Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 48 x 54 x 48 “Figurado- 11/18”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $18.00 MSRP

Today we take a look at the Camacho Liberty 2015.
I was gifted two cigars by a reader that has chosen to remain anonymous.
I’d like to start off by proclaiming that I don’t believe any cigar is worth $18.00. So this cigar has some pretty big hurdles to overcome to get me to say it’s a good deal.

BACKGROUND:
Factory: Agroindustria LAEPE S.A.
Release Date: June, 2015
Camacho is distributed by Davidoff of Geneva USA

According to Halfwheel.com:
“In total, there have been 15 different releases of the Camacho Liberty series totaling 20 vitolas in 13 years.
“The line was launched in 2002 by the previous owners of the Camacho brand, the Eiroa family, who released 25,000 cigars.
“The 11/18 perfecto vitola, a 6 x 48/54/48 figurado gets its name from the birthday of Christian Eiroa’s mother, November 18.”

From the Camacho Cigars web site:
“Like all cigars in the Brotherhood Series, Camacho Liberty pays tribute to the bond between like-minded men. Those who stand tall on a foundation built from core values and shared beliefs. Just as our forefathers sounded the bell to declare their newly won independence, Liberty rings loud… free of limits and unbounded with potential.”

Limited release of 2,000 Boxes of 20 Cigars in individual coffins.
All coffins are numbered:

DESCRIPTION:
On the back of the Camacho Liberty Series 2015 band are the same words found on the Liberty Bell:
“PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF LEV XXV. VX.
BY ORDER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENSYLVANIA FOR THE STATE HOUSE IN PHILA.
PASS AND STOW
PHILADA
MDCCLIII.”

SIZES AND PRICING:
Each year, generally, the Liberty comes in one size.
While the MSRP is $18.00, I found the cigar going for $14.00 on Cbid.
Cigar Federation does not carry it.
Small Batch does and it goes for $16.00 each. With 10% discount the price goes down to $14.40 per cigar. I only use these two online stores as examples because they give a 10% promo code to everyone. And of course, it is usually a done deal that you will pay less on Cbid.

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell generic sweetness, spice, cinnamon, toffee, cedar, and peppermint.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell strong spice and peppermint, allspice, cedar, toffee, and cream.
The cold draw presents flavors of peppermint, grass, cinnamon, spice, sweetness, toffee, cream, and a rich earthiness.

FIRST THIRD:
The draw is a bit tight but a little massage should fix that.
A couple puffs in; I’m hit in the puss with red pepper, chocolate, creaminess, and a bit of coffee.
A good start. But nothing out of the ordinary for a good blend.

I gotta pee…be right back.

OK. The cigar has rested a couple minutes and the char line is dead nuts.
Strength bangs away at medium/full immediately.
Complexity slams a home run. The Camacho Liberty 2015 flies away on the wings of a Griffin.
Malts kick in big time.

The Camacho Liberty 2015 tastes like it’s been very well aged. Absolutely delicious blend.
Well, the cigar has made it over the first hurdle of impressing me right out of the gate.
Here are the flavors…and there are a lot of them: Creaminess, red pepper, chocolate, malts, peppermint, coffee, toffee, marzipan, Ritz Cracker, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, hazelnuts, caramel flan, and cedar.
WOW.

Ladies and Germs, the Malts: Chocolate Malt, Brown Malt, Coffee Malt, Crystal/Caramel Malt, and Maris Otter Malt. (See Malt Chart).

And then a light switch is turned off.
The transitions disappear. The Camacho Liberty 2015 becomes stagnant. I’m 1-1/2” into the cigar.
It seems a cleaver was used to slice the flavor profile in half.
OK. A great start and then it settles into a $5 blend. It’s pleasant, but not mind bending.
A shame. I had high hopes that the Big Guys got it wrong. But I think they nailed it. I saw a rating of 84. Although, one Big Guy gave it a 91.
But they all say the same thing describing just a few minor flavors. Kudos to the fella that had the balls to give a sponsor’s cigar an 84.
I’m having some minor burn issues.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 25 minutes.
Bubba, the Camacho Liberty 2015 ain’t makin’ no comeback.

It now lives in the netherworld of overpriced cigars. Even if this cigar were twice as good, it still wouldn’t be worth $18. But twice as good would only bring it back to the start.
Now it’s a toss-up. Either the Camacho Liberty 2015 starts screaming laughter in the last third or it will just fade away like a has been baseball player.

Man, this blend had such a bright beginning that I thought I just might be recommending it. Not at $18 of course. But, I’ve seen people snag them at $14. Still outrageous but better than $18.

And this brings me to the stupid coffin idea. What is the fucking point of this thing that jacks the price up? Get rid of the damn thing and charge $12 instead. All Smoke and Mirrors dear readers.
The cigar is requiring a little too many char line touch ups than it should be.

The halfway point seems to come too soon. Smoke time is 35 minutes.
The strength pulls back to medium body.

This is what’s left of the flavor profile: Creaminess, chocolate, peppermint, malts, coffee, caramel, and cedar.
Not very impressive after that wonderful start.

I have two sticks. I removed the cigar band from one to take a nice photo of the back side but too much glue ruins the presentation. I remove the cigar band from the review cigar and it has too much glue in the EXACT same place. These idiots at Camacho put something cool on the back of the band and then they use too much glue so it is ruined. Un-fucking-believable.

Christian Eiroa must be dying inside knowing what Davidoff is doing to the new Camacho. I made the misstate a couple of times of buying the old Camacho blends from way back that some online stores had. But they were so old that the no longer had the oomph and chutzpah of the original blend and how it should have tasted. I’m not a fan of long humidor aging. It zaps the strength, flavor, and character out of a blend. So don’t bother with them. And the thing is, is that these online stores know that they are selling Camachos that are a mere shadow of what they once were. That’s why they are selling them so cheap. If they were just as good as when they were originally released, everyone would be making a fortune selling them for three times the original price.

The char line finally settles down when I hit the pregnant part of the cigar.
Now I’m just biding my time. Smoking a cigar without character.
The spiciness returns less than an inch away from the last third. As expected.

Flavors perk up a bit but do not display the boldness shown at the start of the cigar.
The Camacho Liberty 2015 goes out on me.
Sure as hell, slowly but surely, the flavor profile becomes enhanced with every puff.
It is returning to that wonderful early flavor profile.

A gazillion other, cheaper, cigars do the same thing. Start out great, falter, and come back to life in the last third.

Did you watch the Republican debates in Vegas last night? I made it through 20 minutes of the kiddie table debate.
And I made it an hour at the main debate. The only thing missing is a VW beetle for those clowns to climb into. They say the same shit debate after debate. The RNC has to whittle down the crowd and go with just the ones that have a fighting chance. Which includes low polled candidates.

I’m a Democrat. But I like Lindsay Graham, Bush, and Rand Paul. Eclectic, huh?
So many of them have no qualifications to be president. Obama didn’t have enough experience as a senator but the man has charisma. And I believe he is a good man. It’s a shame that he mostly wasted his 8 years in office. A real shame.
And that’s why I like the three Elephant boys above. I think they are good men. I don’t agree with a lot of what they plan to do if they become president but some of the shit that comes out of the other candidates’ mouths horrifies me.
And Cruz looks too much like Sponge Bob to be president.

Where was I? Oh yeah. The Camacho Liberty 2015. What a wonderful cigar. Gak!

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is 50 minutes.
Some clove enters to perk things up a bit.
Strength remains at a touch over medium body.
The Camacho web site says this is a full bodied cigar. Not even close.
I keep getting those annoying V runs. A major touch up is required.

This is the worst expensive cigar I’ve smoked. Camacho and Davidoff should be ashamed of themselves.
And I will factor the price point into my final rating. I have no idea how a couple of the Big Guys thought this was a decent cigar. I should check to see if Camacho is one of their sponsors. Yep. And one of the Big Guy reviewers looks like he is 12.

The last third should be a shining beacon of flavors according to the usual plan. Instead, it remains stagnant. No transitions. No complexity. And where is the finish?
The char line is running again. Fuck it. I’m not fixing it.
I see no reason to take the Camacho Liberty 2015 to the end.
What a friggin dud.

RATING: 80

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 56 “Toro Gordo”
Body: Full
Price: $6.70 MSRP

Photos courtesy of Duran Cigars.

Today we take a look at the Neya F8 Ligero Typhoon from Duran Cigars. Formally known as Roberto Duran Cigars.

BACKGROUND:
The Neya line by Duran Cigars was introduced at the 2014 IPCPR trade show.
There are two blends under the Neya line: Neya Classic and Neya F8.

From Cigar Aficionado web site:
“After resurrecting Azan, a pre-Castro Cuban brand that was once owned by a Chinese immigrant, Roberto Duran is expanding with two new cigar lines, one of which is his most expensive yet.

“The new premium line, called Roberto P. Duran, features a Cuban-seed Criollo wrapper grown on Duran’s own farm in Ecuador that covers a Nicaraguan binder and filler. Duran says the blend is stronger than Azan, which debuted at last year’s International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers trade show.

“Additionally, the company is unveiling a new line called Neya, which is a blend of all-Nicaraguan tobaccos, save for an Ecuador Habano wrapper that was not grown on Duran’s farm.”

My buddy, Jack Torano, left Torano Cigars and joined this company as Regional Sales Manager & Marketing & Public Relations.

DESCRIPTION:
This is a stout hearted cigar. Looks like a tree limb due to its mammoth size. The new fad of making cigars 7 x 70 and 8 x 80 blows me away. What do you do? Get tweaked and stay up all night to finish the 14 hour cigar?

OK. Seriously, nice looking stick. A marbled, mottled, oily dark coffee bean brown wrapper that has a small bit of sandy-like toothiness.

Seams are nearly invisible. Lots of small and big veins. I believe it has a double cap.
For such a big cigar, it seems a little light in the loafers. I find several soft spots. I don’t think this cigar is jam packed with filler.
The double cigar bands are quite ornate. I like the cameo type main band. It harkens back to the old Cuban brands.

And the secondary band merely states the line: LIGERO F8 TYPHOON.
Something I don’t understand…on the main band, it says: “Neya Cigar Co.” I find nothing telling me that this is a separate company from Duran Cigars. Merely another line. If you hit the drop down menu on the Duran Cigars web site, the title says: CIGARS. And then it gives you a choice of 5 different lines. Not a separate company.

SIZES AND PRICING:
5 x 52 Patriot $6.00 MSRP
5 x 58 Gringo $6.50 MSRP
6 x 56 Toro Gordo $6.70 MSRP
6 x 60 Yankee $7.70 MSRP
6 1/2 x 54 Loyalist $6.50 MSRP
7 x 70 Big Jack $8.00 MSRP
Cigars can be had online for about a buck less.

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell barnyard, sweetness, cinnamon, spice, chocolate, coffee, and cream.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell barnyard, spice, strong element of mixed roasted nuts, pine, and cedar.
The cold draw presents flavors of chocolate, spice, nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, light coffee, and cedar.

FIRST THIRD:
I carefully torch the outside perimeter of the foot’s wrapper a sixteenth of an inch at a time. Slowly expanding to a total of 1/8”. This way the foot burns inwards instead of outwards maybe causing some burn issues. I then let it rest for a couple of minutes so it can cool down and reduce the chances of a V burn.

There are a couple imperfections in the foot caused by the roller and it is at those exact places that the foot starts to waver. I attend to them and let the cigar rest once again.

The draw is a bit too airy.
But then I am rewarded by a smackeroo of red hot pepper to the palate. What a great start!
Other flavors: Chocolate, creaminess, black walnuts, malts, maple, coffee, a honey sweetness, butterscotch, and cedar.
The burn line is exceedingly wavy. I smoked one prior to this review and had the same issues.

I decide not to touch it up and see if it self corrects.
The Neya F8 Ligero Typhoon is a tasty morsel. I like it.

It bolts from the gate with big flavors. It already finds some transitions and has a wonderful balance and long finish.
Strength is medium/full.
The ash is flaky and loose. Another criteria proving that the Neya F8 Ligero Typhoon could use some more filler.

I get a nice perfumey, floral aroma from the cigar and in the flavor element. I don’t know flowers but this is something I’ve never experienced in a cigar before today. Pretty cool.
The cigar goes out. Drat.

With 1-1/4” burned, the flavor profile takes off. Nice.
Now we have some complexity. Transitions. Balance. Finish. All aligned with the universe.

There is a candy nougat component that really gives the whole flavor profile a big boost.
And then a mint element shows itself. Very minor but enough to complement the other flavors.

Flavors are becoming like a Pink Floyd laser show. Back in L.A., the Los Angeles Griffith Park Planetarium would have these shows about once a month. All the stoners came out for this. The aroma of weed could be smelled by a nose deaf horse it was so strong. Lot of people on acid. I went a few times but never took acid. But a doobie was the de rigueur for this show.
There is nothing I can do about the never ending wavy char line. Just grin and bear it. Fortunately, flavors make up for this annoyance.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 25 minutes.
Here they are: Chocolate, creaminess, black walnuts, nougat, malts, maple, spice, floral notes, coffee, peat, honey sweetness, caramel, and cedar.
The malts kick in big time: Special B Malt, Smoked Malt, Coffee Malt, Cara Munich Malt, Peated Malt, and Chocolate Malt. (See Malt Chart).
For $6, this is helluva cigar blend.

The Neya F8 Ligero Typhoon is a giant step after the Azan line. I went back and read my reviews of the Azan blends and they were not to my liking. I had a lot of construction issues and the flavor just wasn’t there.
But this baby, now that’s another story.

Due to the lack of this being a fully packed cigar, it burns quickly. Based on its size, I was ready for over a 2 hour marathon. But so far, I’m guessing this will only be a 90 minute excursion.
But for a big cigar, it is exceedingly flavorful. And very wallet friendly. I’d like to try the other blends: Roberto P. Duran Signature Line ($9-$22.60 range), Neya Classic ($4-$6 range), Baracoa, and the Nicatabaco Factory Blend No.2. See the Duran Cigars web site for more info. These prices were taken from CI and below MSRP.

I reach the halfway point in 40 minutes.
With each puff, the Neya F8 Ligero Typhoon becomes more complex and flavorful.
Despite the under filled stick and the wavy burn line, the wonderful flavor and character more than make up for those issues.

The Neya F8 Ligero Typhoon will definitely make the “The Katman’s List of 156 Great Cigars in the $5.00-$8.00 Range.”
This is a keeper.

I keep getting blown away with each puff. A true flavor bomb. Kudos Duran Cigars.
The upper half of the cigar seems to be better filled with tobacco and the smoke time begins to slow down.
The char line is less wavy.
The spiciness returns.
Strength is now full bodied.

CI sells the Neya F8, the Neya Classic, and the Signature Line which means they should show up on Cbid. Check it out.
The cigar goes out again. Double drat!
What a shame. The construction of the Neya F8 Ligero Typhoon is less than perfect while pumping out spectacular flavors. An enigma.

I do believe this is the first time that construction issues haven’t tainted my enjoyment of a cigar.
The Neya F8 Ligero Typhoon is super smooth.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is one hour 10 minutes.
The Neya F8 Ligero Typhoon is blasting away on all cylinders.

The $6.70 MSRP is well worth the price. And the $6 CI sells them for is even better. And the $5 Cbid price is an out and out steal.
While having char line issues, not once did I have trouble with the wrapper. That’s a good thing.

None of the flavor profile has changed except for it being a very spicy cigar now.
A bit of nicotine shows up but nothing I can’t handle.
The Neya F8 Ligero Typhoon finishes calmly. No harshness or bitterness or heat.
I highly recommend this cigar.

Yeah, I wish a couple of things. First, I wish there was more filler leaves. Second, as a result of a lack of being properly filled, the draw is a bit too airy. Third, the constant minor touch ups to the char line.
But all in all, if you can discard those problems, this is a wonderful blend.

RATING: 90

And now for something completely different:

I watched a documentary on HBO last night called “The Wrecking Crew.” I had seen it before but it was months ago. And with my Alzheimer’s, I forget a lot. I can now watch movies from my large DVD collection and it is like watching them for the first time. LOL.

Anyway, two friends were highlighted in this doc. First, The L.A. Wrecking Crew was a group of studio musicians used over and over and over by just about every producer on the planet.
They account for hundreds of No.1 hits in the 1960’s.

My mentor, Hall of Fame drummer, Hal Blaine was prominently discussed and one of the talking heads discussing the subject at hand.
And my bass teacher, Carol Kaye, was another.

One thing hit home. Hal and Nancy Sinatra discussed her Ed Sullivan special that was an hour of Nancy’s Las Vegas show in which Hal got top billing on the marquee of the casino.

When I had my TV show in L.A. in 1983, I got Hal and Darlene Love together. The Blossoms were on the Nancy show as well. And Darlene was part of that all girl group.

Hal brought this up to me a couple weeks before shooting my show. He told me he had the whole thing on reel to reel video. This was around 1969 and no such thing as Beta Max’s back then.

So he went out and bought a $2200 Sony reel to reel video player/recorder. He had it stored away and gave me use of it so I could have a Hollywood facility transfer it to ¾” video tape.
Now this machine weighs at least 30lbs. Man, it’s heavy.

Hal made me lug it from his yacht in Marina Del Rey to my car. And then to the tape facility and when I brought it back to Hal, he asked if I could hold on to it for a while as it was a real pain in the ass.
Over the years, I kept bringing it up that I still had this thing and he just kept telling me to hold on to it.

So now, over 30 years later, I still have the Sony Video Recorder. It sits in the dining room right underneath where I take my cigar photos.

I got my ¾” VHS tape made and we did the show…using clips from the Sinatra special to show off Hal and Darlene. Hal even had a solo that he was very proud of. Sinatra had a full orchestra behind her.

Carol was the first big time female bassist in Session World in L.A. She came up with some of the most famous bass riffs in rock n roll. The list is too long. She was the bassist on all of the Beach Boys’ hits (“Pet Sounds”. Played on albums from Simon & Garfunkel, Joe Cocker, The Righteous Brothers, Count Basie, and she came up with the riff for the “Mission Impossible” theme. Check her out on Wikipedia.
You can check out Hal Blaine on Wikipedia as well. Or “The Wrecking Crew.”

No. They never mentioned me by name. LOL.
But I have kept in touch with Carol over the years.

Back in the day, when other musicians discovered I was a student of Carol, they literally bowed down to me.

She only uses a pick while playing. And it drove me nuts because her music books that you worked from had the symbols: ⟰ or ⟱. Each symbol represented how you hit the string. You had to hit the E note with an upward motion of the pick and then the next notes might be downward motions.

And I’d get reprimanded if I didn’t hit the string with the right downward or upward motion. I could play the riff perfectly but if my pick was not used properly, we’d start again.

I took lessons from her for about a year. And then it was time to move on. Back then, I took lessons from her in her Hollywood home while we sat in her dining room.

I highly recommend watching this documentary if you can. Especially, if you are a musician.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 52
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $9.00 by the 5 Pack/$7.50 by the 12 Pack/$7.00 by the 24 Pack

Photo above courtesy of Ezra Zion Cigar Co.

Today we take a look at the Ugly Christmas Sweater Red Blend 2015 by Ezra Zion Cigars.
Thanks to Carter Tinsley and Miguel Castro for the sticks.

BACKGROUND:
From the Ezra Zion Cigar Co. web site:
“Announcing the very first Ezra Zion Ugly Christmas Sweater project! This will be our annual Christmas release; each year featuring the coolest in Ugly Christmas Sweater action! We will use this final release each year to showcase the rarest and most special tobaccos we come across all during the year.

“The inaugural Ugly Christmas Sweater 2015 is TWO blends!! We felt festive so we thought we’d be extra jolly!

“Each 6 pack contains 3 Red Sweaters and 3 Green Sweaters.

“The Red Sweater Blend is an Ecuador Habano wrapper over rare Indonesian binder and Nicaraguan filler. Shoot…if they could grow tobacco at the North Pole we would’ve used it!

“The cigar is money! Full bodied, full/medium strength with flavors of hazelnut, sweet cream, and dark coffee bean. It’s complimented by notes of white pepper, berry, and cocoa. Size 6×52.

“The Green Sweater Blend is a little bundle of wonderful! Colorado wrapper and all Nicaraguan binder/filler combine to make this one of the most perfectly balanced cigars we’ve ever blended IMO.

“Very creamy and sweet on the palate, but with a cinnamon retrohale through the nose. Throughout the cigar flavors of earth, leather, vanilla make an appearance. Size 5×50.

“To make this even cooler, each 6-Pack comes with a wooden gift tag that we will personally address to you–or to anyone you’d like to give it to as a gift! (Let us know in “Add a Note to Your Order” field of the Shopping Cart if you’d like a different name. Otherwise it will be made out to the purchaser.)
“THERE ARE ONLY 75 6-PACKS AVAILABLE!
“Total Production: 450 Cigars (225 Red/225 Green)
“Merry Christmas!” (And a belated Happy Hanukkah! from the Katman)

DESCRIPTION:
OK. What is it with all the skulls and crossbones being so popular? In the last couple of years, every third cigar manufactured seems to have a skull on the cigar band. Is it End of Days?
But the cigar looks might fine. A very pretty mottled, marble, wood grain wrapper the color of pecan/mocha. The wrapper is very smooth to the touch.
The triple cap is absolutely flawless. Invisible seams and very few veins.

