This was gifted to me by the man affectionately known as the Chairman at our Cigar Club. I held onto it for a few weeks before giving it a go. The exterior packaging is impressive, complete with a gold paper wrap that adds some pop to the visual impression. The cigar itself is moderately attractive, but has some wrapper flaws that I take note of because they could be problematic. A quick examination of the cigar reveals that it is well made and I detect no areas of concern. The pre light aroma is of roasted nuts and light spice. The pre light draw is thin, but shows some floral essence.
The cigar opens with a profile that is replete with flavors of roasted nuts, I try to find any other characteristic of the profile, but nutty is the only descriptor to this point. At the back of the palate there are some more, deep flavors of roasted nuts. I can't recall ever smoking a cigar that had this intense type of roasted nut essence. The draw is excellent and the burn is solid. The only issue I encounter is some fraying at the head, but I am able to carefully remove the issue without ruining the cigar.
The first third of the cigar continues to show intense, nutty flavors. At the back of the palate there are some light notes of spice, but the depth of the roasted nut character continues to be main component. The draw is excellent to this point, producing satisfying clouds of smoke. The burn has started to canoe slightly, but I smoke on hoping that it will even out.
The middle third of the cigar shows an interesting profile shift. The core of the profile is now showing notes of white pepper and spice, there is still some remnant of roasted nut flavors but they have faded. At the back of the palate there are still notes of roasted nuts, but there is a slightly sour component that has come into the mix. The draw remains solid, but the burn has continued to canoe. I still avoid relighting because the profile is still pleasing.
The final third of the cigar shifts back to a profile of roasted nuts, this portion of the cigar is more intense that the first in terms of the nutty character. At the back of the palate there are some notes of light spice, but the sourness persists. The draw is still excellent, and the burn has evened out without a retouch.
The finish is long and smooth and holds a beautiful nutty character.
Appearance- 89 a nice looking smoke with some small flaws
Taste- 88 a nice profile that could have been more complex, sour notes hurt the score
Construction- 84 burn issues hurt the score
Strength- 87 a nice medium that compliments the profile
Overall- 86.75 a nice cigar that was hurt by sour notes and burn issues
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
La Gloria Cubana Medaille D'Or (Box Date 1997)
Recently I was watching conference championship games with my dearest friend. It had been a day of food, cigars and football and I was disappointed that it was drawing to a close. As I finished what I thought was my last cigar of the day, my friend said the words that all Brothers of the Leaf long to hear, "I have something special for us to close with". I indicated that I was smoked out, and he relented saying that he would smoke something else and we could smoke the special selection another time. My curiosity piqued I asked what he had in store and he indicated that it was a 1997 La Gloria Cubana. Having never smoked a La Gloria before, and after asking myself what kind of cigar guy I thought I was after saying I was smoked out I decided without further hesitation to give it a go. I mean, after all, who am I to turn down a cigar proffered in the finest spirit of the cigar brotherhood?
The cigar was a thing of beauty. The wrapper was a light, yellowish/brown presentation. There were prominent veins, but it only added to the appeal of the panatela sized smoke. The veins made the cigar look older than I knew it to be, it was showing it's veins like long sutured and healed scars from bygone medical treatments. It does not sound appealing, but I know that cigars that show this character are well aged and well cared for. The construction was delicate, but solid. The panatela size is something to behold, long and pencil thin, yet somehow majestic. An inspection of the cigar revealed that it was firm, but unduly so. I reluctantly ended the visual experience and clipped the head. I inhaled the pre light aroma and savored it ever so cautiously, wanting to imprint each impression in my mind. There were notes of light tobacco, sweet grass and light spice. I then took a test draw with the timidity of a curious child and was rewarded with a preview of molasses and sweet grass, coupled with light spice and tobacco notes that were singularly unique.
I toasted the foot already knowing what was in store for me. The cigar began with a profile of sweet, grassy notes and a nice light tobacco flavor that could only be characterised as crisp or fresh. At the back of the palate and through the nose I detected notes of bread and more light tobacco flavors. The opening subtlety of this smoke is astonishing to me. It is a mix flavors that I have never experienced before. It is well documented that grassy flavors are usually repugnant to me, but in this instance I was taken to fields of freshly cut grass and the smells of clover on a warm Midwestern day. In essence it was a walk through my childhood, and it was intense. The draw was even, if a bit tight, and it imparted flavors perfectly across the palate. The burn was also sharp and showed a nice shoulder, as a well aged cigar should.
The first third of the cigar continued to be a walk through my childhood days in the Midwestern fields that I used to play in with friends. The sweet grass notes intensify, but the light tobacco flavor is only complimented by the intensity. At the back of the palate the beautiful notes of bready flavors continues to move gracefully with the rest of the profile, like blades of grass on a windy day slowly lulling you into contemplative introspection. The draw maintains a high quality and the burn continues to burn with determination showing an excellent shoulder throughout.
The middle third of the cigar shows a profile shift, not an in your face shift, but a gentle shift like the movement of the wind on a lazy day. The sweet grassy flavors have transitioned into a melange of molasses and light, toasty tobacco notes. I am reminded of Christmas cookies that my mother used to make, they always had just the right amount of molasses in them and so does this smoke. At the back of the palate some notes of light wood show through and mingle in a pleasing way with the core of the profile. The draw continues to be impressive and the burn is showing me the level of care that has been taken with this cigar.
The final third shows yet another shift in the profile. Molasses notes give way to notes of sweet bread and toasty tobacco. This cigar is a challenge to the senses and it lulls me into a silent reverie of reflection and relaxation. The football fades into the background and the world becomes all about the cigar and the incredible gift that my friend has bestowed upon me. At the back of the palate more notes of light wood permeate the experience lending to complexity that is seldom seen in a cigar. The draw and burn are superior.
The finish is long and smooth showing notes of molasses, tobacco and light wood. The game ends long before the cigar, but I do not notice. My head is full of memories from days long past and I can only thank my friend for the experience. I will never smoke a cigar like this again....
Appearance- 94 one of the most interesting cigars I have seen
Taste- 98 a near perfect profile showing intense complexity and depth
Construction- 95 the initial draw was a bit tight, but the rest of the cigar performs beautifully
Strength- 96 a fine medium that compliments the profile
Overall- 96 a classic cigar that will forever be remembered
The cigar was a thing of beauty. The wrapper was a light, yellowish/brown presentation. There were prominent veins, but it only added to the appeal of the panatela sized smoke. The veins made the cigar look older than I knew it to be, it was showing it's veins like long sutured and healed scars from bygone medical treatments. It does not sound appealing, but I know that cigars that show this character are well aged and well cared for. The construction was delicate, but solid. The panatela size is something to behold, long and pencil thin, yet somehow majestic. An inspection of the cigar revealed that it was firm, but unduly so. I reluctantly ended the visual experience and clipped the head. I inhaled the pre light aroma and savored it ever so cautiously, wanting to imprint each impression in my mind. There were notes of light tobacco, sweet grass and light spice. I then took a test draw with the timidity of a curious child and was rewarded with a preview of molasses and sweet grass, coupled with light spice and tobacco notes that were singularly unique.
I toasted the foot already knowing what was in store for me. The cigar began with a profile of sweet, grassy notes and a nice light tobacco flavor that could only be characterised as crisp or fresh. At the back of the palate and through the nose I detected notes of bread and more light tobacco flavors. The opening subtlety of this smoke is astonishing to me. It is a mix flavors that I have never experienced before. It is well documented that grassy flavors are usually repugnant to me, but in this instance I was taken to fields of freshly cut grass and the smells of clover on a warm Midwestern day. In essence it was a walk through my childhood, and it was intense. The draw was even, if a bit tight, and it imparted flavors perfectly across the palate. The burn was also sharp and showed a nice shoulder, as a well aged cigar should.
The first third of the cigar continued to be a walk through my childhood days in the Midwestern fields that I used to play in with friends. The sweet grass notes intensify, but the light tobacco flavor is only complimented by the intensity. At the back of the palate the beautiful notes of bready flavors continues to move gracefully with the rest of the profile, like blades of grass on a windy day slowly lulling you into contemplative introspection. The draw maintains a high quality and the burn continues to burn with determination showing an excellent shoulder throughout.
The middle third of the cigar shows a profile shift, not an in your face shift, but a gentle shift like the movement of the wind on a lazy day. The sweet grassy flavors have transitioned into a melange of molasses and light, toasty tobacco notes. I am reminded of Christmas cookies that my mother used to make, they always had just the right amount of molasses in them and so does this smoke. At the back of the palate some notes of light wood show through and mingle in a pleasing way with the core of the profile. The draw continues to be impressive and the burn is showing me the level of care that has been taken with this cigar.
The final third shows yet another shift in the profile. Molasses notes give way to notes of sweet bread and toasty tobacco. This cigar is a challenge to the senses and it lulls me into a silent reverie of reflection and relaxation. The football fades into the background and the world becomes all about the cigar and the incredible gift that my friend has bestowed upon me. At the back of the palate more notes of light wood permeate the experience lending to complexity that is seldom seen in a cigar. The draw and burn are superior.
The finish is long and smooth showing notes of molasses, tobacco and light wood. The game ends long before the cigar, but I do not notice. My head is full of memories from days long past and I can only thank my friend for the experience. I will never smoke a cigar like this again....
Appearance- 94 one of the most interesting cigars I have seen
Taste- 98 a near perfect profile showing intense complexity and depth
Construction- 95 the initial draw was a bit tight, but the rest of the cigar performs beautifully
Strength- 96 a fine medium that compliments the profile
Overall- 96 a classic cigar that will forever be remembered
Perdomo La Tradicion Cabinet Series Golf Robusto
This is another cigar I am revisiting from last year. I have traditionally found this smoke to be one of the most consistent cigars that I smoke on a regular basis. It presents well with a light shade medium brown wrapper. There are some prominent veins, but the wrapper has an interesting dusty feel to it. The construction holds up well upon inspection and I don't detect any areas of concern. The pre light aroma is of light tobacco and light spice. The pre light draw shows notes of cedar and other light wood.
The cigar opens with a nice profile of cedar, light spice and toasty tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate there is a lingering woody sweetness that borders on being syrupy. The draw is smooth and easy, almost too loose for me, but it performs well. The burn is sharp and even all the while producing a nice gray ash.
The first half of the cigar continues to intensify in flavor. There are nice cedar notes with light tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate the sweetness has given way to nice leathery tones that balance the profile nicely. The draw continues to be a bit loose, but it is not causing any issues or imparting any heat into the smoke. The burn is still even and the ash is very sturdy, holding well into the smoke.
The final half of the smoke continues to impress with it's straightforward simplicity. This is not an in your face cigar, all though the flavors are prominent, it is more subtle, moving like an assassin in and out of the shadows of the palate. The profile continues to show notes of cedar mixed with a nice tobacco flavor. At the back of the palate there is still a solid leathery note moving in harmony with the rest of the profile. The draw is still loose, but there is still no heat in the smoke. The burn stays excellent throughout.
The finish is smooth and shows lingering flavors of tobacco, cedar and leather.
Appearance- 89 some veining hurts the score
Taste- 93 a surprising experience
Construction- 91 the loose draw was the only detractor from the experience
Strength- 93 an excellent medium
Overall- 91.75 an excellent smoking experience for the second year in a row
The cigar opens with a nice profile of cedar, light spice and toasty tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate there is a lingering woody sweetness that borders on being syrupy. The draw is smooth and easy, almost too loose for me, but it performs well. The burn is sharp and even all the while producing a nice gray ash.
The first half of the cigar continues to intensify in flavor. There are nice cedar notes with light tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate the sweetness has given way to nice leathery tones that balance the profile nicely. The draw continues to be a bit loose, but it is not causing any issues or imparting any heat into the smoke. The burn is still even and the ash is very sturdy, holding well into the smoke.
