When you think of Da Bears you naturally think of Da Coach. I have been a lifelong Bears fan and I cut my football teeth watching Ditka led Bears teams smack people in the mouth, as he used to say so often. I've met Da Coach many times and he is a gracious man so I can think of no person more deserving of a cigar tribute than he is. The man is a football legend. Game changing Tight End, helping make the position more vertical instead of just another Fullback split wide. Game changing coach, making defense the centerpiece of so many winning teams. The phrase defense wins championships was probably around before he was, but he really made it a reality when Da Bears won the Super Bowl in 86. He was almost a game changing politician as well, he was tapped to run for US Senate in 04 and he declined even though polls showed him winning in a landslide against his opponent. How is that game changing you might ask? His opponent would have been Barack Obama. I can say it would have been a much different world if that certain race had gone to Ditka... All of this is to say I was excited to smoke a cigar made in tribute to someone I grew up watching, love him or hate him he is a legend.
The cigar is very limited, only 5000 boxes of 10, or at least that is what the interwebs say. I am somewhat anxious about this because it is made by Camacho and I really dislike so many of their offerings, I assess and hope for the best. The cigar looks excellent, presented in it's own coffin and resplendent in a dark and chocolaty wrapper, while there are some prominent veins I don't find any other issues with the smoke as I give it the once over. The pre light aroma smacks of pepper and earth. The pre light draw has some signs of wood and spice, but there is a slight bitterness that is somewhat off putting.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all pepper, and pepper is the only dimension. This one dimensional approach immediately has me wary of what is to come. Cigars that show all strength up front seldom develop into anything other that what they show early and it leads to flat and mundane cigar experiences. The back of the palate is all pepper as well and I sigh and resign myself to what I feel will be a very pedestrian experience not befitting of Da Coach.and his many facets. The draw is fine, maybe a little tight for me, but I am not upset by it. The burn is also solid to this point.
The first half of the cigar retains its one dimensional aspect. The flavor is pepper and that is it, sadly there is some strange bitterness that comes in here and there as well, but I can't put my finger on what it might be. This one dimensional strength craze was supposed to be over, why do manufacturers keep doing this? It is beyond my comprehension. The back of the palate and through the nose is almost all pepper as well, there are some very subtle and fleeting hints of wood, but they are really nothing to mention. The draw is still a bit tight for me, but it is not causing any issues. The burn is still solid.
The final half of the cigar finally shows some development, but it is a regression and not a progression. The core profile is bitter and ranging into the foul spectrum. The main flavor is still pepper, but there are some sharp tobacco notes that show a bitter aftertaste. The back of the palate shows some earthy notes but they are more loamy than pleasant and I am almost completely turned off at this point. The draw and burn remain much the same throughout.
The finish was short and harsh with scorched wood and sharp pepper flavors that leave the palate tired and putrefied.
I am disappointed by this smoke and the fact that is has Da Coach's name attached to it. He deserves so much better...
Appearance- 92 really nice touch with the coffin and the cigar is wonderful to look at
Taste- 77 really very poor
Construction- 87 not bad, tight draw leads to some reduction
Strength- 82 all power and nothing else leads to one dimensional smokes
Overall- 83.75 very poor
Showing posts with label Camacho. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Camacho. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Camacho Connecticut Monarca (5x50)
I have heard rave reviews about this cigar from fellow Brothers of the Leaf so I decided to pick one up and give it a go. I should have smoked something else, but such is life. The cigar presents well with a dusty textured blond wrapper that has some veining, but nothing of concern. An inspection shows that the cigar does not have any voids or areas of concern. The pre light aroma is of cedar and light spice. The pre light draw shows some thin notes of spice, cedar and some bitterness that I can't isolate as a particular flavor.
The cigar opens with a somewhat interesting profile for a Connecticut wrapper, showing some serious notes of spice and cinnamon. However, there is a dry grassy quality to the smoke that is off putting. The draw is fluid and produces ample amounts of smoke. The burn is initially off, but evens out relatively quickly.
