by | May 1, 2022 · 9:46 am

A Selection of Cigars: Hits and Misses

This is going to be a bit of a weird post. I, of course, smokes a bunch of cigars this week, and had some mixed results. I probably should follow the rule of not saying anything at all if you don’t have anything nice to say, but it’s not all negative. SOme of it is personal preference, some of it is something else. There are also some standout cigars that I’ve probably mentioned here before but merit repeating. Let’s start with the CAO Arcana Firewalker. This cigar is a nice, big 6½” x 56 cigar, with a massive band. It employs a strange method of fermentation for one of the Nicaraguan filler leaves where they bury the pilon in volcanic soil for two months. Sounds like a fun story, and I don’t doubt it, but this wasn’t where I had a problem. The cigar tasted fine, I rather enjoyed the flavors. It was kind of bready, with a little cocoa and some spice, very nice. When I received these samples they were bone dry, as measured with my Humidimeter. Bone. Dry. The first one I smoked just kind of flaked apart. I let them rest in the humidor for a couple months, I guess, to get some moisture into them. When one had achieved what I felt was an acceptable level of internal moisture content, I gave it another go. For whatever reason, the Ecuador Habano Rosado wrapper on this one just wouldn’t burn. It was like the original H2000 wrappers 20 years ago. I would feel safe making childrens pajamas out of this wrapper, it was so flame retardant. I gave up on it with about 2 inches to go, after just about emptying my lighter relighting it. I guess I’ll leave the remaining samples in the humidor, and if I see some in a shop maybe I’ll try one to see if my batch was an anomaly. I hope it was because it was a good tasting smoke and I like the first Arcana a lot. If you’re keeping score at home, this is a miss.

 

One cigar I had which isn’t new, but one I really enjoy and bears repeating is the Crow Corona from Blackbird Cigars. I’m generally a toro guy, but I think I like this in the 6″ x 44 corona the best. The narrow ring adds a little more of an edge to the San Andrés wrapper that I like. I always like a good Mexican maduro, and this one really made me happy. I’m to understand that Blackbird has opened a new, larger factory in ght Dominican Republic. I’ve been a fan of their cigars, I can’t recall having a bad one, with the Crow being my favorite. They do a really nice job with Sumatra wrappers too. I will be putting some more Crow Coronas in my humidor, for sure.  In case you were wondering, this is a hit!

 

Another repeat is the Yagua. I smoked one from a 2021 box this week that was amazing. J.C. Newman just announced that they are shipping the 2022 release, with a second wave due in November. These have aged well, the one I smoked was practically round, which was strange. They say that this is wrapped in an “underfermented”

Broadleaf wrapper. whatever that means, I ‘d say it works.  I had some distinct sensations of black licorice several times while smoking this cigar, and I really liked that. I enjoyed it so much I was tempted to smoke one the following day, alas, I should have followed my instincts! Again, a hit.

 

The Drew Estate Freestyle Live event is coming up on Thursday, May 12, and receiving a lot of buzz, so I figured I’d give the Mystery Cigar in the pack a try and see what the deal was. I tried the 6″ x 60 gordo first. This digital event is happening on the eve of the Florida Barn Smoker, and the cigars in the pack happen to be the same sizes that the 20 Acre Farm Mystery cigars were presented, leading some to believe there may be a connection. It’s possible, although many cigars are offered in robusto, toro and gordo, so that’s a bit of a stretch. I personally didn’t really like the cigar I smoked, it was heavily woody to me, and that’s not my preference. I don’t like FSG tobacco, so there could be something there, and I’m also not a big fan of the original Herrera Esteli, so it could be a variation on that. I don’t think it’s a riff on the MUWAT, as

I grabbed a fiver of Baitfish yesterday and forgot how good those little guys are!  I’ll suffer through the rubusto I guess and see what I think of that size, maybe it’s different. I’ll be very disappointed if those guessing it’s in the Nica Rustica line are right. Big miss.

 

Let’s finish strong. OK, I lied. I picked up an Aganorsa Leaf Rare Leaf Toro yesterday because I’ve been wanting to try it. It’ a 6″ x 54 with a “Nicaraguan Café” wrapper, and Aganorsa Leaf binder and fillers. I’ve been having trouble finding cigars

in the Aganorsa range that suit my palate, quite honestly. Sadly, this was another one that did not. I’m sure it’s a great cigar, it certainly performed well, but the flavor left me wanting. This was another that I’ll call wood heavy in the flavor department. I also found it slightly drying. It was a bit sneaky strong. Everyone has different tastes, that’s what makes cigars so much fun, this one wasn’t for me. I’ll keep working thought the range, and I know there are a lot of cigars made by Aganorsa that I like! Unfortunately a miss.

