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Cigar Review: A little Red that could

red-601

601 Red Habano Robusto

Cigar Name: 601 Red Habano Robusto (5 x 50)

Cigar Description: Nicaraguan longfillers covered in an oily Nicaraguan Natural Habano wrapper.

Cigar Strength: Full

Review of the Cigar itself: I knew I was in for quite the cigar treat when the pepper taste hit my taste buds before I had even lit the cigar. It was surprising since the wrapper had a sweet smell to it. The 601s aren’t known for their mild flavour and I was expecting a decent amount of spice from this. The construction was good with minor veins running through the dark chocolate coloured wrapper. The blazer torch kissed the foot of this cigar perfectly and it lit with cedar and white pepper aromas wafting up to my home office light. The ash in the first third was an off-white with hints of brown, grey and black but it was the flavour that was impressive. A nice blend of white and black pepper tickled the roof of my mouth. The spice rum balanced well against the piquant of the cigar.

The burn was fairly straight except for this one part of the wrapper that “bumped” a little bit on one side. A quick touch-up there and I had hoped the cigar would be settled down enough to do an even burn for the rest. The peppers mellowed a bit in their spiciness and added slight occasional hints of leather. The aroma, however, continued the nice spice to fill the air. It made me think that perhaps eggnog with spice rum would have been a better option.

As I continued into the middle of the cigar this stayed pretty much the flavour. The one distraction was the constant need to adjust the burn. It seemed like one side just wasn’t having it tonight. So I gave it an little extra oomph. Examining it closely I could see where the wrapper wasn’t quite tight and began to wonder if this was the cause. This was a tad disappointing since I was enjoying the cigar very much. Although this is a full cigar, I didn’t find it as strong as the 601 Green, which is a very powerfully strong cigar. The finish was a bit smokey, almost like a smokey cedar flavour. Overall a good cigar and it made me glad I had gotten a fiver.

Enjoyed with: Spiced Rum and Coke with a glass of water on the side

Smoke time: approximately 75 minutes

Final Review Rating: 8.2/10

Since I was in a holiday mood early, I was listening to some music and a classic came on:

Cigar Review: Medusa ain’t that scary after all.

3 cigars in one

3 cigars in one

Cigar Name: Drew Estate Medusa (6 x 44)

Cigar Description: Nicaraguan filler surrounded by Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper, done in a traditional Culebra form (3 cigars inter-twined together)

Cigar Strength: Medium

Review of the Cigar itself: I had recently saw the Drew Estate Medusa coffin on sale and thought it’d be a neat cigar to have for Hallowe’en or a meeting with 3 friends. Unfortunately, Hallowe’en was so busy and most of my friends were out of town that I never got to it. I finally decided to try it yesterday. I took it out of the box and carefully undid the twine on one end. I had contemplated actually smoking all three at once but decided against it. So I undid the other end and separated the cigars. Although tight together they did come apart with ease.

I sniffed the cigars, expecting either a sweet sugary or cocoa smell (very common amongst the Drew Estates cigars) or a nice mild, tobacco smell. I got neither. A bit puzzled I checked again. There was nothing wrong with my nose, I thought, as I checked an Arturo Fuente Seleccion D’Oro Churchill I had just purchased (just to be sure) and inhaled a sweet tobacco smell. It was odd to have a cigar that had no odor but I thought, eh, try it any ways.

These cigars have no cap and, thus, need no clipping. The construction seemed good, although hard to tell with the twisty-ness. The end lit easily and the draw was easy. But it was tasteless. Literally. Never have I had a cigar that didn’t have a taste — heck, I’ve even had some that tasted like wet straw and grass. Now I was flummoxed. Should I continue or try another? I decided to continue and it burned relatively fast. I had to re-light it regularly as it went out far faster than other cigars I’ve had. After a bit I got a hint of a cinnamon or pumpkin spice, I couldn’t make out which since it was faint but definitely there. Maybe it was a late bloomer?

I continued further but it was the only tease of flavour I got. After smoking it about half-way, I stopped. It just wasn’t worth burning air like this. This was definitely not a medium. It wasn’t even a mild. Whatever is milder than a mild is what this is. I still have the other two and may let them breath on there own, out of the tightness of the Culebra. If the second proves to be the same then these will definitely be on my do-not-buy-again list. I tossed the last bit and enjoyed the Arturo Fuente instead while I went after critters in my World of Warcraft game.

