Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Caldwell Cigars Eastern Standard | Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

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Caldwell Eastern Standard
WRAPPER: Connecticut Shade x Brazilian Mata Fina (hybrid seed)
BINDER: Habana Dominicano
FILLER: Dominican Criollo ’98, Dominicano Corojo Ligero, Nicaraguan Habano

FORMAT: Robusto (550) pig-tail cap "Corretto"
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
STRENGTH: Medium

NOTES:
Satiny-smooth & syrupy-rich. Overtones >>> Marzipan. Cocoa butter. Caramelized citrus. Twirling twixt >>> Cardamom and an herbal something. Undertones >>> Rich coffee with half&half & sugar. Underbelly >>> Grains, chicken coop, and dirt. All over cream cream cream, pulling from & adding to all it touches, while still maintaining delineation.

So much. Smoke. Can't see. Key.board. Burns on a razor-line; stacks sheath-covered dimes to the tune of an EZ inch. Draws easy w/ the lightest of tugs - a slight tick more tension than 'open.'

Fantastically complex w/ notes banging around and into one another within its bulging flavorscape. Undertones influence overtones and vice-versa. Yet somehow, it's not a clamor nor cacophony. Maybe not rehearsed -- but a well-practiced bit of improv.

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


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Monday, April 29, 2019

Kaplowitz Radio Episode 128 | Herrera Esteli Norteno by Drew Estate

"Have you Kaplowitz'd to-day?"



Kaplowitz Radio is Presented by:
www.CaldwellCigars.com
www.GHcigars.com
www.IllusioneCigars.com

In this ep. I smoke a Herrera Esteli Norteno by Drew Estate, read a Reader's Digest article on getting better sleep, & tell you how to cook rice. Hey, where are you going? Give a listen or three! thx

READING LIST:
Norteno by Drew Estate Cigars | Cigar Review by Kaplowitz ((( link )))


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Sunday, April 28, 2019

La Barba Cigars Ricochet | Cigar Review (Video) Redux by Kaplowitz | + How To Cook Rice

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La Barba Ricochet
WRAPPER: Mexican San Andres
BINDER: Indonesian
FILLER: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Pennsylvanian

FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Henderson Ventura, Dominican Republic
STRENGTH: Mild-Medium

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

READING LIST:
My original review of the Ricochet ((( link )))

LA BARBA PRIMITIVO | RICOCHET from Kaplowitz Media Cigar News Weekly Report: Oliva, Rocky Patel, Crowned Heads, La Barba Cigars ((( link )))

*Terry's Chocolate Orange Wikipedia post ((( link )))


HOW TO COOK RICE

Rice has a storied history. The history of rice is, in fact, a storied one. I could go on but I would have to have done any amount of research to do-so. I believe it was used as an early form of currency. In a wedding ceremony, it is used to pelt the newly married couple. That oughtta learn 'em.

There is short grain, medium grain, and long grain rice. There is Jasmine rice and... other varietals of rice. Brown rice makes me shit like mad. What I'll be addressing here is the plain old long grain rice I regularly purchase at WinCo. WinCo is my regional poor people bag-your-own-groceries grocery store.

What you'll need:
  • Rice
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Saucepan
1. Grab a couple of handfuls of rice from the ridiculous 2.5 gallon bucket your special lady friend bought to fill with the stuffs. That very well be my experience alone, your mileage may vary. Two handfuls. Three if you're hungry or obese or both. Toss handfuls into the saucepan.

2. Add water. Directly from tap, add hot water to the rice which is in the pan until the water-level rises to your first knuckle when fingertip lightly touches the rice. Be certain rice is evenly distributed at the pan's bottom while doing this. (Pointer finger.)

3. This should have been Step One but I am to leastmode to edit. Set stovetop to medium-high heat. Note: never use high heat on anything other than boiling water. Using high heat is going full retard. Never go full retard.


FACT: Rice was the dietary staple of the Chinese workers who built the Great Wall of China.

