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Jul 20

Tatuaje Black Tubos Cigar Review

Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Tatuaje Black Tubos Cigar Review

This 6×52 torpedo stick comes packaged in an aluminum tube and cedar wrap. It offers a dark chocolate wrapper with a slight red hue, a satin texture with very slight tooth, tight seams, minimal veins and a slight barnyard aroma. After toasting the closed foot and adjusting the head cut, the draw was perfect, smoke output was great and the flavors were dominated by a medium-full bodied smooth, rich pepper and spice. The first third develops to a light and airy leather with a deeper earthy pepper and spice, though not as intense as the first light. Smoke output is good with smooth rich smoke. Burn is ok, needing a touchup. The draw gets a bit snug and I clipped the head one more time. 30 minutes in at the 1/2 way point flavors have mellowed to a smooth creamy medium bodied smoke with a slight sweetness, earthy oily finish and good bit of pepper & spice. It is requiring a slight touchup every 10 min or so to prevent tunneling. Ending at 1 hour, the last third continues the same experience since the 1/2 mark, ending with a bit of power punch. Photography by BG Pictures.

Jun 30

J.C. Newman Brickhouse Robusto Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

J.C. Newman Brickhouse Robusto Cigar Review

This 5×54 stick offers a mottled dark chocolate wrapper with smooth but visible small and medium viens, a soft satin feel and slightly peppery smooth tobacco aroma. First light reveals a firm draw, adequate smoke production and medium body flavors of an oily smooth tobacco with a slight pepper kick. The first third develops in to a fairly simple mix of flavors similar to the first light. The draw did open up slightly making for easier smoke production, and a slight sweetness joined the game. Burn is perfect, almost razor sharp, flavors are easy to pick out and the finish is long and smooth with a touch of earth. The 2nd third shows no changes, being 100% consistent throughout. Ending at 1:15, the entire stick proved to be very consistent with the same flavors and great burn qualities throughout. At only a few dollars a stick this is a great stick for anyone looking for a good smoking simple stick. I did find that it needs several months of time, as every sample I had fresh at a cigar shop was very sub-par compared to this. Photography by BG Pictures.

Feb 26

The Griffin’s Perfecto Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, February 26, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

The Griffin’s Perfecto Cigar Review

This 4 5/8×52 perfecto stick offered a medium tan smooth wrapper with good seams and a rock hard pack. Presenting draw problems until 1/4″ was clipped off the head and a further 1/2″ was burned off the foot, it finally settled to a just slightly firm draw. Burn was very good all the way down giving a rich voluminous smoke output. Flavors were very consistent showing a creamy cedar wood and slight pepper kick, with a short clean finish just leaving a touch of the pepper. Total burn time was 55min. Thank you very much to Michael Yamashita for sending this in for review, I greatly appreciate it! Photography by BG Pictures.

Feb 10

Victor Sinclair Triple Corojo Toro Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Victor Sinclair Triple Corojo Toro Cigar Review

This 6×50 medium tan stick offers a soft satin wrapper with minimal veins and very smooth seams with a triple cap. Body started medium-full pulling down to a medium by the 2nd third. Strength slowly built up to full by the end of the stick at the 1:10 hour mark. Burn and draw were both excellent from start to finish, holding a very straight burn with just the right amount of resistance. Flavors were fairly consistent to the last third, giving a smooth, slightly chewy smoke with a creamy leather and slight pepper kick. The finish was long, growing heavy and slightly bitter as it burned down. The final third brought a creamy chewy earthiness with a hint of licorice, and a cleaner finish of oil, cream and the same chewiness on the palate. The only problem with this stick was a terrible band glue job, with a huge glob on the wrapper taking a chunk with the band. Luckily it did not breach and still smoked perfectly. Thank you very much to Ken Glass for sending this in for review! Photography by BG Pictures.

