Monday, August 31, 2020

601 La Bomba Warhead VI Cigar Review


(halfwheel) ... This is a rather unique looking cigar, particularly with how the tip of the foot protrudes out in a rather aggressive matter instead of a gradual taper like most cigars. It’s a very dark cigar with a lot of oil and the familiar Warhead band on the bottom of the cigar.
Aroma from the wrapper is a medium-full mixture of leather, raisins and a bit of barnyard. The foot is a bit sweeter with leather, pasta and sweet cocoa.
Taking a cold draw doesn’t produce the most flavorful of results, though there are notes of beef jerky, cocoa and a bit of white pepper. Continued

DUNHILL NIGHTCAP MURRAY VINTAGE


Isabela Transporter Cigar Review


STDCG's Picks: 8 must try Dips


Sunday, August 30, 2020

Peterson 3Ps “Peterson Perfect Plug"


Smooth Oaky Goodness! | Caldwell - Blind Man's Bluff Maduro in Toro Cigar Review


TIN NOTES: Cobblestone Cafe Black Coffee Pipe Tobacco


Peter Heinrichs Reserve Cru 2 Tobacco Review


Weekly Top 5 cigars


Cigar Industry Report: Edition 396


(Cigar Coop) The Cigar Industry Report is a one-stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop. It is a combination of the news reports, cigar reviews, and assessment updates we do throughout the week. In addition, each week we will look back at Cigar Coop history. Continued

Not even a pandemic can extinguish smokeless tobacco’s momentum


(CSD) For years, snuff, or loose tobacco, dominated the smokeless tobacco category. Then came snus — tobacco pouches that produce less spit — which added new life to the other tobacco product (OTP) segment. But the category really received a boost four years ago when Swedish Match launched ZYN, a tobacco-free nicotine pouch, often referred to as an all-white pouch. Continued

Oscar Valladares Wild Hunter Natural Cigar Review


(Cigar Dojo) Oscar Valladares has been on a roll the last few years. The Leaf by Oscar has taken on a life of its own since its debut in 2013. That particular cigar was blended by Oscar for “Island” Jim Robinson (of the Leaf & Bean cigar shop in Pittsburgh, PA) and has now become a beast in the craft industry. You will see that unique-looking cigar—packaged in an additional tobacco leaf in place of conventional cellophane—in shops all across the country. Despite the cigar being made for and distributed by another company, Leaf by Oscar has done a lot for Oscar Valladares (because it, literally, has his name all over it). People smoke the Leaf by Oscar and wonder, “What other cigars has this dude blended?” Well, as it turns out, he has blended a lot in a surprisingly short amount of time! Continued

Pipe Tobacco Review: Seattle Pipe Club's Galloping Gertie


Simply Snuff!


Montecristo Classic Cigar Review


Mac Baren Roll Cake ... and other stuff


Friday, August 28, 2020

MACANUDO HERITAGE NUEVO CONNECTICUT | CIGAR REVIEW


Chew Review Part 2 : Days O Work


Humidity Could Make Tobacco Curing Difficult


(Lancaster Farming) If muggy weather persists, Pennsylvania tobacco farmers could have some trouble managing their crop as it dries down.
“We’ve had really high humidity, and so curing is a bit of a concern,” said Jeff Graybill, a Penn State Extension educator in Lancaster County, which is home to three-quarters of the state’s tobacco acreage.
Pennsylvania farmers grow air-cured tobacco varieties, which are hung in barns with large vents on the sides. In other states, flue-cured and fire-cured varieties are hung in heated barns. Continued

Tropical Storm Laura Causes Some Damage in Cuba’s Vuelta Abajo Region


(Cigar Aficionado) While the storm wasn’t as bad as it could have been, tropical storm Laura caused some damage in Vuelta Abajo, a significant growing zone in western Cuba’s Pinar del Río province known for producing some of the island’s best premium tobacco.
There was no tobacco in the fields, so next year’s crop was not harmed, but the storm has added to the economic misery and uncertainty in Cuba caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Continued

