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Mar 26
3
Tambo Perfecto Cigar Review
Posted on Friday, March 26, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Tambo Perfecto Cigar Review
This 6×48 perfecto stick comes wrapped in a very firm, mottled light brown wrapper with slight tooth, smooth seams and a mild tobacco aroma. Without cutting the foot which is a very small tapered point, the draw is firm for the first few draws but quickly develops to a perfect balance of resistance. Flavors are a light leather and aged tobacco. A creamy, smooth oily core, medium-full bodied with adequate smoke output and a very short, clean finish. By the 2nd third flavors had grown more deep and power rose to meet the near full body. Showing a deep heavy leather, it was increasingly oily and smooth with a better smoke output. The finish had grown long and full as well carrying the same draw flavors. Taking the band off did reveal a glob of glue that took a chunk of wrapper, but luckily the binder held. The rest of the stick was consistent – very smooth, rich and enjoyable to the 1:20 mark where I ended it with about 1″ left but it was hot to me. Thank you very much to Tambo Cigars for sending this 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.
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.
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 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 4
El Titan De Bronze Redemption Maduro Robusto Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, January 4, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
El Titan De Bronze Redemption Maduro Robusto Cigar Review
This 5×50 stick offered a dark chocolate, satin wrapper with a slight oil sheen and tooth. Very small veins and clean seams ran the length to a triple cap all packed perfectly. Draw was slightly firm with perfect resistance for an almost razor sharp burn all the way down, even after sitting for 5 minutes unattended. The smoke was extremely rich and thick with tremendous volume from the first 1/2″ down. Flavors were very rich and smooth giving the impression of nicely aged mature tobacco. The first third brought smooth tobacco with a slight sweetness and pepper, quickly transitioning to a light leather core and getting very creamy and smooth. Other flavors joined in later including a dry cocoa and a smooth creamy milk chocolate. Total burn time to the nub was 1 hour. Everyone NEEDS to try this stick, even if you think you don’t care for maduros! Thank you very much to El Titan de Bronze for generously donating this sample 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.
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.
Nov 20
La Aroma De Cuba New Blend Monarch Cigar Review
Posted on Friday, November 20, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
La Aroma De Cuba New Blend Monarch Cigar Review
This 6×52 stick offered a very smooth satin medium chocolate wrapper with a nice aroma of dusty cocoa. Draw started out very firm but gradually went down to a very nice amount of resistance as the stick burned. Total burn time to the nub was 1:30, holding the ash between 3/4″ and 1 1/2″ with an almost razor sharp line. Flavors in the first two thirds were very consistent, giving a light creamy leather flavor with a long finish. Pepper and spice built up on the finish giving a zing on the tongue and a heat on the lips. The last third showed the leather to fade out replaced by a smooth tobacco, and the pepper going way down to just barely there. The spice was completely gone by the band point. Thank you very much to Ashton for donating this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Nov 2
Piano Fuerte Bravo Toro Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, November 2, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
Piano Fuerte Bravo Toro Cigar Review
This 6×52 stick offered a dark, toothy, oily wrapper with a firm satin feel and sweet tobacco aroma. Overall body was medium, with the first half being a little lighter. Smoke was a bit light till the 1/2 way point at which it became much more ich and plentiful. Burn and draw were both very good, with no construction issues. Draw was on the loose side on par with just about any Rocky Patel, with just enough resistance. Flavors presented themselves with several nice transitions, offering combinations of smooth creamy wood, leather, a light earthiness, a touch of sweetness at points and a bit of pepper on most of the finish, growing a little stronger in the last third. Thank you very much to Piano Fuerte Cigars for donating this for review! 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 26
Piano Fuerte Sonata Double Corona Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, October 26, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
Piano Fuerte Sonata Double Corona Cigar Review
This 6×60 stick from Piano Fuerte came in a light tan wrapper with good firm construction and a smooth finish.  Lasting just over an hour, it offered a fairly plain flavor profile but with a few good distinct transitions.  Flavors included creamy leather, deep earthiness, cinnamon and a nice pepper & spice kick through the finish.  This is a fairly spicy stick all the way down, with the core flavors changing through the thirds nicely.  It was medium-full bodied but never overpowering – no buzz at all.  Burn was almost razor sharp all the way down, the ash holding on for an inch between clean drops.  The draw was just on the firm side with perfect resistance for slow nice pulls.  The smoke volume was light till the last third, at which point it because voluminous and rich.  Thank you very much to Piano Fuerte Cigars for donating this sample for review!  Photography by BG Pictures.
