Author Archives: Craig Vanderslice

by Craig Vanderslice | July 23, 2023 · 9:22 am

Romeo y Julieta, La Gloria Cubana and Diesel Cigars

Summer is whizzing by way too fast for my liking. I’ve been enjoying a lot more cigars, three of which were just yesterday, which

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I plan to tell you about! I started the day with a Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Twisted Love Story. This came to me in a sampler of barber pole style cigars I bought from Fox Cigars, I had set this small cigar aside for an appropriate time, and that time came yesterday morning. It was a toss up between this and a Rojas Breakfast Taco Maduro, but I kinda remember the Sumatra Breakfast Taco being a bit of a powerhouse, and I wasn’t feeling like a strong cigar yesterday morning. I wondered in a previous post how Altadis got away with making a cigar this shape with the name “story” attached to it, because it’s very close to the same size as the Hemingway Short Story, although it’s a few ring gauges slimmer at 4″ x 46 as opposed to 49. The Romeo has Ecuadorian Connecticut & Habano wrappers, Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. It’s a very pretty little perfecto. It started off with some bitterness for me, until it burned past the “nipple”, then it smoothed out and had some nice butter and spice. It was pretty good, but I liked the toro presentation better. I think it smoked for nearly an hour, which is pretty good for a little cigar.

I had a couple other cigars lined up that I was going to write about, but then I was out running errands and stopped in my nearest cigar store and picked up a few cigars I hadn’t smoked before. This store honestly didn’t have much in the way of new stuff, but they are a TAA store, so I picked up the La Gloria Cubana 2023 TAA Exclusive, a 7½” x 54 double corona. If the size sounds familiar, it’s the same size as the Hoya de Monterrey Excalibur No.1 (and the SakaKahn). You might be saying ” but CigarCraig, La Glorias are made in the DR, and Excaliburs are made in Honduras, what the heck?”, but it seems that this La Gloria was made in the STG Danli factory back in 2019 and have been aging there. Weird, huh? This cigar has a Ecuador Sumatra wrapper with a Honduran Habano binder and Fillers from Honduras and the DR. The wrapper is very dark, verging on maduro. While I didn’t find this cigar very La Gloria like (and with all the various iterations of the brand, I don’t know what that means any more), I really like the cigar, and feel compelled to pick a few more up to add to the La Gloria humidor for later consumption. It had dark dried fruit and espresso tones, bittersweet chocolate, and wasn’t without some strength. It was amongst the better La Glorias I’ve had in recent years.

Another cigar I picked up was another TAA cigar from the Forged portfolio, the Diesel Disciple 2021 TAA Lancero. Considering it wasn’t long ago that Diesel was a catalog brand, it’s interesting that the top of the top (in their eyes, i imagine) retailers are getting a Diesel exclusive. In keeping with the Diesel line, this was pretty fairly priced at $8.99, and is a 7″ x 38 panatela, no pigtail cap. The cigar has a San Andrés wrapper, Ecuador Sumatra binder and Nicaraguan Habano fillers and is made at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez. I’ll state my opinion like I do every time I smoke a Lancero, this wrapper/filler ratio thing is a myth, the reason Lanceros have a sharper, stronger flavor is because the burn hotter due to the smaller ring gauge. Smoke a Lancero slowly, sip the smoke, it’s a very elegant presentation. If it’s drawn upon at the same pressure as one would draw on a rubusto or toro it’s going to burn hot and the flavor is going to seem sharper. I’ve learned this by sitting at the feet of masters. Anyway, I smoked this while watching one of my favorite shows (the Grand Tour on Amazon Prime) on the porch and it was delicious. Dark, strong espresso with some sweet earthiness. The burn and draw was perfect and it was quite enjoyable. I don’t know how many of these are still out in the wild, I know there are still at least nine of them at the store near me, but if you come across them, and you like Diesels and Lanceros, give one a try.

That’s all for today, until the

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next time,

CigarCraig

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Tagged as cigar, cigars, diesel, Disciple, La Gloria Cubana, Reserva Real, romeo y julieta, TAA, Twisted Love Story

