Viaje Holiday Blend

I was given this by a very generous BOTL, and decided to light it up tonight as I was feeling pretty 'Christmassy!' If you haven't heard about this yet, the Holiday Blend is a very limited release for the holiday season (only 100 boxes of 30). Not sure if this will be a yearly smoke, but I certainly hope so. This stick has a beautiful leathery wrapper and a slightly oval shape which was interesting. The wrapped foot was pretty awesome too!

It started off with a great draw, on the lighter side, and billows of smoke. The initial flavors provided a blast of cedar and wood for a strong, full bodied smoke. Spice and toastiness brought up the rear and rounded the flavor out. Construction for this smoke was impeccable, and the ash was tight with nice layers on it. I was impressed by pretty much everything about this cigar, from construction, to draw, to ash, and flavor. The second half did get a bit of an ashy, but i really enjoyed this down to the nub. No doubt a full flavored, 'meaty' smoke. The ash only dropped twice throughout the entire stick too which was awesome! I would have to rate this stick a 90, which could have been higher if the flavors hadn't gotten a bit ashy- some age should take care of that!

I'm disappointed that these were not more readily available, as I would love to have gotten some more. Definitely going on my wish list!

H. Upmann Connnoisseur No. 1

I grabbed a fiver of these a while back, and almost forgot about them. Recently there has been some buzz about the 08 year (which this is), so I decided that it was time to smoke one. H. Upmann is quickly becoming one of my favorite CC brands, so we'll see if this stick stacks up to my expectations. Short review today!

This stick starts off with a nice tug on the draw, and opens with plenty of nutty/chocolaty flavors, and a bit of cedar. The burn is decent, and the ash is holding nicely with many ragged layers. Stronger than I expected so far, with nice rich flavors. The ash held for a good 2 inches before dropping, and around this point I tasted some nice mild coffee. A toasty aftertaste lingers after I blow out the smoke which is nice. I am a fan of toastyness. The smoke isn't all that plentiful, but that may be due to a draw on the tighter side -no complaints though. Started to get a bit bitter a bit over half way through, but came back to stride after a quarter inch. The last third isn't quite as rich in flavor as the first two, with flavors that aren't as defined. Ash continues to hold nicely. The bitterness came back towards the end which was disappointing, but it was still a decent smoke, and I would give it an 86. I believe that with a few years of age, the bitterness will disappear; if the flavors can stay constant throughout with no bitterness, this could probably break the 90s. The other four I have are going back to sleep!

Quesada 35th Anniversary

The Quesada 35th Anniversary is the newest creation of the Quesada family and Matesa, though this time blended by the youngest and fifth generation of the family. It is a limited edition commemorative cigar, recognizing Matesa's 35th Anniversary (ironically). There has been some hype around this stick recently, as it comes from the same family that brought us last year's "Cigar of the Year," the Casa Magna Colorado. Time to get down to business and see if this stick can really hold it's own in a cigar business currently booming with LE sticks.

Sitting outside on a brisk day with a good friend and BOTL. The stick was lit with a torch, cut with a Palio, and accompanied by water.

Pre-Light - Beautiful dark, oily, chocolate colored wrapper on this stick. The box press feels nice in your hand. Nice easy draw, with a cinnamon flavor.

First Third - The lighter draw gives off a nice cloud of smoke, and the first few puffs produce a dark, almost subdued chocolate and full bodied wood flavor. The burn is nothing special, but has a pretty tight ash. A more pronounced coffee flavor (little bit of cream, no sugar) fills this stick out -the complexity is interesting. The dark cocoa in the background is making it for me.
Second Third - The as began to get 'flaky' and eventually dropped, though not until about an inch an a half. The flavors continue to change, but the same coffee, cocoa, and wood flavors are predominant. Bitterness appears here and there, though it is more tied to the cocoa so not a bad flavor. The ligero in here is sneaking up on me and I'm feeling the strength a little bit in the back of my throat. Really enjoying it so far.
Third Third - I really have nothing bad to say thus far. The cocoa and wood are dominant in the last third, with the coffee close behind. Though they have become a bit more 'muddled' I am still enthralled with this cigar. The burn is a bit uneven, but fixes itself -no biggie.
Conclusion and Score - The flavors in this cigar were immensely enjoyable, the smoke nice and thick, and the draw fantastic, though the burn left a bit to be desired. I loved the dark, smooth complexity in flavors, especially the cocoa and coffee. I really had a tough time putting it down, and would have to score this a hearty 92. Though age may mellow this stick out and bring out some more complexity, I think it is a fantastic smoke now. Definitely one of the smokes out right now I would have no problem shelling out the $12 for. Worth a try for sure if you can find it!

