I was in Asuncion, Paraguay earlier this year. Before the trip I did a Google search and viola
up pops a category on locally grown tobacco leafs and rolled cigars.
Although, I was on a tight schedule I tried my best to track some down. Every local yokel I spoke with said that indeed local cigars can be found but no one really knew where. The economy of the country is such that B&Ms are pretty much non- existent. I think that those cigars that are not earmarked for export are sold at roadside stands.
I about gave up my search until I stumbled across some at of all places a high -end clothing store. The two vitolas, corona and robusto, where laying in two large drawers out in the open with no humidification in front of the cash register. I grabbed one of each and stuck them in my #1 humidor to baby them back to health.
Last month, I took them out and prepared for my first Paraguayan cigar experience.
I first noticed the shoddy rolling job. The wrappers looked like they were placed with the least bit of care or attention.
In some places the wrapper is detached. I will give them the benefit of the doubt since they were laying out in the dry air and not properly stored in a humidifier.
I think my suspicions may be correct, though.
Next, I noticed that the filler leaf appeared uniform no blending here.
Upon lighting them up, I tasted a cherry flavor that gradually progressed into a dirt flavor. A thick film lay over my entire mouth which accounted for the long finish.
From this point on the profile did not change it was NOT barnyard but distinctly dirt.
If you took Rosie Odonnells leg and underarm shavings( although I doubt she shaves these body areas)as filler and used a Phyllis Diller face peel as the wrapper, I guarantee you would have a better tasting stogie than these works of crap.
I would rather spend the weekend getting water boarded by the Green Bay Packers after a 14-17 overtime playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings than smoke one of these
flaming turds.
In all fairness, these may not be the best that this country has to offer so when I return in January I will do a more comprehensive search for Paraguays best cigars.
Although, I was on a tight schedule I tried my best to track some down. Every local yokel I spoke with said that indeed local cigars can be found but no one really knew where. The economy of the country is such that B&Ms are pretty much non- existent. I think that those cigars that are not earmarked for export are sold at roadside stands.
I about gave up my search until I stumbled across some at of all places a high -end clothing store. The two vitolas, corona and robusto, where laying in two large drawers out in the open with no humidification in front of the cash register. I grabbed one of each and stuck them in my #1 humidor to baby them back to health.
Last month, I took them out and prepared for my first Paraguayan cigar experience.
I first noticed the shoddy rolling job. The wrappers looked like they were placed with the least bit of care or attention.
In some places the wrapper is detached. I will give them the benefit of the doubt since they were laying out in the dry air and not properly stored in a humidifier.
I think my suspicions may be correct, though.
Next, I noticed that the filler leaf appeared uniform no blending here.
Upon lighting them up, I tasted a cherry flavor that gradually progressed into a dirt flavor. A thick film lay over my entire mouth which accounted for the long finish.
From this point on the profile did not change it was NOT barnyard but distinctly dirt.
If you took Rosie Odonnells leg and underarm shavings( although I doubt she shaves these body areas)as filler and used a Phyllis Diller face peel as the wrapper, I guarantee you would have a better tasting stogie than these works of crap.
I would rather spend the weekend getting water boarded by the Green Bay Packers after a 14-17 overtime playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings than smoke one of these
flaming turds.
In all fairness, these may not be the best that this country has to offer so when I return in January I will do a more comprehensive search for Paraguays best cigars.
