CigarsLover Magazine Spring 2016

Lover Cigars

spring 2016

Magazine

festival

.habano XVIII .procigar .puro sabor

blind tasting coronas gordas churchills

the truth about medio tiempo RoMa craft interview with skip martin

gin

mania

CUBA: cohiba 50° anniversary

TEAM & EDITORIAL

Lover Cigars

Magazine

Editor: Deputy Editor:

Luca Cominelli Michel Arlia

Graphic Designer: Graphic Designer Assistant:

Mario Amelio Renz Mauleon

Authors:

Collaborators: Photos: Marketing:

Editing:

Translations: Blind Tasting Panel:

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Didier Houvenaghel Giovanni Bolzonella Giuseppe Mitolo Luca Cominelli Michel Arlia Nicola Ruggiero Roberto Canzi Heiko Blumentritt Mario Amelio Luca Cominelli Michel Arlia Giovanni Bolzonella Roberto Canzi Rachelle Mauleon Aaron Reddy (U.S.A.) Giovanni Bolzonella (Italy) Giuseppe Mitolo (Italy) Luca Cominelli (Italy) Michel Arlia (Switzerland) Nelson Campos (El Salvador) Richard Frazier (U.S.A.) Roberto Canzi (Italy) Sebastian Hefel (Austria) Thomas Hoebe (Holland)

Editorial The first quarter of the year confirmed the past cigar trend, regarding the smoker preference for generous size cigars. This affects the new releases but also the accessories that we use everyday to enjoy our cigars. These are literally getting bigger and bigger, to be able to do their job. We will try to see in details what changed all over the years.

Among the 2016 news, the highlight is for Habanos SA, due to the 50th anniversary of its flagship brand: Cohiba. This well known brand is recognized by all the smokers and we wanted to celebrate the 50 years with a special article, to experience all the events and the development that surrounded it, since the born to the Behikes and to the last news.

We are going to show the Festival del Habano, the Profestival and the Purosabor, three amazing events that are organized in Cuba, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. Every year they get more popular with more and more people from all around the world participating.

An intenrview with Skip Martin will let you know more about its brand, born just a few years ago, but now well known for its niche cigars: RomaCraft.

The section Drinks will be a time travel, able to bring us to discover the beginning of the gin, to understand better what it becomes today. We won’t miss the parings!

“The passion moves us�

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INDEX

Contenuti Team

CigarsLover people ..................................................... 3

9

Editorial

thoughts about the magazine ................................ 4

Rating

how to read the scoring scale ............................... 8

Venchi

eating the cigars .......................................................... 9

17

Supersize me

XXL accessories ....................................................... 13

RoMa Craft

the Neanderthal line & Skip Martin .................. 17

Cohiba

21

the 50° anniversary ................................................. 21

Behike

the cuban excellence .............................................. 27

Medio Tiempo

the truth ........................................................................ 31

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Man Caves

where men can be men ......................................... 37

40

Gin

the mania ..................................................................... 40

Coronas G. blind tasting Coronas Gordas to the comparison ................ 47

Churchills blind tasting

prime ministers’ cigars .......................................... 56

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XVIII Festival Habano

the biggest cuban event ........................................ 64

Procigar Festival

the 9° main event in Dominican Republic ...... 69

Puro Sabor

69

the 5° Nicaraguan festival .................................... 73

Vocabulary

meaning of the terminologies used .................. 77

Sections

what you can find on the magazine .................. 78

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BEADS

THE BEST HUMIDIFICATION WAY Available on CigarsLoverStore.com

INFO

Rating

HOW TO READ THE SCORING SCALE The cigars reviewed are valued using a 100 point scale. This helps giving every cigar a sharp rating, which collocates it in a wide scoring scale. The final score results by the average scores of both the cigar smoked and the smokers evaluations.

95-100:

excellent smoke. The cigar has all the components that distinguish a remarkable smoke: intensity of the aromas, balance, complexity, finesse, evolution, quality of construction, persistence and a constancy of the production.

90-94:

great smoke. The cigar shows numerous qualities of excellence, but not quite showing them to the maximum. It’s nonetheless a cigar that proposes a high level of satisfaction.

86-89:

good smoke. The cigar has considerable qualities of a high level, also having some slight flaw in the parameters of the evaluation. It’s nonetheless a recommended cigar with a high rate of satisfaction.

81-85:

decent smoke. The cigar convinces in parts, shows both quality and flaws inherent to the different parameters of the evaluation. It’s nonetheless a cigar to smoke with appreciable continuity.

< 80:

meager smoke. The cigar proposes numerous flaws throughout the arc of the parameters of the evaluation. The merits are not eligible if not in a ludicrous way and marginally, the smoke is classified as absolutely not recommended. cigars with a really good quality/price ratio. They show high level characteristics and are really competitive price. We defenitely recommend the purchase.

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PILLS

Venchi

WHEN THE CIGAR IS EATABLE

by Giuseppe Mitolo

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Since a short period of time, some companies of the “food & beverage” area tend to close in on the cigar smoker, approaching him in the most subtle way possible. The easiest solution is to sell a product that recalls, in packaging or in the form of the product, the image of the cigar, including all the qualities of a brand or of the different products.

Venchi is an Italian well known company for the extraordinary quality of their chocolate work, but not equally notorious for the production of their “Chocolate cigar”, especially (as weird as it seems) among the cigar aficionados and in the smoking circles.

The alternative to the classic chocolate bar it is not only in its cylindrical form or its packaging, that recalls the cigar boxes from the Caribbean’s, with all its “Cuba” and “Hecho a mano” letterings. Most of all, the mix and the researched work, just like the blends that are so very loved by the aficionados, are the main characteristic of these products.

Reason why, by telling you the difference about the chocolate cigars, we report the recipes for each “cigar” using the terms of “filler”, to indicate the filling, and “wrapper”, for the external cover:

-Tartufo Nougatine: the band golden background and red writing; the filler is a cocoa paste and grinded and caramelized hazelnuts from the Piedmont; the wrapper: is dark chocolate.

- Cacao Aromatico: The band has golden writing with a silver background; the filler is a paste with cacao from New Guinea; the wrapper is double layered chocolate.

- Orange: the band has a golden background with orange writing; the filler is cacao paste with orange peel; the wrapper is double layered chocolate.

Sold in single units, in boxes of one or three cigars, or in the luxurious slide lid box.

The newest entry is the Maserati Collection, a chocolate cylinder wrapped in silver paper and adorned with a black band that reports the Maserati brand and the trident logo. The filler is made by a chocolate truffle paste with hazelnuts from the Piedmont IGP, almonds and roasted and salted pistachios. The wrapper is double layered chocolate. A product to keep close during your smoke or any other moment: the sensorial pleasure won’t be disappointing.

Prices: starting from 6 euros.

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SMOKES FROM THE WORLD

The Finest Philippine Cigars Since 1881.

HEAD OFFICE 6/F Alphaland Southgate Tower 2258 Chino Roces Ave. cor EDSA Makati City 1232 Philippines TEL (632)310-5047 TELEFAX(632)310-5047

ALOHA HOTEL Unit F, Corta Bitarta Street Malate, Manila TEL (632) 525-3266

MANUFACTURING Tabacalera Incorporada Technology Cor. Complex Avenue Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Technology Complex SEZ Carmona, Cavite 4116 TEL (632)584-4316

www.tabacalera.com.ph cigars@tabacalera.com.ph

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U.S.A. DISTRIBUTION Daughters & Ryan Inc. 207 Johnston Parkway Kenly, NC 27542 TEL (919) 284-2058 FAX (919) 284-2305

The Finest Philippine Cigars Since 1881.

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SLOW ATTITUDE

Lotus travel humidor

Supersize me XXL ACCESSORIES

by Giuseppe Mitolo

It was the year 2004 when Morgan Spurlock surprised the cinematographic world with his docufilm “Super-Size Me”. If you’ve missed it, here is a short summery. Morgan decided to demonstrate that a diet based on products sold in large fast-food chains, other than fattening, would also deteriorate his physical health. Up to that point, many speculated it, but Spurlock had the determination to experiment the said thesis in person, for thirty days and with a strict medical surveillance, with a diet consisting of meals only attainable at fast-food joints. At the end of the documentary, the main motive and the question mark was how some meals can create not only dependence, but also a change in the attitude of the consumer.

No, we didn’t quit talking about cigars, but the

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parallels seem rather fitting for a reflection regarding the cigar accessories.

It is visible for everybody how the cigars are becoming “thicker”, millimeter after millimeter, towards a more “over-size” or “super-size” caliber. It is difficult to narrate a chronicle, year by year since this phenomenon has started.

In Cuba, until 2002, year of the release of the Cohiba Siglo VI (52x150mm), the largest ring gauge made (not counting the figurados, doble figurados or sporadic and particular editions) was the 50, used mainly for the vitola de galera robusto. The difference made the caribbean non cuban productions that always elevated the pole more until the making of products with a ring gauge of

80! That it started by chance or with a precise idea or by emulation is difficult to say. Matter of fact, bit by bit, the market has started to get used to always-bigger products and the smoking time didn’t increase. Cigars started to lose centimeters in length. The point is that when the sizes keeps on getting bigger, then also the accessories that were comfortable before start to become too small and they need a replacement.

The first accessory that paid the price was the guillotine. Cutters able to be used with 54 ring gauge cigars started becoming small for the bigger new sizes, making necessary to change to a product with a larger section, that would solve the upcoming problem.

The next accessory that suffered the same destiny was the puncher. In this case, even if the problems seemed less evident, the issues were two: either you choose to smoke a cigar with an evident disproportion between the size of the head to the size of the hole on it, or you started making multiple holes that looked like the “8” or “star-shaped”.

to quickly adapt to new needs, proposing always more “XL” accessories. In synthesis, the smoking habits have had repercussions in the cigar accessories world, in a definitely not proportional way. In fact, while the smoker took a long time to get used to bigger ring gauges, the producers of cutters, punchers and lighters quickly adapted to please the smoker. Like if, progressively you gain weight but somebody keeps on changing your dresses in the wardrobe, giving you the illusion of same weight.

