Half Ashed Episode 112: Southern Draw Cigars

What this episode covers

Southern Draw Cigars – Kudzu Toro Welcome to episode 112!  This week, we have guest Robert Holt of Southern Draw Cigars.  Tune in as we chat with Robert about his cigars, the philosophy behind the brand and blending, as well as a few off-topic rabbit trails.  We had a fantastic time…all while smoking the Southern Draw Kudzu. Tonight’s stick is the 6″ x 52 toro, featuring Nicaraguan internal components wrapped in a Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro wrapper leaf.  The Kudzu is softly pressed, with moderate tooth and beautiful dark chocolate-brown coloration throughout. It also has an element I increasingly enjoy for lighting purposes – a closed foot, which makes lighting a breeze. Besides the toro, it is also available in a 5.5″ x 54 robusto and 6.5″ x 60 Gordo. Tune in to see how it went! News Big news today from House of Emilio.  Founder Gary Griffith has left the company, per a statement from them on social media this afternoon: Today’s post is to inform our friends in the cigar industry about the retirement of Gary Griffith from Emilio Cigars, House of Emilio, and Delaware Cigars.  Gary was a visionary and a social media marketing pioneer. His time with us was filled with laughter, caring, and many great cigars.  Going forward, his legacy will continue through the brands he’s helped, the distribution company he led, and the cigars that he blended.  We wish him all the best in his future adventures! So…what does this mean?  Nate McIntyre left a few months back, and I’m not even sure who is left to take the helm.  I know they have several sales folks at this point, but I don’t know who is in a position to continue on. Yesterday, we learned of that 4 Senators (including Craig’s own Dick Durbin) have proposed a NEW tax on tobacco products, including cigars.  The proposal would add $0.94 per pack of cigarettes and an “equivalent amount” on other tobacco products.  One of the specified goals is to make the taxation similar on all types of tobacco usage.  And…predictably….it’s “for the kids.”  Speculation is that the tax would add close to $1 to the retail price of premium cigars, depending on wholesale pricing.  While it isn’t expected to make it to law, some day it will likely do so should the environment shift…. Nicholas Melillo – aka Nick R. Agua – has been hinting around for weeks or even months concerning possible future involvement in the cigar industry post-Drew Estate.  He finally made it a bit clearer this week, with a post stating that “I don’t think there is any better way for people to understand my experience in Nicaragua than through a cigar and a brand, which i hope to debut this summer/fall. As I did with Drew Estate I am putting heart and soul into these new projects, because that’s the only way I know how to do it.” In a story we didn’t get to last week, Davidoff will be mixing it up again – they will be introducing a Brazilian themed line.  It will be rolled in the Dominican Republic, and feature tobacco from the DR, Ecuador and Brazil.  Availability is limited to three vitolas – a 3.25” x 50 short robusto, 4.5” x 54 robusto, and 5.5” x 58 gran toro.  Pricing has not been released, but the smallest is expected to come in around the $10 mark.  The line should debut at this year’s IPCPR tradeshow. What Else We’ve Been Smoking Craig isla del sol – What can I say about a sugar tipped cigar from my boss? The gift was a nice gesture while we were working together on site but the reality is not my style. A better quality wrapper would have been appreciated. As would no artificial additives to the wrappers head. The cigar had an enjoyable natural tasting sweetness that I did find palatable but I just can’t get over the sticky coating. My lips ripped the wrapper a quarter of the way in and I progressively had to pick pieces off of my lips.

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