Monday, January 20, 2025

Kaplowitz Media. Presents The 2024 KAPPY AWARDS Best in Cigars

Kaplowitz Media. Presents The 2024 Kappy Awards

SURPRISE! The Kappys are back. If you don't remember this abandoned and wiped from history schtick... HELLO! Welcome to the 1st Annual Kappys. Let's just hand out (figuratively, not literally) some awards.

BEST CIGAR BRAND 2024
EP Carrillo

BEST BOUTIQUE CIGAR BRAND 2024
Stolen Throne

:::|:::

BEST CIGAR 2024
Sans Pareil Blue Line Piramide
(DOMINICAN)

BEST CIGAR HONDURAS
EP Carrillo Essence Series Honduras

BEST CIGAR NICARAGUA
Dunbarton Sobremesa Brulee Wagashi

[You can read my full reviews of the above three Cigars, plus seven more, via: Kaplowitz Media Cigar of the Year 2024.]

:::|:::

FACTORY OF THE YEAR
Tabacalera AJ Fernandez

BLENDER OF THE YEAR
Nick Melillo

BEST PACKAGING DESIGN
(t) Lovely Cigars, West Tampa

GENTLEPERSON OF THE YEAR
Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr.

Congrats to all!

::: very ::: 

Friday, January 17, 2025

Three of the More Popular Kaplowitz Media. Cigar Redux Reviews of 2024

Three of the More Popular Kaplowitz Media. Cigar Redux Reviews of 2024

The beginning of a new year is a fine time to look back at the year that just passed. Lists are great ways to mark points in time. Below is a handful of highlights by way of popular posts from 2024. Do you remember these? Kaplowitz Media. remembers. Enjoy!

Who don't love a good redux? I've been know to offer a redux or deux here at Kaplowitz Media. Why? Well, sometimes I simply wish to revisit a blend. Other times, I'll occasionally label it a Redux if it's a look-see at the same blend in a different vitola. Still other times, I wish to use a different style of review for the same offering.

Regardless, and as stated above, below is a list of Three (trois) of the More Popular Redux Reviews of 2024.

[The below titles are links to the full reviews. The accompanying (brief) blurbs alongside titles are excerpts from thereof.]

BIG SKY CIGAR CO. BLACKFOOT IN REDUX REVIEW Christmas Day at a Chinese restaurant? Maybe.

ROOM101 CIGARS HIT & RUN REDUX IN REDUX REVIEW Below I will include, verbatim, what I wrote about this blend when I first wrote about this blend a couple of months ago. Now, I am again writing about this blend using another identical offering of this blend.

LAMPERT CIGARS 1675 EDICION AZUL ROBUSTO IN REDUX REVIEW Stuffed in a thin-suede satchel, thrown over a flannel-wearing shoulder.

Thanks for spending a bit of your 2024 with me. See ya in 2025 (now, for instance).

::: very ::: 

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

1st & 15th Podcast "Episode 95 of 100" NEW EPISODE

1st & 15th Podcast "Episode 95 of 100" NEW EPISODE

In this episode of the 1st & 15th Podcast, Phil & Kap discuss 2025 resolutions for us all, then explore animal husbandry for many. Kap openly defies his Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry by saying no to chicken fat, and Phil is Hello(n wheels) Kitty.

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 ::: 

Monday, January 13, 2025

West Tampa Cigars Circle of Life Toro in Review

BRAND: West Tampa
BLEND: Circle of Life

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
BINDER: Ecuadorian Sumatra
FILLER: Dominican, Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Toro
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic (Casa Carrillo)
INTENSITY: Medium-full
SPICE: 3/5

NOTES:
1st. Brownie batter | Molasses | Spiced tea
2nd. Manure | Brownies | Irish Whiskey
3rd. Anise | Compost | Mexican brownies

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

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

FURTHER READING:

West Tampa Cigars Circle of Life Gigante in Review

::: very :::