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	<title>Nicaraguan Criollo 98 Archives - Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando</title>
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		<title>HVC Pan Caliente Double Corona</title>
		<link>https://www.casasfumando.com/hvc-pan-caliente/</link>
					<comments>https://www.casasfumando.com/hvc-pan-caliente/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeremy Hensley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jul 2019 13:25:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cigar review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Criollo 98]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HVC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HVC Cigar Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HVC Cigars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HVC Pan Caliente]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaraguan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaraguan Criollo 98]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pan Caliente]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Raices Cubanas]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.casasfumando.com/?p=19193</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>HVC Cigars was founded in 2011 by Renier Lorenzo. It is a company that continues to fly under the radar even though they have been producing some fantastic smokes for a handful for years now. So up for review today is the HVC Pan Caliente Double Corona. HVC&#8217;s Pan Caliente, which translates as &#8220;Hot Cakes&#8221;, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com/hvc-pan-caliente/">HVC Pan Caliente Double Corona</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com">Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>HVC Cigars was founded in 2011 by Renier Lorenzo. It is a company that continues to fly under the radar even though they have been producing some fantastic smokes for a handful for years now. So up for review today is the HVC Pan Caliente Double Corona.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-4.jpg"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19202" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-4.jpg?resize=575%2C868" alt="" width="575" height="868" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-4.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-4.jpg?resize=199%2C300&amp;ssl=1 199w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p>HVC&#8217;s Pan Caliente, which translates as &#8220;Hot Cakes&#8221;, was first introduced in April 2016 in a robusto (5 by 50) format. At the 2017 IPCPR Trade Show, the company added both a toro (6 1/4 by 52) and a double corona (5 5/8 by 46) to the line. The cigars are manufactured at the Raices Cubanas factory in Danli, Honduras, but it is surprisingly a Nicaraguan puro featuring the highly acclaimed AGAGNORSA tobacco.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-7-Copy.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19205" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-7-Copy.jpg?resize=575%2C380" alt="" width="575" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-7-Copy.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-7-Copy.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p>You can purchase the HVC Pan Caliente from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop<a href="https://www.famous-smoke.com/brandgroup/hvc+company+cigars"> HERE</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.famous-smoke.com/promo/CASASAVINGS?kws=ZBL5901&amp;utm_source=casafumando&amp;utm_medium=Display&amp;utm_content=ZBL5901&amp;utm_campaign=15off100casasavings&amp;coupon=CASASAVINGS&amp;displayMobile=False"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18245" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Famous-Smoke-Shop-Ad-700-by-150.jpg?resize=620%2C133" alt="" width="620" height="133" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Famous-Smoke-Shop-Ad-700-by-150.jpg?w=700&amp;ssl=1 700w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Famous-Smoke-Shop-Ad-700-by-150.jpg?resize=300%2C64&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2><strong>THE FACTS</strong></h2>
<p>Price: $6.00<br />
Vitola: Double Corona<br />
Size: 5 5/8 by 46<br />
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Criollo 98<br />
Binder: Nicaraguan<br />
Filler: Nicaraguan<br />
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 20 Minutes</p>
<h2><strong>PRE-LIGHT</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The Pan Caliente wears a medium brown Nicaraguan Criollo 98 wrapper that has a decent amount of oils and covered in small veins. The small veins web down the leaf and are darker in color than the rest of the wrapper. To the touch, the cigar is crazy smooth with only a couple of random bumps and raised veins. As I inspect the cigar, there is an indentation near the foot that can be both seen and felt. The rest of the cigar gives slightly when pressed.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-6.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19204" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-6.jpg?resize=575%2C380" alt="" width="575" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-6.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-6.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"> As I bring the wrapper to my nose, I note a pungent vinegar and barnyard, along with an artificial chocolate sweetness. The foot shows off some big notes of chocolate (real) and pepper spice. In the background, there is fainter graham cracker and raisin aroma. The cutter easily slices through this 46 ring gauge cigar. The draw is right on with some rich cinnamon and clove flavors greeting my palate. A mild to medium spice heat lingers in my mouth. </span></p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-5.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19203" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-5.jpg?resize=575%2C380" alt="" width="575" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-5.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-5.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2><b>FIRST THIRD</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">From the get-go, the HVC Pal Caliente presents full and rich flavors. There is a vegetal, sour edge to the flavor that trails closely behind the rich wood and sweet combination going on. As the cigar warms, the flavors settle in and back off a bit towards the medium side. The calming of the other flavors has allowed a pepper spice to move in. A gray ash forms as the cigar burns with a thick eye-liner burn line. </span></p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-2.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19200" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-2.jpg?resize=575%2C380" alt="" width="575" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-2.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-2.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2><b>MIDDLE THIRD</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Into the second third, the richness is back in full swing. The woodsy, sweet flavor has evolved to more of charred and earthy flavor. There is a sweet hazelnut flavor that joins in and chocolate lingers on the finish of the smoke. The ash appears flaky but continues to hold well. Just past halfway point, I am beginning to feel just a slight nicotine kick. </span></p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-3.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19201" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-3.jpg?resize=575%2C380" alt="" width="575" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-3.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-3.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2><b>FINAL THIRD</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The sour edge has made a reappearance in the final third. This time, it is no longer trailing the other flavors, but it is leading the charge. The charred wood and earth are holding strong and the sweetness is still pulling through. The pepper is highlighted in the retro-hale and remains very manageable even with a full exhale through the nose. </span></p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-1.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19199" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-1.jpg?resize=575%2C380" alt="" width="575" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-1.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/HVC-Pan-Caliente-1.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2><strong>WRAP-UP</strong></h2>
