Our Memorial Day show - please take time this weekend while enjoying family & friends to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our lifestyle! Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all. The Cigar of the Week: Padron 3000 Maduro – 5.5” x 52 From the Padron Series line, we offer the Padron 3000 Maduro. All the tobacco in this line is Sun grown Nicaraguan Habano. Padron uses wrapper leaves that are left on the plant a little longer, making the leaves naturally darker, producing a superior Maduro wrapper. The tobaccos in this cigar are aged at least 30 months to ensure a smooth blend and even flavoring. The Padron business model is all about consistency and passion. The Padrons do not rely on flashy packagingtrendy or marketing gimmicks to secure a place in smokers humidors. They do rely on time tested methods of consistent quality and excellent blending to deliver outstanding premium cigars for generations. The 3000 Maduro is one of 15 sizes in the Padron line and although the 1964 Anniversary Series and 1926 Serie get a larger share of the attention, the Padron Series offers exceptional quality and value. From the thin ring Panatela up through the A sized Magnum, the medium bodied Padron 3000 line delivers a smooth and cool smoking experience. We have a bit of an interview with Jorge Luis Armenteros of Tobacconist University. Listener email from Martin Couch and Scott Rohrer! A moving herfline submission from Angry Bill. On the Dark Side - Cohiba Siglo IV -Marca - Cohiba, Frontmark - Siglo IV, Vitola - Corona Gorda, Box code EST Feb 08, 143 mm (5.6") x 46 ring gauge - The Cohiba Siglo IV was introduced in November 1992 & was released for public sale in 1994, commemorating the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Columbus to the new world. The winner of this week's yearly subscription to European Cigar Cult Journal is Justin Smith! Opening theme music provided by 25 Smokin' Figurados from their album Divine Spirits, Holy Smoke. Closing theme Longboard Cowboy provided by The Surfonics.

An insightful and thought provoking conversation with the man behind Bucanero Cigars, Robert Spoden. Robert has been making cigars since the mid 90's and has seen it all in the cigar business. To fight back the current trends in retailing he is embarking on a new venture to sell his cigars directly to the public.

The Cigar of the Week is the Trilogy Native Cameroon Torpedo – 6.125” x 52 Some of you may recall that the Trilogy was first introduced as a 3 sided, or tri-pressed cigar in 2002. After 2004, the tri-pressed shape was replaced with traditional parejo and torpedo shapes, as the tri-pressed design did not appeal to consumers despite rave reviews for the cigar. Now available in Robusto, Churchill and Torpedo shapes in boxes of 20 cigars, the Alec Bradley Trilogy is a sleeper premium cigar priced for every day enjoyment. The Trilogy line is available in 3 different blends: the Authentic Corojo , Exotic Maduro and the Native Cameroon Torpedo that we are featuring this month. The Authentic Corojo is manufactured by Tobacos Puros de Nicaragua while the Exotic Maduro, and Genuine Cameroon, are manufactured by Carlos Torano in Honduras. The unique blend in the Cameroon is the result of using a rich and spicy African Cameroon wrapper paired with a Honduran binder and a filler blend of Nicaraguan and Italian tobaccos. Bob Smokes a 4 year old original three sided pressing of the same named cigar from Alec Bradley. See how they compare. We have an interesting email from Dave with a tough experience from one of our bonus cigars. Robert Spoden of Bucanero Cigars sits down with Bob for an interview - we run a short piece tonight. The full interview is available as episode #005 in the Cigars One-To-One lineup. What's my Band? Bob smokes a Gran Habano Corojo #5 Lancero, Dale smokes a Cusano Corojo Toro. On the Dark Side - Marca - Saint Luis Rey, Frontmark - Regios, Vitola - Hermoso No. 4, Box code GTL May 07, 127 mm (5.0") x 48 ring gauge - The Saint Luis Rey brand was created in between 1938 & 1940 and is noted as leaning towards the lighter side in strength. The Regios has a reputation for smoking good while young and reaching most of it's potential in just a few short years. Saint Luis Rey is one of the pre-revolution brands that exemplify what cuban cigars re all about. A full bodied cigar developed in 1938 by the British firm Zamora y Guerra. Some say that its name was taken from a Thornton Wilder play “The Bridge of San Luis Rey”, which was popular at the time. However it is more likely that it refers to the town of San Luis in the heart of the Vuelta Abajo tobacco region, which is particularly famous for the superb wrapper leaves produced there. Whatever the truth may be Saint Luis Rey cigars enjoy a reputation among cigars lovers for the intensity of their flavour throughout the range. They are made with leaves from the Vuelta Abajo and Semi Vuelta regions. What Else have the DWCR guys been smokin'? Camacho Corojo Maduro, Illusione Epernay, Cusano 18 Maduro, Sabor Cubana Robusto, Buchanero Booty Maduro. The winner of the one year subscription to European Cigar Cult Journal is Daniel Claque. Opening theme music provided by 25 Smokin' Figurados from their album Divine Spirits, Holy Smoke. Closing theme Longboard Cowboy provided by The Surfonics.

