Podcast appearances and mentions of abe flores

Wir rauchen die neue PDR AFR-75 von Abe Flores .. 

Protect the flavor and character of boutique cigars like PDR with Boveda. Click here to get emails: https://hubs.la/Q01BLsBF0 Does the size of a cigar matter? Sure does for PDR founder Abe Flores. Find out if he prefers fatter stogies versus shorter, slimmer cigars. Then get cigar recommendations from this award-winning master blender. Looking for an accessible Cubanesque cigar? PDR (Puro Dominican Republic) blends Cuban traditions with boutique modern manufacturing . The cigar makers employ a complex tobacco rolling technique that originated in Cuba called “entubado.” The cigar roller rolls each filler leaf into a straw shape to fit a greater number of filler leaves into a PDR cigar, which results in amazing air flow.PDR's Flores talks with Boveda's Drew Emmer about protecting the condition of cigars at PCA 2024, the preeminent event for premium cigar and pipe industry.00:00 This is Box Press01:58 To buy instruments, I was selling cigars on the side03:36 Abe Flores already knew tech and marketing, needed to learn cigars04:23 Pinar del Rio, Cuba is where tobacco seeds are from06:41 #1 PDR cigar: El Criollito07:37 For My Humidor I Use Boveda08:43 Boveda maintains the perfect humidity for cigars 10:00 Bad humidor, no Boveda is very bad for cigars10:14 What's your favorite cigar?10:31 PDR 10th Anniversary Millefleurs Corona cigar11:06 Pepin Black Lancero cigar and 601 Green cigar11:25 Fuente Añejo Shark cigar What is Boveda? Master blenders recommend Boveda 2-way humidity control to protect cigars you store. Boveda preserves the flavor and character of premium cigars by keeping them at ideal humidity. Boveda humidor packets prevent cigars from drying out and mold growth. With Boveda in your humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bovedausa/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BovedaInc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovedainc/?..

Over the past few years, PDR Cigars has been rebranding, restructuring, and rebounding many of its cigars. The branding has been incorporating more in the way of vibrant colors on the boxes and bands. At the same time, owner Abe Flores has been incorporating more in the way of Dominican-grown tobaccos into his blends. Much of this stems from the fact, he had recently become a ProCigar member and wants to support the tobacco business out of the Dominican Republic. It also has allowed him to get more consistent tobacco in terms of what he is buying. This year, the rebrand continued with the rebranding of the Connecticut River Valley line. In addition, he had one surprise line he was keeping under wraps at the show. PCA 2022 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-neV

Over the past few years, PDR Cigars has been rebranding, restructuring, and rebounding many of its cigars. The branding has been incorporating more in the way of vibrant colors on the boxes and bands. At the same time, owner Abe Flores has been incorporating more in the way of Dominican-grown tobaccos into his blends. Much of this stems from the fact, he had recently become a ProCigar member and wants to support the tobacco business out of the Dominican Republic. It also has allowed him to get more consistent tobacco in terms of what he is buying. This year, the rebrand continued with the rebranding of the Connecticut River Valley line. In addition, he had one surprise line he was keeping under wraps at the show. PCA 2022 Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-neV

When the world throws you a curve, lean into mentors, then pivot. For this elite boutique cigar maker, that meant revitalizing the c brand. Abe Flores has embraced the roots of the D.R.'s cigar lineage; simplified his tobacco blends; halved the number of cigars his Tamboril factory produces; and picked up business advice from cigar legends.  Talking to Boveda's Rob Gagner at 2021 PCA in Las Vegas, the cigar entrepreneur shares what's next as PDR nears its 20th anniversary. This cigar podcast's highlights include:   (6:31) Best place to buy Cuban cigars in Europe (8:13) What cigars you should try if you go to Cuba (10:50) How COVID affected the cigar industry (12:33) How smoking cigars influences what you do now for fun  (15:05) What to watch out for before investing in a vacation property if you're a cigar smoker (17:20) You can rent Abe Flores's apartment in the D.R. on Airbnb! (17:29) Dating advice for cigar aficionados—find a mate who likes cigars (or at least, doesn't mind them) (20:31) What Abe Flores learned from master blender Henke Kelner (23:02) What changes to make to stay in business post-pandemic (25:26) Remember the Tinder Box? (Did you know Abe Flores coded for the cigar retailer?!) (30:44) Why Abe Flores almost shut down PDR (31:37) What Abe Flores learned from Tabacalera Palma CEO Jochy Blanco (32:25) Selling cigars beyond the United States—you can buy PDR cigars in China (34:09) Finding mentors and listening to their business advice PDR protects its premium cigars by packaging with Boveda. You too can preserve the flavor and consistency of cigars like PDR's 10th Anniversary with Boveda. Boveda, makes 2-way humidity control for cigars, easy wood humidor seasoning, humidor bags and Humidor Starter Kits to condition new wood humidors before adding cigars. Shop Boveda for cigars here: https://store.bovedainc.com/collections/boveda-for-tobacco (https://store.bovedainc.com/collections/boveda-for-tobacco) For More Information About PDR Cigars, Visit: https://www.pdrcigars.com/ Check Out More of Boveda Cigar Exclusives: For My Humidor | Jochy Blanco https://youtu.be/Kw7VZ-0JA2k (https://youtu.be/Kw7VZ-0JA2k) How to Better Understand Your Cigar Tasting Palate  https://youtu.be/W-L976OtGlE (https://youtu.be/W-L976OtGlE) How to Spot A FAKE Cuban Cigar https://youtu.be/qiD5qFgSpqc?t=87 (https://youtu.be/qiD5qFgSpqc?t=87) 

