Episode #15 Carlos Toranos Reserva Selecta

The Past decade has seen Torano Cigars move from behind-the-scenes manufacturer to a household name in the cigar industry with it's family name front and center of every line they make. The Reserva Selecta Robusto 5X50 features an amazingly clean Conn, wrapper and delivers a well balanced hour long smoke (yeah it was a robusto too) with creamy, leathery cedar flavors with lots of smoke. They retail at around $8.00 a stick.

Email rob@habanasmoke.com

Felipe Gregorio's Power

Just check out what Mr. Rich Perelman has to say about Felipe Gregorio Power Cigar : "If youre expecting an overpowering smoke that sets your palette on fire, forget it! The Felipe Power is full-bodied and comes in a series of large ring gauges, the smallest of which is 50. But it offers a light, even flavor with a slight lean toward caramel that provides an intriguing contrast with its presence in the mouth. Theres an unusual sweetness to this blend thats unusual and satisfying, due directly to the unique Pelo de Oro "Golden Hair" wrapper of ancestral Cuban seeds grown at the Tabacos de Cordillera in San Jose, Costa Rica. Wynne is the first manufacturer to create new blends with this leaf, but he wont be the last. The smoothness of the flavor and consistency of the smoking experience are also remarkable. This is a mellow cigar that will be much better enjoyed indoors than outside so that the delicacy of the taste can be appreciated. There are plenty of sizes in the line, ranging from $10 to $15 before local tobacco taxes and packed in boxes of 26." I really dont know what I was smoking...It was supposed to be the Power cigar but it didnt even compare to what Rich Perelman was smoking!!! What I had was bitter and nasty spitting out black tar and that was after aging in my humidor for 3 months.

The Taxation needs to stop!!

This is a copy of the letter I sent to President Bush, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Charles Schumer . Please Please everyone this is your time of need!!! Wright to your Senate NOW!

I am writing to you in hopes that a sane voice can be heard in regards to the proposed Federal Tax Increase on Tobacco ,specifically cigars. To propose a taxation rise of 20,000% in order to fund State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in an incredibly insane and economically impossible idea.
Tying the funding for children's health care to a declining source of revenue will only prove detrimental later.
The potential for tax evading black markets in tobacco will only skyrocket if this tax were to be implemented. Personally I would have no choice but to participate if pressed. But I don't want to be an outlaw. I respect the American way of life and hope those in power also do too by doing the RIGHT thing!
As an American consumer and very active voter, I urge you to oppose any increases to the Federal Tobacco Tax!
Robert Louis Barraco
Auburn, NY USA

We cannot and should not just take this up the ass guys! Do your bit now! You can find links to the RTDA web site at cigarlive.com or just go to the RDTA web site yourself. There is a very easy form you fill out and either email and or snail mail right to your correct reps.. This is the EXACT kind of taxation that lead to the 1776 revolution. DON'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN!!!

5 Vegas Limitada 2006

5 Vegas Limitada 2006 is a fine example of attention to the detail of cigar blending and construction. The wrapper is a sun-grown Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf cultivated in 2000 boasting an attractive, medium-brown - almost reddish - hue. The filler blend is complex, sporting well-aged tobaccos from Brazil and Nicaragua, plus Dominican-grown Piloto Cubano long-fillers, then bound with a Cuban-seed binder. Each of these tobaccos has been aging since 2001. 5 Vegas Limitada burns slow, cool and true, and the aged recipe delivers an array of soothing flavors - it’s medium in body, creamy and smooth from foot to nub with slight hints of pepper.

rob@habanasmoke.com

In the Cigar Ministry Lounge was:

1. John Coltrane "Blue Train"

2. Jimmy Smith "See See Rider"

Episode #12 Gurkha Titan mammoth cigar with immaculate construction and very complex characteristics will give you an hour or more of a pleasurable smoke. 6.2 inches X 56 ring. Not cheap at $27 per stick but would be a very nice gift item or for that special occasion. As with everything Gurkha does this cigar is without a doubt worth a 92 rating. Listen to the cast for more specifics on the blend. Email at rob@habanasmoke.com for a chance for a torch lighter.

Episode #11 Don Thomas

The Don Thomas Special Edition Corojo Madoro is a surprising new edition to my humidor. An extremely smooth, creamy smoke with a medium- Full body that I found by "Blind" taste testing so I was able to experience this cigar without it's baggage as the mass produced General Cigar stable boy that I would have expected. This $2 per stick smoke tastes as good as any $8 cigar. The best bang for the buck. The lesson is....don't be fooled by the power of advertising agents and a pretty label. Let your taste buds do the choosing.

Episode #10 Tatuaje Love

The Tatuaje review in the Cigar Ministry Lounge. An all around excellent smoke in every way imaginable. Everything from construction to price is astounding. Castro's sister-in-law died of a long time illness this week. It wasnt the Castro we wanted to go but there it is. Email me rob@habanasmoke.com for a chance at winning the torch lighter.