Cigar Review: Bahia Blue

Good flavor, even better price!

I wanted to try the Bahia line because of several reviews I have read, and because of a sale that a retailer was running. It was a great deal on a stick that is normally only $2.90 to begin with. I like my more premium smokes but the price on this cigar was too good to pass up! That is why a stick like this is a must have in the humidor. If you have buddies over  and they want a cigar, you don't usually want to give them your best smokes. Especially when they don't smoke a lot of cigars, they wouldn't appreciate the fine nuances in a premium cigar. But this little guy is perfect for that. It is smooth and still has a great taste without the big price tag. 

Bahia cigars were started in the 1990's and have claimed their space in the cigar industry as a value cigar. Great taste at a great price. It is a crowded place in the cigar world but Bahia has done a nice job. This particular cigar is a Nicaraguan made of 6-year-old fillers from Esteli, Jalapa, and Leon. The Bahia Blu is wrapped in a Corojo leaf that is around 3 years old. After rolling, these cigars are then aged in Spanish cedar for at least 180 days in Spanish cedar. 

Upon lighting this medium cigar had a VERY feint taste of pepper with a sweet cedar nuance that left a very pleasant finish. It burnt really well and didn't have any lighting problems either. All in all, a really enjoyable smoke. The extra care given to a cheaper stick is what gives them a better taste than other value brands. I may not be buying too many more of these, but if you find some at your local shop, pick up a few for guests! I give this stick a 6.5 of 10. 

Questions for YOU: What is your favorite value cigar?

Cigar Review: Graycliff Platinum Edicion Limitada 2010

I am such a sucker. I have fallen in love with Graycliff cigars and I cannot get out of their hypnotic trance. I told myself my next review would be a Ghurka (I want to smoke their whole lineup in a year), but that obviously didn't happen. It all started when I ordered an amazing package from cigar.com. It was a 10 count portable humidor with humidifier and 10 Graycliffs. Not just any Graycliffs though, 2 double espressos, and 8 red and black label 2010 Limited Edition Graycliff cigars. This particular review is for the Red Label Limited Edition cigar. Another great cigar and because of the amazing deal I received, it made this cigar that much sweeter!

This cigar is tucked into a gorgeous Brazilian Habano wrapper and was free of any defects. This cigar is filled with Cuban seed long leaves straight out of Nicaragua. It had an average draw and I had no burn problems the whole time. Upon lighting, you didn't really get anything too noticeable. It had a nice mellow smell with a little sweet wiff. The first half of the cigar tasted very similar. It was very sweet and smooth, with a few complex flavors that I couldn't quite put my thumb on. Maybe a hint of cocoa!? It did have a little spice at the end and it made the smoke awesome. It was really good and I enjoyed every inch of that cigar. I actually expected it to be a little stronger but it’s medium strength was actually kind of refreshing. It made the whole smoking experience relaxing and perfect after a big lunch. A nice medium cigar after lunch is a the best way to round off the day!

If you manage to find some of the Graycliff limited edition cigars, buy them. Buy lots of them. This is a cigar you have to try and if you miss smoking this cigar well, your life just won’t be the same. Ok, that might be a stretch but these are some great cigars. So my next cigar review might be those Ghurkas I promised myself ….or it might be another Graycliff. I am such a sucker... This little gem was rated a 9 of 10.

Questions for YOU: Have you had this limited edition cigar and where did you buy yours?

A Night with THE Macallan

A night of FREE Scotch and good company, I can’t think of anything better (seriously).

The Macallan is doing a marketing campaign at local venues all over the country. They allow you to sign up and invite guests to a one night Scotch tasting event. I was lucky enough to grab a seat at the Cleveland, Ohio event. The whole night cost me nothing and I was able to taste most of Macallan’s expressions. They served snacks as we milled around waiting for our seats. It was a nice little crab ball appetizer. As we got in line for the event they served us our first glass of Macallan 10yr Fine Oak. I have a bottle of this at home but I still like the sharp, young whisky.

Upon seating they started the event and the ambassador covered what makes the Scotch so unique. Our ambassador was a decent host but if you really listened to what he had to say, he was very entertaining. We were then served another 10 yr Fine Oak, 12 yr Sherry, 15 yr Fine Oak, THE 18yr Sherry cask, and the 10yr Cask Strength. WOW. I consider my Macallan 12yr Sherry my go to whisky, but the 18yr was absolutely amazing. I wish I never tasted it to be honest! Ignorance is bliss and now after tasting the 18, I just don't know if I can go back to the 12. I am just not ready to fork over the extra 70 dollars for the 18yr. A 12yr Sherry is around $50 while the 18yr is over $100. Bummer. The night carried on and we had the opportunity to talk the ambassador afterward. He was very friendly and super personable! I loved listening to him talk about his whisky adventures. He has the greatest job in the world… I am a tad jealous. The group I went with hung around and smoked a cigar in the parking lot as our blood alcohol level dropped a little, we had over 5 glasses of Scotch remember. My buddies and I just loved this event and I love Macallan for doing something so cool. Thanks guys, you will always be my favorite whisky. Well I am now off to sell some stuff on Ebay so I can afford an 18yr bottle of happiness!

