Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Kaplowitz Media Cigar of the Year 2017-18

"Have you Kaplowitz'd to-day?"

KAPLOWITZ MEDIA. 
CIGAR OF THE YEAR 2017-18

The month of September, or Shemptember 'round this way, is a month-long Aniversario Celebracion, yes. There's more to it than 'just' that, tho. It's also the month where Kaplowitz Media picks up its pace in financially securing another Aniversario in 365. That's right -- I'm begging for money. Well, busking really & to be further apt. I mean I am performing somewhat here.

So...

STEPS TOWARD NAMING THE 2017-18 CIGAR OF THE YEAR
  1. All Cigars of the Month shall be listed (9/26)
  2. A best of each month shall be announced (9/27)
  3. List shall then be whittled down to ten (9/28)
  4. Ten-six announced (9/29)
  5. Five-one announced (9/30)
Please note that whilst all offerings herein scored a grade twixt A- and A+, that is not automatically heeded to whilst compiling. I do this because I am looking for 'memorable' aspects of each cigar. How I think of it now, as much as then. Thusly, I am purposefully blinding myself to partial-grade minutia particulars. Also: the offerings here were smoked by me, not released by whomever, during the given span a' time.

Check back here every-day listed above (@ 12:01am PT or after) for the step-by-step slow unfurling of the Kaplowitz Media Cigar of the Year.

September 26th.
List of Cigars of the Month
[remember these are all links to full reviews]

Oct. 2017
Gilberto Oliva Reserva
My Father La Opulencia
Macanudo Inspirado Black (Original Blend)
Drew Estate Undercrown Sungrown
CAO Flathead V554 Camshaft
Pappy Van Winkle Tradition
AVO Syncro Ritmo

Nov. 2017
Herrera Esteli by Drew Estate Miami Edition
La Gloria Cubana EPC Coleccion Reserva
Rocky Patel Vintage 2006 San Andres
Graycliff Silver
Espinosa Murcielago

Dec. 2017
La Palina Lp01
Hoyo La Amistad Silver by AJ Fernandez
Joya de Nicaragua Cuenca y Blanco (CyB)
Curivari Achilles Legendario Heroicos
La Flor Dominicana La Volcada
Gilberto Oliva Reserva Blanc
Henry Clay Stalk Cut

Jan. 2018
Alec Bradley Post-Embargo
San Cristobal
Isabela StarDust
Rocky Patel Vintage 2003 Cameroon
MBombay Classic Torpedo

Feb/March. 2018
Illusione Cigars ~MJ12~ Maduro
Don Pepin Garcia Serie JJ (bonus content)
Archetype Axis Mundi
Ceron Sumatra
Padron 1964 Anniversary (Natural) No. 4
Bespoke Cigars Gran Mareva
Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic
MBombay Mora

April 2018
Illusione Cigars ~ultra~ op. no. 3
Illusione Cigars ~2~ & Crowned Thorns

May 2018
Illusione Cigars Cigares Prive
Tatuaje Tattoo
Gran Habano Cigars Persian King

June 2018 
Casa Cuevas Habano
Casa Cuevas Maduro
La Barba Red
Surrogates Satin Glove
Caldwell Cigars Eastern Standard Dos Firmas

July 2018
Cornelius & Anthony Daddy Mac
The Griffin's Classic by Davidoff
Oliva Serie V Melanio
601 Blue Label Maduro
La Barba Red
Caldwell Blind Man's Bluff CT
My Father Flor De Las Antillas

August 2018
DAV Cigars Habana Clasico
Edition One Cloud Hopper No. 53
Crowned Heads Jericho Hill

September 2018
Asylum 13 Cigars Medulla [Oblongata]
Tabac Cigar Co. Muestra de Tabac
Caldwell Cigars Long Live the King
Illusione Cigars Garagiste
Illusione Haut 10


September 27th.
List: Best Cigar of each Month
[remember these are all links to full reviews]