For the Horde!
Enjoyed with: water

Smoke time: approximately 20 minutes

Final Review Rating: 5/10

Monument Factoid: Culebra means snake in spanish and refers to the twisted shape of the cigar.

Cigar Review: A Monumental Tribute to America

CAO America MonumentCigar Name: CAO America Monument Torpedo (6 1/4 x 54)

Cigar Description: Connecticut Shade and Broadleaf Maduro around filler from Dominican, Nicaragua, Italy and USA

Cigar Strength: Full

Review of the Cigar itself: After getting back from Baltimore, my humidor is even fuller than before. It is definitely time to step up with more reviews and free up some space so I can enjoy more and.. Hrmm.. Sounds rather like a cyclical thing, eh? Ah, the things one must do to help the economy. The Monument was the last of the barbershopped dark with light stripes cigars from the Fourth of July Sampler. The cigar itself had a sweet smell that highlighted the cool, wet weather we’ve been experiencing in NYC of late. I could almost see the leaves change before my eyes as the aromas of the unlit cigar’s tobacco filled my senses. The cigar’s construction was good and nearly flawless with few, if any, veins. The wrappers were obviously done with enough care that I could barely make out where the maduro started and the shade ended. It was a seamless layering of colours.

The actual tobacco is packed densely within the cigar, giving it a solid feel. The maduro wrapper in particular had a nice oily sheen on it. I easily slipped off the band at the foot of the cigar and cut the pointed end at the head. The light was easy and the draw creamy. I almost wanted to say it was “meaty” in flavour but it wasn’t quite that. It definitely had a nice flavour of mixed spices to it. A good stout would be a nice thing to pair with the cigar. Although the flavour didn’t change much — occasional twinge of nut and wood flavours — it was nice and enjoyable.

The burn at the start was a bit uneven but it did eventually even out as time went on. The overall smoke at times was a bit voluminous but it wasn’t anything bad. The white smoke produced a nice, spicy and creamy scent. As I sat back and watched the rain “pour” sideways,  I carefully tugged the band off and ponder what makes the US great. My experience last week in Baltimore highlights it: it’s the people. All countries have monuments, museums and historical buildings but it really is the people and how they interact with those from outside that make the difference.  Monument is defined as “a structure intended to commemorate something which either needs no commemoration or cannot be commemorated.” To me, this cigar commemorates the average American who is often forgotten in the wild activities of celebrates, politics and the like. It is that Average American who made up this at the first 4th of July and continues to make it something special for him/herself and their family.

Enjoyed with: water

Smoke time: approximately 110 minutes

Final Review Rating: 8.6/10

Monument Factoid: There are 3 “Monuments” in the US: one is in Colorado, one in Pennsylvania and one in Oregon.

Cigar Store Review: Ropewalk Tavern & revisiting Baltimore’s Cross Street Tobacco

A year ago, I visited one of my first cigar stores ever: Baltimore’s Cross Street Tobacco. A very laid back place, it was quiet and friendly. This past week I ended up back in Baltimore and decided to visit it again. I went to Ropewalk Tavern, one of only two restaurants in Maryland where you can enjoy a cigar, on Sunday night. It turned out to be one of the not-so-great nights as the local team lost to the Minnesota Vikings’ in a nail-biter of a game. The food was what I call standard pub fare: fried chicken wings slathered in hot sauces of varying degrees, burgers, etc. The smoking section, the 3rd level in an area called the Smoke Easy Lounge, is filled with comfortable, worn sofas and large screen TVs. I enjoyed a soda while watching the Patriots pummel the Tennessee Titans (by the end of the first half, I was beginning to wonder if this was a basketball game or something based on the score). It was a friendly atmosphere and certainly worth going back, especially if there is a gaggle of people.

But oddly enough, I went back to Cross Street. Mostly I wanted to see if they had anything new and I did like the cheap store brand. I went on Tuesday night and the place was definitely hopping and busy. I was already smoking a cigar when I walked in so I settled down to finish it and quietly listened to the conversation going on. At one point, I was offered a sip of some nice 15 year old GlenLivet (it was someone’s birthday and they were sharing). I couldn’t resist and enjoyed a very small cup full (maybe 2-3 sips) as I didn’t want to intrude on the celebrations. It was incredibly smooth and flavourful. I knew what I’d like to get my uncle for the holidays to enjoy because of this. I had enjoyed the conversation and company so much I came back again. Because of work, it’d have to wait until Thursday. As it turned out, that was a good thing.

