On February 24th, join New York City cigar and spirits aficionados for an exclusive evening tasting of the Cigar Aficionado Top 25 Cigar of 2014: the Alec Bradley Mundial #5 paired with Laphroaig Select Scotch, and Bowmore 12 Year Scotch. The event will also include live music and give-aways.
In honor of this exclusive tasting of Alec Bradley, this Smoker Social is a “Live True” event.
When it comes to writing, painting or crafting cigars, sometimes creating something new comes quickly. Other times it’s a struggle. The birth of the Alec Bradley Mundial brand was the latter, a project that brand owner Alan Rubin’s ruminated on for close to five years. “I always had Mundial on my mind,” he said. The blend that finally sparked Rubin’s interest included a wrapper from the Trojes region of Honduras, which Alec Bradley uses to great effect on its Prensado line. All Mundials have pointed feet that vaguely resemble lances, explaining the moniker “Punta Lanza” (point of the lance) that appears on each box. The No. 5 is meaty and leathery, with a pleasant amount of minerality.
Bowmore 12 Year Single Malt Scotch
Complex yet perfectly balanced, our 12 Years Old reflects the raw essence of Bowmore – thrashing waves, windswept landscapes and generations of tradition. Bowmore 12 Years Old has received much critical acclaim; the late, great whisky writer Michael Jackson proclaimed it “remarkably long and complex”. We like to think of it as vanilla ice cream at a beach bonfire.
Laphroaig Select Single Malt Scotch
Laphroaig Select takes its name from the special selection of American and European casks, chosen for their unique character that they give during maturation. The Inspiration for the new Global expression has been taken from history – 70-80 years ago, the time of the last family member owner of the distillery, Ian Hunter. Ian was one of the biggest influences in the history of Laphroaig indeed, he was one of the first distillers to travel to bourbon county in the USA to identify new sources of casks that would give him greater consistency as well as new flavours. He later married this ‘new’ style of Laphroaig with his traditionally matured (European cask) Laphroaig.
Tasting notes:
NOSE: Peat first, then ripe red fruits from the PX and Oloroso casks. A hint of dryness next from the American oak with a long lingering florally finish – Marzipan and even limes at the end.
PALATE: This full bodied whisky is initially sweet up front- matching the nose, then the classic dry, peaty, ashy flavours come bounding in followed by a lovely rich finish arising from the rich fruits of the European casks.
Merchants NY Cigar Bar
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Fine Tobacco NYC recently did an event with Dominican Big Leaguer cigars and here is a review of their Habano line.
Blend Specifics
Cigar: Dominican Big Leaguer Habano
Vitola:Toro Grand Toro 6” x 54
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan
Appearance and Construction
The DBL Habano has a medium chocolate brown with a strong reddish tint wrapper. Color is mostly even throughout. The cigar has tight, almost invisible seams, minimal veins, and a nicely applied triple cap. Slightly oily sheen, dry satiny feel with a small amount of tooth. Nice soft sponginess and an appearance of good bunching, dense without any soft spots, it does have a light feeling in the hand.
Cold Aromas: There isn’t much smell off the wrapper, just a touch of cedar, a touch of oak, and something green, like cooked spinach or collard greens. On the foot however, there’s a nice mix of cinnamon forward, nutmeg, chocolate, a touch of black pepper, and vanilla on the settle. The cold draw presents that this cigar has a loose draw with lots of air flow, but that shouldn’t be an issue. The notes are nutmeg forward, cinnamon, dry oak, a touch of ginger, and very light notes of chocolate and coffee, and the faintest notes of a floral soapiness.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
First Third:The first notes are a nice deep oak, a heavy tobacco core with touches of cinnamon that appear pretty far back, and a black pepper kick on the finish. The very loose draw gives way to big plumes of smoke early on. The smoke is very light and airy. Settling in, the oak is the dominant note, accompanied with notes of cinnamon, lots of core tobacco notes, a little cedar, even less earthiness, and is rounded out with very light notes of chocolate and coffee. A not too heavy black pepper washes over on the finish. The aroma is very woodsy, with a nice cedar note and tobacco core. The ash burns to a flaky gray with some dark deposits. Burn line is pretty spot-on and close to being razor sharp. As the first third progresses through, the oak stands far out in front, while the pepper dies down and a bit of earthiness moves up. The profile is medium-full in body, medium to medium-full in strength, and medium-full in flavor. There’s also a bitter, herby, veggie flavor that comes into play, somewhere between parsley, basil, and fennel, and complements the oak nicely. The cigar has a strong emphasis on balance and there’s a nice roundedness that keeps the blend interesting. The ash holds well but one is inclined to tapping it off early due to its softness and flakiness. That roundedness is found in the slight earthiness and open airy floral notes. Very little to no spice at this point, which is still on the black pepper side. There’s also a tiny amount of saltiness, which is most noticeable in the room note.
