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."

The Pepin Party was Great!

There was an Army Apache helicopter landing at the store.   

Here is Pepin rolling cigars last Saturday at the Outlaw Pepin Party.  It was a great event and we got to smoke some great cigars.  I tried the Vegas Cubanas from Pepin and really enjoyed it.  There was a buy some get some free deal going on.  The freebies were hand rolled for the event and very tastey as well.   

Rocky Patel Sun Grown

6 1/4 x 52 Honduras $7.00

It started out with a little pepper taste that mellowed quick. It is a medium bodied smoke that is very smooth. You get tons of creamy smoke with this Rocky. This cigar has earthy tones with a kick of coffees. The burn is very even. This has the 5 year-old Ecuadorian sun grown wrapper that makes it a bit sweet. 

Nub 464t Connecticut

Nub 464t Connecticut  4 x 64 $4.00

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

After smoking the Camaroon and being a little disappointed I didn't have high expectations on the Connecticut.  I was wrong to think that way.  This is a creamy smoke that has a mild to medium body.  The binder and filler are Nicaraguan and very tasty.  I normally don't get too excited about a milder smoke, but this little guy is a nice change of pace.  After lunch I enjoyed this cigar and will probably enjoy another again given the opportunity.  

Cabaiguan by Don Pepin Garcia

Belicoso Finos 5 1/2 inch by 52  $9.00

Nicaraguan with Ecuadoran-grown Connecticut Shade wrapper

Cabaiguan is a release from master cigar blender Pepin Garcia, the maker of the famous Tatuaje line of cigars. Named after his hometown in Cuba, Cabaiguan, pronounced (kah-bei-gwahn), is another example of Pepin Garcia’s talent as a cigar blender. Blended with a Connecticut shade Ecuadorian grown wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler, the Cabaiguan is a medium to full-bodied cigar, slightly milder than the Tatuaje but equal in flavor and complexity. The cigar is earthy and spicy, with a creamy quality. Pepin Garcia blends with the flavor of his homeland in mind and has reproduced that flavor so well that while smoking Cabaiguan you can close your eyes and feel like your smoking a Pre-Castro Cuban.

You have to try this cigar!

Don Pepin Garcia--August 23rd

Don Pepin Garcia will be at the Outlaw on August 23rd.   The event is going to be huge and I have planned to enjoy the day out there smoking my favorites smokes.  If you don't have anything planned for the 23rd--You should be at the Outlaw!     www.outlawcigar.com

Summer

Haven't had much time to post anything new...so here is to a hot summer day! I am enjoying a 601 Red Label robusto and a little Blanton's Bourbon. The cigar and the bourbon are being good friends tonight. They really do compliment each other well. The 601 Red is a spicier smoke than the others.

The Bourbon is the best I've had yet. The boys over at Blanton's have been doing it right for years. They produce single barrel bourbon...meaning there just isn't any mixing of the barrels like you find from 99% of the other guys. This is top shelf Kentucky bourbon.

Happy 4th of July, America!

God Bless America!

Hope you enjoy a cigar and celebrate the day!

Ramon Allones

Maestro (5.5" x 54) Dominican Republic $4.00

I first smoked Ramon Allones in St. Martin while on a cruise.  They were Cubans and extremely tasty.  This is the Dominican version of that smoke.  This has a rich, full flavored taste that is legendary to the brand.  The price is very affordable and it has the quality of a smoke triple the price.   This a wonderful cigar that has some unusual flavors.  It has a nutty taste that is almost meaty. I enjoyed this smoke almost as much as the Cuban. I don't think you would be disappointed!

Nub Cameroon

4" x 66 Box-Press Torpedo $5.50

Wrapper: Cameroon  Filler: Nicaragua  Binder: Nicaragua

After hearing all the hype on this cigar AND having been such a huge Oliva fan...I thought that this cigar would be awesome.  Rather than wait for a cigar to develop and evolve, which typically occurs an inch to two inches in, the idea behind Nub was to specifically blend it to hit its sweet spot right off the bat and remain at its peak right through to the end. Each size is short and stout in stature. 

This cigar does get to the point pretty quick.  Normally it does take about 15 minutes for me to really start to enjoy a cigar.  They tend to start out a little bitter and then calm out quickly.  The thought.  I was honestly a little disappointed in the Cameroon.  It was a little dull for my taste.  I did purchase a sampler pack and will try the Habano and Connecticut.  

Cameroon - dark and leathery to the touch. A sweet, cedary smoke with an intriguing spice. The aftertaste is dry and toasty.  A medium to full-bodied cigar that's  smooth.  I guess I expected more from the Nub...

Cigar & Tabac Limited in Overland Park, KS

Today I am enjoying an Oliva Serie V in shop that I have yet to visit. Cigar & Tabac Limited located at 6898 W 105th St Overland Park, KS 66212 is the place. This is pretty close to where I work and am surprised that I haven't shadowed their door. They have some leather chairs and WIFI and a big flat screen with the History Channel going. My kind of place.

They have a large walk in humidor that is STOCKED up. They have a great selection of cigars that range from everything from a Padron Anniversary to an Acid. Overall a very good selection. They have a great selection of gifts and humidors as well. Cigar prices are right.

If you are in Overland Park, KS you may already know about this shop---if you don't I'd suggest stopping by and enjoying a smoke while you browse the web.