Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary Cigar Review
Posted on | July 28, 2010 | 3 Comments
What better location than a Rocky Patel Lounge to try the latest from Rocky, the 15th Anniversary Cigar! I went to “Stogies” in Houston to give one a taste and see what it is all about.
The Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary cigar has an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and filler, and is made in his new factory in Nicaragua. It is beautifully constructed with a nice box press, and though for my first taste I had a slightly unexpected harshness in the beginning, it smoothed out quickly to a very pleasant medium body. There was a nice amount of smoke with a consistent and even burn, and I never had to fight or relight the cigar throughout the entire duration. Always a great sign!
After the first few puffs when the harshness went away, it was such a dramatic change it took me by surprise (almost like a different cigar). I am very curious to have one again and see if it has that same power in the beginning.
Hopeful the harsh factor was unique to my cigar, but beyond that there were plenty of earthy flavors with a nice caramel sweetness in the finish.
La Verite 2008 from Pete Johnson of Tatuaje
Posted on | July 23, 2010 | 4 Comments
While at Santa Barbara Cigars in Houston, TX, I had the pleasure of tasting the just released La Verite, 2008 single farm vintage cigar, from Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars. The inspiration of wine can be seen everywhere from the presentation of the box, the label and style of aging, and can be appreciated in the blend.
This is a single farm vintage cigar with all the tobacco coming from a single crop year in Esteli, Nicaragua. Once proper fermentation was completed, the tobacco was rolled into cigars and then set to age until their release. Though ready to be smoked upon purchase, this is a cigar that will be interesting to age. I think it is great to see this perspective of the wine world enter into cigars, and Pete Johnson has done a wonderful job in this creation.
One thing I really enjoyed was the aroma of this smoke. It was beautiful through the nose, intensifying the flavor without being overpowering. The entire smoke was consistently smooth. There was a bit of a dry finish but nothing harsh or unpleasant to me. Cedar was especially prominent at the beginning of the smoke, but more complexity with earth built in nicely as the smoke continued.
This is not a powerhouse, but a medium bodied smoke with some lovely characteristics. At $20 a stick it isn’t a daily smoke, but one for special occasions. As they are from a single crop and vintage, they are limited. I think this will be a nice addition to the Tatuaje line.
Cigars & Bowling With Cigar Towne
Posted on | July 15, 2010 | 1 Comment
What makes a great and memorable evening? True- cigars, food, and libations are there in our times of celebration (or even just relaxing on our own), but what makes an event spectacular is great people getting together to have a good time.
I think the last time I bowled was some ten years ago, but what a brilliant way to bring people together to enjoy what they love- great cigars and a great time. Cheryl and Daniel of Cigar Towne in Houston hosted a wonderful evening of bowling and cigars- one I hope to see happen again soon! It’s a pretty cool feeling to be able to relax, play a few games, and meet some awesome people all while having a cigar in hand. For this occasion we didn’t have just any cigar, but thanks to Kris Miller of Davidoff for sponsoring the event we all enjoyed Winston Churchill Marrakesh’s and Spitfires! This was quite a treat!
This is an event you talk about for days and look forward to going to again. It is pretty rare we are able to smoke anywhere indoors these days, let alone a bowling alley. What a fun concept! But that’s just it, it is about being able to be social. These are social gatherings and they are meant to be about the whole experience- being able to have a great cigar, take your time to really enjoy it, and engage in conversation. Maybe include a bottle of wine or glass of beer in the mix, share your thoughts on what you are having, and in this case… a friendly game of bowling.
I must say, this is a new one to my list and I love it. Bowling isn’t something I would do all the time, but several times a year in a scenario like this- absolutely! It also has me thinking of other creative ideas that can be incorporated into events.
What is a fun event you have been to where you could enjoy a cigar with friends?
Thank you again, Cheryl and Daniel of Cigar Towne and Kris Miller of Davidoff, for a wonderful event!
