Cutting my Cigar??

Dear Diary,

Why would you do that sir?!?

So,  I go to this cigar store that I often frequent.  It's a big store with a knowledgable proprietor. 

I go into the humidor, pick out a fine cigar and step up to the register.  He takes my Cigar and peels off the pricetag from the band.  This I like,  it's something I would do before lighting. I pay him and then I hear him clip my cigar.  Whoa...... wtf?!?!  I didn't say anything and left the store a little annoyed.  You see,  I just walked 4 miles smoking a cigar on the way there.  So I had no intention of smoking another.

Anyway,  I went home thinking whatever,  I'll smoke it tomorrow.  Laying in bed that night, trying to sleep,  I started to really think about this issue.  Why would you clip my cigar?  How do you know when I'm going to smoke it?  How do you know what type of cut i like? Straight cut, angle cut, punch cut, V cut? How much to cut? What if I wanted to save it for a few years. MAYBE IT WAS A GIFT FOR SOMEONE ELSE!!

You see,  I bought a torpedo and usually cut it on an angle to direct the smoke to my palate. I don't know if this really works, but it's part of the art of smoking.  To cut your own cigar.  Especially at New York City prices.  This store owner cut it almost below the cap, straight across.  The cigar has way too much draw now.  I usually cut a small amount try it,  then cut a little more if needed.

All he had to do was ask,  not assume I want my cigar cut.

So for all you cigar store proprietor's,  ask before you cut please.

Regards,
Shibumicigar

Origen Originals by J. Fuego

Dear Diary,

Size : 5 x 44

Wrapper : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua

MSRP: 5 pk for $12.00

I received a sample of this odd shaped cigar from the J. Fuego Booth at the IPCPR last August. I smoked that one months ago and have been seeking and smoking these cigars since. I absolutely love them!

According to the info on this cigar, this shape was rolled to sample the blends. First thing you'll notice is, no cutter is needed. Both ends are open, but be carefull because there is a right and wrong end. Second is the immediate bold flavor. I've actually had to sit down after smoking one of these, so not a good idea on an empty stomach. What I really love about this cigar is the taste. Its a Smokey, peat-like taste. Maybe a slightly burnt wood? I also get some mocha notes. It has a nice finish, but can also be a little harsh towards the end. It is a small diameter cigar after all. Smoke easy is my suggestion and despite the size, these can take me up to 45 minutes to smoke.
Regards,
ShibumiCigar

My Pipes

Just a few.....







Wessex Rusticated Poker. My favorite briar as of now.







Karl Erik IIS Freehand






Marxman 1950's Hand Carved Alligator







Graco Sandblast







Zenith Porcelain Tobacconist's Gift Pipe





Savinelli Lolo (nosewarmer) Sandblast





Lucienne Bent Poker Semi-Rusticated





SD Poker (nosewarmer)





CAO Meerchaum Carved Head




Vintage Medicine Cabinet. Now my Tobacco Cabinet.

I'll add more later......


- Posted by Jeff Kreisberg

The Football Cigar

Size: Figurado

Filler: A blend of 4 different tobaccos out of Dominicano de Olor and Piloto Cubano from the Cibao Valley, Dominican Republic, and Esteli, Nicaragua

Binder: de Olor, Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Arapiraca / Brazil and Connecticut Shade / USA
Dear Diary,

I met Gunnar Heilmann, the inventor/maker of this cigar at the IPCPR 2010. He saw me posting on facebook and asked me to stop by his booth. So I did. Who I met was an energetic guy with tons of enthusiasm. He handed me one of his last samples of the 'darker' version, of The Football Cigar. He asked me to try it and review it, no matter what I thought of it. What he's told me is that he's trying to perfect it. So whether bad or good, he wants to know what can be improved. I liked that!

In honor of his birthday this Oct 2010, I decided to smoke the sample he gave me.

Pre-light - It was an extremely windy evening, about 65°. After a big pot roast dinner at my friends house. I sat in his workvan, out of the wind to smoke this cool looking cigar. I clipped a little off both ends with my Palio and picked an end to light. I guess it doesn't matter which way you smoke it.

