CigarCraig's Blog

by Craig Vanderslice | August 16, 2023 · 5:53 pm

News: Fosforo Connecticut Cigar in Toro and Robusto Sizes

Another news item, this one from Fosforo cigars, a little brand that comes from the same factory that makes West Tampa Tobacco’s cigars.

Introducing the Fosforo Connecticut Cigar in Toro and Robusto Sizes

Fosforo Cigars, a leading name in the premium cigar industry, is thrilled to announce it is now shipping the expansion of its acclaimed Connecticut line with the addition of two new sizes: the Toro and Robusto to its current retail partners. This latest development caters to the diverse preferences of cigar enthusiasts, providing them with even more options to indulge in the exceptional quality and flavor that Fosforo Connecticut Cigars are known for.

The Fosforo Connecticut Cigar has long been celebrated for its smooth and mellow smoking experience, boasting a rich blend of top-quality Connecticut wrapper and carefully selected filler tobaccos. With the introduction of the Toro and Robusto sizes, aficionados can now savor this exquisite cigar in formats that suit their individual tastes and smoking occasions.

The Toro size offers a longer smoking duration, allowing enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the refined flavors and aromas that Fosforo Connecticut Cigars are renowned for. On the other hand, the Robusto size provides a more compact option, perfect for those seeking a well-balanced smoking experience that can be enjoyed in a shorter timeframe.

“At Fosforo Cigars, we are committed to delivering the utmost satisfaction to our valued customers,” said Jeff Moutett, Owner at Fosforo Cigars & Match Cigar Bar. “By introducing the Toro and Robusto sizes to our Connecticut line, we aim to provide cigar connoisseurs with versatile choices that reflect their discerning preferences.”

The Fosforo Connecticut Cigar in Toro and Robusto sizes are now shipping to authorized Fosforo retailers. With these new additions, Fosforo Cigars continues to uphold its tradition of excellence in crafting premium cigars that capture the essence of luxury and indulgence.

Sizes:

Corona Gorda (5.75 x 46) msrp $8.99 per cigar

Robusto (5 x 52) msrp $7.99 per cigar

Toro (6 x 50) msrp $9.99 per cigar

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

About 200 Bundles of each are available in this allocation.

Fosforo Connecticut will now be in core line production.

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by Craig Vanderslice | August 15, 2023 · 5:50 pm

News: Emilio Cigars Audiophile Now Shipping

Emilio cigars has its roots with Gary Griffith and the Delaware Cigar/Cigarette City cigar store chain back around 2011. It started with the Broadleaf AF1, made by A.J. Fernandez, and was named after an ancestor of the Zuccas who own the chain. At one point the House of Emilio was a brokerage/distribution group that represented as many as nine brands, Black Label Trading Company among them. If you ever wanted to know how the Emilio brand ended up with Black Label, this is the circuitous route that it took. Now, how it ended up being associated with audio, I have no idea…

Emilio Cigars is now shipping the Limited-Edition AUDIOPHILE featured at this year’s PCA.

Emilio Cigars, a distinguished name in the world of premium cigars, is proud to announce the highly anticipated release of the Limited-Edition AUDIOPHILE. Expertly crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at the renowned Fabrica Oveja Negra, AUDIOPHILE represents a pinnacle of artistry and flavor.

Master blender and owner of BLTC and Fabrica Oveja Negra, James Brown, stated, “Following its tremendous success in 2022, AUDIOPHILE returns with boldness, earthiness, and an enticing spice-forward profile. It represents a noteworthy step up in strength from the existing portfolio. I am genuinely thrilled about this release, particularly with the addition of two new vitolas this year.”

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Maduro

Binder: Ecuador Habano

Filler: Nicaragua

Robusto – 5×52 (20 count) MSRP $10.50

Toro – 6×50 (20 count) MSRP $11.00

Short Robusto – 4.25×54 (20 count) MSRP $10.25

Emilio Cigars is a brand with old school roots and new school attitude. With an eclectic portfolio, Emilio is sure to have something for everyone.

