Posts Tagged nicaraguan filler

EP Carrillo Short Run 2010 No.4

Jan 24

Posted by admin in EP Carrillo Short Run 2010 No.4 | 11 Comments

This week we are photographing and smoking an EP Carrillo Short Run 2010 No.4. This corona vitola, made by the master blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, is an exclusive release for Federal Cigar – New Hampshire chain owned by Rick Gadway. EP Carrillo Short Run 2010 No.4 comes in the box of 20 and will set you back $110. As the name implies, Ernesto has expanded 2010 Short Run line by adding No4 vitola. The following additional sizes in the same line are available to the mass market:

Populares – 4 7/8 x 50
Delirios – 5 7/8 x 52
Doninantes – 6 1/4 x 60

EP Carrillo Short Run 2010 No.4, manufactured at Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. in the Dominican Republic, was sporting an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper with couple visible veins and well blended seams. The cigar was tripple capped and ~%95 of it was well constructed. Based on relatively thorough inspection (12 out of 20), tip of each cigar was under-filled and felt very soft to the touch. I have inspected few other EP Carrillo cigars from my humidor and none were constructed the same way. Perhaps done intentionally ? After clipping the cap, Short Run 2010 No.4 had a perfect draw. Not too loose, not too tight. Just what the doctor ordered. In the flavor department, intense experience as expected from No4 ring gauge. Cedar mixed with a bit of sweetness / saltiness. Hints of earthiness and coffee. If you enjoy spicy finish on the palate, Short Run 2010 No.4 will deliver just that. Burn line and ash were of good quality, as expected from industry’s true icon – Ernesto Perez-Carrillo. Don’t let the size fool you ! This relatively short / thin vitola was packing some heat ! I would place it close to the full category.

Overall, EP Carrillo Short Run 2010 No.4 is another successful release. Rick Gadway was generous enough and gifted few samples couple months ago which were burned right off the truck. Both the pre-release and the regular production smoked great but I believe resting them for couple months may be beneficial. Considering the other Federal Cigar exclusive – Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 Rosado / Reserva, Rick Gadway is on the roll. I’m looking forward to upcoming Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s projects and Rick’s exclusives.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
Length: 5 1/8 ”
Ring: 42

Construction > Good
Burn > Good
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Yes
Buy > Yes

Please consider the following posts:
* EP Carrillo Maduro
* Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 Rosado

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)-

Tags: cigar, cigar construction, cigar flavor, cigar images, cigar photographs, cigar photography, cigar photos, cigar pictures, cigar review, cigar smoking photos, cigars, dominican cigars, dominican republic filler, Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, EP Carrillo cigars, EP Carrillo Short Run 2010 No.4, ernesto perez carrillo, Federal Cigar, maduro, nicaragua, nicaragua binder, nicaraguan filler, no4 cigar, photography, rick gadway, short run cigar, stogie, stogie review, Tabacalera LaAlianza, tobacco

Saints & Sinners 2011 Cigars

Oct 26

Posted by admin in Saints & Sinners 2011 Cigars | 5 Comments

This week we are delivering an exclusive overview of Saints & Sinners 2011 Cigars. For those of you who have been living under the rock for the past few months, Pete Johnson of Tatuaje has managed to add another project to his portfolio – Saints & Sinners private social club. The following information was copied from Saints & Sinners ‘Join Now’ section.

For an annual registration fee of $150, each member will receive:

1. Exclusive, one-off products available only to members (select products may not be available for purchase through the S&S webstore)
2. Everyday Tatuaje branded merchandise at the Saints & Sinners discounted club rate.
3. Access to members-only forums, where you can discuss the finer points of cigars, smoking accessories, spirits, and anything else associated with the Saints & Sinners lifestyle.
4. Access to the Pete Johnson video blog. Here, Pete will update members on everything PJHC. Watch Pete as he travels around the world, visiting his production facility in Nicaragua, engages fans on cigar tours, and dishes on anything else he feels his Saints & Sinners family should know.
5. First looks at new cigar blends, swag, as well as insider info on Tatuaje and other Pete Johnson brands.
6. The knowledge that a portion of your annual membership fee will go to an eclectic mix of charities that Pete chooses for their commitment to their particular cause.

