|
|
Thursday, August 9, 2007
| | | Steve-o's RTDA 2007 - Wrap-Up | |
Indeed, this was a great RTDA. The attendance was a little lower than normal...ok, it was a lot lower than normal, but the retailers were buying. With so many fantastic cigars available, how could they not be?! Everybody seems to be making great cigars these days; hats off to those talented cigar makers!
Below, I’ve compiled a short list of my favorite new cigars shown at the 2007 RTDA in Houston. There was a lot to choose from, and this list was very difficult to make, but the following really stood out in my mind:
CAO America - Going in, there was a lot of hype about this cigar. Fortunately, it lived up to the hype and then some. The cigar is very complex, with a meaty array of creamy flavors thanks to a generous amount of ligero within the inner core. It’s rich, with oaky undertones and some vanilla-like flavors, all complemented by a super-slow and relaxing burn. Quantities will be limited off the bat, and this cigar might be difficult to find, but the America is a must-try.
San Cristobal de la Habana - Considering SCdlH is my favorite Cuban brand, I was very hesitant to try Ashton’s version. Actually, I had a chance to smoke it on a clean palate, a few weeks before the show. I knew it was made by Pepin, so I instantly thought of Tatuaje and Padilla Miami 8&11. But, after holding it in my hand, I knew it was something very different. The wrapper is very dark, with a slight reddish-hue. The flavor is chewy and hearty, with a full-bodied character and heavy notes of wood and earth. As you hit the final third, the cigar becomes significantly stronger, developing a pleasant peppery influence along the way. I enjoyed this cigar thoroughly.
MAXX ‘The Vice’ - This cigar really surprised me. Mainly because I didn’t think MAXX could get any better. If you’ve read my Staff Review, you know I love the MAXX blend from Alec Bradley. Having tried the new box-pressed Vice, I love it even more. It’s richer and deeper in flavor, offering more of that unique meatiness I found in ‘The Freak’ size, with a slight increase in strength, but not much, keeping it one of the most complex and well balanced medium-bodied blends on the market today.
Liga Privada No. 9 by Drew Estate - I’ve been a fan of this cigar for over a year. In my opinion, it’s the best traditional cigar made by Drew Estate since the La Vieja Habana “Leather Patch”, and puts Nicaragua’s rich tobaccos on full display. The Liga Privada will be made in very limited quantities, and only distributed to a select number of retailers across the country, so when you see it, buy it. It really is worth every penny.
The value-priced cigar of the show has to be Perdomo Habano. Despite Nick Perdomo’s use of extensively aged, top-grade tobaccos and thick ring gauges, the Habano has a retail price of just $5 to $7, depending on size. Considering the amount of flavor this slow-burning premium imparts, this is chump change, especially after CI’s every-day low price comes into play. Once again, Nick Perdomo has created an every day gem for our smoking enjoyment.
This year’s unsung hero would have to be Phillip Wynne. Last year, he blew me away with Power and Pelo de Oro. This year, he created something very different with the Felipe Gregorio 1957 Series. He uses a robust blend of vintage, 7-year old tobaccos and a marbleized Pinar del Rio wrapper from Costa Rica to create a very sophisticated cigar with a wide range of flavor and bold strength. The aroma is very pleasant, rounding out a new and satisfying experience from the Dominican Republic.
The idea of the year award has to go to La Aurora for the 1495 Series Connoisseur's Collection. Jose Blanco took the top-selling 1495 Series, which is Sumatra wrapped, and re-created the cigar with 4 different wrappers - Brazilian, Cameroon, Connecticut, and Corojo - giving the consumer a unique flavor profile and sensation of tastes based solely on the characteristics from today's in-demand, super-premium wrapper leaves.
The triumphant return award has to go to Rocky Patel for his Indian Tabac 10th Anniversary. IT is a solid brand that seemed to receive back-burner treatment after the success of RP Vintage. But, it remains an everyday favorite among enthusiasts from sea to shining sea, and the 10th Anniversary is sure to please. It's an aromatic, medium to full-bodied Nicaraguan puro, utilizing aged ligero from the country's primary growing regions: Jalapa, Esteli, and Condega.
