Saturday, April 14, 2012

La Aurora Puro Vintage 2004 Preferido

04/13/2012: What a nice cigar--the brand new La Aurora Puro Vintage 2004 Preferido (Belicoso 6.2 x 52). I felt that this cigar was constructed with precision. The flavor was great, smooth not peppery. It wasn't a powerful cigar--I would say medium-bodied. It was a little pricey ($12.99), but I enjoyed it. Smoking this cigar allows one to feel sophisticated, but with the pleasure of enjoying a good cigar.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

A Color-full Weekend

Without intention, my weekend took on a colorful theme.


After a busy week at work, and an even busier Friday, I went to Tobacco Leaf in Lawrenceville for a relaxing smoke to take the stress away. I started the weekend with a cigar I had been meaning to try for a while. I opted for the Alec Bradley Black Market Torpedo (54 x 6 1/8"). The cigar had just enough power that it wasn't overwhelming. There were no tastes that stood out right away although it had some spice to it. As I progressed with the smoke, it developed a mild aftertaste. As for the construction, the cigar bowed as I got through the first inch or so. It was annoying, but it could have been worse. The wrapper was oily and dark, one of my favorite qualities in a cigar. The price was affordable, and I would definitely smoke this one again.

Continuing on with the colorful weekend, we made our way into Newtown, PA, for a Saturday lunch and a stroll in-town. We ate lunch at Isaac Newton's where I was eager to try a couple of drafts from the tap. This place has an impressive selection on their permanent taps, and the rotating taps complement it. I started off with the Allagash White Belgian Wheat Ale. The beer was a crisp and refreshing (overused terms for beer, but well needed to describe this one). It was incredibly smoky. I paired it with a burger, but I think it would pair better with grilled chicken or shrimp. Next, I enjoyed a Green Flash West Coast IPA. Talk about hoppy. This IPA was full of hops...pungent flavor was met with a creamy texture and a slight delay in developing a citrusy and floral aftertaste. This was the perfect complement to the burger, but also paired well with the Belgian-style fries. Note: If you end up going to Isaac Newton's, make sure you get the fries. Even if you only order soup or salad, get a side of fries. They are some of the best I've ever had.

Lastly, I stopped in at the Tobacco Leaf in Newtown. I bought a Partagas Black Label Clasico (54 x 5 1/4"). We arrived back home and I was still incredibly full from lunch. I had some work to get done, so I took my computer outside and braved the cool breezy afternoon to enjoy this smoke. The immediate taste I got was a spicy, yet sweet, blast of flavor....think black pepper mixed with 70% chocolate. As much as I enjoyed the flavor of this smoke, the construction of the wrapper left somethings to be desired. Immediately after I lit it, the wrapper began to crackle. A seam opened up as I finished the first half of the cigar, and it began spewing smoke from the side. The crack in the side turned me off and I quickly lost interest in the cigar. Overall, the cigar was medium-full bodied at best (although the website decribes it as full-bodied). It maintained it's flavor for the entirety of the smoke. The cigar was decently priced, so I didn't feel like all was lost. In the future, I might try this again, but it won't be my first choice.

Stay smoky my friends.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Flying Dog Raging Bitch

Just so ya'll know, my blog isn't just about cigars. This entry will be about beer.

That being said, last night was my first foray into the world of pulled pork. My wife found an ultra-easy, 3-step recipe. I used about 8 oz of Stubbs BBQ sauce and 10 oz of Emeril's BAM BBQ sauce. I mixed in about 1/4 cup of white vinegar and about 1/8 cup of yellow mustard. The result was some darn good pulled pork. If you know me, I usually prefer beef, but I wanted to try this recipe. I'm glad I did.

I created my own cole slaw recipe (that still needs perfection on the execution) to accompany the sandwiches. E-mail me or comment to this post if you want the recipe.

Finally, once it was time to serve dinner, I opted for Flying Dog Raging Bitch (a Belgian IPA). I first heard of this beer from my friend Jason. I bought the six pack for New Year's Eve, but only managed to drink 2 of them. Still, as a fan of many different IPAs, this one exhibited the hoppiness you'd expect from an IPA, but had a subtle sweetness (think trippelbock) to it. I wouldn't go as far as calling it toffee-like, but the aftertaste was more than pleasant. It's heavy enough to satiate, and the ABV (8.3%) gives it just enough power. I will finish this six-pack, and then I'll probably go buy another one.

