According to Room 101 Cigars the story of the Namakubi goes as follows,

Although in many ways long gone, Samurai culture is believed to live on in spirit within certain groups. In ancient times when two Samurai clans would gather for competition there was a great deal at stake. Normally, the losing party would die as a result of wounds sustained in battle or be executed upon defeat. The Namakubi, or freshly severed head of the losing party would be prepared on a wooden tray then tagged in a regimented manner and presented to the leader of the winning clan as a gift.

We, as modern day samurai, present to you our own Namakubi. These twenty limited edition cigars have been tagged (banded), and carefully prepared for your enjoyment. The blend is comprised of a beautiful Habano wrapper, complimented by a proprietary “Generoso” (Honduras) seed binder, Dominican and Honduran “Vuelta Abajo” fillers. The strength of this new limited is Medium to Full in body for a powerful, yet pleasant smoking experience.

The cigars are available as a Papi Chulo 42×4 (MSRP: $6.00): 400 boxes (50ct cabinetta style); Roxxo 48×4 (MSRP: $7.00): 1000 boxes; Tiburon 44×6 (MSRP: $8.00): 1000 boxes; Sucio 48×7 ($9.00): 1000 boxes and Monstro 60×5 ($10.00): 1000 boxes

Cigar: Room 101 LTD Namakubi
Size: 6 x 44 (Tiburon)
Wrapper: Habano
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Dominican and Honduras
Strength: Medium
Cigars Smoked For Review: 3

Room 101 Namakubi

Appearance and Construction: The Habano wrapper on the cigar is glistening with oils on this corona size smoke. The corona is one of my favorite sizes because of the ratio of wrapper to filler. The majority of flavors from the cigar comes from the wrapper, so the small ring gauge the more you taste the nuances of the cigars. This is what the blender had in mind when they made the cigar. The wrapper has a few thin veins and a slight tooth to it. Examining to closely shows off a well rolled cigar with a perfectly placed cap. There appears to be no soft spots, and an average weight to the stick. The band has Namakubi in busy font of red letters on a black background.

Room 101 Namakubi - Foot

Flavor & Notes: The cold draw of the Namakubi has a mix of earth, wood and sweetness to it which is a nice complexity for the prelight. The foot of the smoke has a musky sweetness that is mix of figs and molasses. The cigar lit easily under my soft flame Xikar Lighter. Once the cigar is lit there are some tea like notes and citrus mixed with some wood to star. As we entered the second third of the cigar some of that molasses we experienced in the pre-light is pick up through the nose as the dominant notes are coffee and leather. There is also some peppermint on the finish that has me thinking of schnapps. In the last third of the Room 101 Namakubi the strength kicks it up a notch and the notes are coffee with a bit of a citric finish.

Room 101 Namakubi - First 3rd

Smoking Characteristics: The Namkubi features one of the finest looking carbon lines on any cigar that I have smoked. The cigar stayed lit from start to finish and had a firm light color ash with an impeccable draw. For a corona there was an ample amount of smoke with a nice tropical aroma.

Room 101 Namakubi - Second 3rd

Conclusion: The stuff being released by Room 101 lately has been really good. The Connecticut was a nice surprise and the Namakubi is a cigar worth losing your head over. A nice flavor profile and perfect burn make this a cigar worth buying by the box.

Room 101 Namakubi - Last 3rd

Rating: 91
Price: $8.00

The “Little Puff” is Draper’s signature fundraiser, an intimate gathering of cigar lovers (limited to 300 people). Proceeds from ticket sales and the auction benefit three local academic scholarships (The Erik Kristensen Memorial Scholarship in honor of a Navy SEAL killed in action; The Pat Krimm Scholarship & The Anne Berman Memorial Scholarship).

 

Attendees can interact with representatives from the best names in cigars (i.e., Ashton, Fuente, Padron, La Flor Dominicana, La Aurora, CAO, Carlos Torano, Rocky Patel, Camacho, Davidoff, Zino Platinum, Cuesta-Rey, Gran Habano, Hoyo de Monterrey). Past attendees have included: Carlito Fuente, Arturo Fuente; Arielle Ditkowitch, La Sirena Cigars; Janny Garcia & Jose Ortega, My Father Cigars; Nestor Miranda, Miami Cigar & Co.; Pete Johnson, Tatuaje Cigars and Jorge Padron, Padron Cigars among many others.

