Brand evangelist, digital marketer, cigar and spirits expert specializing in consumer tasting and educational events. Matthias made the long trek from his hometown of Portland, Oregon to New York City in 2007, and in nine years has hosted more than 120 events and helped promote and launch dozens of cigar and whiskey brands in the U.S. In 2016, he joined the Cigar Journal Tasting Panel, blind-reviewing pre and new release cigars.
Up for review today is the Davidoff Nicaragua, a blend that when I first smoked it after its initial release I found to be about what I expected, but still underwhelming. I decided to give the cigar another chance and give it a formal review, and I’m glad I did because the experience this time around was a complete reversal of what I experienced my first few times smoking the cigar.
Here’s some background info on the cigar from the Davidoff website:
Inspired by Zino Davidoff’s pioneering spirit, Davidoff Master Blenders went on an exploration for a new type of blend that would stimulate both the bitter and sweet taste buds. Finally, they found it in Nicaragua, where the earth is infused by the fiery activity of some of the country’s forty volcanoes. The elegant Nicaragua Toro is spicy and peppery at the beginning, before evolving into a pleasant smoke with the familiar delight of the dual Davidoff sweet and dark bitter chocolate notes.
The 100% Puro Nicaraguan blend combines a 10-year-old Habano Seed Nicaragua Rosado wrapper in a beautiful colour, with a binder from Jalapa and a filler blend of tobaccos from Esteli, Condega and Ometepe. The range comes in three sizes: Toro (5 1⁄2 inches; 54 RG); Robusto (5 inches; 50 RG) and Short Corona (3 3⁄4 inches; 46 RG).
Blend Specifics
Cigar Reviewed: Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Rosado
Binder: Jalapa
Filler: Esteli, Condega, and Ometepe
Size: 5 x 50 Robusto
Retail Price: ~#20
Appearance & Construction
The outer wrapper of the Davidoff Nicaragua is marbled dark brown and rugged, with some very noticeable seams and veins running the length of the cigar.
When squeezed, the cigar has a moderate amount of give, more than I’m used to on most Davidoff cigars. In addition, the softness seems most substantial at about halfway down the cigar. The aroma off of the foot is very gentle and unassuming, a mix of light earth, mixed berries, and slight spice that tingles the nose. The draw is good, though a bit loose (about a 6.5/10 in terms of restrictiveness).
Flavor and Smoke Characteristics
The Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto opens much stronger than I remember it being. Body and strength are both at medium on lift off, though there is a spice that’s surprisingly strong and frankly out of character for Davidoff. Flavors on the palate and aroma include toasted oak, black pepper, bitter sweet espresso, granola and grilling spices. The overall balance is between sweet, savory, and spicy, and, true to Davidoff form, it’s all balanced expertly. This gives the Davidoff Nicaragua an elegance that is rare on Nicaraguan blends with similar flavor profiles. The first ash holds well past the inch, and the cigar continues producing an excellent amount of cool (though spicy) smoke.
By the second third, I’m picking up some distinctive cocoa on the draw, followed by toasted wood, black pepper, and savory grilling spices. The retrohale is full of hot spices and peppers, but isn’t overly aggressive. This adds a great additional layer to the experience, and I’m loving this cigar so far.
At halfway, that great chocolate note gives way to a semi sweet, dry wood. Although the body of the smoke remains at medium, the strength of flavor (and the spice) settles below medium. This is reflected on the retrohale as well, which is now very smooth and woody. The construction of the cigar remains almost perfect, with a nearly straight burn and great smoke production.
This doesn’t last long, because in the final third, the pepper and charred wood come roaring back, unencumbered by almost any other flavors. It’s not the most enjoyable end, but it does seem to be somehow fitting given what came before. A thoroughly enjoyable smoke.
Conclusion
An altogether different experience than when I first smoked this cigar in 2014. So different that it may as well be a different blend (though of course in reality it is not). The Davidoff Nicaragua is a wonderfully crafted medium to full bodied smoke that combines sweet, spicy, and savory flavors expertly. If you’re a fan of Davidoff or of Nicaraguan tobacco, this is a must smoke cigar.
Up for review today is the Bandolero Seleccion Especial which I discovered through my friends at Luxury Cigar Club. They’re great in part because they introduce cigars in their monthly boxes that are a bit ‘off the grid’ but also exceptional from a quality standpoint.
