Friday, December 31, 2010

Tatuaje Havana VI

This was my New Years Eve smoke. The last cigar of 2010. Cigar number 162 since I started getting serious and blogging my cigars in May.

December has caused my smoking to be cut in half. It has been too cold to regularly smoke outside and I have been traveling a lot. But I had to get this one last smoke in for the year. I have been wanting to try this cigar for awhile so I picked one up the last time I was at Holt's. It set me back $7.25.

This was a fairly short cigar but since I was smoking with some friends during a New Years Eve party I didn't want to be too antisocial and be out on the deck all night.

It was a very warm New Years Eve, around 50 degrees, so smoking outside was pretty comfortable. I brought a couple of Quorum's for any friends that wanted to join me. I had two takers, Ed and Jim. They seemed to like the Quorum's.

This Tatuaje was very nice. A nice mellow taste with lot's of smoke. A bit milder than my past Tatuaje's but I think this blend is supposed to be on the lighter side. It still had plenty of flavor and was a finger burner. I would definitely buy it again, maybe a bit longer size though.

Happy New Year!


From Holts.com:

Length: 4.5 Ring: 49

Our good friend Pete Johnson is taking the cigar industry by storm! For the past year or so, Tatuaje has been the hottest thing since sliced bread. Now Pete is looking to bolster an already potent arsenal with his brand new Havana VI! This is a cigar manufactured in Nicaragua from 100% Nicaraguan tobaccos. It features a gorgeous chocolaty Corojo wrapper and a tasty binder and filler blend. The Havana VI is a completely different animal than the regular Tatuaje. It is blended in traditional Cuban fashion, but does not possess the strength and firepower often associated with the Tatuaje name. Instead of coming out with a cigar stronger than his previous one, Pete decided to flip the script and offer customers a lighter fare. The Tatuaje Havana VI is a medium-bodied cigar with rich earthy flavor and smooth subtle spice.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium to Full
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan



Thursday, December 30, 2010

Hoyo de Monterrey - Double Corona

This is the second of this batch of 5 that I have smoked. The first one had some serious wrapper issues so I decided to let the rest sit in the humidor for a few weeks to see if that would help.

The cigar has a very tight and hard construction. No soft spots. A bit of a barnyard smell.

I straight cut it and smoked it on the deck in front of the heater. I paired it with a Framboise Lambic (Belgian Framboise Beer) and then a Great Lakes Christmas blend.

From the moment it lit it thru the first third there was plenty of smoke. I did notice a slight pepper bite at the back of my throat but nothing too annoying.

At the end of the first third the wrapper burst. The flavor is mild but nice, and the strength was mild to medium.

During the last third there were no wrapper issues and the strength picked up a bit and I would call it medium to full overall.

Overall I do like this cigar. It was a finger burner.

From JRcigars.com:

Origin: Honduras
Length: 6.75
Ring: 48
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper Color: Medium Brown (E)
Wrapper Type: Ecuador Sumatran
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: DR/HON/NIC

From Cigar.com:

Hoyo de Monterrey is one of the oldest cigar brands in the world, making its start in Cuba before expanding production to their factory in Honduras. Today it is one of the most famous brands on the Market.

Hoyo de Monterrey is one of the most recognized names in cigars. With deep roots in Cuba, this brand has consistently been one of the best cigars to ever come off the island. In 1969, after the trade embargo, production moved to Honduras and was first harvested from a Cuban seed smuggled out of Cuba in a diplomatic pouch.

The unique multi country blend used to make Hoyo de Monterrey is medium bodied with a solid creamy flavor and great balance. The cigar is currently made under the supervision of Estello Padron at the Villizon Factory where other big names such as Punch are made today. Estello's commitment to quality and perfection ensures that each Hoyo de Monterrey is worthy of the name. Hoyo de Monterrey is and always has been a classic. Smoked by new enthusiasts and aficionados alike, it has a versatile flavor that appeals to many palates.



Wednesday, December 29, 2010

La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor

I smoked this one after having dinner with my beautiful wife at Club La Salle. The club has been my favorite local indoor cigar hangout for a bit now but they are going smoke free on 12/31/2010. So I thought that I would go one last time and enjoy a cigar there.

For dinner I had the pork chop. I can honestly say that it was the biggest and best pork chop that I have ever had. Fantastic.

After eating, I straight cut this cigar and paired it the rest of my Great Lakes Christmas blend that I had with dinner and then with an Amstel Light.

It was a bit peppery at first but mellowed out quickly.

I love this cigar and when I want to smoke a $8.00+ cigar this just may be my new favorite. It has a great complex taste but not overpowering. Has an easy draw, medium strength and always a finger burner.

I had to put this one out a bit earlier than I would have liked to because my wife was starting to get overwhelmed by the amount of smoke in the club. I put it down with a little over an inch to go and it killed me to do so because it was getting really good.

From Cigar.com:

Handcrafted under the supervision of Don Pepin Garcia in Nicaragua, La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor is an excellent cigar, blended to create a complex experience that completely satisfies your entire palate.

La Aroma de Cuba is an old-time brand with a unique and dedicated following. The blends under this line all maintain light complexities while remaining medium-bodied to create a balanced experience between strength and flavor. Now made in Nicaragua at Don Pepin Garcia's new factory, the La Aroma de Cuba brand remains consistent from start to finish and features some of the best tobaccos money can buy.

Mi Amor is simply an excellent addition to the La Aroma line. The blend brings a full-flavored but medium-bodied maduro to the mix and creates a hearty finish. Outside, you'll find a dark Cuban-seed Mexican maduro wrapper that conceals a flavorful concoction of Nicaraguan long leaves from Nicaragua's top growing regions. As the blend burns, you'll find espresso and coffee-like flavors throughout, all masked by earthy undertones and notes of black pepper. With a smooth, creamy smoke and long-lasting finish, expect Mi Amor to increase in strength from head to foot while still producing a well-balanced finish that you'll want to experience again and again.


Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Victor Sinclair Vintage Select - Lonsdale

I straight cut this cigar and smoked it without a pairing. I took the girls out to Diamond Lake for a walk on the ice and grabbed this cigar on the way out the door. The temps were in the low 20's and there was a very light breeze.

It was the perfect cigar for what we were doing. It didn't require any special attention, no burn issues, etc.. I really enjoy these cigars for times when I don't have a lot of time. They produce a ton of smoke, have a mild taste, and usually have just enough strength to have a nice kick.

It was a great walk and an enjoyable cigar.

From Cigars International:

Milk-chocolatey goodness from Victor Sinclair.

Victor Sinclair Vintage offers a dark, delicious Brazilian maduro wrapper and supremely aged mix of all Cuban-seed Dominican long-leaf tobaccos. Light one up and you’ll see it’s chock full o’ soothingly rich, milky-smooth flavors but also fairly light in strength. Crisply box-pressed and meticulously constructed with a pleasant aroma and slight sweetness, VS Vintage is a bargain that’s priced well enough to be your ’everyday’ handmade.