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell maple, spice, cream, pine nuts, coffee, and a light hint of wintergreen.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell gingerbread, spice, barnyard, pine, wintergreen, (Damn. The spice makes me sneeze twice), cream, and cedar.
The cold draw presents flavors of cream, cocoa, coffee, wintergreen, spice, grass, and cedar.

FIRST THIRD:
The draw is great.
Right out of the gate, a flood of flavors: Heavy cream, black pepper, malts, milk chocolate, sweetness, cedar, coffee, raw cashews, poppy seeds, and a real milk shake quality to it.
I’ve made it pretty clear how much I respect, and admire, Kyle Hoover and Chris Kelly. They keep pumping out great blend without as much as a single clunker.

Charlotte is home with the flu. Didn’t get her shot like I noodged her to do. I got mine about 6 weeks ago. Fingers crossed.

Back to the Ugly Christmas Sweater Red Blend 2015.
Strength is medium body. The char line is absolutely dead nuts perfect.

A floral note emerges both in taste and aroma. Then black currant. After that, boysenberry. Now I’m hungry.
I never have construction problems with Ezra Zion cigars. It’s a big relief going into a review of one of their new blends knowing there won’t be the angst of a bad burn issue.
I keep telling you, dear readers, it’s the rollers…not me; or my method of humidor storage that makes cigars go awry.

An inch in, the Ugly Christmas Sweater Red Blend 2015 finds its complexity. Nice balance. And long, creamy finish.
The spice is on the wane. Too bad. I’m a spice junkie.

In my old age, I’ve become strictly a medium/full to full body smoke lover. Medium normally tastes too weak to me. And I won’t touch a mild body cigar. But what can make up for the lack of oomph is the flavor profile.

Now this cigar blend is described by Kyle and Chris as medium/full bodied. I expect that the strength portion of this episode will rise to the occasion soon. Some cigars hit you in the puss right from the start and others build. I prefer the ones that build. It works hand in hand with the flavor transitions.

Speaking of transitions…the Ugly Christmas Sweater Red Blend 2015 is in constant flux. Flavors spinning like a disco ball. And I’m John Travolta. (But I’m straight.)

A big combo of graham cracker and gingerbread leap on to the pile of flavors.

And here they are: Aromatic Malt, Chocolate Malt, Chocolate Rye Malt, Crystal/Caramel Malt, and Peated Malt. (See Malt Chart).
Unlike a recent review, this cigar is jam packed with tobacco. It smokes slowly. And I find it a very relaxing cigar.
Strength moves to medium/full.
Nutmeg moves in on the block. Nice addition as it also brings out a cinnamon element.
The black pepper becomes red pepper. And begins to build once again. That’s a’ nice.
Construction is top notch. And the char line is just cruising at 30,000 feet without a seat belt needed.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 35 minutes.
Holy shit. Transitions. Complexity. Balance. Finish. Flavor profile. Ka-Boom!

I’m mounting my poor Ebba (My boxer dog) as I write this. I had to find some manner in which I could celebrate the intense flavors smashing against my palate like two gold beams in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider.

That blue strand on the right is me.

The Ugly Christmas Sweater Red Blend 2015 is uber delightful. If you want a real treat, try the Blending Sessions. You can get it in 5, 10, or 20 packs. The more you buy, the cheaper it gets. At a 5 pack, it’s $5 a stick. At 20 count, it’s $4 a stick. And it is like Christmas and Hanukkah every day of the year. A mish mosh of wonderful EZ blends. Who knows what they are and who cares? Each one is a winner. I reviewed two blends: Blending Sessions Liga 7 and Blending Sessions Liga 8. Both killer cigars.

The flavors have shifted a bit: Creamy, chocolate, espresso, spice, ginger cookies, malts, berries, black currant, sweetness, cedar, sweet raw cashews, vanilla, poppy seeds, and marzipan. There is a heavy chocolate milk shake quality. I can nearly taste the thick chocolate flavored vanilla ice cream running down my throat.
The thing I love about EZ blends is the short amount of humidor time needed before one can light a cigar.
They all taste like they have already been extensively aged.

I reach the halfway point.
Smoke time is 50 minutes.

I am putting Carter and Miguel in my will. (I hope they can afford the debt) These short little cigar production runs that you can only find out about, in time, is through signing up for their email notifications and then just disappear in days…if that. And if you don’t have the dough…like me, well then..you are S.O.L.

God bless Carter and Miguel for thinking of me.

The Ugly Christmas Sweater Red Blend 2015 oozes high premium cigar quality. I don’t know if it’s me or what…but it seems with every new release, the blends get better and better. It’s nice to see that one can find the regular production EZ cigars on quite a few online stores now. But my favorite is still “The Collective’’ that can only be purchased from Cigar Federation at $11.00 a stick. Worth every penny.

Every year, I get a flu shot and every year I get the flu. Now some people say that the flu shot gives you the flu. Horseshit. Small minds that don’t do their research. Of course, the immunization gives you a small amount of the virus in order for your immune system to build up a tolerance for a full frontal attack. But the scientists guess the year before which flus they think will hit. At most, I believe, they provide for only 3 strains of the flu while there are hundreds of strains out there. And more often than not, they guess wrong. I got my flu shots a while back because Medicare does pay for it. I got shots for 4 different strains. And my sole hope is that I don’t catch the dreaded illness from Charlotte. I can barely handle a head cold. But lying on the bathroom floor with your arm wrapped around the toilet? Wishing that God will take you right there and then….No thanks.

To show you what a good husband I am, Charlotte came home from work early because she was sick. Instead of taking my old man nap as I always do late afternoon, I got dressed and drove to Sendik’s (Our upscale chain of markets in Milwaukee) and bought her some of their fantastic chicken soup and other sundries to make her comfortable.
So I missed my nap and was cranky for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

OK. The Ugly Christmas Sweater Red Blend 2015. I could suck on this cigar all day long. I can’t wait to try the Green blend.
This is one of the slowest smokes I’ve had in a long time. What a simple pleasure.
Yeah, I know the boys at EZ worked their asses off to make this blend but at my end it is a simple pleasure.
The char line gets a bit wavy but a minor touch up takes care of it.

I turn the heat off when Charlotte sleeps in and I’m downstairs reviewing. That way the cigar smoke doesn’t travel through the vents to the bedroom and awaken her. It is frigging cold. And I’m freezing my tuchas off.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is one hour 20 minutes.
And the rocket takes off. We have full body. We have a bona fide flavor bomb. We have an absolute perfect balance. And the finish is making me cry.
Construction and char line have been dead nuts.
Once again, I must state unequivocally, that Ezra Zion Cigar Company is my desert island choice of brands.

For a full bodied stick, this cigar is so smooth that strength disappears into the stratosphere.
All flavors intact. No changes except the spiciness is stronger.
This is definitely a tobacco milk shake.

If you haven’t signed up for email notifications from Ezra Zion, do it now.
The strength of flavors, while near the end of the cigar, keep on keepin’ on. They are stronger now than earlier. Transitions. They make or break a cigar blend.

The Ugly Christmas Sweater Red Blend 2015 is a masterpiece. And I’m sure you are tiring of me using that same noun for every EZ blend I review. But it is what it is.

Clearly, the boys made a deal with Beezelbub. I can’t think of any other manufacturer that pumps out blends of the highest standards like they are turning on a light switch.
There is no harshness, heat, bitterness or nicotine as I come to an end.

With only 750 cigars for sale, it was impossible to review this cigar in time for you to buy some. If you’d like, I will sell singles for $750 each. Email me at imasucker.com. I need a PET scan and Medicare won’t pay for it so I have to save up $7,000.00. Or you can go to the Go Fund Me widget on the right side of the page and donate $20.

RATING: 94

Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan (AGANORSA)
Size: 5 x 54 “Robusto”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $6.00 MSRP (Can be found for about a buck less online)

Photo below courtesy of Cuenca Cigars.

Today we take a look at the Padilla San Andrés Maduro.
A gift from a reader who prefers to remain anonymous.

I want to take this moment to thank a cigar company.
Thank you Duran Cigars. I reviewed their Neya F8 Ligero Typhoon the other day and they dug it. My old buddy, Jack Torano, left Torano Cigars and joined this company as Regional Sales Manager & Marketing & Public Relations. He and I kissed and made up. I’m not for holding grudges. Especially now, while I’m undergoing a fight for my life; as I know it. Alzheimer’s puts things in perspective and the little crap doesn’t mean squat in the bigger scheme of things.

BACKGROUND:
Factory: Raices Cubanas, Honduras
Regular Production
Debuted at the 2015 IPCPR trade show.
Three new blends made their first showing: Padilla Corojo, Criollo & San Andrés.
The Padilla web site is down. And not much info about the background of this release could be found. I don’t think it came out with any amount of fanfare.
I’ve had these two cigars resting in my humidor for two months.

DESCRIPTION:
I love the wrapper (It took me 6 times to type the word: love). Underneath this billboard sized cigar band is a beautiful, mottled, marbled, oily, dark walnut wood colored wrapper. Seams are extremely tight. The triple cap is flawless and nearly invisible save for my use of a magnifying glass to determine this. Mostly big veins but next to nothing in the area of smaller veins.

The Padilla San Andrés is a solid cigar. Yet, has the perfect amount of give when gently depressed with my thumb. There is a sandiness to the wrapper that gives it some tooth but I doubt will show up in photos.
The cigar band is something else. It looks like 2 or 3 bands but it ain’t folks. Just one big band made to look like more.

In the lower part of the band, it has a white background and a quote from Roberto Padilla in Spanish. Can’t read Spanish so I have no idea what it says. Maybe one of you, dear readers, will be able to translate for me.

SIZES AND PRICING:
Robusto 5 x 54 $6.00 MSRP
Toro 6 x 52 $6.50 MSRP
Gordo 6 x 60 $7.00 MSRP

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I can smell spice, fruity sweetness, honeysuckle, cinnamon, coffee, cocoa, herbal mint tea, cedar, cream, and floral notes.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I can smell bittersweet chocolate, spice, honey, Worcestershire sauce, bitter horseradish, cedar, and coffee.
The cold draw presents flavors of berry preserves, pine, spice, cinnamon, chocolate, cedar, and floral notes.

FIRST THIRD:
The draw is a bit tight. I grab my cigar awl and it finds a lot of resistance as I plunge it down the stick like the famous duelists: Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro (1612).
Huzzah! Success. A clear passage to navigate the strange but alluring beast.

First flavors up to bat: Molasses sweetness, creaminess, roasted nuts, very rich coffee; like real Kona coffee (Yes, I’ve had it. A friend owns a Kona coffee plantations on the island of Kona, Hawaii). But I have to beg for a pound of the stuff and over the last years I got tired of begging. I do enough of that already with my wife.
The char line is ninja sword straight.

Then Blam! The spiciness shows up in legions of Samurais. (Japanese culture will be the theme for today). Mostly black pepper but it does have hints of red pepper as well.
Strength is immediately medium/full body. I love this.

Other flavors reveal themselves: Malts (I firmly believe this is an important element missing from all inexpensive blends and bundles), The AGANORSA bite (I’ve smoked enough to recognize that flavor and I have kept copious notes because my memory is of no use to me any longer), a cotton candy sweetness, caramel custard, Chinese cooking spices such as cinnamon, fennel, star anise, clove, licorice, and ginger.
Very nice.

The ash is hanging tough. The draw is now excellent. The flavor profile is very complex. The balance is cool Daddy-O. And the finish is a mile long.
There is just a bushel of subtle and nuanced flavors hiding beneath each other…not wanting to expose themselves lest they be arrested.

It figures. I’ve got some tremors this morning and I drop the cigar and that long beautiful ash becomes a stain on the carpet near my feet. What a schmuck.

Nevertheless, this is a fine, fine blend. The Padilla San Andrés Maduro is a helluva cigar blend for only $6.00.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 35 minutes.
Padilla really hit a home run with the Padilla San Andrés Maduro. Now I’d like to try the other 2 blends: Corojo and Criollo. This is the deal of the century if you can snag some of these blends on Cbid.

Here is a wonderful example of the Anti-Greed. Any other manufacturer or boutique brand would charge at least $10 for this stick. Kudos to the folks at Padilla.

This is an extremely smoky cigar. I mean that it pumps out smoke like a house afire. While I have shut off the heat so I don’t wake Charlotte up. Poor baby..still not feeling well from her flu. But she was able to eat yesterday and that’s a good sign. And no temp like she had on Friday.

I told you in the last review how I got her some readymade chicken soup from our upscale market nearby. They also have a bakery to die for. I bought some little almond glazed baby croissants with poppy seed filling for her. Little things. Four bites and they’re gone. I watched as she scarfed four of them yesterday one after another and then told me she no longer felt sleepy. I had tried to get her to take a nap but, as usual, she ignored my suggestion. And after those croissants, she was on a big sugar high. Sigh.

Slow going smoke.

I noticed that everyone calls this cigar something different and since the Padilla web site is down, I picked the most used name: Padilla San Andrés Maduro.

The sun is out but it’s cold. With the wind chill, it’s only about 14°. And for the first time since 1982, no snow for Christmas.

Back to the Padilla San Andrés Maduro.
Strength hits full body.
I hit the halfway point in 45 minutes.

Flavors are gorgeous and the malts become definitive: Coffee Malt, Flaked Rye Malt, and Chocolate Malt. (See Malt Chart).

I had a hunch on this blend. Its appearance had the look of passion. That the blender and the rollers took this blend seriously. Not just another inexpensive cigar to fill up the pages of the online catalogs. I could dig a box of these. But unfortunately, they are price controlled by Padilla. Every single online store sells a box of the Robustos for $107.95. No more, no less.

The Padilla San Andrés Maduro is full of transitions. Very complex. And with each puff, gets better with big bold flavors and subtle nuanced flavors.

Here they are: Malts, fruity berry sweetness, spice, creaminess, cocoa, roasted nuts, rich coffee, caramel, cedar, cinnamon, fennel, clove, licorice, and ginger.
This ain’t your ordinary Nic cigar blend.

I lit up an inexpensive cigar a reader sent me last night. It was an Obsidian. First thing I noticed while toasting the foot that it was terminated by the roller in terrible style. And as a result, I had awful burn issues until halfway through, I put it down. Plus, it tasted like crap.

Toasting the foot tells you everything. It gives you a glimpse into the soul of a cigar and its blender.
The Padilla San Andrés Maduro toasted beautifully. A nice even burn. Zero imperfections. And as a result, a near perfect char line from the start. It says a lot about a company when they put as much quality control on a $5 cigar as they do a $10 cigar.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is one hour 10 minutes.
This has been a totally enjoyable cigar experience. While being full bodied, it is so smooth that the strength isn’t an ass kicker. So far, no nicotine. There. I’ve jinxed it.

The Padilla San Andrés Maduro is something to watch out for on Cbid. A box, not a 5 pack or single. Trust your Uncle Katman. Unfortunately, as I write this, there is no box for sale…just singles. But that’s a good way to start.
Construction is top notch. The char line has needed a few minor touch ups.

The flavor profile is so complex that flavor elements have morphed into one big ball of flavors. Each puff gives you a different set of flavors.
I have one left. I shall treasure it. LOL.

Here are the dominant flavors: Chocolate, creaminess, a resurgence of black pepper, caramel, malts, berry sweetness, coffee, cinnamon, roasted nuts, licorice and cedar.

The last third turns the Padilla San Andrés Maduro into a true flavor bomb. I don’t use that word in a cavalier manner. If you read me with any regularity, you know it is not against my religion to absolutely trash a blend.

I found the cheapest price at Cuenca Cigars. The box is cheaper than any online store. My good buddy, Ana Cuenca, is a very nice lady and will take care of you. They sell all three sizes (All three blends) in singles, 5 packs, and boxes. Give this lady some of your business. Call and ask for her and tell her the Katman sent you.

The Padilla San Andrés Maduro has a solid finish. It doesn’t get soft. No harshness, heat, bitterness, cool to the touch, or nicotine.
I highly recommend this cigar. The most discriminating palate will dig this blend.

RATING: 90

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo ’99
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6.125 x 46
Body: Medium
Price: $9.00

Today we take a look at the Las Mareas by Crowned Heads.
A big thank you to Miguel Castro for gifting me the samples for review.

BACKGROUND:
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Release Date: September, 2015
Regular Production.
Debuted at the 2015 IPCPR trade show.
Comes in boxes of 20.

From the Cigar Federation Store web site:
“The Crowned Heads, Las Mareas, or “The Tides”, is a unique cigar which was inspired by the surf culture that Jon Huber experienced while in Hawaii. While it is nothing new that this cigar is being made at the My Father Cigar factory, it is the first time Crowned Heads has used a wrapper, binder AND filler, all grown by the Garcias.

“Las Mareas will be a regular production cigar starting in July of 2016, but a very select group of retailers are getting them now. Jon Huber referred to it as a “…Preview. Of a preview. Of a 2016 brand.” These cigars are going to bear the test blend style label and are packed in unfinished cedar boxes. As the marketing and artwork is still being finalized.”

DESCRIPTION:
The cigar is a non-descript looking thing. It could have come from a $20 bundle. Lots of veins. Lumps and bumps. Fairly tight seams. Wrinkles. And inconsistent triple caps. One sample has a flat head while the other has a typical round head.
The ring gauges are also inconsistent. One is 46 and the other is 49.
The wrapper is the color of gingerbread with caramel icing. Probably makes no sense but that is what it looks like to me.
I’m wary of $9 cigars that either don’t come with a cigar band or, as in this case, a blue ribbon footer. It reminds me of Lost & Found rummaging through the warehouses of Central America and then re-marketing the sticks as something cutesy. And of course, over charging.

SIZES AND PRICING:
4.5 x 48 $8.25
5.5 x 52 $9.75
6 x 54 $10.50
6.125 x 46 $9.00
As far as online stores that carry this blend: Cigar Federation, Smoke Inn, Fine Ash Cigars, Cigar King, Serious Cigars, and Small Batch Cigar.

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell barnyard, cedar, chocolate, spice, and fruity sweetness.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell barnyard, spice, and chocolate.
The cold draw presents flavors of roasted salted nuts, fruit sweetness, chocolate, cedar, and buttered wheat toast.

FIRST THIRD:
The draw is good with a bit of resistance.
First flavors are chocolate, toffee, malts, spiciness, cream, graham cracker, charry oak, black cherry, coffee, floral notes, and nutty.
Not bad at all. I’m curious to see where it goes from here.

I’m either hot or cold when it comes to Crowned Heads. Sometimes they deliver like the Carolina Panthers; and other times they come across like the Dallas Cowboys.

Strength is touching the hem of medium/full body. Just a tick away from nailing it.
Since the Las Mareas by Crowned Heads is made by Pepin Garcia, I waited for the famous pepper blast but it didn’t come. Just a nice, even going peppery flavor.

I read one review (Can’t remember who) and the reviewer said he tasted burnt marshmallow. I don’t know if it is the possibility of suggestion or not; but I can taste that exact flavor. If not for that review, it would have been muddled up in my description. And never delineated.
The ash is wavy at the 1” point. The Las Mareas by Crowned Heads must be packed perfectly as it is a very slow smoke.

I use that Santa Fe Super Chief Turquoise Room ashtray in a lot of my photos. Short anecdote…..My mother and I came out to California when I was 5 (1955). My father had gone ahead a month or two before us to go to work for a structural steel fab shop in Long Beach. He became sales manager.
It was a 3 day trip that I can remember to this day. One day, while fiddling around in the garage, I found this ashtray. I told my father, who was also in the garage fixing something, that I plan to take it.
Now I’ve had this memento for 60 years. It is made of very thin glass. Maybe 1/8” thick. How it lasted this long is beyond me.

Back to the Las Mareas by Crowned Heads.

So far, it is a nice cigar. Nothing outstanding about it. Just nice.
I never know what to expect when I review a Crowned Heads blend. I loved the Mason-Dixon Project LE 2015 Northern Edition. But not so much for the Mason-Dixon Project LE 2015 Southern Edition. I thought there was a big difference in quality.

At the moment, the Las Mareas by Crowned Heads tastes like a gazillion $6 blends.
No transitions. No complexity. The balance is nearly non-existent. And it has a short finish. So I predict that the last third shows promise. I hope. I’ve said that before only to be let down. We shall see in about 90 minutes, my time…CDT.

A very perfumey floral note appears. It already had a floral note but not like this. The aroma is wonderful.
With 1-1/2” burned, the Las Mareas by Crowned Heads comes to life. “It’s alive. It’s alive I tell you!!”

The spiciness becomes a Garcia pepper bomb. Flavors explode and you have to wash the complexity off your tux. That was like turning on a light switch.

A whole new aspect is upon the flavor profile now: Spiciness, creaminess, caramel, chocolate, malts, espresso, lemon citrus, marshmallow, cedar, buttered wheat toast, black cherry, cinnamon graham cracker, floral notes, and very nutty.
Now I’m impressed.

