IPCPR 2011

Last week, the convention that everyone involved with the cigar and pipe industry looks forward to was held in Vegas.  Unfortunately for me, two other conventions were held in two different cities during the same week involving the entertainment industry (my main occupation).  So needless to say, my time was divided and many sacrifices made (3 conventions are a lot to attend). But on the flip side, I had a great time meeting people and seeing new products, watching new talent and finishing the week with a South Beach party where all you saw was tanned bodies and white outfits until sunrise. Then I saw my pillow until the following night.  Now that's a party!

But enough about me, let's talk IPCPR 2011 and the information you seek.

To start things off, IPCPR has a new CEO.  William S. Spann is filling former Executive Director Joe Rowe's vacancy after Rowe retired.  IPCPR president Gary Pesh said:

"On behalf of the Board of Directors of the IPCPR, I want to extend a hearty welcome to Bill Spann who, we are confident, will help continue moving the association forward in behalf of its retail and manufacturing members. At the same time, we wish Joe Rowe a long and happy retirement. He will be missed.”

Previously, Spann served as Commander during a 20-year career with the U.S. Navy, chief of staff of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, and president and chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of Greater Florida.  He also served as part of Governor Jeb Bush’s executive leadership team as communications director and then chief of staff at the Florida Department of Children & Families.

As expected, IPCPR is where a great deal of products are launched.  The following are some that I've been asked about the most, so I thought I'd shed some light on them.

CAO:

OSA Sol:  
From the Olancho, San Agustin valley in Honduras comes CAO's OSA Sol.  This blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran filler is to be full of flavor without being overly peppery or soft and bland.  There will be three sizes (5x50, 6x54, and 6 1/2x58) priced from $5-7.  Look for these to hit the shelves by September.

DREW ESTATE:

My Uzi Weighs A Ton (MUWAT):  
Possibly one of the least surprising introductions since it was one of the most talked about on the web yet most elusive cigars is MUWAT.  A collaboration between Drew Estate Tobacco Company and Joya de Nicaragua, this sweet yet boldly flavorful smoke is quite the traveler with a San Andreas Negro Wrapper, Ecuardorian Connecticut Binder, Brazilian Mata Fina Filler coupled with Nicaraguan Fillers. Initially in three sizes (5x50, 6x60, 7x60 with a 4x44 named "Bait Fish" with a later release ), these will sell between $8-11.

Undercrown:
Originally created by the torcedores to smoke in Nicaragua while rolling the Liga Privada, the Undercrown is intentionally harvested 4+ weeks later resulting in a higher natural sugar content and a richer, creamier flavor.  There will be five variations (5x54, 6x52, 7x54, and 6x60 in Parejo with one 6x52 in Belicoso) between $7-10.

TORAÑO:

Vault: 
Carlos Toraño, Sr created a "Blend Book" in 1982 to record every blend concept on which the family has ever worked.  This book contains both released blends and blends with potential.  Current president Charlie Toraño and VP of Sales and Marketing, Bruce Lewis, revisited the book and happened upon an unreleased blend that caught their eye, the Liga A-008.  First recorded in 2000, Charlie and Bruce sought to improve the blend by finding the missing ingredient, which they found in the tobacco from Ometepe, Nicaragua, an island on Lake Nicaragua home to two volcanoes with rich, fertile soil.  This rich earthy and spicy stick has notes of ripe fruit and nutty creaminess.  Available in three sizes between $7-8 (5x52, 6x50, 6 1/8 x 52).

And yes, the rumors seem to be true, Dennis Rodman is releasing his WB brand cigars. 

As more announcements slowly become released product, you will see more of them here and their reviews as well. Until then!

TORAÑO TEAMS UP WITH DWAYNE WADE

Almost forgot to post this.  Thanks Gabriel Pineres for the release!


July 14, 2011— Toraño Family Cigar Co. had the honor of being asked to be the official cigar partner at “The Party with a Purpose” event hosted by Miami Heat superstar Dwayne Wade at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel &Casino to benefit the Kids2Camp fund.

Taking place on Wednesday July 13, 2011 the red carpet event was a spectacular affair where event goers mixed and mingled with NBA Champion Dwayne Wade and other athletes to include current Miami Dolphin wide receivers Devon Bess and Brian Hartline. Also in attendance was former Miami Dolphin tight end and current voice of the Miami Dolphins Joe Rose. The event which took place poolside at the Hard Rock Hotel featured cocktails and pork cooked in “La Caja China” which is a traditionally Cuban way of roasting pork. Continuing with Cuban tradition Toraño Family Cigar Co. was well represented as Master Roller Felipe Sosa and Carlos “Llaca” Toraño were in attendance as they cut and lit some of Toraño’s finest cigars for event goers.

Dwayne Wade stood on stage to thank sponsors and event guests for helping raise awareness and funds for the Kids2Camp fund which provides scholarships to disadvantaged or disabled youth as well as the opportunity to attend camps. As he was finishing his speech the “voice” of the Miami Dolphins Joe Rose announced that the Toraño Family had a special surprise for Wade as Carlos Llaca-Toraño presented Wade with a box of Limited Edition Carlos Toraño 2008 Tribute Churchill Cigars. A gracious Dwayne Wade thanked Carlos as he opened the box with excitement.