4. When the water gets going or begins to "boil" stir a bit. Like a few minutes later, do that again. A few minutes later, maybe the water is mostly absorbed. If that's the case, cut the heat and place a plate over top the saucepan. Not the case? Try again in a couple. Then have my special lady friend yell at you to use a proper lid.

5. Sometime during Step Four, salt to taste.

6. Check back in a couple/few ticks. Stir again. Serve.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

What's wrong w/ plain? It's quite noble. I once had a neighbor who put ketchup on her pancakes. Maybe stir in some meat and veg. Peas are good for an Asian flair, corn for a real fiesta. In Japan, they break a raw egg overtop a bowl of hot rice, swirl & eat. Don't fucking do that. You could die.

thx


NOTE: since this is a cigar infotainment blog, you could totally do this while smoking a cigar. Maybe even a Viva la Vida by Artesano Tobacco ((( link ))) I once worked under a chef who'd smoke cigarettes while preparing sauces. "They'll think it's pepper." He said of the ashes.

#KM SCHEDULE

MONDAY Kaplowitz Radio
TUESDAY cigar review
WEDNESDAY cigar review
THURSDAY cigar review
FRIDAY Kaplowitz Television
SATURDAY Weekly Recapitulation
SUNDAY ???

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Thursday, April 25, 2019

Kaplowitz Media: Cigars of the Month (April 2019)

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"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 (again, 4/19) cigar offerings I humbly found to be worthy of A (- to +) review ratings.


THE A-TEAM/LIST

You can take a gander @ last month's Grade A smokes ((( here )))


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Felix Assouline Cigars II SaintS - (Video) Cigar Review Redux by Kaplowitz

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Felix Assouline II SaintS
WRAPPER: Jamastran Criollo 98
BINDER: Jamastran
FILLER: Jamastran, Jalapa

FORMAT: 552 Perfecto "La Petite Mort"
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
STRENGTH:

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

READING LIST:

Felix Assouline II SaintS - Cigar Review ((( link ))) 

Felix Assouline II SaintS L'ange Noir | Cigar Review Redux by Kaplowitz ((( link )))


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Wednesday, April 24, 2019

"Seed to Cigar" Episode Four: The Fermentation Process | A Kaplowitz Media Production

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Kaplowitz Media Presents "Seed to Cigar" a cigar primer series. In this fourth episode, Myself & Felix Assouline of Felix Assouline Cigars discuss the fermentation process re: tobacco leaves.

KAPLOWITZ MEDIA: https://bit.ly/2pdBkaa
FELIX ASSOULINE CIGARS: https://bit.ly/2YOfFWS

By series end, it is our hope that you have all the information you require to enjoy your smoking pleasure to a vastly greater an deeper extent. Be certain to subscribe to this channel ((( link ))) for future episodes & assorted other low-fi premium cigars infotainment. 

To view all episodes of this series, please click "Seed to Cigar" under this post after Labels:.


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Guardian of the Farm by Aganorsa Leaf & Warped Cigars | Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

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Guardian of the Farm
WRAPPER: Nicaraguan Corojo 99
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: 4.5x48 closed foot "Rambo"
ORIGIN: TABSA, Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Medium-Full

NOTES: Warm lively natural baccy overtones of cedar, dark chocolate, butterscotch push ahead a sweet spice cinnamon sugar cumin & black to red pepper. Further dessert spices & separate semisweet chocolate bolster from the high-riding undertones with a roasted umami-rich underbelly. Rich Corinthian leather (to be read in the voice of Ricardo Montalban), manure, compost. After the mid-point, the profile slowly turns ass over teakettle in a controlled manner. Pretty neat trick, that.

Burn operates on a straight line, and toward the quick-side of moderate. Fugly ash. Substantial softening of pack doesn't hamper a smoothly ready draw. Somewhat warm in hand and mouth. A spicy room-note grows off of steady smoke out-put both passively & actively.

Lively is the operative word. The finish is where complexities go, a dusty smattering of bittersweet warmth remains the focus there even as the profile turns. Very interesting. A heckuva ride.