I’m still half an inch from the second third. I must have invested half an hour so far. Nothing ticks me off more than buying an expensive cigar and it whittles down to nothing in an hour. One of my recent reviews exhibited that. Can’t remember which one.

Speaking of can’t remember…I’m in a new phase of my illness. I no longer remember movies I’ve seen many times. We have compiled a huge DVD collection over the years. Now I can watch any of them and not remember much about them; so it’s like watching them for the first time. That is, so far, the only upside to Alzheimer’s. LOL.

The Las Mareas by Crowned Heads is super smooth now. Very complex. Nice balance. And a gorgeous, multi-flavored finish.
Strength is a solid medium/full body.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 40 minutes.
The lemon citrus is very strong. Like drinking lemonade.

It seems kind of silly to keep taking photos of a plain looking cigar without a cigar band.
Miguel also sent me some Velvet Elvis and Honey Badger cigars. I look forward to reviewing them but I don’t think Cigar Federation still has them in stock.

A woody element appears. The complexity of this blend is like a bottomless well. So many great flavors that also appear on the finish. I’m digging it. Speaking of “I Dig a Pony,” I watched the “John Lennon’s 75th Birthday” show on AMC last night. I shall be discussing this at the end of the review. (BTW- Lennon didn’t appear). Too soon?

The Las Mareas by Crowned Heads is a pretty good godamm cigar. Who needs a stinkin’ cigar band? We don’t need no stinkin’ bands.

I’m getting a honeydew melon component. With a wisp of alcohol…like Midori. (My reviews now take 4 hours instead of 2 because I constantly need to use an online dictionary. I couldn’t remember what that green melon was called. So frustrating.)

Transitions a’plenty. There is a constant turnaround of flavors. One moment, the chocolate and creaminess run the show. The next, it’s the ancillary flavors at the helm.
We have hit full body and nicotine arrives with it. Oy Gevalt.

I must admit that the Las Mareas by Crowned Heads is a fine entry to the Crowned Heads catalog. The lack of presentation fooled me. This is a great cigar.

And as you can see from the list of online retailers, the stick is readily available. But it doesn’t seem that any of the stores carry the entire list of 4 sizes. And I believe that all are charging the MSRP.

The char line needs its first minor touch up.

If you would like to help out our fellow cigar smokers, it would be nice if you comment below by bestowing as many promo codes for the different online stores as possible. I am always looking for them but can’t find any except for Cigar Federation and Small Batch Cigar. So I don’t buy cigars.

Charlotte and I have new Medicare Part D prescription plans starting January 1. Much worse than 2015. We both have to come up with $360 deductibles, individually, before the plan kicks in and we take a few expensive meds. So for a couple months, every nickel will go towards the outrageous cost of prescriptions.

The Las Mareas by Crowned Heads becomes a bona fide flavor bomb. My head is spinning from the nicotine. But the flavors come through loud and clear.
The second half begins at one hour 5 minutes.

The photo below shows how funky looking the sticks are:

Flavors keep building. Transitions make the cigar.
Las Mareas by Crowned Heads is worth the dough. You don’t get a pretty cigar but you do get quality.
Charlotte’s flu seems to only have been a 48 hour version. Last night, she put up our phony tree and some decorations. It makes her happy. We stopped years ago getting live trees. I love the smell but it is just too much of a hassle for us old folks.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is one hour 30 minutes.
I’m amazed at how much smoke pours from the foot after each puff.
Construction has been perfect. And only one minor touch up required at the burn line. A well rolled cigar.

I like how the intense spiciness remains throughout the experience.
I can’t discern any changes. The Las Mareas by Crowned Heads keeps getting better.
Some reviewers get very technical about describing the cigar. For me, I don’t find that interesting. Zzzzz….
Describing the minor changes aren’t important. A review should be about the big picture.

The Las Mareas by Crowned Heads should definitely be smoked after a meal. I feel like I’ve taken acid. The dog turns into a monkey and then a zebra.
Anything else I could say at this point will be redundant.
I highly recommend the Las Mareas by Crowned Heads.
All of the available sizes seem appealing.
Once again, thank you Miguel Castro for broadening my horizon.
Final smoke time is one hour 55 minutes.

RATING: 90

And now for something completely different:
I mentioned earlier that I watched the “John Lennon’s 75th Birthday” show on AMC last night. 2-1/2 hours.
Lennon must have been spinning in his grave.

The producers couldn’t have picked a worse group of artists to do Lennon’s songs.
The Beatles are god head to me. I grew up with them. Each album release was a very big deal. Same goes for the albums released after they broke up.
I was ashamed and astonished at the lack of artistry by the singers. They even had “The Roots” doing a rap version of “Mother.”
And some Latino super star sang a song and fucked it up royally. They even showed Yoko looking horrified for a moment.

I had to turn it off after 90 minutes. Kris Kristofferson singing…or botching…”Working Class Hero” was painful. That man can no longer sing a note on key if a gun was pointed at his head.

They had this huge band made up of the finest session players. I was pleasantly surprised to see Lee Sklar playing bass. What a master. He only plays for the intensely artistic musicians in a live setting. He hit every single McCartney riff like it was butter.

He has this long white beard. And usually, has a pipe hanging from his mouth; but not last night.
The first time I ever heard of Sklar was at a Grass Roots concert in 1968. It was at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. We had front row seats.

A three piece band, I had never heard of, opened the show. Only instrumentals. Sklar was the bassist. After watching him play, I wanted to burn my bass.

The producers only picked the young up and coming singers to contribute. Even country acts. It was devastating what they did to Lennon’s memory.

McCartney didn’t show. They had a couple minute pre-taped thing with Paul saying he wish he could be there, etc. But he probably didn’t show because of the lineup of players. It was beneath him. Although, Charlotte said he should have been there.

Ringo was there of course. Ringo shows up at new Arby’s restaurants to inaugurate them.

I’m not a racist but the black artists “blacked” up the songs. Heresy. This was all done to bring in the younger viewers.

Can you imagine the level of quality artists that could have been there? It is a real mind fuck.
Even when they had the artists do the talking head thing between numbers, they sounded like idiots.
I taped it so I will watch the last hour today.

But I am so disappointed in what could have been a master stroke by the producers that I am not expecting any spectacular moments in that last hour.

They could use the Kris Kristofferson moments as torture at Gitmo. Put the song on a loop and the prisoners will give away every secret plan and all the members of ISIS and where they are.
I’m sure it will be shown again. But if you are a fan of Lennon and The Beatles, prepare to be horribly disappointed.

Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Maduro
Binder: Dominican Corojo
Filler: Dominican (Piloto Cubano, Ligero, Seco), Pennsylvanian
Size: 6.75 x 50 “Rama”
Body: Full
Price: $9.90 MSRP ($9.00 at CF- Minus 10% membership promo code= $8.10)

Today we take a look at the new El Cedro Maduro Rama.
Thanks to Miguel Castro for the cigars. He also sent me some of the Habano blends which I will review soon.

I would like to start this review by telling you something important.
The Alzheimer’s Dilemma.
Clearly, the last year of my reviews has been on a steady decline. I’ve lost the art of humor. I find myself being repetitive and redundant. I meander on too long. I don’t want to go out a laughing stock
So, changes will be made. I will no longer worry about the background info. Many good reviewers out there will help you out if you need to know the back story of the cigar.

I’m just going to focus on what the cigar tastes like.
I will be more to the point and succinct.

One thing won’t change. Smoking and reviewing at the same time. If I had to take notes, things will become even more confusing for me.
Unless, stimulated by some exterior force, I will no longer be adding stories at the end of reviews. I’m tapped out. I’ve written countless hundreds of stories. That should be enough.
So here we go and thank you all for your patience and loyalty.

Both the Maduro and the Habano use Dominican Piloto Cubano Ligero, Seco and Pennsylvania fillers over a Dominican Corojo binder. The Maduro is about 30 cents more than the Habano version.

DESCRIPTION:
Good looking cigar. Long and sleek with a super oily medium brown colored wrapper with the tiniest bit of tooth. Some big veins and tight seams. A beautiful triple cap.
The cigar band is simple but classic. Another white band with gold lettering. I can’t believe it. I can’t get a good photo lately of this combo.
And a black ribbon footer.

Both the Maduro and the Habano use Dominican Piloto Cubano Ligero, Seco and Pennsylvania fillers over a Dominican Corojo binder. The Maduro is about 30 cents more than the Habano version.
For some reason, there isn’t a single review of this blend. Only the original El Cedro blend.

SIZES AND PRICING:
Tronco (Trunk) 6 x 60 $8.50
Rama (Branch) 6 3/4 x 50 $9.90
Torpedo Purple Dye 6 x 54 $8.90
Habano blend, same sizes, is 30¢ less per stick.

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell strong honey sweetness, spice, cedar, orange citrus, and dark cocoa.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell brilliant floral notes and honey, spice, chocolate, cedar, coffee, and orange citrus.
The cold draw presents flavors of fresh orange, spice, malt, honey, floral notes, chocolate, and cedar.

FIRST THIRD:
As I carefully toast the outside perimeter of the foot, I notice a lot of imperfections. I smell trouble with the burn line. I allow the cigar to rest for a couple of minutes to help even out the burn.

This morning’s musical accompaniment is the double CD of Led Zeppelin’s Greatest Hits remastered by Jimmy Page.

The draw is spot on. Lots of smoke.
First flavors: Chocolate, spiciness, creaminess, malt, an assortment of nuts (Like the Packers locker room shower), very toasty, cedar, and licorice.

The burn line begins to waver.
Otherwise, a good start.

I’ve burned 1” and there haven’t been any significant changes. No transitions.
The char line is nothing to brag about. Lots of touch ups. The first two I smoked were smoked too soon. They were harsh and bitter and full of ammonia. I didn’t hang around long enough to see how they burned.

Strength is medium/full.

But this last stick is good to go but is nothing special. The burn problem is a serious issue. It continues on a path to try and canoe like it is in its DNA to do so. I now know why no one has reviewed this blend. Don’t want to step on toes.
With 1-3/4” burned, the flavor profile has stalled out. This is fucking ridiculous and totally unacceptable for a $10 cigar. Shame on you, Anwar Elboustani (Owner of El Cedro).

SECOND THIRD:
Fast smoking cigar. Smoke time is 20 minutes.
It seems that every other cigar has a cigar band with a white background and gold lettering. I have real trouble getting decent photos. The light just blots everything out. An iPhone would take better pics than my $450 Fuji camera.

Flavors are there but totally flattened out. No complexity. No balance. No finish. No good.
Now I gave this abortion several months of humidor time. I went through 2 cigars to get to this point. Both were horrible and unsmokeable. Could it be that the El Cedro Maduro Rama needs 6-9 months of humidor time? Ridiculous.

The El Cedro Maduro Rama needs one major char line touch up after another. How does this cigar have a chance to display its flavors when I am torching the shit out of it?

I should end the review right here but I want to see it to the end. Maybe there is hope? LOL.

I reach the halfway point. Smoke time is 30 minutes.
Flavors begin to peek out from under the covers.
Strength reaches full body.
At the moment, it tastes and burns like a $3 bundle cigar.

I had a hard time deciding which cigar to review this morning. I chose wrong. Drew Estate sent me a nice Christmas present of some cigars and a ball cap. Two of those cigars are the Liga Privada Único Serie Velvet Rat. Tomorrow.

But then I didn’t want to make my Alzheimer’s Manifesto on a gift cigar from DE. Ain’t right.
Flavors return. Same as the start of the cigar.

Lots of chocolate, malt, creaminess, red pepper, nuts, cedar, black licorice, and orange citrus.
Instead of flavors showing up as they began, there should have been a buildup of transitions. Still no complexity.
The burn line has calmed down a bit.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is 50 minutes.
Finally. We have a real cigar blend.

The spiciness has returned. For my tastes, I need a good deal of spiciness to make the cigar interesting. I feel it gives the other flavors some zestiness.

Unfortunately, the resurrection of flavors does not make for a good cigar blend.
And the $10 price tag is ridiculous. I could name hundreds of cigars in this price range, and lower, that are 100% better than the El Cedro Maduro Rama.

Thankfully, this cigar burned quickly. So, the torture of this review was swift.
Construction was terrible. It was slightly redeemed during the last third. As were the flavors.
No one reviewed this cigar. I guess someone had to. Me.

Maybe I can save lives with this review. I don’t want to have heart attacks on my conscience. The El Cedro Maduro Rama is a total waste of money and time.

I’m sorry Miguel. You are the kindest and most generous person I know. And I hate trashing a gift horse.

The El Cedro Maduro Rama ends harshly with some bitterness.
Time to put it down.

If you buy this cigar, I will come to your home and bitch slap you. Or I will have my connections with the JDL do it for me. Won’t be pretty.

RATING: 80

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf “High” Mediums
Binder: Plantation Grown Brazilian Mata Fina
Filler: Honduras & Nicaraguan
Size: 6.25 x 46 “Lonsdale”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $13.95

Today we take a look at the legendary Liga Privada Único Serie Velvet Rat.
Many thanks to Drew Estate for the samples.

DESCRIPTION:
I read that DE stopped selling the cigars in cellos. Why? The little fan tail had a tendency to come off during the removal of the cellophane. Mine were delivered in cellos and sure enough…one of the fan tails came off.

I have two sticks. There is a definitive difference in color between the two. One is a very dark coffee bean color. The other is more of a medium brown with hints of a caramel hue.
I shall review the darker of the two.

Very nice looking stick. Smooth to the touch. Invisible seams. Very few veins. I don’t know what you call the cap the Liga Privada Único Serie Velvet Rat has. I don’t see striations showing multiple caps. Just seemingly one cap that looks like a beanie with the fan tail. The photo above shows it on the lighter colored stick. It is more visible on this cigar…the difference in colors between the wrapper and the cap.

The cigar is very solid with the proper amount of give.
The cigar band is simple and all DE.

The footer which I could not find on any other reviews says Drew Diplomat. Back in July of 2014, DE announced that “….the “Drew Diplomat” Consumer Loyalty Program, which includes a mobile application for all smart devices, as well as a desktop version. This exclusive new program provides members with the ability to earn Points by checking-in Drew Estate Cigars and attending events at retail locations throughout the world, as well as social networking functions and unparalleled access to La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate.”

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell sweet paprika, spiciness, chocolate, and cedar.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell more sweet paprika, spiciness, cocoa, cedar, heavy on the cumin, cinnamon, and some sort of fruity sweetness.
The cold draw presents flavors of spiciness, chocolate, paprika, cumin, clove, cedar, and fruit.

FIRST THIRD:
The draw is spot on. A ton of smoke fills the room nearly blinding me.
Loads of red pepper. Love it.

Immediately, a slew of flavors: Chocolate, sweetness, creaminess, espresso, caramel, dried fruit, Chinese spices, and some undefined flavors because in the first few puffs, the Liga Privada Único Serie Velvet Rat is super complex. That’s a record in my book.

I don’t know if this cigar has been sitting in a DE warehouse since its release in 2012 but it sure tastes like it. Perfectly aged.
The char line is wavy and I give it some assistance.

Every flavor is very intense. No fooling around happening here. We are dead serious.
The char line is now dead nuts perfect.
Holy shit. This is my first Velvet Rat. This is something the gods smoke.
I’ve never had a cigar start out with such fanfare…no pun intended…and it blasts away at my palate like a 105 cannon.
I bow to the DE organization.

I’ve been careful to review the DE cigar blends I knew I would really like. I did review the Liga Privada T52 Flying Pig by Drew Estate (2010) and the Herrera Esteli Norteño. The latter being my fave DE blend. I reviewed several others as well and dug all of them.

Strength is just noodging medium/full body.

The malts shine like a bright star…Coffee Malt, Chocolate Rye Malt, Cara Vienna Malt, and Flaked Rye Malt. (See Malt Chart).

The char line remains perfect. Meanwhile, the filler is packed solid allowing for a very slow smoke.
Transitions are going nuts. I wasn’t expecting this. I knew it would be good. But if it were a current blend, it would be in my Top 25 Cigars of 2015. Which reminds me. I need to compile my list. That will be a bear. A lot of great cigars came out this year.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 30 minutes.
Complexity mixed with a cornucopia of transitions and bold flavors makes for an exciting cigar to smoke.

The undefined flavors from earlier now disclose themselves: floral notes, cappuccino, roasted nuts, charred oak, raisins, black licorice, maple frosting, butterscotch, marzipan, and shaved coconut.
Nice.

I wish I had a Way Back Machine. Back in 2012, I probably could have afforded a box of these cigars.
Strength is a solid medium/full body.
The spiciness is strong throughout.

But the bus is being driven by the chocolate, creaminess, malts, and the espresso.

Construction is on the money and the char line is just fine. Perfectly rolled.
Age has done wonders for the Liga Privada Único Serie Velvet Rat. While most blends succumb to a world of indifference and tastelessness, this blend has improved exponentially. A rare bird.

I reach the halfway point. Smoke time is 40 minutes.

So this is how rich smokers live. Must be so nice. Before the recession hit in 2008-2009, and I had a high paying gig, I’d spend well over $1000 per month on cigars. I certainly took that for granted.

Now..I rely on the kindness of strangers. I meant to say my readers. But I somehow wanted to get a movie quote in there, Rhett.
This is a true masterpiece of blending. I can’t recollect smoking a cigar this wondrous in ages.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is 50 minutes.
I’m going to save my other stick for New Year’s Eve. Now that Charlotte and I are old, we don’t do shit that night. I usually make a nice meal.

This year, we are splurging. There is an upscale Italian restaurant, Casa di Giorgio, we love but can only afford to visit once a year. And that’s what we will be doing this New Year’s Eve. Damn the torpedoes and the hell with the money. We can easily live on Top Ramen for the following week.

The Liga Privada Único Serie Velvet Rat provided me with a helluva cigar experience this morning.

I am so grateful to the folks at Drew Estate for sending me a Christmas present of cigars and a nice ball cap. But especially, two Liga Privada Único Serie Velvet Rats.

There are so many flavors floating in this pool that I now find it indescribable.
The cigar finishes beautifully. No harshness, heat or bitterness. And remains firm to the last drop.
I wish I could direct you to an online store that carries them but, alas, it will take an act of God to find any.
Final smoke time is 85 minutes.

RATING: 98

I wrongly accused Jon Huber of making nasty comments on my Las Mareas review. Someone used his email address. Whether he got hacked or not, I will leave that up to him
So sorry Jon.

Photo courtesy of Cigar Aficionado

This was very difficult. I’ve been working on this for a couple of weeks and I’ve changed things around over and over. Some of these cigars were rated by me. Others were not. Not every cigar is in order of their rating. I picked the ones that hit me at gut level. And worth their price point.

The Big Guys have very elaborate presentations of their top cigars for 2015. I would have loved to do that too. But it is just too damn difficult with my Alzheimer’s.
So a simple list, without narrative, will have to do. I hope you understand.

1. Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sobremesa
2. La Hoja Edición Maduro 1962 No. 1 Robusto
3. Ezra Zion All My Ex’s
4. Freya by Emma Viktorsson from Las Cumbres Tobacco
5. La Mission du L’Atelier
6. Espinosa Laranja Reserva
7. El Güegüense from Foundation Cigar Company
8. Arandoza Defcon
9. Vivalo Serie Exclusivo Robusto Grande
10. Bee’s Knees by Ezra Zion Cigar Co.
11. La Imperiosa by Crowned Heads
12. Pre-Release: Diamond Crown Black Diamond (I cheated as this won’t be released until 2016)
13. Nomad Estelí Lot 8613
14. Matilde Oscura
15. Protocol by Cubariqueño Cigar Company
16. La Flor Dominicana La Nox
17. Blessed Leaf 1611 by Ezra Zion Cigar Co.
18. Cohiba Nicaragua N54
19. Las Mareas by Crowned Heads
20. Ugly Christmas Sweater Red Blend 2015 by Ezra Zion Cigar Co.
21. Ave Maria Divinia
22. Futuro Selección 109 by Warped Cigars & Casa Fernández
23. Alec Bradley Tempus Nicaragua
24. El Centurion H-2K-CT by My Father Cigars
25. Meridian “Sopadre” by Cornelius & Anthony

Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro
Binder: Dominican Habano
Filler: Dominican Habano
Size: 6 x 52 “Toro”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $5.30

Today we take a look at the Kristoff Kristania Maduro.
Thanks to Charles Lim for the sticks for review.

DESCRIPTION:
The Kristoff Kristania Maduro is a gorgeous thing. Very oily…so much so it looks like it’s been dunked in 10-40.
The wrapper is a mottle, marbled, dark coffee bean color.
Seams are invisible. Almost no veins. An impeccable cap…In fact, I can barely see any lines confirming the number of caps.
The double cigar band’s dark brown color offsets the wrapper color beautifully.
The stick is packed solid.

