I have actually been working on transitioning into a Cigar-related Podcast, and I am excited to introcude you to my new project, the Cigar Snapshot Podcast!

Please check it out, listen to a couple of episodes, subscribe, and leave me feedback.   It is a  new concept in Cigar Podcasts, and I hope that you enjoy my efforts!

Here is the new contact info —>

www.cigarsnapshot.com
www.facebook.com/cigarsnapshot

Twitter:
@cigarsnapshot – show updates only
@maytagman1 – Bill’s personal account

VOICEMAIL FEEDBACK LINE:  209-432-3535

One piece of exciting news is that I would like to welcome our new sponsor, PartyPoker.com!  Please check them out and let them know that you heard about them from The Berris Blog!

There are a few other changes that may happen in the next couple of months as well:

1.  I am looking at some format changes to TBB…    I am all about simple and plain, but there are a few things that I would like to add that the current theme doesn’t support…

2.  There may be a name change in the works.  Not that there is anything wrong with calling it The Berris Blog, but I am thinking of coming up with something catchy that is a little more cigar-oriented, since that is what this is really all about, right?   The thing is, not only does it have to be catchy, but the domain must be available as well…   this may take a while…

3.  I really need to go through my links…  some have not been updated in wuite some time.  Hell, I bet my link on other pages has been axed due to lack of activity…   I need to get my stuff running again to earn a spot back!  

There is probably more, but that is all for now…

I am currently looking at a couple of big Herfs in the near future, and I have been trying to get some sponsorship by manufacturers/retailers.  I have had few responses – anybody out there want to help?   Shoot me an email.

Thanks all -

Talk to you soon,

~Bill

a/k/a MaytagMan

Sorry about not posting in a while – I have been sick (AGAIN!) for the past week and a half.  What the hell?!?  Oh well, at least I am once again in the process of recovery.  I had a pretty nast head and chest cold but I am not coughing up lung butter anymore, so that is a good thing.

Had a most excellent Custom Lonsdale last night…  what a good way to get back into the swing of things.

I will try to get back to the reviews as soon as possible.

Thanks for hanging with me!

Please smoke your next cigar in his honor, and send some positive thoughts out to his family during this difficult time.

RIP Larry.

LAWRENCE DELESKI

Lawrence A. Deleski (Dziegielewski)
Age 50, died suddenly at his home in Frisco, TX, on Sunday, October 19, 2008.
Larry grew up in Wilmington, DE, graduated from John Dickinson High School in 1975. He was a world-renowned computer expert and wrote many articles for computer magazines. Larry enjoyed playing the guitar, had a love for planes, fast cars and loved his Harleys. He was an avid golfer, loved fine wine and a good cigar, and loved spending time with his family.

Larry is survived by his wife, Elise; daughter, Gabriella; sons, Andrew and Bryan of Wilmington, DE. Also surviving are his parents, Stanley and Shirley Dziegielewski of Ormond Beach, FL; his brothers, Michael Dziegielewski and his daughters, Michelle and Nicole of Wilmington, DE; and Mark Dziegielewski and his wife Debbie; their daughters, Brooke, Allison and Kristen of Wilmington, DE; aunts and uncles, John and Theresa Zielinski, Steve and Christine Paraskewich; and cousins, Lenny and Denise Zielinski, Susan Rhoades and Jeff Mace, Scott and Patty Matthews.

Friends and family are invited to gather in memory of Larry, Wednesday, October 22, at 11 am, at the home of Scott and Patty Matthews, 101 E. Bridle Path, Hockessin Hunt, Hockessin, DE. Memorial will follow at 12 noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720

Date: 10/17/08
Smoke Time: 98 minutes

Prelight:
This is a very nice looking cigar.  It is well-constructed with no hard or soft spots, and the wrapper is very smooth and has a deep reddish-brown color.  Prelight aromas were spicy and leathery with a hint of jasmine.  Prelight taste was mainly cedar and black tea.

1/3:
The cigar started off with some pleasant leathery and spicy flavors.  They blended well together, and there was not a harsh edge or bite at all.  The draw was perfect, and I got nice, thick clouds of smoke every time.  As this third continued, I began to detect a slight touch of hay at the back of my palate.

2/3:
The great flavor combination continued, and the spiciness became a little more pronounced.  The leathery flavors still created a nice background to the cigar.  The hay flavors in the back of my palate from the first third evolved into a creaminess – this really rounded out the flavor profile nicely.

3/3:
The flavors intensified slightly with the spiciness concentrating a bit, and the leathery flavors becoming a bit sharper.  I was able to smoke this cigar right to the nub without it heating up excessively, and without any harshness or bitterness at all.

Overall:
An excellent cigar that was enjoyable to smoke.  The flavor combinations and evolution were right up my alley.  The nice leathery and spicy flavors were consistent throughout, and provided a nice foundation to some evolving flavors that I found at the back of my palate and in my nose.  With this much character at such a young age, I will look forward to trying these with a few years on them to see how they develop!

