Hoja De Flores Robusto - 5 X 52. Wrapper - Criollo '98 Cuban seed, Binder - Dominican Republic Criollo, Filler - Dominican Republic Criollo. Medium to full bodied.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Hoja De Flores Robusto Review
Hoja De Flores Robusto - 5 X 52. Wrapper - Criollo '98 Cuban seed, Binder - Dominican Republic Criollo, Filler - Dominican Republic Criollo. Medium to full bodied.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
E.P. Carrillo Series "Cardinal 54" Natural Review
Initial lighting taste - Cedar wood, spice and a touch of leather.
First third - A tasty blend of spice, citrus, leather and nuts.
Second third - Spicy citrus, leather and nuts. Very nice balance and smoothness.
Last third - Tangy spice, leather and nuts. Long, palate-coating finish of citrus spice and leather.
Construction - Beautiful reddish-brown wrapper with a nice silky sheen and a well constructed triple cap.
Burn - Uneven at times requiring a few touch-ups with the lighter. Ash was a light gray color that was somewhat flaky but did hold on.
Draw - Draw was very good allowing for a good amount of exhale smoke.
I loved this cigar - in fact, it might just be my favorite profile from the EPC Cigar Company. It had very nice complexity and balance and a fantastic flavor profile. I am a big fan in general of the Ecuadorian Sumatra which to me imparts a very enjoyable tangy, spicy citrus. These flavors were boldly present in this cigar, yet delivered in a smooth and balanced fashion. MSRP for this vitola is $8.25 which I feel is a good price point for the cigar experience it provides. Best enjoyed after a substantial meal as I find it medium to full in body - highly recommended.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Gurkha Ghost "Asura" Review
Initial lighting taste - Cedar and spice.
First third - Spice, Earthiness, cedar with emerging notes of cinnamon and citrus.
Second third - Spiciness continues along with the sweet Earth, citrus and cinnamon.
Last third - Spice, sweet Earthiness, tangy citrus and cinnamon. Long tasty finish of tangy spice and Earth coating the palate.
Construction - Attractive, dark-brown wrapper with minimal veins, a nice oily sheen and a well constructed cap.
Burn - Sharp burn with a dark gray colored ash that holds on for almost two inches.
Draw - Draw was just right producing plenty of smoke on the exhale.
Gurkha Cigars has really been coming out with some fantastic new cigar lines of late. I was very impressed with the complexity and flavor profile of this cigar. The balance was superb as well. The flavors seemed to wash over the palate in waves imparting their unique tastes. MSRP for this size is a very consumer friendly price of $7.00 - a perfect gift for the holiday season coming up - a definite recommend.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Flor De Gonzalez 90 Miles 1980 Robusto - 5 X
52. Wrapper - San Andreas Mexican, Binder - Ecuadorian Broadleaf, Filler -
Nicaragua and Dominican Republic. Medium - full bodied.
Initial lighting taste - Dense woodiness and
spice.
First third - Strong spice followed by a rich Earthiness, wood
and orange peel.
Second third - Spice continues along with a tangy citrus,
Earth and orange peel. A slight sweetness begins to emerge here as
well.
Last third - Spice ,citrus, rich sweet Earthiness and orange
peel. Very long tasty finish of spicy citrus and Earthiness.
Construction - A beautiful dark-brown wrapper with a nice and
smooth oily texture. No major veins and a nice cap.
Burn - Sharp burn line with a solid white colored ash that
holds on an inch or so at a time.Draw - Perfect draw with plenty of smoke.
A fantastic cigar with a great flavor profile, complexity and
balance. I really enjoyed the way this cigar evolved introducing new flavors as
I smoked through it. The rich sweet Earthiness along with the orange peel was
particularly nice. MSRP for this vitola is $6.50 which is a great price for a
cigar that delivers so much complexity and flavor - a definite recommend to
try.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Fernando Leon Family Reserve Corona Gorda Review
Initial lighting taste - Pepper and a dry woodiness.
First third - Spice followed by a floral breadiness and wood.
Second third - Spice, creamy sweet breadiness, floral and wood notes. Nice balance.
Last third - Spice continues along with the sweet creamy bread, floral and wood notes. Long finish of bready spice.
Construction - Attractive light-brown bumpy wrapper with a few minor veins. Nice oily sheen and a good cap.
Burn - Straight burn with a flaky, dark-gray colored ash that holds on and inch or so at a time.
Draw - Very good draw that produces plenty of smoke.
Another excellent tasting cigar produced by the La Aurora Cigar Company that has an interesting, complex and unique flavor profile. I found the floral flavor to be an enjoyable and uncommon surprise. The complexity and balance was very good which I have come to expect from La Aurora cigars. MSRP for this size is $8.90 which is a good price point for this cigar. I found this cigar to be medium in body so anytime from midday on would be when I would look to fire one up. A definite recommend to try for yourself.
To read my other reviews and industry info click on:
http://www.examiner.com/cigar-in-long-island/scott-smyth
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
La Flor Dominicana Oro Tubo No. 6 Natural Review
La Flor Dominicana Oro Tubo No. 6 Natural - 6 X 54. Wrapper - Nicaraguan Habano, Binder - Dominican Republic, Filler - Dominican Republic. Full bodied.
Initial lighting taste - A dry woodiness and pepper.
First third - A wonderful chewy leather taste with citrus fruit followed closely by spice.
Second third - Chewy leather, tangy citrus fruit and spice. Flavors are very smooth.
Last third - Chewy thick leather, citrus fruitiness and spice. Long delicious finish of tangy spice and leather.
Construction - Beautiful reddish-brown wrapper with no major veins visible. Nicely made cap and an oily sheen texture to the wrapper.
Burn - Razor sharp burn producing a white colored, solid ash that held on for over an inch at a time.
Draw - Excellent draw with plenty of smoke.
A fantastic cigar with very good complexity and an amazingly smooth balance of flavors that lingers on the palate. I particularly enjoyed the thick leather and citrus. MSRP for this cigar is $12.00 which this cigar is more than deserving of. If you like the Coronado, you will love this amped-up version of that cigar. Highly recommended.
Xikar HC Habano2 (Squared) Robusto Review
Xikar HC Habano2 (Squared) Robusto - 5 X 50. Wrapper - Ecuador (Habano 2000), Binder - Sumatra, Filler - Honduras & Nicaragua. Medium bodied.
Initial lighting taste - A woody mineral taste with spice.
First third - The spice picks up a bit to a peppery spice with leather, wood and mineral notes.
Second third - Pepper, leather, wood and mineral notes. Nice smooth balance.
Last third - Pepper continues along with the leather, wood and mineral notes. Long finish of pepper and leather.
Construction - A nice looking, light-brown wrapper with some moderate sized veins and a slightly silky sheen. Decent constructed cap.
Burn - Sharp burn with a flaky salt and pepper colored ash that despite the flaky texture, manages to hold on over an inch at a time.
Draw - The draw was perfect producing plenty of smoke.
An impressive tasting cigar with very good complexity and excellent balance. Easily my favorite cigar from Xikar. The smoothness of the flavor profile makes for quite an enjoyable experience smoking this cigar. The MSRP for this vitola is $6.75 which is very good for a cigar of this quality. I just might have to include this into my regular rotation and I have to give this a "Recommend" status for you to try for yourself.
