Mr. Sam is a great cigar that’s been around for quite some time, but the Black Diamond, Insidious and Acid Blondies are on top as the best sellers for the last two months. Among the three is the Insidious that’s been drawing people in with its distinct mildness. However, this mildness doesn’t quite compare to the super smooth Vintage Punch JG Grand Cru. It’s a 20-year old cigar that no one makes anymore, but is still an awesome smoke with a subtle earthy sweetness and smells good from the first whiff.

One of the best trend at the moment is the Year of the Rooster which is a part of the Chinese Zodiac series by Davidoff. It is a very expensive cigar so the next best thing to it is the La Palina Oscuro that has a nice full body with a spicy vanilla flavor. This cigar is coming in line with the current medium to full body length. But with spiciness also being part of the trend, the Camacho Corojo is one of the best sticks in the line. As far as trends go, AJ Fernandez has been good with his blends last year and it looks to be gearing to make it like that this year.

The Sobremesa by Steve Saka of Dunbarton Tabacco and Trust has a complexity that is a welcome change for cigar connoisseurs. Unlike other brands that throw a lot of stuff at you 90 miles per hour, this cigar tones things down but still keeps its intensity, making it a balanced and enjoyable smoke. This is also one of the new favorites of Jay Gaydon from Cigars & More 280. It’s loose translation of “over the table” fits well with the experience of it. Jay is also very active in the online cigar forums space where he finds support groups, friends and family for Brick and Mortar cigar shops. Jay shares his weekend smokes like Opus X and Sobremesa Cervantez Fino.

Watching a football game during the weekend can make you smoke two kinds of cigar. One where you win and one where you lose. And you’d think that the Diamond Crown Black Diamond would be perfect for that black moment when the game is lost, but its dark chocolate plum kick will tell you otherwise. It’s not a sweet cigar but its fullness will win you over. The La Palina 1896 Oscuro El Ano also delivers the same twist mainly coming from its wrapper that is the same one from the Padron 50th Anniversary, making it better than any other $50 cigar.

Lane: Welcome to the show today everybody. We have a special guest today Mark Thompson Southeast Regional Rep for Esteban Carreras Cigar Co.

Harris: It feels good to be back on after a few weeks off the show.

What are we smoking today on the show:

Mark: Esteban Carreras Bronze Cross

Lane: Esteban Carreras Chupacabra

Harris: Esteban Carreras Chupacabra Hellcat

Where does the Chupacabra name come from? What does it mean?

Mark: It is a mythical creature

Lane: Welcome everyone to Cigar Cafe Radio. Harris and I are here today talking cigars. I am smoking the La Palina TAA 2016 cigar today.

Harris: I am smoking “The Oscar” by Oscar Valledores. He is well known for making Leaf by Oscar one of the hottest cigars out this year. It is off to a great start!

This feels like a reunion episode after some time off

Sean: I smoked the Swamp Thang by Drew Estate this weekend. It was very different, chili powder notes

Davidoff Yamasa

Sean: I thought the Davidoff Yamasa was very chewy the first third like soy sauce. I did not like the Macanudo Mao I smoke.

Lane: I am smoking the La Palina TAA 2016. It is very mild and smooth. I am very excited about the La Palina El Ano coming out soon. It uses the same wrapper as the Padron 50th Anniversary.

Oscar Habano, the new cigar from Oscar Valladares, famous for the Leaf by Oscar Cigars, is off to a great start. It’s incredibly smooth with lots of flavor and packs in a big vanilla taste. The Swamp Thang by Drew Estate has a red, peppery chili flavor to it, almost like smoking a chili powder. Another interesting new cigar is the Liga Privada T52 Flying Pig which is fuller bodied than the regular Liga Privada T52s. The Flying Pig is starting to prove itself a bestseller as it’s mostly off the shelves within an hour.

Lane: Welcome everyone to Cigar Cafe Radio. What’s up guys?

Harris: I am smoking the Gonzo Santeria 2016 Toro. It has a San Andres wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler. 150 boxes each were made in three sizes. It’s nice, reminds me of Padron.

Football is back, Sean is looking forward to coaching this year.

Lane is jacked Alabama Football is back on the air.

Tim Tebow is following yet another dream to play a professional sport. He just can’t let bygones be bygones. He hasn’t played baseball in over a decade and yet here he is trying his hand at playing professional baseball. Sean commented that he has a pretty promising career as a football commentator/analyst.

Still Recovering From IPCPR

First post IPCPR podcast.

Sean was pretty jealous of all the swag Harris and Lane got at the convention.

Lane and Harris send a sympathy care package to Sean with cigars you can’t get yet. Both Lane and Harris both got over 80 sticks each without trying. Both were trying to selectively target companies to do interviews and taste certain blends.

Lane said he smoked at least part of 8 to 10 sticks per day but loved the Alec Bradley Mundial.

Harris is smoking Gurkha Cellar Reserve 21 Years. A little different than the other Cellar Reserves. Sean loves the 15-year Cellar Reserve. He says there is a very distinct citrus taste almost like a Citronella candle.

Lane is smoking the new Avo Syncro Fogata.