Jan 15

Xerez Corona Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, January 15, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Xerez Corona Cigar Review

This 5.5×44 bundle stick offers a medium chocolate wrapper with a soft spongy feel and many blemishes. Definitely not a premium stick but an average looking $1.xx cheap stick. Burn was very fast, the cherry moving quickly with each draw and the whole smoke lasting just 40 min. Smoke output was exceptional proving tons of rich flavor and volume from the perfect easy draw from the very first puff. Unlike most cheap sticks this one is on the medium-full side of the spectrum both in body and strength. Flavors were consistent showing a peppery tobacco and touch of zesty leather with a short peppery finish and bit of oil on the lips. This is a mixed filler cigar and the ash held for about 3/4″ at a time. Thank you very much to Berger & Argenti for donating this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.

Jan 11

Baccarat Petit Corona Cigar Review

Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Baccarat Petit Corona Cigar Review

This 5.5×42 natural stick offers a dry, satin wrapper with a light pack and a spongy feel with a few soft spots. Burn was very good all the way down, holding 1″ ash chunks and giving lots of good smoke volume. Flavors were never harsh, giving a mild-medium body of a sweet leather and pepper core, with a fairly long finish adding a slight pepper zing over the tongue. This is a quick smoke, ending at 40 min to the nub where it got pretty hot in temp and I ended it while the flavors stayed on the smooth side. Draw was just about perfect, just on the loose side giving very easy resistance. The only flavor transition was from an extremely sweet first inch to a mild sweetness the rest of the way down due to the sweetened tip. Photography by BG Pictures.

Jan 6

Sir Vin Cigars Merlin’s Magic Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Sir Vin Cigars Merlin’s Magic Cigar Review

This 7×50 stick offered a satin wrapper with a bit of oil sheen, firm construction and a slightly sweet aroma. Burn time was 1:45 to the nub with a very good burn and slightly loose draw all the way down. Ash was flowery but did hold on very well, falling off in 1/3rd chunks. The entire smoke was very silky and smooth, starting on the mild side ending medium. Flavors were very sweet and creamy offering candy or desert like selections including creamy leather and wood, caramel, licorice, butterscotch and a light earth. The finish brought a mild pepper zing and slight pepper flavor, with the draw flavors falling off rapidly. Thank you very much to Sir Vin Cigars for generously sending this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.

Dec 25

San Cristobal Seleccion Del Sol Robusto Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, December 25, 2009 in Cigar Reviews

San Cristobal Seleccion Del Sol Robusto Cigar Review

This 5×52 stick offers a dark milk chocolate wrapper with small veins and a slightly soapy tobacco aroma. Burn was overall very good never needing any touchups, with a perfect draw – just the right amount of resistance. Smoke output was huge and very thick, chewy at points and always cool down to the nub. Total burn time was 1 hour to the last 1/2″. Flavors were complex with multiple transitions. They included wood, earth, leather, pepper, spice, nuts, cream and were always smooth. Body and strength fluctuated, building from medium to full at the 1/2 way point, then back down to about a medium-full at the end. Thank you very much to Ashton Cigars for generously sending this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.

Dec 23

Padron 1964 Anniversary Torpedo Maduro Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 in Cigar Reviews

Padron 1964 Anniversary Torpedo Maduro Cigar Review

This 6×52 stick offers a firm box pressed dark chocolate wrapper with terrific sweet tobacco and spicy aromas. Burn was almost razor sharp all the way down with a perfect draw giving just the right amount of resistance for an easy cool draw. Flavors were plentiful to say the least with many transition points throughout from beginning to end. They were all exceptionally well blended together and smooth, including coffee, cream, earth, pepper, sweet tobacco, touches of spice and hints of cocoa at points. Total burn time to the nub was 1:15. Photography by BG Pictures.

