Cigar Coop Prime Time Show

Prime Time Episode 259: Rob Dietrich, Blackened American Whiskey

Late last year, headlines were made when it was announced that a collaboration between Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate, Metallica’s James Hatfield, and Blackened Whiskey’s Rob Dietrich was happening. That collaboration would be the Blackened M81 cigar. Tonight we talk to one of the principals in this project, Rob Dietrich.

Rob is the Master Distiller and Blender and Blackened Whiskey. We’ll learn about his story, his journey in the whiskey business, and what it was like to participate in the M81 project.

In addition, we will have our Cattle Baron Steak Question of the Day, Alec Bradley Live True, Tabacalera USA, and Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Deliberation Segment.

The Smoking Syndicate: Los Statos Deluxe Robusto (Audio)

Los Statos Deluxe got a refresh this year and was introduced at the 2022 PCA trade show.  The Los Statos Deluxe was reblended by Justin Andrews of General Cigar (STG) and Matt Booth of Room 101.  Room 101 was acquired earlier in 2022 by STG and, even though General Cigars was not going to be attending the PCA trade show, Room 101 had already committed to a booth at there.  Justin and Matt used this opportunity to introduce the new Los Statos Deluxe.  Los Statos Deluxe was released in 4 sizes:  robusto, toro, gigante, and churchill.

• Vitola:  Robusto
• Size:  5 x 50
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
• Country of Origin: Honduras
• Factory: Honduran American Tobacco S.A. (HATSA)
• MSRP: $8.49

Final Score:  87

The Smoking Syndicate: Los Statos Deluxe Robusto

Los Statos Deluxe got a refresh this year and was introduced at the 2022 PCA trade show.  The Los Statos Deluxe was reblended by Justin Andrews of General Cigar (STG) and Matt Booth of Room 101.  Room 101 was acquired earlier in 2022 by STG and, even though General Cigars was not going to be attending the PCA trade show, Room 101 had already committed to a booth at there.  Justin and Matt used this opportunity to introduce the new Los Statos Deluxe.  Los Statos Deluxe was released in 4 sizes:  robusto, toro, gigante, and churchill.

• Vitola:  Robusto
• Size:  5 x 50
• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
• Country of Origin: Honduras
• Factory: Honduran American Tobacco S.A. (HATSA)
• MSRP: $8.49

Final Score:  87

Prime Time Jukebox Episode 90 Audio: Rolling Stone Top 500 Songs Part 10: 50 to 1

On Episode 90 of Prime Time Jukebox, we complete our recap of Rolling Stone Magazine’s recent refresh of their Top 500 songs of all time. This is a project we started back in October 2021. This segment will cover songs 50 to 1 and Dave and Coop will go through some of their favorites that made the list, and assess how fairly these favorites were ranked.

Plus we cover a wide array of both music and cigar news, including the passing of Trugoy the Dove. We will weigh in on the banter of the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Of course, we will discuss the Developing Palates Review of the Week too.

For this show, Dave smokes the Luciano Cigars’ Maria Lucia. Coop is unable to smoke due to a remote location.

As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists:

• Full Episode 90 Playlist
• Dave’s Respect Playlist

References

• Prime Time Jukebox Dedications Show 2023 Requests Being Taken
• Rolling Stone Top 500
• The New Oldies: #1 Album of the Year 2022: Tears For Fears – The Tipping Point
• The New Oldies: #2 Album of the Year 2022: Diana Ross – Thank You
• The New Oldies: #3 Album of the Year 2022: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Return of the Dream Canteen
• The New Oldies: #4 Album of the Year 2022: Bryan Adams – So Happy It Hurts
• The New Oldies: #5 Album of the Year 2022: Robert Plant/Alison Krauss – Raise the Roof
• The New Oldies: #6 Album of the Year 2022: Shaggy- Com Fly Wid Mi
• De La Soul’s The Magic Number: A Re-Release Tribute to Trugoy the Dove
• Rihanna: A Halftime Queen Serving, Loewe, Alaïa and the Vibe We All Needed
• Justina Miles’ Performance of Rihanna is Why I Love Music
• Marvin Gaye: What's Going On

Prime Time Jukebox Episode 90: Rolling Stone Top 500 Songs Part 10: 50 to 1

On Episode 90 of Prime Time Jukebox, we complete our recap of Rolling Stone Magazine’s recent refresh of their Top 500 songs of all time. This is a project we started back in October 2021. This segment will cover songs 50 to 1 and Dave and Coop will go through some of their favorites that made the list, and assess how fairly these favorites were ranked.

Plus we cover a wide array of both music and cigar news, including the passing of Trugoy the Dove. We will weigh in on the banter of the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Of course, we will discuss the Developing Palates Review of the Week too.

