Stogie Fresh 5

Episode-175-El-Baton

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:34:25 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The El Baton has a long and storied past. It was originally one of J.C. Newman’s vintage nickel cigar brands from 1914, and was handmade at the company’s Cleveland factory using Cuban tobacco. According to Eric Newman, president of J.C. Newman, the brand disappeared with the advent of machine-made cigars in the 1920s.

Fast forward 94 years and the El Baton is re-released as the company’s first Nicaraguan puro. That is, a cigar made entirely out of Nicaraguan tobacco. But the new incarnation of the cigar is in keeping with El Baton’s history as a bargain smoke

Eric Newman, had this to say about the Nicaraguan El Baton: “While we were creating the blend, we were looking for something with a unique flavor that we didn’t have in our current lineup, and the Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper delivered the flavor and strength [that gave] us the edge that we were looking for.”

FEATURED LIBATION: Guinness Draught
Guinness makes it possible to pour draft beer out of a bottle by virtue of an ingenious little Rocket Widget that rocks and rolls around inside your bottle of Guinness. It is a free-floating widget. How does it work? This little rocket widget expels a jet of gas when the bottle is first opened and again every time the bottle is tipped. So you can sip it right out of the bottle and according to the Guinness people, you get the taste of a pub-poured pint no matter where you are.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Doc talks about his 3rd Annual Central Coast Herf, this weekend.
✤ New article published this week: Citronelle at Carmel Valley Ranch.
✤ New article by Marty the Pipe Doc. This week, Marty responded to the question, "Why isn't pipe tobacco marketed like cigars?"
✤ Another new article about the CAO Custom Motorcycle giveaway.

DOC'S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: J. Fuego Delirium Lancero
First featured in Episode 123 on Sunday, June 29, 2008. This past week, I pulled out another Delirium Lancero and gave it a smoke.

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Lutz from Illinois
How can cigar prices be so cheap? Are these cigars dangerous?

EATURED WEB SITES:
• El Baton from Altadis Cigars
• Guinness Ale
• Cig Con West 2009
• Doc's 3rd Annual Central Coast Herf
• Article: Citronelle at Carmel Valley Ranch
• Article: Marty the Pipe Doc
• CAO Custom Bike Website
• Stogie Fresh TV
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-174-Winston-Churchill-Marrakesh

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:10:58 -0700

DESCRIPTION: Master Blender Hendrik Kelner of the Davidoff Company has created a unique blend for each of the four Winston Churchill cigar formats, each of which is named for a significant place and chapter in the extraordinary life of Sir Winston Churchill.

All the tobacco varieties used in these blends are from selected tobacco growing regions in the Dominican Republic, Peru, Nicaragua and Ecuador.

This week's cigar honors Churchill's special relationship with Morocco and the town of Marrakesh. Churchill loved the sun and the heat, and often came to this town at the foot of the High Atlas to escape the cold, wet English winters.

The bright light at this latitude was the inspiration behind many of Churchill's paintings and writings. He wrote his «History of the Second World War», and also painted one of his most famous pictures, «View of Tinherir», while staying at the La Mamounia hotel in Marrakesh.

This week's featured cigar is the Winston Churchill Marrakesh a 6 x 50 ring gauge Toro.

FEATURED LIBATION: The Dalmore 1263 King Alexander III Scotch
During the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, Dalmore’s master distiller, Richard Paterson, filled French cabernet sauvignon wine barriques, Mediterranean Madeira drums, Sherry barrels from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, Marsala barrels from Sicily, Port Barrels from the Douro in Portugal and sweet Bourbon barrels from Kentucky with the young Dalmore spirit.

Once matured to perfection, the artistic process of creating The Dalmore King Alexander III commenced; the casks were expertly fused together to create a sublime malt, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

The Dalmore 1263 King Alexander III weighs in at 80 proof or 40% Alcohol by Volume and the suggested retail price for a 750ml is $200.

STOGIE FRESH 5 ONE-OFF WITH JIM: This week, Jim reviews the Tatuaje Cojonu 2003.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Doc talks about his correspondences with Stogie Fresh 5 listeners and shares his musings about the future of Stogie Fresh.

DOC'S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: La Riqueza
First featured in Episode 122 on Sunday, June 22, 2008. This past week, I pulled out another La Riqueza No. 5 and gave it a smoke.

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• Winston Churchill Cigars
• The Dalmore Scotch
• Cig Con West 2009
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Stogie Fresh TV
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-173-LFD-Limitado-III

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:58:09 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The La Flor Dominicana Limitado III is one of the limited blends from Litto Gomez's special stock of tobacco.

What is special about this limitado, is the rare binder and filler tobacco used in the blend.

The binder is a Nicaraguan Sumatra and the filler is a combination of Corojo 99 and Piloto Cubano grown in the Dominican Republic. The cigar is wrapped with Ecuadorian-grown Habano seed leaf.

