There are many adversities for NYC cigar smokers and retailers. Between high taxes and constant pushbacks from congress and the community, there aren’t many places we can go to enjoy a product that is supposed to help us relax. Amidst what seems to be a bleak future, a new hope shines through and plants itself among the streets of Harlem.
Harlem Sanctuary is a social group established by Rajab Curtisand his business partner Charles Godbold. The location hides between two brick buildings without signage except their logo “H/S” on one slim door. The lounge is dimly lit and decorated with paintings Rajab had personally procured through various artists such as King Prolifik,Kenneth Picasso, etc. There is a small walk-in humidor towards the back filled with cigars ranging from local boutique brands such as Cigargods to more well-known brands like Oscar Valladares’s Leaf by Oscar. One of the most intricate things is a secret stairwell behind one particular painting that leads you to the basement level. This separate area is specifically for hookah smokers that can also be occupied by cigar smokers, just not the other way around.
photo courtesy of Harlem Sanctuaryphoto courtesy of Harlem Sanctuaryphoto courtesy of Harlem Sanctuary
During an interview, Rajab stated that he wanted to recreate the golden age in African American Culture, the Harlem Renaissance, and combine that with the welcoming and relaxing vibe of a cigar lounge. When asked what his vision and goals are for the club, Rajab mentioned the five principles Harlem Sanctuary was founded on, also known as the five Cs: Cigars, Creativity, Collaboration, Culture, and Community. With that in mind, he wants to provide his club members with new experiences through events such as Game Nights, Culture events, Networking, Lady’s Nights, and many more.
photo courtesy of Harlem Sanctuary
Currently, Harlem Sanctuary is still in a soft opening stage due to various delays that are out of their control. However, you can check out the lounge with a day pass or become a member. For more details, please visit their website.
Cain F 550 cigars are handcrafted by the Oliva Cigar Company in Nicaragua. Oliva Cigar Company, founded in 1995, is Nicaragua’s second largest grower of tobacco and one of the largest cigar makers in the world. The Cain line of cigars, first appeared in 2009, and are meant to bring ligero tobacco into the focal point of your smoking experience. The F series uses more (32%) of the stronger ligero from Esteli in the filler, as opposed to the other Cain cigars.
Blend Specifics
Cigar Reviewed: Cain F 550
Wrapper: Colorado Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: 5 3/4 x 50
Appearance & Construction
This toro cigar is a nice milk chocolate brown in complexion with a seamless wrapper. Its almost as if the wrapper leaf was just slipped onto the binder and filler like a stocking. It has a single cap, and is rolled tight. It feels sturdy, and packed fairly even from top to bottom. It has a faint hint of cedar and chocolate aroma on the body and foot of the cigar.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
The cigar has a very tight cold draw, with cedar and cold steel on the breath.
It combusts beautifully with a very even light. The type of light-up where you know the construction was absolutely flawless.
The first third tastes of mahogany and spice. The tight draw is not as distracting as I would have assumed. I am just basking in the construction as I sit back and relax. This cigar is built like a battleship. Its great when cigar can put a veteran smoker at ease. I don’t foresee any burn issues in my future. More chocolate aroma off the foot. Zesty cedar and spice on the backed. Faint Strawberry on the retrohale.
Second third turns into a very woody smoke, however, its creamier with lingering spice. The ash build up is spectacular and almost picture perfect. It still has a tight draw, bust as I mentioned, you don’t have to suck the life out of it. The cigar is managing the heat very well. Still a chocolatey aroma off the foot. Lots of wood on the retro.
Last third, is still woody. There is less spice, but still creamy. Great smoke production with volume. Strawberry and hazelnuts on the back end. The flavors get grippier like wine tannins as the cigar burns towards the finish line. Popcorn on the retrohale. Chocolate frosting aroma off the foot. Spice returns as the cigars ends.
Conclusion
The Cin F 550 was a great smoking experience. This was my first Cain ever, though not my first Oliva. Oliva always has a way of pleasing the critics. The Cain F 550 wasn’t a complex smoke, but very enjoyable with a steady change in flavor. If you like chocolate, wood, and spice, then you’re definitely in for a treat. The MSRP is also very appealing for a well built toro such as this. I would absolutely recommend the Cain F 550 to anyone looking for Nicaraguan puro with body, texture, and reliability. Enjoy!
The AJ Fernandez New World Cameroon Doble Robusto is manufactured by AJ Fernandez. AJ Fernandez, is the grandson heir to the famed Cuban cigar brand San Latano, thus, making AJ a third generation cigarmaker. Before establishing himself as an individual force-to-be-reckoned-with in the cigar industry, AJ shined as a partnering manufacturer for Cigars International and Rocky Patel. Today, AJ owns and operates one of Nicaragua’s biggest premium cigar factories, producing some 9 million cigars a year, and currently selling its products in more than 32 countries.
