I know what some of you are thinking when you read the name of the cigar being reviewed here. WTF! Has the Czar gone mad? This cigar is neither new, nor is it a boutique. I know you are all used to the reviews from me covering new cigars, mostly from boutique manufacturers, and the mostly unheard of or untried smokes of the present day. Well folks, I have decided to take a little detour through some of my aging drawers for this one.
A little story. Some years ago, about 8 years ago to be exact, I bought a box of these and smoked smoked some as the powerhouse in my then mundane lineup. See, smokers back then just did not have the selection that we have today. I smoked many La Gloria's, Hoyos, Punch etc... It was just very hard to populate a cigar lineup back then. The Partagas Black became my powerhouse bomb for after a big meal, or with a strong drink or as a closer to my cigar day. Somewhere along the line I just kind of grew out of these cigars and the few I had remaining got shuffled into the aging bins of humi's for years and years. My brother was in town for the holidays and he was feeling frisky cigar wise and said to me I want something strong! I pawed about the humidor for a bit and came away with two of these cigars which I remembered as being very powerful in their day. I was skeptical about how they may have aged and whether or not they would still have any character or punch, but I decided to give them a whirl with my bro.
The cigar itself is less oily than I remember, it still has a nice sheen to it, but it is definitely looking less aggressive than it used to. There are some prominent veins in the nearly black wrapper on this specimen, but I don't think they will be problematic. An examination reveals some tightness in the bunch, but I recall this attribute from most General products of the day and they still always seemed to smoke without issue back then, something that can't be said of General now. The pre light aroma is full of earth and licorice notes mixed with some nice cedar undertones. The pre light draw is showing some nice hints of cocoa, but there is a tarry quality here that is not pleasing.
The cigar opens with depth and complexity that is completely unexpected and nearly overwhelming. The profile shows a very nuanced, yet forceful array of flavors. There are some excellent notes of chocolate, coffee, earth, dark wood and licorice dancing across the palate in the early stages of this smoke and I am wondering if all the aging has actually paid off in what will be a remarkable smoke. If the early signs are any indication this could be an epic experience. At the back of the palate there is a peppery tone that is providing a nice complement to the early flavors. The draw is a little too tight for me, but I am not laboring in any overt way. The burn is a touch off, but I don't think a touch up will be required.
The first half of the cigar really declines rapidly, I knew the opening moments were probably too good to be true. The profile continues to show some coffee and dark wood notes, but the tarry flavors noted in the pre light are racing back into this picture like the drunken uncle at the family reunion that doesn't hear it is time for the family photo until last call and then the fully involved drunk run takes place across the yard with him ultimately knocking over grandma but saving his red plastic cup of beer. OK so maybe that is a little over the top but you get what I mean, this is a flavor that, like the uncle, no one wants to experience. At the back of the palate the peppery flavors become more sharp and there is a metallic undertone creeping in here that will derail the experience if it continues. The draw is opening up just at the time I wish it would close down completely. The burn is evening out here and I am thinking there will be no further issues.
The final half of the cigar is really a disaster. The profile just becomes a mess of tar like flavors with some wisps of charred wood in the front. The back part of the profile degrades further into a sour earthy presentation that has some metallic character that is becoming more and more pronounced, blessedly the cigar is nearly done. The draw is still OK and the burn stays strong throughout.
The finish was acrid, tar like and charred.
The opening moments showed so much promise, it is really too bad that this happened to these cigars which I remember really enjoying at one time.
Appearance- 88 bold and aggressive looking
Taste- 77 some really poor moments in the end take away all the positives from the beginning
Construction- 86 some early draw tightness and burn issues take away from this score
Strength- 80 still full and very strong, but not in a good way
Overall- 82.25 a very sub par experience, proving that nostalgic remembrances should remain safely locked away for ever
Friday, December 30, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Alec Bradley Black Market Robusto (5.25x52)
There is something clandestine in the imagery of a cigar with a moniker that has the words "black market" attached to it. I think about buying something forbidden, something difficult to find in this country, something of such value and taboo that people will guffaw in shock when it is presented. Oddly, I found this cigar just sitting out in the open for all to see, and purchase, as if no one cared or knew that it was supposed to be verboten. I stole some uneasy glances as I looked it over, no one seemed to be paying any attention. I perused some other areas of the store to see if I had attracted any attention while perusing the forbidden area, no one was watching. I watched with anticipation as a suited man entered the store, he had dark shades and a dark suit, he smelled like a fed. Turns out he had just come from some work Christmas party. Still tentative I made some other selections and hid the object of the investigation from view. The cashier of course saw it and said loudly, " Ahh the Black Market!". I shrunk back out of the light sure that my foray was over, no shackles, no awkward questions, just pay and leave. This journey had only just begun and I was exhausted.
The cigar presents with a paper wrapper, further establishing an image of something not to be seen in daylight. I decloak it and take it in. The wrapper is nice, it has some prominent veins, but it has a nice dark brown sheen to it. The construction seems a little too tight to me, but I can't find any areas that are too firm or that cause me any concern. The pre light aroma is full of tea notes. The pre light draw is thin and I am concerned about it being too tight, but it has a nice flavor of dark wood and perhaps some raisin.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all tea. Not a sweet or aromatic tea, but a dark and nearly bitter tea flavor. It is one dimensional and the flavor is not particularly deep, I am struggling to find something else here. At the back of the palate there are some hints of dark wood and some tobacco flavors, but the overall impression is rather thin. The draw is too tight at this point and there is some labor involved in getting a nice amount of smoke. The burn is solid at this point and I don't see any reason why it won't stay this way.