The risk (not even remote) can be that the loose of a certain practice in smoking “slim” cigars with a smaller ring gauge, like the lonsdale, corona and panetela. The reason why even if it is only to use an old accessory that is resting in a corner, we always suggest to keep smoking all formats of cigars, not just the bigger ones.

Following, parallel to the launch of the first “XL” cutters and punchers on the market, it was the turn of the lighters, in particular the Jet-Flames: the disproportion between the single flame and the foot forced the smoker armed with patience to numerous “turns” of lighters for the burn. To resolve this problem, slowly, we esperienced products with two, three and even four flames.

The last ones are the cigar cases. If you are convinced that your travel humidor for five pieces (just to simplify) is able to hold five “6x60” or larger cigars, we suggest that you try to put them next to each other. Maybe, with difficulty, they’ll fit, but if you don’t want to find your cigars became box-pressed, the options are two: either you take four cigar with you, or you buy a new “Lotus travel humidor” with increased dimensions that was just released.

All this happened in a few years, almost passing un-noticed by the eyes of the aficionados, but not by the vendors, that knowing the market, were able

Xikar Volta: 5,4 x 10,1 cm.

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SMOKES FROM THE WORLD

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming.â&#x20AC;?

David Bowie

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INTERVIEW

RoMa Craft

THE NEANDERTHAL LINE TO SKIP MARTIN’S EYES

by Luca Cominelli

During February 2016, we went to meet Skip Martin in his factory Nica Sueño, in Estelì, Nicaragua. We took advantage of that moment to know him better and ask him some questions about RoMa Craft and his other brands he is producing with a great success.

Can you tell us what’s behind Romacraft and how everything started?

RoMa Craft Tobac was started about 4 years ago by Michael Rosales and myself. Around the same time I founded Nica Sueno, the factory in Esteli (Nicaragua), with Esteban Disla. The three of us had been working together for about a year on CroMagnon, a private label for my retail operation. The early success of that brand led us to

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develop a go-to-market strategy for other retail shops, so we established the two entities required to execute the strategy, developed another CroMagnon offering (CroMagnon Aquitaine) as well as Intemperance EC XVIII and BA XXI. We brought all four to market at the IPCPR in 2012.

In 2015, we added Neanderthal. Wunder|Lust, which is set to launch in the German market later in 2016.

Were you and Esteban already in the cigar business before RomaCraft?

Esteban Disla has been working in and around cigar factories since he was a child. He started with his brother Raul, with a Dominican cigar maker by the name of Sergio Cuevas. Their

mother worked in the factory, and Sr. Cuevas allowed them to collect, process and sell the scraps they cleaned up off of the factory floor. In 1997, Raul left to tour Europe with Carlos Torano and Dunhill. Esteban came to Esteli and he worked at a small factory called Latin Cigar, which later grew into one of the largest factories in Esteli. When I met Esteban, Latin Cigar had been acquired by STG. Esteban managed almost every aspect of the tobacco and cigar manufacturing parts of the operation before and after , but he was looking for another opportunity. We were very fortunate that the timing of our entry into making cigars coincided with his availability.

Pennsylvania regrowth leaf that allowed us to realize both the strength and the body we were looking for in Neanderthal.

As with all of our cigars, our goal was to produce something we wanted to smoke and bring to market in a way where it would be accepted as something original. The blend actually has a lot of components, so we wanted it to be a big size. We felt that a Figurado shape would add to the complexity. The flat cap is a by-product of the way the cigar is cut after being pressed.

In 2013, you moved into the new factory, a really beautiful one that we had the pleasure to visit. What were you able to improve and achieve by opening your own factory?

Yes. While the HN is the only size in the core line, we have a few others that we have been making on a limited basis: HoxD (4 x 46), SGP (4 ¼ x 52) and OM (7 x 38)….one or two of these will join the HN in the core line this year.

Prior to the formation of Nica Sueno, we had been working in a very small building behind Esteban’s house. Given our plan to expand, we knew we needed a larger space. Our plan from the beginning was to remain small, with an annual production of less than 1.2 to 1.5 million cigars. At that time, we were at about 1.000 cigars each day and now, four years later, getting pretty close to the production goals we set back then. In addition to the ability to expand, a bigger space provided us with functional areas to execute a more optimal process flow. This has allowed us to become more efficient and improve quality as we have grown.

Not an easy task.

Will there be any new sizes for this line in the future?

What are you working on for the future?

As you know, we don’t bring new things to the market so often. Our focus is supporting and maintaining our existing brands.

Wunder|Lust is something new for us, but due to the limited nature of the wrapper leaf, it will be limited to Germany.

The blends for all of our brands cover a very wide spot in the market in terms of price, flavor, body and strength.

Let’s talk about the Neanderthal line. What kind of leaves are you using in the blend and why you ended up choosing them? What about the cigars shape, like the flat-head?

Neanderthal was the original name for CroMagnon. While that initial blend had the body, it lacked the strength to match the name.

We went with CroMagnon, and a few years later we came across the nicotine rich Double Ligero CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12

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LINE UP

Neanderthal The chosen blend for making this line is made of a San Andres Maduro wrapper, a Connecticut Broadleaf binder and a mix of Nicaraguan leaves and Dominican leaves (Olor ligero). In details, the leaves from Nicaragua used in the filler are from Codenga, Esteli, Jalapa & Pueblo Nuove.

For now in the Neanderhal line there are only two cigars: HN and SGP

RoMa Craft Neanderthal SGP

Size: 52 x 108 mm (4,25”) - EUR: - € (IT) - - € (EU) | USD: 9 $ Oily wrapper, maduro shade. To the touch is rough. The head has an uncommon finish: it’s flat and it look like rustic. This gives to the cigar the right look, considering its name.

Full strength. It develops an intense and satisfying smoke. The aromatic palette is good and the aromas are rich. The persistence is incredibly long.

1/2: rustic wood, earth, spices and black pepper.

2/2: cocoa, hazelnut and leather.

88

/100

RoMa Craft Neanderthal HN

Size: 52/58 x 127 mm (5”) - EUR: - € (IT) - - € (EU) | USD: 12 $ Dressed up with a maduro shade wrapper, smooth to the touch, this cigar shows a foot that gets slightly smaller at the end. This size is definitely uncommon. Like its smaller brother, the head is flat.

A full strength cigar, that develops a smoke with a huge intensity. The balance is good, aswell as the harmony. The persistence is remarkable. Creamy.

1/3: fine spices, mineral notes and citrus hints. Slightly salty base.

2/3: cocoa, coffee, spices.

3/3: earth, wood and spicy peaks.

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90

/100

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TOBACCO HISTORY

Cohiba THE 50° ANNIVERSARY

by Giovanni Bolzonella

The term “Cohiba”, in the old native cuban language, simply means “tobacco”. It is surprising that there isn’t a historical person behind this brand that can give more prestige to the products.

Cohiba, like Trinidad a couple of years ago, was born during the post-revolution epoch in the youngest factories of tobacco, better known as El Laguito.

The official foundation of Cohiba happens in 1966, but two years earlier, Fidel Castro in person had enlisted a small factory for a reserved production of excellent cigars. According to the most acclaimed historical thesis, this initiative was taken by the Lider Maximo after a present received, in 1963, by Bienvenido Perez (also known by the nickname of “Chicho”), his bodyguard. The present

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was a fuma, a cigar made by a torcedor as his personal smoke, in this case, it was rolled by Eduardo Rivera, friend of Chicho.

Castro liked the cigars so much that he commissioned other fumas to Rivera, so he could either give them to heads-of-state, or save them for himself. To tackle a more important and larger quantity of products, a production structure destined for it was needed. For this reason, in 1964, Eduardo Rivera became the responsible of a small manufactory, with the help of a few loyals and of rollers exclusively hired for the realization of this cigars.

The association of the name “Cohiba” to this production seems to be recognized to Celia Sanchéz

Manduley, personal assistant of Rivera. In 1966, during a conversation, she used it for the first time to indicate this production of such elite puros.

In 1967 the production moves to El Laguito, into a very eye-catching liberty style villa by the Cubanacan district, at the outskirts of Havana.

The torcedors worked inside the actual salon instead of the traditional galera. In the past, this palace, belonged to Casimiro Fowler Jimenez, a sugar-trader specialized in the manufacturing of sugar cane to gain the typical black molasses.

Here, in this refined reality, the first puro with the name Cohiba was born under the careful attention of Eduardo Rivera.

Many are the aspects that reflect the exclusivity of the Cohiba cigars since its birth. First of all, only a few know that, with the purpose to pay homage to the heroine of the regime Celia Sanchez Manduley, all the hired personal at the El Laguito belonged to the fair sex (according to the historiography, Celia was the first to introduce to the social cuban reality the revolutionary concept of the women as the protagonist of social activities, this detached itself from the stereotypical domestic collocation of the past).

Another fundamental aspect for the fame of this cigars is that all the specimens are produced with tobacco leaves from the Vuelta Abajo, (the most renowned region for the cultivation of tobacco), for which three fermentations were intended (instead of the classical two intended for the other Havanas). Last but not least, the characteristic that nurtured the exclusivity of the brand the most was just the final destination of the puros, since they were not destined for the market but for diplomatic relations and for the personal use of the head of the revolution, Fidel Castro.

At the origin of the production only one format was produced: the Laguito no. 1 (38 x 192mm), characterized by the pig tail (a twirled finish on the CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12

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TOBACCO HISTORY

Humidor Cohiba Behike 40° anniversary

head), without a band and a name. The band was introduced in 1969 following the modifications of the logo.

After 15 years, in which the Laguito no. 1 became the most desired cigar by the aficionados (gifted to state-heads, diplomats, ambassadors and VIPs).

In 1982 the brand was officially presented to the world and the famous Laguito no. 1 was baptized for the occasion with the “appelido de salida” Lancero (which translated from Spanish means “to launch”). There were more formats proposed in 1989: the Esplendidos, the Exquisitos and the Robustos (“linea clásica”).

In the following years there were more lines launched, like the famous Linea 1492 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America, the Maduro series in 2007 (characterized by maduro wrapper leaves that are aged at least 5 years) and the Behike line in 2010, with the famous medio tiempo leave inside the liga, as well as various other humidors and commemorative packagings.