Oct. 2017: My Father La Opulencia
Nov. 2017 Herrera Esteli by Drew Estate Miami Edition
Dec. 2017: La Flor Dominicana La Volcada
Jan. 2018: MBombay Classic Torpedo
Feb. 2018: Bespoke Cigars Gran Mareva
March 2018: Padron 1964 Anniversary (Natural) No. 4
April 2018: Illusione Cigars ~2~ & Crowned Thorns
May 2018: Gran Habano Cigars Persian King
June 2018: La Barba Red
July 2018: Caldwell Blind Man's Bluff CT
August 2018: DAV Cigars Habana Clasico
Sept. 2018: Illusione Cigars Garagiste

NOTE: listed jointly as Feb./March up-top, each month gets its own representative here. The joint filing is due to my taking the last 2wks off in Feb.

September 28th.
List whittled down to 10.
(In no particular order.)
[remember these are all links to full reviews]

My Father La Opulencia
La Flor Dominicana La Volcada
MBombay Classic Torpedo
Bespoke Cigars Gran Mareva
Padron 1964 Anniversary (Natural) No. 4
Illusione Cigars ~2~ & Crowned Thorns
La Barba Red
Caldwell Blind Man's Bluff CT
DAV Cigars Habana Clasico
Illusione Cigars Garagiste


September 29th.
#s 10-6 announced
[remember these are all links to full reviews]

10. Caldwell Blind Man's Bluff CT
9. La Barba Red
8. DAV Cigars Habana Clasico
7. lllusione Cigars ~2~ & Crowned Thorns
6. Bespoke Cigars Gran Mareva

September 30th.
Five-one announced
[remember these are all links to full reviews]



KAPLOWITZ MEDIA CIGAR OF THE YEAR

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Kaplowitz Media: Cigars of the Month (September 2018)

"Have you Kaplowitz'd to-day?"


September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

[This is the FINAL Cigars of the month list whose entrants will be eligible for the Kaplowitz Media Cigar of the Year 2017-18. Find out all 'bout dat @ HERE.]

"Sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit, these men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem. If no one else can help. And if you can find them -- maybe you can hire the A-Team."

Gentlepersons below is a list as shallow and pedantic as Lois Griffin's meatloaf. It is a list of recent (September 2018) cigar offerings I humbly found to be worthy of A (- to +) review ratings.

THE A-LIST


Twitter: @KaplowitzMedia
Email: HERE

Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Donate HERE via PayPal

83. Kaplowitz Radio Monday

Illusione OneOff +53 Super Robusto - Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

"Have you Kaplowitz'd to-day?"


September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

OneOff +53
WRAPPER: Nope
BINDER: Nada
FILLER: Nah

FORMAT: 5.75x48 "Super Robusto"
ORIGIN: Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Medium

NOTES: Notably tangy overtones of Orange Julius w/ white pepper kicker. Ginger, honey, graham, car-a-mel undertones. Draws well and burns nicely, slowly. Smooth as Billy Dee Williams hawking malt liquor. Cool as a cucumber placed on the other side of yer pillow. Lacks complexity but does have some bright nuance. Skittles finish (moderate length). Jaunty. Purposeful.

FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59


"ONEOFF +53 SUPER ROBUSTO

"The OneOff brand has a neat story. Here goes: 'twas created in 2001 by one Mr. Andrea Molinari, CEO of an eye-talian air-line and proprietor of a La Casa del Habano. Sir simply wanted his own brand. Plasencia obliged and the smokes were made at their Nicaraguan factory, Segovia Cigars S.A. Living up to their OneOff nom de tobacco, offerings were made scant and mainly-so for Asian and Euro markets. Much of the buzz 'round the original brand was, in fact, its branding. Its packaging, particularly. The logo employed to be emblazoned was the peace sign. Cigar smarks were shortly tripping over one-another to get their mitts on the curious things. Scarcely found plus curiously presented, equaled [to] a cult-like following that was somewhat the impetus behind Giolito's birthing of [his own brand] Illusione.

