Matthias Clock

About Matthias Clock

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.

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Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto Review

4 0 3.9k

Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto Review

Up for review today is the newest from Montecristo (Altadis)—the Montecristo Nicaragua Series. The cigar was originally released in 2018, and we had the luck of hosting the New York launch of that event at The Carnegie Club (more about that event here).

If “Nicaragua Series” sounds familiar, there’s a reason for it. Many traditionally DR-focused brands have released “Nicaragua” blends in the last couple of years, including Davidoff, Aging Room, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, and a slew of others. It’s a transparent attempt to capitalize on Nicaragua’s growing reputation as the new epicenter of flavor and quality in the cigar world. Not all attempts have been successful (I don’t care for the Davidoff Nicaragua, for example), but I appreciate all of the attempts. Mainly because I love Nicaraguan tobacco.

In any case, the Montecristo Nicaragua Series is offered in four sizes, including:

  • Montecristo Nicaragua Robusto (5 x 54)
  • Montecristo Nicaragua Toro (6 x 54)
  • Montecristo Nicaragua No. 2 (6 1/8 x 52)
  • Montecristo Nicaragua Churchill (7 x 56)

Let’s see how this cigar smokes.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
  • Binder: Corojo 98
  • Filler: Criollo 98 / Dominican piloto cubano
  • Size: 5 x 54 robusto

Montecristo Nicaragua Series Review

Appearance & Construction

I’ve got to say, looking at the Montecristo Nicaragua Series, it’s definitely a step above many of the previous Montecristo USA blends in terms of how it’s branded. Instead of being a bit gaudy as other blends like the Espada Guard or the Pilotico which has a massive mid-cigar band, it’s got striking but conservative black, gold and red branding. It gives the cigar a sturdy look, makes it stand out, all without calling to much attention to itself. So props to the Montecristo branding team on this one.

The outer Eucadorian Habano wrapper is nearly seamless, with just a few small veins and an otherwise flawless appearance. When squeezed, the cigar has a fair amount of give and seems to be packed consistently the length of the cigar. Off of the foot is a nice array of aromas: where spice is the first aroma to meet the nose, it is followed by sweet cedar, hay, and salt and pepper and coffee. Nothing remarkable, but well balanced. The cold draw is a bit less expressive, but generally mirrors the aromas off of the foot.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Montecristo Nicaragua Series opens with medium-plus bodied smoke. It’s got a lot of what I expect from Montecristo: earth, almonds, and cedar balanced by some creaminess. There’s also a bit of chocolate which edges in on the nose. Smoke production is a touch above average, meaning I’m not having to work too hard to product smoke and I’m getting the flavors as intended. The retrohale is a bit unwieldy, with a bit too much earth which compromises the smoothness of the smoke.

First impression: this is similar to Montecristo’s other core products, but with additional heft from the Nicaraguan tobaccos. It’s actually quite complex, with the earth being the only note that sometimes dominates too much.

At an inch in, the Montecristo Nicaragua Series has a razor sharp burn that’s still holding strong. I’m finding at this point that my favorite part of this smoke is actually the aroma. The scents are sweet but complex, with notes of almonds, floral and light milk chocolate. The almond note on the palate is fully in charge, though a rough textured earth elbows out many of the more subtle notes (cocoa, cedar, and baking spices). Translation: good complexity, but could use a bit more balance.

 

This continues up until a few puffs into the second third, where the Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto begins to come more into focus and more into balance. The heavy earth and spice on the retrohale mellows a bit, and the impressions on the palate are balanced between bitter, sweet, and spicy. The flavors themselves haven’t moved much, but the increased balance amplifies the enjoyment of the smoke.

In the final third, the Montecristo Nicaragua Series edges above medium in terms of body and strength. Sweetened almonds, cedar and burnt espresso are center stage, with baking spices and salt on the tip of tongue. It’s a pleasant enough profile, but it’s clear at this point that the cigar could benefit from more movements in flavor. Thankfully, the cigar manages to avoid the burst of harshness at the end that many fall prey to, providing for a nice close to the experience.

Conclusion

While the Montecristo Nicaragua Series doesn’t fly high in terms of balance, it does offer a nice take on the more traditional profiles of Dominican Montecristo cigars. It’s also a lot more elegant of a cigar than many other Nicaraguan blends that focus exclusively on producing high powered smokes. That being said, I’m still very particular to other Montecristo blends like the Espada, New York Series, and others.

