Stogie Fresh 5

Episode-126-IPCPR-2008

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:39:38 -0700

DESCRIPTION: Last week, Doc was present at the 76th Annual International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Trade Show and Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Nevada weather was hot, but the cigars were even hotter as the IPCPR trade show was in full swing from Sunday through Thursday.

PHOTO: Don Pepin Garcia works the crowd

In the midst of the lights and excitement of Las Vegas, we were able to learn more about the cigars, and the industry stars. We sampled fine stogies, we drank some fine libation and we partied with cigar lovers one and all. We made important contacts, made new friends, met up with old friends and learned a lot in the process.

PHOTO: Doc with Vicente Garcia of Canimao Cigars

As usual, the cigar manufacturers rolled out their new cigars, and generally were strutting their stuff trying to get the attention of the throngs of participants at the trade show.

This year, the trade show and convention was held at the Sands Expo Center, which is part of the Venetian and Palazzo hotel/casinos. The sands is a 50,000 square foot facility that housed the trade show in style.

Doc was on hand, as were three more Stogie Fresh team members, Blake Oliver, Eddie DeJong, and new team member Francisco Curiel. For the next 2 weeks here on Stogie Fresh 5, I will be filling you in on the happenings at the trade show. I’ll be sharing interviews that we recorded during the show, and I’ll be talking about cigars: from new cigars to old cigars, to everything in-between.

PHOTO: Graycliff Glitters in Vegas

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
Doc sends out a new issue of the STOGIE FRESH NEWS just prior to leaving for the IPCPR Trade Show
Doc “tweets” with Twitter at IPCPR
New article on “Retrohaling” published in the Stogie Fresh News
CIGAR CONFERENCE WEST 2009!!!!!
Best new cigar I smoked at the trade show: Canimao. Second place goes to Pinar del Rio Cigars.
Special Correspondences: Jason from Ohio, and Wayne from Missouri.

SPECIAL INTERVIEWS:
Doc interviews SF team member Francisco Curiel who talks about the newly announced CIGAR CONFERENCE WEST
Eddie talks with Mike Laurato of Laurato Cigars
Eddie chats with Jorge León of Miura Cigars

SF5 “ONE-OFF” WITH JIM BARRETT: Cigar of the week: Romeo y Julieta Vintage I

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Mike from Florida
How to throw a “Herf”

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Canimao Cigars: http://www.canimaocigars.com
Purchase Canimao: Absolute Tobacco, (281) 392-2387 http://www.absolute-tobacco.com
Cigar Science article. “Smoking in Retrospect: How the Nose Affects Cigar Flavors”
Cigar Conference West 2009: http://www.cigarconference.com
Pinar del Rio Cigar Company: http://www.pdrcigars.com
Laurato Cigars: http://www.lauratocigars.com
Miura Cigars: http://www.miuracigars.com
The Mind of Men podcast: http://www.mindofmen.com

Episode-125-Davidoff-2000-Tubo

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:55:58 -0700

DESCRIPTION: This week’s featured cigar is from the Davidoff Mille or, Thousand, Series. The Davidoff 2000 was one of the first Davidoff cigar formats to be made in the Dominican Republic. The 2000 was launched back in 1978 by Zino Davidoff. Today, the Thousand series includes 6 different sizes from the 1000 to the 6000. Our featured cigar of the week, the Davidoff 2000, is among the best-loved shapes for cigars throughout the world. It’s a petite cigar at just 5 inches x 43 ring gauge.

PHOTO: Davidoff 2000 shows a clear wrapper and fine veins

The Davidoff Thousand Series is said to be a mild and mellow cigar. In terms of flavor, the 2000 falls between the marked, robust aroma of the cigars in the "Grand Cru" series and the delicate, mild ones of the "Classic" series. The wrapper is Connecticut seed grown in Ecuador and the binder and filler are from the fertile valleys in the Dominican Republic.

PHOTO: Box lid of 2000 Tubos

FEATURED LIBATION: Glenfiddich 21-Year Old Single Malt Scotch
The Glenfiddich Distillery is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery owned by William Grant & Sons in Dufftown, Scotland. The distillery has stood in the same location since 1887 and the word Glenfiddich means ‘Valley of the Deer’ in Gaelic, and that’s why you will see a deer symbol on the Glenfiddich labels. The Glenfiddich 21Year single malt Scotch whisky that I’m featuring today has been aged for 21 years and then finished for four months in barrels that once contained rum from the Caribbean. This whisky weighs in at 40% ABV.

