tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18119355638746620202024-03-05T19:23:12.355-05:00Some of The Finer Things Cigars, whisky, and the good life.buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-464399740264157512013-08-20T06:36:00.001-04:002013-08-30T14:21:16.359-04:00Cigar Review: Graycliff EmeraldThe Incredible Hulk. Big, green, and full of flavor!? <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMrWTNLMwQMKq3H6ebq4KQa_mPDJeShBrLXEMNJGolRFkwoBPXexxviJaXaj1DBeAtYZg4h_5KZdHVlwL3HXxCZXSKOHONr96jVh4lOH_4F8D4mebsMnJx8hpWZ7v37BHSHlTXqBdCdJt/s640/blogger-image-1618644162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMrWTNLMwQMKq3H6ebq4KQa_mPDJeShBrLXEMNJGolRFkwoBPXexxviJaXaj1DBeAtYZg4h_5KZdHVlwL3HXxCZXSKOHONr96jVh4lOH_4F8D4mebsMnJx8hpWZ7v37BHSHlTXqBdCdJt/s640/blogger-image-1618644162.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have never had a Candela wrapped cigar. It was a very strange taste but really cool nonetheless. This cigar is filled with Brazilian, Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Grecian tobaccos. Finish that off with the Candela wrapper and this is one mighty cigar. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div>As soon as you lite up this cigar you know immediately that there is something just a little bit different about it. It is rich and creamy, but there's something else in there. That strange taste on the finish is what I can only describe as botanical. I personally wasn't a fan but I can see how some people could really enjoy that flavor. This Hulk was just a little too beastlike for me.</div><div><br></div><div>I would give this one a try but be prepared. It is a little funky! I give this Graycliff a 5 of 10. Not because its bad, I just didn't care for its particular taste. Getting Hulked wasn't that great, eh. </div>buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-36518679801969952212013-07-31T13:57:00.000-04:002013-07-28T13:58:33.318-04:00Cigar Review: Victor Sinclair PrimerosEver have one of those weeks where nothing goes right? Yup. We all have, and sometimes you just need a friend to lean on to make it better. My friend this week was (you guessed it)... was an awesome cigar! The <a href="http://www.victorsinclair.com/">Victor Sinclair</a> Primeros.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QVH0i2ST4c2jd-t3oq9lksCe-LgRMSsP91LsZ1Hq3bU7jor777peing1rDkUDcDUdd6bZHiyqYUE3NBwjUF6JjEENKSa-usmVntOxQ9ggpOq_UvUdE1OxmS_BrjOYkzkRM79tpw0Z0t1/s1600/Photo+by+buckeyede06.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QVH0i2ST4c2jd-t3oq9lksCe-LgRMSsP91LsZ1Hq3bU7jor777peing1rDkUDcDUdd6bZHiyqYUE3NBwjUF6JjEENKSa-usmVntOxQ9ggpOq_UvUdE1OxmS_BrjOYkzkRM79tpw0Z0t1/s400/Photo+by+buckeyede06.png" width="400" /></a></div>
This little fella' is a great listener and will surely make your crappy week seem like a thing of the past!<br />
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The Victor <a href="http://www.victorsinclair.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,68/category_id,6/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,26/">Primeros</a> is an easy smoking cigar with the taste and construction of much pricier cigars. You can pick up a box of these for around <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/victor-sinclair-primeros-robusto.html?filter_name=victor%20sinclair">$50</a> or a single for just <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/victor-sinclair-vintage-select-single.html?filter_name=victor%20sinclair">3 bucks</a> from <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/">StogieBoys</a>!<br />
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I haven't had many Victor Sinclair's, as a matter of fact, I believe this is my first review. I hope you are excited as I am! Probably not, but lets get smoking.<br />
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The cigar is wrapped in a gorgeous Connecticut leaf. It is smooth and ready to make any day better! Bined with Sumatra leaves and filled with Ligero, Olor, and Dominican tobaccos. The spec sheet on this cigar is impressive, it has a very good mix of tobaccos so the flavors should be awesome.<br />
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Cutting and lighting are a breeze and the first few puffs are excellent. Smooth, sweet and a perfect draw. The cigar stays a nice temperature and really makes smoking enjoyable. It doesn't pack a wallop of flavor, but it has enough undertones to keep me happy. I was literally melting my stress away. This cigar makes a great weekender. As you smoke it, expect the flavor and intensity to pick up but it is still lite. I enjoyed it to the very nub.<br />
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I really can't complain here. It was a great mellow smoke and it made me feel one hundred times better after smoking it. It was exactly what I needed. It doesn't have a ton of flavor, but that is not what this cigar was designed for. It's a complex light bodied cigar. And Victor nailed it. I give this cigar a strong 8.5 of 10. Pick one up!<br />
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Questions for YOU: What are your favorite de-stress cigars?</div>
buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-4675763172691385652013-07-27T20:30:00.000-04:002013-07-28T13:25:12.663-04:00Whiskey Review: OYO Bourbon Michelone ReserveThis spicy little concoction from <a href="http://middlewestspirits.com/">Middle West Spirits</a> will keep you coming back!<br />
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For those of you who are not familiar with <a href="http://middlewestspirits.com/partners/">OYO</a>, shame. Shame I say. It's a craft distillery right in the heart of Columbus, Ohio and definitely worth a try. They have mainly vodkas and whiskies. Delightful wheat whiskies I might add...<br />
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This is actually a blend of their 100% Ohio red wheat whiskey and a popular Kentucky bourbon. I am not sure what bourbon they are using but whatever it is, it's a good one. The result is a balanced, complex bourbon with a little bit of kick. To be honest I actually enjoy the regular OYO whiskey more, but this is still a delightful drink.<br />
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Color: Dark Russet<br />
Nose: Baking spices, fruit, caramel<br />
Taste: sweet brown sugar, a little rye, and citrus<br />
Body: Medium to full<br />
Finish: short and bitty </div>
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Don't get me wrong, this is a really cool whiskey from OYO and it's a nice one to keep in the collection. Especially if you are from Ohio! I don't think it's their best whiskey but it beats some of the more popular brands at this price point. The other upside is supporting a local distillery, something I hold dear.</div>
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Go ahead pick up a bottle. Don't expect to have your mind blown, but do enjoy it. It's a damn good whiskey! Thanks OYO for keeping Ohio on the map. Overall I give this bourbon a respectable 7 out of 10.<br />
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Questions for YOU: Anybody else an OYO fan out there? Share your thoughts!</div>
buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-13618031755784147532013-06-09T14:36:00.001-04:002013-06-10T20:14:55.163-04:00Cigar Review: Perdomo Reserve Champagne<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Champagne, the drink of celebration </b>so when you slap "champagne" on something, you are making a statement. A delicious, balanced statement! </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This <a href="http://www.perdomocigars.com/brands_reserve.html">Perdomo</a> has quite a few things working for it. First off,
its Connecticut wrapper is triple fermented. Second, it's filled
with fine Cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobaccos. Third, construction and presentation are flawless. Nailed it Perdomo, nailed it. Now lets celebrate!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The smoke itself is very much like champagne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Smooth, refined, and complex. It is a mild to
medium smoke with an absence of any spicy flavors. Do not mistake it
for boring though. It has a rich coffee taste with a little creamy sweetness.