Monday, December 27, 2010

Victor Sinclair 10th Aniversario

I smoked this one on the deck at night. It was 20 degrees outside and I dressed warmly and sat in front of the propane heater. I also used one of the "Hot Hands" hand warmers that I got for Christmas.

I V cut it and paired with a Great Lakes Christmas blend and then with Bud Light. This cigar produces a ton of smoke and had a nice medium to mild flavor at first. I can't put my finger on the flavor note that I am getting. Maybe cedar?

The First two thirds were great with a nice mild to medium flavor and medium strength. I had to purge a few times because it was getting hot and bitey. I did have to correct the burn once in the last third. This cigar does tend to get a bit hot in the last inch.

The entire cigar produced great thick smoke and lots of it. I smoked it down to the finger burning nub. It left me wanting more.



From CigarsInternational.com:

A lovely and well-aged Dominican puro.

Meticulously handmade, this Dominican beauty has turned heads, featuring all Dominican tobaccos, including a lovely, triple-fermented Corojo wrapper. The new crown jewel of the Victor Sinclair family of brands. The smoke is toasty and layered with balanced, pleasant flavors, finished by a peppery-sweet aftertaste and wonderful aromas.

From Cigar.com:

This exceptionally complex blend is one of the only Dominican cigars on the market rolled with a coveted Dominican wrapper, which is packed with flavor.

To celebrate their 10th Anniversary, the blenders at Victor Sinclair spent several years perfecting a dynamic mix of Dominican tobaccos to make an exceptional cigar that sells at a reasonable price. The resulting blend has been one of the best ever created by Victor Sinclair and is only sold to a small handful of special accounts, which include Cigar.com!

Victor Sinclair 10th Aniversario is full-bodied and full-flavored utilizing tobacco that creates robust notes of spice, which carry into a very long finish. Over the course of the smoke, the flavor undergoes several changes keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Very complex and definitely note worthy, this cigar is a must buy, not only for fans of Victor Sinclair but also for aficionados worldwide.





Friday, December 24, 2010

Avo Uvezian Heritage

I picked this one up while on my last trip to D.C. and it was suggested to me by a tobacconist at W Curtis Draper.

I straight cut it and paired it with Bud Light while smoking it on the patio at the fire pit. It was Christmas Eve and I had a nice little fire. I think it was in the 20's outside but I was dressed warm.

The cigar was medium flavor and nice and mellow with no bite. The strength was on the strong side but not too strong. I liked this cigar and would buy again.

From Cigar.com:

A phenomenal blend from the hands of Avo Uvezian in collaboration with Hendrik Kelner, Avo Heritage remains one of the most satisfying Avo cigars ever created.

Avo cigars hail from the Tabadom factory in the Dominican Republic. This notorious factory is the same location where Davidoff cigars are also produced, and is known throughout the world as one of the most premier cigar facilities currently still in operation. Each stick is carefully blended by Avo Uvezian and Hendrik Kelner; top industry specialists who are known for producing some of the finest, most premium blends on the market.

Avo Heritage utilizes the finest selection of Cuban-seed tobaccos in the business. This cigar is one of the most complex Dominican blends ever created as it features Cuban-seed Dominican long fillers all encased by a Cuban-seed sun grown wrapper grown in Ecuador. With a super smooth character and a full-bodied, full-tilt flavor, Heritage will satisfy the most discerning aficionados and still features a relatively affordable price point.



Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Alec Bradley Tempus Maduro Torpedo

Picked this one up from a recontamination from Walter at the JR Marriott around the corner from Shelley's Backroom in D.C.. I bought it at W Curtis Draper for about $8.00.

I smoked it at Shelly's while hanging out with some of my cigar smoking Twitter friends like Evan, Bird and Brett. I gave it a V cut and paired it with Bud Light.

It had a great draw from the beginning thru the first third and then got a little tight. So I then straight cut it in hopes of opening it up more. It worked. It was a great smoke. Awesome full flavor, medium to full strength. Great draw after straight cutting. No construction issues. Loved it. A finger burner for sure!

From CigarsInternational.com:

A 94-rated masterpiece.

Here it is, quite possibly the crowning achievement of Alec Bradley Cigars. Tempus is truly boutique, right down to the tobaccos used. The Habano-seed wrapper hails from a small tobacco field located on the border of Nicaragua and Honduras, capturing the rich, hearty flavors of Honduras. This leaf is dark and leathery, and conceals a complex mixture of Cuban-seed long-fillers grown in both Nicaragua and Honduras. The cigar explodes with rich, but smooth flavors noting toasted wood and nuts. The finish is long and peppery with an enjoyable sweetness.

Thanks to a well-deserved ’94’ rating, the Alec Bradley Tempus was named one of the Top 25 Cigars of the Year!
"Dark and attractive with an effortless draw, this cigar produces a rich, semisweet smoke, leaving balanced impressions of wood and nuts. Big, delicious flavor."






Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Tatuaje Miami 7th Natural

I Purchased this cigar from Holt's in Philly for $9.00. It had a perfect burn and a great taste. Full flavor and full strength. I straight cut it and smoked it at Shelly's Backroom in D.C. while pairing with Bud light. This was smoked after a meal with Mike and Dave at Capitol city brewery. Awesome cigar

From CigarsInternational.com:

A high-end, quality super-premium.

Tatuaje Miami is a highly sought after 90-rated blend made in Miami by Don "Pepin" Garcia. Made entirely of 1st generation Cuban-seed tobaccos grown in Nicaragua, expect a robust, medium to full-bodied smoke that’s leathery in character and loaded with earthy, woody undertones and pepper on the finish.

Tatuaje is made in extremely limited quantities in order to maintain its ultra-high level of quality and consistency, making this one of the rarest cigars on the market. Get’em while you can.




Monday, December 13, 2010

Nub Habano


Smoked this one at Shelly's Back room in D.C. after eating one of their great roast beef dips. I V cut it and paired it with Bud Light on tap.

It was a good cigar as usual but it had a bad burn. Uneven and had to fight to correct it many times. It maybe was due to the fact that I match lit it initially and did not get a great light. And there was a hell of a breeze from they ventilation system.

This cigar was purchased at Holt's of Philly for $5.65

From Cigars International:

Wrapper: Habano
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Experience: Rich tobacco influence with hints of nuts and bread. Smoky aftertaste.
Category: Medium to full in body

Nub started as a theory. Born in the Oliva factory, a cigar maker was hell-bent on proving he could capture the essence - the core - of a cigar’s flavor immediately upon lighting and throughout the duration of the smoke. Well, they nailed it.