The first half of the cigar shows no real development. There are some thin notes of spice and light wood, but there is an overwhelming note of dry grass and burning foliage that derails the experience from early on. At the back of the palate there is a bitterness that is borders on putrid, and a weird sweetness that has a perfume like quality to it. The draw and burn are still performing acceptably to this point.
The final half of the cigar is more of the same. The profile is not satisfactory, showing notes of spice, grass and burning foliage. At the back of the palate the bitterness continues throughout the experience. The burn and draw are the only strong points of this cigar, that lacked depth, complexity and quality.
The finish is short and acrid with notes of grass.
Appearance- 88 not a bad looking smoke
Taste- 72 a very poor profile
Construction- 92 a nice performance here, the only redeeming quality
Strength- 83 a very sub par mild-medium that did not compliment the profile
Overall- 83.25 a below average experience that I would not recommend
The cigar opens with a somewhat interesting profile for a Connecticut wrapper, showing some serious notes of spice and cinnamon. However, there is a dry grassy quality to the smoke that is off putting. The draw is fluid and produces ample amounts of smoke. The burn is initially off, but evens out relatively quickly.
The first half of the cigar shows no real development. There are some thin notes of spice and light wood, but there is an overwhelming note of dry grass and burning foliage that derails the experience from early on. At the back of the palate there is a bitterness that is borders on putrid, and a weird sweetness that has a perfume like quality to it. The draw and burn are still performing acceptably to this point.
The final half of the cigar is more of the same. The profile is not satisfactory, showing notes of spice, grass and burning foliage. At the back of the palate the bitterness continues throughout the experience. The burn and draw are the only strong points of this cigar, that lacked depth, complexity and quality.
The finish is short and acrid with notes of grass.
Appearance- 88 not a bad looking smoke
Taste- 72 a very poor profile
Construction- 92 a nice performance here, the only redeeming quality
Strength- 83 a very sub par mild-medium that did not compliment the profile
Overall- 83.25 a below average experience that I would not recommend
Friday, February 26, 2010
Camacho Corojo Maduro Figurado
This is an offering from Camacho that comes in a large figurado shape that is visually intimidating for someone who prefers robustos or coronas. The wrapper is toothy and has deep brown color that is uniform. An inspection reveals some soft areas that give me some pause about the possible burn problems that could result. The pre light aroma has a funky earth tone. The pre light draw shows notes of pepper and sharp tobacco.
The cigar opens with a profile of pepper and loamy earth notes that are bordering on sour. At the back of the palate there are some hints of wood and light tobacco flavors, but the flavors are thready and hindered by the sour notes from the front of the profile. The draw is acceptable and the burn is ok, but shows the signs of a canoe very early in the smoke.
The first third of the cigar continues to have some pepper and earth notes, but the sourness has begun to come through more clearly at this point. At the back of the palate the woody notes have given away to thin grassy characteristics that are not pleasing. The draw stays solid to this point, but the burn is continuing to deteriorate into a solid canoe that any banana boat devotee would be proud of.
The middle third of the smoke is flat, showing notes of tobacco and earth, but not much in the way of depth or complexity. At the back of the palate grassy notes mingle with sour overtones to create a bile inducing mixture of putrescence. The draw is still good, but I wish it weren't so I would have an excuse to dispose of this rocket. The burn continues to canoe and I would be frustrated, but the cigar is not worth the time to worry.
The final third continues to churn my lunch from earlier. There are notes of tobacco and earth, but the vile sour notes continue to show through. The back of the palate is not worth mentioning, except to say that unless you enjoy vomit inducing arrays of flavor, this is not the cigar for you. The draw is the only highlight of the cigar, but the burn is one of the worst I have encountered.
The finish is blessed because the cigar is done. My palate tainted I happily dispose of this experience without any regret.