Friday, July 20, 2012
INCH Series by E.P. Carrillo No. 64 Natural Review
INCH Series by E.P. Carrillo No. 64 Natural - 6 1/8 X 64. Wrapper - Ecuadorian Sumatra, Binder - Nicaragua, Filler - 3 leaves from Dominican Republic (a mix of Dominican Piloto Cubano, Corojo and Criollo '98 and some Nicaraguan viso. The inspiration for the name and the antique ruler styled band comes from the 64 ring gauge which measures one inch in diameter. Full bodied.
Initial lighting taste - Dry wood and
spice.
First third - Oily leather followed by spice
and a fruity, plum flavor.
Second third - Oily leather continues along
with spice and plum fruit. Extremely smooth flavors.
Last third - Oily leather, spiciness and plum
fruitiness. Long wonderful finish of spice and leather.
Construction - Attractive looking,
light-brown colored wrapper with some small veins visible, a silky texture and a
triple cap head. Very nice.
Burn - Straight burn with a dark gray,
slightly flaky ash. The ash did hold on until tapped off.
Draw - Very good draw with tons of
smoke.
Loved this cigar - I was amazed at how tasty this cigar was
for such a big ring gauge. Complexity was very good but the balance and
smoothness of this smoke is what really stands out. MSRP for this vitola is a
very consumer friendly $10.00 which is a bargain for a 2 hour plus smoke. The
INCH Series will be a regular production line, but due to the limited
availability of filler leaves in the blend, only 100,000-125,000 cigars will be
produced in 2012 and come in both Natural (Ecuadorian Sumatra) and Maduro
(Connecticut Broadleaf) in the following sizes:
No. 60 - 5 7/8 X 60 (Box of 24)
$210/$8.75
No. 62 - 5 X 62 (Box of 24)
$186/$7.75No. 64 - 6 1/8 X 64 (Box of 24) $240/$10.00
Highly recommended.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Aging Room Havao Connecticut "Impromptu" Robusto Review
Initial taste - Cedar and pepper.
First third - A nice breadiness with cedar and a peppery spice. A tangy citrus begins
to emerge.
Second third - Citrus is now the dominant flavor followed by
spice, bread and cedar. Nicely balanced.
Last third - Tangy citrus, spice, breadiness and cedar. Long
finish of tangy spice that lingers on the palate.
Construction - Beautiful light-brown wrapper with a silky oil
texture. No major veins and a very well constructed triple cap
head.
Burn - Sharp burn line producing a light-gray, solid ash that
holds on.
Draw - Perfect draw with plenty of smoke exhaled.
A wonderful cigar with the most unique flavor profile that I
have tasted in a Connecticut with the tangy citrus flavor. Very good complexity
and balance. I bit fuller than other Connecticut cigars that I have smoked.
MSRP for this size is $5.50. A perfect cigar for early in the day but can also
be enjoyed later on even after a big meal. Highly recommended.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Torano Master Habano Maduro Robusto Review
Torano Master Habano Maduro Robusto - Wrapper - Nicaraguan Habano Maduro, Binder - Ecuadorian Habano, Filler - Nicaragua and Dominican Republic. Full bodied.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Alec Bradley American Sun Grown Blend Robusto Review
Alec Bradley American Sun Grown Blend Robusto - Wrapper - Nicaragua Habano (Jalapa), Binder - Nicaragua (Jalapa), Filler - Nicaragua (Esteli & Condega). Medium bodied.
Initial lighting taste - Cedar and spice.
First third - Spice followed by cedar, leather and a slight bitter, mineral taste.
Second third - In this third of the cigar, the flavors settle down and smooth out - spice, cedar, leather and a nice citrus flavor emerges.
Last third - Spice continues along with leather, tangy citrus and cedar. Long finish of spicy citrus and leather.
Construction - Attractive dark brown wrapper with no soft spots or major veins. There was a nice oil sheen to the cigar as well as a good looking cap.
Burn - Straight burn with a solid white colored ash that holds on.
Draw - The draw was very good providing ample amounts of smoke.
Although this cigar started off slow for me in the first third, it really picked up in nice complex and balanced flavors - this is a cigar that builds as you smoke it with a very nice last third. It also tends to smoke hot so you have to take your time smoking this cigar. MSRP for this vitola is $4.75 which is a very consumer friendly price point and a great value for what you get in this cigar. I would recommend trying this cigar.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
East India Trading Company to release "Red Witch"
The East India Trading Company, a subsidiary of the Gurkha Cigar Group, Inc are proud to announce the upcoming launch of the ‘Red Witch’, which will ‘set sail’ at this year’s IPCPR trade show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL on August 2-6th.
Red Witch is the second cigar release under the East India Trading Company, with the first being the enormously successful ‘Wicked Indie’ last fall. Named after a trading ship from the British rule during the 1800’s, Red Witch is a medium to full bodied cigar featuring a silky Ecuadorian, Rosado wrapper, paired with a carefully selected Dominican binder and 3–year aged filler from the mountainous region of Jalapa, Nicaragua.
The Red Witch is an attractive, box-pressed cigar offering tasting notes of spice, earth and sweet delicate undertones with a long and smooth finish. Housed in rustic 50-count boxes, Red Witch will be available in three vitola’s: 5 x 52 robusto, 6 x 54 rothchild, and a 6 x 60 XO with an MSRP: $4.99-$6.39. These cigars will be on display at the 2012 International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers convention, booth numbers: #1067-1374.
“We are very excited about the launch of Red Witch, which fits in well with the overall theme and heritage of the East India Trading Company,” said Kaizad Hansotia, Chairman of Gurkha Cigar Group. “Trading ships were a vital part to the importing and exporting of goods during this era, where tobacco was one of the earliest traded goods.”
Monday, June 25, 2012
Martin Family of Cigars Maduro Torpedo Review
Martin Family of Cigars Maduro Torpedo - 6.25 X 52. Wrapper - Mexican Maduro, Binder - Nicaraguan Maduro, Filler - Corojo. Medium bodied.
Initial lighting taste - Earth and wood.
First third - Spice, Earth with a sweet floral taste and cedar notes.
Second third - Spice continues along with a sweet floral Earthiness and cedar notes.
Last third - Spice, sweet floral and a rich Earthiness. Cedar flavor fades out at this point. Long finish of a spicy, sweet Earthiness.
Construction - A somewhat bumpy dark brown wrapper with a nice oily sheen.
Burn - Straight burn with a white colored ash that was both solid and holds on for an inch plus at a time.
Draw - Very good draw producing plenty of smoke.
Another winner from Martin Family of Cigars that was very complex and balanced perfectly. I found the sweet floral flavor very unique and enjoyable. MSRP for this vitola is $7.50 which I feel this cigar is more than worth. Best enjoyed from middle of the day on. I recommend trying this cigar for a very good medium bodied smoke.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Alec Bradley to Release "American Sun Grown Blend" Selection
New addition to “American Classic Blend” offers a fuller-bodied smoke at an attractive price
DANIA, FL – June 15XX, 2012 – Little more than a year after Alec Bradley Cigars debuted their “American Classic Blend,” the critically-acclaimed company has extended the Classic selection with the release of their “American Sungrown Blend.” Scheduled to arrive at retail cigar stores on or about [July 4th. 2012]need date], the American Sungrown Blend cigars provide a fuller-bodied smoke with a little more spice. The cigars are blended with the same EsteliEstelí & Condega-grown long-fillers and Jalapa binder used in the American Classic Blend, but are finished with an attractive sungrown Jalapa Habano wrapper. The addition of this all-Nicaraguan leaf blend will also offer premium cigar smokers a medium-strength cigar in the “value” price range of $43.2095 to $5.7550 per cigar. Additionally, the shapes and suggested retail prices for both the American Classic and American Sungrown Blends are identical (higher tobacco taxation states excluded).
