Fonseca Vintage Robusto (2018) Review

5 0 4.6k

Fonseca Vintage robusto review

Not to be confused with its Cuban counterpart, Fonseca Cigars is also a Dominican company which produces smokes in the mild to medium bodied range. With the Fonseca Vintage, Manuel Quesada blended a cigar to produce a richer, medium bodied smoke utilizing an Ecuadorian wrapper and Dominican fillers. Manuel has produced some fine cigars of his own and has a skillful hand when it comes to producing flavorful smokes. So I was looking forward to making this my first cigar of the day in order to fully appreciate what it had to offer.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Fonseca Vintage Robusto
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian
  • Binder: Dominican
  • Filler: Dominican
  • Size: 5 x 50 Robusto

Appearance and Construction

The Fonseca Vintage has a light, silky wrapper with no soft spots and is packed with a medium amount of tobacco inside. The classic band of gold and black with the signature “F” is present, followed by a black and gold secondary band with “Vintage” in cursive. The secondary band is the only discernible difference in the labeling as the Fonseca band itself is the same as the other lines in their portfolio. The cigar’s construction is completely smooth and seamless.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

After I apply a straight cut to the Fonseca Vintage, the draw is perfect. Lighting it up, leather immediately comes through along with toast and cinnamon. While I puff away, a nice amount of smoke emerges, bringing with it earth and an underlying dryness on the finish.  The Fonseca Vintage produces a beautiful white ash, though it’s not too firm. Some café au lait hits the mid palate and coats the mouth, which by this point is a pleasant change of pace. The finish is still a bit dry, but the upfront flavors are pleasant.

Fonseca Vintage Review

Around the midpoint of the Fonseca, I pick up malt and cereal notes, with tons of billowing smoke. Cocoa and cedar come through as well with a creamy finish. Additionally, there are woody flavors that intermingle with some salinity. Overall though, leather dominates at this point with some secondary tanginess.

In the final third of the Fonseca Vintage, the leather continues to be the dominant flavor along with some creaminess. The cigar does not deviate much in terms of flavors from the previous two thirds. But, the cedar does return with a touch of vanilla and leather once again enveloping the palate. A consistent medium bodied smoke.

Conclusion

The Fonseca Vintage is a great cigar for the smoker who enjoys light bodied smokes and would like to try a cigar with a solid medium flavor profile. Despite its lack of depth, it’s a nice smoke to help identify the balance between lighter and fuller bodied cigars.  I believe this is the style Manuel Quesada was looking to achieve and it’s a testament to his range as a blender. The leather, cedar and vanilla are wonderful flavors and you will get plenty with the Fonseca Vintage.

Final Rating: 88

Reviewers Note: this was a non-blind review.

Ramon Allones Superiores Review

2 1 5.8k

Ramon Allones La Casa Del Habano Review

There’s a certain kind of excitement that comes from opening a package full of Cuban cigars, especially from legendary brands like Montecristo, H Upmann, or Ramon Allones, the brand behind the cigar up for review today. There isn’t a cigar smoker alive in the USA who isn’t aware of the reputation Cuban cigars have as the forbidden fruit of the Caribbean.

Those who have smoked with me know that I don’t buy into the myth of Cuban cigars, for the simple reason that I’ve smoked so many bad ones, mostly due to under-aged tobacco and outright atrocious construction. That said, Cuban cigars also happen to represent some of my top rated cigars of all time.

The Ramon Allones Superiores isn’t a cigar I’ve smoked before, so I was excited to give it a shot.

Product Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Ramon Allones Superiores
  • Wrapper: Cuba
  • Binder: Cuba
  • Filler: Cuba
  • Size: 5 5/8 x 46 (Corona Gorda)

Ramon Allones La Casa Del Habano Review 3

Appearance and Construction

The Ramon Allones Superiores is one of the more nicely branded Cubans out there, with a complementary color palette of red, white and gold. The double banding as well is a nice touch. The outer wrapper is a mottled light brown, with a few picked and one noticeable vein.

After using a straight cut, the draw proves to be very tight, about an 9/10 in terms of restrictiveness.

Cue blaring alarms. My guess is the tight draw will tank the smoke production.

And, because of the overly tight draw, the cold draw is hard to decipher, with some generic wood and faint hay.

