This is a new cigar we got into Little Havana Tobacco, so I naturally had to try it.
This has a Connecticut wrapper, a Sumatra binder, and Dominican filler. Also, this cigar had a medium filler instead of a long filler. Just something to note.
The wrap felt nice and soft. I clipped the end and lit the cigar up. The first flavor that hit my taste buds was a nice creamy flavor. The mild cedar flavor came in next, mixed with something that could be described as a light coffee flavor. The aftertaste consisted of cream and a bitter portion that reminds me of Lipton Ice Tea. I know, odd way of describing it, but that is the only way I can put it. Very light on that flavor though.
The burn on this cigar was great. Even and consistent. The draw was amazing as well. It was easy to get a great smoke.
The price on this cigar is $10. Great price for a torpedo.
Final Grade: A
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Macanudo Maduro
I have tried this cigar several times, and it has be difficult to determine what to write. Needless to say results have been different each time.
This cigar is made with a Maduro Connecticut Broadleaf, Dominican fillers, and a Mexican binder. This produces a very mild Maduro.
When looked at this cigar I notice that the wrapper was uneven in color on some of them. All of them felt tight though, so maybe it would not matter.
Each one I offer gives a strong earthy tone to it. Sometimes it is like a light coffee. Sadly, this seems to disappear on some. Some of them turn around and become bitter and tart. With the particular size I had I knew to puff slowly. I did that and even still it turned on me. Sometimes though, it is great. Earthy, coffee, hint of sweet. Others, just earthy then bitter.
The burn was just fine on this smoke but the draw is very firm. It takes a decent amount of effort to produce a good smoke, and when you do it causes it to turn sour.
This cigar was a Baron De Rothschild (which is 6.5 x 42) and it runs around $13.50. That is way overpriced for such a cigar. Especially with the inconsistencies. If you get a good one, it is still overpriced.
This one gets a mixed grade. It seems like 1 out of 3 has issues. If it is a good one, it still only gets a C+ to a B-. This though will drop.
Final Grade: F
This cigar is made with a Maduro Connecticut Broadleaf, Dominican fillers, and a Mexican binder. This produces a very mild Maduro.
When looked at this cigar I notice that the wrapper was uneven in color on some of them. All of them felt tight though, so maybe it would not matter.
Each one I offer gives a strong earthy tone to it. Sometimes it is like a light coffee. Sadly, this seems to disappear on some. Some of them turn around and become bitter and tart. With the particular size I had I knew to puff slowly. I did that and even still it turned on me. Sometimes though, it is great. Earthy, coffee, hint of sweet. Others, just earthy then bitter.
The burn was just fine on this smoke but the draw is very firm. It takes a decent amount of effort to produce a good smoke, and when you do it causes it to turn sour.
This cigar was a Baron De Rothschild (which is 6.5 x 42) and it runs around $13.50. That is way overpriced for such a cigar. Especially with the inconsistencies. If you get a good one, it is still overpriced.
This one gets a mixed grade. It seems like 1 out of 3 has issues. If it is a good one, it still only gets a C+ to a B-. This though will drop.
Final Grade: F
Marco V Gold Label
Time to go back to the Marco V line. Since they are headquartered in Minnesota, and that is my home state, I feel I am obligated to review all of them in time.
The wrapper is a rare Arapiraca, Brazilian Dark Maduro. The binder is a De Olor, Dominican. The filler is a blend of 4 Premium Tobaccos: Piloto Cubano from the Cibao Valley, Dominican Republic and rare Matanorte, Brazilian Ligero. I am so glad their website (www.marcovcigars.com) tells everything.
This cigar has a nice wrap, feels like a soft leather. Very thick too.
This cigar starts out with a nice spice and earthy flavor. It moves to a smokey cedar and leather with a hint of cream (very small hint at that). At the end you get nutty flavor. Very even in all the flavors. The leather is the only one that is subtle, but the rest are easy to sense. The aroma is very rich as well.
The burn and draw are very good. The draw is a little firm, but not enough to stop you from getting a good smoke.
The price on this cigar is only $8. This is for a V. Gigante which is a 5"X60. This is an hour long smoke. Great price for it. Since cheaper Maduros are usually bad (and really bad at that) this one amazes me. You could easily sell this for $10-$12.
Final Grade: A+
The wrapper is a rare Arapiraca, Brazilian Dark Maduro. The binder is a De Olor, Dominican. The filler is a blend of 4 Premium Tobaccos: Piloto Cubano from the Cibao Valley, Dominican Republic and rare Matanorte, Brazilian Ligero. I am so glad their website (www.marcovcigars.com) tells everything.
This cigar has a nice wrap, feels like a soft leather. Very thick too.
This cigar starts out with a nice spice and earthy flavor. It moves to a smokey cedar and leather with a hint of cream (very small hint at that). At the end you get nutty flavor. Very even in all the flavors. The leather is the only one that is subtle, but the rest are easy to sense. The aroma is very rich as well.
The burn and draw are very good. The draw is a little firm, but not enough to stop you from getting a good smoke.