Oct 19
Ashton Classic 898 Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, October 19, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
Ashton Classic 898 Cigar Review
This 6.5×44 stick offers a light tan wrapper with small veins and a thin slightly soft wrapper. The flavor profile was very complex with changes happening every few minutes to the band point. Total burn time tot he band was 1:15 where it got a little warm for my taste but still had a good inch left. Flavors included earth, leather, cinnamon, spice, pepper, cocoa, coffee, mocha and creme in various combinations as the stick burned down. Overall the body was medium, with touches on either side growing as it burned. Draw also changed significantly, from very firm to just on the loose side with the perfect resistance by the 1/2 way point. Thank you very much to Ashton Cigars for generously sending this sample for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Oct 16
Marco V Brazilian Grand Reserve Cigar Review
Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
Marco V Brazilian Grand Reserve Cigar Review
This 5×60 dark chocolate stick sports a soft, satin slightly toothy wrapper, with a very good burn all the way down, holding the ash past the 1/2 way point. Draw was excellent with the perfect amount of resistance for a smooth easy draw giving lots of rich cool, medium-full bodied smoke. Flavors were very consistent from the start to the band point, giving a slightly sweet, oily coffee flavor, and a mild pepper & spice kick on the clean finish. At the band point the smoke temp went up a bit and the pepper mostly gave way to a creaminess. Smoke time to the last inch was 1:20. Thank you very much to Marco V Cigars for generously donating this stick for review! 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 5
Reyes Family Cigars Premier Gordo Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, October 5, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
Reyes Family Cigars Premier Gordo Cigar Review
This 6×60 double tapered stick is unique in that both ends are open, making the cut completely unnecessary. Luckily they designed it just right, and both the burn and draw were very good right from the start with no issues. Draw was actually on the loose side with just the right amount of resistance, something that surprised me given the small opening. Body was mild-medium with fairly simple flavors, having one predominant flavor at a time. They included sweet smooth leather, cocoa and tobacco, with a mild pepper and spice on the finish, which was short and fairly clean. Thank you very much to Reyes Family Cigars for donating this stick for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Sep 28
Ashton VSG Robusto Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
Ashton VSG Robusto Cigar Review
This 5.5 x 50 offered a notably smooth medium-full experience with a mix of several prominent flavors. The first 1/2 brought a bit of sweet tobacco and leather with the last bringing cocoa and leather with a touch of oil. The finish was very consistent with a long pepper zing over the tongue lasting well until the next draw. Total time to the band point at which it became a little warm and nutty was 1:15. The burn was very good all the way down never needing any attention, and the draw was perfect – on the loose side with just a touch of resistance. It billowed easy thick, rich smoke at every draw. Thank you very much to Ashton Cigars for generously donating this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Sep 23
Cuba Aliados Miami Edition Toro Viejo Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
Cuba Aliados Miami Edition Toro Viejo Cigar Review
This 6×53 stick offered a medium body experience, giving flavors of smooth hay and nuts with a clean finish. light pepper notes with a touch of spice came well after the draw and last about a minute. Burn time to the band was 1:15 where I ended it, preferring a very cool smoke. The burn line stayed nice and straight, the draw was on the loose side with just the right amount of resistance. The ash was light grey and white and held on for 1 – 1 1/2 inches at a time before falling off in chunks. Thank you very much to Reyes Family Cigars for generously donating this stick for review, I greatly appreciate it! Photography by BG Pictures.