According to La Palina website,

Rolled at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras for La Palina Cigar, the El Diario is a perfect complement to our acclaimed original line, the Family Series. The La Palina El Diario is a richly flavored medium bodied cigar. The sweet characteristics of the Honduran rosado wrapper round out the spicy Nicaraguan corojo and criollo filler. The double binders from Honduras refine and complete the blend, creating beautiful balance.

The La Palina El Diario is a straightforward blend with a harmony of sweet and spicy notes that you will find the ideal choice for daily enjoyment. El Diario translates to “The Daily” in English. The El Diario is a La Palina for every day.

The cigar is available in 5 sizes, Churchill (7 x 50), Torpedo (6.125 x 52), Gordo (6 x 58), Toro (6 x 50) and Robusto (5 x 52).

Cigar: La Palina El Diario
Size:6 x 58 (Gordo)
Wrapper: Honduran Corojo ’99 Rosado
Binder: Honduran Criollo ’98 (x2)
Filler: Nicaraguan Corojo ’99 and Criollo ’98
Strength: Full
Cigars Smoked For Review: 2

La Palina - El Diario

Appearance and Construction:The La Palina El Diario features a flawless corojo wrapper from Honduras. Rolled to perfection with a triple cap finding a flaw  in the leaf is impossible. Under fingers there is a velvet like texture, so soft spots,or pockets and a nice weight. The foot is as firm as they come, with a nice contrast in the tobacco under the camera flash. This excessively firm cigar features the classing La Palina logo which is reminiscent of a cameo with Italian gold accents.

La Palina - El Diario - First 3rd

Flavor & Notes:Under the nose the foot reveals notes of raisins, subtle chocolate and a slight spice. The cold draw has a nice amount of sweetness and cedar and almost no spice. With my Xikar lighter I lit up the La Palina El Diario looking forward to the next 2 hours. Once the cigar is lit there is some spice present that gives way to notes of mocha and nuts, with a touch of leather. In the second third of the cigar the nutty notes really take hold and become the focal point with some sweetness and leather in the background. The cigar is a bit drying so be sure to have a beverage handy with this one. The last third kicks up some in strength becoming full strength while the notes are a slight mocha, nuts, leather with a short finish.

La Palina - El Diario - Second 3rd

Smoking Characteristics: The La Palina El Diario had a perfect draw on both my samples which came courtesy of the company. The burn was slightly uneven or jagged, but never to the point where it worried me about needing a lighter. The dark ash was weak and held for maybe an inch at a time. The thing that really wowed me was the aroma, which had an incredible shortbread aroma with some nuttiness. It was truly memorable.

La Palina - El Diario - Last 3rd

Conclusion: Amazing how age can really change a cigar. When I first smoked this with Bill Paley fresh from the factory the strength of the cigar had me weak in the knees. Now a couple of month lately the strength was muted some and the cigar was flavorful and enjoyable. I can only imagine how these will change with 6 months on them, and I plan to order at least a 5 pack to do just. A very nice addition to the La Palina line.

Rating: 90
Price: $11.55 each / 10 % off on a box @ Bonita Smoke Shop (Call, In Stock Now!)

1) I guess the big question is, why? What made 2011 the year of your retirement?

After almost 30 years I felt it was time first of all to take a break, to also address some personal matters, and evaluate what the future holds for me. But one thing you can be sure is that tobacco runs through my veins and I will always be supportive of the industry and the rights that people have to smoke, so we will run into each other for sure within the industry. To begin with I will be present at the IPCPR in Las Vegas this Summer and do my blending seminar.

2) What moment of your career would you consider to be the top highlight?

For the celebration of the 100th anniversary of La Aurora Guillermo entrusted me to work with the blends of this important project for the company. For more than a year and after 40 blends we picked the one that we liked the most, and I remember that one afternoon Jose Padron called Guillermo to inform him that the 100 Anos Belicoso had been chosen as the number 2 cigar on Cigar Aficionado’s top 25. That will be a day I will never forget.

3) You were around when Cuban Cigars were still legal in the USA. Yet a lot of people still call the current time, the Golden Age of Tobacco… How has the cigar industry changed in your eyes over the years?

In my years of experience I can say that Cuba has had its ups and downs, and the Cuban cigars of the 70′s and the 80′s were much better than those of the 90′s and part of the 2000′s. However, the industry has changed because today Dominican Republic is the largest of premium cigars in the world; Nicaragua and Honduras have also had great advancements. In the last 5 or 6 years cigars have become more complex, better made, more balanced, just overall better smokes from all the tobacco-producing countries.

