DogWatch Cigar Radio - Cigar of the Week October 2009 - by Dale Roush

Jameson Black Label Perfecto – This week’s cigar is the 5” x 54 perfecto figuardo from a line we’ve introduced you to before. We’re looking forward to comparing how this format performs compared to the parejo sizes we’ve smoked in the past. The blend in this full flavored line is all Dominican tobaccos wrapped up in a gorgious Brazilian Ariparaca wrapper. Brad Mayo, brand owner of Jameson has partnered with Luis Sanchez to offer these premium cigars that offer a very rich smoking experience!

Illusione Cuchillos Cubana ~47~ - Dion puts a value priced cigar with the Illusione style out on the market. The Cuchillos is a mixed filler blend of 60% medium/40% long tobaccos, yet it behaves more like a long filler cigar since the there is no short filler. They are handmade and utilize a grade A wrapper. As well, the packaging is more like the European style, with cigars available in cardboard 5 packs. They have a rich & hearty character due to the all Nicaraguan tobaccos and are available in 4 sizes from 5 ¼” by 40 Petite Corona to the  7” x 47 Churchill format we are smoking, and all are priced around $18 per 5 pack!

Cuba Aliados Limited Miami Edition Valentino – A cigar that doesn’t get much press but from the long pedigree of Reyes Family Cigars, we expect good things. Hand rolled in Miami, the filler is Nicaraguan, the binder is Dominican and the wrapper is a Habano leaf. The cigars have a cedar sleeve as well as a double band and are presented in 20 count boxes. A departure from the Honduras production of most other Reyes cigars, these are cigars that harken back to the roots of Rolando Reyes Sr. when he first took up production in the US. The Valentino is Churchill size at 6.75” x 48. Robusto & Toro also available.

Don Tomas Clasico Maduro Robusto – Here again we invite you to excersise your palete by comparing this Don Tomas Clasico Maduro to the Clasico Natural we featured recently. Our vitola choice is a 5” x 50 Robusto. The wrapper is Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro. The fillers are Honduran & Nicaraguan and the binder is Connecticut Maduro. The Clasico line was blended by Daniel Nunez and Estelo Padron to feature the best of Honduran tobaccos in a full flavored blend that fits today’s serious cigar smoker. Rolled in the Villizon & Co factories under the General Cigar and packaged in dress boxes of 25 cigars.

HC Series Criollo Lonsdale – One of the more talked about introductions this summer, Xikar brought out their HC Series Cigar Collection line in 3 different blends. The HC Series is blended in partnership with Jesus Fuego. This month we feature the Criollo blend in the 6” x 46 Lonsdale format. Both the wrapper and binder are Shade Grown Criollo leaf from Nicaragua, with the wrapper having 4 years of aging. The filler blend is Honduran & Nicaraguan tobaccos. Together they deliver a medium bodied smoke with some leather & tea flavors, complimented by some caramel sweetness.  The Criollo line also comes in Robusto, Toro and Belicoso formats, all in cedar cabinets of 21 cigars.

Bonus Cigar – Our Producer’s Pick cigar for October is the new Elogio Serie LSV! This Nicaraguan Puro cigar boasts an oily sungrown Oscuro wrapper that’s grown & fermented by master blender Carlos Pereda. Filler tobaccos are selected from the very best Condega and Jalapa leaves. The cigars are hand made in Esteli, Nicaragua. The Serie LSV is a very rich and complex full flavored cigar, medium to full in body, with exotic spice and subtle sweetness. Formats avail are Petite Corona-5x32, Corona Extra-6x42, Robusto-5x50, Torpedo-6.3x52 and Churchill-7x52.

Comments

[Robert Goldstein]

I just found this LONG ASH DYNAMITE site. Ihave been smoking cigars for 15+years &have a very large collection of rare & hard to find sticks. I enjoy a full bodied cigar, even though my fav. is the Arturo Fuente Hemmingway Signature Maduro, which to me tastes like a choclate egg-cream I had growing up in Brooklyn,NY. I look for the sweetness, creaminess, some nuttines, cocoa,/coffee. My favorite shape is Perfecto, with Salomone the next. Wheather it is a Cuban Dominican, Nic. etc. I look for those nuances of complex flavors. That is for my personal enjoyment as I rate & review for manyystores. I live in Aventura{Miami}Fl., am 62years old &produce&promote rock&roll concerts mainly Oldies &Doo-Wop. I always travel with a good assortment of sticks. I will be on this site often and welcome any feedback.Thank you bobbyg {bobg128@aol.com}.

[Bob]

Thanks BobbyG, it is a pleasure to have someone with your experience visiting the site and listening to the show.