Recently in Cigars Category

 Greenopia:

One of the oldest beverages in the world, beer has only recently been getting attention for its environmental impact, which varies depending on the efficiency of the brewery and ingredients used. Concerns include the fact that beer production often requires 7-10 liters of water for every liter of beer and its key ingredients are often difficult to obtain through organic means.

Some beer companies, like Eel River and New Belgium Brewery have taken significant steps to decrease their impact. “We have found that the amount of resources that go into beer production is not common knowledge”, said Doug Mazeffa, Greenopia’s Research Director. “We are happy to support the companies who have been able to reduce their impact through better resource management.”

Somebody tell Tim and Jonathan too... [photo credit]

Enjoyed two terrific sticks lately.

I picked up an Avo Piramides at Rick's place just out Naval Station Newport Gate #1 for twelve bucks.

According to Famous Smoke Shop Avos were first made by Davidoff for pianist Avo Uvazien to keep by his piano. "A medley of five diverse Dominican tobaccos grown in the rich Cibao Valley surrounded by silky, blonde U.S. Connecticut wrappers offer you a mild, creamy smoke with an extraordinary balance of flavors that roll off the palate like one of Avo's intricate piano solos."

Other reviewers echo the "creamy" comment. As an amateur afficianado I have no idea what "creamy" means but I know it wasn't bitter. With the long pointed tip it was almost like smoking a pipe. The draw was easy and cool and yummy. I'm a big fan of Connecticut wrappers and the perfume from this one lived up to that pleasure. Lit easily - actually, twice. Since the communists have all but banned cigars from bars in Newport I dumped it back into its tube for an hour for an adult bev, and re-lit it after I walked back outside. The Avo's pretty mild - about a 6 on my own personal strength meter. Burned this to the knuckles without breaking a sweat. Tasty and medium-bodied. If you're a part-time (special event) cigar guy/gal, try this one.

For the July 4th weekend I dug back into the Rocky Patel sampler for the Olde World Turo.

If I could sum up this cigar in one thought it would be this: The $70 I paid for the whole assortment of Rockys was worth it for this one cigar.

Other thoughts? This is the sorta cigar you enjoy in a navy blazer on the fantail of your yacht or the back deck of your suite at the Del Coronado Hotel, or your first/last/only round at Pebble Beach. The aroma was heavenly! Wonderful flavors of pepper and chocolate and coffee and zero bitterness. Got a 2-inch long ash with this one, though I (like others apparently) had to touch this one up with a lighter to get through it. Rich (7-7.5 strength) but not at all overwhelming.

I was looking for a roach clip. Seriously.

Apparently these are hard to get. If you like great cigars and you can find a box and have a couple hundred bucks lying around, just buy them. Save them for weddings or bar-mitzvas or Independence Day or that once-in-a-blue-moon evening when you have two hours on the back porch to get caught up with your old man. 

They're that good.

Some time ago a friend who (until recently) worked for R/P gave me a 1999 Vintage Torpedo to try. In a word - fantastic. Great aroma, great flavor, not overpowering. The 1999 Vintage was one reason I bought the R/P Sampler Box this past New Years Eve. After wading through most of the box I figured it was time to get around to it. I actually took it with me to Atlanta last reserve weekend but didn't get time to enjoy it.

Like all the other R/P's in the box, the Nicaragua binder and Dominican/Nicaraguan filler put out plenty of rich smoke. I'm a big fan of Connecticut wrappers, and the aroma from this ten year old stick didn't disappoint.

I wish the flavor hadn't. The wrapper was pretty much overwhelmed by the filler, which wasn't the case with the Torpedo. It also had a sort of sour taste to it the longer I smoked it. Not exactly a knuckle burner. My hunch is the narrower tip on the Torpedo counteracted this effect in this Churchill-size round version. I'd call this about a 7.5 on the strengthometer for the same reason.

So not my favorite. For the money (~ 8 bucks retail) I'd definitely get the Torpedo shape next time.

Despite an affinity for a good cigar I started pipe smoking at Pacific Lutheran U (ca 1985). The Old Dutchman, still busy master gardening up in Washington State, smoked a pipe for years. His dad smoked a pipe too. I have great memories of him as a kid letting me fire up his Zippo for his after-dinner smoke. His dad's dad...well, you get it. 

Nothing fancy - Captain Black from the corner drug store is just dandy, thanks. The Eco-Wife says she likes it fine too. Reminds her of her granddad.

Kids these days - think they're all that.

Davidoff: Such a sissy, skinny little cigar in its lilly white tube. Such a rip-off at almost twenty bucks each or $80 for a pack of four (after the exchange rate) at the Duty Free in London.

But I confess they are my very favorite.

Enough flavor without being overbearing, they have a sort of warm perfume that makes me want to hold the thing about a foot under my face and soak it in like incense. There's no hint of burning cardboard, none of the acridness that gains on you as the ash gets closer to the knuckes and makes your ears ring. I love these with a cappuccino or a thumb of really good single malt or a good book from lighting until they burn up through the band.

A real cigar afficianado would probably find these too bland (about a 2 out of 10). To me that's just fine. Sometimes you want a gut-busting banana split loaded with everything. But a simple dish of ice-cold vanilla cream churned out in the back yard on a Saturday afternoon can be just as memorable.

Apparently the quality on these varies quite a bit, so if the first isn't to your liking, try try again.

R/P Edge Sumatra: Whatever the Davidoff is, this Sumatra is the opposite.

I took this one with me on a trip to the Naval Air Station Atlanta last weekend. Can't sit inside anymore to smoke, but it was a nice night out - darn near tropical for the first week in February. And being outside wasn't a problem as far as getting to know this particular Honduran.

I'd call this stick burly and rugged. I liked it a lot better than the Vintage R/P I had before. Still, I couldn't get much past halfway on this stick (about an hour) because it was so strong. Agree with Brian - tons of citrus, and the acid finally did me in. To be fair it was also burning hot. I don't have a travel humidor and it had dried out some on the way to Atlanta.

Bottom line is I enjoyed it OK, but way too rich for me. At 5 bucks (cheaper in the set) it's a good bargain for you guys out there with a stronger constitution.

Rocky Patel Toro Sampler, Signature Edition. Photo courtesy of bonitasmokeshop.com

Paid a premium for these on New Years eve in Newport, but hey - needed to make sure I was ready for the festivities. I mostly bought it for the Vintage Connecticut - my favorite R/P stick.

Fired up the first one the other day, a dark-wrappered 1992 Vintage, while working around the house. Like other Rockys I've had it wasn't a dainty thing. They tend to be thick-finger-big-mustache stogies that draw easy and put out plenty of rich smoke.

Liked it OK. Good size, nice draw, nice-smelling but not too heady. I'd give it about a 6.5 out of 10 for "strength" (10 being an Opus or LFD chisel tip). Pretty smoky and burns quickly, so it would be better as a backyard or golf course stogie than for the man cave. I'd call the flavor woodsy/musky rather than sweet. Have a dark beer or Drambuie rather than a dry spirit like scotch with it. It would overpower a glass of wine.

Will post on the rest as I get to 'em.