Tag Archives: Black Label Trading Company

La Aurora 115th and 120th Anniversary and Black Label Orthodox Cigars

Last week I mentioned stopping at New Tobacco Village in Whitehall, PA and picking up some cigars.  I took a chance on two of the cigars, the La Aurora 115th and 120th Anniversary cigars. Naturally, I started with the La Aurora 115th Anniversary , a 6″ x 58 Gran Toro.  This cigar has an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper, Brazilian binder and fillers from Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Brazil.  This one doesn’t come in a cedar sleeve, like the 120th, but had a real woody profile to me.  I was dissatisfied with the smoke output on this cigar, and what smoke I got was thin in body.  So considering I didn’t care for the flavors I was able to get, and the lack of substantial smoke, this probably isn’t a cigar I’m going to re-try.  I’m really hit or miss with La Aurora cigars, there’s some I really like, and I hold on to the brand for sentimental reasons, hence my opening remark about taking a chance.  

 

Being somewhat of a cigar optimist, I lit up the La Aurora 120th Anniversary, also in the 6″ x 58 Gran Toro.  This one is a Dominican Puro, with a Dominican Habano 92 wrapper, Dominican binder and filler from the Cibao Valley in the D.R.. Based on the blend, I should have liked this cigar less than the 115th, lets just say I found it different. The draw and smoke output were much better, and allow me to clarify something, the 115th had what seemed to be a fine draw, it was just stingy with the smoke.  This one had much better body to the smoke, but I still got the woody flavors, which isn’t my preference.  I contemplated having something that I really like after smoking this, but my palate was fatigued by the time I was done with it and I figured what’s the point?  I’m not one to put a cigar down if I don’t like it when it’s the first time I’ve smoked it, like I said, cigar optimist. I’ll stick with the La Aurora Time Capsule and Preferidos blends (I may still have a Bristol Especiale from the first box of cigars I bought 28 years ago!). 

 

After two misses, I hoped the next cigar would be a sure thing.  One f my favorite activities in the summer months is sitting on the porch (enclosed), with a cigar and watching a movie.  The temperature hardly matters, it was toasty yesterday, I just find it relaxing after finishing chores.  There’s always the chance that a neighbor will do something silly like mow their lawn, but I rigged headphones to the TV just in case (it’s an old TV, no bluetooth).  So I put a movie on and lit up the Black Label Trading Co. Orthodox.  I like most of the BLTC/BWS cigars, the fact that they say this is getting back to their roots sounds good to me.  I had gotten the 5¾” x 50 toro which has a bit of a pigtail cap.  The cigar has a dark San Andrés wrapper, Ecuador Habano binder and Nicaraguan fillers. Sounds like a winner for me so far.  This was offered to retailers who attended the last PCA show in March, so it’s pretty new.  I loved it.  It was heavy on the dark dried fruit notes, with some earth and spice.  My biggest complaint was that it didn’t last through the movie, but that’s OK, I stopped the movie, took a nap, and resumed it after dinner.  (side note, just saw the judge lop the end off a cigar with a miniature guillotine in Sammy Hagar’s I can’t Drive 55 video…I didn’t remember that! I have 80’s videos playing while I type).  The Orthodox was rich and satisfying, it definitely made up for two days of disappointment. 

 

Bob the Cigar Guy was kind enough to mention me in one of his recent reviews (https://youtu.be/WCZNh1A4-yE?si=c0UoH3vSo2V_u02n), and I appreciate his effusive, yet certainly unnecessary, praise. Bob’s a good dude, check out his stuff if you get a chance.  That’s all for today, until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig

Share

Comments Off on La Aurora 115th and 120th Anniversary and Black Label Orthodox Cigars

Filed under Review

News: Grimalkin Seasonal Edition Announced

I guess the Grimalkin is now a scary Halloween release. I remember the original that was made at the My Father factory, although it was always a big secret.  I actually still have one or two of the old ones around, and I might have one of the first Oveja Negra Grimalkin releases too. I look forward to giving this one a shot, it looks really neat. 

