up front and this one earned it a little spice on the tongue with back flavors of holiday spice bread made me want to smoke faster, but I resisted. Continue reading Room 101 Johnny Tobacconaut
Camacho Ditka Gametime
Good construction, some veins in the medium wrapper, light tobacco notes from the wrapper and a somewhat generous draw. Paired with a Shiner Texas Warmer ale.
Not surprisingly, it’s very similar to the Camacho Corojo I smoked last week; the differences being a cleaner draw and less tendency to go out, although I will have to say that I was pretty involved in conversation while smoking the Camacho.
There is however a slight difference in the tasting notes; the Ditka has more pepper early on and has an odd sweetness that I might expect from a “dipped” cigar, although I know this one is not. Continue reading Camacho Ditka Gametime
General Cigar/AJ Fernandez Diesel collaboration -Grind
A perfect bunch and aromas from the wrapper and foot that almost make you want to eat the cigar it smells so good. Hints of cocoa wrapped in earthy tones of tobacco. A clean clip and a perfect draw speak of great things to come.
A nice strong bite of tobacco greets you from the very start, grabbing your collar and yelling, “this is gonna be special, ok?” And it’s right. This is a great cigar. Undertones of cocoa provide a nice bed for the tobacco while the peppers play around with your palate. The burn is nice and even with a firm light grey ash.
When two great cigar makers team up you can expect great things. This cigar has the consistency of a General with the complexity of an AJ Fernandez. While that may sound somewhat contradictory, trust me, the end product is outstanding.
At 1/3, hints of cognac sneak in. The peppers are somewhat muted although still present. And the volume of smoke is outstanding. The burn continues to be straight and the ash remains firm. My Topo Chico also does a very good job of keeping the cigar from being overwhelming.
There is absolutely no stinging from the smoke as it passes across the face. At 2/3 I am still impressed by the seamless combination of General and AJ. When you smoke this cigar you will understand how it can be both complex and consistent. The strength combined with the flavors is epic.
Putting it down at one inch, I wish it was a longer cigar so I could continue to enjoy it. 90. Joe Bob says check it out.
Micallef Cigars interview at IPCPR2017
IPCPR 2017 Wrap-up
The 2017 International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Convention has come and gone. While it took place in Las Vegas like last year, there were significant differences – and these not all due to the fact that the venue had changed from the Sands Expo to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Continue reading IPCPR 2017 Wrap-up
Aging Room Solera
Like last year’s Quartro, the Solera came in its own coffin and looks just as good. A nice firm bunch and a silky smooth wrapper speak to the quality of construction. Heavy cocoa notes from the wrapper and foot with leather from the perfect cold draw. Paired with a Stone Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, I may approach cocoa overload. Continue reading Aging Room Solera
The 10 Most Compelling People from Day 3 of the IPCPR 2017
Before we get into the Top 10, there is one person who stands above all the rest – Victoria McKee Jaworski from General Cigar. You know that person who makes you feel like a close friend (but that you see only once a year), that offers you coffee (and even knows how you take it) and asks about your children (then remembers their names)? That’s her. She had the company’s booth running as smoothly as clockwork, and made customers feel right at home. Plus she promoted their new products – Macanudo Black & White, Hoya de Amistad Silver, CAO Amazonia Anaconda and Partagas 1845.
1. Big Papi David Ortiz showed up to promote his cigar, take pictures with fans and sign posters of his cigar, named Big Papi. Red Sox fans, and baseball fans in general, were thrilled.
2. Omar de Frias towered over the crowds as he made the rounds – always a crowd favorite. There were free samples at the FDA compliance meeting, provided by Fratello Cigars. And Omar ‘launched’ his new Navetta.
3. The idea guys at Espinosa Cigars. Espinosa’s new Murcielago cigar, as well as the other lines, were well represented in their booth, with creative displays, unique bands and names. Truly an ‘overnight success twenty years in the making’.
4. Toscano and his ‘Friendship’ cigar. In an Italian tradition that helps to embrace the rest of the world, the new Toscano is designed to share. Meet a friend, cut the cigar and a half, and share a smoke and a story. Toscano also has a few interesting naturally flavored cigars, like coffee and chocolate. Brought to you by La Aurora.
5. Frank Santos, an old friend in a new company. Don’t you love it when someone is genuinely happy to see you? A.J. Fernandez did it right when he hired Santos to represent his brand.
6. The coffee and whiskey man at the La Palina booth. Just hired for the event, he did an excellent job of representing the company to customers who stopped by for a beverage. Twin Engine Coffee has roasted and espresso for La Polina, and the fellow slyly convinced customers that they should get coffee for their shops while they stopped there to get cigars.
