Category Archives: Stores

by | October 27, 2024 · 9:50 am

A Few Arturo Fuente Cigars and a Visit with José Blanco

Let me start with this:

This is an excerpt (about 4 minutes) from my final podcast episode in 2019 with Steve Saka where I plant the notion of a Candela Lancero in his head.  First he says it won’t happen, then he backpedals a bit to leave the possibility open. As we now know, he’s made one, and actually likes it.  I didn’t spring for the Lancero sampler, so I may never know what it’s like.  The whole podcast should still be available wherever podcasts can be found (I know it’s on Spotify and Apple Podcasts), it was an interesting and unique conversation.

 

This week I went on a bit of an  Arturo Fuente binge.  José Blanco was in town being chauffeured around by Michael Rushing, the region’s sales rep for Fuente and J.C.Newman. I met up with them at the Wooden Indian in Havertown, PA. I took a half day off work because, when José is in town I gotta go hang out with him.  I’ve had the very good fortune of knowing José for quite a while, I think the first time we met face to face was at the 2011 IPCPR show where he did a tasting session (he was with La Aurora at the time).  It was in a room with about 500 people.  One on one time with him is rare, so I made the most of it. Today is José’s birthday, wish him a happy one of you see him! They were visiting Cigar Mojo – The Grove afterwards, so I met them there, it’s on my way home after all. It’s always great talking to José, and it was great to meet Michael. I never have any regrets when I visit the Wooden Indian, Dave and his team are always gracious hosts. 

 

I picked up some cigars while visiting the shops, some Arturo Fuente cigars that I hadn’t tried, or hadn’t smoked in many years.  Before I get to them, let me tell you about the Casa Fuente Churchill that I smoked.  This was a generous gift from my friend Stace, who I sent a few things to, not expecting him to return fire. The guy friggin apologized for taking so long!  No apology needed for something that wasn’t expected!  Anyway, what didn’t surprise me was the quality of the gift. One of the cigars was this Casa Fuente Churchill.  This line used to only be available at the Casa Fuente in Caesars Forum Shops in Vegas, but they made it more available a few years ago.  This is a 7¼” x 48 Churchill with a Cameroon wrapper over Dominican binder and fillers. I love the size, and it was a beautiful cigar.  It was definitely a sweet, nutty cigar with some exotic spices that kept me entertained.  Perfect burn and draw.  I think the only other Casa Fuente I had was gifted to me at Casa Fuente in Vegas maybe a decade ago (TY Fich).  This is a brilliant cigar.  

 

When I picked out cigars I went with a theme.  I could have done the 858s in all three wrappers, maybe I should have, but I decided to sample cigars across the Sungrown range.  It’s come to my attention that the 858 Sungrown is now a regular release, not just a seasonal thing.  This is a good thing, because the 858 Sungrown is a spectacular cigar, especially for $8ish.  The 858 is 6″ x 47, a short Churchill, or a thin toro, I don’t know, nor do I care.  This has some cedar and spice, along with a licorice sort of sensation. This is a cigar I want a box of, my only criticism is that I wish they put the green fuente band on this like the rest of the 858s, since it doesn’t seem to be a special release any more, it seems to me it should be consistent with the Grand Reserva line.  

 

I also picked up a Cuban Belicoso Sungrown, which is in the Chateau Fuente line.  This is a 5¾” x 51 belicoso, also with the Ecuador Sungrown wrapper over Dominican binder and fillers.  Also priced in the $8ish range, this has some similarities to the 858 SG, but concentrated. I thought it started with some bitter wood, then got more licoricey, as in it was more pungent and cloying on the palate than the 858. Fortunately I’m not opposed to that, so I enjoyed it, and it lasted nearly 90 minutes, which exceeded my expectations for what I consider a short cigar.  

