I started out the week with another cigar from my buddy Jason at Rock’s Smoke Shop, a Puros Indios Viejo Rothchild. I really enjoyed this cigar. It 
burned well, produced a nice amount of smoke and had a pleasant flavor. Purely coincidence that I should receive an e-mail from Cigars International advertising these for as little as $19.99 for a bundle of 20 in the corona size, and $29.99 for the toro and Churchill size. Quite a nice deal for a decent cigar if one were in the market.
I ended the week with a Cain F 550. I admit to being a bit fearful of this cigar. It’s billed as a stronger version of the Cain, which I’ve enjoyed the flavors of, but these seem to make me a little queezy. The Cain F was no different. I nursed this cigar, smoking it slowly. It burned razor straight, the draw was perfect, and it had a great flavor. I thought I was OK, but a half hour after finishing I got the familiar queeziness. It’s a little annoying to enjoy a cigar so much only to have it make you feel crappy afterward. Sorry Sam, you make some great cigars, but I will be approaching these with extreme caution in the future. I have a pretty good tolerance for strong cigars, but these just kick me in the tail!
In the news
This has been reported to death, but in case you didn’t hear, General Cigar announced a promotion in conjunction with CharBroil, The Punch “King of the Deck” . From the press release:
Consumers of legal smoking age are encouraged to visit their local cigar shop to purchase a Punch-branded steel smoker box while supplies last. Inside the smoker box, cigar enthusiasts will find one each of the following cigars: Punch Magnum, Punch Gran Puro Rancho, Punch Rare Corojo Magnum, plus the new Punch Upper Cut Robusto which is included free. In addition, the smoker box contains a coupon that can be redeemed online at www.charbroil.com for $100 off the purchase of a new Char-Broil grill valued at $399 and above. For the suggested retail price of just $19.99, this special offer also boasts the added benefit of the smoker box itself which, along with wood chips, can be used to add a rich, smoky flavor to the cigar lover’s favorite grilled foods.
Check out the website http://www.punchgrilling.com/ for some nice recipes and cigar pairings. Kind of a neat approach to matching cigars and grilling.
While I was having a cigar this evening I was listening to the Stogiefresh podcast, which I enjoy every week. Doc debuted a new segment featuring Adam Estrrem of the Newbie Cigar Blog, which I also peruse. The segment is called “Tools of the Trade” and reviews accessories. He reviewed a Xikar lighter and did a nice job, however I feel the need to point out a thought I had. He mentioned “wind proof” lighters and being able to blow them out. Here’s my thought: wind is basically oxygen moving at a higher than normal velocity. When you blow on a flame, you are basically expelling carbon dioxide which robs the flame of oxygen. It’s my contention that one’s breath will extinguish the most robust torch flame. I point this out to educate, not as a criticism, and hope it’s received as such. I’m not a scientist, so any scientific evidence to the contrary is gratefully accepted.
As I wait to hear from the winner of the last contest, I’ll throw another quick contest out: a 5 pack of Hoyo de Tradicion Toros will go to a random
ly selected reader who comments on this post. Thanks to General Cigars for providing the cigars! Contest ends Sunday April 25 at Midnight.
Until the next cigar,
CigarCraig