PHOTO: Airflow “Slits” in Tubos

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
Doc and the Stogie Fresh Team will be in Las Vegas for the IPCPR Trade Show, which starts on July 13. Doc will bring back reports.
New article in the Stogie Fresh Journal highlights some of the new cigars to be formally introduced at the IPCPR trade show. The article is titled: Cigar Brand News: July 2008.
Correspondence from Geoff from Australia. Geoff sent in a newspaper article describing efforts by Australia’s Health Minister to make tobacco smokers purchase a yearly Tobacco Permit.
Another correspondence from Russ from Nebraska. Russ comments on the new Stogie Fresh TV segment: The Color of Ash. Be sure to check out Stogie Fresh TV.
Rick Fuller of CigarBoxDecor.com sent Doc some samples of his work. He converts cigar boxes, bands, labels, and ribbons into useful items and household decorations. Be sure to check out his site; http://www.cigarboxdecor.com

SPECIAL SEGMENT: Stogie Fresh 5 “One-Off” with Jim Barrett. Cigar of the week: CAO America

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Should I keep the cellophane on boxes of cigars when I store them in my humidor?

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Davidoff Cigars: http://www.davidoff.com
Glenfiddich 21 Yr Scotch: http://www.glenfiddich.com
Cigar Science article. “The Critical Difference: Premium Cigars vs. Cigarettes”
Rick Fuller; Cigar Box Décor: http://www.cigarboxdecor.com
The Mind of Men podcast: http://www.mindofmen.com
Stogie Fresh TV: http://stogiefreshtv.blogspot.com/
Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories: http://www.stogiefresh.com/shop_accessories.htm

Episode-124-God-of-Fire-2006

Sun, 6 Jul 2008 23:27:39 -0700

DESCRIPTION: Today’s featured cigar is blended by Carlos Fuente Sr. and is made at the Fuente factories in Santiago, Dominican Republic. It’s a Robusto size measuring 5.25 x 50 RG.

God of Fire 2006 by Don Carlos uses an Ecuadorian-grown wrapper and a blend of Dominican tobaccos for the filler and binder. The cigars are rolled by the Fuente’s most skilled torcedores and then are aged for 2 years in cedar aging rooms.

The God of Fire cigars are released twice per year and are always in limited quantities and in high demand.

FEATURED LIBATION: The Glenlivet Archive 21 Year Old Scotch
The Glenlivet distillery is the oldest legal distillery in Scotland; it was founded in 1824, which was the same year that distilling was legalised by the Scotish Government, and it has operated almost continuously since.

PHOTO: Burn characteristics of the God of Fire 2006 Don Carlos

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
New Stogie Fresh TV Segment: The Color of Ash.
The IPCPR Trade Show starts in Las Vegas on July 13. Doc will bring back reports.
Interview with Christina Fontecchio, manager of The Boss cigar shop in Arroyo Grande, California.
Just published article titled, The MOB at The BOSS. Cigar club event is chronicled in this article and there is also a Photo Slideshow of the event.

DOC’S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: Camacho SLR Rothschild

FEATURED WEB SITES:
God of Fire Cigars: http://www.godoffire.com
The Glenlivet Scotch: http://www.theglenlivet.com/
Cigar Postscript: Camacho SLR: http://www.camachocigars.com
Stogie Fresh TV Segments: http://stogiefreshtv.blogspot.com
Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories: http://www.stogiefresh.com/shop_accessories.htm

Episode-123-J-Fuego-Delirium-Belicoso

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:02:47 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The cigar I’m featuring today is one of the new kids on the block, the J. Fuego Delirium. The Delirium is a four-country blend including tobacco from Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Brazil. The Delirium project actually started a few years ago, but was put on hold until Jesús and Tabacos S A could be sure that they would have complete control over the tobaccos used in the cigar.

This cigar has a complex blend with well-aged tobaccos. In fact the youngest tobacco in the blend is the dark and seductive Habano seed Brazilian maduro wrapper, which is over 5 years old.

FEATURED LIBATION: Flor de Caña 18-Year Rum
Flor de Caña 18 year rum is distilled from molasses, it’s aged 18 years in used whisky and bourbon barrels. And, at 18-years is the oldest rum from Flor de Caña. Bottled at 40% alcohol by volume.

PHOTO: Delirium Belicoso and Flor de Caña Rum

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
Numerous changes to the Stogie Fresh home page, which will make it easier to find what you are looking for, and quickly.
Changes to the Cigar Review Directory
New cigar science article: Nicotine Tolerance and Cigars
New Featured Article: Cigars and Politics

PHOTO: Burn characteristics of Delirium

DOC’S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: El Cobre by Oliva

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Roy from Montana
What cigars are the best candidates for long-term aging, and why?

FEATURED WEB SITES:
J. Fuego Cigars: No site
Flor de Caña Rum: http://www.flordecana.com
Cigar Postscript: El Cobre by Oliva: http://www.discountcigars.org/cigars.asp?parentval=274
Stogie Fresh TV: http://stogiefreshtv.blogspot.com/
Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories: http://www.stogiefresh.com/shop_accessories.htm

Episode-122-La-Riqueza

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:55:19 -0700

Pete Johnson, owner of the Tatuaje cigar brand, has wanted to make a cigar with Connecticut broadleaf wrapper since he started the Tatuaje company. So, he resurrected an old Cuban brand and has recently released the La Riqueza.

