Let’s back up a little, we’re getting ahead of ourselves here.

Made of extra-aged tobaccos, the Ultramar is handmade in Honduras at the Flor de Copan factory. What sets the Ultramar apart from the rest of the Carenas line is that the wrapper and binder are both from Nicaragua. What we don’t seem to know — and I couldn’t find this information anywhere else — is how “extra-aged” the leaves truly are. Especially in comparison to the regular Carenas line. Altadis doesn’t say.

But, at first glance, you can see the wrapper is darker, oilier, and — in my opinion — much more interesting than what’s surrounding the standard Carenas. Although, the labels are pretty much the same, minus the Ultramar secondary band below the primary.

Side note: I’ve never been one to care too much about bands except for maybe when they really stand out and look awesome.

Storage and burn

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

To be clear, I will only write a review after I have had several of a particular label. You can find the rest of the guidelines I aim to adhere to in my initial outline of The BS Lounge review formatting. In the case of the Ultramar, I’ve had a handful before the time of writing this.

In terms of overall burn and construction, they’re usually reliable. I did have some wonky burn issues with one, but it didn’t overshadow the experience. To me, that’s really all I care about. I’m not smoking to be presentable or to look suave. I usually smoke in the evening when I’m relaxing at home by myself. That should also provide some context for these reviews.

Both the regular Carenas line and the Carenas Ultramar don’t seem to be finicky cigars. I keep my humidor’s relative humidity (RH) between 64 and 67 and the temps in my house stay around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. That will give you some idea as to the conditions they’re stored in and hopefully, it will allow you to compare if and when you have your own experience.

They’re easy to cut, and I tried out several methods, including my favorite straight cut and a V cut. The cap doesn’t fall apart as long as they’re stored well. They also seem to light up easily enough, and aren’t prone to charring, which is always a positive.

Flavors and Experience

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Something that I noted, and this carried over across several of my review smokes, is that the Carenas Ultramar starts out extremely light. The smoke is there, but it just doesn’t seem to have much flavor from the getgo. Fortunately, that doesn’t persist, but if you were to light one of these up and put it out within the first few minutes, you might think they never pick up from there. That’s a shame, because when those complex flavors do kick in, wow.

A solid blend of vanilla, rich and creamy caramel, molasses, and lots of sweetness stick around throughout the entire cigar. In fact, I would compare it [experientially] to the Warped La Colmena, with the Colmena retaining notes of honey throughout versus the complex sweetness. They aren’t the same in flavor profile, though, so just keep that in mind. But, if you like this, you’ll definitely like the Colmena.

Those flavors do stick around and provide an undertone, but I also picked up notes of toasted wood and cedar, earth, coffee, nuttiness, baking spices, and a subtle amount of pepper — though that really kicks in midway through the second third. Plus, once those flavors do ramp up, it’s consistent, even down to a nub. I wouldn’t call it a strong finish, as it doesn’t change much, but it’s certainly enjoyable.

I do find myself reminiscing on the flavors and the experience, which, to me, speaks volumes. If I’m thinking about a cigar for a while, after I’ve had one, with so many other options on the market — that’s a sign. It does have a Cuban-esque profile, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Saint Luis Rey Carenas Ultramar review: Closing Statements

This one gets a recommend from me, but only for a niche or specific group of smokers. There isn’t much pepper, isn’t much kick, so if you love a strong cigar and aren’t willing to venture out, this one may not be for you. Don’t get me wrong, it is flavorful and complex, but the medium-body doesn’t evolve much. It’s Cuban-esque, mellowish, and relaxing. If you want to kick back and enjoy some sweet, natural tobacco flavors, the Carenas Ultramar is a good choice.

I also enjoy the Saint Luis Rey Carenas.

Briley specifics

• Recommended: Yes
• Would I smoke it again? Yes, I will.
• Will I buy more? Yes, I am.
• My preferred size: Toro

Saint Luis Rey Carenas Ultramar specs

• Profile: Medium to full-bodied
• Approximate smoking time: 1.5 hours
• Box count: 20
• MSRP: $211 or ~$11 per stick (Toro size)

If you like this, you might also like: Arturo Fuente Curly Head, Warped La Colmena, the standard Saint Luis Rey Carenas, Saint Luis Rey Reserva Especial Series, H Upmann by AJ Fernandez, H Upmann Hispaniola, Ramon Allones.