As to OneOff's re-introduction: expect that to occur sometime next year. Expect it too, to look and perchance even smoke the same. As Dion plans on keeping the cult-iconic branding in place and was attracted also to the blend's grand-father'd in status. That OG unicorn recipe, gentlepersons: Honduran top-leaf o'er Nicaraguan guts. They will be rolled outta the TABSA factory, much-like-much of Illusione's other offerings." - Me, Illusione Owner Dion Giolito Buys OneOff - Cigar News

Fine. OK. Alrighty. In June, Illusione sent to market 7/8 of the everything-old-is-new-again front. The lagging 1/8 being the +53 Super Robusto... & NOW, it's on its way to said market on the heels of the other little piggies. +53. The country code of Cuba. Was Cuban leaf used in the OG OO blend? Proly not. Speaking of the blend, Dion Giolito of Illusione has stated the +53 to be different than the rest. He's right, too, and away from its recipe, as well. See, it has a secondary band and a ~$30USD per MSRP. Those extra brands must be pricey propositions!

[note: Cuban Crafters picked up the name OneOff & they're whom Illusione did purchase it from.]" Me, from Kaplowitz Media Cigar News Weekly Report: OneOff (Illusione), Nomad, & Curivari Cigars.

"Illusione Cigars is proud to present ONEOFF. A breakout cigar at the turn of the 21st century that gained an immediate cult status. We felt like we had the opportunity and duty to recreate the fire and essence that was the impetus of the brand. We achieved it." - www.IllusioneCigars.com

Illusione is a sponsor of K/M.


Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Donate HERE via PayPal.
& go HERE for more ways to support K/M.

83. Kaplowitz Radio

Monday, September 24, 2018

Kaplowitz Media Programming Update

"Why not Kaplowitz?"


Birthdays & aniversarios are times for reflection. Shemptember, the month-long K/M aniversario celebracion offered me just that. Mid-month, I went public w/ plans to intro coffee culture as a co-focus of cigar lifestyle.

Just a couple/few days ago, an opportunity presented itself (one I won't discuss quite yet) which exists w/in the cigar industry. I JUMPED AT/ON it. Did-so sans thought as to coffee, whatsoever. What this proved to me, is that nothing gets to me like cigars.

As K/M is a 1-man show (me) I cannot burn a candle at three-ends. So on Oct. 1st, instead of a "hello" to a coffee extension co-focus here -- it'll be, well -- not one. I did procure some samples of java which I will review. Heck, I may even do occasional etc. reviews. Maybe on Wednesdays.

Regardless, the takeaway from this for you Gentlepersons is that K/M will continue on its cigar-centric path. For me, my aniversario takeaway is a renewed appreciation of the leaf. Fuck, that was a flowery sentiment Apt, tho. Hey!

& bdays can be more than one thing...

September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

... They can be me begging for moolah, as well.


Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Go HERE for ways to support K/M.

83. Kaplowitz Radio Monday 

83. Kaplowitz Radio Monday

"Book-end yer week-end w/ Kaplowitz Radio"


September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

Please to press play below:



ty for yer attns., Gentlepersons.

s/o:

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter.
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Go HERE to support K/M.


This episode was brought to you by:
www.CigarsOfHabanos.com
www.CaldwellCigars.com
www.GHcigars.com
www.IllusioneCigars.com

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Illusione Cigars Haut 10 - Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

"Why not Kaplowitz?"


September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

Illusione Haut 10
WRAPPER: Nicaraguan Corojo
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: SUPER Robusto, fan-tail cap
ORIGIN: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA), Nicaragua
STRENGTH: Medium

NOTES: Amazingly complex and quite brightly delivered. That combo makes for a cacophony of potentially unsettled flavors on account of lacking depth | nuance. Lotsa what's called "character" plays bandleader and well, this is maybe the jazziest smoke I've ever smoked. Every note but wet fence post is played in an improv fashion. Highlights: creamsicle, cocoa butter, pine nuts, Boston Creme donut, cardamom-laced apple pie, white peppercorn, buttered popcorn, gingerbread cookies, shortbread, cinnamon rolls. Oy, w/ the pastries & a vanilla latte.

Burn-line gets a slight blister here&there but the pace is Good, man (Benny Goodman reference, Jazz Bandleader). Offers lots of smoke off a perfect draw. Long and slow and happy. Maybe it's a Phish concert -- fuck I hope not. It's just I hate the people who go to those.

