Chess Extreme 3 5/8 x 60 Torpedo Review

Well, here we are on winter's backside... wait, that didn't sound quite right, but we'll go with it. Heck, we might even talk about backsides more in just a bit. Right now, though, I want to chat a bit about a relatively new cigar on the market: The Chess Extreme Torpedo with a Corojo wrapper.

Speaking of wrappers, that's one good thing about cigars: You can generally count on them to keep their wrappers on. Unlike some folks on this planet. And no, I'm not talking about mid-life crisis moms and dads joining a nudist colony, I'm talking about guys, some who are even pushing my age, who can't keep their trousers up above their asses and underwear.

I know, I shouldn't get my binder all twisted up about some idiot who thinks their waist is below their gluteus maximus, but it irritates me. Why is this any type of fashion trend? I mean, it makes you look like an idiot, it can't be comfortable, and on top of that, you have to hike your pants up every two-seconds. So, what reason could any sane person have for wanting to show off their backsides or their tighty whiteys or their plaid boxers or, God forbid, a thong? To be honest, I'm not sure, so let's take the time to smoke a cigar while we think about it.

The Chess Extreme Torpedo is a compact little rocket. This particular model sports a semi-oily Corojo wrapper and to be honest, it looks a lot like the NUB Habano. However, when you take a closer look, you'll notice some differences (aside from the band's brightly colored red and yellow checked pattern and gold print logo). I received this particular gordo sized torp as a gift from my friend John Crabtree. He simply asked that I review it and let Willis Cabrera know about the review. In a later post, I'll have an interview with Willis, who is the marketing guru for Chess Cigars.

At the foot, the tobacco looks densely packed, the cigar is firm to the touch and has a good feel when I give it a slight squeeze. There are some slight wrinkles in the cap and around the head and shoulder area, but it's not something that will affect the taste or even cause the wrapper to unravel when I clip the cap. Overall, the construction is decent. I'd give it three out of five puffs.

From what I've been able to dig up on this particular cigar, the binder and filler are both Dominican. One of the most exciting things I notice right off is the smell of honey at the foot of the cigar. We're not talking about a nuance, or a slight scent, it's full on honey and it smells really good. Since I've never had a cigar with such a strong aroma of honey, I'm really looking forward to torching it to see if that comes through as a flavor. I should also get some spicy flavors with this cigar since the wrapper is listed as Corojo.

Cold draw has the earthy tobacco flavors you'd expect, some hint of honey, but other than that, not a lot is coming through. So, let's torch it and see what happens.

My initial puffs only have that hint of honey that I tasted on the cold draw. It's very mild and the flavors are incredibly subdued. I don't have a cold, so I'm pretty sure my palate's okay. Through the first third, the mildness continues, which surprises me because this stick is listed as full-bodied. To me, that signifies that it should have some major flavor profiles, but unfortunately, I'm not getting much of anything. Just to test things out, I do a retrohale and the flavors are still subdued. No pepper, no spice, just easy-going tobacco and smoke.

As I work into the second third, I noticed slight bitterness, but nothing that indicates trouble down the line. The stick is working itself into an uneven burn, which surprises me. I've had it at solid 67% rH and the temp has been good for a number of weeks.

Okay, so the flavors are subdued, but what flavors am I getting in general, you may ask. Well, there's a bit of burnt grass/green grass and caramel. And that's really about it. I do want to give kudos for the smoke being mild and not harsh. The stick has a dense ash. In fact, I had this one down to the nub and didn't lose the ash until I had about 1/2" left to smoke. Then I lapped it, of course.

Speaking of ash, let's get back to our conversation about low-slung trousers. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about hipsters on the ladies. I enjoy the fact that some women seem to like displaying their goods for the world to see. I think it even serves a purpose, it shows that they like living a bit on the wild side, and I'm sure the single guys pick up on that then pick up on them. So that works out nicely.

But, low-riders on a guy? I just don't get it. Do women find it sexy? I mean, I've heard rumors that this trend started in prisons to let fellow inmates know that you're ready to get a bit randy. I actually even thought that rumor was kind of funny. However, turns out it's not true. I snoped it and we all know snopes.com knows everything.

I will say this much, when I see a dude strolling down the street or in a store with his pants dragging, I always start singing that song "Ya look like a fool with your pants on the ground" and the great thing is, it doesn't matter how big the guy is or how tough he looks, I always know I can run faster because it's hard to run with your pants hangin' down like that. But I digress. Let's finish this stogie.

Through the second third, I did get some toast flavors, and finally, a slight hint of chili pepper. Throughout the rest of the cigar, I got the same flavor profile with more prominent caramel and some cream. There was never a point during this cigar when it was harsh and the overall strength seemed to be on the mild side.