Second Third: The ash fell off on its own between 1.5 and 1.75 inches and started losing its even burn line but still smoking phenomenally. The coffee has also come up a bit more. The smoke is still light and airy but is becoming a bit chewier on the palate. The oak still dominates, but adding to the earthiness is an ever so slight meatiness. The finish is clean and crisp but the flavoring and feeling last long on the palate. The profile is still medium-full in body, medium to medium-full in strength, and medium-full in flavor. Saltiness is also starting to become more present. The band comes off with minimal issues and is applied with self-adhesive glue. The paper itself can be a bit tricky though. The flavor and profile are holding consistent through the second third with still an emphasis on balance. The ash is flaky but it also still holds on well.
Final Third: Transitioning from the second to final third, the spice comes back up a bit and is on both the draw and finish. Oak is still present but dropping for a more overall tobacco core taste. Salt is minimal, coffee and chocolate way down, floral notes are pretty much gone. The veggie herbal is still around a bit, though. Airflow still provides big plumes of airy smoke; a very light but creamy smoke. The finish is still crisp and short, but leaves a tingle on the tongue and the flavor is dominated by the oak and black pepper, with hints of cedar, cardamom, and a more present thick and creamy smoke. Rounding out the final third is a slight fermented pungent taste along the lines of the earthiness but slightly different and not so much yet barnyard like. The cigar is very consistent and balanced throughout and is holding firm at medium-full in body, medium to medium-full in strength but getting closer to medium-full and medium-full in flavor. Still burning fairly cool down to the nub.
Final Thoughts
When I first encountered DBL cigars I tended to shy away due to their close resemblance to LFD cigars, in terms of packaging. Though after learning more about the company and their actual closeness and working under the tutelage of LFD and Arturo Fuente cigars it became clear why that resemblance was there. Well let that be- known as a mistake on my behalf. As DBL cigars are wholly its own when it comes to blending techniques.
The Habano is an all around, suitable for any time of day smoke. A nice, crisp, clean finish, and its not overwhelming profile make it such. Good before a meal, good after just waking up and good even after a meal; it’s a very versatile cigar. Not overly complex but enough to keep things interesting throughout the duration, but the real emphasis is on smoothness and balance. The smoke is neither harsh nor bitter but does carry a slight grittiness to it, but that’s more than ok, where at times a cigar that has some grip to it is quite desirable and is ever present here.
The profile is dominantly oak, cinnamon throughout the first two thirds, and a veggie herbal-ness along the lines of basil, parsley, fennel, and oregano with touches of thyme but also not unlike a clean, crisp mint. Minor notes throughout the smoke are chocolate, coffee, some soapy floral notes, and the black pepper that’s noticeable in the first and last thirds. The ash holds on nicely throughout while the smoke is clean, plumy and slightly chewy. The draw is open fairly wide, so this is one that should be smoked slowly, as to not over heat the cigar and to catch its acute nuances that pop-up throughout the smoking session.
Similar cigars would be Puros Rocha Toro Especial, Cesar Cigars Habano, LaFlorDominicana 1994
Since reviewing the Camacho Connecticut Toro, I had not only warmed up to Camacho cigars, but I had also given them a great set of expectations to live up to after my successful run with the Connecticut. Can the Ecuador Toro live up to, and possibly one-up, the Connecticut? Let’s see.
Blend Specifics
Vitola: Toro
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Brazil; Mata Fina
Honduras & Dominican Republic; Corojo, Criollo Ligero, Pelo de Oro
Dimensions: 6’ X 50”
Aesthetics, Construction and Feel
The simplicity of the label is an essential part of this stogie’s allure: its overt simplicity distinguishes it from 99% of the premium cigars on the market, whose labels are deliberately more ornate to reflect the brands’ heritage and traditions. Thus the Ecuador jumps out at you and exerts a stranglehold on your attention and curiosity, making it hard to resist giving it a try.
The wrapper makes for an excellent second impression; the veins are noticeable, but it’s well-constructed. There are no soft spots, no cracks, no loose ends. Finally, the wrapper has a rugged, leathery texture and a wonderful odor that is curiously similar to the full-bodied smell of many Cuban cigars. This all sounds promising, but will the smoke experience fulfill the first impressions’ promises?
Smoke and Flavor
The Ecuador definitely starts off on the right foot. The first few puffs are are solid without being harsh. The flavor is rich and smoky, lightly resembling southern barbecue. The smoke clouds are rich and thick as well, bearing a lovely essence of coffee. After the first fifth is done, the smoky flavor seamlessly transitions into a nice, black wood-like flavor. The black wood remains at the forefront right up to the end.
The draw is a bit too constricted, which makes puffing seem like a chore at times. The draw remains tight until the nub of the cigar, where the draw can always be trusted to breathe more freely. In spite of the tightness of the draw, however, the burn is conveniently slow and remains almost perfectly even throughout the smoking experience. As I step out to get some fresh air, I am astonished to find that not even the stiff breeze outside can hinder the burn in any significant way. Finally, and perhaps most remarkably of all, the finish is excellent; it’s a solid finish that is fully enjoyable due to the unusual absence of the harsh spice that the average cigar nub has. This is a completely new experience that I could easily get used to.
