Paul Stulac 5x58 Angel

With my wife completing her 98-hour nights rotation and my daughter in bed at 8:15 pm, I found myself with some unexpected free time. This being the case, I shimmied open my personal humidor and fished out a true "keeper" of a cigar that I've had my eye on for some time: a Paul Stulac Angel.

Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Paul Stulac Angel (robusto)

First Impressions:
Stunning. The Angel was heavy and firm and oily; furthermore, it was slightly square/soft pressed, a personal added bonus (won't roll off the table). I loved the Gothic font and skull-and-crossbones band, which gave the cigar an aura of mystery. Void of any egregious irregularities, dark and richly hued, it truly is a supremely attractive stick, the Angel.

Whoever designed the artwork should get a raise -- wonderfully done. I keep these on the top row of my glass-top humidor so my friends can leer at them.

Banded foot ... a hallmark of the extra care and detail that go into a Paul Stulac Cigar

Burning:
A traditional v-cut to begin and a nice little tug of a draw, initial flavors were strong, heavy, and I thought I was in for a full-bodied powerhouse, reminiscent of a Mike Tyson first-round knockout. However, this facade rapidly dissipated as I put flame to the Angel's foot.

The cigar took the light well, whereupon I got a pleasantly smooth leathery, oaky note -- definitely in the medium/full bodied arena.

Leather, oak, and a dash of pepper greeted me at the front door

Change is a good thing, right? About halfway to a third into it, the Angel became charmingly sweet. As I look at my notes, I see, "smooth," "velvety chocolate," "cherry?" This agreeable transition gave the cigar a depth that is usually reserved for good aged tobacco. Now I couldn't find any documentation on how long Paul Stulac ages his tobacco or lets his cigars rest, but the emergence of said flavors is indicative of mature tobacco and production that is not knee-jerk.

Proceeding, there were more twists and turns in the cigar than in Karsashian post-wedding bliss, with a creaminess and floral note coming near the band. Every puff presented new flavors and aromas that will keep a smoker guessing "What's next?" Now don't misinterpret me, the Angel maintained it's med/full bodied profile thoughout -- these additional flavors simply augmented the air of peculiarity the Angel presented.

Jockeying of savory flavors continued

With a band of such noir design, to find a floral, spicy note was unique

Flavors aside, the construction of the Paul Stulac Angel was no less impressive: the ash held on damn near the band; not one relight or correction was needed; the cap never unraveled or disentangled, and the cigar carried a long finish -- these all demonstrate Paul Stulac's steadfastness to giving his consumers the best, most enjoyable product possible.

Didn't want to let go of this beauty

Final Thoughts:
Currently, Paul Stulac Cigars come in two different wrappers (Ecuadorian or Brazilian Maduro) and five sizes: Angel (Robusto) 5 x 58, Ghost (Toro) 6 x 58, Phantom (Torpedo) 6 x 53, Skull (Salomone) 7 x 58 and Cross (Gigante) 7 x 64. However, rumor has it that Mr. Stulac is working on a mysterious sixth size, which is sure to be equally impressive.

This was the perfect cigar for me on this night of a nearly-never-seen quiet moment. I'm eager to try the rest of the Paul Stulac line to see if each stick will live up to the precedent the Angel has set. When you spy these cigars in your local B&M shops, my friends, I encourage you to grab a handful; they won't be around long . . . especially if I or any Long Ashes Cigar Club members get there first.

Rating: 10 (Preeminent) One of the best cigars I've ever smoked. I will be filling up my humidor with Paul Stulac Cigars; you should do likewise. In fact, one of our members bought a box at our event on June 23 and he commented, "Great cigar. I only have a few left!"

Paul Stulac Angel: a 10

-M. Kittner

If you live around Winston-Salem, NC, Paul Stulac Cigars can be found at Blue Ridge Tobacco and Candle 2299 Cloverdale Avenue Winston-Salem, NC 27103 (336) 722-4398. (Note: we have asked and will continue to request that all local shops carry the brand.) Here is the complete list of retailers.


For more information about Paul Stulac Cigars, click here, Like them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter.

LACC Assists the Wounded Warrior Project

Long Ashes Cigar Club,

It's time for our annual Wounded Warrior Project x 5 campaign and our forth event of the cigar season! This is the second year we've undertaken this endeavor to raise money for this tremendous program that honors and empowers wounded warriors.

Pack those travel humidors and join fellow cigar lovers on the rooftop of District Bar and Grille (GPS address 723 N. Trade St. Winston-Salem) for a night of camaraderie, banter, and all that come with this glorious pastime.

