The Good Stuff:

Late last year one of the more household cigar manufactures had announced that it would be under new reigns, that company was Quesada cigars who’s portfolio includes the Fonseca brand. The company who was acquiring the rights was none other than My Father cigars. While this caught a lot of us off guard, more than most have been excited to see what changes My Father would bring to an already well-honored cigar company right in history. Fast forward to August 2020 and the newly branded Fonseca by My Father started landing on shelves while die-hard cigar enthusiasts were waiting to gobble them up.

The Fonseca by My Father is blended using a Nicaraguan Shade Grown Corojo 99 Rosado wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers. The cigar is offered in six sizes: Petit Corona ( 4 1/4 x 40), Robusto (4 1/4 x 52), Cosacos (5 3/8 x 42), Belicosos (5 1/2 x 54), Toro Gorda (6 x 55), and Cedros (6 1/4 x 52). Each offering comes packaged in boxes of 20 running between $7 and $11.20 a stick. Big thanks goes out to my boy Jason for hooking it up with a few of these!

• Size: 5 1/4 x 52
• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Shade Grown Corojo 99 Rosada
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Body: Full
• Strength: Medium/Full
• Price: $9.50
• Pairing: Civil Society BA King Gary Loves the Coco (Imperial Milk Stout 10% ABV)

Prelight:

The Fonseca by My Father starts out with an extremely consistent milky brown wrapper which shines orange in the sun. The texture on the wrapper is extremely toothy and grainy with a good amount of oils coating the cigar. The wrapper itself feels very thick and very dense while the cigar as a whole is extremely hard and tightly packed. The meaty body showcases some slight veins and a ton of natural tobacco webbing leading up to the cigar’s round double-wrapped cap. The cigar is polished off with a VERY “My Father” looking, heavily designed band which showcases the Fonseca crest in the front. Its a bit odd for me, but we’ll get used to it. The cigar also carries a gold ribbon foot band.

The wrapper on the Fonseca by My Father gives off a very sweet mixture of spice and cedar aromas while the foot of the cigar carries a lot of the same spice but a much more earthy makeup. The cap cut clean and easily using my Xikar XO double bladed cutter. The cold draw produces a ton of spice, cocoa, and musk.

First Third:

The Fonseca by My Father starts out with a nice subtle pepper blast which one lasts through the first puff before releasing a ton of sweet cedar, cinnamon, cocoa, musk, leather and almond. This cigar starts firing right off the bat! Despite being very tightly packed, the draw is absolutely perfect as each tiny puff kicks out a whole ton of thick, white smoke which dissipates rather quickly while the cigar releases a whole mess of stationary smoke while the oils burn off the wrapper while it rests in my ashtray. The burnline is slightly wavy as it leaves behind a decently compacted trail of medium and dark gray ash which held on for an inch before giving way.

Second Third:

Into the second third of the Fonseca by My Father and the cigar is still firing on all cylinders. The almond, cedar, and chocolate lead the pack backed by light creamed coffee, cinnamon, earthiness, and honey. The retrohale brings out a ton of the sharp spice so I don’t find myself doing it too often. The cigar is burning perfectly at this point and hasn’t required any attention from my torch to either touch-up or relight. I close out the second third with a minor nicotine kick.

Finish:

Into the final third of the Fonseca by My Father and the cedar is now in charge, back by bold notes of cedar and chocolate over light coffee, musk, earthiness and coffee. It took me an hour and a half to smoke this cigar down to the nub and I loved every second of it. I experienced no harshness, no extended heat, and only a very minor nicotine kick.

Overview:

I’ve been on pins and needles awaiting the moment I could get my hands on these cigars. Quesada has been a favorite brand of mine for as long as I can remember, and My Father, I mean, who doesn’t love them? How did it go? Well, in short, it was absolutely amazing. The flavor profile is incredible and right up my alley, the smoking experience was flawless and the price is way below what I feel like I’d be comfortable paying for such a fantastic cigar. This is box worthy for sure, and a strong contender for my top 10 cigars of the year as it sits currently.

Pairing:

King Gary loves the Coco is a Barrel Aged Imperial Stout brewed with Cocoa and Coconut coffee. Coming in at 10% ABV this Florida raised beer leads with heavy cocoa, brown sugar, coconut, black coffee, and vanilla with a very heavy mouthfeel before finishing with very toffee-esque flavors over more cocoa and mild coffee with only a very light barrel bite. The choice for this beer was obviously the cocoa and coffee lead flavors in the beer and how well they complimented the cocoa and coffee flavors in the Fonseca while the coconut just added another layer to a already phenomenal experience.

The post Fonseca by My Father Robusto appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

-Tony

It’s been several years since a Casa Magna cigar has been featured here at Casas Fumando, but I’m here today to change that.  The Casa Magna Jalapa Claro was made available at the 2016 IPCPR trade show to only those retailers who attended the show.  The Jalapa Claro utilizes the same inner blend as the original Casa Magna Colorado, but is wrapped in a Nicaraguan grown Claro leaf instead.  The cigar comes in three sizes – Robusto 5 ½ x 54, Box Pressed Toro 6 x 50, and Gran Toro 6 x 58 – with prices running between $6.65 and $7.65.  Only 500 twenty-count boxes of each size were made available, and were produced at Plasencia Cigars S.A. in Esteli, Nicaragua.  I picked up a few of these at a local shop on the recommendation of Quesada’s NW rep, Ed Ryan.