Only 2,000 Boxes, or a total of 96,000 cigars were produced. The Limitado III comes in only one size. This 6.5 inch by 52 Ring gauge cigar is packaged in individually numbered boxes of 48 cigars.

FEATURED LIBATION: Mount Gay 1703 Cask Selection Rum
The Mount Gay 1703 Old Cask Selection Rum, is made in Barbados from a blend of rums aged 10 to 30 years.

The 1703 Cask Selection comes in an elegant oval bottle with the Mount Gay seal embossed on it. This rum is made using the pure sugar cane and clean, clear waters of Barbados.

The suggested retail price for a 750ml of Mount Gay 1703 Cask Selection is $99.99

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Doc talks about his experiences on location in Carmel by the Sea, California.

STOGIE FRESH 5 ONE-OFF WITH JIM: This week, Jim reviews the 5 Aurora Barrel Aged Churchill.

Article: Barrel Aging: Tobacco vs. Wine
Postscript review: Aurora Barrel Aged Belicoso

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• La Flor Dominicana Cigars
• Mount Gay Rum
• Carmel Valley Ranch
• Carmel Pipe Shop: (831) 624-9737
• The Carmel Hat Shop
• Wines from the Heart
• Cig Con West 2009
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Stogie Fresh TV
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-172-Davidoff-Maduro-R

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 17:20:50 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The Davidoff name has been in the cigar business since 1911. However, during all this time, never was a cigar made with a Maduro wrapper… until now.

The Davidoff Maduro contains specially selected Dominican filler tobacco and a Dominican San Vicente binder used specifically to complement the unique flavor of the wrapper.

The wrapper on the Davidoff Maduro is a dark, Cuban seed, Nicaraguan leaf sun-grown in the Jalapa Valley to create a 'natural maduro.'

Presented in boxes of 25 cigars, the Robusto Maduro R is currently the only shape available.

FEATURED LIBATION: Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA
The Union Jack is a very limited, fairly expensive and aggressive IPA. At over 70 IBUs and 7.5% alcohol by volume, this "hop monster" is sure to please those with an aggressive palate.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Latest Cig Con West Sponsor: Cigar Press Magazine
✤ Correspondence from Corey from Tampa Florida
✤ Article written by Doc for European Cigar Cult Journal: "We Need the Facts!"
✤ New Stogie Fresh Tv video: Doc's Humidor Tour Part 5
✤ New Pipe Articles: The first article was titled: "Pipe Shapes and Smoking Quality." In this article Marty responds to the question, "Does the shape of a pipe affect the quality of the smoke?" Then, in his second article, Marty answers the question, "Should pipes be dedicated to only one type of tobacco, or is it okay to mix different tobaccos in the same pipes?"
✤ My surprise package and a reminder to others to spread the wealth.

SPECIAL SEGMENT WITH EDDIE DE JONG: This week, Eddie will talk about "Rottenwood."

DOC'S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: Partagás 'Shorts'
First featured on Sunday, June 15, 2008 in Episode 121, I featured the Partagás Shorts. This past week, I pulled out another mighty midget and gave it a smoke.

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• Davidoff Cigars
• Firestone Walker
• Cig Con West 2009
• Stogie Fresh TV: Humidor Tour Part 5
• Article: "Pipe Shapes and Smoking Quality."
• Article: "Mixing Tobacco Types in the Same Pipe."
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Stogie Fresh TV
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-171-La-Aurora-100-Anos-Preferidos

Sun, 31 May 2009 15:57:34 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The Cien Años uses a Dominican grown Corojo seed wrapper that the La Aurora company has been growing since the 1999 crop year. The company culls the very best of these leaves for the Cien Años.

Growing the very delicious but also very fragile Corojo tobacco gave the company fits. According to national sales director Jose Blanco, "It's one of the hardest seeds to grow, in any part of the world. The yield is terribly small and a lot of it has to become binder and filler."

Though growing wrapper tobacco in the Dominican Republic has been nearly impossible given the agricultural difficulties, those growers who have succeeded have been rewarded with some of the most flavorful wrappers in the world. Such is the case with the Cien Años.

This is a true Limited Edition cigar and one of the very few cigars made with 100% Dominican tobaccos. Today's featured Cien Años is the 6 inch by 58 ring gauge Preferidos.

FEATURED LIBATION: Glenfarclas 1974 Vintage Scotch
The 1974 Vintage is the result of blending malt whiskies from one single year of production to create a unique and individual flavor profile. The whisky has developed for over thirty years and is at its peak maturity. This scotch weighs in at 57.4% Alc by Vol and only 2732 bottles were produced.

