Epic’s Really Dark Maduro Reserva

Epic’s Really Dark Maduro Reserva

May 30

Epic Cigars launched their first products in 2012 and they have staying power. I saw them at the 2014 IPCPR where they were introducing their new Maduro Reserva made in the Dominican Republic. The Reserva has an Arapiraca wrapper, Cameroon binder and a blend of fillers – from the Domican – Piloto Cubano, Seco, Ligero and a viso from Nicaragua. Epic provided me with their 5 X 52 robusto...

Total Flame Bobber – a Ride on the Dark Side

Total Flame Bobber – a Ride on the Dark Side

May 28

In 2011 a pair of Russians riding motorcycles through Texas decided to expand their cigar business into the US and Total Flame was born. They launched a number of blends and we reviewed 2 of their cigars in 2013. At the 2014 IPCPR Total Flame gave us a cigar from their Dark Line, a super robusto called Bobber. To motorcyclists, a bobber is a minimalist bike with no front fender, short rear...

Epic’s Corojo Reserva is a Good Opener

Epic’s Corojo Reserva is a Good Opener

May 27

Epic Cigars launched their first products in 2012 and they have staying power. They have 2 offerings, a Maduro Reserva which I reviewed and enjoyed and a Corojo Reserva. Epic provided me with a Corojo Reserva at the 2014 IPCPR. The Corojo was a robusto measuring 5 X 52 and it had an interesting dark wrapper from Ecuador although it is not a maduro. The binder is a Dominican Olor and the filler...

Battleground Cigars Presidential Offering – the Lincoln

Battleground Cigars Presidential Offering – the Lincoln

May 23

Battleground Cigars is a boutique cigar operation based in Connecticut. When we think of cigars and Connecticut, the very popular shade tobacco immediately comes to mind. Combining battleground and Connecticut brings forth the revolutionary war, yet Battleground Cigars is focused upon the Civil War because one of its prominent citizens and businesses played an important role in that war....

Crave the Clave from Cordoba & Morales

Crave the Clave from Cordoba & Morales

May 20

Cordoba & Morales are known for continuing the Cuban traditions in cigar making. At the 2014 IPCPR they provided us with a sample of their Clave Cubana Etiqueta Blanca (white label), whose production is limited to 1,000 boxes. The Clave comes in 3 vitolas (robusto, toro and toro gordo) and our sample was the toro, a 6 X 54 box pressed cigar. The clave is a musical instrument – a pair of...

A “Beest” From Blue Mountain Cigars

A “Beest” From Blue Mountain Cigars

May 18

Marvin Wright’s Blue Mountain Cigars has several brands and he has continuously introduced new blends since he began in 1995. At the 2014 IPCPR Marvin provided me with El Beest to review. This cigar is made in Esteli, Nicaragua with Nicaraguan filler and binder, wrapped in a Habano criollo tobacco. My “Beest” was 5 X 52 with a dark Maduro colored wrapper. The pig tail on the cap was...