The first half of the cigar shows some regression. The profile is muddled, there are bitter tea flavors and some odd salty meat notes. This is not a pleasing combination and the saltiness is very off putting for some reason, I have experienced briny cigars before and they have never rocked my world, but I never found them repugnant as I do here. At the back of the palate there are still some wood notes, but they are becoming more sharp and cedar like as the cigar progresses further. This would not necessarily be a bad thing if it complemented the front of the profile, but it does not. The draw is opening up as I go along which is nice. The burn is still solid at this point.
The final half of the cigar is not much better than the rest of it. The main profile continues to show a bitter tea flavor, the salty flavors have moved on which is nice, but the profile is still lagging. At the back of the palate some pepper notes are coming through which is a nice switch, but the wood notes are fading and that takes away some much needed depth. The draw is fine by the end of the smoke and the burn stays solid throughout.
In the end the only thing that should be forbidden is smoking this cigar. The finish was short and filled with bitter tea flavors.
Appearance- 87 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 81 just very thin and one dimensional
Construction- 83 early draw issues take away some points here
Strength- 85 a very middling medium
Overall- 83.25 a sub par effort
The cigar presents with a paper wrapper, further establishing an image of something not to be seen in daylight. I decloak it and take it in. The wrapper is nice, it has some prominent veins, but it has a nice dark brown sheen to it. The construction seems a little too tight to me, but I can't find any areas that are too firm or that cause me any concern. The pre light aroma is full of tea notes. The pre light draw is thin and I am concerned about it being too tight, but it has a nice flavor of dark wood and perhaps some raisin.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all tea. Not a sweet or aromatic tea, but a dark and nearly bitter tea flavor. It is one dimensional and the flavor is not particularly deep, I am struggling to find something else here. At the back of the palate there are some hints of dark wood and some tobacco flavors, but the overall impression is rather thin. The draw is too tight at this point and there is some labor involved in getting a nice amount of smoke. The burn is solid at this point and I don't see any reason why it won't stay this way.
The first half of the cigar shows some regression. The profile is muddled, there are bitter tea flavors and some odd salty meat notes. This is not a pleasing combination and the saltiness is very off putting for some reason, I have experienced briny cigars before and they have never rocked my world, but I never found them repugnant as I do here. At the back of the palate there are still some wood notes, but they are becoming more sharp and cedar like as the cigar progresses further. This would not necessarily be a bad thing if it complemented the front of the profile, but it does not. The draw is opening up as I go along which is nice. The burn is still solid at this point.
The final half of the cigar is not much better than the rest of it. The main profile continues to show a bitter tea flavor, the salty flavors have moved on which is nice, but the profile is still lagging. At the back of the palate some pepper notes are coming through which is a nice switch, but the wood notes are fading and that takes away some much needed depth. The draw is fine by the end of the smoke and the burn stays solid throughout.
In the end the only thing that should be forbidden is smoking this cigar. The finish was short and filled with bitter tea flavors.
Appearance- 87 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 81 just very thin and one dimensional
Construction- 83 early draw issues take away some points here
Strength- 85 a very middling medium
Overall- 83.25 a sub par effort
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Curivari Reserva Limitada Cafe 52 (6x52)
This is the final blend of the Curivari line that I will review for now, not because I am tired of them, but because I have reviewed all that are available right now. Curivari is by far my runaway winner of boutique of the year. Who knew that when I stumbled on these about four months ago I would be finding some of the best new cigars in recent years? I certainly didn't know and it proves my long standing theory that a true cigar smoker should smoke everything, you might be missing some real gems.
This cigar is very similar to the other Curivari offerings. The wrapper is beautiful and applied expertly, there are some veins, but they will not be an issue. Sadly there is a little split a the foot, I am hoping it does not open up when flame is applied, these are the perils of cigar smoking sometimes. My examination reveals one area of concern in the middle of the smoke, there is a slight hard spot here and I worried about burn issues when I get to this area. As the name suggests the pre light aroma is full of coffee and chocolate notes. The pre light draw is thin, but shows some nice tobacco and coffee essence.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all coffee and light cocoa notes, this is an excellent opening to a cigar and I can't recall ever experiencing this type of flavor so early in a cigar in such a profound way. At the back of the palate there is a very satisfying base of wood and tobacco that builds a fine foundation for the cigar. I would like some more balance in the flavors, the wood can overwhelm the subtleties of the coffee flavors in spots. The draw is too loose for me at this point, and there is actually some effort involved in getting a mouthful of smoke. Upon reflection I realize that this could be because of the split in the foot allowing too much air in the opening moments. The burn is solid despite the split that I noted in the examination.
The first half of the cigar loses some zip. The profile becomes somewhat lackluster as the flavors become more shallow and less complex. There are some coffee flavors present, but there is not enough here to make any real impressions. At the back of the palate the wood has taken on a definite cedar tone and the tobacco flavor from earlier has faded into the darkness. The draw has become more acceptable at this point. The burn has begun to deteriorate as I approach the hard spot I noted earlier and I fear that my concerns may have been well founded.
The final half of the cigar is plagued with burn issues, I don't retouch the cigar, but I certainly could have many times over. I choose instead to allow it to even out on it's own, and it eventually does, but I lose about a third of the non-combusted wrapper in the process. The profile has actually become a very nice array of chocolate and tea flavors, the balance of the tea with the chocolate is a nice change of pace. The back of the palate has become a fully involved cedar explosion and it is on the borderline of becoming too sharp. The burn is just a mess, but it does even out with about an inch left in the smoke. The draw is fine through to the end.
The finish was full of cedar that became too sharp in the closing moments. This was the most disappointing of the Curivari line for me.