On the Thursday, the store had an Olivia event where you could win schwag (shirts and hats) and get some good deals. I ended up getting some Nubs, Olivias and Cain cigars (the humidor is now full beyond the brim!).  Depending on what you purchased would determine how many entries into the draw for schwag you’d get. I got 12. They also had some nice finger foods, beer and other goodies to enjoy throughout the night. I ended up, because of my purchase, with a Olivia t-Shirt and a Nub “Fidel” cap. I also won a Nub classic cap (think 1930s). I have to admit: I look damn good in it. I met the same crew as on the Tuesday night and they invited me to join them on Friday for their Bourbon night. As it turned out, I was able to attend. As a result I was able to sample some nice beer and a couple of bourbons. My girlfriend commented that it’s a good thing we don’t live in Baltimore as she’d never see me. And you know, she’s right. This is why the brick and mortar cigar stores should be supported and why they are needed. They are a community place for cigar aficionados to enjoy good conversation and bonding together, regardless of political affiliation, background, race, religion, etc.

If you are in the Baltimore area or will be visiting soon, definitely put Cross Street on your list of places to visit. Best days are Tues/Thurs and Fri. Bring a bit of your favourite to drink and share and tell ‘em the short Canadian guy says hi!

October Poll: It’s all about the flavour..

Last month, I asked about CRA and who was members. It was a 50-50 split. Now, granted, the audience that reads here can be from anywhere in the world so it’s possible that some voters wouldn’t be represented if they are elsewhere but it was interesting that a few people didn’t know who CRA is. I would recommend that if you are a cigar smoker in the US and want to have a voice in Congress et al., then take a few minutes to join them (the link is on the right). There is a fair amount of legislation that could prevent someone from enjoying a simple cigar. The most recent action by the FDA (who now manages tobacco products and the advertising, etc. of it) was to ban flavoured cigarettes. The wording of the ban is so broad that it could easily snag in flavoured cigars and cigarillos (something my girlfriend wasn’t happy to hear since she likes to occasionally enjoy an Al Capone Cognac once in a while). I’ll admit to enjoying an occasional flavoured cigar (the Drew Estate Tabak Especial Negra is a great “dessert” kind of cigar).

And honestly, whether you like them or not, no one should prevent you from enjoying a good cigar once in while. I find it relaxing since I have to slow down to enjoy it (I admit to be a slow smoker and that is really not a bad thing). I’m an adult. I know what consequences may come from it, just like I do if I was to handle a gun or alcohol. I’ll admit to being fairly liberal in many of my views on things (I actually tend to be a-political as I feel disenchanted with politics in general) but there is something about the government directly telling me what I can and cannot enjoy in life that just irks me. So I figured I ask the rest of you as to what you think about the recent ban. Do you think that companies like Drew Estates should be worried about them being next?

Quick post: Have your say with the FDA

I do have two reviews to do yet (just need to type them out and post them) for Indian Tabac Robusto Bear (Limited Reserve Series A) and Davidoff Maduro R Robusto. In the meantime, consider the following if you are a member of CRA and even if you’re not (please use your own words; these are merely suggestions as to what to take about if you’re at a loss for words):

The United States Food and Drug Administration has called for public comment on the implementation of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it is seeking public input on the implementation of its historic new authority overseeing tobacco products in the United States. In a Federal Register notice, the agency invites the public to provide information and share views on a wide range of topics, from product content to advertising and marketing. All public comments will be posted online.

“We’re interested in receiving input from across the country as the FDA begins to implement this important new authority intended to reduce the enormous toll of suffering and death caused by tobacco products in the United States,” said Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, Commissioner of Food and Drugs. “We look forward to the public’s response.”

View The Federal Register Notice

Click Here for more information about the FDA and tobacco regulation.

Comment on FDA’s regulation of tobacco products.

Cigar Rights of America, as a adult consumer based organization with members in all fifty states, is concerned with the approach the Center for Tobacco Products will take with regard to premium hand made cigars, and hereby calls all its members to post their personal comments on the FDA’s Regulations website.

As a guideline for your comment, please be sure to include the following:

MAIN POINT:
It is clear that premium hand made cigars are not a focal point of the statute nor the intent of the US Congress, but the overarching authority over all tobacco products gives us pause and concern. It is also clear that the authority granted to the US Food and Drug Administration by Congress did not have premium hand made cigars as a target of further regulatory burden.

