The Borons Cigar Blog

” Smoking has a sedative effect upon the nerves, and enables a man to bear the sorrows of his life (of which everyone has his share) not only decently, but dignifiedly.” - George Burrow

The world is a wacky and disturbing place at times, no doubt. I’m telling you, if I drive by a gas station and see the numbers on the sign go up just one more time I’m going to take out my old duct taped whiffle bat and start swinging for the fences. First of all I live in New Jersey and the property taxes are like ten times of most states in the nation, which leaves me with about $6 to buy groceries each week, (at least the family is losing some weight.) And I’m not going to even talk about the current political scene as it will brew up a shit-storm in here that none of us really need right now.

Okay, I’m pissed, you get it, and you are pissed too. Everyone is pissed. My priest is pissed, babies are pissed, even optimist clubs are angry muthas theses days. And do you think the world climate is going to get better anytime soon? Um… yeah, right.

Well, now that I’ve got you all frothed up and ready to kick some ass without even bothering to take numbers, let me get back to the subject that propels this here bloggie, and that would be cigars. I’ve been talking a lot lately how if every adult in the world smoked cigars the world would be a happier and most loving place, and I really do believe that. There is nothing I have ever seen that decreases stress than the act of cigar smoking. Well, there is actually one, but that conversation is gonna take this blog post way out into left field and we need to stay focused here, people.

We all know that smoking comes with inherent risks, we’re all big boys and girls and we fully understand that. But so does drinking alcohol, eating a steak, riding a roller coaster, (and marriage, while I’m at it.) I’m telling you, I have read doctors remarks who believe that the mental calming effects of smoking cigars in moderation far out weighs the possible physical dangers and I have come to believe that fully. There is NOTHING on earth like spending quality time with that after dinner smoke after a long, hard, stressful day. The ritual of having a good meal then heading out to my patio – cutting, lighting, and then taking that first draw of heavenly blue smoke – oh man, it is simply divine.

Hey, I might be preaching to the choir, but I like how the melody sounds! And trust when I say, we’re not the only one’s who feel this way. For the past couple hundred years, people have enjoyed their hand rolled premium sticks with tremendous zeal, and all one needs to do is Google the term “Cigar quotes” and you will not believe the amount of quotes written about our leafy love, and the passion that exudes from almost every one of them. A few of my faves…

“A good Cuban cigar closes the door to the vulgarities of the world.” - Franz Liszt, Composer

“After a truly good meal, an outstanding cigar is still the most satisfying after-dinner activity that doesn’t involve two human beings.” - Brad Shaw 

“Eating & sleeping are the only activities that should be allowed to interrupt a man’s enjoyment of his cigar.” - Mark Twain

Okay, my work is done here for today. Go out into the world, smoke your cigars and make merry. Light ‘em up and enjoy all around you – just try not to look at the price of gas when you do so.

DON’T MISS – The NEW JR•Cigar Catalog is out and you can read my regular column on page 98: What Really Roasts My Robusto! This issue’s story is entitled: The Ultimate Answer to saving the World (and if you love cigars, you’re gonna love where I’m headed with this one!)

I urge you to PLEASE SUPPORT Cigar Rights of America as they continue to deal with congress, the senate, and all US legislators who need to be made aware that our cigars are the best friends we know of and we will fight like hell to keep them in our lives! >>http://cigarrrights.org

JR Cigars Blog with the Zman

CLICK HERE to Check out this week’s J•R CIGARS Weekly Special

Since Ed had a Gurkha smoker event recently, like a good customer, I picked a few up. In my sampler pack was the Avenger G5. In Gurkha fashion, the wacky box mimics the front end of a car. The thought that came to my mind was, “That’s different.” The only thing I care about is, how does the cigar deliver? Let’s find out…

Wrapper: Nicaragua

Binder & Filler: Nicaragua

Size: Toro 6 x 50

Price: $10.50

Pre-smoke & Construction:

The dark wrapper had small veins, and no construction flaws to speak of. The most picky smoker may have noticed a wrinkle or two from being box pressed. I picked up a pungent barnyard odor from the wrapper, while the foot reminded me of a mild pipe tobacco and earthiness. There was only a slight resistance on the draw, just the way I like it. The pre-light flavor was sweet earthiness, and maybe a touch of cedar.

The burn required three corrections, and the ash held for an inch or so.