PS thank you to the BOTL who sent me this stick, making me promise to do a review. I loved it and was happy to comply!

Tatuaje T110

Got the chance for another review tonight, and decided that it is finally time for the 'Thermonuclear 110." In case you aren't the huge Tat fan I and many others have recently become, this cigar is made with 100% ligero from Nicaragua, and supposed to be the strongest stick out there right now. The original release (which this is from) yielded only 200 boxes of 25, though another release has recently been announce with something like 160 new boxes. I have been quite excited to smoke this guy, and see if it really is the flavorful powerhouse I have heard. Going to my B&M tonight, as it is nasty out. Cut with my Palio and lit with matches.


Pre-light - The wrapper is a beautiful dark chocolate color, smooth, and quite oily. Very easy draw, spicy flavors. For some reason it was surprisingly tough to light.

First Third - Upon the first draw I got the spicy, Tatuaje flavor that describes so many of Pete Johnson's other smokes. The easy draw produces clouds of smoke, with spice and dark chocolate flavors dominating, and a toasty note in the background. The ash isn't terribly straight, but it is quite ragged and dark so far for a NC smoke. The spice settled down after a half inch, and the chocolate blends with some wood flavors that are really melting together beautiful. I can feel the strength now, though it isn't quite as strong as I had expected yet.

Second Third - The ash has now settled down and it is burning straighter. I am loving the flavor notes -the powerhouse isn't just a beast, it has some complexity too! The glass bottle coke I'm drinking goes really well with it, though I can't help wishing I had a nice strong cup of coffee to complement the chocolate and toastyness. As a huge fan of toasty flavors, the T110 is hitting the spot.

Third Third - Though the flavors are getting less refined at this point, I think I have fallen in love. The strength hit me a bit more and I can feel a small knot in my throat, but I am loving it. Ash held for about an inch and a half twice, and I nubbed it so far I think I have a blister on my finger.

Conclusion and Score - The T110 won my heart. I loved the chocolate, wood, and toasty notes, which produced beautiful complex flavors throughout the entire stick. The burn and draw were nothing short of great. Despite this cigar being a powerhouse (and it was), flavor was definitely not a problem. For a rating, I dub this beauty a 93, and would have to put it in the top 10, and probably top five for my favorite cigars of all time. Age should really make it even more enjoyable, though I doubt I will be able to keep my hands off the only other one I have left! I NEED to get some more of these.

Partagas 898V - '02

Tonight I decided to enjoy a smoke given me by a fellow BOTL, to mark the end of my Thanksgiving holiday: a Partagas 898 (Varnished) from '02. It looked quite majestic, though had a few wrapper peels, though this is not surprising since it is pushing 8 years old.

Smoking outside tonight with some cold water, another quick review as I am smoking sin-laptop.

This smoke was beautiful right from the cut. Burn was nice for the most part, and it went out once or twice, though due impart to the conversation I was having with a friend. Initially the draw had a nice tug to it, though was far from plugged as I thought it may be. Flavors consisted of spice and nuttiness in the background to a mild but complex coffee note. The coffee became more robust through the smoke, and the spice went in and out and the creamy beginning gave way to a more 'rustic' flavor as the stick progressed. I would definitely describe this as a classic Cuban cigar. Depite the bitterness at the end, I would give this stick an 88 rating, and it is something I will certainly be trying to get more of.

