Blanton's Orginal Single Barrel Bourbon

Found a new friend in the Bourbon Aisle.  Blanton's Orginal Single Barrel Bourbon!  Actually had to order it at my local watering hole.  This is fine sipping bourbon that I enjoy straight up....would hate to water down this great bourbon!  This bourbon is smooth!

Blanton's Original

Type: Bourbon Whiskey
Recipe: Corn - Rye - Malted Barley
Mash Type: Sour
Still Proof: 70% Alcohol by Volume - 140 proof
Entry Proof: 62.5% Alcohol by Volume - 125 proof
Warehouse: H
Barrel Type: White Oak
Maker: Independent Stave
Staves: 6 month air dry
Treatment: #4 Char
Filtration: Chill Filtered
Bottle Proof: 46.5% Alcohol by Volume - 93 proof
Tasting Notes: Reddish Amber Color
Nose: A spicy aroma of Dried Citrus and Orange Peels with a hint of Caramel and Vanilla.
Palate Entry: Full and soft, marked by a mix of Burnt Sugar, Caramel, Orange, and Cloves.
Finish: Muted but well balanced with Vanilla, Honey, and Citrus.
Best Served: Straight, on ice, or used in a premium cocktail.

The Outlaw, KC Business of the Year

by: Jennings Brown, Cigar Aficionado Online

A Kansas City, Missouri, cigar shop that led the movement to change the city smoking ban has received a Community Business of the Year award. 

Outlaw Cigar Co. was honored on December12 at the 18th annual Job Development Awards Luncheon sponsored by the Platte County Economic Development Council. 

Kendall Culbertson, owner of Outlaw Cigar, spent several months fighting the Kansas City smoking ban that went into effect in June 2007. He asked members of the City Council's Public Safety Committee to exempt tobacco stores from the ban, urging them to consider tobacco stores' benefits to the local economy, and to recognize his store's charity work. The smoking ordinance was revised by the city council in September 2008 after the proposal received an endorsement from the public safety panel. 

Culbertson believes that it was the council members' consideration of Outlaw Cigar's contributions that led to its nomination. 

Outlaw Cigars holds monthly events for various charities that often draw around 2,000 guests. The store has partnered with several organizations, including the American Red Cross, Bikers for Babies and the Wounded Warrior Project. Culberstson specifically targets people who serve his community and his country; the store hosts many charitable events for the police and fire departments, and sends cigars and other gifts to U.S. soldiers deployed overseas. 

"I think this is a model that every cigar store should follow," said Culbertson. "Whenever your state is talking about a ban or raising tobacco taxes, if you are invaluable to your community, then they [may] spare you big harm."

Cigar Aficionado #13 Cigar for 2008

This is a cigar that I have enjoyed often, just haven't blogged about it yet. These cigars are wonderful and not surprizing it made the list.  When I saw that it made the top 25 list, I thought I'd let the pros describe it...

Pete Johnson’s Cabaiguan line was first rated in 2006. It did well, but not great, scoring in the upper 80s. The cigars were quite different from Johnson’s acclaimed Tatuaje line, using light-hued Connecticut-seed wrappers instead of the dark Nicaraguan wrappers of the Tatuajes. Then he added a fat cigar called the Guapo, made with a darker wrapper and blended somewhat stronger, and the scores rose. The Guapo is an intriguing smoke from its appearance alone—the ultra fat smoke has a pigtail tip, something typically reserved for slim cigars. Made by Pepin Garcia (originally in Miami, now in Nicaragua), the cigars have meaty, leathery flavors complemented by coffee and chocolate notes. 

MADE BY: Tabacalera Cubana S.A.
FACTORY LOCATION: Nicaragua
WRAPPER: Ecuador
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Nicaragua
PRICE: $11.00
RING GAUGE: 54
LENGTH: 5 5/8"
RATING: 92

Cigar Aficionado #8 Cigar for 2008

I have tried several Lanceros lately and am impressed with the size and flavor.  You really do get to enjoy the flavor of the wrap more, you just have to smoke it slower and cooler.  

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Lanceros, long revered by smokers of Cuban cigars, have lately become a hot size in the United States. Cigarmakers have responded with amazing thin smokes, none finer than the Don Pepin Garcia Lancero, made by Jose “Pepin” Garcia at his tiny El Rey de los Habanos factory in Miami. The fabrica is one of the world’s smallest, with all of a dozen rollers. 

Garcia makes many brands for other companies; Don Pepin is one of his own, and his oldest—he began making it in 2003. The lancero is a new size for the line, introduced in May. The cigar is exquisitely crafted from a core of Nicaraguan tobacco and finished with a leaf from Ecuador. The cigar is ultra sweet from the first puff, tremendously rich and flavorful. Although his favorite size to smoke is a robusto, Garcia excels at the lancero format. 