4) With a growing movement to ban smoking, and the beginnings of what some people consider to be prohibition 2.0 where do you see cigar industry in the next 10 years?

If at the federal state and city level they continue to impose smoking bans and high taxation definitely there will be a decrease in consumption, but in time the States will realize how much revenue they are losing and might reverse some of the bans even though I believe that taxes will always be an effect. In this order I am a firm believer of the rights of people to smoke so consumers should join and support organizations that are fighting for the rights of people to smoke. I would also like to talk about the consolidation of the big cigar companies, these companies will continue to acquire smaller companies with good brand awareness and quality to increase each of their market share. Also, today and naturally in the future the consumers are more demanding and knowledgeable. So I believe that those who will continue producing quality cigars and innovation will survive.

5) Lastly, what are some of the best cigars you have ever smoked?

100 Anos Corona; R&J Petit Belicoso 1999 Cuban; Padron 45th Anniversary; Opus X Lancero Maduro;  Partagas D Reserva 2004 Cuban; Guillermo Leon Corona Gorda; Ashton VSG; Litto Gomez Oscuro Especiales; Pete Johnson La Riqueza Corona Gorda; Pepin Garcia Limited Edition 2010; Benji Menendez Partagas; Davidoff Millenium Robusto; Jose Seijas Original Toro; Drew Estate Liga Privada; Illusione 888; Fonseca Limited Edition 2003 Belicoso (Ed. Thanks to Michael Herklots of Nat Sherman for Year Confirmation);  Rocky Patel 92 Original; Avo 22; Camacho 11/18; La Aurora Preferido Cameroon Robusto; Nestor Miranda Collection; Alec Bradley; Joya De Nicaragua. I have so much respect for all the manufactures and to name my favorite cigars is very difficult. Like I tell everyone at my seminars, the best cigar is the one that you enjoy.

Jose, once again, we thank you for all you have done for acigarsmoker.com and myself over the years. We will see you soon, even if not in Las Vegas.

According to the Alec Bradley websites…

“ALEC BRADLEY TEMPUS……….. latin meaning Time. Time is one of the most important factors when creating a great cigar; Time for the tobaccos to mature in the fields; for perfect fermentation, aging time, and time for the rich tobacco flavors to meld into one. In our industry and in our lives, time is the one component that is always in demand. Alec Bradley Tempus is created to enjoy most of what we have least….TIME

Alec Bradley Tempus is made at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras. Only 20% of the cigar rollers at the factory are chosen to make the Tempus brand. We use select tobacco from a farm in the Trojes region of Honduras, just north of the border of Nicaragua, and some of the finest tobacco from Jalapa, Nicaragua. All the cigars are rolled in the traditional Cuban style, tubing each filler tobacco and using a triple cap finished wrapper.

Cigar: Alec Bradley Tempus
Size: 7.5 x 41 (Creo / Lancero)
Wrapper: Honduras Criollo 98
Binder: Honduras Criollo 98, Indonesia
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras
Strength: Medium
Number Smoked: 4

Alec Bradley Tempus Creo

Appearance and Construction: The Alec Bradley Tempus Creo is a lancero that has a lot of character to it. The cigar is bumpy and has some veins that are raised above the oily wrapper. Well rolled with a triple cap that features a slight tail, the stick uses a 2 band system.  The first band is the classic Tempus label, and the foot band (which I wish every non-cello cigar would use) states Tempus. The foot is slight spongy and there are some soft spots in the stick.

The foot of the Alec Bradley Tempus Creo

Flavors & Notes: The foot of the cigar has a sweetness to it, but the primary note to the nose is cedar. Once the cap is clipped, the draw is the reverse with some cedar on the finish but some sweetness on the front end. Once the cigar is lit, I get a slight floral note the gives way to some leather and cedar. As we progress our way through the first thirst the notes are wood, licorice and a slight leather on the finish that slowly fades as we progress. As we enter the second third of the cigar some of that floral note begins to surface again and for me it works. The final third of the cigar changes things up with notes of nuts, wood and a slight spice with a leather finish.

1st Third of the Alec Bradley Tempus Creo

Smoking Characteristics: The lancero is a cigar that despite being traditional is often victim of poor rolling. This is not the case with the Creo. The draw of the cigar is a perfect as they come. It burned true, and I never needed to re-light it. The ash was dark, and didn’t hold at all, which is typical of a lancero. However, this was a bit less than normal with it dropping ash every 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. The cigar produced an average amount of smoke with a nice woodsy aroma.

