Archive for May, 2011

Cain Daytona

Monday, May 30th, 2011

I picked up the Cain Daytona at Ed’s shop the other day. For the most part, I am not a big fan of the Cain lines. It seems like power is the focus instead of flavor. Being in shock that Ed had any Cain cigars in his shop, I had to smoke a couple to review. As always, I paired this cigar with water.

 

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Nicaragua Jalapa Valley

Size: Robusto 5×50

Price: $5.60

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The seamless wrapper looked good, with no visible flaws and small veins. The odor from the wrapper and foot was sweet woodiness. The cigar was rock solid and evenly packed. The pre-light draw was fairly tight and had sweet earthy and woody flavors.

The ash held for about an inch, and the burn required one minor correction.

1 Cain_Daytona Cigar

Flavor:

The first third started with a peppery flavor that stimulated the nose and left a slight tingle on the tongue. I picked up a lot of cedar that had an interesting floral tinge to it. It was an interesting background note. Some coffee notes lingered around in the flavor profile as well. The smoke feel was dry but didn’t leave me thirsty.

2 Cain_Daytona Cigar

The second third kept the same flavor profile as the first third, for the most part. A caramel type of sweet note was picked up in the background. Otherwise things were consistent.

3 Cain_Daytona Cigar

When I hit the last third, the flavors took a turn and I didn’t care for it. It is had to describe. It reminded me of burning paper or cardboard. That was the dominant flavor. The pepper and woodiness didn’t go anywhere, but this annoying flavor grabbed my attention and drowned them out.

4 Cain_Daytona Cigar

Conclusion:

I’ve smoked a few of these, and for the most part they were OK medium to full bodied cigars. I didn’t get the cardboard flavor in the last third. If I were to base my opinion on the cigar for this review, obviously the last third wasn’t good. At least the focus of the Daytona wasn’t power. An attempt at flavors was made. But I just don’t get what all the hype is over the Cain lines. I won’t be smoking more of these…

Remember

Monday, May 30th, 2011

Hamburgers, check… Extra-long dogs, check… Cheese, check… buns, check… beans for sustained gas, check… Tater salad, check… onions to increase the gas potential, check… coleslaw to make it a slam dunk, check… assorted brews, check… okay what am I forgetting?…

CIGARS!… Oh my God… I can’t forget the CIGARS!!! How the hell could I forget the freakin’ smokes? What is a holiday without a gaggle of your favorite premium handrolled tobacco sticks of love? Okay… now am I forgetting about anything else? Come on, anything… there’s got to be something else we all need to remember for this Memorial Day holiday 2011?… Right?… Damn yeah, you know there is…

REMEMBER TO HONOR THE FALLEN IN YOUR HEARTS.

bish33I talk about this every year, but I believe the reason we celebrate Memorial Day with barbecue feasts, family gatherings, swimming pool openings, along with a good cigar and your favorite drink is because of the hundreds of thousands of amazing  men and women who fought in past and present wars made it possible for us to do so. And it all dates back to the late 1,700’s where settlers in Virginia rose up against the taxes and tyranny to form a new nation under some of the most heinous conditions imaginable.

Last summer I took the wife and kids to historic Williamsburg, Virginia and learned more than I ever knew before about the revolution and the incredible sacrifices so many men made… all in the name of freedom. We were out manned, out gunned, out numbered, and with so many key supplies cut off by the British we still managed to succeed in victory and create a way of life envied the world over. Without hesitation, men stood up against forces infinity stronger, more polished, and heavily armed, yet somehow, someway America prevailed, as it has done for hundreds and hundreds of years.

jtwroblewski-gravesite-photo-082005Fighting for our freedom goes back a long, long ways, and today we give special honor to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. They have left behind parents, brother and sister, wives, and even children, and those are the ones who have truly suffered the most. Today I think about my neighbor’s boy, JT Wrobolewski, who died of battle wounds from gunfire in the Iraqi city of Ramadi, in April of 2004. JT was the first Marine from New Jersey, to lose his life in Iraq. Five years ago we visited his grave site in Arlington National Cemetery and the emotions were overwhelming. I still well up with tears as I sit here & remember.