 

Finally, I smoked a Queen B Sungrown, also in the Chateau series.  This is a 5½” x 52 torpedo, similar in size to the Cuban Belicoso, but shorter and pointier.  This has basically the same blend description as the 858 and the Belicoso, Ecuador Sungrown wrapper, Dominican filler and binder.  All three of these come wrapped in a cedar sleeve,  which is pretty obvious by the pictures. I’m not generally a fan of the sleeves, if they sit in the humidor too long in the sleeves the cigars end up just tasting like wood, which is fine if you like that. I don’t.  I think if I had a box of any of these I’d remove the sleeves for long term storage.  The Queen B is sort of in between the 858 and the Beli, it’s got the cedar and licorice, but not as pungent as the Beli but more pronounced that the 858.  As with all of these, burn and draw were perfect.  I’ve long been a fan of the Fuente Don Carlos, Hemingway, and Ańejo lines, but these Sungrowns are really good. I’ve been kind of lax in branching out across the brand, but I need to, there’s some great cigars, and they have been for many years.

 

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

CigarCraig

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by | August 25, 2024 · 9:51 am

A Cigar Adventure: a Visit to Up Down Cigars and a PCA Event in Chicago

I did something wild this week, for me at least.  I attended the Premium Cigar Association‘s Democratic National Convention event at Up Down Cigars in Chicago, IL.  I I made the whole trip within a 24 hour window.  Here’s how it went down:  I flew from Philly to O’Hare on Tuesday, arriving in Chicago around 1PM local time.  I walked about 22 miles from the gate to the train that would take me, eventually, to the Blue Line train into the city.  The “L” train stop was about 2 miles from the shop, so instead of trying to take a bus, I figured I had time to hoof it. Said bus passed me several times. Anyway, I got to Up Down Cigars around 3:30 for the 6:00 PCA event.  Rats, I’ll have to hang around a cigar shop for a couple hours.  The staff at this shop is quite knowledgeable and attentive, it’s not a large shop, cabinet humidors around the perimeter (actually fronts for the walk in behind it where the backstock is stored), with some cabinets here and there with accessories, pipes and humidors.  It’s rather cramped, by suburban store standards, but fairly typical for a city shop with a long history (The original owner, Diana Silvius, is a legend in the cigar business. Phil Ledbetter is the current owner, an instantly likable guy).  I perused the humidors looking for something to fill the time.  I was directed to a store exclusive, the Fausto 10/50.  

 

I’m going to pause here to talk about the cigar, the Fausto 10/50.  This was made for the 50th anniversary of the shop back in 2013, which was also Tatuaje Cigar‘s 10th anniversary.  This is a 6 3/8″ x 42 lonsdale, with an Ecuador Habano Maduro wrapper, and Nicaraguan binder and fillers, made at the My Father Factory in Esteli.  This is an exceptional cigar, I smoked two this week, one a the shop and one when I got home.  Smaller ring cigars need to be smoked slowly, this is one to be savored, first because over drawing it will make it burn hot and ruin it, second because it has some strength, and in the case of the one I smoked at the shop, I was pacing myself because it had already been a long day and I had a long night ahead of me.  It’s a heavy cigar with cocoa and some spice, an absolute bargain at $10.50, although with applicable Chicago taxes it was more like $13.75.  I really like the Fausto line, and this was a really good version. I bought 3, smoked two, have one left to savor at a future time!

 

Back to the trip.  Shortly after I arrived at the shop, Boston Jimmie of Stogie Press showed up and we hung out until the event at 6.  The PCA hosted events at both political conventions, I was unable to attend the one in Milwaukee for the RNC.  The event was held in the patio area behind the store, a maybe 30′ x 50′ tented area. Drew Estate was the cigar sponsor, so I had a Liga Privada No. 9 while there, although there were many choices available.  Ben Pearson, the area rep was there.  I finally met Josh Habursky who was recently appointed Executive Director after Scott Pearce left to head the Cigar Association of America. Scott was there as well and I had a chance to talk to him a bit.  I also got to hang out with my friend Luigi Lucente, the man behind the Cigar Medics Humidimeter, The Baller cigar cutter, and the Guillotina de Saka cigar cutter, among other

Photo Courtesy of Boston Jimmie

clever cigar accessories. I imagine there were somewhere around 100 people there.  It was a nice event with various hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and liquor.  After the event Luigi dropped me at the train and I made my way back to O’Hare to await my 6am flight.  

