Cigar smokers?

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Originally posted by stickman:

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Originally posted by mdsphoto:
Tried the Maestro Del Tiempo yesterday... tons of burn issues...

'Sorry to hear that. Do you suspect 'wet' tobacco or poor construction? I've had more than a few sticks recently with notable ammonia, especially in the last third of the stick, so I've got a growing list of sticks I'm trying to hide, or even move to a different 'coolidor,' so that I'm not continually reintroducing ammonia to my 'ready' cigars.

No ammonia thank goodness! The only thing worse than ammonia is tar bubbles. It was probably a combo of poor construction and moisture. I let it sit in my 62% box for 3-weeks, but it could have come very wet from the vendor and I would have only dropped it a few % in that time.

The Illusione ~eccj~ 20th has a been a particular favorite smoke of mine for over a year now. Already in 2017, I've had both the best one yet (words can't describe how impeccably palate-stimulating this stick was!), making me think, "Wow, these are even improving with time!" (these were boxed in 2015), as well as the worst ever - incredibly bitter; something went very wrong! I dissected the bad stick and found an abnormal and heavy stem configuration. Fwiw, the vast majority of cigars do, in fact, have what most of us call stems in them. They're not the main stem of the leaf, but heavy veins within the filler leaf are actually used to impart both structure and flavor to the cigar (not unlike stem inclusion in wine fermentation). The problem comes if too thick of a stem with too much tannin gets included, rather than discarded (rollers make hundreds of these decisions a day - sometimes they err) - it can make the cigar very bitter and sometimes cause draw issues, and it even happened to my beloved ~eccj~. For the amazing experiences I've had with these cigars, I can live with one lemon.

I mention this now, because smallbatchcigar.com is having a weekend special on all Illusione (as well as My Father) cigars! Discount code = SBCWEEKEND gets you 25% off, as well as free shipping always. Reacting to FDA threats (long story), Dion Giolito expanded the original ~eccj~ (which was actually the progenitor of the Epernay line) into a regular-production stick with new vitolas, including a corona gorda and robusto extra, which can be found here. I've tried samples of each, and I can vouch that they're at least recognizable as coming from the ~eccj~ family tree. Are they as good as the original? Not the couple I tried, but they're young, and they seem promising.

In fact, if you're willing to purchase cigars off the internet, I would recommend getting on smallbatch's notification list. They have fairly regular specials, and if you can be opportunistic, getting 20% or more off stuff you want anyway is a great way to go!

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:
... smallbatchcigar.com is having a weekend special on all Illusione (as well as My Father) cigars! Discount code = SBCWEEKEND gets you 25% off, as well as free shipping always.

Oh, and btw, I'd also highly recommend the Kadosh. It's a new Singularé, and I actually think it may be the best Singularé yet, judging from the few I've tried.

I had tried different vitolas of this in 2016, but I've now had a chance to try the Ancho Largo (6x50 Toro) size of the Mi Querida from Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust, Steve Saka's post-Drew Estate endeavor. I will agree that the Ancho Largo is the best vitola I've tried in this line, especially the second half of the cigar - lots of powdery cocoa and malt flavors, and the earthy grittiness of the other sizes was still present but not as dominant here - a good thing IMHO. It makes it more nuanced and better balanced. For my taste, I'd still recommend the Sobremesa more highly, and I'm not seeing this as a top 10 cigar for me. Nonetheless, if you prefer this type of profile, Mi Querida is a definite winner.

I'd like to throw out a recommendation to anyone who cares to dip a toe into the 'boutique cigar' endeavor. cigarfederation.com has a cigar in stock (as of this post), called GreenGo (supposedly the etymological source for the term, gringo). I hadn't posted any notes here previously, because it just seemed counter-productive to rave about something the readers can't get anyway. Well, for now, you can! My notes are from the previous batch, but...

GreenGo is made by Black Works Trading Co. exclusively for Cigar Federation, thus making it a legit 'boutique cigar,' in the truest sense of the word. They only make 1,000 cigars (cigars, not boxes) at a time, but they cost a meager $35/fiver at most, with generous discounts for larger bundles. How can they do that? - no advertising, no bands, and no boxes; just a great stick. The Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper is coarse to the touch, just as it should be, and the stick expresses the most unique, gorgeous floral notes married to very dark, potent, espresso, pepper, black molasses, and dark chocolate flavors. I love the elegant aromas married to powerful body and flavor. Anyone interested in trying them can order them here.

I am not associated with Black Works Trading Co. or with Cigar Federation. I'm just sharing info on what I think is a phenomenal cigar.

In the past I've only posted notes on sticks that I'd recommend, but I'm finding that all reviews, including the negative and so-so ones, from bloggers help me to compare my palate to theirs. To that end, I have no interest in running down any cigar, but I'll offer some views on sticks that I find good but not great.

