Tag Archives: cigars

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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Dec 1 2012

Obsidian Robusto Cigar Review

After a great meal at the Cheesecake Factory tonight, I decided to smoke something savory and strong, and the Obsidian didn’t disappoint.  This is a new cigar for me, so other than the excellent tips I’d received from our other writer Josh, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

Vitola:

This robusto sports a nice 5.5″ with a 54 gauge. Not the biggest cigar out there, but a deceptively long smoke. The Obsidian is a very oily cigar, which slows down the burn. I’ll talk more about smoking time later, but this is definitely a cigar to sit and take your time with.

Dry Draw:

I decided to use the punch cutter I got from my friend Darian tonight (attached to an attractive Nibo double torch lighter no less) to cut the Obsidian, and I was very pleased with the ease of draw I was getting. Surprisingly  cocoa was the most notable dry draw flavor I was getting, and would prove to be a dominant smell in the cigar’s bouquet (note: not a flavor in the cigar itself).

Smoke:

The Obsidian gave off very large quantities of nice, white smoke. The plumes were so large in fact, I almost felt like I was smoking my hookah. This is pretty unusual for a cigar, and I’m not sure if my stick was an errant aberration or if all Obsidians smoke this much. As I mentioned earlier, aroma notes out of the Obsidian were quite different from the flavors I was getting, with cocoa and coffee being quite evident.

Flavor:

The Japanese have a word that describes the Obsidian perfectly: umami. Meaning savory, it embodies everything about this wonderful stogie. First puffs after lighting are rich, with  tobacco dominating. This quickly gave way to a lovely roasted tobacco flavor, which would last until the cigar’s second third. The coffee gave way to one of my favorite cigar flavors: a savoriness bordering on meaty. “Meat” is not how I would describe it; rather, the cigar gives a feeling of savory contentedness that one receives after a particularly hearty, meaty meal. Having followed an excellent dinner, this was the perfect way to wrap up the night. The cigar’s final third saw a rise of another flavor. Though light, woodiness is unmistakable. Slightly oaky, this balanced well with the savory meatiness of earlier. It should be noted that the cigar was not peppery at all, and remained silky smooth throughout the entire smoke.

Drink Accompaniment:

I decided to keep things simple tonight with Jim Beam and coke. No need to get fancy, this is a nice, stiff drink. Jim isn’t the most robust whiskey out there, and it didn’t detract from the Obsidian’s delightful flavors.

Total Smoking Time:

1 hour 34 minutes. As I mentioned earlier, this seemingly small tobacco stick offers a nice long burn thanks to the oily wrapper.

Nov 29 2012

San Lotano Oval Box-Pressed Torpedo Cigar Review

Notes:

Bought this from a cigar lounge, hence making this stick a 1st. Excellent construction and beautiful shape- I would expect no less from a fancy cigar lounge/wine bar, my favorite lounge due to no coincidence. Box-pressed, so fits well between your fingers and in your mouth (yea that’s what she said ha ha very funny). Torpedo, so you know it has some hard work rolled into it. Rich, dark colored wrapper. No veins or any visual blemishes whatsoever. Wrapper is not as oily as you would expect with such a dark oscuro stick. The texture is smooth in regards to bumps and veins, and feels like very fine grain sandpaper. At the same time, the cigar is not “toothy” either. The pre-light odor is rich, but not pungent.

First Third:

Cut just a little bit off the top, maybe about one-third of an inch. I personally like my draw a little tighter, as it paces me so that I don’t puff too fast and waste a nice cigar. After toasting the foot, we’re in business. The first puff is normally bitter in cheap cigars, and as expected, the first puff is excellent. The initial flavors are lighter than expected. Very slightly sweet tobacco taste. The miniscule sweetness, accompanied by a pleasant bitterness, creates almost a chocolatey taste, that of a very dark 86% cocoa bar. Sweetness is fleeting with every finish, but it is there in every puff. There is also a hint of coffee, I think. If not coffee, some kind of nice, savory roasted flavor. Delicious. The ash is not the firmest, but still holds on for a good inch or so. Perhaps it’s because it is box-pressed.

Second Third:

Right on the dot, just as I enter the second third, the pleasant bitterness becomes more pronounced. The sweetness is completely gone, but the smoke is still savory. I sense a little bit of pepper on my palate as well. An interesting change in flavor. Now the savory taste is receding as well, leaving behind the pleasant taste of well-aged tobacco. Notes of leather and wood are picking up, and the scent is surprisingly light and floral, not what one would expect of such a dark cigar. The lack of oil makes the cigar burn a little faster than originally anticipated, but that is alright with me. The burn is not as clean cut, but I have faith in the roller and the burn will hopefully correct itself.

