Valentine’s Day as celebrated today is an evil holiday. It is a holiday where people are forced to bestow gifts on their loved ones because of a man made tradition. I am sure many relationships, including marriage have had to deal with a speed bump because of a forgotten gift or one that did not reach expectations. In fact you should not need a holiday to make that special someone feel special. If you are truly in love, everyday is special day filled with the nuances that make the relationship special. You should not need an excuse to bring home flowers, candy or jewelry to name a few. These gifts should be given throughout the year. Do I sound bitter? Well, I am. You see as a single person I am reminded how lonely it feels on this man made holiday. Hell, I even miss out on another man made holiday, Steak and Blow Job Day on March 14th.

The Sunday Links:

• Cigar In Hand reports on his experience at the Drew Estate Cigar Safari.
• Cigar Fan gives a great in depth review on the Hoya De Monterrey Reposado En Cedros.
• Smoking Hot Cigar Chick has a video review on her tasting of the La Palina Alison.
• Straight Up Cigars reviews the Nacho Libre Cuba Libre One.
• The Cigar Nut reviews the mermaid, La Sirena.
• The Tiki Bar smokes the Ambos Mundos Sumatra.

Just before I got sick I was in touch with a promotions person for the forthcoming music CD entitled “Paris To Cuba”. I was asked If I would like to review the CD and give away a copy to my readers. So leave a comment on this posting and a winner will be selected at random.

The press release states, “The ten tracks on Paris To Cuba are the embodiment of summertime. Composed and created by Mario Grigorov, the album’s sound conjures up beautiful complexions, mid-afternoon mojitos, linen garments, and vintage Cadillacs. This is music that immediately evokes an aural landscape, a narrative of striking up a wandering romance with a stranger, a “paseo” through Plaza Vieja or a sunset on the Seine. Lilting, sensual brass sections flirt with gentle vocals on “I See”, “Every Little Moment”, and “Snake Eyes”- the three tracks which feature singer, Melissa Newman. Blending hints of Pink Martini and Buena Vista Social Club, the percussion section laps as a wave on an empty beach. It is easy for the listener to get lost in the guitar solos, mysterious accordion and nostalgic, sweeping strings. This is not your typical jazz or world record.”

While I am not a music critic the CD offers some nice background music while smoking a cigar or relaxing in a hammock on a warm summer day. I personally would not compare it to the Buena Vista Social Club and I found the organ to be annoying at times that prevented me from listening to the CD straight through but the CD did have it’s merits and is worth a listen.

The Sunday Links:

Stogie Review has a review from The Great Torpedo aka Jerry Cruz on the Tatiana Mocha

The Cigar Box has a review of the God Of Fire by Don Carlos Robusto.

Keepers Of The Flame has an in depth review of the Ambos Mundos.

Toms Cigars has a review of the Nub Maduro proving it isn’t for everybody.

Mike in WV has a review of the CD, Paris To Cuba that we are giving away this week.

I plan to have to site back to full speed by Tuesday… So see ya then my friends…

• Ambos Mundos Sumatra
• Oliva Connecticut Reserve
• Rocky Patel Winter Blend

What new cigars that came out in the first quarter did it for you?

The biggest disappointment was the La Flor Domincana Salomon which I had major burn issues with. La Flor Dominicana however stepped up to the plate and sent me a replacement box that I will revisit and review in April. So kudos to La Flor Domincana for having superior customer service.

And now for the ever popular Sunday Links where we don’t mind giving some love to our fellow Brothers of the Leaf.

The World According To Stew reviews a cigar I refer to as the spark plug but is better known as the Punch Champion.

Nice Tight Ash has a review of a cigar from the makers of Illusione. The Cruzado line of smokes are an amazing kick ass cigar.

Cigar Command won the race to be the first to review the Avo LE 09.

And finally the winner of the 5 pack of Sopranos Soldiers was JasonT from MS. He won our limerick contest with the following entry…

There once was a woman named Monica
Who used a cigar as a vaginal harmonica
Then she said to Bill
I’ll give you a thrill
But don’t smoke this one til Hanukah

Congratulations Jason I hope you enjoy the smokes and I’ll see you all with a new entry this week including the Padilla Habano Barburry.

Ambos Mundos Habano

As my regular readers know I am a Pete Johnson fan to the extreme. I have yet to smoke a cigar of his that did not do it for me. When I heard he was coming out with a new line of cigars I was like a kid on Christmas morning. The Ambos Mundos which translates to Two Worlds is being billed as a value smoke. Each cigar has the same blend with the exception of the wrapper. Today’s review is of the Habano wrapper and some time next week I will review the Sumatra.

Cigar: Ambos Mundos
Size: 5 x 50
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Appearance & Construction (17/20): The story on this smoke is that the wrappers do not meet the criteria for the other Pete Johnson blends, but with both cigars I smoked for this review I could not find a flaw. The appearance of the cigar is a little bit toothy, and the wrapper has a sheen to it from the oils. The cigar is nicely packed with no soft spots to be found. The band of the cigar is classic, and has a Cuban look to it.

Flavor & Notes (26/30): The prelight draw on this cigar is a little bit earthy. As the cigar is lit there are some slight pepper notes that quickly fade giving way to notes of nuts and wood. As we move to the second third of the smoke not much changes as the notes of wood and nuts remain although they are joined by a little bit of earth. As we finish the smoke the final third has notes of wood and earth.

Burn/Ash/Draw (22/25): The burn is a lit bit wavy but never gives the hint of getting out of hand. The medium gray ash has a lot of ridges and doesn’t hold strong so you are forced to ash to avoid wearing it. The draw of the cigar offers a slight resistance which in my book is perfect.

Overall (22/25): I question if I would like this cigar if it wasn’t a Pete Johnson stick, but despite being a little one dimensional it is a nice value smoke. It is a decent alternative to the Cabiguan line with the exception of the Guappos. While being a little rough around the edges, in the times of S-CHIP and the difficult economy this cigar is definitely worth the price.

Rating: 87
Price: $5.00