 

That’s it for today, I’ll be smoking a few favorites today!  My part-time retail experiment has come to an end. ore on that, maybe, another time, but it was fun while it lasted. My Friday evenings are now free, who wants to herf?  Until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig

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by | April 28, 2022 · 6:39 pm

News: J.C. Newman Ships 2022 Yagua Cigars to Retailers

Here’s some news from J.C. Newman. I’m actually about to light up a 2021 Yagua after I finish writing this. I really enjoy them, they are a special cigar. I really need to make the trip to Tampa to visit the factory one of these days. It’s been on my wishlist for a while, and is especially so now that they have renovated the factory and have tours. I’m a big fan of a lot of J.C. Newman cigars, and have been for many years.

This is the first Yagua release of 2022

 

Today, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. began shipping 1,250 boxes of its acclaimed Yagua cigars to premium cigar retailers in the United States. This is the first release of Yagua in 2022. A second release is expected around Thanksgiving.

 

“Yagua is one of the oddest cigars on the market,” said Drew Newman, fourth-generation cigar maker. “Because Yagua breaks all of the rules for how premium cigars should be rolled, it continues to shock me that many cigar enthusiasts love Yagua and that the brand has gained an almost cult-like following.”

 

 

Yagua is a recreation of a farm-rolled cigar from Cuba. It is handmade at the J.C. Newman PENSA cigar factory in Estelí, Nicaragua with an underfermented Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. These special cigars get thei

r unique shape from being tied together with pieces of the Yagua tree. Yagua is a 6” x 52 toro with a sugges

ted retail price of $8 per cigar. Each box contains a Yagua-tree-wrapped bundle of 20 cigars.

 

“Our factory hates rolling Yagua because it is harder and slower to make cigars like they would have been rolled on a farm,” said Newman. “No two Yaguas are the same. They are truly one-of-a-kind cigars.”

 

The following is the story of Yagua:

My family has worked with tobacco for many generations. Growing up in Cuba in the 1940s, I spent countless hours with my grandfather in the tobacco fields of Pinar del Río. At our family farm, my grandfather would take fresh tobacco leaves from the curing barns and roll cigars without any

molds or presses. To keep his cigars safe, he would tie a handful of them together using pieces of the Cuban royal palm tree, known as the yagua. When he was ready to enjoy his personal cigars, he untied the bundle. He loved how every cigar had its own unique shape. He called these cigars Yagua Palmiche after the palm tree and its bright red seeds. I still remember the rich aroma and taste of my grandfather’s cigars. Today, I’ve recreated Yagua Palmiche, rolling them the exactly how my grandfather did a century ago. These are the Cuban cigars I remember.

Lazaro Lopez, Co-General Manager
J.C. Newman PENSA Cigar Factory
Story as told to Drew Newman

 

About J.C. Newman Cigar Co.

Founded in 1895 by Julius Caeser Newman, J.C. Newman Cigar Company is the oldest family-owned premium cigar maker in America. J.C. Newman rolls its El Reloj, Factory Throwouts, and Trader Jacks cigars by hand-operated, vintage cigar machines at its historic cigar factory in Tampa, Florida. It also hand rolls its Brick House, Perla del Mar, El Baton, and Quorum cigars at the J.C. Newman PENSA cigar factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. J.C. Newman’s Diamond Crown, MAXIMUS, Julius Caeser, and Black Diamond cigars are handmade by Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic. With its longtime partners the Fuente family, the Newmans founded the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, which supports low-income families in the Dominican Republic with education, health care, vocational training, and clean water.

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by | April 24, 2022 · 9:22 am

Punch Knuckle Buster, El Rey Del Mundo and Pichardo Cigars

I’ve smoked a few of the new Punch Knuckle Buster Cigars recently and I have to say that I really like them. I had recently smoked my last Knuckle Buster natural, which had been recommended to me a while ago by a tobacconist. This had been a good recommendation, as I had found this to be a tasty smoke and had revisited it frequently. So I was excited to try the maduro version. I’m tempted to say that this is a really good cigar for the price, and these are very reasonably priced at under $6 for the Toro, and I’m amazed that they can make a Connecticut Broadleaf cigar so in

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expensively. These have an Indonesian binder and Nicaraguan fillers and are made in Honduras. This is a really good tasting cigar, with a different flavor than many Broadleaf cigars. I want to say it’s a savory, meaty kind of flavor, whatever it is, it appeals to me and I like it. This will be a cigar I will pick up from time to time for sure, and wish they had in the rothschild size as it would be a great short smoke.