For this show, Dave smokes the Luciano Cigars’ Maria Lucia. Coop is unable to smoke due to a remote location.

As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists:

• Full Episode 90 Playlist
• Dave’s Respect Playlist

References

• Prime Time Jukebox Dedications Show 2023 Requests Being Taken
• Rolling Stone Top 500
• The New Oldies: #1 Album of the Year 2022: Tears For Fears – The Tipping Point
• The New Oldies: #2 Album of the Year 2022: Diana Ross – Thank You
• The New Oldies: #3 Album of the Year 2022: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Return of the Dream Canteen
• The New Oldies: #4 Album of the Year 2022: Bryan Adams – So Happy It Hurts
• The New Oldies: #5 Album of the Year 2022: Robert Plant/Alison Krauss – Raise the Roof
• The New Oldies: #6 Album of the Year 2022: Shaggy- Com Fly Wid Mi
• De La Soul’s The Magic Number: A Re-Release Tribute to Trugoy the Dove
• Rihanna: A Halftime Queen Serving, Loewe, Alaïa and the Vibe We All Needed
• Justina Miles’ Performance of Rihanna is Why I Love Music
• Marvin Gaye: What's Going On

Prime Time Episode 258 Audio: Abe Dababneh

For Episode 258, Abe Dababneh returns!

Abe’s been on a “book tour” promoting The Great Smoke (TGS). As we approach the date, we’ve heard the interviews and now is the chance for us to come from a unique perspective. Yes, we will get you the skinny on everything with TGS 2023, but we’ll also peel the onion more as well as look at periphery topics related and unrelated to TGS.

In addition, we will have our Cattle Baron Steak Question of the Day, Alec Bradley Live True, and Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind segments. Finally, our Deliberation Segment will recap the media’s coverage of Total Product Expo (TPE) 2023.

Prime Time Episode 258: Abe Dababneh

For Episode 258, Abe Dababneh returns!

Abe’s been on a “book tour” promoting The Great Smoke (TGS). As we approach the date, we’ve heard the interviews and now is the chance for us to come from a unique perspective. Yes, we will get you the skinny on everything with TGS 2023, but we’ll also peel the onion more as well as look at periphery topics related and unrelated to TGS.

In addition, we will have our Cattle Baron Steak Question of the Day, Alec Bradley Live True, and Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind segments. Finally, our Deliberation Segment will recap the media’s coverage of Total Product Expo (TPE) 2023.

The Smoking Syndicate: Crowned Heads Four Kicks Mule Kick 2022 (Audio)

For 2022, Crowned Heads released the fabled limited edition Mule Kick in a San Andres Oscuro wrapper.  These cigars were released in a 10-count box and retailed for $11.95 a piece.  These cigars have been well received and eagerly anticipated each year of their release starting in 2012.  The Mule Kick blend also features a binder and the filler blend that was slightly tweaked from the original Four Kicks release.

• Wrapper:  Mexican San Andres Oscuro
• Binder:  Nicaraguan
• Filler:  Nicaraguan
• Factory:  Tabacalera La Alianza, S.A.
• Country of Origin:  Dominican Republic
• Vitola:  Toro/Robusto Larga
• Size:  5 7/8 x 52
• MSRP:  $11.95

Final Score:  90

The Smoking Syndicate: Crowned Heads Four Kicks Mule Kick 2022

For 2022, Crowned Heads released the fabled limited edition Mule Kick in a San Andres Oscuro wrapper.  These cigars were released in a 10-count box and retailed for $11.95 a piece.  These cigars have been well received and eagerly anticipated each year of their release starting in 2012.  The Mule Kick blend also features a binder and the filler blend that was slightly tweaked from the original Four Kicks release.

• Wrapper:  Mexican San Andres Oscuro
• Binder:  Nicaraguan
• Filler:  Nicaraguan
• Factory:  Tabacalera La Alianza, S.A.
• Country of Origin:  Dominican Republic
• Vitola:  Toro/Robusto Larga
• Size:  5 7/8 x 52
• MSRP:  $11.95

Final Score:  90

Prime Time Episode 257 Audio: Nicholas Melillo, Foundation Cigar Company

For Episode 257, Nicholas Melillo “aka Nick R Agua” returns to Prime Time.

Nick had a huge year in 2022 with several new releases and we will catch up on the happenings with Nick.

In addition, we will have our Cattle Baron Steak Question of the Day, Alec Bradley Live True, and Tabacalera USA Ties That Bind segments. Finally our Deliberation Segment will feature a preview into next weeks Total Product Expo (TPE) 2023 show.