Monday, September 24, 2007

The Smoking Lounge Review: Vegas Robaina Famosos

While not TECHNICALLY a Cuban Robusto, the Hermoso No. 4 is VERY close in size, so I decided to include this in my ongoing review series of "Cuban Robustos": Size: 5" (127 mm)
Gauge:50
Weight: 10.86 grams

Box Code: AML SEP 06

Vitola: Hermoso No. 4

Country of Origin: Cuba

Tobacco Procedence: Vuelta Abajo

Factory: H. Upmann

Info: Don Alejandro Robaina is renowned by cigar aficionados everywhere as one of the best tobacco farmers in the famed Vuelta Abajo of Cuba. Each year, 80% of Don Alejandro's tobacco harvest is deemed fit for use as wrapper leaf for Cuban cigars (compared to only around 35% for other plantations). In 1997, Habanos SA honored him by launching a new line of cigars bearing the name of his famous farmland. This line was officially launched in Spain, in the spring of 1997, and was made available to the world market in the fall. Vegas Robaina cigars, made in Havana at the former H. Upmann Factory, have quickly become popular among cigar aficionados.

Don Alejandro has, himself, become a celebrity in the world of Cuban cigars, with many aficionados and tourists in Cuba flocking to his farm in the San Luis region of the Vuelta Abajo to meet the man himself and see his tobacco vegas.

Appearance:
This is one pretty looking cigar. Fairly firm for a Cuban cigar, but not too much so, construction seems to be a plus. Graced with a smooth milk-chocolate wrapper, delicious looking with nary a vein to be seen, this is one of the prettiest looking habanos I have seen to date.

Pre-Light: Clip was easy and a non issue. It was more like peeling the triple cap off than clipping anyway. There-light draw had a bit of resistance but was not difficult by any means. Notes from pre light were dry and earthy and /or woody.

Burn/Draw: This might have been the best burning Cuban cigar I have ever had! Almost all of the Habanos I have smoked needed a touch up at some point (no matter how minor) but this one was the first true light and forget. The burn was long and slow and cool, it took about an hour to smoke this cigar. The draw was in the middle of the scale, not loose, nor tight, and I think that helped the nice cool burn. The ash was firm and mottled, and held for about two inches.
Flavors: This is one very tasty cigar. It starts with a birth of rich, organic earthiness. Then it settles in to a plethora of nice dry notes. That is the aspect that intrigued me the most about this cigar. There is no real discernible sweet note in this cigar. There are plenty of fabulous dry notes, that nice earthy base note, and on top of that there were several different burning wood smells and tastes. this cigar is staunchly medium strength and medium bodied, which I think fits the profile of the stogie quite well. The flavor was pretty consistent the whole way down the length of the cigar, with not much in the way of change or development. On the whole I would say that this is a good Cuban cigar to have at a herf, where you want something much better than average, but consistant that does not necessarily demand your attention to examine its nuances (because you know what you are going to get here). This would make a good staple Cuban cigar, and you should try it if you get the chance. Recommended.


TomC

Jim Beam Outpost in Clermont, KY.

On the way down to Mammoth Cave on the first day of our vacation, we stopped in Clermont, KY for a quick trip to the Jim Beam American Outpost. Unfortunately it was a bit of a disappointment, as there really was not much there to look at other than a glorified gift shop. On top of that, we aren't much of a fan of their whiskey to begin with. Alas (being the almost Anti-Maker's Mark) their visitor setup did little to change that.TomC

Sancho Panza Double Maduro Quixote (TAKE TWO!)

Alas the first time I tried to review this cigar I was thwarted by an unfortunate situation. No such issue this time so at last, here it is!4.5" X 50

Appearance: This is one pretty looking box pressed little gem. Firm and evenly packed and wrapped in an oily french roast colored wrapper, this cigar just begs you to smoke it.

Pre-Light: Clip was simple and not an issue. Pre-Light draw was just perfect and produced rich notes, coffee and dark chocolate, and a nice burned wood quality.


Burn/Draw: This is the hallmark of the great construction that runs through this entire brand. As you can clearly see above, the burn on this cigar was fantastic. Straight and consistent all the way down. The draw was equally as fabulous. Just the perfect combination of loose vs firm, and it produced volumes of round full bodied white smoke. The ash was firm and rather bright white and held for as long as I wanted it to. It also provided a great contrast against the dark wrapper.