A Closer Look at Perique


(smokingpipes.com) Perique is an incredibly versatile blending component and one of the most interesting and complex types of tobacco. It's used to create numerous mixtures, often serving as a condimental tobacco to add nuance or complexity to a blend. Perique is steeped in tradition, having endured for centuries, its curing process passed down for generations, and it continues to play a prominent role in pipe tobacco manufacturing. Continued

Thursday, August 27, 2020

El Septimo Sable Shamash Cigar Review


Stand Alone Product: Gold River Dip


Pipe Tobacco Review: Cornell & Diehl's Epiphany


Colibri Quasar Desktop Humidor Review


Readying a Beautiful Vintage London Made Peterson’s Of Dublin Calabash For It’s Second Inning


(rebornpipes) While going through the second box of my inherited pipes, I came across a beautiful delicate Calabash shaped pipe which called out to me for restoration. That this would be a Peterson’s pipe came as a surprise since it did not have the patented Peterson’s P-lip and obviously, it was not a System pipe. Continued

Serving Those Who Serve Us


(Tobacco Business Magazine) Probably the biggest aspect of what has made Operation: Cigars for Warriors (CFW) so successful over the years is the nonprofit organization’s volunteers. So what does it mean to be a volunteer for CFW? The first thing you need to understand is what it means to be a volunteer for any charity organization. Continued

HVC 500 Years Anniversary Selecto Review


(Halfwheel) ... A generic nutty flavor and the espresso pick up quite a bit in intensity, though for most of the second third a toasty earth flavor remains the most dominant of the group. Fortunately, the smoothing out of the profile continues and, at times, I can pick up some juniper, though the profile is rather similar to the first third. The finish adds nuttiness and mild amounts of white pepper, though it’s hard to escape the toastiness. Retorhales are now led by nuttiness on top of toastiness and leather. Continued

FIRST IMPRESSIONS | Ken Byron Ventures "Verge Engine Overdrive"


Herrera Esteli Lancero Edicion Limitada Cigar Review


Former Pipes 50th Anniversary Jubilee Blend Review


Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Drew Estate Liga Privada L40 Cigar Review


Cellaring Tobacco and Factors that Influence the Aging Process


(smokingpipes.com) Acquiring tobacco and letting it age for years is one of the most rewarding aspects of pipe smoking, granting us the opportunity to appreciate how the flavor profile of our favorite blends can change or improve with time.
Often referred to as "cellaring," purchasing tobacco with the intent to let it age is a somewhat newer phenomenon that has gained popularity in recent years.
For many decades, few manufacturers and blenders were concerned about what happened to their mixtures after they were tinned, primarily because they were created for immediate enjoyment and consumption. Continued

Cigar Review: Tatuaje Anarchy Kaos Pale Horse


(Cigar Coop) ... As mentioned the Tatuaje Anarchy Kaos Pale Horse uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper. It also uses Nicaraguan binder and filler. Production is handled out of the My Father Cigars factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Continued

Dr Rumney's 'Brown' snuff review


Monday, August 24, 2020

What is it? ~ Grizzly Wide Cut Wintergreen


RoMa Craft Neanderthal LH Review




(Cigar Dojo) RoMa Craft Tobac released the Neanderthal line back in 2015 with the goal of delivering a powerful yet flavorful cigar. 
While the line originally consisted of only a single vitola, it has since expanded to nine, being a core component of the RoMa Craft portfolio. 
The latest such size was first showcased at the 2019 IPCPR trade show, with RoMa Craft debuting the Neanderthal LH as their strongest cigar to date. Continued

First Pipe In Virginia- Escudo


Swave Daiquiri Nicotine Pouch Review


(Snubie) ... The flavor description of this one says it has a "clear taste of melon and with a slight hint of pear." Each can weighs 16g and has 20 portions, for 0.8g portions. The nicotine content is 14mg/g (1.4%), or 11.2mg/portion. Continued

Brick House (Maduro) Best Underrated Cigar?


