Author Archives: CigarCraig

Podcast: Episode 11: A Chat with José Blanco at Goose’s

This week I ran into my friend José Blanco at Goose’s Montecristo Lounge in Limerick, PA one morning and smoked an EP Carillo Seleccion Oscuro Especial No. 6 while talked about the newest cigars and Jose’s blending events and other stuff. We could have talked for hours, but I like to keep things short and sweet!



I’ve said it many times before, if you get the chance to go to one of José’s tasting events, do it, it’s a great education and very entertaining! Tell José I said hello!

 

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

 

CigarCraig

 

 

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News: Ventura Cigar Co. to Bring the Fun (and the Axis Mundi) to the Barn Smoker

This weekend is the Louisiana Barnsmoker, which is ambitious scheduling having it the weekend before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I’ll have to miss this one as I’ll be working and Louisiana is a bit a drive from Pennsylvania anyway. I’ve been to the PA and Connecticut versions of this event and highly recommend them, and with the addition of Michael Giannini to the staff of cigar celebrities, it’s a big winner. If you go, let me know how it was! 

 

Ventura Cigar Company to attend 2018 Louisiana Barn Smoker by Drew Estate.

Ventura Cigar Company (VCC) is heading across the country for Drew Estate’s 2nd annual Louisiana Barn Smoker on Saturday, November 17, 2018. Joining industry friends and fans of the leaf, the event will be held at L.A. Poche farm, where guests will be treated to music, fine cigars, Cajun food, Kentucky-grown fermenting tobacco, and interesting info about the rich history of Louisiana tobacco. The all-day event is a festival celebrating American Tobacco Agriculture, and is certain to be a good time.

 

VCC will be bringing their California cool vibe and team to the event, along with their Axis Mundi cigar, a Drew Estate creation from Ventura Cigars’ popular Archetype line. Michael Giannini, General Manager at Ventura Cigar Company, will be sharing smokes and stories with event-goers, as he showcases this remarkable cigar.

 

“Every cigar is made better with a good story,” says Giannini. “Whether you’re making the story or telling the story, the best smokes are shared with others. I look forward to events like the Louisiana Barn Smoker for the opportunity to talk to people. To hear what they’re smoking, what they’re liking, where they’ve been, and where they’re going. It’s about sharing the moments, and Ventura Cigars is pleased to be part of them.”   

 

The Axis Mundi cigar was voted the #13 Cigar of the Year from Cigar Aficionado. Its high-quality tobacco, complimented by complex layers of rich essences like coffee beans, charred oak, dried figs, and spices, have earned Axis Mundi recognition by both industry experts and fans alike.

 

“The Axis Mundi is a solid cigar,” says Giannini. “If you’re at the Louisiana Barn Smoker, come by, hang out, share a story, and have a smoke with us.”

 

To get tickets for the 2018 Louisiana Barn Smoker by Drew Estate. Visit www.barnsmoker.com for more information about the event or www.venturacigar.com for additional details about Axis Mundi and other Archetype cigars.

The Archetype Axis Mundi Cigar

Formats: Churchill, Toro, Robusto, Corona

Wrapper: Maduro Habano Ecuador

Binder:  Indonesia Sumatra

Filler: Habano Nicaragua

Taste: Full-Bodied

 

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About Ventura Cigar Company

Ventura Cigar Company (VCC) is a unique cigar brand born in sunny Southern California that is on a mission to create memorable, complex cigar blends that excite the senses and reward discriminating palates. Their flagship Archetype, Case Study, Project805, and PSyKo SEVEN brands offer multiple award-winning blends that earned 90+ ratings in Cigar Aficionado, Cigar & Spirits, and Cigar Snob. And Archetype’s Axis Mundi won #13 Cigar of the Year for 2017 from Cigar Aficionado. Ventura Cigar Company also distributes the 4th Generation and Comoy’s of London line of pipe tobacco products, extending its reach and tradition of offering top-quality tobacconist products. Pipes and blends under these brands are cultivated through generations of craftsmanship, making them longtime favorites of pipe tobacco enthusiasts.

