Tag Archives: rocky patel

by | April 24, 2013 · 8:33 pm

C-Gars Ltd., Club Macanudo, the New Palio Lighter, the La Palina Maduro Toro and a Cain F Cigar

Sunday my wife and I drove up to Manhattan to meet up with our good friend Mitchell and his wife, along with some of his other friends at Club Macanudo.  We got into the city early, so we wandered around Central Park a bit, even rode the Merry Go Round, visited Tiffany’s and just enjoyed a nice spring day.  For those who don’t know, Mitchell operates  C.Gars Ltd., the mail order division of Turmeaus Tobacconists established 1817, along with  Robert Graham,  Global Whisky Shop, Agedcubans,  Humidorsonline,  Havana Samplers,  LCDH Hamburg,  Great Gifts Etc.  Mitchell is also the international distributor outside of the US for Palio, as well as several other brands that he sells in the UK and the rest of the world.  We settled into Club Macanudo to smoke some cigars and socialize.  The club is a beautiful space with a bar, private lockers and a full restaurant, serving a Sunday brunch menu until 7 pm.  Jenn and I shared a delicious french toast and fruit bowl after I finished my first cigar, a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2, which Mitchell had handed me when we arrived.  This was a delicious cigar, on the milder side for a Havana, but full of flavor and perfectly constructed.  I don’t smoke many Havanas any more, as much as I enjoy that distinctive little flavor that only a fine Havana has, a twang, if you will.  I think the cigars coming from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Honduras MO_ClubMacare more interesting and superior in many ways.  This was an exemplary smoke though, very nice.  Looking at the cigar menu there was a bit startling.  New York cigar prices are already high, but the prices there were more than double NY retail prices.  I was going to joke that their prices were higher than Mitchell’s, but I try to avoid insulting my host if I can manage it!  I didn’t take detailed notes, but I recall seeing a cigar that is $6.00 here in PA being $25.  As I said, shocking.  Fortunately,  I had cigars with me, but Mitchell shoved a Partagas Serie D No. 4 in my paw so I had to smoke that.  He mentioned that it was young and possibly quite strong, but I’m a fan of the Cuban Partagas line and found this to me a nice smoke.  On the fuller side of medium with a very nice flavor.  Perhaps with five years of age this will be a stellar smoke, but it was pretty darned tasty now.  It’s always a great time hanging out with Mitchell, his lovely wife and his group of friends, and it’s nice to get a day away with my wife!

 

Palio_LighterAs if these special cigars weren’t a treat enough, Mitchell gifted me the new Palio Lighter in matte black, with “Seleccion Orchant 2013” inscribed on it. I’ve been lusting after this lighter since I spoke with Marc Aub of BOTL, LLC at the IPCPR show last August and he was showing it off (video here).  This is a substantial lighter with a large fuel capacity, a fuel window and covers over the jet, as well as the filler hole.  They’ve made it very easy to adjust the flame height with a little drop down turny thing on the adjustment screw (pardon the technical jargon).  This is a brilliant lighter which I’m proud to have in my possession.  It lights a cigar very nicely too.  I’ll use it non-stop (except when I travel) and report on how it performs, but I have no doubt it will be flawless.

 

LaPalina_Maduro_ToroThe first cigar I lit with the Palio lighter was a La Palina Maduro toro.  I fell in love with the Robusto in this line last year when it was released, although I only smoked a few samples.  Its everything I desire in a San Andreas wrapped cigar: smooth, chocolaty, and delicious.  Of course it’s well made, although the draw could have been a little bit better.    I enjoy the heck out of most of the La Palina cigars I’ve smoked, but this maduro is my favorite hands down (who among you who reads regularly is surprised?).

 

CainF_575x50Tonight I grabbed a Cain F 5.75×50 that probably came from the IPCPR show last year.  This turned out to be a poor choice for me, not because it wasn’t a great smoke, it was, but it was just too strong for me tonight. I’m tired and it kind of kicked me in the butt.  It made it more difficult to sit down and write this post! I should have chosen something milder!  Still a nice smoke, but strong.  I think I like the tubed lancero best in this line.

