Category Archives: Review

by | July 31, 2022 · 9:21 am

West Tampa Tobacco Cigars, a Street Taco Carnitas and a Patina Sumatra

I’ve started smoking some PCA show samples now that I feel fully recovered from the post-Vegas Covid situation.  I started out revisiting the West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black and White. Rick went out of his way to give me a 6×60 from a bundle, that had never been in a box! This is significant because I told him about an experience I had initially with the cigars I had sourced locally.  This was the first cigar I smoked, and it was very good.  If you refer back to the video interview with Rick (HERE), he explains how the Black and White have the same wrapper, it’s just fermented differently. The Black has nice espresso notes and is up my alley.  The construction was perfect and everything tasted the way it should.  

 

I had another West Tampa Tobacco Co.White Toro that Ricky also gave me, which was also very good, but I find the Black suits my palate more. The White has more of a woody character, with some citrus tang to me.  Rick explained that the White was blended more for the European palate, with the wrapper being highlighted, and the darker wrapper Black highlighting the filler blend. I like them both, but the Black is better for me. I still have to try the robusto. GOod stuff from a very small factory in Esteli.  

 

Thursday evening I had the pleasure of being a guest on the All About Wine Podcast, of all things.  We had a panel of folks talking about cigars. I pre-gamed with a Rojas Cigars Street Taco Carnitas, the Connecticut shade version of the Street Taco.  This has an Ecuador Connecticut wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and fillers. I had the 5″ x 50 robusto. Oddly, this comes in a Robusto and Toro, with the 5½” x 46 Short Corona being the closest thing to a small ring gauge in the line. I think of a corona being 5″ x 42, so I’m not sure I understand the name. Regardless, the robusto was very good. It was creamy, with some oomph to it.  There was some spice and it wasn’t a mild Connecticut. Considering that shade wrappers are fairly low on my preference list, this one was very good. 

 

Finally, when I met with Mo Maali at the show, he gave me a Patina Sumatra. This is his new release, which excited me for a few reasons.  First, I’ve enjoyed the Patina line in general, Maduro and Habano, I don’t think I ever had the Connecticut (see above).  They are made in the NACSA factory where Mi Querida cigars are made, as well as several others! I want to say that factory mad the majority of JR’s Alternatives bundle brand, which is millions of cigars. NACSA is one of the largest factories in Nicaragua. The other reason I was looking forward to this is because I really love Sumatra wrapped cigars! This one didn’t disappoint.  It had the sugar cane sweetness that I really like.  It burned perfectly and gave me a great experience.  Check out my video with Mo here. Good stuff!

 

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

 

CigarCraig

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by | July 24, 2022 · 9:28 am

PCA 2022: Platinum Nova Cigars and a Nova 484

Believe it or not, I’m nearing the end of the PCA show videos I took.  As I’ve said before, I’m not competing with other media sites, I do things my way. I’ve maintained that I’m a blogger first, not a media site, I just love cigars and write stuff about them.  I do enjoy doing the video interviews though, it’s fun talking to my friends in the cigar industry. My approach to the PCA show this year was casual, yet I had some goals and targeted a select few personalities to interview. I hope you’ve enjoyed the videos.  This one was with Leo of Platinum Nova cigars, who I first met at the 2020 TPE show.  These folks make some really tasty cigars, and their model is one blend/one size, as opposed to having a line with numerous vitolas.  It’s an interesting and probably costly way of doing things. The cigars are pricey, but they are really quite good. I like the way this video turned out, I hope you do too.

