I will be honest, I have never really heard anything but some passing mention of this cigar. I consider myself a knowledgeable cigar guy, so when I have not heard of something I am both surprised and skeptical. For those reasons it was with great trepidation that I plopped down the seven plus dollars for this smoke. In my view it is very rare to not hear much about a cigar because the experiences of smokers are so polarizing, there is almost always some positive or negative buzz about every cigar out there, on this one I had heard nothing.
The cigar presents in a pedestrian fashion. The wrapper is too dark to be done naturally, so I'm guessing that there is some chemical process that has taken place, that is a cigar don't in my book but I have had some that I really enjoyed. The wrapper is full of veins and it does not appear to be of particularly high quality as there are many flaws as well. The cigar seems too firm to me and I am concerned about draw issues. The pre light aroma is chemical like, but I sense some pepper as well. The pre light draw is woody.
The cigar opens with a profile that is full of pepper and minerals, it is not particularly deep or complex, but it is not terrible either. At the back of the palate there are some nice notes of dark wood and earth, but I would like more here as well. The draw is acceptable to me, but I would like it to be a little bit more free. The burn is even and solid at this point.
The first half of the cigar is very one dimensional. The profile is full of mineral notes and it is threatening to become metallic as the cigar progresses. I don't know about you, but I like my cigars to have other flavors, mineral like qualities are not enough to hold up on their own. The back of the palate is showing some wood flavors as well, but there is a sharp licorice like note that is sneaking in here as well. The draw is opening up, but I still want more from this area. The burn is holding strong and is the most solid attribute of this smoke.
The final half of the cigar improves, but it is still nothing more than average at best. The core profile has some pepper flavors with some more hints of minerals, but there is a nice spice coming on here that I wish had been around throughout the smoke. At the back of the palate a nice earth tone has taken over and I again find myself wishing that this more solid backdrop had been around for the entire experience. The draw stays the same, not bad, but not great. The burn is solid throughout.
The finish is short and full of mineral flavors that leave the palate with a metallic feeling that is not pleasing.
Appearance- 87 somewhat interesting, but not really
Taste- 83 below average overall, but some late changes nudged this up some
Construction- 86 slightly above average on burn, below average on draw
Strength- 85 middling and medium, basically pointless
Overall- 85 average, very average, in fact right on the number for average in my system of scoring
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Angelenos Toro (6x50)
I bought this cigar some months back at a Tampa B&M. I was struck by the name of the cigar, as it is synonymous with what Midwesterners call pompous people from Los Angeles. Not all Los Angeles residents qualify as an Angelenos, but the ones that do usually redefine douchery. You know the ones I'm talking about if you've ever been to the town. Out to be seen, living above their means, driving cars that are either too expensive to be considered a car or some Toyota Pious (look at me I'm a douche that can get 50 MPG!), shopping in organic supermarkets, talking about the celebrities they say they know (they really don't), shopping their screenplays etc... You get the point, basically everything that a cigar person is not. So I wondered, why name a cigar after this particularly pretentious group of people? I have no answer, but it is an unfortunate name.
The cigar itself presents well, all though it does not meet the quality that I visually expect for a super premium cigar, this one prices in the fifteen dollar range. The wrapper seems a bit too dry to me, but it is nicely applied. An inspection shows me no areas of concern and I note that the cap is nicely done. The pre light aroma is of cinnamon and cedar. The pre light draw is sharp, but has some cedar flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all Angleno (the people not the smoke), in that it is everything I hate in a cigar. The core profile is full of bitter spice notes and some odd vegetal flavors that are really not appealing at all. At the back of the palate there are some cedar flavors that are nice, but the sharp and bitter spice notes from the front of the smoke permeate the experience. The draw is a little tight for me, I like more smoke delivered for the amount of effort that I am putting in at this point. The burn is solid at this point.
