Every so often I run into a B&M that I am not interested in for any other reason than a spacious humidor full of treats that I may or may not have ever seen before. There is one such place in Tampa, the sheer size of the selection of cigars in the store is mind boggling. It seemingly has everything and you have to be willing to make a floor to ceiling pursuit for the elusive singles that every humidor needs. I call these my change of pace cigars, see I buy boxes of cigars all the time. These boxes are my mainstays, my go to's, my favorites and my everyday smokers. However, sometimes I get tired of my usual and I feel like I must breakout and try something foreign. I often know nothing about these types of cigars, other than I found it somewhere and I had never smoked it, in some cases I have never heard of it. This cigar checks all those boxes for me and I consider these cigars as always being risky, I mean it could really suck.
The cigar presents well. The band work is a touch gaudy, what with foil like presentations and fancy script, I am thinking of it like a Hollywood starlet at this point and I am wondering what the glam is hiding. The wrapper is nicely applied and seems to have some nice oils. The bunch is seemingly a bit loose, but I can't find any other issues. The pre light aroma smacks of spice and rich tobacco. The pre light draw shows a light sweetness and a muddled coffee note that has some earthy tones.
The cigar opens with a very nice core profile that has some depth and complexity that sets a solid tone for the smoke. The flavors have some nice cinnamon and tobacco notes, additionally there is some creamed coffee coming through here as well. The back of the palate and the retrohale show some robust dark wood flavors and nice earthy tone that is very solid. The draw is very solid right from the start and it delivers nice amounts of smoke with little effort. The burn is also right on the money from the get go.
The first half of the cigar progresses nicely. The core profile continues with a nice touch of cinnamon and a nice cereal notes comes in as well and lends some sweetness to the experience. The back of the palate still shows dark wood and earth, but some pepper and tobacco flavors here round out the profile nicely. The draw is now a bit loose and I am worried about heat as the smoke moves on. The burn is still solid and shows no signs of any issue.
The final half of the cigar becomes something nightmare are made of. The profile derails as the core profile transitions from cinnamon and cereal to something bitter and sour, like rusty bolts in vinegar. I am not quite sure what happened but it becomes really nasty in the final half of the smoke. The flavors I do pick out are vegetal and loamy and the cigar seems to just give up. The wrapper splits and blows up horribly and I am left wondering what the hell happened to this cigar that I was enjoying. The draw is now gone, it is way too loose and the heat is nearly unbearable. The burn is also gone, as the cigar splits keeping it lit is nearly impossible.
The finish was me chucking this rocket with nearly a third left, it is unfortunate as the cigar started so well.
As I said these cigars are often a risk, and this one did not pay off.
Appearance- 87 a bit gaudy, but ok
Taste- 80 some points for the early performance, but no points for the later presentation
Construction- 70 when a cigar goes this wrong no higher score can be given
Strength- 85 a medium/full that may have been ok if I could have evaluated it over the entire cigar
Overall- 78.75 not all risks are good ones
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Viaje Friends and Family Le Joueur (5x52)
This cigar with the somewhat odd appellation, I mean when I hear friends and family I think of a sale at Macy's, has had much hype over the last several months in my world. Almost everyone that has tried this has been anxious to tell me it is the strongest cigar they have ever smoked. I am used to this over the top hyperbole in the cigar world it is just par for the course. Every strength whore out there finds the next strongest cigar and shouts from the rooftops about how it's the strongest ever! I have heard it with no fewer than one billion cigars...Ok some hyperbole on my part there, but you get the gist I think.
The cigar presents very well. The wrapper is crisp looking and well applied. The white double band is clean looking and not overwrought with horrible art work. There are very few veins and the wrapper has a rich, dark chocolate color. In looking at the bunch I can see quite a bit of what I believe is ligero in there (Viaje does not disclose their blends) and I am thinking maybe some of what I have been hearing could be true. Then I worry because the recent ligero trend has been to be long on palate tingling strength and short of depth and complexity in the profile. I cast aside those shadowy thoughts and continue my assessment. The pre light aroma smacks of pepper and dark chocolate. The pre light draw shows some ligero tickling the palate and a very interesting not of anise and wood.
