Weekly Email – September 30th, 2015

Thursday, October 1st to meet Jesus Fuego, one of Mike’s all-time favorite blenders. Jesus* grew up on the El Corojo farm in the Vuelto Abajo region of Cuba, home of the original Corojo leaf. (Ask him to explain the difference between Corojo and Criollo.) Jesus’s experience as a blender comes from two sources: his father José Fuego, and the Plasencia family, his neighbors in Cuba. Having blended for many notable companies prior to forming his own, Jesus has probably forgotten more about tobacco than many “experts” ever learn. (He’s also an avid fisherman.)The Fuego family company was founded in 1876, primarily as a leaf-growing operation; nearly 120 years later, the Fuegos moved to Central America, and in 2006, Jesus formed Tabacos S.A. with the goal of producing cigars which would rival those of the companies which his family had long supplied.

J. Fuego’s cigars include Americana, Connoisseur, Origen, Sangre del Toro,777, Heat, and Teasers (as well as a few others). If you haven’t yet tried one of Jesus’s cigars (and chances are good that you have, even if his own name wasn’t on the band), you’re in for a real treat. Join us on Thursday for this event, which runs from 4:00 to 8:00 PM!

* And yes, it’s pronounced hey-SOOS, not JEEZ-us.

By now, you’re all familiar with the Aging Room brand by Rafael Nodal and his company, Boutique Blends…and if you’re not, now’s your chance to become acquainted with this outstanding series of cigars. One of the most highly regarded of Rafael’s cigars was the Quattro F55, a superb Dominican cigar with a wrapper of rare Ecuadorian Sumatra 2003 sourced from an obscure German manufacturer, a blend so delicious that it earned the No. 2 spot on Cigar Aficionado‘s Top 25 list for 2013 (considered No. 1 in the U.S., as Aficionado‘s top choice that year was a Cuban cigar).The latest addition to the series has arrived: The Quattro F59, an equally remarkable cigar featuring fillers, binder, and wrapper of strictly Dominican Habano, a rich, medium/full smoking experience unlike anything you may have tried before.

We currently have two sizes in stock, sizes which may be familiar from the F55 series: Concerto (7″ x 50) and Espressivo (5″ x 50). Try them both!

On a similar tack, Aging Room also presents La Bohème and La Bohème Encantador, two blends featuring varying combinations of Dominican Habano and wrappers of Ecuadorian Habano for a subtly different balance of flavor and potency. Both present a rich, peppery Dominican profile with hints of vanilla and citrus balanced by a pleasant, cedary tobacco base.We carry La Boheme in two sizes: Pittore (5⅛” x 52) and Poeta (5¾” x 54); Encantador is available in the Turin size (5″ x 46). Make a point of trying these fantastic new rarities as soon as you can!

Autumn is upon us, and the cooler temps stir the emotions of those of us who love the outdoors, for this is our favorite time of year. The hunting seasons are here, the best fishing of the season awaits those willing to brave the wetter weather. It’s time for aWilderness experience!

McClelland Tobacco got together with Dr. Fred Hanna many years ago (Fred is an avid pipe collector, writer, and aficionado) and urged him to formulate an opus blend that was to become everything he demands of his favorite tobaccos. Syrian and Cyprian Latakia, along with some Orientals, form the base mixture; this, combined with sweet Drama, Yenidje, and Red Virginias offer a mild yet seductive tin note with just the right amount of smoky, sweet-and-sour aroma. The cut is a nicely done ribbon with bigger cuts of Latakia showing up in the tin. The moisture content is perfect, and the tobacco is ready to pack fresh from the tin.

After a quick charring light, another match had the bowl burning nicely. I’m smoking Wilderness in a Jörn apple and the first third of the bowl is showcasing the Syrian Latakia very nicely: creamy and smoky with just enough of the exotic twang to remind me not to push it.

Moving into the second third of the bowl, I’m fishing for a descriptive flavor note; savory is the best I can come up with. (I’m not one to embellish a great-tasting blend.) Cruising into the home stretch, I’ve had to relight a few times, but now the exotic Orientals are taking center stage. I’m starting to believe that Fred Hanna has added just enough red Virginia to provide balance – and not overtake the flavor profile – as I can barely detect it.

Smoking any pipe tobacco containing the nearly-extinct Syrian Latakia is always a treat, but with Wilderness it’s especially prominent, drifting in and out throughout the bowl, yet still allowing the other Orientals to shine through. I’d strongly suggest getting some Wilderness while McClelland still has a small reserve of this elusive Syrian leaf.

Thumbs up! Wilderness earns a full 5 Pipes. Puff On!