Cigar Quote of the Week

"Eating and sleeping are the only activities that should be allowed to interrupt a man's enjoyment of his cigar."

Mark Twain

Where the hell's Ed?

I have been a horrible Blogger and I haven't posted in over two months. I have had five cigars in that period of time (see list below) and I havn't had enough patience to post my rating for each cigar. However, I am determined to keep the Blog updated from here forward.

I look forward to dazzling you with my vivacious, verbose vernacular for Victor Sinclar Vintage; and my lavish lexicon of lingua franca for the La Aurora Leoninos. My words of wisdom on the art of cigar smoking will ensare the soul and befuddle the mind.

List of recent cigars:
Rocky Patel - Olde World Reserve
Esteban Carrera - 1961 Reserva Limitada
Gurkha - Super Fuerte X
Hoyo De Monterrey - Dark Sumatra
CAO - Brazilia

CAO Italia - Ed

Cigar: CAO Italia
Size: 5 x 56
Wrapper: Honduran Habano seed
Rating: 8

The Italia has gained my confidence! On my birthday in 2005, I smoked my first CAO Italia and was not very happy. That cigar was dry and didn't burn very well. The one I smoked this weekend was in direct contrast to that one. This cigar was rich and smooth that started and finished with a sweet, spicy touch to the palate.

When I smoke CAOs I am always astonished at how consistent the taste and smoke is; again, this cigar was different. The Italia was complex and changed taste a couple times, each time getting better.

Thanks to Damian for insisting that I give this cigar another chance!

Cigar Quote of the Week

"There's peace in Larranaga, there's calm in Henry Clay, and a woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke."

Rudyard Kipling

Fuente Opus X - Ed

Cigar: Fuente Opus X

Size: 5 5/8 x 46

Wrapper: Cameroon

Rating: 8

Journey with me to Chateau de la Fuente, or to Damian's back yard...they both have the same cigars. This was a special night; Damian, Ed, Larry and Sturge were ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in only the way we know how. With Fuente cigars and great beer. When I say Fuente cigars, I don't just mean any Fuente cigars. We had 2 Fuente Fuente Opus X, 1 Between the Lines Hemingway and 1 Grand Reserve. The aroma from the back yard would satisfy any aficionado.

This Opus has been in my box since November 2004 and I have been dying to light it up. This legendary cigar didn't let me down. It was spicy and creamy, all in the same puff and it only got better as I smoked. The rating of 8 reflects a common problem that I have had with the Opus the last 2 time I have smoked. Halfway throught the cigar is unceremoniously goes out. That always frustrates me and I have to reflect that in my rating.

I have one other Opux in my box and it has been in there 6 months longer than this one. It is one of the Tributes to Arturo Sandoval and I will post when I smoke it.

See some picutures below from the party.

Cigar Quote of the Week

"Given the choice between a woman and a cigar, I will always choose the cigar."

Groucho Marx

Gurkha Nepalese Warrior - Ed

Cigar: Gurkha Nepalese Warrior
Size: 6 x 52
Wrapper: Cameroon
Rating: 8

This is one of those cigars that is a guaranteed great smoke. I haven't had one in just about a year and it has only gotten better with time. It is a rich, leathery cigar that is medium to strong and finishes with a roasted coffee flavor. I am going to echo a previous BLOG by saying one of the more satisfying features of this cigar is the perfect burn, drawl and ash. Having those 3 factors always working well helps you to fully enjoy the taste and aroma.

Cigar Quote of the Week

"I drink a great deal. I sleep a little, and I smoke cigar after cigar. That is why I am in two-hundred-percent form."

Winston Churchill

Excalibur Fine Cigars & Wine Bar

When you think about your perfect smoking experience, this is the place that should pop into your head. Close your eyes and imagine this; you are sitting on a leather couch watching the game on a plasma TV with two of your closest friends. In your left hand is your favorite IPA, Porter or Pale Ale; in your right, your favorite cigar. You are puffing away, merrily, with no one asking you to move or put out that cigar. You are with others that can appreciate the subtle art of selecting, cutting, lighting and smoking a wonderful cigar, while you enjoy their company and a local brew.

Now open your eyes, call me up and we will meet down there.

Seriously, this is one of the few places that you can sit and enjoy both a cigar and a beer. Everyone that works there is friendly and helpful, you couldn't ask for a better ambiance for smoking. Down in ‘Some of our Favorite Cigar Sites’ is a link to the website. Here is some other info:

Nathan Kalaso (Owner)
858.549.4422
7094 Miramar Road Suite 113
San Diego, CA 92121

La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero - Ed

Cigar: La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero

Size: 6 x 52

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown

Rating: 6

Damian and I took a trip down, to what is quickly becoming my favorite place to smoke, Excalibur Cigar and Wine Bar. I am going to create a 2nd post about this Bar separately.

