tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43356897533375695442024-03-13T11:57:00.595-07:00Everyday AaronYour source for information on food, wine, and cigars.amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-21171281219031490402011-03-06T12:20:00.000-08:002011-03-06T12:22:31.642-08:00American Apparel is so innovative!If I weren't a fan of American Apparel clothing already this would have done it,......amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-3339856709550127232011-03-02T21:56:00.001-08:002011-03-02T21:59:56.051-08:00Para Ti Prominentes by Fred SchraderPara Ti Prominentes by Fred SchraderOrigin : Dominican RepublicFormat : Toro GordoSize : 6 x 60Wrapper : DominicanFiller : DominicanBinder : DominicanHand-MadePrice : $8.75I was first introduced to these awhile back when Pete Johnson announced he would be helping a “wine friend” out by distributing a new cigar through his company Havana Cellars. His wine friend happened to be the iconic Fred amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-39144828414664579592011-02-20T07:40:00.000-08:002011-02-20T07:47:23.183-08:00EO Brands Cubao No.5Cubao No. 5 Toro by EO BrandsCubao No.5 Toro (6.1x50)Wrapper: Ecuadorian SumatraBinder: NicaraguanFiller: NicaraguanPrice: $4.00This is a Pepin Garcia produced cigar for Espinoza y Ortega brand (EO Brands). EO also owns the 601 Series and Mi Barrio line of cigars, both very good lines of cigars. They seem to be hitting homeruns lately with their cigars while partnered with the legend Don Pepin. amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-45678846789434613992011-02-11T07:37:00.000-08:002011-02-11T07:45:34.015-08:00La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial #55 by AshtonLa Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial #55 by AshtonLa Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial #55 (5.75x55)Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun GrownBinder: NicaraguanFiller: NicaraguanPrice: $7.50-$8.00A tribute to great Cuban cigars; this cigar is down right beautiful to look at. Its light brown wrapper from Ecuador is almost flawless with hardly any prominent veins. Great aroma of cedar on the pre light sniff.Used a amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-75193043120431471722011-02-10T12:36:00.000-08:002011-02-10T12:40:05.214-08:00Ashton VSG RobustoAshton VSG RobustoAshton VSG Robusto (5.5x50)Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun GrownBinder: DominicanFiller: DominicanPrice: $9.50-$10.50A dark robust looking cigar at first take. The aged wrapper is akin to other cigar wrappers like the ones used to wrap Tatuaje Reservas. Blended by Carlos Fuente Jr., this cigar has excellent pedigree. I have smoked the VSG torpedo years ago and it was one of the first amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-48218735291628601912011-02-10T08:42:00.000-08:002011-02-10T08:52:06.786-08:00Padilla Habano TorpedoPadilla Habano TorpedoPadilla Habano Torpedo (6x52)Wrapper: Nicaraguan HabanoBinder: NicaraguanFiller: NicaraguanPrice: $7.50Ernesto Padilla has really come into his own since parting ways with Don Pepin Garcia. He now uses the Tabacalera Fernandez factory to produce his smokes in Esteli, Nicaragua. It seems nothing has changed since the parting though construction wise, each cigar is impeccably amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-34138061828111956602011-02-08T11:25:00.000-08:002011-02-08T11:34:53.404-08:00Paul Garmirian Symphony 20Paul Garmirian Symphony 20 Limited Edition(image from pgcigars.com)Paul Garmirian Symphony 20 (6x52)Wrapper: Dominican?Binder: Habano Seed Filler: Four different leaves (Unknown Origin)Price: $16-$17Walked into Hubbard State Cigar Shop in downtown Chicago and asked for their best cigar. The cigar I was pointed to by the manager of the shop was the Paul Garmirian Symphony 20. Unfortunately not a amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-22468206770076354552011-02-02T12:31:00.000-08:002011-02-02T13:32:47.118-08:00Smokin' Through the HolidaysDuring my time off from blogging I smoked through a lot of different cigars. Currently I am on hiatus from smoking for several months in the pursuit of getting back in shape. So for starters I am heading to Taos, New Mexico to go skiing with some friends in an attempt to drop a couple pounds hitting the slopes and then when I get home I will hit the gym. So for those of ya'll like me who blew amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-46736474033186663612011-02-01T20:53:00.001-08:002011-02-01T21:08:08.202-08:00My Holiday Break is Over,.....Sorry everybody, took the last month off to concentrate on family, friends, school, and work. I will be posting some