Blind Review: Peter James Los Estoico 54 Maduro

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In the Fall of 1992, Cigar Aficionado published the first issue that showcased tobacco and all the products related to it in one way or another. Nowadays, the quarterly issues of Cigar Aficionado mainly focus on lifestyle brandings going from cigars to accessories, traveling, golfing, yachts, wine, spirits, etc. During the most recent PCA tradeshow, one luxury brand stood out above the rest: Peter James.

Peter James Co. started from a conversation a group of friends was having about the lack of a cigar organizer that is both functional and stylish. Today, not only known for its ultra-durable and stylish cigar cases, but Peter James has a wide variety of lifestyle products such as cologne, espresso beans, lighters, and even couches! One can even say Peter James’s eminence in lifestyle branding.

John Peter Laurendi, one of the co-founders of Peter James Co, is no stranger to exploring the uncharted sea. Taking an unconventional step, Laurendi delves into the realm of cigar making. Why is this unconventional, you ask? Because we always see cigar manufacturers dabbling into lifestyle branding, never the other way around.

Los Estoico means “The Stoics” in English. The number “54” references the ring gauge of the first cigar Laurendi obtained from his father. Ultimately, Laurendi wanted to create the perfect casual, everyday cigar, and Los Estoico 54 was his answer.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Peter James Los Estoico 54 Maduro
  • Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
  • Binder: Indonesia
  • Filler: Jalapa, Condega, Undisclosed
  • Size: Robusto Extra (5 3/4″ x 52)

Appearance & Construction:

Laying across the white porcelain Davidoff ashtray, the Maduro cigar looks even darker, almost escuro shade. Upon closer inspection, there is an unspoken beauty about the dark wrapper: oily but not toothy, it feels soft yet sturdy. The wrapper leaf is smooth, with no veins, and is masterfully rolled. The cigar feels weightless: the filler tobacco is loosely packed and is proportionally filled throughout the cigar.

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

Sliding the cigar across my nose, I get the scent of tangy raisin and cocoa powder. As I got to the foot of the cigar, I experienced sweet stone fruits and pepper spice. To complete my pre-light ritual, I sliced off the cap with my XO Xikar cutter and did a cold draw. This cigar is herbaceous with a hint of mustiness and a sweet aftertaste. This is one of the more unique cold draws I’ve experienced.

I go in for the first draw as soon as the foot of the cigar shines bright red, wondering if I would get a similar unique flavor note post-light. The smoke is sweet and creamy. I then get bitter herbs, cocoa powder, raw sugar, roasted peanuts, and leather. I proceed with a retrohale and immediately get black pepper, but it leaves as quickly as it came. I am left with raw sugar and leather.

So far, the burn line is even, and the draw is pretty loose. As I mentioned before, it feels like the filler tobacco is loosely packed, so the ash is flakey, and I find myself wearing it as soon as I look away from the cigar. And lastly, I prepared myself for a fuller-bodied cigar cause of how it looked, but the strength is around a medium-body cigar.

The cigar doesn’t change much when I get to the halfway point. The combination of sweet, creamy, and cocoa powder profile reminds me of Swiss Miss hot chocolate, but the taste of the bitter herb is still very forward, and it is not a combination that I enjoy. The retrohale slowly intensifies with the black pepper spice in strength and longevity. The profile deepens as well with oakwood and cocoa nibs.

As I’m approaching the nub, the smoke gets even creamier. I taste oats, oakwood, cocoa powder, tan leather, and a hint of red pepper spice in the back of my palate. Also, I’m relieved from the bitter herbal flavor, but my mouth was already tainted by it, and I got a constant reminder of the aftertaste. Unfortunately, I became nauseous from the combination of sweet, creamy, and bitter herbs. So, I decided to cut short my experience with 2 inches left on the cigar.

Conclusion

Will Roger probably said it the best, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Los Estoico 54 Maduro did just that. Even though sweet, creamy, and bitter are not combinations I enjoy, I can recognize the quality of the tobacco and the passion that went into it. Because Laurendi did not come from a tobacco background, this cigar is truly impressive. While flawed, it does have positive redeeming qualities, so I am interested in trying the Habano version and cannot wait to see what the future holds for Peter James Cigars.

Final Rating: 86

 

Blind Review: Quesada Holiday Keg 2022 Edition

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The Quesada Holiday Keg 2022 Edition is made by Quesada cigars at their Tabacos de Exportación Inc. (TABADEX) factory in the Dominican Republic. The last time the cigar was released was 5 years ago. The Quesada Holiday Keg first appeared on the scene back in 2015 as a St. Patrick’s Day release meant to pair well with a pint of stout. In 2016 they released one towards the end of December. Then in 2017, the industry saw the last release of the Holiday Keg line, again near the St. Patricks Day season.  The cigars are sold in a 10-count miniature beer barrel with only 500 kegs being made for the U.S. market.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Quesada Holiday Keg 2022 Edition
  • Wrapper: Ecuador Havana 2000
  • Binder: Dominican
  • Filler: Dominican/Nicaraguan
  • Size: 6×50

Appearance & Construction

The cigar is a beautiful rustic maduro toro with lots of striation and a triple cap. It is well packed and lightweight in hand.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The cigar wrapper and foot smell faintly of straw bales. The draw has some resistance with a rich humidor cedar on the breath. Toasts and combusts without hesitation.