Above: Box lid showing label artwork
Below: Inside of the box of La Riqueza No. 5

The cigars, which have Nicaraguan fillers and binders, are being made by Pepin Garcia in his Tabacalera Cubana S.A. factory in Nicaragua. The La Riqueza is blended in the Cuban style of Full Flavored yet Medium Bodied cigars. All the cigars are rolled with the traditionally cuban box press and are packed in dress boxes.

Above: Cigar #1 with “Mouse Hole Burn”
Below: Cigar #2 with Tunnel

This cigar was supposed to be a departure from the company’s more full-bodied smokes and therefore the La Riqueza has no ligero tobacco in the blend. However, though the cigar is blended to medium body, it’s purportedly a powerhouse in flavor due to the richness of the broadleaf wrapper. And, of course, we’ll be putting that notion to the test here on Stogie Fresh 5 today.

The La Riqueza comes in 5 vitolas, but today’s featured cigar is the diminutive No.5, a 4 3/8 x 42 RG petit corona also called a minuto.

FEATURED LIBATION: Bitburger Premium Beer
Bitburger Premium Beer is Germany's no. 1 draught beer. It comes in a variety of formats from an elegant long neck bottle to short squat bottles, to the 5 litre party barrel. And everything in-between.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
Published a new issue of the Stogie Fresh News, electronic newsletter

EXCLUSIVE TRANSCRIPT: Pete Johnson, Tatuaje Cigars

DOC’S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: Tatuaje Havana VI Victorias

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Jason from Ohio
Why do stronger cigars effect beginners much more than experienced cigar smokers?

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Tatuaje Cigars: http://www.tatuajecigars.com
Bitburger Beer: http://www.bitburger.com
Stogie Fresh TV: http://stogiefreshtv.blogspot.com/
Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories: http://www.stogiefresh.com/shop_accessories.htm

Episode-121-Partagas-Shorts

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 22:04:28 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The Partagás brand is one of Cuba’s oldest, most famous, and best selling brands in the past 50 years along with Montecristo, H. Upmann and Romeo y Julieta.

The inception of the Partagás brand is credited to Don Jaime Partagás Ravelo, who emigrated from Spain to Cuba early in the 19th century to work in the tobacco business.
Today’s featured cigar is the Partagás Short. The Shorts come in slide lid Cabinet boxes of 50 or in dressed boxes of 25. The Partagás Short is a classic small cigar that measures 4 3/8-inches and 42 ring gauge.

FEATURED LIBATION: San Sebastián Port
This wine is labeled as a Florida Dessert Wine. This is an inexpensive Port wine, you can purchase it online from the winery for about $20.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
New Interview Article with Eric McAnallen; Black Patch Cigars
Stogie Fresh TV: New Media Player Latest video: Curing and Fermentation
New Cigar Science article: Cigar Wrapper Blisters: Leaf Grain
Correspondence: Pedro from Canada: More on “construction issues” in Pepin Garcia’s cigars.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Jesús Fuego

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Sonny from Ohio
Mixing Flavored Cigars with Non-Flavored in Same Humidor?

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Partagás Cigars: http://www.habanos.com/article.aspx?aid=38
San Sebastian Winery: http://www.sansebastianwinery.com
Stogie Fresh TV: http://stogiefreshtv.blogspot.com/
Colin Ganley’s Cigar Media Survey: http://www.cigarresearch.com/Site/Surveys.html

Episode-120-Padron-80th-Anniversary

Sun, 8 Jun 2008 11:54:19 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The Padrón 80th Anniversary cigar, was made to honor the 80th birthday of Jose Orlando Padrón, who founded this prodigious cigar company in 1964. These special cigars are being made in Estelí, Nicaragua, and they are perfectos, the first the company has ever made.

BELOW: Box of Padrón 80th Anniversary Perfectos

The cigars, which measure 6 3/4 inches long by 54 ring, are finished in box-pressed format and dressed in a Nicaraguan sun-grown wrapper. Each leaf of tobacco used in the Padrón 80th anniversary Perfecto is Nicaraguan grown and has been aged for 5 long years.

The 80th anniversary cigars are part of the Padrón Serie 1926 line. The tobacco used for the 1926 line is the very best tobacco from the Padrón coffers. It’s aged longer than the tobacco in any other Padrón production cigars, and it undergoes a slightly different fermentation process.

PHOTO: Burn characteristics of 80th Anniversary Perfecto

FEATURED LIBATION: Booker’s Bourbon
Booker’s Bourbon was created by the grandson of Jim Beam, a gent by the name of Booker Noe. Booker's Bourbon is the only uncut, unfiltered, straight-from-the-barrel, connoisseur's sipping bourbon available today. It's bottled at its natural proof of between 121 and 127, and aged between six and eight years.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
NEW: Stogie Fresh TV
Shop Stogie Fresh Accessories for Father’s Day
More thoughts on construction issues in Don Pepin-made cigars
Correspondence: Pedro from Canada

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Mark from Ohio; “What do I do when my cigars lose their ‘Zing’?”

