Cigar Coop Prime Time Show

Prime Time Jukebox Episode 85: 2022 – The Year in Music

It’s the first Jukebox show of 2023 and Dave and Coop kick it off with a recap in the world of music.

The guys will go review some of the trends of the 2022 music scene and 8 of their favorite shows. In addition, they will give the infamous “Now or Never” picks for both music and cigars.  Plus the guys recap their Minneapolis trip and go through some big music stories from December.

For this show, Dave smokes the Davidoff Art Edition 2017 and Coop smokes the Oliva Serie V Melanio JR 50th.

As always you can follow along with our Spotify Playlists:

• Episode 85 Playlist

Dave's Top 50 

• Top 50 of 2022: #50 – 46 / Ozzy, a 2000s Rebirth and Death Metal
• Top 50 of 2022: #45 – 41 / A Clipse Reunion, An Icon and A Lost Track
• Top 50 of 2022: #40 – 36 / Some Aussie Music, An Artist Double and The Dark Knight
• Top 50 of 2022: #35 – 31 / Some Hot Stones, A Hip Hop Storm and Neon
• Top 50 of 2022: #30 – 26 / What do you Get When you Cross a Chair, a Firecracker and a Satanic Storm?
• Top 50 of 2022: #25 – 21 / A Hip Hop Sweatshirt, A Shotgun and an Alt – Country Icon
• Top 50 of 2022: #20 – 16 / A Metal Collab, K-Pop Cocaine and Hip Hop Superheroes
• Top 50 of 2022: #15 – 11 / Two Women in Hip Hop, More Aussie Punk and an Indie Pairing Brought to You by Taylor Swift
• Top 50 of 2022: #10 – 6 / A Great, A Boyfriend and A Sign
• Top 50 of 2022: #5 – 1 / Feeling Blessed, A Renaissance and Midnight Thoughts

References

• OOPS! 50 of 2022: #50 – 46 / New South Music, A Broken Heart and a Gorilla
• Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie Dead at 79
• 45th Kennedy Center Honors 
• Bob Dylan Fans Who Bought $600 ‘Hand-Signed’ Books With Replica Autographs Will Receive Refunds From Publisher
• Journey’s Neal Schon Files Cease-and-Desist Against Bandmate Jonathan Cain

 

 

2022 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #8: Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary Bavarian (Audio)

Coming in at #8 is the Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary Bavarian. Back in 2011, Quesada Cigars introduced its Oktoberfest line. The intent of this line was for Quesada to deliver a cigar blend that could be paired with your favorite malt beverage. This is a near-annual limited-edition line that has been released in an assortment of different sizes, an assortment of different blends, and even made in different countries (Dominican Republic and Nicaragua). With the exception of two years (2018 and 2020), Quesada Cigars has done an annual release each year since 2011. With 2021 being the 10th anniversary, Quesada Cigars would introduce an all-new blend in three sizes – appropriately called the Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary. It’s the Bavarian size that lands on the 2022 Countdown.

The Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary is highlighted by a Mexican San Andres wrapper – a new feature for the Oktoberfest release. In addition to the Mexican San Andres wrapper, the remainder of the Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary contains all-Dominican tobaccos. Production is handled at the Quesada factory located in the Dominican Republic. The Bavarian is a Robusto Extra size that measures 5 1/2 x 52.

The Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary Bavarian delivers a combination of baker’s cocoa, coffee, cedar, and pepper. In terms of strength and body, this cigar came in at a solid medium. This might not have been the most complex cigar, but the flavors that were delivered were simply fantastic. For a decade, the Quesada Oktoberfest has delivered some incredible cigars. This 10th Anniversary Bavarian might be the best release of the series to date.

The Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary Bavarian gives Quesada Cigars a second cigar on this year’s countdown. It’s also the third cigar from the Quesada factory to land on the Countdown. As we mentioned, 2022 is the eighth year a Quesada Cigar has placed on the Countdown. It also is the fifth cigar from the Dominican Republic to land on the Countdown.