SUPPORTING POINTS:
1) Premium hand made cigars are an adult focused product, in terms of their use, appeal and economic attraction, with the marketing and advertising of the product being principally in adult lifestyle oriented publications, hence not in any manner appealing to children.

2) It is also worthy to note that premium hand made cigars are internationally considered an art form, that allows for adults of legal age to truly appreciate the attraction and use of the product.

3) Premium hand made cigars are products made and sold principally by family oriented businesses. Therefore, additional regulatory burdens should not be imposed upon these backbones of American small business.

4) It is also noteworthy that many in the adult cigar user population enjoy flavored cigars, and because they are enjoyed by adults, and marketed and sold only to adults, that they should not receive the scrutiny of the agency.



Quick Review: CAO America Robusto Box Press

CAO America Robusto Box Press

CAO America Robusto Box Press

Cigar Name: CAO America Robusto Box Press (5 1/2 x 55)

Cigar Description: Connecticut Shade and Broadleaf Maduro around filler from Dominican, Nicaragua, Italy and USA

Cigar Strength: Full

Review of the Cigar itself: As I continue through the Four on the 4th of July set, I decided to give the Box Press a go this time. The construction of the cigar was good, although there was a weird “fold over” near the cap. It didn’t take away from the cigar but just seemed to be less attention to detail. The pinstripe wasn’t as noticeable as found on the Potomac. The lighter Connecticut Shade was actually a bit dark.

The cigar had a very mild sweet smell, more milder than I expected. It was kind of surprising given that it’s a full cigar. The actual smell was reminiscent of a sweet woody smell, almost like a cedar. I punched it and lit the foot. The white-blue smoke that wafted up had a nice black pepper scent to it while the initial taste was a light leather with hints of cedar and damp earth tones.

As I got into the 1st third the cedar tastes continued throughout the cigar with hints of the earth, less damp at times. This combo proved to continue through the rest of the cigar until near the end where the tastes became more pronounced. While it was nice to finish with the cedar and leather, it seemed more milder than I expected. Hopefully, the others prove otherwise.

Enjoyed with: water

Smoke time: approximately 110 minutes

Final Review Rating: 8/10

Cigar this-n-that

Sorry for no posts. I’m hoping to continue my review of CAO America’s 4 for Fourth of July box set. It was a busy work week. I did get the special CRA sampler set this week. I had it shipped to Cigar Inn in Manhattan. I didn’t spend nearly enough time there but one thing I definitely got was a friendly “vibe” from the staff. I’ve been in another cigar bar/lounge kind of place and found it to be too put offish. I’m not a rich NYC type and I am not one to spend all my days in suits. When I teach, I tend to be more relaxed as it’s about the content than the packaging. I’ll admit it: I’m a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy.

Anyways, it didn’t seem to matter what I was wearing they were very friendly. So, as I’m apt to do in more friendlier places, I took a peruse through the humidor to see if anything caught my eye. A few things did (one for the sake of novelty) and so I added to their coffers in addition to the Sampler. I think the next time I visit there, I’ll have to get them to do the whole barber thing. I was actually very impressed by their selection of straight-edge razors. There selection was impressive but most I had seen before. There were only one or two I hadn’t. But that’s fine. Sometimes it’s good to know where to get the usual stuff when in the city and not just the unique ones.

So in addition to the sampler and the 3 cigars I got from Cigar Inn (Stradivarius, H. Uppman Edicion Limitada and AVO 80th)  I also got my Cigars of Month (Cigars International) from the post office (who insists they left a notice but I know I didn’t get it so the cigars have been in the post office for a couple of weeks). This month I got Tatiana Mocha (very bland and only went through about half before I chucked it), CAO VR Full Fathom Five, San Cristobal Guajiro (has a pig tail) and La Flor de Cano Selectos. I’ve had the CAO before (Ying Yang box set) but the other two I haven’t and am looking forward to trying them.

As I sat last, however, trying out the Tatiana and my girlfriend was enjoying the Al Capones (her favourites) I began to wonder if those kinds of enjoyments will go away with the new change in law by the FDA. While I don’t always have a Drew Estate (if I have a flavoured cigar it’s usually theirs), I am a bit perturbed by the ban on flavoured cigarettes and how broad the law is. It could mean that her enjoyment (maybe once a week) in those little cigarillos and my occasional indulgence (maybe once every two weeks) will be taken away. I certainly understand that cigarettes shouldn’t be foisted onto children but I am an adult and I certainly can make that decision on my own as to what I choose to do (no different than the foods I eat, the exercise I do or don’t get, and the alcohol I drink). Now, I am from a country that is far more “nanny state” than this but it still is annoying.

