Tinderbox House Blend 4 1/2 X 50

This is the second time I have picked up this cigar from the local Tinderbox, it cost $2.65.

I really like this cigar. I smoked it on the deck on a Tuesday evening after the rest of the house was in bed. I paired it with a Blackstone California Merlot 2007. It was well made and firm and had a great weight. The draw was just a tad tight. Maybe I should abandon the V cutter or just not use it ALL the time. The taste danced between simple and complex. The strength is mild to medium with a nice little kick. Smoked it in under an hour and is a great cigar if I am short on time.

Babalu Corona Gorda

Not sure I like this cigar too much. I paired it with cheap "Early Times" whiskey and gave it a V cut. The feel test revealed that it was a tad spongy. The 1st 3rd was horrible. It tunneled right away and came out a hole about 1 inch from the foot. The second third was great. The burn was nice, taste was nice. The last 3rd was hard to draw and harsh. The taste was peppery throughout. I smoked it down to about an inch. I would place this in the medium to full category for me. Nice little buzz.

From Holt's cigars:

Babalu is a brand new cigar handmade in the Dominican Republic. Lovely, gingerbread colored Ecuadorian wrappers marry a rich, medium-bodied blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan long-fillers. The flavors are creamy and well-balanced with a smooth, toasty finish. Wholesome notes of oak, leather and peanut butter compliment crispy hints of peppers and gravy. The Holt's Tasting Committee thinks this new cigar is a dark-horse in our stacked stable of house-brands.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican

Angry Elf

I really like this as a morning or light daytime cigar. Mild taste, good construction, perfect smoke. Paired with a "throw back Pepsi" made with real sugar.

From Holt's Cigars:

These bad boys sport colorful, green Candela wrappers and a vibrant blend of creamy Dominican and Nicaraguan long-fillers. The flavors are mild to medium-bodied with a pleasant earthy richness, slight sweetness and a subtle dash of black pepper. Whether you're a regular Candela smoker, or looking to try a Candela-wrapped cigar for the first time, Angry Elf is an outstanding choice.

Country of Origin: Honduras
Strength: Mild to Medium
Wrapper: Candela
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan

No. 59 Factory Throwouts

I picked this one up at my local Low Bob's tobacco for $1.09. It caught my eye because it looked pretty good for the price.

Again, another tight draw. I am wondering if Low Bob's over humidifies their cigars, this is the second with a really tight draw. Or maybe I just got two cigars in a row with a tight draw.

This cigar was pleasant with just enough pepper. I can see this as nice yard-gar or morning cigar. I paired this one with my usual, a Bud Light and gave it a V cut.

I have nothing really bad to say about it and would buy it again. It also may make a good cigar to keep on hand to be given to those friends that want a cigar but don't smoke much and will probably smoke only 1/2 of it anyway.

From The Gunny's Humidor:

The secret of this smooth tasting and flavorful cigar is the outside wrapper leaf, sun grown in the world-renowned tobacco growing region of Ecuador. This is the same wrapper leaf used on famous imported cigars, which sell in fine smoke shops around the world for up to $8 and $10 each. Rolled into this select Ecuadorian sun grown wrapper is a blend of specially aged Dominican tobaccos. No. 59 Factory Throw outs are undoubtedly one of the great cigar values on the market today and they will provide you with the finest smoking pleasure.

TE-AMO World Selection Series (Cuba)

I picked this one up at our local Low Bob's smoke shop. I was looking to try a new cigar. This one set me back $5.19. I lit it up on the patio. It was a warm Saturday night. I paired it with a nice little fire and a Bud Light.

After cutting it with my V cutter I gave it a per-light draw. The draw was tight and no real taste. The first few puffs offered a little bit of pepper but not much else. The rest of the cigar was not great for me. Tight draw. Not much smoke. 1/3 of the way through I thought that this may be a nice morning smoke but that did not pan out. This cigar was pretty much a non-cigar for me. Boring. I would not buy it again. I think that if I do try a Te-Amo again that I will try one of their standard puros.

Wrapper: Criollo
Binder: San Andres
Filler: Criollo
Size: Robusto 5 x 54

Winthrop Admiral (Torpedo)

I smoked this one on the patio while enjoying the fire and the company of good friends. This was a very nice smoke and it went well with my pairing of whiskey (and later, Bud Light.)