Very impressive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This cigar is a great stick and once again, check out the deals. There are some pretty good ones at <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/perdomo-reserve-10th-champagne-robusto-single.html?filter_name=champagne">Stogieboys.com</a>. You
can score this cigar for as little as 7 bucks! Not bad for a flavorful easy smoker. I give this lite cigar a strong 8 of 10. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Questions for YOU: What is your favorite Perdomo? And have you ever had champagne with a cigar?!</span></div>
buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-442844908140496472013-04-26T14:30:00.000-04:002013-04-26T14:30:01.510-04:00Cigar Review: CAO Concert<b>Music to my... mouth?! </b> This melodious cigar is sure to please a crowd. For about $6 at <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/cao-concert-solo-single.html?filter_name=cao%20concert&sort=p.price&order=ASC">Stogie Boys</a> you can own this classic, and (spoiler alert) it's worth every penny.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZT2kyiA7RVYpMw-lfmEHxMBJut6ED5DTBTDNNoGT-eXHlUZrYOO6EBG7iHhul1oTGbV-CnXB6tHwYfE8KEWhvLhKnmKh-Z9CXyLXnzbhrGkPQlvRgwZwc3tqoT9PlPXEPM4tmqewcL57/s640/blogger-image--232668304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZT2kyiA7RVYpMw-lfmEHxMBJut6ED5DTBTDNNoGT-eXHlUZrYOO6EBG7iHhul1oTGbV-CnXB6tHwYfE8KEWhvLhKnmKh-Z9CXyLXnzbhrGkPQlvRgwZwc3tqoT9PlPXEPM4tmqewcL57/s640/blogger-image--232668304.jpg" /></a></div>
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I won't go into <a href="http://caocigars.com/about/">CAO's story</a> but here are a few fun facts:<br />
<br />
1. The CAO Concert cigar was inspired by the brand's Nashville roots. <br />
2. Rick Rodriguez crafted this beautiful piece. <br />
3. It is made using a combo of 4 Nicaraguan & Honduran fillers with a Connecticut binder, then rolled in a Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. <br />
4. It is best smoked while listening to big band jazz, like the old school stuff (true story). <br />
<br />
Upon lighting, you get hit with a peppery smell and a thin smoke. It has a tight draw, and takes a little to get going. Once in full puff mode, ya <i>puff mode</i>, it picks up fast with rich and strong flavors. Not for the faint of heart. The peppery start will bite, but it mellows to a woodsy taste and a tad of sweetness. I say tad cause it is mainly earthy spice so don't kid yourself!<br />
<br />
It burned great and was a long smoke due to the tight draw. Hunker down with a good book cause it will be a while. As it burned, the spice mellowed and the sweetness kicked up. Still earthy though. It leaves a nice rich taste in your mouth, but a generally dirty feeling. It's all that flavor just hanging out for later. <br />
<br />
I was very impressed! I am not a bold cigar guy but this stick was palatable and super complex. Standing ovation for this maestro. Solid 8 outa 10. Pick one up, enjoy.<br />
<br />buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-35880140104973222502013-04-15T15:00:00.000-04:002013-04-16T07:49:29.647-04:00Whiskey Review: Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey<br />
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<b>A baller whisky from the <i>West Coast</i>. </b>I first heard about<b> </b><a href="http://www.stranahans.com/">Stranahan’s</a> from a friend. He was raving about some new whisky from Colorado. I said, “Whisky from Colorado? That's about as crazy as <a href="http://someofthefinerthings.blogspot.com/2013/01/whiskey-review-oyo-whiskey.html">whisky from Columbus</a>!”. I am eating those words…<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HUyLGj1dku4awaPRqMYAijj35czzOBF86QKq9oi2gZSoHjwcF4o8tV4Tulnffb90b5IINdlJGYrXFb_1wXIn74inmuq2JRj26hynsoukHZ1JDssew7A_6Pkam6tZkjFQL59zFvRFVFz_/s640/blogger-image-1824502886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HUyLGj1dku4awaPRqMYAijj35czzOBF86QKq9oi2gZSoHjwcF4o8tV4Tulnffb90b5IINdlJGYrXFb_1wXIn74inmuq2JRj26hynsoukHZ1JDssew7A_6Pkam6tZkjFQL59zFvRFVFz_/s640/blogger-image-1824502886.jpg" /></a>This is one of my favorites from west of the Mississippi. It has cool presentation, an interesting brand, and a rich taste. The first thing you notice is the tall bottle with the little metal shot glass. Now I never abuse my poor whiskeys by “shooting” them, but the glass is kind of cool. Upon further investigation you will notice handwritten notes on the bottle. They include the batch number, fillers name, and notes. I love this part and think it is awesome! My bottle says “Listening to Cake” and it was filled by Rowland. How personal is that?! Now it isn't a mind blowing idea, but it's different and I love the personal touch. It makes me imagine some kid my age, just jamming out to some Cake and working a long day. Pretty neat. Their brand story is cool too, you can read more <a href="http://www.stranahans.com/history/">here </a>. <br />
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Now to the taste! </div>
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Color: Russet, brownish gold</div>
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Nose: musty, sweet like oranges</div>
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Taste: rich brown sugar, citrus</div>
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Body: medium, maybe a little syrupy</div>
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Finish: short and sweet, a little smokey</div>
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This is a great whiskey and should make bourbons think twice about the <i>Westsiders</i>. It's strong and spicy, but still smooth enough to make it very easy to drink. My only complaint: it’s a little pricey for the above-average taste. I still recommend everyone with a whiskey cabinet pick up a bottle, and support our whiskey loving friends in Colorado! I give this whiskey a respectable 8 of 10. <br />
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Questions for YOU: Ever have a Colorado whiskey? Any good? What brand? </div>
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<br />buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-6513087651136452672013-03-25T15:50:00.000-04:002013-03-25T15:50:00.280-04:00Cigar Review: C+C Maduro<b>It's Monday, the weekend is over. Your're back at work. This sucks.</b> You get slammed all day at work (hopefully not literally) and all you want to do is come home, and relax. You want a nice, easy going stick that doesn't remind you that you just dropped some serious $$$'s on a cigar. Try the <a href="http://candccigars.com/products/cc">C+C Maduro</a>. Cheap, smooth, and awesome with whisky!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9qvEPVQ_VmdD-_hvJM2EFWcIdaBLR_nlIkMqsnKpjOqtoSIqXm6T9P6gKNccH1Mn77WE0CvWYl0AmqnXVX_xM04X2jZSDwlWDBEDPkxJBkYw_5xRcFcZM-rX_wqLRvYcJB-7yiGxiRk9/s640/blogger-image--450693270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9qvEPVQ_VmdD-_hvJM2EFWcIdaBLR_nlIkMqsnKpjOqtoSIqXm6T9P6gKNccH1Mn77WE0CvWYl0AmqnXVX_xM04X2jZSDwlWDBEDPkxJBkYw_5xRcFcZM-rX_wqLRvYcJB-7yiGxiRk9/s640/blogger-image--450693270.jpg" /></a></div>