The final half of the smoke continues to impress with it's straightforward simplicity. This is not an in your face cigar, all though the flavors are prominent, it is more subtle, moving like an assassin in and out of the shadows of the palate. The profile continues to show notes of cedar mixed with a nice tobacco flavor. At the back of the palate there is still a solid leathery note moving in harmony with the rest of the profile. The draw is still loose, but there is still no heat in the smoke. The burn stays excellent throughout.
The finish is smooth and shows lingering flavors of tobacco, cedar and leather.
Appearance- 89 some veining hurts the score
Taste- 93 a surprising experience
Construction- 91 the loose draw was the only detractor from the experience
Strength- 93 an excellent medium
Overall- 91.75 an excellent smoking experience for the second year in a row
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Bolivar Corona Extra (Box Date June 2006)
This is another cigar that I reviewed last year, it narrowly missed making my top ten of the year and certainly would have been in my top 25. The cigar presents with a tawny, medium brown wrapper that shows some prominent veining. The cigar is firm and seems like it may be a bit tight. The pre light aroma has notes of leather, light pepper and tobacco. The pre light draw shows notes of earth and leather.
The cigar opens with a core profile of tobacco, earth and leather and is everything that I expect from a Bolivar cigar. The level of complexity and depth is excellent right from the start and I detect no early signs that this cigar is anything but at it's peak. At the back of the palate there are intense notes of wood and leather. The draw is a bit tight, but it is not unduly so. The burn is a bit lopsided, but it performs to expectation.
The first half of the cigar performs extremely well. The core profile develops further depth and shows rich character. There are notes of leather, earth and toasty tobacco mingling in a tantalizing dance across the palate. At the back of the palate the intensity begins to increase. There are some unexpected notes of pepper, mixed with wood and leather. The draw is still too tight for me, but it is acceptable. The burn is slightly off, but I am managing to this point.
The final half of the cigar refutes the opinions of many Dominican enthusiasts that often tell me that the Dominican cigars are just as good, or better, than any Cuban cigar out there. To this I say....BALDERDASH! Smoke a well aged Cuban, at it's peak, and you will discover things that you could not believe possible in a cigar. The profile in the back half of this cigar is breathtaking. The core shows powerful notes of pepper and leather. At the back of the palate there are stunning notes of wood, earth and tobacco that overwhelm the senses. The draw and burn continue to be slightly sub par, but I persist to the end without any major issue.
The finish is long and smooth showing notes of pepper, earth, leather and tobacco.
Appearance- 89 a nice looking cigar, prominent veins hurt the appearance
Taste- 97 one of the best profiles in my recent memory
Construction- 87 some draw and burn issues preclude a higher mark
Strength- 92 a surprising full, that could use power in the front of the smoke
Overall- 91.5 this cigar loses points because of construction, but the profile is amongst the best I have smoked
The cigar opens with a core profile of tobacco, earth and leather and is everything that I expect from a Bolivar cigar. The level of complexity and depth is excellent right from the start and I detect no early signs that this cigar is anything but at it's peak. At the back of the palate there are intense notes of wood and leather. The draw is a bit tight, but it is not unduly so. The burn is a bit lopsided, but it performs to expectation.
The first half of the cigar performs extremely well. The core profile develops further depth and shows rich character. There are notes of leather, earth and toasty tobacco mingling in a tantalizing dance across the palate. At the back of the palate the intensity begins to increase. There are some unexpected notes of pepper, mixed with wood and leather. The draw is still too tight for me, but it is acceptable. The burn is slightly off, but I am managing to this point.
The final half of the cigar refutes the opinions of many Dominican enthusiasts that often tell me that the Dominican cigars are just as good, or better, than any Cuban cigar out there. To this I say....BALDERDASH! Smoke a well aged Cuban, at it's peak, and you will discover things that you could not believe possible in a cigar. The profile in the back half of this cigar is breathtaking. The core shows powerful notes of pepper and leather. At the back of the palate there are stunning notes of wood, earth and tobacco that overwhelm the senses. The draw and burn continue to be slightly sub par, but I persist to the end without any major issue.
The finish is long and smooth showing notes of pepper, earth, leather and tobacco.
Appearance- 89 a nice looking cigar, prominent veins hurt the appearance
Taste- 97 one of the best profiles in my recent memory
Construction- 87 some draw and burn issues preclude a higher mark
Strength- 92 a surprising full, that could use power in the front of the smoke
Overall- 91.5 this cigar loses points because of construction, but the profile is amongst the best I have smoked
Monday, January 25, 2010
La Gloria Cubana Serie R No.7 Maduro
This is a gigantic cigar. I prefer cigars that are much smaller in stature, but even I am awed by the size of this log. The wrapper is a deep brown that is nearly black. The cigar is solid, but I detect some areas that might be too hard and cause some smoking issues. The pre light aroma is of earth, dark wood and rich tobacco. The pre light draw shows notes of coffee, tobacco and earth.
The cigar opens with strong blasts of earth and dark coffee notes. At the back of the palate there are some sharp flavors of dark wood, but a lingering sweetness offsets some of the sharper notes. The draw is free and easy, producing scads of smoke. The burn is uneven and it is threatening to canoe.
The first third of the cigar continues to show strong coffee and earth flavors. The depth of the profile is impressive, but it lacks complexity. At the back of the palate there is a pleasing mix of dark wood and sweet coffee flavors that add to the depth of the experience. The draw continues to perform very well, but the burn is canoeing horribly and threatening to ruin the experience.
The middle third of the cigar continues to deteriorate in the burn department, but I avoid touching up so as to conserve the profile. The core of the profile continues to show nice notes of coffee and earth, but there are some notes of dark wood that have come into the mix as well. The back of the palate continues to be sated with flavors of sweet coffee and some light pepper. The draw stays excellent.
The final third of the cigar shows a profile change that is nice. There core shows notes of pepper and earth with a nice mix of rich tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate the sweet notes have given way to very nice notes of dark wood and deep earthy flavors. The burn is not worth mentioning, as it has deteriorated to being beyond repair. The canoe is so big that in the distance I hear the Banana Boat Song. The draw was consistent throughout.
The finish is a bit short and a little harsh, but showed notes of pepper and earth.
Appearance- 88 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 89 a nice profile that lacked complexity
Construction- 80 the burn was terrible, but the draw was excellent
Strength- 87 a nice full bodied cigar that could use more pep
Overall- 85.5 slightly above average due to poor burn
The cigar opens with strong blasts of earth and dark coffee notes. At the back of the palate there are some sharp flavors of dark wood, but a lingering sweetness offsets some of the sharper notes. The draw is free and easy, producing scads of smoke. The burn is uneven and it is threatening to canoe.
The first third of the cigar continues to show strong coffee and earth flavors. The depth of the profile is impressive, but it lacks complexity. At the back of the palate there is a pleasing mix of dark wood and sweet coffee flavors that add to the depth of the experience. The draw continues to perform very well, but the burn is canoeing horribly and threatening to ruin the experience.
The middle third of the cigar continues to deteriorate in the burn department, but I avoid touching up so as to conserve the profile. The core of the profile continues to show nice notes of coffee and earth, but there are some notes of dark wood that have come into the mix as well. The back of the palate continues to be sated with flavors of sweet coffee and some light pepper. The draw stays excellent.
The final third of the cigar shows a profile change that is nice. There core shows notes of pepper and earth with a nice mix of rich tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate the sweet notes have given way to very nice notes of dark wood and deep earthy flavors. The burn is not worth mentioning, as it has deteriorated to being beyond repair. The canoe is so big that in the distance I hear the Banana Boat Song. The draw was consistent throughout.
The finish is a bit short and a little harsh, but showed notes of pepper and earth.
Appearance- 88 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 89 a nice profile that lacked complexity
Construction- 80 the burn was terrible, but the draw was excellent
Strength- 87 a nice full bodied cigar that could use more pep
Overall- 85.5 slightly above average due to poor burn
Hoyo de Monterrey La Escepcion 2009 Limited Edition Toro
This is a cigar that was new to the scene last year, and is an effort from General to punch up sales (pardon the pun). The cigar presents well with a dark brown wrapper that is oily, leathery and has very few veins. A survey of the cigar reveals that it is a bit soft and feels as though it may be over humidified. The pre light aroma is somewhat sour, but has some notes of earth. The pre light draw shows some pepper and rich tobacco flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that shows some nice pepper, tobacco and earth. At the back of the palate there are some bitter notes that further lead me to believe that the cigar may be over humidified. The burn is slow and produces lots of thick smoke. The draw is a bit tight, but the labor is not untoward.
The first half of the cigar settles down to show notes of wood, tobacco and earth. At the back of the palate there are still some issues with bitterness and a metallic undertone hurts the impression. The burn has deteriorated and a run has developed that I can't avoid relighting. The draw opens slightly, but is still too tight for my liking.
The final half of the cigar shows charred notes of wood and tobacco. The back of the palate impression has not improved and I am disappointed by this cigar. The burn continues to perform poorly and another runner forms. The draw is still too tight.
The finish is acrid, short and leaves a nasty impression.
Appearance- No score due to condition
Taste- No score due to condition
Construction- No score due to condition
Strength- No score due to condition
Overall- I will review this again at another date
The cigar opens with a profile that shows some nice pepper, tobacco and earth. At the back of the palate there are some bitter notes that further lead me to believe that the cigar may be over humidified. The burn is slow and produces lots of thick smoke. The draw is a bit tight, but the labor is not untoward.
The first half of the cigar settles down to show notes of wood, tobacco and earth. At the back of the palate there are still some issues with bitterness and a metallic undertone hurts the impression. The burn has deteriorated and a run has developed that I can't avoid relighting. The draw opens slightly, but is still too tight for my liking.
The final half of the cigar shows charred notes of wood and tobacco. The back of the palate impression has not improved and I am disappointed by this cigar. The burn continues to perform poorly and another runner forms. The draw is still too tight.
The finish is acrid, short and leaves a nasty impression.
Appearance- No score due to condition
Taste- No score due to condition
Construction- No score due to condition
Strength- No score due to condition
Overall- I will review this again at another date
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Esteban Carreras Habano Robusto
This is a boutique cigar that has been kicking around for awhile. I have smoked these before, but never subjected them to the rigors of a review. The cigar presents well, in a thick robusto vitola, with a dark brown wrapper that shows plenty of tooth. The construction seems acceptable, but there are some soft spots that I am concerned with. I also note a serious wrapper flaw in the final third of the cigar that could be troublesome. The pre light aroma is of earth and light coffee. The pre light draw shows some pepper and earth with a touch of spice.
The cigar opens with an interesting profile of earth, coffee and pepper. The flavors are a bit shallow, but they are still identifiable. At the back of the palate there are some loamy flavors that are muddling the profile. The draw and burn are performing acceptably.
The first half of the cigar continues to show a profile that is too thin and lacking in complexity. There are some flavors of earth and light coffee, but the overall impression is lacking. At the back of the palate the loamy notes continue to muddle the overall profile. The draw is still acceptable, but the burn is threatening to canoe.
The final half of the cigar unravels in a bad way. The flaw in the wrapper has caused an untoward burn flaw. I am confronted with a cigar that looks as if it has exploded and the profile becomes charred in my efforts to smoke through the issue. There are notes of pepper and earth, but they are marred by charred overtones. The draw continues to be acceptable, but the burn issues kill the remainder of the smoke.
The finish is charred and the final inch was unsmokeable.
Appearance- 83 a very average looking smoke with noticeable flaws
Taste- 84 a below average experience
Construction- 74 too many issues to score any higher
Strength- 80 a below average medium
Overall- 79.75 a forgettable cigar
The cigar opens with an interesting profile of earth, coffee and pepper. The flavors are a bit shallow, but they are still identifiable. At the back of the palate there are some loamy flavors that are muddling the profile. The draw and burn are performing acceptably.
