TTT Trinidad

This cigar came in a toro sampler pack that I bought at JR Cigars in DC, supposedly the World's largest cigar store. This was a 10 cigar Toro size sampler from the Dominican. The cigars were all 6 in with a 50 ring gauge.

I smoked this cigar at "Shelly's back room" in DC while hangin out with Paul Russell and the #tatuaje DC crew - @DaByrdman33 @thisisnotevan etc..

I straight cut it and paired with 10 yr old scotch on ice with a side of water. It started off seeming very mellow and it stayed pretty mellow which surprised me because this was a darker looking cigar. It never had any bite to it but the draw was very tight for the first two thirds. I had to fight for every draw, taking 3 pre puffs per draw. and it did not produce a lot of smoke.

I had to fix the burn on this cigar many, many times.

Last third the draw became a bit easier and it produced more smoke. I would put this cigar in the medium strength category.

I put it out with about an inch long nub.

Overall I enjoyed it but it was a lot of work to keep it going and to keep it burning right. The company was great so that added to the enjoyment of the cigar.


From JR Cigars:

TTT TRINIDAD CIGARS
Handmade DR
Wrapper: ECSU/CTBL
Binder: CTBL/ECSU
Filler: NIC/DR/PER
Full Bodied

Expertly handcrafted in the Dominican Republic's southern city of La Romana, the TTT Trinidad is a full-bodied gem of a cigar. At its core is a robust recipe of aged Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Peruvian long-filler tobaccos secured by a stout broadleaf binder and finished with either a choice Ecuadorian Sumatran sun-grown or dark Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrapper. The result is a lush, dense smoke for the seasoned cigar connoisseur. The hearty, boisterous flavors and more than ample body of the Trinidad are certain to assure your smoking satisfaction.

Nub Connecticut 354 Natural (3 3/4 x 54)

I smoked this one on the patio on a cool afternoon after work. Paired with a Bud Light.

This is the second one of these that I have smoked. I straight cut this one and gave it a test puff. The draw seemed a bit tight. After lighting I had to open it up a bit with my pocket knife.

This cigar was the 54 ring gauge and is smaller than the other Nubs I had smoked. I think it may burn a bit hotter because of this. I also get a bite at the back of the throat and thin smoke with this cigar. The draw is pretty tight even after I opened it up.

This one started to pick up after the first third. More smoke but still some spice and it does seem to bother my stomach a little bit. I put it down with about an inch to go.

The construction was impeccable, like the past Nubs that I smoked.

Not sure I'd buy this cigar again.

Info:

Wrapper: Connecticut
Size: 3.75 x 54
Manufacturer: Oliva Cigar Co.
Strength: Mild-Medium

• Wrapper: Connecticut, Ecuador, Nicaragua
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Handmade in: Esteli, Nicaragua.

NUB Connecticut Cigars were introduced in 2008. It was a creation done by Oliva Cigars sales rep Sam Leccia. It was a cigar never seen before but well constructed with an excellent taste and aroma. NUB Cigars are like other great premium cigars and last just like them (Churchill, Presidente, and others) Most of the NUB Cigar Line are offered in boxes of 24 and are available in different wrappers.

Quorum - $2.45

This is the larger Quorum and I smoked while golfing at Diamond Lake golf club with Deron and his Father-in-law. It was a nice golf cigar. A little peppery, plenty of smoke, no burn issues.

This is one of those cigars that I should always keep on hand.

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.

Nub Cameroon 466 (Box Pressed Torpedo)

This was the first Nub that I had go bad on me. I straight cut this with my new Nub guillotine cutter that I won in a contest. Right away I could see that the cap was cracked and peeling. I can not tell if it was under or over humidified.

I smoked this on the patio while working on a Friday afternoon. Paired with cranberry and water.
the wrapper started peeling almost instantly. About 1/3 into it and the wrapper came completely off. If this was any other cigar I would have pitched it. But I love Nubs so much that I pinched the binder together as much as I could and I smoked it down to a nub. Not bad, even without the wrapper.

This was one of those cigars that knocked me on my butt for a bit afterwards.

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 Cameroon 466 (Box Pressed Torpedo)

I smoked this cigar on Columbus Day as my second cigar of the day. I golfed 9 holes and then had lunch on my boat with a friend. I broke this cigar out as desert. I paired this with Bud Light and initially V cut this cigar but the draw was too tight so I straight cut it and it was perfect.

I loved this cigar as much as the other Nubs that I have tried, if not more. I may be way off but the Connecticutt seemed to be the strongest to me, followed by the Habano, and then followed by the Cameroon. The Cameroon may overtake the Habano and become my favorite. I'll smoke the other Nub Cameroon that is in my humidor and then make that decision.

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.

Puros Indios Especial #2

This was smoked on Columbus Day while playing 9 holes on the golf course. This was an exceptionally warm October day, I think it hit 58 for the 9. I had the day off so I went golfing at the Diamond Lake golf club with a friend.

This was my first cigar enjoyed while golfing. I even bought a little divot repair tool/cigar holder. It worked perfectly. I lit this up after the second hole. It was straight cut and I had 2 warm Bud Lights to pair it with while on the course. The cigar lasted the perfect amount of time, I think I put it out after Teeing off of 8.

It had a nice peppery taste and would call the strength mild to medium but more on the mild side. Nice draw, nice amount of smoke. The perfect golf cigar.

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!

Punch London Club

My second smoke for Binary Day, 10/10/10. I smoked this one on my deck while drinking Bud Light and listening to a podcast. The straight cut gave it a nice draw. It had a slight tobaccoy taste and a ton of smoke for this small cigar. It was mild and possibly under humidified although it burned well as always.

I really like this cigar for when I do not have a lot of time. I should always keep one or two in the humidor.

Information:
A rough appearance on a decent smoke with a smooth draw. The flavor is simple and straight forward; some grass and wood flavors were noted.

Size: 5 x 40
Cigar Shape: Petit Corona
Cigar Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua, Dom. Rep.
Cigar Binder: Honduras
Cigar Wrapper: Ecuador
Country of Manufacture: Honduras

Black Sheep

Today is 10/10/10. Pretty cool. Binary day. 

This cigar seemed very dry and this is the second Black Sheep that I had with a crack in the cap. It had a bit of a spicy taste that hit the back of my throat. I straight cut this cigar and paired it with some cheap red wine while sitting on my patio and following @BlowinSmoke on Twitter for Blowin Smoke podcast #118. The draw was nice and open. Overall the black sheep was a pretty good smoke even though it seemed a little under humidified. Definitely a full flavor cigar. I enjoyed the entire cigar. It took about an hour to smoke and I only had to correct the burn once.

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

Victor Sinclair Connecticut Yankee

Smoked this one over at my neighbors house on a Saturday night. Notre Dame had played earlier in the day and my neighbor had some friends over after the game. We sat on his patio and talked. I straight cut this and paired with Bud Light. The draw was perfect.

This cigar was awesome and I loved every puff. I would place this cigar in the high side of medium flavor and strength. It is perfect for me and I will move it into the favorites category.

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.

Victor Sinclair Vintage Select

The band on this one is a little loose and I am wondering if it is under humidified. It has a very open draw and seems a little hot. I noticed a nice mellow spice taste at first and it put out plenty of smoke.


While finishing up the second third of this smoke I felt like this was a perfect smoke for what I was looking for today. It was a nice mellow smoke with a nice flavor. The cigar was great all the way down to the bub. Perfect.

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.

Nub Habano

I lit this one up on a Friday night on the patio while having a fire pit. I straight cut it and paired it with Bud Light. This cigar never disappoints and I still love the full taste. This is one of the bigger ring gauge Nubs and I like this but I like the slightly smaller ring gauge better.

I took a picture of my first Nub stand from this cigar and sent it into a Twitter contest offered by @OlivaIan. I guess I won because he said that he will be sending me a Nub accessory pack. Can't wait.

The amount of smoke really picked up in the last third of this cigar and it was awesome. 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.

Boardwalk Churchill

I smoked this one on the patio while having a fire pit and drinking Wild Turkey on a Sunday afternoon. The cigar had no construction issues and was nice and firm. It had a beautiful, oily, dark wrapper. The draw was fine, I used a V cut this time. I really enjoyed this cigar. It had a nice mild taste and was medium strength. It was a great long lasting cigar with a perfect kick. I would love to buy a bundle of these.

From Holt's Cigars:

These cigars are handmade in Nicaragua using rich, meaty Rosado wrappers and a velvety 4-country blend of aged long-filler tobaccos. The strength is medium-bodied and the flavors are well-balanced with solid notes of earth and cedar supported by hints of black pepper and caramel. 

Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Rosado
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran, Dominican, Brazilian

Victor Sinclair Primeros

This cigar was enjoyed on the patio while listening to the Notre Dame/Boston College game on the radio. It was a cold night and I lit up a small fire. Something that would last just long enough for me to smoke a cigar.

I straight cut this cigar and paired it with Bud Light. The draw was a bit on the tight side and the amount of smoke was moderate at best. It did have a nice, mellow and smooth flavor though. It had just enough of a kick.

I liked this cigar but did not love it.

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.

Bahia Blu

The school Fall Fest was tonight and, after putting the little one to bed, I went out to the patio for a cigar by the fire.  It was a cold night and the first Fire Pit Friday that I had to wear a sweatshirt.  I popped open a Bud Light and V cut this cigar. The draw was nice and open so I lit it up. It immediately had a ton of smoke. The taste was nice and mellow and it burned cool. I have been struggling with this batch of cigars but it seems that some time in the humidor has done them well. 

 

Overall the cigar had a mellow taste that I enjoyed and it had a short finish. The mild taste lasted up to about 2 inches and it got a little peppery at that point. A perfect kick. It was a perfect cigar (except for some minor issues as I got down to the nub) and I am still calling this cigar one of my favorites.

 

From Cigars International:

Bahia Blu is a medium-bodied handmade from Nicaragua that’s priced to move. Dressed in a fairly attractive Corojo wrapper that’s smooth and glistening - under the hood is a blend of 5 to 6-year old long Nicaraguan long-fillers grown in Esteli, Jalapa, and Leon. The end result is a somewhat rich and toasty flavor with a sweet, cedary core, and crisp, lingering aftertaste. I’ve found a bit of a consistency issue from time to time but by and large a nice, everyday, handmade value.