Saturday, November 26, 2011

Oliveros Sun Grown Reserve Paco No. 3 Review


Oliveros Sun Grown Reserve Paco No. 3 - 7 X 48. Wrapper - Havano Sun Grown aged over 5 years in Nicaragua, Binder - Nicaragua, Filler - Nicaragua. Medium bodied.

Initial lighting taste - Woodiness.

First third - Spiciness with leather, some citrus and raisin notes.

Second third - Spice, citrus moves up to the forefront followed by leather, sweet raisins and wood notes.

Last third - Spice continues, Tangy citrus, leather, raisin sweetness and wood notes. Long finish of tangy spice and leather.

Construction - Dark-brown wrapper with a slight sheen texture without any major veins. Good cap. Burn was fairly straight with a salt & pepper colored ash that was solid and held on. Draw was perfect with a good amount of smoke.

I was very impressed with this cigar's complexity and balance. Loved the sweet raisin taste and of course the tangy citrus and leather. Smooth, tasty and a wonderfully long finish make this cigar another winner for Oliveros Cigars. MSRP for this vitola is $7.30 which is an excellent value. I would smoke this cigar anytime from midday on - definite recommend for a medium bodied, complex and smooth smoke that won't hurt your wallet.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Torano "Vault" Torpedo Review


Torano "Vault" Torpedo - 6 1/8 x 52. Wrapper - Shade-Grown Nicaraguan Colorado. Binder - Ometepe, Nicaragua and Jamastran, Honduras, Filler - Esteli and Condega, Nicaragua. Medium bodied.

Initial lighting taste - Dry cedar and spice.

First third - Spice followed by leather and cedar with notes of citrus.

Second third - Spice, Tangy citrus, leather and cedar notes.

Last third - Spice continues along with the wonderful tangy citrus leather and cedar notes. Long finish of spicy citrus and leather.

Construction - Attractive oily brown wrapper with a smooth texture. No major veins were visible. Burn was straight with a very dark gray, solid ash that held on a couple of inches before falling off. Draw was spot-on with plenty of smoke.

Another fantastic cigar from Torano - I really like what they have been coming out with lately. As many of you know, I am a big fan of this flavor profile - spice, citrus and leather. The complexity was very good and the balance was perfect. MSRP for this vitola is $7.95 which is a great price point for a cigar of this quality. Best enjoyed from the middle of the day on. A definite recommend to try yourself, I think you will be very happy you did.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Gurkha "Seduction" Toro Review


Gurkha "Seduction" Toro - 6 X 55. Wrapper - Ecuadorian Habano, Binder - Dominican Olor, Filler - Columbian Corojo. Medium - full bodied.

Initial lighting taste - Dry woodiness and spice.

First third - Spice, Earthiness, cocoa and wood notes.

Second third - Spice continues but now a citrus and raisin flavor emerges along with the Earthiness and cocoa.

Last third - More of the same - Spicy citrus, raisin, Earth and cocoa. Long wonderful finish of spicy Earth and cocoa that coats the palate.

Construction - Good looking, smooth textured dark-brown wrapper. Nice oily sheen without any major veins. Burn was straight with a black and gray colored solid ash that held on. Draw was perfect with just the right amount of smoke produced.

A wonderful cigar with excellent complexity and smooth balance. I really liked the citrus raisin and cocoa flavors balanced with the spice and Earthiness. I would have to put this cigar as my all time favorite of the Gurkha lines just ahead of the Evil and Regent - in that order. MSRP is a very good $7.60 for this vitola which makes it a reasonably priced cigar to smoke often. Definite two thumbs up.