There are a number of reasons to review the Partagas Ramon y Ramon. To begin with, we haven’t yet. That is generally reason enough. Then there’s the whole regenerated vintage tobacco thing. That’s also interesting. But the real reason I’m lighting up the Ramon y Ramon this week is that I won a box on […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 108
Thanks to some poor lifestyle decisions made by a younger Brian and the present day dental consequences, I haven’t been able to enjoy that many cigars over the past week. So how can you post a new Week in Smoke? Asks the reasonable reader. Easy, is my response, these are all smoking visualization exercises, what […]
General Cigar Factory Tour 2017 Part 2
Now that we’ve explored the farm, and gotten an in-depth look at the long, involved process tobacco goes through on it’s way to becoming a cigar, it’s time for photogenic part of the tour. The part everyone thinks about when they hear “cigar factory tour” – the bunching, rolling and packaging of the finished product. […]
General Cigar Factory Tour 2017 Part 1
After a day spent taking in the farm atmosphere, we picked up on the next leg of the journey for tobacco. After it spends time hanging in the curing barn it’s off to the factory. There’s still a lot in store for the leaves before they are rolled into handmade premium cigar. After a short […]
A Trip to the Farm with General Cigar 2017
Just over two weeks ago (it seems like so much longer than that now), Ben and I spent several days touring General Cigar’s facilities in the Dominican Republic. Our first stop was the farm. It makes sense, that’s where it all begins. To kick things off, Régis Broersma, the president of General Cigar officially welcomed […]
Manolo Estate Serie 32 Habano
I considered a number of cigars for this, my first video cigar review of 2017. But then I thought it wasn’t right to not make good on a promise I made last year. Months ago (I’m not even sure how many) I was sent these samples of the Manolo Estate Habano Serie 32 to review. […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 107
Man, that week went by quickly. It seems like I had barely enough time to finish a cigar or two before I was staring down the barrel of another Monday. But I’ve gotten in a few sticks in since the annual top ten lists went up. So… It’s once time again for another issue of […]
The Box-Worthies: Brian’s Top 10 Cigars of 2016
2017 is here, and just when you think it you’re safe from 2016, up pops my list of the top 10 cigars of 2016. I hope the sudden shock and inevitable controversy that follows is not too taxing on your health. Remember, breath deeply and evenly when you’re yelling at me over the internet. Stress, […]
Brian’s The Week In Smoke, Issue 106
This time of year can be a lot of fun, but it doesn’t always afford me many opportunities to enjoy a fine cigar. Or a lot of time to write about (or video) the cigars I do get to enjoy. But I did my best to shoehorn in as many as I could. The silver […]
La Palina Illumination Robusto
At IPCPR 2016, La Palina introduced the Illumation to their extensive line cigars. Considered a “Goldie light” by La Palina, its made at El Titan de Bronze factory in Miami, FL using mostly the same tobaccos as the Goldie. The only difference is they replaced the medio tiempo tobacco with a higher priming ligero leaf. […]