So with Independence Day upon us I figured I would light up a Firecracker, one that Mayor Bloomberg can’t arrest me for in NYC, however I have to be careful where I smoke it so I don’t get a ticket. Isn’t it funny, how we broke free from England over taxes, and yet we are taxed to hell and despite having elected officials I don’t feel represented. I don’t know about you, but I think it is time to pass the flat tax.

Cigar: Don Pepin Blue Label Firecracker
Size: 3 x 50 (Firecracker)
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Full
Number Smoked: 3

Don Pepin Blue Label Firecracker

Appearance and Construction: At 3″ long it looks like a firecracker, sort of. The cigar features a long pig tail cap that serves as the fuse. The foot of the cigar is a nice looking closed shaggy foott. The cigars roll is seamless, and there are plenty of oils present. The stick is pretty cool to have in your collection, and it has a nice weight in the hand.

Don Pepin Blue Label Firecracker Foot

Flavors & Notes: I opted to cut the cap with my Palio cutter (my Xikar was in my car) instead of pulling at the fuse and the cold draw at this point felt rather loose with some earthy components and a touch of spice.  The covered foot reminded me of cocoa. Once the cigar is lit, there is some pepper overload especially through the nose. The other notes of the cigar are leather, coffee beans (briefly) and some wood.

Don Pepin Blue Label Firecracker Cap

Smoking Characteristics: For a short cigar it burned well, and didn’t get overly hot. There was a nice volume of smoke from the cigar that had a nice light color ash that didn’t hold on to well. The aroma was spicy, but enjoyable.

Conclusion: The cigar is a cool little novelty that is ideal to light up on the Fourth of July or when time is short. I guess it would also serve well in the cold weather when a quick outdoor smoke is needed when walking the dog. Call me a sucker, but I love when a manufacturer gets creative with a cigar like this.

Rating: 92
Price: $4.99 each or $99.99 box of 25.

You may already know Maria as a national sales manager for Camacho.  Well, she has left Camacho and is now completely immersed in her own family business.  She has guided her Father’s namesake and Pedro’s cigar blends into a very exciting new cigar brand. That’s right, Pedro Martin himself blended each of these cigar blends before he passed away.

Here’s some info on the Blends:

Pedro Martin Ruby:  A masterpiece of a cigar, this slick smoke comes with a Maroon Corojo wrapper with premium Nicaraguan Leaf. With a tinge of spice to it to really give the enjoyer a blissful experience all wrapped up in this cigar.

Pedro Martin Corojo: If a full blend is what you like, look no further. A full Corojo cigar: wrapper, binder and filler.  This cigar exemplifies strength and boldness.

Pedro Martin Gold: With its beautifully constructed Ecuadorian-Connecticut wrapper, it gives the smoker a chance to enjoy the smoothness that a medium bodied cigar is supposed to have.  Meticulously blended to enhance the smoking experience

Some more great news you’ll get a chance to meet Maria Maria and Ammer Cabrera (the brand’s co-founder) at some of these upcoming events:

Diamante in Brooklyn on June 1^st 5pm to 8 pm

108 S Oxford St.

Brooklyn, NY

De La Concha in NYC on June 2^nd 4pm  to 8pm

1390 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY

Sky Tobacco in NJ on June 3^rd 6:30pm to 8pm

344 Grove St.

Jersey City, NJ

Via Martin family of Cigars, Cigarfan.net and Cigar Aficionado

So despite dreading smoking this size, I am to say the least curious. Are they as good as Danny says or will my jaw hurt from the size. Thankfully, the cigar is made with in a belicoso tip/cap.

Cigar: Jaime Garcia Super Gordo
Size: 5.75 x 66
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium/Full
Cigars Smoked For Review: 2

Jaime Garcia Super Gordo

Appearance and Construction: Looking at this cigar the size just makes you scratch your head. Thankfully, the cigar is rolled into a belicoso shape so it will make it a bit easier to smoke. One thing that caught me off guard is the fact that the tip is pre-cut. I am not really sure to the thought process of this, but I wound up cutting it about another 1/8th of an inch. The Connecticut Broadleaf Jaime Garcia Super Gordo wrapper has some veins, but none that are really obscene. Upon close look of the wrapper there are some shade differentials but does that really mean anything? Despite the amount of tobacco used in this stick, it feels relatively light in the hand and is extremely well balanced in the hand. There are no soft spots and the cigar is rolled very well.