I V cut it and lit it up. I was greeted with a peppery taste at first but it was not overwhelming. I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar and by the time I was burning my fingers and threw the nub in the fire I was ready to call it my new favorite. The cigar seemed to last for hours but I didn't time it. It produced lots of smoke and the flavor was enjoyable the entire smoke. I had a few cocktails in me by the time I lit this one up so that may have clouded my entire review of this smoke, so the next time I smoke one I will have to concentrate on a more detailed review. For now, let's call this one a winner! And the fact that I can get them from Holt's for about a buck a piece makes them even more appealing.

From Holt's Cigars:

Winthrop is an old-timer's favorite. Creamy Ecuadorian wrappers embrace a mild blend of Dominican tobaccos. This is a no-nonsense value nut special. The flavor may be a bit mundane, but these cigars boast consistent construction and reliable smooth flavor every single time.


Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Mild to Medium
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican

Benchmade Robusto

What a perfect cigar on this perfect evening. I smoked this one at Macri's on the patio while hanging with friends and listening to my favorite local band, Alligator Blackbird.

I paired this one with Bud Light on tap. It started with a mild peppery taste that was complex and full. I would place this in the medium strength category. I really like this cigar and have nothing bad to say about it. Construction is great, burn great, lot's of smoke, taste was great down to the nub. This is the second time I have had this cigar and both times I was not ready to give up on it even as my fingers were burning.

This is one of my new favorites.

From Holt's Cigars:

Benchmade is an exciting new brand manufactured by Pepin Garcia exclusively for Ashton. These no-nonsense handmades boast the flavor and construction of a super-premium cigar, yet the attractive price-tag of a value bundle. Crafted in Nicaragua, the Benchmade recipe includes a lovely dark-brown Nicaraguan wrapper, 2 sturdy Nicaraguan binders and a delicious sandwich blend of top-quality Nicaraguan fillers. The flavors are medium to full-bodied. A solid backbone of sweet earthy richness is accompanied by intricate layers of spicy complexity. These cigars come packaged in elegant cedar boxes and each cigar is finished with a pigtail top. Available in 5 traditional sizes, Benchmade is the new benchmark for the value cigar.

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

Puros Indios Especial #2

I lit this one up the evening of 8/25/2010 out on the deck and paired with good 'ole Bud Light. It was a good looking cigar, firm but I did notice a small hole about an inch from the foot. Probably from packing it in my suitcase on the trip from Philly to O'hare.

It had a nice peppery taste and would call the strength mild to medium but more on the mild side. I really had to work at drawing from this cigar. Little smoke. Plugged? Over humidified? The hole? Don't know. Smoked almost 1/2 of it and put it out in my cigar saver to finish it the next day. Overall I enjoyed it.

8/26/2010 - I pulled this one out of my cigar saver and lit it up on the deck and smoked it while working and paired it with my morning coffee. It was pretty hard to get relighted but I covered the hole in the last inch and got her going. I was greated with that nice peppery taste from the night before. It was still hard to draw even covering the small hole.

In the last 3 inches this turned into a really nice cigar and the draw was better too. I noticed a nice leathery taste with a hint of pepper.

Overall I enjoyed this cigar and would buy it again.

From Cigars International:

Made by Cuban-trained cigar making legend Rolando Reyes, Sr.

Puros Indios are handmade from Honduras with Cuba-seed filler, and a rich, oily Ecuadorian wrapper. The result is a spicy, medium to full-bodied, aromatic taste. Rated ’90’ by Cigar Aficionado.

Cuban-expatriate Rolando Reyes, Sr. has been called the world’s best blender on more than one occasion. In fact, his cigars are critically acclaimed for their raw richness and complex layers of flavor. Back in-stock and better than ever!

Angry Elf

This was a nice looking, well made cigar. It had a beautiful green candela wrapper. I was looking for a mellow, late morning/early afternoon cigar and this one fit the bill perfectly. It was just what I was looking for. It had little to no taste at first, maybe it was overpowered from pairing it with coffee? The draw was very nice, the smell was pleasant.

After I had smoked about 1/3 of it I started getting a bit of an earthy taste, that stayed with it for the duration of the cigar, but nothing so strong as to be unpleasant.

Overall it was a great morning smoke with the only drawback being that it took awhile to finish. At 50 minutes I still had about 3 inches left. I smoked it down to an inch and 1/4 in about an hour.

