Everything seems to be going crazy with this pandemic thing, I gotta tell you, it isn’t helping my job search any! Hiring freezes, forget getting an interview, places that are open don’t even allow people in the building, let alone have interviews. Pennsylvania has closed schools, liquor stores and has asked that non essential businesses shut down. It’s crazy, and it’s not going to get better real soon. Right now, as frivolous as it might be, I’m going to keep doing what I do, write my blog about the cigars I smoke. Back in January, Fratello Cigars announced a budget line of cigars being made at La Aurora with camo bands. These come in three wrappers, a Maduro, Habano and Connecticut, and in Robusto and Toro in bundles of 15. These have a retail cost in the mid $3 range. You can see the press release I published HERE. As I remarked in that post, there were a few companies who had budget offerings at the show, not as many as I thought. Alec Bradley was one that comes to mind, they had a Caribbean Classic that was not too bad a cigar for a similar price. So, I set out to smoke the three of the Fratello “Camos” over the last few days, here are my thoughts.… Continue reading
ReviewCategory Archives
The New Punch Knuckle Buster Cigar
A few weeks ago I posted about the new Punch Chop Suey, as well as the Shop Press, and I included the press release for the new Punch Knuckle Buster. To recap, the Punch Knuckle Buster is a new regular production cigar made at the HATSA factory in Honduras with Habano seed tobaccos from Nicaragua and Honduras. The wrapper is Nicaraguan, the binder Honduran and the filler a blend of the two. The cigars are priced between $5 and $6 before state taxes where applicable, so they are very reasonably priced. I smoked one last night and I actually hadn’t even looked at the pricing before I smoked it, so I had no preconceived notions.
First, I’ve enjoyed a lot of Punch cigars over the years. I wrote a post about a controversy which existed in the ’90s about Punch and Hoyo de Monterrey cigars back in 2012 (http://www.cigarcraig.com/punch-vs-hoyo-de-monterrey-a-debate-finally-settled/) dispelling the myth that the two cigars were exactly the same. There have been some hits and misses in the Punch line in recent years to my palate, but otherwise it’s been a solid line. For instance, the Punch Diablo I smoked tonight, made by A.J. Fernandez, is a fantastic cigar to my palate. … Continue reading
A Brickhouse Maduro and a Diamond Crown Maduro
I don’t know if I mentioned this before or not, but while I was at the TPE show, I stopped into the J.C. Newman booth and introduced myself to Drew Newman, who’s the fourth generation Newman and General Council with the company. I remembered Drew from the Usenet days when he would post when he was about 16 years old and get a lot of crap for it. He was instrumental in getting the company online in the ’90s when the Cigar Family website and forum was one of the first and biggest out there. Later I was introduced to Drews uncle, Bobby Newman. I was honored to finally meet these gentlemen, as I’m honored to have the support of the company. You can always learn more about the 125 years of history behind the J.C. Newman Cigar Company by clicking the graphic on the right side of this page.… Continue reading
A Highclere Castle, a Charter Oak and an Alec Bradley Shamrock Cigar
I am late to the game getting around to the Highclere Castle line, Nick Melillo, of Foundation Cigar Co. gave me one of each at the TPE show, and while I still haven’t gotten to the original Connecticut Shade Edwardian blend yet, I did smoke the Victorian this week. We’ve had some nice weather this week, and the Victorian I had was the Churchill vitola, and the afternoon seemed right for a Churchill, so I grabbed it and took Macha for a nice walk. This cigar is 7″ x 48, close enough by US standards, and has a dark Ecuador Habano wrapper, although I hesitate to call it maduro. It has the same Mata Fina binder as the Edwardian, but a different blend of Nicaraguan filler. It’s my understanding that this are made in A.J. Fernandez’ Factory. I wouldn’t be surprised considering the construction, which was perfect, nice burn and draw. It was a very nice cigar, it was a medium to full cigar with a nice spice and some leathery flavors. It was well balanced and sophisticated, and was a nice, long smoke. I had no complaints. … Continue reading
News: Emilio Cigars releases the Limited Edition LA MUSA
Emilio Cigars releases the Limited Edition LA MUSA; hand crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra.This is the first release of this line since the collaboration between Emilio Cigars and Black Label Trading Company (BLTC). The artwork and cigar blend for La Musa were creat ed by James Brown. Mr. Brown, owner of BLTC and FabricaOveja Negra, stated, “I am very excited to give La Musa a makeover in both appearance and flavor.The artwork is dope and inspired the the blend of the cigar. It’s a Nicaraguan puro with a very refined, medium bodied profile and layers of complex flavors.” LA MUSA will be available at select retailers this month.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaragua
Robusto – 5×50 (25 count)
MSRP $10.50 Toro – 6×50 (25 count)
MSRP $11.00
Emilio Cigars is a brand with old school roo ts and new school attitude. With an eclectic portfolio, Emilio is sure to have something for everyone.For more information contact info@OvejaNegraCigars.com.
Use Coupon Code: cigarcaig10
For 10% off your purchase.