Flavor:

An even mixture of earthiness and Coffee dominated the first third. Retrohaling revealed a fairly easy black pepper. Unlike traditional black pepper, this had just a touch of that familiar Nicaraguan zing.

In the second third, that maduro sweetness I was expecting finally showed up. I can only compare it to a dry, somewhat bitter cocoa. The earthy flavor I mentioned before now seemed leathery, and the pepper became sweet and tingly. Coffee got pushed into the background. The smoke feel became thick and creamy, and lingered on the palate for a minute or so.

The last third kept the same core flavors, and nothing stood out over the other. The only change I could pick up was the smoke feel. There was a cooling effect on the tongue and lips. It reminded me of menthol, but only in terms of feel, not flavor.

Conclusion:

This was a good medium to full bodied cigar. Gimmicky presentation aside, it delivered solid flavors and complexities. Honestly, I can’t think of anything bad to say about the cigar itself. As for the fancy box, I can’t help but wonder how it effects the price. The bottom line is, this was a good smoke!

As you can tell, I hated Orlando.  It is the land of the Mouse and I don’t think they honestly care if you are well treated or not.  They figure the attractions are strong enough that service does not matter.  And do not get me started about the driving. Guess I won’t be getting the Orange County Chamber of Commerce job….But I will say at this year’s show there were MANY fine cigars.

In talking with several folks, we basically agreed that the cigars being offered at this year’s show are most likely the best ever.  That is saying something.  In fact, in talking with a former resident of Spain who USED to smoke Cubans exclusively, he finds himself tending to smoke more Nicaraguans and Hondurans.

We found cigars priced very reasonably and then one that is most likely the most expensive one ever made.  We’ll get to that in a bit.

We ended late Sunday with Carlito Fuente.  He is excited about that is coming up next year as the company marks the first year of a new century.  Carlito had planned to mark the family’s centenary this year, but after the fire in one of their barns last September, it messed up his plans. So instead next spring will mark the beginning of the new century for the family and the company.  The family will be coming out with the Don Arturo Anniversario as the first new offering later this year.  Then, next year, they will roll out lines like the special Angel’s Share (using special tobaccos from the heart of the plant and taking part of the proceeds from the sales to help fund the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation) and Casa Cuba that is an old brand the Fuentes are bringing back.

Monday began with Alec Bradley. The company has added to its American line with a new Sun Grown using all Nicaraguan tobaccos and coming in 6 sizes from a Corona to a 6”x 60 Gordo.  Bradley also premiered the Alec Bradley Connecticut that features a Connecticut wrapper over a Honduran binder and fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua.  The Nica Puro was being shown but the cigars are not ready yet and it will not head to stores until November.

It's a Boy

Bradley’s George Sosa, never realized how much business there is in the It’s a Boy It’s a Girl lines of cigars when he was with another company a few years ago, but he did slowly notice that when orders came in, those Boy/Girl cigars would keep going out.  He and Alan Rubin decided they did not like the packaging that was out in the market for an affordable cigar.  The idea was to make the cigar box a keepsake by putting a picture frame on the lid of the box allowing for the baby’s picture to be put in customizing the box for every parent and child and on the inside of the lid there is a place to write down the baby’s stats.  The It’s a Boy/It’s a Girl will retail for about $64 a box.

Ashton is adding to the popular La Aroma de Cuba line with a Mi Amor Reserva same wrapper as the regular Mi Amor line but with a higher priming of the plant t give added flavor and the wrapper is fermented longer making an actual Oscuro grade.  Combined with the Nicaragua fillers and binders this Mi Amor kicks it up a level with a stronger finish.  It will be in 4 sizes running from $8.50 – $9.95.  In the regular La Aroma de Cuba line there is a new El Jefe size measuring 7” x 58 with a retail price of $6.95.

Cigars costing about $7 dollars are reasonable, but how about the World’s Most Expensive Cigar.  Regius from London is offering a single double corona cigar for the price of $70,000.  The deal is if you buy this cigar, Regius CEO Akhil Kapacee will come to where you are and personally light it for you.  And then the buyer and his or her tobacconist will get an all expenses paid VIP trip to Nicaragua where they will be able to blend and name a cigar according to their taste.  The buyer also gets 1,000 of the custom blend.  A total of ten cigars have been made and they will be sold in London and in a few select high-end shops around the world.

