The Stogie Geeks Cigar Podcast

Paul is the owner and operator of Mr. "J's" Havana Smoke Shop (Also lovingly called "Joyals"). He has created a new company called "Ocean State Cigars" which distributes premium handmade cigars such as the J Grotto Series and the J Grotto Series Reserve. He is here with us tonight to talk about the blending process and his new cigar called "Silk":

Download Episode 18 (mp3)

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Stogie's of the Week

Tim: Tatuaje Noella Reserva (2009)Paul: Opus X BBMF Natural 2009

Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium/Full Vitola: Corona Size: 5 1/8 x 42 Age: 3 yrs MSRP: ~$8.00

Origin: Dominican Republic AKA: "Big Bad Mother Fucker" / "64 ring-gauged figurado" Wrapper: Opus X rosado w/maduro wrap at the top and foot Binder: Opus X blend Filler: Opus X blend Strength: Full Vitola: Figurado Size: 6" x 64 Age: 3 Years MSRP: ~$40.00-$100.00

Mark Jr: Fuente Fuente Forbidden XStogie Santa: 2005 Camacho Liberty

Origin: Dominican Republic Origin: Wrapper: Dominican Republic Binder: Dominican Republic Filler: Dominican Republic Strength: Full Vitola: ? Size: 6 3/8" x 49 Age: 9 years

MSRP: $295.00

Note: Includes a bottle of Calvados, apple cognac made in France) X in the Bottle

Origin: Honduras Wrapper: Honduran Maduro Binder: Honduras Filler: Honduras Strength: Medium Vitola: Perfecto (11/18) Size: 6" x 52 Age: 7 Years MSRP: $13.99

This week we are drinking

Tim: Smith Woodhouse 10 Year Old Tawny Porto

Paul's List

• Casa Magna Domus Magnus Centuriones - Padronish, nuff said.
• San Cristobal De La Habana La Punta - Still easily one of my too 3 cuban smokes, could be number one! Floral notes with wood flavors, so good they don't last long in my humidor.
• La Aurora Puro Vintage 2004 - Excellent smoke, perfect burn, draw, and construction, A+ smoking experience. Needs a little age, but awesome flavors (subtle spice with sweet tobacco) and great complexity
• Ramon Allones Specially Selected - I like this smoke, good cuban change of pace cigar for me, lots of earth, not your typical cuban flavor profile.
• Tatuaje Anarchy - The most bland Tatuaje ever, could not find much flavor, and what I did get was not very enjoyable
• Montecristo Edmundo - Nice light cedar flavor, this is my new morning smoke! Goes great with coffee and isn't a really heavy or strong cigar, but is filled with flavor.
• Punch Double Corona - Weird burn and draw, but still very enjoyable. Nice flavors throughout, a bit more bold in the flavor and strength department than several other similar cigars from Cuba.
• Partagas Serie D #4 - Still one of my favorite cuban cigars, like It far better than the RASS or Bolivar Petite Corona, tons of flavor and very complex.
• Paul Garmirian Reserva Exclusiva Corona - I like the panatella better, but thats like saying you like duck better than top sirloin. Outstanding flavors on this cigar, not a lot of change (if any), but a solid smoke.
• Illusione Singulare Phantom LE 2010 - Awesome smoke, my favorite Illusione. Such amazing flavors this cigar delivers, very enjoyable!
• Opus X Forbidden X Lancero 2009 - Lots of leather, touch of sweet flavor, snug draw. Just okay, not amazing.
• La Flor Dominicana El Jocko - Super old cigar, was still full bodied and had an awesome sweetness. This cigar was from 2003.
• Hoyo De Monterey Churchill - This was also a great stick, the flavors were not as well balances as some of the other Cubans I smoked, but still a solid smoke. These need lots of age, and are good when not aged, but really come to life after 4 years. Overall, very enjoyable, and box worthy.

Tim's List

• Ortega Serie D No. 6 - This Corona from Eddie Ortega (formly of EO Brands Inc) features a Mexican San Andreas wrapper, and a binder/fillers from Esteli, Nicaragua. I paired a glass of Fonseca 10 year Old Tawny Port. Wow! What winning combination. The Ortega Serie D began with some cocoa and coffee notes and quickly transitioned to earth, leather, and pepper. I really enjoyed the smoke and will be picking up more of these soon. "Box Worthy".
• La Aurora Puro Vintage 2004 - This was my disaapointment of the week. It is one sexy looking cigar. Unfortunately, it seemed to be a little under filled and consequently burned hot. I countered the effects by less frequent draws and was presented with a bread like flavor profile with the additional appearance of spice and burnt caramel that would take turns on my palate. The last third was a wash, as it became too hot to finish. Consequently, I am going to hold off on making an assessment until I can revisit.
• Tatuaje 109 Federal Cigar 90th Reserva - This cigar was a limited run created for Federal Cigar in New Hampshire last year. This 7 x 50 Nicaraguan cigar features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. An opening of cocoa quickly transitioned to bitter sweet chocolate, leather, and pepper. The pepper was subtle at first but increased in strength as the cigar progressed. Burn and draw were good. An interesting cigar but it did not "wow" me either. If you come across a few singles (they are sold out now) I would grab a couple to try.
• Romeo y Juiletta Short Churchill - Box date on these are June 2011. While not as smooth and tastey of the 2010's I recently reviewed here, still an enjoyable mild/medium body smoke. I cannot wait to smoke another! "Box Worthy"
• Gran Habano Corojo #5 Imperiales - A friend gifted me this 6 x 60 monster. I was working late Monday night from home, so I decided to fire this bad boy up. This stick features a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper, Nicaraguan Habano binder, and Nicaraguan, Mexican, and Costa Rican fillers. The burn and draw were perfect and I would describe the strength and flavor as a solid medium. It was a good smoke but didn't change up much. Having smoked the Habano #3 in the past, I do find the darker flavors of that stick more to my liking. Still a solid smoke the money and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a medium strength smoke while they work arond the yard. "The Angler"
• Kristoff Kristania Toro - Released at IPCPR 2011, this Kristoff retails for less than $6.00 and offers some nice flavors including coffee and vanilla. Burn and draw were decent. For the money a definite smoke I could keep around for when I am fishing or grilling. "The Angler".
• Padilla Miami 8&9 Belicoso Finos - Wow what a great smoke. This Nicarguan Puro from 2008 was a gift from fellow BOTL, Will. Thank You, it has been a while since I had one of these! This blend was created by Don Pepin Garcia and this particular size was an exclusive to CI (2008-2009). "Box Worthy"

Stogie Tech: Using Cigar Auction Sites How it works

There are few auction sites on the Internet. The two that we have used most are CigarBid (From Cigars International) and Cigar Auctioneer (From Famous Smoke). Once you create an account you are able to place bids. When you create an account you give them a Credit Card number to keep on file. Then you choose when you want to have your cigars shipped, as they will ship once a week in a batch. For example, Cigar Auctioneer charges $5.99 flat rate shipping and ships to me every Wednesday. This means everything I bid on before Tuesday at midnight will be included in that shipment and usually arrives at my house on Friday.

Its also important to get to know the different auction types and terminology:

• Lots - A "Lot" is an item or a group of items that has been posted for auction. For example, "Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Robusto". Note that a lot can contain one or more items.
• English Auctions - In an English Auction, a lot is offered for sale at a given starting price. Bidders bid the highest price they are willing to pay for that lot. At the closing of the auction the lot is sold to the highest bidder at their bid price.
• Yankee Auctions - A Yankee Auction is a variation of the Dutch Auction where one or more identical items are offered for sale at the same time. In cases where a lot contains multiple identical items, at the closing of the auction, the highest bidders win the merchandise at their bid price as opposed to paying the price determined by the lowest qualified bidder (as in a Dutch Auction). (NOTE: Auto-bidding is not available for a Yankee Auction)
• Free Fall Auction - Unlike other auctions where the price is driven up by bids, the Free Fall Price is driven down by us and you decide what you are willing to pay. Free Fall Auctions allow you to purchase an item at a discounted price, eliminating the bidding process.
• QuickBuy - QuickBuy allows you to purchase an item at a discounted price, eliminating the bidding process.

CAUTION: Stay away from any auction site that charges you to bid, its pretty much a scam. Sure, you can bid $1.00 on a box and win, but everyone is paying for bids. So items that get a lot of bids make up for the box you got for a buck. Its just a scam, read about it in the forums for more information.

MORE CAUTION - Take notice on bids where you are bidding on single cigars and multiples. For example, sometimes its not clear whether the price is for EACH cigar or the entire lot. You can get yourself into trouble if you start bidding $30 on 5 cigars, and thats the cost per cigar not for all 5.