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Padrón Cigars: http://www.padron.com
Booker’s Bourbon: http://www2.smallbatch.com/
Stogie Fresh TV: http://stogiefreshtv.blogspot.com/
Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories: http://www.stogiefresh.com/shop_accessories.htm

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: Never Ending Amen by Living in a loop?

Episode-119-Trinidad-Fundadore

Sun, 1 Jun 2008 15:06:23 -0700

DESCRIPTION: Today’s featured cigar is the Trinidad Fundadore, which means Founder. It is an imposing cigar at 7.5 inches and 40 ring gauge. It’s a parejo shape and sports a pig-tail cap and a relatively new gold and beige band with a Triple T in the center and the name Trinidad just below it.

Below: Trinidad Fundadore

Named after one of Cuba's most beautiful and famous historical cities, the Trinidad brand was created in 1969. Though its history has been relatively brief, compared to many famous Cuban brands, Trinidad has nevertheless played an important role in the history of Cuban cigars.

Along with the Cohiba, the Trinidad has been used for diplomatic gifts to foreign ambassadors, politicians and other foreign diplomats since its inception in 1969.

But, it wasn’t until 1997 that the Trinidad brand was officially launched and made available to the general public and as an export to the International and World Markets.

Below: Eagle Rare Bourbon, Fundadore, Synchro and PD4 lighter

FEATURED LIBATION: Eagle Rare 10 Yr Single Barrel Bourbon
Eagle Rare Bourbon is yet another in the long list of great Bourbons produced by the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Franklin County, Kentucky.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
No more music: based on podcast survey responses
New article published: Maduro and Oscuro: The Basics
Just delivered the May 28, 2008 edition of Stogie Fresh News
Recent trip to Chico, California
An email from Joe from Illinois

WEBSITE REVIEW: Jesse Nachtigal of CigarJack.net is back with a review of the Joya de Nicaragua website.

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: George from Florida; “Why 70 degrees and 70%RH?”

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Trinidad Fundadores: http://www.habanos.com/default.aspx?lang=en
Eagle Rare Single Barrel Bourbon: http://www.greatbourbon.com/eagleraresb.aspx
Joya de Nicaragua website: http://www.joyadenicaragua.com.ni/
Cigar Jack: http://www.cigarjack.net

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: Never Ending Amen by Living in a loop?

Episode-118-Central-Coast-Herf-2

Sun, 25 May 2008 14:11:03 -0700

DESCRIPTION: This week is a special HERFCAST on Doc’s 2nd Annual Central Coast Herf. The herf featured an all-star cast of cigars, food and libations. With Camacho, Cusano/Cuvée and La Aurora leading the sponsor list, the participants were treated to some wonderful cigars. But not to be outdone by our sponsors, the participants did not come to the herf empty handed, but instead were packing some major heat in the form of some very special cigars.

Below: Doc giving opening remarks at the herf

The libations were also great, as the day progressed herfers were seen with a cornucopia of beer and soft drinks, and just to stay hydrated on a day that reached triple digit temperatures, there was plenty of fresh bottled water on hand.

Below: Participants checking out the loot
The evening meal was a repast normally seen only in the finest restaurants: a multi-course affair that lasted until after 1:00 in the morning. And yet, in the fine tradition of the most experienced, and well-conditioned herfers, there was never a time during the span between 11:00 am on Saturday and 2:30 am Sunday morning where there was not a cigar being torched and toked.

Above: The cigar table

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
Article and photo slideshow of Doc’s Central Coast Herf
Latest cigar review: Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro
Interview with Joe Chiusano: Cusano/Cuvée Cigars

FEATURED WEB SITES: Herf Sponsors
Camacho Cigars: http://www.camachocigars.com
Aurora Cigars: http://www.laaurora.com.do/
Cuvée Cigars: http://www.cuveecigars.com
Cusano Cigars: http://www.cusanocigars.com

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: Lunar Holiday by Pat Zelenka

Episode-117-Fuente-Hemingway-Short-Story

Sun, 18 May 2008 15:36:11 -0700

DESCRIPTION: It takes nearly 4 years to bring a Hemingway cigar to the market. The carefully fermented and aged tobaccos are specially selected from only the best crop years. The Hemingway series cigars are skillfully rolled by the most experienced torcedores, who are limited to manufacturing only 75 cigars per day. After being made, the cigars are aged for six months in cedar lined aging rooms to fully enhance the flavors and aroma.

According to Carlos Fuente Jr., Hemingway cigars are extremely difficult to make, which is why their production is so small. The Fuente’s accumulate a limited amount of these cigars in their aging rooms and usually release them around the holidays.

The Hemingway Short Story features a perfecto shape that lives up to its name. At 4 inches by 48 RG, the Short Story is diminutive in size but not in pedigree.