STOGIE FRESH 5 ONE-OFF WITH JIM: This week, Jim reviews the 5 Vegas Classic Torpedo.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Miami Cigar & Company is the latest sponsor to come on board for Cig Con West 2009.
✤ New issue of the Stogie Fresh News. Articles; "Humidor Supplies" and "Best Buy lighters."
✤ City Audio Walks: audio tours of different cities. Edinburgh, London, Paris and Rome. Sample: Cuban Cigar Walk Audio tour of London, England.
✤ New Pipe Articles: "Aging Pipe Tobacco" by Russ Ouelette describes what kind of pipe tobaccos make the best candidates for aging and then discusses how to properly store the tobacco so that it achieves the best aging. Also, a new Ask the Pipe Doc question: "Humidors and Spanish Cedar for Pipe Tobacco?"
✤ Smoking in the Lord of the Rings.

DOC'S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: Fuente Hemingway 'Short Story'
Back on Sunday, May 18, 2008, in Episode 117, I featured the Fuente Hemingway Series 'Short Story.' This past week, I pulled out another miniature Perfecto and gave it a smoke.

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Roy from Minnesota
How are the caps applied to the head of the cigar? and What substance is used to glue the wrapper leaf to the cigar?

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• La Aurora Cigars
• Glenfarclas Scotch
• Cities in Sound: Audio Walks
• New Pipe Article: "Aging Pipe Tobacco" by Russ Ouelette
• Ask the Pipe Doc: "Humidors and Spanish Cedar for Pipe Tobacco?"
• Cig Con West 2009
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Stogie Fresh Tv
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-170-Vegas-Cubanas

Sun, 24 May 2009 00:12:06 -0700

DESCRIPTION: Made in the Miami factory El Rey de Los Habanos, the Vegas Cubanas cigars use 100% Cuban-seed tobaccos grown in the fields of Nicaragua. The cigar sports a Colorado-colored Corojo wrapper leaf that comes from the top priming of the tobacco plant, thereby providing a lion's share of the flavor and strength of the cigar. In using the top primings of the Corojo plant, this wrapper has an extra amount of flavor because the leaves have been left on the plant the longest and have absorbed the greatest amount of nutrients.

Vegas Cubanas is purported to be a medium-to-full bodied smoke with a tremendous amount of flavor. Theses cigars are made completely by hand in Don Pepin's Miami Factory by the best Cuban Tabaqueros.

After they are rolled, the cigars are then aged in Cedar wrapped bundles for no less than 1 year to ensure a mature flavor. Then they are individually wrapped in cellophane and packed in dressed boxes of 25 cigars. The Vegas Cubanas come in 6 different vitolas. Today's featured cigar is the 6 1/8" x 52 RG Imperiales.

FEATURED LIBATION: Nebbiolo Il Vecchio 2004
The Nebbiolo Vecchio was the first barrel-aged Nebbiolo in the U.S. This wine is aged in predominantly French oak barrels for more than 24 months. The regular Nebbiolo wine is aged for 12 months, but this reserve is aged in French Oak twice as long. And the production is limited to less than 500 cases.

STOGIE FRESH 5 ONE-OFF WITH JIM: This week, Jim reviews the CAO LX2 and talks about the CAO Elements Tour.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Last week's herf with David Cole, owner of James David Cellars.
✤ We will now be publishing regular featurette's on Doc's Postscript cigars in the Stogie Fresh Cigar Journal.
✤ New Pipe Article: Breaking in a New Pipe, by Russ Ouellette.
✤ New Ask the Pipe Doc article: Buying Inexpensive Pipes.

SPECIAL SEGMENT: Vegas "Figures in Wood," by Eddie De Jong of Vanderburgh Humidors

DOC'S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: Camacho 10th Anniversary Corojo
Back on Sunday, May 11, 2008, in Episode 116, I featured the Camacho 10th Anniversary Corojo. This past week, I pulled out another from my box of 10th anniversary Corojo Torpedo's and gave it a smoke.

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Joel from Wisconsin
Can cigar boxes be stacked on their end in a humidor?

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• Don Pepin Garcia Cigars
• Martin & Weyrich Nebbiolo Vecchio
• Cig Con West 2009
• Article: Breaking in a New Pipe
• Article: Ask the Pipe Doc, Buying an Inexpensive Pipe
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Stogie Fresh TV
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-169-Don-Fernando-Special-Selection

Sun, 17 May 2009 01:56:45 -0700

DESCRIPTION: This Stogie Fresh 5 episode is dedicated to Don Fernando León Asensio, who passed away on April 29th, 2009. The cigar world lost one of the luminaries of the industry. Fernando Léon Asensio, president of La Aurora, died at the age of 87 at his home in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

Cigar makers and master blenders like Don Fernando typically have a favorite blend that they have made for themselves as a special everyday cigar. Not only do they usually take advantage of the best tobacco the factory has to offer, but their personal stash is rolled by the factory’s top rollers. Every year, Guillermo Leon makes a limited number of special cigars for his father, Don Fernando. They are made by one roller who makes only 75 a day. Each cigar is draw tested, then aged for an additional 6 months.