Final Score: 87

Room101 The Big Payback Connecticut Hueso Review

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Room101 Big Payback Connecticut Review

Up for review today is a discontinued line from Matt Booth and Room101 called “The Big Payback.” I actually wasn’t aware of the cigar in its hayday, but my friend (and FTNYC event regular) Kevin generously gave me one of his last singles to review. Thanks Kevin!

Though currently unavailable, The Big Payback Connecticut was produced in three sizes:

  • Room101 Big Payback Connecticut Chavala (5 x 50)
  • Room101 Big Payback Connecticut Hueso (6 x 60)
  • Room101 Big Connecticut Payback 7×70 (7 x 70)

According to Halfwheel, the origin of the colorful name is Matt Booth’s desire to give back to his loyal customers by producing an excellent cigar at value prices (between $5 – $7).

Let’s see if he delivered.

Product Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Room101 The Big Payback Connecticut Hueso
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
  • Binder: Mexico
  • Filler: Dominican Republic
  • Size: 6 x 60

Room101 Big Payback Connecticut Review

Appearance & Construction

As you can see from the photos, Room101 is led by a man who knows how to brand a product. The lightness of the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper complements the gold detailing on the white band, giving the cigar a classic look. The wrapper is mostly smooth, with a two significant veins popping behind the band. When squeezed, the cigar is decently spongy and seems to be packed consistently the length of the cigar.

Smelling the foot of the cigar, I pick up a hefty amount of sweet hay, light cedar, and thick cream. There’s also a decent amount of a very fine spice that I’m not entirely sure how to describe. After cutting using a (large) straight cut, I test the draw which is a bit too loose, about a 4/10 in terms of amount of restictiveness. We’ll see if that becomes an issue later. On the cold draw, there’s a decent amount of spice that lingers on the cold draw, along with some dry cedar.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Room101 Big Payback opens with with mild to medium bodied smoke that is big in flavor and toasty in texture. Smoke production is fantastic (as you’d expect with such a free draw), with the cigar delivering large plumes of silky-white smoke. Flavor-wise, the smoke primarily hits bitter, with a touch of salt and sweetness in the aroma. Notes include heavily toasted bread, bitter wood, lots of kitchen spices, minerals, and just a touch of creaminess that coats the palate. The retrohale is surprisingly strong, consisting mainly of white pepper and cedar.

At an inch in, the ash on the Big Payback is holding surprisingly strong given the large ring gauge. The spice–enjoyable as it was–has drawn down nicely, though it is still present. Additionally, the bitter flavors have been replaced by a more assertive sweetness. Flavors at this point include cinnamon toast, baking spices, light nuttiness and cream on the finish.

Room101 Big Payback Connecticut Review

In the second third, the body and strength settle down a hair below medium. The texture of the smoke is a bit less toasty and more silky. That toasted bread note shifts towards something resembling vanilla cake, which is layered on top of creamy cedar, baking spices, and a very slight floral note. The retrohale is still at medium, with no change in flavor. Construction wise, the Big Payback continues to perform excellently, with a straight, razor sharp burn. Smoke production is still great, and the temperature of the smoke remains cool.

The final third of the Big Payback is a natural extension of the first two, with the smoke settled fully on a smooth, creamy texture. The flavor profile showcases vanilla cake, salted peanuts, and a healthy dose of white pepper in the aroma. Big Payback continues this way until the end, thankfully avoiding the high heat and overly bitter experience that characterizes the end of so many Connecticut blends.

Conclusion

I was pleasantly surprised by the Room101 Big Payback Connecticut. I was expecting a flavor profile that was too diluted by the 60 ring gauge. What I experienced instead was a flavorful, complex, mostly balanced experience with great construction. This cigar is worth pursuing if you can find it, and a quick google search shows some online retailers still have it in stock at the time of this writing.

Final Rating: 90

Trinidad Santiago Review

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What do you think of when you think about “Trinidad Cigars”?

A Cuban cigar brand? The island?

Until recently, the brand brought up almost nothing in my mind, save a few bad experiences with some Dominican versions in my early years of smoking. So when Eddy Guerra, Sr. Brand Manager at Altadis told me that the company had produced a full bodied Dominican puro using tobaccos from José Blanco’s farms, I was intrigued.

Enter Trinidad Santiago. Besides sporting a rough and dark Dominican Habano wrapper, the Santiago is smaller in ring gauge than a typical robusto. It also serves up some serious flavor. So let’s get to the review.