One can visit the following link to preview what was included in 2011 Saints & Sinners kit. After the announcement and shippment, many wondered about the blend and thought process behind each S&S label (* excluding regular production obviously). Some probably have not smoked their share and have been patiently waiting for more information to be announced. Well, for those, today is their lucky day. Each photograph contains: Name, Base, Wrapper, Binder, Filler and some, if applicable, Size and Other notes. Remember, ‘smoke ’em if you got ’em.‘

- click on photographs to view slideshow -

Tags: 2008 la estrella habano criollo, abe ming dababneh, andy anderson tatuaje, cabaiguan, cabaiguan cigar, cigar, cigar construction, cigar flavor, cigar images, cigar photographs, cigar photography, cigar photos, cigar pictures, cigar prototype, cigar review, cigar smoking photos, cigars, Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, connecticut ecuador sol wrapper, dan welsh, don pepin garcia, ecuadorian habano wrapper, holts tatuaje cigar, john anderson w curtis draper, la riqueza, my father cigars, new havana cigars seleccion limitada, nicaragua, nicaragua binder, nicaragua criollo 98 wrapper, nicaraguan cigars, nicaraguan filler, pete johnson, pete johnson of tatuaje, photography, saints & sinners cigar club, smoke inn, stogie, sumatra ecuador cigar wrapper, tatuaje, tatuaje 7th capa especial, tatuaje anarchy, tatuaje avion, tatuaje black label, tatuaje cabaiguan, tatuaje cigars, tatuaje fausto, tatuaje hassell, tatuaje hcs, tatuaje l'esprit de verite, tatuaje la casita criolla, tatuaje la verite, tatuaje mister anderson, tatuaje pj40th, tatuaje saints & sinners, tatuaje verocu, tobacco

CAO ‘La Traviata’

Mar 1

Posted by admin in CAO 'La Traviata' | 10 Comments

- click on photographs -

Let’s call this – a blast from the past. La Traviata came and went, and now sits under a ‘different’ banner. Nevertheless, it is one of those cigars that many folks will continue to go back to in order to appreciate its flavor, construction, and last but definitely not least, the price ! La Traviata created a lot of buzz on Twitter / cigar blogs at the end of 2009 because of its success and lack of inclusion in Cigar Aficionado’s 2009 ratings. I have smoked: Divino (5″x50), Radiante (6″x52), Favorito (5.5″x52) and my favorite – Animado (5 5/8″x46).

This close to full-body brand began its journey over 100 years ago in the Tabacalera Cubana, Agramonte no. 106, in Havana. CAO has resurrected the La Traviata name, abiding closely to its original Cuban roots in presentation and taste. From flavor perspective, personally, I was able to extract the following: spice at the very beginning, roasted nuts, wood, leather. All of that and more for about ~$5.50! See what else my colleagues have said: acigarsmoker, casas fumanfo, nice tight ash, stogie guys, stogie review, toasted foot – clearly, they all enjoyed it. With CAO’s fold into General Cigar Co, those who continue to enjoy La Traviata should proactively look around and stock up on few natural & maduro boxes. I would be very interested to learn about General’s strategic decisions in reference to La Traviata. Perhaps we will get to hear from the current face of the CAO company on Twitter.

From photographer’s perspective, another great ‘model.’ Beautiful and shiny wrapper with minimal flaws. Although ash itself was very flaky and dark, the burn on the cigar was razor sharp. Band looks very elegant and a pleasure to photograph.

Specs:
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Dominican Republic / Nicaragua
Length: 5 5/8″
Ring: 46

Construction > Great
Burn > Great (flaky / dark ash)
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Absolutely !
Buy > Box worthy