The first half of the cigar continues to show a profile that is too thin and lacking in complexity. There are some flavors of earth and light coffee, but the overall impression is lacking. At the back of the palate the loamy notes continue to muddle the overall profile. The draw is still acceptable, but the burn is threatening to canoe.
The final half of the cigar unravels in a bad way. The flaw in the wrapper has caused an untoward burn flaw. I am confronted with a cigar that looks as if it has exploded and the profile becomes charred in my efforts to smoke through the issue. There are notes of pepper and earth, but they are marred by charred overtones. The draw continues to be acceptable, but the burn issues kill the remainder of the smoke.
The finish is charred and the final inch was unsmokeable.
Appearance- 83 a very average looking smoke with noticeable flaws
Taste- 84 a below average experience
Construction- 74 too many issues to score any higher
Strength- 80 a below average medium
Overall- 79.75 a forgettable cigar
Friday, January 22, 2010
601 Red Churchill
I had not smoked a cigar of this vintage in quite some time. It presents well with a chestnut hued wrapper that has a nice amount of tooth. There are few visual flaws and the cigar seems to be well made. The pre light aroma is of cedar and pepper. The pre light draw also has strong notes of pepper.
The cigar opens with full blasts of pepper and light cedar and tobacco notes. At the back of the palate the cedar essence is even more prominent. The draw is excellent, imparting nice flavors and full blasts of smoke. The burn is solid and even, producing a nice gray ash.
The first third of the cigar shows a lot of depth after the opening inch or so. There is a core profile of cedar, pepper, tobacco and spice. The melange lacks complexity, but still imparts nice flavors across the palate. The draw continues to perform well and the burn is still solid and even. The back of the palate is covered with a cedary sweetness as a nice counter balance to the pepper in the front of the profile.
The middle third of the cigar continues to show nice depth. The profile mellows into a nice mix of cedar, tobacco, spice and a light taste of roasted nuts. At the back of the palate the cedar notes continue to provide a nice balance to the core of the profile. The burn has started to stray somewhat, but I am able to avoid touching up to this point. The draw is still impressive at this point.
The final third of the cigar is actually somewhat disappointing. The construction has collapsed due to a void in the roll in the final quarter of the smoke. The burn was terrible for the last two inches or so. The profile continued to show cedar notes, but there were charred issues due to the burn problems. An irritating finish to what would have been a great cigar
Appearance- 91 a nice looking cigar, but there were some flaws
Taste- 90 a nice taste until the final quarter
Construction- 85 I give it an average score because three quarters performed well
Strength- 88 a nice full profile
Overall- 88.25 an above average smoke that was hurt in the final quarter
The cigar opens with full blasts of pepper and light cedar and tobacco notes. At the back of the palate the cedar essence is even more prominent. The draw is excellent, imparting nice flavors and full blasts of smoke. The burn is solid and even, producing a nice gray ash.
The first third of the cigar shows a lot of depth after the opening inch or so. There is a core profile of cedar, pepper, tobacco and spice. The melange lacks complexity, but still imparts nice flavors across the palate. The draw continues to perform well and the burn is still solid and even. The back of the palate is covered with a cedary sweetness as a nice counter balance to the pepper in the front of the profile.
The middle third of the cigar continues to show nice depth. The profile mellows into a nice mix of cedar, tobacco, spice and a light taste of roasted nuts. At the back of the palate the cedar notes continue to provide a nice balance to the core of the profile. The burn has started to stray somewhat, but I am able to avoid touching up to this point. The draw is still impressive at this point.
The final third of the cigar is actually somewhat disappointing. The construction has collapsed due to a void in the roll in the final quarter of the smoke. The burn was terrible for the last two inches or so. The profile continued to show cedar notes, but there were charred issues due to the burn problems. An irritating finish to what would have been a great cigar
Appearance- 91 a nice looking cigar, but there were some flaws
Taste- 90 a nice taste until the final quarter
Construction- 85 I give it an average score because three quarters performed well
Strength- 88 a nice full profile
Overall- 88.25 an above average smoke that was hurt in the final quarter
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Padilla Dominus Robusto
This is a new offering from the Padilla line of smokes. I have been finding their new offerings hit or miss, but I was still looking forward to this one. The cigar presents well with a deep, brown wrapper that contains a nice oily sheen. The construction feels tight, but I do not detect any plugs or hard areas that would indicate a stem. The pre light aroma has notes of spice, earth and tobacco. The pre light draw is sweet and bready.
The cigar opens with a powerful blast of tobacco and pepper and I am shockingly reminded of the Don Pepin Garcia black label presentations, I am unaccustomed to these mixes of flavors and intensity from brands not made by Pepin. At the back of the palate a sweet bready texture is emerging and it is strange when considered against the power of the core notes. The draw is a bit tight for me, but it still produces acceptable amounts of smoke. The burn is sharp and the ash is thick and steady.
The first half of the cigar shows a nice profile shift at the one quarter point. There overwhelming notes of tobacco and pepper give way to a more refined, yet still robust, taste arrangement. There are notes of wood, tobacco and sweet bread. At the back of the palate there is a metallic tone that is hurting the impression. The burn is still acceptable and the draw is still a but tight.
The final half of the cigar is a bit disappointing for me, the initial power of the smoke never returned. The profile continues to show notes of wood, tobacco and sweet bread. At the back of the palate some metallic notes continue to detract from the experience. The draw stayed tight throughout, but did not hurt the score too badly. The burn was acceptable throughout.
The finish was short and showed notes of sweet bread and some metallic bite
Appearance- 92 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 82 the metallic notes killed this otherwise interesting profile
Construction- 83 the tight draw hurts the score
Strength- 85 full, then medium. I would have liked more power throughout
Overall- 84.5 just below average
The cigar opens with a powerful blast of tobacco and pepper and I am shockingly reminded of the Don Pepin Garcia black label presentations, I am unaccustomed to these mixes of flavors and intensity from brands not made by Pepin. At the back of the palate a sweet bready texture is emerging and it is strange when considered against the power of the core notes. The draw is a bit tight for me, but it still produces acceptable amounts of smoke. The burn is sharp and the ash is thick and steady.
The first half of the cigar shows a nice profile shift at the one quarter point. There overwhelming notes of tobacco and pepper give way to a more refined, yet still robust, taste arrangement. There are notes of wood, tobacco and sweet bread. At the back of the palate there is a metallic tone that is hurting the impression. The burn is still acceptable and the draw is still a but tight.
The final half of the cigar is a bit disappointing for me, the initial power of the smoke never returned. The profile continues to show notes of wood, tobacco and sweet bread. At the back of the palate some metallic notes continue to detract from the experience. The draw stayed tight throughout, but did not hurt the score too badly. The burn was acceptable throughout.
The finish was short and showed notes of sweet bread and some metallic bite
Appearance- 92 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 82 the metallic notes killed this otherwise interesting profile
Construction- 83 the tight draw hurts the score
Strength- 85 full, then medium. I would have liked more power throughout
Overall- 84.5 just below average
JR Ultimate Cabinet No.10
I have been a fan of this bargain offering from JR for years. The No.10 is an excellent size with the ring gauge of a lonsdale, but with the length of a toro. The cigar always has a rugged look to it, a bit lopsided and not the prettiest girl at the party, yet somehow still charming. The wrapper is a rich, chocolate brown that shows some tooth. The construction is solid, I only detect one soft spot that has me a bit concerned. The pre light aroma is of heavy cedar and light coffee and earth notes. The pre light draw has a hint of pepper and nice notes of dark wood and sweet earthy essence.
The cigar opens with a straightforward profile of cedar, tobacco and light earth. The complexity and depth are not there for me, but then this cigar has never exhibited either of those traits. At the back of the palate there are some sweet earth notes that offset the core flavor profile in an interesting way. The draw is excellent, and this cigar almost always draws well. The burn is a bit lopsided, but it is not really an issue.
The middle portion of the cigar continues to show notes of cedar and tobacco, it is a nice simple profile and has all the hallmarks of a great starter cigar for someone with an experienced palate as it would be too strong for a novice smoker. At the back of the palate there is a hint of dark wood and light earth that continues to lend sweetness to the smoke. The draw is still well above average and the burn evens out nicely.
The final third of the cigar continues to show the same core profile. There are some notes of cedar and tobacco at the front. At the back of the palate there continue to be notes of wood and light earth. The overall lack of depth and complexity prevent this from being any more that a good cigar, but it is still a good cigar and that is more than you can ask for sometimes. There is something to be said about a value cigar that is always good.
The finish is medium and shows notes of tobacco and cedar.
Appearance- 85 a very average looking cigar
Taste- 87 a nice medium profile that performs well
Construction- 92 an excellent example, some small burn flaws lead to subtractions
Strength- 90 a nice medium
Overall- 88.75 a great everyday choice that will not break the bank
The cigar opens with a straightforward profile of cedar, tobacco and light earth. The complexity and depth are not there for me, but then this cigar has never exhibited either of those traits. At the back of the palate there are some sweet earth notes that offset the core flavor profile in an interesting way. The draw is excellent, and this cigar almost always draws well. The burn is a bit lopsided, but it is not really an issue.
The middle portion of the cigar continues to show notes of cedar and tobacco, it is a nice simple profile and has all the hallmarks of a great starter cigar for someone with an experienced palate as it would be too strong for a novice smoker. At the back of the palate there is a hint of dark wood and light earth that continues to lend sweetness to the smoke. The draw is still well above average and the burn evens out nicely.
The final third of the cigar continues to show the same core profile. There are some notes of cedar and tobacco at the front. At the back of the palate there continue to be notes of wood and light earth. The overall lack of depth and complexity prevent this from being any more that a good cigar, but it is still a good cigar and that is more than you can ask for sometimes. There is something to be said about a value cigar that is always good.
The finish is medium and shows notes of tobacco and cedar.
Appearance- 85 a very average looking cigar
Taste- 87 a nice medium profile that performs well
Construction- 92 an excellent example, some small burn flaws lead to subtractions
Strength- 90 a nice medium
Overall- 88.75 a great everyday choice that will not break the bank
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Illusione 86
This is a very small cigar that is geared for a quick smoke, but it should not be discounted in the lexicon of cigars that are available. It is beautifully presented in a short, but stout, vitola that contains a nice dark wrapper that has no flaws and very few veins. The construction appears to be excellent and I can't detect any areas of concern. The pre light aroma has notes of pepper and spice. The pre light draw shows notes of pepper and light tobacco flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile of pepper and light spice. I am shocked by the depth of flavor that this small cigar shows from the opening bell. At the back of the palate there are notes of tobacco that run very deep and add to the overall experience. The draw is exceptional and the burn is straight and nearly perfect.
The entire cigar performs well. There is a straight forward presentation of pepper and light spice throughout. At the back of the palate there are satisfying notes of tobacco and further developments of pepper. The draw and burn perform well throughout.
The finish is smooth and shows notes of pepper, spice and tobacco.
Appearance- 92 a nice looking little smoke
Taste- 90 a nice profile that could have used more complexity
Construction- 95 a nice smoking experience that is nearly flawless
Strength- 91 a nice medium smoke
Overall- 92.25 the best short smoke on the market for me
The cigar opens with a profile of pepper and light spice. I am shocked by the depth of flavor that this small cigar shows from the opening bell. At the back of the palate there are notes of tobacco that run very deep and add to the overall experience. The draw is exceptional and the burn is straight and nearly perfect.
The entire cigar performs well. There is a straight forward presentation of pepper and light spice throughout. At the back of the palate there are satisfying notes of tobacco and further developments of pepper. The draw and burn perform well throughout.
The finish is smooth and shows notes of pepper, spice and tobacco.
