The Ash Holes XX
[0] The following was recorded in front of a live studio audience at the Studio 21 Podcast Cafe.
[1] This is the United Podcast Network.
[2] Hey everybody, this is The Ash Holes.
[3] Each week they smoke a different cigar, sometimes the same cigar but mostly different, and they give their honest impression.
[4] They always assign an official Ash Holes rating to that cigar.
[5] So, pull up a chair, light up, relax.
[6] Be an asshole, too.
[7] It's very rewarding.
[8] Hey, we're broadcasting live from the Studio 21 Cigar Studio above Two Guys Smoke Shop in Sam, New Hampshire.
[9] This is the Ash Holes Podcast, and today...
[10] We are talking about Super Bowl cigars, the big game cigars.
[11] And is there a cigar dynasty?
[12] Playing the role of Aaron today will be myself.
[13] I think I'm myself still.
[14] Yeah, I think so.
[15] You may not see Aaron.
[16] And, you know, we're trying out some new things here today.
[17] So Aaron right now is officially, unofficially, the producer of The Ash Holes.
[18] I am doing a reverse Ed Sullivan.
[19] Yes.
[20] And, you know, going from on the chair, you know, in front to...
[21] on the producer seat yes he's in the hot seat so uh yeah he's uh he's he's uh behind the scenes today and uh you know we're checking it out he does it's like that uh spider -man meme where you have everyone pointing at each other because ed sullivan is also here uh he is uh chaperoning today's asshole show as we get our new producer ready to go but i am here i'm dan welcome to the ash holes i'm joined as always by the kilt man and we have a special guest with us today we have agnes from united cigars welcome back to the show agnes how are you very good thank you for having me yes thrill ride uh uh very excited we had you on about a year ago it's been a year since we had you on so we had to have you back exactly a year ago yeah and you came prepared today uh johnny depp would say that is a mega pint Of wine.
[22] Is that a thing he says?
[23] Yes.
[24] Where's ours?
[25] Under oath.
[26] Yeah.
[27] I think the rest of the bottle, it's all in that one glass.
[28] That's a healthy friends and family port.
[29] What are you drinking today?
[30] It's actually Diet Pepsi.
[31] Is it Diet Pepsi?
[32] It's like awful dark for a wine.
[33] You know, maybe it's more of a mead.
[34] It was like a port, I guess, maybe.
[35] No, it's not a mead.
[36] Diet Pepsi.
[37] I like it.
[38] It's all about presentation.
[39] It's like a prop.
[40] Like, you know, I don't know if they still do this like in movies when they have ice cream.
[41] It's just mashed potatoes because the lights would melt the ice cream.
[42] Ooh.
[43] So there you go, you know.
[44] Wow, I didn't know that.
[45] But good to have Agnes back.
[46] Thank you.
[47] And we're going to light up a special cigar with you today.
[48] What are we lighting up, John?
[49] All right.
[50] Today we're going to light up the Perdomo 30th Anniversary Sun Grown Robusto.
[51] It's made in Nicaraguan.
[52] The size is 5 by 54.
[53] The wrapper's Nicaraguan, the binder's Nicaraguan, the filler's Nicaraguan.
[54] That's a Puro.
[55] That's right.
[56] So the price of this cigar is going to be $12 .79 per single.
[57] It's $323 .99 per box of 30, which is pretty nice.
[58] So you can find this cigar at twoguyscigars .com.
[59] That's the number twoguyscigars .com.
[60] Cold draw from Raisin Bran.
[61] Razor brand.
[62] Just the brand, like part of it, not the raisins.
[63] Yeah.
[64] Even though I wasn't thinking and I lit the cigar before we started the show.
[65] My gosh.
[66] I just toasted it.
[67] I toasted it.
[68] I didn't draw.
[69] But I would agree, even with a slight toast, it's...
[70] brand, for sure.
[71] Well, why don't we light it, saying that some people are already starting?
[72] Today's lighting is brought to you by Perdomo, the hottest brand in the land, a company founded on quality, tradition, and excellence.
[73] One draw, that's the law.
[74] One draw, that's the law.
[75] One draw, that's the law.
[76] One draw, that's the law.
[77] It's brought to you by Abuelo Cigars.
[78] You're going to live under my roof?
[79] You're going to play by my rules.
[80] Abuelo Cigars.
[81] So...
[82] It just, I mean, I've been chainsmoking the 30th Connecticut.
[83] So my initial note is that it's a lot stronger.
[84] Yeah.
[85] It's got some good spice in there.
[86] Yes.
[87] Very spicy.
[88] Literally, I was like, oh, this is like lighting cereal on fire and in the best way possible.
[89] Kids all try it at home.
[90] Some sweetness.
[91] Very nice.
[92] Actually, I want to point out, too, although he is not here in the building, not hiding behind the scenes, Dave is with us in the chat room today.
[93] Oh, boy.
[94] If you watched the Cigar Authority this weekend, he took off a little bit early.
[95] He did.
[96] For undisclosed reasons.
[97] Well, he was down in.
[98] Miami for Nick Perdomo's 60th surprise birthday party.
[99] Oh, that's why he couldn't say anything.
