TLaneAficionados: A Tobacco Blog

Montecristo Espada

August 28, 2016 Infusion Paytech Tobacco Lane

Montecristo and Plasencia, a match made in heaven.

The story of Montecristo Espada is seriously interesting. Not long ago, Montecristo and famed tobacco grower and cigar maker Nestor Plasencia struck a deal. This deal would gave Montecristo’s blending team, known as the ‘Grupo de Maestros,’ unrestricted access to Plasencia’s world-renowned collection of fine tobaccos and state of the art factory. At this facility, the Master’s went to work, spending months developing a flawless merger of fine, sophisticated cigar. What they discovered was a blend unlike any other. The Montecristo Espada overflows with flavor.

A cigar that’s easily fitting of the Montecristo name, but with a level of flavor that’s both charming and inviting.
Meaning ‘sword,’ Espada makes full use of Plasencia’s unique tobacco archive and employs a gorgeous Habano wrapper from 2010 grown in Jalapa, Nicaragua. Underneath, an all-Nicaraguan blend of bold, well-aged long-fillers from Jalapa, Ometepe, and Condega were each specifically selected for their strength, flavor, or body. The result is an extremely well-balanced, layered with rich, hearty notes of wood, pepper, coffee, cream, nuts, and sweetness. Elegant, refined, and loaded with complexity, Montecristo Espada is truly a world-class cigar. Montecristo Espada received Top 25 honors for 2015 (#20 overall) and a well-deserved 92-rating noting: “offering the spice of a gingersnap with touches of cinnamon that build to a sweet, spicy finish.”

The experience opens with a flavor and strength somewhere between their Classic and Platinum lines with some good spice and a note of raisin. Part way through 1/3, that raisin taste is joined by a delicious sweet cream, almost vanilla. It’s like berries and cream, but subtler, just enough to really get a good taste but not the syrupy sweetness of an infused cigar and combined with that typically delicious Monte tobacco flavor. The draw is absolutely perfect and produces a CONSTANT stream of smoke which I love! Monte fans should go ahead and buy a box! When I have the means, I know I will! In short, the Montecristo Espada is an exceptional cigar to add to your collection.

Cain F Habano Torpedo

April 25, 2016July 16, 2016 Infusion Paytech 24 Cigars You Gotta Try

Cain F Habano Torpedo

March Madness displays the best in collegiate hoop players. If you’re like me, your bracket was shot somewhere around the “Sweet Sixteen” [DANG YOU WISCONSIN!]. Every year we get to see the best at what the game has to offer. If basketball is anything like cigars then you know you’ll never get tired of underdog stories and stand-out stars.

With the Cain F, Oliva shows they have more than one trick up there sleeve.

For all the seasoned vets, here’s a cigar that is both slam dunk and half-court shot. The Cain F is an anomaly among a sea of really great cigars. One for the more experienced, refined cigar enthusiast, the Cain F has a deep, full figured strength. There’s boldness to this cigar that compliments its complexity. Aged and triple-fermented tobaccos deriving from various regions of Nicaraguan soil makes this cigar a handsome conundrum. Even more striking about this handmade is the tight, oily, leathery skin that tells of its earthy origins.

Oliva products are constructed very neatly. The Cain F was no different. Similar to the Melanio, after a few blasts you’ll quickly notice the flavor profile. Dark chocolaty, it has peppery notes that intersect the tongue without taking away from the smoke. This cigar is a huge score – definitely worthy of an honorable mention.

**FYI** Also, April drawing winners were…

1st Place – Oliva Humidor Winner: Jeff Lopez
2nd Place – $25 in Free Cigars : Ron Wilks
3rd Place – $25 in Free Cigars : Octavia “Missy” Fuller

Congratulations!!!! Thank you all for your support here at Tobacco Lane!

Hoyo De Monterrey

March 22, 2016July 16, 2016 Infusion Paytech 24 Cigars You Gotta Try

Shout out to Denny Hamlin for killin’ it at the Dayton 500! Bad break for Kenseth and Elliot this season. Daytona 500 has come and zipped past us but there’s still a way to fire-up up your weekends. I’m talking about the hyper-masculine essence rolled up in fine Nicaraguan earth jackets. The Hoyo de Monterrey goes well with the excitement of blaring engines. If you haven’t tried this little daddy then you’re definitely missing out!

