If you have the hat on, you need to smoke one.
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Friday, June 30, 2023
Square peg, round hole/ Box pressed cigars..
Recently while cigar shopping, I noticed a lot more non round cigars.( Box Pressed).
I am not to fickle about the shape I like, but I have come to like box pressed cigars,
1) They don't roll off the table
2) They fit my bite better. Let me explain:
Lips are flexible and can make most shapes, but my teeth are generally flat, a round Presidente or large cigars in general are kind of difficult to maintain proper "grip" on a cigar. Boxed pressed allow my big front teeth to sit nicely across the top and bottom, so as to not bite too hard to maintain control while playing pickle ball or cutting the grass, all just super strenuous activities, hence the dry cured Swisher Sweets Cigarillos with the plastic tip.
Apparently, there is a little air leakage around the edges during inhale but this adds to a cooler draw.?
All I know is the wife still thinks they stink no matter what shape...!!!!!
Monday, May 01, 2023
Oaks and Derby cigars.
Leaf and Cedar will be having an Oaks day cigar event. Featuring Oscar Valladares. Lots of swag and discounts. Great BBQ by Michigan Paul and beer.
8605 Smyrna Parkway, Louisville KY
Saturday, April 16, 2022
Derby Thurby cigar event with Espinosa
Come by Leaf and Cedar cigar store about 1pm on Derby Thursday(Thurby). Saturday is Derby. Friday is not Furby, sheesh, it is Oaks. Swag, giveaways and great cigars.
Kentucky Derby cigars
In Louisville looking for a great cigar store with a large selection and knowledgeable staff, then stop by leaf and cedar cigar store. Located at Smyrna and Gene Snyder (265) hi way at 8605 Smyrna Parkway.
Hang around and smoke one.
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Crux Cigars Guild Cigar
Crux started selling around 2014. Named after saying Crux of the Matter. Not Hispanic but northern Wisconsinso wanted a name that let's them make their own blend. Rolled in Nicaragua in Nestors and AJ's factories.
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Chris Carey and Alec of Alec Bradley stopped by.
So they let the reps develop their own cigars. Chris did the Fashionably Late. It is Mexican, Brazillian and Nicaraguan tobacco. He wanted one that was mild and good in the morning with coffee. He said weird seeing his name on box.
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Monday, October 28, 2019
GOMEZ SANCHEZ MICALLEF LAYENDA 92.5
Friday, October 04, 2019
Friday, September 27, 2019
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Kristoff Signature Series JT Edition
Thats right, JT edition. Jarrid Trudeau - VP of Sales for Kristoff, asked if he could make his own edition of a Kristoff cigar using a bunch of HVA ('Habano Vuelta Abajo') leaves they had laying around. From Habanos.com site The finest cigar tobacco-growing land in the world. Vuelta Abajo*is the main source of tobacco for Habanos, and the only zone that grows all types of leaf: wrappers, filler and binders. Indeed all tobacco for fillers and binders for Long Filler Habanos comes from this privileged zone. Not surprisingly Vuelta Abajo is also protected as a Denomination of Origin.
These limited cigars are made with a Sumatra Binder and Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. Jarrid wanted to make a cigar that he would smoke himself whenever he had down time. He likes box pressed cigars, so these are box pressed. I think the last time they did box pressed is about 2002. He likens these to a Padron '69, and these are a very mild cigar with a little spice. Not a chocolate or earthy flavor in these. It took about 3 years to source the right blends of tobacco to get these to the exact blend he was looking for.
I got a nice ash, as you can tell in the picture, before it finally fell off, and it had a very easy draw for a box press.
They are using entubar style and not booking or accordion style.
For those that care Entubar (or “Entubado”) is a “bunching technique which rolls each filler leaf into itself, almost like a small scroll. Each individually “scrolled” leaf is then placed together to form the bunch. This skillful rolling technique creates a more firmly packed cigar which allows air to travel between all of the leaves, carrying more aromatics/flavors to the palate. Entubado rolling is the most difficult and complex bunching method and is therefore rarely employed in large scale manufacturing.
There is also another form of bunching called Accordion. This method “involves folding the outer sides of the filler leaves inward, one at a time, and placing the leaves on top of each other until the bunch is complete: then the leaves are rolled together with a binder leaf. The “folds” created by this technique allow excellent air passage through the cigar.”
A third type of bunching is called Book. “An alternative to entubado or accordion rolling, booking involves laying filler leaves flatly on top of one another and then folding them up, like a book or taco, to complete the bunch. This technique is simpler than entubado and accordion rolling and creates a less aerated cigar structure: placing the leaves directly on top of each other does not allow as much air to pass through each individual leaf in the cigar.”
