July 10, 2009
No weekend review this week?
(Weekend of July 11th and 12th, 2009)
.
Yep, it's true. I'm taking this weekend off from my usual cigar reviews. The reason? I had 2 wisdom teeth taken out on Wednesday of this week! Now, the Doc said I could still have cigars but I should put a piece of gauze over the lower extraction. Now, I've tried this already and it's not easy to do! All you wind up with is a soaked piece of gauze! But, I still manage to have a cigar or 2 a day using this method. I think this would take away from the review of a cigar because you can't help but have the lingering taste of gauze! And as we all know, that's not a great taste!
.
It's been exactly 48 hours since I had the 2 teeth removed; one on the upper left and one on the lower right! Yeah, weird locations. I had my upper right wisdom tooth removed several years ago by my dentist. It was protruding far enough for him to grab it and yank it out, after deadening it of course! I still have one left, on the lower left side. This one appears to be just sitting there and not hurting anything. As long as it sits and behaves it can stay in there!
.
As the Doc warned me, the lower right area is beginning to swell. He said it would reach it's peak after 3 or 4 days. Here I am after 48 hours. Both sides are a little puffy but see the swelling on my right side? .
.
Yep, it's true. I'm taking this weekend off from my usual cigar reviews. The reason? I had 2 wisdom teeth taken out on Wednesday of this week! Now, the Doc said I could still have cigars but I should put a piece of gauze over the lower extraction. Now, I've tried this already and it's not easy to do! All you wind up with is a soaked piece of gauze! But, I still manage to have a cigar or 2 a day using this method. I think this would take away from the review of a cigar because you can't help but have the lingering taste of gauze! And as we all know, that's not a great taste!
.
It's been exactly 48 hours since I had the 2 teeth removed; one on the upper left and one on the lower right! Yeah, weird locations. I had my upper right wisdom tooth removed several years ago by my dentist. It was protruding far enough for him to grab it and yank it out, after deadening it of course! I still have one left, on the lower left side. This one appears to be just sitting there and not hurting anything. As long as it sits and behaves it can stay in there!
.
As the Doc warned me, the lower right area is beginning to swell. He said it would reach it's peak after 3 or 4 days. Here I am after 48 hours. Both sides are a little puffy but see the swelling on my right side? .
Oh well, I'm on the mend now so I'll be back to "normal" soon. Well, as normal as I can be anyway!
July 06, 2009
July 4th weekend review/Maduro Room visit
Friday, July 3rd, 2009
After the usual yard work (that is usually done on Saturday, but it got done today so as to free up Saturday!) I took a quick nap, then headed over to the Maduro Room for some cigar bonding!
Twig and I had a little business to do. He's buying one of my watches, which enabled me to purchase another one for myself. Upon arriving at the Maduro Room I noticed Twig had some company. I settled in with an Oliva V.
Greg
Mike, Store Manager
This is a cigar that was sent to me by the Altadis cigar group. These are sent as test cigars and I am to give the other 2 to my cigar buddies. Since the Wild Hare is closed for this week I won't be able to give the others away until later, but I am reviewing this one now.
After the usual yard work (that is usually done on Saturday, but it got done today so as to free up Saturday!) I took a quick nap, then headed over to the Maduro Room for some cigar bonding!
Twig and I had a little business to do. He's buying one of my watches, which enabled me to purchase another one for myself. Upon arriving at the Maduro Room I noticed Twig had some company. I settled in with an Oliva V.
Twig with the watch; a Swiss Legend Commander diamond dial:
Greg
Mike, Store Manager
As far as reviews this weekend, I have 2;
- Rocky Patel 10th Anniversary robusto
- Vega Fina torpedo
.
Saturday, July 4th, 2009
.
Rocky Patel 10th Anniversary robusto (5x50)
.