La Flor Dominicana Cheroot - 'The Icepick'

Haven't smoked a cigar in a while, so tonight I thought I should light up something rather special. Going with a LFD Cheroot tonight, nicknamed 'The Icepick' for it's strength - it is rumored that the Cheroot is made with 100% ligero! This cigar is available in only one shop in the whole US, originally only handed out by LG himself. I'm in the mood for a strong stick so we'll see how this little gem works out. Gonna be a quickie review because my laptop isn't coming outside with me.

Outside tonight, lighting up with matches and drinking some cold water. No need for a cut as it is already cut on both end.

The draw was quite open, providing tons of thick smoke. A blast of spice like I have never seen before greeted me upon lighting, with a background of wood. After I blew out the smoke, my mouth fealt like I had just eaten a hot pepper there was so much spice! Both flavor and strength proved to be very robust, but I did get a hint of plastic (??) out of the first half inch. The middle of the cigar mellowed a bit, with a hint of cream balancing the spice out, but the pepperiness was still dominant. When I smoke a strong stick I often notice a little knot in the back of my throat, and the 'Icepick' was no exception. No head buzz, but definitely quite powerful. The ash progressed to almost 2 inches before I dropped it, and about this time I noticed a bit of harsh tar flavor, which a prompt re-cut mended. The end brought back the wood flavor with the still strong pepper/spice notes. I also noticed an odd, sweet brandy-like flavor which I have never tasted in a cigar.

Overall, this was a really cool stick. I thank my BOTL from the Asylum for gifting me this cool little treat, it was certainly a new experience. As far as a rating, I'm not really sure I want to give this stick a number. Being that this is not a regular production stogie, and not even really in the category of traditional size or flavor, I would prefer to judge it purely as an interesting smoke. If you get a chance, do pick one up, you won't regret it. Just make sure to eat a nice meal before hand!

Tatuaje Drac - Monster Series LE #2

It's Halloween, and time to smoke the Drac! This stick was produced as the second installment of Pete Johnson and Tatuaje's 'Monster Series,' a Nicaraguan Puro made in a limited quantity -1300 coffins of 13 cigars. The Drac is a huge Torpedo cigar with a beautiful, dark wrapper. Should be a treat!

It is a bit rainy out today so I'm set up in the garage -nothing was stopping me today! Cut is a Xikar and light is matches. Drink is some Anni Blend Starbucks coffee.

Pre-light - The foot still had a mild paint smell from the inside of the box, but the draw was nice and light. More on the airy side.

First Third - Draw is light but beautiful upon the first draw. Billows of thick, white smoke pour out. The normal Pepin 'pop' of spice is not detectable so far, it is more of a sweet flavor with a light touch of toasty nut in the background. A coffee flavor breaks through as well. creating quite a complex and pleasant flavor. The burn is less than razor sharp, but still reasonably straight. I had expected a very full body on this cigar, but it is turning out to be much closer to medium.

Second Third - The flavors are rich and complex in this stick. A toasty, coffee, possibly woody flavor has evolved, but continues to change with each puff. The burn continues to be decent, and the draw is wonderful. I enjoy a draw more on the lighter side, and this hits the spot. The ash held for over an inch before I dropped it, and has a nice darker gray color with layers throughout. Mr. Drac did not overly impress me in the first third, but has really exploded with flavor in the second third. The flavor is smooth and creamy -a very classy smoke. A leather touch appears, only complimenting the other flavors. Still haven't tasted much spice, but the strength has certainly picked up.
Third Third - I have to say that the creamy, leathery, coffee with the underlying sweetness is just blowing me away. This may be one of the best smokes I've had the chance to try, and am now very happy I procured a whole box. The burn and ash are staying the same, as the flavor constantly changes. It really is a winner!Conclusion and Score - This is probably one of the best cigars that I have ever had the pleasure of smoking. I was truly blown away by how rich the flavors were. The first third was good, but the second and third exploded with creamy, complex flavors that left me speachless. Burn and ash were nice, and the draw was perfect. I am really happy that I was able to grab these, and if you have a chance to get one I would highly recommend it. Before smoking it, this stick rested for only about a week in the humi, and a dark, full complex cigar like this will almost definitely improve with age. A few months or even year will only improve it. I dub this stick a hearty 94 rating, with room for another point or two after aging. Certainly a Happy Halloween for me!

