DogWatch Cigar Radio Episode #299
11-6-2010 This week, Liz sits in for Dale as co-host of the show. John Richardson of A Little Taste of Cuba is the guest on "What's Hot? What's Not? What's Next?"
Next week's show will be broadcast LIVE on November 12th in honor of DogWatch Cigar Radio's 300th show. Go to www.stickam.com/cigar_radio at 9 pm (EST) to watch the show.
Don't forget to enter the 300th Show Contest! Send a short written, audio or video statement describing what the show means to you to theshowATcigarmedia.tv. You can also record on the herfline at 321-594-4373 or at cigar.radio on Skype. All submissions must be received by 5 PM (EST), November 11th to be considered for prizes. Bob and Dale want to thank New Havana Cigars, La Aurora Cigars and Brother of the Leaf, LLC for providing the following contest prizes:
- A 12-pack of New Havana Cigars Seleccion Limitada by Tatuaje (6 natural and 6 Reserva)
- A box of La Aurora 107 Coronas
- A gift package from Brothers of the Leaf LLC including a box of Esencia Corona Gordas and an Esencia logo Palio cutter
Cigar of the Week - La Gloria Cubana Serie N
A sister brand to the critically-acclaimed La Gloria Cubana Serie R® collection, La Gloria Cubana Serie N debuts into a lofty position. This new, four-cigar collection delivers in spades by marrying proprietary Nicaraguan tobacco with the brand’s signature Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper. Through artisanal blending and by employing specific frontmarks to maximize the unique flavor, this stimulating, full-bodied offering is punctuated by spicy notes and balanced to reveal a refined smoke.
La Gloria Cubana Serie N is the brainchild of Yuri Guillen (General Cigar Dominicana’s production manager of manufacturing) who developed this new collection in concert with Benji Menendez, Michael Giannini and Rick Rodriguez, collectively known as Team La Gloria Cubana.
According to Debo Mukherjee, vice president of cigars for General Cigar, parent company of La Gloria Cubana, “In creating La Gloria Cubana Serie N, our intent was to provide tenured smokers with a flavorful powerhouse of a cigar, one worthy of its pedigree, and I believe we have delivered that in spades. We are confident that consumers will respond to the new taste dimension brought forth by the proprietary Nicaraguan tobacco.”
La Gloria Cubana Serie N is sure to capture the attention of tenured smokers, for its fire-engine red, hexagonal wooden box, replete with a gold Serie N logo opens to reveal an eye-catching angular configuration of 24 of the handcrafted cigars.
This striking new collection debuted in October with four exciting new frontmarks. The JSB (5 ½” x 54) will be available for a suggested retail price of $6.35 per cigar, while the Rojo frontmark (6 ½” x 46) will sell for $6.20 per cigar. Generoso (5 ¾” x 49) will carry an SRP of $5.95 per cigar, and Glorioso (6 ½” x 58) will sell for $7.00 per cigar.
Dark Side - Cohiba Esplendido
What else have you been smokin' Bob?
Chateau Real - very smooth, medium bodied and a worthy smoke with hints of cedar.
NHC Limited Edition Natural - These are classy smokes produced by Pete Johnson and Pepin Garcia. Truly limited to about 500 boxes they are only available at New Havana Cigars. Suggested to me by our own Angry Bill, I finally got a chance to try this outstanding smoke. Comes in a Broadleaf wrapper version as well. Based on the original Tatuaje blend, the Natural sports a Habano wrapper and makes this a perfect match for my Black Dog Coffee.
WB Cigars - Produced in Nicaragua for former NFL star and ESPN broadcaster Walter Briggs, this cigar was presented in New Orleans but I did not get my first taste until very recently. It is a smooth blend with sophisticated flavors, so good that I have scheduled a full review during an upcoming episode.
Punch Champion - Unusual shaped cigar that has stood up well since it was introduced in 2001 with a blend of Nicaraguan, Dominican and Honduran tobaccos wrapped in a beautiful Sumatra leaf. Considering the price, the unique perfecto shape and bouquet of flavors, this is an outstanding value cigar that competes with any of the higher priced cigars in the market.
E.P. Carillo Core Line Encantos - 4 7/8 x 50 - It seems that since completing his contractual obligations to General Cigar (which has practically erased him from the history of La Gloria Cubana), EPC has gained a new excitement for cigars and the art of blending them. Now working with his children (who are successful adults in their own fields) Ernesto and family have produced a line of fine cigars that are not like anything he ever did at LGC. A decidedly modern looking cigar, Core Line features a beautiful Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with a Nicaraguan binder and a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican filler. Find 'em, try 'em.
El Titan de Bronze Maduro Redemption - Toro - 6 x 52 - Handmade in Miami, Fl with an Ecuadorian wrapper and binder and filler from Nicaragua, this cigar offers consistent quality and wonderful dark flavors of coffee and bitter cocoa in a smooth package that was meant for pleasure. Not sure if this smoke redeems the maker or the smoker but it is a staple in my humidor.
Esencia 2008 Corona Gorda - 5 3/8 x 46 - A nicaraguan puro that transports you back in time when cigars came from Cuba, men wore ties to work and women could be wooed. The 2008 LTD is a rare treat that never fails to please.
What's My Band? - #936 from Liz; Cabaiguan Corona Extra (from Pete Johnson's line)
October Palio Cutter Contest Winner: Carl Holtman from Amarillo, Texas won the gold Palio Cutter. 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 (1)
Bob, Dale, and Liz,
Just thought I'd offer my appreciation for the opportunity to join the DogWatch herf each week. I sit out on my deck and share a smoke with you guys via my DogWatch iPhone app every week. The show's collective views on cigars and the related industry are in-depth, insightful, informative (I take notes), and relaxed. There's really not any programming out there that's comparable. Your sponsors should take note that their investment has made me a customer.
Congratulations on this week's 300th show. I'm truly excited about the next 300!
Thanks again and keep it up!
Tom Poppelreiter