Appearance- 88 a nice smoke to look at
Taste- 87 some middle inconsistencies hurt the score
Construction- 78 the burn disaster in the last half with the loose draw in the front half killed this cigar
Strength- 85 a nice medium, but I would have liked more punch
Overall- 83.75 very disappointing
This cigar is very similar to the other Curivari offerings. The wrapper is beautiful and applied expertly, there are some veins, but they will not be an issue. Sadly there is a little split a the foot, I am hoping it does not open up when flame is applied, these are the perils of cigar smoking sometimes. My examination reveals one area of concern in the middle of the smoke, there is a slight hard spot here and I worried about burn issues when I get to this area. As the name suggests the pre light aroma is full of coffee and chocolate notes. The pre light draw is thin, but shows some nice tobacco and coffee essence.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all coffee and light cocoa notes, this is an excellent opening to a cigar and I can't recall ever experiencing this type of flavor so early in a cigar in such a profound way. At the back of the palate there is a very satisfying base of wood and tobacco that builds a fine foundation for the cigar. I would like some more balance in the flavors, the wood can overwhelm the subtleties of the coffee flavors in spots. The draw is too loose for me at this point, and there is actually some effort involved in getting a mouthful of smoke. Upon reflection I realize that this could be because of the split in the foot allowing too much air in the opening moments. The burn is solid despite the split that I noted in the examination.
The first half of the cigar loses some zip. The profile becomes somewhat lackluster as the flavors become more shallow and less complex. There are some coffee flavors present, but there is not enough here to make any real impressions. At the back of the palate the wood has taken on a definite cedar tone and the tobacco flavor from earlier has faded into the darkness. The draw has become more acceptable at this point. The burn has begun to deteriorate as I approach the hard spot I noted earlier and I fear that my concerns may have been well founded.
The final half of the cigar is plagued with burn issues, I don't retouch the cigar, but I certainly could have many times over. I choose instead to allow it to even out on it's own, and it eventually does, but I lose about a third of the non-combusted wrapper in the process. The profile has actually become a very nice array of chocolate and tea flavors, the balance of the tea with the chocolate is a nice change of pace. The back of the palate has become a fully involved cedar explosion and it is on the borderline of becoming too sharp. The burn is just a mess, but it does even out with about an inch left in the smoke. The draw is fine through to the end.
The finish was full of cedar that became too sharp in the closing moments. This was the most disappointing of the Curivari line for me.
Appearance- 88 a nice smoke to look at
Taste- 87 some middle inconsistencies hurt the score
Construction- 78 the burn disaster in the last half with the loose draw in the front half killed this cigar
Strength- 85 a nice medium, but I would have liked more punch
Overall- 83.75 very disappointing
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Viaje Fifty Fifty Black Label No.2 (6x50)
My tour of the much hyped Viaje line of cigars continues with this offering. To be perfectly frank, with the first couple of tries of this brand I have been decidedly confused about all the hullabaloo surrounding this frontmark. The cigars have been abundantly average and I have had some noted construction issues with the ones that I have smoked thus far. Always the cigar optimist (laughter not necessary), I trudge onward in search of the perfect cigar.
This one presents fairly well in a workman like fashion. The wrapper is robust looking and shows some nice amounts of tooth. The roll is finished with a pigtail cap, pigtails always seem to show some whimsical flair for me and I like the looks of them (on cigars, not necessarily women). An examination of the smoke leads to me to believe that I will not experience the issues I have found in some of the smokes from this line. The pre light aroma is spicy with some hints of bread and wheat. The pre light draw is really plain, showing some cardboard qualities and it makes the mouth a bit dry.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all wheat with some odd cereal or oatmeal qualities that are unexpected and not necessarily pleasant or welcome. At the back of the palate there is a floral sweetness that is paired with a wisp of cedar flavor that is coming off a touch charred. The burn is excellent to this point. The draw is a dream and I am relieved because of my prior experiences that have been trying to say the least.
The first half of the smoke really lacks depth, character and complexity. The profile is papery and sour, there may be some wheaty type flavors in the background, but they are not readily evident. The back of the palate still contains some floral flavors, but there is a metallic flavor here that is starting to taste like a mouthful of nickels. This really isn't all that great at this point and I am disappointed. The burn stays solid but I am seeing the formation of a small canoe and I am becoming concerned about what that will mean for the final half of the smoke. The draw stays solid to this point.
The final half of the cigar begins to warm up a little bit. The main profile begins to show some cinnamon flavors and some nice notes of wood, but it really lacks depth and that is what I am always looking for. Don't just talk to me about flavor, I want to know how deep the flavor is and whether it has balance and some nuance, this is still falling short. At the back of the palate there are still some metallic notes running through the experience, but they have faded and a more sharp cedar presentation is coming through. The burn is coming apart, the canoe extends for nearly an inch at this point and I am waiting to see what will happen (it eventually reverts back to normal around the canoe and I have to tap a burned out canoe husk into the tray). The draw stays solid to the end.
The finish was mediocre and showed some cedar flavor that was sharp.
All in all I continue to be unimpressed with these offerings.
Appearance- 87 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 81 no depth or complexity with metallic elements
Construction- 85 the burn issue was distracting, but the draw was solid
Strength- 85 a solid medium that did not add or subtract from the experience
Overall- 84 a below average smoke that has me wondering what all the hype has been about
This one presents fairly well in a workman like fashion. The wrapper is robust looking and shows some nice amounts of tooth. The roll is finished with a pigtail cap, pigtails always seem to show some whimsical flair for me and I like the looks of them (on cigars, not necessarily women). An examination of the smoke leads to me to believe that I will not experience the issues I have found in some of the smokes from this line. The pre light aroma is spicy with some hints of bread and wheat. The pre light draw is really plain, showing some cardboard qualities and it makes the mouth a bit dry.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all wheat with some odd cereal or oatmeal qualities that are unexpected and not necessarily pleasant or welcome. At the back of the palate there is a floral sweetness that is paired with a wisp of cedar flavor that is coming off a touch charred. The burn is excellent to this point. The draw is a dream and I am relieved because of my prior experiences that have been trying to say the least.
