Archive for the ‘Cuba’ Category
The 7 Main Countries for Fine Cigars
Thursday, August 2nd, 2018When you think about a premium cigar, your first thoughts might be about Cuba, and for good reason. However, there are many other countries that produce fine cigars that rival the Cuban experience.
Here are the seven main countries for fine cigars – Mexico, Ecuador, Honduras, Brazil, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and including the most famous, Cuba.
Mexico
The history the Mexican cigar dates back to the Mayans, who smoked tobacco in pipes, as well as in loosely-rolled bundles that looked similar to a primitive cigar. Due to the volcanic soil in the San Andreas region of Mexico, some of the finest cigars are produced here. The soil is rich in potassium and that yields premium tobacco as well as the dark Maduro wrappers and sleek San Andreas wrapper.
Ecuador
Ecuador doesn’t have a long history like some of the countries when it comes to cigar production. That doesn’t mean that the cigars are of less quality; in fact, the cloud cover and humidity in Ecuador yields a spicy and delicious cigar wrapper like the exquisite Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.
Honduras
Known for its fertile soil and excellent climate for tobacco, Honduras produces cigars with usually a stronger, more dark and earthy flavor. It is an area that even has wild tobacco fields used by its people for hundreds of years. Using mostly Cuban seed, the region is windy and mountainous, with acres of vivid green tobacco plants.
Brazil
This is a country that produces bold, strong, and dark tobacco that is full of flavor and sun-grown tobacco wrappers that have a neutral, sweet taste. If strong is your preference then you can’t go wrong with a Brazilian Cigar like the CAO Brazilia. Almost all of the Brazilian tobacco is grown in the area of Bahia. However, all of the regions within this area on the Atlantic Coast have their own micro-climates and curing methods – which gives unique tastes to the cigars.
Nicaragua
Cigars from Nicaragua are superior tasting due to volcanic soil that is full of nutrients. The weather conditions there are ideal as well, so you get an alternative that is full of flavor and is considered some of the best tobacco in the world. What makes it unique is its soil and minerals which produce spicy and full-flavored cigars.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic was the first to cultivate tobacco for cigars and the flavor is usually mild and smooth. Recently, however, the Dominican Republic has produced some strands that are amazingly powerful so no matter your preference, this is a country where you can go bold or go smooth. And keep in mind that they use the finest aged long filler tobaccos and top-quality wrapper leaves.
Cuba
The Cuban cigar has long been a favored among many and for good reason – the weather is perfect and the soil is quality. According to an article at the Chicago Tribune:
Tobacco grown there takes on the flavors of the soil and is influenced by the micro-climate in that particular region. You can take the same seeds and grow them elsewhere. There will be similarities, but only Cuban tobacco tastes like Cuban tobacco.
While you cannot import Cuban cigars into the United States due to the trade embargo, you can enjoy alternative cigars or cigars from any of the other fine countries listed, where the flavor is comparable to the Cuban.
Time Flies When You’re Smoking Cigars
Monday, August 15th, 2011This past winter, many of us across the country endured one the most heinous stretches of miserable weather ever encountered. Rain, snow, ice, and so much awful crap was brought down upon us that I just wanted to bitch-slap Mother Nature so hard that she’d think twice before messin’ with our lives again. It was like a cruel joke, day in and day out, and worst of all, I couldn’t smoke my beloved cigars! When it’s freezing, sleeting, blizzards and what have you, a brother of the leaf just can’t enjoy his favorite cigar under those conditions, I don’t care who you are. Oh I try – set up a portable heater in the garage, bundle up in layers, and wear a good pair of gloves – but 20 minutes after lighting up, I lose feeling in some really important body parts and it’s time to head back into the warmth. And as you all know, there isn’t a worse feeling than having to ditch a half smoked, Romeo Y Julieta Real Reserva, Punch Grand Cru Number 2, or a delicious La Aurora 107. Oh the humanities, indeed.