Today we enjoy the barbecues, friends, the great outdoors, and our favorite smokes because so many brave souls fought so it could be. That’s why we should enjoy our family and friends and appreciate everything that we have in our lives.

Today we enjoy because we can… and we remember.

TZ.Sig.2

Tommy Z . JR Cigars Blog With the Zman


Perdomo Champagne Noir

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

I’ve been a fan of the original Perdomo Champagne for years now. I frequently have one in the morning with coffee. When I found out there was a new version available, I had to get some. The Cuban seed maduro wrapper is aged in bourbon barrels. Other then that, I don’t have a lot of details on this cigar. What I care about is the flavor. So with a glass of water, I offer you my review.

 

Wrapper: Cuban seed maduro from Nicaragua

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Size: Super Toro 6 x 60

Price: $6.85

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The dark wrapper had a smooth appearance, with no visible flaws. The smell off of the wrapper was earthy with a mild barnyard. The cigar was tightly and evenly packed. The pre-light draw was a little stiff, and had a musty, earthy flavor.

The ash held for well over an inch, and the burn required no corrections. The snug draw loosened up not long after lighting. I guess it had a knot towards the foot.

1 Perdomo_Champagne_Noir Cigar

Flavor:

The first third started off with a burnt cedar flavor. It was slightly earthy on the aftertaste. It didn’t take long for a dark espresso to take over the flavor profile. Through the nose I picked up pepper with a sweet finish. The smoke feel was dry and left me craving water.

2 Perdomo_Champagne_Noir Cigar

The second third continued with the dark coffee or espresso flavors. I could feel the bitterness of the coffee in the aftertaste. It may not sound good, but it was pleasant. It wasn’t like the harsh bitterness you can get from improperly made coffee. When passing smoke through the nose, I still got that classic Nicaraguan zing spice. In the background were subtle notes of dry cocoa. I found myself not feeling parched during this third as well.

3 Perdomo_Champagne_Noir Cigar

The last third: I know I’m repeating myself… Coffee still dominated the flavor profile. What did change was the cocoa. It mixed nicely with the dark coffee flavor and didn’t feel so dry. The spice had a peppery component with a nice zing, much like previous thirds.

4 Perdomo_Champagne_Noir Cigar

Conclusion:

This was a good medium to upper medium bodied cigar. It differs greatly from it’s Connecticut wrapped counterpart. While the Noir would do just fine in the morning, I think it is geared towards an after lunch or even dinner smoke. Factor in the price, and I think Perdomo has a winner. If I had to complain… I hope they release this in smaller sizes for when you don’t have two hours to spend smoking.

Nestor Miranda Art Deco

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

Once again I am reviewing a cigar I picked up at Corona Cigar Shop in Orlando. I smoked the larger 6 x 60 sized one with Mike from MikesStogies.com, Reggie, and John G that day. I enjoyed the larger ring gauge and figured I’d try the smaller size for review. This cigar was blended by Don Pepin Garcia and is produced by My Father Cigars.

 

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 06

Binder: Dominican Criollo 98 & Nicaraguan Habano 00 Binder

Filler: Nicaraguan Corojo 99 & Dominican San Vincente

Size: Coffee Break 4.5 x 50

Price: $6.75

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The wrapper had one large vein and a few smaller ones, and had minimal flaws, if any. The smell off of the wrapper was a mild barnyard earthiness. The foot had more of a mild spicy and woody smell. The cigar was evenly packed with a slight sponginess when squeezed. The pre-light draw had slight resistance with a flavor of natural tobacco sweetness.

The burn required one minor correction, and the ash held for about an inch.

1 Nestor_Miranda_Art_Deco Cigar

Flavor:

The first third was pretty mellow. There were flavors of coffee or espresso, wood, and earthy notes in the background. When passing smoke through the nose, there was a mellow spice that was very un-Pepin like. The smoke feel was smooth and it left a slight tingle on the lips.

