AVO no. 2 maduro
$25/5-pack, Size:6" , Ring:50
USA Connecticut maduro wrapper, Dominican binder and fillers.
At a smoky gathering, just after Christmas, one of the guys was talking up Avo cigars. I had heard that Avo Uvezian had his cigars manufactured by Hendrick Kelner, whose cigars I have previously enjoyed, and figured it was worth pursuing a sample. I went to $25 for a 5 pack on CBid, which is a little beyond my usual ceiling, but I hoped it would be worthwhile.
The wrapper on the cigar I smoked tonight had some serious veins, and was toothier than a piranha. If the AVO label wasn't on the band, the rough appearance would have made it look like a $2 bundle cigar. Aroma from the wrapper was light and nutty, and while wetting the cap, I noticed that it wasn't markedly sweet.
Post-punch, the draw had a moderate amount of resistance, and though at the 3/4 mark, the draw felt constricted, a little massaging around the cap brought it back around. The burn line was mostly straight, with an inch and a half of silvery ash trailing behind it.
All the way through, the flavors were smooth and buttery, with a mild nut flavor at to start. The mild nut got stronger, and a little darker, as I cruised through the third inch, tasting like roasted hazelnuts. A mild, sweet pepper flavor came in at the last third, and finished spicy at the end. While not terribly complex, the flavors were pleasant and meshed nicely. I'd say that overall, the cigar was on the mild side of medium bodied.
If it were a blind taste test, and with my limited experience, I'd say this was a Kelner blend, from the moderate body to the gradually ramping spice near the end. All in all, a good smoke for a decent price, though if I had to pay $7 or $8, for this cigar, I'd feel a bit let down. I look forward to sampling more of Avo's lines, as budget will allow.
Showing posts with label Stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stars. Show all posts
Friday, January 25, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente Maduro
Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente maduro
$6 single (B&M), Size: 4.5", Ring:54
USA Connecticut wrapper, Dominican binder and fillers.
In searching out other cigar shops in town, I found a joint that's mainly a liquor store with a walk-in humidor. They sold mostly A. Fuente, Macanudo, and Acid by Drew Estate cigars, so I picked up a couple Fuente rothschilds and this Chateau Fuente. While I may have paid a little too much, I like to support the locals who bother stocking decent cigars. In quantity, you can get these cigars for between $3 and $4.
The Chateau Fuente was a nicely presented cigar, sporting a cedar sleeve, bound with green ribbon, and a particularly attractive maduro wrapper. Speaking of wrapper, this one was toothy, medium chocolate-colored with mild veins. As I was wetting the cap, I noticed that this wrapper was noticeably sweet. Was the cap sweetened?
The cigar seemed firm and well packed, and after punching, the draw seemed nicely balanced. Everything about this cigar screamed quality.
As for the burning part, despite a day in the drybox, this cigar burned a bit wobby, but never too severely. A silvery ash, with some dark spots, held for an inch and a half.
In addition to a classy presentation, this cigar tasted great as well. Right away, smooth and substantial flavors of sweet cedar and toasted nut were present, and stayed fairly constant to the end. A sweet, white pepper flavor started lingering on the palate after the first inch, and then flexed its muscles in the last inch.
There was a noticeable nicotine buzz afterwards, which caught me unawares. I hadn't eaten in a while before smoking, and felt the nicotine crest about 15 minutes after smoking. This is definitely an after meal cigar.
Overall, this was a high-quality, medium bodied cigar that smoked sweet and had punch. I'm all for getting a couple more for the humidor.
Update: I was able to score a 5-pack of Chateau Fuente Maduros on CBid for $17 + shipping, which would put the price about $4 each. Happy smoking.
$6 single (B&M), Size: 4.5", Ring:54
USA Connecticut wrapper, Dominican binder and fillers.
In searching out other cigar shops in town, I found a joint that's mainly a liquor store with a walk-in humidor. They sold mostly A. Fuente, Macanudo, and Acid by Drew Estate cigars, so I picked up a couple Fuente rothschilds and this Chateau Fuente. While I may have paid a little too much, I like to support the locals who bother stocking decent cigars. In quantity, you can get these cigars for between $3 and $4.
