Event - Oliva Cigar Night

When: Friday, July 11th from 5pm-9pm
Where: CigarLand next to Central Market in Shoreline
Address: 15407 Westminister Way N, 5-C, Shoreline (206)-440-1474

The Oliva Cigar Family is making some of the hottest cigars in the industry and host John Ohm at CigarLand will provide beautiful Spanish wines that will complement these fantastic cigars.

The specials for the night are as follows:
- Buy three Oliva cigars and you get one free.
- Buy a box and you get 7 cigars free, plus a choice of Oliva Polo Shirt or Oliva Cap or Oliva Ashtray. Total free value is $85.00
- Buy two boxes and you get 14 cigars free, plus two choices from Oliva Polo Shirt, Oliva Cap or Oliva Ashtray. Total free value is $170.00
- Buy three boxes and you get 21 cigars free, plus all three items mentioned above. Total free value is $255.00
On top of all this, John will also take 15% off when you purchase a box!

Reyes Brand Change

Excerpted from “Reyes Family Brands Debut” by Rich Perelman

Veteran smokers are well familiar with the Cuba Aliados and Puros Indios brands, both made in Honduras by Rolando Reyes.

A set of new lines has been created under the title of “Reyes Family” cigars, underlining the company’s name change from Puros Indios to Reyes Family cigars. The blends were created by company president Carlos Diez, with input from the legendary Reyes.

Reyes Family Classic is designed as a mild-to-medium-bodied blend, featuring an Ecuadorian-grown, Sumatra-seed wrapper and binder and filler leaves from Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. Four sizes will be offered at mid-level pricing of $4.50 to $6.00 (not including local tobacco taxes) in boxes of 40 cigars each.

Reyes Family Premier is designed as medium in body, but with a dark maduro wrapper, also from Ecuador. The binder leaf is from the Condega region of Nicaragua and the filler leaves are exclusively from the Jalapa region of Nicaragua. Richer in flavor than the Classic, it is being offered in five sizes at retail prices of $6.00 to $9.00 per cigar, in boxes of 20.

With these introductions, Reyes Family now offers six distinct brands: Cuba Aliados (in two styles), Puros Indios (in two styles), Cienfuegos and Roly (a bundled, mixed-fill brand which is one of the best value cigars on the market today) and the two new Reyes Family lines. This is only the beginning, however, for Diez, as a Reyes Family Vintage line is also in the works.

Credit to CigarCyclopedia

Cigar of the Week (June 30th, 2008)

Double Corona

ASHTON VSG SPELLBOUND

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

90

Dark and slightly box pressed with almost no veins on the wrapper. Smokes well for a double corona, maintaining a balance of pepper and leather. The finish is also leathery.

LENGTH: 7 1/2"

RING GAUGE: 54

FILLER: Dom. Rep.

BINDER: Dom. Rep.

WRAPPER: Ecuador

$13.00

Source: Cigar Aficionado

Gift Review – Cohiba Siglo I

Another in our ongoing series of occasional reviews of cigars given to us as gifts. Featured this time is the Cohiba Siglo I, given to me by club member John on June 18th.

Vitola: Demi Corona

Origin: Cuba

Length: 4”

Ring Gauge: 40

Filler: Cuba

Binder: Cuba

Wrapper: Cuba

Strength: Medium

MSRP: $11.00

Produced in Cuba by Habanos, S.A., it’s small and beautiful, but also a little bit rustic. There’s just something special about looking down at that Cohiba wrapper that makes it feel extra special. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 88.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I sat down to rate this cigar while enjoying a glass of cognac.

Despite its slightly rustic exterior, it did appear rather well-constructed. I gave it perfect scores for texture, appearance, and roll quality; which was evident in its perfect burn. The draw was a tad tight, but perhaps appropriate for this small size to prevent me from going too fast with it. This cigar could have produced a little more smoke for my liking and I also found the ash a little on the darker side of grey, but it was quite stable.