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You can find this little fella for about $5 a stick at <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/c-and-c-cigars-en?limit=100">Stogie Boys</a>. Not bad. I don't really know much about C+C, but it is a decent smoke for that price. I prefer the Maduro, but the Corojo was rated well too.<br />
<br />
The wrapper quality was ok. Nothing fancy, some veins and blemishes. You get what you pay for. The actual cigar was good though. It burned great and had a nice easy draw. I got the robusto so it was just the right length for a Monday night. It's nutty earth tones were clear from the start. The easy-going cigar finished off with a little spice, like nutmeg. Not what I expected for a maduro. <br />
<br />
Want to turn it up a notch? Pair it with a great Whisky. There are a few trains of thought here:<br />
<br />
1. Pair a cigar with <i>another</i> smokey taste.<br />
2. Pair a cigar with a taste that <i>compliments</i> it.<br />
3. Pair a cigar with a taste that <i>contrasts</i> it.<br />
<br />
I prefer number two. I picked <a href="http://www.highlandpark.co.uk/lda/">Highland Park</a> 12 year for this. It is sweet, but not too sweet like <a href="http://www.whisky.com/brands/dalwhinnie_brand.html">Dalwhinnie</a>. The HP finishes with a great smoky taste, so it is definitely a compliment. If you wanna be a manly man, try a Cohiba with <a href="http://www.laphroaig.com/">Laphroaig</a>. It's like sucking down a burning peat bog.<br />
<br />
The cigar itself was ok, but the <i>experience</i> was perfect. All you have to do with a basic cigar is pair them right and they will tastes like something 3x thier worth. <b>And that's how you cure a case of the Mondays. </b><br />
<br />
Overall, this cigar gets an average 7 of 10 but makes a great booze buddy.<br />
<br />
Questions for YOU: What is your favorite cigar/booze combo!? <br />
<br />buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-42240448800110050322013-03-13T15:00:00.000-04:002013-03-13T15:00:04.212-04:00Whiskey Review: Woodford Reserve<br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What Bourbon aighta' be (That was my Kentucky
accent). I can’t say enough good things about <a href="http://www.woodfordreserve.com/">Woodford Reserve</a>. It is smooth,
tasty, and affordable. Makes the Scotches seem a little bloated when you can
get such great flavor at $30.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Woodford Reserve is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon
whiskey and hovers around 43-45% alcohol. The distillery is located in cozy Versailles, Kentucky and has seen its share of owners. It was established by Elijah Pepper but was sold to Labrot & Graham (hence the name on the bottle). Then a few flip-flops later, and it is now currently owned by the </span></span>Brown-Forman Corp. Moving on...<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This yummy whiskey is </span>crafted<span style="font-family: inherit;"> in small batches under a
watchful eye. I know the term "small batch" is thrown around a lot, but whether
Woodford does it truly is of little concern. It is
delicious whatever they are doing, so they should keep it up!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Color:
golden bronze<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nose:
honey and vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Palate:
light citrus with lots o’ warm honey!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Body:
medium, syrupy with a little tingle from the high alcohol %<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finish:
smooth vanilla, with a little smokiness<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok
folks, listen up. If you want to have “premium” Bourbon in your bar, look no further.
From all the </span><a href="http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/" style="font-family: inherit;">San Francisco Spirit awards</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (Woodford won more medals to list) to
</span><a href="http://www.wineenthusiast.com/" style="font-family: inherit;">Wine Enthusiast</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> ratings, this bourbon doesn't mess around. It is devilishly
smooth with excellent sweet flavors. Woodford is simple in their approach to
creating fine Bourbon, and it pays off in their excellent product. Grab a
bottle and enjoy! I give my favorite bourbon a 9.5 of 10. Could be a little more complex, </span>that's<span style="font-family: inherit;"> all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Questions
for YOU: Have you tried the Double Oak variety? Any good?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-39778027711999269062013-02-18T15:06:00.000-05:002013-02-28T20:13:14.433-05:00Cigar Review: La Gloria Cubana Natural<b>I want to talk about my sweet sweet mistress.</b> She was seductive, refined, a little on the naughty side, and burned evenly... Yes I am talking about a cigar, or that last one would have been a little creepy. <a href="http://lagloriacubana.com/cigars/la-gloria-cubana/">The La Gloria Cubana</a><br />
<br />
This little gem came to me in a <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/la-gloria-cubana-pairing-sampler-5-pack.html?keyword=la%20gloria">Stogie Boys sampler pack</a> and was by far the pick of the liter. The pack is only $25 bucks and you can probably find one of these as a deal. A cheap affair.<br />
<br />
She was draped in an Ecuadorian sumatra and blended with both Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos, this cigar is full of flavor just like the <a href="http://lagloriacubana.com/">history</a> of the brand. I'm going to cut to the chase on this one, but basically the guy fled Cuba with a great cigar recipe and remade them in Miami. Pretty cool though.<br />
<br />
This cigar packs quite a bit of wallop but in a smooth, sexy way. The perfect mistress! It has a nice wrapper and burns perfectly. The draw was <i>easy</i> just like ... ya, not going there.<br />
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You won't find subtle flavors here, big bold nutty tastes with a kick of earthy leather. There is a little sweetness in there to mellow it out a tad, like the sweetness of dark chocolate; savory and pungent. It has a rich finish with a touch of spice. Perfect, and just plain delicious.<br />
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I would pair this with a sweet <a href="http://someofthefinerthings.blogspot.com/search/label/OYO">whiskey</a> for the ultimate affair.<br />
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A half hour later my rendezvous with Gloria was over. Such a shame. She was an amazing full bodied cigar. I didn't want to part with her but I had too. I give this glorious Gloria a superb 9 of 10. This is a must try for anyone with a bold taste. <br />
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Questions for YOU: What is up with the creepy lady on the label?!<br />
<br />buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-44750506279833447852013-02-13T07:35:00.001-05:002013-02-13T07:35:38.612-05:00Cigar Review: Alec Bradley Harvest Selection<b>For anyone that hasn't been paying attention to the cigar industry, <a href="http://www.alecbradley.com/">Alec Bradley</a> is on fire! </b>Many of their sticks have been given a 90+ rating from <a href="http://www.cigaraficionado.com/">Cigar Aficionado</a> and it seems like their quality is unmatched. So I picked up a nice little sampler to see what all the fuss was about. Fuss discovered.<br />