Rather than wait for a cigar to develop and evolve, which typically occurs an inch to two inches in, the idea behind Nub was to specifically blend it to hit its sweet spot right off the bat and remain at its peak right through to the end. Each size is short and stout in stature. That’s by design - not for novelty - as blends and sizes were worked and re-worked a thousand ways from Sunday in order for Nub creator Sam Leccia and the Oliva family to capture the essence of each Nub blend. Anyone can create unusual shapes, each of the Nub blends and accompanying shapes was instead created to summon and deliver the blend’s sweet spot.

Habano - glossy, milk chocolate-brown wrapper. Rich tobacco core with a smoky aftertaste. Hints of peanuts are supported by a baked bread component. Spice through the nose. Medium to full-bodied with a rich, creamy character throughout.




Thursday, December 9, 2010

Cain F 6X54 torpedo

I loved this cigar. Absolutely perfect for me in every aspect. Strength, flavor and taste. Price was a bit high (at $8.00) to make this an everyday cigar, but would be nice for special occasions.

I smoked this one at the "B Bar" in the Borgata casino. It was a very nice place to have a cigar. I V cut it at first but realized that the draw was a bit tight so I then straight cut it and it was perfect. I paired it with Bud Light in aluminium bottles. Smoked it down to the nub.

From Cigar.com:

If you enjoy Cain by Oliva but wish it had a bit more power, then Cain 'F' is your answer. Considered one of the best new releases in 2009, Cain provides substantial flavor and body as it contains 100% Nicaraguan ligero long leaves from Condega, Jalapa and Esteli while maintaining a smooth character due to its triple-fermented tobacco. This blend was rated '92' by Cigar Insider.

The Oliva family has left a substantial mark on the cigar industry over the past five years. As one of the world’s most reputable cigar makers, their highly rated blends can only be found at the most reputable tobacconists throughout the world. In 2007, Oliva received an unprecedented 94 rating from Cigar Aficionado for their Serie ‘V’ line, which was also designated as the top new release that year.

Cain 'F' sports the same tasty Habano wrapper found on the original Cain blend in addition to the same choice triple-fermented Nicaraguan fillers. However, its chocked full of extra ligero leaves, more so than its counterpart, creating an incredibly bold, hearty character that blasts your palate with intense spice and pepper from head to foot. Be warned, this blend was made with the experienced aficionado in mind.



Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Perdomo Lot 23 Natural

Like the last time that I flew into PHL and drove to Atlantic City for work, I wanted to stop in at Holt's and buy some cigars. But this time, due to a day of canceled flights, I did not get to PHL until after Holt's was closed. So I went back to Philly on the night of my second day of the trip, just to go to Holt's. I bought a handful of cigars and then headed up to the whiskey bar above Holt's, Mahogany. It was my first time there and I really liked it. Dark wood paneled rooms with many leather chairs and couches. And they have over 140 whiskeys.

I grabbed the Lot 23 out of my bag (paid $5.05 for it), straight cut it and lit it up. I paired it with a Bushmills followed by an Amstel Light.

The cigar had a nice mild taste with good flavor and lots of smoke. Maybe a hint of a cedar taste. I really enjoyed the cigar, it was a perfect cigar for me. No burn issues, the flavor changed from mild to medium flavor with a short finish. The strength was medium. I smoked it down to the nub.

From Cigar.com:

Perdomo Lot 23 is an incredible value that rivals the finest Connecticut wrapped cigars at a fraction of the price.

In 2000, Nick Perdomo planted an experimental crop of tobacco on a small plot of land appropriately named Lot 23. It is here that the golden tobacco leaves of Lot 23 were harvested for extended fermentation. When the tobacco was ready for blending, Nick was shocked to find the cigar did not blend well with foreign tobaccos, but rather was ideal when blended with tobacco from the same field.

The resulting Lot 23 cigar is composed of 100% puro tobacco from one field in Esteli. Medium-bodied with a silky Connecticut-seed wrapper, this creamy cigar offers a cedar-like character with toasty nuances, culminating into one of the best-balanced Nicaraguan cigars on the market. At the RTDA tradeshow, Cigar.com aficionados ranked the Lot 23 as one of their top 5 picks for “best new release in 2006.



Sunday, December 5, 2010

Victor Sinclair Vintage Select

I smoked this one on my deck during a snow squall. It is the first real show of the season. The first time I have had to shovel this season. I smoked in front of my propane heater and it kept me comfortable. It was beautiful to watch the snow coming down like crazy the entire time.

I V cut the cigar and paired it with Bud Light. As usual, this was a great cigar. Medium flavor and medium strength. This cigar is always perfect for me.

It was a bit windy and I had to correct the burn a couple times. And the wrapper cracked once but nothing horrible.

A great relaxing smoke as usual.

From Cigars International:

Milk-chocolatey goodness from Victor Sinclair.

Victor Sinclair Vintage offers a dark, delicious Brazilian maduro wrapper and supremely aged mix of all Cuban-seed Dominican long-leaf tobaccos. Light one up and you’ll see it’s chock full o’ soothingly rich, milky-smooth flavors but also fairly light in strength. Crisply box-pressed and meticulously constructed with a pleasant aroma and slight sweetness, VS Vintage is a bargain that’s priced well enough to be your ’everyday’ handmade.



Thursday, December 2, 2010

La Aroma de Cuba Marquis

This was my second cigar of the night. I was at Shelly's with Evan and Brett. my first cigar was the Lancero that Evan gave me. I had eaten a big sandwich and was drinking Bud Light.

I straight cut this one with Evan's cutter. I'd have to say, this was not much of a cigar. Especially for the $9.00 I paid for it. It was very mellow. Not complex. I kept hoping it would turn into something good and it never did. I put it out with a fairly long nub. Too mellow and no flavor.

I am torn on this one. I liked the first one I had but did not like this one.

From www.tampahumidor.com:

Ring guage - 48
Length - 5.7"

La Aroma de Cuba is as exciting to smoke as it is to view. The wrapper is made from carefully chosen dark Cuban seed Honduran tobacco with plenty of oils and sheen. The filler is a blend of rich Cuban seed Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos and the binder is Honduran. La Aroma de Cuba has an enticing aroma and is a medium to full strength cigar. It draws easily and offers a big, enchanting flavor delivered smoothly with lots of finesse.

The packaging is truly extraordinary. Utilizing original Cuban artwork with several modifications and enhancements, the dress box is simply gorgeous with its extensive gold embossing and rich colors.

La Aroma de Cuba was a turn of the century brand made famous in part by Winston Churchill who characterized the cigar as one of his favorites. The new La Aroma de Cuba is completely different but once smoked, its flavor and aroma will remind you of a taste from another era.

El Triunfador Lancero

I headed over to Shelly's Backroom after a day of meetings in D.C.. I met up with Evan and Brett.