<p>There is nothing not to like about this cigar. An awesome price point of $6.00, a perfect size &#8211; Double Corona (5 5/8 by 46), great flavors, and exceptional performance. The cigar has some clear shifting points as you move through each third. There is just enough strength to put one into a relaxed state and enough spice to keep one&#8217;s palate alert. The cigar burned evenly from start to finish without a single touch-up required. And, even though the ash began to look flaky in appearance, it never dropped prematurely. This is a cigar I highly recommend and one I will be purchasing more of.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com/hvc-pan-caliente/">HVC Pan Caliente Double Corona</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com">Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">19193</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Altadis USA &#8211; Gispert Intenso Toro</title>
		<link>https://www.casasfumando.com/gispert-intenso/</link>
					<comments>https://www.casasfumando.com/gispert-intenso/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeremy Hensley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 May 2017 13:00:14 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AJ Fernandez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Altadis U.S.A]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cigar review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dominican Piloto Cubana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gispert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gispert Intenso]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gispert Intenso Cigar Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaraguan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaraguan Criollo 98]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.casasfumando.com/?p=17154</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Gispert brand, as we know it today under Altadis USA, has been around since 2003, but, for the most part, those years have been rather quiet. That is until Altadis and their highly praised Grupo de Maestros partnered up with the well respected AJ Fernandez to create the Gispert Intenso. It certainly seems like the year for [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com/gispert-intenso/">Altadis USA &#8211; Gispert Intenso Toro</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com">Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Gispert brand, as we know it today under Altadis USA, has been around since 2003, but, for the most part, those years have been rather quiet. That is until Altadis and their highly praised Grupo de Maestros partnered up with the well respected AJ Fernandez to create the Gispert Intenso. It certainly seems like the year for manufacturing giants to partner with AJ Ferndandez. And so far, these collaborative projects have been well received.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-1.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17155" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-1.jpg?resize=575%2C868" alt="Gispert Intenso" width="575" height="868" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-1.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-1.jpg?resize=199%2C300&amp;ssl=1 199w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p>Manufactured at AJ Fernandez&#8217;s factory in Nicaragua, the Gispert Intenso arrived on the market in March of this year in three vitolas: Corona (5 by 44), Toro (6 by 50), and Belicoso (6 1/8 by 52). Ranging from $6 to $7, the Gispert Intenso features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler tobaccos. Unlike the Gispert original that is slated as a mild to medium cigar, the Intenso is marketed as full-bodied.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-2.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17156" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-2.jpg?resize=575%2C380" alt="Gispert Intenso" width="575" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-2.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-2.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h1><strong>THE FACTS</strong></h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Price: $6.50</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: 400">Vitola: Toro Box-Pressed</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: 400">Size: 6 by 50</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: 400">Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: 400">Binder: Nicaraguan Criollo 98</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: 400">Filler: Nicaraguan Cri0llo 98 and Dominican Piloto Cubana</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: 400">Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes</span></p>
<h1><b>PRE-LIGHT</b></h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The Gispert Intenso Toro is dressed in an extremely dark brown wrapper that is almost as dark as the black background on the eye-catching band. From the foot to about an inch and a half down, there is a rather drastic color variation on the wrapper. There is one large, raised vein as well as couple of medium sized ones that are lighter in appearance than the rest of the leaf. Tons of sugar-like crystals glisten on the leaf.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-3.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17157" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-3.jpg?resize=575%2C380" alt="Gispert Intenso" width="575" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-3.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-3.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400"> Bringing this AJ Fernandez made stick to my nose, a mixture of vinegar, damp earth, and barnyard are noted on the wrapper, while earth, wood, and pepper come across on the foot of the cigar. The first cut opens up a draw with the perfect amount of resistance, allowing for flavors of rich cedar, clove, and sour apple to flow easily through on the dry draw. </span></p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-4.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17158" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-4.jpg?resize=575%2C380" alt="Gispert Intenso" width="575" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-4.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-4.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h1><b>FIRST THIRD</b></h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">It doesn’t take long for this Nicaraguan made cigar to warm up. Full flavors of pencil shavings, earth, and pepper are first to move across my palate. The pepper is a combination of both a dark black pepper and a brighter white pepper. There is also buttery cracker sort of flavor. As I retrohale the smoke, the pepper is in full force, but still enjoyable and not overwhelming at this point in the cigar. As the cigars burns even for the most part, a light gray ash is being formed. And before I can exit the first third, the Gispert Intenso Toro is already showing some of its strength. </span></p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-5.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17159" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-5.jpg?resize=575%2C380" alt="Gispert Intenso" width="575" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-5.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-5.