Paul Stulac White Blinding Light toro: a hefty stick at 6 x 56. It started out very good with creamy peanut, toast, and pepper, and the middle showed some pleasant black tea, but it just seemed to run out of energy. These were discounted sticks, and I can't help but to wonder if they had been sitting around for years.
Casa Fernandez Sabor Aganorsa Corojo robusto: Coming from the same farms that supply tobacco to Illusione and Warped, my hopes were high, and there is a pleasant, sweet character to them that just hints at the aforementioned faves, and it's a good value, but I find consistently that I enjoy the blenders who use Aganorsa tobacco more Casa Fernandez's own blends.
CAO Amazon Basin: For all the raves about how amazingly flavorful and exotic these were supposed to be, all I can say is, "Um, not the ones I smoked." Not flawed, by any means, and if you buy a box, they can be a great value, but my time and palate are better spent elsewhere.
Avo Syncro Fogata short torpedo. It started out well with some attractive butterscotch notes, and it was smooth and fairly refined. I was just hoping for something more, and I find the predecessor, the Avo Syncro, to be superior.
Ezra Zion Inception: This started out great, showing gorgeous cinnamon and dough and an intermittent tanginess, but (like the Paul Stulac) it just lost steam as it went. I've been blown away by the excellence of some of the Ezra Zion sticks I've tried (notes coming soon), and I'm certain that they use well-aged tobacco in their blends to start. This was a 4-year-old stick, and I bet it was great on release and for a year or so; I'm just suspecting that these shouldn't be aged.
Davidoff Yamasa toro: Honestly, I'm underwhelmed by this stick. <gasp!> Yes, I know it was the consensus #1 stick of the year. Yeah, and El Güegüense was the #1 consensus stick last year, and I wasn't enamored of it either. The Yamasa is undoubtedly a refined, smooth cigar with soft chocolate flavors that likely appeal to a wide range of palates. My samples, however, didn't do much past that, and considering the $23/stick I paid and the hype surrounding the cigar, I expected a lot more. If someone were looking for this kind of stick, and I were to make the recommendation, I would say to save half the price and buy a Sobremesa, which is just as refined but much more interesting and complex.

I'll admit that some of my perceptions may have been colored by my high expectations of the above. Believe me: I wanted to love them all. On the other hand, I'll point out that the Cornelius & Anthony, Crux PB5, and Hoyo la Amistad didn't seem to have any issues living up to and even surpassing my expectations. I just put this out there to give context to the positive reviews I've given.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:
In the past I've only posted notes on sticks that I'd recommend, but I'm finding that all reviews, including the negative and so-so ones, from bloggers help me to compare my palate to theirs. To that end, I have no interest in running down any cigar, but I'll offer some views on sticks that I find good but not great.

Paul Stulac White Blinding Light toro: a hefty stick at 6 x 56. It started out very good with creamy peanut, toast, and pepper, and the middle showed some pleasant black tea, but it just seemed to run out of energy. These were discounted sticks, and I can't help but to wonder if they had been sitting around for years.
Casa Fernandez Sabor Aganorsa Corojo robusto: Coming from the same farms that supply tobacco to Illusione and Warped, my hopes were high, and there is a pleasant, sweet character to them that just hints at the aforementioned faves, and it's a good value, but I find consistently that I enjoy the blenders who use Aganorsa tobacco more Casa Fernandez's own blends.
CAO Amazon Basin: For all the raves about how amazingly flavorful and exotic these were supposed to be, all I can say is, "Um, not the ones I smoked." Not flawed, by any means, and if you buy a box, they can be a great value, but my time and palate are better spent elsewhere.
Avo Syncro Fogata short torpedo. It started out well with some attractive butterscotch notes, and it was smooth and fairly refined. I was just hoping for something more, and I find the predecessor, the Avo Syncro, to be superior.
Ezra Zion Inception: This started out great, showing gorgeous cinnamon and dough and an intermittent tanginess, but (like the Paul Stulac) it just lost steam as it went. I've been blown away by the excellence of some of the Ezra Zion sticks I've tried (notes coming soon), and I'm certain that they use well-aged tobacco in their blends to start. This was a 4-year-old stick, and I bet it was great on release and for a year or so; I'm just suspecting that these shouldn't be aged.
Davidoff Yamasa toro: Honestly, I'm underwhelmed by this stick. <gasp!> Yes, I know it was the consensus #1 stick of the year. Yeah, and El Güegüense was the #1 consensus stick last year, and I wasn't enamored of it either. The Yamasa is undoubtedly a refined, smooth cigar with soft chocolate flavors that likely appeal to a wide range of palates. My samples, however, didn't do much past that, and considering the $23/stick I paid and the hype surrounding the cigar, I expected a lot more. If someone were looking for this kind of stick, and I were to make the recommendation, I would say to save half the price and buy a Sobremesa, which is just as refined but much more interesting and complex.

I'll admit that some of my perceptions may have been colored by my high expectations of the above. Believe me: I wanted to love them all. On the other hand, I'll point out that the Cornelius & Anthony, Crux PB5, and Hoyo la Amistad didn't seem to have any issues living up to and even surpassing my expectations. I just put this out there to give context to the positive reviews I've given.