“We had this beautiful sungrown Habano wrapper leaf from Jalapa,” said Alec Bradley Cigars Ppresident, Alan Rubin. “After curing, the leaf acquired a great color, burned well, and had a very rich flavor and aroma. By adding it to the filler and binder we're using in the American Classic Blend, the Sungrown offers the same excellent balance while directing more spice flavors to the palate.”
Alec Bradley American Sungrown Blend cigars will be presented in boxes of 20 cigars in the following six shapes and sizes:
Corona (5½” x 42)
Robusto (5” x 50)
Toro (6” x 50 x 6)
Churchill (7” x 48)
Torpedo (6 1/8” x 52)
Gordo (6” x 60)
Monday, May 14, 2012
Gurkha Assassin Robusto Review
Gurkha Assassin Robusto - 4.75 X 50. Wrapper -
Brazilian Mata Fina, Binder - Dominican Republic, Filler - Peru and Nicaragua.
Full Bodied.
Initial lighting taste - Leather and wood.
First third - Spice followed by leather and cocoa
notes.
Second third - Spice, chewy leather, cocoa and some citrus
notes.
Last third - Continuation of the spice, chewy leather, cocoa
and citrus notes. Long finish of spice and chocolaty leather.
Construction - A nice looking, medium-brown colored wrapper
with a silky sheen. No major veins or soft spots. Simple looking
cap.
Burn - Straight burn with a semi-solid, salt & pepper
colored ash that held on.
Draw - Very good draw with plenty of smoke
produced.
A wonderful cigar with plenty of complexity to keep it
interesting and great balance to accompany the flavors. The chewy leather was a
nice treat as was the cocoa and citrus notes. MSRP for this vitola is $8.90
which I feel this cigar is worth. Another great line from Gurkha which is
rapidly becoming one of my favorite cigar companies - definite recommend to
try.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
La Aurora Puro Vintage 2004 Salomon Review
La Aurora Puro Vintage 2004 Salomon - 6.25 X 52 (Double Tapered). Wrapper - Ecuadorian Corojo, Binder - Dominican Republic, Filler - Dominican Republic. All of the tobacco used for this cigar was culled from a 2004 harvest. This is the second release of the Puro Vintage since the 2003 edition hit the market in 2009. The 2004 edition, comes packaged in boxes of 8 cigars and only 1,000 boxes were produced. Medium bodied.
Initial Lighting taste - Toasted cedar and spice.
First third - Toasty cinnamon and spice followed by leather and wood.
Second third - Toasted cinnamon, spice, leather and wood. Very smooth.
Last third - Continuation of the toasty cinnamon, spice, leather and woody notes. Very nice long finish of cinnamon spice and leather.
Construction - Attractive light-brown wrapper with a couple of minor veins visible and no soft spots. Nicely constructed.
Burn - Straight burn with a dark-gray colored ash that is solid and holds on until tapped off after about an inch and a half.
Draw - The draw was perfect as I have come to expect from all La Aurora products. Plenty of smoke was produced.
I absolutely enjoyed this cigar. I found the flavor profile to be somewhat unique with the toastiness and the cinnamon being the predominant flavors followed by the spice and leather - this is not the usual order of flavors I get from most cigars I smoke. Excellent complexity and balance make this cigar a great smoke. MSRP for this cigar is $18.70 which makes this cigar a special occasion smoke for most, but one that will truly honor that special occasion. A definite recommend to try.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Punch Rare Corojo Rothschild Review
Punch Rare Corojo Rothschild - 4.5 X 50. Wrapper - Ecuadorian Sumatra, Binder - Connecticut Broadleaf, Filler - Honduras, Nicaragua & Dominican Republic (Piloto Cubano). Medium to full bodied.
Initial lighting taste - Spicy leather and wood.
First third - Strong spice and leather with a tangy citrus flavor and coriander emerging.
Second third - Spice continues, chewy leather, citrus and coriander spice.
Last third - Spice, leather, citrus and coriander. Long delicious finish of spice and tangy leather.
Construction - Nice looking, reddish-brown wrapper with a silk sheen and no major veins or soft spots. Good cap as well.
Burn - Pretty sharp burn with a solid salt & pepper colored ash. The ash would hold on for over an inch at a time until tapped off.
Draw - Draw was very good and produced plenty of billowy smoke.
This cigar was as good as I remember it being years ago when I first began smoking them. Great flavors balanced very nicely and great complexity and smoothness. I really like the coriander and citrus and of course spice. The wrapper is grown in very limited quantities in the mountains in Ecuador which give it it's extra rich, reddish qualities. MSRP is an amazing $3.59 for this size which makes this an incredible value. I recommended it very highly years ago and I will continue to do so now.
Monday, April 9, 2012
C&C Cigars Corojo Robusto
C&C Cigars Corojo Robusto - 5 X 50. Wrapper - Ecuadorian Corojo, Binder - Dominican Republic, Filler - Dominican Republic. Medium - Full bodied. Debuted in 2011 and owned by Joe Chiusano (former president of Cusano Cigars).
Initial lighting taste - Toasted breadiness and spice.
First third - Spice followed by a creamy breadiness and tangy citrus.
Second third - The citrus becomes more prominent along with the spice and now the creamy breadiness takes on a sweetness. Cinnamon notes are also detected.
Last third - Tangy citrus spice, sweet creamy bread and cinnamon notes. Nice long finish of citrus spice and bread.
Construction - A nice looking wrapper with a slight oil sheen and a somewhat bumpy texture. Not soft spots and triple capped.
Robusto 5 X 50
Toro 6 X 50
Churchill 7 X 50
A great bang for your buck and I would definitely recommend especially if you are on a budget and want a complex and balanced smoke for everyday.
Burn - Sharp burn with a light gray colored solid ash that held on for over an inch before being tapped off.
Draw - Very good draw and plenty of smoke produced.
I really enjoyed this cigar. The combination of the spicy citrus and sweet breadiness is a flavor profile that I do taste from time to time in other cigars but not too often - It was a pleasant surprise. Excellent complexity and balance. I like the way the cigar's flavors intensity changed from the first third to the second third - made for an interesting experience. MSRP for this vitola is a very consumer friendly $5.00. The line comes in 3 sizes:
Robusto 5 X 50
Toro 6 X 50
Churchill 7 X 50
A great bang for your buck and I would definitely recommend especially if you are on a budget and want a complex and balanced smoke for everyday.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Berger & Argenti Entubar V32 "Khilla Korona" Review
Berger & Argenti Entubar V32 "Khilla Korona" - 4 7/8 X 50. Wrapper - Nicaraguan Maduro (Jalapa Valley), Binder - Nicaraguan (Esteli, Condega, Jalapa & Jinotega), Filler - Nicaraguan (Esteli, Condega, Jalapa & Jinotega). Medium - Full bodied.
Initial lighting taste - Pepper and cedar.
First third - Peppery spice followed by a rich Earthiness with notes of citrus and fruit.
Second third - Now this cigar really begins to settle down and smooth out - Pepper spice up front and now a sweet caramel emerges right along with the Earthiness. Fruit-like notes were also detected.