In any case, Bandolero cigars are produced by Neslon Alfonso and Selected Tobacco. Alfonso is famous for his work developing the branding for the Cuban Cohiba “Behike” which is renowned as one of the most desirable (and expensive) cigars in the world. Selected Tobacco on the other hand is a company now famous for two ultra-premium (and similarly expensive) non-Cuban cigar brands: Atabey and Byron Cigars. The Bandolero Seleccion Especial is billed as a less wallet-crushing cigar from the same maker, but only tasting the product will determine if it lives up to the same standards as the other brands.
Well, I can’t say I understand the branding on the band, especially given the branding mind behind this cigar. The mixture of black, gold and brown is not very appealing, and the brown portion of the band seems to be a printed wood texture (weren’t we done with that in the 70’s?).
Thankfully, the outer wrapper is a different story: pristine, with just one substantial vein and an otherwise smooth texture. The cigar is springy when squeezed, and as I squeeze along the length of it, it seems consistently packed.
Taking a whiff off of the foot I pick up predominantly sweet aromas of peanuts, granola, coffee bean, and earth. The cold draw is less interesting, with just a bit of sweet earth and a slight tingly spice.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
If the branding on this cigar is bad, the opening flavors are the exact opposite.
The Bandolero Selecccion Especial opens beautifully, with surprisingly mild, approachable smoke. The texture is extremely creamy, and the core notes of the profile at the start are peanuts and oak, with hints of floral and spice sometimes evident in the aroma. The retrohale is shockingly mild, with notes of warm bread and light baking spices. Construction wise, the draw is perfect, a 7/10 in terms of amount of restrictiveness, and the cigar produces ample smoke. The quality of the tobacco used in this cigar is unmistakable.
As the cigar develops more into the first inch, the texture and experience of the smoke starts to resemble my experiences smoking the Cuban Montecristo No. 2. That is to say, the draw is very smooth, the texture is silky, and the flavors are present and pronounced. Throughout the first half, construction is excellent, with the ash dropping in inch and a half increments and no issues with the burn.
The Bandolero Seleccion Especial smokes mostly the same all the way until the beginning of the final third. Definitely disappointing as the cigar started off great and I was hoping for a bit more flavor development in the second third.
In any case, the final third does have some significant changes. Although the body of the cigar never reaches medium, it does build a bit, with a noticeable increase in spiciness on the tongue and in the retrohale. The flavor palette as a whole also shifts, away from the creamy sweetness of the first two thirds and toward a more bitter base with notes of wood, fresh bread, paper, and nuts. The big negative though about the final third is that the smoke begins to heat up far too soon, with at least an inch and a half left before the cigar begins to be difficult to continue smoking.
Conclusion
After smoking the Bandolero Seleccion Especial, it’s obvious to me that it utilizes some very special tobacco. The first half of the cigar is close to sublime, with a very Cubanesque flavor profile that features prominent notes of nuts, cream, floral, and light spices. Unfortunately, the complexity and harmony falls off a bit, making the second half a lot less compelling overall.
Either way, I think this particular cigar would be a worthy investment for veteran cigar smokers looking to experience a Cubanesque non-Cuban cigar.
Up for review today is the RoMa Craft Tobac Intemperance BA XXI. I haven’t smoked many cigars from Roma Craft Tobac, but I do have to say that after reviewing this cigar, I will be smoking many more in the future. Read on to learn why.
Blend Specifics
Cigar Reviewed: RoMa Craft Tobac Intemperance BA XXI Ambition
Wrapper: Brazilian Arapicara
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican
Size: 5 1/2 x 54 Belicoso
Retail Price: ~$8
Appearance & Construction
The Intemperance BA XXI is an attractive cigar, with an espresso bean colored Brazilian Arapiraca that has minimal veins. Strangely, the wrapper leaf doesn’t actually extend all the way to the foot of the cigar. I couldn’t tell you why, but William Cooper at Cigar Coop looked into it and found the following:
At the footer of each of the Intemperance BA, it has an exposed binder, and then some exposed filler. Martin explained there were two reasons for this: First because Arapiraca wrapper is sensitive to humidity, the wrapper would actually shrink. They found the best way to work with this wrapper would be to let it age before cutting the foot (thus the shrinkage). Secondly, by exposing the binder and then the filler, it allows the cigar enthusiast to experience those parts of the blend without the dominant flavor component of the wrapper.