Full Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-opD

2022 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #8: Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary Bavarian

Coming in at #8 is the Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary Bavarian. Back in 2011, Quesada Cigars introduced its Oktoberfest line. The intent of this line was for Quesada to deliver a cigar blend that could be paired with your favorite malt beverage. This is a near-annual limited-edition line that has been released in an assortment of different sizes, an assortment of different blends, and even made in different countries (Dominican Republic and Nicaragua). With the exception of two years (2018 and 2020), Quesada Cigars has done an annual release each year since 2011. With 2021 being the 10th anniversary, Quesada Cigars would introduce an all-new blend in three sizes – appropriately called the Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary. It’s the Bavarian size that lands on the 2022 Countdown.

The Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary is highlighted by a Mexican San Andres wrapper – a new feature for the Oktoberfest release. In addition to the Mexican San Andres wrapper, the remainder of the Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary contains all-Dominican tobaccos. Production is handled at the Quesada factory located in the Dominican Republic. The Bavarian is a Robusto Extra size that measures 5 1/2 x 52.

The Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary Bavarian delivers a combination of baker’s cocoa, coffee, cedar, and pepper. In terms of strength and body, this cigar came in at a solid medium. This might not have been the most complex cigar, but the flavors that were delivered were simply fantastic. For a decade, the Quesada Oktoberfest has delivered some incredible cigars. This 10th Anniversary Bavarian might be the best release of the series to date.

The Quesada Oktoberfest 10th Anniversary Bavarian gives Quesada Cigars a second cigar on this year’s countdown. It’s also the third cigar from the Quesada factory to land on the Countdown. As we mentioned, 2022 is the eighth year a Quesada Cigar has placed on the Countdown. It also is the fifth cigar from the Dominican Republic to land on the Countdown.

Full Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-opD

2022 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #9: Montecristo Epic Vintage 12 Blue Toro by Altadis U.S.A. (Audio)

Coming in at #9 is the Montecristo Epic Vintage 12 Blue Toro by Altadis U.S.A.. In 2021, Altadis U.S.A. introduced a new installment to its Montecristo brand under its Epic line – the Montecristo Epic Vintage 12. The Epic series focuses on using vintage tobaccos. In the case of the Montecristo Epic Vintage 12, the blend incorporates vintage tobacco from 2012 into the filler. This is a crop that Altadis U.S.A. has deemed exceptional. As for the blue name, it is the color that adorns the packaging and band of this cigar - and it's the first time this color has been used on the Montecristo brand.

The Montecristo Epic Vintage 12 features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over a Dominican binder and a combination of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. The Dominican component of the filler contains tobacco from 2012. The Toro size is a classic 6 x 52 offering. As for production, it originates from the famed Tabacalera de Garcia in the Dominican Republic. It's a project that was developed by Rafael Nodal and Altadis' famed Grupo de Maestros team.

As the name indicates, this cigar produced an epic experience - especially when it came to flavor. Notes delivered include coffee bean, natural tobacco, chocolate, earth, hay, and black pepper. It's a medium-strength and medium-bodied smoking experience. You can't underscore enough the job that Nodal has done as Altadis' Director of Product Capability. Whether its working with his own factories or outside ones, he is delivering some amazing cigars - and the Montecristo Epic Vintage 12 Blue Toro is no exception.

The Montecristo Epic Vintage 12 Blue Toro joins the H. Upmann Nicaragua AJ Fernandez Heritage Toro as cigars by Altadis U.S.A. that have placed on the 2022 Countdown. This is the seventh year Altadis has landed on a Cigar Coop Countdown. It also gives the Dominican Republic a fourth cigar on this year's Countdown.

Full Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ooV

2022 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #9: Montecristo Epic Vintage 12 Blue Toro by Altadis U.S.A.

