Tag Archives: oliva

by | November 12, 2010 · 5:19 pm

A Week Without Cigars, and Some News – Friday November 12, 2010

I’m going to open by saying that it’s a good thing I don’t worry too much about passing on every bit of industry news that comes along as I just don’t have the time to react fast enough.  It seems that all of the really good news comes out during working hours, at which time I am otherwise occupied.  I wish I could say that writing a cigar blog was my full time job, but in all honesty, it’s a few pegs down on the priority meter in the grand scheme of things.  Work and family always comes first.  Since my last installment, I’ve been battling a sinus infection, so I thought it would be in my best interest to lay off cigars until I was pain free.  Sucks, I know, but it’s the reality of things.

Anyway, as I alluded to earlier, there have been quite a few pretty big announcements in the past week.  Two days after I had the good fortune of hanging out with Sam Leccia, it was announced that he would be parting company with Oliva, who owns the NUb and Cain brands which Sam developed. I really hope that this is going to be a good move for Sam, it’s a shame he has to leave his creations behind, but he can certainly take pride in having developed 2 hit brands.  Also in the news was the resignation of Tim Ozgener as the president of CAO.  It was reported that he would be leaving the premium cigar industry, however, the Tiki Bar Online published a statement from him stating that he would remain involved in the trade organizations and the political and social fronts.  Also leaving CAO is Lifestyle Marketing Director Jon Huber.  I’ve had the good fortune to have met both of these gentlemen and I wish them the best in their future endeavors.  I’m sure we will see all of these guys someplace in the not too distant future.  Of course, rumors abound.   The only insight I can provide is that none of these guys are either purchasing, or going to work for Drew Estate, I was able to confirm this in a series of text messages with Steve Saka (half in jest of course, I like giving Steve the business, even though sometimes I don’t think he gets my wise-ass sense of humor!).

Another area where having a real job gets in the way is when you receive an e-mail in the middle of the morning saying someone like Jose Blanco is stopping by a The Wooden Indian Cigar shop that’s an hour or so a way and there’s just no way you can get away from life to go meet him.    Obviously I torture myself by checking e-mail at work, maybe I should get away from doing that.  I would have liked to have met Jose, but I’m sure there will be another time.

That’s about all the rambling I can manage tonight.  I am working on another exciting celebrity interview which will hopefully be out next week.  Also, I mentioned a contest in my last post, and I am overdue.  I’m waiting for a couple interesting things to materialize, so please be patient, I don’t want to do things half-assed.

So, until the next time,

CigarCraig

Share

Comments Off on A Week Without Cigars, and Some News – Friday November 12, 2010

Filed under Editorial

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

by | November 3, 2010 · 7:30 pm

Sam Leccia at Old Havana Cigar Co., a Nub, and a Camacho – Wednesday October 3, 2010

I’ll go a little out of order this time.  Tuesday evening my son Corey and I took a short drive down to Old Havana Cigar Company just south of West Chester PA.  They were hosting an event featuring Sam Leccia.  Sam greeted us when we arrived as he was taking a break, then we popped into the walk-in and selected some Nubs to smoke.  I grabbed a few of the Cameroon 358s as I hadn’t yet tried them, my Nub consumption had been limited to the Habano wrapper and I love a good Cameroon wrapper.  The store was packed, and I can only assume there were a bunch of folks in the lounge, but didn’t make it that far to see.  Corey went with a Nub Cain Maduro and enjoyed it quite a bit.  Here are a couple very raw videos I took with my phone of Sam wrapping a couple cigars, the second of which he gave to Corey.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPQ72RbvP5g

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=430zvaf1N0I

Pictured here are the custom wrapped cigars that Sam gave Corey and I.  He told Corey that he’d have to smoke his, because the bunch he used was one of the original release of the Nubs.  I know that I couldn’t bring myself to smoke this one or the last one he gave me, which is similar to the one he made in the first video.  It’s amazing the detail he puts into these cigars, they are beautiful works of art.  Sam is a tremendous guy and if he makes an appearance in your neighborhood make a point to go see him.  Old Havana Cigar Co, is a nicely appointed shop located in a strip mall between West Chester, PA and Wilmington Delaware.   They have a broad range of cigars in a large walk-in humidor, as well as a spacious lounge in the back.  The access through the humidor is reminiscent of the set up at Holt’s in Philadelphia, but I think the lounge is larger.  The front of the store features Humidors, cases and other accessories.  Sam had his rolling table set up in the front of the store.

