Cigar Reviews by aj

Tatuaje Wolfman - Monster Series LE #4

2011-10-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

For Halloween 2011, Tatuaje again released another Monster Series smoke, this year being the 'Wolfman.' As with the previous year there were only 666 dress boxes (coffins) of thirteen cigars, and 1300 (though Pete claims more like 1500 were made this year to compensate for demand) plain boxes of ten. As usual the Monster cigars again created quite a stir for those searching out this year's offering- a box pressed torpedo sporting a Sumatra wrapper and an unwrapped foot. Weighing in at 7.5 inches, this will be the second longest stick in the lineup. Given the hype created every year with these LEs, the expectations are high, so lets see what the Wolfie has to offer...

Lit with matches on a brisk evening, accompanied by water.

Pre-Light - Smells of raw tobacco and hay, and sports a splotchy, smooth, leathery wrapper. Pre-light draw is fairly loose.

First Third - The first third, starting with the uncut foot, begins with some mild cedary spice, leather, wood and some hay. The spice lingers in the back of my mouth. Once the wrapper starts to burn, the flavors begin to round out and become heavier/more complex. Draw is light but not too light, and the burn is fantastic.

Second Third - The strength has began top pick up a notch, and the spice has cooled down a bit, though it is still there. Flavor-wise there is a bit of chocolate/molasses sweetness, leather, hay, and developing earth notes. Not the most complex, but very enjoyable. The draw is still going well, and the burn is fantastic.

Third Third - Flavors continue to be similar to the second third, though both body and flavors have dipped in strength just a notch. Though still not particularly complex, the flavors meld together in a tasteful manner. The finish is quite dry (as in wine) which adds a nice touch. I can taste a tiny bit of bitterness which I will attribute to youth until further exploration down the road.

Conclusion and Score - As usual, I was not disappointed by Pete Johnson's spooky Halloween offering. The dress box was well detailed, the cigars themselves quite a treat to the eye, and the smoke itself a memorable experience. I am definitely partial to LE smokes, the Monsters specifically, but there is no denying the richness of the spice, wood, leather and subtle sweetness that the Wolfman delivers. Pile on the solid construction, and you have a winner. The mild bitterness toward the end of the cigar is my only fuss, though I think with time this will fade. Overall this Monster gets a 91 in my book, though I have no doubt it will get better with even a few months of age.

Update on the prior year Monster cigars:
*I had a Face recently and it was fantastic, it's amazing what a year can do for these; the Drac wasn't quite what I remembered but still a very good stick; the Frank was a bit disappointing ( I remember thinking 88-ish) after all the hype and high prices, though I'm keeping a few around hoping it is just a sick period!*

Opus X Love Affair

2011-09-30T23:00:00.000-07:00

This special Opus size was released by Fuente around Christmas time in 2009, a renamed 'Love Story' which had been a 2008 release of the same size to commemorate Carlos Fuente's 55th wedding anniversary. It is a fun little shape (WOA like) and I am looking forward to lighting it up after a long week. Haven't had an Opus in a while so this should be a treat!

First Third
-Starts with a blast of Opus-y wood, leather, and after you get past the little nub, SPICE!
-In the background I can taste a hint of strong espresso
-Perfect draw, burn is great, and the nub ash stayed on and looks cool

Second Third
-This thing is a smokestack.. billows of smoke
-Spice has cut back (more cedary now) but still in the back of my throat, flavor are consistent with some added mocha sweetness
-Draw is still smooth as ever, burn is doing well considering I'm on the 16th floor balcony

Third Third
-A complex blend of background spice, mocha sweetness, wood, and mild espresso- exceptional smoke
-Started more full bodied, but mellowed a bit to a medium+
-Finish is fairly long and dry, very 'tight' if that makes sense
-Nubbed till my fingers burned!

Conclusion and Score
For my first recent Opus, this more than satisfied my taste for Fuente's best line. The size of this little stick was quite fun, and displayed perfect construction throughout. The body was on par with other smaller Opus sticks (less than a Power Ranger though), while the flavors were nothing short of deliciously complex. With the signature Opus spice, wood, and leather, along with some sweetness and espresso, this cigar has me kicking myself that I didn't buy more when they came out. Easily worth 94 points. Not sure how these were when they came out, but as most Opus lovers know, they get much better with age. After only two years though, the Love Affair has become a very memorable cigar.

Punch Ninfas ('02)

2011-08-26T06:59:00.000-07:00

***Pics coming soon, I forgot my camera at home!

I was recently gifted this tough to find old stick by a SOTL, and thought it would be perfect for my first review in a while (life has been beyond hectic lately..). The Ninfas has a cult following since being discontinued in 2002, but suffer from occasional draw problems I've heard. Though I am not a big fan of Punch CCs, I am expecting this cigar to be pretty good!

Sitting out back tonight with a glass of water. Cut with my Xikar and lit with a torch.

Pre-light - The smell is mainly notes of hay, and the pre-light draw is the same. The wrapper is a light golden Colorado with some tiny veins.

First Third - Though the draw is on the tougher side, the initial flavors are am elegant mix of medium bodied hay, chocolate, and some spice in the finish. Unmistakably Cuban. The smoke is fairly thick for such a thin gauge, and the ash doesn't last too long, though that is to be expected.

Second Third - This third has a bit more spice to it, with the same hay flavor and some earthiness as well. The draw leaves a bit to be desired but it is definitely smokable (I probably should have dry-boxed). Loving this stick!

Third Third - Draw has loosened up now, and the flavors continue to be hay, spicy pepper, and earth. The finish is long, with lingering spice. Perfectly smooth up front all they way through the finish. An almost malty flavor pops up towards the end.

Conclusion and Score - I can totally see why these cigars are so sought after. Minus some draw tightness, this thing has it all- flavor, a smooth texture, a lasting finish, and that definitive Cuban tastiness. I would rate this a 93, with room for improvement mainly in draw. Not the most complex cigar out there, but a true jem for CC and thin gauge lovers alike.

Hoya De Monterrey Le Hoyo de Dauphin ('01)

2011-07-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

I received this stick a while back after a trade or box split of some sort, can't exactly remember but thank you whoever sent it! I've been itching for some mild Cuban flavor lately and figured this should do the trick. Despite the 'issues' with '99-'01 CCs, I expecting this to be a good smoke, but we shall see!

Cut with my Xikar while sitting on the front porch, drinking water and some bourbon. Lit with matches.

Pre-Light - Very light caramel wrapper, a nice tug on the draw with minimal cold draw flavors.

First Third -Initial flavors are very mild, with a floral/vegetal notes and a bit of cedar that hits the back of your throat. Definitive Cuban flavors, though quite mild even for a HDM. The draw has a typical CC tug, and construction seems solid thus far. I immediately realized that the bourbon was much to strong for this stick on its own, and resolved to drink some water after each sip. This is definitely a morning coffee habano.

Second Third - Similar flavors to the first third, with a more grassy flavor now. The construction is still solid, though the ash doesn't last too long, maybe a half inch before it becomes brittle.

