09 Saturday Sep 2017
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For a stick that’s been around a little while. Haven’t had one lately and I’ve never reviewed it. Brace yourselves.
de Silvio
“Working” on this report right now!
20 Thursday Jul 2017
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Rebel when you can…
04 Tuesday Jul 2017
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I’m just sitting out back tonight. The moon is waxing and a variety of fireworks, small and professional, are going off all around. It’s kind of nice.
According to this report, Americans love fireworks … and gluttony.
In keeping with tradition, cities across the country will launch fireworks after dark, perhaps the most emblematic way to commemorate July 4, 1776, when the American colonies’ Declaration of Independence from Britain was adopted.
The document enshrines the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which in many U.S. cities today involves competitions over how many hot dogs and hamburgers people can stuff down their throats in rapid succession.
In Washington, a hamburger restaurant challenges competitors to consume as many sandwiches as possible in 10 minutes, while in New York City, a seaside establishment stages a tournament that tests some of the world’s most formidable consumers of frankfurters.
Americans are expected to flock to beaches, especially in the West where the weather is hot and dry, while the eastern part of the country may see scattered thunderstorms.
In New Jersey, a budget battle halted nonessential services, forcing state beaches and parks to close, but lawmakers on Monday night ended the three-day-old state government shutdown.
On Sunday, while state beaches were still closed, however, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie managed to visit Island Beach State Park, prompting outrage.
Maine residents are facing a partial government shutdown as well, but its state parks remain open. They are two of nine states to miss deadlines for passing a budget.
Apparently they also love gross government incompetence and mismanagement.
The Old Lady on the streets of Philadelphia: “Mr. Franklin, what kind of government did you give us?”
B. Franklin: “A Republic, madam, if you can keep it.”
We couldn’t. Last I checked, beaches self-regulate without the need for state funding or interference. No mind. The television-addled, 70% obese post-nation stuffs those hot dogs and hamburgers down the collective throat. And the fireworks really are nice.
I, myself, also indulge. With an American by Alec Bradley.
Libertas Pretium!
-Perrin
04 Sunday Jun 2017
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My friend, Graydon Brown, has taken a good concept to new heights in Georgia’s second city. He has Apathy Town’s newest (and only) brewery cranking out some of the coolest and most innovative craft beers in America. Brown, the Texan master with over 30 years experience, knows what he’s going and it shows. He also knows cigars.
I just sampled a few brews to include the IPA and the Brown Ale. Here is the Savannah River IPA, a cool but stout 7% ABV with an incredible distinctive flavor:
A lighter beer that pairs surprisingly well with a cigar!
After a few years of dawdling, pre-Graydon, the company is now in full swing. I suspect distribution is their main focus. I can’t really recommend a visit: sure it has to be nice but I won’t tell anyone to enter the deserted industrial zone ‘tween the ghettos in Southern Detroit. Of course, if you’re there, do stop in. I can recommend, however, trying to find these micros at better shops and bars near you. Right now that is limited to GA and SC (and I fear not even the good parts) but I would imagine the range will grow rapidly.
If you enjoy beer with actual taste, then these are right up your alley. They might even convert a few yellow water drinkers.
“Deep South High Hops.” “Bring it on Home.” Please do.
Cheers.
03 Saturday Jun 2017
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Want to live to be 111 and in reasonably good shape? Do this:
This is the life, the rituals of Richard Overton. He is America’s oldest living veteran (111 and not slowing).
Ashley Landis / Dallas Morning News.
He’s met celebrities and politicians and athletes, each asking him the same question about his secret to longevity. His answer? God and cigars.
American. Hero.
30 Tuesday May 2017
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Yesterday, Memorial Day 2017, I visited and toured a museum in Clearwater. Well, it was part museum, part aquarium, and part bay cruise – a great way to spend a scorching holiday afternoon.
Not being of the more daynte piscis set, I failed to grasp much of the entertainment offerings. There was a dolphin without a tail. There were some 4,000 or so humans without brains.
The dolphin sports a prosthetic appendage. The overweight droolers were similarly amended; each carried the ubiquitous cellular mind.
Towards the end of the day I did discover the point of the whole place. In a corner in a movie set (they made a movie about the place … or a place for a movie…) I found this:
I was pleased to know someone would dedicate a museum and a feature film (starring Morgan Freeman?) to a Partagas box. Sure, some dolt removed the lid and stuffed the thing with baseball cards or other non-tobacco rubbish. But it was the thought that mattered.
And the traffic. The traffic mattered and was horrendous.
26 Friday May 2017
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09 Tuesday May 2017
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Dear Lord, 9 PM rolled around and I realized I had not issued anything, here, today. Been busy, sorry. It also occurred to me I haven’t done a cigar review in at least a few weeks. I’ll keep this short – either this or an old re-post (how much fun are those?).
