Christian

About Christian

Christian offers a perspective of cigars ranging from vintage pre-embargo smokes, hard to find cigars as well as current releases. His 22+ years of smoking and love of travel have taken him on cigar journeys here and abroad. From smoking HERF’s in friends backyards to smoking Montecristo No. 2s on the terrace of the Hungarian Palace Hotel in Lido Italy, Christian takes the “everyman” approach to cigar smoking being it all about taste and enjoyment of where you are or who you are with.

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Blind Review: Penn Standard Pennsylvania Broadleaf Robusto

4 2 15.5k

Budget friendly brand Penn Standard is cigar using a Pennsylvania Broadleaf maduro wrapper. I haven’t smoked this brand before and I tend to shy away from “budget” smokes as they tend to be under fermented or underfilled. I’d rather spend more on better tobacco and enjoy the time I have to smoke. That being said if I ever find a cigar that has quality and value I am all over it. This being a blind tasting, I could only see at the beginning that it’s a dark robusto that is waiting for me to smoke. 

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Penn Stand Pennsylvania Broadleaf Robusto
  • Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua, Pennsylvania 
  • Size: 5″x 50 Robusto

Appearance and Construction

This is a very veiny dark maduro with a rounded head and molted wrapper. To the touch it is rock solid as I give it a squeeze. Its a bit dry looking and as I give it a roll in my palm I can feel the veins in the wrapper. The foot smells of prunes and a dusty note.

Taste and Smoke Characteristics

Using my Xikar scissors I clipped the round head and the dry draw is of prunes and a bit sour. My single flame torch evenly lights the foot and the first puff is gritty and sour. I’m getting some tanginess on the end which is off-putting. The mouthfeel is chewy and the retrohale I take has a burnt almond taste that end soured. The burn line is perfect and the ash is becoming whiter. The profile is in the medium range although there isn’t a substantial amount of smoke which surprises me as the cigar seems packed with tobacco. 

The middle starts to develop an oak character with vegetal notes. There’s a dustiness and tangy finish as take a slow draw and allow the smoke to waft into my mouth. The draw begins to become uneven and I pick up graham cracker and more wood. The retrohale brings white pepper and cedar with a short finish of balsawood. More smoke begins to appear as the robusto burns leaving a dense meaty flavor to it. The ash now turns gray with spots of white and continues its medium profile. 

As I make my way to the last third there are hearty flavors of meat and oak which turn sour similar to the first half of the cigar. Over roasted coffee beans dominate the smoke and gives a burnt finish. Once again the retrohale gives white pepper and cedar without much complexity thus far. The grittiness returns with pencil lead and a longer finish than before. With a final draw the cigar dies off leaving a charry oak and cherry note that sat on my palate for a while. 

Conclusion

As I said initially I am hesitate with “budget” cigars as even though I’m not expecting the most complex smoke, I find bitter notes off putting. This robusto had too many tangy and sour points for me to enjoy it as much as I could. What did appeal to me was the white pepper and cedar along with the graham cracker when it came around. Finding out this was a J. Fuego cigar and the price point I’ll give it credit for its efforts however I’d seek out another cigar of better quality and value or spend a little more for something I will enjoy while I carve out a moment for a cigar. 

Final Rating: 86

Blind Review: Davidoff Signature No.1 Limited Edition

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When Davidoff announced they were rereleasing the discontinued Davidoff Signature number one I was anxiously awaiting to try it. The lancero format is one of my favorite sizes as I feel you get a nice taste of the wrapper and with the concentrated tobaccos in the filler you can really pickup nuanced flavors. That’s not to say all lanceros are the best as it still needs the skill of a blender to be able to use the right components to have this vitola shine through. Regardless whenever I see a lancero I am eager to try them and with this blind tasting I couldn’t wait to light up

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Davidoff Signature No.1 Limited Edition
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut 
  • Binder: Ecuadorian
  • Filler: Dominican 
  • Size: 7” ½ x 39 (Lancero)

Appearance and Construction

The lancero is a claro wrapper that’s a bit pale and veiny. As I squeeze the cigar it is noticeably soft in several places. The pigtail stands out with a coil truly that of a pig. The foot brings cedar, barely wine and pepper that tingles my sinus. The roll on this cigar flows nicely in hand and is a good looking light cigar. 

Tasting and Smoke Characteristics

The cut slices the pigtail cap easily and the draw is perfect. With a puff there is leather, hay and some salinity to it. With my single flame Xikar I light up and the first flavors are sweet sandalwood, caramel and toast. The body of the cigar is more intense than I assumed from the wrapper and is in the medium to full range. A retrohale has oak and walnut with wheat flowing through. A flaky dark grayish ash begins to form with subtle smoke emanating at this point. There’s a floral note which brings about a tart fruitiness that finishes long. The burn is a bit fast.