Third Third - Can't say there is much more going on here. As the smoke comes to the end, the flavors are mainly the grassy and 'garden' notes from the first and second thirds, as the cedar has all but dropped out. Construction continues to be spot on.

Conclusion and Score - This would be a great relaxing smoke with some coffee, sitting on the porch in the morning. Not to say it was too mild, but this was definitely very light in both body and flavor, earning an 84 from me. I wouldn't hesitate to smoke this stick again, but it was much too light for me to make regular visits. Basically a perfect 'background' smoke if you know what I mean.

Oliva Master Blends 3 Robusto ('08) Quick Review

2011-05-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

I have always loved this stick, from the first one I smoked a few years ago. Right after I realized how much I liked them I was able to pick up an almost full box of '08s from a BOTL on the forums, and have enjoy them periodically since. Now that I'm getting down to the end of the box I figure these deserve a review, so lets see how one of my favorite everyday sticks does!

Smoking outside tonight on the porch (it has been raining all week.. blah) with a glass of water after a beer. Cut with a Palio, lit with matches.

First Third

-Starts with dark, roasty flavors of raw tobacco, wood, creamy cedar spice and earth

-Light draw with very thick smoke

-Rich, complex and medium+ in body so far

-Construction is great, as to be expect with all Oliva products

Second Third

-Similar flavors to the first third, now with some added coffee notes and even some malt

-A wonderfully balanced smoke

-D/A/B still flawless

Third Third

-The wood, coffee, tobacco and spice flavors melt together towards the end

-Body has increased a bit, though still only on the fringe of full

-Construction is still great

Conclusion and Score

This cigar has it all- interesting flavors, great balance, and fantastic construction. I love oval shape, the leathery rough wrapper, and particularly the dark coffee and tobacco flavors. Age has certainly treated this stick well; the body has gone from full to medium+ but the flavors and finish became creamy smooth. My only issue was a bit of nicotine-bitterness at the end, though this is to be expected with many beefier Nicaraguan sticks. Definitely worth a 93 point rating, and I so wish I had more!

Viaje Scull and Bones 'Daisy Cutter'

2011-04-24T18:27:00.000-07:00

A while back when these were released (since, there have been 3 new vitolas in the S&B line) I picked up some of these limited release Viajes with the intention of doing a 'new stick' type of review. I ended up forgetting about them for a while (always a good thing with cigars) and figured I would do a 'Where are they now?' review. I'm looking forward to seeing what the stick, released as a powerhouse of nicotine in a small package, has turned into after almost a year of humidor time.

Pre-light - This small vitola has a rich chocolate wrapper with a very smooth feel. The pre-light draw provides a bit of tug and some mild sweetness.

First Third -The cigar starts with some sweet wood, a bit of cedary spice, raw tobacco, and a dry, smokey (as in food) flavor. Drawing is not an issue in tug or feel, despite it's girth, and the smoke is fairly dense. As it progresses, some coffee like creaminess enters. Despite the heavy nature of the flavors and the imminent strength of the stick, I wouldn't say it is the least bit overpowering, something one might expect. Definitely not full full-bodied in the first third, more like medium+

Second Third - This third find the flavors mellowing into a complex, creamy fusion of leather, wood and cedar. Construction is still great, as with most Viajes I have found, as the ash held over an inch before I clumsily dropped in on my white shirt. It could just be the massive hunk of delicious cow I ate for dinner, or the humi time, but I'm honestly not feeling a huge nic-kick thus far... Not that that has any bearing on the quality of the cigar.

Third Third - I must say the progression in this cigar is awesome. It has finally hit full-bodied, and not just with a tap- the strength here is pretty apparent. The flavors in the last third come out of their shell a bit from the last third, but remain fairly consistent, though there are a bit more spice and tobacco notes. The last whole third is so rich and complex I wish it had been longer!

Conclusion and Score - Granted I haven't been smoking much lately because I've been crazy busy, so anything would be at least somewhat enjoyable, but this cigar was absolutely phenomenal. The flavor profile was rich, complex, and full, while the construction was perfect. While it was a strong little stick later on, it wasn't the beast I was expecting. But nicotine bomb or not, no question this was a great cigar and worth 93 points in my book.

PS I remember Brooks from SmokingStogie.com saying that this stick and the similarly sized/strength Tatuaje T110 (which I reviewed a while back, one of the few sticks I hoard) were totally different, and he was spot on.

Johnny-O Cazadores

2011-03-21T20:29:00.000-07:00

I got this cigar a while back from one of my good BOTL, but have little background on it. From what I understand they are custom rolled sticks (by Johnny-O of course) made from Cuban tobacco. I've heard mixed opinions on the actual pedigrees of the tobacco, so we'll just have to see how it smokes. 'How can I tell if these Cubans are fake or not? -SMOKE IT!'

It's a bit chilly out tonight, but not bad enough to stop me from enjoying a cigar. Lighting with matches for a change tonight, and drinking water.

Pre-light - A very rugged, leathery wrapper covers this smoke, in a dark, almost black color. The pre-light draw is light and gives a ton of sweet tobacco.

First Third - The easy draw gives way to tons of smoke, and boasts a cedary spice over sweet tobacco, leather, and coffee. The flavors are much fuller in body than I had expected and lie between medium and full at the moment. The Cazadores' texture and flavor notes seem to remind me a bit of the Drac, though not as complex. Though the draw is on the lighter side, the burn is sharp and the ash (though looser) stays on well.

Second Third - The spice has died down, leaving more leather and some chocolate in it's place to mingle with the coffee and tobacco flavors. The body has mellowed out a bit now, as the flavors start to blend together more. D/A/B are still great.

Third Third - The flavors have stayed fairly consistent from the first third, though I'm getting a bit of bitterness here and there. Not a huge turn off, but for the sake of full disclosure... The construction is still great, and the coffee notes are hitting the spot right now.

Conclusion and Score - I enjoyed this cigar, as it had plenty of tasty coffee, cedar, and tobacco notes. I can't honestly say that it tasted like exactly like Cuban tobacco, but there were some hints of 'Cubanesque' flavors. The construction was immaculate and the wrapper had a nice rough, leathery feel to it. I would give this stick an 89 rating- if the bitterness towards the end had been absent (might have to grab some for aging to see), it could easily break the 90s.

Ramon Allones Superiores

2011-01-30T16:59:00.000-08:00

Headed over to the shop today to enjoy a smoke, and decided to have something out of my 'good stuff' stash and picked out the Ramon Allones Superiores from the 2010 La Casa del Habano release. This cigar is a Corona Gorda a with a beautiful, leathery, light brown wrapper, and only had a production size of 5000 boxes of 10. As a lover of all things Ramon Allones and Corona Gorda, I'm really looking forward to this smoke!

Pre-light - Not much smell, but a bit of sweetness and grass. The draw has a perfect tug to it.