President of Toraño Family Cigar Co. Charlie Toraño was unable to attend the event but stated, “As a cigar company in Miami we are proud to take part in functions to help the less fortunate in our home city. We felt privileged to be asked to take part in such a special event”.

Esteban Carreras Habano Maduro Rothman

Although I've known about Esteban Carreras for a while, it wasn't until recently that I tried EC due to being  admonished that I should try their well-rated cigars.  So I figured I'd oblige and pick some up to review.  I grabbed a couple of the Rothman sized Habano Maduro to enjoy while I was with some friends at a local cigar lounge. 

This dark brown, oily, Nicaraguan Puro smelled very earthy with a hint of sweetness.  The veins were consistently small and it was well wrapped with a nice cap and foot.  And unfortunately, this is where all the goodness stopped.  But in all fairness, and with how poorly this thing burned and tasted, I felt this was a bum stick.  I would try another one a couple of days later in the serenity of my backyard for a second opportunity for a good review.

Like the first stick, this second Rothman looked and smelled tantalizing.  Lighting was much easier this time around and the first initial notes were of earth and leather.  The smoke was pretty smooth and plentiful.  Ending the 1st third revealed hints of coffee.

The 2nd third produced more leather while everything else faded away.  The ash would only grow to about an inch and a half before falling.  I needed to touch up a couple of times, but overall the cigar burned pretty evenly.  Going into the last third, the creaminess of the smoke had left, and unfortunately only leather and a bit of bitterness remained.

Overall, I wasn't impressed with this smoke, and less so with the first.  The appearance of the EC Habano Maduro was spot on, and it's smoking characteristics were good as well.  However, it definitely lost points in flavor and in overall impression.  I refuse to rate the first one. The 2nd one I give an 80.

The Crowned Heads of Tobacco

It is old news that former CAO employees left to start a new company after the General Cigar deal.  However, what may not be well known about the top dogs of the new company, Crowned Heads, is that this wasn't a move for fear of losing their jobs, nor because they didn't want to move to a new state.  The team saw the opportunity to start a company and produce products due to their extreme passion for cigars. 

The charismatic leader, Jon Huber, is probably the most recognizable face of Crowned Heads, although he is cautious about being given a title having escaped the shackles that accompanied his previous corporate position.  When introduced to the industry back in the mid 90s, Huber started learning everything about tobacco from the seeds to the final roll of the cigar.  As a student of the leaf, he is conscience of tradition and is wary of trends (e.g. adding coloring to produce black "Maduro" instead of allowing the natural “brownish-to-dark-brown" which happens when the leaf becomes mature).

With high standards for himself and his products, I think it's safe to say that everyone is itching to see what Crowned Heads produce. Working alongside industry veterans who are just as passionate as he is, Huber is definitely sitting pretty for his new release under his new label.  Let's just pray the release is sooner than later!

Acid One

Last Wednesday night was Cigar Night at Arrington Vineyards, the local winery just south of Nashville.  For those who don't know, Kix Brooks (of legendary country duo Brooks & Dunn) is partial owner and the man loves his wine and cigars.  And fortunately for us, it was Drew Estate's turn on this particularly beautiful Summer evening.  

I had the opportunity to hang with Zev, the Drew Estate rep for this area, and was introduced to a couple of cigars I've not tried before.  One of them was the Acid One.  Acid is a company I've been familiar with for a while and currently have a box of the Kuba Kuba, but the One was something new to me and was different than what I anticipated. 

The Acid One Cameroon wrapped Torpedo was neat, but wasn't quite as firm, nor aromatic, as I expected.    However, any doubt of it being enjoyable would soon be removed when I put the cigar in my mouth.  Zev told me that this line goes through a unique sangria infusion, which was rather evident.  Couple it with the sweet taste of molasses and you have a smoke that you don't want to put down.  Lighting the cigar was easy.  The draw was large without being too loose and the smoke was very smooth and cool.  I immediately detected caramel with a hint of spice which stayed throughout the evening.

Coming into the 2nd third, the spice bumped up a little and introduced a bit of leather into the mix.  The burn was steady, the ash surprisingly firm, and I ended up getting 2  inches before it finally caved under gravity's influence. 

Going into the home-stretch, the One maintained it's pace and characteristics like a marathon runner.  The medium-bodied cigar was just as smooth and just as sweet at the end as it was in the beginning.  I only had to relight once, and it was here at the very end.

The Acid One is a smooth, sweet, non-aromatic, flavor-infused cigar that was extremely enjoyable leaving me wanting to share it with others.  It's a treat by itself, or paired with a nice steak or wine.  This is a cigar that I definitely recommend.  I know a great deal of "traditional" cigar smokers say they won't touch an Acid, or a flavored cigar, and I know that Cigar Aficionado has a policy against reviewing "flavored" cigars, but I think they're a bit extreme.  Many dip cigars in their drink (brandy, cognac, rum, etc) to enhance the smoke with an "added" flavor.  But I digress, and will continue with my review.  I give it a score of 91.