I’m going to preface this post with the following disclaimer: ignore any tasting notes I might write this week. I had probably the worst cold I’ve had in years this week, so I took a few days off smoking (not in a row!). I did a fair amount of nose spray (I have a very low tolerance for not being able to breath through my nose), 
some cough drops, and some Nyquil to get through it. I’m feeling much better, thanks. Since I quit smoking cigarettes and had sinus surgery in 2007 I haven’t had nearly the severe colds that I used to get, and I haven’t had bronchitis since, which is a very good thing. This cold was way worse than when I had Covid two years ago. When I finally had a cigar Friday, it tasted interesting. I started back with a Villiger 1888 Nicaragua in Churchill size. I wrote about this line almost a year ago (here), Ecuador Sumatra wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan and Pennsylvanian fillers, made at the Villiger de Nicaragua (Joya de Nicaragua) factory. I forgot to ask René about the factory situation when I saw him last week. This is a proper Churchill at 7″ x 47, which I love. Anyway, the flavor was popping with a rich, mouth-coating cocoa with a hint of licorice. I loved the flavor, although I didn’t remember this cigar having those qualities. I loved it.
Saturday I had accomplished a lot by about 2:30, so I figured it was time for a cigar. I had gone to home depot, picked up a bundle of oak hardwood flooring, started installing the hardwood (we had about a 50 square foot section that we tore up because it was badly stained), and mowed the backyard. I picked a Diesel Whisky Row Founders Collection Mizanura that was gifted to me by a dude I see at cigar events all over. I even ran into Steve when I was in Tampa a year or so ago. From the Diesel website: “This full-bodied blend 
boasts a dark Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper and spicy filler tobacco from Nicaragua, but the real star lies at its core. We aged the Connecticut Broadleaf binder in Rabbit Hole’s rare Japanese Mizunara oak barrels—the same ones used to age their Founder’s Collection Bourbon. The result? A smooth, robust cigar with great complexity.” Tis is presented in a 6″ x 52 Toro. I’m a big fan of the Sherry Cask version of the Whiskey Row, not so much the original blend. This was another cigar that had very pronounced flavor, however, it was very much like the last. This is a cigar I’m going to have to find another and try again when I’m back to full health. Now, the flavor I’m getting from these cigars is really great, it’s a flavor I enjoy, but if all cigars taste the same that’s no fun, is it? I really enjoyed this cigar, thanks Steve!
Finally, I had picked up a Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Toro locally, and, again, I’ll grab another one one of these days to see what it really tastes like! I hope it tastes as good as this one. I usually think that having a cold adversely affects taste, this time it really seemed to enhance it. This was a delicious cigar. It has a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, an Ecuador binder and fillers from the Garcia farms in Nicaragua. This toro is 6″ x 54. Like I said, this was a great smoke, hard to believe I haven’t smoked this before. I can’t help but compare the flavors to the previous two, although there’s little reason the three should taste similar, except that my taste buds are compromised. I’m going to smoke a Connecticut shade cigar today and see what happens. If it tastes the same I’m going to smoke some cigars that I don’t usually care for! Usually cigars don’t taste this good on the downside of a cold! Whatever the cause, I’m not mad about it, the cigars tasted great. Weird stuff. While I can’t say that you’ll taste what I tasted in these three cigars, I thought they were all excellent, so don’t be afraid to try them if you haven’t already!
Many thanks to our fallen soldiers and their families as we celebrate Memorial Day in our own ways. I’m hoping to finish up this floor over the next two days, and get the front lawn cut. I’ll smoke a few cigars too. Until the next time,
CigarCraig
