Author Archives: CigarCraig

Todos Las Dias, Farce and Truth and La Aurora at the Track

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there, I know later today I’ll be digging out my traditional father’s day cigar for the 19th or 20th year (I’ve lost track…the cigars came out in 1998, but I think it was 1999 by the time I bought a box, can’t remember). I refer, of course, to the obscure Esperanza Para los Niños, which was made by Christian Eiroa when he owned Camacho as a charity project to help children orphaned by hurricane Mitch. The cigars have held up extremely well, and it’s through the kindness of several friends that I’ve been able to continue the tradition of smoking one on Father’s Day every year this long, and I might be good until 2020 when the last toro from the box I bought will go down.  Until cigar time rolls around, I got some typing to do, so lets recap some notable smokes I had this week!  I smoked another Todos las Dias from Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust this week. It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the brand, everything Steve has produced has been a win for my palate, but this liga TodosLaDias_DoubleWideBelicosohas been a slow starter for me. Maybe it’s because the first three examples I smoked didn’t draw well enough (moisture…ironic given Steve was checking internal humidity of each sample at the trade show, video here, and they came from multiple sources, they just have to be kept dryer, I guess). To recap, the Todos las Dias Double Wide Belicoso is a 4.75″x 60 figurado identical in size to the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Consul and the Rosalones 460, using the same molds and made in the same factory. It’s a Nicaraguan puro, with a sungrown Nicaraguan wrapper, and fillers from Esteli and Jalapa. This blend is growing on e finally, I’m starting to get the cocoa and a hint of the chili spice reported, and the cigar was great to the last drop. This is a cool shape, I still think I’m reaching for the TlD fourth in line in the regular DTT production, but it’s good, I like it.

 

CigarCigars_Room101_EventFriday was a special day in the small village of Frazer, PA. The CigarCigars store, just 1.7 miles from my home, was host to a cigar event featuring Matt Booth of Room 101 Cigars, and, as is their custom at this shop, the event was from noon to 3.  Normally this would cause me problems, life has Room101_Farce_Toronot been normal in recent months.  So I was able to be present for this auspicious event and hang out with Mr. Booth, although, culturally, Frazer, PA is pretty much polar opposite of what Mr Booth is used to…it’s not Amish country, but it’s not the Sunset Strip either…anyway, I had occasion to smoke the new Farce. This is important, and I can’t stress this enough, it’s Farce, not THE Farce…just Farce.  Very important to note. Farce is made in the Ventura factory in the DR, it’s a full flavored, complex and sophisticated blend and was Room101_T_Torovery nice.  I liked it, I picked up a couple and will smoke another very soon in a non-event environment. I also smoked The T, not Mr. T, it the Toro size. I had previously smoked an IPCPR sample of this collaboration between Booth, Caldwell and AJ Fernandez made in Nicaragua and really liked it, and this one was no different. It’s dark and rich and heavy and right up my alley. My biggest regret was setting it in an ashtray with a couple of inches left and Steve, the CigarCigars_Room101_Event2manager cleaning up after the event thinking I was done with it, which I was not…my bad. Watch for the next CigarCraig podcast in the next few days, by the way.  I highly recommend attending an event featuring Mr. Booth if you have the opportunity, he’s a gentleman and a scholar, and one who’s earned every one of his eccentricities.

 

