Cigar Retreat – Mike's Cigar Room

Nancy Wins 2015 NCAA Pool!

And, again, this is awkward.

Every year we do a March Madness pool. This goes back to the first year we were open, so this was our 6th annual pool. Every year it gets bigger. This year we had 19 excited, hopeful participants. In the end, of course, only one could win.

This year, the lucky winner was Nancy! (Me.) This photo was taken at the NCAA championship in Atlanta in 2013, when our beloved Louisville Cardinals brought home the title. This is pretty much irrelevant to this post other than I like the memory. (Also, I have this picture posted on our Mike’s Cigar Room Wall of Shame to commemorate my victory in the pool. My daughter Sarah saw this yesterday and said, “That’s the picture you want to go with?” I don’t know what she meant by that.)

Also, may I say, with all possible modesty, that this is the 3rd time in 6 years I have won this pool. To those who think the fix is in, take it up with Yahoo. I don’t do the scoring.

The fun part about the Mike’s Cigar Room pool is it makes watching the games at the shop so much more fun and exciting. Games in the first couple of rounds that might otherwise generate very little interest suddenly become riveting. There were some great games this year, even very early.

So, anyway, what was my strategy going in? Strategy may be too strong a word. I won because I made 2 picks that just happened to work. One, I took Wisconsin over Kentucky in the semi-final game, and then Duke over Wisconsin in the final. That’s pretty much it.

Going into the Final Four, the odds on favorite in our pool was David Holmes, who called his bracket “The Spectre of Ashley Judd.” This is a bit of a shot at Kentucky and its fan base. I got it immediately. If Kentucky won the national championship, as it was an overwhelming favorite to do, David would win no matter what else happened at that point.

From the beginning, I didn’t necessarily think Kentucky would lose to anyone. But I reasoned my only real path to victory was to take somebody other than Kentucky, since so many others would be making the safer bet. I decided Wisconsin had the big guys and the general ability to hang with them. Then, because Duke has the most efficient offense in the country, I took them to knock off Wisconsin.

Pretty simplistic analysis. There was a lot of luck there.

Tim Yagley correctly picked all 4 Final Four teams, an incredible feat. Even 7th round Michigan State!

The pool came down to the last game. I had Duke and Tim had Wisconsin. Head to head, winner take all. It was such an exciting game. In the end, Duke managed to pull it off.

The prize was a gift certificate to Mike’s Cigar Room for $190.00.

This prize may seem like it’s of little financial benefit to me, since I pretty much take whatever I want from the humidor anyway. But it’s about the Glory that goes with it! Also, “To Nancy from The Losers?” Mike did that. I had nothing to do with it.

We had lots of return players in the pool. Mike, Brad, Brad’s wife Ashley, Chris Harris, Tom McClung and former champ Jerry Winter, just to name a few. Also, the ever optimistic Duc Nguyen, who called his bracket “This is My Year.” It wasn’t.

Hope you were able to play. If not, we’ll do it again next year! It will only get bigger!

Cheers!

Mike, Nancy, Brad & Tony

New Year, New Cigars to Try!

Happy New Year!!!

It is a new year, and it’s therefore time to try out some new cigars. Well, new for you, anyway. It’s part of the on-going treasure hunt that defines being a cigar enthusiast. You might find your new favorite. If not, you can go back to your old favorite with a greater appreciation. But the experience is always fun and valuable.

This is the time of year when “Best Cigars of the Year” lists come out. This is a good place to start. Cigar enjoyment is a personal thing, totally subjective, and no magazine or so-called “expert” or “experts” can tell you what you should smoke. But when multiple people with significant cigar experience believe a cigar is outstanding, that is data to process. They may be onto something you hadn’t considered.

This process begins with Cigar Aficionado, which employs a panel of cigar lovers to evaluate over 700 cigars, in multiple tastings, during the year. Their list is always insightful. We may not agree with all of the choices, but it’s usually a solid and sometimes astute list.

