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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.

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. Photography by BG Pictures.

Jul 2

Forcade Cigars Giralda Churchill Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, July 2, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Forcade Cigars Giralda Churchill Cigar Review

This 7×48 stick offers a light pack, smooth soft wrapping with tight seams and minimal veins. The aroma is a very pungent barnyard and chocolate. First light reveals a perfect draw, plenty of rich smoke giving a medium-full body and flavors of a rich slightly peppery tobacco with a long finish. The entire cigar was very consistent, giving the same flavors from first light ending at the 1 hour mark. Overall a very smooth smoke and great for any time of the day with a great bit of flavor and power. Thank you very much to Forcade Cigars for sending this sample for review! Photography by BG Pictures.

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. Photography by BG Pictures.

May 22

Cain Maduro Double Toro Cigar Review

Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Cain Maduro Double Toro Cigar Review

This 6×60 dark chocolate stick offers a chunky, firm wrapper with minimal veins and seams. It gives a peppery and sweet tobacco aroma. First light reveals a light medium body smoke with peppery and sweet tobacco flavor. The first third is a bit light on smoke needing double-puffs and tunneling a bit, prompting touchups. Flavors are consistent with the addition of a slight leather. The 2nd third evens out the burn a bit but doesn’t change the flavor profile noticeably, only bringing a slight harshness to the back of my throat. The last third brings a touch of cinnamon but overall the whole thing is very consistent. Strength wise it is just about topping the charts near the end here although with only 1/2 as much flavor. I’m ending the stick a good 20 min early at this point simply because this combo isn’t something I enjoy at all and don’t like the after effects of too much power. Smoking the whole thing would easily bring a 1:45 smoke time. Thank you very much to Jeremie Plouffe for generously sending this for review, I did enjoy trying it! Photography by BG Pictures.

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! Photography by BG Pictures.

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! Photography by BG Pictures.

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! 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.

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 grass and nuts, with an oily smooth, long finish. By 10 minutes in the flavors settled to a mild-medium bodied creamy nut flavor with a touch of pepper but no spice. Those exact same flavors carried through the entire stick ending with about 1″ left at 45 minutes. The only shift was in the heat of the smoke, getting too hot for my taste just past the band. Thank you very much to Michael Yamashita for sending this in for review! Photography by BG Pictures. (Video correction: Ring gauge is measured in 1/64th”, this NUB is 1″)

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! Photography by BG Pictures.

Apr 29

Cigar Art – Cedar Smoke 6of6

Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 in Cigar Art

Cigar Art – Cedar Smoke 6of6
20100424art0037 470x723 Cigar Art   Cedar Smoke 6of6 cigar art

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! Photography by BG Pictures.

Apr 28

Cigar Art – Cedar Smoke 5of6

Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 in Cigar Art

Cigar Art – Cedar Smoke 5of6
20100424art0033 470x337 Cigar Art   Cedar Smoke 5of6 cigar art

Apr 27

Cigar Art – Cedar Smoke 4of6

Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 in Cigar Art

Cigar Art – Cedar Smoke 4of6
20100424art0032 470x337 Cigar Art   Cedar Smoke 4of6 cigar art

Apr 26

Cigar Art – Cedar Smoke 3of6

Posted on Monday, April 26, 2010 in Cigar Art

Cigar Art – Cedar Smoke 3of6
20100424art0031 470x337 Cigar Art   Cedar Smoke 3of6 cigar art

Apr 25

Cigar Art – Cedar Smoke 2of6

Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2010 in Cigar Art

Cigar Art – Cedar Smoke 2of6
20100424art0009 470x723 Cigar Art   Cedar Smoke 2of6 cigar art

Apr 24

Cigar Art – Cedar Smoke 1of6

Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 in Cigar Art

Cigar Art – Cedar Smoke 1of6
20100424art0026 470x723 Cigar Art   Cedar Smoke 1of6 cigar art

Apr 23

Ashton Cabinet Selection Pyramid Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Ashton Cabinet Selection Pyramid Cigar Review

Sorry, I goofed on the pics from this one and formatted the wrong card :( This 6×52 belicoso shaped stick offers a silky soft light tan wrapper with minimal veins, a slight spongy feel and light barnyard aroma. First light gives a small amount of smoke but it’s extremely thick and chewy, leaving a heavy oily feeling. Flavors are a slight grass, cedar, and touch of tobacco. Taking a third clip off the head really freed the draw to a normal level and increased smoke and body to a much better medium. From the 1/2 way point at 45 min in through to the end at 1:15 flavors took on a creamy slightly sweet light coffee flavor, still with a rich thick smoke. The finish slowly increased carrying the creamy coffee with it. Than you very much to Ashton for sending this 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.