MADE BY: El Rey de los Habanos Inc.
FACTORY LOCATION: U.S.A.
WRAPPER: Ecuador
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Nicaragua
PRICE: $9.00
RING GAUGE: 38
LENGTH: 7 1/2"
RATING: 93

Cigar Aficionado #1 Cigar for 2008

Manuel Quesada has been making cigars since 1974. His original cigars were mild bodied, most of them a blend of Dominican filler and binder tobaccos cloaked with light Connecticut-seed wrappers. His latest endeavors are bolder, more vibrant smokes. The Casa Magna is his greatest innovation. He joined forces with Nicaragua’s largest grower of cigar tobacco, Nestor Plasencia, and created this blend in Plasencia’s Segovia Cigar factory. The line of five cigars saw first light in the summer at an industry trade show and the entire brand was initially reviewed in the August 26 Cigar Insider. Standing above the other sizes was the robusto, a stubby cigar with a bold heart of Cuban-seed tobacco, all of it grown in two very different regions of Nicaragua: tobacco from Estelí (the area where most Nicaraguan cigars are produced) tends to be strong, while that grown in Jalapa, to the north, is typically more balanced and elegant. Together they combine to create a full-flavored cigar, full of rich coffee notes and balanced by a cedary sweetness with a hint of raisins. 

Best of all is the price: at only $5.25, this superb smoke is less expensive than all but one cigar on this list (No. 23, which is a nickel cheaper.) The word “Colorado” in the brand name refers to the dark, slightly reddish hue of the wrapper, and is a hint that Quesada will expand this line to more styles. It will be hard to improve upon this.

MADE BY: Segovia Cigars (Nestor Plasencia)
FACTORY LOCATION: Nicaragua
WRAPPER: Nicaragua
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Nicaragua
PRICE: $5.25
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 5 1/2"
RATING: 93

Perdomo Lot 23

Churchill 7x50 

One of the best farms Perdomo has is called Lot 23. It sat unused, until Nick Perdomo, Sr. decided it was time to use the fertile land that had sat fallow for so long. In September of 2000 an exceptional Cuban seed crop was grown on Lot 23 and plans were made to release a new cigar using the tobacco grown from this phenomenal harvest. The tobacco was fermented from January of 2001 until January 2002. The leaves from Lot 23 were hand selected by Perdomo, Sr. and Jr. and then aged for over 3 years in bales. After being rolled Perdomo Lot 23 is aged an additional 6 months. 
 
Perdomo Lot 23 became a very special project for Nick Perdomo, Jr. after his father passed in 2004, and the fulfillment of a dream crop was left to him. Lot 23 is the realization of that dream. Perdomo Lot 23 is an amazing cigar, medium to full-bodied the Cuban seed tobacco, used as filler and binder, gives the cigar loads of spice and a deep, earthy flavor with a hint of hazelnut. The silky, dark brown Ecuadorian grown Connecticut wrapper also gives the cigar balance and a creamy finish, making Lot 23 a smooth but full-flavored cigar. Perdomo believes Lot 23 meets his father’s strict expectations of quality and now Perdomo Lot 23 stands as a tribute to a father and son’s vision.

Padron Serie 1926 40th Anniversary

Torpedo 54 x 6 1/2 Nicaraguan Puro $27.50

What a way to start the New Year!  This cigar has been aging in my box for 3 years and thought that kicking off 2009 was a great opportunity to enjoy this.  The age added a little more depth to the flavor and strength over '26s I've enjoyed in the past. It is a full bodied smoke that is not meant for the novice cigar smoker. This smoke is packed full of flavor and strength. It is a complex smoke with flavors ranging from pepper, cocoa and coffee.

As you are aware, these smokes were produced to commemorate the 75th Birthday of Jose O. Padron, founder.  It is a Nicaraguan Puro that contains tobacco from 5 different regions of the country. It is masterfully crafted with a box pressed finish. Absolutely one of the best cigars crafted this decade.  

So here is to a great 2009 and some great cigars! I have a couple more of these aging and would love to have a reason to celebrate with them, I think '09 will give me that opportunity!

Happy New Year

Hope you have a great New Year that brings you success, health and the time to enjoy some great cigars!  Looking forward to what 2009 will bring us!

A. Fuente

Enjoyed a Fuente yesterday with family while tossing some dice. It came packaged very nicely in cedar and a black ribbon and was a great gift to enjoy.

I haven't had too many Fuente but this was a great smoke. It was a milder smoke that was a little woodsy tasting. What made it better was enjoying it while enjoying the company of family and friends.

Merry Christmas!

It has been a crazy December and haven't had as many chances to enjoy a good cigar. Today I am over at the Outlaw enjoying a 601 Blue Label. It is a wonderful smoke and is a treat.

I hope that you have a warm and blessed Christmas! Enjoy a cigar when you get any opportunity.

Check out my ebay store by clicking the link at the top of the blog. This is a big part to me being so busy. I enjoy making fine pens and now hope to have many people enjoy them in the upcoming year.

