tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31884189220636859292024-03-13T05:08:12.127-05:00Blowing Smoke by Jeremy BloomJeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-10815863376127551182021-06-23T10:14:00.005-05:002021-06-23T10:16:08.720-05:00Creating your own "Bloom-idor"<p>Years ago, I developed a system for storing my cigars that works very well for me. I've used many wood humidors over the last 3 decades, however my current setup has produced the best results and is (by far) the easiest to maintain.</p><p><u><b>Materials needed:</b></u></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Sterilite 54 quart/51 liter box with aquarium latches & gasket</b></li><ul><li>Can be purchased at Target or </li><li><a href="https://www.grainger.com/product/56JU44?gucid=N:N:FPL:Free:GGL:CSM-1946:tew63h3:20501231 " target="_blank">https://www.grainger.com/product/56JU44?gucid=N:N:FPL:Free:GGL:CSM-1946:tew63h3:20501231 </a></li></ul><li><b>Heartfelt humidity beads (65% RH)</b></li><ul><li>1 pound of beads</li><li>Bag(s) and/or cylinder(s)</li><li><a href="https://www.heartfeltindustries.com/products.asp?cat=65%25+Rh+Humidity+Beads" target="_blank">https://www.heartfeltindustries.com/products.asp?cat=65%25+Rh+Humidity+Beads </a></li></ul><li><b>Spanish cedar trays</b></li><ul><li>Outside dimensions: 12-1/2 W x 7-1/2 D x 2-1/4 H</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B9234HE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B9234HE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1</a></li></ul><li><b>Caliber III digital hygrometer & thermometer</b></li><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CZLO5W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CZLO5W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1</a></li></ul></ul><div>*This setup can hold between 300-400 cigars, including approximately 10 spanish cedar trays or 8 trays plus 2-3 cigar boxes. </div><div>**When charging the Heartfelt humidity beads, always use distilled water. My process is to soak a clean hand towel in distilled water (not dripping wet though) and wrap it around the bag or cylinder of beads. Place both in a clean, sealed container and let sit for at least 2 hours. </div><p></p>Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-52367373695047497122016-08-08T15:02:00.003-05:002016-08-08T15:02:44.139-05:00Regulation is here...Sad but true.<a href="http://halfwheel.com/five-things-what-the-aug-8-2016-fda-date-means" target="_blank">Five Things: What the Aug. 8, 2016 FDA Date Means (ARTICLE - CLICK HERE)</a>Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-89472081518910118992016-04-24T13:37:00.001-05:002016-04-24T13:37:54.003-05:00Nica Rustica El Brujito <p dir="ltr">Review to be uploaded soon..</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QvRzjzu_hLc/Vx0Sfz_KmoI/AAAAAAAAUDc/jJ5o_LZ1AAI/s1600/IMG_20160424_133625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QvRzjzu_hLc/Vx0Sfz_KmoI/AAAAAAAAUDc/jJ5o_LZ1AAI/s640/IMG_20160424_133625.jpg"> </a> </div>Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0Neumann's Cigars & More, 314 South Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville42.280487 -87.95243tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-44226287761577102802016-03-16T08:24:00.001-05:002016-03-29T15:28:50.073-05:00Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro (robusto)<div dir="ltr">
Ah, the elusive Melanio <i>Maduro</i>... The cigar that took me (what seemed like) forever to find. I really enjoy the original Melanio. While I often reach for something complex, I've found that if I'm going to grab a smoke that is consistent all the way through, I prefer that it be something really tasty! The original Melanio is just that. The Maduro version hasn't gotten as much fanfare as its older brother, but it's got to be good, right? Oliva seems to know what they're doing. I like a lot of what they have been putting out over the last several years. <br />
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Anyways, a friend of mine spotted this cigar in Texas for $9.75, and brought it back for me. It's been in my humidor for about 6 months. <br />
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The caps are cut slightly jagged, with one of them being quite large. There are visible seams and a toothy wrapper. The shape is an oval box-press. I opted for a straight cut, and my regular toasting ritual. <br />
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1/3: Lots of smoke is billowing from this stick, and it is thick and creamy. The cigar has a nice, smooth draw, and a woody taste. The ash is very white, which indicates a high magnesium content in the soil where the filler leaves were grown. The "eyeliner" is wide, and at 1 inch in, the burn line is looking pretty straight.<br />
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2/3: The Melanio Maduro is a medium-full bodied smoke for me, leaning more towards the full side. My attempt at a retrohale was surprisingly smooth. I'm reminded yet again that the Oliva Series (G, O, & V) are just well-made, very good cigars. <br />
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3/3: In the final third, the cigar is burning a little bit hot, but that might be more me than the cigar itself. I picked up a hint of butterscotch in the last stretch. <br />
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All in all, I was not disappointed.<br />
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Size: 5 x 52</div>
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Wrapper: San Andres</div>
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Binder: Nicaragua</div>
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Filler: Nicaragua</div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-79536240016979682362016-03-16T08:23:00.001-05:002016-03-29T14:29:00.153-05:00Arganese Connecticut (robusto)<div dir="ltr">
