This is another cigar that has been hiding in my humidor for quite some time. I dug it out last night and decided to give it a go. As always, full disclosure is the name of my game and I have to point out that Casa Fernandez stuff is very hit or miss for me. I liked the Aganorsa Leaf, but I have found many of their other offerings to be very pedestrian. Having said that, I always let each cigar stand on it's own for my evaluations.
This cigar presents well, the wrapper is rich looking and the band work is interesting. It seems a touch dry to me, and there are some prominent veins. A quick roll through the fingers reveals some tension, but I don't think it will cause any issues while smoking. The pre light aroma is full of dark wood notes. The pre light draw has some bitter tobacco notes, but a nice earthy undertone.
The smoke opens with a profile that is decidedly bready, with maybe a touch of cream in the background. This is a unique flavor complexion and I am impressed with the originality of the smoke early on. At the back of the palate there are some very nice notes of earth and wood that are offsetting the sweetness of the front of the profile very well. The draw is a little tighter than I normally prefer, but it is not causing me any issues to this point. The burn is a touch off kilter, but not necessarily showing any signs for concern.
The first half of the smoke shows some interesting developments. The profile shifts into a more deep presentation of bread and oatmeal notes, but is not particularly complex and I would like to see some more intermediate flavors to serve as a backdrop for the front of the profile. At the back of the palate there continues to be a nice note of earth and wood, with some spice coming in as well. The draw continues to be a touch too firm for me, but it is not causing any heat in the smoke. The burn has evened out nicely and I anticipate no further issues.
The final half of the cigar transitions even further. The profile shifts into a more straightforward showing of tobacco and spice characteristics and I am somewhat disappointed by the disappearance of the earlier flavors. At the back of the palate there continue to be some notes of earth, wood and spice. The draw opens perceptibly in the final moments and the cigar delivers some more intense flavor in the final salvo. The burn stayed solid for the entire last half of the smoke.
The finish was long and lingered with nice tastes of wood and spice.
Overall this was a nice smoke. I would have liked more depth and complexity, but the cigar showed some very unique flavor ideas in the first half.
Appearance- 89 a nice looking presentation
Taste- 90 some great early ideas, but in the end some fizzle instead of sizzle
Construction- 88 some tightness in the draw and early burn issues
Strength- 85 a very unremarkable medium
Overall- 88.25 an above average, and enjoyable smoking experience
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Padron Family Reserve No.45 Maduro Toro (6X52)
It has been awhile since I have posted a review and I figured that while I was sitting at the incredible new Maduro's lounge I would get back on the horse for another no holds barred smoke critique.
This cigar has been biding it's time in my humi for a bit as I looked for just the right time to sit back and consider it. I am always struck by the ruddy, cheroot like appearance of any Padron super premium. This is no exception, it appears to be the working man's cigar, perfect for roping calves or plowing the field. However, it is priced at $25 per smoke and that is no everyday yard banger. Visuals aside, I am impressed with rest of the smoke, slightly box pressed and dark and rich. The wrapper is oily and has some tooth. I can detect no issues in the construction of the smoke and after a quick inspection decide that it will be just fine. The pre light aroma is all earth and clove. The pre light draw is showing some light pepper and some interesting coffee and fruit notes.
The cigar opens with a profile that is less that what I expect from this smoke, it is nice, but lacks complexity and depth in the early moments. There is a nice peppery opening, but the usual Padron earthiness is lacking here. At the back of the palate there are some nice notes of dark wood and some light tobacco essences, but I am not blown away at this point. The burn is razor sharp and a ponderous white ash forms quickly. The draw is exceptional, imparting just the right amount of smoke with very little effort on my part.
The first half of the cigar starts to warm the insides, like a fine scotch this cigar showed some straightforward plainness early but really kicks into high gear as it opens up. The profile has transitioned into a very pleasant array of pepper, earth and coffee and it is ramping up as the cigar continues. At the back of the palate there continues to be a nice woody foundation, but there is a note of raisin here as well. The draw and burn continue to be very impressive.
The final half of the cigar loses some steam, and I have transitioned from a cigar that I thought might be legendary, to one that is just above average. The profile thins considerably and shows just some notes of pepper with some occasional coffee blasts. At the back of the palate there are still some hints of dark wood, but the earthy notes that I have been looking for start to sneak in here, unfortunately they are too late. I also note a significant increase in the strength in the last third. The burn and draw are splendid throughout the smoke.
The finish is long and shows some lingering earth and pepper tones.
For my money the 1926 is still a much better smoke, but this one was very good.
Appearance- 88 a bit rough, but still nice to look at
Taste- 91 some late profile issues detract from the experience
Construction- 94 a very excellent presentation in this area
Strength- 92 some surprising power late
Overall- 91.75 a very nice experience
This cigar has been biding it's time in my humi for a bit as I looked for just the right time to sit back and consider it. I am always struck by the ruddy, cheroot like appearance of any Padron super premium. This is no exception, it appears to be the working man's cigar, perfect for roping calves or plowing the field. However, it is priced at $25 per smoke and that is no everyday yard banger. Visuals aside, I am impressed with rest of the smoke, slightly box pressed and dark and rich. The wrapper is oily and has some tooth. I can detect no issues in the construction of the smoke and after a quick inspection decide that it will be just fine. The pre light aroma is all earth and clove. The pre light draw is showing some light pepper and some interesting coffee and fruit notes.
The cigar opens with a profile that is less that what I expect from this smoke, it is nice, but lacks complexity and depth in the early moments. There is a nice peppery opening, but the usual Padron earthiness is lacking here. At the back of the palate there are some nice notes of dark wood and some light tobacco essences, but I am not blown away at this point. The burn is razor sharp and a ponderous white ash forms quickly. The draw is exceptional, imparting just the right amount of smoke with very little effort on my part.
The first half of the cigar starts to warm the insides, like a fine scotch this cigar showed some straightforward plainness early but really kicks into high gear as it opens up. The profile has transitioned into a very pleasant array of pepper, earth and coffee and it is ramping up as the cigar continues. At the back of the palate there continues to be a nice woody foundation, but there is a note of raisin here as well. The draw and burn continue to be very impressive.
The final half of the cigar loses some steam, and I have transitioned from a cigar that I thought might be legendary, to one that is just above average. The profile thins considerably and shows just some notes of pepper with some occasional coffee blasts. At the back of the palate there are still some hints of dark wood, but the earthy notes that I have been looking for start to sneak in here, unfortunately they are too late. I also note a significant increase in the strength in the last third. The burn and draw are splendid throughout the smoke.
The finish is long and shows some lingering earth and pepper tones.
For my money the 1926 is still a much better smoke, but this one was very good.
Appearance- 88 a bit rough, but still nice to look at
Taste- 91 some late profile issues detract from the experience
Construction- 94 a very excellent presentation in this area
Strength- 92 some surprising power late
Overall- 91.75 a very nice experience
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf Robusto (5x50)
I had been hearing about this cigar from BOTL's recently and I must say the ratings from some of them seemed to good to be true. As is often the case I never take anyone's word for anything, and I decided that this cigar would need to be put before the hairy eyeball of cigar scrutiny forthwith.
The cigar presents in a slightly box pressed form. As a side note, I have never understood the purposes of the box press and I can't come up with a single reason why it should be done. However, I have smoked many excellent box pressed smokes and this one looks spectacular. The wrapper has deep brown tones and looks lustrous. There are very few veins and the oils are nearly dripping off this smoke. Even the band work is simple and elegant, something many companies forget about these days. I examine the cigar closely, I always spend more time in this area with a box pressed smoke, because in my opinion the pressing can exacerbate flaws. In this smoke I detect nary an area for concern. The pre light aroma is light and fresh, showing a nose of coffee, earth and crisp tobacco. The pre light draw seems a bit tight to me, but there is flow so I am not overly concerned. I detect some essence of chocolate and mint on the trial puffs.
The cigar opens with a profile that is nothing short of excellent. There are some fabulous arrays of coffee, chocolate and dark fruit in the opening moments and the profile is deep and complex. I am stunned by the early offerings of this smoke and I am settling in for an experience. At the back of the palate there are some very pleasing flavors of dark wood and earth that complement and mull the sweetness of the front of the profile. The draw is a little tight for me, I prefer them to be more open. The burn is a little wobbly to start, but I do not think that it will cause any issues.
The first half of the cigar performs well, but loses some of the promise of the opening moments. There are some hints of coffee and chocolate here, but a more straightforward presentation of tobacco has started to come in. I still find this to be very enjoyable, but not as complex as the opening few minutes. At the back of the palate there are still some tastes of dark wood, but the earthy components have taken over here. Somewhere in the one third to one half point of this cigar it picks up in strength and begins to rear back with some hidden power. The draw continues to perform, but I am still waiting for it to open a bit. The burn has corrected itself well.
The final half of the cigar continues to show some surprising strength that I find to be very interesting. This cigar showed no signals in the early minutes that it would strengthen in this way. The profile has morphed into a real in your face presentation of tobacco and coffee that lacks some depth and complexity, but is still enjoyable. At the back of the palate some odd floral sweetness has shown up, but it plays well against an earthy backdrop. The draw opens slightly in the final minutes of the smoke and the burn continues to be solid.
The finish has some sweet floral hints with an earthy overtone.
I must say that this is the best cigar I have smoked in some weeks and I will point out what most already know. Knowledgeable BOTL's are worth listening to sometimes.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 91 a very nice profile that kept my interest, but could have been more complex
Construction- 90 some deductions for tightness in the draw early on
Strength- 92 a very surprising strength profile that complemented the profile in a big way
Overall- 91 a very solid performance from this smoke
The cigar presents in a slightly box pressed form. As a side note, I have never understood the purposes of the box press and I can't come up with a single reason why it should be done. However, I have smoked many excellent box pressed smokes and this one looks spectacular. The wrapper has deep brown tones and looks lustrous. There are very few veins and the oils are nearly dripping off this smoke. Even the band work is simple and elegant, something many companies forget about these days. I examine the cigar closely, I always spend more time in this area with a box pressed smoke, because in my opinion the pressing can exacerbate flaws. In this smoke I detect nary an area for concern. The pre light aroma is light and fresh, showing a nose of coffee, earth and crisp tobacco. The pre light draw seems a bit tight to me, but there is flow so I am not overly concerned. I detect some essence of chocolate and mint on the trial puffs.
The cigar opens with a profile that is nothing short of excellent. There are some fabulous arrays of coffee, chocolate and dark fruit in the opening moments and the profile is deep and complex. I am stunned by the early offerings of this smoke and I am settling in for an experience. At the back of the palate there are some very pleasing flavors of dark wood and earth that complement and mull the sweetness of the front of the profile. The draw is a little tight for me, I prefer them to be more open. The burn is a little wobbly to start, but I do not think that it will cause any issues.
The first half of the cigar performs well, but loses some of the promise of the opening moments. There are some hints of coffee and chocolate here, but a more straightforward presentation of tobacco has started to come in. I still find this to be very enjoyable, but not as complex as the opening few minutes. At the back of the palate there are still some tastes of dark wood, but the earthy components have taken over here. Somewhere in the one third to one half point of this cigar it picks up in strength and begins to rear back with some hidden power. The draw continues to perform, but I am still waiting for it to open a bit. The burn has corrected itself well.
The final half of the cigar continues to show some surprising strength that I find to be very interesting. This cigar showed no signals in the early minutes that it would strengthen in this way. The profile has morphed into a real in your face presentation of tobacco and coffee that lacks some depth and complexity, but is still enjoyable. At the back of the palate some odd floral sweetness has shown up, but it plays well against an earthy backdrop. The draw opens slightly in the final minutes of the smoke and the burn continues to be solid.
The finish has some sweet floral hints with an earthy overtone.
I must say that this is the best cigar I have smoked in some weeks and I will point out what most already know. Knowledgeable BOTL's are worth listening to sometimes.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 91 a very nice profile that kept my interest, but could have been more complex
Construction- 90 some deductions for tightness in the draw early on
Strength- 92 a very surprising strength profile that complemented the profile in a big way
Overall- 91 a very solid performance from this smoke
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tatuaje Monster Series "The Face" (6.375x56)
Every year Pete Johnson brings us the Monster Series cigar sometime around Halloween. This year's version is a very large offering and it sports a band made of tobacco that is supposed to resemble Leatherface of Texas Chainsaw Massacre fame. The cigar also shows an unfinished foot, I always find this affectation to be gimmicky, and in some cases I have had an unfinished foot hinder early combustion and cause smoking issues that could have been avoided. Gimmicks aside, I have always enjoyed the Monster Series smokes and I will live with the strange and affected once per year.
The smoke itself is very large and thick. I am not a big ring guy, but in this case it seems right to me. The tobacco as a band idea has some cache and provides and interesting visual experience, plus it saves labor as I usually remove the band right away. An examination of the cigar reveals no issues, but I do notice that the wrapper seems a bit dry to me. There are very few veins, and aside from some visual dryness as well, the cigar seems well made. The pre light aroma is very strange, but pleasing, showing some sweet wheaty aromas. The pre light draw is very smooth, which indicates to me the unfinished foot will not be an issue, it shows some strong notes of tobacco and light spice.
The cigar opens with a profile that is a touch too thin for me. There are some nice ideas of spice, tobacco and sugarcane here but they are not deep or complex. There is a touch of early pepper here as well, but it is dry and not helping the cause. At the back of the palate there are some very nice flavors of wood and leather, but again the flavors seem a bit too shallow for me at this point. The draw on this cigar is a dream, I am having no issue getting ample smoke from each pull and the resistance that is present is nearly perfect. The burn is slightly askew, but cigars with an unfinished foot often burn oddly early on.
The first half of the cigar is a lesson in duality. There are some areas that I really like and when the smoke is in these phases I am nearing cigar euphoria. However, there are some times in the first half when I am seriously considering getting rid of the whole shooting match. The profile is alternately of spice and tobacco followed by shifts to grass and dusty presentations of cedar. There are some areas where a hint of vanilla might be coming through, but they are not anything I can isolate. At the back of the palate there are still some notes of wood, but the front of the profile leaves the final impressions wanting. The draw continues to be excellent and the burn has evened out.
The final half of the cigar is where I expect some development, but there really is none. The presentation continues to be schizophrenic, alternately showing excellence and mediocrity. The main profile continues to waffle between notes of tobacco and spice to notes of vegetation and grass. There is an odd aftertaste creeping in here that is sugary, but charred. At the back of the palate there are still some notes of wood that are acceptable and adding to the experience in a positive way. The draw and burn continue to be most impressive.
The finish was interesting, showing some ideas of sugarcane, tobacco, grass and spice. Overall this was not the most impressive of the Monster Series smokes, look to last year's Boris or Drac for better experiences (if you can find any).
Appearance- 88 an interesting visual approach
Taste- 86 there was just too much happening here for it to be any higher
Construction- 92 aside from some early burn issues, this cigar performed magnificently
Strength- 87 a solid medium that was not unique in any way
Overall- 88.5 based on solid construction and average taste
The smoke itself is very large and thick. I am not a big ring guy, but in this case it seems right to me. The tobacco as a band idea has some cache and provides and interesting visual experience, plus it saves labor as I usually remove the band right away. An examination of the cigar reveals no issues, but I do notice that the wrapper seems a bit dry to me. There are very few veins, and aside from some visual dryness as well, the cigar seems well made. The pre light aroma is very strange, but pleasing, showing some sweet wheaty aromas. The pre light draw is very smooth, which indicates to me the unfinished foot will not be an issue, it shows some strong notes of tobacco and light spice.
The cigar opens with a profile that is a touch too thin for me. There are some nice ideas of spice, tobacco and sugarcane here but they are not deep or complex. There is a touch of early pepper here as well, but it is dry and not helping the cause. At the back of the palate there are some very nice flavors of wood and leather, but again the flavors seem a bit too shallow for me at this point. The draw on this cigar is a dream, I am having no issue getting ample smoke from each pull and the resistance that is present is nearly perfect. The burn is slightly askew, but cigars with an unfinished foot often burn oddly early on.
The first half of the cigar is a lesson in duality. There are some areas that I really like and when the smoke is in these phases I am nearing cigar euphoria. However, there are some times in the first half when I am seriously considering getting rid of the whole shooting match. The profile is alternately of spice and tobacco followed by shifts to grass and dusty presentations of cedar. There are some areas where a hint of vanilla might be coming through, but they are not anything I can isolate. At the back of the palate there are still some notes of wood, but the front of the profile leaves the final impressions wanting. The draw continues to be excellent and the burn has evened out.
The final half of the cigar is where I expect some development, but there really is none. The presentation continues to be schizophrenic, alternately showing excellence and mediocrity. The main profile continues to waffle between notes of tobacco and spice to notes of vegetation and grass. There is an odd aftertaste creeping in here that is sugary, but charred. At the back of the palate there are still some notes of wood that are acceptable and adding to the experience in a positive way. The draw and burn continue to be most impressive.
The finish was interesting, showing some ideas of sugarcane, tobacco, grass and spice. Overall this was not the most impressive of the Monster Series smokes, look to last year's Boris or Drac for better experiences (if you can find any).
Appearance- 88 an interesting visual approach
Taste- 86 there was just too much happening here for it to be any higher
Construction- 92 aside from some early burn issues, this cigar performed magnificently
Strength- 87 a solid medium that was not unique in any way
Overall- 88.5 based on solid construction and average taste
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary Toro (6.5x52)
I was the recipient of a pair of these smokes at a launch party a couple of months ago. This cigar had much fanfare around it, I am assuming that is because the Decade was such a smashing success. To say that I am skeptical about this smoke would be an understatement, recent Rocky Patel fare has been substandard to say the least. I have found this turn of events to be disappointing, as I used to enjoy many of Rocky's offerings, but in recent years have departed as other makers continue to do new and better things. In my mind inconsistency has killed this particular front mark for me, I have just smoked too many bad Rocky's in recent years.
