Blind Review: Crux Limitada Redline (2019)

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Crux Limitada Redline cigars are made by Crux Cigars and are manufactured by Plasencia Cigars S.A in Nicaragua. Crux only produces 1,000 boxes annually of their Limitada line which features a proprietary Nicarauguan Enganoso wrapper leaf grown exclusively for them in Esteli.  The Limitada Redline is a box-pressed toro size cigar that also consists of a Connecticut Broadleaf binder with a blend of undisclosed Dominican and Nicaraguan filler.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Crux Limitada Redline
  • Wrapper: Nicaraguan Enganoso
  • Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
  • Filler: Dominican/ Nicaraguan
  • Size: 6 x 50

Blind Review Notes: Crux Limitada Redline

Appearance & Construction

The cigar is a more slender box-press.  Almost rectangular. Think: “tampa-style” , “soft-press” or Padron “Series.” The combo of color and shape remind me of a UK-issued Cadbury “Flakes” bar.  The wrapper is rich and decadent and appears aged to perfection.  I always appreciate the aesthetics of a box-press. The way the veins in a wrapper leaf and how it was rolled come together to give off a criss-cross double-helix appearance.  It’s like looking at a well wrapped gift or even professional origami sometimes. The cigar is packed stiff at the bottom and looser at the top, yet has a good even-weight in my hands. I can actually cold draw through its double-cap without applying a cut. Cederary…

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics:

The cigar itself does not give off a strong aroma on its own.  I have to sniff it like it’s the last scene in Scarface and almost lick the wrapper to get the stogie to speak to me.  I can faintly make out straw bales, some honey, and pencil shavings.

I apply a shallow cross-cut (AKA “rose-cut” to you Brits) and begin to take in a more proper cold-draw.  It is now a strong cedar that smacks me back in the throat.  I didn’t get that when the cap was unpierced.

As I toast with a single-torch lighter, there is a distinct fragrance that reminds me of a mens cologne from yesteryear.  Think old-school Nautica when we all used to rock bubble jackets and holler at the upper-grade girls in the junior high parking lot…ANYWAY! The cigar is taking a while to heat up, but it combusts beautifully.  Let’s GO!

The smoking experience in the first third is nice and light.  There is chocolatey damp cedar on the front end and spicy pencil shavings on the back end. There is some curry powder on the retro as the tobacco oils begin to heat up.  I’m salivating.  The cigar is so far peculiar on its first impressions.  It covers some of the usual flavor profiles of a medium-full cigar, but in a very wistful and airy way. There’s chili and grit present, but by no means would I describe it as full-body. For example, even the smoke coming off the foot of the first third is very reminiscent of Swiss Miss hot chocolate packets and Lucky Charms marshmallows. Not really what the local biker gang ordered, but maybe they would, if you know what I mean? I wouldn’t. Motorcycles terrify me in a God-fearing way. More on that next time.

The second third shapes up to be a leathery and more creamy experience.  At first the leather note is not drying out my palate like it normally would on other cigars, but is actually making me salivate more. Quite unique.  I then notice that my palate begins to dry out and the body of smoke lends to a more creamy mouth feel. However, this cigar is no Connecticut. Very unusual. It’s enough to keep me interested.  I’m also impressed by the construction so far.  Since box-press cigars generally are 1-2 filler leaves less in construct, I often find myself having to adjust my puff speed so as to not overheat the tobacco.  Amazingly, this box-press is staying cool and the burn line illuminates no matter how hard or soft I draw on it. I like that. The second third raps up with the ash build-up being flaky.  My palate is filled with a strong hazelnut note, and from time to time I’m getting the taste of a potting-soil with vermiculite.  It makes me remember how far behind I am on my home gardening.  The retrohale is leather and spice.

The last third is nothing new.  The cigar is still consistent in what flavors it offers.  However, the spice and hazelnuts are less faint now.  It also goes out a couple times.  I had to relight and purge twice.  No big deal.  It helped refresh the experience and brought out some citrus aromas and better smoke production.  To be honest, the cigar, because of its length, was becoming a little boring until I had to apply some damage control.  I smoked it down to the size of a pinky toe.  It ends on a very savory note, like when you crack open a fresh Goya “Sazon” shaker.  There are also more hints of dirt and even espresso beans on the finish. The fragrance as it goes out in my ashtray still reminds me of that same thuggy pretty-boy cologne we used to use to cover up our adolescent acne and daddy issues. C’est la vie.