The first half of the cigar shows some improvement, but it is nothing to get excited about. The core profile loses some of the bitter flavors, but the odd vegetal flavors continue. There is also a muted cinnamon note here, but it is not enough to elevate the profile to anything more than below average. The back of the palate continues to be sharp, but the cedar notes are more pronounced at least. The draw is slightly better, but it is still too tight for me at this point. The burn remains as the best part of this cigar to this point.
The final half of the cigar really stays fairly flat. The core profile picks up some creamy and minty flavors, but they don't work with the back drop of vegetation that is still in the mix here. The back of the profile continues to show cedar flavors, but the sharp notes are still present at this point. The draw is just reaching the point of being acceptable when the cigar is nearly finished. The burn was solid throughout.
The finish was middling with sharp cedar and mint notes.
Appearance- 86 slightly above average
Taste- 73 a very poor profile with little character, depth or complexity
Construction- 82 a tight draw hurts this score
Strength- 85 an average mild to medium
Overall- 80.25 not a good smoke at all, save your money
The cigar itself presents well, all though it does not meet the quality that I visually expect for a super premium cigar, this one prices in the fifteen dollar range. The wrapper seems a bit too dry to me, but it is nicely applied. An inspection shows me no areas of concern and I note that the cap is nicely done. The pre light aroma is of cinnamon and cedar. The pre light draw is sharp, but has some cedar flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all Angleno (the people not the smoke), in that it is everything I hate in a cigar. The core profile is full of bitter spice notes and some odd vegetal flavors that are really not appealing at all. At the back of the palate there are some cedar flavors that are nice, but the sharp and bitter spice notes from the front of the smoke permeate the experience. The draw is a little tight for me, I like more smoke delivered for the amount of effort that I am putting in at this point. The burn is solid at this point.
The first half of the cigar shows some improvement, but it is nothing to get excited about. The core profile loses some of the bitter flavors, but the odd vegetal flavors continue. There is also a muted cinnamon note here, but it is not enough to elevate the profile to anything more than below average. The back of the palate continues to be sharp, but the cedar notes are more pronounced at least. The draw is slightly better, but it is still too tight for me at this point. The burn remains as the best part of this cigar to this point.
The final half of the cigar really stays fairly flat. The core profile picks up some creamy and minty flavors, but they don't work with the back drop of vegetation that is still in the mix here. The back of the profile continues to show cedar flavors, but the sharp notes are still present at this point. The draw is just reaching the point of being acceptable when the cigar is nearly finished. The burn was solid throughout.
The finish was middling with sharp cedar and mint notes.
Appearance- 86 slightly above average
Taste- 73 a very poor profile with little character, depth or complexity
Construction- 82 a tight draw hurts this score
Strength- 85 an average mild to medium
Overall- 80.25 not a good smoke at all, save your money
Monday, January 16, 2012
Paul Garmirian Symphony 20 Connoisseur (6x52)
As I travel about the state of Florida I like to stop into B&M's whenever and wherever I can find them. I am know to many of the owners and long time employees in many of them because of my frequent visits and many of them know that I am only interested in the new and different and they direct me thusly when I walk through their doors. However, I occasionally come across a store or associate that I have not been in or have not met and the fun begins. I like to test the knowledge of staff inside these stores because if I am going to recommend a store to the beginning or intermediate cigar smoker I have to know that the store and it's employees know what they are talking about. There is nothing more frustrating for a new cigar smoker than to be incorrectly informed about his or her purchase. Additionally, some of these stores have ulterior motives behind what they promote and why they promote which can lead to an undereducated cigar consumer buying things that they should not buy.
I recently walked into a B&M that I had not been in and the employee, a nice chap, approached me right away and without asking questions about my level of experience, my likes and dislikes and my price preferences started to direct me around the humidor as if I had never been in one before. After a few moments we stopped in the ultra premium section and his eyes lit up as I started making rapid selections out of the cabinet that was chock full of things that I rarely see and have wanted to try. As my hand settled on this Garmirian offering he sighed contentedly and pulled me quietly aside to inform me that this cigar was as close to a Cuban as you could get. I raised an eyebrow and asked him which Cuban he thought it was like, and he squirmed for a bit and then said all of them. I chuckled some and he looked at me as if to say, what could you possibly know about Cuban Cigars? I chuckled some more and paid the clueless man and made my way from the store. If you own a B&M I implore you to please train your staff!