You see, the thing is, when I can’t smoke my daily cigar, time drags forever as I yearn for warm weather, green grass, and a barbecue dinner with friends and family. It’s amazing how time almost comes to a complete standstill during the winter as I am jonesing like a wacko for some premium aged, tobacco goodness. I get irritable, cranky, and act like a 4 year old who can’t play outside with his favorite toys. My wife thinks I’m an ass and my kids lock their doors and hide in their bedrooms when daddy can’t pound his plentiful puros.
So, FINALLY, the warm weather comes… first Spring, then Summer, and before you know it here we are in mid-August as time has flown by like a rocket sled that’s headed straight back to Christmas, cold weather months, and NO MORE DAILY SMOKES… AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
So I ask you, why does time fly during cigar season… you know, the time of year you can sit outside with a cold brew, a couple of you best buddies, and enjoy a hand rolled happy stick? Why is it that the good days spent with your Honduran, Nicaraguan, and Dominican amigos blow by like a jack rabbit on Red Bull, but in the winter the days drag slower than a turtle with Rosie O’Donnell strapped to its back? (Yes, that was a most disturbing visual and I’m sure I speak for the management here at JR when I say I apologize for reaching beyond the normal boundaries, all for a cheap and distasteful laugh. But I can assure you, it won’t be the last time.)
I guess it’s just human nature that we yearn for the good times, but those good times sure do pass you by if you don’t take the time and make the effort to enjoy them. If you have kids, then you know exactly what I mean. Okay, so it’s almost the end of summer, but that doesn’t mean you’ve gotta think about the future and what is going to come. I say, spend the rest of these nice weather days enjoying the hell out of life, savor that premium cigar, sip that glass of scotch, relish your family and friends, and live in the now, because the truth is, right now is all you’ve really got.
Now does that mean I’ll stop being a moron in the winter, alienate my loved ones, and brood like bratty little school-girl? No, probably not, but I definitely will make an attempt to relax and enjoy what I have in the present… and an imported, premium, hand rolled cigar is the best present a guy could ever give himself.
Until next week my Brothers in Leafdom,
Tommy Z . JR Cigars Blog With the Zman
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Offer Valid thru midnight ET, Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Hello, My Name is Tommy & I am a Tobacco Nerd
Monday, August 8th, 2011Yes my premium leaf loving pals, just like every one of you, I buy my cigars from JR. For some reason, people are under the impression that I get hordes of stogies for free, but I am indeed a longtime customer, just like the rest of you guys.
Now, much like the rest of you, I love shopping for cigars. While the women of our species can spend skads of hours roaming through malls and shopping in one clothes store after another, (insisting that they can’t find a thing to buy), we cigar lovers will have little problem finding a multitude of goodies to purchase in no time at all. Put me in a big room full of premium-aged sticks – I’ll peruse through the shelves pinching and sniffing along the way – and be assured I’ll hit the register with an eclectic selection of long-filler goodness, from several countries that hover around the equator.
I happen to be fortunate that I live within half an hour from the JR Cigars in Whippany, NJ, and have made it my home away from home since it opened it’s doors in the late 90’s. Like all JR Cigar stores, the place is truly the mecca of aged premium leaf, with thousands upon thousands of square feet of leafy goodness to lose yourself in. While I have visited the store hundreds of times, every single time I walk through those doors I get all jacked up like the proverbial kid in the candy shop – only the treats at JR are a hell of lot sweeter if you ask me.
The rush one gets from going through various brands of cigars is such a high, and completely unexplainable to those who don’t smoke – especially the wife. (Let’s take for instance, a few of my present faves, the Gurkha Colorado, Bolivar Cofradia, La Gloria Cubana Serie N, Frank Llaneza 1961, and the luscious Belinda Black) They’ll never in all their lives understand what floats our boat and there’s no sense in even trying. And we all know how dangerous it can be to enter a cigar shop with too much cash or a plastic card with room to spend. It’s like when they tell you not to go to the grocery store when you’re hungry. And I don’t know about you, but I am ALWAYS hungry for a good smoke.