This particular smoke presents well, but has some prominent veining and a toothy feel to it. The construction appears to be solid and I can not detect any areas of concern. The pre light aroma has some barnyard essence to it, and some hints of earth and rich tobacco. The pre light draw is a bit thin, but shows some strange flavors of loamy earth and odd spice.
This cigar opens with a profile that is far too bitter and is similar to crushed aspirin, it is difficult to discern any other flavors in the opening moments. At the back of the palate there are some dry and harsh notes of wood, but again it is difficult to spot much else here. The lack of anything enjoyable here is very disturbing to me. The draw is a little thin for me, but it is not causing any issues aside from being the delivery mechanism of foul tasting smoke. The burn is sharp at this point and a solid ash is forming.
The first half of the cigar shows some blessed development. The profile is still not anything to write home about, but the bitterness has gone away. There are some notes of coffee here and some light tastes of tobacco and earth, but there is little depth or complexity to any of these presentations. At the back of the palate there are some odd floral touches here, but overall some of the bitterness still persists. The draw remains thin to this point, but is still not causing any issues. The burn continues to be strong at this point.
The final half of the cigar strengthens in terms of performance, but it is still too little too late. The profile has improved and shows some nice flavors of coffee, earth and cocoa. At the back of the palate a crisp note of wood is present, but it is hinging on being a bit too dry for me. Dry smoke is the kiss of death in any cigar I smoke, as I will not tolerate a sore throat after something I am trying to enjoy. The draw opens up in the final third, but it opens too quickly and some heat causes issues late in the experience. The burn stays solid throughout.
The finish was short and had some bitter qualities that lingered. I was again disappointed by a Rocky offering. What has happened to these blends?
Appearance- 88 a fine looking cigar
Taste- 82 a sub par effort, and the parts that were acceptable were not complex
Construction- 85 very average, below average draw with above average burn
Strength- 85 a very middling medium
Overall- 84.5 another poor effort
This particular smoke presents well, but has some prominent veining and a toothy feel to it. The construction appears to be solid and I can not detect any areas of concern. The pre light aroma has some barnyard essence to it, and some hints of earth and rich tobacco. The pre light draw is a bit thin, but shows some strange flavors of loamy earth and odd spice.
This cigar opens with a profile that is far too bitter and is similar to crushed aspirin, it is difficult to discern any other flavors in the opening moments. At the back of the palate there are some dry and harsh notes of wood, but again it is difficult to spot much else here. The lack of anything enjoyable here is very disturbing to me. The draw is a little thin for me, but it is not causing any issues aside from being the delivery mechanism of foul tasting smoke. The burn is sharp at this point and a solid ash is forming.
The first half of the cigar shows some blessed development. The profile is still not anything to write home about, but the bitterness has gone away. There are some notes of coffee here and some light tastes of tobacco and earth, but there is little depth or complexity to any of these presentations. At the back of the palate there are some odd floral touches here, but overall some of the bitterness still persists. The draw remains thin to this point, but is still not causing any issues. The burn continues to be strong at this point.
The final half of the cigar strengthens in terms of performance, but it is still too little too late. The profile has improved and shows some nice flavors of coffee, earth and cocoa. At the back of the palate a crisp note of wood is present, but it is hinging on being a bit too dry for me. Dry smoke is the kiss of death in any cigar I smoke, as I will not tolerate a sore throat after something I am trying to enjoy. The draw opens up in the final third, but it opens too quickly and some heat causes issues late in the experience. The burn stays solid throughout.
The finish was short and had some bitter qualities that lingered. I was again disappointed by a Rocky offering. What has happened to these blends?
Appearance- 88 a fine looking cigar
Taste- 82 a sub par effort, and the parts that were acceptable were not complex
Construction- 85 very average, below average draw with above average burn
Strength- 85 a very middling medium
Overall- 84.5 another poor effort
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
La Gloria Cubana Serie N Rojo (6.5x46)
I have always found the sister incarnation of this blend, the Serie R, to be very inconsistent. I have had some that I have rated as high as 92 and some that I have rated as low 83, that type of inconsistency can kill a cigar in an industry with ever more demanding consumers out there. I had heard some good things about the N and was looking forward to smoking it.
The cigar presents with a nearly jet black wrapper that has plenty of oils and some feint veins, for added effect there is a small N just below the band in the wrapper that I find to be unique visually. The pre light aroma is boring, but shows some earthy qualities. The pre light draw is sour, but has some hints of pepper as well.
The cigar opens with a straightforward profile of earth, tobacco and coffee. There is nothing particularly compelling about the flavors, as they lack depth and complexity. There is a nice balance, but it is a balance of mediocrity at this point. At the back of the palate there are some tastes of pepper, but there is a flat wooden overtone here that is out of place. The draw is too tight for and there is some labor in producing the right amount of smoke. The burn is off as well and I fear that there will be touch ups in the future.
The first half of the cigar continues to be lackluster. The profile is still balanced, but the flavors lack depth, nuance and complexity. There are some shows of earth and tobacco, but overall the presentation is flat. At the back of the palate a more woody array of flavors has taken hold and there is a sweetness creeping in that I would equate to molasses, but my overall impression of this cigar is still wanting. The draw is still too tight for my liking and the burn continues to deteriorate with a huge runner that I am avoiding touching up at all costs.
The final half of the smoke maintains a pedestrian character. The profile stays very average showing some ideas of earth, tobacco and some pepper. I am unimpressed with this effort and was hoping for so much more. At the back of the palate there are still some hints of sweetness, but the flat wood notes are returning as well. The burn and draw remain sub par through to the end.
The finish was short and showed some chemical flavors that were unappealing.
I was really disappointed in this because I expected more, but in the end I would say that this cigar was very average. Hopefully, like the Serie R, there are some gems out there. The two I smoked did not fit the bill.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 85 very, very average
Construction- 78 bad draw and burn hurt this smoke
Strength- 83 a weak full that needs to complement the profile more effectively
Overall- 83.5 below average due to construction problems
The cigar presents with a nearly jet black wrapper that has plenty of oils and some feint veins, for added effect there is a small N just below the band in the wrapper that I find to be unique visually. The pre light aroma is boring, but shows some earthy qualities. The pre light draw is sour, but has some hints of pepper as well.
The cigar opens with a straightforward profile of earth, tobacco and coffee. There is nothing particularly compelling about the flavors, as they lack depth and complexity. There is a nice balance, but it is a balance of mediocrity at this point. At the back of the palate there are some tastes of pepper, but there is a flat wooden overtone here that is out of place. The draw is too tight for and there is some labor in producing the right amount of smoke. The burn is off as well and I fear that there will be touch ups in the future.
The first half of the cigar continues to be lackluster. The profile is still balanced, but the flavors lack depth, nuance and complexity. There are some shows of earth and tobacco, but overall the presentation is flat. At the back of the palate a more woody array of flavors has taken hold and there is a sweetness creeping in that I would equate to molasses, but my overall impression of this cigar is still wanting. The draw is still too tight for my liking and the burn continues to deteriorate with a huge runner that I am avoiding touching up at all costs.
The final half of the smoke maintains a pedestrian character. The profile stays very average showing some ideas of earth, tobacco and some pepper. I am unimpressed with this effort and was hoping for so much more. At the back of the palate there are still some hints of sweetness, but the flat wood notes are returning as well. The burn and draw remain sub par through to the end.
The finish was short and showed some chemical flavors that were unappealing.
I was really disappointed in this because I expected more, but in the end I would say that this cigar was very average. Hopefully, like the Serie R, there are some gems out there. The two I smoked did not fit the bill.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 85 very, very average
Construction- 78 bad draw and burn hurt this smoke
Strength- 83 a weak full that needs to complement the profile more effectively
Overall- 83.5 below average due to construction problems
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Macanudo Cru Royale Robusto (5x50)
I know what you are all thinking...the Czar smoked a Macanudo!?!? I did my friends, I did. In order to keep you up to speed on what I am thinking I will leave no cigar unsmoked. I noticed these a week or so ago, but only got around to smoking it today. It is kind of like the milk in the fridge that is approaching it's use by date, you look at it and you say I have a couple of days left. Then all of a sudden you are out of time and milk gets put on everything for that day so you don't waste it. This cigar is kind of like that, it has been sitting there at my B&M and I have looked at it and looked at it, but always kept saying I have some time. Well today I decided the time was running out, and in the interest of keeping my reviews fresh and pertinent to new cigars in the industry I had to smoke and review it before someone else got to it.
The cigar itself is kind of rough looking, the wrapper is toothy and veiny and the head has an oddly rounded shape. An inspection shows me nothing out of the ordinary and I am relieved because many Macs of recent vintage have been rolled way too tight and have been nearly impossible to smoke. The pre light aroma has all of the barnyard qualities that only a cigar smoker can appreciate. The pre light draw is a little sour, but shows some coffee flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that is not particularly deep or complex, but it does have some nice blasts of coffee and earth in the opening moments. At the back of the palate there is a bit of a chemical/metallic taste that is slight, but not what I am looking for. The draw is a dream, at least by recent Mac standards. The burn is even and a nice white ash is forming as it draws down.
The first half of the smoke shows little development. The main profile still has some coffee flavors, but they are becoming charred. There is still an earthy tone here that holds the weak profile together as well as it can. At the back of the palate some of the metallic notes have gone away, and a somewhat bland papery quality has come forward that is accompanied by inconsistent blasts of pepper. The draw continues to be above average and the burn is still strong.
The final half of the cigar is better, but still middling. The profile continues to have some coffee flavors, but there are thin presentations of earth and dark wood here as well. At the back of the palate there are still some papery flavors and pepper, but there is no cohesion to this area of the smoke. The draw and burn remained strong throughout.
The finish had a resurgence of metallic flavors, but there were some coffee remnants here as well. This cigar was by no means impressive, but it was not awful. Perhaps some aging would be beneficial. What I can say is, it appears that General may have solved some of their recent quality issues in terms of construction.
Appearance- 87 a rough looking smoke
Taste- 82 a below average taste experience
Construction- 91 this cigar smoked very well
Strength- 86 a middling medium that could use some more power
Overall- 86.5 slightly above average based on construction
The cigar itself is kind of rough looking, the wrapper is toothy and veiny and the head has an oddly rounded shape. An inspection shows me nothing out of the ordinary and I am relieved because many Macs of recent vintage have been rolled way too tight and have been nearly impossible to smoke. The pre light aroma has all of the barnyard qualities that only a cigar smoker can appreciate. The pre light draw is a little sour, but shows some coffee flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that is not particularly deep or complex, but it does have some nice blasts of coffee and earth in the opening moments. At the back of the palate there is a bit of a chemical/metallic taste that is slight, but not what I am looking for. The draw is a dream, at least by recent Mac standards. The burn is even and a nice white ash is forming as it draws down.
The first half of the smoke shows little development. The main profile still has some coffee flavors, but they are becoming charred. There is still an earthy tone here that holds the weak profile together as well as it can. At the back of the palate some of the metallic notes have gone away, and a somewhat bland papery quality has come forward that is accompanied by inconsistent blasts of pepper. The draw continues to be above average and the burn is still strong.
The final half of the cigar is better, but still middling. The profile continues to have some coffee flavors, but there are thin presentations of earth and dark wood here as well. At the back of the palate there are still some papery flavors and pepper, but there is no cohesion to this area of the smoke. The draw and burn remained strong throughout.
The finish had a resurgence of metallic flavors, but there were some coffee remnants here as well. This cigar was by no means impressive, but it was not awful. Perhaps some aging would be beneficial. What I can say is, it appears that General may have solved some of their recent quality issues in terms of construction.
Appearance- 87 a rough looking smoke
Taste- 82 a below average taste experience
Construction- 91 this cigar smoked very well
Strength- 86 a middling medium that could use some more power
Overall- 86.5 slightly above average based on construction
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Carlos Torano Single Region Serie Jalapa Robusto (5x52)
This is a new cigar from Torano, in the interest of full disclosure I should tell all of you that I seldom like anything from the Torano clan. This cigar has had a lot of scuttlebutt recently and I finally succumbed to the pressure and gave one a smoke.
The cigar itself is nothing spectacular to look at. The wrapper is mottled, the band pedestrian and the over all visual seemed very dry to me. There are some prominent veins in the wrapper, but the overall construction seems to be acceptable. The pre light aroma is odd, but shows some hints of ginger and clove. The pre light draw is sour and I can't detect anything that makes me feel otherwise.
The cigar opens with a profile that is thin and lacking in zest. There are some strange spice characteristics, but the overall impression is that the smoke is scorched and acrid. At the back of the palate there are some harsh tinges of dry vegetation and the smoke is also very dry causing some discomfort in the throat. The burn is slightly askew but not in need of touch up at this point. The draw is acceptable, but a bit too tight for me at this point.
The first half of the cigar continues to be lackluster. The main profile is scorched and acrid, with some fleeting ideas of spice and tobacco, but the overall presentation is very onerous. At the back of the palate the dryness continues and there are no real flavors that can be detected at this point in the cigar. The burn has deteriorated further and I begin the process of what will become several touch ups. The draw remains tight, but passable.
The final half of the cigar is the death knell for this experience. The main profile shows scorched and acrid flavors, plus an odd chemical flavor that is horrific. At the back of the palate I am trying to control my gag reflex, as this cigar ramps up the putrescence. The burn continues to be inferior and the draw is passable, but I wish it was obstructed so I can launch this rocket.
The finish was fetid, with essence of dry vegetation and acrid flavors that were bordering on acidic.
I would recommend some fine machine made fare if you have a choice between this and a King Edward.
Appearance- 85 an average looking cigar
Taste- 70 my lowest possible mark for a cigar
Construction- 77 the burn was horrible and the draw barely passable
Strength- 85 an average medium
Overall- 77.25 don't waste your time.
The cigar itself is nothing spectacular to look at. The wrapper is mottled, the band pedestrian and the over all visual seemed very dry to me. There are some prominent veins in the wrapper, but the overall construction seems to be acceptable. The pre light aroma is odd, but shows some hints of ginger and clove. The pre light draw is sour and I can't detect anything that makes me feel otherwise.
The cigar opens with a profile that is thin and lacking in zest. There are some strange spice characteristics, but the overall impression is that the smoke is scorched and acrid. At the back of the palate there are some harsh tinges of dry vegetation and the smoke is also very dry causing some discomfort in the throat. The burn is slightly askew but not in need of touch up at this point. The draw is acceptable, but a bit too tight for me at this point.
The first half of the cigar continues to be lackluster. The main profile is scorched and acrid, with some fleeting ideas of spice and tobacco, but the overall presentation is very onerous. At the back of the palate the dryness continues and there are no real flavors that can be detected at this point in the cigar. The burn has deteriorated further and I begin the process of what will become several touch ups. The draw remains tight, but passable.
The final half of the cigar is the death knell for this experience. The main profile shows scorched and acrid flavors, plus an odd chemical flavor that is horrific. At the back of the palate I am trying to control my gag reflex, as this cigar ramps up the putrescence. The burn continues to be inferior and the draw is passable, but I wish it was obstructed so I can launch this rocket.
The finish was fetid, with essence of dry vegetation and acrid flavors that were bordering on acidic.
I would recommend some fine machine made fare if you have a choice between this and a King Edward.
Appearance- 85 an average looking cigar
Taste- 70 my lowest possible mark for a cigar
Construction- 77 the burn was horrible and the draw barely passable
Strength- 85 an average medium
Overall- 77.25 don't waste your time.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
La Aurora Cameroon Preferidos Lancero (6.875x40)
I will preface this review by reiterating something I will yell from the rooftops to any BOTL within earshot. I love Lanceros! I just don't understand why this size does not get more market attention. I know that big ring is the thing, but these delicate masterpieces deliver more flavor and depth than any big ring gauge could ever dream of. The reason? The wrapper my friends. In smaller ring cigars the wrapper is more prominent, and thus you get more wrapper flavor. In all cigars the wrapper is the premium leaf and I don't understand why you would pass the chance to savor the premium tobacco in a smoke by gumming it up with 50+ rings of filler and binder. The silver lining to my dark cloud of disappointment is that I can always find Lanceros because no one smokes them....so I guess you should pay no attention to what I have said above. I don't want a run on Lanceros that creates a void for me. These aren't the droids you are looking for....
Anyway, Jedi mind tricks aside, this cigar presents beautifully. The cigar is majestic and the wrapper is leathery and oily with very few veins. An inspection reveals nary an issue and I am becoming enticed by this smoke. The pre light aroma is of cinnamon and leather. The pre light draw shows some nutty sweetness.
The cigar opens with a profile that is surprisingly complex for so early in a smoke. There are some hints of cinnamon, leather and nuts in the front of the profile and I am immediately on notice. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying melange of light earth, wood and spice. The draw is excellent and my one complaint about small ring cigars is usually draw. The burn is also on the money at this point. I settle in for the rest of the experience and revel in the early complexity that was so unexpected.
The first half of the cigar continues to develop and shows layers of depth and complexity that continues to catch me off guard. The core profile shows excellent flavors of cinnamon, leather and has a sweet nutty complexity that ties it all together. At the back of the palate some of the tones have thinned, but there are still some nice layers of earth and wood. The draw continues to perform well and the burn is sharp with a solid ash.
