Jose Carlos Habano Toro (6x52)

This cigar both continues and ends my boutique cigar journey. Obviously it has been some time since I last wrote a review, that is because I enjoyed nearly a month of smoking all my favorites (all cigars that I have reviewed before). I am sad that my old home period has drawn to a close, but the need to review has overcome me.

This particular offering is about as appealing to look at as some of the people on the People of Wal-Mart website, but knowing that you can't judge a book by it's cover I will move on with this evaluation. The wrapper is dry feeling and mottled, almost camouflage in nature, and I recall that this cigar has several years of age on it which leads me into some thoughts about liver spots on old people wandering the aisles of the aforementioned Wal-Mart. The construction appears to be acceptable, but there are some loose spots that have me concerned about burn and heat. The pre light aroma is light and airy but has some nutty essence. The pre light draw is very loose, but shows some hints of earth and spice.

The cigar opens with a profile that is mundane. There are some notes of roasted nuts and pepper, but they are short and lacking in depth. At the back of the palate the flavor can only be characterized as dusty and dry. The draw is very loose and I can feel heat in the smoke already, I decide to slow it down to see if I can keep it cool. The burn is wonky, but I don't see any immediate need to touch it up.

The first half of the cigar begins the descent into cigar hell. The profile becomes bitter and foul. There are some hints of fetid vegetation and sour earth, this is a profile that is horrid at this point and I contemplate putting it down. At the back of the palate there is something that is threatening to trip my gag reflex that I can only equate to a flavor like bile. The draw is still too loose and the burn is lopsided.

The final half of the cigar is amongst the worst I have ever experienced and I discard it with a third left. The flavors were putrid and I will not waste time discussing them here. The draw was too loose throughout and created too much heat. The burn was subpar throughout.

I am happy that my tour of boutiques has come to an end.

Appearance- 75 not much visually
Taste- 70 the lowest possible score for one of the worst cigars I have ever smoked
Construction- 70 again the lowest possible
Strength- 75 nothing here either
Overall- 71.75 a real dog rocket

Xikar HC Colorado Habano Toro

This is a new cigar from the famed accessory maker, it replaces the Defiance cigar (I would recommend getting some Defiance cigars if you can still find them, they were excellent). This cigar presents well with a Colorado Habano wrapper that does not have the typical reddish hue that I expect, but is more of a deep chocolate brown. There are some prominent veins in the wrapper and the roll seems a bit loose. The pre light aroma is of dark fruit, I sense black cherry. The pre light draw is a bit tight, which runs counter to the looseness of the roll, and is a bit confusing when it shows notes of spice, fruit and some sort of weird chemical/solvent undertone.

The cigar opens with notes of black cherry and spice, there is a bit of a clean tobacco flavor in the mix, but there is a definite chemical underpinning to the profile that is bothersome. The draw is a bit tight, but I am not having any real issues. The burn is even and produces a nice gray ash, that is firm.

The first third of the cigar progresses with a profile that has notes of dark fruit and floral sweetness. The chemical, almost medicinal, undertone is still in the profile and it is nearly enough to make me put the smoke down. The draw is still tight, but the burn is excellent. I perservere against my better judgement at this point.

The middle third of the cigar picks up some clean tobacco notes with hints of dark fruit and some more layers of floral essences. The chemical flavors have faded some and the profile is gaining some positive points, but still lacking in depth and complexity. The draw has opened up perceptibly and the result is more smoke, but the same flavors that lack depth. The burn is still above average at this point.

The final third of the cigar spirals out of control. The profile shows notes of charred wood and paper. The profile takes on a an acrid, acidic overtone and the chemical flavors are in my face. The draw has completely opened up allowing me to partake in the foul and malodorous experience in full effect. The burn is still performing well.

The finish is short, bitter, charred and acidic.

Appearance- 86 an above average looking cigar
Taste- 74 saved somewhat by the middle third
Construction- 84 early draw issues were a small problem
Strength- 70 too difficult to discern within the sub par profile
Overall- 78.5 they should have saved the tobacco for sacrifice in the next hurricane