Warmer weather is on its way, so I suppose it's time to kick back and enjoy some new labels. Advertised as a mild-medium bodied cigar, this would likely not have been something I would have chosen for myself, however it came in a sampler pack, gifted to me by a friend. (I typically stay away from most Connecticut wrappers - call me a snob, but I find that many taste like newspaper.) I understand that this was originally a private cigar made by and for Gene Arganese, however they are now mass produced with several blends available. <br />
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The appearance of the stick is pretty good. The label is bold and eye-catching, and the wrapper itself is light-brown, with a double cap. I used a straight cutter to clip the top. The pre-light draw is easy, with no distinctive flavors to speak of. <br />
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1/3: Not a lot of complexity for me here, which is just fine sometimes. If I don't have the time to dedicate to truly enjoying all of the nuances of a complex cigar; a simple, consistent smoke can be a good fit. Mild pepper is what I taste in the 1st third without much of anything else.<br />
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2/3: More pepper. <br />
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3/3: Same. If you're looking for a consistent smoke with pepper notes, this one will give it to you right down to the nub. </div>
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Size: 5 x 50</div>
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Wrapper: Connecticut</div>
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Binder: Indonesian</div>
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Filler: Dominican</div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-45769295044075424742015-09-03T23:39:00.002-05:002015-10-28T09:01:04.138-05:00Punch Bareknuckle BelicosoThe Punch Bareknuckle is an attractive looking cigar. That said, I wasn't expecting to be impressed. Between the lower price point and the lack of that "something special" that I've failed to get from Punch cigars over the last several years, I didn't think this cigar would be at all memorable. I moved the label from the foot to the top. The wrapper has a nice, oily sheen to it, but it is not moist, and the belicoso vitola just has a nice look to it. I opted for a straight cut and torched the foot to get things moving. I chose to pair this cigar with a Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat beer.<br />
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1/3: Nice draw with good resistance. Billowing smoke is protruding from this stick, and I like that most of the time. It's medium in flavor and in body. Very pleasant, and woody notes in the 1st third. The burn line got slightly jagged, but never got too bad.<br />
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2/3: At this point, I'm browsing the auctions for a box. I haven't noticed any pepper or leather in the Bareknuckle, however notes of wood and dirt are dominant.<br />
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3/3: Good cigar to the finish. I'll be looking for another sometime soon.<br />
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Size: 5 x 50<br />
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Sun-Grown<br />
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Filler: Honduras, NicaraguaJeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-31545790895336101202015-08-18T16:26:00.001-05:002015-08-18T16:26:10.209-05:00Read: An article that calls out all the cigar reviewer snobs!<a href="https://www.famous-smoke.com/cigaradvisor/what-flavor-profile-means" target="_blank">The Great Flavor Profile Debate (link to Tommy Zman Zarzecki's article in Cigar Advisor)</a>Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-43903271724015365562015-07-03T20:24:00.001-05:002015-09-03T23:19:04.833-05:00Fuente Fuente Opus X Angel's Share<div dir="ltr">
I was lucky enough to be in my B&M on the right day and at the right time to have an opportunity to pick up an Angel's Share. They tend to sell out fast. The Angel's Share is a Dominican puro like others in the Opus X series, however the primings are different and lead to a lighter, milder smoke. I used a straight cut and a single flame torch, and I've chosen to pair this stick with a cup of black Colombian coffee. There is a nice aroma pre-light, and once cut, an easy draw.</div>
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1/3: The dominant flavor from the get-go is cedar. The smoke is light and crisp, yet smooth and enjoyable.</div>
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2/3: This cigar is really quite good! It's certainly consistent so far. The wrapper cracked beneath the 2nd, smaller label. I've also got myself a jagged burn line, but corrected it with the flame.</div>
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3/3: The wrapper has cracked under the 1st, larger label now too. It's started to unravel a bit here, but still maintains a good smoke and equally pleasant taste.</div>
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Size: 5-5/8 x 46</div>
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Wrapper: Dominican </div>
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Filler: Dominican </div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-91336213569440092232015-05-22T09:40:00.001-05:002015-05-22T10:12:33.612-05:00Las Calaveras Edición Limitada 2014 LC550 by Crowned Heads (robusto)<div dir="ltr">
I bought a couple of these cigars at their 2014 release. I had smoked one in the shop that day, and I put the other one away to let it settle for awhile, and today seemed like a great day for Round 2. <br />
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I've had a handful of cigars produced by Crowned Heads. None of them have been crazy awesome, but they've all been good, and none so far have been a bad experience. This particular line was made in limited amounts, specifically, 1,000 boxes of 24 for each vitola. So.... this cigar is one of 24,000 made in the robusto size. The Las Calaveras theme refers to "skulls" which reference the Mexican holiday, Dia de Los Muertos or "Day of the Dead." It is essentially a holiday which celebrates loved ones who have passed away. Future editions are supposed to be forthcoming, with different blends for each release. These cigars were made in the My Father factory. </div>
