Cigar Assessor

Cigar Assessor

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Celebrate the 6 month anniversary of the Cigar Assessor Blog!



Celebrate the 6 month anniversary of the Cigar Assessor Blog!
Enter to win a sampler pack of some of my favorite cigar picks!



Alec Bradley, Altadis, Ventura Cigar Company, Wilson Adams and Garo have generously donated cigars to help celebrate! I cannot thank them enough for being a part of the festivities.



What would a Cigar Assessor contest be without a little good natured humor?



We all know how cigar lovers like to share pictures of themselves smoking their favorite cigar. With that in mind, lets get creative... Take a photo of yourself smoking a cigar as close to a Starbucks Coffee Store as possible. Make sure you can see Starbucks signage. Then upload the photo to the Cigar Assessor Facebook page to enter. Three pictures with the most likes will each win a 5 cigar sampler pack. One 10-pack Grand Prize will be awarded for most creative picture, at The Cigar Assessor's discretion. If grand prize winner also get the most likes, then the next runner up will win a 5 cigar sampler pack.       



The contest begins today and will close on, September 22nd at midnight. Winners will be notified via Facebook by September 24th.



Good luck to all!





Thursday, August 22, 2013

George Rico S.T.K. American Puro Robusto


Size: 4 3/4 X 52

Wrapper: Connecticut Habano

Binder: Connecticut Habano

Wrapper: Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Kentucky Fire Cured




Today, I decided it was time for the George Rico S.T.K. American Puro to leave the humidor and get lit up. One that was given to me by George himself when I met him at IPCPR in July. I will be pairing this cigar up with a Dove dark chocolate bar and Hanson's all natural cola.


After taking this double banded, well constructed, honey brown stick with minimal veins out of it's cellophane wrapper, I felt it and did not find any soft or hard spots.  I placed the foot under my nose and smelled hay and strong BBQ. The stick also emitted BBQ and barnyard. This stick has a small fan like pigtail and an mild oily sheen. I cut the cap and took a dry draw tasting hay and BBQ. I toasted the foot and hints of cedar was the first flavor I tasted. Later in this third I also tasted notes of hickory and molasses. The burn was even, the smoke full and creamy and the dense gray ash held it's form.






The second third and the burn remained even, smoke pumping out full and dense light gray ash stayed intact until I tapped it off about halfway. Flavor notes of mild BBQ, nutmeg and wood was what I detected. The first band came off without incident and there wasn't any cracks, tears, defects or glue underneath.

















Hickory, salt and leather were the flavors I tasted in the last third of this stick. The burn was still even, ash didn't fall again and the smoke was still kicking full and creamy. The second band came off easily. No cracks, glue or defects underneath. I smoked this stick until I couldn't hold it anymore.



This cigar was a pleasant smoking experience and a Cigar Assessor's Approved Cigar. If you get an opportunity to smoke one of these stick you should. You'll be glad you did. - August 21, 2013


Video Review




Wednesday, August 21, 2013

G.A.R. DELI CUSTOM CIGAR ORDERS - Press release







FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 21, 2013

G.A.R. DELI CUSTOM CIGAR ORDERS
George Rico announces the launch of G.A.R. Deli custom blended cigars out of Little Havana factory.


Miami, Florida – G.R. Tabacaleras Co. Cigar Factory. About three years ago, George Rico envisioned developing a project where his customers could create their own cigar blends without having to go through the very costly process of coming out with a line. This concept became a service now being offered at his G.R. Tabacaleras Co. factory in Miami, known as G.A.R. Deli. According to Rico, G.A.R. Deli was one of the primary reasons the Miami factory was opened. The factory was supposed to be a place where George could experiment and create unique and limited lines in the United States, and at the same time give the customer an opportunity to experiment in the blending process of their very own cigar. A customer interested in blending their own cigar can select their own wrapper, binder, and three types of fillers from a G.A.R. Deli sample kit of tobaccos.
