First puff is very light bodied.  Not much flavor.  Some cedar, spice, tang, and toast if you go searching. Leather and toast in both the aroma and retro. The draw has some resistance but doesn’t get in the way of great smoke production.  Solid ash and good heat maintenance. The cigar is light bodied so far, but very tangy with lots of cedar and leather in the mix.  Growing pepper notes hit the back of my throat to round out the smoke.  So far the cigar can also take a beating pretty well.  I feel free to puff away.

Second third opens up with a dank note and reminds me a lot of wet denim.  Don’t act like you’ve never been so drunk and lost in life that you didn’t find comfort in chewing on the sleeve of your denim jacket to the point of making it sopping wet. Heck!  I did that before I ever even had a drinking problem.  The draws resistance is becoming a pain in the ass, yet it still doesnt stifle the the smoke production.  You have to dig really deep to pull out any chocolate and/or cinnamon aftertaste. The smoke is very flavorless if you don’t put in a good effort.

Massaging the cigar helps a little as the the smoke progresses into the final third.  The smoke develops more body. I’m getting a hint of more cinnamon and cedar.  Leather aroma with a toasty retro. The cigar though is by and large flavorless.

Conclusion

In conclusion, to me the Quesada Holiday Keg 2022 Edition was a waste of time.  The tight draw didn’t hamper the smoke production, but it did hamper the flavor. I have since smoked one more Quesada Holiday Keg 2022 Edition with the same results. Don’t put the Quesada Holiday Keg 2022 Edition in anyone’s stocking. Enjoy!

Final Score: 79

Blind Review: Casa Magna Connecticut Toro

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The Casa Magna Connecticut Toro is manufactured by Quesada Cigars at its Tabacos de Exportación factory in the Dominican Republic.  Casa Magna was originally a joint venture between Quesada Cigaras and Plasencia Cigars and rose to prominence when it won Cigar Aficionado’s #1 Cigar of the Year in 2009.  The Casa Magna Connecticut toro is the second Dominican made cigar in the Casa Magna line.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Casa Magna Connecticut Toro
  • Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut)
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • Size: 6 1/2 x 52

Appearance & Construction

The cigar is a lightweight toro packed loosely with what seems like a triple cap.  The wrapper leaf looks like a papier-mâché project.  Not that impressive or pretty at all.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The wrapper smells of sweet straw bales, honey and dried urine. Not getting much aroma off the foot, maybe a little bit of mint. Nice cold draw with a little give on the inhale, with a cedary breath. Toasts and lights well.

At first puff there’s a little chocolate, cedar, and tangy BBQ.  I’m not that impressed with the draw, but I say that about every toro.  Toros are for guys that like to swallow.  WHAT?! Toast with diner jelly packets on the retro, sweet leather aroma in the air. Alright smoke production and alright heat maintenance…straight burn line. Sturdy ash build up.  A little pepper on the tongue after every sip. Slow burn. I would say a very cedar forward cigar on the first third, with light nuances of spice and fruit here and there.

Second third opens up with a light earthy coffee note.  And when I mean light.  I mean light!  The cigar is extremely light bodied.  The solid ash build up also broke off and honeycombed.  The cigar also needs a touch up for a crack line in the wrapper.  The aroma in the air is very interesting, perfumy and earthy at the same time, with a milk toast retro.  Flavor profile has changed to hot chocolate and strawberry hard candy.  A little spice on the throat. Ash build up has regained it’s sturdiness, with good smoke output and better heat maintenance.

Moving into the last third, the smoke is definitely creamier and chewier with great output. A lot of light milk chocolate on the palate with the earthy notes on the backend. Still burning slow.  Ash is still stacking dimes, but breaks off again even though I’ve been less aggressive on my draws. Aroma in the air is leathery but still has this smell I can’t put words to. Leathery and chocolatey retro. Tried smoking it down to a nub only to have the cigar go out.  It was turning into a black coffee finish anyway which isn’t my favorite.  Two hour smoke time.

Conclusion

The Casa Magana Connecticut toro was a great light bodied smoke.  LIGHT BODIED in every essence of the term.  Not over powering and only demanding on the time commitment it takes to smoke a toro.  It proves to be a loyal soldier in damp winter weather, staying lit even while getting rained on.  Every third provides new nuances that I only wish were more prolific, but I get it… The Casa Magana Connecticut toro is a true Connecticut indeed and perhaps one of the better ones on the market.  So for you lighter bodied fans that want something reliable with an ever changing profile I would totally recommend the Casa Magana Connecticut toro. Enjoy!