I believe they nailed it this year on the Top Two Cigars: 1, the Oliva V Melanio Figurado, a smooth, full-bodied cigar that we have been recommending since we first tried it;

and 2, the fabulous E.P. Carrillo La Historia E-III, which struck me as the best new cigar at this year’s trade show in Las Vegas the first time I smoked it.

Also included among the Top 25 were Padron 50th Maduro, Ashton ESG 22 Year Salute (which brand owner Robert Levin calls “the velvet hammer,” since it begins pretty mild and finishes with unexpected boldness), Montecristo Monte #2, Julius Caesar Robusto, My Father No. 2 Crema, San Cristobal Revelation Legend, and Liga Privado No. 9 Belicoso.

To review all of Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 Cigars of the Year, please see http://top25.cigaraficionado.com/

A brief word about sizes. The Top Cigars of the Year lists typically indicate a particular size for each cigar chosen. This is because this size, whatever it is, happens to be the one their panel evaluated. And then, when the prominent lists come out, those specific sizes tend to fly off the shelves. Moreover, because of increased demand, they are typically back ordered when we try and replace them. Don’t worry about that. What is important is that you try the cigars, in any size you like or is available. It’s the same filler, binder and wrapper. Don’t be deterred in your mission because the exact size isn’t on the shelf!

Love a good bargain? (Who doesn’t?) Cigar Aficionado also provides a list of it’s Best Buys or Bargain Cigars of the Year. http://top25.cigaraficionado.com/best-buys-of-2014/ This list includes some that appear almost every year and also some new ones, such as Oliva G, O and Connecticut, Brick House and Tatuaje Tattoo.

There are any number of Best Cigars of the Year lists, and you probably don’t want to get bogged down in all that. But some highlights from some of the others, which we find instructive, are these:

Cigar Journal No. 1 Cigar of the Year: New World from A.J. Fernandez, retailing at the remarkable price point of $5.75-6.50.
Other Top Choices by Cigar Journal include Oliva V Melanio (this year’s Cigar Aficionado No. 1 Cigar of the Year), Padron 1964, Flor de las Antillas (a former Cigar Aficionado No. 1 Cigar of the Year) and Perdomo 20th Anniversary Maduro.
Complete Cigar Journal list at https://www.facebook.com/CigarJournal
Hogshead Cigar Lounge’s Top Cigars of the Year include some familiar names including Liga Privada #9, Padron 80 Year Maduro, Oliva V Melanio and A.J. Fernandez New World. Also Liga Privada Undercrown, kind of an under-the-radar cigar we have been recommending for a while.

Speaking of Flor de las Antillas, amidst all the excitement of new lists coming out each year, it should not be forgotten that this much lauded cigar from a couple of years ago is just as great this year.

Conclusion: For Heaven’s sake, try some of these cigars as soon as possible, in any size, in your continuing search for Cigar Excellence: Oliva V Melanio, E.P. Carrillo La Historia, Flor de las Antillas, Liga Privada #9 and Undercrown, New World from A.J. Fernandez, My Father and San Cristobal Revelation. Or any of the choices listed in this post. Feel like a splurge? Pick up a Julius Caesar, Ashton ESG or any high end Padron.

And let us know what you think. Or, if you have found a treasure that has eluded the “experts,” we’d like to hear about that, too.

Cheers!

Mike, Nancy, Brad & Tony

Our Review of Ashton Symmetry

This review was done for Cigar Retreat by Brad Frazier, whose highly developed palate more than qualifies him for this task. The opinions expressed herein are Brad’s alone.

Cigar Reviewed: Ashton Symmetry

Size: Robusto

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan

Brief Background:

This is the first new cigar branded as an Ashton in nearly a decade. It has been much anticipated and discussed as it represents a departure from other Ashtons in terms of flavors, make-up and strength level. The Symmetry debuted at this year’s IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas. The Symmetry was blended for Ashton by Carlos (“Carlito”) Fuente, Jr.

Price: $12

Construction and Appearance:

Slight box press with a medium brown veinless wrapper and low sheen. The cap is a triple and is very firmly constructed. The cigar is only medium firm to the squeeze and has no noticeable soft spots.