This is my first try with these cigars. It is a medium brown in color. After the cap was cut I tested the draw. It was effortless. Upon lighting the cigar had a nice, intense cinnamon spice with balanced black pepper notes. The balance is fantastic! The finish is long with light vanilla notes. Pepper is felt on the rear of the throat that tends to linger. This is a very flavorful Rocky Patel cigar. This may be the best RP cigar that I've had! At the midpoint the flavors and notes are still consistent. To me, a good cigar has ample spice with lots of pepper. This cigar delivers. The cinnamon flavor makes this cigar almost like candy! If you're iffy on RP cigars you might want to give this one a try. It's great! Medium bodied. Very good cigar!
.
Score: 94
.
.
Vega Fina torpedo (6x50)
.
This is a cigar that was sent to me by the Altadis cigar group. These are sent as test cigars and I am to give the other 2 to my cigar buddies. Since the Wild Hare is closed for this week I won't be able to give the others away until later, but I am reviewing this one now.
It is a very long, pointy capped cigar. I had to cut quite a bit off the cap to get the cigar to draw. It was still a firm draw but I went with it. After lighting the cigar had a nice spice with almond notes. There were very light pepper notes. This is a mild cigar. It would be a good beginner cigar. You might consider this a "morning cigar". Some people like to start the day with a milder cigar and build up as the day wears on. You could definitely do that with this cigar. The cigar itself was tasty but a little too mild for me. It stayed consistent and the spice was quite nice but it lacked "oomph".
.
Score: 87
July 01, 2009
Pictoral update on The Tobacco Merchant
We made a visit to the NEW Tobacco Merchant last night. (Our favorite Tuesday night eating establishment is closed this week for a face lift. The Wild Hare is scheduled to re-open next Monday, July 6th.) So, tonight we grabbed something to eat then went to the Tobacco Merchant to get an update on the changes. When you first walk in the front door you'll see the temporary bar:
Here is a shot from the far side of the bar looking toward the front window:
The counter area where you pay for your cigars and drinks (at this time.) The new counter area will be relocated to where the temporary bar is now! (confused yet)
One of the first things, if NOT the first thing that Bill Slicer decided to do was to stock the humidor. He says it's "getting there" and plans on stocking it fuller. But, as you can see he's made some improvements:
While in there I noticed some of these rare gems in stock:
Looking from the center table toward the front window of the humidor:
Bill actually took 10 feet off the total length of the humidor but you can hardly notice it. He did a great job matching up the cedar and construction.
I caught Phil enjoying a cigar:
Bill decided to transform the former office into a cigars only sitting area. To do this meant he would have to increase it's size. Remember when I said the humidor was shortened by 10 feet? Here's where it went! And, here is Bill taking up the old floor:
Once the new sitting area is completed the leather furniture will be moved in. Then the construction of the new bar will begin. It will be in the area where the old sitting area was located. The new cigar sitting area will have a 52" flat screen tv and the bar area will have 3 flat screens (not sure of their size).
Of course, what would Tuesday night be without our good friends:
Here's Connie at the other end of the bar:
Since these are the first pictures with my new Kodak Z712 IS camera I felt it was mandatory that I take the infamous Self Portrait, so here goes:
I decided to try the new Siglo cigar. I have seen them but never tried them. I have heard very mixed ratings on them. Some people love them, some say they're just so-so. Well, the only thing I can do is try them myself. So, here goes...
Here is a shot from the far side of the bar looking toward the front window:
The counter area where you pay for your cigars and drinks (at this time.) The new counter area will be relocated to where the temporary bar is now! (confused yet)
One of the first things, if NOT the first thing that Bill Slicer decided to do was to stock the humidor. He says it's "getting there" and plans on stocking it fuller. But, as you can see he's made some improvements:
While in there I noticed some of these rare gems in stock:
Looking from the center table toward the front window of the humidor:
Bill actually took 10 feet off the total length of the humidor but you can hardly notice it. He did a great job matching up the cedar and construction.
