The Cigarmy

Featured Cigar Welcome back to Half Ashed, everyone.  We managed to avoid being booed off the air for yet another week, so we humbly present Episode 014 for your listening and viewing pleasure.  This week we were honored with special guest Kyle Hoover from Ezra Zion Cigars as we take a look at their new Limited Edition TANTRUM - a very big cigar in a very small package.  As should now be evident from opinions I've voiced about my love for Ezra Zion cigars, I'm always excited to see something new from the guys.  Tune in for all the details about the TANTRUM, as well as what our thoughts are as we smoke one with Kyle. Industry News Industry news was very light this week, with little to update legislatively.  We did have a couple of folks enlist/renew with CRA with my Ambassador number to take advantage of the ongoing Cigarmy promotion.  So, a big thanks to them, and a hope that they'll enjoy the bonus cigars from my own stash. We did cover several news items related to new cigars that were announced this past week, and a few other items around the industry. What Else Have We Been Smoking? Craig: Just the usuals: Monte Especial, Fuente Cuban Corona, “cigar Lounge” 30-30. All standards, all great. Kip: I dug into Liga Privada pretty heavily this week, enjoying a Dirty Rat, Feral Flying Pig, and a couple No. 9's.  Other highlights were "Blend Number 5" from one of Craig's local brick and mortar shops, and a lovely Don Pepin Garcia Blue. Miscellany We covered a couple of listener emails this week, but had to reserve a few more for next week due to time constraints.  Thanks for sending those - and keep them coming!  We love to get feedback from everyone, and learn from all the questions.  We don't always have a solution, but we're sure to have an opinion....and there's almost always someone listening who knows far more than we do, and can provide an accurate answer. Wrap A huge thanks to the guys at Ezra Zion, who provided this week's CoTW - as well as the great discussion and insight from Kyle as he sat in on the show.  Next week, we'll have another very special guest in Will Cooper - Cigar Coop - as we feature the 2011 Quesada Oktoberfest.  We're very much looking forward to Coop's input and views on the industry as a whole, and talk about his contributions to the cigar world and pick his brain a little about the future he sees for the industry. Again, thanks for tuning in, and be sure to check back next week for an exciting Episode 015.  In the meantime, if you would like to contact us, you can reach us through the contact page or at the following email addresses: kip@thecigarmy.com or craig@thecigarmy.com.  Don't forget to get those emails in this month to be entered in our current giveaway.  Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive.  You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), or find us on iTunes.  Video, as always, will be available on Cigar Federation homepage or at the CigFed Half Ashed Video Archive. P.S. - As always, if you have unbanded suggestions or contributions, you can get those to us by sending an email to info@thecigarmy.com.  This email address goes directly to my wife, so you can simply suggest an unbanded cigar for her to source, or send me an email to kip@thecigarmy.com if you have something you'd like to send in.  I will provide an address to send them.  Thanks!