2 Nestor_Miranda_Art_Deco Cigar

As I hit the second third, the strength and body picked up a little, but remained in the medium range. The coffee flavors became very rich and dominated over the wood and earth. The spice through the nose didn’t change, nor did the smoke feel.

3 Nestor_Miranda_Art_Deco Cigar

The last third may have crept into the lower full bodied or upper medium bodied range. Otherwise, the flavors didn’t change enough for me to notice. I enjoyed it either way.

4 Nestor_Miranda_Art_Deco Cigar

Conclusion:

This was a good medium bodied cigar. Being a Pepin blend, it was a departure from his trademark flavors. I enjoyed the cigar despite being fairly one dimensional. I think this smaller size had more focused flavors as opposed to the larger 6 x 60 I had at Corona. I say give it a try.

Cigar Smoking Like It Was the End of the World

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

Not so far away, in the land of fruits and nuts – a strange place lovingly known as Kalifawnya – there lived a crazy old preacher-man who warned the earth’s inhabitants that the end of the world was indeed coming… and, guess what… that was back in 1994. Obviously the 88 year old coot prescribes to the notion of once you don’t succeed, try, try again. So, a new date was set for this past Saturday, May 21, 2011, as nutty old Harold Camping spent hundreds of thousands of dollars erecting billboards all across the Untied States, warning the world of the coming rapture. Well, I guess the fact that we’re still here proves that Mr. Camping’s message of apocalyptic doom was merely the rantings of a half-baked nutjob, who really should just stick to walks in the park and heaping bowls of high fiber oat bran with warm milk.

cd-coverAs Saturday approached, I thought to myself, just what if there was even the slightest chance that this was all true and the Dumbo-eared preacher really did hear the voice of God. I mean, what the heck would any of us do if the world was really about to end as we knew it? I’m sure many would think about loved ones, the wife and kids, parents and friends, yada, yada, yada. And that’s all nice and everything, but I thought, “What the hell am I going to do about all those god damned cigars, in all of those god damned humidors, I have all over the god damned house?” It’s taken me eons to collect all of those finely aged smokes and you’re telling me that the Harold-Camping-Funny-Numbersworld is gonna go poof before I get to go puff?

So, on a whim, just in the event that Camping had some inside information from the man in the clouds, himself, I proceeded to smoke cigars, one after another, all day long on Saturday, right up until the witching hour of six pm. That’s right, I lit up one stick after another until I smelled like a fire in a condom factory, as the beginnings of black lung started setting in. I worked too damned hard to accumulate many a premium stick, and I wasn’t about to let the four horsemen ride off with my precious humidors, no, way, uh-uh. “Hey Pestilence, gimme back those Mayorgas  before I get medieval on your boney, gray ass!”

BillboardBut then six o’clock came, the hour that Camping said all hell would break loose. And much to the the old boner’s chagrin, there were no comets hurtling through the atmosphere, setting the world ablaze. Nope, no earth-cracking quakes, releasing souls of the damned into the world as our bodies were plucked into the heavens without even a fight. No zombies strolling down main street and through your favorite mall stores, no locusts, no plagues, no day after tomorrow. Nothin, nada. Harold Camping was full of Shinola as us mortals went on with the events of our normal mundane Saturday. At that moment, I was on my 15th cigar while barbecuing burgers and chicken legs on my back patio. My kids said I was a little green and my wife vowed never to share the same bed again, but you had to understand that I did it all in the name of rapture, which was seriously more of a rupture.

Okay, Harold Camping may be a real laughing stock, But I do thank the fella for getting me to smoke some of the tastiest cigars I’ve had in ages. The following are my top cigar picks to make any judgment day a satisfyingly smokey one…

CAMACHO COROJO

CAMACHO COROJOWrapper: HON    Binder: HON    Filler: HON   Full Bodied
The world’s only authentic Corojo cigar…
Handmade in the Jamastran Valley of Honduras, where the fertile soil and climate compare to Cuba’s renowned Vuelta Abajo Region, this Camacho line is the cream of the crop. Under the strict supervision of Christian Eiroa, these rich, full bodied Honduran puros are made with 100% first generation Corojo seed tobaccos that are finished with hearty, sun grown Corojo wrappers – only the best leaves from the harvest. The complex, distinctive flavors make this smoke a favorite amongst cigar connoisseurs everywhere.

