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RTDA 2004 Recap; Non-Cuban Cigars Win!; Macanudo Passion Tour
(Posted August 4, 2004)
NEXT ISSUE: Wednesday, September 1st
*** IN THIS ISSUE ***
1. Feature Story: Reflections on the RTDA 2004
2. Survey Says: Has a cigar sampler ever prompted you to buy a box of cigars?
3. Smoker's Ed (Cigar Terms & Tips): Cigar pokers
4. Rating Lunatic: Hamiltons Rsv. Don Jorge; Natural White Rabbit;
Punch Gran Puro Pico Bonito
5. Cigars in the News: Macanudo American Passion Tour
6. Eyes on the Prize: Celebrity and Customer Cigar Sightings
*** FEATURE STORY ***
REFLECTIONS ON THE RTDA 2004
I'LL BE POSTING my complete RTDA report from this year's convention
on a separate page in the coming weeks, but with the show still fresh
in my mind, I wanted to share with you some of the things I experienced,
especially a couple of the cigars.
Like last year, many of the new cigars were in the "full-flavored" category, and with cigars having improved as a whole, there are now enough
good cigars out there to choose from just about every manufacturer. More
on this trend later.
The first new cigar I tasted was the SUN GROWN BY ROCKY PATEL. Rocky is
HOT this year, riding the crest of success with his Vintage by Rocky
Patel 1990 & 1992 cigars. (More on him in my complete report.) The Sun
Grown cigars sport a 5-year-aged sun-grown Ecuadorian Rosado wrapper and
will be available in 4 sizes. The sample I had, the Petite Corona, hit
on all cylinders. It was smooth and oily in appearance. As a test, I
purposely lit only half of it and in just a few minutes it was burning
perfectly. The cigar started out spicy and soon rounded out into a "sweet,"
full-flavored cigar with a long finish that kept a smooth, even keel to
the end and was never overpowering.
Next, was the new SANCHO PANZA EXTRA FUERTE from General Cigar. This selection will be available in 4 box-pressed sizes and despite it's strong-sounding name, was more medium-bodied and incredibly smooth with a wonderful aroma that comes from a beautiful, reddish-hued, sun-grown Havana
wrapper grown in Honduras. The taste was complex and spicy, but not in
a peppery way, more like cinnamon and other sweet spices. The filler is
all 100% Honduran, giving the cigar a pleasant earthy bouquet and I feel
this cigar will compliment the Sancho Panza and Sancho Panza Double
Maduro cigars well. Do I see a Sancho 3 pack coming so cigar smokers can
sample all three? Keep your fingers crossed.
I also got to try the new SAUZA "TRES GENERACIONS" TEQUILA cigar from
Drew Estates. These cigars are presented in an attractive wooden box
made with dark and light woods and each cigar is over-wrapped in a
cedar sleeve. Although I don't smoke flavored cigars, I was impressed
with the construction and subtleties of this cigar. At first I thought
it might be on the sweet side like the Kahlúa cigars that debuted last
year, but it wasn't. The wrapper is exclusive to Drew Estates, which
they call "Adobe." It's a Cameroon seed grown in Ecuador, which results
in a slightly thicker wrapper than the African Cameroon and a lighter,
adobe clay-like color. I couldn't find one blemish on it. The cigar I
sampled was a Churchill. It smoked with a mild to medium body producing
a creamy, tobacco-rich smoke and solid ash. The tequila flavor was nary
a trace. Just enough to get the nuances of the liqueur, not overbearing,
which, being a Tequila drinker, I appreciated. More on this cigar in my
complete report.
A rare tasting opportunity came by way of the DAVIDOFF LIMITED EDITION
2004 "ROBUSTO REAL." I sampled this beauty at the Davidoff dinner and
despite fighting off a sinus infection, this cigar, for me, defined what
the Davidoff "good life" is all about. No fewer than 7 different tobaccos
have gone into the blending of this cigar. The wrapper was dark, oily and
flawless and it smoked with a perfect balance and complexity. This is one
of those cigars that's hard to describe unless you've actually smoked it,
so be on the lookout for these for those very special occasions.
By the third day of the show I had begun stashing away the cigars for
sampling when I got home because my sinuses were shot and just about
everything I lit up tasted bitter. But I was able to enjoy the new FLOR
DE OLIVA 10TH ANNIVERSARY cigar - at least a little. Since this has
become a regular cigar for me, I couldn't resist. Instead of the familiar
bundle presentation, the 10th Anniversary is presented in a six-sided box
and the wrapper is Ecuadorian Sumatra instead of Indonesian, which makes
it much more flavorful. The familiar Flor De Oliva bouquet was still there
and even though I couldn't finish it, when we got back, I was able to
scarf one off Humberto to smoke in the next couple of weeks. So look for
a more detailed review on this cigar and the new Oliva Master Blend cigars
down the road.