Besides the fascinating construction, the foot of the cigar smells great, with strong aromas of cedar, grilling spices, and earth. The cold draw is very spicy, with balanced, sweet notes of sweet earth and wood. Construction-wise, the draw is mostly free, about a 6/10 in terms of amount of restrictiveness.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
The first few puffs of the Intemperance BA XXI Ambition are noticeably thin on flavor, a direct result of having no combustion of the wrapper leaf. That’s short-lived though. Only two minutes in to the smoke, the wrapper leaf begins to burn and the flavors become much more rich and textured, with creamy fruitiness leading the way (a unique note to be sure) followed by rich cocoa and espresso notes. Every now and again, the smoke becomes a bit toasty, which keeps things interesting. Speaking of interesting, there’s also a surprising salt and spice that hits just the very tip of the tongue and sizzles momentarily, especially when I hold the smoke in my mouth. The cigar performs great on the construction side, with cool smoke, great smoke production, and a razor sharp burn line. As the cigar continues on in the first third, the spicy and toasty elements of the smoke begin to take center stage, upending the predominantly smooth and rich introduction. I’d put body and strength at medium in the first third.
The Intemperance BA XXI continues to shift and evolve all the way through the second third. First shifting to a spicier, drier and more full strength profile with leather, pepper and charred oak, and then minutes later shifting toward silky smooth smoke that highlights salty-sweet notes of popcorn, grilling spices, milk chocolate and concentrated espresso. For the most part the retrohale is mild and unassuming except for a few puffs here and there where a nicely placed dry spice comes through and livens things up. It’s a whirlwind, but a good one. Absolutely no issues with construction either: a great draw and good burn all the way through with the ash falling in inch and a half increments.
In the final third of the Intemperance BA XXI Ambition, the strength and body finally peak just past medium, with a noticeable uptick in dry wood, leather and spice and a diminishing of the smoother espresso and chocolate flavors. It’s a great way to wind the smoke down, not with a whimper but with more of a bang. The only negative that comes up is that the draw, already free near the beginning, opens up even more leading to the smoke overheating in the final inch.
Conclusion
As Halfwheel rightly noted in their review of the Intemperance BA XXI, this cigar relies less on blasts of power and more on finesse. I’ve got to hand it to Skip Martin and the team at RoMa Craft Tobac. They really have proven in this cigar, and in the CroMagnon, that they are capable of blending truly unique and skillful product.
Over the last few months, you may have seen many new whisky reviews written by Mark Garbin, a recent guest author to Fine Tobacco NYC (ex: (here, here, here, and here). He breaks the mold of the typical 100-point review, injecting in some much needed personality and charm.
Mark’s reviews aren’t just about reporting smells and flavors. He takes the time and thought to help people understand the experience of whisky; embracing the fact that every one of us approaches life in ways that are quite personal. His philosophy as he puts it: “If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, enjoyment is in the taste of the sipper!” I very much enjoy reading his posts and appreciate the unique spin he brings to this website. Although focused on cigar smokers, our site is also visited by tens of thousands of spirits lovers from all parts of the globe each year.
We all know that the link between a great smoke and fine drink enhances both. So I’m excited to announce that Mark has agreed to grace us with his measured thoughts on alcohol the world over, taking the role of Spirits Editor for finetobacconyc.com.
In the “spirit” (Ha!) of meeting our newest team member, I asked Mark to share his story and his take on all things distilled. Read on to find out what he said.
FTNYC: Let’s get started with the basics. Who are you? Where are you from? And how did you come to be involved with reviewing on Fine Tobacco NYC?
MG: By day I’m a institutional risk and portfolio specialist who sits on Fund boards helping to guide the portfolio performance of investment advisers. In my 35+ years in the business, I’ve been around the world numerous times and had the privilege and pleasure of enjoying thousands of whiskies and places to drink. Last year, I decided to become a certified whisky sommelier and received my certification from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust.
Recently, I met Fine Tobacco NYC’s fearless leader, Matthias Clock, over coffee. His approach to cigars and events is unique and dovetails well with my own beliefs. It was a natural for me to contribute to the fun and enjoyment.
FTNYC: Putting together a review of any product takes time and effort. What got you in to writing about whisky and why do you keep it up?