The final half of the cigar shows some small losses in depth and complexity, but still rates well. The main profile weakens into a showing of leather and nuts, but the layers of depth just aren't here anymore. At the back of the palate there are still some nice notes of earth and wood, but again that prior layers of depth have disappeared, there is also the introduction of a white pepper here that seems disjointed from the rest of the experience. The draw and burn remain excellent throughout.
The finish has a nutty quality, but shows some interesting notes of pepper as well. I would recommend this to all enthusiasts. Get ready to pay the $10+ price though.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 91 some deterioration in the back of the smoke hurt the overall impression
Construction- 97 a nearly flawless performance here
Strength- 93 a very excellent medium
Overall- 93.5 an excellent experience
Anyway, Jedi mind tricks aside, this cigar presents beautifully. The cigar is majestic and the wrapper is leathery and oily with very few veins. An inspection reveals nary an issue and I am becoming enticed by this smoke. The pre light aroma is of cinnamon and leather. The pre light draw shows some nutty sweetness.
The cigar opens with a profile that is surprisingly complex for so early in a smoke. There are some hints of cinnamon, leather and nuts in the front of the profile and I am immediately on notice. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying melange of light earth, wood and spice. The draw is excellent and my one complaint about small ring cigars is usually draw. The burn is also on the money at this point. I settle in for the rest of the experience and revel in the early complexity that was so unexpected.
The first half of the cigar continues to develop and shows layers of depth and complexity that continues to catch me off guard. The core profile shows excellent flavors of cinnamon, leather and has a sweet nutty complexity that ties it all together. At the back of the palate some of the tones have thinned, but there are still some nice layers of earth and wood. The draw continues to perform well and the burn is sharp with a solid ash.
The final half of the cigar shows some small losses in depth and complexity, but still rates well. The main profile weakens into a showing of leather and nuts, but the layers of depth just aren't here anymore. At the back of the palate there are still some nice notes of earth and wood, but again that prior layers of depth have disappeared, there is also the introduction of a white pepper here that seems disjointed from the rest of the experience. The draw and burn remain excellent throughout.
The finish has a nutty quality, but shows some interesting notes of pepper as well. I would recommend this to all enthusiasts. Get ready to pay the $10+ price though.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 91 some deterioration in the back of the smoke hurt the overall impression
Construction- 97 a nearly flawless performance here
Strength- 93 a very excellent medium
Overall- 93.5 an excellent experience
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Casa Fernandez Robusto (4.5x52)
I have barely had time to smoke, much less write reviews of late, so I have been smoking the old standbys. Alas, yesterday arrived and gave me the opportunity to hit one of my favorite Tampa B & M's and smoke some stuff that is off the beaten path.
I chose this little smoke from Casa Fernandez to kick off the day. There has been alot of buzz amongst BOTL's about this company in recent months, so I decided it was time to give one a whirl.
The cigar presents in a small, fat package that has a wrapper that seems a bit mottled to me and maybe a touch dry. There is a whimsical pigtail finish to the cigar and I am always amused by this little flourish in a cigar, of course it is becoming more and more common and is thus proving what I have always thought....cigar makers are sheep and it is world of monkey see, monkey do. Not that I mind per se, but the gimmicky thing is getting a touch old. Pigtail caps, Dos Capas, Extra and Super Fuertes, big ring gauges etc...it is all getting a bit tired. I digress, this smoke, aside from the wrapper and pigtail cap looks interesting in a small package. The pre light aroma is dusty and has some hints of wood. The pre light draw shows some light spice and some hints of wheat.
The cigar opens with a very interesting profile that is toasty and wheaty. There are some thin hints of some light wood in the smoke here as well, but the toasty notes are the primary essence. At the back of the palate there is a light dusting of pepper and wood flavors that complement the front of the smoke in an interesting way. The draw is a little tighter than I usually like, but it is not causing me issues. The burn is excellent.
The first half of the cigar is one of the most toasty cigar experiences that I have ever encountered. There are also some notes of wheat and bready flavor. My only complaint here is that the smoke is too dry to this point and it is making my throat a bit raspy feeling. At the back of the palate there are still some nice hints of spice and wood, but there is a sour note that is creeping into the profile here and it causes me some concerns. The complexity and depth of this cigar are very average and I wish it was giving me more. The draw opens up slightly and the burn maintains quality.
The final half of the cigar is a disaster. The profile becomes wallowing and shows sour presentations of wood and tobacco. There are some tastes of dirt and vegetation in the final third as well. I don't know what happened, but at just past the halfway point this cigar started to circle the bowl. At the back of the palate there are still some fleeting glimpses of wood, but the sour presentations have taken over. The burn and draw perform well throughout.
The finish was wretched and left oily, sour notes for many minutes.
Appearance- 88 an above average cigar looks wise
Taste- 78 unfortunately the final half was putrid
Construction- 89 some points off for tightness early
Strength- 87 a nice medium
Overall- 84.75 below average
I chose this little smoke from Casa Fernandez to kick off the day. There has been alot of buzz amongst BOTL's about this company in recent months, so I decided it was time to give one a whirl.
The cigar presents in a small, fat package that has a wrapper that seems a bit mottled to me and maybe a touch dry. There is a whimsical pigtail finish to the cigar and I am always amused by this little flourish in a cigar, of course it is becoming more and more common and is thus proving what I have always thought....cigar makers are sheep and it is world of monkey see, monkey do. Not that I mind per se, but the gimmicky thing is getting a touch old. Pigtail caps, Dos Capas, Extra and Super Fuertes, big ring gauges etc...it is all getting a bit tired. I digress, this smoke, aside from the wrapper and pigtail cap looks interesting in a small package. The pre light aroma is dusty and has some hints of wood. The pre light draw shows some light spice and some hints of wheat.
The cigar opens with a very interesting profile that is toasty and wheaty. There are some thin hints of some light wood in the smoke here as well, but the toasty notes are the primary essence. At the back of the palate there is a light dusting of pepper and wood flavors that complement the front of the smoke in an interesting way. The draw is a little tighter than I usually like, but it is not causing me issues. The burn is excellent.
The first half of the cigar is one of the most toasty cigar experiences that I have ever encountered. There are also some notes of wheat and bready flavor. My only complaint here is that the smoke is too dry to this point and it is making my throat a bit raspy feeling. At the back of the palate there are still some nice hints of spice and wood, but there is a sour note that is creeping into the profile here and it causes me some concerns. The complexity and depth of this cigar are very average and I wish it was giving me more. The draw opens up slightly and the burn maintains quality.
The final half of the cigar is a disaster. The profile becomes wallowing and shows sour presentations of wood and tobacco. There are some tastes of dirt and vegetation in the final third as well. I don't know what happened, but at just past the halfway point this cigar started to circle the bowl. At the back of the palate there are still some fleeting glimpses of wood, but the sour presentations have taken over. The burn and draw perform well throughout.
The finish was wretched and left oily, sour notes for many minutes.
Appearance- 88 an above average cigar looks wise
Taste- 78 unfortunately the final half was putrid
Construction- 89 some points off for tightness early
Strength- 87 a nice medium
Overall- 84.75 below average
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Arturo Fuente 858 Sungrown (6x47)
First off I would like everyone to know just how rare the Sungrown version of this cigar is. Until I got my hands on this one I had not seen one in nearly a decade. I was like a giddy child in the toy store when a BOTL gave me this one. I wanted to save it for a special occasion, but said the hell with it. A special cigar makes any occasion special, so one night I busted it out and smoked it on my lanai with me, myself and I.
A little back story first. Every cigar smoker has an evolution of sorts during their smoking careers. I have been smoking for nearly twenty years now and I have had several. This sungrown blend from Arturo Fuente in all of its vitolas was one of my evolutions. It was about 12 years ago, in the horrid post boom period, when I decided I needed to step up the flavor and intensity of what I was smoking. Through the boom I was a Fuente and Padron loyalist, but when the boom ended and cigars became plentiful I really spread my wings. One of the areas that I took flight in was seeing what Fuente had to offer other than the standard boom available smokes. I found the Fuente Sungrown lines and a lifelong match was made. I have moved on to stronger blends, as anyone that reads my reviews knows, but I still come back to the Fuente Sungrowns every now and again for some whispers of nostalgia.
This rare cigar presents with the usual 858 ruddiness, these will never win a looks contests, but looks don't matter when you know what you are getting. There are some prominent veins and the wrapper has miles and miles of toothy texture. An inspection reveals one area that may have a void and I am nervous about it. The pre light aroma has the usual Sungrown earth and spice notes with maybe a bit of dark fruit. The pre light draw shows some leather and wood flavors that remind me of bygone days.
The cigar opens with the true Fuente Sungrown profile. Plenty of pepper and leather meet the palate right away, I savor every bit of this opening gambit and remember what it is to smoke these creations. At the back of the palate there are some beautiful notes of dark wood and rich tobacco that off set the front of the profile in a way that only Fuente can. The cigar is not particularly complex, nor the flavors particularly deep but it is exactly as I remember. The draw is a bit too loose for me, but Fuente are almost always too loose for me. The burn is right on the money and a nice white ash is forming.
The first half continues to walk me down memory lane and I wistfully remember a simpler cigar time when you could smoke just about anywhere you wanted to, I briefly lament the changes that political correctness run amok has wrought. The profile continues to show some pepper, but the more prominent flavors of leather and wood are showing through. At the back of the palate there continues to be a show of nice tobacco flavor. The draw and burn remain the same.
The final half of the cigar maintains the same hallmarks. Fuente cigars really are a model of consistency for me. I have always found that the profile changes are few and instead some thought and concentration has been put into making the cigar solid from start to finish without a lot of ballyhoo. The profile continues to show leather and wood notes with some brushes of pepper for good measure. The tobacco flavors at the back of the palate continue to show solidly. The burn and draw are also consistent throughout.
The finish is smooth and continues to tease the palate with wood and pepper flavors.
Appearance- 86 never a really good looking vitola
Taste- 90 a very solid performance
Construction- 90 again very solid, the draw was too loose for me though
Strength- 92 a very solid medium that complements the profile in an extraordinary way
Overall- 89.75 a very good experience
A little back story first. Every cigar smoker has an evolution of sorts during their smoking careers. I have been smoking for nearly twenty years now and I have had several. This sungrown blend from Arturo Fuente in all of its vitolas was one of my evolutions. It was about 12 years ago, in the horrid post boom period, when I decided I needed to step up the flavor and intensity of what I was smoking. Through the boom I was a Fuente and Padron loyalist, but when the boom ended and cigars became plentiful I really spread my wings. One of the areas that I took flight in was seeing what Fuente had to offer other than the standard boom available smokes. I found the Fuente Sungrown lines and a lifelong match was made. I have moved on to stronger blends, as anyone that reads my reviews knows, but I still come back to the Fuente Sungrowns every now and again for some whispers of nostalgia.
This rare cigar presents with the usual 858 ruddiness, these will never win a looks contests, but looks don't matter when you know what you are getting. There are some prominent veins and the wrapper has miles and miles of toothy texture. An inspection reveals one area that may have a void and I am nervous about it. The pre light aroma has the usual Sungrown earth and spice notes with maybe a bit of dark fruit. The pre light draw shows some leather and wood flavors that remind me of bygone days.
The cigar opens with the true Fuente Sungrown profile. Plenty of pepper and leather meet the palate right away, I savor every bit of this opening gambit and remember what it is to smoke these creations. At the back of the palate there are some beautiful notes of dark wood and rich tobacco that off set the front of the profile in a way that only Fuente can. The cigar is not particularly complex, nor the flavors particularly deep but it is exactly as I remember. The draw is a bit too loose for me, but Fuente are almost always too loose for me. The burn is right on the money and a nice white ash is forming.
The first half continues to walk me down memory lane and I wistfully remember a simpler cigar time when you could smoke just about anywhere you wanted to, I briefly lament the changes that political correctness run amok has wrought. The profile continues to show some pepper, but the more prominent flavors of leather and wood are showing through. At the back of the palate there continues to be a show of nice tobacco flavor. The draw and burn remain the same.
The final half of the cigar maintains the same hallmarks. Fuente cigars really are a model of consistency for me. I have always found that the profile changes are few and instead some thought and concentration has been put into making the cigar solid from start to finish without a lot of ballyhoo. The profile continues to show leather and wood notes with some brushes of pepper for good measure. The tobacco flavors at the back of the palate continue to show solidly. The burn and draw are also consistent throughout.
The finish is smooth and continues to tease the palate with wood and pepper flavors.
Appearance- 86 never a really good looking vitola
Taste- 90 a very solid performance
Construction- 90 again very solid, the draw was too loose for me though
Strength- 92 a very solid medium that complements the profile in an extraordinary way
Overall- 89.75 a very good experience
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Litto Gomez Diez Americano (5.75x46)
I had always wanted to smoke one of these, but I had never gotten around to it for some reason, life sometimes gets in the way or, more aptly, Pepin products get in the way. Recently I hosted a little BBQ/Poker night at my crib and as always the BOTL's come through. There is always some horsetrading going on and one of my Brothers gave me this little smoke. I, of course, rethought my lineup forthwith and gave this a smoke.
The cigar is in one of my favorite sizes, there is something about a Corona Gorda that just seems right, like holding your favorite golf club when it just seems like the right stick for the shot. This cigar had a beautiful medium brown wrapper with a slightly reddish hue and very little veining of any note. A quick roll through the fingertips reveals no issues and I eagerly continue my ritual. The pre light aroma is heady with some spice and leather tones that are interesting. The pre light draw is full of light wood flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that is unexpected from an LFD offering. There are subtle notes of leather and wood over a base of light clove like spice. LFD's are usually a bully up front and sound the alarm bells of the palate, this cigar quietly lulls the palate into believing that this mild presentation will continue. My palate is of course a fool, as I later find out. At the back of the palate there is an enticingly mellow presentation of light tobacco and a sweetness that has a dusty texture. The draw is a bit tight for me, but it is not causing any smoking issues. The burn is sharp and produces a nice, solid medium gray ash.
The first half of the cigar continues to carry me through the opening rounds like the champion fighter that wants to get some work in. The profile maintains an excellent array of leather and some intensifying wood flavors. The underlay of spice has mellowed and presents well throughout the first half of the smoke. At the back of the palate the tobacco notes strengthen and become a more robust tobacco flavor. The draw continues to perform in an average fashion for me. The burn stays strong through the first half.
The second half of the cigar becomes a crescendo of bold flavors. Much like the aforementioned champion fighter, this smoke is coming on in the late rounds trying to impress the judges for some late scoring with a flurry of intensity. Like many opponents at this point in a fight I only have a punchers chance, or in this case a smokers chance. The core profile begins to hammer away at the palate with some intense notes of pepper and spice, there are still some undertones of wood here as well. At the back of the palate the tobacco flavors are nearly too intense and verge on being chary in character. The draw continues to be somewhat tight for me, but it performs acceptably. The burn was excellent throughout.
The finish was intense and showed leather, wood and pepper notes for many minutes after the last draw. This cigar is quite the experience!
Appearance- 91 a nice looking cigar that has an unassuming charm
Taste- 94 complexity and depth with balance aplenty
Construction- 87 some points off for the tight draw
Strength- 92 a very subtle beginning and an in your face ending
Overall- 90.75 an excellent smoke that was hurt by draw problems, but I would recommend it
The cigar is in one of my favorite sizes, there is something about a Corona Gorda that just seems right, like holding your favorite golf club when it just seems like the right stick for the shot. This cigar had a beautiful medium brown wrapper with a slightly reddish hue and very little veining of any note. A quick roll through the fingertips reveals no issues and I eagerly continue my ritual. The pre light aroma is heady with some spice and leather tones that are interesting. The pre light draw is full of light wood flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that is unexpected from an LFD offering. There are subtle notes of leather and wood over a base of light clove like spice. LFD's are usually a bully up front and sound the alarm bells of the palate, this cigar quietly lulls the palate into believing that this mild presentation will continue. My palate is of course a fool, as I later find out. At the back of the palate there is an enticingly mellow presentation of light tobacco and a sweetness that has a dusty texture. The draw is a bit tight for me, but it is not causing any smoking issues. The burn is sharp and produces a nice, solid medium gray ash.
The first half of the cigar continues to carry me through the opening rounds like the champion fighter that wants to get some work in. The profile maintains an excellent array of leather and some intensifying wood flavors. The underlay of spice has mellowed and presents well throughout the first half of the smoke. At the back of the palate the tobacco notes strengthen and become a more robust tobacco flavor. The draw continues to perform in an average fashion for me. The burn stays strong through the first half.
The second half of the cigar becomes a crescendo of bold flavors. Much like the aforementioned champion fighter, this smoke is coming on in the late rounds trying to impress the judges for some late scoring with a flurry of intensity. Like many opponents at this point in a fight I only have a punchers chance, or in this case a smokers chance. The core profile begins to hammer away at the palate with some intense notes of pepper and spice, there are still some undertones of wood here as well. At the back of the palate the tobacco flavors are nearly too intense and verge on being chary in character. The draw continues to be somewhat tight for me, but it performs acceptably. The burn was excellent throughout.
The finish was intense and showed leather, wood and pepper notes for many minutes after the last draw. This cigar is quite the experience!
Appearance- 91 a nice looking cigar that has an unassuming charm
Taste- 94 complexity and depth with balance aplenty
Construction- 87 some points off for the tight draw
Strength- 92 a very subtle beginning and an in your face ending
Overall- 90.75 an excellent smoke that was hurt by draw problems, but I would recommend it
Saturday, October 2, 2010
La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Robusto (5x50)
Recently my local B&M had a release party for this blend from Ashton, unfortunately I had a prior engagement and could not attend. The very next day, after hearing from several people that they enjoyed the evening and the cigar, I decided to grab one and give it a whirl.
