Off to The Dominican

I am off to visit the Tabadom factory with Mike Chiusano (Cusano). I will bring back lots of pictures Talk to you guys later.

Well I am here safely but Mike Chuisano was held up in Miami so he was a day late. I went and met with Jose Blanco today and got a behind the scenes look at the La Aurora factory which was pretty sweet. I had a chance to try 3 new cigars that are coming to market very soon. In fact, Thor and I are the first people outside the factory to smoke them before the debut at the RTDA this year. Here are my preliminary reviews:

Pueblo Domincano (Blend 2): 90pts. Loved it. Had a nice Dominican wrapper with a complex blend that was medium to full bodied and earthy. Should be a winner.

Leon Jimines Cameroon Robusto: 15 years ago, all Leon Jimines used to be Cameroon until they changed it up. In 2007 they are introducing a new Cameroon line and later this year that are doing a sneak preview with 1000 boxes of robustos to be distributed to select retailers. I was expecting it to be like the Don Fernando but it was very different. It had the distinctly La Auroraesk cameroon flavor that was slightly sweet and the body was medium. Lots of flavor changes and the strength really excellerated into the second half of the cigar. 87pts

La Aurora Preferido Emerald Tube: This cigar will be one to watch out for. The fullest bodied smoke in the Preferido line IMHO and it was very spicy and dry with a long finish. Very complex and full flavored yet well balanced. This cigar will be one for the "pros". 90pts

I scored a goodie bag too that had a 100 Anos in the preferido size (never before seen one of these) and a 100 anos blended filler and binder with the wrapper from the Preferido Platinum (cameroon) tube. Both of these are super rare. When my palate calms down I will be sure to post reviews for both.

On a side note, I only wish I had enough Padilla Miami to consider a one day deal. That is an amazing cigar but finding them right now is pretty tough. They are made at the Rey de los Habanos factory (makers of Tatuaje) and it is the hottest place to have a cigar made right now. They are so jammed that getting any cigars is a nightmare. However, I have a big shipment coming in, in mid july and should have most sizes in stock for a few days. Be checking your email for one of our newsletters as we will announce their arrival there.

Just got back and my mouth feels like it was run over by a truck by I had lots of fun. Smoked a C10 Lonsdale that may be somewhere in the works for release later this year. Very nice smoke. Also, had a cigar rolled for me. A Cusano 18 Double Con with 100% 18 year old filler. People often wonder if this leaf has that much flavor after 21 years. I can safely attest that is infact the very flavorful. Probably the most potent leaf in the blend.

Anyway, I will post pics tomorrow.

Here are some pics. The first few are from the La Aurora factory and the rest are from Cusano

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jsven...pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jsvenson1127/my_photos

It should ship late summer early fall. It is a lighter ecuadorian sumatra wrapper. The wrapper itself was purchased from the Oliva Tobacco Family so I would assume it is from a different priming on the same plant as the wrapper for the VSG and 1495. Damn good spicy cigar.