ARTURO FUENTE HEMMINGWAY

ARTURO FUENTE HEMINGWAYWrapper: CAM    Binder: DR    Filler: DR   Medium Bodied
The Hemingway series, named after renowned novelist Ernest Hemingway, was the first limited edition brand extension launched by the Fuentes. These highly respected cigars are handmade with a medium to full bodied blend of aged Dominican filler tobaccos, a Dominican binder and a delicate West African Cameroon wrapper. The rich, earthy flavors and pleasant spicy finish that these masterpieces provide will delight you. Each cigar is expertly crafted in the Cuban perfecto shape.

EL REY DEL MUNDO

EL REY DEL MUNDOWrapper: ECSU/CTBL    Binder: HON    Filler: HON
Medium-Full Bodied
El Rey del Mundo is a classic Cuban brand featuring a symphony of delectable Honduran flavors, impeccable construction, perfect burn and draw, and an enchantingly complex blend of the finest tobaccos. They are available in both Ecuador Sumatra EMS and dark Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrappers. These are arguably one of the finest cigars made in the world today – bar none. An absolute “must try” cigar for all!

MAYORGA

MAYORGAWrapper: NIC/CR    Binder: NIC    Filler: NIC
Medium-Full Bodied
This fantastic Nicaraguan cigar has quickly become one of our best sellers. These solid, square-pressed vitolas are loaded with creamy coffee flavors and reward the smoker with a long, lingering finish that will satisfy any cigar lover’s soul. Your choice in either a spicy Nicaraguan EMS wrapper or a dark, robust Costa Rican maduro – both are exceptional.

TZ.Sig.2

Tommy Z . JR Cigars Blog With the Zman


Warlock

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

I picked up the Warlock at Corona Cigar Shop in Orlando recently. I had the pleasure of hanging out with Mike from MikesStogies.com, Reggie, and John G, a great supporter of the site. A great bunch of guys. Back to the cigar… What caught my eye was the simple, rustic band and overall look. The Warlock is a product of Altadis and made by Omar Ortez in Nicaragua. That’s all I know about it. I paired with a glass of water and got to smoking.

 

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Cubano

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Dominican & Nicaragua

Size:  Toro 6 x 54

Price: $6.75

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The chocolate looking wrapper had no real flaws, with small to medium sized veins. The scent coming off of the wrapper and foot was earthy and cedary. The cigar was well packed, and had a minor soft spot or two. The pre-light draw had a little resistance and had an earthy/woody flavor.

The burn line got a little wavy from time to time, and I had to do a couple minor corrections. The ash held for about an inch and a half.

1 Warlock Cigar

Flavor:

The first third began with a smooth, almost silky smoke feel. The core flavor was coffee and a woody note. Passing smoke through the nose, I picked up pepper that wasn’t too harsh at all. As I approached the end of this third, I started to detect generic sweet notes. By that I mean it was subtle.

2 Warlock Cigar

The second third: Like before, coffee was the main flavor. The woody flavor didn’t go anywhere either. I got some wispy earthy notes from time to time. The smoke feel became creamy. The sweetness developed into a chocolate or caramel. Passing smoke through the nose, that pepper was still there and it had a little punch.

3 Warlock Cigar

The last third: The cigar became full bodied and full strength. It wasn’t over the top strong, but it let you know it was there with a little nicotine punch. The smoke feel became less creamy and had more of a sharp feel, if that makes sense. Otherwise the flavors were still mainly coffee and wood with wispy earthiness and sweetness.

4 Warlock Cigar

Conclusion:

This was a good medium bodied cigar that became full. The flavors were simple but good. This isn’t a beginner cigar by any means. I think it would appeal to most medium to full bodied smokers. It meets it’s price point as well. My final verdict is give this one a try.