The cigar presents well with regal looking band work and nice, dark wrapper that appears to have plenty of oils. There are some prominent veins and I am concerned what that may mean later in the smoke. An inspection reveals no areas of concern and I am ready to move forth into uncharted cigar territory. The pre light aroma is interesting, a combination of dark fruit and something I would liken to the deep forest, earthy with maybe a hint of pine. The pre light draw was actually a little flat, but I find wisps of earth there.
The cigar opens with a core profile that is a little less than what I would expect from this front mark, typically the Pepin made La Aroma's let you know they are there with a little slap out of the gate. This cigar does not exhibit that slap, instead there are some nice hints of pepper, wood and earth in the opening moments. At the back of the palate there are some nice soft spices and some nutty flavors that are balanced and even. The draw is a dream, Pepin has done it again, his cigars almost always draw exactly the way I like. The burn is off from the start, but I am loathe to re-light at this point.
The first half of the cigar regresses from the opening moments for me. The core profile thins out to a more mundane presentation of pepper and earth and has left the woody notes behind. At the back of the palate there are some impressions of spice still present, but there is a slight bitterness here that is off putting. The draw continues to perform exceptionally well, but the burn is still wonky though not in need of touch up yet.
The final half of the cigar shows some progress, but is still not showing enough depth or complexity like in the opening salvo. The core profile shows some light cocoa and coffee character with the backdrop of pepper and earth still showing through. At the back of the palate there are some dark wood notes, but some bitterness persists here. The draw is still excellent and the burn never evens and causes some flaky ash conditions, but I do not have to re-light at any point.
The finish was a bit short for me and showed some earth and pepper. I think this cigar has definite potential and I will age some for future tastings.
Appearance- 88 nice band work, but prominent veins hurt the visual
Taste- 87 just not enough depth or complexity and the first half was flat
Construction- 88 points removed for a wonky burn
Strength- 86 a not particularly remarkable medium/full, I expected more
Overall- 87.25 above average, but not spectacular
The cigar presents well with regal looking band work and nice, dark wrapper that appears to have plenty of oils. There are some prominent veins and I am concerned what that may mean later in the smoke. An inspection reveals no areas of concern and I am ready to move forth into uncharted cigar territory. The pre light aroma is interesting, a combination of dark fruit and something I would liken to the deep forest, earthy with maybe a hint of pine. The pre light draw was actually a little flat, but I find wisps of earth there.
The cigar opens with a core profile that is a little less than what I would expect from this front mark, typically the Pepin made La Aroma's let you know they are there with a little slap out of the gate. This cigar does not exhibit that slap, instead there are some nice hints of pepper, wood and earth in the opening moments. At the back of the palate there are some nice soft spices and some nutty flavors that are balanced and even. The draw is a dream, Pepin has done it again, his cigars almost always draw exactly the way I like. The burn is off from the start, but I am loathe to re-light at this point.
The first half of the cigar regresses from the opening moments for me. The core profile thins out to a more mundane presentation of pepper and earth and has left the woody notes behind. At the back of the palate there are some impressions of spice still present, but there is a slight bitterness here that is off putting. The draw continues to perform exceptionally well, but the burn is still wonky though not in need of touch up yet.
The final half of the cigar shows some progress, but is still not showing enough depth or complexity like in the opening salvo. The core profile shows some light cocoa and coffee character with the backdrop of pepper and earth still showing through. At the back of the palate there are some dark wood notes, but some bitterness persists here. The draw is still excellent and the burn never evens and causes some flaky ash conditions, but I do not have to re-light at any point.
The finish was a bit short for me and showed some earth and pepper. I think this cigar has definite potential and I will age some for future tastings.
Appearance- 88 nice band work, but prominent veins hurt the visual
Taste- 87 just not enough depth or complexity and the first half was flat
Construction- 88 points removed for a wonky burn
Strength- 86 a not particularly remarkable medium/full, I expected more
Overall- 87.25 above average, but not spectacular
Friday, October 1, 2010
CAO La Traviata Radiante Maduro (6x52)
There was much anticipation amongst BOTL's about this cigar and I have been hearing about it for some time now. After smoking it I can tell you that the anticipation should not be excited expectancy like Christmas Morning, but more like nervous, gut churning anticipation prior to having a root canal at the dentist.
The cigar appears, benignly enough, with a rich looking maduro wrapper that has satisfying oils and some prominent veining (that has me a bit concerned about burn performance). There is some significant tooth to this cigar and the cigar pre lighting ritual is going well for me at this point. An inspection shows me that the cigar is neither too loose or too tight and I anticipate that I will not have any issues with the performance of the draw. The pre light aroma shows some dark chocolate notes and an essence of dark fruit that has some citrus zest. The pre light draw has some thready notes of pepper and earth, but I am immediately on notice because I taste a fuel like presence in the draw.
The cigar opens with exactly what I feared. The core profile shows acrid notes of burning fuel, similar to how kerosene smells when it burns and leaves that taste in your mouth from the oily smoke. I am very put off early on and I am struggling with the idea of putting this down (you should note that at this point two fellow BOTL's were also smoking this blend and one had already put it down and the other was leaning that way), because I almost never put a cigar down in the early moments. At the back of the palate there are some thin presentations of earth, but the fuel taste has fouled the entire early experience. The draw is fair, but is a bit tight for me, this could be a blessing as I can control the amount of putrescence that enters my mouth and thus infects my palate. The burn is controlled and even at this point.
The first half continues with horrible intentions in an uninterrupted fashion. The core profile continues to show notes of burning fuel and it is beginning to scorch my throat a bit, not an experience that any smoker looks for. At the back of the palate I am struggling to find fleeting hints of earth and wood, but again the fuel taste permeates the entire smoke. The draw continues to be fair and the burn is performing well, which is really the only redeeming quality of the smoke at this point.
The final half of the cigar does not improve either and the only reason I have not put it down, as my two friends already have, is because I am just an optimist hoping to find something positive in this experience. Alas, it is not to be. The core profile continues to be scorched and fuel like and there are no redeeming parts of the smoke at this point. The draw and burn remain the same. I release it with nearly a third of the cigar left.
The only saving grace is that I was at a nice dinner with great company or this cigar would have befouled my entire day. Don't waste your time and money, you would be better off in a sweat tent with 1000 citronella candles.
Appearance- 90 a great looking smoke
Taste- 70 my lowest score possible as I found almost no value in the smoke
Construction- 87 above average but not great
Strength- 70 very difficult to judge due to the burning fuel character of the profile
Overall- 79 a very poor cigar and I would rate this as a must miss
The cigar appears, benignly enough, with a rich looking maduro wrapper that has satisfying oils and some prominent veining (that has me a bit concerned about burn performance). There is some significant tooth to this cigar and the cigar pre lighting ritual is going well for me at this point. An inspection shows me that the cigar is neither too loose or too tight and I anticipate that I will not have any issues with the performance of the draw. The pre light aroma shows some dark chocolate notes and an essence of dark fruit that has some citrus zest. The pre light draw has some thready notes of pepper and earth, but I am immediately on notice because I taste a fuel like presence in the draw.
The cigar opens with exactly what I feared. The core profile shows acrid notes of burning fuel, similar to how kerosene smells when it burns and leaves that taste in your mouth from the oily smoke. I am very put off early on and I am struggling with the idea of putting this down (you should note that at this point two fellow BOTL's were also smoking this blend and one had already put it down and the other was leaning that way), because I almost never put a cigar down in the early moments. At the back of the palate there are some thin presentations of earth, but the fuel taste has fouled the entire early experience. The draw is fair, but is a bit tight for me, this could be a blessing as I can control the amount of putrescence that enters my mouth and thus infects my palate. The burn is controlled and even at this point.
The first half continues with horrible intentions in an uninterrupted fashion. The core profile continues to show notes of burning fuel and it is beginning to scorch my throat a bit, not an experience that any smoker looks for. At the back of the palate I am struggling to find fleeting hints of earth and wood, but again the fuel taste permeates the entire smoke. The draw continues to be fair and the burn is performing well, which is really the only redeeming quality of the smoke at this point.
The final half of the cigar does not improve either and the only reason I have not put it down, as my two friends already have, is because I am just an optimist hoping to find something positive in this experience. Alas, it is not to be. The core profile continues to be scorched and fuel like and there are no redeeming parts of the smoke at this point. The draw and burn remain the same. I release it with nearly a third of the cigar left.
The only saving grace is that I was at a nice dinner with great company or this cigar would have befouled my entire day. Don't waste your time and money, you would be better off in a sweat tent with 1000 citronella candles.
Appearance- 90 a great looking smoke
Taste- 70 my lowest score possible as I found almost no value in the smoke
Construction- 87 above average but not great
Strength- 70 very difficult to judge due to the burning fuel character of the profile
Overall- 79 a very poor cigar and I would rate this as a must miss
Carlos Torano Tribute Robusto (5x50)
This robusto seems small to me, but I measure and find it to be correct, however the 50 ring gauge might be a bit generous as I found it to be closer to a 48. Anyway, size parameters aside, the cigar appears to be well made and the construction passes the tests I perform. The wrapper is a deep, dark, black coffee colored beauty that is full of oils and has very few veins. The pre light aroma has heavy earth tones and some hints of strong coffee. The pre light draw shows some chocolate character.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all coffee; deep, rich, black coffee that might be a little over brewed. The strength of the smoke is a surprise as Torano offerings usually show more nuance up front. At the back of the palate there are some very hearty earth presentations and shafts of dark wood bolt through the experience here as well. The draw is above average, but still a bit loose for me and I worry about heat later in the smoke. The burn is on point and the ash is bright white.
The first half of the cigar shows very little development and the complexity and depth are lacking. What is here is a straightforward presentation of coffee and light chocolate notes that are interesting, but not particularly rewarding or deep. The strength mellows out, but I would still characterize this as medium/full. At the back of the palate there are still heavy earth notes, but the dark wood flavors have disappeared detracting from the balance of the smoke. The draw is still performing well, but is still to loose for me. The burn has continued to perform well and is spot on.
The final half of the cigar leaves me disappointed, not in the smoke, but in the fact that I thought it could have been so much more. The core profile shows more chocolate and the balance with the coffee notes is excellent, but the depth and complexity just aren't here. At the back of the palate I detect some fleeting notes of black pepper, but the main flavor continues to be an earthy presentation that is pleasing, but lacking in character. The draw and burn stay consistent throughout.
The finish is smooth and shows some fine notes of coffee and chocolate.
Appearance- 91 a nice looking cigar with a wrapper that makes the mouth water
Taste- 88 lacking in depth and complexity, but what was there was good
Construction- 89 the draw was a bit loose for me, but it did not affect the smoke in a negative way
Strength- 87 a nice medium/full experience that I thought could use more power in the back end
Overall- 88.75 an above average experience and nothing to be ashamed of smoking
The cigar opens with a profile that is all coffee; deep, rich, black coffee that might be a little over brewed. The strength of the smoke is a surprise as Torano offerings usually show more nuance up front. At the back of the palate there are some very hearty earth presentations and shafts of dark wood bolt through the experience here as well. The draw is above average, but still a bit loose for me and I worry about heat later in the smoke. The burn is on point and the ash is bright white.
The first half of the cigar shows very little development and the complexity and depth are lacking. What is here is a straightforward presentation of coffee and light chocolate notes that are interesting, but not particularly rewarding or deep. The strength mellows out, but I would still characterize this as medium/full. At the back of the palate there are still heavy earth notes, but the dark wood flavors have disappeared detracting from the balance of the smoke. The draw is still performing well, but is still to loose for me. The burn has continued to perform well and is spot on.
The final half of the cigar leaves me disappointed, not in the smoke, but in the fact that I thought it could have been so much more. The core profile shows more chocolate and the balance with the coffee notes is excellent, but the depth and complexity just aren't here. At the back of the palate I detect some fleeting notes of black pepper, but the main flavor continues to be an earthy presentation that is pleasing, but lacking in character. The draw and burn stay consistent throughout.
The finish is smooth and shows some fine notes of coffee and chocolate.
Appearance- 91 a nice looking cigar with a wrapper that makes the mouth water
Taste- 88 lacking in depth and complexity, but what was there was good
Construction- 89 the draw was a bit loose for me, but it did not affect the smoke in a negative way
Strength- 87 a nice medium/full experience that I thought could use more power in the back end
Overall- 88.75 an above average experience and nothing to be ashamed of smoking
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 (5.9x32) (Box Date 1997)
Recently I invited my closest friend over for a night of football and BBQ. Upon arrival he asked me where I was in my lineup, and when I told him that I had only had one earlier in the day, he said that he had something for me. Knowing him like I do, I knew that I was in for a rare treat, and as is his wont he did not disappoint. He handed me this little cigar and I recognized the front mark, but not the vitola. Not one for researching cigars before I smoke them , I usually do that after the fact, I got ready to fire it up right away.
The cigar itself is a strange thing to behold. Long and pencil thin, it looks very delicate and I was fearful that a rigorous inspection might lead to damage of the smoke. The wrapper had all the hallmarks of a well aged smoke. It was veined well and carried the soft dust of age that indicates proper storage and care. There is one small split in the wrapper and I am concerned in a smoke this size that it could be a problem. An inspection leads me to believe that the cigar may draw tightly, but I am used to that from thin Cuban vitolas. The pre light aroma is light and dusty, but has strong cedar notes. The pre light draw shows some sweet, nutty character.
The cigar opens with what I would like to call a WOW moment. I can't recall ever experiencing this type of opening, so subtle and yet so in your face at the same time that I can only call it an enigma. The core profile is of delicious vanilla and light cream, the nuance of the flavors is fantastic, but the depth is profound at the same time. There is an underlying note of light wood that is very interesting as well. At the back of the palate there are further notes of wood and sweet grass. The draw is tight, but I am not concerned at this point. The burn is excellent and a nice shoulder is present early on.
The first half proceeds in much the same way. The core profile is full of vanilla and cream notes and continues to please the palate in a way that is seldom experienced. At the back of the palate there are still excellent notes of wood and sweet grass and the consistency is second to none at this point in the smoke. The draw continues to be tight, but I am managing at this point. The burn loses a bit at the split in the wrapper, but I am able to slow and smoke my way through it.
The final half of the cigar is not quite as profound as the first, but is still excellent. The core profile is now showing hazelnut flavors that have a lingering sweetness that is interesting, but a bit flat. At the back of the palate there flavors become more grassy and lose some of the woody character from earlier in the experience. The draw has become exceedingly difficult and I am fighting to extract smoke in the final quarter. The burn leveled out without issue.
The finish was long and smacked of vanilla and hazelnut flavors.
Appearance- 89 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 94 an excellent profile that could have used more depth and complexity in the back half
Construction- 85 average at best with a burn issue and draw problems
Strength- 97 an excellent medium that complements the profile with exceptional results
Overall- 90.75 a very good experience that was hurt by construction
The cigar itself is a strange thing to behold. Long and pencil thin, it looks very delicate and I was fearful that a rigorous inspection might lead to damage of the smoke. The wrapper had all the hallmarks of a well aged smoke. It was veined well and carried the soft dust of age that indicates proper storage and care. There is one small split in the wrapper and I am concerned in a smoke this size that it could be a problem. An inspection leads me to believe that the cigar may draw tightly, but I am used to that from thin Cuban vitolas. The pre light aroma is light and dusty, but has strong cedar notes. The pre light draw shows some sweet, nutty character.
The cigar opens with what I would like to call a WOW moment. I can't recall ever experiencing this type of opening, so subtle and yet so in your face at the same time that I can only call it an enigma. The core profile is of delicious vanilla and light cream, the nuance of the flavors is fantastic, but the depth is profound at the same time. There is an underlying note of light wood that is very interesting as well. At the back of the palate there are further notes of wood and sweet grass. The draw is tight, but I am not concerned at this point. The burn is excellent and a nice shoulder is present early on.
The first half proceeds in much the same way. The core profile is full of vanilla and cream notes and continues to please the palate in a way that is seldom experienced. At the back of the palate there are still excellent notes of wood and sweet grass and the consistency is second to none at this point in the smoke. The draw continues to be tight, but I am managing at this point. The burn loses a bit at the split in the wrapper, but I am able to slow and smoke my way through it.
The final half of the cigar is not quite as profound as the first, but is still excellent. The core profile is now showing hazelnut flavors that have a lingering sweetness that is interesting, but a bit flat. At the back of the palate there flavors become more grassy and lose some of the woody character from earlier in the experience. The draw has become exceedingly difficult and I am fighting to extract smoke in the final quarter. The burn leveled out without issue.
The finish was long and smacked of vanilla and hazelnut flavors.
Appearance- 89 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 94 an excellent profile that could have used more depth and complexity in the back half
Construction- 85 average at best with a burn issue and draw problems
Strength- 97 an excellent medium that complements the profile with exceptional results
Overall- 90.75 a very good experience that was hurt by construction
Trinidad Habana Reserve Short Churchill (4.5x54)
I should point out that I am seldom a fan of any Altadis offerings, but I have always liked Trinis so I looked forward to smoking this when I saw it at the local B&M recently.
The cigar is thick, but diminutive, and it is finished with a whimsical pigtail cap that gives this small cigar some charm. The wrapper is medium brown and leathery and has little veining. An inspection tells me that it is well constructed and I do not anticipate any issues. The pre light aroma has nice blasts of spice and dark fruit. The pre light draw shows a blast of cinnamon.
