Introducing the Chateau de Kevin Rothschild
For an inaugural post, I hoped for something that might differ from everyday stogie blog fare. So why not start with a smoke I can guarantee you haven’t seen before? With sloppy caps and lumpy heads, these bear all the hallmarks of amateurism. And for good reason – they’re the first handful of smokes I’ve ever rolled.
No, I’m not pimping a new brand. They’re the product of a cigarmaking class with master torcedor Wallace Reyes, built from Ecuador wrapper, Indonesian binder and Dominican/Honduran filler. The bunches were made a couple of weeks ago, and wrappers applied on January 14th.
To give you an idea of how tricky this can be, it took me an absurd two hours to make my first ten acceptable bunches and ten minutes apiece to apply the wrappers. Recognizing a proper bunch by feel is art unto itself. Keeping maximum tension on the wrapper leaf without tearing it is another. Even cutting the caps requires more coordination than I’d imagined.
Having my turn at the roller’s table reminds me that being able to purchase a quality stogie for less than five bucks is nothing short of a miracle.
I’ll dry box these for a while before firing up a couple with my brother (chosen specifically because he’s not too picky!). I sampled a couple before their time, just because I was dying to see if my bunches would draw. Some were packed like bricks and wouldn’t pull, but the ones that did were tasty. Floral, a little earthy, and a long, vanilla finish. On the mild side, but thoroughly respectable.
More on these smokes and Senor Reyes’ class in a later post. Stay tuned.
9 comments
Good luck with your blog, Kevin
Thanks for dropping by, Denis! Great work over there at Cigar Inspector.
Kevin,
I love the inaugural post. A hand made cigar by a blog author isn’t something you see everyday. I’m looking forward to seeing the review in the future.
-Walt
Walt: Thanks for the kind comment. Soon, I may also be among the few to publicly declare his own cigar an unsmokeable dog rocket!
Keep up the excellent work on Stogie Review. - K
[…] Box Press: Kevin posts a short article featuring his very own Chateau de Kevin Rothschild. While I doubt you’ll see these cigars hitting the shelves in your local shop anytime soon, […]
The dream of many of us. To personally roll one (that’s actually smokable). Congrats for getting it done.
All the best to you as you gear up inform on your cigar experiences. Welcome.
lucky7: Thanks for stopping by and for your great stuff on KOTF. I’m fortunate to be in a place where there are rollers willing to share what they know. This week’s class — making bunches for a 6 x 50. Looking particularly forward to trying a little blending as well. A “bucket list” item of mine is to be able to come up with a nice med-full blend or two to roll as-needed at home. I’ll keep pluggin away. Cheers. - K
Doesn’t appear to be much lumpier than your noggin !!
Dad
An excellent marketing angle! How’s this… “The only handmade cigar crafted in the likeness of its owner!” Can Oliva, Padron and Fuente top that? I think not. - K
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