\

Thanks for the reviews. Like you, I've been underwhelmed by the last few cigars I've tried off the cigar of the year lists. Sometimes its been due to performance/construction issues, but a lot of the time its just flavor preference. Many at top of the lists tend to be pepper and cedar bombs which just don't suit my flavor profile.

Late last year I came across a new online review site, kohnhed.com, which listed some cigars I had never even heard of () at the top of its 'best of 2016' list. My interest was piqued, to say the least! Thus, I've recently tried the Bespoke Gran Mareva (5 5/8 x 42) and the Bespoke Traditional Line Robusto (5 x 50). These feature a unique combination of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and PA Broadleaf tobaccos for the filler with a Brazilian Cubra wrapper, producing a profile unlike any other cigar I've tried. The company hails from Estonia and is not the same brand as the Bespoke, which some may know as the house brand (a Cuban puro) for Puro Express.

Both sticks showed a piquant horehound candy note, laced with licorice and black tea. The Grand Mareva showed more baking spice and subtle chocolate in the background, whereas the Traditional Robusto showed more background maltiness and cinnamon and was accompanied by a very perfumy aroma. Phil Kohn gave the Grand Mareva a perfect 100 score and his #1 cigar of 2016 (the robusto was not reviewed), but I actually preferred the robusto by a smidgen. Regardless, both are amazing cigars, which show a truly international character, which defies categorization. I loved them!

Bespoke is reportedly much better known in Europe, but the only places I've found them in the States are Biggs Mansion in Chicago and berkeleyhumidor.com (but they only have the Basilica line, which I haven't tried yet). They're pricey at $13-15, but their uniqueness justifies the price and effort required to acquire them, IMHO.

<edited: the berkeleyhumidor.com site doesn't work, if stickman misspells it. 'Sorry; fixed.>

Another boutique cigar I'd recommend is the Black Works Trading Co. Sindustry. I thought they sold out They're available at Cigar Federation and at tntcigars. This stick is big on rich chocolate and black pepper, with peanut and red fruit in the background. This is right in the wheel-house of what BLTC does really well, IMO, and from my single tries I'd say that the robusto is just a bit better than the toro, but I haven't tried the lancero.

TNT also has the NBK (I'm pretty sure it stands for Natural Born Killer, with a line image of a sabertooth tiger skull on it) from BLTC, which I think is just about as good but is a regular production stick (or as regular as BLTC gets). Neither seems as good as the Bishops Blend, but there's no shame in that, and they both seem like they could develop and improve with a little aging.

I had heard of Ezra Zion cigars in the past, but honestly it was often with mediocre or even negative connotations, so I hadn’t tried any, until I noticed them peppered throughout kohnhed.com’s “best of” lists. Having ‘investigated’ for myself now, I believe that the derogatory comments I had encountered in the past likely have more to do with the exclusivity of what they produce (they describe themselves as “small-batch, experimental, and ultra-boutique”) than the inherent quality of the cigars. I personally don’t mind the hunt, and the EZs I’ve tried have ranged from good to truly outstanding. My favorites (in order) so far are:
With a name like Live Free or Die and a wrapper that makes this stick look like a chocolate bar, I was expecting a chocolate pepper bomb; nothing could be further from the truth. This featured toasty graham cracker, hickory, and creamy butter, with the middle really taking off with alluring spice-box and cedar character, followed by even sweeter graham-cracker crust, infused with honey and caramel. This is a very smooth, beguiling, and sophisticated smoke, and it’s my favorite Ezra Zion yet.
My next favorite is their Old Ezra’s White Ale a 7x46 stick they label as a “Lancero Gordo.” Lancero?! Whatever! This feels every bit of a Churchill in the hand. Maybe it’s a Texas thing. This is even more subtle, but it’s deep with savory flavors, led by a spicy maltiness that seems to shift in aspect continually, with intermittent tanginess, as well as pepper, clove, and cinnamon notes. This actually paired wonderfully with a cheap Arte Latino Cava, as both tasted better, when combined.
I’ve quickly become a big fan of their House Blend robusto, which relies on a creamy, semi-sweet nougat character, but it’s so deftly balanced that several sweet spices peak in and out. This has become my go-to “I need a companion for a long car drive” smoke. Not as detailed or complex as the two above, but I love it nonetheless.
My only try with the Brass Knuckles was less inspiring, as it was dominated by intense coffee and licorice toastiness but without the complexity or progressions I expected. Still pleasant; just not as interesting. Their descriptions of their cigars are remarkably accurate, IMHO, but this is the one exception I’ve found. Maybe it just that particular stick; maybe it needs some humidor rest. I’m just calling it the way I perceive it for now.

