Blind Review: La Unica No. 400

7 0 3.3k

In 1985, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. and Carlos Fuente came together to create a premium cigar sold in bundles at a value price. With the creation of La Unica, they succeeded in developing a mild to medium bodied cigar using a Connecticut wrapper, Dominican long filler and binder tobaccos. The result was a well crafted cigar that was woody, earthy and toasty as well as very approachable to the new smoker and aficionado alike. Having smoked this cigar blind for the review I wasn’t aware what it was however when it was revealed to me it brought back memories from the “Cigar Boom” days. Enjoy!

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: La Unica 400
  • Wrapper: Connecticut
  • Binder: Dominican
  • Filler: Dominican
  • Size: 4 1/2″ x 50

Appearance & Construction

The La Unica has a golden claro wrapper that is smooth and oily to the touch with the exception of a long vein running down the side. The cigar feels generously packed with tobacco and the construction is rather basic in its presentation. The foot smells of hay and cedar.

​Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

As I clip the La Unica, the cold draw is all wood, almost dominating the mouth. As I light, the semi firm draw makes it take a minute to get going. Once I have a sufficient amount of resistance and smoke, flavors of earth, maple and oak abound. The La Unica picks up with almond and toast that accents the mild to medium body thus far. The cigar continues with this flavor profile ending in a creamy finish.

Midway through, the La Unica develops a bready characteristic with hints of citrus on the retrohale. The burn line is straight showing proper fermentation of the wrapper. Sweat cream and toast continue giving this cigar a pleasant yet not overly complex profile. Unfortunately, the La Unica 400 becomes muted and the flavors less pronounced as I continue smoking.

Towards the end of the smoke, an earthier profile amps up even though the cigar maintains its medium body. The last few puffs of this cigar end with a steely minerality and short finish. Overall, the La Unica 400 never makes significant changes and keeps within a basic profile.

Conclusion

Upon finding out this was a La Unica cigar, I was not surprised. I recognized the profile of a Connecticut wrapper and Dominican filled cigar at its most basic. Although they were made prior to the 90’s “Cigar Boom” days, these cigars remind me of a lot of the style we were smoking back then. Ligero and fuller parts of the tobacco plant were certainly not the flavor of the time or the norm. This La Unica No. 400 maintained its mild to medium body throughout, absent many changes in flavor. This is a nice cigar for the novice smoker or someone who enjoys a less overwhelming profile. The Newman’s make quality smokes and despite its lack of development for the price it is certainly worth a try.

Final Rating 87

Blind Review: Avo Improvisation LE 2020

7 0 3.5k

For those who are unfamilar with the man, Avo Uvezian was a brillant Jazz pianist and cigar lover. Through a partnership with Davidoff and Henke Kelner making the blends, Avo had several lines of cigars of different tastes, sizes and profiles. In addition, Avo would release a special cigar on his birthday which would be celebrated with a party and a performance from the man. Sadly in 2017 Avo passed away and although the music and cigar world lost a treasure, the brand itself continues to honor him with a birthday blend.

This Avo Improvisation 2020 is a toro sized smoke that was blended by Henke Kelner and Eladio Diaz using aged tobaccos and is said to be in the medium to full bodied range. I was pleased to find out what the cigar was after I smoked it as I believe he would have enjoyed the results.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Avo Improvisation LE 2020
  • Wrapper:  Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
  • Binder:  Semilla 151 Seco
  • Filler:  Dominican and Peruvian
  • Size: 6 1/2 x 50 Toro

Appearance & Construction

The Avo LE’s claro wrapper has minimal veins and is spongy to the touch. The roll itself is even although I notice a bit of a touch up with the cap. Finding out this was an Avo cigar by Davidoff, I was surprised as the company’s construction above all is usually spot on. The smell on the foot is all wood and hay with a slight note of pepper in the nostrils.

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

Using my Palió cutter I clip a strait cut and take a few dry puffs. The Avo emits dry wood and leather in the mouth. I light the cigar with a cedar strip and the drying sensation hits the sides of my cheeks with a backlash of leather on the tongue. On the retrohale, the musty characteristic comes into play like an old wine cellar. As the smoke starts billowing, mushroom and earth emerge on the forefront, with leather hitting the back end.