What for many remains the height of exclusivity and prestige in the world of tobacco is the humidor produced to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the brand, in 2006. The Behike Humidor, only 100 made, contains 40 cigars of the behike format (52 x 192mm), all singularly numbered by hand from the number 0001 to 4000. These cigars were made with wrappers from prestigious vegas (among them also the one of Don Alejandro Robaina). The price for one humidor was around

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15.000 euros and today, a real cult object for the collectors from all over the world, it increased to around 100.000 euros!

In light of this, its easy to comprehend how the Castro regime wanted to aim for a product that would luster to the image of cuban excellence.

After the revolution, in particular in the 70s, the image of the cigar had lost its attractiveness.

However, thanks to commissioned brands and products (think about the brands of Davidoff, Dunhill or the standard production designated for Alfred Dunhill, like the Don Candido, Don Alfredo and Flor Del Punto), that aimed for quality cigars, the 80s were like a new springtime for the cuban cigar. Probably, also riding the wave of reinvigoration of the idea of “smoking Cuban”, in Cuba they wanted to relaunch their historic manufactured tabacalero, aiming for a brand that enshrines in itself the peculiarities, the excellence and an halo of legends that never hurts in the world of marketing. All these characteristics are represented

by the Cohiba brand, which merely started from a very simple element again, the tobacco (cohiba).

Fundamental, during the passing of the years, were the changes made to the Cohiba band: from a simple design, the layout now is complex and really detailed, to fight the war against the fakes.

1

Until 1969 the band were white with gold refinements and they could be personalized with the name of the functionary that the cigars were made for. The design was very similar do the one still used by the Davidoff brand (image 1,2).

2

We also know that in those years (1969-1970) the first experiments with the black and yellow band were born, and later these colors became the distinctive chromatic characteristics of the brand (image 3).

3

Anyway, from 1970 until 1993 the logo is in white, yellow and black with the characters similar to the current ones. There was no embossing (image 4).

4

Later the yellow part became augmented and the writing “La Habana Cuba” was placed on the band (image 5).

5

From 2003, the written “Cohiba” was changed from black to gold color and the band was embossed (image 6).

6

In 2007, due to the introduction of the new line “Maduro 5”, a new special band was made for this line. Its look was close to the already used Cohiba band, just with the add of a black strip with in the middle the written “Maduro 5” (image 7).

7

For the release of the BHK line, a different band was selected, bearing a hologram. The band was also embossed the main difference was the big Cohiba logo placed in the middle of the band, just over the “Behike” writte (image 8).

8

The design of the Behike band, is now used for all the cigars produced regularly: it is a yellow and white-black filled with a gold finish and a hologram, initially introduced on the Piramide Extra in 2012 (Image 9).al Humidors

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TOBACCO HISTORY Among the commemorative humidors released in the past years, one of the first was the famous “Bohio”, in form of a hut, containing 250 cigars (Image 10).

Another release in the 60s was the “Etouche Tollado“ series (Image 11).

10

Afterward came the “Cajon Rustica”, that has a very intriguing story: it was produced in 1982 and was released out of the Cubatabaco warehouse in 1990. It was exported to Japan, where 18 out of 100 cigars were taken and smoked, while the remaining 82 returned together with the box to its homeland (Image 12).

For the 30th anniversary of Cohiba, in 1996, a commemorative ceramic jar and a small humidor were released. Inside the humidor were the Robusto Especiales, while inside the jar were the Siglo V. The cigars, in both confections, are dressed with a celebratory band (Image 13 and 14).

17

Still in 1996, in collaboration with the Ecuadorian artist Osvaldo Guayasamin, 30 numbered humidors, containing 90 cigars, were released: 10 Lancero, 10 Coronas Especiales, 10 Esplendidos, 10 Robustos, 10 Siglo I, II, III, IV and V (Image 15).

15

14

For the beginning of the new millennium Cohiba produced a special jar with 25 Piramides inside (Image 16).

For the 35th and 40th anniversary they commercialized other commemorative humidors instead, with the cigars bearing the number of the celebrated occasion (Image 17). For the 40th anniversary, as mentioned before, they also released the Behike humidor (page 23).

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LINE UP

Behike

THE EXCELLENCE OF CUBAN TOBACCO

by Luca Cominelli

In 2010, during the XII Festival del Habano, the most prestigious cuban line released in the new millenium was presented. After six years, the situation hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t changed, the Behike is still the synonym for the most prestigious production made in Cuba.

In the last couple of years, followed by not really vantagious weather conditions, this production of excellence has sustained some stops, mainly

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because of lacking the right quality leaves to dress up the BHK. The situation seems to be better now and its commercialization seems to have been taken back up almost completely.

What has always distincted these cigars has not just been tobacco quality or the process the leaves go through, but the use of something that became the emblem of this line: the Medio Tiempo. These leaves are harvested from the highest part of the

tobacco plant and on the Habanos scale, they are graded as Fortaleza 4 (the highest in terms of strength. Fortaleza 1,2 and 3 are defined as Volado, Seco and Ligero). This makes them rather special and rare and if it is associated to the added value that they can give to the cigar, aroma and strength, a particulare and researched union is created, that is the winning receipe of the Behike.

Analyzing the production of this line, from the origins to nowadays, what surprised us the most is the readiness of this smoke. The first batch of the Behike was nothing less than exceptional, with cigars that gave place to a memorable smoke since the purchase. The richness of this products have increased its demand and so the production of the Behike had to increase as well. The result today is that, you have to rest these cigars to be able to appreciate them completely; this concerns most of all the two with the larger dimensions, the BHK54 and the BHK56.

The Behike line, other than making the medio tiempo known has anticipated some steps of the cuban production that were accomplished some years later: for the first time a regular production parejo cigar with the ring gauge of 56 was introduced as a regular production in the market, a record still held by the Behike 56. It is still the largest ring gauged cuban cigar.

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LINE UP

Cohiba Behike BHK 52

Size: cepo 52 x 119 mm (4,7”) - EUR: 33,1 € (IT) - 32 € (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba Medium to full strength. It develops a great aromatic intensity. Since the first to the last puff the balance is excellent. The evolution is well perceivable and the smoke is creamy. Satisfying.

1/3: vegetal notes, cedar wood and vanilla peaks. Sweet base.

2/3: honey, cedar wood, white pepper and piquant notes.

3/3: earth and white pepper. Slightly sweet base.

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/100

Cohiba Behike BHK 54

Size: cepo 54 x 144 mm (5,7”) - EUR: 37,3 € (IT) - 38 € (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba Medium to full strength. The cigar develops a nice intensity and the aromatic palette is elegant. The harmony is excellent and the evolution perceivable. Satisfying and balanced smoke.

1/3: vanilla, cedar wood, fine spices and green pepper.

2/3: wood, aromatic herbs, honey, vanilla and white pepper.

3/3: wood, walnut, white pepper and piquant notes.

91

/100

Cohiba Behike BHK 56

Size: cepo 56 x 166 mm (6,5”) - EUR: 40,6 € (IT) - 41 € (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba Medium to full strength. Despite the big size, the smoke is elegant and refined. The balance is excellent and the intensity is great. The evolution is less wide as the other two Behikes.

1/3: cocoa, pink pepper, cedar wood and honey. Sweet base.

2/3: tree nut, earth and vanilla peaks.

3/3: earth, honey, spices and roasted notes.

90

/100

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Largest and Best Range of Quality Tobacco and Cigars in the UK C.Gars Limited Est. 1997 16-18 Kingsgate Place, London, NW6 4TA 0207 372 1865 www.cgarsltd.co.uk sales@cgarsltd.co.uk Turmeaus Tobacconist Mayfair 1 White Horse Street, London W1J 7LB 0207 495 7330 mayfair@cgarsltd.co.uk Turmeaus Tobacconist Est. 1817 32-34 Fenwick Street, Liverpool L2 7NB 0151 236 3802 turmeaus@cgarsltd.co.uk Turmeaus Tobacconist Est. 1817 34 Watergate Street, Chester CH1 2LA 0124 434 8821 Chester@cgarsltd.co.uk Turmeaus – Norfolk Hall Farm, Martham Road Rollesby, Great Yarmouth Norfolk NR29 5DR 01493 749 710 sales@turmeaustobacconist.co.uk La Casa Del Habano 32 Watergate Street, Chester CH1 2LA 01244 348 821 Chester@cgarsltd.co.uk

ALSO AT: Whisky and Cigars by Robert Graham Ltd 4 Broadwell Parade, Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, London NW6 3BQ 0207 624 3351 london@robertgraham1874.com Robert Graham Ltd 9 Sussex Street, Cambridge, CB1 1PA 01223 354 459 Cambridge@robertgrham1874.com Robert Graham Ltd Est. 1874 194A, Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AZ 0131 226 1874 rosestreet@robertgraham1874.com The Treasurer by Robert Graham Ltd 254 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8AA 0131 556 2791 canongate@robertgraham1874.com Robert Graham’s Global Whisky Shop 111 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1QX 0141 248 7283 glasgow@robertgraham1874.com

Orchant and Johnstone Family Business Member of the AICS Association of Independent Cigar Specialists

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To b

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SLOW ATTITUDE

Medio Tiempo THE TRUTH

by Didier Houvenaghel

Definition – Medio tiempo is an industrial tobacco leaf name used after the selection/classification.

Medio tiempo is a category of leaves destined to become cigar filler. In Cuba medio tiempo is called fortaleza #4 leaf. In Nicaragua interestingly the leaf is rather categorized as thick ligero. It is the thickest, strongest and most colourful leaf of all classes.

Their very high organic fraction and lots of oils are a result of their origin: the highest positions on the plant. Such concentrations certainly bring a lot of taste and many aromas. They bring along reinforced strength and character to the blend.

On categories and names – The operation of selection/classification groups leaves into categories

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following the appreciation of thickness, texture and colour. Leaves are here renamed from their agricultural names into their industrial names. It is crucial to note that agricultural names are put after the foliar level regardless of quality, while industrial names are put after a set of qualitative characteristics. These 2 families of names are thus different and should not be mixed. A relative correspondence exists but not always.