The Nub Cameroon 358 was a nice smoke that I enjoyed despite a sinus infection and a very smoky room.  The cigar burned very well and, like I told Sam and have always said about the Nub line, would be much better if it were a little longer.  Still I spent an hour or so with this cigar that the box said was good for 38 minutes (a very clever idea, putting the smoking time on the box).

Sunday was Halloween, which is always a traditional cigar night for me.  I grabbed a nice green Camacho Corojo Candela Monarca and sat on the porch with my wife, the gas heater, and all the trick-or-treaters.  We live in a development that is fairly large and it’s not unusual to get 150 or more kids visiting us.  The cigar was awesome, I really enjoy these every now and then for a change of pace.  This box has been pretty consistent in that this cigars all have had a very loose draw.  I’ve come to compensate for this by piercing the cap instead of cutting it, but I was distracted and lopped off the cap.  I was careful not to over draw and nursed the cigar for the duration of the trick-or-treating.

That’s about all I have this time around, I feel a contest coming along in the very near future so stay tuned.

Until the next time,

CigarCraig

Share

3 Comments

Filed under Events, Review, Stores

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

by | August 30, 2010 · 7:13 pm

Weekend Cigars: Oliva, Padron, Partagas and Punch – Monday August 30, 2010

I started the weekend out with an Oliva Serie V Belicoso which was given to me by the Oliva rep who was handing them out on my friend Mitchell‘s New York City dinner cruise we attended back in June.  It was a very nice cigar, a short torpedo more than a belicoso with a very pointy head.  It was pretty full flavored and satisfying.  Nice cigar, I really haven’t been disappointed with anything in this line, especially the Serie V.

Saturday afternoon I enjoyed a Padron 1964 Anniversary Superior in a natural wrapper that was given to me for my birthday last year.  Another very good cigar that burned well and was lush and flavorful, just as it should be.  I can’t recall ever really being let down by a Padron, whether the regular line or the Anniversary.  I can’t say I’ve smoked the higher end Padrons, just a smattering of 1964s and the odd 1926. Later in the evening I sat down with another Partagas Petit Coronas Especiale which has become a favorite of mine lately.

Sunday I celebrated completing yet another journey around the sun, and. after my wife and children took me out to a nice breakfast, I dug deep into the humidor and selected a Havana Punch Tubed Churchill.  This cigar came into my possession sometime in 2000.  It was part of a prize pack that came from a gentleman named John Chunko who started a thread on the alt.smokers.cigars newsgroup and awarded random prizes to contributors.  John was a generous soul who, though various events, was responsible for introducing me to some wonderful cigars that I wouldn’t have otherwise had the occasion to sample.  I’ve forgotten what other cigars were included in this package, except for a Romeo y Julieta Celestiales finos from 1977, which I still have.  I had decided that it would be appropriate to celebrate my 47th trip around the sun with a 47 ring gauge cigar.  This Churchill was really very pretty once it emerged from it’s aluminum tube and lit easily.  I was surprised by the firmness of the draw for such a well aged cigar but the flavors…..oh the flavors!  It was a delicate and subtle cigar, not the full flavored powerhouse one would expect.  I was often amazed by some of the fascinating flavors that danced around my mouth.  Truly a sublime experience.  I smoked this at my local cigar store, JM Cigars in Exton, PA, in their lounge while catching up with an old friend Bruce who recent;y moved into the area.  Often times I felt like I was being rude as I got lost momentarily in the cigar.  I selected this cigar over a Romeo y Julieta Tubed Churchill because I’ve had a few RyJ Churchills (non-tubed) that didn’t really “wow” me.  This one must also be approaching 10 years old, so I have high hopes for it.  It was a nice way to celebrate the day.

That’s about it for now.  Please remember to enter the current contest which will end this week sometime.  You could win a Drew Estate hat, Liga Privada cutter and a Liga Privada T52 Belicoso.  Click here to leave a comment for a chance to win!