When you want to bid on cigars, here are some rules

• Rule 1: Decide the maximum price you are willing to pay before you bid - This is the most important rule. Ignore what anyone lists as the MSRP. When you find something you want to buy on auction, search around on the Internet and your local B&Ms and see who has the lowest price. Then, when you bid, make sure you are at least 10-20% below that price (Don't forget you have to pay shipping).
• Rule 2: Be mindful of the shipping cost and frequency - Sometimes I will bid on something and forget that I am outside my shipping window. So, I may have a box and 3 5-packs on the way, but the 3 cigars I just bid on won't come until next week. This is when I will bid on more stuff, just to offset the shipping.
• Rule 3: Set a reserve if you can - Reserves are great, and I love the English auctions. It really allows me to say "I would pay as much as $X for that", set my reserve, and forget about it. The cool part is sometimes you get it for the initial bid! Example, if I need to bid $100 on a box of cigars to be the highest bidder, but would pay $125, I set my reserve to $125. If I win the lot for $100, its a score!
• Rule 4: Use Favorites or Watchlists - This allows you to keep track of stuff you are interested in, which is nice. I will look at all of the stuff available on auction, and add the good stuff to my watch list for later. On Cigar Auctioneer you can look at future auctions too.
• Rule 4: Get a Larger Humidor - If you start getting good at this, you're going to need more space! I use a giant cooler with beads to store my overflow stuff. Who knows, you may be able to win a new humidor on auction cheap!

Stuff I have won on Auction recently

• La Aurora Puro Vintage Salamone 2003 - 5-Pack $29.00
• La Aurora Puro Vintage Salamone 2003 - 5-Pack - $41.00 - So I got 10 of these for $70, meaning $7.00 each. MSRP is $20.00 each, and CI is selling them for $16.95 each.
• Gurkha Cigarnivore No. V Sampler - 18 Cigars - $34.00
• La Aurora Preferidos LE Lancero Cameroon (Single) - My Winning Quantity 5 of 7 - $7.00 Each
• Guillermo Leon Corona Gorda - 5 Pack - $19.00
• Blazer CG-001 Cigar Lighter $30.00
• Alec Bradley Black Market Robusto 5 Pack $22.00
• Padron 3000 Box $112.00
• La Riqueza No. 4 5 Pack $15.00
• La Aurora Escogidos Robusto 3 @ $3.00/each

Download Episode 17 Audio Here (mp3)

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Stogies of the Week

Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial 2008Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial 2009

Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Jalapa Valley Ligero Strength: Medium/Full Vitola: Torpedo Size: 6.5 x 52 Age: 3.5 yrs MSRP: Originally $6.75 (Sold in Boxes of 10)

Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Habano Seed Nicaraguan Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Jalapa Valley Ligero Strength: Medium/Full Vitola: Torpedo Size: 6 x 52 Age: 2.5 yrs MSRP: $9.00 (Sold in Boxes of 10)

Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial 2010Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial 2011

Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Mexico (San Andreas Maduro) Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium/Full Vitola: Torpedo Size: 6 x 54 Age: 1.5 yrs MSRP: $9.00 (Boxes of 10)

Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Mexico (San Andreas Maduro) Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Strength: Medium/Full Vitola: Toro Size: 6 x 50 Age: 6 months MSRP: $9.00 (Boxes of 10)

From the manufacturer (current as of April 2012):

Serie V Maduro Serie V is a complex blend of Nicaraguan long filler tobaccos. Blended with specially fermented Jalapa Valley Ligero, and finished with a high priming Habano Sun Grown Wrapper.

The Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial first made it's appearance in 2008, after the success of a 2007 Limited Edition version of the Serie V. Since then, the Maduro Especial has made an appearance annually in November. With the 2009 release received the Number 5 spot in Cigar Aficionado's Best of 2009. We thought it would be interesting to have four people smoke all four releases during the show and compare notes. Let's burn!

This week we are drinking

Ron Abuelo 7 AñosRon Abuelo 12 Años

We are now on the Roku! Just add the Blip.tv channel to your Roku player and search for "Stogiegeeks".

Paul's List

• Hoyo De Monterrey Des Duis (1998) - Not aged out, burn and construction were spot on, flavors were pure heaven. Crawl across the desert my friends, this 14-year-old cuban was one of the best vintage cubans I've smoked to date.
• Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial 2010 - Goes great with coffee, a tad bitter, needs more age.
• Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial 2009 - Loved the spice.
• Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial 2008 - Roasted nuts, then kinda just okay.
• Quesada Selección Espana - What wonderful floral flavors that come form this smoke, subtle spice, and very smooth. The short robust is by far my favorite. Box worthy.
• Viaje Skull and Bones Daisy Cutter - CRAWL ACROSS THE DESERT! Wow, everything they said about this stick being amazing, is true, and more. The thing that really gets me about this stick os the flavor. Unbelievable representation of coffee and cocoa flavors in the cigar. Its almost like smoking something that was infused, except its the opposite of suck. Probably the most flavor I've even gotten out of a non-cuban cigar, just wish they would make more like this, as the new cigars in this line are not even close to this.
• Hoyo De Monterey Churchill - This was also a great stick, the flavors were not as well balances as some of the other Cubans I smoked, but still a solid smoke. These need lots of age, and are good when not aged, but really come to life after 4 years. Overall, very enjoyable, and box worthy.
• Partagas Lucitaina (2005) - Thanks to this stick, I stayed warm on Sunday while smoking outdoors with co-host Tim at a cigar event in Rhode Island put on by Mr. J's Havana Smoke Shop. The stick POORED flavors for well over 1 hour and 30 minutes. Nice smooth earth and wood, classic cuban profile, excellent burn and construction. Box worthy.
• Padron Ambassador (vintage) - To be honest, I was not overly impressed with this one. It had some nice cocoa flavors, and earth, but just didn't deliver a good overall smoking experience. That being said, dry boxing could have helped, and maybe it was just this particular stick that was a little off. However, I enjoyed the torpedo more than this size.
• Por Larranaga Monte Carlo - Great smoke, they can be bitter if they are not aged. When aged, they smooth out and its like smoking orange soda.
• E.P. Carrillo Edicion Inaugural 2009 - This stick is absolutely amazing. Nice smooth, creamy smoke, full of flavor, and just keeps getting better with age! I almost get a citrus sweetness from this one now, and glad I bought an extra box just to age.
• Cabaiguan Guapos RX - This is a solid smoke, great construction, classic Tatuaje flavors, spice, wood, and a nice finish. While this isn't an over-the-top-awesome cigar, its good, so go get at least a 5-pack or a box if you can get one cheap. Great for when you're looking for an easy smoke.
• Paul Gamarian Gourmet Series - Symphony 20 - This is the original toro size that came before the salmon and the robust. It smells so awesome, smokes great, and the flavors are outstanding. The cigar still packs a punch, I would not smoke it at 11:00AM like I did, wait until after dinner!
• Unbanded La Aurora Preferido - This was a gift from my friend Jeff. Awesome smoke, nice change ups in flavor, classic La Aurora goodness.I tried to catch a picture of the oils oozing from the cigar, a sign that even though this cigar was a few years old, there were still some oils left, which means more aging potential!
• Cusano 18 - An okay mild-medium body cigar, no change ups, and just okay flavors. Buy one to try it.
• Jose L. Piedra Conservas - Budget cuban, I believe machine made binder/short filler with a hand applied wrapper. $2-$3 a stick has great cuban flavors and very enjoyable.
• Viaje Skull & Bones WMD (2011) - Nice pepper and great flavors throughout!
• Opus X El Scorpion 2009 - Major disappointment! Overpriced. Underrated. Poor construction. Just okay flavors. At this point, I would not buy another 22 count Opus X box.
• Opus X Super Belicoso XXX Power Ranger - Awesome start, boring middle, awesome finish
• Fish & Quesada! - Not a great cigar, not horrible, but I would not recommend that people go out and buy these in this size. It was a 60 Tribute, but would be much better in a corona. I also smoked a Gurhka Cellar Reserve, which was totally awesome, great flavors, great burn and construction (it held up while i was fishing!).
• La Aurora Puro Vintage 2003 - Amazing smoke! Starts of very mild, with sublet flavors, then picks up and developed a wonderful orange peel sweetness, then moves to a rush earth flavor. Simply outstanding, perfect burn and construction, you are in for a really wild ride when you smoke this one! Crawl across desert.

Tim's List

• Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 1 - Smooth, easy to smoke Cuban. I couldn't detect a lot of flavors however. There were some citris notes on first half with more spice on the second.
• Partagas Lusitanias - Gifted to me by Mark during the last EP of the podcast. This double corona, burned well and the draw was a bit tight but was still managable. Started with cedar, lots of that Cuban twang, and some mild pepper. The second half brought some toastiness. An enjoyable gift. I recently traded with someone for more of these, so I will be enjoying them again soon.
• Padron Londres Maduro - How can you go wrong with a Padron Maduro that costs $3.75. Admittedly, it is not the most attractive Padron ever produced. But this Corona is consistant in flavor and construction every time. "Box Worthy"
• Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada - I finally got around to trying this stick and I am glad I did. It had made some of the top ten lists of 2011 but for whatever reason, I just never reached for one until now. Nice mix of cedar spice, cocoa, and a sweetness I couldn't place. Good performance, I will be revisting this stick again.
• La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 - I scored one of these in a recent trade. This 6 x 32 Slim Panetela offered up a unique combination of citris and pepper. The profile didn't change up much, but it was a very enjoyable and smooth 30 minute smoke that I would certainly revisit. "Box Split"
• Bolivar Belicosos Finos - The big brother to the Bolivar Petit Corona, this stick performed perfectly with slightly stronger flavors up front than the PC. As the burn line worked its way tdown the tapered length to the more narrower gauge, the strength lessened but the earthly, smooth flavors were more similar to the Petit. "Box Worthy" but I think I do prefer the PC.
• Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill Tubo - This stick offered up a nice balance of coffee and graham cracker with subtle sweetness. The finish was medium in length and toasty. Construction was perfect on the first one I smoked but I had a void in the second one. After clipping past the void all was well. Hard to gauge with the construction issues on this one, but I ordered a box.
• Paul Garmirian Reserva Exclusiva Corona Extra - Paul and I had scored a seven year old box of these a while back and I absolutely loved them. So when I recently found a five pack available online, I immediately pulled the trigger. Not as smooth as the older sticks but enjoyable and certainly worth it. "Box Worthy" if you plan to age.