Appearance- 92 a nice looking little smoke
Taste- 90 a nice profile that could have used more complexity
Construction- 95 a nice smoking experience that is nearly flawless
Strength- 91 a nice medium smoke
Overall- 92.25 the best short smoke on the market for me
Tatuaje Verocu en Tubo
This cigar presents in an intense red tube that is shaped like a bullet. The cigar itself presents in a torpedo vitola with a rich looking brown wrapper that is the color of dark chocolate. The wrapper has some flaws and a ruddy appearance that gives it a rustic look. The construction appears to be acceptable and I detect no areas of concern. The pre light aroma is of strong coffee and earth. The pre light draw shows notes of rich coffee and satisfying tobacco flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile of rich coffee that has a slightly over brewed quality. At the back of the palate there is a deep earthy texture that adds to the depth of the overall impression. The draw is free and easy and I am impressed with the smoke that it produces, it is well known that I am not usually a fan of this vitola. The burn is a bit lopsided, but produces a crisp white ash.
The first third of the cigar continues to show deep coffee notes, there is also some cocoa coming through in the impression. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying mix of earth and dark wood. The draw maintains it's excellent performance to this point, and the burn evens out nicely as the smoke progresses.
The middle third of the cigar maintains a core profile of coffee and light cocoa notes. At the back of the palate, and through the nose, the flavors of earth and dark wood continue to intensify into a satisfying full bodied experience. The draw continues to excel and I am still impressed by the performance of the cigar. The burn is sharp and holds a bright white ash for several inches.
The final third of the cigar is a crescendo of intensifying flavors. The profile shows prolific notes of rich coffee, cocoa and earth. The back of the palate is a deep array of dark wood notes. The complexity of the cigar is somewhat lacking, but the depth is impressive. The draw and burn are both excellent.
The finish is long and smooth, showing notes of coffee and dark wood. It also leaves a lingering earthy note for several minutes after completion.
Appearance- 88 marks for a nice tubed presentation, but the cigar itself is rustic at best
Taste- 93 an excellent profile that could have been more complex
Construction- 94 a fine example of torpedo construction, early burn issues leave this just short of perfection
Strength- 91 an excellent full bodied presentation that compliments the profile well
Overall- 92.25 an excellent cigar that should be tried by all full bodied enthusiasts
The cigar opens with a profile of rich coffee that has a slightly over brewed quality. At the back of the palate there is a deep earthy texture that adds to the depth of the overall impression. The draw is free and easy and I am impressed with the smoke that it produces, it is well known that I am not usually a fan of this vitola. The burn is a bit lopsided, but produces a crisp white ash.
The first third of the cigar continues to show deep coffee notes, there is also some cocoa coming through in the impression. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying mix of earth and dark wood. The draw maintains it's excellent performance to this point, and the burn evens out nicely as the smoke progresses.
The middle third of the cigar maintains a core profile of coffee and light cocoa notes. At the back of the palate, and through the nose, the flavors of earth and dark wood continue to intensify into a satisfying full bodied experience. The draw continues to excel and I am still impressed by the performance of the cigar. The burn is sharp and holds a bright white ash for several inches.
The final third of the cigar is a crescendo of intensifying flavors. The profile shows prolific notes of rich coffee, cocoa and earth. The back of the palate is a deep array of dark wood notes. The complexity of the cigar is somewhat lacking, but the depth is impressive. The draw and burn are both excellent.
The finish is long and smooth, showing notes of coffee and dark wood. It also leaves a lingering earthy note for several minutes after completion.
Appearance- 88 marks for a nice tubed presentation, but the cigar itself is rustic at best
Taste- 93 an excellent profile that could have been more complex
Construction- 94 a fine example of torpedo construction, early burn issues leave this just short of perfection
Strength- 91 an excellent full bodied presentation that compliments the profile well
Overall- 92.25 an excellent cigar that should be tried by all full bodied enthusiasts
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Padilla 1948 Robusto
This is another from the line of Padilla smokes and is supposed to be somewhere in the flavor range between the Signature 1932 and the 1968. It presents with a light brown wrapper that has some visible flaws, but few veins. It kind of looks and feels like a cheap cigar, but an inspection of the construction shows that it should be well made. The pre light aroma is light, but has notes of light spice and cedar. The pre light draw is nondescript and thin.
I put light to this cigar while I was driving and the smoke produced was copious, such that passing law enforcement officials would have assumed I was engaging in a good old fashioned clam bake. The cigar opens with some notes of grass, spice and sharp cedar tones. At the back of the palate the grassy flavors are more prominent, but there are hints of ginger as well. The draw is smooth and easy. The burn is sharp and produces a dirty gray ash.
As I drive along in a fog of smoke and swear at passing motorists the first half of the smoke continues to develop. The profile shows notes of spice and ginger, but there are still sharp cedar notes that border on being bitter. At the back of the palate there are still some grassy notes, but they are dissipating. The draw continues to be smooth and easy. The burn continues to hold up well to this point.
The second half of the cigar shows a profile of continuing sharp cedar and that flavor dominates the core profile. At the back of the palate there are some notes of ginger and spice, but the overwhelming notes of cedar in the foreground overwhelm the rest of the profile. The draw is continuing to be impressive to this point, and the burn has performed very well.
The finish is short and has some bitterness. There are lingering notes of sharp cedar and ginger.
Appearance- 82 not an attractive smoke at all
Taste- 84 the profile is below average with grassy undertones and a bitter cedar core
Construction- 93 an excellent performance
Strength- 86 an unremarkable medium
Overall- 87 a slightly above average performance, but below average taste
I put light to this cigar while I was driving and the smoke produced was copious, such that passing law enforcement officials would have assumed I was engaging in a good old fashioned clam bake. The cigar opens with some notes of grass, spice and sharp cedar tones. At the back of the palate the grassy flavors are more prominent, but there are hints of ginger as well. The draw is smooth and easy. The burn is sharp and produces a dirty gray ash.
As I drive along in a fog of smoke and swear at passing motorists the first half of the smoke continues to develop. The profile shows notes of spice and ginger, but there are still sharp cedar notes that border on being bitter. At the back of the palate there are still some grassy notes, but they are dissipating. The draw continues to be smooth and easy. The burn continues to hold up well to this point.
The second half of the cigar shows a profile of continuing sharp cedar and that flavor dominates the core profile. At the back of the palate there are some notes of ginger and spice, but the overwhelming notes of cedar in the foreground overwhelm the rest of the profile. The draw is continuing to be impressive to this point, and the burn has performed very well.
The finish is short and has some bitterness. There are lingering notes of sharp cedar and ginger.
Appearance- 82 not an attractive smoke at all
Taste- 84 the profile is below average with grassy undertones and a bitter cedar core
Construction- 93 an excellent performance
Strength- 86 an unremarkable medium
Overall- 87 a slightly above average performance, but below average taste
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Trinidad Toro Maduro
This is a big, bold looking cigar that comes draped in a nearly black maduro wrapper that has miles of tooth. The wrapper is nearly flawless showing only some small cracks near the foot. The cigar passes inspection with flying colors as I detect no areas of concern in what seems to be a well made vitola. The pre light aroma is sour with some barnyard essence. The pre light draw shows notes of coffee and sweet earthy notes.
Upon lighting the cigar immediately shows strong coffee flavors complimented by rich earthy notes that leads to an enveloped palate. At the back of the palate there are some notes of dark wood and a sweet cocoa note that is fleeting. The draw is tight, but not so much so that it is causing an issue. The burn is slow and steady producing a crisp white ash.
The first third of the cigar slowly envelops the senses with pleasing, medium bodied notes of coffee, earth and sweet cocoa. At the back of the palate there are still notes of dark wood, but there is a slightly charred offset that detracts from the experience slightly. The draw opens slightly and produces more smoke that adds to the experience. The burn is still steady and satisfying to behold.
The middle third begins with some transitory notes in the profile. There are still notes of coffee and earth, but tastes of pepper are coming through nicely and hinting at things to come. At the back of the palate the dark wood notes have continued to show some charred character. The draw is still a bit tight, but there is still ample smoke for evaluation. The burn continues to be stoic in it's consistency.
The final third of the cigar takes off the gloves. The profile shows full blasts of pepper and rich earth. At the back of the palate there are still signs of coffee and cocoa, but they are a sidelight to the main body of pepper. The draw stays tight throughout, but it only slightly detracted from the overall impression. The burn was solid all the way to the end.
The finish is a pepper bomb with hints of sweet cocoa and rich earth.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive cigar
Taste- 89 the charred notes hurt an otherwise effective mingling of flavors
Construction- 89 tight draw precludes a higher score
Strength- 91 medium in the front half, before becoming a full flavored bomb in the final third
Overall- 89.75 a very nice experience that was just short of being excellent
Upon lighting the cigar immediately shows strong coffee flavors complimented by rich earthy notes that leads to an enveloped palate. At the back of the palate there are some notes of dark wood and a sweet cocoa note that is fleeting. The draw is tight, but not so much so that it is causing an issue. The burn is slow and steady producing a crisp white ash.
The first third of the cigar slowly envelops the senses with pleasing, medium bodied notes of coffee, earth and sweet cocoa. At the back of the palate there are still notes of dark wood, but there is a slightly charred offset that detracts from the experience slightly. The draw opens slightly and produces more smoke that adds to the experience. The burn is still steady and satisfying to behold.
The middle third begins with some transitory notes in the profile. There are still notes of coffee and earth, but tastes of pepper are coming through nicely and hinting at things to come. At the back of the palate the dark wood notes have continued to show some charred character. The draw is still a bit tight, but there is still ample smoke for evaluation. The burn continues to be stoic in it's consistency.
The final third of the cigar takes off the gloves. The profile shows full blasts of pepper and rich earth. At the back of the palate there are still signs of coffee and cocoa, but they are a sidelight to the main body of pepper. The draw stays tight throughout, but it only slightly detracted from the overall impression. The burn was solid all the way to the end.
The finish is a pepper bomb with hints of sweet cocoa and rich earth.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive cigar
Taste- 89 the charred notes hurt an otherwise effective mingling of flavors
Construction- 89 tight draw precludes a higher score
Strength- 91 medium in the front half, before becoming a full flavored bomb in the final third
Overall- 89.75 a very nice experience that was just short of being excellent
La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial No.2
This is the Ashton line made by Pepin Garcia, this cigar is distinguished from the other La Aroma by the band, which contains two female profiles instead of just one. The cigar presents with a medium brown wrapper that has little veining and no visible flaws. A quick inspection reveals a flawless presentation and the I anticipate that the cigar will perform well. The pre light aroma is of spice and tobacco notes. The pre light draw shows sharp cedar notes.
The cigar opens with a profile of sweet wood and cedar notes that coat the palate with deep flavors. At the back of the palate there are notes of tobacco and further notes of sweet wood. The draw is excellent, producing thick, rich smoke that dances away lazily. The burn is problematic and a runner develops almost immediately.
The first half of the cigar develops nicely with rich and robust flavors of wood, cedar, spice and sweet bready notes. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying toasty tobacco character that imparts rich flavors and further layers of sweetness. The draw continues to be exceptional, but the burn continues to deteriorate, I can only hope it will level out before the end of the smoke so I don't have to retouch it.
The final half of the cigar continues to show satisfying flavors. The profile consists of sweet wood notes with layers of bread, cedar and spice. At the back of the palate toasty tobacco notes continue to progress and gather steam in the final third of the smoke. The draw is still excellent and the burn levels out at just past the halfway point of the cigar.
The finish is long and sweet showing sharp notes of cedar with undertones of sweet bread.
Appearance- 91 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 93 I was pleasantly surprised with the level of depth and complexity in this cigar
Construction- 86 near perfect draw nearly cancels out a terrible burn for the first half
Strength- 88 a nice medium/full, more power would have been complimented well by the profile
Overall- 89.5 an exceptional taste experience that was hindered by poor construction
The cigar opens with a profile of sweet wood and cedar notes that coat the palate with deep flavors. At the back of the palate there are notes of tobacco and further notes of sweet wood. The draw is excellent, producing thick, rich smoke that dances away lazily. The burn is problematic and a runner develops almost immediately.
