Wrapper: U.S. Connecticut Broadleaf Habano Hybrid
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Sizes: Robusto ($23.80), Toro ($26.40), & Gordo ($26.90)
Strength: Medium/Full
Date Released: January 2025
Quantity Released: Regular Production
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
This ain’t no bargain cigar.
I reviewed it in June and gave it the secret wink of 96. You can read it HERE.
This cigar does exceptionally well with extended aging. But also, very good at just 3 months.
I wasn’t the only giant schonozola to love this cigar:
Cigar Aficionado: 93
Leaf Enthusiast: 95
Cigar Coop: 90
Halfwheel: 89 (A home run in HW speak)
Developing Palates: Average
For one week only, starting today, you can snag a fiver of the Pittore Robusto (5.1 x 52) or the Poeta Toro (5.7 x 54) at 42% off.
GO TO KRAZY KATMAN’S BARGAIN BASEMENT HERE.
And now for something completely different:
Certain moments in my short lived (13 years) full-time music career live forever in my memory. This is one of them.
Of all the bizarre events while running the Eddie Munster Show in the early 80’s, Butch being booked as a guest on The Mike Douglas Show took the cake. We arrived midafternoon for the taping. The other guests were Earl Holliman, Barbara Eden, and The Amazing Kreskin.
I never trusted Butch to be on time, or even showing up, for media events so I went along. I always wore my three-piece, pin striped Alexander Haig suit. We drove to the heart of Hollywood and the TBS building. The Douglas Show took place on the 11th floor. We were ushered to the Green Room, which wasn’t green, and took a seat on one of the couches.
Barbara Eden (Jeannie) was stunning. I had no fear as I approached to introduce myself and tell her I was a fan. Her escort for the event was a massive, 6’-6 tall building in the guise of a man. He immediately strong-armed me from approaching. Eden was polite and put out her hand for me to shake. I motioned for Butch to get over there and we made small talk for a few minutes.
We returned to our couch in time for actor Earl Holliman to sit down next to me. I introduced myself and we kibitzed. This was the dawn of MTV and Earl was genuinely interested in what I had to say about the state of making dough by exhibiting music videos.
And then I couldn’t help myself…I brought up the classis sci fi film, “Forbidden Planet.” Earl played the hapless cook on the interplanetary journey who made friends with Robby the Robot in order to get barrels of bourbon from the automaton.
And here is the good part. Earl said he thought his part would have been better served if actor John Agar had been given the role. I recoiled in horror as he said this. “No, no, no, no…you were perfect. You were made for that part.” Earl smiled broadly as I convinced him no other living actor could have made that part real.
From that point forward, Earl and I were best buds that afternoon. We watched the monitor as the show was taped. Laughing and pointing and having a grand time. I gave him my business card, and he gave me his phone number.
It was time to go. I didn’t want to leave.
As we walked down the hall towards the elevator, Earl stood in the doorway waving goodbye. As the elevator doors closed, I could still hear Holliman’s parting gestures.
I was flush with joy. As the elevator hurried to the ground floor, I told Butch that I had a great time with Earl Holliman.
“Phil. He’s gay.”
My heart sank. I was thin, well-groomed, and well dressed. Damn.
Holliman called me a couple times asking to get together. The first time we spoke, I told him I was busy with my recording studio…as I sought a way to avoid being poked by a movie star. The next time, “Earl. I’m not gay.” Click. He hung up on me. I was this close to being in the company of movie stars who would have loved to bone me.
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Katman at your disposal...I'd love to know what you think.