MG: I noticed more people trying new whiskies but they struggle to find clarity in their own preferences. I also saw how they start with but want to get beyond mass production bottles. I got into writing because I want people to drink better quality but also have an appreciation for how time, place, food and emotion play into life’s wonderful nuances. I didn’t see that (and still don’t) in the current review genre. I love helping individuals view tasting as an experience to be savored.
Pictured: Mark Garbin at a recent Fine Tobacco NYC event. (Photo credit: John DeMato Productions)
FTNYC: Besides being an accomplished writer, you mentioned that you put together whisky events in New York City for businesses. What do those events usually look like?
MG: They range from 20 – 250 people. Some companies love the idea of a vertical range of a single whisky label. For example, at a recent event, we tasted all of the stunning Dalmore brand expressions. Another firm wanted to sample different bourbons with multiple mashbills as well as create bespoke cocktails. These get-togethers are often for law firms, financial companies and for tech industry client thank-you events. My objective is to create a memorable experience.
FTNYC: What do you think of numerical ratings and letter grades?
MG: This is an emotional subject for me. First, there are many fine whisky reviewers who provide a great intro to quality. One of the best is Kara Newman at Winemag.com. She packs a lot of helpful info into a brief description. Ari, The Whisky Guy also does fantastic 60-second video reviews. Distiller.com and the Ultimate Spirits Challenge are also helpful.
That said, these grades are better taken as initial guidelines. One person’s 95 is another’s 75 and vice versa. But more important, a whisky that you might like at 6pm for a pre-dinner drink is different than one you would enjoy with certain main courses, desserts or after a meal. Your mood and flavor desires at the time also matter. For example, you might want a high rye bourbon or peated malt when you’re eating a steak. Or if it’s before a meal, your frame of mind could take you to a delicate Japanese whisky or wheated bourbon. Are you with your partner or with a group of friends engaged in a friendly taste-a-thon?
Bottom line, use ratings as starting points. More critical is what do you feel like drinking, when do you want it, with what are you pairing and with whom.
FTNYC: In your reviews, you break down whiskies by the type of person they would appeal to. Can you tell us a bit about those categories?
MG: Sure. Like Cigars, whisky has many facets. You can enjoy a whisky for its balance but then crave a real powerhouse. Sometimes a softer touch is needed or you want a dram where you can sit back and contemplate life. Flavor profiles are highly subjective. So don’t choose one. Embrace them all!
Next, where are you on your whisky journey? The Apprentice is starting down the road to a sophisticated palate. The Enthusiast is engaging in education as much as they can and the Adventurer climbs mountains just because they exist. Finally the Hedonist seeks spiritual (pun intended) rapture every time they raise their glass. Please note: It’s so much fun to indulge in multiple personalities when you enjoy what’s in the glass. A person can be an Apprentice and Hedonist simultaneously! Any permutation is welcome!
Finally, when and with what food, if any, are you drinking? There are some brands I would never, ever have with food. There are some where I would ONLY have them with a meal. You can love a whisky at many times or at a single time and place. Finding what works for you is the great joy! I hope to earn your trust as a guide on your voyage and bring a smile to your face.
It’s one of those things magazines write about for a person to do before they die. It will spoil you forever. The glasses and gins/vodkas are kept at -10º F as you select from a myriad of hard to get gins and designer vodkas. Then quintessential butler service brings a small portable station to you where long-serving bartenders pour the syrupy spirit into your now frosted glass. Then a precise peeling separates a Sorrento lemon skin from its host as droplets of the most fragrant oils caress the surface of your drink. A bowl of olives and nuts are placed on your table as you invoke your hedonist persona to savor each glistening sip.
FYI, the Dukes’ compelled me to: 1) Keep my gins & vodkas at sub-zero temps, 2) Buy organic lemons if I can’t get Sorrentos and 3) Buy a small freezer that now holds my precious secret stash of Beefeater Crown Jewel Gin and other hard to get whiskies.
Btw, they also stock a magnificent collection of Single Malts, Cognacs and Armagnacs. It might look like the classic “man’s bar”, but women are equally welcomed and pampered. Why are you reading this? GO THERE NOW!!!
FTNYC: You’ve sampled a lot of whisky in your time. What are your top three to five choices?
MG: OMG, the list is long and distinguished. It’s so hard to narrow everything down to so few. But, let’s look at two categories: 1) Great value whiskies less than $100/bottle and available at great prices. 2) TKO spirits i.e. The best devil-may-care availability or price point.