The Basics:

Wrapper:  Nicaragua Jalapa Claro
Binder:  Nicaragua
Filler:  Nicaragua
Size:  Robusto 5 ½ x 54
Price:  $6.65
Smoking time:  One hour, twenty minutes
Pairing:  Unibroue Maudite (ABV 8%)

Pre-light:

The Casa Magna Jalapa Claro comes dressed in a uniformly tan wrapper with a couple of medium sized veins and is rolled so that the seams are almost completely invisible.  The wrapper doesn’t show much in the way of oils, but there is a small amount of tooth to it.  The cigar has a bit of sponginess to it when lightly squeezed, but overall, the pack is pretty firm.  The foot is squared off a bit, no doubt the result of how it was packed in the box.  The wrapper gives off a nice aroma of tangy and salty earth over natural tobacco, while the foot shows off rich tobacco.  The shallowest of results in an ideal draw that shows sweet cedar, spice, and floral notes.

First third:

The first few puffs of the Casa Magna Jalapa Claro deliver cedar, earth, and leather to the palate.  While it initially took double puffs to get a good mouthful of smoke, by the ½” mark, that is no longer necessary.  The floral notes detected in the cold draw have begun to creep in, as the flavors deepen in the now low-medium smoke.  The burn is sharp and even, leaving behind a nicely compacted ash that taps off at an inch.  The sweetness level has climbed and the retrohale is showing great notes of sweet bread, cedar, and some baking spice.  While these is virtually no pepper on the palate, there is a fair amount coming out on the retrohale.

Middle third:

The Casa Magna Jalapa Claro flows into its middle third by continuing to deepen the flavors while providing a great smoothness, as tiny bit of char wafts in and out to add to the mix.  The pepper has suddenly dropped back, as the creamy sweetness of the cedar, spice, and floral notes lead the way, augmented by light earth.  The cigar ha just barely made it to mid-medium in body, while exhibiting next to nothing in the way of nicotine strength.

Final third:

Moving into its final section, the Casa Magna Jalapa Claro has continued to build on its foundation, not by adding new flavor components, but by concentrating the ones already present.  In the final 1 ½”, the char has moved back in as the sweetness has dropped back and the strength suddenly ramps up to a medium to medium-plus level.  The Casa Magna Jalapa Claro has smoked cool down to the firm nub, and the burn has never wavered all the way through the cigar.

Final thoughts:

The Casa Magna Jalapa Claro looks like a fairly mild smoke, and for the most part it was, but don’t judge this book by its cover – that final inch and a half was pretty powerful, although I don’t remember the other ones I smoked ending up so strong.  That being said, I really enjoyed the cigar for the combination of flavors it provided and the excellent construction.  Despite the packing that resulted in a sort of oval shape with a boxed foot, the Jalapa Claro suffered absolutely no ill effects from it.  I can’t remember the last time I smoked through a cigar with such a dead-even burn and there was never a thought of a re-light even after letting it sit for a while.  The first three-quarters of the cigar would make for a great morning smoke, but watch out for that final bit.  That probably makes it more of an afternoon smoke for me.

Although this cigar is limited in distribution, there are at least a few places online where I have seen them available.  I will be going back to see if they are still there at my local B&M, since they are well worth the price, even if they ran me about 20% more than the MSRP around here, and I would also like to try out the toro size.

Pairing:

Maudite by Quebec brewer Unibroue is certainly no stranger to the pages of Casas Fumando as erstwhile reviewer Daniel featured it in a number of pairings.  The label bills it as a Belgian style double ale, while their website tabs it as a Strong Amber ale.  Well, whatever it is, although I had not had this particular beer before (though I have had several of Unibroue’s other offerings), it seemed like this would be a great beer to match up with the Casa Magna Jalapa Claro, as both appear to be agreeable to a rather large range of combinations.  As it turned out, the beer’s sweet maltiness, along with fruity apple/pear flavors, went terrifically with the cigar, bringing out even more of the floral and fruity essence of the smoke and complementing the other flavors.  A Belgian tripel would also be a great match for this cigar, as would coffee or sweetened tea.

-Jeff Oda

The post Casa Magna – Jalapa Claro appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

# 5 Fonseca Nicaragua Petite Corona

Vitola: Petite Corona | Size: 5 by 42 | Wrapper: Nicaraguan | Binder: Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan | Price: $4.95

I was introduced to this cigar by my good friend and Casas Fumando’s guest contributor, Jeff Oda. Somehow it slipped by me as I was trying to keep up with all the IPCPR coverage in July, but ,within a month of the show, Jeff had a review up here on the site. The Fonseca Nicaragua Petite Corona is manufactured by the Plasencia Family in Esteli, Nicaragua and is the only puro to make the list this year. The box-pressed format and small size makes this an extremely comfortable cigar in both the hand and mouth. The Fonseca Nicaragua surprised me with a profile that I was not expecting from a cigar under the Fonseca brand. The cigar delivered earth, some woodsy notes, and a good amount of pepper as the cigar increased in body and strength throughout. For under $5.00 this is the best bang for the buck cigar I smoked in 2016.

You can find Jeff’s review HERE.

#4 Casa de Entrada – Entrada

Vitola: Corona | Size: 5 1/2 by 44 | Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro | Binder: Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan | Price: $8.20

Entrada is made by Casa Fernandez for Casa de Entrada based out of Omaha, Nebraska and landed the #5 spot on Tony’s list this year. Here is another cigar that runs on the smaller side and is also box-pressed. Something about that just gets my heart beating a little faster. From first light to final puff, the Entrada is a bold and rich cigar showing off some great sweetness that balances out everything and leaves that palate wanting more between each puff. The awesome packaging makes the cigar that much better.

You can find Tony’s full review HERE.

#3 Espinosa Cigars – Laranja Reserva DeSocio

Vitola: Perfecto | Size: 5 5/8 by 54 | Wrapper: Brazilian | Binder: Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan | Price: $10.50

For the past several years, La Zona made cigars have landed on mine and Tony’s top 10 lists and this year is no exception. The price is on the high-side for what I feel comfortable paying for any cigar, but well justified with this smoke. The profile of the Laranja Reserva DeSocio is very unique, especially when compared to the rest of the cigars that made the list. This is what I had to say about the cigar all the way back in June:

Leather and citrus are not flavors I often find in cigars and the Laranja Reserva DeSocio delivered those flavors in remarkable fashion. This may be my favorite Espinosa Cigar and, quite possibly, the best cigar I have reviewed here at Casas Fumando in 2016!

