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Aug 30
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Press Release: Cohiba to Launch Limited Edition Swiss Wristwatches
Posted on Monday, August 30, 2010 in Informational
For Immediate Release
August 25, 2010
Contact: Victoria McKee Jaworski
General Cigar Co. Inc.
732 721 0317 or 732 580 5215
vmckee@gcigar.com
Cohiba to Launch Limited Edition Swiss Wristwatches
New York, NY– August 25th, 2010 – Cohiba® has partnered with luxury Swiss watchmaker Frédérique Constant to create two bespoke wristwatches exclusively for the U.S. and its territories including the U.S. Virgin Islands. The “Frédérique Constant for Cohiba Limited Edition” timepieces will be unveiled exclusively at a private VIP reception on September 22nd, 2010 at Club Macanudo in New York City.
Designed in homage to the Cohiba brand, the handcrafted Swiss wristwatches boast an ivory-colored dial with tobacco brown Roman numerals, housed in a sleek case highlighted by a hand-sewn tobacco brown Croco-calf strap.
Presented in a handsome wooden humidor box that features a crystal window to showcase the handcrafted treasures contained within, only a total of 376 individually-numbered pieces will be available. Limited to 188 pieces, the steel wristwatch will be available solely at authorized Frédérique Constant retailers for a suggested retail price of $1,650 and the rose gold-plated watch, also limited to 188 pieces, will carry an SRP of $1,750. Each humidor will contain 25 Cohiba Robusto cigars, handmade in the Dominican Republic.
Debo Mukherjee, vice president of marketing for General Cigar, parent company of Cohiba comments, “An exceptional cigar with a rich history and luxury pedigree, Cohiba has inspired a devoted following among seasoned cigar enthusiasts. Our partnership with Frédérique Constant was forged to extend the Cohiba lifestyle to discriminating connoisseurs who are as passionate about their cigars as they are about their timepieces and we are quite pleased with the way in which Frédérique Constant has honored the Cohiba brand.”
Ralph Simons, President of Frédérique Constant USA, is thrilled about this captivating partnership. “Cohiba is synonymous with the world’s finest cigars. The exceptional quality of Cohiba cigars is the result of expertise and passion. It is this same passion that drives Frédérique Constant to create handmade, luxury timepieces of contemporary, classic design and exceptional value.”
About Cohiba Cigars
True cigar connoisseurs recognize Dominican Cohiba cigars as one of the finest brands available in the U.S. market. Critically acclaimed for their meticulous construction and refined taste, the core brand of Cohiba cigars is complemented by these premium collections: Cohiba Black, Cohiba Puro Dominicana and Cohiba XV.
Cohiba cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar also produces Macanudo®, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur®, La Gloria Cubana® and several other leading premium brands. In addition, the company grows its own premium Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.
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About Frédérique Constant Genève
Frederique Constant is an independent family owned watch manufacturer based in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva. The company is involved in all stages of watch production, from initial design to final assembly and quality control. Frederique Constant watches are defined by their high quality, differentiation and precision in design and manufacture. Frederique Constant has a passion for design of beautiful watches. Their perceived value — through quality of design, materials, and manufacture — is a key component of its success. Each watch is assembled by hand and extensively controlled with latest equipment to ensure maximum quality. The company innovates to offer creativity and exceptional value. Its 3200 square meters factory in Plan-les-Ouates Geneva is ultra modern and offers the best environment for its passionate watchmakers. Production will reach 100’000 timepieces in 2010 and watches are sold in over 2500 POS around the world. More information can be found at www.frederique-constant.com.
® Cohiba, Macanudo, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, La Gloria Cubana and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Company.
Aug 29
Bucanero Canon Cubano Maduro Cigar Review
Posted on Sunday, August 29, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Bucanero Canon Cubano Maduro Cigar Review
This 5.5×60 stick offers a soft, firm satin dark chocolate wrapper with small veins, tight seams, nice double cap and a creamy tobacco aroma. First light reveals a rich smooth texture of a medium bodied slightly earthy peppery flavor. The first third continues the trend with smooth creamy textures of aged tobacco with a touch of sweetness and earth. The draw is firm, smoke output is minimal and the burn is good. I find that it smokes much better with a lot more smoke if you take two small puffs rather than the typical one long draw. It starts giving a smooth coffee flavor along with the rest in the 2nd third, hitting the 1/2 way point 45 min in. With no changes to the last third it continues all the good flavors through the rest of the stick ending at 1:15 with an inch left where it got warm for my taste. Photography by BG Pictures.
