DogWatch Cigar Radio #268: Monkeying with the Ecosystem

Cigar of the Week -  Rocky Patel 1961 

Rocky Patel was born in 1961, and that was enough to inspire the creation of the ROCKY PATEL 1961 Cigar. Blended with a Habano seed wrapper from Ecuador, a Honduran binder and Nicaraguan fillers. ROCKY PATEL 1961 is the inaugural brand hailing from Rocky's newest cigar factory in Nicaragua called Tabacalera Villa Cuba.

Sizes:

Robusto 5 x 50
Torpedo 6.125 x 52
Toro 6.5 x 52
Corona 5.5 x 44

Dark Side  - FONSECA NO.1

NAME: No. 1
FACTORY NAME: Lonsdale
RING GAUGE: 44
LENGTH: 16.20 CM / 6.3 INCHES
TASTE: Spicy

According to Cigar Cyclopedia, the image of Francisco Fonseca, who opened his factory in 1891 and trademarked “La Flor de Fonseca” in 1907, still adorns the box today. Fonseca is credited with being the first brand to market cigars stored in metal tubes. Only in limited distribution today, the Fonseca brand is considered to exhibit a rich but mild flavor. Its trademark is the white paper wrapping around all of its shapes. After Fonseca’s death, the brand was eventually owned by Castanada, Montero, Fonseca, S.A. until nationalization.

Fonseca also made “clear Havana” cigars (with all Cuban tobacco) in the U.S. and took advantage of having cigars with the same brand name as one of the world’s most famous Port wines. In the 1920s, U.S.-made Fonseca cigars were marketed in metal cases shaped like wine bottles! The top and neck of the bottle lifted off to reveal the cigars in the bottom. The label on the back of a “bottle” of 25 Non Plus Ultra No. 1 cigars from 1929 states “Our specialty is our wrapping paper De Luxe, each cigar is wrapped in Japanese tissue paper and tinfoil; this wrapping insures a sanitary cigar – in which the contact by hand is eliminated – keeps them fresh, retains their aroma and prevents breakage. On the outside wrapper can be printed Monograms, Trade Marks, Photographs, Club Flags or any other inscription desired.”

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What else have you been smokin' Dale?

My Father Cedros Deluxe No. 4 - Esteli Nicaragua grown filler & binder with an Ecuadorian grown Habano Rosado wrapper.

La Flor Dominicana Air Bender - 5.5" x 52 Maestro. All Dominican grown filler, binder and Habano wrapper from Litto Gomez farms. "Intense, Sophisticated and Powerful" according to LFD marketing.

Casa Fernandez Arsenio - Nica Puro with a Corojo 2006 variety wrapper. This week I tried the Robusto - 4.5" x 52, really a pudgy Rothschild. On the hunt for their Lancero offering (7.5" x 40) as I think this blend would totally excel in that vitola.

Drew Estate Liga Privada T52 Toro - Has taken firm hold in my rotation as a cigar I have to smoke at least a couple of every week.

La Gloria Cubana Serie R2 - Dom Rep & Nic filler, Nic binder and a Conn Broadleaf maduro wrapper.

What else have you been smokin' Bob?

Viaje Oro Edicion Limitado Perfecto - wrapper is Nicaraguan Corojo 99 Cafe, Nica binder and filler.

Padron 1926 Serie No 2 - an expensive cigar that I decided to treat myself to this past weekend. It was worth every penny of the $16 I spent on it. Size: 52 x 5 1/2 Wrapper: Maduro Package: 24 per box (Belicoso)

Now, the Padron's don't talk much about the details of their cigar blends. They are one of the most counterfeited brands in Nicaragua and that combined with their history has made them perhaps a bit more secretive than other manufacturers. However, when we visited the factory, we were greeted very warmly and everyone was very generous with their time and sharing their knowledge. One of my fondest memories of that visit was when Jorge Padron pulled a leaf from a pile in the salon, wrapped around the cigar he was smoking and lit it up. He then explained how a wrapper should burn, slowly and without provocation.

Elogio LSV - Nica puro, spicy, full flavored and from the grandson of Alejandro Robaina. When you visit with Carlos Pareda Robaina you meet a very quiet but confident man who obviously cares about his rollers and other employees as if they are family. Carlos is a talented roller and blender and the LSVs are an excellent cigar that highlights the spice and savory flavors of Nicaraguan tobacco.

Capadura 898 Extra Ligero - full flavored, sweet spice and full bodied.

Joya De Panama- A medium bodied afternoon delight, light, flavorful and relaxing. Be open to trying cigars from different, less traditional locations.

BOLIVAR ROYAL CORONAS - A habanos with considerable pedigree, slight salty taste on the tongue, medium to full flavored with delightful hints of leather, wood smoke and a fast finish. Wonderful retrohale, perhaps the best part of this cigar. Bolivar is regarded as one of the more full bodied Habanos and this one lives up to that. A fine example of Habanos as far as I am concerned.

Joya de Nicaragua Antano Dark Criollo Poderosa 6x54 - A full bodied cup of dark roasted flavors that will drive your tastebuds to scream NO MAS! but in a wonderfully dark way that makes you feel mysterious and bold. A great smoke and a new arrival at FullersPullers.com. Joya de Nicaragua is perhaps one of the least known, most recognized brands coming from Nicaragua. They were there before Padron, Patel, Segovia and Perdomo yet due to politics and unfortunate turn of events, have not yet regained their status of the early 70's. Now that they are being distributed by Drew Estates, that may change so watch for them and give them a try when you get the chance.

J FUEGO - Gran Reserva and Origins - Smoked the new Origins Original and Robusto. Originals are packaged five cigars in a heavy paper wrapper reminiscent of the classic British 'Fish n Chips.' Jesus Fuego is a 3rd generation Cuban tobacco grand master, and you can see and taste his passion in his cigars.

Esencia Corona Gorda

What's My Band?  - #909 from Liz:  Padron 6000

Music provided by 25 Smokin' Figurados and The Surfonics. 

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