Cigar Blog

Cigar of the Week: Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Robusto
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Size/Strength: 5" x 52 / Medium
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Presentation: Box of 25 cigars

This is one of those cigars that's become (IMO) a modern classic. Not only is this particular Romeo y Julieta blend among my all-time favorites, it seems to be a favorite of a lot of other cigar smokers, too. I haven't met a cigar smoker yet who doesn't agree that the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real selection is tremendous smoke. Moreover, the Robustos come 25 to a box, which is rare these days.

Famous Value Line Nicaraguan #300 Toro
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Size/Strength: 6" x 50 / Medium
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Filler & Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Presentation: Bundle of 20 cigars

At last week's Famous Cigar Expo "Cigarnival" I was asked to help handout some cigars to the attendees. One of them was a Famous Value Line Nicaraguan #300 Toro. Fortunately, I also had a chance to smoke this puro, which is made at Tabacalera Protalasa.

As I handed them out I noticed that the construction of these cigars was excellent. The wrappers were all even in color and feeling along the length of each cigar, I also noticed how well packed it was. There were hardly any soft spots and the caps were nicely finished. "Impressive," I said to myself. The blend consists of an all Nicaraguan Habano core rolled in attractive Nicaraguan Corojo wrappers.

EVEN HURRICANE IRENE couldn't spoil the festivities this past weekend, August 26 & 27, when Famous Smoke Shop held their annual Cigar Expo, which featured a Carnival theme atmosphere. As one of my office colleagues who was assigned to parking detail said to me this morning, "Just give the folks some great cigars, good food and entertainment, and not even all that rain can ruin their fun."  That was Saturday, which also kept some attendees, plus vendors like Kinky Friedman from showing up, mostly because he and many others had their flights cancelled due to the impending storm.

It all started on a sunny and dry Friday afternoon, as Miami Cigar & Company hosted the VIP pre-event welcome party serving Presidente beer and Guillermo Leon cigars (one of my current favorites; how'd I miss that?). By the end of the day, most of the vendors had made it to Easton, PA. Among the throng of manufacturers were Nick Perdomo Jr., Rocky Patel, Alan Rubin of Alec Bradley Cigars, Dan Carr, et, al of General Cigar. Oliva, Marvin Samel of Drew Estate, Garcia y Vega, Nestor Plasencia, Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars, Janny Garcia of My Father Cigars, Berta "The Guayabera Lady" Bravo, Glenn Case of Kristoff Cigars, Glynn J. Loope of Cigar Rights of America, George Koodray et. al. of The Metropolitan Cigar Society, Yadi Gonzalez of Flor de Nicaragua, Jameson Cigars, Victor Vitale of The Cigar Agency, Carlos Toraño Cigars, Tim Swail of Boveda, Kurt Van Keppel of Xikar, Arturo Fuente Cigars, Abe Flores of Pinar del Rio Cigars, Cusano, Gran Habano Cigars, Altadis USA, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo of EPC Cigars, J.T. Guagliardo of Camacho Cigars, Vector Lighters, and my apologies to anyone I neglected.

Tabacos Baez Favoritos
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Size/Strength: 5½" x 52 (Mini Belicoso) / Medium
Wrapper: U.S. Connecticut Shade
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Presentation: Box of 20 cigars

A few months ago I was fortunate enough to snag a box of Tabacos Baez Favoritos on CigarAuctioneer.com at a pretty decent price. Though I'm not a regular smoker of tapered head cigars, the Favoritos have a beautifully finished cap, and since the taper is a little shorter it has a more consistent draw; at least that's been my experience. This was also my first box of Tabacos Baez, and so far I've been very impressed by this Don Pepin-blended selection named for the Cuban city where he was born.

The blend consists of Nicaraguan longfillers and binder rolled in a silky, yet slightly veiny U.S. Connecticut-grown wrapper. The natural smoothness, sweetness and lack of bitterness in this domestically-grown leaf takes some of the edge off of the smoke; consequently, this cigar is more medium in body and less spicy than Pepin's typical peppery fare.