Infusion Intrusion

Flavours by CAO:

Karma Sutra Splash Review

There seems to be a certain trend coming around to what I would call the “Urban Nightclub” cigar. Flavors are infused to the cigar in order to appeal to a broader range of smokers. We’ve seen this in the popular Acid line, and now CAO has decided to infuse the industry as well with Flavours by CAO. Is infusion the best direction for tobacco?

I was recently introduced to this line during the Big Smoke event in Las Vegas with a stick named Karma Sutra Splash. I really don’t have the slightest idea what Karma Sutra should “taste” like, however what I tasted in this cigar failed to put me in a position of enjoyment. It seems as though CAO is trying to pull all natural ingredients into this line with flavors such as bourbon vanilla, honey, Irish cream, white chocolate truffles, Chianti, exotic fruits and more. The Karma Sutra Splash has not been introduced to the CAO website, therefore it’s left to the palette to figure out what flavors they are trying to achieve.

There is definitely sweetness to this cigar with distinctive hints of citrus and vanilla. It seemed as though the flavors are only lined in the wrap, which is disappointing. After an inch into the relatively small smoke all flavor was lost, leaving behind a bland stale finish. I couldn’t help reminisce over smoking Swisher Sweets while attempting to enjoy this cigar.

The burn was relatively even throughout, however the wrap was something that I’d expect to see out of a convenient store line of smokes. With plenty of imperfections this cigar also displayed serious veining, which made it look to be gasping for moisture and quality.

From a trusted name like CAO, holding some to the top rated cigars in the market today, I was turned off to this line of trendy new sticks.
Infusion may be a good direction for tobacco, although I’d prefer to enjoy a smoke from a manufacturer that specializes in them, such as Acid. CAO, in no way, specializes in this type of cigar. If I was given the Karma Sutra Splash to draw me into the line of Flavours by CAO, unfortunately they have failed, and I have no desire to try the other four flavors.

Hopefully, in the future, CAO will decide to stick with what they do best. Focus on quality and bury the infusion.

Just for you Crystal!

A Birthday for an Artist

"And my aim in my life is to make pictures and drawings, as many and as well as I can; then, at the end of my life, I hope to pass away, looking back with love and tender regret, and thinking, 'Oh, the pictures I might have made!” -Vincent van Gogh, Letter 338 to Theo, 11/19/1883

Today’s update really has nothing to do with Cigars, but to pay respects to a great artist that has inspired so many to tap into their creative psyche; today marks the anniversary of Vincent van Gogh’s birthday in 1853.

Surprisingly, all of Van Gogh’s work was produced in the span of 10 years, during which time he has made what would become his most well known Starry Night masterpiece in 1889, just one year shy of his death in 1890.

His father was a Protestant pastor, thus leading van Gogh to train for the ministry. He abandoned his studies in 1878 to work as a lay preacher among miners in Belgium. During this time, he gave away his own worldly goods to the poor, lived in poverty and spiritual crisis, for he was dismissed for his literal interpretation of Christ’s teaching.

In 1880 he aspired as an artist with a way to bring comfort to humanity. From this time he worked with such a maddening frenzy, while undernourished and still living in poverty he produced an exceptional amount of work: about 800 painting and a similar number of drawings.

Over his lifetime he has lived in the Netherlands, where he painted peasants and workers, to Paris where he met Pissaro, Gauguin, Seurat and Degas. During his time in Paris, his painting underwent a dramatic change under the influence of Impressionism and Japanese woodcuts. He became obsessed with the expressive values of color and began to use them for this purpose rather than simply trying to recreate visual appearances and light the way the Impressionists have. “Instead of trying to reproduce exactly what I have before my eyes,” he wrote, “I use color more arbitrarily so as to express myself more forcibly”.

He sold only one painting during his lifetime (Red Vineyard at Arles; Pushkin Museum, Moscow), and was little known to the art world at the time of his death. His stormy and dramatic life and his unswerving devotion to his ideals have made him one of the great cultural heroes of modern times.

Happy Birthday Vincent.

Talking Terminology #1

Mondo Maduro

Upon chatting with The White Salamander yesterday, a question arose regarding what exactly a Maduro cigar meant. What differentiates a Maduro from other cigars? How does this affect the flavor of a smoke? Would an average cigar smoker enjoy this over a lighter wrap? These are all great questions, which made me think that cigar terminology may be a good thing to discuss for the average cigar enthusiast.

Maduro in Spanish translates to ripe, which this type of smoke really is. In order to achieve this type of readiness, typically the leaves are exposed to the sun for longer periods of time. The dark brown to almost black color can be achieved by a cooking process or a prolonged fermentation.

Maduros are normally more robust smokes, and typically not meant for the beginning smoker. I’d recommend a Connecticut shade wrap which is much more mild in flavor, however that’s another topic for another post.

Lately, there’s been an influx of Maduro wrapped cigars from a variety of manufacturers, therefore finding one for enjoyment should not be that difficult. If you’re up for a leathery, peppery, almost chewy smoke, then look no further than the Maduro.