The Chateau Fuente was a nicely presented cigar, sporting a cedar sleeve, bound with green ribbon, and a particularly attractive maduro wrapper. Speaking of wrapper, this one was toothy, medium chocolate-colored with mild veins. As I was wetting the cap, I noticed that this wrapper was noticeably sweet. Was the cap sweetened?
The cigar seemed firm and well packed, and after punching, the draw seemed nicely balanced. Everything about this cigar screamed quality.
As for the burning part, despite a day in the drybox, this cigar burned a bit wobby, but never too severely. A silvery ash, with some dark spots, held for an inch and a half.
In addition to a classy presentation, this cigar tasted great as well. Right away, smooth and substantial flavors of sweet cedar and toasted nut were present, and stayed fairly constant to the end. A sweet, white pepper flavor started lingering on the palate after the first inch, and then flexed its muscles in the last inch.
There was a noticeable nicotine buzz afterwards, which caught me unawares. I hadn't eaten in a while before smoking, and felt the nicotine crest about 15 minutes after smoking. This is definitely an after meal cigar.
Overall, this was a high-quality, medium bodied cigar that smoked sweet and had punch. I'm all for getting a couple more for the humidor.
Update: I was able to score a 5-pack of Chateau Fuente Maduros on CBid for $17 + shipping, which would put the price about $4 each. Happy smoking.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Carlos Toraño Casa Toraño
Carlos Toraño Casa Toraño robusto
$5.00, Size: 5", Ring: 50
Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Honduran, Nicaraguan and mixed Central American tobacco fillers.
A popular internet cigar dealer recently had a special deal on a Toraño sampler, so an associate and I jumped on the deal. Really, better than a horse's head in your bed, 20 Toraño cigars for only $56 is an offer too good to refuse.
So, I took my share of the booty, put most of the cigars in my top-shelf humidor. I threw this Casa Toraño robusto into the dry box to smoke as soon as I wanted.
Overall, the construction of the cigar was nigh flawless. The wrapper was a pale gold, smooth, slightly oily, and with few distracting veins. Squeezing the cigar yielded the impression of a substantial amount of tobacco, well rolled, and the draw was easy without being too loose. While smoking, the cigar burned straight and true, with a silvery ash clinging for over an inch. It was an effortless smoke.
The flavors were smooth, mild and pleasant, of toast and nuts. Midway, a mild, white pepper flavor came in, and got stronger near the tingly finish. The smoke itself was generous and creamy.
Sure, you can get mild cigars that may cost half of what you'd pay for a Casa Toraño, but you won't get the quality. Though I'm more partial to maduro cigars with a little more body, this cigar was a pleasure to smoke. And after all, isn't that why we do it?
Cigar Jack tackled the Casa Toraño robusto in May 2007, and found it pleasant as well.
$5.00, Size: 5", Ring: 50
Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Honduran, Nicaraguan and mixed Central American tobacco fillers.
A popular internet cigar dealer recently had a special deal on a Toraño sampler, so an associate and I jumped on the deal. Really, better than a horse's head in your bed, 20 Toraño cigars for only $56 is an offer too good to refuse.
So, I took my share of the booty, put most of the cigars in my top-shelf humidor. I threw this Casa Toraño robusto into the dry box to smoke as soon as I wanted.
Overall, the construction of the cigar was nigh flawless. The wrapper was a pale gold, smooth, slightly oily, and with few distracting veins. Squeezing the cigar yielded the impression of a substantial amount of tobacco, well rolled, and the draw was easy without being too loose. While smoking, the cigar burned straight and true, with a silvery ash clinging for over an inch. It was an effortless smoke.
The flavors were smooth, mild and pleasant, of toast and nuts. Midway, a mild, white pepper flavor came in, and got stronger near the tingly finish. The smoke itself was generous and creamy.
Sure, you can get mild cigars that may cost half of what you'd pay for a Casa Toraño, but you won't get the quality. Though I'm more partial to maduro cigars with a little more body, this cigar was a pleasure to smoke. And after all, isn't that why we do it?
