So, I met up with my friend Mike, who also runs a review site called Old Cigar Box, and we decided to review a cigar together. We had some differences, but our final take is not too far off. Let's get to this review.
This cigar is made with a Connecticut wrapper leaf grown in Ecuador, a binder from Costa Rica, and filler from Nicaragua, Colombia, Mexico, and Honduras.
This cigar started out with a creamy flavor, hints of spice, cedar, and butter. The butter flavor made the cream slightly bitter, but not bad. The aftertaste was of cedar, spice, and cream. About halfway through the cedar flavor left the taste and it became toasty in flavor. This also goes for the aftertaste. Shortly after that it became tart, and I set it down to see if it would come back. Needless to say, it didn't. The taste, and aftertaste, became very tart for the last fourth.
The construction looked good, with a slight veiny appearance. It had a good draw to it throughout. Towards the end the draw became hot, the cigar was splitting, and it was unraveling. The burn started uneven and corrected itself, then went uneven, the corrected, and so on.
The size of the cigar was The Freak which is just a little bigger than a Double Toro. The cost was $11 and it was not worth it. This cigar, no matter how it was smoked, was terrible. It turned and never came back. Also with this one, when I thought it couldn't get worse, it managed to find a way.
Final Grade: F
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Thank you
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
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
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+
Friday, July 8, 2011
Blue Mountain Rum Dipped
I stopped by Little Havana Tobacco, Inc. and Steve pointed out a new cigar from Blue Mountain, so I decided to give it a try.
Note: I got it at the only shop in MN that sells these cigars. As far as I know, no other shop sells Blue Mountain. Also, they are not sold online last I checked.
Now research on this cigar is tough, but what I know is it is a Connecticut shade Nicaraguan puro. This tobacco is dipped with rum to add flavor.
The tobacco in this cigar has a mildly sweet taste to it, and when lit it becomes much more powerful within the smoke. The cigar is a creamy smoke with the sweetness of rum. Behind all of that is a hint of pepper. It mixes very well to produce a flavor of spiced rum that would be mixed with a cream. That same flavor remains as the aftertaste, though that can linger and change at times. The flavor did get a little dull and tart towards the end.
The draw on this smoke was very good, with no problems producing a good smoke. The burn was even and consistent.
This cigar (a torpedo shape) runs around $8, which is very good for a 50 minute smoke. For a rum dipped smoke on the affordable range, this is very good. Usually the quality is low, whereas this was rather high. This cigar had its problems, but still came out darn good.
Final Grade: A
Note: I got it at the only shop in MN that sells these cigars. As far as I know, no other shop sells Blue Mountain. Also, they are not sold online last I checked.
Now research on this cigar is tough, but what I know is it is a Connecticut shade Nicaraguan puro. This tobacco is dipped with rum to add flavor.
The tobacco in this cigar has a mildly sweet taste to it, and when lit it becomes much more powerful within the smoke. The cigar is a creamy smoke with the sweetness of rum. Behind all of that is a hint of pepper. It mixes very well to produce a flavor of spiced rum that would be mixed with a cream. That same flavor remains as the aftertaste, though that can linger and change at times. The flavor did get a little dull and tart towards the end.
The draw on this smoke was very good, with no problems producing a good smoke. The burn was even and consistent.
This cigar (a torpedo shape) runs around $8, which is very good for a 50 minute smoke. For a rum dipped smoke on the affordable range, this is very good. Usually the quality is low, whereas this was rather high. This cigar had its problems, but still came out darn good.
Final Grade: A
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Cuba Aliados Anniversary
This cigar was the last Aliados I had in my humidor, and I figured it was time to have it.
The wrapper on this cigar was a Maduro 3 year aged Corojo, the binder being an Ecuador Sumatra, and fillers which consist of Brazilian, Dominican, Nicaraguan tobaccos.
This cigar started out with a nice earthy and cedar flavor, with a light nutty flavor coming in shortly after. Just before the halfway point flavors or roasted almonds and a light pepper note come into the mix. The aftertaste is a nice mix of nutty tones and spiced almonds, with a hint of cedar throughout. The taste sticks around for a bit.
The draw on this cigar is fairly firm, but you are still able to get a decent smoke. The burn was consistent with only one correction needed, and I am guessing it is because my lighter was dying and the lighting was not perfect.
I had the Short size (4 x 48) and the retail price is around $4. Since Minnesota has its tax system and stores have their markup system, this cigar will probably be closer to $6-$7. That is a little steep of a price for this type of smoke, but reasonable. It is a short smoke, but a tasty one. At the beginning the smoke seems a little one sided, but not for long, so just keep puffing. I say if you see this one, get it and try it out.
Final Grade: A-
I want to thank Reyes Family Cigars for sending this sample to me.
The wrapper on this cigar was a Maduro 3 year aged Corojo, the binder being an Ecuador Sumatra, and fillers which consist of Brazilian, Dominican, Nicaraguan tobaccos.
This cigar started out with a nice earthy and cedar flavor, with a light nutty flavor coming in shortly after. Just before the halfway point flavors or roasted almonds and a light pepper note come into the mix. The aftertaste is a nice mix of nutty tones and spiced almonds, with a hint of cedar throughout. The taste sticks around for a bit.
The draw on this cigar is fairly firm, but you are still able to get a decent smoke. The burn was consistent with only one correction needed, and I am guessing it is because my lighter was dying and the lighting was not perfect.
I had the Short size (4 x 48) and the retail price is around $4. Since Minnesota has its tax system and stores have their markup system, this cigar will probably be closer to $6-$7. That is a little steep of a price for this type of smoke, but reasonable. It is a short smoke, but a tasty one. At the beginning the smoke seems a little one sided, but not for long, so just keep puffing. I say if you see this one, get it and try it out.
Final Grade: A-
I want to thank Reyes Family Cigars for sending this sample to me.
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