Sunday...

is for racing, Road Racing that is.  I had breakfast with IndyCar from Brazil, then headed over to Miami for the Rolex Series Race,  and Now I'm in New Zealand with Australian V8 SuperCars. I can't wait  to see these guys when they race at the Circuit of the Americas, in Austin TX, in November when F1 returns to the States.

This past week was the week that was. The week culminated with the Grand Opening of Ambassador Fine Cigars West Valley location.
I was glad to see such a robust turnout for the festivities. 

I hate having to make choices but as we live in a Democratic Society the right to choose is one of our God given rights.

This is what remains of a La Sirena, the initial draw of this cigar was a bit tight. This was not any fault of the cigar, but the inability of the operator to properly cut the cigar!

According to the fine folks at Miami Cigar Company, the company behind this cigar,  there is supposed to be new blend coming in July.  Now I have something to look forward to!

Now for the rant...The Hookah King (Ryan) came home this weekend and brought his Hookah...I don't get it, The stuff just stinks! It smells absolutely horrid, And no matter what you call it, the shisha  (a combination of  tobacco and fruit or vegetable ), is smoked out of a water pipe or what we use to call a bong!  AND No I dont want to try it

Now in the styling of long-time Yankee Stadium announcer the late Bob Sheppard; "Now Smoking (Batting)  the Next Cigar (ShortStop), #2 Torano Vault (Derek Jeter),  #2.

I leave you with this poem...

Twas the week before my birthday, three days before furlough...

Have a smoking Sunday!

Whoops the Orphaned Cigar

I knew I was missing one!

The Room 101, Serie SA (San Andreas) Robusto.  It was interesting to compare notes with Patrick Lagreid.  Patrick writes about cigars in the Phoenix Edition of www.Examiner.com. In a nutshell  Patrick is the go to source for cigar events in the PHX, and ah hell lets just say that he knows his stuff .

This particular stick, needs some time in the humidor, it is earthy and would really pair well with a Pinot Noir. Morgan or Witness Tree come to mind!

PS follow Patrick on  Twitter @PHXCigarGuy and while you're at it  follow me too @JRWeigand

The Week that Was

Here's a rundown, we'll call this 4 cigars, a baseball game, and a funeral;  whoops I meant wedding.

My love affair continues with Tatuaje, this is  the Copa Especial. I also found out that Pete Johnson, the man behind the Tatuaje brand, will make a one off appearance in the PHX on May 11th at Ambassador Fine Cigars West Valley location.  I am going to try my damnedest to make an appearance at this event, but a High School Graduation/Award Ceremony will in all likelihood preclude me from attending. Family comes first, ALWAYS.

Last week at the La Flora Dominicana event at Fine Ash Cigars in Avondale I picked up several La Flora Dominicana Cigars in various sizes and blends.  This is the LFD Air Bender. that I paired with a Napa Valley Cabernet.  The earthiness of the Cabernet paired very well with this cigar

Been meaning to try one these for the longest time, The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial,  by My Father Cigar.  This was a fantastic cigar that was aged to perfection, dark and oily ! A mid afternoon smoke, I paired this with a Tall Hot Blonde (roast) from Starbucks...

Earlier today, I enjoyed a Ortega Serie D #10.  This is new to the humidor at Ambassador Fine Cigars in Scottsdale.  Really Nice Smoke, However I think this one needs some time in the humidor. This cigar is going to become a favorite of mine for another reason.  We are a Military Family and I discovered that the Ortega Cigar Company honors our American Heroes by donating 50% of the profits generated from the sales of THE BROTHERHOOD line of cigars to those who may be affected by a Soldiers departure. Thank You Eddie, We appreciate this!

The baseball game. Wednesday  I had the opportunity to host clients in our suite at Chase Field.  As the host, I get two tickets. I took the Arizona Diamondbacks #1 fan my mother to the game. We call this, Living the Suite Life! 