Last third - Pepper spice, Caramel, Earth and fruity notes continue. Long wonderful finish of Pepper and Earth,
Construction - Attractive, dark-brown wrapper with a nice silky sheen and a somewhat bumpy texture. No soft spots or any major veins.
Burn - A very nice, sharp burn with a salt & pepper colored ash that was solid and held on before being tapped off.
Draw - Perfect draw and just the correct amount of smoke produced with it.
A fantastic cigar from Berger & Argenti - my favorite line from them by far. After the first third, the cigar really allowed you taste all of the complex flavors more distinctly and with better balance. Loved the sweet caramel flavor and the pepper spice. MSRP is $10.99 for this size which is a bit on the pricey side but well worth the money. Only 80,000 cigars were produced on a limited run. The line comes in 4 unique sizes:
"Khilla Korona" - 4 7/8 X 50
"Rogue Rothschild" - 5 5/8 X 54"Tremendo Toro" - 6 1/4 X 56
"Bruto Belicoso" - 6 3/8 X 60
A definite recommend!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Introducing Partagas 1845 Heritage Rewrapped
Richmond, VA—General Cigar is proud to introduce Partagas 1845, a new, four-cigar collection which embodies 167 years of heritage and expert cigar making. This exciting new take on the venerable brand is a departure from the traditional Cameroon-wrapped expressions of Partagas®, and is set to make its retail debut on April 9, 2012.
Alan Willner, vice president of marketing for General Cigar explains, “Partagas 1845 is uniquely positioned. This new collection celebrates Partagas’ rich heritage while ushering in a new taste spectrum for the brand. As such, it will appeal to the premium cigar smoker who favors the quality and consistency of classic brands, while also sparking the interest of discriminating smokers who constantly seek exciting new tastes.”
Partagas 1845 is full-flavored with a medium-bodied taste profile and bears hints of coffee and cocoa. This unique smoking experience sits firmly between the mild and aromatic flavor of Partagas (yellow box) and the strong and sweet taste of Partagas Black Label.
Jhonys Diaz (vice president of operations) led blend development, collaborating with rising stars from General Cigar Dominicana including Francisco Rodriguez (general manager of operations) and Yuri Guillen (production manager). In creating Partagas 1845, Jhonys and his team started out with more than 50 different blends from the company’s vast tobacco library. Together with guidance from Benji Menendez, and with input from supervisors from General Cigar’s Dominican and Honduran factories, the blends were continuously test smoked and tweaked until the final blend was chosen by General Cigar’s innovation team.
The legendary Benji Menendez served as an advisor on blend development. In this, his 60th year in the premium cigar
business, Benji exalts Partagas 1845 as “one of the most significant blends I have ever been involved in developing.”
“Partagas is a brand that is part of my soul and part of my heritage in the business. It is very sentimental for me, so coming out with the next Partagas collection to follow up on the Master Series was a project that I cared very much about. This is a dream come true for me, to help the next generation of cigar masters create new cigars and grow in the business. If I can plant a seed in their minds so they can grow a tree, I am happy,” he reflects.
To achieve the characteristic, full flavor of Partagas 1845, Dominican Piloto Cubano is blended with Nicaraguan tobacco from three separate growing areas. Some of the filler tobaccos are aged in Dominican rum barrels, a process which enhances their flavor, and is exclusive to General Cigar.
The Connecticut Habano binder is unique unto itself, for it was developed as a result of General Cigar’s dedicated research and development initiative and as such, is proprietary. Bearing the distinction of having taken nine years to develop, the binder offsets the blend with a touch of sweetness.
The blend culminates in a lustrous Ecuadoran Habano Viso wrapper which dresses Partagas 1845 in a unique color and hearty texture.
The collection will debut with these four frontmarks, each protected in boxes containing 20 cigars: Corona Extra (4.5” x 46), SRP per cigar $5.99; Robusto (5.5” x 49), SRP per cigar $6.49; Gigante (6” x 60), SRP per cigar $6.99; and Double Corona (7.25” x 54), SPR per cigar $7.49.
The trade dress pays homage to the brand’s rich history, by interpreting elements of a turn-of-the-century Partagas band (circa 1900). The band imagery is rotated for optimal presentation, whether on the shelf, in an ashtray, in hand, or when smoked, and is further highlighted by advanced printing techniques that command attention.
Partagas 1845 is housed in one of the most innovative cigar boxes ever seen in the premium cigar category. Additional details about this industry-first packaging will be released prior to the launch of Partagas 1845 on April 9.
About Partagas Cigars
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®, CAO 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 Company.
Alan Willner, vice president of marketing for General Cigar explains, “Partagas 1845 is uniquely positioned. This new collection celebrates Partagas’ rich heritage while ushering in a new taste spectrum for the brand. As such, it will appeal to the premium cigar smoker who favors the quality and consistency of classic brands, while also sparking the interest of discriminating smokers who constantly seek exciting new tastes.”
Partagas 1845 is full-flavored with a medium-bodied taste profile and bears hints of coffee and cocoa. This unique smoking experience sits firmly between the mild and aromatic flavor of Partagas (yellow box) and the strong and sweet taste of Partagas Black Label.
Jhonys Diaz (vice president of operations) led blend development, collaborating with rising stars from General Cigar Dominicana including Francisco Rodriguez (general manager of operations) and Yuri Guillen (production manager). In creating Partagas 1845, Jhonys and his team started out with more than 50 different blends from the company’s vast tobacco library. Together with guidance from Benji Menendez, and with input from supervisors from General Cigar’s Dominican and Honduran factories, the blends were continuously test smoked and tweaked until the final blend was chosen by General Cigar’s innovation team.
The legendary Benji Menendez served as an advisor on blend development. In this, his 60th year in the premium cigar
business, Benji exalts Partagas 1845 as “one of the most significant blends I have ever been involved in developing.”
“Partagas is a brand that is part of my soul and part of my heritage in the business. It is very sentimental for me, so coming out with the next Partagas collection to follow up on the Master Series was a project that I cared very much about. This is a dream come true for me, to help the next generation of cigar masters create new cigars and grow in the business. If I can plant a seed in their minds so they can grow a tree, I am happy,” he reflects.
To achieve the characteristic, full flavor of Partagas 1845, Dominican Piloto Cubano is blended with Nicaraguan tobacco from three separate growing areas. Some of the filler tobaccos are aged in Dominican rum barrels, a process which enhances their flavor, and is exclusive to General Cigar.
The Connecticut Habano binder is unique unto itself, for it was developed as a result of General Cigar’s dedicated research and development initiative and as such, is proprietary. Bearing the distinction of having taken nine years to develop, the binder offsets the blend with a touch of sweetness.
The blend culminates in a lustrous Ecuadoran Habano Viso wrapper which dresses Partagas 1845 in a unique color and hearty texture.
The collection will debut with these four frontmarks, each protected in boxes containing 20 cigars: Corona Extra (4.5” x 46), SRP per cigar $5.99; Robusto (5.5” x 49), SRP per cigar $6.49; Gigante (6” x 60), SRP per cigar $6.99; and Double Corona (7.25” x 54), SPR per cigar $7.49.
The trade dress pays homage to the brand’s rich history, by interpreting elements of a turn-of-the-century Partagas band (circa 1900). The band imagery is rotated for optimal presentation, whether on the shelf, in an ashtray, in hand, or when smoked, and is further highlighted by advanced printing techniques that command attention.