 

Well, there’s an event called “Breakfast at Drapers” tomorrow, Wednesday, August 10 at Drapers DC & Bethesda! This is where you can be the first to get your little puff tickets! The two different locations have different operating hours: Drapers DC opens at 9:30 AM; Drapers Bethesda opens at 10:00 AM

So it looks like the first 25 walk-in customers to either Drapers DC (640 14th Street NW) or Drapers Bethesda (4916 Del Ray Avenue) will be among the first to get their tickets to the coveted 12th Annual Drapers Little Puff. Gee, I wonder if there will be a line out the door, Apple store style…

Tickets for “Breakfast at Drapers,” are $225.00 and customers are limited to two tickets per customer.

The Breakfast includes:

• a Smoker’s Ticket to The 12th Annual Drapers Little Puff
• a light breakfast and
• cigars courtesy of The Ashton Family of Cigars.

Via W.Curtis Draper Tobacconist

According to the Room 101 website,

In conjunction with the launch of the Room101 LTD Namakubi, we are proud to announce the latest installment to the Room101 core line, the new Room101 Connecticut. A complex and spicy medium-body blend that is sure to satisfy even the most seasoned palates. Matt Booth, founder of the Room101 lifestyle brand, classifies this new addition as “Connecticut with a kick!” Fillers from both Honduras and the Dominican Republic, along with an Authentic Corojo binder, present the perfect balance of body and finesse.

Total production: 200,000 cigars

Cigar: Room 101 Connecticut
Size: 5 x 50 (315/Robusto)
Wrapper: Connecticut (Ecuador)
Binder: Corojo (Honduras)
Filler: Dominican and Honduran
Strength: Medium
Cigars Smoked For Review: 2

Room 101 Connecticut

Appearance and Construction: The Connecticut wrapper is a few shades darker then the blonde looking shade grown wrappers that have adorned some recent releases of this variety. The result is a slightly heavier, thicker leaf that isn’t brittle like many of the predecessors.  Under the hand the cigar has a silk like feel and some occasional roughness from the veins that rise slightly above. The silver and black band features a sinister looking drama mask that is called a “FU”.

Room 101 Connecticut Foot

Flavor & Notes: The cold draw on Room 101 Connecticut was simply to die for. There was a nice smoked wood note with a hint of cloves that had me salivating. The foot had some similar notes and spice you would expect in an Asian kitchen. Once the cigar is lit, those cold notes and aroma are gone but what remains is some nice soft spices. These spices aren’t strong, but they are there just enough to let you know this isn’t your typical Connecticut cigar. There is an occasional citric note present especially through the nose. In the second half, the spice remains with hints of citrus and cloves. The cigar is wonderfully smooth and while the notes are subtle they are very enjoyable. The final third of the smoke develops a rich buttery note that takes control while the spice moves to the background. There is some citrus that remains but a slight leather  notes joins the mix as well.

Room 101 Connecticut 1st Third

Smoking Characteristics: Even though you can see some evidence of a split binder in the ash, it managed to hold of for two thirds of the cigar without any special effort from. The ash which started off dark, became a light color ash for those keeping score at home. The draw of the cigar was as ideal as they come and the burn which started off a bit jagged became razor sharp without any heap. The aroma of the cigar was nice and at times reminded me of subtle molasses.

Room 101 Connecticut 2nd Third

Conclusion: I know a lot of people who won’t smoke a Connectict wrapper because they associate them with being mild, and while this cigar isn’t full bodied it does deliver a subtle strength that puts it firmly in the medium catagory. A solid smoke with a nice profile that deserves to be smoked again. It may even deserve a spot in my humidor as I contemplate a box purchase.

Room 101 Connecticut Last 3rd

Rating: 89
Price: $7.70

Tour starts in Michigan and Ohio at the end of Aug. Will run thru November with 60 stops along the way!

As an extension of their LTD series,  Room101 announced their Namakubi Edition cigars. With a gnarly looking – Japanese Kabuki-like design, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that this will be a fuller-bodied offering from Room 101.