Happy Sunday everyone. Enjoy the last game of the divisional playoffs (go Pack!). Cheers.


Saturday, January 14, 2012

Arturo Fuente Anejo No. 48

I just had to tell ya'll that I had, scratch that, rather I experienced an Arturo Fuente Anejo No. 48 (7" x 48) yesterday. The body of the cigar was just "full" enough, but never became overpowering. The flavor was magnificent, though. This was the first Fuente cigar I've tried, but I'm hooked. I even purchased a No. 49 (7 5/8" x 49) for later.


The cigar is finely constructed with the same filler as the Opus X, only it's wrapped with a Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrapper. I recommend this cigar for anyone seeking a medium to full-bodied experience.

Currently, you can find the No. 49 at Tobacco Leaf in Lawrenceville, NJ. I purchased the last of the No. 48 in stock, but I'm sure he will replenish his stock around Father's Day.

Cheers!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

A Weekend of Smoke

Rather symbolically, the transition from 2011 to 2012 was masked in clouds of illustrious smoke. With a slower week at work, I was left with some extra time to enjoy a few cigars with some old friends and some new friends.

Wednesday, December 28th
It was a chilly day in Central New Jersey, so time spent outside was going to be short. Luckily, a Viaje Skull & Bones "Little Boy" was residing in my humidor. This was a powerful, short smoke. To steal a line from my friend, Ed, "That one had my legs shaking." For such a small cigar, this one packed a lot of power. Every now and then, I like a full-bodied smoke, but this one was slightly overpowering.

Thursday, December 29th
As a farewell to 2011 with my friend Ed, I treated us both to a nice smoke. Ed smoked a nice Rocky Patel Decade that I set him up with. I sat down with the CAO OSA which I originally had liked. I found that the flavor had dwindled or that my palette may have become bored with the flavor. Although I was in good company, I just didn't enjoy this smoke. I haven't heard too much from "Joe Consumer" on anyone else's enjoyment of this cigar, so if you have a comment please let me know.

Friday, December 30th
My last visit to Tobacco Leaf (for 2011). As the perfect end to my last day of work for the year, I met my wife for a quick, but well-needed lunch date. Once she returned to work, I pampered myself with a haircut and the purchase of a six pack of beer to be enjoyed on New Year's Eve (keep reading for the outcome of that). I found myself with a couple of hours to spare, so I paid a visit to my local cigar retailer. Jolly (the store owner) set me up with a nice cigar--Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ. This cigar was perfect for my palette. The oscuro wrapper was creamy, and the flavor was very smooth. What I haven't mentioned is the perfecto shape. In my own amateur opinion, this was a well-rolled, well-constructed cigar that burned evenly and never warranted a re-light. I will be smoking this cigar again.

Saturday, December 31st
We spent New Year's Eve with our friends in Flemington. I don't know about you, but we were blessed with a mild evening. I spent some time with a Joya de Nicaragua AntaƱo Dark Corojo that had been aging in my humidor since September. The cigar had dried out a little bit, but after about 5 minutes, the flavor I had originally experienced finally developed. The chocolaty undertones mixed with a creamy smoke really make this a pleasant smoke. I recommend the robusto for a quick, yet enjoyable experience.

Sunday, January 1st
On a day full of football, I needed to escape from the first round of games. In my humidor, I had been storing an A. Turrent Triple Play Maduro for a friend for over a year. It turns out that he passed up a great opportunity. The cigar kept very well. Once again, it was fairly mild in the afternoon, so I was comfortable sitting outside catching up with family and friends. To my surprise, the cigar still maintained its flavor. I imagine that some of the flavor may have deteriorated, but nonetheless, I was satisfied with the flavor. The cigar maintained a steady draw, although it was a little loose. It burned very evenly, and I never needed to relight it. I think the next cigar I buy will be a fresher version of this smoke (stay tuned for an update).