From Holt's Cigars:

These bad boys sport colorful, green Candela wrappers and a vibrant blend of creamy Dominican and Nicaraguan long-fillers. The flavors are mild to medium-bodied with a pleasant earthy richness, slight sweetness and a subtle dash of black pepper. Whether you're a regular Candela smoker, or looking to try a Candela-wrapped cigar for the first time, Angry Elf is an outstanding choice.

Country of Origin: Honduras
Strength: Mild to Medium
Wrapper: Candela
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan

Fumadores by Jose Pepin Garcia

I am really liking this cigar. I smoked this one on a pleasant Monday eve on my deck. The moon was full and there were just enough clouds floating in front of it to make it look eerie.

The cigar is pretty mellow for me. I would call it mild to medium but more on the mild side. Good amount of smoke. Smooth taste, not peppery at all. It's a fast burner though. I smoked it down to about an inch in less that 45 minutes. Maybe closer to 1/2 an hour. Perfect amount of nicotine. I would buy this one again.

From Holt's Cigars:

Fumadores by Jose Pepin Garcia

Our main man Pepin Garcia is a flat out stud. His brilliant style of blending has the cigar world awestruck! Pepin is currently gaining mass acclaim for his illustrious top-shelf cigars; however, his newest creation is a no-nonsense, mind-blowing value! The brand new Fumadores are handmade in Nicaragua and come in 3 fabulous sizes. Oily clay-colored Ecuadorian wrappers hug a scrumptious blend of Nicaraguan Corojo, Criollo and Habano seed tobaccos. The Holt's Tasting Committee has gone totally bonkers over these cigars. In fact, we think these gems could be the finest cigars for the money in the entire industry! They're constructed sandwich style, yet burn and taste like 100% premium long-filler. It's remarkable. When you first fire up one of these bad boys your tongue is immediately met with a barrage of spices. As you continue to puff, your nose and mouth get furnished with an earthy aroma accented by wholesome hints of oak, apricot and cayenne pepper. Overall these cigars are medium to full-bodied with a rich, hearty finish. Pepin is currently making a plethora of fine cigars, but when it comes to value our Fumadores are unbeatable!

Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium to Full
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Corojo, Criollo, Habano

Pancho's Reserve Toro

The construction was fair, and a bit on the vainy side. Also the cap was sloppily put on, but it had a nice firm feel to it. I lit this one up very late at night on my deck after coming home from a back-yard barbeque. I paired it with what I had been drinking at the party, a Bud Light. I only smoked a little over 1/2 of it because it was getting too late. I put it out in my cigar saver and will smoke the rest tomorrow. It had a great full flavored taste and I would rank the strength as medium. It produced lots of smoke. I liked the first 1/2 and would buy this one again.

UPDATE: 8/22/10 - I smoked what was left from the night before with my Sunday coffee out on the patio. I did not have as good as an experience with this cigar as I did the night before. I had a tough time relighting it and it started to tunnel so I chopped off about 3/4 of an inch off the tip. It lit up just fine after that but I only had about 2 to 2 1/2 inches left at that point. It burned a little hot and harsh. Lots of smoke. Not a bad taste per se, but... it left me with a BAD buzz. Maybe it was because I was out partying the night before. Maybe it was because I do not usually smoke in the morning. Maybe it was the cigar. I don't know but I fely like crap for a 1/2 day after smoking this cigar. But before I make a final judgement on this cigar I will smoke one more to see what my experience is like.

From Holt's Cigars:

Pancho's Reserve is an old-time brand that's all about value. Handmade in the Dominican Republic, these cigars sport Mexican wrappers and a simple, medium-bodied blend of Dominican tobaccos.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Mexican
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican

Benchmade Robusto

Great smoke. Pretty firm but not hard. Not peppery or harsh, perfect smoke down to the nub. Lot's of smoke and an even burn. Surprised me when it went out unexpectedly but that was the only issue.

I smoked this one on the Freeland's deck after eating some great backyard barbecue. Paired with my old stand-by, Bud Light. I really enjoyed this one.

I gave Jim H. the Argyle and he seemed to like it. He said it was mellow as I had told him it would be. He does not have a cigar often and he smoked maybe 1/2.