Flavor & Notes: The foot of the cigar has some of the most powerful notes to the nose I have ever experienced. With the slightest sniff notes of mocha fill the passages with a faint pepper that makes my nose twitch. The draw offers up some more of the mocha with a touch of caramel and cedar as well. Once the cigar is lit the spices are the focal point, but they do not overpower. As we work our way into the first third the cigar develops notes of leather and cocoa with some subtle spices.  The second third of the cigar becomes reliant on the pepper there are some notes of leather while some sweetness tries to hold on. The 2nd third of the cigar seems to have fizzled slightly, and doesn’t have the same richness as in the beginning. As we approach the final third of the cigar it becomes smooth unlike the first two thirds. Suggesting the cigars are still a little young and need time to consummate the marriage. Here the sweetness returns and the cocoa becomes more of a rich chocolate with some subtle caramel and leather notes while spices remain through the nose.

Smoking Characteristics: Like the cigar there was two tales going on in the burn process. On both my review sticks the burn line was incredibly crisp in the first third before become very jagged in the second third. I never bothered to touch up the cigar and in the final third it became razor sharp again. The same can be said about the ash, the first and final third had a smooth flake free ash, while the middle section was incredibly flaky. The draw was perfect when I clipped the additional 1/8th of a inch of the cigar. To no surprise, the cigar produced a wonderful volume of smoke with a nice aroma that filled the air.

Conclusion: Where do I begin. First off, both samples came from the same box. I try to buy samples from separate boxes, or separate stores but that was not an option here. Tobacco Plaza sold out of these by the time I got to the store, and Danny was nice enough to give me two from his personal box. When I smoke I like to keep the cigar resting between my lips drawing as needed. Much like a pipe smoker. With the size of the Super Gordo this was hard to do. I found myself biting the belicoso cap to keep it in my mouth and it became extremely wet in my first sample. So the second sample, the one used to write this review was smoked a little bit different then I am accustomed. Finally, the size. While the cigar was flavorful and enjoyable I was not comfortable at all with the massive ring gauge and being they already have a 60 ring gauge on the market I am not sure why they went this route. But then again, I am not the expert the Garcia family is. I am sure the size will sell well, but for me personally it left me a little less fulfilled then other vitolas in the line.

Rating: 87
Price: $8.50 a stick at Uptown Cigar (1-877-238-1172)

Disclaimer: None.

Anyway, according to the Tatuaje Cigars website this cigars are blended in the style of the flavorful yet Medium Bodied Cuban Cigars. The cigars are rolled in Nicaragua using select Nicaraguan tobaccos and classic Cuban blending with a beautiful Cuban triple-cap. Made at the My Father Cigar factory these stay true to the pride of El Rey de Los Habanos.

Cigar: Tatuaje Havana VI
Size: 4 5/8 x 42 (Petit Corona)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Twitter: @tatuajecigars

Tatuaje Havana VI Angeles

Appearance and Construction: This petit corona from the Tatuaje Havana VI line is produced in Nicaragua at the My Father Cigars factory the stick is a perfect example of the quality craftsmanship that is a product of the Pepin family attention to detail. The cigar is virtually seamless in the roll, with an perfectly placed triple cap and no soft spots. Adorned with the classic red label, and glistening with oils this one stands out in any humidor.

Flavor & Notes: I snipped the cigar with mohel like precision since I recently witnessed Pete being dragged into the tribe one Hanukkah night at his birthday celebration at Tobacco Plaza. The prelight draw is remind me of mocha and a hint of caramel while the foot is a bit woodsy. Once the cigar is lit there is a slight spice and hearty wood notes in the first third. As we enter the second third the wood note continues with that typical Nicaraguan spice hanging out in the background complimenting the wood notes. While there isn’t a lot going on in terms of complexity the smoke is very enjoyable. The final third kicked it up a notch with some added pepper notes and a touch of leather. The finish was strong wood with a slight sweetness.

Smoking Characteristics: A slow burning cigar that has an ample volume of smoke with sweet characteristics to the nose. The draw has a slight resistance to it and burns impeccably. The medium to dark color ash holds on well considering the thin ring gauge of the cigar.

Conclusion: It seems lately I have gotten caught up in the hype of big ring cigars and after smoking this thin ring stick I realize this is where it is at. I know people like the 60 ring smokes for the extra smoke, a slightly ramped strength and the value. However, I implore smokers to take the test. Next time you are in a shop buy the cigar of your choice in two formats. The 60 ring guage and a 50 ring or less and see how much more flavorful and rich the experience is with the thinner cigar.