You can find the full review HERE.

#2 Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust – Mi Querida Ancho Largo

Vitola: Ancho Largo | Size: 6 by 52 | Wrapper: USA Connecticut River Valley Broadleaf | Binder: Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan | Price: $9.45

This is mostly likely the cigar that consumers were expecting for Steve Saka’s first release, but he went off the beaten path by releasing Sobremesa in 2015, a cigar well received by the cigar community as a whole, but somewhat unexpected. Well, at the 2016 IPCPR, Steve Saka released Mi Querida that not only satisfied his Connecticut Broadleaf cravings, but one that is worthy to be in all humidors of Broadleaf fans who enjoy a bold, heavy smoke. Mi Querida pours out a thick, chewy smoke and delivers flavors of coffee, dirt, cocoa and that unique tartness only found in Broadleaf tobacco.

Mi Querida Fino Larga took the #4 spot in Tony’s Top 10 of 2016.

You can find the full review HERE.

#1 Duran Cigars – Neya Texas Tactical Lancero

Vitola: Lancero | Size: 7 by 40 | Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo Maduro | Binder: Nicaraguan | Filler: Nicaraguan | Price: $8.00

Duran Cigars is not a company I would have expected to land the #1 spot in 2016, let alone a top 5 (or 10). I have burned through several lines from Duran Cigars, and while I found them to be good smokes, they never set me back in my chair. That was until I lit up the Neya Texas Tactical Lancero. I am sure glad I came across this cigar at a B&M on an unplanned trip to Ohio. As I mentioned in the review, the lancero format and pig-tail cap won me over at first sight and the rich, bold, spicy flavors that this lancero delivered held me captive for nearly two hours.

You can find the full review HERE.

It is worth mentioning that this is the second year in a row that a Texas themed cigar claimed the #1 spot on my list. Crowned Heads’ Yellow Rose was #1 in 2015. Texas certainly hold a special place in my heart.

The post Top 5 Cigars of 2016 – Jeremy Hensley Edition appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

-Tony

Last week I attended a Quesada event at one of my local shops, Stogies n Hops in Lynnwood, WA, where I had the pleasure of meeting Manuel “Manolo” Quesada.  Manuel is a terrific guy with a wealth of information about cigars, and a great conversationalist.  He even stayed way past the designated end of the event to smoke and socialize.  While I was there I picked up a handful of Quesada cigars, including the new Fonseca Nicaragua in the petite corona size.  He explained that the goal in making this cigar was to create the best quality Nicaraguan puro possible at an affordable price.  I contacted Terence Reilly at Quesada for more info, and he sent me the press release, which states:

“For the first time ever a Fonseca will be made in Nicaragua. This summer at IPCPR the Quesada family will release the Fonseca Nicaragua, a Nicaraguan Puro made by the Plasencia Family in Esteli. Adding to the well-established Dominican Fonseca, the Fonseca Nicaragua is blended with tobaccos from Ometepe, Jalapa, and Esteli to capture the full complexity of flavors found in the country. Nearly equally as impressive as the cigars themselves is the price: MSRP will range from $4.99 to $5.95.

Terence Reilly of Quesada Cigars says: “Because this is the first time we will make a Fonseca outside of the Dominican Republic we wanted it to create a special cigar that everyone can afford to smoke and so we approached this project with the concept of creating a $10-12 cigar for $4-6. The result is a complex, nuanced cigar that we believe will be the best value on the market”.

The Fonseca Nicaragua comes in 3 popular sizes: a 6 x 50 Toro that retails for $5.99, a 51/2 x 54

Robusto at $5.79 and a 5 x 42 Petite Corona at $4.95. They’re boxed in 20’s.”

I have to admit that Fonseca is not a brand that I tend to look for, and the only one I have smoked previously is the CXX 120^th Anniversary, which was a limited production line, but the intrigue of a Nicaraguan puro from Fonseca was too much for me to pass on.  So what do I think?  Well, let’s see…

The Basics:

Wrapper:  Nicaraguan
Binder:  Nicaraguan
Filler:  Nicaraguan
Size:  Petite Corona box pressed 5 x 42
Price:  $4.99 ($5.99 here in Washington)
Smoking time:  Fifty-five minutes
Pairing:  Mortal Kombat X Raiden Imperial Saison (Sound Brewery) ABV 8%

Pre-light:

The first thing that stands out about the Fonseca Nicaragua is the band.  Designed by a Dominican graffiti artist friend of Hostos Fernandez Quesada, it’s a big departure from the classic look of the core lines, being much more modern, while retaining traditional elements such as tobacco leaves and earth tones in the colors.  It also comes off cleanly and easily, and when I told Manolo how much I liked that, he noted how hard it was to convince the workers to make the change to the new glue.

The cigar itself sports a velvety dark brown wrapper with fine veins and a nearly seamless, firm roll, which gets just a bit softer as it nears the foot.  The wrapper has a tangy barnyard scent, while earthy tobacco shows off the foot along with a touch of spice.  A shallow snip of the cap gives a much snugger draw than I prefer, and a second clip opens it up a tad more.  Sweet tobacco shows on the cold draw, but not much else.

First third:

Although the draw is still rather stiff, the Fonseca Nicaragua has no problem producing a more than adequate mouthful of smoke.  Light earthiness and smoky oak surround the natural tobacco core.  While I feel no pepper bite at this point, there is a black pepper flavor hovering in the background.  The burn had started out at quite a slant, but by the 1” mark has almost completely evened itself out, with the ash dropping off at that point.  The draw has also opened up a bit, bringing a light sweetness and more pepper presence.