You’ll notice that my format is meant to be short and sweet, like this Carenas Ultramar review, or the previous Aganorsa Rare Leaf Maduro review. I don’t intend to keep up with the big leagues, I’m one guy. There won’t be any scores. However, I do want these reviews to be a resource for those looking for similar smokes or experiences.

The post Saint Luis Rey Carenas Ultramar review appeared first on The BS Lounge.

But I’d argue it doesn’t really matter. You do need to strike a balance, more on that in a bit, but everyone should have a vice. Why? To help alleviate stress, wind down, relax, and enjoy life. Most of the good things in life are somewhat damaging to our health. It’s unfortunate, yes, but that’s the way of reality.

The trick is enjoying a vice or two sparingly and not allowing it to control your life. But when it comes to tobacco and cigars, how many are too many? Where do you draw the line?

Cigars and tobacco are a vice

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

The importance of having a vice, or two, or three, cannot be overstated. You need one. We all do, especially these days, where the world is going to shit. Our corporate overlords demand that we work longer hours, take no breaks, and accept fewer wages. The modern media continue to plaster and litter the airwaves with negativity, bad news, and doom and gloom. Admittedly, some of it is just the reality we live in, and that alone can be gloomy, but there’s still so much of it. We all need a break.

You need something that cuts through the noise, hence the importance of a vice.

Cigars are just one of my vices. I’m sure you have others, too. I also love to play video games, have an affinity for tech and gadgets, love movies and shows, reading, okay, I have a lot. But I don’t do all of those things, every hour of the day, I indulge sparingly. Don’t worry, I’m not advocating that you do the same. I’m not a doctor, and I’m not trying to impart medical advice or anything of the sort. You do you, in whatever form that takes.

What I am trying to say, or speak out loud, is that society has an obligation to acknowledge and accept this proven fact: Vices are necessary to thrive and enjoy life, no matter how damaging they may be.

They’re a coping mechanism, an outlet, provide temporary relief and a sense of enjoyment and relaxation, and they work especially well when they introduce social aspects, like cigars. You can sit around, enjoy some camaraderie, and hash out various discussions or ideals.

So, how many cigars are too many?

Source: Houcine Ncib / Unsplash

Again, not medical advice, and I’m not a doctor — I don’t even have a degree. But one cigar a day is a reasonable limit to adhere to. Following that limitation can help you keep your health on track. An FDA study did find that cancer risks are nearly nil for one to two cigars per day.

Medical reports claim that smoking more than two cigars per day significantly increases the associated health risks. I’m obligated to mention that, whether I agree or not. I’m also not going to comment on the high end of the spectrum — there are some times where I smoke quite a few cigars per day. I’ll leave that up to you to decide the [intentional] outcome of doing that in your own life.

Am I just flapping my gums here? Maybe. But I often see society looking down on people, collectively, for indulging in vices, whatever form they may take. I think that’s silly. We’re all adults. We all have the power and responsibility to make decisions for ourselves, and frankly, I don’t believe anyone else should make those decisions for us. For better or worse, we are in control, and that’s how it should remain. That includes retaining full control over the ability to decide what vices we indulge in and what vices we avoid.

All the Googaplexes, the governments, and the private and public Amazonian entities of the world can fuck right off and stop telling people what they can and can’t enjoy. You need a vice. Go find one and take a damn break. You’ve earned it.

The post The importance of having a vice appeared first on The BS Lounge.

I also ran into a situation the other day where I hadn’t been monitoring the amount of distilled water in my Cigar Oasis. That meant it was running dry and the cigars in my humidor were effectively losing moisture. The good news is this happens slowly. Unless you open your humidor constantly throughout the day, it shouldn’t lose too much moisture.

If and when you notice the RH is off, don’t panic, take a moment to compose yourself and then take action. Here are some elements to consider:

Assess your cigar humidor humidity sources

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

I use a Cigar Oasis, which is an electric device that helps maintain humidity levels inside my humidor, but it needs to be filled regularly with distilled water. You choose a set point, a particular RH level, and the machine helps keep the inner humidity around that level. I say “around” because it’s not an exact science. If you have a large cabinet humidor, like I do, you might see more humidity at the bottom, less at the top, or even vice versa. It really depends on how the humidor is laid out, how your humidity source works, and it can even come down to the temperature in your house or local area. When it’s colder, for example, humidity will decrease.