This is not a review. It’s a cigar review preview…
Check this out:
MMMMmmmmMaduro…
55 pounds or ounces? Hefty either weigh.
Yes. That is a real LFD Coronado. I mentioned the old C, circa 2005 or 2007, last month – fond memories. This is the comeback edition. Probably gonna fire that up in a few. It’s kind of like the buildup to a first date. No. It’s more like a date with the hot girl you had a fling with ten years ago and haven’t seen since. No. It’s better. It’s a smoke.
Developing.
More tomorrow.
Oh yeah, other stuff happened today too: Comey’s EMP rallied the stock market in North Korea; or something.
Night…
10 Monday Apr 2017
Posted in Legal/Political Columns, News and Notes
I go ahead and call it: Nicaragua is the new Cuba – simply the best tasting cigars in the world (with some stiff competition from numerous countries).
Nica also has a long, sad history of civil strife, coupled with international meddling. The U.S. has been involved for decades as have the Russians. Now, the NZ Herald reports on new suspicions over a Russian facility outside Managua.
US officials are keeping a keen eye on a Russian complex nestled on the edge of a volcanic crater in Nicaragua.
The center, which is believed to be a satellite station, has been built near the Laguna de Nejapa in Managua – the capital of the Central American nation, according to Daily Mail.
The Washington Post reports the local government described the complex as, “simply a tracking site of the Russian version of a GPS satellite system”, but not everyone is convinced it isn’t something more sinister.
“Clearly there’s been a lot of activity, and it’s on the uptick now,” a US official and expert on Central America, told the newspaper.
Other officials said there are concerns the hub could be a “dual use” facility, meaning it could house equipment and workers with the ability to conduct electronic surveillance against American citizens.
From where the compound is located, it offers those who are based there a clear view of the US Embassy about 10 miles away in the heart of Managua.
I have no idea what is going on down there and, unless and until it disrupts the trade from Esteli or Jalapa, I don’t really care.
Leave these folks to work. Smoke Shop Mag / Perdomo.
Nations spy on each other, tensions and reasons or not. That’s not my concern. My concern is earthy-flavored smokes. Let me make it clear to Washington and Moscow: leave my friends and sticks alone. Keep your braindead BS in Syria or Ukraine or anywhere else. Don’t make me come down there…
02 Sunday Apr 2017
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This past week, on the recommendation of my tobacconist, I sampled the LFD Andalusian Bull.
The Bull was named Cigar Aficionado’s Cigar of the Year, 2016, and with good reason.
Andalusian Bull
Invoking the spirit of Spain’s famous Toreros, this cigar has character and flair in both its flavor and presentation. A Dark natural Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper covers some of the most powerful fillers and binder grown on our farm in the Dominican Republic. The flavors are complex, with a myriad of spices and a touch of sweetness creating an exquisite full-bodied smoking experience.
From my picture one can see that the Ecuadorian Corojo is nearly perfect – a little veiny – but spot on in supple appearance and construction. The taste, mated with those signature DR leaves, is a notch above impressive.
The hefty, if creative tapered, 6.5X64 stick is the creation of Litto Gomez. The leaf work yields consistent notes of woody, leathery smoke, punctuated with subtle hints of spice. The flavor picks up immediately upon the first puff and lasts until the last inch and a half.
I read somewhere the taste is bold (it is) and strong (true, though not overwhelming). What I got out of my test subject was a smooth strength with the various notes constantly blending in and coming through, noticeably but without fanfare. I call it a heavy-medium body. Again, it’s not something to knock the socks off, though it certainly does grab the attention. The draw and burn were utterly flawless, owing to the exquisite construction.
Had I a rating system, this one would qualify for my top mark. Let’s call it “excellent”. However, I am not sure about my pick as cigar of this year or last. Stiff competition abounds. I might, without insult to Litto nor pomp for Kaizad, rate the Gukha Cellar Reserve 18 a little better. But only a little and on a “might” basis.
The Bull recalled to my confused and blurred mind the LFD Coronado of yesteryear. I might also rate the old “Big C” a slight bit better – that may come from ten-year-old memories that I can’t quite now quantify. Anyway…before this devolves into another trip down the nostalgia trail:
Get one while you can. And if you can. The Bull is a very limited release. I don’t know the exact number but it is small. My lingering flagship store exhausted their only box as soon as it arrived. I’m not sure how the big super-shops in FLA fare – I’ll know this week. I have heard of shortages and resulting despair from Miami to D.C.
You’re on your own finding the experience. But, once you find it, you won’t be disappointed. Unlike so many “premium” orders, the $15-17 price tag (dependent on how greedy your state tax jurisdiction is) is actually worth it. And, that’s no bull…