 

Emilio Cigars is pleased to announce the release of the Grimalkin Seasonal Edition: Hand crafted in Esteli, Nicaragua at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

Grimalkin Seasonal is being released in time to enjoy for Halloween and fall festivities. “To celebrate one of my favorite times of year, Grimalkin seasonal is back. We changed things up a bit this time around. The blend of filler tobacco has stayed the same, but we did a dual wrapper, closed foot and a rabito cap. The Grimalkin has rich, intense flavors of dark fruit, herbal cedar notes and mild baking spice on the layered, complex finish,” said James Brown, of Black Label Trading Co. and Fabrica Oveja Negra.

 

Grimalkin Seasonal Limited Edition will be available in limited quantities at select retailers beginning this week.

 

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Maduro and Corojo dual wrapper

Binder: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Nicaragua

Robusto 5 x 50 (25 count)

MSRP $11.00

 

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..

Share

Comments Off on News: Grimalkin Seasonal Edition Announced

Filed under News

La Unica, Partagas and Black Works Studios Cigars

I’ve had a handful of these enormous La Unica No. 100 cigars in the humidor for a few months and have only had a few occasions to smoke them come up. This is an 8½” x 52 double corona made at Tabacalera Fuente for J.C. Newman.  Back in the ’90s La Unica was the first premium cigar that was sold in a bundle, it’s since been moved to boxes, more befitting the quality of the cigars.  I generally lean toward heavier cigars, but this Connecticut shade wrapped cigar is really quite good.  It’s smooth and creamy, and actually burns a little bit faster than one might think, sadly, I clocked in around two and a quarter hours with it, which worked fine for my schedule.  It was creamy and nutty, and I enjoyed it. These are also available in a Connecticut Broadleaf, which are also very good, and something I want to revisit, it’s been years!

 

I was surprised with a package of samples from STG this week and felt compelled to smoke one of the Partagas Valle Verde Toros right out of the box.  Of course, this can be a risky proposition, but that’s what the Cigarmedics Humidimeter is for!  This Partagas is a bit of an odd duck, it has a green band, a San Andrés wrapper, some San Andrés in the filler along with Nicaraguan, and a Cameroon binder.  It’s also made in the HATSA factory, which is in Honduras, which seems to be another oddity for a Partagas, which is normally made in the DR. I’ve long been a fan of the Partagas line, they have been second only to Fuente in their mastery of Cameroon, and their Broadleaf Partagas Black ain’t bad either. This Valle Verde was really quite good in my estimation.  It hit all my preferred flavor receptors. I got the earthy black coffee from the Mexican, the sweet nuts from the Cameroon and some sweet spice from the Esteli Ligero.  I’ll be shocked and amazed of this isn’t my favorite out of the batch of samples, I hope I’m not disappointed! More on those in future posts.  I would urge sampling the Partagas Valle Verde if you enjoy the same kinds of cigars I enjoy!

 

Remember last week (I think, maybe the week before) when I said that I really like Black Label Trading Company‘s cigars, but I find that they all kind of hit me the same?  I clearly haven’t smoked enough of them, because I smoked the new Black Works Studio Poison Dart Corona Gorda yesterday and it was clearly on another level.  Now, I get that the Studio does some different stuff than the regular line.  The Poison Dart just came out at the July trade show, and Famous Smoke Shop had them when I was there recently so I grabbed one.  This is a 5½” x 46 corona gorda with a pointy cap, a Brazilian Matafina wrapper, Ecuador Habano binder and Nicaraguan fillers.  This cigar had a rich, mouth-coating kinda thing going on, almost licoricy, or maybe meaty, or some weird combo of the two.  It was delicious and was good for ninety minutes or so of afternoon enjoyment.  Lots of cocoa, coffee and spice, not unlike a lot of the BLTC cigars, but more intense.  I liked it a lot. 

 

That’s  about it for today. I am smoking a Buffalo Ten Connecticut while writing, a perfectly acceptable cigar with coffee, actually quite good.  I keep saying I don’t lean toward shade cigars, but I really quite enjoy them when I smoke them. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.  Until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig

 

Share

Comments Off on La Unica, Partagas and Black Works Studios Cigars

Filed under Review

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.
Share

Comments Off on News: Emilio Cigars Audiophile Now Shipping

Filed under News

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

Share

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

Filed under Events, Review, Stores