Product Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Trinidad Santiago
  • Wrapper: Dominican Habano
  • Binder: Dominican Habano
  • Filler: Dominican Habano
  • Size: 5 x 48 (robusto)

Appearance & Construction

No doubt about it, the Trinidad Santiago Robusto is a good looking cigar. The outer Dominican Habano wrapper is a rich, dark chocolate brown – much darker in fact than almost any other photo I’ve seen online, which I find quite odd. The gold and black double-banding is a nice touch as well – it adds a modern touch to an otherwise classic band.

In any case, the wrapper has just one major vein on the side opposite the band. Otherwise it’s flawless, with a bit of toothiness to the texture and an obvious layer of oil. When squeezed, the cigar is just a bit springy and seems to be packed consistently the length of the cigar.

Like an Ardbeg single malt, you can smell the tobacco without even putting the cigar up to your nose – an attribute you just wouldn’t find with a milder cigar. Smelling the foot, I pick up notes of leather, tree bark, cinnamon, and a nice sweet array of baking spices. After cutting the cigar, the draw shows itself to be just about perfect (7/10 in terms of amount of restrictiveness). The cold draw has a long lingering spice, some earth, a bit of sweet natural tobacco, and touches of chocolate.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Trinidad Santiago kicks off aggressively, with quite a bit going on. The cigar products more than ample smoke, with a combination of toasty earth and cream for texture. The flavors are dark and assertive, with flavors of charred wood, chocolate, toasted bread, savory spices and a healthy serving of black pepper that lingers on the tip of the tongue. The retrohale is at full strength, with a load of spice, minerality, and a sweet and savory cream that’s difficult to describe (very good though).

First impression: lighting up the Trinidad Santiago seems at once familiar and unfamiliar. Which makes sense to me given that Altadis was likely trying to produce a cigar that carries on a more traditional Dominican taste while offering something new. And this cigar really does deliver on offering something new. It’s been a long time since I’ve smoked a Dominican puro that’s so aggressive and spicy out of the gate like this. The question in my mind at about 15 minutes in is: with such a memorable start, can the Santiago keep surprising me?

By the end of the first third, it seems the answer is yes (for now). Smoke production is even better, the burn has remained almost entirely straight, and the flavor is firmly in full territory. Flavor has shifted, balanced between sweet and bitter, with a slight savory influence. I’d describe the flavors as a combination of dark coffee, leather, peppercorn, and cured meats.

The Santiago Robusto stays mostly the same through the halfway mark. Flavor and strength settle down to about medium, and the complexity drops a bit, with just some earth, black pepper, and some sweet stone fruits. Construction is still excellent, with the salt and pepper ash falling in one inch increments.

In the final third of the Santiago, some of the complexity returns, with an interesting spicy vegetable note that’s well balanced by cocoa powder and cream. The retrohale tones down as well, offering a finely ground black pepper that is subtle and nicely complementary. It’s a great way to close the cigar down.

Conclusion

I read Halfwheel’s review of this cigar, and I’m perplexed. They described this cigar as tasting like “sweat”, and though I can understand where that impression could come from (the spicy vegetal note I referenced above), the Trinidad Santiagos I’ve smoked have been viscerally enjoyable. I also disagree with the idea that this branding is boring. Is it simple? Yes. But I think illustrating the logo using the negative space on the gold background is a bold choice and fitting for the cigar.

To me, the Trinidad Santiago is a winner however you slice it. It’s the kind of cigar that comes roaring out of the gate with impressive flavor combinations, and, unlike cigars of lesser quality, continues to surprise throughout the course of the smoke. That said, it doesn’t score too high on complexity, which knocked off one or two points.

Either way, the team at Altadis got it right here, and it’s no surprise they received a Top 25 ranking in Cigar Aficionado for this cigar in 2018.

Final Rating: 91

The Best NEW Cigars to Smoke in 2019

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best cigars 2019

2018 was a fantastic year for new releases in the cigar industry. We saw some excellent portfolio additions at major companies like General Cigar and Altadis, as well as some very good boutique releases (see our Top 10 of 2018 here).

But, it’s a new year, and that means there is an internet’s worth of people wondering what the best new cigars are to smoke in 2019. We’ll be adding new cigars to this list as we review them, but for now, here are some of our all-time favorites which you should drop everything to smoke.