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

READING LIST:
2017 Cigar of the Year Countdown: #7: Guardian of the Farm Rambo ((( link ))) (2018, Cigar-Coop, William Cooper) [reads Casa Fernandez, would now read: Aganorsa]


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Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Aganorsa Leaf Ground N Pound (Serious Cigars Exclusive) | Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

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Aganorsa Ground N Pound
WRAPPER: Nicaraguan Corojo
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Robusto "Elbow Candy"
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
STRENGTH: Medium

NOTES: Fusty malty milk chocolate crisped-some by citrus bits via an orange pith. White & black pepper. Interesting overtones, those. Complex and well choreographed. Although at the mid-point, they do settle into the undertones some. Undertones? Glad ya asked... they are somewhat less than delineated. A melange of dusty sunlit earth & wood attachments to a simple 'baccy core. Finish is of a -moderate length; tingly remnants of top-notes. 

Burn puckers here & there yet the Ground N Pound requires no re-touching. Pace is nice & slow. Draw is smooth, even. Ash doesn't build much, dumping in half-inch increments. Smoke out-put is a tick less than ideal, 'nuff to satiate palate but falls shy of cumulating into any notable room-note.

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

READING LIST:


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Monday, April 22, 2019

Room101 Cigars Farce | Cigar Review Redux by Kaplowitz (Video)

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Room101 Farce
WRAPPER: Ecuador
BINDER: Indonesia
FILLER: Dominican, Nicaragua, Pennsylvania, & Undisclosed

FORMAT: Lonsdale 6.5x42
ORIGIN: Tabacalera William Ventura, Dominican Republic
STRENGTH: Medium/Medium-Full

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

READING LIST:
Room101 Cigars Farce | Cigar Review by Kaplowitz ((( link )))
Cigar News Weekly Report: Villiger, Room 101, Caldwell, Gran Habano ((( link )))
Kaplowitz Radio | Episode 124 | Room101 Farce ((( link )))


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Kaplowitz Radio | Episode 127 | Viva La Vida

"Have you Kaplowitz'd to-day?"



Kaplowitz Radio is Presented by:
www.CaldwellCigars.com
www.GHcigars.com
www.IllusioneCigars.com

In this ep. I smoke an absolutely delectable Artesano del Tobacco Viva la Vida & go on about: I dunno. KM stuff & my Crocs? I forget now but I'm sure it's great. Give a listen or three! thx

READING LIST:
Artesano del Tobacco Cigars Viva la Vida | Cigar Review by Kaplowitz ((( link )))


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Sunday, April 21, 2019

Indian Motorcycle Cigars Connecticut Shade (Canadian Exclusive) | Cigar Preview by Kaplowitz

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Indian Motorcycle Connecticut Shade
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian CT Shade
BINDER: Dominican
FILLER: Dominican, Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Toro
ORIGIN: Dominican
STRENGTH: Medium

READING LIST:

Debonaire House and Indian Motorcycle Announce Connecticut Shade Canadian Exclusive ((( link ))) (2019, Tobacco Business)


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Friday, April 19, 2019

Illusione Cigars ~ultra~ MK - (Video) Cigar Review Redux by Kaplowitz

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Illusione Cigars ~ultra~ MK
WRAPPER: Nicaraguan Corojo
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

STRENGTH: Full
FORMAT: 5 1/8x42 MK
ORIGIN: Tabacos Valle De Jalapa S.A. (TABSA)

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

READING LIST:

Illusione Cigars ~ultra~ op. no. 3 - Cigar Review Redux ((( link )))  (2018, Me)

Illusione Ultra op. no. 9 - Cigar Review ((( link ))) (2017, Me)


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Thursday, April 18, 2019

La Barba Cigars Ricochet | Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

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La Barba Ricochet
WRAPPER: Mexican San Andres
BINDER: Indonesian
FILLER: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Pennsylvanian

FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Henderson Ventura, Dominican Republic
STRENGTH: Mild-Medium

NOTES: You take a Terry's Chocolate Orange*, put it on a cedar block, smash it with a cedar mallet. White peppercorn joins in & fleshes out the primaries. Undertones are a helter-skelter shuffling of butterscotch, oats, turkey jerky, diner joe, & cinnamon sugar that feel a lot like Jazz sounds. There's a sort of jitteriness to the profile's delivery. Finish is thin and sweet like I like my wominz.