Flavor Profile:

The cigar lights without incident. The initial flavors are of sweet earth with a spicy finish. The spice is amplified through the nose but does not carry a burning attribute. The taste is rich and falls in the medium plus to three-quarter range. Working my way into the first third hints of cinnamon and leather reveal themselves. The wrapper, while not always having an even burn, will self-correct with a rotation in the hand. The second-third offers stronger notes of earth and leather with and an occasional note of black coffee. In the final third many of the previously found flavors give way to a rich, very pleasant tobacco note. The cigar holds its body the whole time and offers a richness cleanliness of flavor the entire way.

Conclusion:

I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar from start to finish and it absolutely warrants the price asked. The cigar definitely offers a new flavor range for the Ashton brand.

Rating:

Perfect Day for Golf, Cigars, Food and Friendship

Last Saturday, November 1, we had the privilege of hosting our annual Mike’s Cigar Room Golf Tournament at High Meadow Ranch Golf Course. Co-organizers Frank Kos and Jack Bridge did a spectacular job of pulling it all together and we extend to them our sincerest thanks. To Frank and Jack’s credit, almost everyone who played last year returned for this one. Also, there were numerous comments about how fun the tournament was. There were 28 total participants this year, another tribute to Frank and Jack’s efforts.

In addition, we got lucky on the weather. Several golfers noted that it was a perfect day for golf.

First of all, what would a Cigar Golf Tournament be without an appropriate goody bag? This is what the participants got for just being there: a Fonseca F150 Cigar, a San Lotano Maduro Churchill, a Camacho Criollo Tubo Robusto, a Camacho Corona Churchill, a coupon for 10% off at Golf Galaxy and a Golfsmith coupon for 10% off on a purchase of $30 or more!

It was all mostly for fun, of course, but the guys still played their hearts out. All Hail the winning team, who won by 4 strokes! That was Steve Cocke, Jerry Gregurek, Tom McClung and Jimmy Street. Also on the honor roll, Shot of the Day, Simon Lau; Closest to the Pin, Allan Patrick; and Longest Drive, Jimmy Street.

Frank Kos began the awards ceremony afterward by graciously thanking everyone for participating and also Mike’s Cigar Room for its involvement.

The winning team congregates around the prize table.

And then it was time for door prizes, which were outstanding: a box of 10 of Camacho Criollo Cigars, a box of 10 of Tatuaje Pudgy Monsters, a 75 count Savoy Humidor, a Montecristo Soft Flame Lighter, a CAO Ashtray and an Oliva Ashtray.

I am told there was something of an after party, a fun one involving, what else, Guys Smoking Cigars. Thanks to Frank Kos for hosting that.

And thanks to P.T. Frazier for providing photos. Also to Brad Frazier for being the on site representative of Mike’s Cigar Room and for sending photos and helpful narration and commentary.

Hope you were there. If not, as with all Mike’s Cigar Room events, you will have another chance. We’ll let you know about all future events via email (if you need to be added to the list email us at info@mikescigarroom.com), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mikes-Cigar-Room-Conroe-TX/187621414601521?ref=bookmarks) and Twitter (@MikesCigarRoom).

Cheers!

Mike, Nancy, Brad & Tony

Our Biggest Party of the Year. . .

Oktoberfest at Mike’s, the 5th Anniversary Customer Appreciation Celebration, has come and gone. But don’t be sad. We have great memories. And there will be plenty more fun events to attend at Mike’s Cigar Room in the not too distant future. Last Friday, Oct. 24, was the Big Day. The featured cigar, appropriately enough, was the Oktoberfest by Quesada, a cigar designed by master blender Manuel Quesada specifically to be enjoyed with beer. Especially dark beer. It’s a great cigar and, even if you missed the event, you can still pick up some of them. For your kind consideration, there is an independent review of the Oktoberfest Cigar found at http://www.sethshumidor.com/2014/09/cigar-review-oktoberfest-krone.html

Quesada also provided some excellent swag, including an event-only cigar, hats, lighters, and some beautiful beer glasses.