Middle third:

The Fonseca Nicaragua enters its middle third with the emergence of some savoriness as it moves north of medium in body.  The sweetness has dropped back and the smoky wood turns to a light char, then back again, as the pepper also moves up and then down.

Final third:

As the Fonseca Nicaragua petite corona winds down, the main flavors have remained consistent while moving up the scale in intensity.  The pepper is now much stronger, although not overboard, and the body has climbed into the medium-full range, while the strength is just above medium.  Bitter coffee and a little more of the char are evident as the cigar comes to an end.  I have not had to even think of touching it up or re-lighting it along the way.

Final thoughts:

Oops! I forgot that I did have a Fonseca Vintage at the event, so I do have that to go by, as well, and the Nicaragua is a definite step up in the body and strength departments.  I can’t view this as a particularly complex stick, but I did enjoy the flavors it had to offer and the way they moved around and ultimately intensified, and the construction was excellent.  I love this size, and the box press makes it even more comfortable to hold and smoke.  This one smoked pretty quickly, but that may have been influenced by the rather breezy conditions present today.  At their price point, I recommend picking up a couple to try.  I will certainly be grabbing a few in the other sizes to see if the difference in size brings a corresponding difference in flavor.

Pairing:

Mortal Kombat X is a series of beers brewed by Sound Brewery to commemorate the tenth installment of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise.  Since I’m an old guy and never been a gamer, the name really has no significance to me, but the name of the brewery does, as it is local and well regarded.  The Raiden is an Imperial Saison which displays a nice citrusy character on an earthy and slightly sweet base, and would be a great match for lighter wrapper cigars, but it matched up quite well with the Fonseca Nicaragua, too.  I liked the way the brighter notes of the Raiden offset the darker flavors of the Fonseca, but going the other way with, say, a brown ale or Scotch ale would also work very well.  I could also see a sweet rum or spiced rum, as well as a sweetened coffee being great foils for this cigar.

-Jeff Oda

The post Fonseca Nicaragua appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

July & August 2015 Recap

Most Memorable Cigars Smoked

1. E.P. Carrillo – Short Run 2015
2. Arturo Fuente – Casa Fuente
3. Crowned Heads – The Angel’s Anvil 2015
4. Illusione – Sin Cinta, Fox Cigar Bar Exclusive

Giveaway

To show our appreciation to all of our Casas Fumando readers and friends, we have partnered up with Famous Smoke Shop for a 6 cigar sampler and humidor jar giveaway! Enter HERE.

 July and August Cigar Reviews

Review Highlights

Jeremy’s Reviews
Selected Tobacco – Atabey

From the packaging to the experience itself, the Selected Tobacco Atabey is attractive, unique, and intriguing. Each third brought forth distinct flavors, while not losing site of its identity. The cigar centered around the earthy/diesel-like flavor, with transitions in more of subtle, background notes.

Perdomo Cigars – Double Aged 12 Year Vintage

Deep, satisfying, and rich flavors are showcased throughout the cigar, while easily noticeable change-ups are experienced in each third and sometime multiple times in each third. A satisfying amount of velvety smooth smoke poured out with each draw.

Oliva Cigar Co. – Serie G Belicoso

The Oliva Serie G is a great cigar when you desire a medium-bodied, medium-flavor smoke that delivers that Nicaraguan zing! Next time I visit a Serie G, I think I will reach for a parejo shaped cigar in hopes that it cuts down on the charred notes that I experienced in the final third.

Tony’s Reviews

Davidoff Escurio

The flavors are bold, tasty, and complex yet still the Escurio keeps it’s Davidoff character. There is just something in every Davidoff cigar that carries this great mossy flavor. I know, that sounds like a turn off, but it really isn’t and I’ve learned to appreciate it each time I light one up.

Crowned Heads – The Angel Anvil’s 2014

The Crowned Heads Angel’s Anvil 2014 was a solid cigar. The flavor profile was great, although a bit mild for my likes. The burn experience was spot-on and each cigar I smoked was very consistent. I personally liked the 2015 more as I usually gravitate towards bolder, more full bodied cigars.

La Mission Du L’Atelier

L’Atelier has made some great blends in the past, but they have outdone themselves with the La Mission which has quickly become my favorite release by them to date. The cigar is bold, complex, and just all around enjoyable at a damn good price.

Quesada – Oktoberfest 2015 Double Bock Nicaraguan

Let’s just say it’s still early in the cigar year and I can already tell my “Best of 2015” list is going to be a tough one. The Quesada Oktoberfest Double Bock will be fighting for a spot, that’s for sure. The departure from the Dominican Republic was a success with the Double Bock blend. The cigar was complex, yet relaxed and made for a full body experience without being too overpowering. The price is perfect for the cigar and in my opinion, may even be less than I’d expect to pay for it.

Guest Reviews by Jeff Oda

Quesada Selección España H-Town Lancero

I know the first two that I smoked were way up there in terms of enjoyment for me, with good transitions, flavors, and smoothness, as well as solid construction, all at a fair price. I did have to touch it up a few times and re-light it once, but those corrections were minor and didn’t affect the quality of the smoking experience, and it burned through that one goofy vein without any problems.

Punch Sucker Punch

I found the Punch Sucker Punch to be a pretty solid medium bodied smoke, and one that will provide a viable alternative to smokers who want a little more of an edge to the traditional Connecticut wrapped, mild cigar. Contrary to its marketing, it is not, in my opinion, an ass kicking strong smoke, but it does carry some slap to it. I would have liked a little more of the sweetness that a Connecticut stick usually provides and was a little surprised that the Cameroon binder did not for the most part provide that, but I still enjoyed it, and the price is certainly rather easy to take, especially since it can frequently be found on sale at Famous Smoke and on Cigar Monster at substantially lower prices.