But not everyone uses a Cigar Oasis. A lot of people put humidity packs in their humidor, like a Boveda pack, especially if it’s a small desktop or box-style humidor. If you have one of those types of cigar humidors, Boveda packs make sense, because there’s no need for anything extensive. And while Boveda packs are reliable, humidors can be hit or miss. It all comes down to how the humidor was constructed, what kind of wood was used, and above all, what kind of seal it creates when closed. If the humidor is not airtight, then a lot of that humidity is going to escape.

The optimal relative humidity (RH) range is between 62% and 70%. Ideally, you want to be mid-range around 65% most of the time.

Really, we’re assessing two things here: The source of your humidity and how it’s working, and the humidor itself. If your humidor is not airtight, you have a problem. If your humidity source is not maintaining the right levels, you have a unique problem.

Are you mixing humidity options?

Source: Boveda Inc

If you do use Boveda packs, or you use a Cigar Oasis, you shouldn’t mix the different varieties. Boveda packs, for example, come in 58% RH to 75% RH variants. Your electronic humidifier will have a single set-point. Don’t mix those varying packs and don’t mix your electric humidifier with Boveda packs.

Boveda Inc even makes this clear to everyone. Mixing different packs in the same container will make it extremely difficult to even out the humidity levels. The humidor is naturally going to have variations inside, anyway, especially if it’s larger. You’re making things much worse by mixing these packs.

And if you have an electric humidifier, you don’t need to use the packs. You can store those elsewhere if you have some and save them for your travel humidor or external cases.

Calibrate your hygrometer

A hygrometer is what you use to detect and measure the RH inside your humidor. You should already know what they are, and if you don’t, you’ll want to start there. But every hygrometer is different, and from time to time you need to calibrate them to make sure the readings they provide are accurate.

If you’ve never calibrated your hygrometer before, you should consider doing so. Holt’s has an excellent guide on calibration that you can read. Someday, I’ll probably write one of my own. But for now, if you’re experiencing low or high RH levels in your humidor, make sure your tools are calibrated. The salt test is a solid method.

How full is your cigar humidor?

With bigger humidors, like cabinet cigar humidors, you want to fill them up as much as possible. They have plenty of space inside to let the cigars air out, so you don’t have to worry about overfilling as much. The biggest exception to that rule is if your humidor has shelves or drawers. You don’t want to overfill those drawers by cramming too many singles in.

If you have a small humidor, like a desktop humidor or even a tupperdor, you only want to fill them about 75% of the way. Cramming way too many cigars in leaves minimal room for airflow. That airflow is essentially how cigars breathe over time, by sucking up and releasing humidity. If you overfill a humidor, it doesn’t matter what your source of RH is, Boveda packs especially, because they can’t keep up with a high quantity of cigars.

You should be using about one 60-gram Boveda pack per every 25 cigars in your humidor. But it’s also about the capacity of the humidor, not necessarily the quantity of cigars you have. If your humidor holds 50 cigars, you’ll want two packs, even if you only have 25 cigars. Hopefully, that makes sense. You fill to the capacity of the humidor.

The Boveda packs use a 2-way barrier and salt-water solution to add moisture when it’s needed, but also to stop providing moisture when RH is too high. You don’t have to worry about them over-humidifying your cigars, which is pretty darn convenient.

If you’re using an electric humidifier like I do, make sure the water reservoir is always full. There is a fill level line so you don’t put too much water in, but either way, the system will release humidity as needed to maintain the appropriate levels. Some of these devices are more accurate than others, so keep that in mind. The only way to know for sure if you’re hitting your RH set point is to place additional and calibrated hygrometers in your humidor. In my 3,500 count cabinet cigar humidor, I have a hygrometer at the top, a hygrometer around the middle and a hygrometer at the bottom.

Consider rotating your cigars

Source: Boveda Inc

As I’ve said, and depending on the size of your humidor, you may see varying humidity levels from top to bottom. This necessitates rotating your cigars to make sure they’re evenly humidified. If your cigars at the top are getting more humidity, every few months rotate them back down to the bottom. If your cigars at the bottom are getting more, do the opposite.

The best way to discern humidity levels across a large humidor is to use several hygrometers. Don’t leave your monitoring down to the single hygrometer included with your electric humidifier. And if you use Boveda packs, you definitely want to add some hygrometers in there.