Cigar Jack tackled the Casa Toraño robusto in May 2007, and found it pleasant as well.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Padrón 2000 Maduro
Padrón 2000 maduro robusto
$3.50 single (B&M), Size: 5", Ring: 50
puro Nicaraguan wrapper, binder, and filler
Continuing my trek through Nicaraguan cigars, the Padrón name looms large before me. Still focused on the economical cigar, I found the Padrón 2000 to fit the bill (no pun intended). The 2000 is likely rolled at Padrón's facilities in Esteli, Nicaragua, from puro, sun-grown, cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobacco.
The maduro wrapper was fairly dry and toothy, with minor veins and a rough-hewn looking cap. The wrapper leaves weren't too carefully matched for color, as the leaves nearest the cap formed a bit of the 'barber pole' look that's lately come into vogue. Still, despite its unrefined look, the 2000 was fairly well constructed: the cigar was well packed, draw was easy, and the burn relatively straight. A mottled grey ash extended almost 2 inches past the burn line.
Before lighting, the wrapper gives a light leather aroma, with a cold draw bringing the same flavor. Once smoldering has commenced, the dominant flavor is an almost medium bodied leather taste, with an overtone of sweet hay. After the first couple inches, a mild peppery flavor appears, but never gets particularly spicy. The leather and hay flavors linger a bit on the palate for a medium finish.
The 2000 is a moderate cigar with fairly standard Nicaraguan flavors. Inoffensive, but nothing to jump up and down about either, unless you'd been smoking even cheaper Nicaraguan cigars (like a Tierra Del Sol). Cigar Command likes it though, and I never argue with a Marine when I can avoid it.
$3.50 single (B&M), Size: 5", Ring: 50
puro Nicaraguan wrapper, binder, and filler
Continuing my trek through Nicaraguan cigars, the Padrón name looms large before me. Still focused on the economical cigar, I found the Padrón 2000 to fit the bill (no pun intended). The 2000 is likely rolled at Padrón's facilities in Esteli, Nicaragua, from puro, sun-grown, cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobacco.
The maduro wrapper was fairly dry and toothy, with minor veins and a rough-hewn looking cap. The wrapper leaves weren't too carefully matched for color, as the leaves nearest the cap formed a bit of the 'barber pole' look that's lately come into vogue. Still, despite its unrefined look, the 2000 was fairly well constructed: the cigar was well packed, draw was easy, and the burn relatively straight. A mottled grey ash extended almost 2 inches past the burn line.
Before lighting, the wrapper gives a light leather aroma, with a cold draw bringing the same flavor. Once smoldering has commenced, the dominant flavor is an almost medium bodied leather taste, with an overtone of sweet hay. After the first couple inches, a mild peppery flavor appears, but never gets particularly spicy. The leather and hay flavors linger a bit on the palate for a medium finish.
The 2000 is a moderate cigar with fairly standard Nicaraguan flavors. Inoffensive, but nothing to jump up and down about either, unless you'd been smoking even cheaper Nicaraguan cigars (like a Tierra Del Sol). Cigar Command likes it though, and I never argue with a Marine when I can avoid it.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Carlos Toraño Signature Collection
Carlos Toraño Signature Collection robusto
$5.50 single, Size: 5", Ring: 52
Brazilian maduro wrapper, USA Connecticut binder, Dominican and Nicaraguan ligero fillers
Once in a while, you just fall into good fortune, despite your best efforts. I fell into this fine cigar on Christmas Eve, and thought I'd save it for my New Years Eve smoke. Hat's off to my generous colleague, Uncle Booga.
Toraño's Signature Collection has a sun-grown Brazilian wrapper, and Dominican and Nicaraguan ligero fillers wrapped in a broadleaf binder. With the Toraño band and a cedar sleeve, this cigar looks and feels classy.
The Brazilian wrapper's a lovely chocolate brown and looks a bit rough, showing some sharp veins and a toothy feel. After punching, the smooth draw confirms the look and feel that this cigar is well-stuffed with tobacco. A solid, white ash held for two inches before the initial drop, and over an inch afterwards. This robusto took a bit over an hour to smoke.
