Cigar Photography

smoke in focus …

Posts Tagged stogie review

EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro

Mar 18

Posted by admin in EP Carrillo Medalla D'Oro | No Comments

This week we are photographing and reviewing the EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro. This lonsdale vitola, made by the master blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, is an exclusive release for the Federal Cigar - New Hampshire chain owned by Rick Gadway. Right off the bet one will recognize the obvious a) Medalla D’Oro is a continuation of the New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 and b) Medalla D’Oro packaging is not too far from the Cuban staple – Bolivar Gold Medal. EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro and Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 – REDUX ‘Hassell’ are hitting the market in march of 2013 to commemorate Federal Cigar’s 92nd Anniversary.


Visually, from extra foil packaging to standard bands, from smooth wrapper to elegant pigtail (as depicted below), the EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro screams class ! Slightly oily, golden brown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, well blended seams, visible veins is what is on the cover of the EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro. The draw was excellent from the very beginning to the very end. In the flavor department: woodiness, nuttiness, hints of dried fruit, spiciness which continued to increase as the time has progressed, and tiny bits of sweetness which at times felt “perfumy-like” (?). Great amount of creamy-in-texture smoke which coated and dried out the palate. Nearly perfect burn line throughout.


Carrillo-Gadway collaboration produces another winner, full stop. I went back and read my thoughts on the New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 after I wrote the above paragraph. Fortunately, not much of a departure ! I enjoyed the New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 quite a bit and hoped for a thinner vitola. The Medalla D’Oro is the answer. Delicious assortment of flavors, fantastic construction, good price point ($85 per box / boxes of 10) – box worthy purchase in my humble opinion !


Federal collaborations featured on cigarphoto.net:

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Length: 6.5″
Ring: 44

Construction > Excellent
Burn > Excellent
Enjoy > Absolutely ! 
Recommend > Absolutely ! 
Buy > Box(es) worthy !

 

 

- click on photographs (slideshow)-
 
 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Reinado Grand Empire Reserve

Nov 27

Posted by admin in Reinado Grand Empire Reserve | 6 Comments


Cigar Review by Matt Zaccheo (guest)
Cigar Photography by Jay L (cigarphoto.net)

From REINADO

Oradell, NJ, July 03, 2012 –(PR.com)– Following the success of the 92 rated Petite Corona known as the Habanito and the 91 rated Torpedo,REINADO unveiled the Grand Empire Reserve at the 80th Annual IPCPR Convention and International Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, in August, 2012.

The Grand Empire Reserve is a box pressed Robusto that incorporates a select habano maduro wrapper and an additional aged Nicaraguan filler which leverages REINADO’s signature fermentation process to provide even greater depth, richer undertones, and enhanced overall complexity for both the casual and the distinguished cigar smoker.

“The flavor profile of the Grand Empire Reserve was developed after extensive sampling to deliver a truly exceptional blend,” said Antonio Lam, owner of Cubanero Enterprises. “We believe the flavors and balanced strength developed through extending REINADO’s unique fermentation process along with the inclusion of the aged Nicaraguan filler will distinguish the Grand Empire Reserve from all other cigars on the market,” said Lam.

A single size called Elegidos meaning “chosen” is scheduled for release in August, 2012 followed by additional sizes.

Initial Specs:
• Size: 5 x 55 (Box Pressed)
• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Select Maduro
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Price: $9.95/cigar – 20ct boxes

“As demonstrated through the REINADO core product line and the introduction of the Grand Empire Reserve, we are dedicated to innovation and offering smokers quality choices of highly rated cigars,” said Lam.

The Grand Empire Reserve will be available through select retailers and, on a limited basis, directly through REINADO.

Cut: Palio
Drink: None
Palate: Fresh

Prelight: gorgeous oily dark chocolate maduro wrapper with very very fine tooth and a medium box press. No visible veins and extremely tight seams. I literally can’t identify the wrap line. Initial aroma: sweet tobacco, barn yard, and neglected gurl. Cold draw: ultra rich sweet tobacco, earth, and white pepper.

Draw: a bit on the loose side, but not uncomfortable or anywhere near wide open.

Flavors: Initial soft subdued spice that fades fairly quickly to allow herbal and floral notes to emerge. The smoke is light on the palate and there is a delicate nuanced complexity: tea, stone fruits, and sweet mild cedar. It reminds me of a Curivari El Gran Rey. Then it happens … the flavors gently transition into a beautiful soft and mellow full flavored finish: earth, dark chocolate, cocoa powder, coffee, and burnt toffee. Cinnamon, nutmeg and roast nuts on the exhale/retro. There is a wonderful black strap molasses sweetness evident throughout. The smoke becomes lush and creamy on the palate. The strength never goes past medium plus for me. Flavor is full from the start and never dies down. It’s delicate, but has some serious shoulders. It’s polished strength and a thing of beauty.

Burn: a bit wavy and required a few touch ups. The ash is a flakey dark salt/pepper pot ash grey. Each ash left a symmetrical glowing cherry.

Construction: excellent
Descriptive adjectives: Rich….F’ing Rich!
Box worthy: absolutely
Overall: going to be in my top 5 this year


Please consider the following post:

* REINADO

 

- click on photographs -

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario 2007

Oct 22

Posted by admin in Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario 2007 | 4 Comments

This week we are photographing and reviewing the Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario 2007 robusto vitola – released under Fuente Aged Selection and produced in Dominican Republic at Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia. Year 2006 was the 30th anniversary of the Don Carlos cigars created by the patriarch of the Fuente family, Carlos Fuente, Sr. In 2006, in a tribute to his father, Carlito Fuente created the Don Carlos 30th Anniversary cigars – the Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario. The fillers and binders are Dominican tobaccos. They are wrapped in the shade-grown tobaccos from Chateau de la Fuente, same tobaccos one will find on the Fuente Fuente OpusX. The Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario has been released in relatively limited quantity since its inception in 2006. A total of 22,500 Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario cigars were shipped to the authorized Fuente Aged Selection dealers in May 2012. The next release will be in the spring of 2013.