Blend Specifics
Cigar Reviewed: AJ Fernandez New World Cameroon Doble Robusto
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: 5.5 x 54
Appearance & Construction
A soft box-press rustic robusto with a wrapper leaf that looks like crust-punk patch-work. Its striated and delicate. I notice it doesn’t fully cover the binder/filler. There is the slightest centimeter of binder/filler protruding out from this wrapper at the foot. I wonder if that was done on purpose? It is packed very loose with a double cap, and feels very light weight in my hands. Strong cedar and chocolate aroma coming off the body and the foot of the cigar. So much so, you don’t even have to hold it close to your nose.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
The cold draw is super loose and airy with faint dark chocolate on the breath. It toasts and combusts well.
At first puff I am blown over by a BBQ pit smoker. Nice and strong mesquite. However, that flavor bomb dies down and the cigar become more subdued fairly fast. Whatever the blend is, it makes me salivate a lot. A good sign of premium tobacco. There is spice and the unique farming taste of freshly picked sweet field greens. If you’ve ever harvested broccoli leaves or cabbage stem leaves before the actual brassica grows to full maturity, then you have a clue of what I’m talking about. There is wood, spice, and fruit on the finish of each puff as well as on the retrohale. So far, it handles the heat well, and I don’t necessarily have to pace my smoking speed. There is lots of leather also on my palate as the tobacco oils heat up, and a nice nutmeg aroma coming from the foot.
The second third opens with a sweeter and even lighter profile. Leather forward with spice on the finish. Lots of pencil shaving taste developing. Not my go to “woody note” as a cigar smoker. There is still nutmeg aromas coming from the foot, with some nice hot mesquite on the retro.
The last third begins to get harsh. This happens to be a reoccurring theme the more I smoke loosely packed cigars, as well as a reoccurring issue with box pressed cigars. Where’s the cigar forum “bro-science” to help explain this away for once?! I’m experiencing some savory notes like cumin. There are also earthy tones with lingering leather. Still a nice spice on the finish with the hospitable nutmeg aroma on the foot. Spicy retro with hints of vegetable. Not my cup of tea.
Conclusion
The AJ Fernandez New World Cameroon Doble Robusto was alright. Not my go-to smoke even at the attractively low MSRP. The last third ruined it for me. However, if you’re a big fan of leather, spice, and pencil shavings, then the AJ Fernandez New World Cameroon Doble Robusto is for you. I wont say its the best expression of Cameroon wrapper on the market, even at this price point, but the sweetness was there. With so many people in the market experimenting with this specific wrapper leaf nowadays its hard to tell who is actually sourcing real Cameroon from African terroir and who isn’t. I’m not saying the AJ Fernandez New World Cameroon Doble Robusto will steer you in the wrong direction, I just think Fuente is still the king of Cameroon at the end of the day. It’s a totally different smoking experience to be sure, but a much better one at that, and with a comparable price tag depending on which Fuente mark you choose from. ENJOY!
The Limited Cigar Association—a subsidiary of Privada Cigar Club—releases each year a single farm puro from a noted master blender. This 2021 release is a Honduran puro. Christian Eiroa—original creator of Camacho and now his own lines—is the man behind this blend. Honduran puros haven’t impressed me as much over the years, so this blind review was another test of what this region can do.
Blend Specifics
Cigar Reviewed- LCA Reserva Vintage 2021
Wrapper- Honduran Corojo
Binder- Honduran Corojo
Filler: Honduran Corojo
Size- 6’x 44’ (Lonsdale)
Appearance and Construction
The wrapper is light and silky with a noticeable thick vein on top. I can see the cap is crumpled looking and not very attractive. There are noticeable soft spots as I squeeze the cigar which is concerning. The foot smells of barnyard and oak.
Taste and Smoking Characteristics
I clip the smoke with a guillotine cutter which takes a small piece of the lopsided cap. Taking a dry draw it’s sweet and salty with wood notes. Another puff and I’m picking up white pepper and almond paste. With a retrohale pepper and cedar come through with cocoa powder on the exhale. Thus far the cigar is in the medium bodied range with a nice whitish gray ash. With another draw there’s more toasted oak with some mustiness. More wood and light pepper on the sides of my palate are beginning to development in intensity. The second half of the smoke has some savory notes with nougat that ends in a creamy finish. With a slow draw biscuit and cedar keep the cigar well balanced to a medium body. The retrohale is creamy with cedar and earth coating the sides of my mouth as it wafts through my nostrils. A slight bitterness prevails on my next draw but saves itself with a rich earthiness on the back end. The ash continues to be straight, which was a concern with the soft spots I felt previously. Toast and oak prevail with an effortless draw that makes this cigar easy to smoke.