This Edición Especial starts with a specially aged African Cameroon wrapper. The cigar sports a blend of fillers from the Dominican Republic to give it a medium body and complex mix of flavors. The cigar is only available in Don Fernando’s favorite size, the corona.

FEATURED LIBATION: Purist Pale Ale
The Purist Pale Ale (ABV: 4.9), made by Appalachian Brewing Company, is purported to have a delicate malt attribute balanced by an aggressive hop flavor and aroma. Many American micros have developed their own version of this classic English style beer.

STOGIE FRESH 5 ONE-OFF WITH JIM: This week, Jim reviews the Padrón Serie 1926.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ New article posted in the Featured Article section of the Stogie Fresh Cigar Journal. Bruce Harris wrote an article titled: "Cigar-Smoking Sleuths in Literature."
✤ Ask the Pipe Doc produces first two recipients of pipe tobacco and a cigar.
✤ Reminder to visit the "Ask the Pipe Doc" page where pipe expert, Marty Pulvers, will answer your pipe questions and you will have a chance to win a pouch of pipe tobacco and a cigar.
✤ Doc's Humidors Part 4 was posted to Youtube this past week.

DOC'S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: Vegas Robaina Artist Edition
Vegas Robaina Artist Edition was first featured back in Episode 114 on Sunday April 27, 2008. These cigars have a box date of November 2006, which means that they have been aging for more than 2.5 years.

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: George from Idaho
What is the difference between cigar "body," flavor" and "strength"?

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• La Aurora Cigars
• Purist Pale Ale
• Article: "Cigar-Smoking Sleuths in Literature"
• Doc's Humidor Tour: Part 4
• Cig Con West 2009
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Stogie Fresh Tv
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-168-Eladio-Diaz-55th-Anniversary

Sun, 10 May 2009 02:08:15 -0700

DESCRIPTION: Don Eladio Diaz has worked at the Davidoff factory in the Dominican Republic as the Quality Control Manager and as a Master Blender for many years. And, each year Don Eladio celebrates his anniversary by making a rare new special blend from the best and most aged tobaccos from different countries for his own private collection.

So, for his 55th Anniversary, he chose a 55 ring gauge format a 5.5 inch length. He then blended six different tobacco varieties in the filler and two different tobacco varieties for the binder and wrapper. This is probably the first cigar ever to use 8 different tobaccos from 4 different countries with some tobaccos aged for up to 9 years.

The two bundles of 16 cigars were packaged in a unique humidor box with a special inscription on the lid and inside the lid and signed by Don Eladio himself. This week's featured cigar is the ultra rare Don Eladio 55th anniversary cigars.

FEATURED LIBATION: Gonzo Imperial Porter
Today's libation comes from the Flying Dog Brewery in Fredrick, Maryland. Flying Dog Brewery makes a host of brews and our featured libation the Imperial Porter is one of the standouts in their lineup. Gonzo Imperial Porter has been brewed with black, chocolate and crystal malts, and hopped with Millennium and Cascades. This turbo-charged beer weighs in at 7.8% ABV and according the Flying Dog attorneys it will bite you in the ass if you don't show it the proper respect. Available in 4-packed 12-ounce bottles, this beer is released several times a year, albeit in limited fashion.

STOGIE FRESH 5 ONE-OFF WITH JIM: This week, Jim reviews the Puros Indios.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Ted's Made by Hand is sponsor of Cig Con West 2009.
✤ New article in the Pipes section: Just Learning About Pipe Smoking? written by Bill Unger. Bill is the editor of The Pipe Collector newsletter. In the article, Bill talks about the North American Society of Pipe Collectors.
✤ Reminder to visit the "Ask the Pipe Doc" page where pipe expert, Marty Pulvers, will answer your pipe questions and you will have a chance to win a pouch of pipe tobacco and a cigar.
✤ Blake reviews Coronado by La Flor. This was Blake's third review in a series and the cigar had 2 yrs 6.9 months at this stage in the process.
✤ Correspondence from Paul regarding the MSRP of last week's Postscript cigar: La Aurora Barrel Aged Belicoso.
✤ Finally, Doc got a visit from his friend Mike and they had a great time herfing.

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Joseph from California
If you buy a bad cigar, should you take it back to the retailer?

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Guillermo from Missouri
Your recommendation for short (20 min) cigars?

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• Eladio Diaz 55th Anniversary: None
• Gonzo Imperial Porter: http://flyingdogales.com
• Cig Con West sponsor, Ted's Made by Hand
• Article on North American Society of Pipe Collectors (NASPC)
• New review on the Coronado by La Flor Corona Gorda
• Cig Con West 2009
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Stogie Fresh Tv
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-167-Avo-Companero

Sun, 3 May 2009 18:46:47 -0700

DESCRIPTION: Avo Uvezian, famed jazz pianist and cigar enthusiast recently turned 83 and, to commemorate the occasion, Davidoff has created the new Avo Compañero cigar, which is the Avo limited-edition release for 2009.