Flavors: This is one heck of a good cigar, and at a very reasonable price too. It is medium bodied, and has loads of rich round flavors. It starts off, though, with a burst of pepper, but soon mellows out. The coffee and coca notes from the pre light are there, as well as a nice woody note, lite burning wood off in the distance. There is a little earthiness and an bit of a rawhide tang ( anybody ever chewed on their baseball glove like I did when I was little? That's what I mean.) as a nice counterpoint. On the whole I cannot recommend this cigar enough. It is a staple of my humidor and bet it is in many others. For the price, it is hard to beat these guys, on quality, construction, AND flavor. RECOMMENDED!

TomC

Craig Biggio

Craig Biggio will be retiring at the end of the season. This is sad, Biggio was one of my favorite non Sox players, and always played the game hard, and with class. He's the kind of guy its easy to root for, and the kind of guy everyone wants on their team. Good luck to him in whatever he plans to do in the future.
Craig Alan Biggio (born December 14, 1965 in Smithtown, New York) is a seven-time All-Star Major League baseball player who has played his entire career with the Houston Astros. On July 24, 2007, Biggio officially announced that he will retire at the end of the 2007 season.

# Hit his 3000th hit on June 28, 2007 at 9:14 PM, to a sold out crowd at Minute Maid Park.

# Led the majors in runs scored in 1995 and 1997 and in doubles in 1998 and 1999.

# In 1997, became the first player in baseball history not to hit into a single double play while playing an entire 162 game season. Two players, Augie Galan (1935) and Dick McAuliffe (1968), had previously played an entire season with the same feat, but did not play in as many games in their respective seasons.

# In 1997, scored 146 runs, which is the most of any National League player since the Phillies' Chuck Klein scored 152 runs in 1932.

# Tops the Astros' career list in games played, at-bats, runs scored, hits, doubles and extra-base hits.

# Holds the record for most regular season games played before his first World Series appearance with 2,564.

# In 1998 became the second player to have 50 stolen bases and 50 doubles in the same season. The only other person to accomplish this is Tris Speaker.

# Holds the National League record for most lead-off home runs in a career with 53. He is 2nd in MLB behind Rickey Henderson (81).

# Is a 7-Time All Star.

# Hit a game-deciding grand slam on July 24, 2007, the same day he announced his retirement. It was also his 2nd grand slam of the year and the 4th of his career.

Over his career, Biggio has gained a reputation for being hit by pitches. Some have even gone so far as to proclaim him the "king of hit batsmen." On June 29, 2005, Biggio broke the modern-era career hit-by-pitch record, previously held by Don Baylor with 267. He is currently the active leader in this category, and trails only Hughie Jennings on the all-time list with 287. As of August 13, 2007, Biggio had 285 HBP, and needed 3 more to break the 103-year-old record. Despite being hit by a record number of pitches, Biggio has never charged the mound, and has had no serious injuries as a result of being hit

TomC

Loss To Hibs Cap Craptacular Week For The Bhoys.



Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Easter Road, Edinburgh

HIBERNIAN…3
(Fletcher 5, Gatheussi 41, Shiels 86)
CELTIC…2
(McGeady 26, Caldwell 66)

HIBERNIAN (4-4-2) Ma-Kalambay; Gatheussi, Hogg, Jones, Murphy; Kerr, Buezelin, Stevenson (Morais 30), McCann (Zemmama 74); Antoine-Curier, Fletcher (Shiels 20)

Subs not used: McNeil, O’Brien, Joneleit, Campbell

CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Doumbe, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor; Hartley, Donati (Riordan 89), S.Brown, McGeady; Vennegoor of Hesselink, McDonald (Killen 67)

Subs not used: Brown, O’Dea, O'Brien, Sno, Zurawski,

CELTIC lost their first SPL game of the season as Hibernian edged a dramatic five-goal thriller at Easter Road.

Steven Fletcher put Hibs ahead, before Aiden McGeady levelled with his first goal of the season. Thierry Gatheussi restored the home side’s advantage minutes before the break, but Gary Caldwell’s soaring header brought Celtic level.

However, with just four minutes remaining, Dean Shiels pounced from close range to win the match after Mickael Antoine-Curier’s shot had slipped out of Artur Boruc’s grasp.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan made two changes from the side that faced Shakhtar Donetsk in the midweek UEFA Champions League tie.

Shunsuke Nakamura was missing through injury and was replaced by McGeady, while Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe came in for Mark Wilson to make his first start of the season.

The ‘Battle of the Greens’ is always one of the most eagerly-awaited fixtures in the SPL calendar and, with both sides unbeaten in the league prior to this contest, the match took on extra significance.

Just a crappy week overall, especially for the goaltender Boruc. They really have to shape up quick, as there is a match with AC Milan looming in the not too distant future.

TomC