 

News

I came across this in my inbox today and thought I’d pass it along since it struck me as a unique promotion that I’ve never seen before:

Rocky_LandingPage2.jpg

On Thursday, April 25th, cigar superstar Rocky Patel will be here at BestCigarPrices taking your calls!* Order any in-stock box of Rocky Patel cigars between 4-5pm ET for a chance to talk to Rocky LIVE while he personally hand-signs your box of cigars. CALL TOLL FREE 1-888-41-CIGAR.

 

Sunday’s post will be a rare guest post, since I will be travelling to Nicaragua for Cigar Safari.  I’ll be touring the Drew Estate operation along with several of my blogging brethren (and some real journalists :-)).  Expect another full report akin to my last report from March of 2011.   Many thanks to the folks at Drew Estate for this opportunity!  So stay tuned, I’ll try to get something posted while I’m there, internet access willing!

 

Until the next time,

 

CigarCraig

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by | April 17, 2013 · 6:57 pm

Breaking News, A couple Cigars From Joya De Nicaragua and a Room 101

Last night I was, once again, at the Flyers game, which ended in the Flyer’s favor, they played a great game against the Rangers. Afterwards we repaired to the cigar bar once again, and this time I ran into my friend Mark, who is the area Rocky Patel rep. Mark was there with enjoying the newest cigar in the BSB No.1 line-up, the “HOF-84” Box Pressed Torpedo. Of course, HOF stands for the hockey Hall Of Fame, in which Bernie was inducted in 1984. Last month Cigar Aficianado broke the news of the new sizes (http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/16982, actually I mentioned it here first!), but I have updated information, a “scoop” if you will. Apparently the “Between the Pipes” which was initially a 6½ x 56 toro (CA reported it would be box pressed which was incorrect, it was to be round, like a pipe on a hockey goal). Instead of the “Between the Pipes” coming out next month with the “HOF-84”, they are releasing the “Crossbar”, a 5½x56 robusto, again in the round as opposed to box pressed. The “Between the Pipes” will be a 6″x 60 and will be released at a later time. As far as I know, all of these will sport bands featuring Bernie’s crest, which highlights his Hall of Fame induction as well as his two Stanley Cup wins. I shot a little Keek video with Bernie when I saw him last night. Bernie’s a heck of nice guy, and he loves his cigars! I’m awfully glad I ran into Mark (he’s a Ranger’s fan, but still a good guy :-))and got to hang out with him and Bernie again, it’s always a hoot. There you have it, you heard this news here first!

 

CuencaYBlanco_ToroRewind to Sunday. The weather was stunning. Except for the occasional cool breeze, temps were in the 60s and I managed to get a slight sunburn from relaxing outside with a cigar after lunch. I chose a Cuenca y Blanco toro, one that was a sample from the IPCPR show, and had the old band as opposed to the new CyB band.  This is a cigar that I really want to love.  I know the players involved and have been to the factory, so I know it’s an exceptional cigar.  I enjoy smoking the cigar, and I’m not put off by it, it just doesn’t “wow” me.  There’s something in the flavor profile that just isn’t what I’m looking for in a cigar.  I still get a great smoking experience from the cigar, which is weird, isn’t it?  I’m saying I don’t like the cigar, but I still enjoy it, right?  I can say the same about a lot of cigars in the La Aurora line too, there’s something in the flavor that just isn’t my cup of tea (and the common thread isn’t lost on me).  I want to like them, there’s something I really enjoy about them, but the flavor isn’t it. This is a strange thing that I need to ponder repeatedly over as many cigars as necessary.

 

MUWAT_6x60Later in the day, after a nap and dinner, I decided to smoke a relative of the CyB, the My Uzi Weighs a Ton 6″ x 60.  Much the same as the CyB, this is another cigar that’s made in the Joya de Nicaragua factory, another cigar that I know the people behind, and another cigar that I enjoy, but don’t love.  I should love it, I just don’t.  The Digital Son 6 size was a winner for me, I’ve yet to try the Bait Fish, but the 60 ring gauge versions don’t excite me.  Great construction, great smoking experience, but the flavors don’t do it for me.  Go figure.  I love so many cigars that come out of the JdN factory, from the nice, mild Cabinetta to the heavy duty Antaño Dark Corojo, the Joya De Nicaragua cigars are among my favorites, but this, along with the CyB aren’t up there.  Still, a relaxing and satisfying hour and a half or so.  It’s not like I want to put the cigars down and get something else, I enjoy them, I just don’t get it.

