Tag Archives: cigar blog

Feb 26 2013

Cigar Review: CAO America Potomac

My, my, where has the time gone? I haven’t reviewed a cigar since last year! This hiatus has gone on for too long. I should really stop studying so hard and focus on what’s really important haha. Well here you go readers, wherever you may be—my first review of 2013.

-Josh

 

Vitola:

I have here with me the CAO America Potomac by Drew estate, weighing in at 6” X 52. It sports a beautiful barberpole-style wrapper made with Brazilian aged connecticut. It is a chocolate colored wrapper with a thin stripe of caramel spiraling down its sides. The pinstripe wrapper complements the beautiful label as well, covered in stars and stripes of its own. The aesthetics cannot go unappreciated—this is a prime example of beautiful presentation. The wrapper is fairly smooth in texture but bumpy, with some minor veins here and there. The construction isn’t perfect, but it’s a damn good job considering it’s a barberpole.

I’ve been holding onto this one for a long time, probably five or six months. I’ve been looking for a good occasion to smoke this one, and I figured I’d break my hiatus with something special. I’ve barely punch-cut this cigar, and it turned out alright considering I have a broken fifth metacarpal on my left hand (yes, I’ve had a little accident). Anyway, now that I’ve made my cut, LET THERE BE LIGHT!!

 

First Third:

The draw is very good. After toasting and lighting the foot, the first few puffs are instantly toasty and nutty. I’ve seasoned this stick very well apparently. There’s a little bit of lingering sweetness in the scent as well, not sure exactly what kind, but something slightly saccharine. The distinctive scent of coffee also makes its appearance, making for a very pleasant combination of olfactory stimulation. The burn is very slightly uneven, but I am not too worried about it. It should correct itself soon enough.

Now the bouquet has developed into a deeper roasted coffee bean and sweet cocoa flavor. The scent is still very much nutty. It is also oily and savory, as any well-aged tobacco should be. Delicious. The flavor on the palate is mild but there. It’s slightly bitter but nutty, like cocoa. There is also the crisp woodiness of cedar on the palate, with a slight creaminess in the scent to go with. The combination of the tastes and scents give off the vibe of dark chocolate and coffee beans.

The flavors haven’t changed much but it is very pleasing and I am fine with them sticking around longer for my enjoyment. The burn has since become fairly even and the ash is holding on quite firmly despite a weak breeze.

 

Second Third:

Ah, a new arrival. A sweet and fruity tartness in the scent. Reminds me of craisins, actually. I might be crazy, but I’ve double and triple checked and am positive. Besides, considering this stick is by Drew Estate, hands down the best roller of flavored cigars, I suppose it’s not such a far-fetched claim. The creaminess has also picked up in addition to the introduction of a subtle but growing leatheriness.

After about a minute, the tartness is sadly gone. It was a very unexpected turn in flavor and I’m sorry that it’s gone so soon. Taking its place is a vanilla bean sweetness, creamy cedar, a raisins (without the tartness of course) and leather, so often seen together with raisiny notes. It’s a good mix and a very pleasant smell. The taste is toasty and bitter, giving the flavors and scents another level of complexity.

Two-thirds down the second third. The burn is good and the flavors have been consistently tasty. No significant changes were experienced, just a smooth, relaxing ride.

 

Final Third:

I am increasingly amazed at the relentless deluge of flavors and sensory stimuli. There is no time to rest, (but I am very far from complaining). The sweetness alternates between a creamy, saccharine sweetness and a fruity, nutra-sweet flavor. The creaminess is substantial, but not overpowering. Oily and cocoa-sweet smoke. The palate is toasty and nutty with just the right amount of spice from the tobacco.

Home stretch. The smell is mostly that of a creamy coffee with hints of leather. I think I also sense a subtle tartness coyly coming and going. It’s a nice, smooth finish.

 

Verdict:

Wow. Very rich flavors. Immensely enjoyed it. The nonstop flavors were a delight, as I normally don’t like hang time waiting for flavors to appear. The tobacco was rich, oily, creamy, and savory with very little spice. This stick had all the perks of a connecticut, and then some. This was not unlike the Gurkha Black Beauty, which is also a very flavorful and impressive aged connecticut. I can’t see this stick not being enjoyed by anyone, amateur or veteran. Awesome smoke and would definitely recommend.

 

Total Smoking Time: 50 minutes

Jan 18 2013

Cigar Review: Nicarao Seleccion

Vitola:

I’m not sure what to expect of this particular stick, simply because I’ve never heard of it before. After all, I am still an amateur. I have here with me the Nicarao Seleccion, supposedly a very underrated cigar. From what I’ve read, it has a connecticut oscuro wrapper of Cuban seed (which is an extensively aged connecticut that has taken on a darker hue), which I find to be quite appealing. I’ve had one other connecticut oscuro, and it was the phenomenal Gurkha Black Beauty, a delicious cousin of the Beauty (which I had reviewed just yesterday in fact). Anyway, back to the cigar of the evening. Its dimensions are eight inches by a 49 or 50 ring gauge, a churchill, and the wrapper gives me high hopes. Let’s get this guy cut and toasted.