But if 70K is out of your price range but you want the true cigar experience, the Pro Cigar Festival has announced its dates for next year.  The Dominican festival begins on Sunday February 17^th and goes through Friday the 22^nd. This is an opportunity to get up close and personal with the stars of the Dominican cigar industry.  The festival is intimate with total attendees running about 200 so everyone can get face-to-face time with the makers.  You smoke, drink and party in Santiago for a price of $895.  Pro Cigar suggests if out want to attend THE cigar party, make reservations soon since it sells out every year.

This has no means been exhaustive (other than to me) coverage of the show.  There are literally dozens of cigars I have yet to smoke and will be continuing our coverage in the coming weeks.

When I reviewed the C &C Connecticut, I assumed it would be another ho-hum, cheap cigar, no feedback post. While that cigar wasn’t bad, it wasn’t anything special either. The feedback from a few of you surprised me though. Brad, who commented on the Connecticut review, said he enjoyed the Corojo a little more than the Connecticut. Based on his opinion, off to the shop I went. Let’s see if I agree with him.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Corojo & Cuban seen blend

Size: Robusto 5 x 50

Price: $3.65

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The wrapper had an oily, toothy appearance, and had no visible flaws. Considering this was a value cigar, it looked above the price range. Sniffing the wrapper, I could only pick up earthiness and cedar. The foot had more of a pungent earthy smell. This cigar was solidly packed, with only a few minor soft and hard spots. The draw was perfect, with only slight resistance. The pre-light flavor was a simple earthiness with wood.

The ash held for over an inch, and the burn required one minor touchup.

Flavor:

The first third had a woody, tingly, spicy core. It wasn’t a straight black pepper, but it had an easy zing. The smoke feel was thick, and the aftertaste was earthy, with a little spice.

The second third had a creamy, sweet smoke feel. It mixed with tingly spice, and I can only compare it to a mild cinnamon. It wasn’t nearly as intense as cinnamon though. Behind that was wood and earth. As I progressed closer to the last third, the strength gradually increased, but stayed well within the medium range.

Spice calmed down in the last third. It didn’t go away, it just felt smoother, and it was easier to pass through the sinus. The smoke feel became dry and crisp, but kept that sweet component. Like before, wood and earthiness followed closely behind.

Conclusion:

This was a good medium bodied cigar. Like Brad, I enjoyed this more than the Connecticut. The flavors were pretty rich, especially for a cheaper cigar. There was no wow factor, but it did meet, and maybe exceed my expectations. I could see these being a good lunch smoke, especially for those on a budget.

The slogging march through Orlando continues as does the IPCPR.  This morning I began the day with Rocky and Nish Patel and Nimish Desai of Rocky Patel Cigars.  As I wrote earlier, Rocky is coming out with several new lines.  The first is an extension of the Edge called Edge Habano.  This is the cigar made in Nicaragua and one I had thought would be called the Edge Nicaragua, but no it will be the Edge Habano.  The company also is releasing a cigar named for his lounge called Burn, Naples, Florida.  This is a Honduran puro that will be available outside his lounge (which is a must see when in Naples)  Three sizes Robusto, Toro and Torpedo will retail for $7.75 – $8.60.

Freedom uses an Oscuro wrapper over Nicaraguan tobaccos for a medium to full bodied smoke .  Four sizes form a Robusto to the Sixty (6″ x 60) with prices running from $7.50 to $8.50.  The Gary Sheffield  HR 500 marks his 500th home run and uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over a Honduran Jamastran binder and fillers from Nicaragua and Honduras. It will come in one size retailing for $12.20.  The cigar I was most looking forward to trying was the new Private Cellar.  Nish and Nimish have both said it is one of their best blends and even though the cigar was young, the flavors stood out.  Using a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper combined with Nicaraguan binder and fillers, the cigar had a long finish with complexity.  Coming in three sizes, it will ship to stores in September with a retail price of $8.50 to $8.85.

Flor de Gonzalez is adding to its 90 miles line with the new 90 miles 1980.  The date marks the year Yadi Gonzalez made the 90 mile trip from Cuba to the United States.  Yadi proudly notes that this blend was entirely her work.  She said a few years ago she was looking at  some San Andres wrappers and really wanted to use them in a project.  Combining the sweet dark Mexican wrapper with a Broadleaf binder grown by her father in Ecuador and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic the cigar delivers full flavor and is a medium plus…maybe even a full bodied experience.  By far it is the most intense cigar Flor de Gonzalez has released to date.  The price for the two sizes will be $6 – $6.95.