For more information, visit our website featuring a comprehensive retailer map. www.OvejaNegraCigars.com.

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Tagged as Audiophile, Black Label Trading Company, BLTC, cigar, cigars, Emilio, House of Emilio

by Craig Vanderslice | August 13, 2023 · 9:59 am

Validating Some Aganorsa Leaf La Validacion Cigars

I’ll admit it, I’ve struggled to find Aganorsa branded cigars that hit my palate right. Not sure what it has been about the ones that I’ve sampled that I haven’t cared for, I’ve tried. I think Terence Reilly is a fine gentleman and I’ve known him a long time and feel like I can say we are friends, so I want to find something in the portfolio I like. I also like a lot of cigars that have been made in conjunction with Aganorsa. In my continuing quest I picked up a couple cigars in the La Validacion series last week when I stopped in New Tobacco Village in Whitehall, PA. As sometimes happens, I am remorseful that I didn’t pick up more. I started, as is my modus operandi, with the Maduro ( I threw some Latin in there for Terence). I selected the Gran Toro size, which is 6″ x 58, a nice compromise between a toro and a gordo. This has a San Andrés wrapper over Nicaraguan Aganorsa tobaccos in the binder and fillers. I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar! It was really good. It checked all the boxes for me, cocoa, coffee, some earth and spice, and I found it to be solidly medium bodied. This is the Aganorsa Leaf cigar for me!

I also picked up the Aganorsa Leaf La Validacion Corojo, also in Gran Toro. This one has an Aganorsa grown Corojo wrapper, over more Aganorsa binder and filler, making it a Nicaraguan Puro. Aside: Friday evening an old friend going back to the days of the alt.smokers.cigars Usenet group days stopped by for a cigar or two. Bruce lives a few miles away now and we’ve kept in touch over the years. I think I met Bruce in the late ’90s, so I’ve probably known him for 25 years. Yesterday I met up with a friend I’ve known for much longer for a cigar at the new Cigar Mojo location (a mile from my house). I met Jeff when I was 7, so I’ve known him more than twice as long as I’ve known Bruce! We smoked Stolen Throne Three Kingdoms toros in the lounge while we caught up. Anyway, the Corojo is another cigar I want more of, I really liked it. The wrapper change gave it a lighter spice, and, although I wish the cigar had been a tad drier (it was a humid evening, rain, thunder, stuff like that), it was very tasty. I’ll buy more of these, and I now am anxious to try the Habano (and I’d probably try the shade if it were presented to me). I’m happy that I found cigars in Aganorsa’s portfolio that appeal to me, I was feeling bad. There seem to be companies that come along that you want to like their products but can’t find common ground, I suppose it’s better than loving cigars made by a company that you don’t like personally!

That’s all for today Good news for the cigar industry with the FDA regulations being vacated. Plenty of other sites covered this. I originally thought regulation was inevitable, I’m happy to have been wrong. Between all the hard work the family owned cigar companies and associations did fighting this and the FDA screwing up, it turned out good. I don’t think it’s over so keep supporting the efforts and we can’t let our guard down. You can start with the PCA site for details. Aaso Halfwheel has very good insights on the issue as always. Until the next time,

CigarCraig

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Tagged as Aganorsa Leaf, cigar, cigars, La Validacion