Mac Baren Black Blend - 7 Seas Review


Sunday, August 23, 2020

Balkan Sobranie 759 & My week in tobacco


16 Plump Cigars That Will Inspire You to Light Up


(Cigar Aficionado) Thick cigars can go by many names: gordas, gorditos and even gran toros. Here at Cigar Aficionado, we categorize anything 60 ring gauge and over as “grande.” Like many things in the cigar industry, there is no standard nomenclature. One thing is certain—cigars that hover around 60 ring gauge or higher are incredibly popular. Continued

How To Smoke A Cigar


Sweet Hay and Dark Cocoa! | Caldwell - Blind Man's Bluff Connecticut in Toro Cigar Review


Savinelli Jupiter Pipe Tobacco Review


Weekly Top 5 cigars


Eldritch Pipes - 3 Pipe Makers


Cigar Industry Report: Edition 395


(Cigar Coop) The Cigar Industry Report is a one-stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop. It is a combination of the news reports, cigar reviews, and assessment updates we do throughout the week. In addition, each week we will look back at Cigar Coop history. Continued

Southern Draw QuickDraw Habano Cigar Review


Tobacco review: Gawith & Hoggarth Nr. 7 broken flake


Saturday, August 22, 2020

Cigars Just Won A Big Day in Court!


Chew Review Part 2: Durango


Little Tube...BIG Taste?


Mac Baren HH Acadian Perique Review


A VARIABLE CROP THAT'S RUNNING LATE


(Tobacco Farmer Newsletter) An uneven crop made it difficult for N.C. flue-cured growers to decide when to top, sucker, and spray, and now it is confusing harvesting decisions. "Nevertheless, harvest is well under way," says Matthew Vann, N.C. Extension tobacco specialist. Continued

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Review: Por Larranaga Petit Corona. Best value for money cuban?


HVC Hot Cake Laguito No. 5 Cigar Review


(Cigar Authority) Reinier Lorenzo was born in Havana City in 1985 and his growing up on a farm would lead to his first career. With a love of animals, he obtained a degree in veterinary medicine. In 2008, Reinier would leave his home and travel to the US where he gave up the warm climate of Cuba for the frozen tundra of Wisconsin.
His life would change when family in Miami introduced him to Eduardo Fernandez of Aganorsa Leaf and he would later visit the tobacco fields. In 2011, HVC was born and since then it’s been one outstanding cigar after another. Continued

Review SAVINELLI "140th ANNIVERSARY BLEND"


Scandinavian Tobacco Group Raises Full Year 2020 Guidance


(Tobacco Business) Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) has provided an update on its business as it and the world continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. In a new press release, the company states that the negative impact of COVID-19 has had lesser of an impact than originally anticipated. In a surprising development, STG reports that tobacco consumption across markets and categories has shown significant resilience through the pandemic. Continued

ACID TWENTY | DREW ESTATE | CIGAR REVIEW


Captain Black Cherry | Tobacco Review | YTPC | Pipe Smoking


Sunday, August 16, 2020

Weekly Top 5 cigars, 5 pack giveaway


Watch City Cigar Nor’easter


Cigar Industry Report: Edition 394


(Cigar Coop) The Cigar Industry Report is a one-stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop. It is a combination of the news reports, cigar reviews, and assessment updates we do throughout the week. In addition, each week we will look back at Cigar Coop history. Continued

Pipe and Tamper: Sunset Harbor Flake FTW



On this episode of the podcast, Mike takes a look at a handful of tampers sent in by Larry Blackett aka "buttons for your britches". The featured guest is Jeremy Reeves. Jeremy is the head blender at Cornell & Diehl. And the final segment is Behind the Pipe featuring musician and pipe smoker John Coltrane. As a reminder, you can help Pipe and Tamper with the costs to produce the show twice per month by visiting the Pipe and Tamper Patreon Page and joining.

