Half Ashed Episode 129: Unbanded 025

What this episode covers

Unbanded 025, from Dan C. Kip’s preliminary observations: Unbanded #025 is a pretty straightforward 5” x 50ish (5”x52 for Craig) robusto. Construction appears spot-on for both examples; wrapper has a slight sheen and moderate-heavy veining. Somewhat sweet aroma at the foot, akin to a hay stall but with a bit of molasses if I focus enough. Milder aroma on the wrapper. Absolutely perfect cap build and, subsequently, draw. The draw has a very slight earthy nature, but overall is sweet and grainy. Tune in to find out how it went….and thanks, DC! Cigar News Robert Caldwell, of Caldwell Cigars, has publicly confirmed a planned maduro version of the Eastern Standard. The line will feature four vitolas (Corona (5 3/4 x 44), Piramide (6 x 49), Rothchilde (4 3/4 x 49) and Toro Gordo (6 x 50), and run somewhere near the price of the existing line, but possibly with a slight increase. The Eastern Standard can be found in the real world between $8-12 depending on size. Omar de Frias has announced via social media and press release that Fratello will be releasing a limited edition sampler, the Boxer Series. The sampler will include the Boxer, a 6 1/4 x 52 belicoso, the Boxeador (6 x 54), Boxero (5 1/2 x 50), Boxista (5 x 48) and Boxerito (4 3/4 x 46). The blend will be the same as the original line (Nica Habano over Ec. Sumatra and Nica/Peru filler), but will be box pressed. Three thousand of the samplers will be produced, and should retail around $45…and the packaging itself is noteworthy. The box looks like a small cigar mold. I personally thought it was pretty creative and nicely done. I like it…. The game is afoot, legislatively. Since our last episode, we have learned that a.) the FDA has submitted its proposed plan to regulate premium cigars (and other tobacco products) to the Office of Management & Budget (OMB), and b.) eleven Democratic senators have urged the OMB to complete the review as quickly as possible. The OMB measures the feasibility of these types of proposals, and is expected to recommend action on it after review. As an executive agency, congressional approval or vote is not necessary for the FDA to implement new regulation – just OMB approval. What is NOT known are the exact contents of the FDA’s plan. A couple of options were thrown around in their earlier “Deeming document,” but as of yet the finalized, formalized plan has not been revealed outside government circles. As always, the aforementioned urging senators are pushing this expediency that rarely exists elsewhere in US government to prevent tobacco use by our youth. Possibilities are myriad; this is what we’ve been talking, writing letters, emailing, and calling politicians about for the past 3 years+. If you’ve not done any of those things shame. On. You. Senate bill 441, which would call for an exemption for premium cigars, has the support of 18 senators at the moment…. Following similar releases for the Davidoff and AVO segments, Oettinger Davidoff is preparing to release a Griffin’s Nicaragua. It will feature a Nicaraguan habano wrapper over Dominican piloto cubano binder and five filler tobaccos from Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua. Epicurean Sues H.O.E.: In a move that further exemplifies the turmoil that the House of Emilio distribution giant has been experiencing in 2015, one of its original brand owners is suing the group over alleged lost/withheld income. The sum is a modest one, over 150k, but certainly represents a sizeable amount of cigars when considering the reported purchase price of 27% below wholesale that Halfwheel is reporting. That, if all attributed to purchased cigars, computes to a bit under 50k cigars. Yikes. What Else We’ve Been Smoking Craig Padron Damaso: Don’t listen to the negative press on this cigar.

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