After that long digression we can turn to this cigar, which is why I believe you all read this blog, not to revel in my puffed up self importance about all things cigar. It presents in a stunning fashion. The wrapper is a rich brown color, like well tanned leather, and it is flawlessly applied to the cigar providing a fabulous visual. The band work is mundane, but with the cigar speaking so loudly for itself I hardly notice the rest of the presentation. The cigar is perfectly kept, with a slight spongy give at the foot and a solid firm head, implying that someone at the store knows how to keep cigars at least. The pre light aroma is an intoxicating mix of pepper and cinnamon. The pre light draw lights the mouth on fire spice and nicotine tingle and I can see right away that this will be nothing like a Cuban cigar, I am under the impression right away that this cigar will be an in your face thrill ride.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all cinnamon and black pepper. These two flavors are almost overwhelming so early in a smoke and I was really not prepared for something so full right off the bat. The depth is fine, but I would like a mitigating flavor to help with some of the complexity and strength. At the back of the palate the flavor is all pepper and this cigar becomes a real palate bomb in just minutes after lighting. This is not for the timid. The draw is absolutely flawless, it is very seldom that I find a cigar that meets my exacting draw standards, this one does. The burn is sharp and even right from the get go.
The first half of the cigar continues to bitch slap my palate and I am reeling from the experience. The core profile becomes dominated by black pepper notes. There are some occasional shows of cinnamon and other spice notes, but the pepper is the king here and it is not giving up it's crown easily. The back of the palate is also being assaulted with pepper bombs and I am still dying for some other flavors that will make this experience less one dimensional. The draw continues to be fantastic and the burn is solid all the way through the first half.
The final half of the cigar really comes home. The core profile becomes a more muted presentation of pepper and some floral sweetness, this mediating flavor is something I have been looking for since the beginning of the smoke. The balance just from that one additional flavor makes this a phenomenal taste experience in the closing half. At the back of the palate there are some excellent flavors of chestnut and hickory that are mixing well with the pepper flavor that is still hanging around. The level of depth and complexity at this point is extremely satisfying. The draw and burn perform very well throughout.
The finish is long and savory with notes of pepper, hickory and chestnut.
Closest thing to a Cuban? Not even close, but still an excellent cigar.
Appearance- 94 an excellent looking cigar
Taste- 92 some early lack of depth and complexity hurt the score, but the final half of the cigar is legendary
Construction- 100 one of the most well constructed cigars I have ever smoked
Strength- 90 this is a full flavored strength bomb, I thought it was actually too strong in a couple of spots taking away from the profile
Overall- 94.75 an absolutely wonderful experience
I recently walked into a B&M that I had not been in and the employee, a nice chap, approached me right away and without asking questions about my level of experience, my likes and dislikes and my price preferences started to direct me around the humidor as if I had never been in one before. After a few moments we stopped in the ultra premium section and his eyes lit up as I started making rapid selections out of the cabinet that was chock full of things that I rarely see and have wanted to try. As my hand settled on this Garmirian offering he sighed contentedly and pulled me quietly aside to inform me that this cigar was as close to a Cuban as you could get. I raised an eyebrow and asked him which Cuban he thought it was like, and he squirmed for a bit and then said all of them. I chuckled some and he looked at me as if to say, what could you possibly know about Cuban Cigars? I chuckled some more and paid the clueless man and made my way from the store. If you own a B&M I implore you to please train your staff!