When you share a cigar, you open up to each other. It's no different for Raquel Quesada who  grew up in a cigar dynasty. She revealed some never-told stories to Boveda's Rob Gagner over Quesada 1974 cigars at 2021 PCA in Las Vegas.  Raquel talked openly about childhood hijinks; the least favorite training rotation of cigar operations; secret grows on the Quesada tobacco farm; and blending swaps she pulled on her dad, Manuel "Manolo" Quesada. As president and owner of the family-owned cigar factory, Manolo raised two strong daughters to succeed in the C-suite boy's club of premium cigars.  Highlights of the cigar conversation with Quesada include:  Shaking her booty to Dance VXN (1:07) Tweaking tobacco blends in dad's cigar recipe (13:52) Coloring a box of cigars for consistency (16:07) Making your mark to get what you paid for (18:47) Studying and working at a tobacco shop in Boston—a tropical girl in the snow (21:20) Playing well with competitors strengthens the Dominican cigar industry (27:41) Jamming in a band with Nirka Reyes, Abe Flores, Litto Gomez and “Henke” Kelner (30:21) Being kids on a tobacco farm—Quesada exclusive (31:44) Putting the Quesada name on a cigar for the first time with the Quesada 35th anniversary blend (38:16) Hatching crazy ideas to expand the cigar brand—origin story of the of Quesada Oktoberfest (41:51) How Raquel Quesada is similar to Manolo Quesada (46:44) How Raquel Quesada is different than her dad (47:47) Growing wrapper for an upcoming cigar release—Quesada exclusive (1:00:15)    Quesada Cigars protects its premium cigars by packaging with Boveda. You can protect your cigars just like cigars makers. Preserve your passion with Boveda, makers of 2-way humidity control for cigars, easy seasoning for wood humidors, humidor bags and one-step hygrometer calibration kits. Shop Boveda for cigars here: https://store.bovedainc.com/collections/boveda-for-tobacco (https://store.bovedainc.com/collections/boveda-for-tobacco) Quesada Cigars is a family-owned Dominican cigar operation. Its best known brands are Quesada, Casa Magna, Heisenberg and Fonseca cigars. Learn more about Quesada Cigars http://quesadacigars.com/ (http://quesadacigars.com/) Check Out More of Boveda Cigar Exclusives: For My Humidor | Manuel Quesada (patriarch of Quesada Cigars) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR8Gkx47YQQ&t=10s How Ferio Tego Cigars are Like Your Favorite Song (Feat. Michael Herklots) | Box Press Ep. 49 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYX2VJeHTjI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYX2VJeHTjI) How to set up a new wood humidor with the Boveda Humidor Starter Kit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sub3mPJo1Tg&t=1s

The difference in America from World War II to today, Walgreens is the latest to attempt to ban cigars for health reasons but still continue to sell junk food, Pete Buttigieg is on paternity leave while the transportation system in America is in crisis, Alec Baldwin shoots a cinematographer on set with a prop gun and part 2 of my conversation with Abe Flores of PDR Cigars.

Bruce Arians celebrates a Buccaneers victory with a premium cigar, our new Cigar Dave Podcast Format, Jon Gruden taken down by the NFL so should Cris Collinsworth be cancelled too, Daniel Craig as pussified James Bond, Merck continues to push Chinese Communist Party Wuhan Virus medicine that costs more despite worse results, 'Biden Butt' is the new syndrome from the virus and my conversation with Abe Flores, founder of PDR Cigars.

It's a perfect evening on Enema Lake for this week's episode. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and gets a decent rating. NH Cigar Bar license updates and more in the news segment. We interview Abe Flores of PDR Cigars during the event at Plaistow Cigar. Local Spotlight – Corona Cigar; Orlando, FL Controversy Corner … Continue reading "Episode 199: The Poop Deck; Special Segment with Abe Flores of PDR Cigars – Local Spotlight: Corona Cigar; Orlando, FL"

The documentary Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain has been released. Director Morgan Neville assembled together a playlist of music he found from Bourdain's books, interviews, social media, and more. Tonight, we take a look at that music and how it ties back to the life and times of the late Anthony Bourdain. We'll be joined by RoMa Craft Tobac's Skip Martin and John McTavish of Developing Palates. We will also pay homage to the late Dusty Hill of ZZ Top, Joey Jordison of Slipknot, and Dennis Thomas from Kool & The Gang. For this show, Skip smokes the Casa Torres 20 Anos Gran Robusto, John smokes the Baka Hunter Gatherer, Dave smokes the Neanderthal C3, and Coop smokes the Neanderthal GD. As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists: Episode 46 Morgan Neville Playlist References Prime Time Episode 197: Abe Flores, PDR Cigars Dusty Hill Dead At Age 72 Kool & the Gang Co-Founder Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas Dead at 70 1990 Album Archaeology: Uncle Tupelo's No Depression: Alt – Country Ground Zero: Dave and Stormzy's Clash: The Kings of UK Hip Hop  Anthony Bourdain on In-N-Out: 'My Favorite Restaurant in LA' Anthony Bourdain - Hong Kong  Anthony Bourdain No Reservations Nicaragua Anthony Bourdain & President Barack Obama in Hanoi, Vietnam Marvin Gaye: What's Going On 

