I was offered a cigar by a man named Brian, and a wonderful chess game. So, I grabbed a Black Label from the shelf. Heard great things about this cigar and I wanted to test it out. Now, I love my dark wraps, so this cigar was just right for me.
I got the Magnifico shape, which is what they call it (6 X 54). This ia a Medio Tiempo wrapper from Conneticut, sungrown, and dried to a Maduro. The filler is Nicaraguan Ligero and Piloto Cubano Ligero Blend and it is bound with La Vega Especial, which is from the Dominican Republic (this is according to www.bestcigarprices.com). I usually can read about it elsewhere, but this had the most information on the tobacco.
The wrapper was veiny and oily. Perfect for a Maduro (this is sometimes called a double Maduro or Oscuro). This cigar looked full of taste. The smell was rich like a nice cup of coffee.
Once I got fire to this smoke, I was enjoying myself. I could taste the rich coffee flavor mixed with a nice nutty flavor. As this full smoke filled my mouth I could taste the earthy flavor under it all, with a nice hint of spice at the end.
The aftertaste kept most of the flavors. A little longer than most cigars, but there were no complaints. This was an aftertaste you would want. Like having the aftertaste of a good meal. It is OK if it sticks around.
The issue that comes up is the draw. About 1 in 4 seem to have a terrible draw and you cannot get any smoke. This causes some issues with this cigar.
The construction was decent (considering the draw problems), the flavor was great, but the price was the only part that would sting a little. It was $13.25 plus tax. Now, I try and stay under ten dollars due to the economy, but this cigar was well worth it. If you are a dark wrap type, try this.
Final Grade: B-
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Partagas No. 1
This cigar with its Cameroon wrapper was on sale, so I thought I would try it. It was a light colored cigar with a lonsdale shape. So I grab the cigar and smell the wrapper. It had a nice cedar smell to it. Strong with that scent, but a good scent nevertheless. The contruction was sub par though. The wrapper seemed a little loose and it did not seem solid. Now, I have heard people say they really like these, so I am unsure as to if I just got a bad one, which is possible. Being realistic, if you make a million cigars, some ill made ones are bound to slip by.
The wrap had a fair amount of veins for a light wrap, which made me concerned about how it would smoke. This does not always mean it will smoke poorly though. Usually lighter wraps seem to be smoother and veins come out more when processed more.
When I started this cigar it gave me a nice, tart, cedar flavor. Very basic, but very nice. It had a good smoke, mild flavor, and burned well. As I went on though, it started to get sour. In fact, it got very sour towards the end, as well as a little hot.
The aftertaste was something I could do without too. It left me a tart aftertaste that had me going for water.
Now I have been told that this cigar needs to be smoked slowly. More slow than usual for a cigar of this type. People say that makes the flavor much better, and reduces that tart flavor. So, I would not say avoid this, but to take your time. If it stays with the flavor it starts with because of smoking slower, this is than a good cigar. But my experience was not the greatest.
The price on this was $9 plus tax. The low price is also nice because if you try it, smoke it slowly, and like it, then you got a bargin. If you hate it, you appreciate the good ones you have had and did not spend much money to do so.
Final Grade: C
The wrap had a fair amount of veins for a light wrap, which made me concerned about how it would smoke. This does not always mean it will smoke poorly though. Usually lighter wraps seem to be smoother and veins come out more when processed more.
When I started this cigar it gave me a nice, tart, cedar flavor. Very basic, but very nice. It had a good smoke, mild flavor, and burned well. As I went on though, it started to get sour. In fact, it got very sour towards the end, as well as a little hot.
The aftertaste was something I could do without too. It left me a tart aftertaste that had me going for water.
Now I have been told that this cigar needs to be smoked slowly. More slow than usual for a cigar of this type. People say that makes the flavor much better, and reduces that tart flavor. So, I would not say avoid this, but to take your time. If it stays with the flavor it starts with because of smoking slower, this is than a good cigar. But my experience was not the greatest.
The price on this was $9 plus tax. The low price is also nice because if you try it, smoke it slowly, and like it, then you got a bargin. If you hate it, you appreciate the good ones you have had and did not spend much money to do so.
Final Grade: C
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Oliva Serie O Maduro
Since I always like my dark wrap cigars, and this Oliva has been staring at me for some time, I decided to pick it up. What made this different was I usually do not get a torpedo shaped cigar. But, it is good to try new things.
