As the snow falls I think to myself that now would be a good time to enjoy a cigar. So I decide to grab a Rocky Patel Burn Torpedo and head on down to The Lair. At first glance the cigar has a very nice wrapper. Clean with very little veins in it. It’s darker brown in color and cut was very easy, also very forgiving. I cut a bit to far in this one and it still stayed together very nicely. Has an excellent draw and lit with first match.

At first light I notice a slight nutty taste which seems to invite me in to enjoy and discover more of what it has to offer. With a nice even burn and a white ash lets me know the care that was put into this cigar. After the first few puffs I start to notice a spicy taste mixed with a sweet woody flavor. Usually with so many intricate tastes they start to become over powering. That is not the case here. They work together to create a wonderful beginning to a great experience.

As I get half way in, I notice that the flavors have intensified. Most notably the the spice. Overall a great tasting cigar still, but now has become more medium bodied. To me it’s still a rather mild cigar but not every likes a strong cigar. The burn has become a bit inconsistent with one big stem in the middle. I hope this just a fluke and not a all a full representation of all the rest of this line.

As I come to the end of the cigar, the spice taste has taken over the other flavors. It’s not bad but I miss the other flavors. They worked so well together. The smoke in the air is light and even after an hour of smoking one can still breathe in the air without choking. The burn has gotten better and no more stems to interfere with smoking. Overall a great cigar that I would recommend to others. I would definately smoke another Rocky Patel Burn Torpedo given the chance.

Get your Rocky Patel Burn – Naples, Florida Edition cigars from Mike’s Cigars of Miami today!

El Beest is a new blend from Blue Mountain Cigars that has just hit the shelves and Mike’s Cigars of Miami has a box with your name on it.

Composed of all Nicaraguan ligero tobaccos, wrapper, binder and fillers, El Beest promises to be a powerhouse of a smoke.

I had the opportunity to ask Blue Mountain Cigar Company Sales Executive Daniel Moyal a few questions about the blend…

Here’s what I learned…

I asked Mr. Moyal where the concept for El Beest came from and he told me, “… we were looking to make a strong cigar, as we tried different blends, we decided on this blend as it made sense for our client base.”

El Beest was blended in such a way that initially on lighting it provides a lot of initial power, however, as Moyal puts it, “… when you light it, it has kick, but as you smoke it, it levels off to a smooth, creamy cigar.  It is strong, but it is blended in such a way that it is not harsh…”

El Beest comes in a single, stout 5″ by 54 ring gauge robusto.  Each cigar is capped with a tightly turned pigtail style top and sleeved for protection from the eye-catching band to the foot.

Blue Mountain’s Master Blender has been in the business for over 20 years, working in both Cuba as well as Nicaragua and has developed many lines for the company.  When Blue Mountain wanted to give their customers lots of strength with ample flavor while maintaining a smooth balance they created “El Beest” and it certainly seems up to the task.

All ligero, all the way through… how sweet is that?

You should grab a box, 5-pack or some single sticks of El Beest from Mike’s Cigars of Miami today these are going to move fast!

Shop for El Beest cigars at Mike’s Cigars of Miami here…

Pork may be the “other white meat,” but cigar binders are the “other wrapper leaf” on modern cigars.

Cigars as we know them, composed of wrapper, binder and filler, are relatively new inventions.  Dating back to the 1640’s, the first cigars constructed using all three components were constructed in Seville, Spain.  Prior to the development of the three layers, “cigars” were constructed of loose tobaccos shabbily bound with a single outer leaf.  These “cigars” were not very popular and most tobaccophiles of the time opted to smoke their tobacco in a pipe.  It wasn’t until the Peninsular War in 1808 that the modern cigar caught on in Europe and began to spread across the world.

But what is it about the addition of the binder leaf that makes a modern premium cigar?

Binder Basics:

The binder leaf, called “la banda” or “capote” in Spanish, is known as “the first leaf on the table,” a reference to the fact that as a torcedor prepares to roll a premium cigar, the process begins with the binder leaf being placed on the work table and smoothed flat.

The filler blend is then formed in the torcedor’s hand and placed on the binder leaf.  The binder and filler are then rolled together forming the “bonche.”  The finished bonches are then placed in molds and pressure is applied to give the cigars their finished shape.

Finally, after being removed from the molds, the shaped bonches are at last surrounded with their wrapper leaf, completing the cigar.