Here is the current sitting area. You can see some repair work on the wall:
I caught Phil enjoying a cigar:
Bill decided to transform the former office into a cigars only sitting area. To do this meant he would have to increase it's size. Remember when I said the humidor was shortened by 10 feet? Here's where it went! And, here is Bill taking up the old floor:
Once the new sitting area is completed the leather furniture will be moved in. Then the construction of the new bar will begin. It will be in the area where the old sitting area was located. The new cigar sitting area will have a 52" flat screen tv and the bar area will have 3 flat screens (not sure of their size).
Here's Paul searching for a beer for Connie:
Of course, what would Tuesday night be without our good friends:
Here's Connie at the other end of the bar:
Since these are the first pictures with my new Kodak Z712 IS camera I felt it was mandatory that I take the infamous Self Portrait, so here goes:
I decided to try the new Siglo cigar. I have seen them but never tried them. I have heard very mixed ratings on them. Some people love them, some say they're just so-so. Well, the only thing I can do is try them myself. So, here goes...
Siglo VIII (7x50)
Initially there was a lot of spice with nice pepper notes. After an inch or a little less the spice developed a very cinnamon-like flavor. The finish is long and sweet with vanilla notes. The burn was very even throughout the course of this cigar. I'd say it's medium bodied, but it tends to move in the direction of full bodied at the 2/3 point. The cinnamon notes really increased after the 1/3 point, much to my liking! The cigar stayed fairly consistent throughout. I found the cigar to be very enjoyable. I will buy more of these.
Score: 90
June 29, 2009
Weekend review; June 28, 2009
Well, this is going to be a brief review this week! I was busy most of the day Saturday attending my nephew's wedding in Greenville, South Carolina. It was a nice event. He and his new bride looked quite happy!
Then on Sunday afternoon my son and his fiance' dropped by for a couple hours. They are in the process of planning THEIR wedding which is scheduled for July 3rd, 2010. After they left Connie had some new lights for the upstairs bathrooms, so I installed them.
THEN...I had time to write a brief review. I am revisiting a cigar that I reviewed some time ago; the Tabacos Baez by Don Pepin Garcia. (reviewed October 13, 2008)
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tabacos Baez Monarcas (6.5x52)
This DPG cigar was named for the town he was born in. It is very peppery with lots of citrus notes. It has a long finish with vanilla notes combined with subtle citrus notes. This Pepin cigar has a different taste compared to the others. You get some almond notes on the finish at the 1/3 point. The pepper is very nice in this cigar. It is very noticeable on the palate and rear throat. Very good cigar. I'd say it's medium bodied at best.
Score: 93
Then on Sunday afternoon my son and his fiance' dropped by for a couple hours. They are in the process of planning THEIR wedding which is scheduled for July 3rd, 2010. After they left Connie had some new lights for the upstairs bathrooms, so I installed them.
THEN...I had time to write a brief review. I am revisiting a cigar that I reviewed some time ago; the Tabacos Baez by Don Pepin Garcia. (reviewed October 13, 2008)
Sometimes it's good to revisit a cigar and re-rate it to see if you still have the same thoughts about it.
Yes, another DPG cigar! You are probably asking yourself, "why does Tim smoke so many DPG cigars?" That's a good question, and here's the answer...they're GOOD!!!!!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tabacos Baez Monarcas (6.5x52)
This DPG cigar was named for the town he was born in. It is very peppery with lots of citrus notes. It has a long finish with vanilla notes combined with subtle citrus notes. This Pepin cigar has a different taste compared to the others. You get some almond notes on the finish at the 1/3 point. The pepper is very nice in this cigar. It is very noticeable on the palate and rear throat. Very good cigar. I'd say it's medium bodied at best.
Score: 93
Last year I gave it a 94, so I still obviously like the cigar!
June 22, 2009
Father's Day weekend review!
June 19th - 21st, 2009
I started off the weekend by attending the CAO event at the Maduro Room in Lexington, SC. We arrived around 5:30 and the place was busy already! David Palm of CAO was there to host the event. I also got to see an old friend who has been battling some health issues lately; Twig Gray!
He's back on the mend and eager to get back in the shops! Good to see you back, sir Twig!