After toasting the foot, I was greeted with rich plumes of smoke with a mild, sweet cedar and leather flavors. Once the first inch was past, the flavor became a little stronger, nearer medium-bodied, and stayed there for the rest of the smoke. Halfway, a light spice appears on the palate for a medium finish. I had the impression that this cigar had been aged well, with nicely rounded flavors that belie the ligero tobaccos used in the filler.
The Signature Collection robusto is a nicely balanced, mild to medium cigar that should entertain all but the fussiest cigar enthusiasts.
Cigar Jack smoked a Signature Collection Perfecto in May 2007.
$5.50 single, Size: 5", Ring: 52
Brazilian maduro wrapper, USA Connecticut binder, Dominican and Nicaraguan ligero fillers
Once in a while, you just fall into good fortune, despite your best efforts. I fell into this fine cigar on Christmas Eve, and thought I'd save it for my New Years Eve smoke. Hat's off to my generous colleague, Uncle Booga.
Toraño's Signature Collection has a sun-grown Brazilian wrapper, and Dominican and Nicaraguan ligero fillers wrapped in a broadleaf binder. With the Toraño band and a cedar sleeve, this cigar looks and feels classy.
The Brazilian wrapper's a lovely chocolate brown and looks a bit rough, showing some sharp veins and a toothy feel. After punching, the smooth draw confirms the look and feel that this cigar is well-stuffed with tobacco. A solid, white ash held for two inches before the initial drop, and over an inch afterwards. This robusto took a bit over an hour to smoke.
After toasting the foot, I was greeted with rich plumes of smoke with a mild, sweet cedar and leather flavors. Once the first inch was past, the flavor became a little stronger, nearer medium-bodied, and stayed there for the rest of the smoke. Halfway, a light spice appears on the palate for a medium finish. I had the impression that this cigar had been aged well, with nicely rounded flavors that belie the ligero tobaccos used in the filler.
The Signature Collection robusto is a nicely balanced, mild to medium cigar that should entertain all but the fussiest cigar enthusiasts.
Cigar Jack smoked a Signature Collection Perfecto in May 2007.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Gurkha Grand Age
Gurkha Grand Age perfecto
$3 (CBid), Size: 6", Ring: 60
Cameroon wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, Nicaraguan and Peruvian fillers
The Grand Age is proclaimed as Gurkha's first cigar with a Cameroon wrapper, and this wrapper's a beauty: Dark, glossy, and some veins, with an aroma of wood and coffee. While smoking, the burn needed fixing a couple times, but the ash was solid and silvery, dropping after 2 inches. The smoke was thick and lush.
The cigar sprang to life immediately, with warm and spicy wood flavors at the start, similar to a Cusano CC. After the first inch, a leathery undertone arrived and stayed for the rest of the smoke. Hints of roast red peppers came in mid-cigar, then mellowed again to the basic wood-leather flavor (similar to an Indian Tabac Cameroon Legend). The last third brought a spicy ligero flavor to the fore. This was a tasty cigar.
Alas, there were some problems from the outset, mainly dealing with the aforementioned Cameroon wrapper. My cigar was split near the cap before cutting, and the problems got worse. After cutting, a section of wrapper, near the cap, split off, leaving the binder showing. I was able to position my lips enough while drawing on the cigar to alleviate some of the problems.
Then, one-third into the cigar, the wrapper started splitting and flaking in other areas. I tried to moisten the wrapper more around those areas to keep the wrapper from completely flaking off. As the smoke went on, the cigar's wrapper gradually deteriorated, splitting and cracking, until, in the final third, I had sizable fissures in the cigar, enough to kill the draw and end the smoke. I had to give it up almost an inch earlier than I would have liked.
Sometimes, bad things happen to good cigars. It's doubly hard when it happens to an expensive cigar, even if you get it cheap. It may have been comical to watch me struggle to keep this cigar together long enough to smoke it, but the flavors were well worth the effort. I'd love to try this one again, if it will have me.
