#ELOsoFumarTakes

This week, #ELOsoFUmarTakes is pleased to welcome back Abe Dababneh of Smoke Inn to sit down for our #241stTake. We're one month away from the 2023 Edition of The Great Smoke and as always ABe and his team have promised an event to remember. We talk with Abe about this year's event - especially this year's theme of Mardi Gras - and all that he has in store. Plus the trip of a lifetime! Enjoy!

 

https://www.thegreatsmoke.com/

http://www.smokeinn.com/

 

 

United Cigar Presidential Trivia:

 

https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-lincoln-assassination

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes is pleased to present the return of one of our industry's fun personalities. When Laurel Tilley told me that she would be leaving her role as Ambassador for Macanudo, there was nothing fun about it. I soon learned that she was not leaving the industry - what a relief! Tilley has made her stamp on the industry and intends to take her experience and expertise over to familiar territory. AJ Fernandez Cigar Company now has one of the best Brand Developers in the biz. We talk about her plans, smoke some cigars, and, of course, drink some tea! Enjoy!!

 

Laurel and I would like to raise awareness for The Ocean Cleanup

Please consider donating here: https://theoceancleanup.com/donate/

 

 

This week, we welcome back Scott Pearce of the Premium Cigar Association back for our #239thTake! Over six months have passed since the last PCA trade show and less than six months to the next one. We look back on the impact of 2022 and what 2023 and beyond will bring our industry’s organization. Enjoy!

 

Please consider donating: https://premiumcigars.org/

 

Promotion of Ryan Parada: https://cigar-coop.com/2022/11/cigar-news-pca-promotes-ryan-parada-to-senior-manager-of-government-affairs-and-international-policy.html

 

PCA hires Lisa Sigler (Published by halfwheel): https://halfwheel.com/lisa-sigler-joins-pca-as-director-of-membership-development-industry-relations/418207/

 

Results of PCA survey: https://cigar-coop.com/2022/10/cigar-news-pca-attendee-survey-shows-strong-support-for-july-trade-show.html

 

 

 

 

 

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes two very special guests for our #138thTake. Cynn and Joshua Coburn came to the cigar industry in a very untraditional way. But, then again, sometimes great tradition is born from untraditional ways. The Coburns' story is one worth telling, and it's one worth listening. Enjoy!

 

The Coburns and I would like to raise awareness for SOS Animales Nicaragua! Please consider donating here: https://www.sos-animales-nica.org/donate

 

The Coburns take over Dissident: https://cigar-coop.com/2021/12/cigar-news-new-ownership-for-dissident-cigars.html

 

Molotov: https://cigar-coop.com/2022/06/cigar-news-dissident-molotov-to-debut-at-pca-2022.html

 

PCA 2022 Report: https://cigar-coop.com/2022/07/pca-2022-report-dissident-cigars.html

 

 

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes officially kicks off 2023 with the return of the distinguished, herald, and freshly inducted Hall of Famer Alan Rubin - Founder of Alec Bradley Cigars. From the latest projects to life lessons, we get the best from Alan on our #237thTake!

 

The Rubin Family, Abe Dababneh, and I are inviting for you to support the Boys & Girls Club of Broward County and have a little fun along the way.  https://gofund.me/5f022fe6

 

You read that right Bradley Rubin will shave hs mustache if we hit goal! https://gofund.me/5f022fe6

 

The original conversation: https://youtu.be/HWsT0SS4eEg

 

Number 1 Cigar of 2022 for Cigar Coop: https://cigar-coop.com/2023/01/2022-cigar-of-the-year-countdown-coops-list-1-alec-bradley-fine-rare-bc-134ev.html

 

https://cigar-coop.com/2022/08/pca-2022-report-alec-bradley-cigar-co.html

https://cigar-coop.com/2022/07/cigar-news-alec-bradley-new-mix-classics-sampler-revealed-as-mystery-pca-exclusive-item.html

https://cigar-coop.com/2022/06/cigar-news-alec-bradley-double-broadleaf-experimental-series-to-launch-at-the-2022-pca-trade-show.html

https://cigar-coop.com/2022/06/cigar-news-alec-bradley-project-40-and-project-40-maduro-07-70-line-extensions-to-launch-at-pca-2020.html

https://cigar-coop.com/2022/09/the-smoking-syndicate-roundtable-8-alec-bradley-fine-rare-bc-134ev-youtube-edit.html

https://cigar-coop.com/2022/10/cigar-alec-bradley-reclaimed-sampler-announced.html

 

 

Cigar Aficionado Hall off Fame: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/cigar-aficionado-hall-of-fame-class-of-2022

 

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes counts it down! That's right, our Top 10 Cigars of 2022 will be brought to you in countdown fashion. This year, I wanted to bring something special (you all know I like the twist). So, here it is - I've enlisted some help this year with my Top 10, so that's why for our #236thTake and our 2022 Top Ten Countdown the incomparable George Brightman will join us to give his own blind assessment on my Top 10!!! It'll be one to remember, Enjoy!