1. Aging Room Pura Cepa

Aging Room Pura Cepa Review 2

Once again, Rafael Nodal of Aging Room has hit the ball out of the park. The Aging Room Pura Cepa makes the list of best 2019 cigars with notes of smoky wood that’s augmented by light chocolate, cream, floral, and leather notes. Impeccably constructed, this cigar achieved a score of 90 and we highly recommend it.

Strength: Medium

Box Price: from $234

Buy the Aging Room Pura Cepa from Famous Smoke Shop here.

2. Macanudo Inspirado Red

Macanudo Inspirado Red

Macanudo is not a brand that we typically recommend, but parent company General Cigar Co has been on a tear with this brand over the last couple of years, most recently with the Macanudo Red. On the strength scale the Red falls right on the medium side of things, with bright flavors of cinnamon, oak, coffee, and toasted bread.

Strength: Medium

Box Price: from $120

Buy the Macanudo Inspirado Red from Famous Smoke Shop here.

3. Romeo San Andreas

Romeo San Andreas

One of the newest cigars from Romeo y Julieta, the San Andres features the legendary San Andres maduro wrapper, known for rich, robust flavors. With the Romeo San Andres, expect dark notes of earth, barnyard, dark cherry, chocolate, and pepper.

Strength: Full

Box Price: from $168

Buy the Romeo San Andres from Famous Smoke Shop here.

4. Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Decadas

Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Decadas 2

The Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Décadas presents a flavor profile that no JdN fan could miss: dark oak and charcoal, creamy cocoa, leather, and light spiciness. What Cinco Décadas achieves is to take the JdN flavor profile that we know and love and elevate it into the realm of art. We know that is high praise, but it is true, particularly given the cigar’s sheer complexity and balance. Highly recommended, and a no-brainer for a top cigars of 2019 list. You can read our full, 93-point review here.

Strength: Full

Box Price: from $152

Buy the Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Decadas from Famous Smoke Shop here.

5. Gran Habano Blue In Green

The newest from Gran Habano, the Blue In Green is one of the best mild-bodied cigars in recent memory. The cigar blew us away with great construction, cool smoke, and notes of toasted bread, coffee, and light spices. Highly recommended for new, occasional, or veteran cigar smokers.

Strength: Mild

Box Price: from $120

Buy the Gran Habano Blue In Green from Famous Smoke Shop here.

6. Warped La Relatos

La Relatos Cigar Review

Warped Cigars is a boutique brand that quickly developed a reputation for blending tremendously complex and enjoyable cigars. La Relatos (“The Stories”) is a revivification of one of the original warped releases, and it is damn good. A real connoisseur cigar, it astonished us with its notes of deep chocolate, baking spices, nuttiness, and perfume. Easily one of the top cigars of 2018, and will likely retain that position in 2019.

Strength: Medium to Full

5-Pack Price: from $42

Buy the Warped La Relatos from Famous Smoke Shop here.

7. CAO Nicaragua

CAO Nicaragua Grenada Review

You might know CAO as the brand behind cult classics like the “Brazilia” or the “Italia.” After resting on its laurels for a few years, the brand step forward again with the CAO Nicaragua. By our estimation, they nailed it. The cigar has consistently excellent construction, and features rich, complementary notes of cocoa, espresso, and leather. If you want a crowd pleaser, look no further.

Strength: Medium

Box Price: from $105

Buy the CAO Nicaragua from Famous Smoke Shop here.

8. Joya Silver

Joya de Nicaragua Silver Robusto Review

Joya de Nicaragua makes the list again with the Joya Silver. This is a cigar for the full-bodied cigar smoker – the veteran who wants more flavor and isn’t afraid of spice. Like other cigars on this list, Joya Silver is expertly constructed, so you won’t be dealing with any over-packed cigars with tight draws. From a flavor standpoint, Joya Silver delivers full bodied notes of leather, ground black pepper, and oak, with sweet balancing notes of dark cherry and creamy espresso.

Strength: Full

Box Price: from $125

Buy the Joya Silver from Famous Smoke Shop here.

9. Caldwell Blind Man’s Bluff

Blind Man's Bluff Cigar Review

There’s no other way to say it, Blind Man’s Bluff from Caldwell Cigars is a damn sexy smoke. Besides an obviously cool look, the cigar delivers an excellent medium to full bodied profile consisting of charred oak, earth, leather, and cocoa. Layered underneath are balanced secondary flavors of stone fruits and lemon peel. Definitely a smoke to try if you haven’t already!