From Holt's Cigars:

Benchmade is an exciting new brand manufactured by Pepin Garcia exclusively for Ashton. These no-nonsense handmades boast the flavor and construction of a super-premium cigar, yet the attractive price-tag of a value bundle. Crafted in Nicaragua, the Benchmade recipe includes a lovely dark-brown Nicaraguan wrapper, 2 sturdy Nicaraguan binders and a delicious sandwich blend of top-quality Nicaraguan fillers. The flavors are medium to full-bodied. A solid backbone of sweet earthy richness is accompanied by intricate layers of spicy complexity. These cigars come packaged in elegant cedar boxes and each cigar is finished with a pigtail top. Available in 5 traditional sizes, Benchmade is the new benchmark for the value cigar.

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

Nub Habano

I really love this cigar. The last time I had one was in the Holt's cigar lounge in Philly and I have been thinking about it ever since. I had to smoke another to see if it was as good as I had remembered. It was. I still think that this is the perfect cigar. Smooth and full flavored. A nice buzz, perfect, not too much. I bought this one at our local Tinderbox for about $7.00. Smoked out on the patio on a cloudy, but warm, Saturday afternoon. I paired it with a Coke. Took about an hour to smoke.

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.

Black Sheep

I smoked this one while enjoying a fire pit on my patio.

The construction of this cigar was fair. Mostly firm with a couple of soft spots. Also, there was a small break in the cap. I got a bit of pepper taste just after lighting and then it became smooth and leathery. Definitely a full flavor though. I had to work at the draw quite a bit. Near 1/2 way through and I can definitely tell this is a maduro. Strong nicotine and it bothered my stomach a little. I got an uneven burn quite a few times and had to correct it often. I smoked it down to the nub.

Overall it was a fair cigar. Definitely worth the buck or so that I paid for this value cigar. I liked it.

From Holts:

If you're in the market for an inexpensive Maduro then Black Sheep is just the ticket. Handmade in Nicaragua, these cigars sport oily Maduro wrappers and a toasty medium-bodied blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan long-fillers. Rich notes of earth and cedar harmonize with creamy hints of apricot and leather.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Maduro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan

Smokin' Sandwich Robusto

Smoked this one on my deck while pairing it with my favorite beverage, a Bud Light.

The construction is fair due to its softness. It had a bit of pepper taste the first few puffs then it went away. Lots of smoke. 1/4 into it and almost no taste. A little sweetness on the lips.

More than 1/2 way through and still very mellow. Almost no taste. However I found it creamy and good. I do like this cigar and it left me with a nice mellow buzz. Even burn throughout.

Overall a good smoke that I would buy again. Took about 45 minutes to get to the nub and about an hour to finish it.

From Holt's Cigars:

Smokin' Sandwich is quite plain and simply a tremendous cigar for the money. Now keep in mind that all things are relative. This is by no means a "Cigar of the Year" candidate, but this is also not your typical chopped-filler, garbage-quality stogie either. When you consider the value versus price equation, Smokin' Sandwich resides in the upper-echelon of the cigar world. Handmade in the Dominican Republic, these cigars employ silky Sumatra wrappers and a creamy blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos. Pleasant notes of wood and leather transition into a smooth, easy finish. Medium-bodied and flavorful, these cigars lack that sharp, unpleasant bite often associated with the low-cost bracket.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Fine Catch Bass

This cigar was smoked outside on my deck while writing some trip summaries for work.

I would say that it had a nice construction, firm and stayed firm to the nub. It started a bit peppery then quickly mellowed but again picked up with a bit of pepper 1/2 way through. Then it mellowed out again. I would say that it had a nice complexity. Good flavor and I would put it in the medium category. Even burn down to the nub. Would definitely buy again. got a hell of a nicotine hit from this one. One of those that makes me crash for about an hour afterwards.

From Holt's Cigars:

Here is a deal for all the fisherman out there... Fine Catch is a fine cigar handmade in the Dominican Republic. Dark, oily Brazilian wrappers accompany a rich, creamy blend of 100% long-filler tobaccos. The flavor is medium-bodied and woody with zesty notes of leather and hickory nuts. As many of you will soon discover, this bundle is not only a fine catch but a fine purchase as well.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Brazilian
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan

Cain Habano by Oliva

I smoked this one on the patio on a warm Summer Sunday. I was listening to back episodes of Blowin Smoke Podcast while they were recording a new episode. I followed along and participated via Twitter. I felt like I had a touch of a cold.

The cigar was a bit peppery at the light but mellowed immediately. Great medium taste. Perfect construction, nice and tight but good draw. Bought at Holt's for a little over $5.00. Perfect cigar, would definitely buy again. If it were not for the price it would be my absolute favorite.