Whisky
Great Value
TKO
Single Malt
Cragganmore 12
(Tie) Ardbeg Uigeadail and Balvenie 21, Dalmore Cigar Malt
Blended Scotch
Johnnie Walker Green
Hibiki Japanese Harmony
Low Rye Bourbon
(Tie) Stagg, Jr. & Elmer T. Lee
Clyde May’s 10 Year Cask Strength
High Rye Bourbon
Four Roses Single Barrel
Remus Repeal Reserve
Rye
Hudson Maple Cask
Hillrock Sauternes Cask
Gin (London Dry)
Greenhook Ginsmiths
Beefeater Crown Jewel (Have to go to London)
Tequila
Herradura Anejo
Patron Cask Collection Sherry Anejo
FTNYC: You have an ebook with an extensive selection of bar reviews. Can you tell our readers what it is, and where they can get a copy?
MG: Thanks. It’s called Whisky and Romance Manhattan. It’s about the most romantic whisky bars in the city. For those interested in Spy Thrillers, my novel, No Fingerprints, is perfect for pairing with a great stick and a dram.
Reviewing cigars is a great hobby for a number of reasons, not least of which is that as a reviewer, I get to smoke a lot of the newest product on the market, discover new brands, and develop my palate. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t good reasons to turn to regularly return to the classic brands that have defined the industry since the mid twentieth century. In the case of today’s post, that’s Arturo Fuente, more specifically the Hemingway Signature Maduro which is rightly understood as a classic among industry veterans.
The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature Maduro features a classic Fuente band (I’ve always found the similarities of the bands confusing), with a slightly sandy textured maduro wrapper that has plenty of oil and some pronounced veins.
The outer wrapper smells of barnyard, vegetal, and savory spices. Par for the course for Fuente. The draw is very tight, an 8.5/10 in terms of restrictiveness, but that’s mostly due to the tapered format, so we’ll see how the construction changes as the cigar burns.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature Maduro ignites and immediately produces wonderfully mild but thin flavors of creamy chocolate. But as soon as the tapered end burns, the draw suddenly opens up and smoke production kicks in full blast. Notes of floral, barbecue, espresso and cocoa powder come together to make a unique, dessert-like initial impression. Each time I puff, I’m greeted with white and red pepper, but the finish is creamy and lightly sweet, making for an excellently balanced experience. The retrohale is chock full of red and white pepper, along with some wood and vegetal notes.
Overall, the kick off of the Hemingway Signature Maduro strikes the balance between sweet, savory, and spicy quite nicely, though the wood note at times is a little bit abrasive.
As the ember burns past the first inch, the ash continues holding on with a perfectly shaped point. The strength and body of the cigar are now past medium and getting close to full. There’s plenty of sweet cream up front, with some bitter wood, but most of all lots of finely ground white and red pepper. The aroma is excellent, with more sweetness than the palate.
The ash continues to hold all the way up to the end of the first third. The flavor shifts away from bitter / savory and toward sweet, with a distinct dark chocolate note peeking through the more aggressive spice and pepper notes. It’s quite nice, and especially so because just a few puffs layer, the chocolate is joined by sweet cinnamon, adding nice complexity.
Remarkably, the ash holds almost to halfway. Smoke production never let’s up, and the cigar continues providing cool, flavorful smoke. At halfway, the pepper of the cigar finally subsides, though strong spice remains on the tip of the tongue with each puff. At the same time, soft mushroom emerges.
At this point what I find so interesting about the Hemingway Signature Maduro is that, though there is plenty by way of flavor complexity, there’s nearly as much complexity in the different textures I’ve experienced up to this point. This really enhances the experience and is a testament to the craftsmanship at work on this cigar.
The final third of the Hemingway Signature Maduro brings it all together. Nearly perfect construction, great smoke production, and a very complex flavor profile. Lots of spices on the tip of the tongue, cream coating the palate, and supporting flavors of mushroom, espresso, cedar, and hints of dark chocolate. Strength at this point is full, providing one hell of an ending to the experience.
Conclusion
The Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature Maduro is a classic cigar for a reason. Impeccable construction, rich and complex flavors, and a real journey of strength and texture. It’s the kind of cigar that has so much going on that it isn’t the best beginner cigar, but veterans of all preferences will find much to love.