Here are some pics of the evening:
Mark Lewis and Twig:
The newly redesigned front area of the shop:
Connie holding court:
Mike and Steve during a high level discussion:
Grady stuffing down a slice of pizza!
The back bar area:
David Palm checking on the humidors:
Connie with Robby Yon:
David Palm of CAO, me, and Grady Marsh; owner of Maduro Room:
"Whatcha think Steve, red or white?"
We go from an $11 cigar to a $2 cigar! I win these on cigarbid.com for around $2 each and they're much better than a typical 2 buck cigar. The regular Cigars International price is $60 to $70 per box so even at straight retail they're around $3 each. I recently won a 20 cigar sampler for $34. I've been enjoying these cigars for about a year but this is the first review of them. You may can guess that I like them if I've been buying them for a year and you'd be correct. 
The cigar starts off with a huge amount of spice with heavy almond tones. There is a nice amount of pepper notes especially when you blow the smoke through your nose. The finish is long with vanilla and almond notes. The draw was a bit firm but not too much so. A lot of Cuban cigars have a tight draw and I try to store them at a lower humidity so they will open up. This is a fairly full bodied Cuban cigar. You will find that many non-Cuban cigars are much more full bodied. For example, a La Flor Dominicana double ligero is MUCH more full bodied than a typical Cuban cigar. The thing Cubans have is an abundant amount of spice with nice pepper notes and a finish of vanilla or caramel notes. Cuban cigars also have a unique aroma when burning. It's very distinguishable from other cigars and hard to describe, but you know it when you smell it...and it smells great! This cigar was great. I smoked it down to 1/2 inch with the help of a toothpick. Loved it!
I started off the weekend by attending the CAO event at the Maduro Room in Lexington, SC. We arrived around 5:30 and the place was busy already! David Palm of CAO was there to host the event. I also got to see an old friend who has been battling some health issues lately; Twig Gray!
He's back on the mend and eager to get back in the shops! Good to see you back, sir Twig!
Here are some pics of the evening:
Mark Lewis and Twig:
The newly redesigned front area of the shop:
Connie holding court:
Mike and Steve during a high level discussion:
Grady stuffing down a slice of pizza!
The back bar area:
David Palm checking on the humidors:
Connie with Robby Yon:
David Palm of CAO, me, and Grady Marsh; owner of Maduro Room:
"Whatcha think Steve, red or white?"
The Maduro Room has applied for a beer/wine licence. This brings the local cigar shops who will be selling beer and wine to 4! The first one to start this trend off was Lite Um Um Cigars on Hardscrabble Road. When everyone saw Tom Burn's success with the addition of beer and wine others soon followed. The other shops that offer this are The Cigar Box on Rosewood Drive, The Tobacco Merchant on Bower Parkway, and now (or very soon) The Maduro Room in Lexington. This trend may prove to be a smart one as more and more places are outlawing smoking.
Now to the reviews.
.
It was blistering hot on Saturday afternoon. I had the usual tasks to complete, like cut and edge the yard. After it was over it was time to settle down for some cigar reviews. This weekend I am reviewing:
- Ashton VSG Corona Gorda
- La Herencia Cubana Toro
- Bolivar Belicoso Fino (Cuban)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Ashton VSG Corona Gorda (5 3/4 x 46)
.
This was a dark, chocolate brown cigar. It had a very intense cinnamon flavored spice with very nice pepper notes initially. The pepper is best experienced when you blow the smoke through your nose! The finish is not that long but it has an almond-like flavor with some vanilla notes. The cigar produced a lot of smoke. Don't expect many changes while smoking this cigar; it stayed consistent. These are not cheap cigars, at around $11 each, but for a treat you'll love it.
.
Score: 92
.
La Herencia Cubana Toro (6 1/2 x 52)
We go from an $11 cigar to a $2 cigar! I win these on cigarbid.com for around $2 each and they're much better than a typical 2 buck cigar. The regular Cigars International price is $60 to $70 per box so even at straight retail they're around $3 each. I recently won a 20 cigar sampler for $34. I've been enjoying these cigars for about a year but this is the first review of them. You may can guess that I like them if I've been buying them for a year and you'd be correct.