As far as the cigar goes, I had high expectations. This is one of Cigar Aficionado’s Top 50 cigars and I was expecting a lot. The first thing I noticed was the shape of the head. It was a flat torpedo that is called 'Chisel.' I liked the shape; it made holding the cigar in your mouth a cinch and didn't hinder the drawl. Upon first light, I was very happy. It was a rich and powerful smoke that woke you up right away. Damian and I were both happily puffing away until about 2/3 complete. Almost simultaneously our cigars went out. It was never the same after that, the flavor and aroma fell off the table. Determined we kept puffing away and it only got worse. Now, if Damian and I had to leave for some reason before this happened, I would have easily rated this cigar a strong 8 maybe even a 9. Now see my next post about Excalibur.

La Aurora Maduro - Ed

Cigar: La Aurora Maduro

Size: 5X50

Wrapper: Dominican Maduro

Rating: 8

After having a cigar that doesn't agree with me, I always find myself going back to an old faithful. This cigar is one of those. I know that the 100 anos, 1495 and Preferido are the more popular cigars that La Aurora makes. However, the regular La Aurora is a great cigar too. This smooth and mild cigar is nearly perfect every time I light one up. This time was no different, from first light to the end the burn, smoke and drawl was as good as one could expect. Since it is a mild cigar, the taste some times leaves you wanting more. Yet, because all of the other elements (burn, smoke, etc) are so perfect, I enjoy this cigar as much as any $15 - $20 cigar on the market.

Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 - Ed

Cigar: Rocky Patel Vintage 1990
Size: 5.5 x 50
Wrapper: Maduro Broadleaf
Rating: 5

It hurts me to even type this, but this cigar was bad. I have been smoking Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 for the last 5 years and I have never had a bad one. This was my first Vintage 1990 and it did not go well. At first light I was wondering if I had the right cigar. After some time the taste began to improve but it was overshadowed by horrible burn. The burn kept running on me (burning down especially uneven in spots) and going out. I have a rule that I will only re-light a cigar one time, because I find that constantly lighting it ruins the taste. This cigar went out twice and I finally gave up.
I will say this, I enjoy Rocky Patel cigars too much to give up on this cigar after one. I got this in a sampler pack and I still have one more left. I will let it marinate in my humidor and give it a try in a couple months.

Cigar Quote of the Week

"If I had taken my doctor's advice and quit smoking cigars when he advised me to, I wouldn't have lived to go to his funeral."-- George Burns

Cigar Quote of the Week

American humorist, satirist, writer, and lecturer Mark Twain, said,
"If I cannot smoke cigars in heaven, I shall not go!"

Carlos Torano Virtuoso - Ed

Cigar: Carlos Torano Virtuoso

Size: 4 3/4 x 52 Robusto

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Colorado Maduro Shade

Rating: 8

Today I decided to indulge a little earlier than the weekend. After working a day shift to attend some training at work, I relaxed on my porch, lit up this fine cigar and opened a bottle of Stone Levitation.

This cigar has also been in my box for well over a year, and it is the first time that I have smoked one. At first light it was a little weak, but after a half dozen puffs it began to improve. Different from my last cigar it started with a soothing wood taste and finished with a curious but nice minty/peppery taste. The finish was much better than the beginning, and I smoked it all the way down until it was too hot to hold. As it goes with most Carlos Torano cigars, this one is definitely one to keep in your box.

Since I picked this one up to give it a try, I will have to pick up a couple more to throw in my humidor.

Welcome to our Blog

Hey everyone, welcome to the DEL-Cigar Club Blog. Where Damian, Larry and I will post our thoughts on our favorite (next to beer and golf for Damian) pastime. Let us know what you think about the Blog and what suggestions you have.

Gurkha X Fuerte - Ed

Cigar: Gurkha X Fuerte
Size: 7 x 54 Belicoso
Wrapper: 1996 Vintage Costa Rican Maduro
Rating: 9

Last night, after another Generals victory (our softball team) I decided to celebrate in grand fashion. Damian and I went in halves on a 10 pack of these cigars, and I have been dying to light one up. Normally I like the cigar to age in my humidor at least 2 months before I smoke it; however, I made a special exception for this cigar. At 7 x 54 (Torpedo Grande) it is a little bigger than my preferred size (5x50 - robusto), but what a tremendous cigar.

It started off with a perfect light and burn. The burn lasted down to the last puff and I never needed to light it again. The ash was equally perfect only needing to be ashed 3 times (this is a 7" cigar). Aroma and smoke brought to mind hints of coffee and chocolate at the beginning and cedar towards the end. My only knock on this cigar was the size. I spent nearly 2 hours enjoying this cigar and still had 1/3 of it left when I finally retired to my couch to watch some Tivo.

I am glad I still have 4 more in my humidor! Make that 3, Larry I will drop one off when I come by for Melia's birthday party. I can't let you miss out on this cigar.