DogWatch Cigar Radio Episode #300
11-13-2010 This week, Bob, Dale, Liz, Craig Schneider and Colin Ganley celebrate the 300th DogWatch episode. Listeners comment on what the show means to them in entries to the DWCR 300th Episode Contest and the winners to the contest are announced. Go to http://www.cigarmedia.tv/300th-episode-contest-entries/ for a complete list of the entries.
- Bill Cartwright was the winner of a gift package including a box of Esencia Corona Gordas and an Esencia logo Palio cutter from Brother of the Leaf, LLC.
- Carl Holtman was the winner of a box of La Aurora 107 Coronas from La Aurora Cigars, Miami Cigar & Company.
- Bruce Berg was the winner of a 12-pack of New Havana Cigars Seleccion Limitada by Tatuaje (6 natural and 6 Reserva) and an etched Tatuaje Lotus Table Lighter from NewHavanaCigars.com.
Bryan Newbury from Centro Cigars in Lawrence, Kansas is the guest on "What's Hot? What's Not? What's Next?"
Bob interviews Dan Welsh of New Havana Cigars about the Cigar of the Week.
Cigar of the Week - New Havana Cigars Seleccion Limitada Reserva
Produced by Pete Johnson and rolled at the My Father Cigars factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, The NHC Seleccion Limitada is based on an original Tatuaje blend and available in both Natural and Reserva (Broadleaf) wrappers.
The project came about as there were many boxes lingering at the factory, which were originally made for the tubos series in 2009. As luck has it, exactly 20 cigars at 6 3/4 x 42 fit in each side of the box with the tubos inserts removed. A short phone call and a few samples later and New Havana Cigars was on board for this project. (OK - they were on board even before the samples arrived, but after smoking them ... the excitement hit the roof)
Deciding on two wrappers, the boxes contain 40 cigars, 20 Natural and 20 Reservas. The Reservas are made with a Broadleaf wrapper and the Natural with Habano. Both are the same blend, based on the original Tatuaje blend. About 500 boxes will be produced.
Dark Side - Bolivar Corona Gigante - 7x47 (Julietta No. 2)
What else have you been smokin' Dale?
Montana Azul - The house blend from Blue Mountain cigars, this Cigar is also named after the factory it comes from in Esteli. The dark torpedo vitola I smoked is a Nicaraguan puro and delivered lots of creamy cedar flavor throughout. Touches of exotic spice and aromatic vanilla were prominent in the last half. Towards the end of the cigar a bit of astrigent nuttiness (walnuts) came on and finished off the experience nicely. Very good construction, a great draw and a delightfully smooth, creamy finish.
PDR 1878 Cubano Especial - With an Arapiraca Maduro wrapper from Brazil, a Criollo '98 binder from the DR and a filler blend from Nicaragua and DR, this latest release from Abe Flores has the structure and depth to keep any cigar passionado in Nirvana! Lately I've smoked several of the 7.25" x 38 Lancero and just can't get enough of them. They are avail in 6 other traditional sizes, plus a 6" x 60 for those infatuated with this large size trend.
Esteban Carreas Habano -
What else have you been smokin' Bob?
Gran Habano Corojo #5 Churchill - Made in Honduras with Costa Rican and Nicaraguan filler, Nicaraguan binder and a Nicaraguan wrapper. As you may recall, two weeks ago I listed the Habano #3 in this review and commented quite nicely about it. However, the #5 blend does not receive the same love. The blend, for me, was very strong and lacked any flavors other than strong tobacco making it an unpleasant smoke. Not to my liking.
El Titan de Bronze Redemption Maduro - Gets better every time I smoke one.
La Caridad del Cobre - Made for our friend Frank Herrera this is is a fine polished smoke with lots of flavors but not harsh on the palate.
H.Upman Sun Grown - A forgettable cigar that tastes like every other Sun Grown on the market. Light and airy with no spice and little else to make this cigar anything but forgettable.
What else have you been smokin' Craig?
Ashton La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor - Loaded with savory flavors that dance on the tongue, this medium strength full bodied cigar is a can't miss. Samples smoked at and after the show are 100% identical to regular production. A little reminiscent to Pepin cigars from the past but much more elegant & refined. Lovely.
Gran Habano Azteca - I loved this cigar at IPCPR. I did not love this cigar off the shelf. It is a shame that the production version of this performed as poorly as it did. 4 friends and I had a group review of the stick and all had similar thoughts, despite getting different flavors. The lovely sweet syrupy (almost Cola) tastes from the pre-production model were nearly all gone. The Mexican wrapper seemed flat & nearly flavorless which was so different from the originals. I hope this is just a product of being so close to manufacture date & not an indication of the line as a whole.
Tatuaje Regio Reserva 2009 - In the spirit of the C.o.W. NHC Reserva, I lit this cigar up while reviewing entries for the 300th episode contest. While brimming with flavor & an overwhelming Connecticut Broadleaf cocoa taste, this cigar was outshone by its unbelievable construction. I'm not someone who focuses on aspects of a cigar other than taste very often but this cigar was constructed as perfectly as a cigar can be. Cap, draw, burn, ash, heft, band, durability. It had it all.
What's My Band? - #938 from Liz; Illusione mk Petit Corona
Herf Line Reviews: Martin Couch reviews the Bolivar Royal Coronas and Bill Featherston reviews the Gurkha Viper.
November Palio Cutter Contest: Enter the November contest now to win a carbon fiber Palio Cutter.
Do you have a Herf Line Review? If you call and leave a cigar review on the herf line and it is played on the show, you will receive a DogWatch Cigar Radio patch! You can reach the Herfline at 321-594-4373 - or cigar.radio on Skype. You can also send email to theshow@cigarmedia.tv.
Origin of the term HERF: From Cigar Craig, http://cigarcraig.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/the-origin-of-the-word-herf/
Do you have a suggestion for the unbanded cigar of the week? Every week Bob and Dale include an “unbanded cigar” segment in their show in which they smoke a cigar without any markings and give their honest opinions. Bob then opens a sealed envelope and discovers the cigar’s name and manufacturer. If you have suggestions for the "What's My Band?" segment, please send them to liz@cigarmedia.tv.
Thanks to Michael Howe for bumpers and special effects in this show.
Music provided by the Figurados from their new album, "Lesson Two," and The Surfonics.
Reader Comments (2)
Great show. Yeah, I'd say that even if I hadn't won the NHC Seleccion Limitada cigars, but it helps!:) It's going to be a treat to smoke these cigars and replay all of your descriptions of flavors during this show.
Craig, your description of the cocoa flavor of what the Padron Londres USED TO BE was spot on! They are much different and not for the better, in my opinion. I'm giving them some time in hopes of improvement. If I get a bit of that same cocoa flavor in the limitadas, I'll be overjoyed.
My wife is a bit concerned about the triple torch lighter. Telling her about Bob almost burning off his eyebrows didn't help! I assured her that I'll adjust the flame first. :)
Great to have all of you on the show for #300. Thanks again for your sharing what you know about cigars with me. Sharing in your lives through a podcast is a special bonus.
Great show, glad I was able to be at part of it in Miami!