[100] Yes, and he's there with him right now, and he's enjoying Nick's 60th birthday with him down in Miami.
[101] Happy birthday, Nick.
[102] Happy birthday.
[103] I picked this cigar not even realizing it was his birthday today.
[104] It's pretty good.
[105] Very fitting.
[106] Speaking of surprises, I got something for you.
[107] Okay.
[108] I saw this today.
[109] Couldn't help but think about you.
[110] Oh, nice.
[111] What is that?
[112] I have no idea.
[113] Is this a bubble wand?
[114] Oh, it's a Mickey Mouse.
[115] Mickey candy fan?
[116] Very cool.
[117] I like this.
[118] This would be about $65 in Orlando.
[119] Probably, right?
[120] So, very nice.
[121] Well done.
[122] I like it.
[123] The battery's very strong on this.
[124] Well, it's wicked nice, huh?
[125] Yeah, not bad.
[126] Not bad.
[127] But what are your initial thoughts on this cigar, Agnes?
[128] It's very Nick Perdomo.
[129] Like Perdomo.
[130] It kind of demands your attention from the get -go.
[131] It is peppery, but I've been smoking firecrackers, so I'm good.
[132] Yeah.
[133] It's kind of...
[134] Yeah, so if you're smoking firecrackers, you're in good shape then.
[135] So this is a good time to do that.
[136] But...
[137] Yeah, so it's Super Bowl week.
[138] I don't know if we can actually technically call it on a podcast.
[139] I can't say it in the title.
[140] We're just saying it's Superb Owl.
[141] The Superb Owl is here.
[142] The Big Game.
[143] The Big Game.
[144] It's the Big Game week.
[145] And, you know, it's a good time, not if you're up here because it's miserably cold, but it's a good time to light up perfect cigars for the Big Game.
[146] But more importantly, the question we're going to ask today, is there a cigar dynasty that exists right now or is there one on the horizon?
[147] But before we get to all that, because we have Agnes on the show.
[148] today uh we want to know what's what's up with united it's been a year since we had you on uh and you've been with united for over a year and a half now yes so uh how's it been so far and uh what's what's new with united well i think i said the same thing last year the firecracker connecticut was coming out yeah and now going in with the theme the firecracker we announced Oliver, our director of operation, Heart and Self United, announced, I think two weeks ago, even smoked the United Black McAuliffe.
[149] Yep.
[150] The McAuliffe Black Firecracker, known in some circles on this show.
[151] But McAuliffe Black Firecracker, yeah, you guys announced.
[152] And there's two this year.
[153] Yes.
[154] And then we also having J .C. Newman collaboration, Baton Cameroon.
[155] Yes.
[156] Celebrating beautiful Cameroon tobacco.
[157] 60th anniversary.
[158] Yes.
[159] Very exciting.
[160] Stanford Newman found Cameroon tobacco.
[161] And now you guys.
[162] It's a pretty cool project for you guys to be involved in.
[163] I mean, that's kind of a historic milestone.
[164] I don't even know if they don't have anything in Cameroon in that line.
[165] Totally unique.
[166] That's going to be exciting.
[167] So the McAuliffe Black Firecracker is going to come out in the beginning of the summer, right?
[168] June.
[169] It will be ready to be shipped out to retailers.
[170] So start asking for firecrackers now.
[171] Smoke our regular lineup, Connecticut, Maduro, and Sunground.
[172] It's nice for this weather as well when you only have like, what, 40 minutes before you freeze.
[173] Perfection.
[174] Yeah.
[175] You know, you don't waste your money.
[176] It's eventful.
[177] It's full.
[178] I will not say it's kind of full body.
[179] Sure.
[180] So those are like our stars of the year.
[181] But we just shipped out black.
[182] Atta Bay.
[183] Atta Bay Black.
[184] Oh, yeah, yeah.
[185] Oh, trust me. That was crazy.
[186] That's been going out of the stores like that.
[187] Yeah.
[188] Yeah, no. It's available.
[189] While it's available, I should say, because we are live, you can still get some on twoguyscigars .com.
[190] That's the number twoguyscigars .com.
[191] But we turned that on on Friday, and it was just a feeding frenzy since.
[192] It's been crazy.
[193] I know a lot of people have been looking for it.
[194] I looked back.
[195] It's been since April since it was available online, and now it's back.
[196] Very exciting.
[197] So that's, yeah, that's a big one for you.
[198] And there's, you know, it seems like people really responded to it when it came out last year.
[199] I mean, everything Nelson really does is excellent.
[200] But to do something with Atabay that's different is always going to be a risk.
[201] And it seems like he hit it out of the park again.
[202] No surprise.
[203] He's an artist.
[204] He is.
[205] He's my Leonardo da Vinci of Cigar World.
[206] Yes.
[207] Absolutely.
[208] Is there one firecracker you're looking forward to more than the other one?
[209] Or are they both your favorite?
[210] Like, have you tried both of them so far?
[211] Or have you just tried the...
[212] I tried both of them.
[213] I think you did...
[214] They're two different ones, you know.
[215] But they still have those very characteristics of firecracker.