After that long digression we can turn to this cigar, which is why I believe you all read this blog, not to revel in my puffed up self importance about all things cigar. It presents in a stunning fashion. The wrapper is a rich brown color, like well tanned leather, and it is flawlessly applied to the cigar providing a fabulous visual. The band work is mundane, but with the cigar speaking so loudly for itself I hardly notice the rest of the presentation. The cigar is perfectly kept, with a slight spongy give at the foot and a solid firm head, implying that someone at the store knows how to keep cigars at least. The pre light aroma is an intoxicating mix of pepper and cinnamon. The pre light draw lights the mouth on fire spice and nicotine tingle and I can see right away that this will be nothing like a Cuban cigar, I am under the impression right away that this cigar will be an in your face thrill ride.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all cinnamon and black pepper. These two flavors are almost overwhelming so early in a smoke and I was really not prepared for something so full right off the bat. The depth is fine, but I would like a mitigating flavor to help with some of the complexity and strength. At the back of the palate the flavor is all pepper and this cigar becomes a real palate bomb in just minutes after lighting. This is not for the timid. The draw is absolutely flawless, it is very seldom that I find a cigar that meets my exacting draw standards, this one does. The burn is sharp and even right from the get go.
The first half of the cigar continues to bitch slap my palate and I am reeling from the experience. The core profile becomes dominated by black pepper notes. There are some occasional shows of cinnamon and other spice notes, but the pepper is the king here and it is not giving up it's crown easily. The back of the palate is also being assaulted with pepper bombs and I am still dying for some other flavors that will make this experience less one dimensional. The draw continues to be fantastic and the burn is solid all the way through the first half.
The final half of the cigar really comes home. The core profile becomes a more muted presentation of pepper and some floral sweetness, this mediating flavor is something I have been looking for since the beginning of the smoke. The balance just from that one additional flavor makes this a phenomenal taste experience in the closing half. At the back of the palate there are some excellent flavors of chestnut and hickory that are mixing well with the pepper flavor that is still hanging around. The level of depth and complexity at this point is extremely satisfying. The draw and burn perform very well throughout.
The finish is long and savory with notes of pepper, hickory and chestnut.
Closest thing to a Cuban? Not even close, but still an excellent cigar.
Appearance- 94 an excellent looking cigar
Taste- 92 some early lack of depth and complexity hurt the score, but the final half of the cigar is legendary
Construction- 100 one of the most well constructed cigars I have ever smoked
Strength- 90 this is a full flavored strength bomb, I thought it was actually too strong in a couple of spots taking away from the profile
Overall- 94.75 an absolutely wonderful experience
Sunday, January 15, 2012
C and C Cigars Connecticut Robusto (5x50)
This morning was crisp, I am from Chicago originally and even I thought this morning was chilly, it was the kind of morning that makes you want to stay in bed and not get out until the sun comes up and the mercury gets past fifty. Alas, I had golf to play and, much like cigars, nothing gets in the way of my golf. I cracked open the humidor this morning on my way out the door and I selected this bad boy. My methodology for this selection? Simple, low expectations. Let's face it, I know this is no Ashton VSG or Opus X, hell it's not even a General or Altadis, but it is a cigar I can smoke on the course and not worry about wind ruining it or getting some dew on it and there is something to be said for that. I'm not sure what can be said, but something can be said.
The cigar is motley looking, there is some greenish tint to the wrapper that makes me think this is young and might be bitter (as per my experience with cigars exhibiting this attribute). The cap is sloppy and the wrapper has some wrinkles to it further confirming my choice that this cigar will be perfect for a golf round on a day when the weather will not be stellar. The construction, aside from the application of the wrapper, seems ok to me and I can't find any areas of concern. The pre light aroma is floral and wheaty. The pre light draw is sharp, but has some spice notes to it.
Somewhere around the fourth hole I was feeling pretty good, starting birdie-par-birdie, and I decided to light this sucker. The core profile immediately shows very nice signs of spice and cinnamon, but there is a sharpness here that is drying the palate as I smoke on. At the back of the palate there are some very crisp tobacco notes but there is an odd bitterness that is taking away from the experience. The draw is fine and delivers nice smoke without much effort. The burn is right on the money and I am impressed with the performance in the elements.
