AJA Perfecto

My wife and I were on a ride through southern Pennsylvania when we came across a small shop tucked away in a newly developed business section called South Pointe in Canonsburg, located south of Pittsburg.

AJA Cigar Company is a small company started by Andrew Andronas.  As the website says, Andrew “developed the idea of cigar catering after spending some time with a Cuban family off the Gulf Coast of Florida. Mr. Andronas was able to develop an outstanding business relationship with a Master Cuban Cigar roller whose family business has been practicing of art of cigar rolling for over 150 years.” 

Each hand rolled cigar is from Cuban seed, grown in Dominican and Nicaraguan soil, and uses an Ecuadorian wrapper.  Their cigars are rolled in small quantities to protect the integrity of their product.

After visiting with Andrew’s parents who were cleaning up the shop after a gathering the night before, I picked up a hand rolled AJA Perfecto for a couple bucks.  At first glance, there’s little to grab your attention.  It’s a small naked cigar without a band.  A cigar that isn’t wrapped up in flash, just a veiny wrapper that is a mocha brown color and narrowed at the head.  I didn’t indulge in this little delight until I was back home. 

The initial draw was smooth and mild with a soft nutty flavor.  The draw remained easy and smooth throughout this small cigar, which was “perfecto” (lame, I know) for a break in the afternoon, which is just what I did; pulled the car over in the park and took a much needed break from the day.  The simplicity became more complex as it progressed, adding sweet notes to the creamy smoke.

The second half introduced a stronger but smooth flavor.  I picked up on subtle wood tones and a hint of sweet chocolate with quite mild pepper.  The burn on the stick throughout was near perfect.  The ash remained tight with a light grey complexion.  The thick smoke tended to linger in the air, allowing the aroma to remain, but did not coat my mouth.  Being a small stick, the head tended to get hot and softer and the experience came to a close.

Recommendation: Stop by AJA Cigar Company and check out their stock.  If you like a mild smoke, go for it!  Larger sizes were also available.

Have you been to AJA Cigar Company?

CT

Rocky Patel Edge Maduro

I am newer to the world of cigars.  Well, that’s not completely true.  I had my first one a few years back but I am newer to paying attention to the finesse of a good cigar.  I began reading about them, visiting shops, talking to people, and finally began to pay more attention to the burn features, the wrapper, the feel of the cigar, the personality of each stick.

When I passed my motorcycle license I decided that I would celebrate with a Rocky Patel Edge.  My intent was to travel to the testing office, ride the exam, go the nearby B & M and pick up the stick.   I had been reading about Rocky Patel cigars and the Edge kept coming up in conversation.

The road test wasn’t as smooth as planned and I was told that the pass was shaky, but a pass none the less.  At this point I had ridden about 22,000 miles (35,000 km) and knew that I was a good biker.  So with the bittersweet pass, I rode to the tobacconist and picked up my first Rocky Patel Edge Maduro.  Interestingly, in a world self absorbed in flash and image, the Edge had only a simple band around the foot.  Simple, yet sophisticated…reflective of the Edge.

The cigar felt good in my fingers.   A solid cigar with a dark oily wrapper.  You could feel sophisticated just being seen with it.

The Edge is a strong cigar, full of flavor and body.  Coffee and leather tones were noted in the first half of the smoke.  There were also pepper and spice flavors on my palette.

I found the draw consistently smooth for the duration of the smoke.  It was complex and stepped up the strength in the second half.  The ash was tight with stable burn lines throughout.

In the end, being used to more mild cigars, this one caused me to step up my game and branch out to more full bodied cigars, darker wraps, and more complex tastes and combinations.

Recommendation: Buy one and enjoy, but take your time.  You don’t want to rush this one.  Savor the experience. 

Do you have an opinion on the Edge?  Let me know about it.

CT

Cigar Boss - App Review

I moved “up” in the world recently.  That’s right, I bought a smart phone.  An HTC Desire.  My first thoughts on the name: feminine.  When I was able to get past the name, it was great from there.  Good phone, smooth operations etc, and a solid selection of apps.

One of the first things I set up was an accessible folder for cigar apps.  There are a number of them out there and as time goes by CigarTweaker will review some that are helpful, maybe some that are a novelty, and we’ll pass judgment on those that are a waste of time and SD space.

Cigar Boss app was one of my first downloads and the one I am using most frequently.  Cigar Boss can be found on the Play store on your android, or online at www.cigarbossapp.com.   It comes with some pretty standard features such as your virtual humidor “My Humidor”, new cigar news, a Top Ten section, but my personal favorite piece of the app is “Local Shops.”

There are very few true cigar shops, B&M, tobacconists, etc in our immediate area (within a 60 minute drive).  No matter where I am, this app helps me locate a B&M in the surrounding area.  Depending on where you are located, Cigar Boss can find you a variety store with a few sticks tucked away, or a fine shop with knowledgeable staff.  Simply tap the pin on the map, the name and address of the shop will appear.  Usually, the name is enough of an indicator; Leaning House Fine Cigars or Jim-Bob’s Convenience.  It’s a risk, but with a bit of double checking, you’ll be sure to become acquainted with a shop on your journeys.

Recommendation: Download and enjoy!

Do you use apps on your android?  Share them and if we can, we’ll take a look and review them.

CT

In the beginning

I look back to a job I once held while in college and during our early years of marriage.  I was a security guard...sorry, "Security Officer."  One of the sites I guarded was a tobacco exchange where farmers would bring in their bales for auction.  Each night, hour after hour, I walked the slick concrete floor among the hundreds of bales of paper wrapped leaves.  The sweet aroma wrapped it's pleasure around my nose on a nightly basis.  Little did I know that I would come to appreciate the smell, taste, and appearance of perfectly wrapped tobacco in so many different sticks in the years that followed.

I had my first stick about a decade ago.  Wasn't really sure what to think of it, but didn't give up on them either.  It was about a year ago that I became more interested in cigars.  While out in the southern states with friends, we came across a tobacconist who gladly opened the humidor and let us take a tour.  The learning began. 

Since then, I've enjoyed my share.  Some good.  Some I can choke on.  But either way, each with it's own personality to share in the one hour relationship.  I decided to combine my interests of cigars and writing to culminate this blog - CigarTweaker.

This blog isn't just about me, though.  I'd be happy to entertain postings from amateur writers looking for a place to express themselves.  As a writer, I understand that it's tough to find a venue where your work can be seen.  But I would also appreciate the chance to interview and blog about some of the big names  in the cigar business.  It's easy to buy a cigar and write about it, but there's always a story behind each cigar brand.  That's where I want to go.  If you can help me get there, I'd be ever so grateful.

I welcome your suggestions, your ideas, and your input.  Email me at cigartweaker@gmail.com.

I hope you enjoy your next stick, and my next post.
CT