The flavor was not particularly complex, for me, but I did detect some of the classic ‘grassy’ taste that I’ve had with previous Cubans. I found it to be of mild strength through the first third, with it eventually ramping up to a nice enjoyable medium body. The nub got pretty short on this little guy, while sitting with John out on his back deck enjoying a pleasant June evening.

My rating for the Cohiba Siglo I is 90.

Here's the points breakdown:

I. Appearance & Construction: 15 pts (100% of the points possible)

II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)

III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)

IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

New Miami-Made Cigars From La Gloria

Excerpted from “Miami-Made La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Hitting Market” by David Savona

Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s six-year project to create a new Miami-made cigar is nearing completion. La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Miami should go on sale next month.

“We’ve been producing them since January,” said Perez- Carrillo of the cigars, which he originally hoped to debut in May. “We’re basically waiting on packaging. The project started about six years ago. Every year, something postponed it.” He says he tried some 50 blends before settling on the final one, which he fell in love with while puffing away one night at home, on his terrace.

The cigars—stronger than his original, traditional La Gloria Cubanas—are made with a greater proportion of Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. The wrapper leaf is also new—instead of Ecuador Sumatra, these cigars are made with Habano-seed wrapper grown in Nicaragua by the Plasencia family. The binder is Ecuador Sumatra, and there is also Dominican tobacco in the filler blend. The cigars are finished with new La Gloria bands: the colors and shading have been adjusted and enhanced, adding new dimension and depth, and giving the band the appearance of a vintage print.

The real hallmark of the cigars is that they are made in Miami at El Credito Cigars, which has been located on historic Calle Ocho, or Eighth Street, since 1968. The factory, like all Miami factories, is small, with only 10 rollers. “We’re looking for more,” said Perez-Carrillo. For now, they are only making Artesanos de Miami cigars. Production will be limited: Perez-Carrillo thinks he will make 250,000 this year, with as many as 300,000 in 2009. Initially, only 100 stores will sell the cigar.

The cigar will come in five sizes: Elegante, which is 6 7/8 inches long by 49 ring gauge; Gran Corona Especiale, 6 by 54; Sabrosos, 5 1/2 by 52; Artesanitos, 5 by 46; and the Campana Chica, a smallish torpedo that measures 5 1/2 by 58. They will retail for $8 to $13.

Ernesto Perez-Carrillo has been working on this cigar for years. They are finally ready, and the cigars will go on sale in about one month. Gregory Mottola, the tasting coordinator for Cigar Insider and Cigar Aficionado, found a few samples in New York.

The wrapper on the cigar is luscious, with lots of oils and a beautiful dark brown color, which is nice and even throughout. The construction is top-notch. The rollers at El Credito Cigars in Miami have always been especially talented. The caps aren’t mounted, but are carefully crafted.

The cigar is powerful, right from the first puff. Perez-Carrillo was trying to recapture the old La Gloria glory with this cigar, and he’s done a good job. There’s a nice red pepper zing to the smoke, which transitions into the classic La Gloria leather note. The cigar maintains its power and takes on a bit of creamy wood as it’s puffed, and it remains bold on the palate.
Score: 89–93 points
—DAVID SAVONA

Credit to Cigar Insider

Cigar of the Week (June 23rd, 2008)

Corona Gorda
CAO BRAZILIA CHANGO
HONDURAS
89
A very dark, excessively oily cigar with lots of tang but also a balancing sweetness that manifests as spicy licorice flavor. The finish is long.
LENGTH: 6 1/2"
RING GAUGE: 50
FILLER: Nicaragua
BINDER: Nicaragua
WRAPPER: Brazil
$6.80
Source: Cigar Aficionado

Cigar Rights Of America

CRA: Fighting to protect your freedom to enjoy cigars

Cigar Rights Of America announces the formation of a grassroots, non-profit association of cigar enthusiasts to fight tobacco tax increases and smoking bans.

Unfortunately for cigar enthusiasts, the age-old pleasure of enjoying a cigar is under attack. On a daily basis, your freedom to enjoy a cigar is being stripped away by an overzealous, anti-smoking movement. Their tactics are varied; be it through supporting onerous cigar taxes or lobbying government for restrictive smoking bans. The anti-smoking movement will stop at nothing short of the complete prohibition of tobacco.