In the second half I take a slow draw as to not to have the cigar move too quickly and miss some of its flavors. There are some more floral tastes which surprisingly bring in white pepper for an added change in the profile. The cigar continues to deliver a heartier strength than I had perceived and the ash is really beginning to flake off. The retrohale has walnut and a creamy finish that lingers which reminds me of an aged “Cubanesque” profile. The white pepper that was initially there is now black pepper that covers the sides of my mouth with a zippy acidity. 

Despite the cigar burning faster than I enjoy, the flavors have turned to a creamier mix with toffee and nuts on the long finish. Cedar returns along with the barley wine smell from the foot with a leather that leaves the drying sensation as the smoke is exhaled. I get sweetness from the wrapper along with a mustiness that at times has a mushroom/earthy quality to it. Another retrohale gives off more earth, pencil lead and pepper which gets a bit muddled at its end. The burn is sharp even with the ash not holding on well and the strength settles into a medium body. Coffee and wood return with a shorter sharper finish than I’ve experienced before. A final puff initiates a waft of smoke with some sweetness and an herbaceous note that elongates its finish.

Conclusion

This was a well-constructed lancero with a slightly fuller body than the wrapper would indicate. This proves that the appearance of a cigar whether darker or lighter, does not necessarily give a clue as to how strong a cigar will be. The sweetness, wood and pepper that seemed to permeate throughout the cigar was pleasing as well as the long finishes. The change in the last third gave a more earthy profile ending in a sweeter finish. Finding out this was a Davidoff No.1 was quite pleased they brought these back as even though it’s not the most complex cigar the flavors are there if you smoke it slow. I would certainly recommend picking a few up. 

Final Score: 90

Blind Cigar Review: Davidoff Year of the Rabbit Limited Edition 2023

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The eleventh edition of Davidoff’s tribute to the signs of the Chinese Zodiac is the Year of the rabbit. It’s a large double perfecto with an Ecuadorian wrapper Mexican binder with Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers respectively. I’ve been able to smoke all the editions thus far and they have all be well received in their size and tasting profile. Having to smoke this blind, I was excited to smoke what looks like a well-made cigar with its pigtail cap. 

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed:  Davidoff Year of the Rabbit Limited Edition 2023
  • Wrapper: Ecuador
  • Binder: Mexican San Andres
  • Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan 
  • Size: 5” 15/16 x 54 (double perfecto)

Appearance and Construction

This perfecto sports a squat pigtail cap with a few noticeable veins across the wrapper. It’s a bit dry as I run my figures across, and to the touch its firm with sufficient tobacco inside. Rolling in my palm I see how well-crafted the cigar is. The small opening to the foot gives off faint barnyard and wood notes. 

Taste and Smoking Characteristics 

I clip just enough to remove the pigtail cap which allows me to get a nice draw. As I take an unlit puff there’s leather and prune coming through. Using a long match I take flame to the tapered foot and I’m greeted with a salty and gritty start. The perfecto begins to develop leather and pepper with roasted nuts on the end. As the foot opens wider the smoke builds and with a retrohale I get honey and leather that clings to the sides of my mouth as I exhale. The pepper takes on a stronger role although does not overwhelm. The smoke is billowing now and the cigar is in the medium bodied range. 

About midway the leather dominates and the finish becomes metallic. I get wood and roasted nuts with its progression and an unfortunate tinny impression. The retrohale gives coffee and nuts with a dry dusty finish. The grit returns from the wrapper as I take a slow draw with cocoa and a creamy finish that develops which is quite pleasant. The ash is grayish and long marking the quality of the roller. There’s some dried red fruits appearing while the metallic finish returns. The body of the smoke does not sway from its medium style despite the pepper and increased smoke production I get with another draw. 

The final third gives more honeyed sweetness with toasted oak and dryness on the palate. Another puff delivers more fruit with leather and a short finish. Taking a retrohale the pepper returns along with cedar, almond and another metallic taste as the smoke wafts through. The ash continues to be solid and light gray with an ever present dead even burn. There’s some nice complexity to the cigar although not as pronounced as I’d like. Smoke production is consistently high with a noticeable aroma of oak and notes of cream and leather once again. Taking a final draw the wood profile and leather are in the forefront with a pleasant long finish. 

Conclusion

Seeing this was a Davidoff cigar I was not surprised by its construction nor the way it burned and handled itself. The profile was spot on the medium style. I enjoyed the leather, nuts and dried fruits the cigar produced as well as its complexity as the cigar moved on. The metallic taste I got hurt the overall balance of the smoke and really off put my palate. I wish the flavors were a bit more intense and the finishes a bit longer. I would revisit this cigar in a few months as I’d like to see how it rounds out. As I said I’ve enjoyed the Davidoff Zodiac cigars and if you’ve smoke them already I would continue to check them out.

