La Aroma de Cuba

This blend is one of Pepin's.  It is a medium creamy smoke that is great for an afternoon of kicking back and enjoying.

Try one for yourself...

Jamie Garcia Reserva Especial

I am enjoying a newer blend out of the Pepin clan.  This time the son's name is on the cigar.  This cigar is well made and shows well like you have come to expect from Pepin.  The pre-light is all earthy, dark chocolate and hints of hardwood.  These taste great after lit.   This is a dark cigar but not overly heavy.  This one is strong but not overwhelming. 

This is a great cigar and I am enjoying it.  With cigars like this I am excited about the future of Pepin...

HC Corojo Colorado wrap

Enjoying the little more fuller Colorado wrap today from HC by Xikar.  This is a monster of a toro...at least a 60 ring.  The size and taste remind me of a Rocky Patel Edge Battalion.  This has a more earthy flare to it with hints of hazelnut coffee. 

I think this will do just fine as I enjoy the air conditioned lounge on a 100 degree day.

HC Connecticut

A cigar 5 years in the making been working to perfect this blend. Made with Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade, this blend proves to be slightly stronger Shade cigar, while staying true to a Connecticut's character. Tastey!

Tabacos Baez Serie H

"Tabacos Baez" is one of the three brands in which "My Father Cigars, Inc." has introduced to the finest tobacconist. This blend was created and is currently manufactured in Estli, Nicaragua under the supervision of the Garcia Family. It is maintained with the same consistency and quality as the other blends created by the family. The name "Baez" was selected from a small town in Cuba from where Jose "Pepin" Garcia was born and acquired the many years of experience in the blending and manufacturing of cigars. Hailing from manufacturing of cigars.

Hailing from Nicaragua, Tabacos Baez Serie H contains Cuban seeds bound by an oily habano wrapper, allowing the cigar to develop less of a peppery flavor usually associated with blends made by Pepin. Medium bodied with noted of coffee, this blend offers a rich after taste with creamy smoke. Nicaragua, Tabacos Baez contains Cuban seeds bound by an oily habano wrapper allowing the cigar to develop less of a peppery flavor usually associated with blends made by Pepin.  I like it. I better...I have 19 more to enjoy!

Casa Fernandez

I just received my cigars I earned by joining CRA. They came in a humidified pouch with a Boveda pack. The cigars smelled wonderful and I figured I better enjoy one.  I selected the Fernandez and I fired it up and the patio was filled with a flavors of chocolate and woody tones of cedar. The cigar was bold and powerful yet silky smooth with loads of flavor.

According to the guys at Corona Cigar, "Casa Fernandez cigars are hand made in Nicaragua by cousins Paul Palmer and Eduardo Fernandez.  Eduardo is very low keyed and aviods the spotlight, but insiders know that he is one of Nicaragua's largest growers of tobacco supplying almost every cigar manufacturer with leaf."

"This gives Paul the luxury of being able to sort through and set aside the best of the best tobacco leaves as each year's harvest is processed.  (Many of these specia reserved tobaccos are used in Flor de Cielo, Illusione and Cruzado cigars as well.) The Casa Fernandez is a wonderfully complex Nicaraguan smoke. " I have enjoyed Illusione from this group.

Casa Fernandez Lancero named #21 on  Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of the year 2009.

Happy 4th of July America! Let Freedom Ring!

FIGHTING FOR THE FREEDOM TO ENJOY FINE CIGARS 
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness"
"Land of the Free"
"No Taxation Without Representation"

These are the principles on which America was founded. Unfortunately for cigar enthusiasts, the age-old pleasure of enjoying a cigar is under attack. On a daily basis, your freedom to enjoy a cigar is being stripped away by an overzealous, anti-smoking movement. Their tactics are varied; be it through supporting onerous cigar taxes or lobbying government for restrictive smoking bans. The anti-smoking movement will stop at nothing short of the complete prohibition of tobacco.

The Declaration of Independence of the United States ensures that all men and women have the freedom and the right to the pursuit of happiness. Unfortunately, cigar enthusiasts have slowly allowed these rights to be removed. Over the past twenty years, the anti-tobacco movement has broadened their reach and scope and are moving towards abolishing ALL forms of tobacco including cigars. Until recently there has essentially been very little organized opposition to their actions. And why should there have been? Most of us assumed that their attention was directed towards cigarettes.