The Final Verdict
All in all, I was genuinely impressed with this cigar from start to finish. The flavor was deliciously dark and consistent; the burn was stubbornly even throughout, requiring no maintenance on my part; the smoke clouds were thick and aromatic; and last, but certainly not least, the impeccable ease of the finish made for a spectacular end to a wonderful smoke. What’s more is that I felt little to no tobacco buzz, despite having only eaten a slice of pizza before lighting up. This cigar may not look like a premium right off that bat, but rest assured, the Camacho Ecuador can run with the best of ‘em.
Final Grade: A
Tips for a Perfect Smoke Experience
While this dark habano might not give you a dry mouth, it’s still a darker cigar. As such, a nice cup of coffee or a cocktail is always recommended to balance the Ecuador’s smoky essence.
Below is another review by New York City cigar aficionado Charlie Freeman. I recommended this cigar for a review after it taking a spot in my regular line up because of its quality and consistency.
True confession time: I was immediately skeptical of this cigar and of the brand name that it bears the moment I laid eyes on it. It’s simplistic, it’s intense and in it’s unashamedly up in your face, like it or not; this attitude is a far cry from the cigar culture I’m familiar with, where calmness, courtesy and respect are prioritized. However, experience has taught me that you can’t judge a stogie by its label; so let’s get down to business.
Blend Specifics
Vitola: Toro
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Corojo
Filler: Honduran Generoso, Aleman Ligero
Dimensions: 6’ x 50”
Country of Origin: Honduras
Aesthetics, Construction andFeel
The bright orange label may not be the most sophisticated I’ve ever laid eyes on, but there’s something about it that attracts the eye. With the label juxtaposed against the beige wrapper, the Connecticut evokes images of peanut butter in my head. And I do love peanut butter…
The stogie itself is excellently constructed: there are few veins, and the veins that are there are difficult to notice; the wrapper has a smooth and velvety feel to it; the odor has an ever-so-slight sweetness to it, an odor reminiscent of many Dominican-made cigars. Finally, there are no soft spots or openings detected in the wrapper.
Smoke and Flavor
Right off the bat, the stogie delivers an excellent performance. From the very beginning to the very end the draw is remarkably well-balanced: not too tight, not too loose. For every deliciously chewy puff, there is a lush, voluminous cloud of smoke that carries with it a warm and woody odor. Despite its tendency to lose the ash rather quickly, the Connecticut’s burn is surprisingly consistent, remaining even throughout the entire cigar.
However, the real treat for this particular stogie is its flavor. Right away, the smoker is greeted by a natural, light, woody flavor that wets the palate. Right up to the end, the wood is consistently at the forefront of the flavor. Much to my surprise, the wood doesn’t give way to any spice at the end, making for a smooth, satisfying finish.
The Final Verdict
With a chewy, perfectly balanced draw, even burn, tantalizing woody flavor and solid start and finish, I can honestly say that this is the greatest connecticut strength cigar I have ever smoked thus far. Make no mistake, this is a lot coming from someone who has been smoking consistently for three years. This work of art is a must for smokers of all tastes and experience levels; it’s not harsh in any for beginners, and its flawless construction and flavor is guaranteed to leave even the most experienced smoker reeling.
Final Grade: A+
Tips for a Perfect Smoke Experience
Anything with peanut butter in it is a perfect complement to this chewy mild stogie; so break out that old peanut butter cookie recipe that you haven’t had an excuse to use yet!
This past week I was luckily enough to meet with the creators of the Hispaniola brand of cigars. Hugo F. Melo, a modest gentleman described with passion his families long history in the Dominican Republic working tobaccos. After generations of distributing aged product for other cigar companies Hugo felt it was time to venture out with his own brand that is Hispaniola cigars. Recently FTNYC had reviewed Hispaniola’s El Trabuco 1844 which received high praise from our staff. Today I smoked their Tres Carabelas cigar and my findings did not disappoint. Enjoy.
Blend specifics:
Wrapper: Havano Oscuro Vuelta Arriba
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Size Robusto- 5″ x 55
Appearance & Construction:
The wrapper of this cigar had a nice oily sheen and shows the classic dark color of a Havana Oscuro wrapper. The cigar had some slight veins and a few soft spots to the touch however the foot showed some nicely packed tobaccos. This was extremely well rolled and visually appealing.
Taste & Smoking Characteristics:
The dry draw showed wonderful coffee and wood notes with a salty finish. Upon lighting the cigar offered some dark espresso, oak and leather flavors. The finish was salty which is something I really enjoy in a fine smoke. Midway a bit of spice kicked intermingling with espresso and a touch of graham cracker. The leather seemed to pick up a bit with the salty finish balancing it out. The final third delivered espresso character at its fullest with leather in the background. A well balanced cigar from begin to end.
Conclusion:
The breadth of knowledge from the good people at Hispaniola shows in their Tres Carabelas blend. The draw was superb and the robusto size is a perfect showcase for the tobaccos in this cigar. Tres Carabelas gives a medium to full bodied smoking experience and can easily be appreciated after a fine meal. For those who want an elegant experience in cigar smoking Tres Carabelas is a cigar you need to get your hands on.