 

They had issued something like 350 free tickets for this event with a waiting list of 200.  If everyone had showed up it would have been a disaster.  It occurs to me that they should have put a nominal fee on the tickets, which would incentivise people to attend if they really wanted to, and raise some money for the association.  I don’t know that any of the Democratic legislators who are key to the cigar industry fight against taxation and regulation were there, I have to think that holding it during the convention hours (and the convention center was 7 miles away, which might take 2 hours in Chicago traffic!) might have deterred their attendance.  It was a nice event, I’m glad I put myself through what I did to attend, but I can see how it could have been better.  I understand that the Milwaukee event was more elaborate, given the way many in the cigar industry lean politically, I can see where more might have gone into that one.  Anyway, good event, great people and a really nice shop. I discovered that walking through a deserted O’Hare was surreal, and I’m too old for pulling all nighters!

 

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

CigarCraig

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by | May 19, 2024 · 10:05 am

The Smoke-onos Event at Best Cigar Prices in Drums PA

Yesterday I made the one and a half hour drive north to Drums, Pennsylvania to attend the inaugural Smoke-onos cigar event put on by Best Cigar Prices/Best Cigar Pub.  I remember when New Global Marketing, the predecessor to BCP took up about three quarters of the Fujipub Listserve.  This was a weekly e-mail full of specials from a dozen or so retailers back in the days before social media.  I haven’t known what the weather is in the Puget Sound area since it’s demise.  I’m sure there’s a couple of my long time readers that will get a chuckle out of this, but it won’t mean anything to most of you.  The fact that at least of my advertisers appeared on that e-mail regularly says something about their success.  Back to 2024, Best Cigar Prices decides to fill a void in cigar events in the region and puts on Smokonos, which is an amalgamation of Smoke and Poconos for those not keeping up.  This was a three day event with a dinner Friday night, the main event Saturday, and a brunch on Sunday.  If you find

They sold out of these 20″ x 200 cigars…I didn’t buy one.

yourself in the northeast PA area, you have to stop at the Best Cigar Pub for a meal and a cigar, it’s a great place.  I attended the main event only, and it was very well done.  Despite a steady drizzle, 600 attendees enjoyed themselves. They had tents set up in such a way that it was possible to avoid any rain if you wanted to.  I think there were 25 or so cigar companies represented, and most of the principle people were there. I was pleased to catch up with many old friends, and even finally met Justin Andrews, who I probably should have met years ago!  In addition to all of the cigar brands offering discounted purchases and deals,  there was food, beer and live music on hand throughout the day. The attendees received a backpack and travel humidor with their ticket price, along with a coupon book for a cigar (or cutter in the case of Quality Importers) from each vendor.  

 

 

The one moment I was turned off was when someone, and I don’t know who it was, took the stage to sing the National Anthem (which had been done already at the start of it on electric guitar), and made some editorial remarks that were political in nature. I didn’t see the need to repeat the National Anthem (for the record, the performance of our National Anthem is a pet peeve of mine, perform it as written, or not at all. It’s not a piece that requires personal interpretation. I’d be happy if anything but performance by a military band were outlawed!).  This was a place for cigar lovers to get together and smoke cigars and commune and catch up, not a political rally. I don’t attend those for a reason, and I don’t like it when people feel the need to inject their agenda where it doesn’t belong.  I feel the same way about religion, just so you don’t think I’m singling out the political zealots!   Apart from that incident, it was a great event. Laura Barlau did a great job organizing it. I will share this with her directly, but I saw a lot of people paging through their coupon books for the coupon they needed, and there’s an easy fix.  When they print the coupons, they need to put the company logo on the outside instead of the spine of the booklet.  A small thing, but would make things easier for everyone.  I skipped out before the bonfire, I hope the rain stopped and they managed to get that going!  I ran into the owner of another large retailer who used to put on a festival like this. He mentioned that his big mistake was leaving his retail store open and apparently there was quite a lot of shoplifting. Best Cigar Prices/Pub was closed over the three days of the event so they didn’t have this problem. All in all. it was a well executed event, the attendees seemed happy, the vendors seemed happy, it appeared to be a win! Thanks to the folks at BCP for including me.  