I’ve also tried a few other Ezra Zions from other online stores, including the Jamais Vu, Honor Series, and Inception, which I’d rank in that order, but my advice would be: skip their ‘regular production’ stuff you can find in stores and go straight to their exclusive cigars, which are available only at their website. When they make a limited cigar, they really mean limited! Live Free or Die totaled 645 – cigars, not boxes! And some cigars have sold out in less than 2 hours after being released. If you’re looking for the steady performer that can be easily found, this is not it. But if you’re wondering what’s at the deepest, darkest reaches of the boutique rabbit hole, this is the mother-load. Personally, I’m downright smitten!

Ashton/Pepin Garcia have recently released a Flor de las Antillas Maduro, which I've tried in the corona gorda. In a nutshell, it's really good! 'Maybe even better than the original. Lots of mooth, sweet mocha and pepper with a hint of licorice - delicious! I have a hunch that it might be even better in a slightly larger ring gauge, so I hope to try it in the petit robusto, toro, or torpedo (I think they're all box-pressed).

My latest foray into new sticks (to me) is the Nomad Martial Law, and I'm impressed to say the least. The bed of the flavors rests on a luxurious, buttery toast of savory bread, but so many different flavors (sweet cream, red pepper, dried apricot!...) make appearances, it would actually justify the three-page reviews, which have become the standard for bloggers. Just ridiculous complexity! It remains agile on the palate throughout, but it's got a sneaky nicotine kick at the end. Let it suffice here to say that this surely would have made my top 10 last year somewhere among my top 5, and if future sticks continue to perform, I expect it to take a place among my all-time favorites.

I dipped deep into my small stash of island sticks to smoke a Partagas Lusitanias with over a decade of aging. The quality of tobacco was top notch... I'm sure. Unfortunately an over-packed spot about 2 inches from the cap made for an exceedingly difficult draw. I did everything I know to try to remedy it, but to no avail. When the burn line approached the plug, the stick split in half and basically exploded. All in all, a decidedly un-relaxing experience, which ended in a mess of stick. Cuba grows some amazing tobacco; 'too bad it's so easily ruined by a bad roll.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:
I dipped deep into my small stash of island sticks to smoke a Partagas Lusitanias with over a decade of aging. The quality of tobacco was top notch... I'm sure. Unfortunately an over-packed spot about 2 inches from the cap made for an exceedingly difficult draw. I did everything I know to try to remedy it, but to no avail. When the burn line approached the plug, the stick split in half and basically exploded. All in all, a decidedly un-relaxing experience, which ended in a mess of stick. Cuba grows some amazing tobacco; 'too bad it's so easily ruined by a bad roll.

That blows. I just had my rotator cuff repaired so unfortunately no cigars for a while.

March 2015 (ULA) Ramon Allones Allones Superiores (LCDH) - just now opening up an giving a partial insight into what the future will hold - raw spice combined with an underlying flavor of caramel.

The sticks should be VERY interesting in another 5+ yearrs.

quote:

Originally posted by mdsphoto:
I just had my rotator cuff repaired so unfortunately no cigars for a while.

Just use your other arm, bro'!



I had to have several stitches in my face a few years ago, and the medical background form only has boxes for 'smoker' or 'non-smoker,' without any qualification of what is being smoked or how often, so I checked smoker. The doctor and nurses all emphatically (and rather comically) exhorted me to "avoid smoking altogether for 2 weeks." Okay, fine. "No, we really mean it!" Yeah, I really mean it too. Relax. So about two weeks go by, and I haven't had a single cigar. The night before I was to have the bandages removed, some buddies invited me to have a cigar with them. I figured: at this point what could it hurt? So I enjoyed a fine cigar with them.

The next day, the nurse removes the bandage (it's on my face, so I can't see what she's looking at, right?), and she literally says, "Oh, my God. Did you say that you were a smoker?" In panic I thought, "She knows!" I'm shocked and confused. What? Did a little puff of smoke come out of the wound?! She goes and gets the other nurses and the doctor to look. They're all amazed... at how complete the recovery is. Hey, I'm a fast healer. Being a 'smoker,' they assumed that my recovery would be behind schedule, not ahead. I showed them!

Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which is bad news for trying to heal wounds, especially in an area with so many tiny capillaries like the face. But if you smoke cigars, and like the vast majority of cigar smokers are not addicted, taking a couple/few weeks off is really no big deal.

Heal well, my friend, and plan something especially nice to celebrate being past it. Until then, take good care!

quote:

Originally posted by bates40:
March 2015 (ULA) Ramon Allones Allones Superiores (LCDH) - just now opening up an giving a partial insight into what the future will hold - raw spice combined with an underlying flavor of caramel.

The sticks should be VERY interesting in another 5+ yearrs.

Thanks for the notes. 'Nice to know that these are of such high quality.

I just tried my first Quesada 40th Dojo Deluxe, a new 5.75 x 52 perfecto version of the original Quesada 40th Corona Clasica, of which smallbatchcigar.com also did their own exclusive, a petit belicoso. This was inspired by the good people at cigardojo.com, and they are available only at smokeinn.com. I dig the vitola, and it's well executed, but my first one wasn't quite as good as the original Corona Clasica. It's still smooth and creamy, but I miss the caramelized sugar character of the original. I hope it develops with time. For now, it's just good, not great.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:

quote:

Originally posted by mdsphoto:
I just had my rotator cuff repaired so unfortunately no cigars for a while.