A conversation about Devils Weed Cigars, the history of cigars and Luis Molina's love of the art of the cigar.

http://www.molinacigars.com

The Men, The Myths, The Cigars

The Cigar of the Week is the E. Zarzuela Premium Toro Fuerte. The Premium line from E. Zarzuela is a boutique brand blended by Master Cigar Maker Felix Rodriguez and Eddy Fontana Zarzuela based in Miami. Between them, they have 25 years of cigar manufacturing experience with more well known names such as A. Fuente and La Gloria Cubana. This is the same Dominican Republic manufacturing team producing such DogWatch famous brands as Kristoff and Vengeance 98. This well constructed vitola features a dark Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, a Piloto Cubano binder and a filler blend of Nicaraguan Ligero and Piloto Cubano tobaccos. Cigar passionados and everyday smokers will find the E. Zaezuela Premium to be an outstanding example of the deep flavors available in boutique brands. The cigars are manufactured and aged in the Dominican Republic and presented in boxes of 24 cigars.

We run a portion of an interview with Luis Molina of Molina Cigars, the man behind Devil's Weed cigars, this month's Bonus Cigar!

Some cigar myths discussed......

What's my band? Bob smokes a Montisino Maduro Robusto, Dale smokes an American Stogies Cuban Corojo Toro.

Herfline submissions from Big Slim and Angry Bill!

On the Dark Side - Marca - Romeo y Julieta, Frontmark - Exhibicion No. 3, Vitola - Corona Gorda, Box code UAS Mar 06, 143 mm (5.7") x 46 ring gauge - This cigar is one with a reputation for needing only a short aging period to reach it's peak, and at 3 years old now, we're hoping this one fulfills that expectation. The tobaccos in RyJ are from the Pinar del Rio region, and are purported to be some of Cuba's finest cigar leaf. As one of the major brands that Habanos SA markets, it is one of the most widely recognized Cuban brands. The Exhibicion No. 3 was introduced in the mid 1980's and is usually a great cigar to introduce cigar smokers to the Cuban style - pleasing, easy to smoke and flavorful.

What Else have the DWCR guys been smokin'? Oliva Series V Maduro, A. Fuente Chateau Fuente, Drew Estate Java Corona.

This week's winner of the one year subscription to the European Cigar Cult Journal is Steve Washburn.

Next week is National Police Week - take the time to thank those who go to work every day not really knowing if they'll go home to their families.

Opening theme music provided by 25 Smokin' Figurados from their album Divine Spirits, Holy Smoke.

Closing theme Longboard Cowboy provided by The Surfonics.

A conversation about technology and of course cigars with a young passionado, Jordan Drake. Johnathan produces a podcast called Digital Life Radio and also does a local radio talk show. I hope you will enjoy this conversation with thr talented and outspoken Jordan Drake as much as I did.

