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Inside Drew Estate Cigars; Cigar Chewers;
Flor De Oliva and Punch Gran Puro Reviews
August 19, 2003
*** IN THIS ISSUE ***
1.
Feature Story: The Amazing Jonathan (Jonathan Drew interview)
2. Survey Says: Will the real "Chewbacca" please stand up
3. Smoker's Ed: Cigar Terms & Tips
4. Site Improvements: Search humidors by manufacturer and color
5. Rating Lunatic: Flor De Oliva 750; Punch Gran Puro Rancho
6. Cigar Sightings!
Greetings, Fellow Cigar Lovers,
For those of you who want to read about many of the new cigars that
debuted at RTDA a few weeks ago, check out my RTDA 2003 Report. It's
filled with pictures and lots of information on the hottest new releases
from the major and boutique manufacturers. In this edition of Shop-Talk
I present my interview with Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate and ACID cigars.
His passion for what he does is boundless and I think you'll enjoy
reading his take on how he does that voodoo that he does so well. In the
weeks ahead, I'll be including conversations I also had with Jose Oliva
of Oliva Cigars, Bent Ahm & Jose Fuego, blenders for Don Tomás, Astral
and Talanga Valley cigars, and Carlos Diez of
and Puros Indios.
*** FEATURE STORY ***
The Amazing Jonathan
There's a lot more to Jonathan Drew than meets the eye. He may not
exhibit what one might constitute as a "traditional" corporate image,
but he's one of the most savvy entrepreneurs in the cigar business,
maybe any business for that matter and his cigars are anything but
traditional. I spent 20 years in the music business and got up-close and personal with many a rock star. But not since then had I
seen anything like the attention Drew brought to his booth at this
year's RTDA show. He IS a rock star and the best part of it all was,
this very passionate, 32 year-old success story is a class act.
Now, here's what the man I've dubbed "the EMINEM of the cigar business"
(but a much nicer guy) had to say about his cigars.
How did you get started in the cigar business?
I started in '95 with a retail shop at the World Trade Center and
went on from there to start getting cigars manufactured for us. La Vieja Habana was our first brand. Nick Perdomo made it when it
first came out. From there, that was the brand we distributed nation-
wide. I actually repped a lot of brands, too. I wasn't a regular rep
that would sell one brand. I represented a whole team. Toraño, Perdomo,
a cigar publication, Pheasant, a couple of other brands, too.
When did the idea of going in a totally different direction come along?
That was in 1999. I moved down to Nicaragua. At the time Nick was still
making La Vieja Habana for us. But I had already been going down to Nicaragua five years before. I started a small factory
with two employees and worked it from there. When I first came down to
Nicaragua I couldn't even drive a stick. I was just learning how to drive.
Everywhere we went the car would stall. I was also learning how to make
the cigars. It took a long time to develop the systems, work the product,
cure it, distill it and by 2000 we were up and running.
What's important is that this year you see a major new development with
Drew Estate in the Kahlúa brand cigar that's being distributed General [Cigar]
and I think that's a big step for us, in that, a
lot of people have been hesitant to try Drew Estate products because
we're known for our infusion processes cigars, and some people
have been skeptical about it. But in the last two years there have
been more people who are interested in trying it. Now with the Kahlúa
brand that is basically a Kahlúa infused cigar, Kahlúa cured and treated,
distilled, it should appeal to a lot of new smokers who are either new
to the industry or who like to smoke a mild cigar. There's a lot of
cross-marketing potential on it. I think smokers who don't want too
heavy a cigar are going to be interested in the Kahlua and I think it
legitimizes us in a lot of ways.
How did you decide on how the cigar would taste and smoke?
With the Kahlúa, we worked with the Kahlúa company and General and
discussed the concept for how the cigar was going to taste. General
and I had the same mind set from the beginning. We didn't want a very
'flavory' cigar. We wanted something that the mild, Macanudo smoker,
a sophisticated cigar smoker would say, hey, this is real premium
quality and has just enough of the essence of Kahlúa. There's nothing
insulting about this cigar. With ACID, people either love it or hate it.
With the Kahlúa there's going to be a broad audience for it.