There is no easy answer as to how to address this. First they will remove the flavoured cigarettes, then the cigarillos and then the non-flavoured stuff (a straight-out ban on tobacco). And I’d bet they’d find that many people still die from lung cancer et al. (other “smoker” diseases). The reality is that no one thing is the cause (short of outright direct radiation from a nuclear explosion, etc.) when it comes to things like cancer, etc. When  you read through some of the material and consider that there are other factors that aren’t included (i.e., better healthcare options, less pollution, wider spaces, higher employment rate, etc.) you can quickly realize that perhaps targeting one thing isn’t necessarily the solution.

We will all die at some point. I’d like to do so enjoying the things I love the most: a good cigar, a good drink, a good love and a good fight in WoW. ;)

Cigar Rights: What doesn’t belong with the others?

It feels kinda like Sesame Street. You’re shown a bunch of pictures and you need to figure out how it doesn’t belong. In this case, we’re talking about the use of cheap “cigars” to be used as blunt wrappers but a law that doesn’t narrow the specification down. I mean, come one. Do they really think that someone is going to take an $8+ cigar and cut it apart to use for marijuana? Serious? That’d be a rather expensive “blunt”. In a country that is about capitalism and trying to be frugal these days, it’s more likely they find the cheapest cigar they can and use that. So why not put a price tag on the cigar to ensure that you’re targeting the right one? The reality is that this law could effectively close down small B&Ms, where people go in to purchase one or two individual cigars to enjoy.

Purchasing a whole box, especially right now, can be a fiscal challenge for some and for others, they just don’t have the space to store it. The ability to go in and purchase a single cigar is akin to going into a restaurant and having a single glass of wine. I understand the purpose of the law but laws are meant to be specific. Broad-sweeping laws like this are too general and open to too much interpretation. If this really becomes law, I’d be surprised and all those involved should be admonished for poor law practise (most politicians are lawyers and they should know better).

Read the article/op. ed. piece below and if you can and haven’t already done so, join CRA today. They are there to protect our rights as smokers.

There is more trouble in Washington , DC , but this time it’s a few blocks from Capitol Hill. It’s in the Washington , DC City Council chambers.

An initial group of five (possibly eight) city council members, including Marion Barry, Tommy Wells, Michael Brown, Yvette Alexander and Harry Thomas, have introduced an amendment to the Drug Paraphernalia Act of 1982, known as the “Single Sale of Cigar Products Prohibition Act of 2009.” The very reading of “cigars” in a “drug paraphernalia” ordinance is deeply disturbing, and the reason such a trend needs to stop – now.

The intent of the proposed ordinance is to prevent the use of cigars as a means to marijuana use. The draft ordinance defines cigar as “an individual cigar, cigar leaf wrapper, flavored or non flavored cigar that is referred to as a blunt, blunt wrap, or any other tobacco product that may be used in the ingesting, inhaling or introduction of marijuana to the human body.”

In this draft, there is no mention of price, size, hand-made, machine-made, or other defining characteristics of cigars. While media reports have said its intent is to ban sales at convenience stores and gas stations, there is no mention of them in the bill either.

Local premium tobacconists such as W. Curtis Draper and Georgetown Tobacco view the language as too vague, with John Anderson of W. Curtis Draper stating, “It’s scary because it’s open ended.” David Berkebile of Georgetown Tobacco intends to join in the opposition.

The measure is not without precedent. Just over the border in Maryland , Prince George ’s County Council, where ordinances were advanced to require sales of cigars in packs of five, helped usher in a trend with such public policy. That legislation did exempt stores that specialize in cigar sales.

Earlier this year, Mayor Sheila Dixon of Baltimore , Maryland stated, “cheap cigars are becoming popular and these products are addictive and deadly.” The effort in Maryland was praised by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, stating “Individual cigars are more affordable to price sensitive kids.”

We would like to dramatize how such nebulous policies can lead to unwarranted and unjust actions.

Recently, a customer of Havana Connections, a Richmond , Virginia based premium tobacconist, purchased a $10 cigar, left the shop, and proceeded to drive home. He was enjoying the cigar in the privacy of his car, when he saw the blue lights flashing in the rear view mirror.