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I picked up a Harvest Selection, not one of the more premium Alec's but it will do for my first of the sampler (more reviews and sticks to come). Wrapped up in an oily Habano wrapper, this thing looked to please. It cut great and had a super smooth draw. It was very easy to smoke and <i>over-smoke</i> even. I puffed a wee too hard and had to take a little break. Nothing a little whisky wouldn't fix!</div>
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Anyway, this guy is stuffed with 3 fillers; Mexican, Nicaraguain, and Dominican. You will notice these fillers when you get hit with all the complex flavors and spice. The Nicarguain and Dominican cuts give it a nice smooth leathery taste, while the strong and spicy Mexican ligero give it the spicy coffee like kick. I found this to be a bit strong for what most people consider a medium bodied cigar. Great flavors but it did have a kick, although that may be due to me over-smoking it. You know, when you get that light headed feeling? As I mentioned whisky seems to do the trick. Not sure if there is any science in that or just the happy numbing of whisky.<br /><br />I really enjoyed this smoke, it burned evenly, tasted great, and was a great deal. Those spicy, earthy flavors are not usually found on a stick this cheap. So far my first<a href="http://www.alecbradley.com/"> Alec Bradley</a> of the sampler was good. Now onto the more premium lines, hoorah! Overall, I give this Alec a respectable 8 of 10. </div>
buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-49814291183982992012013-01-28T15:04:00.000-05:002013-01-28T15:04:00.412-05:00Whiskey Review: OYO Whiskey<b>Have you ever had something so good, you didn't even want it anymore?</b> Like you don't deserve the awesomeness? I am not worthy of this whiskey. Seriously. It's that good.<br />
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First a little back story. We travel to the magical land of Columbus, Ohio. Okay so nothing magical but still a really cool place to visit if you're in the area. <a href="http://www.middlewestspirits.com/">Middle West Spirits</a> is a new addition to the city and a very popular one at that. They are part of the <i>boutique </i>distillery movement that you're seeing all over the country. Middle West offers vodkas sold under the OYO name but they also dabbled in whisky, as seen here.And to be frank I think it's the shit. <br />
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This whiskey is made with 100% red Ohio wheat and then carefully aged to perfection in oak. It's only aged about a year but that's all it takes for something this amazing. Now for the tasting notes:<br />
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Color: deep gold<br />
Nose: syrup, and dark cherries<br />
Palate: heaven, but for real- brown sugar, fruit, cinnamon<br />
Body: full and syrupy<br />
Finish: long and spicy, more of that cinnamon<br />
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I really can't speak highly enough of this whiskey. It is truly one of my favorites. I also think that half the fun was trying to find a bottle. I am a Cleveland native and it's really hard to find a bottle all the way up here. I had to have friends go down to Columbus and get it for me. Best gift ever. In conclusion, I give this <a href="http://www.middlewestspirits.com/">Ohio born whiskey</a> a strong 9.5 out of 10. <br />
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Questions for YOU: What is your favorite local distillery? <br />
<br />buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-52535578476786092692013-01-21T15:04:00.000-05:002013-02-13T07:41:28.622-05:00Cigar Review: Thurman Thomas Hall of Fame Maduro<br />
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<b>What would you do if you were an NFL Hall of Famer?</b> Start up a cigar line of course! </div>
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That is exactly what <a href="http://www.thurmanthomascigars.com/">Thurman Thomas</a> did with this <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/">Stogie Boys</a> exclusive. After a career of beating up your body, sitting down and smoking a nice cigar seems like just the ticket. With this modestly priced cigar you can do that on more than one occasion too. </div>
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These Hall of Fame sticks run for <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/cigars/thurman-thomas-hall-of-fame-toro-maduro.html&filter=MANUFFUNAM=Thurman+Thomas+Cigars=1001=BRAND">$4</a> . They are a staple of the retailer and not a bad go-to cigar. The construction is decent on this slightly oily maduro. Nice draw and lite evenly despite not being in my humidor for long. Upon burning, you notice its mellow, wispy smoke. Not very strong but pleasant The cigar was smooth and creamy, making it very easy to smoke. It had a mellow sweetness like the savory taste of a pecan. It was mild overall, with a nice clean finish. Not a lot of flavors in there, but there was a <i>little</i> spice at the end.</div>
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The cigar was a decent smoke and burned great the whole time. It didn't have as much flavor as one would hope, but still good. I would not quite call this a medium-bodied cigar, but also not a lightweight either. It is a <i>tweener</i>. If you are looking for a good anytime smoke, here is your man! Figuratively…well I guess literally too. Give the <a href="http://www.thurmanthomascigars.com/">Thurman</a> a try. This economical cigar gets a decent 7 of 10. Enjoy!<br />
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Questions for YOU: What will you be smoking during the Superbowl? A Thurman maybe!?<br />
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buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-76235248763085514072013-01-04T16:26:00.000-05:002013-02-13T19:55:35.606-05:00Cigar Review: Rocky Patel Fusion<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgID9dpjd8WD8L0n_PEoM717SBMkffEOOZSA1xfzPAyz5rzXw8put-9NqUQ1vQ0r3oixhv9hcGh-vTGzMUqYclFSmxQ9ijy9ZZXUU9_98ApOvh0lm8hcDqcKeiiGFkPpjFc90iG2cXURTuM/s1600-h/IMG00102.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><strike><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360206220519254802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgID9dpjd8WD8L0n_PEoM717SBMkffEOOZSA1xfzPAyz5rzXw8put-9NqUQ1vQ0r3oixhv9hcGh-vTGzMUqYclFSmxQ9ijy9ZZXUU9_98ApOvh0lm8hcDqcKeiiGFkPpjFc90iG2cXURTuM/s200/IMG00102.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></strike></a><br />
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<b>A shmorgishborg
of tobacco.</b> When I
saw a cigar called “Fusion” I knew this was going to be a whole bunch of leaves
and different tobacco varieties. But would it be any good? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.rockypatel.com/">Rocky P</a> is my cigar buddy and he would never steer me wrong, right?