[216] Sure.
[217] Where it's exciting.
[218] It's short, exciting.
[219] It's like a little love affair you may know when you go to Vegas.
[220] There you go.
[221] Yeah.
[222] Well, sometimes you, I don't know if it's a love, you usually pay for that love affair.
[223] If you're in Vegas, what have you been doing in Vegas?
[224] Well, it's fine.
[225] It's fine.
[226] It's fine.
[227] Love in a hopeless place, I guess.
[228] Right.
[229] You know, like Brianna says, but yeah, no. So you like them both.
[230] You've tried them both.
[231] Like them both.
[232] They're very different.
[233] Yes.
[234] Very different.
[235] But.
[236] Very exciting.
[237] Nobody will be disappointed, that's for sure.
[238] Awesome.
[239] And then we're also going to have little firecrackers inside the five, like, Humi packs we're bringing up.
[240] Oh, okay.
[241] That's new as well.
[242] Okay.
[243] It's practical, you know, you just pick a pack, shove it in your car.
[244] When you have time, you smoke it, you don't overthink it.
[245] So, it's practical.
[246] Yeah, fresh packs.
[247] Fresh packs are great, you know, especially this time of year.
[248] You know, if you're going to have a quick smoke, you know, you can leave them and grab and go.
[249] And those are available now or they're coming out later this year, you said?
[250] So five packs are coming in March?
[251] Yep.
[252] Just before PCA?
[253] Nice.
[254] So I'd say...
[255] Just ask your retailers.
[256] Yeah.
[257] Back up on them.
[258] Do pre -orders, you know.
[259] Don't miss out.
[260] Nobody wants to miss out.
[261] No. And for any retailers listening, are they going to be able to meet you at the booth at PCA?
[262] Yes.
[263] We actually will start doing appointments.
[264] And because we were so busy last year, it was insane.
[265] So now I keep telling.
[266] people like retailers i'm like look i would love to spend time with you but please book your time you know yeah otherwise like in and out you're like oh but it's it was super exciting so excited this year it's New Orleans, they've been there.
[267] I heard it's interesting.
[268] Yes, yes.
[269] It's definitely an interesting place.
[270] If you like French cuisine, it's a good spot, right?
[271] Or Creole cooking, Cajun cooking.
[272] Voodoo shops.
[273] Voodoo shops.
[274] Witchcraft, if you're into witchcraft.
[275] I didn't know.
[276] All the stereotypes.
[277] I didn't know they had voodoo shops.
[278] I thought voodoo was a thing.
[279] I didn't realize they had voodoo stores.
[280] No, they don't.
[281] They commercial.
[282] Specialized it.
[283] They don't let you take pictures in there either.
[284] Really?
[285] Oh, yeah.
[286] You walk in there and the hair in the back of your neck curls up and you're like...
[287] Is that part of the experience?
[288] I think so.
[289] I think so, yeah.
[290] Yes.
[291] They wouldn't let me take pictures.
[292] I bought a ring there.
[293] burned my finger when i'm really i was like i ain't wearing that again that's yeah i don't like that i don't like that at all yeah um did you spend you spend some time down there yeah just a wee bit of time did you go to mardi gras or go to any of the big things uh i didn't do the mardi gras but i did go um down burbis street a few times oh yeah it's pretty Pretty wild.
[294] My only experience with Bourbon Street is Cops Mardi Gras, which was one of the few.
[295] Like the show Cops?
[296] Yeah, the show Cops Mardi Gras episode.
[297] So the first cigar shop I worked at, Cops was on, like, you know, every cigar shop kind of has their routine shows.
[298] And the first one I worked at was Cops, Wheel of Fortune Jeopardy, you know, you got to do that, and Shark Tank.
[299] But the only rule we had about the TV.
[300] We could put it on any channel you wanted, but you couldn't watch Mardi Gras Cops and you couldn't watch Girls Gone Wild Cops.
[301] When the shows came on, I had to change the TV.
[302] The one thing I was surprised about was that Bourbon Street really isn't that wide.
[303] Really?
[304] Well, it's kind of an old city, right?
[305] So it's kind of...
[306] Narrow streets.
[307] Kind of like downtown Boston.
[308] Bramden.
[309] Yeah, you know, like horse and carriage size.
[310] Yeah.
[311] So yeah, it'll be interesting.
[312] But yeah, if you're going to go, if you're a retailer listening to the show, make sure you visit the United Cigars booth at PCA and you can meet Agnes and she can tell you about all the wonderful United products that are coming out and the stuff that's already out that you should check out.
[313] Right now, let's get back into the main topic of today, which is, is there a cigar dynasty?
[314] I mean, now that the Patriots are no longer a dynasty, I don't really have any football things to look forward to.
[315] So we can talk, and that dynasty is over, but is there a cigar dynasty that exists now, or is there one that is coming up?
[316] Oh, I think there's one now.
[317] Okay.
[318] Oh, yeah, for sure.
[319] What do you think it is?
[320] Perdomo.
[321] Perdomo.
[322] I mean, that's going to be the top of everybody's mind.
[323] I mean, even if we weren't smoking a Perdomo cigar and Dave wasn't down with the Perdomos right now.