First Third -The Superiores starts out with a blast of hay, leather, and creamy coffee it a fitting light-medium body. The draw is fantastic with thick smoke and a very nice dark gray ash. About a half inch in some heavier leather and coffee flavors come out, though balanced by creaminess.

Second Third - There is a bit of spice and nuttiness in this third, combined with the still tasty creamy coffee and some hay. The body is still medium-ish and the construction continues to be spot on. It is an effortless, tasty smoke!

Third Third - The flavors in the last third are similar to the second, with a bit more sweetness added to the coffee, leather, nut and creamy flavors. Definitely a complex combination that flows together perfectly. Construction is great, and the draw produces a cool smoke even to the nub.

Conclusion and Score - I absolutely loved this cigar. The rich, complex mix of creamy and hay flavors with the darker nut and leather notes created an exquisite experience. Certainly not as full in body as the regular production RA, the Superiores was light-medium, though not losing anything in the flavor department. I'd love to see these become a regular size, as I loved the size of the stick (and obviously the flavors.) For me this was worth a 94 point rating, one of the best I've had in a while!

Tatuaje Anarchy

2011-01-04T18:05:00.000-08:00

Earlier 2010 (last year now!) Pete Johnson of Tatuaje blended a 'secret' cigar called the Anarchy for Smoke Inn in Florida. Details about the sticks were leaked over time through Pete's Twitter and Facebook, and the sticks were fully released for sale in early December. Some are still available, but it is a limited production cigar so they won't be around too long (though not as limited as the Halloween releases). The shape is an interesting figurado hybrid- tapered at both ends but a larger gauge at the foot. It also sports an interesting pigtail and a very dark Ecuadorian wrapper. I have read a few reviews, ranging from good to excellent and am looking forward to seeing for myself! Thanks to my awesome brothers at CS, I received a whole box for my birthday, and since that is tomorrow, I figure it's time for a review!

Pre-Light - The wrapper is a beautifully dark chocolate color that is plenty oily. It smells of a creamy tobacco, and the pre-light draw is medium with some sweet notes similar to the Drac when it was first released.

First Third - The first puffs crackled (odd, I know) with a full bouquet of leather, wood, oatmeal and some mildly spicy earthy notes. The body seems to be lighter than I had expected but the flavors are certainly full. The draw has a perfect tug, and the burn is very straight so far. The initial blast of flavors cools down to a relaxing (but not boring) profile after an inch, dominated by leather, wood and some cream.

Second Third - The individual flavor have morphed into a concoction tasting of woody leather with some molasses. The D/A/B have all be great so far with no need for touch-ups. Though still quite tasty, there are puffs in which the flavor is muted, something I have seen other reviewers note... not sure if this is just a fluke of something age may iron out.

Third Third - Similar leathery wood flavors to the second third with a bit of nutmeg in the background in this third. The D/A/B have been consistent throughout and I am really enjoying this cigar. Definitely worthy of nubbing.

Conclusion and Score - I love the leather and wood flavor of the Anarchy and the other notes that popped up throughout. The construction was top notch, and the size quite fun. Looking forward to seeing how these will age as they seem like a great candidate. I would rate it a 92 with a possibility for some more points if the small kinks in the middle can straighten out... great stick now though too, track some down!

Tatuaje Petit Cazadores Reserva

2010-12-20T10:09:00.000-08:00

This new size from Tatuaje, smaller than a Petite Corona at 4x40, sports the Broadleaf wrapper that Pete Johnson has had so much success with. It has a wrapped foot (which I am a huge fan of) and should be the perfect size for temperatures in the 20s! Lets see how it smokes..

First Third
-Full bodied right off the bat, a huge blast of flavor
-Dark, complex flavors with wood, cedar, some cocoa, and a hit of leather
-Draw is a bit tight, but ash and burn are perfect
-There is a hint of 'cubanesqueness'

Second Third
-Similar flavors to the first third, with black coffee now, and more wood and leather
-Got a hint of bitterness... nicotine build up? A fresh cut fixed that
-Ash held for over an inch!
-Phenomenal with a cup of coffee
-Smoking slowly

Third Third
-Very beefy flavors, great nutty wood and coffee along with the other flavors
-D/A/B still spot on
-Definitely full bodied
-No bitterness
-Great finish, enjoyable down to the nub

Score: 92
Can't wait to pick up some more of these (cab worthy!), loved the complex, full bodied, dark flavors in this little guy. Great smoke in a small package, and with a cup of coffee- the breakfast of champions! I bet these will be great with age.

Bolivar Petit Belicosos EL 09

2010-11-25T09:44:00.000-08:00

This short belicoso shaped Bolivar was one of the three Edicion Limitadas for 2009, along with the

H. Upmann Magnum 48 and RyJ Duke. The wrapper is a dark, almost maduro color with a lumpy, leathery feel and some veins. Bolivars tend to be hit or miss for me, so we'll see how this stick smokes a year after its release.

First Third

-Strong wood, spice, cedar, and some leather explode in the first few puffs
-Thick clouds of smoke and a nice draw, on the loose side
-Definitely a fuller bodied cigar, though not a beast
-Construction is good minus a slightly crooked burn

Second Third

-Flavors haven't changed too much, but the spice is less pronounced

-Needed a bit of relight to keep the burn straight, great draw and ash held to over an inch

-A nice sweetness in the background, going well with a Becks Dark

Third Third

-Leather, wood and even a nice tangy flavor take the lead in this third

-D/A/B are all spot on, nice sturdy ash too

-Has a dark, full-bodied finish

-Slightly harsh towards the nub

Score: 89
Definitely a good smoke, but not yet in its prime- give this another few years and it will be a gem

Guillermo Leon Signature Corona

2010-11-15T10:14:00.000-08:00

**Its freezing out, so I would like to use my hands as little as possible for this review (and probably many more over the winter months), so I'm going to try a short, quickie review version that I hope will still give you a taste for the stick while keeping my hands warmer!

This is a fairly new smoke to the market, released at this year's IPCPR by Guillermo Leon and La Aurora. I'm smoking the Corona size, gifted to me by Steve over at SmokingStogie after I won a drawing. Lets see how this stick burns!

First Third
-Starts off with a medium body and light smoke
-Leathery, wood, and nutty flavors
-Getting some coffee and sweetness in the background
-Construction is good

Second Third
-Similar flavors as the first third, though a bit less defined
-Enjoying the nutty and leathery notes
-D/A/B still on target
-Picking up a bit in body, still only medium+ though

Third Third
-Getting more wood and some spice in this third
-Construction is great, just left it for 10 min and still burning!
-Definitely nub-worthy
-Tiny bit of harshness at the end, my only gripe

Score: 90
-Go try one, great stick that is very well priced

Tatuaje Face - Monster Series LE #3

2010-10-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

The third limited Halloween release from Tatuaje, "The Face" (after Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre), is a large stick at 6 3/8 by 56 sporting a Mexican wrapper. The band is actually a piece of tobacco in a lighter shade to mimic the look of the monster who it is a tribute to. Only 666 coffins were released, though 1300 ten count plain boxes were produced, making this the largest Monster release yet. The stick itself is truely a beast, and judging from other sources, seems to be a great smoke.

