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
Showing posts with label Brazilian Maduro Wrapper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brazilian Maduro Wrapper. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Marco V Platnium Label
They have three cigars in this size (60 x 5" V. Gigante), so I am doing the third one.
The wrapper is a rare Arapiraca, Brazilian Maduro,the binder is De Olor, which is Dominican and the filler is a blend of four tobaccos: Piloto Cubano from the Cibao Valley, Dominican Republic and Esteli, Nicaraguan Ligero. Information can be found at http://www.marcovcigars.com. That is where I pulled this info from.
This cigar is well made. No soft spots whatsoever. Even wrap, and a nice feel. On the lips it felt a little thin though. Also, there was a vein along one side. That is not always a problem, but I had to see what it would do.
This cigar starts off with a rich spice. Holding the smoke in your mouth you get a nice roasted flavor, hints of nuts, wood, and very mild hints of earth. The aftertaste is nice and simple. The spice stay with you, but you get a nice nutty flavor with it. A nice mix.
The draw was great. Nice, cool, and produced a wonderful smoke. The burn became a little uneven, but I took a lighter to it and had no more issues. Oddly enough it wasn't where there were any veins. The ash got far, very far. To the label, which shows this is a very well made cigar. It burned very slowly, which brought my smoke time to just over an hour.
The only issue lies in the flavors. The spice can overshadow some of the other flavors at times, but it is by no means overwhelming, and quiet pleasant in and of itself. That overshadowing will lower the grade a bit, but not much. For $8, this is a good smoke.
Final Grade: A-
Note: This picture is of me enjoying this smoke at Little Havana in Anoka, MN. All the cigars had an ash this size or greater. This is not the largest ash, but it is up because I am the one smoking.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Drew Estate Java Maduro
This cigar is made by Rocky Patel and infused with flavor by Drew Estate (makers of ACID cigars). Typically I do not smoke flavored cigars. I have tried many, mainly for the purpose of rating them, but they are never a go-to cigar for me. This is the first flavored cigar I have rated on here.
This cigar is made with a Brazilian Maduro, and the filler and binder are from Nicaragua.
This box pressed cigar had a wrapper that felt like soft velvet. It didn't feel tight though in the wrap. Felt loose and spongey.
This cigar had a nice nutty flavor, which is perfect for the flavoring. The flavoring added chocolate and coffee. There is a hint of sweet vanilla as well. The aftertaste was similar to finishing a cup of coffee. A little roasted flavor with a hint of sweet from the chocolate and vanilla flavors. Towards the end though, it got a little bitter and tart. Sadly, the tobacco did not come out too much. You might get a moment of earthy flavor or a rich coffee/tobacco mix. For the most part, it seemed the only thing you could taste of the tobacco was the nuttiness. The rest was flavoring, which is disappointing because Rocky Patel has very good tobacco.
The burn and draw were very well done on this smoke. It was easy to smoke this one too fast. It was like having one of those latte type coffee drinks from a local coffee shop. Smoking too fast can change the flavor, and slowing down can fix it. Thankfully, it did not turn. Saved this one just in time.
I had the toro sized cigar, which ran around $12. That is not bad for a Rocky Patel, or an infused cigar as well (flavored usually costs more). So, the price brings the grade up on this one.
Final Grade: B-
This cigar is made with a Brazilian Maduro, and the filler and binder are from Nicaragua.
This box pressed cigar had a wrapper that felt like soft velvet. It didn't feel tight though in the wrap. Felt loose and spongey.
This cigar had a nice nutty flavor, which is perfect for the flavoring. The flavoring added chocolate and coffee. There is a hint of sweet vanilla as well. The aftertaste was similar to finishing a cup of coffee. A little roasted flavor with a hint of sweet from the chocolate and vanilla flavors. Towards the end though, it got a little bitter and tart. Sadly, the tobacco did not come out too much. You might get a moment of earthy flavor or a rich coffee/tobacco mix. For the most part, it seemed the only thing you could taste of the tobacco was the nuttiness. The rest was flavoring, which is disappointing because Rocky Patel has very good tobacco.
The burn and draw were very well done on this smoke. It was easy to smoke this one too fast. It was like having one of those latte type coffee drinks from a local coffee shop. Smoking too fast can change the flavor, and slowing down can fix it. Thankfully, it did not turn. Saved this one just in time.
I had the toro sized cigar, which ran around $12. That is not bad for a Rocky Patel, or an infused cigar as well (flavored usually costs more). So, the price brings the grade up on this one.
Final Grade: B-
Friday, November 26, 2010
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+
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Arganese ML3
This cigar came in a short time ago. At Little Havana Tobacco we had Arganese reps there, so I was given some free ones. I got an ML3 as one of them (also a CL3, which is the next post).
This cigar has a Brazilian Maduro wrapper with a Corojo filler and binder. The feel of this cigar was very even.
Before lighting this, the tobacco tasted like strong coffee. The smoke tasted similar with a nice earthy flavor. Very forward flavor. With water, this cigar breaks up nicely. You get a nutty flavor and a small hint of chocolate. That chocolate flavor came and went though. This cigar was very robust in its flavors. Nothing too subtle here other than the chocolate.
The burn and draw were good. I could not argue with that. I had to light it several times though. Even after it sat in the humidor for awhile, so I know it was not dry. That will bring it down in grading a little bit.
The price on this stick (torpedo size) was $10.00, which is not bad. This is a heavy smoke though. Nothing wrong with that. Have it with a water or Dr. Pepper.