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The weather is gorgeous, so I've got my tunes, my coffee, some good company, and an hour or two to kill. I opted to use a straight cut and a torch to get things started.</div>
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1/3: The initial taste is slightly sour, but not in a negative way. It makes me think of citrus. My black coffee goes well with it. There are prominent veins visible, and the wrapper has an oily, leathery appearance with some varying shades of brown. It's certainly an attractive looking stick. I pick up notes of spice and pepper, before it drifts into a mellower flavor and strength. From this point on, I'm getting more leather and cream.</div>
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2/3: This cigar is very smooth, which is in contrast to the off-the-shelf experience last year when I smoked the first of the two I bought at the time of release. It was decent then, but the cigar has really improved with age. The burn line has been decent, with the one exception of a flap that quickly disappeared when I touched it with a flame.</div>
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3/3: I nubbed this baby. Good to the very last draw. </div>
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Size: 5 x 50</div>
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Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro</div>
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Binder: Nicaragua</div>
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Filler: Nicaragua</div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-6324482739158413772015-05-19T10:32:00.004-05:002015-05-21T09:59:11.990-05:00Gurkha Centurian Double Perfecto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, I don't normally smoke Gurkha, nor do I find myself getting into all the Gurkha-hype. I've seen the ridiculous boxes they make, and often wonder if the box has a greater value than the smokes inside of it. Still, I'm not a Gurkha hater or anything, I just don't go out of my way to buy them. My personal opinion is that you never know what you're going to get with the brand. It seems that they are all over the map in terms of quality and taste. That said, I was given a Centurian Double Perfecto from someone who had jumped on the $39.99 for 12 deal. </div>
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I looked around a little bit beforehand so I would know what to expect, and the comments I saw were overwhelmingly positive. I kept seeing remarks such as, "This is the best cigar I have ever tasted!" I figured, this may not end up being my favorite too, but it's got to be at least decent. I was wrong. </div>
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Several suggested that even though the head and foot are both open, a clip with the trusty Xikar cutter was still a good idea. I took a quarter inch off, used a single-flame torch to toast the foot, and got ready to enjoy an ultra-premium smoke on my back porch. </div>
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Pre-light: Smells like rich molasses. Prior to the clip, I noticed a perpendicular slice about a third of an inch long coming up from the foot. </div>
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1/3: Pleasant taste from the initial puff. The draw is decent, somewhat firm. Creamy. Then it goes downhill from there. A few more minutes go by, and I'm needing to bring the torch to it again. At the 5-minute mark, it gives me the sense that it's starting to open up to a silky smooth draw. The burn line, however is uneven. Next, comes the dry mouth feel. I finished off my pilsner, and immediately reached for a bottle of water. As the 1st third comes to a close, I'm reaching for my torch...again.</div>
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2/3: I really want to enjoy this cigar, but the draw issues and relights are quickly becoming a nuisance. The "dry mouth" is pretty awful. </div>
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3/3: I give up. The draw is poor. Cutting it again led nowhere, and I'm tired of re-touching this POS. </div>
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I haven't been this disappointed in a cigar in quite some time. Admittedly, I've only smoked the one, but the guy I got it from wasn't happy with his experience either. Could it be this particular 12-pack? I don't know, but I'm not spending a dime to find out. For those out there that love this stick - none for me means more for you. </div>
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<img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nN-y1-_7yS8/VVtW8IBxN2I/AAAAAAAAKKI/M6S6dNA4AK0/s400/Gurkha.jpg" width="400" /></div>
Size: 6 x 60<br />
Wrapper: Connecticut<br />
Binder: Dominican<br />
Filler: Dominican<br />
MSRP: $30+ (can be obtained cheaper via CI deals)Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-90743547742222104332015-04-25T13:12:00.001-05:002015-04-30T14:31:07.331-05:00Regius Exclusivo U.S.A. (Fat Perfecto)<div dir="ltr">
From Regius Cigars of London, we have the Exclusivo U.S.A. Fat Perfecto, purchased at Casa de Montecristo in Countryside, Illinois (one of the only places stateside that this cigar can be bought). These are rolled in the Plasencia Factory. <br />
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The Fat Perfecto is a classy looking cigar. It has a pig tail cap, and a nice leathery wrapper that is fairly light in shade. I went with a straight clip and a torch to start things off.<br />
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1/3: Good draw. Right from the get-go, I recognize an unusual, grassy after taste. I can't put my finger on it, but it seems to be muted roughly 10 minutes in to the smoke. At this point, the draw has gotten a little more loose, but there is still some resistance. The cigar seems to be well-constructed.<br />
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2/3: That funky, grassy aftertaste is still present. While this vitola is dubbed the "strongest in the range" of the Exclusivo U.S.A. line, I find it to be mild to medium both in body and strength. <br />