Ah, the Funeral uh wedding....Wednesday, my Step-Son , Stephen, and Sierra were married in a small civil ceremony in Ft. Riley, KS.  Stephen some valuable advice.  "Sometime's it's just easier to close your eye's. bow your head, and mumble 'Yes Dear.' "  Welcome to our Family Sierra, and Z-man

Moving will kill you or make you want to kill someone

So in a little more than a week, 10 days or so I guess, Mom will officially move out of what was her and Dads retirement home. Dad always said they'd live in this house for 10 yrs and then downsize. Mom waited 11 yrs.  Yesterday there were 6 of us packing boxes and moving them two blocks to the rental property that she will live in until the new home is built. Whoa then there's the realization in 4 months we will be doing this ALL Over again.


I guess we got home about 7 or so at which point I decide to reflect on the days events with Quesada Q D'état Molotov which I paired with a Negra Modelo, a full bodied cigar with lots of spice.

Started out great but then we got a runner! OK you can probably blame that on operator error or ADD since I was watching the coyotes game! Which is the definition of pure frustration.  The Coyotes NOT the Cigar!

Earth Day On the Hillbilly Hilton

So it Earth Day and in a somewhat supportive effort to support the cause I went green with today's smoke, The La Flora Dominicana Double Claro! I paired this with a Red Stripe Jamaican Lager which, because I am a Rebel, I chose not to recycle the bottle!

3 Cigar Events in 4 Hours

What a crazy day, there are 10 Cigar events in the PHX today and tomorrow. There were 6 of them today alone and I managed to get to three of them. The event got underway at 3pm and was at Cigar King, this is one small corner of their humidor. 

Brought to you by our friends at Swag and Aging Room Cigars. 

At this event I decided to try something I never had before The Swag Lavish Puro Dominico. A rather nice smoke all around

The Second event I managed to attend was clear on the other side of town at Ambassador Fine Cigars. Vartan is a good friend and I wanted to support the first event at the new store.  VegaFina  hosted this event. I learned today that the VegaFina is the No. 1 selling, Non Cuban, Cigar in Spain. I am looking forward to his Grand Opening Event next Saturday!

The Third and final event for me was the La Flora Dominicana (LFD) event at Fine Ash Cigar.  Here's the best part, I hit this one up on way to the store!  They do treat the members of the West Valley Cigar Club very very very well!

 So here is what I ended up with after 3 events in 4 hours.  From Left
Hamer + Sickle Moscow Blend (a recommendation from Chris Davidson that I am giving another try), Torano Vault, a La Sirena, Quesada Q D'etat Molotov (supposedly this one packs quite a punch),  Vega Fina Sumum (2),  A Vartan Zoravar (My Favorite Smoke), VegaFina Robusto (2), El Tiante Oscuro (Jim Rendar loves this cigar),  LFD Double Ligero, Ligero, another Double Ligero (screwed up there), Air Bender Chisel, Double Claro, Air Bender Robusto, and the El Tiante Habano Rosado.

Red Stripe Not Included...

Stay tuned for random thoughts and observations about each one!

A Rare Tuesday Post

Wow, its only Tuesday and I'm blogging,  I'ts getting warm in the PHX we are nearing the first 100 degree day (Saturday).  San Cristobal Elegancia is a medium-bodied cigar featuring a golden-blonde, Connecticut-seed wrapper. The question was posed to me.  "How do I enjoy a cigar when its so hot out." Couple of things 1. I spend alot more time in the Lounges at Ambassador Fine Cigars, Ye Old Pipe and Tobacco or Cigar King 2. we also have a misting system which keeps the Hillbilly Hilton a good 10-15 degrees cooler than the actual temperature. and 3. I go lighter on the smoke, currently I am auditioning this years crop of "My Summer Smoke"


Above is Ashton Cigars San Cristobal Eleganica Pyramid...and Yes, Jim, I used a V-Cut

The Cigar at left is the VegaFina Robusto, this cigar has been described as "Affordable Luxury" and a “connoisseur’s smoke.”  By the Way, this is a great cigar for the price!  Often less the $5

Today I followed-up yesterdays Vega Fina Robusto with the Vega Fina by Seijas 2011,  Seijas refers to Master Cigar Blender Jose Seijas. Jose has created cigars for the world’s most recognizable brands including Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, and  H. Upmann.   The cigar is currently available in a Corona Gordo that measure 6" x 56 yet retails for about $6.50!