If Only For A Passing Moment

Enjoying taste testing a new blend for Kevin Michaels cigars....

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:18:13 -0400

Enjoying taste testing a new blend for Kevin Michaels cigars. Getting some reading in too!

A fine cigar. I recommend it.

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 16:44:02 -0400

A fine cigar. I recommend it.

"Question: Why would a competitor want to help another? Litto: It’s one of the shortcomings of our..."

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:07:58 -0400

“

Question: Why would a competitor want to help another?

Litto: It’s one of the shortcomings of our [cigar] industry—we just like each other too much. And that is true. That is true. Nowadays, even in decisions that are made for the future of our industry, we make decisions thinking of people in the industry. And we do like each other a lot. I say it’s one of our shortcomings as a joke, but it is one of our strengths. When we had the fire in the aging room at the factory, back in ’97, we lost 400,000 cigars. I flew the same day back to the Dominican. The next day, in the afternoon, a tobacco dealer shows up at the factory, and the guy says, “Edgar Cullman Jr. [then the president of General Cigar Co.] sent me to see you and offer anything we can offer you from our company.” I had seen Edgar maybe three or four times, said hello to him at a Big Smoke or something.

”

- An interview between Cigar Aficionado and Litto Gomez, the President of La Flor Dominicana

How is it that an industry that regularly practices showing love to it’s “enemies” still doesn’t know the Christ that demonstrated what it means to love your enemies? This is one of the reasons that I am passionate about “cigar ministry.”

I don’t know how much of these facts are true, but if this...

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 12:40:46 -0400

I don’t know how much of these facts are true, but if this IS true… Go Finland. You have my respect.

The next time I shave, I am totes doing this…

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 12:35:47 -0400

The next time I shave, I am totes doing this…

La Flor Dominicana Limitado...

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 11:05:01 -0400

Pre-light / Construction

Light

1/2 way mark

La Flor Dominicana Limitado IV

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Oscuro

Binder/Filler: Dominican

Size: 6 1/2 x 52

Vitola: Toro

Price: $11 US

Smoke Time: 1 hr 30 min

Time in humidor: 4 years

Paired with Café Americano and Water

Location smoked: Terrace of Cigar Lounge el Rancho in Santiago, DR

Pre-light and Construction: This cigar smells like a natural chocolate and earthy leaf blend. It appears to be well rolled with no soft spots or tears throughout the body. There is a slight crack at the top, but it is small and barely noticeable. The rest of the wrapper is very smooth with no noticeable blemishes. The cigar cut perfect. No loose tobacco flakes, and the wrapper is still in tact. Beautifully constructed.

Light: This cigar lit extremely well. Nice easy, full draw and the smoke is very pleasant. The smoke has a sweet chocolaty nut taste. The retrohale tickles the nose a little with hints of café, nut, and floral.

1/3: After the first third of this cigar, I am really able to perceive chocolaty qualities in it. Very sweet, yet full bodied. The smoke is very pleasing. The ash fell naturally at this point. The ash is a soft salt and pepper. The draw is still really smooth and full. On the retrohale, there are nutty spice notes and a hint of sweet chocolate.

1/2: At the half way mark, the cigar changed to a woody, chocolaty combination that goes together extremely well. It is also growing to be a more punchy smoke. The retrohale has also taken on the woody qualities along with exhibiting a more natural (as opposed to sweet) chocolate flavor. At this point, however, I did have to relight the cigar which was rather disappointing. The smoke itself has also begun to change from white to a more gray color.

2/3: This cigar has become much more woody leaving hints of the sweet café chocolaty beginning. A full smoke and smooth draw still. The cigar continues to burn even.

Finish: This cigar is finishing nicely. It has a very distinct wood flavor with hints of chocolate and coffee. The retrohale still displays a slight chocolate flavor and a strong woody flavor with earthy hints. It has a fine draw with pleasant smoke. It is a nice, non-overpowering retrohale. The cigar burned even all the way through.

This cigar was an excellent smoke. I would recommend this as a dessert cigar in the evening.

Final marks:

Construction: Just a tiny blemish at the top of the wrapper. The cold draw felt just a tad-bit tight, but still very full.

Burn and Draw: The cigar burned evenly the whole way through and the draw was consistent. I did have to relight the cigar at the half-way mark which was disappointing. The cigar gave off a very full thick draw.

Flavor and Aroma: Before the light, the cigar had a chocolaty and peppery scent. Upon lighting, I was able to distinguish a prominent sweet chocolate with floral and nutty hints. The cigar developed into a chocolate nutty smoke, growing more full bodied, at the half way point. By two thirds of the cigar, the cigar introduced strong woody cedar qualities that blended well with the existing chocolate and nut. Towards the end of the cigar, it was predominantly woody and earthy with slight remnants of the chocolaty beginning. No flavor was ever overwhelming, and the flavors blended excellently at every stage of the cigar.

This was a very enjoyable smoke. It is a complex cigar that kept me entertained from start to finish. I would definitely recommend this cigar. It is well worth it’s price.

My overall rating: 92

scripturesketches: So they have sex, and the boat sinks. Is Titanic just abstinence propaganda??

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:55:19 -0400

scripturesketches:

So they have sex, and the boat sinks.

Is Titanic just abstinence propaganda??

"If you have received a ministry from the Lord Jesus, you will know that the need is not the same as..."

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 05:42:36 -0500

“If you have received a ministry from the Lord Jesus, you will know that the need is not the same as the call— the need is the opportunity to exercise the call. The call is to be faithful to the ministry you received when you were in true fellowship with Him.”

- Oswald Chambers - March 5 “My Utmost for His Highest”

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Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:10:03 -0500

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Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:54:35 -0500

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Sat, 16 Feb 2013 19:54:54 -0500

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Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:05:46 -0500

rodrigocigars: Sold out! (again) The Dominican Republic does...

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:04:06 -0500

rodrigocigars:

Sold out! (again)

The Dominican Republic does cigars right.

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Wed, 13 Feb 2013 05:30:15 -0500

These things help to create some of my favorite moments here in...

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:12:15 -0500

These things help to create some of my favorite moments here in the Dominican Republic. God created an incredible vista for me to take in and soak. Not to mention, Tara Sheffield has one of the most fantastic voices that I have ever heard. Tonight, I am just thankful.

I miss this girl. This picture was taken on her birthday from a...

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 00:50:45 -0500

I miss this girl. This picture was taken on her birthday from a balcony overlooking Havana, Cuba whilst the sun set. Perfect evening.

writersnoonereads: A secret bookstore just might be the best...

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 00:35:07 -0500

writersnoonereads:

A secret bookstore just might be the best place to find the work of a writer no one reads.

So last night, I was honored with a special cigar. Winston...

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 00:17:38 -0500

So last night, I was honored with a special cigar.

Winston Churchill was known for many things, but perhaps the most recognizable thing that is still commonly known about him is his love for cigars.. in fact, certain cigars still bear his name. Lesser known fact about him is that he particularly enjoyed Cuban Romeo and Julieta cigars. In recent days, I have been able to enter into the same circles as the man who runs and owns Davidoff cigars. Last night, I was gifted one of these cigars simply by the providence of God. I smoked this historical cigar, and, needless to say, I felt close to history. Yet another unforgettable night.

God’s divine providence continues to blow me away.

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Fri, 08 Feb 2013 23:49:39 -0500

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Thu, 07 Feb 2013 09:34:44 -0500