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3/3: The cigar is advertised as one where the "bouquet of flavours and aromas really open." Not so much for me. I found the cigar to be quite consistent. It was pleasant, but the slightly unusual flavor has me debating whether or not I want to try another Regius, possibly in a different vitola at some point. The burn line was slightly jagged, but resulted in no issues besides cosmetics. <br />
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For me, the best part of the smoke with the final 2 inches. At this point, I picked up a fullness that I hadn't noticed previously. <br />
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Size: 5-3/4 x 60 x 5</div>
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Wrapper: Nicaragua</div>
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Binder: Nicaragua</div>
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Filler: Nicaragua</div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-28314844981993500772015-04-11T12:56:00.001-05:002015-05-21T11:17:49.563-05:00Asylum 2012 (torpedo)<div dir="ltr">
Here we have an Asylum cigar from Tabacaleras Unidas, who also runs CLE, amongst a few others. Christian L. Eiroa and Tom Lazuka founded the Asylum brand in 2012 (as evidenced by text on the band itself, which either references the founding year or the release I'm smoking). There are 4 sizes of this cigar, however I've chosen the torpedo to sample on this occasion. <br />
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Pre-light, there's a scent of molasses. The wrapper has a leathery brown appearance, and some veins are visible. I cut it with a V-cutter and used a torch to toast the foot before putting it to my mouth.<br />
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1/3: The first thing I notice is the great draw. Notes of mild pepper, and plentiful "at rest" smoke. The 1st third is pleasant and consistent, although I find the flavors are difficult to identify besides a typical, quality tobacco taste.<br />
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2/3: The burn line (as evidenced in the photo) is a little uneven, but not awful. During the 2nd third, it developed a crack in the wrapper just below the band. Fortunately, these things didn't translate into draw issues.<br />
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3/3: In the final third, the draw has remained good. The cigar did start to come apart a little towards the end. It maintained a medium body and medium strength from start to finish. <br />
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This stick certainly had consistent flavor, and I'd say it was a decent smoke. Others have been able to hone in on more specific flavors, however this particular stick didn't behave that way for me. This can be due to the humidity/temp it's been kept at (usually 65/65 in my humis), or it's even possible that my palate has weakened as a result of my decrease in cigar smoking since pneumonia a few months back. The weather is improving, so there's no doubt I'll give another Asylum a try sometime soon.<br />
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Size: 6 x 54</div>
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Wrapper: Nicaragua</div>
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Binder: Nicaragua</div>
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Filler: Nicaragua</div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0Neumann's Cigars & More, 314 South Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville42.280487 -87.95243tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-3925222955363429012015-02-19T10:19:00.001-06:002015-02-19T10:43:17.058-06:00Latitude Zero (torpedo)<div dir="ltr">
I haven't seen this cigar in stores, however while purchasing a gift for someone on cbid, I couldn't pass up the chance to try one of these for just a couple of bucks. While many of us know about Oliva Tobacco Company, others still don't realize that they are unrelated to Oliva Cigar Company. This cigar comes from the former - Oliva Tobacco Company - and it claims that the tobacco used is only the top 1% of all their tobacco. The Oliva Tobacco Company supplies tobacco to ultra-premium brands, and from what I've heard, has their tobacco in most of the quality cigars available today. </div>
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I let this one sit in my humidor for around 6 months. I maintain a 65/65 setting in my humidors, so I was surprised to have this cigar fall apart on me practically from the get-go. To further disappoint, especially after reading many positive reviews, I found that the tobacco was nothing special. It's a shame that I only had one to smoke, because it's not a great idea to base an opinion off of a single experience, but the one Latitude I tried was a far cry from what I had expected.</div>
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The cigar band was comprised of two bands. In order to smoke the cigar, I had to remove them both. The bottom one is the larger of the two, and is a foil map. The top label (closer to a normal size) has a slit in the middle, where you can see through to the foil map, focusing on, yep, you guessed it: Latitude Zero.</div>
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I tend to use my V-cutter for torpedos. I torched the foot, and got ready to enjoy the top 1% that Oliva Tobacco has to offer.</div>
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1/3: Things start of pleasantly. It went downhill from here. I noticed a small crack in the wrapper. It was more of an annoyance when it brushed up against my lip. I picked up some mild spice through the nose. Medium-bodied at this point. Before I am even halfway through the 1st third, the wrapper began to fall apart. </div>
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2/3: By this time, I've had to remove the wrapper entirely. It looked ugly. So, here I am smoking the cigar with the binder fully exposed, and no wrapper, which obviously impacts the flavor and the experience. Some Vitamin N is noticeable (nicotine), although due to being recently sick with pneumonia, I've not smoked many cigars lately, so my tolerance may be a factor here. </div>