Featured Cigar Hello again, and welcome back for Half Ashed Episode 013.  This week's episode features the 2005 Padron Aniversario 1964 natural corona as our Cigar of the Week.  This cigar, one with which I am not overly familiar in the natural wrapper, turned out to be a phenomenal smoke.  These were graciously furnished by Craig, and I was entirely impressed, to say the least.  Tune in to get our combined thoughts about how this stick has held up during the past 8 years.  I will also be posting an Epilogue review within the next couple of days.  Once posted, this will be linked below.  Following is a brief summary of some show topics. Industry News The American Association for Cancer Research has come out in opposition to the current CRA-endorsed legislation and has issued a letter to every member of the House & Senate stating such.  This is not surprising, but some of the numbers given in that letter were (to me, anyway).  We talk a little about some of the information in this letter, and some conclusions from it. CRA promotion through The Cigarmy - We gave a reminder of this ongoing promotion here on The Cigarmy - check that out and let me know when you join up or renew. We also covered a number of announcements for new cigars, as well as our thoughts about limited, event-only cigars that have been subsequently released into regular production....and a few other items in cigar news recently. What Else Have We Been Smoking? Craig: Padrons! Kip: Partagas Series D #4, Torano Exodus 50 Years, The Tatuaje culebra from the Old Man & The "C," a fellow Cigar Federation member's efforts at rolling his own cigars, and a fantastic 2009 Oliva Serie V Diadema. Miscellany We cover several listener emails this week, including some follow ups to recent discussions on one gentleman's discomfort from his cigars and more coffee recommendations. Wrap Next week, we'll have the Ezra Zion crew as special guests, and be taking a look at their new Limited Edition TANTRUM.  That will be a LIVE show, broadcast at 9pm Eastern on Cigar Federation (complete with live chatroom so you can interact with the guys and ask any questions you may have for them), so be sure to tune in to find out how that goes.  The following week, we will have another special guest – William Cooper (Cigar_Coop) to get his insights into the industry, how it’s going, where it’s going, and generally pick his brain and see what we can learn. Again, thanks for tuning in, and be sure to check back next week for an exciting Episode 014.  In the meantime, if you would like to contact us you can reach us through the contact page or at the following email addresses: kip@thecigarmy.com or craig@thecigarmy.com.  Don't forget to get those emails in this month to be entered in our current giveaway.  Also, remember you can always go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive.  You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), or find us on iTunes.  Video, as always, will be available on Cigar Federation.

Episode 012 of Half Ashed is in the can, and we welcome you back to join us for this week's show.  We are offering up another opportunity to humble ourselves in the public eye this week, with Unbanded 003, generously provided by Dan Crouch.  Smoking blindly is something that is becoming somewhat of a habit for me.  Be sure you give us a listen by any of the means below for several news items and updates, what we've been smoking, what we thought of the unbanded selection this week, a couple listener emails, and a slight rant from me.  Also, don't forget to listen in and check out the details on our current giveaway.  Thanks for stopping by!  Here is a quick show summary: Featured Cigar The Cigar of the Week for Episode 012 is an Unbanded submission from Dan Crouch.  Dan took a novel approach with this submission; something that is a little different than our normal format.  He submitted two differing vitolas from the same line of cigars, rather than two examples of the same cigar.  Craig and I both had similar notions about the origin of the cigars, as well as a clear preference for one vitola over the other.  Definitely an interesting experiment, and we thank Dan for the originality and generosity of supplying the cigars.  Check out the show to see what we thought of it, and get the reveal. Industry News Legislative items - NYC Democratic mayoral candidate Christine Quinn (also speaker of NY City Council) is proposing that the age restriction on tobacco be raised from 18 to 21 years - NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley states "People who become full-fledged adults without smoking are very unlikely to pick up the habit afterwards.  So if we can prevent our youth from starting smoking until they are 21 we may just be able to protect an entire generation from a lifetime of being addicted to the world's most dangerous drug."  So, 19-21 year olds are still youth?  Reminds me of the "study" a few years ago that classified “youth” as anyone under 26, and “smokers” as anyone who’d ever smoked a single cigarette....ORIGINAL STORY Sam Leccia’s White began shipping this week.  From appearances, the White allocation was all spoken for very quickly.... Casa Fuente tweeted that their online store was open on Monday - much to the delight of Fuente fans everywhere.  Disappointment quickly followed, when they went to the site to find out that no cigars were sold there....just Casa Fuente branded clothing and accessories.   The Casa Magna Domus Magnus II is finally being shipped - months after it was initially announced.  I’m not a fan of some Casa Magna cigars - but I love me some Domus Magnus.  I believe the blend remains mostly the same, with the exception that the wrapper (sungrown Jalapa) is of a different vintage than the earlier offerings. Ezra Ziontweeted a picture of their upcoming Limited Edition TANTRUM being boxed up at the factory.  So, it appears they’re on schedule for the release (launched at Michael’s Tobacco of Keller - in Keller, TX on Friday April 26th).  They crew from Ezra Zion will be joining us LIVE on May 10th. Macanudo will be the new main sponsor for “Big Break” on the Golf Channel.  I’m not a golfer, but apparently this is the channel’s longest running original series - and a big hit for them. Macanudo will feature prominently, with several episode being filmed at the Macanudo lounge Mexico, as well as the brand being incorporated into some of the challenges. What Else Have We Been Smoking?  Kip - This week, I've been through a number of cigars, including two special Fuente sticks, a "Lauro's" from Craig, some Casa Fernandez Arsenio and more.  Tune in to the show to get the scoop on how those went... Miscellany Giveaway!  It's time we have another giveaway, and we have some cool stuff going out this time around.  Courtesy of Cuenca Cigars, we have an Ashton ashtray and some killer premium cigars - as well as a Cigarmy coffee mug and a couple more cigars from me.

