Tag Archives: cigar rights

Square Press Week: A Oja Anniversary and a G.A.R. White Label

I seem to be on a square press kick this week.  Don’t know why that is really, I like square cigars, but I don’t really go out of my way to select them.  They are perfect for my bi-weekly walks to the convenience store, where I usually rest my cigar on the Redbox machine while I go in.  I hate it when a cigar rolls off and I find it on the ground when I come out.  I had that happen with a Liga Privada last week and I thought someone stole it, but I found it under the machine!  Phew!  I was scared there for a bit!

 

Monday evening I had a call from Luis of Oja Cigars and felt inspired to smoke the Oja Anniversary Robusto that he gifted me  when I saw him last in Vegas.  This is a pretty square pressed robusto with a dark Brazilian Samba wrapper.  It’s full of dark and decadent flavors and was perfectly constructed.  This cigar was made to celebrate the first anniversary of the brand.  The whole line has been a highlight for me this year, all three wrappers in the regular line are very good, and a toro, torpedo and 6″ x 60 gordo are good sizes, although I have to say this robusto fits my cooler weather smoking needs the best.

 

Tonight I grabbed a G.A.R. White Label Corona Gorda for my walk.  This cigar was sent to my by one of my loyal readers, Lloyd, who seems to be very lucky when it comes to winning cigars!  As a matter of fact, he won a box of Oja cigars right here a few months back.  Here we had a 6″ x 46 cigar with am Ecuador Corojo wrapper, Ecuador Connecticut binder and Nicaraguan Filler.  I’ve only had the pleasure of smoking a few cigars from the Gran Habano lines, and they’ve been pretty good so far. This one was perhaps a little light for a chilly evening, but it performed admirably and provided a satisfying smoke.  Thanks, Lloyd, for the opportunity to sample this cigar!  Best of luck to you in future contests!

 

Don’t forget to send an e-mail to mailinglist@pipesandcigars.com to get on their mailing list and get a free PipesandCigars.com calendar with special monthly deals.  Also, use the “Write to Congress” widget in my sidebar (between the IPCPR and CRA graphics) and e-mail your elected officials asking them to support the bills to keep the FDA out of our humidors!

 

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

CigarCraig

 

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Filed under Editorial, IPCPR, Review, Take a Cigar For a Walk

General Cigar Domincana Trip Report: The Factory and Farm

We awoke to another beautiful Santiago morning. Breakfast again at the hotel (another ham and cheese omelet with plenty of fresh fruit, bacon and black coffee). Today we would visit the long filler processing areas, the rolling galleries and the farm. I have been remiss, I have failed to list my fellow attendees. They were (alphabetically, as nature intended): Anthony of CigarBrief, Barry of ACigarSmoker, Ben of NiceTightAsh, Dan of CigarExplorer, Doc of StogieFresh, David of TikiBarOnline, Justin of AshReport, Patrick of StogieGuys, Patrick Lagreid of Examiner, Skip of HavaCigarShop, Stephen of TheCigarNetwork, Tony of 365Cigars, Tony of CasasFumando & Bryan of Cigarobsession. It was a great pleasure to have been able to spend time with each of these gentlemen, and was as important to the experience as the experience itself.

 

We loaded up the bus and headed to visit the long filler processing facility near by. We were greeted by Francisco “Don Quico” Hernandez, the Director of Tobacco Growing and Long Filler Processing. Here were got an introduction to the tobacco plant, planting, growing, harvesting…passed around some more leaves and fumas to experience the difference between leaves from various places on the plant. This is also where I learned that Seco in the DR, is Viso in Nicaragua, a piece of information I could have used at the blending session (seriously, it probably wouldn’t have mattered…). Seco is the leaf that is largely responsible for nice rich flavor, in Nicaragua, Seco is the leaf that is largely responsible for combustion, which they call Volado in the DR. Ligero is still Ligero and is very strong when smoked by itself early in the morning! I’ve meandered….

 

Our next stop was to the de-stemming operations. We had seen the previous day how they had machines de-stemming wrapper leaves. This is apparently more precise and results in less waste with the expensive wrappers, but the process for the long filler is done manually. Seemingly hundreds of women were working with piles and piles of leaves. Again, I am struck with the sheer scope of the operation. Stripping the stem out of the leaves leads to further sorting and stacking and flattering. We saw them working with leaves from 2003, which, once again, gives some idea of the planning and inventory that is involved in the cigar making process. Stack after stack of long filler leaves from the 203 crop in various stages of processing. It was quite the sight to see. At the end of the process the leaves are separated and sorted again and packed in boxes to be taken to the factory for rolling. Once again, everything is meticulously documented at every stage.