McCrystal's Smokers Blend snuff review


Viaje Summerfest 2020 Cigar Review


GL Pease Spark Plug Pipe Tobacco Review


Friday, August 14, 2020

Tobacco Selections: Katerini


Toscano Duecento Cigar Review


(Cigar Authority) Not many businesses can enjoy the opportunity to celebrate a 200-year storied tradition. Manifatture Sigaro Toscano did it in 2018. To celebrate this momentous milestone, MST launched an extraordinary product: TOSCANO® Duecento. The cigar, two hundred millimeters in length, signifies two hundred years of tradition and Italian craftsmanship. Now in 2020, Toscano has launched the Duecento in the United States where it is distributed by Miami Cigar & Company. Continued

The Air Pocket Packing Method

Rudyard Kipling
(Smoking Pipes) Packing a bowl is not only a necessary part of pipe smoking; it affords us the opportunity to experiment with alternative methods based on our pipe's dimensions, the style or cut of blend we plan on enjoying, and the environment in which we will be smoking the mixture. However, bowl packing can be frustrating if done incorrectly, resulting in a less than satisfactory smoking experience that leaves us disappointed and unfulfilled. It's something most of us have grappled with at some point, leaving us to ask others for advice or search for other options. Continued

Chew Review Part 2: Starr Peach


Alec & Bradley Gatekeeper Cigar Review


MAC BAREN - CUBE - PIPE TOBACCO REVIEW!


Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Don Pepin Garcia Original Cigar Review


YABO Pipe tobacco box openings August '20


Cigar Review: Muestra de Saka #NLMTHA by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust


(Cigar Coop) ... Ultimately, Saka decided to take on the challenge and blend a lancero up to his standards. He would do this under the Muestra de Saka series, and the lancero would be a called #NLMTHA – which stands for Now Leave Me The Hell Alone (a response to the many requests). Today we take a closer look at the Muestra de Saka #NLMTHA. Continued

Proper Pipe Tobacco Humidification

Come back, whale!
(Smokingpipes.com) The most wonderfully flavorful tobacco I've ever hated is Dark Star by McClelland, which is no longer manufactured. It was deliciously complex, with a fruity spice flavor and a sweet, multi-flavored smoke. However, I was never able to keep it lit and it frustrated me. Continued

Killer Bee Swarm Cigar Review


320 Oceano With Stokkebye PS 41 Cube Cut


Tuesday, August 11, 2020

JC Newman Perla del Mar Cigar Review


Sutliff Old Professor Pipe Tobacco Review


Judge Critical of FDA's Deferment Plan for Premium Cigars


(Halfwheel) Barring an immediate ruling in its favor, the cigar industry could not have had a much better day in court than the one it had today.
Judge Amit P. Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia used most of his words to criticize the legal strategy and regulatory plans of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
... Today was yet another instance where the cigar industry argued, and Mehta seemed sympathetic, to the idea that FDA did not fully evaluate how to regulate premium cigars before announcing premium cigar regulations. Continued

Smoking Mac Baren Stockton Spun Cut


Trader Jack's Cigars are SWEET...but are they worth it?


Review SAMUEL GAWITH "ST. JAMES FLAKE"


Monday, August 10, 2020

San Lotano Dominicano | Leaf & Barrel


Chew Review: Kentucky King Classic


Asylum Pandemonium 8.5 x 52 Cigar Review


(Cigar Authority) Asylum Cigars mantra has always been go big or go home. The Pandemonium takes that to the next level with its monster length of 8 and a half inches and ring gauges up to 70. The Pandemonium is billed as the strongest of Asylum and today we will put it to test. Made in Nicaragua, this cigar is not for those with a fear of commitment. Continued

A Closer Look at Aromatic Pipe Tobacco


Cavendish
(Smokingpipes.com) ... "If tobacco has no additives," says Jeremy, "then you're probably talking about an American Spirit cigarette because there's virtually no other company. I guess Winstons. Yeah. American Spirit and Winstons are the two truly, truly zero-additive tobacco products that I am aware of." Continued

Weekly Top 5 cigars, giveaway


Tobacco Reviews - L. J. Peretti Cambridge Flake


Sunday, August 9, 2020

Solani Tropical Mango Flake Review


Cigar Industry Report: Edition 393


(Cigar Coop) The Cigar Industry Report is a one-stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop. It is a combination of the news reports, cigar reviews, and assessment updates we do throughout the week. In addition, each week we will look back at Cigar Coop history. Continued

