Archive for July, 2010

Another Slice of Heaven

Saturday, July 31st, 2010
Heaven Hill just sent me a pre-release of the whiskey maker's latest Parker's Heritage Collection, a series of four (so far) special releases that are a tribute to its distinguished master distiller Parker Beam. The good news is it's excellent.

Nick’s Sticks-Little Havana Maduro

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

While browsing the humidor at a local shop recently, I ran across the cigar up for review today. I was drawn to the price, and after a few seconds I realized I was looking at Perdomo cigars. I didn’t know this initially since Perdomo is nowhere on the band. A little history… Before the Tabacalera Perdomo cigar company existed, Nick Perdomo called it “Nick’s Cigar Company.” This cigar comes in three different wrappers – Maduro, Connecticut, and Sun Grown. As you’ve gathered by now, I will be trying the Maduro this time. Let’s get to it.

 

Wrapper: Nicaragua

Binder & Filler: Nicaragua

Size: Toro 5 1/2 x 54

Price: Around $3.50

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The dark maduro wrapper had a few medium to large veins, and was pretty rugged looking. The wrapper had a natural sweet tobacco odor, while the foot was more of a sweet earthiness. The pre-light draw was a little tight, and had an earthy taste. Overall the cigar was pretty tightly packed, so I suspect this is why the draw was snug.

The burn required a couple minor touch up’s, and the ash held for just about an inch.

1NicksStickMaduro

 

Flavor:

The first third initially had pepper though the sinus that packed a little punch, and an easy earthy flavor wrapped things up. After about an inch in, an elusive sweet note was noticed and I never really pinned down what it was. There were woody flavors that combined with the earthiness, and the pepper pretty much stayed consistent. While good, the overall flavor profile had a rough start. But it started to come together and became more enjoyable at time went on.

2NicksStickMaduro

Overall the second third seemed more refined and smoother. That punchy pepper once again was a constant. The earthiness became a background note that would vary in strength. A bitter sweet flavor became prominent. It wasn’t full blown bitter chocolate, but was similar. There was a tingle on the lips upon exhaling the smoke. It felt like cinnamon but not full blown cinnamon taste.

3NicksStickMaduro

The last third pretty much stayed the same as the second third. The peppery spice may have calmed down a little, but it never lost it’s kick. Other then that, paste my comments about the second third here.

4NicksStickMaduro

Conclusion:

This was a decent medium to full bodied cigar. Despite the rough start and simple flavor profile, I enjoyed it. I also think it lives up to it’s price point. Obviously I wouldn’t pay premium cigar prices for this cigar. I can only suggest that you judge for yourself. For around $3.00 you don’t have much to lose.

Looking at Bigger Cigars

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Back in 1995, when I was hired by Cigar Aficionado , I was a huge fan of big cigars (I was also thinner, had no beard, and my hair was all black, but that's another story.) When I wanted a cigar—and I always wanted a cigar—I reached for the big ones, double coronas and Churchills especially.

Gran Habano Connecticut #1

Monday, July 26th, 2010

If I recall correctly, a local tobacconist named Jack gave me these to try. It looked like it had potential to be a morning cigar, so I graciously accepted the samples. As always, for the review I paired with water and offer you my thoughts…

 

Wrapper: Connecticut

Binder: Habano, Nicaragua

Filler: Habano, Nicaragua

Size: Robusto 5 x 52

Price: Around $4.00

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The wrapper looked smooth, with minor blemishes and some small veins. The wrapper smelled of sweet earth, while the foot had a slight woody spice. The pre-light draw was free, almost loose, and had a mild earthy woody taste. The cigar was a little soft but bounced back when pinched.

I did no burn corrections, and the ash held for an inch.

1GranHabanoConn#1

 

Flavor:

The first third was nice and mild. An ever so slight spice was detecting when passing smoke through the sinus. There were buttery and nutty notes with a wisp of wood.

2GranHabanoConn#1

The second third offered a little change, and I think for the better. The flavor profile developed into what the rest of the cigar would be. The smoke feel became a little thicker with a slight creaminess. The body increased slightly, and the spice had a mild peppery zing. The butteries picked up a little, and wood and nuts rounded things out.

3GranHabanoConn#1

The last third was identical to the second third. Really, there isn’t anything more to add.

4GranHabanoConn#1

Conclusion:

This was a nice mild cigar. Sure, it was basically just another mild Connecticut wrapper cigar, but it was good. I’ll even go as far as saying it was typical, but I still liked it. If mild cigars are your thing, then give this one a try.