The first half of the smoke really lacks depth, character and complexity. The profile is papery and sour, there may be some wheaty type flavors in the background, but they are not readily evident. The back of the palate still contains some floral flavors, but there is a metallic flavor here that is starting to taste like a mouthful of nickels. This really isn't all that great at this point and I am disappointed. The burn stays solid but I am seeing the formation of a small canoe and I am becoming concerned about what that will mean for the final half of the smoke. The draw stays solid to this point.
The final half of the cigar begins to warm up a little bit. The main profile begins to show some cinnamon flavors and some nice notes of wood, but it really lacks depth and that is what I am always looking for. Don't just talk to me about flavor, I want to know how deep the flavor is and whether it has balance and some nuance, this is still falling short. At the back of the palate there are still some metallic notes running through the experience, but they have faded and a more sharp cedar presentation is coming through. The burn is coming apart, the canoe extends for nearly an inch at this point and I am waiting to see what will happen (it eventually reverts back to normal around the canoe and I have to tap a burned out canoe husk into the tray). The draw stays solid to the end.
The finish was mediocre and showed some cedar flavor that was sharp.
All in all I continue to be unimpressed with these offerings.
Appearance- 87 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 81 no depth or complexity with metallic elements
Construction- 85 the burn issue was distracting, but the draw was solid
Strength- 85 a solid medium that did not add or subtract from the experience
Overall- 84 a below average smoke that has me wondering what all the hype has been about
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Avo Heritage Robusto (4.875x50)
Aside from some of the Avo LE's that have been around in prior years, I have never been a real fan of this line of smokes. They have always just seemed too overpriced and too underdeveloped for me to think of any of them as more than average. As is usually the case with cigar lines that I have no positive feelings for someone recommended this cigar to me and I reluctantly agreed to give it whirl, after all it only takes an hour or so to smoke a robusto, I had an hour and being a glutton for cigar punishment I settled in with low expectations.
The cigar itself is typical of most Avo's I have seen. It is beautiful. Well constructed, flawless wrapper, distinct color, nice firm structure and I wish all cigars were made this way. I have always found the visuals of Avo to be nothing short of stunning. Even the band work has a simple elegance. The pre light aroma is all oak and spice. The pre light draw is all oak as well.
The cigar opens with a profile that is obvious, you guessed it, wood! With all the oaken essence in the inspection I would expect nothing more. This is one of the woodiest profiles I have ever experienced, I am getting the suspicion that if other were around they would be calling for the helo drop of water because it would smell like a forest fire with all the burning wood essence I am getting. The flavor is pleasing, but one dimensional, and I would like some more complexity and depth here. At the back of the palate there is a touch of toasty tobacco flavor, but it is mostly of wood as well. The draw is solid, delivering nice amounts of smoke with each draw. I prefer it to be a but tighter, but that's just my subjective view. The burn is solid also, exactly what I would expect from a cigar that is well made as this one does.
The first half of the cigar continues to show strong flavors of wood. There are some fleeting toasty tobacco flavors and a touch of spice, but the wood is still center stage here. At the back of the palate there are some light hints of earth and touches of cinnamon, but wood maintains it's leading role here as well. There is some additional complexity and depth, but the balance is still way off, there is just too much wood in this smoke at this point for me. The draw is opening some more and it becomes borderline for me as it gets looser. The burn is still very solid, but the ash is flaky.
The final half of the smoke continues to show mostly wood flavors, they have become more robust and a bit spicy, but it is still wood. The additional robustness of the woody flavors masks some other flavors that may be going on and I find that disappointing. At the back of the palate there is some light tobacco flavor and some more light cinnamon, but the woody flavor continues here as well. I am just wanting more from this smoke throughout. The draw stays acceptable, but it is too loose for me by the end. The burn was excellent throughout.
The finish was long and woody, almost hickory like.
This is one of the better Avo offerings I have smoked, and I could see doing it again if I wanted this particular flavor profile.
Appearance- 93 really enjoyable to look at
Taste- 85 very average for me and lacking in depth and complexity, but the wood flavor is a nice change of pace
Construction- 89 draw was too loose by the end, the burn was fine
Strength- 87 a nice medium, more strength may have helped the cause
Overall- 88 A solid score for cigar that did not offer much but one solid one dimensional flavor
The cigar itself is typical of most Avo's I have seen. It is beautiful. Well constructed, flawless wrapper, distinct color, nice firm structure and I wish all cigars were made this way. I have always found the visuals of Avo to be nothing short of stunning. Even the band work has a simple elegance. The pre light aroma is all oak and spice. The pre light draw is all oak as well.
The cigar opens with a profile that is obvious, you guessed it, wood! With all the oaken essence in the inspection I would expect nothing more. This is one of the woodiest profiles I have ever experienced, I am getting the suspicion that if other were around they would be calling for the helo drop of water because it would smell like a forest fire with all the burning wood essence I am getting. The flavor is pleasing, but one dimensional, and I would like some more complexity and depth here. At the back of the palate there is a touch of toasty tobacco flavor, but it is mostly of wood as well. The draw is solid, delivering nice amounts of smoke with each draw. I prefer it to be a but tighter, but that's just my subjective view. The burn is solid also, exactly what I would expect from a cigar that is well made as this one does.