The documentary Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain has been released. Director Morgan Neville assembled together a playlist of music he found from Bourdain's books, interviews, social media, and more. Tonight, we take a look at that music and how it ties back to the life and times of the late Anthony Bourdain. We'll be joined by RoMa Craft Tobac's Skip Martin and John McTavish of Developing Palates. We will also pay homage to the late Dusty Hill of ZZ Top, Joey Jordison of Slipknot, and Dennis Thomas from Kool & The Gang. For this show, Skip smokes the Casa Torres 20 Anos Gran Robusto, John smokes the Baka Hunter Gatherer, Dave smokes the Neanderthal C3, and Coop smokes the Neanderthal GD. As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists: Episode 46 Morgan Neville Playlist References Prime Time Episode 197: Abe Flores, PDR Cigars Dusty Hill Dead At Age 72 Kool & the Gang Co-Founder Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas Dead at 70 1990 Album Archaeology: Uncle Tupelo's No Depression: Alt – Country Ground Zero: Dave and Stormzy's Clash: The Kings of UK Hip Hop  Anthony Bourdain on In-N-Out: 'My Favorite Restaurant in LA' Anthony Bourdain - Hong Kong  Anthony Bourdain No Reservations Nicaragua Anthony Bourdain & President Barack Obama in Hanoi, Vietnam Marvin Gaye: What's Going On 

Tonight we welcome the one and only Abe Flores of PDR Cigars as our special guest! In the past decade Abe has become a power in the cigar industry, and we'll talk about his journey and get up to date on some of the latest happenings at PDR. Plus we will have our Live True, Sopranos, and DTT Industry Deliberation segments.

Tonight we welcome the one and only Abe Flores of PDR Cigars as our special guest! In the past decade Abe has become a power in the cigar industry, and we'll talk about his journey and get up to date on some of the latest happenings at PDR. Plus we will have our Live True, Sopranos, and DTT Industry Deliberation segments.

For Prime Time Special Edition 79, Abe Flores of PDR Cigars makes his debut on Prime Time! Abe has built two big operations – his PDR Cigars factory and his PDR Cigars brand. Tonight we’ll talk to Abe about both of them and uncover his journey in the cigar industry. Plus, Bear and Coop discuss the PCA Furloughs, the passing of two cigar industry people, and Stallone Cigars.

For Prime Time Special Edition 79, Abe Flores of PDR Cigars makes his debut on Prime Time! Abe has built two big operations – his PDR Cigars factory and his PDR Cigars brand. Tonight we’ll talk to Abe about both of them and uncover his journey in the cigar industry. Plus, Bear and Coop discuss the PCA Furloughs, the passing of two cigar industry people, and Stallone Cigars.

An interview with Abe Flores, master blender and founder of PDR Cigars. Before he entered the cigar making business, Abe was a programmer and also worked in retail. Attention to detail and consumer behavior were his main focuses and gave him the knowledge needed to make a premium cigar brand that would appeal to the masses. Listen to his story and how in a short amount of time he was able to go from unknown to one of the Dominican Republic's most promising new cigar makers and brand owner.

This week on #ELOsoFumarTakes Richie Otero of PDR Cigars joins us for our #45thTake. Abe Flores has created a humidor staple at PDR. He's now brought in Otero to help lead the sales force through a second re-branding of PDR. Like Flores, Otero has done quite a bit in the industry including retail. We explore some of the changes coming, re-branding, and, according to Richie, most of the world's problems. Enjoy!

"PDR Cigars has true Dominican roots located in Tamboril Dominican Republic. PDR uses a complex rolling technique called “Entubado” which is a special technique of bunching the filler tobacco. This lets you build a more complex filler bunch by adding more tobacco but placing it in a way that the draw is always desirable." PDR: http://www.pdrcigars.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/stogiegeek Follow us on Twitter: @stogiegeeks Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/stogiegeeks Instagram:  https://instagram.com/stogiegeeks

We celebrate our 200th episode with an interview with Abe Flores of PDR Cigars, we take a look back at our favorite smokes, discuss the future of the cigar industry, and review our stogies of the week. Stay tuned!