The original Hoyo de Monterrey was the 1865 inspiration of José Gener, one of the most respected growers in Cuba’s famed Vuelta Abajo. An equally illustrious Hoyo de Monterrey tradition has been firmly established in Honduras under the masterful guidance of local cigar masters. Literally translated from Spanish to English as “the Hole of Monterrey” in reference to the concave terrain favored by growers of premium tobacco, the brand became extremely popular. With the British market spiking their demand, Gener’s factory successfully became one of the largest factories in Cuba. In 1900, Gener died in Spain and his daughter took over the business and it would stay in the family for another thirty years.

hoyosdemo This full-flavored brand is dubbed the “espresso of cigars.” Hoyo De Monterrey cigars are crafted with tobacco cultivated in the richest Honduran soil. According to those who love Hoyo it’s said they are made “en la manera de los Indios” (the Indian way). This simply means that the cigar is produced by the sun, the wind, and the soil. Hoyo de Monterrey is loved because of its famously rich, strong, and creamy taste. Handmade in the Villazon factory of Honduras, Hoyos consist of a complex blend of Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Cuban seed Dominican filler and Connecticut binder. Aromatic and unapologetically straightforward, they’re the standard for all Honduran cigars.

These cigars are cured and aged by the elements. When you smoke a Hoyo de Monterrey cigar, you enjoy it as patrons did decades ago. The Hoyo full-bodied cigars are as deeply satisfying as they are authentically Honduran (just as Nascar is genuinely uh’Merican!)

**NOTE** Next month we will host a raffle. Tickets are only $10 each. First place gets an Oliva cigars branded humidor. Second and 3^rd prize winners receive $25 in Oliva cigars! To make things interesting, there are only 40 tickets available for purchase. With only a handful left, you’d better head this way asap to purchase your raffle ticket! As always, we appreciate your business!

Oliva V Melanio Maduro Torpedo

March 22, 2016July 16, 2016 Infusion Paytech Tobacco Lane

The Texas heat came early this year. That means this was a good season for the coin carwash spots aaaand – BASEBALL!

Kids all around the D/FW were chanting: “Take me out to the ballgame…”

Meanwhile, I was shouting: “I’m driving fast to Tobacco Lane!”

Although many fans believe the Rangers have a few terrible contract decisions this season, you can still make a very wise decision that you won’t regret later. How you ask? Well, by selecting from this month’s Tobacco Lane cigar brand, Oliva V!

Oliva V is hot on the shelves! Our experts are raving about it; not to mention that it pairs well with the outdoorsy allure of our greatest, oldest American pastime.

Speaking of history, here’s a little factoid about this wonderful stogie. The Oliva Serie V Melanio is named for Melanio Oliva, Gilberto Oliva’s grandfather and who many would consider to be the patriarch of the Oliva family. The Oliva website has this to say about its fine tobacco roots:

Melanio Oliva first grew tobacco in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba in 1886. His growing operations were suspended while he fought in Cuba’s War of Independence. After returning from war Melanio resumed his operations. In the early 1920’s Melanio’s son Hipolito Oliva took over the growing operations. Hipolito cultivated the Oliva family fields for several decades. As Cuba became over-run by communist the tobacco landscape changed. Hipolito’s son Gilberto Oliva shifted from growing to brokering tobacco. In the early 60’s the pressure became too great and Gilberto traveled from country to country in search of the distinct Cuban taste. His travels took him to Honduras, Panama, Mexico and even the Philippines. Gilberto finally found fertile ground in Nicaragua. Today Gilberto along with his family are Nicaragua’s second largest grower of Cuban-seed tobacco.

Oliva V Melanio is sold primary as a torpedo. Upon the first couple of blasts you’ll quickly notice its solid flavor profile. Wrapped in a very dark chocolate, it has peppery notes that intersect the tongue without taking away from the smoke. Visually, the Oliva is intricately designed. One can appreciate the silky decadence, minimal veins, and rich mocha aroma which permit the cigar to burn seamlessly with very little concern about construction.

