Blind Review: Martinez Patrimonio Torpedo

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The Martinez Cigars cigar factory has been rolling cigars for New York cigar aficionados since my birth year of 1974. I’ve frequented the shop for nearly 20 years, smoking all their lines at varied price points. I’ve experienced some as of great value, some stellar in flavor and others rather one dimensional. Regardless of all of that, you have to visit the shop (29th & 7th ave) to see what they have to offer because it is a staple of NYC cigar culture.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Martinez Patrimonio Torpedo
  • Wrapper: San Andres
  • Binder: Nicaraguan
  • Filler: Nicaraguan
  • Size: 6”x52 (Torpedo)

Blind Review: Martinez Patrimonio

Appearance and Construction

This torpedo has a reddish-brown wrapper that projects an oily sheen. It appears to be well rolled with a pointed cap.  As I feel the cigar in hand it is firm to the touch with no soft spots that I can find. I give the foot of the cigar a smell and there’s a faint hint of earth alongside subtle notes of wood shavings but nothing too distinct.

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

I grab a double guillotine cutter and take a straight clip off the torpedo leaving a gracious amount of the pointed head still on it. The dry draw is firm and I’m getting lots of sweetness and spice from the wrapper.  Using my Lamborghini torch, I toast the foot of the cigar and there’s a vanilla bean sweetness to it with an acidic finish. As I take another puff there’s sour cherry with a creaminess alongside a bite of espresso. With a retrohale, wheat and barley come on strong and as the smoke flows out of my mouth there’s a noticeable bitterness on my palate. Thus far the cigar is in the medium boded range and has a solid white ash with a perfect burn line.

The cigar is burning slow as the firm draw is keeping me from smoking it too fast. Despite the tightness I manage to taste roasted coffee with some bitterness on the next puff. There are bitter fruits like Bing cherries along with citrus that waft through as I take another draw. As I retrohale an earthiness engulfs my nostrils almost stinging them along with jalapeño spice. The earthiness continues with another puff and gets rough in the back of my throat.  I’m sensing some of the tobacco is young as its less nuanced than longer aged or properly fermented leaf. The draw opens a little and cedar and hay dominate the medium to full body that has gripped this half of the cigar.

As I reach the final third there’s a dirt quality that adheres to the sides of my mouth that is displeasing. Slowly I draw on the cigar and there’s more sweetness from the wrapper that gets muddled with citrus and a bitter finish. The red fruits return with cherries and almond on the retrohale. Surprisingly the cigar develops a fuller profile pushing through with oak and a tingly minerality on the back end. The younger tobacco reappears as there’s a rough patch that hits the back of my throat. As I take a final puff oak and cedar dominate with an earthy finish.

Conclusion

This cigar looked better than it performed. There were bright spots when the sweetness and fruits came through although they were hindered by a continued underlying bitterness. The firm draw opened up a bit as it progressed but the flavors became rougher, and the tobacco seemed young in the middle part of the blend. The ash and burn line were spot on and you could tell there was an attention to quality in the rolling. This cigar could have been more if all the components inside the blend were properly treated. If you try one, I would suggest pairing with a wheated bourbon as it would make the rougher edges less noticeable and perhaps highlight the more appealing flavors of this smoke. I feel there’s better Martinez cigars to be had at a lesser price point.

Final Rating: 86

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Blind Review: Camacho Liberty Series 2021

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A lot of cigar companies have released holiday-specific limited edition blends. Few have had the impact or longevity as the Camacho Liberty. This year mark the 19th consecutive year where Camacho commemorate the birth of USA, and I was lucky enough to blind review it.

Blend Specifics:

  • Cigar Reviewed: Camacho Liberty Series 2021
  • Wrapper: Ecuador
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Dominican Republic & Honduras
  • Size: Churchill (7”x 48)

Appearance & Construction

I begin by examining the cigar. Its tawny colored wrapper is smooth, yet ridged at the same time with multiple veins running in all directions. As I hold the cigar between my fingers, its softness has a curious feeling, as if I was holding onto a dry sponge. Nevertheless, it is very sturdily built and proportionally filled.

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

There is a very decadent smell of caramel toffee coming from the wrapper, so strong that I can almost taste the syrupy texture. The foot has a scent of tart stone fruits follow by a hint of spice. After shaving off the cap, I take a cold draw, and at first, I taste a hint of sweet and tart dry plum. As I continue to draw air through it the flavor intensifies.