Para Japòn by La Aurora

Monday, May 16th, 2011

I won two Para Japòn cigars via a giveaway held at Tom Ufer’s website. This cigar was created by La Aurora in response to the recent devastation in Japan. I don’t know the details, but it is said that some proceeds will go to relief efforts.

For a little while, it was quite fashionable to be concerned with Japan, but I see that the honeymoon is over. Unlike so many fickle band wagoners out there, I think the Para Japòn cigar is made with good intentions. At minimum, this cigar deserves a try and a review. So without further ado, here are my thoughts.

 

Wrapper: Nicaraguan

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Cameroon, Brazilian, Dominican

Size: Sumo Robusto 5 x 50

Price: $10.00

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The wrapper looked bumpy with a few good sized veins and toothy appearance. There was also a velvety smoothness to it as well. The wrapper had a dark earthy smell. The foot had that same smell but not quite as strong. The cigar was well packed with a tight spot or two. The draw was a little snug but within my tolerances. The pre-light draw had a sweet earthy flavor.

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

1 Para_Japon Cigar

Flavor:

The first third kicked off with simple woody flavors. Up next was earthiness When passing smoke through the nose, I picked up a spice that wasn’t quite pepper, but it wasn’t sweet either. Simple but good.

2 Para_Japon Cigar

The second third took on more of a richer flavor profile. I wouldn’t call it complex, but it just felt more satisfying. Through the nose, the spice increased in strength and took on a peppery feel. The dry cedar in the first third developed into a richer woodiness. The earthy flavors took a step back in strength but they did stand out from time to time. As I progressed along I could have sworn I picked up something sweet, but I am not certain. Yea lame on my part, but hey, I’m not an expert.

3 Para_Japon Cigar

The last third: The woody flavors remained dominant but it developed even more. There was something subtle mixed in that I found hard to pinpoint. It was almost floral and fruity. What challenged me was how subtle it was. When retrohaling, the pepper was more of a spice that boarded on being sweet.

4 Para_Japon Cigar

Conclusion:

This was a very nice medium bodied cigar. I liked the subtle nuances that left me stumped at times. I know the price is a bit high for a robusto. I assume this is because it is aimed towards getting more revenue for donation to relief efforts. I am curious what percentage of sales will be donated. If anyone knows, I’ll update this post. Price aside, this is worth a try.

Cigaring in the Great Outdoors

Sunday, May 15th, 2011

After one of the longest, coldest, wettest, nasty-ass winters, I have ever seen in all my years, Spring has finally sprung here in the north east. That crotchety sour cretin, Old Man Winter has finally given it a rest and Mother Nature has decided to stop being such a cold tempered bitch. We had a record 20 something snow storms, wearing our nerves thin and producing pot holes the size of Rosie O’donnell’s swim trunks. Temperatures have finally settled into the mid to high sixties as we all have breathed one big collective sigh of relief.

sts-097_kidstation_project2000_sun_shadesTo most people, warm weather means mowing lawns, walking dogs, washing cars, and taking in a ball game or two. But to us cigar hounds it means we FINALLY get to smoke our precious hand rolled happy sticks in the great outdoors. Fresh air and aged premium tobacco is a match made in heaven, and being able to enjoy a Frank Llaneza 1961, Romeo y Julietta Reserva Real, or Maria Mancini on my back patio again is truly a gift from the good Lord, above, I kid you not.

5225500-riding-lawn-mowerI’m one of those guys who takes pride in his lawn and I actually enjoy hopping on the riding mower and making the yard look purty. I’ve got a nice sized property and it takes a good hour to cut the thing, so I always choose a mammoth sized club of a cigar to light up as I motor my tractor around the property (staying clear of retaining walls at all costs – see Blog July 2009 http://www.jrcigarblogs.com/?p=3375.) With an Arturo Fuente Canone protruding from my jaw, I zoom around the lawn as the scent of freshly cut grass and Dominican tobacco makes everything feel just right. And when doing planting or yard work, I chose a couple of lesser priced sticks from the JR collection – my “yard gars” if you will – and puff away as my leafy companions make the work seem a bit more relaxing and fun.