First Third:

Punch cut again. Right from the first puff, no starting bitterness. Begins very smoothly. Sweet tobacco, leather, and nuts in the bouquet. Slightly bitter on the palate. After a little bit, I’m about three-quarters of an inch in. Now I’m starting to get a little bit of smooth cream, which I wasn’t really expecting from a connecticut oscuro. Nice touch.

I’ve smoked about an inch and three-quarters down at this point. The flavors are very smooth and the smoke is nice and thick, but surprisingly light on the nostrils. Once in a while you’ll find that certain cigars do not give you that intense burn in your nose when you take a whiff at the wrong time. Even smelling fairly concentrated smoke doesn’t cause that bad of a burn. This is one of those cigars. I’ll be smelling a lot more of this smoke. It’s terrible for my health, but this should be a very nice smoke session.

It’s a fairly quiet night. I can hear the crackle of my cigar every time I puff. It’s a comforting feeling.

Second Third:

A very interesting change in the flavor profile upon entering the second third. The introduction of coffee. It’s very light and creamy, not like espresso or java.

How very odd… Now all the tastes are suddenly gone. I’ve taken about seven or eight puffs, but still nothing. Just a little bit of sweet tobacco in the nose and bitterness on the palate. Very strange. Hopefully the flavor will be coming back soon.

This is very odd. Ten more puffs and still nothing. The burn is pretty even and the draw is good, but the flavor just isn’t there.

An entire two inches, and I am still sensing nothing. I am starting to think that this particular stick may be a dud.

Geez, finally. I’m starting to taste a little bit of cream again. Now the coffee, and now a little hint of vanilla. A welcome apology. For others’ sakes I just hope mine was just a bad egg. Unfortunately, I’m almost done with the second third, and this stick better take it up a notch to impress me.

Final Third:

Now I am thoroughly confused. I don’t know if my nose is screwed up, but upon double, triple, and quadruple checking, I must confirm that there is a certain…sour tartness? in the aroma? It’s a very odd but strangely appealing scent. I’m still trying very hard to identify it. I think it’s the most similar to the sort of cinnamony, citrusy scent of dry, whole cloves. I will also venture to say that the scent is sort of doughy as at the same time. It’s a far-fetched comparison, but it’s the closest I can get. I am enjoying this scent immensely and it’s really sparking my curiosity. Of course (though highly unlikely), I haven’t completely ruled out the possibility that I’ve been catching secondhand marijuana smoke from downstairs and I’m just imagining things.

Surely enough, the strange myriad of aromas is still present and the one-half mark of the final third. The finish has gotten a little toasty as well. The flavors are the same, but something about the finish is a little more substantial. So that you, the reader, could imagine this sensation, I will recap one more time: I smell a little bit of cream, coffee, vanilla bean, and that mildly-sour-cinnamony-citrusy-bready-clove scent. On the palate, I taste what is clearly nuts and a dash of pepper. The finish lingers on a little and finishes off toasty. The palate is otherwise very clean.

This is indeed a very odd combination and I think I should get my nose checked. But what counts is that I am enjoying this scent very much. Alas, time has run out, and I must put this down before I burn myself.

Verdict:

I honestly don’t know what to think of this cigar. Nevertheless, here I go.

1. I should get my nose checked.

2. The construction was pretty good and the burn was fairly even and self-correcting when necessary.

3. WTF in regards to the complete absence of flavor in the majority of the second third.

4. Another huge WTF in regards to the flavor that defies classification in the final third, though I thoroughly enjoyed it.

In conclusion, this was a very strange smoking session. I don’t know how good of a review this will make, but nevertheless this is what I smelled and tasted. I’m pretty good about picking flavors out accurately, but now I’m starting to doubt myself. The mystery flavor smelled nice, but I don’t know if it’s supposed to be there (or if it even WAS there for that matter). Hence I do not know if I would recommend this cigar to another person, since I am pretty convinced that my cigar was a mistake. But all that aside, this smoking session wasn’t all that bad, minus the flavor taking a short-notice vacation in the second third. If you even get a chance to smoke this cigar, any corrective, enlightening comments are welcome.

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Jan 17 2013

Cigar Review: Gurkha Beauty Robusto

Vitola:

I’ve decided I want to try to review at least one cigar a night if time permits. I want something sweet and creamy tonight, so I decided I’d have the Gurkha Beauty. It’s not often I crave connecticuts so I think it would be more than appropriate to indulge myself tonight. So, as I’ve already mentioned, this stick has a very light caramel hue to it, without any noticeable obstructions in the wrapper or the filling. The dimensions of this cigar are 7 inches by what is most definitely a 60 ring gauge. The cigar also seems pretty resilient to pressure all around, and I’m expecting a good smoke session (as I should, for the Gurkha Beauty is one of my favorite connecticuts).

