TLaneAficionados: A Tobacco Blog

Ashton Maduro

October 5, 2016 Infusion Paytech 24 Cigars You Gotta Try

Ashton cigars founder Robert Levin has established himself as one of the most talented men in the industry when it comes to creating enjoyable masterpieces. He’s done it for us again and again, and this time – as one of the rarest cigars he has ever released – aficionados should immediately make room in their humidors for the Ashton Aged Maduro.
Crafted with a perfectly-aged blend of Dominican long-leaf fillers, the Ashton Aged Maduro also features a Dominican binder to ensure consistency. Then, this beauty is wrapped in a dark, oily, slowly fermented maduro Connecticut Broadleaf. One of the rarest of its kind, the sleek wrapper looks just as savory as it tastes.

When lit, the medium-bodied smoke combines notes of natural sweetness and subtle nutty undertones that captivate the palate with rich, delicious flavors. This beauty is hand rolled at the Château de la Fuente in the Dominican Republic to ensure authenticity.

Many leaves are picked for production, yet very few are chosen for the Ashton Aged Maduro. Ashton Aged Maduro is rare because of its selected and extremely limited Connecticut broad leaf wrapper. The initial sweet taste comes from the wrapper, but once lit, the cigar releases a richness and nutty intake. Ashton Aged Maduro’s rich distinct flavor comes from the never hurried natural fermentation of the wrapper, which encourages its natural sweetness. The wrapper and aged filler creates a rich and complex flavor elevating the Ashton Aged Maduro to a class all its own. It has a very pleasurable output from start to finish. An impressive cigar!

Nat Sherman Timeless

August 28, 2016August 28, 2016 Infusion Paytech 24 Cigars You Gotta Try

Over three generations, the Sherman’s have gone from being tobacconists to being a holistic tobacco lifestyle brand. How they got there is as interesting a story as any you’ll find in the cigar business. Bill, Larry and Michele Sherman are the sibling heirs to a brand with a rich and quintessentially New York identity that last year celebrated its 85^th anniversary. “Our tobacco heritage comes out of retail,” said Bill Sherman.

Most of the long-standing companies in cigars have their heritage rooted in things like farming and cigar manufacturing. The old New York company, on the other hand, laid its foundation and built its reputation as a merchant of tobacco products.

The Nat Sherman Timeless Collection is made up of two unique blends from two different countries by two wonderful manufacturers. It’s a Nicaraguan puro full of mouth-watering nuances like hints of coffee, cocoa, chocolate which Nicarguan tobacco is known for, with subtle hints of spice. This medium body Timeless cigar represents Nicaragua to the fullest.

The Timeless Collection represents a new look and feel for the Nat Sherman Premium Cigar Portfolio. The new band, box and artwork are in keeping with the new style of flavor. “We’re proud of being merchants, you know? We’re cigar peddlers, man, and we love it.”

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature

July 16, 2016 Infusion Paytech 24 Cigars You Gotta Try

Clas·sic

judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.

When people toss around the word classic, they are usually referring to a thing that will forever be cool and worth mentioning on a regular basis. For instance, I’m a nerd so classic items take on an entirely different meaning. In my case, a classic stands for something that will live on forever, such as the music by Journey or Michael Jackson or Star Wars – ya’ know – things that will actually last forever.

Cigars are no different. Everyone has their favorite and there are many standouts, frontrunners, and even ones that can be deemed by many cigar aficionados as “classic.” The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature Perfecto is becoming one of those cigars.

Arturo Fuente has created this mild-to-medium bodied cigar of flawless construction and perfect burn which pays homage to its namesake “The Old Man and the Sea” himself, Ernest Hemingway. This choice brand employs the distinctive “Hemingway Blend” created by Carlos Fuente in one of the most intricate cigar shapes: the perfecto (6 x 47). The Fuente Hemingway’s combination of painstakingly aged Dominican filler and binder encased in a select Cameroon wrapper produces dense clouds with a rich, pleasing aroma.

I’ve read multiple rave reviews about the Hemingway Short Story, but I don’t like short, fat cigars. But I discovered the Signature, which is a perfecto size (you see what I did there?). Good construction with an immediate scorch; no struggle to start enjoying. The foot is twisted to a very small diameter opening, and it made it very easy to light. A single match is enough. I’m always pleasantly surprised when a cigar tastes good from the very first puff. The Hemingway has a very creamy smoke, a very even taste, and consistent throughout the whole cigar while maintaining an excellent taste to the end. If you are searching for a top cigar with a classic finish, stop by and try an Arturo Fuente Hemingway!

Aging Room Quatro

May 9, 2016July 16, 2016 Infusion Paytech 24 Cigars You Gotta Try

agingroom It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday. Although we are in Dallas Mavericks territory, it’s good sportsmanship to acknowledge the ol’ purple and gold. The Los Angeles Lakers lost a legendary player, Kobe Bryant, as he announced his retirement from the game he’s dedicated his entire life toward. If you know anything about basketball then you know that Bryant is a soon-to-be Hall of Famer. In the world of cigars it too takes a great team. A great brand requires experienced hands in both the field and the factory and mother nature to bring forth great climate. All these elements help to create a world-class cigar.

If you haven’t tried an Aging Room cigars yet, it’s high time you made their acquaintance. Rumor is that these cigars are made in very limited batches of tobacco leaves too small for regular production. They are uniquely handmade and highly in demand. The Again Room cigar offers a medium smoke with a loose draw. You notice light nut and pepper notes from the first couple of hits but it transitions well into a more flavorful smoke a quarter of the way into the stick.

Although non-Cuban oriented, the tobacco is Dominican and the wrapper derives from a 2003 Sumatra leaf.

According to Cigar Aficionado Magazine, the Aging Room Quatro is “a Balance and Sophisticated cigar that display rich notes of roasted coffee bean and sweet cedar”. The Aging Room Quattro F55 was rated in Cigar Aficionado’s 10 Best Cigars of the year in 2013 naming the Aging Room Quattro F55 the No.1 cigar of the year.

With that said, this small batch definitely made our list. Aging Room is a brand that you can’t really go wrong with. Undoubtedly, this cigar is in a league of it’s own.

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.