SIZES AND PRICING:
Robusto: 5 x 50 $5.04 Online pricing- Box of 50
Toro: 6 x 52 $5.30 Online pricing- Box of 50
60: 5.5 x 60 $5.98 Online pricing- Box of 50
Gordo: 7 x 70 $7.48 Online pricing- Box of 29

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell exotic spices, coffee, chocolate, pepper, sweetness, floral notes, and orange citrus plus a touch of honey.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell barnyard, chocolate, heavy on the black licorice, red pepper, a very syrupy aroma…almost sticky, espresso, orange citrus, floral notes, and cedar.
The cold draw presents flavors of unique cooking spices like clove, allspice, cinnamon, and strong nutmeg. There is a bizarre flavor occurring I can’t quite get yet. It will come to me. But it is very intoxicating. I could suck on an unlit Kristoff Kristania Maduro all day.

FIRST THIRD:
I notice right away that there are no imperfections as I toast the foot. A good sign that there shouldn’t be any significant burn issues. This cigar is perfectly rolled.
The draw is a bit tight. Do I need the cigar awl? Not sure. A few minutes of smoke time should decide that.

And then the flavors come rolling out: That elusive spice flavor, chocolate ice cream, black pepper, espresso, hazelnut, black licorice, sweetness, vanilla bean, cedar, and a touch of creaminess.
So far, so good. This will be a long smoke.

The Kristoff Kristania Maduro comes out of the gate at medium/full body.
I give the cigar awl a shot and it clears the air passage and flavors explode. Black pepper becomes spicy hot red pepper that singes my nose hairs.
Creaminess moves to the forefront. Chocolate and espresso make for a perfect pair. Like me and Lubriderm.

Odd. Charles sent me two sticks. I took them out yesterday to make sure I could find them again. And I seem to have lost one of them. No idea where the second one is.

I’ve been compiling a list of flavors on paper so when I have a brain fart and cannot think straight, I can rely on my list to remind me of flavors.
I may have deduced the exotic spice flavors: black walnuts, oregano, basil, ginger, brown sugar, and orange liqueur.
Strange I know.

Have you noticed…or is it me? That when you check out the daily specials on Cigar.com and CI, they are always crap cigars? I swear I remember the days when it was something that lured me in nearly daily. I don’t feel so bad that I can’t afford cigars when I see the drek they offer up now.

Side Bar. I got a little Christmas present from Andrew of Small Batch Cigar. I got around 5 sticks. One was the Davidoff Year of the Sheep. A $35 stick. Another was a Padron 1964 Churchill. And the rest were excellent blends. Plus he sent me a fancy boxed chocolate bar made by Graycliff. I thought how nice that he appreciates that I mention him all the time and I never ask for anything in return. So where is my Xmas present from Cigar Federation? Oh that’s right. They are young guys. The manners that their parents taught them haven’t kicked in yet. I was going to say I have a long memory…but actually, I don’t. LOL.

After I published The Katman’s Top 25 Cigars of 2015, I was directed to the Cigar Aficionado Top 25. Pathetic. Really pathetic.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 35 minutes.
Construction is top notch. And the char line has only needed a couple minor corrections. The ash is hanging tough just waiting to fall on to my lap and scorch my naughty bits. I make a pre-emptive strike and gently force the ash to disembark.

I find it strange that there are only a couple reviews of this blend. None of the Big Guys touched it. Falling out with Glen Case?
Because this fine blend deserves a rave review.

The Kristoff Kristania Maduro is now super complex. One of the most complex natures in a cigar blend I’ve seen in a while.

This is a big meaty, manly cigar. Like the Cubans your Grandpa smoked when you were a kid. That’s all my Gramps smoked before the Embargo. He would instruct me on our walks after lunch and dinner while he smoked a Cuban and gave me one to stick in my mouth. I never got sick even though I was 7-9 years old.
A new group of flavors come to the fold and they flummox me. These flavors go beyond my flavor list I’ve written down to remind me.

I check Cbid and they only have the 5.5 x 60 size in a 50 count box. Strike out on both counts. I don’t know what possessed Case to take these cigars out of the reach of the regular cigar smoker. Retail is $250 for a box of Robustos. I know I couldn’t afford it even if I had the dough. And what the hell do you do to make room in your humidors? Sure I know a lot of you have big set ups. Big humidors, big coolidors, etc. But I don’t have room. Anyway, it’s a moot point.
I’m not going to just sit back and enjoy the Kristoff Kristania Maduro. Be back in a bit.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Halfway point. Smoke time is 50 minutes.
Strength is medium/full.

There is a strong presence of wood. All sorts of wood. My palate isn’t good enough to tell apart much more than cedar, oak, hickory, etc. And this is more than that.

Here they are: Mystery wood, chocolate, espresso, spicy red pepper, creaminess, brown sugar, floral notes, orange liqueur, assorted nuts, hazelnut, black licorice, sweetness, vanilla bean, and pumpkin pie spices.

The Kristoff Kristania Maduro is a luxurious smoke.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is 65 minutes.
This cigar is so complex with a brilliant balance and long chewy finish that it feels like my head will explode any moment.
I had a gut feeling about this blend. Many thanks to Charles Lim for providing it.

I realize I’m being repetitive and redundant but I just have to say what a delightful cigar the Kristoff Kristania Maduro is.
I would love to have more.

We follow German tradition of celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve. This is what happens when you marry a German National.
Those 5 shrimp fill a regular sized dinner plate. My blue DuPont Maxi Jet lighter in the photo is 2-1/2” long. That gives you an idea of how big they are.

I went to our upscale market and bought 10 giant shrimp. For Charlotte, I’m making her shrimp scampi.
For me, something different. I make it a salad. I lay down some crispy romaine on the plate. Cut up some celery. And I make an extremely spicy horseradish cocktail sauce and pour it over the salad. I love this even if it caused me to sweat like a dock worker. Not to mention, I need to keep a box of Kleenex at hand’s grasp to wipe my runny nose.

Katie has to work that night. And she is our only family. In the past, we’ve gone out for sushi but that’s too expensive now. I bet those shrimp taste like lobster. Can’t wait.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas banquet wherever you are going to celebrate the holiday.

One thing happens every Christmas. Charlotte cries all evening. Her only family still live in Germany and she misses them.
But I managed to get her some nice gifts. I hope that cheers her up.
And for the first time since we moved to Milwaukee in 2007, NO snow for Christmas. A balmy 50°. I hate shoveling snow.

Back to the Kristoff Kristania Maduro.
Strength is full body. But super smooth and only a hint of nicotine.
The Kristoff Kristania Maduro was a wonderful experience.

The price point belies the quality of this blend. I’ve smoked cigars at twice the price not as good as the Kristoff Kristania Maduro.

I check CI and a 5 pack can be had for $28.00 or $5.60 per stick. That’s just crazy.
I highly recommend the Kristoff Kristania Maduro. And if you haven’t tried the Kristoff Kristania Ligero, that’s also a must try.
Final smoke time is 80 minutes.

RATING: 91

A short anecdote I’ve never told:

In the early 80’s, I had a partner at my recording studio. One of his best friends had a sister-in-law that was engaged to this Cro-Magnon type of guy. He was a house painter by trade. But I swear his forehead overhung his nose. And he was BIG!

Well this sister-in-law, whom we shall call Pebbles, had a crush on me. I was oblivious to it all.
Back then, I was a tall, good looking fella. I’ve shrunk since then from my sky diving accident and age. But then, I was close to 6 foot tall. I had a head of luxurious hair. I used fancy and expensive hair products. The fro had been gone for a few years.

I was thin, but lean and muscular. And I was a good guy. I was funny, compassionate, and authoritative. I had to be to run the production company, the studio, and produce hundreds and hundreds of bands. So as I ran around the studio barking orders, women loved that. I was the Big Dog. And everyone listened to me. Astutely.

Pebbles had a bridal party thrown for her about a week before the wedding. Turns out, the goal was to get me to sleep with her. No one told me this til the day after. Pebbles chickened out. But they kept coming in and out of the studio while I was there; giggling and pushing Pebbles towards me. I thought they were nuts.

A couple days before the wedding, Pebbles shows up at my house. She comes in and bursts into tears.

“I love you Phil.”
My reply was: “*&#$^+$@#&((^” ????

She sat, nestled, next to me crying and had her hand on my crotch. Now this was certainly an ego boost. What a conflict of interest.
But all I could think of was her fiancée, Yogi Bear. He’d kill me if he found out.

Back in those days, if it moved, I shtupped it. Not Wilt Chamberlain numbers, but close.

I let her cry and talked her out of this ridiculous proposition. She was gorgeous. And I wanted to do it. But then I wanted to live to be 35 too.
So I sent her on her way with a big sloppy kiss.

I was invited to the wedding.
After the wedding, I was in the reception line like everyone else. I put my hand out to shake Pebbles’ hand and she pulled me in and kissed me on the lips.
Holy fuck!

Yogi looked down at me from his 6’-6 height with hatred in his eyes and the look you give someone just before you de-bone them.
I smiled. Shook his hand and moved on.

I didn’t stay long at the reception. I was afraid. I was afraid he was going to get some of his goon friends and take me out back.

Now and again, she would show up at the studio because my partner’s wife was a good friend. She really stopped in to see me.
“I love you Phil.”
“Go fuck yourself Pebbles. I have a strong survival instinct. And you are getting in the way of it.”
She never came by again.
The End.

Wrapper: Dominican
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Size: 5 X 50 “Robusto-Cubano”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $11.20 MSRP

Photo courtesy of La Flor Dominicana:

Today we take a look at the Litto Gomez Diez 2015 Cubano by La Flor Dominicana.
Thanks to the folks at LFD for the samples.

DESCRIPTION:
There is a rustic appearance. Lots of veins. Big ones. Seams are nearly invisible.
The wrapper is the color of a caramel brown with a substantial amount of oil. The wrapper feels silky smooth.
The triple cap is inconsistent. One of the two has a flat triple top. The other is a typically round cap. But very sloppy. The flat cap is expertly achieved.
The cigar is fully packed. Not a single soft spot.

SIZES AND PRICING:
Oriental: 4.875 x 38 $8.80 MSRP
Americano 5.75 x 46 $11.20 MSRP
Cubano: 5 x 50 $11.20 MSRP
Chisel Puro: 5.5 x 54 $12.20 MSRP
Lusitano: 6 x 52 $12.80 MSRP

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell cinnamon, graham cracker, chocolate, butter rum Lifesavers, peanuts, espresso, and cedar.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell strong roasted peanuts, spice, chocolate, butter rum, maple syrup, cinnamon graham crackers, coffee, and cedar.
The cold draw presents flavors of clove, allspice, cinnamon, red pepper, chocolate, maple syrup, cedar, and coffee.

FIRST THIRD:
The draw is a bit tight.
I try to use my cigar awl but hear cracking noises so immediately put a halt to this.

Wonderful starting flavors: Creaminess, peanuts, chocolate, espresso, black pepper, and graham cracker crust (with lots of butter).
Simple, but elegant.

The toasting of the foot showed some imperfections which would lead me to believe I will have some burn issues at some point. But 3/8” in, so far so good.
Strength is medium body.
A touch of complexity settles in. Creaminess and peanuts run the show.

And then the malts show up: Chocolate Rye Malt, Coffee Malt, Maris Otter Malt, Peated Malt, and Toasted Malt. (See Malt Chart).

The balance is only so so. And the finish is moderately long.
I’m surprised the power isn’t stronger. I did notice that many of the sticks that LFD came in yellowed cellos. But I can’t remember if the Litto Gomez Diez 2015 Cubano was even in a cello. Damn brain.

We had a tough night sleeping. We must have gotten 30-40mph winds. The old, decrepit storm windows in the bedroom clattered and banged all night long…which is more than I can say about Charlotte and me.
As soon as I got up, I followed a simple recipe to steam, not boil, my portion of the giant 4oz shrimp…4-5 per lb. I pulled it off perfectly. Finishing by steaming for 3 minutes and then tossing them in a bowl of ice water to stop them from cooking on their own.
I found a good shrimp scampi recipe for Charlotte’s five nuclear power plant raised shrimp.

The Litto Gomez Diez 2015 Cubano needs its first major char line tune up.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is a little over 20 minutes.
There is a small plug behind the cigar band so I use my cigar awl to go through the foot this time and successfully clear it. The cigar had gone out while I took the dog out and then fed her. But I did cause a crack in the wrapper from the cigar band to the foot. Damn.

Flavors expand exponentially. Strength hits a weak medium/full.
Here they are in a more gorgeous state of consciousness: Creamy, malts, peanuts, chocolate, graham cracker, maple syrup, floral notes, espresso, generic sweetness, spice, and cedar.

I wish the Litto Gomez Diez 2015 Cubano was spicier.
This blend is not behaving like an $11 cigar. More like a $7 cigar…at best.
This review should end my relationship with LFD when they read this.

I quickly check other reviews. There are only a small handful. I’ve found scores of 87, 91, and 89. And that’s all folks. Only three reviews of this blend.
Flavors are nice but the cigar is only on the cusp of complexity. And the number of char line touch ups is uncalled for in an $11 stick.

I want to give a shout out to Fred. He is the husband of Charlotte’s boss. He is very ill. But he is making the most of it. He is a chain smoking, cigar lovin’ fool like me. All the best Fred. You hang tough. That’s an order from your Cousin Katman. (Fred is older than me so I can’t be his uncle).

And then…bang! The flavors come into their own.
Complexity kicks in. OK. I reviewed it too soon.
Flavors are bold yet have lots of nuance and subtlety.

Halfway point. Smoke time is 30 minutes.
I’ve found that LFD tends to be old school. In that, their cigars need a lot of humidor time. But then came along the LFD La Nox…and changed all that.
I guess I was lured into a false sense of know it all mentality and ended up misjudging the humidor time.

Yet when I read the other reviews by the Big Guys. I don’t recollect them saying how long they allowed for humidor time. None of them do.

But they tasted the same things I do. And that wouldn’t happen if the cigar wasn’t ready to go. I don’t know. Confusion and chaos reigns.
The Litto Gomez Diez 2015 Cubano is an extremely flavorful blend. It just doesn’t have that “It” factor of a great cigar.

If I were reviewing a $6 cigar, I couldn’t help but rave over it. But for me, the price point is a critical part of the process. If you charge double digits for a single cigar, it better knock my socks off.
Flavorful but stagnant. No transitions. Nicht gut, nicht gut.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is 45 minutes.
You wanna know something I just thought about? The Big Guys rarely show a litany of progress photos like I do. At best, they show 2, maybe 3 photos.

So when they say that their cigar has a perfect char line, they provide no proof. Two of the three reviews say they had near perfect char lines. One was honest and said that the burn line was a “minor” issue.

They also had mixed reactions to the strength. Like me, I expected more strength. One or two said they were medium/full from the start and ended full bodied.

My Litto Gomez Diez 2015 Cubano started out at a weak medium body and is now just barely medium/full.
I am very disappointed in the Litto Gomez Diez 2015 Cubano. It needed to be more aggressive. It should have pushed the boundaries more.

I have no idea if extensive humidor time will fix the issues I experienced.
The last 1-1/2” flares. Strength becomes full body. Just like that.
Transitions occur fast and furious. Flavors are now exciting.
The black pepper has returned just how I like it.
Oy vay.

The Litto Gomez Diez 2015 Cubano finishes nicely. The problem was inconsistency. No transitions til the end. A lack of complexity. Nice flavors but nothing to rave about.

Over $11.00 for this cigar. I found a few online stores and they are selling all of the sizes for MSRP.
I hate to bite the hand that feeds me but I just cannot recommend this cigar. For the most part due to the price point.
Final smoke time is one hour.

RATING: 86

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 46 “Corona Larga-Box Pressed”
Body: Medium
Price: $9.00

Two photos below courtesy of Black Works Studio:

Today we take a look at the new BLK WKS Studio NBK by Black Label Trading Co.
Thanks to a reader that prefers to stay anonymous.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Yes, I’m writing on Christmas morning. I figure if I write through the 8 days of Hanukkah, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur, I can write through Xmas.

This morning’s musical entertainment is brought to you by Spotify. I saw on the news that The Beatles finally allowed their entire catalog to be heard streaming live. Spotify is one of those who snagged the rights. And as I am a huge Beatles fan; I am currently listening to “Revolver” with a pair of really good ears (a headphone set that is recording studio quality). Ahhh…bliss. I haven’t heard “Revolver” in quite a while. I’m going to have serious trouble concentrating.

DESCRIPTION:
The cigar has a soft box press with a closed foot. For me….that means fireworks when I torch the foot. The wrapper is a maple syrup brown with well-hidden seams. Very few veins.
And it looks like it has a quadruple cap.
If you wondered what BLK WKS Studio means, well….it means: Black Works Studio.
The stick is super solid with just a touch of give.

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell fruity sweetness, dark molasses, espresso, cedar, dark cocoa, and malt.
From the clipped cap, I smell dark cocoa, spice, fruit, espresso, cedar, and honeysuckle.
The cold draw presents flavors of malt, dark chocolate, coffee, spice, sweetness, honeydew melon, and cedar.

FIRST THIRD:
The draw is perfect.
And immediately, I get a giant wallop of pepper. Watch out! Spice Bomb ahead.

And then flavors pile in: Chocolate, creaminess, malts, burnt marshmallow, floral notes, maple syrup, black cherry, nutty, and warm French bread.
Yikes. All from the first few puffs. I shall take it easy and let the flavors develop. Rather than puff away like Yosemite Sam.

This is so cool. I will go through the entire Beatles’ catalog before I listen to any other band or artist. Or maybe listen twice in a row. The Beatles bring back my teen years. Every single song can be tied to an event, or experience, in my life.

Strength is medium body. But it wants to go higher. You have no idea how many manufacturers I’ve heard from who yell at me for getting the strength wrong…in their eyes, of course. “You dummkopf! How can it be a full bodied cigar when it has an Ecuadorian Habano Connecticut Mata Fina San Andres Cameroon wrapper? Huh? Tell me that!!!”
Really, that shit happens.

The char line is truly behaving. I didn’t notice a single imperfection during the torching of the foot ceremony. I also cheated and clipped the closed foot. That creates uneven burn so off with its head!
The BLK WKS Studio NBK is very complex and has been so since nearly the start of the cigar. Nice balance. Long finish.

Caramel enters the picture. It is also very woody. Like me.
The malt flavors are the usual suspects. But they are truly very strong influences.

“Revolver” is over. Next up: “Abbey Road.”

The BLK WKS Studio NBK is a fine, fine cigar.

Flavors are slightly different now: Chocolate, malts, caramel, creaminess, nougat, cashews, spice, cedar, gingerbread, cinnamon, yeasty bread, dried fruit (dates, raisins, figs), and butterscotch on the finish.

This is very impressive. It’s a shame that after my 3rd or 4th cigar of the day, I can’t taste half of those flavors as my palate begins to get crispy.

I know most reviewers, and readers, laugh at me for being able to detect so many flavors…that is seems outlandish for me to have the balls to write it down. I guess when you’ve smoked cigars for nearly 50 years; you will have a palate like mine. (Right now, I’m sticking my tongue out, and giving them the raspberries, at those naysayers).

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 35 minutes.
And now to the crown jewel: “The White Album.”

Time to share my favorite Christmas present. Charlotte and Katie chipped in together to get me a huge 14” diameter stainless steel wok with steamer.

I do believe they bought it for me so I can cook once again with little trouble and endless possibilities. My Alzheimer’s has made it damn near impossible to cook…I’ve always loved to cook. But that dreaded disease took that away from me. So what better way to get me back in the deep end but a simple way to cook just about anything. Thank you my darlings Charlotte and Katie.

And did you see that wonderful comment Kyle Hoover of Ezra Zion made on the right side of the home page? The Ugly Hanukkah Sweater. “And it’s all mine…It’s mine, I tell you, all mine!” What a wonderful thing for Kyle and Chris to do for me.

OK. Back to the BLK WKS Studio NBK. This is just a killer blend.

Flavors taste like the tobacco has been aged for years. You know what I’m talking about. That incredible “thing” that happens to a good cigar. I swear it reminds me of the RASS.
I know. Bold statement.

Odd thing happening. Having The Beatles in my brain with every musical nuance at my disposal helps me think.
I can say right now that the BLK WKS Studio NBK is worth every nickel of that $9.00. The folks at BLTC could have easily charged more…double digit hell. But they didn’t. And I take my hat off to them.
I made the mistake of lighting one up ROTT and oh boy…Nicht gut. Had to throw it away. But after only a couple weeks, it is rarin’ to go.

The spiciness returns in such strength that my nose is running. And my nasal passages are wide open.
Transitions. The magic word. And there are plenty of them right yonder in that stick in my ashtray cooling its heels waiting for me to put cap to lips.

The complexity is from Mars. And I’m from Venus. Or something like that.

Each puff takes the cigar experience up another major notch. It’s as if I’m on the 90th floor of the 100 floor Hancock Tower in Chicago. The first week we moved to Chicago, a buddy I worked with took me there and we went to the top. It is spellbinding.

The flavors haven’t really changed much. They move around in order a bit but all still accounted for.
Halfway point reaches 45 minutes in smoke time. Surprising really that I’m getting as much smoke time from what seems like a small cigar. Box pressing always creates an optical illusion for me.