EP Carrillo debuted its Inch series which measures a whopping 64 ring gauge ( an inch) and comes in a Natural and Maduro.  This cigar while way too big for my smoking, does deliver a unique flavor in the Maduro which I had to try.  The Inch sizes are 5″ x 62, 5.875″ x 60 and 6.125″ by 64.

While I mentioned the new Willie Hererra cigar on Friday ( the days run together) I had not the chance to try one until today.  The cigars — named Herrera Esteli — are not ready for shipment and probably will not be until sometime this fall or even next year.  With that said, the flavors are the most Cubanesque found in a long time.  The cigar is getting raves and strong reactions from the few who have had a chance to sample it.  The cigar is complex yet nothing overpowers.  To my palate, this is the true winner of the show.  I cannot wait to see what a bit more age will do to this beauty.

Pete Johnson has added a new Avion 12 which is a short perfecto and will be shipping very soon.  He also has La Casita Robusto which uses 100% Broadleaf.  But Pete’s newest work has been the L’Atelier launch.

L'Atelier

Run by his brother K.C., long time friend Dan Welsh and Sean Johnson, L’Atelier is launching two cigars made at the My Father factory in Esteli–the L’Atelier and the Surrogates.  The L’Atelier uses the  Sancti Spiritus wrapper which originated in Cuba.  Dan Welsh says the L’Atelier gives you that Cuban barnyard and hay but with plenty of changes.  It does have a great flavor and is another winner of the show.  The L’Atelier will come in three sizes and will retail for $8 to $10 dollars.  The Surrogates are blends that Pete made and Welsh had for his store in Ohio but now available to retailers and will retail for $7.50 to $8.  The Tramp Stamp for example, a 5.25″ x 48 is very similar to Pete’s Black Label.  The other two offerings are the Trocadero and the El Suelo lines which are value priced.  Made in the old Pepin factory in Esteli, the Trocadero will retail for $3.50 to $4.50 while the El Suelo will run $3.75 to $4.75.

The My Father factory also is busy with its own lines–the Jaime Garcia limited edition 2012 which had a total of only 1,000 boxes made and all sold out. The cigar features the Pela d’oro tobacco and will retail at $16.  The La Duena–blended by Pete Johnson and Janny Garcia–is a new regular line for the Garcia family and comes in 5 sizes retailing for $7 to $8.75.  Using Connecticut Broadleaf as the wrapper and binder in combination with a second Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan and Broadleaf fillers, it is one flavorful smoke.  The Flor de Las Antilles which debuted in late May continues to be strong for My Father.  It is the family’s first all box pressed line and retails for $6.60 to $8.70

Padron has debuted a new 1964 Anniversary cigar the Number 4 in a 60 ring gauge.

Miami Cigar is showing the new Anoranzas which uses a Nicaragua Habano Oscuro wrapper over  dual Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan filler with retail of $6.50 to $8.50

There is so much more to report but am out of time for today. The show ends tomorrow but as I will be flying back home, my wrap-up will be Tuesday.

Have I mentioned how I hate Orlando?  Right after I posted last night, our lovely hotel, the Doubletree at Seaworld apparently has a flaw with its door locking system.  The result was while we were out of our NON smoking room, someone decided to relieve me of my laptop.  After a police report, we had to bust our butts in Orlando bumper-to-bumper traffic to get to the Apple Store to buy a new laptop and change what passwords we could.  That was a fun night.

As for the show, the first stop was at Altadis.  I know JR will be bringing in some terrific new cigars from here.

In meeting with the Altadis people the first cigar of the day I was given was the Trinidad Paradox.  This is an amazing cigar with terrific flavors.  What Altadis says  ”this is the most modern comes from the most traditional”.  The Paradox uses a Criollo seed wrapper in San Andres with Dominican Piloto binder and Nicaraguan fillers. It will come in four sizes from a Robusato at 5″ x 54 up to a Churchill at a beefy 7″ x 57. The prices for these will run from $6.75 to $7.50.

Altadis has updated its look in the booth and in its selections.  The Romeo by Romeo y Julieta came out in the late spring. The new Montecristo Epic will be coming in three sizes Churchill, Toro and Robusto.  The blend is Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and aged Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers.  The Montecristo is priced about where you expect from $13 to $15…But the packaging is eye catching.