CAO Eileen’s Dream Review


Lowen-Prise Snuff from Poschl


JSK Tyrannical Buc Maduro Dobles


Saturday, August 8, 2020

La Gloria Cubana Esteli Robusto Cigar Review


Erinmore Flake Review


All Saints Dedicación Commandant Cigar Review

Jack Silver
(Halfwheel) While most people reading this article have probably not heard of the All Saints brand, one of the founders became a part of the cigar industry more than 20 years ago.
Micky Pegg started as an intern on Capitol Hill, where he was sent to buy cigars for a member of Congress from retailer Georgetown Tobacco. That eventually led to a job at the retailer, where he stayed until being a sales rep for Davidoff, Felipe Gregorio and CAO, the latter of which he served as vp of sales until the company was folded into General Cigar Co. He went on to work in finance, but like so many who try to leave the cigar industry, he came back. Continued

A Pipemaking Tradition: Peder Jeppesen

John Ford
(Tobacco Business Magazine) ... Jeppesen may have been looking for a job, but he found a career. Forty-three years after taking a job at the Karl Erik pipe factory, Jeppesen continues to make pipes, but instead of working for someone else, he owns his own company, Neerup Pipes, which he has been making since 2001. Continued

Amarillo Snuff Company Mint Review


HC SERIE RED COROJO VS. CAMACHO SCORPION SUNGROWN FUMAS | BATTLE OF THE BUNDLES | CIGAR REVIEW


Thursday, August 6, 2020

Q&A: Cigar Blender Indiana Ortez


(Cigars and Leisure) In just a few short years, Indiana Ortez has emerged as a bright new voice and personality in the cigar industry. On Instagram she can be seen constantly posting videos and providing cigar enthusiasts a personal behind-the-scenes look at her family’s tobacco factory, its cigar brand and Nicaragua.
Indiana is also a burgeoning cigar roller and blender who has worked on several cigars such as Ventura Cigar Company’s Fathers, Friends and Fire “Father & Daughter” cigar and the PSyKo Seven Nicaragua. Here’s a short interview with Indiana where she talks about her background in tobacco, experience with cigars and her take on the changing role of women in the cigar industry. Continued

This is one I have not seen before – a GBD London Made Lumberman 256 with an unusual stamp on the shank

Jacques Tati
(rebornpipes) The next pipe on the work table came to me from one of our estate purchases. We picked up two GBD pipes from this seller that needed restoration. This first one is a nicely grained Lumberman shaped pipe with a vulcanite saddle stem. It has been here since the Spring of 2017. The pipe is a bit of a mystery in terms of the additional stamping but not the maker. Continued

S.C. ESCAPES DAMAGE FROM ISAIAS


(Tobacco Farmer Newsletter) No significant issues resulted from Hurricane Isaias in South Carolina. "We had a one inch rain last night in Florence which is not as much as was predicted," says Matthew Inman, S.C. Extension specialist. Most S.C. farmers had harvested their crops at least once by the time the hurricane arrived. "We will be light on our lugs," he says. "Many are not being harvested." The big issue now is poor root systems, thanks to heat in June. "The plants have struggled to handle the heat." Continued

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Brick House Double Connecticut Cigar Review


Trout Stream pipe tobacco and my latest cheese knife


Zino Platinum Scepter Grand Master Cigar Review


A Quick Look at Pipe Finishes

Jack Kerouac
(Smokingpipes.com) A pipe's finish, while not directly related to its function as a smoking instrument, plays a major role in a pipe's aesthetic appeal. It's one of the most obvious visual aspects of a pipe, and the finish is also one of the main features with which a smoker interacts, second only, perhaps, to the lip button.
A finish often makes use of and highlights the briar's natural grain, and it can accentuate texture or attractive color palettes that appeal to collectors as much as the pipe's shape itself, if not more so in some cases. Many pipe smokers have devoted entire collections to specific finishes, and for some, a finish might be the deciding factor for purchasing a pipe. Continued