According to Avo himself, “The Compañero is the best blend ever released under his name from the Occidental Kelner Cigars factory in the Dominican Republic.”

The new Avo Limited Edition Compañero for 2009 consists of a Cuban seed, sun-grown Ecuadorian wrapper and Dominican San Vicente binder. The filler is a blend of criollo, piloto Cubano and San Vicente tobacco (all of it ligero) in addition to Peruvian seco.

This week's featured cigar, the Avo Compañero, which measure 6 inches long by 54 ring, has a suggested retail price of $16 per cigar or $160 per box of 10, and only 8,000 boxes were produced.

Jeffrey Steele, Roxo Port Cellars
FEATURED LIBATION: Roxo 2006 Barbera Port style wine
Grapes for this wine come from the Cienega Valley in California. The blend consists of, 85% Barbera, 12% Zinfandel and 3% Souzao grapes.

The wine weighs in at 18% alcohol by volume and comes in either a 375 ml bottle for $35 or a 750 ml bottle for $65. Roxo ages this port in small semi-neutral French oak barrels for 24 months before bottling unfined and unfiltered.

STOGIE FRESH 5 ONE-OFF WITH JIM: This week, Jim reviews the Nub Habano 466.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Roxo Port Cellars will sponsor Cig Con West 2009.
✤ New Stogie Fresh Tv video posted last week. Doc's Humidor Tour: Part 2.
✤ Correspondence from David from Massachusetts and Pedro from Canada.
✤ Doc talks about why a pipe hobby fits well with a cigar hobby.
✤ Three winners of the "Pipes and Cigars Contest."
♣ David Benac from Louisiana
♣ Alfonso Falco from Washington state
♣ Kevin Weir from Massachusetts
✤ New feature and chance to win a pouch of pipe tobacco and a cigar: "Ask the Pipe Doc." Pipe expert, Marty Pulvers, will answer your pipe questions and you will have a chance for prizes.
✤ New article: "My Lady Nicotine," by Ben Rapaport, discusses the J.M. Barrie classic book of the same name.

DOC'S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: La Aurora Barrel Aged Belicoso
I first featured this cigar in Episode 112 on Sunday April 13, 2008. These cigars have been resting in my humidor for a year and 1 month and I plucked one from my singles drawer this past week for a revisit.

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Joseph from California
How will the ending of the Cuban embargo affect the cigar industry?

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• Avo Cigars: http://www.avo.com
• Roxo Ports http://www.roxocellars.com
• New "Ask the Pipe Doc" column
• New pipe article: My Lady Nicotine
• Cig Con West 2009
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Stogie Fresh Tv
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-166-Chateau-Real

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 01:01:45 -0700

DESCRIPTION: Drew Estate ferments and blends their tobacco to the highest standards and the construction of their cigars is also top notch. And while the popularity of their Acid cigars is no doubt amazing, it is easy to be type cast the manufacturer as a “flavor only” cigar maker. Jonathan Drew’s answer to that has come in several forms from the La Vieja Habana Early Years to the Liga Privada No. 9.

Today's featured cigar, the Chateau Real, is another non-infused mild to medium bodied cigar. These cigars are neither flavored nor aromatic, but are aimed at breaking into the non-flavored cigar market.

These cigars use a well-rounded mixture of Nicaraguan Criollo and Dominican Piloto Cubano long-fillers. They sport a Mexican binder and come wrapped in either a beautiful Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut leaf, or a dark Maduro grown in the San Andres Valley. Chateau Real comes in 8 sizes presented tastefully in old-world style bands and boxes.

Today's featured stogie is the 5.25 x 50 ring gauge Cristales Deluxe.

FEATURED LIBATION: Depaz Amber Blue Cane Rhum Agricole
On the Caribbean island of Martinique, Homere Clement developed a method of rum production similar to making wine where the sugar cane was pressed like fruit to extract the juice. Rum made in this fashion, is called rhum agricole and represents only 3% of world's rum production. A great example of Rhum agricole is Depaz Blue Cane Amber Rhum.

How to Make Featured Mojito
Ingredients:
2 parts Rhum Agricole
1 part fresh lime juice
1 part cane syrup
10 leaves fresh mint

Directions:
Put Rhum, lime juice, cane syrup and mint into a shaker full of ice.
Shake for 30-45 seconds.
Pour in a large tumbler full of ice.
Garnish with fresh mint

STOGIE FRESH 5 ONE-OFF WITH JIM: This week, Jim reviews the Onyx Reserve.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Miami Cigar & Company is the most recent sponsor of Cig Con West.
✤ Newest article in the new Pipes section of the SF Cigar Journal is titled: "How Custom Pipes are Made." Written by pipemaker Jonathan Drake, the article features Doc's new custom pipe.
✤ Pipes and Cigars Contest ended Saturday April 25 and the winners will be announced next week.