In talking with Javier Estades —  the general manager of Premium Cigars for the USA–his goal has been to open communication between the company and consumers and to develop blends and cigars that fit everyone’s taste.  Make no mistake, Altadis still has its traditional lines which smokers have come to love, but it is adding to the portfolio with things like the Te Amo Revolution,  the Vega Fina Fortaleza, a new H Upmann and the Romeo y Julieta Havoc.  Says Estades, not only does Altadis want to deliver flavor from mild to bold, but more importantly the company wants to be sure every smoker appreciates the value of each cigar.

La Palina is the company that built CBS.  William Paley founded the network as a way initially to sell his father’s La Palina cigars in Philadelphia.  That was about 90 years ago.  Fast forward to today and WIlliam’s son Bill restarted the brand with an eye to his heritage. At this year’s show the company launched two new lines the La Palina Classic made in the Dominican Republic with Brazilian wrapper over Ecuador binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.  The La Palina Maduro is Honduran made with the flavorful Mexican Maduro wrapper over double Honduran binder and Nicaraguan fillers.  The company also launched the KB2 which is 6″ x 40 powerhouse.  The KB, which is called Kill Bill is so named because the original KB was a petit corona in the company’s El Diario line, but with its small ring gauge it delivered so much power, Bill Paley  was floored by its strength.  The KB2 is a longer version of the original.

Over at General Cigar, there were a lot of new products including the new Macanudo Vintage 2006.  This Robusto or Toro comes with a Connecticut Shade wrapper from 2006 and the classy metal band, but from there it ends similarity with traditional Macanudos in that it steps up the strength a bit with a Connecticut Habano binder over fillers from Honduras, Nicaragua (including Ometepe) and the Dominican Republic. The suggested price is under $9.

I talked about the CAO concert cigar earlier this week and in tasting one today, I found it to be solidly medium bodied but with full flavors. Using an Ecuadoran Habano Rosado wrapper with Connecticut Broadleaf binder and Nicaraguan fillers the Concert pays homage to CAO’s roots in Nashville and its music scene.  Coming in 4 sizes it will run between $5.75 to $7.50.

Michael Giannini is a madman.  He is always the Beau Brummell of any situation.  This time he has come up with a couple of ideas that are over the top.  The first is the La Gloria Cubana Trunk Show.  When he worked for the brand’s father–Ernesto Perez Carrillo–he remembered Ernie would travel the country doing trunk shows, using special tobaccos that were available in small quantitates for special projects.  Michael has brought that back with the La Gloria Trunk Show.  This year he has the LR-1 which uses a Connecticut Habano wrapper over a secret binder and Nicaragua fillers and the YG-23 has an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over the secret binder and Dominican and Nicarguan fillers. They are limited to 500 boxes of each blend and will retail for $8.95 to $9.45.  But Michael’s  main creation is the Foundry.  This is a new boutique creation which is crafted in the  Steampunk motif.  Giannini loves DaVinci for example and thinks about what would happen if modern inventions were built in DaVinci’s era…that is Steampunk.  Foundry has a secret blend that Michael says uses tobaccos from General’s library that had never been used before…and he will admit the tobacco does not come from Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua nor the Dominican Republic.  The four sizes — Wells, Lovelace, Talbot and Cayley — will retail between $7.95 to $9.45.  Each cigar comes adorned with a gear, which Giannini say you need to save for a later project.

Finally, the Tres Reynas debuted this afternoon at 4pm.  This is the project of Janny Garcia from My Father and and Patricia and Raquel Quesada of MATASA and SAG Imports.  The three have been fast friends since they first met several years ago.  They all work in the cigar business– Raquel and Patricia at the MATASA factory in the Dominican Republic with their father Manuel Quesada– and Janny in Nicaragua at My Father Cigars (Don Pepin is her  father).  The idea was to create a limited edition cigar called the Three Queens, or Tres Reynas.  The promotional materials say it is medum bodied, but after tasting it this afternoon, it is medium to full. The cigar uses Nicaraguan tobaccos wrapped in Connecticut Broadleaf. It will come in three sizes running from $7.50 to $8.25.  The cigar is made in Nicaragua at the My Father factory but will be sold by the Quesadas.  There are only 1000 boxes of each size.

This has been fun writing this without benefit of the word processing and photo programs on the old laptop and writing this on the web in Word Press.  I apologize for any mistakes in advance.  I think I am going to have a drink.  More tomorrow.