Strength: Medium to Full

Box Price: from $140

Buy the Blind Man’s Bluff from Famous Smoke Shop here.

10. Diesel Whiskey Row

Diesel Whiskey Row Robusto Review

Diesel Whiskey Row is one of the few barrel-aged cigars on the market that we can truly recommend. While many cigars that utilize barrel aged tobacco deliver overly sweet, simplistic profiles, Diesel Whiskey Row delivers tons of complexity and bears the hallmarks of the Rabbit Hole Bourbon barrels its tobacco is aged in. If you are looking to branch out into a new experience, and can handle full-bodied cigars, this is one to pursue.

Strength: Full

Box Price: from $150

Buy the Diesel Whiskey Row from Famous Smoke Shop here

So there it is, our top 10 cigars to smoke in 2019. As mentioned before, we’ll be updating this list as 2019 releases are made available and we have a chance to review them.

One final note – for our purchase links, we’ve linked to Famous Smoke Shop, which we believe to be the best online cigar store currently in existence (read more on that here). If you’d like to support our work, be sure to use this link to purchase!

Is there a cigar missing from this list? Let us know in the comments!

Southern Draw Rose of Sharon “The Thorn” Review

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Southern Draw The Thorn Review

Up for review today is “The Thorn” from Southern Draw Cigars. It’s a member of the Rose of Sharon brand from Southern Draw, and Robert Holt told me via Instagram that this is his personal favorite size of the Rose of Sharon.  As you’ll read below, this cigar is very good. It’s also a downright gorgeously presented cigar, and I hope I captured some of it in the photos here. Read on.

Product Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Southern Draw Rose of Sharon “The Thorn” Review
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown Connecticut
  • Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
  • Filler: Nicaraguan Viso/Seco, Dominican Ligero / Piloto Cubano
  • Size: 6 1/2 x 40

Appearance & Construction

Well what can I say. The Thorn is just a magnificently presented cigar. Everything about it, from the pink, gold, and black double bands, to the semi closed foot and the strange pig tail-like cap is done flawlessly. It really creates the feeling that this is a special, well thought-out cigar.

The outer Ecuadorian Sun Grown Connecticut wrapper is a light, golden brown with a few small veins and rolling seams. The cigar is slightly spongy when squeezed and seems to be packed consistently. A whiff off of the foot showcases notes of cedar, honey, mild spiciness, and baked bread. The cold draw is about a 7.5/10 in terms of amount of restrictiveness, and gives notes of warm bread, light spices, and some sweet woodsiness.

Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Lancery Review2

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Thorn opens surprisingly robust, with concentrated flavors that are balanced between sweet, spicy, and creamy. Distinct flavors include buttered bread, spicy cedar, floral bouquet,  vanilla, and a nice finely ground pepper. The retrohale as well is nicely balanced between sweet, toasted bread and light black pepper. Excellent flavor. I’d place The Thorn at mild to medium bodied at kick off. Construction wise, smoke production is excellent, and the burn seems to be progressing evenly.

Things start to change at the end of the first inch, with body and strength both jumping to medium. The character of the smoke has shifted to be a bit less buttery and a bit more dry, and the wood that was just minutes ago a supporting character is now front and center. Thankfully, there are plenty of great secondary flavors, including a stronger floral note, light chocolate, and a touch of citrus. It’s always a pleasant surprise when a cigar changes flavors so rapidly.

By midway the second third, The Thorn’s construction is still impeccable, with a straight burn and an ash that seems to want to stay on forever. Strength and body have both settled at medium. Flavors are a bit less distinct, with a substantial black pepper and charred oak.

In the final third, The Thorn turns a bit harshness – much to my own heartbreak given how great the cigar has been thus far. The gentler notes of before are replaced with charred oak, lemon peel, and burnt espresso. Construction thankfully is still excellent.

Overall, it’s a bit of a disappointing ending given how good the first two thirds of the experience is. Still, a cigar I’m grateful to have smoked.

Conclusion

Though not a perfect cigar, Rose of Sharon “The Thorn” has flavor and style in spades. It’s absolutely a cigar to smoke again. I was floored by the presentation, and the complexity and movement of flavors was downright addictive.

That said, the final third developed some harshness that hurt the overall experience. Regardless, this is a cigar to pursue (right now) before supplies are out.

Final Rating: 89

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