La Vieja Habana. It's arguably your best-seller. What's the deal?
There're doing great. Well the price is killer. We sold over two million
cigars since we released it in September, which for us is a lot. It's
gone really well. As I told you, that was the first brand I started with,
originally made by Nick. Actually, originally made on 30th street and 6th
Avenue in Manhattan, then by Nick. Believe it or not, I had to appeal
three times to get the trademark to the name. So the concept of the brand
has always been important to us. We released it as a really inexpensive
yet strong cigar. I think that's why it does as well as it does. You're
really getting a huge bang for your buck. Especially for the guys who
like strength. There are really very few $2 cigars that have that kind
of strength.
How about the new La Vieja The Early Years? It has a maduro wrapper.
That's a broadleaf maduro from Connecticut. I get it from the Oliva
Family in Tampa. That cigar is also very reasonably priced, very strong,
and really well-balanced. The smell - if you're a guy who likes a heavy,
bold smell, it smells like you're in the factory. Plus the packaging on it.
I wanted to get that vintage deco feel. Not as inexpensive as the regular
La Vieja fumas, but it is in the La Vieja Habana line and we're just
calling it "Early Years." It's a tribute to where we started. We've been
really fortunate, really blessed to have the kind of luck we've had and
it makes you reflect back on what you started. In the factory I smoke a
lot of cigars that are not flavored at all, not infused. So here I wanted
to make something that I would love to smoke myself.
That's seems to be the case with many of you. Avo [Uvezian] told me
that most of his cigars, particularly the special editions, are made to
suit his personal taste.
Well then it comes out your best. Like with The Early Years, These cigars
have been aging since last September, so the blend is very, very hearty
and I can't say enough about the smell. It's thick, wonderful and for
those who want a mild cigar, don't even think about it.
Is there anything you can tell me, without giving anything away, that
our readers could learn about your blending process?
Yes. [pauses] No! [laughs] Actually, we call it an infusing process.
Basically, we're distilling and curing the tobaccos over a very long
slow period of time because like slow cooking good food, the longer you
take, not only it is more flavorful, it's more balanced. Whether it's
ACID or Kahlúa, it's the same method, which has taken us years and all
I can say is that at this point, we've perfected it and it works.
What does the Natural selection offer the traditional cigar smoker?
A fantastic brand in terms of diversity in the line. It comes in 14
different sizes. The Maduro that I'm using is second to none for the
Root and Dirt. Those two cigars are the leading sellers in the brand.
On that cigar we blend up to 12 different tobaccos, which is unheard of.
In fact, my importer told me that we are the largest importer of
tobaccos from foreign countries into Nicaragua. We just bring in a
tremendous amount of great tobacco. The Natural is definitely something
for the smoker who wants a mild to medium body, something very flavorful
but not infused like ACID. ACID and Natural are two completely different
cigars. I cannot stress this enough. It's not ACID-Natural. It's ACID
brand and Natural Brand and the natural brand is a gourmet brand that's
unique with regard to the flavors that come from the variety of tobacco
used and how those tobaccos are cured, that's it.
That brings me to a little bonus interview I got with Scott Chester, one
of the co-creators of ACID, which is actually an industrial design company
based in Brooklyn. Scott Chester is the conceptual artist and designer
behind all of ACID's marketing design.
How did you hook up with Drew?
Jon and Marvin [Marvin Samel, Drew's business partner] were friends
before we created the ACID concept. The key to its success from my
point of view was that whatever ACID does as a product, it has to improve
something. So whether it was protecting your shoes or motorcycle clothing,
it has to work better or be more comfortable, etc. The question was, how
do you do that with cigars? It seemed that the main problem with cigars
was the smell. They left a lingering odor in the air. So the question
becomes, how to you solve that problem and still make a great tasting
cigar with quality tobacco? That's how we began developing the herbs and
spices found in the cigars and now people recognize the smell. Women will
come up to us in bars and ask us what we're smoking.
How did you develop the motorcycle concept with the dreadlocked rider
and all?
That's me! I have nine motorcycles. We run the race team. We've made some
bikes for Rough Riders, Tommy Hilfiger, Echo Unlimited Clothing; I did a
helmet for Ralph Lauren.