Diplomaticos No. 4

Been a while since my last review, and it's a beautiful day out, so time to light up. Today is a
Diplomaticos No. 4 with about 8 years of age on it. Recently did my first CC, so now I've gotta one-up and go for an aged stick. This little beauty is courtesy of a BOTL on the CA forums, and I think I should be in for a treat. The only worry is that it is from '01, which often had draw problems... but all I can do is hope its not plugged!

On the back patio at about 3, with a glass of water. Cut was a pocket knife (can't find my Xikar :(, I didn't butcher it too bad) and light is matches.

Pre-light - Draw is not plugged (woohoo!), but does have the tug many CC's are known to have, but definitely not unpleasant. taste is mildly sweet and reminds me of honey.

First Third - Wow. The second I got baby lit I could tell I was in for a great smoke. A sweetness is the predominating flavor with flowery tones behind it, and it is a great combo. The draw leaves something to be desired, but is not terrible. Ash is reasonably tight with distinct layers and dark grey coloring. The flavor cooled down and has become more mild after about a half an inch, but still leaves distinct toasty-flowery notes lingering in my mouth. Burn is even but ragged.

Second Third - The flavor has developed and become rather complex, adding spice to the mix now. The ash is beautiful and last lasted to about an inch and a half at this point. Draw has opened up a bit, but still has a tug. It is a heavier medium-bodied cigar. The flavor is more mild than I would like, though I believe this could be an effect of age. Creaminess has developed which balances nicely with the spice.

Third Third - This third is showing a teenie bit of bitterness, but not enough to be nasty tasting. Creaminess is more prevalent and a wood taste is showing up as well. Burn is still great but draw has tightened up a bit. A little skewer takes care of that! The relatively small amount of smoke with this stick has picked up a bit and the toasty wood aftertaste is nice. Still a bit mild for my taste, but the flavor has picked up in this third. I am enjoying the creaminess and spice as well as the sweet taste. This has been a loooong burning stick, almost an hour at this point. This third was definitely my favorite, and I had a hard time putting it out!

Conclusion and Score - This stick was great overall. The draw was ok at best, but great once I poked it. Burn and ash were beautiful, the latter growing long and having a beautiful dark color. Flavors changed throughout and included a flowery, almost herbal flavor throughout, creaminess, wood, and spice with a nice toasty-wood aftertaste. The last third was really fantastic, as it picked up a heftier flavor than the mostly mild first two thirds. I would give this an 88 score, as it was a great cigar but didn't quite hit the upper eschelon of "awesome." If the flavor had been more robust, I would have probably given it a 90. Aging anymore and I would fear the flavor would mellow even more than it did already, so if you can get some, 5ish years of age would most be optimal as not to lose too much punch. For the mild-medium smoker, this would be a gold mine. Very enjoyable afternoon smoke.

This is getting crazy...

Another package came today, from 1849Badger on the CA forums. After I had asked a question about buying a reasonably priced box of NCs, he responded with an email that I should try the AB Harvest Selection '97s from CI.com, and said he would send me some to try. I graciously accepted, and lo and behold the package comes but not just with those... there were 2 Man O' Wars (Churchill and Robusto), a CAO Italia Toro, PSD#4, and Monti Open Regata. This was totally unexpected and really brightened up my day. I'm feeling a review coming on soon!!

Ramon Allones Small Club Corona

This will be my first Cuban review!! What a treat- got this RASCC from a BOTL on the CA forums (mbflash), and am very excited to test out my first RA. Heard great things about this brand so I am expecting an enjoyable smoke. Wrapper is a beautiful light chocolate color with an almost vein-less, leathery texture. The size is rather small at 4 1/4 x 42, but a perfect for a quick smoke. I have really been enjoying smaller smokes lately, and hope that this will become a regular in that category. The box pressed shape is a plus for me, but can sometimes make the draw tougher, so we'll see. Cut is a Xikar, lit with matches, along with some cold water.

Pre-light - Not much flavor out of the pre-light draw, but the draw itself is good, with a slight tug.