This torpedo is sweet and earthy with a medium body. It has a very pleasurable output from start to finish. An impressive cigar! Indulge in an Oliva V with zero regrets – immediately after you spend seven smackeroos on those hot dogs at The Ballpark in Arlington.

**NOTICE** Next month we will host a raffle. Tickets are only $10 each. First place gets an Oliva cigars branded humidor. Second and 3^rd prize winners receive $25 in Oliva cigars! To make things interesting, there are only 40 tickets for available for purchase. With only a handful left, you’d better head this way asap to buy your ticket!

Look forward to seeing you and, as always, we appreciate your business!

Cigars on Ice…[Beware While Reading]

September 30, 2015September 30, 2015 Infusion Paytech Tobacco Lane

Let me be the one-thousandth person to tell you this – today’s music is in the can!

You can’t turn on the radio without hearing some ridiculous tune about body parts, drugs, alcohol, and partying hard. Although the golden age of sound, the 50’s through 70’s had it’s on variety of sultry and raunchy hits that were masked in love, social justice, and odd holistic experiences.

As hard as you may try to ignore much of what you see and hear, there are some things that catch your eye and ears. The media and music industry is making sure that we don’t miss a step or beat when it comes to idiotic things anyone could ever create. Television may be your source for entertainment while others may be radio or internet. As they say, pick your poison. Bring an 80’s baby, radio is my go-to. I enjoy toggling between talk radio, NPR, R&B Soul, Jazz, and Classic Rock.

On this particular day, I found myself coming across a teenie-bopper station. I heard the wide vocal range of a very familiar artist coming across the speaker. The station played a popular song by Beyonce that I’ve heard a hundred times prior. I’m not a huge fan but no matter where you go these days the powers-that-be get a kick out of pumping out Beyonce tunes for your listening pleasure. The song “Drunk In Love” briefly mentions cigars in an intimate, yet recreational sense. I’m by no means saying it’s a rarity to hear a song about cigars. There are many songs in many countries dedicated to the popular past-time. The lyrics are as follows:

Cigars on ice, cigars on ice Feeling like an animal with these cameras all in my grill Flashing lights, flashing lights You got me faded, faded, faded Baby, I want you, na na Can’t keep your eyes off my fatty Daddy, I want you, na na Drunk in love, I want you.

I’m what most youngsters would consider old. Upon hearing words or phrases that are beyond the understanding of someone born before 1992, the millennials have taught me to refer to Google or Urban Dictionary for new-age clarity. “Cigars on ice” didn’t sound kosher to me but I’m admittedly nosey as hell therefore I decided to check it out for myself. I found an even better website called Genius.com that had more details and contextual significance behind popular songs such as this. So, from my extensive research, I have concluded that the singer could have meant one of two things.

Genius.com gives this explanation: The combination of expensive smokes and drinks serves as a status symbol for the power couple [Jay-Z and Beyonce]. The ideal condition for a cigar is 70°F (21°C) and 70% humidity. Ice, at sub-32°F, is way too cold, so she may not want to leave it there too long.

UrbanDictionary, or slang word usage central, gives this quick explanation: Cigars on ice is a phrase used to describe a man taking a cold shower to relieve his boner. Cigar=boner; on ice=cold shower

Radio has deceived me. It used to be a place for breaking news and information, perspective, and family entertainment. As a father of a computer saavy and studious 9-year old, I think today will be a better than any for us to surrender our birth certificates and join an Amish community. The music there may suck but I hear the lamb chops are great.

By the way, this is the same song where she says, “I been drinkin’ watermelon.” (I’ll leave that one for you sleuths out there to figure out on your spare time.)

Dear Society, I think we’ve lost again.

Celebrate Your Labor Day with Cigar Gifts

September 3, 2015September 3, 2015 Infusion Paytech Tobacco Lane

Every company gives their employees three things at the beginning of the year: a bonus check apology letter, more work, and a vacation calendar. If you’re like me, the first thing you do is circle all the days you get a break from wearing that awful appendage, a.k.a. your security badge. Well, in a few days, September 7, Labor Day 2015 will be in full affect.

While the observance of Labor Day has spread around the world in different forms, it has distinct American roots. Embedded deep in the history of the American labor movement, Labor Day has a storied past riddled with both violence and celebration. The modern holiday is widely traced back to an organized parade in New York City in 1882 by union leaders.