I promptly double bogeyed the fourth hole and considered blaming the cigar, but I marked it down as an aberration in my otherwise stellar game and I moved on. The first half of the cigar leads me to double bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey and a 41 for the front, not terrible but I consider that the cigar still may be at fault as it has not really warmed up. The profile gets sharp and shows some bitter qualities that are tough to navigate. I would say it is floral, but it also very dry and I don't like cigars that dry my throat as I smoke. At the back of the palate there are some sharp notes of cedar and more dryness. There really is no complexity or depth to this smoke, and the flavors are just too sharp. The construction continues to impress me as the draw and burn fire on all cylinders through the elements.
The final half of the cigar leads me to double bogey, double bogey, double bogey, par and eagle right as I am finishing it, almost like a reward for getting to the end of it. The profile stayed sharp, floral and dry through to the end and leaves me searching for water. At the back of the palate the sharp cedar flavors continue and some wisps of spice come into play slightly. The draw and burn continued to be strong all the way to the end of the smoke.
The finish was bogey, par, bogey, par for a 42 and an 83 for the day, I can only wonder what it would have been like with a different cigar, of course I kid. The finish on the cigar was short and had some very dry floral notes.
Appearance- 82 not very appealing at all
Taste- 80 it just never caught fire, so to speak, the flavors were sharp and dry throughout
Construction- 93 very high marks for fine performance in less than optimum conditions
Strength- 83 a mild smoke that did not complement that profile well
Overall- 85.25 saved by construction and nudging into slightly above average territory
The cigar is motley looking, there is some greenish tint to the wrapper that makes me think this is young and might be bitter (as per my experience with cigars exhibiting this attribute). The cap is sloppy and the wrapper has some wrinkles to it further confirming my choice that this cigar will be perfect for a golf round on a day when the weather will not be stellar. The construction, aside from the application of the wrapper, seems ok to me and I can't find any areas of concern. The pre light aroma is floral and wheaty. The pre light draw is sharp, but has some spice notes to it.
Somewhere around the fourth hole I was feeling pretty good, starting birdie-par-birdie, and I decided to light this sucker. The core profile immediately shows very nice signs of spice and cinnamon, but there is a sharpness here that is drying the palate as I smoke on. At the back of the palate there are some very crisp tobacco notes but there is an odd bitterness that is taking away from the experience. The draw is fine and delivers nice smoke without much effort. The burn is right on the money and I am impressed with the performance in the elements.
I promptly double bogeyed the fourth hole and considered blaming the cigar, but I marked it down as an aberration in my otherwise stellar game and I moved on. The first half of the cigar leads me to double bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey and a 41 for the front, not terrible but I consider that the cigar still may be at fault as it has not really warmed up. The profile gets sharp and shows some bitter qualities that are tough to navigate. I would say it is floral, but it also very dry and I don't like cigars that dry my throat as I smoke. At the back of the palate there are some sharp notes of cedar and more dryness. There really is no complexity or depth to this smoke, and the flavors are just too sharp. The construction continues to impress me as the draw and burn fire on all cylinders through the elements.
The final half of the cigar leads me to double bogey, double bogey, double bogey, par and eagle right as I am finishing it, almost like a reward for getting to the end of it. The profile stayed sharp, floral and dry through to the end and leaves me searching for water. At the back of the palate the sharp cedar flavors continue and some wisps of spice come into play slightly. The draw and burn continued to be strong all the way to the end of the smoke.
The finish was bogey, par, bogey, par for a 42 and an 83 for the day, I can only wonder what it would have been like with a different cigar, of course I kid. The finish on the cigar was short and had some very dry floral notes.
Appearance- 82 not very appealing at all
Taste- 80 it just never caught fire, so to speak, the flavors were sharp and dry throughout
Construction- 93 very high marks for fine performance in less than optimum conditions
Strength- 83 a mild smoke that did not complement that profile well
Overall- 85.25 saved by construction and nudging into slightly above average territory
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Copacabana Robusto (5x52)
This cigar fuels the debate for the eternal question, what's in a name? Well I think I can safely say in this case that the name leads to poor imagery. No matter the inspiration for this name, the visual is of Barry Manilow at a piano wearing a bad shirt and crooning a bad song. I'm not sure about all of you, but this is not an image I want when I am about to invest some of my valuable, and often fleeting, pleasure time. Couple that with the fact that it appears Casa Fernandez made this as some sort of value cigar and the pre light thoughts can quickly turn to sweat inducing, nightmarish, images of all things cigar poor.