Partagas 1845 is housed in one of the most innovative cigar boxes ever seen in the premium cigar category. Additional details about this industry-first packaging will be released prior to the launch of Partagas 1845 on April 9.
About Partagas Cigars
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®, CAO 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 Company.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Canimao Limited Edition Corona Review
Canimao Limited Edition Corona - 6.5 X 42. Wrapper - Ecuadorian Sumatra, Binder - Ecuadorian Sumatra, Filler - Dominican Republic & Nicaragua. Medium - Full bodied.
Initial lighting taste - Cedar & spice.
First third - A good amount of spiciness, citrus, leather and some raisin notes.
Second third - Spice, tangy citrus, leather and the raisin notes. Very nice flavor profile.
Last third - Spice, tangy citrus, leather and raisin notes. Long enjoyable finish of tangy, leathery spice.
Construction - A beautiful, silky-smooth, brown wrapper with no major veins visible or soft spots. Triple capped in the old Cuban style tradition.
Burn - Sharp burn with a white colored, solid ash that held on an inch plus at a time.
Draw - Draw was very good - not too tight and not too loose. A good amount of smoke is produced with this draw.
This is now my favorite line from Canimao Cigars - it is the fullest bodied and has one of my favorite flavor profiles which I am a big fan of - citrus spice, leather and the raisin notes. For my liking, I would put the Limited Edition first followed by the Jibaro and then the Churchill as my top 3 from Canimao Cigars. MSRP is an amazing $6.00 for this vitola which I would gladly pay for a quality cigar such as this one. A cigar best enjoyed after a moderate but substantial meal. I have to give this cigar a "highly recommended" rating.
Monday, March 19, 2012
TORAÑO INVOLVED IN 8TH ANNUAL BOXING EVENT TO BENEFIT THE CHARLEY FOUNDATION
(Miami, Fl.)March 19, 2012 – Toraño Family Cigar Co. was honored to be chosen to participate in the Charley Foundation’s 8th Annual Ringside: A Fight for Kids on Friday, March 2, 2012 at Liberty Hall, in The Factory at Franklin. The Charley Foundationis a Nashville-based non-profit organization that provides support to charitable agencies addressing the critical needs of children. This year’s black-tie boxing event was emceed by Storme Warren, host of GAC’s Headline Country and Music Row Happy Hour on Sirius/XM Highway 16 Radio. Tom Baldrica, president of Nashville music label Average Joe’s Entertainment, served as ring announcer.
Toraño Vice President of Sales and Marketing Bruce Lewis and Toraño Territory Manager Andrea Hummel proudly represented Toraño Family Cigar Co. as they hosted guests at the Toraño cigar lounge located on the second level overlooking the boxing ring and stage. Guests who included celebrities and NFL Alumni enjoyed some of Toraño’s finest handmade cigars while taking in a spectacular night of professional boxing, live music performances, and live auction.
Event guests started the evening with gourmet dining and were entertained with musical performances by 80’s pop sensation Tiffany, Country artists Bridgette Tatum, James Otto, and Ira Dean. Once the music died down, the action revved up as four professional boxing bouts were sanctioned by the Tennessee Athletic Commission for the evenings main event. The Toraño lounge was in full swing at this point, as boxing and smoking premium cigars are a perfect match. Bruce Lewis was on hand to educate and share Toraño family history as event guests were able to choose award-winning Toraño cigars from custom made cigar menus created for the event.
Friday, March 16, 2012
New Vitola: La Aurora 107 Salomon
March 14, 2012 (Miami, FL) – The 107 is getting a line extension, albeit in a limited edition.
Miami Cigar & Company today announced the cigar that helped re-invent the oldest cigar
factory in the Dominican Republic would be released in a salomon. The La Aurora 107 Salomon
will be 7.25 x 52 which was the same size that was used for the Puro Vintage 2003.
Originally released 2 years ago on the 107th Anniversary of La Aurora the 107 consists of a
Ecuadorian Sun Grown Wrapper with Dominican binder over filler consisting of Dominican and
Nicaraguan tobacco.
The cigar will be available to limited accounts nationwide. According to Hector Paz, National
Sales Manager for Miami Cigar & Company, "We would like to use this limited edition to thank
those retailers who have supported the 107 line since the beginning.”
The cigars which come in boxes of 8 will have a MSRP of $12.00 and are expected to ship to
retailers in Mid-June, 2012.
About Miami Cigar & Company Miami Cigar & Company, founded in 1989, is the exclusive US distributor of La Aurora brands which include Guillermo Leon & Leon Jimenes. They are also the worldwide distributor of Tatiana, Don Lino, La Sirena and Nestor Miranda line of cigars.
Miami Cigar & Company today announced the cigar that helped re-invent the oldest cigar
factory in the Dominican Republic would be released in a salomon. The La Aurora 107 Salomon
will be 7.25 x 52 which was the same size that was used for the Puro Vintage 2003.
Originally released 2 years ago on the 107th Anniversary of La Aurora the 107 consists of a
Ecuadorian Sun Grown Wrapper with Dominican binder over filler consisting of Dominican and
Nicaraguan tobacco.
The cigar will be available to limited accounts nationwide. According to Hector Paz, National
Sales Manager for Miami Cigar & Company, "We would like to use this limited edition to thank
those retailers who have supported the 107 line since the beginning.”
The cigars which come in boxes of 8 will have a MSRP of $12.00 and are expected to ship to
retailers in Mid-June, 2012.
About Miami Cigar & Company Miami Cigar & Company, founded in 1989, is the exclusive US distributor of La Aurora brands which include Guillermo Leon & Leon Jimenes. They are also the worldwide distributor of Tatiana, Don Lino, La Sirena and Nestor Miranda line of cigars.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Quesada Q'Detat Molotov Review
Quesada Q'Detat Molotov - 5 x 44/58/38. Wrapper - Dominican Republic, Binder - Dominican Republic, Filler - Dominican Republic. Full Bodied.
Initial lighting taste - Oak wood.
First third - Earthiness, lemon citrus and spice. Very smooth flavors.
Second third - A little reshuffling of the flavors - Lemony citrus first, followed by the spice and then the Earthiness.
Last third - A continuation of the flavor order in the second third - Lemon citrus, spice and Earth. Very long smooth finish of citrus and spice.
Construction - A very attractive, oily, dark-brown wrapper with minimal veins and not soft spots.
Burn - Razor sharp, dark-gray colored ash this is solid and holds on.
Draw - Perfect draw - not too loose, not too tight. Plenty of smoke produced.
A fantastic little powerhouse of a cigar - very good complexity and great balance. I was impressed at how smooth this cigar was while being so strong. Flavors were very enjoyable, especially the lemon citrus and spice. MSRP for this cigar is $7.95 which is a great price point for this cigar and one that allows you to enjoy them on a regular basis. A cigar best smoked after a hearty meal or at least later in the day. Definite recommend.
Initial lighting taste - Oak wood.
First third - Earthiness, lemon citrus and spice. Very smooth flavors.
Second third - A little reshuffling of the flavors - Lemony citrus first, followed by the spice and then the Earthiness.
Last third - A continuation of the flavor order in the second third - Lemon citrus, spice and Earth. Very long smooth finish of citrus and spice.
Construction - A very attractive, oily, dark-brown wrapper with minimal veins and not soft spots.
Burn - Razor sharp, dark-gray colored ash this is solid and holds on.