Arresting Developments in New Jersey

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Man_smoking_a_cigarWe’ve all been told from a very early age that breaking the law can get you in trouble. Get caught stealing from a store and you will be arrested. Punch someone in the face in the street and you will be put away. Sell pot near a school and you’ll be fitted for a nice new pair of handcuffs. Handing a note to a bank teller while wearing a rubber mask will sound the alarm for sure. Bring a machine gun onto the bus and people will rat on you. Hurl a brick at a policeman and you will be severely punished. Walk into church playing hackey sack in the nude and just see what happens. (Damn, the last time I tried that, Sister Mary Margaret reached out and confiscated the wrong ball.)

monopoly-go-to-jail-cardBut guess what my fine brothers of the grand leafiness… Smoke a cigar in Denville, New Jersey and yes, you will be imprisoned.

WTF you talkin’ ‘bout, Willis?

Like so many other small town USA’s, Denville, NJ has adopted strict smoking laws in outdoor areas – you know outdoors – where are there billions of square feet of open air for smoke to dissipate, including hundreds of miles straight up. You know, where garbage trucks, busses, and cars emit carbon dioxide and pump other toxic waste into the air we breathe by the mega-gallon. Get caught smoking on public side walks, parks, play grounds, parking lots, yada, yada yada, and first time offenders will receive a fine of a $100 or up to two days of community service. Now… second-time offenders could face a $250 fine or five days of picking up garbage along side county inmates in their flaming orange jumpsuits. But get caught a third time? You ready for this one, people? The new ordinance passed in a 7-0 town council meeting states that a third time smoking offense in public can garner you ten days of community do-gooderness, and for real – I’m not kidding here… A trip to the slammer! That’s right, you will be arrested, place in cuffs, put into a squad car, taken downtown, get booked and thrown into jail… for smoking.

StalinHellooooooooo… people of Denville… Stalin is calling and he wants his hammer and sickle back.

What I find terribly disconcerting is that a town council in local suburbia has wielded the power of incarcerating a person for an act that is and always has been legal. I repeat, it is not an illegal act to enjoy a cigar in public, yet this group of self-righteous demi-gods has deemed it a crime who’s punishment is the same as the acts I stated in the first paragraph. (And if you ask me, it was that damned nun who was totally out of line. Hey, I was emotionally scared and it’s hard to let this one go.)

F4E4095A-ED0D-412B-8B552258FBD33F08I’m at a loss here and I’m sure it is the same for you too, that the politico climate in this country is producing such outrageous acts of socialist and communist extremism. I know I sound like a broken record, but damn people, this isn’t really about smoking… it is about the stripping away of our freedoms in a country where men laid down their lives for the pursuit of this freedom. I just spent a week in Williamsburg, Virginia and learned a great deal about the people who fought tyranny and repressive laws in order to enjoy the fruits of life. Patrick Henry had the stones to stand up and say, “Give me liberty or give me death,” and the guy meant it, no questions asked. Now, while I won’t stand and say, “Give me cigars or give me death,” I will continue to make a public stink about these draconian laws instituted by incredibly small minds.

Patrick HenryA couple of years ago it started with the town of Belmont, California, who deemed it illegal to smoke in public. One of the councilmen, a local-yocal, small time, business goon actually said something to the effect of, “Can you imagine the lives that could be saved with this law?” I just completely lost it when I read his comments. YOU?… You want to save ME from MYSELF? Holy tobacco beetles, Batman, the world has tipped on its axis and the shit is running downstream at an alarming rate.

So what’s the answer? I say total raging anarchy, tea party times ten. We have to make noise and we have to get ugly. Unfortunately, it will probably take a group of us dumb-asses to go to alert the media, visit Denville three days in a row, stoke up our stogies and get tossed into the can. Although I’m not keen on having a record, it does seem like something that would get noticed, don’t you think? Say, who’s with me? Who are the men and who are the mice in this bunch?! To the parapets men, we have not yet begun to fight! (yeah, so I borrowed that one… it’s not like the dude is going to sue me.)

Okay, I know I’m babbling on, here, but this is serious, because as always, the logical question to ask is… WHAT’S NEXT? What will they tax next? What will they take away next? A lot of people read this blog and a lot of us can make some noise. We ARE sick and tired of this and we’re NOT going to take it anymore? Right comrades? Oops, socialist slip.

Til Next Time, My Brothers,

Tommy Z.

JR Cigars Blog With the Zman

Falto Cigars – Falto Legado (Corona Gorda)

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

I never heard of this boutique cigar company until attending an event at The Bonita Smoke Shop. Louis Juan Falto, President & CEO of La Garita Cigar Co., was showcasing his cigars that day. I smoked a couple at the shop and liked what I had. I brought a couple home with me, and this brings us to the review today. Although I was given a few free smokes at the event, the cigar I am reviewing today was purchased by me. As always, I paired this cigar with water.