Welcome to Episode 011 of Half Ashed!  This week, we're taking a look at the new "E" from BOTL LLC.  For those who aren't familiar, BOTL LLC are the same folks who brought you the Esencia line of cigars and Palio cutters/lighter.  The "E" is their new offering featuring an Ecuadoran Habano seed wrapper, an undisclosed binder, and a Nicaraguan-Dominican filler blend.  Listen or watch to see what we think of it, as well as a few more vital details about it! Legislative News: In the news this week, we had a couple of legislative updates.  One from CRA, with the announcement of a new companion bill to HR792 - the Senate bill S772, which was launched with 6 Senators supporting it this week (4 Democrats/2 Republicans).  The only other legislative update was out of California, where the Housing and Community Development Committee rejected a proposed ban on indoor smoking in all multi-family dwellings statewide.  Existing law allows for landlords to prohibit smoking in their own properties at will, and for the time being that will remain the case.  Common sense prevailed, at least for the moment. Other news items: We provided a little more of the backstory on Operation: Smokescreen...and the end of many a cigar smoker's hopes for a cigar-themed movie. Some rumblings, chatter, and hearsay about the possibility that CI now holds pipesandcigars.com.  This may be old news, but was a revelation to me - and something I was unaware of happening. A discussion of a recent story and subsequent editorial from the Stogie Guys about the fact that Phillip Morris (and parent company Altria) have come out against the protection of the premium cigar industry from FDA regulation. Cigar Federation!  Our beloved CigFed is getting a facelift!  CigarChat has been added to the lineup of quality programming available at the Cigar Federation, which brings onboard the two fine gentlemen who do that show (Robby Rasmussen & Logan Lawler).  Logan, being a social media and webmaster kinda guy, has taken on the task of redesigning the site to make it more userfriendly and effective in its mission of providing quality cigar industry content and community for those who enjoy the hobby.  He has already made some sweeping changes, and is doing a phenomenal job revamping the site and making it better.  Kudos to Logan!  We're looking forward to seeing it evolve.  Everyone needs to check that out and sign yourself up with a profile if you haven't already... Gordon Mott published a Cigar Aficionado blog entry this week calling out a certain cigar company for misusing past CA ratings of one of their products to market a very different product today. What else have we been smoking? Craig - The J. Fuego Edicion de Familia, the Ezra Zion Inception (now Jamais Vu), and a couple more surprises... Kip - Litto Gomez Small Batch 4 (listen as Kip admits to being a total nicotine wus with this cigar),  the Leon Jimenes Series 300 (a wonderful surprise in a bargain cigar), as well as the first six releases of Eddie Ortega's Wild Bunch, published first here on The Cigarmy. What else have we been enjoying with our cigars? Kip - Cuban coffee, although my results are "mixed" to be generous.  The quality in terms of flavor and enjoyment are quite limited from my trials so far, but the heart palpitations are fun at times.... Upcoming Shows: Next week's Cigar of the Week is an unbanded, provided by Dan Crouch.  Dan took a novel approach with this submission, in that he submitted 2 different vitolas from the same line.  Tune in next week to find out how that goes.  On May 10th, we will have our next LIVE show, broadcast on Cigar Federation.  We'll be talking with special guests from Ezra Zion about their upcoming Limited  Edition release of the Tantrum.  The following week, we will have another special guest - William Cooper (Cigar_Coop) to get his insights into the industry, how it's going, where it's going,

Good day, folks and welcome back for another episode of Half Ashed.  Craig and I appreciate you stopping by.  We were honored to have Sam Leccia, of Leccia Tobacco, as a special guest this week to talk about his upcoming new cigar releases.  We talk with Sam about his Black and White lines, which will be released in about a month or so.  He was gracious enough to share some information about himself, his blending philosophy, the vision behind the new cigars, and provided a great deal of insight into the Black and White.  Thanks to Sam for taking the time to hang out and share with us all. Cigar of the Week Our featured cigar this week was the Tatuaje LE Mexican Experiment, which was a limited run of cigars released by Pete Johnson last year.  