Ramon Allones La Casa Del Habano Review 2

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

After a bit of work getting the cigar fully lit, the Ramon Allones Superiores produces a below average amount of smoke. Seems that I was right about the draw. As a result, the flavors are light and somewhat bland, with some almonds, damp paper, and light baking spices. The retrohale is mild, with some fermented grass that’s not enjoyable. Body and strength are both barely at mild. If the opening of the Ramon Allones Superiores portends the rest of the experience, I’m not excited.

By an inch in, the Ramon Allones Superiores is somehow producing even less smoke than before. The flavors are still somewhat  bland, and there’s been no movement in terms of complexity. Some change finally arrives in the second third, the strength has inched up above mild, and a nice spice has developed on the tip of the tongue. The burn is excellent, but it doesn’t help the issues with the draw.

The final third continues the positively dismal performance of the Ramon Allones Superiores. Although the burn remains straight, the flavors are still bitter and flat. The temperature of the smoke increases quickly as I near the final inch, providing (another) reason to put this cigar down.

Conclusion

To say that smoking the Ramon Allones Superiores was a disappointment would be an understatement. Most of the issues this cigar faced undoubtedly came down to poor construction – an overwhelmingly tight draw and abysmal smoke production. In fact, construction played such a role that I considered not this review. Surely this single, poorly constructed cigar can’t fully represent the line, right?

There’s some truth to that – this single stick doesn’t represent the overall quality of the cigar. In fact, this cigar received positive reviews here, here, and here. Frankly though, I think cigar reviewers and enthusiasts have made enough excuses for the atrocious construction of many reputable Cuban cigars. 20% – 25% of all of the Cuban cigars that I’ve smoked in the last three months have been nearly or totally unsmokable, either because they were too young or so poorly constructed that they were impossible to smoke.

If these were common issues in major brands from DR/Nicaragua, I wouldn’t bat an eye. But I haven’t had construction issues like these even once in the last 12 months from reputable Dominican or Nicaraguan cigars. The Cuban cigar industry is out of excuses in my book.

In conclusion, give it a try. Maybe the Superiores you smoke will be wonderful.

Or maybe they’ll suck.

Should you decide you want to try the Superiores, you can pick them up at Montefortuna here.

Final Score: 65

Island Jim by Oscar #2 Torpedo Review

5 2 7.5k

Island Jim Cigar Review

Oscar Valladares has crafted some fine cigars under his own brands along with his premium LEAF by Oscar line. I have been fortunate enough to smoke several of his blends and have always found them unique and enjoyable. The Island Jim by Oscar #2 Torpedo is a blend created for a tobacco retailer Jim Robinson.  There is only the #2 torpedo vitola with multicolored pieces to the wrapper in a purposeful attempt to make it look like a pencil. It’s a bright banded, loud looking cigar to say the least, and I was interested to see how the flavors compared to his other lines.

So let’s get to it.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Island Jim #2 by Oscar Cigars
  • Wrapper: Nicaraguan
  • Binder: Honduran
  • Filler: Honduran
  • Size: 6 1/2 x 52 Torpedo

Island Jim Cigar Review 2

Appearance & Construction

The Island Jim #2 is a veiny, rustic cigar with a slightly dark wrapper along with a lighter claro piece just under the tip. It’s also flared at the foot. it has a bold looking band displaying “Island Jim” with yellow sunglasses and a Panama Jack hat. Island Jim sports flowing long hair, a whitish gray beard and a cigar clenched in his teeth.  The cigar itself is firm and amply packed with tobacco. The words Island Jim are written underneath in gold lettering with a reddish background. Overall, they certainly the Jimmy Buffet/Tommy Bahama type of look they were going for.

Island Jim Cigar Review 5

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The tip of the Island Jim is left open to smoke, and lighting it up shows a sugary sweet start with some grit. The claro piece gives way to pencil lead with a candied finish. As the burn heads to the darker portion of the wrapper, toast and cedar interplay. The draw is a little tight as the preclipped tip is pretty small.

Midway through Island Jim #2, I use a straight cut to open up the draw a bit. This helped somewhat, but the roll on this torpedo is tight. The second half delivers graphite, earth and a creamy finish. Construction wise, the cigar has a sharp burn with a dark gray ash. As the draw finally opens up, mint and cocoa emerge, changing the cigars profile completely. An interesting if unusual direction in flavor.