I smoked this cigar after eating my favorite meal at Shelly's, the Roast Beef dif.

Evan gave me and Brett one of these cigars each. Brett smoked his while I ate and he raved about it. I couldn't wait to finish my sandwich and smoke it. It did not disappoint.

I paired it with Bud Light and cut it with Evans straight cutter. The construction was fantastic and it had a perfect draw with zero burn issues. The flavor was medium to full and the strength was medium.

I smoked it down to a finger burning nub and enjoyed every minute of it. I would definitely buy this one.

It was a great night with great conversation.


Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Lancero
Size : 7.5" x 38
Ring : 38
Wrapper : Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$10 each

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Hoyo de Monterrey - Double Corona

This cigar was purchased in a 5 pack that I bought at JR Cigars in D.C..

It was Matt's birthday. We went to Black Finns after all day meetings on Eye street. Had some finger food and a couple Bud Lights. Later in the evening I went to Shelly's Backroom and smoked this cigar. I paired it first with a Rum and Coke and then a nice sipping rum. I think it was Zacapa 23.

The cigar started off pretty mellow, not much flavor. The wrapper was splitting right away and continued for the first two thirds of the cigar. There was a little bit of bite at the back of the throat. The draw was nice and easy.

In the last third it turned into a great cigar. More smoke and less wrapper issues. Still a bit of a bite but not bad. I am interested in seeing how some time in the humidor will affect these.

Overall I enjoyed this cigar.

From JRcigars.com:

Origin: Honduras
Length: 6.75
Ring: 48
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper Color: Medium Brown (E)
Wrapper Type: Ecuador Sumatran
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: DR/HON/NIC


From Cigar.com:

Hoyo de Monterrey is one of the oldest cigar brands in the world, making its start in Cuba before expanding production to their factory in Honduras. Today it is one of the most famous brands on the Market.

Hoyo de Monterrey is one of the most recognized names in cigars. With deep roots in Cuba, this brand has consistently been one of the best cigars to ever come off the island. In 1969, after the trade embargo, production moved to Honduras and was first harvested from a Cuban seed smuggled out of Cuba in a diplomatic pouch.

The unique multi country blend used to make Hoyo de Monterrey is medium bodied with a solid creamy flavor and great balance. The cigar is currently made under the supervision of Estello Padron at the Villizon Factory where other big names such as Punch are made today. Estello's commitment to quality and perfection ensures that each Hoyo de Monterrey is worthy of the name. Hoyo de Monterrey is and always has been a classic. Smoked by new enthusiasts and aficionados alike, it has a versatile flavor that appeals to many palates.



Tuesday, November 30, 2010

La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor

This is the second one of these that I have bought. I loved them both. Like the first, I also bought this one at W. Curtis Draper Tobacconist in D.C..

I smoked it at Shelly's Backroom in D.C. after eating, what is becoming my favorite sandwich of theirs, the Roast Beef dip.

It is a great looking cigar with a very dark rapper. Construction was perfect. I straight cut it as paired it with Bud Light. After lighting it was a little peppery at first. The draw was awesome. Even though there was one hell of a breeze from the air conditioning, it burned perfectly.

I love this cigar.Shortly after lighting the peppery bite went away. It was a perfect medium strength cigar for me. And a very nice medium flavor.

From Cigar.com:

Handcrafted under the supervision of Don Pepin Garcia in Nicaragua, La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor is an excellent cigar, blended to create a complex experience that completely satisfies your entire palate.

La Aroma de Cuba is an old-time brand with a unique and dedicated following. The blends under this line all maintain light complexities while remaining medium-bodied to create a balanced experience between strength and flavor. Now made in Nicaragua at Don Pepin Garcia's new factory, the La Aroma de Cuba brand remains consistent from start to finish and features some of the best tobaccos money can buy.

Mi Amor is simply an excellent addition to the La Aroma line. The blend brings a full-flavored but medium-bodied maduro to the mix and creates a hearty finish. Outside, you'll find a dark Cuban-seed Mexican maduro wrapper that conceals a flavorful concoction of Nicaraguan long leaves from Nicaragua's top growing regions. As the blend burns, you'll find espresso and coffee-like flavors throughout, all masked by earthy undertones and notes of black pepper. With a smooth, creamy smoke and long-lasting finish, expect Mi Amor to increase in strength from head to foot while still producing a well-balanced finish that you'll want to experience again and again.



Saturday, November 27, 2010

Romeo Y Julieta Maduro

I V cut this cigar and paired it with Bud Light and smoked it on the patio with a fire pit on a very cold night.

It had a pretty tight draw and a mild taste throughout. The draw got better but not great and the strength picked up as I went and was perfect overall. The construction was great, no burn issues down to the nub. The flavor was nice and pretty mellow. The mellowness kinda surprised me for this dark cigar.

From the packaging:

A dark, chewy broad-leaf smoke that will delight the true Maduro lover. Blended with Nicaraguan an Peruvian long-leaf filler, these cigars offer a charred, earthy flavor that is appealing in both taste and aroma.


Friday, November 26, 2010

Victor Sinclair Triple Corojo

I smoked this one at the Club La Salle cigar bar. Kathy joined me and complained about the smoke, but hey, at least she went.

I smoked this cigar for my neighbor Pete. He passed away today and we are all in shock. He was a great guy. Always positive. He really enjoyed smoking cigars. He worked out in his quite a bit and always had a cigar in his mouth while doing so. Mowing or shoveling, always a cigar. I'll miss you Pete.

I straight cut this one and paired it with a Goose Island and then a Great Lakes.

I love this cigar and it didn't let me down this time. Zero burn issues, great full flavor, strength was perfect, smoked it down to the nub. No complaints. I had a great evening although we were thinking about Pete quite a bit.

From Cigars International:

Whether you’re a fan of Corojo tobaccos or just looking for a flavorful, satisfying cigar, I advise securing an order of these handmades pronto. Called Triple Corojo because it’s 100% Corojo - wrapper, binder, and fillers. The result is a firecracker of a smoke booming with chewy, rich, hearty flavors. A smooth, feisty bouquet of earthy flavors and ample spice. Full-bodied.



Thursday, November 25, 2010

Montecristo Afrique

This cigar has a nice dark oily, shiny wraper. The veins are small and it is very well made like all Monte's. I love the Cameroon smell of the wrapper.

This was my second Thanksgiving day cigar. I held it in my mouth while trying to light the propane heater on the deck and I slobber up the head a little bit more than usual. This may have made the draw a little tough. It had a good taste that was mild to medium.

A little over halfway done and the draw got much easier. Still a mild taste with a short finish and lots of smoke. I would call this low to medium strength.

Overall I really enjoyed this cigar and smoked it down to the finger burning nub. The strength picked up near the end and was perfect.