Just use your other arm, bro'!



I had to have several stitches in my face a few years ago, and the medical background form only has boxes for 'smoker' or 'non-smoker,' without any qualification of what is being smoked or how often, so I checked smoker. The doctor and nurses all emphatically (and rather comically) exhorted me to "avoid smoking altogether for 2 weeks." Okay, fine. "No, we really mean it!" Yeah, I really mean it too. Relax. So about two weeks go by, and I haven't had a single cigar. The night before I was to have the bandages removed, some buddies invited me to have a cigar with them. I figured: at this point what could it hurt? So I enjoyed a fine cigar with them.

The next day, the nurse removes the bandage (it's on my face, so I can't see what she's looking at, right?), and she literally says, "Oh, my God. Did you say that you were a smoker?" In panic I thought, "She knows!" I'm shocked and confused. What? Did a little puff of smoke come out of the wound?! She goes and gets the other nurses and the doctor to look. They're all amazed... at how complete the recovery is. Hey, I'm a fast healer. Being a 'smoker,' they assumed that my recovery would be behind schedule, not ahead. I showed them!

Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which is bad news for trying to heal wounds, especially in an area with so many tiny capillaries like the face. But if you smoke cigars, and like the vast majority of cigar smokers are not addicted, taking a couple/few weeks off is really no big deal.

Heal well, my friend, and plan something especially nice to celebrate being past it. Until then, take good care!

I wish I had your constitution. I am a very slow healer and smoking of any kind is one of the main reasons for rotator cuff repair failures. I look at my time off as forced aging.

Ps It sucks typing with one hand!!!!!!

The latest: Sobremesa short Churchill. The reputation of this vitola is that it’s an ‘amped-up’ version and reportedly the best of the Sobremesa line. I’ll grant that it’s definitely more potent with stronger, more obvious flavor, but I still prefer the elegance and balance of the spice box and vanilla notes in the Cervantes Fino and El Americano vitolas. The short Churchill relies more on the coffee and nutty elements of the blend, but there’s still some complexity, just not as refined as in my preferred vitolas. Nonetheless, it is surely an outstanding cigar.

I also have had a chance to try the Ezra Zion Chris Blend. Chris is one half of the Chris Kelly and Kyle Hoover team (Chris, Kyle from Texas… I love it. ); Ezra Zion is named for the children that each of these men lost in infancy. The Chris Blend features a San Andrés maduro wrapper around a Nicaraguan binder and filler with plenty of ligero. Their own tasting notes refer to Mexican hot chocolate; I’ve never had it, but I get what they’re saying. To me it tastes like a mix of sweet milk chocolate with cinnamon hots candy and clove. The second half adds lots of toast and black pepper. These are available only from their website, but they’ve had them in stock for some time now. The band is cheap and is literally affixed with a piece of scotch tape. Some may find it kinda’ ghetto; I personally find it endearing, and I’m grateful that there’s no glue to potentially ruin the wrapper. I intend to get more.

Avo Uvezian, creator of the Avo brand, passed away on Friday at the age of 91. He was a jazz musician as well, so I feel a certain affinity with him. Avo cigars are generally rather smooth and understated. I intend to pay homage to this gentleman by purchasing a few of his fine cigars.

Cigar Federation (the online community, not the store) is hosting a March Madness with cigars as the competitors. The Crowned Heads La Carême made it to the 'Elite 8' in the winners' bracket, before being defeated by the Tatuaje TAA 2016, which has been crushing some formidable opponents (Herrera Estelí TAA 2016, Illusione Haut 10, and Padrón 1926). As is common for me, my curiosity demanded that I give it a try. I think I get what Crowned Heads was after with this cigar - a CT Broadleaf stick, which is not heavy and dark on the palate. They succeeded with that (indeed, it is rather smooth and creamy), but I had a hard time keeping mine lit especially at the end, and I'm just not wowed by the stick otherwise. As always, Crowned Heads has made another good value for a very good cigar, but is it better than Dion Giolito's Illusione Miserere or Steve Saka's Mi Querida (which it defeated earlier in the bracket)? Certainly not in my book. <shrug> Regardless, if you're interested in a medium-bodied, creamy cigar with a CT Broadleaf wrapper, you might just like it as much as the voters at CF.

The other surprise is the incredible success of the Jas Sum Kral Red Knight, a new, very boutique producer, which is now in the 'Final Four,' along with L'Atelier La Mission, Tatuaje TAA 2016, and RoMa Craft Neanderthal, which are all big, full-bodied smokes. I haven't tried the Jas Sum Kral, but it got mixed reviews online. If you live in Atlanta (MdS, they've got 'em at Trilogy), Indiana (1101 Cigar Lounge), or Florida (Royal Cigars), you might be able to find them. Otherwise, you can buy boxes or five-packs at their website.