I am now a little less than halfway through the second third. The burn still has not corrected itself, but it isn’t heinous enough for a touch up. The flavor is still that of straight tobacco and leather. The peppery spice is becoming more and more pronounced on the palate. The bitterness left on the lips is a different kind of bitterness compared to what I am used to tasting. I daresay it reminds me of a smooth brandy, which would without a doubt go well with this cigar.

The burn has slowed down considerably as well. The length of my paragraphs describing each third should be a good indicator of the speed of the burn in each respective third. Surprisingly, I can now sense the taste of cognac on my palate, the majority of it replacing the peppery spice- a pleasant invasion, I might add. Speaking of invasion, I’m also beginning to taste a savory, proteiny undertone, perhaps that of roasted nuts. The burn has corrected itself beautifully, though it did take a little longer than I expected. I am currently tasting a combination of leather, nuts, tobacco, and cognac- a very interesting myriad of flavors.

I have about…less than a quarter of an inch to go on this long second third. The heat is picking up a tiny bit now, and pepper also makes its return to my palate. Still no sweetness though.

Final Third:

Finally in the last third. The current flavors are tobacco, pepper, and leather- a paradoxically pleasant harshness. I’ve noticed that the transition of flavors alternates between acrid and pleasant, and though it’s probably a bad comparison, it feels like the “good cop, bad cop” treatment. It’s actually kind of funny, really. But by no means is the cigar distasteful.

The flavor of roasted nuts is back in the picture, replacing the pepper once again, though subtle. The cognac and leather are ever-present. The flavors and the bouquet are once again a little more floral, for the lack of a better term.

I’ve smoked this cigar down to about an inch and a half, and I am surprised by the relative coolness of the smoke. I imagined it would be unbearably hot at this point, but it is still very much palatable.  The exotic flavors are beginning to slowly die down though, and I am left once again mainly with the clean taste of tobacco (it occurs to me that a non-smoker would find this description outrageously nonsensical, and I am once again humorously reminded that this is definitely an acquired taste). The smell is still very much floral and light, a relatively clean finish.

Verdict:

I humbly admit that I am an amateur aficionado at best, but this cigar is definitely not a smart choice for an amateur. But any seasoned smoker would greatly appreciate the pleasant, savory, and floral notes, as well as the acrid, peppery, bitterness that alternates with them. As I have mentioned, I imagine this cigar would make a nice pair with a half-cup of cognac on the rocks (not so much whiskey though, as the burn of the alcohol would effectively mask the delicate flavors). Pricey, but nevertheless a great smoke.

Total Smoking Time: 1 hour and 9 minutes

Nov 26 2012

Man O’ War Puro Authentico Maduro Cigar Review

This is my first review of a cigar. Kyle and I will both have different styles of reviewing, so expect a variety of observations and notes. Please feel free to provide constructive criticism- though we may have smoked hundreds of cigars, we still have much to learn regardless. Thanks.

Notes:

Interesting construction. Annoying packaging. Rich, dark color, strong (but good) pre-light odor. Smooth wrapper, minimal veins. Little bud of tobacco protruding out of the head. Wrapper intentionally hangs over the foot of the cigar and is sort of folded over the foot and tapered off. I had to cut the tip of the foot off to light and draw. This is apparently AJ Fernandez’s everyday go-to blend.

First Third:

I used a guillotine cutter, as I’ve had bad experiences trying to punchcut a small cigar. First few puffs are very strong and peppery. Almost charred. Incredible amount of spice. The smell of the wrapper is of savory tobacco. About halfway through the pepper recedes. Introduction of a strong flavorful coffee note which simmers down just a little bit. Nice clean draw, lots of smoke output for a small cigar. Very good construction. Aftertaste is pleasantly peppery.

Second Third:

A nice but very subtle oaky scent introduced. I believe it is pretty common for the Man O’ War line. Rich coffee flavor is still predominantly the main flavor, along with that of savory, dark tobacco. Pepper and oak are still there. Ash clings well and is solid white. Coffee tones down a bit more and a nice, nutty flavor develops on the palate along with the pepper. The burn also slows down considerably and the bouquet also leaves behind a set of very peppery nostrils, which I personally like.

