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1 + 1 = 3??

Alex SvensonAlex Svenson BlogAdministrator, Everyone, ForumsAdministrator, Moderator, Owners, Registered Users Posts: 1,204
One of the most difficult parts of blending is find the perfect tobaccos and making the wrapper, binder and fillers balance. usually, blends are unique. Once you find a great winning combination, you simply cant use the same filler and binder with different wrappers and expect success. That would be way too easy. There are a few exceptions that I can think of, one being La Herencia Cubana. The Original La herencia Cubana is made with an oily Sumatra Ecuador viso wrapper. The idea for the La Herencia Cubana Oscuro Fuerte came about quite by accident. The factory messed up and put a PA broadleaf wrapper on an LHC original and it turned out to be great. The wrapper changed the dynamic of the cigar completely. If you smoked the two side by side, you would never guess they are just one leaf different. So that said, the filler and binder of both the orginal LHC and Oscuro Fuerte are the same, only the wrappers are different and this is an unusual occurence (just recapping).

Now change gears to barber pole cigars. They are always pretty to look at but my big beef with them is I have yet to find one I really like the blend of. The two wrappers never seem to balance with the fillers and it just does not deliver. The market clearly agrees as I frequently see feedback from customers calling them gimicks etc as customers are often unimpressed by the flavor. That got me thinking that La Herencia Cubana could very well be the exception here because both LHC Original and LHC OF have so much in common. I had a few made up and I have to say, this is a pretty damn good cigar. As I smoke it I get elements of both the LHC original and the OF. I must say, I pick up more on the OF notes than the original but still, quite a cigar. I may have to bring some of these in so people can try them out.

Comments

  • pnaylonpnaylon Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 214
    CAO America? Thats one of my all time favorites and its a barber pole. But besides that and one or two others, I havent found any great ones.
  • lilwing88lilwing88 Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 2,787
    pnaylon:
    CAO America? Thats one of my all time favorites and its a barber pole. But besides that and one or two others, I havent found any great ones.
    +1 on the CAO America......

    Alex, I'd knock over my grandma to get to a LHC barber pole!
  • HaybletHayblet Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 2,400
    lilwing88:
    pnaylon:
    CAO America? Thats one of my all time favorites and its a barber pole. But besides that and one or two others, I havent found any great ones.
    +1 on the CAO America......

    Alex, I'd knock over my grandma to get to a LHC barber pole!
    +2 on both comments!
  • Alex SvensonAlex Svenson BlogAdministrator, Everyone, ForumsAdministrator, Moderator, Owners, Registered Users Posts: 1,204
    Heres a little teaser of the genuine article as I was smoking it today.

    Photobucket
  • Duder2Duder2 Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 926
    I'd love to try it Alex!
  • wwhwangwwhwang Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 2,863
    Nice! Looks like it would hold up better than the CAO America, too!
  • Stryker808Stryker808 Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 269
    Nice LHC twisty! I would say your statement holds true for all barber poles Ive tried with the exception of the AF BTL, which IMO smokes smooth and has clear hints of both wrappers blended nicely. However the others have all been larger size smokes. I wonder if size and proportion of Filler/Binder/Wrapper has anything to do with it in regards to these barber poles.
  • kaipocruz1kaipocruz1 Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 61
    Hey Alex...why don't you have one of your minions look through peoples orders and send a few of these dual wrapped lovelies to us hard core La Herencia orderers! I think we should be the rewarded for our loyalty and are the ones that could give you some proper feedback...I really just want one!
    Watch out grandma!
  • docbp87docbp87 Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 3,521
    There are definitely some really good cigars out these days that use multiple wrapper leaves simultaneously (JdN Cabinetta, La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Tabaqueros) but as for actual barber poles, no there aren't many. The Fuente BTL is awesome though. A lot of times they just feel like novelties that don't actually smoke well, or taste good.
  • Nick2021Nick2021 Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 938
    I'd love to give the barber poles a try...got a couple of sol Cubanas which are okay...that's about it!
  • Rob1110Rob1110 Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 1,454
    Padilla Habano Burberry - looks like a gimic cigar but tastes wonderful. That one will get the best of both worlds vote from me.
  • undulacundulac Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 1,129
    Two of my everyday favorite cigars fused into one?!?!? Say it ain't so. I don't by boxes that often, so i won't. I'll just buy a truck load.
  • RedtailhawkozRedtailhawkoz Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 2,914
    Barber Poles just aren't that god, and some are damn expnsive.... Barber poles should indicate a Haircut or a Nice Long legged Blonde swining around it! Thanks for the Blurb Alex!
  • doromathdoromath Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 576
    I've never been inclined to try a barber pole cigar, mostly due to how often I see negative commentary on them (even those that generally like a stick are far outnumberd by those who don't like it). The SC Artisan is a good example as some people think it's great, but they're a relative minority (especially given Cabbi's conviction when argueing against them flavor-wise).

