Cigar Reviews

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Cigar Review: CAO Italia Gondola

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CAO Italia Gondola

CAO Italia Gondola

What a cigar!  When I chose this stick for my first smoke of “Stogie & Poker Night: Take 6”, I had no idea that I was about to discover one of my new favorites.  The CAO Italia is one of few lines of cigars that features Italian tobaccos, which are rare because of Italy’s unique climate.

This cigar had excellent construction, a beautiful maduro wrapper, and an attractive label (which apparently was put on backwards on this cigar).  This is a beautiful cigar. There were a few watermarks on the cigar, but from what I can tell this is not characteristic of the line. On the prelight draw I could sense a bit of cocoa, and I was pleased when the dark chocolate flavor came out in the smoke. The draw was perfect.

The first third of the cigar had a combination of cocoa, spice, and a hint of fruitiness. The burn during the first third was perfect, though in the second third the cigar canoed a bit. During the second and third thirds of the cigar, a woodiness emerged and the spice took more prominence in the taste.  The burn evened out, the draw remained ideal, and I smoked the cigar until my fingers got a bit burnt.

Conclusion:

I highly recommend this cigar and will definitely be buying more.  This cigar is gorgeous, well constructed, and has a robust taste that is simply unforgettable. A few minor inconveniences along the way, but nothing that detracted from the enjoyment of the cigar too much. A new favorite.

Final Grade: A

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Cigar Review: Don Diego “Playboy” Lonsdale

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Don Diego “Playboy” Lonsdale

Don Diego “Playboy” Lonsdale

If I was honest, I would admit that the first time I saw the label of this cigar, I was tempted to think of it as a simple novelty cigar: some company wanted in to the cigar industry, so they produced some overpriced, subpar cigars. Boy was I wrong.

The Dominican Don Diego Playboy Lonsdale has a Connecticut shade grown wrapper. The cigar is a very mild cigar, in strength and in body – so not normally a kind of cigar that I smoke. I have to say though, this smoking experience was excellent.  The cigar was great, and the evening was a mild 80 degrees as the sun set over the Oregon foothills. About 45 minutes in to the smoke I also had a few neighbors drop by to relax, drink some beer, and talk about tobacco and gun regulations. It was great. Here are the notes I took on this cigar.

Pre light:

For this stick I used a straight cut. The pre light draw was firm, but not restrictive. The construction was excellent – consistent firmness, no visible flaws, and the texture of the wrapper was delightfully smooth and slightly oily. The smell of the cigar seemed faint, but it really came out when I lit it up.

First third:

A beautiful sight - Click to enlarge

The first few pulls were mild in body and strength. I couldn’t quite describe the taste, but it was delicious. It was very unique, with a hint of spice and saltiness that made my mouth water. The smoke was cool, and the word savory about sums it up. Maybe the best indication of how much I was enjoying the cigar was that I wanted to stop taking any notes. I just wanted to sit, listen to Pink Martini, and blowing a few lazy smoke rings out into the sunset sky. That’s pretty much the definition of relaxation and enjoyment in my book.

Second third:

The second third began with an addition to the experience that beats any development in taste: the neighbor dropping by to sit down and enjoy some quality beer and good conversation. A few minutes later, another neighbor drops by that I hadn’t met yet. He was a really nice guy, and I grabbed a chair while he grabbed a beer so he could join in on the conversation.

Any cigar is better with friends

As far as the cigar goes, the taste grew stronger in the second third. It also took on sweetness and a hint of woodiness that I thought really added to the experience. The smoke stayed cool, and the burn remained almost perfect.

Final third:

I finally discover the elusive aroma. The smoke is a combination of saltiness, spiciness, and a hint of fruitiness that amounts to a very unique combination.  If someone described an aroma like that to me, I might not find it that attractive, but it really was excellent.

The last fifth of the cigar got pretty hot, and I considered setting the cigar down for good, but I just couldn’t stop – I was enjoying it too much.

