The inspiration behind the Surrogates, a new line offered exclusively by New Havana Cigars, was to create a special smoke that would be available on a consistent basis, as opposed to a limited edition that you might fall in love with, but which you’ll never be able to get your hands on again. A full-bodied […]
Draig K by Emilio Cigars
Gary Griffith wears many hats. He manages a large chain of B&M cigar shops across Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, he’s the developer of the Emilio Cigars brand, and he’s also an avid genealogist. To celebrate his Welsh heritage, Gary decided to create an annual series of limited releases centered around the national symbol of Wales. […]
Four Kicks by The Crowned Heads
Its hard to think of a cigar thats created as much buzz as Four Kicks by The Crowned Heads. Ever since Crowned Heads was formed by Huber, Conder, et al its been buzz after buzz. Posters, stickers, hats and samples sent to trusted bloggers. After Crowned Heads was announced further buzz was created when it […]
Tortuga Edicion Limitada 2011
The Tortuga Cigars brand isn’t a household name…to me. Until a couple weeks ago I never heard of it and if it wasn’t for George Brightman of W.Curtis Draper I would’ve ignored it on the shelf of their Bethesda MD location. As typical with my generation of cigar smoker, you walk into your shop and […]
My Father El Hijo
By now, all the trick-or-treaters have gone home, and I hope none of you got sick on Halloween candy. This week, I’m reviewing the My Father El Hijo, the third installment in the Smoke Inn exclusive Microblend Series. My Father El Hijo by the numbers: (Smoke Inn exclusive) Size: 5.5×52 box-pressed Wrapper: Select 2009 Harvest […]
12th Annual Little Puff – Random Footage
Random video footage is always the best. I had just finished up recording the Little Puff Auctions with my handy FlipVideo when Matt Booth of Room101 Cigars takes out his FlipVideo which was promptly taken by Stephen Boyajian of The Cigar Network. What ensued was a bit of random chaos. We two geeks thought it […]
12th Annual Little Puff Auction Footage
After the words “great friends” the next word that comes to my mind when I think of W.Curtis Draper is “charity”. I’m always amazed at their generosity when it comes to not only money, but their time. I’m always amazed the extra mile they are willing to go to raise money and awareness for a […]
CAO OSA Sol Tour featuring Rick Rodriguez (plus giveaway)
CAO master blender Rick Rodriguez has been traveling the country lately spreading the word about the newest cigar he’s created: the OSA Sol. I met up with Rick at a recent OSA Sol Tour event hosted by Davidus Cigars in Annapolis, MD. We talked about the genesis of the OSA Sol blend, the OSA Nation […]
Gurkha Cellar Reserve
A Note From Tom Ed and I got together last weekend to review the Gurkha Cellar Reserve. It boasts 15 year aged tobacco, Criollo 1998 wrapper, Dominican Olor binder and a 15 year old Criollo, Nicaraguan filler. I know a lot of people slam Gurkha as simply an overpriced brand. I’ve been guilty of it […]
Drew Estate & Joya de Nicaragua Event (plus giveaway)
I recently caught up with Kevin McCormack, sales rep for Drew Estate and Joya de Nicaragua, at a DE/JDN Double Shot Event hosted by Main Street Cigar in Bel Air, MD. Kevin and I talked about the latest releases from Drew Estate & Joya (including My Uzi Weighs A Ton, Undercrown, Dirty Rat, L40, and […]