 

That’s all for today, sorry the pictures aren’t better. Until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig

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by | February 4, 2024 · 9:52 am

Dunbarton Famous 80th New Sizes and a Visit to the Leaf

This is going to be a relatively short post today, and a little different than the usual Sunday post.  Friday evening we went up to The Leaf/Famous Smoke Shop in Easton, PA for a cigar.  They were launching two new sizes in their Dunbarton Famous 80th line, a Corona Larga and a Gordo.  I’m not entirely sure why they are continuing with the 80th theme on these, as the original release in a box pressed toro was in 2019 (read about it here), they could easily call these the 85th Anniversary.  They came out with a Robusto in 2021 (I was there as well, read about it here, please forgive the mention of the other store which has since closed). Since I went to the prior two events, I felt obligated to go to this one, and I like to catch up with Steve and Dave Lafferty, two people I’ve known for a very long time. I picked up a handful of each of the new sizes and lit up a Corona Larga and looked for a place to sit.  The place was packed, not sure if it was a Friday night thing, or a Saka thing, maybe a little of both.  We sat at a wobbly hightop in the bar area.  The Corona Larga is 6½” x 48, which is a really nice size as far as I’m concerned, probably about perfect for me. They call this a maduro, but it’s really a Sun Grown Nicaraguan H2000 wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers. It’s a beautiful cigar.  Earlier in the week I smoked one of the original release Toros and it smoked really well, needed a touch up here and there, but I rather expect that with the H2000, but there was an umami funky flavor that was unique and interesting. I didn’t get too much of that, in the Corona Larga, maybe a little bit. I think this strikes me as kind of a cross between the Mi Querida and the Todos Las Dias.  I really liked the Corona Larga, almost regret not splurging on a box, but I ain’t made of money!  We ended up leaving after one cigar as the wobbly table was annoying, the place was too crowded and we accomplished what we intended. We probably missed seeing some people, but we’ll catch them the next time. 

 

Yesterday I smoked the Gordo, which is a box pressed 6″ x 60, kind of an odd size for Dunbarton.  It’s probably better classified as trunk pressed, as it’s not a cuadrado, or sharp box press like a CAO Flathead or the like.  It’s pressed enough to make it feel like it’s closer to a 56 ring than a 60. I liked this one a lot too, although it had some of the funk that the toro had that I didn’t really get in the Corona Larga. While we were at the event, Saka was making the rounds and stopped by to catch up.  Of course, we catch up on personal, family stuff, as we’ve known Steve for 25 years.  He holds court for a while, but he gets up and works the room, recognizing that people are there to see him, and if he’s in the same spot all night the people around him aren’t going to move to let other people hang out for a while. I usually say that I go to these events to see Dave (and I forgot to tell Dave something…damn…). Back to the Gordo:  Like the other cigars in this shop exclusive line, it’s really good. I imagine if you like Dunbarton cigars you’ll like these. Another funny thing is that the Famous 80th line is really the only Dunbarton store exclusive I’ve gotten my hands on (except for the Great Smoke exclusive I had last week). I don’t chase stuff down, if I happen across something I’ll pick it up.  I do wonder if they will still be coming out with Famous 80th cigars fifteen years from now! 