The BLK WKS Studio NBK is just a masterful blend.
There are two other blends by BLK WKS Studio: Rorschach (Ecuadorian Habano wrapper: 5 x 38 $4.30) and Killer Bee (Ecuadorian Maduro wrapper: 4.5 x 46 $7.50).

I would love to try all, but the NBK is the perfect size for reviewing. The other two are good for doing errands or lunch breaks.
I’m having zero construction issues and the char line hasn’t needed a single touch up.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is one hour 10 minutes.
I am so grateful to the reader that sent me these cigars. Yeah, I wasted one due to impatience, but I still have 3 left that I will let rest a bit longer. I want to see how a month or two more of humidor affects them. That’s not saying that they aren’t perfect as is with just two weeks humi time.

I made the promise to myself that I would not promote a certain online store that sells mainly boutique cigars because they didn’t show their appreciation at Christmas like Small Batch Cigar did. I like to give my readers a heads up where to get the deal. But this outfit was the only one that never bothered to even thank me for constantly promoting them.

You know who I’m talking about. But the place is run by young men and they haven’t learned their manners yet.

Black Works Studio doesn’t have an up and running web site yet. The company is called Oveja Negra Cigars. The owner is James Brown. The hardest working man in the cigar business. Oops. Wrong James Brown. “Hit me! “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine”
They do have a Face Book page.

The BLK WKS Studio NBK is just blowing my mind. And it’s been 40 years since I took acid. A flashback, maybe?

“Everybody’s Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey.”

One tends to forget the brilliance of The Beatles. All of their early recordings were done on 3 track! Unbelievable. And with headphones on, I can hear every brilliant note McCartney played on bass.

Nothing left to say about the BLK WKS Studio NBK. Brilliant blend. I never heard of James Brown but then I’m not in the cigar biz. But this guy is something else. I can only imagine what his future is. If this is his fledgling blend, I have my fingers crossed that the next ones keep getting better.
The cigar finishes at a strong medium/full body with a touch of nicotine.
Final smoke time is 85 minutes.

RATING: 94

Wrapper: Dominican (Cibao Valley)
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican (Cuban Seed Criollo), Dominican (Olor Viso & Ligero)
Size: 6 x 52 “Belicoso- Das Boot”
Body: Medium
Price: $8.75 MSRP

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas.

Today we take a look at the Quesada Oktoberfest 2015 Edition Das Boot.
Thanks to Eric Anderson for the sticks.

Once again, I’m late to the party. I should have reviewed this stick back when it was Oktoberfest. But after letting the cigars rest for a couple weeks, it was clear they weren’t ready. I go back to my list and it turns out I received these cigars on Dec.1. So the sticks have gotten nearly a month of humidor time.

I reviewed the Quesada Oktoberfest 2014 back in October of 2014. I found it very flavorful but it had some construction issues.

DESCRIPTION:
Debuted at the 2015 IPCPR trade show.
Release Date: August 2015.

A stout torpedo that looks bigger than its described 6 x 52 size. After measuring it, the length is spot on but the ring gauge is closer to 54 than the advertised 52.
The cigar is very oily and it is the color mocha/pecan. (I have a chart with 20 different colors of brown).

The double cigar band certainly catches your eye. That big old billboard familiar Oktoberfest homage full of things to look at with a magnifying glass. And the secondary band informing us it is the 2015 Edition.
Seams are nearly invisible. But the stick is full of small and big veins.

SIZES AND PRICING:
Das Boot: 6 x 52 $8.75 MSRP
Kurz: 4 x 50 $7.50 MSRP
Krone: 5 x 43 $7.50 MSRP
Kaiser Ludwig: 6 x 49 (Box Pressed) $9.75 MSRP
The Bavarian: 5.5 x 52 $8.20 MSRP
The Uber: 6 x 65 $9.20 MSRP

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell berries, spice, cocoa, barnyard, banana peel, and cedar.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell barnyard, bittersweet chocolate, spice, espresso, banana, cedar, lemon citrus, and berries.
The cold draw presents flavors of strong wood notes, chocolate, espresso, spice, and cedar.

FIRST THIRD:
I see several imperfections during the foot toasting process which could mean burn issues later.
The draw is good. The stick is solid but gives, for the most part, when squeezed. But right behind the double cigar bands, there seems to be a plug.
Sure enough. After using the cigar awl, it is all clear sailing.

First flavors: Chocolate, salted almonds, espresso, floral notes, cedar, banana, and only the tiniest amount of pepper. When reading the 2014 review, I noticed I complained about a lack of spiciness.

But I should be truthful. I’ve never been a fan of Quesada cigar blends. I put Manuel Quesada in the same class as E.P. Carrillo. Decent blends but never anything really special. Perfect for the CI catalog. Both brands are heralded as high premium in most online store catalogs.
And then just like that…the Quesada Oktoberfest 2015 Edition Das Boot’s flavors go flat.

Damn. I’m running out of cigars to review. At least good ones. I have a bunch of LFD blends but you know LFD. They need months and months of humi time. So from here on, I will be reviewing more common day blends. With no promises of them being very good. But hopefully, you will stick with me.

Strength is mild/medium body.

I’ve got Spotify on again today listening to a McCartney Live album “Good Evening New York City” recorded in 2009.

I’m having minor burn issues but nothing I want to report as serious.
I’ve burned 1-1/2” and the flavors just keep dissipating with each puff. Pretty soon, it won’t have any taste at all.

I gotta see what the Big Guys said about this cigar. Be right back.

One big reviewer smoked the Das Brauhaus (4.5 x 60). And thought very well of the cigar. Yet another Big Guy reviews it and smokes the exact same size and has the complete opposite experience rating it very low. (There are two new blends added to his line: Das Brauhaus and Double Bock. The rest of the line is the same blend as last years with different vintage on the tobacco.)

Another reviewer comes up with a flavor profile I normally find…a cornucopia of flavors.
Sonovabitch!
Another couple of Big Guys give it a so so review. So there is no consistency in the reaction to this blend.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 30 minutes.
The flavor profile is as flat as a pancake.
C’mon!

I check when the other reviewers did their write up and it was less than a month after the cigar came out. And all say they purchased the cigars.
One reviewer even says he put the cigar down with an inch to go. Not good. My gut told me not to bother reviewing this after my first outing with it 3 weeks ago. Either it’s a dud or needs 9 months of humidor time.

Hmmm…This means I’m virtually smoking the same cigar as last year but it is nothing like it. I truly liked the 2014 version. The Quesada Oktoberfest 2015 Edition Das Boot, so far, is a dog turd.

At least, I’m enjoying the music in my headphones. McCartney must have just released a new album before this concert because it is full of new material. I know that 99% of Beatles fans just want to hear those tunes but his new stuff is mature and beautiful. It even has a touch of what Lennon may have written had he made it past 40.

I’m not even going to bother listing flavors.
I can’t even taste what the most conservative reviewers taste.

If the flavor profile hasn’t picked up by the start of the second half, I’m ending the review.
I just printed out a photo of a dog taking a shit to be used as background if this cigar doesn’t get its ass in gear immediately. We are half an inch away from the halfway point.
Tick…tick…tick….tick….

RATING: 70

Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Dominican Habano
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Size: 7 x 38 “Lancero”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $8.50
Release Date: November 18, 2015

Today we take a look at the Nomad H-Town San Andrés Lancero.
Thanks to Miguel Castro for the cigars.

This is a joint venture between Nomad Cigars and Stogies World Class Cigars.
The “H-Town” refers to Houston, TX where Stogies World Class Cigars resides.
Can be bought in singles, 5 packs and 10 count boxes from Stogies World Class Cigars.

The H-Town also comes in different versions from seven manufacturers: Four Kicks, Quesada Espana, Nica Puro, Fratello, La Palina, Tatuaje Exclusive Series, and Illusione. All come in Lanceros size.
You can read more about it in the press release posted here.

DESCRIPTION:
This is a very oily stick. It is a dark chocolate brown in color. If I were better at photography, or the sun came out, you would see this. Very visible seams. Lots of spider veins. But this is a solid cigar. No soft spots.
What is with every one and his brother using a white background with gold lettering on their cigar bands? Don’t the manufacturers know that this gimpy geek can’t get a good pic with that duo of colors?
And there is a nice footer band that comes across easily for my geriatric photographic skills. Merely says: “H-TOWN” And “STOGIES.”
And finally, the part to be circumcised: The nicely rolled pig tail. It sits atop a triple cap that is nearly invisible.

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell dried meat, spice, sweetness, cocoa, cedar, grass, and espresso.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell dark cocoa, molasses, spice, grass, cedar, barnyard, and coffee.
The cold draw presents flavors of malt, strong black pepper, chocolate, Chinese cooking spices, strong cedar, grass, and coffee.

FIRST THIRD:
The draw is superb. Lots of smoke pours from the tiny foot.
First flavors: Strong black pepper (Pepper Bomb), very sweet, lots of malts, chocolate, cedar, gorgeous floral notes, and the earthy notes from the tobacco are delicious.

I normally stay away from lanceros or lonsdales. Mostly due to a pain in the ass caused by burn issues that can sneak up on you quickly if you don’t pay attention. Plus they burn too quickly for my tastes. I’ve yet to have a lancero go longer than 40-45 minutes. And for some reason, manufacturers charge just as much, if not more, for this size.
So far, the char line is doing OK. But I’m keeping an eye on it. No runaways allowed unless you’re Joan Jett.

I’ve only had these cigars 2-3 weeks. Apparently, timing is good for lighting one up.
There is a nicely aged tobacco element.

More flavors: generic fruit, tart grapefruit citrus, chocolate malt, coffee malt, caramel malt, caramel, and mesquite. The fruit thing is frustrating me. What the hell is it?
Strength is classic medium body.

And we have some nice transitions. This began from the start of the cigar.
I’m impressed with the char line. It was wavy at first but now is razor sharp.

The Nomad H-Town San Andrés Lancero is a very pleasant cigar experience but I’ve yet to be wowed by it. Flavors are a bit too subtle for my tastes.
I predict the second half will be more of what I like.

I’m listening to “Rubber Soul” on Spotify. The song playing now is “Think for Yourself.” And I just remembered this was the first time a fuzz tone was used on a bass in a recording. So I had to get one. Back then, there was only one on the market. Cost $100 back in 1966. It looked like a chrome rectangular box about 6” x 2” x 2”. And you plugged it in directly to your amp head. It had an on/off switch. No controls. It was run by a single 9 Volt battery.

We used it when we played “Love In’s.” We did a “freak-out” version of Van Morrison’s “Gloria.” I know that sounds nuts. But in the middle of the tune, I played a solo and then used the feedback from this ridiculous thing to get amazing sounds. I was playing my hollow body Hofner bass so it really worked well. All the stoned Hippies loved it. Man, I haven’t thought of that in decades.

Where was I?

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 15 minutes.
Still waiting for the Wow factor. The flavors can best be described as sublime. Easy going. I think this concoction would be best served by more strength. I would love to see it full bodied.

So that’s what it is missing…the Oomph Factor. The black pepper is nearly gone so there is no big zestiness to this blend.

The Nomad H-Town San Andrés Lancero is a good cigar but knowing what Fred Rewey can produce, I think he could have done better. Of course, I have no idea how much input Stogies World Class Cigars had on the blend.

I’ve reviewed every single Nomad blend. The Nomad Estelí Lot 8613 made No.13 in “The Katman’s Top 25 Cigars of 2015.”

“Rubber Soul” is over and now it’s Lennon’s last album: “Double Fantasy.” Do you remember where you were on December 8, 1980 when Lennon was murdered?
I do.

And now we slip into big time flavors. The light switch has been flipped on.
Everything changes. The black pepper soars like a flying pig.

No new flavors but the flavor profile of: Black pepper, sweetness, a long list of malts, chocolate, cedar, floral notes, black cherry, tart grapefruit citrus, coffee, caramel, golden raisins, cedar, and the flavor of black earthy.

Oh Lord. I forgot that Lennon allowed Yoko a song on “Double Fantasy.” This may be the right time to blow my brains out. So I quickly move on to another song. All I can say is that she must have been some sort of sex goddess to capture Lennon’s heart and naughty bits.

The halfway point. Smoke time is 25 minutes.
The Nomad H-Town San Andrés Lancero now has the Wow factor. Even the strength has moved up to medium/full. That’s a good thing.
The Nomad H-Town San Andrés Lancero has that missing oomph and zestiness that was missing in the first half.

Great flavor. Transitions moving at the speed of light. Perfect balance. And a wonderfully long, chewy finish.

I’m impressed. With more humidor time, this beam of light will occur much earlier.
The Nomad H-Town San Andrés Lancero needs its first touch up at the char line.

I shifted to “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Re-mastered. And I have it so loud, I can’t think.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is 35 minutes.
The price. Considering how many manufacturers release this size as a fanfare to any of their existing blends, $8.50 is a deal. I’ve never understood the big deal made by the manufacturers when they release a lancero. Like it is some sort of earth shattering news.

Only certain smokers are lancero enthusiasts.

The Nomad H-Town San Andrés Lancero is absolutely exquisite now. When a cigar tastes as good as the Nomad H-Town Lancero, I want it to last longer than 45 minutes. I want 90 minutes of it.

I want to take this moment to thank Kyle Hoover and Chris Kelly of Ezra Zion Cigar Co. Apparently, according to Kyle; they had planned to also sell “Ugly Hanukkah Sweater” to be a companion to their “Ugly Christmas Sweater.” Only 700 cigars were sold so they disappeared in 48 hours.

Kyle sent me the only Ugly Hanukkah Sweater pack. Four cigars again like the Christmas Sweater. Two blends. One blend is a 6 x 52 or 54 Toro and the other is a 4 x 42 or 44 petit corona. I don’t know the leaf stats yet. And I haven’t gotten approval from Kyle to review it yet. But it gave me shivers when he said: “It’s truly limited edition because you have the only one on Earth!!”
WOW.

I don’t want the Nomad H-Town San Andrés Lancero to finish. I am so enjoying it.
Fred did good.
You can purchase the Nomad H-Town San Andrés Lancero at Stogies World Class Cigars.
I definitely recommend this cigar.
Final smoke time is 45 minutes.

RATING: 92

And for something completely different:
My older second cousin, Fred Selden, is an award winning reed player. I believe he is 4 years older than me.
Fred is a brilliant player. So much so, that at the age of 13, he took his own jazz band to Europe to tour. He has played with just about everyone. And in the last couple of decades, he has been heavily involved in the movie industry. Either as a player or composer.

Fred a few years back:

Fred now:

From the Fred Selden web site:
“Dr. Fred Selden is a Grammy nominated conductor, arranger and composer, and one of LA’s top session players. His musical talents have been featured in countless television and film projects, and he has a long history in the music business. He has recorded with such illustrious names as Don Ellis, Ringo Star, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Natalie Cole, Bill Holman and Lionel Hampton to name a few. Fred is also one of the pioneers in the use of the “Electronic Wind Instrument” (E.W.I.). He has received a Grammy Nomination, a Gold Record and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences “Most Valuable Player Award” for three years running. He has also written numerous music education books and composed, arranged and performed on many albums.”

Back in the mid/late 1960’s I would visit him and his family in Studio City, CA. I was related to him from my mother’s side. His dad was one of the biggest entertainment lawyers in Hollywood.
I had very little family. And my Aunt Gussie and Uncle Frank were terrific people. I really loved them.
So I used to take a drive and visit my cousin. I loved hearing his music stories.

Fred had an older brother, Bobby. Bobby had a serious drinking problem.
Sometimes, I’d get there and Fred was doing a last minute session.

So I sat with Bobby and his neighbor, William Holden. Yeah, my family was that upscale.
Holden was a major movie star from the 1950’s-1980’s.
I remember him in Sam Peckinpah’s “The Wild Bunch.” Man, he looked old.

We would sit on the back porch and Bobby had a liquor cart on wheels. He sat it next to the round glass table and I basically listened.

Holden would get shit faced and start dishing dirt on Hollywood. I was entranced.

But you could see in Holden’s face that the mass consumption of alcohol was taking its toll.
I must have visited a dozen times when Holden was there. Bobby and Holden must have had this drinking buddy thing going. I was only in my teens and had nothing to offer to the conversation. Although, I was a big movie buff and I had lots of questions that Holden was glad to answer. I was especially interested in “Bridge on the River Kwai.”

Well, as all things do, things change. My life was moving forward and I just didn’t have the time to visit much.
I do remember, several years later, hearing that Holden died a miserable lonely death. All because he was a lush.

This is from Wikipedia:
“According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s autopsy report, Holden was alone and intoxicated in his apartment in Santa Monica, California, on November 12, 1981, when he slipped on a rug, severely lacerated his forehead on a teak bedside table, and bled to death. Evidence suggests he was conscious for at least half an hour after the fall. It is probable that he may not have realized the severity of the injury and did not summon aid, or was unable to call for help. His body was found four days later.”

Wrapper: Honduran Maduro Corojo 2006
Binder: Nicaraguan 2009
Filler: Dominican, Honduran, Mexican, Brazilian
Size: 6 x 60 “Gordo”
Body: Full
Price: $9.00 MSRP (Big price reduction sale: 5 Pack $22.50/Single $6.00-Deal ends 12-31-2015 and then goes back to original $9.00 price point)

Today we take a look at the Room101 Series Black Scale. Available only at Atlantic Cigar Co.

BACKGROUND:
From the Atlantic Cigar Co. web site:
“Room 101 Series Black Scale is another knockout from the daring minds at Davidoff and Camacho Cigars. The Black Scale is specially blended from mastermind Matt Booth; using specialty aged tobaccos delivering complexity and boldness from the huge Davidoff war chest of tobacco inventory. The wrapper was grown in 2006, and only top primings are used in this outstanding blend, then fermented using an uncommon “press-fermentation” process where additional weight is added to the aging piles. This raises the internal temperatures of the fermenting tobacco. The wrapper was then given extra time to rest and the result is a dark, sweet and rich leaf with a ton of oil. For the rest of the blend, a binder from 2009 and fillers from 2003, 2008 and 2009 were chosen to round out the complex and flavorful profile in this small batch production line. Grab your 5-pack today, additional sizes in the works, so don’t miss out on these killer cigars from one of the boldest cigar makers in the world.”

Sold only by Singles or Five Packs.
Factory: Agroindustria LAEPE S.A., Honduras

I found an interesting article on the Cigar.com forum. In a nutshell, the writer has proven to me that this is the Camacho Blackout re-packaged as the Room 101 Series Black Scale. Take a gander.

This too is from the Atlantic Cigar Co. web site about the Camacho Blackout:
“Camacho Blackout Limited Edition is another knockout from the daring minds at Camacho Cigars. The Blackout is what happens when you take Camacho’s signature complexity and boldness and add in a heap of super aged tobaccos. The wrapper was grown in 2006. It was picked from top primings and fermented using an uncommon “press-fermentation” process where additional weight is added to the aging piles. This raises the internal temperatures of the fermenting tobacco. The wrapper was then given extra time to rest and the result is a dark, sweet and rich leaf with a ton of oil. For the rest of the blend, a binder from 2009 and fillers from 2003, 2008 and 2009 were chosen to round out the complex and flavorful profile.

“On top of using all those aged tobaccos to roll the Blackout, these special stogies were rested an additional 2 years before going to market, a process that normally only lasts a few months. Camacho went all out on these cigars, and their hard work and patience is your reward. Don’t miss out on these killer cigars from one of the boldest cigar makers in the world.”

Notice any similarities? The leaf stats are exactly the same for both blends. The only difference is the price. The Camacho is $12.50 while the Room 101 is $9.00. Only $4.50 per stick if you buy them before the end of the year.
Man, that’s ballsy.

I reviewed the Camacho Blackout (February 22, 2014) and while I wasn’t rating cigars back then, based on my review, I would have only given it an 85.
So let’s see if the Room 101 Series Black Scale rings my bell.

DESCRIPTION:
A redwood tree…a log…a 300lb man’s turd. This is a big cigar. I’ve had them a couple months and have not smoked a single one. Smart, right? So this will be a surprise to me…no matter the outcome.
Half oily/half matte finish. All depending on how the light hits it. Seams are tight. Lots of veins; both big and small. The stick feels like a log. Sturdy and firm; yet gives a bit when squeezed.
The wrapper is the color of chocolate syrup.
The double cigar bands are meant to look menacing. All black and silver. (Go Raiders!).

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell cherries, spice, cocoa, coffee, cedar, strong raisins, and malt.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell strong spice, barnyard, dark chocolate, espresso, cherries, and cedar.
The cold draw presents flavors of spice, dark cocoa, coffee, raisins, floral notes, peppermint, licorice, and cedar.

FIRST THIRD:
Takes a couple minutes to toast the foot. Fortunately, I saw little, or none, imperfections so fingers crossed I have no burn issues. I let the cigar rest for a couple minutes.
The Camacho Blackout gave me a lot of construction problems. I really do hope this isn’t a re-packaging of that brand/blend.

For such a big cigar, the draw is a little too air for my taste.

