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Posts Tagged stogie review

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)-

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Viaje Exclusivo Corona Gorda

Jan 11

Posted by admin in Viaje Exclusivo Corona Gorda | 8 Comments

This week we are photographing and smoking the Viaje Exclusivo in corona gorda format by Andre Farkas of Viaje. This specific vitola is not available for regular sale / distribution but it is available, fortunately, at Viaje events. Some have reported that Viaje Exclusivo CG was only available as a giveaway from Andre himself however at the latest Viaje event at the Cigar Republic (NY) store – a retail face of the Atlantic Cigar Company, I was able to purchase an entire bundle. The cost of the bundle – $220 / 25. Andre Farkas has confirmed that Viaje Exclusivo CG is available for sale at every Viaje event he attends. It is my understanding that the following Viaje cigars are available in the Exclusivo line:


Exclusivo Lancero – Atlantic Cigar Co 15th Anniversary (exclusive)
Exclusivo Robusto box-pressed – Tower Cigars 45th Anniversary (exclusive)
Exclusive Double Perfecto Double Edged Sword
Exclusivo Corona Gorda
Exclusivo Robusto
Exclusivo Shorts
Exclusivo Chiquito


Construction of the Viaje Exclusivo CG was visually pleasing with minimal veins and very tight seams. There is something about that ‘fancy’ finish and today’s cigar, like few other within that line, was sporting well applied pig-tail. The cigar had no soft spots and foot gave the impression of well bunched tobacco. After cutting and lighting, good draw with decent amount of smoke. In flavor department, blast of spice and blast of savory, rich earthiness. Similarly to Exclusivo Shorts, I was able to extract woody / leathery notes in the background. Definitely a noticeable increase in strength when compared to recently smoked Exclusivo Shorts or Exclusivo Tower 45th. As for as the burn and ash, pretty satisfactory experience, as depicted below.


I have put down 3 samples for this photo / review entry and although above comments are overall positive, I did wanted to mention the fact that the first sample had some not so favorable qualities. Not only did I experience that ‘alligator’ looking finish with the ash (similar to Exclusivo Shorts), the middle 2″ or so had a noticeable tunnel which negatively impacted the flavor department. Fortunately, the other two samples had no construction / burn hiccups. If you find the flavor profile up your alley and / or you are a Viaje Exclusivo fan, this is definitely a vitola to seek out. Considering how Viaje cigars are priced and what I have paid for the bundle, Exclusivo Corona Gorda is a no brainer.


Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Criollo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Length: 5 5/8 ”
Ring: 46

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


Please consider the following post:
* Viaje Exclusivo Shorts

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)-

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Four Kicks – cigar giveaway

Jan 10

Posted by admin in Four Kicks | 1 Comment

And the winner of the Four Kicks (corona gorda) 3-pack giveway is …





Thank You all for participating. Cigar smoking is about enjoying as well as sharing. In 2012 and going forward, if my coolidors / humidors agree, I would like to continue with 1 giveaway per month. Cigars, Photo prints, etc. Conceptually, not too many limits. Everyone is welcome back to ‘play’ again. I have received quite a bit from the cigar industry and local B&Ms. It is time to Pay It Forward. Enjoy !

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Four Kicks

Jan 4

Posted by admin in Four Kicks | 43 Comments

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! Giveaway !

Leave a comment (no rules) and be eligible for one 3-pack of Four Kicks (corona gorda) by Crowned Heads. Deadline – 11:59pm EST on 09JAN. Random selection and announcement will take place on 10JAN.

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This week we are photographing and smoking the latest creation out of the Crowned Heads stable – the Four Kicks. In the last few months, there has been a lot of chatter about the Four Kicks project in the social media circles. Kudos to Jon Huber and Mike Conder for creative and successful marketing campaign. Both individuals and their fellow business partners have shifted their creative minds from one established cigar company to a brand new cigar venture with a catchy label – the Crowned Heads. I can continue to summarize the history, the meaning, the approach or I can simply provide a link to the Crowned Heads website. I will choose the latter since one has to and will appreciate the amount of effort it takes to launch a premium cigar company from the ground floor up after watching numerous videos, reading blog entries, and absorbing all other information. A must read !