I mean when is the last time you have had a <i>bad </i>Rocky? Rare indeed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well good news, this cigar was is no dud. The Fusion uses a tasty
Habano wrapper <i>over </i>a Connecticut wrapper and Ecuadorian binders. These are
then blended with a mix of Nicaraguan, Honduran and Cameroon fillers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So what does all that mean?! A sweet and well rounded taste. As
soon as you light this cigar, a sweetness takes over. The woody and earthy
tastes come in after and finish out. This medium bodied cigar has a long,
smooth finish with a sort of tangy taste. It isn't mind blowing, but surprisingly
complex and tasty. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I was impressed with the Fusion and <a href="http://www.rockypatel.com/">RP</a> seems to have put out
another great cigar. At <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/">$6 a stick</a>, it is a great cigar. I would have rated it
higher if it was a little stronger actually. The flavor was great, just not enough of
it! I gave this a stick 7.5 out of 10. </div>
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Questions for YOU: Have you had the Fusion? Or another stogie with
many different leaf varieties, thoughts?</div>
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<br />buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-20595607092333407982012-12-01T21:08:00.001-05:002013-02-13T07:42:07.684-05:00Cigar Review: Brickhouse MaduroMaduro, maduro why art thou so damn tasty!?<br />
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I have tried Brickhouse before and liked them for the most part but I saw this Maduro at my local shop and just had to try it.<br />
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The cigar is a fat, thick and oily stick. Doesn't that sound appealing? Yikes. Anyway this cigar lit easy and smelled nice and earthy, like a good Maduro should. <br />
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It was surprisingly tasty, smoother than I expected and had a very clean after taste. It had a little caramely sweet flavor in there too. The earthy tastes of a Maduro just weren't there, but still very tasty. This medium bodied cigar was balanced and very pleasurable. I literally smoked every bit of this guy. I did encounter a weird issue with the construction though. It actually cracked as the cigar burnt down. The extra heat found a weak spot in the wrapper. Not good but it didn't really affect the smoke. <br />
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I like the Brickhouse Maduro better than the other Brickhouse I tried. It was savory, sweet, and rich. If it wasn't for the splitting wrapper I would say this is one of the best cigars I have had in months. But... <br />
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I give this cigar a 7 of 10. Silly wrapper, splitting is for kids. <br />
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Questions for YOU: Have you ever had a cigar split its wrapper?<br />
<br />buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-61636821302170089752012-11-12T13:27:00.002-05:002013-02-13T20:20:08.968-05:00Cigar Review: Gurkha Evil<b>Do you know what political ads and my next cigar review have in common?!</b> They are both EVIL. Heyo! I'm full of jokes today.<br />
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The next cigar on my tasting list is the <a href="http://www.gurkhacigars.com/">Gurkha</a> <a href="http://www.gurkhacigars.com/evil-cigars.cfm">Evil</a>.I've had mixed results with Gurkha's but I am always up for a new smoke. This Brazilian wrapped gem is filled with spicy Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, and on paper looks to please. Albeit in a dark, mysterious way.....<br />
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The Gurkha Evil is a strong blend and you should be aware of this before lighting up. It has a little kick, nothing crazy but this is a full bodied cigar. Like most full bodied cigars, it has many strong and complex flavors. I enjoyed the earthy tastes and it had a little peppery finish as well. It's like a kick in the mouth, a surprisingly <i>smooth </i>kick in the mouth. I am not a huge fan of full bodied cigars, but this was balanced and smooth enough. I did have some burn problems as shown above. A little uneven, and I had to tend to it several times.<br />
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If I were to get more Evils, I would opt for the smaller sizes as to not overwhelm. You can get these in a robusto so I would start there. For those looking for a full, complex smoke here it is. The <a href="http://www.gurkhacigars.com/evil-cigars.cfm">Evil </a>also comes with a very reasonable price tag. Go on, give this feisty little guy a <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/gurkha-evil-robusto-single.html?filter_name=evil">try</a>! I give this Gurkha a 7 of 10.<br />
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Questions for YOU: How do you ensure a consistent burn? Any tips and tricks to share? <br />
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<br />buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-40447983982975830822012-11-02T16:02:00.000-04:002013-02-13T07:39:18.444-05:00Cigar Review: Acid Toast<div style="border: medium none;">
<b>Just too good not to try!</b> I have and always will enjoy a nice <a href="http://www.drewestate.com/">Acid Cigar</a> . You have to respect them for their unique and interesting characteristics. It is so different from anything else out there, and that can cause some people to either love them, or hate them. Either way, the Acid cigar has transformed the industry and brought in MANY new smokers. Smokers who soon yearn to try other brands and broaden their cigar experience. For everyone that thinks they are cigar abominations, think twice. It is simply change, and a change that is making the cigar world larger for all. Accept it or not. </div>
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I had the Acid Toast, part of <a href="http://www.drewestate.com/">Drew Estates</a> Subculture line. It was great! Probably one of my favorite Acid cigars, other than the 5’s and the Opulence. It had a fine presentation with a nice wrapper and that distinctive Acid smell. It had a nice easy draw and lit just fine. The sugared wrapper was obvious but it was the taste that was excellent. It tasted just like a spicy cinnamon, hot chocolate. It had the bitter sweet nuances of a chocolate and the spicy herbal taste like cinnamon or nutmeg. The cigar picked up a toasty taste in the middle, but finished how it started. The different tastes and smells really made this cigar one of the best Acids. My only complaint is that it is very straight forward with its tastes; it is a lot of flavor at once. The smoke itself is also worthy of noting. It has a pleasant smoke that people around me enjoyed for its sweet nuances. </div>
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I loved it and can’t wait to score some more. Some of the subcultures are harder to find but some <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/">online retailers</a> carry older blends. Good job Drew and overall I give this cigar a sweet 8.5 of 10.<br />
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Question for YOU: What is your favorite Acid cigar?!</div>
buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-85258920712732891542012-10-24T13:00:00.000-04:002012-10-24T13:00:04.728-04:00Cigar Review: Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro<b>Can't live like the top 5 percent? You can smoke like them though! </b><br />