The core of the Ave Improvisation delivers an earthy tone with leather clinging to the tongue with an underlying mustiness. Another retrohale on this cigar and more mushroom, followed by oak freely accenting the earth and leather. The white/gray ash is razor sharp, demonstrating that the tobacco inside is well crafted in this blend. As I puff away, I am greeted by a creaminess which adds a layer of complexity that is quite refined.

The final third is where the creaminess really comes through for me. Every puff finishes with it and the leather from earlier is replaced with more of the wood as the secondary flavor. The smoke from the Avo is quite pleasing and the smell of cedar wafts through nicey. Some mushroom and earth return, followed by a nuttiness and some spice that goes by as fast as I pick it up. As I take my last few puffs of the Avo LE 2020 it becomes toasty and woody with a rather short finish. A pleasing medium plus cigar.

Conclusion

I had the privilege of meeting Avo Uvezian many years ago and he was a dynamic yet humble person. Even with his passing Avo’s legacy continues to live on in his music and cigars. The Avo Improvisation LE 2020 is a fine homage to the man with wood, leather, mushroom and mustiness that these unique tobaccos yield. Much like with music, you need to pick up this cigar, sit down and take in what it has to offer.

FINAL RATING: 91

Blind Review: Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat (2020)

10 0 6.3k

In 2016 the Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat cigar appeared and Drew Estate fans clamored to get their hands on some. Fortunately, this year a new version was released in the same size and blend. It was made available for purchase at Drew Diplomat Retail virtual events and limited boxes were given to each store. I’m a fan of Connecticut Broadleaf and this size vitola for the flavors it can yield so I was more than ready to give this blind review a go.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat
  • Wrapper:  Connecticut Broadleaf capa
  • Binder:  Brazilian
  • Filler:  Nicaraguan and Honduran
  • Size: 5 ½” x 46 Corona Gorda

Appearance & Construction

The Liga Privada Year of the Rat is a dark rustic cigar with a long vein down one side. The cigar has a well crafted pigtail cap and weighty feel in the palm. To the touch the tobacco is substantial which can be a wonderful thing in this size vitola. With no soft spots and a pleasing aroma of nuts and hay, I’m ready to smoke.

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

After I clip the the Year of the Rat with my Xikar, I take a dry draw that was of must, wood and vanilla. I light the cigar with a cedar strip and the effortless draw rewards me with earth, forest floor and hay. The smoke swaths around my mouth and there is distinct minerality followed by a creamy finish and chocolate sweetness. The retrohale is a combination of oak and black pepper which quickly dissipates as the smoke comes out. The quality of the tobacco is evident and the cigar begins as a medium bodied smoke.

As the Year of The Rat progresses, it becomes a bit gritty in the mouth and pepper flakes surround the palate. The woody oak flavor that initially appeared becomes more cedar with a tannic bitterness to it. The strength becomes fuller and notes of cashews emerge off and on. Then, the earthiness becomes an undertone and the cigar transforms to a medium to full bodied smoke. The ash is white/grey and is neither flaky nor firm at this point.

In the final third of this corona gorda, the smoke becomes creamy once again with a vanilla sweetness and earthiness interplaying quite well. I pick up a bit of leather that is fleeting and keeps me wanting more. The pepper returns a bit albeit not as intense as before. The wood flavors earlier become more of cedar and the cigar finishes with a combination of said wood and waning pepper. A nice little corona gorda for sure.

Conclusion

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Jonathan Drew many times since Drew Estate’s inception and he is a solid dude. I was around for all the Liga debuts and their pre-releases. Although I wasn’t always a fan of some blends, I am a fan of Connecticut Broadleaf and the Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat further proves that when done well this is a tasty wrapper. The black pepper, wood, vanilla with a creamy finish work wonderfully in the first half of the smoke.

My biggest issue was midway as it turned bitter and tannic which muted flavors and was unpleasant. Despite smoking slowly so as not to cause too much heat, these flavors hurt its overall score. The Year of the Rat did rally in the final third and delivered most of the initial flavors in subtle form. This was a size I always enjoy as it concentrates flavors and can really keep you interested. I would certainly smoke again and if you can find these, buy a few for sure.