Conclusion:

The end of a great smoke - Click to enlarge

I enjoyed this cigar immensely. Part of it, to be sure, was the environment – a beautiful night with friends, good music, and lively conversation. Even without that, however, the cigar had a unique and memorable taste, with great construction, a good draw, and a perfect burn. The smoke was cool, and the savory taste was easily identified. There were also some subtleties like the hint of woodiness and fruitiness that made the cigar a journey.

Final grade: A-

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Cigar Review – Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva Churchill

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Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva – Churchill

Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva - Churchill

Tonight I enjoyed an Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva Churchill that was given to me by a good friend of mine. I’ve been blessed with many friends, including a few who bless me with cigars from time to time – that is always a treat.  I’ve probably had five of these Dominicans before, and I have found them to be very consistent in terms of taste, build, and overall quality. The only problem I’ve consistently noticed with this cigar is difficulty achieving an ideal amount of smoke on the draw.

The construction of this cigar, however, was a bit disappointing. It was not packed consistently, and I noticed spots of discoloration (you can see them if you enlarge the image above). There was slight peeling on the natural wrapper as well. As mentioned, though, this is not characteristic of this line of cigars, at least in my experience.  The other four in my humidor show none of the same problems, so I’d say the construction here is an exception to the rule.

About halfway through - Click to enlarge

The smell of the wrapper was faintly sweet with a hint of nut and cedar that really exploded after I lit the cigar.  The first third was mild in strength and body, with subtle nuttiness to the taste and a sweet aroma, which I really enjoyed. There was also a bit of leather in there – a nice touch. The burn wasn’t very even, which bothered me, but I found that it had evened itself out by the second third.

The last two thirds were very similar – not a lot of change as far as taste goes, which to some might be a disappointment. The cigar did take on more body as it burned closer to the label. After I took the label off, however, the smoke became bitter and the cigar overheated. That really annoyed me, because I typically enjoy the last few minutes of a cigar the most.

Conclusion:

The end of a good smoke

I’ve never smoked a Fuente that I didn’t enjoy, and this cigar was no exception. I’ve seen this particular cigar described as a medium bodied cigar, but I feel like that is a stretch – seemed mild to me. There were a few problems for sure, but for a cheaper smoke (~$5-6) I have a hard time not recommending it to anyone looking for a mild or mild-medium cigar.

Final grade: B+

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Cigar Review – Tatuaje P4 Churchill

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Tatuaje P4 – Churchill

The Tatuaje P4 – Click to enlarge

The Tatuaje P4 Churchill that I enjoyed this evening was a strange cigar. Lots of highs, and about as many lows. From what I’ve read from other reviewers, P4 line cigars are normally medium bodied cigars.  Tonights stick just couldn’t seem to decide whether it was a mild, medium, or full-bodied cigar. Throughout the smoke, I took notes on the flavor, aroma, and construction of the cigar.
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First third of the cigar - Click to enlarge

– Before lighting, I took note of the construction of the cigar. Seems to be very well put together, the texture of the wrapper is smooth and solid. The smell of the Nicaraguan wrapper is light and sweet. Feels like it is going to be a pretty mild smoke.

– Lighting the cigar is a bit harsh, though I’ve found that to be somewhat typical among lighter cigars. The taste is noticeably sweet, with a hint of spice to it. The aroma of the smoke is pleasantly sweet – strong, but not overpowering. Also a hint of woodiness.
– About a quarter of the way through, the burn is solid – construction seems very good. The burn is creating a great ash that is mainly white with lines of grey. The wrapper smells great on the pull and complements the taste well.

Half-way - Click to enlarge

– About half-way through, the cigar is taking on more spice to the taste and aroma. Just past halfway, the sweetness has continued to be replaced by spiciness – a bit too much for my taste, and I don’t like the hint of acidity that is emerging. The burn, however, has remained almost flawless.

– The last third is taking on a harshness that I do not like. This could be a sign of the filler being underpacked. The cigar doesn’t seem to want to cool down, and has started burning more quickly. The acidity and over-spiciness is making me want to retire this cigar, and if it doesn’t correct, I will. On a positive note, my black lab Toby just came outside and seemed to be enjoying the aroma – ultra spicy and harsh though it is.