The cigar opens with a profile that is more complex than I expected. There are notes of cinnamon and rich wood in the opening moments that are deep and meaningful for so early in a smoke. At the back of the palate there are some great notes of earth and spice that underlay the main profile beautifully. The depth here is something and I find myself really settling in for this smoke. The draw is excellent, and provides just what I like from a cigar, just enough smoke. The burn is also sturdy and produces a dark gray ash that is a touch flaky.
The first half of the cigar proceeds much as it did in the opening moments. The core profile continues to develop more cinnamon and nutmeg qualities, while the wood tones continue to provide an excellent backdrop for the flavors. At the back of the palate there are still some excellent blasts of earth and spice. The draw is still excellent, and the burn continues to perform well.
The final half of the cigar shows some interesting turns. The core profile transitions into a presentation of pepper, wood and shows some maple flavors as well. At the back of the palate the early earthy tones transition into a more spicy presentation that plays with the maple on the front of the palate in an interesting way. There are some complex things happening here that would not be caught without proper attention. The draw and burn continue to perform extremely well.
The finish is a bit thin, but shows nice presentations of spice and pepper. This cigar is way above average experience and could be better with some more developed flavor presentations.
Appearance- 92 a very interesting and appealing smoke to look at
Taste- 93 great flavors with depth and character
Construction- 96 an excellent presentation
Strength- 88 a very nice medium, but more power would have complemented the palate in a more substantial way
Overall- 93 an excellent smoke, and for about $5 per cigar I would say a must buy
The cigar is thick, but diminutive, and it is finished with a whimsical pigtail cap that gives this small cigar some charm. The wrapper is medium brown and leathery and has little veining. An inspection tells me that it is well constructed and I do not anticipate any issues. The pre light aroma has nice blasts of spice and dark fruit. The pre light draw shows a blast of cinnamon.
The cigar opens with a profile that is more complex than I expected. There are notes of cinnamon and rich wood in the opening moments that are deep and meaningful for so early in a smoke. At the back of the palate there are some great notes of earth and spice that underlay the main profile beautifully. The depth here is something and I find myself really settling in for this smoke. The draw is excellent, and provides just what I like from a cigar, just enough smoke. The burn is also sturdy and produces a dark gray ash that is a touch flaky.
The first half of the cigar proceeds much as it did in the opening moments. The core profile continues to develop more cinnamon and nutmeg qualities, while the wood tones continue to provide an excellent backdrop for the flavors. At the back of the palate there are still some excellent blasts of earth and spice. The draw is still excellent, and the burn continues to perform well.
The final half of the cigar shows some interesting turns. The core profile transitions into a presentation of pepper, wood and shows some maple flavors as well. At the back of the palate the early earthy tones transition into a more spicy presentation that plays with the maple on the front of the palate in an interesting way. There are some complex things happening here that would not be caught without proper attention. The draw and burn continue to perform extremely well.
The finish is a bit thin, but shows nice presentations of spice and pepper. This cigar is way above average experience and could be better with some more developed flavor presentations.
Appearance- 92 a very interesting and appealing smoke to look at
Taste- 93 great flavors with depth and character
Construction- 96 an excellent presentation
Strength- 88 a very nice medium, but more power would have complemented the palate in a more substantial way
Overall- 93 an excellent smoke, and for about $5 per cigar I would say a must buy
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Guillermo Leon Gran Corona (6x47)
After hearing great things from fellow BOTL's about this cigar I waited anxiously and with bated breath for it's release. I wish I had continued holding my breath whilst smoking.
The cigar itself presents well with a dark brown wrapper that has plenty of oils and few veins. The application of the wrapper is excellent and a quick examination reveals no areas of concern. The pre light aroma is an interesting mix of dark wood and sweet clover essences. The pre light draw is a bit sour, but shows some notes of wood and spice.
The cigar opens with a profile that is thin and off putting. There are some notes of weird spice that are not pleasing and there is a cloying sweetness there as well that I would describe as almond. At the back of the palate there is a strange note of wood that has a sour bite to it. There is little depth or complexity early in the smoke. The burn and draw are average as the burn runs a touch and the draw is unremarkable.
The first half of the smoke is unremarkable and does not improve. The core profile remains too sweet and the spice notes are still not identifiable as anything other than strange. At the back of the palate the sour notes have taken over and it is difficult to work past these attributes. The draw and burn continue to be average, though the burn has evened out at this point.
The final half of the smoke recovers somewhat, but is still too little too late. The core profile becomes a mix of hickory notes and some notes of clove. At the back of the palate there are some nice notes of rich tobacco that come through, but there are still some sour ideas that persist here. The draw and burn stay ok, but are not noteworthy. I would say the entire experience was not noteworthy unfortunately.
The finish is short and shows some odd sweetness that lingers.
Appearance- 92 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 78 very little depth or complexity and sourness kills the profile
Construction- 85 average
Strength- 85 medium and average
Overall- 83.75 below average and I would not smoke another one
The cigar itself presents well with a dark brown wrapper that has plenty of oils and few veins. The application of the wrapper is excellent and a quick examination reveals no areas of concern. The pre light aroma is an interesting mix of dark wood and sweet clover essences. The pre light draw is a bit sour, but shows some notes of wood and spice.
The cigar opens with a profile that is thin and off putting. There are some notes of weird spice that are not pleasing and there is a cloying sweetness there as well that I would describe as almond. At the back of the palate there is a strange note of wood that has a sour bite to it. There is little depth or complexity early in the smoke. The burn and draw are average as the burn runs a touch and the draw is unremarkable.
The first half of the smoke is unremarkable and does not improve. The core profile remains too sweet and the spice notes are still not identifiable as anything other than strange. At the back of the palate the sour notes have taken over and it is difficult to work past these attributes. The draw and burn continue to be average, though the burn has evened out at this point.
The final half of the smoke recovers somewhat, but is still too little too late. The core profile becomes a mix of hickory notes and some notes of clove. At the back of the palate there are some nice notes of rich tobacco that come through, but there are still some sour ideas that persist here. The draw and burn stay ok, but are not noteworthy. I would say the entire experience was not noteworthy unfortunately.
The finish is short and shows some odd sweetness that lingers.
Appearance- 92 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 78 very little depth or complexity and sourness kills the profile
Construction- 85 average
Strength- 85 medium and average
Overall- 83.75 below average and I would not smoke another one
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Pinar Del Rio Clasico Exclusivo Corona (5.25x44)
This vitola is one of my favorite sizes to smoke, I have always found that it imparts excellent balance but allows for the flavor of the wrapper to show through. This particular cigar is sheathed in a nice medium brown wrapper that has a small split near the band and some fraying at the foot. An examination leads me to believe that the cigar will perform well, as I find no areas that are too soft or too firm. The pre light aroma is grassy, but shows some interesting spice notes. The pre light draw is a touch sour, but there are some hints of light wood present.
The cigar opens with a profile that is flat and grassy, there is little depth and there are some bitter notes present here as well. If the opening moments are any indication I will have a difficult time getting through this one. At the back of the palate there are some vegetal undertones that deflect some hints of light wood that would otherwise be pleasing. The burn is lopsided, but I do not believe it will require a touch up. The draw is a touch tight, but at this point is not causing me any distress.
The first half of the cigar proceeds in much the same way as the opening moments. The flat, grassy core profile stays consistent and that is unfortunate. At the back of the palate there is some sweetness starting to try and show through, but it is muddled against a backdrop of vegetation and loamy earth notes. The burn has evened out slightly, but the draw continues to tighten and threatens the integrity of the cigar if heat becomes an issue.
The final half of the cigar begins to show me something, but it is too little too late. The core profile picks up some nice rich wood flavors and some hints of maple syrup. The depth and complexity becomes interesting with about and inch left in the smoke, what a shame. At the back of the palate the vegetal notes have rounded into a more pleasing mix of earth and wood. If the entire cigar had been this way it would be a winner. The burn stays a bit off throughout, but causes no issues. The draw opens once I get past a small plug and settles down with about one third of the cigar left.
The finish was lingering, or maybe malingering, as there were hints of crushed aspirin left on the palate.
Appearance- 83 some issues with the wrapper and foot
Taste- 82 a very sub par front half, saved in the last third so
Construction- 84 some burn and draw issues make this sub par
Strength- 85 a very average medium
Overall- 83.25 a below average experience that could have been much worse if not for the final third of the smoke
The cigar opens with a profile that is flat and grassy, there is little depth and there are some bitter notes present here as well. If the opening moments are any indication I will have a difficult time getting through this one. At the back of the palate there are some vegetal undertones that deflect some hints of light wood that would otherwise be pleasing. The burn is lopsided, but I do not believe it will require a touch up. The draw is a touch tight, but at this point is not causing me any distress.
The first half of the cigar proceeds in much the same way as the opening moments. The flat, grassy core profile stays consistent and that is unfortunate. At the back of the palate there is some sweetness starting to try and show through, but it is muddled against a backdrop of vegetation and loamy earth notes. The burn has evened out slightly, but the draw continues to tighten and threatens the integrity of the cigar if heat becomes an issue.
The final half of the cigar begins to show me something, but it is too little too late. The core profile picks up some nice rich wood flavors and some hints of maple syrup. The depth and complexity becomes interesting with about and inch left in the smoke, what a shame. At the back of the palate the vegetal notes have rounded into a more pleasing mix of earth and wood. If the entire cigar had been this way it would be a winner. The burn stays a bit off throughout, but causes no issues. The draw opens once I get past a small plug and settles down with about one third of the cigar left.
The finish was lingering, or maybe malingering, as there were hints of crushed aspirin left on the palate.
Appearance- 83 some issues with the wrapper and foot
Taste- 82 a very sub par front half, saved in the last third so
Construction- 84 some burn and draw issues make this sub par
Strength- 85 a very average medium
Overall- 83.25 a below average experience that could have been much worse if not for the final third of the smoke
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Padilla Signature 1932 2009 Limited Edition Salomon Oscuro (7.25x57)
I have had 9 cigars from a 10 pack purchased in 2009 sitting in my humidor aging for over a year now. My initial impression was put in a review last year and I wanted to see what over a year of age had done for this smoke. I think I am in for a treat.
The cigar presents with nice oils and a wrapper that has an excellent sheen and few veins. I recall that this cigar was nearly dripping oils when I put it in the humidor some months ago and I was relieved to see that it still had nice sheen without appearing to have dried out. The construction appears to be excellent as I can detect no areas of softness or undue tension in the roll. The pre light aroma has some light coffee notes and some rich earthy fragrances. The pre light draw shows a nutty sweetness and leaves a nice peppery taste on the palate.
The cigar opens with a very subdued profile for a cigar that looks like it will be in your face. There are some very nuanced notes of sweet nuts and light wood in the foreground and I find myself settling in for what could be an excellent experience. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying zip of pepper and earth that balances the front of the profile beautifully. The draw is excellent and I am relieved as I have smoked samples of this vitola before and found issues with it. The burn is also sharp, and again I am surprised because I have smoked many of these that burn poorly.
The first third of the cigar transitions and the core profile shows nutty qualities with some sweet grassy notes in the mix. At the back of the palate there are some solid flavors of dark wood and black pepper that are showing through with gusto. The draw remains above average, imparting ample smoke with each draw. The burn stays solid into the main body of the cigar and I am certain I will not encounter any issues, very rare in a Salomon.
The middle third of the cigar flattens out a bit for me. The core profile is still showing some nutty tones, but they are sparse. The profile transitions into a more metallic presentation and some of the depth and character go away. At the back of the palate there are still some nice showings of pepper and wood, but there is a strange sweetness coming out that is like sugar cane. The draw stays consistent and the burn continues to be strong to this point.
The final third of the smoke shows some excellence. The profile takes on a more coffee infused flavor, but there are some hints of dark fruit, spice and wood on the palate as well. At the back of the palate there are sharp blasts of pepper and anise that ratchet up the strength quotient nicely. The draw remains steady, but the burn goes askew a few times and requires a slight tap of some excess wrapper that did not burn correctly.
The finish is long and powerful showing notes of nuts, dark wood and some sugar cane sweetness.
Appearance- 89 a very bold looking cigar, but it is a but ruddy
Taste- 87 I would like to go higher, but the middle third hurt the experience
Construction- 90 aside from some minor burn issues this performed well
Strength- 91 very nice medium that transitioned to full late in the smoke
Overall- 89 a nice experience and I think with more age it will improve
The cigar presents with nice oils and a wrapper that has an excellent sheen and few veins. I recall that this cigar was nearly dripping oils when I put it in the humidor some months ago and I was relieved to see that it still had nice sheen without appearing to have dried out. The construction appears to be excellent as I can detect no areas of softness or undue tension in the roll. The pre light aroma has some light coffee notes and some rich earthy fragrances. The pre light draw shows a nutty sweetness and leaves a nice peppery taste on the palate.
The cigar opens with a very subdued profile for a cigar that looks like it will be in your face. There are some very nuanced notes of sweet nuts and light wood in the foreground and I find myself settling in for what could be an excellent experience. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying zip of pepper and earth that balances the front of the profile beautifully. The draw is excellent and I am relieved as I have smoked samples of this vitola before and found issues with it. The burn is also sharp, and again I am surprised because I have smoked many of these that burn poorly.
The first third of the cigar transitions and the core profile shows nutty qualities with some sweet grassy notes in the mix. At the back of the palate there are some solid flavors of dark wood and black pepper that are showing through with gusto. The draw remains above average, imparting ample smoke with each draw. The burn stays solid into the main body of the cigar and I am certain I will not encounter any issues, very rare in a Salomon.
The middle third of the cigar flattens out a bit for me. The core profile is still showing some nutty tones, but they are sparse. The profile transitions into a more metallic presentation and some of the depth and character go away. At the back of the palate there are still some nice showings of pepper and wood, but there is a strange sweetness coming out that is like sugar cane. The draw stays consistent and the burn continues to be strong to this point.
The final third of the smoke shows some excellence. The profile takes on a more coffee infused flavor, but there are some hints of dark fruit, spice and wood on the palate as well. At the back of the palate there are sharp blasts of pepper and anise that ratchet up the strength quotient nicely. The draw remains steady, but the burn goes askew a few times and requires a slight tap of some excess wrapper that did not burn correctly.
The finish is long and powerful showing notes of nuts, dark wood and some sugar cane sweetness.
Appearance- 89 a very bold looking cigar, but it is a but ruddy
Taste- 87 I would like to go higher, but the middle third hurt the experience
Construction- 90 aside from some minor burn issues this performed well
Strength- 91 very nice medium that transitioned to full late in the smoke
Overall- 89 a nice experience and I think with more age it will improve
Thursday, September 9, 2010
St.Luis Rey Toro Maduro (6x50)
This is an old classic and I figured it was a worth a re-visit after several years. This is a box pressed vitola and I can't recall if that was the case several years ago when I was smoking this on a regular basis. I am not a fan of box pressed smokes and I find that they often burn poorly. This particular cigar presents with a very oily wrapper that shows few veins. An examination leads me to believe that it will perform well. The pre light aroma is a touch sour but has some nice notes of spice and light chocolate. The pre light draw shows some dark fruit sweetness.
The cigar opens with a nice medium profile that contains notes of cocoa, light pepper and some nice earthy tones. At the back of the palate there are some shots of milk chocolate and some interesting flavors of black cherry and other dark fruit. The burn is excellent and produces a light gray ash that is a bit flaky. The draw is exceptional for me, requiring just the right amount of pull to produce ample smoke.
The first half of the smoke continues to show some development. The core profile consists of nice earthy flavors, with blasts of pepper and some wisps of cocoa. At the back of the palate there are distinct notes of dark wood and dark fruit. The balance is excellent, but the depth of flavor is somewhat lacking for me and it comes off as a bit thin. The burn has gone awry slightly, but I don't think it will cause any issues. The draw continues to be nearly perfect for me.
The final half of the smoke deteriorates slightly, but still is above average. The profile thins out, but shows some notes of earth and dark fruit. At the back of the palate there are some notes that become muddled, but dark wood is still prominent. The burn evens out and the draw remains superior.
The finish is middling, but shows lingering dark wood flavors. At less than $5 per smoke this is a must for any enthusiast, particularly those on a budget.
Appearance- 88 a nice smoke, but I detract for box pressing
Taste- 88 an above average profile, but there needs to be more depth and complexity
Construction- 92 some deductions for burn, but the draw was splendid
Strength- 89 a very satisfying medium
Overall- 89.5 a very good smoke and a candidate for best under $5
The cigar opens with a nice medium profile that contains notes of cocoa, light pepper and some nice earthy tones. At the back of the palate there are some shots of milk chocolate and some interesting flavors of black cherry and other dark fruit. The burn is excellent and produces a light gray ash that is a bit flaky. The draw is exceptional for me, requiring just the right amount of pull to produce ample smoke.
The first half of the smoke continues to show some development. The core profile consists of nice earthy flavors, with blasts of pepper and some wisps of cocoa. At the back of the palate there are distinct notes of dark wood and dark fruit. The balance is excellent, but the depth of flavor is somewhat lacking for me and it comes off as a bit thin. The burn has gone awry slightly, but I don't think it will cause any issues. The draw continues to be nearly perfect for me.
The final half of the smoke deteriorates slightly, but still is above average. The profile thins out, but shows some notes of earth and dark fruit. At the back of the palate there are some notes that become muddled, but dark wood is still prominent. The burn evens out and the draw remains superior.
The finish is middling, but shows lingering dark wood flavors. At less than $5 per smoke this is a must for any enthusiast, particularly those on a budget.
