Yup. One of the greatest — if not the greatest — hitting catcher of all time. 427 home runs. 1,300+ runs batted in. A .308 lifetime hitter.
He’s a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer.
Author: danielhonigman
This is difficult to watch, but important nonetheless
(WARNING: This video is quite graphic, especially at 1:01 of the clip. Consider yourself forewarned.)
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It looks like Chicago 2016 is going for a new look.
According to Chicago Tribune reporter Kathy Bergen, the committee recently hired Ogilvy Chicago to take over its presence on the Web.
Chicago 2016 spokesman Patrick Sandusky said the Ogilvy is charged to “build a more dynamic and interactive Web site that will better showcase our bid and our city to an international audience.”
Now, the page isn’t the worst I’ve seen, but perhaps it’s a bit too bloggy. However, it would be nice if press releases were posted on time. Perhaps this will change.
(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)
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Brand: Tabacos de la Cordillera
Line: Fundacion Ancestral Pinar del Rio 1941
Vitola: Torpedo 6 x 52
Origin: Costa Rica
Wrapper: Costa Rican
Binder: Costa Rican
Filler: Costa Rican
Body: Medium-to-full
Strength: Medium-to-full
Box Price: $296.25 (Box of 25)
Tabacos de la Cordillera is an interesting, little-known company. (At least, it was to me before I received these sticks in the mail from Josh at Arango Cigar Co.) TC director John Vogel is a former genetics engineer who prides himself on having cultivated crop after crop of fine tobacco, descended from some pre-embargo Cuban stuff.
Most cigar fans have heard the whole “pre-embargo seed” thing before. I know that when I first checked out the TC site, I scoffed. But when I really started read his story, I got a sense of the knowledge and love Vogel has for tobacco.
He’s a scientist by trade, but he’s passionate about his craft, and it shows with the Pinar del Rio 1941, a zesty, Cuban-tasting cigar that has a spicy, earthy prelight scent. With its double band and thin oily sheen, it’s an attractive cigar.
The Pinar del Rio 1941 has a spicy, earthy prelight scent. With its double band and thin oily sheen, it’s an attractive cigar.
Once I lit up, I found this was a consistent, good smoke. It continued its spiciness, but I found it had a nutty aftertaste with hints of cocoa. It had a slow, even burn throughout with a thin burn line. The draw did get a little tougher at the end, however, but I was still able to suck out all of the taste.
Verdict: It’s a good, rare cigar. If you can get your hands on one of these, go for it. In case your local retailer doesn’t carry it, you can buy it through the TC Web site. I let this one sit for a couple of months in my humidor, and I really got the taste to “pop.”
I also recommend you check out the site. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a cigar manufacturer’s Web site with this much information.
Similar cigars: La Flor Dominicana Ligero. These are both consistently spicy cigars, but they’re not overpowering.
(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)
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Brand: Black Cat Cigar Company
Line: Rey Miguel
Vitola: Toro 6 x 50
Origin: United States
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Body: Medium
Strength: Medium
Box Price: $164.95 (Box of 25)
I’ve been reviewing some local and boutique stores lately. The Bobalu Cigar Co. is one. Nat Sherman is another. I’ll be coming back to those later. The Philadelphia-based Black Cat Cigar Company is next on my list.
I was drawn to Black Cat by its all-star line of house blends, made by some of the cigar industry’s finest, including Nestor Plasencia, Henke Kelner, and the Eiroas. The Rey Miguel line, an exclusive made by “Don” Pepin Garcia, is one of the finer house brands I’ve had. Ever. (Thanks to Sam from Black Cat for getting these out to me.)
The Rey Miguel has a good pre-light draw, and once you light it, it should continue to have a superb draw and a good, even burn. This cigar produces plenty of flavor, a Pepin trademark, and it’s a hearty smoke. It starts out with a boom, smacking you with a lot of black pepper, but it smooths out about halfway, giving you an earthy taste with hints of peanuts.
My one beef with this cigar — and it’s not a beef, really — is that the ash was a bit delicate for my taste. It split more than once, but I was still able to get a good burn out of the Rey Miguel.
Verdict: The Rey Miguel is a superb cigar. It’s tasty, has that Pepin “zing,” burns well and is reasonably priced — at least a buck or two less than most Don Pepins. I know that when I finally make it to Philadelphia, I’ll be swinging by Black Cat to pick up a few of these. (Who really cares about ash anyway?)
Similar cigars: Of course, the Don Pepin Garcia Blue Label Generoso.
ADDENDUM – Due to Pepin Garcia’s workload, word is he’ll no longer be making this cigar for Black Cat. Get ’em while they’re still there!