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3/3: I didn't get far into the final third before laying this stick down. The aftertaste was decent, but I was just underwhelmed by the lack of complexity, flavor, and the poor construction. </div>
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I would be willing to try this one again sometime, but the bottom line is that I was very disappointed in this smoke.</div>
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Size: 6.5 x 52</div>
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Wrapper: Habano Ecuador (R13E grade aka Angel’s Cut)</div>
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Binder: Nicaragua</div>
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Filler: Nicaragua (Vintage 2010) </div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-18419356124728570212014-11-25T09:53:00.001-06:002014-11-25T10:23:55.790-06:00A fond farewell to my favorite smoking companionMy sweet golden girl, Charlie, has ended her struggle with cancer (3/11/03-11/19/14). Enjoying a fine cigar in my yard, patio, porch, and garage will never be the same. Love you, Charlie.<br />
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<br />Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-41790569486038399032014-10-18T12:08:00.003-05:002014-10-20T20:11:19.930-05:00Been sickNot so many posts lately, I know. Got pneumonia, so I'm taking things slowly for awhile. I've got a lot of great cigars waiting to be tasted and reviewed, so I'm hoping it won't be too long until you get to read those.<br />
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I was the first person to mention the Swisher / Drew Estate pending acquisition, and look what I've stirred up. Just wow! I suppose I didn't expect it to go down like that because I just assumed the press release would have gone out shortly after I mentioned it on BOTL. JD himself was apparently irritated by it, and for that, I'm sorry. My source is a very reliable member of the industry, and I still believe he knows what he's talking about. <br />
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My question remains unanswered even in speculation: what does this mean to the Liga Privada brands?<br />
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10/20/14 UPDATE:<br />
A few good links:<br />
<a href="http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/76025-Drew-Estate-bought-by-Swisher">http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/76025-Drew-Estate-bought-by-Swisher</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/Swisher-International-Acquiring-Drew-Estate-17818" target="_blank">http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/Swisher-International-Acquiring-Drew-Estate-17818 </a>Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-2269068351726078612014-09-17T22:16:00.001-05:002014-09-18T11:24:53.094-05:00Big news! Drew Estate sells out to Swisher!<div dir="ltr">
Truth.</div>
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First, Toraño goes to General, now this.. I'm a little concerned. Are you? </div>
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What will happen to my favorite: Liga Privada?</div>
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I guess we'll have to wait and see...</div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-29243838408521685092014-07-23T09:01:00.001-05:002014-07-23T18:05:58.800-05:00My "Cigar Photography" contribution: Undercrown Robusto<div dir="ltr">
Looks tasty, doesn't it?</div>
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Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-41733821876697249972014-07-13T14:18:00.001-05:002015-05-21T11:21:09.805-05:00Supremo EXL (toro)<div dir="ltr">
This is a cigar that hadn't been on my radar. It was given to me by an acquaintance who said that they are at the very top of his rotation. A search online yielded very limited information, so I contacted the tobacconist who imports them exclusively. </div>
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Jim Simon is the proprietor of Hill & Hill Tobacconists in Grosse Point Woods, Michigan (outside of Detroit). Jim explained to me that SupremoEXL is not a private label, but that he owns a factory in the Dominican Republic with 10 rollers and 1 master blender that have been making this line for the past 14 years. The tagline of the brand, if you will, is that they're "rolled like no other cigar." Jim claims that this it the best cigar he's had in 48 years in the business. Apparently, part of the secret behind this special roll is that the filler tobacco is used in wider widths. These cigars are designed to burn longer than similarly sized cigars from different brands. There are currently 6 sizes. They are as follows: 4-1/2 x 45, 5 x 52, 6 x 52 (which was the cigar I sampled, and the #1 seller), 7 x 52, 7 x 60 (torpedo), and the newest size which has been sold for only the last 20 weeks, is the 6-1/2 x 60. Both the torpedo and the newest size are rolled with 7 long filler leaves, as opposed to the 5 that go into the other sizes. The cigars are true maduros, unlike several out there that are treated with dyes to get their dark appearance. </div>
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Jim mentioned that nearly two years ago, a man and woman entered the store looking specifically for the SupremoEXL. While that's not uncommon at Hill & Hill, when pressed for information about the gentleman they were shopping for, they explained that they were President Bill Clinton's Press Secretary and Pilot, who were sent to the store to buy two units of SupremoEXL for the former President of the United States. </div>
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So, how does it smoke? I've only had this one stick so far, so hopefully Jim Simon sends a couple sizes (vitolas) my way for me to try out. The cigar came surrounded by a cedar wrapper and cellophane. It has a simple gold and black band, and a nice dark brown colored wrapper. The sweet pre-light scent of molasses and raisins raised my expectations. I used a punch cut and one of my trusty Xikar torches. </div>