A brilliant experience. A tick tiringly-so. Pairs well w/ a nap afterward.

FINAL GRADE: A
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59


"When I asked Giolito to explain the imagery on the box, he simply sent me this link." & "For the 10th anniversary of Illusione, Giolito created Haut 10, a 5 1/2 x 52 robusto extra that uses a Nicaraguan cafe claro AAA grade wrapper that sits on a blend of Nicaraguan criollo 98 and corojo 99 tobaccos that is “seco dominant.” He noted that the blend came as the result of three sortings to get the best materials from AGANORSA." - Patrick Lagreid, www.Halfwheel.com

FULL DISCLOSURE: Illusione is a sponsor of Kaplowitz Media.

Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Go HERE for ways to support K/M.

82. Kaplowitz Radio Friday  

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Ten Most Memorable Box Pressed Cigars 2017-18 (Shemptember/Kaplowitz Media 3rd Aniversario Celebracion)

"Have you Kaplowitz'd to-day?"


The month of September, or Shemptember 'round this way, is a month-long Aniversario Celebracion, yes. There's more to it than 'just' that, tho. It's also the month where Kaplowitz Media picks up its pace in financially securing another Aniversario in 365. That's right -- I'm begging for money. Well, busking really & to be further apt. I mean I am performing somewhat here.

So...

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.

Don't hate, DONATE: www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz
or/&, buy a K/M T-shirt: www.teespring.com/KaplowitzMedia

Also throughout the month, I will be 'penning' these "10" lists. Because bitches love lists and they also love my ten" personality. Said lists will be of the year's most MEMORABLE cigars in different groups according to format, top-leaf, origin country, etc. Note: MEMORABLE, and not to be confused with my Cigars of the Year or "best of," coming Sept. 26-30. Although I am certain there will be overlapping. k.

Box Pressing. Does it factor into the taste of a blend? Does the same blend taste different once "pressed?" Depends on who you ask. Asking me? The flavor of any cigar is impacted upon when burn issues arise in any format/blend. BPs seem to have more burn issues than their rounded brethren. The format does feel different in mitt & mouth -- some like that, some don't. I don't really care.

Let's roll.



10 MOST MEMORABLE BP Cigars 2017-18
[listed items are links to full review]



SHEMPTEMBER 2018 LIST OF EVENTS:
September 1st (time TBD) KAPATHON 2018 (LINK)
September 15th Kaplowitz Media Festival
September 30th CIGAR OF THE YEAR Announced

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

82. Kaplowitz Radio  

Friday, September 21, 2018

Illusione Cigars Garagiste in Robusto - Cigar Review Redux by Kaplowitz

"Have you Kaplowitz'd to-day?"

September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

Illusione Garagiste
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A., Nicaragua
STRENGTH: Medium-Full

NOTES: Tightly-rolled w/ a draw to only somewhat match -- pulls satiate, nonetheless. Chocolate. Buttered cinnamon toast. That's there on the aroma, as well. Deep dark baccy core with spices displaying more sweet-brightly. Peppery up-front. Merlot addition finish. Burns on a line with a slow-stacking ash.

FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59


I first looked at this blend: Illusione Cigars Garagiste in Gordo - Cigar Review by Kaplowitz & What a difference a vitola makes! From the B- Gordo to this A- Robusto. Illusione is a sponsor of K/M but was too, back then.

"The new line is named Garagiste, which is the name given to a group of winemakers in the Bordeaux region of France who emerged in the mid-1990s that produce “garage wines” in reaction to the traditional style that had been prevalent in the past." www.Halfwheel.com

"One of multiple new Illusione cigars made available for the first time at last year’s IPCPR Trade Show (in addition to a looming FDA deadline, it was also Illusione’s 10th Anniversary), Garagiste is the first Illusione cigar to feature an Ecuadorian wrapper." www.StogieGuys.com

Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Go HERE to support K/M.

82. Kaplowitz Radio Friday 

82. Kaplowitz Radio Friday

"Book-end yer week-end w/ Kaplowitz Radio."