Met this guy yesterday at a champagne tasting at The Artisan Cellar wine shop at the Merchandise Mart. I got a bottle of the Andre Clouet Grand Cru Bouzy Silver for $40. Great bubbly, if you haven’t tried it yet. (It retails for $70 or so.) Only bad thing: It’s hard to find.
As Clouet and I spoke, the passion he has for his work became quite clear.
Enjoy the video!
(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)
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Brand: El Mejor Cigars
Line: Emerald
Vitola: Toro 6 x 52
Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduran
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Body: Medium-to-full
Strength: Full-to-full
Box Price: $69.50 (Box of 20)
I’m relatively new to the cigar world, so I haven’t seen too many crazy-looking cigars. So when I got my hands on the El Mejor Emerald, I didn’t really know what to expect. The cigar’s foot has an old-style appearance, with loose filler and binder tobacco sticking out. Kind of cool, but it reminded me of a Backwoods, something I used to enjoy back in the day. I probably don’t have to tell you that the El Mejor Emerald tastes much better than a Backwoods cigar.
I do have to tell you, however, that it tastes better than many other cigars. (Good cigars, mind you.)
After you notice the EME’s shaggy foot, I recommend you give it a whiff; its smooth, aged Corojo wrapper makes it nice and spicy.
It has a good prelight draw, and when you light up, you’ll get a pleasant toasty taste and aroma. An inch in, the wrapper kicks in, and it gets peppery, with a slightly tangy aftertaste.
My one beef with the EME: It got hot at the end. But if you want to smoke it down to the nub — and you will — it’s a risk you’ll have to take.
Verdict: Complex, but not overbearing. An enjoyable cigar. And the price isn’t bad, either.
Similar cigars: The Don Pepin Cuban Classic.
You probably already know about this one. Starting today, taxi drivers are going to charge an extra buck to help them out with rising gas prices. Unfortunately for drivers, customers won’t be happy about the charge, and will probably tip less.
Thank goodness for public transportation. As much as Chicagoans complain about the CTA, at least we have a semi-decent bus and train system.
(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)
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Brand: Cuba Libre
Line: Cuba Libre
Vitola: Magnum (Robusto 5.5 x 55)
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Body: Medium-to-full
Strength: Medium-to-full
Box Price: $75 (Box of 20)
Famed tobacconist Nestor Plasencia must have received news of Fidel Castro stepping down before the rest of us.
Well, that’s probably a stretch, but the Cuba Libre is a fairly new offering from Plasencia, who left Cuba at a young age, and is being offered at a decent price pretty much all over the Web. (Thanks to Steve from Cigars International for getting this out to me.)
The box-pressed “Magnum,” or robusto, has a slightly oily wrapper that’s toothy — but extremely attractive — and is highlighted by the cigar’s red, white blue and gold band. It’s a good looking cigar.
It has an easy, slightly creamy prelight draw. Once I lit the sucker up, it peppered up a tad on me, but the spice was smoothed out by its nutty, almost earthy, sweet finish. (Gotta love that Corojo wrapper!) The Cuba Libre stayed this way through the end.
There were no burn, ash or draw issues here, as I smoked it down to the nub. (Through several of these, I’ve found they stay cool.)
Verdict: While it doesn’t pack the punch of the Punch Rare Corojo, it makes up for it with its smoothness. It’s not an overly complex smoke, but I have to say I enjoyed this one from start to finish. My question: What’ll happen when the other Castro steps down? Will Plasencia stop making these cigars? I hope not.
Similar cigars: Most medium-bodied Plasencias.
(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)
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Brand: Nat Sherman
Line: V.I.P. Selection
Vitola: Carnegie (Toro) 6 x 48
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Brazilian, Dominican
Body: Mild
Strength: Mild
Box Price: $134 (Box of 25)
Another day, another Nat Sherman. Oh well, things could be worse.
This time, it’s the Nat Sherman V.I.P. Selection. As you’d imagine, for a cigar with vitolas named after famous New Yorkers like Andrew Carnegie, Florenz Ziegfeld, Jacob Astor, Cornelius Vanderbilt and J.P. Morgan, it’s a luxurious smoke.
It’s an extremely light-colored, smooth cigar, not toothy at all, and has a good prelight draw. I found that once I started it, it was buttery and sweet, with an incredible burn and a creamy finish.
Verdict: I think I’ve found my new mild-bodied cigar. It is, by far the smoothest mild-bodied smoke of the Nat Sherman collection. Very enjoyable.
Similar cigars: I’d go so far as to compare it to the Davidoff Special Series cigars.