In addition to tax increases on cigars, regularly introduced anti-smoking legislation has made it close to impossible for cigar enthusiasts to enjoy cigars. In many states, you are not allowed to enjoy a cigar at your local restaurant or bar. Cities around America are now proposing bans which will, if enacted, stop you from enjoying a cigar outside of public buildings. Who would have thought that the day would come when you cannot legally enjoy a cigar walking down the beach or sitting in your local park?

A number of manufacturers and retailers of the U.S. cigar industry have sponsored the formation of Cigar Rights of America (CRA). The founding sponsors of CRA are:

Arturo Fuente
Ashton Cigars
Camacho Cigars
Corona Cigar Company
Cusano Cigars
Davidoff
Drew Estate
General Cigar
God of Fire
Humidipak
J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
La Aurora
La Flor Dominicana
Perdomo
Oliva Cigar Co.
Padron Cigars
Prometheus
Rocky Patel
Thompson Cigar

In order to kick off the launching of Cigar Rights of America a number of cigar makers will tour several cities together for a week in August and attend the events organized by retail tobacconists. The tour will start with the event in New York City, which is tentatively scheduled for August 19th . Furthermore, limited edition cigars will be released by the cigar manufacturers sponsoring CRA to commemorate the launching of Cigar Rights of America.

There is a war against cigar enthusiasts everywhere. To combat the very influential anti-smoking movement, we need your help NOW. Join Cigar Rights Of America (CRA) and join the fight to protect your rights. For years, cigar enthusiasts have been trampled on by all levels of government. With increasing risk of further local, State and Federal government intervention, now is the time for the cigar community to unite and have a powerful voice to protect our rights.

To learn about CRA membership visit their web site, http://cigarrights.org/

Event - Padilla Cigar Night

When: Saturday June 21st from 4pm-8pm
Where: CigarLand (next to Central Market at 155th & Aurora)

Address: 15407 Westminister way N. 5-C, Shoreline, WA

Summer is about here and John at CigarLand of Shoreline is kicking things off with a Padilla Event! Contrary to the rumor of Padilla's demise, since their break with Pepin Garcia, they are making some of the finest cigars ever!

Buy three and you'll get one Padilla cigar free. Buy a box and you'll get 15% off and an additional 7 free Padilla cigars!

Come join us for a smoke with your fellow cigar lovers. The beverage of choice for this night will be port. It doesn't get much better than this!

Cigar of the Week (June 16th, 2008)

Figurado

PERDOMO HABANO COROJO TORPEDO

NICARAGUA

90

This well-made torpedo produces a rich, buttery smoke, toasty with earth, leather, and a meaty note. Medium to full bodied.

LENGTH: 6 1/2"

RING GAUGE: 54

FILLER: Nicaragua

BINDER: Nicaragua

WRAPPER: Nicaragua

$6.00

Source: Cigar Aficionado

Gift Review - Padron 6000 Torpedo (Nat.)

Another in our ongoing series of occasional reviews of cigars given to us as gifts. Featured this time is the Padron 6000, given to me by club member Pat back in August of '07.

Vitola: Torpedo
Origin: Nicaragua
Length: 5 1/2"
Ring Gauge: 52
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium to Full
MSRP: $7.40

Produced by Orlando and Jorge Padron, it features a dark, rich looking Nicaraguan wrapper and a skilfully executed torpedo shape. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 92.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I sat down to rate this cigar, in of all places: Las Vegas - while enjoying a margarita that I picked up at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, on the strip.

With a severe conical-shaped head, it appeared very well-constructed. To my great satisfaction, it drew and burned perfectly, so clearly roll quality was right on. This cigar could have produced a little more smoke for my liking and I also found the ash a little on the darker side of grey, but it was quite stable.

The flavor was of a dark, roasted sort of character, with a good amount of spice up front. Once that mellowed, I found it to be of medium strength through the first third, but would occasionally get these bursts of power that eluded to some serious flavors to look forward to. Through the second third, the flavor really ramped up, as expected, and I'll admit that the strength in the final third was just about too much for me. All in all, a great cigar smoking experience (need to get more of this brand).

