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Jul 15

Casa Magna Colorado Perfecto Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, July 15, 2011 in Cigar Reviews

 

Casa Magna Colorado Perfecto Cigar Review

This 4.75×50 cigar features a dark brown wrapper with slight red hue, a light pack but with a rock hard slightly toothy wrapper, small veins, tight seams, an oily feel and sheen with a rich smooth tobacco aroma. First light reveals a perfect draw without clipping the foot, bold pepper and spice blasts through the long finish with medium body flavors of a smooth slightly sweet leather. The first third develops along the same lines just getting creamier and upping the body a touch.  35 minutes in just past the 1/2 way point the pepper and spice drops leaving the very smooth and creamy flavors still going with a ton of smoke.  Ending at 50 minutes where it began getting very warm and nutty, the cigar ended with excellent construction and rich flavors throughout. Thank you very much to Ken Spraberry for donating this sample for review, I appreciate it!

Jun 1

Fuente Fuente Opus X XXX Belicoso Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 in Cigar Reviews

 

Fuente Fuente Opus X XXX Belicoso Cigar Review

 

This 5 5/8×49 cigar otherwise known as the Power Ranger, or Triple X, or X3, features a dark brown firm and smooth wrapper with a mottled splotchy appearance, minimal veins, tight seams, even construction and a soft perfume like aroma.  First light reveals a perfect draw, tons of full bodied smoke with very dry black pepper and tobacco flavors with an extremely long dry finish.  You need a drink with this smoke.15 minutes in, the body is way down for an Opus X, to a solid medium while the strength is full on.  It’s had a bad burn to this point, with  almost an inch difference side to side and at this point needs a relight.  Definitely strange for any Opus X.  40 minutes in at the 1/2 way point the flavors finally pick up a bit, adding a smooth coffee to the mix, although still very mild for an Opus X at a medium level.  Burn since the relight has been just ok, needing more puffs than the usual cigar to burn properly.  The ash is equally unimpressive flaking quite a bit and dropping off every 1/2 inch.  50 minutes in starting the last third, it needs another full relight.  It simply does not like to stay burning and goes out on it’s own.  It’s not tunnelling or burning lopsided, it just simply goes out.  There has been no flavor transition since the last update point.  Ending at 1:20 where it went out completely again with 1 1/2″ or so remaining there were no further changes.  Thank you very much to viewer HappyTaro for generously sending this for review!  Photography by

May 3

601 Green Oscuro La Punta Perfecto Cigar Review

Posted on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 in Cigar Reviews

601 Green Oscuro La Punta Perfecto Cigar Review

This 5.5×48-52 perfecto stick offers a very dark brown, almost black wrapper with a slight red hue, a velvet texture and a rock hard pack. It shows minimal veins, tight seams, very even firm construction and offers a barnyard and tobacco aroma. First light reveals an insanely tight draw but big medium-full flavors of deep oily tobacco and white pepper with a long earthy finish. 10 minutes in the draw opens up to a very nice light resistance and smoke output is excellent. Flavors are very deep and substantial with a long full finish. The draw flavors are very woody and peppery with an oily slick on the lips but dry parched mouthfeel. 25 minutes in I had to give it a small touchup, there was a strip on one side that wasn’t burning. 35 minutes in hitting the 1/2 way point flavors shift just lightly, adding a dark chocolate in to the mix. Ending at 1:15 the 2nd half proved to be very similar, only changing the draw back to snug, but not a big problem. I did have to give it another touchup, and the ash on this last half was not as firm as the first, flowering and flaking quite a bit. Thank you very much to our fan Jeremie Plouffe for providing this sample for review, I appreciate it very much brother!