September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

Please to press play below:



ty for yer attns., Gentlepersons.

s/o:
www.Halfwheel.com


Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter.
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Go HERE to support K/M.

This episode was brought to you by:
www.CigarsOfHabanos.com
www.CaldwellCigars.com
www.GHcigars.com
www.IllusioneCigars.com

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Caldwell Cigars Long Live the King in Petite Corona "Manzanita" - Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

"Have you Kaplowitz'd to-day?"


September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

Caldwell Long Live the King
WRAPPER: Dominican Corojo
BINDER: Dominican Corojo 
FILLER: Peruvian Pelo de Oro, Nicaraguan Habana Ligero

FORMAT: Petite Corona "Manzanita"
ORIGIN: Caldwell Cigar Factory, DR
STRENGTH: Full

NOTES: Well-rolled & easily pulled. Burn needs a single re-direct. Smoky af. Dense but sweet lively leathery-oil'd earthen overtones. Roasted red-peppery-cinnamon attachments. Chocolate kicker kicked w/ jalapeno bits & some fruity undertones which extend into a stiff wooden finish.

FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59


"Back in 2014, Caldwell Cigar Co debuted with three lines: Long Live The King, The King is Dead and Eastern Standard. Since then, the company’s releases have expanded to include new lines and new sizes for the existing lines. Long Live The King was released in four sizes initially, with a fifth regular production size added in 2015." - www.Halfwheel.com

"LONG LIVE THE KING
“Richer Than Warren Buffet”
This blend uses very small batch, rare, and all A grade tobaccos."

Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Go HERE to support K/M.

81. Kaplowitz Radio Monday

La Aurora Cigars 1987 Connecticut in Robusto - Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

"Have you Kaplowitz'd to-day?"

September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.


La Aurora Connecticut
WRAPPER: Connecticut shade
BINDER: Dominican
FILLER: Dominican, Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic

STRENGTH: Mild-Medium

NOTES:
Sweet(butterscotch)-creamy earthen-tobacco core. Tangy-forward soft spices whispered peppers. Leather-grains-nuts savoriness. Smoov af. Musty/dusty nuances, zero complexities... the intent here isn't a roller-coaster but a teacup ride. Nice. Burns even 'nuff and draws quite well.

FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59


"The La Aurora 1987 Connecticut is part of the time capsule series from the first cigar factory of the Dominican Republic. The cigar joins the 1903 Cameroon and 1962 Corojo and each year represents when La Aurora first used the wrapper in their storied history." - www.TheCigarAuthority.com

Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Go HERE to support K/M.

81. Kaplowitz Radio Monday

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Asylum 13 Cigars [Medulla] Oblongata Maduro in Robusto - Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

"Why not Kaplowitz?"


September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

Asylum [Madulla] Oblongata Maduro
WRAPPER: Mexican San Andres
BINDER: Honduran Corojo
FILLER: Honduran Corojo

FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Honduras
STRENGTH: Medium-Full

NOTES:
Peppery savory dark tobacco with an inherent sweet whole grain backing. Meaty & substantial. Heats and softens in 3/3, where it experiences some charring.

I smoked this offering: 79. Kaplowitz Radio Monday.

FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59


Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Go HERE to support K/M.

81. Kaplowitz Radio Monday

Ten Most Memorable Figurado Cigars 2017-18 (Shemptember/Kaplowitz Media 3rd Aniversario Celebracion)

"Why not Kaplowitz?"


Each & every Wednesday K/M will bring you a column to-do with cigars &/or the cigar lifestyle. (penned by Kap, natch.) Perhaps you can enjoy it while smoking something good, Gentlepersons. Tho that ain't mandated. Smoke something bad if ya like. See if I care. I begin...

But I do not. Instead, I pre-empt the regularly scheduled bit of lifestyle post in favor of the Shemptember especial of #bestOf lists. Because bitches love lists. A point which I'll reiterate later.

The month of September, or Shemptember 'round this way, is a month-long Aniversario Celebracion, yes. There's more to it than 'just' that, tho. It's also the month where Kaplowitz Media picks up its pace in financially securing another Aniversario in 365. That's right -- I'm begging for money. Well, busking really & to be further apt. I mean I am performing somewhat here.