Packaged in 24-count boxes, Four Kicks is available in four shapes: Corona Gorda (5 5/8″ x 46), Robusto (5” x 50), Sublime (6” x 54), and Piramide (6 1/8” x 52). The suggested retail price ranges from $6.95 to $8.65 per cigar and is available through the following retailers.


The Four Kicks corona gorda, manufactured at Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. under the supervision of one of the cigar industry’s true icons, Ernesto PerezCarrillo, was sporting an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with clearly visible seams and veins. After clipping the tripple cap, I was introduced to a perfect draw – pretty much an expectation from Ernesto’s work. Pleasing blast of spice on the initial draw and throughout the experience. The spice (pepperish) was definitely heavily concentrated in the back of the throat. In flavor department, hmmm, where should I start ? I have smoked through 3 samples in preparation for this entry and each one brought something additional to the table. There was definitely plenty of woodiness and earthiness throughout the smoke. Previously mentioned spiciness was balanced with less muted, but oh-so-enjoyable, sweetness. Few days prior to the Four Kicks marathon, I have smoked through few good quality CCs and I swear, on more than one puff, I felt that ‘cubanesque’ taste. Whether that is a compliment or an insult, I won’t digress but personally, I found that extra ‘bonus’ to be quite enjoyable.


The Four Kicks in corona gorda vitola is a box worthy purchase. Full Stop ! Whether you are a collector interested in an inaugural release and / or a smoker who finds above flavor description up their alley, you should consider seeking a box, or at least a sampler. I’m patiently awaiting Crowned Heads’ encore but until then, I will continue to enjoy the Four Kicks in my favorite vitola – corona gorda.


Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Length: 5 5/8”
Ring: 46

Construction > Great
Burn > Great
Enjoy > Absolutely
Recommend > Absolutely
Buy > Box-worthy !


Please consider the following post:
* CAO La Traviata

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)-

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Tatuaje TAA 2011

Dec 31

Posted by admin in Tatuaje TAA 2011 | 9 Comments

This week we are closing 2011 with photographs and review of a cigar called appropriately for this occasion – Tatuaje TAA 2011. This specific project is a collaboration between Pete Johnson of Tatuaje and Tobacconists’ Association of America. For those who wonder what TAA is: The Tobacconists’ Association of America, Ltd. is a trade organization established in 1968 by visionary retail tobacconists. TAA’s mission is to provide an open forum of ideas, strategies, and problem solving between retail tobacconist and vendors to the trade. 1,500 boxes (20 cigars each) were made available only to TAA retailers that visited the TAA show in 2011.

Yearly cigar. Different blend and size every year. Blend is based on the regular brown label. – Pete Johnson



The Tatuaje TAA 2011 cigar had a well applied triple cap but the toothy, oily Broadleaf Connecticut wrapper was a bit rugged looking and had clearly visible seams & few noticeable veins. Bottom line, not as pleasing as Cojonu 2012 Broadleaf. Obviously the look had no impact on the performance nor flavor experience. Draw could have been a tiny bit tighter for my personal taste but overall, no complaints. In flavor department, insane amount of chocolate / sweetness / rich earthiness throughout the first half of the cigar. In between, easily identifiable woodiness and cedar. Not as much spice as others have experienced. Burn line wasn’t perfect but wasn’t bad either. The Tatuaje TAA 2011 went wavy couple times but required absolutely no touch-ups. Ash, although initially fairly tight, became awfully flaky after the middle mark.


Well, did I enjoy Tatuaje TAA 2011 ? You bet I did. Broadleaf Connecticut wrapper, box-pressed finish, closed foot = winning recipe in my cigar book. The cigar delivered great array of flavors, decent strength and excellent format. As for as I’m concerned, this is a box worthy purchase, if you can still find it. Looking forward to Tatuaje & TAA 2012 collaboration.


Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Broadleaf Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5 5/8″
Ring: 54

Construction > Good
Burn > Good
Enjoy > Absolutely
Recommend > Absolutely
Buy > Absolutely


Please consider the following post:
* Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 Rosado
* Tatuaje ‘M-80’

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)-

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