The post Monthly Recap – July & August – Jeremy Hensley Edition appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

April 2015 Recap

Number of Cigars Smoked: 21

Of those smoked:

• Purchased: 7 or 33%
• Gifted: 5 or 24%
• Samples Provided: 9 or 43%

Of those purchased:

• Brick & Mortar: 5 or 71%
• Online: 2 or 29%

The Piper Corner

I have been trying my hand in the pipe world for the last 9 months or so.  While I am not quite ready to publish a review , I wanted to share with you a few of the tobaccos I have been enjoying lately. This month I experimented with some of the top selling bulk tobaccos on the market. To be honest, the #1 bulk tobacco, Lane 1Q, did nothing for me, but I have found some impressive bulk tobaccos that run just a few dollars an ounce.

• Peter Stokkebye Luxury Twist Flake
  • Blend: Virginia
  • Tobaccos: Virginia

I found the Luxury Twist Flake to offer a similar profile as the Dunhill Flake that I featured in this section last month but at half the cost. Good stuff!

• Dunhill Early Morning by Scandinavian Tobacco Group
  • Blend: English
  • Tobaccos: Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, and Virginia
• Dunhill Nightcap by Scandinavian Tobacco Group
  • Blend: English
  • Tobaccos: Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Perique and Virginia

The Dunhill Early Morning and Dunhill Nightcap deliver similar flavors, with a bit more spice found in the Nightcap. However, I find the Early Morning to be fuller smoke than the Nightcap, which surprised me. I assume the Early Morning is designed to give you the kick you need to begin your day, while the Nightcap strength is on the mild side so you are not up all night with a racing heart from the nicotine.

Cigar Reviews

Headlines First Edition Page 3

After smoking three First Editions for this review, I found myself enjoying the cigar more and more each time. The core flavors are dark and heavy, but the sweetness cuts through bringing a nice balance to the smoke.  I would recommend smoking this cigar after a full meal due to its strength and richness making it a nice after dinner smoke.

Global Premium Cigars – 1502 Nicaragua

Between the rich cedar, complimented by a medium spice and natural tobacco sweetness, full flavors, full body, and medium-high strength, this cigar hit my palate just right. For a price of $6.50, the 1502 Nicaragua is one of my favorite smokes this year!

Jordan Alexander III Premium Cigar Co. – Jordan Alexander III

The Jordan Alexander III Corojo delivered a flavor and strength profile not typically thought of when Dominican cigars are mentioned. Full flavors and a medium-full body characterized this Quesada made cigar. There where some change-ups noted with dry cedar highlighting the first third, while deep earth notes were showcased in the second and final third of the cigar

Tony’s Reviews

MoyaRuiz – La Jugada Nunchuck

I’ve been impressed with all the cigars under the La Jugada brand, and the Nunchuck just added to the list. The cigar is decently complex, bold, and finished smooth and creamy without the strength overpowering the experience which is exactly what I look for in a cigar. Again, it’s a bit of a gimmick, and the price point is up there, but this was a fun cigar, and a damn good one.

Quesada Reserva Privada

No doubt about it the Quesada Reserva Privada rocked. Lately, in my opinion, Quesada has been hitting home runs ever time it steps up to the plate but the Reserva Privada is on a whole new level. I am not big on Connecticut shade cigars as I’ve stated numerous times in the past but this cigar is in a league of it’s own and easily the best Connecticut wrapped cigar I have ever had the pleasure of smoking.

Epicurean Carnavale

The Epicurean Carnavale is a good cigar. It produces some great flavors, and a great experience. It’s not as complex as I was hoping for, and that’s probably my only gripe about it, but that falls on the subjective side as the cigar preformed flawlessly. I love the format, and the quality of the construction was perfect. I think this cigar is perfect for someone who likes solid smokes, and doesn’t normally reach for the more complex cigars

Selected Tobacco – Bandolero Bravo

All in all it’s a good cigar. Life changing? No, but it’s bold flavors and unique profile made me really enjoy the time I spent with it. I couldn’t quite find an exact price for these cigars, but in all honesty, leave out the cost for the humitube and I’d probably carry quite a few of these on hand for those nights when I am craving something a bit different.

Guest Reviews by Jeff Oda

Villiger Trill Torpedo Gordo

I did not have any re-lights, and the flavors, while not terribly complex, did have some nice transitions, while smoking cool and without harshness all the way down to the nub.  After the initial lifting of the cap, careful handling gave me no further problems.  I am intrigued enough to want to check out the smaller ring gauges to see what they would have to offer, although this experience would be a warning to me that the gordo would probably be a bit too much cigar – in terms of time, not strength – for me.

 

The post Monthly Recap – April 2015 – Jeremy Hensley Edition appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

Monthly Recap – September

Number of Cigars Smoked: 26

Of those smoked:

• Purchased: 13 or 50%
• Gifted: 6 or 23%
• Samples Provided: 7 or 27%

Of those purchased:

• Brick & Mortar: 1 or 8%
• Online: 12 or 92%

Most Memorable Cigars Smoked

#1. Fuente Opus X Belicoso XXX “Power Ranger” – A good friend and coworker gifted this cigar to me awhile back. Maybe two or three years ago (I need to get better at tracking my cigars). I have been waiting for the right occasion to burn this cigar and with the recent move to Michigan, the purchase of our new home, and my mom and stepdad’s visit, I couldn’t think of a more appropriate time. As the kids played off the shores of Lake Michigan, I lit up the Opus X Power Ranger as my stepdad, Rick, burned a Padron 1926 Maduro. Watching the kids be kids and enjoying each others company, the Opus X was the perfect touch to an already perfect day. This cigar will hold a special place in my heart.

#2. Espinosa La Zona Habano – I have never had much luck on cigar bid sites until I came across a bundle of La Zona Habano at cigarbid.com. With only a few minutes remaining on the auction, I placed my bid and counted town the remaining seconds. I walked away with the bundle for $43. Since the shipment was received earlier this month, I have already burned through six of these sticks. The Super Toro 6 1/2 by 44 La Zona offers a satisfying, flavorful smoke at a very inexpensive price.

