Nov 30th 2011 - San Lotano Oval

Today brings us the San Lotano Oval Toro in a 6.5x54 vitola. San Lotano is another one of AJ Fernandez's masterfully blended lines. The Oval is the newest addition to the line. The Oval features a 4+ year old Habano 2000 wrapper, a Nicaraguan Binder and a mixture of fillers from Nicaragua, Honduras and according to http://ajfernandezcigars.com/products/oval some of AJ Fernandez's secret filler. Hailing from Tabaclera Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua the Oval is simply fantastic. Flavor notes of light spice, cedary wood, coffee, leather and dark chocolate help to make this cigar as well rounded as the name would lead you to believe it is. Couldn't find anything in history to tie into today and have been wanting to feature the Oval ever since my buddy Stephen at WBFiller hooked me up with one the last time we herf'ed. If you haven't tried one yet do it. I can't imagine that any enthusiast new or old could be let down with this cigar.

Nov 8th 2011 - Viaje C4

Today’s cigar is the Viaje C4 in its only size of 5x56. The Viaje C4 is box pressed and features a double cap that requires you to cut both ends before smoking. With all Nicaraguan tobaccos the C4 hails from Honduras. I can’t find much on the C4 and I haven’t smoked one yet as I only have 1 that I acquired in a trade. What I have heard is that the C4 is a powerhouse. I chose this to be today’s cigar because it was on this day 7 years ago that Operation Phantom Fury officially started. On 7 Nov 2004 the US Marines staged just north of the city of Fallujah, Iraq. Operation Phantom Fury was one of the bloodiest and hardest fought battles that occurred during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Roughly 6,500 US Marines, 1500 Army Soldiers and 2,500 Navy support personnel along with 2,000 Iraqi forces and 850 British personnel took on an estimated 2,500-5,000 insurgent in the battle. On Dec 23rd 2004 when Operation Phantom Fury officially ended US Casualties stood at 95 killed and 560 wounded, British Casualties 4 killed and 10 wounded, Iraqi casualties 8 killed and 43 wounded. Insurgent deaths stood in the range of 1,200-2,000 with roughly 1,500 captured. Some of the bravest tales of the war come from this battle. 2 Medal of Honor nominations and multiple Navy Crosses highlight the awards that came from the heroism showed by US Forces. Tales of men being shot and blown up and receiving basic medical aid and then returning to the fight as to not leave their men, their friends out there to fight alone have been told from this operation. Let us never forget what they did. To those who are still here and fought in Phantom Fury and to those we lost thank you. We are forever in your debt. RIP brothers…

Nov 5th 2011 - Gurkha Royal Challenge

Today’s cigar is the Gurkha Royal Challenge Robusto in a 5x55 vitola. The Royal Challenge is a new release from Gurkha this year. The Royal Challenge has fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic with a Honduran Habano binder and a Connecticut shade wrapper. I can honestly say this has to be one of the most beautiful bands I’ve ever seen on a cigar. With flavors of pepper and cedar wood that help enhance the creamy buttery tones that are the core of this cigar. I chose this to be today’s cigar as it was on this day in remembrance of the victims of the shooting at Ft Hood on this day in 2009. On that day 13 were killed and 30 others injured in a senseless tragedy. I challenge us all to not forget them and their families that were left behind.