Update, 1/13/08 : The next Grand Age I smoked was fine, construction-wise. I believe the difference was dry-boxing it for a couple days prior to smoking. And it was still delicious!
Velvet Cigar smoked a Grand Age in May 2007.
$3 (CBid), Size: 6", Ring: 60
Cameroon wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, Nicaraguan and Peruvian fillers
The Grand Age is proclaimed as Gurkha's first cigar with a Cameroon wrapper, and this wrapper's a beauty: Dark, glossy, and some veins, with an aroma of wood and coffee. While smoking, the burn needed fixing a couple times, but the ash was solid and silvery, dropping after 2 inches. The smoke was thick and lush.
The cigar sprang to life immediately, with warm and spicy wood flavors at the start, similar to a Cusano CC. After the first inch, a leathery undertone arrived and stayed for the rest of the smoke. Hints of roast red peppers came in mid-cigar, then mellowed again to the basic wood-leather flavor (similar to an Indian Tabac Cameroon Legend). The last third brought a spicy ligero flavor to the fore. This was a tasty cigar.
Alas, there were some problems from the outset, mainly dealing with the aforementioned Cameroon wrapper. My cigar was split near the cap before cutting, and the problems got worse. After cutting, a section of wrapper, near the cap, split off, leaving the binder showing. I was able to position my lips enough while drawing on the cigar to alleviate some of the problems.
Then, one-third into the cigar, the wrapper started splitting and flaking in other areas. I tried to moisten the wrapper more around those areas to keep the wrapper from completely flaking off. As the smoke went on, the cigar's wrapper gradually deteriorated, splitting and cracking, until, in the final third, I had sizable fissures in the cigar, enough to kill the draw and end the smoke. I had to give it up almost an inch earlier than I would have liked.
Sometimes, bad things happen to good cigars. It's doubly hard when it happens to an expensive cigar, even if you get it cheap. It may have been comical to watch me struggle to keep this cigar together long enough to smoke it, but the flavors were well worth the effort. I'd love to try this one again, if it will have me.
Update, 1/13/08 : The next Grand Age I smoked was fine, construction-wise. I believe the difference was dry-boxing it for a couple days prior to smoking. And it was still delicious!
Velvet Cigar smoked a Grand Age in May 2007.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Maduro
Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 maduro toro
$15/ 5 pk., Size: 6.5", Ring 52
Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, Nicaraguan and Dominican filler
When you say the name "Rocky" to someone, a variety of images can be conjured. A crook-nosed boxer. A cartoon flying squirrel. But to a cigar smoker, "Rocky" evokes a masterful tobacco blender.
The Vintage 1992 is a box-pressed cigar, sporting a 10-year old jacket of sun-grown Ecuadorian Sumatra tobacco and some well-aged Nicaraguan binder and filler. This cigar has been around a while, so if they've been taken care of, they should be mellow and flavorful. I got a 5 pack from CBid and was a bit surprised: three were a nice chocolate brown, while the other two were much darker. Being partial to maduro cigars, I went with the darker of the cigars.
The wrapper is a dark brown, almost oscuro, with subtle veining and smooth, almost oily. The cap on mine complained about the punch, causing some flaking which spread to all three layers of cap. Once lit, the burn occasionally got warbled to the point of needing some extra torching. Still, the white ash held for two inches, then fell solid like a discarded cork. Drawing through the cigar is nicely balanced, indicating a good job of rolling the filler.
Onto the smoking bit, the flavor was mild to medium, starting with a smooth leather with dark wood notes. I could taste a distinctive tone of the Nicaraguan tobacco used. The wood note subsides mid-cigar, to be replaced by a sweet spice finish at the back of the palate. The smoke was not thin, but it wasn't particularly full either.
While not quite as full or rich as the Indian Tabac Cameroon Legend, this is still a great cigar. Chalk up another knockout for Rocky.
Cigar Jack smoked a Vintage 1992 robusto back in October '07.