I reviewed the cigar at that time, and it was very interesting to note how it had changed in the past 10 months or so.  It was a phenomenal cigar, and one which I would personally love to see in regular production. In legislative news, we covered the (probably temporary) fail of the Florida outdoor smoking ban, and new tobacco tax proposals at the federal level.  We also quickly covered some interesting cigar news concerning new releases and trimming of the old from Davidoff, and a few items in our "What have we been smoking" segment for the week.  Finally, we wrapped up with a listener email or two, and some new video reviews posted on Cigar Federation by Michael Stewart for the cigars he won in our previous giveaway.  We thank you for stopping by, and I hope you'll give us a listen or watch the video via the means below.  Have a great week! Upcoming Shows Next week, we feature the "E" as the Cigar of the Week – an interesting and sure to be enjoyable release from BOTL, LLC.  On our next live show (May 10th), we will host the Ezra Zion guys to tell us about their upcoming Limited Edition - the Tantrum.  The following week, we'll have a visit with Will Cooper (Cigar Coop) as well.  Again, thanks for tuning in, and be sure to check back in next week.  In the meantime, if you would like to contact us you can reach us through the contact page or at the following email addresses: kip@thecigarmy.com or craig@thecigarmy.com.  Also, don’t forget to go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive.  You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), or find us on iTunes.  Video, as always, will be available on Cigar Federation’s website, as well as the Cigarmy YouTube Channel.

Welcome back to another episode of Half Ashed, everyone!  This week, we hopefully have most of our audio difficulties resolved and offer you a better-sounding show.  You can find a brief summary of some items we cover in this week's episode below, as well as instructions for finding the video and audio in the final paragraph.    Sometime during the next couple of days, I will also post my Epilogue review into this summary as well (so check back by for that).  Thanks for checking in, and be sure to send us a note if you have any comments, questions, concerns...or even complaints.  We may not have a solution, but we'll certainly have an opinion... Cigar of the Week This week's featured cigar is the 2002 El Rey del Mundo Tainos, generously provided by Craig.  Here are his brief preliminary notes and history with this cigar: Craig: The king of the world, as its name translates, is the king of many serious smokers’ worlds.   A unique blend giving flavors of tea, honey, cream, sweet tobacco....and heaven. It has been produced in Havana for well over 100 years. Typically mild in strength and perhaps medium in body (as a general, not definitive rule) these cigars are as full flavored as can be. Incredible complexity and very specific flavors generally render them somewhat polarizing, but those who love them, often keep them at the top of their list. The Tainos was discontinued in 2002, partly because of its contradictory appeal (mild but large) and potentially also because of its unique packaging. A slide lid cedar box packaged in a 13/12 format. Beauty in a 12x12 box. Tune in to the show to both of our detailed opinions of the Tainos. Industry News: Casa Fuente has, at least temporarily, had to disallow smoking in their patio area until some modifications can be made to pacify other retailers bothered with the aroma. As published here on The Cigarmy earlier in the week, Sam Leccia has "officially" disclosed further information about his upcoming cigars, which will be produced in two different countries and contain some interesting blend components. As was published exclusively through Halfwheel, Ezra Zion is releasing a limited edition this summer - the Tantrum. Drew Estate is releasing an extension to the My Uzi Weighs a Ton line, showcasing a curing process not often used in cigars - the Kentucky Fire Cured. La Flor Dominicana and Butthead's Tobacco Emporium will be conducting a very interesting instore and online webinar, called "A Night in Santiago." An interesting piece of information via Cigar Coop concerning Christian Eiroa's upcoming Asylum 13 Corojo line extension - notably the release of a 6"X80ring behemoth! Operation Smokescreen? What is this?!? What else have you been burning? Craig:  In preparation for the show I smoked through a number of RdMs that I have. The 1999 Gran Corona (5-5/8”x46), 1990 Demi Tasse (3-3/4”x30), 1997 Grandes de Espana (7-1/2”x38). All are unique to their vitola and highlight different aspects of the blend; The DT; milk in tea, GdE; Sweet tobacco & honey, GC; tobacco & tea Kip: A special EP Carrillo Short Run - the Federal Cigar 92nd Anniversary edition; La Aurora Double Corona; Eddie Ortega "Island Jim" Listener Email: We talk a good bit about an interesting email we got from Derek Matthews, referencing the impact cellophane may contribute to the process of tobacco aging. Next week: Next week we feature the Tatuaje LE Mexican Experiment as the Cigar of the Week – one of Kip's favorite cigars from 2012. Michael Stewart will not be able to sit in on the live show, but depending on scheduling we may have another very special guest with us to talk about his new cigars...stay tuned for that! Again, thanks for tuning in everyone.  Be sure to come back next week, when we’ll be taking a look at the Mexican Experiment.  In the meantime, if you would like to contact us you can reach us through the contact page or at the following email addresses: kip@thecigarmy.

Welcome to Half Ashed Episode 008, everyone!  Below is a quick summary of this week's show, but be sure to download or watch/listen through any of the means in the final paragraph of this post!  [NOTE: I apologize for the audio snafu this week. I made ...

Welcome to Half Ashed Episode 007, everyone!  Here's a quick summary of this week's show, but be sure to download or watch/listen through any of the means in the final paragraph of this post! Half Ashed Cigar of the Week  Released last May (2012), the My Father Flor de las Antillas toro was named Cigar of the Year by Cigar Aficionado in 2012. It takes its name from Cuba, sometimes called the “flower of the Antilles.” The FdlA is a Nicaraguan puro, and MSRP for singles is from $6.60 (robusto) - $8.70 (toro gordo 6X56). The line is available in four vitolas: robusto, toro, toro gordo, belicoso - and is moderately square pressed. Kip: This is one of my favorite My Father sticks. Some of their blends - while enjoyable for me - can be a little potent for my tastes unless properly hydrated and fed. I love the “typical” My Father flavor family....just sometimes the blend strength weighs a little heavy on me. Tonight’s cigar, however, I find much lighter in strength than many of their other offerings. On occasion, I have had a couple of these that for some reason produced a great deal of dryness on the palate - demanding an accompanying glass of water. Other than that, I’ve had nothing but great experiences with this cigar. Never any construction issues; I get prevailing flavors in that tropical spice family, with the occasional wisp of white pepper and, at times, leather - or even some woodsiness. It reminds me of the DPG Blue at times - although it comes off just a notch or two more spicy than the Blue. I get a healthy (but manageable) bit of spice on the retrohale. Craig: While I agree with Kip that this cigar has typically been well constructed, has slightly more spice than the DPG Blue and is a welcome addition to their regular lines, I do not find this cigar to be more approachable than others. I tend to think it is full flavored and filled with aggressive spices. It is not overpowering or galling but certainly does carve out its position in the minds of today’s smoker. A good cigar with complexity and interest. One that I enjoy very much. Industry News this week The Chattanooga Tweetup has been scheduled; tickets on sale April 1st. Kip will be in attendance again this year.  Find details here. Legislative Items Bloomberg at it again - hide your tobacco!  Or, not.... HR792 - This news has been out a couple weeks, but the legislation to protect our freedom to enjoy a fine cigar has a new name. L'Atelier LAT46 hitting shelves as we speak... Gary Griffith - There's a great deal of news from Emilio Cigars this week.  See my blog entry earlier this week. What else are we smoking? Craig - Punch Churchill, Cain Daytona 646 Kip - K.A. Kendall Spider, Montecristo #4, Viaje Supershot 12ga, Asylum 13 robusto - and the entire Tarazona/Cubanacan lineup.... Miscellany We took some time to discuss a couple of emails this week: From Bruce S., asking about the possibility of increased availability of Esencia Cigars now that Torano will be distributing them. Ed T. asks about CFCF and how you, too can visit the Fuentes! Also, tune in to hear Craig's rant about a recent visit to a new tobacconist, and the soothing redemption of enjoying a movie with his cigar..... Next week Next week we feature Unbanded #002 as the Cigar of the Week - suggested by Jeff Curtis. Again, thanks for tuning in everyone.  Be sure to come back next week, when we’ll be taking a look at Unbanded #002, suggested by Jeff Curtis.  In the meantime, If you would like to contact us, you can reach us through the contact page or at the following email addresses: kip@thecigarmy.com or craig@thecigarmy.com.  Also, don’t forget to go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive.  You can download this week’s audio directly below (right-click “Download” and save), or find us on iTunes.  Video, as always, will be available on Cigar Federation’s website, as well as the Cigarmy YouTube Channel.