Adding to the nervous energy here is a faster than moderate burn; altho it operates on a straight line gate-to-wire. Ash is somewhat aerated but does stack dimes well around an oily core. Very-much a smoke-bomb yet doesn't yield any more complexities to its room-note than to its finish. Draw is on the open side of town.

Simple, satisfying, and very smokeable. Attainability with the slightest of easy twists.

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

READING LIST

LA BARBA PRIMITIVO | RICOCHET from Kaplowitz Media Cigar News Weekly Report: Oliva, Rocky Patel, Crowned Heads, La Barba Cigars ((( link )))

*Terry's Chocolate Orange Wikipedia post ((( link )))


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Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Who, What, When, Where, Why? | Terence Reilly, AGANORSA Leaf | Interview by Kaplowitz

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Who has mentored you and who have you mentored?

My uncle Manuel Quesada was the biggest influence on me and brought me into the industry. I don't know if 'mentor' is the right word, but I've also had the opportunity to spend some time with lots of industry people such as Benji Menendez, Daniel Nunez, the Plasencia family, and, of course, my current employer Eduardo Fernandez and our team at Aganorsa have taught me quite a bit.

I try to learn from everyone. There are people I've never met or haven't spent much time with whom I’ve gained a great deal from simply by observation. In terms of mentoring others, I don't know if I’m qualified for that but I'm always happy to help anyone who thinks my experience can benefit them in some way. 

What have you compromised and what won’t you compromise? 

I think you can't compromise on what you ultimately wish to achieve but you need to compromise in terms of how you achieve it. Your own vision of how to accomplish something rarely can be successfully executed without countless adjustments.

For instance, my goal is to live a fulfilling, meaningful life. When I was younger I thought I would achieve that goal in the realm of academia. I wanted to be a professor. That didn't work out, so I changed directions and eventually got involved in the cigar industry which I have found very rewarding. My goal didn't change but my means of achieving had to.

When is it a failure? 

Failure is the moment when you blame others for your problems and don't take responsibility for your situation. There was a period in my life that I felt the problems I was facing were beyond my control and I was very unhappy.

When I finally stopped focusing on what I couldn’t control and instead began to work on what I could, not only did I feel better but I made changes that put me in a better place. Despite the fact I was never able to correct the initial problem I was facing. You always have a choice.

Where are you on your journey and where are you going? 

A journey implies to me a linear path. I try not to think of where I am in relation to the future as much as focus on the present and what I'm doing right now. Knowing where you want to go is crucial, of course, but it's equally important to focus on the present moment and what's going on around you.

I aim to bring value to those around me in one way or another, whether that be my family, my employer, our retail partners, my co-workers: basically anyone I come into contact with. The more I am able to do confirms to me I am on the right path 

Why do you succeed? 

If you love the process you always win even when you fail. Or perhaps I should say, if you love the process you always win even when you don't achieve what you set out to.

*
*        *

READING LIST

Terence Reilly To Head Sales And Marketing For Casa Fernandez (2017 Blake Droesch, Cigar aficionado)

IPCPR 2018: AGANORSA Leaf (2018 Charlie Minato, Halfwheel)



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Artesano del Tobacco Cigars Viva la Vida | Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

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Viva la Vida
WRAPPER: Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro 2000
BINDER: Nicaraguan Corojo 99
FILLER: Nicaraguan Criollo 98

FORMAT: Torpedo 6.5x54
ORIGIN: Esteli, Nicaragua
BLENDER: AJ Fernandez
STRENGTH: Full

NOTES: Pepper. Thick black over-top a thinner red/cayenne and lingering bit. Body is a match for that front-loaded pepper-spice which features cumin & smoked paprika attachments. Meaning it is not an onslaught, but a smoothly fashioned 'flavor bomb' fresh off the light. As that dials back some, a Death by Chocolate myriad of notes dial-up to meet in the braced-by-cedar overtones.

