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Aug 19
7
La Gloria Cubana Artesanos De Tabaqueros Cigar Review
Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
La Gloria Cubana Artesanos De Tabaqueros Cigar Review
This 6×50 stick offers dual wrappers and the band at the foot end marking the transition between the first and 2nd third with connecticut and sumatran wrappers. It has a mottled rustic apperance, with a couple large veins, several smaller and a smooth firm feel. The aroma is a slight barnyard with a smooth tobacco. First light reveals a big pepper blast with deep earth smooth aged tobacco flavors. It’s a medium-full body with a perfect draw and thick smoke with a long peppery finish. The first third brings a mild black pepper zing with smooth creamy oily smoke and smooth tobacco flavors. The ash hold on to the wrapper slit point, falling off in a big solid chunk. When the sumatra wrapper takes over you get a nice buttery leather, dropping the pepper completely and the finish get shorter and cleaner. The last two thirds continue the leather adding a touch of licorice sweetness, the smoke gets thicker and richer leaving a buttery oily mouthfeel. Thank you very much to General Cigar Company for generously sending this in for review, I greatly appreciate it! Photography by BG Pictures.
Jul 29
Victor Sinclair 10th Aniversario Toro Cigar Review
Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Victor Sinclair 10th Aniversario Toro Cigar Review
This 5.7×54 stick offers a cedar sleeve, tight firm construction, an oily dark brown soft satin wrapper with a slightly peppery tobacco aroma. First light reveals a slightly firm draw, good rich smoke production, a mild-medium body of a smooth creamy buttery tobacco smoke with a long rich finish. The first third develops with a perfect burn line to a medium bodied flavor package of a smooth rich tobacco with a touch of cedar wood and caramel sweetness. The draw flavors finish quickly and change to a black pepper and spice kick on the longer finish sensations. The 2nd third carries the same experience, holding the ash to almost 2″. The last third ends at the band point getting very warm and slightly mushy, bringing a generic nutty flavor to the end at the 1:25 mark. Photography by BG Pictures.
Jul 7
262 Paradigm Toro Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
262 Paradigm Toro Cigar Review
This 6×54 box pressed stick offers a spongy, uniform dark chocolate wrapper with tight seams, minimal veins, slight tooth and a large double cap with a mild sweet tobacco aroma. First light reveals a light airy smoke, mild-medium body with slightly sweet tobacco and a small pepper kick with a long finish. A few small holes in the wrapper are leaking, these may be altering the burn a bit. 1/2 way through the first third the flavors pick up to a medium-full body with a much richer thicker smoke, creamy leather, oily tobacco and a good pepper kick on the finish. The 2nd third transitions to a creamier fuller smoke, a dark espresso and hint of chocolate, while the finish holds pepper and spice but gets very short and clean. The last third changes to a softer creamier coffee still with a bit of cocoa and brings the black pepper and spice up while the finish grows very long again. Thank you very much to Revolution Cigars for generously sending this in for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
May 10
Tambo Super Robusto Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, May 10, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Tambo Super Robusto Cigar Review
This 6×50 stick offers a medium brown oily wrapper with a smooth finish, some minor and a few medium veins with a slightly floral aroma. First light reveals a very loose but controlable draw with tons of rich oily smoke production. Flavors are medium bodied with a slightly dry, musty tobacco and touch of pepper with a short clean finish. The first third shows a lighter flavor settling at a mild-medium body but with very rich smoke. It’s light in density but extremely plentiful and coats the mouth well with a creaminess, a soft deep aged tobacco and finishing with a touch of black pepper but no spice. The flavors didn’t change at all until the last couple inches, shifting to a soft light nutty profile, but keeping the great smoke and finish. Thank you very much to Tambo Cigars for sending this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Apr 26
Graycliff G2 Presidente Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, April 26, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Graycliff G2 Presidente Cigar Review