This cigar had a wonderful rich smell similar to chololate and coffee. this dark Maduro was well crafted. The end gave a little spice to the nose. This particular cigar has a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with Nicaraguan Habano binder and filler.
As I lit up this smoke I could sense a chocolate aroma, or something similar. Very rich. The tobacco on my lips gave me the same taste. This cigar gave a good smoke that had tastes of cedar, rich flavors similar to coffee, and a little sweet and spice aftertaste.
The only part that could be considered a downside is the price, but considering how well made, and how great tasting, this cigar is, it is not too much of an issue.
This is a well rounded cigar that will cost about $10.20 plus tax.
Final Grade: A-
This cigar had a wonderful rich smell similar to chololate and coffee. this dark Maduro was well crafted. The end gave a little spice to the nose. This particular cigar has a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with Nicaraguan Habano binder and filler.
As I lit up this smoke I could sense a chocolate aroma, or something similar. Very rich. The tobacco on my lips gave me the same taste. This cigar gave a good smoke that had tastes of cedar, rich flavors similar to coffee, and a little sweet and spice aftertaste.
The only part that could be considered a downside is the price, but considering how well made, and how great tasting, this cigar is, it is not too much of an issue.
This is a well rounded cigar that will cost about $10.20 plus tax.
Final Grade: A-
Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real
This good sized cigar with a smooth construction is a nice stick to look at. The one I picked up was a Toro, a good thick cigar. It was a warm day and a light wrap seemed to be what I needed.
Most people would call the a Connecticut wrap, it isn't. It is the same shade, but the leaf itself is Ecuadorian (according to research). For terms of being simple, I will just say it is a Connecticut. The Nicaruagan fillers add a nice balance to the overall flavor, to help keep it light, but not too light.
This cigar was evenly packed and well put together. The wrap itself was very smooth.
Despite not being too light, this is a very light cigar. When you smell and strike this smoke you are blanketed with a smoother creamy flavor. This cigar almost makes you feel cool on a hot day (which is what I had it on).
The nice mellow creamy flavor stays with you for a short while, leaving a little sweetness in the aftertaste. While smoking this it may remind you of a light wood flavor. I wouldn't say cedar. It was hard to put my finger on it, but it was there, so subtly.
The aftertaste stayed with you just long enough, not leaving early, nor overstaying its welcome. The aroma and aftertaste are just as grand as the cigar itself, and just as smooth.
For $10.60, plus tax, this cigar is a great one to sit down with and cool off.
Final Grade: A-
Most people would call the a Connecticut wrap, it isn't. It is the same shade, but the leaf itself is Ecuadorian (according to research). For terms of being simple, I will just say it is a Connecticut. The Nicaruagan fillers add a nice balance to the overall flavor, to help keep it light, but not too light.
This cigar was evenly packed and well put together. The wrap itself was very smooth.
Despite not being too light, this is a very light cigar. When you smell and strike this smoke you are blanketed with a smoother creamy flavor. This cigar almost makes you feel cool on a hot day (which is what I had it on).
The nice mellow creamy flavor stays with you for a short while, leaving a little sweetness in the aftertaste. While smoking this it may remind you of a light wood flavor. I wouldn't say cedar. It was hard to put my finger on it, but it was there, so subtly.
The aftertaste stayed with you just long enough, not leaving early, nor overstaying its welcome. The aroma and aftertaste are just as grand as the cigar itself, and just as smooth.
For $10.60, plus tax, this cigar is a great one to sit down with and cool off.
Final Grade: A-
Sunday, July 18, 2010
C.A.O. La Traviata
This cigar had a darker wrap and a good construction. I smelled this smoke and got a good smell with an earthy undertone. This looks like it will be a good smoke, but lighting it would determine it.
When I lit this smoke, I wasn't getting a good draw. I figured it might just be the start of it and I would give it some time. Halfway down, I still had a poor draw. It cause the smoke to be thin and unbalanced. Some seemed strong while others weak.
The flavor had good qualities, but bad proportions. The spice was overwhelming at points, whereas the earthy flavor was overshadowed by it, as if it wanted to come out. When the smoke was more full, the flavor evened out more. If this was consistent, the cigar would be much better.
The aftertaste lingered too. Not a mix of earthy and spice, but just the spice.
The two redeeming factors are the aroma, and price. The aroma was very balanced and nice. The price is only $8.50 plus tax. These keep the grade up, but not much.