 

Back at the factory, Franciso Rodriguez, the General Manager, took us for a tour of the manufacturing floor. There we saw where a gentleman (who has worked there for 30 years or so, this is not uncommon) made up the boxes of leaves for each specific blend. He weighs out enough leaves for the production run, and places them in segmented boxes, three or four different leaves in the correct proportions. These boxes then go to the rolling team, in some cases there’s one buncher working with two rollers, and in other cases they use a two person team. The Lieberman machine makes the three person team possible, a buncher can easily keep up with the two rollers with the assistance of the machine (it’s less mechanical than it sounds, as we will find out first hand on day 3!) Again, the scope is amazing as there are seemingly hundreds of people making cigars here. We also see the “Drawmaster” draw testing machines, where every bunch is checked. There are also additional quality control checks along the way, weighing, and machines that test using pressure to make sure the cigar is properly constructed. It’s no wonder that the “dud” rate is so low among Macanudo, Partagas, etc. We also saw some of the small cigar manufacture, where machined were cranking our Macanudo Ascots and similar little cigars by the thousands, as well as some machine made larger cigars. I got a little sentimental when I saw them making the very first cigars I bought by the box, TinderBox Private Stock, which I got to hand out when my son, Corey, was born over 22 years ago!

 

Next on the agenda was a trip to Mao, where the tobacco plantations are located. This is 480 acres of tobacco fields. Since it’s early in the growing season, we witnessed seeds being planted, the trays being put in huge greenhouses where they are carefully tended and watered. Again, fastidious records are kept on every aspect of the young cigar tree’s life. Eventually, the strongest seedlings are taken to the fields and planted in perfect rows. Sometime over the next 3 or 4 months these tiny plants will be 5 or 6 feet tall and they will start harvesting. We met up again with Don Quico, who clearly loves these fields. Once again, the greatest of care is taken in the planting and tending of what may be cigars we’ll smoke in 2020! An odd thing happened at this point, it was bright and sunny, but it began to rain like crazy! I suppose this is a normal occurrence the tropics, but it’s unusual for me. This was our cue to board the bus and drive a short distance to a large gazebo which the company maintains to entertain groups such as ours. We relaxed in rocking chairs overlooking the valley, enjoying various libations (several top shelf liquors I suppose, I drink Coke straight!), and they even roasted coffee right there. JhonysPhoto courtesy Doc Diaz Diaz passed around a 3 pack of numbered cigars that he wanted feedback on, so many of us fired them up as we waited for dinner. I usually smoke for the pure enjoyment of it, but in this instance I took some notes as I smoked the cigars. I would have liked to have given the first sample my full attention, as it was the best. I correctly guessed that it had the same wrapper as the Partagas Black, one of the only times on the trip I was right about anything.

 

Dinner was, once again, sumptuous, and everyone feasted. Dan Carr, President of General Cigar, joined us again and it was nice to be able to sit around talking with him and his executive staff, although we all missed Benji Menendez, Rick Rodriguez and Michael Giannini as they had left earlier. After a very entertaining ride back to the hotel, which will be left to others to relate, or not, we met up again at the pool for cigars, etc. It was a long day filled once again with a TON of information, much more than I was able to relate here. I hung for one last cigar and finally excused myself and retired. Wednesday was coming on quickly, and we had another full day planned, which I’ll save for the next installment.

 

Until the next time,

 

CigarCraig

 

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Weekend Cigars: A CroMagnon, A La Casita Criolla, G&G Cigars, and a Marco V

First off, I’d like to welcome our latest sponsor, CigarChoice.com.  As with all of my sponsors, please pay them a visit and consider them when doing your online shopping!  You will find their ads in the right-hand sidebar, as well as on the CigarCraigsList and Links pages.  I appreciate their support, but my opinions or my content will never be effected by outside sources!

 

After the torrential rain subsided this week, I was in the mood for something special, so I grabbed a CroMagnon Cranium that Skip Martin handed me at  the IPCPR show.  I guess this makes me a cigar weasel, but I suppose I’m in good company (this is a bit of an inside joke among those who follow Skip on Twitter).  This line is a collaboration between Skip and Michael Rosales of Adrians Premium Costa Rican Cigars, however it’s manufactured in Esteli, Nicaragua with Nicaraguan tobaccos wrapped in a Cameroon binder and finished off with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.  The cigar is rustic looking, but solid.  I anticipated loving this cigar, and I was right, broadleaf AND Cameroon?  Lovely combination!.  It had just the right punch and deep, dark flavors that were the perfect ending to the week.  Highly recommended, although only available from Havacigarshop.com.