Just expecting some Don Benigno from Costa Rica. Should I get excited? Never had them before.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman: But if you smoke cigars, and like the vast majority of cigar smokers are not addicted, taking a couple/few weeks off is really no big deal.

I can find no data to support this claim. Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco is adsorbed through the lining of the mouth in non-inhaling cigar smokers.

Health risks associated with cigar smoking. JAMA Aug. 9, 2000

BTW your cigar write ups here are perhaps the best written reviews of anything in these forums, but don't minimize the risks of smoking cigars.

quote:

Originally posted by The Old Man:

quote:

Originally posted by stickman: But if you smoke cigars, and like the vast majority of cigar smokers are not addicted, taking a couple/few weeks off is really no big deal.

I can find no data to support this claim. Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco is adsorbed through the lining of the mouth in non-inhaling cigar smokers.

Health risks associated with cigar smoking. JAMA Aug. 9, 2000

BTW your cigar write ups here are perhaps the best written reviews of anything in these forums, but don't minimize the risks of smoking cigars.

Might want to re-read his post, I took it as Stickman is saying that laying off cigars for a while is no big deal. He was saying if one is addicted to cigar smoking then it'll be a lot tougher. I don't think he was trying to minimize any risks. YMMV

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Originally posted by bhauk:Might want to re-read his post, I took it as Stickman is saying that laying off cigars for a while is no big deal. He was saying if one is addicted to cigar smoking then it'll be a lot tougher. I don't think he was trying to minimize any risks. YMMV

I do really like reading his descriptions; gives me a vicarious thrill without the health risks.

quote:

Originally posted by VINELOUSE:
Just expecting some Don Benigno from Costa Rica. Should I get excited? Never had them before.

I would be. I've never had one, but they've got a good reputation for putting the flavor of the tobacco over the aesthetic appearance of the wrapper leaf, which I respect. Please do share your opinion, once you've tried them.

quote:

Originally posted by The Old Man:

quote:

Originally posted by stickman: But if you smoke cigars, and like the vast majority of cigar smokers are not addicted, taking a couple/few weeks off is really no big deal.

I can find no data to support this claim. Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco is adsorbed through the lining of the mouth in non-inhaling cigar smokers.

That's certainly true, and I don't mean to mislead anyone into thinking that cigars are completely free of the negative risks of tobacco. I was simply relying upon my very un-scientific observations, that the cigar smokers I know, including myself, don't have any issues laying off the stogies, whenever necessary. I was really teasing the notions of my doctor and nurses, whom I was unable to convince that I was sincere in my pledge not to smoke during my recovery.

quote:

... BTW your cigar write ups here are perhaps the best written reviews of anything in these forums, but don't minimize the risks of smoking cigars.

Fair enough. I appreciate the compliment, and I will give sincere consideration to your point, whenever I run my mouth (er, uh, fingers) about the virtues of cigars. I witnessed first hand what cigarettes did to my father's health, and I would regret misleading anyone about the seriousness of nicotine addiction. Thank you for the civility of your critique; it is appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by bhauk:

quote:

Originally posted by The Old Man:
...don't minimize the risks of smoking cigars.

Might want to re-read his post, I took it as Stickman is saying that laying off cigars for a while is no big deal. He was saying if one is addicted to cigar smoking then it'll be a lot tougher. I don't think he was trying to minimize any risks. YMMV

Thanks, bhauk. I appreciate the support. You're right on, but I can see how I might have seemed flippant about the risks. It's all good. <thumbs-up>

quote:

Originally posted by The Old Man:
I do really like reading his descriptions; gives me a vicarious thrill without the health risks.

Don't worry, I'll take one for the team.

... Hell, I might just take two or three for the team! But only over a week or so. Moderation in all things - that's what I always say!

After being highly impressed by the Crux Limitada PB5, as well as the Crux du Connoisseur No.2 (which is kinda' limited), I decided to try a core line, the Crux Classic in both a robusto and a boxed-pressed toro with a marblehead (basically a rounded torpedo shape) cap. If you try this cigar, do not neglect the pre-light draw! It exhibits the most delightful, sweet, white-wedding-cake impression, which turns into a unique balance of sweetness and minerality (even a touch salty), once lit. The Jalapa Habano wrapper suits this stick perfectly with its medium-bodied, sweet, creamy character. I dare say that it was almost like white chocolate (which isn't chocolate, of course, yadda yadda). I would also dare to say that this may be the perfect cigar to give to a new or budding cigar enthusiast. It's so approachable, and there are no angles anywhere in its palate profile. It reminds me a lot of the Ezra Zion House Blend, but it's even a touch sweeter. An excellent cigar, IMO. My advice would be to stick with the robusto. The marblehead BP toro is also excellent, but that cap can be prone to a stiff draw, as it was on one of two samples I tried.