I have to say, I truly appreciate a gifted cigar and I love doing reviews. I'll go back to this stogie in a few months and smoke another one and see if things remain the same. It's probably not a stick that I'll smoke often, but if the price is right and you don't want to buy a Nub, this may be the cigar for you. I'd at least give it a try and give a shout out to Willis and the gang at Chess Cigars, they're a great bunch and I think it's important that we support these guys that are just starting out.

I'm going to give this stogie a 3 out of 5 puffs at this time.

And as a suggestion for what to do when you have to deal with guys that walk around with their pants on the ground, put a cigar in one hand and a beer in the other, then their pants will fall down and you'll get a good laugh.

That's all for now.

My Personal Top 10 of 2011

Cigar Aficionado released their top 25, and I didn't really agree with all of it. Other blogs and sites have dropped their top 10 into the ether, and some are somewhat agreeable with me, and some not so much. So, I've decided that I'll do my own personal top 10 and y'all can not agree with it, too. Why? Because taste is subjective. I'll also include my top 10 pints and maybe a list of a few sticks and brews that just didn't quite do it for me.

10) Gran Habano Vintage 2002 Robusto - This is a solid cigar. It has medium body and the flavor profile is nutty and butter-creamy. It's consistent every time I smoke it and I love the price point. You can generally find mazos of 20 of the Gran Habano for around $20. That's a $1 per stick for a great smoke! Buy it, let it rest for 6 mo., and smoke it again and again. You're welcome.

9) Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 "The Sixty" - This cigar is gorgeous. It's rolled really well and the burn is consistent from one to the next. I love the nutty caramel flavors of this cigar and how smooth it is. Voluminous smoke and a great size.

8) Ron Stacy Signature Corona by Sultan Cigars - It's pretty cool actually knowing the guy behind the name of a particular cigar. It's even more cool when he's one of the most generous people you've ever met. This cigar has a great flavor profile. Pipe tobacco, citrus twang, smoked meat, and pepper all in a corona size. It's a beautiful cigar and tastes amazing.







7) Nub 464T Habano - Love the Habano wrapper. This is a great smoke and for its size, it really hits the sweet spot. Caramel and toasted almonds are the dominant flavors. Good volumes of smoke and surprisingly takes quite awhile to smoke one.

6) Liga Privada Feral Flying Pig - This cigar is good. I smoked one ROTT, which was probably a mistake, because there was a lingering astringent flavor right on the head, but getting past that, the smoke was really amazing. It's very strong, so don't smoke it on an empty stomach. The other two I have will rest for a few months, then I'll give it another try, but what I tasted was amazing. Definitely smoked meat and toasted caramel. I'm putting it at 6 because it was able to overcome the astringent flavor with the good flavors it puts out.



5) Liga Privada Flying Pig T52 - I really enjoy this smoke. Has a stronger profile than the 9 (standard LP9. I haven't had an FPno.9 yet). The T52 tobacco is very good, and the wrapper on this thing almost shines. Heavy dark flavors, like rum and smoked meat are complemented by a good straight burn.







4) Liga Undercrown - What a great new cigar this year. I was really pleased to get my hands on these. They aren't the Liga Privada, and that's perfectly okay. They're an amazingly good cigar in their own right and have a good price point. Rich velvety flavors, dark chocolate, caramel, earthiness, and volumes of smoke. I could smoke these every day.

3) Partagas Black Label Gigante - I love the size, I love the flavors, and I love the strength. A box of these is $99 on most online outlets, so it's roughly $5 per stick. But this is one stick that I always go back to when I want rich earthy flavors, heavy peanut, and dark roasted yummy and the 6 x 60 size rocks.

2) Partagas Short - (CC) - Packs power and flavor into a small package. Well rolled, consistent burn and incredibly tasty. If you're looking for twang, you'll find it here.










1) Liga Privada No. 9 Robusto - I can't say enough about this cigar. Of course, I've already said it in my review, anyway. It's stellar, and it's one of the best. I want more and so should you.











Honorable Mentions: Acid Kuba Kuba Maduro, Arturo Fuente Short Story Maduro, My Uzi Weighs a Ton 7 x 60, Panacea 760, Tatuaje Regios, and the Liga Privada Dirty Rat.

Now, I know you've all been waiting for this. What follows are the dog rockets that I actually find unsmokable. I know it'll probably piss someone off, or maybe even a lot of you, but taste is subjective. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

5) La Aroma di Cuba Mi Amor - I know there are a lot of people who love this cigar. I don't know if I did something wrong when I lit it or if it just wasn't ready, but I tried to get through half of it and it was unbearably harsh and tasted horrible. I may try this one again at some point because I've seen so many great reviews of it, that I just can't completely discount it.