Final Third:

The sweetness of the scent has subsided, though the flavorful coffee is still ever-present. The nutty flavor has become more pronounced. It should be a nice downhill ride from here. Peppery aftertaste has also subsided considerably and I am left with a pleasantly oaky, smoky finish. All the flavors in general have lost their bite and are now smooth and flavorful. Oh, and I forgot to mention that the burn is razor sharp. Had a miniscule amount of canoeing but it corrected itself almost immediately. I’ve smoked down to a little over an inch. It is very hard to put down. Very tasty. It might just be me, but the last few puffs had slightly salty and leathery finishes. A very nice way to finish up. Would go very nicely with a cup of black coffee.

Verdict:

A very flavorful but strong cigar. The Man O’ War Puro Authentico Maduro is only a corona, but it packs one hell of a punch. Would not recommend to amateurs who are new to smoking. But for an experienced smoker, this little stick is surely a prize cigar. It has a lot of kick, so don’t be surprised if you get a headrush from it. These stogies were about 6-7 bucks a stick on sale, but were totally worth the buy. If you’re looking for a short but hard kick in the head with a blast of flavor, these little stogies are perfect for you.

Total Smoking Time: 37 minutes

Nov 26 2012

Gurkha Doble Maduro Review

Gurkha has become quite a staple for me. Many experienced cigar smokers look down on this proud line-up of tobacco sticks, but for their price, I find them hard to beat. Tonight’s smoke  was the delicious Gurkha Doble Maduro. I stand by the reasoning that you should never judge a cigar by its wrapper, and this bad boy exemplifies that perfectly. Reminiscent of the excellent Cohiba Black, the doble maduro is deceptively flavorful and light, quite at odds with its oily, dark wrapper. I’d like to break up the major points of the cigar and go into each more in depth.

Vitola:

This monster sports a 58 gauge and is 6.5″ long. Not for the faint of heart. Not only is it a long cigar, but the thicker gauge means you’re looking at an hour and a half smoke, minimum. If you’re a new smoker, I’d look at something a bit smaller to get your feet wet.

Dry Draw:

I used my Colibri double guillotine to cut my stogie. Pre-light draw was very smooth and easy. Ease of draw is a major factor for me. Any tension in the draw will, over the course of your smoke, fatigue your jaw. Nothing serious, but cigar smoking is intended to be an enjoyable pastime after all, so avoiding this is important to me. A quick draw leaves a little sweetness on the lips, with just a hint  of woodiness. Possibly cedar, but hard to tell without lighting up.

Smoke:

Smoke throughout the entire cigar was thick and white. I don’t usually worry too much about my cigar producing copious amounts of smoke, but it’s always nice to see those thick, white plumes. Smoke aroma is very enticing. The room note is sweet, with a fruity tartness that makes me think of raisins.

Ash:

I don’t usually make a point to discuss the ash of my cigars, but the doble maduro really surprised me. Ash was a lovely speckled grey, and it clung to the cigar in 2.5″ segments before falling off. The only problem I encountered was a slight “pointing” of the cigar (the opposite of tunneling). I attribute this,however, to the fact that I may have smoked a little quickly at first, thus not allowing enough time for this wider gauge cigar to burn towards its middle. A slight pause in smoking and the burn corrected itself.

Flavor:

Now we get to the heart of the matter. The cigar started with a warm, clean tobacco taste. Many people emphasize flavor, but sometimes it’s nice to just enjoy the taste of tobacco leaf. After a few puffs the tobacco taste gave way to a sweet, cocoa flavor. This would dominate the cigar until the final third. Typically I like to see flavor progression in thirds of the cigar, but when you come across  something as nice as cocoa in a cigar, I don’t mind it lingering. The final third was very evident as the cocoa gave way instantly to a woodiness, definitely cedar. Cedar is usually accompanied by a creamy sweetness, and the doble maduro definitely did not disappoint.          Faint traces of the raisin notes I detected in the aroma earlier arrived in the back of my mouth, very light but quite nice.

Drink accompaniment:

I usually like to drink something with my cigars, and tonight’s choice was a couple fingers of Zaya rum. This is an excellent 12 year aged rum that starts with a smooth vanilla flavor and finishes with a satisfying oakiness. This is probably the best rum I’ve had yet, and is a great choice for a sweeter cigar. I wouldn’t consider other rums with cigars however, as the Zaya’s aged nature gives it a fuller body and less of a sweet bite. A  drink that is too sugary or sweet will overpower your cigar.

Overall I would say I am very pleased with the Gurkha Doble Maduro. A hefty cigar with very enjoyable flavors made all the better by its reasonable price point ($4-6 online).