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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 tooth 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.

Mar 9

Xikar HC Series Habano Colorado Toro Cigar Review

Posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Xikar HC Series Habano Colorado Toro Cigar Review

This 6.5×52 stick offers a dark chocolate wrapper with a firm pack and satin feel. Minimal veins, invisible seams and a peppery cocoa aroma present with a fairly dense heft. The first third starts off on the smooth side, with a touch of aged tobacco taste and richness. The smoke is rich and plentiful with a medium body and soft flavors of slightly sweet earthy tobacco with a big pepper kick. The finish is very long with the black pepper flavors building adding a zing over the tongue. Half way in at the 60 min mark, flavors had mellowed out a bit with the pepper coming and going at points. The sweetness had begun to change to a caramel, and the core flavor turned to a soft leather. By the last third, the pepper came back but not quite as strong, and the caramel died down a touch. Total burn time to the nub was 1:50. Thank you very much to Xikar for sending 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 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 17

La Aurora Belicoso Maduro Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

La Aurora Belicoso Maduro Cigar Review

This 6.25×52 stick offers a dark brown wrapper showing minimal veins, clean seams and a very firm pack. 3/4″ had to be clipped off the tip for a decent draw, producing just an average amount of smoke on the draw. First third flavors were of caramel and licorice sweetness, a mild earth, slight woodiness and small pepper and spice kick on the long finish. At the half way point flavors changed to a smooth oily, creamy leather with a mild pepper that kicks up on the finish. In the final third flavors remained the same while the draw improved along with smoke production, reaching a very good volume pushing chewy. Thank you very much to viewer Jeremie Plouffe for generously sending this in for review! Photography by BG Pictures.

Feb 12

Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Connecticut Robusto Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, February 12, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Connecticut Robusto Cigar Review

This 5.5×50 medium tan stick offers a firm, dense pack under smooth wrapper with minimal veins and a triple cap. Starting off very bitter, the first third was a dry, slightly bitter almond, fading quickly to a finish of an oily oak with hints of pepper zing. By the 2nd third flavors transitioned to a mild-medium roasted nut and oily toast with a longer finish. At the half way point it became a typical connecticut with dry toasty, nutty, woody flavors and a long dry finish. Body was medium, smoke output was fantastic, as was the burn and draw all the way down, typical of a Rocky Patel. Thank you very much to Michael Yamashita for sending this sample in 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.

Feb 5

Corona Nicaraguan Selection Torpedo Maduro Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, February 5, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Corona Nicaraguan Selection Torpedo Maduro Cigar Review

This 6.5×52 stick offered a medium chocolate wrapper with a slightly spongy feel and fairly dense pack showing minimal veins and a satin finish. The tip needed to be cut back about 1/2″ for a good draw, which produced a nice creamy oily smoke. Flavors were a rich sweet creamy leather with undertones of aged tobacco smoothness and a touch of mustiness. Overall an extremely consistent stick from start to finish, nubbing the last inch at the 1:45 min mark. Thank you very much to Corona Cigar Company for sending this in for review! Photography by BG Pictures.

Feb 3

Macanudo Maduro Diplomat Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Macanudo Maduro Diplomat Cigar Review

This 4.5×60 perfecto offers a very oily dark chocolate wrapper with very firm construction, minimal veins and a very small cap & shoulder that gave me a bit of trouble cutting as far as unraveling. Draw was very firm, almost plugged, offering little smoke output and somewhat muted flavors. What did come out of it were very nice notes of cream, light tobacco, sweetness and a hint of pepper with a very short clean finish on the first third. The center section required two touch-ups and changed to a very light sweet leather. Getting to the last third the draw suddenly opened up, producing tons of rich creamy smoke, a creamy earthy leather and a good pepper zing. The center section was obviously not constructed properly. Thank you very much to Jeremie Plouffe for sending this sample in for review! Photography by BG Pictures.

Jan 27

Padilla Dominus Robusto Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Padilla Dominus Robusto Cigar Review

This 5×50 stick offered a medium chocolate wrapper with minimal veins, a very soft silky feel and a floral aroma. Body was medium-full giving rich smooth flavors all the way down with a good bit of power, but never overwhelming. Total burn time was just under 1 hour burning very well with a draw on the firm side. Smoke output was very good, filling the mouth with flavors of creamy leather, mild earthiness, hints of cinnamon and pepper in the first 1/2, transitioning to a dry mildly sweet cocoa with a long finish of the same. 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 22

Panacea Red 760 Cigar Review

Posted on Friday, January 22, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Panacea Red 760 Cigar Review

This monster 7×60 medium chocolate maduro stick offers a tight, dense pack, minimal veins and an oily satin wrapper with some good tooth. Body started off near full and quickly mellowed to a nice medium. Flavors in the first third included pepper, smooth tobacco hints of oil and sweetness, leaving a short finish of slight earth and black pepper flavor with no zip or spice. Smoke output was on the light side but coated the mouth well leaving a bit of an oil residual. Near the half way point flavors changed to a mellow, slightly sweet cocoa with a short earthy finish and a mild pepper zing. The last third changed again to a dry roasted espresso both on the draw and finish, which got very long, bringing a black pepper kick in late. Total smoke time was 1:50. Thank you very much to Flatbed Cigar Company for sending this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.

Jan 20

Camacho Pre-Embargo Cigar Review

Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Camacho Pre-Embargo Cigar Review

This 6×48 stick is derived from actual decades old pre-embargo tobacco from Cuba. Offering a medium chocolate wrapper with a spongy feel, closed foot and pigtail cap it shows minimal veins and good clean seams. With a burn time of only 1 hour, it imparts a medium-full body and full strength, giving a rush and buzz just an inch in to the smoke. Smoke output was voluminous after burning off the closed foot, giving rich smooth flavors. The first half showed a typical aged tobacco smoothness with a bit of mustiness and a good pepper zing on the long finish. At the half way point it transitioned to a creamy flavor and light leather, keeping the cream through the finish where the pepper joined in. Burn was wavy but it performed well all the way down with a draw just on the loose side. If you want these you must buy now while they exist. Photography by BG Pictures.

Jan 18

Perdomo Grand Cru Maduro Torpedo Cigar Review

Posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 in Cigar Reviews

Perdomo Grand Cru Maduro Torpedo Cigar Review

This 6×54 dark chocolate stick offered a satin wrapper with minimal veins and nice tight construction. Draw was perfect producing lots of thick and rich smoke with minimal effort. Body was medium-full giving smooth dry flavors of deep tobacco, sweet earthy leather and a mild pepper zing on the short finish. Ash held on cleanly to the 1/2 point and a slightly oily, creamy nutty flavor joined in. This stick did approach full strength by the end, building uo to a slight buzz at the nub. This proved to be a very consistent stick in all regards, like most of the Perdomo line. Total burn time to the nub was 1:10. Thank you very much to Brother of the Leaf Chaz, from Long Island, for sending this in for me to try! 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.

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!

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 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 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.