7. Steven Bailey, of Anthony & Cornelius, was a truly genuine person who spoke about his early failures, which had driven him to research more and draw on others’ knowledge in order to achieve his recent successes, as well as his new blends, the Ariel and Señor Esugars.
8. Carson Serino showed off his new Wayfarer cigars. Serino is already a CW favorite (with his Serino Royale, and I’m excited about the future release of the new stick.
9. CW member Jon Huber is at Crowned Heads, promoting their new Four Kicks Maduro and the soft-release Luminosa (from earlier this year).
10. Johnny Soyak and his ‘Cigar in the Bottle’. Johnny shared both his apple-flavored Cognac and his unique concept at the show. The first time I saw this bottle was ten years ago at a charity auction, after he donated it to help a school for children with learning disabilities. He’s still around, providing good spirits in more than one way.
Continue reading The 10 Most Compelling People from Day 3 of the IPCPR 2017
Novel Pairings from the IPCPR 2017, Day 2
1. El Chapo and Sausage. Jeremy Jack Cigars went out on a limb with some unique looks. Their El Chapo is in a three-count box, and is on the lam. The Salchichas, or ‘sausages’, is a good link.
2. Oscar and Island Jim. Yes, Island Jim really looks like his cigar band, and he even has a BBQ pineapple snack sausage with a cigar-like package.
3. Sakasquatch and ‘Everyday’. Steve Saka introduced Todos Los Dias, and apologizes for his poor Spanish translation, but promises happy smokers if they try the stick. He also has a new mascot – the cigar-smoking big-foot Sakasquatch.
4. Bravo and his mom. The Guayaberas Lady was happily sharing her love of stylish smoking shirts with retailers while her son happily shared the J. Fuego Gran Reserva Original, and everyday Walk Around cigar.
5. Two different families. The Micallef family and the Gomez/Sanchez family bonded together over a common goal – make cigars, make them well and share them with the world. This new partnership made for a unique booth, with live cigar rollers, live interviews about the cigar industry and a beautiful humidor giveaway.
6. Cigars and stuff. The new and improved Tommy Bahama has combined the look and feel of sailing and golfing with cigars and accessories. Their ashtrays include some that stand up to sun, wind, rain and falling off the table. Their humidor comes with a built-in light so you can always find the cigar you want. And their lighters and cutters are the quality you would expect from a high-end outfitter.
7. 40-million sticks and a new brand. Despite having to start over twice, the Plasencia family has been the cigar manufacturer go for customers wanting quality tobacco and production. The Plasencia family has made quite a jump in the market with their own brand of cigars, including the new Alma Fuerte line.
8. LFD and a long road back from number one. After Cigar Aficionado named La Flor Dominicana’s Andalusian Bull number one, the elation did not slow for the company. This year, they are trying to follow up with La Volcada – named for a step in the tango dance.
9. Re-banding and measurements. Coming up with one the most unique bands, E.P. Carrillo’s Inch took on a stylish new look, with a gold band, to mark their unique inch-size ring gauges.
10. Luck and the ‘Ladder’. Knowing Robert Holt of Southern Draw would make one think successful cigar manufacturing and sales is about luck, because that he definitely has. For him and his new Jacob’s Ladder, it’s more about work, travel and talent.
Top 10 things we learned on Day 1 at IPCPR 2017
Continue reading Top 10 things we learned on Day 1 at IPCPR 2017
Muestra de Saka Exclusivo
6″ x 52, tobaccos vary from batch to batch.
Smooth oily capa with mocha notes with mostly Cappuccino/latte notes from the foot. A somewhat heavy vitola with an excellent bunch and the perfect cold draw. I have heard lots about this cigar from smokers as well as Steve Saka, so let’s see what ol’ Joe Bob thinks.
Initial notes include insane amounts of carefully aged tobacco with backnotes of cream and coffee. Saka warned not to expect a Sobramesa or even a Mi Quireda; completely accurate so far. Not even much pepper in the retrohale. This is a very elegant creamy cigar.
Paired with an Atwater Decadent Dark Chocolate Brew, the two are meshing spectacularly, although I suspect the mocha notes would be lighter with a different beer. Still, the cigar has a sweetness of its own.
The ash is solid and medium grey and the burn is razor-sharp, signs of an excellently constructed cigar.
Backing off the cocoa-heavy beer for a few minutes, the cigar still has excellent mocha notes over the flavor of the finely aged tobacco. According to Saka, each batch will be different; this batch is divine.
Nearing the first third, the flavors kick up a bit with some pepper notes in the retrohale. Still as smooth as silk though, with lots of tasty smoke. The burn is still near perfect and is very flat.