In speaking to the many manufacturers, blenders and marketing people at
the show, the one thing on which they all agreed was that the overall
quality of the cigars has IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY. The main reason for
this is that since the end of the cigar boom, the tobacco has had time
to mature. Blenders have had bigger yields and better tobacco to work
with. The tobaccos have been able to age for as long as 10 years in some
cases, making for better tasting cigars all-around. Then there are the
consumers themselves. Like wine enthusiasts, cigar smokers take great
interest in what goes into their cigars and as they've become better
educated, the cigar makers have had to raise the bar to produce better
quality cigars. Now, because of the better tobacco, they can. On more
than one occasion during the show I was told that due to the wide variety
of good cigars now available to the consumer, there is no longer an
allegiance to one single cigar, which is good for the entire cigar
industry. If and when the trade doors re-open to Cuba, they will have
their place, too, but they will also have a lot to contend with.¶
(_[GK]__[[~~
*** NEW SHOP TALK DELIVERY DATE ***
If you noticed that this month's issue of SHOP TALK arrived a day later than usual, that's because starting this month, SHOP TALK will be posted on the FIRST WEDNSEDAY of every month instead of Tuesday. Since CigarAuctioneer.com recently began running weekly email announcements on Tuesday, this was done to prevent recipients from getting multiple emails on the same day.
*** SURVEY SAYS DEPT. ***
Has a cigar sampler ever prompted you to buy a box of cigars? If yes,
how often?
There's little doubt that cigar samplers have become one of the hottest
marketing ideas to hit the cigar industry in recent years. Often they
will motivate a customer to try a box of a given brand, resulting in a
"win-win" repeat sale for the dealer and an educated selection for the
consumer. How about you?
Send an email to: and type or copy &
paste ""Cigar Samplers" in the SUBJECT line. As always, your comments are welcome.
Survey Results for June 8th: Are Cuban Cigars Better Than Non-Cuban Cigars?
The responses that came in on this one were split into four camps:
26% felt Cubans were BETTER - bar none, while 49%, felt non-Cuban cigars
were NOT better. 11% respondents opined that Cuban cigars fall into the
DIFFERENT category, while 14% of the votes were SPLIT between the two.
That the majority came in on the side of BETTER, drives home the trend
I cited in my lead story above: Cigars being made outside of Cuba have
improved dramatically. Here are some of the comments:
"Bought a 5-pack of Cohiba Coronas in the duty-free store in Cozumel.
Result: Tobacco was good; nice aroma & taste. Would've been better if
I could've actually smoked the cigars. They were rolled/packed so tightly
I needed an air compressor to force a draft through them. Upshot: I'll
stick to Dominicans et al. (Maybe Castro's slave-rollers are getting
their revenge by producing poorly-rolled cigars.)" - Dave W.
"Like most true cigar smokers I have sampled hundreds of Cuban cigars.
I currently have at least 6 boxes in my humidor. As to whether Cuban
cigars are a better smoke, I have this opinion: Some are excellent
and some ordinary...Now let's get down to some of the finest non-Cuban
cigars on the market. Like the article said the VSG is a phenomenal
smoke. I have boxes of all the Fuente Hemingway (including the Work of Art) and the Masterpiece. These are my personal favorites because
of the terrific flavor and consistency of the cigars. I also enjoy a
Fuente Don Carlos in the evenings after dinner with one of my favorite
beverages." - Chip J.
"Better and different. Nearly impossible to describe the difference,
but it's as though they're more "alive." The flavor, aroma, and the
way their strength hits you are all different than non-Cubans. The
strong ones hit you in the head, not in the throat." - Rich M.
"Have only been smoking cigars for a year and a half, but have had the
chance to smoke numerous Cubans...I don't see what all the mystique is
about...When all the factors are blended together...(price, construction,
taste ,aroma ,legality, availability)...non Cubans are the way to go." - Dave N.
"Without a doubt, I say no. I recently gave all my Cuban Cohibas to my
best friend, but I did save my Padron Anniversaries. At the same token Famous Smoke gave me a special opportunity to buy Partagas Limited Reserves
and they are definitely better. I am sure nobody will question that Cuban
Cohibas are great, but it is closed minded to say Cuban cigars are the
best." - Joe S.