500 of the Robusto 2006
500 of the Double Robusto 2006
500 of the Toro 2006

7,000 of the Robusto 2007 (50 x 5 1/4): 10 cigars per box, MSRP $289.00
7,000 of the Double Robusto 2007 (52 x 5 3/4): 10 cigars per box, MSRP $299.00
7,000 of the Toro 2007 (48 x 6 1/4): 10 cigars per box, MSRP $299.00



Visually, the Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario 2007 robusto is simply a thing of beauty: slightly box-pressed finish, tripple capped, well blended seams, invisible veins, light & smooth wrapper. On the “cover”: attractive main Don Carlos band with a secondary 2007 designation band. The bottom half wrapped in well applied cedar. Construction and burn wise, more accolades:  light and tight ash (as depicted below), great smoke output, and excellent draw throughout the entire experience. In flavor department: noticeable cedar, cubanesque hints, nuttiness, a touch of caramel and increasing spice.


Overall, good experience. Good flavors, excellent construction, exceptional packaging. To get the best out of this cigar, I strongly recommend not rushing through it. Take your time and enjoy the complexity of the Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario 2007 which in my personal experience, wasn’t that simple to dissect. If rushed, especially in the last third, the nicotine kick will sneak up on you ! It did in the third sample I have smoked. Would I recommend the cigar ? – Yes. Is it an everyday smoke ? – Far from it. The price tag will scare plenty of cigar smokers but at the end of the day, your wallet will dictate Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario’s success.


Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera A.Fuente y Cia)
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 5.25″
Ring: 50

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


* DISCLAIMER: Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario 2007 cigars were gifted by Keith K. Park of Prometheus. Keith’s generosity had no impact on the actual experience.

Please consider the following post:
* God of Fire by Carlito 2007
* God of Fire Serie B

 

- click on photographs - 
 
 
 
 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

‘JJ for JJ Day’ Tribute

Jul 22

Posted by admin in JJ for JJ Day | 4 Comments




Today, July 22nd 2012, the cigar community gathered once again to recognize the special ‘JJ for JJ Day’ and to honor the memory of the ‘Little Robusto.’ For those who are not familiar with this tribute, ‘Little Robusto’, who passed away at the age of 3.5months from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), is the son of widely recognized and respected cigar blogger – Jerry Cruz (stogiereview.com). This special day is recognized by smoking a cigar made by Don Pepin Garcia, appropriately called ‘Series JJ.’


In May of 2012, I had a pleasure of joining Jerry Cruz at the Drew Estate’s Cigar Safari trip in Nicaragua. During that trip, all attendees have visited the MyFather Cigars – the company behind Don Pepin Garcia ‘Series JJ’ Little Robusto project. Seeing Jerry Cruz talking & thanking Jaime Garcia and smoking the ’Series JJ’ Little Robusto (as depicted below), was special, even for me – a fellow cigar enthusiast.


Take your time, enjoy your ‘Series JJ’ cigar and remember The ‘Little Robusto.’

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CigarPhoto in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Apr 27

Posted by admin in CigarPhoto in Playa del Carmen, Mexico | 6 Comments

CigarPhoto is coming back from a well deserved vacation in pleasantly warm Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Although we have stayed in one of the chain hotels (Iberostar), a trip to Playa del Carmen was added to the itinerary to visit two cigar shops – La 5ta Habano (shop owned by fellow Friends Of Habanos member) and La Casa del Habano. The purpose of that visit wasn’t so much about stocking up but more about going to the store, buying a cuban cigar (legally), ordering mojito with Havana Club Anejo 7 rum and … relaxing.


I was able to accomplish exactly that at the La Casa del Habano. Between mojito sips, I was able to take few photographs and scope out price tags – scary, as expected. I was quoted $850 for a box of Trinidad Fundadores !!! Everything across the board was super overpriced and if I lived in Mexico, I wouldn’t be smoking cuban cigars unless I was paying wholesale. On the way back I stopped at the La 5ta Habano. Great, but very small, shop. Rush Blakely (the owner) has expanded his selection to include non-cubans as well. Refreshing strategy, considering every other Joe will be most likely looking for the forbidden Cohiba.


It wouldn’t be a complete trip to Caribbean region without seeing fakes cuban cigars. Your “standard” glass-top selection was readily available on the main drag. Casa Partagás was selling Siglo VI tubes for $50 each ! Iberostar hotel had a dedicated cigar lounge with decent cigar selection. Unfortunately, once again, way overpriced. I skipped their stock but couldn’t say no to unlimited and free amount of Havana Club Anejo 7 rum. Bliss ! Airport’s Duty Free wasn’t any different. I had to double check with their customer service if prices were in Mex$ or USD$. A box of Cohiba for 900 USD$ tapped it all.


Bottom line, bring your own ! If you smoke cuban cigars exclusively, bring them down as well unless you are willing to pay $25 for Monte #2.



La Casa del Habano
5ta Avenida con Calle 26 No. 301, L-2 Colonia
Xaman-Ha, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, México.
Phone: 52 (984) 803 3001
Email: cservice@lacasadelhabanoplayadelcarmen.com
www.lacasadelhabanoplayadelcarmen.com

La 5ta Habanos (owner: Rush Blakely)
Corner of 5th avenue (Quinta) and Constituyentes
Phone: 9841111873

 

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)- 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,