 

Criteria:

1) It's vitola based.

2) I had to have smoked the cigar for the first time in the last year and a half.*

3) It must not suck.

4)No limited edition cigars (i.e. TAA, shop exclusive) are eligible.

5) A previous number 1 cigar winner (blend-specific, i.e. 2017 Winner Espinosa Habano) cannot be on this year's Top 10 or repeat as winner.*

6) A company cannot have more than 1 cigar on the Top 10, however, may be considered for honorable mention.*

7)THE BIG ONE: frequency of smoke. Basically, I had to have the means AND opportunity AND did, in fact, smoke the cigar frequently.

 

Top 10 Cigars of 2021 (reference from last year):

1) Dissident Rave 
2) Diesel Esteli Puro toro
3) Adventura The Queen's Pearls robusto
4) Rocky Patel Edicion Unico 2011 toro
5) Alec Bradley Kintsugi Robusto
6) E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel
7) Pichardo Clasico Sumatra
8)  Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua Churchill 
9) RoMa Craft Baka Ota Benga
10) Micallef A Churchill

 

2022 Top Honorable Mentions:

1. BLK WKS Studios Intergalatic Corona Larga
2. Alec Bradley Fine and Rare BC 1(13)4EV
3. Tatuaje Cohete Capa Especial 2022
4. Espinosa 10th
5. Powstanie SBC 20

 

Top 10 Cigars of 2022 (this year):

1) Espinosa Crema Box Press Toro
2) Artista Cigars Buffalo Ten Connecticut
3) St. Luis Rey Carenas Toro
4) Howard G Magic Stick Cameroon Toro
5) CAVALIER GENÈVE BII Japala Viso Robusto Gordo
6) Crux Bull & Bear Double Corona
7) Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Brulee Blue
8) Rocky Patel Disciple Robusto
9) The Arrival Robusto
10) Luciano Cigars (ACE Prime) The Seargeant

 

https://www.history.com/news/george-washington-little-known-facts

 

 

 

Merry Christmas everyone!!! For our very first Christmas #Take we bring you a very special simulcast on both YouTube and Facebook. Drew Newman returns for a very special #235thTake for an #ELOsoFumarTakes Christmas. Since we last spoke to Drew we've seen the expansion of his cherished The American line, rebranding throughout the portfolio, a renovation into his family's 100+ year old factory and his father's election into the Cigar Hall of Fame. Drew shares his family and cigars with us this Christmas. Enjoy!

 

Drew Newman and I would like to spotlight:

Cigar Family Charitable Foundation

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes invites you to our Christmas Party! Our #234thTake promises to be a good time with a pretty cool cast of characters. 'Cigar Hustler' Mike Szczepankiewicz, 'Mr. Blue Smoke' Jay Davis, and 'How 'Bout that Cigar' Garret Robinson join the celebration. Will Mike bring cereal? Will Jay smoke a Fuente? How 'bout Garret's Candy Cane grip? We'll find out and more! Enjoy!!

 

This week, we'd like to raise awareness, spotlight, and if you feel called, donations to:

Toys for Tots

The Salvation Army

 

Source for tonight's United Cigar Presidential Trivia segment: https://jimdaly.focusonthefamily.com/a-presidential-christmas-trivia/

 

 Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes welcomes a first time guest in Steve Abbot of General Cigar Company to sit down for our #233rdTake. Steve brings an incredible background in the Tobacco industry into his role at General. We smoke Macanudo and explore the journey of Abbot himself. Enjoy!

 

For this occasion, Steve and I would like to spotlight The Salvation Army

Please consider donating: https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/give/164006/#!/donation/checkout?amount=Other

 

Macanudo Estate Reserve Flint Knoll

Macanudo Inspirado Year of the Rabbit heads abroad

General Expands M by Macanudo

Eighth Inspirado hits shelves in U.S.

 

Fun Facts about William & Mary

United Cigar Presidential Trivia resource:

• Three U.S. presidents were educated at William & Mary: Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and John Tyler. Four if we count George Washington's surveyor's license. https://www.wm.edu/index.php

 

My son makes his podcast debut (00:04:45) - all he wants for Christmas is his two front teeth!

"I just yanked it out" - My son

 

This week, #ELOsoFumarTakes has something very special for our #232ndTake. Ram Rodriguez of Artista Cigars returns to talk about the latest goings with his family’s company - including the fantastic re-branding. We’ll walk through a few things tonight and explore his father’s words, “Let your words be more valuable than your pocket because money comes and goes, but words stay. Make sure you deliver what you promise.” Enjoy!

 

Ram's Featured Charity: https://davidortizchildrensfund.org/

Please consider donating HERE

PCA 2022: https://cigar-coop.com/2022/08/pca-2022-report-artista-cigars.html