Prelight:
A beautifully constructed cigar covered with a smooth light-brown wrapper.  There was a small tear in the wrapper at about the halfway point of the cigar, and not other defects or major veins.  The cigar had a pretty fair box press – likely due to a 7+ year nap in a dress box.  Prelight aroma was dominated by a pleasant spicy mustiness.  There were also hints of salt and cedar.  Prelight taste consisited of raisins, a touch of sweetness, and leather.

1/3:
The draw was a touch tighter than I prefer, but it was not distracting at all.  The cigar started right off with some very pleasant leathery flavors that filled my mouth.  There was also the slightest hint of the saltiness that I found in the prelight aroma.  This third is very smooth and well-balanced.

2/3:
The leather flavors became a little more subdued, with a subtle grassiness moving to the forefront.  A very slight spiciness also mixed in with the grassiness as this third progressed.  It was very subtle – just barely noticable – and it was a great compliment to the grassiness.

3/3:
The spiciness intensified just a little bit, but it is still a small overall part of the flavor profile.  The grassiness has transitioned back to the leather of the first third, but this time it is a very smooth wet leather flavor.  It is not heating up at all, and the cigar is still very tasty.

Overall:
I really enjoyed this cigar!   It was a very smooth and refined smoke, with an interesting evolution of flavors that certainly kept my interest.  I think that the age has really made this into a smooth and enjoyable cigar without any bite or twang at all.  Definitely recommended!

Thanks for your patience…   I am trying to find some interesting cigars to review at the moment.  There are so many new offerings, that I am having a hell of a time figuring out what I should try to locate and buy.

Is there anything that any of you would like to see me review?  Let me know, and I will be happy to add it to my list assuming I can find it around here or online.

Cheers,
~B~

I hope to get a RASS in tonight for good measure though…   

Keep reading the other cigar blogs I have linked, and I will start reviews again as soon as I get through this!

Thanks to those who read this little blog, I appreciate it!

~Bill

Thanks go to Alex of CCF for the opportunity to try this cigar!

Prelight:
A light caramel-colored wrapper with no major veins or defects at all.  The cigar appeared to be well packed with no noticeable hard or soft spots.  Prelight aroma was light and cedary with some floral and sweet elements.  The balance was great, and the aroma was very pleasing.  The prelight flavor was light and refreshing – there were light tobacco flavors complimented by a honeysuckle sweetness and touch of cinnamon.

1/3:
Though the draw was a touch tighter than I prefer, it did not present any problems or distraction at all.  It started with pleasant mild flavors – cedar with a smooth creaminess and straight tobacco flavors.

2/3:
The smooth cedary and creamy flavors continued.  Additional flavors developed as this third did – toast and a touch of grass.

3/3:
The light and smooth flavors continued, and a slight butterscotch-like sweetness developed just as I reached the band.  There was a slight intesnification of flavors in the last inch or so – there was a very slight bite of spice, but it did not become anything significant.  I was able to smoke this cigar to the nub without it heating up much at all.

Overall:
A pleasant mild cigar that would be excellent in the morning or at lunchtime.  The delicate and mild flavors would not be able to stand up to a full-flavored meal or beverage.  Well worth a try for a change of pace.

Prelight:
A very nice looking cigar.  The dark brown wrapper had a nice oily sheen.  The head was triple capped and very flat.  The wrapper was very smooth to the touch, with no major veins or defects at all.  Prelight aroma had lots of hay with some toast.  At the foot, the aroma was candied fruit and straight tobacco.  The prelight taste was dominated by straight tobacco and grass, with a touch of mint.

1/3:
The cigar started right off with thick volumes of smoke and a dose of pepper, though not the spicy bite that is normally associated with peppery flavors.  This was very subtle, with just the slightest hint of a bite at the midpoint of my palate.  There were some nice woody flavors with bitter chocolate as well.  Overall, it started off as a very smooth cigar with no harsh flavors at all.

2/3:
The flavors in the second third were remarkably similar to those in the first third.  I guess this wasn’t so bad, as the flavors in the first third were pretty good.  The cigar remained smooth, and the subtle peppery flavor remained in the background.  A slight sweetness did develop at the midpoint of the second third, along with some cinnamon and allspice flavors.

3/3:
The flavors finally started to change in the last third.  The spiciness moved to the forefront, but it was still not overpowering at all.   The rest of the flavors did intensify a bit, but to be honest it was not that exciting or different than the first two thirds.

Overall:
A good cigar.  The blend provided with a nice flavor profile that had a solid medium body.  My only complaint is that it remained relatively flat throughout just about the whole cigar, with the only major change occurring in the middle of the last third.  I would like to try the Gran Corona (6 x 44) and see how the smaller size works with this blend.