For Cinco de Mayo, Just Say Hoss

Had a very nice cigar last night while watching my beloved
Pistons put it to the Milwaukee F... er, Bucks. Hey T.J. Ford,
that guy making sweet love to the nets in your dreams is none
other than Chauncey Billups! Sorry, it's going to be a long four
games for you, buddy.

But this ain't basketball and booze, so onto the cigar.

The Jose Seijas Signature Series 2000 features an
Ecuadorian wrapper, Dominican binder, and Dominican, Peruvian,
and Nicaraguan filler tobacco, all of which has been aged
for three years.

A full and thoughtful review is provided by cigarpad.com, which is
linked above. One note not mentioned in it is the citrus. I don't know
if Big John was fooling around with my mind, but if he was it worked.
3/4 of the way into this delightful and reasonably powerful cigar a
distinct note of lemons followed me for nearly an inch. I have yet to
dislike a cigar with Peruvian filler and I'm not starting now. If you
are even a minor fan of Ecuadorian wrapper leaf, this stick is a must
try. And if you are gearing up for Cinco de Mayo celebrations, you
couldn't have a better compliment to authentic Mexican cuisine,
a Sol with a lemon or a nice reposado. Trust me, it is a perfect pairing!

The review linked cited the limited availability and price. For those of
you out there dying to try it, give Diebel's in Kansas City a call--
816-931-2988. The price from Diebel's will be better than that listed
on cigarpad and of course they ship.

There's the high end. Now to the budget recommendation.

The Roller's Choice Lonsdale, which is made at the MATASA factory.
I lit one of these up on a particularly stressful commute (paired with
Wild Oats spring water) and enjoyed every last bountiful blow.
This is a great everyday cigar. It is exceedingly mild. So much so that
many smokers wouldn't share my enthusiasm. But it is surprisingly
satisfying. (As those who know me would attest, my favorite cigar
is the Bahia Gold Churchill, and the Camacho Corojo Diploma is well
within the top 10, so airy cigars aren't my forte.)

The part I enjoy most about the mildness in this particular Connecticut
Shade Dominican is that there is no level of hot boxing that will
bother the sinuses or throat. I was blowing more smoke out of my
nose than many do out of their mouths and never felt an unpleasant
pull. Towards the end, I couldn't resist inhaling it like a cigarette
just to see how mellow a cigar could actually be. No cough.
The price is great, and this cigar could be consumed conceivably
anywhere under any circumstance. There is flavor, though, and
it is a nice one. No analogues come to mind at present. Guess I'll
smoke another one now and get back to you.

Serefe.