In order for this whole process to be successful, there are certain criteria a binder leaf must meet…

Physical requirements of a binder leaf:

Strength and pliability:

In order to be used in a premium cigar a binder leaf must be strong and flexible enough to endure the rigors of the rolling and molding processes.  As the torcedor wraps the filler leaves in the binder leaf, pressure is used to form the bonche into a rough cigar shape. This manual pressure puts a strain on the binder leaf as it is squeezed to contain the filler leaves and prevent the filler leaves’ natural desire to relax and expand.  An inadequately elastic or weak binder leaf can tear as the bonche is being formed or burst as filler tobaccos expand.

The completed bonches are placed into a cigar mold and pressure is applied using a press, squeezing the molds to create the finished shape of the cigar.  This molding process places a great strain on the binders as they are squeezed to conform to the shapes of the cigar mold.  An inelastic or thin binder leaf can split, crack, or burst during this process, resulting in the bonche having to be re-rolled using a new binder.

The binder leaf is also critically important to how well a cigar burns. By creating a smooth surface onto which the wrapper leaf is applied the binder leaf serves as an “interface” between the burning filler leaves and the wrapper.  If the binder does not maintain contact with either the filler or wrapper the burn of the cigar can be affected creating uneven burns, split wrappers, or worse.

Quality and condition:

In order for the cigar to have a finished, smooth appearance the binder should be of high quality, with minimal veining and no large imperfections.  Problems such as bumps or veins in the binder can usually be appreciated through the wrapper leaf diminishing the physical beauty of the finished cigar.

Burning properties:

The binder must have sufficient combustibility to ensure a proper burn.  An inadequately aged or low quality binder may burn slower or faster than the other tobaccos, leading to an uneven or irregular burn.  Tunneling and “canoeing” are often the result of problems with the combustion rate of the binder.

If you find your cigar is burning faster down one side (“canoeing”) try touching up the slower side by focusing your lighter’s flame under the unburned binder leaf (red lines).  If you can relight the binder (along the orange line), the wrapper and fillers should catch up.

The binder’s contribution to overall aroma and taste:

One of the most often overlooked contributions binder leaves make to premium cigars is the degree to which they add to the overall aroma and taste of each blend.

Many binders are often actually wrapper leaves that have been “downgraded” due to physical flaws such as a hole or tear on one side of the leaf.  A wrapper turned binder will contribute similar qualities to the cigar as it would if it were used a wrapper.

The same aromas and tastes are conveyed by each particular tobacco varietal when used as binders, although sometimes to a lesser degree.  A Connecticut Broadleaf binder will contribute a sweet-smoky rich profile, a Cameroon binder a sweet-spicy one.  Each unique tobacco varietal, each priming, will contribute its own unique qualities to the finished product, the blend.

Binder leaf selection and processing:

Binder leaves are typically taken from the lower primings of the tobacco plant, usually the 2^nd through the 4^th.  These lower primings tend to produce larger, thicker, more elastic leaves, all qualities vital to a binder leaf.

Binder leaves are processed in much the same fashion as filler and wrapper leaves.  During the process of “asentamiento” leaves that do not meet the physical requirements to be used as wrappers are separated and reclassified as binder leaves.  The binder leaves are then classified into 4 “tiempos:”  Seco, viso, ligero and medio tiempo.  The classification of the leaves into tiempos is based mainly on the size, color, thickness, and smoking qualities (combustion) of the leaves  – not on physical appearance.  The tiempos also correlate closely to the priming the leaves came from (the height of the leaf on the plant).

Each tiempo has its own unique characteristics:

Tiempo Seco:
- Usually thin and less oily
- Have good combustion
- Require shorter fermentations
- Must be physically perfect (otherwise they are reclassified as fillers)

Tiempo Viso:
- Thin with some oils
- Thicker than tiempo seco
- Need more humidification when used
- Have more balanced characteristics (from middle primings)

Tiempo Ligero and Medio Tiempo:
- Not typically used as binders, but this trend is changing
- Taken from high primings
- Contain high quantities of organic compounds and few minerals
- Require prolonged fermentation

Taken from the center of the plant, tiempo viso leaves are considered by many to contribute the majority of a cigar’s aroma.

Once the binder leaves have been classified into tiempos, they are sorted again, this time by strength or “forteleza.”  Forteleza is measured on a 1 – 4 scale with 1 being the mildest and 4 being the strongest.  Binder leaves classified as forteleza 3 and 4 are once again reclassified, this time becoming filler leaves.

Aging binder leaves:

The sorted binder leaves now begin the curing process.  Binder leaves are stored “en tercio” for differing lengths of time based on their tiempo:

Tiempo volado – 3 months

Tiempo seco – 6 months

Tiempo ligero – 9 months

Maduro (such as Broadleaf and San Andreas Negro) – 12 months or more

After the binder leaves have been cured they are sent for slow aging before finally being used in the manufacture of premium cigars.

