Archive for January, 2018

The Affordable Fresco Cigar from Perdomo

Tuesday, January 30th, 2018

There is no doubt that Nick Perdomo is one of the most innovative cigar makers and tobacco experts in the premium cigar industry today. He has created a huge portfolio of top-selling blends that encompass regular releases, Limited Edition Anniversary, and a host of specially crafted sticks that include the Bourbon Barrel Aged, Special Craft Series for beer connoisseurs, Factory Tour, and a host of other mouthwatering treats to enhance your enjoyment of this great hobby. Beyond his amazing crafting prowess and massive lineup of premium handmade cigars, Nick is one of a handful of manufacturers that are totally in tune with the economy as well as every smokers budget, therefore, in the extraordinary lineup of Perdomo cigars you will find several top-notch blends that also happen to be very affordable. His latest release, Perdomo Fresco, falls into this category.

Perdomo Fresco cigars, a value-based offering in the category of Nick’s Sticks, and Lot 23, are available in very popular sizes, and come with your choice of a golden brown or dark Maduro wrapper. The Fresco also happens to be one of the few Nicaraguan puros to boast a mellow to medium body profile. Sparing you the added cost of a fancy box, Perdomo Fresco cigars are packaged in 25-count bundles. However, don’t let this no-frills packing lull you into thinking this cigar is nothing more than a “mow the lawn” stogie, because Fresco is a premium cigar in every sense of the world. Handmade using quality Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos form Estelí, and a flavorful Jalapa binder; Perdomo Fresco surely doesn’t sacrifice quality for price.

Flavor wise, Perdomo Fresco is an easygoing smoke with more than enough character and complexity to satisfy both the newcomer and seasoned cigar aficionado alike. Thanks to a core of perfectly aged tobaccos, the light-colored sun-grown wrapped Fresco delivers a mellow to medium-bodied experience boasting smooth and creamy nuances of toast, spice, and cedar, while the Maduro, equipped with a dark, oily, supple leaf, brings some savory notes of espresso and chocolate to the (rolling) table.

By foregoing the elaborate packaging and expensive marketing strategies, Fresco delivers a fabulous luxury smoke that only tastes expensive!

Whether sharing them with good friends, or making them your daily driver, Fresco cigars offer everything you have come to expect from a premium handmade Perdomo cigar without breaking the bank.

A Beginners Guide To Choosing The Perfect Type of Pipe Tobacco

Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018

I thought I’d do this blog on the different types of cuts you will find on premium pipe tobaccos, since a newbie just discovering his love for the briar may be somewhat intimidated by this somewhat confusing selection.

Because ready-rubbed, ribbon-cut, or cube-cut tobaccos are extremely easy to pack, you might want to start with them. However, if you want to dive right into the intricacies of this hobby, then go ahead— try the flake styles. Flake tobaccos, are packed in slices resembling beef jerky, the tobacco is aged under pressure in “cakes” to draw out the extra flavor and sweetness. While this format can be daunting to a neophyte, I highly recommend them to premium cigar smokers who are accustomed to a thick, dense, smoking experience. Just pinch off a piece and rub it between your thumb and forefinger, separating it to create a lump-free consistency.

Flake tobaccos retain more moisture and freshness than ribbon-cut styles, giving the smoker better control over the burning rate. In addition, many ribbon cut tobaccos are of the cheap drug store variety that tend to burn hot on the tongue. That’s why many newbies quit the hobby after just a few bowls.

If I have convinced you that flake-cut is a great place to start you on your pipe-smoking journey, let’s take a look at a few of the bestselling brands that I personally have been smoking for many years.

Solani is a premium pipe tobacco that offers the pipe smoker very well aged, and fermented tobaccos with as little additives as possible. These blends have been a huge success because of the great taste, fantastic aroma, and outstanding blending.

Since 1887, Mac Baren has been manufacturing fine pipe tobacco utilizing the same rigorous standards that they still use today. MacBaren Navy Flake is an exceptionally smooth mixture of the finest aged Virginias with a touch of Burley and Cavendish, enhanced with rum and honey to create a blend that is mellow, smooth, highly fragrant, and gentle on the tongue.

Dunhill is famous the world over for creating some of the most legendary pipe tobacco blends for many decades. Dunhill Flake contains a smooth blend of fully aged Virginia tobaccos to create a mellow, satisfying smoke with flavors of sweet tobacco, some leathery tones, and hints of creamy vanilla.

McClelland Navy Cavendish premium pipe tobacco’s thick, slow burning qualities make it both the perfect indoor or outdoor smoke. A classic recipe of aged golden Virginia tobaccos infused with the mouthwatering essence of dark Jamaican rum has made this blend a fan favorite for over thirty-plus years.

Formerly from Ireland, but now manufactured in Denmark, Peterson University Flake offers  a delightful mellow to medium blend of  finely aged Virginias and burley tobaccos  infused with  a light, berry-like top dressing. Smooth, mouthwatering flavors of earth, raisins, some nutty components, and hints of molasses, will tantalize your taste buds while the “fresh bakery aroma” room note will captivate you and everybody else within sniffing distance!