The last third as the sun goes down - Click to enlarge

– Just when I’m about to put this cigar down for good, the sweetness characteristic of the first half returns like an old friend. The harshness isn’t fully gone, but it is starting to draw down. I decide to finish the cigar, and the last quarter surprises me by redeeming the last ten minutes or so of smoking.  The harshness has drawn almost completely to a close, the wonderful woody sweetness is back, and it has cooled down dramatically.

Final note: “Mixed feelings.”

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Conclusion:

At $4 a stick, the Tatuaje P4 Churchill was almost what I expected. The construction was a huge plus, and the way it burned was encouraging. The strength of the spiciness and emerging harshness in the last half, however, made it a frustrating smoke. The cigar teetered between mild-medium body and full-body, and that lack of consistency brought the level of enjoyment way down. The fact that it toned down near the end was nice, but not enough for me to give this cigar high marks.

Of course, I should disclaim that I have only had this particular stick once, so I cannot definitively caution readers away from this cigar – but I don’t plan on spending the money on it again.

I rate this cigar a B-

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Smoking in Rhode Island & A Three Cigar Review

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Hey blogoshpere; it’s Guy again.

For the month of July, I’ve packed up and moved to Rhode Island for a job. True, I miss New York, but a month in a house 500 feet from the beach is not so bad.  I’ve been working my ass off, but I’ve managed to sneak off a few evenings to smoke a cigar on the beach.  Watching the waves, listening to the surf, and smoking a good cigar – how can I complain?

As I’ve mentioned, I’m still looking for new, great cigars.  I keep a little book with all of my cigar labels and notes on what I liked and didn’t like.  Perhaps when I’m back in my apartment, I can scan a few pages to show you all.

But while I’m here, I’m smoking my way through The 12 Angry Men Sampler I bought on CigarsInternational.com. The price was right, and I hadn’t smoked most of the brands in the sampler so I gave it a shot.

I’ve worked my way through three so far.  Here is a short review (note: I had to grab some of these pictures from the net due to a lack of a flash on my camera phone):

Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet Robusto (5″ x 50)

I can best describe this cigar as “simple.”  It’s easy, mild, and clean on the palate.  It reminds me of the Macanudos I smoked when I was just getting used to cigars.  While, I don’t think I’d try this brand again, I’d definitely suggest it newbies.  Admittedly my tasted tend toward the middle of the intensity spectrum, so this is too light and uncomplicated for me.  I gave this stick a “C”

Man O’ War Robusto (5.5″ x 50)

Now this had some flavor!  I’d say it’s a medium to full bodied smoke, but it didn’t even have a hint of that bitter taste you get with darker cigars.  Tons of flavor.  My biggest complaint is the stupid looking cigarband.  Hey, what can I say: I like the whole aesthetic of smoking, and the band is part of that.  I’m excited to try the other Man O’ War cigars in this sampler.  “B+”

La Herencia Cubana Oscuro Fuerte Robusto (5.5″ x 54)

I knew what I was getting with this stick.  It has a second band that announces that it’s “Oscuro” and “Fuerte” – dark and strong.  I just finished this one.  I was in the mood for dark and strong, so I gave it a shot.  Now, though I don’t usually go for the dark/maduro cigars I like one every now and then because they provide a complex set of tastes.  I think of the Casa Magna (Matthias’ favorite) which is a damn complicated cigar.  Lots of stuff going on.  This was lacking in the that complexity.  It was thick and heavy, without any interesting flavors, so I rated this cigar a “C”.

Now I’ve been told not to judge a brand just on one cigar, that sometimes there are inconsistencies within any given box of cigars.  Sure I get that.  But you have to start somewhere.

Has anyone else enjoyed the Man O’ War?  Am I missing something about the La Herencia or the Sol Cubano?  Anyone else keep notes the way I do?

I’d love to hear what you think.

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