The cigar opens with a profile that is a real palate blaster. The blend immediately kicks the palate in the face, the tingle at the back of the throat is reminding me of the onset of a sore throat. Something interesting is happening though, there is actually some complexity and depth showing through here. The core profile has miles and miles of flavor as it shows some nice notes of dark chocolate, dark wood and red pepper. None of these flavors exhibit any subtlety at all, they are right up in your business, nose to nose with you from the get go. The back of the palate and through the nose show some more very satisfying wood notes and there is still a hint of anise coming through here that adds something nice to the mix. The burn is very solid right away. The draw is firm, but smooth and it delivers plenty of smoke from the first pull.
The first half of this cigar is certainly strong, as advertised. Is it the strongest cigar I have ever smoked? No, I will always reserve that distinction for the first Pepin JJ Maduro I smoked many years ago when my palate was not used to full bodied and full strength smokes (I was green during that experience). This cigar though is up there in strength for me, and out of the cigars I have smoked in the last year it ranks amongst the strongest. The core profile is still very complex though, and I am so pleased that it is not losing this feature as so many other strength bombs do. The are still some hints of dark chocolate and there is a tone of black cherry showing through here now as well, this is all combined with the continuing show of dark wood that binds it all together. The back of the palate is holding a very smoky wood characteristic that I find interesting and it makes me feel kind of rural, like I should be camping or something. The draw is still nice and firm and it performs well. The burn is still on the money and I don't see any issues down the line.
The final half of this cigar is a real ass kicker. The strength really ramps up and the nicotine tingle swathes the palate all the way to the back of the throat. The beauty of this cigar though is that it is not losing the profile at all, in fact the profile gets better the stronger the cigar gets. The core notes here a still dark chocolate, but they are turning more like cocoa as the process continues to the end. Additionally the pepper notes here are profound. I am getting some red pepper at the back of the palate, but a softer white pepper note in the front part of the tongue and mouth. The back of the palate and the nose continue to show some nice dark wood flavors and there is a touch of mineral here that I am not finding hateful (which is unusual for me, I am usually lost at mineral flavor). The draw is solid right through to the end. The burn shows nary an issue throughout.
The finish is long and holds pepper and wood notes for some satisfying long moments after the conclusion of the smoke.
All in all this is the best Viaje blend that I have smoked.
Appearance- 94 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 92 I was very impressed with a complex and balanced approach
Construction- 94 the only thing stopping perfection was a firm draw
Strength- 93 a very nice full bodied/full strength offering
Overall- 93.25 just wonderful
The cigar presents very well. The wrapper is crisp looking and well applied. The white double band is clean looking and not overwrought with horrible art work. There are very few veins and the wrapper has a rich, dark chocolate color. In looking at the bunch I can see quite a bit of what I believe is ligero in there (Viaje does not disclose their blends) and I am thinking maybe some of what I have been hearing could be true. Then I worry because the recent ligero trend has been to be long on palate tingling strength and short of depth and complexity in the profile. I cast aside those shadowy thoughts and continue my assessment. The pre light aroma smacks of pepper and dark chocolate. The pre light draw shows some ligero tickling the palate and a very interesting not of anise and wood.
The cigar opens with a profile that is a real palate blaster. The blend immediately kicks the palate in the face, the tingle at the back of the throat is reminding me of the onset of a sore throat. Something interesting is happening though, there is actually some complexity and depth showing through here. The core profile has miles and miles of flavor as it shows some nice notes of dark chocolate, dark wood and red pepper. None of these flavors exhibit any subtlety at all, they are right up in your business, nose to nose with you from the get go. The back of the palate and through the nose show some more very satisfying wood notes and there is still a hint of anise coming through here that adds something nice to the mix. The burn is very solid right away. The draw is firm, but smooth and it delivers plenty of smoke from the first pull.
