I get the opportunity to sit down and chat with Nick Melillo, master blender, and founder of Foundation Cigars for a SimplyStogies.club AMA/Virtual Cut & Light via Zoom Meeting. We had a fantastic conversation about Nick’s cigar journey, how he got started, what he’s learned, and where he’s going. We discussed a slew of topics…
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OVERVIEW VITOLA:   Toro SIZE:  6″ x 52 ORIGIN:  Nicaragua FACTORY:  EZ HQ WRAPPER:  Nicaraguan Corojo BINDER:  Indonesian & Nicaraguan (double binder) FILLER:  Nicaraguan Jalapa, Esteli & Ometepe STRENGTH:  Medium SOURCE: Trade w/ fellow BOTL ENVIRONMENT WHERE: Le Cigar (Dearborn, MI) WHEN: July 25, 2017 at 8 PM DRINKS: Bell’s Oberon – favorite summer-time brew WEATHER: Sitting Inside…
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OVERVIEW VITOLA:Â Â Â Robusto SIZE:Â Â 5″ x 52 ORIGIN:Â Â Nicaragua FACTORY:Â Â Undisclosed WRAPPER:Â Â Nicaraguan BINDER:Â Â Nicaraguan FILLER:Â Â Nicaraguan Corojo & Criollo STRENGTH:Â Â Mild SOURCE: Secondary Market ENVIRONMENT WHERE: Three-Season Porch at Home WHEN: July 10, 2017 at 10 PM DRINKS: Sailor Jerry Rum on some rocks WEATHER: Gorgeous summer night – low 70s, no precip WHAT’S ON:…
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OVERVIEW VITOLA:   Robusto SIZE:  5-1/4″ x 52 ORIGIN:  Nicaragua FACTORY:  La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate WRAPPER:  Kentucky Tapa Negra & Mexican San Andres BINDER:  Nicaraguan FILLER:  Nicaraguan & US (Kentucky) STRENGTH:  Mild SOURCE: Pappy’s website (only source currently) ENVIRONMENT WHERE: Three-Season Porch at Home WHEN: October 13, 2016 at Noon DRINKS: Costco Root Beer WEATHER: Nice fall…
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OVERVIEW VITOLA:Â Â Â Robusto SIZE:Â Â 5″ x 50 ORIGIN:Â Â Dominican Republic FACTORY:Â Â Cigars Davidoff WRAPPER:Â Â Dominican BINDER:Â Â Dominican – San Vicente (Yamasa) FILLER:Â Â Dominican – Piloto/Mejorado & Nicaraguan – Condega & Esteli STRENGTH:Â Â Medium – Full SOURCE: Trade w. fellow BOTL ENVIRONMENT WHERE: Three-season porch at home WHEN: November 15, 2016 DRINKS: French-pressed Philz Harmonic coffee WEATHER:…
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OVERVIEW VITOLA:   Toro SIZE:  6″ x 50 ORIGIN:  Dominican Republic FACTORY:  TABADOM WRAPPER:  Ecuadorian Sun-Grown BINDER:  Dominican FILLER:  Dominican STRENGTH:  Medium SOURCE: Unknown- probably local B&M ENVIRONMENT WHERE: Three-Season Porch at Home WHEN: July 19, 2018 @ 2 PM DRINKS: Dry Sparkling Water WEATHER: Gorgeous summer day; low-80s, light breeze WHAT’S ON: The Expanse, Season 2…
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OVERVIEW VITOLA:   Lonsdale SIZE:  6″ x 43 ORIGIN:  Dominican Republic FACTORY:  TABADOM WRAPPER:  Ecuadorian Sun-Grown BINDER:  Dominican Seco FILLER:  Dominican Seco & Ligero STRENGTH:  Medium SOURCE: Can’t remember – best guess Tobacco Grove around 2006 ENVIRONMENT WHERE: Patio at Home WHEN: June 06, 2017 @ 3 PM DRINKS: Cold-Brew Black Coffee WEATHER: About 85 and muggy – can…
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CIGARCON by James Giehm A few weeks ago, Troy wrote an article about CigarCon 2020. For those who may not know, CigarCon was the planned consumer day at the Premium Cigar Association (PCA, formerly IPCPR) annual trade show. A few days ago, we learned that the PCA has now cancelled the planned consumer day (CigarCon)…
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OVERVIEW VITOLA:   Corona Gorda SIZE:  5-5/8″ x 46 ORIGIN:  Nicaragua FACTORY:  Nicaraguan American Cigars S.A. (NACSA) WRAPPER:  Ecuadorian Habano BINDER:  Mexican San Andres FILLER:  Dominican Habano 92, Nicaraguan (Esteli & Jalapa) & Pennsylvanian STRENGTH:  Full SOURCE: Gift from Dapper Cigar’s Ian Reith ENVIRONMENT WHERE: Three Season Porch at Home WHEN: March 12, 2018 @ 4 PM…
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OVERVIEW VITOLA:Â Â Â Toro SIZE:Â Â 6″ x 50 ORIGIN:Â Â Nicaragua FACTORY:Â Â Tabacaleras Carreras S.A. WRAPPER:Â Â Mexican San Andres BINDER:Â Â Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa & Cofradia) FILLER:Â Â Nicaraguan Habano (Condega, gk Rellono ligero, Jalapa & Confradia) STRENGTH:Â Â Mild SOURCE: Small Batch Cigar’s COTM ENVIRONMENT WHERE: Hotel Patio WHEN: August 23, 2017 @ 9:30 PM DRINKS: Devil’s Backbone Vienna Lager…
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