It’s been a weird and busy week. The onset of Autumn bums me out. There were events I could have gone to, but just wanted to be at home. On weekdays I’m happiest to come home from work and stay there. I skipped the Delaware Cigar festival yesterday because we were supposed to pick up our son st the airport after a 23 day trip, and I’ve been there the last couple years. Its a great event, don’t get me wrong, and I love seeing old friends, but do you guys really want to hear about it again? So I’m working on some new and unique cigar adventures in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
Thursday evening I was rummaging through the IPCPR samples and came across a Drew Estate My Uzi Weighs a Ton Kentucky Fire Cured “Just a Friend”, which is the toro size in the line. This is another cigar that utilizes the fire cured tobacco from Kentucky. I figured since I had just smoked another cigar utilizing this tobacco that it would be interesting to compare. This cigar is made in the Joya de Nicaragua factory, and, like the Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta, it has a two inch wrapper overlay on the head of the cigar. Jumping ahead a bit, I’ll mention that whatever this leaf is, it doesn’t burn. I’ll also mention that when I smoked this cigar at the factory a few months ago I found it to be unique and interesting, but not entirely to my liking. This hasn’t changed. I personally find what strikes me as a campfire aroma off the unlit foot to be off putting. That flavor isn’t overpowering in the smoke once it’s lit, it gives it a savory flavor that is interesting. Obviously, this is just me. Everyone raves about this cigar and it certainly is well made and something that should be experienced. If I said I loved everything that comes out of my favorite factories I’d be lying. Smoke it yourself, it may be a cigar you love!
Editorial
You, no doubt, have read on other cigar media sources of the resignation of Bill Spann as president of the IPCPR. This probably has little or no relevance to the majority of cigar smokers, but since I interacted with Bill quite a bit over the last couple years, I’m going to bore you for a few minutes with my thoughts on this. I first “met” Bill in March of last year after I posted a rant on the IPCPR Internet Media Membership (http://www.cigarcraig.com/?p=3605). Bill worked with those of us involved to try to make things right with this IPCPR membership category. We came to an agreement, although there’s still quite a few wrinkles to be ironed out (more on that later). Bill gave me an open line of communication, even though the president of the association had much better things to do than dealing with the smallest category of membership. When I did have to contact him, he produced results, and I did my best not to bother him. Of course, the internet media members are members as much as your local tobacconist is, and this is where my rant begins. I hope Bill’s successor gets new media as much as Bill did, and I hope he is able to convince the board to accept us as members, because the Internet Media, and I am going out on a limb speaking for everyone, still feels unwanted. I’d like to see one of two things happen: either do away with the membership category and invite the media and bloggers That the IPCPR wants to have at the show, or give us the same consideration as the retail membership gets. Both would require the IPCPR to have one person in charge of the media, one point of contact. I, for one, am tired of spending a boatload of money to join an association who doesn’t know I’m a member, and travel to the annual show. Unlike a retailer, my income is not derived from the cigar industry, I do what I do because I love doing it, not because it’s my job, and that’s the same with most if not all of the IPCPR New Media members. Anyway, I wish Bill Spann the best of luck in his future endeavors. I can imagine that he had a thankless job, but I want to say “Thank you” to him.
Back to the cigars! Yesterday afternoon I dug into the trade show samples and came out with a J. Fuego Connoisseur Classique Toro. First, if anyone from J. Fuego is reading, the size is incorrect on the site, it’s a 6″ x 50 and not a 5″ x 60. This has a nice looking Ecuador Sumatra wrapper over a San Andrés binder with Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers. All of this makes for a nice, medium bodied cigar that smoked for almost 2 hours. I really love the 777 Maduro line, and have enjoyed a bunch of other cigars made by Jesus Feugo, this one is probably in the middle for me. It was good, well behaved, and enjoyable, but not entirely up my alley. Looking at this post so far, I really need to adjust my attitude, the Autumn thing is really getting to me! This was a very nice cigar though and I enjoyed smoking it on a beautiful late summer afternoon on the deck.
After dinner I grabbed a Villiger Selecto Corona Gorda. This cigar comes in only Corona Gorda and Lancero, and I would have taken the Lancero for a walk if it wasn’t going to rain. This is a line extension to the Talanga line, as it has the beautiful Talanga Connecticut wrapper, similar binder and fillers. It’s a refined cigar. It is buttery smooth with loads of nice, mild flavors that dance across the palate. After smoking the 5″ x 46 Corona Gorda, I can’t wait to try that Lancero. It’s not a super mild, grassy Connecticut, it’s got a lot more. Perhaps the Nicaragua Ometepe filler leaf makes the difference. All I can say is it’s damned good, and I’d say that even if I didn’t like the Villiger company as much as I do. They are a good bet whether you need a quick machine made cigar or a fine premium. Another job well done with the Selecto!
Also, From the folks at NewestCigars.com:
NewestCigars.com is finally official and we’re pretty excited about our new website. Please see the attached press release. We’re having a website launch party with Asylum, CLE, Edgar Hoill and Wynwood in Detroit, and we’re also giving away a 5 pack of new cigars each week for a year in The Great Cigar Giveaway, visit our website to enter.
That’s enough of my nonsense for a beautiful Sunday. I have to go to the airport later today to pick up the son who I had to reschedule flights for yesterday! I may get a walk in before having to leave!
Until the next time,
CigarCraig
Monday evening I left work and proceeded directly to The Wooden Indian Tobacconist in Havertown, PA where Fred Rewey was having a Nomad Cigars event. Fred has been travelling in his nomadic way promoting his first Nicaraguan cigar, the limited edition Esteli Lot 1386. Fred told me that this cigar, his first foray into Nicaraguan manufacturing, is meant to be an introduction to the Nicaraguan cigar experience. I bought a handful and lit one up and enjoyed the heck out of it while I hung around the shop. After taking more than an hour to make the ride, I was ready for a good smoke. I enjoyed this cigar so much, I smoked one again Tuesday evening under my normal, take a cigar for a walk, circumstance. This cigar is made by Noel Rojas (Guayacan Cigars) in his Esteli factory, and the construction is perfect. It’s a medium bodied smoke, with loads of flavor. It certainly meets Fred’s goal. This is a cigar that can be enjoyed by someone who smokes milder cigars for sure, and really hits the spot. I rarely, if ever, smoke the same cigar two days in a row, so you can tell I enjoyed it. I’m really looking forward to the Nomad S-307, due in the next month or so. Fred gave me a few minutes at the IPCPR show and tells us all about his cigars:
