ASW Smokin’ News – Dec. 9th, 2015!

New from the gang at Alec Bradley comes the Post Embargo*, a highly-anticipated release featuring a wrapper of rich Honduran corojo, Honduran/Nicaraguan double-binder, and Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers…a hearty, peaty smoke that would nicely accompany a glass of bourbon or follow a tasty supper. If you glimpsed or sampled an early post-trade-show version of the Post Embargo, you may be startled at the transformation between the original band and the newly revised version currently available; AB honcho Alan Rubin recently gave the line a makeover involving beautiful, classic-styled artwork.

We’ve got three sizes in stock, in limited quantity: Robusto (5″ x 52), Toro (6¼” x 54), and Gordo, (6″ x 60). Get them while you can, because these are already becoming very popular!

* And no, the embargo is NOT over yet.

Every year, the same dreaded quandary arises: What to buy for the cigar- or pipe-lover on your holiday shopping list? Just one special gift, you’re thinking… one that will really make an impression. Look no further! Below are a few suggestions that will satisfy even the most jaded connoisseur!

Try putting a top-notch cigar or two into their stocking! Starting at the left…

Or, perhaps a sampler pack offering an array of cigars? We have several, such as El Catador de las Petite Coronas from RoMa Craft (top left), the Oliva Variety Sampler (top center), the Alec Bradley Tubo Sampler (top right, which includes a free lighter and a leather case for same!), the aforementioned CFCF Charity Two-Pack (bottom left), or a three-pack of Arturo Fuente Opus X(bottom right)! Any and all are sure to satisfy a cigar-lover’s palate for days!

How about a nice ashtray, a travel humidor, or a lighter/cutter combo fromXikar? We have several on hand to choose from, and all of Xikar’s wares are backed by a lifetime guarantee!

Or perhaps a beautiful new pipe, some fine tobacco…or even a pipe starter kitwhich contains everything the novice pipe smoker needs to get started?

When in doubt, you can always load up a gift certificate in any denomination!

As promised, this week I’m discussing the lighter, milder cousin of Capstan Blue (or Navy Cut):Capstan Gold Flake, a no-frills Virginia flake by Mac Baren that is cased ever-so-gently, so as not to diminish the flavor of the carefully selected bright Virginia leaf.

“Mild” is the best adjective to describe this flake tobacco in terms of taste, body, and room note. When the tin is unsealed, I’m treated to some light, grassy hay notes, as well as what many reviewers describe as citrus; for me it’s like lemon peel. The flake is beautifully presented in the tin and rubs out easily, perfectly for those who prefer that method.

The moisture content of this tobacco, even fresh out of the tin, is exceptional; smokers who like to use the “fold and stuff” method won’t be disappointed. Smoking Capstan Gold in a smaller group-2 size bowl provided me with plenty of pleasant Virginia sweetness. It’s not complex, and it doesn’t require the smoker’s undivided attention to enjoy. Plain and simple, it’s an everyday smoking mixture, which is why the Capstan moniker has stood the test of time.

Today’s Capstan is not your grandfathers recipe, so trying to compare it to the Capstan of 1960 wouldn’t be neither fair nor impartial. What is important to know is that today’s Capstan Gold is a high-quality Virginia that can easily share the spotlight with Dunhill Flake and Orlik’s Golden Slices.

I’m dishing out 4 of 5 pipes this week for this old favorite. Puff On!

P.S. ASW has plenty of pipe-related holiday gifts in stock! Pipes, tampers, pipe leather goods, tobacco pouches, and of course tobacco. If you can’t decide what to get that discriminating pipe-lover in your life, remember…we have Gift Certificates that’ll allow them to select exactly what they like!