Final Grade: C+
When I lit this smoke, I wasn't getting a good draw. I figured it might just be the start of it and I would give it some time. Halfway down, I still had a poor draw. It cause the smoke to be thin and unbalanced. Some seemed strong while others weak.
The flavor had good qualities, but bad proportions. The spice was overwhelming at points, whereas the earthy flavor was overshadowed by it, as if it wanted to come out. When the smoke was more full, the flavor evened out more. If this was consistent, the cigar would be much better.
The aftertaste lingered too. Not a mix of earthy and spice, but just the spice.
The two redeeming factors are the aroma, and price. The aroma was very balanced and nice. The price is only $8.50 plus tax. These keep the grade up, but not much.
Final Grade: C+
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Rocky Patel Vintage 1990
Steve has been telling me to try this cigar, over and over again. Some of the people that come into Little Havana Tobacco live by these cigars. So, to silence the peer pressure, I tried it.
This smoke has a wrapper that is aged 12 years, a nice Honduran Maduro wrapper with fillers at least 5 years of age. According to the Rocky Patel website, the binder is Nicaraguan, with fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. With these stats, according to sources, I was unsure as to how this cigar would pan out, but needless to say, I was happy in the end.
I saw the box shaped cigar, with a very tight wrap, and saw that this had been put together very well. Tight wrap and a tight pack. This was very well put together. Everything was even and the quality of the cigar looked supreme.
I noticed a nice wood smell that reminded me of a fine cedar and a hint of oak. This gave a hint of coffee, or even espresso, to it.
When I lit this wonderful looking cigar, I got a wonderful taste. I was hit with the wood and coffee flavor on the first puff, with a nutty flavor added. Under this complex taste was a sweetness, which turns the coffee to more of an espresso. Between that is a slight earthy flavor. Some people say they taste this, I however barely noticed. On top of that, the aroma of this smoke added to the flavor by giving the same great taste to the nose.
No matter the draw, this cigar does its job. Not only do you get a great smoke and great flavor, but the burn stays constant. No matter how you smoke this this gem, it is wonderful.
All of that for a price of $12.50 plus tax makes this cigar fantastic.
I will give a grade deserving to the student that made it.
Final Grade: A+
Arganese Maduro
This is the sister cigar of the last one I rated. Very close to one another. Now, the last one had Dominican filler and binder with a Nicaraguan wrapper. This one had a nice Maduro wrap. Now the site says Dominican filler and binder, but the box says different, so I am leaving that choice up to the smoker.
This cigar was also well wrapped and well made. The veins were more noticable but that is common on darker wraps. No soft spots either. The construction was very good.
The smell was very mild and offered a nice woody smell. If the smell was telling me anything, this was going to be a mild smoke. I have been tricked by that before though, so I will not let that sway me.
I started this smoke and I was impressed. It had a rich woody flavor (almost like oakish) with a little spice to it. Richer than its sister. With the taste came a bitter flavor like you would get from coffee. The kind of bitter you want. All of this stayed consistant and did not falter at all throughout the entire time I was enjoying this treat.
The aftertaste was tart with a slight sweet flavor at the end. It was like having an apple tart in which is flows well. Now this may not taste like apple, but it gives the tastebuds the same pleasure.
None of these qualities popped out though. All of them were really mild. More mild than the Nicaraguan. That one had qualities similar, but some overshadowed others. This one did not. This was a very well rounded cigar.
This cigar would in the the $8 range and would be worth every penny.
Final Grade: B+/A-
This cigar was also well wrapped and well made. The veins were more noticable but that is common on darker wraps. No soft spots either. The construction was very good.
The smell was very mild and offered a nice woody smell. If the smell was telling me anything, this was going to be a mild smoke. I have been tricked by that before though, so I will not let that sway me.
I started this smoke and I was impressed. It had a rich woody flavor (almost like oakish) with a little spice to it. Richer than its sister. With the taste came a bitter flavor like you would get from coffee. The kind of bitter you want. All of this stayed consistant and did not falter at all throughout the entire time I was enjoying this treat.
The aftertaste was tart with a slight sweet flavor at the end. It was like having an apple tart in which is flows well. Now this may not taste like apple, but it gives the tastebuds the same pleasure.
None of these qualities popped out though. All of them were really mild. More mild than the Nicaraguan. That one had qualities similar, but some overshadowed others. This one did not. This was a very well rounded cigar.
This cigar would in the the $8 range and would be worth every penny.
Final Grade: B+/A-
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