The first half of the cigar develops nicely with rich and robust flavors of wood, cedar, spice and sweet bready notes. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying toasty tobacco character that imparts rich flavors and further layers of sweetness. The draw continues to be exceptional, but the burn continues to deteriorate, I can only hope it will level out before the end of the smoke so I don't have to retouch it.
The final half of the cigar continues to show satisfying flavors. The profile consists of sweet wood notes with layers of bread, cedar and spice. At the back of the palate toasty tobacco notes continue to progress and gather steam in the final third of the smoke. The draw is still excellent and the burn levels out at just past the halfway point of the cigar.
The finish is long and sweet showing sharp notes of cedar with undertones of sweet bread.
Appearance- 91 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 93 I was pleasantly surprised with the level of depth and complexity in this cigar
Construction- 86 near perfect draw nearly cancels out a terrible burn for the first half
Strength- 88 a nice medium/full, more power would have been complimented well by the profile
Overall- 89.5 an exceptional taste experience that was hindered by poor construction
Romeo y Julieta Bully
This is the classic robusto format of the original RyJ blend. The cigar presents with a blond wrapper that has some greenish tints in some areas. The exterior of the cigar shows a few flaws and the wrapper is a touch dry. An inspection reveals a cigar that is soft and it feels under filled. The pre light aroma is of light tobacco and cedar. The pre light draw has some mild spice notes and a light toasty tone.
The cigar opens with a profile of cedar and light creamy textures that are easy on the palate. At the back of the palate there is a slightly grassy note that has bitterness to it. The draw is smooth and easy, almost too loose for me, but there are no issues. The burn is sharp and produces a light gray ash.
The first half of the cigar continues to show notes of cedar and some light creamy notes. At the back of the palate there are some light tobacco nuances, but grassy tones and bitterness hurt the impression. The draw is continuing to be too loose and some heat creeping into the smoke. The burn continues to perform well and the ash hold for an inch and a half before quietly dropping away.
The final half of the cigar shows notes of wood and light spice. There is a floral sweetness in the core of the profile that gives way to some roasted nut and toast flavors late in the offering. At the back of the palate some bitterness persists, but there are some notes of light tobacco. The lack of depth hurt what is a surprisingly complex cigar in terms of flavor. The draw continues to be too loose and the burn fouls in the final quarter of the smoke.
The finish leaves nice tones of cedar and light toasty flavors for further consideration.
Appearance- 86 the green coloration in spots hurts the visual package
Taste- 82 the grassy and bitter notes in the front half of the cigar hurt the score
Construction- 83 the loose draw hindered the performance
Strength- 87 a nice mild offering that could some more zip
Overall- 83.75 a below average offering
The cigar opens with a profile of cedar and light creamy textures that are easy on the palate. At the back of the palate there is a slightly grassy note that has bitterness to it. The draw is smooth and easy, almost too loose for me, but there are no issues. The burn is sharp and produces a light gray ash.
The first half of the cigar continues to show notes of cedar and some light creamy notes. At the back of the palate there are some light tobacco nuances, but grassy tones and bitterness hurt the impression. The draw is continuing to be too loose and some heat creeping into the smoke. The burn continues to perform well and the ash hold for an inch and a half before quietly dropping away.
The final half of the cigar shows notes of wood and light spice. There is a floral sweetness in the core of the profile that gives way to some roasted nut and toast flavors late in the offering. At the back of the palate some bitterness persists, but there are some notes of light tobacco. The lack of depth hurt what is a surprisingly complex cigar in terms of flavor. The draw continues to be too loose and the burn fouls in the final quarter of the smoke.
The finish leaves nice tones of cedar and light toasty flavors for further consideration.
Appearance- 86 the green coloration in spots hurts the visual package
Taste- 82 the grassy and bitter notes in the front half of the cigar hurt the score
Construction- 83 the loose draw hindered the performance
Strength- 87 a nice mild offering that could some more zip
Overall- 83.75 a below average offering
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Illusione MK
This is a small cigar from the Illusione line of smokes that I have always enjoyed. The cigar presents well with a nice dark brown wrapper the color of lightly creamed coffee. The construction is firm, but has no spots that indicate trouble. The pre light aroma is sour. The pre light draw shows notes of coffee and light chocolate.
The cigar stats with a nice profile of coffee, chocolate and light pepper. The depth of flavors is exceptional is a cigar of this size. At the back of the palate there are stronger flavors of pepper and some notes of earth. The draw is nearly perfect to this point and the burn is strong, producing a nice white ash.
The first half continues to impress with rich coffee notes and some light chocolate flavors. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying mingling of pepper and earth. The draw continues to perform well and the burn is razor sharp.
The final half of the cigar deteriorates slightly. The profile shows coffee and light spice notes, but some of the depth has disappeared. At the back of the palate there is some bitterness that has crept into the mix, but there are still some nice tobacco and pepper flavors. The draw and burn continue to be impressive.
The finish is middling, but shows notes of coffee, earth and pepper mingled with some bitter notes of charred paper.
Appearance- 90 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 88 a nice profile that was hurt in the final half
Construction- 95 a fine example of a nearly flawless smoke
Strength- 87 a nice medium that could use some more pop
Overall- 90.5 a nice solid smoke for early in the day
The cigar stats with a nice profile of coffee, chocolate and light pepper. The depth of flavors is exceptional is a cigar of this size. At the back of the palate there are stronger flavors of pepper and some notes of earth. The draw is nearly perfect to this point and the burn is strong, producing a nice white ash.
The first half continues to impress with rich coffee notes and some light chocolate flavors. At the back of the palate there is a satisfying mingling of pepper and earth. The draw continues to perform well and the burn is razor sharp.
The final half of the cigar deteriorates slightly. The profile shows coffee and light spice notes, but some of the depth has disappeared. At the back of the palate there is some bitterness that has crept into the mix, but there are still some nice tobacco and pepper flavors. The draw and burn continue to be impressive.
The finish is middling, but shows notes of coffee, earth and pepper mingled with some bitter notes of charred paper.
Appearance- 90 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 88 a nice profile that was hurt in the final half
Construction- 95 a fine example of a nearly flawless smoke
Strength- 87 a nice medium that could use some more pop
Overall- 90.5 a nice solid smoke for early in the day
Carlos Torano Exodus 1959 50 Years
This is the 50 year anniversary cigar of the family's exodus from Cuba. It presents with a dark brown wrapper the color of strong coffee. The wrapper has some prominent veins and is ruddy in appearance. The cigar feels toothy, but also a little bit dry. The pre light aroma is of coffee and earth, but there is some sourness on the nose. The pre light draw shows strong notes of coffee and rich tobacco.
The cigar begins with a profile of coffee and light earth flavors, the flavors are somewhat shallow. At the back of the palate there are strong notes of tobacco, but some bitterness hurts the overall impression. The draw is a bit tight and leads to a thin smoking experience. The burn is nice, and produces a light gray ash that is a bit flaky.
The first half of the continues to show coffee and earth flavors, but there has been little development. The back of the palate shows tobacco and light spice notes, but the bitterness persists. The draw opens slightly and produces more smoke, but it is still not satisfactory. The burn continues to be solid.
The final half of the cigar shows more depth and character with a profile of coffee and spice. At the back of the palate there are still notes of tobacco and some light cocoa has begun to show through. I am still disappointed with the bitterness in the presentation, and the complexity is just not there. The draw is still a bit tight and that detracts from the experience as well.
The finish is short and has some bitter notes. The final impression is of charred coffee and stringy tobacco notes.
Appearance- 84 the ruddy, dry impression hurts the score
Taste- 82 constant bitterness and lack of depth and complexity leave a negative impression
Construction- 83 a below average draw
Strength- 86 a nice medium that could have used more strength
Overall- 83.25 a below average and disappointing experience
The cigar begins with a profile of coffee and light earth flavors, the flavors are somewhat shallow. At the back of the palate there are strong notes of tobacco, but some bitterness hurts the overall impression. The draw is a bit tight and leads to a thin smoking experience. The burn is nice, and produces a light gray ash that is a bit flaky.
The first half of the continues to show coffee and earth flavors, but there has been little development. The back of the palate shows tobacco and light spice notes, but the bitterness persists. The draw opens slightly and produces more smoke, but it is still not satisfactory. The burn continues to be solid.
The final half of the cigar shows more depth and character with a profile of coffee and spice. At the back of the palate there are still notes of tobacco and some light cocoa has begun to show through. I am still disappointed with the bitterness in the presentation, and the complexity is just not there. The draw is still a bit tight and that detracts from the experience as well.
The finish is short and has some bitter notes. The final impression is of charred coffee and stringy tobacco notes.
Appearance- 84 the ruddy, dry impression hurts the score
Taste- 82 constant bitterness and lack of depth and complexity leave a negative impression
Construction- 83 a below average draw
Strength- 86 a nice medium that could have used more strength
Overall- 83.25 a below average and disappointing experience
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Padilla Signature 1932 Toro
This is a cigar that had much acclaim when made by Don Pepin, but now it is being made elsewhere, and there are many that wonder if it will stand up to the old version. It presents well from a box that has over a year of humidor age on it. The wrapper is a nice, rich brown the color of wet earth. The construction appears to be acceptable, but the cigar feels like it may be soft in a couple of areas. The pre light aroma is full of rich spice notes and some light earth comes through as well. The pre light draw shows notes of earth, cedar and spice.
The cigar begins with a core profile of sweet floral notes and some hints of earth and light spice. I am thrown by the floral sweetness in the beginning moments of this cigar, because there was no indicator that floral notes would show through. At the back of the palate the spice notes are intense and that elbows out some of the sweetness of the core. The draw is smooth and easy, but the burn is already showing signs of being difficult.
The first half of the cigar shows little development. The core of the profile maintains some floral notes, but there are notes of spice and earth present as well. At the back of the palate some thin peppery notes accompany some sharp blasts of cedar and spice. The draw is still excellent, but the burn is showing a runner that is nearly two inches long. Wanting to avoid the nuisance of a touch up, I smoke through it.
The final half of the cigar shows a major profile shift. The core takes on a tone of cedar with blasts of spice and pepper. The depth and complexity of this profile are somewhat disappointing, but the flavors are still pure and worthy of consideration. The draw maintains it's superior attributes, but the burn is deteriorating further and I have to touch up twice in the last third of the cigar.
The finish is a bit charred, but there are notes of spice and tobacco.
Appearance- 90 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 88 lack of depth and complexity and some charring in the finish hurt the score
Construction- 82 serious reduction for burn issues, but the draw saved the score from being worse
Strength- 88 a nice full bodied experience
Overall- 86.25 a slightly above average experience due to the construction problems
The cigar begins with a core profile of sweet floral notes and some hints of earth and light spice. I am thrown by the floral sweetness in the beginning moments of this cigar, because there was no indicator that floral notes would show through. At the back of the palate the spice notes are intense and that elbows out some of the sweetness of the core. The draw is smooth and easy, but the burn is already showing signs of being difficult.
The first half of the cigar shows little development. The core of the profile maintains some floral notes, but there are notes of spice and earth present as well. At the back of the palate some thin peppery notes accompany some sharp blasts of cedar and spice. The draw is still excellent, but the burn is showing a runner that is nearly two inches long. Wanting to avoid the nuisance of a touch up, I smoke through it.
The final half of the cigar shows a major profile shift. The core takes on a tone of cedar with blasts of spice and pepper. The depth and complexity of this profile are somewhat disappointing, but the flavors are still pure and worthy of consideration. The draw maintains it's superior attributes, but the burn is deteriorating further and I have to touch up twice in the last third of the cigar.
The finish is a bit charred, but there are notes of spice and tobacco.