Well, Craig and I managed to put together another show this week, so we proudly present to you Half Ashed Episode 006!  I hope you'll take the time to listen and/or watch the video, and give us some feedback - you can send your questions, comments, compliments, or complaints to us via email, using either of the following address: kip@thecigarmy.com or craig@thecigarmy.com, or reach us by any of the contact means listed on the "Contact" pages here at The Cigarmy.  You can find the video for this show over on Cigar Federation as well.  The Cigar of the Week was the 2012 Oliva Serie V Maduro, for which Craig will be posting an Epilogue review in the near future, and we covered a good bit of other news items, in addition to some legislative issues and what else we've been smoking over the past week.  Here's a quick summary of the show: Half Ashed Cigar of the Week: As mentioned above, the CotW is the Oliva Serie V Maduro (2012 release).  I reviewed these cigars last year for the 2011 release, and absolutely fell in love with the blend.  I've been a fan of the maduro version of the Serie V since it first hit the market in 2008, and continue to buy them up as quickly as I can each December when they hit the shelves.  The 2012 appears to be the same size as the 2011 edition, and is at the least very similar in flavor characteristics.  It seems to possibly have the tiniest bit more "zing" to it, although that may be a factor of 1.)my terrible memory, or 2.)the fact that the 2011 now has an extra year of rest on it, and should not be compared side-by-side.  It's full of dark chocolate and a sweet earthiness that I find quite pleasant.  I also notice some sweetened coffee in the tasting, although Craig didn't get that in his experiences. Industry News: Federal Cigar Special F Event Cigar from My Father - reported here on The Cigarmy earlier in the week. Legislative Items: Arkansas Representative John Walker has proposed a modification of the existing state smoking ban to remove the exemptions for cigar bars & lounges, shops, and outdoor restaurants.  Find the CRA Action Alert here. The proposed outdoor smoking ban in Florida made some progress this week, passing its second committee review in a 6-3 vote.  This ludicrous bill (SB258) and its House counterpart (HB439) seem to have some legs, and must be stopped.  If you are a Floridian and enjoy the freedom of having a cigar in any of our parks, beaches, or other public areas....I urge you to act right now!  Visit the CRA page detailing how you can contact your representatives to voice your concerns. J. Fuego changes: There were several announced changes at J. Fuego this week, as reported by Halfwheel. A bit of news from Cigar Coop about Sam Leccia's impending return to the cigar industry. News from Gary Griffith about this year's Draig release - the Cayuquero. What else we've been smoking (listen in for details about each): Craig - Ambos Mundos Kip - 2011 Camacho Liberty, Ezra Zion Inception (now Jamais Vu), tons of this week's CotW, La Tradicion Cubana corona, Joya de Nicaragua Dark Corojo. Listener email: We review several emails received this week from listeners, with some questions, comments, and recommendations.  Keep 'em coming! Giveaway: Craig gave away his Tatuaje prize pack, including some cool swag as well as several hard to find Tatuaje cigars.  Congratulations to Michael Stewart for winning that.  We'll be getting the package out to you ASAP, so you can enjoy one of the Tatuaje Mexican Experiments with us during the April 12th show when we feature it as the CotW. Again, thanks for tuning in everyone.  Be sure to come back next week, when we'll be taking a look at the My Father Flor de las Antillas.  In the meantime, If you would like to contact us, use the emails above or through the contact page.  Also, don't forget to go back and listen to previous episodes, which can be found in the Half Ashed Archive.

