State of the Humidor - Jan 3, 2014 

I have shamelessly let this cigar blog lapse since last August.  It's going to bite me in the butt, too, because I've smoked a lot of good cigars and now I can't remember what they were. 

Here's the 2014 State of the Humidor:

New cigars to try in 2014:

1. E.P. Carillos Predelictos
2. Pinar Del Rio Small Batch Black Corojo Torpedo

Last cigar of 2013:

• Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story, while watching a Bears-Packers game with my brothers-in-law

First cigar of 2014:

• El Credito from the LGC factory in Miami, while watching Fiesta Bowl at Steve Laster's house

New cigars I tried in 2013, that I would purchase again in the future:

• Padilla Reserva Maduro Toro
• EP Carillo Core Natural
• Joya de Nicragua Antano 1970
• Dunhill Aged
• Cusano Habano LXI Sun Grown
• Pinar Del Rio Habano Sun Grown
• Casa de Fernandez Miami Toro
• Beale Street Maduro
• "My Uzi Weighs A Ton" Bait Fish
• Gran Habano Corojo Vintage 2002 (although I prefer the "non-vintage" version)
• Maria Guerrero Robusto
• Alec Bradley MAXX Brazil
• Cupido Criollo (but not the perfecto, due to persistent construction issues)
• Nat Sherman Timeless Collection #556

New cigars I tried in 2013, that I would not purchase again:  

• La Traviata by CAO
• Zino Platinum
• Gurkha Ghost
• Rocky Patel Private Cellar
• Dona Flor Robusto
• CAO Concert Churchill
• CLE Corojo

I'm running 3 humidors, and here is an approximate listing of their contents from memory:

• 5 Vegas Limitada 2011 Belicoso
• La Perla Habana Morado Toro
• La Habana Rojo Toro
• Famous Nicaraguan 3000 Torpedo
• 5 Vegas High Primings Double Corona
• 5 Vegas Miami Churchill
• Pinar del Rio (sampler of various blends)
• Oliveros Sun Grown Churchill
• Pinar Del Rio Small Batch Black Corojo Torpedo
• Legends Series - Camacho
• La Perla Habana Morado Belicoso
• Man O War seconds
• Pinar del Rio Sun Grown Dbl Corona (half box)
• E.P. Carillos Predelictos (5)
• Excalibur Legend Challengers (2)
• Padilla Achilles Toro (2)
• 5 Vegas Cask Strength Toro (single)
• Perdomo Patriarch Corojo (single)
• Perdomo Grand Cru Corojo (single)
• Perdomo 2 Limited Edition (single)
• Perdomo Lot 23 (single)

This doesn't count the Lost Sticks Cemetary, the top tray of my large humidor. I save the last cigar from each box and put it in this tray for long-term aging, just to see how some sticks will hold up for 3-5 years.

"My Uzi Weighs A Ton" Bait Fish
Size: 4.0 x 44
Wrapper: San Andreas Negro (from Drew Estate)
Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade (from Drew Estate)
Filler: Brazilian Mata Fina (Drew Estate), Nicaraguan (from Joya de Nicaragua)
Price: $6

Steve Laster gave me one of these cigars from a Drew Estate event at Tinder Box.  I know little of Drew Estate's offerings beyond The Egg and their various assortments of flavored cigars.  I had never heard of MUWAT, nor even the "Subculture Studios" mini-brand extension, but this has apparently become a hot commodity this year.

I smoked the cigar while grilling chicken, burgers, salmon, and corn on the cob.  A very rich, spicy cigar with pronounced earthy Nicaraguan tobacco. A great kick like a Don Pepin: short but potent.  The burn was impeccable, with a pronounced heavy aftertaste.  The small size only lended itself to a 15-minute smoke. 

Recommend pairing with a high-end sourmash bourbon such as Belle Meade. Drew Estate produces these in conjunction with Joya de Nicragua.  Worth another try in a larger vitola.

Natural Egg by Drew Estate
Size 6" by 42/70/42
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Perfecto (sort of... see picture)
Price: $10

Shaun brought me an "Egg" to smoke while tailgating at the 2006 Liberty Bowl in Memphis (South Carolina vs Houston). It was consumed immediately following an excellent meal of shish kabobs, venison tenderloin, and Kirin beer, all grilled in the parking lot under the stadium.

I cannot adequately describe this cigar without a picture, so I found this on the Drew Estate website:

My Egg had a slightly harsh taste to it, although I couldn't tell if it was due to low quality tobacco or if it was just too "wet" when I smoked it. Regardless, the novelty of this cigar is not so much in its taste, but in the looks we kept getting from other people as they passed by. It took no small amount of skill to keep it evenly lit as it progressed from a cool, weak draw at one end; then to an overpowering smoke machine at the bulb's thickest point; and finally back into a small hot firecracker at the near end of the bulb. Shaun had to attempt multiple re-lights on his Egg, but I was able to get through mine with just one small touch-up.

I have read some reviews of this cigar on the internet that panned it vehemently for its quality, taste, construction, etc. But, c'mon folks, that's like criticizing a James Bond movie for being unrealistic... some things just need to be accepted for what they are. & this cigar succeeds at what it wants to do: it causes people to stare and ask "What the heck are you smoking?"