First Third:

Punch cut, as usual, especially since I don’t want to strain my jaw unnecessarily because I’m smoking a robusto. After toasting the foot, there is instantly a light, creamy flavor. Unfortunately, it is slightly marred by a bitterness that doesn’t quite belong. If you’ve smoked a fair amount of cigars, the first inch or so seldom tastes good, though this is not always the case and there are quite (exceptional) exceptions to this tendency.

Right on schedule, about three-quarters of an inch in, and the bitterness is almost gone. The smoke is very smooth and creamy. In this particular case, the sweetness in the scent is a sugary sweetness, like one of cream or caramel. It is nowhere near overpowering though, just to be clear.

For a Connecticut, the burn right now is not so bad. (For those who are curious, connecticuts are your lighter, younger, creamy, light brown wrappers. Because it doesn’t have as much oil as an older maduro or oscuro wrapper, the burn has a propensity for running rampant down veins or cracks in the cigar.) Anyhow, everything is looking good. As for flavor, the creaminess and light sweetness have been getting cranked up (and still are). The taste on the palate is slightly bitter again, but it is a bitterness different from what I was tasting earlier. This one belongs in the cigar — it is pleasantly bitter and nutty, not unlike an almond eaten with its skin on.

The burn is starting to get a little uneven, a reminder that I should take my time. This one burns down quickly due to the lack of oils, and it’s not uncommon for Kyle and me to catch ourselves rushing to enjoy the delicate sweetness. The burn is still looking pretty good, and the ash is a little over two inches long and still holding on, which is pretty impressive for a connecticut, and a robusto at that. (Guess I jinxed it. As soon as I finished the last sentence and took a puff, the ash fell all over my shoe.)

Second Third:

Surely enough, after taking a short break on the puffing, the burn is even again. I can’t say the flavor has changed, but an accurate description would be that there has been a shift in flavor. In the first third the sweetness was more prominent than the creaminess, but now the creaminess is taking over a little bit. The flavor of nuts has picked up a bit on the tongue too. I also sense a wee bit of dry cedar on the palate in addition, making the finish creamy and woody.

Ah. And there it is. Every time I smoke a Gurkha Beauty, there is one flavor I always look forward to: butter. This may sound very, very weird to someone who hasn’t had a “buttery” cigar, but I personally believe it to be the richest form of flavor that a connecticut can offer to the smoker. This is a very smooth and pleasant smell, and for those who haven’t experienced this flavor, you absolutely must. I have only experienced this butteriness from two connecticuts of the Gurkha line: the Beauty, which I am smoking now, and the Empire V, which is number five of six of the Gurkha Empire line.

This scent is absolutely heavenly. I had forgotten for a moment that I was supposed to be writing a review. I am almost finished with the second third as of now. The aroma has been exceedingly buttery and creamy. The palate is still nutty and slightly woody. The finish on the palate is very smooth and lingering, which is nice coming from a light cigar.

The construction and burn of the cigar are very good, which is great news. I’ve recently been witnessing (though thankfully not been a victim of) some problems with the integrity of the construction of Gurkha cigars. This stick restores a little faith.

Final Third:

Finally, the much-awaited last third. If I remember correctly, this cigar is supposed to smell exceptionally pleasing in the final third. However, as eager as I am, I will take my time, so as to not downplay whatever is in between.

I just got a huge whiff of buttery, creamy, sugary goodness. It smells absolutely divine. It feels as though I’m smelling whipped cream and butterscotch in the form of smoke. Along with all the tastes on my palate, I would say that this entire experience is something like almond toffee and cream (though there is no sweetness on the palate). One should be careful when dealing with an aroma this pleasant though — a little latency and you will miss the scent — a little too much eagerness will leave you with a pair of burning nostrils. If you can learn to find the sweet spot in the smoke though, the smell is incredibly pleasing.

I am about halfway through the final third and I already don’t want it to end. I must admit this is a very nice break from smoking medium to full-bodied cigars. It appears I am puffing a bit too fast again, so I will let the cigar cool off a bit.

The sensory stimulation is strong until the end, but unfortunately it is time to put this cigar out. It has been an exceedingly pleasing smoke, and I am very satisfied.

Verdict:

Beautiful. There is no better word to describe this session. But as I have mentioned, it would not be as enjoyable unless you’ve learned to find the sweet spot to take a whiff of the smoke. For those who haven’t found that spot yet, I would like to add that thinning out the smoke with your hands before smelling the smoke helps considerably. At the same time though, it would be a travesty to smoke this stick on a windy day, as the smoke will be blown away too quickly, not able to be enjoyed.

Out of experience, I can say that this cigar goes very well with a cup of smooth, creamy coffee. If and when you decide to go through with this pairing, make sure the coffee isn’t too sweet, as it will make the aftertaste unnecessarily bitter in comparison. If you are used to the bitterness and like switching back and forth between bitter and sugary sweet, even a Starbucks Frappuccino would get the job done quite nicely.

