The Weekend Redux: February 06, 2012

With another hectic week of work behind me and the stomach flu taking my wife out for the weekend, I started the weekend feeling a bit beaten down. I didn’t get a chance to smoke Friday night, and by Saturday, I was in the mood for a full flavored smoke. 

Saturday Afternoon: NHC Seleccion Limitada Reserva by Tatuaje

Paul and I were planning on smoking Saturday night and recording Episode 11 of the podcast. With the wife MIA, I decided the long trek to RI was out of the question and I would just Skype in for the recording. Feeling the stress of the day, I grabbed a NHC Seleccion Limitada Reserva by Tatuaje late Saturday afternoon. This 6.75 x 42 Nicaraguan puro is wrapped in Broadleaf and is sold exclusively by New Havana Cigars. This cigar began with a balanced mix of coffee, cocoa, and leather with the addition of some dark chocolate on the second half. Construction was perfect, the price reasonable, and I really think the vitola works for this blend. A definite “Fiver”.

Saturday Evening: La Flor Dominicana Factory Press II (2007)

During the podcast, Paul and Mark decided to smoke the original release of Opus X. Being 85 miles away, I began digging through my humidor for something special myself. Mark had given me a LFD Factory Press II from 2007 and it seemed to fit the mood.

This smoke had the pre-light aroma of a Twix bar. Yes, you read correctly, it smelled like Twix candy bar. With a Dominican binder and filler, this work of art is adorned with a oily Nicaraguan Oscuro wrapper. A 6.25 x 54 Box Pressed Toro, I knew this was going take some dedication, but I had no idea how much dedication. A slow burner, with a smoking time of almost two hours, I was treated to a very rich smooth flavor profile of chocolate and espresso with some occasional pepper. It was FULL in both flavor and strength, and I found myself taking my time between draws. Construction was a A+. While this would not be something I would smoke often, it was a solid stick with extra points for being so damn sexy. “The Fiver”

Sunday was a wash with the Pats loss to the Giants. I will just have to save that celebratory cigar for another time.

Until next Monday, keep burning!