FEATURED LIBATION: Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Reposado
This is a limited edition tequila made from 100% estate grown blue agave harvested from the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
New Friends of Stogie Fresh RSS Feed page is a big success
Email from Bob from Connecticut
Reminder to fill out podcast survey
Doc’s Central Coast Herf

WEBSITE REVIEW: Jesse Nachtigal of CigarJack.net is back with a review of the La Aurora website.

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Cleansing palate between smokes

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Fuente Cigars: http://www.cigarfamily.com Milagro Reposado Tequila: http://www.milagrotequila.com
Cigar Jack: http://www.cigarjack.net
Reviewed site: La Aurora Cigar http://www.laaurora.com.do/

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: Old Many Coyote by Ethan Martucci

Episode-116-Camacho-10th-Anniv-Corojo

Sun, 11 May 2008 18:29:11 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The Camacho 10th Anniversary line is, appropriately, the tenth blend now available under the Camacho banner. This “Edición Limitada” will be limited to a run of 300,000 cigars. It’s offered in boxes of 21 in four different sizes: the cigar I’m featuring to day is the 6-inch by 54-ring torpedo.

The Camacho Corojo, which made its debut in 2000, was one of the cigars that fueled America’s insatiable appetite for fuller-bodied smokes. In fact, the name Camacho, has become synonymous with big, powerhouse cigars and the company has continually met the demand for full bodied stogies with lines like the Camacho Corojo.

FEATURED LIBATION: Casa Noble Añejo Tequila
The Casa Noble Black label tequila is produced and bottled in Mexico. It weights in at 40% Alcohol by Volume (80 Proof). The tequila is made from 100% Blue Agave and is matured in French White Oak barrels for five years.

The Black Label comes in a unique decanter that is made of black porcelain, and is decorated with accents and labels made of 18k gold hand painted by local Artists. Production is limited to 2,000 cases a year, and is much sought after by collectors.

PHOTO: Closeup Camacho 10th Anniversary Corojo and cutter

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH: This week Doc discusses a new website feature: the Friends of Stogie Fresh RSS Feeds. Also discussed is the new Stogie Fresh News edition and another reminder to fill out the Stogie Fresh 5 podcast survey.

WEBSITE REVIEW: Jesse Nachtigal of CigarJack.net is back with a review of the General Cigar website.
FEATURED WEB SITES:
Camacho Cigars: http://www.camachocigars.com
Casa Noble Tequila: http://www.casanoble.com
Cigar Jack: http://www.cigarjack.net
Reviewed site: General Cigar http://www.cigarworld.com/

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: Tribute to Joe Satriani by Alan Renkl

Episode-115-Nub-Connecticut-358

Fri, 2 May 2008 18:59:53 -0700

DESCRIPTION: This week’s featured cigar is the Connecticut 358, which is a 3.75 x 58 RG… Nub. The Nub is the brainchild of former Oliva Cigar Company sales rep Sam Leccia. After learning how to roll cigars in Esteli, Nicaragua and experimenting in his garage, Sam created some small cigars that he called, “nubs.”

While you’re listening to the show, please complete our podcast survey.
This 5 minute survey will help us learn how to make the show better.

PHOTO: Nub-stand

The Nub concept is based on the theory that a typical cigar tends to reach its peak at around the 3.25 to 4-inch point. Thus, the Nub is an attempt to make a cigar that delivers only that most enjoyable part, or “sweet spot” of the cigar. The Nubs are short cigar, with no cigar being over 4-inches in length. To make the cigar more complex and to improve its burn characteristics, the Nubs are made in girths of 56-66 ring gauge.

PHOTO: Nub-stand Technique

FEATURED LIBATION: Patrón Silver Tequila
Patrón Silver is a crystal clear, ultra premium tequila. Many tequila lovers prefer the clear tequilas because they are lighter in style and are smooth and light on the palate and don’t carry the slightly oaky characteristics of the more aged añejo’s or reposado’s.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH: This week Doc talks about recent listener emails, the podcast survey, gopher season, Churros and Puros, Stogie Fresh News, Stogie Fresh Accessories, the new Camacho Scorpion, a recent herf in Doc’s Neighborhood and a cigar gift from the Noble Ape-Man.

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Nub Cigars: http://nubcigar.com/
Patrón Silver Tequila: http://www.patronspirits.com
Churros and Puros Video Reviews: http://www.youtube.com
Camacho Scorpion (Original): Shades of Havana, ask for Sean. http://shadesofhavana.com/products.htm
The Noble Ape Simulation: http://www.nobleape.com

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: Freedom by Unkle Bonehead and Head In The Clouds by Jeff Schram.

Episode-114-Vegas-Robaina-Artist-Edition

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:05:29 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The cigar that I’m featuring this week is a special offering by Vegas Robaina. For the first time a great smoke meets contemporary Cuban art. Angel Ramirez has been selected as the Cuban artist to design the first ever Art Edition Havana Cigar and that cigar is the Vegas Robaina Famoso of the 2006 production.

While you’re listening to the show, please complete our podcast survey.
This 5 minute survey will help us learn how to make the show better.