(Most importantly, with all cigars, take your time. I know I‘ve been guilty of this one too many times due to eagerness, but seriously — please look past my hypocrisy and take your time. Please don’t smoke one if you haven’t set aside and ample amount of time. It is criminal to put one out and “save it for later”. Besides, the tar and nicotine will accumulate at the foot of the cigar, and a good two or three inches of the cigar would be completely wasted. And for what it’s worth (and of course just for laughs), know that I would cringe and mourn for the cigar you’ve wasted.)

Anyway, back to the Beauty. It was a very pleasing smoke; it had a decent smoking time and had very good construction. The sheer size of the cigar may be intimidating, but this stick is very aptly named the Beauty.

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour 14 minutes

Jan 17 2013

Cigar Review: Romeo Y Julieta Habana Reserve

Vitola:

I have here the Havana Reserve of the known and loved Romeo Y Julieta line. I have had it before and remember it being a good smoke, so I thought I would review it this time around. This cigar is large — it looks to be 8 inches, and what appears to be something close to a 60 gauge. It sports a smooth, cappuccino colored habano wrapper. There is one medium-sized vein running down one side of it, but hopefully it won’t cause too many issues.

First Third:

I will again be using a punch cut this time. The dry draw is excellent, and I’ve got high hopes for an even burn. The first few puffs are mainly subtle notes of coffee. Then a certain earthiness picks up and coats the palate — it’s slightly bitter and woody, but heavy. It’s hard to describe, but it isn’t unlike the peaty aftertaste that lingers on your tongue after a sip of scotch. As of now, there is no sweetness, just tobacco, earth, and hints of coffee.

About an inch in, I sense sweetness in the bouquet. Sort of a spicy bittersweet taste on the palate. The smell is most definitely coffee, although it is fleeting. The sweetness is something close to toffee or butterscotch, but it’s not very strong. The taste is still very earthy and slightly bitter. The burn is getting a little uneven, but it’s acceptable from a stick of this gauge.

About halfway through the first third. The flavors are pretty much the same, but what little sweetness there was to begin with is almost gone. The type of sweetness is also not so much like sugar as it is like tobacco. The coffee is also toning down a bit, and the flavor is mainly just spicy, bittersweet and earthy. The spice is mild like white pepper.

Second Third:

The flavors and tastes have been pretty much the same as described in the second half of the first third, and I am waiting for a change that is indicative of the second third.

I’m a little bit into the second third, and I think I sense some woodiness. The smell is slightly bitter, mildly creamy, and “dry”, much like burning cedar. I’m currently getting wood, earth, pepper, and slightly sweet tobacco. Honestly, the flavors are a little boring as of now, but it might be that I am expecting too much of a change (due to the cigars I’ve recently smoked) rather than enjoying the flavor of straight tobacco. After all, this is a Romeo Y Julieta, known for its consistency and solidity rather than exotic flavors.

I’m about halfway through the second third, and still getting the same flavors. The cigar needed a slight touch-up, but the burn is overall fairly even. Canoeing usually goes down the veins first, but the vein on this particular stick hasn’t caused any problems, which is always a plus.

Final Third:

So far, things are still pretty uneventful in the flavor department, which again, should be expected from a Romeo Y Julieta.

Finally, with about an inch and a half left, I sense a spike of creaminess in the flavor. A nice change, but to be honest, any change would have been welcome at this point. But there isn’t much left to smoke, so I’m forced to put this cigar out.

Verdict:

Frankly I was a little disappointed by the lack of character from this cigar, though to be fair, as previously mentioned, the line of Romeo Y Julietas aren’t known for exotic flavors or complexity. Perhaps I was expecting something more special because this was a Habana Reserve. The smoking time was good as well as the construction, but I was expecting a more flavorful smoke. Unfortunately, this stick could not deliver. This is certainly a solid cigar and a pleasant smoke, don’t get me wrong. We mustn’t allow my unreasonable expectations to downplay this cigar. I think the lesson of the day is to always know what you’re expecting when you light up a stick.

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour 34 minutes

Jan 15 2013

Cigar Review: Genesis: The Project by Ramon Bueso

Vitola:

Genesis: The Project. A small batch of super-premiums rolled in the Honduras. I have here with me a 6.5 x 50ish stick. It is very dark, definitely an oscuro wrapper. It is very smooth and shows no blemishes whatsoever. Hopefully this cigar is as oily as they say it is. It is packed a little on the tighter end, but we will see if the draw will be alright with a punch cut.

First Third:

A simple punch cut will do. The draw is good, so no need for a guillotine cut. The smoke output is fairly good. The smoke itself isn’t too thick, but it is heavy. It leaves me with a set of pleasantly scorched nostrils. As for the smell, it is fairly light and a little difficult to discern, but upon smoking a little longer I can tell that it’s the aroma of espresso beans. Hopefully, the flavor will become richer as we move on. There is a tiny bit of cream in the scent too, and it complements the coffee notes very well.

About an inch and a half into the stick I just got a huge whiff of coffee and cream. It is very pronounced and frankly I was a little surprised. The taste on the palate is very, very subtle — the simple bitterness and nutty taste of the aged tobacco.