DOC'S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: Cuvée Blance Toro Gordo
I first featured this cigar on Episode-111 on Sunday April 6, 2008. These cigars have been resting in my humidor for a year and 1 month and I plucked one from my singles drawer this past week for a revisit.

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Ted from Kansas
What happens when cigars age?

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• Chateau Real by Drew Estate: http://www.drewestate.com
• Depaz Blue Cane Rhum Agricole: http://www.depazrhum.com
• Cigar Conference West 2009
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Stogie Fresh TV
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-165-Jose-Seijas-Signature

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:05:59 -0700

DESCRIPTION: Today's featured cigar is the Jose Seijas Signature Series. Impressively, this cigar won numerous accolades as one of the best cigars of 2006. The Seijas Signature Series was made for the serious cigar smoker and connoisseur of fine cigars.

Jose Seijas insists that he makes cigars for the cigar market and not himself, however, with the Signature Series, he has created the Master Blender's interpretation of the ultimate cigar.

The Signature Series cigar is made with a filler blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan and Peruvian tobaccos, it sports a Dominican Binder and is graced with a dark Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.

The cigar comes in seven sizes. Today's featured cigar is the 6 1/8 x 52 ring Belicoso.

FEATURED LIBATION: Racer 5 IPA
Racer 5 IPA weighs in at 7% ABV and ranks a 75 on the IBU scale. This beer is intended to be an extra hoppy and full bodied IPA. The goal of brewmaster Richard G. Norgrove was to create a base for showing off the unique qualities of two Pacific Northwestern hops, the Columbus and Cascade.

EDDIE DE JONG NEW SERIES: Figures in wood.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Roxo Port Cellars, sponsors of Cig Con West 2009.
✤ New pipe section is now live. First article titled: "Mild White Vapors: From the Lore of Pipes and Pipe Smoking."
✤ Pipes and Cigars Contest update.
✤ New Stogie Fresh Tv video: Cigar Humidor Tour Part 1
✤ Correspondence: purchasing cigars in other countries
✤ Update on cigar "care package" to Iraq.

DOC'S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: 601 Habano Oscuro
I first featured this cigar on Episode-110 on Sunday March 30, 2008. These cigars have been resting in my humidor for 1 year and 1 month and I plucked one from my singles drawer this past week for a revisit.

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• José Seijas Signature Cigars
• Bear Republic Brewery
• Roxo Port Cellars
• Pipe Article: Mild White Vapors
• New Pipe Section of SF Journal
• New Video: Cigar Humidor Tour Part 1
• Pipes by Design: Jonathan Drake pipe maker
• Cigar Conference West 2009
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Stogie Fresh Tv
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-164-Perdomo-ESV-1991

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:42:14 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The cigar I am featuring today is the new ESV 1991 Tubes. They are an exquisite collection of vintage cigars enriched by a high-grade genuine African Cameroon wrapper that flawlessly graces the exterior of the cigar. The ESV 1991 Tubes are available in two sizes: the 6 x 54 ring "Maestro" and the cigar I'm featuring today, the 5 5/8" x 48 Nobleza.

There are three different versions of the ESV 1991. The first version is wrapped with an aged Connecticut shade wrapper, the second is wrapped in a complex, flavorful Nicaraguan Maduro, and the new "tubos" are encased in a genuine African Cameroon wrapper.

The ESV 1991 cigars are produced in the round and packaged in stunning Spanish cedar "legacy" boxes of 20 cigars. Except for the tubos, which are packed just 10 per box in gorgeous black and gold cedar-lined tubos.

FEATURED LIBATION: Lagunitas IPA
Lagunitas IPA wieghs in at 5.7% ABV and is sold As:
6-Packs, 12-Packs, Kegs, Loose Pak and 22-Oz Bombers, which is what I'm drinking today.

STOGIE FRESH 5 ONE-OFF WITH JIM: This week, Jim reviews the Cuba Libre Unico Torpedo.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Camacho is the premier sponsor of Cig Con West.
✤ Doc recently wrote an article for the Cigar Advisor: "What the Cigar Industry can Learn from the Wine Industry."
✤ Pipes and Cigars Contest will kick off the new Pipes section of the Stogie Fresh Cigar Journal.

DOC'S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: Perdomo Lot 23 Natural
I first featured this cigar on Episode-109 on Sunday, March 23, 2008. These cigars have been resting in my humidor for a year and 2 months and I plucked one from my singles drawer this past week for a revisit.

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Brad from Pennsylvania
"What are your recommendations for light-bodied cigars?"

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• Perdomo Cigars: http://perdomocigars.com
• Lagunitas IPA: http://www.lagunitas.com
• Article: "What the Cigar Industry can Learn From the Wine Industry."
• Pipes and Cigars Contest
• Cigar Conference West 2009
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Stogie Fresh TV
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-163-Fonseca-Cubano-Viso-Fuerte

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 00:50:04 -0700

DESCRIPTION: For many years, Manuel Quesada has been faithfully sticking to his philosophy of cigar-making. He has preferred blending cigars with full and complex flavors. To accomplish this task, he made his cigars in a lighter style in body, lest the fullness of the body detract from the complexity of the smoke.