There is a roasted savory leathery, beefy & syrupy-sweet top to the undertones which steers the direction of this Viva la Vida. The rest is a bulging deep earthiness highlighted with glimpses of espresso, citrus, & tropical floral bits. Well-rounded and presented as an over-flowing plate of well-prepared dessert food. Decadent, really -- yet never a bombardment. Finishes quite cleanly given its height of flavor, in a spiced citrus manner w/ that sweet driving force chugging along.

Final-third is a circling-back replay of the pepper-spice opening.

Burns straight and at a moderate pace. Ash builds till I roll it off at 1-1 1/2" at a time. Draws smoothly, evenly. Smoke out-put slows quickly 'tween puffs but each puff explodes into cumulus clouds which culminate into a heavy room-note of sweetly spiced well-aged dark tobacco.

In short, a forceful and purposeful contender for Cigar of the Year.

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


"They [Billy and Gus Fakih] started in the cigar business 25 years ago in New York as New York Cigar Inn which housed the only Cigar Aficionado humidor and lounge in the world. They eventually sold the lounge to Casa de Montecristo and reached out to A.J. Fernandez to form a collaboration to make their cigars. The result of that relationship was the creation of the Viva La Vida (Live the Life) cigar. I received a couple of pre-release samples of this cigar last month, which was described by the company as "Ready to smoke.""
- www.StogiePress.com

"Fast forward a few years, and Billy and Gus Fakih have reinvented themselves as the masterminds behind Artesano Del Tobacco, their new cigar brand. Their first blend: Viva La Vida, a Nicaraguan puro blended by AJ Fernandez. I had the privilege of helping to launch this cigar in New York City at The Carnegie Club, and was impressed by the early pre-release blends I smoked."
- www.FineTobaccoNYC.com


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Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Illusione Cigars Fume D'Amour | Cigar Review Redux by Kaplowitz

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Illusione Fume D'Amour
WRAPPER: Nicaraguan
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: "Clementes" 6.5x48
ORIGIN: TABSA, Nicaragua
STRENGTH: Mild-Medium

NOTES: Honey roasted cashews out of the gate, As it settles a couple-puffs in, the roasted component dials back and the sweet nuttiness does paste. Cream. White pepper and cardamom and paprika. <<< Those are the overtones. Undertones are high-up & white chocolate, followed by a blonde-roasted cream and sugar'd dose of joe. Honey returns (& with it a car-a-mel note is intro'd) at nigh mid-point, in an orange blossom fashion. Underbelly is sunlit earth with a graham cracker/pale grain attachment.

Combustion occurs on an even line and at a slow pace. Ash builds to less than an inch at a time -- but not by much. The draw is a bit hesitant at times, but if double-puffed is fully satiating and saturating. Smoke and nub are Daddy-O cool. Density stays alright & tight. A moderate amount of smoke shows a fustiness in its room-note. Malted and sweet.

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


I originally reviewed the Fume D'Amour ((( here )))

I smoked THIS VERY REDUX stick ((( here ))) on a [dis]Illusione Podcast.

"A blend of Nicaraguan Criollo '98 and Corojo '99, with focus on lower priming tobaccos for influence. It is finished with AAA Grade Cafe Corojo Wrapper. Mild to medium bodied and very complex."

"At the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas, Illusione Cigars showcased a new regular production line called Fume D’Amour. The name Fume D’Amour translates to “smoke of love” The Illusione Fume D’Amour is a Nicaraguan puro being launched in four sizes. A key point about this blend is that it does not incorporate ligero into the blend. Instead brand owner Dion Giolito has opted to incorporate the lower priming viso and seco leaves. Earlier this year, Giolito told Cigar Insider that the tobaccos used for this blend are more robust as a result of more abundant sunshine." 

