Summary: 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.