The final third of the Island Jim torpedo brings with it cherry wood and cedar. As the cigar slowly burns, there’s a flintiness, mint, and more pencil lead. On the palate, there’s more balsa wood than anything else that coats the mouth. The finish is salty and gritty, with a fuller body during the final few puffs.

Conclusion

Having no prior knowledge of the blend only knowing the various cigars Oscar has produced, I found the Island Jim all over the place in terms of flavors. Despite the fact the flavors were changing, I wouldn’t call it complex as I didn’t feel the tastes were harmonious. I can’t say anything was off putting or that there’s a lack of quality tobacco. I just felt the flavor profile didn’t work together to make it particularly appealing. It seems more time was spent on the concept of the cigar then working on the blend itself.

The Island Jim torpedo #2 Leaf by Oscar is novel in its approach and a well-constructed cigar, but I feel Oscar has more interesting blends out there to be had.

Final Rating: 84

Reviewers note: this was a non-blind rating

Crowned Heads Yellow Rose Review

4 0 3.3k

Crowned Heads Yellow Rose Review

Up for review today is Yellow Rose from Crowned Heads. Following on the heels of Hawaii-exclusive and Tennessee-exclusive releases,the Yellow Rose was blended and released specifically for the Texas market. The name “Yellow Rose” fittingly refers to an old Texan folk song called “The Yellow Rose of Texas” that dates back to the early 1800’s. It’s actually quite a romantic song and worth listening to. Here are the lyrics to the first two verses:

There’s a yellow rose of Texas
That I am going to see
No other fellow knows her
No other, only me
She cried so when I left her
It like to broke my heart
And if I ever find her
We never more will part

She’s the sweetest rose of color
This soldier ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds
They sparkle like the dew
You may talk about your dearest May
And sing of Rosa Lee
But the Yellow Rose of Texas
Is the only girl for me

Product Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Crowned Heads Yellow Rose
  • Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Nicaragua
  • Size: 6 1/4 x 54 (torpedo)

Appearance & Construction

Obviously, there’s not much to say about the branding, but the extremely dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is one of the most perfect wrappers I’ve seen in a long time. Zero major veins, and a light crystallization dusting the cigar from top to bottom. The cigar also has a great weight in the hand, which is a nice touch, though I’m sure not an aesthetically-driven decision.

Approaching the cigar, there are heavy aromas wafting up off of the foot. Barnyard, burnt toast, sweet wood, and some mild spices. The draw is a bit tight, about an 8/10 in terms of restrictiveness, with a cold draw consisting of granola, oats, some light white pepper, and wood.

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

The Crowned Heads Yellow Rose doesn’t open up as strong as I was expecting, instead delivering measured, medium bodied smoke on the first few puffs. The profile is decently complex, with flavors striking a balance between sweet, bitter, and slightly salty categories. On the palate, there’s a heavy charred oak note layered on top of bitter earthiness, light pepper, coffee and some metallic notes. The aroma is a different story, with black coffee, cocoa powder, and a slightly bitter, almost yeasty note. Smoke production is well below average, and I’m worried the flavor experience will suffer as a result.

First impression: the Yellow Rose kicks off like a real after-dinner cigar, with sweet, creamy, and bitter flavors that suit desert well. The low smoke production, is a problem.

Crowned Heads Yellow Rose Review 2

About 15 minutes in to the smoke, the ash comprises roughly an inch of the cigar. Although the smoke production is still insufficient, the profile morphs considerably. Body and strength are now in medium plus territory, moving quickly toward full. Flavors too are more concentrated and aggressive than before. Bitterness is the most prevalent flavor category, with plenty of coffee, leather, and bittersweet dark chocolate. There’s also a marked increase in spiciness, a kind of vegetal pepper that activates the middle of the tongue and is strong on the retrohale. Construction throughout the first third is good, with a bit of curving on the burn that’s easily fixed with a couple of purges.

In the second third, the pesky smoke production issue finally starts to level off, and smoke production increases. The palate is now dominated by assertive black pepper, hot peppers and charred wood, though there is a bit of sweetness to the peppers that balances the bitterness (though not completely). Body and strength are now firmly in full territory, and I’m surprised to already be feeling the nicotine. The retrohale simplifies a bit, taking on more of a charcoal flavor which doesn’t do much for the overall experience. I’m hoping the final third will offer more by way of complexity, because as enjoyable as the smoke is, it’s become a bit one sided.