As is our custom, the 5th Anniversary Party featured incredible food provided by our good friend, Master BBQ Griller Chris Hoffmeister. Take a look at the awesome meats Chris prepared this year: Brats and, because it was Oktoberfest in Texas, Chris’s famous Jalapeno Poppers! Anybody who hangs around at Mike’s Cigar Room knows Chris. In case you don’t, here is a picture of him, taken at Mike & Nancy’s house this summer. Chris is second from left.

Also shown, l-r, David Holmes, Deana Mohr, Ronny Falcon and Joan Falcon. Seated: Nancy. (Okay, this picture has nothing to do with the Oktoberfest Event. I just like it!!!)

Our friends at Silver Eagle Distributing generously provided Oktoberfest-themed beers for the occasion. That kind gesture was much appreciated by all!

David Brophy, the Quesada sales rep, made his appearance. We like David. We have known him for many years. Hope you had a chance to harass David. It’s one of the best parts of any Quesada event.

Our friend Gene brought Anniversary Balloons, as he did last year. We have such wonderful customers!

And check this out. Scott wore the correct shirt for the occasion. Even if accidentally.

Before we ate, Tom proposed a toast to Mike’s Cigar Room and its 5th Anniversary. Everyone was happy to join in. Cheers!

After that, it was fun, lively conversation, cigars, beer, brats, poppers and even a couple of sides provided by Nancy. Specifically, 2 kinds of pasta salad and a strange but interesting pumpkin and green sauce-based dip. Whatever, people liked it. The festivities continued as long as reason and good sense would allow.

As a special treat, Brad’s wife Ashley joined us for the party. Aren’t they a cute couple?

That was about it. All great things must eventually end. Hope you were here and had a blast. And thanks for your support. If not, there will be other events. For example, please look for emails as well as Facebook and Twitter posts about the upcoming Launch Event for the brand new Ashton Symmetry, the first new Ashton Cigar in nearly a decade, on Friday, November 14. if you are not on our email list to be kept apprised of events, deals, etc., please drop us a line at Info@mikescigarroom.com and ask to be added. Also, please Like us on Facebook, Mike’s Cigar Room Conroe, TX, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mikes-Cigar-Room-Conroe-TX/187621414601521, and Follow us on Twitter, @mikescigarroom.

Cheers!

Mike, Nancy, Brad & Tony

My Father Event Was Fun and a Success

Last Saturday, September 18, we had the pleasure of hosting a great event featuring My Father Cigars. And by “My Father,” I mean the event specials included all the Don Pepin Garcia lines, including My Father, My Father Bijou, Jaime Garcia, El Centurion, Don Pepin Blue, Don Pepin Black, La Antiguedad and the former Cigar Aficionado No. 1 Cigar of the Year, Flor de las Antillas.

For the best source of information on My Father Cigars, please see http://www.myfathercigars.com/

The deals were great on this exceptional brand and many chose to take advantage of the box specials. Box purchasers received free cigars, an extra box discount, a t-shirt or an ashtray, and a ticket for the door prize: a beautiful, engraved humidor.It was, quite frankly, the nicest door prize we had seen in a while.

Setting the stage for the event, we thought some refreshment might be in order. It didn’t go to waste.

At this event, we were honored to receive as a visitor Jose Ortega, V.P. of My Father Cigars, who flew in all the way from Miami for our event. Jose is such a nice, fun guy, and our customers enjoyed visiting with him. As did we.

Pictured above, from left to right, Nancy, My Father sales rep Jason Poehler, Mike, Brad and Jose Ortega. Thanks to Larry Byers for taking this picture for us.

As always, there was great conversation. The customers enjoyed the high quality My Father cigars and smoking them with each other. Also, as always, people knew they could relax, use their electronics if they chose, and just be free to be themselves without the pressures of life intruding.

The day stretched out a little beyond the actual closing time, because everyone was having such a good time. Jose and Jason left a little after 8, and then, it was time to wrap it up and go home.

The next day, the festivities continued for Greg Grant, who won the free humidor!We hope you were here to enjoy this great event. If not, there will be others.

