Montecristo Petit Edmundo

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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!