$15/ 5 pk., Size: 6.5", Ring 52
Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, Nicaraguan and Dominican filler
When you say the name "Rocky" to someone, a variety of images can be conjured. A crook-nosed boxer. A cartoon flying squirrel. But to a cigar smoker, "Rocky" evokes a masterful tobacco blender.
The Vintage 1992 is a box-pressed cigar, sporting a 10-year old jacket of sun-grown Ecuadorian Sumatra tobacco and some well-aged Nicaraguan binder and filler. This cigar has been around a while, so if they've been taken care of, they should be mellow and flavorful. I got a 5 pack from CBid and was a bit surprised: three were a nice chocolate brown, while the other two were much darker. Being partial to maduro cigars, I went with the darker of the cigars.
The wrapper is a dark brown, almost oscuro, with subtle veining and smooth, almost oily. The cap on mine complained about the punch, causing some flaking which spread to all three layers of cap. Once lit, the burn occasionally got warbled to the point of needing some extra torching. Still, the white ash held for two inches, then fell solid like a discarded cork. Drawing through the cigar is nicely balanced, indicating a good job of rolling the filler.
Onto the smoking bit, the flavor was mild to medium, starting with a smooth leather with dark wood notes. I could taste a distinctive tone of the Nicaraguan tobacco used. The wood note subsides mid-cigar, to be replaced by a sweet spice finish at the back of the palate. The smoke was not thin, but it wasn't particularly full either.
While not quite as full or rich as the Indian Tabac Cameroon Legend, this is still a great cigar. Chalk up another knockout for Rocky.
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Cigar Jack smoked a Vintage 1992 robusto back in October '07.
Monday, December 10, 2007
La Gloria Cubana (D.R.) Maduro
La Gloria Cubana (D.R.)Corona Gorda maduro toro
$5.40 (single, B&M), Size: 6", Ring: 52
Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers
Sometimes, you get what you pay for, and this cigar is worth every red cent. This cigar is made in the Dominican Republic by El Credito Cigar Co.
The cigar was very dense feeling, with the thick maduro wrapper yielding slightly. They didn't skimp on the tobacco at all. After cutting the cap, the draw was a bit tight, which was alleviated somewhat by occasional massaging around the band and at the cap area. It took about 90 minutes to smoke, which may be due to the tight draw, but then again, I'm never in a big hurry either.
First third was smooth from the start, with hearty cedar and leather flavors. The ash was starkly white, and dropped about two inches into the smoke. When the ash dropped, it fell 4 feet down into an empty box, where it stood, solid, like a rook on a chess board. Not bad, eh?
The second third introduced a light peppery finish, with the cedar and leather flavors getting slightly stronger. The burn was getting a little sloppy at this point, and needed a bit of touch-up. The final lap got stronger and more peppery, and I noticed the nicotine working on my midsection a bit (good thing I had dinner). Do not smoke this cigar on an empty stomach, unless you've got a hard head for nicotine.
While costing a little more than my usual range in singles, you can get these cigars en masse for $3 each. This La Gloria Cubana is a very robust and enjoyable smoke.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Indian Tabac Cameroon Legend Maduro
Indian Tabac Cameroon Legend Toro Grande maduro
$12/5 pk., Size: 6", Ring:54
Brazilian maduro wrapper, Dominican binder, Dominican long filler
The Cameroon Legend maduro is dark. How dark you may ask? Dark enough to start bending light around it. And it's thick, too. My order arrived from CI today, and I just couldn't wait to toast this dark beauty. The wrapper is dark, and fairly smooth, with small veins.
The pre-light sniff announced a hearty leather aroma with a touch of cocoa. After a gentle punch through the cap, it was time to toast it. The taste was fairly consistent, starting out with a smooth, creamy leather flavor, with some roasted nut and mild spice making veiled cameos in the middle. The smoke was rich and smooth, without a hint of bitterness.
The draw was nicely balanced to take advantage of both the length and thickness of the cigar. The ash was dove-gray and a bit peely, but held for almost 2 inches. The burn was a bit ragged, with a tendency to tunnel, but I'd chalk that up to my impatience in smoking the cigar 12 hours after the postman delivered it. After a few weeks in the 'dor, it'll prolly burn razor-straight.