However, in recent years, Quesada, ever wanting to please his clients, has created some new blends which he hopes will appeal to those who like a full-bodied cigar. The Fonseca Cubano Viso Fuerte is the second blend in MATASA’s “Fonseca Cubano” series, which is aimed at the cigar enthusiast who looks for more fullness of body while maintaining complexity of flavor.

The cigars are made at the Manufactura de Tabacos S.A. (Matasa) factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic. And, they are not your typical Fonseca.

The cigars are manufactured using a filler blend of Dominican and Connecticut-broadleaf tobaccos, a Cuban-seed binder from the Dominican Republic and a Cuban-seed wrapper grown in Honduras by the Plasencias.

The Cubano Viso Fuerte comes in four sizes: 6 1/2 by 52 ring Belicoso, a 5 1/4 by 52 Robusto, a 5 3/4 by 40 Petite Lancero and the cigar I'm featuring today a 6 by 54 ring Toro.

FEATURED LIBATION: Rouge Hazelnut Brown Nectar
Hazelnut Brown Nectar is a Brown Ale that gives a nutty twist to a traditional European Brown Ale. The Hazelnut Nectar lists 13 ingredients, including 8 different malts and two different hops. All this and a dash of hazelnut nectar, give this ale its distinctive flavor and body. This beer comes as a draft and in a 22-ounce bottle, which is what I have here today.

STOGIE FRESH 5 ONE-OFF WITH JIM: This week, Jim reviews the La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Roxo Port Cellars is sponsoring Cig Con West 2009.
✤ Tony Hyman of the National Cigar Museum to present a seminar on cigar history at Cig Con West 2009.
✤ I have decided that I am going to add a section on pipes in the Stogie Fresh Cigar Journal. I have found that many cigar smokers also like to smoke pipes and so I figured I would add some informative articles on pipes for the pipers in the crowd. You can look forward to announcements in the near future.
✤ Update on my son, serving with the Army in Iraq.
✤ One of our recent winners of the CAO LX2 contest, David Zulch sent me the URL for a video that he made today. He created a video called UP IN SMOKE and it is only 45 seconds in length, but this video you have to see.

DOC'S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: Ashton ESG 21-Year Salute.
I first featured this cigar on Episode-108 on Sunday, March 16, 2008. These cigars have been resting in my humidor for a year and 4 months and I plucked one from my singles drawer this past week to give it another look see.

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• MATASA Cigars: http://www.matasa.com
• Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar: http://www.rogue.com
• Cigar Conference West 2009
• "Up In Smoke" video
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Roxo Port Cellars
• Stogie Fresh TV
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-162-Tabacos-Baez

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 01:38:45 -0700

DESCRIPTION: Tabacos Baez is a relatively new cigar that started shipping in the summer of 2008. Named after the town where Jose 'Pepin' Garcia was born,

Tabacos Baez is carefully handcrafted in Pepin's Tabacalera Cubana factory in Nicaragua. The cigars feature a silky Connecticut-seed wrapper grown in Ecuador, combined with a Cuban-seed mixture of aged Nicaraguan long-fillers. The cigars retail for between $7-8 dollars per stick. Today's featured cigar is the 6.5-inch by 52 Ring Monarca.

FEATURED LIBATION: Blue Moon Belgian White Ale
Blue Moon Belgium White is a Belgian-style Wheat beer that is unfiltered. The ingredients include: White Wheat, Oats, Coriander and a blend of Valencia and Naval Orange peels. The company highly recommends serving this beer with an orange garnish. The reason, they say, is to bring out the natural spicy citrus flavors in the beer.

STOGIE FRESH 5 ONE-OFF WITH JIM: This week, Jim reviews the Don Pepin García Blue Label Imperiales.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Xikar signs on as the latest sponsor of Cig Con West 2009.
✤ Latest issue of the Stogie Fresh News was sent out this past week. Feature article: Recognizing Wrappers.
✤ Newest Interview was posted last week. Doc interviewed Lucas De Meester of Don Lucas Cigars.
✤ Winners of the CAO LX2 Photo Contest announced.
✤ Cig Con West 2009: 20% discount on tickets only for Stogie Fresh 5 listeners. When buying tickets, use the following promo code: 20SF5.

DOC'S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: Kentucky Twist by Kentucky Gentlemen Cigars.
The Kentucky Twist that I revisited this past week, was a 6.5 x 54 Torpedo with a Dominican and Nicaraguan filler, a Dominican binder, and two wrappers; one a Connecticut Shade and the other a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro.

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Joseph from Georgia
"Should I clip the heads of my cigars before placing them in my humidor to age?"