Medio tiempo leaves or thick ligero as such are thus not directly found on the plant but defined later during the selection/classification. For this, leaves from the plant – namely the coronas or the centro gordos in the agricultural vocabulary – must comply with a certain set of parameters, being very thick, oily and full of Fortaleza.

Not so rare actually â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Producers, who pay attention to Nature and play around the rules of agriculture with the objective to extract as much character as possible from the soil and from the plants, will probably harvest many leaves that can become medio tiempo. Growers that understand their soil and the environmental conditions, as well as the classic characteristics of the variety used can certainly maximize the yield in quality and in quantity. Reversely when crops are done impersonally and impassively, then absolutely no medio tiempo will be produced.

On variations of leaves from the same category â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Leaves from a same foliar level on one plant tend to show very similar set of characteristics.

Interestingly leaves from a same foliar level but coming from different plants generally show dissimilar sets of characteristics. These deviations among a same leaf category fluctuate according to the plant genetics, the soil, and the agricultural attentions given by the experts. This means that even with the same thickness, texture and colour, a corona leaves from field A, variety 1 and attentions X is sensibly different than the same class from field B, variety 2, and attentions Y. And even if only one of these 3 elements is changed the leaves can dramatically change physically, chemically and in character.

When known and controlled, these variances in personality is what the sophisticated grower will look for as it will create many blending options later on.

An example could be found in a field harvested with the objective to maximize the personality of the leaves. That could be a field harvested to maximize the yield of thick leaves that will become ligero and medio tiempo. Simply, the producer will only leave 12 or 14 leaves on each plant instead of leaving the plant run with 16 or 18 leaves. The formed leaves will be thicker and fuller in character, many of the centro gordos or coronas will give thick ligero or medio tiempo. But the producer will only have fewer leaves to use or to sell. This is favouring quality over quantity. In opposition, the producer that will maximize the quantity and harvest up to 18 leaves per plant will barely have coronas that will CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12

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SLOW ATTITUDE

be categorized into ligero or medio tiempo. This is favouring quantity over quality.

A relative concept – Interestingly precise specifications of tobacco leaves categories do not exist.

Today there is no defined scale of leaf thickness, colour or texture.

The appreciation and thus categorization is somewhat relative and thus can vary among producers or countries. The terminology and use of names should therefore be taken with caution.

and what should retain the attention of the curious observer are the actual leaf qualities (thickness, texture, and colour) and their consistency.

On obstacles to use thick leaves - Thick leaves – with rich organic contents from the top of the plant – will be more challenging to process into fine balanced brown leaves. More attention and time will be required for the drying, the classifications, and the fermentations. Processes will logically be slower and longer, and more sensitive. Results can easily become inconsistent with leaves showing major imperfections and being catastrophic when used in a blend.

Good and slow processes involve more infrastructures and more energy. Beyond the difficulty of producing well fermented and balanced thick leaves, cost is also an element that might turn away some producers or manufacturers.

Then like all personalities, strong temperaments – even balanced – are difficult to blend and so is the medio tiempo or thick ligero.

One class for producer A might not objectively be the same than for producer B, the difference being the terminology used but also and we always forget to highlight: the expertise, the quality control, and the discipline.

Names of categories are thus somehow relative

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Having a fantastic leave of medio tiempo is not at all the insurance of a great cigar.

The final blend has to be done with leaves that will combine perfectly together to form an harmonious cigar. To obtain a balanced blending and tasting, leaves must combine properly and in the right proportions.

A simple test – Medio tiempo leaves are thicker and darker than their pairs in the filler. A visual analysis of the cigar can immediately confirm their presence. At the cigar foot, aficionado can observe both leaves’ colours and distribution. A nice distribution – meaning a good density and distribution of spaces – will generally insure a good draw. Diverse colours – meaning a good assortment of different leaves thicknesses – will generally insure a balanced blend. The absence of very dark or nearly black leaves at the foot of the cigar can certainly confirm the absence of medio tiempo in the blend.

Conclusion – Medio tiempo leaves are very interesting leaves as they bring character and tastes to the cigar tasting. But for several reasons they are uneasy or more expensive to obtain and to use.

They do not appear on the plant as a gift nor are extremely rare but rather develop or not in function of the quality of the treatments given by the cultivator. Technically when growers show knowledge and dedication, then there is potential to produce good quantities of what will become medio tiempo. Growers with experience, passion, sensitivity, and with enough resource and time, can always produce the famous medio tiempo.

Once thick top leaves are collected they will still require good drying, classifications and fermentations to become balanced medio tiempo brown leave with character and usable in a blend.

And then the magic of blending can do its role and produce a cigar with a straigthforward personality.

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SMOKES FROM THE WORLD

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36

PILLS

Man Caves WHERE MEN CAN BE MEN

by Michel Arlia

There are a lot of Man Caves in existence, which by any means are not the prehistoric ones used by our neanderthalian ancestors. They are found in different forms and shapes, in- or outside the house. It can be in the garage, in the attic, in the basement or outside in the woodshed. What defines these rooms is the sole influence of the male.

From the décor to the design, some looks like private gentlemen’s clubs and others look like simple living rooms. Everything has to be without the influence of our female counterpart. The female, a wife or a girlfriend, is allowed inside for only a short period of time, if any at all. Otherwise the Man Cave would loose its purpose.

They serve as a retreat from the daily routine. To enjoy some peace and quiet, relax with a cigar and a drink, watch a game on TV or share the space

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and time with other male colleagues. To us men it is a sanctuary, our holy ground.

Although, not everybody has the luxury to have one or get the permission to make one, but for a cigar aficionado it is even trickier. If the chance is at hand, we want to be able to smoke in it, at least for the cold days. Maybe display our cigar collection in large humidors, or even in a Walk-In, and if somebody enjoys a drink with its cigar, then a minibar becomes almost necessary. Depending on the time and money someone wants to spend, some Man Caves can even become Shangri-Las. What is essential thought, is not the fact to have a pompous room or just a table and a chair, but to have a space where the male can withdraw to and indulge in his “vices”. A place where men can be men.

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DRINKS

Gin

THE MANIA OF THE JUNIPER SPIRIT

by Nicola Ruggiero

Since the big success and the large consume of Gin at the moments, it is good to clear things up with retracing the story, sometimes fascinating and sometimes dramatic, of this antique spirit.

During the 600 the juniper berry was considered for the curing of stomach illnesses, furthermore it was also considered an effective remedy against the pest. Bandages soaked with essential oils and juniper berries with rosemary and garlic, were put inside a mask, equipped with filters, and used by the “pest-doctors“ to chase away the disease and the stench that reigned in these houses of the ill.

In the XVII century, in Flanders, the first distillery was opened by Franciscus De La Boe Sylvius, a dutch naturalist and doctor from Leiden. It seems

that the Doctor Salyius himself, connoisseur of the beneficial properties enclosed in the essential oil of the juniper, obtained a therapeutic oil at low cost: the Genever, thanks to an ulterior distillation of an infusion of berries macerated in pure alcohol. The efficiency of this “medicine“ quickly spread throughout Holland, appreciated by many dutch travelers and sailors for its characteristics.

Imported for the history of this product was the discovery by the english soldiers on their return from the Netherlands.

By the end of the XVI century the dutch sold the Genever in England, where a royal approval for the distillation occurred. Many distilleries surfaced that started to produce an aquavit similar to the Genever, which soon enough was called Gin. They CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12

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DRINKS also adopted a strategy to increase the production of the cereals and raise the consume of Gin, since the distilleries were liberalized and the taxes on alcohol were considerably reduced. That is how the era of the Gin began.

Between 1690 and 1751 the consume of the Gin in Grand Britain grew in an exponential manner, especially in London. This period is historically remembered as “The Gin Craze“. The Gin was cheap, inebriated quickly and helped the poor to forget their misery, it became the source of social disorder and in the poor neighborhoods the people lived in a continuous state of drunkenness. To retain the phenomenon, the Parliament adopted the first “Gin Act“, a law to regolate the matter.

The direct consequents was a proliferation of clandestine distilleries responsible for the production of alcohol toxic to the health of the consumer.

In 1751 a new law from the Parliament put forward necessary measures to levee the problem

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and tried to straighten the producers towards a more attentive and qualitative distillation of the final product. This new law, other then impose new taxes on Gin, created awareness of the consumption and made it so that the production of quality Gin increased significantly.

The definition of Gin is: cereal distillation, primarily obtained by wheat and rye, white and colorless, flavored with herbs, spices, roots and juniper berries.

Each producer is free to chose the typology and the quantity of the botanics used and personalizing their own Gin by enhancing it with flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables (for example: coriander seeds, angelica roots, gorse, cardamom, dried citrus peels, cassis, licorice, wild plums, cinnamon and other aromatic herbs) rendering his recipe unique and one of inimitable.

In a not so distant past, due to the trend of the Vodkas obtained with different raw materials then cereals and the lack of precise regulations, also the Gin began to be produced with different raw materials then cereals such as: apples, grapes and potatoes.

Currently we can distinguish between two spirits where the juniper is the characteristic element: the dutch Genever, which includes the fermentation of cereals and is the distillation prior to the adding for aromas (botanic) and juniper; the english Gin, redistills of cereal in which its vapor is being circulated through the aromatic ingredients (botanic) that transmit their aroma. This production style goes by the name of London Dry Gin. An other system consists of macerating berries and botanics in to the alcohol before a final distillation.

The alcohol with the macerated botanics, during its evaporation, carries the aromatiche components along with it. The introduction of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coffeyâ&#x20AC;&#x153; stills to the running distillation was the technical innovation that made a production of a more neutral spirit able.

The Brokerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and the Tanqueray are examples of London Dry Gin on the market. Colorless, dry, perfumed and particularly suited for mixing.

It is important to consider a Gin that tells a story of travels, the ocean, the exotic spices, the tradition, symbol of the United Kingdom, in particular the Plymouth Gin. The Plymouth Gin was born in 1793, for medical purpose, in a distillery situated in the building that, in 1620, took the fathers Pellegrini in on the night before they set sail for America. It has an intense perfume, perfectly balanced between its 7 botanics. The Plymouth appellation is only given to the Gin produced in the homonymous locality of the Black Friars distillation.