Banner Year for Toraño Cigars

Toraño Cigars have been sitting in my humidor since the Big Smoke back in November of 2004. Recently I’ve decided to give one a try, and might I say, it was quite a good stick; you can read that review here. It seems as though I was not the only one who thought they were superlative. Both Cigar Aficionado and a recent edition of the Robb Report detailing the “Best of the Best” reviews gave Toraño high marks. The Toraño Tribute Maduro was rated as one of the “top five” new cigars, whereas CA named the Carlos Toraño Cameroon Torpedo as one of the “Top 50 cigars of the Year”. Not bad for a fourth-generation family-owned cigar manufacturer.On top of the stellar reviews, Toraño Cigars had a record year in sales for 2004, topping 14-15 million cigars in production. Carlos Toraño, if you keep making ‘em, we’ll keep smoking ‘em.

Padron 1926 Anniversary Review

*NOTE: This smoke was recently ranked #1 in the latest edition of Cigar Aficianado showcasing the "Best Cigars of the Year". This review was originally written on 10/08/2004, well before the mentioned issue was printed.


If you can find it, buy it. I’ve said this before, however it’s meaning is multiplied 10 fold with regards to the Padron 1926 Anniversary Series. I’m sure everyone has a cigar in mind that holds a certain mystique, such like the Fuente Opus X, however in my mind I’ve yet to find a cigar that has better flavor, burn and appearance than the Padron 1926 series.
It’s obvious that the Padron family has used only the best they have to offer to construct this line of cigars. The 1926 Series, developed in commemoration of Jose O. Padron's 75th birthday, consists of four sizes in sun-grown natural and maduro wrap. All tobacco used in this line is aged for a full five years such like the 1964 editions. The maduro wrap is complimented by very fine inclusions, and the veining is almost non-existent; thus resulting in a straight-line burn down to the bottom.
The flavors rush into the palate once lit, with hints of cocoa, coffee and roasted nut. As the burn pulls closer to the band, a heavier spice and pepper flavor take over. The draw is so consistent that I was able to smoke this well past the band without pulling in the heat of some lesser cigars on the market. To achieve the complexity and strength that defines the 1926, the Padron’s used higher primings of the cigar tobacco plant and more ligero in the filler. Ligero is the strongest part of the plant, which adds body to the blend. The smoke produced from these cigars is magnificent, and they are easily lit. Once lit, you’ll be able to enjoy for well over an hour, for they don’t burn quickly.
For those searching for the ever-elusive Cuban cigar in hopes of a magnificent smoke, I can only say stop. Make some calls and find a trusted local who carries the Padron 1926 series. They are limited to only 125,000 produced yearly with an individual number printed on each and every band. You’ll pay anywhere between $25 and $35 per single cigar, however if you’re lucky enough to find the 4-pack sampler, jump on it for roughly $75; believe me; it’s worth every penny. This is definitely a smoke to enjoy burning the day away.


The elusive 1926 Padron

Smokin' Shops #1

Up Down in Old Town

In the never-ending quest to find the absolute exemplary smoke shop, my travels have brought me to the likes of Chicago, Dallas, Portland, Miami, Phoenix and overseas. I’d like to dedicate this column to the shops that I’ve found to be the most memorable. Whether it’s a shop that introduced me to my first cigar or one that happened to stock a most sought after stick, every one of the shops that you’ll read about reserves a special place among my experiences. I hope that one day you may be able to enjoy them for yourselves.

Up Down Tobacco, located near the corner of North Avenue and Wells, is right in the center of Old Town. The name itself brings me back to the enjoyable streets of the windy city, enjoying the many fine restaurants, watering holes and quirky shops along my favorite historic district of Chicago. I can’t think of a better time to visit than autumn. The vibrant colors of changing leaves line the streets as the wind sends those, which have fallen swirling in front of doorways. The crispness of the cooling waters of Lake Michigan fills the air and drives the senses into a fury. The sun dips lower in the afternoon drawing long shadows across the streets on up the storefronts. In the heart of it all, you’ll find Up Down Tobacco.

Wooden Indians greet the sidewalk in front of the open door to the shop with a large wood-carved vintage pipe hanging not far above. Humidors of every size and shape line the windows as the smell of cigar smoke and fresh pipe tobacco drift into the open streets. Once inside, the walls are lined with glass wrap-around humidors with a beautiful selection in plain view. The shop is rather humble, which gives a quaint small-town feel within the surrounding city. It’s no surprise to find a building with this much character was used in the early 1960’s as an experimental art gallery.

With an experienced and genial staff, most always with a cigar in hand, service is second-to-none. The perfect cigar to match the right mood is only a suggestion away. Those who wish to stay and chat while smoking their purchase are always welcome to do so; otherwise there is a plethora of cigar-friendly restaurants and patios in the area to burn the day away.

Up Down is the home of my first cigar purchase, and certainly not my last. This is truly a shop not to be passed by.

Up Down Tobacco
1550 Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60610
(800) 5UpDown [587-3693]

www.updowncigar.com

Up Down in the Windy City