Stogie Tech: Cigar Travel Cases

I have a ton of different travel cases. I like the hard plastic cases when I travel because it protects the cigar. I like a nice leather case when I go out, because it looks classy. I am in search of something that holds a flask, cutter and lighter. I really want a nice one, but would rather have a nice box or two of cigars instead. You can use these as an overflow for your humidor. You can use cigar tube or two instead. This is largely personal preference, but I thought I would go through some different types. Several I own and several are on the wish list.

1. Two through Four Finger Soft Cases - This type of case seems to be the most commonly available. They are usually leather on the outside and some type of cedar lining on the inside. The cases are soft, and not crush-proof. Sometimes there will be a flap to open, some will slide together.

   Basic Case: $9.99

2. Cuban-Style Case with Zipper - This is a variation on the above, except there is a hard cedar insert that holds up to 4 cigars. The top is held by a zipper, and there is another compartment on the bottom for humidification.

   H. Upman Case: $189

3. Cigar Caddy/Xicar Cases:

   Xicar 5-Count: $21.38

4. Zero Halliburton Cigar Cases - Perhaps the best case I've ever seen. Simply awesome, yet discontinued and super hard to find. The real kicker is they are super expensive. A 9 cigar capacity case, without the key, was on Ebay for $125

Pictures can be found here.

5. Travel Humidors - I have a travel humdir that holds about 10 cigars. Its leather on the outside, and cedar on the inside. Its like a humidor, but only holds 10 cigars. It VERY classy looking. My Dad paid about $300 for it new at a local shop. I take it when I want to try to be classy.
6. Andre Garcia - Supposed to be some of the nicest travel cases around. There are several styles to choose from, the cheapest being about $80:

Andre Garcia Italian 4 Finger Black Leather Hard Cigar Case

Andre Garcia Italian Brown Leather Hard Cigar Case 15ct

7. Vanderburg Humidors Outback4 Leather Travel Humidor - This looks like a really nice case, except I can't help think of the Seinfeld episode with the "european carry-all". Its a "nurse" or "man purse" in my opinion and that has held me back from buying it.

Download Episode 16 Here

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Sponsors

Ocean State Cigars

"Welcome to the Stogie Geeks Show!" "This is episode 15 of Stogie Geeks, where the cigars sometimes burn as crooked as the local politicians and the bourbon flows steady… Joining me in the studio is Tim "I ride the short bus to pronunciation school" Mugherini! Mark, who is a big fan of the unbanded cigar, is also here, welcome Mark!.

Tonight Tim and Mark are smoking an unbanded cigar provided by myself. I am smoking an unbanded cigar from Stogie Santa, who could not be with us tonight. I will reveal to Tim and Mark what their cigar is at the end of the show, and Stogie Santa is going to text me the details of my cigar to be revealed at the end of the show.

Editors Note: We have reached a new milestone hear on the Stogie Geeks show. After episode 15 we had our first member vomit from excessive drinking. Congrats to Ben!

This week we are drinking

Ron Anejo Santiago de Cuba

Paul's List

• Hoyo de Monterrey Du Roi (cuban) - This smoke was outstanding. Granted it was 10 years old. Makes me want to buy a cab of 50 of these and sit on them for 10 years. Nice smooth, wood flavors, still had tons of flavor and was not aged out. This cigar was also equally as good from start to finish, where I burned my fingers off! Thanks to Bill from the Cigar Snapshot podcast for this gift!
• God of Fire Serie B Robusto - Nice toasty flavors on this smoke, poured smoked, but in the end it was no where close to being a $22.00 cigar. I'd pay maybe $10 for it.
• Padron 45th Anniversary - Still the benchmark high end smoke. The flavors just keep building throughout, getting better and better as the cigar progresses. But, there are not buts, get yourself one of these smokes and enjoy it with a nice cup of coffee. Tip: Dry box this smoke first before smoking it!
• CAO Sapranos Associate - I really love the flavors in this cigar, first 2/3 were really nice, almost a citrus sweetness. The finish wasn't bad, but wasn't good either.
• La Riqueza - When I lit this up the flavors just poured in my mouth, however, it was plugged and I pitched it. I need to re-visit.
• San Cristobol - I smoked one of these last summer, and it was totally amazing. I bought a bunch, and they are just not as good now. Flat, and not a lot of flavor.
• Benji Menendez Master Series - What a great smoke, sweet flavors, complexity, balance, spice, this cigar has a lot going for it. Its cameroon wrapper will surely please. It should be noted this is the original release, the re-release in a toro size is just as good. Aging will be kind to these smokes as well, so seek them out.

Tim's List

• Kristoff Criollo Madador - I did some grilling with the company of this 6.5 x 56 Toro from Kristoff. This stick performed well with a free flowing draw and a ton of smoke. The flavor profile didn't change up much but it was enjoyable. Something I would certainly smoke again in a similar situation. "The Angler"
• Bolivar Petite Corona - This three year old Cuban was gifted to me by Paul. My first Bolivar actually. Perfect construction and a smooth earthy profile made this 5 x 42 stick a pleasure to smoke. I am typically not a fan of "earthy" but this stick pulls it off in a not "in your face" manner that it is completely enjoyable. "Box Worthy"
• Arturo Fuente Short Story - A great way to start my Easter morning. A refreshing classic from AF IMHO. I always keep a fiver around.
• Camacho Liberty 2010 - Paul gifted me this Camacho Liberty 2010 that had a fair amount of plume on it. I had tried the 2009 but felt it didn't quite meet my expectations for such a high price tag. The 2010, however, was a different story. Smooth and complex, I really enjoyed the cedar sweetness on the last third. Besdies the Camacho 11/18 is still a favorite vitola of mine. "Box Worthy"
• Paul Garmirian Reserva Exclusiva Gran Panatela - A fantastic smoke I enjoyed at lunch this week. Thank you Paul and Stogie Santa for gifting me this. This stick measures in at 7 1/2 x 40 and was just as toasty and complex as the Corona I reviewed a while back here. I wish I had more. "The Oasis"
• Diamond Crown Julius Caesar Robusto - Well constructed with a beautiful wrapper. The flavor profile was very earthy with some woodsy notes and an occasional sweeteness. Not bad but not great.
• Padron 2000 Natural - With a MSRP around $4.00, the Padron 2000 in either the Natural and Maduro is probably one of the best price concious Nicuraguan Puro's on the market. The natural offers up a profile of wood, hay, and coffee. A definite "fiver".

Stogie Tech: How To Find Aged Cigars

Some of the listeners I've been talking to were wondering how we find aged cigars. I also talk to many people in the local lounge asking the same question, usually when they ask what I am smoking and its something older than 5 years! Here are some tips:

• Get friendly with your local shop - Look, don't just walk into your local shop and ask, "Got anything with age on it?". Instead, try to start a relationship with them. Talk with them about cigars, about which ones you like, which brands they carry, etc… Then, have a list of cigars and brands that you like. Do your research, find out what may have been limited some time ago and prove your knowledge. When you start asking about rare or aged stuff in an intelligent manner, they may be more inclined to break out stuff that has been laying around. Also, don't be afraid to look around. Some good signs of age are yellow cellophane, plume, or boxes that lok old (e.g. Davidoff small white boxes that look like they have been dragged through the dirt). Stogie Santa and I would have lots of conversations about aged stuff, I'd ask for all kinds of crazy stuff that I read about online, and I scored some gems this way. From then on, he clued me in on several more vintage smokes.
• Look online - Online shops sometimes have a "vintage" section, and this goes for Cuban and non-Cuban smokes. It will typically be buried on the site, but you can find some neat stuff if you look hard enough. With Cubans, feel free to email and find the box dates (all Cubans have a date on the box, for the most part). The other thing is to note when a limited release was produced, and search for that limited release. You will be surprised with what you find.
• Trade with friends - Again, its about telling people what you like. Talk to your friends, tell them you've always wanted to try a specific cigar. Or that you had an aged cigar you really liked, they may be willing to trade with you.
• Online Forums - I will let Tim and Mark handle most of this one, but often you can find aged cigars by buying and trading in the forums.

Diversion of the Week

Stogie Fresh: Why are Cuban cigars so Expensive?

David "Doc" Diaz two part post outlining the historical, social, political, and financial reasons affecting the cost of Cuban's can be found here; part 1 and part 2. A very education and interesting read.