According to the press release:

Although in many ways long gone, Samurai culture is believed to live on in spirit within certain groups. In ancient times when two Samurai clans would gather for competition there was a great deal at stake. Normally, the losing party would die as a result of wounds sustained in battle or be executed upon defeat. The Namakubi, or freshly severed head of the losing party would be prepared on a wooden tray then tagged in a regimented manner and presented to the leader of the winning clan as a gift.

How apt! As a cigar smoker, I celebrate by clipping off heads too! Now I see how the Samurai concept goes together with Cigar smoking.

We, as modern day samurai, present to you our own Namakubi. These twenty limited edition cigars have been tagged (banded), and carefully prepared for your enjoyment. The blend is comprised of a beautiful Habano wrapper, complimented by a proprietary “Generoso” (Honduras) seed binder, Dominican and Honduran “Vuelta Abajo” fillers. The strength of this new limited is Medium to Full in body for a powerful, yet pleasant smoking experience.

It looks like it’s a limited edition run. However, it’s not too limited with 100,000 cigars in production. Here’s what the sizes and MSRP’s look like:

• Papi Chulo 42×4 (MSRP: $6.00): 400 boxes (50ct cabinetta style)
• Roxxo 48×4 (MSRP: $7.00): 1000 boxes
• Tiburon 44×6 (MSRP: $8.00): 1000 boxes
• Sucio 48×7 ($9.00): 1000 boxes
• Monstro 60×5 ($10.00): 1000 boxes

Today is the first of 3 cigars from Pedro Martin that we will feature on the site. According to the company, The Pedro Martin Ruby is a medium-plus strength cigar with a Sun Grown Corojo wrapper. The Pedro Martin Ruby line is available in 6 x 60; Churchill (7” x 48); Robusto> (5” x 50); Toro (6” x 52) and a Torpedo (6 ¼” x 52).

Cigar: Pedro Martin Ruby
Size:5 x 50
Wrapper: Sun Grown Corojo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium-Full
Number Smoked: 2

Pedro Martin Ruby

Appearance and Construction: The reddish-brown sun grown corojo wrapper is inviting to me as I am a fan of this particular tobacco. There are a few thin veins visible with one that runs the length of the cigar. The roll is exquisite and almost seamless with a simple cap. In the hand the weight of the cigar is as expected for a robusto with no soft spots and a well packed foot. The band is gold and maroon, but for the sake of the cigar we will say it is ruby. The lattice artwork is intricate and has a feel as if it has influences from India.

Pedro Martin Ruby, Foot

Flavors & Notes: The foot of the cigar has a slightly spicy nose with a touch of earth. Once the cap is clipped the cold draw serves up some typical corojo spice that is inviting the flame from my lighter. As we smoke the first third of the cigar the corojo spice makes itself evident from the start. This isn’t your typical pepper, but more like a subtle paprika. The finish of the cigar has wood like qualities to it. As we enter the second third of the cigar the corojo spice begins to die down some, or perhaps we have just adjust to it. The wood notes remain but are joined by a hint of earth and an almost mint like quality. The last third some of that corojo spice comes to the front again, with notes of toast and wood rounding things out with a nice long finish that was kind of nutty.

Pedro Martin Ruby, First Third

Smoking Characteristics: The quality of the tobacco and roll of the cigar really shine through with a perfect burn. The carbon line was razor-thin and revealed a dark ash that held for 1/3 of the stick at a time. The draw was effortless without being loose, and the volume of smoke was just right. The spicy aroma was a nice addition as well. All in all, the cigar really scored well in this section.

Pedro Martin Ruby, Second Third

Conclusion: There seems to be two schools of cigar making or perhaps it is of cigar smoking. The Nu-School mentality of boutique cigars or those who had their origin in it, and the classic traditional cigar of which the Ruby falls into. A well-balanced cigar with some nice corojo spice that left me satisfied. I have no doubt in my mind that I will be purchasing more of these in the future as it as the potential of becoming part of my repertoire.

Pedro Martin Ruby, Last Third

Rating: 90
Price: $6.50

Some shops are going the distance to bring in-depth cigar knowledge to the forefront. For example, Terry Fournier and Steve Harper of Two Guys Smoke Shop in Seabrook now associate cigars with education.