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1/3: The cigar started off very pleasantly. Lots of smoke present. The burn line is quite decent. Some veins are noticeable, but no problem for the burn. The wrapper has a nice oiliness to it. </div>
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2/3: I picked up some spice in the 2nd third. The cigar is medium-bodied, medium-strength. </div>
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3/3: In the final third, the SupremoEXL gets meatier. The burn line started to get slightly jagged, and the ash turned a bit flakey. </div>
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Flavors throughout were a little muddled, but definitely pleasant. I certainly wish I had a few more to spend some time with, as it was a little challenging to point out specific flavor notes. All in all, it was a good cigar that I look forward to trying again sometime. Thanks to Mr. Simon for spending the time with me to explain the background of this particular brand of Dominican cigar. <br />
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5/21/15 UPDATE: I never heard from Jim Simon again. He never sent me those samples, and I don't plan on heading up to Michigan to buy cigars. I'm interested to hear about others' experiences with this smoke, so hit me up if you get to experience one. </div>
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Size: 6 x 52 </div>
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Wrapper: unknown</div>
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Price: $10.95 </div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-42956004095635970302014-07-06T13:33:00.001-05:002014-10-23T16:01:52.975-05:00Alec Bradley Black Market (toro)<div dir="ltr">
I'm surprised at myself that I'd gone this long without trying the Alec Bradley Black Market. I'm not the biggest fan of Alec Bradley cigars, but these are big sellers, which suggests that there are plenty of people out there who enjoy them. I've got no problem investing an hour and half with a new cigar (at least one that's new to me). <br />
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Note: I sometimes hear people referring to Alec Bradley as "him" or "he." Many know this, but Alec and Bradley are Alan Rubin's two son's names. The new Lineage cigar (an offshoot of the Family Blend) is a tribute to the both of them. I happen to enjoy both the original Family Blends and the Lineage. <br />
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The cigar comes with the band you see below, which is underneath a large piece of paper with branding on it. Pre-light scent of rich chocolate. Minor veins are seen in the wrapper. I used a punch cut on the triple cap, and sadly it caused the cap to split a little bit. It fortunately did not turn out to be a problem for me. I toasted the foot with a torch, and readied myself for the experience of a new stogie.<br />
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1/3: The flavor of cedar is what caught my attention first. Medium in body and strength, the 1st third is quite pleasant and smooth. There's a small wave in the burn line, but hey, they can't all be razor straight. Unfortunately, the cigar tunneled a bit, but nothing too bad that wasn't able to fix itself eventually. Near the end of the 1st third, I picked up mild pepper and a light citrus or lemon grass flavor.<br />
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2/3: The 2nd third saw the shift from lemon grass to orange peel. The smoke also seemed to get thicker. Mild pepper showed up again as it transitioned into the final third.<br />
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3/3: The cigar strengthens in the last third. I also noticed more of a presence through the nose.</div>
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Size: 6 x 50</div>
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Wrapper: Nicaragua</div>
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Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra</div>
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Filler: Panamanian and Honduran</div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-51039622178388723162014-07-05T12:37:00.001-05:002014-10-23T16:11:14.141-05:00La Antiguedad by My Father (robusto)<div dir="ltr">
I can describe this cigar very simply. While similar in build and appearance to its older brother, the Flor de Las Antillas (both made by My Father Cigar Co.), it is stronger and bolder. That's precisely what I wanted when I smoked the Flor de Las Antillas, which was the #1 cigar in Cigar Aficionado in 2013. The FdLA was consistent, but a little boring to me, and it lacked some strength. La Antiguedad provides the solid construction that the FdLA has, but it packs more power.<br />
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The cigar is oval box-pressed. Like the FdLA, it has a beautiful appearance, and an artistic, detailed band. I paired this stick with a nice cup of black coffee. I cut with a punch, and lit up with a torch.<br />
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1/3: Lots of dry smoke right from the get-go. The draw is very good. Unlike many in the My Father series, there is absolutely <u>no</u> sign of a pepper burst to get things started. As I said before, there are similarities to the FdLA, but it's fuller-bodied. My palate picks up notes of leather, cocoa, and coffee.<br />
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2/3: Still plenty of smoke to be had in the 2nd third. The coffee flavor is dominant here.<br />
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3/3: More flavors of black coffee, and the introduction of milk chocolate make their way to my taste buds. With just under 2 inches left to go, the cigar went out, which was disappointing. <br />
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This cigar is worth a try. I know I'd like to try another sometime. I've recommended it to friends who liked the FdLA, and nobody's complained. <br />