And finally, the no-brainer award. Congratulations Cusano, you've got this one in the bag. Take the top-selling Cusano 18 Double Connecticut and Paired Maduro and introduce a new gordo size. A no-brainer indeed...this cigar should sell like hotcakes.
Truth be told, there were a ton of great cigars introduced this year in Houston. But, for me, these were the best of the best. Thanks for checking back throughout the show. I apologize for any spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. It was a crazy week, and I did my best to provide as much info during any downtime, which was slim to none.
Be sure to keep an eye on our Big List of brands, as this year’s new releases will begin shipping any day now, and continue coming over the next few weeks and months.
- Steve-o | | Return to Top
|
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
| | | Wednesday - Day 4 | |
Last night's dinner was amazing! Not necessarily because of the restaurant, but because of the company. We had dinner with Paolo and Enrico Garzaroli, along with their entire Graycliff crew. Countless bottles of wine and dulce all topped off with fresh-rolled Graycliff cigars, while enjoying the company of some of the finest people in the industry. Thank you Graycliff!
Today is the last day of RTDA 2007. Despite being a relatively low year attendance wise...most manufacturers are reporting a record year. This is a great sign for our industry, especially since most of the talk throughout the week has been about the S-CHIP tax. Please know, all cigar manufacturers and many retailers are leading the charge to stop this tax. However, you must continue to call, email, and write letters to your representatives, and urge your local retailers to do so as well. Everybody needs to be vocal and be heard.
That said, let's tackle the last few booths!
Carlos Torano
Reserva Decadencia - Yes, Reserva Decadencia (a cigar showcased at the 2005 RTDA) is finally ready for release. Carlos Torano decided to create a richly flavorful blend that’s infused with vintage port to issue a deep flavor never before seen in the cigar world. This cigar is tasty, with an amazing aroma and satisfying medium-bodied character.
Casa Torano Maduro - Thanks to constant requests from consumers, Team Torano has blended a Maduro version for the company's top-selling Casa Torano line. Expect the same mild subtleties of Casa Torano, but delivered in a richer, smoother fashion, with a toasty influence and slightly sweet aftertaste.
Camacho
Camacho Triple Maduro - Consider this the oh-fficial release of Triple Maduro, a revolutionary cigar that represents the first ever triple maduro in the industry. Made entirely of Cuban-seed, Honduran grown tobaccos that have been carefully fermented into a dark and flavorful maduro, the Triple Maduro is a powerful cigar loaded with deep, earthy flavors, notable spices, and a touch of mocha on the finish after passing the first inch or so. The Triple Maduro is quite strong, but well balanced and surprisingly smooth.
Camacho Corojo - The Camacho Corojo has received several changes. First, be on the lookout for the 60-ring Diploma. Yes, I am serious...one of Camacho's strongest cigars has been crafted into a ginormous 60-ring made. Also, a foil-wrapped Figurado has been added to the lineup, very similar to the Camacho Havana, but made with the deliciously full-bodied Corojo blend. Last but not least, get ready for some box-pressed Camacho Corojos!
 
Camacho Corojo 10th Anniversary - To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Camacho Corojo, a very special blend was created using the highest quality Corojo leaves grown by the Eiroa family, which has been quoted as the highest quality Corojo leaf ever cultivated outside of Cuba. Each cigar is carefully box-pressed and delivers a luxurious, full-bodied array of earth, pepper, and cocoa, with heavy doses of spice on the finish and through the nose. A velvety-smooth smoke honoring one of the best full-bodied brands on the planet.
Camacho Signature Blends - A full-throttle, 20-cigar sampler featuring Camacho's finest blends, including: Camacho Corojo 10th Anniversary, Camacho Triple Maduro, Camacho CLE, Camacho Liberty 2007, and Camacho Ltd. Diploma 11/18.
