Curivari is a cigar that I take credit for single handedly bringing to the attention of the market in the area where I live. In 2011 I found these beauties by accident while wandering around a New Orleans brick and mortar (also the place I found EloGio) and I brought them home and shared the wealth. The clamoring for the smokes led to some local B&M's carrying them, and for that they have me to thank. At least that is what I say, see most of the B&M's around here are very good and the proprietors are very astute so they probably would have ended up with these in stock anyway, besides no one ever listens to me anyway.
This cigar is the newer maduro version of the blend. When I saw this I was excited. My reaction was appropriately Pavlovian; drooling, rapid and excited respiration, the desire to make my master happy (I don't even know my master, but I'm pretty sure it is some sort of cigar). All of these things were happening and I had only just lain eyes on them. My hands were nearly shaking as I made my selections, if this is what learned behavior is I'm glad I have it for cigars and not for something without pleasure like bamboo shoots under the finger nails, or no cigars. My proprietor friend just smiled knowingly at me, like the corner crack dealer, I could see the dollar signs in his eyes. He moved closer, trying not to startle me, and suggested that they might not be around long. Ordinarily I look at this as a sales ploy, but I know this guy moves unique and rare product so he was telling me the truth. Instinct kicked in and I felt like a Bear getting ready to bed down for winter, I had to have them and I had to have many of them.
The cigar presents simply and elegantly with same band as the prior blend. As a note, it would be easy to confuse this band with RyJ or Partagas at a distance, don't make that mistake give a close inspection. On second thought, just assume they are either RyJ or Partagas and move on so I can move in for the score. That's right, I am a greedy, cigar grubbing bastard and I can't smoke them all if you get some. The wrapper on these babies is a traditional maduro, not oiled or cooked or treated to look darker than they are, just a nice plain and natural maduro the color of medium brewed coffee. There are some veins, but they add to the character of the appearance. The construction is wonderful, the cigar has just the right amount of tension in the bunch and I can't find an issue anywhere along the parejo. The pre light aroma is of pepper and coffee. The pre light draw shows cocoa and pepper flavors that are a true delight.
The cigar opens with a profile that has miles and miles of depth and complexity. The core flavors are coffee and light pepper, but there are tantalizing hints of dark wood here that add a subtle undertone to the whole experience that is nuanced and balanced. At the back of the palate and through the nose there a sweet earthy tone that one would expect from a maduro, but there are also some satisfying salty tones here that border on being meaty. This is a wonderful open to a cigar. The burn is a touch wonky at the start, but it is evening out as I progress so I am not worried. The draw is an absolute dream, plenty of smoke with very little effort is just what the doctor ordered.
The first half of the cigar picks up in strength as it progresses and this is a nice change from the standard blend of this cigar. The standard blend is excellent in it's own right, but this experience is more profound at this point in the smoke. The core profile shows some robust pepper tones and the coffee flavors have become more bold, there is some nicotine tingle coming in here as well which ramps up the strength quotient. The back of the palate continues to impress me as the earthy flavors intensify and the dark wood notes become more and more prominent. The burn has evened out beautifully and the draw is still an absolute dream.
The final half of this cigar is what cigar smoking is all about. I view each portion of a cigar as an experience, and this is an adventure of epic proportions. The core profile blasts away with monumental salvos of pepper, but there are notes of cocoa, coffee and cream that add a majestic subtlety to the profile. The back of the palate shows wonderful notes of dark wood and earth, but there is a raisin like quality on the finish that is taking this to a new level. I have never experienced this particular flavor in this way as it would usually be overwhelmed by such robust flavors of wood and earth, but it is there and it is wonderful. The burn is solid all the way to the end and the draw was flawless throughout.
The finish was smooth and long and had notes of pepper, earth and raisin.
This cigar is one of the finest I have smoked in awhile and if you can find them get some, or tell me where they are so I can buy them all.
Appearance- 93 a nice looking smoke that could be mistaken for an inferior brand due to the band
Taste- 96 a classic profile for me, so much flavor and balance and strength
Construction- 91 some points off for early burn problems, but the rest was excellent
Strength- 94 a wonderful medium turning full as the cigar progresses
Overall- 93.5 an excellent smoke
Showing posts with label Curivari. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Curivari. Show all posts
Monday, January 28, 2013
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Curivari Reserva Limitada Cafe 52 (6x52)
This is the final blend of the Curivari line that I will review for now, not because I am tired of them, but because I have reviewed all that are available right now. Curivari is by far my runaway winner of boutique of the year. Who knew that when I stumbled on these about four months ago I would be finding some of the best new cigars in recent years? I certainly didn't know and it proves my long standing theory that a true cigar smoker should smoke everything, you might be missing some real gems.
