Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Montecristo #1...maybe not?

OK, I hadn’t smoked a good Monte in a long time, and with one as a gift from my recent birthday, and a great Knicks v. Nets game on TV, I thought it was time to spark it up.

That’s where all of the trouble started.  The cigar did not seem dry or moist, in fact it had a nice firmness to it, and it seemed ready to go.  When I put it to my lips I got no immediate flavor or spice, but I cut into it anyway and lit a bit of cedar to get a good burn.



For whatever reason, it did not want to cooperate.  The draw was very tight, and took effort to pull in any smoke.  It was very slow going , and I finally took a torch lighter to it, and held it there for quite a few seconds to try and get it as hot as possible.  After nearly burning the front end, it finally gave in, and the draw started to ease up.

The frustrating start caught me off guard, and had me writing some derogatory notes in my little 33 Cigars book.  With such high expectations off to such a poor start, I almost didn’t notice how quickly the cigar turned from naughty to nice!

Really, from about ¼ of the way in, all the way through about ¼ of the way finished it was a pleasant smoke.  No real flavor or kick to speak of, just a mild and smooth ride along the way.  Although I’m big on maduro’s and cigars that pack a punch, I think everyone occasionally should smoke something less demanding. Unfortunately it did not pair very well with my Johnnie Walker Black, but I should have expected that.



It also was not a cigar that I could smoke to the nub, which is another one of my preferences.  It became just a little too flat at the end, and the draw began to tighten up again.

So…not one I would go to again, not this size and not this complexity, but still will keep my humidor open to the ‘darker’ side of Montecristo and let you know how that goes.  I would rate it a 5 on a 10, hope the Cigar Gods aren’t listening. 

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Monday, December 10, 2012

The Top 10 Cigars of 2012!

The CCBR Top 10 Cigars of 2012

I’ve read countless reviews, I’ve smoked thousands of cigars, and I’ve invested in good humidors and proper care of premium cigars.  In all this time, I’ve yet to smoke a cigar with flavors of cinnamon, cedar, pepper, chocolate, etc.

To me cigars are either strong, medium or light in body, have a good draw or not, give your lips a good spicy taste or not, and are consistent throughout (or not) because there’s nothing I like better than smoking it right down to the nub!  

So with my less than sophisticated pallet, but my absolute pure passion for the leaf, I bring you the CCBR top 10 of 2012.  These cigars meet my standards of spicy on the lips, easy draw, lots of kick and delicious all the way down to the nub! 

#10 - Rocky Patel Edge  


#7 - Sosa Vingtage -  


#4 - CAO Brazilia (Caution these suckers really pack a punch!)



#2 - El Rey Del Mundo

#1 – Don Pepin Garcia Black Label  


Enjoy these and explore as many premium cigars as your time can afford!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Great Smoke 2013

The Great Smoke 2013

I don't get to as many cigar events as I would like to, but one that I never miss is The Smoke Inn's annual Great Smoke in West Palm Beach, FL.

Of course living near by helps, but as a huge cigar fan, that attended many Big Smoke's in New York City, this event can measure up with the best of them.



Many of the attendees are familiar with the owner Abe.  In an economy that has struggled for years, Abe has continued to open new stores and is seems that everything he touches turns to gold.

I did notice a slight increase in the price of this, the 6th anniversary of the event. Regardless, for 40 smokes the $160 basic ticket price is still well worth the price of admission.  Not to mention, all of the top shelf liquor, great food, and music wrapped in a crowd of amazing people, the experience is priceless.



I have tried to tell everybody I know about it.  I have even gone the route of buying a companion ticket for only $30 more, but have also gone alone.  No matter who I go with, or how I get there, I've had a great time and better each year.  From meeting Rocky Patel, to every one of the cigar manufacturers that attend, the atmosphere is electric and the camaraderie cannot be matched.




I just received the email a few days ago announcing The Great Smoke 2013, which lands appropriately enough right around Valentines Day for all of us Cigar Lovers!  Hope to see you all there.

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John Garcia
Custom Cigar Band Rings



Saturday, December 1, 2012

Happy Birthday to Me, a gift of CLE Corojo!


On November 28th, I turned 43.  Interestingly enough, I did not start smoking cigars until I was 27, and now enjoy about a cigar a day.

I was very happy to receive a 4-pack of Rocky Patel edge from light to maduro, a RP Vintage, an Illusione but the treat of the gifts came in a little known cigar called CLE Corojo!

This medium brown stick is one of the latest offerings from Christin Eiroa's new company CLE Cigars.  I visited the website and enjoyed some beautiful pics of their cigar farm in Honduras.

This all Honduran cigar may not be the most elegant thing to look at, but right from the first puff, I was thoroughly impressed.  Lots of spice and flavor, that had some sweetness as well to balance it out.  Barely 1/3rd of the way through some nice oak and cedar flavors began to step up, and stay with the smoke the rest of the way.



The draw was easy, the flavor was so good, if I hadn't just had an Italian Sweet Sausage sandwich with peppers, I'd probably be looking for a nice steak to eat.  I enjoyed it while drinking a Fosters premium ale, and felt each sip made both taste better.

Produced in limited quantities, this choice, even on Cigars International will cost you a little more than your average purchase.  A box of 25 Robusto's will cost about $133, and in my opinion, well worth the price.

On a birthday where gifts included well known Bourbon, Cigars and accessories (so glad my people know me so well!) this little CLE won top honors, and should be part of your humidor as well.

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Thank You!