Orlando is simply a wonderful place to be in the summer.  Ok not really, but it is the place to be for cigars this weekend as the 80^th annual International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association trade show gets underway.

As we noted earlier this week, a record 1361 booths are covering the convention floor.  It is a daunting task to try to get to everyone.  Over the next few days we’ll try our best…but we will likely miss some people.  We did notice many cigar makers are limiting their new items to brick and mortar stores only.

This morning we began the day at SAG Imports/ MATASA, which makes the Fonseca, among others. Their newest entries for retailers is the Quesada Jalapa—which we noted several weeks ago.  This is a very tasty spin-off from the Quesada Espana that is sold in Spain primarily hence the name.  The blend is the same as the Espana, with the exception of the wrapper that comes from an experimental 2002 crop grown in the Jalapa region of Nicaragua.

The company also is adding to its popular Oktoberfest lines of the Uber (6” x 65) and the Bavarian (5.5” x 52) with the Kaiser Ludwig (6” x 49), Das Boot—a torpedo –(6” x 52) and the Kurz (4” x 50).  The company also unveiled its last in the Quesada Q D’Etat series.  The line is a symbolic protest against the FDA’s intrusion into the premium cigar arena.  The previous releases were the Molotov and the Howitzer…the last entry is the Daga at $9.75 MSRP.  Look for them to show up in your favorite local store in the coming months.

Drew Estate is continuing to grow.  Newly named CEO Steve Saka says the factory is producing around 90 thousand cigars a day, and needs to expand to be able to do more.  From Drew Estate there is the new Corona Viva that we have talked about.  The Viva is a 5.625” x 46 corona, which Saka says turns up the Undercrown blend a notch.  The flavor is terrific look for this in your local store at about $7.25.  Another stronger addition the toe My Uzi Weighs a Ton or MUWAT line is the Baitfish—the 4” x 44 smoke packs a punch and runs $6.35.  The other new MUWAT is the +11 that is a 5.5” X 52.   Saka’s favorite smoke right now is the new entry to the Liga Privada line – the Papas Fritas – or as Saka says the World’s most expensive fuma.  Sold in a 4 pack for just under 6 bucks a cigar, the little 4.5” x 44 sandwich cigar has great flavor.  The story behind it is that for years Drew Estate has segregated the clippings from the Liga Privada line and used them in the less expensive mixed filler cigars they made.  The trouble was sometimes the blends were great, other times not so much.  So now,  all of the clippings are sorted by hand, re-cut and then re-blended to deliver a Liga Privada taste in a mixed fill cigar.

Willie Herrera

Willie Herrera, who has been with Drew Estate for about a year now, is coming out with his new cigar for the company called the Herrera Esteli.  The cigar looks very Cuban in its presentation.  The cigars were only there for show because they are not ready yet.  Both Willie and Steve say the cigars might come out in November, or sometime next year.  Whenever they are ready, they will be released.

Drew also released the Cuenca Y Blanco cigar line from Joya de Nicaragua named for the president of Joya Dr. Alejandro Martinez Cuenca and Joya Senior VP Jose Blanco.  It is the first collaboration between the two and the result is a solid medium plus cigar with a complex character.  The debut party will be tonight.

Others with lines for retailers only were AKA- American Kick Ass cigars that come in three primary lines, the Hybrid, Respect and Solace.  Hybrid is a medium bodied Honduran; the Respect is a bit full bodied and is named for branches and military traditions of the service with a portion of the profits going to the Wounded Warrior Project. The company introduced its new Connecticut Solace at the show.

Longtime Davidoff cigar maker Hendrik Kelner, Junior –the son of Hendrik Kelner who remains with the company—has gone out on his own.  Operating from a small factory in Licey just outside Santiago, Henry has come up with a small production cigar named Smoking Jacket.  He is also doing some private label production for Europe and plans to slowly expand next year.

Wholesaler Santa Clara is releasing two new lines for local retailers only called appropriately enough Brick and Mortar.  A Honduran made line, the cigars have a blend of both Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos with a Nicaraguan binder.  The cigars are finished in either an EMS Habana Criollo or a maduro San Andres Morron wrapper.  The come in four sizes from Robusto to Churchill.  And the company will soon be releasing a Dominican made cigar using Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos with a Dominican binder and an Ecuador Connecticut wrapper.