My rating for the Padron 6000 is 87.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 15 pts (100% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 28 pts (80% of the points possible)

Cigar Roller Documentary Film

Excerpted from "Cigars: Fact & Fiction" on CigarAdvisor Blog by Gary Korb

Russell Griffin is an award-winning, independent filmmaker who has directed a documentary titled, "Los Tabaqueros." Mr. Griffin has an impressive resume, having directed both narrative and documentary films and TV commercials."

Los Tabaqueros is a short documentary about how premium hand rolled cigars are made and the passion the cigar makers (a/k/a "tabaqueros") put into their work.

"We focused our lenses on a small shop in perhaps the most famous cigar locale in America: Miami's Calle Ocho (8th Street)," writes Mr. Griffin. "How each type of leaf has a different purpose and why the 'tabaquero' chooses certain leaves to create unique flavor profiles."

Curious? Do check out the Los Tabaqueros trailer.

Credit to CigarAdvisor

Cigar of the Week (June 9th, 2008)

Robusto
PUNCH MAGNUM
HONDURAS
90
A robusto with a rich, dark cocoa complexion. An even draw imparts woody, leathery smoke balanced by almond flavors and a pleasant spiciness.
LENGTH: 5 1/4"
RING GAUGE: 54
FILLER: Nicaragua, Honduras, Dom. Rep.
BINDER: USA/Conn. Broadleaf
WRAPPER: Ecuador
$4.75
Source: Cigar Aficionado

NEW AVO FROM DAVIDOFF

Exerpted from "A New Avo From Davidoff" by Gregory Mottola

Cigar maker and musician Avo Uvezian has just turned 82 years old and to commemorate his birthday, Davidoff of Geneva released the annual Avo LE cigar. The LE-08, dubbed Tesoro (“treasure” in Spanish) was released with the usual fanfare on March 24 in New York City at the Avo gala dinner held at Rothmann’s Steakhouse. Avo fans were treated to a three-course meal, an array of Avo cigars and a chance to be among the first in the country to sample the new release.

Uvezian addressed the crowd, stressing the importance of quality and vowing to maintain the high standards of every Avo cigar. “There must be quality for your lifestyle and passion for what you do,” said Uvezian. “There are no LE-07 cigars left from last year... This year we’re celebrating the 82-year anniversary with the Tesoro, and the cigar is milder.” Tesoro is made with a blend of San Vicente and Piloto Cubano tobaccos from the Dominican Republic tempered by Olor tobacco and a sun-grown Ecuadoran wrapper.

Unlike previous limited-edition Avo releases, the Tesoro is cellophaned and comes packaged headfirst in unorthodox upright slide-top boxes of 20. It measures 5 3/4 inches long by 50 ring and retails for $12 per cigar. The foot sports a copper-colored band.

Credit to Cigar Insider

Herf #13 - Meat Lover's Paradise

June 1st, 2008 - Woodway, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Eric, Pat, Joe, and Tom. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a good cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group tasting' following dinner.

The Six of us feasted on Tom's famous smoked meats, on his back deck. The slow-smoked beef and pork roasts were amazing and combined with his artful grilled romaine heads and washed down with Joe's home brewed winter ale. Once everyone had their fill, it was time for the tasting session.

Our selection for this Herf was the Rocky Patel Decade Torpedo. A beautiful figurado measuring 6 and 1/2 inches long with a ring guage of 52. This Decade was Cigar of the Week back on May 12th which received a 95 from Cigar Aficionado's expert tasting panel.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting. This proved to be a very well-liked cigar among our group of tasters.

After averaging our scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Rocky Patel Decade Torpedo is 91. An outstanding cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

With an appearance of high quality construction, we couldn’t find much wrong with these torpedoes (though there were a couple previous Patel horror stories recounted which did have us a bit cautious going forward).

As for the draw, several of us remarked that this was exactly the degree of draw that we like to find in a cigar. Perhaps a bit thicker smoke would have really made it, but this did not inhibit the experience much.