Camacho Liberty '07 - I know, you've already seen it online. Thankfully, we received an advance shipment. Regardless, Camacho's finest creation - a cigar referred to the best cigar to ever leave Honduras - the Liberty '07, is now in full swing. This year, the cigar is made in barber pole fashion, featuring a leathery Corojo wrapper and a thick Broadleaf Maduro. The result is an elegant, sophisticated smoke complex in flavor with a hearty, medium to full-body. Easily Camacho's best to date.
Gurkha
Before I discuss the blends, let me first tell you that I do not know of their components. Gurkha released several new cigars today, and I smoked them all, but I have what they're composed of. They're pretty good though.
Gurkha Crest - My favorite among Kaizad's releases. This is a meaty cigar, with spice notes, hints of cloves, and a touch of cinnamon. Very complex, nicely balanced, and extremely satisfying, the Gurkha Crest is an eventful smoke that will only improve Gurkha's strong reputation as a premium boutique cigar brand.
Gurkha G5 - First off, the box for this thing is crazy. I have no idea what it's made of, but it looks like Darth Vader. No lie. The cigar is dark and sharply box-pressed. There's a lot of ligero at play; you can see it at the foot, smell it through the nose, taste it on the finish, and feel it in the belly. The cigar is quite reminiscent of Gurkha Triple Ligero, so if you like that one, you'll probably enjoy this. It's rich, smooth, chocolatey and peppery.
Gurkha Double 'AA' - A massive, 8.5" x 52 vitola wrapped in a smooth, oily wrapper, and offering a hearty barnyard pre-light aroma. After a spicy start, the smoke becomes quite woody throughout. There's a slight coffee flavor, and an almost salty hint of cashew. One must smoke this cigar on a clean palate to truly enjoy its soft, elegant flavors.
Alec Bradley
First and foremost, thank you to the Alec Bradley squad for a fantastic evening. What better way to starting the RTDA than cannonballing a bottle of Chivas after an amazing steak and seafood dinner? You guys are the best!
MAXX - In addition to 'The Nano', Alec Bradley has added 'The Vice' to the incredibly popular MAXX line. One wouldn't think a box-pressed would change the flavor of a blend much, but hey, lemme tell ya, the box-pressed Vice takes the complex flavors of MAXX to a whole new level. It's huge in stature and chock full of premium aged tobaccos, giving you the ultimate MAXX experience.
AVO
The AVO 787 is now available. We tried the cigar, but found it quite difficult to concentrate while talking to the beautiful girl behind the counter. Sorry, no tasting notes here, my friend. It's an AVO, so I am sure it was good and burned perfectly, but you'll have to taste one for yourself.
 
And with that, it was time to catch our flight back to Pennsylvania, where we heard it was even hotter, and even stickier. Great...can't wait! Another successful RTDA is in the books.
- Steve-o
| | Return to Top
|
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
| | | Tuesday - Day 3 | |
So, we didn't quite make it back in time last night for an update. And even if we had, none of us were in any condition to put intelligent thoughts together in some sort of ordered fashion. The Ashton dinner was exquisite, yet equally entertaining, thanks to an ocean of scotch and wine flowing freely throughout the evening. Oh, and shots of tequila after the end, before we closed down the Petroleum Club. Then we were off to the CAO party, and ended the night at the Hilton's bar, along with (what seemed liked) the rest of the industry. Needless to say, it was quite difficult rolling out of bed this morning, but work calls and we were meeting Rocky Patel for breakfast.
Perdomo
Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro - The 2007 RTDA marks the official launch of Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro, a cigar many of you have already tried and loved. This lovely cigar is mild to medium-bodied, rich, creamy and loaded with notes of peanuts and earth.
Perdomo Habano - Another attractively priced Perdomo has hit the market. Introducing Perdomo Habano, an aesthetically enjoyable cigar made in thick ring gauges chock full of Habano-seed tobaccos. Habano is available in two varieties, a full-bodied Corojo and a medium to full-bodied, triple-fermented Nicaraguan Maduro. Three types of Nicaraguan long-fillers are used from three different growing regions. Rich, full-flavored leaves from Esteli, pleasantly aromatic tobaccos from Condega, and sweet, creamy leaves from Jalapa. Each wrapper variety imparts a bold and satisfying cigar that's rich, powerful, and complex, yet smooth as silk.