This cigar is very similar to the other Curivari offerings. The wrapper is beautiful and applied expertly, there are some veins, but they will not be an issue. Sadly there is a little split a the foot, I am hoping it does not open up when flame is applied, these are the perils of cigar smoking sometimes. My examination reveals one area of concern in the middle of the smoke, there is a slight hard spot here and I worried about burn issues when I get to this area. As the name suggests the pre light aroma is full of coffee and chocolate notes. The pre light draw is thin, but shows some nice tobacco and coffee essence.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all coffee and light cocoa notes, this is an excellent opening to a cigar and I can't recall ever experiencing this type of flavor so early in a cigar in such a profound way. At the back of the palate there is a very satisfying base of wood and tobacco that builds a fine foundation for the cigar. I would like some more balance in the flavors, the wood can overwhelm the subtleties of the coffee flavors in spots. The draw is too loose for me at this point, and there is actually some effort involved in getting a mouthful of smoke. Upon reflection I realize that this could be because of the split in the foot allowing too much air in the opening moments. The burn is solid despite the split that I noted in the examination.
The first half of the cigar loses some zip. The profile becomes somewhat lackluster as the flavors become more shallow and less complex. There are some coffee flavors present, but there is not enough here to make any real impressions. At the back of the palate the wood has taken on a definite cedar tone and the tobacco flavor from earlier has faded into the darkness. The draw has become more acceptable at this point. The burn has begun to deteriorate as I approach the hard spot I noted earlier and I fear that my concerns may have been well founded.
The final half of the cigar is plagued with burn issues, I don't retouch the cigar, but I certainly could have many times over. I choose instead to allow it to even out on it's own, and it eventually does, but I lose about a third of the non-combusted wrapper in the process. The profile has actually become a very nice array of chocolate and tea flavors, the balance of the tea with the chocolate is a nice change of pace. The back of the palate has become a fully involved cedar explosion and it is on the borderline of becoming too sharp. The burn is just a mess, but it does even out with about an inch left in the smoke. The draw is fine through to the end.
The finish was full of cedar that became too sharp in the closing moments. This was the most disappointing of the Curivari line for me.
Appearance- 88 a nice smoke to look at
Taste- 87 some middle inconsistencies hurt the score
Construction- 78 the burn disaster in the last half with the loose draw in the front half killed this cigar
Strength- 85 a nice medium, but I would have liked more punch
Overall- 83.75 very disappointing
This cigar is very similar to the other Curivari offerings. The wrapper is beautiful and applied expertly, there are some veins, but they will not be an issue. Sadly there is a little split a the foot, I am hoping it does not open up when flame is applied, these are the perils of cigar smoking sometimes. My examination reveals one area of concern in the middle of the smoke, there is a slight hard spot here and I worried about burn issues when I get to this area. As the name suggests the pre light aroma is full of coffee and chocolate notes. The pre light draw is thin, but shows some nice tobacco and coffee essence.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all coffee and light cocoa notes, this is an excellent opening to a cigar and I can't recall ever experiencing this type of flavor so early in a cigar in such a profound way. At the back of the palate there is a very satisfying base of wood and tobacco that builds a fine foundation for the cigar. I would like some more balance in the flavors, the wood can overwhelm the subtleties of the coffee flavors in spots. The draw is too loose for me at this point, and there is actually some effort involved in getting a mouthful of smoke. Upon reflection I realize that this could be because of the split in the foot allowing too much air in the opening moments. The burn is solid despite the split that I noted in the examination.
The first half of the cigar loses some zip. The profile becomes somewhat lackluster as the flavors become more shallow and less complex. There are some coffee flavors present, but there is not enough here to make any real impressions. At the back of the palate the wood has taken on a definite cedar tone and the tobacco flavor from earlier has faded into the darkness. The draw has become more acceptable at this point. The burn has begun to deteriorate as I approach the hard spot I noted earlier and I fear that my concerns may have been well founded.
The final half of the cigar is plagued with burn issues, I don't retouch the cigar, but I certainly could have many times over. I choose instead to allow it to even out on it's own, and it eventually does, but I lose about a third of the non-combusted wrapper in the process. The profile has actually become a very nice array of chocolate and tea flavors, the balance of the tea with the chocolate is a nice change of pace. The back of the palate has become a fully involved cedar explosion and it is on the borderline of becoming too sharp. The burn is just a mess, but it does even out with about an inch left in the smoke. The draw is fine through to the end.
The finish was full of cedar that became too sharp in the closing moments. This was the most disappointing of the Curivari line for me.