Then there’s shopping on JR’s relaunched website, which is probably an even worse addiction as you don’t even have to move your fat and lazy culo from your chair, as a plethora of brands and sizes are right there before your finger tips. Just surf and click and the man in brown shows up at your door…and THAT is a major-league high all unto its own! When I order my stoags online, I’m like a puppy waiting for its master to show up, racing to the window every time I hear a car go by the house, and doing everything I can not to pee on the carpet. (Mr. Pavlov would truly have a friggin field day with me.) And when that big brown truck finally pulls into the driveway, you’d better not be in my path as I make a beeline to the door while practically tearing the box from the delivery guy’s hands. And as you well know, tearing open that box is like a kid on Christmas morning who KNOWS he was a good boy and that Santa brought him exactly what he asked for.
Okay, admittedly I have no life and I should seek professional help, but I have a strong suspicion that you are every bit as bad as a tobacco nerd as I am – or as Lew would refer to us as “cigar weenies.” We are lovers of the leaf my people and there’s no denying this love that cannot be explained. So until next week, I bid you long ashes. Smoke ‘em cuz ya got ‘em. Yes, My name is Tommy & I am indeed a Tobacco Nerd.
HOLY SMOKES… Don’t Miss Out on This Special!…
Grab some popcorn, click on the video box below, and check out the J·R Weekly Special!
JR is giving us Tobacco Nerds one last chance to get our hands on the handmade gems of Te-Amo New York before they leave the warehouse forever. And get this…these tasty beauties are going for ONLY A BUCK A CIGAR! That’s right – they’re letting every bundle go out the door for just $24.95. There are limited quantities available SO ACT NOW!
JR CIGARS Brings You HAVANA NIGHTS!
Monday, August 1st, 2011Okay, so President John F. Kennedy signed the Cuban Embargo in 1962 forbidding any form of trade with the Hispanic speaking island that resides just 90 miles south of Key West, Florida. And while it may still be illegal to smoke Cuban cigars here in the United States, it doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the lifestyle of a people rich in history and culture!
On Friday, August 12th from 6pm – 10pm, JR Cigar in Whippany, NJ is heating things up with a party like never before as Havana Nights makes it’s debut at the world’s most famous cigar store! There will be SO much going on that your head will spin and your hips will shake while you get your salsa on! I kid you not, it’s an event you don’t want to miss! Just check out what’s planned during the festivities…
• Live Music
• Hot Dancing
• Cool Drink Specials
• Authentic Mouthwatering Cuban Food
• Presidente Beer and Zafra Rum Tasting
• A chance to show off your classic Pre-Enbargo automobile!
• Beautiful models to liven up the joint (Yeah, right, like it really needs anymore livening up?)
• And did we mention… CIGARS, CIGARS, and even more CIGARS!!!
I can personally attest to the fact that when it’s comes to cigars and good times, NOBODY does it like JR, and I wouldn’t miss this for the world! Yeah, that’s right, the Zman will be there, devouring the food, pounding the premium smokes, and meetin’ and greetin’ cuz I am a gregarious herfing maniac! And I hear that even my good pal, Mr. Steve Nathan will show his face and maybe he might even smile for everyone. Aye Carumba, this is gonna be a blast!
BUT WAIT… THERE IS DEFINITELY MORE!..
La Aurora Cigars will be our distinguished guests at this swingin’ Latin-style event, trekking all the way from Miami, Florida! They’ll be featuring specials on their cigars that you will NOT want to miss!
The amazing La Aurora 107 and the delicious Principes will be going at:
Buy 3 Cigars, get 1 FREE! • Buy 5 Cigars, get 2 FREE!
Plus… there, will be even more cigar specials and who knows what else these people will pull out at the last minute! Listen, guys, I don’t care where you live, Whippany, New Jersey is the place to be on Friday, August, 12, as a smokin’ Havana Night is guaranteed for all!
Plus… who doesn’t wanna hang with Nathan and the Zman? Okay, you don’t have to answer that!
Tommy Z . JR Cigars Blog With the Zman
Have you tried the La Aurora 107? It is a delicious smoke that’ll have you begging for more!
LA AURORA 107
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
WRAPPER: Ecuador BINDER: Dominican Republic FILLER: Dominican Republic/Nicaragua
STRENGTH: Medium-Full
La Aurora cigars have been handmade for over 100 years. The 107 line is crafted with a tasty medium-to-full-bodied blend of six-year-aged long-filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, a smooth Corojo binder, and an attractive sun-grown wrapper from Ecuador to create a rich and complex smoke with lots of flavor.
