The Cigar of the Week is the Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic 1970. Unless you are new to premium cigars or have been living in a cave, the name Don Pepin Garcia is sure to invoke visions of tasty smoke wafting ghost like through the air. Pepin Garcia is the talent behind many of the most popular cigars in today's market. The Cuban Classic line (or Black Label as it is sometimes called) is the third line of cigars created under his own name, the first being the Blue label and the second being the Serie JJ. This Cuban Classic line hit retailers shelves in late 2006 and quickly rocketed to superstar status among passionados. The wrapper is a Habano Rosado variety and both the filler and binder are Nicaraguan. Don Pepin Garcia cigars are rolled in Pepin's Tabacalera Cubana factory in Esteli, Nicaragua and his El Rey de los Habanos factory in Miami Florida. The Cuban Classic Black Edition is available in six sizes: Perla (4.25x40), Corona Especial (5.5x38), Robustos (5x50), Belicosos (5x54), Figurado (6x60 and the Toros (6x52). All of the Don Pepin Garcia lines are rolled in the traditional Cuban style and the boxes are each stamped with a date code. In tribute to the Cuban traditions that Jose Garcia came from, and the American market which has been so kind to him, the band on each cigar has a Cuban and an American flag overlapping on each side of the center motif.

Dr. Terry Simpson joins us to discuss the latest "third hand smoke" pseudo science. This is junk science thrown out as another rally point for the anti-smokers. Dr. Simpson says that publicizing this misinformation is at best irresponsible. We also discuss the state of the Alaskan cigar business and of course, we get a lesson in current politics.

Another way to get involved - the Tobacconist Preservation Act is a proposed piece of Federal Legislation to preserve the rights of retail tobacconists to conduct business with their customers who must be able to taste, smell and sample their products in their stores. You can go sign a petition electronically to help move this along - www.thepetitionsite.com we'll put a link up on our site.
We discuss the Tobacconist Preservation Act and the role that Heather Haddad of FumeeWorld.com has taken on to help promote what could become a critical piece of federal legislation.
Sign the Tobacconist Preservation Act at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/2692569

On the Dark Side - Marca - Saint Luis Rey, Frontmark - Doble Coronas, Vitola - Prominente, 194 mm (7.6") x 49 ring gauge. This brand was created in 1938. The Doble Coronas is a highly scoring Prominente vitola, often listed as one of the top 3 in this format. The character is typically between that of the lighter Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona and the fuller Ramon Allones Gigante.
What else have the DWCR guys been smokin'? Ted's Made by Hand natural and maduro, Aurora 100 Anos robusto, 5 Vegas Limitada 2008, Tatuaje Reserva J21, Isla de Cuba.

Scandanavian Tobacco Group buys Latin Cigars Nicaragua and Latin Cigars Honduras factories. More consolidation in the cigar industry announced last week - Noble Cigars, a division of the Scandinavian Tobacco Group (Which acquired the CAO brands last year) acquired Latin Cigars Nicaragua and Latin Cigars Honduras on Dec 31 for an undisclosed sum. Those factories were owned and operated by Torano cigars and the Fidel Olivas family. Torano and Olivas will continue to operate the factories, which make a combined 20 million cigars annualy, including all CAO brands, Torano brands and others.

Check out Bob's gadget want list at http://www.evernote.com/pub/bob_mcduffee/WantList

Opening theme music provided by : 25 Smokin' Figurados from their album Divine Spirits, Holy Smoke
Closing theme Longboard Cowboy provided by The Surfonics