Wednesday, August 27, 2008
I had an amazing opportunity to vacation in a multi-million dollar vacation home at Sea Ranch. As you can see from this picture I was able to get some great fishing too. Well there is only one thing on my mind to complement a vacation and fishing...a great cigar. Unfortunately one of the two was not. (Can you spot me on the cliff?)
This a medium-bodied cigar with a unique blend of Brazilian, Dominican, and Nicaraguan filler. Interestingly enough this cigar is the creation of
resort owner Enrico Garzaroli and cigar legend Avelino Lara who is credited with founding the Cuban Cohiba that I just smoked a couple nights ago. Enrico opened the Caribbean’s very first 5 star restaurant and is considered by many to have the most discriminating palate in the world. Enrico’s expertise in blending and Avelino’s knowledge of tobacco, makes the pair unmatched in making the worlds finest cigars. Unfortunately I do not agree. As I do with any cigar that I do not like, I stop and do not force myself to take anymore. I believe cigar smoking to be a pleasurable experience and when it is not, I stop. Too bad, another dud.
The next cigar was not a dud at all. It was enjoyed while I caught my first fish ever. Casa Magna is a new cigar from the creative minds of Manuel Quesada and Nestor Plasencia. It is a Nicaraguan puro. The surprising aspect of this cigar is its taste, which has a unique, clean sweetness. Let me try to explain. There’s a hint of caramel, and the smoke is perfect. The draw was a bit tough though, but from reading reviews they all come like that. It did not hinder the flavor, just the enjoyment a bit. Although it did help in the sense that I did not run through the cigar as I usually do.
The one that I smoked was a 6-inch by 56-ring Gran Toro beast. It had a smooth, oily, medium brown wrapper with minimal veining. The initial taste was indeed rich and smooth, with a moderate lingering sweetness. Hitting the sweet spot, the caramel-like notes enhanced into a richer, toffee-type of taste. The salt/pepper ash held well, requiring little attention. Manuel Quesada has delivered a rich, full-flavored cigar that should be very competitive with the Nicaraguan puros market. Coming from the famous Esteli factory, it does not disappoint.
After a wonderful dinner at a Brazilian Steakhouse, I was treated to a cigar that rivaled the all you can eat top sirloin, filet mignon, skirt steak, parmesean pork loins, (should I go on?) The cigar was better than all that. So of course you knew it had to be cuban.
This cigar boasted the signature peppery taste, amooth flavor of tobacco, even draw, and excellent construction. Not much else can be said about this superb specimen. Great cigar, great dinner, great company. Thanks everyone for sharing that night with us. We should do it again.
Not being able to go to Hawaii this summer, I decided to have Hawaii come to me. Well, not really, but putting a hold on my two-a-month limit has been a very good consolation prize. I have always wanted to try a Camacho after reading reviews. Now, either I am really a lighter weight than I thought when it comes to cigars, or I just didn't appreciate the blend.
With a smirk on my face I read that the Camacho Corojo is one of the strongest cigars in the world. It has a blend of rich tobaccos grown in Honduras from a rare seed smuggled out of Cuba after the embargo. Now I have tried Litto Gomez's Double Ligero, Ghurkas Beast, and Rockey Patels Sun Grown cigars. These are particularly strong, yet perfectly balanced. I did not find Camacho to be like this. I would be a sport and say I will give this cigar another try in the future, but as July comes to a close, the 2 cigar limit will be back into effect. Therefore I aqcuiese to trying this particular cigar anymore. Sorry Eiroa family, I may be missing out, I may be too light weight, or I may be a good judge of a cigar. I guess I will never know.