Final Score: 89

Blind Review: El Bonchero Criollo

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El Bonchero Criollo cigar is manufatured by Criollo Cigars at the Blackbird Dominicana Factory in the Dominican Republic. The brand is relatively new and has a lot to prove – the Criollo is the first blend from the company we have reviewed on Fine Tobacco NYC.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: El Bonchero Criollo
  • Wrapper: Brazillian
  • Binder: Indonesian
  • Filler: Dominican
  • Size: 5 x 50

Appearance & Construction

The cigar is a leathery spongy robusto with nice striation and a triple cap.  Very lightweight in hand.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The cigar smells of hay/straw bales.  The cold draw is loose with cedar and mint on the tongue. The cigar toasts and combusts very well.

First puff is creamy with lots of sweet coffee and cedar.  There is some tang and earthiness in the background.  Lots of milk chocolate through out the first third.  Heat maintenance is good with good smoke production.  Ash is flaky with not the best burn line but it does self correct it’s short coming.  White toast retro.  Chocolate leather aroma in the air.

Ash breaks off on its own in the second third. Still a very creamy and sweet cigar.  Lots of coffee, chocolate, cedar with some building pepper in the background.  So far a very nice smoke to start the day. Burn line cleans up the act.  Great smoke production and heat maintenance. Ash is still flaky. White toast retro.  Chocolate leather aroma in the air.

Last third develops more pepper on the palate, but the smoke is still creamy and sweet with lots of earth on the back end.  Heat maintenence, burn line, smoke output are all where they should be.  White toast retro.  Chocolate leather aroma in the air.  90min smoke time.  Ends in a leathery hazelnut finish.

Conclusion

The El Bonchero Criollo is a great morning smoke, or a cigar I would have no problem referring to a mild smoker.  Lots of flavor and creaminess.  I found the construction to be flaky and brittle at times, but the El Bonchero Criollo held up for the journey and never went out.  I also don’t believe you could build a cigar that taste the way this did with tougher tobacco leaves.  Feel free to pair the El Bonchero Criollo with any drink of choice, just not anything too tannic or astringent. Enjoy!

Final Score: 89

Blind Review: West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black Robusto

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The West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black Robusto is blended by Rick Rodriquez, former master blender and ambassador of CAO cigars.  The cigars are manufactured in Esteli, Nicaragau at the Garmendia Cigars Co.’s factory. West Tampa Cigar Co. was founded in 2022 by Rick Rodriquez and former General Cigar Co. emploee, Gus Martinez.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black Robusto
  • Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano)
  • Binder: Nicaragua (Ometepe)
  • Filler: Nicaragua (Condega & Estelí)
  • Size: 5 x 50

Appearance & Construction

The cigar is a rustic sticky looking oscuro robusto with a triple cap. It is packed loosely and is very light weight and comfortable in hand.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The cigar wrapper and foot smells like straw and hay bales.  Semi sweet.  Loose cold draw with dank cedar on the breath. Toasts and combusts great.

First puff detonates with tongue and nasal coating pepper and cedar.  Chocolate and toast on the backend.  Like a Nutella sandwich. Leather aroma with a toasted pine retro.  Beautiful to say the least. Smoke production could be better.  Heat maintenance, burn lines, and ash build up are all satisfactory. Some baking spices and men’s cologne dance around in the back of the palate to round out the first third.

Second third, is dominated by toast and baking spices.  There is a chocolate and leather aroma in the air with more toast on the retro.  Though very singular on the palate the smoking experience is still very enjoyable. The smoke production has improved, and it still handles the heat well.  The ash is developing a brittleness, and it breaks off in predictable form.

Last third is cedary and spicy.  A nice landing if it holds true till the end. There is a nice perfume note in the background.  Throat coating pepper. The draw tightens slightly, which is a bummer.  This undoubtedly keeps me vigilant of the heat factor.  Smoke production is decent.  The cigar is definitely struggling to not crash land.  I have to touch it up and baby sit the heat more then I would like to.  However, I keep coming back for these great nuances of baking spices and chocolate. Through keeping a good and more attentive smoking pace the cigar holds strong to the nub without getting overly harsh. The cigar eventually goes out as I rest it for a minute.

Conclusion

I somewhat enjoyed the West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black Robusto. However, the cigar was very one-dimensional at times.  There definitely could have been more body to the flavors.  When usually picking up an oscuro cigar I’m expecting the smoking experience to be on overdrive, which I know is flat out stereotyping. Shoot me! The smoking experience was a little lighter then I anticipated with some minor construction issues.  I definitely wouldn’t pair the West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black Robusto with anything heavier then a cider or a blonde ale.  It’s probably better off smoked on a nice walk while you’re giving it your full attention. The West Tampa Tobacco Co. Black Robusto may not be box worthy, but it easily worth a try. Enjoy!

Final Score: 86

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