CigarCaptain.com Tasting Guide: A Selection of Premium Cigars with unique wrapper/binder combinations

Alec Bradley Family Blend – Honduran Criollo ’98 wrapper with an Indonesian binder

Alec Bradley MAXX - Nicaraguan habano seed wrapper with a Costa Rican binder

Camacho 10th Anniversary – Honduran corojo (non-hybridized, original varietal) wrapper and binder

C.A.O. Concert – Ecuadorian habano seed wrapper and US Connecticut Broadleaf binder

Cohiba Edicion Diamante - Aged Cameroon wrapper and Indonesian binder

Felipe Gregorio “Power” – Costa Rican Pelo d’Oro wrapper and 1992 vintage Nicaraguan habana binder

Gurkha Legend – Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with a Cameroon binder

Gurkha Ninja – Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper with a  Dominican Criollo binder

H. Upmann Sun Grown – Ecuadorian Sungrown wrapper with a  US Connecticut Broadleaf binder

Carlos Torano Vault - Nicaraguan shade-grown wrapper with a Honduran (from the Jamastran Valley) and Nicaraguan (from Isla Ometepe) double binder

Origen by J. Fuego - Brazilian Corojo wrapper with a Costa Rican Corojo binder

Vega Fina – Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper with an Indonesian binder

Zino Platinum “Z-Class” – Dominican wrapper (from the Yamasa region) with a Peruvian Pelo d’Oro binder

Sancho Panza Double Maduro – US Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper and binder

One of the principle reasons we enjoy premium cigars is that each new blend offers a unique flavor and aroma profile which affords us a new smoking experience with each new brand sampled.  As you look to try new cigars, don’t overlook the binder leaf in the blend.  Each different tobacco varietal, each different type of leaf, contributes its own different characteristics to the cigar as a whole.

And remember, that in order to know what cigars best suit our palates, we need to know the cigar we are smoking:  wrapper, binder, and filler.

Each cigar truly is the sum of its parts.

Good smokes!

Marty Klausmeier, CCT
Managing Editor

Read the other parts of the Frugal Aficionado here….

(Author’s note:  While this article discusses a theoretical cigarette tax the outcomes could certainly be extrapolated to any new tax on a tobacco product.)

Tobacco taxes have existed for centuries.  No other commodity is so prized for its ability to pad governmental coffers; no other commodity is so scorned and maligned in its legal use.  Tobagophiles worldwide have come to accept high taxes as part of the price to be paid to use tobacco in any of its various forms, but what happens when a new tobacco tax is imposed that actually results in an increase in Federal expenditures over and above the amount of revenue generated by the tax?  You have a tax which leads to more and more taxing.

Such was the case revealed in a recent study conducted by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).  As reported in the New England Journal of Medicine (November 29, 2012), the CBO created a model in which an increase of 50 cents per pack was added to existing Federal Cigarette Excise taxes.  This experimental model was then used to answer the question, “whether federal policies to promote a healthier population would have an appreciable effect on future spending and budget deficits.” (1)

The CBO model showed that while initially “better health” would cause the federal government to spend less money on health care, the effect would be transient.  In fact, since fewer people would “die prematurely,” the tax would eventually result in a net increase in government health care spending as more Americans live to Medicare age.To get an idea of how this all works, let’s start with a look at the CBO’s predicted decreases in tobacco related mortality.  According to the article, by 2021 about 10,000 people who would have otherwise died of tobacco related disease would be alive; by 2035 there would be an additional 63,000; and by 2085 (the final year of the research model) there would be an additional 200,000 people alive “who would otherwise have died earlier.”

Now, to translate those numbers into dollars, let’s look at another set of data generated from the CBO study – net effect on federal budgetary outlays for healthcare.

In their article, Baumgardner, et. al. state that “Throughout the first decade of the policy, reduced health care expenditures (primarily for Medicare and Medicaid) would mean that the federal government would spend less than it would have otherwise.”  The CBO projected a total savings of $730 million dollars, approximately $73 million dollars per year for the first ten years of the study.

However, beginning in the second decade, an inverse effect begins.  The “effects on longevity” as fewer people die from “tobacco related diseases” begin to cost more as more people live long enough to claim Medicare benefits.  The effect of aging on budgetary outlays continues through 2085, the study endpoint, and increases at an exponential rate.  (Note: Medicaid spending is reduced throughout the study period due to differences in its eligibilities and funding.)

The authors further report that until around 2060, increases in federal revenues in the form of cigarette taxes, increased income tax revenue (from those living longer), and payroll tax (from those working longer) would offset the increase in federal healthcare expenditures.  However, this effect is also limited as the authors indicate that after the year 2060, the total healthcare expenditures begin to surpass any increases in revenue gained through taxes, a trend which persisted through the year 2085, the study endpoint.