 

An Epic New Cigar from Montecristo

Thursday, January 18th, 2018

Coming from one of the most famous names in premium handmade cigars, the ultra-premium Montecristo Epic Craft Cured, part of the top- rated Epic line, is a sophisticated Nicaraguan puro blend designed for the well-seasoned cigar connoisseur.

What sets this Epic Craft Cured apart from the rest of the Montecristo family is the unique curing process used to create a more harmonious fuller bodied blend. Altadis U.S.A. says the tobacco components were fermented in smaller sizes pilones (stacked piles of tobacco set for fermenting) than normal. This laborious process unifies all the components, allowing the flavors of the cigar’s wrapper, binder, and filler tobaccos to marry into a more harmonious profile resulting in a more flavorful cigar.

Handcrafted by the renowned Plasencia family in their famous Nicaraguan factory, a blend of Esteli, Jalapa, Condega, Ometepe and vintage 2006 Rosado Oscuro Nicaraguan tobaccos are aged for a minimum of 10 years to create a lush, yet medium to full bodied experience.

Solidly packed with a seamless wrapper that displays a nice oily patina, you can feel the meticulous details that the artisans at Plasencia put forth in constructing this ultra-premium masterpiece.

The cigar starts medium in strength with heavy spice tones, but soon ramps up in intensity as notes of espresso, chocolate, and a leathery sweetness come into play. A long-lasting caramel finish and a luring sweet smelling aroma make the Epic Craft Cured a very rewarding smoke from start to finish. I call this type of stick a “thumb burner” because the flavors remain intensely delicious right down to the nub!

The Montecristo Epic Craft Cured line is available in three popular 52-ring sizes each presented in beautifully packaged wooden dress boxes that comes sealed with an authentic warranty seal and candle wax stamp to highlight the luxury cigars seated inside.

Introducing the Premium Handmade Alec Bradley New York Cigars

Tuesday, January 16th, 2018

Alec Bradley, one of the most iconic names in premium handmade cigars, gives a nod to the “city that never sleeps” with their exciting lineup of New York cigars. First launched in 2010, the concept behind this brand was to create a cigar specifically for brick and mortar retailers in the State of New York. Given New York has been walloped with very high tobacco taxes; the idea of the Alec Bradley New York was to give these retailers a special cigar with an affordable price to attract consumers. After realizing that the New York line was wildly popular with local cigar aficionados, the brand was made available to smokers everywhere. Hand rolled in Bradley’s famous factory in Honduras; the cigars feature a vintage Criollo ’98 wrapper and binder paired with an intricate blend of aged Nicaraguan and Honduran long fillers. This stunning wrapper covering the Alec Bradley New York is clay red-colored in color and boasts very tight seams and a nice oily patina.

In keeping with the “Big Apple” theme, these top-notch parejo’s come with gorgeous, gold-trimmed bands adorned with a striking drawing of the Empire State Building. And, to further capture the essence of the “Empire State” the cigars are fittingly named Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and of course Manhattan.

The start to the Alec Bradley New York yields heavy white pepper and dark peppery spice tones. As the stick begins to break in, lush notes of earth, cedar, toasted almonds, some fruitiness, and a lush creamy finish, remain for the duration of the smoke. The draw to the Alec Bradley New York is effortless, and the construction is pristine. From a strength perspective, the premium handmade Alec Bradley New York cigars are medium to full bodied, yet smooth on the palate, making it a top-choice for veteran enthusiasts, or newcomers looking to move up in strength. Cigar enthusiasts of all experience levels will also appreciate the total package that these reasonably priced bundled cigars brings to the (rolling) table.

Whether you are a tried and true New Yorker or an out-of-state cigar aficionado, this well- balanced luxury smoke from Alec Bradley is one that you simply must experience.

Beginners Boutiques

Wednesday, January 10th, 2018

Hello my friends, Nick Libretti here for JR Cigars.  I am use to saying that in my videos so lets just keep it going in the written word as well.  From my many YouTube videos which at least one person has watched (thanks mom), it is easy to see that I have a wide array of favorite cigars.  A good cigar for me has many factors including my location, what I’m drinking, my mood etc.  However, there are some smokes that I will like regardless.  I have done quite a few videos on beginner smokes, which are always my favorite.  I love being able to pass my knowledge (which is limited ill admit) to a new smoker and seeing how they enjoy your choices.  So for this article instead of doing my generic Beginner Cigar bit, I decided to do something more specific.  Being a fan of the emerging boutique cigar community, I would love to share my picks for the best boutique cigars for the beginner.

 

 

Espinosa Laranja Reserva

 

            Due to the size of the company, some might say that Erik Espinosa is not the epitome of a boutique manufacturer.  I couldn’t disagree more.  Erik focuses on small batches and expert craftsmanship to create some of the finest blends coming out of Nicaragua.  MY favorite among these, which I have discussed time and time again is the Laranja Reserva.  This medium to full bodied smoke is flawless in terms of burn, flavor and draw.  It is wrapped in a Brazilian wrapper with an orange hue to it.  It takes its name from the Portuguese word for Orange, which makes sense.  It has notes of citrus, a little spice and a little sweetness.  Even the band is brilliant, reminding me of a 1950s orange pop bottle, because I use to hang out at the corner store with Tony from down the way.