Draw - Perfect draw - not too loose, not too tight. Plenty of smoke produced.
A fantastic little powerhouse of a cigar - very good complexity and great balance. I was impressed at how smooth this cigar was while being so strong. Flavors were very enjoyable, especially the lemon citrus and spice. MSRP for this cigar is $7.95 which is a great price point for this cigar and one that allows you to enjoy them on a regular basis. A cigar best smoked after a hearty meal or at least later in the day. Definite recommend.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Flor De Gonzalez "Qban" Belicoso Review
Flor De Gonzalez "Qban" Belicoso - 6 X 52. Wrapper - Ecuadorian Maduro Habano, Binder - Nicaragua, Filler - Nicaragua. Full bodied.
Initial lighting taste - Dry cedar and spice.
First third - Strong spice, sweet molasses, Earth and cinnamon.
Second third - Strong spiciness continues, molasses, Earthiness and cinnamon.
Last third - Spice, sweet molasses, Earth and cinnamon. Very nice long finish of spice, Earth and cinnamon.
Construction - Beautiful dark-brown wrapper with no major veins and a smooth, oily texture. No soft spots. Burn was razor sharp producing a solid white colored ash that would not fall off. Draw was perfect with just the right amount of smoke.
A fantastic full bodied cigar with plenty of complexity and excellent balance. Tons of flavor and a long finish that coats the palate. I loved the sweet molasses flavor offset by the strong spiciness and Earthiness. Definitely a cigar best enjoyed after a full meal. MSRP for this size is $7.50 which this cigar is more than worth. Very highly recommended.
Initial lighting taste - Dry cedar and spice.
First third - Strong spice, sweet molasses, Earth and cinnamon.
Second third - Strong spiciness continues, molasses, Earthiness and cinnamon.
Last third - Spice, sweet molasses, Earth and cinnamon. Very nice long finish of spice, Earth and cinnamon.
Construction - Beautiful dark-brown wrapper with no major veins and a smooth, oily texture. No soft spots. Burn was razor sharp producing a solid white colored ash that would not fall off. Draw was perfect with just the right amount of smoke.
A fantastic full bodied cigar with plenty of complexity and excellent balance. Tons of flavor and a long finish that coats the palate. I loved the sweet molasses flavor offset by the strong spiciness and Earthiness. Definitely a cigar best enjoyed after a full meal. MSRP for this size is $7.50 which this cigar is more than worth. Very highly recommended.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Wicked Indie Toro Review
Wicked Indie Toro - 6 X 54. Wrapper - Nicaraguan Habano, Binder - Nicaragua (Aged 3 years), Filler - Nicaragua (Aged 3 years). Medium bodied. Made by The East India Trading Company which is a subsidiary of the Beach Cigar Group (Gurkha), and was created to release creative and exciting new brands that did not necessarily fall under the Gurkha image and branding.
Initial lighting taste - Dry cedar and pepper.
First third - A breadiness, pepper, cedar and some sweet notes.
Second third - Breadiness, pepper and a sweet nougat now is becoming more dominant with some woody notes.
Last third - A bready creaminess, sweet nougat, pepper and cedar notes. Long finish of a sweet creaminess and spice.
Construction - Nice looking, light-brown wrapper with some small veins and a slight oily sheen. No soft spots. Burn was straight with a grayish-black colored solid ash that held on. Draw was very good and produced a good amount of smoke.
Initial lighting taste - Dry cedar and pepper.
First third - A breadiness, pepper, cedar and some sweet notes.
Second third - Breadiness, pepper and a sweet nougat now is becoming more dominant with some woody notes.
Last third - A bready creaminess, sweet nougat, pepper and cedar notes. Long finish of a sweet creaminess and spice.
Construction - Nice looking, light-brown wrapper with some small veins and a slight oily sheen. No soft spots. Burn was straight with a grayish-black colored solid ash that held on. Draw was very good and produced a good amount of smoke.
This was a very impressive cigar that had great complexity and balance. I particularly liked the way the sweet nougat flavor kept building as I progressed through the cigar. The bready creaminess was very enjoyable as well. MSRP is $5.00 for this size which I would smoke everyday at that price. An excellent choice for a smoke anytime after lunch or a medium-sized meal. I would definitely recommend for those who enjoy a creamy sweet cigar with pepper spice.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Punch Rare Corojo Returns to Retail Annual Release Includes 10th Anniversary Blend
General Cigar announces that Punch Rare Corojo will be offered for a limited time, starting today and ending on May 31, 2012, while supplies last. Seven frontmarks will be available, ranging in price from $3.59 to $6.49 per cigar (SRP).
A very limited supply of the Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary edition (5” x 50, SRP $6.99 per cigar) will also be available for sale during the same period, or until the limited quantity is depleted.
Both Punch Rare Corojo and the 10th Anniversary edition are filled with a blend of Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos, and are bound with Connecticut Broadleaf; however, each has a unique wrapper.
Punch Rare Corojo cigars are made with a special, extra rich, dark Sumatra wrapper cultivated in the mountains of Ecuador. Grown only in limited quantity, these rare, reddish leaves give Punch Rare Corojo its uniquely smooth taste.
The 10th Anniversary blend was released in 2011 and features a rare Connecticut Corojo wrapper.
A very limited supply of the Punch Rare Corojo 10th Anniversary edition (5” x 50, SRP $6.99 per cigar) will also be available for sale during the same period, or until the limited quantity is depleted.
Both Punch Rare Corojo and the 10th Anniversary edition are filled with a blend of Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos, and are bound with Connecticut Broadleaf; however, each has a unique wrapper.
Punch Rare Corojo cigars are made with a special, extra rich, dark Sumatra wrapper cultivated in the mountains of Ecuador. Grown only in limited quantity, these rare, reddish leaves give Punch Rare Corojo its uniquely smooth taste.
The 10th Anniversary blend was released in 2011 and features a rare Connecticut Corojo wrapper.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 Exquisitos Review
New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 Exquisitos - 4 7/8 X 50. Wrapper - Ecuador Connecticut (wrapper from New Wave Connecticut), Binder - Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro (wrapper from Core Maduro), Filler - Nicaragua & Dominican Republic (filler from Core Maduro). Medium bodied.
Initial taste - Oak wood and a mild spiciness.
First third - Creamy, woody, sweet fruitiness and a peppery spice.
Second third - Creaminess, fruity sweetness, pepper and wood with a tangy citrus emerging.
Last third - Creaminess continues with the citrus right behind it followed by the sweet fruit, pepper and some wood notes. Nice long finish of Peppery spice and citrus.
Construction - A beautifully smooth, light-brown flawless wrapper with no major veins and a perfect cap. The burn was straight with a semi-solid black and white colored ash that held on. Draw was perfect.
A fantastic cigar that had very complex, balanced and unique flavors. The cigar incorporated the best aspects of Connecticut wrapped cigars - Creaminess and pepper; and combined it with the best flavors of Maduro wrapped cigars - Fruity sweetness along with Nicaraguan filler - citrus and wood; to form an amazingly interesting and wonderful cigar. MSRP for this vitola is $6.35 for a single and $152.40 for a box of 24 cigars. The Connecticut Short Run will come in 3 sizes and 1,000 boxes per size. Absolutely recommended.
Initial taste - Oak wood and a mild spiciness.
First third - Creamy, woody, sweet fruitiness and a peppery spice.