Armed with fresh certifications from Tobacconist University official curriculum of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association, these two tobacconists are ready to give their customers a unique educational experience in luxury tobacco, and not a just sales pitch.

Would customers care of such certifications? According to Harper,

“The biggest benefit is credibility,” said Harper, the manager at Two Guys in Seabrook. “I’ve been in sales for a number of years, but if customers feel you are in the know, they’re more comfortable.”

I tend to agree that a more educated retailer is better for business. Customers are getting savvier about cigars and can order from online retailers. Brick and mortar shops can definitely provide an awesome personal educational experience about cigars – that’s something that the Online Shops cannot do very easily.

Congratulations and good luck to you Steve and Terry!

Via Sea Coast Online

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.

###

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

• For all you writers out there, here’s an excellent look at one writer’s approach to get the creative juices going [an interview question]:

Do you have any rituals that you follow before sitting down to write?

Oh, yes, I do. We laugh at our pets for being creatures of habit, but we are, too, if we’re honest. My morning sessions start with a pot of coffee and a trip to my humidor to select a cigar. (In the evening, substitute bourbon and beer for the coffee.) The cigar is all about the ritual – selecting the right cigar to go with my mood, the time of day; taking it out of the cellophane, inhaling the fragrance of the wrapper, admiring the label, the workmanship (the better cigars are still handmade by someone with skilled hands in another culture thousands of miles away), snipping its head, lighting it, those first few draws, and watching the smoke infiltrate my den. The ritual helps get my creativity flowing.

Click here for the rest of the interview

• Mike Forry gives a hilarious write-up of the A. Turrent Triple Play on Stogie Review:

• Cigar Aficionado reports that Altadis is going to restructure their U.S. Cigar division

• The Ritz Carlton-St. Louis Cigar Club Party pays a fine for lighting up in the hotel.  Some bars do the same and ignore cigar bans, pay fines, and say it’s still good for business

• The Consigliere of the cigar industry, Sal Fontana passes away at age 86

Funny thing was that there were non-smokers there and I didn’t hear one complaint about the prominent (and wonderful) cigar smoke. They were probably there for the free open bar.

Speaking of smoking, I was gifted an awesome Esquire-branded Nat Sherman cigar by the lovely Lindsay Heller (you can follow her on Twitter @thecigarchick). I was told that the cigar, made by Camacho, comprised of Honduran and Mexican tobacco. It was very good and something about it reminded me of a Cruzado. Unfortunately, the smoke is a limited edition stick (only 2000 available), only to be given out during the event.

The CEO tobacconist Joel Sherman had this to say, “[o]ver the years the nature of cigar smoking has changed, and become more of a lifestyle experience. After all, cigars are a social lubricant and in being so they engender a sense of camaraderie that should be enjoyed in the appropriate setting.”

Although, in this case, I think the free whisky was more of the social lubricant. But the cigars definitely set the tone for fine conversations.

The furniture at Nat Sherman’s is special. The downstairs lounge has a set of personal cigar lockers in one corner. It’s normally kept private but the free cigars were handed out there for this event. A curious young lady was checking out the nameplates on the cigar lockers. She spotted some very well known celebrity nameplates and enlisted me to an impromptu game of spot the celebrity.

Fine cigars, great libations, and celebrity peek-a-boo with a very attractive young lady – it was a very good night.

On November 30th my good friend Jim Ryan will be hosting an event at his bar/restaurant for Marine Lance Corporal Colin Pascik who lost his legs during a tour of Afghanistan in the short 2.5 weeks he was there. I would like to take the time to publicly thank Jason Wood over at Miami Cigar & Company, Dave Lafferty from Drew Estate, Dylan Austin from Camacho and Jon Huber at CAO who have graciously donated cigars for the fundraiser. I also know the New York Yankees have donated tickets.

Ryan’s Pub & Sports Bar is located at 299 Spotswood Englishtown Road Monroe Township, NJ 08831-8626 and I plan to be there for a while for this worthy cause hope to see you as well and there is an area out back to enjoy a stogie under some heaters.