Cigar Review: Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Juniors – Initial Notes

I was looking – has this refrain gotten old yet? – for another small smoke today. As my regular tobacconist is closed on Mondays, I took the slightly longer walk downtown to another store which, in addition to being open today, also has some different cigars on offer.
My regular shop doesn’t carry many Rocky Patels, [...]

The Ravages of the Weather

I just ruined a good smoke. I had intended if not to review, than at least to comment on another tasting of a Padrón 1964 Príncipe – one of my favorites. Unfortunately, the weather was against me. Even on this relatively mild winter day (it is overcast and in the thirties, but there’s no wind), [...]

Required Reading: The Padrón Story

I love the Padrón 1964s and have been rather underwhelmed by the standard-issue Padrón line. However, disappointments aside, I have tremendous respect for the Padrón legacy. I have been meaning to pick up another couple of the 1964s recently, if for no other reason than to support a wonderful, family-owned business. This story on Keepers [...]

Cigar Review: H. Upmann Vintage Cameroon Petite Corona

I have always liked the story of how, on the night before he signed the papers imposing the trade embargo on Cuba, President John F. Kennedy sent his aide Pierre Salinger to round up 1,000 Petite Upmanns from cigar stores throughout Washington and Baltimore. Salinger delivered in spades, turning up around 1,200 stogies, and Kennedy, [...]

Cigar Review: Romeo y Julieta Clemenceaus

This is a nice-looking cigar, with an earthy-brown wrapper showing thin veins and mottled with oils. It is quite firm to the touch, but upon cutting the head, it draws very easily – almost a bit too easily. The initial taste is of spicy cedar, probably due to its being packaged in a cedar-lined aluminum [...]

Smoking Like a College Student: AVO Classic Puritos

Sadly, it’s been a while since I posted a review. Right around the time of my last posting, school got the better of me: finals tend to choke off all non-essential activities, and unfortunately, for me that includes this blog. However, with any luck I’ll be able to keep with it pretty steadily over the [...]