 

I smoked the El Rey Del Mundo Natural this week, and, once again, was taken back to the 90’s when I smoked these often. My go to in this line was the Rectangulare, a box pressed corona gorda basically, which seems to be included in the current lineup. I smoked the Robusto en Vidrio, a 5½” x 50 robusto. General Cigars (this actually falls under their Forged division) likes the longer robusto vitola, it shows up in a lot of lines. I don’t have a good argument against the extra half an inch in most cases. Again, this is a sub-seven dollar cigar, and a very good smoke. It’s creamy, medium bodied with some woody notes. I’m not at all displeased smoking this cigar.

 

I picked up a Pichardo Reserva Familiar San Andrés yesterday on the recommendation of Vince at Son’s and smoked it last night.  I regret only grabbing one, and I almost always get two, but I’ve been trying to be frugal. We’ve had a seemingly endless parade of household expenses this month, plumber, appliances, veterinarian, IRS, I don’t need more cigars. Anyway, I’ve been wanting to t

ry more cigars from the Pichardo factory, so I gave this one a try

.  This was a toro, with San Andrés wrapper, Nicaraguan Habano binder, and Fillers from Ometepe, Esteli, and Jalapa.  From what I could tell, this was

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a delicious cigar, heavy on the espresso. I say that because this was plagued with apparent voids in the fill. It was weird. It started with a tunnel for the first third of the cigar, it took two or three puffs to get any smoke. Then for an inch it would be OK. Then there was another void. It was irritating, because the cigar tasted really good. I’ll try another, you know, for science.  

 

That’s all for today, don’t forget to check out the Red Meat Lover’s Club Presents Battleship, Beef and Bourbon for the Ship event (I posted about it here). I hope to see some of you there! Until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig

 

 

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by | April 19, 2022 · 7:49 pm

News: Red Meat Lover’s Club Presents Battleship, Beef and Bourbon for the Ship

This is a little different news item for me. I’ll be attending this event, and I’d love to meat (not a typo) some readers there. I know my friends  Kevin and Jessica, of CigarProp and I’d Tap That fame, will be there too. Of course, Navy veteran Steve Saka will be there too exercising gluttony, something that is worth seeing. One of my old friends from the cigar Usenet group days served on the New Jersey, too, I’ve seen the ship several times and always wanted to get a closer look, so I’m looking forward to the event. Hunt me down if you’re going! 

 

Red Meat Lover's Club Presents Battleship, Beef and Bourbon for the Ship.

Red Meat Lover’s Club Presents Battleship, Beef and Bourbon for the Ship.

$175 – $4,800 Tickets available HERE

 

Tables of beef on the high deck of the Battleship New Jersey. We gatherer a glorious night of beef to raise money for the battleship.

About this event

Steaksman, we turn back that clock 100 years and we will BEEF.

Imagine a night with stations of beef captained by the best chefs in the country for a night of feasting.

Beefsteaks were initially with small groups of people gathering in rustic taverns or dingy cellars where, sitting on crates or stools, they would sing, tell stories, eat steaks, and drink ale with abandon.

This dinner will be on the deck of the Battleship New Jersey. Bigger setting with one purpose…..to create an night that will be spoken about in hushed tones for years to come.

 

UNIFORMS (aprons) WIL

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L BE PROVIDED FOR ALL PATRONS

Dining etiquette will be set aside…. our goal is to over consume.

The night will started with heavy passed apps. Rookies fill up on these tasty treats…..pace yourself please.

(we will allow chopsticks but only one per person for stabbing the meat purposes)

We will then open meat stations created by Top Chef’s Ariane Duarte, underground cult Chef Jarrett Seltzer, Marcelli Formaggi’s Tina Marcelli, Tyson Ho of Brooklyn’s Arrogant Swine and beyond.

This one will be a epic scene filled with Red Meat Lovers and BEEF and maybe a few cigars.

Red Meat Lover’s Club will set up their signature auction , all profits of auction will be donated to Battleship NJ.

Some menu highlights….(menu subject to change)

Carving a whole 60 pound PRIME steamship rounds(delicious)

Tyson Ho bring a 160 pound hog with his signature slaw.

Full wheel of reggiano parmigiano cheese …making the greatest pasta you have ever had.

Red Meat Lover’s Club cheesesteak and sausage and peppers station.

Short rib mountains.

Smashburger station.

Warm cookie station.

and beyond……(you won’t leave hungry).

The cigars will be included with each ticket. Casa De Montecristo will create a pop up lounge and we have the ability to smoke outside on the deck.

The iconic Steve Saka will be includin

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g his cigars into the night…..and will be present and accounted for. Each guest will receive Sobremesa Brulee, Mi Querida and Sin Compromiso!