Mar 1

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Toro Cigar Review

Posted on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 in Cigar Reviews

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Toro Cigar Review

This 6×52 stick offers a dark chocolate oily wrapper with small veins, invisible seams, a very even crushed velvet texture with a slight spongy give and a rich oily chocolaty tobacco aroma. First light revels full bodied flavors of a sily smooth chewy thick smoke, though not a lot of it. Flavors are a deep earth, chocolate and mild pepper zing through the long finish. Draw is perfect with just a bit of resistance. The first third gives solid medium body flavors of a super thick and rich dry aged tobacco with a touch of a sweet chocolate and pepper. 20 minutes in I encountered a strange burn problem, with a tiny shaft burning through the center of the cigar, and 1/2 of the stick getting very hot and mushy. It stopped putting out smoke yet continued to burn. After spending 10 minutes correcting the burn, manually lighting 1/2″ of wrapper and getting through a section that seemed to be rolled with a tube down the center, it is back to burning correctly. 40 min in at the 1/2 way point, flavors returned to a medium-full body treat of rich creamy milk chocolate, a slightly sweet eart and smooth tobacco with a touch of pepper and long smooth finish. 1:15 in at the band point the burn has slowed significantly flavors have changed to a creamy textured, smooth slightly sweet earth with a long earth and pepper finish. I have given it a couple minor touchups, but overall performance is good. Ending at 1:40 min where it got hot probably due to the touch-ups near the end, I ended it as flavors got a bit warm and washed out. If this hadn’t of had the burn issues it would be pushing the two hour mark easily, as I burned off more than an inch correcting the burn. Thank you very much to viewer Jonathan Novatt for generously sending this in for review, I greatly appreciate it!

Oct 22

Xikar HC Connecticut Grande Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, October 22, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Xikar HC Connecticut Grande Cigar Review

This 6×60 stick offers firm construction with minimal veins, tight seams, a double cap and a soft hay and tobacco aroma. First light reveals a very dry smoke with medium-full bodied flavors of earth, pepper and tobacco with a spicy finish. The first third develops along the same lines building the pepper on the finish. Smoke is rich and plentiful with a perfect easy draw. The experience stays the same through to the band point where it picks up a more smooth deep profile and kicking the spice way down. The ash held on for 1/2 the stick, and it ended at 1:45, very impressive! Thank you very much to Xikar for generously sending this for review!

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!

Jul 5

Helix X748 Maduro Cigar Review

Posted on Monday, July 5, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Helix X748 Maduro Cigar Review

This 7×48 maduro stick offers a dark to medium brown wrapper with a spongy, toothy but soft feel, visible seams, small veins and a mild soapy aroma. First light reveals a very thin wrapper with a tendency to peel and leak at points, giving a light airy mild tobacco smoke. The first third develops to a mild, oily, slightly sweet tobacco with a short clean finish. Overall a simple straight forward smoke. By the start of the 2nd third flavors had changed to a dry but still oily tobacco and leather with a good sweet caramel finish. The remainder of the stick is much the same, overall a consistent stick. Ending at 1:25 it started getting a bit warm and soggy for me but still performing perfectly.

Jun 5

CAO La Traviata Radiante Cigar Review

Posted on Saturday, June 5, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

CAO La Traviata Radiante Cigar Review

This 6×52 sick offers an extremely oily, toothy rich dark chocolate wrapper with tight seams, minimal veins and a sweet chocolate and earth aroma. First light reveals a very oily medium bodied earthy flavor with a ton of rich smoke and a perfect draw. The first third develops to a mild-medium body of slightly sweet and nutty earth with a deep finish. 50 min in at the 1/2 way point flavors were very consistent, however the stick liked to tunnel and went out prompting a relight without further incident. The stick ended at 1:35 with slightly different but overall consistent flavors at the last third, moving to a slight caramel and nut combo, with the same great smoke draw and finish.

May 18

Joyas De Panama Coronita Cigar Review

Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Joyas De Panama Coronita Cigar Review

This 5×45 stick offers a rustic, medium brown slightly toothy and oily wrapper with an even slightly spongy feel and mild barnyard aroma. First light brings a slightly firm draw with a ton of rich smooth smoke output and flavors of a creamy textured, oily tobacco with a touch of earth and pepper that carries to the finish with a medium body.The first third gives a slightly musty leather with the same great rich smoke, and a relatively short clean finish. The 2nd third drops the mustiness for nuts, which increase all the way to the end at just over an hour. Thank you very much to Joyas De Panama for generously sending this for review!