2nd Third of the Alec Bradley Tempus Creo

Conclusion: The Indonesian tobacco in the Alec Bradley Tempus stands out as something different than many cigars have to offer. There is a difference in the profile of the cigar that really stands out as something different. The cigar is worth trying just for that reason along, but the complexity, construction and the price will have you coming back time and time again.

Last Third of the Alec Bradley Tempus Creo

Rating: 92
Price: $41.95 a five pack at Uptown Cigar

All edge and tip.

Iconic U.S. Cigar Factory in Pennsylvania closes:

I want this cigar lounge.

Looks like Alec Bradley is coming out with a 6×60 for their Family Blend, via cigar aficionado:

Take a look at what Winston Churchill has for breakfast. If it was up to me, I’d skip tray 1 and go straight to tray 2.

You won’t be able to smoke your fine luxury tobacco in public parks and beaches after May 23rd. But before NYC’s oppressive outdoor smoking ban goes into effect cigar companies including Alec Bradley,  Graycliff, La Aurora, Altadis, General Cigar and Plasencia invite you to have A Last Cigar In Central Park.

This event is hosted by Aaron Sigmond, the founding editor of Smoke Magazine and the Cigar Report, and television personality Bill McCuddy to commemorate the end of an era as it is one of the last times cigar smokers can legally enjoy a cigar in Central Park.

It is certainly a shame not being able to enjoy  a cigar in Central Park (or any New York City Park ).  I’m certain  this Herf will be a great and memorable one.

Last night at the Carnegie Club was the social event  of the year for the New York cigar smoker. If you weren’t there you missed out on a great time for a great cause as well as a chance to rub elbows with the likes of Tony Darrow, Renaldo Snipes, Raquel & Pachy Quesada, Guillermo Leon, Kurt Van Keppel, Larry Sherman and many more.

No word yet on the final tally, but some interesting items were auctioned off including a tasting at Mario Batali’s Eataly, sessions at Spiff which offers haircuts, shaves, shoeshines and manicures for men, as well as Osama Bin Laden Toilet  Paper. There were also some custom humidors, dinner for 2 at Rothman’s Steakhouse and so much more.  Also, let us not forget to mention the raffles which included at least 100 boxes of cigars. Each ticket was $25.00 and between my business partner and I we walked away with winnings that included a box of  illusione ECCJ, a box of Quesada Tributo, a box of Warlock, Rebecca Moss Fountain Pen, 2 La Aroma De Cuba Ashtrays, and at least 40 singles.

A great time for a great cause, Michael Herklots has done his high school proud.

Photos courtesy of Geoff Sheridan and we thank him for allowing us to use them.

Raffle Prizes

Even More Raffle Prizes

Michael Herklots raffles of Osama Bin Laden Toilet Paper

Boxer Renaldo Snipes & Terence Reilly of Quesada

Actor Tony Darrow & Michael Herklots

Arielle Ditkowich (La Sirena Cigars), Raquel Quesada, Pachy Quesada

The Angry Story Teller (my business parter) & Barry Blonder (Alec Bradley)

Larry Sherman (Nat Sherman) & Bob Morrison (Independent Sales Rep)

The cigar will be available as a Corona (5.5 x 42/$3.95); Robusto (5 x 50/$4.50); Toro (50 x 6/$4.75); Churchill (7 x 48/$5.00); Torpedo (6 1/8 x 52/$5.00) and Gordo (6 x 60/$5.50).

Alec Bradley American Classic Blend, Band

Cigar: Alec Bradley American Classic
Size: 6 x 50 (Toro)
Wrapper: Honduras (Connecticut Shade)
Binder: Nicaragua – Jalapa
Filler: Nicaragua – Esteli & Condega
Strength: Mild
Cigars Smoked For Review: 2

Alec Bradley American Classic Blend

Appearance and Construction: The wrapper that adorns the American Classic has a beautiful golden brown color to it that is slightly darker than many of the Connecticut Shade cigars on the market. Under the light a nice oily sheen is noticeable and the cigar is rolled to perfection. In the hand the cigar has a lot of weight to it with no soft spots. This is a a will packed stick with a lot of tobacco. The pre-release had a sample band on it, but the one set to adorn this cigar is complex and colorful.