Six Thoughts: Goodbye to Nat Sherman



(Halfwheel) ... In case you missed it, Nat Sherman is closing its cigar and retail business next month. Nat Sherman, the self-proclaimed tobacconist to the world. Nat Sherman, the company whose retail store was called The Townhouse. ... Nat Sherman, a 90-year-old American cigar company, is closing. Continued

Dry Snuff Review: Bruton


Apple Diplomat MM Corncob with Edgeworth RR


Tuesday, August 4, 2020

La Flor Dominicana L-Granu Cigar Review


(Cigar Authority) In 2013, Litto Gomez released the La Flor Dominicana L-Granu which is part of the Ligero portfolio. Looking at the box of La Flor Dominicana L-Granu it might be the largest in the cigar industry considering it's a 100 count box.
It amazes me that big ring gauge cigars weren’t just a novelty and that they continue to sell like crazy while my personal favorites of coronas, corona gorda and lanceros barely move the needle at all. Today we decided to take one for the team as we offer our review of this monster sized cigar. Continued

How to Ream a Pipe

Jeff Milton
(Smokingpipes.com) ... Anyway, if you're unfamiliar with dimes, the cake in a pipe should be maintained at about the thickness of one or two debit cards. Cake is the carbon buildup on the walls of the tobacco chamber. Its gradual thickening is a relatively slow process, though it can creep up on you. When I started smoking pipes, it seemed like it took forever for cake to build, but now I'm mildly irritated every time I see it's time to ream a pipe yet again. Continued

Epok Storm (Ultra) Snus Review


(Snubie) Today, we're talking about a new Epok Snus product out of Switzerland: Epok Storm (Ultra)! I recently reviewed Epok Hurricane, a product with a 6/6 nicotine level, making it the strongest Epok product on the market. This is the next strongest one, with a 5/6 nicotine level. Continued

Why this is ONE of my Favorite Cigar Sizes!


Pipe Tobacco Review: First Impression Edition- H&H Acadian Perique


Monday, August 3, 2020

Aladino Cameroon Super Toro Review


Tobacco Review - L.J. Peretti Tashkent


CigarMedics HumidiMeter Review


(Halfwheel) When you are cooking a big slab of meat in a smoker, you oftentimes measure two different temperatures. First is the conventional one, using a thermometer to measure the temperature of the air inside of the smoker. But many people will also choose to use a temperature probe that is placed inside the meat, the idea being that while it’s helpful to know the temperature of the air in the smoker; when it comes to knowing when it’s ready to eat, all that matters is the internal temperature.
So why not do the same things for cigars?
Enter the CigarMedics HumidiMeter. Continued

Ashton Artisans Blend Review


Dried out snuff? Here's how I revive it!


Drew Estate Factory Smoke Candela Cigar Review 2020 | Cigar Prop


Penzance vs. Star of the East review


Saturday, August 1, 2020

The History of Mac Baren Tobacco


(Smokingpipes.com) In Svendborg, Denmark, on the coast of the Baltic Sea, a very small tobacco factory with the name S. Bønnelyckes Tobaksfabrik opened in 1826 and did business primarily in snuff and chewing tobacco manufacturing. It continued for 50 years, never seeming to have attained much success, and in 1887 its owner lost it in a poker game. The winner of that poker game traded it for a horse and a barrel of whisky to Harald Halberg, who had recently completed a four-and-a-half-year education in tobacco rolling for chew tobacco. Continued

Camacho Liberty 2020 Cigar Review


(Cigar Dojo) ... Camacho Liberty 2020 was rolled in one of the largest-gauged vitolas in the series’ history, a 6″ × 60 box-pressed gordo. The cigar incorporates leaves from three countries, primarily focusing on four different primings of Camacho’s signature Honduran-grown Original Corojo. Each of these tobaccos are sourced from a single farm and vintage, being aged for four years before being incorporated into the final blend. Continued

Smoking A Kaywoodie White Briar 61 With Story Teller Pipe Irish Meadows


Simply Snuff! Wilsons Grand Cairo


NOVA PLATINUM BATCH CONNECTICUT | CIGAR REVIEW


Comoy’s Of London | Pipe&Tobacco Combo Pouch | Pipe Accessory Review