I've got the Crux Guild, which is supposed to be fuller bodied than the Classic, on the docket, and I intend to eventually get around to some of their smaller-ring-gauge sticks, like Skeeterz, Sports, and Ninfamaniacs. So far, I am impressed to say the least with everything I've tried from Crux, a relatively new company, founded by the owners of the Tobacco Grove retailer in Minnesota. Jeff Haugen (pronounced like Hogan) clearly has an outstanding palate, and he's rapidly becoming a widely respected blender.

After trying lots of new cigars (at least new to me), I wondered how my favorite from last year would seem in context. In short, I'm still in love with the Warped Maestro del Tiempo 5205 (the lonsdale), whose beguiling, floral, perfumy aroma alone makes it worthwhile. Add the sweet cinnamon dough and baking spices on the palate, and I'm head-over-heels. Such a delicately balanced palate does occasionally allow some bitterness to peak through, but even if your lover bites your lip every now and then, it doesn't stop you from wanting to kiss her.

Some also-rans in recent days: Oliva Melanio Robusto: actually a solid stick, but its lack of depth and interest doom it among much more intriguing cigars. Other vitolas seem to perform better, IMHO.
AJ Fernandez Last Call Maduro: AJ Fernandez has blended many, many great cigars; this is not one of them. The 2nd half of the stick was actually alright, but the beginning showed such a palate-staining, off-putting mix of tanginess and bitterness, that it was impossible to overcome or ignore. Wow, a big miss, IMO. Maybe just a bad sample, but it was so bad that a follow-up attempt will not occur.

Another retry of one of my favorites from 2016, my latest Illusione Haut 10 absolutely blew me away. I've had three of these since putting it in my top 5 for 2016, and all three have been better than any of the ones that I smoked in 2016. The core is still based in wheat, cream, and cedar, with occasional dry peanut and herbal tea, but this latest stick featured a deliciously sweet caramel note, which reminded me of the ~eccj~ 20th, as well as a floral aroma, laced with hints of carnauba wax - just gorgeous! $16/cigar, but worth it, IMHO.

This stick was made to commemorate Illusione's 10th anniversary, but it's actually a regular production (though limited by the AAA-grade, cafe claro wrapper) cigar. I've long been a fan of Dion Giolito (owner and blender of Illusione), but the cigars he's released in the most recent years seem to me to be perhaps his best. The ~eccj~ 20th (originally a 6.25x48 stick, now released in a few regular production vitolas, the corona gorda being the best IMO) from 2015, the Haut 10 from 2016, and the Singularé Kadosh, which has just become available into 2017 all get my highest recommendation, not to mention all the other cigars Illusione released before the August FDA deadline, which I've found to be anywhere from very good to excellent.

After realizing that I really didn't keep up with the online cigar community until the end of 2016, I've tried to keep my ear to the ground (um, or to the cable) this year. The latest thing online was Cigar Federation's March Madness, which pitted the consensus top 64 cigars against each other in head-to-head contests in a double-elimination tournament, voted upon by the Cigar Federation community.

The Elite Eight in the winners' bracket were:
Black Label Bishops Blend [my co-#1 for 2016] vs. Jas Sum Kral Red Knight
Nomad Martial Law vs. La Mission du L'Atelier [a fave of the godfather]
Crowned Heads La Carême vs Tatuaje TAA 2016
RoMa Craft Neanderthal vs. AF Don Carlos Private Reserve

The losers' bracket Elite Eight consisted of:
Foundation The Tabernacle vs. Black Label NBK
Padrón 1964 vs. Warped Maestro del Tiempo [my co-#1 for 2016]
AF Añejo Reserva 46 vs. Herrera Estelí TAA 2016
AF FFOX La Diosa vs. Caldwell Eastern Standard Dos Firmas

These are all excellent cigars, but in the end it came down to Jas Sum Kral Red Knight vs. RoMa Craft Neanderthal for the championship, and Nomad Martial Law vs. Black Label NBK in the losers' bracket. The Jas Sum Kral Red Knight beat the Neanderthal, which then beat the Natural Born Killer (NBK), which had won over Martial Law. Hmm. Is it just me, or does that previous sentence sound like some kinda' medieval cage match?

So Jas Sum Kral Red Knight, the 40th seed, won it all. How did that happen? I can't speak to the quality of the cigar, as mine are still settling in my humidor, and I'm resisting the urge to light one up out of sheer curiosity. What I do know is that 1) it's very full-bodied, like all of the cigars that made it to the very end, 2) it's definitely got the hipster (i.e., "I love it, because nobody knows about it") vibe going for it, and I've learned that there are no hipsters like cigar hipsters, and 3) Riste Riatevski, the owner/creator of Jas Sum Kral (which is Macedonian for "I am King") is a master of social media and alerted his fans to vote for JSK in this endeavor.

As much as I think these kinds of contests are inherently flawed, I think they can be useful to bring high quality cigars to our attention, and it certainly gives a distinct picture of current trends in the cigar industry. 'Hope this is helpful.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:
After trying lots of new cigars (at least new to me), I wondered how my favorite from last year would seem in context. In short, I'm still in love with the Warped Maestro del Tiempo 5205 (the lonsdale), whose beguiling, floral, perfumy aroma alone makes it worthwhile. Add the sweet cinnamon dough and baking spices on the palate, and I'm head-over-heels. Such a delicately balanced palate does occasionally allow some bitterness to peak through, but even if your lover bites your lip every now and then, it doesn't stop you from wanting to kiss her.