Dec 14

Bucanero Canon Cubano Natural Cigar Review

Posted on Monday, December 14, 2009 in Cigar Reviews

Bucanero Canon Cubano Natural Cigar Review

This 5.5×60 light tan double connecticut stick offered a 1 hour burn time with plenty of smooth creamy smoke and a very loose draw. Burn was good all the way down with just minor waviness. The first third showed flavors of dusty light leather and a mild creamy finish, very much like a milder Don Douglas. The second third moved to a core earthiness and longer finish, losing the cream. The last third kept the earthiness but added quite a bit more cream flavor and texture, finishing the stick out very smooth and light. Overall a mild-medium body cigar. Thank you to Bucanero Cigars for donating this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.

Nov 30

Cheap Stick Shootout 2 Cigar Review

Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 in Cigar Reviews

Cheap Stick Shootout 2 Cigar Review

This is the 2nd Cheap Stick Shootout – today we have the Thompson Empresario Maduro Churchill vs. the Perfect Cut Corona Tubos. The Empresario comes in at 7×48, the Perfect Cut at 5.5×42. Both are a mild-medium cigar, the Empresario being a traditional long filler handmade, the Perfect Cut a machine made short filler. Draw and burn on both were very good, the Empresario being on the tight side, the Perfect cut on the loose side. Burn time was 50 min and 30 min respectively, where they both became hot for my taste and I ended them. Flavor wise they are completely different. The Empresario gave a little bit of complexity, showing a light leather with slight sweetness and touch of pepper during the first 2 thirds. The last third it switched to a very creamy coffee flavor with a long lasting finish. The Perfect cut started with a very mild grassy taste, and bringing a mild wood in the 2nd third. The last third it changed to a very hot pepper, dominating the flavors both on the draw and finish. Photography by BG Pictures.

Nov 27

Piano Fuerte Sonata Torpedo Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, November 27, 2009 in Cigar Reviews

Piano Fuerte Sonata Torpedo Cigar Review

This 6.5×54 stick offered a thin light tan wrapper with a firm wrap and a wrinkled wet look. Draw was on the loose side but produced a very good amount of smoke, more so in the last half. Burn was very good with just a few little waves here and there but requiring no action. The ash held on very nicely to each of the third transition points holding tight stacks. Flavors in the first third were of a light, creamy leather with a hint of sweetness and a good pepper and spice kick on the short finish. The 1/2 way point showed a complete change to a dark, rich chocolate and dark roast coffee. The body was medium to medium-full at the most and left a nice oily slick on the mouth much like a maduro would. The last third brought a nutty flavor that mingled well with the dark flavors, also raising the smoke temp a bit, but only getting hot at the nub. Thank you very much to Piano Fuerte Cigars for donating this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.

Nov 13

Old Henry Maduro Robusto Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 in Cigar Reviews

Old Henry Maduro Robusto Cigar Review

This 5×50 stick offered a dark chocolate, VERY thick and toothy wrapper with excellent construction. Burn was almost razor sharp all the way down, with the ash holding to the 1/2 way point and a perfect draw. Flavors in the first half were of a medium bodied light leather and smooth earth, with a bit of sweetness and a pepper & spice kick. The 2nd half transitioned to a deep earth and bit of licorice, losing the sweetness and pepper zing. The finish grew longer and the body went down to a mild-medium. Thank you to Shuckins for trading me for this stick! Photography by BG Pictures.

Nov 9

Santiago Cabana Maduro Toro Cigar Review

Posted on Monday, November 9, 2009 in Cigar Reviews

Santiago Cabana Maduro Toro Cigar Review

This 6×50 dark chocolate stick offered a slightly toothy, satin wrapper with a nice firm construction. Burn time to the band was just over an hour with a draw that started slightly firm and ended slightly loose with a good burn. Flavors present were medium bodied overall with a few distinct transitions. The first third was the typical maduro cigar – slightly sweet, good pepper and spice kick and a light leather. Later flavors included a creamyness, a deeper earth and a bigger peppercorn zing. Thank you CSMoFo (Joe) for sending this to me! Photography by BG Pictures.