In fact, the biggest event of the year is coming up on Saturday, Oct. 25. It’s our 5th Anniversary Blow Out Customer Appreciation Party Featuring Quesada Oktoberfest Cigars! There will be deals, freebies, swag, beverages, food featuring Super BBQ, and a few surprises. Please watch for emails and Facebook/Twitter posts on this one, because it is a huge event for us and you will not want to miss it. Believe me when I tell you the food alone is worth the trip. If you are not on our email list, please just drop us a line at info@mikescigarroom.com and ask to be added. The Twitter name is @MikesCigarRoom and the Facebook page can be found at Mike’s Cigar Room Conroe, TX, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mikes-Cigar-Room-Conroe-TX/187621414601521.

Cheers!

Mike, Nancy, Brad & Tony

2014 Mike’s Cigar Room Golf Scramble Sat, Nov. 1

It’s that time again!

Please come by Mike’s Cigar Room and register for the 3rd Annual Mike’s Cigar Room Golf Scramble! Here is what you need to know, courtesy of co-commissioners Frank Kos and Jack Bridge:

It’s a terrific poster. But, okay, it doesn’t convert perfectly to this format. So here’s the cheater Reader’s Digest condensed version of its contents:

3rd Annual Golf Scramble Saturday, Nov. 1. Lunch at 11:30 & tee time 1:30
High Meadow Ranch Golf Course, 37300 Golf Club Trail, Magnolia
Register at Mike’s Cigar Room by 10-30-14
$80, or $83 if paid by credit card
Entry fee includes lunch, green fees, range balls, cart & goody bag. (I have it on pretty good authority the goody bag will include cigars.)
Teams consist of A, B, C & D players drawn at random
Players 60+ with averages of 80+ play white tees. All others green
Bogie maximum on each hole
Players selected at random on 10-31-14
For more information contact Frank Kos (281) 639-7576, knarfsok@gmail.com; or Jack Bridge (713) 419-5353, bridge.jt@gmail.com; or Brad Frazier bfrazier21@hotmail.com
Also, the flyer includes a couple of great shots at Larry Byers. Just because.

In case you missed last year, here is a glimpse of the festivities:

Below, the winning team!
Also, this just in: Duc is a dork.

We’ll see you soon at Mike’s so you can sign up for the 3rd Annual Mike’s Cigar Room Golf Scramble!

Cheers!

Mike, Nancy, Brad & Tony

H. Upmann Banker Event Was Fun

Last Friday, August 8, we hosted an Event featuring H. Upmann Banker Cigars, the bolder and more complex cousin of the other, more well established, H. Upmann cigar lines.

As always, there was plenty of swag to entice our customers to give this high quality, well-priced cigar a try. Altadis, makers of such fine brands as Romeo y Julieta and Montecristo in addition to H. Upmann, sent scratch-off tickets to be given away with already discounted cigar purchases. Everybody loves a scratch-off contest. The scratch-off prizes included hats, ashtrays, money clips and, the grand prize, a cigar mold full of Banker Cigars!

The day started out with a bang. Besides it being H. Upmann Banker Day, it was also Terry Hughes’ birthday. Terry’s wonderful wife, Carolyn, surprised him with a little party-within-the-party including cake and sandwiches for everyone!

Happy Birthday, Terry!

And with that the Event was off to a terrific start!

Candace Martin, the H. Upmann Banker Rep, was on hand to provide product information and assistance.

And then the funniest thing happened. The very first sale of the day, and the very first scratch-off ticket, was the Grand Prize Winner!!!

After that, things went pretty much as all events go at Mike’s Cigar Room this time of year: Great Smokes, Great conversation, golf on TV, relaxing with personal electronics, and maybe a beverage or two. Event Day at Mike’s is just a great way to spend a lazy Friday afternoon! After golf, of course, which preceded the event for some of the regulars.

If you were here, thanks, and we hope you had a good time. But, if you weren’t, there are still plenty of opportunities to get in on the fun. Please join us Friday, August 15, from 12-7, for the Alec Bradley Event! Great cigars, great company, big fun, and, always a surprise or two. See you then!

Cheers!