Since the wrapper felt softer than most cigars I have smoked, I decide to light the cigar with matches thinking it would be gentler on the wrapper. As the soft flame comes in contact with the foot, a stream of smoke whirls like a small tornado around the room and fills it with aroma of fresh baked sugar cookies.

I take my first puff and I am immediately reminded of my morning walk to work with a strong taste of roasted coffee and fresh baked bread. As the smoke exits my mouth, the initial flavors weaken and I am able to identify notes of light leather, hay, toasted peanuts, and a hint of tang. The retrohale only enhances the taste of fresh baked goods, toasted peanuts, and warm baking spice. This is a great start for my experience, and it is easy to lose myself within this cigar; hoping it never ends.

An inch in, the burn line is slightly crooked, but the ash seems like it has been reinforced with concrete. The smoke itself becomes very creamy, with a hint of bitterness emerging which thankfully doesn’t affect the taste too much.

Two thirds in, the burn line fixes itself, and the smoke is ample and luscious, all the while indulging myself in cedar, toasted almonds, caramel, and a hint of citrus tang. The smoke then becomes very dense and creamy, as if I had just drunk a cup of milk. As I continue my smoke, the cigar stays at this consistency until the very end with the exception of the retrohale increasing its spice level, but still within the pleasurable realm.

Conclusion

I was a bit speechless after learning of this cigar’s identity. Camacho was never a brand on my radar because they often stayed in the shadow of Davidoff when I see them at brick and mortars. And the few that I have tried have been mediocre.

That said, the Camacho Liberty Series 2021 is a game changer for me. It hits all the right flavors, creates a well balance experience that paints a very vivid picture for me. The combination of roasted coffee, fresh baked goods, toasted almonds, caramel, and a hint of citrus tang reminded me of a weekend at my grandparents’ house as a kid. Excellent. Give it a try if you can find it!

Final Rating: 91

Blind Cigar Review: Quesada Casa Magna Liga F Churchill

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I’ve enjoyed the Casa Magna lines from the Quesada family and the Plascencia’s since they came together to bring cigars to suit many palates. Their latest release line which debuted at the PCA 2021 tis the Liga F (“F” for Fuerte). It’s billed as a stronger cigar with a sun grown Corojo wrapper, Dominican binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. 

As an aside, when companies boast a new blend being “strong,” I get concerned, because they often focus on power while flavors get lost. Admittedly it can be a delicate balance to incorporate strength while blending tobaccos that will deliver taste without being overwhelmed by the style.

I’m glad I smoked this blind, otherwise I may have been concerned that I would get a potent cigar without taste. With all that said, on to the review.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Quesada Casa Magna Liga F Churchill
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown Corojo
  • Binder: Dominican
  • Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan
  • Size: 7 x 50 (Churchill)

Blind Review: Quesada Liga F Churchill

Appearance and Construction

This Churchill has a fine dark brown wrapper with minimal veins and a slight oily sheen. Feeling the wrapper, it is smooth to the touch with a well-balanced roll. As I give it a squeeze, the cigar from top to bottom is solidly filled with tobacco. Visually all the elements are there in what you’d expect from a premium cigar (minus the band of course).

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The foot of this cigar is giving off distinct notes of barnyard and earth. With a straight cut I take a draw without lighting and there’s a drying sensation on my lips. I’m tasting some prune on the back end along with hay and black pepper.  Using my Xikar torch I gently toast the cigar and the first puff I take is semi sweet followed by leather and nuts. With a slow draw I’m getting almond paste with a creamy finish that lingers for a bit. As I take a retrohale some black pepper tingles my nostrils although just enough to feel it without being overwhelmed. The initial start to this cigar seems to be in the medium bodied range and rather tasty given the amount of flavors coming through. The burn is progressing at a moderate pace which seems to allow me to get the most out of the cigars profile.

The middle of this Churchill is hitting its mark with notes of cashew, oak, and ground coffee. The finish comes off a little short but the flavors upfront are intense. The ash is a solid white with a somewhat curved burn line that does not seem to affect the cigar adversely. Another retrohale delivers floral notes with leather that clings to the sides of my mouth as I exhale.  For a cigar of this size, it seems to be smoking quickly, though that’s not to say its burning hot nor are the flavors becoming harsh. The body is in the medium to full category at this point while I draw on it with more leather, earth, and a strong finish of oak. What was black pepper tastes more like white pepper as I take a puff as the fullness continues to build.