When I look at these numbers I can’t help but feel that several questions need to be asked.

First, there is the issue of the increased federal expenditures for health care expenses the CBO model predicts.  Amid constant cries “not to leave more debt for our children,” why would any policy maker consider implementing a new tobacco tax knowing the end result will be increased debt for future generations?  If the tax model used in the CBO model were enacted today, my 3 and 6 year old daughters’ children would be the ones paying the bill for increased Medicare expenditures.

Second is the need for increased federal revenue, in the form of income and payroll taxes, to offset the increased healthcare expenses.  How long will the current generation be required to work?  The next? 70 years old, 75? Moreover, will the age of Medicare eligibility be increased to account for the aging workforce?  And, who bears the burden of health insurance coverage for the increasingly aging work force?  Business owners – big and small.

Third, is the savings of $730 million dollars over 10 years, around $73 million dollars each year worth it?  When one looks at federal and state “anti-smoking” program expenses, this number seems small by comparison.  For example, the government spent $54 million dollars on one single year-long ad campaign that was run on television and in print in 2012. (2)  In contrast, in 1997, $52.6 billion dollars was spent by U.S. consumers on tobacco products.  $52.6 billion. (3)

And finally, there is an ethical issue at play as well.  Tobacco is still a legal product worldwide.  Its use is governed by laws dictating specific age requirements for its legal consumption.  The use of taxation as a form of “negative incentive” is dubious at best, malicious at worst.  When a government taxes tobacco users with one hand and supports the “anti-tobacco” industry with the other, while collecting funds from tobacco companies as part of the Tobacco Settlement Act, there will never be “equal representation” for smokers.

References:

1. Baumgardner, J, Bilheimer, L, et. al.; “Cigarette Taxes and the Federal Budget – Report From the CBO.” Bayer, R, Gostin, J.D., Marcus-Toll, D; “Repackaging Cigarettes – Will the Courts Thwart the FDA?”  New England Journal of Medicine; 367-22; November 29, 2012  url:  http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1210319  (Accessed 2/5/2013)
2. “U.S. Government Unveils Nationwide Anti-Smoking Campaign.”  The Partnership at DrugFree.Org; March 15, 2012; URL:  http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/prevention/u-s-government-unveils-nationwide-anti-smoking-campaign  (Accessed 2/6/2013)
3. Gale, F, Foreman, L, Caperhart, T: “Tobacco and the Economy: Farms, Jobs, and Communities.”  USDA Economic Research Service, November, 2000 URL:  http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aer-agricultural-economic-report/aer789.aspx  (Accessed 2/6/2013)

It has been a while since I’ve needed to rant about anything but I saw a commercial last night that I just had to look into.  Have you guys seen these satirical wanna-be ads from an organization called “truth”?  They are an anti-tobacco group that claims to give you real facts from credible sources about the lies behind big tobacco and their advertising.  First of all, let me make one thing very clear before we go any further, everybody that is trying to sell you anything is lying to you.  It’s that simple.  As an example, if diet Dr. Pepper actually tastes as good as regular Dr. Pepper, then there is no freakin’ need to make regular Dr. Pepper anymore.  It doesn’t taste the same so stop telling me it does ya liars!

The latest add from truth highlights an imaginary company called Shards O’ Glass which is of course a bad take off on the famed Bag O’ Glass that pitchman Irwin Mainway from Mainway Toys tried to sell on an old Saturday Night Live skit.  The commercial shows the company making a  recall on all their products because of the inherent dangers of a Popsicle with broken glass in it.  Witty yes (total unoriginal and a rip-off, yes) but the phony add ends with the statement that “Big Tobacco’s products kill someone every 6.5 seconds”.  I’m not gonna give them the satisfaction of linking to their site so you’ll have to look it up yourself.  Being the overly curious chap that I am, I felt it necessary to check this little factoid against whatever data I could find.  They made it real easy for me since they claim to use statistics directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of their sources.  Doesn’t take 5 years of community college or a journalism degree to figure I might as well start right there.  This is where it gets quirky.

The most current information available online from the CDC only goes back to 2007 but we can work with that since the truth never adds opinion to the information they supply (direct wording from their website).  I’ve made it clear to you guys that I’m not the smartest kid in the room and at times am more than a few fries short of a happy meal so bear with me as I try to break down the numbers to their most basic form.  The ad from truth states tobacco kills someone every 6.5 seconds.  Starting with simple math I deduced that there are 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour and therefore 3600 seconds in an hour.  Going another step further I know with 24 hours in a day the math tells me I get 86,400 seconds per day.  Now stay with me even though this is getting a little boring cause I do have a point to make.  Using this very basic equation of the number of seconds per day and the number of deaths per every 6.5 seconds you get   86,400 ÷ 6.5 = 13,292.31  Lets round that down to be nice and we have 13,292 deaths per day according to what they say.