Perdomo Reserve - A new box of La Tradicion Perdomo Reserve has been created, filled with all 5 blends from Perdomo's flagship brand: Champagne, Maduro, Cameroon, Sun-Grown and Limited Golf Edition.
Perdomo ESV '91 - The same has been done for ESV! This box of 30 is amazing, offering ten cigars from each blend in a robusto size, Cameroon, Connecticut, and Maduro. In addition to this new box, Nick added an Epicure size to the ESV due to popular demand.
 
Rocky Patel
Rocky Patel Decade - RP Decade celebrates 10 years of Rocky Patel in the cigar industry, and the blend is pure RP. The wrapper of choice, a dark and oily Ecuadorian Sumatra cloaking a proprietary blend of aged, long-leaf tobaccos. Rocky won't budge on revealing the blend itself, but I can assure you there's plenty of ligero in there, lending a super-spicy smoke with hearty notes of toasted wood, and a rich tobacco aftertaste.
 
Indian Tabac 10th Anniversary - Yes, another anniversary cigar for Rocky Patel, honoring the brand that put Rocky on the map as a premium boutique cigar maker, Indian Tabac. The IT 10th Anniversary is an enjoyable Nicaraguan puro - the first Nicaraguan puro by Patel - and combines a lovely Nicaraguan wrapper from the Jalapa Valley with long-leaf ligero from the country's three major growing regions: Esteli, Jalapa, and Condega. Each sample burned slow and cool, dishing out a buttery smooth smoke that's full in body with heavy notes of leather and earth with a generous touch of pepper. The cigar is quite aromatic, with a sweet, pleasant aroma.
Drew Estate
Liga Privada No. 9 - Last year, the boys from Drew Estate wouldn't go anywhere in Las Vegas without a shopping bag in his hand. In that bag, Liga Privada samples. A cigar that was not yet ready for release, but one they were extremely proud about. Well it's out now, and will surely help catapult Drew Estate into the upper tier of traditional, premium cigars. Liga Privada is dark, oily, and heavy in the hand. Crafted in one size only, a delightful toro just like the samples, expect a rich assortment of interesting flavors. Sweet spicy influences mingle with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, all complemented by a good old-fashioned tobacco richness.
Isla del Sol - This enticing new handmade from Nicaragua offers the best of both worlds. Top-notch infused flavor and a price that can't be beat. Isla del Sol is coated with a lovely, chocolaty brown 'Sun-Blessed' Sumatran wrapper and loaded with rich Nicaraguan tobaccos. Each leaf is carefully infused with Sumatran Mandheling Bean Coffee and finished with a subtle sugar tip to deliver a deliciously rich smoke with ample flavor and a luxurious aroma. Root fans, this one's for you!
ACID Chi-Town Style Chunky - Oh my, this just might be the ultimate ACID. First, it's 5" x 58 in size. Next, it's box-pressed. Finally, it's carefully infused with Drew's finest herbs, oils, and botanicals to create an incredibly unique aroma and flavor that's rich, with amaretto notes, the slight touch of white pepper, and a wonderful sweetness from the wrapper. This slow-burning ACID delivers on all fronts.
Subculture - Two new CI Subculture blends are on the horizon from Drew Estate. Be on the lookout for the ACID Bender and Natural Irish Hops!
Felipe Gregorio
Felipe Gregorio 1957 Series - This cigar will surprise you. Very full in body, 1957 employs a leathery Pinar del Rio wrapper to conceal a robust blend of 7-year old long-fillers. A complex array of flavor smacks the palate in a smooth, balanced fashion. Definitive notes of earth dominate, and are supported by a variety of spicy flavors on the finish and through the nose. A pleasant floral influence is also present, adding another layer of flavor to this aggressive, full-bodied cigar that's far from overwhelming.
Power - A new series of Felipe's well received Power line has been released, full of new shapes that will no doubt catch your eye.