Appearance- 88 a nice smoke, but I detract for box pressing
Taste- 88 an above average profile, but there needs to be more depth and complexity
Construction- 92 some deductions for burn, but the draw was splendid
Strength- 89 a very satisfying medium
Overall- 89.5 a very good smoke and a candidate for best under $5
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Mi Barrio El Forro (7x48)
This is a cigar that made my Top 10 of 2009 and I recently laid in a couple of boxes to examine the aging potential. However, the prospect of having some around was too much for me. I decided to smoke one and review it so as to archive the experience for comparison as I age the boxes...that is my story and I am sticking to it.
The cigar presents with a leathery wrapper that has few veins and is flawlessly applied. An examination reveals no areas of concern and I am certain the cigar will perform well. The pre light aroma is of heavy spice and leather. The pre light draw is tight and that concerns me performance wise, but there are some notes of leather and clove in the nuanced pre fire taste.
The cigar opens with a profile that is profoundly nuanced and balanced. There are some fabulous notes of dark wood, cinnamon, clove and spice in the opening moments, and I am reminded why this blend was in my Top 10 the year before. At the back of the palate there is a dusting of pepper and sweet graham cracker flavor that is very interesting. The burn is excellent, producing a thick white ash that hangs ponderously for several inches. The draw is too tight for me, but it is not causing me any issues to this point.
The first third of the cigar continues to impress. The core profile settles in with a fine presentation of cinnamon and dark wood, the occasional wisp of spice settles across the palate as well. At the back of the palate the sweet graham cracker flavor has taken center stage and serves as an excellent balancing agent to the rest of the smoke. The complexity, depth and nuance of this smoke is second to none in recent memory. The burn continues to perform exceptionally, but the draw continues to be a bit tight to this point.
The middle third of the cigar kicks it up a notch. The main profile shifts into a presentation of dark wood, leather and pepper and the strength quotient moves up a few levels to a more robust full. At the back of the palate there are still some hints of graham cracker sweetness, but a more raisin like flavor starts to show through and it is an exceptional counterpoint to the pepper in the foreground. The burn goes a touch wonky here, but levels out on its own without any assistance from my lighter. The draw continues to be tighter than I like, but there is no heat creeping into the smoke as of yet.
The final third of the cigar is a home run. The core profile shows leather and cinnamon tones with fleeting blasts of orange zest and pepper. At the back of the palate the graham cracker sweetness returns and there are some satisfying flavors of dark wood too. The burn is excellent to the end, but the draw stays tighter than I would like throughout the smoke.
The finish is long and shows graham cracker notes with hints of dark wood.
Appearance- 93 a very attractive cigar, more oils would have helped the impression
Taste- 99 an excellent taste performance, nearly perfect for me
Construction- 91 points reduced for draw issues and one burn problem
Strength- 96 a very nice medium start and full finish.
Overall- 94.75 without the construction issues, this would have been a classic
The cigar presents with a leathery wrapper that has few veins and is flawlessly applied. An examination reveals no areas of concern and I am certain the cigar will perform well. The pre light aroma is of heavy spice and leather. The pre light draw is tight and that concerns me performance wise, but there are some notes of leather and clove in the nuanced pre fire taste.
The cigar opens with a profile that is profoundly nuanced and balanced. There are some fabulous notes of dark wood, cinnamon, clove and spice in the opening moments, and I am reminded why this blend was in my Top 10 the year before. At the back of the palate there is a dusting of pepper and sweet graham cracker flavor that is very interesting. The burn is excellent, producing a thick white ash that hangs ponderously for several inches. The draw is too tight for me, but it is not causing me any issues to this point.
The first third of the cigar continues to impress. The core profile settles in with a fine presentation of cinnamon and dark wood, the occasional wisp of spice settles across the palate as well. At the back of the palate the sweet graham cracker flavor has taken center stage and serves as an excellent balancing agent to the rest of the smoke. The complexity, depth and nuance of this smoke is second to none in recent memory. The burn continues to perform exceptionally, but the draw continues to be a bit tight to this point.
The middle third of the cigar kicks it up a notch. The main profile shifts into a presentation of dark wood, leather and pepper and the strength quotient moves up a few levels to a more robust full. At the back of the palate there are still some hints of graham cracker sweetness, but a more raisin like flavor starts to show through and it is an exceptional counterpoint to the pepper in the foreground. The burn goes a touch wonky here, but levels out on its own without any assistance from my lighter. The draw continues to be tighter than I like, but there is no heat creeping into the smoke as of yet.
The final third of the cigar is a home run. The core profile shows leather and cinnamon tones with fleeting blasts of orange zest and pepper. At the back of the palate the graham cracker sweetness returns and there are some satisfying flavors of dark wood too. The burn is excellent to the end, but the draw stays tighter than I would like throughout the smoke.
The finish is long and shows graham cracker notes with hints of dark wood.
Appearance- 93 a very attractive cigar, more oils would have helped the impression
Taste- 99 an excellent taste performance, nearly perfect for me
Construction- 91 points reduced for draw issues and one burn problem
Strength- 96 a very nice medium start and full finish.
Overall- 94.75 without the construction issues, this would have been a classic
Friday, September 3, 2010
Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Toro (6x54)
I can't recall anticipating a cigar, in recent years, as much as I anticipated this one. Recently I picked up a handful and smoked several, this review is of the last one I smoked, but I will point out that all five of them performed similarly and tasted the same.
The cigar itself is a bit thicker than I like, but the other vitolas at the B & M I went to did not strike my fancy either. It has a heavy, dark brown wrapper that has some prominent veins. An inspection of the smoke reveals some areas that I believe are too soft, but I will have to see what develops in the smoking process. The pre light aroma is an intoxicating blend of cedar and spice. The pre light draw shows some mineral heaviness that I hope is not a harbinger of things to come.
The cigar opens with a very in your face profile and I am a bit shocked by the initial strength of this cigar. There is no nuance or balance to a presentation that begins this way and I am getting clubbed in the head by rich tobacco, black pepper and mineral flavors. I can only hope that this cigar will settle down at some point. At the back of the palate there is some sweetness, almost like sugarcane, and it is helping to diffuse some of the up front power of the smoke. The draw is touch loose for me, but I am not upset by it at this point. The burn is excellent and a ponderous white ash is forming.
The first third of the cigar does indeed settle down. The main profile continues to show mostly tobacco and mineral notes, but the earlier sweetness has crept into the front of the smoke and is adding some nice roundness to the overall profile. At the back of the palate there is another presentation of a heavier mineral note and it threatens to turn the cigar into a real downer. The draw remains a touch loose and towards the end of the first half some heat comes into the smoke and forces me to slow my progress in order for the hear to dissipate. The burn is excellent and the ash holds for nearly three inches.
The final two thirds show little development. The core profile continues to be of tobacco, there are some small notes of coffee bean and dark wood, but they do not add anything significant to the experience. At the back of the palate the heavy mineral note is taking it's toll and turns metallic in the final third. This attribute really hurts the cigar in my opinion. The burn and draw stay as noted in the first third.
The finish is short and sharp showing mineral and metallic flavors.
Appearance- 88 an above average cigar that could use more attention to detail
Taste- 81 a sub par performance that lacks complexity and depth
Construction- 89 points off for loose draw, but performance was still above average
Strength- 80 a very odd full that taxes the palate
Overall- 84.75 another disappointment for me
The cigar itself is a bit thicker than I like, but the other vitolas at the B & M I went to did not strike my fancy either. It has a heavy, dark brown wrapper that has some prominent veins. An inspection of the smoke reveals some areas that I believe are too soft, but I will have to see what develops in the smoking process. The pre light aroma is an intoxicating blend of cedar and spice. The pre light draw shows some mineral heaviness that I hope is not a harbinger of things to come.
The cigar opens with a very in your face profile and I am a bit shocked by the initial strength of this cigar. There is no nuance or balance to a presentation that begins this way and I am getting clubbed in the head by rich tobacco, black pepper and mineral flavors. I can only hope that this cigar will settle down at some point. At the back of the palate there is some sweetness, almost like sugarcane, and it is helping to diffuse some of the up front power of the smoke. The draw is touch loose for me, but I am not upset by it at this point. The burn is excellent and a ponderous white ash is forming.
The first third of the cigar does indeed settle down. The main profile continues to show mostly tobacco and mineral notes, but the earlier sweetness has crept into the front of the smoke and is adding some nice roundness to the overall profile. At the back of the palate there is another presentation of a heavier mineral note and it threatens to turn the cigar into a real downer. The draw remains a touch loose and towards the end of the first half some heat comes into the smoke and forces me to slow my progress in order for the hear to dissipate. The burn is excellent and the ash holds for nearly three inches.
The final two thirds show little development. The core profile continues to be of tobacco, there are some small notes of coffee bean and dark wood, but they do not add anything significant to the experience. At the back of the palate the heavy mineral note is taking it's toll and turns metallic in the final third. This attribute really hurts the cigar in my opinion. The burn and draw stay as noted in the first third.
The finish is short and sharp showing mineral and metallic flavors.
Appearance- 88 an above average cigar that could use more attention to detail
Taste- 81 a sub par performance that lacks complexity and depth
Construction- 89 points off for loose draw, but performance was still above average
Strength- 80 a very odd full that taxes the palate
Overall- 84.75 another disappointment for me
Dunhill Altamiras (5x48)
I went into a recent Cigar Dinner, at the beautiful Founder's Club in Sarasota, knowing that Dunhill cigars are not my cup of tea. They are always just too mild and flavorless for me, but the prospect of a night with fellow BOTL's and SOTL's was to grand to pass on, besides there would be dinner, liquor and fine cigars so it couldn't be that bad right? Well two out of three ain't bad. There were cigars, but using fine as a descriptor will only work if it is the type of fine you get from your wife or girlfriend when you ask her is she is ok after a big fight. That is the type of fine that best describes this cigar, on the surface it looks like everything is ok, but below a festering eruption of foul is about to emerge.
The cigar presents in a very classic and classy way, with a sharp white aluminum tubo presentation. It is delicate for a robusto and the blond Connecticut wrapper is attractive and has few veins. The head is perfect and the foot is sharp, I can appreciate the craftsmanship here. An inspection reveals to me that it might be rolled too tightly and I am concerned about possible draw issues due to this. The pre light aroma is slight, but shows some dusty, honey like tones. The pre light draw is tight, but I detect some wisps of light floral flavors.
The cigar opens completely devoid of anything resembling a profile, there are no flavors discernible, it is just some smoke and that is about it. One of my friends nearby quipped that it was like smoking a negative cigar and we devolved into a somewhat nerdy contemplation of Cigar Quantum Physics and Negative Cigar Dynamics. At the back of the palate I am also not picking up anything of note, this is something I have not really experienced before in any cigar. The draw is too tight and there is some labor to produce the smoke, I am worried about heat in the presentation later. The burn is solid, but the ash is flaky.
The first half of the cigar plods along and finally begins to show some flavors, but they are not flavors that I believe anyone was enjoying. There were some thin floral intonations, but mostly I was getting grass, hay and vegetation from the profile. At the back of the palate a bitterness has emerged that is scorching my throat. The draw has not loosened and I am considering putting the cigar down. The burn is still solid, but the ash continues to snow all over me and my table.
The final half of this smoke comes on a bit, but it is too little too late. There are some nice vanilla flavors in the foreground that have some creamy offsets, but there is still some grassy undertone here that is hurting the profile. At the back of the palate the bitterness persists. The draw opens slightly as I burn through the plug that was causing the issue. The burn got wonky in the area of the obstruction, but evened out near the end.
The finish was blessed, in that it was over, leaving notes of grass and thin papery wisps.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive visual experience
Taste- 74 there is no way this could be any higher with a profile that was at first nothing, and then terrible, then mediocre at best
Construction- 72 the tight draw really detracts from the score here
Strength- 85 a very average mild
Overall- 78.25 save yourself the 12-15 bucks and buy two or three of something you will enjoy
The cigar presents in a very classic and classy way, with a sharp white aluminum tubo presentation. It is delicate for a robusto and the blond Connecticut wrapper is attractive and has few veins. The head is perfect and the foot is sharp, I can appreciate the craftsmanship here. An inspection reveals to me that it might be rolled too tightly and I am concerned about possible draw issues due to this. The pre light aroma is slight, but shows some dusty, honey like tones. The pre light draw is tight, but I detect some wisps of light floral flavors.
The cigar opens completely devoid of anything resembling a profile, there are no flavors discernible, it is just some smoke and that is about it. One of my friends nearby quipped that it was like smoking a negative cigar and we devolved into a somewhat nerdy contemplation of Cigar Quantum Physics and Negative Cigar Dynamics. At the back of the palate I am also not picking up anything of note, this is something I have not really experienced before in any cigar. The draw is too tight and there is some labor to produce the smoke, I am worried about heat in the presentation later. The burn is solid, but the ash is flaky.
The first half of the cigar plods along and finally begins to show some flavors, but they are not flavors that I believe anyone was enjoying. There were some thin floral intonations, but mostly I was getting grass, hay and vegetation from the profile. At the back of the palate a bitterness has emerged that is scorching my throat. The draw has not loosened and I am considering putting the cigar down. The burn is still solid, but the ash continues to snow all over me and my table.
The final half of this smoke comes on a bit, but it is too little too late. There are some nice vanilla flavors in the foreground that have some creamy offsets, but there is still some grassy undertone here that is hurting the profile. At the back of the palate the bitterness persists. The draw opens slightly as I burn through the plug that was causing the issue. The burn got wonky in the area of the obstruction, but evened out near the end.
The finish was blessed, in that it was over, leaving notes of grass and thin papery wisps.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive visual experience
Taste- 74 there is no way this could be any higher with a profile that was at first nothing, and then terrible, then mediocre at best
Construction- 72 the tight draw really detracts from the score here
Strength- 85 a very average mild
Overall- 78.25 save yourself the 12-15 bucks and buy two or three of something you will enjoy
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Le Reloba Sumatra Toro (6.25x52)
This is a newer release from My Father cigars and is purported to be blended by Don Pepin's son, Jaime. It presents in a bulky Toro format that is less delicate than what I expect from this maker. The wrapper is a deep brown and has some prominent veins. I note that this wrapper is very toothy and has a dusty coating to it that I find interesting. An inspection leads me to believe that this cigar will perform well as I detect no soft spots or areas that are too firm. The pre light aroma has strong cedar notes and some mild coffee tones. The pre light draw portends dark wood and rich tobacco flavors.
The cigar opens with a very nice profile that is replete with a dark, woody character. As the opening progresses there is the development of a sweet coffee note that is pleasing when contrasted with the rest of the profile. At the back of the palate there is a dusty coating of flavor that I could only compare to sweet corn, there are also some undertones of tobacco flavors here. The draw is excellent, imparting plenty of smoke and flavor with minimal effort but not showing any signs that it will burn hot or deteriorate. The burn is a touch wonky, but it does not require any touch ups to this point.
The first half of the cigar continues to show well. The profile has settled into a nice presentation of dark wood, but there are some salty notes as well. The sweet coffee note has transitioned into a more straight forward presentation of rich tobacco at this point. At the back of the palate there are some interesting things afoot. A soft bitterness has crept into the presentation and there is a sharp note that has a citrus tang to it. There are still some hints of tobacco flavor here, but they are cloaked by a predominantly bitter flavor. The draw continues to be exceptional, but the burn has not evened out as I would like.
The final half of the cigar deteriorates for me. The sweet notes in the profile have not transitioned into anything of note and they become cloying. There are still some flavors of dark wood and some nice tobacco notes, but they have not developed well. I am disappointed in the lack of depth at this point, and there is not enough complexity for this cigar to stand up against other blends. At the back of the palate the bitter notes have become charred and I find it off putting. The draw remains excellent, and the burn finally evens out.
The finish is a bit short and has some bitter notes, but some lingering sweetness.
Appearance- 86 a bit ruddy for me
Taste- 84 slightly below average and lacking in complexity and depth
Construction- 90 aside from some small burn issues, this cigar performed very well
Strength- 86 a very non-descript medium/full
Overall- 86.75 a very middle of the road experience
The cigar opens with a very nice profile that is replete with a dark, woody character. As the opening progresses there is the development of a sweet coffee note that is pleasing when contrasted with the rest of the profile. At the back of the palate there is a dusty coating of flavor that I could only compare to sweet corn, there are also some undertones of tobacco flavors here. The draw is excellent, imparting plenty of smoke and flavor with minimal effort but not showing any signs that it will burn hot or deteriorate. The burn is a touch wonky, but it does not require any touch ups to this point.
The first half of the cigar continues to show well. The profile has settled into a nice presentation of dark wood, but there are some salty notes as well. The sweet coffee note has transitioned into a more straight forward presentation of rich tobacco at this point. At the back of the palate there are some interesting things afoot. A soft bitterness has crept into the presentation and there is a sharp note that has a citrus tang to it. There are still some hints of tobacco flavor here, but they are cloaked by a predominantly bitter flavor. The draw continues to be exceptional, but the burn has not evened out as I would like.
The final half of the cigar deteriorates for me. The sweet notes in the profile have not transitioned into anything of note and they become cloying. There are still some flavors of dark wood and some nice tobacco notes, but they have not developed well. I am disappointed in the lack of depth at this point, and there is not enough complexity for this cigar to stand up against other blends. At the back of the palate the bitter notes have become charred and I find it off putting. The draw remains excellent, and the burn finally evens out.
The finish is a bit short and has some bitter notes, but some lingering sweetness.