by Craig Vanderslice | August 6, 2023 · 9:12 am

A Couple Black Label Trading Co. Cigars and a Visit to The Leaf in Easton, PA

Yesterday we took a drive up to Easton to the “Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash” at Famous Smoke Shop/Leaf Cigar Bar in Easton, PA. We wore our tie dye and got a 15% discount, so I picked up some new stuff from Black Label Trading Company that I have been looking forward to trying. I was a little surprised that they didn’t have more new stuff available, but it is what it is. I also picked up some more West Tampa Red Toros, because, ya know, ya gotta support your friends and they are great cigars. I started out with the new La Madonna Negra in the 5½ x 50 size. I bought this in two sizes, the 5½ x 50 and the 5″ x 54, honestly thinking I was getting a robusto and a corona gorda, because they are box pressed and I really wasn’t paying that much attention. This is Black Label’s 10th anniversary cigar, and it’s a good one. It comes in three vitolas, all in the robusto family as far as I’m concerned (the third being a 4½” x 48), has a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Ecuador Habano binder and fillers from Nicaragua and Pennsylvania. I like a great many of the BLTC cigars, but I’m going to be very honest, there is a common theme throughout, again, one I like a lot. It’s the dark, cocoa/coffee flavors that are in my wheelhouse that appeal to me, and I can really just pick up any Black Label cigar and enjoy it. This was no different. I really enjoyed it sitting outside the Leaf Cigar Bar at Famous Smoke Shop, watching the band Single Yesterday play their set. The La Madonna Negra was excellent, loads of flavor with a little extra special PA Seedleaf spice perhaps. I dig it and have a few more to smoke, and I doubt I’ll have them around long. It was nice to see Gary Korb there, a day after eye surgery! (best wishes with that Gary!), and Juan Cancel made an appearance as we were leaving. With the exception of my wife having trouble getting service at the bar, it wasn’t a bad time! On the way home we stopped in to New Tobacco Village in Whitelhall, PA. This is a very warm and inviting little shop with a very nice selection! I’d love to get back to have a smoke with John and Lina one of these days.

When I got home I decided to smoke the new Black Label Trading Co. core line Santa Muerte in what they are incorrectly calling a Petite Lancero, but is more of a lonsdale at 6½” x 42. If it had been a 38 ring gauge I would have bought the lancero name, but not at 42. I think I’ve seen cigars this size called Corona Extra too, I guess technically a Lonsdale would be a 43 ring. A Lancero it ain’t. A really good cigar, it is, for many of the same reasons stated in the paragraph above. This one has an Ecuador Habano wrapper, Ecuador binder, and a filler blend from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Mexico. I suppose it has a bit brighter flavor than the La Madona, however the signature is still there. BLTC cigars are like Roma craft and Tatuaje cigars to me. I’d smoke them all the time If I had a steady supply, at a really great price. When I have them, I smoke them, and enjoy them. I’d love to get back to Nicaragua one day and visit Oveja Negra (and Nica Sueño while I’m there), I think that would be a good time.

I think that’s all I have for today, until the next time,

CigarCraig

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Tagged as Black Label Trading Company, cigar, cigars, Famous Smoke Shop, La Madona Negra, Leaf Cigar Bar, Santa Muerte

by Craig Vanderslice | August 1, 2023 · 9:11 pm

Romeo y Julieta Devocion Lust Toro Cigars

A few weeks ago the folks at Cigars.com sent me some of their exclusive Romeo y Julieta Devoción Lust Series Toros to try, and try them I did. I’ve been hot and cold with Romeo y Julieta cigars over the years. Of course, it’s one of the best selling brands out there, and there have been some I’ve enjoyed, and I’ve had a sentimental attachment to the brand, as it was the brand I had to commemorate my daughter’s wedding nearly 16 years ago. I like to try Romeo y Julietas when they come along, and there have been some I’ve enjoyed. This one is made in Honduras, where the post-revolution Romeos were made. It has an Ecuador Connecticut wrapper that is a nice, light brown. The binder and fillers are all Honduran.

I first thought that this was a mild cigar, but it must have been what I had eaten or something, because subsequent examples were far more flavorful, and solidly medium bodied. Of course, there’s a creaminess, with some leather and nuts. There’s also a nice Café con leche sort of flavor. I take my coffee black, but I’ve had Café con leche when there was nothing else offered. The several cigars I smoked all burned perfectly and were quite enjoyable. If you have an interest in trying these, or anything else from Cigars.com, you can use CCRAIG10 for a discount, and click though the link on the left side of this page to get to the site (it’s an affiliate link, which I, historically haven’t had a lot of luck with, please help me turn that around!). The Romeo y Julieta Devoción Lust Series is a tasty cigar.