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 
the 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. 1Â (I’ll revisit that later, not that there was anything wrong with it) and the La Palina Classic Natural. Because I’m a geek, 
I 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.
Next 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 
smoke 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