Appearance- 86 a bit ruddy for me
Taste- 84 slightly below average and lacking in complexity and depth
Construction- 90 aside from some small burn issues, this cigar performed very well
Strength- 86 a very non-descript medium/full
Overall- 86.75 a very middle of the road experience
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Perdomo La Tradition Cabinet Series Reserve Maduro Robusto (5x54)
This has been a standby in my smoking lineup for several years, unfortunately it has somewhat gone the way of the Dodo as they are not made with regularity anymore. I have smoked boxes and boxes of all sizes of these Red Labels and have always found them to be particularly enjoyable smokes. This particular one has been in my humi for several years and was howling out to be smoked.
The cigar has aged well and shows some light plume and crystallization of the oils. The wrapper is not as dark as I recall it being when I laid it to rest several years ago, but there is still the look of power here. An inspection reveals a void about an inch from the head and I am concerned about the possibility of burn issues. The pre light aroma is of rich tobacco and semi sweet chocolate. The pre light draw hints of dark wood and coffee flavors.
My anticipation level being nearly at the top, I cut and light. The cigar opens with a rich profile of dark tobacco notes and a very full coffee flavor also comes through. At the back of the palate there are some notes of dark wood and very satisfying earthy flavors. The draw is a bit tight at this point and I can feel some heat starting to build. The burn is also slightly askew, but I do not touch up.
The first half of the cigar continues to impress me. The profile is rich and flavorful, showing blasts of tobacco with a coffee overlay, there are also some excellent notes of chocolate coming through here as well. At the back of the palate the woody notes have taken on a hickory note and the earthy notes have gained a salty quality that I find interesting. The draw continues to tighten as I approach the void I detected earlier and I wonder if there is also a plug behind the void somewhere. The burn has straightened, but as I approach the halfway point it begins to collapse again.
The final half of the cigar begins to burn way to hot, and the draw has deteriorated into a mess. The profile takes on the scorched and chary qualities that are familiar to all of us that have smoked cigars with draw issues. I relight a couple of times, but it is for naught, and I am forced to put this cigar down with about a third of it remaining. It is truly a shame.
The finish was middling and charred.
Appearance- 94 a very appealing smoke, made more so by crystals and plume
Taste- 80 below average due to the issues with construction, very unfortunate because the opening moments were well above average
Construction- 75 about as bad as it could get in the second half
Strength- 87 a very nice full
Overall- 81.75 this was a real downer for me, I will say that I do love this smoke, do not let this review deter you
The cigar has aged well and shows some light plume and crystallization of the oils. The wrapper is not as dark as I recall it being when I laid it to rest several years ago, but there is still the look of power here. An inspection reveals a void about an inch from the head and I am concerned about the possibility of burn issues. The pre light aroma is of rich tobacco and semi sweet chocolate. The pre light draw hints of dark wood and coffee flavors.
My anticipation level being nearly at the top, I cut and light. The cigar opens with a rich profile of dark tobacco notes and a very full coffee flavor also comes through. At the back of the palate there are some notes of dark wood and very satisfying earthy flavors. The draw is a bit tight at this point and I can feel some heat starting to build. The burn is also slightly askew, but I do not touch up.
The first half of the cigar continues to impress me. The profile is rich and flavorful, showing blasts of tobacco with a coffee overlay, there are also some excellent notes of chocolate coming through here as well. At the back of the palate the woody notes have taken on a hickory note and the earthy notes have gained a salty quality that I find interesting. The draw continues to tighten as I approach the void I detected earlier and I wonder if there is also a plug behind the void somewhere. The burn has straightened, but as I approach the halfway point it begins to collapse again.
The final half of the cigar begins to burn way to hot, and the draw has deteriorated into a mess. The profile takes on the scorched and chary qualities that are familiar to all of us that have smoked cigars with draw issues. I relight a couple of times, but it is for naught, and I am forced to put this cigar down with about a third of it remaining. It is truly a shame.
The finish was middling and charred.
Appearance- 94 a very appealing smoke, made more so by crystals and plume
Taste- 80 below average due to the issues with construction, very unfortunate because the opening moments were well above average
Construction- 75 about as bad as it could get in the second half
Strength- 87 a very nice full
Overall- 81.75 this was a real downer for me, I will say that I do love this smoke, do not let this review deter you
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Esteban Carreras Connecticut Robusto (5x50)
This is a cigar that I had overlooked for some time as I smoked other, more interesting, new releases over the past several months. It is a cigar line that is not well known, but I have smoked some of their offers previously and have found them to be acceptable.
This particular cigar presents with dull looking wrapper and white band that does not stand out well. The wrapper has some veins, but I am not overly concerned. It also has a very cardboard feeling quality to it and seems dry to me. A quick inspection tells me that the cigar may be too tight and I am concerned about the draw. The pre light aroma is dusty, but has some sweet character to it. The pre light draw is thin and has some papery flavors.
The cigar opens with a very mild and thin profile that contains some sweet notes of graham cracker, but has a papery and grassy note as well. There is little depth or complexity here, and the balance is off at this point. At the back of the palate there are some whispers of spice, but more papery notes cloak the other flavors that might be present. The draw is tight, as I suspected, but it is manageable to this point. The burn is even, but the ash is a bit flaky.
The first half of the cigar progresses, but slowly. There are some nice characteristics in the front of the profile with graham cracker, cream and some vanilla notes and the balance and complexity are starting to more where I expect them to be. However, the depth of the flavors is an issue for me as they enter the mouth with pep, but leave in a somewhat flat and bitter presentation. At the back of the palate there is still a papery quality to smoke and it leaves me feeling flat about this smoke. The draw is improving, but is still tight. The burn is still nice to this point.
The final half of the cigar really comes apart. The profile transitions into a bitter, chalky presentation of leaves and vegetation. At the back of the palate there are some hints of light pepper, but the papery notes intensify and leave the palate dry. The draw and burn remain as noted in the earlier stages of the smoke.
The finish is middling, showing notes of vegetation, and some bitter light wood flavors.
Appearance- 85 a very modest, average looking smoke
Taste- 81 unfortunately not very good
Construction- 86 just slightly above average in the burn dept., but below in the draw dept.
Strength- 85 a very average mild that does nothing to complement the presentation
Overall- 84, below average
This particular cigar presents with dull looking wrapper and white band that does not stand out well. The wrapper has some veins, but I am not overly concerned. It also has a very cardboard feeling quality to it and seems dry to me. A quick inspection tells me that the cigar may be too tight and I am concerned about the draw. The pre light aroma is dusty, but has some sweet character to it. The pre light draw is thin and has some papery flavors.
The cigar opens with a very mild and thin profile that contains some sweet notes of graham cracker, but has a papery and grassy note as well. There is little depth or complexity here, and the balance is off at this point. At the back of the palate there are some whispers of spice, but more papery notes cloak the other flavors that might be present. The draw is tight, as I suspected, but it is manageable to this point. The burn is even, but the ash is a bit flaky.
The first half of the cigar progresses, but slowly. There are some nice characteristics in the front of the profile with graham cracker, cream and some vanilla notes and the balance and complexity are starting to more where I expect them to be. However, the depth of the flavors is an issue for me as they enter the mouth with pep, but leave in a somewhat flat and bitter presentation. At the back of the palate there is still a papery quality to smoke and it leaves me feeling flat about this smoke. The draw is improving, but is still tight. The burn is still nice to this point.
The final half of the cigar really comes apart. The profile transitions into a bitter, chalky presentation of leaves and vegetation. At the back of the palate there are some hints of light pepper, but the papery notes intensify and leave the palate dry. The draw and burn remain as noted in the earlier stages of the smoke.
The finish is middling, showing notes of vegetation, and some bitter light wood flavors.
Appearance- 85 a very modest, average looking smoke
Taste- 81 unfortunately not very good
Construction- 86 just slightly above average in the burn dept., but below in the draw dept.
Strength- 85 a very average mild that does nothing to complement the presentation
Overall- 84, below average
Friday, August 13, 2010
Oliva Cain Maduro 654T (6x54)
This cigar hit the market last year with much fanfare and became a huge sensation amongst just about every full bodied cigar enthusiast I know, with the exception of me. After an entire year of debating the merits of this smoke with just about every fellow BOTL, I decided that I could have been wrong about the cigar when I smoked nearly a half box of pain last year so I got this one from a friend and decided to give the Cain another chance.
The smoke is visually stunning, with an oily dark brown (nearly black wrapper) and this torpedo vitola is well made and has nary a flaw. A pre light inspection yields some tight spots that might cause some draw issues, but I am not overly concerned at this point. The pre light aroma is heady and smacks of tobacco and rich, dark wood. The pre light draw is a harbinger of things to come, showing a chemical and mineral note that is not pleasing.
The cigar opens with a profoundly horrendous mix of flavors that almost make me leave the smoke and reach for something else. There are flavors of minerals and chemicals that I could only liken to zinc and burning kerosene. At the back of the palate there are some notes of tobacco, but the overwhelming chemical essence from the front of the palate hurts the impression. Sadly, the draw is nearly perfect, imparting bilious mouthfuls of putrescence with each merciless puff. The burn is likewise excellent with a razor sharp presentation.
The first third of the smoke is unfortunately as bad as the opening moments. The chemical and mineral flavors intensify and nearly scorch the palate with acidic blasts, apparently this is what they mean by full bodied and strong, I could not disagree more. Brands like La Flor, Joya and Don Pepin are some of the strongest cigars on the market and they manage to incorporate nuance, balance and complexity in almost every offering. This is neither balanced or complex and is an insult to my palate at this point. The draw and burn stay consistent.
The middle third of the cigar finally settles down a bit. The core profile shows some notes of coffee and rich tobacco, but there are still undertones of minerals and the chemical fuel taste has not dissipated fully either. At the back of the palate there are some wisps of dark wood and pepper, but they are fleeting in the back drop of mineral heaviness. The draw and burn remain the same.
The final third of the cigar normalizes further, but it is too late to be redeemed at this point. The profile shows some nice coffee and tobacco notes, but still lacks nuance and balance. At the back of the palate the peppery notes are materializing into something more substantial, but are still not enough. The draw and burn stay strong throughout.
The finish is short and tannic with a mineral tone that lingers like sucking on a penny.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 76 very poor showing and I could have scored it worse if not for the closing third of the smoke
Construction- 94 nearly issue free, the highlight of this smoke
Strength- 77 a very in your face full that does not compliment the palate well
Overall- 84.75 most decidedly saved by construction, I would not ever smoke this again!
The smoke is visually stunning, with an oily dark brown (nearly black wrapper) and this torpedo vitola is well made and has nary a flaw. A pre light inspection yields some tight spots that might cause some draw issues, but I am not overly concerned at this point. The pre light aroma is heady and smacks of tobacco and rich, dark wood. The pre light draw is a harbinger of things to come, showing a chemical and mineral note that is not pleasing.
The cigar opens with a profoundly horrendous mix of flavors that almost make me leave the smoke and reach for something else. There are flavors of minerals and chemicals that I could only liken to zinc and burning kerosene. At the back of the palate there are some notes of tobacco, but the overwhelming chemical essence from the front of the palate hurts the impression. Sadly, the draw is nearly perfect, imparting bilious mouthfuls of putrescence with each merciless puff. The burn is likewise excellent with a razor sharp presentation.
The first third of the smoke is unfortunately as bad as the opening moments. The chemical and mineral flavors intensify and nearly scorch the palate with acidic blasts, apparently this is what they mean by full bodied and strong, I could not disagree more. Brands like La Flor, Joya and Don Pepin are some of the strongest cigars on the market and they manage to incorporate nuance, balance and complexity in almost every offering. This is neither balanced or complex and is an insult to my palate at this point. The draw and burn stay consistent.
The middle third of the cigar finally settles down a bit. The core profile shows some notes of coffee and rich tobacco, but there are still undertones of minerals and the chemical fuel taste has not dissipated fully either. At the back of the palate there are some wisps of dark wood and pepper, but they are fleeting in the back drop of mineral heaviness. The draw and burn remain the same.
The final third of the cigar normalizes further, but it is too late to be redeemed at this point. The profile shows some nice coffee and tobacco notes, but still lacks nuance and balance. At the back of the palate the peppery notes are materializing into something more substantial, but are still not enough. The draw and burn stay strong throughout.
The finish is short and tannic with a mineral tone that lingers like sucking on a penny.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 76 very poor showing and I could have scored it worse if not for the closing third of the smoke
Construction- 94 nearly issue free, the highlight of this smoke
Strength- 77 a very in your face full that does not compliment the palate well
Overall- 84.75 most decidedly saved by construction, I would not ever smoke this again!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Perdomo ESV 1991 Regente (5x54)
This is a well aged cigar from my collection and it has been sitting for about 3 years before I decide to give it a go. The wrapper is a nice blond Connecticut that has gained a silky layer of plume after all these years. I inspect the rest of the cigar and find no issues with it. The pre light aroma is a bit dusty, but there are some hints of light wood and tobacco here. The pre light draw is thin, but shows some floral essence and some spice.
The cigar opens with some flat notes of light wood and spice, I am very disappointed with the opening salvo from this cigar. The overall smoke lacks complexity and depth, while not maintaining any balance at all. At the back of the palate there is some sort of acidic burn going on and it makes me contemplate laying the cigar down. The burn and draw are both excellent, at this point I wish the draw wasn't.
The first half of the cigar improves dramatically from the opening moments, thank the cigar gods! The profile shifts into a very interesting mix of graham cracker and light nutty tones, the sweetness here is splendid, it really is not my thing in a cigar, but serves as an interesting change of pace. At the back of the palate there is a very nuanced, yet balanced, presentation of light spice and cedar that makes the overall effect of the profile intriguing. The burn and draw are solid to this point, nothing spectacular, but nothing is wrong either.
The final half of the cigar deteriorates for me, and I am happy that this bi-polar cigar experience is winding down. The profile has become lackluster and shows some dusty, papery flavors that have a bitter tone to them. At the back of the palate there are some cedar notes trying to show through, but there is a bitter, aspirin like quality in this segment of the smoke. The draw and burn remain solid throughout.
The finish was short and acrid.
Appearance- 93 a very nice looking smoke
Taste- 78 just too all over the place for me, very unfortunate
Construction- 88 slightly above average
Strength- 85 a very non-descript medium
Overall- 85, very average saved by the middle portion of the smoke and appearance
The cigar opens with some flat notes of light wood and spice, I am very disappointed with the opening salvo from this cigar. The overall smoke lacks complexity and depth, while not maintaining any balance at all. At the back of the palate there is some sort of acidic burn going on and it makes me contemplate laying the cigar down. The burn and draw are both excellent, at this point I wish the draw wasn't.
The first half of the cigar improves dramatically from the opening moments, thank the cigar gods! The profile shifts into a very interesting mix of graham cracker and light nutty tones, the sweetness here is splendid, it really is not my thing in a cigar, but serves as an interesting change of pace. At the back of the palate there is a very nuanced, yet balanced, presentation of light spice and cedar that makes the overall effect of the profile intriguing. The burn and draw are solid to this point, nothing spectacular, but nothing is wrong either.
The final half of the cigar deteriorates for me, and I am happy that this bi-polar cigar experience is winding down. The profile has become lackluster and shows some dusty, papery flavors that have a bitter tone to them. At the back of the palate there are some cedar notes trying to show through, but there is a bitter, aspirin like quality in this segment of the smoke. The draw and burn remain solid throughout.
The finish was short and acrid.
Appearance- 93 a very nice looking smoke
Taste- 78 just too all over the place for me, very unfortunate
Construction- 88 slightly above average
Strength- 85 a very non-descript medium
Overall- 85, very average saved by the middle portion of the smoke and appearance
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
La Flor Dominicana Cameroon Cabinet #1 (6.5x44)
A new addition at my local B&M, and like moths to flame I am drawn over and select one for the hairy eyeball of evaluation. The cigar is presented very simply with a brown band and a plain box that lacks the typical adornments of cigar haute couture. The wrapper is an oily cameroon that has few veins and is applied to the cigar well. An inspection has me worried that the cigar may be too tight to draw, but I cut and get started. The pre light aroma is peculiar, but has some hints of spice and some sweet floral essence. The pre light draw has some nutty character, and shows some mineral qualities as well.
The cigar opens with blasts of minerals and some salty flavors that are interesting. At the back of the palate there are some hints of dark wood, but there are some sour notes present here as well and they detract from the initial impressions. The draw is tight, but not unduly so, and I have no issues producing acceptable draws. The burn is razor sharp and produces a dirty gray ash.
The first half of the cigar lacks depth and complexity. The profile flattens out to show minerals and light spice. At the back of the palate there are still some notes of light wood, and the salty flavors have migrated away from the front of the presentation into the back end. The draw continues to be a touch on the tight side, but is still not causing any real issue. The burn stays sharp and I detect no sign that it will change as the smoke progresses.
The final half of the cigar picks up the pace a bit. The core profile begins to show some roasted nut qualities, while maintaining a taste of minerals and a meaty undertone that is unique. At the back of the palate a pleasing earthy quality has developed and the sour notes have left the presentation. The draw stays tight throughout, and does not cause any issues until the very end, when the cigar begins to burn a bit hot. The burn stayed rock solid throughout.
The finish was bit short and showed notes of minerals, earth and spice.
Appearance- 92 there is something to be said for a straightforward presentation
Taste- 87 a nice profile, if unspectacular
Construction- 88 some tightness in the draw caused late issues
Strength- 89 a nice medium, unexpected from a La Flor cigar
Overall- 88.5 a nice, solid above average smoke that leaves you wanting
The cigar opens with blasts of minerals and some salty flavors that are interesting. At the back of the palate there are some hints of dark wood, but there are some sour notes present here as well and they detract from the initial impressions. The draw is tight, but not unduly so, and I have no issues producing acceptable draws. The burn is razor sharp and produces a dirty gray ash.
