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 28th 2011 - My Uzi Weighs A Ton

Today brings us the My Uzi Weighs A Ton Toro in a 6x60 vitola. MUWAT is produced by Drew Estate's Subculture Studio with Joya de Nicaragua and is their first joint blend. With Nicaraguan and Brazilian Mata Fina long fillers, a Connecticut Capote binder and a San Andres maduro wrapper the MUWAT makes makes the mouth water upon seeing it. With a earthy core that features a slight sweetness, cinnamon, spice and a leather this cigar is a medium bodied surprise. I chose this to be today's cigar as today is the anniversary of the death of Leslie Nielsen. Leslie Nielsen was in more than 100 movies and was most notably known for his comedic work in Airplane and The Naked Gun trilogy. I loved watching his movies growing up and still love them. Thanks for all the laughs Leslie...

Nov 9th 2011 - Illusione Holy Lance

Today’s cigar is the Illusione Holy Lance Maduro in a 7.5x40 vitola. Hailing from Nicaragua the Holy Lance features all Nicaraguan tobaccos. Featuring an old world tobacco look with the pig tailed triple cap the Holy Lance Maduro features a dark rich brown wrapper. This medium bodied cigar features notes of black cherry and white pepper that is balanced out with a chocolaty sweetness. I couldn’t find much in history that I could tie into a cigar for today so I picked this as a random pick. The Holy Lance Maduro may not be easy to find as it’s a limited production cigar but if you can find any do yourself a favor and grab a few.

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 7th 2011 - My Father Le Bijou 1922

Today’s cigar is the My Father Le Bijou 1922 Toro in a 6x52 vitola. The My Father line is produced by Jamie Garcia. Featuring all Nicaraguan tobaccos with its wrapper being a Habano Oscuro this cigar is beautiful. This medium bodied gem features prominent flavors of oak, sweet dark chocolate and classic aged tobacco with touches of pepper throughout. I chose this to be today’s cigar as a memorial for one of my good friends fathers who coincidentally gifted me this specific cigar back on my birthday. Mr. Robinson you may be gone but you raised a damn good man who is carrying on your family name in a way that would make any father proud.

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.

Nov 4th 2011 - Tatuaje La Casita Criolla

Today's cigar is the Tatuaje La Casita Criolla HCB Corona in a 5 1/8x42 vitola. The La Casita Criolla hails from Nicaragua with all it's tobaccos being Connecticut Broadleaf. This Maduro is a 100% American Puro. The La Casita Criolla is a great medium bodied experience with flavors of spice, cinnamon, and a chocolate sweetness that is all held together by a nutty core. This cigar is about as flavorful as they come. The term La Casita Criolla means The Little Native House in Spanish. I chose this to be today's cigar as I'm getting ready to head back to my "native house" and visit my family in a few weeks.