From Cigars International:

Straight ligero, baby.

Hand-crafted in the Oliva factory of Nicaragua, Cain is a powerful blend of patiently aged, triple-fermented tobaccos. Available in two varieties - a thick and leathery Habano and a dark, oily Maduro - Cain utilizes superior long-leaf ligeros from Nicaragua’s three major growing regions: Esteli, Condega, and Jalapa. The smoke is eventful and complex, delivering a full-bodied, full-flavored assortment of deep, hearty flavors in smooth fashion. Hearty spices mingle with a deep tobacco core and Cuban-esque qualities, smacking the palate with notes of earth and coffee along the way. The abundance of thicker ligero leaves provide a slower burn, allowing you to truly appreciate each long-lasting puff, as the cigar grows more intense in both flavor and strength toward the nub.

Cain Habano received a ’90’ rating, commenting:
"This toothy torpedo wears an oily wrapper. It has a woody flavor, with leathery notes that turn sweet and floral before a tea note lingers on the finish."

Argyle

Second cigar of the day. I would say that the construction of this cigar was fair to poor and a bit on the soft side. And the the wrapper was pealing a bit. Also, I found a crack 1/2 way up cigar, probably from being packed in my suitcase? All that being said, I liked the smoke. Mellow taste, a small bit of pepper but overall mellow. Good nicotine. No bad aftertaste. I would buy again but maybe a larger size so it lasts longer.

From Holt's Cigars:

High quality, inexpensive Dominican cigars are exceedingly hard to come by. The best ones tend to be a bit spendy, and the cheap ones are often plagued by construction issues and offer little to please your taste buds. Taking all this into consideration we created Argyle: a mild blend of Dominican tobaccos finished with either an elegant, creamy Natural wrapper or a sweet, nutty Maduro wrapper. Those looking for a tasty, mild cigar under 2$ should look no further. Argyle has it all.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Mild
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican

Fumadores by Jose Pepin Garcia

I smoked this one in the car on the way home from ORD after an Atlantic City trip. This was the first cigar that I smoked in a car and I felt like I needed a distraction from the 97 degree day, driving a car with no A/C in stop and go traffic. This cigar was a very nice and welcomed distraction.

The cigar was a fast burner, a bit peppery but not overwhelming, good taste with no bad aftertaste. I would place it in the mild to medium strength range. I really like it, would buy again. Maybe a larger size?

From Holt's Cigars:

Fumadores by Jose Pepin Garcia

Our main man Pepin Garcia is a flat out stud. His brilliant style of blending has the cigar world awestruck! Pepin is currently gaining mass acclaim for his illustrious top-shelf cigars; however, his newest creation is a no-nonsense, mind-blowing value! The brand new Fumadores are handmade in Nicaragua and come in 3 fabulous sizes. Oily clay-colored Ecuadorian wrappers hug a scrumptious blend of Nicaraguan Corojo, Criollo and Habano seed tobaccos. The Holt's Tasting Committee has gone totally bonkers over these cigars. In fact, we think these gems could be the finest cigars for the money in the entire industry! They're constructed sandwich style, yet burn and taste like 100% premium long-filler. It's remarkable. When you first fire up one of these bad boys your tongue is immediately met with a barrage of spices. As you continue to puff, your nose and mouth get furnished with an earthy aroma accented by wholesome hints of oak, apricot and cayenne pepper. Overall these cigars are medium to full-bodied with a rich, hearty finish. Pepin is currently making a plethora of fine cigars, but when it comes to value our Fumadores are unbeatable!


Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium to Full
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Corojo, Criollo, Habano

Conestoga Wagon

Construction was fair but it was a tad soft. I would call this one a medium on the flavor scale. A bit peppery. Good nicotine. Even burn. Lasted long. Overall I would say this was a fair cigar.

From Holt's Cigars:

Conestoga packs wagonloads of flavor! These cigars are crafted in the Dominican Republic using rustic Brazilian wrappers and a simple, steadfast blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan long-fillers. These aren't the most sophisticated cigars on the market, but with prices as low as $1.00 per cigar they are one heck of a bargain.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Brazilian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan

Nicaraguan Gold Toro

Another smoked that I lit up at the EHT Marriott courtyard.