Before I even started my fancy cipherin’, that figure seemed excessive for the number of tobacco users killed and with a tiny bit of digging it is.  Using the 13,292 deaths per day you end the year burying 4,851,580 bodies due to tobacco.  That’s a lot of dead peeps my peeps!  Where the hell are we putting them all?  Funny thing is that if I look at the 2007 Death and Mortality statistics from the CDC they only counted 2,423,712 deaths total no matter what the cause.  WTF my brothers?  How can the numbers be that far off?  Simple, because they are pushing an agenda and the only way to do it is to fool you into believing they are giving you real facts.  Even better is that on another page of their site it clearly says that big tobacco needs to replace the “1200 customers they lose everyday”.  Well what the hell number is it?  It’s a powerful message that this fake commercial tries to get across but it’s flat out crapola!

This little example just goes to show you the great lengths anti-tobacco groups will go to get their agendas across.  I should be wearing a helmet and yet I can see through all of the statistical BS that is heaped upon us in the hopes that it’s never questioned.  These are the kinds of forces we are up against and one of the reason smoking bans pass so easily.  The constant stream of misleading facts like these only empower the antis and is very influential in convincing the uniformed to back bans and support massive tax increases on a legal product simply because they don’t like it.  That’s the world we’re living in my boys.

Every story has a moral so I guess the point here is to understand what type of organizations and people are out there trying every day to not only reduce but ban tobacco use.  They will use any tactic, quote misleading statistics and if necessary even flat out lie to get what they want.  I think we are all fully aware of the risks we take in enjoying cigars even in moderation but as adults we should be allowed to continue to make those decisions with unbiased information.  Not managing the risks you take in life can be and actually is very dangerous, but you know what else kills millions every year?  Life.  We’re all on a clock and life ticks by each and every day bringing us closer to the big finale where the curtain drops and the show ends.  You’re gonna go no matter what cause that’s how life works.  Why not enjoy it with a few simple pleasures?

Garth Bugenhagen

The Cigar Soldier

Now, back in October I grabbed a pair of the toro size from Mike’s Cigars which “rested” in one of my desktop humidors until recently. When the Flor de las Antillas toro was named #1 by CA, I knew I had to smoke this cigar soon. What better timing than my 499th cigar brand; one away from the big 500! (I’m still not telling what I’ve picked to smoke for the 500th.)

The Flor de las Antillas Toro

The Flor de las Antilllas blend was greated by Jaime Garcia, son of Don “Pepin” Garcia and Master Blender of the My Father Cigars factory. Garcia, along with his father and sister Janny (creator of the La Duena cigar line), is behind some of the highest rated cigars released in the last decade including many boutique successes and their own My Father cigar lines.

The Flor de las Antillas Toro begins with a slightly rusty, colorado toned Nicaraguan sun-grown, Cuban seed wrapper. The wrapper appears slightly dry and smooth with minimal veining and just a hint of tooth with a light tobacco aroma. A quick peek at the foot of the cigar reveals a complex blend of filler tobaccos, all Nicaraguan, rolled to perfection. The foot of each cigar comes wrapped with a red ribbon that compliments the band art and protects the delicate wrapper at the foot from damage.

Flor de las Antilllas cigars are gently box pressed with slightly rounded corners. The wrapper leaves are beautifully and nearly seamlessly applied. Each cigar is finished with a triple cap that is equally well applied. The cigars are firm to the touch with just a slight give. The toro size at 6″ x 52 has great “hand feel” and is comfortable to hold, thanks in part to the rounded box press finish.
The great construction I noted during “first looks” carried on as I incised the triple cap head of my cigar with my Xikar Xi1 grip cutter yielding a perfect cut and open cold draw. The cigar lit evenly and easily using a single-jet torch lighter. The first draws were easy and delivered an ample amount of smoke.

So, what does CA’s #1 Cigar of the Year smoke like? My first impression was that the Flor de las Antillas resembled the highly rated Oliva Serie V line in both taste and aroma, but not in strength. The Flor de las Antillas toro was like smoking a medium bodied version of the Oliva Serie V.
The first third of the smoke consisted of light aromas that reminded me of nuts, with an occassional “bready” note. (I usually don’t identify such nebulous terms as “bready” but in the Flor de las Antillas I actually did taste a “bakery” quality…)

Moving into the second part of the cigar, the flavors continued to be slightly nutty with some hard to define characteristics. The cigar burned evenly, albeit it slightly crooked, and provided big, effortless draws of thick smoke. In the second portion of the smoke, the finish began to develop a slightly salty touch to the otherwise medium long, nutty-earthy finish.

