Yesterday was Halloween and when I was a single guy Halloween meant scoping out the costumes of questionable repute amongst 19-45 year old females, the eye candy was my trick or treat. I am now a married man, with a stepson, so my Halloween pursuits have changed a bit in recent years. There is now trick or treating with a five year old and my wife (I never knew how exhausting this could be), and in general a lot of walking and dealing with other screaming children that seem to come from some underground haven of noise makers in our neighborhood, where did all these freaking kids come from!!! In order to cope part of my new Halloween ritual is to smoke a cigar whilst the demon children run hither and yon whacked out on sugar and adrenaline. This year I chose the 2011 Halloween offering from Tatuaje. Every year Pete Johnson brings some fun into the Halloween time of the year with his Monster release, and while I bought some in 2011 I never got around to smoking any of them.
This cigar presents very simply. The band is simple, and I would argue dull and too closely colored to the wrapper to even draw your eye there. The foot is unfinished giving the cigar a shaggy look and feel, appropriate when calling a cigar the Wolfman. The bunch is not dense and feels a little too spongy for me so I am worried about the loose draw possibilities that this attribute can summon. There is box press on this smoke, and as everyone knows, I am no fan of the box press. The second strike is that this cigar is a torpedo, again I am not a huge fan. The pre light aroma was of tobacco and muted cinnamon. The pre light draw was earthy and showed some wood flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that is neither deep or complex, but there are some nice flavors present. The core flavors consist of nice black pepper notes with some light tastes of wood, but there aside from this there is not a whole lot here. I am yearning for some depth or complexity with these flavors or a complementary essence, but there just isn't one. The back of the palate and the nose show some nice earthy notes, but again they are not particularly deep or interesting to me. The draw is very loose early and it has me concerned about heat later in the smoke. The burn is tough in the first half inch or so, but once the unfinished foot is gone it evens out nicely.
The first half of the cigar shows no real development, which I find disappointing. The core profile continues to show pepper and wood flavors, but they just lay there like a corpse without any real punch. The back of the palate continues to show some earthy tones and maybe some burnt coffee flavors, but there is no real action here either. This total lack of anything resembling progress has me really disappointed by this point in the smoke. The draw has settled down into something less loose, but is still too loose for my liking. When confronted with a choice I will always take the firmer draw over the looser one. The burn is solid to this point.
The final half of the cigar really just continues to plod along mundanely. The core flavors are still slogging along unenthusiastically showing pepper and wood, blaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh. The back of the palate continues to show earthy flavors with some burnt coffee offerings, blaaaaaaaaahhhhh. There is never an iota of development in this cigar at any point, unless you count developing an ash as a development. The draw is fine until the end, but is still just too loose for me. The burn develops a run in the final third and I had to correct it before it continued on like fleeing villagers in the face of extreme horror.
The finish may have been the best part of the cigar as a nice pepper flavor lingered on.
Appearance- 85 pretty average
Taste- 82 just nothing worth noting here
Construction- 84 too many issues to give any higher a mark
Strength- 85 a medium offering
Overall- 83.75 just too full of nothing exciting
Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Viaje Holiday Blend 2011 Petit Robusto (4.25x54)
It seems that there is no end to the Viaje lineup, every time I think that I have reached the promised land I find another blend that I have not tried. Why does this matter you may ask? Well, I have two reasons. First, I have made a commitment to you my friends, I will smoke every new cigar I can get my hands on and bring you my usual hard hitting reviews that I believe are some of the most honest in the blogosphere. After all, I am beholden to no one in the industry and I spend my own duckets on these smokes so I feel free to say what I experience. Second, I personally like to smoke as many new cigars as I can, I find it an entertaining way to expand my cigar horizons after twenty three years of smoking. With Viaje going the way they seem to be I will never be out of new smokes to sample.
This cigar is a short, thick log. The wrapper has a beautiful red/brown coloration that reminds me of a Colorado. It has a great sheen to it and looks good enough to eat. The band work is kind of simple, but I like the lack of pretension, almost as if the manufacturer would like the cigar to speak for itself without fancy adornments. The foot is unfinished which makes for some interesting visuals. The wrapper is well applied and has very few veins. The construction seems very nicely done to me, I can't find any voids or firm spots that would cause me concern. The pre light draw is fluid and smooth while imparting nice favors of coffee and cocoa. The pre light aroma also shows coffee and some nice spice.