Bob and Dale announce a couple of special upcoming shows. Next week, Bob, Dale and Professor Doug Fiore, a regular columnist on cigarmedia.tv, will share their picks for the top cigars of 2011. Also, you won't want to miss the live version of show #365 on February 10th. In honor of having a show for listeners to download on every day of the year, Bob, Dale, Liz and Craig Schneider will be giving out sampler packs of some of their favorite cigars. But here is the kicker - you must be in the chatroom during the live show to win. Dale talks about the CigarTourism.com trip to Nicaragua that he is planning to take in 2012 and invites listeners to join him and Colin Ganley for an informative and entertaining time. The Cigar of the Week, The Vault Liga A-008 by Torano, was provided by Duque Cigar Company in Indialantic, Florida. The cigar featured in the What's My Band segment of the show, the NHC Surrogates Bone Crusher, was provided by Dan of NewHavanaCigars.com. The winner of November's Silver Palio Cutter Contest will be announced on next week's show. There is still time to send a photo of you or your friends enjoying a cigar to theshow@cigarmedia.tv to enter the contest. (Don't forget to include your mailing address and type "Palio" on the subject line.) To see the contest pictures, click on the Contest icon on the www.cigarmedia.tv home page. Remember you must re-enter each month to be eligible to win. Check out the live show! Go to http://www.cigarmedia.tv/live/ where the show is broadcast live most Friday evenings at 9 PM EDT. Cigar of the Week - The Vault Liga A-008 by Torano brought to us by Duque Cigars (http://www.duquecigars.com/, 410 5th Avenue Indialantic, FL). Released at the 2011 IPCPR Tradeshow, Torano Vault gets its name from the vault in which the Torano blend book is kept. Originally called Liga A-008, this blend has a Colorado Shade-grown Habano wrapper from Nicaragua, an Ometepe-grown ligero binder, and a filler of Nicaraguan long leaf tobaccos. It comes in the following sizes: Robusto 5 x 52 Toro 6 x 50 Torpedo 6.1 x 52 What else have you been smokin' Dale? Pueblo Dominicano Toro - 6.5” x 50 - Dominican cigar from the La Aurora factory that Bob mentioned a couple weeks back, wrapped in a 5 yr old Habano varity wrapper that is Sun Grown and fermented to a dark reddish hue. A very smooth, balanced and complex smoke that I enjoyed thoroughly! Leather, cedar and light spice in a creamy med-full bodied smoke. Very “Dominican” as one might expect, yet with rich flavors and a nutty finish. To me it competes with the Leon G Pinar Del Rio Liga Cubana No. 5, Habano Sungrown Toro - 6” x 50 - From our friend Abe Flores, the Nicaraguan and Dominican filler blend in these cigars is magnificently rich and deep in flavor. Wrapped in a Sungrown Habano leaf that is oily, silky and refined in appearance. Full bodied with lots of spice (especially in the retrohale), coffee bean and grain flavors, the cigar is very savory. The long finish highlights cedar & walnut tones. Padilla 1948 Edicion Limitada 2010 Robusto - 5” x 50 - One of those cigars I really enjoy when I’m in the mood for cedar, oak and leather flavors. This cigar also has a buttery component. The Nicaraguan grown Corojo and Crillo blend is covered in a Corojo wrapper that is med brown in color and imparts a peppery tang. The cigar is earthy in character, a touch dry and exhibits excellent construction. Copious amounts of medium bodied yet very full flavored smoke with a short woody finish. What else have you been smokin' Bob? Gurkha Evil - Originally released in 2010, this cigar comes in 5 sizes including the Churchill that I smoked. With a Brazilian wrapper, Dominican binder and Nicaraguan filler, this is a smooth spicy operator in the Gurkha line. Punch London Club Maduro Perdomo Patriarch Antano Dark Corojo Pinar Del Rio Capa Oscuro What's My Band?- This week's unbanded, the NHC Surrogates Bone Crusher, was provided by Dan of NewHavanaCigars.com. Palio Cutter Contest: The winner of the November Burl Palio cutter was Craig Rich. For December's contest, we are looking for photos of you and your friends enjoying cigars (all the better if they happen to be Esencias, but it will not affect your chances of winning). Send your entry to theshow@cigarmedia.tv. Please include your mailing address with your entry and type "Palio" on the subject line. Don't forget, you must re-enter the contest every month to be eligible to win. December's prize will be a silver Palio cutter. Join us next week when we announce the December winner. Do you have a suggestion for the unbanded cigar of the week? Every week Bob and Dale include an “unbanded cigar” segment in their show in which they smoke a cigar without any markings and give their honest opinions. Bob then opens a sealed envelope and discovers the cigar’s name and manufacturer. If you have suggestions for the "What's My Band?" segment, please send them to liz@cigarmedia.tv. Do you have a Cigar Review? If you call and leave a cigar review on the herfline and it is played on the show, you will receive a DogWatch Cigar Radio patch! You can reach the Herfline at 321-594-4373 - or cigar.radio on Skype. You can also send email to theshow@cigarmedia.tv. Music provided by the Figurados and The Surfonics. Please visit our sponsors and let them know you heard about them from DogWatch! Black Dog Coffee: http://www.blackdogcoffee.net/ Cigar Tourism: http://cigartourism.com/ Cuban Cigar Creation App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cuban-cigar-creation/id441057146?mt=8 DogWatch Cigar Radio iTunes App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dogwatch-cigar-radio-weekly/id338128296?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D6 DogWatch Cigar Radio Android App: http://www.appbrain.com/app/dogwatch-cigar-radio/tv.wizzard.android.dogwatchsocialclub850 Duque Cigars: http://duquecigars.com/ Esencia Cigars: http://www.esenciacigar.com/ La Palina: http://www.lapalinacigars.com/ La Tradicion Cubana: http://www.tradicion.com/ Miami Cigar and Company: http://www.miamicigarandcompany.com/ Mobile Stogie Pro App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mobile-stogie-by-cigar-research/id395661756?mt=8 Mobile Stogie Ref App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mobile-stogie-reference/id431376892?mt=8 Monte Pascoal Cigars: http://www.montepascoalcigars.com/ Palio Cigar Cutters:http://paliocutters.com/ Primer Mundo Cigars: http://www.primermundocigars.com Scotch Pro App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scotch-pro/id457390580?mt=8 Stogie Boys: http://www.stogieboys.com/ and www.facebook.com/stogieboyscigars Vanderburgh Humidors: www.vanderburghhumidors.com