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DRINKS Nowadays the Gin finds ample use in both the preparations of cocktails and the straight consume.

The selection of the typologies present from around the world on the market is wide ranging.

We have new generation Gin like: Gin Mare: Spanish Gin with the typical perfumes of the Mediterranean coasts, flavored with four principal botanics: Italian basil, Greek thyme, Turkish rosemary, Spanish citruses and Arbequina olives from Catalonia.

Koval Gin: American Gin with a distinctive character, realized with a unique mix of forrest spices, juniper, wildflowers, citruses and white pepper.

Citadelle Reserve: French Gin belonging to the category of the Barrel Aged Gin, that is Gin aged in barrels (in this case in oak barrels).

Beefeater Burrough’s Reserve: a smooth and dry Gin, with a unique complexity and unmistakable aromas. The Beefeater is distilled in stills with a moderate temperature, in order that each of

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the aromatic herbs can express its character the best way possible.

Fillers 28 Sloe Gin (the Sloe and Gin based liquore): red mahogany with aromas of red fruits, almonds, figs and mild spicy notes of juniper berries, cinnamon and plum.

Then we have the “old school“ Gin like: Zuidam Genever, realized with a refined selection of barley malt, rye and corn; Zuidam Old Tom, with juniper, elderberry flowers, iris root and coriander, angelica, citruses, licorice, cardamom, vanilla from Madagascar and the adding of a minimum amount of sugar.

Not to underestimate is the italien Gin production, Gin with a strong aromatic charge, rediscovered by the past, when the world produced Gin, in Italy they produced juniper based liquors according to the Piemontese and Trentino tradition. Until four years ago not much could be said about Italien Gin, despite being the major producer of juniper, from Tuscany to Sardinia, Piedmont and Veneto.

Marton’s is a Gin from Veneto produced with the best Italian cereals, cold infused with citrus peels, cinnamon, licorice, anise seed, juniper berries, pink pepper, horseradish, ginger, red fruits and cloves.

Gin del Professore Madame & Monsieur: products inspired by the clandestine production of the Bathtub Gin (Gin illegally prepared during the Prohibition in the USA by the speakeasy). Madame & Monsieur differentiates its aromatic profile thanks to a different botanical. Madame has as a base a wild juniper, from Umbria and Tuscany, based spirit. It has a botanical composed of 14 herbs and spices, cold infused with citrus fresh citrus peels and a secret ingredient, which is followed by a careful filtration. Monsieur has a spicier aromatic profile: cardamom, lavender, camomile, orange and with the juniper more dominant then in the Madame.

Among the interesting news, in the world of Gin, we’ll find one of the most historic brands in the tradition of the Italian spirit industry: Luxardo.

A solid company, that has almost 200 years of history, that keeps the companies objective based on the strength of the family and that now proposes the Luxardo London Dry Gin with nine botanics (juniper, coriander, iris, angelica, calamus, licorice, cinnamon, cardamom and bitter orange) again, realized in traditional coppers stills. The currents recipe dates back to the juniper filberts produced

by Luxardo since the early 900.

Another interesting treat is the Gin Malfy, invented in Italy in the XXI century, by the Italian monks from Salerno. Malfy is realized with Italian juniper, oranges from Salerno, coriander, angelica, cassis, orris, grapefruit, licorice and Italian limes. It represents the “Italian-Built“ and the Amalfi coast, it will be available on the market by the end of march and will be imported by the Compagnie Dei Caraibi.

In the next page can find our suggestions for a pairing with cigar and Gin, selecting classic drinks with sweet notes, but with a strong taste.

For those familiar with it, they can also make them at home.

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DRINKS

Gin Old Fashioned • 5 cl Gin Barrel aged (ex. CITADELLE RESERVE or BEEFEATER BURROUGH’S RESERVE ) • 2 Dash Angostura • 1 sugar cube • Club soda • Ice Drench an ice cube (sometimes half is enough) in angostura, do it on a paper towel (the excess angostura will be absorbed by the towel), melt the ice cube with soda water inside of a short tumbler, add ice, Gin and mix. Complete it by squeezing a lemon peel on the drink.

N.B: There is never enough ice.

Partagas Serie & No.2 - Davidoff Escurio Gran Toro

Hanky panky • 4,5 cl Tanqueray • 4,5 cl of Carpano Antica Formula • 2 Dash Fernet Branca • Orange peel for decoration • Ice Pour all the ingredients in a shaker, shake it, filter it and pour it in a cocktail cup.

Complete it by squeezing an orange peel on the drink.

Bolivar Royal Corona - Joya de Nicaragua Joya Red Half Corona

Pink Gin • 6cl Plymouth gin • 3 drops of Bitter - Angostura Bitter • Ice Pour the angostura in a cooled short tumbler and rotate it delicately so to moisten the walls. Put some ice cubes in to the mixing-glass (the ice has to be a finger more then the quantity of the liquid) and add the Gin. Mix it well for a couple of seconds and pour the spirit in to the tumbler with some ice. The cocktail is ready Opus X Corona Gorda - Trinidad Coloniale

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Smoking Kills

Drinking Kills

Driving Kills

Money Kills

Stress Kills

Thinking Kills

Love Kills

LIVE!

Fallon & Nicarao Š

Balance. Character. Passion.

CigarsLoverMagazine | No.12 www.laleycigars.com

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BLIND TASTING

Coronas Gordas

Corona Gorda is a nice cigar size, able to develop a smoke with a nice evolution without having the cigar lasting long. Usually a “Corona” is a cigar with

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a 42 ring gauge, but the “Corona Gorda” (Gorda means fat), has a bigger ring gauge: 46. The cigar diameter difference is about 16 mm.

Futuro Selecciòn Suprema - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 46 x 143 mm (5,6”) - EUR: - € (IT) - - € (EU) | USD: 9 $ Wrapper: Nicaragua | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua Medium to full strength. The cigar develops a great complexity and intensity. The balance never come less. The evolution is remarkable and the persistence is long. Satisying.

1/3: black pepper, cedar wood, earth, cocoa and floral notes.

2/3: black pepper, coffee, cocoa, wood and citrus. Sweet base.

3/3: black pepper, wood, ripe fruit and earth. Hints of vanilla.

93

/100

Cohiba Siglo IV - Cuba

Size: cepo 46 x 143 mm (5,6”) - EUR: 20,7 € (IT) - 19,5 € (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba Medium strength. Complex smoke, with a wide aromatic palette. The evolution is well perceivable. Balance and harmony are to the top level. Elegant and refined.

1/3: white pepper, wood, earth and spicy peaks. Sweet base.

2/3: wood, white pepper and vanilla. Sweet base.

3/3: honey, cocoa, spicy peaks and white pepper.

92

/100

Arturo Fuente Opus X Fuente Fuente - Dominican R. Size: cepo 46 x 142 mm (5,5”) - EUR: 24,5 € (IT) - 16,5 € (EU) | USD: 18 $ Wrapper: Dominican R. | Binder: Dominican R. | Filler: Dominican R.

Medium to full strength. Incredibly balances, this cigar shows a nice aromatic bouquet.

The evolution is perceivable and the complexity great. Satisfying.

1/3: white pepper, wood and honey. Sweet base.

2/3: fine wood, hazelnut and vegetal notes. Sweet base.

3/3: vegetal notes, hazelnut and white pepper. Sweet base.

91

/100

My Father El Centurion H-2K-CT Corona - Nicaragua Size: cepo 48 x 142 mm (5,6”) - EUR: - € (IT) - 7,5 € (EU) | USD: 6,5 $ Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua

Medium to full strength. The evolution is good and the intensity is great. The aromatic palette shows a nice harmony due to a combinations of rustic puff and refined ones.

1/3: black pepper, wood, earth and hazelnut.

2/3: hazelnut and piquant spices.

3/3: piquant spices, earth, undergrowth and rustic wood.

91

/100

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BLIND TASTING

Padron Damaso No.8 - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 46 x 140 mm (5,5”) - EUR: - € (IT) - 14 € (EU) | USD: 12,5 $ Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua Slightly over the medium strength. Great intensity and incredibly balanced. The harmony is really good, aswell as the evolutions. The persistence is remarkable.

1/3: rustic wood, spices, green pepper and hints of vanilla.

2/3: young wood, spices and hazelnut.

3/3: roasted notes, coffee, black pepper, earth and piquant notes.

91

/100

Romacraft Aquitaine The Anthropology - Nicaragua Size: cepo 46 x 146 mm (5,75”) - EUR: - € (IT) - - € (EU) | USD: 7,5 $ Wrapper: Ecuador Habano | Binder: Cameroon | Filler: Nicaragua

Full strength. Huge aromatic intensity. Really creamy and satisfying, it also has a incredibly long aftertaste. Decent evolution.

1/3: black pepper, leather, earth, cocoa and cedar wood.

2/3: spices, earth, citrus and cedar wood.

3/3: black pepper, earth, leather, cedar wood.

91

/100

Señorial Corona Gorda No.5 - Dominican R.

Size: cepo 46 x 142 mm (5,6”) - EUR: 11 € (IT) - 10 € (EU) | USD: 7 $ Wrapper: Habano Ecuador | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Dominican R. Medium to full strength. Well balanced smoke, with a wide aromatic palette. The evolution is good and the persistence is remarkable. Harmonious and satisfying.

1/3: coffee, white pepper, anise and spicy.

2/3: spices, wood, hazelnut, earth and leather.

3/3: black pepper, piquant notes and anise.

91

/100

Illusione CG4 Corona - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 46 x 142 mm (5,6”) - EUR: - € (IT) - 10 € (EU) | USD: 8 $ Wrapper: Habano | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua Medium to full strength. Remarkable intensity, long persistence and wide aromatic palette. Satisfyng smoke, creamy and with a good evolution to it.

1/3: black pepper, hazelnut, wood and aromatic herbs.

2/3: black pepper, earth, cocoa and wood.

3/3: black pepper, cedar wood, cocoa, hazelnut and earth.