Some also-rans in recent days: Oliva Melanio Robusto: actually a solid stick, but its lack of depth and interest doom it among much more intriguing cigars. Other vitolas seem to perform better, IMHO.
AJ Fernandez Last Call Maduro: AJ Fernandez has blended many, many great cigars; this is not one of them. The 2nd half of the stick was actually alright, but the beginning showed such a palate-staining, off-putting mix of tanginess and bitterness, that it was impossible to overcome or ignore. Wow, a big miss, IMO. Maybe just a bad sample, but it was so bad that a follow-up attempt will not occur.

I had heard mixed reviews on some other Warped cigars, but I like what you say about this one. So, I'll have to put them on my list. Thanks! Keep 'em coming! This is the best cigar site

Just ordered a 5-pack of the Warped Maestro del Tiempo 5205. Thanks for the recommendation!

I look forward to some seasonal weather so that I can enjoy it outdoors.

quote:

Originally posted by haggis:

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:
... I'm still in love with the Warped Maestro del Tiempo 5205 (the lonsdale), whose beguiling, floral, perfumy aroma alone makes it worthwhile. Add the sweet cinnamon dough and baking spices on the palate, and I'm head-over-heels...

I had heard mixed reviews on some other Warped cigars, but I like what you say about this one. So, I'll have to put them on my list. Thanks! Keep 'em coming! This is the best cigar site

Thanks; 'much appreciated, and I'm glad someone else can benefit from my curiosity and infatuation.

Yeah, as much as I sing the praises of Warped in general, that’s mainly based on my love of Flor del Valle, Maestro del Tiempo, La Colmena, and Don Reynaldo. I was never won over by El Oso, La Hacienda, or Guardian of the Farm. On El Futuro I’m in the middle, and I still haven't tried Corto or Villa Sombra.

Do let us know what you think of 'em, when you get a chance to try them. mdsphoto, who by all counts seems to have an excellent, discerning palate, had a bad experience with one, possibly a construction or humidification issue. If you have similar problems, let me know, and I'll send you a couple from my batch, which are largely on point. One warning: the ash on Aganorsa tobacco (the tobacco sourced for this cigar) is notoriously flaky, so take the appropriate precautions, and good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:

quote:

Originally posted by haggis:

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:
... I'm still in love with the Warped Maestro del Tiempo 5205 (the lonsdale), whose beguiling, floral, perfumy aroma alone makes it worthwhile. Add the sweet cinnamon dough and baking spices on the palate, and I'm head-over-heels...

I had heard mixed reviews on some other Warped cigars, but I like what you say about this one. So, I'll have to put them on my list. Thanks! Keep 'em coming! This is the best cigar site

Thanks; 'much appreciated, and I'm glad someone else can benefit from my curiosity and infatuation.

Yeah, as much as I sing the praises of Warped in general, that’s mainly based on my love of Flor del Valle, Maestro del Tiempo, La Colmena, and Don Reynaldo. I was never won over by El Oso, La Hacienda, or Guardian of the Farm. On El Futuro I’m in the middle, and I still haven't tried Corto or Villa Sombra.

Do let us know what you think of 'em, when you get a chance to try them. mdsphoto, who by all counts seems to have an excellent, discerning palate, had a bad experience with one, possibly a construction or humidification issue. If you have similar problems, let me know, and I'll send you a couple from my batch, which are largely on point. One warning: the ash on Aganorsa tobacco (the tobacco sourced for this cigar) is notoriously flaky, so take the appropriate precautions, and good luck!

I will, indeed, post notes. If they arrive this week (and they should), next week is looking very favorable with respect to weather. So, I hope for a nice evening outdoors.

And your offer is a very generous one! Whether or not I take advantage of it, it is greatly appreciated.

Davidoff Yamasa- a very smooth, almost creamy? smoke. Feels like some powdered chocolate milk? but i dont recall anything else, but the mouthfeel on this was definitely one of the smoothest i can recall.

picked up at the davidoff store downtown

quote:

Originally posted by g-man:
Davidoff Yamasa- a very smooth, almost creamy? smoke. Feels like some powdered chocolate milk? but i dont recall anything else, but the mouthfeel on this was definitely one of the smoothest i can recall.

picked up at the davidoff store downtown

g-man: what size was this? I believe it comes in 4 vitolas.

quote:

Originally posted by haggis:
I will, indeed, post notes. If they arrive this week (and they should), next week is looking very favorable with respect to weather. So, I hope for a nice evening outdoors.

Depending on how they were stored before shipping, they may need more time in your humidor to show their best. I don't want to discourage you from trying it though, so give one a shot and go from there. Good luck; I'm rooting for you!