Thanks, Dan

El Rey de los Habanos

Torpedo 6 1/8 x 52   Wrapper: Corojo Rosado Claro Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua $8.00

Here is a Pepin that I haven't tried yet and thought it would make a good Thanksgiving cigar.  It turned out that Pepin has yet to disappoint...  This is a great cigar!  Enjoyed this smoke yesterday afternoon on the patio with a fire blazing and it turned out to be a great November day in Kansas City.  

This is a medium smoke that produces tons of creamy smoke and has a rich taste that went well after a big turkey dinner.  The wrapper was very delicate had a sweet taste to it.  This is a Nicaraguan puro since it is made entirely of tobacco from Nicaragua.  

The El Rey de los Habanos is the first brand of premium cigars to be created by José "Pepin" Garcia after his arrival in the United States and is manufactured at the El Rey de los Habanos factory in Little Havana, Miami, Florida. It was released to national distribution in 2005.

Cabaiguan Guapo

 5 5/8x 54 $9.00

Wrapper: Connecticut Seed Shade Grown Ecuadorian Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua

The Guapo is the only “Sun Grown” size offered.  This is a great looking cigar.  It is a lightly veined Ecuadorian wrapper that is velvety smooth.  This looks like it will be a mild cigar because of the light color--that is not the case.  This is a medium to full bodied smoke.  Loads of creamy smoke with sweet notes and hints of pepper.  This is a complex smoke that reminds me of a true Cuban cigar. Cigars are rolled in classic Cuban tradition by Master Rollers in Little Havana Miami headed by Jose Garcia.

My Father by Don Pepin Garcia

No. 2 5.2 x 54 Nicaragua $11.00

This is a great cigar and a welcomed addition to the Pepin line. This is velvety smooth cigar that is full bodied. This cigar was a treat and I would have to compare that its difference from the Cuban Black Label is similar to a Fuente and Opus X. This is a top quality cigar that burned even and ended up being a finger burner! If you enjoy Pepin as much as I do...you need to try this cigar!

This is what Cigar International said about My Father...

The crème de la crème of Pepin.

"Jose ‘Don Pepin’ Garcia and his son Jaime are currently crafting some of the world’s finest and most heavily sought cigars. Within just a few short years, this father-son duo has created a long list of tasty and top-rated morsels for us to savor, including Cuban Classic, Serie JJ, Tatuaje, 5 Vegas Miami, and so much more. Behold, My Father....an ultra-premium that just might be their finest creation to date.

My Father is enchanting from head to toe. The traditional Cuban packaging and vitolas represents the roots of Pepin’s family, while the blend combines the very best of Nicaragua with a Havana twist. Each leaf in this blend has been hand-selected for optimum aesthetics and flavor. First, you’ll notice the pristine wrapper. A Habano-Rosado leaf grown in the misty valleys of Ecuador – a departure for Pepin-made cigars. Beautiful and dark in color with an oily sheen and pre-light aroma that’ll make you froth at the mouth, this wrapper conceals a bold, full-bodied mixture of aged Nicaraguan long-fillers grown from Cuban-seed in Esteli. The smoke is robust, yet elegant, offering heavy notes of pepper on the palate and through the nose complemented by a touch of nuts and dark espresso. My Father is a complex, medium to full-bodied smoke that’s surprisingly smooth, creamy at times, and ultimately satisfying."

Rocky Patel x-outs

Here is something that is a steal of a deal.  Cigar International has Rocky Patel x-outs of their big brands for nickels on the dollar.  These are RP cigars that just didn't cut the mustard with the final inspection.  They may have a sunspot or slight discoloration...remember that everything in nature doesn't come out perfect.  In a recent Cigar Aficionado article with Rocky Patel, I learned that around 40% of the cigars produced for him do not make the grade.  He only wants the best looking product to bear his name.  The good news is that RP makes awesome cigars...and his commitment  to quality means that even his x-outs are amazing.  This "Liga C" is an Old Worlde Reserve kick.  Compare $50 for 15 with no band to $12 a stick...  That's an economic stimulus package I can live with! 

BENCHMADE by Ashton

7 x 50 Churchill $3.00
Nicaraguan

Tonight I am smoking a value priced cigar from Ashton made by Garcia. This I not a fuma made from short clippings...rather it is more of a 3/4 of a longleaf. You get long ash on this smoke. It has a taste similar to the Miami Vegas with a little kick. This is a great Pepin cigar at a great price.

Ashton Cigars states, "Benchmade is a new brand handcrafted in Nicaragua by
Jose "Pepin" Garcia. These cigars feature gorgeous,
dark-brown Nicaraguan wrappers, a pair of sturdy
Nicaraguan binders and a delicious selection of high-grade Nicaraguan fillers. Each cigar is finished with a handsome pigtail top. The flavors are medium to full-bodied with a sweet earthy richness and a spicy complexity.

Benchmade boasts the flavor and construction of a
super-premium cigar, yet the attractive price-tag of a value bundle. Available in 4 traditional sizes in elegant cedar boxes, BENCHMADE is the new benchmark for the value cigar."