5 Vegas Miami

6 1/8 x 52 Torpedo
Nicaragua $10.00

Okay, another cigar that has a connection with Don Pepin Garcia. He rolled these for 5 Vegas in Miami...thus the name and label. This started out as a very limited production in Miami..now they are rolled in Nicaragua. They are more available now.

This cigar has a smooth leather like wrap. It has wonderful aroma and is earthy and leathery. It has an easy draw and you get a ton of smoke out of this guy. The construction is similar to the Blue Label Pepin...it just is click milder. This is one I enjoyed down to the nub. I have smoked about 3 of the Miami's and have enjoyed each one. This will become a staple in my humidor.

I picked up the 5 Vegas Miami as a sampler pack. Cigar.com has some very great priced deals available and you can sign up to get their emails at the website...worth checking out.

601 Red Label Habano

5 1/2 x 50 Robusto
Nicaragua $6.00

This smoke came in a sampler that I purchased from cigar.com and is the first Red Label Habano I've had the chance to enjoy. I had it after eating a big ribeye steak and probably aided in the enjoyment of this smoke.

The 601 is a creation of Pepin. The Habano wrapper is in reference to the shade. It is a few shades lighter than the Maduro and adds a sweetness to the smoke. This guy starts out with a little kick of pepper and leather and calms down quickly to a mellow and smooth smoke that just tastes very good. This has some tastes not found in other 601's, although maybe not as complex. It is a medium bodied smoke that left me almost burning my fingers.

I look forward to the others I have resting in my humi. Not a bad Sunday afternoon smoke.

Partagas Black Label

4 1/2 x 54 Robusto
Dominican Republic with Nicaraguan Filler
$6.50

A buddy suggested this cigar so I thought I would give it a try. I like the size of this smoke and it is surprisingly dark for a Dominican Republic smoke. The tobacco looks like velvet and is smooth to the touch. This smoke was easy to light and starts out with a sweetness I didn't expect. It has an easy draw and a firm feel. It has a complex taste but I do pick up on hints of Caramel and chocolate...sounds like a Milky Way?

It stays sweet and smooth throughout and leaves a nice clean taste on my palette. There was an addition note of spice about half way into it. This would be a good cigar to enjoy with a coffee.

I did enjoy this cigar and it was a nice change from my normal full bodied smoke. This might be considered medium to full for some but it was a treat on the milder side for what I normally enjoy. This smoke was an enjoyment this morning out on the patio.

Some new Pens

Here are my newest creations in the workshop... I have added a new element to my pens. Notice there is a cross section of a different wood on the top portion of the pen. Working left to right, Koa with Brazilian Cherry; Koa with Mahogany; Walnut with Mahogany; and Silk Oak with Mahogany.

I used a different finish this time and it gives a nice satin look vs. a shine. I may have to find a way to make some and sell. I have always made them as gifts.

#7 TBCOTY

Illusione cg:4 Toro
5 5/8 x 48 $7.50

Had the opportunity to enjoy the cg:4 and I am glad that I took it. Nicaraguan made cigars by far are my favorites. The concept behind Illusione cigars was to recreate a flavor profile from years past Nicaraguan tobacco. All Illusione cigars are made from first generation Corojo '99, Criollo '98 seeds, wrapped with a grade one Colorado wrapper, and finished with a traditional triple cap.

It is well constructed and has a solid feel in hand. One of the most striking things about this cigar is how wonderful it smells both pre-light and during the smoke. It really enhances the experience. After the initial spice, my palate was filled with a robust toasted tobacco flavor with notes of leather and an underlying spiciness. I did enjoy this cigar and will smoke it again given the opportunity.

I smoked the 88 (5 x 52 Robusto) as well and the taste is similar...grab the size you like.

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.