 

Wrapper: Nicaragua

Binder: Dominican Republic

Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua

Size:  5 1/2 x 47

Price: Around $8.00

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The wrapper had a nice look to it, with a couple larger sized veins accompanied by the usual small ones. Overall the cigar was packed consistently, with one flaw. A small indentation where the second third starts. This didn’t really concern me at all. The pre-light draw was great, and had a sweet woody flavor. The foot had almost no odor at all. The wrapper had a nice natural tobacco and woody smell.

The burn required a few significant corrections in the first third, but leveled off after that. The ash held for about 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

1FaltoLegadoCoronaGorda

 

Flavor:

The first third started off with a nice pepper though the nose. Nutty flavors mingled with woody notes, which was a nice combo. Every now and then a tinge of sweetness would appear. Although simple, everything was balanced.

2FaltoLegadoCoronaGorda

The pepper calmed down quite a bit during the second third. It took on more of a sweet spice, but wasn’t quite like cinnamon. Woody and nutty flavors were the main flavors like before. The aftertaste was a little creamy and left a little tingle on the tongue. All in all the flavor profile seemed to come together.

3FaltoLegadoCoronaGorda

The last third: When passing the smoke though the nose, that familiar sweet spice remained. The core flavors remained as well (wood and nuts). A nice sweet mocha came in to the picture at just the right level of intensity. The smoke feel was creamy and like before, the aftertaste was sweet with a tingle on the lips and tongue. Everything just fit together nicely.

4FaltoLegadoCoronaGorda

Conclusion:

This was a very nice medium to full bodied cigar. The flavors were really refined and well balanced. It is the type of cigar that is best smoked in your easy chair. If I were to complain, it would be the price. It is a little out of my comfort zone for a cigar of this size. But price aside, I think you owe it to yourself to check out this boutique brand.

Smoke a JJ for JJ

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

I usually try to keep this site focused on cigars and minimize personal subject matter. There are always exceptions, and this is one of them.

1SeriesJJToday, July 22nd, is the 3rd annual “Smoke a JJ for JJ day.” Jerry from The Stogie Review would appreciate if you would take a moment and smoke a Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ in remembrance of his son. JJ was born on this day three years ago, and died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) only 3.5 months into his life.

My pal Barry at acigarsmoker.com is also holding a fundraiser. Barry runs a great cigar review site and is going above and beyond. Go HERE to find out more.

It is that simple. Just sit back, relax, enjoy life and enjoy the smoke.

Hidden Gems

Monday, July 19th, 2010
This weekend I took my wife and son out for breakfast at one of our favorite places. It's a tiny donut shop called Speedy Donuts that has been in business for 41 years, almost as long as I've been alive, and despite driving by the place literally hundreds of times it was only a few years ago when I finally went in for a bite.

Cigars & the Vacationing Tobacco Junkie

Monday, July 19th, 2010

Did the Clark W. Griswold thing this past week and took the family on the yearly vacation jaunt. This time it was Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, home to Busch Gardens Amusement Park and a place rich in American Revolutionary War history. Lots to do in this sweltering heat pit, with daily heat indexes of around 107 and humidity you could slice with a minuteman’s bayonet.

clarkLike a good dad, I pre-planned the trip to a tee, mapping out the attractions, the tours, the restaurants, and the directions. But most importantly of all, I strategically researched perhaps the key spot to make any vacation the very best it can possibly be – the local cigar shop and lounge.

Yeah, I had it planned perfectly – drop the kiddies and the wife off at the park, then head straight for a smoke at the nearest stogie shop. How do I get away with this after a nine-hour car trip, you say? Well, I’ll let you in on a secret… I HATE RIDES. I have ALWAYS hated amusement park rides paradefrom the time I was five when my dad stuck me on that goddamned roller coaster all by myself as I screamed in terror for what seemed like an eternity. If it were today, I would have called child services on my parents within an instant. But yeah, I have a true disdain for scary carts on metal wheels that hang you inverted over the pavement two miles in the air, then send you spiraling to what seems like certain death. Okay, I mean I’ll do a few rides like the spinning teacups and the kiddie boats where you can blow the horn, but unfortunately that stuff is always in the opposite side of the park from where my death-defying teenagers want to be.