Pre-Light - The large size is very imposing on this cigar, and the gnarly uncut foot and tobacco band make it an interesting sight. The smell is fantastic, and the pre-light draw gives a little sweetness with a nice lighter draw.

First Third - The first puffs are heavy with woody earth, dark sweetness, some spice and a bit of raw tobacco in billows of thick smoke. The spice is muted, more of a tingle on the tongue, while the darker earth and wood take the lead. Though it is certainly a jaw breaker, I'm enjoying the size, and it is a bit stronger than I had expected.

Second Third - Not much spice in this third, while the earthy, tobacco and sweet flavors really shine. The strength is definitely picking up (though I though even the first third was medium-full) and the construction proves to be excellent- the ash lasted close to 2 inches.

Third Third - Definitely picking up more sweetness in this third (even some cocoa), as well a more wood, some nut and a bit of pretzel. Draw, ash and burn are still going strong, just like the body. I love the strength and dense, full flavors in this third, with the Mexican wrapper's sweetness being a real treat. Definitely a great ending to a great stick!

Conclusion and Score - Though I've just got a soft spot for these Halloween LEs, I loved this cigar. The sweetness of the Mexican wrapper was huge for me, as I love the type of dark, cocoa sweetness that this cigar so wonderfully exemplified, not to mention an ass-kicking body that got progressively stronger throughout. Along with the sweetness, there was a complex mix of wood, earth, nut, some spice and raw tobacco that didn't once get dull. On top of that, the construction (D/A/B) were all terrific. Definitely a cigar worthy of a 93 rating, that will hopefully only get better with age. Find some if you can, and have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Tatuaje Boris - The 'Frank Out of Costume'

2010-10-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

Last year Pete Johnson released a slightly different version of the famed Frank from Halloween of 2008, with a different wrapper, called the Boris (after the actor who played Frankenstein in the movie). Since Halloween is coming up this year, I figured I'd finally get around to smoking this LE!

Pre-Light - No noticeable smells, but the wrapper is a beautiful coffee colored brown with minimal veins and a leathery touch.

First Third - Right away I can taste the slight minty note that I've heard so much about in this stick, combined with a mild-medium bodied earthy tobacco flavor. The smoke is abnormally cool, similar to a dry wine. The draw, ash, and burn are fantastic thus far, and the smoke itself is thick and white. A slight nutty spice character adds to the complexity of what seems to be a great cigar, though with a body lighter than I had expected.

Second Third - The body has beefed up a bit though the complex mix of flavors continues to be a mix of tobacco, mint, nut and some earthyness. I am in awe of the perfection achieved in construction by Pete on this stick, its is a joy not to have to baby the stick or worry about a tight draw.

Third Third - Moving into the last third, a cool spice takes the lead with some creamy nut and earthy flavors right behind. The texture of the smoke is continuing to intrigue me, and D/A/B are, big surprise, still great. I'm not noticing any heat near the nub, as the cool flavors and smoke seem to be consistent throughout. Definitely worth nubbing.

Conclusion and Score - This cigar was really 'different' for me (as I would expect from an LE), and it fits into a niche that I could see myself yearning for on occasion in the future. The smoke itself was cool, minty and dry, while the flavors included a complex mix of earth, mint, raw tobacco, nut, and spice. Construction was superb, and I really did enjoy this cigar, though it could have used a bit more in the body department. Even still, I would rate this stick a 91 and look forward to seeing it progress over time.

La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No. 3

2010-09-27T17:34:00.000-07:00

I recently picked up this Habano in a box pass, being interested both because I have never had a La Gloria Cubana, and the fact that it is quite an odd vitola (it could easily be mistaken for a Ticonderoga No. 2). The wrapper has a veiny leather texture, and the pre-light draw was not as tough as I'd thought, though with some definite tug. Lighting up I get creamy, nutty notes with a bold woody flavor. As I move into the first third a bitter, smokey spice joins the mix. Though the draw still has some pull, it opens up a bit half way through as a pronounced cedary spice and bergamot tea dominate the now background wood and cream. The smoke has a velvet-like texture and finish, and a very nice tight, layered ash.

I really liked the complexity and combination of flavors in this dainty little smoke. Don't be fooled by the size, this thing packs a nice medium body and is stuffed with flavor. The construction, minus a tight draw to begin with, was spot on. My only gripe would be a bit of harshness towards the last third. I would rate this stick an 89 with possible room for improvement in a few years. Not a box cigar for me, but definitely one I would like to have around.

Juan Lopez Obus French Regional Edition

2010-09-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

In 2006 and again in 2007, the Juan Lopez Obus was released by Habanos for France. I haven't heard or seen many reviews on this cigar, and after my buddy brought me one back from his trip to France, I thought it would make for a good review.

Smoking outside with some coffee today. Cut is a Xikar and lit with matches.

Pre-light - The wrapper is light brown with some noticeable veins and a leathery texture. There is a faint tobacco flavor on the pull.

First Third - The Obus opens with some creamy wood flavors, in a lighter medium body. The burn and ash are prefect thus far and it is producing some nice clouds of smoke. Some earthy, cedary, and even dried leaf flavors join the mix after a quarter inch and mesh nicely with the wood. Some floral flavors in the background are interesting as well.

Second Third - The creamy flavor from the first third has really opened up, with the cedar, wood and even some nutty flavors blending well for a quite complex smoke. My ash lasted a good inch and a half before dropping, and the burn continues to be pretty straight. The smoke itself is very smooth and has an unbelievably cool finish.

Third Third - This third continues with the smooth complexity that the first two thirds had, the wood taking the lead flavor wise at this point. Tasting some more of the cedar and leaf flavor, I'm reminded of fall (my favorite cigar season). D/A/B are all on par down to the end, as I nub this gem.

Conclusion and Score - This was a real change of pace cigar for me. The complex flavor combination offered different but exciting notes for my palate. The initial woody flavor lead the pack the whole time while the cedar, earth, nut, and dried leaf mingled throughout the stick. The construction was very good, and the smooth, cool finish was refreshing. I would rate this cigar a 92, being one of the best REs I have had the opportunity to smoke. If you can nab one, it is definitely worth it!

Tatuaje La Verite

2010-08-24T16:42:00.000-07:00

***I am honored to present my second guest review, this time from Jon (Kidrock on the forums)

I often don’t do cigar reviews because I’m not an expert. In April 2009 Pete Johnson posted a photo of a cigar with a 2008 band on it saying it would be a limited released cigar that was a tribute to his passion for vintage wines. I rarely believe in hype or marketing, and was very skeptical when the price of the La Verite (5X50) would be 16.00 dollars. This is a steep price to pay especially since I left the work force recently to peruse my graduate degree in Secondary Education at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Mark Just, the owner of Tower Cigars & Pipes (www.towercigars.com) in Sacramento, California was extremely gracious in giving me the chance to access a box of 25, and sent a fiver of Angelenos along that I will be reviewing in the future.