Appearance- 88 aside from the draw this is the only redeeming quality of the smoke
Taste- 70 one of the worst I have ever had
Construction- 75 saved only because the draw was above average
Strength- 80 a below average medium/full
Overall- 76.25 a complete waste of time
The cigar opens with a profile of pepper and loamy earth notes that are bordering on sour. At the back of the palate there are some hints of wood and light tobacco flavors, but the flavors are thready and hindered by the sour notes from the front of the profile. The draw is acceptable and the burn is ok, but shows the signs of a canoe very early in the smoke.
The first third of the cigar continues to have some pepper and earth notes, but the sourness has begun to come through more clearly at this point. At the back of the palate the woody notes have given away to thin grassy characteristics that are not pleasing. The draw stays solid to this point, but the burn is continuing to deteriorate into a solid canoe that any banana boat devotee would be proud of.
The middle third of the smoke is flat, showing notes of tobacco and earth, but not much in the way of depth or complexity. At the back of the palate grassy notes mingle with sour overtones to create a bile inducing mixture of putrescence. The draw is still good, but I wish it weren't so I would have an excuse to dispose of this rocket. The burn continues to canoe and I would be frustrated, but the cigar is not worth the time to worry.
The final third continues to churn my lunch from earlier. There are notes of tobacco and earth, but the vile sour notes continue to show through. The back of the palate is not worth mentioning, except to say that unless you enjoy vomit inducing arrays of flavor, this is not the cigar for you. The draw is the only highlight of the cigar, but the burn is one of the worst I have encountered.
The finish is blessed because the cigar is done. My palate tainted I happily dispose of this experience without any regret.
Appearance- 88 aside from the draw this is the only redeeming quality of the smoke
Taste- 70 one of the worst I have ever had
Construction- 75 saved only because the draw was above average
Strength- 80 a below average medium/full
Overall- 76.25 a complete waste of time
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Camacho Select Robusto
This cigar presents with an interesting wrapper that is a chestnut brown that has a lot of tooth. There are some prominent veins, but the cigar appears to be well made as I detect no areas of concern. The pre light aroma is sweet and has hints of fruit, but a slightly sour undertone. The pre light draw shows notes of tobacco and wood.
The cigar begins with a shallow profile of wood and light tobacco notes. There is a very dry quality to the smoke and it leaves the palate feeling somewhat parched. The draw is excellent and the burn is sharp, producing a nice crisp ash. At the back of the palate the dryness leads to some bitterness and some sharp aspirin like notes.
The first half of the cigar shows little development and maintains a dry and somewhat bitter quality. The profile has notes of wood and tobacco, but the lack of depth and complexity are vexing. The draw maintains a very high quality and the burn stays sharp.
The final half of the cigar shows nothing further and maintains a straightforward profile of tobacco and wood. There are some charred flavors showing through at the back of the palate and the overall dry texture of the smoke continues to bother me. The draw and burn have stayed consistent.
The finish is sharp, bitter and dryer still. There are notes of charred wood and light tobacco.
Appearance- 86 veining hurts the score
Taste- 79 the dry and bitter notes prohibit a higher score
Construction- 92 a well made cigar that performed very well
Strength- 85 an average medium offering
Overall- 85.5 saved by construction
The cigar begins with a shallow profile of wood and light tobacco notes. There is a very dry quality to the smoke and it leaves the palate feeling somewhat parched. The draw is excellent and the burn is sharp, producing a nice crisp ash. At the back of the palate the dryness leads to some bitterness and some sharp aspirin like notes.
The first half of the cigar shows little development and maintains a dry and somewhat bitter quality. The profile has notes of wood and tobacco, but the lack of depth and complexity are vexing. The draw maintains a very high quality and the burn stays sharp.
The final half of the cigar shows nothing further and maintains a straightforward profile of tobacco and wood. There are some charred flavors showing through at the back of the palate and the overall dry texture of the smoke continues to bother me. The draw and burn have stayed consistent.
The finish is sharp, bitter and dryer still. There are notes of charred wood and light tobacco.