Another annual family tradition which may seem odd to some is celebrating our granddaughters birthdays at the horse races.  There is a track that’s reasonably convenient to both sides of the family free to park and get in, had a family friendly picnic grove with tables and bounce houses and slides and playgrounds for the kids, of course, horse races, and is cigar friendly!  We try to get there early to get a good spot and have a cigar before everyone LaAurora_PreferidosEcuador_Coronagets there. I lit up a La Aurora Preferidos Emerald Ecuador Corona, and there’s a reason I usually light up something from La Aurora at family events. My daughter’s name is  Aurora, and I figure she’s not going to get upset at me for smoking a cigar if it’s got her name on it. Clever, eh? She’s a great kid, got me cigar related coffee for  Father’s day!  Anyway, I really was enjoying the crap out of that corona, what flavor and balance!  Nice tobacco sweetness I didn’t want to put down, and I felt bad standing off to the side after people started showing up. I wanted to join the party, eat lunch, but I wanted to enjoy the cigar too, it was one of the few times I wished I had chosen an even smaller cigar!  We stuck it out until the Ninth  (last) race, because Smoke En Fire was running, and we put $5 on it to win, which it did, and paid $9.50!  It was a beautiful day with family at a great horse park. I don’t know if Delaware Cigars still has their cigar festival there in the fall or not, but the coupe times I attended that event it was a good time!

 

That’s all for today. Time to get some stuff done!  Until the next time,

 

CigarCraig

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News: C.Gars Auctions Holding Summer Cigar Auction

Back around 1997 when C.Gars Ltd started out I got an e-mail from Mitchell Orchant asking me to have a look at the site, I made some suggestions, and a friendship started. We met for the first time in person in 1999, my wife and I went to his wedding in 2006, and we’ve kept in touch. His vintage Havana cigar auctions have become legendary. He’s at it again for the 26th time.  

 

C.Gars Auctions are holding their Summer Cigar Auction on June 19th  

Lots are now live and bidding open online on the Cigar Auction website http://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/ 

This will be the 26th Cigar Auction by C.Gars since the auction department was established in 2009

350 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

PDF catalogue can be viewed on this link https://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/catalog/june-2018/6-2018_IMG.pdf?v=4

Featured Lots in this sale include:

Lot 10 Bolivar Coronas Extra cabinet of 50 cigars ex Dunhill from 1998 at an estimate of £700 – £900

https://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/lot-bolivar-coronas-extra-p-4932.html

Lot 3 H Upmann glass office jar of 49 coronas from the 1970’s at an estimate of £2500 – £3500

https://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/lot-hupmann-coronas-jar-p-4925.html

Lot 89 Sancho Panza Tronquitos of 25 cigars from the 1970’s at an estimate of £800 – £1000

https://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/lot-sancho-panza-tronquitos-p-5011.html

Lot 283 Davidoff 4000 cabinet of 25 from 1986 at an estimate of £2000 – £2500

https://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/lot-283-david

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Lot 289 H Upmann Dunhills Seleccion no.50 pre embargo cabinet of 50 cigars with an estimate of £4000 – £5000

https://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/lot-289-hupmann-dunhills-seleccion-suprema-no50-p-5211.html

Lot 294 Bolivar Centenary humidor of 100 cigars from 2002 at an estimate of £3000 – £3600

https://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/lot-294-bolivar-centenery-humidor-p-5216.html

Lot 346 Rafael Gonzalez Coronas Inmensas pre embargo cabinet of 50 cigars at an estimate of £3000 – £4000

https://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/lot-346-rafael-gonzales-coronas-inmensas-p-5268.html

Lot 348 Ramon Allones Petit Coronas Miniatures, cabinet of 100 pre embargo cigars with an estimate of £5000 – £6000

https://www.onlinecigarauctions.com/catalog/june-2018/6-2018_IMG.pdf?v=4

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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News: Fratello Cigars Announces New Director of Operations

This little bit of news probably doesn’t mean much to a lot of people, but I think it’s important to recognize that Omar de Frias started the Fratello brand in 2013 while still working full time for NASA, hit the ground running making a great cigar, getting it in front of a lot of people in a short amount of time, hitting the road Rocky Patel style selling it at great personal expense (and I’m talking time away from family expense), and has grown to the point where he’s adding even more headcount!  A great success story, and if I were a sales guy, I’d be hitting Omar up for a job!  Keep rocking, Omar and crew! 

 

Omar de Frias is proud to announce the hiring of Shannon Strang as the new Director of Operations for Fratello Cigars.  The Pittsburgh native comes to Fratello with a wealth of experience in accounting, business development, logistics and customer service. Primary duties as director of operations is to streamline our company logistics, solidify our relationship with our customers and suppliers, financial management and business development.