Coming into the final third of this cigar there’s espresso and a richness that adds to the complexities of the smoke. The vivid white ash continues to remain solid and gently falls off as it touches my astray. The body stabilizes in the medium to full range and as I take another retrohale I pickup baking spices and chocolate which comes on rather surprisingly. The finish is once again long with a creaminess that resonates on my palate. Earthiness returns with cocoa and nuts rounding out the profile. With a last puff the sweetness from the wrapper comes through coming to a toasty lengthy end. A well-balanced Churchill.

Conclusion

When smoking a Churchill size cigar, you know you are making a time commitment with the hope of having a pleasant 2–3-hour smoking experience. This cigar did not disappoint. It began with leather, toast and nuts slowing building in flavors. Even the pepper that came through in the beginning did not overwhelm. Instead it created a developing profile that continued throughout.  As the body of the cigar went into the medium to full range the flavors intensified with nuts, oak and coffee all coming through straight away. The last third brought it all together with cocoa, toast, and a creamy finish. 

When I found this was a Quesada Casa Magna Liga F Churchill I was not surprised with the quality. I was impressed with the complexity. Although I wouldn’t say it was the strongest smoke as the name implies, I’d say that’s a good thing as it balances strength with lots of flavor. The Quesada family did a fine job in this blend as well as keeping a Churchill size cigar interesting for the duration. I would recommend picking up a few as they smoke well right now and I would surmise age will only improve them.

Final Rating: 93

Avoiding the Strange Death of the Cigar Industry

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In his 2017 book The Strange Death of Europe, political commentator Douglas Murray argues that Europe is—in slow but certain fashion—committing suicide. Whether by mass immigration or declining local birth rates, Douglas argues that European civilization is, with little opposition by Europeans, undermining its very existence.

Comparing the cigar industry in America to Douglas’s Europe might sound like a stretch. Unfortunately, it isn’t.

Like Douglas’s Europe, the cigar industry has a chief rival and threat—for us, a powerful government agency called the FDA with a stated goal of completely eliminating tobacco use. It has demonstrated it will use any means necessary to put tobacco companies out of business. All it needs to enact sweeping, destructive regulations like plain packaging or defacto bans on new products entering the market, is a compelling political reason.

Like, for instance, cigar companies marketing their products to kids.

Of course, marketing cigars to kids sounds preposterous. Premium cigars are too expensive. Kids certainly don’t like cigars—most adults don’t either!

But imagine with me for a moment a public hearing where FDA officials present images proving that cigar companies are seeking younger consumers by branding cigars to be attractive to kids?

For instance, making cigars that reference popular children’s show characters:

via stogiesworldclasscigars.com

Or by making cigars that look like candy bars.

via ezrazionstore.com

Will an 11 year old kid spend $10 to buy a premium cigar? No, of course not. But whether it’s realistic or not doesn’t matter—all the FDA, or federal or state anti-tobacco legislators need to crush the cigar industry is a plausible harm to the public. Marketing tobacco to minors is at the top of the list of plausible harms.

Let’s imagine what the possible implications are for the cigar industry if screenshots like the ones above made their way into the hands of anti-tobacco congressional staffers or FDA interns.

  • Outright bans on new product, or regulations so stifling new products are impossible to bring to market
  • Tax increases at state and federal levels on premium cigars
  • Plain packaging requirements
  • Bans on granting new tobacco retail licenses (see NYC)
  • Bans on any positive media around cigars/cigar smoking—including on social media or blogs like this one

These regulations would drastically affect our industry for the worst. And though they might seem far off, just ask our BOTL’s in Canada to the north how quickly plain packaging was implemented and how it has degraded the cigar culture there.

So what’s the “strange” part of the strange death of the cigar industry? To me, what’s strange is that few, if any, cigar smokers or media members have spoken out publicly against brands who seem intent on creating a PR crisis for this industry. As far as I can tell, smokers know that branding a cigar to look like candy or children’s cartoon characters is dangerous. I ran a poll on that question on Instagram a month ago and out of 134 votes, 92 (69%) agreed the practice is irresponsible. But for every one comment about how it’s not a good idea, there are a hundred more instagram posts and youtube videos promoting the products.