La Gloria Cubana: Artesanos de Tabaqueros With Ricky Rodriguez
Posted on | July 5, 2010 | 6 Comments
During the La Gloria event at Serious Cigars (seriouscigars.com) in Houston, I had the pleasure of meeting Ricky Rodriguez of La Gloria Cubana cigars. In this video Ricky tells us his inspiration behind the Artesanos de Tabaqueros, the significance of the role of the wrapper, what was involved in the making of this cigar, and a little about himself, too! I know I found this video very informative, and I hope you do, too.
Enjoying a Quick Smoke: Nestor Miranda Coffee Break
Posted on | June 28, 2010 | 7 Comments
It has been a busy couple of weeks and I have found myself running from one event to another. It is during these times that I make the most of my breaks between appointments and relax as best I can to get the energy I need for the next. It keeps me focused and in control. Sometimes my breaks are long enough to sit and enjoy a nice long smoke, but others are short and much like a “coffee break”. With that in mind, I thought I would stop by Santa Barbara Cigars and pick up a Nestor Miranda Coffee Break cigar to enjoy while on the road to my next event!
I love this size of cigar, it has lots of great flavors and a rich body, but a length that meets my schedule and satisfies my palate. I’m smoking the Special Selection Oscuro here, which I find to be on the medium to full bodied side. There is a nice bit of spice, great leather and nutty notes, and earth which meets my mood.
It is interesting, I find, that the busier the week the more specific I get in my cravings as far as flavor and strength are concerned. It is very much mood related but when the time comes that I can relax and enjoy a cigar- I know *exactly* what I want. I even find myself craving my mild (and usually morning cigars) in the evening hours.
What cigars do you enjoy when you don’t have a lot of time, but are looking to indulge the palate and relax?
Interview With Tom Poehler Of Camacho Cigars
Posted on | June 12, 2010 | 3 Comments
I had the pleasure of speaking with Tom Poehler of Camacho cigars during the latest event at Cigar Emporium in Houston, TX. In this video, Tom gives us the insights about Camacho’s history, details about the tobacco, latest cigars, and more. Thank you Tom for sharing this with us!
Oh, and on my hair and make up- I had just finished a photoshoot and had no time to clean up and still be able to make it to the event! Oh well, it happens.
*Full Disclosure: Camacho is a sponsor of this site.
Sencillo From Prometheus: Cigar Tasting
Posted on | June 6, 2010 | 5 Comments
Sencillo is the latest cigar line from Keith Park of Prometheus cigar accessories, God of Fire, and Angelenos cigars. This is an “every day smoke” with a beautiful blend, balance, and welcoming price point. We can thank Christian Eiroa of Camacho for producing this great smoke!
Sencillo is blended with Habano de Jamastran tobacco for the wrapper, filler, and binder and Piloto Cubano tobacco in the filler, making this cigar a puro of tobaccos grown in Honduras. This is a medium to full bodied cigar with plenty of spicy notes as well as some leather and earth qualities. I found that the Short Churchill was a very nice medium bodied smoke with only slight subtle hints of spice and an overall smooth smoke. The robusto, as viewed below and in the video, definitely has its own characteristics. This was a robust smoke on the full bodied side with plenty of spice you can feel, but not so much that it is too much. This is a nice balance and a smoke I look forward to having again soon.
Interviewed by Gary Korb of CigarAdvisor.com
Posted on | May 29, 2010 | 4 Comments
I am flattered Gary Korb of CigarAdvisor.com included me in his latest column with an interview. This was a fun turn of the tables where I found myself answering questions rather than asking them. You can view the interview here: Ashes to Ashes: An Interview with The Smoking Hot Cigar Chick or by clicking the image below.
Thank you, Gary, for this wonderful opportunity!
Interview With Terence Reilly: Fonseca, Quesada, & Casa Magna
Posted on | May 26, 2010 | 4 Comments
I had the pleasure of meeting Terence Reilly, nephew to Manuel Quesada and fifth generation in tobacco. We met during the Casa Magna event at Cigar Towne in Houston, TX. In this video Terence shows us the many styles Fonseca, Quesada, and Casa Magna offers so that every palate will find something they enjoy. Terence also shares with us some family history and how they remember and honor those dearest to them.
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