So...

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.

Don't hate, DONATE: www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz
or/&, buy a K/M T-shirt: www.teespring.com/KaplowitzMedia


Also throughout the month, I will be 'penning' these "10" lists. Because bitches love lists and they also love my ten" personality. Said lists will be of the year's most MEMORABLE cigars in different groups according to format, top-leaf, origin country, etc. Note: MEMORABLE, and not to be confused with my Cigars of the Year or "best of," coming Sept. 26-30. Although I am certain there will be overlapping. k.

Figurados. Parejo is the name given to any cigar-shaped cigar. Stright-rounded sides, flat on each end. Figurado is the term applied to every other offering of any other shape, including my personal fav of Perfecto... the vitola of choice for old-school cartoon tuffies.

Let's roll.

10 MOST MEMORABLE FIGURADOS 2017-18
[listed items are links to full review]


SHEMPTEMBER 2018 LIST OF EVENTS:
September 1st (time TBD) KAPATHON 2018 (LINK)
September 15th Kaplowitz Media Festival
September 30th CIGAR OF THE YEAR Announced


Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

81. Kaplowitz Radio Monday

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Kaplowitz Media Cigar of the Year 2017-18 [Scheduling Information & Process]

"Why not Kaplowitz?"


September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

STEPS TOWARD NAMING THE 2017-18 CIGAR OF THE YEAR
  1. All Cigars of the Month shall be listed (9/26)
  2. A best of each month shall be announced (9/27)
  3. List shall then be whittled down to ten (9/28)
  4. Ten-six announced (9/29)
  5. Five-one announced (9/30)
These steps will all be listed in a single & updated blog post. During this time, again, September 26-30th. During this time, no other postings will be made -- neither written nor spoken word (blog or podcast). 

Please note that while all offerings herein scored a grade twixt A- and A+, that is not automatically heeded to whilst compiling. I do this because I am looking for 'memorable' aspects of each cigar. How I think of it now, as much as then. Thusly, I am purposefully blinding myself to partial-grade minutia particulars. Also: the offerings here were smoked by me, not released by whomever, during the given span a' time.


Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter

Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Donate HERE via PayPal.
& go HERE for more ways to support K/M.

81. Kaplowitz Radio Monday

La Aurora Serie Aniversario 107 Maduro in Robusto - Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

"Why not Kaplowitz?"


September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

La Aurora 107 Maduro
WRAPPER: Connecticut Broadleaf
BINDER: Dominican Corojo
FILLER: Dominican & Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: E. Leon Jimenes Tabacalera, Dominican Republic
STRENGTH: Medium-Full

NOTES:
Sloppily rolled but performs far better than it eye-balls. Black pepper & spiced dried meat forefront. Dark grain & manure undertones. Leather-led purple fruit & cocoa nuances twixt. Sharp notes subdue off the front-load and pick up some toasted cream.

FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59


"The La Aurora 107 Maduro has been a long awaited cigar by La Aurora Cigars. Back in 2010, the original La Aurora 107 was launched. This cigar was released to celebrate La Aurora’s 107th anniversary, thus the cigar was appropriately named. That cigar received a high amount of fanfare from cigar enthusiasts nationwide. It was shortly after the launch of that cigar where word came that there would be a maduro companion to that cigar. It’s taken a little bit of time, but the La Aurora 107 Maduro has finally launched. Recently I’ve had an opportunity to smoke the La Aurora 107 Maduro. I found this to be a very good cigar, and a great addition into the La Aurora portfolio." - www.Cigar-Coop.com (2013)

"While the La Aurora 107 blend commemorating the company’s 107th year in business had a fairly straight forward release in 2010, the Maduro version is another story altogether. Although the 107 Maduro was formally announced in 2010, there were no sightings of it on the market until late 2011 when Cigar King received 49 boxes of a prerelease version in a 7 x 58 Gran 107 vitola." - www.Halfwheel.com

s/o: La Aurora

Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Donate HERE via PayPal.
& go HERE for more ways to support K/M.