Appearance- 88 a nice smoke to look at
Taste- 87 some middle inconsistencies hurt the score
Construction- 78 the burn disaster in the last half with the loose draw in the front half killed this cigar
Strength- 85 a nice medium, but I would have liked more punch
Overall- 83.75 very disappointing
Monday, November 14, 2011
Curivari Reserva Limitada 1000 Series Reserva 3000 (6x50)
Yet another Curivari review, what can I say? I have really enjoyed smoking my way through these cigars over the last few months, and I still have a blend or two to go. If you have a chance to get your hands on some of these blends, you really need to grab some, hell grab a box or two, you can't go wrong. These are really just that good, at least the ones I have smoked up until now.
On to this cigar. They have three Reserva Limitada blends; the Classica, the 1000 series and the Cafe. This is the one that sports the bright white band against a reddish brown colorado wrapper. The band is simple, but it is very appealing against the dark wrapper. The wrapper itself looks like a warm cup of joe, it is just beautifully swathed over the cigar like a tobacco blanket. An inspection reveals no areas of concern, with the exception of some fraying at the foot which is the result of the travel from New Orleans back to Tampa and down to Sarasota, I'll blame TSA for this. The pre light aroma is of cinnamon. The pre light draw is a touch tight, but smacks of in your face coffee flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all coffee and brown sugar. The flavors are so deep and complex that I am stunned into a silent reverie. Seldom are flavors of this nature so intriguing, so deep, so complex, so damn good! At the back of the palate there are alternating passes of dark wood and pepper and the mix with the front of the profile is exceptional. The draw starts tightly, but opens up quickly and imparts ample smoke with little effort. The burn is even and a nice grayish white ash is forming.
The first half of the cigar is the stuff of legend. The profile is showing monumental profile shifts and so much balance that I have to catch my own balance because I am shocked. The coffee flavors intensify and there is a mocha type richness to it that I have never experienced in a cigar. There are flavors of dark berries here as well and the sweet flavors dance in and out amongst the other profile flavors. There are small blasts of cinnamon touching the tip of the tongue and creating more depth that I have experienced in some time. At the back of the palate the dark wood flavors continue to reign supreme and provide the foundation for the front of the profile to rest on. The draw is nearly perfect for me, just the right amount of resistance is present here. The burn is also very solid and the sturdy ash holds until nearly halfway.
The final half of the cigar, while still good, has lost some of it's luster. The profile becomes a more straight forward presentation of pepper and coffee, but there are some charry notes that are threatening to become bitter and derail the back half of the experience. At the back of the palate the woody flavors have given way to a more toast like presentation that weakens some of the complexity of the smoke in the final moments. The draw stays nearly perfect throughout. The burn showed some signs of of a canoe in the final third, but it never materializes into any issues.
The finish was a touch short and some bitter, burned coffee flavors lingered.
Appearance- 93 a very nice looking smoke, makes you want to eat it
Taste- 90 still well above average despite the plateau early in the smoke
Construction- 96 this was superb, nary an issue
Strength- 92 a very nice medium/full
Overall- 92.75 an exceptional smoke that was nearly classic
On to this cigar. They have three Reserva Limitada blends; the Classica, the 1000 series and the Cafe. This is the one that sports the bright white band against a reddish brown colorado wrapper. The band is simple, but it is very appealing against the dark wrapper. The wrapper itself looks like a warm cup of joe, it is just beautifully swathed over the cigar like a tobacco blanket. An inspection reveals no areas of concern, with the exception of some fraying at the foot which is the result of the travel from New Orleans back to Tampa and down to Sarasota, I'll blame TSA for this. The pre light aroma is of cinnamon. The pre light draw is a touch tight, but smacks of in your face coffee flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that is all coffee and brown sugar. The flavors are so deep and complex that I am stunned into a silent reverie. Seldom are flavors of this nature so intriguing, so deep, so complex, so damn good! At the back of the palate there are alternating passes of dark wood and pepper and the mix with the front of the profile is exceptional. The draw starts tightly, but opens up quickly and imparts ample smoke with little effort. The burn is even and a nice grayish white ash is forming.
The first half of the cigar is the stuff of legend. The profile is showing monumental profile shifts and so much balance that I have to catch my own balance because I am shocked. The coffee flavors intensify and there is a mocha type richness to it that I have never experienced in a cigar. There are flavors of dark berries here as well and the sweet flavors dance in and out amongst the other profile flavors. There are small blasts of cinnamon touching the tip of the tongue and creating more depth that I have experienced in some time. At the back of the palate the dark wood flavors continue to reign supreme and provide the foundation for the front of the profile to rest on. The draw is nearly perfect for me, just the right amount of resistance is present here. The burn is also very solid and the sturdy ash holds until nearly halfway.
