I think we need to start The Stogie Review Book Club or something…Ink & Ashes? Received some interesting e-mails and Facebook messages about other books I should checkout. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle got a lot of recommendations which was already on my list since it was mentioned in 10 Percent Happier. What am I reading now? I’m currently finishing up Dirty Daddy: The Chronicles of A Family Man Turned Filthy Comedian by Bob Saget aka Danny Tanner or DT from the late 80’s/90’s sitcom Full House and America’s Funniest Home Videos. Raise your hands if you watched TGIF back in the day? If you have a Kindle or use the Kindle app on another device, purchase the whisper sync version on Amazon. Hearing Bob Saget read his own book and saying the word “cock” repeatedly is awesome. Hilarious, humbling and insightful as you read about Bob’s journey in comedy/TV and through his own personal losses. Its worth checking out.

The greatest moments in life are when your kids and the people you care about are doing well. Your work is going well. Your relationship is going well. And you have your health. If you are fortunate to have all those sectors of your life in a good place at once freak’n high five yourself and keep it rolling as long as possible. – Bob Saget, Dirty Daddy: The Chronicles of A Family Man Turned Filthy Comedian

Quesada 40th Anniversary – A Salomon Pressed shaped cigar isn’t something you run across every day. In fact I can honestly say this is the first time I’ve seen or heard of this shape. I was confident that I was going to have some burn problems but surprisingly enough, I didn’t. Creamy coffee and spicy. More of a cinnamon type spiciness than peppery and a spattering of brightness that really balances and brings everything together. Thanks to Dave at W.Curtis Draper Bethesda for the gift.

Reinado Grand Empire Reserve Ecuador – The Ecuador is the newest cigar for the Grand Empire Reserve line by Antonio Liam’s Reinado brand. This is hard for me (#twss) because I’m a big fan of the original Reinado release and of course the Habanito size. The Ecuador makes for a nice fit in the line. Full bodied creaminess with a slight Reinado signature spicy note and little woodiness throughout. Start your day with the GER Ecuador and a cup of black coffee, around lunch spark up a regular GER, after Antonio treats you to a charred covered medium rare porterhouse steak (hint hint) dinner spark up an original Reinado and when Antonio buys you a night cap (another hint), end the night with a Habanito. Its a great experience that everyone should try even if Antonio isn’t buying.

Alec Bradley Family Blend The Lineage – With graduation season wrapping up it is appropriate to have a new celebratory cigar on the market in The Lineage. The Lineage is an expansion to the ever popular Family Blend series and was created to celebrate Alec and Bradley turning 18 and being able to legally enjoy a cigar in almost every state. I found The Lineage to be very enjoyable with lots of smooth natural tobacco flavors and a slight sweet woodsiness that treated me right.

La Palina Mr. Sam – Woodsy and spicy! More woodsy than spicy and not just the usual one woodsy notes. The Mr. Sam by La Palina seems to have different woodsy notes. Some cedar here, some oak there and every now and then a little dry fruity woodsy notes (think pear). I was impressed that with all the heavy notes that the cigar remained well balanced and kept me engaged from beginning to end.

CAO Flathead Sparkplug – Stay tuned for the next episode of Week in Smoke from me. Lots of CAO and Flying Dog action to come and hopefully if it all works out well I may have discovered a way to incorporate video into the Week in Smoke Series. Hands down, the Sparkplug is intense. The beautiful oily wrapper, the bold cold draw, the layers of traditional rich maduro flavors but with an assortment of peppery notes in all the right places. I picked up some bitter citrus notes at some points but that could have been the Snake Dog beer. I don’t buy a lot of boxes but the CAO Sparkplug has jumped to the top of the list.