This one had what I would call a "blonde wrapper." Interesting looing. Pretty mellow at first. Mushy from start and got mushier. Picked up a bit as I got into it but it also started to taste a little grassy. Over humidified? Needs more time to age? Who knows? I do know that I did not like it much and that it fell appart at the end. I Would not buy this one again, didn't like the taste. Maybe some more time in the humidor will help this one. At that's where it will be for quite some time. :)

From Holt's Cigars:

Here is a brand new value bundle hailing from Nicaragua. These cigars don golden Connecticut-Ecuador wrappers and a blissful blend of aged Nicaraguan long-fillers. The strength is medium-bodied and the flavors are earthy, creamy, nutty and very smooth. At just $1.25 per cigar, this deal is as good as gold!

Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Connecticut-Ecuador
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Smokin' Sandwich Robusto

This was my second smoke of the day after smoking the Babalu at the bar earlier.

I smoked this one at the Marriott in EHT. It lit up mellow and started with a very mild taste. Almost no taste. Then it picked up half way thru and turned into a nice cigar. Mellow but lots of smoke and nice. I Liked it.

From Holt's Cigars:

Smokin' Sandwich is quite plain and simply a tremendous cigar for the money. Now keep in mind that all things are relative. This is by no means a "Cigar of the Year" candidate, but this is also not your typical chopped-filler, garbage-quality stogie either. When you consider the value versus price equation, Smokin' Sandwich resides in the upper-echelon of the cigar world. Handmade in the Dominican Republic, these cigars employ silky Sumatra wrappers and a creamy blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos. Pleasant notes of wood and leather transition into a smooth, easy finish. Medium-bodied and flavorful, these cigars lack that sharp, unpleasant bite often associated with the low-cost bracket.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Babalu Corona Gorda

This was the first cigar that I tried from "The Miser's Collection" that I bought at Holt's yesterday.

I smoked this one at Christie's bar (just outside of the ACY airport) while talking to Paul Russell outside.

It had a pretty peppery taste at first but that went away and smoothed out. Construction was not great, a little soft. And it started to burn unevenly about 1/2 way and I was unable to correct it. It became very mushy and I put it out with about an inch to go. Not a bad cheap smoke.

From Holt's cigars:

Babalu is a brand new cigar handmade in the Dominican Republic. Lovely, gingerbread colored Ecuadorian wrappers marry a rich, medium-bodied blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan long-fillers. The flavors are creamy and well-balanced with a smooth, toasty finish. Wholesome notes of oak, leather and peanut butter compliment crispy hints of peppers and gravy. The Holt's Tasting Committee thinks this new cigar is a dark-horse in our stacked stable of house-brands.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican

Punch Rothschild

This was my second cigar of the day after smoking the Nub Habano at Holt's earlier in the day. I am really liking this old standby that the Punch Rothschild is becoming for me. I bought this one at a coffee shop near my hotel outside of Atlantic City. The coffee shop is more of a cigar shop than a coffee shop and they let you smoke inside. There was a big humidor in back so I went inside. The shop has a big variety but the prices were a couple bucks higher per cigar than I am used to seeing. I didn't see much that was decent and still around $5.00 so I picked up the Punch. It too was a bit overpriced.

I smoked it when I got back to the hotel. It was a bit dry but still a nice melllow smoke. I like these a lot. This one burned unevenly but it may have been due to the windy conditions in the hotel courtyard.

From Cigars International:

Smooth with some spiciness.

With an excellent range of flavor but not overpowering, Punch cigars are superbly constructed and consistently delicious. Honduran, Dominican, and Nicaraguan filler, Connecticut binder and a dark wrapper. Robust and full-flavored - a world class cigar.

Punch has received countless 90+ ratings, including several 91s and ‘Humidor Selection’ honors, noting:
“This attractive, oily cigar has a rich leathery aroma. It’s full bodied and balanced. Flavors include leather, wood and earth. The finish is long.”

Nub Habano

I flew from O'hare to Philly for a business trip and decided to take a short detour to downtown Philly before continuing to my final destination of Atlantic City. My reason for the detour was to stop by the famous Holt's Cigar shop. Wow, what a treat! The store is basically a huge walk-in humidor. I was a kid in a candy shop. The staff were very friendly and helpful. After grabbing some pretty inexpensive cigars, in a bundle affectionately called "The Miser's Collection", I also picked up two other cigars I have been wanting to try. The Nub Habano and the Cain Habano, both about $5.00 a piece.