The first half of the cigar continues to show strong flavors of wood. There are some fleeting toasty tobacco flavors and a touch of spice, but the wood is still center stage here. At the back of the palate there are some light hints of earth and touches of cinnamon, but wood maintains it's leading role here as well. There is some additional complexity and depth, but the balance is still way off, there is just too much wood in this smoke at this point for me. The draw is opening some more and it becomes borderline for me as it gets looser. The burn is still very solid, but the ash is flaky.
The final half of the smoke continues to show mostly wood flavors, they have become more robust and a bit spicy, but it is still wood. The additional robustness of the woody flavors masks some other flavors that may be going on and I find that disappointing. At the back of the palate there is some light tobacco flavor and some more light cinnamon, but the woody flavor continues here as well. I am just wanting more from this smoke throughout. The draw stays acceptable, but it is too loose for me by the end. The burn was excellent throughout.
The finish was long and woody, almost hickory like.
This is one of the better Avo offerings I have smoked, and I could see doing it again if I wanted this particular flavor profile.
Appearance- 93 really enjoyable to look at
Taste- 85 very average for me and lacking in depth and complexity, but the wood flavor is a nice change of pace
Construction- 89 draw was too loose by the end, the burn was fine
Strength- 87 a nice medium, more strength may have helped the cause
Overall- 88 A solid score for cigar that did not offer much but one solid one dimensional flavor
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Ernesto Perez Carrillo Edicion Limitada 2011 Dark Rituals (6.5x56)
With the exception of the New Wave Connecticut, recent cigars from the E.P.C. family have largely been home runs. I have really enjoyed their offerings from recent vintages, so much so, that two of the family cigars appear in the top 10 cigars I have ever reviewed on this blog. When I heard about this particular smoke I was of course jacked up to give one a smoke. It was some time before I came across some, but when I did I grabbed several at first opportunity. A quick warning, these babies are pricey at $15 per smoke, but I was not deterred and took the limit at the shop I was in.
The cigar itself is too large for me, a 56 ring gauge is just out of bounds in my mind, way too big and usually not very complex, not to mention the frequent construction problems I have in large ring vitolas. Setting my distaste for the size aside, I am ready to evaluate the cigar. It is classically Carrillo. The cigar is not flashy, but has an elegant charm. The band work is simple, allowing the cigar to speak for itself. The construction feels pretty solid, I can't detect any soft spots or plugs. The wrapper is beautiful, nearly ebony in color and containing few veins, this is a wrapper that has the palate dripping with anticipation. The pre light aroma is of dried cherry, coffee and earth. The pre light draw is full of earth and wood tones with an underlay of pepper.
The opening of this cigar is an absolute opus. The core profile is full of dark fruit, pepper, wood and coffee flavors and they are deep and full of character and balance. Complexity of this nature is not often found in a cigar, much less this early in a smoke, because makers often shoot their wad late in a smoking experience, rather than in the first moments. It is risky, particularly in a cigar this big, to show so much early because deterioration of the experience becomes a real problem. At the back of the palate complementary flavors are wood and earth with some light clove like spice. The mix is a captivating melange of flavors with the front of the palate and I am looking forward to more of the same and curious to see what will happen at the same time. The draw is too loose, but big ring cigars are often too loose for me as I think the bunch is just stretched too thin. The burn is a touch off, but it is negligible so far in the experience.
The first half of the cigar shows some really nice transitions into a more straightforward cigar experience. Some might like an eclectic smoke with many transititons and flavors, I'm not one of those people. What I do like is a smoke that knows what it is, does not try be something else and delivers solidly throughout. The core profile here has become all pepper and wood, I am finding some fleeting notes of coffee and some light wisps of nuts here as well. At the back of the palate earth and spice have taken over as the real glue that holds the profile together. The draw stays too loose, but I am realizing it won't really matter because the size precludes any real heat from rolling in.
The final half of the cigar picks up the strength game in spades. There is a definitive shift to a core of pepper and spice that coats the palate in intense flavor. As this ramps up there is not a loss of nuance or complexity, in fact it is quite the opposite as I feel additional strength is adding another layer of depth to the experience. At the back of the palate a toasty wood note takes center stage with a nice earthy underlay. The draw is the same to the finish, too loose for me. The burn is solid to the end.
The finish was long and full of dry fruit, wood and pepper flavors.
The many well balanced dimensions of this cigar make for an exceptional smoking experience, I only wish it was blended in some thinner vitolas.
Appearance- 89 I just can't give huge cigars a great appearance score
Taste- 93 well balanced, with multiple dimensions make for a fabulous smoking experience
Construction- 91 aside from a draw that was too loose this was excellent
Strength- 97 one of the more nuanced and balanced full flavored cigars I have ever smoked, magnificent
Overall- 92.25 a very, very good smoking experience and I believe it is worth every penny
The cigar itself is too large for me, a 56 ring gauge is just out of bounds in my mind, way too big and usually not very complex, not to mention the frequent construction problems I have in large ring vitolas. Setting my distaste for the size aside, I am ready to evaluate the cigar. It is classically Carrillo. The cigar is not flashy, but has an elegant charm. The band work is simple, allowing the cigar to speak for itself. The construction feels pretty solid, I can't detect any soft spots or plugs. The wrapper is beautiful, nearly ebony in color and containing few veins, this is a wrapper that has the palate dripping with anticipation. The pre light aroma is of dried cherry, coffee and earth. The pre light draw is full of earth and wood tones with an underlay of pepper.
The opening of this cigar is an absolute opus. The core profile is full of dark fruit, pepper, wood and coffee flavors and they are deep and full of character and balance. Complexity of this nature is not often found in a cigar, much less this early in a smoke, because makers often shoot their wad late in a smoking experience, rather than in the first moments. It is risky, particularly in a cigar this big, to show so much early because deterioration of the experience becomes a real problem. At the back of the palate complementary flavors are wood and earth with some light clove like spice. The mix is a captivating melange of flavors with the front of the palate and I am looking forward to more of the same and curious to see what will happen at the same time. The draw is too loose, but big ring cigars are often too loose for me as I think the bunch is just stretched too thin. The burn is a touch off, but it is negligible so far in the experience.