We're back with a new episode of Half Ashed this week, sent out live via the Cigar Federation.  Our cigar of the week is the 2005 Ramon Allones Eminencia Edicion Regional (Switzerland).  We cover a few news items, including the upcoming Tour de Panacea covering the Pennsylvania and Virginia wine/cigar trail, a new "15-minute break" Guillermo Leon from La Aurora, AVO's 2013 Limited Edition, and a cigar I'm anxiously awaiting in the Room101 Namakubi Ecuador.  We also discussed quite a few cigars we've been smoking this week, as well as some questions and recommendations from the listeners.  Craig makes a new discovery in the world of local craft brews, and we announce the winner of our first giveaway for the Arturo Fuente 858 5-pack sampler!  Next week, we will be taking a longer, more indepth look at the 2012 Oliva Serie V Maduro release, which we'll feature as our Cigar of the Week and having our next giveaway for some Tatuaje swag and Tatuaje LE "Mexican Experiments"....check that out, and if you win that one you can enjoy a Mexican Experiment with us when it comes up as the CotW on April 12.  As always, thanks for stopping by and drop us a line if you have any comments, suggestions, recommendations or complaints at: kip@thecigarmy.com or craig@thecigarmy.com.  Thanks! You can download this week's audio directly below, underneath the video embed (right-click "Download" and save), or find us on iTunes.  Video, as always, will be available on Cigar Federation's website, through the Cigarmy YouTube Channel, or simply through the embed below. [embedplusvideo height="388" width="640" standard="http://www.youtube.com/v/oRaiF8DGA58?fs=1" vars="ytid=oRaiF8DGA58&width=640&height=388&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=" id="ep8117" /] Audio:

Half Ashed Episode 004 Summary: It's that time of week again, folks, when we gather around the proverbial fireplace of our computer screen (or headsets for you audiophiles) for a relaxing chat over a good smoke.  This week on Half Ashed, we begin with...