Initially it had lots of spice and pepper. It also had nice cinnamon notes. The pepper lingers on the palate and the back of the throat. For an inexpensive cigar it is very flavorful. These make a very good everyday cigar. I love the pepper in these cigars! This cigar will surprise you. Pick up a sampler and try 'em.
.
Score: 90
.
.
.
Father's Day
Sunday, June 21, 2009
.
The day started off as usual; church, gym, then home for lunch. Ty and Meghan came by to visit and give me a present; a gift card to Outback Steakhouse! Always a welcomed gift. Chelsea came by after she got off work at The Country Club of South Carolina in Florence. She's doing her internship there this summer. She arrived around 9:15 and also had a present; a beautiful burgundy polo shirt with the CCSC logo on it! It is horizontally ribbed. A beautiful shirt!
Just before Chelsea got there I had a chance to treat myself with one of my sacred Cuban cigars since it was Father's Day. I chose...
.
Bolivar Belicoso Fino (5 1/2 x 52) [Box code April, '06]
.
The cigar starts off with a huge amount of spice with heavy almond tones. There is a nice amount of pepper notes especially when you blow the smoke through your nose. The finish is long with vanilla and almond notes. The draw was a bit firm but not too much so. A lot of Cuban cigars have a tight draw and I try to store them at a lower humidity so they will open up. This is a fairly full bodied Cuban cigar. You will find that many non-Cuban cigars are much more full bodied. For example, a La Flor Dominicana double ligero is MUCH more full bodied than a typical Cuban cigar. The thing Cubans have is an abundant amount of spice with nice pepper notes and a finish of vanilla or caramel notes. Cuban cigars also have a unique aroma when burning. It's very distinguishable from other cigars and hard to describe, but you know it when you smell it...and it smells great! This cigar was great. I smoked it down to 1/2 inch with the help of a toothpick. Loved it!
.
Score: 93
June 15, 2009
Weekend review; June 13 & 14, 2009
Nice weekend, just hot! Summer is one week away and we're already in the 90's. Forecast for this coming Friday and Saturday is 100 degrees!!!! Wow!
By the way, I dropped by the Tobacco Merchant Friday night to see how the transformation was coming along. Wow! What a difference already! Several walls were taken out and the temporary bar is in. The humidor is 10 feet shorter than it was before but you can hardly tell the difference. There was room to give up in there. It's very well stocked now, too.
The former office is where the 10 feet of the humidor went. This room will become a cigar/pipe sitting room. Once this room is finished the leather furniture in the old sitting area will be moved in. Then the new built in bar will be constructed. It will run along the wall in the former tv sitting area for about 40 feet or so! There will be an upgraded sitting area in the front of the store also.
Lots of changes underway!
Reviewed 2 cigars this weekend. They are:
Saturday, June 13th, 2009
Montecristo Serie C toro (6x54)
Quite spicy with very nice pepper. Vanilla tones are predominant. Medium to full bodied. The cigar stayed fairly consistent. It was a good cigar but not overly remarkable. Maybe I expect more from a Montecristo. Still, a good cigar.
Score: 89
Rocky Patel 2009 Winter Collection toro (6x52)
Very dark cigar. Great test draw. An absolute ton of pepper in the spice. Finish is long and peppery with some vanilla notes. There is some sweetness with this maduro but not as much as a typical maduro. This cigar is all about the pepper! Black coffee notes also. It produces a ton of smoke. Full bodied. You can feel the ligero. Quite a full bodied cigar.
Score: 90
By the way, I dropped by the Tobacco Merchant Friday night to see how the transformation was coming along. Wow! What a difference already! Several walls were taken out and the temporary bar is in. The humidor is 10 feet shorter than it was before but you can hardly tell the difference. There was room to give up in there. It's very well stocked now, too.