 

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News: Gran Habano Announces Los Tres Reyes Magos Seasonal Release

Here’s a news item from Gran Habano, short, sweet and to the point!  Culebras are fun, although when you have three separate blends in a one, it makes it harder to share with two friends because you kind of want to try all three blends!  Buy three, problem solved!  

 

Gran Habano announces the limited seasonal release of its culebra-style cigars, Los Tres Reyes Magos, just in time for the holidays.

Los Tres Reyes Magos or “The Three Kings”, is a box of 10 “culebra” style cigars (three, 32 x 7 cigars tied together, each encased in its own coffin) using the Gran Habano #1, #3, and #5 blends. Los Tres Reyes Magos is manufactured in Honduras and currently available for shipping to retailers nationwide. A box of 10 culebra cigars has a suggested MSRP of $140.00.

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News: Black Works Studio Announces Killer Bee Connecticut

Black Works Studio is next up today with news of a new Killer Bee. This looks like an interesting little cigar. I thing I smoked my first Killer Bee back in September! 

 

Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) is pleased to announce the release of Killer Bee Connecticut: Hand crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

KB CONNECTICUT will be available at select BLK WKS retailers for a limited time. This is a small batch release that was offered to retailers who attended IPCPR 2018.

“The Killer Bee Connecticut is a cigar that I blended with the original Killer Bee, so I’m very excited to finally have it released as an addition to the Killer Bee line and the BLK WKS portfolio. With similar profiles to the Killer Bee, it may not be what you expect from a typical Connecticut cigar. The Connecticut wrapper gives an added creaminess and changes up the spice components quite a bit,” said James Brown, creator of BLK WKS and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

KB Connecticut will be shipping in limited quantities this week.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut and Ecuador Maduro swirl cap & closed foot
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaragua
Petite Corona – 4.5 x 46 (20 count) MSRP $10.00

BLK WKS cigars are an expression of art showcasing the talent, technique and tobacco behind boutique cigar factory; Fabrica Oveja Negra.
For more information contact info@BlackLabelTrading.com.

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News: C.Gars Auctions Winter Cigar Auction

Here’s some Tuesday news from my friends at C’Gars Ltd. across the pond.  If you are into the “forbidden fruit”, vintage Havanas, or other interesting cigars, check out these auctions, it’s amazing the rare and hard to find selections that come up and the prices that they fetch. Mitchell scours the planet to find these gems and holds these auctions a few time a year. 

 

December 2nd  2018 / Winter – Vintage Havana Cigar Auction

 

C.Gars Auctions are holding their Winter Cigar Auction on December 2nd  

Lots will be live and bidding open online on the Cigar Auction website on the 25th November  http://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/  

This will be the 28th cigar auction by C.Gars since the auction department was established in 2009.  This will be the largest cigar sale with almost 450 Lots of Vintage, Mature, Pre Embargo, Davidoff, Dunhill and Limited Edition Havana cigars on behalf of estates, investors and collectors. Auction Lots can be viewed online and bid on  http://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/index.php .

Featured Lots in this sale include:

-Habanos 1492 humidor

-Ramon Allones 225th anniversary humidor

-Davidoff 4000, No.1, No.2 and Chateau Yquem 

-Cohiba Sublimes, Double Coronas, Gran Reserva, Majestuosos 50th anniversary humidors and singles from Cohiba Behike 40th anniversary humidor.

-Pre embargo Dunhill Double Claro Seleccion Suprema no.25

-Romeo 130th anniversary humidor

-Trinidad 40th anniversary humidor

 

The auction will also feature a charity Lot signed by Lennox Lewis and Randolph Churchill  https://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/document.php?id=lenox_lewis_signed_humidor.html 

Substantial interest from overseas buyers is expected due to the weakness of the Pound Sterling currently as well as the increased demand from China.

 

Lots are available for inspection by appointment Monday to Friday  at our London offices. We are delighted to provide any further details or condition reports , simply email Laura Graham or Michelle Adler in our Auction Team  at auctions@cgarsltd.co.uk quoting Lot numbers.

 

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