 

Room_101_SA_305Monday, wanting a sure thing, I grabbed a Room 101 San Andreas 305 Robusto from my humidor and took it for a walk.  I love this cigar.  It gives me the chocolate/cocoa/coffee flavors I love.  There are a growing handful of San Andreas wrapped cigars  that I gravitate towards lately (one is the Chateau real Maduro, which is sadly discontinued, of which one in the Small Club Corona vitola was enjoyed at the aforementioned post Flyers Game cigar bar visit).  This one is a winner, I enjoy many of the cigars in Matt Booth’s Room 101 line, but this one is tops in my book.  Well done, sir!

 

More News

Renowned artist bringing work to Midwest Smoke Out

HutcHSome people might consider colorblindness a limitation, but Richard “HutcH” Hutchings has transformed that challenge into a skill.

As an artist who is colorblind, Hutchings directed his talent toward professional pen and ink drawing 40 years ago, taking advantage of his ability to shade and illustrate in great detail.

In 1994, he added another distinct genre to his repertoire – scrimshaw, the art of engraving or carving an image into bone or ivory. The carved lines are then filled in with ink to make the image stand out.

Hutchings will exhibit his work during the Midwest Smoke Out cigar show on April 25 at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond.

“I was primarily a wildlife pen and ink artist, so I had accumulated a large collection of wildlife art,” he said. “When scrimshaw presented itself as an art form, I was more than ready to take it on.”

According to historical accounts, scrimshaw originated on whaling ships out of New England during the 18th century.

HutcH Cigar Cutter 5“Scrimshaw is the only art form that was made in America,” Hutchings said. “Out of boredom (sailors) would scratch designs in whale teeth.”

The scrimshaw work done by Hutchings includes handcrafted XIKAR-brand cigar cutters, custom jewelry and knife handles, much of which is carved from 10,000-year-old mammoth ivory that is delivered to his Louisville, Ky., studio from Siberia and Alaska.

He attaches his fossil ivory handles exclusively to XIKAR Xi3 cutter bodies, which he said have garnered a dedicated following. His products have also been showcased in several movies.

Hutchings has collaborated with renowned knife-maker Gil Hibben for a variety of film projects during the past 16 years. He did scrimshaw artwork on the handles of knives featured in the blockbuster “The Expendables,” and also made the cigar cutter used by Sylvester Stallone in “The Expendables 2.”

For the past several years, he has also displayed and sold his scrimshaw artwork at cigar trade shows all over the U.S., including theInternational Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association Convention and International Trade Show in Las Vegas.

Hutchings said the Midwest Smoke Out would be an exciting new experience. He explained he was looking forward to the event because it will mark the first show where he can interact with individual customers rather than smoke shops and cigar companies.

“I will be demonstrating scrimshaw while there and everything I bring to the show will be for sale,” he said. “I’m excited to (participate in Midwest Smoke Out) because I get to talk directly with the customer.”

Among the cigar cutters Hutchings will offer at Midwest Smoke Out will be illustrations ofUlysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee for Civil War buffs, a Winston Churchill set, and the skull design that was used in The Expendables 2. His display will also include a new John F. Kennedy cutter, which will be offered for the first time at Midwest Smoke Out.

He added that he will be offering special discounts at the event. All cutters will 25 percent off, he said, and mammoth ivory cuff links and earrings will be 50 percent off.

Hutchings explained that he is proud of the enthusiasm he has garnered for his work since he began selling his products in 2002.

“That was over 2,000 cutters ago,” he said. “I have worked the custom cutters into a niche market so much so that in 2004 Cigar Aficionado called the mammoth ivory cutter the premium gift for the man or woman who has everything.”

For more information about Hutchings and his products, visit his website,www.scrimbyhutch.com.