Aug 27
Press Release: PARTAGAS ‘MAN OF DISTINCTION’ CONTEST
Posted on Friday, August 27, 2010 in Informational
For Immediate Release
August 26, 2010
Contact: Victoria McKee Jaworski
General Cigar Co. Inc.
732 721 0317 or 732 580 5215
vmckee@gcigar.com
PARTAGAS ‘MAN OF DISTINCTION’ CONTEST OFFERS A CHANCE TO WIN AN ALL-EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO NAPA
Richmond, VA—Lovers of the leaf and the grape take note: The Partagas® “Man of Distinction” contest offers a chance to win an all-expense paid, four-day, three-night trip to Napa Valley to enjoy a taste of the finer things in life.
The venerable brand of Partagas® cigars will award one lucky consumer and three guests with the grand prize in the Partagas “Man of Distinction” promotion: an all-expense paid, four-day, three night trip to Napa where they will tour four boutique wineries, participate in harvesting grapes, dine on epicurean cuisine and enjoy a cooking competition followed by a gourmet meal with a celebrity chef to be announced at a later date.
Consumers of legal smoking age are encouraged to visit their favorite U.S. tobacconist between now and September 26, 2010 to purchase a specially-marked, specially-priced four-pack containing one each of the following: Partagas Naturales, Partagas Black Label Robusto, Partagas Spanish Rosado San Agustin and the bespoke Partagas Limited Reserve Decadas No. II. On the pack, consumers will find details about how they can enter the contest via brief essays expressing their desire to be named the first Partagas “Man of Distinction” and win the trip to Napa.
Consumers can also enter the promotion by visiting partagasman.com. For official rules, visit the dedicated contest website at www.partagasman.com. While perusing the contest website, consumers can also whet their appetites for the grand prize by reading up on pairing Partagas cigars with wines from across the globe.
“As one of the finest, most sophisticated premium cigar brands ever made, Partagas is entrenched in the repertoires of connoisseurs who are passionate about living the good life. We created the ‘Man of Distinction’ contest to reward one deserving consumer with a chance to embrace the lifestyle of Partagas cigars in the picturesque setting of Napa and are confident that consumers response will be extremely favorable,” commented Debo Mukherjee, vice president of marketing for General Cigar, parent company of Partagas.
The winner of the Partagas Man of Distinction contest will be selected on or before October 6, 2010 and the trip to Napa will take place from October 21 to October 24, 2010. Additional details about the Partagas Man of Distinction trip will be posted on the official contest website.
About Partagas Cigars
Since their release in the U.S. in 1978 by legendary Cuban cigar master Ramon Cifuentes, Partagas cigars have set the standard by which all premium cigars are measured. In addition to the base brand of Partagas cigars, the brand also features these collections: Partagas Black Label, Partagas Serie S, Partagas Spanish Rosado, Partagas Cifuentes, Partagas Limited Reserve Decadas, Partagas 160 Signature Series.
Partagas cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar also produces Macanudo®, Cohiba®, Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur®, La Gloria Cubana® and several other leading premium brands. In addition, the company grows its own premium Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.
® Partagas, Macanudo, Cohiba, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur, La Gloria Cubana and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.
Aug 20
Press Release: IPCPR DEBUT OF MOOCH®
Posted on Friday, August 20, 2010 in Informational
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Albert J. Argenti
August 20, 2010 (800) 815-1155
IPCPR DEBUT OF MOOCH® STRIKES CHORD WITH RETAILERS
‘Everyday’ Cigar Brand Delivers Uncompromising Value and Craftsmanship
MIAMI – Berger & Argenti Premium Cigars announced that the unveiling of its new modestly priced MOOCH® cigar brand was a smash success at the 78th annual IPCPR Convention and Trade Show held August 9-13 in New Orleans. MOOCH will be available at fine tobacconists throughout the U.S this month.
MOOCH® is a medium-bodied, rich and creamy smoking experience that, along with the Berger & Argenti CLASICO®, represents the best value in the premium long-filler cigar market. Produced with a flavorful Nicaraguan Cuban seed filler and binder crop and enveloped in a sun-grown Ecuador Connecticut Seed wrapper, MOOCH® is aimed to appeal to the ‘everyday’ cigar enthusiast with suggested retail price points ranging from $3.99 to $5.79 per cigar, offering superior value and indisputable affordability for a completely handcrafted, long filler cigar brand.