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h1><b>MIDDLE THIRD</b></h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The Gispert Intenso carries along with full and heavy flavors as I enter the second third of the cigar. The flavors remain consistent with the prior third with an added saltiness and a richness is developing. The dirt-like earth flavor has evolved to more of a dusty cocoa and coffee now lingers on the finish. A significant wave that formed earlier in the third has straightened itself back out.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-6.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17160" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-6.jpg?resize=575%2C380" alt="Gispert Intenso" width="575" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-6.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-6.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h1><b>FINAL THIRD</b></h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The dusty cocoa never made a full appearance as the flavor switched back to full on dirt and the richness has faded. Hiding behind the darker flavors, the buttery flavor from the first third is still making its way through. There have been no performance issues in the final third of the Gispert Intenso Toro, but the ash that is forming is slightly darker.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-7.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17161" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-7.jpg?resize=575%2C380" alt="Gispert Intenso" width="575" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-7.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gispert-Intenso-7.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h1><b>Wrap-Up</b></h1>
<p>I stumbled across the Gispert Intenso on an unplanned trip to Ohio just a few weeks ago. And I am certainly glad that I picked up a few for review. Full flavors flowed from the get-go to the final puff of this 6 by 50 Toro. Hearty flavors of earth and pepper made up the core of smoke, while a buttery flavor added a very nice touch. And there were some easily identifiable evolutions in the flavors in each of the thirds. The strength, which I felt early on, never got out of hand and I would place it more in the medium to medium/full range rather than straight up full. I found the Gispert Intenso to be a solid cigar that is a great bang for the buck. This is another project that AJ Fernandez has his hands in that won&#8217;t disappoint.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com/gispert-intenso/">Altadis USA &#8211; Gispert Intenso Toro</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com">Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">17154</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Warped Cigars &#8211; Casa Fernandez Futuro</title>
		<link>https://www.casasfumando.com/warped-cigars-casa-fernandez-futuro/</link>
					<comments>https://www.casasfumando.com/warped-cigars-casa-fernandez-futuro/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tony Casas]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2016 14:30:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[barrel aged]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barrel Aged Narwhal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beer and Cigar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beer pairing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beer Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Casa Fernandez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cigar pairing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cigar review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[imperial stout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kyle Gellis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Max Fernandez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaraguan Corojo 99]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaraguan Criollo 98]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sierra nevada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TABSA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Warped Cigars]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.casasfumando.com/?p=15284</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>After living in 20 degree weather for the last week, El Paso has shot back up into the 70s where it belongs. Taking advantage of the weather I decided to spend my time this weekend out back with a Warped Cigars Futuro and a bottle of Sierra Nevada’s Barrel-Aged Narwhal. The Good Stuff: The Futuro [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com/warped-cigars-casa-fernandez-futuro/">Warped Cigars &#8211; Casa Fernandez Futuro</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com">Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After living in 20 degree weather for the last week, El Paso has shot back up into the 70s where it belongs. Taking advantage of the weather I decided to spend my time this weekend out back with a Warped Cigars Futuro and a bottle of Sierra Nevada’s Barrel-Aged Narwhal.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-2.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15288"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15288" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-2.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="Warped Cigars Futuro" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-2.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-2.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>The Good Stuff:</h2>
<p>The Futuro is a cigar created by Warped Cigars in collaboration with Casa Fernandez with one goal in mind: to create a cigar unlike anything either of the two manufacturers have ever created in the past.  Kyle Gellis of Warped Cigars and Max Fernandez of Casa Fernandez have been working together at the Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A (TABSA) for a while now, but this is the first blend that they jointly blended together. The blend utilizes 100% Aganorsa leaf from the Casa Fernandez Aganorsa farms. The tobacco used in the blend comes straight from the TABSA vault which contains their most prized material. The blend features a Nicaraguan Corojo ’99 wrapper,  Nicaraguan Criollo ’98 Binder and Nicaraguan Criollo ’98 and Corojo ’99 fillers. The Warped Futuro comes in only two sizes which fit the creators’ own personal preference: the 109 (6 x 52) and the Suprema (5.6 x 46) which range run $9.25 and $8.75 respectively and both sizes come packaged in boxes of 20. This particular cigar was a gift from a good friend Jason while he was over last week celebrating some time with Jeremy while he was in town.</p>
<p><strong>Size:</strong> 6 x 52<br />
<strong>Wrapper:</strong> Nicaraguan Corojo ’99<br />
<strong>Binder:</strong> Nicaraguan Criollo ’98<br />
<strong>Filler:</strong> Nicaraguan Criollo ’98 / Nicaraguan Corojo ’99<br />
<strong>Strength:</strong> Medium<br />
<strong>Body:</strong> Medium/Full<br />
<strong>Price:</strong> $9.25<br />
<strong>Pairing:</strong> Sierra Nevada Barrel-Aged Narwhal 2015 (Imperial Stout 12.9% ABV)</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-3.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15289"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15289" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-3.jpg?resize=620%2C930" alt="Warped Cigars Futuro" width="620" height="930" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-3.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-3.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-3.jpg?resize=600%2C900&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Prelight:</h2>