Nice flavors to start: Chocolate, creaminess, malts, spice, black cherries, floral notes, and wood.
I expected a higher level of spice attack than the Room101 Series Black Scale allows.

The big foot needs a touch up so it doesn’t get away from me.
This is a big smoker. Filling the room with a deadly cloud of nicotine and black cherry.
While the flavors remain a subtle nuance profile, I’m happily surprised at the diversity of flavors it pours out from the start.

Strength is medium/full.

The Room101 Series Black Scale is on a path to annoy me with a constant wavy burn line that just won’t be corrected.

Cherries show up. So does the peppermint. The malts are screaming laughter. And the chocolate creaminess is downright delicious. Only thing missing is the proper balance of spiciness. Thankfully, the strength helps dispel the disappointment. I’m sure it will show up in the last half.

I’m getting a little burned out listening to only The Beatles. So I change it up. I find “The Best of Miles Davis” on Spotify. Smooth Daddy-O.

I played a lot of jazz in the late 80’s. Had a trio of drums, piano and me on bass. Strictly using my electric upright. We would spend Sundays playing all day. It was bliss. I think we even got a few gigs. Can’t remember.

Transitions are beginning. The Room101 Series Black Scale is becoming a very nice blend. Smooth but strong. Flavors full of boldness and subtlety. Beautiful balance. A wonderful finish.
I’m impressed. This reads nothing like my Camacho Blackout review that I wrote in February of 2014. Almost two years ago.

And to commemorate that review, I shall use the same 1970’s rock story as I did then. Loyal readers have seen this story a couple of times.
Damn. The Room101 Series Black Scale goes out.

I like the Room101 Series Black Scale. The spiciness is returning faster than expected and some of the nuanced flavors come out from hiding: caramel, marzipan, and a nice twist of root beer (Vanilla, wintergreen, cherry tree bark, licorice root, sarsaparilla root, nutmeg, acacia, anise, molasses, cinnamon, and honey.) The root beer seems to be the main flavor point this blend was heading towards from the start.

I’m a little flummoxed about the conspiracy theory that the Room101 Series Black Scale is merely a re-packaged Camacho Blackout. My experience with the Blackout wasn’t very good. But I have no idea how long I allowed it to humidor rest. Nor do I remember my humidification resources.

So far, this is nothing like the Camacho Blackout. So I now dismiss the conspiracy theory. The Room101 Series Black Scale stands on its own….like the cheese.

But the case made by the Cigar.com forum contributor is a strong one. So who really knows? Having made friends with a lot of cigar biz folks, I no longer put anything past them in terms of a sneak attack. Not my friends, of course. Or we wouldn’t be friends.

Technically, based on the leaf stats and the description of the Blackout, this is the same cigar.
I should go back and delete that foolishness but it makes for interesting reading. Maybe it was Professor Plum and Colonel Mustard, in the library, that shot JFK.

I don’t like Gordos. They just take forever to smoke. At least 2-1/2 hours if you smoke correctly and not huff it down like you would from a Whipped Cream can.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 40 minutes.
Lovely, lovely cigar blend. I was prepared not to like it because I’m not much of a Room 101 fan. The Johnny Tobacconaut was a disaster. The Master Collections should have been called the Newbie Collections. The Daruma line was OK.
The only blend I really like is the Room 101 Serie San Andrés.

I’ve reviewed 14 different Room 101 blends.
Things are picking up now. The pepper is very strong and satisfying now.

The flavor profile is becoming very bold and out there: Chocolate, creaminess, spice, coffee, caramel, marzipan, root beer (Vanilla, wintergreen, cherry tree bark, licorice root, sarsaparilla root, nutmeg, acacia, anise, molasses, cinnamon, and honey.

The ingredients to root beer are all there and accounted for. I believe I reviewed one other cigar with heavy root beer influence but no idea what it was.

The only real annoyance is the constant need for correcting the burn line. I don’t know how much I am fixing it so I can give you a nice photo or how much is really needed when just peacefully smoking the thing.

Other than that, no construction issues. No cracks in the wrapper. No errant seams. Very nicely rolled…except for the rat bastard burn issues which I attribute to the level of rollers used.

Another thing. If Atlantic can afford to sell the Room101 Series Black Scale at half price for a month; to me it means they aren’t moving. Most experienced smokers don’t care for Gordos. They tend to go to the smaller cigar. I think the Corona Gorda is the most popular with robusto following right behind and the Toro after that.

I bet if the Room101 Series Black Scale were available in a robusto or corona gorda, I’d be seeing some very intense flavors. But I did read that if this blend took off, Matt Booth would add other sizes. I think it was a dumb move to start with a giant Gordo. Inexperienced smokers like the big cigars.

Halfway point. Smoke time is one hour 5 minutes.
The Room101 Series Black Scale is very complex now. It is also made the jump to full body.

The Room101 Series Black Scale is a truly satisfying smoke. And now, I highly recommend it. But you better move fast if you choose to buy some. At $4.50 a piece, this is a steal. Way better than paying $9.00 per stick. So you have til December 31 to make your mind up. At this lower price, you can buy two 5 packs for the price of one until January 1.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is one hour 40 minutes.

We are finally getting our first real winter snow fall since last winter. It started an hour ago. Charlotte has this deep fear of driving in the snow. But now that we have this behemoth Chevy Silverado with 4 wheel drive, she is fear-free. This was the first snowless Christmas since we moved to Wisconsin in 2007.

The Room101 Series Black Scale is super smooth. Especially for a full body smoke. So far, no nicotine.
Loads of transitions.
Each puff creates a festival of flavor.

If I had the dough, I would snag some at the currently low price. But since I didn’t smoke one prior to the review, I still have four sticks left. So I’m happy. The only thing harkens back to the size. This Gordo requires over 2 hours of your attention. And I have a short attention span. But the Room101 Series Black Scale never becomes boring. So that’s very cool.

Nicotine hits hard. Oy vay.

I watch through the dining room window as the snow falls and I think I’m beginning to hallucinate. Well, at least it didn’t start til about 1-1/2” left.

The root beer qualities really make the cigar. But on top is the creaminess and chocolate. And the spice has its pedal to the metal. Black pepper.
I keep forgetting that when I am at the market to buy white pepper. I have no idea what that tastes like and so many reviewers refer to that spice.

I have only one criticism: the burn line. It never really takes off but I must attend to it every few minutes to make sure it doesn’t canoe on me.
You gotta try some. And make sure you tell Atlantic the Katman sent you.
Remember. For only the next 3+ days, you can snag these at half price.

RATING: 91

And now for something completely different:
1974

I was at George Martin’s (The Beatles’ producer) recording studio, AIR Studios, in London participating in the mixing from the 1974 “Curved Air Live” album. For those of you who know, and for those that don’t….half the fun of recording an album is just hanging in the control booth watching and listening to the exciting mix of the music. It beats staying home and watching TV. You never know who you will run in to. Plus, they feed you.

Since it was a live album, the recording was finished. Now it was just watching the producer and engineer mix it. At age 24, I didn’t have any producing experience yet; so this was pretty much Alice looking through the Looking Glass. I asked a lot of questions which annoyed the producer who was a real schmuck.

I kept telling him that he was mixing the bass line old school. In the background. He hadn’t caught up with the times, especially from the likes of the jazz fusion bands breaking through in America. I played well and I wanted to be able to hear it pounding away. He kept telling me to be patient which was his way of saying, “Get away from me boy, you’re bothering me.”

After the album had been released, I ran into our producer at some club. The first thing he said to me was: “You were right. I should have had the bass more upfront.”
I thought: “You rat bastard fuck face cock sucker.”

I am proud to say that while the others in the band had to come in, and spend hours, to overdub their mistakes, I had one single dub. One note. Just one note had to be fixed on a live recording. The others gave me the stink eye because I sat back and watched them struggle with placing new notes on an already recorded song. Timing had to be perfect. Sort of like lip syncing.

I was the new member. And I played some very complicated bass lines. So my near perfection caused some temporary jealousy. I had only been with the band two weeks before we took off on the road. And the live album was recorded over two gigs in the first week of the tour. I feared I’d become self-conscious and play a ton of clams. But the music took me away on a magic carpet ride and I lived in the moment…playing my ass off. I literally led the band during a couple songs where there were very long improv segments in the middle of the tunes.

Air Studio had two studios in the same location. Next to each other. While we were using Studio B, Pete Townshend was using Studio A to mix the movie soundtrack to the movie, “Tommy.”

One late night, Sonja and I were sitting on the floor with our backs against one of the plush sofas. We had just smoked a doob and were conversing about life. The sofa was in the farthest location from the door. And the room was huge. George Martin spared no dough in making this booth a plush living room.

I noticed the door opening, about 20 feet away, and looked up. The studio was dimly lit. For mood, I guess. Helps with the artistry.

In walks a man who I can’t quite make out. As he looks our way, he heads toward us. The closer he came, the more my jaw dropped. It was Pete Townshend coming over for a visit with Sonja. Curved Air was a legendary band in Europe from the late 60’s to the late 70’s. And Pete and Sonja were good friends.
Pete was thin. Very thin. I later found out that this was the period in his life where he did a lot of heroin.

He sat down next to Sonja making it a Sonja sandwich. They hugged and exchanged kisses. I was close to shitting myself. I didn’t blink or take a breath.

Now if you want to be taken seriously in any business, you must act natural at meeting anyone of note or your presence is ignored, so I did my best to be cool. Be a peer, not a fan.

A minute or two in, Sonja nodded in my direction and introduced me to Pete. We shook hands. I was literally shaking. I muttered something unintelligible. Clicks and whistles.

We sat there for a couple of hours, rolling and lighting one joint after another. I normally did not chain smoke joints. But in the presence of greatness, one did not say “Sorry. I’ve had enough.”
Before long, all three of us were laughing like idiots and Pete told Sonja that he thought I was an all-right chap. Before the Alzheimer’s took root, I was a very funny guy. Especially, when I was young.

Pete got to listen to my playing on the play back in the studio and when he felt it was time to leave, he stood above me, shook my hand, and asked if I wanted to jam tomorrow night?

Of course, I said yes and told him I would make sure our drummer, Stewart Copeland, was there.

I barely slept or ate in the next 24 hours in anticipation. Back then, long distance calls to America were really expensive. But I didn’t care and called every friend I could think of to tell them what was about to happen.

The night came and we played for countless hours. Time had no meaning except when we stopped to light one up. We were in their little side studio of Studio A (8 x 10) and I was touching distance to Keith Moon’s drums, John Entwistle’s basses, and a mic stand belonging to Roger Daltrey with a schmata/scarf wrapped around the shaft. But the band hadn’t even come into the studio that day. They were fabulously rich and didn’t need to hang out in the studio for fun.

We didn’t play one Who song. We just jammed. And because I was into the jazz fusion scene which really hadn’t made it the English shores quite yet, I had the responsibility of providing pounding Stanley Clarke-like riffs for us to woodshed on.

At one point, he teased us with the offer to produce our next album, which never happened. My only regret was that while tape was running the whole time, I never asked for a copy.

I was in the mode of: “I will always be in the music biz and this was only the start.”
The strange musings of a naïve 24 year old.

I’m no longer a minor rock star, but boy, do I cherish those memories!

That’s me on the far left with the cool fro:

Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Size: 6 x 52 “Toro”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: Undisclosed

Note: This menorah is over 150 years old. It’s been in my family for generations. When I go, I will pass it on to our darling daughter, Katie:

Today we take a look at the yet to be released Ugly Hanukkah Sweater by Ezra Zion Cigar Co.
I am fortunate to have become friends with Kyle Hoover and Chris Kelly of EZ. Something that means a lot to me.
They had intended to release the two blends this season but a lack of appropriate tobacco has made them put it off til next year.
So according to Kyle, I have the only four pack sample on earth! Woo Hoo. And only right that the pack went to a Jew.

The other Ugly Hanukkah Sweater is a 4 x 44 petit corona with a Criollo wrapper.
So remember, ladies and germs, you read it here first. But Kyle also told me they might tweak the blend for next year.

Kyle Hoover:

Chris Kelly:

DESCRIPTION:
Nice looking stick. A little bit oily but has a matte finish in places. Silky smooth to the touch.
Invisible seams. Very few veins. An impeccably, perfect triple cap.
Solid cigar with the perfect amount of give.
The cigar band is the same as the Ugly Christmas Sweater bands except for color. These are traditional Hanukkah blue.

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell peaches, sweetness, spice, chocolate, brown sugar, coffee, charred oak, and floral notes.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell dark chocolate, very strong spice, sweetness, barnyard, floral notes, coffee beans, oak, fruit, and vanilla.
The cold draw presents flavors of milk chocolate, molasses, dried fruit (raisins, dates, and figs), saffron, marjoram, black licorice, oak, and vanilla.

FIRST THIRD:
The draw is a bit stiff so I massage it using the technique that has worked for me since I was 11.
First flavors up to bat: Creaminess, chocolate, nutty, spice (Wish there were a little more), malt, toffee, wood, dried fruit, coconut, and nutmeg.

Did you know that The Beatles’ song “I Feel Fine” is the first song ever to use feedback on a recording? It is at the very start of the song. Cool fact, huh?

Flavors are subtle. No barnstorming happening. A nice smooth effluence of flavors.
The Ugly Hanukkah Sweater by Ezra Zion Cigar Company is a very slow smoke. It is packed to the gills with filler. I’ve smoked about 5 minutes and barely made a dent.

Normally, I don’t review petit coronas but I will with the other Ugly Hanukkah blend. The reason is pathetic. The highlight of my day is sitting down at the computer first thing in the morning and writing a review. The upside is I have a sense of accomplishment. The downside is what once took me two hours now takes me four hours. So I’m exhausted by the end.
So the other Hanukkah petit corona will be perfect.
Strength is a tick above medium body.
The char line is spot on.

There is a rich vanilla custard flavor. Coats the inside of my mouth.

When I first visited England in 1965, I remember seeing those little newsie stands with the front page of the paper was behind wire and some old man with a funny English hat, pipe in his mouth, hawked the Daily Mail. I kept seeing the word “HELP” on these things for about a week before I realized it was The Beatles’ movie that opened while we were there. Of course, I went crazy knowing I couldn’t get in.
And we saw the grand opening from the tour bus that just came back from Stratford-upon-Avon.

There is this really great high premium flavor. It is meaty, full of malts, and contains a real depth of character. It is almost too difficult for me to explain. It is so complex.

The Ugly Hanukkah Sweater by Ezra Zion Cigar Co. reminds me of a photo showing upper class Englishmen in their private club. All wearing formal wear and reading the newspaper, sipping brandy, and smoking the finest cigars in the world. Except there are no Jews in that club. That’s as close as I can get to describe what I taste.

I loved both Ugly Christmas Sweaters. But this is totally different. A different approach. A flanking move to attack from both sides.

Ugly Christmas Sweater cigars:

The only tweaking I would suggest is to make it spicier. Other than that, I find it perfect in every way. Earlier, I was going to say it was similar to the best LFD blends but it turns out the Ugly Hanukkah Sweater by Ezra Zion Cigar Co. is better. Same goes for Illusione. The Hanukkah Sweater has that kind of heft.
I’ve hit the 1” burned mark and it’s taken me 15 minutes or so to get here.
I’ve got a fresh bottle of Lubriderm. Back in a few minutes.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 40 minutes.
A spark comes from the stone. Flavors change from subtle to intense.
The spiciness shows up and slams me like Thor’s hammer.
The construction is impeccable. The char line is on point.
And the strength is medium/full body. On its way to full body.

The individual flavors work brilliantly together. I can taste each one. But they also make a shepherd’s pie. A conglomeration of mixed flavors that as a whole make for something great. Ever eat kidney pie? Don’t.

Time to change artist on Spotify. I go to the R&B section and pick an album called “35 Soul Classics 1970-1975.”

I love R&B. The old stuff like Marvin Gaye, Smokey, The Temps, Four Tops, James Brown, and The Undisputed Truth, etc.

This cigar is perfect. I shall treasure the second one. I taste BBQ broiled steak. Just salt and pepper. But perfectly cooked at medium/rare.
But no baked potato.

If the Ugly Hanukkah Sweater by Ezra Zion Cigar Co. were any meatier it would be a steer sitting on my lap. (I promise not to shtup it.)

Halfway point. Smoke time is one hour 5 minutes.

I love the bass lines from those early pop R&B songs. The wondrous bassist, James Jamerson, played on a million hits. Mostly for Motown.

I’m having a really good time. Woody Allen said: “You can live to be a hundred if you give up all the things that make you want to live to be a hundred.”

I’m going to give it my best shot. But just in case, I’ve left a note that when I’m in my coffin, a cigar will be put in my mouth. An Ezra Zion, of course.

“Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” Yeah my babies, cool personified.

I just thought of something I’ve meant to say for quite a while but I always forget.
A lot of reviewers say they have a system for rating cigars. And that system is infallible for getting the rating number right. So, I imagine there must 10-15 categories. But each category still needs human input. So regardless of how fool proof the reviewer says his system is, it is still subjective. This always cracks me up when I read a review and there is an explanation of the incredibly complex rating system used.

I go by my gut. And nearly 50 years of cigar smoking. That should be enough. Yet, still subjective. Objectivity is impossible unless you give a cigar to a robot and let him rate it. (But then who programs the robot?)

The Ugly Hanukkah Sweater by Ezra Zion Cigar Co. is making my yarmulke spin on top of my head. All I need to do is attach a propeller and off I go.
The cigar is now full bodied.

The stick is perfectly packed with filler. As Goldilocks would say: “It’s just right.”
I’m amazed at the perfect burn line. It has only needed one minor touch up.

I have two different blends from you know who. The boutique online store that gives you 10% off if you are a member. No. Not Small Batch Cigar. The other one.

I won’t even mention their names but they are $6 cigars with no bands. I am more than appreciative to the two readers that sent them to me. But I ain’t reviewing them as they are only available at this online store who I have been promoting vigorously all of 2015. Not even a Christmas card to say thank you. So their name shall not be spoken. Manners are super important in this world. And I won’t abide. Now I need a White Russian.

Here they are once again: Creaminess, black pepper, meaty, chocolate, nutty, a multitude of malts, vanilla custard, caramel, coffee, wood, dried fruit, coconut, butterscotch, black licorice, honey, and nutmeg.
Yikes. That’s the whole kitchen sink.
But so smooth. Like velvet.

I can’t believe Kyle said they might tweak the blend. You mean it’s going to get better? LOL!
This is a manly cigar. An experienced smoker’s wet dream.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry you have to wait a year to try the new Ugly Hanukkah Sweater by Ezra Zion Cigar Co. Kyle and Chris must have some Jewish blood somewhere in that family tree. Because they paid tribute x10, to the Hanukkah blend.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is one hour 40 minutes.
I’m kvelling my bubbelahs. I offer a mazel tov to Kyle and Chris.

I really don’t understand. How in God’s name do these two young fellas come up with one fantastic blend after another? I’m at a loss to think of who else has this talent. I know there are some great blenders out there. But Kyle and Chris hit it out of the park each and every time with somewhat regularity. I’m not sure how many blends they put out each year, but it’s a lot. And that’s the key to their greatness. A lot of boutique blenders may come up with one or two wonderful blends in a year. But these guys pump them out like an open spigot. I’m in awe. Not a single schlemiel blend ever. For a couple of goyim, they really know what they are doing.

Strength is at a very smooth full body. Flavors intact. Long finish. Perfect balance. Not a lick of nicotine. I want to adopt Kyle and Chris. I will allow them to live in the lifestyle they are accustomed to. All on my Social Security.

I’m actually very blessed. While I know countless friends who only bring in about $1000 per month from their social security, I get much more.
The last 10 years of working, I made an average of $125K, plus a car, per year. Unfortunately, it puts Charlotte and I just a bit over the poverty line so we don’t qualify for a lot of government programs that could really help us.

I wish I could refer you to the Ezra Zion web site so you can buy the four pack of Ugly Hanukkah Sweater cigars. But alas, next year in Israel. Er..I mean…Fugeddaboudit.
I am so grateful to Ezra Zion Cigar Co. for sending me these cigars. It is truly a mazel to this poor nebbish to have the opportunity to review the Ugly Hanukkah Sweater by Ezra Zion Cigar Co.

RATING: 95

Note: This is it for awhile folks. I have some cigars in my humidor for review but they are old school blends and need months of humidor time.
So I will see ya’ on the flip side.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 52 “Cañonazo-Toro”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $6.00 MSRP

Today we take a look at the Neya Classic Cañonazo by Roberto Duran Cigars.
Many thanks to Jack Torano (Regional Sales Manager Marketing & Public Relations) for the samples.

Photo of Roberto P. Duran:

Photo of Jack Torano:

DESCRIPTION:
It debuted at the 2014 IPCPR trade show.
Regular production.

I reviewed the terrific Neya F8 Ligero Typhoon a couple weeks ago. Great cigar.
The difference between the two blends is that the F8 was designed to be a power house.

The stick’s wrapper is an oily graham cracker brown color. Very smooth to the touch. Seams are tight. Not very many small veins but a couple of big honkers.
And lastly, the stick is solid. No soft spots.