Until the next time,

CigarCraig

Share

Comments Off on Weekend Cigars: Oliva, Padron, Partagas and Punch – Monday August 30, 2010

Filed under Review

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

by | June 3, 2010 · 11:31 am

C.Gars Ltd. Cigar Dinner Cruise – Wednesday June 2, 2010

My lovely wife Jenn, myself and friend Karen

Last night we had the good fortune of having been invited on a dinner cruise hosted by our dear friend Mitchell Orchant of C.Gars Ltd.  The cruise was around Manhattan for about 4 hours on the Marco Polo Cruises “Jewel”, which is a 120 foot long ship with a dining room and a covered deck above.  There was a buffet of both Italian and Kosher cuisine that  was delicious and plentiful.  The attendees were a collection of customers, friends and business associates, all smoking non-stop for the duration of the event.

We began the day with my son and I visiting Shaving Grace in Exton, PA for some grooming.  The shop has a big flat panel TV, leather couch, pool and poker tables and various paraphernalia, including cigars, cigar boxes and ashtrays (although smoking is not allowed).  I have never had a professional shave and it was quite a treat to have the hot towels and all the various lotions and lather associated with it.  It’s not something I’d do all the time, but it was a treat.  I’m a little conflicted in that it’s kind of girly, in a very manly way.

Mitchell and Jenn

Shortly after the manscaping trip, we hit the road to NYC.  It typically takes over 2 hours to get from Southeast, PA to NYC so we allowed plenty of time for traffic and construction delays.  We made the Holland Tunnel in 2 hours and found our way to the docks, then found our way to the correct docks!  We were a good hour early but lucky for us Mitchell and his wife Karyn were aboard already with a few other early folks, including George whom we’d met with Mitchell in Vegas a few years ago.  Already we knew people, woohoo!

The vessel eventually filled up and we got under way.  I enjoyed a little Tabak Especial Colada Dulce while we were waiting.  I was pretty much on an empty stomach and wanted something to smoke that wasn’t too challenging.  It was pretty tasty for a flavored cigar.  After we got going I lit up a Hoyo de Tradicion Toro which was also very nice.  In these social situations I generally smoke cigars I don’t have to think about too much.  A great cigar can distract me from a conversation and I don’t want to appear rude.  We spent the evening catching up with old friends we hadn’t seen in a while and meeting new folks. I believe it was Oliva who provided the roller who was demonstrating his craft in the dining room, and all reports are that the cigars he was rolling were very good.

Myself and Mark Aub

One of the gentlemen I had the good fortune of meeting was Marc Aub of Brother of the Leaf, LLC, maker of the Palio cutter and Esencia Cigars.  Marc is an instantly likable fellow.  We talked about the newsgroups and forums, blogs and podcasts, and the state of the industry.  The discussion turned briefly to the IPCPR show and what place we bloggers have there.  I have been to the show once with a retailers badge but with the understanding that the people exhibiting are there to sell their product to retailers.  We made it a point to step back when talking to someone when they had real customers.  Marc suggested that the IPCPR add a membership category for the media, to which my wife made the suggestion of charging an annual fee.  I think this is a great idea, considering any schmoo can have a cigar blog (just look at me!) and get a press pass.   Charging a membership fee makes people think twice and gives the experience some value.

Mitchell "SmokeyMO" Orchant

Marc very generously put an Esencia Lancero in my mouth at one point which was just the perfect cigar to top off a great evening.   From what he said, the lancero isn’t available other than from him or in a special sampler pack that was available on a limited basis.  First, I love the size and feel of a lancero.  It’s elegant, it requires a bit more time and patience to smoke.  This one burned slow and even and was smooth and flavorful down to about 3/4″ when it gave up on me.  It started out with a little zing which I liked.  Marc confirmed what I suspected, that it was a Nicaraguan puro.  I have only heard about these here and there, but all of the good things I’ve heard were confirmed with this very satisfying cigar. On a slightly embarrassing note, it occurred to me moments after I did it that I cut it with my favorite cheapie cutter and not a Palio.  I don’t think Marc noticed (phew!) Unfortunately I didn’t take the time to snap a picture of the cigar, but it was a beauty.

After a terrific evening with a great bunch of folks, the boat docked and we said our thank-yous and farewells to our friends and hosts.  We have been so fortunate to have made such good friends over the years, it’s a treat to be able to hang out with them for a while every so often.  It was also fun to take my son along so that he could experience some of the kinds of events we’ve been attending while he was growing up.  He had a great time as well and is moving along through his cigar education.