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Size: 5-1/4 x 52</div>
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Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano</div>
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Binder: Nicaragua (Criollo & Corojo)</div>
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Filler: Nicaragua</div>
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Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-82419352537371115442014-06-27T20:49:00.001-05:002014-10-23T16:46:12.153-05:00Camacho Diploma (robusto)<div dir="ltr">
This is the older label version of the Camacho Diploma. I've had it in my humidor for several years. I've been smoking cigars for nearly two decades, but it wasn't until about 5 or 6 years ago that I started getting more serious about them to the point where I wanted to know the details and keep track of what I tasted. In fact, this blog was really created for that sole purpose. It seemed more fun than just creating another spreadsheet. Anyways, the Camacho Diploma was a cigar that a local tobacconist had recommended to me right around that time 5 or 6 years ago. I liked the look of the cigar itself as well as the classy looking band (which recently changed). Unfortunately for me, the cigar really kicked my behind that evening. So much so, that even as my tastes in cigars changed (and shifted more to fuller-bodied cigars), I kept finding other cigars to review, while the Diploma sat in my humidor, repeatedly being passed over. Not all cigars age well, so this summer seemed like as good a time as any to give her another try. On the band, it says: Quinto Corte. That's Spanish for 5th Priming. The blender for the Diploma was Christian Eiroa. <br />
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Pre-light scent of molasses from the wrapper, and especially from the foot. Punch cut/torch to light.<br />
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1/3: Bold pepper is present at the start. The draw had too much resistance, so I rolled the cigar in my hands gently to get it to loosen up, and that helped somewhat. At a half inch in, there's some real "bite," and an uneven burn makes me wonder where this thing is going to go. I decided to get something to drink, and my selection was Ginger Ale. It's certainly a full-bodied, full strength stick. The smoke just sort of coats the palate. Towards the end of the first third, I pick up some wood flavor.<br />
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2/3: The draw seems to be normal at this point. The cigar is also burning quicker. I read somewhere that these cigars are packed a little more loosely than what's typical. There's a slightly unique tobacco taste present.<br />
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3/3: It's surprisingly mellow as I transition into the final third of the Diploma. There's still some boldness to it, but it is fortunately not at all bitter or charry. The burn line isn't perfect, but it has improved. As I've noticed in many Camacho cigars, if you're not careful, the nicotine will come up from behind and smack you. </div>
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Size: 5 x 50</div>
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Wrapper: Honduras (Authentic Corojo)</div>
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Binder: Honduras (Authentic Corojo)</div>
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Filler: Honduras (Authentic Corojo)</div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-70509110505293216122014-06-26T22:52:00.001-05:002014-10-23T16:39:38.244-05:00Illusione R Rothchildes<div dir="ltr">
Now here's a nice little prize! Illusione puts this little guy out for $3.99 a stick. This size is perfect for when you just don't have a few hours to kill, but want a premium smoke that you don't have to smoke halfway and leave sitting on an ashtray. I'm not one for relighting cigars that have been sitting for more than a few minutes, but not everyone's like me. This cigar is nice and leathery, with a deep brown-colored wrapper. Some veins are visible, cause, well... leaves have veins, don't they? I'm still in the habit of opting for the punch cut, so I removed a circular piece of the cap, toasted the foot, and dove right in.<br />
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1/3: Woodiness is the first flavor I pick up on. It's pretty heavy at first too. Then comes the cocoa. <br />
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2/3: Milk chocolate catches my attention at the beginning of the 2nd third. There's creaminess present, and the draw is quite good. At it's strongest, this cigar is medium-strength so far.<br />
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3/3: In the final third, the Rothchildes is fuller, bolder, and slightly meaty. <br />
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At this price point and size, I've purchased a handful of these little sticks and enjoyed them throughout the summer. Good stick and at good price. Go get you some!</div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A6DbTi5B16Y/U6zqZcGkVxI/AAAAAAAAFok/LcgJN1wnAPI/s1600/20140626_213403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A6DbTi5B16Y/U6zqZcGkVxI/AAAAAAAAFok/LcgJN1wnAPI/s640/20140626_213403.jpg" height="225" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Size: 4-1/2 x 50</div>
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Wrapper: Mexican San Andres</div>
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Binder: Nicaragua</div>
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Filler: Nicaragua</div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-88243829631918708772014-06-18T14:44:00.000-05:002014-06-18T14:44:24.887-05:00Illusione mk Ultra<div dir="ltr">
I'm a fan of the Illusione 88 and MJ12. mk Ultra came recommended, so why not? The wrapper is veiny, with a milk chocolate coloring. I used a small punch cutter and a torch on the foot. I paired this cigar with some brandy.</div>
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1/3: Strong leather notes start this Illusione off.