Price: $7.50 per stick or $118.99 a box of 24 @ Famous
Score: 89

• Looks like Cuban Crafters has a voyeuristic web cam of their rollers. I think it’s a good idea but it kinda looks like a convenience store cam. You can sometimes see customers stroll through. The lector’s view is here and the star roller’s view is here.

• Jerry Weinberger, a professor of political science at Michigan State University living in Washington DC, writes a wonderful essay about smoking a fine cigar.

• Don Pepin has News! Cigar Aficionado reports that Don Pepin Garcia is having size issues, but in a good way.

• This is too much! Even private clubs are feeling the crackdown of anti-tobacco legislation. This has to stop! It’s a hefty club though – here’s a pic:

• Looks like Arizonians love Cigars as much as they hate illegal aliens. A new exclusive private cigar club opens up in Scottsdale.

The Mi Amor has been in the making for a couple of years and Holts in Philadelphia will have an event at the Walnut Street location on August 25th from 12pm at 8pm. If you drop by make sure you say hello to Anthony, Robyn, Bob, Lee & Michael for me. This crew makes up one of the best staffs in the cigar business and I love walking into Holts once every 6 weeks or so (hey, I live 90 miles away) and I get greeted by name and am given a tour of what is new since the last time I was in town. Not only do they know how to treat a customer they know how to find a way into your life as a friend. I can’t tell you how much I converse with some of them via facebook or email on a regular basis. Also nice was being stopped by the store manager Anthony Mazzola on the IPCPR floor despite the fact he was rushing to a meeting so we could catch up briefly and talk about how my first IPCPR was treating me.

Anyway.. Disclaimer as required by law. I obtained a sample pre IPCPR for free and I got a couple of samples in New Orleans. While I did not pay for these cigars I did pay my own way to New Orleans and with the amount of Hurricanes I consumed down there I still continue to pay a week later. .

Cigar: La Aroma De Cuba
Size: 6 x 52 (Magnifico)
Wrapper: Mexico (Cuban Seed)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Twitter: @ashtoncigar
Facebook: Asthon Cigars
Official Site: http://www.ashtoncigar.com/index.jsp

La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amor

Appearance and Construction: Oh how I love a box pressed cigar and these are no exception. Someone once asked what is so different about a box pressed cigar and my answer while not a professional one is to compare it to a sandwich. A pressed sandwich like a Cuban has more of an intensified taste then one that is not pressed. Well that theory for me works the same with cigars. The Mexican wrapper born from Cuban seed is incredibly smooth with only the thinnest of veins. The stick has a nice balance and weight to it along with a well packed foot. The band which is similar to the EE features a second band with Mi Amor in a nice cursive font.

Flavor & Notes: The draw of the cigar would have Jackie Gleason stating “oh, how sweet it is” with its easily identifiable notes of raisin and molasses while the foot serves up some spice to the nose. Once the cigar is lit there is some of that Pepin spice but it isn’t in abundance like the other La Aroma De Cuba lines. As the spice fades the stick offers up some cedar and a faint mocha that continues to develop as we smoke this beauty. The second third the stick maintains some spice especially through the nose but the mocha begins to emerge as the dominant note and there is some anise as well. The final third of the stick has some notes of earth, dark chocolate and anise that will having you calling this stick, my love.

Smoking Characteristics: Lighting up a box pressed cigar correctly makes a major difference in how it will burn. You want to toast the foot of the cigar before pulling on it. Once the tobacco has been toasted you want to gently pull the flame to the cigar without submerging the foot into the flame. In fact this technique should be used all the time. The cigar burns even throughout with a nice solid light colored ash that held on well. The draw of the stick was perfect and the cigar produced a nice amount of smoke even in the resting position giving off a nice aroma.

Conclusion: This new stick in the La Aroma De Cuba line has the perfect name. After you smoke one you will definitely fall in love with the cigar based on the whole package. It amazes me how many winners the Garcia family has churned out. And this one continues that trend. The Mi Amor isn’t as strong as the previous La Aroma De Cuba but the flavor profile of the stick is so much more enhanced that this should be flying off the shelves from the second they land.

Rating: 91
Price: $8.00

Here’s the latest from Barry, who’s out in New Orleans, working the floor at IPCPR.