The final half of the cigar, while still good, has lost some of it's luster. The profile becomes a more straight forward presentation of pepper and coffee, but there are some charry notes that are threatening to become bitter and derail the back half of the experience. At the back of the palate the woody flavors have given way to a more toast like presentation that weakens some of the complexity of the smoke in the final moments. The draw stays nearly perfect throughout. The burn showed some signs of of a canoe in the final third, but it never materializes into any issues.
The finish was a touch short and some bitter, burned coffee flavors lingered.
Appearance- 93 a very nice looking smoke, makes you want to eat it
Taste- 90 still well above average despite the plateau early in the smoke
Construction- 96 this was superb, nary an issue
Strength- 92 a very nice medium/full
Overall- 92.75 an exceptional smoke that was nearly classic
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Curivari Gloria de Leon Prominente (6.75x54)
This is the third or fourth cigar that I have reviewed from this little Nicaraguan boutique and I have been mostly impressed with everything I have tried from them so far. I believe that the most fun one can have as a cigar enthusiast is in finding blends that no one has ever heard of and being the first to try them. That is the case here, and I have given some of these out to some selected friends to rave reviews as well, now we all just need these smokes to be available around here. Thus far I have only found them in New Orleans and there does not appear to be a way to get them from the website.
This cigar is huge, much bigger than I usually prefer, I am keeping an open mind though because I have enjoyed the other offerings from this maker. The cigar is ruddy in appearance and the band work is simple, if you buy based on looks you would pass this right over without a second thought. The construction seems to be a bit loose in some areas, but I am going to smoke this slowly while watching the beloved Bears anyway, so I am not worried. The pre light aroma is full of dark fruit notes, black cherry and raspberry come immediately to mind. The pre light draw shows some fine tobacco character and some light brushes of cocoa.
The cigar opens with a profile of such depth and complexity that I am transfixed by the presentation, which is a good thing because the Bears are neither complex or deep at this particular juncture, when is Lovie Smith going to realize that the Cover 2 is no longer a legitimate defense in this league? I digress, the core profile is showing excellent flavors of black cherry, light pepper and dark wood. There is an undertone of cocoa here that is tantalizing and leaves the palate yearning for more of the richness it is providing. At the back of the palate there are some serious presentations of rich tobacco and a hearty grain like flavor that I would equate to a seven grain bagel. There is just so much complexity here I am in a struggle to figure out what it all means at this point. The draw is too loose, again I am not worried because I have figured this cigar to go for more than two hours anyway. The burn is sharp and is producing a nice white ash.
In the first half of the smoke I reach heights that are seldom experienced in a cigar smoker's journey. The profile morphs into a robust concoction of strength and flavor that is rarely achieved. The core shows flavors of black cherry, chocolate, raspberry, dark wood and light dustings of sugar. At the back of the palate there are still some presentations of dark wood, but an excellent spray on cinnamon has shown up here and it is welcome. I don't know if I have ever experienced a cigar that has this much recognizable flavor laced through it. Too bad the Bears are not keeping up with the cigar, they are wavering horribly in the 3rd quarter and I am sure their goose is cooked, I don't even really care because this smoke is so good. The draw is still too loose for me, but it is not causing me any issues. The burn is still solid.
The final half of this cigar propels it into legendary status for me. The profile shows a wonderful transition into a presentation of dark wood, pepper, black cherry and sugar that intensifies so rapidly it takes me by surprise. At the back of the palate cinnamon notes are still showing through and there is a fabulous overtone of rich tobacco flavor that is binding the experience together with incredible subtlety. The Bears suck it on this evening, but this cigar is taking the sting out of the loss. The draw stays too loose for me throughout and that is the only negative about this cigar. The burn is superior right down to the nubbed end.
The finish was long and satisfying with lingering sugar and pepper notes that tease the palate well after last pull. I seldom smoke the same cigar right after finishing, but this is one I would have smoked right away, if only I had more.
Appearance- 86 not going to win any contests, but slightly above average
Taste- 98 a classic profile that just wowed me at every turn
Construction- 89 the loose draw was a factor for me, the cigar performed well in spite of it
Strength- 94 a wonderful medium/full presentation that complemented the profile superbly
Overall- 92.25 some issues with the draw and lackluster appearance hurt the score, but still an excellent smoke
This cigar is huge, much bigger than I usually prefer, I am keeping an open mind though because I have enjoyed the other offerings from this maker. The cigar is ruddy in appearance and the band work is simple, if you buy based on looks you would pass this right over without a second thought. The construction seems to be a bit loose in some areas, but I am going to smoke this slowly while watching the beloved Bears anyway, so I am not worried. The pre light aroma is full of dark fruit notes, black cherry and raspberry come immediately to mind. The pre light draw shows some fine tobacco character and some light brushes of cocoa.