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You don't have to pay a fortune for an excellent cigar. In fact, cigar deals just seem like they are getting better and <i>better</i>. Brand name cigars are out there waiting for you. You just need to find the right retailer. <br />
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My advice is to check out a site's <i>quick</i> hitting specials. The daily and weekly deals are the best value. <span style="color: #999999;"><a href="http://stogieboys.com/">Stogieboys.com</a> </span>has the great quality smokes you want, at prices you can brag about. Check back on their <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/deals-and-specials/hot-daily-deals"><span style="color: #999999;">Daily Deals</span></a><span style="color: #cccccc;"> </span> to see what I mean. </div>
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Anyway back to the cigar at hand, the <a href="http://www.perdomocigars.net/"><span style="color: #999999;">Perdomo Lot 23</span></a>. I sampled the maduro cigar from this long standing company. Originally founded in Cuba, they have not forgotten their <a href="http://perdomocigars.com/PerdomoAboutHistory.pdf"><span style="color: #999999;">roots</span></a> and this cigar is proof.<br />
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The leathery maduro wrapper was in great shape and the construction was generally blemish free. Cutting and lighting went off without a hitch, and you immediately got that rich, chewy smoke. I love a maduro that isn't too earthy and has a little sweetness on the finish. That is the kind of maduro that makes me one happy camper. Now I can't say this cigar has exactly that, but it's close. The cigar starts with a rich deep flavor, then turns a little sharp like cedar. It then eases into a sweet brown sugary finish. It was a clean taste though. I will say the first third was a tad sour till it warmed up in the second third. A little heat really brought out the rich flavor Perdomo's are known for. This cigar uses Cuban seed Corojo & Criollo fillers/binders grown in Nicaragua, and I think that is why you get that nice blend of flavors.</div>
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Man, it is cigars like these that make you feel like a king. When you realize you only spent 5 bucks, it only makes it better! Perdomo made a good one here. Maybe I will review the <a href="http://www.stogieboys.com/cigars/single-cigars/perdomo-lot-23-toro-connecticut-single"><span style="color: #999999;">Connecticut shade</span></a> later too. This cigar earned a respectable 7.5 outta 10. That sour start is my only complaint. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7-vqTEjoT2GCwVr_A89XBrlINnhkRIFIBLOAXP4cFe7ArE4r6u_tIc2OOpr9fUkwgAuPDADjaFMGj_3HCAmCh-dffkGdlPi8rkkz3QniyqlPlyDHNKeqkvGTrgZ1VbRJCQ-1zSfyykhf/s640/blogger-image-945514421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7-vqTEjoT2GCwVr_A89XBrlINnhkRIFIBLOAXP4cFe7ArE4r6u_tIc2OOpr9fUkwgAuPDADjaFMGj_3HCAmCh-dffkGdlPi8rkkz3QniyqlPlyDHNKeqkvGTrgZ1VbRJCQ-1zSfyykhf/s640/blogger-image-945514421.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perdomo Lot 23- Smoke like a rich guy!</td></tr>
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buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-90517083624471464772012-10-19T12:02:00.000-04:002012-10-19T12:12:13.072-04:00Cigar Review: Padron Handmade<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqR3GHQSGREYugWPuekihtrSpEsaxE84knWAlolJq7zz-d1GYGOE8vYVA4hNGjntJqTTzHdrjCcKd5I-wsgeqwy0vOPIr8Zy0X1yWqSi82m5g8efbR4oaN1_rXjMcwAHY9g0wee43wQ5h/s1600-h/padron.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375485757328977010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqR3GHQSGREYugWPuekihtrSpEsaxE84knWAlolJq7zz-d1GYGOE8vYVA4hNGjntJqTTzHdrjCcKd5I-wsgeqwy0vOPIr8Zy0X1yWqSi82m5g8efbR4oaN1_rXjMcwAHY9g0wee43wQ5h/s200/padron.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="200" /></a><b><a href="http://www.padron.com/"><span style="color: #999999;">Padron</span></a>, just plain tasty.</b> If you want a cigar to rely on, try this fella...<br />
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A friend of mine is a Padron guy and kept pushing me to try one. I gotta say I should have done this earlier. I am not to sure about the history and where this cigar hails from, but a quick Google search will point you in that direction.<br />
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The cigar itself looked great with its oily maduro wrapper and the construction was better than average. The burn was a little uneven, but it was that day. So my inconsistencies were probably due to being outside. It was a smaller sized smoke, but packed full of flavor! Medium bodied, and surprisingly complex. It was a little nutty, with a slightly sweet espresso finish. The more you smoke this cigar, the more of that espresso comes out too. Tasty! I wish I got a bigger size!<br />
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I was very surprised and <i>really </i>enjoyed it. I heard good things about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Padron,</span> but this was a real treat. I would definitely pick up a few more of these. I would even say that my humidor should always have at least a few sticks of these. The price makes it possible too. They go for $4 on <a href="http://www.cigarbid.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">cigarbid</span>.com</a> , if you are lucky. Anywhere else, I would say about 7 bucks. Overall, I give this go-to cigar an 8.5 of 10.<br />
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Questions for YOU: Have you had any other Padrons? Are they any good?<br />
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buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-12060586465220032832012-10-15T13:00:00.000-04:002012-10-19T12:10:43.052-04:00Whisky Essentials: The Max Benjamin Whisky Bag<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Looking for a great holiday gift for the whisky lover in your life?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the ultimate in whisky and cigar luxury. You can't just toss your precious whisky and Herf-a-Dor into some gym bag and head out to course. Go in style and treat your delicacies right with the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Max-Benjamin-Cigar-Mini-Bar/dp/B000ZGY4U6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1350255197&sr=8-4&keywords=max+benjamin%27">Max </a></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Max-Benjamin-Cigar-Mini-Bar/dp/B000ZGY4U6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1350255197&sr=8-4&keywords=max+benjamin%27">Benjamin<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Mini </span>Cigar</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Max-Benjamin-Cigar-Mini-Bar/dp/B000ZGY4U6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1350255197&sr=8-4&keywords=max+benjamin%27"> Bar Bag</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It has three compartments inside the bag, each one large enough to hold a bottle. Included with the bag is a cedar lined leather cylindrical humidor, 4 stackable acrylic glasses, an ice container, and a lighter. This is the ultimate addition to your whisky collection. I will be putting this bad boy at the top of my list for Christmas! <br /><br />I might leave Santa some cigars and a glass of Scotch this year…</span><br />