'Twas a busy day! Tonight we'll be having dinner with the fine folks of Graycliff. Knowing the Garzarolis are owners of one of the largest wine cellars in the world, in addition to one of the world's premier 5-star restaurants, we know we're in for a treat!
- Steve-o
| | Return to Top
|
Monday, August 6, 2007
| | | Monday - Day 2 | Last night was a blast. A delicious steak dinner at Morton's with Drew Estate over countless bottles of vino and Liga Privadas, capped off with the General Cigar Party, where we enjoyed more Stradivarius samples. To the folks of Drew Estate, thank you for a fantastic evening. Today looked to be even busier than yesterday, filled with meetings and plenty of to-dos, so let's get right to it...shall we?
El Rey de los Habanos
Don Pepin Garcia Serie JJ Maduro - A maduro variety has been developed for Jose 'Pepin' Garcia's highly acclaimed Serie JJ line, offering the same Cuban-seed long-filler with a dark and toothy Nicaraguan-grown Maduro wrapper leaf. Contrary to what you might expect, this cigar is quite mellow, but layered with toasty notes of coffee, cocoa, and earth complemented by a toasty spice through the nose. A medium-bodied treat from Pepin Garcia.
 
Don Pepin Garcia El Centurion - Pepin's latest masterpiece, which utilizes a choice recipe of Cuban-seed tobaccos from the fertile soils of Nicaragua - Criollo '98 and Corojo '99 - inside a leathery Corojo wrapper. A rich blast of tobacco flavors are present, backed by notes of white pepper and a touch of earthy undertones. Pepin fans, your new limited edition cigar has arrived.
5 Vegas Miami - Pepin has extended his blending talents to the extremely popular 5 Vegas family of premium cigars. Dressed in a Habano-seed Corojo wrapper from Nicaragua, the Miami boasts a earthy and leathery character chock full of spice and woody undertones, thanks to a healthy mixture of Nicaraguan-grown Cuban-seed long-leaf tobaccos. The 5 Vegas Miami features six sizes; five of which are made in Nicaragua, and the last being made in the fabled El Rey de los Habano factory in Miami, home of the beloved Tatuaje. This size, a shaggy-foot toro.
Ashton
San Cristobal de la Habana - Speaking of Pepin Garcia, ready yourself for this full-bodied treat. It's full-bodied, full-flavored, and full of character. Indeed, this team effort between Ashton and Pepin put the brand's old Cuban trademark to the test, priding itself on a bold, satisfying smoking experience with an aggressive, yet elegant finish. The smoke is rich and aromatic, with strong notes of cedar and a pleasantly sweet spice, while the strength grows well into the full-bodied realm as you approach the cigar's last leg.
 
Oliva
Oliva Serie V - Some of you have been lucky enough to try this blend already, but for those that haven't, you're in for a treat. Serie V is another Nicaraguan puro from Oliva showcasing a complex mixture of Nicaraguan long-fillers, including Jalapa-grown ligero, hugged by a dark and oily Habano Sun-Grown wrapper. Buttery smooth, but full of charisma, Serie V is loaded with rich tobacco flavor, notes of dark chocolate, and a touch of coffee bean. Available in seven unique vitolas, this is a must-try for any Oliva fan.
Oliva Serie S - Yes, this is an older brand, but be on the lookout for new packaging, including individual cedar sleeves, which add a delightful cedary element to an already eventful cigar.
La Aurora
To say Guillermo Leon and Jose Blanco have been busy the past year would be an understatement. I'll explain...
La Aurora Barrel Aged - Another wonderful cigar under the legendary La Aurora banner. Barrel Aged is among the most highly anticipated cigars of the year, and the cigar most connoisseurs rushed to try upon hitting the show floor. It's dark and toothy, leading to a full-bodied and aromatic bouquet of bold, yet smooth flavors. Oaky, rich, nutty, with a touch of black pepper through the nose, Barrel Aged is as tasty as it is unique, since the vintage tobaccos have been aging in barrels (hence the name) giving each cigar an enormous amount of woody, yet refined flavors.