Construction: The wrapper is a tad bit fragile and had a little cracking during the smoking process. However, I firmly believe that it was based the fact that the cigar was so fresh and a tad bit wet.

Ash: The ash held nice and tight the entire time I enjoyed this cigar. The La Verite was smoked in 65 minutes.

Flavor: The beginning of this stick hits you with the Pepin spice that Tatuaje cigars are known for. At the halfway point, I got a few notes of carmel and bread. This is a very distinctive note that I absolutely love. The last part of the cigar mellowed out; the spice was there and my palette found it quite favorable. I nubbed this cigar :)

My verdict: I would easily rate this cigar in the low 90’s and would buy another box if given the chance. Also, A HUGE THANK YOU to Mark at Tower Cigars & Pipes (www.towercigars.com) and to AJ as well for letting me contribute to his wonderful blog.

Until next time, may your ashes be long and your humidor full,

Jon “Kidrock” DiBartolomeo

Viaje Summerfest Torpedo

2010-08-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

I was sent this stick recently by a great BOTL, and thought it would make for an interesting review. The Summerfest blend is a special release from Viaje for the summer of 2010, coming in a Robusto (later add on) and Torpedo (the original planned size). The cigar itself has 1.5 inches of unwrapped foot (yes, that is just tobacco flapping in the breeze), which makes it quite a sight... I hope the flavors are as interesting as the shape!

I'll be smoking outside tonight, lighting with matches and cutting with my Palio. To get a proper light, I cut almost all of the shaggy foot off, leaving around a quarter inch out of interest.

The Summerfest starts out with a medium bodied spice, some earthy wood flavors, and a nice toasty flavor that rounds it out. There is definitely an unmistakable creaminess and a bit of carmel to the smoke as well. The burn is pretty decent, though required a touch up along the way. Draw and ash have been perfect thus far, while the spice has faded out. The wood flavor has taken over with the spice emerging again, and some nice bitter dark chocolate nuances. In the last third, the D/A/B are all spot on. Woody flavors dominate along with espresso/dark chocolate and another round of the toasty note. I smoked this stick down to the tasty little nub, and would rate it a ninety (90). Though I think last year's Holiday Blend is a slightly better cigar (it had a bit more full-bodied flavor), this stick is definitely a winner. I will definitely be looking for more!

Liga Privada Flying Pig

2010-08-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

Drew Estates came out with the Liga Privada line in the last year or so, one of their few non-flavored lines, which immediately made a splash in the cigar world. One of the special releases in this line was the 'Flying Pig,' a pigtailed 4 1/8 x 60 perfecto which was made in small quantities. I loved this cigar when it first came out last year, and was lucky enough to grab a few. Tonight is a perfect cigar smoking night, and the Flying Pig's leathery, almost black wrapper caught my eye when I went for a smoke. I'm looking forward to seeing what a bit of age has done to this funky little stick!

Smoking outside tonight with some water. Cut is a Palio and lit with matches.

The initial puffs of the Pig have notes of cedar, earth and some dark chocolate, though the overall flavors and body are more medium than I remember. The burn is a bit awkward at the end of the perfecto though soon straightened out, and the draw is spot on. As I move towards the second third, the flavors open up a bit more as the complexity bumps up a notch and some spice starts up. Later on, the spice picks up with some rich, complex, earthy flavors, and more sweet/bitter chocolate. The construction remained fantastic throughout, and I would rate this stick a solid 91. I think the humidor time really made these great instead of just good, and I am happy I still have a few left. Definitely grab a few if you're able!

Cohiba Siglo V ('01)

2010-07-18T16:34:00.000-07:00

This stick was given to me by a BOTL about 6 months ago, and has been waiting in the humidor since. Not sure why, but I felt an urge to spark up this 9 year old Cohiba, and see how it tastes. My experience with Cohibas is a bit less than the other marcas, so this should be an interesting experience in which I have very few expectations.

Lighting up tonight after dinner on the patio with some cold water. Cut with my Xikar and lit with matches.

Pre-Light - The wrapper is a light, tan color with a smooth, almost oily texture and a few veins. The draw has a light tug, and the triple cap is beautiful.

First Third - The first draws bring a large volume of smoke, with toasty, woody, and some creamy notes. I am surprised by the superb draw (considering the '99-'01 curse), which is giving clouds of smoke are thick and white. After a half inch, a more dark tobacco flavor joins the picture, kicking the complexity up a notch. The burn isn't all that great, but doesn't really need any touch-ups yet.

Second Third - The flavors are really coming into their own, with wood, nut, and raw tobacco leading the pack, and some subtle cedar and coffee in the background. The ash is tight and layered, though still not really straight. Draw and smoke continue to be fantastic.
Third Third - Ooh boy I wish I had more of these... The flavors have moved away from the darker ones of the second third, and the coffee, wood, and toast notes have taken the lead. A nice cedar and vanilla in the background round out the flavors, as the draw and smoke continue to be spot on. While I did have to touch up once or twice, this was really no matter to me. The smoke was cool, almost menthol like at the end, and I nubbed it until my fingers were on fire.
Conclusion and Score - I must say this was one of the best CCs I have had in a while. The flavors were well rounded and complex, never letting up from start to nub. The body was medium at the beginning and end, but got a bit heavier in the middle. Burn was average, but the volumes of thick smoke and wonderful draw made up for what the burn lacked. Overall, this was an immensely enjoyable smoke, that I would rate 92 points. I doubt I will smoke one again, but if I can find one, I will most definitely grab it!

La Riqueza No. 5

2010-06-18T05:50:00.000-07:00

This stick was sent to me recently by a generous BOTL, and I have been looking forward to lighting it up. I've had the No. 2 (belicoso) before and loved it, but am yet to smoke any of the other sizes. The La Riqueza line by Pete Johnson is designed to be "An Old World medium bodied Cuban style cigar" according to the website, and is made with Nicaraguan tobaccos in a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. This cute little size reminds me of a Party Short or RASCC, which are great for a quick smoke!

Lighting up this morning (couldn't sleep!) with a cup of coffee. Cut with my Xikar and lit with matches.

Lighting up, I'm smacked in the face with strong wood, coffee, and nutty flavors. The smoke is quite thick for such a small cigar, and has a toasty aftertaste. D/A/B are all perfect, the latter with a Cubanesque tug. I am quite surprised at how much depth and clarity there are to the flavors, this cigar is really a treat. As I get to the half way point, the complexity settles down a bit (though adding some spice and molasses to the mix of flavors), while all construction aspects remain flawless. I would give this an 89 rating, and with some age to mellow the slight harshness I tasted towards the end, this will easily be in the 90s. Overall, a great cigar that is going on my 'box purchase when I have money' list!

Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos

2010-06-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks have been stressful with school work (summer classes for Co-op- ugh!), and I haven't had the chance to smoke too often. I'm gonna try and make up for that today by pulling out something interesting- the Ramon Allones Regional Edition for the 2009 Asian Pacific, the Celestiales Finos. This stick has a reputation of being on the stronger side, though the wrapper looks a bit lighter than the other RAs I've had in the past few years. Either way, hopefully it turns out well because I am a huge fan of Ramon Allones, and this will be my first special release from the brand.

Smoking outside by the pool tonight, drinking iced coffee and cold water. Cut is a palio, and lit with a torch.

Pre-light - The wrapper is a light brown with an almost orange hue. I have seen a variety of wrapper shades on these, so this isn't surprising. There are a few lumps, but it feels nice and has a great draw- more on the easy side.

First Third - The Celestiales Finos opens with a huge cloud of thick white smoke, some cedary spice, wood, and vegetal-coffee flavors (if that makes sense). The strength doesn't seem too full right away, but the flavor definitely leans toward full bodied. Burn is average, but the draw is perfect. Guess I'm lucky in that area, as many smokers reported a stiff tug. I'm intrigued by the development of the flavors, it is an interesting and well rounded combo.

Second Third - I'm really diggin' the flavors at this point, with hay, wood, cedar and some coffee melding together well. Cuba's typical 'twang' isn't really there the strength had definitely picked up... it is not a cigar for the feint of heart. The burn and ash are still a bit ragged, but the draw is absolutely perfect. Coffee was a great choice for this cigar, and would be highly recommended.

Third Third - The flavors are still holding my attention well, though they have not changed much from the second third; possibly a bit more coffee at this point, though hay still leading the pack. The burn has evened out a bit, while the draw is still flawless. While this stick doesn't show any similarities to the regular production RAs (or many other CCs at all), it is a great experience. Conclusion and Score - I've gotta say that this was quite a 'different' smoke in the flavor department. The flavors of the Celestiales Finos were rich, with a vegetal type coffee, hay, and some wood that were brought together in a refreshing full bodied smoke. Strength was a pretty big factor in this cigar after the first third, and if you can find one, eat a nice meal before smoking it- by far the strongest CC I have ever had. Even with a less than desirable burn/ash, I would give this smoke a 90 rating, with a bit of room for improvement after some aging. As it stands though, a fine example of exotic flavors in young Cuban tobacco. Will be looking for more!

Montecristo Petit Edmundo

2010-05-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

Haven't had much from 'the Island' lately, so I decided to burn a Montecristo Petit Edmundo of recent production with a cup of coffee this morning. These cigars are the little brother of Montecristo's Edmundo size, that being a bit larger than a robusto, the Petit being more of a short robusto at 4.3x52. The wrapper is a golden brown with a few tiny spots, but looks very nice overall.

Cut is a Xikar, with some coffee to drink, and lighting the torch.

The first few draws (perfect CC tug) produce a nice raw tobacco flavor with a creamy wood flavor, if that makes sense. I'm also tasting some cedary spice in the background. The burn isn't the greatest on this stick and needed a few touchups so far, but the flavors are making up for that. A nice sweetness and even a floral taste have joined the other flavors, making this mild-medium bodied stick full in flavor. The second half produces a bit stronger flavors- more of the sweet raw tobacco, some coffee, cedar, and a very 'Montecristo' twang. Construction has been fantastic, with a perfect draw and tight ash (only dropped it twice), and only a few minor burn problems. Thick clouds of aromatic smoke are another plus. As I nub this little stick down to my fingers, I must say I truly loved this smoke.

Conclusion and Score - Wow. This cigar really surprised me with the depth of flavors in a mild-medium body. The cedar, cream, floral, coffee, and tobacco flavors were smooth and rich throughout, and the draw and smoke were perfect. My only problem was a few touchups on the burn, but that really didn't bother me much- the taste made up for that. This is a perfect morning cigar, but could hold its own against fuller bodied sticks in the flavor department too. Just might be my new favorite CC, and I would gladly rate this a 91. Next time I have the cash for a box, it'll probably be these little flavor bombs. PS Make sure to grab some coffee with it, the combo was heavenly!

Tatuaje West Side - Verocu No. 1

2010-04-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

A few years ago Pete Johnson decided to release some smaller quantities of 'RE' Verocu cigars, the No. 1 (or 'West Side') available only on the west coast, and the No. 2 (or 'East Side') available only to the eastern US. I was lucky enough to get a hold of the West Side from a great BOTL, and was in the mood for a good Tat today- hopefully this will fit the bill!

Lighting up at the B&M today, cut with my Palio and lit with matches. Cold water to drink.

Pre-Light - There is a slightly stiff draw, and some mild sweetness on the pre-light draw. Not much otherwise.

First Third - My first puffs of the 'West Side' yielded rich, smooth flavors right off the bat. There is a definite sweetness (molasses?), with some wood, mild coffee, and possibly some leather flavors. The draw is perfect, with a nice darker gray ash forming already. I'm still not sure exactly what the sweetness is here, but it sure is interesting- reminds me of the HDM EL 07 I had recently.The beautiful ash I was working on decided to drop right as I was going to snap a pic, a true shame.Second Third - Flavors entering the second third continue to be the same as the first for the most part, mainly sweet with some rich wood/coffee/leather faintly rounding it out. I'm surprised that there hasn't been any spice yet, but from what I have heard both this stick and the 'East Side' pick up in strength and spice towards the end. So far, it is medium bodied with flavor more towards full. Ending the second third darker flavors start to gain on the sweetness, mostly earthiness and strong coffee.
Third Third - Burn has needed a touch up or two, and the ash is very nice but isn't sticking around too long. The strength has definitely picked up from the first third, while spice is starting to appear and a bitter coffee/woody flavor is taking the reins from the molasses sweetness. The flavors are getting a bit muddled, but what can you ask for at the nub.

Conclusion and Score - I've got to admit that this stick was very different from most other Tataujes I have had. This is not to say it wasn't good, as I thoroughly enjoyed it until I burned my fingers. The 'West Side' wasn't necessarily a complex cigar, but did have some nice changes throughout- moving from medium bodied molasses sweetness at the start, to a stronger, dark earth flavor in the last third. I have only had one or two other cigars with sweetness like this, and this was by far the best. If you're looking for a change of pace and enjoy sweet flavors, try and find one of these. I'd gladly score this a 90, with the possibility of another point or two if aging could eliminate the occasional bitterness and average burn. Will be looking for more!

Avalon Juke Blue Series Toro

2010-04-16T21:09:00.000-07:00

Been a bit nicer outside lately, and I've been dying to try something interesting and new, so tonight I'm lighting up an Avalon Juke Blue Toro (6x46). Avalon is a recently founded, smaller company coming out of Mississippi- making their sticks a bit hard to come by. I have had one other cigar from this company, and although I have no idea exactly what it was (pre-release of the 'Numbers' series possibly?), it was a fantastic smoke. I've been excited to smoke this for a while now, and as I'm getting ready to smoke, I realized that the cello is already tinted yellow! I should be in for a nice experience.