The burn is a little uneven, but again, I think it may be my fault for not rolling the cigar onto its other side. However, this is a very oily, slow-burning wrapper and I will have some faith in the roller and allow the cigar a chance to correct itself. There is no sheen of the oil on the lip of the burning end, but it may be due to the cold. But the taste and burn speed of the cigar tell me that the wrapper is in fact very oily.

The burn is correcting itself nicely. The flavor profile has not changed much from the bold coffee notes, save for a fleeting savoriness that comes and goes.

Second Third:

The second third kicks off with a very distinct spike in creaminess. There is also a pronounced nuttiness in both the bouquet and on the palate.

The savoriness seems to have picked up, but so has the wind, unfortunately. It pains me to think that a warm, summer night would have given me the chance to enjoy the flavors at their peak. The coffee notes are very bold though, and luckily even the wind is having a hard time keeping it from me. Oh and I should also mention that the burn has corrected itself completely.

Final Third:

The final third starts off with a kick of spice and bitterness (and thankfully the wind is taking a break). The cream is pretty much gone at this point. The aromas and taste combine to form sort of a spiced coffee and dark chocolate feeling. Very nice. But I feel like there is a flavor profile I am not able to identify yet on my palate. It’s sort of a lingering nuttiness and bitterness that isn’t just a simple combination of the two. This must be the flavor profile of nutmeg, as the smoker is supposed to taste a whole lot of it. Also very nice. Though the taste is slightly bitter, it isn’t the sickening and lingering bitterness of cheap tobacco. It has a distinctive bite and smooth finish and it is definitely meant to be there.

The predominant aroma is a very interesting one. It is a mellow sweetness (from the dark tobacco) which kicks off with the bite of spice (probably nutmeg or cloves). The spice dies almost instantly and the sweetness finishes off with a distinctive bitterness on the palate which also in turn tapers off nicely, leaving me with a nuttiness on the palate. These are all flavors I have experienced before, but not in this particular combination and order. Quite a new thrill. It’s also a challenge for me to pick up the scents and flavors, and it’s a nice reminder of the long way I’ve come and the many cigars I’ve smoked to arrive at this level of experience.

At this point I’ve got about two and a half inches to smoke on this stick. The flavor has changed significantly as well. The smell is now predominantly of coffee and a very subtle saccharine breadiness (I think). My palate is overrun by a myriad of spices and the bitterness of coffee beans. From what I’ve experienced so far this is a very complex cigar. I am again pleasantly surprised. Also, though this may or may not have been intended, the mellow heat of the nub is giving me a very toasty finish as if I’ve literally had a sip of espresso. It adds very nicely to the nicotine rush. Excellent.

The smell of coffee and spice is very distinct now. The palate is still very pleasantly bitter. The smoke is still very rich and oily, full of flavor. I’m still smoking with an inch and a half left, but the heat is still not bothering me, thanks to the cold, I suppose.

Now the flavor is predominantly coffee, nuts, and spice. The bitterness has toned down. Seems like we’re coming in for a smooth landing.

Verdict:

Wow. Very nice cigar. Definitely super-premium. This is a degree of complexity I’ve never experienced before. I was typing almost nonstop about this session as you can see (save for the flavors lost in the second third due to the damn wind). Any experienced smoker would enjoy this stick immensely, as the flavor combinations are bold, complex, and very oily. I feel like the spice on the palate would really bring out the flavors in a nice glass of scotch. Excellent smoke. Whoever is reading this, do yourself a favor and grab a stick.

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour 6 minutes

Jan 10 2013

Cigar Review: Black Crown

Vitola:

I have here with me a Black Crown Churchill. At 7 x 49, it’s a little smaller than the churchills I am used to smoking, but I have been meaning to smoke this one for a while. Very nice toothy Honduran habano wrapper. No obstructions in the cigar which are visible at this point.

First Third:

For this cigar I’ve made a punch cut. For cigars of larger gauges (which have rounded caps, of course) I like to make punch cuts. They’re much cleaner, meaning less tobacco pieces flying down your esophagus, and good puffs without putting the entire cigar in your mouth. I also like a little bit of resistance in my draws, and a punch cut usually gets the job done. Just some food for thought. Anyway, time to light up.

Right from the first puff, light coffee and cream in the scent. Some subtle woody cedar on the palate with a toasty finish (I’m usually reluctant to use this term as it is ambiguous and very hard to explain, but as of now there is a unique roasted aftertaste that aptly fits this description). Very nice.

There is a little bit of an unevenness in the burn, and it requires a minor fix.

Second Third:

The second third is not quite as creamy anymore, although the sweetness of the tobacco is still present for the most part. There is also another kind of sweetness—sort of a grainy, nutra-sweetness that you get from bread. I am very fond of this doughy scent and it reminds me of the Gurkha Legend and its cousin, the Gurkha Legend Vintage. Makes for a very nice complement to the coffee notes.