The cigar opens with a profile that lacks some complexity and depth, but the core flavors are of coffee and light cocoa. I would like some more flavor to bind the early experience together a bit, but it is still nice for now. At the back of the palate there is a nice tobacco flavor and a light white pepper that provides a nice backdrop for a subtle opening experience. The draw is dead solid perfect, it is very seldom that I find a cigar that draws this way. The burn is pure and razor sharp producing a firm ash that doesn't fall off until about halfway through the smoke.
The first half of the cigar maintains a core profile of coffee flavors with some wisps of cocoa, but the depth of these flavors picks up a bit, which is a nice development. At the back of the palate a nice cedar flavor comes in and it complements the crisp tobacco flavor and intensifying notes of pepper in a nice little flavor package. As far as development of flavors goes I am very happy with the progression here. The draw continues to be a dream as it imparts perfect amounts of smoke with ease. The burn is still very solid and the construction of this cigar is a real highlight.
The final half of the smoke really does not progress much further. The core profile maintains coffee and cocoa flavors, but there is a bitter note that sneaks in during the last third that has a wet wood aftertaste to it. The back of the palate continues to show some cedar notes that become sharp which is a distraction in the last third. There also continues to be some nice pepper and tobacco notes in the last half. The draw and burn stay very solid right through to the end and construction is by far the most impressive attribute of this cigar.
The finish was a touch short and showed sharp cedar and wet wood flavors.
As far as the Viaje line goes this is not my favorite effort.
Appearance- 91 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 87 some nice moments in the first half, but the open and final half were sub par
Construction- 97 a real winner in this category
Strength- 88 a nice medium, Viaje claims it is full, I find that it misses that mark
Overall- 91.25 when a cigar performs this well construction wise it is always a winner, it could have been classic with a more developed profile
This cigar is a short, thick log. The wrapper has a beautiful red/brown coloration that reminds me of a Colorado. It has a great sheen to it and looks good enough to eat. The band work is kind of simple, but I like the lack of pretension, almost as if the manufacturer would like the cigar to speak for itself without fancy adornments. The foot is unfinished which makes for some interesting visuals. The wrapper is well applied and has very few veins. The construction seems very nicely done to me, I can't find any voids or firm spots that would cause me concern. The pre light draw is fluid and smooth while imparting nice favors of coffee and cocoa. The pre light aroma also shows coffee and some nice spice.
The cigar opens with a profile that lacks some complexity and depth, but the core flavors are of coffee and light cocoa. I would like some more flavor to bind the early experience together a bit, but it is still nice for now. At the back of the palate there is a nice tobacco flavor and a light white pepper that provides a nice backdrop for a subtle opening experience. The draw is dead solid perfect, it is very seldom that I find a cigar that draws this way. The burn is pure and razor sharp producing a firm ash that doesn't fall off until about halfway through the smoke.
The first half of the cigar maintains a core profile of coffee flavors with some wisps of cocoa, but the depth of these flavors picks up a bit, which is a nice development. At the back of the palate a nice cedar flavor comes in and it complements the crisp tobacco flavor and intensifying notes of pepper in a nice little flavor package. As far as development of flavors goes I am very happy with the progression here. The draw continues to be a dream as it imparts perfect amounts of smoke with ease. The burn is still very solid and the construction of this cigar is a real highlight.
The final half of the smoke really does not progress much further. The core profile maintains coffee and cocoa flavors, but there is a bitter note that sneaks in during the last third that has a wet wood aftertaste to it. The back of the palate continues to show some cedar notes that become sharp which is a distraction in the last third. There also continues to be some nice pepper and tobacco notes in the last half. The draw and burn stay very solid right through to the end and construction is by far the most impressive attribute of this cigar.
The finish was a touch short and showed sharp cedar and wet wood flavors.
As far as the Viaje line goes this is not my favorite effort.
Appearance- 91 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 87 some nice moments in the first half, but the open and final half were sub par
Construction- 97 a real winner in this category
Strength- 88 a nice medium, Viaje claims it is full, I find that it misses that mark
Overall- 91.25 when a cigar performs this well construction wise it is always a winner, it could have been classic with a more developed profile
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!
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
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