A Glimpse Into My Cigar Adventures!

E.P. CarilloTag Archives

A Visit to W. Curtis Draper and Shelly’s Back Room in Washington D.C.s

Circumstances were such that I found myself on a bus to our nations capital yesterday. My wife wanted to attend the women’s march, I have no problem with that, I think women are great, although I think it sucks that there are so many agendas and negativity distracting from the intent of the whole thing. I can do without people in my face with political agendas and crowds, I’m really uncomfortable in crowds. So, since this whole event was happening around the White House, and W. Curtis Draper’s shop is literally catty corner from the White House. I get the impression that it’s been there for a while, probably since 1887 or so. I figured I’d pop in there and smoke a few cigars. It was freezing cold and rainy too. W. Curtis Draper is a beautiful tobacconist shop, well appointed, plenty of selection, cigars, pipes, humidors, accessories, the works. The staff was attentive, and the shop was clean and smoke free. Yes, smoke free. I come to find that sometime last September the landlord decided that smoking would no longer be permitted in the shop! Apparently the building changed owners and the feeling is that this is a ploy to try to drive them out to be able to lease the space for more money. This threw a monkey wrench into my plans, and I was barely able to thaw my toes. Naturally, I bought cigars anyway, Fratello’s DMV Maryland selection, and worked on my alternative plan. … Continue reading »

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Rodriguez Cigars, a Few Favorites and a Kentucky Fire Cured Revisit

 Spring is upon us finally, although we got through this winter relatively easily. I always look forward to warmer weather!  This week I enjoyed a few cigars I really love, the Umbagog Toro Toro, and the E.P. Carillo Seleccion Oscuro Especial No. 6, both 6″ x 52 parejos that’s my preferred size, and both maduros, with the former being Connecticut broadleaf and the latter being Mexican San Andrés Negro. The two cigars aren’t that similar, but both overwhelm the palate with rich flavors and have heavy espresso notes in common, with Umbagog being sweeter and the Oscuro Especial being earthier and dirtier. I love them both, and never have regrets when I light either one up. They are two cigars I could see having in a rotation (of about 20) if I were to hang up my blog hat and settle into some normal semblance of cigar consumerism. As it is, I like to enjoy one of these every now and again, they are both so good.… Continue reading »

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