From the packaging:

The most unique traditional cigar on the market today. Expertly handcrafted with African tobaccos from Cameroon and Tanzania, it has a wonderfully distinct, entrancing flavor with an exotic, spicy core. Indescribably rich and creamy.

Victor Sinclair Vintage Select - Lonsdale

I really like these little box pressed cigars. This one was my pre-Thanksgiving day dinner cigar. I cut it with the V cutter and paired with Bud Light. It was a cold, drizzly day and I smoked on the patio under the umbrella in front of the propane heater. It started out with a little bit of a pepper kick. These cigars are constructed very well and produce lots of smoke. A nice little bit of a buzz. Love these cigars especially when I need to smoke one in under an hour.

From Cigars International:

Milk-chocolatey goodness from Victor Sinclair.

Victor Sinclair Vintage offers a dark, delicious Brazilian maduro wrapper and supremely aged mix of all Cuban-seed Dominican long-leaf tobaccos. Light one up and you’ll see it’s chock full o’ soothingly rich, milky-smooth flavors but also fairly light in strength. Crisply box-pressed and meticulously constructed with a pleasant aroma and slight sweetness, VS Vintage is a bargain that’s priced well enough to be your ’everyday’ handmade.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Room 101

This cigar has a bit of a barnyard smell but not as much as the Nub Habano. I V cut it and paired it with Bud Light. The construction was good and this one was not as spongy as the last one. I think that the a bit of time in the Humidor helped. It had a good amount of smoke and a good burn during the first half.

Halfway through and I was really enjoying the cigar. It was burning well and had a great medium taste. Mild strength to the half way point.

Overall this was an awesome cigar that I smoked down to the nub. In the last half it turned into medium strength. No burn issues at all.

From FireUpThatCigar.com:

Room 101 by Camacho Cigars
Wrapper: Semilla 101 (Honduran)
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran
Made In: Honduras
Size: 702 (11/18) – 6.5×56 Figarado
Price: $9.95 per single

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Ambassador Private Stock

I won this cigar from a contest held by CigarRants.com. It had been in my humidor for awhile and I decided to smoke it tonight while watching UFC 123 on my deck.

I straight cut it and paired it with Bud Light. The cigar had, what I would call, a barnyard smell with a hint of woodiness. It was very well made and the wrapper had a smooth waxy feel to it.

It had a medium draw at first with a medium finish and a woody taste. Maybe cedar? The strength is medium to full for me.

Draw became easier as I got to the half way point and stayed easy to the end. I smoked it down to a very short nub.

No burn issues at all, which was pretty impressive considering that I smoked this on a windy evening. I attribute this to the great construction of this cigar.

Overall it was a great smoke and definitely full strength for me.

From http://cigarrants.com:

Ring Gauge: 6 x 52
Tobacco: Wrapper from Ecuador, binder and filler from Costa Rica


Saturday, November 20, 2010

Victor Sinclair Triple Corojo

This was my second cigar of the day. I smoked this one after dinner and returning to the patio for my raging fire pit. I straight cut it and paired it with Bud Light.

It had a nice mellow start, no bite. I usually get a little bite from this cigar but maybe because this was the second cigar of the day, and after a full meal, it was a little mellower.

I have loved this cigar every time I have smoked one and would call it one of my favorites.

From Cigars International:

Whether you’re a fan of Corojo tobaccos or just looking for a flavorful, satisfying cigar, I advise securing an order of these handmades pronto. Called Triple Corojo because it’s 100% Corojo - wrapper, binder, and fillers. The result is a firecracker of a smoke booming with chewy, rich, hearty flavors. A smooth, feisty bouquet of earthy flavors and ample spice. Full-bodied.

La Caya Vintage


Late afternoon cigar, straight cut, paired with Bud Light. Enjoyed this while burning some brush in the patio fire pit.

This cigar had been in the humidor for a while now. I think it was the last of a Cigars International sampler.

It had a nice mellow flavor and smoked pretty quick. It was a great looking cigar, wrapped in a cedar sleeve.

I lit it with the cedar. It was a great smoking cigar with no burn issues. Very mellow and medium finish and low strength. The ash was pretty light and fell off easily. The burn did slow down a bit in the last third.

Smoked down to the finger burning nub. Medium strength.

From LaCayaCigars.com:

Size: 44x6
WRAPPER: Mata Fina
BINDER: Dominican
FILLER: Piloto Cubano, Dominican




Friday, November 19, 2010

Room 101

I won two of these cigars in a contest from www.Stogied.com, this was the first out of the two.

The cigar smelled a bit like cedar at first sniff. I straight cut it and paired it with Bud Light while smoking on the deck in front of my new propane heater. I took the first patio heater back because it was not warm enough and bought a different style. This one clamps to the top of a propane tank and is quite warm.

This cigar had a nice bold double band with lots of nice detail. I noticed that it had a very spongy, moist feeling. I wondered if it was over humidified. The pre-light draw was a little peppery but nice.

The cigar had a very open draw with a lot of smoke and just a little bit of a spice bite.

Overall this was a great smoke with a medium finish, medium flavor and medium strength. I only corrected burn once. I smoked it down to the finger burning nub.

From FireUpThatCigar.com:

Room 101 by Camacho Cigars
Wrapper: Semilla 101 (Honduran)
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran
Made In: Honduras
Size: 702 (11/18) – 6.5×56 Figarado
Price: $9.95 per single



Thursday, November 18, 2010

Romeo Y Julieta Vintage

I straight cut this cigar and paired with Bud Light on the patio. It was cold so I used my new patio heater but ut was not warm enough so I had to use the space heater as well.

The cigar was nice and mild. A mellow cigar that was obviously well made. It smoked well without any burn issues. It had a pleasant flavor with no bite, although it smoked a little fast at first.

I liked the short finish, and it was a perfect medium strength cigar for me. I smoked it down to the finger burning nub. Great cigar.

From the packaging:

A silky-smooth, golden shade wrapper and a select blend of aged tobaccos impart a taste of honey and cream with light notes of cocoa in every puff. Meticulously crafted and blended, this is one of the finest mild cigars available anywhere.


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Victor Sinclair Primeros


Smoked on the patio in front of the space heater. The nights are getting very cold and I feel that my outside smoking days are about over.

This cigar was straight cut and paired with Bud Light and Bud Light Golden Wheat. It had a mild taste with a little bit of pepper aftertaste at first. I was having to puff a few times to get some smoke. I had burn issues throughout.

In the last third the wrapper started to explode. I had to correct the burn quite a few times.

Overall I enjoyed it and smoked down to the nub. I enjoyed the last couple inches a lot and it gave off a lot more smoke as it neared the end.

From Cigars International:

An eye-catching, mild-bodied gem from the Dominican.