new reviews and articles soon to make up for lost time. Hope everyone had an awesome holiday season and that 2011 is treating them well so far.amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-63146606123180432802010-12-27T20:14:00.000-08:002010-12-27T20:32:53.786-08:002007 Cinquante-Cinq Viognier from Languedoc, FranceThis is a easy to find viognier in the old world style. Light, crisp, and floral, this viognier is perfect slightly chilled in the summer time. Check this one out at your local Central Market.Image from thegrandcrew.wordpress.com2007 Cinquante-Cinq, Viognier, LanguedocColor: Light straw color, limish-pear tinge.Nose: Floral, sour apple, lemon, stone.Taste: Sour fruits, stone, metallic flavors. "amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-53441380556373528872010-12-17T14:53:00.000-08:002010-12-17T15:08:28.606-08:002007 Chateau Ste. Michelle "Eroica" RieslingThis is the wine for those that can't stand cloyingly sweet rieslings. This particular year(2007) was very good, but if you can't find it then other vintages will do. What has been so great about this wine is the consistency year to year of high critic scores. This is very complex, has big fruit but not sweet, and enough acidity to hold its own against any southeast asian or chinese dishes. The amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-19247292978012579002010-12-15T21:03:00.000-08:002010-12-15T21:10:58.493-08:00My Father No.1 Robusto by Jaime & Pepin GarciaMy Father No.1 (5.2x52)Wrapper: Habano Rosado/Criollo (Ecuador)Binder: Nicaraguan- Esteli ValleyFiller: Nicaraguan- Esteli ValleyPrice: $10.00A light brown, hybrid tobacco wrapper swaths this stick of Nicaraguan filler and binder. Great looking cigar except for some prominent veins, excellent construction. Smells floral on the prelight, and the dry draw is easy with a touch of tightness to amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-18222806102894387472010-12-07T20:36:00.000-08:002010-12-12T16:28:39.594-08:00Top 10 Cigars of the Year 2010Smoked a lot of cigars this year, and this may be perhaps my greatest year of discovering the cigar world. I smoked cigars from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, Philippines, Bahamas, and Cuba. All in all, I probably smoked close to 40-50 cigars this year and have produced a list of my personal top 10 favorites. I'm not even going to pretend that my list is objective or close to it. I amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-90990061709680092572010-11-30T11:33:00.000-08:002010-11-30T11:39:07.553-08:002005 Chateau Roland La Garde, Bordeaux, France2005 Chateau Roland La Garde, Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, Cotes de Blaye, BordeauxColor: Copper tinted garnet red. Non-opaque.Nose: Aromatic scents of black fruit, pepper spice, tobacco, cedar, and musk. Possibly a hint of asparagus in the back ground or artichoke.Taste: Very earthy and dry. Plum and sour cherry. All flavors are on the front palate, very bleh on the mid palate and non existent on amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-14342939918671984692010-11-29T11:31:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:26:27.303-08:00F&*%! I missed the boat,.....Saxum Vineyards 2007 James Berry Vineyards Grenach/Mourvedre/Syrah from Paso RoblesWine Spectator magazine released their annual Top 100 Wines of the Year this November 2010. A surprising #1 this year is from a young man in Paso Robles, California, Mr. Justin Smith. Justin Smith owns and operates Saxum Vineyards, an up and coming vineyard specializing in Rhone Valley varietals like grenache, mourvedre, and syrah. His grenache, mourvedre, and syrah blend of 2007 from his John amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-41359754706182484422010-11-21T19:56:00.000-08:002010-11-29T06:48:54.290-08:002008 Schmitt Sohne Riesling Spatlese2008 Schmitt Sohne Riesling Spatlese, Riesling, MoselColor: Very pale gold, clear.Nose: Tinge of petrol and stone fruits. Very closed off nose. Some Sprite aromas.Taste: Granny smith apples and nectarines with grassy finish. Sweet but not cloying. Refreshing.Acidity: Medium.Density: >Medium.Finish: >Medium long finish.Alcohol: 8.5%Notes: Tastes a little bit "fake" sweet, but refreshing, with amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-26007150350112702432010-11-21T19:48:00.000-08:002010-11-23T06:03:01.088-08:002007 Paul Jaboulet Aine "Parallele 45"2007 Paul Jaboulet Aine Parallele 45, Grenache/Syrah, Cotes du RhoneColor: Very dark purple almost black color. No sediment.Nose: Smells immediately of beef blood, intestinal with strong herbal notes of thyme. Dark brambly fruit finish. Alcohol present at the end at room temperature. With a few