The cigar is cheap by premium standards, less that six bucks, and it looks it. The band and box are third rate and the cigar has a cheap look to it. The wrapper is all right, but it seems too dry to me. An inspection reveals a cigar that actually seems to be well made. The pre light aroma is of cedar and more cedar with maybe a hint of orange peel. The pre light draw is dusty tasting, but it has some muted citrus flavor to it.
The cigar opens with a profile that is actually quite pleasant and the Manilow symphony that had been in my head fades into the background as this blessedly solid opening starts to warm my palate. The core profile has some very nice notes of cinnamon, orange and light wood. At the back of the palate there is a sweet, floral note that threatens to become too much, but for now is adding some pleasant balance to the presentation. The draw is a little tighter that I usually like, but I will deal with it for now. The burn is slow and sharp while producing a dirty gray ash.
The first half of the cigar wallows a bit after the opening moments. The profile thins and shows less depth as flavors start to run together in a bready and tart presentation of wheat flavors. I think that there are still some signs of citrus here, but they are fleeting and cloaked in the tart flavor I am getting in the profile. The back of the palate transitions into a more mundane presentation of wood that smells like burning wood that is too wet to burn. This smoldering quality is adding some bitterness to the smoke at this point, and it is not a welcome development in the smoke. The draw is opening up here, I kind of wish it was shutting down. The burn is still solid to this point and I can already tell there will not be any issues in that area.
The final half of the cigar continues to languish in cigar mediocrity. The profile is still bready and wheaty, but it is really lacking in depth and complexity at this point. There are still some tart flavors here that are now less citrus like and becoming more bitter. At the back of the palate there are some papery flavors that have crept into the profile and there is still some smoldering quality here that I am finding more and more off putting. The draw is acceptable by the end, and the burn stayed solid throughout.
The finish was touch bitter and smacked of paper and wet wood. This is the one offering from Fernandez that I really don't care for so far, I hope it is not an indication of things to come.
Appearance- 82 cheap looking
Taste- 81 cheap tasting
Construction- 88 some early draw tightness takes this down
Strength- 85 a very average medium
Overall- 84.25 very sub par
The cigar is cheap by premium standards, less that six bucks, and it looks it. The band and box are third rate and the cigar has a cheap look to it. The wrapper is all right, but it seems too dry to me. An inspection reveals a cigar that actually seems to be well made. The pre light aroma is of cedar and more cedar with maybe a hint of orange peel. The pre light draw is dusty tasting, but it has some muted citrus flavor to it.
The cigar opens with a profile that is actually quite pleasant and the Manilow symphony that had been in my head fades into the background as this blessedly solid opening starts to warm my palate. The core profile has some very nice notes of cinnamon, orange and light wood. At the back of the palate there is a sweet, floral note that threatens to become too much, but for now is adding some pleasant balance to the presentation. The draw is a little tighter that I usually like, but I will deal with it for now. The burn is slow and sharp while producing a dirty gray ash.
The first half of the cigar wallows a bit after the opening moments. The profile thins and shows less depth as flavors start to run together in a bready and tart presentation of wheat flavors. I think that there are still some signs of citrus here, but they are fleeting and cloaked in the tart flavor I am getting in the profile. The back of the palate transitions into a more mundane presentation of wood that smells like burning wood that is too wet to burn. This smoldering quality is adding some bitterness to the smoke at this point, and it is not a welcome development in the smoke. The draw is opening up here, I kind of wish it was shutting down. The burn is still solid to this point and I can already tell there will not be any issues in that area.