The last third gives off balsa wood, cherry and roasted nuts. Some bitterness returns with a slightly green taste from the tobacco. Just as quickly I take another retrohale and there’s a large amount of salted almonds and sweet cream. More biscuit and cream linger on the palate with a slow cool draw. I’m impressed at the end of this smoke there appears that the flavors are more pronounced. As I take final puff wood and cream created a long flavorful finish.
Conclusion
This was a wonderful medium bodied blend. The cigar had a balance of toast, oak, cedar with the right amounts of spice to keep you interested and along the way creaminess work its way through. The slightly green bitterness I picked up a few times was a drawback however it quickly corrected itself in the smoke. Finding out this was an LCA Reserva Vintage I was impressed that a Honduran puro had this much to offer. I would recommend a box or at least a fiver to let sit a few months.
The Room 101 Doomsayer Passive Toro is manufactured in the Dominican Republic By Room 101 Cigars. Room 101 is a luxury lifestyle brand founded by Matt Booth in Los Angeles California in 2003, initially crafting custom jewelry. The cigar brand was founded in 2009, and has had help with the manufacturing and distribution phases through a long list of recognizable cigar industry faces such as Camacho, Davidoff, Caldwell, La Pallina, AJ Fernandez, Adventura, and most recently General Cigars.
Blend Specifics
Cigar Reviewed: Room 101 Doomsayer Passive Toro
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan, Pennsylvania
Size: 6 x 55
Appearance & Construction
Grape and apple harvest in Upstate New York is soon upon us! I will be busier then ever. This is a good and a bad thing. Good, because I make the most income around this time of year. Bad, because I don’t have that much time to smoke. I’ve tried to be a tough guy on an apple ladder with a stogie hanging out of my mouth while delicately reaching into the tree of knowledge of good and evil and almost died in the garden of Eden before even having a chance to be cursed and banished for all of eternity. I’m older and wiser now, plus, haven’t you heard silly rabbit? Tricks are for kids! That being said, I binge smoke up until the workload becomes an all-consuming fire. Review cigars will just have to get included in this offensive troop surge, also known as my “pre-harvest rotation.”
Tonight, I curl up next to a gorgeous toro that feels like a baby’s breath in my hands. The construction off-the-bat looks superb, almost like it came out of Perdomo’s factory. For fans of Perdomo cigars, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The cigar itself has a very sweet cedery aroma, with hints of mint tea with honey. NOTE: fans of mint tea with honey, know exactly what I’m talking about! The wrapper leaf is a light brown with a rustic countenance. It has a single cap.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
The cold draw is as loose as can be but with tons of weight on the palate. TONS OF PEPPER! The leaf and construction, as mentioned, are perfect but also delicate. It doesn’t take long to toast and combust the cigar. At first puff, the cigar is very pepper forward. Chili pepper! There are nice hints of baking spice and nougat at times depending on your smoking speed. Nougat on the retro as the cigar heats up. The tobacco keeps my palate wet, and is very reminiscent of drinking chocolate milk. The aroma coming from the foot smells like someone just baked brownies.
The second third opens up like the first day back to school. The smoke production has been nothing but outstanding so far, but the mouthfeel is chalky with hints of pencil shavings. There is still this lingering cocoa note. As it progresses, I’m getting stronger notes of copper pennies, and black coffee. The pepper which was very dominating throughout, begins to fade. There is a tongue gripping floral and perfume note. Same on the retrohale. The cigar beigns to burn a little hot, and I take longer pauses in between sips. The foot aroma is similar to birthday cake.
The last third becomes harsh. I also have some burn issues from the tobacco oils pooling on certain wrapper leaf spots. The ash was solid on the first third, but for the last two sections, its becoming quite flakey. Im getting burnt hazelnuts as the only tasting note. Same on the retrohale. Some hints of cedar off the foot aroma. The smoke singes my tongue and dries out my palate even after purging the cigar a couople times. Theres no hope!
Conclusion
The Room 101 Doomsayer Passive Toro reminded me a lot of a spicy corojo cigar with some unusal cupcake shop flavors. I found the diverse tobacco blending to be quite the experience, until the last third. It’s not that I’m bias towards larger vitolas, but I just hate smoking big cigars that cant go their advertised distance. I find this to be the case alot of the time. The MSRP on the Room 101 Doomsayer Passive Toro is quite attractive for a larger well-packed cigar, but there are simply other bargain big sticks more worth your time. They may not be as nuanced, but will defintely burn better on the last half. Enjoy!