“I am beyond excited that Shannon accepted this position.  Together, we plan to bring our customer service strategy and operational capabilities to new heights” Said de Frias.

 

“I have followed Fratello and Omar’s journey since 2013.  Besides being a big fan of the cigars, joining forces with Omar to help solidify his growth in this industry will be my primary driver” Said Strang.  

 

Fratello Cigars was established in 2013.  Since inception Fratello has grown to be sold in 800 brick and mortars in the US and 9 international destinations.    

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News: 5 Pigs Fly for Father’s Day at Drew Diplomat Retailers

Here’s some news from my friends at Drew Estate. Last week we went out for an early dinner at a local bar called the Flying Pig Saloon, which has great sandwiches, along with an extensive beer menu. They have flying pigs all over the place! Check it out if you’re ever in Malvern, PA!   

Drew Estate announces today the Holiday release of Liga Privada & Undercrown Flying Pigs to Drew Diplomat retailers in the United States for Father’s Day.

The Flying Pig is one of the most sought-after sizes in the company’s portfolio, presented in a 100mm x 60 ring gauge parejo vitola and is a favorite amongst cigar enthusiasts. The shape is based off a photograph of an 1895 cigar salesman’s size selection case. It is one of the most complicated vitolas to manufacture due to the unique size and signature pig-tail, which requires specialized training of the buncheros and rolleras at the factory.The Liga Privada No. 9 Flying pig and Liga Privada T52 Flying Pig is manufactured at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Esteli, Nicaragua. The No. 9 features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Plantation Grown Brazilian Mata Fina Binder and filler leaves from Nicaragua and Honduras. The Liga Privada T52 features a Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut and Sun Cured Habano Wrapper, Plantation Grown Brazilian Mata Fina Binder and filler leaves from Nicaragua and Honduras. Both are packaged in 12 count boxes with an MSRP of $181.20 and a 2018 total annual production of 2500 boxes.

The Undercrown Maduro, Undercrown Shade, and Undercrown Sun Grown Flying pig is manufactured at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Esteli, Nicaragua. The Undercrown Maduro features a Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper, Connecticut Stalk Cut and Sun cured Habano binder, and Brazilian Mata Fina and Nicaraguan Habano filler leaves. The Undercrown Shade Flying Pig features an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper over a Sumatra binder with Dominican and Nicaraguan Filler leaves. The Undercrown Sun Grown features a Sun Grown Sumatra wrapper with a Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut and Sun Cured Habano binder with fillers from Nicaragua. Packaged in 12 count boxes with an MSRP of $152.64 with a total annual production of 2500 boxes.

From the Wynwood Safehouse, Jonathan Drew, Founder and President of Drew Estate reports, “As President of Drew Estate it brings me great pride to report that our production floor’s passion, and painstaking dedication to detail, remains as strong today as the day we began as a little fabriquita. All of us at DE wish to dedicate this release collection to all the fathers who give us the wisdom and love to fly high everyday.”

Fans of the Liga Privada and Undercrown Flying Pigs are encouraged to download Drew Diplomat the official mobile application of Drew Estate – The Rebirth of Cigars which is now available in the App Store for iPhone®, and iPod Touch® and on Google Play™ for Android™. For more information head to http://drewestate.com

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Gran Habano, La Palina, Umbagog and Xurvivor Cigars

I smoked a few cigars from long time supporters of the site this week, by accident mostly, it just so happened that cigars I grabbed were mostly from friends who happen to advertise with me.  Gran Habano is the newest of the bunch, advertiser, that is, they are one of the more established cigar companies out there. While I don’t see a lot of Gran Habano cigars in my local shops, they are readily available, and they make many tasty cigars. I smoked GranHabano_PersianKing_Rajahthe unbanded Gran Habano Persian King Rajah, a 6″ x 50 Nicaraguan puro made in Honduras with what appears to be a shade closed foot with a knot on the end. It’s been my experience that cigars with this kind of foot are what leads to holes in shirts if one isn’t careful upon lighting. This was a very nice smoke and well-behaved, on the high side of medium bodied despite the company’s description as full. Perhaps I’m jaded. I liked it, and if the little bit of shopping around I did is right, these can be had around $5 and are a very good value. this cigar has apparently been around for quite a while.