The backdrop for this event is our annual WWPx5 Campaign, which supports the Wounded Warrior Project. This is the second year we've undertaken this endeavor to raise money for this tremendous program that honors and empowers wounded warriors.

For everyone who donates $5 to this amazing program, Long Ashes Cigar Club will provide you with a complimentary cigar; two cigars, a humidified Boveda travel bag, and a box of cigar matches await for everyone who contributes $10 or more.

Last year we raised $100 for our heroes, and I'm confident we will have another extraordinary effort on Thursday, Aug. 2nd.

Certainly, contributions are encouraged but by no means mandatory. If you'd like to bring your cigars and kick back with us for the night, you are more than welcome to do so.

So come relax, have a drink & light up a cigar as we all support the Wounded Warrior Project and the heroes who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedom.

Our contact is Long Ashes friend Charlie Baranyai. Charlie is hosting his WWP Quad State Herf #7 on Saturday, August 11 and will have his largest attendance this year (more than 200); hence, he anticipates a sensational donation to the Wounded Warrior Project -- and Long Ashes Cigar Club is happy to assist Charlie's effort. If you'd like to support by check, please make them out to Charlie Baranyai.

A bit about Charlie:

"A little history about myself: 20+ years of active service (of which 14 were overseas). Retired as a Sergeant First Class / E-7 with my last 2 years here at West Point. Currently work in the Emergency Operation Center here at WP: http://www.westpoint.army.mil/garrison/sites/directorates/dptms_plans.asp"

RSVP on this blog page, or Facebook event page, or email me at mlkittner@gmail.com. Also contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you in advance for your generosity & we hope to see you at District Bar and Grille (723 N. Trade St. Winston-Salem) on Thursday, August 2nd. Good times begin at 7:00 pm.

Michael Kittner

Long Ashes Cigar Club

The Pipe and Pint presents Friday Night Cigars at the Hoppers with JC Newman/Fuente Cigars!

Our friends at The Pipe and Pint, Larry and Pete, produced another "Cigar Night with the Hoppers"; this time directed by David Ludwig of J.C. Newman/Arturo Fuente Cigars, and I must say that it was quite a spectacle.

My wife surprised me with tickets to this Pipe and Pint exclusive, and to say I was shocked is an understatement. Upon arriving, we were quickly thanked by Pete for being part of the event and David handed us a J.C. Newman/A. Fuente goody bag of exquisite cigars. This -- coupled with excellent catered barbeque, hot dogs, and desserts -- ushered in a great time.

BINGO cards in hand, I started out on fire!

Although every one of The Pipe and Pint's "Cigar Night with the Hoppers" is a sure win, David hits a grand slam with his. You see, he invented his own insanely unique brand of bingo: he gives you a series of scenarios for every inning, and each time yours occurs, "BINGO!" you win. David probably burned a thousand calories running prizes back and forth, end to end to The Pipe and Pint faithful.

All night David treated the line of The Pipe and Pint patrons like a top draft choice treats the 40-yard dash at the combine -- and almost as fast!

To make matters even more exciting, David and Pete had a side bet for this game. All of us were certain we'd witness Pete -- head shaved -- in a dress or David with a mohawk. But ...well, there's always next year!

I would like to thank Pete, Larry, and David for an extraordinarily fun night and for their amazing generosity.

The Pipe and Pint's next "Cigar Night with the Hoppers" will be Friday, July 27 with Ashton Cigars. I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a great time with great people.Get your tickets quickly, however; it will sell out. Click here.

Michael Kittner
Long Ashes Cigar Club | Winston-Salem, NC

Click on the links for more info or visit both on Facebook.
The Pipe and Pint
J.C. Newman/Arturo Fuente

Parting shots:

One of my go-to cigars: Brick House

Settling in for some Ludwig baseball bingo

Some of The Pipe and Pint faithful & Long Ashes Cigar Club regulars

Long Ashes Cigar Club members & The Pipe and Pint regulars discussing strategy for David's BINGO

Pete answering questions about the possible dress and haircut; he was safe this year.

Another sell-out for The Pipe and Pint

Finding my way through an enjoyable Arturo Fuente lonsdale

Time for some drawings!

Thanks to David for putting on a wonderful event

Some of J.C. Newman's and Arturo Fuente's finest

This Opus X cap was just one of the endless prizes David shared

Brick House . . . get some at The Pipe and Pint!