While AJ Fernandez is increasingly known as the master blender behind dozens of boutique brands and even massive names like H Upmann and Montecristo, he made his name initially with his own line of course brands. The San Lotano brand encompasses a broad array of flavor profiles, from mild (Requiem Connecticut) and medium (Dominicano) to full (The Bull). Now more than 10 years old, the San Lotano line is still massively successful and well regarded.
Blend Specifics
Cigar Reviewed: AJ Fernandez San Lotano The Bull
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6 1/2 x 54
Vitola: Torpedo
Appearance and Construction
The wrapper is a nice dark brown color and the foot has a chocolate aroma. There are a few visible veins, but the cigar is smooth to the touch and the wrapper seams blend together flawlessly. The cigar itself is also soft when I squeeze it, but not in an over-humidified way, you can just tell that the draw will be wide open throughout.
Flavor & Smoking Experience
I use a double bladed guillotine to cut as little of the cap off as I can, while still allowing for a nice clean draw, I do this to preserve the torpedo shape. I take 3-4 big cold draws and I am met with an abundance of chocolate and some hints of leather.
I am sitting outside and the weather is calm, so I decided to use matches to light this cigar. I use two long wood matches and strike them together, waiting for the flame to move down to the wood before lifting to toast the cigar. Once I see the toasting is complete I take two big puffs while rotating the cigar and the giant burst of flames indicate I am ready to go.
The first third starts off with a sweet chocolate flavor on every draw. The finish left me with tastes of leather and a bit of peppery spice. The smoke is thick and bellows out in big clouds while dancing from the burn line around the body of the cigar. The burn is razor sharp and the ash is holding together strongly, highlighting the construction. I find myself holding the cigar out and inspecting all aspects of it after each draw, it is worth mentioning that little puffs generate copious amounts of smoke. On the retrohale black pepper notes are strong and make my nose tingle a bit, the feeling is powerful but not overwhelming. This is definitely a medium to full body cigar, leaning more towards full body.
Towards the end of the first third I am starting to notice a coffee flavor that has made itself present, between that and the consistent leather that are prevalent the cigar is showing its complexity throughout the smoking process. The ash gets to about 2 inches in length before falling off in one solid chunk right in the ashtray. In the heart of the second third I am noticing the coffee flavor much more, almost an espresso at this point but a creamy espresso as you can almost chew on the smoke. The retrohale leaves me with intense espresso flavors, almost like a burnt coffee-which isn’t the greatest, but it is not terrible.
I roll my cigar on my ashtray as I think the ash is going to fall off soon and venture into the final third of the cigar continuing to experience those creamy yet powerful coffee/espresso flavors. The smoke becomes more intense the shorter the cigar gets, but the flavors are consistent. Black pepper is very prevalent on the retrohale and I begin to taste it more with each draw as the final third progresses. There was a bit of a wave that started to form on the burn towards the end of the cigar, but I don’t mind as the experience is almost over and this cigar has been truly enjoyable throughout the 94 minute smoke.
Conclusion
The flavors in this cigar were bold, complex and consistent. I was also extremely impressed with the construction of the cigar; the smoothness of the wrapper and the burn were great from start to finish, even with the little wave in the final third. While this cigar packs a bit of a punch, it is never overpowering. I would however shy away from this stick if I was not a regular cigar smoker, just to be on the safe side and avoid running to the cabinet for some honey to cut the potential nicotine sickness. A.J. Fernandez has a lot of cigars out there, and I have always been a bit overwhelmed by HOW many options his name is attached to, but this is one that I would go back to again and again.
Founded in 1985 by renowned cigar industry veteran Robert Levin, Ashton has a well-earned reputation for some of the finest smoking experiences available today. Handmade at the legendary Tabacalera A. Fuente factory in the Dominican Republic, Ashton has been a regular member of the top three cigar brands in the US for over 30 years and can be found for sale in more than 60 countries.
Since its inception the Ashton brand portfolio has expanded to include such well-regarded labels and iconic cigars as the original Ashton Classic, Ashton Aged Maduro, Ashton Cabinet, Ashton VSG, Ashton ESG, and many more besides. Here are some of the top Ashton cigars to buy, especially as gifts for lovers of Ashton cigars.
Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Sorcerer
Of the staggering twelve sizes available in the Ashton Virgin Sun Grown series, the Sorcerer stands out as something particularly special. This Cigar Aficionado Top 25 brand is rolled in a Churchill size with a dark and oily Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed wrapper which enrobes a heady blend of aged Dominican tobacco.
Even before sparking this superb cigar, a nose of cocoa, hazelnut and ripe fruit tantalize with promise at the smoking experience to follow. Once lit, damp earth, nuts, and a hint of pepper at a medium strength eventually yield to medium/full sensations of pepper on a background of wood and coffee. The final third is an evocative and well-spiced blend of coffee, cocoa, and walnut.