[324] Those are just coincidences.
[325] Yeah.
[326] And Dave mentioned that, you know, the Perdomos might be coming up for the Cigar Authority in May. to release the legacy, so the Perdomo Legacy Cigars.
[327] Is that an exclusive?
[328] Dave is doing a little spoiler from remotely.
[329] Remote spoiler, yeah.
[330] Yes.
[331] We're just going to share that out.
[332] Yeah, that's exclusive.
[333] Breaking news.
[334] The next Perdomo Legacy Cigar.
[335] Yes, that'll be exciting.
[336] I know that there was a project in the works, and that must be it.
[337] I'm sure there'll be more details to follow, but I would say Perdomo, yeah, for sure.
[338] Right now, and it's not just because our sister show named it Cigar of the Year.
[339] How many other shows?
[340] How many other magazines named the 30th?
[341] So many lists.
[342] In their top 10, top 20.
[343] But it's not just Perdomo 30th.
[344] Right now, as a line, I feel like that was...
[345] I would say it's like an exclamation point, but they're coming out with new stuff.
[346] So it's not.
[347] But like, you know, when they redid 10th anniversary and did 10th anniversary Maduro and Sun Grown, they got tons of accolades for both the Maduro and the Sun Grown on that.
[348] Champagne has never gone anywhere.
[349] It's always been at the top of retailer minds, it's consumers' minds.
[350] But the 30th, I think, and I've said this, we've talked about it on the show, I think it was the best.
[351] executed launch of a cigar product in the 10 years, the 11 years I've been in the business of you knew exactly where it was going to be.
[352] You knew how many were going to come out.
[353] Every detail was lined out.
[354] So if you were someone looking for it, you could find it easily.
[355] And the product was ready for market.
[356] It looked good.
[357] It was correct.
[358] And I think, you know.
[359] Part of why that dynasty exists, and it's a new one for sure, is because they control almost every aspect of their production outside of the paper, which they use the best band and box inside Vista printers in the world.
[360] Yeah, and if we're talking about dynasties, you've got to think about, it's not just one person that's doing it.
[361] It's got to be generational.
[362] Correct.
[363] And Nicholas Perdomo, his son is...
[364] coming up you know right behind him so yeah that's this will continue on absolutely the next generation and i look at it more so like uh in terms of dynasty like a sports dynasty like the cowboys were a dynasty the patriots were a dynasty the packers almost the niners were you know, right?
[365] And it was, Dynasty in football is like three championships within a four, three out of four, four out of five year span, you know, the Bulls, whatever.
[366] It's consistency.
[367] It's not just, okay, you won one championship, great.
[368] But the hardest thing is to go back and do it again, especially repeat.
[369] And with, you know, the products they did in 2020 with 10th, you have the 30th and then With legacy coming out sometime in the near future, it could be that, you know, I think they're right there of, you know, they're already established as a dynasty, but like to really cement it, I think that will set it over the edge and it probably will.
[370] Well, you set the heart to bar high for this one.
[371] Exactly.
[372] That's why I'm acting trepidatious, but I have full faith in.
[373] They don't miss. They haven't missed in the last four or five years.
[374] What about dynasties that have existed?
[375] We were just talking about the Patriots, right?
[376] The dynasty's over.
[377] Look, it had an amazing run.
[378] But who was there before and maybe has, I don't want to say fallen off, but they're at the end of it.
[379] Anyone come to mind?
[380] I know I'm asking a hot seat question now.
[381] As in cigars or sports?
[382] And cigars.
[383] I'm thinking of Celtics.
[384] Well, they won one.
[385] You know, they won one.
[386] Yeah, but back in the day, my day.
[387] Oh, I know.
[388] That was my day.
[389] Oh, my God.
[390] Here I am old.
[391] Yeah.
[392] You know, Larry Bird.
[393] Were you there when Havlicek stole the ball?
[394] Yeah.
[395] Well, that's really fine.
[396] Oh, sorry.
[397] Well, you know.
[398] Joseph.
[399] How about Fuentes?
[400] Fuentes?
[401] Yeah.
[402] Do you think that...
[403] Oh, yeah.
[404] Are they...
[405] I mean, are they...
[406] We were talking about going over the hump, basically.
[407] Are you saying that they are a dynasty or they're at the end...
[408] They're at the end of the dynasty.
[409] I mean, I think they need something new that wows everybody to maintain that.
[410] But, I mean, I think they're still riding high.
[411] Yeah, for sure.
[412] I mean, they've had some new stuff like Rare Pink.
[413] That's probably the...
[414] like a new line that's the only thing that's really been new but i mean their fan base isn't going away no not at all it's not quite in decline yet and go nuts over the opus x right i mean nuts that's like uh you know it's it's almost it's it's very hard to compare fuente's unique because it's hard to compare it in a sports dynasty whereas like prodomo was very similar it's like okay this product was a hit this product was a hit this product's a hit opus is like like a godfather movie like it's just or goodfellas it's like You know, Goodfellas is a perfect example, right?
[415] Because it came out in the 90s.
[416] Opus X came out in the 90s.