First Third - The distinct Cuban flavor pops out at me (as I smoke rather few Cuban cigars, though I hope to change that soon), along with a toasty and pretzely flavor. A woodiness brang up the rear, and I can tell this will be more on the full bodied side. There is a hint of spiciness, which is very appealing, and it is providing me with some very nice clouds of smoke. Burn is not exactly straight, but no need to fret. No re-lighting necessary. The ash is a very dark grey, almost black color.

Second-Third - The smooth jazz I'm listening to is going very well with this smoke. Spice has quickly taken its place as the driver in this stog, but the wood and toastyness are still very present. A wee bit of harshness developed after stoking the stick, but that is my fault- not Mr. Allones'. I have seem to come across a sweet flavor which it fitting my fancy quite well tonight. It is almost a chocolate flavor, and quite a rich one at that. This would have gone great with a cup of coffee, which again, I neglected to make before I lit up.

Third Third - So far, this has been quite good. The flavors have somehow mellowed and blended together for me, creating a pleasant smoking experience now fore fronted by the "Cubanish" flavor. Burn continues to be less than perfect but nothing to complain about, as the smoke may have even become thicker. The leathery feel is a delight in my hands. The small tug in the draw is prompting me to take my time and focus on each one. This is a rugged stick with just the right amount of polish. Complexity is not a main product of this stick, but there is enough for me to really enjoy each puff. Nubbing it is not even a question for me, as the sweetness, spice, wood and toast notes continue right up until the end, and there is no sign of burning. Surprisingly this lasted me almost 45 minutes!

Conclusion and Score - Well this being my first RA, I am very impressed. I have heard there is a decent amount of variation in these sticks, but this one was perfect for me tonight. The spicy, woody, sweet, and toasty flavors along with the Cuban kick blended perfectly. Draw and burn were not fantastic, but would definitely not stop me from coming back. In fact, this will hopefully be a regular in the AJ humidor. With age, this cigar could really be a beast of a smoke. I would have no problem dubbing this an 89 rating, with room for improvement based on a few years of age. Surely pick one up if you have not had these yet. I am looking forward to the RASS I have- if it is along the lines of this one, I will be in for a treat.

Rocky Patel Havana Corojo Toro

Just moved into my new apartment for this year at school and had a wonderful PSD#4 yesterday to celebrate. Now it's review time, by request, for the Rocky Patel Havana Corojo. This beast was a gift from a good BOTL and best friend. He enjoyed it and was eager to see what I thought. Looks like a nice smoke, with a lighter colored, mildly leathery wrapper and flawless construction. This thing is huge, at 6x60 and has a fantastic pre-light draw.

Pre-light - Draw is very easy, though not bad, and it has a pleasant, though faint, aroma. Enjoying this in my local B&M with a cup of water. Cut is a Xikar and light is a torch.

First Third - The first few draws gave clouds of smoke that would rival special ops smoke bombs. The distinct corojo flavor hits me right away, with a tad bit of harshness which quickly dissipated. I am in awe at the robust flavor- consisting of coffee, wood, and a tad bit of leather- and the huge clouds of smoke from the beautiful draw. I was thinking this would be another of RP's newer blends that would further the "stretched thin" theory about his company, but I was completely wrong. No question about that. The flavor is more full than I expected, though it could not pass for anything more than medium in body. Barely 3/4 of an inch in, I got blasted with a rich, black coffee flavor, another pleasant surprise! Ash and burn are not perfect, but defiantly decent. No need to relight or even touch up yet.

Second Third - Burn and draw continue to be great, as the flavors lean more towards the nutty and woody side, still with the coffee flavor. Sweetness has snuck in and I am continuing to adore this stick. The ash was about an inch and a half before I dropped it, showing good construction, though it was not particularly tight or smooth. The rich flavors of this cigar would go perfect with a cup of coffee... damn this place for not having coffee lol.

Third Third - The flavors have stayed pretty consistent, though with complex twists every half inch or so. The rich coffee is back and a toastyness has joined the party, every minute being more enjoyable than the last. The clouds of smoke are still coming and the stick shows no signs of heat. Though not as full as I normally smoke, this stick is definatly going to be a usual in my humi (if I can find it!). A little harshness showed up towards the last couple inches of this cigar, but I am still very much loving it. The nub got a but hot but that's just the nature of the beast (regarding nubs).