If you’re looking for a quick smoke rather than something to take your time over, you could do a lot worse than this lovely little number from the Ashton Cabinet Selection. This petite corona is filled with a quite special Dominican blend and wrapped up in luxurious Connecticut shade.
Once you take a match to this cigar, your senses will be gently nourished with sumptuous undercurrents of oak and cream. Punching well above its weight, the Ashton Cabinet Trés Petite is full of deliberate yet subtle complexity.
After the more diminutive pleasures of the Cabinet Selection, we head in the opposite direction with this 50-gauge behemoth from the Ashton Symmetry range. Ranked #8 in Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 of 2015 list, the Ashton Symmetry Robusto’s reddish brown leaf of Ecuadoran Habano hides a complex blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos.
The initial few draws are heavy with pepper, before notes of cedar and coffee are added, conspiring to create a delicious creamy profile. In the middle, earthiness and leather are supported by a light fruity undertone. The final third is pure indulgence as cinnamon brings sweetness, perfectly balancing with the spiciness of the other flavors.
To round off our selection of Ashton cigars, we turn to a smoking experience which exemplifies the brand’s reputation for consistency and class – the Ashton Classic Churchill. A hefty 52 gauge 7.5” cigar filled and bound with a fine blend of Dominican tobaccos and finished with a USA/Connecticut Shade wrapper, this smoke is sure to please those searching for a mild to medium body experience.
Ideal for those smokers who lean more towards flavor than kick, the Ashton Classic Churchill is packed with notes which take you on a heady journey from white pepper and spices to gentle hints of roasted nuts which build in complexity the further down the cigar you travel.
As one of the most well-known and highly regarded brands in the cigar space, Ashton has a dizzying selection of fine smoking experiences sure to please even the most discerning aficionado. Start out with our selection above and then explore deeper into the range and discover your new favorite cigar today.
Friday, August 12th 2022, was a hot and sticky day in the Connecticut river valley. I should know. I was just wrapping up harvesting eggplants at a vegetable farm and feeling dead-beat as I saw the sun retreating. It was a long day. Drew Estate’s Barn Smoker hadn’t graced this side of the North East since the pandemic put a pause on the whole world. But today, it was BACK! I was ecstatic to be covering the event for Fine Tobacco NYC, however, dehydration, a sore lower back, heat exhaustion, and the usual fatigue of a full week working manual labor had my spirits down. Getting consumed in Hartford traffic on my way to the event also didn’t pick my mood up. Tonight was the pre-party. A VIP-only event. I had to get my mojo going again. Once I checked into my hotel, I gave the old cold-shower and electrolyte consumption a try, and WALLAH! I was good to go!
VIP Party – photo credit, Justin HunterVIP Party – photo credit, Justin HunterVIP Party – photo credit, Justin Hunter
The pre-party was hosted at the New England Air Museum which was located within the Bradley Airport. I was assuming it would be another maylay of traffic and taxi cabs, however, it turned out to be a very docile paved back-road that took me right to the property. I cannot compliment the parking-lot staff enough! They directed my vehicle and every other cigar craving maniac into a spot immediately at arrival, with a smooth and welcoming attitude. The line to get in was also a logistical masterpiece. Drew Estate representatives were ready, willing and able to help you with any questions as well as made sure you received the swag bag of your dreams. If you participated in the last Freestyle Live event for the Nica Rustica Adobe, then you’re familiar with the sleek “DE25” black leather backpack stuffed with goodies, however, you probably didn’t receive the FOUR BOXES of event-only cigars! It was like Christmas Day in the middle of summer. It was also a lot to carry. Drew Estate staff, again, were conscious and caring enough to advise event goers to place the items into their car, before heading off into that night’s festivities. The parking staff assured me they were keeping guard of the lot all night, and that brought some rest and assurance to this born and raised New Yorker who remembers finding his fathers car one morning parallel parked on cinder blocks!
Yoda makes a cameo
After weaving through the battleship-gray halls of the New England Air Museum only stopping to take pictures of to the wall-to-wall history of American aeronautical achievement and a cool selfie next to a WWII bomber plane, I was back outside on a sprawling green. There was a red carpet with a Drew Estate backdrop for all your inner celeb photo-op needs, a huge tent housing a casino, three open-bar kiosks, long catering tables adorned with BBQ, and a professional grade out-door concert stage. I ran into my fellow reviewer Justin, and we grabbed some pictures and dined on smoked alligator loin, washing it down with cold adult beverages. So far I was impressed, but God, I NEEDED A SMOKE! After using my city boy charm and my sad puppy dog eyes, I managed to score a LIGA 10 Anniversario which technically weren’t meant to be given out until later that night. Lets just say I’m still quite the looker, even with a sunburn. I even managed to light the cigar in time for the main event! Before I knew it, I was sitting in a comfy camping chair, front-and-center, to hear the legend himself, Jonathan Drew, deliver the night’s opening remarks.