The IPCPR show officially kicked off yesterday, and the conversations Barry Stein, of A Cigar Smoker, had with cigar companies indicate that the crowds were a little lighter than usual. Also, the top issue on people’s minds seemed to be the recently increased New York tobacco tax, which has kept many retailers away from the show this year. Aside from De La Concha’s Ron Meledi, the New York contingent was “minimal at best.” The top players, Barry said, made strong showings, with plenty of buzz generated over new lines and line extensions.

For more information on the news from Drew Estate, La Aurora and Pepin Garcia, head over to Cigar Reader.

Guest post by Tom Johansmeyer of Cigar Reader.

This week, I’m helping Barry with news from the floor of IPCPR. He’s been kind enough to send me notes, tweets and e-mails with the latest that’s happening in New Orleans, and I’ve been publishing over on Cigar Reader. Every day, I’ll come over here and put together a recap for you.

See the news that’s been coming out of New Orleans below.

A Who’s Who: According to Barry, his first day on the ground was a “who’s who” of the cigar industry, with Pete Johnson, Michael Herklots and Janny Garcia among the people he smoked with.

Read the story >>

CRA Panel Discussion: The CRA panel discussed a wide range of cigar industry issues, including how New York, which Barry and I call home, is the current battleground state.

Read the story >>

Davidoff Cigar Tasting: Henke Kelner wowed Barry and the rest of the room with a tour of the tongue and a walk through the tastes associated with some fantastic Davidoff creations.

Read the story >>

Building the La Aurora Booth: Barry was able to give the folks at La Aurora and Miami Cigar a hand in setting up their IPCPR booth. Read this story, also, to learn about a new pre-release cigar on the market.

Read the story >>

New from Ashton: Here’s what we published from Barry:

Ashton is releasing a brand made by Don Pepin Garcia. The new La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amore has a Cuban seed Mexican wrapper with a Nicaraguan filler and binder. Barry got to smoke the 7 x 50 box pressed Churchill: “The profile is completely different then the previous La Aroma de Cuba lines.”

At this point various people jumped on board. The guys at Toasted Foot jumped on board with an offer to donate half of what we raises themselves. On Twitter @CigarsThomas joined the cause offering the same deal. Well the members of the cigar community joined the cause and we received 78 pictures. So the total raised between the 3 of us is $1000.00. At IPCPR we will be presenting Jerry Cruz with checks at the 2nd annual Twitter BOTL Cocktail Hour from the 3 of us. If you would like to add to the cause send me an email and I will tell you how to submit a check for me to deliver at the event.

But it doesn’t stop there. July 22nd, 2010 at Empire Cigars in Raleigh, North Caroline the Pepin family was hosting a cigar event. At this event Senor Pepin himself handed out Series JJ cigars to those in attendance and Sales Manager Jose Ortega sent these pictures to be included in the fundraiser. The fact that this reached the Pepin family blew my mind and shows you how we as a cigar family can pull together for a great cause. So the Pepin family I thank you very much for your support and I look forward to seeing you at IPCPR.

Cigar: Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial
Size: 5 x 50 (Robusto)
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium/Full

Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial

Appearance and Construction: The cigar’s filler is made from Nicaraguan tobaccos, while the binder is Ecuadorian and the wrapper is Connecticut Broadleaf. In the hand the cigar is beautiful to look at and offers a distinguished look  despite some veins of medium size. The cigar feels great in the hand with a nice weight and no soft spots.

Flavor & Notes: Once the cigar is clipped and I go through the pre-light ritual the notes are spice, cedar and toast on the foot. the cold draw serves up some notes of earth and chocolate. Once lit The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial isn’t much different then most Pepin smokes with the signature blast of pepper which is especially strong through the nose.  first third offers up notes some notes of pepper that are especially potent through the nose. As the pepper slowly subsides the first third has notes of earth and a slight chocolate. As we breach the 2nd third of the cigar the pepper remains as a subtle reminder in the background and the primary notes are cinnamon with chocolate and a touch of earth. the final third of the cigar the chocolate begins to stand alone with a slight spice on the finish. To sum it up, This smoke tastes of earth, spice, with a sense of sweetness and a note of chocolate thrown in for good measure.

Smoking Characteristics: The cigar which features a great draw burns a bit uneven and slightly wavy but for me I’ve come to expect this from a broadleaf wrapper. the medium grey ash hold on well despite having some flake to it. the smoke which is ample has nice classic aroma to it.

Conclusion: I personally would of been happy with the original version of the cigar. However, the retail version fits more of the My Father cigars and the perfect construction and chocolate sweetness combine to make the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial a go to cigar without a doubt.

Rating: 91
Price: $6.80 MSRP