All Time Favorite Blender

Was thinking the other day, unlike CC, Non-C cigars can be traced back to a blender. Often, the blender is used as a marketing point - just look at all the "crafted by, or urinated on by, AJ" stuff out there.

And although I'm currently loving some AJ stuff (diesel Unholy Cocktail), and generally like Dion Giolito (Illusione), my absolute favorite, who in my eyes can do no wrong, is EP Carrillo.

Just wondering who you'd put as your all time favorite blender - if you had to pick one. Or even top 2 or 3.

Saka,Saka,Saka


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Aj gets my top spot. I mean he has how many blends and lines out?

Now I have had only 1 cigar recently but my 2nd spot goes to Raul Disla. He used to do custom rolls in my local B&M now he manages a factory and has a few blends out there most recent is Unstolen Valor. He must be pretty good if Saka likes him that much.

AJ is by far my favorite. Then Erik Espinosa. Dion had some stellar cigars but has a lot not in my wheel house.

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Originally Posted by Tombstone

AJ is by far my favorite. Then Erik Espinosa. Dion had some stellar cigars but has a lot not in my wheel house.

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Espinosa - that was unexpected. I don't think I've tried a lot of his stuff. I think the last blend I tried of his was the Wasabi, and it was really good.

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Originally Posted by zabhatton

Espinosa - that was unexpected. I don't think I've tried a lot of his stuff. I think the last blend I tried of his was the Wasabi, and it was really good.

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Anyone who can blend a smokable candella deserves a chance. Espinosa partnered with EPC, if I am recalling correctly, on the original Mercelago cigar. His factory, produces the Protocol lines, Moya Rueyes, at one point some of the La Sirena lines. Not sure the on the current La Sirena lines they kinda fell off the radar and are not widely available anymore.

On an unrelated note its had to not count Don Peppin Garcia and Lito Gomez up there as well.

Juan Cancel does the Protocol stuff


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Originally Posted by AlanS

Saka,Saka,Saka


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Yes, yes, I hear this man is the Beyonce of the cigar world

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Originally Posted by Tombstone

Anyone who can blend a smokable candella deserves a chance. Espinosa partnered with EPC, if I am recalling correctly, on the original Mercelago cigar. His factory, produces the Protocol lines, Moya Rueyes, at one point some of the La Sirena lines. Not sure the on the current La Sirena lines they kinda fell off the radar and are not widely available anymore.

On an unrelated note its had to not count Don Peppin Garcia and Lito Gomez up there as well.

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Amen to the candela quote. I remember the original la sirens blowing my socks off. Didn't know he blended it. Will have to give his blends a second try

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Originally Posted by zabhatton

Amen to the candela quote. I remember the original la sirens blowing my socks off. Didn't know he blended it. Will have to give his blends a second try

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First La Sirena was out of My Father. Later runs moved over to La Zona (Espinosa). One of the Port Hole blends was his for sure.

AJF, Matt Booth, Skip Martin.

Funny no one has mentioned pete yet

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Originally Posted by josh lucky 13

Funny no one has mentioned pete yet

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Kaizad Hansotia ghost blends for Pete.

I don't know much about the blenders but:

Top two brands for me are Tatuaje and Crowned Heads. I guess EPC and DPG would have to be my top guys. Pete would probably be lumped in with DPG, since I don't know the cigars he blends (DPG does almost all Tats, right?).

Just now thinking about Padron - not sure who the blender/(s)? are, but the 1964 Maduro blender (Jose?) should be tied for first.

So, in no particular order:

1. EPC
2. DPG/PJ
3. Padron

There's a lot of blenders I've smoked and enjoy, but probably couldn't rank them top 3 as of now: Herrera, Nodel (Aging Room Original was a favorite and my #3-4 early on), Litto, Rojas, Espinosa and many others I cannot think of now.

Some glorious day ill feel qualified to participate in a convo like this haha


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I have never paid much attention to blenders. Although I realize their importance in the cigars we enjoy, I just haven't paid close enough attention to really have any knowledge about the people behind it all. And while I enjoy most cigars I have smoked, I seem to have gravitated to Fuente as my main focus.

Carry on and I will continue to watch and maybe learn something.