 

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

 

CigarCraig

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by | January 21, 2024 · 10:38 am

Some Aganorsa Rare Leaf and Statesman Cigars

Thursday evening I found myself faced with a dilemma, go to an event at the Cigar Mojo shop a mile from home, or a pop-up event at the Wooden Indian 15 miles from home.  The subject matter of the Wooden Indian event was far more appealing to me, so it made the choice easy, otherwise I’d have made a token appearance at Mojo and gone home to watch hockey.  It happened that Fabien Zeigler and Mike King of Aganorsa Leaf Cigars were in the area and were hanging out at the Indian, so I went, picked up some cigars, and hung out. Now, I’m hit or miss with the Aganorsa line, but there are a lot more hits than the event going on a the other place, and liking the people involved means more than liking the cigars in some cases.  I hadn’t seen Fabien since he left Drew Estate, and it’s always nice hanging out with Mike King and I feel right at home at the Wooden Indian.  I bought a selection and lit a Rare Leaf Maduro, it the Toro shape.  Their Toro’s are 6″ x 54, which suits me fine, and the wrapper is a San Andrés over Nicaraguan Aganorsa tobaccos.  I managed to pay attention to this one enough while conversating to know that it’s not one of the Aganorsa cigars that I don’t care for, it’s a perfectly decent, earthy mexican maduro with some rich cocoa and a little spice.  I’d definitely smoke this again, although it’s not replacing any favorites.  

 

I decided to follow it the next night with the Rare Leaf Corojo, also in the 6″ x 54 Toro size.  This has what they call a Nicaragua Café wrapper, Aganorsa Corojo 99 binder and Aganorsa fillers, sounds like a Nicaraguan Puro to me.  My impression of this one was that the flavor was largely on the wood end of the spectrum.  It was a good smoke, performed well, had some interesting flavors, a little citrus tingle here, some pepper there. When it comes to the woody and leathery cigars, I tolerate them, but it’s not something I’m going back to, unless I  forget and buy one again (which is becoming more and more likely!). I grabbed a couple more toros, and I’m pretty sure I smoked them before, and maybe even liked them!  I’m still way ahead of the game if I had gone to the event at the other shop.  There will be plenty of people coming to the shop by my house, I can miss one here and there. 

 

I received an email from Tommy Allen of Statesman Cigars in California asking about getting some exposure for his brand, I was intrigued.  Any time someone decides to start a cigar business in California I get curious. Is this guy nuts?  I need to know more.  So I figured he might be a good subject for the next video interview, which I’ll work on arranging, my “studio” is on the cool side this time of year. He sent me a couple cigars to sample, which I smoked yesterday. The cigars arrived in individual sealed pouches, and he shipped them separately in USPS Priority Mail boxes, which was unnecessary and overy costly.  He said it had to do with making sure the recipient got “as excellent an experience as possible”, which is a good thing.  Still could have put two cigars in one box, I’ve personally gotten ten in one of those!  Who am I to criticize though?  Taking  care of the customer is job number one, and it’s becoming less and less of a thing.  I started with what I believed to be the Bella Donna, their Habano blend.  Their cigars are all figurados, this was a 6″ x 56ish perfecto. I should have measured the ring gauge, but I did measure the length. This size isn’t listed on their site, which was a little confusing.  Regardless, or irregardless, depending on where you fall on that linguistic debate, it was a really nice smoke.  It burned well, once getting past the nipple, and had a perfect draw. This had the cane sugar sweetness I like, but it was pretty subtle, not at all cloying or overpowering.  Nice.  

 

The Maduro offering in the Statesman line they call the Nightcap, probably because one would smoke it in the evening, not because it looks like a hat one would wear to bed.  This is another perfecto, this one was 5 3/8″×52, not small, but smaller than the previous Habano cigar.  I definitely have to get into a video interview with Mr. Allen, I have a ton of questions.  They do say that the cigars are made in Esteli, nothing about who makes them, or any real info about the tobaccos.  The quality is good, the cigars are a little on the rustic side, but I not poorly priced at $11 for a figurado.  I’ve had a lot of more expensive cigars that weren’t as good.  The Maduro was a cocoa/coffee maduro with a little bit of strength, although approachable.  Good smoke. Like I said, I have lots of questions, stay tuned for more on Statesman.  

 

I’m to understand that there will be a multi vendor event on Saturday, May 4 at Goose’s in Limerick, PA.  I’m looking forward to this event, I’ll have more information as it becomes available.  

 

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

 

CigarCraig

 

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