The 1st 1/4 of The Football Cigar was very mild. I thought I was going to be dissappointed. It had a fresh cut grass note. Not heavy due to the mildness. The draw was very good for such an odd shape. An even burn so far.

The 2nd 1/2 - Got a lot better. As this cigar progressed it got bolder. Lots of smoke and a woody-mineral type finish. Still a nice even burn. I was really enjoying the amount of smoke in the draw. I also felt myself holding the cigar on the laces as if to throw the bomb.

The 3rd 1/4 - The football started to feel like a regular cigar in hand and mouth. Still a nice amount of smoke. The burn was slightly uneven, but i'll chalk it up to excessive wind blowing through the van. The flavor was very consistant. My friend told me it looked like a cigar you'd see in a cartoon. All in all I enjoyed smoking this cigar. It was fun. If I was at a party i would love to smoke one. Thus is a must for bachelor parties or sports event. Thanks Gunnar, keep up the good work.




Regards,
ShibumiCigar

- Posted by Jeff Kreisberg

7-20-4 Torpedo

Dear Diary,



Size: 6 1/8 x 52
Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Costa Rica
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras, Mexico, Columbia

Pre-light- A slant cut with my Palio. Late afternoon, 70°, right before sunset. This wrapper smells of cocoa and it's dark and toothy. The foot smells like cedar and has a nice easy draw. Consistant in color and no taste left on the lips.

First 1/4, right off the light, this cigar has a nice taste. The finish reminds me of a fresh rolled cigar. An even burn with a nice amount of smoke. Medium to full bodied. Light grey ash.

1/2 way in, it starts to smooth out drastically. Medium body, great nutty taste. It has a slight cedar note to the finish.

Last 1/4 this cigar surprised me and turned into a spicy bomb. It did go out and I relit it, but it just became very spicy on the tongue.

All in all this was a nice cigar. Medium to full bodied. I had the pleasure of meeting the Kendall's at the IPCPR and they were a very nice and down to earth couple. Exactly what I like to see in a cigar manufacturer. While we talked with Kurt's wife, Mame, I smoked the 'Dog Walker'. A petit corona. It took a good 45 minutes (good long walk for the dog) to smoke. Also a very good cigar. I think we'll be seeing a lot of good cigars in the future from the 7-20-4 factory.

Regards,
ShibumiCigar


- Posted by Jeff Kreisberg

Punch Upper Cut Robusto

Dear Diary,

Size: 5.2 x 50

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Ometepe Nicaraguan

MSRP: $6.50

Body: Medium to Full

Pre-light, it was about 65° and breezy, the day after hurricane Earl, 10pm. A V-cut gives me a fair draw. This cigar smelled of leather and hay. Well made with one noticable vein.

First light gave me tons of smoke with a fresh rolled cigar taste. It has an even burn with a medium grey ash.

1/4 into the cigar, it took on more floral notes, almost like the original Rocky Patel Edges I use to love. It's still holding a perfect burn with lots of smoke.

1/2 way down it really started to taste good. More of a nutty taste with the slight floral in the finish.

I really smoked this to the nub. It was a good medium body cigar. I just hope they're all this good.

Regards,
ShibumiCigar

- Posted by Me

Erez Cigars Double Corona Maduro

Dear Diary,

Size: 58 x 6
Wrapper: Bahia
Binder: Criollo 98
Filler: Cubano San Vicente, Olor Dominicano and Criollo 98.

Pre-light, straight cut 85° sunset. This cigar has a dark brown, rough and toothy wrapper with a light fermented scent to it. It's flavor profile is different than what i'm used to, but still very tasty. The first thing that hit me was the bread like note. I don't think I've ever tasted that in a cigar, but I thought it worked well.

About 1/2 through, the cigar changed to a full nutty flavor with a mineral-like finish that left a great taste in my mouth. Overall, It's a good after lunch/dinner cigar, medium body. A good 1st cigar if you're going to smoke more than one.

I met Yaniv Erez at the IPCPR and I have to say he is very enthusiastic about his cigars. He has a good cigar. I'm a fan.

Regards,
ShibumiCigar

- Posted by ShibumiCigar