The final act of the Flor de las Antillas toro, for me, was the best. The rich aromas from the sun-grown wrapper leaf really picked up and combined with an ever increasing finish, both in terms of savor and duration, to push the Flor de las Antillas as close to “full-bodied” as this cigar got.

After removing the ornate band, I continued to relish the Flor de las Antillas right up to the very end. As the cigar approached the nub, all of the flavors and aromas came together with the long finish to produce a noble end to this great cigar.

There is a component of the Oliva Serie V’s aroma I’ve never found the words to describe that I also detect in the Flor de las Antillas. Given the Oliva Serie V’s perennial presence in Cigar Aficionado’s annual Top 25 cigar list (the Belicoso was #18 in 2012) it doesn’t surprise me in the least that the Flor de las Antillas was selected #1 for 2012. With the Flor de las Antilllas’ more approachable medium body, the line combines the great tastes and aromas that many aficionados have come to appreciate in other, more full bodied blends.

Without doubt the Floor de las Antillas toro is a fantastic cigar: great flavors and aromas with a very enjoyable finish and outstanding construction at a very good price point.

It’s hard to argue with the Cigar Aficionado #1 Cigar of 2012, it’s a winner.

Good smokes,
Marty Klausmeier, Editor

When I got my hands on the Flor de las Antillas toro, the first thing I noticed was the very fancy band on it. It’s ornate and very well made out of higher quality paper. The Flor de las Antillas is a box pressed, 6 x 52 cigar with a Nicaraguan sun-grown Cuban-seed wrapper. The cut was easy with no damage to the head of the cigar. It was wrapped very well and allowed an easy draw.

The Flor de las Antillas lit easily and the first few puffs invited you to keep smoking. The smoke was light and even though there were two of us smoking in the room, there was no need for major ventilation. The taste wasn’t harsh which could be expected of a “medium-bodied” cigar.  This tasted like a mild cigar which is not bad if you can’t handle a heavier cigar. The burn was good right up until the end. The ash on the cigar was real flaky and made a mess as it smoked. I wouldn’t recommend keeping the ash on the end for very long.

Overall the Flor de las Antillas was a great smoke and would recommend this for anyone looking for a cigar for an event with friends who may or may not smoke.

Introduced in 2006 and manufactured at the massive General Cigar factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic, Cohiba Black cigars are the maduro wrapped extension of the famous Dominican Cohiba cigar line.  To create the Cohiba Black, noted Master Blender Daniel Nunez started with a filler blend comprised of 3-year aged Dominican and Mexican long filler tobaccos which he bound using a 3-year aged Dominican Piloto Cubano binder.  The wrapper Nunez selected to cover this amazing cigar is a deep, dark, nearly oscuro US Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper which is aged, as are the binder and filler leaves, for 3 years “en tercio.”  A simple black and silver band, mirroring the layout of other Cohiba bands, creates a clean look and emphasizes the depth of the wrapper’s color.

The Cohiba Black Churchill

The Cohiba Black sports one of the most beautiful wrappers I’ve seen.  In addition to being nearly black the leaf shows a nice bit of tooth and has a slight sheen of oils.  The cigar was wrapped seamlessly, an indicator of the quality of construction I’ve found in all the Cohibas I’ve smoked.

Taking a quick look at the foot, I noted a nice mix of filler tobaccos that appeared to be very neatly rolled.  The aroma from the foot was fresh and light while the aroma from the wrapper was that of nice, dark tobacco.

I incised the head of my Cohiba Black using my trusty Xikar Xi1 grip cutter and set to the foot with a gentle single-jet torch lighter.  The aroma from the foot as the tobaccos began to ignite was sweet and pleasant.

The initial puffs from the Cohiba Black produced a thick smoke with a mild body and earthy tastes.  There was a slight spice through the nose at first, but it faded and disappeared all within the first inch.  From the end of the first inch, a warm and rich smoke developed with some distant earthy notes predominated by a sweet and savory mix that continued throughout the remainder of the cigar.

Although the sweet and savory combination persisted for the entirety of the Cohiba Black Churchill this was anything but a predictable, linear smoke.  All through the cigar various components of the taste/aroma profile increased in intensity and then faded, only to be replaced by another.  While I would consider the Cohiba Black to be medium-bodied, it is a very flavorful cigar.  In addition, the Cohiba Black Churchill has a delightful, medium finish that allows you to enjoy the cigar on yet a different level.