Cigar Reviews

Agio Cigars – Balmoral Royal Selection Anejo 18

The Balmoral Royal Selection Anejo 18 is a very unique and special cigar. The profile was intriguing in the first third with the sour grass notes, well balanced in the second third with the added sweetness and coffee, and completely satisfying in the final third with deep, dark, full flavors.

Tatuaje – Havana VI Lancero

The Tatuaje Havana VI Lancero began with a bang, opening up with full flavors that were balanced and spicy, but that is where the fairy tale ends. The final two thirds became a story of bad performance and poor flavors. Knowing the high quality of Tatuaje and My Father cigars, this cigar has not deterred me from hunting down one more Havana VI Lancero and giving it another shot.

StogieBoys – Riot

In the last couple of months I have burned through 5 or 6 Riots. Each one presented a decent draw, a somewhat wacky burn-line, and solid, enjoyable flavors. The flavors have been consistent in each of the  samples and sizes. The medium/full flavors and strength fit me just right.

Tony’s Reviews

Espinosa Premium Cigars – Laranja Reserva

Add the Espinosa Laranja Reserva to the list of possible candidates for cigar of the year, not just on our list, but everyone’s else. This cigar is making a name for itself by providing solid construction, and a unique, bold, complex experience to everyone who smokes it.

Quesada – 40th Anniversary Corona Clasica

I seldom reach for Connecticut wrapped cigars, but this is one that I could see myself smoking all day. Flavorful enough for the evening, mild enough for the morning. The construction is absolutely flawless, and the experience is incredible while the price point is just.

Eiroa – CBT Maduro

The rich flavors, full-body, and full strength entice even the more sophisticated cigar-smoking palates while the old school maduro presence will bring the more traditional, and novice smokers out of the woodworks. Sure, the CBT Maduro does come with a premium price point, but it’s one that I would gladly pay over and over again for the complex, balanced, and flavorful smoking experience.

Guest Reviews by Jeff Oda

Villiger – La Libertad 

The Villiger La Libertad carries some rather unique flavors that may not have quite come through in my review, as I admit that the link between my palate and brain is probably not sophisticated enough to describe the nuances of the experience, but anyone interested in what Peruvian tobacco can bring to the table would do well to pick up on a couple of these to see what it has to offer.

Bonita Smoke Shop – Time Warp “Big Ben”

In this age of the new wave of modern flavor preference (i.e. chocolate, spice, etc.), the Time Warp is kind of a throwback in terms of “old time” flavors, and the Time Warp Big Ben does a pretty solid job in delivering on those, although I found myself craving a bit more sweetness to provide more balance.  The construction is terrific, especially with the signature El Titan de Bronze entubado roll that provides a great draw and burn, resulting in an enjoyable big ring smoke

Contests

Casas Fumando and our good friends at StogieBoys.com are giving away a box of Riot Cigars. The contest runs through Thursday, October 9th @ 11:59 PM. A winner will be selected Friday, October 1oth. Enter HERE for your chance to win.

The post Monthly Recap – September 2014 – Jeremy Hensley Edition appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

At the start of 2014, I began tracking each and every cigar, well I may have missed one or two, that I have smoked. Based on discussions I’ve seen on Twitter and questions on this site and others I have come across, I decided to compile some information that I thought you might find interesting.

Monthly Recap – January 2014

Number of Cigars Smoked: 43

Of those smoked:

• Purchased: 29 or 68%
• Gifted: 10 or 23%
• Samples Provided: 4 or 9%

Of those purchased:

• Brick & Mortar: 21 or 72%
• Online: 8 or 28%

Top Cigars Smoked by Quantity

#1. J. Fuego – Sangre De Toro (Original): 4

#2. Joya De Nicaragua – Rosalones (Consul): 3

Both the cigars above are value-priced sticks making them easy on the wallet. Even though they are inexpensive, I HIGHLY recommend both of them. Shoot, the Rosalones even made by Top Cigars of 2013, coming in at the number 10 spot.

Most Memorable Cigars Smoked

#1. Drew Estate – Liga Privada No. 9

#2. My Father Cigars – El Centurion

#3. Drew Estate – Nica Rustica: This cigar just continues to grow on me each time I smoke it. Check out Tony’s review here.

#4. Quesada – Oktoberfest 2013: This cigar has stepped up its game from the 2012 release.

The number 1 and 2 were smoked on my 27th birthday. So, my ranking may be a bit swayed since I was enjoying one heck of an evening with close friends and family when I smoked them. Even my dad came in from Michigan for the weekend. But at the end of the day, aren’t cigars all about the experience anyways?

Cigars Reviewed

Ventura Cigar Company – Estilo Cubano

Espinosa Premium Cigars – 601 La Bomba Warhead

Room 101 – San Andres 213

Partagas – Benji Homage 62

Rodrigo Cigars – Boutique Blend

Well, I hope you enjoyed my first “Monthly Recap” and I hope to expand on this in the coming months. I would appreciate any suggestions that you have to make this post more informative. I should be back at it next Friday with a full review.

ALSO, congrats to both Bill and Joe who have been notified about winning our latest contest for a sampler pack from Felix Assouline Cigars. Your samplers should be on the way soon and for those who did not win, we have more contests coming soon!

The post Monthly Recap – January 2014 – Jeremy Hensley Edition appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The Ashton Members Lounge is done up top-notch with leather chairs, ten flat panel TVs, private cigar lockers, and much, much more. According to Cliff Coen, owner of Fox Cigar Bar, the lounge is still a work in progress. The place already looks fantastic and I can’t wait to return to Fox Cigar Bar to see the final product.

Smoking our way into early Saturday morning with Wes Thornton of Crowned heads and Cliff, we headed back to the hotel to finally get some rest for the Saturday festivities. After a couple hours of rest, the wives were up ready to begin their shopping adventures and Tony and I were excited to get down to Fox Cigar Bar and enjoy what the day had offer.