Leon Jimenes 300 - Remember Leon Jimenes 2001? Well, here it is, with its full-time name...the 300. A medium to full-bodied cigar that ages an extra 300 days prior to distribution, the 300 is just as chewy and flavorful as ever. Thank Heavens this cigar is back!
1495 Series Connoisseur's Collection - Ever want to see how much influence a wrapper can have on a blend? Now's your chance. This collection of 1495 Series is finished with four different wrappers from around the world, including Brazil, Cameroon, Corojo, and Connecticut! Each cigar offers a savory twist to the 93-rated 1495 Series, which is made with a Sumatra wrapper...one you'll easily fall in love with.
La Aurora Preferidos Robusto Ecuador - The Ecuadorian Sun-Grown Preferidos is now available in a 5" x 50 Robusto format. If the Preferidos 2006 Robusto was any hint to how good a Preferidos could be, let alone how quickly it can sell, one should know this is a cigar to jump on, stat.
5 Vegas Limitada '07 - The latest Limitada from 5 Vegas is now ready, and it's a treat for the senses. Four well-aged varieties of long-fillers are employed - Piloto Cubano, Nicaraguan, Peruvian, and Corojo - bound by a Dominican Corojo binder, the finished with an ultra-dark and oily Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper. The flavors are soft and elegant, but rich and bold on the finish. The smoke is toasty and cedary, with ample spice on the aftertaste, completing a very nice medium to full-bodied smoke.
Pueblo Dominicano Series III - The blend for Series III of Pueblo Dominicano has been chosen. Jose Blanco would not disclose the blend, as the cigar has just entered its first stage of production, but he did treat us with a few samples. I don't want to give away the punchline just yet, but I can assure you, this cigar is a delight to smoke. If you liked Series I, jump all over this hot potato once it becomes available.
EO Brands
601 Serie Oscuro - A third blend has been added to the 601 in the form of a dark-as-night Oscuro. Folks, this cigar is a knee-knocker, that just might make you cry uncle. Heavy in the hand and the belly, the Oscuro unloads a wealth of flavor for you to enjoy...after a hearty meal mind you. The smoke is chewy and sweet with tons of spice and smooth, rich tobacco flavors.
At this time, I must go. It's time for dinner with Ashton, followed by the always enjoyable CAO party. I'll be back later, writing more updates as I stumble back to the room. I definitely have plenty more to write about!
- Steve-o
| | Return to Top
|
Sunday, August 5, 2007
| | | Sunday - Day 1 | After spending a full day in Houston yesterday, catching up with old friends and meeting some of the industry's hottest newcomers, it was time to spend an evening with the boys from Alec Bradley. A wonderful steak dinner was had over countless bottles of wine, before heading to another venue for MAXX cigars and a bottle of Chivas. It was an incredible night of friendship and fine cigars that came to an end far too soon, but well into the early evening. And so, we headed to bed for a good night's rest before the start of the Big Dance.
And now here we are...day one of the RTDA in Houston Texas. It's go time. First stop, Cusano.
Cusano Cigars
The boys at Cusano have been hard at work developing the new Cuvee line of cigars. A high-end line of cigars built of the highest quality with the finest, aged premium tobaccos.
 
Cuvee Blanc - A super-smooth, mild to medium-bodied cigar graced by a savory Connecticut shade wrapper. Inside, an aged blend of Dominican tobaccos marries to present a rich, creamy smooth with ample flavor, including earth and wood, with a touch of pepper through the nose
Cuvee Rouge - Offers a significant step up in strength from the Blanc, thanks to the Dominican Sun-Grown wrapper leaf, which is dark, toothy, and thick as can be. Like the Blanc, the Rouge combines a tasty blend of Dominican long-fillers, completing a medium to full-bodied bouquet of rich, toasty flavors with heavy doses of oak and spice. Yes, this is a Dominican Puro.
Both the Rouge and Blanc come in 4 shapes: Robusto, Toro Grande, Churchill and a beautiful 7.25" x 55 Salomon that comes in heavy chests of 50.