by Craig Vanderslice | July 16, 2023 · 10:14 am

Some Blackbird Cigars and Some Villiger Cigars

I had a different idea of what today’s post was going to be, but that plan changed at the last minute. To be honest, the plan was tentative, at best. I’ve got some new and not so new cigars to talk about this week, lets start with the not so new, but great cigars. When I went to the TPE show in 2020, right before the world shut down, I met Jonas Santana and his crew from Blackbird Cigars. Jonas flattered me by knowing who I was, after 4 years of doing this it still takes me aback. Jonas had worked for Artista (then El Artista) who I had been working with, so he was familiar with my work. I’ve kept up with Jonas over the years and while this old white dude may not be able to keep up with a young, hip-hop cat, we connect on the cigar level, I dig his smokes. The Crow is my main jam, but this week I decided to take a wander through the range again as it’s been too long. What prompted this was one of my wife’s cigar band furniture projects, which required a bunch more Blackbird bands! So I had to by more cigars. I picked up some Toro singles locally, and bought a Robusto sampler from my friends at Trash Panda Cigars. Let’s talk about the Cuco first. This is probably the last cigar I’d go to because it has Criollo on the band and that tobacco usually doesn’t work for me. This is listed as a Brazilian wrapper, Indonesian binder and Dominican fillers, so I imagine it’s a Brazilian Criollo wrapper, perhaps that makes the difference for me, because I quite enjoyed this cigar in both Robusto and Gran Toro vitolas. It’s medium bodied with some cocoa and a hint of spice. very nice cigars.

The Finch from Blackbird is one of two Sumatra wrapped cigars in the portfolio, the other being the Rook. The Finch is only available in the Robusto size, has an Indonesian binder and US and Dominican fillers. It’s just me, but I think if I were going to have one cigar in my lineup that was just a robusto, I might call it the Rook, thinking like the chess piece, but I suppose finches are small birds so I get it. It’s a bird themed line, not a chess themed line, what am I thinking? I guess what I’m thinking is that while I really enjoyed the Finch I forgot to take any notes, so I don’t really have anything to say about it except that I found it quite enjoyable and it makes me want to pick up a few more. I do recall a bit of the sugar cane I get from Sumatra sometimes, along with a sweet spice, perhaps from whatever US tobacco (PA maybe?). Good smoke. As I type, I’m smoking the Unkind in Robusto, which has a dark Cubra (Brazil) wrapper and works exceptionally well with my black coffee. Even the shade Jackdaw has some pop to it and is quite tasty. It’s hard to go wrong with the Blackbird line, Jonas is doing some great things at his factory in the DR.

A few weeks ago I received a few new cigars from the folks at Villiger Cigars. I’ve had a very long history with Villiger. If you dig through my site (or YouTube channel), you’ll find interviews going back to 2012 I think. They have gone through some transitions, probably made some mis-steps, but they’ve always made good cigars. A few years ago they brought on René Casteñeda to head North American sales. René was previously with Miami Cigar and Co. and La Aurora, and is a super-nice guy. The Villiger Miami started out as a cigar for him to have to share with his friends and visitors to his office. It’s made in their ABAM factory in the DR, where they make Flor de Ynclan and a ton of cigar for the European market. Last year they put this out in a Lancero, this year it was released in a toro format. It has an Ecuador Habano wrapper, undisclosed binder and fillers, except that they say there is some Peruvian leaf in the filler blend. This is a really nice, complex blend, with some delicate flavors. It’s one of those cigars that you want to think about while you smoke it. I got a little citrus tang, with some nuts, light coffee, and a hint of cocoa.

Finally, I smoked the Villiger 1888 Nicaragua in both the Toro and Robusto. The 1888 was the first premium cigar that Villiger made back in 2009, and it was reissued around 2017 with updated blend and branding, made in the Dominican Republic. The 1888 Nicaraguan is made in the Villiger de Nicaragua factory, which in my imagination is somehow a part of the Joya de Nicaragua factory. I could ask around and verify this I suppose, but that seems like work. The cigar has an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan and Pennsylvanian fillers. I’m generally partial to cigars with PA tobacco, considering it’s grown within an hour from my home, and I tend to like Sumatra. This was a Medium bodied cigar in both vitolas, and had some sweet coffee/cocoa flavors. I don’t recall favoring one size over the other, but almost always like a toro over a robusto. I have a corona yet to try, but I expect that to have slightly sharper flavors.

That’s all I have for today, until the next time,

CigarCraig

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Tagged as 1888, Blackbird, Blackbird Cigar Co., cigar, cigars, Crow, Cuco, Finch, Jackdaw, miami, Unkind, Villiger

by Craig Vanderslice | July 9, 2023 · 9:12 am

Some Fourth of July Cigars, and Another Rebellion Cigar

While many of my brethren are toiling away in Las Vegas at the PCA show, I’m hanging out here at home happily smoking cigars. I decided to free myself of the stress and expense of travel and some of the expectations set by others in the “cigar media”. Short rant: I’m irritated by some bloggers/podcasters who take themselves quite seriously. I’ve heard comments like people who use cell phones to shoot their content shouldn’t be taken seriously as cigar media, or people should cover certain booths. When I have attended the show it’s been on my time and at my expense, so I’m doing it my way. Do my video interviews look any different than those done by people using more expensive or professional looking rigs? Do people care that much? Whatever. From the beginning I said I was going to do things my way and I have. I recently thought to myself that maybe I’m being a sucker for not asking for sponsorship to go to the show, but, ya know, that would interfere with me doing things my way. So I’ll keep doing what I do, the way I want to do it. If you don’t like it, nobody is forcing you to read! That wasn’t as short a rant as I’d have liked, on to some cigars!