By the way, if you're going to smoke the Toro Grande, clear your schedule and pack a lunch: This cigar will take you an hour and a half, easy. Of course, it is an hour and a half of good cigar, so make the time.
Stogie Review smoked the Cameroon-wrapped version in June 2007.
$12/5 pk., Size: 6", Ring:54
Brazilian maduro wrapper, Dominican binder, Dominican long filler
The Cameroon Legend maduro is dark. How dark you may ask? Dark enough to start bending light around it. And it's thick, too. My order arrived from CI today, and I just couldn't wait to toast this dark beauty. The wrapper is dark, and fairly smooth, with small veins.
The pre-light sniff announced a hearty leather aroma with a touch of cocoa. After a gentle punch through the cap, it was time to toast it. The taste was fairly consistent, starting out with a smooth, creamy leather flavor, with some roasted nut and mild spice making veiled cameos in the middle. The smoke was rich and smooth, without a hint of bitterness.
The draw was nicely balanced to take advantage of both the length and thickness of the cigar. The ash was dove-gray and a bit peely, but held for almost 2 inches. The burn was a bit ragged, with a tendency to tunnel, but I'd chalk that up to my impatience in smoking the cigar 12 hours after the postman delivered it. After a few weeks in the 'dor, it'll prolly burn razor-straight.
By the way, if you're going to smoke the Toro Grande, clear your schedule and pack a lunch: This cigar will take you an hour and a half, easy. Of course, it is an hour and a half of good cigar, so make the time.
Stogie Review smoked the Cameroon-wrapped version in June 2007.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Cusano CC
Cusano CC robusto
$3.50 , Size: 5", Ring: 50
Equadorian Sumatra wrapper, Dominican filler
This is a good, solid example of a cigar: Well made, easy draw, and good flavor. The CC has a smooth, medium wood/cedar taste, with a faintly peppery finish. It never gets overtly spicy, and consistently maintains it's flavor from foot to band. While a shade darker than a Connecticut wrapper, the CC's wrapper has a full-bodied flavor of its own. It reminds me of a Monticristi Cohiba (Dominican).
Cusano, with the assistance of Henke Kelner, is making some nice bundle cigars. They're as good as many in boxes, and are a good smoke for the price. There's a spot in my humidor for these.
$3.50 , Size: 5", Ring: 50
Equadorian Sumatra wrapper, Dominican filler
This is a good, solid example of a cigar: Well made, easy draw, and good flavor. The CC has a smooth, medium wood/cedar taste, with a faintly peppery finish. It never gets overtly spicy, and consistently maintains it's flavor from foot to band. While a shade darker than a Connecticut wrapper, the CC's wrapper has a full-bodied flavor of its own. It reminds me of a Monticristi Cohiba (Dominican).
Cusano, with the assistance of Henke Kelner, is making some nice bundle cigars. They're as good as many in boxes, and are a good smoke for the price. There's a spot in my humidor for these.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Occidental Reserve Double Broadleaf
| Occidental Reserve Double Broadleaf robusto $2.75, Size: 5", Ring: 50 Maduro Ecuador-Grown Broadleaf wrapper, U.S.A. Connecticut Broadleaf binder, Piloto, San Vicente and Peruvian fillers |  |
Wow. Okay, the review's over, isn't it? Occidental Reserve Double Broadleaf is is a gem of a cigar, made in Henke Kelner's D.R. facility, and distributed by Alec Bradley. Bradley sells higher shelf cigars than this, and the Double Broadleaf is a great cigar for the money.
The wrapper's a rich, deep maduro that's got the slightest oil sheen. Smelling the wrapper presents one with a nice aroma of cocoa and oak. Despite it's dark look, this cigar smokes smoothly, but not too heavily. The wood/cedar flavor starts mild but gets increasingly spicy in the last third, with a peppery finish by the time you smoke down to the bands. It's like a spicy 'bon voyage' that makes you eager to return.
It was a great complement to the coffee I was drinking at the time, and I've stocked a few in the humidor.
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