Until the next time,

CigarCraig

Share

4 Comments

Filed under Events, Review

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

by | April 30, 2010 · 6:26 pm

This Weeks Cigars: Oliva Connecticut Reserve and Vegas de Santiago – Thursday April 29, 2010

Wednesday evening I dug into the Jason of Rock’s Smoke Shop stash again and grabbed an Oliva Connecticut Reserve Toro.  I didn’t see any info on Oliva’s website, and I was too darned lazy to Google further, so I dropped a Tweet and received this information from David Wagner, the National Sales Manager for Oliva:

“the Oliva CT Reserve was released last year. It’s an Ecuador grown CT Shade wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and fillers.”

The cigar was beautiful, the Ecuador Connecticut Shade wrapper was golden and flawless.  It started out with very dry woody flavors.  It was a very nice medium bodied cigar, that went from dry to a bit creamy.  I liked it.  I have to admit to a bit of carelessness though.  I set the cigar on the corner of the ice machine when I went into the convenience store, which I do all the time, and when I came out the cigar had fallen from it’s perch!  It suffered some slight wrapper damage, but recovered nicely. It burned through the damage as if it wasn’t there, maintaining a razor straight burn the entire time.  Definitely a well made cigar.  If you like the Connecticut shade wrapper, this is a good cigar to try, it has the flavor one would expect from the wrapper, but there’s more substance to it than some other shade wrapped cigars.

Thursday I received a couple cigars from reader and former contest winner DJ.  The cigars were from Vegas de Santiago, a Costa Rican cigar maker whom I’ve worked with before on a couple of events my wife and I have hosted, but actually haven’t really smoked many of their cigars!  DJ sent a couple of  Don Luis “Secretos del Maestro”. One was a 6″ x 60, which I chose to smoke instead of trying to fit it into the humidor. Very nice looking cigars, the band on the 60 ring cigar actually had a little strip of white paper bridging the gap between the ends of the band.  The manufacturer says that these are two of their best sellers.  Here’s the blurb from Vegas de Santiago:

“VdS Don Luis our “Secretos del Maestro” – (*Trade Marked Black & Gold Band).
(Very Special and Top of the Line) A cigar we created, in memory of our late Cuban master, Don Luis Santana Lamas.Filler from selected and specially cured tobaccos… from  Costa Rica , Binder from the Caribe and Central America and a Connecticut wrapper from Ecuador .”

While not a huge fan of large ring cigars, this one was very flavorful and behaved fairly well.  I got a taste off the wrapper pre-light that was really good, and I usually don’t notice wrapper flavor. This is billed as a double ligero cigar, but it wasn’t the powerhouse that that description would imply.  I found it to be medium bodied, it started out fairly mellow and well balanced.  By the time I was ready to put it down it was developing an acidic flavor.  I’m looking forward to smoking the 6″ x 52 Canionazo and comparing it to it’s large ring brother. In the information I received from Vegas de Santiago, they also produce this blend with an oscuro wrapper, which sounds pretty interesting.  As I alluded to above, VdS has been quite generous in the past in their sponsorship of various events I’ve either held or been a part of.  They are a nice bunch of folks who produce some very nice cigars that are fairly priced.

A big thank you to DJ for sharing these cigars with me and for his participation and interest in the nonsense I frequently spew here.  I appreciate the thought and the chance to enjoy these cigars. Thanks also (again) to Jason for supplying me with a nice supply of cigars to smoke and review!  Variety is indeed the spice of life and I’ve been fortunate to have a great variety of cigars to smoke.

I sent out a five-pack of Hoyo de Tradicion Toros to Chris McCann who was kind enough to send his address after he won my last contest.  I hate to do it, but if I don’t hear from “Wallaper” by this weekend I’m going to have to select another winner.  I had mentioned when I posted the contest video that after shooting, one of the other cats started mauling one of the cards.  I held this particular card for just such an occasion.  One of the unwritten rules here is that if you enter a contest you run the risk of winning it and having to collect the prize!  Sorry, I didn’t make up that rule, I just enforce it.  Must be of legal age and must take the prize. I don’t ask much!  I’ll be announcing the May contest very soon, and it will be a really good prize!

That’s it for now, have a great weekend!

CigarCraig

Update:  I received an e-mail with an address for Brian (aka wallaper) and his cap and cutter are going out tomorrow.  Thanks!

Share

4 Comments

Filed under Contest, Review

Tagged as , , , , , ,