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90

/100

La imperiosa Corona Gorda - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 46 x 146 mm (5,75”) - EUR: - € (IT) - - € (EU) | USD: 8,5 $ Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua Medium to full strength. The cigar develops great intensity and balance. The persistence is incredibly long and the evolution is good. Really satisfying.

1/3: black pepper, roasted notes, earth, leather and ripe fruit.

2/3: spices, earth and leather.

3/3: earth, roasted notes, leather and black pepper.

90

/100

Partagas Añejados Corona Gorda - Cuba Size: cepo 46 x 143 mm (5,6”) - EUR: - € (IT) - 15 € (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba

Medium to full strength. Intense smoke, with a long persistence to it. Great aromatic bouquet and evolution. Satisfying and creamy.

1/3: earth, wood, hazelnut, leather and black pepper.

2/3: black pepper, vegetal and roasted notes.

3/3: earth, piquant spices and black pepper.

90

/100

Punch Punch - Cuba

Size: cepo 46 x 143 mm (5,6”) - EUR: 13,1 € (IT) - 11,5 € (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba Medium strength. The harmony and the balance are good. The smoke is really creamy and elegant. Decent evolution. A simple but enjoyable cigar.

1/3: white pepper, wood and hints of vanilla. Slightly sweet base.

2/3: wood, white pepper, earth and coffee. Sweet base.

3/3: white pepper, wood, earth and balsamic notes.

90

/100

CLE Corojo Corona Gorda - Honduras

Size: cepo 46 x 145 mm (5,7”) - EUR: - € (IT) - 6,5 € (EU) | USD: 5,5 $ Wrapper: Honduras | Binder: Honduras | Filler: Honduras Full strength. It developes a satisfyng smoke. The persistence is long, the aromatic palette is wide and the evolution is decent.

1/3: wet earth, horseradish and mineral peaks.

2/3: wood, hay, coffee and tree nut.

3/3: wood, hay, cocoa and tree nut.

89

/100

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BLIND TASTING

H. Upmann Magnum 46 - Cuba

Size: cepo 46 x 143 mm (5,6”) - EUR: 12,4 € (IT) - 11 € (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba Medium strength. Creamy and balanced smoke. Wide aromatic palette and good evolution. Great aromatic intensity. The harmony is excellent.

1/3: wood, walnut and cocoa.

2/3: wood, white pepper, spices and cocoa.

3/3: coffee, walnut, wood and spices.

89

/100

Plasencia 1898 Corona - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 46 x 146 mm (5,75”) - EUR: - € (IT) - 6 € (EU) | USD: 6 $ Wrapper: Nicaragua | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua Medium strength. It develops a great intensity. The evolution is decent. The aromatic palette is wide. Balanced and satisfying.

1/3: earth, cocoa, black pepper and spices.

2/3: earth, cocoa, black pepper and spices. Slightly sweet base.

3/3: earth, aromatic herbs, cocoa and hints of honey.

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/100

CAO Traviata - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 46 x 143 mm (5,6”) - EUR: 5,8 € (IT) - 6,5 € (EU) | USD: 6 $ Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Cameroon | Filler: Dominican R. & Nicaragua Medium to full strength. The intensity is remarkable, aswell as the persistence. Both the complexity and the harmony are great. Creamy.

1/3: tree nut, black pepper and spices.

2/3: coffee, almond, earth and black pepper.

3/3: black pepper, earth and almond.

88

/100

Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 46 x 134 mm (5,25”) - EUR: 6,5 € (IT) - 8 € (EU) | USD: 5 $ Wrapper: Ecuador & Nicaragua | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua & Honduras Light to medium strength. Well balanced and incredibly creamy cigar. It develops a refined smoke, with a nice harmony. Decent evolution.

1/3: fine wood, walnut and cocoa.

2/3: fine wood, hazelnut and white pepper.

3/3: roasted notes, coffee and spices.

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88

/100

Juan Lopez Seleccion No.1 - Cuba

Size: cepo 46 x 143 mm (5,6”) - EUR: 11,5 € (IT) - 10 € (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba Medium strength. An easy smoke, with a great harmony to it. The persistence is long and the aromatic intensity is great. Really creamy.

1/3: white pepper, wood and vegetal notes.

2/3: cedar wood, cinnamon and spices.

3/3: spices, black pepper, roaster notes and hints of cinnamon.

88

/100

La Flor de Isabela Corona - Philippines

Size: cepo 44 x 140 mm (5,5”) - EUR: - € (IT) - 5 € (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Java (Indonesia) | Binder: Philippines | Filler: Philippines & Brazil Medium strength. It develops a nice intensity. Well balanced and with a good evolution to it. Excellent harmony.

1/3: hazelnut and piquant spices.

2/3: wood, honey and piquant peaks. Sweet base.

3/3: earth, honey, almond and piquant peaks. Sweet base.

88

/100

Liga Unico Ratzilla - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 46 x 158 mm (6,25”) - EUR: - € (IT) - - € (EU) | USD: 15 $ Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Mata Final (Brazil) | Filler: Nicaragua & Honduras Medium to full strength. This cigar has a nice complexity and a wide aromatic palette.

The evolution is decent. Well balanced and with a nice harmony.

1/3: spices, incense, hazelnut.

2/3: incense, spices and hearth.

3/3: incense, aromatic herbs, earth and undergrowth.

88

/100

Tatuaje Black Label Corona Gorda - Nicaragua Size: cepo 46 x 142 mm (5,5”) - EUR: - € (IT) - 9 € (EU) | USD: 10 $ Wrapper: Nicaragua | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua

Medium to full strength. Great aromatic intensity, aswell as the harmony. The evolution is limited but the persistence is remarkable.

1/3: cocoa, leather, earth and walnut.

2/3: cocoa and wood.

3/3: cocoa and wood.

88

/100

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BLIND TASTING

Camacho Corojo Corona - Honduras

Size: cepo 44 x 140 mm (5,5”) - EUR: 7,9 € (IT) - 6,5 € (EU) | USD: 6,5 $ Wrapper: Honduras | Binder: Honduras | Filler: Honduras Medium strength. The cigar shows a nice persistence and intensity. The evolution is limited but the harmony is great.

1/3: cocoa, earth and cinnamon. Slightly sweet base.

2/3: cocoa, earth and aromatic herbs.

3/3: woods, aromatic herbs, tree nut and piquant peaks.

87

/100

Cuenca y Blanco Corona Real - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 46 x 140 mm (5,5”) - EUR: 6,5 € (IT) - 8 € (EU) | USD: 5 $ Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Dominican R. | Filler: Nicaragua & Peru Medium to full strength. It shows a good complexity. The balance is great aswell as the harmony. The aromatic palette is good, the evolution decent. Creamy.

1/3: carob, spices and aromatic herbs.

2/3: roasted notes, spices and aromatic herbs.

3/3: roasted notes, spices and aromatic herbs.

87

/100

San Lotano Oval Corona - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 46 x 140 mm (5,5”) - EUR: 6,5 € (IT) - 8 € (EU) | USD: 5 $ Wrapper: Nicaragua | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua & Honduras Medium to full strength. Great aromatic intensity, good balance and good harmony. The aromatic palette is nice and the evolution decent. Creamy.

1/3: cocoa, spices, black pepper and coffee.

2/3: cocoa and black pepper.

3/3: cocoa, earth, leather and roasted notes.

87

/100

Warped La Hacienda - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 46 x 142 mm (5,6”) - EUR: - € (IT) - - € (EU) | USD: 7 $ Wrapper: Nicaragua | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua Medium to full strength. The intensity is great but the evolution and the aromatic palette are limited. Good Harmony.

1/3: cedar wood and spices. Slightly sweet base.

2/3: cedar wood, spices and black pepper. Slightly sweet base.

3/3: cedar wood, spices and black pepper. Slightly sweet base.

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87

/100

NUOVO DAVIDOFF ESCURIO

·

UNA NOTTE A RIO ISPIRA UN VIAGGIO NEL GUSTO

NOSTRI MASTRI HANNO RAFFINATO LE FOCOSE FOGLIE DI CRIOLLO CUBANO PER POI ACCOSTARLE A UNA MATA FINA BRASILIANA, CHE PULSA AL CENTRO DI QUESTA MISCELA ORIGINALE

·

I TABACCHI

DOMINICANI E LA CAPA ECUADORIANA CREANO UN EQUILIBRIO PERFETTO

·

UN CONNUBIO FRA DOLCE E SPEZIATO

·

COME RIO

AL CALARE DELLA NOTTE, VIAGGIO TRA SENSAZIONI INASPETTATE

·

RITMO · INTRIGO · ORIGINALITÀ SCOPRI DOVE PUÒ CONDURTI ESCURIO

davidoff.com

Nuoce gravemente alla salute

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For Don Tomás Nicaragua, Master Blender Leader Agustín Garcia worked closely with the blending team in Estelí, Nicaragua and with tobacco grower Pedro Gurdian, who specializes in growing tobacco within the virgin soils of the Nicaraguan regions Jalapa, Condega Pueblo and Estelí. Filler tobaccos from these regions are blended with Dominican Piloto Cubano, held together by a binder from

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Per la linea Macanudo Inspirado i nostri Master Blender utilizzano tabacco proveniente da Honduras, Nicaragua & Repubblica DominicaArapiraca, Brazilutilizzata and covereduna withcapote a shade-grown na. Viene della Jamastran wrapper from Jalapa.Valley (Honduras). La è un’oleosa foglia Sana Agustin, Doncapa Tomás Nicaragua showcases nice, spicy by provenienza honduregna. Sarete andsicuramente nutty flavor, paired with sweetness, woody, inspirati da granby idee andmentre salty notes and has nicely defi ned colors and vi godrete i Macanudo Inspirado. very little, thin veins. It has significant body and

features fantastic construction which leads to the perfect smoking experience.

BLIND TASTING

Churchills

The Churchill size is an historical one, linked to notorius smokers; to mention just a couple of them, Winston Churchill and Georges Clemenceau, rispectively the english and french First Ministers.

This smoking time of this size last as long as the Robusto Extra, that nowadays is getting more and more popular; this because despite the shorter length, the Robusto Extra has a bigger ring gauge.

The Churchill size has still a lot to say and to give to the aficionado, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the most proportioned cigar size ever made.