4) VS Bamboo 6 x 60 - These aren't quite unsmokable, but they just don't taste good at all. Not a lot of flavor and they actually smell like stale cigar while you're smoking them. Makes me wonder if they aren't actually made of bamboo.

3) Mosaica Churchill Maduro - Why do these cigars cost $19.95 for a mazo of 20? I have no clue, because you shouldn't pay more than a nickel per stick. These are the original 5-cent cigars, and they're not really worth every penny. However, they would make great compost.

2) Fonseca Arana Corona - So, I lit this one up thinking that maybe it could be one of my everyday el cheapos. However, I'm not interested in sitting around smoking dog turds on a daily basis, and here's the deal, they taste like burning dog turds. I realize that I can't speak from direct experience on this, but it's as close as I hope I'll ever come. Perhaps they should just be left in their toilet-paper like sheaths.

1) Vudu - Dear God, I will never smoke again. Okay, well, that's not true, but I came pretty close after trying to get through this one. I have a few in my cooli for anyone who might want to trade something of equal value that I might like. However, I wouldn't wish these on anyone. Light it up, take a puff, and you'll swear you're smoking a habanero pepper. The flavor profile starts out with a blast of habanero, then the habanero kicks in. After the first third, the habanero comes through, with notes of habanero. This one is my number one pick for habanero dog rocket of the decade.

Too Cold to Smoke

So, what do you do when it's too flippin' cold to smoke and you don't have your own personal air filtered man cave?

For me, I do a couple of different things. The first thing I do is wait and value the warm days. If there's a warm day, I'm smokin'. If there are two warm days in a row, I'll do my damndest to smoke both days, even if my lovely wife gives me "the look." The thing is, in the midwest, during 9-months of winter, warm days are valuable. So, when I get one, I do crap like put up Christmas lights. I get to hang out on the roof, spark a stogie, and accomplish something. Same thing happens in January. Christmas is over, warm day hits, I'm back up on the roof taking lights down, tooling around outside taking my sweet time with the other decorations just so I can get through a good hour and a half smoke.

The second thing I do is a bit more of a PItA. I'll put on my coat, grab a stick, lighter and cutter, and torch it. Then I'll set it on my miniature stinky and head in for a minute or two. Then it's a matter of treating my house like an expensive hooker. In and out, in and out, in and out, and in and out until I'm finished. Only difference is, I go back in and stay in for the rest of the day and it takes longer than six-minutes. Okay, I know, I just joked around at my own expense. But if you laughed, it was worth it.

So, those are my options for smoking during the winter months, but here's the thing: It's not always that easy. A lot of times, the cold presents way more issues for smoking a premium cigar than just keeping your own ass warm.

One issue that I've run into is how the cold affects the burn. I've run into issues with cigars that I know are stars when it comes to burn. In fact, one colder than a witch's tit day, I had a Liga Privada #9 Robusto, which always burns like a champ for me, and the damn burn was as crooked as Bernie Madoff.

So, why is that? Well, there are probably several factors, but I think it really boils down to how the cold temps affect the wrapper and whether or not it sucks out or imparts any humidity. I think about it like condensation on a glass surface. You've got something that's perfectly stable (your cigar at 67% RH and stable temp), which is introduced to an extreme change in temperature, plus the heat of the burn. I can only guess that this probably causes the burn to change from what it would normally be.

Another issue that I've run into is a cigar just not wanting to stay lit. Again, I think it comes from the extreme change in temp. I also think wind has a negative affect on the burn. This seems to be a situation where keeping your ash on for as long as possible comes in handy. I think that it insulates the cherry and helps the burn stay more stable.

Other than coping with these issues, smoking during the winter months can be kind of fun. Crisp air rouging up your cheeks, hot coffee, and a good cigar while standing out on your deck while the world is silent under a blanket of snow. You just can't trade that for anything. Except maybe retirement in Florida where everyone freezes their asses off when the temp gets down to 60°F.

That's all for now. Long ashes...

Some General Cigar Chat

Well, recently, I've had the privilege to obtain and smoke some great cigars. I have to be honest, like many who enjoy cigars, I've been enamored with what Drew Estate is putting out. Their cigars continue to amaze me, and I'm really pleased to have been introduced to them. Following are a few of my favorites:

Acid Hawg - This cigar really rocks. I remember the first one that I enjoyed was from a local B&M (if you could call it that), and when I smoked it, I was like, "Damn, did they get their incense mixed up with their sticks?!" So, I did a bit of research and found that the DE Acid line is infused. What was really great about this stick is that it didn't leave that lingering strong cigar smell, and it has a great after taste.