Coming in at #9 is the Montecristo Epic Vintage 12 Blue Toro by Altadis U.S.A.. In 2021, Altadis U.S.A. introduced a new installment to its Montecristo brand under its Epic line – the Montecristo Epic Vintage 12. The Epic series focuses on using vintage tobaccos. In the case of the Montecristo Epic Vintage 12, the blend incorporates vintage tobacco from 2012 into the filler. This is a crop that Altadis U.S.A. has deemed exceptional. As for the blue name, it is the color that adorns the packaging and band of this cigar - and it's the first time this color has been used on the Montecristo brand.

The Montecristo Epic Vintage 12 features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over a Dominican binder and a combination of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. The Dominican component of the filler contains tobacco from 2012. The Toro size is a classic 6 x 52 offering. As for production, it originates from the famed Tabacalera de Garcia in the Dominican Republic. It's a project that was developed by Rafael Nodal and Altadis' famed Grupo de Maestros team.

As the name indicates, this cigar produced an epic experience - especially when it came to flavor. Notes delivered include coffee bean, natural tobacco, chocolate, earth, hay, and black pepper. It's a medium-strength and medium-bodied smoking experience. You can't underscore enough the job that Nodal has done as Altadis' Director of Product Capability. Whether its working with his own factories or outside ones, he is delivering some amazing cigars - and the Montecristo Epic Vintage 12 Blue Toro is no exception.

The Montecristo Epic Vintage 12 Blue Toro joins the H. Upmann Nicaragua AJ Fernandez Heritage Toro as cigars by Altadis U.S.A. that have placed on the 2022 Countdown. This is the seventh year Altadis has landed on a Cigar Coop Countdown. It also gives the Dominican Republic a fourth cigar on this year's Countdown.

Full Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ooV

 

2022 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #10: Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448 by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (Audio)

Coming in at #10 is the Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448 by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. The story of the Mi Querida Triqui Traca can be traced back to a cigar known as the Mi Querida Firecracker. This is a project that Steve Sakadid for New Hampshire-based retailer Two Guys Smoke Shop in 2018. The Mi Querida Firecracker was a 3 1/2 x 50 size featuring a long fuse much like a Firecracker. For that project, Saka released the Mi Querida Firecracker using an alternative blend that was stronger than the Mi Querida that was out at the time, the Mi Querida Blue. With Mi Querida Trique Traca (which is a name that refers to a large firecracker almost resembling a stick of dynamite), Saka worked with that alternate blend and tweaked it to be released in other sizes (minus the long fuse). One of those sizes that were added was a 4 x 48 vitola that was released in 2021.

Like the original Mi Querida Blue, the Triqui Traca makes use of a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The remainder of the blend consists Nicaraguan binder and a combination of Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. There are two notable differentiators with the Triqui Tracker when compared to the  Blue. First, the wrapper of Triqui Traca was switched from the traditional Connecticut Broadleaf Mediums to the rarer No. 1 Dark corona leaves. Second, the filler incorporates what is described as a “high octane ligero” from the Dominican Republic. Production comes from the NACSA factory. The 4 x 48 size is one that has brought Saka success on the Cigar Coop Countdown in the past. In 2018, the Mi Querida Gordita in the Blue Blend finished as #7 Cigar of the Year. Incidentally, this isn't the first time Triqui Traca has landed on the Countdown. In 2020, the 552 size finished at #16.

The Mi Querida Triqui Traca 448 delivered a mix of mixed pepper, cocoa, blackberry, and earth. The cigar came in at medium to full strength and medium to full body. As I stated when I assessed this cigar, this small little size was loaded with flavor and it delivers plenty of boldness.

The Mi Querida Triqui Traca 448 lands Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust on a Cigar Coop Countdown for an eighth consecutive year. If you have been keeping score at home Nicaragua has been dominating the 2022 Countdown. Of the 21 cigars unveiled thus far, the Mi Querida Triqui Traca 448 is the 15th to come out of Nicaragua.