The former office is where the 10 feet of the humidor went. This room will become a cigar/pipe sitting room. Once this room is finished the leather furniture in the old sitting area will be moved in. Then the new built in bar will be constructed. It will run along the wall in the former tv sitting area for about 40 feet or so! There will be an upgraded sitting area in the front of the store also.
Lots of changes underway!
Reviewed 2 cigars this weekend. They are:
- Montecristo Serie C toro
- Rocky Patel 2009 Winter Collection toro
Saturday, June 13th, 2009
Montecristo Serie C toro (6x54)
Quite spicy with very nice pepper. Vanilla tones are predominant. Medium to full bodied. The cigar stayed fairly consistent. It was a good cigar but not overly remarkable. Maybe I expect more from a Montecristo. Still, a good cigar.
Score: 89
Rocky Patel 2009 Winter Collection toro (6x52)
Very dark cigar. Great test draw. An absolute ton of pepper in the spice. Finish is long and peppery with some vanilla notes. There is some sweetness with this maduro but not as much as a typical maduro. This cigar is all about the pepper! Black coffee notes also. It produces a ton of smoke. Full bodied. You can feel the ligero. Quite a full bodied cigar.
Score: 90
June 08, 2009
Weekend review; June 6 & 7, 2009
First of all, the date of S. C. Sit Down no. 11 is...
Saturday, October 17th , 2009
This is the so called "small event" because no vendors are contacted about sending items. However, that may slightly change this year. I have a few offers to send stuff for our event but the details are not set yet. I'll keep you updated as things happen.
Now...on to the reviews.
It was a nice, hot weekend, but that's pretty typical for South Carolina in June. I reviewed 2 cigars this weekend. They are:
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Cuvee' no. 151 robusto (5x50)
I picked up this cigar from the Cusano event at Lite Um Up Cigars a couple months ago. I have never tried these previously and was excited to sample one.
Right away there was the intense flavor of pepper and spice with rich black coffee! The finish was long and sweet with hints of vanilla. Very much a full bodied cigar. Obviously this is a maduro cigar and it has all the points that make a very good maduro. If you like rich, black coffee you should try this cigar. I really enjoyed it. You might want to have something on your stomach when you smoke this cigar, though!
Score: 93
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Romeo y Julieta Habana Reserve robusto (5x54)
This cigar was leftover from the Altadis event we had last month. Everyone really seemed to enjoy them.
Initially this cigar had nice citrus flavored spice with pepper notes. The finish is long with vanilla notes. The draw was very good. The peppery spice stayed true throughout. Good cigar. Probably the best cigar RyJ has right now, in my opinion.
Score: 91
Saturday, October 17th , 2009
- Noon start time
- Wild Hare Sports Bar, Irmo, SC
- 5122 Bush River Rd.
- Columbia, SC 29212
This is the so called "small event" because no vendors are contacted about sending items. However, that may slightly change this year. I have a few offers to send stuff for our event but the details are not set yet. I'll keep you updated as things happen.
Now...on to the reviews.
It was a nice, hot weekend, but that's pretty typical for South Carolina in June. I reviewed 2 cigars this weekend. They are:
- Cuvee' n. 151 robusto
- Romeo y Julieta Habana Reserve robusto
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Cuvee' no. 151 robusto (5x50)
I picked up this cigar from the Cusano event at Lite Um Up Cigars a couple months ago. I have never tried these previously and was excited to sample one.
Right away there was the intense flavor of pepper and spice with rich black coffee! The finish was long and sweet with hints of vanilla. Very much a full bodied cigar. Obviously this is a maduro cigar and it has all the points that make a very good maduro. If you like rich, black coffee you should try this cigar. I really enjoyed it. You might want to have something on your stomach when you smoke this cigar, though!
Score: 93
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Romeo y Julieta Habana Reserve robusto (5x54)
This cigar was leftover from the Altadis event we had last month. Everyone really seemed to enjoy them.Initially this cigar had nice citrus flavored spice with pepper notes. The finish is long with vanilla notes. The draw was very good. The peppery spice stayed true throughout. Good cigar. Probably the best cigar RyJ has right now, in my opinion.
Score: 91