The first half of this cigar is certainly strong, as advertised. Is it the strongest cigar I have ever smoked? No, I will always reserve that distinction for the first Pepin JJ Maduro I smoked many years ago when my palate was not used to full bodied and full strength smokes (I was green during that experience). This cigar though is up there in strength for me, and out of the cigars I have smoked in the last year it ranks amongst the strongest. The core profile is still very complex though, and I am so pleased that it is not losing this feature as so many other strength bombs do. The are still some hints of dark chocolate and there is a tone of black cherry showing through here now as well, this is all combined with the continuing show of dark wood that binds it all together. The back of the palate is holding a very smoky wood characteristic that I find interesting and it makes me feel kind of rural, like I should be camping or something. The draw is still nice and firm and it performs well. The burn is still on the money and I don't see any issues down the line.
The final half of this cigar is a real ass kicker. The strength really ramps up and the nicotine tingle swathes the palate all the way to the back of the throat. The beauty of this cigar though is that it is not losing the profile at all, in fact the profile gets better the stronger the cigar gets. The core notes here a still dark chocolate, but they are turning more like cocoa as the process continues to the end. Additionally the pepper notes here are profound. I am getting some red pepper at the back of the palate, but a softer white pepper note in the front part of the tongue and mouth. The back of the palate and the nose continue to show some nice dark wood flavors and there is a touch of mineral here that I am not finding hateful (which is unusual for me, I am usually lost at mineral flavor). The draw is solid right through to the end. The burn shows nary an issue throughout.
The finish is long and holds pepper and wood notes for some satisfying long moments after the conclusion of the smoke.
All in all this is the best Viaje blend that I have smoked.
Appearance- 94 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 92 I was very impressed with a complex and balanced approach
Construction- 94 the only thing stopping perfection was a firm draw
Strength- 93 a very nice full bodied/full strength offering
Overall- 93.25 just wonderful
Friday, January 10, 2014
Arturo Fuente Destino al Siglo De Familia (6.5x46)
This much anticipated cigar was nearly completely derailed a year or so ago when a fire wiped out some precious tobacco stock that was earmarked for this blend. It was sad news for all Fuente enthusiasts as I am sure we were all waiting for this special anniversary smoke. I for one was looking forward to it for several years, ever since I heard about it really. The buzz created by these legendary brands is really very remarkable, and even someone that does not follow the hype (like me) get caught up in the hullabaloo. I was so thrilled when I heard they were going to make it anyway, I couldn't remember a cigar I had looked forward to more in recent memory.
The cigar presents very nicely. The wrapper is a muted brown affair that has some veining, but nothing of concern. It seems a little bit dry to me in texture, but upon inspection it seems supple and well applied. The band word is remarkable, quite the piece of art, it almost makes you feel better about the really high price tag...almost. The pre light aroma has some light brushes of spice, but is full of cedar notes. The pre light draw is smooth and fluid and shows some booming cedar notes and a touch of bitter grass.
The smoke opens with a profile that is decidedly cedary, it almost overwhelms the palate and hinges on being bitter. There are some light brushes of spice and tobacco here as well, but the cedar notes really carry the bag in the opening moments. Through the nose and on the back of the palate there are some notes of a lighter wood, but again cedar notes dominate the profile in unpleasant way. The draw is a little tight early, but I can feel it opening up as the cigar progresses. The burn is solid right from the get go there are no hints of any issues that might be forthcoming.
The first half of the cigar does progress some, though not for the better. The dominant cedar notes are still present, but they are muted by a sharp spice note that borders on being acidic. There are some hints here of cinnamon and some lighter wood notes, but they are too subtle to be anything more than a fleeting glimpse of what might be. The back of the palate holds some nice tobacco notes and the cedar is a more acceptable tone without the bitterness from earlier in the cigar, but it is not enough to salvage the cigar to this point and my disappointment is mounting. The draw is acceptable, though still a touch too tight for me. The burn is phenomenal and razor sharp.
The final half of the cigar completes the disappointing ride for me. The core profile never develops into anything profound, or even above average, at any point. The core continues to show cedar and spice notes that alternately bitter and acidic, a real letdown in my book. The back of the palate provides some rays of light, but they are fleeting as the wood and tobacco notes are not enough to hold it all together. The draw is a touch too tight throughout, while the burn performs to the highest standard all the way to the end.