Now, any smoker who at least has 20+ years under his belt, may have never seen Mr. Drew in the flesh, but you are at least familiar with how ACID and Liga Privada cigars not only changed the cigar industry- but also added to our community- keeping the pulse alive after a post-boom drought. Today, Drew Estate is the largest cigar manufacturer in the world, with a SKU for every palate on the planet.
When Jonathan Drew finally took the stage, it was straight to business. He shared all the stories of Drew Estates’ grass-roots efforts and humble beginnings. We were presented with a heartfelt slide-show of pictures that detailed Drew Estates’ rags-to-riches journey with a very authentic and emotional Jonathan Drew narrating every step of the way. You always hear from cigar manufacturers- especially nowadays with the glut of boutique brands- how hard it is to actually make it in this industry. However, I think it’s safe to say that no non-Cuban start-up cigar company has ever traversed the wind and the waves- literally a hurricane- like Drew Estate did and still managed to build an empire. If this was a Billy Graham crusade or a Jim Jones Kool-Aid hand-out, I think I just saw angels descending from on high! Jonathan Drew deserves a medal of honor. Somebody, get me another Liga!
Jedi training camp
Saturday, August 13th 2022, was the first day of what is officially considered the “Barn Smoker.” Drew Estate holds these in many different states, especially those with tobacco farming heritage. If you’re not familiar with the terroir of the Connecticut river valley, just repeat after me, “SANDY-LOAM!” In the wine world, sandy-loam is known to make vines thrive, especially cabernet. In the tobacco world, more specifically in Connecticut, it makes for plentiful cash crops of shade wrapper and broadleaf. Due to competition, supply and demand, and labor costs, Connecticut shade has mostly relocated to countries like Ecuador. However, because of companies like Drew Estate, who have brought heralded acclaim to broadleaf, a majority of the tobacco farmers who are left in the Connecticut river valley exclusively grow the sun-kissed sweet and rustic wrapper leaf we have all come to adore. The sandy-loam terroir only adds to its vigor and yields. As a farmer myself, when I pulled up to the well-maintained acreage managed by Dunn & Foster LLC., I was again blown away at how meticulous the planting rows were kept, as well as the sturdy long-lasting construction of the curing barns. It was like taking a walk back in time while still being in awe of how current big agriculture companies pull off the feats they do every season to keep American GDP on top of its game.
Today the entry points were a little different then the pre-party. There was a VIP line with swag and early-admittance to attend a breakfast party. The general admission had to wait one more hour to enter, but AGAIN, attendees received the best looking man-purse I had ever seen and MORE FREE CIGARS! I mean what other event do you know of, that will gladly hand you an extra large Boveda ziplock bag full of event-only cigars! This was like celebrating your birthday the day after Christmas. All attendees received a raffle booklet complete with free cigar-coupons and cocktail tickets.
After enjoying a nitro coffee or espresso, that paired beautifully with the Tabak Especial natural or negro- both given to you at the breakfast kiosk- you were welcome to sit under the cool shade of a tent and were briefed on how the day would go. All attendees were split into three groups, destined to travel between three “tobacco experience stations.” Depending on what group you were in determined what “experience,” you were to have first. Each station was manned by one of the top Drew Estate team-members (Willy Herrera, Pedro Gomez, or Jonathan Drew), as well as, one representative of Dunn & Foster LLC. There was a station covering the early stages of broadleaf cultivation (seedling, transplanting, etc.), another station that covered broadleaf harvesting and tobacco nuances, and a third station that was situated in an actual curing barn with an overview on all the final stages broadleaf goes through before us consumers get to enjoy a premium cigar. Event goers were encouraged to partake in a Q&A after each presentation before moving onto their next curriculum.
A scrumptious BBQ buffet was served around noon and then it was off to event “activations.” This is where that raffle booklet and free cigar ticket combo came in handy. There were multiple tents for attendees to enjoy a unique immersion in well established Dew Estate Brands like Deadwood, Undercrown, ACID, Herrera Esteli, and Pappy Van Winkle. AKA MORE FREE CIGARS! There was even a Joya de Nicaragua booth in the house and a Subculture Studios tent where an old-school Soul Train line spontaneously broke-out and custom sneakers were being bedazzled with paint markers. DID I MENTION OPEN-BAR!