The flavor was powerful up front, very rich, pretty spicy. It was strong, but smooth in that there was little or no harshness or bitterness. We kept noticing throughout that the strong flavors would smooth out and then return again repeatedly.

All in all, a very enjoyable cigar which we highly recommend.

See you at the next herf, July 6th.

Cigar of the Week (June 2nd, 2008)

Robusto

HOYO DE TRADICION EPICURE

HONDURAS

90

This box-pressed cigar produces a solid ash as it burns. The smoke is nutty and grainy with wood flavors, cream notes, and a sweet and toasty character.

LENGTH: 5 1/4"

RING GAUGE: 50

FILLER: Honduras, Dom. Rep., Nicaragua

BINDER: USA/Conn. Habano

WRAPPER: Honduras

$4.50

Source: Cigar Aficionado

More on Cruzado

Excerpted from "Illusione Creator Coming Out With Milder Cigar"

By Gregory Mottola

PreSan Industries, known for the full-bodied Illusione brand, is toning down the strength with a new cigar line called Cruzado.

“Conceptually it’s a different cigar than Illusione,” said brand owner Dion Giolito, owner of the Fumare cigar shop in Reno, Nevada. “It is not as strong. Full flavored, but medium bodied.”

Giolito said the Cruzado brand was originally slated to be produced by the maker of Joya de Nicaragua in the Tabacos Puros de Nicaragua S.A. factory in Estelí, but, according to Giolito, he was told in March that a recent surge in production at the factory meant that the capacity to make his cigar was no longer available. As a result, Giolito moved the project to Raices Cubanas, the Honduran factory where his Illusione brand is made.

Unlike Illusione cigars, which have dark wrappers, the Cruzado’s lighter shade will fall between what Giolito calls a café claro and café rosado type of wrapper. The Cruzado blend comprises Criollo wrapper from Nicaragua, Nicaraguan binder, and filler from both Nicaragua and Honduras. When developing the blend, Giolito calibrated Cruzado’s flavor profile and strength by omitting the powerful ligero tobacco found in his Illusionebrand and using the milder viso tobacco instead.

“I’m not trying to tap into or go after a specific part of the market,” said Giolito. “I just wanted to create something that is different, but something that I personally enjoy, that I’d want to smoke every day.”

Cruzado will be packaged in simply designed dress boxes of 24 that Giolito likens to old Belinda or La Corona boxes. It will come in six sizes: Dantes, measuring 5 inches by 48 ring; Avalitos, 4 by 46; Marios, 7 by 47; Marelas, a 5 1/2 inch by 44 perfecto; Elitas, 6 by 44; and Domenicos, 5 5/8 by 46. Every cigar will have a pigtailed cap.

Credit to Cigar Insider

Oversized Cigars

"If bigger is better, then Thompson Cigar Co. of Tampa has just the cigar for you. It’s called the Emperador and it’s a real cigar that’s 15 inches long with a ring gauge of about 125! Really!

While it’s the second-thickest cigar you can buy today – the special-order La Tradicion Cubana “Big One” is the largest available at 192 ring gauge (by 12 inches long), it isn’t the longest.

There are three in-production cigars which are longer: the Puros Indios Chief (18 inches by 66 ring) and the Graycliff Original and Graycliff Profesionale Big Bamboo (in your choice of straight-sided or torpedo format!) at 16 inches and 50 ring."

Credit to Cigarcyclopedia

There's also the Perdomo Galaxia, pictured above (no, the image has not been Photoshopped).
--FR

Cigar of the Week (May 26th, 2008)

Petit Corona
LITTO GOMEZ DIEZ ORIENTAL
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
90
A richly hued petit corona with an even draw and burn, giving the smoke a nice texture overall. Woody, cinnamon flavors are the most pronounced here. Some peppery, meaty notes come through as well.
LENGTH: 4 7/8"
RING GAUGE: 38
FILLER: Dom. Rep.
BINDER: Dom. Rep.
WRAPPER: Dom. Rep.
$7.00
Source: Cigar Aficionado