Cigar Reviews

Cigars and Coffee Episode 16: CAO Mortal Coil and Cafe Bustelo

James and Tim are at David’s Fine Tobaccos in Clive, Iowa and take the CAO Mortal Coil through its paces while sipping some Cafe Bustelo Coffee. The pair discuss a new show on the Creative Brain Candy Media Cooperative, how we carry our cigar accessories, the cigar industry’s use of social media, and our thoughts…

Read More

Cigar Review: The Juan Lopez Selección No. 2 Underwhelms Without Age

In the world of Cuban robustos, there are plenty of names that stand out, but one that is often overlooked is the Juan Lopez Selección No. 2. The Juan Lopez brand as a whole is one that gets little attention in the cigar community, to the benefit of those who know what the brand is…

Read More

Episode 52: Talking Shop with Evan from The Blend Newsletter

This episode I chat with Evan, the founder of The Blend Newsletter, via Zoom and we discuss his cigar journey, how he fell in love with cigars, how the global pandemic helped him find his passion for the leaf, and how he curates the newsletter each week. We end up talking about what it’s like…

Read More

Cigar Review: Casdagli’s Enigma Solves the Mystery of a Truly Special Experience

Who doesn’t like a good mystery? Near the end of 2019, When I sat down with Jeremy Casdagli, founder of Casdagli Cigars, one of the last things he mentioned on the podcast was two new cigars coming the following year (2020) called the Cypher and the Enigma. The blends would be undisclosed and left up…

Read More

Cigar Review: Casdagli Cigars Mareva Spalato No. 2 Is Worth the Price of Admission

The Casdagli Cigars Mareva Spalato No. 2 is the regular production follow-up release to the original limited production Mareva Spalato. The Mareva Spalato No. 2 was blended by Master Blender Hendrik Kelner Jr. and originally rolled in the Kelner Boutique Factory in November 2019 and the tobaccos used are all aged at least three years….

Read More

Cigars and Coffee Episode 14: The Cost of the Hobby

James and Tim return to Habano Cigar Lounge in Davenport, Iowa to drink coffee and smoke cigars. This time we discuss how expensive the hobby can be and how to get started without breaking the bank. Freddy, the owner of Habano gives his take while we drink some Caribou Coffee.  

Read More

Cigar Review: Ninjaragua from Joya de Nicaragua and Cigar Dojo Is All Gimmick

The Joya de Nicaragua Ninjaragua is the latest collaborative effort from Cigar Dojo. The Ninjaragua is a Nicaraguan puro that features a dark, rich Nicaraguan habano criollo wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. This extremely limited collaboration came with a commemorative challenge coin in the shape of a shuriken, or throwing star. With only 450…

Read More

Cigar Review: Liga Privada H99 Is a Must-Try Stick From Drew Estate’s Prestigious Line

Earlier this year Drew Estate announced that the long-awaited Liga Privada H99 would be available at all Drew Estate Drew Diplomat Retail program events held between February 1 and May 12. My “local” lounge, located an hour and half from where I live, just happens to be one of those retailers. So when Habano Cigars…

Read More

Cigar Review: Padrón Damaso No. 15 ain’t Your Daddy’s Connecticut

I can remember the first time I tried the Padrón Damaso no. 15 at David’s Fine Tobaccos. I saw them sitting next to the other Padróns and it stood out like a sore thumb. The light Connecticut wrapper next to those deep, rich Maduro wrappers and velvety smooth natural wrappers called to me. The Damaso…

Read More

Vegas Robaina Famosos 2020

The Vegas Robaina Famosos is a regular production cigar from Habanos S.A. The brand is one of the youngest brands in the Habanos portfolio with its introduction to the world of cigars in 1997. The Famosos is a Hermoso No. 4 vitola that offers a perfect balance between mild and full bodied cigars. With youthfulness,…

Read More
l