I can’t believe I almost let this deal slip by… anyhow I managed to get it just in the nick of time. There are a couple of days left on the Don KIKI Red label Churchill deal, in case you might be interested. It’s basically a great medium-bodied cigar from the guys at Cuban Crafters, and a steal at under $30 bucks. I especially like the Churchills in the red label but there are also some Double Coronas available if anyone finds the Churchill to be just too much cigar. I highly recommend this one though, it’s just a steal.
Just click below for the special price:

Every now and gain I’ll smoke a renowned and relatively expensive cigar and come away thinking that the stick is an absolute rip-off. One such disappointment, to the surprise of many of the readers of this blog, was the Trinidad Robusto Extra (Cuba).

This review of the Zino Platinum Scepter Chubby made me think of that Trinidad review, but only in as much as it exemplified what the Robusto Extra should have tasted like… no joke!

Both of these cigars are supposed to be lighter bodied, finesse type of smokes. You shouldn’t expect to have your socks knocked off with the Chubby; exceptional attention to detail, impeccable construction, and an excellent volume of light-bodied and elegantly aromatic smoke is what the entire Platinum Scepter series is all about.

The Chubby is a very well made cigar. It also happens to be a very nice format and gauge, allowing for a pleasant smoke of just about forty minutes. The Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper is on the cigar smells of sweet cedar and butter; it hints at a lighter-bodied smoke ahead, nevertheless, it’s a delight. It brought back memories of my early Davidoff infatuation days, though I would say that the Davidoff Millennium Series wrappers are tad fuller than the Platinum Scepters’.

The pre-light draw on the cigar is mild but nice, delivering some notes of hay and sweet spice. I lit this one up with a cedar strip—the narrow foot makes for a foolproof traditional lighting—and got immediate plumes of aromatic smoke.

The notes were predominantly of sweet spices and herbs—nutmeg and tarragon come to mind, respectively. As the smoke progressed, it got chewier and a tad earthy, though retaining its original character. I got a bit more cedar and intensity of spicy notes before the end.

As you can probably see, the burn on the Chubby was perfectly even and the ash was appropriately long. Don’t feel compelled to take this cigar to the nub, though; lay it down in time and enjoy a sweet woody finish. I recommend the Platinum Scepter Chubby to anyone who likes milder cigars for sure, and even if you normally do not, it’s still a heck of an elegant smoke, delivering where other touted cigars fall flat.

I’m sure you’ve seen it. It’s on banners, souvenirs, shot glasses, T-shirts, and just about anything “Spain” from the actual Spanish flag to car bumpers in Madrid; and if you’ve ever gone for a road trip in Spain, you will see its gigantic black silhouette on hills and fields everywhere. The Osborne Bull has indeed become a cultural symbol of Spain.

What originally began as an advertising campaign for Osborne Sherry brandy in 1956, overtime became a renowned national icon by international visitors. It wasn’t until 1994, though, after a law was passed to outlaw billboards on roads, that the Bull, created by artist Manuel Prieto, was officially recognized as a cultural asset by Spanish courts and became a permanent sight of the Spanish landscape until today.

Well, it was only fitting that, living in Spain, I would visit the Osborne sherry company in Cadiz, and become acquainted with their brandy. I mean, this stuff is very popular in this country and incredibly affordable when compared to French Cognac; testimony to another little quality I have come to appreciate about the Spanish: thriftiness. It is this quality that helps keep their most cherished products very reasonably priced.

The Osborne Magno, though not a special reserve by any means, is touted as elaborated from the estate’s best grapes and is aged in American oak. As with all of their brandies, the Magno is distilled in a way that is unique to the Jerez (sherry, also spelled Xeres) region, and thus possesses certain qualities that in my opinion make it recognizably Spanish.

The most outstanding characteristic of this sherry brandy, is an incredibly smooth palate that makes it one of the most drinkable spirits in this proof. You’d be surprised how easily you can put this down; before you know it, you’ll have probably downed more of it than you really intended to.

The Magno is the color of reddish oak. It has a rather intense nose with clear notes of oak, molasses and honey. Distinct indications of sherry wine are all over it. It is semi sweet on the palate, with notes that are also reminiscent of a fine port. I got delicious notes of molasses, which dominate at first, as well as smooth oak and a tinge of citrus rind in the finish. I would say that it has adequate viscosity for a brandy in this category.

I have yet to open my bottles of the Osborne Gran Reserva brandies—the Independencia and Conde de Osborne—but so far I’m sold with their little Osborne Magno. I keep dreaming of Joya de Nicaragua Antaños as the smoothness of this authentic Spanish sherry coats my senses.

Zippo lighters are awesome, but sadly, when it comes to cigars, the old trusted Zippo falls out of favor. It’s not the lighter itself that is to blame, just the trusty lighter fluid that has powered it for over 75 years.

Though some cigar smokers would probably admit to using Zippo’s all the time, my experience tells me that the fluid’s odor can taint the taste of a good cigar right from the start. Well, for me, the thought of smoking an expensive benzene stick is more than I can handle.

That’s where the Z-plus torch lighter insert comes in. Though these have been out for some time, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to buy a classic Zippo and gut it, replacing the core of the lighter with a third party insert that claims to fit “most popular liquid fuel lighter cases.”

The fact, though, is that probably some trademark technicality prevents them from saying that the insert is “designed exclusively for Zippo lighter cases”, but believe me, It is! I’ve got to tell you that it not only fits perfectly but works great, providing a steady windproof flame encased in Zippo coolness.

When I headed over to Lighters Direct this time, I was aiming for a classic piece to add to my worthy repertoire. As I browsed the extensive Zippo section, I knew it had to be Black Ice. The Z-plus insert was under the accessories section.

I’ve had it for over a week now, and have used it everyday, including at last night’s Super Bowl herf where my Super Bowl pick made me a good amount of cabbage! It’s the only way to light up a fine cigar in classic Zippo style—highly recommended.