The cigar shop

[exelr8]

I had a la aurora 101 the other day. It was a bit on the spicy side. Plus, it didn't want to stay lit, I has to relight it twice.

[b_beau_09]

Finally had a chance to try an A. Fuente.. got the torpedo version while I was in FL.. nice and smooth.

[exelr8]

I really like a lot of the A Fuente line

[ikethegreat]

Going camping this weekend.  I can't wait to try out a couple new cigars!  

[timot_one]

What are you bringing with you?

[exelr8]

Opus X in stock at cigarhustler.com

[exelr8]

So, last night I transitioned my cigars into my newly built humidor. I took an ammocan that I wasn't using, and lined it with 1/4" thick Spanish cedar. I got it seasoned over the weekend, and filled it up last night. It was relatively cheap to build.

[ikethegreat]

What are you bringing with you?

Don Pepin Garcia’s Tabacos Baez Serie SF, made at the My Father Cigars factory in Nicaragua.  It was a surprising decent smoke for a mixed-filler cigar. 

[timot_one]

It's been a while since anyone has posted in here, so I figured I'd get some of you fuckers excited again.  I've been going a little overboard buying cigars lately, so I figured I would share some of the sticks that I've picked up and the ones that have been gifted to me lately.  My 500 count and 120 count humidors are pretty much full now, so I am looking at getting something that I can use to store the cigars that I have been collecting and will be aging for a few years.

For those of you that don't know, Arturo Fuente Añejo's are available right now.  They only become available once a year and are a limited production.  Also, Arturo Fuente Opus X is also around.  If you find an Opus X Destino al Siglio, pick one up.  The tobacco used for those cigars has been aged for 50 years.  If you look around, the Tatuaje Monster Series Jason Voorhees should still be around.  Finally, CAO has a special Christmas release of the Angry Santa (natural) and Evil Snowman (maduro), which is a tweaked version of the La Traviata line.

Now, here is some cigar porn.  It's not everything I picked up recently, but it's most of it.
Humidor #1








Humidor #2

[exelr8]

The other day I stopped by a new cigar shop in east Nashville called smokers abbey. The guy working the shop gave me a tour and made some suggestions. I tried the JD Howard reserve by Crowned heads Cigar company.

Pretty interesting back story with both the name of the cigar, and the company itself. The company, Crowned heads cigar company is based out of the former CAO facility in Nashville. The Founder of the company, was a former CEO of CAO. A few years ago, CAO moved their facilities out of Nashville, which is when the former CEO decided to establish his own brand.

Now, as for the name JD Howard. Pardon my history lesson, but the historic outlaw Jesse James lived in East Nashville for some 6 years while hiding from ole johnny law. They named the cigar after him, I guess, to honor his presence in Nashville. It was a great medium-full bodied smoke, had some pepper, but well blended.

[ikethegreat]

Damnnnn Tim, that is quite the collection.  What is the name of the cigars that are twisted together?

[exelr8]

Those that are twisted together are culebra. Not sure which brand he has(I think tatuaje) but he will correct me. They are meant for friends to share. They are made by special tobacco rollers who braid them while the tobacco is still moist.

[timot_one]

Damnnnn Tim, that is quite the collection.  What is the name of the cigars that are twisted together?

Thanks.  It's taken a little bit of time and a lot of money to amass the collection I have today.  I'm just trying to get my hands on hard to find and rare cigars to age.  A lot of these cigars will sit for a few years before I smoke them.

Mike is correct.  The braided cigars are called culebras, which is Spanish for snake.  The ones I have are Tatuaje's.  They came in a coffin with a Lancero, called "The Old Man & The C".  There are a few myths or stories about culebras, but I think none of them are true.  In all honesty, it's just a way to generate some buzz by cigar manufacturers.  It's also a great conversation piece and way to share a cigar with 2 of your friends.

Here are a couple of the stories.

There is really no one story that has been confirmed, but these are the most common tales told. Truth or Folklore?
The most told story is that cigar rollers outsmarting the manufacturers. Manufacturers would allow their rollers to smoke and or take home only a few cigars per day. In mot cases it was three. The rollers decided to take the three they were allowed and braid the cigars, making one cigar that would never pass quality standards. Using the same number of three, the rollers can take home or smoke Nine.
Another story is that cigar manufactures allowed the rollers to smoke cigars. But were they smoking profits, or the cigars that didn’t meet quality standards? Braiding the cigars they couldn't be sold because the were not strait and sellable quality. The cigar rollers, by making the sticks look awkward, the manufactures were able to keep inventory. Also by making the sticks and odd shape, the cigar rollers wouldn't be able to sell the sticks on the black market, therefore stopping theft in the workplace.
Yet others seem to think that it was just a way of making a unique looking cigar that would be rare and getting top dollar due to rarity. They mostly come in a coffin ties together with a ribbon or twine. That makes for a great presentation for gifts and collectors. Most are made from the Legero leaves and are excellent smokes.

[ikethegreat]

That is really cool, I've never heard of them before.  I got a few friends that smoke so I got to keep an eye out for one. 

[timot_one]

I haven't really seen any of them in shops.  You can find them online though.  Davidoff makes one called the Special C.  I know that Partagas makes one too.