Conclusion and Score - This cigar was a huge surprise to me. RP has created a mildly complex, very rich, flavorful stick with a fantastic draw. The wood, nut, and coffee notes were quite enjoyable and I had a hard time putting it down. I rarely smoke 60 gauge cigars so this was a nice switch for me, and I have only good things to say about the whole experience. For a rating, I would have to give this an 88. A very good everyday kind of cigar (if you have at least an hour), and a perfect stick for those who love thick clouds of smoke. Aging would probably give little to no improvement to the Havana Corojo, so don't feel bad about smoking them fresh. Overall, it was a very solid smoke that hit all the points on the aficionado checklist.

Fuente Hemingway Signature Maduro

I've been on a corona/petit corona kick lately but felt the need for something a bit larger tonight. In a recent PIF, Warrior sent me a couple of nice sticks so I thought I'd give one a try: the Hemingway Signature Maduro (an odd size at 6x47 with the perfecto shape) . I've had and very much enjoy the natural wrapper Hemingway series, so the Maduro should hopefully be that much better!

The stick has a strong, rich aroma which hit me the second I took off the cellophane wrapper. It is slightly bumpy in some spots but seems to be constructed well. Not the polished look I thought it would have. Cut by the trusty Xikar, lit by matches with cold water to drink, and man is it a beautiful night out.

Pre-light - The pre-light draw is smooth, with a healthy tug that you would expect from a perfecto. Vaguely I taste a sweet, raisin-ish flavor. Lighting it was no problem, though it always feels weird with the tiny end.

First Third - The immediate flavor is rather mellow (not sure the age situation on this stick since it was from a PIF) with coffee notes backed up by toasty and spicy/pepper flavors. Once it gets past the tiny tip, the spiciness opens up a bit and the smoke becomes thicker, though the draw stays relatively the same. I have read other reviews that claim a very mild pepper flavor with a creamy texture, but this stick seems the opposite; pepper has become rather strong (though tasty) and I would describe it more as mellow than creamy. The burn is tilting one way, but I'll wait it out to see if it will fix itself. So far, it is not at all what I expected, and quite different from what I remember about its natural cousin.

Second Third - A slight harshness developed at the beginning of the second third, probably because I'm puffing too much (trying to get the flavor out of it!). It is defiantly more on the mild side of medium as far as my palate goes. The pepper from the first third has diminished some as the main characteristic, leaving a blend of the pepper, toastyness, coffee, and an earthy tone. My ash got up to a decent inch+ before I dropped it, the draw is decent, and the burn has evened out a bit, so I guess the construction is pretty good. So far I'm enjoying this smoke but waiting for something to blow me away- this has defiantly not happened yet, and I have to say I really did expect more of an excellent cigar. The complexity piece of a cigar that I really enjoy is not really popping up with this stick.

Third Third - The burn has totally evened out now (without my help), but the flavors continue to be the same as the second third here at the beginning of the third. The pepper has taken back its role as the flavor leader though, which I am enjoying. Not much is changing this third, though the burn and draw have become almost perfect. I love a cigar with alot of smoke, with which this stick is very generous. I'm beginning to really embrace the pepper flavor, though not much has changed throughout the stick. A good pepper flavor isn't my everyday flavor of choice, but its nice once in a while. I'm nubbing this stick because its so beautiful out and the fact that there is no hint burning.

Conclusion and Score - After having the natural Hemingways I was expecting even more out of this stick. Though it did have a nice construction, draw, and smokiness, the nice pepper flavor was not enough for me to be sold on it. The mix of flavors was nice, but nothing special, and pretty far short of complex. As far as strength, this was defiantly not a full bodied cigar, and probably on the lighter end of medium- not at all what I had thought. This is not to say I would not try it again, but probably will not buy more than 2 or 3 at a time. Maybe some age will help it become the classic I was thinking? We'll have to see. For a rating, I would give this stick an 86, though I will have to revisit and see because others have seen reason for higher ratings. Surely a solid stick, and if the price is right, something to have around in the humi.