"Cuban cigars are just like every other cigar, both good and bad. However,
the taste of Cuban tobacco is very different than any other tobacco. That
makes any comparison like apples and oranges. A bad Cuban still has that
"Cuban" taste. The good ones are better than anything else." - Mike S.
"What I can't understand is that the cigar mags ALWAYS rating Cubans at
the top of the list, while non-Cuban makers keep saying their products
are as good or better? What's the truth?" - B.B.
Cigar Terms & Tips (Collect and trade em'!)
Wedge Cut - A V-shaped cut made in the closed end of a cigar by using
a wedge or "V" type cutter. Often preferred for cigars with tapered heads.
Anteing-up on Cigar Pokers
Q: Have you ever used a poker for a bad burning cigar? If so, do they
work well? - Brad
A: Actually, I have one here in the office for emergencies. They do work
pretty well, but there is always the risk of pushing the poker through
the side of the cigar and what you've got is a mess. You often have to
run the rod through the cigar several times, but if you're patient, by
turning the poker slowly (like a screwdriver) as you push, and you're
very careful, the poker devices will help get the knots out of the cigar.
It's very hard to "poke" the cigars straight up the middle because of
how the tobacco is packed, so the trick is, once you "feel" you're getting too close to the wall of the cigar, stop.
Size Matters
Q: If all other things are equal, tobacco blend, binder, wrapper, age,
how does the shape of a cigar affect the smoking experience? - Bob Pletta
A: In the case of a Figurado, like a Torpedo or Pyramid, the tapered
head concentrates the smoke for a fuller flavor. Square-pressed or box-pressed cigars burn longer (allegedly). The wider the cigar, generally
the more full-flavored. A long cigar, like a Churchill, that's also
wide, will smoke cooler, whereas a Petit Corona will smoke a bit hotter.
But the blend is the key factor. I smoke a lot of Robustos, but lately
I've found that I like Lonsdale sizes more in certain brands. Try dif-
ferent shapes within the same brand until you find the one you like best.
Reader Feedback and Tips from Our Mailbag
Oscuro Vs. Maduro
In response to my reply on the question of "Oscuro vs. Maduro," I received
this enlightening email. (Note that my reference to "double maduro" did
not have to do with the actual definition, which the writer provides below,
it was a reference of the extra-dark color of Oscuro wrappers, which some
refer to as "double maduro," IOW, "double dark.") - G.K.
I'm confident you know this, but a "double maduro" cigar is one whose
wrapper and binder are both maduro; it is not a cigar whose wrapper is
darker than a typical maduro, like an oscuro.
"Maduro" refers to a fermentation process, not leaf coloration, as does
"oscuro." Oscuro leaves are dark because of exposure to the sun while
growing; maduro leaves acquire their dark color because of how they're cured afterwards. - Walter Kraslow
Got A Good Cigar Tip? Send it in and share it with our readers by
sending an email to . Please be
sure to put "CIGAR TIP" in the subject field.
*** SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION DEPT.***
Have a question about the care and feeding of your cigars or another
cigar-related topic? Send your questions and comments to me at: . I will try to respond as quickly as possible, but some replies may take a few days.
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“Shop-Talk” Archives
Want to catch up on your Famous Smoke "Shop Talk" reading or reference an article, tip, or other bit of information that appeared in a past issue? Go to our Famous Smoke “Shop Talk” archives page.
*** RATING LUNATIC DEPT.***
July cigar reviews from Famous Smoke Shop customers. Reviews are
selected at random and may be edited for length, not content. (Rating numbers shown may have changed since time of publication)
Hamiltons Reserve Don Jorge (9.37)
Country: Dom. Rep
Length/Ring: 7" x 48
Shape: Churchill
Wrapper: U.S. Conn. Shade
Strength: Mild
Quantity: box of 25 cigars
Great cigar at a great price. Good burn, good construction and great
presentation. Mild taste with hints of leather and vanilla. Little
after taste. Cool to the tongue. Hate to see this one depleted in
supply. - Bill Henry, Mayberry RFD
Natural By Drew Estate White Rabbit (8.68)
Country: Nicaragua
Length/Ring: 7" x 44
Shape: Churchill
Wrapper: Maduro
Strength: Medium
Quantity: box of 24 cigars
I've been a huge fan of the Natural line ever since I bought my sampler
pack. This is a great medium bodied smoke. The wrapper is a dark almost
black maduro. This cigar is mildly sweet but not too sweet. If you like
a good maduro cigar and you like the Natural line, you must try this
cigar! - James in Cleveland, OH
Punch Gran Puro Pico Bonito (9.15)
Country: Honduras
Length/Ring: 6" x 50
Shape: Toro
Wrapper: Sun-grown Honduran Havana seed
Strength: Full
Quantity: box of 25 cigars
This is such a great cigar! It is sweet and still gives you that flavor
you want to come back to over and over. The burn is excellent, the taste
is superb, the cost is so reasonable and the consistency is always there.
