Loading ...
Jul 5
0
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.
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.
Apr 21
Flor de Cielo Churchill Maduro Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Flor de Cielo Churchill Maduro Cigar Review
This 7×50 stick offers a rich, almost black wrapper with a slick oil sheen, medium veins, and a very firm pack. The leaf seems fragile with a few tears here and there, more typical of a Connecticut than maduro. The feel is slightly toothy and the aroma is sweet and soapy. The flavors are of a slightly sweet smooth tobacco, medium in body but near full strength. The finish is fairly short and clean, leaving a slight pepper zing on the tongue. Overall an extremely consistent stick, the profile really didn’t change at all from start to finish. There were some wrapper splits that contributed to it going out in the 2nd third prompting a couple relights, but the flavors were not impacted. Ending the smoke at 1:45 with 1″ remaining it proved to be a potent classic maduro experience with a great value for the money! Thank you very much to Corona Cigar Company for generously donating this sample for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Apr 14
Xikar HC Series Criollo Lonsdale Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Xikar HC Series Criollo Cigar Review
This 6×46 stick offers a dark tan very slightly toothy wrapper with minimal veins, invisible seams, a double cap and small pigstail twist, with a slight barnyard aroma. First light reveals a very good draw and smoke production, a slight sweetness, lots of smooth oily peppery tobacco. Body is a nice medium-full giving very flavorful draws every time. Reaching the 1/2 way point 30 min in, flavors transitioned to a smooth, dry tobacco with a slightly sweet licorice quickly fading to a black pepper flavor without any of the spice. The last third ended at just over 1 hour, transitioning to a creamy and smooth mocha – soft coffee and a hint of chocolate, very silky. Thank you very much to Xikar for sending this sample for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Apr 7
Rocky Patel Signature Series Toro Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Rocky Patel Signature Series Toro Cigar Review
This 6×52 light tan stick is wrapped with a soft slightly toothy satin wrapper showing minimal veins, a couple small blemishes with a soft barnyard aroma. First light reveals a soft rich smoke, perfect draw with a deep dry earthiness and slight pepper on the finish. The first third starts off with a rich oily earth core and a huge spicy heat and zing that carried through the long finish. 20 minutes in the earth and spice died down, replaced by a buttery smoothness and toast. By the half way point the core flavors had changed again, this time to a dry toasiness – yet still oily, creamy and smooth. Body was down to a solid medium, and the finish lost much of the peper and spice. 45 minutes in the draw got very tight and the stick developed a very hard crispy spot about 1/2″ down from the head. After blowing back through the cigar a few times the blockage loosened up, possibly some tar buildup. The last third seemed to bring out all the flavors at once, very well blended together – toast, cream, cocoa, pepper, oil, a slight sweetness and long smooth finish. Total burn time was 1:20. Overall a medium bodied stick, it had strength in the medium-full range that only caught up to me after filming the video, making me a bit jittery for 30 min or so. Thank you very much to Michael Yamashita for sending in this excellent sample! Photography by BG Pictures.
Apr 2
Maribel Maduro Churchill Cigar Review
Posted on Friday, April 2, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Maribel Maduro Churchill Cigar Review
This stick appears to be a 7×48 with a dark brown slightly toothy rugged wrapper. Seams are good, veins are minimal and it puts off a smooth sweet aroma. First light reveals a very good draw on the loose side, plenty of medium bodied smooth smoke and a creamy smooth sweet tobacco taste with a long finish. Those flavors lasted all through the first third, changing to include a rich creamy textured coffee by the half way point 45 min in. The smoke absolutely pours out delivering oily creamy flavor through the long finish. The burn is excellent, almost razor sharp, but the ash only holds on for 1/2 inch at a time so you have to watch it. Ending the stick with 1 1/2 inches left because it got very hot, flavors continued unchanged to the end. Thank you very much to Joe a.k.a. CSMoFo for sending this for review! These are sold at a few stores around Miami and are available direct from the manufacturer: (305) 642-8219 Photography by BG Pictures.
Mar 29
Bucanero Salsa Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, March 29, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Bucanero Salsa Cigar Review
This 6×54 stick comes wrapped in a toothy, firm dark brown leaf showing a slight red hue, minimal veins and clean seams with a soft box press. The aroma is an oily, slightly sweet tobacco, a perfect humidor smell. First light reveals a medium-full body, very smooth oily smoke giving a rich aged tobacco taste with a good bit of black pepper and a long finish. 30 min in by the 1/2 way point the flavors had not really changed, which is just fine since they were very pleasant. The burn however did have problems, requiring a couple early touchups and a couple relights from the wrapper not keeping up. It was an even burn though, and the post light flavors were un effected. Ending the stick at 50 min, the flavors for the remainder of the stick were unchanged, which was just fine! Thank you very much to Bucanero Cigars for sending this sample 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.
Mar 22
Augusto Reyes Maduro Belicoso Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, March 22, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Augusto Reyes Maduro Belicoso Cigar Review
This 6.5×54 dark chocolate wrapped stick offered a fuzzy, very toothy firm feel with a rich oily cocoa aroma. First light reveals a very tight draw, hardly any smoke or flavor. What is there is just a mild tobacco, although oily and smooth. Taking a 2nd cut off the head opened up the draw to a normal level, just on the snug side. Smoke production improved, although still not voluminous by any means. Flavors were a medium bodied burned coffee, oily slightly sweet tobacco with a finish of slight black pepper flavor and zing. The stick didn’t want to burn evenly, the wrapper falling behind every 10 draws or so and required frequent relights and touchups. After a fresh light the flavors were very rewarding with a creamy, oily coffee and cocoa and slight peppery finish. As the burn deteriorated though, it slid toward the mild side with less smoke output and a general earthy core. The stick continued from here to 1:30 where it had a little over 1″ remaining but probably due to multiple relights, got very hot a bit early. Thank you very much to Ken Glass for sending this for review, I greatly appreciate it! Photography by BG Pictures.