“This brand is meant to fit the budget of consumers who want to enjoy the admirable everyday pursuit of smoking premium cigars yet have to deal with harsh economic realities each time they make a purchase,” stated Albert Argenti, vice president and co-founder of Berger & Argenti, Inc. “Whether it’s the current economic climate in this country or residing in an area where the tax burden on cigars is ridiculously high, I believe MOOCH® will not only ease the burden on their wallet, but also be greatly appreciated for its exceptional flavor and craftsmanship.”
MOOCH® is available in four uniquely christened sizes: ‘Minnie’ (4 ¾”x 42 Corona); ‘Schnorr’ (5” x 50 Robusto); ‘Loll (6” x 52 Belicoso); and ‘Windbag’ (7” x 49 Churchill). Thirty (30) MOOCH® cigars are delicately packaged in perforated Spanish cedar boxes. Tobacconists may also opt to dispense MOOCH® cigars in an eye-catching, space-saving display tray.
“I wanted this fantastic new brand to have thirty cigars in a box because of the ‘mooch factor’ when entertaining friends and colleagues”, continued Argenti. “Twenty cigars were never enough. But at these price points, I suppose cigar mooches can get their own now.”
Berger & Argenti Premium Cigars is a privately-held company headquartered in Miami, Florida with agricultural and production facilities in Esteli, Nicaragua. The company serves as the exclusive manufacturer, importer and distributor of world-class, super-premium cigar brands including ENTUBAR®, ENTUBAR® QUAD MADURO, CLASICO® and MOOCH®. For more information, please call toll-free (800) 815-1155 or visit the Berger & Argenti website at www.bergerargenti.com.
Aug 20
Press Release: Berger & Argenti ENTUBAR® QUAD MADURO
Posted on Friday, August 20, 2010 in Informational
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Albert J. Argenti
August 20, 2010 (305) 644-2114
ENTUBAR® QUAD MADURO LIGHTS UP IPCPR NEW ORLEANS
MIAMI – Berger & Argenti Premium Cigars announced the debut of ENTUBAR® QUAD MADURO at the 78th IPCPR Convention and Trade Show in New Orleans, LA was an overwhelming success and enthusiastically received by retailers and consumers alike.
ENTUBAR® QUAD MADURO is a full-bodied, super-premium extension of the sensational ENTUBAR® cigar brand which was unveiled to the public a year ago at IPCPR. Like ENTUBAR®, the QUAD MADURO pays tribute to the time-honored Cuban cigar making technique known as ‘entubar’ while also establishing a revolutionary new process of manufacturing premium cigars.
Each deeply aged Nicaraguan filler leaf that comprises the ENTUBAR® QUAD MADURO blend is carefully rolled creating delicate ‘scrolls’ of rich, flavorful tobacco. This age-old method ensures open chambers of air flow from the foot to the head of the cigar. The ligero tobacco, which lends the cigar its unique full body, are bunched independently and then placed into the center of the remaining ‘entubar’ rolled filler blend. This ‘channel’ of ligero tobacco ranges the full length of the cigar and extends ¼” beyond the finished trimmed foot, creating a startlingly unique ‘fuse like’ appearance that assures a superior draw, flawless conical burn with a long white ash, and a myriad of complex flavors channeled directly onto the palate. ENTUBAR® QUAD MADURO is ‘cuadrado’ pressed Habano and comprised of all Cuban-seed Nicaraguan (viso and ligero) and Dominican (seco) fillers, a savory Nicaraguan binder, and skillfully enveloped in a rich, dark Jalapa Valley-grown Maduro wrapper crop aged eight years in seasoned oak barrels.
Due to the meticulous small batch production of ENTUBAR® QUAD MADURO, only ‘friends’ and authorized ENTUBAR® merchants in the United States will have access to the brand. ENTUBAR® QUAD MADURO is delicately packaged in rustic Spanish cedar boxes of 20 cigars and available in four (4) distinct vitolas characterized by sumptuously large ring gauges: Corona Macho (4 5/8” x 48); Robusto (5 3/8” x 54); Double Corona (7 5/8” x 54); and Torpedo (6 7/8” x 56).