[417] You hear people all the time be like, when this movie comes on, I got to stop what I'm doing and watch it.
[418] Same thing kind of happens when Opus X comes out.
[419] Everyone kind of stops what they're doing and they go find it wherever they can find it.
[420] So it's kind of unique.
[421] But it's, yeah, it's tough to say.
[422] It's a dynasty in a different way.
[423] It's like the Steelers.
[424] yeah yeah like they're just always around which around waving at strong fan base yeah yeah yeah the the fuente fan base is probably a little bit more attractive than the steeler fan base you know yeah dan said it not me it's a towel yellow is not really anyone's best color right yeah i mean it's like padrone it's like massive like diehard fan base um you know not doing a lot to upset the Yeah.
[425] Still strong.
[426] Yeah.
[427] Richard in the chat said he thinks HVC is a dynasty in his books with fresh out of the oven.
[428] That's yeah.
[429] I mean, I think they've got he's got legs like he's going to go.
[430] I think that I mean, I'm excited that it's coming back, you know, very soon.
[431] We talked about that last last week or two weeks ago in the archives.
[432] You can check that out about I'm sure if we have enough, we'll smoke it on the show.
[433] But I doubt it.
[434] Yeah.
[435] But I feel like that's more like.
[436] you know all right they won they won one now they're going to come back yep you know but i think they have a shot i think that i mean dave said it veneer is probably the the the top young gun in the manufacturing side of the business so i i think that he could do it um Also, he made World's Strongest.
[437] Do you want to count that as two?
[438] Yeah, and everybody loved that one, too.
[439] So, yeah, Richard's got a good point.
[440] So I think that's good.
[441] But any thoughts you want to add on this cigar, Agnes, before we go to break?
[442] No, it's mellowing down.
[443] Yeah.
[444] The second, third is always like.
[445] Yeah, get over that.
[446] Get over that peppery.
[447] Yeah.
[448] Leslie of the Corn says that you need to hang out with her.
[449] Me?
[450] Yeah.
[451] She wants to hang out with her, I guess.
[452] Hang out with Leslie.
[453] Yeah.
[454] Did you meet her at the expo last year?
[455] Leslie?
[456] Yeah.
[457] Maybe.
[458] There's a lot of people.
[459] Were you there both days or just for the dinner?
[460] All days.
[461] You were there both days, yeah.
[462] I mean, there were stars and ash holes coming out of the woodworks.
[463] People were like, hey!
[464] Yep.
[465] Yeah, it's a blur, too.
[466] Yeah, Leslie of the Corn and her husband, Dwayne, they're awesome people.
[467] Yeah, they're great.
[468] They're a lot of fun.
[469] Yep, absolutely.
[470] And right before we hit the break, Bruce also said West Tampa.
[471] I think that's a good contender as well.
[472] So, you know, I would say the GOAT right now is Perdomo.
[473] And the people coming up, I think West Tampa and HVC are two good contenders for that.
[474] But why don't we take a break?
[475] And when we come back, we'll have a special six -pack, a top five, and a Kilt Man's Corner.
[476] Ooh, yeah.
[477] Only Great Leaf makes great cigars.
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[479] When you smoke one of the JFR, JFR Lunatic, Guardian of the Farm, or Casa Fernandez cigars, you will experience the unique taste and aroma that makes Aganor Salif different than any other tobacco in the world.
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[481] Hello, cigar aficionados.
[482] This is Claes Kellner from Davroff Cigars.
[483] I invite you to taste the elements with Davroff Escurio, Nicaragua, and Yamasa.
[484] From water comes originality.
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[487] Enjoy the bittersweet aromas and fiery intensity of the Davroff Nicaragua.
[488] From earth comes complexity.
[489] Taste the earthy flavors and complex spices that are unique to the red soil of the Yamasa region in Dominican Republic.
[490] Only Davroff Master Blenders could take the power of nature and blend it into a range of exceptional cigars.
[491] Each element making each cigar a unique experience.
[492] Water.
[493] Fire.
[494] Earth.
[495] flavors that have risen from the very world itself.
[496] I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
[497] Davidoff Cigars, cigar adventures to a wider world.
[498] Aging Room 4 Nicaragua Maestro, named Cigar Aficionado's number one cigar of the year with a 96 rating, is a complex Nicaraguan puro carefully blended by Rafael Nodal and made by A .J. Fernandez.
[499] As Cigar Aficionado described it, Every puff is an overture of flavors that's at times heavy and rich with notes of dark chocolate and wood, and other times subtle and understated with hints of fine caramel and toasted almonds.
[500] Treat yourself to an aging Rum 4 Nicaragua today.
[501] Surgeon General warning, cigar smoking can cause cancers of the mouth and throat even if you do not inhale.
[502] We're back live.
[503] There we go.
[504] First fumble of the day.
[505] We're back live in the Studio 21 Cigar Studio.
[506] We have two guys smoke shop in New Hampshire.
[507] We're smoking the Potomac 30th Sun Grown Robusto.
[508] And if you want to send us an email, it's theashholespodcast at gmail .com.
[509] Yeah.
[510] Kind of hit buttons and you talk at the same time.