I can't get enough of these cigars! I also want to try some of the other
sizes to see what they are like. Enjoy! - Bill B. in Connecticut
AGREE/DISAGREE? Your opinion may be similar or completely different and is also appreciated, so don't be shy. Rate the cigars you smoke on our web site and write a review. You might even get your quote re-printed in our monthly mailorder catalog! What you say can help others make a more informed decision, even you!
*** CIGARS IN THE NEWS ***
Macanudo American Passion Tour Resumes for a Fourth Season
A story filed by John M. McGuire in the St. Louis Post Dispatch titled,
"Where there's smoke . . . cigar passion burns," announced the arrival
of the Macanudo American Passion Tour bus on his turf. The bus, which is
actually Elton John's old tour bus was bustling with members of the St.
Louis Fire and Police Departments. The 45-foot "American Passion" cigar lounge bus originates in New York City and is decorated with mirrors on the ceiling, which is one of the only things left from the Elton John tour days.
This is the cigar bus's fourth nationwide smoke run, which commenced on
the first Saturday in May at the Kentucky Derby in Louisville. The driver
is Mike Tobin, 51, a native of Sheboygan, Wis., who lives near Orlando,
Fla. He doesn't smoke, and he has spent more than 30 years driving tour
buses, reported McGuire.
"We only know a month out where we're going," said Tobin. "Believe me,
there is no other bus like this."
The bus is scheduled to travel across America through Oct. 31, making
its last stop in Louisiana. From St. Louis the bus is bound for stops
in Springfield, Mo.; Kansas City; Omaha, Neb.; Portland, Ore.; Seattle,
Los Angeles and Las Vegas, to name a few. Cigar smokers interested in
finding out whether the Macanudo American Passion Tour bus will be stopping in
their city can find out more information by clicking here.¶
*** GIVE THAT MAN A CIGAR! DEPT.***
If you live in or near the verdant Lehigh Valley of PA, stop by our
retail store at 1100 Conroy Place in Easton, PA for one of our cigar tasting events. For details and more information call 610-559-8800.
*** It's Like eBay® for Cigar Lovers! ***
Now you can get the cigars YOU want at the prices you're willing to pay by logging on to CigarAuctioneer.com. It's FUN, it's FAST and the ACTION is great! You'll not only find RARE cigars, closeouts, and discontinued cigar brands, but now you can bid on humidors, cigar lighters and more!
*** EYES ON THE PRIZE DEPT.***
Cigar Sightings
Against The Ropes (2004) - Meg Ryan plays a fictionalized Jackie Kallen, the real-life boxing manager who guided the careers of several major fighters, including four world champions like middleweight champ James Toney, as well as Bronco McKart and Thomas Hearns. During the film she fights for her place among the other managers by taking on the cigar-smoking, Midwest boxing kingpin, Sam LaRocca, well-played by Tony Shalhoub.
From the Newsday Archives
Bit of tobacco lore appeared in our local newspaper here on
Long Island and thought you might be interested to read it.
- Jim Carson on Long Island, NY
Other Famous Cigar Smokers Caught “Infumare Delecto”
Taken by my son, Sgt. Ryan Suthard, of some of his bud's.
I sent them boxes of Fonseca and Cohiba cigars. To say the
least, they lasted just a short time. - Dick Suthard
No one famous, just my own ugly mug enjoying a Flor De Oliva
"Super Giant" and some Jack Malatan Bahamian rum on Father's
Day. - Rick Normandie
WANTED! Cigar-smoking photos of you and/or your friends.
Have You Made A Cigar Sighting Recently? It can be from a movie, TV show or a celebrity you've seen elsewhere or in-person puffing on a primo. If you can name the brand of the cigar, even better! Or send in a herfing photo of you and your friends to me at and please put "Cigar Sightings" in the subject line. Limit: 1 sighting or photo (preferably, a JPEG) per email.
That's all folks. Until our next issue on September 1, Happy Smokes!
Gary
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Shop Talk illustration at top of page by Robert Ingram.
Copyright © 2004 Famous Smoke Shop - PA, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Portions or all of this information may be reprinted freely, provided this
link, http://www.famous-smoke.com, remains intact.
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