Crowned Heads—the company that was born when CAO moved from Nashville to Richmond and founded by Jon Huber and three other CAO veterans—unveiled its newest today, the Headley Grange.  Headley Grange was built in 1795 as a poorhouse in Headley, East Hampshire England but is probably best known as a recording studio in the 1960s and 70s.  It was here that Led Zeppelin recorded “When the Levee Breaks”.  The song was the inspiration for the cigar, asking Ernesto Perez-Carrillo to make them a cigar that is “big, bold and gutsy”.  The Headley Grange will be only 1,000 boxes for this year in one size (5.5” x 52) but next Spring four more sizes will be added.

The winner of the tackiest idea for a cigar band goes to APS Distributors.

Tackiest F*(*&(*% Band

They have a stick called Great (fill in the blank) Cigars.  It is said to be a premium long fill cigar running about 2 bucks each.  But the band is one that may take you a second….then it hits you.  Really???  Yup really.

We’re here all week, try the veal.  More posts every day on what’s going on at IPCPR.

This week is the IPCPR show in Orlando, Florida. For those of you not familiar with the initials, it is the International Premium Cigars & Pipe Retailers king daddy of ‘em all cigar industry trade show. Formerly know as the RTDA (Retail Tobacco Dealers Association) the name was changed to take the emphasis off the term “tobacco” all while failing to realize that the letters CPR is in the name. Oops, I guess.

The biggest bummer for yours truly is that because of prior business commitments, I cannot attend this year’s show. And for a cigar hound like myself, YES it totally sucks dirty smoke rings (whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean). But at least I have some great memories from a couple of the shows I attended, as I sit here and reminisce about the good times had – Nashville Tennessee in 1998 and Las Vegas in 2008 (Damn, I hope that doesn’t mean that the next one is 2018).

The main goal of the show is that the retailers, large and small, get to meet and greet with the manufacturers, talk business and order product all while mingling with their fellow tobacconites (okay, that’s a made-up word, but I kinda like it and will surely use it in the future.) But the absolute biggest thrill for everyone is seeing the debut of all the new brands, lines, and products that will invade the cigar world for 2012. So much new stuff is introduced and it really is an exciting time for the industry.

The first one I attended was the Nashville show in ’98 in the Opryland hotel, what I believe is known as the largest indoor structure in the world, complete with an indoor river and boat rides. I remember it taking a good half hour to walk from one side of the place to the other and it was exhausting just being there. That was actually at the tail end of the cigar boom of the 90’s and the show was literally three times the size it is now, with so many neophytes, jack wagons, and wannabees hawking some brutally shit-full turds being passed off as premium hand rolled cigars. I actually debuted the cigar magazine I published for the New York & New Jersey area called the Back Room. And, I even remember hanging out ‘til the wee hours of the morning sitting next to the great Lew Rothman at the Jack Daniels bar. While I didn’t know him too well then, it didn’t halt me from being the recipient of his legendary ball busting, which I was told meant that he liked me. Damn, I think he must have loved me the way I got skewered!

Then there was the last show I attended which was at the Venetian in Vegas back in 2008. Another monolithic structure, I remember it taking a good 15 minutes to walk from my room to the show as my ankles and calves were swollen and throbbing from 8 hours of four days straight pounding those cement floors. But Vegas is Vegas and a great time was definitely had by all. I remember Tim Ozgener of CAO had Lynard Skinnard play at their private party, as I spent several days hanging with Christian Eiroa at the Camacho private shindig. Food, booze, cigars, and gorgeous women everywhere you turned – from what I remember I seemed to have had a pretty good time.

The IPCPR is just an amazingly fun time for all who attend because everyone is in just the best mood smoking cigars and enjoying the camaraderie of their fellow stogiphiles (Yet even another made up word that I have embraced). I’m always writing so much about how cigars put people in a great mood, well this show is the relaxation effect of a lifetime! Damn sorry I missed this one and all my good pals in the business, but mark my words that I will be there next year with a smoky vengeance, oh yes I will, people… yes, I will.

DON’T MISS – The NEW JR•Cigar Catalog is out and you can read my regular column on page 98: What Really Roasts My Robusto! This issue’s story is entitled: The Ultimate Answer to saving the World (and if you love cigars, you’re gonna love where I’m headed with this one!)

I urge you to PLEASE SUPPORT Cigar Rights of America as they continue to deal with congress, the senate, and all US legislators who need to be made aware that our cigars are the best friends we know of and we will fight like hell to keep them in our lives! >>http://cigarrrights.org

JR Cigars Blog with the Zman

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