Conclusion

Aside from all Padron Cigars, Crowned Heads’ “Juarez ”, and Foundation Cigars’ “Menelik,” I generally am not a fan of box-pressed cigars.  They often feel clunky and remind me of being on the job holding a carpenter’s pencil.  I smoke cigars to forget the day, not to feel like I’m still on the clock. However, because of the more rectangular shape of the Crux Limitada Redline, all the hand and mouth-feel awkwardness wasn’t present.  As I smoked the cigar I kept it on its edge, instead of its belly, as well as when I held it between my fingers.  Ergonomic vitolas just might be the future of cigars everybody!

Overall, the Crux Limitada blend was nice. As mentioned, it had the flavors I find to be present in a medium-full body cigar, just in a very muted and passive presentation.  If you’re not the morning-type tough-guy, AND need the day to progress to build up your defense mechanisms, BUT still need something to remind you of who you wish you were while sipping your over-sweetened “tall hot latte”…GUESS WHAT!? This cigar may fill that void! As you smoke it, you will look forward to- AND might be better equipped- to handle “A REAL MANS CIGAR!,” later on that same day. I only deducted points for the flakiness of the burn and the fact that I had to relight it twice.  I smoked it almost down to nothing, and the changing flavor profile kept me wanting more. I’d personally like to experience the Crux Limitada again in a smaller vitola. At this cigar length, I felt it was a journey that went longer than it should have. Enjoy.

Final Score: 90

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Blind Review: Sencillo Edicion Limitada Danli 2020 Pyramides

3 0 2.8k

Sencillo Platinum Cigars are produced by God of Fire. Sencillo (Spanish for “simple”). Handmade in Danli, Honduras, the Sencillo Platinum blend uses Habano de Jamastran tobacco for the wrapper, filler, and binder, with Piloto Cubano tobacco added to the filler to balance out the flavor.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Sencillo Edicion Limitada Danli 2020 Pyramides
  • Wrapper: Honduran Jamastran Habano
  • Binder: Honduran Habano
  • Filler: Honduran Habano
  • Size: 6 1/8 x 54
  • Vitola: Pyramides

Blind Review: Sencillo Edicion Limitada Danli 2020 Pyramides

Appearance & Construction

This cigar has a gorgeous, eye-catching matt colorado wrapper. The smell gives off a spicy and floral aroma as I run the cigar under my nose. The cigar gives off spicy, floral aromas as I run it under my nose. When I smelled the cigar’s foot, the earthy and barnyard smells carried my mind back to the farms in rural Alabama. There are no flaws in the cigar’s appearance. The dark wrapper is flawless, and if you had the time, you could count the veins in the tobacco leaf. The cigar feels excellent in the hand for a cigar of its size.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

I used generic guillotine cutters to remove the cigar’s pyramid cap. Whenever I smoke a torpedo, my goal is to cut just enough of the tip, so the cigar draws well. It took a couple of dry draws for me to pick up the muted spice, citrus, and leather tasting notes.

My palate is struck with a surge of earthy tasting notes on my first draw. I went the soft flame route. I toasted the foot of the cigar with three matches from Shore Thing Cigars. The airflow as you pull air through the cigar is effortless. The cigar has leather notes and a tickle of spice beneath the surface. As we are into the first third of the cigar – I’m enjoying these bursts of deep earth flavors around the muted leather notes. The ash is just stanking dimes like a champ. I noticed a tiny mouse hole in the first third but didn’t mess with the airflow.

The cigar begins with white pepper and an earthy dash that slowly drifts away in a smoother or creamier taste when we move toward the second third. This cigar doesn’t put off a ton of smoke as it burns. It’s a great medium to full smoke – The smoke production is lovely white billowing clouds. The cigar has incredible construction – burn and draw are exceptional. It has nuttiness and earthiness. The flavors tend to rest on the tongue’s back and the roof of the mouth.