Each box carries one of four different high-class engravings that are numbered 1-50 and signed by Ramirez. These engravings show the artist’s very own view of the Habanos smoker. The copper plates that were used to make the engravings were destroyed after printing 50 copies each, so as to conserve the value of what will be the first Art Edition Havana cigar.

PHOTO: Vegas Robaina Art Edition Box with Engraving

Vegas Robaina cigars come in 5 production sizes. The Artist Edition cigar I’m featuring today is the Famoso, a 5" x 48 RG Hermoso No. 4.

FEATURED LIBATION: Le Merle, Belgian Style Saison
Le Merle is a rustic ale, pale in color, inspired by the rich brewing traditions of the Flanders region. Abundant hops and a Belgian yeast strain contribute exotic aromas of tropical fruit.

PHOTO: Vegas Robaina Artist Edition Dual Bands

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH: This week Doc talks about the new featured article by Dale Scott on “Smoking Tips.” Also, Doc describes the Cigar and Soda experiment, an email from a listener in Arctic Canada, and a new Podcast Survey.

WEBSITE REVIEW: Jesse Nachtigal of CigarJack.net is back with a review of the Altadis USA website.

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Vegas Robaina Artist Cigars: no website
North Coast Brewing; : http://www.northcoastbrewing.com/
Cigar Jack: http://www.cigarjack.net
Reviewed site: Altadis USA http://www.altadisusa.com

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: Open up Your Eyes by Eddie DeJong and Never be the Same by Jonathan Beedle.

Episode-113-Fonseca-Vintage

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:16:30 -0700

DESCRIPTION: Today’s featured cigar, the Fonseca Vintage has a Connecticut seed wrapper leaf that is shade grown in Ecuador. The filler and binder are a combination of Dominican long leaf and Dominican Olor tobaccos. Today I’m smoking the 6.75 x 45 ring Lonsdale Tubo.

PHOTO: Below, Manuel Quesada, President, Matasa

MATASA manufactures some of the finest cigars in the world: the Dominican Fonseca, Cubita, José Benito, Casablanca, Licenciados, la Primera, Royal Dominicana and Ricos Dominicanos together with other regional brands that are sold in the U.S. market.

While you’re listening to the show, please complete our podcast survey.
This 5 minute survey will help us learn how to make the show better.

PHOTO: Patricia Quesada, (below right) helps with tour

But it’s their unwavering commitment to quality, consistency and their pride in their work, which continues to be the guiding principles of their business. And it’s this commitment that stands behind every bale of Dominican Tobacco they prepare and every Cigar that comes out of the MATASA factory.

FEATURED LIBATION: Pampero Aniversario Rum
Pampero rum is a product of Venezuela. It was created originally in 1938 by Alejandro Hernandez.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH: This week Doc talks about the new edition of the Stogie Fresh News. Also, Doc explains some problems that people have had downloading the podcast episodes.

WEBSITE REVIEW: Jesse Nachtigal of CigarJack.net is back with a review of the Padrón website.

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Fonseca Cigars
Pampero Aniversario Rum
Cigar Jack: http://www.cigarjack.net
Reviewed site: Padrón http://www.padron.com/

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: On and On by Eddie DeJong and The Drinking Game by John Maxfield.

Episode-112-La-Aurora-Barrel-Aged

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 01:43:09 -0700

DESCRIPTION: La Aurora cigars, like the Preferidos, the 100 Años, and the 1495 Series have benefited from this barrel aging. However, now La Aurora is taking the next logical step and upping the ante with their new Barrel Aged line.

Photo: La Aurora Barrel Aged box
All of the tobaccos in the new Barrel Aged cigar, including the filler, binder and wrapper are aged for a period of 1 year in rum barrels. Master Blender José Blanco has found that the time spent in the old barrels provides the opportunity for the tobacco leaves to harmonize with each other and for the wood to impart a new dimension to the tobacco. According to La Aurora, barrel aging brings the blend to its peak flavor.

Today’s featured cigar, the Barrel Aged, comes in 4 different sizes: there is a 5.75 x 43 ring #4; a 7.5 x 50 Churchill, a 5 x 50 Robusto, and the vitola I am smoking today, which is a 6.25 x 52 RG Belicoso.

Now to the ingredients: The Barrel Aged has a filler blend that consists of Nicaraguan-grown Corojo and Piloto Cubano tobaccos. It has a Dominican binder and is wrapped with a very dark and glistening 4-year-old Dominican Corojo Oscuro leaf.

FEATURED LIBATION: Pyrat XO Reserve rum
The Pyrat XO Reserve rum is a blend of 15-year old Caribbean rums. It’s 40% Alcohol by Volume and comes in a unique 750 ml bottle. The bottle is designed to be reminiscent of the old rum bottles horded and traded by pirates and ship captains in the 1800’s.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH: This week Doc talks about a new article on a Cigar Event Featuring the La Aurora Barrel Aged. Also featured is a short audio segment of Master Blender José Blanco talking about the Barrel Aged. Doc uses José’s statements as a springboard to talking about cigar reviews.