Appearance- 86 veining hurts the score
Taste- 79 the dry and bitter notes prohibit a higher score
Construction- 92 a well made cigar that performed very well
Strength- 85 an average medium offering
Overall- 85.5 saved by construction
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Camacho Coyolar Puro Rothchild
This cigar has about a year of humidor aging and is from a box I acquired last fall. The cigar presents with a nice darker brown wrapper that has little, if any, veining. The pre light aroma has notes of earth, spice and roasted nuts. The pre light draw shows a nice earthy note with some undertones of spice.
The cigar begins with a serious burst of power. There are notes of earth, spice and a strong tobacco thread that brings it all together. The draw is superior and it provides ample smoke. The burn is strong and the ash is a sturdy gray. The first inch of the cigar proceeds in excellent fashion.
At the two inch mark the profile has notes of leather, earth, spice and tobacco. The flavor is deep and savory and I am surprised by the complexity and depth of the cigar. The draw and burn continue to be impressive.
Just past the halfway point the profile is showing notes of roasted nuts, leather and tobacco. The draw and burn remain solid to this point. I am continuing to be impressed with this cigar and it is well documented that I am not a fan of Camacho offerings.
The final third of the cigar continues to show notes of leather, roasted nuts and tobacco. There is a little bit of a floral note at the back of the palate. In addition there is a slightly metallic note near the end that is distracting.
The finish is a bit disappointing, showing notes of earth and leather, but there is a metallic note that hurts the experience.
Appearance- 91 an attractive cigar
Taste- 88 some metallic notes at the end and on the finish hurt the score
Construction- 94 an excellent experience
Strength- 87 a very full experience, but it does not compliment the profile well
Overall- 90 an excellent smoking experience
The cigar begins with a serious burst of power. There are notes of earth, spice and a strong tobacco thread that brings it all together. The draw is superior and it provides ample smoke. The burn is strong and the ash is a sturdy gray. The first inch of the cigar proceeds in excellent fashion.
At the two inch mark the profile has notes of leather, earth, spice and tobacco. The flavor is deep and savory and I am surprised by the complexity and depth of the cigar. The draw and burn continue to be impressive.
Just past the halfway point the profile is showing notes of roasted nuts, leather and tobacco. The draw and burn remain solid to this point. I am continuing to be impressed with this cigar and it is well documented that I am not a fan of Camacho offerings.
The final third of the cigar continues to show notes of leather, roasted nuts and tobacco. There is a little bit of a floral note at the back of the palate. In addition there is a slightly metallic note near the end that is distracting.
The finish is a bit disappointing, showing notes of earth and leather, but there is a metallic note that hurts the experience.
Appearance- 91 an attractive cigar
Taste- 88 some metallic notes at the end and on the finish hurt the score
Construction- 94 an excellent experience
Strength- 87 a very full experience, but it does not compliment the profile well
Overall- 90 an excellent smoking experience
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Room 101 Robusto by Camacho
This is a new offering from the Eiroa's, I will preface this by saying that it is no secret amongst those that know me that I do not like Camacho cigars. This cigar presents well, it has a nice dark wrapper that appears to have some tooth. An inspection reveals that the cigar seems to be well made, and I detect no soft spots or other flaws. The pre light aroma has notes of anise and spice. The pre light draw shows signs of tobacco and spice.
The cigar begins with a sour note that is off putting, I can't discern any flavors for the first inch or so due to the sour notes. The burn is acceptable and the draw is above average. The cigar progresses in much the same fashion for the first inch, until I get past whatever the sour note was.
At the inch and a half mark the cigar really opens up. The profile shows notes of coffee, anise, spice and tobacco, it is an excellent mix of flavors. The burn has started to stray a bit and it is becoming lopsided. The draw has stayed consistent.
Until I had about three eighths of the cigar left I was enjoying the profile and the smoke, that is when things took a dark turn. I encountered a horrible canoe that nearly made the cigar unsmokeable, it was almost as if the filler on one side was just a bundle of stems. I try to fight through it, to no avail, and gently retouch the cigar by burning out the imperfection. The profile has also turned for the worse. The sour notes had returned before the canoe took place, and they were coupled with notes of paper and grass.