Unfortunately, the burn is rather uneven. It seems to have corrected itself at nearly an inch in. I've seen it compared to the Dirty Rat by Drew Estate (Liga Privada).
The ash is not very attractive, in fact it is rather ugly and flaky.
The draw, however is pretty good. Pepper flavor presents itself at about an inch in, along with some floral notes.
I'm getting a slight irritation on the roof of my mouth.
As I approach the 2nd third, the strength and flavor mellows out, then all of the sudden... </div>
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2/3: Bang!
It's now burning my tongue a little. Where did that come from? A few re-lights are necessary
to keep things moving along. </div>
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3/3: More black pepper in the final third. This stick had become fuller-bodied, and that's very evident at this point. </div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_SIK3aI18GQ/UaFUXCvKzFI/AAAAAAAAEtw/mXh3xpR4bSg/s1600/IMG_20130525_191510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_SIK3aI18GQ/UaFUXCvKzFI/AAAAAAAAEtw/mXh3xpR4bSg/s640/IMG_20130525_191510.jpg" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo</div>
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Binder: Nicaragua </div>
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Filler: Nicaragua</div>
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Size: 5.1 x 42 </div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-86314712733759462132014-06-18T14:20:00.002-05:002014-06-18T14:20:48.554-05:00Inch by E.P. Carrillo #62<div dir="ltr">
So much for my review of the Inch... My review notes somehow disappeared, so I can only comment on what I remember. I wanted to like the cigar, because E. P. Carrillo makes a decent smoke. I'm not a huge fan of the the super-chunky ring gauges (60+), but I'm also not opposed to mixing things up every so often. That said, I remember this cigar not being anything special. I recall that there was a strong cedar flavor, and that the draw was pretty loose. Others have said that they loved it, so maybe I need more than one stick to draw a solid conclusion.</div>
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I'm uploading this post in hopes of adding on to it at a later date, but who knows when I'll buy another one... If Ernesto Perez-Carrillo (or his daughter, Lissette) wants to send me a couple, I'd be happy to smoke 'em!</div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u3pGeTMkiQ0/UfxYmQud-4I/AAAAAAAAFGc/KDqupIf_UdA/s1600/IMG_20130802_200857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u3pGeTMkiQ0/UfxYmQud-4I/AAAAAAAAFGc/KDqupIf_UdA/s640/IMG_20130802_200857.jpg" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra</div>
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Binder: Nicaragua</div>
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Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano, Corjo and Criollo ’98</div>
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Size: 5.0 x 62 </div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188418922063685929.post-75642611350694918122014-06-18T14:09:00.001-05:002014-06-18T14:09:52.251-05:00Nat Sherman Timeless 556<div dir="ltr">
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I haven't smoked a Nat Sherman cigar in close to 16 years. The new branding caught my attention, so I picked up the box-pressed, oval shaped 556. The smell (pre-light) had a sweetness to it. I went for a punch cut and toasted the foot, as per my usual ritual. <br />
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1/3: The draw was on the loose side. The sweetness recognized pre-light is also coming through during the 1st third.</div>
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2/3: In the 2nd third, some pepper shows up. At this point, I would classify this cigar as being medium-bodied.</div>
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3/3: I don't always smoke my cigars <i>all</i> the way down, but this time I nubbed it. It required a few re-lights/touch-ups throughout to keep producing nice clouds of smoke and to keep things burning smoothly.</div>
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Overall it was an enjoyable cigar, however I was not overly impressed, which is of some surprise to me as it was ranked #10 by Cigar Aficionado, and while I don't put a ton of stock in what CA's tasters have to say (everyone has different tastes, obviously), I do find myself wanting to try some of the cigars that they rate highly. </div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b6BOcJwSiOQ/UglplLggR7I/AAAAAAAAFco/fcBNfATQVUo/s1600/IMG_20130812_180123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b6BOcJwSiOQ/UglplLggR7I/AAAAAAAAFco/fcBNfATQVUo/s640/IMG_20130812_180123.jpg" height="300" width="400" /> </a> </div>
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Wrapper: Nicaraguan<br />
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Binder: Nicaraguan</div>
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Filler: Nicaraguan</div>
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Size: 5.0 x 56</div>
Jeremy Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03912040937031019892noreply@blogger.com0Libertyville, Libertyville42.283077 -87.95313