42-21708854Nothing is more enjoyable than my after dinner, night time cigar, as I make a few phone calls to my local buddies as we herf it up on the patio and enjoy the smoke filled camaraderie. Since it’s still spring time, the temperatures dip into the 50’s at night, so we toss a pile of logs in the steel bowl pit and like the cromags we are, we huddle and gaze at the flames while puffing our glorious puros. We talk about the days events, the local teams, the idiots in government, and anything else that comes to mind. World hunger is never solved, diseases never cured, and politicians only seem ridiculously more brain dead, but the waxing over life’s little intricacies brings relaxation to our bodies and peace to our minds and souls.

As I write this fine piece of stogified literature, it’s 10:30 Sunday night, and I’m taping away at the laptop key board at the edge of my garage on a 63 degree evening. I’ve basically nubbed a Camacho Corojo as a cool breeze draws the smoke towards the outside air. The tree frogs or whatever the hell you call them are chirping in the woods next to my house as a light rain falls and the slight sound of thunder rumbles in the distance. Yes, Spring has truly arrived in the nick of time and I couldn’t possibly be more relaxed… and thankful.

So, how are things by you guys? What are you smoking and what springtime rituals are you finally enjoying? Share your thoughts in the comments section below and unwind with your stogie-loving pal, the Zman.

From northern New Jersey, Tommy Z signing off, wishing you long ashes and wonderfully and tasty smokes.

TZ.Sig.2

Tommy Z . JR Cigars Blog With the Zman

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Camacho Corojo–Guest review

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

Once again Jeremiah joins us all the way from northern Japan for a guest review. Where am I? I paid a visit to MikesStogies.com to cover his Friday spot. Mike is on vacation in Florida. With any luck, I am having a cigar with him right now. Make sure to check out his site today.

This time around Jeremiah is smoking the Camacho Corojo. A couple months ago, I reviewed the Maduro version of this cigar. So take 12 minutes out of your day and see how it went.

MP3 Audio Only <-Right click, Save As

Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf

Monday, May 9th, 2011

I found this cigar at a local tobacco shop in St. Petersburg, FL (Not Ed’s, I admit it). The nice bands and overall good presentation caught my eye. Having only reviewed one Casa Fernandez cigar, the Arsenio, I figured this was worth a try. As you know by now, I paired up with water, and here are my thoughts.

 

Wrapper: Nicaragua

Binder & Filler: Nicaragua

Size: Toro 6 x 54

Price: Around $7.00

 

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The wrapper was very smooth looking, with no visible flaws. Veins were very few and small. The odor coming off of the wrapper and foot was mild with woody notes. The cigar was pretty tightly packed, with on hard spot in the first third. The draw was ever so slightly snug. The pre-light flavor was a dark earthiness.

The burn got wavy from time to time, and I had to do several corrections. This can be a common thing when it comes to boxed pressed cigars. The ash held for about an inch.

1 Casa_Fernandez_Aganorsa_Leaf Cigar

Flavor:

The first third opened up with a smooth woody note. Through the nose, there was a spicy yet not over the top pepper. It wasn’t a normal black pepper, it was much smoother. Nuts and coffee developed shortly afterwards.

2 Casa_Fernandez_Aganorsa_Leaf Cigar

The second third developed into a more sweet flavor profile. The nutty flavors didn’t go anywhere, and coffee notes remained as well. The pepper calmed down, but it still kept some of it’s zing when passing through the nose. At about the half way point the smoke feel became thicker and creamier with notes of caramel.

3 Casa_Fernandez_Aganorsa_Leaf Cigar

The last third: The creamy caramely flavors mixed with nuts dominated the flavor profile. Like before, wisps of sweet coffee were there from time to time. It was similar to coffee with sugar and cream. The pepper really calmed down, as did the zing. Way in the background, I picked up earthiness from time to time.

4 Casa_Fernandez_Aganorsa_Leaf Cigar

Conclusion:

This was a good medium to maybe lower full bodied cigar. The flavors kept my interest and the overall experience was relaxing. I think it met it’s price point as well. I think this could satisfy any medium to full bodied smoker.

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