Appearance- 90 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 88 lack of depth and complexity and some charring in the finish hurt the score
Construction- 82 serious reduction for burn issues, but the draw saved the score from being worse
Strength- 88 a nice full bodied experience
Overall- 86.25 a slightly above average experience due to the construction problems
Tatuaje Noella
This is another Pepin offering made for Pete Johnson. This is cigar is slightly larger that a petit corona, with a bit more length and thickness of ring. It presents in a ruddy, yet sturdy, looking vitola that has a nice dark brown wrapper the hue of nice chocolate. An examination of the cigar yields a construction that appears to be favorable. The pre light aroma is of chocolate and deep, dark earth notes. The pre light draw shows notes of chocolate, earth and light pepper.
The cigar opens with sweet profile that has nice chocolate notes and some rich earthy flavors and texture. The smoke is thick and heavy, imparting nice flavors all over the palate. At the back of the palate there are some nice notes of rich tobacco, coffee and further chocolate essence. Some of the flavors are a bit thin and I would like some more initial depth. The draw is excellent, which is noteworthy in cigars of this size. The burn is true and produces a sharp white ash.
The first half of the cigar continues to show notes of chocolate and rich earth. At the back of the palate there are some hints of tobacco and the development of some nice peppery notes that compliment the sweetness in the core of the profile. The smoke continues to be heavy, and the flavors linger pleasingly on the palate. The draw is still well above average and the burn is even and constant.
The second half of the cigar remains true with a core profile of chocolate and rich earthy notes. However, at the back of the palate, the peppery notes have strengthened nicely. There is some added depth and complexity in the final half of the smoke and it helps the overall impression. The burn and draw remain consistent, and this is one of the finest examples of a small smoke that I have had in recent memory.
The finish is long and full of notes of earth and pepper.
Appearance- 87 a bit rustic for me
Taste- 91 nice flavors, but more depth in the front half would have made this cigar sinful
Construction- 95 high marks for a size that is difficult to make with such excellent quality
Strength- 88 a nice medium that could have used more zip
Overall- 91.25 a very nice smoke that could be part of a an excellent everyday lineup
The cigar opens with sweet profile that has nice chocolate notes and some rich earthy flavors and texture. The smoke is thick and heavy, imparting nice flavors all over the palate. At the back of the palate there are some nice notes of rich tobacco, coffee and further chocolate essence. Some of the flavors are a bit thin and I would like some more initial depth. The draw is excellent, which is noteworthy in cigars of this size. The burn is true and produces a sharp white ash.
The first half of the cigar continues to show notes of chocolate and rich earth. At the back of the palate there are some hints of tobacco and the development of some nice peppery notes that compliment the sweetness in the core of the profile. The smoke continues to be heavy, and the flavors linger pleasingly on the palate. The draw is still well above average and the burn is even and constant.
The second half of the cigar remains true with a core profile of chocolate and rich earthy notes. However, at the back of the palate, the peppery notes have strengthened nicely. There is some added depth and complexity in the final half of the smoke and it helps the overall impression. The burn and draw remain consistent, and this is one of the finest examples of a small smoke that I have had in recent memory.
The finish is long and full of notes of earth and pepper.
Appearance- 87 a bit rustic for me
Taste- 91 nice flavors, but more depth in the front half would have made this cigar sinful
Construction- 95 high marks for a size that is difficult to make with such excellent quality
Strength- 88 a nice medium that could have used more zip
Overall- 91.25 a very nice smoke that could be part of a an excellent everyday lineup
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Don Pepin Garcia Blue Invictos
This is the robusto size in the Blue line of smokes from Pepin. I have smoked this as an everyday for smoke for nearly two years and find it to be excellent. This is the first review though and I am often more critical of the smokes I review. It presents well with a medium brown wrapper that has little veining and some prominent tooth. A quick inspection shows a cigar that may be a little loose and soft in some spots. The pre light aroma is of nice spice and earth. The pre light draw shows some light pepper and cedar notes.
The cigar begins with a nice profile of cedar and some light spice and pepper. At the back of the palate there is an earthy leather flavor that adds to some early complexity that is enticing and unexpected. The strength is medium bodied and not overwhelming. The draw is loose and the smoke booms out of this cigar and encircles my head with visions of smoky illusion. The burn is a bit lopsided, but it is not causing any issue.
The first half of the cigar is sneaky. The power taps you ever so lightly at the back of the palate as it develops into what will become a strong cigar. The profile continues to show notes of cedar and spice, but there are some nice rich tobacco notes present as well. At the back of the palate the strength soldiers are lining up for their assault on the rest of the palate and they are leaving nice tones of leather and earth as they march undaunted. There is some hear coming through in the draw at the halfway point, so I slow it down and settle in for the second half.
The final half of the smoke is not subtle. There are blasts of cedar, spice, tobacco, leather and earth coating the entire palate. The burn is still slightly off, but it is still not causing any issues. The draw is getting hotter and hotter and that is really the only disappointing part of this cigar.
The finish is charred, but leaves notes of cedar and tobacco mustered on the palate.
Appearance- 90 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 92 the final charred notes hurt this score
Construction- 83 most of the cigar performed well, but the final flaw was nearly fatal
Strength- 88 a nice full flavored cigar, but I prefer a more even strength presentation
Overall- 88 a nice cigar that was hurt by poor construction in the end
The cigar begins with a nice profile of cedar and some light spice and pepper. At the back of the palate there is an earthy leather flavor that adds to some early complexity that is enticing and unexpected. The strength is medium bodied and not overwhelming. The draw is loose and the smoke booms out of this cigar and encircles my head with visions of smoky illusion. The burn is a bit lopsided, but it is not causing any issue.
The first half of the cigar is sneaky. The power taps you ever so lightly at the back of the palate as it develops into what will become a strong cigar. The profile continues to show notes of cedar and spice, but there are some nice rich tobacco notes present as well. At the back of the palate the strength soldiers are lining up for their assault on the rest of the palate and they are leaving nice tones of leather and earth as they march undaunted. There is some hear coming through in the draw at the halfway point, so I slow it down and settle in for the second half.
The final half of the smoke is not subtle. There are blasts of cedar, spice, tobacco, leather and earth coating the entire palate. The burn is still slightly off, but it is still not causing any issues. The draw is getting hotter and hotter and that is really the only disappointing part of this cigar.
The finish is charred, but leaves notes of cedar and tobacco mustered on the palate.
Appearance- 90 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 92 the final charred notes hurt this score
Construction- 83 most of the cigar performed well, but the final flaw was nearly fatal
Strength- 88 a nice full flavored cigar, but I prefer a more even strength presentation
Overall- 88 a nice cigar that was hurt by poor construction in the end
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Don Pepin Garcia Serie JJ Natural Sublime
This is a big, toro plus sized cigar. It presents well with a nice medium brown wrapper that is expertly applied. There are no veins or flaws to speak of and the simple packaging makes for smooth viewing experience. An inspection of the cigar yields no areas of concern and I am ready to put it to the test. The pre light aroma is leather and spice. The pre light draw shows some shallow notes of pepper and strong hints of leather and tobacco.
The cigar opens with a profile of leather, leather and more leather. I have noted these as being very close to a Cuban Bolivar in the past and I stand by the assessment. At the back of the palate there are some notes of spice and a nice tobacco flavor compliments the experience. The draw is very easy and produces volumes of light white smoke that drifts lazily away. The burn is excellent and produces a solid medium gray ash.
The first third of the cigar holds together nicely. The profile continues to show a core of leathery notes with some hints of spice and tobacco at the back of the palate. The draw continues to be exceptional and the burn has maintained it level of excellence as well.
The middle third of the cigar picks up some steam in the strength department. It is now a nearly full bodied smoke that is still gathering power for a further assault. The profile shows nice leathery notes, but some more spice and tobacco flavors have leveled out the profile into a nice mix of elements. The draw is still performing well. The burn, however, is beginning to fatigue slightly. There is a small runner that is showing some stubbornness at the end of the middle third and into the final third of the smoke.
The final third really assaults the senses strength wise and gives a full kick to the palate. There are notes of leather, tobacco and spice. The profile never really showed any complexity, but it did have some nice depth as it progressed. The draw and burn maintain a high level of quality throughout.
Appearance- 90 a nice, simple, yet elegant cigar
Taste- 89 a nice profile that could use more complexity
Construction- 90 excellent with the exception of one runner
Strength- 94 an excellent full bodied experience
Overall- 90.25 an above average smoke that performed very well
The cigar opens with a profile of leather, leather and more leather. I have noted these as being very close to a Cuban Bolivar in the past and I stand by the assessment. At the back of the palate there are some notes of spice and a nice tobacco flavor compliments the experience. The draw is very easy and produces volumes of light white smoke that drifts lazily away. The burn is excellent and produces a solid medium gray ash.
The first third of the cigar holds together nicely. The profile continues to show a core of leathery notes with some hints of spice and tobacco at the back of the palate. The draw continues to be exceptional and the burn has maintained it level of excellence as well.
The middle third of the cigar picks up some steam in the strength department. It is now a nearly full bodied smoke that is still gathering power for a further assault. The profile shows nice leathery notes, but some more spice and tobacco flavors have leveled out the profile into a nice mix of elements. The draw is still performing well. The burn, however, is beginning to fatigue slightly. There is a small runner that is showing some stubbornness at the end of the middle third and into the final third of the smoke.
The final third really assaults the senses strength wise and gives a full kick to the palate. There are notes of leather, tobacco and spice. The profile never really showed any complexity, but it did have some nice depth as it progressed. The draw and burn maintain a high level of quality throughout.
Appearance- 90 a nice, simple, yet elegant cigar
Taste- 89 a nice profile that could use more complexity
Construction- 90 excellent with the exception of one runner
Strength- 94 an excellent full bodied experience
Overall- 90.25 an above average smoke that performed very well
Don Pepin Garcia Special Edition
This is a hand rolled cigar from a Pepin event I attended in July of 2009. Don Pepin told me that is a Blue Label blend with a standard Cabaiguan wrapper and that it should encompass the best traits of both of those cigars. It presents well with a tawny brown wrapper that is smooth and pleasing to the eye. There are minimal veins, but there are some identifiable flaws. A quick examination of the construction leaves me with no concerns. The pre light aroma is of cedar and spice. The pre light draw shows sweet floral notes and some light tobacco and earth flavors.
The cigar begins with a profile of cedar and light tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate I notice some sweet floral essence with some woody undertones that are interesting. The draw is exceptionally smooth and easy and provides excellent amounts of savory smoke. The burn is off from the beginning, but not causing any issues to this point.
The first third of the cigar progresses with a profile of light, toasty tobacco flavors with notes of some cedar and other light wood. At the back of the palate the floral sweetness has given way to a nice light earth flavor that is adding complexity to the smoke. The draw is still above average, but the burn is showing signs of deterioration and the wrapper is beginning to lift ever so slightly at the halfway point of the cigar.
The middle third continues to show a nice profile development. I am picking up excellent toasty tobacco notes accompanied by a light spice element. The back of the palate continues to show some notes of light earth. The draw is still nearly flawless and the smoke is a joy. The burn on the other hand has canoed and the wrapper is unraveling quickly. I make efforts to save the construction, but it is for naught, I have an ACME cigar on my hands and it quickly looks like something the Roadrunner would give the coyote. Disappointing, but I press on.
The final third of the cigar continues to show a nice profile of toasty tobacco and light spice. At the back of the palate there are still some nice notes of light earth and light wood flavors. The draw worked well right to the finish, but the burn was a disaster and by the time I am finished the cigar looks like it never was a cigar at all.
The finish is smooth, but a bit short. It showed notes of tobacco, earth and light spice.
Appearance- 88 a nice looking cigar with some minor flaws
Taste- 91 a very nice profile with some complexity and depth
Construction- 75 a disaster
Strength- 87 a nice medium/full
Overall- 84.5 construction killed this cigar
The cigar begins with a profile of cedar and light tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate I notice some sweet floral essence with some woody undertones that are interesting. The draw is exceptionally smooth and easy and provides excellent amounts of savory smoke. The burn is off from the beginning, but not causing any issues to this point.