This week Bob interviews Abe Flores about Pinar del Rio cigars. Bob and Dale discuss cigar rituals, the New York City outdoor smoking ban, and the upcoming Studio Tobac Tour. They also field several chat room questions from listeners viewing the show at www.livestream.com/cigar_radio (where the show is broadcast live most Friday evenings at 9 PM EST). Thanks goes out to Adam Zilinski from Canada for providing this week's unbanded, the Gran Habano SLS 3 Salomones. Cigar of the Week - Pinar del Rio 1878 Cubano Especial Capa Natural Darkside - HOYO DE MONTERREY LE HOYO DU DEPUTE Length: 110mm (4.3”) Ring Gauge: 38 One of the 7 Global Brands (as defined by Habanos SA), HdM is made to be a lighter character cigar. The Du Depute is a Trabucos vitola, more commonly referred to as a Short Panatela, and is a pre-1960’s release. No longer sold in the slide lid box of 50 or in the cardboard 5 pack, they only come in boxes of 25 today due to Habanos SA tightening their portfolio. What else have you been smokin' Dale? Romeo y Julietta 1875 Reserve Toro - 56 x 6” From the Flor de Copan factory in Honduras, the filler is Honduran & Nicaraguan, the binder is Nicaraguan and the wrapper is Honduran. This stick is a couple of notches above the regular RyJ line in richness and smoothness. A very good cigar that should be re-visited if you like earthy flavors surrounded with some complexity of mild spice, vanilla and hearty herbal notes. Esteban Carreras 5150 Toro - 50 x 6” The binder and filler all come from Corojo tobacco grown in Nicaragua and the cigar is covered in an Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf that is dark brown & silky. Medium bodied with wood, spice and some fruity sweetness (pears came to mind). I’ve had several of these now and all exhibit great construction, perfect draw and an even burn. The price is right too - the 5150 and it’s companion release, the 187 are around $5-$6 - a good value! Ernesto Perez-Carillo new release - This week I’ve smoked another each of two new cigars coming from the new EPC factory in Santiago. They were both toro size, one had a light Ecuadorian wrapper and one a darker Nicaraguan wrapper. No line names had been decided when I picked these up from Yunior Torrez at the EPC factory a few weeks ago. This new line, as with all the EPC cigars exhibit outstanding construction - very firm and even bunches, silky smooth and top grade wrappers and a perfect draw. Deep rich flavors on the savory side of the spectrum from both, with the lighter cigar leaning a bit towards an herbal character, the darker cigar having more developed sweetness and body. Hopefully these will be named and released this summer - I saw a few thousand sitting in the aging room in several sizes. What else have you been smokin' Bob? Jesus Fuego Origen Robusto - wrapper: Brazilian Corojo; binder: Costa Rican Corojo; filler: 1/2 Dominican Corojo, 1/2 Nicaraguan Corojo; price: MSRP $7.00 Padron Anniversary 1964 Romeo y Julietta Viejo Gold Band Box Pressed - Viejo, a recent addition to the Romeo y Julieta family, features a San Andres maduro wrapper and a multi-country blend of fillers. The flavor boasts notes of wood and bread, provides a moderate finish, and is medium in body. Each cigar is box pressed and comes packaged in traditional boxes of 20. Unfortunately I did not like one of two of the cigars that I had. The first one was OK, not a bad smoke and actually pleasant and unassuming though not as complex as they would have you believe. But the second version of this cigar I tried was a difficult smoke and half way through I gave up. No smoke, hard to draw and therefore no flavor. I felt it was a waste of my time. What's My Band? - #951, the Gran Habano SLS 3 Salomones, provided by listener Adam Zilinski. February Palio Cutter Contest Winner: Jared Street from Akron, Ohio, won the silver Palio Cutter. Enter the March contest now to win a carbon Palio Cutter. Do you have a Herf Line Review? If you call and leave a cigar review on the herf line and it is played on the show, you will receive a DogWatch Cigar Radio patch! You can reach the Herfline at 321-594-4373 - or cigar.radio on Skype. You can also send email to theshow@cigarmedia.tv. Origin of the term HERF: From Cigar Craig, http://cigarcraig.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/the-origin-of-the-word-herf/ "Stump the Chumps" Do you have a suggestion for the unbanded cigar of the week? Every week Bob and Dale include an “unbanded cigar” segment in their show in which they smoke a cigar without any markings and give their honest opinions. Bob then opens a sealed envelope and discovers the cigar’s name and manufacturer. If you have suggestions or donations for the "What's My Band?" segment (or as Craig Schneider refers to it, "Stump the Chumps"), please send them to liz@cigarmedia.tv. Music provided by the Figurados from their new album, "Lesson Two," and The Surfonics.