The very first Labor Day festivities included speeches, tailgating, beer kegs, and an abundance of cigars. To get your piece of the action this year, here are five ways you can celebrate and make this a memorable, and hopefully PTO-free, day off.

#5. Buy A Cigar Cutter (Stор clipping cigars with your teeth):

A fine fellow, Kurt Van Keppel, in 1994 noticed that there were no alternatives to removing сigаr tips except with your tееth. Chеар cigar сuttеrѕ were wobbly, dull and boring to lооk at, and expensive сigаr сuttеrѕ wеrе — wеll, wоbblу, dull аnd bоring tо lооk at. Sо Kurt got tоgеthеr with hiѕ friеnd Sсоtt tо mаkе a cigar сuttеr that was sturdy, lоng-lаѕting, аnd ѕhаrр enough tо imрrеѕѕ a guillotine. Thе result wаѕ thе Xikаr cigar сuttеr, nоw a mаrkеt lеаdеr in thе induѕtrу.

#4. Buу A Dеѕktор Humidor (Stop stоring your cigаrѕ in the freezer):

Most of us don’t need a cellar-sized humidоr thе ѕizе оf a wаrdrоbе thаt inсludеѕ a gаtеwау tо Nаrniа. We juѕt wаnt the сigаrѕ wе hаvе to lаѕt аnd maybe ѕоmеthing sleek fоr our desk that will impress people we don’t care about. High quаlitу dеѕktор humidors аrе now easier tо find. Yоu саn рurсhаѕе bеаutifullу роliѕhеd wооd humidors that include a box оf cigars for an additional treat. Thеrе is a grеаt dеѕktор humidоr mаdе by Caribe that inсludеѕ fifty рrеmium lоng fillеr San Mаrсо cigars.

#3. Buу A Cool Ashtray (Stор using that onе you stоlе frоm thе bаr back in college):

Cigar ashtrays аrеn’t blасk and whitе. They hаvе style, реrѕоnаlities, and сlаѕѕ thanks to the innоvаtivе thinking оf noted Sоuth Bеасh аrtiѕt аnd ceramist, Bram Warren. Cigar ashtrays аrе ѕо сооl they can bе uѕеd fоr interior dеѕign. Wоrking with ѕtуlеѕ like “Rivеr Rock”, “Cеlаdоn Crуѕtаl” аnd “Vоlсаniс Aѕh”, Warren combines colors inсluding ѕtееl blue, ѕаgе, birch, mеrlоt and bronze to make the most distinctive cigar ashtrays аvаilаblе for cigar enthusiasts. Thе only hаrd раrt iѕ dесiding which one tо get.

#2. Stор Obѕеѕѕing Ovеr Whiсh Cigars to Buу, Juѕt Ask A Us:

Everyone has an old reliable when it comes to cigar selection. It takes time to find one that is distinctly you. There are sеvеral cigars that you can’t go wrong with including Dоn Diеgо Anivеrѕаriо, H. Uрmаnn Vintаgе Cameroon, Mоntесriѕtо Whitе, an Onyx Reserve, a Rоmео Juliеtа Rеѕеrvа Real, a Rоmео Juliеtа Reserva Mаdurо, and a Trinidаd. We carry all of these cigar brands. Come see us!

#1. Forget Bic, Get а Duроnt Lighter Like The Big Boys:

Yоu knоw those саr соmmеrсiаls that еxрlаinѕ the feeling оf driving a trасtiоn controlled vehicle through the mountains with the windоwѕ dоwn? It’s like that. The perfect соmbinаtiоn оf function and luxury. With a сhаrасtеriѕtiс sound, ѕimрlе and еlеgаnt designs and masterful аttеntiоn tо dеtаil, S.T. Duроnt lightеrѕ will be сhеriѕhеd as muсh in five уеаrѕ аѕ they wеrе the dау they wеrе patented. Go big or go home.

The first Monday of September means that white clothes are out, sales are in, summer holidays are over and classes begin for students. Pat yourself on the back for your dedication and contribution to the American economy this year. Most of all, guilt-trip a family member into rewarding you with one of the items listed above. Celebrate your Labor Day in style.