In addition to Cuvee, Cusano has added a delightful new size to the popular Cusano 18 line. It's a 6.25" x 54 vitola called Gordo, so expect even more of that great Double Connecticut and Paired Maduro flavor. Like the rest of the line, the Gordo will come in boxes of 18, with a retail of $5.78 per cigar.
Oliveros
Rafael Nodal has added a wonderful new blend to his growing portfolio of premium handmades.
Oliveros Eight Zero Anniversary Royale - The anniversary cigar of Oliveros, celebrating 80 years of the brand. Beautiful in appearance, the Eight Zero utilizes a dark, reddish-hued Honduran Habano wrapper to conceal a complex mixture of Nicaraguan, Columbian, Honduran, and Dominican long-leaf tobaccos. The smoke is mellow, but teeming with chewy, toasty flavors. Smooth from start to finish, this is a very impressive cigar from Oliveros, further establishing the company as one of today's top boutique brands.
Oliveros XL - Be on the lookout for some new shapes in the XL line. An attractive XL F56 Figurado has been added to the Double Maduro, while two new sizes have been created for the Double Corojo, an XL F56 Figurado and an XL B56 standard parejo.
Kopi Luwak - This is a very interesting cigar. It employs a mild blend of Cuban-seed long-fillers from the Dominican wrapped in a Brazilian Maduro leaf, along with a ton of tasty influence, including Kopi, the most expensive coffee in the world. In addition to this choice coffee bean, Kopi Luwak also utilizes the flavors of mocha, java, cocoa beans, and a touch of vanilla.
General Cigar
We were very excited to visit General this year...get ready for Stradivarius...
Stradivarius - Easily, the most exclusive cigar ever made by General Cigar Company. The wrapper is a Connecticut Shade leaf from a very special 1992 crop. Yes, this wrapper is 15 years old. Underneath, a flavorful mixture of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Mexican long-fillers resides. This long-leaf combination is bound by a bold Dominican Havana Seed binder, which has been aging in tercio for two years. Each cigar comes handsomely packaged in a Spanish cedar coffin, adorning a wax seal and ribbon. The cigar is both savory and elegant, boasting a medium-bodied character with a refined, creamy finish. Notes of spice, cedar, and earth are present throughout this cigar, which is available in 3 sizes (Robusto Major, Lonsdale, and Churchill) and will retail between $32 and $34 apiece(!).
  
Hoyo de Tradicion - A new blend from one of the industry's oldest and most respected names. At play, a mixture of Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Dominican long-leaf tobaccos inside a highly attractive Honduran Viso Rosado wrapper from the Jamastran Valley. The smoke is rich with a pleasantly sweet finish. Expect a smooth, nutty smoke with a deep, earthy core.
Helix Remix Café Mocha - Another tasty morsel has been added to the popular, mild-bodied Helix line. Dubbed Café Mocha, this new Helix Remix combines the soothing flavors of coffee liqueur to a mellow blend of aged Dominican long-fillers to complete a sweet, relaxing cigar that's surprisingly satisfying. This is a great change of pace!
Several big-name brands have received new vitolas! These include the Partagas Black Gigante, Bolivar Gigante, and La Gloria Cubana Serie R Belicoso in the natural variety.
La Gloria Cubana Serie R Limitada Retrospectivo 2007 - Speaking of La Gloria Cubana, behold this masterpiece. A special, limited edition humidor featuring the past 5 years of LGC Serie R Limitada (2002 - 2006). Each year offers 10 cigars from both maduro and natural, 100 cigars in all. The humidor is an individually numbered work of art, handcrafted with a silk, black lacquered finish fitted with a glass door emblazoned with the Serie R logo, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo's signature, and eight slide-out trays.
Degustacion Collection - A convenient new 10-cigar box of 10 showcasing General's top brands. The Degustacion Collection includes 2 each of Macanudo Café, Cohiba, La Gloria Cubana, Bolivar, and Partagas.
CAO
Our last stop was CAO. Even after releasing the amazing, new CAO Black 'VR', the folks at CAO managed to save some juice for the RTDA. Introducing, CAO America.