minutes in glass the wine becomes stronger with herbaciousness. Very terroir driven. Classic.Taste: amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-33367048295003184532010-11-18T14:12:00.000-08:002010-11-28T14:57:31.538-08:00Oliva Serie V Double RobustoOliva Serie V Double Robusto (5x54)Wrapper: Habano sun Grown from EcuadorBinder: NicaraguanFiller: Nicaraguan- Jalapa Valley LigeroPrice: $5.50-$6.00Combination of Nicaraguan tobacco wrapped by an Ecuadorian Habano Sun Grown leaf. This combo perhaps may be my favorite of any combination of tobacco. The Oliva family grows some excellent wrapper.Perfect oily sheen to a chocolate brown wrapper and amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-10997668668383709682010-11-18T13:44:00.000-08:002010-11-26T21:29:54.853-08:00Tatuaje J21 ReservaTatuaje Seleccion de Cazador J21 Reserva (5x50)Wrapper: Habano EcuadorBinder: NicaraguanFiller: NicaraguanPrice: $10.99Made for Pete Johnson by Don Pepin Garcia in Miami, Fl. Filler and binders from Nicaragua, and wrapper sourced from Ecuador from the farms of the Oliva family.The reserva has a mottled, uglier, more aged wrapper than that of the regular J21. Not much to look at, but that's the amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-23578915090482236972010-11-18T13:19:00.000-08:002010-11-21T19:43:40.307-08:00601 Series Limitada Red Robusto601 Series Limitada Red Robusto (5x50)Wrapper: Nicaraguan HabanoBinder: NicaraguanFiller: NicaraguanPrice: $5.00Made by Don Pepin Garcia for EO brands. This appears to be the fullest in body of the 601 series from what I've heard about it. Beautiful light brown mottled wrapper, with very good construction. No prominent veins. When cut, the cigar was a tad tight on the draw. On the initial light amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-30033042347710933862010-11-18T12:53:00.000-08:002010-11-18T13:14:37.978-08:00Casa Magna Colorado RobustoCasa Magna Colorado Robusto (5.5x52)Wrapper: NicaraguanBinder: NicaraguanFiller: NicaraguanPrice: $5.00The vision of Manuel Quesada and created by Nestor Plasencia in Nicaragua. A beautiful cigar to behold, with a perfect wrapper that exudes oils. Completely unflawed construction.Upon cutting, the dry draw was easy and perfect with no resistance. The vitola lit easily and burned evenly, no touch amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-41612541143521465762010-11-18T12:42:00.000-08:002010-11-18T12:46:15.749-08:002009 Vignerons de Caractere "Petit Caprice" from Rhone Valley2009 Vignerons de Caractere "Petit Caprice" Vin de Pays, Grenache/Syrah, Rhone ValleyColor: Beautiful dark rose color with pinkish hue.Nose: Smoky upfront, briar fruit, blackberries, and herbal notes. Alcoholic heat on back end is very noticeable.Taste: Light sour cherry, cranberries, red licorice. Fresh flavors upfront with a tinge of thyme. Awkward finish/ending. Hot alcohol.Acidity: >Medium amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-19544235898016591712010-11-18T11:49:00.000-08:002010-11-18T11:55:43.214-08:00Bear Republic Big Bear Black StoutBear Republic Big Bear Black StoutBrewed by Bear Republic Brewing CompanyStyle: StoutABV: 8.1%Dark black in color with amber cream foam.Roasted malt and day old coffee aromas on the nose. Appealing.Smooth flavors of cuban coffee, bitter chocolate, and coffee bean. Not too bitter and has a touch of sweetness. Smooth, smooth, smooth! Well rounded port. Unfortunately this beer has the gayest amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-62980631207505485892010-11-18T11:36:00.000-08:002010-11-18T11:45:18.697-08:00Lagunitas Lucky 13 Red AleLagunitas Lucky 13Brewed by the Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, California.Style: Red AleABV: 8.5%Color is reddish amber. Hops are prevalent on the nose. Citrus wiff on the back end of nose with forefront of roasted caramel and brown sugar. On the palate, the beer brings light malty flavors. I thought the beer would be heavier, but is actually light-medium bodied. Very dry and herbal like amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4335689753337569544.post-11299669362868619462010-11-04T11:46:00.000-07:002010-11-04T12:47:01.690-07:002010 Austin Cellar Classic "Raves and Reviews"Not too long after my experience with Chip Tate at Balcones Distillery I got the chance to return to my favorite wine event of the year in Austin. The Austin Cellar Classic held at Max's Wine Dive in downtown Austin, is a rare opportunity for those to experience many great wines under the same roof all at once. This year's event was held on October 16th at 12:00 noon, which by my opinion is odd, amsgpwarriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704862873052298877noreply@blogger.com0