For these seeking a mild-bodied cigar but with ample flavor, one that is priced right and consistent time after time, Primeros answers the bell. Loaded with smooth, creamy flavors, this pleasantly mellow smoke features a golden brown Connecticut wrapper and an aged filler blend of Dominican Seco tobaccos with a sliver of Ligero. A handmade light enough for rookie palates yet enough finesse and flavor to satisfy you grizzled veterans too.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Nub Cameroon 460


This was the last of these Nubs that I bought in this bunch. It had a tight draw throughout and wrapper issues middle to end. Good strength over all enjoyed it

From http://www.milantobacco.com:

The idea for the Nubs came from the theory that a cigar finds its “sweet spot” at the 3 ½- 4 inch point. All “nub” cigars must exist within this window. No “nub” is longer than 4 inches. Further adding to this complex theory, the ring gauges range from 56-66. The result is a range of smokes that have the same amount of tobacco as any Churchill or even Presidente. Unbelievably, they also smoke as long.
The Nub Cameroon Wrapper Cigar: Grown in Cameroon, Africa, this wrapper has a distinct flavor and character. The Cameroon wrapper is thin and toothy, yet it delivers rich notes of cedar and coffee. This Nub medium-bodied cigar is available in 358 and 464T formats.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Victor Sinclair Connecticut Yankee

I straight cut this and paired with Bud Light and smoked it on the deck. It had a slightly peppery taste at first and not a very open draw. At first not a lot of smoke.

Halfway through and it started smoking easier with more smoke and an easier draw. A great taste with no pepper and no bite with a medium strength.

It was a great cigar down to fimger burning nub. Perfect strength for me.

From Cigars International:

A genuinely unique cigar.

Victor Sinclair’s Connecticut Yankee features a Connecticut-grown Havana-seed leaf. Genuine Connecticut-grown, Havana-seed leaf is not common, as it is neither broadleaf nor shade-grown. However, 4 years ago Victor Sinclair purchased a small, experimental cache of this rare wrapper tobacco....and the results are nothing short of delicious.

Indeed, the wrapper delivers a distinctively smooth, rich flavor. And combined with its premium blend of aged Nicaraguan and Dominican long-fillers, Connecticut Yankee offers a medium-bodied smoke with a unique, mature bouquet of flavor including some rich, toasty and chocolatey notes



Saturday, November 13, 2010

Victor Sinclair Legacy Box Press

A nice looking dark cigar with a beautiful band and foot band. Paired with Bud Light, straight cut and smoked on the deck in front of the space heater.

A very nice mellow taste at first not peppery at all and no bite.

All in all it was a fantastic cigar. Smoked down to a pretty short nub. Awesome mild to medium flavor with no bite and no burn issues. A lot of smoke, easy draw, nice little buzz.

From VictorSinclair.com:

"The Original Legacy" What is the difference between the smoke and our Double Maduro? First the feel is different, since Legacy is box pressed. A milky smooth flavor is considerably lighter in taste due to a 5 year old Brazilian Maduro Wrapper. Although the Double Maduro share a dark and moist appearance, the Original Legacy is subtle, yet satisfying.

Wrapper: Connecticut BroadLeaf USA
Binder: Olor Dom Rep
Filler: Nicaragua Viso, Olor and Criollo 98 Dom Rep
Strength: Mild Bodied Smoke



Friday, November 12, 2010

Victor Sinclair Primeros


I paired this with a fairly cheap Pinot Noir while smoking on the deck. I straight cut it and right after lighting I accidentally took an inhale. Never fun.

The cigar gave off a ton of smoke and had a nice mild to medium taste.

Almost halfway through the cigar and it was still a great mild to medium taste and I was starting to get a little bit of a buzz. Possibly from the early inhale.

I smoked this cigar down to the finger burning nub. It did get a little at at the nub but nothing that took away from me enjoying it.

Victor Sinclair is becoming my favorite "go to" brand.

From Cigars International:

An eye-catching, mild-bodied gem from the Dominican.

For these seeking a mild-bodied cigar but with ample flavor, one that is priced right and consistent time after time, Primeros answers the bell. Loaded with smooth, creamy flavors, this pleasantly mellow smoke features a golden brown Connecticut wrapper and an aged filler blend of Dominican Seco tobaccos with a sliver of Ligero. A handmade light enough for rookie palates yet enough finesse and flavor to satisfy you grizzled veterans too.


Thursday, November 11, 2010

Victor Sinclair 10th Aniversario

I V cut this one, for a change of pace more than anything else, and paired it with Bud Light. It was a warm evening on the deck.





This was a very nice looking cigar. The cello had "Victor Sinclair 10th Aniversario" printed on it, the cigar was wrapped in cedar, and it had two attractive bands. I toasted it and then finished lighting it with the cedar that it was wrapped in.



I noticed a slight nutty taste after lighting. It was very mellow to start and a good burn right away.

The first third burned very quickly and produced a lot of nice smoke with a nice mild flavor and a fairly short finish.

Nearing the last third and I had a very, very difficult time removing the band. I peeled some of the wrapper back while fighting with the band. Despite the band issue, it has been a great smoke with lots of smoke. The flavor seemed to change as this cigar progresses and the burn slowed. There was a nice little uptick in the last third and it became more of a medium strength cigar.

During the last third I did encounter a couple burn issues and it was burning a bit hotter but nothing bad. Still an enjoyable mild taste with a medium finish and medium strength.

I smoked it down to the finger burning nub. An awesome cigar that left me wanting more.

From CigarsInternational.com:

A lovely and well-aged Dominican puro.

Meticulously handmade, this Dominican beauty has turned heads, featuring all Dominican tobaccos, including a lovely, triple-fermented Corojo wrapper. The new crown jewel of the Victor Sinclair family of brands. The smoke is toasty and layered with balanced, pleasant flavors, finished by a peppery-sweet aftertaste and wonderful aromas. 


From Cigar.com:

This exceptionally complex blend is one of the only Dominican cigars on the market rolled with a coveted Dominican wrapper, which is packed with flavor.

To celebrate their 10th Anniversary, the blenders at Victor Sinclair spent several years perfecting a dynamic mix of Dominican tobaccos to make an exceptional cigar that sells at a reasonable price. The resulting blend has been one of the best ever created by Victor Sinclair and is only sold to a small handful of special accounts, which include Cigar.com!

Victor Sinclair 10th Aniversario is full-bodied and full-flavored utilizing tobacco that creates robust notes of spice, which carry into a very long finish. Over the course of the smoke, the flavor undergoes several changes keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Very complex and definitely note worthy, this cigar is a must buy, not only for fans of Victory Sinclair but also for aficionados worldwide.



Wednesday, November 10, 2010

La Gloria Cubana Serie R

This is the second cigar that Daryl gave me for my last birthday. It is a great looking, pretty big ring gauge cigar with a very easy draw. I got a little pepper on the lips from the wrapper while doing a pre-light draw.

