Vallejuelo Cigar

Wrapper : Ecuadorian Habano
Binder : Dominican
Filler : Nicaraguan and Dominican
Source : Gifted by Jeff O.

Welcome to this week’s cigar review of the Vallejuelo Cigar in the gran toro size (6×54). This cigar is available in four different sizes and MSRP is $4.50 to $6.50 depending on size. This cigar in the gran robusto size has won accolades so lets see how the gran toro does.

Pre-Light

Taking a look at this Vallejuelo Cigar and …

Perla del Mar

Wrapper : Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder : Nicaraguan
Filler : Nicaraguan
Source : Gifted by local sales rep Dan

Down and dirty first impressions review on the Perla del Mar (Pearl of the Sea) by J.C. Newman Cigars this week. I am smoking the M size (4.75×52) which our local sales rep, Dan, gifted me two of. All of the Perla del Mar cigars are box pressed.

Pre-Light

Wrapper of the Perla del Mar gives off a slight barnyard …

An Afternoon with Marvin Samel (Part Four)

Welcome back to another episode of Draper Dialogue. For this episode we got to spend An Afternoon with Marvin Samel of Drew Estate. Marvin has become a bit of a local fixture in the DC area, spending the good part of 2012 living in the area lobbying and walking the halls of Congress on behalf of the entire industry. Marvin and I go back some 15 years when he and Jonathan Drew started with a small kiosk in …

An Afternoon with Marvin Samel (Part Three)

Welcome back to another episode of Draper Dialogue. For this episode we got to spend An Afternoon with Marvin Samel of Drew Estate. Marvin has become a bit of a local fixture in the DC area, spending the good part of 2012 living in the area lobbying and walking the halls of Congress on behalf of the entire industry. Marvin and I go back some 15 years when he and Jonathan Drew started with a small kiosk in …

An Afternoon with Marvin Samel (Part Two)

Welcome back to another episode of Draper Dialogue. For this episode we got to spend An Afternoon with Marvin Samel of Drew Estate. Marvin has become a bit of a local fixture in the DC area, spending the good part of 2012 living in the area lobbying and walking the halls of Congress on behalf of the entire industry. Marvin and I go back some 15 years when he and Jonathan Drew started with a small kiosk in …

An Afternoon with Marvin Samel (Part One)

Welcome back to another episode of Draper Dialogue. For this episode we got to spend An Afternoon with Marvin Samel of Drew Estate. Marvin has become a bit of a local fixture in the DC area, spending the good part of 2012 living in the area lobbying and walking the halls of Congress on behalf of the entire industry. Marvin and I go back some 15 years when he and Jonathan Drew started with a small kiosk in …

Nomad Cigars Fugitive II

Wrapper : Ecuadorian Habano
Binder : Dominican/secret
Filler : Dominican/secret
Source : Sent to me by Nomad Cigar Company

Hello all. This week you will get my opinion of the Nomad Cigars Fugitive II. This is the follow-up to the original Fugitive that was a limited edition and no longer available. This comes in a six inch perfecto shape. I read on the website that Fred hid some away so if you really like the original, bug the hell …

Padilla Reserva Maduro

Wrapper : San Andres Maduro
Binder : Nicaraguan
Filler : Nicaraguan
Source : bought locally at Genuine Tobacco

Welcome to a cigar review, I know, it’s been a while. This week I am going to tackle the Padilla Reserva Maduro in the toro size. This cigar is available in four sizes, double toro (5 3/4×60), short robusto (4×60), toro (5 3/4×50) and a torpedo (6×54). Padlla cigars are now made by Oliva …

La Aurora Cien Años Edición Especial

It has been awhile. Call it my winter hibernation but I’m back with another exciting video cigar review. The La Aurora Cien Años Edición Especial is the Maduro version of the legendary Cien Años blend. Limited to 7,000 cigars, the La Aurora Cien Años Edición Especial features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper (which seems a bit thin to me) and the usual Dominican binder and filler. Available in one size, a 5×50 robusto. I believe the MSRP on it is around …

118 Minutes with Pete Johnson (Part Four Finale)

Pete and I pick up where we left off last year. In this episode of Draper Dialogues, Pete and I go into detail about his small ring gauge offerings, his cigar releases celebrating his 10 Year Anniversary, the history of the 60 plus ring gauge phenomenon, traveling, his wine project, spirit pairings in general, Surrogates Animal Crackers, Black Label Corona Gorda Redux, focusing on regular production, packaging, Monster Series and expansion, travel humidor and all kinds of other …