If you're reading my blog, I would like to wish you a Happy New Year and hope for prosperity as the year progresses. Please leave a note as I like to hear people's thoughts and opinions on what I'm writing.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

What is your top 5?

Since I'm bored, I decided to list my top 5 favorite cigars as of today.

1) La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Tabaqueros 652
2) Nub Cameroon 464T
3) 5 Vegas Classic Robusto
4) Fonseca No. 1 (Cuban)
5) Perdomo 10th Anniversary Reserve Maduro Robusto

What are some of yours?

Friday, June 24, 2011

F.A.T. 06/24/2011--Double My Pleasure

"Save it for a rainy day"

My early Friday became an excellent Friday. I was able to spend some time on the back patio with a couple of smokes.

The first cigar was a 5 Vegas Classic Robusto. I have to admit, I wasn't sure if I'd like this one. From the start, it was very pleasant. The smoke was very smooth on my palette, and it had a nice even draw for the entire time. I think 5 Vegas just gained a fan.

The second smoke was a La Aurora Series 107 Robusto. This had a very full flavor. This one gave me a nice buzz as I enjoyed a brief thunderstorm. As brief as the storm was, this cigar burned very quickly. Not that I time myself, but I finished this cigar in only 45 minutes. I can't say it was worth the money I spent. I purchased this one from a local cigar store a few months ago, and it's sat in my humidor for this whole time. I don't know if I'd buy this one again, but if you're looking for a full-flavored, short smoke, this is for you.

Still, any time spent smoking cigars is better than any time spent working on a Friday. Have a great weekend everyone.

JZ

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Father's Day Weekend Exploits

Friday: Father's Day Weekend did not start off as planned. As I departed from work at noon on Friday, it was brought to my attention that my son's day care was having a Father's Day celebration. There went my afternoon....well, that was my immediate thought. Instead, I was treated to a root beer float when I got there, plus all the play time I wanted with my son in HIS environment. What a treat.

Still, I needed some time to decompress. When my wife (yes, I said it, "my wife") came home that evening from a long day at work, we both agreed to spend some time together. So there we sat on the back porch, nothing but the light of the citronella candle, discussing the topics of the day and the weekend to come.

I chose to light a Cain Habano Nub. I have heard a lot about this cigar, but until you try it, the descriptions offer no justice. This was a very mild cigar, but the smoke was pleasant. It was relaxing with a nice even draw, and a more even burn. There was almost no aftertaste. This was the perfect conversation piece with a relatively quick smoke.

Saturday: We were invited to Rachel's place for taco night. The weather last night was perfect. It was not too hot, but still the beer was cold. I was able to share 2 cigars throughout the night. Additionally, I enjoyed 2 beers that I really liked. The first one was Weyerbacher Blanche (a Belgian-style Wit beer). Stephanie, if you're reading this, I recommend it. It was light and refreshing as you expect from Wit or Witte beers. The second beer was Snapperhead IPA (by Butternuts Beer and Ale--makers of Pork Slap Pale Ale). By far, this was the best IPA I've had in a can. It had the perfect amount of hoppiness to provide a tart flavor on the palette, but didn't leave a bitter aftertaste. This was one of the most refreshing beers I've ever had, and I became a fan at the first sip (okay it wasn't a sip, but that sounded more elegant).

Back to the smokes....I enjoyed a Nub Cameroon 464 Torpedo. This is one of my favorites, and I look forward to every time I get to enjoy it. It was also my Father's Day gift from my son, so that made it extra special. The second smoke I enjoyed was a Romeo Y Julieta Habana Reserve Belicoso. This box-pressed cigar had a creamy flavor. This was a great ending to a great evening with friends that I don't get to see too often.

Now my Sunday is going to be well-spent on my couch watching Rory live up to his potential.

On a final note: Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there. If you're fighting/stationed overseas, please be safe and many thanks from me and my family.

Friday, June 10, 2011

F.A.T. 06/10/2011


This Friday's post couldn't come at a more welcome time. After a difficult 36 hours, I couldn't wait to get home and try one of the new cigars I ordered recently. In my mind, there is nothing more relaxing than coming home, putting on my most comfy shorts, fixing an ice cold Mountain Dew, and lighting up a nice Habano-wrapped stogie.