The first third of the cigar progresses with a profile of light, toasty tobacco flavors with notes of some cedar and other light wood. At the back of the palate the floral sweetness has given way to a nice light earth flavor that is adding complexity to the smoke. The draw is still above average, but the burn is showing signs of deterioration and the wrapper is beginning to lift ever so slightly at the halfway point of the cigar.
The middle third continues to show a nice profile development. I am picking up excellent toasty tobacco notes accompanied by a light spice element. The back of the palate continues to show some notes of light earth. The draw is still nearly flawless and the smoke is a joy. The burn on the other hand has canoed and the wrapper is unraveling quickly. I make efforts to save the construction, but it is for naught, I have an ACME cigar on my hands and it quickly looks like something the Roadrunner would give the coyote. Disappointing, but I press on.
The final third of the cigar continues to show a nice profile of toasty tobacco and light spice. At the back of the palate there are still some nice notes of light earth and light wood flavors. The draw worked well right to the finish, but the burn was a disaster and by the time I am finished the cigar looks like it never was a cigar at all.
The finish is smooth, but a bit short. It showed notes of tobacco, earth and light spice.
Appearance- 88 a nice looking cigar with some minor flaws
Taste- 91 a very nice profile with some complexity and depth
Construction- 75 a disaster
Strength- 87 a nice medium/full
Overall- 84.5 construction killed this cigar
Monday, January 4, 2010
Don Pepin Garcia Black Edition 1977 Corona
This is one of my favorite cigars from 2009. It presents in a very beautifully done traditional corona size that is finished with a whimsical pigtail cap. The wrapper is a beautiful medium brown that is applied expertly and shows little veining. The roll seems to be a little tight, but I have come to expect that attribute from small Pepin cigars. The pre light aroma is a fantastic mix of leather, tobacco and light spice. The pre light draw shows strong notes of leather and some mild peppery flavors.
The cigar opens with an in your face profile of strength, strength and more strength. The smoke shows notes of leather and pepper and the flavor is deep and meaningful. At the back of the palate there rich tobacco and wood flavors. The draw for this cigar is exceptional, I am stunned by the amount of smoke produced from a such a small vitola. The burn is even and the ash is a crisp white.
The first half of the cigar continues to be a strength extravaganza. The profile shows a strong core of leather and pepper. At the back of the palate there are notes of roasted wood and rich tobacco. This is one of the more complex cigars you can find on the market today. The draw and burn continue to be exceptional.
The final half of the cigar shows notes of leather, pepper and wood. At the back of the palate there are still notes of very rich tobacco. The burn is exceptional and continues to perform in an above average fashion. The draw tightens slightly, but does not cause heat or any reductions in the overall pleasure of the experience.
The finish is long and very strong. The core is of pepper and leather.
Appearance- 95 an extremely well presented smoke
Taste- 96 a fantastic taste experience with rich, complex flavors
Construction- 92 some draw tightening at the end hurts the score slightly
Strength- 88 a bit too strong in such a small cigar, very full bodied
Overall- 93.25 an excellent experience
The cigar opens with an in your face profile of strength, strength and more strength. The smoke shows notes of leather and pepper and the flavor is deep and meaningful. At the back of the palate there rich tobacco and wood flavors. The draw for this cigar is exceptional, I am stunned by the amount of smoke produced from a such a small vitola. The burn is even and the ash is a crisp white.
The first half of the cigar continues to be a strength extravaganza. The profile shows a strong core of leather and pepper. At the back of the palate there are notes of roasted wood and rich tobacco. This is one of the more complex cigars you can find on the market today. The draw and burn continue to be exceptional.
The final half of the cigar shows notes of leather, pepper and wood. At the back of the palate there are still notes of very rich tobacco. The burn is exceptional and continues to perform in an above average fashion. The draw tightens slightly, but does not cause heat or any reductions in the overall pleasure of the experience.
The finish is long and very strong. The core is of pepper and leather.
Appearance- 95 an extremely well presented smoke
Taste- 96 a fantastic taste experience with rich, complex flavors
Construction- 92 some draw tightening at the end hurts the score slightly
Strength- 88 a bit too strong in such a small cigar, very full bodied
Overall- 93.25 an excellent experience
Don Lino 1989 Maduro Robusto
This is a small cigar for a robusto in terms of ring gauge, but it presents very well. It is wrapped in a rich, nearly black capa that is shiny with oils. There are some veins, but they not significantly detract from the overall impression. A roll through the fingers reveals a firm cigar and I am concerned about the possibility of a tight draw. The pre light aroma is of rich, dark coffee and cocoa. The pre light draw shows extensive earthy tones and some light coffee and cocoa notes.
The cigar begins with a nice profile of cocoa and rich earthy tones. I am struck by the heft of the smoke, it covers the palate with each draw, and leaves a dusty feeling in the mouth. At the back of the palate there are notes of coffee and more cocoa flavors that show a nice depth. The draw is tight, but not substandard at this point. The burn is lopsided, but is not causing me any issues.
The first half of the cigar continues to show flavors of cocoa and earth. The smoke continues to be very heavy in the mouth, and I have not decided if that attribute adds or subtracts from the overall impression. At the back of the palate there are some notes of pepper and deeper notes of earth than in the front of the profile. The draw opens up slightly and provides for a more full flavor experience. The burn has begun a runner and I am hoping it will not require a touch up.
The second half of the smoke continues to show a nice profile. There are notes of coffee, cocoa and earth that bathe the palate with heavy smoke. At the back of the palate the pepper shows some development that adds to the depth. The draw is acceptable at this point, but the burn has run for nearly an inch and a half. I reluctantly touch it up and get some charred notes for a half inch or so. I have said before and I say again, a touch up is the worst possible turn of events when I am smoking a cigar.
The finish is nice with notes of coffee and earth, but the run returns near the end detracting from the closing stanza.
Appearance- 90 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 93 an excellent profile showing character, complexity and depth
Construction- 80 the major runner severely hurt the score
Strength- 88 a nice medium smoke
Overall- 87.25 a nicely presented smoke, but flaws hurt the overall impression
The cigar begins with a nice profile of cocoa and rich earthy tones. I am struck by the heft of the smoke, it covers the palate with each draw, and leaves a dusty feeling in the mouth. At the back of the palate there are notes of coffee and more cocoa flavors that show a nice depth. The draw is tight, but not substandard at this point. The burn is lopsided, but is not causing me any issues.
The first half of the cigar continues to show flavors of cocoa and earth. The smoke continues to be very heavy in the mouth, and I have not decided if that attribute adds or subtracts from the overall impression. At the back of the palate there are some notes of pepper and deeper notes of earth than in the front of the profile. The draw opens up slightly and provides for a more full flavor experience. The burn has begun a runner and I am hoping it will not require a touch up.
The second half of the smoke continues to show a nice profile. There are notes of coffee, cocoa and earth that bathe the palate with heavy smoke. At the back of the palate the pepper shows some development that adds to the depth. The draw is acceptable at this point, but the burn has run for nearly an inch and a half. I reluctantly touch it up and get some charred notes for a half inch or so. I have said before and I say again, a touch up is the worst possible turn of events when I am smoking a cigar.
The finish is nice with notes of coffee and earth, but the run returns near the end detracting from the closing stanza.
Appearance- 90 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 93 an excellent profile showing character, complexity and depth
Construction- 80 the major runner severely hurt the score
Strength- 88 a nice medium smoke
Overall- 87.25 a nicely presented smoke, but flaws hurt the overall impression
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Padilla Habano Robusto
This is a cigar I reviewed last year with a 90+ rating. It presents very well from a box that has three plus years of humidor age. The foot is split and frayed, but the wrapper is showing the hallmarks of aging. There is a light, dusty feel to the cigar and it is very smooth and appealing. There are some veins, but they are subtle and add character. The inspection shows that, other than the split at the foot, there are no issues with which to be concerned. The pre light aroma is of cinnamon and light tobacco essence. The pre light draw shows notes of pepper and light cinnamon flavors.
The cigar begins with a profile of light spice, tobacco and leather. The draw is excellent and the burn performs well. The split does not cause any issues and is beginning to show signs of evening out once I am past it. At the back of the palate there is a floral sweetness that is appealing.
The first half of the cigar shows a medium bodied profile of leather, spice, tobacco and light earth. At the back of the palate there is still a floral sweetness, but there is some sourness present as well. The burn continues to perform well and the split has disappeared and left no issues in it's wake. The draw is smooth and easy and provides ample smoke.
The back half of the cigar is very interesting. The profile transitions into a mix of spice, cinnamon and tobacco notes. At the back of the palate there is a note of sweet floral essence and a further blast of spice. In the last two inches there are some peppery notes that develop as well. The draw tightens perceptibly and causes some heat in the closing moments. The burn is still excellent and the ash is firm and heavy.
The finish is long and smooth showing notes of spice, cinnamon and pepper.
Appearance- 84 the split foot detracts from the score
Taste- 89 an excellent profile, but some sour notes early limit the scoring potential
Construction- 87 late tightness in the draw causes heat
Strength- 92 an excellent medium/full offering
Overall- 88 a nice smoke that could have been exceptional without the sour notes early in the smoke
The cigar begins with a profile of light spice, tobacco and leather. The draw is excellent and the burn performs well. The split does not cause any issues and is beginning to show signs of evening out once I am past it. At the back of the palate there is a floral sweetness that is appealing.
The first half of the cigar shows a medium bodied profile of leather, spice, tobacco and light earth. At the back of the palate there is still a floral sweetness, but there is some sourness present as well. The burn continues to perform well and the split has disappeared and left no issues in it's wake. The draw is smooth and easy and provides ample smoke.
The back half of the cigar is very interesting. The profile transitions into a mix of spice, cinnamon and tobacco notes. At the back of the palate there is a note of sweet floral essence and a further blast of spice. In the last two inches there are some peppery notes that develop as well. The draw tightens perceptibly and causes some heat in the closing moments. The burn is still excellent and the ash is firm and heavy.
The finish is long and smooth showing notes of spice, cinnamon and pepper.
Appearance- 84 the split foot detracts from the score
Taste- 89 an excellent profile, but some sour notes early limit the scoring potential
Construction- 87 late tightness in the draw causes heat
Strength- 92 an excellent medium/full offering
Overall- 88 a nice smoke that could have been exceptional without the sour notes early in the smoke
Tabacos Baez Robusto
This is an offering from Don Pepin Garcia and has been a staple cigar of mine for the past year. It presents with a tawny wrapper that is smooth and dusty feeling. A quick examination reveals that there are no areas of concern in the construction of this cigar, it is firm and supple. The pre light aroma is of light earth and light wood. The pre light draw shows some thin notes of spice and earth.
The cigar opens with a profile of light wood and earth. There is some sweetness at the back of the palate that has some notes of spice. The draw is excellent, not too loose and not too tight. The burn is acceptable, but there is a split for about the first inch that is threatening the integrity of the smoke.
The first half of the cigar shows a profile of light earth, sweet wood and light tobacco. The strength is very mild, but shows some developing power as the first half progresses. At the back of the palate there is some light spice that adds to the mix, but there is some sourness that is creeping into the overall experience. The draw is still excellent and the split corrects without any issue.
The last half of the cigar continues to show notes of light earth and sweet woody character. The strength has progressed to a more medium bodied experience that is pleasing. At the back of the palate some sour notes persist, but there are still some notes of spice lingering in the presentation. The draw and burn are both fine at this point.
The finish is long and spicy, showing notes of earth and wood. I think, and have always thought, that this is an excellent starting cigar for the day.
Appearance- 90 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 86 some sourness affects the score, it could also be more complex
Construction- 88 the early split led to a reduction
Strength- 90 a nice medium cigar
Overall- 88 a nice smoke to start the day
The cigar opens with a profile of light wood and earth. There is some sweetness at the back of the palate that has some notes of spice. The draw is excellent, not too loose and not too tight. The burn is acceptable, but there is a split for about the first inch that is threatening the integrity of the smoke.