The Midwest Smoke Out will feature premium boutique cigars from around the world, along with fine wine, spirits and craft beer, gourmet food, table games, luxury cars and more. For tickets, visit www.MidwestSmokeOut.com, or call 219-226-0300.

About Midwest Smoke Out

Midwest Smoke Out was launched in 2010 due to a need in the Chicago area for an event that allowed cigar lovers to light up and mingle. People are able to enjoy premium cigars from some of the best manufacturers in the world, along with tastings of fine wine, spirits, craft beer and gourmet food. The event also features live music, luxury cars, table games and a variety of surprises along the way.

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The Midwest smokeout looks to be a great event, another great event I won’t be able to make.  I have some info on a New Jersey festival someplace, I’ll try to scrounge it up for Sunday’s post.

 

That’s it for now, I need to take the dog for a walk, which means I have to find a suitable cigar for a beautiful spring evening!  Until the next time,

 

CigarCraig

 

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by | March 3, 2013 · 9:57 am

Slow Cigar Week – A Total Flame, an El Suelo and a Rocky Patel Burn

It was a busy week, lots to do and not a lot of time for cigars. I’m fully ready for spring to arrive, it’s getting very old bundling up to go for my walks and freezing my tuckus off! I felt like I missed a few days worth of evening walks, which  as you know, is when I enjoy most of my cigars.  I know, excuses, excuses.  I did manage to smoke some new-to-me smokes over the last couple days.

 

TotalFlame_8BallWednesday evening my wife and I went to the Flyers game and stopped at the Cigar Bar in the Wells Fargo Center on the way out to let the traffic clear. I smoked a cigar I had gotten at the IPCPR show last summer, a Total Flame 8 Ball.  I didn’t actually get to this booth, but they had someone walking the show floor handing out sample bags (I guess they weren’t getting a lot of traffic in the booth).  I seem to recall the booth having a pretty interesting biker theme, which is evident in the naming scheme of their cigars.  From the looks of the website, they are a Russian company, and their cigars are made in either the Placencia factory in Nicaragua or the La Aurora Factory in the Dominican Republic.  I selected this short perfecto shaped cigar because I wouldn’t have the time to spend with a larger smoke.  The cigar was OK, nothing particularly exciting.  I’m not entirely sure if this is from the Dominican or Nicaraguan line, but I’m leaning toward the Dominican based upon the flavor profile my own taste perceptions of many of the La Aurora blends.  Just my opinion, of course, everyone’s tastes are different, and I have a hard time loving all of the cigars that anyone makes (La Aurora stands out to me because I REALLY want to like everything they make for sentimental reasons, but I find that I only like a select few marques).  While at the Cigar Bar I asked when his new cigar shapes were due out, and he indicated that they would be released sometime this month.  I’m looking forward to seeing the new band and smoking the box pressed Torpedo and the round Toro that will be added to the short robusto that was originally released (the BSB#1).  The Flyers won the game rather convincingly over the Capitals, and it was a good night.  Even if the cigar was so-so, it still added to the enjoyment of the evening.

 

ElSuelo_CampoFriday evening my brother-in-law stopped by, so he joined me on my evening walk.  I set him up with a cigar, and selected an El Suelo Campo for myself.  I recently got a couple of these with a Smoke Inn weekly deal.  I’ve been wanting to smoke something from the L’Atelier Imports folks, so when I saw two of these, two My Uzi Weighs a Ton 7x60s and a Toraño Loyal for around $13 delivered I figured it was a no-brainer.  Now, I don’t love the MUWAT 7×60, but it will make a very nice afternoon in the pool cigar this summer.  The El Suelo is an inexpensive bundle type cigar from L’Atelier Imports, which is a company that Pete Johnson (Tatuaje) started with his brother KC Johnson, and his friend Sean Johnson. I believe the company is based in Rock Ridge, along with Reverend Johnson, Gabby Johnson and Howard tmb_1774_480Johnson with the orange roofed outhouse.  Sorry, it was hard to resist making a Blazing Saddles reference.  Anyway, this 6 ¼ x 60 cigar was milder than I expected, but had very nice flavor through the first half.  In the second half it showed some signs of youth, a bit of an ammonia bite that was off-putting.  I will let the second example rest in the humidor for a few months and see if this little unpleasantness ages out.  Still well worth the price of the sampler for the experience and the comedic opportunity.