Today's treat is the Oliveros Eight Zero Robusto. I believe this was released to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the Oliveros company. The wrapper on this cigar provides a flavor similar to a Nestle Toll House chocolate chip. It leaves a pleasant after taste, yet still gives a nice smoky/toasty flavor on your palate. Nevertheless, this proves to be the relaxation I desired in an oasis away from the difficulties of my recent work environs. Cheers to a good weekend that lies ahead for everyone.

In case you're interested, the link to the cigar info can be found here. http://oliveroscigars.com/eightzero-page.htm

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Saturday Afternoon Treat

Usually, I'm writing about my F.A.T., but yesterday's smoke was less than desirable. Instead, I'm writing about the make-up today. This afternoon I enjoyed a Perdomo Patriarch maduro-wrapped robusto. The cigar was a gift (part of a package of 4) from my parents for last Christmas.

For a dark wrapping, this cigar was more on the medium-bodied flavors. It was slightly sweet, with a rich smoke that lingered on the palette. I picked up both hints of leather and cocoa. There was an absence of any spicy, peppery flavor, and the aftertaste was very delectable. On a side-note, I enjoyed this cigar with a Barq's Root Beer (nontraditional, but the bittersweet taste complemented the cigar well).

If you're interested, here's the link for Perdomo Patriarch.

Perdomo Event on 06/24/2011

Hey folks,

I just saw that there will be a Perdomo cigar event on Friday, June 24, 2011 at Heroes and Legacies in the Arboretum (Austin, TX). The event will go from 4:00-8:00 pm.

You may be wondering why I care enough to blog about this.
1) I really enjoy Perdomo cigars (look for my post about Perdomo Patriarch coming later).
2) The reason I enjoy Perdomo cigars is because the folks at Heroes and Legacies suggested them to my parents as a Christmas gift for me.
3) No one reads my blog anyway, so it can't hurt to try and gain readers.

Check out Heroes and Legacies anyway. The guys at the Austin store are top-notch. They run a store lacking in pretense, and can find the right cigar for anyone (novices to experienced connoisseurs) without breaking your budget.

After you visit them, let me know what you think.

Twitter: PorkDaddy14
Facebook: thejaketx

Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day Maduro

In the mood for an afternoon smoke, I searched through my humidor and stumbled across a Paul Garmirian Maduro Robusto. I cannot recall purchasing this particular smoke, but the size was perfect for the amount of time I had allotted myself.

This cigar kicked my ass. It was full of smoke and flavor. I became worried when I had to relight it once, but it returned to the smokiness it started with. Although it claimed to have hints of cocoa, I did not find this flavor. Instead, it repeated hints of mocha and then wood. Accompanied by a glass of sweet tea, this was a great start to my summer. Please see the link below if you're unfamiliar with this brand. PGCigars.com

On a different note: please say thanks to a serviceman or servicewoman today. They're putting their butts on the line so that we can keep ours on the couch.

Sunset Dinner at Grand Old House


Dinner at the Grand Old House, Grand Cayman on Wednesday 05/25/2011 with Kelly. A nice dinner (dry-aged ribeye for me, local wahoo for Kel), with an Austrian red wine (2008 Heinrich Burgenland Zweigelt) followed by a hand-rolled Cuban cigar and porto.

BBQ Indulgence in Grand Cayman


The smoker at Lone Star Bar and Grill in Grand Cayman (Seven Mile Beach). Kelly, Cara, David and I indulged on some hickory-smoked BBQ before D & C returned home. Good food, great times. 05/23/2011

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Sunday Surprise

Thanks to my future-in-laws, I had some free time this Sunday. I ventured to Mr. Stogy's in Morrisville, PA. I purchased a Nub Connnecticut and a Nub Maduro. When I got home, I decided to be productive while enjoying the storms that were rolling in. Out of the 2, I opted for the Nub Maduro (4 x 60 Rothschild). Wow, was I in for a treat. I've been into the dark maduro-wrapped cigars lately, and this did not disappoint. The cigar had such a pleasant flavor. I have been a fan of Nub for the last year or so, and I couldn't have been happier today. The oily wrapper was dark and added great flavor to the whole cigar. The cigar burned evenly the whole time, and I never had to re-light it, even after setting it down for a couple of minutes. If you're new to cigars, I definitely recommend starting with Nub. Now I look forward to the Nub Connecticut (hmmmm, maybe tomorrow night).

