Looking back...

Although the weather didn't quite cooperate all the time, this was a fantastic summer filled with get togethers, friends and cigars. We had several different Smokeouts here at Fine Wine & Cigars, enjoying fine tobacco from Torano Family, Kristoff, Alec Bradley, Xikar and Augusto Reyes. For the first time ever we also took our show on the road to Delille Cellars and the spectacular Seattle Cigar Expo. Thank you to all our friends who were a part of each event-it would not have been the same without you!

Here's a few cigars that really caught my attention over the last couple of months:

Casa Torano Natural- The best mild cigar I've had in some time with flavor, depth and complexity that is unusual for a Connecticut wrapper.

Xikar Criollo- Criollo wrapper AND binder with a Nicaraguan/Honduran filler-very balanced and medium bodied-my favorite Criollo!

Frank Llaneza 1961-This was released a few years ago to honor one of the great patriarchs of the industry who recently passed. A medium 3/4-full bodied smoke with profound ground coffee and earth flavors.

Padilla La Terraza-A new release from Padilla that retails for around $6 a stick. Your palate is awashed in nut and roasted pepper tones. Very aromatic with great construction.

Perdomo Petit Corona Limited Edition-Just released 2 months ago this is a one size only stick that has a Cameroon wrapper. Although Cameroon is generally known for the medium bodied sweetness it brings to a blend, this little number is spicy and rich.

Berger & Argenti Entubar-What a satisfying blend of Nicaraguan binder and filler wrapped with an Ecuadorian Connecticut leaf! Medium bodied, cafe con leche and rich earth tones-a real winner.

As the holidays creep closer stay in touch as there are alot of new and exciting things on the horizon for the humidor! See you soon.

Rich Recommendations!

Lately, I've come across some fantastic cigars that are so rich, refined and present an amazing array of flavors and complexities that I MUST share them with others. Here are three cigars that any aficionado should clip immediately and light:

Guillermo Leon Corona Gorda (46 x 6)

Wrapper-Ecuadoraian Habano

Binder-Corojo & Cameroon

Filler-Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Peru & Brazil

What makes this stick so interesting is the double binder which really increases the flavor components and the 4 region filler blend. Exquisite tones of red wine, maple syrup and deep earth interplayed in a complex fashion leading up to a long, sweet finish. I paired this cigar with a Balika 4 Dark Lager and they seemed to be made for each other.

My Father Limited Edition 2011 Toro (52 x 6 1/2)

Wrapper-Hybrid Ecuadorian Habano Rosado Criollo

Binder-Nicaragua

Filler-Nicaragua

The complex power, finesse and strength this cigar brings to the table is unmatched! Coffee, earth, spice and soft leather combine to play a symphony of flavors on your palette. The construction is top notch-a dead even burn and perfect draw. Sit down and spend some time with this one!

Carlos Torano Exodus 1959 50 Years Robusto (50 x 5)

Wrapper-Brazil

Binder-Honduras

Filler-Nicaragua

Simply, one of my favorite cigars! Medium 3/4 to full bodied with rich flavors of earth, dark chocolate, nuts and red ripe fruit. Great burn and draw with a big mouth feel that would be perfect to match up with a cabernet sauvignon or merlot.

May Special!

Buy any box or mixed box of at least 20 sticks of Oliva and receive a 6 stick Oliva Sampler free (while supplies last)!! A store favorite, Omar Ortez is back in the humidor, including the Original, Honduran and Puro Maduro lines. We also just receieved the new line by Omar called Don Diego Fuerte. Don Diego's were mild in the past, but this blend is full, with great tones of earth, espresso and a spicy finish.

Sunny days are here again!

A big thanks to all who attended the Torano Family event a couple of Fridays ago. We had a great time enjoying some fine smokes, the sunny weather and heck-we even had a mini family reunion going on out on the sidewalk! For all those who missed out, no worries. We will do it all again with Kristoff, Saturday the 14th between 2-5 pm.
I have been aging a Joya De Havana Double Robusto for almost 5 years and yesterday was the day to fire it up. It had plenty of bloom on it and burned evenly, showing smooth and buttery cocoa and earth tones with a big draw. I was patient and was rewarded with a special smoke. Has anyone else had an aged cigar that held significant meaning to them? Would love to hear about it...

La Flor Dominican Special & Kristoff Smokeout!

For the month of April, we are offering a great deal on all boxes or mixed boxes of La Flor Dominicana. For every box purchased you will be entered into a raffle, for a FREE box of La Flor Perfecto Habanos! Just confirmed for Saturday, May 14 between 2-5 pm-Ed Ryan from PDX Cigars will be hosting a Kristoff Smokeout with plenty of event only specials and swag. These cigars have been selling like hot cakes and we are so pleased to be able to celebrate it's continuing success. Set the date on your calendar and come enjoy a cigar with us! See you there!

You just never know...

