Sunday, December 5, 2010

Cigar Review: Diesel

A.J. Fernandez is gaining good acclaim from his recent creations. Really being in the scene for only 6 years his work includes Rocky Patel's Fusion, Padilla, and one of my favorite budget sticks, Sol Cubano. This stout 5 inch, but thick 56 ring belicoso is a medium to full experience cigar. I found this to be very flavorful. Lots of leather and spice fills the palette even before lit. The construction is also top notch. The burn was even throughout the 45 minutes of pleasure and the strength lets one know this is from Nicaragua. Actually coming from the Jalapa and Esteli regions, and an aging process of 3 years (plus one year in my humidor) makes me wonder why I hadn't enjoyed this sooner. This Diesel actually sports a very dark and oily Pennsylvanian broadleaf wrapper. If your tastes can handle a strong yet balanced flavor, you will not be disappointed. I found the sweet spot to be after the first half inch and the last 3 till the nub. Being a belicoso (tapered on one end) does concentrate the flavor directly to the tongue. This is my preferred shape. I can't wait for another. Good job Abdel Fernandez!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Hawaii and Cigars

I am a long time fan of Hawaiian Vacations and a nice stogie. Call it a vacation within a vacation, whatever, I just love the combo. Well through an absolute blessing I have made the dream into reality. Here I write about cigars from my new home in Hawaii, BUT...I am cigarless.  I found a house near the only shop I knew existed aside from downtown Honolulu only to find it was closed a few weeks after I moved here. In fact that is the trend here. To get a decent cigar, I would have to travel 1 and a half hours into town only to get a normally priced stick at $6 for $10 or $12. What a rip off. So now my goal is to find a cigar store, not a cigarette or liquor shop that also sells Black and Milds and Swisher Sweets. No offense, I just want pure tobacco, not a machine made "flavor injected"substitute. If anyone knows any in the Central Oahu area. Please let me know.

Mahalo and Keep it lit!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

New Cigar Shops

There is hope for this depressing economy. A new cigar shop opened up in Vallejo, Ca. It is called, "Cigars and more..." Although their selections are slim right now (They just opened and have two display cases yet to be stocked) they do have Montecristos and Oliva Serie Vs for under 10 bucks a stick. These are very good prices for a store that must compete with the on line stores that don't have to pay for rent, electricity, and staff to keep the place neat and tidy. So for any in the area, expect some good deals. But also know the "and more" involves cigarettes, hookahs, and other non-cigar items. It is definitely worth it to stop by. And if you want to have a say as to what they should carry, I know I gave them my recommendations (La Flor Dominicana, Nubs, and C.A.O. Americas). Now off to enjoy my Montecristo White Lable double corona for $9.99