Cigar of the Week - J.L. Salazar Hermanos Series V - CHURCHILL (7¼" X 52) - J.L. SALAZAR y HERMANOS Reserva Especial cigars are typical Box-Pressed Cubans. They are silky, dark and perfectly box-pressed.  he tobacco leaves are aged for over three years and specially cured through four special fermentations. The Filler is a sun-grown Cuban Seed Habano tobacco from Tabacalera Esteli. The Binder is a wrapper quality Habano 2000 leaf and the Wrapper is Ecuadorian grown Cuban Seed Habano leaf.

On the Dark Side - Saint Luis Rey Serie A 143mm/5 1/8" X 46 Coronas Gorda - This brand first appeared in registries in 1940 and created by the British firm Zamora y Guerra and production continued uneventfully until the revolution.  In the 1960's with N R Silverstone Cigar Limited which restricted Cubatabaco's export rights.  The line was to be exported only to the UK and only through N R Silverstone Cigar Limited, however the cigar appeared worldwide and by the 1990's, Silverstone had lost their exclusive distribution rights everywhere except in the UK where is is still distributed by N R Silverstone, the only Cuban brand not distributed by Hunter and Frankau.  Produced in the Briones Montoto Factory (Romeo y Julieta) the line is responsible for 2.9% of Habanos exports (2001 figures).

I fired this one up with my first cup of coffee and immediatly noticed the slight saltiness on the tip of my tongue.  The aroma from a SLR is very unique and according to Min Ron Nee, is an indication that the tobacco used comes from a unique region of Cuba.  The slightly bitter taste of the smoke evokes  flavors of espresso and vanilla making this an excellent match to my Yemen Mocha Sanani coffee.   According to MNR, this line is considered an outstanding cigar with 3-5 years on it.  Medium bodied with very rich flavors (perhaps from the bean components of the flavor) and easily my favorite Habano.  This cigar takes me on a journey of flavor and fantasy that is reminiscent of 1950's detective characters the likes of Sam Spade and Jake Gittes.  The characters are hard nosed and slightly jaded having seen life before and after the revolution.  The flavors of the cigar are well balanced and consistent delivering just the right amount of strength and body.  But something about this vitola also hints at simpler times and its flavor can easily be dismissed as too simple or one dimensional as it lulls you in to a moment of reflection that seems to be unrelated to the cigar.  But the flavors are always there, adding subtle hints og honey and pepper along the way as if to magically anticipate your wandering mind and offering up fresh flavors to recapture your imagination.  Do not be misled by this cigars apparent smoothness and charm, underneath the smooth wrapper lies a flavor carnival waiting to be experienced.

This week we bring you a clip from Adam Curry's PodFinder show dated September 21, 2007.

What else have you been smokin' Dale?-  Esteban Carreras Habanos Robusto 5" x 54 - a Nicaraguan Puro made by Abdel Fernandez in Esteli. Full bodied, full flavored and medium in strength. This cigar is full of rich spicy flavors, and the flavors change every few puffs. A very complex cigar that keeps you engaged and leaves you wanting another.     La Gloria Cubana Serie R #5 Maduro 5.5" x 54 - Made in the Dom Rep at General's El Credito factory. The capa is Connecticut Broadleaf that's beautifully fermented to a very dark Maduro color. The capote is Nicaraguan and the tripa is Nicaraguan and Dominican. Introduced in 1999, Ernesto-Perez Carrillo wanted to bring out a fuller flavored cigar, thus the Serie R was born. Deep flavors of coffee, nuts and earthiness in a heavy bodied & strong blend.    Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ Maduro Sublime 6" x 54 - Nicaraguan Corojo and Criollo are utilized in the tripa and capote, and a wonderful maduro Connecticut Broadleaf capa is applied to finish this blend from Pepin and Jaime Garcia. Woodsy cedar is at the core of flavors in the beginning, moving on to a leather base later in the cigar. The room aroma is spicy & sweet, foretelling many of the other flavors that waft in & out of this cigar. Extremely well made, smooth richness and developing flavor changes thoughout make this a very intrigueing cigar. 

What else have you been smokin' Bob? -  

Illusione 88 - While other cigars in the "Original Documents" line from Dion Giolito may get more attention (the MJ12 being perhaps the most popular), the 88 in its 5x52 "Robust" sizing provides I think, the best opportunity to really experience the fullness and complex flavors of the Illusione line.  Illusione defined the concept of 'small batch' production for cigars and I find them to be easily one of the best cigars on the market.

Dion Giolito blended these cigars using tobacco from first generation Corojo '99 and Criollo '98 seeds.   They are beautifully constructed, featuring a Cafe Colorado wrapper and a cuban style triple cap.

Made at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras from 100% Nicaraguan tobacco.  

Aptly named the robust by Dion, this cigar delivers a well balanced strength that may escape you at first.  Filled with a rich earthiness and flavors of spice, leather and coffee.  An outstanding cigar although you may have some slight irregularities in the burn if the stick is not properly rested after shipment.  This cigar has all the right characteristics to age well.

Also on my list this week was another My Father Le Bijou 1922 in the petite robusto format.  Not as strong as the churchil version but still, I think, the best cigar to come out of El Rey . DPG since the Cuban Classic and Tatuaje originals.  One of my 2009 Top new cigars this one is different from other DPG blends in that it is slightly less peppery and has a pronounced earthiness that is not as apparent in the other lines.

See Bob's Nicaragua Packing Video HERE!

Music provided by 25 Smokin' Figurados and The Surfonics.