I’ve long been a fan of the Diamond Crown line, with the darker wrapped versions bring my favorite. I recall smoking one of these three years or so ago and really liking it. Please read on:
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News: J.C.Newman Ships New Diamond Crown Black Cigars
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A Couple PDR Cigars and a Las Calaveras
I’m working on something a little different, should be announced any day now. I found myself with more gear from the Barnsmoker than I know what to do with, so I’m going to have a fundraiser raffle for a worthy charity. I’m still working out the details, but the prizes are pretty cool. I felt the need to do something more than just the usual pick a random comment giveaway. We’ll see how it goes, stay tuned. I did manage to smoke some cigars this week, funny that there were sev
eral that I just didn’t enjoy, but here are a couple highlights! Let’s get the Las Calaveras from Crowned Heads out of the way. This was the first Las Calaveras I’ve smoked. A friend commented 
that he was surprised by this, but I don’t fall all over myself for Crowned Heads in general. I did, however pick one of these up a week or two ago when I saw them, out of curiosity. The one I
smoked was the Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2022 LC46 (5¾” x 46). It’s a Nicaraguan puro made at the My Father factory in Esteli. It has a dark Corojo wrapper, I believe, and packs a punch. I enjoyed the rich, espresso flavors, but. I thought it was stronger than I’d have liked, the strength overpowered the flavor at times. Perhaps a few years in the humidor would settle it down, but I’m not inclined to go out of my way to find out. I did enjoy it, and it was not, by far, the worst cigar I had all week.
PDR Cigars has been sending samples to me on a regular basis. They could save a lot on shipping by combining shipments, but that’s their business. One of the first cigars they sent me, maybe 6 weeks ago now (this summer has gone by far too fast for my liking), was the Flores y Rodriguez 10th Anniversary Reserva Limitada. I smoked one on or around my wedding anniversary and quite enjoyed it. It’s a beautiful perfecto, 6½” x 52, but it’s als
o available in a Robusto, Gran Toro and Wide Churchill. it has an Ecuador Habano wrapper, Dominican Olor binder and 7 year old Dominican Seco and Piloto Cubano Ligero, as well as Viso from Jalapa, Nicaragua. The filler tobaccos aren’t specifically named, but they taste great! The cigar burned perfectly and had nice sweet, nutty flavors. This may have been the best cigar I smoked all week (starting the week on Monday, of course, the bar was admittedly pretty low!). It’s a fairly sophisticated cigar, befitting of a milestone anniversary.
Another PDR cigar I smoked was the El Trovador Rosado,
in the Corona Gorda (6″ x 46) size. Again, PDR isn’t very specific with the varietals, but it has an Ecuadorian Rosado wrapper, double binder described as one Nicaraguan and one Nicaragua Corojo, and fillers described as 2 Ligero Nicaragua, 1 ½ Viso Nicaragua. I really loved this cigar, second best of the week. It was pretty strong, without sacrificing flavor. It had some dark flavors, with some leather and spices. I dug it, and, like the other PDR cigars I’ve smoked recently, it burned perfectly. I have a few more to get to, and another package due this week, so watch for more PDR cigars sneaking into my rotation in the coming weeks.
That’s all for today. I need to get to work on that fundraiser thing. Until the next time,
CigarCraig
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News: Wiseman Maduro Firecracker Rerelease Shipping
Here’s some news from United Cigars, they have another round of the delicious Wiseman Maduro Firecracker from Foundation Cigar Co. I’ve enjoyed a few of the Firecrackers, and this was one of my favorites. If I’m not mistaken, the release date at 2 Guys Cigars, which shares owners with United Cigar, is August 29th, which is the 13th anniversary of CigarCraig.com, a very special day indeed!
Wise Man Maduro Firecracker will begin shipping to United Cigars retailers starting August 22nd. With the
end of Summer approaching and Labor Day weekend on everyone’s calendar the rerelease of the 2021 United Cigars Series Unidas Firecracker couldn’t come at a better time. The United Cigars Firecracker line is available year-round but there is always the anticipation of which manufacturers band will adorn the 3.5” x 50 vitola with the original wick as the cap. 2021’s collaboration was with Foundation Cigar Company and in true Firecracker form, President and master blender, Nicholas Melillo delivered excellence with the Wiseman Maduro Firecracker.
“The Wise Man Firecracker is a special little smoke that explodes with flavor the moment you light it! This is a special addition to the Wise Man Maduro line and it’s a pleasure to work with United Cigars,” said Nick.