The Book method is also the most often used type of bunching since it can be done more quickly and efficiently, thereby helping increase production.
This cigar uses the Kristoff standard pigtail and shaggy foot. The shaggy is supposed to help light it, but I find it easier to cut a little bit off before I 'foot' the cigar with my lighter.
Kristoff is entering its 15th anniversary, so congrats to them on a great run so far. These cigars are only going to be at vendors that have a cigar event so you may have to shop around to find them.
Token picture of Jarrid and I the the Leaf and Cedar event in Louisville.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Carlos Torano Master Rating 94.33
Smoked this one over at leaf and cedar cigar shop in Louisville. They have a nice outdoor smoking area and good conversation if you have never been there.
This cigar smoke very nice and could pick up leather and earthy flavor. I tend to migrate toward full bodied cigars and this on hit the mark.
From Mikes Cigars site:
601 Blue Label Maduro 88.67 rating
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Saturday, August 03, 2019
Canoe in your cigar, what causes it, what to do about it.
Every once in a while you get a canoe in your cigar like the one I pictured. The most likely culprit is an uneven filler in the cigar. You can feel a cigar before you light it to see if it feels well packed and even around the length. You can gently squeeze around soft areas and sometimes that helps.
Big Johnny- It lasts the whole 9 holes
LEAF by Oscar Rating 96.50
CigarsInternational.com had this blurb:
Esteban Carrera Chupa Cabra Hellcat box press 94.42 rating
They brag about the pigtail on the end and the furry foot(for easier lighting). I guess the pigtail helps in keeping the cap on better after cutting it off, but not sure.
Atlanticcigar.com had this on their page:
Esteban Carreras Cigars have been around for decades now and for good reason. Plain and simple they make great small batch boutique cigars at a great price point. One of their best-selling lines is the Chupacabra, just got a new addition the Chupacabra Hellcat. The Esteban Carreras Chupacabra Hellcat is comprised of a gorgeous Mexican San Andres wrapper and features the same binder and inner filler tobaccos as used in the original Chupacabra, as well as constructed with an unfinished foot and a pigtail head. What differs is the Hellcat is box-pressed and is covered in both wax paper and foot band in order to protect its beautiful wrap. All three vitolas come in 20 count wood boxes. Buy a box of the Esteban Carreras Chupacabra Hellcat Cigars today for the best prices on the net! We’re sure this maybe your new favorite go to smoke.
Monday, July 29, 2019
Micallef Maduro 96.67 Rating
and signing up for an ambassador coin and unique user number. It will take 2-3 weeks to get it because of 'high demand'. Will post the coin when it gets here. :)
Rick, the owner at https://www.facebook.com/leafandcedar/ likes them because for the size of the cigar it has one of the nicest finishes he has tried. I did enjoy this cigar and it had nice flavors and was suprisingly mild for a maduro. Plenty of smoke and did not have to relight it once.
Thompson Cigars had this information also:
You’ll want more than just A Maduro after you light up this one by Micallef Cigars. The Gomez Sanchez family with nearly 100 years of experience in the cigar industry partnered with Al Micallef to deliver true classic Cuban inspired blends that are consistent in flavor and balance like the Grande Bold A Maduro. Full-bodied, and full-flavored, Grande Bold A Maduro features Nicaraguan tobaccos underneath an Ecuadorian Broadleaf maduro wrapper. Notes of wood and nut are accompanied by a hint of dark chocolate and are all followed up by a cedar finish for a deliciously satisfying maduro. Grande Bold A Maduro 552 is one you’ll be coming back for.
Thursday, July 25, 2019
President U.S. Grant and cigars
http://www.jmarkpowell.com/the-gift-that-killed-general-grant/
Crowned Heads Le Careme 96.84 Rating
I smoked a couple of these to be sure, and then I had to buy a box. That is 24 in a box at around $12.00 a stick. I typically do not like to spend that much on one cigar unless I want to be smoking them for a while in my rotation. They had some torpedo's but it looks like they may not be making those any more, but the flavor was no different for these 52 ring cigars. They have a great taste from start to finish. You get earth, pepper, and nutty flavor.
Diesel Whiskey Row PX Sherry Cask 97.67 Rating
Cigars International has this to say on their site:
Romeo y Julieta Media Noche 96.005 Rating
This cigar must have been named to enjoy late at night. I found it a pleasant cigar typical of this brand. You cannot go wrong with this one. I did not pick up any unique flavors like a pepper or fruit, but it smoked very nice and I would buy this again.