Last June, Ohlone Cigar Lounge of California and Fujioka’s Wine Times of Hawaii, hosted G.A.R. Deli cigar blending events. Guests of the events were each given samples of all the different tobaccos that George had available at the Miami factory to put a blend together. They received their own blending sheet where they listed their preferred wrapper, binder, and fillers for their blend. Those guests were able to place an order with the factory to have their blend prepared by a cigar roller at G.R. Tabacaleras Co. and receive a box of their custom cigar.

G.A.R. Deli orders are not limited to blending events. Customers can blend in person with George Rico in Miami or a G.A.R. Deli custom order can be made by contacting the factory directly at info@garcigars.com. G.A.R. Deli tobacco kits can be mailed directly to anyone interested in blending their own cigar. Customizing your blend will also be made available online when construction of the G.R. Tabacaleras Co. website is complete.




G.R. Tabacaleras Co.
1792 SW 8 Street, Miami, FL 33135
305-644-3470
www.grtabacalerasunidas.com

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Padilla Gran Reserva De Familia Vintage Reserve Maduro Churchill


Size: 7 X 50

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broad leaf Maduro

Binder: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan




First of all I like to give a big thank you to John Sandlin at Oliva Cigar for this cigar and information about the cigar. I met John at IPCPR and we chatted for a few minutes and he handed me this stick for me to review.


This dark chocolate, well constructed, minimally veined cigar was boxed pressed and felt nice in my hand. No soft or hard spots. I took the cigar from it's cellophane casing and looked over the nice band on it. At first I thought it had a double band but it didn't. It was a brown, gold, red and cream colored single band with a lion's head on it. It also had a serial number along the bottom that reminded me of the Padron Anniversary cigars. I smelled cocoa and hay from the foot and strong barnyard from the stick. The cigar had a light sheen to it. I clipped the cap and took an open dry draw of cinnamon and spice. I toasted the foot and tasted notes of leather and cedar from the full smoke. Later spice and nutty notes joined the cedar and leather I tasted in this first third. The nice dense gray ash fell for the first time about an inch in and the burn was even for the most part.


















The second third and the ash would fall again an the burn remained even. Nice full smoke continued to flow from this cigar as I tasted hints of nuts, cocoa, molasses and roasted coffee.The ash fell again toward the end of this third. The cigar's band came off without incident of tearing. There wasn't any cracks, tears or defects underneath the band.




The smoke continued to pump out full and creamy in the last third of this very nice cigar. The burn was even and the ash fell once more. I tasted wood, cedar, roasted coffee and cocoa. I smoked this cigar until I couldn't smoke it anymore.

















This was a very fine smoking experience and a Cigar Assessor's Approved Cigar. If you find this regular limited production cigar at your local B & M you should give it a try. You'll be glad you did. - August 19, 2013

Video Review



Monday, August 19, 2013

Saturday, August 17, 2013

G.R. TABACALERAS CO. CIGAR FACTORY - Press Release.




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2013

G.R. TABACALERAS CO. CIGAR FACTORY
George Rico announces the latest S.T.K. Miami releases out of his Little Havana factory.

Miami, Florida – G.R. Tabacaleras Co. Cigar Factory of Little Havana, announces the release of the George Rico Miami “American Puro” cigar.  This will be Rico’s first release of a series to come using the name George Rico S.T.K. Miami, made in his factory in Miami.   The “American Puro” is 100% all-American, made with American tobacco and manufactured in the U.S.A.  The American Puro cigar will come in a 4 3/4 x 52 Robusto, 5 7/8 x 54 Toro Grande, and a 5 5/8 x 46 Corona Gorda.  Available in store this September.
George Rico S.T.K. Miami “American Puro”
Medium-Bodied / Barbeque Treat

Wrapper:  Connecticut Habano
Binder:  Connecticut Habano
Filler:  Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Kentucky fire-cured