Stogie of the Week

Gurkha Black Dragon Imperial Presidente

Origin: Honduras

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Binder: Cameroon

Filler: Dominican

Strength: Medium

Vitola: Presidente

Size: 7 x 56

Age: 1 Year in the humidor

MSRP: $288.00 box of 20, $14,40 each. Paid $5.00 ($46.00 for 10 on cigarbid.com)

Paul was smoking an Ashton VSG Double Corona with 2 years of age.

Download Episode 15 Here

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Sponsors

Ocean State Cigars

Stogie of the Week

J. Grotto Series Reserva Gran Corona

Origin: Raices Cubanas Factory in Honduras

Wrapper: Honduran Criollo '98

Binder: Honduran Criollo '98

Filler: Honduran & Nicaragua Ligero

Strength: Medium/Full

Vitola: Gran Corona

Size: 5 5/8 x 46

Age: N/A

MSRP: $7.75

This week we are drinking

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 Year

Paul's List

• Montecristo #2 - This one had 3 years of age on it, and was outstanding. Great balance of flavors, wood, earth, sublet spice.
• Liga Privada Dirty Rat - This was an excellent smoke, loved the flavors coming off this stick, smooth, balanced. However, not worth the $11 price tag.
• My Father Federal Cigars 91st (Broadleaf) - Some good toasty flavors up front, but then it did nothing for me the rest of the way. Did not enjoy this one unfortunately, could just be my pallet.
• La Aurora Cien Anos Preferido - This smoke was awesome. The change up in flavors as this thing smoked was so great, loved it.
• Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 (Broadleaf) - Love this smoke, awesome Tatuaje classic flavors, this one is going to age extremely well.
• CAIN F Daytona - What a great smoke! Came in that sampler box, and produced excellent flavors, somewhat sweet, hints of wood.
• Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 (Sumatra) - Great stick, however, this one had TOO LOOSE of a draw. I think the flavors suffered some as a result, can't wait to try more.
• Jamie Garcia Connecticut - Was not a fan, lots of pepper, and other flavors that just really never came together for me.
• Liga Privada #9 - Again, this one started out AMAZING, then got weird, and "fizzled out".
• Opus X Shark (2009) - This stick started out AMAZING, then was just meh.
• Padron 1964 Anniversary - Great cocao-like deep flavors. Stronger than I remember, smoked this one right before I went to Magic Kingdom, and was a little sick from it. Then went on the tea cups, not recommended.
• CAO Sapranos (Soldier) - Great smoke, nice flavors, by far my favorite from CAO. Thanks Jeff!
• My Father Federal Cigars 91st - I had high hopes for this, but had huge construction issues. The flavors were good, but uncharacteristic construction problem for this brand did not allow me to give it a fair review.
• Ashton VSG Eclipse - I absolutely love this smoke. The box I have is a bit young, needs time. I smoked one from the new box, and gave one to a friend. We both seemed to agree its a bit unbalanced and needs time to age. Can't wait til' these are covered in plume!
• Davidoff Colorado Claro Special T (2012) - Nice flavors, a tad grassy, very smooth. Needs more time to live up to the ones from 2008, but very happy with my box (10 count) purchase.
• Partagas Serie P Torpedo - This one was good, but lacked some of the flavors you find in lots of other Partagas smokes. I would say try one or two and see what you think.
• Viaje Skull & Bones Mystery ? - This was a fantastic smoke, I wish I had more. Box worthy for sure!
• La Flor Dominicana Factory Press II - These were OUTSTANDING a couple of years ago. I had one covered in plume. This one was good, but lost flavor, big time. If you have these, smoke em'.
• Tatuaje Cojonu 2003http://www.stogiegeeks.com/stogies/2012/4/6/tatuaje-cojonu-2003.html - Still my favorite from the Cojonu size, though I think this one had some construction issues.
• Padron 1926 #1 - One word: YUM.

Tim's List

• Viaje Friends and Family - Beautiful cigar that offered a rich and earthy flavor profile that was extremely balanced. Flavors included espresso, dark chocolate, leather, and pepper. I would love to have tried more than one but considering many shops only received a single fifteen count box, I consider myself lucky to have received this one as a gift.
• Room 101 One Shot One Kill (OSOK) Filero.html - Interesting flavor profile of earth, leather, wood, and an occasional floral note. Full flavored but medium/full in strength. Construction was perfect. When I revisit, it will be after dinner with a bourbon.
• Viaje WLP Winter Classic - This stick was a pleasure to smoke and I think it went unnoticed by many since it was released at the same time as the Viaje Super Shot. Medium in body and strength, it offered a nice balance of mocha, pepper, and malt. It didn't change up for me much but found it enjoyable and satisfying after lunch. A definite "Fiver" or two.
• Montecristo Petit Edmundo - Box date on these is April 2011. After a few weeks of rest I decided to see how they were burning at lunch this week. Good burn and draw. Nice wood core but I found the flavors slightly harsh and unbalanced compared to the Grand Edmundo we smoked on the show a few months back. I think another year will do these good. Now to be patient!
• Olivares Aging Room M356 Rondo - Nice smoke! Dominican puro with a nice balance of cedar and spice and some sweetness on the finish. Great construction and burn. I would certainly recommend a "Fiver" to check it out.
• EP Carillo New Wave CT Short Run Exquisitos - What a great stick! These just landed and I have to say the addition of the Broadleaf as the binder adds just the right amount of spice to the already creamy, nutty profile. A 4 7/8 x 50 Robusto, it is the perfect size for an early Am or lunch time smoke. "Box Worthy"
• Viaje Super Shot 12 Gauge - Andre hit it out of the park with this release! Two weeks ago I smoked the Viaje Super Shot 10 Gauge and was blown away by that stick. So when Stogie Santa texted that the 12 Gauge had arrived, I immediately had him send me some. This little 3.5 x 52 shot gun shell is rich in flavor including; earth, espresso, dark chocolate, leather, and red pepper. The flavor profile is full as is the strength. "Box Worthy" if you can find any left.
• Viaje WLP Candela 2012 - The 2012 release has a bright green wrapper and is a slightly larger (5 x 52). Much like the 2011, the wrapper is razor thin and I did have some cracking occur. Regardless, this stick performed well and offered up some great flavor on Saint Patrick's day. Medium in body and strength. The wrapper offered some nice grassy undertones but did not overpower the cigar. Worth a try when you want something different.
• Le Hoyo du Roi - Gifted to me by Bill Berris of The Cigar Snapshot, this twelve year old Corona from the land of forbidden fruit had superb balance and smoothness. It was the perfect way to end the weekend. Nub'd it! "Box Worthy" or maybe I should say "Cab Worthy".
• Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Connecticut Shade New England Exclusive - Thus far these has been shipped to about fifteen shops in the New England area. Available in four sizes, I smoked both the Short Robusto and Belicoso. It had a nice balance of almonds and graham crackers with a faint sweetness and an occasional appearance of mild pepper. Burn and draw were perfect. It is a great medium bodied smoke which was the perfect size and strength to enjoy at lunch or after breakfast. Well balanced and smooth but flavorful and satisfying. "Box Worthy".
• CroMagnon Anthropology - One of the cigars included was a CroMagnon Anthropology from RoMa Craft Tobac. This Grand Corona was well constructed and burned perfectly. Great draw, lots of smoke, and some good dark flavors while never becoming harsh. A solid medium/full in strength, I will be looking to grab a "Fiver" or two of these to enjoy again.
• Tatuaje Cojuno 2012 - Great performance and great flavor. Typical Pete Johnson flavors. I did enjoy this more than the Sumatra. "Box Worthy"

Stogie Tech: Cigar Smoking Tips for the Traveler

I spent more time on the road in March than I did at home. This is a rare thing for me, but it worked out that I had three events to do this month. I learned a lot about smoking when traveling:

Bring Cigars - Always bring your own cigars! Sometimes I bring too many, sometimes not enough. Wait, there is no such thing as too many! I used the hard case traveling cases with Boveda packs. Never put cigars in your checked luggage, always take them with you on the plane (gets too cold in the luggage). Cigars in tubes and cellophane travel extremely well.

Bring Matches and Cheap Cutters - I always put matches in my bag along with a cheap cutter. Matches are a-okay with TSA. Cutters have mixed success. Rarely do they question it, however once this month they pulled it from my bag and looked at, then sent me on my way (with my cutter). I never bring an expensive one, just in case.

NEVER Pack a Torch lighterr

- I've been toying with bringing a Bic lighter with a soft flame. Anything that is a torch will be taken by TSA, even if you check it. Xicar makes one with a soft flame, but TSA will inspect it almost every time, which is annoying.

Find a local place - I always try to find a local cigar shop, look around, meet people, and find smokes that you may never find anywhere else! Also, don't buy cigars from the hotel, Marriott wanted $50 for a Padron!

Share your cigars - When I go to teach there is always at least one person who loves cigars. Its a great way to meet people and make friends, so invite people to smoke cigars. Some hotels are better than others. Marriott in downtown Charlotte NC has a lounge, most other places let you smoke outside, in Orlando we could smoke on the balcony, so you never know.