photo credit Justin Hunter
The Falcon on auto-pilot
Sunday, August 14th 2022, was a repeat of the previous day. The only difference was that there was one general admission line with similar swag, and every one entered at the same time. I was told that in the past, Drew Estate normally keeps the Connecticut leg of the tour to a one-day-only experience. This year , however, the company felt that there were still patrons of the brand that couldn’t quite make it on a Saturday, and perhaps would rather attend on a Sunday. Speaking with my fellow reviewer Justin about this beforehand, we definitely felt there were more people in attendance then the previous day. The atmosphere and vibe was also a little bit more laid back. The same itinerary as Saturday was in store for the new group that just arrived, and since I had already experienced it prior, I took privilege as a so-called member of the press to interview some folks. Every journalist craves a star-studded or presidential interview. I was fine interviewing the guys I met in line. There were lots of retailers in attendance throughout the weekend, and I just happened to run into a couple of fellas from my neck of the woods- Upstate New York – WOOP WOOP! One of the gentlemen, an employee at a cigar lounge, had attended all 7 Connecticut Barn Smokers, while the manager of the same store was about to lose his virginity. Like everyone else I had covertly put on the hot-seat that weekend, they had the same answers to my questions. They are not only Liga fans, they are Drew Estate Fans! Even novice smokers I spoke with vouched for the consistency and diversity of the portfolio. The brick and mortar crowd couldn’t imagine a spreadsheet that did not boast ACID as their shop’s top-selling cigars to date and year after year!
In a galaxy far-far away
Back on my patio, a week after the event, I sit here finalizing this article and debriefing from one of the greatest moments I’ve ever had since beginning my cigar obsession years ago. I’ve smoked most of my event-only cigars, and even rocked the man-purse and camouflage Barn Smoker hat together to make a bold fashion statement. This was my first Drew Estate Barn Smoker. I am forever grateful for the team at Fine Tobacco NYC for giving me the opportunity to attend. I would be lying if I told you I didn’t want to attend the other two left in the pipeline for this year to be held in Kentucky and Texas. Before I had children, and had to have some semblance of a career, I had worked tirelessly in the marketing gig circuit, going from street promotions to handing out swag and attracting new potential consumers at various events. I can bluntly say, Drew Estate knows what they’re doing. From start to finish, I felt welcome with a family-like hospitality. The accommodations, which were all out-doors, were well maintained and kept orderly on all three days. The staff was professional, available, and helpful. The catering was delicious, the drinks never stopped, and there were more free cigars than a blue whale could stick in its blow-hole. If you ask me for the one moment that stuck out the most from the whole weekend- it was definitely the VIP pre-party. To actually hear Jonathan Drew speak with such gusto and a skin-in-the-game attitude was not just entrancing, but as mentioned, REVIVING! Even after all this time, even after the Swisher buy-out, even after all the FDA drama, there is a man out there who still seems indomitable, focused, and hungrier than a rookie fighting for a spot on the roster. Also, it is great to see a company who has had such past success and fervor for their events, fearlessly reboot their community building soirees (just like other cigar festivals are planning to), but they even went a step further by adding the extra day for their fan-base. Let me ask you something: “Who does that?!” “Who does that in the midst of a current economic slowdown?!” They even managed to raise $27,0000.00 in donations for Cigars for Warriors. As we head into the last months of this year, there is already much to be remembered of 2022. But for us cigar enthusiasts in the North East, Drew Estate’s Barn Smoker 2022 is a crowning achievement shared not just among us cigar geeks, but for Drew Estate as well. Thank you Jonathan Drew for making the world seem fun and inspiring again! See you all next year!
Dr. Pablo Richard of Patoro cigars introduced an XO VA line made up for tobacco over a decade old in a special aged blend. This newer vitola in the line is made up of those aged tobaccos rolled at the De Los Reyes famous factory. These are Dominican puros in wrapper, leaf and binder and from what I have heard are marketed as a boutique high end smoke with a price tag to match. I have not had this line before and smoking blind I appreciate this size and looking to see what flavors it delivers.
Blend Specifics
Blind Cigar Reviewed: Patoro VA Extra Belicoso
Wrapper: Dominican
Binder: Domincan
Filler: Dominican
Size: 5 1/5” x 55 (Belicoso)
Appearance & Construction
This wrapper is dark and veiny with an sheen to it. Squeezing the cigar it has several soft spots and is a bit spongy to the touch. The roll seems a bit lopsided and the wrapper has a honeyed smell to it. The foot offers stewed prunes along with oak.
Flavor and Smoke Characteristics
With a straight cut the dry draw is airy and dusty. Using my torch lighter I toast the torpedo and the first puff is salty and earthy. The draw is loose and seemingly under filled. There is mineral and spice picking up with a short finish. The ash is dark gray and surprisingly firm given the less than tight roll. I’m getting a hint of cocoa and oak as I take a retrohale. Thus far the cigar is in the medium bodied range.