I straight cut it and paired it with Bud Light and enjoyed smoking it on the deck on an unseasonably warm November evening.

The cigar had a nice mellow flavor with a little bit of peppery spice and a ton of thick smoke.

The first third had a pleasant, mild taste with a short finish. It was easy to smoke and the strength was fairly low during this third.

The first third and most of the second third burned pretty fast but it really slowed down during the last part of the second third.

It took a long time to get through this smoke because it really slowed down in the last half. The taste was a bit more complex and the finish a tad longer during the second half as well. I noticed no significant burn issues this time. The first of these cigars that I smoked burned a bit unevenly but I think that was because I was on the boat and it was fairly windy.

All in all this was a very nice cigar. I smoked it down to a point where I was burning my fingers and hated to put it down. And it had a nice kick to it too.

From Tinderbox.com:

Packed in dark mahogany, cabinet-style boxes, La Gloria Cubana Serie R cigars deliver their extra-bold bouquet as soon as the box is opened. Their full-bodied flavor comes from a special blend of long Dominican and Nicaraguan filler, superb Nicaraguan binder and a wonderfully aged and extra flavorful Ecuadorian wrapper. The result is a rich, full-flavored smoke unmatched by any other cigar. Designed for seasoned cigar lovers looking for the ultimate in bold flavor, Serie R cigars come in four full-bodied sizes, each one guaranteed to please even the most discerning seeker of rich, robust cigars.


Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Montecristo '93 Club Cabinet


I smoked this on the deck on a warm night, no space heater needed. I V cut it and paired it with Bud Light. It had a mild taste with thin smoke and just an okay draw.

The first third was a lot of work to smoke. It took many puffs each draw to get smoke. The flavor stayed mellow with no bite.

The middle third stayed mild and still just thin smoke and still lots of work to smoke.

The last third was the best third. The amount of smoke picked up and the flavor was more full. No real burn issues and it burned cool.

The strength was perfect. Not to strong and not too weak.

Not my favorite from this sampler but still enjoyable.

From the packaging:

Composed of select 1993 Dominican and Brazilian tobaccos rolled in a chocolate-brown 1996 Connecticut Valley wrapper. A rich, round, luxurious, and satisfying cigar if ere there was one.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Victor Sinclair Vintage Select - Lonsdale


This cigar was purchased in a 5 pack from CigarBid.com. It is a great looking cigar with a very nice band and gold foot band. The foot band was hard to remove.

I had to drive into South Bend Air Traffic Control tower to do some work and I smoked this on the way home. It was a gorgeous, warm early November day.

It was a great min-day cigar. Not too strong, mild to medium flavor. Took just under an hour to smoke. I finished it up on the patio when I got home. It was paired with a McDonald's Coke and was straight cut.

Very enjoyable.

From Cigars International:

Milk-chocolatey goodness from Victor Sinclair.

Victor Sinclair Vintage offers a dark, delicious Brazilian maduro wrapper and supremely aged mix of all Cuban-seed Dominican long-leaf tobaccos. Light one up and you’ll see it’s chock full o’ soothingly rich, milky-smooth flavors but also fairly light in strength. Crisply box-pressed and meticulously constructed with a pleasant aroma and slight sweetness, VS Vintage is a bargain that’s priced well enough to be your ’everyday’ handmade.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Herfdog

I smoked this one on the patio on a sunny Sunday afternoon while burning leaves in the firepit. I straight cut it and paired it with Bud Light.

This is the last of my Misers's Collection sampler from Holt's. Actuall, I do have one more left but I don't plan on smoking it. It was a cigar that I did not like at all.

This was a fairly well made, very long, cigar and just a tad spongy. The draw was just OK, and not as nice and open as the first one I smoked months ago. After lighting, the cigar had a slight spice taste, and was mellow with a good amount of smoke.

During the last third the flavor picked up a bit more spice and got a little mushy.

The nub was fairly mushy and got a little hot and spicy and bit the the back of my throat a little. Up until that point it was a cool burning cigar.

A ton of smoke all the way down to the nub.

It had a short finish through the first 2 thirds and a medium finished the last third.

Took about 1 and 1 half hours to smoke.

I put it out with a fairly long nub. It was a good yard cigar.

From Holt's Cigars:

These mixed-filled mutts come courtesy of some friends of ours down in Nicaragua. Composed of bits of high quality Nicaraguan and Honduran wrapper clippings wrapped in a smooth Sumatra leaf, Herfdog has a consistently smooth draw and a rich taste that is devoid of the typical short-filler bite. An easy no-brainer at less than a dollar per cigar.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Perdomo Limited Edition 2008 (Natural wrapper)

This was the second of the two Perdomo cigars that I bought at the Smoke Shop across from the Muckelshoot casino while on a trip to the Seattle, WA area. This was a flat box pressed cigar. Dark and good looking but a little veiny wrapper.

I straight cut it, paired with bud light and smoked it on my deck with the space heater blowing on me. It was medium to mild. Nice mild flavors.

It did have a bit of a raggedy burn but it did not run down one side or anything like that. I have since heard that Perdomo's are kinda know for slight burn issues.

It had a very nice double band but the band was very, very hard to remove.

Overall it was nice mild to medium smoke with a medium strength.

From www.famous-smoke.com:

Perdomo2 Limited Edition cigars have been reintroduced by Tabacalera Perdomo. The cigars' Nicaraguan filler and binder tobaccos are expertly box-pressed in your choice of genuine Cameroon or Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper leaves. The smoke is medium to full in body, with well-balanced flavors that continue throughout the finish.


Friday, November 5, 2010

Perdomo Grand Cru - Maduro

While on a trip to the Seattle, WA area I stopped at a Smoke Shop across from the Muckleshoot casino to check out the cigar selection. The selection was not huge but they did have some nice cigars there. I bought one Punch London club (cause I like to always have one of those on hand) and two Perdomo cigars. This one was the Grand Cru. I smoked it at the Cabana bar at the Muckleshoot casino.

I straight cut it and paired it with one bud light and then water. I am not too sure if if was the cigar or the meal that I just ate, but my stomach felt uncomfortably full and I could not even think about drinking a second beer so I went to water.

It was a good looking cigar with a nice dark oily wrapper. At first it had a medium to full flavor with a bite at back of the throat. The draw seemed OK but it took 2 to 3 puffs to get any decent smoke out of it.

By the end of the first third it started to smoke easier and was putting out more smoke.

It was a very strong cigar, the strongest I have had in awhile, or ever. It was really too much for me and I put it out with about a third to go.

I think that Maduos are too much for me.