Out on the porch tonight, cutting with a Palio and lighting with a torch. Drink is water.

Pre-Light - The wrapper on this smoke is a rough, dark chocolate brown with a few lumps here and there. Draw is nice, and flavor is a mildly sweet, raw tobacco.

First Third - The first few puffs bring clouds medium-bodied smoke, loaded with toasty and nutty flavors. The Juke Blue's draw has a perfect tug to it, and after about a quarter inch a nice spiciness takes the stage. Burn is straight so far, and a slightly ragged, gray ash is forming. The body and flavors have picked up in strength about an inch in; the spice, toasty and nutty flavors are still prominent, but I can taste a slight cinnamon flavor as well now.

Second Third - My ash dropped before I could get a good picture (bummer), but I am thouroughly enjoying this stick so far. Avalon prides itself on a bluesy, southern attitude, and I can totally see that in this stick. The flavors are meaty but not overpowering, and very rich for the price point (about $100 a box or less). The ash continues to be a bit loose, but the burn is alright so no complaints here. A bit farther than half way in, I got a strange bitter flavor, the first disappointing note yet... Tried a re-cut, figuring a nicotine buildup was to blame, which helped.Third Third - Moving into the last third, the Juke Blue continues to have a toasty flavor, now with more earthyness to it and less spice. The burn needed a touchup or two, and the ash is still ragged but no major problems. I'm tasting the bitterness in and out now, which is marring an otherwise fantastic cigar. Smoking this down to the band at least, as the meatyness is hitting the spot tonight.Conclusion and Score - Gotta say this was a nice smoke, but the bitterness I tasted in the second and third thirds held this back from being great. I would give the stick an 85, as I really did enjoy the dense smoke and nutty/coffee/toasty flavors. Would some extra age help? Gonna have to get some more and see. Definitely worth a try if you happen upon them.

Illusione Epernay Le Ferme

2010-03-31T14:32:00.000-07:00

Haven't had the time to smoke too much lately (actually taking a break from studying right now), but since it was a nice day out I figured I'd light something up and relax. Had this smoke for a few months now, and was excited to light up the Epernay Le Ferme by Illusione. It is a corona gorda sized cigar sporting a smooth Rosado wrapper.

The pre-light flavor was sweet and raisiny, the draw having just a little tug. After lighting, the Le Ferme starts out very smooth, with some spice, nuts, a little sweetness, and an almost Cubanesque twang. Moving farther in, more spicy cedar flavors move to the forefront. The draw has a nice little tug to it, and it is burning pretty well (for being slightly windy out). I seem to keep tasting 'young CC Partagas' as I move on... Odd? Yes. Good? Also yes. Though no clouds of billowy smoke, there is definitely a smooth texture to it. Moving towards the end of the stick, the original sweetness reappears for a curtain call.

While not the most complex cigar, I did enjoy my first Epernay. The flavors were not particularly dynamic, but did have a nice cohesiveness and fit well together. I would rate this an 88 overall, give or take a few points. I'll be looking forward to trying some other sizes in this line, but will be back for more of the Le Ferme.

Hoya De Monterrey Regalos Edicion Limitada 2007

2010-03-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a pole on Asylum, today I'm going to fire up this HDM EL 07. Not too much background here, as I haven't seen many reviews, but looking forward to a nice smoke hopefully, this being my second CC EL (the Mag 48 I had last week was fantastic).

At the shop today (it is raining out); cut with a Xikar and lit with matches, water to drink.

Pre-light - Wrapper is a nice chocolate brown, but has some spots and veins. Draw is on the firmer side, with mild tobacco flavors.

First Third - Initial draw give me some raw tobacco, with a bit of spice and toastiness in the background. Draw is perfect, and burn seems to be straight so far. An odd sweet flavor is left in my mouth after each puff, possibly molasses mixed with coffee? Very enjoyable. The smoke has a velvety texture, but isn't all that thick. Burn got a little ragged after an inch or so, but no corrections needed yet.

Second Third - The bold flavors of the first third have toned down, and the sweetness is not as prevalent. As strange as it was, I miss it now. Flavors are consisting of mainly raw, full tobacco and some coffee in the background. Burn has evened out again, and the ash is a holding nicely. Towards the middle of the stick, I noticed the flavors getting a bit ashy, hopefully this is me smoking too fast.

Third Third - I am enjoying this stick, though the first third was better than the second third, and this one it seems as well. Coffee is the dominating flavor right now the same raw tobacco that was present throughout. The body on this is surprising me, much fuller than the other regular line HDMs I have had, which I am enjoying. It isn't a full bodied stick, but definitely on the heavier side of medium. An ashy background is popping in and out, which is what is separating this from a 'good' rather than 'great' for me.

Conclusion and Score - This Hoya surprised me in body, being more full than I had anticipated. The first third was an awesome smoking experience, and I wish the flavors had continued into the following two thirds. Alas, the last two were not as tasty, losing the sweetness and gaining a slight ashyness. The D/A/B were good, but nothing special. Despite the declining enjoyment throughout, it was a good stick, and I would give it an 87. If it had been 3 'first thirds', it could have easily broken 90.

Don Pepin Garcia Series JJ Maduro Belicoso - Guest Review

2010-02-16T17:58:00.000-08:00

I have been eager to post some guest reviews by friends to get another perspective, and after a good BOTL sent me his review of this stick, I had to put it up! So, without further ado, Matt's review of the DPG Series JJ Maduro Belicoso:

Background - Picked this up from a box-pass, other than that I don’t know much about its background.

Construction - The wrapper on this cigar is a beautiful dark brown, a little tooth, no spotting. To the touch it feels very supple, didn’t find any under filled spots or any spots that felt particularly harder than any other part. Excellent construction.

Pre-light - Draw has a slight tug, which I find unusual for DPGs, so that was something new for me. Lots of spice to this cigar on the cold taste, not much pepper though. I’m already liking the taste of this cigar.

First third - Smacks you in the face with spice and now the pepper hits, very earthy as well. Full-bodied at this point, lots of creamy smoke, and it has a sweet smooth finish to it. The sweetness lingers for a good while after each puff leading me to say that this provides a nice long finish on the palate. Burn is even at this point.

Second third - Still very spicy, and I like that! The pepper note has dissipated, it’s still a little earthy, but a leathery element is coming through. I’m not getting a cedary note, and I’m not sure if that is something normal for this line or not. Very enjoyable, burn is pretty even, no noticeable canoeing or tunneling.Final third - The spice has not stopped and I’m loving it. The earthiness has gone away, but still extremely enjoyable, and the sweet smooth finish remains long. The burn has stayed even. The draw got a little hot towards the end, but didn’t take anything away from the taste.Overall impression - Extremely enjoyable cigar, very spicy throughout the entire smoke, and a sweetness that lingered on the palate the entire time. I’m definitely going to be keeping some of these in my humidor. Consistent, enjoyable, and smooth would be the best 3 words I could use to describe this cigar. Well, I'm no pro, but I'd give the cigar a 93. It was a solid performer all the way around, and it is right up my alley as far as flavor profiles go.