Mar 15
262 Paradigm Torpedo Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, March 15, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
262 Paradigm Torpedo Cigar Review
This 6.25×54 stick offers a thick, dark toothy maduro wrapper with minimal veins and tight even seams and construction. The aroma is a mild peppery tobacco. On first light the draw is very firm, and I had to cut it down to the edge of the shoulder. It remained tight, putting off a minimal amount of smoke. The flavors were a mild-medium slightly sweet leather, with a finish of slightly peppery tobacco. The second third only showed the leather flavor to disappear, replaced by a plain tobacco. 55 min in at the 1/2 way point the draw opened up to normal, the smoke production went up and flavors transitioned to a mild-medium body of earth, a touch of caramel and a bit of black pepper. The finish was still short with just a mild peppery tobacco. The last third showed some really nice flavors, morphing to a medium bodied coffee with an undertone of licorice and pepper, with a longer finish of a peppery earth. Burn was excellent all the way down, holding a 1″ tight bright white ash. Total burn time was 1:30 to the nub. Thank you very much to 262 for sending this sample for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Mar 11
Padron Delicias Maduro Cigar Review
Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Padron Delicias Maduro Cigar Review
This petite stick coming in at 4 7/8×46 offers a dark brown, very toothy and rugged wrapper with firm, crunch construction, some medium veins and an uneven handmade appearance. The aroma is a faint peppery tobacco with a hint of sweetness. First light reveals a very free, open draw and huge smoke output. Flavors are a typical Padron tobacco – slightly sweet, slightly peppery and a medium body. Overall very soft satiny smoke. The first third brought the core of the Padron experience. You get this in just about every stick they make. A smooth earthiness, good pepper kick and zing, rich smoke output that leaves a bit of oil on your lips and a bit of sweetness. The finish is long and peppery, the body moved up to a medium-full along with a nice strength to match. A slight buzz came on just 10 min in. 40 min in at the 1/2 way point the stick is exactly the same, burning perfectly, remaining extremely consistent. Ending at 1 hour to the nub, the flavors proved to be the same from start to finish which is just fine for me – they were great! Thank you very much to Mark T. for sending this in for review! 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.
Jan 25
Cielo Poseidon Cigar Review
Posted on Monday, January 25, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Cielo Poseidon Cigar Review
This 5×50 box pressed sungrown offered a satin medium chocolate wrapper with minimal veins, an oily feel and a slightly toothy appearance. Flavors were medium-full bodied all the way down, giving a big rich smoke filled experience. They included an aged tobacco smoothness, black pepper flavor with a bit of a zing, oily, smooth deep leather that turned pretty creamy in the 2nd third and a fairly long finish that held the creamy smoothness and a bit of pepper. With no real transitions it was very consistent all the way down and that’s just fine with me, it was excellent! Draw was perfect and burn was almost razor sharp never needing to even look at it. The ash was light grey and held to 1 1/2″ at each drop. Burn time to the last inch where it became very hot was 55 min. Thank you very much to Corona Cigar Company for generously sending this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Jan 8
Mi Barrio El Acere Cigar Review
Posted on Friday, January 8, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Mi Barrio El Acere Cigar Review
This 60×6 Habano stick offers a satin toothy wrapper with small veins, tight seams and a nice triple cap with a sweet oily tobacco aroma. It has an excellent draw and very good burn, never needing attention and holding the ash in 1/3 solid chunks. Body was medium, smoke output was very good, becoming richer as the burn progressed. Flavors had a bit of complexity bringing a soft earth, slight sweetness at the start and progressing to an oily light leather all the while showing a very smooth aged tobacco character. Transitions showed a more creamy texture, almonds, licorice and a nuttiness at the last 3rd. The whole stick showed a smoothness reminiscent of aged tobacco as all the flavors seamlessly moved from one to the next. Total burn time was 1:15 to the last inch. Photography by BG Pictures. Thank you to EO Cigars and Stogiereview.com for the opportunity to win this in your Christmas contest!
Dec 30
Cienfuegos Engine #5 Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 in Cigar Reviews
Cienfuegos Engine #5 Cigar Review
This 5×50 robusto size maduro stick offers a mottled wrapper with good smooth seams and small veins. Draw was loose but controllable with no construction issues. The ash was fairly toothy and held on for 1″ at a time before falling in chunks. Smoke output was very good, always thick and coating if not huge in volume. Flavors had a couple nice transitions, certainly appropriate for such a small stick. They included a nice spice kick on the draw and finish (not surprisingly), a creamy leather that transitioned to a predominance of buttery cream on the second half. The last third also brought a dry roasted nut and floral flavor that kept it interesting to the nub. Body was medium-full and strength followed in suit most of the time, with a good bump at the 1/2 way point going full strength for several minutes. The finish was always very long, holding thick rich flavors to the next draw. Total burn time was 50 min where it became very warm. This brand is produced by Reyes Family Cigars. 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 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.