The Cohiba Black Churchill is by no means a cheap cigar with singles priced at $17.75 a piece, but for those very special occasions, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. this cigar can’t be beat.  The Cohiba Black Churchill becomes much more affordable when purchased by the 5 pack ($52.95) or by the box ($262.47 for 25 cigars).  Of course, if you can afford it, the Cohiba Black Churchill would be an amazing daily smoker!

Whether you buy a single stick, 5-pack, or box, you can be certain that in purchasing the Cohiba Black Churchill you are getting one of the best maduro wrapped cigars in the world.  So the next time you need a truly exquisite, opulent, and trendy cigar you need look no further than the Cohiba Black Churchill.

It’s time to get out the tuxedo…

M. Klausmeier
Editor

Looking over this year’s list, the first thing that struck me was small number of Cuban cigars that made the Top 25.  Only four of the “Best of the Best Cigars” were products of the venerable Habanos lines: a Cohiba, an Upmann, a Partagas, and a Bolivar.  Common names on any list of great cigars, too bad us law abiding smokers in the US won’t have the chance to sample these.

The upside of the low number of Cuban’s on the list this year is that there are more top cigars that those of us in the US can enjoy!  Twenty one cigars in fact…

With 21 top cigars to pick from I thought I’d share some thoughts on some of my favorites from this list of outstanding premium cigars.  The seven cigars I selected are unique; some are high price point smokes, some are bargains; there are Nicaraguan cigars, Dominican cigars, and Honduran cigars represented; and the cigars vary in taste, aroma, and body.  I considered all of these individual factors in determining my favorite seven cigars from Cigar Aficionado’s Best 25 Cigars of 2012, so without further ado, here are my “Top Seven Cigars from Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 Cigars of 2012…”

CA’s #1 Cigar:  La Flor de las Antillas toro:  Cigar Aficionado’s #1 Cigar of 2012, the La Flor de las Antillas toro is a Nicaraguan puro produced at the now famous My Father Cigar factory in Esteli.  Blended by Jaime Garcia, son of world renowned cigar master, Don Pepin Garcia, this cigar scored a massive 96 points on CA’s 100 point scale, very impressive, very impressive indeed.  I’m saving this cigar for my 499^th blend on the way to the big 500!  Watch for a review this week!

CA’s #7 Cigar:  Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Belicoso #2:  Ashton’s Heritage Puro Sol is a medium bodied cigar well known for its consistency, smokability, and flavors.  The aromatic sun grown wrapper adds a bit of spice to the mix, creating a moderately complex, medium bodied cigar.  The Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Belicoso #2 is not an inexpensive cigar, but you get more than your money’s worth out of every dollar.

CA’s #15 Cigar:  H. Upmann Reserve 1844 Belicoso:  For those of us in America, this cigar may be as close to the taste of a true Havana as we will ever get.  Released in 2012, the H. Upmann Reserve 1844 line is more full bodied and full flavored than other H. Upmann lines yet remains incredibly well balanced and enjoyable.  The H. Upmann Reserve 1844 belicoso is a classy cigar with great taste and aroma reminiscent of the Upmanns of Cuba, and definitely worth a try.

CA’s #18 Cigar:  Oliva Serie “V” Belicoso:  Seldom does a cigar become such a fixture in so many aficionados’ humidors as has the Oliva Serie “V” line.  A perennial favorite among cigars fans that favor full-bodied, full-flavored cigars the Oliva Serie “V” is famous for its rich, full, and unique aroma profile.  The Serie “V” is a permanent resident in my collection, in several vitola, and the Belicoso remains one of my favorites.  If you’ve never tried this line before, you really owe it to yourself to give this one a go, but bear in mind, this is a full bodied cigar and not recommended for the novice.  And, Mike’s Cigars of Miami has a great stock of Oliva Serie V cigars, but check often as these highly prized cigars occasionally go out of stock.  Check Mike’s current inventory of Oliva Serie “V” cigars…

CA’s #20 Cigar:  Punch Gran Puro Santa Rita:  Here’s one of my favorite blends, the Punch Gran Puro.  I have long loved Punch cigars in general, and am particularly fond of the Gran Puro line.  The Santa Rita is a Rothschild sized version of this Honduran puro which is produced in Danli, Honduras at the acclaimed HATSA factory.  The Punch Gran Puro line is characteristically spicy, yet not peppery.  Aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and graham strike me each time I smoke a Gran Puro while I find the cigar to be medium-full in body.  The icing on the cake?  It’s another sub-$5 cigar available from Mike’s Cigars of Miami.  You can check the whole line of Punch Gran Puro cigars at Mike’s Cigars of Miami online here…