Liga Privada No. 9 - As you can tell from my review, I love this stick. It hits a home run every time I smoke it. I think what I like most about it, is that it really personifies the personality of Steve Saka. It's a medium to strong stick, has a great meat and potatoes flavor to it, and it's perfectly rolled.

Liga Undercrown - You just have to try this cigar. It has a lot of the same flavor characteristics as the No. 9, but the changes give it its own uniqueness. I don't think it's quite as strong in its flavor profile as the No. 9, but if you're looking for something that's a bit less in price, get the Undercrown.

Flying Pig - Straight up strong. It's a great smoke, and I enjoy the size. The RG is about 60, I think, but it's a fairly stout stogie. Has a lot of the same flavors as the No.9, but more intense, and the nic hit is a bit stronger.

Dirty Rat - Another great DE cigar. Nice shorter smoke for when you don't have a ton of time. Great burn, and a lot of flavor.

Arturo Fuente Short Story Maduro - In my mind, these are one of the best short smokes for maduro lovers. These things take about 45-minutes to an hour to enjoy, they pack solid ash, and great flavors. Just try one, I guarantee you'll nub it.

Carlos Toraño Signature Series Torp - This one's a gem. If you enjoy smoked meats, this cigar will keep you trippin'. I've shared these with friends and they absolutely love them. Order a box and leave them in your humi for a few months. They only get better over time.

Carlos Torño 1959 Exodus Silver - Need a mild smoke? This one's it. 'Nuff said. The blend is great. Beautiful flavor, easy on the palate.

Acid Opulence - I can't say enough about the DE cigars. The opulence has a perfect mild blend and a great infusion of some very middle-east style flavors. The best part is that they don't overwhelm you. These guys really have infused cigars down to a science.

Ron Stacy Signature Series Corona by Sultan Cigars - I'm looking forward to a box of these. They're a great short smoke, but they pack huge flavor into the corona size. I was fortunate enough to do a review on these prior to release, and except for some burn issues that I had (based on improper humidity), this smoke is amazing. Smoked meat all the way, and just a bit of twang. And for those who know about twang, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I have an RS Sig Edmundo that I've been waiting to torch for a special occasion. Looking forward to it, but regretting it at the same time because it's the last one that I have. Good thing I know Ron, personally.

That's about it for the sticks that have really been memorable lately. I've been having a lot of fun doing some cigar art. If you like man-cave stuff, check it out. It features naked women and cigars. Can't go wrong, right? I've also been opening up my Facebook to cigar vendors, and owners lately. I absolutely love the posts by Jonathan Drew. The guy is hilarious, but one thing I've found... he knows cigars in a big way. Don't let his fun-loving persona fool you, the guy is sharp as a tack. Also was contacted (by phone) by Carlos Fuente about a piece of artwork that featured the Opus X Forbidden City. I have to admit, listening to that message was a huge thrill. The guy has done more for cigars than almost anyone in the past century (aside from J. Drew). It was such a privilege to get that message. I'll post more about this in a dedicated post once some things are finalized.

Anyway, that's all for now.

An Interview with Paul Bush, Owner of Flatbed Cigar Company

I was really pleased to be introduced to the Panacea line of cigars by some BOTLs from one of the forum sites that I frequent. What intrigued me about this particular line of cigars is that they are located in Bucks County Pennsylvania. As many of you may know, Pennsylvania was once a hot bed for cigar production. In fact, the term "Stogie" was coined as an abbreviation of the word Conestoga, which is a town near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but is also the name given to the wagons that originated in this area. Many of the drivers of these wagons were given or were able to purchase relatively inexpensive cigars. Eventually, the term "stogie" came to represent these cigars.

But you didn't come here for a history lesson, did you? Well, too bad... okay, seriously, though, there is a method to my madness. Paul Bush, the owner of Flatbed Cigar Company, is a huge proponent of keeping things simple, old-school, and bringing back the storied history of a state that once produced more cigars than Cuba.

The great thing about Paul is that he's a very down-to-earth and accessible fellow. After being introduced to the Panacea line, I e-mailed him and asked if he would be interested in answering some interview questions. He said he'd be happy to, and within a few days, I had sent him questions and he had answered them. So, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you all to Paul Bush, owner of the Flatbed Cigar Company.

Puffs and Pints: I noticed in a previous interview that you mentioned the CAO MX2 as one of your favorite cigars. What is it that draws you to a particular cigar if it’s not your own blend?