The cigar opens with a profile of such depth and complexity that I am transfixed by the presentation, which is a good thing because the Bears are neither complex or deep at this particular juncture, when is Lovie Smith going to realize that the Cover 2 is no longer a legitimate defense in this league? I digress, the core profile is showing excellent flavors of black cherry, light pepper and dark wood. There is an undertone of cocoa here that is tantalizing and leaves the palate yearning for more of the richness it is providing. At the back of the palate there are some serious presentations of rich tobacco and a hearty grain like flavor that I would equate to a seven grain bagel. There is just so much complexity here I am in a struggle to figure out what it all means at this point. The draw is too loose, again I am not worried because I have figured this cigar to go for more than two hours anyway. The burn is sharp and is producing a nice white ash.
In the first half of the smoke I reach heights that are seldom experienced in a cigar smoker's journey. The profile morphs into a robust concoction of strength and flavor that is rarely achieved. The core shows flavors of black cherry, chocolate, raspberry, dark wood and light dustings of sugar. At the back of the palate there are still some presentations of dark wood, but an excellent spray on cinnamon has shown up here and it is welcome. I don't know if I have ever experienced a cigar that has this much recognizable flavor laced through it. Too bad the Bears are not keeping up with the cigar, they are wavering horribly in the 3rd quarter and I am sure their goose is cooked, I don't even really care because this smoke is so good. The draw is still too loose for me, but it is not causing me any issues. The burn is still solid.
The final half of this cigar propels it into legendary status for me. The profile shows a wonderful transition into a presentation of dark wood, pepper, black cherry and sugar that intensifies so rapidly it takes me by surprise. At the back of the palate cinnamon notes are still showing through and there is a fabulous overtone of rich tobacco flavor that is binding the experience together with incredible subtlety. The Bears suck it on this evening, but this cigar is taking the sting out of the loss. The draw stays too loose for me throughout and that is the only negative about this cigar. The burn is superior right down to the nubbed end.
The finish was long and satisfying with lingering sugar and pepper notes that tease the palate well after last pull. I seldom smoke the same cigar right after finishing, but this is one I would have smoked right away, if only I had more.
Appearance- 86 not going to win any contests, but slightly above average
Taste- 98 a classic profile that just wowed me at every turn
Construction- 89 the loose draw was a factor for me, the cigar performed well in spite of it
Strength- 94 a wonderful medium/full presentation that complemented the profile superbly
Overall- 92.25 some issues with the draw and lackluster appearance hurt the score, but still an excellent smoke
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Curivari Reserva Limitada Classica Monarcas (5.25x52)
I continue my recent tour of this little boutique brand that nobody seems to know anything about. I have found some the smokes so far to be excellent and I had no reason to believe this would be any different after discussing it with the boys at my favorite New Orleans B&M. These guys are a real collection of scallywags, scoundrels and shoe clerks, but they do know a good cigar (usually). Unless they are trying to hoodwink me, after all I am new to the scene. They could be involved in some clandestine effort to foul my palate with sub par smokes in the hopes that I might stop smoking and lay my poison pen to rest, forever leaving their favorite cigars unassailed with my venomous words. Ok, ok I exaggerate I guess, plus you are all sans foil hats I'm sure, so I will spare you further conspiratorial musings, besides I am not that important or paranoid (everyone is out to get me though).
The cigar presents well, it seems chunkier than a 52 ring gauge but a quick measurement with my ring gauge app on my I-Phone (yes there is such a thing) shows that it is a 52. The wrapper is dark and has some nice sheen, there are some prominent veins that add some character to the visual experience but, have me concerned about combustion. An inspection reveals some information that leads me to believe that the bunch might be too loose, this has me even more concerned about potential combustion issues. The pre light aroma is all dark fruit. The pre light draw is full of dark cherry flavors with touches of a floral spice.
The bar I have chosen to partake of this particular smoke in has some shady looking characters and more appealing, some adult entertainment. I choose a seat with my back to a corner that has a view of the front door, not paranoid, just cautious. I make sure no one is really paying any attention to me and I cut and light. The cigar opens with a profile that has some serious flavor considerations. There are blasts of black cherry and spice that are the highlight, but there are some very nice earth and wood tones laced throughout here as well. The depth is not particularly noteworthy, but the balance and complexity are nice. At the back of the palate there are some very interesting salty and sweet notes that I equate to honey roasted peanuts. The draw is fine at this point and it delivers acceptably. The burn is a touch slow and is starting to go a touch wonky about an inch in.