TeAmo World Selection Series-Cuba Blend
Thursday, August 12th, 2010I found this cigar at a random local shop. From what I’ve read, the original TeAmo blends were Mexican puro’s. The World Selection Series features tobacco from multiple regions. I grabbed a glass of water and offer you my thoughts on the TeAmo World Selection Series – Cuba Blend.
Wrapper: Criollo
Binder: San Andres
Filler: Criollo
Size: Robusto 5 x 54
Price: Around $3.00
Pre-Smoke & Construction:
The tan wrapper had a few medium to large veins, giving it a somewhat rugged look. Overall the cigar was evenly packed with a slight sponginess. The wrapper had a mild earthy odor, while the foot had almost none. The pre-light draw was a little stiff, and had an earthy, woody taste.
The burn was pretty bad in the first and second third. The last third burned fine. The burn issues are not consistent with the other cigar I had. The ash held on for about an inch.
Flavor:
The first third had a mild earthiness mixed with a cedar. A very slight sweet spice was noticed when passing the smoke through the nose.
The second third had minimal change in flavor. The mild earthy cedar remained dominant. The mild sweet notes also remained unchanged. Other then the addition of coffee notes, there was an occasional bitterness that I didn’t care for.
Surprise… Not a lot to mention in the last third. The flavors basically remained the same. The occasional bitterness became more frequent, and the smoke took on a slight harshness. It wasn’t a strong harshness, but just enough for me to notice.
Conclusion:
This mild cigar began with promise to be a decent morning smoke. Overall I just don’t care for the flavor. It just seemed unbalanced and…well, lame. Maybe your mileage will vary. I won’t consider smoking any more of these cigars…
Reyes Family-Cuba Aliados Miami
Monday, January 25th, 2010I’ve always been a fan of the Cuba Alidos, which is what drew me to today’s review. The Miami addition sports a different blend and presentation. As its namesake suggests, these are hand rolled in Miami instead of Honduras. To get maximum flavor for the review, I paired with water and got to it…
Wrapper: Habano
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: Robusto 5 x 50
Price: $6 to $7.00
Pre-Smoke & Construction:
After removing the cedar sleeve, I was able to inspect the nice looking wrapper. It looked smooth, with only a couple medium veins. I could only detect mild cedar and natural tobacco odor when sniffing the wrapper. The foot had a similar smell, with an added earthy odor. For the most part, the cigar was packed evenly, with a couple hard and soft spots. This wasn’t anything of concern. The pre-light draw had just the right amount of resistance, and had earthy, cedary notes.
The burn requires a few corrections in the first two thirds, and the ash held for about an inch.
Flavor:
The first third opened up with a smooth cedary flavor. I picked up sweet, smooth spicy notes when exhaling through the sinus. As I progressed further, a familiar and nice pepper entered the picture that reminded me there is some Nicaraguan tobacco in this thing.
The second this kept the dominant woody flavor. The sweet peppery spice would be almost non existent in one puff, and reappear in the next. The smoke feel was somewhat creamy with a nice aftertaste.
Again… Like before, the dominant flavor was cedary wood for the most part. The pepper went away, but the zing remained when exhaling through the nose. At times, sweet mocha like flavors would appear and battle with cedar to dominate the flavor profile.
Conclusion:
This was a good medium to full bodied smoke and was very enjoyable. I can and will smoke these again should I run across them. I can only suggest you give the Cuba Aliados Miami a try.
A Quick Smoke With Ed and Tom – La Aroma De Cuba
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009This is a new segment called “A Quick Smoke with Ed and Tom.” This video runs about 15 minutes. The name explains it all. The idea is to review smaller ring gage and length cigars in a quick, to the point format. Ed and I figured a little extra content couldn’t hurt, so we did a quick review of the La Aroma De Cuba.
I am not sure how often we’ll do these, but we are shooting for one quick smoke in addition to a full length review each month. These segments will be featured here, and on St. Pete Pipe & Cigars. Let us know what you think. Is it a good or bad idea? Should the reviews be shorter or longer? All feedback is welcome, good or bad.