You can view Bob's photos at: SmugMug

Photo's from other travelers:

Fumee Inc.www.flickr.com/fumeecigars

www.flickr.com/heatherannehaddad
www.flickr.com/heatherland

Carl Hotlman has put together a nice set of albums here!

Dales FaceBook photos.

Winston Humidors FaceBook photos.

Craig Schneider's FaceBook photos.

Regarding the recent post in the Wrapper Chatter, I need to clarify and correct some issues. First, I have spoken with Mr. Padilla and he informs me that the information in the post is incorrect. Mr. Padilla was not contacted by me prior to publishing the piece and this was a significant oversight on my part and was very regrettable. I apologize to Mr. Padilla, and the audience for my poor judgement. I had received the information from what I consider a reliable source but failed to demonstrate reasonable care in attempting to verify the information or to obtain a response from Mr. Padilla prior to publication.
Those that know me, know this is not the way I typically operate.
I sincerely apologize to everyone and especially to Mr. Padilla for my actions.

Up till midnight last night.  Started the day by touring the Drew Estate factory.  Factory is a wonder of modernization.  High tech error tracking, clean, fresh facility with ample space and well organized.  The people are all smiling and appear to be enjoying their jobs.  The perfect modern factory built with purpose from the beginning.  Before lunch Jonathan hosted a blending session in which we got to work through several options for filler, binder and wrapper.  Each of us created a blend and it will be delivered to us later.

We enjoyed a great BBQ lunch  and then travelled to the Oliva factory across town.

The Oliva factory is much different, the lighting seems darker and there is more sign of wear and use.  Slightly more disorganized put the people really take pride in working for Oliva so again all smiles.  Turns out Oliva produces one of Dale's favorite cigars, the Nicaragua 3000, who knew?  Well Dale had postulated on this for some time and is now proven correct.  We then visited two small Rocky Patel locations, one a working factory and the other the new factory under construction.  We ended out day at the Elogio factory, a very small factory owned and operated by Carlos where Elogio cigars are made.  Dale sat down and got schooled in rolling, video coming soon and then Carlos sat down to roll two salamones without the use of a mold.  Pretty impressive.  Nabil Sabbah, the owner of Elogio provided a roasted pig dinner for us and all of the factory.  We ate in a local restaurant and had Yuca, rice and pork.  It was a loud and exciting evening that I believe everyone enjoyed.  The night ended back at Drewe Estates where we did a rum tasting, smoked more cigars and saw a few visitors.  Dion Giollito, Pete Johnson, Pepin and three Pepin's most important managers dropped by for a few hours.  The conversation ebbed and flowed throughout the room and I finally excused myself at midnight.

Cigar Enthusiasts New Years Resolutions As a registered Cigar Enthusiast, self-ordained Keeper of the Vitola and full time curmudgeon, I, Bob McDuffee do hereby resolve:

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Has it come too fast? Or perhaps the year 2009 has trudged on and on for you?  Either way you look at it you lose and so we say farewell to another year.

Confession is good for the soul:

1)  I have spoken on the effect of toothpaste on one's palate and the need for consistent oral hygeine, it was all stolen from the HavaCigar blog.  Here is the address for the specific link on toothpaste. But you should consider reading the ramblings of Chief Hava on a regular basis.

2)  I have days when ALL cigars taste alike.  It does not stop me from smoking them as they seem to all taste good on those days.

3)  I am really a teddy bear and very shy.

4)  I really do use my Palio cutter every day but I am still looking for a lighter that will serve in the same way.  Reasonably priced, reliable lighters are hard to find.

My Favorite New Cigars of 2009 in no particular order:

1) Murcielago - the taste lives up to the hype and I love this cigar.

2) Cubao Maduro - The most underrated and least noted cigar released this year.

3) Cain Maduro - I mocked the form factor of the NUB even though I enjoyed the flavors.  The CAIN is a fantastic cigar at a reasonable price.  Sam hit a homerun wth this one.

4)  El Titan de Bronze Redemption Maduro and Sungrown Robusto - Willie Herrera is one of a handful of new blenders creating successful, great tasting cigars that are not just copies of something put out by Don Pepin Garcia.

5)  El Primer Mundos Habano Criollo Maduro Toro - Sean Williams may have stumbled in to his alliance with David Blancos but he has used the opportunity to create a cigar with its own character and its own flavor profile that is different from anything else produced by Los Blancos.

6)  Elogio LSV - If you asked 100 hundred cigar smokers about Elogio or Nabil Shabbah, 99 of them would not have heard of either.  But those poor bastards are smoking Macanudos and that leaves many more LSV's for me, so thank you morons.

7)  Cuchillos Cubanos - Is there anything that Dion cannot do?  Lets hope we don't find out anytime soon.  The Cuchillos are a innovative idea, a mixed filler cigar with long filler construction.  Smoke these to save your wallet and broaden your horizons.

8)  Cabaiguan Maduro - Perhaps Pete Johnson's least known, least popular cigar.  For those of us that appreciate this cigar lets hope it stays that way.  Who can take a Cabaiguan, Sprinkle it in dew, Cover it in chocolate and Add a miracle or two?  Pete can.

9) My Father 1922 Le Bijou - Finally a truly new cigar from the Garcia triumvirate that sports NEW flavors and can be described as something other than spice, pepper and smooth. 

10) Jameson Red Label - Not technically new but reblended in 2009.  Get your own.

I have no hope that this list in any way can capture the Best New Cigars of 2009, I just wrote down the first 10 that came to mind.

Right now is the Golden Age of Cigars

Today's cigars are tastier, better constructed and more consistent than at any time in history.  Enjoy it by smoking a variety of cigars in a variety of sizes in a variety of locations.  Support everyone's right to smoke cigars by joining Cigar Rights of America and carry a cigar in your pocket wherever you go.

My favorite NEW application of 2009:

Why the DogWatch Cigar Radio iPhone app of course.