This week on Half Ashed, we're joined by our old friends Bob McDuffee and Dale Roush, formerly of Dogwatch Cigar Radio.  Bob and Dale provided 410 Episodes of the first, longest-running cigar podcast in history.  Dogwatch was the context through which Craig and I met, and its much lamented conclusion was the impetus for the two of us to pick up the mantle and try to preserve the community it fostered - all the while (hopefully) continuing to provide a useful couple hours of cigar information and entertainment each week.  We're much indebted to both Bob and Dale in that respect, as well as their generosity and help in getting Half Ashed off the ground and running. We wanted to have them on the show as the first of an ongoing segment in which we bring in various industry people - bloggers, manufacturers, retailers, etc. - for some discussion about their ideas and views concerning the world of cigars.  We want to provide an outlet for them to candidly discuss and reveal the unique insights that they have into the industry and provide us with an education on the same. Our cigar of the week for Episode 3 is the recently released Cuenca 5 Anniversary, which I reviewed a few weeks ago.  It was my idea to have this as the cigar of the week, as it has made such a grand impression on me.  It's not secret that I love the cigar, and I wanted to share it with you all.  We also spend a great deal of time talking with Bob and Dale, getting their ideas on what is wrong with the cigar industry, what is right with it, and some of their preferences in cigars when they just want to enjoy a good smoke.  In news, we cover what we think the ramifications are with Swisher International having designs on creating a premium cigar division within their company, some antismoking legislation being proposed by a Florida state Senator, and what we've been smoking this week.  We also make a couple of corrections from last week's show, brought to our attention some of you - notably, we misspoke about the arrangement of some local/state ordinances during the IPCPR tradeshow last year.  Thanks to George Edmonson of Stogie Guys for helping us out in that regard.  Also, I managed to talk a good deal about an upcoming Fuente cigar without ever telling you its name.  That cigar is the Casa Cuba.  Thanks to the many of you who made me aware of that.  I see at least some of you were paying attention :). Unfortunately, we went very long this week and had to cut out a good deal of content we had planned on discussing.  Under normal circumstances, we try to hold the show below two hours, but we were having such a good time conversing with Bob and Dale we managed to go over the 2:30 mark.  So, we'll have a few more news items next week - as well as some discussion from the world of pipes and tobaccos spurred on by an email and questions from Stephen D.  We're looking forward to that, in addition to next week's Cigar of the Week - our first Unknown/Unbanded cigar!    Remember, you can suggest an unbanded cigar for us via email at: info@thecigarmy.com.  That is a forwarding account that goes directly to my wife, who can source the cigars and provide them to us without information.  You can also send us cigars to smoke blindly by contacting me: kip@thecigarmy.com for an address to ship them. As always, you can find the video on Cigar Federation, on our YouTube channel, or simply through the embed below.  You may also download the audio below or find us in the iTunes store (be sure to leave us a good review!) to subscribe directly to an audio feed of the show as it publishes.  Thanks for tuning in! [embedplusvideo height="388" width="640" standard="http://www.youtube.com/v/5vxpLnGbQsQ?fs=1" vars="ytid=5vxpLnGbQsQ&width=640&height=388&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=" id="ep7389" /] Audio:

Craig and Kip are back this week for Episode 2 of Half Ashed: A Cigar Federation Podcast.  This week, we take a look at some vintage 1998 Montecristo Especial No. 1 (Laguito#1) as the Cigar of the Week.  News updates from La Palina, Sam Leccia, IPCPR, and an interesting bit of potential legislation in Tennessee.  Plus, a tour of the recently renovated Arturo Fuente Tampa operations and a discussion of some neat "happy accidents" in what we've been smoking this week.    Be sure to also check out this month's giveaway, as well as the ongoing Cigarmy promotion for new and renewing members of the Cigar Rights of America.  So, give us a listen and check out our thoughts on the Montecristo Especial and all these other topics! Next week, the Cigar of the Week segment will feature the Cuenca 5 Anniversary, which I reviewed here in depth.  So, be sure you tune in for that, as well.  We will continue with the recorded shows weekly, and our next live show will be coming March 8th with full audience participation during the broadcast.  You can find the video of this week's episode over on the Cigar Federation site, our YouTube channel, or through the embed below.  Audio is available for download both below and free of charge through the iTunes store, or simply point your mobile device apps to: http://www.thecigarmy.com/feed/podcast .  As always, if you have any questions, comments, compliments...or even insults...you can get in touch with us by email at: kip@thecigarmy.com or craig@thecigarmy.com. Thanks for tuning in! [embedplusvideo height="388" width="640" standard="http://www.youtube.com/v/bieNZ64ch2U?fs=1" vars="ytid=bieNZ64ch2U&width=640&height=388&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=" id="ep8466" /]   Audio:

Good day, folks.  I'm glad you've stopped by.  I have a few items of cigar news this week, with a good bit more coming in the next few days. First up, as we discussed in last night's show (see information at the bottom of this post), Toraño Family Ciga...