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• El Rey de Los Habanos: http://elreydeloshabanos.com
• Blue Moon Ale: http://www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com
• Interview with Lucas De Meester
• Winners of CAO LX2 Photo Contest
• Purchase Cig Con West 2009 tickets
• Cigar Conference West 2009: http://www.cigcon.com
• The Mind of Men podcast: http://www.mindofmen.com
• Stogie Fresh TV: http://stogiefreshtv.blogspot.com
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-161-Ramon-Allones-Specially-Selected

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:24:51 -0700

DESCRIPTION: The origin of the Ramón Allones brand dates back to the pre-revolution period in Cuban history, when brothers Antonio and Ramón Allones registered the brand in the year 1845. The brand ownership changes hands several times over the years until the Partagás factory purchased the brand in 1927.

Ramon Allones is one among a select group of brands that not only has an early origin, but also one that has persisted in making cigars without interruption to this day. Ramon Allones represents only a miniscule share of the total Cuban market. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that they are highly prized among hobbyists and collectors.

Today's featured cigar is the Ramon Allones Specially Selected. The tobacco for the cigar is entirely from the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba. The RASS, as this cigar is often referred to, weighs in at 4 7/8-inches x 50 RG. They come uncellophaned in boxes of semi-dress boxes 25 and in slide lid boxes of 25.

FEATURED LIBATION: Steinlager
Steinlager was originally launched in 1957 and its subsequent success, both in New Zealand and around the world, is credited to its distinctive taste and use of only pure, natural New Zealand ingredients. Steinlager is firmly established as New Zealand's top selling premium beer.

STOGIE FRESH 5 ONE-OFF WITH JIM: This week, Jim reviews the Padilla Edición Especial (Obsidian).

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Winner of the CAO LX2 Photo Contest.
✤ Special Event at The Boss Cigars in Arroyo Grande, CA. Doc shares his experiences and slideshow of Dominican Republic and Procigar Festival 2009.
✤ Visit with cigar historian, Tony Hyman.
✤ Cig Con West 2009: One-day-deal reprise.

DOC'S CIGAR POSTSCRIPT: Dunhill Signed Range
Doc revisits both the Dominican and Nicaraguan Signed Range cigars.

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• Habanos S. A.: http://www.habanos.com
• Steinlager: http://www.steinlager.com
• Tony Hyman's Cigar History Site: http://cigarhistory.info
• Cigar Conference West 2009
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Stogie Fresh TV
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories

Episode-160-CAO-LX2

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:47:43 -0700

DESCRIPTION: Named for the large amounts of ligero in the blend, the LX2, or “ligero times two,” was inspired by the rich tobacco that comes from the Pueblo Nuevo farm located just outside Condega, Nicaragua. This 140-acre farm produces tobacco exclusively for CAO and Toraño Cigars.

According to CAO president, Tim Ozgener, the tobacco from this particular farm yields an abundance of strength while retaining a nice, earthy sweetness.

"Ligero" refers to a tobacco leaf that comes from the uppermost part of the tobacco plant. Ligero has strong taste qualities and is generally used in the filler to provide flavor and strength for a cigar blend.

The C.A.O. Lx2 uses a Nicaraguan-grown wrapper and a Honduran binder, while the filler is composed of different types of ligero leaves: grown in the Dominican Republic and in Pueblo Nuevo, Nicaragua.

The Lx2 was introduced last year at the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The LX2 is available in 4 sizes and each cigar is draw tested to ensure a smooth smoking experience.

Today's featured LX2 is the 5 x 52 Rob.

FEATURED LIBATION: Negra Modelo
Negra Modelo is often referred to as the "cream of Mexican beers." First distributed on tap back in 1926, Negra Modelo is a German style Porter that is made to be balanced, with subtle aroma and flavors. It is currently the best selling dark beer in Mexico.

Made by Grupo Modelo, which also owns such brands as Corona and Corona Light, Cerveza Barrilito, Montejo, Victoria, Estrella, and Pacifico. A 6-pack will set you back under $8.00, so it's a relative bargain.

STOGIE FRESH 5 ONE-OFF WITH JIM: This week, Jim reviews the Montecristo Reserva Negra.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT STOGIE FRESH:
✤ Correspondence regarding recent "Best Buy Bourbons" segment
✤ Last week: Special Edition of the Stogie Fresh News
★ Cig Con West 20% Discount on ticket launch date only: March 14
★ CAO LX2 Contest: Win a LX2 Limited Humidor
✤ Report: Day 5 of Procigar Festival in Dominican Republic
★ Brugal Rum Factory
★ Closing dinner and charity auction

EMAIL OF THE WEEK: Patrick from Michigan
How are wrapper leaves classified?

FEATURED WEB SITES:
• CAO Cigars: http://www.caocigars.com
• Negra Modelo: http://www.gmodelo.com.mx/
• Cigar Conference West 2009
• CAO LX2 Photo Contest
• The Mind of Men podcast
• Stogie Fresh TV
• Buy Stogie Fresh Accessories