How long does the moisture in Boveda packs last?

Source: Tanbir Mahmud / Unsplash

According to Boveda, humidity packs can last anywhere from two months to one-year, it depends on the humidor or container and the surrounding environment. But what they truly recommend is swapping out those Boveda packs every three months or 90 days.

I’ll let you decide the optimal time frame rather than lecturing you. Some people even like to recharge Boveda packs using distilled water.

However, the takeaway should be that they don’t last forever. Some people might argue that point, but you should be open to replacing those packs from time to time. You can usually tell how much moisture they have retained based on how squishy they are. You’ll know instantly when a Boveda pack has dried out, but you should probably replace them long before that happens.

What if my cigar humidor is leaky?

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

If you discover that your cigar humidor is the source of the problem, and it’s leaking humidity, you have two choices from that point. You can either reseal the humidor or you can replace it entirely. Wood and Spanish cedar humidors can sometimes be finicky, more so when they’re not constructed well. That is one of the reasons why some enthusiasts choose a tupperdor or airtight container for their solution rather than a traditional humidor.

As long as your container is airtight, you’re good to go.

To reseal a leaky humidor, you can use silicone by caulking the gaps. You want a clear, non-toxic and food-grade option — because you’re consuming the cigars you store inside. Take all of your cigars out beforehand. Let the silicone dry for a few days before you put them back in.

Alternatively, you can find someone that works with wood to help reseal or reseat your humidor.

The post What to do when your cigar humidor is off point appeared first on The BS Lounge.

Some cigars are worth keeping stocked in your humidor, no matter how much room you have, because they’re a bastion of decadence. Every time you light one up, they provide a unique, but memorable experience. Both the Aganorsa Rare Leaf Reserve versions — the Corojo and the Maduro — fit that bill. They are the equivalent of an after-meal dessert. Filled with sweetness, saltiness, and flavors abound, they’re not like anything else you can find on the shelves of a cigar shop either.

But while I could wax poetic all day, the real test, tried and true, is lighting one up for yourself, delving into those flavors that assault your senses, and coming out of the other side a changed person. Not necessarily someone with new world views, but someone who knows what they enjoy, knows what they want, and they just had it.

Maybe for you it’s different, but for me, I have to resist the urge to light up an Aganorsa Rare Leaf Reserve every day. I also have to resist the urge to light up another, right after I’ve just had one. Nevermind the flavors, nevermind the beverage pairing, to me that’s peak excellence. When a cigar can make you feel that way, make you desire another almost immediately and you can’t stop thinking about it — that’s a winner.

Storage and burn

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

I have yet to run into construction or burn issues and I’ve gone through several boxes now, primarily the Corojo, but also the Maduro. Since the latter is what we’re reviewing here today, that’s what I’ll focus on.

In regards to storage, these are not finicky cigars because they are well-constructed. A testament to the strength of Aganorsa’s Leaf. I keep my humidor’s relative humidity (RH) between 64 and 67 and the temps in my house stay around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. That will give you some idea as to the conditions they’re stored in and hopefully, it will allow you to compare if and when you have your own experience.

They’re easy to cut and don’t fall apart at the head — meaning the cap and underlying tobacco don’t come unraveled after a cut. I use guillotine or straight cuts, so that’s a big deal. Moreover, they’re just as easy to light, provided you have the right tools.

Flavors and experience

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

While the Maduro does have similar flavors to the Corojo, it’s still a unique experience. The wrapper is a San Andres Maduro from Mexico, and it blends well with the Nicaraguan binder. The fillers include tobacco from Esteli and Jalapa Valley in Nicaragua, as well. Both blends are available in three sizes: Robusto (5 by 52), Toro (6 by 54) and Torpedo Box Press (6 by 52). If you don’t know already, Aganorsa blends to size, so you will have a similar experience in all of those options.

The complexity and depth of flavor are unreal. The dark, oily maduro wrapper is responsible for a lot of toasty, delicious and sweet flavors. Every time I light one, I pick up chocolate, black pepper, dark coffee or espresso, cedar and some fruity notes like lemongrass or citrus. As you get further in, you’ll pick up nuttiness, like almonds, leather, and a creamy and pasty dough-like flavor. Depending on what you pair it with — and I hope it’s something sweet — you’ll get a lot of flavor beyond that. You might pick up some vanilla, sugar or molasses, hay, earth, and a little clove.

