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Mar 1
2
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 22
Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta No. 7 Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, February 22, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta No. 7 Cigar Review
This 6×50 stick offers a two-tone wrapper consisting of a natural light tan shade covering the first 75%, and the last 25% wrapped in a dark chocolate maduro leaf. With a very loose, effortless draw, it puts out a terrific amount of smoke. Starting with a slightly bitter wood flavor it finished long with a hint of coffee and touch of pepper. The 2nd third brought the coffee up just a bit and added a little creaminess, dropping much of the pepper. By the start of the last third it had turned to a slightly sweet, creamy coffee as the predominant flavor and just gave a hint of the typical connecticut woodiness. The stick was finished 1:20 in with about 1″ of the maduro remaining. Only about 15 min of the maduro section is smokeable before getting very warm and soft. Surprisingly the body went down a bit and flavors mellowed out once the transition was made. Flavors changed to just a mild, oily coffee with the ash holding on tight for about 1 1/2″ at a time showing white and light grey bands. Burn was flawless all the way down. Thank you very much to Drew Estate for sending this in for review, I greatly appreciate it! Photography by BG Pictures.
Feb 21
El Primer Mundo Rosado Oscuro Cigar Review
Posted on Sunday, February 21, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
El Primer Mundo Rosado Oscuro Cigar Review
This 5×50 box pressed stick presents a dark chocolate, slightly toothy wrapper showing minimal veins with tight seams and construction. The aroma is a sweet and peppery tobacco. Medium-full body, the flavors in the first third were smooth and rich giving a complex blend of a mild pepper, chocolate, light leather and cream with a touch of aged tobacco. Smoke output was excellent producing a huge, almost chewy volume with an absolutely effortless draw. Flavor remained consistent to the last couple inches where they transitioned to a creamy dry roasted coffee and touch of pepper with a long finish. Body and strength by the last third were a solid medium-full giving a slight rush. Total burn time was 1:10 to the nub. Thank you very much to Primer Mundo Cigar Co. for donating this sample 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.
Feb 1
Gurkha Centurion Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, February 1, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Gurkha Centurion Cigar Review
This 6×60 dark chocolate wrapped perfecto offers a draw on the firm side, and 5 inches of normal burn after getting past and clipping the tapered ends. Showing several transitions, flavors included a creamy buttery leather, chocolate, big pepper blasts without the spice, deep earth and a long finish for most of the smoke. At the last third, flavors changed to a huge deep roasted coffee that was increasingly creamy to the nub. Smoke output was very light at the start, taking 20 minutes to open up to just normal. It was on the light side but always smooth, delivering a medium-full bodied experience overall. The ash held on for 2″ at a time with no burn issues. Thank you very much to Ken Glass for sending this in for review, I greatly appreciate it! Photography by BG Pictures.
Jan 13
Man O’War Ruination Belicoso Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Man O’War Ruination Belicoso Cigar Review
This 5.7×56 stick offers a dark and oily wrapper with fairly firm construction, small veins and tight seams. Draw was perfect and the burn was very good all the way down, holding long tight ashes. The first inch had quite a spice kick with a smooth tobacco core and long finish. It then transitioned to flavors including coffee, chocolate, licorice, sweetness and left a long finish of oily tobacco and deep espresso. Body was medium-full with rich thick smoke while strength was pushing full. After the video I did have a jittery buzz for 30 min or so. Total burn time was 1:15 to the nub. Thank you very much to Chaz from Long Island, a fan of the site for generously sending me this to try! Photography by BG Pictures.
Dec 28
Nica Libre Imperial Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, December 28, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
Nica Libre Imperial Cigar Review
This 6×54 box pressed maduro stick offers an oily, slightly toothy well made wrapper with an extremely pungent aroma of barnyard. This is often marketed as a copy of or alternative to the Padron blend. While it certainly does not live up to that claim it does stand well on it’s own merits. Starting medium and ending medium full, core flavors were earthy with leather coming in at points. The first third brought a touch of mustiness reminding me of most Bucanero blends. Other flavors came and went including nice pepper and spice kicks especially on the finish, raisins, licorice and coffee. Not overly complex by any means though it did hold my attention well. Total burn time was 1:30 and the construction had no issues. Burn was a bit wavy but never needed attention. The draw was fantastic all the way down. Photography by BG Pictures.