Final Grade: A-
This cigar has a Brazilian Maduro wrapper with a Corojo filler and binder. The feel of this cigar was very even.
Before lighting this, the tobacco tasted like strong coffee. The smoke tasted similar with a nice earthy flavor. Very forward flavor. With water, this cigar breaks up nicely. You get a nutty flavor and a small hint of chocolate. That chocolate flavor came and went though. This cigar was very robust in its flavors. Nothing too subtle here other than the chocolate.
The burn and draw were good. I could not argue with that. I had to light it several times though. Even after it sat in the humidor for awhile, so I know it was not dry. That will bring it down in grading a little bit.
The price on this stick (torpedo size) was $10.00, which is not bad. This is a heavy smoke though. Nothing wrong with that. Have it with a water or Dr. Pepper.
Final Grade: A-
Friday, October 1, 2010
M. Vito x Marco V Cuban Lancero Medium
This is another smoker from the Marco V line, and since I like what I have had (I have not put reviews for all of them yet) I decided to jump on this one and try it out. Usually I do not care for the Lancero shape (38 x 6.5") but I figured I would give it a go.
Now this is made with a Brazilian Maduro, Dominican binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan Esteli Ligero fillers. When feeling this cigar I could notice the rough, bumpy wrapper and the construction seemed a little soft. It brought my worries up on this cigar.
Once lit I got a mild earthy flavor with a hint of spice. A very mild hint of spice at that. It grew as you smoked, but not too fast nor too slow. A nice nutty flavor also came forth in the aftertaste of this. The mix of earth and spice was nice. The first reaction is to think it was creamy with how smooth this smoke was. The nutty flavor seems lost at times though.
The draw was great. Not too much and not too little. It was leaning towards more of an open draw though. The burn was great as long as you puffed slow. That brings me to my next point.
If you puff this cigar fast, it will turn on you. It becomes overly bitter and tart. Luckily, this can be solved (assumed you puffed too fast and are in a jam). This cigar, if you let it sit, and even go out, comes back to life. It is not like some where once it turns, that's it. Just let this one go out, blow the old smoke out, and tourch it. It will be good as new.
With an $8 price range, this is also good for the buck. Not the best Marco, but not the worse either. And even if the was the worst, it is a darn good worst. The only issue was how much the flavors could come out. One seems lost and makes the cigar seem a little off balance. Even with that, this is a good smoke.
Final Grade: A
Now this is made with a Brazilian Maduro, Dominican binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan Esteli Ligero fillers. When feeling this cigar I could notice the rough, bumpy wrapper and the construction seemed a little soft. It brought my worries up on this cigar.
Once lit I got a mild earthy flavor with a hint of spice. A very mild hint of spice at that. It grew as you smoked, but not too fast nor too slow. A nice nutty flavor also came forth in the aftertaste of this. The mix of earth and spice was nice. The first reaction is to think it was creamy with how smooth this smoke was. The nutty flavor seems lost at times though.
The draw was great. Not too much and not too little. It was leaning towards more of an open draw though. The burn was great as long as you puffed slow. That brings me to my next point.
If you puff this cigar fast, it will turn on you. It becomes overly bitter and tart. Luckily, this can be solved (assumed you puffed too fast and are in a jam). This cigar, if you let it sit, and even go out, comes back to life. It is not like some where once it turns, that's it. Just let this one go out, blow the old smoke out, and tourch it. It will be good as new.
With an $8 price range, this is also good for the buck. Not the best Marco, but not the worse either. And even if the was the worst, it is a darn good worst. The only issue was how much the flavors could come out. One seems lost and makes the cigar seem a little off balance. Even with that, this is a good smoke.
Final Grade: A
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
CAO Brazilia
Since I had the Italia, I had to try the Brazilia. This was the Somba size and was far darker than the Italia.
This had a torpedo end that was well wrapped. Even and tight. This cigar has a nice Brazilian wrap with a Nicaraguan binder and filler. The smell of this told me to prepare for a spicy cigar.
I fired it up and flavor came pouring in. Thanks to the good draw, it took no effort. I was bombarded by spice and earthy flavors. They mixed very well. Spice seemed to by the dominant flavor while at times the earthy tones were. The finish was better. The spice stayed, mixed with a nutty flavor that was not tasted before, like the earthy tones gave way to them. The spice died away and the nutty flavor stayed. The aftertaste lingered but not too long.
This cigar is $11.50 and a great buy. Aside from it seeming overwhelming at first, and the lingering aftertaste, this cigar was really good. The overwhelming disappears and the aftertaste doesn't turn on you, so they are tolerable. With this in mind, I give you my final grade.
Final Grade: A-
This had a torpedo end that was well wrapped. Even and tight. This cigar has a nice Brazilian wrap with a Nicaraguan binder and filler. The smell of this told me to prepare for a spicy cigar.
I fired it up and flavor came pouring in. Thanks to the good draw, it took no effort. I was bombarded by spice and earthy flavors. They mixed very well. Spice seemed to by the dominant flavor while at times the earthy tones were. The finish was better. The spice stayed, mixed with a nutty flavor that was not tasted before, like the earthy tones gave way to them. The spice died away and the nutty flavor stayed. The aftertaste lingered but not too long.
This cigar is $11.50 and a great buy. Aside from it seeming overwhelming at first, and the lingering aftertaste, this cigar was really good. The overwhelming disappears and the aftertaste doesn't turn on you, so they are tolerable. With this in mind, I give you my final grade.
Final Grade: A-
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