Full Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ooR

 

2022 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #10: Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448 by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

Coming in at #10 is the Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 448 by Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust. The story of the Mi Querida Triqui Traca can be traced back to a cigar known as the Mi Querida Firecracker. This is a project that Steve Sakadid for New Hampshire-based retailer Two Guys Smoke Shop in 2018. The Mi Querida Firecracker was a 3 1/2 x 50 size featuring a long fuse much like a Firecracker. For that project, Saka released the Mi Querida Firecracker using an alternative blend that was stronger than the Mi Querida that was out at the time, the Mi Querida Blue. With Mi Querida Trique Traca (which is a name that refers to a large firecracker almost resembling a stick of dynamite), Saka worked with that alternate blend and tweaked it to be released in other sizes (minus the long fuse). One of those sizes that were added was a 4 x 48 vitola that was released in 2021.

Like the original Mi Querida Blue, the Triqui Traca makes use of a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The remainder of the blend consists Nicaraguan binder and a combination of Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. There are two notable differentiators with the Triqui Tracker when compared to the  Blue. First, the wrapper of Triqui Traca was switched from the traditional Connecticut Broadleaf Mediums to the rarer No. 1 Dark corona leaves. Second, the filler incorporates what is described as a “high octane ligero” from the Dominican Republic. Production comes from the NACSA factory. The 4 x 48 size is one that has brought Saka success on the Cigar Coop Countdown in the past. In 2018, the Mi Querida Gordita in the Blue Blend finished as #7 Cigar of the Year. Incidentally, this isn't the first time Triqui Traca has landed on the Countdown. In 2020, the 552 size finished at #16.

The Mi Querida Triqui Traca 448 delivered a mix of mixed pepper, cocoa, blackberry, and earth. The cigar came in at medium to full strength and medium to full body. As I stated when I assessed this cigar, this small little size was loaded with flavor and it delivers plenty of boldness.

The Mi Querida Triqui Traca 448 lands Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust on a Cigar Coop Countdown for an eighth consecutive year. If you have been keeping score at home Nicaragua has been dominating the 2022 Countdown. Of the 21 cigars unveiled thus far, the Mi Querida Triqui Traca 448 is the 15th to come out of Nicaragua.

Full Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-ooR

 

2022 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #11: Tatuaje Monster Mash Frank (Audio)

Coming in at #11 is the Tatuaje Monster Mash Frank. Many are familiar with Tatuaje's Monster Series - it's a annual limited release around Halloween that pays homage to horror film characters. In 2021, Tatuaje Cigars released a sampler of all of the blends in the Monster Series known as the Monster Mash. The Monster Mash would differ from the original Monster Series in that each of the cigars would be 1 1/2 inches shorter than the original Monster Series. One of the cigars is the Frank, a cigar that pays homage to the character of Frankenstein. It also was the first Monsters cigar ever released. It's the Monster Mash expression of the Tatuaje Frank that lands on the 2022 Countdown.

The Monster Mash Frank uses the same tobacco components as the original Tatuaje The Frank blend. This consists of a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over all Nicaraguan fillers. Like the original Frank, the Monster Mash Frank is a box-pressed vitola, but it is shorter at 6 1/8 x 49.

The Monster Mash Frank delivered notes of espresso, earth, cocoa powder, cedar, wood, and pepper. Throughout the smoking experience of the Tatuaje Monster Mash Frank, the flavors were medium to full-bodied countered by medium to full strength. One cigar wrapper that Tatuaje Cigars' owner Pete Johnson is known for is Connecticut Broadleaf and the Monster Mash Frank is a wonderful expression of a blend using that wrapper.

The Monster Mash Frank marks the seventh year Tatuaje has landed on a Cigar Coop Countdown. It's also the fifth time a Monsters Series release has landed on the Countdown (Joining 2011’s The Wolfman, 2012’s The Mummy, 2014’s The Jekyll, and 2019's The Bride). It’s also the second cigar produced out of the My Father Cigars factory to land on the 2022 Countdown. Meanwhile, Nicaragua continues to dominate the 2022 Countdown. Of the 20 cigars unveiled thus far, the Monster Mash Frank is the 14th to come out of Nicaragua.