I am getting some faces from some of the danc...errrr, entertainers as I negotiate my way through the first half of the cigar. My senses are on high alert now as the cigar continues to progress in a most pleasing way. The profile has developed into a wonderful mix of toasty, sweet flavors that maintain some hints of cherry and spice. At the back of the palate nice wood flavors have taken over and provide a nice balance when played off the front of the profile. The draw is becoming a bit sluggish as I approach some of the softer areas of the bunch. The burn is ok, but I am sensing there might be some trouble coming as I approach areas of concern.
The final half of the smoke has split personality. The profile is still showing me some nice leg, or that might be the entertainer, but it is still impressive (the profile, not the leg). There are some solid cocoa notes here and some more excellent blasts of black cherry, the sweetness has really ramped up in this last half of the smoke and it takes away some of the strength I thought might be here. At the back of the palate some earthy flavors have really taken over, it is almost loamy. The draw is still sluggish, but it delivers acceptable amounts of smoke to the end. The burn is a mess at this point, but strangely does not cause any problems in the smoke.
The finish is sweet and lingering with some floral notes that carry me out the door, after making sure I am being followed by nothing but cigar memories.....
Appearance- 88 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 93 some excellent profile flavors
Construction- 82 sadly this will kill a nice smoke
Strength- 87 surprisingly mild
Overall- 87.5 if it performed better from a construction standpoint this cigar would be excellent
The cigar presents well, it seems chunkier than a 52 ring gauge but a quick measurement with my ring gauge app on my I-Phone (yes there is such a thing) shows that it is a 52. The wrapper is dark and has some nice sheen, there are some prominent veins that add some character to the visual experience but, have me concerned about combustion. An inspection reveals some information that leads me to believe that the bunch might be too loose, this has me even more concerned about potential combustion issues. The pre light aroma is all dark fruit. The pre light draw is full of dark cherry flavors with touches of a floral spice.
The bar I have chosen to partake of this particular smoke in has some shady looking characters and more appealing, some adult entertainment. I choose a seat with my back to a corner that has a view of the front door, not paranoid, just cautious. I make sure no one is really paying any attention to me and I cut and light. The cigar opens with a profile that has some serious flavor considerations. There are blasts of black cherry and spice that are the highlight, but there are some very nice earth and wood tones laced throughout here as well. The depth is not particularly noteworthy, but the balance and complexity are nice. At the back of the palate there are some very interesting salty and sweet notes that I equate to honey roasted peanuts. The draw is fine at this point and it delivers acceptably. The burn is a touch slow and is starting to go a touch wonky about an inch in.
I am getting some faces from some of the danc...errrr, entertainers as I negotiate my way through the first half of the cigar. My senses are on high alert now as the cigar continues to progress in a most pleasing way. The profile has developed into a wonderful mix of toasty, sweet flavors that maintain some hints of cherry and spice. At the back of the palate nice wood flavors have taken over and provide a nice balance when played off the front of the profile. The draw is becoming a bit sluggish as I approach some of the softer areas of the bunch. The burn is ok, but I am sensing there might be some trouble coming as I approach areas of concern.
The final half of the smoke has split personality. The profile is still showing me some nice leg, or that might be the entertainer, but it is still impressive (the profile, not the leg). There are some solid cocoa notes here and some more excellent blasts of black cherry, the sweetness has really ramped up in this last half of the smoke and it takes away some of the strength I thought might be here. At the back of the palate some earthy flavors have really taken over, it is almost loamy. The draw is still sluggish, but it delivers acceptable amounts of smoke to the end. The burn is a mess at this point, but strangely does not cause any problems in the smoke.
The finish is sweet and lingering with some floral notes that carry me out the door, after making sure I am being followed by nothing but cigar memories.....
Appearance- 88 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 93 some excellent profile flavors
Construction- 82 sadly this will kill a nice smoke
Strength- 87 surprisingly mild
Overall- 87.5 if it performed better from a construction standpoint this cigar would be excellent
Monday, August 29, 2011
Curivari El Gran Rey Emperadores (5x50)
Gasp!! Two reviews in as many nights from the Czar? What is going on here you might ask? Nothing I say! I have just started to get around to some cigars that I have had that were in need of evaluation. Everything takes time my friends, and now is the time to review another off the beaten path smoke.
This cigar continues my tour of the Curivari frontmark and I can only hope that it will be as impressive as it's cousin from the evening last. It presents with more tricky band work, from a distance you will think Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey, again be not fooled. While the band is similar this is no Cuban, besides you silly sots, where would you find a Cuban in a B&M anyway? The cigar presents well, with a wrapper that is couple of shades lighter than being a standard maduro. There are some visible veins, but I don't think any of them have achieved a level of prominence that would cause concern. The construction bothers me a bit as I find some areas that seem too loose to me, but I make the decision early to smoke this slowly so I won't have any issues. The pre light aroma is of clover and spice. The pre light draw shows some dark wood flavors and maybe a touch of honey.
