601 Maduro Toro

601 Maduro Toro - 54 x 6 1/4 $9.00

Another great cigar by Pepin Garcia that I enjoyed. This cigar is handmade in Nicaragua by "The Don" exclusuvely for United Tobacco. The 601 is manufactured at Pepins new factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. The blend is a rich and complex blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos topped off with a beautiful dark and oily Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. The 601 is not for the faint of heart, it is very full bodied. This is a great cigar ... I wonder how it did't make the top 25 list. This powerhouse is comparable to the #1 seated No 9 1935 Padron for half the price.

#4 TBCOTY

Oliva Serie V torpedo 56 X 6 $7.50

Today I am enjoying one of the top 10 in the Oliva Serie V torpredo. At first touch the feel is silky smooth and the quality is very noticable. This is a tastey smoke with tons of creamy rich puffs. This has a mellow draw and is full bodied...make sure you have a meal in your belly. This has a rating of 93 and it deserves it.

This was my first Oliva and I purchased a couple more for later that should age nicely in my box. This is a great smoke and you should try one.

#17 on TBCOTY

Jose "Don Pepin" Garcia 1979 Cuban Classic

50 x 5 $6.25

Don Pepin Garcia Black is the newest, and most affordable blend in the Don Pepin line. The full-bodied ‘Cuban Classic’ is crafted in Pepin’s recently opened factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. His famous Corojo ’99 wrapper surrounds an all-Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos to create a spicy, bold smoke. Its flavor has hints of cedar and coffee with a complex, rich aroma. The Master Blender Don Pepin Garcia once again exhibits his skill in producing some of the finest quality cigars off the ‘island’ in the ‘Cuban Classic.’

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My humidor is going to have these stocked all the time. The petit corona is called the 1952 and for me this is what a small cigar should be. It’s strong enough to satisfy even the most experienced cigar smokers. And given it’s short size it’s perfect for a quick smoke when you only have 30 or 40 minutes.

#9 on TBCOTY

CAO VISION Prana
52 x 6 1/4
Torpedo $16.00

Today I am enjoying the CAO Vision Prana. It does have some spectacular packaging that make it look super cool. This smoke is mild compared to the other smokes I normally enjoy. The wrap is very smooth except for the veins. The smoke is creamy and smooth...you get some vanilla tastes and is a little nutty.

This is no light weight. The smoke does get richer as you enjoy it. CAO makes some great smokes and I certainly have smoked a few. This is their premium line and it shows. If you are looking for a milder smoke than the Nicaraguans...this Dominican Republic will satisfy. This just seems like a pricey and trendy smoke...

The price? A little high...think for a few more bucks I would go for the Padron, OpusX or get 2 Pepin's...

#12 on TBCOTY List

San Cristobal Monumento
49 X 7 1/4 $13.50

Swung by the smoke shop to do a little work and enjoy a cigar. Today is the San Cristobal Momumento. Wow, this is a great smoke. Jose Pepin Garcia produces this dynamic smoke for Ashton. I tell that I am liking Pepin more each day. The smoke does have a rich taste and is little more mild compared to his others. There is a hint of sweetness in this smoke and it has great taste. I am thrilled with this smoke with the colorful label...if you haven't enjoyed this smoke, you need to schedule time for it.

#15 on TBCOTY List

Tatuaje Havana VI Angeles
42 x 4 5/8 $6.75

This is number 15 on CA's list. It is a powerfull smoke in a small package. One strong smoke that is made in Nicaragua. You do taste black cherry s suggested by CA...however it is not a flavor that dominates, more of a hint. This smoke is about half the price of the 'brown label' that is the Miami version.

If you like a power house smoke in a small package, this is a bully of a cigar. It did make my head whirl a bet. Don Pepin Garcia has made a genuine knockout. Enjoy one and see if you agree.

What a $1,000,000.00 will buy you!

Barrett-Jackson auctions sold the first 2009 Corvette ZR1 for $1 million, proceeds going to charity. "Tonight Show" host and avid car collector Jay Leno, drove the Corvette ZR1 across the block.

This car is incredible. It boasts 620+ horsepower and is made mainly out of carbon fiber. The fibers are visible on the roof and hood inner. GM has an additive to paint that prevents UV degrade and costs $60,000 a gallon. This is an awesome car and you can get your own for a suggested $100,000.00 MSRP. It just won't be the first.

Nice Celebration Smoke

Just sat down in an easy chair to enjoy a smoke and celebrate a great week. Enjoying a Don Pepin Garcia White Series JJ...reviewed last week.