Berger & Argenti Premium Cigars is a privately-held company headquartered in Miami, Florida with agricultural and production facilities in Esteli, Nicaragua. The company serves as the exclusive manufacturer, importer and distributor of world-class, super-premium cigar brands including ENTUBAR®, ENTUBAR® QUAD MADURO, CLASICO® and MOOCH®. For more information, please call toll-free (800) 815-1155 or visit the Berger & Argenti website at www.bergerargenti.com.
Aug 19
La Gloria Cubana Artesanos De Tabaqueros Cigar Review
Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
La Gloria Cubana Artesanos De Tabaqueros Cigar Review
This 6×50 stick offers dual wrappers and the band at the foot end marking the transition between the first and 2nd third with connecticut and sumatran wrappers. It has a mottled rustic apperance, with a couple large veins, several smaller and a smooth firm feel. The aroma is a slight barnyard with a smooth tobacco. First light reveals a big pepper blast with deep earth smooth aged tobacco flavors. It’s a medium-full body with a perfect draw and thick smoke with a long peppery finish. The first third brings a mild black pepper zing with smooth creamy oily smoke and smooth tobacco flavors. The ash hold on to the wrapper slit point, falling off in a big solid chunk. When the sumatra wrapper takes over you get a nice buttery leather, dropping the pepper completely and the finish get shorter and cleaner. The last two thirds continue the leather adding a touch of licorice sweetness, the smoke gets thicker and richer leaving a buttery oily mouthfeel. Thank you very much to General Cigar Company for generously sending this in for review, I greatly appreciate it! Photography by BG Pictures.
Aug 11
Royal Jamaica Oro Rojo Toro Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Royal Jamaica Oro Rojo Toro Cigar Review
This 6×52 stick offers a dark brown butter soft wrapper with a red hue, minimal veins, tight seams and a soft tobacco aroma. First light reveals a firm draw, minimal airy smoke with mild-medium flavors of an oily smooth tobacco with a slight bitterness. The first third proves to be similar with just a mild smooth aged tobacco taste with a long oily buttery finish. Burn is good but not perfect, and the draw remains firm. The 2nd third moved to more power and brought an earthy deep caramel but still mild. The finish was very deep oily and long with a touch of bitterness at points. The last third required multiple touchups and a relight, getting very warm by the band point at 1:30 where I stopped. Photography by BG Pictures.
Aug 5
Pinar Del Rio 1878 Cubano Especial Robusto Cigar Review
Posted on Thursday, August 5, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Pinar Del Rio 1878 Cubano Especial Robusto Cigar Review
This 5×52 stick offers a pig tail cap, a rich dark chocolate oily smooth wrapper with a strong barn and chocolate aroma. First light reveals a very smooth, rich and oily smoke with mild-medium bodied flavors of a slightly sweet tobacco. The 1st third produces medium bodied flavors of a rich, smooth aged tobacco with a slight general sweetness and very oily long finish. At the 1/2 way point, flavors remained the same, the ash fell off and the draw opened up to normal. Smoke output is good and the burn is perfect. 1 hour in to the band point, flavors shift slightly bringing a slight caramel and earth to the blend. Ending at 1:25 min, the last third proved to hold the same profile since the last transition. Photography by BG Pictures.
Jul 29
Victor Sinclair 10th Aniversario Toro Cigar Review
Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Victor Sinclair 10th Aniversario Toro Cigar Review
This 5.7×54 stick offers a cedar sleeve, tight firm construction, an oily dark brown soft satin wrapper with a slightly peppery tobacco aroma. First light reveals a slightly firm draw, good rich smoke production, a mild-medium body of a smooth creamy buttery tobacco smoke with a long rich finish. The first third develops with a perfect burn line to a medium bodied flavor package of a smooth rich tobacco with a touch of cedar wood and caramel sweetness. The draw flavors finish quickly and change to a black pepper and spice kick on the longer finish sensations. The 2nd third carries the same experience, holding the ash to almost 2″. The last third ends at the band point getting very warm and slightly mushy, bringing a generic nutty flavor to the end at the 1:25 mark. Photography by BG Pictures.
