AKA Cigars – Respect

A few weeks back we received an email from AKA Cigars asking if we would be interested in reviewing their product. We were happy to give the cigars a try and a short time later, samples arrived at my doorstep.

While I waited for cigars to arrive, I headed over to the AKA Cigars Website to do a little reading. Up until that point I really didn’t know much about the brand. What I learned from the AKA Cigars website …

La Sirena Prince (first impressions)

I know what you’re probably thinking right now: “What gives? Another ‘first impressions’ video? Where are my full-length reviews?” I’m sorry! I mean, it’s not like I’m busy, what with the new job, new house, pregnant wife, and everything else. I know I’ve been slacking, but there are only 24 hours in a day. So please bear with me, and don’t everyone throw your computer mice at my head all at once!

The first thing you notice about La Sirena…

Ortega Cigars Serie D No. 10

A couple of months back there was quite the buzz about Eddie Ortega separating himself from Rocky Patel. Not long after I learned that news, I learned that Eddie Ortega was striking out on his own with a line of cigars. I’ve known Eddie for a few years now and he is always a pleasure to talk to. Because of this friendship, and that he has a good reputation among the cigar community for his previous cigars, I was eager …

Dona Flor Alonso Menendez Series (Guest Review)

If memory serves me correctly, January 2008 was Ed and my first review here at Stogie Review. We reviewed the Dona Flor back then, and now we are re-visiting the brand and another blend. Dona Flor was in limbo for awhile as two companies disputed who had rights to the brand. Now that the issue has been ruled upon in court, an owner has been chosen and they are back in the market.

I used to smoke the Dona Flor …

An Afternoon with Pete Johnson (Part Four)

Part Four, the final chapter. Lots of great discussion here about tasting cigars off the bench and envisioning how they will taste as they age, too many 90 plus ratings? Joya de Nicaragua in the 1970′s, more advice for bloggers and the benefits for manufacturers. Cigar technology, dying of cigars, consumer education, sorting tobacco, seed variety, the decline of Cuban cigars, aging cigars and props to Rolando Reyes Sr. and Dion Giolito.

I hope you all have enjoyed the interview. …

An Afternoon with Pete Johnson (Part Three)

This is Part Three focusing on questions from the audience. Is Pete still having fun? Times of crisis? Experience working with The Garcia Family. Second guessing blends, more info on Little Monsters, and blogger’s responsibility in the industry? Note to self, gotta invest in a third microphone for audience use.

Same format as an An Evening with Benji Menendez and An Afternoon with Ernesto Perez Carrillo. This weekend Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars was in Washington DC and Bethesda …

An Afternoon with Pete Johnson (Part Two)

This is Part Two of Four and has a lot of great content. The story of La Verite, the “romance” in the cigar business, a Tatuaje farm, who is to blame for current pricing, could the cigar industry self regulate itself, the golden age of cigars and an explanation on fermentation.

Same format as an An Evening with Benji Menendez and An Afternoon with Ernesto Perez Carrillo. This weekend Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars was in Washington DC and …

An Afternoon with Pete Johnson (Part One)

Same format as an An Evening with Benji Menendez and An Afternoon with Ernesto Perez Carrillo. This weekend Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars was in Washington DC and Bethesda MD celebrating the start of W.Curtis Draper 125th Anniversary year with the release of the Cabaiguan WCD 120 Redux. Towards the end of the afternoon, Pete and George Brightman (W.Curtis Draper-Bethesda) sat down and talked about Tatuaje Cigars and the cigar industry in general.

The discussion between Pete and …

23 Minutes with Pete Johnson

It’s pretty interesting to note that this celebrates five years of the 20 Minutes with Pete Johnson series of videos here on Stogie Review. So first I want to thank Pete for always being giving with his time. Secondly I want to thank W.Curtis Draper for giving me a home to record for the past five years. This series of videos has turned into a tradition that I hope continues for many more years to come.

In this interview Pete …

Camacho SLR (Humidor Diving)

In a past Humidor Diving video, I spent a bit of time digging around in an old cooler searching for a Camacho Negro that I purchased a few years back. In my search, I came across an old Camacho SLR. I set that cigar aside and planned to feature it sometime later. That time has come.

I don’t know precisely how old the Camacho SLR is but there are a couple of points of reference. As you can see …