The price on this cigar is only $8. This is for a V. Gigante which is a 5"X60. This is an hour long smoke. Great price for it. Since cheaper Maduros are usually bad (and really bad at that) this one amazes me. You could easily sell this for $10-$12.
Final Grade: A+
Oliva Connecticut Reserve
This is the lightest of the Oliva line, and it was time to give it a shot.
This cigar had a nice, smooth, soft Connecticut wrapper with Nicaraguan long filler. A very simple cigar.
The first puff was one of a strong creamy flavor. During with it gave a hint of sweetness. It was almost like creamy coffee. It had a slight buttery flavor. The aftertaste was a light cream and a lingering sweet, like after having a cookie or piece of cake. Underneath was a hint of wood flavor. Hard to describe that one. I must be honest, saying it tastes like wood is not what I want to say (no, it is not a dirty joke), but it is tough to describe. A good flavor though.
The issue with this cigar in flavor is the strength. The creamy comes out easily, but the other flavors are a little difficult to notice.
The construction is very well done. Good draw, and good burn. No uneven burn at all. The only issue was how fast it burned. Seemed to shorten the smoke.
A robusto is $7.25 and the Churchill is $11.75. So the price is very reasonable. In fact, the price is good.
The robusto lasted about 25-30 minutes, when it should have been 35-40 minutes. So, that brings it down. Also, getting some of the flavors out. Still a great buy though which puts this one at a good grade.
Final Grade: B+/A-
This cigar had a nice, smooth, soft Connecticut wrapper with Nicaraguan long filler. A very simple cigar.
The first puff was one of a strong creamy flavor. During with it gave a hint of sweetness. It was almost like creamy coffee. It had a slight buttery flavor. The aftertaste was a light cream and a lingering sweet, like after having a cookie or piece of cake. Underneath was a hint of wood flavor. Hard to describe that one. I must be honest, saying it tastes like wood is not what I want to say (no, it is not a dirty joke), but it is tough to describe. A good flavor though.
The issue with this cigar in flavor is the strength. The creamy comes out easily, but the other flavors are a little difficult to notice.
The construction is very well done. Good draw, and good burn. No uneven burn at all. The only issue was how fast it burned. Seemed to shorten the smoke.
A robusto is $7.25 and the Churchill is $11.75. So the price is very reasonable. In fact, the price is good.
The robusto lasted about 25-30 minutes, when it should have been 35-40 minutes. So, that brings it down. Also, getting some of the flavors out. Still a great buy though which puts this one at a good grade.
Final Grade: B+/A-
Sunday, November 14, 2010
H. Upmann
I picked up another cigar that is famous for its Cuban counterpart. With Cuban-seed Dominican and Brazilian filler, a Dominican binder, and an Indonesian wrapper, it was bound to be interesting.
This cigar had a very even cedar taste with a hint of sweetness at the end. The aftertaste the lingers is very smooth. It has some hints of leather, and even coffee. The coffee is very, very small though. Very interesting flavor. It starts with a tartness though, but that is evened out by the sweet flavor in the end.
The wrapper was nice and soft. Firm feeling throughout. The burn was incredibly even. One of the most even burning cigars I have had. The draw was very firm. Too firm in my opinion. It is tough to get a really good smoke out of this.
The price is $14 for a toro. That is a little steep, but with consistency this brand holds, it is understandable.
In the end, the firm draw keeps one from getting a great flavor. That upsets me because with the flavors involved, I would love to expand on them with my taste buds. That is the flaw with this smoke. For the price, I would expect a better draw. All in all though, it is a good cigar. Not great, but good.
Final Grade: C+
This cigar had a very even cedar taste with a hint of sweetness at the end. The aftertaste the lingers is very smooth. It has some hints of leather, and even coffee. The coffee is very, very small though. Very interesting flavor. It starts with a tartness though, but that is evened out by the sweet flavor in the end.
The wrapper was nice and soft. Firm feeling throughout. The burn was incredibly even. One of the most even burning cigars I have had. The draw was very firm. Too firm in my opinion. It is tough to get a really good smoke out of this.
The price is $14 for a toro. That is a little steep, but with consistency this brand holds, it is understandable.
In the end, the firm draw keeps one from getting a great flavor. That upsets me because with the flavors involved, I would love to expand on them with my taste buds. That is the flaw with this smoke. For the price, I would expect a better draw. All in all though, it is a good cigar. Not great, but good.
Final Grade: C+
Monday, November 8, 2010
Oliva Master Blends 3
I decided to give this Oliva a shot. Since I have had the rest of them, I should finish off the line.
The wrapper is a Nicaraguan Broadleaf Sun-Grown leaf. The binder is a Nicaraguan Habano leaf, and the filler is made up of Nicaraguan Ligero.
This maduro comes off with a strong earthy flavor. It lasts for a little while but it finishes off with a bitter spice. The mix of these flavors seems very black and white, one or the other. When it is mixed, it is pleasant. Sadly, that does not last long. It comes off very one sided. The spice lingers and leaves a bitter taste.