 

I had some time on my hands Saturday, so I paid a much overdue visit to G & G Cigars in West Chester, PA, just 10 miles down the road from home.  I run into the owner, Doug, at the IPCPR show more than I do in his store.  Why? I guess I just don’t get out much.  The shop is in the middle of a busy college town/county seat in part of what was once the Warner Theater. As a long time area resident, I can remember going to matinees in that theater, but it’s been closed for decades and is currently being renovated into a hotel.  The shop is well appointed, has a generous selection of cigars and was staffed by a very nice gentleman named Tony, who made me feel quite welcome. I picked up a couple of the new La Casita Criolla corona from Tatuaje Cigars, since I had read about these, and they sounded like something I’d like.  These are made entirely of Nicaraguan Broadleaf, which is quite unusual.  Again, I was right, I DID like it.  This corona burned great, and had tons of dark, rich flavors, which came as no surprise. While $6.50 is generally outside of my comfort zone for a corona, I really wanted to try this one.   I was invited to sit in their members only lounge, and enjoyed a good hour or so with a diverse and interesting group of gents.  The store has a membership program where for $50 per year you can use the lounge and attend monthly special events.  On the one hand, I find it odd to not have a place open to the regular (non-member) clientele to enjoy a cigar after purchasing it, as well as having events that aren’t open to the general public.  However, it is a small shop, and they’ve obviously found something that works for them.  Very nice shop, and a very nice cigar to go along with it.

 

As I’m writing this, I’m enjoying a M. Vito x Marco V Cuban Perfecto Platinum Reserve, which was given to me by Marco V at the IPCPR show.  It’s a big, beautiful, dark perfecto wrapped in Brazilian Arapiraca.  I’m finding it to be on the lighter side of the medium that it says on the website, but it still has a nice flavor and is generally well behaved.  I selected this so that I could include a video from the show of Marco, as well as a video of a gentleman who was sharing his booth, Gunnar, who’s a very interesting German fellow.  Since it seems to be football season, it’s only appropriate to show off Gunnar’s creation, The Football Cigar, which is an actual premium cigar, despite it’s novelty appearance.  The Marco V is a nice cigar, the ash is a little flakey, but it’s pleasant and well made.   Both Marco and Gunnar are really nice folks and I thank them for taking their time with me at the show.

 

Here’s Marco telling us about his line of cigars:

And here’s Gunnar talking about his Football Cigar:

That’s it for now, don’t forget to write to your elected officials imploring them to co-sponsor the legislation that’s in both the House and the Senate to save Premium cigars from certain destruction at the hands of the FDA (right sidebar). Both Cigar Rights of America and the IPCPR have excellent tools on their sites to make writing to your legislators easy.  Also, only a few days left to enter the Macanudo Millionaire 4-pack contest where I’ll select two lucky winners on Wednesday, September 14!  Go HERE to enter!

 

CigarCraig

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Filed under IPCPR, Review, Stores, Video

Oja Cigar Contest Winner Announcement, and a Casa Fernandez Comparison

First, I’d like to thank Luis Garcia, owner of Oja Cigars, for generously providing this box of his Oja Mestizo Artefacto cigars for this contest.  I’d also like to thank everyone who voted for helping me select a winner.  There’s no way I could have decided on my own.  The poll says it all, winning with 42% of the vote is Lloyd Ladrillono!  Congrats Lloyd!  I know you will enjoy these cigars and thanks for being a loyal reader!

 

Earlier this week I decided to try a little experiment.  The Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf Toro called to me, it just looked so good in the humidor that I had to smoke it.  I had picked this cigar up on my Father’s Day cigar ride, and I usual don’t smoke a cigar so soon after purchase, but, as I said, it looked too good.  It WAS good!  It was a little looser than I prefer and burned faster than I would have liked, but it was definitely a cigar I would smoke again in a heartbeat. It was rich and satisfying with a pleasing flavor.