[511] You're walking and chewing gum at the same time.
[512] Almost at it.
[513] I'm going to put a little blame on myself there because I asked you as we had our headsets.
[514] I'm like, oh, do you want me to do the read back in while you're playing with this?
[515] But, you know, hey, we're here.
[516] We're smoking the Perdomo 30th Sun Grimmer Brewster.
[517] We are joined by Agnes from United Cigars.
[518] And if you want to send us an email, it's theashvillespodcast at gmail .com.
[519] We don't have an email today, but that's okay.
[520] You can find us and send us an email, theasholespodcastgmail .com.
[521] But what we do have is a Dave's Weekly Six -Pack.
[522] So the Dave's Weekly Six -Pack we make just for listeners to the Asheville show.
[523] You can find it if you go to twoguyscigars .com.
[524] That's the number two, guyscigars .com.
[525] Type in the search bar up top, Dave, Dave's, apostrophe S. Days with no apostrophe with an S. And it'll come right there.
[526] And it's available from now until next week's show.
[527] And we have a special one because we have Agnes on the show with us.
[528] So we have what we're smoking today, the Perdomo 30th Sun Grown Robusto for $12 .79.
[529] We have the 30th Anniversary Connecticut Robusto for $12 .79.
[530] The Maduro 30th Anniversary Robusto, same price.
[531] And then we have two of the Garofalo La Familia in the Sun Grown in Connecticut Robusto for $10 .99.
[532] So for anyone that's not familiar, which is surprising if you listen to the show because it's named after one of our hosts, the host, the man. What can you tell people about La Familia?
[533] So Garofalo La Familia was a special project done by Nick Perdomo.
[534] for Dave to celebrate his, I think it was 10th anniversary in his retail business and achievements.
[535] And it's a special blend for this line, but using the same quality consistency that Perdomos are known for.
[536] And beautiful Nicaraguan tobacco.
[537] So it's very enjoyable.
[538] Yeah.
[539] And in the six -pack, we have the Sun Grown and the Connecticut.
[540] We don't have the Maduro because it's a six -pack.
[541] And we got to do what we're smoking next week.
[542] But, I mean, for me, I smoke the Connecticut all the time.
[543] Because, look, if you really enjoy Prodomo, you're going to really enjoy the Graffa La Familia line.
[544] Same flavor profiles you can expect.
[545] And you can really compare it now.
[546] You know, part of this, too, is to see if we can.
[547] got this right because it's a different size than what the cigar authority picked but this was their cigar the year for 2024 the perdomo 30th sun grown and the epicure size we're doing the robusto but you can really compare the three blends and see if we had the connecticut in our contenders back for the 30th which is still my my favorite but uh the the sun grown's great i should smoke this more i'm gonna be honest yeah i mean um but really check out the garofa la familia in this because if you like Any of them.
[548] If you like the Connecticut 30th, you're going to like the Connecticut La Familia.
[549] So check that out.
[550] And then the cigar that we're going to smoke next week.
[551] is the Camacho Broadleaf Toro, which is $9 .89.
[552] So if you were to buy these six cigars on their own, it'd be $70 .24.
[553] But today on Dave's weekly six -pack deal, it is $59 .99.
[554] That is 15 % off.
[555] So you just go to twoguyscigars .com, type in the search bar Dave's, it'll pop up and you can add it.
[556] And it's only available to you for listening to The Ashles.
[557] But that is it for the six -pack.
[558] Why don't we get on to today's top five.
[559] Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention?
[560] And I need all of you to stop what you're doing and listen.
[561] Here is today's top five list.
[562] Today's top five is the top five most expensive seats to live comfortably in.
[563] Via Dave's social media.
[564] So not Dave Garofalo's social media.
[565] Yes.
[566] It is from Dave's social media.
[567] So they must be, you know, the phone listens to your algorithms, right?
[568] So he gets a lot of top five lists.
[569] And he gave us the one about the wine consumption.
[570] Okay.
[571] So this is, I don't know where the source is, but I got it from Dave.
[572] Somewhere.
[573] That's that.
[574] So this is how much you need to make, I believe, to live comfortably in these states.
[575] Yeah, whatever the jam.
[576] Measurement of comfortably is for them.
[577] But it's starting out at number five with California.
[578] So we know how bad this list is going to be.
[579] California.
[580] Five is California.
[581] Five is California.
[582] That's $276 ,000 a year.
[583] Take it.
[584] Number four is New York at $278 ,000.
[585] That should be.
[586] You know what?
[587] I mean, there should be some sort of clarifier there because like.
[588] I had the cheapest, best apartment I ever had, but I was in upstate New York.
[589] I was in Lake George.
[590] It's got to be like New York City or something like that.
[591] I don't know.
[592] Yeah, because, I mean, what's crazy is the taxes.
[593] I mean, and I could do a whole show on that.
[594] I mean, that's the common denominator on a lot of these.
[595] I worked in New York for two weeks one year, and then I moved.
[596] They got to collect all of the tax for the whole year.
[597] I worked in two other states.
[598] Crazy.
[599] Oh, my God.
[600] Number three is Connecticut.