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BLIND TASTING

Cumpay Churchill - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 48 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: 7,2 € (IT) - 7 € (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Nicaragua | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua Medium strength. A cigar in continuous evolution: after a “slow” start, the aromatic palette gets wide and elegant. The balance is excellent and the smoke creamy.

1/3: wood, spices, white pepper and piquant peaks.

2/3: fine wood, hazelnut, white pepper and mineral notes.

3/3: ripe fruit and spices. Sweet base.

92

/100

Padron 1964 Diplomatico Maduro - Nicaragua Size: cepo 50 x 148 mm (7”) - EUR: - € (IT) - € 18 (EU) | USD: 13,8 $ Wrapper: Nicaragua | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua

Medium strength. Well balanced smoke, with a great intesity to it. The persistence is remarkable and the aromatic bouquet is wide and complex.

1/3: cocoa, almond, spices and white pepper.

2/3: earth, black pepper, ripe fruit and piquant peaks.

3/3: earth, spices and piquant peaks.

92

/100

Ashton VSG Sorcerer - Dominican R.

Size: ccepo 49 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: - € 12,5(IT) € 9,10 (EU) | USD: 10 $ Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Dominican R. | Filler: Dominican R. Medium to full strength. Well balanced and satisfying cigar. The aromatic palette is wide and harmonious. The smoke is creamy and the evolution is perceivable in every third.

1/3: aged wood, black pepper, vegetal and sugary notes.

2/3: cocoa and fine spices, on a sweet base.

3/3: earth and balsamic herbs.

91

/100

H.Upmann Sir Winston - Cuba

Size: cepo 47 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: 21.4€ (IT) € 20 (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba Medium strengrth. This cigar shows an excellent balance. The evolution is remarkable and the aromatic bouquet is elegant. Good harmony and complexity.

1/3: spices, aromatic herbs and vanilla. Slightly sweet base.

2/3: aromatic herbs, vanilla, tree nut and spices. Sweet base.

3/3: vanilla, honey, tree nut and vegetal notes. Sweet base.

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91

/100

Villiger Sandoro Colorado - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 50 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: - € (IT) 16.5 € (EU) | USD: 15 $ Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano | Binder: Ecuador Habano | Filler: Nicaragua Habano Medium strength. This cigar develops a great intensity and an excellent balance. It is a easy smoke, with a wide aromatic palette and a nice evolution.

1/3: cocoa, black pepper, spices and vegetal notes.

2/3: black pepper, spices, wood and balsamic herbs.

3/3: spices, black pepper, wood resin, walnut and aromatic herbs.

90

/100

God of Fire Carlito Churchill – Dominican R. Size: cepo 48 x 178 mm (”) - EUR: - € (IT) 23 € (EU) | USD: 23 $ Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Dominican R. | Filler: Dominican R.

Medium strength. Creamy and satisfying cigar, with a very long persistence. The complexity is great.

1:vegetal notes, leather, wood, white pepper and ripe fruit.

2/3: white pepper, hazelnut, leather and honey.

3/3: black pepper, wood, leather and honey.

89

/100

La aroma de Cuba Edicion Esp. Churchill - Nicaragua Size: cepo 47 x 175 mm (6.9”) - EUR: - € (IT) 9 € (EU) | USD: 7 $ Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua

Medium to full strength. Satisfying cigar. It develops an excellent intensity and a nice evolution. The persistence is long. Good the balance.

1/3: spices, honey, cocoa and wood. Slightly sweet base.

2/3: cocoa, spices, hazelnut and wood. Sweet base.

3/3: peppery notes, wood, cocoa and hazelnut. Sweet base.

89

/100

Brun del Re Churchill Gold - Costarica

Size: cepo 48 x 175 mm (6.9”) - EUR: : - € (IT) 10 € (EU) | USD: 10 $ Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Indonesia | Filler: Costarica/ Nicaragua Medium to full strength. Well balanced cigar, with a great intensity to it. The evolution is well defined in the thirds and the persistence is nice. Good complexity.

1/3: spices, honey, wood and cocoa.

2/3: cocoa, spices, hazelnut and wood. Sweet base.

3/3: spicy notes, wood, cocoa and hazelnut. Sweet base.

89

/100

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BLIND TASTING

Caldwell Eastern Stand. Cream Crush - Dominican R. Size: cepo 48 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: - € (IT) - € (EU) | USD: 11 $ Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican R. | Filler: Dominican R., Nicaragua

Medium strength. It develops a creamy smoke. Balance and intensity are great. The aromatic palette is not too wide but the aromas are well defined.

1/3: citrus, black pepper and wood.

2/3: wood, black pepper and hazelnut. Sweet base.

3/3: spices, wood and hazelnut. Sweet base.

89

/100

Norteño Edicion Limitada Churchill - Nicaragua Size: cepo 48 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: - € (IT) - € (EU) | USD: 15 $ Wrapper: San Andres (Mexico) | Binder: Honduras | Filler: Nicaragua

Medium strength. It develops a huge quantity of smoke. Well harmonious and with a nice aromatic intensity. Easy smoke but enjoyable.

1/3: coffee, earth and spicy notes.

2/3: coffee, earth and spices. Slightly sweet base.

3/3: black pepper, earth and roasted notes.

89

/100

Tatuaje Monster Hyde - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 47 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: - € (IT) - € (EU) | USD: 13 $ Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua Medium strength. Rustic and masculine smoke but at the same time well balanced and creamy. The intensity and the harmony are great. The evolution is good.

1/3: white pepper, leather, earth, wood and roasted notes.

2/3: white pepper, hazelnut, wood, coffee and leather.

3/3: earth, black pepper, leather, wood, earth and coffee.

Winston Churchill The Aristocrats

89

/100

- Dominican R.

Size: cepo 47 x 175 mm (6.9”) - EUR: 21 € (IT) 19,20 € (EU) | USD: 17 $ Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Mexico | Filler: Dominican R., Nicaragua Slightly over the medium strength. Well balanced smoke. The evolution is decent and the aromatic bouquet good, aswell as the intensity. Great harmony.

1/3: vegetal notes, cedar wood and hazelnut.

2/3: vegetal notes and cedar wood. Slightly sweet base.

3/3: earth, nutmeg, spices and vegetal notes.

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89

/100

Casa Magna Colorado - Dominican R.

Size: cepo 49 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: - € (IT) - 6,5 € (EU) | USD: 6,5 $ Wrapper: Corojo, Dominican R. | Binder: Dominican R. | Filler: Dominican R. Slightly over the medium strength. Creamy smoke, with a great intensity to it. The balance is good and the evolution perceivable.

1/3: cocoa, spices and tree nut.

2/3: herbs, cocoa and coffee.

3/3: wood and roasted notes.

88

/100

Montecristo Anejados - Cuba

Size: cepo 47 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: 20.4€ (IT) € 19 (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba Medium strength. It develops a balanced smoke. The evolution is limited aswell as the persistence. Good the intensity.

1/3: cedar wood and spices.

2/3: earth, spices and cedar wood.

3/3: earth, cedar wood and balsamic herbs.

88

/100

Plasencia Reserva 1898 - Nicaragua

Size: cepo 50 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: € (IT) 16.5 € 6,5(EU) | USD: 00 $ Wrapper: Nicaragua | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Honduras/Nicaragua Slightly over the medium strength. The intensity is the main characteristic of this cigar.

The aromatic palette is wide and the evolution decent. Balanced.

1/3: coffee, wood, aromatic herbs, mineral notes and cocoa.

2/3: cocoa, coffee, hazelnut, vegetal and mineral notes.

3/3: cocoa, coffee, spices and mineral notes.

87

/100

Cohiba Esplendidos - Cuba

Size: cepo 47 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: 33.6€ (IT) € 32 (EU) | USD: - $ Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba | Filler: Cuba Medium strength. The cigar is balanced and develops a good intensity. Harmonious but with a limited evolution, aswell as the persistence.

1/3: wood, citrus, walnut and vegetal notes.

2/3: walnut, wood, white pepper and vegetal notes.

3/3: walnut, wood and balsamic herbs.

86

/100

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BLIND TASTING

Macanudo Estate Reserve - Dominican R.

Size: ccepo 50 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: - € (IT) - € (EU) | USD: 10,5 $ Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican R. | Filler: Dominican R. /Jamaica Medium to full strength. Great aromatic intensity and good balance. The evolution is limited and the persistence is on the average.

1/3: black pepper, wood and earth.

2/3: spices, wood and leather.

3/3: earth, leather and black pepper.

Room 101 Connecticut 615C

86

/100

- Honduras

Size: cepo 47 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: - € (IT) - € (EU) - (EU) | USD: 13 $ Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Nicaragua Light to medium strength. The aromatic palette and the evolution are limited. The complexity and the intensity are decent. In the second hald it is perceivable a bitter vein.

1/3: aromatic herbs, citrus and wood.

2/3: white pepper, aromatic herbs and wood.

3/3: white pepper, leather and wood.

86

/100

Graycliff Espresso Presidente - Bahamas

Size: cepo 48 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: - € (IT) - € (EU) | USD: 22 $ Wrapper: Costa Rica | Binder: Cameroon | Filler: Ecuador, Nicaragua & Philippines Medium to full strength. It develops a complex smoke, with a good intensity to it. In the last third the balance is on the edge: the strength overwhelms the aromatic palette.

1/3: liquorice and earth.

2/3: earth, fine spices and vegetal notes. Slightly bitter.

3/3: green pepper, earth, spices and piquant peaks.

84

/100

Toraño Casa Toraño - Honduras

Size: cepo 48 x 178 mm (7”) - EUR: - € (IT) - € (EU) | USD: 6 $ Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Nicaragua | Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua Light to medium strength. The intensity is limited aswell as the aromatic profile. The evolution is decent. Balanced.

1/3: herbs and light spices.

2/3: earth and roasted notes.

3/3: roasted notes, bread and spices.

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82

/100

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SMOKES FROM THE WORLD

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64

EVENTS

by Luca Cominelli

The XVIII Festival del Habano was held from february 29 to march 4. The program of the event didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any huge modifications in respect to the last years: from the Welcoming to the Gala Dinner, the events in-between were practically the same as in 2015 (trips to plantations, pairing with the Italian wines from Chianti, factory tours, Habanosommelier contest and a night dedicated to the Rollers).