Paul Bush: With this cigar I had just met with Cano and was interested in trying all their cigars. However, many cigars I just simply pick up off the shelf and try. Some are recommended, others are tucked in the corner of a shop looking lonely. I don't have a methodology to "trying". I do look for unknowns and new, but also will try the "mainstream" cigars. Cigars are fun. That should always be front and foremast in the minds of manufacturers and retailers. Cigar are celebratory; graduation, births, promotions, victories, etc. So, in my opinion the deep science that is sometimes applied is OK, but needs to remain light. The CAO MX2 was simply one that I was exposed to, smoked, and really liked.

P&P: In today’s economy and with the negativity that surrounds tobacco products (specifically the new warnings on cigarette packages) and the possibility of the FDA trying to control your product at an even higher level, what prompted you to start up the Flatbed Cigar Company?

PB: I grew up on a farm in New England. The son of two immigrants I learned to do with little, maintain what you had, and fix what was broken. Education was also a big focus in my family. It's the "perfect storm" , if you will, for entrepreneurs. I worked in corporate America for 17 years before starting Flatbed Cigar Company. There certainly were less regulated industries to get involved with, but this is the one that felt right to me. There is farming, retail, wholesale, marketing, advertising, etc. Everything that I have been exposed to since my days in Massachusetts. The agricultural aspect is what most appealed to me. We will just have to see what lies ahead w/r/t all the possible regulation.

P&P: Okay, this next one is a long one, I apologize for that, but I think it’s important to a lot of cigar smokers, today.

Many “informational” Web sites try to equate cigars with cigarettes and point at the danger inherent to smoking. As a cigar smoker myself, I know the differences between what goes into a cigarette vs. what goes into a cigar, especially regarding the chemicals used not only to enhance tobacco growth, but also in the actual processing and manipulation of the product. Flatbed Cigar Co. espouses taking the “old school” approach to growing tobacco. From an agricultural standpoint, what does “old school” mean to you and for your product? Specifically, are you taking a more organic approach to growing tobacco?

PB: We are not strategically approaching our processes as organic. We simply manufacture our cigars the way others have done for many decades...what I call "old school". That means we are not manipulating the leaf in any way...no coloring, flavoring, etc. We simply; plant, pick, nurture, and roll!

P&P: One of your releases is the Panacea Black 760 in natural or maduro wrapper. I’m incredibly happy about this because I love the larger ring gauge and longer length in a maduro wrapper. A lot of companies are releasing these types of sticks, and one that comes to mind is Drew Estate’s “My Uzi Weighs a Ton.” For cigar smokers that might compare these two cigars, what is it that sets the 760 apart from other blends in sticks of this size?

PB: I have not smoked the enthusiast so I can't comment on that blend. What I can say about our large ring gauge cigars is they are not grenades...meaning even the novice cigar enthusiast can enjoy them. Our Panacea Grande line is comprised of all large cigars, where our Panacea Classic line is all, well....classic sizes. However, because they are large in size does not mean they are unbalanced, over-powering blends. In fact, they are the same blends as our classic line. The larger ring gauge simply allows for more filler ignition so the shapes will smoke differently from the sister cigars in the Classic line.

P&P: In your mind, what is it that makes a cigar great?

PB: Oh, there are many things. Age, soil, sun, rain, the wood in the barn, wind, rollers, tools, temperature....the list goes on. However, at the end of the list it all comes down to "balance". When all is done you have a bunch of leaf in front of you....the sun is down, the tractor is off, and time has passed. Now you have to make something great out of what is there in your lap. So get to blending something that is great from start to finish. What and how you place the leaf means a lot. Balance.

P&P: What was your first great smoke and what is it about the smoke that you feel made it great?

PB: A Phillies Tip! It was great because I was about 10 or 11, and my buddy and I thought we were now cool like our Dads.

P&P: What is your all-time favorite cigar?

PB: My Red label Habano is my favorite cigar. I enjoy it in the Perfecto shape. To me, it is perfectly balanced. Nice creamy, full smoke, a little bit of spice, molasses...just a great blend.

P&P: If you would, tell us a bit about the process you go through to come up with blends and what it is that makes a great blend.

PB:This is very subjective. We all have very different taste buds/pallets. However, I think we do all share some common buds....if you will. I like to start out with a leaf that I think is "down the middle", or "middle of the road". Then layer in the leaf you know will add the distinctive characteristics. All of our cigars share a "jumping off point" but they land in very different places.

P&P: Final question, but before that, thanks very much for taking the time to do this interview. I have no doubt that there will be a lot of readers from Puff.com who will be interested in seeing what you have to say and purchasing your cigars. Are there any things in the hopper that you have planned that you can tell us about? Perhaps even an exclusive look at what’s coming down the pike for the Flatbed Cigar Company?

