Alec Bradley Cigars Filthy Hooligan Shamrock in Review

BRAND: Alec Bradley
BLEND: Filthy Hooligan Shamrock

WRAPPER: Honduran Candela, Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro & Claro
BINDER: Ecuadorian
FILLER: Honduran, Panamanian

FORMAT: Toro (650) three-tone barber-pole
ORIGIN: Honduras
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2/5

NOTES:
Clotted cream | White peppercorn | Suede

Pair with a too-on-the-nose Milk Punch and an umpteenth The Quiet Man viewing. "Sir, sir. Here's a good stick to beat the lovely lady." A scene that aged like milk on a window sill. Tea, wildflowers, hops. A curbed-in blend made affable but retaining an eye-twinkle. What month is this?

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

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

::: very ::: 

If I may, I'd like to take a moment to remind you: "Your cigar and/or pipe smoking questions would be greatly appreciated. I am currently gathering fodder for a chapbook of responsa." - Me. Find out more via the following link: The Texture of Smoke | Kaplowitz Media. Responsa. thx.  

1st & 15th Podcast "No Thank You" NEW EPISODE

1st & 15th Podcast "No Thank You" NEW EPISODE

"In this episode of 1st & 15th, Phil and Kap dole out heady amounts of game-changing life hacks. From personal finances to relationship advice to charitable contributions; the guys got you covered. Throw in some gym chat, proper pet care, and much-needed validation--and we'll affirm together."

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 ::: 

Los Statos Deluxe Cigars Limited Edition in Review

BRAND: Los Statos
BLEND: Limited Edition

WRAPPER: Mexican San Andres
BINDER: Ecuadorian Sumatra
FILLER: USA Broadleaf (CT & PA), Nicaraguan

FORMAT: 5.5x50 Figurado
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
INTENSITY: Medium-full
SPICE: 3.5/5

NOTES:
Espresso | Almonds | Pumpernickel

Immediately piquant-pungent. Sharply discordant. Pepper-spice steers, doesn't readily show an actual note. Underneath, burnt almonds and dry pumpernickel try and try to break through. Settles as the second-third begins. I once took a sip of a lavender mocha; there's a trace of that in the nethers.

Post-settling, all notes remain the same. While the onslaught of the onset does dial back--balance isn't ever achieved. Sorta flattens-out in a serrated manner. Palate fatigue? Stiff leather. Black pepper. Dried compost. Tough to pull apart. For all this, it does finish cleanly on quite short legs.

Burn-line lags on one side and needs some help. Fast burn. A Tracy Chapman tune plays in my head. Ash builds well. Draws a tick-hollow a few times. Assemblage stays true. Big smoke out-put yields a subtly pleasant aroma in peaceful resistance of other more raucous behaviors.

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

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

::: very ::: 

Kaplowitz Media. Cigars of the Month for April 2024

Kaplowitz Media.

Cigars of the Month
for April 2024

(listed in alphabetical order)
(names are links to full reviews)

Diesel Vintage Series Natural

Lampert Ocean Breeze

ROOM101 Hit & Run Redux

::: very :::