<p>The Warped Cigar Futuro starts out with a gorgeous, insanely consistent, medium brown wrapper. The color is as close to exact throughout the entire cigar as you can get. The texture of the wrapper is some slight tooth and a little roughness, lots of oil, with an overall silky feeling to the touch. The wrapper leaf is laid seamlessly and there are only some very minor veins running thought the cigar’s body which leads up to a nubby almost half-belicoso style cap. The Futuro feels real dense, and tightly packed with tobacco while the wrapper is decently dense with only a bit of softness around the foot of the cigar. The cigar is then polished off with a gorgeous, modern-old-timey style gold, royal blue, and red band which carries the “Futuro 2015” crest on the front, with the creators’ “KG” and “MF” initials on each side.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-4.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15290"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15290" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-4.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="Warped Cigars Futuro" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-4.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-4.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-4.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p>The wrapper gives off almost no aroma outside of a slight tobacco while the foot carries a lot of sweetness, spice, and earthiness. The cap cut very clean and easily using my Palio double bladed cutter. The cold draw produces some great sweet cedar, oak, spice, and gingerbread style flavors.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-5.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15291"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15291" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-5.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="Warped Cigars Futuro" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-5.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-5.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-5.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>First Third:</h2>
<p>Lighting the Futuro was cake using my Dupont single flame butane torch. The Futuro starts out with only some very light, extremely mild pepper which faded after the first puff or two. The main flavor profile leads with a great sweet cedar, cinnamon, gingerbread, soft tobacco, with a great oaky aftertaste. I absolutely love the flavor profile thats developing here. Each tiny puff kicks out a massive cloud of thick white smoke while the Futuro gives off a decent amount of stationary smoke as it rests in my ashtray. The burn line is razor thin, and dead even leaving behind a tightly compacted trail of white and medium gray ash which held on for a little over an inch before giving way.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-6.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15292"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15292" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-6.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="Warped Cigars Futuro" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-6.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-6.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-6.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Second Third:</h2>
<p>As I smoke into the second third of the Futuro the pepper that disappeared in the first third has started to work it’s way, subtly, back into the flavor profile. The profile still leads with really sweet cedar, cinnamon and spice, tobacco, and just a pinch of cocoa. The retrohale really showcases the cedar as well as the spice. The burn line is still dead even and razor thin. I close out the second third with absolutely nothing in the nicotine department.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-7.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15293"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15293" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-7.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="Warped Cigars Futuro" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-7.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-7.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-7.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Finish:</h2>
<p>So far the only complain I have about the Futuro is the amount of sap build up it’s been producing. A bit of clip, and slowing down my smoking speed has cleared that right up. The flavor profile is much the same, and I am totally ok with that. The Futuro leads with strong, sweet, cedar backed by cocoa, spice, cinnamon, and some really nice brown sugar. It took me about 2 hours to take this cigar down to the nub and I experience absolutely no harshness, or heat buildup, however I do recommend taking your time with it as the sap does tend to seep in when you rush through it. The burn line was solid all the way through and I never once had to reach for my torch to relight or touch the cigar up. I close out the cigar feeling almost zilch in terms of nicotine.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-8.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15294"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15294" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-8.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="Warped Cigars Futuro" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-8.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-8.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-8.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Overview:</h2>
<p>This was my introduction to Warped cigars and if the Futuro is any indication as to how solid their blends are, it won’t be my last. The cigar’s flavor profile is incredible, the smoking experience was near perfect outside of the sap which was probably my fault to begin with, and the price point is more than reasonable. This is a box worthy cigar for sure and really can’t wait to try out some of their other offerings.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-9.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15295"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15295" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-9.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="Warped Cigars Futuro" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-9.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-9.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/warped-futuro-9.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Pairing:</h2>
<p>Sierra Nevada’s Narwhal is a beer that finds it’s way into my rotation every year. This year, I was able to score a few bottles of their Barrel-Aged variant. Brewed at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in California, this Imperial Stout rocks a modest 12.9% ABV. The Narwhal leads with great milk chocolate, malt, oak, and sweetness with a heavy mouthfeel before finishing very sweet with chocolate, espresso, oak, and more malt with a great amount of bourbon. This was a great pairing. This cigar has sweet bourbon pairing written all over it, but since I’m not a bourbon guy a barrel aged beer is my closest bet.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/sierra-nevada-barrel-aged-narwhal.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15286"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15286" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/sierra-nevada-barrel-aged-narwhal.jpg?resize=620%2C930" alt="Sierra Nevada Barrel Aged Narwhal" width="620" height="930" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/sierra-nevada-barrel-aged-narwhal.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/sierra-nevada-barrel-aged-narwhal.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/sierra-nevada-barrel-aged-narwhal.jpg?resize=600%2C900&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com/warped-cigars-casa-fernandez-futuro/">Warped Cigars &#8211; Casa Fernandez Futuro</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com">Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">15284</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Foundation Cigar Company El Güegüense</title>
		<link>https://www.casasfumando.com/foundation-cigar-company-el-gueguense/</link>