 

The following evening I grabbed the Casa Fernandez CRA edition which had come with my membership renewal.  The cigar looked just like the Aganorsa Leaf, same size, same shade, the only difference being the secondary band.  I was hopeful that I’d have the same, if not better, experience as the previous cigar.  Sadly, that was not the case.  I wrestled with lighting this cigar, had to make frequent corrections to the burn, and the draw was not as free as it’s sibling.  It took a little more effort to get it to give up the smoke.  I didn’t find the flavor to be as rich as the other cigar either.  It’s very strange  to me that these should be SO different, but such is the way of cigars, I suppose.

 

I’m quite sad to announce the passing of one of my family’s cherished pets, our eldest cat Molson. He had served on the contest judging committee, starring in a selection video featuring balloons. He had severe diabetes and kidney problems.  We gave him 14 years worth of love, and he returned it and will be missed, by us, as well as by our other feline family members. He was as loyal as a cat is likely to be.  I reached for one of the best cigars in my humidor last night, a 7 year old Trinidad Reyes, to smoke in his memory.

 

That’s about it for now.  My next post should be from the IPCPR show in Las Vegas.  Stay tuned for updates from the show here and via twitter (@cigarcraig).

Until the next time,

CigarCraig

 

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Week’s Cigars: Maria Mancini, CAO Brazilia, Etc. – Friday June 18, 2010

It’s been a busy week so not a lot to report I’m afraid. Wednesday I grabbed a Maria Mancini Magic Mountain for a walk to the store. This particular cigar has a little looser draw than I prefer, so I had to smoke it a little slower. It rather amazes me every time I smoke one of these how good a $2 cigar can be. I’ve smoked dozens of Maria Mancinis over the years and have never had a major problem with them. They taste great and generally burn well. As I’ve mentioned before, I have always had some of these in my humidors over the last decade. I imagine these could go for $3 or $4 retail, but you can get 5-packs from JR Cigars for a shade over $10. Even if you order online and have to pay shipping they are still a great deal.

Thursday evening, after having a brief conversation with a friend about his recent CAO buying spree, I was inspired to light up a CAO Brazilia Robusto. There are quite a few CAO cigars I’ve enjoyed over the years, and there’s a few that just don’t do it for me, like the Criollo line. I loved the cameroon wrapped line back when it was called the Anniversario, then later L’Anniversaire, and they were severely box pressed. The corona in particular was like a tongue depresser it was so flat! I had a box of the Tubos in that line which were really nice. Now I guess they are just called Cameroon. Back to the Brazilia. Beautiful dark wrapper. Dense smoke. Good stuff.

As my son and I were walking around the block I introduced myseld to a neighbor who I’d seen smoking a cigar while cutting his grass. He said that he had just returned from the Netherlands and was enjoying a Partagas which he had picked up there. You have to love a guy who smokes Havanas while pushing a lawn mower! Naturally, I mentioned that I had recently received a box of similar Partagas cigars and my son (who is 20 and enjoying the occasional cigar) asked if he could have one. He lit one up after our trip around the block. I warned him that these were a little on the aggressive side, but he enjoyed the experience. His first cigar was a Romey y Julieta Coronitas en Cedro when he was 18 which I had gotten for my daughter’s wedding. Spoiled brat 🙂

Sunday is Father’s day, so I will be dipping into my dwindling stash of Esperanza Para los Niños. These are over 10 years old, so every year I wonder how they’ve aged. I will probably smoke a Churchill, as I still have a few of them. It’ll get difficult when A) I’m down to the last one or two, and B) if I find that they are losing their flavor with age. For some reason the Churchills have had some burn issues for me in the past, so we’ll see how it goes. I think the last one I smoke will be the Toro from the box that I bought in 2000, and it will likely be to celebrate some major kid-related milestone of some sort. We’ll see.

While I’m thinking of it, for those of you who live in Pennsylvania, or purchase cigars from vendors in PA (which I’m willing to bet most have at one time or another), our government is at it again, trying to fill budget gaps with tobacco taxes. Here’s the letter I sent to my representatives, with some help from the IPCPR‘s legislative action center:

I urge you to oppose any new taxes on premium cigars and other premium

tobacco products! Additional taxes will drive business out of state,

drive consumers to purchase out of state, and will result in less revenue.

Business taxes, sales tax, income tax, all will be reduced as a result.

What will be taxed after tobacco to make up that deficit?

Please remember, your tax revenues come from me-and I vote! We do not need

more taxes–not during this recession!

The IPCPR and CRA both have information on how to contact the PA Politicians and I would urge everyone to drop them a note pointing out the folly of thinking a tobacco tax is going to accomplish anything besides driving businesses out of PA. Here’s a press release from the IPCPR: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/06/prweb4154864.htm

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