The first half of the cigar shows a profile of light earth, sweet wood and light tobacco. The strength is very mild, but shows some developing power as the first half progresses. At the back of the palate there is some light spice that adds to the mix, but there is some sourness that is creeping into the overall experience. The draw is still excellent and the split corrects without any issue.
The last half of the cigar continues to show notes of light earth and sweet woody character. The strength has progressed to a more medium bodied experience that is pleasing. At the back of the palate some sour notes persist, but there are still some notes of spice lingering in the presentation. The draw and burn are both fine at this point.
The finish is long and spicy, showing notes of earth and wood. I think, and have always thought, that this is an excellent starting cigar for the day.
Appearance- 90 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 86 some sourness affects the score, it could also be more complex
Construction- 88 the early split led to a reduction
Strength- 90 a nice medium cigar
Overall- 88 a nice smoke to start the day
Friday, January 1, 2010
Joya de Nicaragua Clasico No.1
This is one of my favorite sizes in the cigar world at 7x44. The cigar presents with a toothy reddish criollo wrapper that has some ruddy charm. There are prominent veins and one near the head that causes me some concern. A quick inspection of the construction does not cause me any concern. The pre light aroma has strong notes of cedar and dark fruit. The pre light draw is of sweet earth and cedar.
The cigar opens with a profile of cedar and spice. At the back of the palate there are some notes of earth and pepper with a nice tobacco undertone. The draw is a touch on the tight side, but it is not causing any issues in the early moments of the smoke. The burn is immediately lopsided and a runner threatens to form early.
The first third of the cigar progresses with a profile of cedar, spice and earthy notes. There is still a peppery tingle at the back of the palate that hints of developing the power that Joya's are known for. The draw is still a bit tight, but still not causing any concern. The burn did not develop a runner, but is still lopsided.
The middle third of the cigar begins to ratchet up the strength. There are rich cedar notes in the core of the profile that are accompanied by strong blasts of pepper and earth. The nicotine content causes the mouth to tingle in a unique way, this is a strength indicator that usually comes on much earlier in a cigar. The draw opens up a bit and creates a more enjoyable flavor experience. The burn is still off, but not in need of touch up.
The final third continues to show notes of cedar and earth. At the back of the palate there is plenty of strength from the nicotine and there are some sweet tobacco notes present. The draw is now acceptable and the burn continues to be off a bit.
The finish is sharp and full of pepper and earth notes.
Appearance- 83 the ruddy lopsided nature of the presentation lead to deductions with the prominent veins
Taste- 88 a nice profile that could have used more complexity
Construction- 84 the draw and burn issues lead to weakening of the score
Strength- 86 a very strong, full bodied experience that could have complemented the profile in a more harmonious way
Overall- 85.5 a slightly above average experience
The cigar opens with a profile of cedar and spice. At the back of the palate there are some notes of earth and pepper with a nice tobacco undertone. The draw is a touch on the tight side, but it is not causing any issues in the early moments of the smoke. The burn is immediately lopsided and a runner threatens to form early.
The first third of the cigar progresses with a profile of cedar, spice and earthy notes. There is still a peppery tingle at the back of the palate that hints of developing the power that Joya's are known for. The draw is still a bit tight, but still not causing any concern. The burn did not develop a runner, but is still lopsided.
The middle third of the cigar begins to ratchet up the strength. There are rich cedar notes in the core of the profile that are accompanied by strong blasts of pepper and earth. The nicotine content causes the mouth to tingle in a unique way, this is a strength indicator that usually comes on much earlier in a cigar. The draw opens up a bit and creates a more enjoyable flavor experience. The burn is still off, but not in need of touch up.
The final third continues to show notes of cedar and earth. At the back of the palate there is plenty of strength from the nicotine and there are some sweet tobacco notes present. The draw is now acceptable and the burn continues to be off a bit.
The finish is sharp and full of pepper and earth notes.
Appearance- 83 the ruddy lopsided nature of the presentation lead to deductions with the prominent veins
Taste- 88 a nice profile that could have used more complexity
Construction- 84 the draw and burn issues lead to weakening of the score
Strength- 86 a very strong, full bodied experience that could have complemented the profile in a more harmonious way
Overall- 85.5 a slightly above average experience
Oliva Connecticut Toro
This cigar presents with a nearly flawless blond wrapper that has nearly invisible vein structure. The wrapper is flawlessly applied and the construction seems supple and well directed. The pre light aroma is of sweet bread and molasses. The pre light draw shows hints of pepper and a woody sweetness.
The cigar opens with a surprising burst of pepper. At the back of the palate there is a wonderful sweetness that cancels some of the early pepper flavors. The draw is smooth and produces booming clouds of smoke. The burn is slow and even, creating a solid medium gray ash.
The first third of the cigar continues to show notes of pepper and a woody sweetness. At the back of the palate there are notes of bread and molasses that create an excellent smoking experience. The draw continues to be above average and the burn is sharp and impressive.
The middle third shows some mellowing of the peppery notes and an increase in woody sweetness. At the back of the palate there is still a bready note that is very pleasing. The draw continues to produce ample smoke and the burn causes no issues.
The final third of the cigar shows a return of significant pepper notes. There also some notes of sweet wood, bread and molasses. I am surprised by the strength and character of this cigar as Connecticut wrapped smokes usually show a more mild strength profile. The draw continues to be excellent and the burn has not given a moment of pause,
The finish is long and smooth and shows notes of wood, bread and some lingering peppery spice.
Appearance- 93 a beautiful cigar
Taste- 92 a surprisingly complex and deep profile
Construction- 95 an excellent performance
Strength- 89 a fabulous medium that could have shown more power for more enjoyment
Overall- 92.75 a very interesting, and excellent,medium bodied smoking experience
The cigar opens with a surprising burst of pepper. At the back of the palate there is a wonderful sweetness that cancels some of the early pepper flavors. The draw is smooth and produces booming clouds of smoke. The burn is slow and even, creating a solid medium gray ash.
The first third of the cigar continues to show notes of pepper and a woody sweetness. At the back of the palate there are notes of bread and molasses that create an excellent smoking experience. The draw continues to be above average and the burn is sharp and impressive.
The middle third shows some mellowing of the peppery notes and an increase in woody sweetness. At the back of the palate there is still a bready note that is very pleasing. The draw continues to produce ample smoke and the burn causes no issues.
The final third of the cigar shows a return of significant pepper notes. There also some notes of sweet wood, bread and molasses. I am surprised by the strength and character of this cigar as Connecticut wrapped smokes usually show a more mild strength profile. The draw continues to be excellent and the burn has not given a moment of pause,
The finish is long and smooth and shows notes of wood, bread and some lingering peppery spice.
Appearance- 93 a beautiful cigar
Taste- 92 a surprisingly complex and deep profile
Construction- 95 an excellent performance
Strength- 89 a fabulous medium that could have shown more power for more enjoyment
Overall- 92.75 a very interesting, and excellent,medium bodied smoking experience
Bolivar Royal Corona (Box Date July 2007)
This was the cigar I smoked as the new year was ushered in. It presents beautifully with a deep brown wrapper that has a leathery look and feel. It seems to be constructed a bit on the tight side, but the wrapper is beautiful, with little veining. The pre light aroma is of leather and earth. The pre light draw is tight, but has notes of leather and rich tobacco.
The cigar opens with a profile of leather and rich tobacco. The strength is somewhat unexpected as this cigar opens with big power. The draw is too tight, but the labor is not unduly intensive at this point. The burn is lopsided and uneven and I attribute that to the tension in the construction and draw.
The first half of this cigar continues to show strength that is above what I expect. The profile is a satisfying mix of leather and earth. There is some light spice at the back of the palate that compliments the main body of the profile and adds to the depth and complexity of the smoke. The draw stays tight, and there is some labor involved in producing acceptable amounts of smoke. The burn continues to be lopsided, but it has not begun to run or unravel.
The final half shows a profile of tobacco, leather and spice. There is a woody sweetness at the back of the palate that helps mellow some of the strength in the smoke. There is still some bitterness in the final half, suggesting that more aging is necessary. The draw stays thin and causes heat in the final quarter that detracts from the enjoyment. The burn is still off, but there is no need for a touch up or other maintenance.
The finish is bitter, but shows a nice leather closing note.
Appearance- 91 a very attractive cigar
Taste- 88 some bitterness detracts from an otherwise excellent taste experience
Construction- 82 too many issues to give a score any higher
Strength- 85 unexpectedly strong taking away from the profile
Overall- 86 a slightly above average experience that could be better with more age
The cigar opens with a profile of leather and rich tobacco. The strength is somewhat unexpected as this cigar opens with big power. The draw is too tight, but the labor is not unduly intensive at this point. The burn is lopsided and uneven and I attribute that to the tension in the construction and draw.
The first half of this cigar continues to show strength that is above what I expect. The profile is a satisfying mix of leather and earth. There is some light spice at the back of the palate that compliments the main body of the profile and adds to the depth and complexity of the smoke. The draw stays tight, and there is some labor involved in producing acceptable amounts of smoke. The burn continues to be lopsided, but it has not begun to run or unravel.
The final half shows a profile of tobacco, leather and spice. There is a woody sweetness at the back of the palate that helps mellow some of the strength in the smoke. There is still some bitterness in the final half, suggesting that more aging is necessary. The draw stays thin and causes heat in the final quarter that detracts from the enjoyment. The burn is still off, but there is no need for a touch up or other maintenance.
The finish is bitter, but shows a nice leather closing note.
Appearance- 91 a very attractive cigar
Taste- 88 some bitterness detracts from an otherwise excellent taste experience
Construction- 82 too many issues to give a score any higher
Strength- 85 unexpectedly strong taking away from the profile
Overall- 86 a slightly above average experience that could be better with more age
Top 10 Cigars of 2009
These are the top ten cigars of 2009 as smoked by The Cigar Czar!
10. Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles 93
9. Partagas Lusitania 93.25
8. Tatuaje Reserva SW 93.5
7. Don Pepin Garcia Black Corona 93.75
6. Mi Barrio El Acere 94.25
5. Illusione Epernay 94.5
4. Paratagas Culebras 94.75
3. Ernesto Perez Carillo Inaugural 2009 95.25
2. 1998 Partagas Lonsdale 95.75
1. Padilla Miami 8&11 Torpedo 96
10. Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles 93
9. Partagas Lusitania 93.25
8. Tatuaje Reserva SW 93.5
7. Don Pepin Garcia Black Corona 93.75
6. Mi Barrio El Acere 94.25
5. Illusione Epernay 94.5
4. Paratagas Culebras 94.75
3. Ernesto Perez Carillo Inaugural 2009 95.25
2. 1998 Partagas Lonsdale 95.75
1. Padilla Miami 8&11 Torpedo 96
Happy New Year....and other notes!
Hello readers! I am not sure how many of you there are, but I wanted to take the time to wish everyone a Happy New Year. This will be the first full year for The Cigar Czar and I am excited to continue to review cigars, good and bad, in the coming months.
There will be some changes to the scoring system that I use to take into account taste and construction as the most important components of the cigar experience. From now on taste and construction scores will be given extra weight in consideration so an inferior cigar can't be saved by appearance or strength. Those scores will be given double weight when considered against the overall score. This should provide for even more accurate scores.
Long ashes and well wishes my fellow brothers and sisters of the leaf!
The Czar
There will be some changes to the scoring system that I use to take into account taste and construction as the most important components of the cigar experience. From now on taste and construction scores will be given extra weight in consideration so an inferior cigar can't be saved by appearance or strength. Those scores will be given double weight when considered against the overall score. This should provide for even more accurate scores.
Long ashes and well wishes my fellow brothers and sisters of the leaf!
The Czar
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)