Final Score: 89

Blind Cigar Review: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Black Sakakhan

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In late 2022, Steve Saka well known cigar maker and blender released the Mi Querida Black SakaKhan from his Dunbarton and Tobacco & Trust company. This is a large imposing dark Churchill with a pigtail cap. The name Sakakhan is said by Steve himself to be a nickname of his. Smoking this blind, I set aside a healthy amount of time to sit and experience this cigar. Read on.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed:  Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Black SakaKhan
  • Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
  • Binder: Mexican San Andres’
  • Filler: Dominican, Honduran, Nicaraguan 
  • Size: 7” ¼ x 54 (Churchill)

Blind Review Notes: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Mi Querida Black SakaKhan

Appearance & Construction 

This is one large dark maduro cigar with a tight pigtail cap. It’s rather veiny and firm to the touch. As I roll the cigar in my palm, I can see how well crafted the smoke is. The foot smells of cocoa, biscuit, and hay. 

Taste & Smoke Characteristics

With my Xikar I make a straight cut just below the pigtail which leaves a clean impression. The dry draw is airy and dusty with little flavor coming from it. Using a single flame, I take a I light and there’s leather and a grittiness to start. Notes of vanilla bean and brioche come forward as the cigar develops. Thus far the smoke is in the medium bodied range with a wavy whitish gray ash. With a retrohale I pick up coffee and earth with a sharpness on the finish.

The second half picks up with pepper on my lips and hitting the back of my throat. There’s more vanilla sweetness mixed with tea and wood with a short finish. Plenty of smoke is produced while taking a slow cool draw off this large Churchill.  I take another retrohale which delivers roasted nuts and oolong tea. There’s a bit more fullness in the body however I still feel it’s on the latter end of medium. The wavy burn line has corrected itself and is looking sharp. 

Reaching the final third there’s a transition in flavor with more earth notes followed by dry cedar. The drying sensation intensifies as I puff away bringing strong leather, wood along with black pepper. I’m finding the retrohale delivers the most strength from this cigar as I pick up spices and forest floor which lingers on my palate. This is one of the longer finishes of this smoke. As I take a final draw there’s a pleasant sweetness that rounds out this Churchill. 

Conclusion

For such a large cigar I was pleased that it was not too strong as to saturate my palate by the end of it. The leather, vanilla and wood notes were pleasing if not just a bit short on the finish. The middle of the smoke offered tea and roasted nuts that added to its complexity. Towards the end the cigar became drying on the sides of my mouth however the sweet finish redeem itself. I’ve enjoyed a few of Steve Saka’s blends and if you enjoy a long smoke and dedicate your time, SakaKhan is worth your time. 

Final Rating: 89

Blind Cigar Review: Quesada Reserva Privada Toro

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The 1997 crop of Dominican tobacco was a banner harvest for the Quesada Family and Manuel Quesada saved a bunch which became the Reserva Privada blend. The Quesada Family grows tobacco that are used for many other companies as well as their own lines. I’ve always enjoyed the blends which gave me a true sense of Dominican terroir. Smoking this blind the cigar looks a bit light which might make me think its mild however you just don’t know until you light up.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed:  Quesada Reserva Privada Toro
  • Wrapper: Connecticut Ecuadorian
  • Binder: Dominican
  • Filler: Dominican, Pennsylvanian
  • Size: 5” 5/58 x 54 (Toro)

Appearance and Construction

This toro is greenish with a blemish on the wrapper.  As I give the cigar a squeeze there are noticeable soft spots at the foot. There’s not much nose on the cigar as I give it a sniff and it is rather light in my hand. The look of the tobacco is anemic and lackluster.

Taste and Smoking Characteristics

I use a v-cut and take a dry draw which is airy and loose. With a torch lighter I toast the cigar and the first puff is gritty and charry. Another slow draw which comes off stale and unappealing. I take a retrohale and my sinus gets hit with spice and ginger that ends with graphite on the exhale. There’s some loose tobacco in my mouth which hinders the experience and leaves the quality suspect. The burn line is wavy and light gray ash forms on it.

Midway the toro grips me with heavy oak and a drying sensation along the sides of my mouth. There is an earthy character beginning to develop as I draw off the cigar. A retrohale is less intense than before and I pick up coffee and cocoa with burnt vanilla on the finish.  Notes of nuts and hay develop with a constant chariness in the background. The finish has been continuously short with a fast burn rate. At this point the smoke is in the medium range.

On the final third there is oak and raisin being the predominate characteristics. The draw has begun to tighten up surprisingly which inhibits the flavors coming through. As I take a retrohale to coax out some tangible notes there’s raw tobacco and an earthy finish. The burn line is wavy and there’s notes of hay and earth that turns sharp and bitter. With the smoke dissipating I choose not to relight and put the cigar down as I hesitate to experience more bitterness on the end.

Conclusion

My experience with most of the Quesada blends and tobacco has been pleasant, giving me complex flavors from there mild to full bodied lines. The quality of the tobacco and construction has usually been spot on with whatever I’ve smoked. The Reserva Privada did not deliver the nuances I am used to with their blends and the filler tobacco was loose and lacking. The drying and bitterness was not pleasant, and the charry notes tainted my palate. Maybe there was not enough tobacco from that crop saved to deliver the flavors that were expected however I can only speculate. I will say Quesada has plenty of lines to choose from and I would recommend trying others as they produce some wonderful cigars.

Final Rating: 84pts

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