[601] At $279 ,000.
[602] Makes sense.
[603] Greenwich or Fairfield is, if not the, it's either Fairfield or Fairfax is the most expensive county to live in in the country.
[604] Yep.
[605] In Virginia or where Greenwich is in Connecticut.
[606] That's it.
[607] And then we get a jump at number two is Hawaii at $294 ,000.
[608] Yep.
[609] That's a big jump.
[610] And the number one, which isn't any just.
[611] any surprise to anybody around here, Massachusetts at $301 ,000 a year.
[612] Yeah.
[613] It's just so far beyond some of the other ones.
[614] You know what?
[615] It's crazy.
[616] Well, it's not a state, John.
[617] It's a district.
[618] I know, but still.
[619] You know, it's up there.
[620] Well, you know, like I said.
[621] It's the two most expensive counties to live in in the country are Fairfield County and Connecticut, which is like where Greenwich is, right on the New York border, and Fairfax County, which is in Virginia, which is right outside of D .C. So it is surprising that Virginia is not.
[622] But I don't know how.
[623] I mean, we don't live there.
[624] So someone in the chat, maybe if they're from there, can tell us.
[625] But I read an article.
[626] I'm not surprised with Massachusetts.
[627] I read an article, I don't know, a year ago.
[628] To clear 100, you've got to make 300.
[629] Uh, in, in downtown Boston, you know, uh, I should have done it for your, I'll do it for your segment next week.
[630] Generational band coming to Massachusetts.
[631] Oh yeah.
[632] They're trying again.
[633] I know it passed in a state, but our city, but, uh, we'll see.
[634] But, uh, yeah, I mean, any, where, where's the, the best place you ever lived, Agnes?
[635] You're trapped.
[636] You're well -traveled.
[637] So this list was about the most expensive places?
[638] Yes.
[639] But where was the best place you lived?
[640] Where you most enjoyed?
[641] Because we know you like nice things, you know.
[642] So maybe an expensive place.
[643] So I'd say, though London was comfortable for me, but by no means is it like cheap place to live.
[644] No. But it has its perks.
[645] Like if you land a good job in a career, there's such a good balance with it.
[646] So you don't feel like you have no money left.
[647] It is expensive, though, so you have to shrink everything.
[648] So you have to, if you're used to big houses, whatnot, that's not really optional much in London.
[649] But there's just other things to enjoy.
[650] Diagon Alley's there.
[651] London is not great, but expensive.
[652] But then you have Europe, like everything's around London, technically.
[653] The UK, you know, you go to Paris if you want, two hours train.
[654] You go to Spain, less than an hour on a flight.
[655] You feel like you're living, you're enjoying it.
[656] Right.
[657] So I'd say London is a good place to be and travel to and enjoy.
[658] That's where I got, you know, got to know Cigars.
[659] Oh, yeah.
[660] Oh, yeah.
[661] That's a...
[662] Well -known spot for that.
[663] Yeah, people say once you get over there, it's very easy.
[664] You know, oh, you're in London, oh, you want to go to Paris, want to go here.
[665] So, yeah, definitely an expensive place to live.
[666] So, all right, well, that is it for the top five.
[667] Why don't we get to the Kilt Man's Corner, brought to you by Red Anchor Cigars.
[668] Red Anchor is the world's first cigar brand, beginning in 1772, now celebrating over 250 years.
[669] United Cigar, in partnership with the famed Kellner family, reintroduced Red Anchor Cigars, now blended in the Dominican Republic, featuring an Ecuador wrapper, Monte Plata Binder, and fillers of San Vincente, Habano 92, and Pennsylvania Broadleaf.
[670] This three -country blend creates a medium -bodied smooth profile of cedar, nutmeg, shortbread, and a rich buttery finish.
[671] it's time to relish the return of Red Anchor Cigars.
[672] Hey, guys, Akilman here.
[673] Come see me at 15 Splitbrook Road in Nashua.
[674] There are two guys who smoke shop and also the Red Anchor Lounge.
[675] I'd love to meet you, hang out with you, talk with you, you know, get you a good cigar and stuff.
[676] I got to give a shout -out to Justin Smith, who came and surprised me this past week, and Tory as well.
[677] It was great meeting you guys.
[678] Good.
[679] And one more shout out.
[680] What was that guy's name who shouted out?
[681] Brian Charles.
[682] Brian Charles gave you a shout out.
[683] Don't forget Detroit.
[684] Detroit.
[685] You're right, bro.
[686] I was so disappointed they lost.
[687] They came in a squad.
[688] Yeah.
[689] They rolled deep.
[690] Rolled deep.
[691] Yeah.
[692] Yeah.
[693] Yeah.
[694] All right.
[695] Today, we got Romacraft.
[696] Kraft Marquette.
[697] Did I say that right?
[698] No, it's okay.
[699] Shut up, bitch.
[700] I mean, we talked about it a little bit.
[701] It's the Romacraft.
[702] Yes.
[703] Romacraft.
[704] No, not Marquette.
[705] The Roma Craft Craft Maquette.
[706] Maquette.
[707] Like the Roma Craft.
[708] The Puppet.