Cigar.com says this:
Unlike any other Romeo you’ve experienced before, Romeo y Julieta Media Noche offers a medium-bodied strength and full-flavor profile while retaining a distinguished smoothness this brand is so well known for. Featuring a dark, San Andrés wrapper, a Dominican Olor binder, and a core of smooth Dominican long-fillers, this hearty new blend from Romeo y Julieta offers a plethora of rich tobacco flavors balanced out by sweeter notes of cedar and cocoa.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Nestor Miranda
Got to meet Nestor Miranda and get a box of his Cameroon La Aurora cigars. And he signed the box which was nice.
I love supporting local cigar stores here in Louisville, and there are several very good ones to choose from.
Friday, August 10, 2018
Alcohol tobacco and firearms!
The cigars are from Holts, an online and physical store in Philly that I have visited and used for years.
They have these great samplers and small packs so you can try brands without buying a bundle or maybe your local shop does not carry certain brands. The ammo is from Midwayusa, another great online retailer that I use quite often. ( you know, zombie apocalypse, rabid squirrels, etc.).
Pretty soon when my mail order bride shows up I will be all set,.Just kidding Tamara,.
I still encourage visits to your local small business, but eventually Amazon will send bottled air and cash to everyone in the world and we will all be sitting pretty!
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Boycott Nat Sherman cigars.
it is sad to see cigar maker come out against premium cigars.
Thursday, May 03, 2018
Florida and the Cuban connection
Another cigar stand was in Dunedin. The down town area of Dunedin has quite a few breweries and restaurants, and our guest Mark asked if I smoked cigars and we walked down the street to a little open air area where there was a little shed with a Cuban couple in it with hand rolled cigars in display cases. The story goes that Emile and Rose were both licensed Pharmacists, but their certifications were not valid here. So they opened a wine bar and cigar shop here and are doing very well. Both have their citizenship’s and are trying to live the American dream. The double corona I had was excellent and the ash could have stayed on all the way down the length of the cigar if I tried to retain it. ( see pics ).
Where the tobacco comes from I did not ask, all I know is that my originally planned smokeless trip turned out to be a joy. So if your out and about in the St. Pete area keep your eye open for these and I am sure many other cigar shops.
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Winter outdoor lounge
Three sides covered with clear products and back of house and slider on the other. Keeps the wind out and if I need heat I have the coffee table fireplace,( plenty of fresh air available, no CO issues thank you, I am a licensed professional). In summer I have mesh tarps from Harbor Freight for bug screen. T.V and cable connections, a smokers paradise. Not at all expensive to have temp walls if you have something similar. I can slide open the clear corrugated wall behind me for more or less airflow, usually a prevailing wind from one end to another, and the room can get up to 60 or more degrees most days inside. So if the winter blues have you shivering while trying to enjoy a smoke, then look into some clear tarps for a quick enclosure setup.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
The perfect Golf Cigar
I am not bothered so much with a cigar flavor like I usually strive for on other occasions. I am more interested in how long a cigar stays lit and its ability to smoke it after having sat in my cigar clip while hitting the golf shot. I hate having to constantly relight the cigar constantly between puffs.
In my experiments, I tried many different brands and types of cigars to try and find the ones that will be great to play golf with. Here is what I found. Size matters. The larger ring cigars such as Gordo size tend to stay lit longer. However, in addition they have to be loosely made. Even the large sizes if they have been rolled very tight will not stay lit as long. Maybe it is the air/oxygen that gets in the leaves that lets them burn longer without being puffed on that makes the difference.
Cigars like E.P. Carrillo Inch seemed to work very well and still fit in the cigar clips that attach to your cart. Buy the larger size 50 ring cigars and test them by rolling in your fingers lightly. If they compress nicely, I think you will find that you have a much more enjoyable round.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Oumuamua Cigar?
Astronomers are to use one of the world’s largest telescopes to check a mysterious object that is speeding through the solar system for signs of alien technology.
Friday, November 24, 2017
Leaf and Cedar Cigar Store Louisville, KY
Monday, February 06, 2017
Another Pseudo Cuban?
If Cuba and the U.S. really do open all embargo restrictions, are the Cuban cigars that a lot of people would like to purchase and try be the real deal? Here is another example of a possible fraud, bought on a cruise in the islands and given to me as a gift from one of my students.
A Romeo Y Julieta corona. From the pictures the band is good quality with the correct embossed gold coins and dots. But the cigar itself was very veiny and lumpy. Smoking it was a workout with a very tight draw, and there was very little flavor. So in my humble opinion, this was a bad real cigar, or bad fake cigar. It really did not matter because I could not finish it. So give me my "hand rolled in house" cigars anytime because I do know the origin of them, these are the ones my cigar shop, Up In Smoke in Cromwell ,Ct. owners wife rolls, ( see picture in other blogs). So the hype is never worth it unless you buy from a reputable dealer, and then it still is not worth it price wise. Give me a box of nice smokable maduro's over a "Cuban" any time.