This week, Bob, Dale, Liz, Craig Schneider and Colin Ganley celebrate the 300th DogWatch episode. Listeners comment on what the show means to them in entries to the DWCR 300th Episode Contest and the winners to the contest are announced. Go to http://www.cigarmedia.tv/300th-episode-contest-entries/ for a complete list of the entries. * Bill Cartwright was the winner of a gift package including a box of Esencia Corona Gordas and an Esencia logo Palio cutter from Brother of the Leaf, LLC. * Carl Holtman was the winner of a box of La Aurora 107 Coronas from La Aurora Cigars, Miami Cigar & Company. * Bruce Berg was the winner of a 12-pack of New Havana Cigars Seleccion Limitada by Tatuaje (6 natural and 6 Reserva) and an etched Tatuaje Lotus Table Lighter from NewHavanaCigars.com. Bryan Newbury from Centro Cigars in Lawrence, Kansas is the guest on "What's Hot? What's Not? What's Next?" Bob interviews Dan Welsh of New Havana Cigars about the Cigar of the Week. Cigar of the Week - New Havana Cigars Seleccion Limitada Reserva Produced by Pete Johnson and rolled at the My Father Cigars factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, The NHC Seleccion Limitada is based on an original Tatuaje blend and available in both Natural and Reserva (Broadleaf) wrappers. The project came about as there were many boxes lingering at the factory, which were originally made for the tubos series in 2009. As luck has it, exactly 20 cigars at 6 3/4 x 42 fit in each side of the box with the tubos inserts removed. A short phone call and a few samples later and New Havana Cigars was on board for this project. (OK - they were on board even before the samples arrived, but after smoking them ... the excitement hit the roof) Deciding on two wrappers, the boxes contain 40 cigars, 20 Natural and 20 Reservas. The Reservas are made with a Broadleaf wrapper and the Natural with Habano. Both are the same blend, based on the original Tatuaje blend. About 500 boxes will be produced. Dark Side - Bolivar Corona Gigante - 7x47 (Julietta No. 2) What else have you been smokin' Dale? Montana Azul - The house blend from Blue Mountain cigars, this Cigar is also named after the factory it comes from in Esteli. The dark torpedo vitola I smoked is a Nicaraguan puro and delivered lots of creamy cedar flavor throughout. Touches of exotic spice and aromatic vanilla were prominent in the last half. Towards the end of the cigar a bit of astrigent nuttiness (walnuts) came on and finished off the experience nicely. Very good construction, a great draw and a delightfully smooth, creamy finish. PDR 1878 Cubano Especial - With an Arapiraca Maduro wrapper from Brazil, a Criollo '98 binder from the DR and a filler blend from Nicaragua and DR, this latest release from Abe Flores has the structure and depth to keep any cigar passionado in Nirvana! Lately I've smoked several of the 7.25" x 38 Lancero and just can't get enough of them. They are avail in 6 other traditional sizes, plus a 6" x 60 for those infatuated with this large size trend. Esteban Carreas Habano - What else have you been smokin' Bob? Gran Habano Corojo #5 Churchill - Made in Honduras with Costa Rican and Nicaraguan filler, Nicaraguan binder and a Nicaraguan wrapper. As you may recall, two weeks ago I listed the Habano #3 in this review and commented quite nicely about it. However, the #5 blend does not receive the same love. The blend, for me, was very strong and lacked any flavors other than strong tobacco making it an unpleasant smoke. Not to my liking. El Titan de Bronze Redemption Maduro - Gets better every time I smoke one. La Caridad del Cobre - Another blend out of Cuban Crafters made for our friend Frank Herrera this is is a fine polished smoke with lots of flavors but not harsh on the palate. H.Upman Sun Grown - A forgettable cigar that tastes like every other Sun Grown on the market. Light and airy with no spice and little else to make this cigar anything but forgettable. What else have you been smokin' Craig? Ashton La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor - Loaded with savory flavors that dance on the tongue, this medium strength full bodied cigar is a can't miss. Samples smoked at and after the show are 100% identical to regular production. A little reminiscent to Pepin cigars from the past but much more elegant & refined. Lovely. Gran Habano Azteca - I loved this cigar at IPCPR. I did not love this cigar off the shelf. It is a shame that the production version of this performed as poorly as it did. 4 friends and I had a group review of the stick and all had similar thoughts, despite getting different flavors. The lovely sweet syrupy (almost Cola) tastes from the pre-production model were nearly all gone. The Mexican wrapper seemed flat & nearly flavorless which was so different from the originals. I hope this is just a product of being so close to manufacture date & not an indication of the line as a whole. Tatuaje Regio Reserva 2009 - In the spirit of the C.o.W. NHC Reserva, I lit this cigar up while reviewing entries for the 300th episode contest. While brimming with flavor & an overwhelming Connecticut Broadleaf cocoa taste, this cigar was outshone by its unbelievable construction. I'm not someone who focuses on aspects of a cigar other than taste very often but this cigar was constructed as perfectly as a cigar can be. Cap, draw, burn, ash, heft, band, durability. It had it all. What's My Band? - #938 from Liz; Illusione mk Petit Corona Herf Line Reviews: Martin Couch reviews the Bolivar Royal Coronas and Bill Featherston reviews the Gurkha Viper. November Palio Cutter Contest: Enter the November contest now to win a carbon fiber Palio Cutter. Do you have a Herf Line Review? If you call and leave a cigar review on the herf line and it is played on the show, you will receive a DogWatch Cigar Radio patch! You can reach the Herfline at 321-594-4373 - or cigar.radio on Skype. You can also send email to theshow@cigarmedia.tv. Origin of the term HERF: From Cigar Craig, http://cigarcraig.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/the-origin-of-the-word-herf/ Do you have a suggestion for the unbanded cigar of the week? Every week Bob and Dale include an “unbanded cigar” segment in their show in which they smoke a cigar without any markings and give their honest opinions. Bob then opens a sealed envelope and discovers the cigar’s name and manufacturer. If you have suggestions for the "What's My Band?" segment, please send them to liz@cigarmedia.tv. Thanks to Michael Howe for bumpers and special effects in this show. Music provided by the Figurados from their new album, "Lesson Two," and The Surfonics.