Mike, Nancy, Brad & Tony

2014 IPCPR Trade Show Offers a Few Great New Cigars

PRELIMINARY NOTE: Cigar Retreat was the victim of some cyber evildoers. Somebody hacked into the site and damaged the content. So much so that all past posts had to be deleted out of an abundance of caution to insure everyone’s computer safety. The back-up was also affected, so that was the only reasonable option open to us. But we will not be defeated by hoodlums or other general miscreants. Please enjoy today’s post and look forward to future ones!

Vegas, Baby. What a place to hold a trade show! Especially since all of our friends in the biz, retailers, reps and manufacturers alike, tend to be so well-behaved amidst temptation.This year’s IPCPR trade show, our big event of the year, was held in lovely Sin City. Doesn’t it make your heart go pitty-pat just to think about that? Las Vegas. It is essentially fake. They have a fake Statue of Liberty, a fake Eiffel Tower, a fake pyramid, fake castles, fake skies, fake buildings, a fake St. Mark’s Square, a fake Grand Canal and fake gondola rides. Just for starters. It’s also utterly over the top and full of drunks. And I love it so.

This year we decided to bring in only a few new cigars, but they are good ones. Some are exceptional. And we’ll be adding sizes to those popular brands and lines we already carry. IMPORTANT NOTE: Not all of these cigars have been shipped to us yet. They will be coming in, as available from the manufacturers, throughout the summer and fall. We will be letting you know through Facebook (Mike’s Cigar Room Conroe, TX https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mikes-Cigar-Room-Conroe-TX/187621414601521?ref_type=bookmark) and Twitter (@MikesCigarRoom) as soon as we have them! Please Like us and Follow us to keep on top of the deliveries.

My personal favorite among the new cigars, so far, is the E.P. Carrillo La Historia. As with most of the cigars featured in this post, they are coming soon. They will be worth the wait. Mostly medium bodied, the La Historias have a fair amount of spice in the second half. And they are remarkably smooth. Ashton is also releasing its first new cigar in nearly a decade, the Ashton Symmetry. The Symmetry was created by the master himself, Carlos Fuente, Jr. It is medium to full in strength, and contains tobaccos from Ecuador, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. This is the first Ashton branded cigar ever to contain Nicaraguan filler. For more information on this cigar please see http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/17691.

Speaking of Ashton, we also highly recommend you try the limited edition La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse. Made by My Father in Nicaragua for Ashton, there will only be 3000 boxes made. The Noblesse is a little pricier than some of the other new cigars, but it’s worth treating yourself. Please see http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/17701 Tatuaje has announced the release of its next two incarnations of the wildly popular Monster series. Halloween of 2014 will feature the Jekyll, and 2015, the Hyde. We have also picked up the Tatuaje Tattoo, a delicious and affordable everyday smoke, in 4 sizes, given the popularity of the Robusto size we already carry.

The new, repackaged Octoberfest will be out this fall. Do you like unapologetically bold cigars? The La Flor Dominicana Chapter Two is coming out, and it’s exactly that. That the Chapter 2 packs a punch may be an understatement. La Flor Salamones will be back as well. It’s been a few years!

Another cigar coming soon is the Perdomo Vintage, aged 12 years in bourbon barrels (I can’t wait!). We will also be adding the new My Father Connecticut, offering that wonderful blending of a bold, spicy blend with a lighter, Connecticut wrapper; 601s; a new Cohiba; Rare Air and Chillin’ Moose from La Gloria’s Michael Giannini; this year’s Foundry; a new Dunhill and the Alec Bradley Coyola.

Just a couple of more points about Vegas. It’s full of fake stuff. (Did I mention that?) Here’s a glimpse of fake Venice, for example. I’ve been to Venice. The real one. It was not 108 degrees there. Also, I’m pretty sure it isn’t surrounded by huge American casinos. But this one is kind of pretty, don’t you think? I have no explanation for why things appear to be crooked in this picture.

Also, look! A real balloon is stuck to the fake sky in the fake St. Mark’s Square at the Venetian! Be looking for the new cigars. These are going to be great!

Cheers! Mike, Nancy, Brad & Tony