F.A.T. Edition #4

This week's F.A.T. included a couple of friends. I had a repeat perfomance with the Perdomo 10th Anniversary Reserve Maduro (only this time it was the Torpedo rather than the Robusto). The flavor was very subtle with a lot of leather and cedar taste. I was joined by Andrew and Ed (thanks to Andrew for the cigars). Andrew had a Kristoff, and Ed had a Master by Carlos Torano. Great company and even more laughs.

Friday, May 6, 2011

F.A.T. Edition #3

Today's edition: Perdomo Patriarch Corona Extra

This afternoon's F.A.T. was spent with the Perdomo Patriarch Corona Extra. I was accompanied by my friend Ed (who had his first cigar today--Nub Connecticut 464). This cigar had a nice dark Maduro wrapper, which left a pleasant taste in my mouth. At times, this cigar gave off billows of smoke that the Sioux would have used on the plains. Each puff was delectable, and I must admit, I had a pretty nice buzz going afterwards. Perdomo is 2-for-2 in my books now. I can't wait to try the sun-grown that I have in my humidor.

Have a good weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all mothers.

~JZ

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Lunch: Sakura Express with a House of Cupcake Chaser

Today's indulgence was sushi at Sakura Express in Princeton, NJ.

I ordered a shrimp avocado roll (yes, I know it's safe and cooked).

I also ordered a tuna cucumber roll.

The fish is so fresh every time we go in there. Today, the chef added a helping of sashimi to each of our platters. Needless to say, I enjoyed tuna sashimi along with a piece of escolar and a piece of mackerel. I'm still not an avid fish-eater, but I'm getting there. When the fish is that fresh, it's hard to be picky.

After we left Sakura, we then headed to House of Cupcakes. Just walking in that shop was like a preview of heaven. There were so many choices, yet I was able to make my choices pretty quick. I settled for the Boston Creme cupcake, and then brought home a peanut butter cup cupcake for Kelly and a chocolate Mum Mum cupcake for Pork. I would recommend this store to anyone who will be visiting Princeton.

Good night all.

Monday, May 2, 2011

F.A.T. Edition #2


4/29/2011: Perdomo 10th Anniversary Reserve Maduro Robusto

This cigar was a gift from my parents for Christmas. After 4 months in my humidor, last Friday was the time to give this cigar a test drive. For this F.A.T., I came home to enjoy the beautiful weather on my back porch. Sitting by myself, I had a nice afternoon and enjoyed an incredible smoke. The dark wrapper on this cigar provided just enough spice to keep my palette full of flavor. With the breeze constantly blowing, I was afraid that I'd have to keep re-lighting. It turns out I was wrong; the smoke rolled off the end of the stick with great consistency. I really enjoyed this cigar, and I'm excited to try more of Perdomo's offerings. (I have one more of these, and 2 other Perdomos that I received in the same package).

On a special note: Thanks to the folks at Heroes and Legacies in Austin, TX, for suggesting these to my parents. Excellent choice(s).

4/24/2011--Easter Sunday in Bloomsburg, PA

Nub Cameroon 466 Box-Pressed Torpedo

For Easter, we drove up to Joe and Laura's in Bloomsburg. After an afternoon of gluttony, the men retired to the porch to enjoy the smokes that I brought with me. I had previously purchased this one to smoke at an earlier engagement, but that never happened. I am glad that I saved it for this day. This cigar was perfect for my full belly. It was medium-bodied and very easy to smoke. I never had to re-light it. Although the Nub is a short cigar, it was lengthy in smoke. Most everyone else was smoking churchills, and we all finished our smokes around the same time. I have been a fan of Nub for the last year or so, and this one just confirmed my loyalty. I would strongly recommend this to anyone, novice or experienced.