The white pepper and musk notes mark the final third – the flavors have been consistent throughout the cigar – as the cigar comes to and it warms up with more spice. The cigar finishes with a lovely mixture of fine leather, white pepper, and nutty tasting notes.

The cigar has near-perfect construction. I had zero issues with the draw or burn from the moment I lit the cigar to the second it rested in my ashtray. I’ll say not having to worry about construction issues added to the smoking experience. I didn’t have to touch it up a single time, and the cigar burned even the entire time.

Conclusion

The Sencillo Edicion Limitada Danli 2020 Pyramides grew on me the longer I journeyed with it. I expected a very pepper-forward smoking experience, but I engaged in a wide range of restrained flavors. It’s a cigar with several noticeable transitions, and the array of flavors reveals themselves to your palate. Those flavors include leather, white pepper, earth tones, baking spice, citrus, and nuttiness.

The Limitada Danli 2020 has excellent construction and draw, reflecting other Davidoff and Prometheus God of Fire products. I would suggest you pick up a Sencillo Edicion Limitada Danli 2020 Pyramides.

Rating: 88

The Best (and Worst) Places to Buy Whiskey Online

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The Best Websites to Buy Whiskey

For lovers of fine whiskies, we really are living in a halcyon age.

It used to be we were limited by the selections available in our local supermarket or liquor store – which are usually limited to the most commercially popular brands – or, if we were really lucky, we’d live close to a specialist retailer with a more expansive range.

However, the proliferation of the internet and specifically ecommerce has opened up the world of whiskey to drinkers – no matter where they live. Whether you enjoy single malts from the highlands of Scotland or complex blends from the mountains of Japan, you can now have your favorite whiskey delivered right to your front door.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at and rank some of the best and worst online whiskey retailers out there today and compare prices on three of the most popular bottles. (prices at time of publishing, 6/3/2022, always check prices for yourself!)

#1 Total Wine & More

A US-based retailer with an amazing selection and fantastic prices, we think Total Wine & More is just about the best of the bunch when it comes to ecommerce whiskey.

Being based here in the US will save you money on shipping costs – whiskey bottles are fairly heavy and international shipping and customs charges can be significant – and Total Wine & More has regular offers which can provide further discounts on multiple purchases and special selections.

With a staggering selection of American, Canadian, Irish, Japanese, and Scotch whiskies, and multiple filters to narrow down your selection, though Total Wine & More is not a dedicated whiskey dealer, it is nonetheless our favorite.

#2 The Whisky Exchange

Travelling across the Atlantic to the UK brings us to our number two favorite online whiskey retailer, The Whiskey Exchange.

With a 4.9/5 rating on British customer meta review site Trust Pilot, The Whiskey Exchange has a clean and simple-to-navigate site and a fantastic range of both mainstream and esoteric whiskies at great prices (though be wary of shipping costs if ordering from the US), especially when ordering multiple bottles at once.

Scotch whiskies can be sorted by the area of Scotland in which they were made, and even filtered by flavor profile or brand. Likewise, world whiskies can be filtered by country of origin or ingredients – and there’s even a separate section for old and rare bottle complete with helpful filters such as “under £1,000” or “over £1,000” for the true connoisseur.

#3 Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS)

Born from a desire to share whiskey in its purest form and in a time when such whiskies were not thought to be sufficiently marketable, UK-based Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has a fine rage of drinks with a focus on flavor, variety, and fun.

With branches all over the world – including the US – SMWS offers a membership program which grants access to exclusive whiskies, members’ rooms, colorful tasting events, partner bar discounts, a monthly magazine, and more. It also holds an annual Flavor Hunters event where premium members can get together online and sample a pack of 12 unique whiskies together.

SMWS also has a great online store where more adventurous drinkers can purchase unique and limited-edition whiskies such as a Cask No. 19 Highland Batch 2022 Hazelnut Bubble Gum and many more besides.

SMWS only sells its own unique labels, so price comparisons with other sellers aren’t possible.