busch-gardens-tickets-portadaNow the family knows quite well that I’ll not only stay away from the terror-laden so-called fun stuff, but I’ll also bitch about it the whole time while I sit as the family waits on some godforsaken two hour line. Oh, I’ll bitch and I’ll bitch, and I’ll bitch, bitch, bitch until they tell me – I mean order me to stay away from the park. “Go dad… go back to the hotel pool and we’ll see you later!” the family shouts out as I put on the sad face as if I’m going to miss everyone terribly. Yeah, miss them, my ass, as I crank up the pre-programmed gps and head straight for the closest smokatorium.

shopI always love finding a new cigar shop in virgin territory. Makes me kind of feel like the Jamestown settlers from 1607, except I’m not being attacked by Indians or starving to death (I mean really, have you seen me?) The sights and smells of a newly found walk-in humidor raises the consciousness level to great heights, while perusing the cornucopia of premium sticks is certainly the cigar smokers equivalent of highly erotic foreplay. Sure I’m a weirdo, but you know exactly what the hell I’m talking about.

So I pick out several staogs that I normally can’t find in my area, along with several that are just ridiculously cheaper because of the lower state taxes on tobacco in Virginia. I feel like I’ve made the ultimate score as the cashier rings up my bounty of cigarry goodness. Once I’ve harvested my selections I head to the small lounge of leather thrones as the locals are tossing the bull and trading their manly-esque banter.

“Hey guys, mind if I join in?” I ask, knowing that my Jersey accent is a certain request awaiting for my Joe Pesci, Goodfellas diatribe.

After exchanging pleasantries, the boys dive right in with their thoughts on politics, sports, women, gun control, food, yada, yada, yada. The great thing about cigar lounge prattle is that no one is there for the purpose of problem solving or saving the world, but instead, it’s just a gathering of guys who revel in the fine art of camaraderie.

After a couple hours and two really great smokes, it’s time to go pick up the loved ones at the park so we can go to bed and get ready for the week’s events at Colonial Williamsburg…like more cigar smoking and bullshitting with the locals. It’s a long and weary journey, but somebody has to make the selfless sacrifice.

Man, I just love vacation, don’t you?

Tommy Z.

JR CIGARS Blog With the Zman

Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

I’m sure you’ve seen every blog out there reviewing this cigar, and I am no exception. Patrick Vivalo, executive sales at Rocky Patel, contacted me to review this cigar. Being a Rocky Patel fan, I accepted and before I knew it, two samples were at my door. Along with the samples was a press release flyer and a hand written note from Nish Patel.

The 15th Anniversary is produced out of their new “boutique” factory in Nicaragua, and will be released on July 30th, 2010. Obviously this line is in celebration of Rocky Patel being in the cigar biz for 15 years. And like Jerry said in his review at the Stogie Review… Even if you aren’t a huge Rocky fan, he is very active in the industry and always fighting those who want to hinder our right to sit back and have a cigar. He deserves to be applauded for his efforts. Anyway, enough babble. I paired the Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary with water and offer you my thoughts.

2RP15th

Wrapper: Habano Ecuador

Binder: Jalapa

Filler: Nicaragua

Size: Robusto 5 x 50

Price: Around $9.00

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The dark oily wrapper had a rugged look to it, and a few small to medium veins. The odor coming off of the wrapper was dark, sweet and woody. The foot also had that same sweet woody smell to it. This box pressed beauty was rock solid and evenly packed with tobacco. Despite that, the draw was good with a slight resistance. The pre-light draw had a dark earthy, woody, sweet taste.

The ash held for an inch and the burn required no corrections.

1RP15th

 

Flavor:

The first third had a nice smooth peppery spice that had some punch to it. Wispy earthy notes mixed with a dark wood. A rich natural tobacco taste mingled in with the other flavors and it had a nice balance. The smoke feel was crisp and had a lingering finish. As this third came to a close, I started to pick up some sweet notes.

3RP15th

The second third continued the trend to a sweeter flavor profile. Eventually it developed into mocha. That peppery spice stayed pretty constant and kept things lively. The woody flavor took a turn towards cedar. The smoke feel was dry and crisp, and the smoke had a lot of volume. At times mocha was a dominant flavor, and other draws had cedar as the main flavor. Overall everything mixed together for a good balance.

4RP15th

The last third had an increase in body and but didn’t go over the top. The pepper calmed down a bit and had a nice tingle on the lips and tongue. Not a lot changed in terms of flavor profile. It basically kept the same pace as before.

5RP15th

Conclusion:

This was a good full bodied cigar. The flavors were good and everything came together nicely. While not a powerhouse, this wasn’t a beginner smoke. I wasn’t “Wowed” by the experience, but I wasn’t let down either. If I had to complain, it would be about the price. But overall, I would recommend you try the Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary. Thanks to Rocky, Nish, and Patrick for letting me get a sneak peek.

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