Wiseman Maduro Firecracker
Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaraguan Corojo Jalapa
Filler: Nicaraguan Jalapa, Esteli
Box Count: 20 Cigars
MSRP: $180 Box/$9.00 Single
Production: 1000 Boxes
Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A.
United Cigars Director of Operations, Oliver Nivaud said, “The rerelease of a limited edition Wise Man Maduro Firecracker is extremely exciting, this is an amazing capture.” Shipping to retailers starting August 22nd, the Wiseman Maduro Firecracker and all Limited Release Firecrackers from United Cigars are available at United Cigars retailer partners.
United Cigar began as a US based cigar store chain in 1901 growing to nearly 3,000 shops. United Cigar eventually became part of the corporation that bought Marvel Comics in 1968. The United Cigar chain represented the interests of the Consolidated Tobacco Company, the tobacco trust that controlled the American Tobacco Company.
Today United Cigars distributes and manufactures premium cigars within the United States. Distribution agreements with Selected Tobacco (Atabey, Byron & Bandolero) as well as Jose Dominguez cigars. United Cigars has i
ts own brands including the quick-selling bundle line Classic, La Gianna Havana, and our flagship brand United to name a few. United Cigar Series Unidas, a collaboration with respected manufacturers, provides premium cigar retailers with Limited
Release productions. Buy United, Smoke United, Live United! United We Smoke!
News: Drew Estate Previews All-New Brand in Latest Freestyle Live Event Packs
Fresh on the heels of the Connecticut Barnsmoker, here’s some news from Drew Estate. An “entirely new brand”! Interesting! I admit that the last new brand they launched with a freestyle event didn’t interest me. The Nica Rustica Adobe was a good one, but not an entirely new brand.
During its Sept. 28 “Freestyle Live: Special Edition” broadcast, Drew Estate will unveil an entirely new premium cigar brand … and the company is giving consumers the ability to experience it prior to its formal launch in the upcoming Freestyle Live Event Pack. The packs will be available at participating retailers nationwide beginning on Aug 18.
Drew Estate has prepared a total of 10,000 Freestyle Live Event Packs, which will have an MSRP of $39.99. Every Freestyle Live Event Pack will include three of the new premium cigars without any brand identification on them, a Freestyle Live 3-cigar case, a Freestyle Live cutter with cigar rest and a Freestyle Live flask. Additionally, each Freestyle Live Event Pack will include a Freestyle Live badge with a QR code, which purchasers may use to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win incredible prizes! The grand prize is a 2022 black Dodge Charger, valued at $32,000. Second prize is a Gibson Les Paul Dark Limited guitar, valued at $1,600. A total of 25 sweepstakes entrants will win the third-place prize of a pewter ashtray designed by Subculture Studios, valued at $100 each.*
Freestyle Live Event Pack participating retailers can win a prize too!!! All retailers who sell Freestyle Live Event Packs are automatically entered for a chance to win one of three prizes. The grand prize consists of $5,000 in Drew Estate credit and a Drew Estate Barrel Bar; the second-place prize for retailers is $2,500 in Drew Estate credit and a Drew Estate Mega Standing Ashtray; and the third-place prize is $1,000 in Drew Estate credit.**
“Dodge Chargers, Gibson Les Pauls, Barrel Bars … oh my” exclaims Jonathan Drew, company Founder and President with a big smile from his Sag Harbor, NY, home. “While all the prizes are definitely dope, the big news is in the new brand release. It’s just a different level of mega-excitement when we drop a completely new brand on the Freestyle. It’s not a new line extension or something that already exists in the DE brand portfolio, my dudes and dudettes … it’s something meatier. This brand is going to change the world. Mark my words.”
Learn the mystery cigars’ identity and experience all the other surprises Drew Estate will debut by tuning in on Sept. 28 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the next “Freestyle Live: Special Edition” broadcast, which will be aired only on Drew Estate’s Freestyle L
ive YouTube channel (youtube.com/drewestatecigar) and Drew Estate’s Facebook Live page (facebook.com/drewestatecigar). Until then, be sure to stop over at drewestate.com/freestylelive2022 beginning on Aug. 18 to find the complete list of participating premium cigar retailers where you can snag your own Freestyle Live Event Pack.
*NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C. (excluding MA, MI, & VA), age 21+. Void where prohibited. Starts 08/15/22; ends 09/21/22. Purchase Entries must be submitted by 11:59:59 PM ET on 09/21/22. To enter without purchase, send a postcard with your first name, last name, complete mailing address, email address and date of birth (postmarked by 09
/21/22; received by 09/27/22) to: Drew Estate: Attn Freestyle Live Sweepstakes,12415 SW 136th Ave Suite 7, Miami, FL 33186. Total ARV of all prizes: $36,599. Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received. For full Official Rules, visit https://drewestate.com/freestyleliveeventpack/. Sponsor: SWI-DE, LLC, 12415 SW 136th Ave, Suite 7, Miami, FL 33186.
**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (incl. D.C.; excl. MA, MI and VA), 21 years or older who are retail trade partners of Sponsor. Enter Sweepstakes by: 9/15/22. To enter and for Official Rules, including prize descriptions, visit https://drewestate.com/freestylelive_tradepromotion/. Odds depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: SWI-DE, LLC, 12415 SW 136th Avenue, Suite 7, Miami, FL 33186.
About Drew Estate
Founded in New York City in 1996, Drew Estate has become one of the fastest growing tobacco companies in the world. Under their mantra “The Rebirth of Cigars”, Drew Estate has led the “Boutique Cigar” movement by innovating new elements to the tobacco industry with their unique tobaccos and blending styles that attract new and traditional cigar enthusiasts. In their Gran Fabrica Drew Estate, the Nicaraguan headquarters, Drew Estate produces a variety of brands such as ACID, Herrera Estelí, Herrera Estelí Norteño, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fired Cured, Liga Privada, MUWAT, Larutan by Drew Estate, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial, Undercrown, Florida Sun Grown, and Java by Drew Estate.
2022 Connecticut Barnsmoker and Pre-Party
I got back late last night from another great Drew Estate Event, the Connecticut Barnsmoker. I would have just gone
to the PA Barnsmoker last month, but testing positive for Covid after the PCA show made that sound like a bad idea. Fortunately Connecticut is only 4½ hours away (6 with traffic), so we drove up Friday to go to the VIP Pre-event event. I can tell you, and my wife, who accompanied me and took a lot of the pictures will attest, this event alone would have been worth the trip! First, the SWAG and cigars are ridiculous. Great food and a band from Minnesota called Viva Knievel who played all the hits! The event was held at the New England Air Museum, and we were treated to a walk through two hangars loaded with vintage aircraft. There were large planes outside which provided an amazing backdrop. The food was very good (I passed on the alligator), and many fine cigars were smoked. I ran into a bunch of old friends, and we had a great time!
As if all of this wasn’t enough, Saturday we arrive bright and early at the Foster Farm for the first of the two day event. I’m guessing that they split it up over two days because of the number of attendees, as the group there was smaller than I remember from past Barnsmokers. The day started with presentations at three stations, with Jonathan Drew, Pedro Gomez and Willie Herrera, accompanied by the principles of the farm, telling us about the planting, cultivating and processing of the various tobaccos grown on the farm. The backdrop here, among several curing barns, was a large field of tobacco destined to me Liga Privada T52 wrapper. After this was another great meal of barbecue, there was chicken and pork, as well as brisket, slaw and mac and cheese, and apple crisp. All very delicious! Then there were all of the activation stations! This was a bit of a Trick or Treat, with coupons for each station and activities, in some cases revolving around the brand. Besides the ten great DE cigars we got upon entry, along with more neat SWAG, we collected more cigars. I also got a haircut at one of the two barbers there, I got a new look from the Barber and Cigar Company (@the_barber_and_cigar_company on IG) and nobody seemed to notice! I passed on the cigar rolling at the Undercrown activation, although I wish I had dragged my wife there to see how she’d do! 🙂 (she took a lot of the great pictures here). I’ve done it plenty of times and wanted to give others a chance! The event ended with raffle prizes, one dude won BOTH of the barrel shaped bars! I hope he didn’t fly in, but he was very excited about it.
I got the spend some time with some great friends who I hadn’t seen much, and I’m sure I missed a few people. I think Op: Cigars For Warriors raised about $32k over the three day event!
The Barnsmokers are events I heartily recommend, you certainly get a lot out of it, in education, in cigars and SWAG, and in joining friends for a great time! I really missed the PA event
in my backyard, but this one was well worth the trip. Thanks to Joe and the whole DE crew for a great experience!
That’s all for today, until the next time,
CigarCraig
Filed under Events, Trip Report