According to the web site, this Classic provides an EPF experience. Cigar Coop explains it perfectly (Learn something here nephews…I did): “(Evolution and Progressive Flavor). EPF is based on an old Cuban tradition where the flavor gains strength and intensity from beginning to end. This was reflected in the intensity of the body of this cigar. The Neya Classic started out medium-bodied, but in the last third it had progressed into medium to full-bodied territory. As for the strength level, the strength also started out medium. As the smoking experience professed, there was a slight increase in the nicotine level, but for the most part the Neya Classic remained a medium strength cigar.”

Thank you Cigar Coop!
You learn something every day. Of course when you have Alzheimer’s, you learn the same thing every day and the day after and day after, etc. LOL.

SIZES AND PRICING:
Petite Corona: 5.125 x 42 $4.00 MSRP
Robusto: 4.875 x 50 $5.00 MSRP
Cañonazo: 6 x 52 $6.00 MSRP
Most online stores sell the three sizes for about 75¢ less. But these cigars are so inexpensively priced that the price difference is no big deal.

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell light floral notes, sweetness, spice, honeysuckle, and gingerbread.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell strong black pepper, floral notes, honeysuckle, sweetness, roasted nuts, fruit, and cedar.
The cold draw presents flavors of honey, black pepper, graham cracker, sweetness, floral notes, lemon citrus, and cedar.

FIRST THIRD:
Perfect draw.
Plus a great start to the cigar.

A bushel full of black and red pepper smacks me right in the kisser. I love it already.
Immediately, a flood of flavors: Coffee, malts, graham cracker, a summer fruit element, sweetness, almonds (Marzipan), cashew and hazelnut, and cedar.

I’m impressed. Any time a cigar starts out like this, I have high hopes. If the EPF theory works, it means that things will just get better and better. That’s just fine with me.

To be honest, I was a bit concerned that such an inexpensive cigar would be this good. But my fears should have been allayed due to the magnificence of the Neya F8…which I rated at 90. I smoked one since the review and it had become a real ball buster in just a couple of weeks. So I went back and changed my rating to 93.
Flavors are still adding to the flavor profile: Creaminess, chocolate, vanilla, and shortbread cookies.

Complexity settles in at only an inch burned. The balance is near perfect. And it has a long creamy finish.
The construction is doing fine. It has sort of a rustic quality but the rollers knew what they were doing. No char line issues. No errant wrapper issues.

I’m not kidding dear readers; this inexpensive stick is blowing my mind. (Sorry. 1968 flashback). I checked Cbid but nothing there. But honestly, a box of 20 Toros for $108 is chicken feed based on the quality I am enjoying. I checked online and every big store is selling the Classic for the exact same price.

Strength started out at medium body. As I near the second third, the strength begins to rise.
I could smoke this baby all day long.
The Neya Classic Cañonazo by Roberto Duran Cigars is now an official flavor bomb.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 34 minutes.
Flavors move around a bit: Black pepper, creaminess, peanut, chocolate, vanilla, coffee, assorted roasted nuts, summer fruit, graham cracker, cedar, and dark earth.

Now I’ve only allowed the Neya Classic Cañonazo by Roberto Duran Cigars to humidor rest for less than two weeks. I had pretty good luck with the Neya F8, so I thought I’d give it a shot and roll the dice. This is my first of the samples that Jack T. sent me. I figured if it wasn’t ready, I try another day. But this baby is definitely New Breed style of blending. As in Old School blending which means the humidor time is excruciatingly long.

The char line has only needed a minor touch up. Mostly for a pretty photo than really necessary.
Strength is medium/full.
Duran Cigars has several different lines: Azan, Signature Line, Baracoa, and NicaTabaco Factory Blend No.2.
I’d love to review them all. Jack did send me a bunch of Azan. He sent the White Premium Line and the Burgundy Line. I would like him to send me the Azan Maduro Natural Line as well.

The halfway point is here. Smoke time is 50 minutes.
The Neya Classic Cañonazo does just what it is advertised to do: EPF. It continues to get better and stronger with each puff.

I can’t thank Jack Torano enough for opening my eyes on the Neya line. He did me a real solid with giving me samples.
Lawdy, lawdy. I don’t know how, or why, but the Neya Classic Cañonazo continues on its quest to be the creamiest cigar I’ve smoked.
There is an addition of creamy caramel.
Now for the delineation of the malts: Cara Munich Malt, Chocolate Rye Malt, Coffee Malt, and Honey Malt. (See Malt Chart).

I dig how the spiciness hasn’t lost track or gotten lost in the cornucopia of flavors. This is “exactly” how I like my cigars to taste. A continuous underpinning of spiciness that gives the cigar some zest and oomph.

Meanwhile, the stronger it gets, the smoother it gets. I expect the last third will see the Neya Classic Cañonazo hit full body.

The Neya Classic Cañonazo is a stick you don’t want to end. Time flies. And so do the transitions. Without major transitions, any cigar is a dud. The whole key to a fine smoke are those transitions that keep you guessing at to what is up next.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is one hour 10 minutes.
I am flummoxed as to how I shall rate the Neya Classic Cañonazo. I don’t want to make the same mistake I did with the Neya F8 and under rate it. And then two weeks later, it’s a much better cigar. I’ll figure it out.

The strength is now full body. But ever so smooth.
This is a must try cigar blend. You don’t need to wait for any special or worry about promo codes. Go to any of the big online stores and snag a 5 pack of Toros for $28.50. And the robusto 5 pack is $24.00. And the Petite Corona 5 pack is $19.00. You can’t lose.

The Neya Classic Cañonazo is a major flavor bomb now. I’ve refrained from using that term because it was brought to my attention quite a while back I used that phrase too much. So I’ve been careful to only use it when there is truly no other way to describe it.

Hell, even I can afford a 5 pack…without the wife getting angry at me. In fact, I stopped writing and ambled over to CI and bought a 5 pack of the Petite Coronas. Something tells me this will be an incredibly intense blend. I expect a whoopin’ from Charlotte but I can take it.

The Neya Classic Cañonazo by Roberto Duran Cigars will definitely make “The Katman’s List of 157 Great Cigars in the $5.00-$8.00 Range.”
I should put it at the top of the list. But I don’t list the cigars in order of preference. Just as I review them.
The cigar has it all: Spiciness, intense flavors, ever so smooth, strength, character, balance, finish, and deep complexity.
Thank you Jack for starting my new year with a bang.

RATING: 92

I don’t have early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease as was previously proscribed.
I have Middle Stage Alzheimer’s Disease.
I’ve not told anyone as I felt I could still function. It has now become too difficult.

The symptoms of Middle Stage are:

1. Forgetfulness of events or about one’s own personal history.
2. Feeling moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.
3. Being unable to recall their own address or telephone number or the high school or college from which they graduated.
4. Confusion about where they are or what day it is.
5. The need for help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion.
6. Trouble controlling bladder and bowels in some individuals.
7. Changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping during the day and becoming restless at night.
8. An increased risk of wandering and becoming lost.
9. Personality and behavioral changes, including suspiciousness and delusions or compulsive, repetitive behavior like hand-wringing or tissue shredding.

I have all of the above.
Yes, I seem to be able to remember things that happened decades ago but that is normal.

The confusion is overwhelming. One of the distressing symptoms is that I lose cigars I intended to review. I have no idea how this happens, but it does.

I plan to make my last review on my 66th birthday: February 10, 2016.

I plan to still review cigars until then but it won’t be everyday as I have a very limited supply. Just a few cigars left. But I will continue to smoke cigars, as I can afford them, because the only time I can find my smile is when I am smoking a good cigar.

So I would like to go out with a bang.
I would like to review a killer cigar.
If you have any suggestions, and I can afford it, I will do your bidding. So take your time. The deadline will be the end of January so I can at least let the cigar rest a couple weeks before the review.

There is a very special group of people who have helped me with money for medical bills and donating cigars. I will honor them all, and thank them, on my last review.

And I will thank all the wonderful people who send me emails and messages and comments on Feb. 10.

It’s been an honor to have so many readers that look to me for the real low down on cigars. I appreciate every single one of you.

I will not take the site down. It stays up as long as I’m alive. The catalog is just too big to toss away.

So, I look forward to your suggestions for that right cigar to review on my birthday.

Much love and respect,
Your Uncle Katman

P.S.
If you would like to contact me:
Phillip Kohn
3854 S. Marcy St.
Milwaukee, WI
53220
phillipkohn@gmail.com

Wrapper: Brazilian Ligero Oscuro
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican (La Canela)
Size: 6.5 X 58 “Chisel Box Pressed”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $11.00
39 DAYS AND COUNTING TO FEBRUARY 10, 2016 AND THE BIG GOODBYE!

Today we take a look at the La Flor Dominicana Chapter One.
Thanks to Jonathan Carney at LFD for the samples. They have sponsored me for a couple of years. The blend is so limited that it doesn’t show up on the LFD web site.
I realize that this was a limited production cigar in 2013 and finding one may not be easy. I did a bit of research and found them for sale at Thompson Cigar and Holt’s Cigars.

BACKGROUND:
Factory: Tabacalera La Flor S.A.
10,000 Boxes of 10 Cigars
Release Date: August 9, 2013

From Halfwheel.com:
“I spoke with Litto Gomez in November 2010 and he said that he pinches the Chisel when he smokes it. He also said that if you cut the cap, it completely changes the flavor.”

Didn’t know that.

From the Cigar Aficionado web site (June 28, 2013):
“Gomez told Cigar Aficionado the project was the brainchild of his son Tony. “He made it fatter and he flattened it,” Gomez said this morning.

“When asked if the cigar was strong, Gomez replied: “Very. I think it’s the strongest Chisel. The broadleaf binder kicks it up.”

“The Brazilian wrapper used on this smoke is from the same tobacco used for the La Flor Dominicana TAA cigar and in the Casa de Tabaco Air Bender Maduro, but from a higher priming. A high-priming leaf is grown higher on the tobacco plant, resulting in darker color and more power.”

DESCRIPTION:
This is a big honker of a cigar. The biggest chisel head LFD has made.
To be totally truthful, I’m not a fan of the chisel. It is awkward and isn’t comfortable in the mouth. But if Litto says the experience is better using the squeeze technique, then that is what I shall do for this review.

This log is semi-oily with a matte finish. The wrapper is a gorgeous dark chocolate in color and silky smooth.
The box press is soft. But the transition from the foot to the chisel cap is somewhat artistic.
Seams are tight. Lots of small veins and a couple of big ones. This is one packed cigar. No soft spots. And heavy, man, heavy. (60’s speak).

The double cigar bands’ gold lettering on a chocolate brown background amplifies the look of the wrapper.
It’s hard to count the number of caps on a chisel but it looks like 3, maybe 4.
I reviewed the Capitulo II back in August of 2014. The only similarities was it was that it was also a big cigar with a chisel head. Totally different blend but a killer cigar.

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell barnyard, chocolate, floral notes, dried fruit, fresh fruit, sweetness, coffee, and cedar.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell dark, bittersweet chocolate, strong espresso, spice, dried fruit, and cedar.
The cold draw presents flavors of a German chocolate cake, spice, sweetness, cedar, roasted nuts, and a bit of salty pretzel.
The chisel cap makes it difficult to hold it in your mouth without biting down.

FIRST THIRD:
The draw is perfect.
Man oh man…this is like biting down on a habanero pepper. Pepper Bomb Alert!
My eyes water and my shnoz drools.

I’m guessing I got one of the original 2013 sticks so it should be ready to go. Normally, LFD blends take a long time in the humidor. I’ve had this cigar less than a month. And I was only sent one so no fuck ups allowed.

Flavors: Dark chocolate cake, espresso, malts, raisins, a super-rich earthiness, caramel, and cedar.
Strength is medium body.

Very nice start. Yeah, most definitely. Jonathan sent me an original 2013 model sitting in the LFD warehouse for a couple years, or more. This baby is whippin’ the horses and yelling ..(A perfect example of my frustration. I was going to use a famous movie quote and not only could I not remember it, but I couldn’t remember the name of the movie or the stars. And this movie is a legend. So frustrating).
The musical selection is The Beatles once again. Comforting.

As you can see in the photo below, my bite marks have made the cap look like a dog’s chew stick:

The La Flor Dominicana Chapter One is going to take a month of Sundays to smoke. They couldn’t have filled the cigar with another single shred of leaf. And it’s so heavy that I can’t help but bite down while I type.

Meaty. Earthy. Packed full of tampons. (??) The mind goes where it wants to go.
Be grateful when your wife finishes menopause. The sex is free…so to speak. No birth control needed. But then your wife is so pumped up with hormone therapy she no longer wants to have sex.

The usual suspects of malts clear the deck and move upfront of the flavor line.
In order to keep this review from being a 3 hour read, I will move about freely in the house. Speaking of “Animal Crackers,” it was on TCM the other night. My favorite Marx Bros. movie.

The La Flor Dominicana Chapter One is not really a broad minded flavor profile but it uses the flavors wisely. They are already complex with only 1” burned. But the flavor profile is not a kitchen sink blend…at least, not yet. The balance is good. And the finish is on its way to becoming spectacular.
Boy, when LFD gets it right, it’s mint.

I smoked the re-vamped Coronado the other night and it blew me away. With only a couple or so weeks of humidor time.
The construction and the char line are dead nuts perfect.
Don’t you just love a cigar that doesn’t pester you with the annoyance of constant touch ups or errant wrapper seams?

One inch burned and it has been longer than 15 minutes. Of course, the part that looks like the boa ate the rabbit is at the bottom so as I move towards the top of the cigar, it slims down and shall smoke faster. It already takes me forever to write reviews now. But a 5 hour review does not become fun after the 3rd hour.
I shall move freely now and come back when the cigar makes a move towards progress to the second third.

That wonderful spiciness has moved to the back of the pack. Too bad.
That meatiness is more defined now. Another cigar blend that has that terrific BBQ steak flavor. Medium rare. Just salt and pepper. No fancy spices.
The fruity flavors are defined as well: dried figs, dates (Medjool, of course), and Honey Crisp apples. Nice.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 40 minutes.
Strength moves to medium/full body.

I’ve got 3 cigars left to review so I shall spread them out as I get to February 10.
I did buy two Angel’s Anvil TAA 2015 Toros from Corona Cigar. It should be here in a week. Although, at $8 for shipping, it should be here tomorrow.

I find this an absolutely delicious, manly cigar blend.
The La Flor Dominicana Chapter One is most assuredly for the experienced palate.

This is where that experienced palate comes to play. When flavors are subtle and nuanced, instead of bold, one can use that opportunity to fine tune that palate. The term “earthiness and leather” are way overused.

But there is a true earthy flavor that isn’t hidden by other flavors in the La Flor Dominicana Chapter One. It gives the blend real depth of character. I don’t think, at this point, the Chapter One will become a flavor bomb. I also don’t think it will explode with flavor in the last third. Litto designed this blend so that the smoker must really hunker down and focus on what it presents to said smoker.
One is reminded that if only 100,000 cigars were released in 2013, why are they still for sale? Did word of mouth kill the radio star?

Since I am enjoying this blend so much, I have the answer. There weren’t enough patient palates to make this cigar a bloomin’ success. We are so used to big and bold flavors that when a cigar blend forces us to truly analyze what’s going on, it’s work. Requiring a lot of focus. And most smokers probably don’t want to invest the time to dissect the blend as it should be.

The La Flor Dominicana Chapter One is a grown up cigar blend. It is full of subtlety and nuance. It makes you scrunch your forehead to squeeze the flavors into your brain.

As long as this cigar will take to smoke, I’ve not become bored or disinterested. I’m intrigued with what comes next. It is super smooth.
The other intriguing device is the chisel head. It acts like a funnel to force flavors through a smaller aperture. Therefore, intensifying the experience. Even when that experience does not include being a flavor bomb.

The halfway point. Smoke time is one hour 5 minutes.

The malts really take off. Caramel Wheat Malt, Chocolate Malt, Coffee Malt, and Flaked Oats Malt. (See Malt Chart).

New flavors: Creaminess, strawberry, and nutty toffee.

The La Flor Dominicana Chapter One deserves utmost attention and focus. Flavors are becoming more fluid and intense. It has made a quantum leap from one type of blend to a different type of blend. The first being so subtle and delectable demanding total focus on your part. And the second type is one more traditional. Flavors aren’t subtle any longer. They stick out like your big shnoz. And growing.
Don’t give in to the “I don’t want to smoke a 2-1/2 hour cigar” mind set. It is too masterfully blended for that attitude.

And I believe if the La Flor Dominicana Chapter One were released in 2015, it would cost a whole lot more shekels. $11 is a deal on, not only the size, but the intense quality of the blend. There is a whole boat load of $11 cigars out there that don’t touch the hem of this blend. The original MSRP was $10.50.

I would definitely make a trip to Holt’s or Thompson and snag a single or a 10 count box. The price is even cheaper if you buy the box. Brings the price down to $10 per stick. Both Thompson and Holt’s offer it the same way. Either by singles or a box.

I’m pretty sure that Thompson and Holt’s split the difference and bought up all that is left of the La Flor Dominicana Chapter One. So who knows how long they will still have them?

The La Flor Dominicana Chapter One should be a glowing success. But inexperienced palates did us all a favor by not appreciating the blend and 2 years after a limited release finds the cigar still on the market.

I’m going to miss reviewing. But so far, I’ve spent hours on this review. My typing skills are gone. And I struggle to find words. I keep a couple of tabs open in my browser for an online dictionary and a Thesaurus. Last night, I was discussing this with Charlotte and I couldn’t remember what the Thesaurus was called and nonchalantly called it a Dinosaurus. It made perfect sense to me. Charlotte had tears in her eyes from laughing at me.

The flavors once again: Chocolate, creaminess, malts, coffee, caramel, meaty, toffee, cedar, rich earth, dried fruit, and fresh apples.
I ain’t going to kid you. Figuring out the flavor profile was no mean feat. It requires intense scrutiny. And a shit load of patience. But there is treasure at the end of the rainbow.

Music program has changed to a compilation of “Funky Heavy Bluesy.” I had to bring up the browser three times because I kept forgetting those three words. Just a little window into my illness.

While taking my time, I’m cruising the interwebs. I just found the deal of the month. Atlantic Cigar is selling the HR Cigars By Hirochi Robaina HR Sampler 4-CT sampler.

The price is nearly half off at $42.50. Every single outlet is selling this same sampler for over $75.00. No shit. These are all $20 sticks folks. And killer cigars. The sizes are: Robusto No 48 (5 1/8 x 48), Belicoso No 52 (5 1/2 x 52), Toro No 52 (6 x 52), and Sublime (6 1/2 x 54). You must try this as this is a deal not to be missed. It says that the deal is only good through December 25 so I have no idea why the deal is still there. So, if this interests you, act now.
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Cigar Co.

That killed some time. I’m now approaching two hours of smoke time.
And then a major leap in the flavor profile occurs.
The pepper returns in force. The flavors become bold and furious. Bitch slapping my palate with every puff.

Godamm the Pusherman! This is some cigar. I cannot fathom how there are any cigars left. I might have an idea. Most LFD blends take a long time in your humidor before being ready to smoke. Picking the right time is difficult. Too soon and the cigar is tossed. Too much humidor time and the blend becomes blah.

Clearly, my stick has at least two years aging on it. It may have been totally different in those early days after the release. But now, the La Flor Dominicana Chapter One is anything but blah or bland. It is one of those rare blends that hits the blender’s intent after a long rest. It has lost nothing. I’m guessing of course.

But you can ignore all those reviews that came out just after the cigar did. None of them got it right. This is one advantage of being poor…reviewing cigars long after they were hip and happenin’. Being the first on the block doesn’t necessary guarantee the right experience.

The La Flor Dominicana Chapter One is fucking unbelievable now. If you don’t buy at least a couple singles, you’re out of my will.
Just make sure you tell Thompson or Holt’s that the Katman sent you. I want them to know why there was a rush to buy their cigars.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is 2 hours 15 minutes.
This review might take me right up to my old man nap time at 3pm.

But I am so enjoying it. LFD and Jonathan Carney were very generous with me but I wish they had sent me a few of these sticks instead of just one. I know, I know…I’m a whiny old Jew.
I should be grateful that Carney sent me any at all. But I truly love this cigar. And my rating will reflect that.

The La Flor Dominicana Chapter One needs its second touch up. Nothing major.
The blend is super complex.

The strength remains at a steady medium/full body.
Construction was excellent. Balance was perfect. And it had a nice long chewy finish.
With less than 2” to go, the La Flor Dominicana Chapter One completely surprises me and becomes a bona fide flavor bomb. It is still uber smooth. No harshness or heat.
The creaminess, malts, chocolate and other ancillary flavors go big. And out of nowhere, the blend becomes very fruity.
Nicotine creeps in with 1-1/2″ to go.
With about an inch or so left, I put it down. I’m exhausted.
Go get some.

RATING: 93

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican (Cuban Seed) Corojo
Filler: Nicaraguan (Estelí), PA Ligero
Size: 5 x 50 “Robusto”
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $6.48 MSRP ($5.52 @ Famous Smoke)

Today we take a look at the new Manolo Estate Cigars Serie 32 Habano.
Thanks to Luis Gutierrez, co-founder, of Manolo Estate Cigars for the samples.