Cubanacun will be providing their epic cigars

Cash bar with proceeds going to the battleship

 

This is the USS New Jersey (BB-62) is the most decorated battleship in Navy history, earning distinction in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and conflicts in the Middle East.

The New Jersey’s history spanned over half the 20th century, from her design in 1938 until 1991. She was launched on the first anniversary of Pearl Harbor, and went on to steam more miles, fight in more battles, and fire more shells than any other battleship in history.

In World War II, the New Jersey led the Pacific Fleet under Admirals Spruance and Halsey and fought in the two largest naval battles in history.

She was reactivated to fight in the Korean War, and again to fight in the Vietnam War, when she was the world’s only operating battleship.

She was reactivated for a third time in the Cold War to halt Soviet expansionism and resolve conflicts in the Middle East.

After fighting fascism, communism, and terrorism, she was decommissioned for the final time in February 1991.

Today the New Jersey continues her service as a living museum and memorial in Camden, New Jersey, just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia where she was built.

 

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by | April 17, 2022 · 9:42 am

Upmann, CAO and Black Label Trading Co. Cigars and a Rant

 

There seem to be few cigars in Altadis portfolio that fit my preferences. I probably say this every time I post about an Altadis cigar, and it probably doesn’t endear me to the marketing folks there! I do have some friends there that are aware of my feelings. I keep trying though. There are exceptions, and I can pretty much count on enjoying anything Altadis produces in conjunction with A.J. Fernandez. I smoked the z Nicaragua Heritage by A.J. Fernandez in the Toro size this week and was pretty surprised.  This is a 6″ x 54 toro with a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper. The binder and fillers are all Nicaraguan tobaccos grown by A.J. Fernandez. I found this to be a powerhouse cigar, much stronger than I expected. I likened to to the Gispert Intenso. I personally liked it a lot, but I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who enjoys the original H. Upmann by A.J. (which I also enjoy!). It’s a totally different cigar, the difference between a Latte and an espresso, I would imagine.

 

I’ve had the occasion to smoke a couple of the new CAO Pilón Ańejo cigars over the past couple weeks, and the one I smoked yesterday was fairly impressive. The first one I smoked maybe wasn’t rested sufficiently from it’s travels. This 5½” x 54 robusto has an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper. The blend is rich and savory, consisting of Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers,  a Honduran Habano binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. Curiously, this is a different blend than the original Pilón, which has an Ecuador Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan binder. That kind of blows my plan of doing a back to back comparison between the two! I like Sumatra wrapped cigars, so this one works for me. It was a good, smooth cigar without any problems. I found it to be enjoyable, pleasing woody flavors without much sweetness. A good cigar. I may still pull out a Pilón from the original release and see how it stack up against this one, just for kicks. 

 

OK, here’s my rant of the week. I know it’s Easter Sunday, and happy Easter and passover for those of you who celebrate. Earlier this week the CRA posted this meme, and the subsequent apology, on their Facebook page, and it caused a bit of a kerfuffle.

There were those who defended it, thought it was funny, etc. While it might be funny in a Facebook group that is predominantly a men’s social group, it’s not the kind of thing I believe the folks at Cigar Rights of America should be devoting their resources to. Let’s set aside the misogynistic nature of the meme, make no mistake, the divisiveness of the message was no small part of the backlash that this caused. I take issue with the fact that I’m paying the CRA to advocate on behalf of the cigar industry, and I have been since 2009. It’ not a lot of money, but the point is that our money isn’t to pay for an entertaining Facebook group. Whoever is running things there, and I don’t think that’s clear since Glynn Loope left, should be posting legislative updates up the page, not funnies. The CRA complains about membership and wants to be taken seriously and fails to set a good example of why they should be in a public forum. I hold them to a higher standard. I think their apology missed this point. Anyway, that got my hackles up this week!

 

Last night I went over to Son’s Cigars where James and Angela Brown (and Levi) from Black Label Trading Co. were there holding an event. This was possibly the biggest event at the shop since they opened last summer. Angela Brown is rarely at events, and I had only met her at an IPCPR show several years ago, so it was nice to see her again. there was a contingent there from Mane Street Cigars in Woodbridge, NJ for the event, and I’ve known Alex, who manages the shop, for many years (here’s the story of when I met Alex). I selected and smoked a Lawless Churchill, 7″ x 48 (close enough), with an Ecuador Habano Rosado wrapper and Nicaraguan Binder and fillers. This was a delicious cigar, it’s really right in my wheelhouse. It has rich, dark fruit and cocoa flavors. I must grab a handful next week when I’m back at the shop. It might be one of my favorites in the line. Lovely cigar, lovely people, good times. 

 

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

 

CigarCraig 

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