Upon entering the middle of the second third, a savoriness makes its presence known, and every puff ends with a slightly salty, savory finish. I am also very fond of this flavor as well, probably more so than the aforementioned breadiness. Though the scent is on the fuller side, the palate is still left relatively clean, save for the subtle notes of cedar. This savory flavor reminds me of the Partagas 1845 or even a lesser Liga Privada T52, which I will be reviewing later.

Final Third:

The flavor picks up in the final third, and I am mainly picking up the savoriness of meat, and light notes of roasted coffee beans.

Unfortunately, the burn has been a constant problem for me, and I think it is because only one side is properly seasoned. I do like to have the labels facing up in my humidor, so I can imagine that the less exposed sides are seasoned less, causing them to dry out and burn faster than normal. For all the smokers out there, perhaps it might not be a bad idea to turn your cigars once in a while so they can season well on all sides.

The meat is more pronounced now and the flavor is very savory. A very slight peppery bitterness has taken its place on the palate along with the wood, complementing the savoriness very well. I also daresay I’m picking up a very light vanilla scent, although I don’t find it to be very common in unflavored cigars. After a double take, a triple take, and confirmation from my compatriot Kyle, I can say with confidence that I was picking up hints of vanilla bean.

The flavor is dying down now, and the palate is clearing up as well. My last puff has a fleeting savoriness and a lingering woody, sweet scent.

Verdict:

This was an excellent smoke. The flavor profiles of the thirds were almost like those of a three-course meal: a toasty appetizer, a meaty entrée, and a vanilla-sweet dessert (though I must stress that the flavors were very subtle). If it weren’t for the uneven burn (which is to no fault of the roller, but actually mine) this would have been a very pleasurable smoking experience. I just wish I had taken the time to season this cigar properly. Otherwise, very tasty and complex flavors, excellent construction, and overall a very nice smoke.

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour 6 minutes

Jan 2 2013

Cigar Review: Pinar Del Rio Oscuro Liga Cubana No. 2

Vitola:

I have just finished the Pinar Del Rio Sun Grown Habano Liga Cubana No. 5, but immediately next up is its darker cousin, the Pinar Del Rio Oscuro Liga Cubana No. 2 (blue label and ribbon). Contrary to the No. 5, the wrapper of the No. 2 is noticeably darker and toothier.

First Third:

Another guillotine cut, just as I did with its cousin. Immediately, I smell a combination of chocolate and meat. The scent is ever so slightly sweet, fairly savory, and has a nice salty finish. The taste left on the palate is slightly nutty and woody. I’m now finishing up the first third, and the flavors have been fairly consistent. The burn has been excellent as well as the smoke output, though the wrapper did tear a little in the middle from humidity shock.

Second Third:

Now I sense a little bit of coffee coming on, replacing the chocolate. I also smell just a tad bit of cream, without the sweetness. The smell is still very pleasantly meaty and savory. This is proving to be a very nice change in the flavor profile. The burn is also noticeably slower compared to the habano I just had—there is quite a bit of oil getting drawn out from the wrapper.

Final Third:

I have just started the final third, and I can tell that the flavors are mellowing out a bit. The smell is predominantly savory dark tobacco, and the finish on the palate is slightly bitter but mainly oaky. I’ve now smoked down to about an inch and a quarter. Unfortunately, the wrapper is starting to get loose, and since I don’t think the flavors will be lasting much longer, I think this will be a good place to finish.

Verdict:

This was a pretty solid cigar. I am very partial to savory, meaty, and oily flavors, so if you’ve got a liking to such flavors, this is would be a pretty good choice. As you can see, the smoking time was much longer than the sun grown habano due to the oils in the wrapper—approximately 14 minutes of extra smoking time. For this cigar, I’m not very sure what drink would go well with it, but I feel like anything dark and creamy would enhance the general smoking experience as the tastes on the palate are not very complex. Alternatively, this cigar would be a fine choice after a good meal. Even without a drink accompaniment, this cigar was very good to smoke by itself.

Total Smoking Time: 56 minutes

Jan 2 2013

Cigar Review: Pinar Del Rio Sun Grown Habano Liga Cubana No. 5

Vitola:

My buddy Kyle is out paintballing, and I am coincidentally broke, so here I am sitting in the middle of some godforsaken farmland in Chino, spectating. I’ve got many an hour to kill, so what better time for a cigar? I’ve got here with me a Pinar Del Rio Sun Grown Habano Liga Cubana No. 5. Very nice presentation. Very nice embossed labels and a festive ribbon on the end of each one. Just a side note: the ribbon is nice and all, but I’ve noticed that, without taking it off, the first inch of the cigar does not season properly even at a solid 80% humidity. For those who are planning to smoke a cigar with a ribbon on it, I’d recommend removing the ribbon prior to seasoning the cigar. I’ve learned from my mistake and have made sure to do so this time.  For those who don’t know this cigar by its name, it’s the one with the red ribbon and label. It’s a small cigar, rolled fairly well without too many blemishes, and a fancy pigtail knot on the cap of the cigar. The tobacco is a dark caramel color. Time to light up.