Of course on the Fourth of July I smoked a United Cigars Firecracker, the newest one from E.P. Carrillo, the Pledge Firecracker. This might be hard to find, but if you run across them anywhere, buy as many as you can manage. This might be a bold statement, but I think this is my favorite Firecracker to date. Considering some of the exceptional Firecrackers that have come before it, the Mi Querida (which is the only one to my knowledge that spun off it own line, the Triqui Traca) is exceptional, the CroMagnon was exceptional, the Fratello was an under-rated treat, but the Pledge takes it up a notch. It’s funny, because I don’t remember enjoying the regular Pledge line as much,

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perhaps whatever Ernesto did to punch this one up made the difference for me. The Connecticut Habano wrapper is dark and oily (what made me think it was grown in Massachusetts?), rich and full of flavor. It’s meaty and sweet and I really dug it. It’s my custom to buy five of the firecrackers, I should have sprung for a box, had I known. Super-yummy.

After a heavy lunch and a nap, I treated myself to an American by J.C. Newman. This was a special size, a Lonsdale, that Drew Newman handed out when I toured the factory last December. It’s not a regular production, I don’t think there were more than a few hundred in existence, so it was a special cigar. Of course, the American is 100% American tobaccos, rolled at the El Reloj factory in Tampa, everything that touches the cigar is made in the USA (except, ironically, the folks who roll them maybe!). This is a tasty cigar, it has a unique bready, spicy flavor that’s unlike any other cigar out there. It was a special cigar, in a spe

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cial size. It was very good. I’ve only smoked a few of the Americans in the larger ring gauges, and the smaller size definitely makes a big difference, as in any smaller ring, it’s a little sharper because it burns a little hotter.

Finally, I’m still working through the Rebellion samples, and smoked the Ace of Spades in the Toro size. This is one of the Maduro offerings in the Rockstar Range, taking its name from the Motörhead song. The wrapper is Honduran, binder is Indonesian with fillers from Jamastran in Honduras and Condega and Jalapa in Nicaragua. My plan was to smoke this while watching a movie on the porch. Big mistake updating the Firestick first, which took nearly half the cigar. Oh well, I had a good tasting cigar to keep me company. This is a pretty full bodied smoke, as one would imagine a cigar named after a Motörhead some would be. It had some earthiness and spice and a different sort of sweet taste, very intriguing. This company is making cigars that aren’t like a lot of other cigars on the market. I hope they are having success at the PCA show, from what I’ve read, they seem to be drawing some attention with the pink branding.

That’s all for today, until the next time,

CigarCraig

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Tagged as Ace of Spades, cigar, cigars, E.P. Carrillo, Firecracker, J.C.Newman, Pledge, Rebellion Cigars, The American

by Craig Vanderslice | July 7, 2023 · 6:09 pm

News: The New Antaño Power play Sling Puck

Here’s another new item from Joya de Nicaragua, not cigars, but the packaging. The two cigars in this collection are really good, the Antaño Gran Reserva is great, and the CT is an exceptional shade wrapped cigar. The best thing about it is that they are in the toro size, when is the best size! Pretty cool, check it out:

The New Antaño Power play Sling Puck: Where Tradition, Play and Legendary Cigars Collide

Playing has been shown to releases endorphins, improve brain functionality – and to stimulate creativity. And just because you are no longer a child, doesn’t mean you can’t benefit.

Joya De Nicaragua recognizes the role that their cigars have in adult play; JDN cigars are often called calming, contemplative, fun, and even stress-relieving. So, the country’s first cigar factory now invites you to a whole new gaming experience to enjoy alongside one of its famed cigars.

Encased in a specially-designed 20-count cigar box, the Antaño Power Play Sling Puck includes a thoughtfully created selection of two opposing teams from the revered Antaño family. The 10 Antaño Gran Reserva GT20 6×54 Gran Toro and the 10 Antaño CT Toro 6×50 each offer an extraordinary smoking journey and an exploration of flavors to delight the senses. But that’s not all; the Antaño Power Play box also ingeniously transforms into a dynamic playing surface for intense matches of skill and strategy.

“Building on the success of Antaño Shut the Box, we learned that cigar enthusiasts are keen to combine their cigars with fun,” says JDN Executive President, Juan Martinez. “This time we’ve merged the profiles of their favorite Nicaraguan puros into one game, teasing their tastebuds with contrasting flavors.”

Antaño Power Play Sling Puck demands precision and finesse as you use the built-in elastic band mechanism to propel pucks towards your opponent’s goal – all the while fiercely protecting your own. The friendly competition requires focus, agility and camaraderie to bring cigar smoking amigos together.

