Sine Metu
Ovvero vivi senza paura. Un motto chiaro e deciso che permea tutta questa speciale sezione denominata “Conspiracy of The Monkey”, che va a sostituire definitivamente il consueto appuntamento di fine anno con le classifiche e i riconoscimenti. In origine questa sezione serviva a ben altro, ma ho deciso di inaugurarla con un nuovo target, i sigari Pay-For-Pleasure.
Se cercate invece una classifica basata sui rating o sul bollino “Best-Buy” potete sempre visitare l’apposita sezione de sito, dove troverete facilmente le risposte che cercate. Le menzioni inoltre sono dedicate esclusivamente ad un mondo che amo particolarmente, quello delle “Boutique Brands” a cui spesso non si danno gli onori e la notorietà che si meritano.
Che siate contenti o scontenti non importa, questa è la nuova strada che Facciamo Puff ha deciso di intraprendere e su cui spero di incontrarvi numerosi. In futuro potranno comparire anche segnalazioni e/o avvertimenti su tutto ciò che non sta funzionando per il verso corretto nell’industria del sigaro. Le finalità sono ovviamente costruttive e tese a segnalarvi dove meglio indirizzare le vostre attenzioni e dove invece non farlo.
- P4P o Pay for Pleasure – Le fumate che più di altre mi hanno regalato sensazioni meravigliose e appagato i sensi, indipendentemente dal loro costo. Non ha a che fare con i rating assegnati ma con la soddisfazione e l’appagamento in fumata, in una sorta di consiglio/conversazione tra un consumatore (me) e altri consumatori (voi).
- Best Boutique Brands of the Year – Le Boutique Brand che si sono particolarmente distinte non solo dal punto di vista qualitativo, ma anche per la loro capacità di comunicare, socializzare, curare i propri clienti e ovviamente promuovere i loro prodotti. Non grossi e altisonanti nomi quindi, ma personaggi/aziende che hanno saputo distinguersi positivamente dalla massa e saputo conquistare schiere di appassionati.
Live without fear. A clear and simple motto that permeates this whole special section called “Conspiracy of The Monkey”, which will definitively replace the Top Cigars of the Year and the awards. Originally I created this section for a totally different purpose, but I decided to inaugurate it with a new goal I like more, show my TOP Pay-For-Pleasure cigars.
Instead if you are looking for a ranking based on ratings or “Best-Buy” stamp you can always visit the appropriate section of the site, where you will easily find the answers you are looking for. The awards also are dedicated exclusively to a world that I particularly love, that of “Boutique Brands”, who often do not get the honors and notoriety they deserves.
Whether you are happy or unhappy don’t matter, this is the new road Facciamo Puff decided to undertake and on which I hope to meet many of you. Always in this section, in the future, could also be shown alerts and/or warnings on all that is not working in the right way inside the cigar’s industry. Obviously the goal is constructive and aimed to tell you where it is best to direct your attentions and where it’s not.
- P4P o Pay for Pleasure – Cigars that more than others have given me wonderful feelings and satisfied the senses, regardless of their cost. It has nothing to do with the ratings assigned but with the satisfaction and fulfillment in smoke, in a sort of advice/conversation between a consumer (me) and other consumers (you).
- Best Boutique Brands of the Year – The Boutique Brand who have distinguished themselves not only on quality side, but also for their communication ability, social presence, customer care and of course promotion of their products. Not big and fancy names then, but men, women or company that have been able to distinguish positively from the crowd and earned legions of fans.
Top 10 P4P Cigars of 2016
Pay-For-Pleasure
#1
MBombay Gaaja Toro
A cigar surely able to satisfy even smokers that don’t like Connecticut blend, thoroughly modern in its interpretation of this world. To be honest doesn’t matter the complexity nor the amount of noticeable aromatic notes, is the pleasantness and overall smoothness that you remember…
#2
Jas Sum Kral Red Knight Toro
After a few puff the Red Knight grow in intensity on a texture full of delicious tangy nuances of exotic fruits. The feeling is of a remarkable softness, Americans say “smooth”, with an emotional creaminess. You should smoke one to exactly understand what I’m writing…
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#3
Flores y Rodriguez Connecticut Valley Reserve Figurado by PDR Cigars
Globally an extraordinary smoke where the roundness, smoothness are the cornerstones on which rests the whole smoke, smoke also marked by complexity that is admirably disguised by them. The Flores y Rodriguez Connecticut Valley Reserve is not cheap but amply repays every penny spent and I recommend it to anyone who wants to find out how a medium-body masterpiece must be…
#4
Eiroa CBT Maduro Toro
A cigar undoubtedly powerful yet extremely balanced, a proper definition would be: an opulent aromatic magnificence. During the smoke a smile in my face appears deeply absorbed by its creamy sweetness that continues to grow and delight the palate…
#5
Flores y Rodriguez Maduro Cabinet Seleccion Unicos by PDR Cigars
In short work a work of art. If you think that this Flores y Rodriguez Maduro Seleccion Cabinet Unicos is made with tobacco from a single Cuban seed, the experience and the variety of its expression are unbelievable and rare to find in a puro…
#6
Kristoff Ligero Maduro Robusto
The best thing about this cigar is that it play with flavor’s contrasts throughout the entire smoke and its core is full of earth, cocoa, cofee, pepper, sour cherries and leather without drawbacks, never unbalanced. Holding the smoke in the mouth prolong the pleasure that spreads slowly for an uncommon experience and a wonderfully looooong, creamy finish…
#7
PDR 1878 Capa Oscura Robusto
In short this PDR 1878 Capa Oscura is a great medium strength cigar, good enough to aspire to the role of “everyday’s cigar” marked also by a remarkable quality/price ratio…
#8
A.J. Fernandez New World Navegante
The New World begins to build the game and it does on complex notes of spice, earth, wood, leather, cocoa, dried fruit and hazelnut. Define it complex would be an understatement…
#9
Fernando León Family Reserve Corona by La Aurora
A “medium to full body” train which take, without delay, the tunnel that leads into pleasure. Now I’m enter into a realm full of cocoa, spices and citrus even more strong. An expressively bold cigar yet balanced, a sensorial embrace with liqueur and leather hints, which thrill like a love’s date…
#10
Davidoff Escurio Robusto
Something magic that encloses the sounds, colors, scents and flavors of Brazil. A positive macumba that surrounds the smoker from the gate and projecting him in a muffled atmosphere, a kind of sweet wonderfully spicy sensorial caress. Is it the magic of Brazil transformed into cigar?…
Best Boutique Brands of 2016
Jas Sum Kral
This Boutique Brand was born thanks to the fertile mind of Riste Risteski, tired and disappointed by the quality of many cigars on the market. Like an avid smoker of Cuban’s cigars he wanted to keep the best features of those and add something new and intriguing, using tobacco from other productive countries. But it’s not all.