#4 Reserve Bar

Next, we return to the US for our number four store – and one which skews more towards the premium end of the market. With a wide selection of scotch, bourbon, whiskey, and rye, $30 off an order of $200 or more and free shipping for orders exceeding $79, Reserve Bar is a fantastic location for those extra special bottles.

Customer reviews praise the ease of the website for navigation, a smooth and simple checkout process, and speedy delivery. Each listing also gives customers the option to add further products to their order such as glassware, whiskey stones, bottle holders, and even custom engraving on certain items to make those gift purchases extra special.

#5 Hard to Find Whiskey (HTFW)

For our number five spot it’s back to the UK once again for Hard to Find Whiskey (HTFW), a specialist retailer which does exactly what it says on the tin.

So, if you’re looking for collectable and rare bottles for a special gift or to complete your own collection, this knowledgeable and expansive seller may just be the store you’re looking for. HTFW’s modus operandi is too narrowly focused to recommend it to the average shopper, but those who are truly serious about their whiskey can spend hours browsing its unique and opulent selection.

For US shoppers, you can get free shipping with an order of $500 or more.

 

The Worst – Whiskey Shop USA

The Whiskey Shop is an unusual beast. It has generally favorable reviews online, yet the website is so outdated and unappealing it makes it exceedingly difficult to recommend.

Blurry and badly cropped images, unsightly “Image Coming Soon” labels on product listings, inconsistent formatting of text and images, and more all conspire to create a cumbersome and frustrating online shopping experience which doesn’t seem to mesh with the glowing opinions shoppers seem to have of its brick-and-mortar location in San Francisco.

Final Thoughts

There you have our ranking of five of our favorite and one of our least favorite online whiskey stores in 2022.

Perhaps the most important reason for purchasing your whiskey only from reputable retailers is to avoid the scams and fake products which are so prevalent in the secondary market. However, you can purchase with confidence from any of the above stores and get down to the serious business of enjoying your fine liquor.

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Blind Review: Ferio Tego Elegancia LE 21

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Micheal Herklots–formally of the now defunct Nat Sherman Cigars–teamed up with his partner Brendon Scott to resurrect the former Nat Sherman lines under their own company, Ferio Tego. The Elegancia is a limited-edition cigar for 2021 and sports a light Ecuadorian wrapper. There is also the Generoso which wears a darker Honduran wrapper. Both come in one toro size and are limited releases for this year. 

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Ferio Tego Elegancia LE 21
  • Wrapper: Ecuador
  • Binder: Dominican Republic
  • Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
  • Length: 6” x 50 (Toro)

Blind Review: Ferio Tego Elegancia 2021

Appearance and Construction

This toro has a light wrapper with several veins across it. There is a silkiness to it as I run my fingers along the sides. Squeezing the cigar, it is packed solidly with tobacco and the construction is firm and well crafted.  The foot smells of tea, earth, and toast. 

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

My guillotine cutter takes a quick slice off the head of the wrapper leaving a clean cut. I take a cold draw which delivers prunes, must and citrus. With a torch lighter the cigar is gently catching fire as I rotate the toro to evenly get the foot burning. The first puff is dry and green with a bitter finish. Earth and graphite come through on the next draw. There’s cocoa which becomes sharp baker’s chocolate as the flavor continues. With a retrohale the tobacco seems young with grassy and toasty notes. Another draw and some pleasant nuttiness comes through with vanilla on the back end. The cigar is just about on the medium bodied side at present.

The ash is solid white at midway while the draw and construction continue to be excellent. I’m getting honey and spice that turns to citrus notes and lemon peel with another puff. The finish doesn’t last long and another retrohale brings about more grassiness with sharp oak that gathers around the sides of my mouth and back of the throat. Underlying sweetness is showing on the wrapper taking a draw with roasted nuts and floral notes. These flavors linger creating a more balanced profile than previously. The cigar is right on the medium bodied profile with an abundance of smoke as I take another puff. The floral is more prevalent with a finish that ends bitter. Earth and cedar give this toro more character as the smoke has a silkier mouthfeel now which keeps me interested in the blend.