The Antaño Power Play Sling Puck Box is a collector’s dream, with only 1,400 exclusive boxes produced for U.S. market and just 600 boxes allocated for the rest of the world. The innovative new packaging has been developed in collaboration with HumidifGroup.

“It has been an absolute joy to collaborate with Nicaragua’s oldest cigar manufacturer,” says Pedro Balgañon, CEO and owner of HumidifGroup. “This project brings our smart packaging to life, driving innovation in the cigar industry, while honoring the legacy and rich history of this cherished tradition.”

Antaño Power Play Sling Puck, priced at $255.75 per box, will be an exclusive collectible available for a limited time. It will make its debut this July at the PCA Convention and Trade Show in Las V

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egas, catering to all U.S. retailers. It will also be showcased at InterTabac in Dortmund in September 2023. It will begin shipping to stores in September 2023.

ABOUT JOYA DE NICARAGUA

Joya de Nicaragua is a family-owned tobacco grower and

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cigar factory. Established in 1968, it is the first and most authentic premium handmade cigar manufacturer from Nicaragua. Based in Estelí, many regard Joya De Nicaragua as the patriarch creator of the Nicaraguan cigar industry, and its cigars are sold in more than 60 countries around the world. The company’s commitment to quality, along with its skillful and resilient people, has been rewarded with industry recognition more than once.

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Tagged as Antano, Antaño CT Toro, cigar, cigars, Gran Reserva GT20, joya de nicaragua

by Craig Vanderslice | · 5:57 pm

News: Joya de Nicaragua Presents Cinco De Cinco

I guess one of the things I’ll miss about not going to the PCA show this year is seeing my friends at Joya de Nicaragua. They are attending there on their own, where in the past they were integrated into the Drew Estate booth. I always thought they should stand alone, Drew Estate just distributes their cigars in the US. It’s been one of my most favorite factories since my first visit back in 2011. I’m looking forward to trying this anniversary cigar, the last several they’ve put out have been exceptional!

2023 brings Joya de Nicaragua’s 55^th anniversary and to mark the occasion, Nicaragua’s first cigar factory launches Cinco de Cinco, the latest edition to the ultra-premium Obras Maestras line.

“This cigar was made with the people, by the people and for the people,” says Juan Ignacio Martínez, Executive President of JDN. “Our past is all about tobacco. Our bright future is all about tobacco. We are here, stronger than ever thanks to our wonderful community of amigos.”

Inspired by Amigos. Blended by Maestros. Handcrafted for those in the know

Joya de Nicaragua was one of the first to host private cigar blending sessions in its factory in Estelí, offering a fun and fascinating insight into blend creation. The JDN master blenders have since reviewed hundreds of blending records to build the perfect scoring recipe.

Harmonious Intricacy

Cinco de Cinco is made from ultra-vintage tobaccos, including a Mexican San Andres wrapper and Nicaraguan fillers and binders in a soft-pressed format. It is a five out of five in profile and complexity; full-bodied and medium strength, with deep, rich, earthy flavors that offer hints of cocoa and dark chocolate. The cigar box shines bright in emerald green. “An emerald symbolizes love, wisdom, growth and prosperity – values very much embodied in this blend,” says Martinez. “It is indeed a rare and mystical jewel.”

Cinco de Cinco will be unveiled this July at the PCA Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, catering to all retailers, and at InterTabac in Dortmund in September 2023. The handcrafted masterpiece will be on U.S. shelves beginning in September, followed by a global release in October.

Cinco de Cinco comes in 10-count boxes, with five

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distinct, semi-box pressed vitolas, three of which will be available in the USA and two exclusive for international markets.

Vitola	Size	MSRP USD$/Cigar	Available
JDN Cinco de Cinco Robusto Gordo	5 ½ x 54	$17.95	GLOBAL
JDN Cinco de Cinco Toro	buy cialis soft tabs online https://gmaxind.com/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/svg/cialis-soft-tabs.html no prescription pharmacy 6 x 52	$19.95	GLOBAL
JDN Cinco de Cinco Corona Extra	6 ¼ x 46	$15.95	GLOBAL
JDN Cinco de Cinco Robusto	5 x 50	$15.95	International  Exclusive(Non-USA)
JDN Cinco de Cinco Corona Doble	7 x 54	$20.55	International  Exclusive(Non-USA)

ABOUT JOYA DE NICARAGUA

Joya de Nicaragua is a family-owned tobacco grower and cigar factory. Established in 1968, it is the first and most authentic premium handmade cigar manufacturer from Nicaragua. Based in Estelí, many regard Joya De Nicaragua as the patriarch creator of the Nicaraguan cigar industry, and its cigars are sold in more than 60 countries around the world. The company’s commitment to quality, along with its skillful and resilient people, has been rewarded with industry recognition more than once.