"Illusione cigars have been hot since their debut tasting in Cigar Insider in August 2007, when a vertical brand tasting delivered eight scores of 90 points or higher. The cigars were rich and delicious, created by Dion Giolito, a cigar retailer from Reno, Nevada, who knew what he wanted in a great cigar and wasn't afraid to push hard to get them just right. Giolito has an exacting palate and a vivid imagination. Many of his cigars have names that allude to conspiracies, or codes that reveal only part of his message. Despite the quirks, Illusiones have impressed our tasting panel again and again.This past summer Giolito released his first new Illusione brand in nearly three years, Fume d'Amour, which translates to "smoke of love." Armed with tobacco from a particularly strong crop year, Giolito had cigars made without ligero (the strongest component of tobacco) and focused on lower, milder primings. The result is a truly delicious cigar with balance and style, brimming with a rich, nutty cashew taste, hints of nougat sweetness and touches of baking spice. This marks the second time an Illusione cigar has earned the No. 3 spot on Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 list. This classic smoke is a memorable cigar."

Sunday, April 14, 2019

On My Lack of FDA Regulations & Tobacco Legislation Coverage (Video) | Cigar View by Kaplowitz

"Have you Kaplowitz'd to-day?"



See title.

I'm smoking here a Viva La Vida from Artesano Del Tobacco while telling you why I don't cover FDA & legislature type stuffs.

For a written transcript of this video editorial, learn to write very fast. thx

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Friday, April 12, 2019

Kaplowitz Television: Episode 16 | DAV Habana Clasico + More Q&A

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DAV Cigars is the exclusive sponsor of #KTv
Visit them at www.DAVcigars.com

I talk a lot about my wardrobe. #fashion But before that, I answer two (2) questions. 1. "Does the color of a wrapper always tell the strength?" & 2. "Will a cigar a week harm my health?" All while smoking a DAV Habana Clasico offering.

Read my full DAV Habano Clasico review ((( link )))
Subscribe to KAPLOWITZ MEDIA on Youtube ((( link )))


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Thursday, April 11, 2019

"Seed to Cigar" Episode Two: Seeds | A Kaplowitz Media Production

"Have you Kaplowitz'd to-day?"



Kaplowitz Media Presents "Seed to Cigar" a cigar primer series. In this second episode, Myself & Felix Assouline of Felix Assouline Cigars discuss tobacco seeds-- their varietals & care -- and dip some into primings (which will be covered in the next installment). Previous ep: Soil & Growing Regions ((( link )))

KAPLOWITZ MEDIA: https://bit.ly/2pdBkaa
FELIX ASSOULINE CIGARS: https://bit.ly/2YOfFWS

By series end, it is our hope that you have all the information you require to enjoy your smoking pleasure to a vastly greater an deeper extent. Be certain to subscribe to this channel ((( link ))) for future episodes & assorted other low-fi premium cigars infotainment. thx


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Herrera Esteli Norteno by Drew Estate Cigars | Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

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Drew Estate Herrera Esteli Norteno
WRAPPER: Mexican San Andres Maduro
BINDER: Honduran
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Toro Box-press (rounded)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
STRENGTH: Full

NOTES: Earth. Potting soil. It's the core and the overtone. Picture a woman laying on her side. Picture her breasts. Now just picture one. See the nipple? Earth. Potting soil. Undertones: black & cayenne pepper, sharp cedar, sarsparilla, Mr. Goodbar -- all of that -- mingling in the booby below. Somewhat lacking delineation. Very strong. Very. Strength is well on ahead of body & lesser-so, flavor.

Burns on a cruise-control razor-line. Draws superbly smooth. Smoke-bomb! Room-note is sweet dark 'baccy -- a heated maple syrup thing. Box-press is a soft one which holds its form gate-to-wire. Subjectively, this thing is just too damn strong for me. Objectively, I see its allure.

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

"Introducing “Norteño by Willy Herrera”: This full bodied, Maduro expression is the first blend released from the Drew Estate factory since Herrera was named Master Blender in June, 2014. The “Norteño” showcases extensively aged tobaccos from the Estelí and Jalapa growing regions of Nicaragua, coupled with a spicy Honduran binder and a rich, bold Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper. The “Norteño by Willy Herrera” will be available in the following six vitolas at select Herrera Estelí retailers nationwide." - www.DrewEstate.com (2014)


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Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Alan Rubin Acquires Lars Tetens Cigars | Cigar News by Kaplowitz

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The founder of Alec Bradley Cigars, Alan Rubin, just purchased Lars Tetens Brands. This transaction has birthed World 180, the nom de marketing push behind bringing back to prominence Lars Tetens Cigars. Another particular bit is that Alec Bradley Cigars will be the brand's sole worldwide distributor. A bit of minutia: World 180 is majority-owned by Rubin/minority owned by Tetens. I am unsure which actually is smaller/larger: a particular bit or minutia bit. Hmmm & nevertheless...