This 7×48 stick has a light tan smooth wrapper with a tight sponginess like a firmly inflated balloon. It is practically devoid of veins and near seamless. The aroma is a smooth slightly peppery tobacco. First light reveals an easy draw, plenty of thick, creamy medium bodied smoke with flavors of smooth tobacco, wood and a tough of pepper on a long woody finish. 10 min in the flavors develop to a creamy smooth, oily wood with a hint of tobacco, and they carry on through the finish for quite some time but at a mellower level. Smoke output is decent, and the draw is perfect. The first third further develops with a creamy cinnamon flavor that also follows through to the finish with a touch of black pepper and zing. 40 min in at the 1/2 way point flavors changed, swapping the wood for a light leather and the cinnamon taking on a dray slightly spicier characteristic. Ending at 1:30 the last third changed to a mild-medium nutty flavor with just a touch of pepper but no spice, holding a long peppery finish. Thank you very much to Michael Yamashita for generously sending samples for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Apr 19
Don Tomas Clasico Presidente Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, April 19, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Don Tomas Clasico Presidente Cigar Review
This 7.5×50 stick offers a medium brown, very soft and satiny wrapper with almost no veins and clean seams topped by a double cap. The aroma is a potent but soft tobacco with a touch of pepper. First light reveals a tight draw, medium-full body, good smoke production and a slightly sweet, peppery wood and tobacco flavor. The first third holds the same profile, with a great even burn and good smoke production despite the firm draw. The ash holds on for 1 1/2″ and at the 30 min mark the draw opened up slightly, increasing smoke production and body to a medium-full. Flavors transitioned to a soft leahter, heavy earth, slight sweetness and black pepper with a bit of zing on the long finish. 40 min in at the end of the first third, flavors had gone to a rich, oly creamy butter with hints of cocoa and a dry licorice, the finish a dry tobacco. Smoke output kept increasing also getting richer with a slightly looser draw. 1:10 in at the 1/2 way point flavors were a rich creamy leather with a short smooth tobacco finish. Draw continued to ease and smoke output still increased to a great level of amount and richness. Ending at 1:45 with about 1″ remaining, the flavors took on an additional component of a slight cocoa in the last third adding to an already rich pleasant collection. Thank you very much to Jeremie Plouffe for generously sending me this sample for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Apr 14
Xikar HC Series Criollo Lonsdale Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Xikar HC Series Criollo Cigar Review
This 6×46 stick offers a dark tan very slightly toothy wrapper with minimal veins, invisible seams, a double cap and small pigstail twist, with a slight barnyard aroma. First light reveals a very good draw and smoke production, a slight sweetness, lots of smooth oily peppery tobacco. Body is a nice medium-full giving very flavorful draws every time. Reaching the 1/2 way point 30 min in, flavors transitioned to a smooth, dry tobacco with a slightly sweet licorice quickly fading to a black pepper flavor without any of the spice. The last third ended at just over 1 hour, transitioning to a creamy and smooth mocha – soft coffee and a hint of chocolate, very silky. Thank you very much to Xikar for sending this sample for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Apr 5
Oliva Serie V Churchill Extra Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, April 5, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Oliva Serie V Churchill Extra Cigar Review
This 7×52 sungrown stick is wrapped in a medium chocolate, satin leaf with a slight tooth, even spongy construction and a triple cap giving a soft sweet floral aroma. First light reveals a medium-full body of strong black pepper throughout the mouth and a soft but deep tobacco. The draw is very loose, putting off a small amount of soft light smoke. By the 1/2 way point flavors had transitioned to a creamy, smooth oily roasted coffee, with a light finish that brought a touch of the pepper and spice. These flavors carried all through the last half, ending the stick at 1:20, a great time for a very flavorful stick! Photography by BG Pictures.
Mar 29
Bucanero Salsa Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, March 29, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Bucanero Salsa Cigar Review
This 6×54 stick comes wrapped in a toothy, firm dark brown leaf showing a slight red hue, minimal veins and clean seams with a soft box press. The aroma is an oily, slightly sweet tobacco, a perfect humidor smell. First light reveals a medium-full body, very smooth oily smoke giving a rich aged tobacco taste with a good bit of black pepper and a long finish. 30 min in by the 1/2 way point the flavors had not really changed, which is just fine since they were very pleasant. The burn however did have problems, requiring a couple early touchups and a couple relights from the wrapper not keeping up. It was an even burn though, and the post light flavors were un effected. Ending the stick at 50 min, the flavors for the remainder of the stick were unchanged, which was just fine! Thank you very much to Bucanero Cigars for sending this sample for review. Photography by BG Pictures.