    That being said, this is the first blended wrapper cigar I'm actually interrested in trying. Looks tasty and I'm a fan of both blends.

    I definitely think you should take advantage of the large Beta testing population you have here. We have everything from flavor conniseurs (Looking at you, Kuzi) to your average beginner who knows what they like but maybe not as good with the nuances.

    Plus, we all love new cigars and supporting CCOM ;)
  • LasabarLasabar Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 4,457
    I had a CAO America barber pole, but it was one that was lost to the Beetle scare of ought 8...

    Plus, Thanks for the MATH TIP!
  • kaipocruz1kaipocruz1 Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 61
    I'm batting .500 with barber poles...2 I like and 2 I don't. I like the artisan and CAO america...but didn't care much for the felipe dos capas and camacho liberty '08. I would have liked to try the indian tabac split decision though...but I can't find any. I think the la herencia twisty would be the first with a sumatra wrap on it...its gotta be done!
  • ENFIDLENFIDL Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 5,836
    Alex I know I for one would love to try that out after not being too impressed by the few that I've had, barber poles that is.
  • kuzi16kuzi16 Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 14,471
    Alex Svenson:
    Now change gears to barber pole cigars. They are always pretty to look at but my big beef with them is I have yet to find one I really like the blend of. The two wrappers never seem to balance with the fillers and it just does not deliver. The market clearly agrees as I frequently see feedback from customers calling them gimicks etc as customers are often unimpressed by the flavor. That got me thinking that La Herencia Cubana could very well be the exception here because both LHC Original and LHC OF have so much in common. I had a few made up and I have to say, this is a pretty damn good cigar. As I smoke it I get elements of both the LHC original and the OF. I must say, I pick up more on the OF notes than the original but still, quite a cigar. I may have to bring some of these in so people can try them out.
    here is a thought:
    barber pole cigars are often a dark marduo paired with a very light shade grown leaf. im sure this is doen for the contrasting effect. maybe a new take on barber poles needs to be brought up. why not try a dark heavily fermented (but not maduro) nicaraguan grown habano leaf instead of a maduro; and maybe an Ecuadorian Sumatra (like the one on La Herencia Cubana original, since you got that stuck in my head) instead of a conn. shade?

    wouldnt this have two flavors that compliment each other a bit more instead of fight/overpower?

    a binder could be a Nicaraguan or Honduran and fillers could easily be nicaraguan and dominican.


    it may not have the contrast of a "classic barber pole cigar" but there will be a clear difference and the flavors could meld a bit better.


  • Sandman1amSandman1am Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 2,567
    kuzi16:
    Alex Svenson:
    Now change gears to barber pole cigars. They are always pretty to look at but my big beef with them is I have yet to find one I really like the blend of. The two wrappers never seem to balance with the fillers and it just does not deliver. The market clearly agrees as I frequently see feedback from customers calling them gimicks etc as customers are often unimpressed by the flavor. That got me thinking that La Herencia Cubana could very well be the exception here because both LHC Original and LHC OF have so much in common. I had a few made up and I have to say, this is a pretty damn good cigar. As I smoke it I get elements of both the LHC original and the OF. I must say, I pick up more on the OF notes than the original but still, quite a cigar. I may have to bring some of these in so people can try them out.
    here is a thought:
    barber pole cigars are often a dark marduo paired with a very light shade grown leaf. im sure this is doen for the contrasting effect. maybe a new take on barber poles needs to be brought up. why not try a dark heavily fermented (but not maduro) nicaraguan grown habano leaf instead of a maduro; and maybe an Ecuadorian Sumatra (like the one on La Herencia Cubana original, since you got that stuck in my head) instead of a conn. shade?

    wouldnt this have two flavors that compliment each other a bit more instead of fight/overpower?

    a binder could be a Nicaraguan or Honduran and fillers could easily be nicaraguan and dominican.


    it may not have the contrast of a "classic barber pole cigar" but there will be a clear difference and the flavors could meld a bit better.