Stogie Tech: Keeping a Digital Cigar Journal

Why Keep a Cigar Journal?

I first started keeping a cigar journal because I wanted to track what smoked I had tried and enjoyed. I quickly learned, however, of some trends in the origin and types of tobacco I preferred in different situations. It also helped me gain experience in detecting different flavors and aromas that different blends had to offer. I would often find myself referring back to notes on a specific flavor or aroma I detected in the past to compare the origin or type of tobacco used.

Types of Digital Journals

I have come across a lot of excel sheets and apps but most of them didn't seem to offer the flexibility I wanted or just seemed clunky. Initially I began using TiddlyWiki, which is a small Wiki contained in a single JavaScript enabled HTML file. It was easy and flexible but I couldn't access it from my iPhone or remotely on the web. Also, I wanted to ability to tag notes such as "favorite" or "wish list" and share them with family and friends, particularly around the holidays.

What is Evernote?

Evernote is a note taking application. According to the Evernote website:

Evernote makes it easy to remember things big and small from your everyday life using your computer, phone, tablet and the web.

Features:

• Cross Platform - Windows, OS X, Blackberry, iOS, Android, and Web
• Sync - All platforms synchronize via Evernote's web servers.
• Flexibility - You can create text notes, audio notes, video notes, or free hand "ink" notes. Moreover, you can attach files to your notes (i.e. pictures).
• Finding Notes - You can group notes, tag notes, link notes, and have full search ability of your notes.
• Sharing - Last, but not least, you can make notes public and share them with the world or just a group of people of your choosing.

Free Verse Premium:

Evernote is free but does have some limitations. I did not have any issues using the free version but for $4.99 a month you can purchase the premium version if so you choose. The most compelling reason to spend the five dollars is the 60 MB limit a month on uploads. I came nowhere close to hitting this limit but I kept my attachments (pictures) small. The premium version bumps you up to 1 GB.

My Journal

I tried to keep it simple. I document wrapper, binder, filler, vitola, size, and age along with some of my thoughts on the smoke. I chose four tags to start; favorite, collection, limited, and wish list. If the opportunity presents itself I include a picture. As an example, I shared a dozen or so from my journal here.

Tip: The one tip I have is to create a note as a template. There is no template functionality in Evernote yet, but you can use a blank template note and copy it to save some time typing each time you add a new smoke.

Diversion of the Week

Posted on BOTL.ORG: "Cuba Trip - Lessons Learned"

A fascinating post by BOTL member Jim on his recent trip to Cuba with his Dad. Packed full of useful tips for anyone considering such a Pilgrimage. Interesting to anyone who enjoys cigars and the culture associated with them.

Download Episode 14 Here

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Stogie of the Week

Quesada Q D'etat Molotov

Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Dominican Republic

Binder: Dominican Republic

Filler: Dominican Republic

Strength: Medium/Full

Vitola: Perfecto

Size: 5 x 58

Age: N/A

MSRP: $7.95

This sexy looking perfecto is the first of three limited vitola's that is intended to help raise awareness of the dangers of government regulation of premium cigars. Every box ships with a Cigar Rights of America registration form.

This week we are drinking

Suntory Yamazaki 18 year old Japanese Single Malt Whiskey

Paul's List

• Por Larranaga Monte Carlo - I re-visited this smoke as it was from a box purchase late last year. These are dated somewhere in 2011. This second one I smoked from the box was plugged, so I grabbed another which had a much better draw. The first third was awesome, a little cedar and hints of citrus/spice. The rest was sorta the same thing, and I got a little bored towards the end.
• San Cristobal de la Habana (2005) - This was my last one from 2005, and man was it good. All sorts of subtle sweet flavors that don't overwhelm your pallet, but compliment your drink and meal. Smokes so smooth and tasty. Interesting, I like the 2011 versions of this stick equally as much, just a different flavor profile. Its one of those sticks that just smokes different, not necessarily better and not worse, regardless of age. Its just different. Great smoking experience.
• Quesada Espana Robusto - I smoked this one after a nice Italian meal (Gnocchi, yum) while walking the streets of downtown San Francisco. It did the job, though I wish I could have sat in a lounge somewhere with a nice cocktail and smoked it. However, great sweet flavors shined through this cigar. It made me forget some of the "non-highlights" of my trip and focus on the positive. Sometimes all you need is a good cigar to remind you that, well, life is good.
• Arturo Fuente Hemmingway Best Seller Maduro - So I was talking about these on the last show and low and behold my good friend Jeff sent me some! I need to send Jeff back some nice cigars (expect something in the mail this coming week Jeff!). This is a 4 1/2 x 52 smoke, and I am assuming they are wrapped in a Connecticutt Broadleaf wrapper. Nice smooth flavors, great burn and construction. Not as good as a Short Story, but right up there if you are looking for something with a little more "cigar" than the short story, but not a cigar journey that goes along with an untold story or masterpiece. I find it better than the classic and signature maduros, though I ned to revisit. I'm not sure if its inconsistency in the blend, but every now and again I get a maduro wrapped hemming way that is bland and blah. This was not the case though, its an awesome smoke with a cocoa finish to die for that is box worthy.

Tim's List

• La Gloria Cubana Reserva Figurados Flechas Especiales Maduro - This sexy perfecto had lots of rich, dark flavors including licorice, leather, and hickory. A slightly tight draw stopped it from becoming "Box Worthy" but enjoyable and worth a revisit.
• La Aurora Preferido Ruby - A+ construction and some good flavors but I found it lacked the complexity I would expect out of a cigar that retails for about $18.00 USD. Worth picking up at less than MSRP which can be done easily.
• Quesada Espania Robusto & Corona - Both Vitola's are great sticks. Robusto had a bit more strength so I would lean towards that later in the day, whereas the Corona was enjoyable in the AM with a cup of coffee. "Box Worthy"
• Viaje Super Shot 10 Gauge - A 3.5 x 54 nub with a lot of flavor and strength! Flavors including earth, leather, espresso, and pepper but boy did I get a nicotine buzz. I think Ben from NTA is correct, these have huge aging potential. a definite "Fiver" or two.

Upcoming 2012 Releases

We got a note from listener Sean requesting we talk about more upcoming releases. Since the Spring 2012 cigars have started to appear, what is everyone looking forward to?

• Viaje Friends and Family - Just released in very limited numbers. Many retailers only received one box of fifteen cigars. Not much is know about the blend but I can say it smells incredible. HalfWheel has a great review posted already and gave it a 92.
• Tatuaje Cojonu 2012 - This release will feature three different wrappers; Connecticut Broadleaf, Ecuador Sumatra, and Habano Ecuado. The Stogie Review has a nice overview of all three pre-releases here. All three of these sticks are expected to be available the end of this month.
• Avo Limited Edition 2012 86th Anniversary La Trompeta - The AVO 85th made it to both of our Top Ten of 2011 lists, with it coming in at number one on mine. I cannot wait to see how this release is smoking. The Cigar Coop has more information on the name and blend here. As in previous years, these will be available on Avo Uvezian's birthday which is March 22nd of this year.
• Tatuaje Little Monsters - Pete, I am not worthy! Tatuaje is going to re-release al previous Monster Series in smaller vitola's? I think I need a tissue and it's not because I am crying! HalfWheel posted details this week on the sizes of each vitola and pricing of 10 count sampler here. These are expecting to land in June 2012 so keep an eye out!

The most comprehensive list new releases I know of is on HalfWheel. While not always up to date, it is a great resource I often use when planning on where I intend to spend my cigar budget in the upcoming months. Thanks for emailing the suggestion Sean!