Mar 24
Flor de Cielo Churchill Corojo Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Flor de Cielo Churchill Corojo Cigar Review
This 7×50 stick offers a dark tan wrapper with a slightly toothy, oily finish showing a good amount of small and medium veins. The aroma is a faint soapiness. First light is on the mild side showing just a slight sweetness, hint of pepper and a grass flavor with a long, mild finish of the grass. Smoke output is minimal, draw is perfect, just the right resistance. The burn is following some of the veins, putting burn lines straight down the stick in spots. By the start of the 2nd third the burn had evened itself out, draw was still perfect and smoke production increased to very good levels, giving a rich smooth output. Flavors had transitioned to a deep musty leather, with a good sweetness and black pepper flavor with just a hint of the zing. The finish was growing longer holding the sweetness and pepper flavors with a mild-medium body. At the 1/2 way point flavors had changed to a milk chocolate although slight, and the sweetness had caramel and licorice components. The finish was still mostly the pepper although the zing had increased, washing over the tongue. The stick proved to be consistent for the remainder of the 1 hour total smoke time. Thank you to Corona Cigar Company for sending this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Mar 22
Augusto Reyes Maduro Belicoso Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, March 22, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Augusto Reyes Maduro Belicoso Cigar Review
This 6.5×54 dark chocolate wrapped stick offered a fuzzy, very toothy firm feel with a rich oily cocoa aroma. First light reveals a very tight draw, hardly any smoke or flavor. What is there is just a mild tobacco, although oily and smooth. Taking a 2nd cut off the head opened up the draw to a normal level, just on the snug side. Smoke production improved, although still not voluminous by any means. Flavors were a medium bodied burned coffee, oily slightly sweet tobacco with a finish of slight black pepper flavor and zing. The stick didn’t want to burn evenly, the wrapper falling behind every 10 draws or so and required frequent relights and touchups. After a fresh light the flavors were very rewarding with a creamy, oily coffee and cocoa and slight peppery finish. As the burn deteriorated though, it slid toward the mild side with less smoke output and a general earthy core. The stick continued from here to 1:30 where it had a little over 1″ remaining but probably due to multiple relights, got very hot a bit early. Thank you very much to Ken Glass for sending this for review, I greatly appreciate it! Photography by BG Pictures.
Mar 19
Corona Cigar Company Gold Series Connecticut Churchill Cigar Review
Posted on Friday, March 19, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Corona Cigar Company Gold Series Connecticut Churchill Cigar Review
This 7×50 light tan stick offers a buttery soft, oily connecticut wrapper with tiny veins and invisible seams, with a faint aroma of sweet hay. First light reveals a very tight draw, minimal smoke production with a light, mild tobacco and nutty flavor and a short clean finish. The first third transitions to a light leather, slight grass and hint of caramel all very smoothly blended and mild with thick smoke, but not much of it, keeping the tight draw. At the half way point 55 min in, flavors had changed to a primary core of caramel, though still mild and slight – with a black pepper flavor and tiny bit of zing that carried on to the finish, which had grown in length. 60 min in the draw suddenly opened up a notch, greatly improving smoke production, pushing the body to a solid medium with richer flavors. The last third showed completely different flavors with the core going to a cream and nuts, with a touch of licorice and a finish of nuts and pepper, still medium bodied. Burn was very good all the way down holding 1″ of ash at a time. Total burn time was 1:50. Thank you very much to Corona Cigar Company for sendig this sample for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Mar 15
262 Paradigm Torpedo Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, March 15, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
262 Paradigm Torpedo Cigar Review
This 6.25×54 stick offers a thick, dark toothy maduro wrapper with minimal veins and tight even seams and construction. The aroma is a mild peppery tobacco. On first light the draw is very firm, and I had to cut it down to the edge of the shoulder. It remained tight, putting off a minimal amount of smoke. The flavors were a mild-medium slightly sweet leather, with a finish of slightly peppery tobacco. The second third only showed the leather flavor to disappear, replaced by a plain tobacco. 55 min in at the 1/2 way point the draw opened up to normal, the smoke production went up and flavors transitioned to a mild-medium body of earth, a touch of caramel and a bit of black pepper. The finish was still short with just a mild peppery tobacco. The last third showed some really nice flavors, morphing to a medium bodied coffee with an undertone of licorice and pepper, with a longer finish of a peppery earth. Burn was excellent all the way down, holding a 1″ tight bright white ash. Total burn time was 1:30 to the nub. Thank you very much to 262 for sending this sample for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Mar 9
Xikar HC Series Habano Colorado Toro Cigar Review
Posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Xikar HC Series Habano Colorado Toro Cigar Review
This 6.5×52 stick offers a dark chocolate wrapper with a firm pack and satin feel. Minimal veins, invisible seams and a peppery cocoa aroma present with a fairly dense heft. The first third starts off on the smooth side, with a touch of aged tobacco taste and richness. The smoke is rich and plentiful with a medium body and soft flavors of slightly sweet earthy tobacco with a big pepper kick. The finish is very long with the black pepper flavors building adding a zing over the tongue. Half way in at the 60 min mark, flavors had mellowed out a bit with the pepper coming and going at points. The sweetness had begun to change to a caramel, and the core flavor turned to a soft leather. By the last third, the pepper came back but not quite as strong, and the caramel died down a touch. Total burn time to the nub was 1:50. Thank you very much to Xikar for sending this sample for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Mar 1