WEBSITE REVIEW: Jesse Nachtigal of CigarJack.net is back with a review of the Nub Cigars website

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Aurora Cigars
Pyrat XO Rum
Cigar Jack: http://www.cigarjack.net
Reviewed site: Nub http://www.nubcigar.com

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: Rush by Unkle Bonehead and Let Me Down by Jeff McMullen.

Episode-111-Cuvee-Blanc

Sun, 6 Apr 2008 14:08:39 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The Cuvée brand was originally introduced in Europe in 2006 with the Cuvée Grand line. The Cuvée Grand was created to appeal to the heavier taste palate of the European markets which are dominated by Cuban cigars; accounting for 60% of sales.

The first cigar to hit the European market was the limited edition Cuvée Grand, which was hugely successful. Then came the Rouge, a powerful full-bodied smoke. While Europe was getting the lion’s share of Cuvée cigars manufactured to date, the availability in the US was scarce. But that won’t last long.

Cuvée will be offering all their cigars in the US shortly. Besides the Cuvée Grand, the Cuvée Blanc and the Cuvée Rouge, they will soon be offering the Cuvée 151, the Sungrown and the Cameroon.

I chose as my featured cigar of this week: the Cuvée Blanc because it is probably the most widely available Cuvée cigar in the US today. Today I’ll be smoking the 6 x 54 RG Toro Gordo. This cigar has Connecticut Shade wrapper grown in the Connecticut Valley, USA. The binder is a Dominican Viso and the filler consists of Dominican San Vicente Seco, Dominican Piloto Cubano Seco and a Peruvian wrapper leaf used as filler.

FEATURED LIBATION: Pacifico Clara
Pacifico Clara (its full name) is a pilsner that first was brewed in 1900 when three Germans opened the Cerveceria del Pacifico brewery in Mazatlan.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH: This week Doc talks about the “Rodenator,” about perceived construction issues with Don Pepin Garcia’s cigars.

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Cuvée Cigars
Pacifico beer
Rodenator
Rodenator Pro video

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: Weight of Life by Unkle Bonehead and Montreal by Charo Sofia.

Episode-110-United-Tobacco-601-Green-Label

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:24:41 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The 601 was introduced in August of 2006 and was blended by José "Pepin" Garcia and manufactured at his Tabacalera Cubana factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The 601 owes its name to the date that Eddie and Erik first went to visit Don Pepin’s factory in Nicaragua, which was on a June 1. Soon thereafter, the 601 Series brand was born.

Tthe 601 Green label. Released in time for the 2007 RTDA trade show in Houston Texas, the Green label, also called the Habano Oscuro, is purported to be the strongest of the 601 series. The filler and binder use Nicaraguan leaf and the wrapper is a Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro.

The Green label consists of five different vitolas, or sizes, and comes in 20 count boxes, except for the Corona, which is packed in 40 ct. boxes.

FEATURED LIBATION: Red Rocket Ale
According to the Bear Republic web site, “this fiery red ale is not for the weak at heart. This is a very complex recipe using five different grains to achieve its unique flavor.” Well, if alcohol content is any indication, this is a pretty buff ale, weighing in at 6.8% Alcohol By Volume.

SPECIAL REPORT: This week Doc will report on the final day of the ProCigar Festival 2008 in the Dominican Republic.

FEATURED WEB SITES:
EO Cigars (601 Serie)
Bear Republic (Red Rocket Ale)

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: Between Old and New by For Tomorrow, and Hollow High by Christopher Dallman.

Episode-109-Perdomo-Lot-23

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:59:18 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The Perdomo Lot 23 is named after one of Tabacalera Perdomo's prestigious farms located near its factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

Perdomo planted Lot 23 in 2000 and it was there that the rich, golden-hued tobacco leaves were harvested and then fermented for a full year and then aged in bales for an additional 4 years.

PHOTO: Box of Perdomo Lot 23 Toro

When the tobacco was ready for blending, Nick Perdomo was at first shocked when he realized that the tobacco from Lot 23 did not blend well with tobaccos from other countries, but was fantastic when blended with tobacco from the very same field. So, in a move rarely seen in the cigar industry, the resulting Lot 23 cigar blend is a combination of filler and binder tobaccos grown exclusively on the Lot 23 farm. That blend was topped with a Connecticut seed grown wrapper leaf from Ecuador.

FEATURED LIBATION: Brugal Unico
The Unico is a liqueur that is made with some of the oldest rums that the company has aged during nearly 100 years of existence. What else is mixed with the rums to make this liqueur is a secret.

SPECIAL REPORT: This week Doc will report on day two of the ProCigar Festival 2008 in the Dominican Republic.

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Perdomo Cigars
Brugal Unico (Rum Liqueur)

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: The Never Ending ‘Amen’ by Living in a Loop? and Undone by Charo Sofia

Episode-108-Ashton-ESG-21-Year-Salute

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:51:19 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The cigar I am featuring today is the 2007 21-Year Salute. It’s a 5-¼ inch by 52 ring Robusto. According to Robert Levin, president of Ashton Cigars, only 50,000 21-Year Salutes were made in 2007.