81. Kaplowitz Radio Monday

Monday, September 17, 2018

81. Kaplowitz Radio Monday

"Book-end yer week-end with Kaplowitz Radio."


September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

Please to press play below:



ty for yer attns., Gentlepersons.

s/o:
www.OmManiCigars.com

Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter.

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Go HERE to support K/M.


This episode was brought to you by:

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Kaplowitz Media: Odds & Ends at the Ides (Sept.)

"Have you Kaplowitz'd to-day?"

September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.


  • The new look 'round here
  • [dis]Illusione Podcast

Gentlepersons,

Them's above are the bullet-points. Lettuce now delve -- but first -- thanks for coming out to this, my State of the Kaplowitz.xyz Address.

I sure do hope ya've noticed by now but if ya've not... there's some new imagery around here. I am not a visual sorta guy so I am quite comforted by the fact that said imagery comes in the form of letters. I'm actually somewhat of a typography nerd & am elated to be employing both courier AND Courier New fonts. To think Mrs. Price, my 5th-grade teacher, said I wouldn't amount to much. Now lookit her... dead. While I'm Totes McGoats enjoying typeface. Also, I changed the page text to be in full compliance and accordance because OCD.

Now here's B I G news. Ep 1 of [dis]Illusione dropped! You can listen HERE. [dis]Illusione. All things Illusione Cigars News, events, interviews & conspiracy theories | weird news | alt. history. Posts 13th of every month (starting Sept.). W O W.

Hey! it's also Shemptember, lest we forget. Check in on: K/M 3rd Anniversario Events Guide/Index for all the info re: K/M's 3rd Aniversario Celebracion! (This will post midway through this year's Kaplowitz Media Festival; hope to see ya!!!)

OK now, Gentlepersons. Kindly head on out, huh?

thx

Till the Ides next,

Kap

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Me? I was once a chef and another time a professional wrestler. I am a published writer, both on-line and on-paper, of genres ranging from Pulp to Pome. My family's roots in podcasting go back to 1901. Blogging, 1898. This, back in the Old Country of The Nicanduras Republic. Feel free to look all this up. 

"The world beats world-beaters."


Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Go HERE to support K/M.

80. Kaplowitz Radio Friday  

Friday, September 14, 2018

80. Kaplowitz Radio Friday

"Book-end yer week-end with Kaplowitz Radio."


September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

Please to press play below:
[listen past Motörhead outro]



ty for yer attns., Gentlepersons.

s/o:
www.IllusioneCigars.com
Jesus Hooligan
LEMMY

Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter.

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Go HERE to support K/M.


This episode was brought to you by:
www.CigarsOfHabanos.com
www.CaldwellCigars.com
www.GHcigars.com
www.IllusioneCigars.com

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Tabac Cigar Co. Muestra de Tabac Double Claro Habano Perfecto - Review by Kaplowitz

"Why not Kaplowitz?"


September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracion!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

Tabac Cigar Co. Double Claro Habano
WRAPPER: Double Claro (Candela)/Ecuadorian Habano
BINDER: San Andres Broadleaf
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Perfecto 660*
ORIGIN: La Perla Fabrica
STRENGTH: Medium-Full

NOTES: Smoky & heavily roasted-charred notes of rich sweet earth & bracing peppery woods. Espresso/dark chocolate overtones. Licorice lilts in leathery oil undertones/body. Candela burn-line needs tending, ash splits there. Habano performance smooths. Draws easy.


*The Double Claro Habano is a double-footed, pre-cut affair in which the Candela & Habano top-leaves meet in the 50/50 middle. Quite different, that. As a note to both myself & you Gentlepersons, these come in 2-packs... I smoked this one with the Habano half in my smoke-hole. I'll be reviewing the 2nd the other way around & shortly.

"This is probably the only cigar ever made "double footed" pre-cut from both ends, so the user can pick their experience." Pat Potter, via Tabac Cigar Co. mailing to yours truly.

Gentlepersons: Tabac Cigar Co. created here a cigar so pretty -- that I called the number and emailed the addy on said mailing's letterhead; just to tell them what they did. Pat called me back quickly and we had a nice convo as the cigar burned. Great guy. Great smoke.