Question for YOU: Has anyone else been to these events yet? If so, how did your night compare?!

Cigar Essentials: Dr. RH Cigar Care

Struggling with keeping those humidors just the right humidity? Is the winter and colder temperatures wrecking havoc on their consistency? Well guess what?! I have just what the Doctor ordered. They are called Dr RH Cigar Care products.

I was getting really frustrated with my current humidifiers and the consistency they delivered. I live in Ohio and we try not to over-use the furnace to keep the bills low. So that means colder temperatures in the home. This in turn affects my precious little leafy friends (my cigars). I was reading my latest Cigar Aficionado and they had an ad for ultra-grade cigar care. I was sold and immediately went online to do some research. I learned they use a standard jelly humidifier but their solution is ultra pure and medical grade. Would that translate to better humidification? Maybe. But I was willing to try after I was literally tending to my old humidifiers weekly. So I ordered the Dr RH Cigar Care products; two humidifiers and the Cigar Care solution. I immediately noticed a jump in humidity (a good thing, I was running too low). They have also been very easy to maintain and they offer much better consistency as far as highs and lows in the humidity. I am impressed and I know that I will be getting more of their products. Plus, they are not that much more expensive than similar humidification products. I will keep you all updated as to their long term performance, but overall I would highly recommend.

Question for YOU: How do you humidify your humidor?

Whisky Review: Talisker 10 Year

Drink and be merry! One of the best parts of the holiday season is all the great food and drink that is provided during parties and family outings. My family knows that I love Scotch so they did their research and got me this delicious bottle from the island of Skye. The Talisker 10 year Old was one of my better gifts for sure! So after pouring the family a few glasses this is what we decided on for the tasting notes:

Color: old gold or yellow gold
Nose: smoky citrus, and salty feints
Body: full and thick, warming and mouthwatering
Palate:  dried fruit is present then engulfed in a salty peaty taste, a little spice at the end?
Finish: long and sweet then fades to smoky peat



WOW. This whisky rocks. It is a great blend of flavors and a really fun tasting experience. It was smoky like an Isle malt but had all the sweetness of a traditional Speyside like a Macallan. It is similar to Ardbeg in its smoky sweet characteristics but the Talisker is a notch ahead on the sweet flavors and much smoother.The sweet taste of fruit and the peaty smoke was a refreshing change of pace for me. I have been on a long bender of sweet Scotches and this was just what I needed to break out!  I saw that Jim Murray gave this tasty dram a 94 and I definitely agree. I gave this great Scotch an excellent 9.5 of 10.

Question for YOU: What is your favorite 10 year Scotch? 

Cigar Review: Graycliff Crystal

Another masterpiece!

This limited production blend is an excellent smoke for those who enjoy a fuller, more complex cigar. I did my best to ignore my Graycliff bias when judging this cigar. I even had friends try it and tell me their thoughts. Everyone loved this cigar! Hands down a great smoke, no objections.

The Crystal is wrapped in an Ecuadorian sun grown wrapper and is blended with Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Brazilian tobaccos and a Grecian leaf adds the spice toward the finish. Its construction and burn were flawless as usual. The taste was very similar to a moderately spicy maduro. The smoke was creamy and airy. Its finish with that little spice from the Grecian leafs, really balanced the cigar. The fuller body and earthy tastes might turn away mild fans, but for those who like a little kick, this is your cigar. Cigar.com says "This cigar is often compared to the finest Cubans being made today." Not to shabby! This cigar earned a 9.5 of 10.

Cigar Review: 5 Vegas "A"

Another earthy classic from 5 Vegas (pronounced Cinco Vegas by the way).


The 5 Vegas “A” is a great full bodied maduro cigar. It was very smooth and had some pleasant flavors, especially for being a little more on the bold side. It was very similar to many premium maduro’s with its espresso sweet taste and earthy finish. What made it different from the rest of the pack was how agreeable the flavors played together. It was a great balanced cigar and I smoked it to the very nub. I actually almost forgot to take a picture and write this review because I was a little busy! I have noticed myself smoking the 5 Vegas more and more…

One of the great features of the 5 Vegas brand is also that price tag. You just can’t beat their lower priced premium cigars. They might not blow you away with flavor but they definitely deliver a great cigar for a stellar price. There are also some great sampler packs that come with all sorts of goodies at cigarbid.com. Bottom-line, if you want a good smoke without breaking the bank, try the darker 5 Vegas cigars. I give this “A“ cigar 8.5 of 10.