Ashton VSG Eclipse Tubos Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, March 1, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Ashton VSG Eclipse Tubos Cigar Review
This 6×52 dark chocolate stick comes wrapped in a cedar sleeve, inside a black aluminum tube for easy transport and storage. Offering a robust, slightly veiny irregular roll it presents slight tooth, a firm pack and beautiful chocolate tobacco aroma. Starting on the mild-medium body side of things, it opens with a oily, smooth tobacco and black pepper flavor without any of the spice and heat, adding a hint of a bitter chocolate in to the long pepper finish. Strength wise it’s definitely got a punch, medium-full by the first inch in. By the half way point flavors had changed to a creamy sweet chocolate and coffee, with a smooth pepper finish, getting richer as it burns down. By the end of the 2nd third flavors had dropped the pepper in exchange for more cream and butter, especially on the finish, leaving an oily creamy slick on the palate. The last third brought the coffee flavor to the forefront and the pepper back but at a milder point, with just a hint of the chocolate. Overall still rich, creamy, oily and slightly sweet, it finished long and smooth. Burn and draw were both excellent all the way down without issue. Total burn time to the last inch was 1:15 where it started getting hot. Thank you very much to Ashton for generously supplying this sample for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Feb 24
Ashton ESG 23 Year Salute Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Ashton ESG 23 Year Salute Cigar Review
This 6.25×52 stick offers a dark milk chocolate wrapper with a slight tooth, tight seams and firm pack with just a bit of give. A triple cap and minimal veins combine with a slightly irregular lumpy appearance showing it as a hand made creation. The first third brought a medium-full body of flavors including a smooth creamy cocoa with an undertone of tobacco and pepper, the finish being short and more peppery than the draw adding a slight spice kick. By the 2nd third flavors had transitioned to a smooth creamy cocoa with a bit of coffee, touch of leather and on the end of the draw into the lengthening finish, a black pepper taste and slight zing over the tongue. The last third brought the coffee flavor more forward and amped up the pepper especially on the finish. Smoke output was very good, coating the mouth with rich, smooth tastes. Draw and burn were both excellent all the way down with no issues and not needing any thought. Burn time to the last inch was 1:35. Thank you very much to Ashton for sending this in for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Feb 8
Padilla Signature 1932 Limitada Oscuro Salomon Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, February 8, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Padilla Signature 1932 Limitada Oscuro Salomon Cigar Review
This 7.2×59 figurado features a dark chocolate, oily, slightly toothy wrapper with minimal veins and invisible seams. Draw was perfect with just the right amount of resistance for effortless control. Body was medium-full giving rich, smooth smoke. Strength was also medium-full, giving a buzz by the 1:30 point. After the video I felt kind of sick for 30 min. Actual smoke output was light, but flavors were prominent until the short clean finish. First third flavors were dominated by an oily creamy tobacco and big black pepper notes with minimal spice and zing, contrasted by hints of chocolate. An inch down flavors changed to quick hits of coffee, chocolate and leather, settling down to a peppery, oily earth on the finish. Near the 1/2 way point, flavors changed to a predominant coffee with a creamy tobacco finish, and the coffee continued to increase to the end, at the 2:10 mark. Thank you very much to Ken Glass for sending this in for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Jan 25
Cielo Poseidon Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, January 25, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Cielo Poseidon Cigar Review
This 5×50 box pressed sungrown offered a satin medium chocolate wrapper with minimal veins, an oily feel and a slightly toothy appearance. Flavors were medium-full bodied all the way down, giving a big rich smoke filled experience. They included an aged tobacco smoothness, black pepper flavor with a bit of a zing, oily, smooth deep leather that turned pretty creamy in the 2nd third and a fairly long finish that held the creamy smoothness and a bit of pepper. With no real transitions it was very consistent all the way down and that’s just fine with me, it was excellent! Draw was perfect and burn was almost razor sharp never needing to even look at it. The ash was light grey and held to 1 1/2″ at each drop. Burn time to the last inch where it became very hot was 55 min. Thank you very much to Corona Cigar Company for generously sending this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Jan 22
Panacea Red 760 Cigar Review
Posted on Friday, January 22, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Panacea Red 760 Cigar Review
This monster 7×60 medium chocolate maduro stick offers a tight, dense pack, minimal veins and an oily satin wrapper with some good tooth. Body started off near full and quickly mellowed to a nice medium. Flavors in the first third included pepper, smooth tobacco hints of oil and sweetness, leaving a short finish of slight earth and black pepper flavor with no zip or spice. Smoke output was on the light side but coated the mouth well leaving a bit of an oil residual. Near the half way point flavors changed to a mellow, slightly sweet cocoa with a short earthy finish and a mild pepper zing. The last third changed again to a dry roasted espresso both on the draw and finish, which got very long, bringing a black pepper kick in late. Total smoke time was 1:50. Thank you very much to Flatbed Cigar Company for sending this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.