In a world saturated by tons of Boutique Brands he wants to differentiate themselves and their products. Being Macedonian and stout both in weight and personality it’s normal that his brand get a fancy name: JAS SUM KRAL (I am the King). He decides that the only way to get a high quality product for its Jas Sum Kral was to stand with the right cigar’s factory.
After he talked to several “high-level” people in the industry, he opted for the New Order of the Ages, owned by the well-known Master Blender Noel Rojas, in Nicaragua. Once there he had in mind his ideal blend, he talked to Noel who suggested how to proceed. They sift together a vast collection of tobacco, leaf by leaf, of the best quality. Finally they assembled something with which they are sure to change the Boutique Brand market. So the new JAS SUM KRAL, the I like a lot, saw the light.
Share the #JSKvirus
Questa Boutique Brand nasce dalla fertile mente di Riste Risteski, stanco e deluso dalla qualità di molti sigari in commercio. Da appassionato fumatore di sigari Cubani, voleva mantenere le caratteristiche migliori di questi sigari e aggiungerne di nuove, intriganti, utilizzando tabacchi di altri paesi produttivi. Ma non solo.
In un mondo saturato da miriadi di Boutique Brand vuole differenziarsi e differenziare i suoi prodotti. Essendo Macedone e corpulento sia in stazza che in personalità era quasi scontato che nascesse un nome altisonante come: JAS SUM KRAL, ovvero io sono il Re. Decide che l’unico modo per ottenere un prodotto di alto livello per i suoi Jas Sum Kral è quello di appoggiarsi alla giusta manifattura.
Dopo aver parlato con numerose persone di fiducia nel settore, opta per la New Order of the Ages, di proprietà del notissimo Master Blender Noel Rojas, in Nicaragua. Al suo arrivo a Esteli, aveva già in mente il suo blend ideale. Ne parla a Noel che suggerisce come procedere. Assieme vagliano un vasto campionario di tabacchi, foglia dopo foglia, della migliore qualità. Infine assemblano qualcosa con cui sono sicuri cambieranno il mercato delle Boutique Brand. Vedono la luce i nuovi JAS SUM KRAL di cui vado matto.
Divulgate anche voi il #JSKvirus
Bombay Tobak
Hands up those who know this Boutique Brand. Hmmm, I see just a few raised hands and a big question mark painted in the face of the others. The Bombay Tobak was founded in June 2014 by an American entrepreneur, Mel Shah.
At the launch of his new brand he presented the Connecticut Classic and the Corojo Oscuro followed next years by Habano, Mora, Kesara and Vintage Reserve line. All are produced in Costa Rica and have an extraordinary beauty thanks to their Indian touch on packaging.
The outstanding Mel’s Marketing capabilities and his compelling “engagement” ability on social media, together with the beauty and real goodness of its products create in a short time the success of his brand, despite the above-average cost. Fans of this brand are growing day by day at an exponential rate.
I point out that the MBombay cigars have earned rave reviews overseas and on many glossy magazines, for the quality and for the blends. They are modern, intriguing and absolutely special. I strongly suggest to smoke them.
Alzino la mano coloro che conoscono bene questa Boutique Brand. Hmmm, ne vedo poche sollevate e un grosso punto interrogativo dipinto sul vostro volto degli altri. La Bombay Tobak nasce nel giugno del 2014 ad opera di un imprenditore Americano, Mel Shah, di chiare origini indiane.
Al lancio del suo brand furono presentate la Connecticut Classic e la Corojo Oscuro seguite negli anni successivi dalla linea Habano, Mora, Kesara e Vintage Reserve. Tutte prodotte in Costa Rica e dalla chiara impronta estetica indiana, peraltro straordinariamente bella e impattante.
Le spiccate capacità di Marketing di Mel e il suo trascinante “engagement” sui Social, uniti alla bellezza e reale bontà dei suoi prodotti, hanno decretato in breve tempo il successo commerciale del suo brand, malgrado il costo superiore alla media. I fan di questo brand crescono giorno dopo giorno ad un ritmo esponenziale.
Segnalo per la cronaca che i sigari MBombay si sono guadagnati sperticate lodi oltre oceano e su molte riviste patinate, sia per la qualità produttiva sia per i blend sviluppati. Moderni, intriganti e assolutamente particolari. La consiglio caldamente.