Alec Bradley American Classic Blend, Foot

Flavor & Notes: The foot of the cigar serves up notes of cedar and a buttery richness while the cold draw serves up the same only more intensified. Once the cigar is lit a faint spice is present that quickly dissipates revealing some notes of buttery richness, nuts, cedar and a slight earth. It makes me want a country breakfast to be honest, complete with the checkerboard tablecloth and roosters crowing in the background. As we progressed down the cigar it was definitely mild but full of flavor. The richness really took hold in the 2nd third with some solid notes of nuts as well. The last third lost some of the richness, but what remained was classic notes of nuts and cedar with a touch of earth. The cigar had a nice finish of cedar.

Alec Bradley American Classic Blend, First Third

Smoking Characteristics: One would think a cigar with such a price might be a quick burning smoke, but this was not the case with the Alec Bradley American Classic. The burn line was perfectly even throughout although there was a fairly thick carbon line present. The ash held on fairly well, and was medium gray in color with no flake. The draw of the cigar was iconic, and the aroma was nutty.

Alec Bradley American Classic Blend, 2nd Third

Conclusion: I hope the actual release will be as well put together as this sample. If it does, Alec Bradley has put together a great new blend with an amazing price. It will be nice to have a cigar that smokes a lot more expensive then it is, instead of the other way around which has become a trend in New York due to our crazy cigar taxes. The American Classic is just that, classic.

Alec Bradley American Classic Blend, Last Third

Rating: 91
Price: $4.50

Disclaimer: Alec Bradley send me two samples for review and this gift did not change my thought process on the review.

Salem NH (April 18, 2011)  – Two Guys Smoke Shop of Salem, Nashua, and Seabrook, New Hampshire will be celebrating its 26th Anniversary on September 21, by giving away a classic automobile, a 1936 Cadillac Fleetwood.

Two Guys, a popular New England Cigar Shop  has not only become known for its great retail cigar shops but also for its elaborate anniversary events which have included everything from giving away motorcycles, a Hummer H2 automobile, elaborate trips and cash.  They’ve hosted game show presentations and put together a mixed martial arts event.  They even gave away a tanker truck of 10,000 gallons of gasoline during the gas crunch and just last year they gave away 250 minted pure silver bars and an authentic Rolls Royce Silver Spur automobile for their “silver” anniversary.

Not to be outdone, this year’s event is expected to top them all, according to owner and Two Guys’ founder, David Garofalo.  We’re going back in time with this one, the 1936 Cadillac Fleetwood is one of just 3 remaining world-wide and it is my opinion that it is the finest with just 55,000 original miles and virgin in every way, this automobile commands respect and we’ll give it away on September 21st.

When the doors open at 6:00 p.m. on September 21 at DiBurro’s Function Facility in Ward Hill, Massachusetts, and a expected SOLD -OUT crowd will be participating in what is believed to be the biggest, most prestigious, prize-filled and fun-laden event of its kind ever staged by a retail cigar business. This Anniversary cigar event will include dinner, 22 premium cigars per person, music, meet-and-greets with the biggest names in the world of hand-crafted cigars and a wide variety of door prizes, including the 1936 Cadillac Fleetwood automobile. Tickets go on sale on Saturday April 30th at 10am and expect to sell out fast.

Another thing that was very popular in 1936 was the new board game Monopoly.  Two Guys have made their version of the game called Cigar-opoly and will have a game for all attendees.  The 22 selected cigar brands will be showcased on the game board as properties according to Garofalo.

Cigar maker celebrities expected to attend include Nick Perdomo (Perdomo); Raphael Nodel (Swag), Mark Aub (Esencia), Alan Rubin (Alec Bradley); Rocky Patel (RP Vintage); Jonathan Drew (Drew Estates); Eric Newman (J.C. Newman); Eric Hanson of (Hammer + Sickle); George Rico (Gan Habanos); Carlito Fuente (Fuente Fuente Opus X); and Jorge Padron (Padron Cigars), Pete Johnson (Tatuaje), Ernesto Carillio (E P Carillio), Christian Eiora (Camacho), Don Pepin Garcia (My Father Cigars), Jesus Fuego (22N/83W), Kurt Van Kemple (HC), Les Mann (Colibri), Victor Vitale (La Mezcla Cubana) and more.

“The excitement, camaraderie and sheer value of the event this year will be even greater than years past.  It’s always the hottest ticket in town,” Garofalo boasts.  You will have the time of your life for your $200 ticket price.

