Half Ashed Episode 108: Herrera Esteli Norteño

What this episode covers

Herrera Esteli Norteño Coronita Welcome to Episode 108! I apologize for the late posting this week, but it’s been a hectic one. Episode 108 features the Herrera Esteli Norteño, in the 4″ x 46 Coronita. From the Drew Estate website: This full bodied, Maduro expression is the first blend released from the Drew Estate factory since Herrera was named Master Blender in June, 2014. The “Norteño” showcases extensively aged tobaccos from the Estelí and Jalapa growing regions of Nicaragua, coupled with a spicy Honduran binder and a rich, bold Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper. The “Norteño by Willy Herrera” will be available in the following six vitolas at select Herrera Estelí retailers nationwide. 4×46 Coronita, 4.75×48 Corona Extra, 5×50 Belicoso Fino, 5.5×54 Robusto Grande, 6×50 Toro, and 6.5×44 Lonsdale Deluxe. News Drew Estate has announced some changes to the existing Papas Fritas packaging. The cigar remains the same, but instead of the familiar metal tins you’ll start seeing them in 50-ct boxes. This will reduce the single stick price from $6.40 to $5.25. The blend (CT broadleaf over Brazilian Mata Fina binder over cut Nicaraguan fillers) will remain the same. The new packaging will begin to arrive on retailers’ shelves in the next few weeks. The price increases are rolling in now, with Oliva this week and Padron next week. Oliva is going up by about 2.5-5% on average; Padron goes into effect April 1st, with about a $.20/cigar increase. Rocky Patel is also raising some prices April 1st – but not an across-the-board increase. Some lines; up to 5%. Last week we talked a bit about Crowned Heads’ “Single Action”; this week, we have a bit more news about this year’s Angel’s Anvil. It will be coming down the pike in June. The 2015 edition will be a 6×52 toro, running about $10.50 at retail. Total production will be about 20,000 cigars – which will only be available at TAA member retailers. The line is made by EPC, and carries an EC Habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder & fillers. One other TAA exclusive is being produced with a twist this year. LFD will be presenting 3 different blends to the TAA membership at their 47th annual meeting this year. Retailers can place orders for their favorite of the three….and only the most-ordered blend will be produced/shipped! Other orders will be canceled. I like it. It’s a fun twist, although I’m interested to see if the retailers who want a nixed blend get a bit upset. Espinosa/La Zona fans have something new to look forward to: the Espinosa Especial. This new line from Erik is due out in April, and brings 3 vitolas – the 6.5×48 “No. 1,” 5×52 “No. 4,” and 6×54 “No. 5.” (What happened to numbers 2 & 3?). It will feature a Mexican Capa Negra wrapper and Nicaraguan binder/filler. In addition to the already unique focus on small batch production, Viaje is mixing it up again. They are partnering with (yet) another cigar factory for some of their lines. Pinar del Rio in the DR will be producing some of their lines. One new introduction, the Viaje Collaboration 2015, will be the first major batch created in the partnership, but PDR will assume production for some existing marques as well. In a story that reached local to me, the Florida ABT has seized upwards of $100k in counterfeit cigars and tens of thousands of counterfeit boxes & bands – mostly Cohiba. One of the main culprits in the operation was Island Cigars, based out of Oldsmar, FL and Weekiwachee, FL (just a few miles from my house). What Else We’ve Been Smoking Craig Partagas Serie D Especial Edicion Limitada 2010 – *breather* – A great cigar. Half because it was a great cigar and half because it was a great gift.

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