FINAL RATING: 90

Blind Review: Micallef Experiencia La Crema Toro

9 1 3.6k

Al Micallef is a Texas businessman who’s many ventures have yielded him great success. In 2016 he decided as a cigar enthusiast to create the Micallef Cigars brand. Since its debut Micallef has received praise in the production and quality of his cigars. I’ve only tried a few, and what I’ve smoked I have thoroughly enjoyed. With this being a blind review I had no idea it was the Micallef brand although upon finding out my joy with these cigars continues to grow.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Micallef Experiencia La Crema Toro
  • Wrapper:  4 year old an Andrés Sumatra
  • Binder:  4 year old Ecuadorian Habano
  • Filler:  4 year old Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Panamanian
  • Size: 6×52 Toro

Appearance & Construction

The Micallef Experiencia has an elegant brown Sumatra wrapper that’s smooth to the touch. There are minimal veins and the cigar feels packed with tobacco from head to foot. Visually the Experiencia appears well crafted and you can see the time and care that was taken with its construction.

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

As I clipped the Micallef with my Xikar cutter the dry draw is airy and delivers cedar, mint and some nuttiness. Lighting the Experiencia, I am greeted with cinnamon cedar and vanilla on the palate. Within these initial puffs the flavors come across bright and harmonious. The smoke is ample yet not overwhelming, and as the cigar gets going floral notes emerged along with dried fruits. The draw is easy and effortless which accented the quality and construction.

Midway through the Micallef Experencia there are developments of leather and a creaminess that coat the mouth. More of the cedar returns along with pencil lead which delivers a short finish. The retrohale yields more of the upfront flavors described without being overwhelming. The ash is solid white with an excellent burn line. As I puff away the Experencia continues to be a medium bodied smoke with more characteristics of woodiness and graphite.

As the final third approaches, the vanilla bean, nuts and cream return with a longer finish than previously. This cigar needs to be smoked slowly for some of the subtle flavors to emerge and last on the palate. The cinnamon hits the tongue at this point and I get lots of leather mid palate which then turns savory on the finish. The Micallef ends on the same medium bodied note it began with.

A pleasant smoking experience from a tasty cigar.

Conclusion

Not knowing the particulars of Al Micallef’s other successful business ventures, I can say his foray into the cigar industry is producing some well made smokes. The Micallef Experencia La Crema is no exception as it delivers a medium bodied style with transitions from cedar, cinnamon, nuts, vanilla and dried fruit all coating the palate and enlivening the senses. After finding out what cigar I was smoking I am even more excited to try more Micallef cigars in every line.

Final Rating: 91

,

The Carnegie Club Reopens With Outside Seating

7 0 4.8k

Starting on Tuesday, July 7th, The Carnegie Club is reopening for the first time since it closed on March 16th due to the global pandemic. Scott Asbury, Carnegie Club’s manager confirmed via email that the legendary cigar bar will open outdoor seating for the first time in its history.

Key details on the opening include:

  • Establishment Hours: 3pm – 9pm
  • Tables will be spaced 6 feet
  • Guest masks are not required except in order to use the restroom
  • Staff masks required at all times
  • With limited seating, reservations are suggested
  • RSVPS can be made on the Carnegie Club website or via email at info@hospitalityholdings.com
  • Happy Hour 3pm-6pm  consisting of select $6 beers, $8 wines and $11 cocktails

Scott explained in his email that Carnegie Club may extend the hours and days of operation depending on the demand. He went on to write

“The situation will be very fluid and we will be constantly refining how we do everything since this is uncharted territory.  We were planning on waiting for Phase 3 to start this Monday for indoor seating but when they cancelled it we felt compelled to be proactive and just assume that indoor seating will not be allowed for awhile and that we have to adapt to survive. 

We got our approval for outdoor seating and met up at The Carnegie Club shortly after to figure out how we could pull this off in a matter of days.  We ordered some open air tents that should be arriving today and some barricades to claim our street space.  We will come up with some branded banners to cover up the metal on the barricades but will not likely have them in time for opening so it may not be pretty at first but in the interest of getting started we are going to go with what we have and improve it as we go.  

As you know we have never had outdoor seating and are not set up for that so it will be like starting a whole new business.  Mistakes will be made and that’s fine.  We will make it work and most importantly listen to any and all feedback from everyone.  I do hope we can figure out a way to hold events too.  I’ve already got a few ideas on how but I still want to see how things develop.”

As much as we are all eagerly awaiting the reopening of our indoor cigar lounges in NYC, it’s refreshing to see cigar bars like The Carnegie Club take the lead on reopening.

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