 

 

While I was writing this I decided to smoke the Nova 484 (which I incorrectly described as 4×44 on the video) that Leo gave me after the 2022 TPE show. As the name indicates, it’s 4″ x 48, and comes in a Dominican and Nicaraguan version.The Dominican has an Ecuador H2000 wrapper, Dominican Piloto Cubano binder and Olor Dominicano, while the Nicaraguan Has Ecuador Habano wrapper, Habano Esteli binder and Habano Jalapa filler.  My one complaint is that the cigar I am smoking doesn’t indicate which one it is, although I’m fairly confident that it’s the Nicaraguan. It has a nice sweetness and some coffee flavors, and I like it a lot. I am not a huge fan of Olor, which is why I’m confident in my assumption. Some indication, if even on the barcode sticker, would be nice. The cigar burns perfectly, and  was about the perfect size for composing this article.  As I said in the interview, I’m fortunate to have time to smoke larger cigars, but once in a while I need something short, and this was a great option.  At $25 for a 4-pack, I may keep some on hand (and I might try the Dominican!). BTW, Leo, if I’m wrong please spare me the embarrassment and correct me privately! 🙂 

 

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

 

CigarCraig

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by | July 22, 2022 · 10:30 pm

ThermoPro TP358 Bluetooth Indoor Hygrometer

Here’s another Hygrometer review.  I’ve been checking out the ThermoPro digital hygrometer/thermometers, and this is the latest one.  The TP358 is a Bluetooth enabled device, which allows you to monitor the readings in an app, which also stores historical data and lets you set alarms. I have to compare it to the last unit I reviewed, the ThermoPro TP393 Hygrometer . My testing showed that it’s accurate, which is the main feature we look for, right?  Here are the details:

  • Smart & Informative App: Displays comfort level, and temperature and humidity graph. Features year-long high/low records, temperature presets, and high/low humidity alerts.
  • Remote Monitoring Range: 260 ft (80 m)
  • Room Temperature Range: -4F-140F
  • Humidity Monitoring Range: 10%-99%
  • Temperature Accuracy: ±0.5F (±0.2C)
  • Humidity Accuracy: ±2% RH
  • Temperature Display Unit: F/C
  • LCD Display Size: 3 inches

It pretty much has the same features as the TP393, in a smaller form-factor.  The size makes it more suited for humidor use, it’s nearly half the size of the TP393. It also has a clock and backlight, neither of which are particularly interesting to me.  The one area where the TP358 misses is that it uses four AAA batteries, where the larger unit is rechargeable. I like the rechargeable feature, it seems to last a long time, I haven’t had to charge it since I got it back in May. That being said, none of the Thermopro devices I have have needed batteries yet, so they seem to last quite a while. Nice devices, overall.

 

These devices were provided to me for evaluation, the links are Amazon affiliate links, if you buy one through one of the links, I get a few pennies. I’ve pulled down enough through Amazon links over the years to buy a cup of coffee. That’s all for today, until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig

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by | July 3, 2022 · 10:16 am

A Couple Knuckle Sandwich Cigars and The Baller Cutter

I went out shopping this week and picked up some new cigars that I’d been wanting to try. One set I’m going to withhold comment on because there was something off about them and I want to pick up some more and give them another shot. I also want to discuss this with the manufacturer and I’ll probably see him next week.  So yesterday I smoked the Knuckle Sandwich cigars from Guy Fieri and Espinosa Cigars.  Of course, I bought Toros, which may or may not have been the only size they had at the shop, I really don’t recall. Nine times out of ten if there’s a Toro I’m getting it, you know me.  These are made in A.J. Fernandez’ San Lotano factory in Ocotal, Nicaragua, blended by the Espinosa folks with Guy Fieri’s involvement. I think I talked about this with Erik in the interview video I did with him at the TPE (here). I started of with the Habano after lunch.  The wrapper is an Ecuador Habano and the binder and fillers are Nicaraguan. What could go wrong?  Nothing, that’s what.  This was a delicious cigar. I was hoping for some good cigars after a couple days worth of disappointments, and I got them. It was bold and spicy, with some nuttiness. I was impressed. Not surprised, but impressed. 