 

I came across some IPCPR samples from La Palina that I hadn’t gotten to and smoked a pre-release No. 1  (I’ll revisit that later, not that there was anything wrong with it) and the La Palina Classic Natural. Because I’m a geek, La Palina_ClassicNatural_RobustoI can guess upon looking at this cigar that it’s made at the General Cigar factory in Santiago, DR. The round head is the giveaway. The Classic Natural has a Wrapper and Binder from Honduras and fillers from Nicaragua and Dominican Republic and is a tasty smoke. The Classic line came out in 2012 and was made at the PDR factory, but was revamped and moved to the General Cigar factory in 2017. I personally have preferred the later versions, and this natural was no exception. It’s smooth, with some nuts and spice and earthiness. The construction was perfect and it was very satisfying. La Palina was one of the first cigar companies to advertise with CigarCraig.com, and I greatly appreciate their support.

 

Umbagog_ToroToroNext up isn’t from an advertiser, but a long time friend and someone who without his early encouragement, I may never have put myself out there in the way that I have today.  In 1996 a guy was doing a “Monthly Officious Taste Test” on a usenet newsgroup which I was lucky enough to be selected to take part in, and it kick started my interest in yammering on about cigars. Twenty-some years later here I am smoking one of his cigars and enjoying the crap out of it, as I do most of his creations.  I smoked an Umbagog Toro Toro this week, and this is just about the perfect cigar for my palate. It’s maybe the less sophisticated sibling of the Mi Querida, similar blend with the wrappers deemed by Saka to be not attractive enough for the Mi Querida, which, from what I’ve seen is balderdash. OK, I saw what looks like a water spot the size of a pinhead near the band. I’ve said before that Steve will tell you I like cheap cigars, and while the Umbagog isn’t cheap, it is the low-end of the Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust line, and worth every penny. Loads of my favorite espresso and cocoa flavors, the 6″ x 52 size is my jam, and it’s  just the right strength. Thanks Steve! Umbagog is a damn great cigar!

 

Finally, is a relatively new brand that’s made in the USA.  Xurvivor Cigars is a factory in Ybor City that’s making some very good cigars. This brand was previously known as Galano Cigars, and changed names last year. I’ve smoked a couple of the Xurvivor Americano 2018 and really enjoyed them. I smoked one yesterday, and intended to Xurvivor_Americano2018smoke a Galano Primero, which you can read about here, but I was left quite satisfied after the Xurvivor Americano that I wasn’t feeling the need for another cigar! Here’s the details on the Xurvivor Americano 2018 as I was given them: “The Americano 2018 has a Maduro wrapper from Nicaragua, with a binder from Ecuador, and a Nicaragua & Dominican filler blend”.  Maybe I’ll grab one of the Galano Primeros today, I don’t recall there being a lot of similarities in the blend, and the Xurvivor Americano is much more reasonably priced at just under $10, than the Galano Primero was (they were in the $26 range if memory serves). Ironically, I think the Galano had a PA Broadleaf wrapper, and the Americano has no US tobacco, but $10 for a USA rolled cigar is pretty impressive, and the cigar is quite good. It’s on my recommended list. Hopefully this small company gets the recognition it deserves.

 

That’s all for today. Still working on the podcast concept, feedback is appreciated. Best value smoke of the week goes to the Macanudo Inspirado Red Gigante with a nearly three-hour burn time and great flavor. I continue to be impressed with that cigar in all sizes, but that 6×60 burns forever! Until the next time,

 

CigarCraig

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