Tatuaje Havana VI Angeles

Tonight I thought I would try the Tatuaje Havana VI Angeles I bought recently, a brand with which I have had no experience yet. I am excited to see what all the hype is about with these sticks, and to see if it lives up to the fantastic reviews. This stick is a smaller size (probably a petite corona) at 4 5/8x 42. I like this size for a short smoke, but have trouble finding things I like in this size, so this could be a very good find if it's decent... especially at only around $5 and change per.

Pre-light - The wrapper looks quite nice, and the band is a simple but elegant red with the brand name in script-y font and Fleur De Lis all around. Not the smoothest stick, but this is a quality that really has no effect on the actual smoking in my experience, and a rougher stick can have a nice rusticness to it which I can appreciate. Cut is a Xikar straight, light is a torch, and drink choice is water. Pre-light draw is great- a nice easy draw with a tiny bit of tug.

First Third - The initial draws give off huge amounts of smoke with a very rich, but not overpowering flavor. I can detect a very woody/nutty flavor with a lingering sweet toastyness. No harshness is present at all. The smoke is light enough not to be full-bodied, but on the heavy side of medium with deep, rich flavor. Burn is relatively even, and the ash seems tight and well packed. A vaguely smokey flavor gives this stick a slight roughness to its elegance. I am very much enjoying this stick. A more earthy flavor develops at the end of the first third into the second.

Second Third - I clumsily dropped the nicely forming ash, which is a disappointment as I am generally good at getting a nice, long ash. Nevertheless, this cigar is quickly making a good impression on me. The earthiness has come to the forefront of the flavors, while the others fade into the background, though the woodiness is still prominent. Though the draw has become a teenie bit tougher, it is still very good- producing an even burn and tons of smoke.

Third Third - The earthy-woody-nutty flavors have all joined forces now to create a rich, creaminess that I am very pleased with. The toasty aftertaste is a nice touch throughout. Burn and draw are still the same as the second third, and no hint of heat comes until the very nub. This is worth nubbing! I have not had any bitter or harsh flavors at all, a smooth smoke the whole way. At the end I taste a faint floral flavor along with the sweetness. My only complaint is having to give it a bit of fire, though this could be from the fact that I got up for a minute.

Conclusion and Score - This stick really blew out my expectations. I had thought it was going to be a decent stick, but it proved to be a very complex, creamy stogie with tons of smoke and flavor. Being that this is my first Tat, it left a fantastic impression and I will defiantly be back for more soon. I plan to pick up more of these and it seems that they may be an essential to my humidor going forward. I enjoyed the woody-nutty flavors immensely. Nothing about this cigar was anything but stellar and I would easily give this a 91, though age would have little effect I suspect. The CA rating a while back was a 93, and I can understand why. If you haven't had this yet, it should be high on the list of things to try. Can't wait to get some more!

Gurkha Vintage Shaggy

After a weekend of camping (and no cigars), I think it is time to sit back, enjoy the beautiful weather, and light something up. The other day I purchased a Gurkha Vintage Shaggy Toro for a sale price of $4.99 (normally about $7). This will be my first Gurkha, and hearing mixed reviews, I'm not too sure what to expect.

The stick looks nice, the wrapper has a few nicks, though not from a bad leaf. It measures 6x50, excluding the foot, which is left unwrapped for the last half inch, giving it a rugged, old world look. Cut is a Xikar straight, light is a torch to the shaggy foot, and my drink of choice is cold water.

Pre-light - The cigar looks good, with a clean, unlumpy wrapper. The shaggy foot is growing on me, and the cut was perfect. pre-light draw has a bit of pull, but is not bad. Smells as if it has been lit before for some reason -not bad just odd.

First Third - It starts out as a mild, earthy/woody taste, with a toasty hint in the background. The burn is even for the most part, and the draw is the same as the pre-light. It has a relaxing quality about it, and is a lighter meduim-bodied smoke -a surprisingly pleasent change from my usual full-bodied smoke. The stick gives off a mild amount of smoke, which has a nice aroma and is not "stinky" as some can be. So far there is nothing outstanding about the stick, but for the price I am definatly not disappointed.