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buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-10279067177265530472012-10-03T11:58:00.001-04:002012-10-19T12:11:10.532-04:00Cigar Rights- Support Them!<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>You should have the choice to do what you love</b>. If smoking cigars is what you love, <em>support that right</em>!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy is sweet!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A small and loud group of people are infringing on our rights to enjoy. Restrictive legislative measures are hurting the industry and this will affect us, the smokers, in short time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes smoking isn’t the healthiest activity but neither is eating cake. Hang with me here. Cake is a great way to eat a ton of fatty calories. Cake is full of saturated fats, cholesterol, sugars, chemicals, and all sorts of nasty (but tasty) things. This can lead to heart disease, obesity, diabetes …etc. Yet there is no regulation on cake. Why my analogy? Because we as consumers and citizens, should have the right to determine what we consume. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Political parties aside, the government telling us what to eat or smoke, is wrong. Good news though, there are interest groups out there to fight for your right to choose. I am a proud member of <a href="http://www.cigarrights.org/">Cigar Rights of America</a> and you should be too. Let professional lobbyists fight for your rights, but nothing is free. There is a small yearly due of $35 bucks that goes to political actions on your behalf. It is worth every penny if you ask me. Vote with your dollars as small issues like this can often be overlooked, but can have big consequences.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Like all indulgences, it is about <strong>moderation</strong>. A cigar here and there (which is what most cigar smokers do) isn’t any unhealthier than cake every now and again. Either way, we should be able to choose what we want and should be able to protect the industry that makes us our fine cigars. <a href="http://www.cigarrights.org/">Cigar Rights of America</a> , join now and get a few freebies too! </span><br />
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buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-9137502437995270912012-09-28T14:00:00.000-04:002012-10-20T19:19:27.469-04:00Whiskey Review: Blanton's Original Single Barrel Bourbon<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, what a sweet bottle</td></tr>
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<b>Blue grass goodness!</b> I was enjoying a family get together when my uncle brought out this little gem. I jumped at the opportunity to try a new whiskey and was decently impressed by this Kentucky native. Don't get me wrong, nothing extraordinary, but still worth trying! It was<a href="http://www.blantonsbourbon.com/DefaultFlash.aspx"> Blanton's Original Single Barrel Bourbon</a>. He was testing it out and I was excited to try a new bourbon!<br />
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First off, a little about the whiskey itself...<br />
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Type: Bourbon Whiskey<br />
Mash Type: Sour<br />
Barrel Type: White Oak<br />
Bottle Proof: 46.5% Alcohol by Volume - 93 proof<br />
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Color: Reddish Amber, deep russet<br />
Nose: Dried citrus and orange with a hint of caramel and vanilla.<br />
Palate: Full and smooth, caramel, orange, and spice- cloves/nutmeg maybe?<br />
Finish: Short and sweet with vanilla and citrus.<br />
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My first glass was neat, like I try to do with every whiskey I taste. Then the next glass was with an ice cube. I recommend that everyone try both ways, for it can really change how the whiskey tastes. You might find it is great neat or even better on the rocks. Variety is the spice of life righ!? For this whiskey I loved it neat and was not impressed with the ice. The ice diluted this whiskey to a point not worth trying. <br />
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Anyway, the first taste was a smoothier and sweeter Maker's Mark. It was more vanilla and spice than most bourbons. Its complexity was actually quite unexpected and tasty. I might pick up a bottle pretty soon here. This didn’t blow me away, but I think it would look good in my collection, plus <strong>that bottle is awesome</strong>! Overall, I give this bourbon a strong 7.5 of 10.<br />
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Questions for YOU: Have you tried Blanton's yet? I hear it has quite the following and want your opinion on this.buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-74192392510614485742012-09-23T10:58:00.001-04:002013-02-17T17:15:04.009-05:00New Twist on a Classic Drink: The Old Fashioned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What can I say? I guess I am Old Fashioned. Man that was cheezy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I found this "new" recipe for a great classic drink. Check out the video by liquor.com <span style="text-align: center;">below. I decided to give this one a try even though it was 10:30 in the morning. Weekends dont count right?! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">The brown sugar really made this cocktail pop. I have always used simple syrup but this was something else. Sweeter, but in a smokier way. I think I might have to reconsider my usual recipe for Old Fashioned's...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CLASSIC OLD FASHIONED<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">· 1 Brown sugar
cube<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">· .5 tsp White
sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">· 3 dashes
Angostura Bitters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">· 1 dash Regans’
Orange Bitters No. 6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">· .25 oz Cold
water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">· 2 oz George
Dickel No. 12 Tennessee Whisky or other American whiskey (I used Woodford
Reserve and it blew my f-ing mind)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PREPARATION:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a rocks glass, muddle both sugars, both bitters and the
water. Add the whiskey and a large ice cube. Twist slices of lemon and orange
peel over the drink and drop them in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Garnish: Lemon and orange twists<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Glass: Rocks<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div style="padding: 0px 0px 21px; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dQkdZgBc6LQ" style="color: white; line-height: 17px;" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Contributed by Dushan Zaric and Jason Kosmas of liqour.com<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span></span></div>
buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-38506469160855428822012-09-21T18:47:00.000-04:002012-10-22T22:05:48.760-04:00Cigar Review: Rocky Patel Sungrown<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRlcmP1I37tnhyuoecp9niBEMk0qiJjg16u4Vw8J0oz7cYLpUXIZliukoTY_rTwXMAVS4wMM1wenn9yE-c3N_3Z4ZQHhyphenhyphenqCmG6djHgREtxi52b_Y-XqyWv8wRiK7Smdh9DbYoQZEK2fUE/s1600/ROCKY_SG_TORO.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRlcmP1I37tnhyuoecp9niBEMk0qiJjg16u4Vw8J0oz7cYLpUXIZliukoTY_rTwXMAVS4wMM1wenn9yE-c3N_3Z4ZQHhyphenhyphenqCmG6djHgREtxi52b_Y-XqyWv8wRiK7Smdh9DbYoQZEK2fUE/s320/ROCKY_SG_TORO.jpeg" width="320" /></a><b>Everything is better in the sun.</b> Cold beer, volleyball, bikinis! So there is no reason why this <a href="http://www.rockypatel.com/age.php" target="_blank">Rocky Patel</a> <a href="http://www.rockypatel.com/rockytv/index.php?video_tab=2&video_id=15" target="_blank">Sun Grown</a> wouldn't be delicious.<br />