This week Bob interviews Abe Flores from Pinar del Rio. Also this week, John Richardson, General Manager of A Little Taste of Cuba cigar shops in New Jersey and Pennsylvania is the guest on"What's Hot, What's Not, What's Next." Cigar of the Week - La Aurora Guillermo Leon Dark Side - SAN CRISTOBAL MURALLA 7x54 What else have you been smokin' Dale? San Lotano Maduro Toro - from TBOTLCH Master by Carlos Torano PDR 1878 Cubano Especial Fonseca Cubano Limitado What else have you been smokin' Bob? 13th Floor Robusto - This is an interesting cigar with some unusual flavors and great construction. Don Kiki Brown and Green - Not something I would have normally picked up to smoke as they do not resonate with me; well they didn't before now. This is really a well made cigar with smooth flavors of tobacco, very slight spice and a light savoryness that made for a very pleasant smoke. Di Fazio Red Label - Honduran Puro La Aurora 107 Robusto Tatuaje La Verite - Thanks to Tobacconist University for providing me with this fine cigar to review. I was fortunate to see these cigars while still in the aging room at My Father Cigars in Estelli. Pete was like a proud Papa when he showed us the shelves full of these beautiful sticks. For those of you that may not know, the la Verite is a special project of Pete Johnson and Pepin Garcia to produce a cigar containing only tobacco from a single year and a single vega (farm). Something that has not been done or even considered in the cigar business before now. When the project was first announced it caused a wave of discussion amongst cigar enthusiasts, not for its proposed recipe but for its proposed sales methodology. Pete had intended to sell futures in the cigar much like is done with wines. In the wine business it is common for certain vintages to be 'pre-sold' prior to being tasted outside of the vineyard. This is in essence a speculation on the final quality of the product with the hope that the investor will realize financial gain by buying in early at a discount and that the final street price will be higher. It was a revolutionary concept for the cigar industry and unfortunatley for Pete and Pepin, it was not well received by enough of the consumer market to be a success. Nonetheless, the cigars were being produced anyway and now they are available to the public with a production of 20,000 cigars - 400 boxes of 25 and 1000 boxes of 10. This cigar has a very nice body and a clean burn. It tastes very peppery with a grass undertone and a metallic retrohale. But the pepper was the dominant flavor. Pepper is easy to identify once you learn to recognize the sharpness on the edges of your tongue and the back of your jaw. One thing I really enjoyed was the aroma of this smoke. It was beautiful through the nose, intensifying the flavor without being overpowering. The entire smoke was consistently smooth. There was a bit of a dry finish but nothing harsh or unpleasant to me. Cedar was especially prominent at the beginning of the smoke, but more complexity with earth flavors came forward as the smoke continued. This is not a powerhouse, but a medium bodied smoke with some lovely characteristics. At $20 a stick it isn’t a daily smoke, but one for special occasions. As they are from a single crop and vintage, they are limited. I think this will be a nice addition to the Tatuaje line. What's My Band? - #932 from Liz; AJ. Fuego Natural September Palio Cutter Contest Winner: Kris Allen from Mineral Wells, Tx won the classic black Palio Cutter. Enter the October contest now to win a gold Palio Cutter. Herf line from ER Doc on the LFD Air Bender and a Happy Birthday to Dale herf Line from Angry Bill. Do you have a Herf Line Review? If you call and leave a cigar review on the herf line and it is played on the show, you will receive a DogWatch Cigar Radio patch! You can reach the Herfline at 321-594-4373 - or cigar.radio on Skype. You can also send email to theshow@cigarmedia.tv. Origin of the term HERF: From Cigar Craig, http://cigarcraig.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/the-origin-of-the-word-herf/ Do you have a suggestion for the unbanded cigar of the week? Every week Bob and Dale include an “unbanded cigar” segment in their show in which they smoke a cigar without any markings and give their honest opinions. Bob then opens a sealed envelope and discovers the cigar’s name and manufacturer. If you have suggestions for the "What's My Band?" segment, please send them to liz@cigarmedia.tv. Thanks to Michael Howe for bumpers and special effects in this show. Music provided by the Figurados from their new album, "Lesson Two," and The Surfonics.