Full Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-onL

2022 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #11: Tatuaje Monster Mash Frank

Coming in at #11 is the Tatuaje Monster Mash Frank. Many are familiar with Tatuaje's Monster Series - it's a annual limited release around Halloween that pays homage to horror film characters. In 2021, Tatuaje Cigars released a sampler of all of the blends in the Monster Series known as the Monster Mash. The Monster Mash would differ from the original Monster Series in that each of the cigars would be 1 1/2 inches shorter than the original Monster Series. One of the cigars is the Frank, a cigar that pays homage to the character of Frankenstein. It also was the first Monsters cigar ever released. It's the Monster Mash expression of the Tatuaje Frank that lands on the 2022 Countdown.

The Monster Mash Frank uses the same tobacco components as the original Tatuaje The Frank blend. This consists of a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over all Nicaraguan fillers. Like the original Frank, the Monster Mash Frank is a box-pressed vitola, but it is shorter at 6 1/8 x 49.

The Monster Mash Frank delivered notes of espresso, earth, cocoa powder, cedar, wood, and pepper. Throughout the smoking experience of the Tatuaje Monster Mash Frank, the flavors were medium to full-bodied countered by medium to full strength. One cigar wrapper that Tatuaje Cigars' owner Pete Johnson is known for is Connecticut Broadleaf and the Monster Mash Frank is a wonderful expression of a blend using that wrapper.

The Monster Mash Frank marks the seventh year Tatuaje has landed on a Cigar Coop Countdown. It's also the fifth time a Monsters Series release has landed on the Countdown (Joining 2011’s The Wolfman, 2012’s The Mummy, 2014’s The Jekyll, and 2019's The Bride). It’s also the second cigar produced out of the My Father Cigars factory to land on the 2022 Countdown. Meanwhile, Nicaragua continues to dominate the 2022 Countdown. Of the 20 cigars unveiled thus far, the Monster Mash Frank is the 14th to come out of Nicaragua.

Full Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-onL

 

2022 Cigar of the Year Countdown (Coop’s List): #12: Casa Magna Liga F Churchill by Quesada Cigars (Audio)

Coming in at #12 is the Casa Magna Liga F Churchill by Quesada Cigars. Back in 2008, Manuel Quesada teamed up with Nestor Plasencia to release a cigar to be sold under the Quesada Cigars portfolio known as the Casa Magna Colorado. The cigar was met with critical acclaim and commercial success and is widely considered to be one of the most successful collaborations in history. Over the years, Quesada Cigars has grown Casa Magna into a full-fledged brand. Most recently Quesada has been taking over production of the offerings under the brand. One of the more recent offerings that was added to Casa Magna brand was the Liga F in 2021.

Liga F stands for Liga Fuerte and fuerte is Spanish for “strong.” The Casa Magna Liga F is meant to be a stronger and bolder expression for the brand. The blend for the Casa Magna Liga F features a sun-grown Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper. There are Dominican tobaccos used for binder and filler. In addition, some Nicaraguan tobaccos are incorporated into the filler. The Churchill size that lands on the countdown is a thicker expression of a Churchill measuring 7 x 50.

The Casa Magna Liga F does its job in terms of being bolder. While the cigar started out with medium strength and medium to full body, by the time the smoking experience reaches the final third, it’s delivering full strength and full body. This is a complex cigar with plenty of flavor nuances and flavor transitions. Notes include: sweet bread, natural tobacco, creamy almond, earth, cedar, baker’s spice, classic wood, and pepper. The cigar totally fires on all cylinders – flavor, construction, and complexity.

For Quesada Cigars, this is the eighth year the company has placed a cigar on a Cigar Coop Countdown, including three years in a row. This is the third Dominican-made cigar to land on this year’s Countdown and it gives the TABADEX factory a second cigar on the Countdown.

Full Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-onL