Weekly Email – June 24th, 2015

An outstanding new cigar from Nat Sherman – created as a tribute to the beloved company’s longevity (and in honor of the loyal customers without whom it would never have lasted so long) – the 85th Anniversary is an extremely limited release (2,500 boxes total). Crafted in conjunction with the Quesada family (and constructed at the Quesada factory in the Dominican Republic), it is a delicious combination of Nicaraguan binder and fillers, 50% of which are ligero (though carefully balanced with viso and seco so as not to be overpowering). Also, the fillers are rolled entubado* style, which ensures excellent airflow and serves to cool the ligero as it burns, preventing harshness. The wrapper is Dominican, from the Navarrete region in Santiago.

The cigar itself is a 6½” x 54 toro which arrives in a box of 10. (The Deco-styled box is very nice as well, patterned after the original Nat Sherman headquarters on Broadway.) As ASW is an ANST** we have a few of these on hand, so stop by and try this newest treat from our old friends on 42nd Street!

* Entubado (or entubar) style rolling means that each filler leaf is rolled into a thin tube; these tubes are then bundled together to form the fill. This difficult and time-consuming process permits a more uniform airflow, thus permitting flavors and aromas to travel more efficiently to the palate.

** Authorized Nat Sherman Tobacconist, nat-sher-ally.

Surely you’re familiar with Aging Room by Boutique Blends – their wonderfully mild Havao series wears the coveted “Mike’s Pick” label in our humidor, while the equally popular Quattro F55 series was celebrated as the #2 Cigar of 2013 by Cigar Aficionado (and this only because #1 was Cuban!), with a well-earned 95 rating. (If you haven’t yet tried either of these…you don’t know what you’re missing.)And of course you’re familiar with Romeo y Julieta by Altadis, particularly the extremely flavorful Romeo by Romeo series, itself the recipient of a 94 rating from the aforementioned publication, placing as #3 on Aficionado‘s 2012 list.

Now, these two great forces have combined: Altadis has enlisted Rafael Nodal, the mastermind behind Aging Room to blend a new cigar called Romeo by Romeo y Julieta Aging Room (a.k.a. Small Batch F25). Blended by Nodal himself and rolled at his Tabacalera la Palma in the Dominican Republic, this stellar new creation is a Dominican puro incorporating a variety of Cuban-seed tobaccos from two farms in the Cibao Valley region, Jacagua and La Canela.

A fine, fine blend it is, too, with notes of oak, coffee, vanilla, and cinnamon, not to mention the elusive hints of licorice and yeasty bread that surface from time to time. An absolutely phenomenal flavor profile that will leave you craving another…and another. Says Nodal of this historic collaboration, “…The Romeo Aging Room follows in the footsteps of Espada by Montecristo, which was made in Nicaragua for Altadis by Nestor Plasencia,” adding with his typical modesty: “I’m a lot smaller than the Plasencias.”

We carry all three sizes: Copla (5″ x 48); Cantaor (a 6″ x 52 belicoso); and Capriccio (6″ x 54). Come down and try one or all while we’ve got them! You’ll be astonished by their character and complexity.

In case you missed it: ASW is offering an exclusive chance to win a new Drew Estate pipe by Tsuge! Kazuhiro Fukuda (one of the world’s leading pipe crafters and president of Tsuge Pipes) has entered into an arrangement withDrew Estate to offer a new line of contemporary pipes featuring Tsuge’s distinctive styling. In conjunction with this arrangement, Drew has released eight new tobacco blends under the Tsuge imprimatur: The Four Seasons series (a blend for every season) and the new God Series (named after traditional Japanese deities). Any person who purchases a tin of Drew or Tsuge tobacco will be eligible to win a brand-new Tsuge pipe valued at $275! (This includes the eight Drew Estate Classics blends as well!)Samples are available of all the Drew tobaccos (including the God Series, which will be arriving for purchase shortly), so bring your pipe, try a bowl of something new, and earn a chance at winning a unique new pipe! The drawing will take place at the July 11th meeting of the Pittsburgh Pipe Club here at ASW, so get your ticket in soon!