February 11th, 2019

Size of cigar: 5 inches by 50 ring gauge

Charles Robinson of Tennessee was looking for a distributor for these at the 2018 IPCPR, and was kind enough to give me this cigar to sample. It has a smooth Habano wrapper with smooth nutty aromas coming from the foot and the wrapper. The bunch is firm and the cold draw is perfect. Today’s beverage is a cold Topo Chico.

The initial flavors are mostly of earthiness and walnuts. The retro-hale is mildly peppery. The draw remains perfect, and the burn is perfect as well.

In the first third, the earthiness shifts to a more wooded flavor (more oak than cedar) while the rest of the flavors remain consistent.

During the second third, a bit of sweetness joins the flavor profile. The burn remains perfect. This is an excellently constructed medium-bodied cigar with a great degree of complexity. The pepper in the retro-hale has moderated and is very smooth.

January 28th, 2019

Vitola: Robusto (5 inches by 52 ring gauge)
MSRP: $10
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Nicaraguan Viso, Seco and Ligero from Esteli & Jalapa

Xiphos brand owner Brad Longanecker is a good friend of mine, and is partly responsible for me being thrown out of a cigar lounge for the first and only time. But that’s a story for another time. So here we go...

First third

The initial light and draw were smooth and easy. I noticed a smooth retro-hale without any of the burn that normally comes at the beginning of a cigar. Notes of leather and chocolate, along with hints of spice and earth, were also present.

January 21st, 2019

Size of cigar: 6 inches by 52 ring gauge
Wrapper: Oscuro Corojo (3 year old Oscuro Corojo leaves from Nicaragua)
Binder: Jalapa region (Nicaragua)
Filler: Triple Ligero leaves (Nicaragua)

The Blanco Nine Toro is a special cigar, the blend of which has been formulated and brought to the marketplace by a very special individual, David Blanco of the Blanco Cigar Company. David has, through the years, served the United States of America in law enforcement, fire/paramedic and military postings. And this selfless dedication to others is also reflected in his approach to cigar making. Clearly, Mr. Blanco believes in striving to help people have the best life can offer.

January 7th, 2019

This collaboration between Island Jim and James Brown of BLTC is a dark rustic looking cigar with distinctive tobacco notes from the foot. The cold draw is perfect. Tonight’s beverage is a Goose Island Bourbon County 2018 Edition.

The initial flavors are earthy and somewhat sharp with a bittersweet finish on the palate. The retro-hale is lightly peppery with a touch of sourness. The burn is mostly even. The ale is quite strong and matches up well with the strength of the cigar.

When I spoke to Island Jim at the IPCPR, he said he had this cigar rolled because he really liked what James Brown was doing with Broadleaf. The results are excellent.