After paying I walked to the back of the store and entered the smoking lounge. I sat in a comfy overstuffed leather chair and lit up the Nub. I found it to be a perfect smoke. Smooth but full flavored. A nice buzz but not too much. I smoked the entire thing without something to drink, not even a water, and it was an enjoyable experience. That shows you how great a smoke this was.

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.

Punch Rothschild

Smoked this one with my Dad on his deck. It is a great medium smoke. I am really liking this cigar. Smoked this one down to the nub.


From Cigars International:

Smooth with some spiciness.

With an excellent range of flavor but not overpowering, Punch cigars are superbly constructed and consistently delicious. Honduran, Dominican, and Nicaraguan filler, Connecticut binder and a dark wrapper. Robust and full-flavored - a world class cigar.

Punch has received countless 90+ ratings, including several 91s and ‘Humidor Selection’ honors, noting:
“This attractive, oily cigar has a rich leathery aroma. It’s full bodied and balanced. Flavors include leather, wood and earth. The finish is long.”

Rocky Patel Vintage

Bought this one as a special cigar to smoke with my Dad while visiting him and my sister for the weekend. I bought two, one for me and one for my Dad, for $9.00 a piece for the Vintage that is aged 12 years. Simple taste, smooth to the end. Loved it. Perfect smoke but a bit too expensive for my wallet.

From Cigars International:

A masterpiece.

In the "cigar community" (is it me or is there a "community" for everything these days?), Rocky Patel’s Vintage Series has been blazing hot. For good reason. This blend is nothing short of masterful: complex and smooth, with layer after layer of deep flavor. Offered in 2 styles, Vintage 1990 and Vintage 1992. With each, the wrapper tobaccos are the key ingredient. In fact these wrappers are incredible. Let me explain:

Vintage 1990 is a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan Ligero draped in a tantalizing natural Broadleaf wrapper from Honduras. It’s medium-bodied with a really enjoyable, complex smooth-rich flavor.

Oliva Serie G

I picked this one up at Tinderbox for $6.45 at Tinderbox. It was the Torpedo and I think it was darker that the other Oliva Serie's that I smoked. Creamy but full at first. Light pepper or spice. 3/4 way through still creamy with a small spice hit. No construction issues. Good nicotine. Smoked down to the finger burning nub and the taste remained consistent throughout. Good mellow buzz. Would buy again. A very creamy, good amount of smoke, no relights required, burned even to the nub.

From Cigars International:

Oliva Serie ’G’ is a good-looking Nicaraguan premium made with an authentic African Cameroon wrapper. This leaf imparts a pleasant, nutty flavor, adding to the rich bouquet presented by the Nicaraguan Habano long-fillers inside. Overall, a rich, medium-bodied cigar with hints of coffee, nuts and wood on the aftertaste. Serie ’G’ received a stellar ’91’ rating.

Tinderbox House Blend

This was the Churchill and cost was $4.05. It had a tight draw that was mellow at first. Almost no taste at all at first. Then 1/2 way thru better draw, nice pepper. Nice up tick later. At 1/4 left, perfect burn. Nice buzz. Smoked down to the nub. Would buy again.

Quorum

I liked this cigar much better tonight. Nice buzz too.



From Tinderbox:

Quorum combines rich Nicaraguan tobacco fillers and binders with an Ecuadorian-Sumatran wrapper to create a satisfying smoking experience. The result is a smooth and dependable smoke at a great price. These medium to full-bodied strength cigars are expertly constructed to provide a smooth draw and an even burn.

Gurkha Regent

Dark, full, tight but good. Long burner. Mellow buzz.




From Cigars International:

Gurkha Regent was a labor of love for K. Hansotia and the Torano family. This milky smooth Honduran handmade offers gorgeous, dark Honduran wrappers that have a redolent, silken feel. The smoke delivers a panoply of toasty, leathery, medium-bodied flavors. It’s been called one of the tastiest Gurkhas you can find. All at prices unmatched in the cigar industry.

Cigar Aficionado rated Gurkha Regent a stunning ’90’, equaling Fuente Opus X and outscoring many other top brands:"This rich brown cigar burns evenly, with a fine draw. It’s elegant and balanced, with black cherry flavors, notes of sweet spice and a long, leathery finish. Smooth."

In addition, Regent has been named one of the year’s Top 50 Cigars.