 

RockyPatel_Burn ToroSaturday afternoon, after watching our grand-daughter while her parents went to the Flyers game (another win – woohoo!!), I was ready for a nap, but decided to take a cigar (and dog) for a walk.  I selected a Rocky Patel Burn Toro that was given to me by my area’s rep, Mark, at the IPCPR show.  I still have a handful of samples that I’m trying to work in, but most are of larger sizes.  This was a pretty 6½x52 Toro with a nice Ecuador Sumatra wrapper.  This was another cigar that I expected to be a bit fuller bodied than it was.  What it turned out to be was a very nice, milder smoke that burned well and gave me a fair amount of pleasure. It was smooth and flavorful and just a pretty nice smoke all around.  It wouldn’t be something I’d choose again, necessarily  but it was a nice change of pace.  Thanks to Mark at Rocky Patel for throwing this at me while I stopped in their very busy booth.

 

That’s all I have for today.  I may need to dig around for something interesting to smoke today!

Until the next time,

CigarCraig

 

 

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by | December 11, 2012 · 8:30 pm

Special Report: Ned’s Cigars Launches the BSB No. 1 by Bernie Parent Cigar

When I was 10 and 11 years old I had a Flyers T-shirt commemorating their back to back Stanley Cup wins. It was a big deal in the Philadelphia area and nobody was a bigger deal than the man between the pipes, Bernie Parent. I was very excited to be able to attend the launch of a new cigar, the BSB No.1 by Bernie Parent.

 

This particular cigar adventure began with a visit to Ned’s Cigars in Newtown, PA. I was welcomed by Luca, the owner of the store, which has been there for somewhere around 80 years. This is located in a historic building on the main street through the borough and exudes warmth and hospitality. The cigars are housed in cabinets on two walls along with an antique counter/humidor. The facings are limited by the space, but the selection is quite varied and covers all the bases. The Panacea cigars from the Flatbed Cigar Co. are prominently displayed as that company is based nearby. The lounge is a cozy space filled with leather chairs, TVs and a section of humidors for the members. Luca is one of those guys who makes you feel at home and like you’ve known him for years.

 

After a brief visit at the store I tagged along with Luca and his staff the the Green Parrot, which was the venue for the evening’s festivities. The Green Parrot appears to be a very nice bar and restaurant with an enclosed patio area which was where the event was held. The staff at this place was excellent, very efficient and attentive, and the food was delicious. They pride themselves on only using fresh and organic ingredients and claim to not even have a freezer on the premises! It was an excellent venue for a cigar dinner, although if the outside temps had been colder I can see where having most of the vinyl curtains open could get a bit chilly. On the other hand, smoke wasn’t a problem.

 

The reason Luca was able to round up 40 or 50 of his customers and friends (the Mayor of Newtown was there as well) was to celebrate the launch of a special cigar made by Rocky Patel Cigars for the legendary NHL goaltender and local hero Bernie Parent, the BSB No. 1 Rocky Patel, came up with the concept for the packaging, and Nish Patel handled the blending. What they came up with was a box pressed petite robusto with an outer band covering the majority of the cigar which was designed to look like a goalie pad, with an orange band underneath with the “BSB No.1 by Bernie Parent”  in black. The box that these cigars are packaged in is Flyers Orange and Black with gold lettering. The presentation is pretty awesome, at least from the perspective of a hockey fan such as myself. The cigar has an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper which gives it a nice spicy flavor and I was impressed with how long this 4” cigar lasted considering the draw was very loose. It’s a tasty smoke that should age well. Bernie was truly a gentleman and stayed for the whole event. The event was terrific, great food, great cigars and wonderful people. Thank you to Luca for his hospitality, I appreciate the opportunity to attend such a special event.

 

Here is some video from the event with some interviews and pictures:

Contests!

Tomorrow is the day you’ve all been waiting for, the beginning of the 12 Spectacular Days of Cigar Giveaways. I think you’ll be impressed with the gifts this year, leave a comment to enter each day’s contest and try not to drool all over your keyboards!