					<comments>https://www.casasfumando.com/foundation-cigar-company-el-gueguense/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tony Casas]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Dec 2015 14:30:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beer pairing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beer Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cigar pairing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cigar review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Deep Ellum Brewing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Deep Ellum Four Swords]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[El Güegüense]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[El Gueguense Cigar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[El Güegüense Cigar Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Esteli]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Foundation Cigar Company El Güegüense]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jalapa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaraguan Corojo 99 Jalapa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaraguan Criollo 98]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nick Melillo]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.casasfumando.com/?p=15049</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This week, another cigar that I’ve been anxious to review. At bat is Foundation Cigar Company’s El Güegüense paired with a bottle of Deep Ellum’s Four Swords. The Good Stuff: Following a similar story to Steve Saka, the cigar community has been on pins and needles waiting for Nick Melillo to release his debut brand [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com/foundation-cigar-company-el-gueguense/">Foundation Cigar Company El Güegüense</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com">Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This week, another cigar that I’ve been anxious to review. At bat is Foundation Cigar Company’s El Güegüense paired with a bottle of Deep Ellum’s Four Swords.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_2.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15053"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15053" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_2.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="El Gueguense" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_2.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_2.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>The Good Stuff:</h2>
<p>Following a similar story to Steve Saka, the cigar community has been on pins and needles waiting for Nick Melillo to release his debut brand under his new company called Foundation Cigar Company. Earlier this year Nick announced said brand as the El Güegüense, pronounced L &#8211; Wha &#8211; When &#8211; Say. The translation for El Güegüense means “the wise man”, but it’s also the name of a very old drama that is considered one of the oldest Nicaraguan literary works. Produced at Casa Fernandez’s Tabacos Valle de Jalapa the El Güegüense features a Nicaraguan Corojo 99 wrapper from Finca Puntalito in Jalapa, a Nicaraguan Corojo 99 binder from Finca San Jose in Jalapa, with Nicaraguan Corojo 99 and Nicaraguan Criollo 98 from Jalapa and Esteli fillers. The El Güegüense comes in five sizes, the Robusto (5 1/2 x 50), Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 36), The Toro Huac (6 x 56), and the Churchill (7 x 48). The cigars are all packaged into 25 count boxes and run between $9 and $13 a stick. I picked up a handful of these over from our friends at 2 Guys Smoke Shop.</p>
<p><strong>Size:</strong> 5 5/8 x 46<br />
<strong>Wrapper:</strong> Nicaraguan Corojo 99 Jalapa<br />
<strong>Binder:</strong> Nicaraguan Corojo 99 Jalapa<br />
<strong>Filler:</strong> Nicaraguan Corojo 99 and Nicaraguan Criollo 98 Jalapa and Esteli<br />
<strong>Body:</strong> Medium/Full<br />
<strong>Strength:</strong> Medium<br />
<strong>Price:</strong> $9.90<br />
<strong>Pairing:</strong> Deep Ellum Four Swords (Quadruple 10.5% ABV)</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_3.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15054"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15054" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_3.jpg?resize=620%2C930" alt="El Gueguense" width="620" height="930" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_3.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_3.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_3.jpg?resize=600%2C900&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Prelight:</h2>
<p>The El Güegüense starts out with a gorgeous medium brown wrapper. The color isn’t too consistent as there are many splotches of dark brown, and lighter areas around the small veins that run their course through the cigar’s body. The veins are very minor for the most part, and the wrapper leaf is laid seamlessly over itself carrying a slightly toothy, lightly oily texture. The wrapper is pretty thin but doesn’t feel too delicate as I squeeze it between my fingers. There is only one small soft area located just before the cigar’s round triple cap. The El Güegüense is polished off with a vibrant blue and gold band with great colored decorative detail and the “El Güegüense” names as well as “Esteli, Nicaragua” printed on the front.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_4.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15055"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15055" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_4.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="El Gueguense" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_4.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_4.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_4.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p>The wrapper on the El Güegüense gives off a very strong, pungent cedar and malt aroma while the foot of the cigar carries some great spice and earthiness with just a little bit of pepper. The cap cut clean and easily using my Palio double bladed cutter. The cold draw produces lots of rich cedar, spice, and oat notes with a bit of a pepper punch on the lips from the wrapper.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_5.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15056"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15056" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_5.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="El Gueguense" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_5.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_5.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_5.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>First Third:</h2>
<p>The El Güegüense starts out with a nice bit of very bold oak, cinnamon and spice, dark chocolate, and just a splash of pepper. Only enough to really linger on my lips for a few seconds before fading away. After the first few puffs the pepper had completely disappeared as the sweetness increases throughout the first third. The draw is perfect. Each little puff pumps out a very thick cloud of thick, white smoke while the El Güegüense gives off a good deal of stationary smoke as it rests in my ashtray. The burn line is razor thin and dead even leaving behind a trail of light and medium gray ash which held on for about an inch before falling into my ashtray.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_6.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15057"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15057" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_6.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="El Gueguense" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_6.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_6.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_6.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Second Third:</h2>
<p>Into the second third of the El Güegüense some really nice plum has been added to the bold oak, spice, and dark chocolate with some lingering soft sweetness and cinnamon. The retrohale is really bold coating my nasal passage with a ton of cedar and really strong sweetness which helps amplify the sweetness as the cigar progresses. The burn is still dead even, solid, and razor thin as I close out the second third with no nicotine kick what so ever.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_7.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15058"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15058" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_7.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="El Gueguense" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_7.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_7.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_7.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Finish:</h2>