    Tony likey this idea!!!!
  • kuzi16kuzi16 Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 14,471
    ive been thinking about this thread quite a bit in my free time.


    i keep coming back to the point of conflicting flavors in the wrappers.
    here is another thought:
    think of the two wrappers and the binder as you would a filler. blend those as one unit.
    then work on a blend for the filler that will wold work with the outer three leaves.

    i think the way to do this would to make a few cigars just out of the wrapper and binder leaves in equal amounts. 1/3, 1/3, 1/3. burn wouldnt matter as much because it is for flavor only. get that flavor profile to work by switching out different elements. once that works in itself you use that combo to wrap all the different filler candidates. that way you know the wrapper will work on its own and you are blending the filler to match wrapper and binder as a unit.


    make sense?
    would that work?
    i mean, ive never actually blended a cigar in reality so im only thinking theoretically.
  • zoom6zoomzoom6zoom Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 1,214
    Sounds great, Alex. The OF is one of my top fives, and the LHC standard is a great one as well. I'll be happy to sign up as a beta tester!
  • fla-gypsyfla-gypsy Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 3,023
    I love both LHC's, sounds like a winner. Why aren't we making these now?
  • The SniperThe Sniper Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 3,910
    Sol Cubano Artisans are OK.... Padilla Habano Artisano's are AWESOME!!! Definitely one of Padilla's best sticks IMHO, these tend to fly under the radar for some reason. If you like spicy sticks, you owe it to yourself to try these with a little age on em!
  • j0z3rj0z3r Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 9,403
    The Sniper:
    Sol Cubano Artisans are OK.... Padilla Habano Artisano's are AWESOME!!! Definitely one of Padilla's best sticks IMHO, these tend to fly under the radar for some reason. If you like spicy sticks, you owe it to yourself to try these with a little age on em!
    +1 to that, really enjoyed the Padilla Artisano you bombed me with.
  • RedtailhawkozRedtailhawkoz Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 2,914
    kuzi16:
    Alex Svenson:
    Now change gears to barber pole cigars. They are always pretty to look at but my big beef with them is I have yet to find one I really like the blend of. The two wrappers never seem to balance with the fillers and it just does not deliver. The market clearly agrees as I frequently see feedback from customers calling them gimicks etc as customers are often unimpressed by the flavor. That got me thinking that La Herencia Cubana could very well be the exception here because both LHC Original and LHC OF have so much in common. I had a few made up and I have to say, this is a pretty damn good cigar. As I smoke it I get elements of both the LHC original and the OF. I must say, I pick up more on the OF notes than the original but still, quite a cigar. I may have to bring some of these in so people can try them out.
    here is a thought:
    barber pole cigars are often a dark marduo paired with a very light shade grown leaf. im sure this is doen for the contrasting effect. maybe a new take on barber poles needs to be brought up. why not try a dark heavily fermented (but not maduro) nicaraguan grown habano leaf instead of a maduro; and maybe an Ecuadorian Sumatra (like the one on La Herencia Cubana original, since you got that stuck in my head) instead of a conn. shade?

    wouldnt this have two flavors that compliment each other a bit more instead of fight/overpower?

    a binder could be a Nicaraguan or Honduran and fillers could easily be nicaraguan and dominican.


    it may not have the contrast of a "classic barber pole cigar" but there will be a clear difference and the flavors could meld a bit better.



    Kuzi thinks about Cigar Leafs like Most guys think about PORN....... I Like the Ideas .... and If we could somehow Implement The Barber Pole Porn with the Cigars i think we will have a Sniffable, Likeable SMoking Hot Cigar! ROTFLMAO!
  • LasabarLasabar Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 4,457
    If Katy Morgan and Jenna Jameson made a nude video of her naked smoking a Partagas Serie D. No. 4. I'd basically loose my job for not showing up and I would have to put Gold Bond on my palms...
  • firetruckguyfiretruckguy Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 2,484
    Lasabar:
    If Katy Morgan and Jenna Jameson made a nude video of her naked smoking a Partagas Serie D. No. 4. I'd basically loose my job for not showing up and I would have to put Gold Bond on my palms...

    I just woke my wife up laughing at this.....
  • ENFIDLENFIDL Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 5,836
    j0z3r:
    The Sniper:
    Sol Cubano Artisans are OK.... Padilla Habano Artisano's are AWESOME!!! Definitely one of Padilla's best sticks IMHO, these tend to fly under the radar for some reason. If you like spicy sticks, you owe it to yourself to try these with a little age on em!
    +1 to that, really enjoyed the Padilla Artisano you bombed me with.
    HMMMM I will have to get one of these sometime then since you both say it's a really good stick.
  • LasabarLasabar Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 4,457
    firetruckguy:
    Lasabar:
    If Katy Morgan and Jenna Jameson made a nude video of her naked smoking a Partagas Serie D. No. 4. I'd basically loose my job for not showing up and I would have to put Gold Bond on my palms...

    I just woke my wife up laughing at this.....
    Tell her I'm sorry!
  • PuroFreakPuroFreak Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 4,132
    I've had the Sol Cubano Artisan and was very unimpressed. Didn't taste horrible, but just not a lot to it. I have one more of those resting in the humi, I have a CAO America, a Rocky Fusion Barber Pole, and a Fuente BTL. The Fuente is the one I'm REALLY looking forward to trying.
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