Second Third - Moving farther in I start to notice a slight nuttiness, though the flavors have not changed much. If complexity is what you are looking for, than this stick is not for you. I got the ash up to about an inch and a quarter before dropping it; a ragged, loose kind of ash. The burn line has become more unsteady, but I haven't had to relight at all. Smoking past the half way point has proved to show a bit of bitter/harshness, though a nice carmel flavor appeared. The thin Dominican wrapper has the flavor of a cameroon to me. The burn has significantly slowed down, and the flavor has become more robust (the same earthy/woodyness as befor with the carmel now), though still lighter-medium bodied.

Third Third - The stog has started to heat up, not enough to stop smoking though. The burn has evened out and the wood and carmel have taken over with a toasted aftertaste. Flavor has diminished a bit, maybe 2/3 of what was there originally. Not worth nubbing, though I smoked it down to a bit over an inch.

Conclusion and Score - This was a milder smoke for me, but a nice change on a very hot day. The flavors were far from complex, with a pretty constant woodyness thoughout and a few minor overtone changes. The draw and burn were adequate though not outstanding at all. For the sale price of $5 and change with tax, I will definatly pick a few more up to have around. I would have to give this cigar an 84, and believe that age would not really change at all given it has a rather thin wrapper and is a mild Dominican puro. If you're looking for a decent, cheaper smoke with a milder body, than check out the Gurkha Vintage Shaggy.

First Review - Don Lino 1989 Maduro Robusto

This is my first formal cigar review, after I decided that I want to record my experiences with each cigar I smoke. I am posting these reviews as amature ones based on my growing experience with cigars so go easy!! This Don Lino is a favorite of mine, though I have not had one in a while... We'll see how it goes!


On my back patio at about 11 o'clock, with a glass of water. Xikar cut, lit with matches. It measures 5x50 box pressed, though seems more like 5x45ish.


Pre-light - A dark, slightly oily stick with a few veins but nothing unpleasant. Vaguely soft to the touch. Smells great, like a good maduro should. Pre-light draw is very loose, bordering too-easy.


Lighting and First Third - Very strong taste immediately after lighting the stick, which mellowed into a creamyness after a few puffs. The draw is better than the pre-light, almost perfect. Each pull provides a dense cloud of smoke with a strong woody flavor and a mild hint of nuts in the background. Too many puffs in a row brings out a more bold, almost bitter flavor; the aftertaste is very toasty. The burn is more even than others of this brand I have had, but still far from perfectly even. I would say the ash is "ragged," as it stays together nicely (enough to get a full inch or so), but has flakes around the edges and is not tight. As the flavors change going into the second third, the stick clearly pronounces itself as a "full bodied" cigar.


Second Third - It has now mellowed out, as all the flavors that were very robust in the first third, are toned down. A mildly sweet flavor, almost like coffee and coco, appears gradually. A background bitterness is still there, though it is not impeding my enjoyment of the cigar. I am feeling this cigar's power more now, and the little "cigar-buzz" is nice. The burn continues to be inconsistent, which I see as the main drawback so far. The toastyness has paired with a bit of spice, and become the main flavor now.


Third Third - Moving into the later part of the stick, there is still some wood notes, though the robust toastyness has taken over with the mild coffee flavor. Draw is still fantastic and I have not noticed any heat while smoking yet. An earthy-burnt flavor appears about an inch and a half away from the end -it has become more complex, though a tad harsh.


Conclusion and Score - Being that this was one of the first good cigars I ever smoked (about 2 or 3 years ago), it has some sentimental taste and feel value for me. The ones I had a while back seemed to be a bit better than the newer batches, though I still enjoyed this a great deal. The flavor changes throughout were interesting, with a toasty one being present almost throughout. The burn, as always, was a bit disappointing, but had no effect on the actual smoking (no need to relight). I would give this an 88 or 89 score, though with 2 or 3 years of age I believe the harshness would dissipate and could reach for the 90-91 range (though 91 being a stretch). I have a few torpedoes from 2 years back in the humidor, and am excited to see how they have turned out.