The finish was heavy with cedar notes and slightly bitter, making for a short closing experience.
At a twenty plus dollar price tag I expect much more, hell at an eight dollar price tag I expect more. I only wonder what could have been with the tobacco that burned to the gods instead of the enthusiasts.
Appearance- 92 a wonderful looking smoke
Taste- 78 unfortunately it was just really poor
Construction- 87 draw was too tight for me, but the burn did well
Strength- 85 an uninspired medium
Overall- 84.5 below average and way too expensive
The cigar presents very nicely. The wrapper is a muted brown affair that has some veining, but nothing of concern. It seems a little bit dry to me in texture, but upon inspection it seems supple and well applied. The band word is remarkable, quite the piece of art, it almost makes you feel better about the really high price tag...almost. The pre light aroma has some light brushes of spice, but is full of cedar notes. The pre light draw is smooth and fluid and shows some booming cedar notes and a touch of bitter grass.
The smoke opens with a profile that is decidedly cedary, it almost overwhelms the palate and hinges on being bitter. There are some light brushes of spice and tobacco here as well, but the cedar notes really carry the bag in the opening moments. Through the nose and on the back of the palate there are some notes of a lighter wood, but again cedar notes dominate the profile in unpleasant way. The draw is a little tight early, but I can feel it opening up as the cigar progresses. The burn is solid right from the get go there are no hints of any issues that might be forthcoming.
The first half of the cigar does progress some, though not for the better. The dominant cedar notes are still present, but they are muted by a sharp spice note that borders on being acidic. There are some hints here of cinnamon and some lighter wood notes, but they are too subtle to be anything more than a fleeting glimpse of what might be. The back of the palate holds some nice tobacco notes and the cedar is a more acceptable tone without the bitterness from earlier in the cigar, but it is not enough to salvage the cigar to this point and my disappointment is mounting. The draw is acceptable, though still a touch too tight for me. The burn is phenomenal and razor sharp.
The final half of the cigar completes the disappointing ride for me. The core profile never develops into anything profound, or even above average, at any point. The core continues to show cedar and spice notes that alternately bitter and acidic, a real letdown in my book. The back of the palate provides some rays of light, but they are fleeting as the wood and tobacco notes are not enough to hold it all together. The draw is a touch too tight throughout, while the burn performs to the highest standard all the way to the end.
The finish was heavy with cedar notes and slightly bitter, making for a short closing experience.
At a twenty plus dollar price tag I expect much more, hell at an eight dollar price tag I expect more. I only wonder what could have been with the tobacco that burned to the gods instead of the enthusiasts.
Appearance- 92 a wonderful looking smoke
Taste- 78 unfortunately it was just really poor
Construction- 87 draw was too tight for me, but the burn did well
Strength- 85 an uninspired medium
Overall- 84.5 below average and way too expensive
Friday, January 3, 2014
Top 10 Cigars for 2013
In 2013 I just didn't get to review as many cigars as I usually do, life just got in the way for most of the year and I was pushed and pulled in many different directions in this crazy journey that I call my life.
You will note that for the first time in the history of this blog my Top 10 will feature cigars with scores less than 90, this is simply because I only compile the list from cigars I wrote reviews on so the list was short to begin with.
My promise to you is to make 2014 a better year for this blog and for my readers.
Without further lip flapping I give you my Top 10 from 2013
10. Viaje Super Shot 12 Gauge Corojo - 88.75
9. Davidoff Nicaragua Toro - 89.25
8. Black Label Trading Company Benediction - 89.5
7. Tatuaje 10th Anniversary Bon Chasseur - 89.75
7. Alec Bradley Mundial Perfecto - 89.75
6. Esteban Carreras Chupacabra Toro - 90.25
5. Anoranzas Toro - 90.75
4. Arturo Fuente Unnamed Reserve (Sin Nombre) 2012 - 91.75
4. The Widow's Son - 91.75
3. Curivari Seleccion Privada Fabulosos Maduro - 93.5
2. Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Edicion de Anniversario 2007 - 96.25
1. L' Atelier Selection Speciale - 97.25
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