However, the fulcrum of attention was the anniversary of the most prestigious cuban brand that turned 50: Cohiba.

Three news was created: one product enters the regular production, the Cohiba Medio Siglo, and two products in limited quantities, the Gold Humidor and the Majestuosos 1966 Humidor.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start with the two Humidors. The cigars pro-

duced for the occasion are the Majestuoso 1966 (ring gauge of 58 x 150mm in length) and the Cohiba 50 Aniversario (ring gauge of 60 x 178

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mm in length).

The Humidors are both very limited. The pieces produced are 1966 for the Majestuoso and only 50 for the Gold. The second Humidor, is decorated with real tobacco leaves covered with 24-karat gold (pictures on the following page).

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EVENTS Let’s turn to the Medio Siglo. This is a hybrid between the Siglo I and the Siglo VI: the cigar presents the length of the Siglo I (102mm) and the ring gauge of the Cañonazo from Cohiba (52).

The vitola is therefore located between the “Short Robustos“, or “Corto“ as one might say.

Also entering at the regular production list is the Magnum 54, that places next to the Magnum 46 and the Magnum 50 (as well as the Magnum 56, a 2015 limited edition) in the H. Upmann brand.

There will be three limited editions that are going to be release during the year: the Montecristo Dantés (48 x 167 mm) in 10 count boxes, the Romeo y Julieta Capuletos (53 x 153 mm) in 25 count boxes and the Trinidad Topes (54 x 110 mm) in 12 count boxes. The Reserve edition is the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 that is

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going to be released in 20 count boxes. The last vitola involves the Cuaba brand, that turns 20. It is celebrated with a Humidor with 50 Cuaba 20 Aniversario (56 x 170 mm) in it, made especially for the occasion.

Taking a closer look at all the new releases, it doesn’t go unnoticed how Habanos S.A. is increasingly offering more products that follow the demands of todays market, such as quick smokes with a generous ring gauge, or cigars with prominent dimensions. There are currently no certainties on the release dates of this news. Keep in mind that the Gran Reserva edition of 2015 (the Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill) until these days are still not on the market and this is probably going to considerably push back the release of the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Reserva.

Cuaba Humidor 20 Aniversario

Cohiba Medio Siglo Tubos

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EVENTS

Procigar Festival 2016 THE 9° MAIN EVENT IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

by Michel Arlia

The 9th ProCigar Festival started on February 21st and was held at the Westin Punta Cana Resort & Club, in the Dominican Republic. Over 350 visitors from 20 different countries were present, including suppliers, retailer and consumers.

On Tuesday morning, February 23rd, the visitors had the chance to visit the Tabacalera de Garcia factory, where also lunch was held.

In the afternoon the attendees headed to Santiago for three days, where they could choose between many factory and farm tours, visiting for example Quesada, La Aurora, General Cigar, Tabacalera La Palma, Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, De Los Reyes Cigars, Tabacalera La Alianza, La Flor Dominicana and Davidoff, or other activities including the 6th annual Procigar Poker Tournament with proceeds goes to local Charity, merengue

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lessons, a beach day at the Gansevoort Hotel, Long Ash Contest, among others.

The traditional Welcome Dinner was held at the Gardens of “Teatro del Cibao” on Wednesday, where new, limited or special cigars made for the occasion, were presented to all the guests: Tabacalera de García – Henry Clay Stalk Cut, De Los Reyes – The Saga Short Tales: High Priming, Quesada – Quesada Privat, La Aurora - Aurora Preferido Ecuador, Tabacos Quisqueyanos, S.A. – Juan Clemente Robusto Oscuro, Tabacalera La Flor Dominicana – La Flor Dominicana Edición Procigar, General Cigar – Blend M-01, Tabacalera La Alianza – E.P.Carrillo Selección No.6, Tabacalera Palma – La Galera Habano L. E. Bonchero, Tabadom Holding – Davidoff Mistery Cigar and Tabacalera Fuente – Don Arturo Destino al Siglo de Pasión.

A Welcome White Attire Dinner was held at Santiago’s Monumento a Los Heroes de la Rastauracion on Thursday.

The Closing Ceremony was celebrated at a private Spanish Club in Santiago, called Centro Español, where guest experienced delicious food and live music. The week- long event was concluded with the famous Gala Dinner, where a record breaking $201,000 were raised. All the proceed will benefit The Voluntariado de Jesus con los Niños (a nonprofit organization for ill children), The Sociedad San Vicente de Paul (a retirement home for low income elderly) and The Monumento a los Heroes de la Restauración.

Carlito Fuente

Henke Kelner

Avo Uvezian

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EVENTS

Litto Gomez

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Antonio Gomez

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EVENTS

Il 5° Puro Sabor THE BIGGEST EVENT IN NICARAGUA

by Giovanni Bolzonella

The fifth Puro Sabor Festival was held during the third week of January 2016, in Nicaragua.

The estimated numbers of the participants was surpassed, with more than 200 attendees from over 27 countries.

The festival started off with a visit to Mombacho’s Casa Favilli in Granada. The Welcoming Cocktail Party on the first day, was followed the next day by tastings of cigars, rums (with a visit to La Flor de Caña, and coffees produced in the country. The day was capped off by a cocktail party.

On the third day the attendees traveled to the tobacco capital of Nicaragua, Esteli. There the most important factories opened their doors to the guests for the following two days. Just to give you an idea, Joya de Nicaragua, My Father,

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Padron, Plasencia, Nicaraguan American Cigars S.A, Tabacalera Oliva de Nicaragua S.A., were just a few of them.

The forth day also featured a new segment called Conversatorio Puro Sabor.

This Panel of experts consisted of Dr. Alejandro Martínez Cuenca (Joya de Nicaragua), Jorge Padrón, Jonathan Drew, Gustavo Cura (Oliva Tobacco), Nestor Andrés Plasencia, José Pepín García, Pete Johnson, Christian Eiroa (CLE Cigar Co.) and Nicholas Melillo (Foundation Cigar Co.), that discussed the present and future of the Nicaragua Tobacco Industry.

The evening program of the respective days was the White Party, with poetry and music, on day 3 and the Gala Dinner, with esclusive show and an auction in benefit of the population of Esteli.

Jonathan Drew

J. Martinez & M. Cuenca

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EVENTS

Pete Johnson

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Don Pepin Garcia

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INFO

Vocabulary

MEANING OF THE TERMINOLOGIES USED Anilla: paper band on the cigar, which is used to identify the brand.

Calibre (cepo or ring gauge): diameter of the cigar.

Capa (wrapper): the leaves used to wrap the Tripa and the Capote.

Capote (binder): the leaves used to wrap the Tripa.

Catadores: from the factory assigned employees, which try the cigars on a daily bases, to verify the quality.

Cepo: ring gauge.

Claro: tonality of the light brown color of the wrapper.

Colorado: tonality of the chestnut brown color of the wrapper.

Colorado claro: tonality of the light brown color of the wrapper.

Colorado maduro: tonality of the dark brown color of the wrapper.

Figurado: a cigar which presents a pointed end.

Fortaleza: the sensation of the strength, which the smoke provokes in the throat of the smoker with every puff.

Galera: a place where the cigars are prepared.

I.S.: International Shape.

Largo: length of the cigar.

Liga: the mixture of the leaves used, which characterizes the cigar.

Ligero: leaves that are harvested in the higher part of the tobacco plants and that give the strength to the cigar.

Maduro: tonality of the mahogany-dark brown color of the wrapper.

Medio tempo: leaves that are harvested in the top part of the tobacco plants.

Puro: a cigar, which is exclusively prepared with leaves from the resulting country.

Seco: leaves that are harvested in the interim part of the tobacco plants and give aroma to the cigar.

SLD: short for Slide Lid Box. Tercio: ball of untreated tobacco.

Thirds (first, second and third): parts in which the cigar gets divided.

Torcedore: employee who rolls the cigars.

Tripa (filler): leaves which compose the filling of the cigar.

Tripa corta: a filling which is composed of the cuts, pieces and damaged leaves.

Tripa larga: a filling with whole leaves.

Vitola: module or format of the cigar with an established diameter and length.

Vitola de galera: unique name which is attributed to distinguish the different formats, independent of the name which is will be given to the cigar (Marevas, Prominentes, etcâ&#x20AC;Ś).

Vitola de salida: name attributed to the commercial end and changes from each brand (Siglo VI, Serie D no. 4, etc...).

Volado: leaves which are harvested at the bottom part of the tobacco plant. Fundamental for the combustion of the cigar.

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Sections

WHAT YOU CAN FIND ON CIGARSLOVER MAGAZINE DRINKS The better beverages reviewed and explained. The new products and the old fascinated ones, with a hint of history.

PAIRINGS The best alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks which perfectly match with cigars. When pairing becomes a source of absolute pleasure.

EVENTS The main international events.

Fairs, meetings and everything having the cigar as the main character.

PILLS A brief article that goes straight to the heart of the matter. A topic to be read in one breath, a small pill.

FAMOUS SMOKERS Biographies and curiosity about famous people of present and past days, that all have in common just one this: a huge passion for cigars.

SLOW ATTITUDE Technical ar ticles for a better understanding of the product cigar secrets and insights of use for both beginners and aficionados.

INTERVIEW Stories of passions narrated directly by the protagonists: interviews with insiders, tobacconists, importers, collectors, and so on and so forth.

TOBACCO HISTORY Stories from the tobacco world: the big brands, the crops, the manufacturers of the past, and the city grew on the tobacco business.

LINE UP Insights, reviews and evaluations about all the cigars that belong to the same line, plus details about its making.

TOOLS Accessories are an essential element for the modern smoker: cutters, humidors, lighters, cigar holders, furnishing accessories.

MADE IN ITALY Reviews, discussions and insights regarding the cigars made in Italy. The tradition of Tuscani, the novelty of Nostrano del Brenta and more!

VINTAGE The world of collecting: cigars aged for decades, the great classics of the past and rarest cubans.

The charm and the quality of the impossible.

CigarsLoverMagazine | No.10

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