Year: 2006

6 Comments Posted on by cigarfan Cigar Brand History, Cigar Reviews

Felipe Dominicana Serie Especial T

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Special T — for Torpedo, obviously.

Philip G. Wynne went from selling helicopters in the Middle East to making cigars in Honduras and Nicaragua, under the tutelage of Don Jorge Bueso and Don Julio Eiroa. Somewhere along the way he was asked to make a signature cigar for Frank Sinatra. And who could refuse the Chairman?

The requirement for Sinatra was that the cigar had to be made in the Dominican Republic. When Wynne said he had no factory in the DR, Sinatra's people told him to build one. So he did, and the Sinatra My Way cigar was born. After Sinatra died some legal issues came up with his estate and the My Way went His Way, but the factory remained. (Though apparently there is a very mild cigar still made by Felipe Gregorio called "Felipe My Way.")

This a mild and relaxing smoke with a really nice Ecuador Connecticut shade wrapper. The binder and filler are both Havana seed — piloto cubano — and lend this cigar some body. It's a creamy, toasty smoke with an earthy aftertaste, and the light spice typical of a high quality Connecticut shade wrapper.

I won a box at auction and when it arrived I eagerly opened the box and lit one up. It burned down the side, tasted rank, and needless to say I was disappointed. I put them in the humidor for three weeks, hoping they just needed to settle. I guessed right — they were transformed — no construction issues. Fine mild smokes.

Leave a comment Posted on by cigarfan Camacho, Cigar Reviews

Camacho Corojo Diploma

Camacho Diploma

From the Jamastran valley in Honduras comes Camacho cigars, and this particular specimen is special to the line. In an interview for Cigar Aficionado magazine Christian Eiroa says that he developed this vitola for himself, because it’s what he likes to smoke–stronger cigars.

The Corojo line is just that– solid corojo, and the Diploma is made from the corona leaf–ligero– which at the top of the tobacco plant receives the most sunlight, absorbs the most nutrients, and is the strongest leaf on the plant. Maybe the strongest leaf on the planet.

So I knew what to expect when I introduced flame to the foot of this stout fellow– and I wasn’t disappointed. This is a thunderous smoke. The band is elegant in it’s understatement– I think the diploma is for a degree in industrial demolition.

Which isn’t to say that there’s nothing more to this cigar– there is a deep richness, and an interesting cereal element. The aroma is actually fairly delicate. But unless you’re a fan of heavyweight cigars, these subtleties will be overpowered.

I’m a fan of Camacho, especially the Havana line. The Corojo Diploma is a special smoke, but in the 7 to 8 dollar range I’ll be reserving them for when I’m craving a powerhouse cigar.

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Salad Day

My recollection is that the term “salad days” derives from the latin root sal, for salt. For the ancient Romans salt was a precious commodity, hence the connotation of “salad days” as a time of luxury, wealth and youth.

Today, however, Salad Day refers to the day I received my Chef’s Salad from JR Cigars. For the past few years JR has been offering a “Trick or Treat” special around Halloween, a mixed bag of premium smokes, plus a couple other cigar related goodies–hats, jackets, humidifying cards, etc.  There’s usually five or six primo cigars– JR Ult Cabinets and Trinidads have made an impression on my memory– and the rest are plain good premiums. No White Owls or nothin, but there’s always a few Don Diegos and Upmanns I’m not real crazy about. Seem to consist mainly of Altadis cigars.
Now JR is doing it again; the ad copy says they are trying to unload unpopular sizes that are piling up in the warehouse. And that appears to be the case. I received some sizes I can’t identify, even after looking through the catalogs. Here’s the rundown.

Don Diego (I told ya so) Robusto

Don Diego Royal Palms (tube 6.12 x 36)
Don Diego 6 x 36 I can’t identify. Let’s call it the “Unpopular Size”

Playboy Lonsdale

H. Upmann Monarch (tube 7 x 46)

H. Upmann Petite corona

H. Upmann Cristale (6.5 x 44  No. 43 maybe??)

Romeo y Julieta Petite Belicoso (something about putting petite next to belicoso makes me a little mad. Har har.) 

Romeo y Julieta  Bully

Romeo y Julieta Reserve Maduro No. 4 (5 x 44)

Astral Cameroon Beso (5 x 52)

El Rico Habano (maduro) Rico Club (5.5 x 54)

Excalibur 1066 Merlin 5.25 x 50 (GREAT cigar!)

La Gloria Cubana Churchill EMS

Montecristo White Toro (nice.)

Montecristo Platinum Petite No. 2 Torpedo (looks just like the petite belicoso, but it’s a torpedo. Righto.)

Royal Jamaica Gold Belicoso

Santa Damiana Tubulares Grande (A maduro– interesting.)

Juan Lopez Belicoso

Te Amo Figurado (tried a few Te Amos years back and No me gusta, y no mas, por favor but I guess I’ll have to give it another shot.)

PLUS A Colibri quantum lighter and 2 finger leather case

PLUS–and this seems to be a staple for JR, God knows why– a trial sample of Degree deodorant.

This sampling wasn’t quite as good as the Halloween issue, but all this, plus the lighter. for 50 bucks ain’t bad.  I’ll be posting my opinion of these and other fine cigars in the days to come…

2 Comments Posted on by cigarfan Cigar Reviews

Padron Serie 1926 Maduro Belicoso

The first post warrants a super premium cigar, which is exactly what this one is. Some preparation is required for this Nicaraguan puro– a substantial meal, for starters. This is a powerful smoke.

It’s pressed and absolutely solid. There was a slight imperfection in the wrapper near the head, but nothing to worry about. (This was a gift. Had I picked it myself I might have selected a different stick from the box.) Having snipped the tip, I applied the torch.

Starts out a little peppery, but quickly calms down to what seems a fairly typical Padron. Now this was a little disappointing– typical is not what I expected from a Serie 1926. But about a third of the way in the flavor began to rise, and by halfway I had ascended to the seventh heaven, where the cigar gods live and look down, laughing at we poor mortals. Yea, through the valley of the shadow of Vueltabajo… Yes, this is the kind of euphoric reverie this cigar can inspire.

The 1926 serie is composed of all sun-grown tobacco, which makes it a rich and powerful smoke. The maduro has an exotic sweetness that rides on top of the strength, lending an additional element to the complexity of the blend. The flavor profile will be familiar to fans of Padron, but it’s a powerhouse. Much stronger than any Padron I’ve had the good fortune to sample.

The only downside to this dark brown bomb of delight is the price. Made in a very limited quantity, and marketed to upscale folks — Robb Report readers, for example– Padron can afford to ask top dollar.
Is it worth it?

I don’t know. I might have to sample a few more to find out. Christmas is only eleven months away…