<p>Into the final third of the El Güegüense and it’s just pouring on the flavors lead by strong oak and cherry backed by dark chocolate, spice, and sweetness. The flavors haven’t changed up much, but they didn’t need to. They started out great and finished great. Simple as that. The burn as been flawless and I never once had I reach for my lighter to touch up or relight. I close out the El Güegüense after and hour and a half with no nicotine, no harshness, and no extra heat.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_8.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15059"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15059" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_8.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="El Gueguense" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_8.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_8.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_8.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Overview:</h2>
<p>This time of the year we are all considering our top cigars of 2015 and I’d be damn if Foundation Cigar Company’s El Güegüense doesn’t make it into quite a few lists this year, including mine. I’ve smoked a handful of these and have been impressed each run. The flavor profile is awesome, solid, and consistent while the price point is right where it should be. This is a perfect cigar for novice cigar smokers looking for a great full-bodied cigar that isn’t too powerful nor will it break the bank. It’s also perfect for those seasoned smokers looking for a solid, full-bodied stick to add to their regular rotation. Box worthy for sure.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_9.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15060"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15060" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_9.jpg?resize=620%2C413" alt="El Gueguense" width="620" height="413" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_9.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_9.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/el_gueguense_9.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Pairing:</h2>
<p>Four Swords is a 10.5% ABV Quad aged in Chardonnay barrels. The beer comes out of Dallas, Texas and has just recently been making it’s way out west to El Paso. The beer leads with strong oak, fruit, caramel, malt and booze with a decently heavy mouthfeel before finishing with even more fruit, cherry, toffee, caramel, sweetness and booze. There is a very nice cherry that lingers on the aftertaste as well. This is a brilliant pairing with the El Güegüense as the flavors match up and it even helps really bring out the fruit buried in the El Güegüense’s profile. The cigar would also pair well with almost any Belgian style quad, lambic, or apple juice.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/deep-ellum-four-swords.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-15051"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15051" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/deep-ellum-four-swords.jpg?resize=620%2C930" alt="Deep Ellum Four Swords" width="620" height="930" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/deep-ellum-four-swords.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/deep-ellum-four-swords.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/deep-ellum-four-swords.jpg?resize=600%2C900&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com/foundation-cigar-company-el-gueguense/">Foundation Cigar Company El Güegüense</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com">Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">15049</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Illusione ~eccj~ 20th</title>
		<link>https://www.casasfumando.com/illusione-eccj-20th/</link>
					<comments>https://www.casasfumando.com/illusione-eccj-20th/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tony Casas]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2015 13:30:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beer and Cigar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beer pairing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beer Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cigar Journal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cigar pairing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cigar review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dion giolito]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[European Cigar Cult Journal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[illusione cigar reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Illusione cigars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Illusione ECCJ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Illusione ECCJ 20th]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaraguan Corojo 99]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaraguan Criollo 98]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.casasfumando.com/?p=14145</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Today&#8217;s lineup includes an Illusione ~eccj~ 20th paired with a bottle of Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet. The Good Stuff: The Illusione ~eccj~ 20th is the bigger brother of a cigar with the same name that was originally released in 2008 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the “European Cigar Cult Journal” magazine. As the name suggests, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com/illusione-eccj-20th/">Illusione ~eccj~ 20th</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com">Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today&#8217;s lineup includes an Illusione ~eccj~ 20th paired with a bottle of Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-2.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14148" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-2.jpg?resize=620%2C411" alt="Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet" width="620" height="411" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-2.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-2.jpg?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-2.jpg?resize=600%2C397&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>The Good Stuff:</h2>
<p>The Illusione ~eccj~ 20th is the bigger brother of a cigar with the same name that was originally released in 2008 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the “European Cigar Cult Journal” magazine. As the name suggests, the ~eccj~ 20th was released this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the same magazine which now goes by the much simpler name “Cigar Journal”.  Going back to the original ~eccj~, this blend was very limited and only available through New Havana Cigars. The cigar was such a success that Dion Giolito, owner of Illusione cigars later released the blend under the name “Epernay” as a full production cigar and one of my favorites, if not my favorite Illusione lines to date.</p>
<p>The Illusione ~eccj~ 20th was showcased last year at the IPCPR show in Las Vegas, and released during January of this year. Created at the TABSA factory in Nicaragua, the blend features a Nicaraguan Corojo 99 wrapper, Nicaraguan Binder, Nicaraguan Criollo 98 and Nicaraguan Corojo 99 fillers. The ~eccj~ is only offered in one size, 6 1/4 x 48 which comes packaged in boxes of 15 running $13 a sick. While only 4,500 cigars from the original ~eccj~ cigar were released, 30,000 ~eccj~ 20th are available and sold by retailers throughout the US. I got a handful of these from out good friends over at <a href="http://foxtobacco.com/gilbert/" target="_blank">Fox Cigar</a> Bar in Gilbert, Arizona.</p>
<p><strong>Size:</strong> 6 1/4 x 48<br />
<strong>Wrapper:</strong> Nicaraguan Corojo 99<br />
<strong>Binder:</strong> Nicaraguan<br />