A cool burning cigar on my patio on a nice breezy evening is pretty much as good as it gets. Not quite halfway and the cigar continues to be as cool as it was at the beginning.
I can almost hear some of you saying, “yeah, but Joe Bob is a huge Saka fanboy,” but as I continue towards the second third I am still looking for some flaw in the cigar to keep me from sounding like a worshipper; nothing has come up yet. That said, heed Saka’s warning that this is not as strong as a Sobramesa or a Mi Quierda. That takes nothing away from the quality nor enjoyment of this cigar.
Passing the 2/3 point, the fermentation notes of the tobacco strengthen, adding to the complexity of the flavors of the cigar. The burn is still almost perfect and the smoke remains cool and pleasant. I may have to run inside for a corn cob holder so that I can smoke past the point where it gets too hot to hold.
In the cigar industry, Steve Saka is mentioned in the same conversation as Rafael Nodal, EP Carillo, Michael Gianini and Christian Eiroa. I find no error in these comparisons. As for the Muestra de Saka, I’ll be “that guy” and only give it a 99.
Dunbarton Tobacco Trust Gordo
After last year’s stellar Sobremesa, many of us were expecting bigger and better things from Steve Saka. Without going into a detailed review of his short churchill (which will get its own review later) I am reviewing his new marque, the Mi Querida. Continue reading Dunbarton Tobacco Trust Gordo
Master Blends Cuban Crown Pyramid
A smooth dark box press cigar with a couple of veins showing, a typical “maduro” aroma from the wrapper and mostly leather from the foot. A medium to firm bunch and a bit of a loose cold draw makes me think this may be a hot cigar; let’s see what happens. Continue reading Master Blends Cuban Crown Pyramid
Leaf by Oscar Corojo Gordo
When you get a Leaf by Oscar cigar, the first thing you will notice is the packaging. Rather than settle for the traditional cellophane or even the paper wrappers (like those on OSOKs and Room 101 Big Chief Cool Arrow), they are bound up in a tobacco leaf. It’s kind of like unwrapping a gift. Continue reading Leaf by Oscar Corojo Gordo
Room 101 Chief Cool Arrow Ranflajo
Smooth chocolate brown wrapper with some veins, very light aromas from the wrapper and foot, but it’s chilly out. Perfect bias cut and pre light draw. Pairing tonight with a Real Ale Benedictum sour. Continue reading Room 101 Chief Cool Arrow Ranflajo
Diamond Crown Black Diamond Radiant
A somewhat rustic dark wrapper that frankly just smells like tobacco, same with the foot. Good clip and generous cold draw. Tonight’s beer is a Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout. Continue reading Diamond Crown Black Diamond Radiant
La Galera Maduro Robusto
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic Continue reading La Galera Maduro Robusto
Veritas 412
6 x 54 Toro
Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: San Andreas
Filler: Pennsylvanian with double ligero from Condega & Esteli Continue reading Veritas 412
AJ Fernandez El Gran Llave Double Corona
Another new release from the AJ Fernandez company.
Cocoa notes from the wrapper and perfect cold draw with some spices from the foot. Smooth box press; impressive construction.
At first the flavors are deceptive, very light on the way in and plentiful on the way out. Light cocoa notes mixed with almost pipe tobacco flavors. Very light pepper notes in the nose. Continue reading AJ Fernandez El Gran Llave Double Corona
Mike Bellody Imperia
Smooth dark wrapper with aromas of leather and…peppermint? Confirmed with the wife, the wrapper smells of peppermint. Perfect clip; cannot wait to fire this sucker up. Pairing with the usual chocolate stout.
Perfect prelight draw becomes the perfect lit draw. There is a sweetness to the smoke that draws to mind the flavor of, you guessed it, peppermint. Lots of other flavors going on here, so this is no one-trick-pony cigar.
In fact, woody, leathery and tobacco notes take over almost immediately, although the hint of peppermint still lingers. The flavors are developing quickly, the sign of a wonderfully complex cigar. The ash is a light grey and the burn is very clean.
The burn develops a slant about 1/3, but is not canoeing so I ignore it. The flavors have solidified into fine toasted tobacco and well worked leather, the peppermint fading away almost completely.
The flavors are a bit south of smooth, which is not a problem. This is s full body/flavor cigar that is most pleasant. No creaminess to this straightforward cigar.
Lots of smoke without double clutching, it is a full bodied dream. A bit of pepper has developed in the nose, making it that much more enjoyable.
And oh how enjoyable it is. At 2/3 the flavors continue to please the palate without the smoke heating up. A nice woodiness develops to complement the leather and tobacco notes. Also, a hint of almonds has developed in the under flavor.