CRA's MISSION

Cigar Rights of America (CRA) was founded on the principle of fighting for the freedom to enjoy cigars.

CRA is a consumer-based, non-profit public advocacy organization that works at the local, state, and federal level of government to protect the freedoms of cigar enthusiasts.

Together, with our constituency of nationwide members, we focus our fight for freedom in two main areas:

Oppose Restrictive Smoking Bans 
Oppose Taxation of Cigars

Cabaiguan

Enjoying a Pete Johnson and Pepin partnership of a wonderful cigar this morning.  While this is a tick below a medium smoke...flavor is abundant.  You have a rich flavor of roasted nuts, pepper and almost a warm baked bread taste.  I have enjoyed many of these cigars and have yet to be disappointed. 

I know it will be a good day starting out like this!

5 Vegas Miami

Enjoying a 5 Vegas Miami tonight on the patio.  This is a cigar you must purchase online like Cigar International because you won't find it at your local cigar store.  This is a treat of a smoke blended by no other than Don Pepin Garcia.  When a cigar has these master craftsman's name attached you always turn up aces.  This smoke came in a package deal that won't disappoint.

This is a medium to full cigar with lots of flavor to spare.  There is a roasted hazlenut and toffee with a cracked black pepper aftertone.  You also get flavors of leather and is a bit earthy.  This is a great smoke and you shoud not pass up the opportunity to enjoy one!

Tatuaje Red Label

The weather is tropical today...a little rain has fallen and KC feels a little like Miami. Enjoying a Tatuaje Red Label and it is tastey!

It has been a while since my last Tat and it is great. The flavor is bold and in your face. A little pepper and a hint of cedar shines on this chimney of smoke! Don Garcia helps Pete Johnson make some great cigars...now go get one for yourself.

CAO Mx2

Enjoying a CAO Mx2 today. This is a favorite of mine that is a sweet smoke. The binder and wrap are of the sweet, dark and oily muduro leaf.

You can taste carmel mixed with cocoa and hints of coffee in the after taste. Pretty great smoke that won't break the bank at 6 bucks or so.

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I am thankful for all those that have sacrficed all so that I may enjoy my freedom. I have been enjoying the day off and the warm weather. Part of that includes getting to enjoy a great beer and cigar.

Today I am enjoying a Cain by from the makers of Nub and Oliva. This is a powerful smoke that is very complex and a little spicier than I normally go for. The taste linger on the back of my throat....so I reach for my Boulevard Dry Stout! The sweetness of the stout almost is a ying and yang to the cigar. I am enjoying the battle for my taste buds!

Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic

Out on the patio tonight taking a much earned break with my old friend Garcia. It has been too long since I have last enjoyed the Cuban Classic...why? This is a great smoke that affords tons of puffs of great smoke. This is also no tame mild smoke...it is about as full as they come. I am enjoying this with a pint (or 3) of Boulevard's 6th Glass beer. They are a great pair. If you haven't tried either...shame on you.

This smoke was a 5x50 Robusto that will run you about 6 bucks...pretty affordable for a complex cigar from the great Garcia.

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Oliva Connecticut

The Oliva Connecticut Lancero was what I enjoyed while out on the patio this morning. I have always trended towards the fuller bodied smoke and this cigar was recommended by the Oliva rep. at the last cigar party I went to. He was right in that this cigar is mild and yet flavorful. I can taste hints of vanilla and carmel. This is a cigar you could enjoy after a light meal...or no meal at all. This cigar has a its place...just probably won't become a regular as I tend to not puff away in the am. If you are going to enjoy this one...enjoy it early in the day as it will certainly be boring after smoking anything more powerful.

Cain by Oliva

Just enjoyed a Cain that is made by Oliva. It has a dark maduro wrap and is a Straight Ligero binder. This dark beauty is a powerhouse of a smoke that you don't want to enjoy on an empty belly. This would be a good cigar to enjoy after a nice ribeye steak. The dark wrap makes it sweet in taste but the binder is earthy with hints of cocoa and coffee. I really enjoyed this one at the Outlaw with a couple buddies.

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