 

 

Warped Maestro del Tiempo

 

This cigar means the master of time… end of story.  Kyle Gellis has proven yet again that although he is one of the youngest major manufacturers, he is a force to be reckoned with.  His signature style can be seen brilliantly in this delicious little smoke.  It is produced, like many of his cigars, by Casa Fernandez and is crafted with their legendary Aganorsa tobacco.  It has hints of coffee, wood and nuts with a dash of spice towards the end for a great finale.  The 6012R size has become very popular among cigar enthusiasts for both its outstanding characteristics and its limited release.

 

Tatuaje Skinny Monsters

 

Its safe to say that Pete Johnson was one of the founders of the boutique cigar community.  He loves to due his event only cigars, special releases and limited brands that make his cigars all the more desirable.  With the MY Father factory being his producer, he is able to combined innovative marketing strategies with some of the best cigars on the market.  No boutique collection is complete with out some of the Tatuaje Monster series.  Pete releases a new blend every year, with each one taking its name from old time movie monsters.  My personal favorite is the Jason, because it is very hard to beat a Tatuaje with a broadleaf wrapper.  For a variety you should check out the skinny monster collection, with each different release being rolled into a perfect Lonsdale size for optimum flavor.

 

RoMa Craft CroMagnon

 

In the past half decade, no manufacturer has captured the hearts and minds of the boutique aficionado like RoMa Craft.  Their blends are outstanding, their presentation is brilliant and their creative names make almost no sense to the general public, but that’s the point.  If you haven’t tried a CroMagnon yet, then stop reading right now and go smoke one.  It is a broadleaf beauty that is full in flavor but smooth on the retro hale.  RoMa Craft is a must have for the boutique humidor.

 

 

 

Foundation Tabernacle

 

            I know you guys saw this one coming.  Nick Melillo has become a dear friend of mine but not because I particularly like him.  I mean he is ok I guess, but I am much more a fan of his products.  Foundation cigars has created hit after hit over the past 2 years with no end in sight.  While I am a huge fan of El Gueguense and its maduro sequel, Nick and I both find ourselves drawn to the Tabernacle.  Its brilliant broadleaf wrapper is grown in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley, which of course is located by the “mighty” Connecticut river.  It is a Connecticut broadleaf at is finest with rich chocolate notes and a nice subtle sweet spice from its Nicaraguan tobacco.  Nick is literally becoming the “Foundation” of boutique cigars. Love ya Nick!

Best Boutique Cigars for Beginners

Monday, January 8th, 2018

What is a boutique cigar? Well, many cigar experts are still trying to give it a definitive definition.  While years ago, many felt as though they had a grasp on what a boutique cigar was, today the term has basically come to be known as small batch.  At cigars.com we consider a boutique cigar to be a limited production, high quality cigar that is available in some shops but not all.  They are cigars where extra care is taken to make sure each one is perfect, where manufacturers care more about a great, high quality product then simply producing as many as possible. Now there are several large companies that produce a few lines of “boutique cigars”, yet today we are going to focus on the company’s whose primary mission it is to make small batch, limited releases.

 

The first may come as a shock to new customers seeing as this company is now one of the largest in existence, but there is no doubt that they were one of the founders of the boutique cigar trend.  Drew Estate has been the forerunner in the boutique cigar world since the early 2000s.  The Acid line is considered the boutique infused cigar.  In recent years, we have seen the growth of their premium cigar division, with the Liga Privada line becoming one of the most sought after cigars in the country.

 

Tatuaje is everything a boutique cigar company should be.  Their blends are among the highest rated every year and their limited edition releases are hunted by their fans all over the country.  They have become incredibly popular due to their yearly Monster series release, a new cigar that depicts an old fashion movie monster.  The small batch Pork Tenderloin is considered the holy grail among cigar enthusiast and can only be found at certain events.

 

 

For the beginner, I would recommend they take a look at Foundation, one of the hottest companies in the industry today.  Their El Guegense line was placed in the Top 25 cigars of the year last year and for good reason.  The Tabernacle is one of the best broadleaf cigars available today and the Charter Oak is great value based smoke that maintains a high quality.

 

In the past 10 years, no cigar company has surged as high as RoMa Craft.  Mike Rosales and Skip Martin care about one thing and one thing only: making incredible blends for their customers.  They are among the most popular boutique cigars on shelves today, with shops constantly running low on the Neanderthal or CroMagnon lines.  They have made a vow to every produce more cigars then they think necessary, thereby insuring that care is taken with each one.

 

We here at Cigars.com have so many favorite boutique companies including The Crowned Heads, Illusione, Caldwell etc.  The cigars listed above are a great way for a new smoker to see the quality of a boutique blend and the value they bring to the industry.

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