The finish was a bit short, there were muddled notes of grass and paper.
Appearance- 88 an attractive cigar that appears a bit dry
Taste- 83 this only gets this score because of the middle portion, if the rest of the cigar were that good a 90+ score would have been a certainty
Construction- 75 the canoe was one of the worst I have seen
Strength- 88 a nice medium/full presentation
Overall- 83.5 could have been much better
The cigar begins with a sour note that is off putting, I can't discern any flavors for the first inch or so due to the sour notes. The burn is acceptable and the draw is above average. The cigar progresses in much the same fashion for the first inch, until I get past whatever the sour note was.
At the inch and a half mark the cigar really opens up. The profile shows notes of coffee, anise, spice and tobacco, it is an excellent mix of flavors. The burn has started to stray a bit and it is becoming lopsided. The draw has stayed consistent.
Until I had about three eighths of the cigar left I was enjoying the profile and the smoke, that is when things took a dark turn. I encountered a horrible canoe that nearly made the cigar unsmokeable, it was almost as if the filler on one side was just a bundle of stems. I try to fight through it, to no avail, and gently retouch the cigar by burning out the imperfection. The profile has also turned for the worse. The sour notes had returned before the canoe took place, and they were coupled with notes of paper and grass.
The finish was a bit short, there were muddled notes of grass and paper.
Appearance- 88 an attractive cigar that appears a bit dry
Taste- 83 this only gets this score because of the middle portion, if the rest of the cigar were that good a 90+ score would have been a certainty
Construction- 75 the canoe was one of the worst I have seen
Strength- 88 a nice medium/full presentation
Overall- 83.5 could have been much better
Monday, September 14, 2009
Camacho 10th Anniversary Edicion Limitada
This cigar is in a weird figurado configuration that is not symmetrical. The foot is narrow, the middle is oblong and the head is thicker that than the foot. The wrapper is a mottled brown, and there are flaws, veins and cracks down the length of the cigar. The pre light aroma is of light tobacco and raisin. The pre light draw has notes of citrus and spice.
The cigar opens with some notes of light wood, cedar and light spice. There is a metallic undertone at the back of the palate that is distracting. The burn is sharp and the ash is solid and white. The draw is perfect and produces big, booming clouds of smoke.
At the half way point the profile develops a floral quality with notes of raisins, however there is still a metallic flavor that is hurting the profile. The burn has stayed strong and the wrapper flaws are not affecting the experience.
The final half of the cigar does not change too much. The profile has maintained a character of raisins and has a floral essence. The metallic undertone is showing signs of turning bitter. The burn is still strong and the construction has stayed true despite my early misgivings.
The finish is short and has floral notes and a bitter undertone.
Appearance- 80 an unattractive cigar
Taste- 83 the metallic undertones hurt this score
Construction- 92 the cigar performs well, just a little unevenness
Strength- 84 a medium bodied smoke that does not compliment the character of the smoke
Overall- 84.75 just average for me
The cigar opens with some notes of light wood, cedar and light spice. There is a metallic undertone at the back of the palate that is distracting. The burn is sharp and the ash is solid and white. The draw is perfect and produces big, booming clouds of smoke.
At the half way point the profile develops a floral quality with notes of raisins, however there is still a metallic flavor that is hurting the profile. The burn has stayed strong and the wrapper flaws are not affecting the experience.
The final half of the cigar does not change too much. The profile has maintained a character of raisins and has a floral essence. The metallic undertone is showing signs of turning bitter. The burn is still strong and the construction has stayed true despite my early misgivings.
The finish is short and has floral notes and a bitter undertone.
Appearance- 80 an unattractive cigar
Taste- 83 the metallic undertones hurt this score
Construction- 92 the cigar performs well, just a little unevenness
Strength- 84 a medium bodied smoke that does not compliment the character of the smoke
Overall- 84.75 just average for me
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