To my readers:
I have had this blog for over a year now, and I hit over 2,000 hits. I wanted to thank you for reading my reviews and using them in your decisions. Over the past year I have had many cigars, some good and some bad, but you keep reading, and keep smoking. With the busy world out there it can be hard to find time to have a really good smoke, and I hope with my reviews I help save you some time and add to your enjoyment by helping you avoid some bad cigars.
Again, I thank you for reading, and I hope to give you many more reviews in the future.
Sincerely,
Josh
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Kristoff Ligero Maduro
I was at Little Havana Tobacco for a Kristoff event. They had all their cigars out, and since I like full bodied cigars, they suggested the Ligero Maduro Churchill.
The wrapper is a Brazilian Maduro while the binder is Dominican. The filler is made up of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos.
This cigar started off with a nice spice and earthy mix. Within a third of the cigar a toasty flavor came out, as well as notes of coffee. Just before the halfway point, small hints of chocolate came into the mix. The spice could overpower some of these more subtle flavors, which can be frustrating. The after taste kept on the earthy and coffee notes, with the spice being in the background.
This cigar had a veiny and oily wrapper. Sliding the fingers across the wrapper, it felt a little slick, but soft. The construction felt firm throughout, so no soft spots in that sense. It had a mildly firm draw, but could still produce a good smoke. The burn was very good.
This smoke was $13.50, which is a little steep. It is a good smoke though for those that like full flavor, but some of the good, subtle, flavors are masked during the smoke. Those flavors are great additions, and I wish they would be more consistent. The flavors that do remain are good though. I like how it opens up, but I wish it would stay a little more, and for that price it should. Still a good smoke.
Final Grade: B
The wrapper is a Brazilian Maduro while the binder is Dominican. The filler is made up of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos.
This cigar started off with a nice spice and earthy mix. Within a third of the cigar a toasty flavor came out, as well as notes of coffee. Just before the halfway point, small hints of chocolate came into the mix. The spice could overpower some of these more subtle flavors, which can be frustrating. The after taste kept on the earthy and coffee notes, with the spice being in the background.
This cigar had a veiny and oily wrapper. Sliding the fingers across the wrapper, it felt a little slick, but soft. The construction felt firm throughout, so no soft spots in that sense. It had a mildly firm draw, but could still produce a good smoke. The burn was very good.
This smoke was $13.50, which is a little steep. It is a good smoke though for those that like full flavor, but some of the good, subtle, flavors are masked during the smoke. Those flavors are great additions, and I wish they would be more consistent. The flavors that do remain are good though. I like how it opens up, but I wish it would stay a little more, and for that price it should. Still a good smoke.
Final Grade: B
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Cusano 18 Maduro
Now, telling what this cigar is made of is kind of different. They have it on the box and I might have made an error. I will be sure to check it out again, but I will put what I have down here for now. I forgot to check the box at Little Havana Tobacco when I picked it up.
The wrapper is a Connecticut Broadleaf, and the second wrapper (in the filler) is a Brazilian Mata Fina. The binder is a San Vicente Olor and the filler is Oro Seco, Mata Fina Brazil (second wrapper) and Ploto Dominicano.
The start of this cigar was very earthy. The first three to four puffs were almost nothing but earth. That went down quickly and other flavors came out. A leather flavor came out with black pepper, and minor hints of coffee. This stayed consistent throughout the whole cigar. I wish the earth flavor would come down a little, but the other flavors were still noticeable. The aftertaste was earth and coffee. It was a good aftertaste that remained for a little bit, but never got bitter or tart.
This cigar was a little veiny, but was well made. Firm construction and a firm draw, with a good smoke. This cigar needed no correction.
The cigar I had was a Churchill size and it cost me $11.50. For this quality of a smoke, it is a very good price. I think this one is a good buy for many people. It smokes like more on the heavy side of a medium cigar. This is good for people wanting to try a full flavor smoke. The price is great for that size too. I just wish the earth would tone down. It is a good smoke, but nothing spectacular though for a Maduro. It has some common flavors, so this isn't going to get the highest rating, but it is going to be up because of how well the cigar stayed during the burn, and how consistent the flavors were, and with that that it had some complexity.
Final Grade: A
The wrapper is a Connecticut Broadleaf, and the second wrapper (in the filler) is a Brazilian Mata Fina. The binder is a San Vicente Olor and the filler is Oro Seco, Mata Fina Brazil (second wrapper) and Ploto Dominicano.
The start of this cigar was very earthy. The first three to four puffs were almost nothing but earth. That went down quickly and other flavors came out. A leather flavor came out with black pepper, and minor hints of coffee. This stayed consistent throughout the whole cigar. I wish the earth flavor would come down a little, but the other flavors were still noticeable. The aftertaste was earth and coffee. It was a good aftertaste that remained for a little bit, but never got bitter or tart.
This cigar was a little veiny, but was well made. Firm construction and a firm draw, with a good smoke. This cigar needed no correction.
The cigar I had was a Churchill size and it cost me $11.50. For this quality of a smoke, it is a very good price. I think this one is a good buy for many people. It smokes like more on the heavy side of a medium cigar. This is good for people wanting to try a full flavor smoke. The price is great for that size too. I just wish the earth would tone down. It is a good smoke, but nothing spectacular though for a Maduro. It has some common flavors, so this isn't going to get the highest rating, but it is going to be up because of how well the cigar stayed during the burn, and how consistent the flavors were, and with that that it had some complexity.
Final Grade: A
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
San Lotano Habano Torpedo
I went into Little Havana looking for something new to smoke, and Steve guided me to this brand. From what I know it is only sold in stores. So, I picked up the one that was a medium blend, right in the middle, and gave it a try.
The wrapper on this is Brazilian, while the binder is Honduran. The fillers are Honduran, Dominican, and Nicaraguan.
As I lit this cigar up up I got a wonder taste of a mild pepper and a toasty note with it. As the cigar burned, it opened up to flavors of espresso and leather. The leather was the most subtle of the flavors, but even if you miss it there is no problem. The aftertaste consists of spice and leather. It seems to last too short with the leather, and too long with the spice. Neither stay around long enough to taste badly so that is not something to fret about.
The construction on this was good. Had a easy draw, produced a good smoke, and burned very evenly. The appearance of the cigar was very pleasing as well, with the wrapper being very even. The feel of the wrapper was like that of a fine, if not a tad rough, velvet. It had a fine toothy-ness to it.
The price on this 50 minute smoke was $12.50, plus tax. Now, that price is a little high, but not enough to deter me from having another one. This smoke is worth having.
Final Grade: A+
The wrapper on this is Brazilian, while the binder is Honduran. The fillers are Honduran, Dominican, and Nicaraguan.
As I lit this cigar up up I got a wonder taste of a mild pepper and a toasty note with it. As the cigar burned, it opened up to flavors of espresso and leather. The leather was the most subtle of the flavors, but even if you miss it there is no problem. The aftertaste consists of spice and leather. It seems to last too short with the leather, and too long with the spice. Neither stay around long enough to taste badly so that is not something to fret about.
The construction on this was good. Had a easy draw, produced a good smoke, and burned very evenly. The appearance of the cigar was very pleasing as well, with the wrapper being very even. The feel of the wrapper was like that of a fine, if not a tad rough, velvet. It had a fine toothy-ness to it.
The price on this 50 minute smoke was $12.50, plus tax. Now, that price is a little high, but not enough to deter me from having another one. This smoke is worth having.
Final Grade: A+
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