First Third:

I have tried to punch-cut these in the past after cutting off the pigtail, but since the cap is twisted closed, there is a lot of excess tobacco, and the use of a punch cutter leaves you with a lot of loose flaps of tobacco near the cut. So, for this occasion I’ve used my guillotine cutter. Now that I can taste the first third properly, I can say that the smell is fairly unique. The bouquet of the cigar is currently that of raisins and leather. I also daresay I sense a little bit of licorice in the mix as well. I think one would describe this smell as a “chewy” scent. The finish on the palate is fairly clean, save for a little bit of a leathery taste. Very pleasant. I feel as though a nice brandy would complement the raisin and leather fairly well. It’s a shame I don’t have any on me right now.

Second Third:

The first third burned away relatively quickly, mainly due to the dimensions of the cigar (5 x 52 or 54 I believe). The cigar itself does not burn away quickly though, as I can see the shine of a fair amount of oil in the sunlight. The flavors have changed since the second third—the finish on the palate is slightly more bitter. The chewiness of the smoke is a lot less pronounced, and I smell a lot more straight tobacco as opposed to the raisins and licorice. The leathery smell and taste is still there, although it seems to be fading a little bit. The burn has been fairly even, save for a little bit of canoeing in the first third which corrected itself relatively quickly.

Final Third:

I am now entering the final third. The aromas have not changed very much, but the taste is more distinctively leathery now.

I’ve smoked down about a third of the final third, and still no change in the scent of the smoke.

After smoking a little bit, I sense a little bit of savoriness coming out. I think it is perhaps a little bit too light though, as I really have to try to pick it up. Unfortunately, the cigar is too unbearably hot to smoke, so I have to put it out.

Verdict:

This cigar was very pleasant in the beginning, but was a little bit of a letdown in the final third. But overall, it was a fairly pleasant cigar to smoke. The presentation, construction, draw, burn, and smoking time were great, but this stick was a little lacking in the flavor department towards the end. It is a good amateur smoke, as it isn’t too large of a cigar and the tastes aren’t very bitter.

Total Smoking Time: 40 minutes

Dec 20 2012

Cigar Review: La Herencia Cubana – Oscuro Fuerte

La Herencia Cubana

Notes:

I’ve had a fairly productive day doing chores around the house that I have neglected to do during finals week. But there is one thing I don’t do enough of—smoking. So I have here with me on a pleasant evening a cigar by La Herencia Cubana, also home to the Core line of cigars. This particular stick here is the Oscuro Fuerte, apparently yet another cigar that is rolled by A. J. Fernandez. The wrapper is on the rougher, grainier side, but it is not as dark as the other oscuros I have smoked. Considering that this is an alleged oscuro and a double corona at that, I should be expecting a lengthy smoking time, but something inside me tells me that there won’t be too much oil in the cigar to slow the burn down. We will see. The pre-light aroma is that of sweet cocoa, and maybe some coffee. I have been seasoning this for a while so let’s see how it smokes.

 

First Third:

Another guillotine cut. Tonight I didn’t have a choice as I have misplaced my Bugatti B-1 torch lighter which has a built-in punch cutter. But nevertheless the cut is clean, and after toasting the foot, we’re in business. Right from the first puff I smell a mild but distinct chocolately sweetness. It was expected from what I have read about this cigar, but not this early on. A great way to start. The smell of sweet tobacco is also beginning to emanate from this stick. And on my palate I taste a certain nuttiness and woodiness. The finish is very clean though which is nice, but that also means that the flavor does not linger on the palate for long, unfortunately. It’s a mild but pleasant start, and hopefully we will be getting some more pronounced flavors as we progress through the thirds.

Now I am about halfway through the first third, and the sweetness is still there, but some more aromas were added to the mix. The smell is still chocolatey, but right at the end of the scent, I feel a subtle tartness, somewhat like that of raisins or some other dried fruit. The taste is slightly different now as well: the woodiness is more pronounced now, and it tastes like oak to me. Also, a pleasant bitterness has entered the mix as well, complementing the sweet aroma and giving me the sensation of a fruit-infused bar of dark chocolate. I also sense the onset of a little bit of spice, like white pepper, but I might be wrong. We will see.

 

Second Third:

No pepper on the palate as of yet, but other significant changes have taken place. The tartness in the scent has lost its bite, and has mellowed out a little bit. It was a nice scent while it lasted. Also, the bouquet has taken on a distinct, moderately strong roasted coffee flavor. The sweetness has toned down as well, and in conjunction the bitterness has picked up quite a bit, though it is fleeting and does not linger as much. This combination of flavors reminds me of the cup of Brazilian black coffee that I had a few nights ago. An interesting transition.

The ash clings well to the cigar, and burn is fairly even with the exception of one section that is always dipping a tiny bit more down the stick. I am still satisfied. The smell of cocoa has made a small but noticeable return, but not the sweetness. Nevertheless, in combination with the savory coffee notes, it makes a good combination. However I am still secretly hoping for the tartness to come back again.