Jul 20
Tatuaje Black Tubos Cigar Review
Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Tatuaje Black Tubos Cigar Review
This 6×52 torpedo stick comes packaged in an aluminum tube and cedar wrap. It offers a dark chocolate wrapper with a slight red hue, a satin texture with very slight tooth, tight seams, minimal veins and a slight barnyard aroma. After toasting the closed foot and adjusting the head cut, the draw was perfect, smoke output was great and the flavors were dominated by a medium-full bodied smooth, rich pepper and spice. The first third develops to a light and airy leather with a deeper earthy pepper and spice, though not as intense as the first light. Smoke output is good with smooth rich smoke. Burn is ok, needing a touchup. The draw gets a bit snug and I clipped the head one more time. 30 minutes in at the 1/2 way point flavors have mellowed to a smooth creamy medium bodied smoke with a slight sweetness, earthy oily finish and good bit of pepper & spice. It is requiring a slight touchup every 10 min or so to prevent tunneling. Ending at 1 hour, the last third continues the same experience since the 1/2 mark, ending with a bit of power punch. Photography by BG Pictures.
Jul 19
Press Release: GENERAL CIGAR TO CELEBRATE ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Posted on Monday, July 19, 2010 in Informational
For Immediate Release
July 19, 2010
Contact: Victoria McKee Jaworski
General Cigar Co. Inc.
732 721 0317 or 732 580 5215
vmckee@gcigar.com
GENERAL CIGAR TO CELEBRATE ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
National Cigar Event Series to Kick Off in July
Richmond, VA—General Cigar will commemorate its golden anniversary with a ten-city tour that will hit chic, cigar-friendly venues across the U.S. beginning on July 27 at Chicago’s swanky Vertigo Lounge in the Dana Hotel, and ending on November 11 at the legendary Foundation Room in Las Vegas. The complete event schedule appears on the General Cigar 50th anniversary website www.cigarcelebration.com.
At each event, General Cigar will welcome tenured cigar enthusiasts and fellow connoisseurs drawn to the lure of handcrafted cigars to celebrate the company’s past 50 years of artistry in cultivating venerable brands such as Macanudo®, Punch®, Partagas®, Hoyo de Monterrey® and La Gloria Cubana®.
Benji Menendez, the legendary cigar master who recently celebrated his 58th year in the premium cigar business will be on hand to regale event attendees with glorious stories spanning five decades of tobacco cultivation across Latin America, South America, the Caribbean and the U.S. Emerging cigar masters Michael Giannini and Rick Rodriguez and other key General Cigar staff will also be present to pair a selection of the company’s new and critically-acclaimed cigars with fine wines, spirits and hors d’oeuvres.
Debo Mukherjee, vice president of marketing for General Cigar comments, “At General Cigar, we take great pride in our heritage and our unparalleled tobacco expertise. We developed this event series to celebrate the people whose passion and mastery have made General Cigar one of the world’s foremost producers of premium cigars. Invited guests will not only have a chance to experience the premium cigar lifestyle in a connoisseur’s setting, but will also have a rare opportunity to learn about tobacco cultivation and blending from Benji Menendez, our cigar sage, and from the emerging cigar masters who will take our company into the next half century.”
General Cigar Co. Inc. manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar also produces Macanudo, Cohiba®, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, Excalibur®, La Gloria Cubana and several other leading premium brands. In addition, the company grows its own premium Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.
® Macanudo, Punch, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey, La Gloria Cubana, Cohiba, Excalibur and Club Macanudo are registered trademarks of General Cigar Co. Inc.
Jul 16
Corona Cigar Company Dominican Selection Churchill Cigar Review
Posted on Friday, July 16, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Corona Cigar Company Dominican Selection Churchill Cigar Review
This 7×50 stick comes in with a light tan smooth wrapper with the feel of paper. Minimal veins, invisible seams and a double cap button it up, with an almost imperceptible aroma. First light reveals plenty of rich smoke production, a perfect draw and a mild-medium body of a dry bitter tobacco. The first third brings a mild leather and earth with a short finish. Smoke production is still great as is the draw. The burn is very good and the ash is holding on well. 45 min in at the 1/2 way point the experience is exactly the same. By the start of the last third flavors shifted to a slightly bitter nut and the smoke temp started rising. Finishing at 1:20 the stick proved to be a very nice fairly consistent mild stick, good for a morning smoke! Thank you very much to Corona Cigar Company for sending this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.
