DogWatch Cigar Radio Episode #289

Colin Ganley (European Cigar Journal, CigarTourism.com) and Craig Schneider (columnist, The Shoulders We Stand On) are special guests this week.

Cigar of the Week - Adrians Havana

The Havanna 2000 (Criollo) wrapper, is more of a medium, full-bodied cigar, created specifically for the smoker who wants a cigar that is not too light but not too strong. Sweet on the lips at first pre-light, the strength starts to kick in as the cigar burns, heightening to levels of pure ecstasy.

ECJ Awards - Review of Winners

BEST BRAND
Cuba – not yet announced
Dominican Republic – Macanudo 1968  
Honduras – Rocky Patel Vintage 1990
Nicaragua – Nub Habano | Sun Grown
USA – Don Pepin Garcia Blue - http://www.elreydeloshabanos.com , http://www.myfathercigars.com/

BEST CIGAR
Cuba – not yet announced
Dominican Republic – Davidoff Maduro, Robusto
Honduras – Flor de Copan Linea Puros, Robusto -
Nicaragua – Padrón Family Reserve 45 Years Maduro

BEST VALUE
Dominican Republic – Santa Damiana
Honduras – Flor de Selva - Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=80552404279
Mexico – Te-Amo World Selection Series
Nicaragua – Oliva Connecticut Reserve

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Benjamin F. Menendez

OUTSTANDING ART
Vrijdag Premium Printing

CHARITY & COMMUNITY
Cigar Family Charitable Foundation

AMBASSADOR
CRA – Cigar Rights of America

BEST ACCESSORY
Palio Cutters

Dark Side - Por Larranaga Petit Coronas

Name: Petit Coronas Cab 50
Ring gauge: 42
Length: 12.90 CM / 5.0 inches
Por Larranaga Petit Coronas SLB CAB - 50 cigars [5.0 x 42]

Por Larrañaga is a brand with a long history. Founded in 1834 it enjoys well-earned reputation for its quality and the attractiveness of its presentation.  All the tobacco in the Por Larrañaga range comes from the Vuelta Abajo region and the cigars are made using methods of production — "totalmente a mano, tripa larga" — totally hand made, long filler, "totalmente a mano, tripa corta" — totally hand made, short filler.

What else have you been smokin' Colin? 

 Tatuaje Red Churchill

J. Fuego Origen (other sizes)

What else have you been smokin' Craig? 

Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary

Davidoff Puro d'Oro Notables 

Augusto Reyes Vintage

What else have you been smokin' Bob?  

Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary - A medium dark, trunk-pressed cigar that's wrapped in Ecuadoran tobacco grown from Habano seeds. The binder and filler tobaccos are entirely Nicaraguan, and one of the filler varieties is grown on a farm that was specially dedicated to this cigar. The cigars come in dark boxes with metallic plates, and the double bands are the color of gun metal steel.

Bucanero Canon Cubana Maduro  Blend: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper; Nicaragua 2000 Maduro and Dominican fillers

PINAR DEL RIO 1878 CUBANO ESPECIAL  Another very good smoke from Abe Flores with strong flavors but not the spice of his earlier efforts. I need to smoke more of these to do an adequate review. A medium bodied smoke blended from small-batch Nicaraguan and Dominican long fillers, a Nicaraguan binder, and your choice of a Connecticut or Maduro wrapper.

Xikar HC Series Habano Colorado  A nice smoke that does not hold up against some of the better smokes of the day. Flavor is good but one dimensional and not very exciting. Relaxing smoke but not outstanding. Created by Jesus Fuego.
Wrapper: Habano Colorado - Jalapa Valley
Binder: Esteli
Filler: Costa Rica, Jalapa, Honduras

AVO Heritage  Great smoke with medium flavors of Dominican sweet spice and a barnyard tobacco flavor. Thanks to Michael Herklots, this is a very good cigar. New Release from AVO cigars and Davidoff.

What's My Band? - A "special edition" from Bob.

Blended and rolled by Bob McDuffee.  The cigar that Bob rolled in the Dominican Republic while visiting the La Aurora factory in February. 

Herf Line Review from Angry Bill.

August Palio Cutter Contest Winner:  Dave Wallace won a gold Palio Cutter. 

Herf Line Reviews - 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.

Music provided by the Figurados from their new album, "Lesson Two," and The Surfonics. 

Download Episode 289