Monday, December 23, 2024

The King's Cigar Malka in Review

BRAND: King's Cigar
BLEND: Malka

WRAPPER: Mexican San Andres
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Toro (652)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Med.-full/Full
SPICE: 2/5

NOTES:
German chocolate cake | Black walnut | Espresso

A difference between chocolate cake and German chocolate cake is the frosting. The former is typically fudgy; the latter is a pecan-coconut (or vice-versa) thing. Chocolate cake, it is! Although I could see a bit of pecan elsewhere. Call it black walnut. Not much spice, as it seems folded and forgotten into that frosting.

Espresso, just the crema. Loads of brown sugar. A doughy bit of yeasty rye bread; no caraway seeds, which is nice... although I believe maybe they've been ground into it. Quite an acceptable addition. A heavy profile, but not cumbersome or plodding. Dense. Layered. Retro-hales aid in finding ground black pepper. Anise.

This whole thing is swaddled in thick supple leather, and buried in composted earth.

Draws a half-tick damp-hesitant. The burn evens-out on its lonesome, but begins in a start with a small mouse-hole opening up 3/4"from foot. Ash is not a great grower, as flakes hold on oily-so. Feels a bit squishy in the mitt but no hard/soft spots. Assemblage holds. An intriguing first offering for a new company.

TASTE: B+
DRAW: B+
BURN: B
BUILD: B

FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

PS: I smoked one previously. Same experience there, sans burn issue.

::: very ::: 

Friday, December 20, 2024

Dissident Cigars Molotov in Review

BRAND: Dissident
BLEND: Molotov

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Rojiso
BINDER: Ecuadorian
FILLER: Nicaraguan, Dominican

FORMAT: Rbusto (550) fan-tail cap
ORIGIN: Nicaragua (Fabrica Oveja Negra)
INTENSITY: Mild-medium/Medium
SPICE: 3.5/5

NOTES:
1. Graham cracker | White pepper | Peanut brittle
2. White pepper | Salty herbaceousness | Table syrup
3. Cardboard | White pepper | Cardamom

TASTE: B+
DRAW: B
BURN: B
BUILD: B+

FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

::: very ::: 

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Black Works Studio Cigars The Hornet in Review

BRAND: Black Works Studio
BLEND: The Hornet

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Maduro, Candela trim
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Robusto (548) Closed-foot
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Full
SPICE: 4/5

NOTES:
Citrus | Hardwood | Fannypack

Citrus; floral-ginger underpinnings. Clean, crisply-so. Finely-ground blackredwhite pepper. Juicy sweetness. Winelike tannins. Earth cacao leather. Somewhat aggressive-throaty seasoned hardwood. Eucalyptus? Small bag, big trip. Fannypack.

TASTE: A-
DRAW: A-
BURN: B+
BUILD: A-

FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

::: very ::: 

Monday, December 16, 2024

1st & 15th Podcast "Catastrophic Failure" NEW EPISODE

1st & 15th Podcast "Catastrophic Failure" NEW EPISODE

In this episode of 1st & 15th, Phil and Kap take a stab at mindfulness while delving into the sleeping habits of Abe Lincoln. Kap questions yoga and amputations; while Phil tackles running lights and answering your own questions.

To listen to this NEW EPISODE and to find out more about other exciting Kaplowitz Media. listening and/or watching opportunities, please visit this link: Audio/Video.

About the 1st & 15th Podcast: Twice a month (see show name for dates), Phil Kurut and I chat too long about nothing of consequence. A pure waste of time. Cool.

::: very :::