CAO America - This cigar is everything CAO promised, and more. Boasting two wrappers in a unique 'pinstripe effect', a Brazilian Maduro and a Connecticut Shade leaf, the CAO America is a full-bodied smoke chock full of good ole' ligero tobaccos. The smoke is deceivingly creamy, but rich, oaky, and chewy with a short, but satisfying finish. Enjoy, my friend.
  
CAO L'Anniversaire Maduro 10th Anniversary - Celebrating the tenth anniversary of CAO Maduro, a 6" x 60 Perfecto was made in boxes of 10. Indeed, this is a very special cigar that offers a wealth of rich, hearty flavors that the L'Anniversaire Maduro has been known for.
CAO Gold - Remember the Gold 10th Anniversary Perfecto? Well, it's back and is now a standard part of the best-selling Gold series.
CAO Brazilia - The Anaconda is back by popular demand! Also, a new size has joined the ranks of CAO's Brazilia in the form of an enjoyable 5.5" x 55 box-pressed Toro.
CAO Italia - The Italia also received a new size, a 6" x 50 toro called Positano.
New Tubos - Three new tubos have been created for three lines, all in a 6.5" x 50 size. The lines, Brazilia, Italia, and Gold.
CAO The Sopranos Edition - A great gift pack has been added to CAO's hard-to-find The Sopranos Edition. It includes 1 each of the Associate, Solider, Boss, and Sopranos LE Tony Soprano, and will retail for $55.
CAO The Sopranos Limited Edition - a new cigar artisan's sampler has been created showcasing 5 amazingly unique shapes. These shapes include two of "The Bat" (a nice weapon of choice), a "#86" Bullet (a ginormous torpedo shape representing 86 episodes of The Sopranos), and two "Champagne Bottle" cigars.
Brazilia versus Italia - Back by popular demand, the Bratalia Perfecto, packaged in silk-lined boxes of 10.
 
It was definitely a busy day with these three manufacturers, talking shop and catching up, in addition to ordering plenty of new cigars for you to enjoy in the next few months. Now, it's time for us to get ready for dinner with the lunatics of Drew Estate, before heading to the General Cigar Party, then ending the evening with Camacho. But, have no fear...we'll be back tomorrow with even more info on what's going on in the cigar industry!
- Steve-o
| | Return to Top
|
Friday, August 3, 2007
| | | RTDA 2007 - Houston, here we come | It’s that time of the year again...RTDA Time! This year we’ll be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the annual Retail Tobacco Dealers of America Trade Show in hot and steamy Houston, TX. Like years past, I’ll be reporting back daily with the latest in cigar news and happening, giving you the inside scoop on everything that goes down.
Before we leave, I’d like to mention some of the cigars already ‘released’ this year prior to the Big Dance. First, the Camacho Triple Maduro, another tasty, full-bodied blend from the Eiroa family that represents the first triple maduro in the industry. Next up, 5 Vegas Miami, a full-bodied treat made by Pepin Garcia in his legendary El Rey de los Habanos factory. And then there’s the Oliva Serie V, a savory, medium to full-bodied smoke from the Oliva Cigar Family available in big, chunky vitolas. Keep these impressive cigars in your back pocket, they’re definitely worth a shot!
Good news this year...we can bring lighters on the plane with us! But, with the good, comes the bad. Houston will be experiencing a cigar ban this September. Yet another city goes up in smoke, as legislation continues unjustly to take away our right to enjoy a fine cigar. If the outrageous proposed cigar tax wasn’t any indication, it’s time to stand up and act. Be loud and be active. Remember, tall trees get strong winds!
The convention will run Sunday August 5th through Wednesday, August 8th, and will exhibit the latest creations within the world of premium cigars and accessories. Check back early and often for frequent updates on the hottest new handmades from today’s top makers and manufacturers.
The weather forecast is showing 90+ degrees every day...yay. One must thank the Heavens for these comfy CI microfiber shirts. They just might save our lives.
- Steve-o | | Return to Top
|
|
|
|
|