Stogie Tech Segment: Five Tips for Purchasing Cigars Online

1. Avoid Sample Packs (Unless…) - Sample packs typically contain anywhere from 5 to 20 cigars and are priced at a steep discount from MSRP. Here's the first lesson about MSRP, its just that, a suggested price. Typically sticks sold online, especially ones sold exclusively online, are sold for much less than MSRP. So, when you do your math, add up the prices that you would pay if you bought each stick online at the going rate, not MSRP, then see if you are getting a deal. Also, make sure that you like ALL the cigars in the sample pack. Typically retailers will include some cigars that are okay or good, and some they are just trying to get rid of because they are sub-par. On a positive note, I love line samplers. These will consist of typically 5 cigars of the same brand and line, of 5 different sizes, so you can choose which one you like best.
2. Shipping Should Be Free - Most major online retailers will offer free shipping. Sign up for their newsletter and check their sites often. Use caution though as they will limit it to select brands. For example, Davidoff almost never qualifies you for frees shipping. Famous Smoke and Cigars International almost always have a list of brands that ship for free. The other way to get free shipping is to buy one of their daily deals (see note below). At the time of this writing, Cigar.com is offering free shipping on all orders over $125, Famous Smoke is offering free shipping on over 100 brands, and Cigars International is offering free shipping with a purchase of the daily Joe Cigar deal.
• How "Daily Deals" Work - All three major sites (and possibly others) offer a daily deal. Here's how it works: For a limited time a deal goes up on the web site for a reduced price sampler or typically 10 pack of cigars. That deal stays up until a select quantity are sold, then it changes to the next deal. When you buy this deal most retailers offer you free shipping. So, you can monitor these sites and wait for your favorite sticks to come up. You can also pad your cart with something you want to buy, then buy the daily deal, and enjoy free shipping. Check out Joe's Jambalaya (Cigars International), Cigar Monster (Famous Smoke), and Cigar Sprint Sale (Cigars.com).
3. Hunt For Rare & Limited - While you can find most major brands online and pick up deals here and there, online cigar shopping is also useful to find those rare and hard to find smokes. The thing is, you have to most fast. Typically online retailers will get shipments of different rare and limited smokes, and then after taking care of their buddies, put the rest online. They sell out fast, so I typically try to check a list of sites each week for hard to find stuff. My favorite used to be fullerspullers.com, but they are no longer selling cigars on the Internet. Recently I picked up some from Smoke Inn (Davidoff Colorado Claro) and some rare opus from Corona Cigar.
4. It's Not Always A Bargain - I read most of the flyers that come from the major retailers, just to keep up on what is being offered, and maybe jump on a deal or two. Famous Smoke, Cigars International, and Thompson all send me catalogs on a regular basis, and well, lets face it, it makes great bathroom reading. However, I see so many smokes at all different prices. Th kicker is from the highest quality Davidoff to the sub-$1.00 deals, they all have an equally fabulous description, saying how great the flavors are and what an outstanding smoke it is. So, I gotta wonder, 1) who writes this crap 2) Who smokes all this and writes about it 3) How the heck can you sell a cigar for a $1 or less that may be a bundle but also has a band?
5. If Its Probably Too Good To Be True - I want to throw out some things to think about. First, lets talk ends. There always seems to be an endless supply of "2nds" on the market. I don't think these are seconds, I think these are slightly different tobacco produced on a regular basis and sold to online retailers to fool you into buying something that will most likely suck. Sometimes smokes will come up as super cheap, or have this fabulous write-up, but are they really that good? Rather than spending your time buying cigars online (singles are not always easy to purchase and often don't ship free), visit your local B&M instead. Ask them if they are closing anything out or have any upcoming sales. Then buy singles of the stuff on sale, and smoke them. Then go back and stock up on the ones you like. This is where a local B&M shines over online retailers.

Diversion of the Week

Nada's (aka CigarGirlFL) cool Facebook album post.

Tabacalera Perdomo Esteli, Nicaragua Tour Album

Download Episode 13 Here

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Stogie of the Week

Ramon Allones Specially Selected

Origin: Cuba

Wrapper: Cuban

Binder: Cuban

Filler: Cuban

Strength: Medium

Vitola: Robusto

Size: 4.8 (124 m) x 50

Age: N/A

MSRP: About $155.00 for a box of 25

Paul's List

• PG Symphony 20 Salamone - Knock out of them the park flavors. Cedar, earth, very cuban like. Perfect draw and great balance of flavors. They have mellowed a bit. "Box Worthy"
• Partagas Lucitania - Plugged. I finally gave up and smoked a PG Symphony 20.
• Jamie Garcia Limitada 2011 - Started slow, but once it got going it was great. Think these might need some more age. Great construction. "The Fiver"
• Illusione 888 Candela - Enjoyable! Has some kick with those subtle herbal flavors. Medium/Full bodied. One of the best balanced Candela's I have had. "The Fiver".
• Quesada Espania Corona - Plugged. Disappointing. Will definetly be revisting.
• Bolivar Petit Corona - Awesome! Flavors very different. Had a bit more of punch for a Cuban. Earthy and definitely a "fiver"
• Bolivar Belicoso Finos - Didnt like the first stick I smoked. Second rocked my world. Draw was awesome. Versatile smoke for anytime of the day.
• Opus X Chili Pepper - Unqiue format (It is shaped like a chilli pepper). Started off with blast of pepper and strength. Good but extremely strong.
• Cusano Lancero - Gifted by stogie santa as an unbanded. Pig Tailed cap lancero , it unravled so couldnt make it all the way through it. Need to revisit.
• Davidoff Aniversario No. 1 - Hint of grass, very smooth, well aged. Fantastic "The Fiver" Very different flavor profile.
• Arturo Fuente Untold Story - Underwelmed. I remember these being better.
• Four Kicks Robusto - Solid medium bodies, caramel sweetness. Good summer time smoke. A definite "fiver". Good grilling smoke, strong enough but not too strong.
• Litto Gomez Small Batch #4 - Good but needs some age.

Tim's List

• Rocky Patel Decade Lonsdale (2008) - This Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapped beauty offered up some rich flavors including cherry, leather, and some pepper. Construction was perfect but I found the flavor profile a bit boring. Or maybe it was just the drunk homeless man that kept insisting Al looked like Whitey Bulger (he doesn't really). In the end, this stick was good but didn't change up much. "The Angler"
• Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 Machito (2004) - I wanted to pair something with a glass of Benjamin Prichard's Rye Whiskey I had just poured. That meant something that was a quick smoke but with a full flavor profile. I grabbed an original release of the Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 Machito that Stogie Santa had gifted me. This Petit Corona was probably the best smoke I had all weekend. Wow! I forgot how good the Antano is and the age only added to the experience. In conclusion, it paired perfectly with the Whiskey. "Box Worthy"
• El Triunfador Lancero Limited - Big Al had gifted me this beautiful 7 1/2 x 38 lancero. This Nicaraguan puro sports a triple cap with pig tail and unlike the regular line of El Triunfador, a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. This stick started medium in strength and body and went great with my AM coffee. Flavors were rich and included espresso, cedar, and some spice. The strength and body picked up a bit as it progressed. Construction, burn, and draw were perfect in every sense. A definite "Fiver"!
• LFD El Jocko No. 1 Maduro - Available in either an Ecuadorian Connecticut or Mexican Maduro wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder and Dominican Piloto Cubano filler, this blend has been around for more than a decade. With it's LFD sweetness (Ligero maybe?) and A+ construction, I enjoyed it a great deal after a good meal. A definite "Fiver".
• La Aroma de Cuba EE No. 2 - The a Aroma de Cuba EE No. 2 is a 5 x 50 Robusto that sports a Ecuadorian wrapper and pairs perfectly with a morning cup of coffee. It is also versatile and flavorful enough to smoke anytime of the day. Made by Ashton, these always burn and draw perfectly. The only negative thing about smoking this cigar is it was my last one. I will need to pick up some more of these ASAP. "Box Worthy"
• My Father Le Bijou 1922 Federal Cigar 91st Cervantes Connecticut - The My Father Le Bijou 1922 Cervantes is an exclusive release for Federal Cigars in New Hampshire which is celebrating their 91st Anniversary this year. This 6.5 x 42 Lonsdale is available in either a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro and a Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper. In this case, I smoked the CT in which only 50 boxes of 23 cigars were made and available for in store purchase only. Wow! Began with a blast of intense pepper and then quickly transitioned into a nice balance of roasted nuts and butterscotch with a nice buttery finish. The second third became more toasty with cedar and some spice and the last third amped up in body with the pepper returning. Hands down the best smoke I had all week. "Box Worthy" assuming they have any left.
• La Aroma de Cuba Robusto - Good smoke but I am more partial to the EE and Mi Amore. I have had this blend in the lancero however which really shines.

Download Episode 12 Here

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Stogie of the Week La Flor Dominicana Double Claro #50

Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Ecuadorian

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Dominican

Strength: Medium

Vitola: Robusto

Size: 5 x 50

Age: Medium

MSRP: $6.86

Released in 25 count boxes and will be regular production. Current release are available in three sizes; No. 50 (5 x 50), No. 42 (42 x 5 1/2), and No. 48 (48 x 6 7/8).

This week we are drinking

Paul's List

• La Aurora Cameroon -
• Ashton VSG -
• Cabiguan Guapos -
• Davidoss Millenium Lancero -

• LFD Lancero -

Tim's List

• NHC Seleccion Limitada Reserva by Tatuaje - I had mentioned during Episode 11 that I had smoked this stick during the pre-game but I didn't talk much about it. This 6.75 x 42 Nicaraguan puro is wrapped in Broadleaf and is sold exclusively by New Havana Cigars. This cigar began with a balanced mix of coffee, cocoa, and leather with the addition of some dark chocolate on the second half. Construction was perfect, the price reasonable, and I really think the vitola works for this blend. A definite "Fiver".
• Camacho Diploma Series Robusto - A full flavored stick with lots of leather, pepper, and wood. Decent burn, good draw. I would smoke it while working around the yard or with a peaty scotch. "The Angler"
• Oliva Serie V No. 4 - I loved this vitola! The larger sizes of the Oliva Serie V are great but this corona was a nice variation of the blend. Smooth with lots of pepper, some floral notes, and a nice Ligero sweetness. The burn was razor sharp, draw perfect, and the ash so firm, it actually stayed intact when it hit my deck. Might have to order two "Fivers".
• Gran Habano STK Zulu Zulu - A limited production stick (2000 boxes) has a Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper with that unmistakable scent and flavor. A portion of the sales goes to benefit Invisible Children. An organization that looks to end the use of children as soldiers in central Africa. A word of warning don't let this CT wrapped beauty fool you, it has some kick on the last third.
• Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Sungrown - Pepper, cedar, and nuts with a nice subtle raisin sweetness and a toasty finish. Such a unique flavor profile with Arturo Fuente quality in construction. "Box Worthy"
• La Aurora Prefereido's Emerald Tubo - Great smoke but I can not tell the difference between the tubo and the regular Perfecto. Both are create Cameroon Wrappers. "Box Worthy"

Stogie Tech: Cutters

Jim V. emailed the following question;

So I started listening to your podcast and was wondering of you all

had a recommendation on a nice cutter. I was looking at either the

Xikar XI1 or the Xikar XI3. Is one of those better then the other or

is there another one you all would recommend? - Jim

One of the most overlooked features of a cutter is design. It has to be easy to hold and comfortable to use. Xikar is one company that does a very good job at designing their products so they feel natural while being used.

