Simply Stogies

TATUAJE MONSTER LINE HISTORY AND OVERVIEW

HISTORY OF THE LINE It would be impressive if any avid cigar smoker had not heard of Tatuaje’s annually released Monster series of cigars.  Sometime around 2008, Tatuaje’s bossman, Pete Johnson got the novel idea to start a line of stogies based on classic monsters from the film and literature’s horror genre.  They debuted the…

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Tobacco 21

THE WAR ON TOBACCO Everyone needs something to do; a purpose.  We find our self-worth and identity, to one degree or another, from our occupations and contributions to our employers, families, and communities.  Plumbers need clogs to clear and lines to lay, computer folks need systems to build and software to code, and lawmakers need…

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Episode 14: AMA w/Nick Melillo of Foundation Cigars

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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Episode 13: Community

I am pleased to announce the launch of simplystogies.com! I’d like to thank all the hard work put it in by the team (Timothy Allen, Mike Brieg, Wonho Frank Lee, Troy Kelso, and Stephanie Hattan) in order to get the website off the ground!!! Please, check out simplystogies.com and let us know what you think…

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Ezra Zion Blessed Leaf Doxology

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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Ezra Zion Bee’s Knees

OVERVIEW VITOLA:   Robusto SIZE:   5″ x 52 ORIGIN:   Nicaragua FACTORY:   Undisclosed WRAPPER:   Nicaraguan BINDER:   Nicaraguan FILLER:   Nicaraguan Corojo & Criollo STRENGTH:   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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Drew Estate Pappy Van Winkle Robusto

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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Davidoff Yamasa Robusto

OVERVIEW VITOLA:   Robusto SIZE:   5″ x 50 ORIGIN:   Dominican Republic FACTORY:   Cigars Davidoff WRAPPER:   Dominican BINDER:   Dominican – San Vicente (Yamasa) FILLER:   Dominican – Piloto/Mejorado & Nicaraguan – Condega & Esteli STRENGTH:   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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Davidoff Millennium Blend Toro

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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Davidoff Millennium Blend Lonsdale (2007)

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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