Debonaire Daybreak Toro, Habano Robusto and a Tribute

Every year at this time of year I think it would be great to post a long, detailed post about how I had a dried out cigar and managed to “resurrect” it, but it could be very funny to some, and blasphemous to others. While I don’t have specific religious beliefs of my own, I do have some respect for those who do.  Today would have been the perfect storm of high religious holiday and foolish trickery, so I might have been able to pull it off.  I’d like to think I’m taking the high road and avoiding the low-hanging fruit of Easter based puns and foolishness. I also make every attempt to never discuss religion or politics, two divisive subjects and the world needs less divisiveness. So I’ll do the usual bit where I talk about some cigars I enjoyed this week.

My favorite of the week was a Debonaire Ultra Premium Daybreak Toro. I received a generous package from Drew Estate, who distributes Phil Zanghi’s Debonaire and Indian Motorcycle Cigars  lines, and skipped my usual waiting period and lit one up yesterday. It was a beautiful day and I sat on the deck in the sun and enjoyed the crap out of this 6″x50  toro (my favorite size).  I’m quite sure I’ve heard Phil say that the Debonaire line is all the same blend, binder and filler, with different wrappers applied, Habano, Maduro, and in this case, Ecuador Connecticut (minor nit to pick, the Debonaire website just lists it as “Connecticut Shade”). Having smoked examples of the Maduro and Habano versions, I liked the Daybreak the best. It smoked perfectly, it’s not a mild Connecticut, I think the wrapper tempers the strong blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan binder and filler with a complimentary nutty, buttery flavor.  I found it to be a very good smoke, smooth, rich and satisfying.  It’s not often that the shade wrapped version will make me happier than the maduro.

I got home late last night and decided, against my own better judgement, that I would have a digestif, if you will, after having a burger with pulled pork, smoked mozzarella, fried onions and BBQ sauce. Of course, I had nachos for an appetizer, and a couple of root beers. We probably won’t go back to this particular place as the only reason we ever go there is to see our friend Scott Erickson play, and I don’t think he’s playing there anymore. It’s odd to have a craft beer themed restaurant in a mall anyway, and there’s many better places to eat in the area.  I figured having a cigar at 10PM wasn’t going to be a good idea, and I suppose I’ll need a nap today…but the cigar was very good.  I guess it makes sense to mention that the cigar was a Debonaire Habano Robusto, one I picked up last September at a store in Connecticut when I was in town for the Connecticut Barn Smoker. I grabbed a handful of them because I hadn’t really smoked a lot of the Debonaire line and wanted to try them.  It was good, meaty and savory, with some oomph!  It burned well, and tasted good, and kept me up half the night tossing and turning! Did you know that the show Two and a Half Men was on Nick at Night at one or two in the morning? Surprising. Anyway, Phil Zanghi is an interesting dude, and makes some great cigars, although I find them a little pricey for my tastes. I’m a bang-for-the-buck kinda guy.  Expensive cigars but worthwhile trying as they are tasty.

I’m a fan of cigar podcasts, and I listened to the final episode of the Smooth Draws Radio Show this week and found it very moving. The creator and driving force of the show, Gary “Doc” Laden passed away suddenly earlier this year, and the show was a tribute to him. To hear his wife do the intro, and his voice interspersed throughout the show had me near tears. I had the pleasure of spending some time with Gary at the IPCPR show last year, we talked quite a bit about many things, including why a Jewish guy had a plate full of bacon and sausage at breakfast. He was a retired physician, a cigar lover, and an overall super friendly guy. I miss hearing his sometimes inappropriate comments on the radio show. He gave everyone nicknames, and may have avoided him giving me one by giving myself one! I only knew him a year or so, and spent less time with him than I would have liked, but I’ll miss the guy, he passed too soon. Nick Syris, Chad Potier, Coop, and everyone involved gave Gary a touching tribute with the last show. I wish I could get to Atlanta later this month for the memorial herf.

Anyway, I have a plan to watch hockey and smoke cigars today, so I best get some things done around here before game time.  Until the next time,

CigarCraig