From CigarsInternational.com:

Perdomo Grand Cru is a unique Nicaraguan puro made with 100% Cuban-seed tobaccos from the same 2004 crop. Each leaf has been hand-selected and well-aged prior to rolling, then sorted again to ensure the very best yield from this exquisite crop. Grand Cru comes in three flavorful formats – a silky Connecticut, bold Corojo, and an oily Maduro – each of which are supremely well balanced and elegant from start to finish. The bold long-fillers within exemplify the rich, hearty qualities of Nicaragua’s soils, producing a robust, earthy profile layered by dark tobacco flavors, roasted espresso bean, and a slight touch of sweet black pepper. Sit back and enjoy this full-flavored, medium to full-bodied treat from Tabacalera Perdomo.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Romeo Y Julieta Reserva Real

I brought this cigar with me on a trip to Seattle, WA and smoked it at the Cabana bar in the Muckleshoot casino. This was one of the cigars that was in the sampler that I bought from JR Cigars in D.C.

It had a great, but mellow, taste The draw was perfect. I paired with a double of "The Glenlivet" with a water on the side.

I really enjoyed this cigar and would definitely buy it again.

From the packaging:

A carefully balanced recipe of Dominican leaf spiced with Nicaraguan ligeros and finished in a hand selected Connecticut shade wrapper grown in Ecuador. Slightly swet in flavor, it is an expertyly crafted cigar with a woodsy flavor and a tender aroma.


Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva

This was a lonsdale size, and I am not too sure what the ring gauge was but it was about a 50 I am guessing. I bought this one from the Cabana bar at the Muckleshoot casino while on a business trip to the Seattle, WA area. My friend and I stopped here after work and I was looking for a smoke that would be on the quicker side and not hurt my wallet to much. I decided to try this A. Fuente from their humidor, it was $9.00, one of their least expensive cigars.

I straight cut it, toasted the foot with a match and then lit it with a cedar spill. I paired it with a Bud Light and then a Hefeweizen. Right away I noticed tons of nice smoke and an enjoyable mellow taste.

It was on the mild side of medium in the taste department and a strong medium in the strength category.

Overall I really liked this cigar and would definitely buy it again.

From InternetCigarSales.com:

Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva is more that just the finest smoking enjoyment a cigar lover can experience, it represents Four Generations of family tradition, that include love, pride, and personal sacrifices. Every Arturo Fuente cigar carries the personal family touch that makes it one of the world's finest.
Arturo Fuente cigars use the highest quality vintage tobaccos on the market. Each cigar is a blend of art and craftsmanship. All leaves are carefully selected from a private reserve and set aside for making these cigars.
Hand Made - Medium to Full Bodied
Filler: Dominican - Binder: Dominican - Wrapper: Dominican
Rated 83 to 91 by Cigar Aficionado

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Montecristo White

I smoked this one out on the deck in front of the space heater. Straight cut it and paired with a Golden Pheasant Slovak beer.

It had a nice mellow pre light smell. The foot was a bit soft and spongy. Other wise construction was good.

The first 3rd had a very dark, almost black, ash medium draw but okay. Lots of great smoke with a smooth taste.

End of the first third and the burn started to get uneven and did start to have a very tight draw that made it tough to smoke.

The last two thirds was work to smoke. The draw was very tight. Again I wonder if it was over humidified.

Overall I liked the cigar. It had a pleasant taste and the strength was medium. If it were not for the draw it would have been perfect. I'd like to try another.

From the packaging:

Wrapped in a golder Ecuadorian Connecticut shade leaf and blended with select Dominican and Nicaraguan long leaf fillers. These medium to full bodied Whites are the current rage of cigar smokers everywhere.



Monday, November 1, 2010

Nub Cameroon 460

I smoked this one on the deck in front of the space heater while paring with a Bud Light. I started with the Nub punch but the draw was extremely tight so I went to the straight cut. It didn't help. The majority of this cigar was not a good experience. The draw was way to tight and I got almost no smoke from it.

When I got to the nub it started to open up a bit and the draw became easier but overall it was too much work. I think this was either over humidified or plugged.

Win some, lose some.

From http://www.milantobacco.com:

The idea for the Nubs came from the theory that a cigar finds its “sweet spot” at the 3 ½- 4 inch point. All “nub” cigars must exist within this window. No “nub” is longer than 4 inches. Further adding to this complex theory, the ring gauges range from 56-66. The result is a range of smokes that have the same amount of tobacco as any Churchill or even Presidente. Unbelievably, they also smoke as long.

The Nub Cameroon Wrapper Cigar: Grown in Cameroon, Africa, this wrapper has a distinct flavor and character. The Cameroon wrapper is thin and toothy, yet it delivers rich notes of cedar and coffee. This Nub medium-bodied cigar is available in 358 and 464T formats.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Nub Cameroon 460

This was my second Halloween cigar out by the fire pit. I punched it with my Nub punch and was pairing it with Bud Light.

It was very enjoyable. Lots of good smoke and a great flavor. An enjoyable smoke.

From http://www.milantobacco.com:

The idea for the Nubs came from the theory that a cigar finds its “sweet spot” at the 3 ½- 4 inch point. All “nub” cigars must exist within this window. No “nub” is longer than 4 inches. Further adding to this complex theory, the ring gauges range from 56-66. The result is a range of smokes that have the same amount of tobacco as any Churchill or even Presidente. Unbelievably, they also smoke as long.

The Nub Cameroon Wrapper Cigar: Grown in Cameroon, Africa, this wrapper has a distinct flavor and character. The Cameroon wrapper is thin and toothy, yet it delivers rich notes of cedar and coffee. This Nub medium-bodied cigar is available in 358 and 464T formats.

Nub Habano

This was one of the big ring size Nubs. I smoked it on Halloween while enjoying the fire pit. I used my Nub punch and was pairing it with Bud Light.

It was an awesome cigar as usual. Lot's of great smoke. Very pleasurable.

From Cigars International:

Wrapper: Habano
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Experience: Rich tobacco influence with hints of nuts and bread. Smoky aftertaste.
Category: Medium to full in body

Nub started as a theory. Born in the Oliva factory, a cigar maker was hell-bent on proving he could capture the essence - the core - of a cigar’s flavor immediately upon lighting and throughout the duration of the smoke. Well, they nailed it.

Rather than wait for a cigar to develop and evolve, which typically occurs an inch to two inches in, the idea behind Nub was to specifically blend it to hit its sweet spot right off the bat and remain at its peak right through to the end. Each size is short and stout in stature. That’s by design - not for novelty - as blends and sizes were worked and re-worked a thousand ways from Sunday in order for Nub creator Sam Leccia and the Oliva family to capture the essence of each Nub blend. Anyone can create unusual shapes, each of the Nub blends and accompanying shapes was instead created to summon and deliver the blend’s sweet spot.

Habano - glossy, milk chocolate-brown wrapper. Rich tobacco core with a smoky aftertaste. Hints of peanuts are supported by a baked bread component. Spice through the nose. Medium to full-bodied with a rich, creamy character throughout.