For my usual Tuesday night walk last night I selected a re-release sample that Victor Vitale had sent me a few weeks ago, labeled Pre-release L.E. 2012. I must assume that this cigar fits into the Tortuga line, which is cool because I’ve really enjoyed the other cigars I’ve smoked in the line, especially the 1950 Maduro. This particular robusto was very tasty and had a perfect draw. Victor is producing very nice cigars lately. I know I didn’t quite “get” the ORTSAC line (the San Andreas is tasty), but the Tortugas really hit the spot for me, and the L.E. 2012 will be one to keep an eye out for!
Today officially marks the 3rd anniversary of CigarCraig.com. My wife gave me the domain for my 46th birthday, so do the math and draw your own conclusions! What began as an idea for a website with a blog has morphed into a blog with far more readers than I ever anticipated. Thanks to everyone who chooses to waste their valuable time reading along! I’m truly humbled. Anyway, in honor of this auspicious occasion, I selected a special cigar from the humidor, a Taboada custom rolled cigar that was a recent gift from my friend George who I had the pleasure of hanging out with in Orlando. I really wanted to smoke this when he gave it to me, and I know he did too, but I had such a bad cold I knew it wouldn’t taste right. This cigar was rolled by retired Cuban roller Rodolfo Taboada Campa, and is a 6½” x 52ish toro with a shaggy, unfinished foot. The cigar lit easily and burned perfectly. I understand that Taboada uses the entubado method of rolling, hence the perfect draw from start to finish. I found myself a little perplexed by the flavor. It was exceptional, don’t get me wrong, I was just expecting a more Cuban experience. I didn’t perceive any of what I normally expect in Cuban tobacco, it lacked that “twang”, but it was smooth and loaded with flavor. Maybe it was a blend, I don’t know. (*Note – a very reliable source tells me that these are 100% finest Cuban tobacco rolled in Havana by the master. My only conclusion is that the tobacco must be processed much better than regular production to produce such smooth and wonderful flavor!) It was the ideal cigar to celebrate the anniversary of my birth, as well as that of CigarCraig.com. Thank you George! I am sorry I didn’t smoke this with you, but I appreciate the special gift.
In honor of the occasion, why not give away a handful of cigars to some lucky reader? I can scrounge up a Tortuga L.E. 2011, maybe a couple of La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Tabaqueros, and perhaps some goodies that haven’t even hit the shelves yet. It’s hard to say what might fall into the baggie, but there will be at least six outstanding smokes. Leave a comment to enter and I’ll pick a winner on Sunday. Usual rules apply.
That’s it for now, until the next time,
CigarCraig