Lars Tetens has been known in varying degrees since the 1980s for his "conditioned" (flavored) cigars. While this rejuvenation of the brand will heavily feature that, there are apparently some offerings which will not be flavored. According to Tetens, look for ~six blends. I'm quite excited to see Lars perhaps regain his foothold in the industry. Artsy-fartsy floats my boat when, like all other things, done right.


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Villiger Cigars La Meridiana | Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

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Villiger La Meridiana
WRAPPER: Nicaraguan
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Toro (Box-press)
ORIGIN: Fabrica de Joya de Nicaragua S.A
STRENGTH: Medium-Full

NOTES: Overtones are a chocolate malted milkshake & taco seasoning mix. Don't worry, it works! & it's braced by a staunch sweet cedar note. Undertones are a sweet nutty earthen 'baccy-forward complexity with dalliances into hibiscus bits, grapefruit pith, dried papaya, butterscotch, cherry cola, & assorted pale but toasted grains. Underbelly is clay soil and chicken coop. A bright yet hefty predominately sweet/spicy profile.

Burns on an even-line after an outta the gate re-touch is readily accepted. Draw is a tick firm but not a hindrance in the delivery of smoke. Quite a smoky thing, in fact -- off the resting foot, as well. Box-press rounds about 1/4" ahead of char and ash errs toward coning. However, the pace of burn is even & slow. The only objective knock I can offer is that each of the three samples I've smoked showed some form of cracking near the cap by the time I came near the 3/3.

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

READ: Villiger Cigars La Meridiana Sets Sail for US Market | Cigar News by Kaplowitz ((( link ))) LISTEN: Kaplowitz Radio | Episode 125 | Villiger La Meridiana ((( link )))


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Tuesday, April 9, 2019

La Gloria Cubana Adding "Spanish Press" Line | Cigar News by Kaplowitz

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Come the merry-merry month of May, General Cigar Co. will release a new line into their La Gloria Cubana brand -- Spanish Press. It's set to consist of a trio of formats: Robusto, Toro, Gordo. 

The soon to be offered offerings see a blend featuring a Nicaraguan Jalapa skin over-top Mexican San Andres binder & Brazilian, Dominican, & Nicaraguan Jalapa fillers. As states the line's nom de tobacco, all will be of the "Spanish Press" varietal. The way that works is thusly: immediately upon rolling, the cigars are placed into divided trays. Then, placed into boxes which keep their form.

Boxes. They'll contain in their packaging a new La Gloriana Cubana Logo. But I like the old one. I'm appalled this idea wasn't run by me before implementation. Harrumph.


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Debonaire Cigars Maduro | Cigar Review by Kaplowitz

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Debonaire Maduro
WRAPPER: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro, USA
BINDER: Dominican San Vicente
FILLER: Nicaraguan, Dominican

FORMAT: Toro
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
STRENGTH: Med. Full/Full

NOTES: A bone dry cappuccino*. A distinct black peppercorn. That there is the overtone tandem which tows along undertones of smoked paprika, licorice, and oak. A black walnut sits in an interesting spot twixt over/unders, making the profile quite deep and fleshed-out. Potpourri & cola bits flit in and out. Darkly toasted turns roasted with a second-half meatiness. Purposefully delivered notes telegraphed like a bolo punch.

Burns evenly, needing a singular re-touch coming out of the 1/3. Ash is quite oily and makes an inch of growth. Draw is smooth. Mucho-mucho smoke out-put both passively & actively. Smoke stays cool of temp & barrel stays well-formed gate-to-wire.

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

* a cappuccino with no steamed milk; just a foam pillow and espresso.