This box pressed cigar has a nice wrap. Soft and almost like velvet. It is firm and solid. The draw is nice too. Well constructed. The burn is also very even.
Another issue is the price. For a Churchill it is $18.50 plus tax. OK, now if you are die-hard Oliva fan, that is great. For most people, it is not.
This cigar is overpriced and no matter how secretive this blend is, it shouldn't be. It should be told to all cigar makers as to tell them what not to do. Great quality tobacco (depending on the season, and this must have been a poor season) for the most part, but terrible mix.
Final Grade: F
The wrapper is a Nicaraguan Broadleaf Sun-Grown leaf. The binder is a Nicaraguan Habano leaf, and the filler is made up of Nicaraguan Ligero.
This maduro comes off with a strong earthy flavor. It lasts for a little while but it finishes off with a bitter spice. The mix of these flavors seems very black and white, one or the other. When it is mixed, it is pleasant. Sadly, that does not last long. It comes off very one sided. The spice lingers and leaves a bitter taste.
This box pressed cigar has a nice wrap. Soft and almost like velvet. It is firm and solid. The draw is nice too. Well constructed. The burn is also very even.
Another issue is the price. For a Churchill it is $18.50 plus tax. OK, now if you are die-hard Oliva fan, that is great. For most people, it is not.
This cigar is overpriced and no matter how secretive this blend is, it shouldn't be. It should be told to all cigar makers as to tell them what not to do. Great quality tobacco (depending on the season, and this must have been a poor season) for the most part, but terrible mix.
Final Grade: F
Friday, November 5, 2010
Onyx Reserve
This was the first Maduro I ever had, and I have been hooked since. So, on this post, I admit my bias.
The wrapper is a Blackened Connecticut Broadleaf while the binder is Nicaraguan. The filler is Dominican, Nicaraguan and Peruvian. Nice oily wrapper. Soft and feel like cloth.
The taste on this cigar is strong and balanced. You are hit with a nice earthy flavor with a nutty flavor. A woody and earthy flavor remain in the aftertaste. It has a toasty flavor to it as well. It is like having a fine scotch. It is strong and smooth.
The draw was firm, but the flavor did not settle. I am thankful for that. The last one I had had a better draw. The burn was nice and even with a good ash at the end.
The one thing that hits this stick is the price. It is $13.75 plus tax for a No. 2 Belicoso. That is a little steep for a 45-50 minute smoke. But the balance of this cigar never ceases, and the pleasure is always there.
Final Grade: A
The wrapper is a Blackened Connecticut Broadleaf while the binder is Nicaraguan. The filler is Dominican, Nicaraguan and Peruvian. Nice oily wrapper. Soft and feel like cloth.
The taste on this cigar is strong and balanced. You are hit with a nice earthy flavor with a nutty flavor. A woody and earthy flavor remain in the aftertaste. It has a toasty flavor to it as well. It is like having a fine scotch. It is strong and smooth.
The draw was firm, but the flavor did not settle. I am thankful for that. The last one I had had a better draw. The burn was nice and even with a good ash at the end.
The one thing that hits this stick is the price. It is $13.75 plus tax for a No. 2 Belicoso. That is a little steep for a 45-50 minute smoke. But the balance of this cigar never ceases, and the pleasure is always there.
Final Grade: A
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Oliva Serie V Maduro Especial
The torpedo cigar is made with a Connecticut Broadleaf, Nicaraguan Binder and Jalapa Nicaraguan filler. This Maduro is a limited run of only 50,000 cigars a year.
This cigar fired up in a wonderful way. It started out with a nice spice flavor. It hit with power, but not overwhelming (not like the standard V). During the draw it had an earthy tone with a strong mixture of espresso. A wonderful mix. The aftertaste kept that espresso flavor with a nice bitter hint. Part of it reminded me of a strong green tea. Never had an aftertaste like that.
The construction was beautiful. The one I had had one blemish on it. None of the others did. This did not change the smoke at all. The wrap felt nice and tight. Also it had a nice texture. A little rough and oily. The draw was a little firm but the smoke was still good. The burn was nice and even.
This cigar would run $16.00 plus tax. For the limited production, that is not a bad price.
If you like the standard Serie V, try this one. It is different. Not so much the chocolate type flavors. This one has the spice and espresso but in a different balance that makes it unique.
Final Grade: A+
This cigar fired up in a wonderful way. It started out with a nice spice flavor. It hit with power, but not overwhelming (not like the standard V). During the draw it had an earthy tone with a strong mixture of espresso. A wonderful mix. The aftertaste kept that espresso flavor with a nice bitter hint. Part of it reminded me of a strong green tea. Never had an aftertaste like that.
The construction was beautiful. The one I had had one blemish on it. None of the others did. This did not change the smoke at all. The wrap felt nice and tight. Also it had a nice texture. A little rough and oily. The draw was a little firm but the smoke was still good. The burn was nice and even.
This cigar would run $16.00 plus tax. For the limited production, that is not a bad price.
If you like the standard Serie V, try this one. It is different. Not so much the chocolate type flavors. This one has the spice and espresso but in a different balance that makes it unique.
Final Grade: A+
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