Indian Tabac Maduro Tomahawk

Indian Tabac Maduro Tomahawk
$10/ 5 Pack, Size: 6", Ring: 52
Connecticut maduro broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, Nicaraguan, Costa Rican and Honduran fillers

Indian Tabac did maduro as dark as other cigar makers' oscuro, and this Tomahawk was no exception. The Connecticut wrapper was a deep brown, with a smooth, matte surface and inconspicuous veins. It looked like a fine Italian leather jacket. It also smelled like a fine Italian leather jacket, with a chocolate bar in one of the pockets.

To a pinch, the body felt very solid, and the draw was mildly restrained. As smoking commenced, the cigar burned irregularly, needing a couple touch-up torch sessions before the midpoint. The draw tightened up at that point, but was relieved by some gentle massaging along the length of the cigar. Ash was light grey, and held for at least an inch, but I had to ash prior to cleaning up the burn, so I don't know how long it would have held.

A cold draw summoned sweet leather and cocoa flavors, echoing the aroma of the wrapper. The cigar started with a mild leather flavor, with a slight note of hay. I wasn't quite impressed. Yet.

After the first inch, the hay overtone disappeared, and was replaced by a woody cedar taste. By the middle of the cigar, the medium-bodied flavors of cedar and leather were dominating, and they continued to strengthen as the smoke went on. By the end, the flavor was a full-bodied, with the faintest spice in the finish.

While the Tomahawk maduro may be a slow starter, it delivers a solid flavor in exchange for a modest price.

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.

Occidental Reserve

Occidental Reserve robusto

$2.25, Size: 5", Ring 50
US Connecticut wrapper, Indonesian binder, Dominican filler

This is a decently constructed, mild cigar. With an even draw, it burns fairly evenly, holding over 2" of silvery white ash. The flavor is mild and uneventful, with slight spice creeping in mid-way into the cigar. It's not a bad cigar if you're not looking to be distracted by bold flavors. All in all, a nice, mild smoke for a good price.