<strong>Filler:</strong> Nicaraguan Criollo 98, Nicaraguan Corojo 99<br />
<strong>Body:</strong> Full<br />
<strong>Strength:</strong> Medium/Full<br />
<strong>Price:</strong> $13<br />
<strong>Pairing:</strong> Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet (Tripel 8.4% ABV)</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-3.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14149" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-3.jpg?resize=620%2C937" alt="Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet" width="620" height="937" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-3.jpg?w=659&amp;ssl=1 659w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-3.jpg?resize=198%2C300&amp;ssl=1 198w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-3.jpg?resize=600%2C907&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Prelight:</h2>
<p>The Illusione ~eccj~ is a beautiful cigar. The ~eccj~ starts out with an absolutely gorgeous, consistent, medium brown, silky wrapper. The wrapper’s texture is very smooth with only some very slight tooth, and slight oil with a few larger veins running through the cigar’s body up to the round triple cap. The wrapper itself feels a bit thin and delicate while the body of the cigar is really heavy and jam-packed with tobacco. There was some softer areas around the foot of the cigar but nothing really concerning. The cigar is polished off with the same elegant band found on the Epernay and past ~eccj~ blend. It’s small, simple, and pearl white with the word “~eccj~” embossed with gold ink in the front, and “Illusione” very small in the back. Again, these are some of my favorite bands out there. They’re simple, and put all the focus on the cigar instead of the design on the band.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-5.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14151" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-5.jpg?resize=620%2C411" alt="Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet" width="620" height="411" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-5.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-5.jpg?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-5.jpg?resize=600%2C397&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p>The wrapper gives off a strong honey and tobacco aroma while the foot of the cigar is much more modest only showcasing some slight spice and earthiness. The cap cut clean and easily using my double bladed Palio cutter. The cold draw is very floral with notes of grain and tobacco with some very subtle spice mixed in there.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-4.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14150" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-4.jpg?resize=620%2C411" alt="Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet" width="620" height="411" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-4.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-4.jpg?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-4.jpg?resize=600%2C397&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>First Third:</h2>
<p>The Illusione ~eccj~ starts out with a quick splash of black pepper laced with spice, honey, cedar, sweetness, leather and floral notes. Despite the cigar being jam-packed with tobacco the draw is flawless. Each little puff kicks out massive clouds of thick white smoke while the ~eccj~ gives off almost no stationary smoke as it rests in my ashtray. The burn line is dead even and razor thin leaving behind a nice trail of compacted white and dark gray zebra-patterned ash which held on for about an inch and a quarter before falling into my ashtray.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-6.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14152" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-6.jpg?resize=620%2C411" alt="Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet" width="620" height="411" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-6.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-6.jpg?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-6.jpg?resize=600%2C397&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Second Third:</h2>
<p>A whole mess of sweetness and spice have emerged into the second third of the Illusione ~eccj~. Along with the sweetness and spice the honey and floral are still rocking hard backed by cedar, and leather as well as some great earthiness. There is no shortness of flavor in this bad boy. The retrohale showcases a much heavier spice and pepper with deep cedar and honey. The burn line is still flawless and I’m not really feeling anything in the nicotine department as I close out the second third.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-7.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14153" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-7.jpg?resize=620%2C411" alt="Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet" width="620" height="411" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-7.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-7.jpg?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-7.jpg?resize=600%2C397&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Finish:</h2>
<p>A bit of citrus and pine snuck into the flavor profile in the final third of this Illusione ~eccj~. Along with those additions, the cigar still offered bold cedar and spice with honey and sweetness. I’m impressed that a lot of the flavors had lasted this deep into the experience, and were just as bold as they were at the beginning of the smoke. It took me a little over an hour and half to take the ~eccj~ down to the nub and I experienced absolutely no harshness, nor really anything nicotine kick. In fact, the cigar finished off very creamy and smooth as I let it burn down until my finger tips were on fire. I never once had to touch up, or relight.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-8.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14154" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-8.jpg?resize=620%2C411" alt="Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet" width="620" height="411" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-8.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-8.jpg?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-8.jpg?resize=600%2C397&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Overview:</h2>
<p>I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. If I was forced to smoke only one brand for the rest of my life it would have to be Illusione. The ~eccj~ is a great example of an absolutely great cigar experience. The bold, complex, yet complimentary flavors provide an amazing profile with great construction and flawless burned all delivered at a decent price point. Yes, it’s one of the more expensive cigars in Illusione’s portfolio but it more than satisfies and I’d pay it time and time again. While the ~eccj~ is limited, it’s still widely available and this is a box-worthy purchase for sure as it would hold a place in my regular rotation for a very long time.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-9.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14155" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-9.jpg?resize=620%2C411" alt="Brouwerij Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet" width="620" height="411" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-9.jpg?w=660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-9.jpg?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/illusione-eccj-20th-9.jpg?resize=600%2C397&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<h2>Pairing:</h2>