The ACID packaging is probably some of the most inventive out there,
especially in the cigar industry. It really gets your attention.
We tried to get a way from the traditional. We're a young company we know
that. We can't say our knowledge goes back to the golden days of Cuba, but
we've done our research and we've done a great product and we get the
best quality tobacco we can get to make a consistent product.
How do you match the graphics to the cigar?
The flavor of the cigar is one part of it, but I have to have the creative
eye to tell if a graphic works; if it's too childish, too risque, too
dark and evil, whatever.
Who comes up with the names of the ACID cigars?
We're always bumping heads about the names. For "Krush Classic" I had to
call Nicaragua and argue with Jon and Marvin for three hours about the
name. But others like "Dirt" just came up because that's what it feels
like; the soil the earth, you know.
What next for ACID?
We're coming out with a complete line of clothing. We've done some fabric
patterns for Diane Von Furstenburg, which she used in her Spring line
last year. I'll be showing my original artwork, over 30 paintings at her
studio from October 2- 5. For more information on that people can go to
www.acidnyc.com.
*** SURVEY SAYS DEPT.***
Are You a "Smoker" or a "Chewer?"
Since my arrival at Famous Smoke Shop, I've observed that there's more
than one way to enjoy your cigars. I'm talking about getting right
down into the heart of the tobacco. There are at least two members
of the staff who, instead of just lighting up and smoking their
cigars, chew them. Oh, they eventually get around to lighting them,
but it seems they like chewing on the cigar, too. In fact, they
probably do more chewing than smoking. When the head gets too squishy,
they just clip off the wet stuff and start again. Perhaps you've also
observed this phenomenon among other cigar smokers or do it yourself.
If so, I'd like to know how many of you practice this method and what
you like about it.
Send an email to: and in the Subject line, type or copy & paste either:
1. Yes, I chew my cigars
2. No, I only smoke my cigars
As always, comments are not necessary but in this case, would be welcome.
Survey Results for August 5: Do You Remove the Bands on Your Cigars?
The results showed an almost neck-and-neck race on this one. Out of 229
responses, here are the results:
Remove the band: 113
Leave the band on: 101
Mixed: 15 (those who kept the band on until they could remove it without
tearing the wrapper)
Here are some interesting remarks that some of you sent in:
"Keep the band on until the cigar heats up. The band then comes off much
easier." - Richard H.
"Gary, come on, keep the band -- why do these folks (who like band-free)
continue to live in the .25 cent cigar era? When I look at and smell the
beautiful fragrance of a great smoke I would never think of taking off
the band -- that's like presenting a dozen roses to a beautiful girl with
just the flowers and no stems??? Plain and simple, I believe half the fun
of smoking fine sticks in the first place is to have fun with the "event".
It is a blast to see everyone smoking something different. I also believe,
as in cars, the band depicts one's personality." - Gary F.
"* the bands get in the way, I like to feel tobacco not paper under my
fingers.
* leaving the band on it looks like you are showing off "Look at what
I'm smoking"
* I notice that guys smoking expensive cigars walk with the cigar held
straight out front like it's a magic wand.
* I hate the smug look on their face"
- Kelly McK.
*** SMOKERS ED. DEPT.***
Cigar Terms & Tips (Collect and trade em'!)
Pre-embargo Cigar - A Cuban cigar made before President Kennedy enacted
the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba in 1962.
Punch Cutter vs. Guillotine Cutter
Please explain to me the differences between a punch and a cutter. - Steve Deason
Both are cigar cutters. The "punch" (no relation to the cigar brand),
cuts a small hole in the head of the cigar. The advantage here is it
keeps any loose tobacco in the cigar, while still providing a good draw.
The "cutter" (assuming you're referring to the guillotine style cutter),
is used to slice the tip of the cap off the head of the cigar, usually
resulting in a wider cut, thereby exposing more surface area.