Two Guys Smoke Shop locations are at 304 South Broadway in Salem NH; 15 Spit Brook Road in Nashua NH; and 741 Lafayette Road in Seabrook, NH.

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Contact:     (888-224-4272), (info@2guyssmokeshop.com)

Once inside the event had more of a Bazaar feel to it, with manufactures set up around the concourse of the stadium as well as local shops. The one thing that made this event special was the fact that you were able to buy cigars at 25% less than MSRP and that’s a good deal, but it makes for an expensive day on top of the ticket price.

As the day progressed the manufactures discussed their products from atop the dugout as we enjoyed them and dined on ballpark fare. All and all it was an enjoyable day and with some added manufactures, live entertainment and perhaps a coalition of NJ Tobacconists behind it the New Jersey Cigar Festival has laid the ground work for an event with tremendous potential.

The following manufacturers took part: The Guayabera Lady, The Martin Family of Cigars, Reinado, Maraya, Rocky Patel, Joya De Nicaragua, Drew Estate, Alec Bradley, Miami Cigar & Company, and Los Blancos Cigars. Also on hand was the Cigar Rights of America.

Arielle Ditkowich, Brand Manage of La Sirena lights her cigar...

Barry Blonder of Alec Bradley Cigars

Martin Family Cigars featuring Maria Martin

A sign up for the Cigar Rights of America

David Mallow (center) & The Drew Estate Team

We will have some more from the festival from Edward Chin later this week and a video announcement from Reinado Cigars.

Such is the life in New York. 75% tobacco taxes and having to fight for heat on a 27 degree night. Well at least the cigar companies are looking to help retailers. I say retailers because the cigars being released that are specific to New York are for the retailer. It gives them something to sell that can’t be bought online. However it does nothing for the consumer because the prices don’t give us a cheaper option, it just gives us another option. Personally I do not have a problem with that, but  if you want to help the consumer come out with a good $8.00 cigar.

Anyway, the Alec Bradley New York is available in the following sizes:

• Six Two (Robusto) 5 1/4 x 52
• Empire (Toro) 6 x 54
• Liberty (Churchill) 7 x 50
• Gotham (Torpedo) 6 1/8 x 54
• Declaration (Gran Toro) 6 x 58

Cigar: Alec Bradley New York
Size: 5 1/4 x 52 (Six Two/Robusto)
Wrapper: Criollo ’98
Binder: Criollo ’98
Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Twitter: @alecbradley

Alec Bradley New York

Appearance and Construction: The first thing that caught my eye was the band with its stylish simplicity and rich elegance that makes a powerful retro statement that left me with a sense of New York pride. The Criollo ’98 wrapper that adorns this Six Two has some significant veins especially near the foot. There is some tooth present as well and an abundance of oils. In my cold hands the cigar has a slight sponginess to it with no soft spots. The cigar feels well balanced and has a nice weight to it.

Flavor & Notes: The foot of the cigar prior to clipping the cap offers up some nice maple notes and rich tobacco. I opted for a hole punch this evening on what is about my 8th AB-NY smoked and the pre-light draw offers up some wood, raisin and a sweetness. Once the cigar is lit it takes me a minute or two to find the notes of the first third which consist of a slight spice, wood and nuts. The second third of the cigar the spice really begins to develop into a nutmeg and cinnamon. There is a nice caramel sweetness that teases as well from time to time. The final third of the cigar becomes slightly bitter with notes of leather but there is still some sweetness remaining on the finish.

Smoking Characteristics: I think one thing I really took out of my trip to the Dominican Republic and the Jose Blanco seminar I took at the La Aurora factory was noting the aroma of the cigar. There was some really sweet aroma to the nose with this cigar that was even more enjoyable then then smoke. The burn line was a little bit jagged but never got out of hand. In the final third I had to relight it twice despite puffing away at a normal pace. The ash was dark and fairly strong and the cap held up well with the hole punch.

Conclusion: This is a really good cigar I just don’t get the price point aspect of it and that makes me reach for other cigars in the New York humidors first. I will add the first time I smoked the cigar I was less then impressed, but i put a few in my humidor and after some resting time they dramatically improved so I can only wonder how well these will age. I would buy these again for sure, but they aren’t in my top 5 choices.

Rating: 88
Price: $11.00

Disclaimer: I received some samples of this smoke in the Robusto format from Alec Bradley and used those samples to formulate this review. As always the typo’s and spelling mistakes have been left in this review for your amusement.