The flavors are dark and strong enough that you don’t have to smoke this first in your lineup. It works just fine as a second or third cigar of the day, or the evening. Moreover, I always like to have these after family dinner, so any food flavors still on your palate shouldn’t ruin the experience.

Aganorsa Rare Leaf Reserve Maduro review: Closing statements

This is a definite recommendation in my book, and it’s a cigar I keep going back to. If you haven’t had an Aganorsa Rare Leaf Reserve Maduro, or the Corojo, you’re in for a real treat when you do.

Briley specifics

• Recommended: Yes
• Would I smoke it again? Yes, I already do.
• Will I buy more? Yes, I already have.
• My preferred size: Toro

Aganorsa Rare Leaf Reserve Maduro specs

• Profile: Full-bodied
• Approximate smoking time: 1 to 1.5 hours
• Box count: 15
• MSRP: $232 or ~$15 per stick

If you like this, you might also like: E.P. Carrillo Pledge or Encore Black, Oliva Serie V Melanio, Aganorsa Supreme Leaf, Diesel Delirium, Any Padron

The post Aganorsa Rare Leaf Reserve Maduro review appeared first on The BS Lounge.

I’ve also said before that it’s nice to be able to show off your favorite brands while you’re out, whether that’s at a local lounge, bar, or a big event. Cigar patches are one big way to do that, but you can also put on some brand merch. Merchandise just like what I’m about to share here today.

The Aganorsa Leaf Acolytes hat and money clip are available now

Source: SmallTownHatsCo

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Through Small Town Hats Company on Etsy, you can get yourself an Aganorsa Acolytes hat just like the one I have. There are two options, including Snapback and Flexfit — the Flex is what I have. Either way, you’re getting a sleek, all-black hat with the brand’s logo on it. The logo is a leather piece with the designs etched, so they’re not just printed on the fabric.

As for the wooden Aganorsa money clip, it’s a wallet that holds 1 to 12 cards. But it’s also RFID-blocking and made with aviation aluminum and hardwood. It’s compact and lightweight, but extra durable and stylish.

They all make great gifts, too, if you know someone who loves Aganorsa Leaf. The wooden money clip is $30, while the hats, in either format, are $35. And, who knows, show up to an Aganorsa-hosted event at a local spot and you may be able to score some of the merch that way.

There are no affiliate links in this one. I just wanted to share this with anyone interested.

The post Get your Aganorsa Acolytes hat and a wooden money clip appeared first on The BS Lounge.

What does BS Lounge mean?

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Originally, the name was for another venture but due to unique circumstances, I kept the name here. BS could essentially mean several things. My name is Briley Sean, which nicely caps off the BS in the name. It could also be BS-ing or having a great conversation over cigars.

Why call it a lounge?

In a conversation with Mike Gehm from Lovely Cigars he referred to cigars and tobacco as a “great equalizer” bringing everyone together over exceptional experiences. That’s probably one of the best descriptions I’ve ever heard for the cigar community. The proverbial cigar lounge is a place where people from all walks of life can gather, socialize, and enjoy unique experiences — all for the love of the leaf.

So, while this isn’t a site dedicated to a physical lounge I’d like it to be like one, virtually. I want to create a resource for cigar lovers like me. Mostly, I just want a place to be able to share my work, that’s controlled by someone with as much passion for the craft as I have.

What’s the plan?

To stay away from greed. Don’t get me wrong I eventually plan to use affiliate links and work with cigar manufacturers and brands for exclusive coverage. When that happens there will always be transparency. In the past, I’ve had to cover what was right for business. I don’t want to do that here. I want the content to be genuine and candid.

My reviews, when they go live will focus on helping you find cigars you like rather than doling out scores. My features will include creative coverage like the Visting La Aurora series. Similar coverage was possible elsewhere but I was always being steered away from editorial content.

I’m an open book

Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge

Feel free to comment, send suggestions my way, or reach out via social. I enjoy sharing my own cigar journey and that’s precisely what I want to do here. I’d also love to cover smaller brands that aren’t as well-known in the industry. From accessory and small craft brands to cigar makers the world over — it’s all on the table.

Enjoy and welcome to The BS Lounge.

The post What does BS Lounge stand for anyway? appeared first on The BS Lounge.