The Cigar
AJ Fernandez Man of War Virtue 6 x 50.
A medium bodied cigar with an Ecuadorian Connecticut shade wrapper. Binder and Filler are Nicaraguan. This features notes of oak, cream, nuts and a toasty-but-buttery finish. Subtle hints of white pepper and sweetness. MSRP $8
This is a Mild cigar that was a nice even smoke throughout the stick. The wrapper a light tan color with a slight green tint to it. Something you don’t see that often. While it has a somewhat heavy smoke, this is a mild cigar that has no transitions in flavor.
The Liquor
Johnnie Black Triple Cask – Limited Edition
Only available in Dufry global travel retail stores. This was in the duty-free shop in Belize. Tree cask finish are used bourbon, refill scotch, run. First time I’ve ever heard of a used scotch whiskey barrel being described as a finishing barrel. Nose is sweet and lightly ready. It’s heavy with notes of overripe fruit and a touch of smoke. Tastes of apple and baked pears. Finish of coconut and pineapple with hints of baking spice evident. MSRP $50.
The More
Leaf Cuttings
The process of harvesting the leaves in stages is called priming. Primings refer to any of the leaves on the tobacco plant. Most tobacco plants can have up to eight primings. The most common types of tobacco plants are Corojo and Criollo.
Corojo primings from top to bottom are called: Corona, Semi Corona, Centro Gordo, Centro Fino, Centro Ligero, Uno Y Medio, Libra De Pie
Criollo priming are from top to bottom are called: Corona, Ligero, Viso, Seco, Volado
Generally there is a variety of leaves from different levels of the stem are used to produce a cigar that burns well, can be made with a solid construction, and contains a combination of flavors and strengths.
Color does not denote strength. Color of the wrapper does not really tell you what the strength or flavor the cigar will be. The difference in strength comes from which primings where used from which field and country.
Harvesting of the tobacco leaves are generally done in two ways. Cutting the entire stalk or cutting specific leaves. Generally most Premium Cigar manufacturers use the second method. With this method, there will be multiple primings of any specific plant.
The next step is curing process. There are basically three means of curing. Air-Cured, Flue-Cured, and Sun-Cured.
Air cured is done by hanging the tobacco in barn which are well ventilated. The leaves dry in the air for about four to eight weeks. These leaves typically have a lower sugar content that can mean a light, smooth and semi-sweet flavor to the smoke.
Flue cured is done by stringing the leaves together and placing them on sticks. These are then hung in tiers in curing barn. All flue cured barns will have flues which run from a fire box outside the barn to inside the barn. This heat-cures the tobacco, but does not expose the tobacco to the smoke of the fire.
Sun cured leaves mostly come mostly from countries that produce oriental leaves. The tobacco is set in the sun uncovered and is dried out naturally. Most of these types are used in cigarettes.
Once the curing process is complete, then starts the fermenting or sweating process. This can be done either by stacking of leaves or in a kiln. The stacking fermentation method is used by large growers. Stacks of tobacco are wrapped together, placed in burlap and allowed to “sweat”. The temperature is closely monitored. When the internal temp reaches 140 degrees, the stack is broken down and restocked. This process is repeated until the internal temp will no longer reach 110 degrees. Kiln fermenting is done by mostly lower level producers. It is a small insulated container with an artificial heat source and humidity controls.
Cigar Rights of America (CRA) and the FDA
CRA email sent out to members about CNBC article talking the Premium Cigar industry getting a bit of a break from the FDA regulations. While they are not talking about making an exception for the Premium Cigar industry, which we would all want, they are not talking about not enforcing the regulations for this market. This does not mean that the regulations will not be enforced at any time, just give a pass for now. In our opinion they are attaching regulations meant for machine level manufacturing to hand made products which abide more by the rules of mother nature rather than the rules of the FDA. You can read the CNBC article here:
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/06/premium-cigar-makers-could-catch-a-break-from-fda-as-wh-applies-pressure.html
Patreon
We have Patreon levels of $1 called the Tip Level. Just something to say you like what we are doing and you wanted to do something to help out. At the $5 Level, you get access to the After Shows as well as getting a CLM branded sticker and koozie.
Cassie Question:
Would you rather be on a beautiful Caribbean total vacation where insects are biting a lot. No disease, but bug spray won’t keep them off. Or same Caribbean island with bugs that don’t bite, but you have to work most of the time. Such as a full work week.
Next Episode:
Padron 3000 series and various Old Fashions. We are going to make four Old Fashioned with four different whiskey’s. Old Grandad 114, Makers Mark, Texas Crown, and 1792 small batch.
Talk to us:
Be sure to tell us when you think, what you would like us to rate/review or anything else that is on your mind. Once you do you will be automatically entered into the CLM Give Away. You can do so by posting on this episode, Instagram, Facebook, and/or Twitter