[709] Maquette.
[710] Maquette.
[711] Maquette.
[712] Bloody hell I screwed up again.
[713] Ah, Jesus, Matty Joseph.
[714] Okay, Craft Maquette, foreign and domestic coming in February.
[715] The fifth release of Roma Craft Tobacco's Craft Maquette series will go on sale next month.
[716] It's called Craft Maquette, foreign and domestic, a 4x46 box press petite corona.
[717] Production is limited to 500 bundles of 10 cigars.
[718] The name refers to two different things.
[719] First, it's a reference to how Romacraft operates with domestically and internationally.
[720] Rolling Cigars in Nicaragua in their headquarters is in Austin, Texas.
[721] Second, it refers to the oaths that means members of the military and other government officials, including the president, make...
[722] uh, make, which says they are, ah, Jesus, which say they are agreed to support, defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
[723] There you go.
[724] Jesus, I had a hard time spitting that bloody thing out.
[725] It's all right.
[726] That's an oath I remember taking.
[727] Yeah.
[728] The Roma craft craft.
[729] So this is one of those little projects.
[730] It's kind of like.
[731] I would say it's very similar to, you know, when the Firecracker Limiteds come out.
[732] I was about to say about Romacraft Limited Edition that we did, Firecracker, one of my favorites.
[733] Yeah, man. So good.
[734] Yeah, that was a hot one.
[735] I think we did a little drop of that last year.
[736] They were all gone immediately.
[737] Yep.
[738] There were some that we found.
[739] But, yeah, no, this little series, it's kind of like a prelude to when they come out with a limited edition or a new line.
[740] They've done it with a couple different things.
[741] And they just fly, you know what I mean, right away.
[742] So that's something along with the McAuliffe Black Firecracker, the J .C. Newman Firecracker.
[743] You can find all these, including the Romacraft foreign and domestic.
[744] If you go to twoguyscigars .com, go under new arrivals, and you can click notify me on any of these products that aren't out yet, but are coming out soon.
[745] So you can be first in line because, I mean.
[746] you want to be first in line for this, but you definitely want to be in first in line for McAuliffe Black Firecracker and for the Cameroon later in the summer, which, uh, is coming out at the end of the summer, right?
[747] It's coming out in, uh, September.
[748] No, that one's August.
[749] So, uh, yeah, you can click notify me, get first in line, including this, uh, foreign and domestic.
[750] So that'll be exciting, but, uh, all right.
[751] We did it.
[752] Let's review.
[753] Let's review.
[754] What do we think?
[755] All right.
[756] Let's put it down on our handy dandy sticky notes and see what we got.
[757] It's an easy one.
[758] I can go right now.
[759] Well, I'll wait till you guys write because I don't mean cheating.
[760] All right.
[761] I give it a 95.
[762] 95.
[763] That's a killer.
[764] Yeah.
[765] Wow.
[766] Yeah.
[767] It's up there.
[768] John, what do you got?
[769] I gave it a 96.
[770] 96?
[771] That might be your biggest score to date.
[772] I think so.
[773] 97 was your highest?
[774] Okay, still, that's a big score.
[775] Agnes?
[776] 94.
[777] We're right up there, yeah.
[778] Great.
[779] I feel like a cheap date.
[780] I gave it a 93.
[781] You know why I gave it a 93?
[782] I believe I gave the Connecticut a 94.
[783] Okay.
[784] Well, you're partial to Connecticut.
[785] I love the Connecticut, so I couldn't rate it higher.
[786] I got to start smoking this more.
[787] I know the Maduro is excellent.
[788] It's just a little – people say the Maduro is not as strong as the Sun Grove, but I disagree to me. Much stronger, yeah.
[789] But this is really good.
[790] I might take one of these for the road tonight because I need to mix it up.
[791] I've been smoking a lot of the Connecticut.
[792] This is a great cigar, and you can check it out in the six -pack.
[793] But, yeah, good.
[794] That's good.
[795] That's good.
[796] Well, hopefully we will get you back.
[797] Sooner than a year, Agnes.
[798] It was great to have you back on the show.
[799] I'm such a thrill to have.
[800] Yes.
[801] And if you are a retailer and you're going to PCA, make sure you visit Agnes at the United Cigars booth at the show.
[802] And then, yeah, that's it.
[803] So that's it for this week.
[804] I hope you enjoy the big game, the superb owl this week.
[805] And next week, it's another holiday after another.
[806] It's Valentine's Day next week.
[807] So we're going to talk about cigars we love.
[808] The annual, what cigar, not our cigars in rotation.
[809] What cigars do we just really love and enjoy?
[810] Okay.
[811] Remember, ladies, cigars are like roses to guys.
[812] I had to say that.
[813] There you go.
[814] Okay.
[815] All right.
[816] But until then, you've been listening to The Ash Holes, broadcasting from the Studio 21 Cigar Studio, above Two Guys Smoke Shop in Salem, New Hampshire.
[817] We will see you next Tuesday.
[818] The views and opinions expressed by the hosts, guests, or callers of this program do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Studio 21 Podcast Cafe, the United Podcast Network, its partners or affiliates.