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Now the name "sun grown" can be a little misleading. All tobacco needs sun and is therefore grown in the sun (kind of).You can also grow tobacco in the <i>shade</i>. It still gets sun but not direct light. The difference is that shade grown is generally smoother and a little more bitter. The sun grown leaves develop a little rougher skin and have more veins. This direct sunlight also makes them sweeter though. Got it? But enough cigar babble. What about the <i>cigar</i>?<br />
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The cigar itself is made from a 5 year old Ecuadorian wrapper with Dominican binders and Dominican/Nicaraguan fillers. All masterfully blended by the fellas at RP. <br />
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Now to the smoking! The wrapper was ok, little veiny but that is ok (see above). The cut, light, and first puff all went off with out a hitch. That first puff was a bit of a pleasant surprise. Really bold tastes here. A little spiciness out of the gate, then mellows out real earthy like, then fades with a rich, sweet molasses kick. Wow! That was one hell of a first puff. Are you drooling yet? You should be. The thick sweet smoke swirled around me and I tell you, that was close to paradise (unfortunately I was sitting on a porch and not a sunny beach). Maybe next time...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrZHX1u-OjbEdnSdHwTPqUjD7ciY5XrPJSEnh3kKfgK0zESJTyaLhuc2uDSSRlZ6eL3SQqBmuVfhRfe1E-5YoVgzfy-GuB9xVf4f7DRD1HMLQvR6F9ZeKgloVqU_vLCxFUlvqhc2vzLu5/s1600-h/IMG00084.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355157335077327666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrZHX1u-OjbEdnSdHwTPqUjD7ciY5XrPJSEnh3kKfgK0zESJTyaLhuc2uDSSRlZ6eL3SQqBmuVfhRfe1E-5YoVgzfy-GuB9xVf4f7DRD1HMLQvR6F9ZeKgloVqU_vLCxFUlvqhc2vzLu5/s200/IMG00084.jpg" style="float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun-grown, night-smoked</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The important thing to remember here; this cigar rocks! From the first puff to the slightly spicier last, you will be longing for more. Perfectly blended, great flavors, and a perfect finish. Man, how can you get any better? Well other than a little nicer wrapper and maybe a little more punch, you can't. I give this <a href="http://www.rockypatel.com/" target="_blank">Rocky</a> middleweight a strong 8 out of 10. On a beach with sun and cold beer, 10 out of 10. Done deal Rocky, done deal<br />
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buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-26732664267060518222012-09-18T09:47:00.000-04:002013-02-13T18:45:55.918-05:00Xikar. A Company To Trust<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Ever have a bad customer service experience? Of Course. Who hasn't? Ever have one go so well you write a blog post about it? Irony....<br />
<br />
Well I have had two Xikar lighters in my time: an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Xikar-Executive-Single-Lighter-Black/dp/B000MF6CBE" target="_blank">Executive</a> and the other an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Xikar-XIKAR-Element-Lighter-Black/dp/B000JEOHZ6/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1347975242&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Element</a> . Both lighters have been great. They are tough and have a consistent flame with easy ignition. Over time they need a clean or two but some easy dissemble can take care of that. My Executive even feel in the toilet! After a little dunk in a bowl of rice overnight, good as new! The rice sucks the moisture right out, works with cell phones too. And don't tell me you haven't smoked a cigar in the bathroom... </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://xikar.com/images/gallery/element.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://xikar.com/images/gallery/element.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Anyway, the Element was having some ignition problems. It had to be turned up to keep a steady flame while months before was working just fine on a lower setting. I was annoyed enough to call Xikar. They told me to send it in as they have a lifetime warranty on their products. Heard that one before too. Within a week or two, a brand new Element was sent to my door. No questions asked, no accusing, no hassle. How awesome is that!? With a great experience like that, how can I <em>not</em> get another <a href="http://www.xikar.com/Cached%20-%20Similar" target="_blank">Xikar</a>. They said they were going to honor their warranty and they did. That is good business and getting all too rare these days...<br />
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Just thought I would share. </div>
buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0Ohio, USA40.4172871 -82.90712337.323482600000006 -87.960834 43.5110916 -77.853411999999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811935563874662020.post-20370699633348883982012-09-10T22:00:00.000-04:002012-10-22T22:05:12.283-04:00Scotch Review: The Glenlivet 12<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakgWI0XW1-h6UJL0Mcd-pFPTWiC60vtFD7LU3nUzqGboZyETD63Q16jKWDdfg2vUMGvv2EyUIP5GdH3QWp6W7CBr08J3kKmIrCVptrKtujZuoYsg3esMQyjYZx778OV2ISIVaOxCGbLI9/s1600-h/IMG_1169.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355103738508106994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakgWI0XW1-h6UJL0Mcd-pFPTWiC60vtFD7LU3nUzqGboZyETD63Q16jKWDdfg2vUMGvv2EyUIP5GdH3QWp6W7CBr08J3kKmIrCVptrKtujZuoYsg3esMQyjYZx778OV2ISIVaOxCGbLI9/s200/IMG_1169.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<b>If this is your first Scotch. I feel bad for you...</b><br />
<br />
When you go to a bar, the Scotch they always have (if they have a single malt) is <a href="http://www.theglenlivet.com/index.php?ref=L3RoZWdsZW5saXZldC5waHA/">Glenlivet</a> 12. So what is so special about Glenlivet? Its mild and relatively cheap for a single malt, that's why I believe it is popular. The taste and basically the whole drink just isn't that good. It is OK, but forgettable when compared to some very similar drinks like Glenmorangie and THE Macallan. <br />
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Color: a very pleasant amber, still very light but a shade darker than some of the lighter Scotch's I have reviewed so far.</div>
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Nose: a surprisingly strong smell for a milder scotch, I get that sort of iodine smell with a light caramel wiff</div>
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Taste: a very sweet start with that vanilla berry taste but it comes and goes VERY quickly</div>
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Balance: A very light not particularly noteworthy dram with a light taste. It doesn't have that smokey taste that makes a scotch a scotch. It is sweet and not very complex but the finish doesn't last, otherwise it would be pretty good. </div>
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The cool thing <a href="http://www.theglenlivet.com/index.php?ref=L3RoZWdsZW5saXZldC5waHA/">Glenlivet</a> has done is with their marketing. They have positioned themselves into every bar as "the go-to single malt". Their website is great for a very traditional business and they constantly keep followers up to date with newsletters and tastings. They have a cool "print your own label" for gifts. You get to personalize the label and they will mail it to you for free! You then just peel off the sticker and slap it on your bottle, how cool is that? I made custom labels for Fathers Day and my pops loved it. It's the little things that get you ahead.<br />
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I give this OK Scotch a 5 of 10, nothing special here. Move on...</div>
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buckeyede06http://www.blogger.com/profile/11455937084047980223noreply@blogger.com0