Let's first begin by looking at the types if cutters available and the benefits of each.

Straight Cutter

The most common and versatile cutter is the Guillotine or straight cutter. It is also the first one to buy if you are in the market for your first cutter. Not all straight cuts are the same, however. Blade sharpness, construction, design, and price need to be considered. These cutters have either one or two blades cut the cigar in a linear fashion. Generally speaking a double bladed guillotine will give you a cleaner cut.

Xikar makes a great quality product and is guaranteed for life. One brand that stands out, however, Palio. Palio cutters tend to be more on the expensive side but are some of the best cutters for the money in our opinion.

It should be noted that sometimes it is worth having less expensive cutter. For example, if you are traveling. It might not last a long time but you wan't mind losing it either.

Scissors

Xikar makes a great pair of cigar scissors called the MTX Multi-Tool Scissors. Versatiile and they fold up small which makes them easy to carry. They are great for cleaning cleaning up a cut.

V-Cutter

The V-Cut is a wedge shaped cut into the cap of the cigar. They tend to be bulky and thick but provide a great clean cut for certain vitolas or if find yourself with a cigar hanging from your mouth a lot while fishing.

Hole Punch

Small and can be carried anywhere but can be difficult to use and is not as versatile as other cutters. Hole punches generaly have a circular blade that penetrates the cap of the cigar and by twisting you can create a small hole. A good hole punch will remove tobacco and not compress or push it in. Works well with some vitola's. Xikar make a decent one for the money.

Download Episode 11 Here (mp3)

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Stogie of the Week: Original Release Opus X Double Corona (Click here for more pictures)

"When you die, someone else is going to smoke your cigars…"

The cello gets very yellow, I've even heard of fakes going around, and people dying the cello.

Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Opus X rosado

Binder: Opus X rosado

Filler: Opus X rosado

Strength: FULL

Vitola: Double Corona

Size: Double Corona

Age: 1995

MSRP: $14.50-$16.00 (Original releases now go for between $40.00 (which is what I paid) and $80.00+)

Background Information

Here is some more information about this stick from www.vitolas.net:

Ecuadorian Rosado seed planted in 1992 ("seeds of hope") yielded the first Dominican puro when the Fuente Fuente Opus X cigars debuted for sale in late 1995, and more widely in 1996. The original name for these cigars was "Project X from Planet 9" which is what they were known as inside of Fuente before the name "Opus X" had been decided upon.They were not sold west of the Mississippi river until the late 1990's.

All Opus X cigars use 100% Dominican tobacco that is cured in rum barrels for a few months before being rolled into cigars.The cigars are then aged for a year or so before they are color sorted, boxed, and shipped to customers.Even prior to rolling, the tobacco is aged: current 2006 production Opus (which will be on sale in 2007) are made up of tobacco predominantly from the 1999 crop. ...an Opus X cigar is a blend of 5 distinct types of tobacco rolled together.

The original cigars had no gold lettering on the cellophane, and came in slide-top boxes that were eventually discontinued due to warping issues with the box top. The last Slide Lid Box (SLB) Opus were sold in 1997. Opus X's of this age typically have a rather yellowed cello, and only 7 sizes were sold in the original slide lid boxes.

Some great pictures of original release Opus X

More information from Gartrader

This week we are drinking

Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Maple Wood Finish

Paul's List

1. Diplomaticos No. 2 - Not so cuban flavors, just okay, fiver to just try them
2. Litto Gomez Chisel (2009) - Awesome spice and nutty flavors, split a box with a friend
3. Quesada Espana Short Robusto - Sweetness! Box worthy
4. EP Carrillo 2010 Limitada - Spice balanced with sweetness, box worthy
5. Opus X BBMF Maduro 2009 - Barnyard, hint of cherry sweetness dominated first two thirds, final third kicked my ass. Crawl across desert!
6. Ashton VSG Robusto - You'd think this would be a strong stick, its not. Its full of flavor, but does not have a nicotine kick to it. Very smooth, though this one was a bit young.
7. Hoyo de Monterrey Churchills (REC AGO 01) - Smooth, full of flavor, I get compliments on the room aroma when smoking in mixed company. However, 2000-2001 were rough years, and this stick either ends up being plugged or under filled with holes. Paid $12 for them last year.
8. Joya de Nicaragua Antano Machito (Petit Corona) - Nice coffee and cocoa flavors, full body, full flavored, even being that this one was at least 5 years old from the original release.
9. San Cristobal de la Habana La Fuerza (2005) - Not as good as the La Punta, this one had a tight draw and I made it through most of it, but the flavors were not as good as the La Punta.
10. H. Upmann Magnum 50 2005 LE - One word, plugged. This is the second one I've had from this batch that was plugged. The flavors seem like they would be awesome too. However, when its plugged I think I know where Tim gets the word "vegetal" from, because it just doesn't taste right.
11. H Upmann (Cuba) - Corona sized cigar, had good flavors, typical hints of earthy, room aroma smelled like a cross between cat piss and a very dirty old ashtray.

Tim's List

1. Cuesta-Ray Cabinet Collection No. 47 CT - This aged Connecticut began with some hay, nuttiness, and an occasion sweetness I could not place. Smooth and balanced with a medium finish this stick went well with my cup of coffee. Construction was an A+. In the end, this smoke left me satisfied and relaxed. What more can you ask for? "The Fiver".
2. Emilio Grimalkin Robusto - This stick had me completely turned around with it's complexity but some draw issues really prevented me from fully enjoying this smoke. The draw opened up a bit on the second third and some leather came to the forefront, but my palate was shut down again by a tight draw. Need to revisit.
3. San Cristobal De La Habana La Punta - This cigar had a tempting, earthy, musky scent and beautiful milk chocolate colored wrapper. The initial draw opened with copious amounts of smoke and a wonderful balance of leather and cedar but as soon as this stick began to find it's rhythm, I began to experience some burn and draw issues. I battled the issues with three re-lights but by the mid point, I chucked it, frustrated and disappointed.
4. Ramon Allones Specially Selected (JUL 2011) - My oh my! These are smoking good right now. I reviewed the 2005 here and I can honestly say these 2011's are smoking just as good. I am going to have a hard time putting these away to age. Unless of course I buy another box, which may be a problem, considering Stogie Santa, Paul, and I cleaned out our supplier. "The Oasis"
5. Davidoff Colorado Claro Short Perfecto - I enjoyed one of these before work with a cup of coffee this week. Same great construction and flavor I talked about last month when I reviewed the Short Robusto but in a Short Perfecto. "Box Worthy" and you better believe I bought a box.
6. Arturo Fuente Magnum R 52 - This medium bodies stick had lots of cedar, some leather, and a toasty finish. It was smooth smooth smooth! This stick doesn't change up much but it is a great smoke and the price is right ($6.80). In the end I was left relaxed and satisfied, what more can you ask for? "The Fiver"

Stogie Tech Segment: Building A Wine Humidor - Part 3 - Humidification, Fans, and Maintenance

Humidifaction

This is obviously very important to your Wineador project! At this point you've gotten your fridge, cleaned it out, put in some shelves and/or drawers, run the unit to stabilize the temp, so now your ready to humidify this bad boy. Here are some options:

1. Humidification Beads - Its no secret, we're a huge fan of Heartfelt humidification beads. In fact, no matter which humidor you choose or own, use the beads. Beads absorb and release humidity. THey can be purchased in different levels, such as 69%, 70%, etc.. The choice is yours, but I prefer some at 65% and some at 70% for a nice balance. There is no magic about how many, because you can't put too many in the humidor. You can put too little, so make sure you get at least 1-2 lbs, depending on the size of your fridge. You can store them in pantyhose, tupperware with holes in it, or the bags available from heartfelt. I go with the heartfelt bags. You can also charge them with a siring, heartfelt sells them for like a $1, and just one squirt and you're good to go.
2. Gel - Gel is okay too, however it just releases humidity, so you may spike during the summer months. This is a nice option is you have some for the winter, throw in a puck of gel to keep more humidity in your humidor. However, you need the special polypropylene solution, which is pain and costs more than distilled water.
3. Cigar Oasis - I had an oasis or two in my time in my fridge. They tend to create a lot of moisture and you have to swap out the green foam cartridges. Its good because its active and will stop the fans if humidity reaches a certain level, but maintenance is required in addition to power.