PB: Thank you for the opportunity, and I hope your readers find something of value in my responses.
I can share some news with you. I have a new blend coming out later this year....Panacea Blue. A Cameroon with a blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Pennsylvania! I slipped a few out over the last year to customers and the feedback was great. So, we put it into production. As with all our releases, we do a limited number and then ramp up as we see necessary. Blue will first be out in Grande form, then later in our Classic line.

Thanks again.

Paul
Mellow on ahead.......

There you have it ladies and gents. Paul is a class act and I want to thank him not only for this interview opportunity, but for also sending me some great smokes to review for this blog.

That's all for now.

Drew Estate - Liga Privada No. 9 Robusto Oscuro 127mm x 54

Every once in a while, you come across a product that turns your head and lives in a world beyond the hype. Products like the Barlow pocket knife, Harley Davidson motorcycles, or Remington firearms. These items are produced with care and craftsmanship, and you rarely find disappointment with consumers who purchase them. For me, Drew Estate has achieved this with its Liga Privada No. 9 line.

Now, before anyone goes off thinking that I've been paid off by DE or that I receive free cigars from them, I want to put out a disclaimer: The only free items I've received from DE are a cap and a guillotine cutter. The Liga that I'm reviewing in this article was purchased at Outlaw Smokes in Kansas City, and my review of it is based on smoking it from foot to nub. Before reading further, I'm going to just let the cat out of the bag and state that it's a good review and if you can purchase these cigars, do so, without hesitation.

For those of you who are still with me, let's just dive into the review.

Cigar Facts (taken directly from the DE Web site):
Capa: Connecticut Broadleaf #1 Darks
Capote: Plantation Grown Brazilian Mata Fina
Tripa: Select Honduran and Nicaraguan Cuban Seed

Strength: Medium - Full
Size: 127mm x 54 (5 x 54) (Some sites list the Robusto Oscuro at 5 x 52)

Price: $10/stick

Paired With: Sweet Tea

Appearance and Construction:

This cigar is exquisitely constructed. Overall, it's tightly rolled, no soft spots and has a firmness to it that gives it a very solid feel when rolled between thumb and forefinger. The maduro wrapper has beautiful, consistent color from foot to head, light veins along the length of the body and even seams that are camouflaged nicely. This is truly a masterfully rolled cigar. A bit of research on the DE site digs up the interesting little factoid that there are only four rollers allowed to roll this cigar and that they are only allowed to produce 250 of these sticks per day. In my opinion, if this is what it takes, then keep doing it the way you're doing it. Another fact about this cigar that you'll find on nearly every site that sells them, is that the Liga Privada No.9 line was created exclusively for DE President Steve Saka and that the blend is created from tobacco from seven different farms. We're fortunate that Steve is a generous man, because if it had been me, the Liga Privada No. 9 would never have been released for the cigar smoking masses. Yes, folks, it is THAT good.

Pre-light:

The aroma of the tobacco is earthy with a hint of spice. The cold draw is medium to tight and the flavors of tobacco, earth, and sweet spice are prevalent.

Smoking Characteristics:

Light up is at 10:39am. I'm finding the initial draw to be medium to tight and I'm concerned about this because I truly want to experience all that this cigar has to offer. My hope is that as it warms up, the draw will loosen up a bit. The initial flavor profile on the first couple of draws are leather, earth, light spice, a hint of pepper and toasted oak barrel flavor. Between draws, there's a nice continuous wisp of smoke from the foot. Each puff creates copious amounts of aromatic smoke. A retrohale helps intensify the pepper flavor, but it's not overwhelming. Each draw also seems to enhance the earth, tobacco, and toasted oak barrel.

Halfway through the first third there is a subtle peanut flavor that develops over the rest of the flavors, which have settled into leather, toasted oak barrel, light pepper, and earthiness. I'm very excited to take each puff, but I don't want to overdo it. At this point, it's very tempting to just sit and smoke this cigar straight through without resting between draws. There is absolutely zero harshness and the smoke aroma is beyond belief. The nut flavor that I earlier tasted is being complemented by light sesame and these two flavors are blending incredibly well with the other flavors. I'm also detecting hints of cocoa. The draw has loosened up to just under medium and I can't find anything to say about this cigar that isn't good. Even the burn is perfectly even with a dense white ash that has a slight flakiness to it.

As I finish the first third, the peanut, sesame, and oak are developing nicely. I honestly believe that I could smoke this cigar in the house and no one would complain. It's "cigar aromatic" in a very good way. Not the harsh yuck smell you might generally associate with latent cigar smoke. There's a nice oiliness from the wrapper on my lips that is adding a textural dimension to this smoke. This cigar is an example of a blender who understands exactly what he or she is doing and who treats the cigar like a meal prepared by a five-star chef. The flavors meld perfectly, and I could smoke this cigar all day. As I begin the second third of this stick, I'm noticing cedar in the retrohale.