 

Final Third:

I am starting to think perhaps my prediction about the smoking time is correct. There isn’t that much oil soaked in the tobacco, so this oscuro smokes like your average habano wrapper. I have only smoked about 48 minutes, and I am already down to the second band and the final third. Let’s see where this goes.

The roasted coffee flavor is declining and I am sensing an increasing amount of nuttiness in the scent. The taste on my palate is also decreasing in bitterness and a clean woodiness is taking its place. The experience is something close to a light coffee and the familiar but subtle proteiny bitterness of almonds.

I am about a third through the final third, and I am surprised by a sudden spike in nuttiness, both in the scent and on the palate. It is accompanied by the smell and taste of straight tobacco. The flavors right now are a little boring, but still very much pleasant.

As if the cigar could read my thoughts, it has presented me with a less boring addition. I am now tasting leathery notes and the smell has taken on a more savory profile. The flavor is a little bit wishy-washy, alternating between nuttiness and oakiness.

I have now smoked down to an inch and a half, and it is this stogie’s final chance to shine before I make a verdict. The tastes are still the same as before, and so is the smell. I just wish the meatiness would pick up a little bit, but I suspect the flavors will mellow out soon and leave me with a clean finish.

As predicted, the sensory stimulation is grinding down to a halt, and it’s now time to put this cigar down.

 

Verdict:

Decent cigar. Nothing really special, just a mediocre smoke in my humble opinion. There was nothing about the construction, the flavor, or taste that was particularly striking. If anything, the smoking time for this stick was a bit underwhelming for its length and darkness. Also, the flavors are on the milder side and they can be a little hard to pick out at times. I’d say a simple Romeo Y Juliet would make a better smoke than this cigar. It still makes for a nice relaxing smoke, but it’s not particularly good, or particularly bad.

 

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour and 14 minutes

Dec 16 2012

Liga Undercrown Cigar Review

Undercrown

Notes:

God damn finals are finally over. TIME TO SMOKE! I’ve been saving this one for review for quite a while. The Undercrown by Drew Estate, a spinoff of his famous and tasty Liga Privada line. I’ve smoked it once before and I was instantly hooked. I just had to review this one. Nice, dark wrapper. A nice, cedary pre-light scent with a hint of roasted coffee. It is packed perfectly. Perfect amount of resilience and resistance. Minimal veins and obstructions (made sure of that when I bought it). Also, I am smoking in the lounge, on a rather comfortable leather seat to the sound of Frank Sinatra’s Christmas music.

First Third:

Made a guillotine cut, knowing the cigar was well rolled. Perfect cut, excellent dry draw. And it should be—I’ve been seasoning this one for a while. The smoke is very tasty even with the first draw. The bouquet is moderately strong and very pleasant. I smell a little bit of a roasted mesquite wood scent. And oily leather. Almost meaty. Very savory. The smell of the tobacco itself is very dark and savory as well. The finish is slightly creamy without the sweetness. The aftertaste of this cigar is very light. I usually need to spit all the time and hence find it uncomfortable to smoke inside lounges, but I feel no need to do so right now. Every puff is just heavenly. Great combination of scents.

Second Third:

As soon as I enter the second third, an instant change. The woodiness and smoky, savory scents really pick up. This woodiness is definitely a creamy cedar. Very nice. The leather, meat, and oily tobacco tastes have toned down a bit, but they’re still there. I don’t say this very often, but I am seriously considering buying a box of these. Everything about the construction of this stick is spot-on. The burn is razor sharp and very quickly self-correcting. The draw is easy with the perfect amount of resistance. And the smell is just decadent. I’ve decided this great stogie needs a great drink accompaniment. I am now sitting down with a delicious Belgian white, called Duvel. The taste is light and the foam is creamy, a perfect match for this cigar. The cream accompanies the smell of the smoke very well. The taste of the cigar is light, but the beer brings out the flavor a bit more.

Final Third:

The creamy cedar is accentuated by the beer, but it is far from overwhelming the palate. The savory notes are only limited to the palate now and no longer in the bouquet, which is kind of a bummer, so I’m expecting a light finish. The woodiness and cream is still there though. I feel as if there isn’t that much oil in the final third, so the burn is actually speeding up a bit, though it’s still very even. Mmm—the meatiness is back! A very pleasant surprise. This stick is going to be quite hard to put down. Unfortunately, the pleasure is short-lived—I’ve smoked this stogie down to less than an inch, so it’s time to put it out. Perhaps it’s a business tactic, because I cannot wait to have my next Liga Undercrown.

Verdict:

Great cigar. So great that I would definitely buy a box when my financial aid money comes in next quarter. This just might be my go-to stogie. The taste is clean and so is the finish. The bouquet is a nice combination of dark, sweet-ish tobacco, savory, smoky, slightly salty, and meaty with a light touch of cedar and cream. The smell reminds me strongly of the Partagas 1845, another fantastic cigar. I’m surprised I never got any hints of coffee. Maybe there were and I just missed them. I will be sure next time, when I buy a box of these. Anyway, for those of you reading this, great smoke. Light on the palate, flavorful, and well-constructed.

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour and 33 minutes

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