Episode 220 Show Notes Cigar of the Week - Camacho Diploma Corojo 11/18 – The Ultra Premium lines from Camacho are competing well with other big name cigars, and this 11/18 size in the Diploma Corojo line has got it all going on! Deep, rich, full flavors from authentic Corojo tobacco grown on Camacho farms in Honduras, a unique shape that really highlights those flavors and an elegant packaging presentation all position this cigar for success. The all corojo tobaccos are Quinto Corte, or from the fifth priming, meaning they are the top most leaves on the plants and picked last so they receive the most exposure to the elements for maximum flavor. The figuardo shape goes from 48 to 54 and back to 48 ring gauge in a 6” length, but not quite what we think of as the traditonal perfecto style - more of a subtle graduation of the cigar's curves. They come in varnished pyramid shaped boxes of 21 cigars. Paul Bush of Flatbed Cigar Company joins us for discussion of his cigars and the cigar business. Whats My Band - Dale smokes Bob's #111 Alec Bradley Occidental Reserve Natural Jeff Fisher wins a Palio Cutter. Matt Carbaugh wins a one year subscription to European Cigar Cult Journal. On the Dark Side - Marca - Romeo y Julieta, Frontmark - Churchills, Vitola - Julieta No. 2, Box code MAS April 08, 178 mm (7.2") x 47 ring gauge - This size is the same as last week's Bolivar Coronas Gigantes, however, RyJ is credited with developing this size and that's why the factory name for this vitola is Julieta No. 2. The reason for all the confusion today, is that they developed this size in honor of the famed British statesman Sir Winston Churchill - you'll note the "s" at the end of the word in the frontmark. Romeo y Julieta is an old brand, dating from 1875. Widely known as a full flavored marca, RyJ still makes a large number of vitolas and has various packaging presentations. It is one of the most widely recognized and appreciated marcas within the Habanos S.A. line of brands. Listener email supports Bob's opinion of Spanish Cedar. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Post Revolution Havana Cigars by Min Ron Nee should be in every cigar passionado's library. It's a wonderful reference book, and the latest printing was only 10,000 copies. 492 pages of history, descriptions, photos and MRN's opinions. I recommend you get one soon, before they're all gone. Cigarmony.com and use the discount code for 5% off - DWCR2009. Next week's COW is the E. Zarzuela Premium Toro Fuerte. The following week we'll be smoking the Trilogy Genuine Camerron. Next week's Dark Side offering will the Romeo & Julieta Exhibicion No. 3 UAS March '06! Opening theme music provided by 25 Smokin' Figurados from their album Divine Spirits, Holy Smoke. Closing theme Longboard Cowboy provided by The Surfonics.

Conversation with Jesus Rodriquez, Director of Marketing for Di Fazio Cigars. Although a new player in the cigar industry, Di Fazio Cigars brings a fresh perspective and some fine cigars.

Joe talks about the pressures on cigar retailers, anti-smoking laws and the FP Habanos98 cigar.

Episode 219 - Wood, nuts and monkeys. The Cigar of the Week is the Gurkha Vintage Shaggy Maduro Torpedo. It’s easy to see how the Gurkha Shaggy got its name. The unfinished foot looks like it’s several weeks overdue for a trim! However, for those who wonder how much the wrapper leaf affects a cigar’s flavor, pay particular attention to the taste of the cigar when you first light it. The initial puffs are all 6 year old Dominican filler & Nicaraguan binder, and we’ll bet you can tell with your eyes closed when the 8 year old Dominican wrapper starts to burn. The Torpedo is a 6.5” x 53 ring gauge size which delivers smoothness and complexity. A long finish, some tangy spice and a unique visual appeal all add up to the Vintage Shaggy. Journalist extraordinaire Colin Ganley joins us to set the record straight on leaf grading and the purchasing process, his recent visit to Cuba and the inside scoop about the Cuban Cigar Seed Institute. What's my Band? Colin ships in a mystery cigar that stumps the Master and his apprentice - the Pinar Del Rio Exclusivo. On the Dark Side - Marca - Bolivar, Frontmark - Coronas Gigantes, Vitola - Julieta No. 2, Box code POS May 07, 178 mm (7.2") x 47 ring gauge - This size is often called the Churchill, but the true vitola name is Julieta No. 2. Among all the Bolivar habanos, this Bolivar Coronas Gigante is distinct for it's aroma and complexity, or is it? The winner of this week's one year subscription to the European Cigar Cult Journal is Felix Erazo! What else have the DWCR guys been smoking? The Di Fazio Connecticut. Hear the complete interview with Jesus Rodriquez of Di Fazio cigars in Episode 003 of Cigars One-to-One. Opening theme music provided by 25 Smokin' Figurados from their album Divine Spirits, Holy Smoke. Closing theme Longboard Cowboy provided by The Surfonics.