-The Badger

The "Black Ghost"

2010-02-03T15:03:00.000-08:00

After hearing some talk about a LE house blend cigar rolled by an ex-Opus Master Roller, I asked around, and found out that the "Black Ghost" is a gnarly looking stick, rolled by Francisco from Habana Premium in upstate NY. It is said to be a real powerhouse sporting a Peruvian wrapper. The Corona Gorda sized stick is rather ugly, having a funky colored wrapper, a little pigtail, and lots of lumps. My curiosity lead to a bomb by a BOTL from Asylum, who sent me two of these so that I could do a review. Seems like I will be in for an interesting experience!

Cut is a Palio, lit with matches, and paired with cold water. Enjoying this with a good buddy, who will be smoking his first CC courtesy of Santa. Feels great to push someone down the slope ;)

Pre-Light - As I said before, this is really an ugly cigar. The wrapper has patchy colors and lumps, and is a bit squishy in some spots. That aside, the pre-light draw is nice, with a tiny tug.

First Third - The draw opens up immediately with thick, cloudy smoke. Wood and a dark, earthy note dominate the flavors right off the bat, and I can already tell this will be quite a strong cigar. Black tea and straight raw tobacco are also in the flavor mix, and it reminds me of a young, ultra-full-bodied Cuban. Ash is flaky but tight, and looks very dark in color, and again, I think CC. After setting it down for only a minute or two while I sent a text message, it went out! No problem after re-lighting though.

Second Third - The burn is going well, though ranging from sharp to somewhat ragged. More tea and black pepper notes are developing, complementing the earthy flavors. I am enjoying the Ghost so far, but it is flirting with the fine line between complexity and muddiness, most likely because of the darkness of the flavors.

Third Third - This cigar is no wimp- I can feel the strength creeping up in the back of my throat. Black tea and earth are dominating the last third, with some rich spice in the background. Ash/burn/draw continue to be on target, and no more re-light problems. Smoker beware with nose-exhaling- trust me it burns like hell.

Conclusion and Score - I smoked one of these previously, and I must say it was not half as good. Not sure if it was more humi time or the fact that I smoked the first one in 15 degree weather, but I was very impressed this time through. This wasn't the most complex cigar I have had, or the most refined in flavor, but it certainly had a nice punch in both body and taste. A rugged, dark, earthy flavor dominated- something that I don't find with too many sticks, and am rarely in the mood for, but today it hit the spot. I would give this an 89 rating, with possible room for improvement if the young, tea like flavor cold mellow with some age.

CAO La Traviata Divino

2010-01-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

Being bored today, I wanted to get a cigar in before the NFL Playoffs and decided it was time to see what all the buzz is about over the CAO La Traviata. CAO's newest creation is named for an old Cuban brand, tries to mimic olde-world Cuban style. Lets see how it stacks up!

CAO has picked some leathery, dark, dense tobacco for this cigar, and it feels great in your hand. The pre-light on this Robusto sized stick tastes almost exactly like the sweet raisiny flavor of Redman to me, a flavor I really enjoy. After lighting, I get a nice tug on the draw and plenty of thick smoke. The flavors consist of a creamy medley of nut, sweet, and cedar notes (the cedar being a tiny bit spicy). Burn and ash start out perfect. I am enjoying the full-bodied flavors and body, but look for some more complexity. The second third explodes with coffee and earth flavors, though the flavors from the first third still stick around. Burn is razor sharp, draw is fantastic, and ash holds for over an inch before I drop it. Finishing up, I am still getting alot of coffee flavors though with some wood and spice and some sweet molasses. I rarely compare sticks to each other, but this reminds me of a VSG in body, construction and some of the flavors- though at a Casa Magna like price. A bit more complexity and this would be perfect.

I really enjoyed all hour and fifteen minutes of the La Traviata, it is a high quality product. The flavors were robust and tasty, and the construction was top notch. I would gladly give this a 90 rating, and will definitely be smoking more of these soon.

Illusione MJ12

2010-01-11T12:51:00.000-08:00

After having a rough week, and not smoking recently, I decided to light up the Illusione MJ12 on a whim. Must have been the fancy silver foil wrapper, because after rooting through my humi and seeing this, I knew what I wanted to smoke. Having never had an Illusione cigar before, this seems like the perfect way to dive in -a fat toro, with a chocolaty brown wrapper, in some wicked cool packaging. Illusione is a relatively small boutique brand of cigars, with an interesting name for each vitola. The 'MJ12' refers to the 'Majestic Twelve', or twelve disciples; all the names refer back to Christ, or important parts of Dion Giolito's (the creator) life.

Heading outside to the front porch, bundled up with a nice cup of fresh roasted coffee (thank you Gary!). Cut it a Xikar, and lit with matches.

Pre-Light - Initial draw is very easy, almost too much so. I can taste some sweet raisiny notes, but mostly just a mild tobacco flavor.

First Third - The first puff reveals tons of smoke, honestly, in an unventilated room this stick could easily act as a cloaking device. Nut, wood and sweet notes jump out at me, though in an odd combination, dominated by a strong raw tobacco. Some other flavor is lurking, but I can't for the life of me pick out what it is. The burn is decently straight, though the ash didn't last long the first time. No problems yet.

Second Third - Moving into the second third I notice that the ash really has no holding potential, which is fine, just interesting. Most I could get was about 3/4 of an inch. I do love the feel of the leathery smooth wrapper, and it is no doubt a well constructed stick, just not necessarily to my preferences. The flavors have muted some, and I am getting mostly tobacco and an earthy type of wood flavor. Toward the end of this third I can feel a bit of strength, just another tally for 'raw, rugged, man cigar' I suppose.Third Third - The flavors continue to be a bit one dimensional, in the same fashion of earthy tobacco. Maybe I'm just smoking too fast because its about 18 degrees here, but it seems to show some strange sulfur flavoring. The burn and draw are constant, and overall not much has changed since the first third. Even down to the band/nub, it is a good cigar, but not really in the 'great' category for me.Conclusion and Score - I did enjoy my first Illusione cigar, but would have to say I was not overly impressed. This stick was, to me, a very rugged smoke which I may call on in a moment of manliness or need for a large, consistently raw flavor. Complexity was not in the MJ12's vocabulary, though the flavors it did have were enjoyable. I would like to try another Illusione to compare, and will probably keep one or two of these around for when I get in a certain mood. I'd have to give this an 85, as it was good but not great. For the price of about $7-8, the MJ is definitely worth a try.

Viaje Holiday Blend

2009-12-16T20:29:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-12T10:40:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-30T15:08:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-29T18:44:00.000-08:00

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'

2009-11-20T16:33:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-31T09:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-09-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-07T19:13:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-03T14:51:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-27T20:19:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-10T11:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-06T19:51:00.001-07:00

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.