The first half of the cigar shows some really nice transitions into a more straightforward cigar experience. Some might like an eclectic smoke with many transititons and flavors, I'm not one of those people. What I do like is a smoke that knows what it is, does not try be something else and delivers solidly throughout. The core profile here has become all pepper and wood, I am finding some fleeting notes of coffee and some light wisps of nuts here as well. At the back of the palate earth and spice have taken over as the real glue that holds the profile together. The draw stays too loose, but I am realizing it won't really matter because the size precludes any real heat from rolling in.
The final half of the cigar picks up the strength game in spades. There is a definitive shift to a core of pepper and spice that coats the palate in intense flavor. As this ramps up there is not a loss of nuance or complexity, in fact it is quite the opposite as I feel additional strength is adding another layer of depth to the experience. At the back of the palate a toasty wood note takes center stage with a nice earthy underlay. The draw is the same to the finish, too loose for me. The burn is solid to the end.
The finish was long and full of dry fruit, wood and pepper flavors.
The many well balanced dimensions of this cigar make for an exceptional smoking experience, I only wish it was blended in some thinner vitolas.
Appearance- 89 I just can't give huge cigars a great appearance score
Taste- 93 well balanced, with multiple dimensions make for a fabulous smoking experience
Construction- 91 aside from a draw that was too loose this was excellent
Strength- 97 one of the more nuanced and balanced full flavored cigars I have ever smoked, magnificent
Overall- 92.25 a very, very good smoking experience and I believe it is worth every penny
Saturday, December 10, 2011
C and C Cigars Maduro Robusto (5x50)
I recently attended the one year anniversary of one of my favorite B&M's, and it was a splendid affair, nice people and a little food always makes for a great evening. Then I realized that the cigars being offered were from C and C and my trepidation meter went into overdrive. For those of you that don't know, these cigars are made by the guys of Cusano fame, my near seething dislike for Cusano cigars is well known to many. So in this instance I was certain that my evening would be ruined if I smoked one of these cigars, so much so that I did not smoke one at the event and instead waited until I had some time to smoke what I was sure would be an inferior product. I mean, I would rather have my pupils bored out with an old fashioned hand drill than have to smoke some of the Cusano offerings of yore. How much better could this new offering be? Well, let's take a look shall we?
The cigar is a nightmare to look at. The band work is simplistic and cheap and the cigar looks like it was rolled during a torrential rain and allowed to dry much like a raisin, the wrapper is wrinkly and mottled. An inspection of the cigar leads me to believe that it may be well made though, as I can find no areas of concern in the bunch. The pre light aroma is a trifle grassy, but there is a nice cocoa spray here as well. The pre light draw is a touch thin, but it has some floral and grassy essence that is interesting.
The cigar opens with a profile that has me rocked to my core, I don't hate it, as a matter of fact I am quite enjoying it. There are some very nice flavors of wood, tobacco and coffee in the opening notes and I am impressed with the depth and complexity in the opening moments of the cigar. This is not a Cusano, this is a C and C, and I am being spanked for my skepticism. At the back of the palate there is a grassy quality that has just enough floral earth to not be off putting. The draw is a little bit too thin for me, I prefer an effort that allows some more smoke. The burn is a bit wonky, but I don't think it will be a problem.
The first half of the cigar wanes some. The profile becomes a more mundane presentation of wood with some light brushes of pepper, but the character of the smoke is lacking and I would like some further development. At the back of the palate there are still some floral wisps, but the grassy flavors are taking over and reminding me more and more of an old Cusano, maybe I was right to begin with. The draw is still thin, but getting better as the cigar progresses. The burn has evened out nicely here.
The final half of the cigar oscillates between mediocre and good. The main profile becomes more peppery, but still maintains some nice wood flavors and perhaps some hints of coffee, but it could definitely be more complex and balanced here. At the back of the palate the grassy flavors give way to some more earthy character, but there is a bitter note here that has me bothered. The draw finally hits it's stride in the final third. The burn stays pretty solid to the end.
The finish is middling, but has some earthy tones that linger nicely.
This is not a Cusano and my early judgements were hasty, but this is by no means a home run either. I would classify this as a solid knock around cigar with little potential for much beyond an average experience.
Appearance- 81 dreadful, if you bought based on looks you would keep looking
Taste- 87 slightly above average here, but more depth and balance were needed
Construction- 86 some draw issues in the early stages preclude a higher score
Strength- 85 a very average medium
Overall- 85.75 slightly above average which is exactly what this was
The cigar is a nightmare to look at. The band work is simplistic and cheap and the cigar looks like it was rolled during a torrential rain and allowed to dry much like a raisin, the wrapper is wrinkly and mottled. An inspection of the cigar leads me to believe that it may be well made though, as I can find no areas of concern in the bunch. The pre light aroma is a trifle grassy, but there is a nice cocoa spray here as well. The pre light draw is a touch thin, but it has some floral and grassy essence that is interesting.
The cigar opens with a profile that has me rocked to my core, I don't hate it, as a matter of fact I am quite enjoying it. There are some very nice flavors of wood, tobacco and coffee in the opening notes and I am impressed with the depth and complexity in the opening moments of the cigar. This is not a Cusano, this is a C and C, and I am being spanked for my skepticism. At the back of the palate there is a grassy quality that has just enough floral earth to not be off putting. The draw is a little bit too thin for me, I prefer an effort that allows some more smoke. The burn is a bit wonky, but I don't think it will be a problem.