Reaching the last third orange zest tingles my lips while an influx of over roasted coffee bean resonates on the finish as I puff slowly on this smoke. The burn line is consistently excellent, and the draw has been effortless. I hesitate to take another retrohale as it has been unpleasantly grassy however as I’m drawing the smoke up into my nostrils I get less of the “green” and more burnt almonds. The smoke output seems lighter and the bitter notes seem to fight it out with vanilla and cocoa. As I take a final puff the oak and citrus coat my palate although the finish once again is cut short.

Conclusion

I was looking forward to trying Elegancia as I was guessing it would deliver a medium bodied experience which can yield lots of flavor without being overwhelming.  This cigar was certainly medium bodied however the tobacco seemed young and hurt the flavors that were trying to come out.

Despite its excellent construction the bitter and grassy notes were rough amongst the rest of the blend, especially some of the nice floral, cocoa, vanilla and citrus flavors I was getting. When I found out this was a Fiero Tego Elegancia LE 21 I was surprised as I have smoked several of theses as well as the Generoso and I thoroughly enjoyed what the blends offer. I might chalk this of as a one-off cigar that was flawed as I’ve said I’ve smoked this blend before, and it has been so much more. I would suggest picking up a least one and hopefully your experience will be like what I’ve in the past rather than the cigar I sampled.

Final Rating: 86

Blind Cigar Review: East Park Cigars El Borbón

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Newcomers to the cigar industry Emmanuel Peña and Claudio Sanchez recently created East Park Cigars. Their first release is a trio of robustos meant to pair with spirits. As its name suggests, El Borbón is meant to match with your favorite bourbon.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: East Park Cigars El  Borbón
  • Wrapper: Habano
  • Binder: Sumatra
  • Filler: Dominican, Pennsylvania
  • Size: 5 1/2″ x 52 (Robusto)

Blind Review: El Borbon

Appearance and Construction

The Colorado wrapper has few veins on the sides. There is some give at the top of the cigar as I squeeze it. The foot smells of barnyard and cashews which comes off strong. While I roll the robusto in my palm it is smooth and effortless.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Straight cut is my go-to and I take a slice off the tip. The dry draw is a bit loose and drying on my lips. There’s leather and spice coming off the foot of the cigar. I light the cigar with my single flame Xikar and my first puff delivers wood shavings and leather. The smoke wafts through the air and I am now getting toasty notes with roasted nuts. Taking a retrohale I feel the tingle of white pepper through my nose with barrel char on the exhale. The cigar is currently in the medium to full range with a slightly wavy burn line. The mouthfeel is drying, and an earthiness coats my palate.

Reaching the middle of the cigar the flavors change to cinnamon toast and nuts alongside a sherry like finish. The ash is dark with whiteness peppered in. The draw has become less loose and not as overwhelming as when it began. There’s espresso and cocoa powder that cuts short and becomes dusty. The retrohale delivers wood and citrus with some acidity on the back end. The burn line corrects itself from its slightly altered state and I am getting more earth and cocoa now.

As I am drawing on the last third of the robusto it becomes toasty with a creamy finish. The ash is flaky as pieces begin to fall off on their own volition. Some nuttiness has returned bringing cashews followed by leather. Taking a slow draw there is a creaminess along with upfront notes of nuts and toast. With a retrohale there’s pepper, some more acidity and coca pushing though. The finish is never quite that long and continues in this trend. Leather returns with a noticeable sweetness that counterbalances the back end. There is a fuller body to this cigar as its winding down which is quite unexpected. With a last few puffs, the initial leather and spice returns with a longer finish surprisingly as the cigar comes to an end.

Conclusion

What began as a cigar that I was concerned had a loose draw, it corrected itself to reveal leather and spice along with toasty notes to start. Midway the nuttiness came through with a sweetness from the sherry finish. The espresso and chocolate I tasted I wished was in more supply as it ended too short that left me wanting more. As the ash developed it went from solid to start then flaky in the last 2/3. The cigar remained consistently in the medium to full range. Having no experience with this brand, which is fairly new, it was a tasty cigar that would benefit with a spirit pairing as that would help to draw out and enhance the flavors. I surmise some aging might help in bringing out some nuances as well. I would recommend picking up a few to pair as well as revisit in the future.

Final Rating: 89

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