FINAL GRADE: A
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59


Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

Keep me going.
Keep me GROWING.
Go HERE to support K/M.

79. Kaplowitz Radio Monday 

Ammo Can Cigar Humidor - Cigars & Lifestyle by Kaplowitz

"Why not Kaplowitz?"


September is K/M's month-long 3rd Aniversario Celebracionne!
Secure a 4th by donating a few bucks to www.paypal.me/Kaplowitz.

Each & every Wednesday K/M will bring you a column to-do with cigars &/or the cigar lifestyle. (penned by Kap, natch.) Perhaps you can enjoy it while smoking something good, Gentlepersons. Tho that ain't mandated. Smoke something bad if ya like. See if I care. I begin...

It's called an ammo "can," not an ammo "can't." Semper-fi! Oora!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. Me, I didn't serve. Me, I don't much love the whole war ideal. Me though, I do-so love the look of Army surplus stuffs. Spartan, utilitarian, sans pretense, and green, not like pictured below in B&W.

There are many like it, but this one is mine.

The story goes:

My special lady friend and I went to Harbor Freight. Her idea. I am confused by socket wrenches on up. I also have a one-track (tops) mind & was aware I needed a new humidor because of #blessed. They do have some cool stuff there and I do like to look at cool stuff which I don't feel compelled to purchase because of #cheapJew. So I was having a fine time. Then, tho -- better time -- we spotted a shelf of Ammo Cans. OK... I spotted a shelf of ammo cans. My special lady friend, already embarrassed by me running around the store with one of those lazy/fat people extension grabber claw things, had by this point left me on/to my own accord.

I did this thing to check how tight the seal is on a humi, broski. You can do it, too. I blew the dust off my velcro wallet and slid out a single. I then placed the bill tween lid and case at all sides where it closes. It grabbed onto that thing tighter than a nun's cunt in mid-winter when the Pope is visiting. Secure. That is to say it sealed securely. Good.


The thing is now holding, along with some Boveda 72s, the equivalent easily of I'd say a 50-65ct humi, broski. Up to Robusto fits width-ways and beyond that, I lay 'em length-wise. It's like Tetris. Or Jenga. Depending on if ya grew up in the '90s regularly, or in an Amish community, respectively.

Now the thought of an Ammo Can Humi (broski) is nothing new, nor did I invent it. As a matter of fact, I stumbled upon a site which sells kits to make a humidor from an ammo can. That is a fucking rip off. They sell ya the can and Spanish cedar and felt cushioning for the underneath so as not to scratch what you place it on. We'll leave their price-point as "pricey." If you're a cigar smoker, you come across Spanish cedar. Ask yer B&M if ya gotta, but it just kinda happens you have some. As to the felt, if a thing requires purchasing fabric and hot glue gun... mi el paso, amigo.

I've been a couple weeks moved into the can now and all goes s'well. Form & function: primo. All for $15 (not including Boveda). Ya can't beat that. Especially me, who don't much like wood humidors because I really only wanna taste cedar notes if they're inherent to the stick at hand. So it beats the 60 or-so dollars I'd spend on a 50ct. or-so plastic travel box. BTW, I may use some cushioned dividers I have laying around from those to line my can. Dunno. I really don't so much "travel."

Did I say 72 Boveda? Yeah, because the environment they generally create falls a couple ticks shy of the number printed on them. 70 is good, particularly for sticks I have lined up to smoke shortly. Aging? Well, that's an entire another ball of wax but yeah -- 69s for that insofar as Boveda-speak.

Boveda is not a sponsor of Kaplowitz Media, nor are ammo cans.


I cobbled together this column as I partook in a DAV Aristocrat offering. s/o to www.DAVcigars.com, this month's sponsor over at the Kaplowitz Media Group. (Link below in signature.)

Report a typo, win a No-prize.

Follow @KaplowitzMedia on Twitter
Like Kaplowitz Media on Facebook HERE
& join the Kaplowitz Media Group HERE

79. Kaplowitz Radio Monday