Midway the smoke burns hot and I can see I need to slow the draw down a bit which difficult as it is so loose. There’s charred wood and red pepper with an earthy bitter finish. At this point I need to relight and take a retrohale that’s earthy with cashew on the back end. I’m picking up a meatiness that gives the cigar a little more weight in the mouthfeel. More oak and char pick up which put this stick in the medium to full range.
Toward the final third of this torpedo there’s a creaminess that rounds out the bitter finishes of the cigar. The notes of nuts and oak as I take a puff linger longer than before. With a retrohale minerality, earth and molasses come through as the smoke wafts slowly out my mouth. Another draw brings spice and bitterness which bites the tip of my tongue. The ash has flaked off significantly and as I take a final draw the earth and wood notes lead to a rather muddled finish.
Conclusion
With its loose draw and underfilled nature this torpedo was overall not the most exciting smoke. The start was salty and earthy and the spice and other notes were short. I enjoyed the nuttiness that came about midway and the best part of the cigar was the last third where it showed creaminess and molasses that helped balance out the smoke. The last few puffs finished short with a lackluster ending. The cigar was not bad in its tobacco however the blend did not do much to entice me to smoke again.
The year was 1961 when Simon Camacho got evicted from Cuba. He decided to settle down in Miami and open its first cigar factory there. While relocating to Miami, he was able to bring some Corojo Cuban tobacco seeds with him, which gave the unique Cuban accent to his cigars. And thus, the birth of the Camacho brand.
The Eiroa family purchased the Camacho brand five years after the passing of Simon in 1995 and became part of the vanguard of the 90’s cigar boom.
Camacho was bought out again in 2008, and this time, it got taken over by Davidoff. Nothing happened with the brand until 2013 when Camacho got a whole facelift, which included new brands and boxes, a new philosophy, and new blends. With all the latest updates to their brand, the Corojo line is still one of the most celebrated in their repertoire. Here is a link to their website to learn more about the origin of the Corojo seeds and the Camacho history.
Blend Specifics
Cigar Reviewed: Camacho Corojo
Wrapper: Honduras Corojo
Binder: Honduras Corojo Ligero
Filler: Honduras
Size: Robusto (5″x50)
Appearance & Construction
Even at first glance, I can tell the cigar was expertly constructed. The caramel latte-colored wrapper is soft yet solid to the touch. A few veins run throughout the wrapper, and the seam is visible. But by touch, I can only feel a smooth surface.
Flavor and Smoke Characteristics
Off the wrapper, I get the scent of beef jerky and apricot with white pepper off the foot of the cigar. On the cold draw, the nuance mirrors the foot, and I get tart apricot and pepper spice sneaking onto the tip of my tongue.
I decided to use my St. Dupont Hooked single jet lighter. But I immediately switched over to matches when I witnessed the flame on the lighter was too intense for the delicate wrapper. I then take my first puff and get a slight bitterness in the smoke, which might’ve been the jet lighters fault. Looking past that, I notice the pepper spice created a sensation on the front of my tongue that I can only describe as eating pop rocks. Along with that, I also got cedarwood, dry hay, and creamy butter. On the retrohale, I get buttery sunflower seeds, maple syrup, and intense black pepper spice. The construction of this cigar stays true to my initial assessment, where the burn line is even. The airflow is perfect, with 7 out of 10 on the restrictiveness and the ash holds onto the cigar seamlessly.
Halfway into the cigar, the ash decides to plunge into the ashtray as the flavors become savory. My mouth salivates with each puff as I get toasted pine nuts, buttery cedarwood, and red pepper spice. The retrohale becomes even more inviting with cedarwood, tan leather, and sweet maple syrup. The intensity of the pepper spice has been reduced to where it stimulates my senses just enough without being overwhelmed. The aftertaste on this cigar is quite festive with sweet roasted nuts and stone fruits.
There isn’t much change in the final third. The cigar is buttery, with roasted pine nuts, cedarwood, and tan leather. The retrohale is still engaging with its festive flavors of roasted nuts, sweet caramel, and red pepper spice. In the end, I couldn’t think of another perfect way to end this smoking experience.
Conclusion
The Camacho Corojo should be a standard of a good premium cigar. The flavors are uncomplicated, and the profile has been on a medium to a medium-plus. The combination of roasted pine nuts, cedarwood, and spice makes me want to keep puffing on the cigar. Lastly, the construction of this cigar was outstanding. The burn line was even throughout the whole smoke; it was easy to draw, and the ash held on for more than an inch each time before resetting. I believe the Camacho Corojo can be an introductory cigar for a novice who doesn’t mind a little spice.