Jul 14
Joyas De Panama Torpedo Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Joyas De Panama Torpedo Cigar Review
This 6.5×53 stick offers a medium brown dry wrapper with tight seams, a smooth firm feel and minimal veins with a slight barnyard aroma. First light reveals very smooth and creamy slightly sweet tobacco, a perfect draw and plenty of rich smoke. The first third ups the smoke production to a medium bodied thick and rich smoke, with very smooth creamy earthy and tabacco flavors with a long smooth finish. 25 min in at the 1/2 way point the only change is the sweetness bringing a slight licorice flavor. The burn is almost razor sharp and the ash is holding a solid 2″ at a time. 45 min in just past the band, the last third holds the same draw flavors adding an earthy finish that gets a bit longer than the start of the stick. Thank you very much to Joyas De Panama for sending this sample for review, I greatly appreciate it! Photography by BG Pictures.
Jul 9
Cuban Crafters Cupido Tuxedo Churchill Maduro Cigar Review
Posted on Friday, July 9, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Cuban Crafters Cupido Tuxedo Churchill Maduro Cigar Review
This 7×52 stick offers a dark chocolate wrapper with tight seams, minimal veins, a firm very dense pack and an oily sweet aroma. First light reveals a great draw, minimal but rich smoke production with flavors of a medium bodied smooth an oily sweet tobacco with a short earthy finish. The first third develops to a medium body of smooth leather, oily slightly sweet caramel and a short clean oily finish. Smoke output is normal, draw remains good, and the burn is almost razor sharp. 40 min in almost to the 1/2 way point, flavors have turned very rich and creamy giving nice desert like tastes. The leather died down and the overall experience is lighter than the first third. The caramel is pronounced like a creme broule and the finish is oily and short with just a hint of pepper. The end of the 2nd third brought a rich earth and a longer finish. The last third continued the same flavor profile, ending the smoke at 1:45 to the nub where it started getting warm for my taste. Thank you very much to Cuban Crafters for sending this sample for review, I greatly appreciate it! Photography by BG Pictures.
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.
Jun 30
J.C. Newman Brickhouse Robusto Cigar Review
Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
J.C. Newman Brickhouse Robusto Cigar Review
This 5×54 stick offers a mottled dark chocolate wrapper with smooth but visible small and medium viens, a soft satin feel and slightly peppery smooth tobacco aroma. First light reveals a firm draw, adequate smoke production and medium body flavors of an oily smooth tobacco with a slight pepper kick. The first third develops in to a fairly simple mix of flavors similar to the first light. The draw did open up slightly making for easier smoke production, and a slight sweetness joined the game. Burn is perfect, almost razor sharp, flavors are easy to pick out and the finish is long and smooth with a touch of earth. The 2nd third shows no changes, being 100% consistent throughout. Ending at 1:15, the entire stick proved to be very consistent with the same flavors and great burn qualities throughout. At only a few dollars a stick this is a great stick for anyone looking for a good smoking simple stick. I did find that it needs several months of time, as every sample I had fresh at a cigar shop was very sub-par compared to this. Photography by BG Pictures.
Jun 18
Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Epicure Cigar Review
Posted on Friday, June 18, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Epicure Cigar Review
This 5.25×50 stick offers a firm slightly toothy golden brown wrapper with minimal veins tight seams and a double cap with a rich peppery tobacco aroma. First light reveals rich oily tobacco flavors with a good pepper kick, medium-full body and a long finish. The first third is creamy, rich, oily, holding the pepper and tobacco with a undertone of vanilla at points. The 2nd third mellows a bit losing a touch of power and body but keeping the oily richness. Flavors are a slightly peppery smooth tobacco with a long finish, perfect construction and 1″ ash chunks. The last third produces much of the same flavors, continuing the same great performance. Ending at 1:30 with over an inch left, it was just getting too warm for my taste. Photography by BG Pictures.
Jun 15
Corona Nicaraguan Robusto Maduro Cigar Review
Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 in Cigar Reviews
Corona Nicaraguan Robusto Maduro Cigar Review
This 5×50 stick offers a very dark almost black wrapper, showing a firm but lumpy handrolled appearance with small and medium veins, double cap and rich creamy aroma. First light reveals a very thick rich smoke with flavors of a slightly sweet earth, medium-full body, an oily and mildly peppery finish and a perfect draw. The first third is complex with rich cream, smooth sweet tobacco, pepper on the finish and an oily after taste. The 2nd third transitions to a creamy sweet leather and cinnamon, keeping the rich oil and growing the finish. The last third changes to a smooth deep earth with more of the same great oily creamy richness, dropping the pepper. Thank you very much to Corona Cigar Company for donating this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.