A couple of weeks ago, I got a call from a gentleman living on the Peninsula. He was looking for some hard to find Dunhill lighter flints. After being directed to us, he showed up the next day with 2 lighters that had not only sentimental value, but a great story behind them. It turns out the Dunhills were from the early 190o's and manufactured for the Asian market. He inherited them from his great Grandfather and one of these lighters was given to him by none other than Chang Hai Shek! Our guest was delighted to discover that we had not only the flints he was looking for, but the wicks as well. One of the big reasons I enjoy my time here is the relationships that I build with people and the many friendships that are developed over a great cigar and a fine glass of wine. Sharing stories and spending quality time together helps make life richer!

Carlos Torano Event!!

We are very pleased to announce that Carlos Torano is returning to the humidor on April 22, Friday afternoon, between 4-7 pm. Alex from Torano will be here presenting the brand new and highly rated Single Region and Master lines, in addition to the Exodus 1950 50 years and the Reserva Decadencia. He will be offering a buy 3 Torano cigars and get 1 free deal for the event and talking about how the Single Region and Master came into being. Torano has always been a favorite of mine with their unique multi-region blends and terrific flavor! This will be a great way to kick off Spring!!
New Arrivals-Arturo Fuente Short Stories, Best Sellers, Work of Art, King B, King T, Queen B and Hemingway Masterpiece Maduros, along with several other Fuente lines.
Rocky Patel-Decade Limited Edition-this is the very smooth Decade blend wrapped in a rare, very black and oily Pennsylvania Broadleaf from Lancaster County, PA.

Whats Happening?!?!

As the sun starts to peek itself out of the clouds and the rain lets up a bit as we move into Spring, there's no better way to put winter behind us than with some great tobacco. There are so many great things going on with our humidor, I wanted to spend a little time telling everyone about them. First off, we just received a special allotment of Cain Daytona cigars in 5 different sizes from Oliva. The tobacco is solely from Jalapa, Nicaragua. Although, they are not as full bodied as the original Cain's, the Jalapa tobacco is reknowned for a more medium bodied smooth flavor. Any fan of Oliva or the Cain line should give these a shot.

As many of you may already know, Kristoff is an exciting new brand to our humidor, that is well known on the East Coast, but is a relative new comer to the Pacific NW. Aesthetically, they stand out with a tight pigtail and folded over foot. The mix of Honduran, Dominican and Brazilian tobaccos that are double and triple fermented come together to create an exotic aroma and flavor of coffee, dark red ripe fruit and a muskiness that is beautiful and smooth. These have been flying off the shelf, especially the Criollo Lancero of all sizes. These are a MUST try!

We are excited to have brought in some more moderately priced pipes in the $50-80 price range from PTM. In addition, all of the ultra premium pipes from Vauen, Dunhill and more are 50% off. Please ask for more info when you come in. Within a few days, we will have 5 new loose leaf blends, as well as tins and sheisha to try. If any of our pipe aficionados have any special requests. please let us know.

El Rey De Los Habanos by Don Pepin Garcia is being discontinued. This mild to medium bodied cigar has been popular with everyone that has tried it and we have robusto and toro sizes left.

Cigar Special!! Buy any 3 Alec Bradley cigars and get 1 Alec Bradley Maxx Traditional Corona for free!!

As always, we thank you for your patronage and look forward to seeing all of you soon at Fine Wine & Cigars.

Freezing Cold Northwest Cigar Smoker...

I have to admit that the longer winter continues in our region, it gets harder and harder to go outside to enjoy the leaf. With the snow and freezing temperatures, what's a guy gotta do? Until spring arrives and if you're not fortunate enough to smoke inside, there is a remedy. Lately, I've been enjoying smaller sizes like petite coronas and petite robustos that minimize your time outside, but offer maximum amounts of flavor. Here are a few that we currently have in stock at Fine Wine and Cigars:

Petite Coronas:
Ashton Cabinet Tres Corona-Mild $10.50 or $8.93 Club Price
Ashton Aged Maduro #15-Smooth, Medium Bodied $10.00 or $8.51 Club
Ashton VSG Tres Mystique-Full $11.50 or $9.78 Club

Perfecto:
Cuban Stock Joya De Havana Figurado #2 (5"x48)-Full and smooth, 6 year aged Habano wrapper $9.00 or $7.65 Club

Petite Robustos:
Kristoff Sumatra Short Run-Full $8.75, $7.44 Club
My Father Le Bijou-Medium 3/4, full of flavor $8.50 or $7.23 Club
My Father Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial-Dark expressions of earth and coffee, $8.00 or $6.80 Club
A.Turrent Triple Play Puro Maduro-Loaded with flavor, $8.50 or $7.23 Club
Nestor Miranda Special Selection Coffee Break-Blended by Don Pepin Garcia, #25 Cigar of the Year for Cigar Aficionado in 2009 $8.50 or $7.23 Club

It's amazing how much flavor, complexity and strength can be exhibited in smaller cigars that can be enjoyed in a 30-40 minute time span. Although the current trend is for larger and thicker cigars, smaller ring gauges can focus the blend onto your palate and provide a richer smoking experience. While your visiting our humidor, please let us know if we can assist you in finding the aforementioned cigars or anything else you might require.