 

Until tomorrow,

 

CigarCraig

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by | November 4, 2012 · 7:56 am

A New Cigar App from Cigar Dojo

Check out this press release I received from the folks at CigarDojo.com. I don’t usually post press releases, but I started playing with the app a little bit on my iPod Touch and I think it might be pretty cool.  I initially found a couple inaccuracies and omissions in the “Shops” and “Places” sections, but this is brand new and these little things will be corrected, I’m sure.  It’s a really sharp and friendly interface  even for an old dude like me!

 

PRESS RELEASE: CigarDojo.com Releases the CigarDojo Social Cigar App

Lakewood, Colorado – November 1st, 2011 CigarDojo the Social Cigar App is available for both iPhone as well as Android devices in the iTunes and Google Play stores. The CigarDojo Social Cigar app is a free smartphone app that is designed for cigar smokers to socialize and share their thoughts and images of the the cigars they are smoking.

“Cigar smoking is a highly social hobby and we knew that none of the existing cigar apps were very social in nature therefore the CigarDojo Social Cigar App was born.” said Eric Guttormson CEO of CigarDojo.com. “Cigar smokers communicate on Twitter and Facebook which is great but there is so much distraction on those social media tools we knew cigar smokers would love to have a place of their own.”

Users of the app can create an account in seconds or merely login with their existing Twitter or Facebook account. Users can also send their status updates from the Dojo out to both Twitter and Facebook therefore there is no need to duplicate efforts. “The Dojo is like a world-wide HERF. Wherever you are smoking you always have the Dojo in your pocket and the vibrant Dojo community is always ready to comment on what you might be smoking.” In the first month of release the Dojo app has already had over 1,000 downloads and the growth shows no sign of slowing down.

The Dojo is a fun place to relax, smoke, and share.

“The thing that separates the Dojo app from other cigar apps is the awesome group of people that participate. We have personalities of all types on the app and everyone is positive and supportive.” And the Dojo gives back. The Great Cigar Giveaway allows users to enter to win cigars from companies such as My Father, Arturo Fuente, AJ Fernandez, Espinosa Cigars, Eddie Ortega, Rocky Patel, Drew Estate, and others. “The giveaways are our way of showing our cigar community how much we appreciate their fellowship.” Giveaways stated in October and will run deep into December 2012. “Hopefully we can find more great partners and keep these giveaways going forever. Abe from SmokeInn.com, and Jorge at Stogies World Class Cigars in Houston were instrumental in helping us get the Great Cigar Giveaway off the ground.”

The Dojo app also features a really slick cigar shop and cigar bar locator where you can “checkin” while you are at your favorite location or even add your own location to the app. Of course the app also features the Dojo’s famous cigar reviews and a cigar event calendar but there is no doubt the focus of the app is the fellowship and the social HERF aspect of the app. Eric says “We have only just begun with this app. It’s our goal to be the number one cigar app in the world and we have all sorts of plans to add new features to our app. Our app is free so please download it and say hi to our ever growing community of cigar smokers.”

The CigarDojo App is free and can be downloaded…

For the iPhone in the iTunes store:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cigardojo-social-cigar-app/id555309816?mt=8

For Android devices in the Google Play store:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hr.apps.n1027161

And a Web app version for any other type of mobile phone:

http://m.cigardojo.com/

Full feature list can be viewed at http://cigardojo.com/app

 

Give the CigarDojo app a try, it’s free and looks like a lot of fun. In other news, last night I took a walk with a Thunder by Nimmish from Rocky Patel,  I’ve enjoyed this cigar in the past, it’s well made and tastes great.  It’s not super strong, but you know it’s there for sure.  Nice smoke.

 

That’s it for now, don’t forget to adjust your clocks if your area requires it.  I dislike Standard Time, it gets dark really early from now until spring, and I like my daylight!  In other news, I’ve started putting together this year’s “12 Days of Spectacular Giveaways” and it’s safe to say that this year will blow last year away!  Early response has been fantastic!

 

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

 

CigarCraig

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