The bottom line is, a small group of brands (Privada Cigar Club and Ezra Zion to name two) are putting the entire cigar industry at risk gimmicky marketing. And if unchallenged, they’ll likely set the stage for more brands to follow suite with similar designs. And that will get the attention of the bureaucrats and the politicians.

It’s hard to imagine an America with a radically stifled cigar market; where new blends are rare, cigars are astronomically expensive, and smoking in lounges is a thing of the past. But most cigar brand owners and retailers I’ve spoken to are keenly aware of just how fragile our current freedoms are.

So how do we avoid this strange death of the cigar industry? It’s pretty simple actually. Brands: put the children’s characters, knock-off candy bars, and video game characters down. There’s plenty of room for fun in branding—and no reason to be reckless. For consumers, my advice is: stop buying cigars that feature packaging designs you know would raise the interest of a kid or teenager. And stop buying products from the companies that make them.

Together, we can preserve this incredible industry. We just have to try.

Blind Review: Liga Privada Bauhaus

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The Liga Privada Bauhaus from Drew Estate is a European exclusive extension of the company’s prominent Liga Privada line. The blend is produced in a 4 1/2 x 50 short robusto format and is named after the Bauhaus School in the early 1900’s which prized in function with respect to art and designggggg. I’m not sure of the connection to the cigar itself, save for the nod to Germany and being a European release.

I do enjoy this size very much and, reviewing it blind, all it took was one look and I was excited trying this vitola.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Liga Privada Bauhaus
  • Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf capa
  • Binder: Brazilian
  • Filler: Honduran and Nicaraguan
  • Size: Short Robusto (4 1/2 x 50)

Blind Review: Drew Estate Bauhaus

Appearance & Construction

Looking at the wrapper it has a dark tone with veins along the side in a rustic style. As I run my fingers on the sides the veins from the wrapper leaf are evident. I give a roll in hand which is a bit off. To the touch its spongy although no particular soft spots across the smoke. The foot brings barnyard notes appropriate to the look of the cigar. I’m also getting oak along with raisins, hay and earth.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Grabbing my Xikar MTX, I use the scissors to take a thin slice off the cap. I take a draw dry that delivers prunes, dark fruits along with wood notes. With my Lamborghini torch I take a full flame and get a grittiness from the wrapper immediately which is followed by cocoa dust and leather which dries out the sides of my mouth. After another puff there’s more raisin upfront that moves to a weightiness mid palate and an earthy finish. I take a retrohale which is hay, earth and a dampness that is a bit soured. Looking at the ash its whitish gray with a wavy burn line.

This short robusto seems to burn fast despite my slow puffs. There’s a semisweet chocolate aroma from the cigar and through the finish which is quite appealing. The burn continues to stay wavy and the earthiness is becoming very prominent. Its almost a bit overwhelming and is muddling the other flavors trying to express themselves. With a slow draw the cigar brings on an oaky profile followed by a surprisingly creamy albeit short finish. There’s a bitterness that is lingering at present causing the wood notes to become sharper and almost tannic. Thus far the cigar is in the medium to full range strength wise.

As I reach the final third there are some citrus notes that gives a zing to the lips. While there’s a noticeable acidity there is also a bit of toasted oak as I take another retrohale. The strength earlier was medium to full and as I take another puff a rush of full, almost meaty character hits my throat. The amped up strength is a change although the finish comes off rather rustic. At the same time, the grittiness seems to return from the initial flavor of the wrapper. In a repeat from earlier, the cocoa powder coats the sides of my mouth while bakers chocolate delivers a bitter ending. Slowing drawing once again I grasp at plum and spice in quick and short supply. With a final puff I get oak barrel that last longer on my tongue than most of the flavors that presented themselves.

Conclusion

While this cigar delivers various flavor profiles they didn’t seem to draw my attention for too long. I enjoy dark fruits, chocolate and spicy characters in a cigar, but most of them finished rather short which left me wanting more. Even the wood profile became sharp as it progressed and only on a retrohale was there a toasty quality that was pleasing. The medium to full profile built itself up in a surprising fashion that added a meatiness that a peaty scotch would pair well with.

When I found out this was a Liga Privada I was not surprised as the broadleaf profile from Drew Estate was evident. This cigar has some appealing flavors, they just seemed to turn on each other at times. If you enjoy Liga’s, you will respect the wrapper for sure. Just be prepared for flavors that bob and weave in your mouth.

Final Score: 88

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