The final half of the cigar continues to languish in cigar mediocrity. The profile is still bready and wheaty, but it is really lacking in depth and complexity at this point. There are still some tart flavors here that are now less citrus like and becoming more bitter. At the back of the palate there are some papery flavors that have crept into the profile and there is still some smoldering quality here that I am finding more and more off putting. The draw is acceptable by the end, and the burn stayed solid throughout.
The finish was touch bitter and smacked of paper and wet wood. This is the one offering from Fernandez that I really don't care for so far, I hope it is not an indication of things to come.
Appearance- 82 cheap looking
Taste- 81 cheap tasting
Construction- 88 some early draw tightness takes this down
Strength- 85 a very average medium
Overall- 84.25 very sub par
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
La Flor Dominicana Colorado Oscuro No.3 (5x50)
On a recent Friday at a favorite B&M the cigar that was in everyone's lips was this new offering from La Flor. I am often skeptical of these hyped up blends, as I have said here before, but I always succumb to the curiosity and buy some anyway. You see, despite all my cigar knowledge bravado, I am just one of the cigar sheeple bleating my way into line to smoke what ever everyone else is smoking, even if it is baaaaaad. All farm animal jokes aside, I have always been a fan of the La Flor offerings, particularly when I am looking for something full and spicy. I will admit, I was flummoxed by a Colorado Oscuro offering, I did not think such a thing was even possible. I guess the old adage that one learns something new everyday holds true in the world of the cigar smoker as well. Dammit, just when I thought I knew it all!
This cigar has all the usual hallmarks of La Flor. The wrapper is oily and draped beautifully across this vitola. It has some veining, but they are neither prominent or problematic looking. My examination reveals a cigar that might be too soft in some spots, but I will not be able to tell until later in the smoke. It is a thick cigar, the 50 ring seems like an understatement to me, but a quick measure with my handy cigar ring gauge app on my iPhone shows me that 50 is the number. The pre light aroma is of heavy earth, pepper and tobacco. The pre light draw is full of pepper flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that is full of pepper flavors and some nice spice that is sharper than cinnamon, it's almost an artificial cinnamon like in a schnapps. At the back of the palate there is a very distinct impression of rich and dark tobacco flavor that has some earthy undertones to it. The flavors early on are intense, which is exactly what I expect from this maker. The draw is a little thin, but I am not really laboring, I would just like more smoke for my effort. The burn is solid and slow, almost as if the cigar is moist, but I know that it is not, La Flor's often combust this way.
The first half of the cigar is one dimensional for me. The core profile continues to show pepper and spice notes, but I would like some complementary flavors here to provide a more complex and robust experience. At the back of the palate the earthy tones have become more prevalent, but again they are one dimensional. I often find that amongst stronger cigars one dimensional presentations can become the norm as the strength can outweigh any attempts at subtlety in the profile. This by no means a poor cigar, it is just too straightforward for me to this point. The draw has opened up at this point and the smoke is flowing evenly. The burn is still slow, but the ash is sharp.
The final half of the cigar really picks up some steam. The core profile becomes a more complex melange of flavors as pepper combines with spice, dark fruit and some anise to provide a nice balance of strong flavors. The back of the palate continues to be a nice backdrop of earth, but there are some nice woody flavors along with some tobacco essence that is nice. I am really enjoying the final third of this cigar as the balance of all these flavors finally comes together. The draw is solid throughout the last half and the burn stays straight through to the end.
The finish is spicy and long showing some real teeth for many minutes after the cigar is a memory.