When the cigar enthusiast asked what the problem was, the officer said he saw smoke, and wanted to know if he was using marijuana. Obviously, the answer was no, but the officer said “well, I have probable cause. Give me the cigar. I need to test it.”

After some protest, he took it; set the cigar down, and the officer proceeded to cut this premium hand made cigar in half, dousing it with a solution to test for the presence of marijuana. Guess what? There was none. The cigar enthusiast proceeded to say, “you owe me $10 for that cigar.” The officer said, no, but you can take it up with our office. He did, and they gave him $40 for his trouble. True story. Two weeks old. Amazing.

In government, especially at the local and state level, one of the foremost contributing reasons to bad public policy is the setting of precedent and others saying “we should do that too.” That’s how an outdoor smoking ban makes its way from San Francisco to Boston . That has been the case on matters of indoor and outdoor smoking bans, private property (housing) smoking bans, regulation of advertising and marketing, and the setting of tax policy.

Hopefully on September 29, a committee of Washington DC City Council will set aside this proposed ordinance. More so, however, there needs to be a halt to the very introduction of these measures across the country.

Cigar Review: A visit on the Potomac

Taking the time to enjoy a Potomac

Taking the time to enjoy a Potomac

Cigar Name: CAO America Potomac (5 x 56)

Cigar Description: Connecticut Shade and Broadleaf Maduro around filler from Dominican, Nicaragua, Italy and USA

Cigar Strength: Full

Review of the Cigar itself: Since moving to the USA, I’ve become more and more fascinated by America and the people that make up this vast and varied land. What has struck me the most is generally how friendly Americans are. The more I’m here, the more I want to stay. Since I’m enjoying it so much, I figured I’d continue along the 4 part series I did with the Los Blancos and do a four-parter on the Fourth of July Sampler. Yes, I know. Not quite the holiday yet. But I’ve always believed that one shouldn’t wait for a holiday to celebrate something. Barberpoling or pin-striping on cigars has always fascinated me. It’s basically a double-wrapped cigar with two different coloured wrappers (usually a maduro along with a lighter dairy chocolate coloured wrapper). For the Potomac, it appears that it was attempted to be a pin-stripe but some of the “stripes” are thicker than others. Sizing inconsistency aside, when looking closely at the cigar you’d be hard pressed to discern that the lighter stripe was a separate wrapper. I thought at first that it was a strip but even closer inspection shows otherwise.

Additionally, the cigar is thick and solid, feeling very packed. The initial smell and taste is that of spring hay. It makes me think of the many farms that initially made up the heartland of the US. The initial light took a bit to get going. I suspect this is a result of the packed, dense feeling that the cigar gives. The draw is tight and even a poke down the middle with a toothpick relieved only a little bit. So, I tried again, only going deeper with the toothpick. That worked and the cigar performed better. I did begin to notice one thing: my jaw was hurting. The size of the cigar, 56, is definitely a mouthful. The initial tastes came out as a nice, gentle creamy leather. The ghostly white smoke gave off the scent of roasted peanuts (and made me hungry for a PB&J for some reason).

A balancing act

A balancing act

The construction is definitely good. Although at one point I thought it was going to tugboat/tunnel, it self-corrected pretty quickly and efficiently. The solid ash is a motley of white with patches of black, dark grey and light grey. The more I got into the first third, the more it loosened up and the easier the draw became. At one point, the ash got so long I was concerned about it dropping it mid-draw, so I kept the little single ashtray under it and, as luck would have it, it fell on it’s own in the ashtray as a solid inch and a half mass. As it continued into the middle of the cigar the flavour got more pronounced. Occasional earthy tones and strong zings of pepper started to come through.

I, of course, got mildly distracted and forgot to watch the ash. I tumbled on my vSphere book and I had to clean it up. Thankfully it wasn’t too serious a tumble. The last third showed a more meatier taste to it and a generous but not overpowering pepper flavour. The leather had tapered off somewhat while a nice smokey cedar taste started to come through. Although it felt mild at the start, it was finishing with a nice somewhat sweet taste towards the end. I ended up using a toothpick for the nub to keep going right to the last little bit.

Enjoyed with: water

Smoke time: approximately 110 minutes

Final Review Rating: 8.8/10

Tidbit: The Potomac River was designated as an American Heritage River in 1997.

Fun Bit: I couldn’t help but look for good ol’ School House Rock Videos. I remember these as a kid as one of the ways I learned about the US (also learned some US history in Canada — something about some war in 1812 that Canada won ;) )

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