Posts Tagged fume cigar shop

Studio Tobac World Tour 2012

In 2011, Studio Tobac World Tour made its appearance at ‘Fume’ in Montclair, NJ with Special Edition 2011 Touring Corvette. This year, 2012, Studio Tobac World Tour is back yet again to shake things up in the Garden State. Studio’s Ambassador, Bryan ‘The Show’ Scholle, this time around rolled into town with 2012 Studio Tobac Limited Edition Sampler and something completely different – Ford F-150 Raptor SVT. Although the concept is similar – put a vehicle on the road and promote the brand, that truck is decal’ed out, literally ! It is my understanding that this year’s vehicle will not be a giveaway and will most likely spill into 2013 Studio Tobac World Tour, at which point it could become eligible for a giveway … allegedly. In case you wonder about Studio Tobac project, please find their summary from Studio Tobac’s website.

Studio Tobac was born within the Oliva Cigar Company in 2007. It is a collection of the company’s most innovative minds. Studio Tobac consists of an Executive Board of Directors, A Studio Ambassador, an advisory board comprised of independent cigar enthusiasts around the world, as well as General Membership. For over three years the Studio has conceived innovative projects like the renowned NUB cigar. A cigar which introduced a complete new format in premium handmade cigars to the industry. The Studio also successfully produced the CAIN cigar. Cain is the only STRAIGHT LIGERO cigar in the world. These and many more projects exist within the portfolio of Studio Tobac. For 2011 the Executive Board decided to open the Studio to the cigar smoking world. The Board further moved to establish an advisory board to be selected by invitation, as well as a General Membership available to cigar enthusiasts from all over the world.



I said this last year and I will say it again. For those of you who are thinking about attending Studio Tobac Tour, I encourage you to do so. Definitely an event not to be missed. Bryan ‘The Show’ Scholle is a down-to-earth kind of guy and pleasure to hang with. We will revisit Studio Tobac World Tour in 2013, for sure !!!


Please consider the following post:
* Studio Tobac Limited Edition Sampler 2012
* Studio Tobac World Tour 2011
* Bryan Scholle of Studio Tobac

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)- 
 

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Quesada Seleccion Espana

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)- 

This week we are reviewing Quesada Seleccion Espana in a corona size. If you are wondering why you haven’t seen or heard about ‘Espana’, it is because this specific line is being marketed in Spain. Luckily, few selected shops in US were fortunate enough to add this gem to their inventory. Unfortunately, for us, cigar smokers, quantity was limited and interest very high. Fume Cigars was one of the few lucky shops able to bring all three vitolas: petito robusto, robusto, and cigar I’m reviewing today, corona.


Quesada Seleccion Espana was definitely a roller-coaster to say the least. I’m smoking my third sample as I type this review and this cigar definitely falls into ‘third time’s the charm’ expression category. I continue to appreciate the fact that we are smoking hand made products and that should be taken into consideration when construction of particular cigar is described. Having said that, I believe it is acceptable to expect a decent draw and construction. Well, unfortunately that was not the case with first two samples. Tight draw, lack of flavor, twig were the unfortunate highlights. Second sample showed drastic improvement after ‘manual’ intervention so I knew that Quesada Seleccion Espana had a huge potential.


Full circle and we are back to third sample. Experience made an obvious 180 and was aligned with what fellow cigar smokers Brooks & Ben have described to me. In flavor department, I was able to extract enjoyable coffee, sweetness and woodiness. I was hoping for a hint of spice to balance the previous two but unfortunately that wasn’t the case, even on the retrohale. In addition, but less noticeable, was lingering chocolaty / nutty flavor on the palate. Compared to the first & second sample, the last cigar turned into a smoke machine. The amount of smoke, when puffed / resting, reminded me of Liga Privada No9 and for those who smoked LP9 know how much smoke this cigar can produce. Burned was excellent and no touch-ups were needed. Decent 3/4″ tight ash pimped the front of the cigar.


As you can tell, this was definitely a peak/valley experience. If I was to judge Quesada Seleccion Espana solely on the first two cigars, I don’t think I would have made a lot of friends in Quesada family. However, after smoking third sample, I’m glad I bought a box of Quesada Seleccion Espana coronas. I’m being told that petit robustos are as delicious as coronas and therefore I’m putting them on the ‘to-buy’ list.


Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic / Nicaragua / touch of Broadleaf
Length: 5.5″
Ring: 42

Construction > Mixed experience
Burn > Mixed experience
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Yes
Buy > Yes


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Studio Tobac Tour

- click on photographs - 

The Studio Tobac Tour finally made its appearance in the Garden State – New Jersey. Bryan ‘The Show’ Scholle – Studio’s Ambassador, Dave Wagner – Oliva’s VP of Sales, Richard Delia – regional Rep, and Special Edition 2011 Touring Corvette were all in attendance. In case you wonder about Studio Tobac project, please find a summary from Studio Tobac website.



Studio Tobac was born within the Oliva Cigar Company in 2007. It is a collection of the company’s most innovative minds. Studio Tobac consists of an Executive Board of Directors, A Studio Ambassador, an advisory board comprised of independent cigar enthusiasts around the world, as well as General Membership. For over three years the Studio has conceived innovative projects like the renowned NUB cigar. A cigar which introduced a complete new format in premium handmade cigars to the industry. The Studio also successfully produced the CAIN cigar. Cain is the only STRAIGHT LIGERO cigar in the world. These and many more projects exist within the portfolio of Studio Tobac. For 2011 the Executive Board decided to open the Studio to the cigar smoking world. The Board further moved to establish an advisory board to be selected by invitation, as well as a General Membership available to cigar enthusiasts from all over the world.



The Studio Tobac Tour was hosted by B&M shop in Montclair, NJ – ‘FUME.’ I have attended one of the NUB events a year ago so I had a certain level of expectation. Fortunately, Studio Tobac crew exceeded that expectation. All around great, down to earth, opinionated yet open minded fellow cigar smokers. Weaseling doesn’t exist in my vocabulary but both Dave and Bryan were persistent and I was fortunate enough to walk away with few Cain F lanceros (Tour exclusive), ST-DS001 prototype, and Cain Daytona. THANK YOU !


What sets Studio Tobac Tour apart from previous tour is the innovation The Ambassador brings forward. Bryan ‘The Show’ Scholle is not only applying the wrapper but he is also blending, bunching, rolling, and innovating right on the spot. This ‘southern boy’ who is moving & grooving to the beat of Johnny Cash and drinking fine american beer, is extremely approachable and very talented. Bryan was a good sport and agreed to step into ‘model shoes’ for quick 15min photoshoot (*see below).


For those of you who are thinking about attending Studio Tobac Tour, I encourage you to do so. Definitely an event not to be missed. On the way out, don’t forget to ping Bryan for another Studio Tobac Tour exclusive – The Donkey Punch. This Nicaraguan puro is made up of W: Habano Fuerte, B: Habano Fuerte, F: 100% Estelí ligero and has one comical band – still in prototype phase. I wish Studio Tobac and Oliva much success with this tour and future endeavours. ’til next time.


 
 

 

 

 

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