The first half of the cigar wanes some. The profile becomes a more mundane presentation of wood with some light brushes of pepper, but the character of the smoke is lacking and I would like some further development. At the back of the palate there are still some floral wisps, but the grassy flavors are taking over and reminding me more and more of an old Cusano, maybe I was right to begin with. The draw is still thin, but getting better as the cigar progresses. The burn has evened out nicely here.
The final half of the cigar oscillates between mediocre and good. The main profile becomes more peppery, but still maintains some nice wood flavors and perhaps some hints of coffee, but it could definitely be more complex and balanced here. At the back of the palate the grassy flavors give way to some more earthy character, but there is a bitter note here that has me bothered. The draw finally hits it's stride in the final third. The burn stays pretty solid to the end.
The finish is middling, but has some earthy tones that linger nicely.
This is not a Cusano and my early judgements were hasty, but this is by no means a home run either. I would classify this as a solid knock around cigar with little potential for much beyond an average experience.
Appearance- 81 dreadful, if you bought based on looks you would keep looking
Taste- 87 slightly above average here, but more depth and balance were needed
Construction- 86 some draw issues in the early stages preclude a higher score
Strength- 85 a very average medium
Overall- 85.75 slightly above average which is exactly what this was
Monday, December 5, 2011
Viaje Skull and Bones 2011 Short Torpedo (4.5x54)
I continue my tour of the Viaje blends with the 2011 edition of the Skull and Bones collection. It seems fitting that I put light to flame on this cigar while watching Tiger Woods play golf, a man whose career could be symbolized by a Skull and Bones in the last two years. Of course as I smoke Tiger is in contention for his first win in nearly two years.
The name of these smokes is supposed to evoke an image of strength and a full bodied experience. If I were to judge a book by it's cover I would say that it will be just that. The wrapper is nearly black and glistens with heavy oils, it has few veins and looks somewhat intimidating despite a diminutive size. As to the dimensions of this smoke, I am no fan of short fat smokes, but this one looks pretty interesting to me for some reason. An examination reveals few flaws, of course an examination of Tiger a few years ago would yield no flaws either. My point being you can't always believe what you see. The pre light aroma is decidedly of dark fruit. The pre light draw is full of nicotine with some pepper flavors.
The cigar opens much like Tiger's first decade on the tour, nearly flawless. The profile is redolent with splendid flavors of pepper, wood and coffee. There is a slight sweetness here as well that hints strongly of pomengranate and cherry. At the back of the palate there is a deep and hearty tone of earth with a nicotine kick that puts the palate on notice. The draw is excellent, providing ample smoke with very little effort. The burn is solid and a sharp and crisp white ash is forming.
The first half of the cigar continues to perform very well, much like Tiger always did. The profile settles into a more simple presentation of pepper and wood, the sweetness fades away here and removes some complexity but the balance remains. At the back of the palate the earth notes have a complement of spice that is most pleasing and there are some sprays of a sturdy nutty flavor that is providing some nice character. The draw stays strong, though I note some tightening towards the middle of the cigar. The burn is still very solid.
The final half of the cigar closely parallels the last couple years of Tiger's career, in that there is some serious slippage in the performance. The profile becomes more one dimensional as the pepper flavors begin to dominate the front part of the palate. At the back of the palate the earthy flavors remain, but all else has fled the experience. This one dimensional development really detracts from the experience in the closing moments. The draw continues to tighten, but it does not become occluded, thus it is still smokeable. The burn stays solid to the end of the smoke.
The finish is smooth, but still shows only pepper and earth. In the end Tiger won in an impressive way by finishing birdie, birdie. I'm not sure the cigar get anything better than a double bogey in the closing moments.
Appearance- 92 a very nice looking smoke
Taste- 87 some nice moments early, declining dimensions of character late in the smoke led to deductions
Construction- 88 a nice performance, but the tightening draw in the las half hurt the score
Strength- 87 a full offering, but it could have used some more power
Overall- 88.25 a well above average experience, that could have been so much more
The name of these smokes is supposed to evoke an image of strength and a full bodied experience. If I were to judge a book by it's cover I would say that it will be just that. The wrapper is nearly black and glistens with heavy oils, it has few veins and looks somewhat intimidating despite a diminutive size. As to the dimensions of this smoke, I am no fan of short fat smokes, but this one looks pretty interesting to me for some reason. An examination reveals few flaws, of course an examination of Tiger a few years ago would yield no flaws either. My point being you can't always believe what you see. The pre light aroma is decidedly of dark fruit. The pre light draw is full of nicotine with some pepper flavors.
The cigar opens much like Tiger's first decade on the tour, nearly flawless. The profile is redolent with splendid flavors of pepper, wood and coffee. There is a slight sweetness here as well that hints strongly of pomengranate and cherry. At the back of the palate there is a deep and hearty tone of earth with a nicotine kick that puts the palate on notice. The draw is excellent, providing ample smoke with very little effort. The burn is solid and a sharp and crisp white ash is forming.
The first half of the cigar continues to perform very well, much like Tiger always did. The profile settles into a more simple presentation of pepper and wood, the sweetness fades away here and removes some complexity but the balance remains. At the back of the palate the earth notes have a complement of spice that is most pleasing and there are some sprays of a sturdy nutty flavor that is providing some nice character. The draw stays strong, though I note some tightening towards the middle of the cigar. The burn is still very solid.
The final half of the cigar closely parallels the last couple years of Tiger's career, in that there is some serious slippage in the performance. The profile becomes more one dimensional as the pepper flavors begin to dominate the front part of the palate. At the back of the palate the earthy flavors remain, but all else has fled the experience. This one dimensional development really detracts from the experience in the closing moments. The draw continues to tighten, but it does not become occluded, thus it is still smokeable. The burn stays solid to the end of the smoke.