Second third - Creaminess, fruity sweetness, pepper and wood with a tangy citrus emerging.
Last third - Creaminess continues with the citrus right behind it followed by the sweet fruit, pepper and some wood notes. Nice long finish of Peppery spice and citrus.
Construction - A beautifully smooth, light-brown flawless wrapper with no major veins and a perfect cap. The burn was straight with a semi-solid black and white colored ash that held on. Draw was perfect.
A fantastic cigar that had very complex, balanced and unique flavors. The cigar incorporated the best aspects of Connecticut wrapped cigars - Creaminess and pepper; and combined it with the best flavors of Maduro wrapped cigars - Fruity sweetness along with Nicaraguan filler - citrus and wood; to form an amazingly interesting and wonderful cigar. MSRP for this vitola is $6.35 for a single and $152.40 for a box of 24 cigars. The Connecticut Short Run will come in 3 sizes and 1,000 boxes per size. Absolutely recommended.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
TORAÑO FAMILY CIGAR CO. IS A HIT AT THE 2ND ANNUAL NEAT STUFF CASINO NIGHT!!
TORAÑO FAMILY CIGAR CO. IS A HIT AT THE 2ND ANNUAL NEAT STUFF CASINO NIGHT!!
(Miami, FL) February 15, 2012—Toraño Family Cigar Co. was happy to return as the official cigar sponsor for the 2nd annual Neat Stuff for Kids Casino Night event at the newly renovated Coral Gables Country Club. Neat Stuff for Kids is a local nonprofit agency in South Florida which provides brand new clothing for neglected, abused, and underprivileged children.
Toraño family members Carlos Llaca-Toraño and Jack Toraño were present at the event as they educated event-goers on cigar craftsmanship while sampling some of Toraño’s award winning cigars. Event attendees were treated to Toraño new releases Vault and Loyal as this fabulous Las Vegas style event which featured professional grade gambling tables, show girls, and specialty entertainment.
President of Toraño Family Cigar Co. Charlie Toraño has taken a special interest in Neat Stuff for Kids as this local charity nicknamed “The little engine that could” has been awarded the highest possible rating by charity navigator for their efficiency as 96% of all donations go straight to the cause, without receiving government grants. Charlie Toraño said, “I commend Neat Stuff’s Executive Director Franklin Monjarrez for his vision and compassion and we as a company are more than happy to support the work that he and the organization does for kids in our local community.”
A leader in the cigar industry, Toraño Family Cigar Company is a four generation company currently based in Miami, FL. It enjoys a rich heritage and history in tobacco growing and manufacturing. For more information: www.Toraño.com. Please also follow Toraño on Face book: Toraño A family Cigar Company or on Twitter: @TORAÑOFAMCIGARS.
(Miami, FL) February 15, 2012—Toraño Family Cigar Co. was happy to return as the official cigar sponsor for the 2nd annual Neat Stuff for Kids Casino Night event at the newly renovated Coral Gables Country Club. Neat Stuff for Kids is a local nonprofit agency in South Florida which provides brand new clothing for neglected, abused, and underprivileged children.
Toraño family members Carlos Llaca-Toraño and Jack Toraño were present at the event as they educated event-goers on cigar craftsmanship while sampling some of Toraño’s award winning cigars. Event attendees were treated to Toraño new releases Vault and Loyal as this fabulous Las Vegas style event which featured professional grade gambling tables, show girls, and specialty entertainment.
President of Toraño Family Cigar Co. Charlie Toraño has taken a special interest in Neat Stuff for Kids as this local charity nicknamed “The little engine that could” has been awarded the highest possible rating by charity navigator for their efficiency as 96% of all donations go straight to the cause, without receiving government grants. Charlie Toraño said, “I commend Neat Stuff’s Executive Director Franklin Monjarrez for his vision and compassion and we as a company are more than happy to support the work that he and the organization does for kids in our local community.”
A leader in the cigar industry, Toraño Family Cigar Company is a four generation company currently based in Miami, FL. It enjoys a rich heritage and history in tobacco growing and manufacturing. For more information: www.Toraño.com. Please also follow Toraño on Face book: Toraño A family Cigar Company or on Twitter: @TORAÑOFAMCIGARS.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Chess Extreme Corojo Torpedo 1 Review
Chess Extreme Corojo Torpedo 1 - 4 X 64. Wrapper - Nicaraguan Corojo, Binder - Dominican Olor, Filler - Nicaragua (Ligero '98 & Ceco Corojo). Full bodied.
Initial taste - Cedar wood and pepper.
First half - Pepper, cinnamon and leather with notes of Mediterranean spices such as cumin, sage and rosemary. Good balance.
Second half - Continuation of the pepper, cinnamon, leather and notes of the Mediterranean spices. Very long finish of spice and cinnamon.
Construction - Nice looking,a darkish brown wrapper with a nice oily sheen. No major veins were visible and the cap was bumpy and uneven. Burn was razor sharp producing a salt and pepper colored ash that was solid and did not fall of easily. Draw was perfect with plenty of smoke.
I really like this cigar - it had nice complexity and very good balance. The Mediterranean spices were interesting and not something that I taste in many cigars that I review. The burn and draw also made the smoking experience that much better. MSRP for this vitola is $6.10 and I feel that it is a worthy price point for this cigar. Definitely a cigar to be enjoyed after a full meal. I would absolutely recommend this cigar to try for someone looking for a unique profile - full body smoke with excellent construction.
Initial taste - Cedar wood and pepper.
First half - Pepper, cinnamon and leather with notes of Mediterranean spices such as cumin, sage and rosemary. Good balance.
Second half - Continuation of the pepper, cinnamon, leather and notes of the Mediterranean spices. Very long finish of spice and cinnamon.
Construction - Nice looking,a darkish brown wrapper with a nice oily sheen. No major veins were visible and the cap was bumpy and uneven. Burn was razor sharp producing a salt and pepper colored ash that was solid and did not fall of easily. Draw was perfect with plenty of smoke.
I really like this cigar - it had nice complexity and very good balance. The Mediterranean spices were interesting and not something that I taste in many cigars that I review. The burn and draw also made the smoking experience that much better. MSRP for this vitola is $6.10 and I feel that it is a worthy price point for this cigar. Definitely a cigar to be enjoyed after a full meal. I would absolutely recommend this cigar to try for someone looking for a unique profile - full body smoke with excellent construction.
Friday, February 3, 2012
GENERAL CIGAR KICKS OFF SUPER BOWL WEEKEND IN STYLE
GENERAL CIGAR KICKS OFF SUPER BOWL WEEKEND IN STYLE
General Cigar will be the toast of Indianapolis this weekend, with sampling events that are on par with the Big Game itself. In fact, two of the three events that General Cigar is participating in have been named to BleacherReport.com’s highly-publicized ranking of the “10 Best Parties of Super Bowl Week.”
According to Alan Willner, General Cigar’s vice president of marketing said, “General Cigar has long been known for associating our brands with high profile events that elevate the cigar smoking occasion. This year, we’ll once again be at the best parties leading up to the ‘Big Game’ to bring the ultimate cigar smoking experience to A-list athletes, celebrities and football enthusiasts.”
Last night’s Jaws Cigar Party was hosted by none other than Ron Jaworski at Nicky Blaine’s cigar bar in downtown Indy. This fundraiser benefitted Ron’s pet charities -- Jaws Youth Playbook Foundation and Gleaners Food Bank's BackSack program.