I moved on to the Knuckle Sandwich Maduro Toro after dinner. Again, this was much anticipated, and we all know how much I like maduros. This one is a Sumatra varietal, grown in Ecuador and fermented to a rich, dark maduro.  I also like Sumatra. This has to be a winner for me, right?  Of course it was. Again, this is a cigar that has some strength, and I imagine Guy Fieri to be someone who is all about flavor.  This, as well as the Habano, had tons of flavor. The Maduro, of course, had more of the rich cocoa/espresso flavor, with a healthy spice.  Both cigars had exceptional burn and draw, and were a pleasure to smoke. A great tasting cigar can be a bad experience if the cigar falls apart or doesn’t draw well, not the case here.  I really enjoyed these two cigars. I understand that Guy may be making an appearance at the PCA show at some point. I doubt I’ll get to actually meet him, but I know some people, I have to see what I can  do. 

I used a new cutter on both of the Knuckle Sandwich cigars, which was a little risky, but I have a lot of faith in the guy that made the cutter, as I know he’s been working on it for a long time and wouldn’t put something on the market that wasn’t perfect. This cutter is called The Baller, from the folks at CigarMedics. and is really unique. It has a curved blade that literally takes a scoop out of the head of the cigar, leaving a hole like a punch, but removing some of the tobacco in the end. This is a bit of a hybrid between a V cut and punch in a way.  So far, the three cigars I’ve used it on have performed well,  and I’m going to use it primarily (except next weekend, I’m not risking losing it to TSA in my travels, my advice is always to not travel with any thing you don’t mind losing) for the foreseeable future. I think it’s neat, although a little heavy in the pocket, fortunately it came with a case that has a belt loop!  Awesome device! I’m looking forward to finally meeting Luigi and his team at the PCA show! I made a little video, check it out!

That’s all for today. Of course, it’s the Fourth of July weekend, as well as my wedding anniversary tomorrow, so I’ll be breaking out the good stuff over the next couple days!  Everyone stay safe and enjoy! Until the next time, 

CigarCraig

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by | June 29, 2022 · 5:32 pm

News: Gran Habano Announces 20th Aniversario Cigar

I like Gran Habano and George Rico, so here’s some news from them about their anniversary cigar.  I’ll try to stop by and congratulate them next week at the show.

 

GRAN HABANO ANNOUNCES 20TH ANIVERSARIO

 

Gran Habano announces the release of the 20th Aniversario, a cigar celebrating an incredible milestone in the family business. The inspiration for making this cigar was drawn on the first chapter of the Gran Habano story: El Sueño (the dream), El Desafío (the struggle), and El Triunfo (the success). Gran Habano is thankful to everyone that believed in us and supported us along the way. The best is yet to come.


“It is with great pride that after 27 years in business as a company, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of our brand, Gran Habano. It is a wonderful feeling to reach this special milestone as a brand, as we will continue to maintain our culture as a company by following our principals to pursue making quality cigars. We look forward to the next chapter in our family’s journey, and to the new generations continuing the family tradition that has allowed four previous generations to be successful in the industry of tobacco.” – George Rico

Gran Habano 20th Aniversario

Description: The Gran Habano 20th Aniversario is described as having a four year aged lush rosado wrapper from Jalapa Valley, Nicaragua, enveloping a rich Nicaraguan binder and unique blend of Colombian, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian fillers.

Body: Medium

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo Shade Wrapper

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru

Box Ct: 20

Sizes: El Sueño 5 x 52 (MSRP $14), El Desafío 6 x 54 (MSRP $15), El Triunfo 6 x 60 ($16)

The 20th Aniversario is a limited-production release with 4,000 boxes of each size made and released each quarter. Only 200 retailers will be carrying the cigar. The Gran Habano 20th Aniversario is rolled at the company’s factory in Danli, Honduras, Gran Habano Honduras. The 20th Aniversario will be making its official debut at the PCA trade show in Las Vegas July 9-12, and starts shipping in August.

 

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