Colin Ganley (European Cigar Journal, CigarTourism.com) and Craig Schneider (columnist, The Shoulders We Stand On) are special guests this week. Cigar of the Week - Adrians Havana The Havanna 2000 (Criollo) wrapper, is more of a medium, full-bodied cigar, created specifically for the smoker who wants a cigar that is not too light but not too strong. Sweet on the lips at first pre-light, the strength starts to kick in as the cigar burns, heightening to levels of pure ecstasy. ECJ Awards - Review of Winners BEST BRAND Cuba – not yet announced Dominican Republic – Macanudo 1968 Honduras – Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Nicaragua – Nub Habano | Sun Grown USA – Don Pepin Garcia Blue - http://www.elreydeloshabanos.com , http://www.myfathercigars.com/ BEST CIGAR Cuba – not yet announced Dominican Republic – Davidoff Maduro, Robusto Honduras – Flor de Copan Linea Puros, Robusto - Nicaragua – Padrón Family Reserve 45 Years Maduro BEST VALUE Dominican Republic – Santa Damiana Honduras – Flor de Selva - Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=80552404279 Mexico – Te-Amo World Selection Series Nicaragua – Oliva Connecticut Reserve LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Benjamin F. Menendez OUTSTANDING ART Vrijdag Premium Printing CHARITY & COMMUNITY Cigar Family Charitable Foundation AMBASSADOR CRA – Cigar Rights of America BEST ACCESSORY Palio Cutters Dark Side - Por Larranaga Petit Coronas Name: Petit Coronas Cab 50 Ring gauge: 42 Length: 12.90 CM / 5.0 inches Por Larranaga Petit Coronas SLB CAB - 50 cigars [5.0 x 42] Por Larrañaga is a brand with a long history. Founded in 1834 it enjoys well-earned reputation for its quality and the attractiveness of its presentation. All the tobacco in the Por Larrañaga range comes from the Vuelta Abajo region and the cigars are made using methods of production — "totalmente a mano, tripa larga" — totally hand made, long filler, "totalmente a mano, tripa corta" — totally hand made, short filler. What else have you been smokin' Colin? Tatuaje Red Churchill J. Fuego Origen (other sizes) What else have you been smokin' Craig? Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary Davidoff Puro d'Oro Notables Augusto Reyes Vintage What else have you been smokin' Bob? Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary - A medium dark, trunk-pressed cigar that's wrapped in Ecuadoran tobacco grown from Habano seeds. The binder and filler tobaccos are entirely Nicaraguan, and one of the filler varieties is grown on a farm that was specially dedicated to this cigar. The cigars come in dark boxes with metallic plates, and the double bands are the color of gun metal steel. Bucanero Canon Cubana Maduro Blend: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper; Nicaragua 2000 Maduro and Dominican fillers PINAR DEL RIO 1878 CUBANO ESPECIAL Another very good smoke from Abe Flores with strong flavors but not the spice of his earlier efforts. I need to smoke more of these to do an adequate review. A medium bodied smoke blended from small-batch Nicaraguan and Dominican long fillers, a Nicaraguan binder, and your choice of a Connecticut or Maduro wrapper. Xikar HC Series Habano Colorado A nice smoke that does not hold up against some of the better smokes of the day. Flavor is good but one dimensional and not very exciting. Relaxing smoke but not outstanding. Created by Jesus Fuego. Wrapper: Habano Colorado - Jalapa Valley Binder: Esteli Filler: Costa Rica, Jalapa, Honduras AVO Heritage Great smoke with medium flavors of Dominican sweet spice and a barnyard tobacco flavor. Thanks to Michael Herklots, this is a very good cigar. New Release from AVO cigars and Davidoff. What's My Band? - A "special edition" from Bob. Blended and rolled by Bob McDuffee. The cigar that Bob rolled in the Dominican Republic while visiting the La Aurora factory in February. Herf Line Review from Angry Bill. August Palio Cutter Contest Winner: Dave Wallace won a gold Palio Cutter. Herf Line Reviews - If you call and leave a cigar review on the herf line and it is played on the show, you will receive a DogWatch Cigar Radio patch! You can reach the Herfline at 321-594-4373 - or cigar.radio on Skype. You can also send email to theshow@cigarmedia.tv. Origin of the term HERF: From Cigar Craig, http://cigarcraig.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/the-origin-of-the-word-herf/ Do you have a suggestion for the unbanded cigar of the week? Every week Bob and Dale include an “unbanded cigar” segment in their show in which they smoke a cigar without any markings and give their honest opinions. Bob then opens a sealed envelope and discovers the cigar’s name and manufacturer. If you have suggestions for the "What's My Band?" segment, please send them to liz@cigarmedia.tv. Music provided by the 25 Smokin' Figurados from their new album, "Lesson Two," and The Surfonics.