Habanasmoke.com Podcast

In the Cigar Ministry Lounge I review the Oliveros International. As much as I wanted to like this cigar, it left me completely flat and bored. Being made entirely of Dominican filler, binder, and wrapper, (Puros), one would expect a mellow smoke. If there was ever a rating below "mild" this cigar would surely fall into that category. On the plus sides this cigar did show great construction a nice even burn with a good draw and lots of blue smoke. In the news...A message from Christian Eiroa alerting all to get 'em while you can! The triple maduros are limited to a number of 300,000 cigars this year! In the email segment is a offering of Cigar 411 answering the question, What determins a cigar's characteristics? As a side note, Episode #8 will come out the week after next as I am taking the family camping in the mountains of Western Mass.

The Drew Estate episode features an interview of Marvin Samel co-founder of Drew Estate when I caught up to him at the Cigars International Cigarfest. Also I review the newest baby from Drew Estate...Chateau Real. A surprisingly complex, modestly prised, medium body smoke that is certain to become a staple in many humidors. In the news...Zippo tries to make up for lost time and introduces the Zippo "BLU". It is a butane torch lighter now available in Europe and Asia and will be in the USA later this year.

Saint Luis Rey review. In the news culled from cigarcyclopedia.com brings a wrap up from the Tobacco Plus Expo in Las Vagas with a movie theme. National Honey Almond of PA introduces "The Good, Bad & Ugly" cigar made in Nicaragua made in several styles and blends. A series of flavored cigars bearing the picture of Al Pacino known as Scarface. Rhode Island based real-estate developer turned cigar maker Gene Arganese sets himself up in Tamboril, D.R. offers a line of very fine, handmade cigars in several sizes and blends made to exacting specifications that retail between $5.50 and $7 a piece. Abby Cigar Products make an acrylic cigar and pipe holder that retail for $1 a piece in several colors that can also double as a ash tray if need be. Orleans Group Int'l produce a fine Tonino Lamborghini humidor called the "Pit Stop". In the Cigar Ministry Lounge we review the Sait Luis Rey Reserva Especiale which didnt leave a favorable impression following on two of the three cigars tested to have severe contruction flaws leaving a very frustrating try of smoking. The latest winner of the Tribal Torch Lighter is Vik Evans of AZ.