"Connecticut" Wrappers
I notice in your catalog that some cigars are listed as "draped in
the silkiest, golden USA Connecticut wrappers" and others say that
the wrappers are "Connecticut shade wrappers." Does this mean that
the Connecticut shade wrappers are not really Connecticut wrapper
but just the shade of them? - Bernie Sigler, Fredonia, PA
A good question and since I write the catalog I it deserves a good answer
When we (I) refer to "Connecticut" wrappers, especially "golden" wrappers,
it generally means they are "shade" grown. That's what gives them their
light appearance. Even the "Connecticut" wrappers grown in other countries
like Ecuador, Honduras, etc., are "shade grown" unless otherwise specified.
The only difference in these wrappers is they are grown outside the U.S.
using Connecticut (USA) seeds. In addition to the descriptive copy, we
always try to list as accurately as possible the nature of the wrapper in
the blend description. For example: "sun grown," "maduro," "Talanga
Cubano," etc.) in the catalog as well as on the web site.
*** SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION DEPT.***
Have a question about the care and feeding of your cigars? 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.
Subcribe To Famous Smoke Shop-Talk
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*** FAMOUS-SMOKE.COM HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS ***
Now Search For Humidors by Color and Manufacturer
So, you're looking for the perfect new home for your cigars and you want
a particular color. Or, you read something about a particular maker of
humidors and want to learn more. Now, when searching for a humidor at
Famous-smoke.com you can do both. Click this link and you'll be able to find the humidor that's right for you from among six different search
criteria including the color and manufacturer.
*** RATING LUNATIC DEPT.***
Flor De Oliva 750 (Nicaragua)
Size: 7" x 50
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler & Binder: Nicaraguan
First light: A toasty cedar flavor with an echo of spice on the finish.
Superb aroma. The wrapper on this particular cigar was a little spotty
and burned unevenly at first, but evened out nicely after about 2". The
taste also began to smooth out losing it's spiciness and developed an
appealing nutty flavor. The ash was firm and had an even silver color
all the way down. The draw became exceptionally creamy, too, producing a
thick smoke. I'd heard good things about these cigars and since this was
my first, it exceeded my expectations. Very good! ~ G.K.
Punch Gran Puro Rancho (Honduras)
Size: 5" x 49
Wrapper: Honduran Havana Seed
Filler & Binder: Honduras
A very tasty cigar that is similar to the Rare Corojo. There is plenty of
flavor & smoke with an easy draw. I had to doctor the uneven burn (nothing
serious) but the ash stayed on the cigar and didn't end up in my lap. If
you like a full, rich flavor cigar, give this one a try. The price is
right too! - John D., Bethlehem, PA , (August 10, 2003)
(Customer reviews are selected at random and may be edited for length, not content.)
(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. What you say can help others make a more informed decision, even you!)
*** GIVE THAT MAN A CIGAR! DEPT.***
Cigar tasting events in our retail store at 1100 Conroy Place, Easton, PA
Call 610-559-8800 for more info and offers associated with these events.
Saturday, September 13: 1st Annual Famous Smoke Shop Cigar-B-Q!
Join us for a full-blown picnic for all Famous Smoke Shop customers and
their families. Co-sponsored by 99.9 FM, "The Hawk." Food, drinks and
live music will be provided, plus cigar specials. One of the highlights
of the festivities will include a Zino Platinum Scepter cigars tasting! For all the details, please call the store at 610-559-8800.
Coming Soon! - Punch Photo Shoot - Star in your own Punch cigar ad
*** EYES ON THE PRIZE DEPT.***
Cigar Sightings
I "found" a pic of Brian Setzer on his web site "chomping a cigar".
FYI, he's the former lead singer of a defunct band called The Stray
Cats, (if you did not know). He currently fronts a trio of musicians
(including himself) called The Brian Setzer Trio, and also The Brian
Setzer Orchastra. His genre of music is Rockabilly, & or Swing Blues
or just some damn good music. - Reginald Pearce (LI, New York)
Other Famous Cigar Smokers Caught "Infumare Delecto"
Here's one of me and my buddies in North Carolina at a reservation casino.
- Jonathan Hughes (Rochester, NY)
(Say, have these guys been proofed? ;-)
WANTED! Cigar-smoking photos of you and/or your friends. (See next paragraph for details.)
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.
Until next time, Happy Smokes!
Gary
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Copyright © 2003 Famous Smoke Shop - PA, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Portions or all of this information may be reprinted freely, provided this
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