We had a record week at work and 2008 is off to an AWESOME start. This is going to be a year that will afford me to enjoy some great smokes.

Just landed the latest CA with the top 25 cigars for 2008...interesting that Padron 1926 Anniversary is the top dog this year! Sorry, Rob, Opus X came in 2nd but the Fuente Family represented with more smokes in the list.

My new friend DP Garcia had several smokes in the top 25 as well...some he rolls for other labels. I am looking forward to trying all 25 this year. The Cubans may be hard to get, but I do have some connections to get some.

Okay, we accept the challenge...to smoke every one of the top 25. Who is with me?????

DON PEPIN GARCIA JJ MADURO

54 X 6 $9.50

Another Pepin smoke....quickly becoming a favorite. Today is the maduro JJ. This is everything I have enjoyed in a Pepin with a dark oily spicey maduro wrap.

This is a great smoke with an easy draw. Start is a little spicey and it settles down to become a powerful full bodied smoke that you don't want to light on an empty belly. This would be great after ribeye steak.

My humidor in 2008 is going to be loaded with Don Pepin and Rocky Patel. I have been a HUGE Padron fan and would spend on average $11.00 a smoke. The savings are one thing...but the flavor and quality are another. I would put this Pepin against the Padron 1926 anyday. For those that know me, that is a bold statement.

Rocky Patel THE EDGE

52 X 7 $6.00

Tonight I enjoyed The Edge straight up. This has the lighter shade on the wrapper. This would be the gentle side of The Edge series. A easy smoke some would consider medium in strength.

Rocky says it is for serious smokers only. This is much less intense on the scale compared to the Sumatra. If the Sumatra is an 8 on the strength-o-meter, then this smoke is a 5. This could become an every day smoke pretty quickly. These will become a staple item for my box.

A nice cigar to enjoy over a game of Scrabble.

#24 on TBCOTY

Rocky Patel Edge Sumatra Toro

52x6 $6.00

Happy New Year! Enjoying a Rocky Patel Edge Sumatra. This is a real nice cigar. From what I understand, this smoke will not be available forever. Grab it while you have a chance.

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 and just mellows and is a finger burner. This could be a good everyday smoke if you have the time to enjoy. This has Olde World Reserve taste for half the price. This was good while I played cards with Lisa. This is a longer smoke than I normally smoke...but I like it and the time is well spent.

Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ

54 x 6.5 $8.75

I am down in the shop enjoying another great smoke from The Don. Tonight is the white label Series JJ. I am guessing it is named after the Garcia kids Jaime and Janny. There is a great article in the December C.A. about the Garcia family. Pepin got his start in Miami and is rolling them there still. I haven't been to his shop but I was across the street last December at another roller. Guess I have a reason to visit Little Havana again...

This is a great smoke! It is spicey on the tongue to start but calms down quickly and the flavor becomes more complex. It really is not like other smokes I have enjoyed and I like the new experience. Full bodied like the Cubans (Ramone) and powerful. It makes my head spin just a bit. Easy to draw and lots of creamy smoke. I can only imagine this smoke will get better with age in the humidor. It burns even and you can see and feel the quality of this smoke. I cannot see how you would not like this smoke. Buy it and enjoy.

Koa Box for Lisa

Here is a box I made for Lisa. It is made from Koa brought in from Hawaii. The top is made from five stripes that were glued together. There is some curl to the wood. The grain all goes in different directions. The sides of the box have been mitered and are of Koa. The grain appears to wrap around the sides. It did turn out pretty nice. The top is hindged with brass on the back. The inside is covered with felt. This box will surely hold her treasures. She seemed excited to have it.

The box is about 4" tall by 8" wide and 6" deep.

The next challenge will be a box with a spanish cedar lining to hold my treasures. Of course it will be a little bigger.

Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label

54 x 6 $8.00

Hope you had a great Christmas!

Enjoyed a Don Pepin Blue label today. It is a medium bodied smoke that gets better as I smoked it. It had tastes of coffee and slight cocoa. This is a great cigar and will be purchasing more. It was a $8.00 smoke that reminded me of a Rocky Patel Olde World that sells for 50% more. Very tastey smoke worth trying. Think this would be a good smoke to enjoy deckside. I also purchased a couple Pepin White label series JJ. More to come.

Weather

It is a day like today that makes me long for Megan's Bay. Sand between my toes and salt water on my face. How many smokes did we enjoy that day? I could go back tomorrow...one way ticket?