Side note: You will want to plug your fridge into a UPS, making sure that power spikes or outages do not turn it off! Some fridges when they lose power will turn back on and set the temp to the LOWEST setting. This means humidity will drop. I'd hate to be on vacation and come home to cold, dry cigars. This is why beads are great too, as they don't need power :)

Fans

Moving air is important. If your fridge is not that full, the built-in fan is okay. There are several options for fans:

Articles on fans

This will require some power source, computer fans, and some wiring. So make sure you do this before you put your cigars in so that you can run wires.

You can buy kits too from the high end humidor companies:

• Aristocrat Humidors
• Avallo Humidors

These kits will include humidification and fans. Likely a bit overkill for your small humidor, so check the size requirements.

Oust fans work great (small fans that are intended for air fresheners).

They can be hard to find now, but typically kick on every minute or so and run for 3 minutes on a C or D cell battery.

Maintenance Check-List

• Use a quality hygrometer to check temp and humidity at all times
• Check regularly for condensation
• Make sure you keep it locked if your model has this feature
• Always make sure the temp is set to the highest setting
• Never use the light inside, it generates heat and light is generally bad
• Do not overfill it as it will be bad for your cigars
• Check the batteries in your humidification devices and UPS
• Re-charge your beads regularly

Download Episode 10 Here (mp3)

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Stogie of the Week

Oliva CAIN F Lancero

The above picture shows the original sampler box, which was purchased for the inflated price of $120.00 online. It contains 4 CAIN F Lanceros, 4 CAIN Daytona Lanceros, and a Culebra of CAIN.

The above picture shows the new CAIN F Lancero as it was released recently, featuring a shiny red tubo and retails for $6.00 a stick.

Origin: Nicaraguan

Wrapper: Nicaraguan

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Strength: Medium/Full

Vitola: Lancero

Size: 7 x 42

Age: N/A

MSRP: $6.00

Background Information

This cigar used to only be made available at events by Studio Tobac. If you are like me, you are probably asking yourself, "Self, WTF is Studio Tobac?". I found the answer:

Studio Tobac is the research and design group within The Oliva Family Of Cigars. Studio Tobac's goal is to provide excitement and innovation to premium cigar smokers worldwide.

Here is some more information about this stick:

The lancero will not be in regular production and therefore will not be for sale to the general public. The Cain F Lancero will only be available in The Limited Edition Studio Tobac Cigar Sampler. Expect to see The Cain F Lancero packaged in an aluminum tube, making it one of the only lanceros ever available in the "tubo" format. The Cain F Lancero, and the entire Studio Tobac Cigar Sampler, will be available as a "gift with purchase" at Studio Tobac World Tour events in 2011.

This week we are drinking

Paul's List

1. Punch Double Corona (2011) - This was a massive stick that burned very well and had great construction. Earth and cedar flavors that were very unbalanced and a bit young. However, you can puff away on this bad boy and it doesn't turn hot or harsh, great smoking experience, just needs some age. Fiver (though I bought a box).
2. Ramon Allones Specially Selected (2011) - What a nice burning and flavorful little smoke. This stick poured smoke, had outstanding flavors (earthy, hint of some other flavor like a butternut or carmel) and is priced at like $6 a stick. How can you go wrong?Box worthy.
3. San Cristobal de la Habana La Punta (2011) - Hands down my most favorite of the bunch. I smoked a few from 2005 and a few from 2011. All VERY good. Earthy with a hint of floral notes, almost reminded me of pipe smoke (Esp. the room aroma). I smoked one in the car the other day and it was very enjoyable. I don't think I will be able to sit on these for years… Buy two boxes, one to smoke, one to age. Crawl across desert for ones with age.
4. Bolivar Belicoso Finos (2011) - A much darker and deeper representation of the cuban blend. Flavors were great, a little spice, and okay construction. I have to smoke a few more of these to really get a feel for them, but I like them a lot. The box I got already had a year on it. Fiver (though a bought a box).
5. Montecristo Edmundo (2011) - We reviewed these on episode 4. Its a much lighter cuban stick, with very airy and smooth flavors. Not an in-your-face cedar and earthy festival, but just a nice smooth enjoyable smoke. Very smokable. Box worthy.
6. Paul Gamarian Gourmet Series Robusto - Excellent medium body smoke, one of my favorite little robustos that pour smoke, burn fast, and have great flavors. Great in the middle of the day or morning. Box worthy.
7. Paul Garmirian Reserva Exclusiva Gran Panatela - Deep rich flavors compliment a sublet spice and sweetness. Unbelievable clouds of smoked billowed from this cigar as I enjoyed it down to the nub. Crawl across the desert for this one folks!
8. Fuente King T Tubo - Harsh, sour tasting, tasted bad, no flavors. Lawn mulch.

Tim's List

1. La Flor Dominicana Reserva Especial Robusto - Holy pepper batman! The stick wasn't bad it just lacked some balance. By the second third the pepper settles down and some of the other flavors began to emmerge. The last third was where this cigar shined. The smoke ended with some cedar, nuts, and a nice toasty finish. "The Fiver"
2. Padilla Signature 1932 Robusto (2007) - I love everything about this stick. It's rich caramel color, the earthy/spicy scent of the wrapper, and the balance and complexity that is rare. Flavors of leather, earth, and cinnamon during the first third transition smoothy to coffee, cedar, and spice on the last third. The sweet creamy finish is unmatched! One caveat, I smoked my last one for this review! "The Oasis"
3. More Bait Fish! - It's friggin cold here and these are fanatastic. I may just have to change my review of this stick being a "Fiver" to "Box Worthy" because the fiver just not enough.
4. El Tiante Rosado Piramide - This cigar is the creation former Red Sox pitcher, Luis Tiant. A gift from friend and loyal podcast listner, Big Al! A woodiness with just the right amount of spice. Construction was a A+. Recommend checking out a couple of singles or a fiver in different sizes.
5. Tatuaje HCS Larga - Almost forgot I had this stick. After seeing a recent review by The Cigar Coop, I decided to go digging in my humidor and try it myself. Not a bad stick but not fantastic either. In the end worth a try. "The Fiver"
6. La Riqueza No. 4 - Back in December, I had reviewed the La Riqueza No. 1 by Pete Johnson & Pepin Garcia. I loved the flavor profile but had some issues with burn and draw. Consequently, I really wanted to try this blend in a different vitola and was able to pick up some of the No. 4 (Corona Gorda) from a fellow BOTL. Fantastic rich flavors and a nice finish. Lots of cocoa. Perfect burn. Look at that two inch ash! "Box Worthy"
7. La Gloria Cubana Serie R - A gift from you Paul. I believe this had a couple years of age on it. While this is not my typical flavor profile, I still enjoyed it. Lots of earth, hay, and leather but it was not in your face like some other smokes with similar profiles. A nice change of pace. I think the age provided some balance and smoothness. "The Angler"

Stogie Tech: Building A Wine Humidor - Part 2 - Preparation and Shelving

Once you've settled in on a refrigerator and it arrives at your house, first do a happy dance! Its an excited time, but before you go crazy be sure that you prepare it properly before putting humidification systems or cigars inside:

• Clean it thoroughly - I recommend that you remove all packaging and open up the fridge first. Follow all of the instructions carefully. For example, you will likely not be plugging it in for at least 24 hours to let it settle. In the mean time take a clean sponge, some distilled water, and either baking soda or vinegar and wipe it out. They tend to have a smell. After you wipe it down leave the baking soda in the fridge for at least 24 hours to soak up any remaining odors.
• Decide what to do with the drain plug - On all fridges there is a hole in the bottom that empties out into a tray. This is for condensation. You can plug this hole with silicone (do this then let it try, keeping the baking soda inside to absorb the smell, and before you put any shelves inside). You can also just put a piece of tape over the hole. You will also want to put some beads at the bottom to absorb any condensation that may happen.
• Remove the shelves - Once you can power on the device, do so and leave in the baking soda. Remove the wire shelves from the fridge. I recommend that you don't use any of the shelves, they are not made for cigars and really won't help you. They are tailored towards wine bottled, and will just eat up space.
• Buy or make shelves - After you've powered on your fridge, set the temp to the highest setting (typically 66). Now its time to either do some woodworking or buy some shelves. I bought some spanish cedar online for about $100, but you can order less ( I ordered too much). I just cut two pieces of shelving to size to make up one shelf and drilled some holes in them. You can also line the entire inside of the fridge with Spanish cedar if you like as well, which is a great option and will make for a great humidor. I'd also recommend covering up the glass door with Spanish cedar, as light is not your friend and should not enter your humidor. If you're going to buy shelves, consider the following two web sites:

  1) Wineadors.com

  2) Chasidor Humidors

  They list which models they make shelves and drawers for so you can choose the ones for your model, if available. They can also custom make shelves and/or drawers. Figure out what you want to store, boxes or singles. Typically you'd put in a couple of drawers for singles and some shelves for box storage. Another great idea is to use spanish cedar trays, which is what I use in my Avallos. They are $10 a piece and hold about 50 sticks.

Now, no matter what you decide to do, make sure you wipe down all of your Spanish cedar trays, shelves, or drawers with distilled water first. Then put them in the humidor, then put in your humidification device. Then let it settle and hold a constant humidity and temperature setting.