At this point, I'm completely sold on this cigar. I firmly believe that the Liga Privada No. 9 should be a standard by which other blends are measured.If I could be a cigar, I would want to be an LP9. If Willy Wonka were to make "The Never Ending Cigar", I'd want it to be an LP9. Can I make it any more clear that this cigar is nothing short of amazing?

11:15 - The subtle peppery notes are back. I'm at the halfway point and butter cream has joined the flavor mix. Pepper really begins making a comeback at this point, however, unlike some cigars where pepper begins to dominate, it blends so well with the peanut, sesame, leather, and oak, it's as if I'm eating a gourmet meal that features the perfect blend of herbs and spices. If I had a choice of something to eat whith this cigar, I would do filet mignon, pan seared with butter (not much, just enough to impart the butter flavor), then I'd flavor it lightly with salt, pepper, and basil.

Dropped ash at 11:30, roughly 2-inches.

At this point, I'm enjoying smoke that is thick in my mouth, creamy, and almost edible. The butter cream flavor has taken a slight lead among the others. Peanut and sesame complement. Pepper has taken a backseat again. It's as if there are layers of flavor in each draw that have been blended so perfectly that they complement the dominant flavor.

As I draw into the final third, there are slight coffee notes and cocoa on the backend. Oak, creaminess, butter, and peanut are the current entrees. Pepper is gone at this point and the burn continues to be perfect. There is a slight nic hit, but it's nice and buzzy, but not overwhelming. I would describe it as pleasant.

I removed the band at 11:45, and was hit with the original aroma of the cigar wrapper. As I took a draw, I could smell it so clearly, it was as if I'd set fire to a new cigar. Going into this final third, I'm having mixed emotions between happy and sad. Happiness is the fact that I am smoking one of the best cigars of my life. Sadness is that it's near the end, but more happiness is that I will be able to purchase more of these (and I already have, one box should be arriving at my doorstep within a few days!)

The smoke is warm at this point, which is to be expected, however, the flavors are not harsh. Strength has increased the current flavors, and to my surprise, a new flavor has entered the picture. Smoked beef has introduced itself to the mix. Imagine this, as you read, as a quality cut of beef smoked with bourbon barrel oak chips. The LP9 finishes with strength near the end and flavors of smoked beef, pepper accents, and hints of butter cream.

Finish is at 12;25pm.

Final Thoughts:

The Liga Privada No. 9 appears to be about subtlety and complementary savory flavors. It's easily a medium-bodied cigar that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys quality cigars. Beg, borrow, buy (but don't steal) them. My goal is to build up my stash with as many of these cigars as I can afford to purchase. Additionally, as someone who believes in God and in heaven, my wish is that if I'm able to smoke cigars there, that it'll be the LP9 that I have with me eternally in the afterlife. If I had to choose only one line of cigars to smoke for the rest of my life, the Liga Privada No. 9 would be it.

Rating:

Excellent with five out of five puffs.

Pair it with: Just about anything, because it'll make it better.

If you have some of these cigars and you don't like them, please feel free to send them my way.

That's all for now.

Flatbed Cigar Co. - Panacea Red 660PTS

As are many of you, I'm a huge fan of great customer service. Oddly enough, I've found that within the cigar industry, there are numerous cigar making companies and cigar selling businesses who offer some of the best customer service. In fact, I've noticed that customer service in the cigar industry tends to be heads above nearly all other industries.

However, even within the world of cigars, there are stand outs, and the Flatbed Cigar Company, owned by Paul Bush, is one of them. I contacted Paul a couple of months ago after hearing about his company on Puff.com. Surprisingly, he e-mailed me back within hours. I asked if he would mind sending out a few cigars for review since I was unable to find any samplers on his Web site. He immediately said he would, but then, I later e-mailed him (having found the samplers) and told him it wasn't necessary because I had purchased a couple of samplers and I would review them. He replied that he was sending the samples anyway and that I should enjoy them.

After I received the samples and my own samplers, I e-mailed Paul again and asked if he would mind doing an e-mail interview. He said he'd be happy to do that. So, I sent him my questions, and he promptly answered them. That particular interview will be published after this review, and I will also be reviewing the two other sample cigars that Paul sent.

Disclosure: The Panacea Red 660 in this review was a gift from Paul Bush of Flatbed Cigar Co. However, that does not affect the review in any way.

Cigar Facts:

Price - Free. However, on the Web site (www.flatbedcigarcompany.com), the Panacea Red 660 sells for about $7.00 per stick.