This is developing into one of my favorite cigars from IPCPR2016. The cigar is so tasty that I am forgetting to drink my chocolate stout.
At 2/3 I am absolutely loving this stick. Still smoking relatively cool and exquisitely tasty.
The burn has evened out with no corrections. Almost perfect construction and wonderful complexity earn this one a 98. Joe Bob says definitely check it out.
Go ahead, Tommy, say that I kept the best ones for myself…
Black Label Trading Co. Santa Muerte Robusto
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Ecuador Habano
Filler: Nicaragua / Dominican/ San Andrés
A beautifully smooth dark brown wrapper smells like leather and cocoa; the foot smells the same with some pepper thrown in. The cold draw is perfect, as is the bunch. Top marks for construction.
Plentiful smoke on the initial draw reveals lots of flavor including pepper, leather and just a hint of cocoa. The draw remains perfect and the burn is true. These were debuted at my local shop two weeks ago; I got this one yesterday and now am fully regretting not making the launch event.
The flavor of almonds has developed to sublimate the initial cocoa and the pepper notes have backed off some. The promise of complexity is quite pleasing. The burn remains even approaching the end of the first third.
The light to medium grey ash is very firm with no flaking and the flavor is perfect. This is the kind of boutique cigar that everyone hopes to come across while they are “exploring.” Even removing the band is easier than most cigars.
This falls squarely in the “oh, this is so good” category. Lots of the new maduros are very good without going this far. This one is truly a treat.
Tapped the ash just past one inch to avoid ashes in my lap. The burn is a nice cone, speaking to the excellent construction of the cigar.
At 1/3 the flavor has settled to a very pleasant mixture of leather and cocoa notes with the pepper almost gone. Very nice.
This is a very good example of how smooth a great maduro can be. Full bodied and flavorful with no harshness to take away from the cigar. Also the smoke remains cool as does the cigar.
This may be a brand that you have never heard of; nevertheless is one you should seek out; an excellent complex cigar that should please the most discerning palates of maduro lovers. The cocoa and leather notes continue with hints of nutmeg. So much more than I was expecting from this cigar.
At 2/3 a distinct creaminess develops; the quality of flavor in this cigar keeps improving. The burn remains even and the cigar has not become soft as some cigars do past 2/3.
Had to put it down at one inch; the smoke was still quite smooth and cool but the burn was getting too hot to hold.
This cigar is fabulous. Great flavors and complexity and construction with outstanding flavors earn this one a 98. Joe Bob says get this cigar and add it to your rotation if you love maduros.
Review of Comacho American Barrel Aged
“Private, do you know what that smells like? It smells like victory!”
“Private Joker; hell, I Iike you, you can come over and date my sister!”
“Where does he get such wonderful toys? What kind of a world do we live in where a man dressed as a bat gets all of my press?”
“There was me, that is Alex, and my three droogs, Pete, Georgie and Dim, who really was dim, trying to make up our razoodoks about what to do with the evening.,.”
Apparently, all 4 decided to smoke a Camacho Barrel-Aged robusto.
A smooth as silk wrapper; a perfect cut, cold draw hints of very rich leather,
They never napalmed the VC so they could surf; they all made it through USMC training with their sanity intact; the Joker lost to Batman; and Little Alex and his droogs had a Camacho American Barrel-Aged Robusto with their Moloko-plus and never assaulted Billy-boy and his droogies at the derelict casino because they were all so entranced by this cigar that they were all so distracted by the cigar that they never got around to their planned mischief.
Silly? Yeah, probably, but this cigar is so good that it could distract almost anyone from any planned mischief.
While typing all of that up, I have made it through the first third with the ash intact with a truly complex mixture of flavors that almost defy identify description.
The Camacho American Barrel Aged line may or may not be better than sex. You will have to decide that one for yourself,
A completely complex cigar with excellent flavors that defy description. 98, Joe Bob says check it out.
Archives incoming
A friend wanted to know if there was a place where I had all of my cigar articles archived. As a matter of fact, I did not, so I am going to do it here.
The first post will be reviews/articles from 2015, when I first started getting “serious” about writing these. The second will be 2016 before IPCPR, another for post IPCPR2016, and I will add one for the first half of 2017 right before we leave for IPCPR2017. You will notice, if you read through all four, that my style evolves and expands over time. Then again, no one goes from crawling to running a race.
One other thing; if you are concerned about how many of the cigars I review get high scores, remember that most of them come from the vendors, who will naturally give me something they believe to be a superior product. Besides, as Tommy always says, I keep the best ones for myself…
Enjoy!
haveapremiumcigar 