<p>Being that I am huge on Belgian beers, one of my favorite summer styles is a nice, heavy, tripel. Brewed at the Brouwerij Bosteels in Belgium, the Tripel Karmeliet clocks in at a bold 8.4% ABV. The Tripel Karmeliet starts out with some nice fruit, celery, honey, sweetness and floral flavors with a light mouthfeel before finishing crisp with citrus, floral, and pine and a bit of tart on the aftertaste. The beer’s flavors obviously married up well with the floral, citrus, and honey in the Illusione ~eccj~ while the spice and cedar from the cigar added a new level to the beer. I would also recommend pairing the ~eccj~ with a nice Belgian Dubbel or Quad, a spicy tawny port, or a great cup of dark coffee.</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Brouwerij-Bosteels-Tripel-Karmeliet.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14156" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Brouwerij-Bosteels-Tripel-Karmeliet.jpg?resize=620%2C937" alt="Tripel Karmeliet" width="620" height="937" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Brouwerij-Bosteels-Tripel-Karmeliet.jpg?w=659&amp;ssl=1 659w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Brouwerij-Bosteels-Tripel-Karmeliet.jpg?resize=198%2C300&amp;ssl=1 198w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Brouwerij-Bosteels-Tripel-Karmeliet.jpg?resize=600%2C907&amp;ssl=1 600w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com/illusione-eccj-20th/">Illusione ~eccj~ 20th</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com">Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando</a>.</p>
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		<title>Quick Draw &#8211; PDR Cigars &#8211; AFR-75 Edicion Limitada</title>
		<link>https://www.casasfumando.com/quick-draw-pdr-cigars-afr-75-edicion-limitada/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeremy Hensley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Dec 2013 13:30:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[A. Flores Serie Privada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abraham Flores Rosario]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AFR-75 Cigar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AFR-75 Edicion Limitada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[atlanticcigar.com]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Connecticut Broadleaf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dominican]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gordo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Master Blender]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mexican San Andres]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaraguan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaraguan Criollo 98]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PDR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PDR Cigars]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.casasfumando.com/?p=10522</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I trust that you had a very relaxing, cigar filled Thanksgiving! Today, I bring to you a Quick Draw of the AFR-75 Edicion Limitada by PDR Cigars. Since PDR Cigars’ website looks as if it has not been updated since 2012, I had to do a little searching to find some information on this cigar. [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com/quick-draw-pdr-cigars-afr-75-edicion-limitada/">Quick Draw &#8211; PDR Cigars &#8211; AFR-75 Edicion Limitada</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com">Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p dir="ltr">I trust that you had a very relaxing, cigar filled Thanksgiving! Today, I bring to you a Quick Draw of the AFR-75 Edicion Limitada by PDR Cigars. Since PDR Cigars’ website looks as if it has not been updated since 2012, I had to do a little searching to find some information on this cigar. This is according to a press release I located at <a href="http://thecigarmy.com/2013/06/25/press-release-pinar-del-rio-announces-new-lines/">thecigarmy.com</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>The AFR-75 will be available in three sizes; the Sublime(5×56), the Edmundo(6×58), and the Inmenso(7×60). There will only be 500 boxes per size made available this year. The AFR-75 marks the second release in a series of signature lines from PDR. AFR-75 references the initials for Master Blender Abraham Flores Rosario and his year of birth, 1975. “I’m really excited about the new lines. We had a lot of success with the A. Flores Serie Privada line and we’re going to be doing more special release small batch projects. As a blender I have a lot of fun creating different blends that we can put out in smaller amounts for the hardcore cigar guys to enjoy”, says Abe Flores of PDR Cigars.</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/PDR-Cigars-AFR-75-Edicion-Limitada-Band.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10525" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/PDR-Cigars-AFR-75-Edicion-Limitada-Band.jpg?resize=575%2C431" alt="PDR Cigars AFR-75 Edicion Limitada" width="575" height="431" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/PDR-Cigars-AFR-75-Edicion-Limitada-Band.jpg?w=575&amp;ssl=1 575w, https://i0.wp.com/www.casasfumando.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/PDR-Cigars-AFR-75-Edicion-Limitada-Band.jpg?resize=300%2C224&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></p>
<p><strong>The Facts</strong><br />
Sample Provided by PDR Cigars<br />
Price: $14.18 per single / $340.20 per box of 24 (atlanticcigar.com)<br />
Vitola: Gordo<br />
Size: 6 by 58<br />
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres<br />
Binder and Filler: Nicaraguan Criollo 98, Connecticut Broadleaf and Dominican<br />
Smoke Time: 2 Hours and 10 Minutes</p>
<p><strong>Construction</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">As I examined the AFR-75, I immediately noticed the consistency in its dark chocolate wrapper all the way to its pig-tailed cap. This is a beautiful cigar to look at. There was only one medium sized vein on the leaf and the cigar was fairly bumpy.  Going with a straight cut, I came across a draw that had a tad more resistance than preferred.</p>
<p><strong>Performance</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">The draw was bit firm at the start of the cigar, however, a decent amount of smoke was still being produced. The cigar burned exceptionally well through the first third.  After the first ashed dropped at an inch and a half the draw opened up and began producing much more smoke. At the midway point, a quick touch-up was required to get the burn back in-line.  The ash became flaky after the touch-up but still held to an inch before falling my ashtray.</p>
<p><strong>Flavors</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">The wrapper had a faint barnyard scent, while the foot showed off notes of sweet chocolate and natural, rich tobacco After taking my time lighting the 58 ring gauge stick, this limited edition cigar was off to the races. Dark earth notes, leather, and spice awakened my palate and instantly grabbed my attention. There was also some sweetness that landed on my tongue when the smoke first arrived in my mouth and a tartness to it that I have come to expect with cigars that utilize Mexican San Andres tobacco. The retrohale brought out  cedar notes that I did not notice beforehand and lots of black pepper.  As the cigar progressed, I began to pick up on faint cocoa notes in the profile.  In the final third, some buttery flavors arrived, as well as some toasted notes&#8230;. Just like buttered toast.  The flavors began on the medium side, but as the draw opened the flavors did as well.</p>
<p><strong>Wrap-up</strong></p>
<p>The AFR-75 was one heck of an enjoyable smoke. The earth, leather, cocoa, and spice suited my palate very well. The construction of the AFR-75 was just about perfect, which was reflected in its excellent performance. The single touch-up took nothing away from the experience. If you enjoy San Andres tobacco and bold cigars like <a href="https://renegadecigars.com/collections/davidoff-cigars" target="_blank" rel="noopener">davidoff cigars</a>, the AFR-75 Edicion Limitada will be right up your alley. This cigar is worthy of a five pack purchase even with its hefty price tag.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com/quick-draw-pdr-cigars-afr-75-edicion-limitada/">Quick Draw &#8211; PDR Cigars &#8211; AFR-75 Edicion Limitada</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.casasfumando.com">Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando</a>.</p>
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