RH: 65% for 1 1/2 months

Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Brazilian
Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan
Binder: Dominican Habano
Size: 6 x 60

Appearance and Construction:

The 660 sports a pig tail and shaggy foot at each end of its deep brown, semi-oily wrapper. There area  few veins on the stick, and the seams are clearly visible, but that doesn't take away from the ruggedly aesthetic craftsmanship that has gone into this cigar. Overall, it seems to be very well constructed. The entire stick is firm with no soft spots. It does have a few water droplet marks, slight tears around the foot, and a small patch across the shoulder and head.

Pre-light:

The pre-light aroma of this stick features both cigar tobacco and pipe tobacco. It's a very pleasant mixture and heightens my anticipation for smoking this cigar.

Smoking Characteristics:

I toasted the foot and lit the cigar with my trusty Ronson Jetlite at 2:40pm.  The initial draw is medium to tight with flavors of tobacco, oak, and cashew. There is a slight sweetness that is working its way into the mix. The burn is slightly wavy, but soon corrects itself and stays straight throughout the course of the smoke. The foot sports a nice half-inch ash that's dense and straight as a razor within about fifteen minutes. My retrohale amplifies the nuttiness of the cigar, and I really enjoy the slight oil from the wrapper on my lips. There is a slight pipe tobacco aftertaste that is not unpleasant at all.

Throughout the smoke, the Red produces continuous sinewy wisps of smoke as it sits between draws. After the first third, I have a nice dense and straight ash. There's a slight taste of maple that blends very nicely with the previously mentioned flavors. I've decided that this would be a nice smoke to take up to my Dad's farm and enjoy it on a good hike across his wooded property. This is a good solid cigar.

Halfway through the first third, there's a slight butternut cream flavor. The pipe tobacco aroma continues to be consistent. It's a very aromatic smell that lends itself to the idea of smoking this cigar in the fall or winter while out in the woods or other natural surroundings. By 3:05pm, I'm experiencing a slight earthiness and some nuances of cedar.

There is absolutely no harshness to this cigar at all. It's very smooth and well-blended. By this time, I have about a 1.5" ash and the butter cream flavor is becoming well pronounced.

At 3:15, I drop ash, which reveals a beautiful cone-shaped burn.

Halfway through the second third, the creaminess is still present, more defined pine, but the overall flavor profile has taken a step back. This was something I noticed when I smoked the Black 760. At the halfway point, the flavor seems to lose definition. There's a bit less smoke, and the draw has tightened. The pipe tobacco aroma maintains its presence.

I re-clipped the head at 3:24. That helped with the draw, and I noticed a new smokiness, somewhat reminiscent of smoked meat. This was mixed with a damp earthiness, somewhat like after a rain on a cool day. I'm very pleased that the creaminess of this stick is still balancing the other flavors. At this point, smoke production is probably about half of what it was to begin with.

Throughout the second-half of the smoke, there's been a very slight lemon zest aroma. It really complements the overall flavor profile and makes the smoke very pleasant to smell. There's even a subtle "bitter" lemon citrus flavor, however, it's not a bad thing. In fact, it's bitter in the same way that hops provides bitterness to beer. I'd probably pair this cigar with a good IPA to enhance this flavor. However, throughout the smoke, I kept thinking that it'd be really wonderful to have a cup of slightly sugared coffee while smoking this one.

The final third flavors have continued to be subtle, but very tasty. It's as if the cigar is teasing you, saying, "The flavors are here, but you can't have them all at once." It's very much like a woman flirting with a man. She teases, but never wholly gives everything away. The burn continues to be relatively straight. No tunneling or canoeing. Latent flavors sit on the tongue between draws and it begs for your attention in terms of how it gives you its flavor profile. Its as if the cigar expects you to pay attention to it for the entirety of the smoke.

I think Flatbed Cigar Company is evolving into a very good boutique cigar co. The Panacea line is on the verge of being excellent. I give it a huge plus on the smoothness. This has been the case with each Panacea I've smoked, as well. The description on the Web site places the Panacea Red 660 at a medium- to full-body level, but I would have to say that it sits at medium and rests quite comfortably there.

Finish: 4:00pm

Final Thoughts:

The Panacea Red 660 is a good, solid cigar. It gives you the feeling of a rustic setting, but teases you with beautifully blended hints of its flavor profile. It's very consistent throughout the smoke, and I personally think that this cigar would go very well with a nice hike in the woods with no distractions, because it forces you to really concentrate on what you're tasting.

Rating:

I give this cigar 4 out of 5 puffs and a "Very Good" rating. I'll definitely be purchasing this cigar in the future, and I'd suggest that any of you reading this review do the same.

Pair this stick with a good IPA or a steaming hot cup of sugared coffee. I'd shy away from it as a morning smoke simply due to the amount of time you'll need to dedicate to it.

That's all for now.