I received all three blends yesterday and lit up this blend ROTT. To say I was blown away is an understatement. Therefore, I am reviewing the blend after only one day of humidor rest. And immediately amended my “Top 25 Cigars for 2015” to include this cigar.

BACKGROUND:
From the Manolo Estate Cigars web site:
“The Serie 32 Habano uses a rich, properly aged blend of mostly Cuban Criollo 98 seed varietals that imbue this cigar with its full-bodied taste that is reminiscent of vintage old school Cuban cigars starting with its exquisite Ecuadorian Habano broad leaf wrapper. The masterful blend of Cuban-seed Dominican-grown Corojo, Ligero, and Seco, coupled with a strong base of Nicaraguan Estelí and Pennsylvania Ligero provide the perfect balance of smooth flavor and rich complexity that envelops your palate with a satisfying aftertaste of sweet spices and a nutty essence leaving behind an unmistakable aroma that soothes the senses of the most discerning cigar connoisseur.

“Manolo Estate cigars are made with select complimentary wrappers, fillers, and binders from around the globe and then aged at least 3 years before finally being hand rolled into a perfectly matured cigar that lives up to our time-honored Cuban family tradition. Our Manolos are then stored in a special aging room for an additional 12 months until they are delicately packaged in our Spanish cedar encasements for your enjoyment.

“The release of Manolo Estate Handmade Cigars marks the team of Luis Gutierrez and Juan Carlos Rojas’ official foray into the cigar industry following their initial role as purveyors of fine premium cigars at their tobacconist shops, Ash Fine Cigars located at 203 Washington Street in Hoboken, NJ and 2915 Rt. 23 South in Newfoundland, NJ.

“Proudly named after both Juan Carlos Rojas’ father Manuel “Manolo” Rojas and Luis Gutiérrez’s great-grandfather Don Manuel “Manolo” Gutiérrez.

Their latest creation is a line called Cuban Heritage Collection. It has 3 blends:
Gran Fino Connecticut: Wrapper: Connecticut Shade Broadleaf, Binder: Dominican Criollo ’98, Filler: Dominican (Cuban Seed) Ligero, Filler: Nicaraguan (Esteli), PA tobacco. (Mild/Medium)
Serie 32 Habano: (See leaf stats above)
Heavyweight Maduro: Wrapper: San Andrés Maduro, Binder: Dominican Criollo ’98, Filler: Nicaraguan (Estelí), PA tobacco, Dominican Ligero. (Full)
All three blends come in the same two sizes and the same price points.

DESCRIPTION:
A gorgeous oily wrapper that is the mocha brown in color. There is a small bit of tooth that creates a sandy feel to the touch.
Seams are locked tight. Lots of small veins but based on the oiliness, the color, and mottling…it makes the wrapper look like fine art.
The triple cap is impeccable. The sticks are solid. With the proper amount of give.
The bands on all three blends are classy and simple:

SIZES AND PRICING:
5 x 50 Robusto $6.48 MSRP ($5.52 @ Famous Smoke)
6 x 60 Double Toro $8.47 MSRP ($7.43 @ Famous Smoke)

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell fruit, citrus, sweetness, spice, dark earth notes, cedar, and molasses.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell delicious dark bittersweet chocolate, very strong spice, barnyard, espresso, cedar, and hay.
The cold draw presents flavors of hay, grass, chocolate, spice, earthiness, and spice.

FIRST THIRD:
The draw is spot on.
Whew! My face explodes into flames. SPICE! Man, I love it. But as strong as the spice is, other flavors are just as powerful: Chocolate, malts, coffee, sweetness, caramel, charred steak, cedar, and a touch of grapefruit citrus.

This is why I chose to review this cigar. Because it only gets better from here.
It doesn’t start like a lamb and grow into a lion; it starts as a lion and turns into a Giganotosaurus. The malts are strong and delicious. More on that later.

While close to being a kitchen sink flavor profile, it is more about the boldness. As well as a backup of ancillary subtleties that I cannot yet identify.
I remember yesterday. (Odd for a change). And thinking that Manolo Estate says it is a medium/full body and the Maduro is the full body. Well, halfway through the Serie 32 Habano, I thought I was flying on a magic carpet ride.

The char line began a bit wavy but now is dead nuts perfect.
Which reminds me….As I only received these cigars yesterday after nearly a week in transit; I should expect some burn issues. Which is no fault of the cigar. It is my impatience to bring a superb cigar to you.
Strength is medium/full.
So smooth.

OK. Here are the malts: Cara Vienna Malt, Chocolate Rye Malt, Coffee Malt, and Honey Malt. (See Malt Chart).

The Manolo Estate Cigars Serie 32 Habano is the type of blend you want to roll naked, and oiled up, in a big ball pit. Does that make any sense?
Dried fruit, roasted nuts, grapefruit citrus becomes dried pineapple, and charred lamb instead of charred steak. This is Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

If you don’t go to Famous Smoke right now and buy some, you’re nuts.

The Manolo Estate Cigars web site has a sizeable Retailer Page you should check out. I counted over 30 B & M’s. Plus a few online stores. Check it out, I say.

The price point on this cigar is insane. If this were a big manufacturer’s cigar or even a good boutique brand, this cigar would cost $14.00. Instead, it is less than half. At Famous, a 21 count box of the Manolo Estate Cigars Serie 32 Habano is only $116.00. Crazy.
I told you that I would make my last 5 weeks something special.

It is very difficult to describe a cigar in which the only thing that comes to mind is WOW!
Transitions. Depth of character. Rich complexity. Perfect balance. Long, long chewy finish.
Luis Gutierrez and Juan Carlos Rojas should be very proud of themselves. Out of nowhere they bring to the table exquisite blends at a very wallet friendly price.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 25 minutes.
Strength is moving towards full body.

Here they are: Chocolate, malts, spiciness, coffee, creaminess, molasses, caramel, roasted nuts, charred lamb, dried fruit, cedar, floral notes, rich earth notes, herbal notes, and licorice.
Once again: WOW!

I’m thinking that the Manolo Estate Cigars Serie 32 Habano should be higher than No.12 on “THE KATMAN’S TOP 25 CIGARS OF 2015.”

This is the most fun I’ve had with my pants on in ages.

Flavors rise exponentially. Never giving in. Never lessening in boldness. Transitions move around my palate like the Hadron Collider shooting particles at near the speed of light.
Smoke pours from this small cigar like a 1975 rock concert. Back then, everyone used smoke machines. But as the technology was new, they used some sort of oil that if exposed too long, gave you diarrhea. They fixed that of course.

I want to thank all the wonderful comments and loads of emails I’ve gotten from readers that I’ve heard from for the first time plus the old stalwarts. I cry each time I read one. LOL. Alzheimer’s has turned me into an old woman.

The halfway point. Smoke time is 40 minutes.

Caramel and creaminess push their way up the line of flavors as does the nuttiness. The spiciness has calmed down quite a bit. I betcha’ a dollar it returns in force in the last third.
The malts are flaming red.
I can’t remember how I learned of Manolo Estate Cigars. Maybe their Face Book page? I just cannot remember. I’m kvelling with mazel that I found them before I shut down the shop.

Strength hits full body. No sign of nicotine.
Really. Stop reading and go buy some.

I check out the couple of other online stores that carry them. One doesn’t. The other sells them for much more (And doesn’t carry all the blends). Famous Smoke is the designated hitter.
And since Famous is a sponsor, Katman readers get 15% off orders over $75.00. The promo code is KATMAN. That means a 21 count box of robustos goes for $98.60, or $ 4.70 per stick…instead of $ $5.52. Pure insanity!!

The Manolo Estate Cigars Serie 32 Habano has required a couple minor touch ups but I expected that as it didn’t get proper humidor time. I cannot begin to imagine what the cigar will taste like after a couple months.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is one hour 5 minutes.
As predicted, the spiciness returns. Just like the start of the cigar.
Flavors explode. Bona fide flavor bomb.

I can’t wait to try the Gran Fino Connecticut and the Heavyweight Maduro.
If I had the dough, I would definitely buy a box of Manolo Estate Cigars Serie 32 Habano.
I will review the Heavyweight Maduro tomorrow.

It’s friggin’ cold here in Milwaukee. It’s 23°. And since we had a couple days of snow, it has turned to solid ice. And I’ve got the dining room window open where I write. Brrrr…

The Manolo Estate Cigars Serie 32 Habano is a spectacular blend.
I am duly impressed.
Remember, if you choose to follow your Uncle Katman’s advice and go to Famous Smoke and snag some; let them know I sent you.

RATING: 94

And now for something completely different:

In the last couple of months, I’ve become friendly with the three brothers that run the family owned J.C. Newman Cigar Co. Bobby, Drew, and Eric.

Turns out that the patriarch, who started the company before 1900, was named Julius Newman. The Diamond Crown Julius Ceaser is named for him.

As it turns out, he was my grandfather’s best friend. Both from Hungary. Lived in Cleveland. Both smoked cigars of course. And both families Jewish. Julius was about 15 years older than my grandpa. But it seemed to have no impact on their friendship.

I remember when I was a little guy, on the times my grandpa visited us in Long Beach, Julius would make the trip to hang with us. I remember Julius well. Gramps and Julius loved each other. Friends for life. After Julius’ death in 1957, my grandpa was inconsolable. Gramps died in 1979 at 83. For over 20 years after Julius’ death, that was all my grandfather talked about was his friendship with Julius.

The Newmans sent me a precious book that is only one of a hundred still in existence. Written by Julius called “Smoke Dreams.” And they put a nice note inside the cover.

They also sent me a book that their dad, Stanford, wrote called: “Cigar Family – A 100 Year journey in the Cigar Industry.”

I received both books yesterday and Charlotte and I spent hours on the couch reading Julius’ book. When I saw the photos of Julius, I broke out into sobs. I loved my grandfather very much. He was my dad’s pop. I never knew my other grandfather as he died when I was 2.

So, now I’m referred to as “Cousin Phil” by the Newmans.

The Newmans also presented me with a care package of cigars.
I would have never guessed in a million years that something like this would happen in my latter senior years. Just before I take the long Alzheimer’s nap. I am grateful.

My grandparents and my father (circa 1927):

Wrapper: San Andrés Maduro
Binder: Dominican Criollo ’98
Filler: Nicaraguan (Estelí), PA tobacco, Dominican Ligero
Size: 5 x 50 “Robusto”
Body: Full
Price: $6.48 MSRP ($5.52 @ Famous Smoke)

Today we take a look at the new Manolo Estate Cigars Heavyweight Maduro.
Thanks to Luis Gutierrez, co-founder, of Manolo Estate Cigars for the samples.

I received all three blends two days ago and lit up the Manolo Estate Cigars Serie 32 Habano ROTT. To say I was blown away is an understatement. I reviewed the blend after only one day of humidor rest. And immediately amended my “Top 25 Cigars for 2015” to include this cigar. I expect the same experience with the Heavyweight Maduro.

BACKGROUND:
From the Manolo Estate Cigars web site:
“The Heavyweight Maduro is a wonderfully full-bodied cigar that packs a powerful punch unlike any other on the market today. This high-octane powerhouse of a cigar weighs in with a potent blend of Cuban Criollo 98 binder blended with Nicaraguan Estelí, Pennsylvania tobacco, and Dominican Ligero filler, dressed in a deliciously dark Mexican San Andre’s maduro wrapper. The Heavyweight comes out of its corner swinging with a combination of strong spicy notes of pepper and jabs of leather on the palate making it the undisputed serious cigar for the serious smoker.

“Manolo Estate cigars are made with select complimentary wrappers, fillers, and binders from around the globe and then aged at least 3 years before finally being hand rolled into a perfectly matured cigar that lives up to our time-honored Cuban family tradition. Our Manolos are then stored in a special aging room for an additional 12 months until they are delicately packaged in our Spanish cedar encasements for your enjoyment.

“The release of Manolo Estate Handmade Cigars marks the team of Luis Gutierrez and Juan Carlos Rojas’ official foray into the cigar industry following their initial role as purveyors of fine premium cigars at their tobacconist shops, Ash Fine Cigars located at 203 Washington Street in Hoboken, NJ and 2915 Rt. 23 South in Newfoundland, NJ.

“Proudly named after both Juan Carlos Rojas’ father Manuel “Manolo” Rojas and Luis Gutiérrez’s great-grandfather Don Manuel “Manolo” Gutiérrez.

Their latest creation is a line called Cuban Heritage Collection. It has 3 blends:
Gran Fino Connecticut: Wrapper: Connecticut Shade Broadleaf, Binder: Dominican Criollo ’98, Filler: Dominican (Cuban Seed) Ligero, Filler: Nicaraguan (Esteli), PA tobacco. (Mild/Medium)
Serie 32 Habano: Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Broadleaf, Binder: Dominican (Cuban Seed) Corojo, Filler: Nicaraguan (Estelí), PA Ligero
Heavyweight Maduro: (See leaf stats above)
All three blends come in the same two sizes and the same price points.

DESCRIPTION:
These sticks aren’t quite as oily as the Serie 32 Habano. Close, but no cigar. There is a heavy mottling of the wrapper which is the color of dark coffee beans. The wrapper is extremely toothy and feels like heavy grit sandpaper. This is why it doesn’t seem as oily.
In fact, this is the toothiest cigar I’ve smoked in I don’t know how long.

Seams are tight. Lots of veins. The triple cap is impeccable. The stick is solid with little give.

SIZES AND PRICING:
5 x 50 Robusto $6.48 MSRP ($5.52 @ Famous Smoke)
6 x 60 Double Toro $8.47 MSRP ($7.43 @ Famous Smoke)

AROMAS AND COLD DRAW NOTES:
From the shaft, I smell a touch of honey, spice, coffee, leather, and floral notes.
From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell barnyard, dark chocolate, spice, espresso, floral notes, honey, cedar, and charred marshmallow.
The cold draw presents flavors of Slim Jim, cream, sweetness, herbal notes, pine, chocolate, and cedar.

FIRST THIRD:
The draw is great.
Like the Serie 32 Habano, it starts off as a pepper bomb. I just love that. Separates us men from the mice. Or meeces.

Simple flavors come forth: Spice, very creamy, milk chocolate, malts, Heath toffee bar, coffee, sweetness, cedar, caramel, and dark earth notes.
Strength is medium body.
And of course, my worst nightmare….a cigar band with gold lettering on a gold background. My camera is crying.

The Manolo Estate Cigars Heavyweight Maduro has some very unusual flavors lying at the bottom of the flavor profile I cannot yet identify. I’ll get them.

The caramel, creaminess, and Heath toffee bar are very strong as is the chocolate flavor.
Plumes of smoke fill the air around my head.

There is a combination of a buttery cookie and something meaty. Like me.

Complexity settles in early with less than an inch burned. I’m surprised that the strength is not more potent. As a described full body blend, the medium/full bodied Serie 32 Habano was much stronger at this point.

The ash is hanging tough with an even burn.
There is a citrusy flavor. Pineapple dunked in melted chocolate. Odd but delicious.
And then bam! Strength hits medium/full body.

Flavors become more definitive: the malts are what can expect with this flavor profile, pumpkin pie spices, charred marshmallow becomes homemade whipped cream…and elements of honeysuckle.

SECOND THIRD:
Smoke time is 20 minutes.
So far, I’m more impressed with the Serie 32 Habano. It was livelier.

I’m surprised that the strength hasn’t punched me in the face yet as I near the halfway point.
Flavors explode. Strength hits full body. Other reviewers would go back and delete the previous statement. But no, not me. I write stream of consciousness with one take only. No going back to fix things so therefore you get to see what a schmuck I am.
Flavors are screaming laughter. No shit.

The music accompaniment this morning is an old James Taylor Live album CD. Always loved that man’s music.

This stick doesn’t feel as packed as the Serie 32 Habano and therefore; it is smoking quicker.
While I am disappointed that the stick is not as full bodied as advertised, I am bowled over by the flavor profile. It possesses an array of flavors found mostly in much more expensive cigars. Not $5.00 cigars. There isn’t a $5 cigar on the market from the regular manufacturers that can touch this. Hammer says so.

The halfway point. Smoke time is 35 minutes.

A very smooth blend. Smoke blinds me as I try to hold the stick in my mouth and type at the same time.
The complexity is damn impressive. I’m also impressed with the very long lip smackin’ finish.
The spiciness had all but disappeared but is now back with a vengeance.

I checked out the two online stores that carry the Manolo Estate cigars: Famous Smoke and Cigar King. Famous only carries boxes. And Cigar King only sells the Heavyweight Maduro. But with the KATMAN promo code, at Famous, you get 15% off with the promo code: KATMAN.

There is too much glue on the cigar bands of the Maduro leaving a bunch of shmutz on the band. Doesn’t make for a pretty photo.

Creaminess runs the show. But in tandem, so do the malts and the chocolate.
Strength hits full body.

Clearly, this is not a ground breaking blend. It does well with the flavors it emits, but I’ve tasted them before. What it has over most blends is the price. With the 15% promo code discount, a box of Robustos is only $4.70 per stick. You’re not going to find another blend, for this price, that is this good.

The Manolo Estate Cigars Heavyweight Maduro would normally be in the $7-$10 range if sold by a greedy manufacturer.

With each puff, the flavor profile expands. The character is rich and decadent. Mostly, a dessert-like bunch of flavors. This has to be one of the smoothest full body cigars I’ve smoked.
The Manolo Estate Cigars Heavyweight Maduro time travels and makes a quantum leap with the flavor profile. Bona fide flavor bomb. So, it has that in common with the Serie 32 Habano.

Luis Gutierrez and Juan Carlos Rojas sure know how to blend cigars, baby.
Again, I wish Taste-O-Vison were available. I can’t believe how intensely decadent the flavor profile is.
Construction is top notch. The char line has wavy moments…but no big deal.

Lately, I’ve smoked a couple of blends that were similar in that they were full bodied but so smooth as to disguise the sheer strength of the blend.
Usually, a full bodied cigar hits you over the head with a sledge hammer. No subtleties or nuances. Just overwhelming power. Not with the Manolo Estate Cigars Heavyweight Maduro. It’s a beautifully balanced blend. I’m in awe. And you won’t read me saying that very often.

LAST THIRD:
Smoke time is 50 minutes.
I’m betting with more humidor time, the blend will change and be even more phantasmagorical.

I began this review yesterday but had to stop halfway through. I will explain. After this review, I shall publish an homage to our dog, Ebba.

Flavors haven’t change. So no need to list them. They are just so intense that my palate is going nuts.

The Manolo Estate Cigars Heavyweight Maduro is a great deal for the wallet conscious. I rated the Habano a 94. I am rating the Manolo Estate Cigars Heavyweight Maduro a couple points lower for the simple reason that I wanted the strength to be punchier. But still, a 92 ain’t nothing to sneeze at.
The Serie 32 Habano came out of the gate with guns a’ blazin’. It took some time for the Manolo Estate Cigars Heavyweight Maduro to kick into gear. Merely a humidor aging issue. Nothing more.

I still have the Gran Fino Connecticut to review. Can’t wait.

I also have some new sticks sent to me by a couple of readers. One is the The Angel’s Anvil TAA 2015. Another is the Chogiu Dos77. Another is the Cubanacan HR by Hirochi Robaina Sublime (6.5 x 54) A $20.00 cigar. I reviewed the Robusto back in April but I wanted to review this bigger size for comparison. This blend has been discontinued. And the last is the Cohiba Black.
And of course, I’m waiting on the new Inferno 3rd Degree and CAO Flathead Steel Horse from Famous Smoke to mellow in my humidor. Cory Grover, from Famous, sent me the giant behemoth 6.5 x 66 Bullneck. This will take forever. But luckily, a reader sent me the other size: 5.5 x 58. Should take less humidor time.

Check out the size of the Steel Horse compared to the robusto on the far right:

Oh…and another reader sent me the Ave Maria Morning Star. A 5 x 58 perfecto. I reviewed the giant 7.125 x 58 Salomon 18 months ago. So I will review the smaller size for comparison as well.

I will also review the Southern Draw Quickdraw and the Purlamb I received from the Cigar Federation Cigar of the Month Club. I believe that does it.

This is my last month with the club. The club started out pretty good but then CF started throwing in tiny cigars and their house blends and the savings, after doing the math, was only a savings of $5 over buying the selections as singles. Stick a fork in me. I’m done.

But all these cigars need a couple weeks or so of humidor time so there will be a lull in my last month of reviewing.

Back to the Manolo Estate Cigars Heavyweight Maduro.
I’m near the end. It finishes cool and without harshness.
It’s a shame that Famous only sells them in boxes. But it is my advice that both Manolo Estate blends I’ve reviewed are box worthy. Especially, with the KATMAN 15% discount. If I had the dough, I’d snag a box of Serie 32 Habano first and the Maduro second.
I highly recommend the Manolo Estate Cigars Heavyweight Maduro. Just don’t be impatient like me. Give it a few weeks or longer.

RATING: 92