An array of General Cigar favorites, including La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale, CAO OSA Sol and Macanudo Cru Royale, as well as Macanudo Vintage 1997 Maduro were available for Ron’s guests which included his ESPN boothmates. We’ll provide more details on the event, including photos, next week.
Tonight (Friday, Feb. 3) is the SPP Sports Poker Tournament to be held at the Indianapolis Zoo. General Cigar will be on hand to sample Punch, Grand Puro and Grand Cru cigars to event hosts Devin Hester, LeSean McCoy. Other noteworthy names expected to attend are Patrick Warburton (Rules of Engagement) and Quinton Aaron (The Blind Side) and a slew of NFL greats. Stay tuned for more info.
Saturday night is the big Rolling Stone party at the Crane Bay event center. To celebrate Bacardi’s 150th anniversary, General Cigar has teamed up with the premier rum brand and will serve La Gloria Cubana and CAO La Traviata to a roster of A-list guests. Jeff Gordon, Joe Jonas, Marc Anthony, Nikki Reed and Andy Roddick are all expected to attend.
Outside of Indy, General Cigar is once again participating in Franco Harris’ annual Immaculate Reception. This year’s event will be held in Sin City and will benefit Soldier’s Angels. Franco’s beloved Punch Grand Cru cigars will be on hand for guests to smoke and savor.
General Cigar will be the toast of Indianapolis this weekend, with sampling events that are on par with the Big Game itself. In fact, two of the three events that General Cigar is participating in have been named to BleacherReport.com’s highly-publicized ranking of the “10 Best Parties of Super Bowl Week.”
According to Alan Willner, General Cigar’s vice president of marketing said, “General Cigar has long been known for associating our brands with high profile events that elevate the cigar smoking occasion. This year, we’ll once again be at the best parties leading up to the ‘Big Game’ to bring the ultimate cigar smoking experience to A-list athletes, celebrities and football enthusiasts.”
Last night’s Jaws Cigar Party was hosted by none other than Ron Jaworski at Nicky Blaine’s cigar bar in downtown Indy. This fundraiser benefitted Ron’s pet charities -- Jaws Youth Playbook Foundation and Gleaners Food Bank's BackSack program.
An array of General Cigar favorites, including La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale, CAO OSA Sol and Macanudo Cru Royale, as well as Macanudo Vintage 1997 Maduro were available for Ron’s guests which included his ESPN boothmates. We’ll provide more details on the event, including photos, next week.
Tonight (Friday, Feb. 3) is the SPP Sports Poker Tournament to be held at the Indianapolis Zoo. General Cigar will be on hand to sample Punch, Grand Puro and Grand Cru cigars to event hosts Devin Hester, LeSean McCoy. Other noteworthy names expected to attend are Patrick Warburton (Rules of Engagement) and Quinton Aaron (The Blind Side) and a slew of NFL greats. Stay tuned for more info.
Saturday night is the big Rolling Stone party at the Crane Bay event center. To celebrate Bacardi’s 150th anniversary, General Cigar has teamed up with the premier rum brand and will serve La Gloria Cubana and CAO La Traviata to a roster of A-list guests. Jeff Gordon, Joe Jonas, Marc Anthony, Nikki Reed and Andy Roddick are all expected to attend.
Outside of Indy, General Cigar is once again participating in Franco Harris’ annual Immaculate Reception. This year’s event will be held in Sin City and will benefit Soldier’s Angels. Franco’s beloved Punch Grand Cru cigars will be on hand for guests to smoke and savor.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
AVO Heritage Toro Review
AVO Heritage Toro - 6 X 50. Wrapper - Ecuadorian Sun Grown, Binder - Dominican Republic, Filler - Dominican Republic. Medium - full bodied.
Initial lighting taste - Spicy woodiness.
First third - Spice, citrus, leather and cedar wood notes.
Second third - Spice continues, tangy citrus, leather and sweet fruit notes. Very nice.
Last third - Spice, citrus leather and fruity sweetness. Long finish of spice and tangy leather.
Construction - A nice looking, brown wrapper with a somewhat bumpy texture and some moderate veins. The wrapper had a slight oily sheen to it. Burn was straight producing a light gray ash that was solid and held on. Draw was very good and allowed for plenty of smoke.
This was a fantastic cigar - great complexity and balance and a flavor profile that I love. The sweet fruit notes on the back end of the taste was very enjoyable. MSRP for this vitola is $8.50 which this cigar is worth every bit of. I smoked this down to my finger tips and wished there was more. By far my favorite line from AVO Cigars hands down. Definite recommend.
Initial lighting taste - Spicy woodiness.
First third - Spice, citrus, leather and cedar wood notes.
Second third - Spice continues, tangy citrus, leather and sweet fruit notes. Very nice.
Last third - Spice, citrus leather and fruity sweetness. Long finish of spice and tangy leather.
Construction - A nice looking, brown wrapper with a somewhat bumpy texture and some moderate veins. The wrapper had a slight oily sheen to it. Burn was straight producing a light gray ash that was solid and held on. Draw was very good and allowed for plenty of smoke.
This was a fantastic cigar - great complexity and balance and a flavor profile that I love. The sweet fruit notes on the back end of the taste was very enjoyable. MSRP for this vitola is $8.50 which this cigar is worth every bit of. I smoked this down to my finger tips and wished there was more. By far my favorite line from AVO Cigars hands down. Definite recommend.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Macanudo Welcomes Two New Frontmarks
Making their retail debut this week are Macanudo Café Gigante and Macanudo Maduro Gigante.
Created in response to consumer demand for large-ring offerings, both the Macanudo Café and Macanudo Maduro Gigante cigars measure 6” x 60. Each will be packed in a 25 count box and sold for an SRP per cigar of $7.99, or $199.75, SRP per box.
CAO debuts new La Traviata frontmark
Following in the footsteps of the highly successful Ecuadoran-wrapped CAO La Traviata Luminoso, the new Maduro version features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper to lend a touch of sweetness to the critically-acclaimed blend.
At 4.5” x 50, the new Rothschild will be available for an SRP of $5.10 per cigar, or $153 for a 30-count box.
“CAO La Traviata ‘Luminoso’ is one of our top sellers, so it was only natural that we gave CAO fans a new take on one of their favorite cigars,” said Ed McKenna, CAO’s senior brand manager. “Rick Rodriguez and I are looking forward to receiving some great feedback about CAO La Traviata Maduro Luminoso on our website, caocigars.com.”
Monday, January 16, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Oro De Panama Maduro Torpedo Review
Oro De Panama Maduro Torpedo - 6 X 52. Wrapper - Panama Maduro, Binder - Panama, Filler - Panama. Medium - full bodied.
Initial lighting taste - Earth and spice.
First third - Peppery spice, tangy, sweet fruit and Earthiness.
Second third - Pepper spice, tangy, sweet fruitiness and Earth.
Last third - A continuation of the Pepper spice, tangy, sweet fruit and Earthiness.
Construction - A somewhat bumpy wrapper, dry in texture with a few major veins visible. Burn was straight with a loose ash that was dark gray in color. Draw was perfect with copious amounts of smoke produced.
A very enjoyable cigar that had excellent complexity and good balance. I was very impressed with the complex flavor profile especially the fruity Earthiness. MSRP for this vitola is $6.50 which is a very economical price point for a cigar of this quality. I recommend if you like the Spicy, Earthy flavor profile in a medium to full body.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)