The finish is smooth, but still shows only pepper and earth. In the end Tiger won in an impressive way by finishing birdie, birdie. I'm not sure the cigar get anything better than a double bogey in the closing moments.
Appearance- 92 a very nice looking smoke
Taste- 87 some nice moments early, declining dimensions of character late in the smoke led to deductions
Construction- 88 a nice performance, but the tightening draw in the las half hurt the score
Strength- 87 a full offering, but it could have used some more power
Overall- 88.25 a well above average experience, that could have been so much more
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Viaje Platino Lancero (7.5x38)
After speaking with many other smokers about what is hot, and what is not, in the world of cigars I have heard about all sorts of brands. Of these mentioned brands Viaje seems to be the most often loved. Oddly, of the brands that have been mentioned it is also the most often maligned. How is it that a cigar becomes so polarizing amongst so many smokers? I have recently purchased just about every blend they make and I will be putting them to the rigid testing processes of the Czar and we will see how they stack up. Further, I will be looking for answers about the enigmatic nature of the cigars and the feedback that I have been getting.
This cigar already scores points with me because it comes in a lancero vitola, one of my favorite sizes. The cigar is touch rough looking and it really has no visual charm. The band work is drab and the band at the foot is applied too tightly and I have to remove it carefully because it will not slide off. Is there anything worse than nicking a wrapper because some nit wit put the foot band on too tight? The cigar is way underpacked, I can feel it when I roll it through my fingers. This is a bad sign because lanceros can be very temperamental if not made correctly. I am nervous about this smoke from the get go. The pre light aroma is full of spice and wood notes. The pre light draw is decidedly robust and woody.
The cigar opens with a profile that is pleasing, but somewhat thin in presentation of flavors. There are some nice notes of dark wood, light spice and some dark fruit, but they are all shallow and teasing rather than satisfying. At the back of the palate there are some really nice flavors of cocoa and tobacco, this really saves the first part of the smoke. The draw is far, far too loose, this is most likely the result of the loose construction that I noted in the pre light inspection. The burn is all over the place and runners and voids are everywhere in the opening moments.
The first half of the smoke moves very quickly, the combustion rate is far too high for a cigar of this size, and I again fault the loose bunch of the cigar. This leads to a hot burn as well, so I really slow it down to avoid the accumulating heat in the smoke. The flavor is nice, and some more depth and complexity is seeping into the offering. The profile shows some very nice wood and pepper notes that are robust and enticing. At the back of the palate there are some excellent flavors of earth and tobacco that are showing through. The issue continues to be the construction. The draw is too loose and the burn is a mess however, I have not had to re light to this point.
The final half of the smoke continues to be hindered by poor construction. The profile continues to show notes of wood and pepper and there is a light creamy aftertaste through the nose that is vanilla like. At the back of the palate a crisp tobacco flavor takes center stage and delivers a solid, if not spectacular, base of flavor. The draw continues to be inferior and the burn is a complete disaster by this point.
The finish was a touch harsh (I attribute this to the quick burn), but there were some wood and tobacco flavors.
Appearance- 87 not winning any looks contests
Taste- 88 the early issues hinder the smoke, but it was above average
Construction- 74 very, very poor and it led to a cigar that could have easily been unsmokable
Strength- 85 a solid medium
Overall- 82.75 killed by poor construction
This cigar already scores points with me because it comes in a lancero vitola, one of my favorite sizes. The cigar is touch rough looking and it really has no visual charm. The band work is drab and the band at the foot is applied too tightly and I have to remove it carefully because it will not slide off. Is there anything worse than nicking a wrapper because some nit wit put the foot band on too tight? The cigar is way underpacked, I can feel it when I roll it through my fingers. This is a bad sign because lanceros can be very temperamental if not made correctly. I am nervous about this smoke from the get go. The pre light aroma is full of spice and wood notes. The pre light draw is decidedly robust and woody.
The cigar opens with a profile that is pleasing, but somewhat thin in presentation of flavors. There are some nice notes of dark wood, light spice and some dark fruit, but they are all shallow and teasing rather than satisfying. At the back of the palate there are some really nice flavors of cocoa and tobacco, this really saves the first part of the smoke. The draw is far, far too loose, this is most likely the result of the loose construction that I noted in the pre light inspection. The burn is all over the place and runners and voids are everywhere in the opening moments.
The first half of the smoke moves very quickly, the combustion rate is far too high for a cigar of this size, and I again fault the loose bunch of the cigar. This leads to a hot burn as well, so I really slow it down to avoid the accumulating heat in the smoke. The flavor is nice, and some more depth and complexity is seeping into the offering. The profile shows some very nice wood and pepper notes that are robust and enticing. At the back of the palate there are some excellent flavors of earth and tobacco that are showing through. The issue continues to be the construction. The draw is too loose and the burn is a mess however, I have not had to re light to this point.
The final half of the smoke continues to be hindered by poor construction. The profile continues to show notes of wood and pepper and there is a light creamy aftertaste through the nose that is vanilla like. At the back of the palate a crisp tobacco flavor takes center stage and delivers a solid, if not spectacular, base of flavor. The draw continues to be inferior and the burn is a complete disaster by this point.
The finish was a touch harsh (I attribute this to the quick burn), but there were some wood and tobacco flavors.
Appearance- 87 not winning any looks contests
Taste- 88 the early issues hinder the smoke, but it was above average
Construction- 74 very, very poor and it led to a cigar that could have easily been unsmokable
Strength- 85 a solid medium
Overall- 82.75 killed by poor construction
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