At the beginning of 2006 the ESG was released in its original vitola and from that time would be released in a new size every year for five consecutive years. Then, on the 25th anniversary in the year 2010, all five sizes will be available and will henceforth be produced annually to make up their part in the regular production lines of Ashton cigars.

FEATURED LIBATION: Trois Pistoles (trwa-pee-stole)
Now today’s featured libation is Trois Pistoles, which means Three Coins. It’s named after a small village in the region of Les Basques in Québec. The Trois Pistoles is 9% alcohol by volume.

SPECIAL REPORT: This week Doc will report on day one of the ProCigar Festival 2008 in the Dominican Republic.

WEBSITE REVIEW: The Avo Cigars Website

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Asthon Cigars
Trois Pistoles
Cigar Jack: http://www.cigarjack.net
Reviewed site: Avo Cigars http://www.avo.com/

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: Entropy by Michael Brooks; Crazy by Fort Pastor

Episode-107-Kentucky-Twist

Sun, 9 Mar 2008 13:10:28 -0700

DESCRIPTION: Kentucky Gentlemen Cigars is poised to turn the cigar industry on its ear. Using the best tobaccos from around the world, and adding some of their own U.S. grown tobaccos, this company is offering unique handcrafted cigars, totally manufactured within the borders of the United States and, of all places, in Kentucky.

PHOTO: The range of Kentucky Gentlemen Cigars

Kentucky Gentlemen Cigars, founded in 2004 by Allen Mobley and his wife Carol, is headquartered on the former Ripplewood thoroughbred farm in Lawrenceburg, KY. Mobley believes that Kentucky is a logical geographical location to manufacture premium cigars: they have the supply, they have the knowledge of tobacco and they have sufficient skilled workers.

Though Kentucky Gentlemen Cigars now imports most of its leaf from the Dominican Republic, Mobley has been experimenting with growing Cuban seed tobacco and Connecticut broadleaf in Anderson County, Kentucky.

The cigar I am featuring today is called the Kentucky Twist. It is a 6.5 x 54 Torpedo that has Dominican and Nicaraguan filler, a Dominican binder, and has two wrappers; one a Connecticut Shade and the other a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro. These wrappers are twisted around the cigar into the appearance of a barber pole. These cigars also feature Western Kentucky fire-cured dark tobacco on the tips, which give the cigars a unique flavor.

FEATURED LIBATION: Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel Bourbon
This is another product from the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, which, by the way, is not too far from where our featured cigar is made over in Lawrenceburg.

DOC’S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: CAO Brazilia Samba

WEBSITE REVIEW: The Worst of the Worst Web Sites

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Kentucky Gentlemen Cigars
Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel Bourbon
Cigar Jack: http://www.cigarjack.net
Reviewed site: the Worst of the Worst:
1. Lovo Cigar http://www.lovocigars.com
2. Old School Cigars: http://www.oldschoolcigars.com
3. Savinelli Cigars: http://www.savinelliusa.com

MUSIC:
Thanks to: Podsafe Music Network http://music.podshow.com
Songs: Funk in A by Pat Zelenka; and Dorothy’s Reply by Allison Tartalia

Episode-106-Dunhill-Signed-Range

Sun, 2 Mar 2008 22:09:41 -0800

DESCRIPTION: Today the Doc will be featuring two cigars, instead of just one. This week’s featured cigars are both called the Dunhill Signed Range, but they are vastly different.

The Dunhill “signed range” line has had an interesting and sometimes confusing history. Part of the confusion is that there are two varieties of the Dunhill Signed Range. The first was the Dominican Signed Range cigars, which were initially released in England before their debut in the United States in 2003. These cigars were made in very limited quantities and will be increasingly harder to find, as their production has all but ceased and the stocks are dwindling. The Dominican Signed Range has a medium-to-full-bodied blend of long-filler tobaccos from Colombia and the Dominican Republic, a U.S. Pennsylvania-grown binder, and an Ecuadorian wrapper leaf.

The second coming of the Signed Range is produced by Toraño Cigars in Nicaragua. These newer Signed Range cigars are a complete reblending of the original version. The Nicaraguan Signed Range is a 3-country multinational blend, wrapped in a Cameroon binder, and finished with a stunning light-brown shade leaf grown in Nicaragua.

FEATURED LIBATION: Telegraph Brewing Company California Ale.
Telegraph Brewing Co. is located in historic Santa Barbara, California. They handcraft unique American ales that embrace the heritage of California's early brewing pioneers.

DOC’S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: CAO Brazilia Samba

WEBSITE REVIEW: Carlos Toraño

FEATURED WEB SITES:
Dunhill Signed Range: No web site
Telegraph Brewing Company California Ale
Cigar Jack: http://www.cigarjack.net