Dec 16
Puros Indios Viejo Presidente Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
Puros Indios Viejo Presidente Cigar Review
This 7×48 stick offered a dark tam wrapper showing a fairly firm wrap and lots of texture to the leaf. The burn had several points that needed touchups, but by the last third it calmed down and was pretty straight on it’s own. Flavors had several transitions along with the body. Starting off mild with notes of sweet tobacco, touches of leather and pepper, going to a plainer earthiness and dropping the pepper, then finishing with nice medium body smooth coffee flavors. Total burn time to just past the band was 1 hour. The draw changed from firm to loose at about the 1/2 way point, neither being a problem or difficult to smoke. Actual smoke production picked up dramatically in the last third. Photography by BG Pictures.
Dec 9
J.L. Salazar Y Hermanos Reserva Especial Seires V Maduro Churchill Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
J.L. Salazar Y Hermanos Reserva Especial Seires V Maduro Churchill Cigar Review
This 7 1/4×52 box press stick offered a dark chocolate wrapper with fairly soft construction, a toothy wrapper and just some small veins and a wonderfully spicy aroma. Total burn time was 1:10 with only one spot near the 2nd third transition that required a touch-up. Draw was slightly loose and produced huge mounts of rich smoke from the start. Overall body was medium, although the first third during the draw was pushing full for a little while. Flavors were mildly complex, including a smooth creamy leather, slight sweetness with a touch of coffee and cocoa at some points of the last half. The finish was very short and clean, leaving just a hint of a pepper and spice. Thank you to Cuban Crafters for sending this for review, I greatly appreciate it! Photography by BG Pictures.
Nov 25
Illusione 88 Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
Illusione 88 Cigar Review
This 5×52 robusto sized stick offered a very oily, smooth firm wrapper with a nice sweet floral aroma. Burn was very good all the way down, holding the ash to each third. Draw was slightly on the loose side with perfect resistance. The first third brought flavors of slightly sweet leather, a touch of cocoa and coffee with a mildly spicy finish that built up heat as it went along. The 2nd third transitioned to a nice dry coffee, still with a nice oil on the mouth and a touch of earthiness. The last third smoothed out just a bit and dropped the spice, adding a longer finish of oily coffee. Total burn time just past the band was 1:10. Overall a medium-full body with very rich flavors. Thank you to Shuckins for trading with me for this stick! Photography by BG Pictures.
Oct 30
San Cristobal Lancero Cigar Review
Posted on Friday, October 30, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
San Cristobal Lancero Cigar Review
This 7.5×38 stick offered an excellent burn and great draw, slightly on the firm side with just the right amount of resistance all the way down. Flavors were rich, intense and bold – yet utterly smooth and never more than medium bodied. Several flavor transitions were present, with some flavors swapping, others coming and going at points. The combinations were very well blended and extremely enjoyable. I picked up combinations of bread, oily leather, earth, cocoa, coffee, espresso, touches of pepper and cream. The finish was long with most of the draw flavor hanging around washing over your mouth. The smoke was especially thick and rich, chewy at points. Thank you very much to Ashton for generously donating this for review! 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 21
Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles Cigar Review
This 5×50 medium chocolate wrapped stick offered an excellent burn and perfect draw, lasting just under 1 hour to the band point. Flavors started a little on the mild side but woke up by the 1/2 way point to produce a nice medium body experience. Several transitions led to flavors including leather, sweetness, mild earthiness, pepper washes, cocoa and a warm mild coffee. A great anytime stick! Thank you to Shuckins for trading me for this stick, I always like to try new blends! 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.