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Two More Tatuaje Tuxtlas and a Book Review: How to Enjoy a Cigar

I couldn’t resist the urge to smoke the two other sizes in the Tatuaje Tuxtla series, so I pick a couple of each up and smoked them yesterday.  I mentioned in last Sunday’s post about how I should have just gotten all three, so I fixed that.  I started yesterday off with the 7th, which is a 5 5/8″ x 46 classic corona gorda.  This cigar is based on the Tatuaje Seleccion de Cazador 7th.  It has a Mexican wrapper, naturally, with the rest, I’m guessing, being Nicaraguan.  This was another very enjoyable cigar. I actually do like a Corona Gorda sized cigar, it’s a little shorter smoke than a Toro, and burns cooler than a corona. It had some spice, espresso and earthy flavors, not nearly as unique as the Avion.  I enjoyed it very much. 

 

After dinner, I smoked the Tatuaje Tuxtla T110, the 4 3/8″ x 52 short robusto.  This is typically too short a cigar for my preference, although there are times when it fits in.  Normally a Saturday evening with unseasonably warm weather wouldn’t be the time, but I was in the midst of a project, you know?  I would probably watch the better part of the Flyers game on the porch with a larger cigar.  But, I wanted to smoke the T110, so I did.  To be honest, it wasn’t that short a smoke, it probably smoked for an hour. I’ve sampled the other T110 cigars in the past, this seemed to smoke like the Broadleaf,  a nice, slow burn.  I also found this cigar enjoyable, although it still was missing something special that the Avion had, I think the Avion spoiled me! OK, so it’s not like these three cigars are the same blend in different sizes, because I don’t believe they are. I really liked them all, a lot, but I tend to like most of the Tatuaje cigars I’ve smoked. It was a fun tasting project.  I’ll go back to these again.  It should be noted that I started out my cigar smoking journey in the mid-90s with Te Amo Maduros, so when I see a Mexican/San Andres wrapped cigar, I gotta give it a try.

 

It’s been a while since I’ve done a book review, but I recently read a book (booklet?, pamphlet?) by my friend Kaplowitz over at Kaplowitz Media. The idea of this book is to read it during the smoking of a cigar, ideally for a first time cigar smoker. It, quite capably, walks the reader through every aspect of smoking his first cigar. It provides some good advice, and, through some anecdotes, gives a glimpse into some of the things that make the author tick. I actually smoked two cigars while reading this, but I got distracted early and had to pick it up again later. I used a cigar band as a bookmark so I’d know what page I was on when I put it down. It covers all the bullet points of smoking a cigar, without getting bogged down in minutia, perhaps Kap’s next book with cover that.  The information, the stories, all good stuff.  You can get it direct (it’s not on Amazon, or I’d be hitting you with an affiliate link!),  check out https://kaplowitz.blogspot.com/p/kaplowitz-media-books.html for how to order, and don’t forget to ask for an inscription! 

 

The K9s for Warriors raffle is ongoing, and wrapped up at the end of the week.  I should have Saka’s contribution here tomorrow, if you missed it, he offered up a one of a kind box of Liga Privada No.9 Pequeńos, never released. This is an amazing prize, and has helped raise over $4000 so far for the charity.  Kevin (CigarProp, I’d Tap That, Trash Panda) has offered another prize too, which may not make it in time, but we’re hoping to include it for a last minute push!  I have to thank DE, Steve and Kevin for their support!  This all just came from wanting to give away some cool swag, but wanting to add a charitable aspect, and it’s grown more than I ever guessed.  Thanks! That’s all for today, until the next time, 

 

CigarCraig

 

 

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A Book Review, an EPC New Wave, and a Joya de Nicaragua

When I’m not listening to podcasts or socializing when smoking a cigar, I’m usually reading. Sometimes it’s something in the fantasy genre, or something having something to do with Cuba or cigars.  When the opportunity came my way to read and review a book about growing tobacco, I had to jump at it.   Now, I have a black thumb, I don’t know what’s a weed and whats a regular plant, and I’m not a fan of gardening.  My wife, daughter and son-in-law are the gardeners in the family.  Along with the several visits to cigar country I’ve made this year, I knew the subject matter would leave me overwhelmed and confused.  Fortunately, “How To Grow Your Own Tobacco Freom Seed To Smoke” by Ray French, breaks the process down pretty neatly.

 

I started reading this with a nice little E.P. Carillo New Wave Connecticut Stellas (5.125″ x 42) that I had recently purchased at one of the nearby shops, G&G Cigars In West Chester, PA.  This lovely little corona isn’t your standard, mild Connecticut shade wrapped cigar.  Side bar: There seems to be a trend toward Connecticut shade wrapped cigars that aren’t mild, leaving us stuck with silly cliches like “this isn’t your mother’s shade cigar” or nonsense like that.  I blame Christian for starting this with the CT (I’ve grown weary of typing Connecticut) shade Camacho.  Always the trendsetter, that guy…Anyway, good cigar, look forward to trying it in a larger size one of these days.

 

Back to the book.  Mr. French touches on several varieties of tobacco that he’s grown, some of which are good for cigars, others for cigarettes, pipes and chew.   As I said before, there are SO many steps involved with getting one darned plant to grow, it seems impossible that they can plant fields of the things and have enough of a harvest.  I may have to get my hands on some broadleaf seed and try this out on a small scale.  We are fairly avid composters, although our yard lacks sufficient space to plant more than a few plants.  It might be interesting to follow the steps in the book and try to make some tobacco grow here in south-east, PA.  I know the Amish grow varieties of tobacco all the time, so it can’t be as hard as it sounds (if any Amish folks are reading this…..er…..strike that…).  Beside discussing soil and fertilizers, he talks about insect control as well.  Everything is approached organically too.

 

I read the second half of the book with an old favorite, the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Robusto Grande.  This is a strong cigar that’s supposed to be a strong cigar!  Not as strong as it’s Dark Corojo sibling, it’s still a nice, full-bodied cigar with loads of flavor.  I can remember years ago smoking the JdN and not caring for them, I suppose because they were pretty mild in the late 90s.  Then they came out with the Antaño line, and I really started to enjoy them.  Having visited the factory, I find myself with a deeper appreciation for their cigars.  One of my favorites now is the Cabinetta, which is a milder cigar. Figure that one out!

 

Anyway, the book, “How To Grow Your Own Tobacco Freom Seed To Smoke” by Ray French, is a nice primer if growing your own tobacco is something that piques your interest. I especially like the detailed journal provided at the end to track the various stages of planting, growing, harvesting and curing, as well as links to sources to purchase seeds on line. Thanks to the publisher, Cool Springs Press for contacting me and providing me with the copy.  The book is available at Amazon.com and, I’m sure, your local book store.

 

That’s it for now, until the next time,

CigarCraig

 

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