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Monday, April 8, 2019

La Aurora Cigars 1985 Maduro Shipping to Retailers | Cigar News by Kaplowitz

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Miami Cigar & Co., (distributor) has announced the shipping to market of the La Aurora 1985 Maduro. This to join its Time Capsule series brethren: 1987 Connecticut, 1903 Cameroon, & 1962 Corojo.

The 1985 blend sees Nicaraguan guts underneath a Brazilian Maduro skin. Sizes available: Robusto, Toro, Churchill, & Gran Toro.


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Kaplowitz Radio | Episode 125 | Villiger La Meridiana

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Kaplowitz Radio is Presented by:
www.CaldwellCigars.com
www.GHcigars.com
www.IllusioneCigars.com

In this ep. I do the usual Kaplowitz Reads Kaplowitz schtick from the week that was at #KM and highlight a Villiger La Meridiana offering.


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Friday, April 5, 2019

"Seed to Cigar" Episode One | Soil & Growing Regions | a Kaplowitz Media Production

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Kaplowitz Media Presents "Seed to Cigar" a cigar primer series. In this first episode, Myself & Felix Assouline of Felix Assouline Cigars discuss soil and growing regions re: tobacco. 

KAPLOWITZ MEDIA: https://bit.ly/2pdBkaa 
FELIX ASSOULINE CIGARS: https://bit.ly/2YOfFWS 

By series end, it is our hope that you have all the information you require to enjoy your smoking pleasure to a vastly greater an deeper extent. Be certain to subscribe to this channel ((( link ))) for future episodes & assorted other low-fi premium cigars infotainment. thx


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Caldwell Cigars Adds Blind Man's Bluff Maduro & Jeremy McDonald as Partner | Cigar News by Kaplowitz

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A somewhat entwined pair of newsy bits via the Caldwell Cigar Co. hit the cycle quite recently. First, the company announced that its sales manager, one Mr. Jeremy McDonald, is now a partner in its enterprise.

& if that weren't 'nuff -- their Blind Man's Bluff offering is getting a new Maduro expression/iteration. The blend will see a Sumatran binder laid twixt Dominican fillers and said Maduro top-leaf via Pennsylvania, USA... USA! USA! USA! Sorry, but I will NOT apologize for my patriotism.

It'll be crafted at Tabacalera William Ventura in the DR (this differs from the Honduran origin of the original(s)) -- in sizes of: Robusto, Toro, & Gordo. Wanna read my review of that original blend? ((( link ))) How about its Connecticut-skinned brethren? ((( link ))) thx


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Kaplowitz Television | Episode 15 | DAV Cigars Aristocrat Lancero

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DAV Cigars is the exclusive sponsor of #KTv
Visit them at www.DAVcigars.com

I talk about the different approaches of cigar companies sending out media samples. Then I talk about chucking cigars in the freezer. All this while totes enjoying a Lancero iteration of the DAV Aristocrat blend.

Read my full Aristocrat (in Robusto) review ((( link )))
Subscribe to KAPLOWITZ MEDIA on Youtube ((( link )))


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Thursday, April 4, 2019

Crowned Heads Brings Back La Careme Belicoso for 2019 | Cigar News by Kaplowitz

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Crowned Heads is bringing back their La Careme LE Belicoso for 2019 -- but you already knew that -- because you read the headline & also because KM is charmingly behind in poaching news, as per usual.

Nevertheless...

The thing was originally released last year as a Limited Edition offering & is of a 5.5x52 Belicoso format. It uses the regular production La Careme blend (CT Broadleaf wrapper, Ecuadorian binder, Nicaraguan fillers). The interesting thing about this LE release (as well as 2018's) is that it is rounded, unlike its 'regular' brethren.

"interesting [in-ter-uh-sting, -truh-sting, -tuh-res-ting] adjective engaging or exciting and holding the attention or curiosity: an interesting book. arousing a feeling of interest: an interesting face." - www.dictionary.com

So it's an annual Limited Edition? I guess that's not a complete oxymoron. This year's production tally is 2.5K 12ct. boxes -- a step up in 'limited' from 2018's 1.5K boxes of the same count. Okay.


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