The cigar opens with a profile that is decidedly flat for me, there are some nice flavors of wood and spice, but they are lacking in depth and character. Wispy flavors tend to upset me when they happen during the introductory period of the cigar, they remind of the woman that you take all night to gather courage to talk to and she politely lets you know she is not interested. At the back of the palate there are some interesting earthy intepretations, but again the depth and character are not what I would like. The draw is too loose for me and I have to slow the smoke down to keep the appropriate combustion rate. The burn is a touch off, but it is not anything to be overly concerned with at this point.
The first half of the cigar begins to warm up nicely. The core profile shows some excellent dark wood, cream and honey presentations that are more deep than earlier in the smoke, but still a bit shallow for me. At the back of the palate the earthy tones are accompanied by some spice and clover flavors, but again are not particualrly deep. The draw has come around as I pass some of the loose areas of the bunch and the combustion is now proper. The burn is everning out nicely as the cigar proceeds.
The final half of the cigar is coming on strong, this is starting to be what I look for in a smoke. The core profile takes on a core of toasted marshmallow and cream that leaves me yearning for more, the depth here is progressing, but I would like these flavors to be more robust at this point in a smoke. At the back of the palate there are still some nice earthy flavors, but some dark chocolate notes start to creep in here as well. I just wish this had happened earlier in the smoke with some further depth. The burn is now fine and the draw continues to perform well after the initial looseness.
The finish was a touch weak, but showed some nice earth and wood flavors. This was not as good as last night's smoke, but it was a nice smoke.
Appearance- 88 a nice looking smoke, but some veins hurt the visual
Taste- 87 some depth and character issues here, but all in all above average
Construction- 85 average is all I can do here, the draw was too loose early and it caused early issues
Strength- 86 medium for me, but a nice smoke strength wise
Overall- 86.25 slightly above average, but $1 more than last night's 91...You do the math
This cigar continues my tour of the Curivari frontmark and I can only hope that it will be as impressive as it's cousin from the evening last. It presents with more tricky band work, from a distance you will think Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey, again be not fooled. While the band is similar this is no Cuban, besides you silly sots, where would you find a Cuban in a B&M anyway? The cigar presents well, with a wrapper that is couple of shades lighter than being a standard maduro. There are some visible veins, but I don't think any of them have achieved a level of prominence that would cause concern. The construction bothers me a bit as I find some areas that seem too loose to me, but I make the decision early to smoke this slowly so I won't have any issues. The pre light aroma is of clover and spice. The pre light draw shows some dark wood flavors and maybe a touch of honey.
The cigar opens with a profile that is decidedly flat for me, there are some nice flavors of wood and spice, but they are lacking in depth and character. Wispy flavors tend to upset me when they happen during the introductory period of the cigar, they remind of the woman that you take all night to gather courage to talk to and she politely lets you know she is not interested. At the back of the palate there are some interesting earthy intepretations, but again the depth and character are not what I would like. The draw is too loose for me and I have to slow the smoke down to keep the appropriate combustion rate. The burn is a touch off, but it is not anything to be overly concerned with at this point.
The first half of the cigar begins to warm up nicely. The core profile shows some excellent dark wood, cream and honey presentations that are more deep than earlier in the smoke, but still a bit shallow for me. At the back of the palate the earthy tones are accompanied by some spice and clover flavors, but again are not particualrly deep. The draw has come around as I pass some of the loose areas of the bunch and the combustion is now proper. The burn is everning out nicely as the cigar proceeds.
The final half of the cigar is coming on strong, this is starting to be what I look for in a smoke. The core profile takes on a core of toasted marshmallow and cream that leaves me yearning for more, the depth here is progressing, but I would like these flavors to be more robust at this point in a smoke. At the back of the palate there are still some nice earthy flavors, but some dark chocolate notes start to creep in here as well. I just wish this had happened earlier in the smoke with some further depth. The burn is now fine and the draw continues to perform well after the initial looseness.
The finish was a touch weak, but showed some nice earth and wood flavors. This was not as good as last night's smoke, but it was a nice smoke.
Appearance- 88 a nice looking smoke, but some veins hurt the visual
Taste- 87 some depth and character issues here, but all in all above average
Construction- 85 average is all I can do here, the draw was too loose early and it caused early issues
Strength- 86 medium for me, but a nice smoke strength wise
Overall- 86.25 slightly above average, but $1 more than last night's 91...You do the math
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Curivari Selccion Privada Robusto (5x50)
I have been on a review hiatus for awhile and it has vexed me, but sometimes the working to pay the bills thing gets in the way. When this happens I smoke old standbys that I know I have reviewed before because it's not like I'm a gonna stop smoking.