Saturday was  turning out to be a beautiful day with the sun shining and the high being in the low 80’s.  At 1:00 manufacturers began to arrive and Fox Cigar Bar staff put up the final touches before the gates opened at 2:00 for Foxtoberfest 2013.

There was an unbelievable turnout at this year’s event. Those in attendance included Eddie Ortega from Ortega Cigar Company, Jose Ortega from My Father, Jesus Fuego from J. Fuego Cigars, Matt Booth from Room 101, Nish Patel from Rocky Patel, Fabian Ziegler from Drew Estate, Tony Gomez and Anthony Cantelmo from La Flor Dominicana, Rafael Alejandro from Boutique Blends, Wes Thornton from the Crowned Heads, Clint Aaron from 262 Cigars, David Fraser from Xikar, Meera Levin from Ashton, Terence Reilly from SAG Imports, Jeff Nolen from Oliva Cigars, and Glynn Loope from CRA.

Tony and I had an opportunity touch base with several manufacturers throughout the day.  Below, you will find highlights of the events but in no way does this encompass all of the day’s shenanigans.

Crowned Heads

Wes Thornton of Crowned Heads happened to be in the best shape when we arrived at Fox Cigar Bar Friday evening. While I am not sure of Wes’ official title, a blog post at crownedheads.com refers to his position as an ambassador of Crowned Heads who acts as a liaison between the company and their retail partners. Making our way to some open leather chairs, we sat down with Wes to shoot the bull and see what was in the works at Crowned Heads. One topic of discussion was the 2013 limited edition Headley Grange Drumstick. In Wes’ opinion, the Headley Grande Drumstick is the best cigar to come out of Crowned Heads to-date. The first shipment went out the previous Tuesday but had yet to arrive at Fox Cigar Bar the day of the festival.

The Crowned Heads booth showcased all three of their regular production brands: Four Kicks, Headley Grange, and J.D. Howard Reserve. A sampler made up of two cigars from each line above, named the 6 Shooter, was available for under $50.

Ortega Cigar Company

Making his second appearance at Foxtoberfest, Eddie Ortega, owner of Ortega Cigar Company, made quite the arrival with his Foxtoberfest exclusive cigar, appropriately named “The Fox”. Check out Tony’s review here. While The Fox was the talk of the event, the Ortega Serie “D” and Ortega Minis were also out on display. The Ortega Serie “D” has been a staple in my humidor since its release and I do not see that changing anytime soon considering the flavors and excellent price. And if you are looking for a great commuter cigar, I highly recommend trying out the Minis.

Tony and I were able to spend a good amount of time with the lady-killer throughout the day. While most conversation did not involve cigars, I did ask what his favorite cigar was in the Wild Bunch series. According to Eddie, Dandy McCoy (see Tony’s review here) ranks high up there. He even hinted of a possible continuation of the cigar after the completion of the Wild Bunch.

Cliff puts on a great yearly event and I’m very glad to be part of the manufacturers he invites. It was great event again this year, I think it just keeps growing and getting better every year. – Eddie Ortega

La Flor Dominicana

Tony Gomez and Anthony Cantelmo manned the LFD booth. For those unaware, Tony Gomez is Litto Gomez’s son. Also, you may be familiar with Anthony Cantelmo’s work at cigarbrief.com . Anthony was present at Foxtoberfest in 2012 but in a much different role, as an employee of Fox Cigar Bar. In Early 2013, he moved from Arizona to east Texas to start a new job with La Flor Dominicana as the Southwest Area Manager. Anthony must be a good salesman because he was able to get Tony Gomez to attend this year’s event. LFD has grabbed my attention this past year and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to grab the La Flor Dominicana Foxtoberfest exclusive cigar. The cigar sports a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, Cameroon binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. Keep your eyes out for a review of this special cigar in the near future.

My impression was that it went really well and that the Folks at Fox are doing a fantastic job at creating a wonderful destination spot for cigar lovers in the Valley of the Sun. Our sales this year were great and we had a fantastic time making a special cigar to commemorate the festival. – Anthony  Cantelmo

I thought the event was just awesome. Mitch, Rob, Cliff, and the crew over there are top notch. You couldn’t ask for a better venue to enjoy a smoke & a cocktail with good company. It’s definitely an event worth going to. – Antonio Gomez

SAG Imports

Tony found his soul mate during the event, Mr. Terence Reilly of SAG imports.  Not only is Terence a cigar guys, but he is also a huge beer guy. As I smoked away, Tony and Terence lost themselves in conversation over beer. But for real, Terence is one of the most friendly, down to earth guys in the industry.

The SAG Imports table showcased the seasonally released Quesada Oktoberfest that first appeared in 2011. The cigar is blended to be paired with Marzen style beers that are enjoyed during fall season. Tony reviewed the 2011 release here and absolutely loved it. In conversation with Terence, he mentioned that while the 2011 and 2012 releases had very similar flavor profiles, he does note some profile difference in the 2013 release.

Foxtoberfest is an incredible event because it captures everything people enjoy about cigars. The store is incredible to begin with and has an amazing bar selection, and when you combine that with food music anda bunch of cigar lovers it creates an amazing atmosphere. – Terence Reilly

Room 101 Cigars

Just a few days before Foxtoberfest, Matt Booth of Room 101 was in our neck of the woods for an event at a local shop. It is extremely rare for El Paso to see individuals of his caliber from the cigar industry. Our busy schedules kept us from hanging out with Matt during his stay, but a couple of our smoking buddies stopped by. Chatting with Matt on Saturday, he mentioned that he really enjoyed El Paso. Hopefully, this is a first of many things to come for the cigar community in El Paso.