Nov 6

Gurkha Micro Batch Liga VH-7 Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, November 6, 2009 in Cigar Reviews

Gurkha Micro Batch Liga VH-7 Cigar Review

This 6×50 box pressed stick offered a very soft silky dark chocolate wrapper, with a near perfect burn and great draw, on the loose side. Burn time to just past the band was 1:15 with the ash holding on right to the 1/2 way point, about 3″. The first half offered a good bit of earthy complexity, showing creamy smooth leather, bread, deep earth and a touch of pepper on the short clean finish. The 2nd half switched to a slightly sweet cocoa, with the creamy leather coming back at points. The draw loosened up a bit and it produced a good amount of smoke all the way down, although not as rich as you would expect from the volume. Thank you to Shuckins for the trade! Photography by BG Pictures.

Oct 28

Man ‘O War Toro Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 in Cigar Reviews

Man ‘O War Toro Cigar Review

This 6.5 x52 dark chocolate stick offered a toothy, thick firm wrapper giving tons of rich creamy smoke. Burn was very good, draw was on the loose side with good resistance. Flavors were widely varied with several transition points including cocoa, coffee, leather, wood, cream, pepper and spice in various combinations. The finish was mostly short and clean with some points offering pepper and spice. Thank you to Shuckins for the stick in trade! Photography by BG Pictures.

Oct 14

Perdomo Grand Cru Toro Corojo Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 in Cigar Reviews

Perdomo Grand Cru Toro Corojo Cigar Review

This 6×50 stick offered a medium chocolate brown wrapper with striations and a very soft silky texture with an aged tobacco aromas. Burn was good all the way down and the draw was pretty free with just a touch of resistance. It produced thick rich smoke with just a tiny easy draw, giving a medium-full body overall. Flavors were very diverse, changing several times in the first half. They included sweet leather, honey, earthy-ness, mocha, then ended the stick with big blasts of creamy coffee. A nice pepper and spice kick was present through most of the finish which was very long and full flavored. Photography by BG Pictures.

Oct 12

Don Pepin Garcia ‘Blue’ Generosos Cigar Review

Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 in Cigar Reviews

Don Pepin Garcia ‘Blue’ Generosos Cigar Review

This 6×50 milk chocolate stick offered a slightly toothy but satiny wrapper, with a firm and slightly bumpy construction. Burn was almost razor sharp and the draw was absolutely perfect. Total burn time to the nub was 1:15 where it got hot for me. The second half especially produced great amounts of thick rich smoke, giving flavors of coffee, leather, sweetness on the first half, and a bit of a pepper zing on the short clean finish. A touch of cocoa came through at the 1/2 way point, and the transitions were very nice throughout. Thank you to Shuckins for trading with me for this stick! Photography by BG Pictures.

Oct 7

Ashton Heritage Churchill Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 in Cigar Reviews

Ashton Heritage Churchill Cigar Review

This 6.75×48 stick offered an extremely smooth, smoke-rich experience. Burn and draw were flawless all the way down, absolutely perfect. Body was pushing medium most of the time with very smooth and pronounced flavors of coffee, leather, caramel and creamy nuts with a tiny pepper zing on the short clean finish. Burn time to just past the band was 1:45. Thank you very much to Ashton Cigars for donating this sample for review! Photography by BG Pictures.  Please excuse the lack of my standard pictures, I goofed on this one and I only had one sample.

Sep 30

Pinar Del Rio Seleccion Reserva Limitada Torpedo Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 in Cigar Reviews

Pinar Del Rio Seleccion Reserva Limitada Torpedo Cigar Review

This 6×52 torpedo stick offers a mottled milk and dark chocolate appearance with a smooth satin wrapper and firm construction. Burn was very good not needing any attention, with a perfect draw for easy puffs. The smoke was rich and chewy offering great mouth feel with a medium body. Flavors to the first half were of coffee, cocoa and leather with a short clean finish. A bit of pepper on the finish joined the last half, and the flavors transitioned to just a dark rich coffee or espresso, and a touch of leather on the end. Burn time to the last inch was 1 hour and I enjoyed every minute! Thank you very much Pinar Del Rio for generously donating this stick for review! Photography by BG Pictures.