The first half of the cigar lacks depth and complexity. The profile flattens out to show minerals and light spice. At the back of the palate there are still some notes of light wood, and the salty flavors have migrated away from the front of the presentation into the back end. The draw continues to be a touch on the tight side, but is still not causing any real issue. The burn stays sharp and I detect no sign that it will change as the smoke progresses.
The final half of the cigar picks up the pace a bit. The core profile begins to show some roasted nut qualities, while maintaining a taste of minerals and a meaty undertone that is unique. At the back of the palate a pleasing earthy quality has developed and the sour notes have left the presentation. The draw stays tight throughout, and does not cause any issues until the very end, when the cigar begins to burn a bit hot. The burn stayed rock solid throughout.
The finish was bit short and showed notes of minerals, earth and spice.
Appearance- 92 there is something to be said for a straightforward presentation
Taste- 87 a nice profile, if unspectacular
Construction- 88 some tightness in the draw caused late issues
Strength- 89 a nice medium, unexpected from a La Flor cigar
Overall- 88.5 a nice, solid above average smoke that leaves you wanting
Monday, August 2, 2010
Diamond Crown #4 Maduro (5.5x54)
Recently I hosted a dinner for two of the best Brothers of the Leaf that I know and one of them brought this cigar for us to smoke after the meal. I must confess this is a cigar that I often overlook due to price point, but one that I have always enjoyed each time I have smoked it. I am anticipating a little walk down memory lane here, as I have not smoked one of these in five plus years. I de cello the smoke and being my process that has become so familiar to me now, but is replete with steps that I would have never taken when I last smoked this cigar. I have some irrational fear that my walk through the past may be spoiled by all of my attention here, but I plunge onward.
The cigar is bold looking with a thick and oily maduro wrapper that cloaks the cigar and makes it very rich looking. There are few veins and the wrapper has some tooth. The cigar appears to be well made and I find no areas of concern. The pre light aroma smacks of dark fruit and spicy chocolate. The pre light draw is smooth and easy, showing more dark fruit and a nice maduro sweetness.
The cigar opens with a sweet profile that is full of orange peel and black cherry essence. I am struck by how much sweetness this cigar shows in the opening moments and I can't recall experiencing this profile before and I am worried about it becoming cloying. At the back of the palate there are some nice flavors of tobacco and spicy chocolate that are serving as a nice underlay for the fruit flavors in the early stages. The burn is slow and even, producing a crisp white ash. The draw is excellent, not too tight and not too loose. This is exactly how I like a cigar to draw, showing just the right amount of resistance to every puff, but not heating up or causing me any anxiety.
The first half of the cigar settles in and I begin to move into silent reverie about times long past and some instances when I smoked this very blend. I recall some fishing with my brothers and departed grandfather, I recall a baseball game when my team was getting killed but I did not care because I knew they were going to the playoffs that year. The profile continues to show notes of black cherry and some orange, but there are some blasts of rich tobacco that play an intriguing game of point/counterpoint across my palate. At the back of the palate there are some hints of dark wood, but the chocolate impressions continue to dominate the exchange. The burn has gone a bit lopsided, but I am loathe to touch it up at this point. The draw remains perfect for me.
The final half of the cigar rocks me out of my wistful remembrances when it shows me some things I seldom experience in a smoke. The profile becomes profoundly balanced and deep, showing dark wood, orange zest, tobacco and chocolate flavors in a tantalizing mix of palate satisfaction. At the back of the palate there are some excellent notes of spice with more tobacco notes as a sidekick. The burn deteriorates and requires a touch up, but that is the only issue I experience with this smoke.
The finish is long and spicy, with a satisfying chocolate reminder well into the night.
Appearance- 94 a very well appointed smoke
Taste- 97 a phenomenal taste experience, that was deep, complex and unique
Construction- 93 the burn issue takes away from near perfection
Strength- 96 a nearly perfect medium/full that complements the profile in a perfect way
Overall- 96.75 a classic smoke for me, I was as shocked as you are
The cigar is bold looking with a thick and oily maduro wrapper that cloaks the cigar and makes it very rich looking. There are few veins and the wrapper has some tooth. The cigar appears to be well made and I find no areas of concern. The pre light aroma smacks of dark fruit and spicy chocolate. The pre light draw is smooth and easy, showing more dark fruit and a nice maduro sweetness.
The cigar opens with a sweet profile that is full of orange peel and black cherry essence. I am struck by how much sweetness this cigar shows in the opening moments and I can't recall experiencing this profile before and I am worried about it becoming cloying. At the back of the palate there are some nice flavors of tobacco and spicy chocolate that are serving as a nice underlay for the fruit flavors in the early stages. The burn is slow and even, producing a crisp white ash. The draw is excellent, not too tight and not too loose. This is exactly how I like a cigar to draw, showing just the right amount of resistance to every puff, but not heating up or causing me any anxiety.
The first half of the cigar settles in and I begin to move into silent reverie about times long past and some instances when I smoked this very blend. I recall some fishing with my brothers and departed grandfather, I recall a baseball game when my team was getting killed but I did not care because I knew they were going to the playoffs that year. The profile continues to show notes of black cherry and some orange, but there are some blasts of rich tobacco that play an intriguing game of point/counterpoint across my palate. At the back of the palate there are some hints of dark wood, but the chocolate impressions continue to dominate the exchange. The burn has gone a bit lopsided, but I am loathe to touch it up at this point. The draw remains perfect for me.
The final half of the cigar rocks me out of my wistful remembrances when it shows me some things I seldom experience in a smoke. The profile becomes profoundly balanced and deep, showing dark wood, orange zest, tobacco and chocolate flavors in a tantalizing mix of palate satisfaction. At the back of the palate there are some excellent notes of spice with more tobacco notes as a sidekick. The burn deteriorates and requires a touch up, but that is the only issue I experience with this smoke.
The finish is long and spicy, with a satisfying chocolate reminder well into the night.
Appearance- 94 a very well appointed smoke
Taste- 97 a phenomenal taste experience, that was deep, complex and unique
Construction- 93 the burn issue takes away from near perfection
Strength- 96 a nearly perfect medium/full that complements the profile in a perfect way
Overall- 96.75 a classic smoke for me, I was as shocked as you are
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Ashton Magnum (5x50)
This is the classic Ashton presentation, it is simple and elegant and has always been one of my go to smokes for something consistent and expected. It is wrapped in a yellowish/brown wrapper that has few veins and a nice smooth and oily presentation. A quick inspection leads me to believe that this cigar has superior construction and that I will not encounter any issues. The pre light draw is lightly spicy and a bit unexpected for me. The pre light draw shows some cinnamon and light tobacco notes.
The cigar opens with a touch of bitterness, but it dissipates quickly and the cigar shows some nice creamy vanilla notes, there is a mix of nice spice and cinnamon as well. At the back of the palate there are some solid flavors of cedar. The draw is a but tight for me, but not causing any issues in terms of performance. The burn is sharp and produces a nice solid ash as it progresses.
The first half of the cigar shows all of the things that I have come to expect from this smoke. The core profile has blasts of cinnamon and light spice, there is a solid under layer of light wood flavors that complement the main presentation extremely well. At the back of the palate there are still flavors of cedar that are quite nice, and they are offset by a nice mix of vanilla and bready notes. The draw remains a touch tight, but again it is a subjective evaluation as I like my cigars to draw in a very specific way. The burn is still rock solid and razor sharp.
The final half of the cigar picks up the pace a bit, and I am slightly surprised by this turn of events, as a strengthening of flavors is not typically what I expect of this smoke. The core profile intensifies with cinnamon and clove notes that are heady, there is still a nice undertone of tobacco but it has become richer and more involved with the presentation. At the back of the palate the cedar flavors have given way to a more robust oaky flavor that is emboldened by a slight tinge of white pepper that has crept in. I am impressed with the level of depth and complexity at this point. The draw opens up in the back half and becomes more acceptable to me. The burn is solid throughout.
The finish is a bit short, but shows a nice conclusive note of cinnamon and oak.
Appearance- 92 a very nice, simple looking cigar
Taste- 94 an excellent array of flavors, I smoked this with a clean palate which is what needs to be done to detect an array of subtlety that would not be noticeable after heavier blends
Construction- 88 some early draw tightness detracts for me, but all in all above average
Strength- 93 a very nice mild starter cigar, a lynch pin for early in the rotation
Overall- 91.5 a very impressive smoke
The cigar opens with a touch of bitterness, but it dissipates quickly and the cigar shows some nice creamy vanilla notes, there is a mix of nice spice and cinnamon as well. At the back of the palate there are some solid flavors of cedar. The draw is a but tight for me, but not causing any issues in terms of performance. The burn is sharp and produces a nice solid ash as it progresses.
The first half of the cigar shows all of the things that I have come to expect from this smoke. The core profile has blasts of cinnamon and light spice, there is a solid under layer of light wood flavors that complement the main presentation extremely well. At the back of the palate there are still flavors of cedar that are quite nice, and they are offset by a nice mix of vanilla and bready notes. The draw remains a touch tight, but again it is a subjective evaluation as I like my cigars to draw in a very specific way. The burn is still rock solid and razor sharp.
The final half of the cigar picks up the pace a bit, and I am slightly surprised by this turn of events, as a strengthening of flavors is not typically what I expect of this smoke. The core profile intensifies with cinnamon and clove notes that are heady, there is still a nice undertone of tobacco but it has become richer and more involved with the presentation. At the back of the palate the cedar flavors have given way to a more robust oaky flavor that is emboldened by a slight tinge of white pepper that has crept in. I am impressed with the level of depth and complexity at this point. The draw opens up in the back half and becomes more acceptable to me. The burn is solid throughout.
The finish is a bit short, but shows a nice conclusive note of cinnamon and oak.
Appearance- 92 a very nice, simple looking cigar
Taste- 94 an excellent array of flavors, I smoked this with a clean palate which is what needs to be done to detect an array of subtlety that would not be noticeable after heavier blends
Construction- 88 some early draw tightness detracts for me, but all in all above average
Strength- 93 a very nice mild starter cigar, a lynch pin for early in the rotation
Overall- 91.5 a very impressive smoke
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
La Aroma de Cuba EE (Edicion Especial) Minuto (4.5x42)
I continue my recent tour of diminutive smokes with this newer edition of La Aroma made by Pepin for Ashton. I have said before, and I will continue to say, I love cigars in these sizes. They impart so much flavor and nuance over such a short time and they are just a joy to smoke. This particular cigar is adorned with a nice medium brown wrapper that is leathery and has few veins. I examine the smoke and find no areas of concern. The pre light aroma is spicy. The pre light draw is smooth and shows some nice tobacco and wood character.
The cigar begins with an intense array of flavors, there are notes of smooth cedar and other wood (notably hickory) along with sweet spice, cinnamon and some tobacco flavors. The balance is nearly perfect and the depth and complexity are noteworthy. At the back of the palate there are some shows of strength, as a nicotine tingle hits the back of the tongue and throat. There are also some nice salty notes here that I find interesting. The burn and draw are what I would expect from a Pepin product, nearly perfect.
The first half of the cigar settles in with a core profile of wood, again cedar and hickory, alongside some spice and rich tobacco character. At the back of the palate the nicotine tingle has lessened and the cinnamon notes detected earlier have settled into place as a nice backdrop to the main profile. The burn and draw remain exceptional to this point.
The final half of the cigar deteriorates slightly, however the profile is still interesting while less complex. The core of the profile has shifted into a presentation of roasted nuts, but there are some spice notes here that are out of place. At the back of the palate there are some sour presentations coming through, but an overall essence of cedar is still present. I catch a small run in the burn, but it evens out without issue. The draw stays smooth and easy throughout.
The finish is a touch short, there are some sour notes here as well that will hurt the overall impression. All in all I would say this is a winner and I will continue my relationship with Mr. Pepin as long as he continues to produce smokes like this one.
Appearance- 92 a nice little smoke, too much band artwork overwhelms the presentation
Taste- 91 I would like it to be higher, but sour notes hurt the score
Construction- 97 an excellent presentation of a small cigar, from the person I deem to be the master of small smokes
Strength- 90 a surprising full that compliments the cigar profile well
Overall- 93 a very solid experience, I will age some and see if the back end of the cigar improves
The cigar begins with an intense array of flavors, there are notes of smooth cedar and other wood (notably hickory) along with sweet spice, cinnamon and some tobacco flavors. The balance is nearly perfect and the depth and complexity are noteworthy. At the back of the palate there are some shows of strength, as a nicotine tingle hits the back of the tongue and throat. There are also some nice salty notes here that I find interesting. The burn and draw are what I would expect from a Pepin product, nearly perfect.
The first half of the cigar settles in with a core profile of wood, again cedar and hickory, alongside some spice and rich tobacco character. At the back of the palate the nicotine tingle has lessened and the cinnamon notes detected earlier have settled into place as a nice backdrop to the main profile. The burn and draw remain exceptional to this point.
The final half of the cigar deteriorates slightly, however the profile is still interesting while less complex. The core of the profile has shifted into a presentation of roasted nuts, but there are some spice notes here that are out of place. At the back of the palate there are some sour presentations coming through, but an overall essence of cedar is still present. I catch a small run in the burn, but it evens out without issue. The draw stays smooth and easy throughout.
The finish is a touch short, there are some sour notes here as well that will hurt the overall impression. All in all I would say this is a winner and I will continue my relationship with Mr. Pepin as long as he continues to produce smokes like this one.
Appearance- 92 a nice little smoke, too much band artwork overwhelms the presentation
Taste- 91 I would like it to be higher, but sour notes hurt the score
Construction- 97 an excellent presentation of a small cigar, from the person I deem to be the master of small smokes
Strength- 90 a surprising full that compliments the cigar profile well
Overall- 93 a very solid experience, I will age some and see if the back end of the cigar improves
Saturday, July 17, 2010
El Triunfador No.3 (5x46)
Another cigar that is right in my swim lane in terms of size, I love these smaller smokes as they usually pack more flavor into the shorter package and allow the wrapper to have more say in the profile of the smoke. This cigar is diminutive and I actually measured the ring gauge to ensure that it was what it purported to be because it just seemed small to me. Alas, it was correct, and I settled in for this cigar. It presents well in a small powerful looking package. The wrapper has few veins and a leathery visual quality and feel when rolled through the fingers. The pre light aroma is of wood and leather. The pre light draw shows some creamy, sweet notes that I would equate with vanilla.
The cigar opens with a full bodied profile that is chock full of flavors. The core flavors are roasted nuts, vanilla, wood (cedar), some spice and black pepper. There is a lot going on in the opening moments here and I am not sure it all works well together at this point, but there is plenty of depth and complexity while lacking balance. At the back of the palate there are some interesting earthy qualities that balance out the front of the profile slightly. The draw is flawless, in small cigar this is no small feat. The burn is a bit off early on, but I am not really concerned as it is showing no signs or traits of a cigar that will burn poorly.
The first half of the this cigar continues to show a booming array of flavors. The core shows roasted nuts, wood, spice, some bready character and some more hints of pepper. The balance now is much better than before and the complexity and depth continue to impress. At the back of the palate some dryness has permeated and leaves the mouth and throat a bit parched. The draw continues to be impressive and the burn has leveled out at this point.
The final half of the this cigar is something to smoke. The core profile blasts away like 12 inch guns from a WWII Battleship with shots of pepper, spice and wood and ups the ante by balancing out further and providing a level of depth and complexity that I have not witnessed in some time. At the back of the palate there is still some dryness, but the earthy flavors have returned to provide the closing crescendo to this smoke. The draw and burn are excellent through to the end.
The finish was actually a bit short and dry, but imparted nice flavors of pepper and wood. This is a prime example of a small cigar that delivers the goods.
Appearance- 91 a nice looking little smoke
Taste- 93 a very nice profile that loses some points for being a but muddled early on
Construction- 94 some points off for early burn issues, but nearly perfect
Strength- 92 a very nice medium/full that compliments the profile beautifully
Overall- 92.75 an excellent smoke!
The cigar opens with a full bodied profile that is chock full of flavors. The core flavors are roasted nuts, vanilla, wood (cedar), some spice and black pepper. There is a lot going on in the opening moments here and I am not sure it all works well together at this point, but there is plenty of depth and complexity while lacking balance. At the back of the palate there are some interesting earthy qualities that balance out the front of the profile slightly. The draw is flawless, in small cigar this is no small feat. The burn is a bit off early on, but I am not really concerned as it is showing no signs or traits of a cigar that will burn poorly.
The first half of the this cigar continues to show a booming array of flavors. The core shows roasted nuts, wood, spice, some bready character and some more hints of pepper. The balance now is much better than before and the complexity and depth continue to impress. At the back of the palate some dryness has permeated and leaves the mouth and throat a bit parched. The draw continues to be impressive and the burn has leveled out at this point.
The final half of the this cigar is something to smoke. The core profile blasts away like 12 inch guns from a WWII Battleship with shots of pepper, spice and wood and ups the ante by balancing out further and providing a level of depth and complexity that I have not witnessed in some time. At the back of the palate there is still some dryness, but the earthy flavors have returned to provide the closing crescendo to this smoke. The draw and burn are excellent through to the end.
The finish was actually a bit short and dry, but imparted nice flavors of pepper and wood. This is a prime example of a small cigar that delivers the goods.
Appearance- 91 a nice looking little smoke
Taste- 93 a very nice profile that loses some points for being a but muddled early on
Construction- 94 some points off for early burn issues, but nearly perfect
Strength- 92 a very nice medium/full that compliments the profile beautifully
Overall- 92.75 an excellent smoke!
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