If you have ever met Matt you know he is quite the character with a quick wit. It was a good thing Tony had a few drinks in him because he was able to dish it back out. I on the other hand had to go hide in a corner.  For a $100, attendees could pick up a 10 pack of Room 101 cigars and an awesome ashtray. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I didn’t jump on the deal. I am kicking myself for that.

The cattle are dying, the answer is Room 101. – Matt Booth

Cigar Rights of America

Last year, Patrick Carr, Field Manager, managed the CRA booth single-handily. Whether it was from the great membership turnout the previous year or just not wanting to miss an awesome cigar and beer festival, Glynn Loope, Executive Director, made his way to Gilbert, AZ to enjoy the festivities, as well as represent an organization that is fighting for our rights to enjoy fine cigars.

If you are unaware, “Cigar Rights of America (CRA) is a national advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the rights of the Consumer, Retail Tobacconist, Supply Chain and Manufacturers of premium cigars. In an effort to combat the threats of enjoying, selling, and producing premium cigars, Cigar Rights of America serves as a voice at each level of government and with the public at-large on issues of significance to the industry as a whole, and the cigar consumers of America, specifically.”

I took the time to renew my membership at the event which only took a couple of minutes. The guys over at CRA were kind enough to throw in a travel humidor with the renewal. If you are not a member, I encourage you to sign up here.

CRA was well represented at this year’s Foxtoberfest, during the event we signed up over 75 new members and proceeds from the golf tournament also went to fight the battle to protect our rights to enjoy premium tobacco products. We would like to thank Fox Cigar Bar and its staff for allowing us to be part of this year’s event, Fox is a model B&M shop supporting CRA and our efforts to help protect our rights to enjoy premium cigars and keep our passion alive! – Patrick Carr, Field Manager

Below is a gallery containing all photos we took at the event. I know it may be a bit of a cumbersome gallery so if you’d like to view them on Facebook instead (no account required) click here.

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The post Foxtoberfest 2013 – Event Coverage (Post 1 of 2) appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

Tesa Cigar Series Shaman #60

Info: As with a few of these Tesa Cigar blends, there is little information about the blends on their site. What I can tell you is that the Series Shaman sports a Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper. I’m really glad that more cigar companies are using that leaf, I am always pleased with the amount of flavor it yields. The Series Shaman comes in 5 sizes and ranges from $6.30 – $8.20 a stick. I am smoking the 6 x 60 for review.

Prelight: The Series Shaman starts with a thick, meaty, incredibly consistent medium brown wrapper. This wrapper looks like it can take a beating. While it looks like it carries a lot of oil, it’s actually pretty dry to the touch. There are a few veins running though the thick body up to the nice, rounded cap.  The Shaman carries a very nice unfinished foot.  This cigar is as hard as a rock and almost as heavy as one. That being said, I was very surprised when the cap cut as clean as easily as it did using my double bladed palio cutter.

Burn/Draw: This is one reason why I am not a big fan of larger ring gauges. On both of the cigars I smoked I found it extremely hard to get a good draw from the Shaman. You know, I won’t really blame the cigar I think it’s a format issue as most 60’s I smoke have the same issue. I really enjoy putting little effort in a draw to get a larger return. Anyways, the burn was excellent. It took a bit of convincing with my single flame butane torch but once this baby was lit there was no stopping it. The Shaman burned razor-sharp and dead event the entire experience.

Taste: The Series Shaman started out pretty mild with some nice chocolate, sweet tobacco, smooth cedar, and a bit of a chalkiness. As the cigar progressed into the second third the body began to ramp up with lots of sweetness, chocolate, and a strong musky flavor. The cigar’s flavors began to meld together for a creamy finish as I closed into the final third.

Thoughts: I really need to try this cigar is a smaller format. The flavors and overall experience prove that there is a lot of promise there, but the larger format dampened the experience. I think the cigar is reasonably priced, but if the experience is better in the smaller formats that I am sure this blend carries a whole lot of bang for the buck.

Tesa Cigar Cabinet 312 Series H

Info: The Cabinet 312 is listed under Tesa Cigar Co’s “Luxury Cigar Blends”.  Tesa coins this blend “the most intricately complex blends in the line”. The cigar starts with an oily parejo maduro wrapper around a blend of Esteli and Jalapa Nicaraguan fillers. I am unsure of the exact tobacco used. The blend ranges from $9.85 – $13.25 a stick and comes in six different sizes. I am smoking the “Series H” which is a 7.25 x 52. LOVE the size.

Prelight: The Tesa Cigar Co. website states that the wrapper is oily, and it’s not lying. This is one of the oiliest wrappers I have seen. Outside of the obvious oils the wrapper feels a bit delicate as the thin, consistently dark brown wrapper runs the length of the cigar’s body. While the wrapper is darker in color, it’s actually quite a bit lighter than most maduros I am used to. The cigar is polished off with a beautiful, spiral pig tail.

Burn/Draw: The Cabinet 312 lit up with ease under my single flame butane torch. The burnline started out with some very slight waves which quickly corrected themselves. After that, the razor-sharp burn continued perfectly consistent and needed no touch ups or relights the entire 2 hour experience. The draw was incredible. Each little puff kicked out a ton of very thick, lingering smoke. I love it.

Taste: The Cabinet 312 started out with a nice blast of black pepper which quickly faded into a sweet and spicy experience. I picked up some soft cedar on and off throughout the smoke as well as a really enjoyable floral flavor while some deep coffee notes remained the entire smoke. The cigar really shines in the final third when the body and the strength ramp up and the black pepper makes a brief reappearance.

Thoughts: I thought he Cabinet 312 rocked. I liked it much more than the Series Shaman. You never know what you are going to get with house blend cigars and I was very pleased with this one. It’s got a bit of a punch to it, but I think that it’s perfect for the seasoned cigar smoker. Novice? Not too much. The cigar is a bit pricey and might be a bit too complex for someone new to the game.

The post Quick Draw Episode 16 – Tesa Cigar Co – Series Shaman / 312 Cabinet appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.