This particular cigar was discovered in a sweet little B&M in New Orleans and I had never, ever heard of it. The proprietor there clued me in and it was the beginning of a nice friendship between he and I. As for the relationship with the cigar, well the review follows.
The cigar presents well with a nice medium brown wrapper that has little veining and nice oils. From a distance the back will make you think RyJ or Partagas, but do not be fooled this is neither of those. The construction is flawless and I detect nary a tight or loose spot in the body of the cigar. The pre light aroma is of light spice, wood and vanilla. The pre light draw shows flavors of vanilla and wood.
The cigar opens with an unexpectedly smooth, but full, presentation of white pepper and wood flavors. There is depth aplenty here and the flavors are bold and really delivering. At the back of the palate there is a sharp spice and some nice flavors of anise. The draw is cubanesque, in that it is slightly tight, but it delivers ample smoke without too much effort. The burn is a bit akimbo but I don't have any concerns about it as the cigar will progress.
The first half of the smoke continues to show very nice flavor. There are still some excellent strains of white pepper, but a creamy vanilla note has entered the smoke here as well providing a fantastic counterpoint to the pepper flavors. At the back of the palate a very nice wood flavor dominates the profile, but there are still some very nice hints of spice playing with the pepper and vanilla from the front of the smoke. The draw loosens some, but is still a touch too tight without causing issues. The burn has evened out nicely and the cigar is booming along without any concern on my part.
The final half of the cigar continues to be strong. The main profile shows vanilla and spice notes that are complemented by an undertone of wood. At the back of the palate there are still some excellent notes of spice that have mulled some, but they are replaced by a finish of anise that checks the palate the nicely. The draw continues to be a touch tight, but it is performing well. The burn is excellent at this point.
The finish is smooth and long showing some nice anise notes well after the end is deposited into my ashtray. All in all this is an excellent find and I bought the rest of what he had in the store, and I purchased several of the other blends Curivari offers.
Appearance- 91 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 92 some very nice depth and the flavors were all complementary of one another
Construction- 89 some tightness in the draw and early burn issues lead to the deduction
Strength- 93 a very nice medium that lends to smoking early in a lineup without killing the palate
Overall- 91 a very solid smoking experience
This particular cigar was discovered in a sweet little B&M in New Orleans and I had never, ever heard of it. The proprietor there clued me in and it was the beginning of a nice friendship between he and I. As for the relationship with the cigar, well the review follows.
The cigar presents well with a nice medium brown wrapper that has little veining and nice oils. From a distance the back will make you think RyJ or Partagas, but do not be fooled this is neither of those. The construction is flawless and I detect nary a tight or loose spot in the body of the cigar. The pre light aroma is of light spice, wood and vanilla. The pre light draw shows flavors of vanilla and wood.
The cigar opens with an unexpectedly smooth, but full, presentation of white pepper and wood flavors. There is depth aplenty here and the flavors are bold and really delivering. At the back of the palate there is a sharp spice and some nice flavors of anise. The draw is cubanesque, in that it is slightly tight, but it delivers ample smoke without too much effort. The burn is a bit akimbo but I don't have any concerns about it as the cigar will progress.
The first half of the smoke continues to show very nice flavor. There are still some excellent strains of white pepper, but a creamy vanilla note has entered the smoke here as well providing a fantastic counterpoint to the pepper flavors. At the back of the palate a very nice wood flavor dominates the profile, but there are still some very nice hints of spice playing with the pepper and vanilla from the front of the smoke. The draw loosens some, but is still a touch too tight without causing issues. The burn has evened out nicely and the cigar is booming along without any concern on my part.
The final half of the cigar continues to be strong. The main profile shows vanilla and spice notes that are complemented by an undertone of wood. At the back of the palate there are still some excellent notes of spice that have mulled some, but they are replaced by a finish of anise that checks the palate the nicely. The draw continues to be a touch tight, but it is performing well. The burn is excellent at this point.
The finish is smooth and long showing some nice anise notes well after the end is deposited into my ashtray. All in all this is an excellent find and I bought the rest of what he had in the store, and I purchased several of the other blends Curivari offers.
Appearance- 91 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 92 some very nice depth and the flavors were all complementary of one another
Construction- 89 some tightness in the draw and early burn issues lead to the deduction
Strength- 93 a very nice medium that lends to smoking early in a lineup without killing the palate
Overall- 91 a very solid smoking experience
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