G.R. Tabacaleras Co. is also manufacturer to the Barracuda from the S.T.K. Miami line of cigars created by George Rico.  The Barracuda was quietly debuted on a limited scale in an event last year in Hawaii, but has been re-released in 2013 because of wider demand than expected.  The Barracuda is Rico’s “Nicaraguan Puro” made out of his factory in Miami. The Barracuda also comes in three sizes:  the Robusto 5 x 50, B-54 6 1/2 x 54, and Corona Gordas 5 5/8 x 46. 
Barracuda S.T.K. Miami by George A. Rico
Full-Flavored with a Rich and Smooth Taste

Wrapper:  Nicaraguan Habano 2002
Binder:  Jalapa
Filler:  rare Esteli and Jalapa ligero long-filler




G.R. Tabacaleras Co. in Miami, Florida opened its doors in January of 2012.  This cigar factory is operated by George A. Rico, a fourth generation cigar maker who began working with his father Guillermo Rico of Gran Habano Cigars, to create some of the top cigars in the industry. In 2008 he created his own project, G.A.R. Cigars, and has continued to create cigars for consumers seeking blends and packaging considered groundbreaking by industry standards.  G.R. Tabacaleras Co. is a retail store and smoking lounge with one of the last on-site cigar factories located in Miami's Little Havana district on Calle Ocho. Its humidor carries an extensive inventory of Gran Habano Cigars and premium lines created by George A. Rico.  About three years ago, George envisioned developing a project where he could help customers create their own cigar blends without having to go through the very costly process of formally coming out with a line.  This concept became a service now being offered at his factory in Miami, known as G.A.R. Deli.   G.A.R. Deli was one of the primary reasons the Miami factory was opened, the factory was supposed to be a place where George could experiment and create unique and limited lines.  A customer interested in creating their own cigar-to-taste can select their own wrapper, binder, and three types of fillers from a sample menu of tobaccos available at the factory.  For customers not able to make in Miami in person, a G.A.R. Deli custom order can be made by contacting the factory directly at info@garcigars.com and customizing your blend will be available soon on the website.
G.R. Tabacaleras Co. is a cigar retail store and factory located in the heart of Miami's Little Havana District. Come and enjoy a smoke in our smoking lounge while watching our rollers, all trained at Cuban factories, craftfully construct our cigars. We are also available for private consultations for customers interested in customizing the blend of their own cigar or private label. You will receive a personalized blending consultation with George Rico who will walk you through the process and answer all your questions about making your very own cigar.
G.R. Tabacaleras Co. is a cigar retail store and factory located in the heart of Miami's Little Havana District. Come and enjoy a smoke in our smoking lounge while watching our rollers, all trained at Cuban factories, craftfully construct our cigars. We are also available for private consultations for customers interested in customizing the blend of their own cigar or private label. You will receive a personalized blending consultation with George Rico who will walk you through the process and answer all your questions about making your very own cigar.G.R. Tabacaleras Co. is a cigar retail store and factory located in the heart of Miami's Little Havana District. Come and enjoy a smoke in our smoking lounge while watching our rollers, all trained at Cuban factories, craftfully construct our cigars. We are also available for private consultations for customers interested in customizing the blend of their own cigar or private label. You will receive a personalized blending consultation with George Rico who will walk you through the process and answer all your questions about making your very own cigar. G.R. Tabacaleras Co. is a cigar retail store and factory located in the heart of Miami's Little Havana District. Come and enjoy a smoke in our smoking lounge while watching our rollers, all trained at Cuban factories, craftfully construct our cigars. We are also available for private consultations for customers interested in customizing the blend of their own cigar or private label. You will receive a personalized blending consultation with George Rico who will walk you through the process and answer all your questions about making your very own cigar.




The website for G.R. Tabacaleras Co. is currently under construction but will feature Rico’s Miami retail and manufacturing operation, showcasing his S.T.K. Miami lines and merchandise.  The Coming Soon page is currently up and can direct you to social networking sites for more information about the factory at www.grtabacalerasunidas.com.  The Facebook page for the factory is https://www.facebook.com/grtabacalerascomiami and the Facebook page for the George Rico S.T.K. Miami lines is www.facebook.com/grtabacalerasunidasmiami.

G.R. Tabacaleras Co.
1792 SW 8 Street, Miami, FL  33135
305-644-3470