CA’s #22 Cigar:  E.P. Carillo Elencos Series Don Rubino:  From the gifted hands and mind of La Gloria Cubana creator, Ernesto Perez-Carillo, come the Elencos Series cigars.  Featuring a rare, Cuban-seed, Brazilian wrapper, the E.P. Carillo Elencos line is a very limited production cigar that is often very hard to find.  Luckily, our good friends at Mike’s Cigars of Miami have a great supply on hand!  Shop online or call Mike’s Cigars of Miami (1-800-962-4427) to order, but do so quickly.  With only 50,000 cigars produced annually, and CA’s nod, these cigars are certain to sell out quickly!

CA’s #23 Cigar:  Macanudo Cru Royale Poco Gordo:  “Poco Gordo” roughly translates to “little fat one” and the description is quite apt.  The stubby, fat Macanudo Cru Royale Poco Gordo follows on the current industry trend of large ring gauge, shorter cigars.  The style was originally associated with the Nub cigars made by Oliva Cigar, but now the vitolas have caught on with aficionados.  By using a large ring gauge, the cigar develops to its full potential quickly rather than developing half way in.  The Macanudo Cru Royale Poco Gordo’s medium body and interesting flavor profile make this a great cigar for beginners looking for a bit more flavor equally as well as providing a seasoned cigar smoker a Macanudo with a bit more under the hood.  And, the Poco Gordo is yet another very affordably cigar coming in at under $5 a stick from Mike’s Cigars of Miami!  Get the Macanudo Cru Royale Poco Gordo here.

So there you go my favorite seven cigars from Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 Cigars of 2012.  I’ve tried to select cigars from all price points, various countries, and varied strengths.  I’m certain you will find at least one “favorite” cigar in this list.

Good Smokes!

Marty Klausmeier, CCT
Editor, CigarCaptain.com

The 3″ x 5″ leather bound artist notebook from my local art supply store makes an excellent cigar notebook.

Now, as I have but a few blanks left in my fourth book, I thought it would be fun to review the final three cigars leading up to my 500^th brand.  I have a very particular cigar set aside for the big #500, but you’ll have to wait to discover what it is.  (Hint: It’s an uber-premium cigar, made in the Dominican Republic, and it’s likely not the cigar you’re thinking….)

Today we’ll look at the 498^th brand I’ve smoked, the recently released Montecristo Epic.

Manufactured at the famed Tabacalera de Garcia in the Dominican Republic, the Montecristo Epic is being touted as the “most full bodied” Montecristo to date.  By using an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and a filler blend composed of both Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers (some from the 2007 harvest), the Montecristo Epic fills a niche that had been vacant in the Montecristo portfolio, a full bodied, full strength cigar.

The Montecristo Epic’s Ecuadorian Habano wrapper has a deep brown color, tending toward colorado rosado, and a great sheen of oils to it.  The new labeling picks up on the rich tones of the wrapper nicely making for a very visually appealing cigar.  The Montecristo Epic’s secondary band conjures memories of the original Montecristo by using the bold “Montecristo yellow” over the “classic Montecristo brown.”  When seen resting in the new bright yellow and red high gloss boxes, the Montecristo Epic’s presentation is complete and quite eye-catching.

Smoking the Epic robusto was a very enjoyable experience.  The Habano wrapper contributed some spiciness to the blend, while the Nicaraguan filler provided strength.  The Dominican fillers, combined with the Nicaraguan leaf, produce huge clouds of rich smoke with a medium long, slightly sweet finish.

The Epic had flawless construction and smoked without issue.  The burn line was straight, the ash light gray, solid, and heavy.  The Epic robusto had a perfect draw with only slight resistance, which allowed a smooth, cool smoke.

For comparison, while the Montecristo Platinum line is rich and flavorful, I found the Epic to be more full bodied.  And, although I find the Montecristo Afrique to be very aromatic owing to its unique blend, I believe the Epic, again, had a more complex aroma profile.

I’m glad that I had the opportunity to smoke this new super-premium cigar from Altadis as my 498^th cigar brand.  The smoke was very enjoyable and I think the Epic blend is such that it can be appreciated and enjoyed by cigar aficionados of all degree of experience.  I’m also quite confident that box aging will only improve this already great smoke.

To find out more about the Montecristo Epic and find out how to get yours, give my good friends at Mike’s Cigars of Miami a call at 1-800-962-4427.  They’re a great bunch of folks!

Up next…Cigar #499…Cigar Aficionado’s #1 cigar of 2012 – the Flor de las Antilles Toro

Marty Klausmeier
Editor, Cigar Captain.com