Appearance- 91 just a real nice smoke to take in visually
Taste- 88 some early issues were saved in the last half when the flavors married well together
Construction- 89 some early draw issues reduce the score here
Strength- 87 very full, but in the first half the strength takes away subtlety
Overall- 88.75 a very nice smoke that I could add to my full flavored lineup
This cigar has all the usual hallmarks of La Flor. The wrapper is oily and draped beautifully across this vitola. It has some veining, but they are neither prominent or problematic looking. My examination reveals a cigar that might be too soft in some spots, but I will not be able to tell until later in the smoke. It is a thick cigar, the 50 ring seems like an understatement to me, but a quick measure with my handy cigar ring gauge app on my iPhone shows me that 50 is the number. The pre light aroma is of heavy earth, pepper and tobacco. The pre light draw is full of pepper flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that is full of pepper flavors and some nice spice that is sharper than cinnamon, it's almost an artificial cinnamon like in a schnapps. At the back of the palate there is a very distinct impression of rich and dark tobacco flavor that has some earthy undertones to it. The flavors early on are intense, which is exactly what I expect from this maker. The draw is a little thin, but I am not really laboring, I would just like more smoke for my effort. The burn is solid and slow, almost as if the cigar is moist, but I know that it is not, La Flor's often combust this way.
The first half of the cigar is one dimensional for me. The core profile continues to show pepper and spice notes, but I would like some complementary flavors here to provide a more complex and robust experience. At the back of the palate the earthy tones have become more prevalent, but again they are one dimensional. I often find that amongst stronger cigars one dimensional presentations can become the norm as the strength can outweigh any attempts at subtlety in the profile. This by no means a poor cigar, it is just too straightforward for me to this point. The draw has opened up at this point and the smoke is flowing evenly. The burn is still slow, but the ash is sharp.
The final half of the cigar really picks up some steam. The core profile becomes a more complex melange of flavors as pepper combines with spice, dark fruit and some anise to provide a nice balance of strong flavors. The back of the palate continues to be a nice backdrop of earth, but there are some nice woody flavors along with some tobacco essence that is nice. I am really enjoying the final third of this cigar as the balance of all these flavors finally comes together. The draw is solid throughout the last half and the burn stays straight through to the end.
The finish is spicy and long showing some real teeth for many minutes after the cigar is a memory.
Appearance- 91 just a real nice smoke to take in visually
Taste- 88 some early issues were saved in the last half when the flavors married well together
Construction- 89 some early draw issues reduce the score here
Strength- 87 very full, but in the first half the strength takes away subtlety
Overall- 88.75 a very nice smoke that I could add to my full flavored lineup
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Top 10 Cigars of 2011
Another year gone by and another Top 10 list from the Czar. I did not smoke as many cigars this year, actually I just have not reviewed as many this year, but there were still some great smokes out there. There are some new faces on this year's list, but some of the old standby makers have cracked the top as well. Without further adieu, the Top 10 of 2011.
10.) Curivari Seleccion Privada 91
9.) Tatauaje La Verite Vintage 2009 91.25
9.) Puros Indios 2012 91.25
8.) Padilla La Terraza Serie 2010 Capa Maduro 91.75
7.) Curivari Gloria de Leon Prominente 92.25
7.) Ernesto Perez Carrillo Dark Rituals 92.25
6.) Pedro Martin Gold Churchill 92.5
6.) San Lotano Habano Toro 92.5
5.) Curivari Reserva Limitada 1000 Series Reserva 3000 92.75
4.) Cabaiguan Guapos RX Maduro 93.75
3.) Don Pepin Garcia Special Selection 94.5
2.) Ashton Cabinet #6 95.5
1.) Ernesto Perez Carrillo Maduro 96.75
Long ashes my friends and welcome to the new year!
10.) Curivari Seleccion Privada 91
9.) Tatauaje La Verite Vintage 2009 91.25
9.) Puros Indios 2012 91.25
8.) Padilla La Terraza Serie 2010 Capa Maduro 91.75
7.) Curivari Gloria de Leon Prominente 92.25
7.) Ernesto Perez Carrillo Dark Rituals 92.25
6.) Pedro Martin Gold Churchill 92.5
6.) San Lotano Habano Toro 92.5
5.) Curivari Reserva Limitada 1000 Series Reserva 3000 92.75
4.) Cabaiguan Guapos RX Maduro 93.75
3.) Don Pepin Garcia Special Selection 94.5
2.) Ashton Cabinet #6 95.5
1.) Ernesto Perez Carrillo Maduro 96.75
Long ashes my friends and welcome to the new year!
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