May 14

Jose Marti Remedios Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Jose Marti Remedios Cigar Review

This 5.5×44 stick offers a thin, seemingly fragile toothy wrapper, hot cocoa colored with a slight peppery tobacco aroma. First light reveals a perfect draw, tons of rich smoke and a very heavy, deep tobacco flavor with a big white pepper kick. The first third brings a smooth oily leather quickly joined by a rich pepper and spice and a touch of sweetness, that carries through to the finish. Body is a medium-full with a thick rich smoke that leaves a nice oil on the palate. The 2nd third brings more changes, dropping the pepper but adding steak at points, and the sweetness progressed to a touch of caramel. Coming in to the last third the flavors transition to a creamy mint and cinnamon with a warm smooth nutty finish. Ending at 1:10 after getting very hot, the cinnamon and nuts took over the flavor department, leaving a crisp short finish. Thank you very much to Mark T. for sending in this sample for review!

May 12

Diesel Unholy Cocktail Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Diesel Unholy Cocktail Cigar Review

This 5×56 torpedo sports a dark chocolate, soft but toothy firm wrapper with minimal veins, and a rich potpourri like spicy scent. First light reveals a slightly firm draw with adaquate smoke production. Flavors are medium bodied with a rich oily slightly sweet tobacco, and a good bit of pepper and spice especially on the long deep finish. The first third brings quite a complex blend of toast, coffee, then a spicy leather with a bit of pepper. The finish grows the pepper and adds spice, holding on well to the next draw. Body is a good medium-full. By the 1/2 way point the ash had just dropped off, burn was perfect and the flavors had mellowed a bit pushing more of the coffee. The last third continued the trend changing to a smooth creamy coffee with a pepper zing at the end of the draw. Total burn time to the nub was 1:15. Thank you very much to Chaz from Long Island for generously sending this in for review!

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!

May 5

Nub Connecticut 464 Torpedo Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Nub Connecticut 464 Torpedo Cigar Review

This 4×64 stick offers a medium tan, firm, thin stretched wrapper with minor visible veins and seams. The aroma is a very faint tobacco and it has a smooth velvet texture. First light revelas an easy draw, plenty of smoke production giving flavors of (more…)

Apr 30

Xikar HC Series Connecticut Shade Toro Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Xikar HC Series Connecticut Shade Toro Cigar Review

This 6.5×52 stick offers a thin medium tan wrapper with a few medium and small veins, a double cap and even firm slightly spongy construction. The aroma is deep pungent tobacco. First light brings a slightly firm draw, mild-medium flavors of a slightly peppery, mildly sweet tobacco. The first third is a very smooth, mild leather with a woody aftertaste on a long finish. It’s very simple, smoke output is minimal and very consistent with a perfect draw and burn. The 2nd third progresses much the same, only adding a caramel to the end of the draw flavors and the finish. The last third holds the same flavors however body and smoke production rose significantly. Providing a rich flavorful medium body experience, the smoke was thicker and doubled in volume. Ending at 1:15 with about 1″ remaining it proved to be a very well constructed typical connecticut. Thank you very much to Xikar for generously sending this sample for review!

Apr 28

Gurkha Micro-Batch Liga C-10 Churchill Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Gurkha Micro-Batch Liga C-10 Churchill Cigar Review

This 7×48 stick offers a medium tan wrapper with a slight tooth, firm feel, double cap, minimal veins, tight seams and a rich oily deep tobacco aroma. First light reveals a slightly sweet note of caramel, touch of pepper, tobacco and overall an oily smooth smoke with a great draw. The first third developed in to a mild-medium body giving flavors of a slightly musty tobacco, creamy oily wood, with a hint of pepper on the long finish. Draw is excellent and burn is great, but fairly fast. The 2nd third came and went uneventfully. The last third developed in to a light creamy coffee, but still with a along slightly peppery finish. Ending at 1:25 the stick took on an almost bitter flavor going with the slight coffee and dry pepper. Thank you very much to Michael Yamashita for sending these samples in for review!