Unfortunately, another 25 minutes reveals an almost identical experience to the second third, though with more smoke production issues. A shame really because otherwise the Yellow Rose would clearly have a compelling story to tell.

Conclusion

Yellow Rose from Crowned Heads is a good cigar but I’ve got to say I think it was more enjoyable to look at than it was to smoke, largely due to the overly tight draw which compromised some of the flavors. Otherwise, it deals up some seriously flavorful smoke that’s mostly balanced between bitter, sweet, and salty.

It’s not my cup of tea, but if you see it in your local humidor, I’d say why not, give it a try.

Final Rating: 86

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Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto Review

6 0 4.2k

Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto Review

Up for review today is the newest from Montecristo (Altadis)—the Montecristo Nicaragua Series. The cigar was originally released in 2018, and we had the luck of hosting the New York launch of that event at The Carnegie Club (more about that event here).

If “Nicaragua Series” sounds familiar, there’s a reason for it. Many traditionally DR-focused brands have released “Nicaragua” blends in the last couple of years, including Davidoff, Aging Room, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, and a slew of others. It’s a transparent attempt to capitalize on Nicaragua’s growing reputation as the new epicenter of flavor and quality in the cigar world. Not all attempts have been successful (I don’t care for the Davidoff Nicaragua, for example), but I appreciate all of the attempts. Mainly because I love Nicaraguan tobacco.

In any case, the Montecristo Nicaragua Series is offered in four sizes, including:

  • Montecristo Nicaragua Robusto (5 x 54)
  • Montecristo Nicaragua Toro (6 x 54)
  • Montecristo Nicaragua No. 2 (6 1/8 x 52)
  • Montecristo Nicaragua Churchill (7 x 56)

Let’s see how this cigar smokes.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
  • Binder: Corojo 98
  • Filler: Criollo 98 / Dominican piloto cubano
  • Size: 5 x 54 robusto

Montecristo Nicaragua Series Review

Appearance & Construction

I’ve got to say, looking at the Montecristo Nicaragua Series, it’s definitely a step above many of the previous Montecristo USA blends in terms of how it’s branded. Instead of being a bit gaudy as other blends like the Espada Guard or the Pilotico which has a massive mid-cigar band, it’s got striking but conservative black, gold and red branding. It gives the cigar a sturdy look, makes it stand out, all without calling to much attention to itself. So props to the Montecristo branding team on this one.

The outer Eucadorian Habano wrapper is nearly seamless, with just a few small veins and an otherwise flawless appearance. When squeezed, the cigar has a fair amount of give and seems to be packed consistently the length of the cigar. Off of the foot is a nice array of aromas: where spice is the first aroma to meet the nose, it is followed by sweet cedar, hay, and salt and pepper and coffee. Nothing remarkable, but well balanced. The cold draw is a bit less expressive, but generally mirrors the aromas off of the foot.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Montecristo Nicaragua Series opens with medium-plus bodied smoke. It’s got a lot of what I expect from Montecristo: earth, almonds, and cedar balanced by some creaminess. There’s also a bit of chocolate which edges in on the nose. Smoke production is a touch above average, meaning I’m not having to work too hard to product smoke and I’m getting the flavors as intended. The retrohale is a bit unwieldy, with a bit too much earth which compromises the smoothness of the smoke.

First impression: this is similar to Montecristo’s other core products, but with additional heft from the Nicaraguan tobaccos. It’s actually quite complex, with the earth being the only note that sometimes dominates too much.

At an inch in, the Montecristo Nicaragua Series has a razor sharp burn that’s still holding strong. I’m finding at this point that my favorite part of this smoke is actually the aroma. The scents are sweet but complex, with notes of almonds, floral and light milk chocolate. The almond note on the palate is fully in charge, though a rough textured earth elbows out many of the more subtle notes (cocoa, cedar, and baking spices). Translation: good complexity, but could use a bit more balance.

 

This continues up until a few puffs into the second third, where the Montecristo Nicaragua Series Robusto begins to come more into focus and more into balance. The heavy earth and spice on the retrohale mellows a bit, and the impressions on the palate are balanced between bitter, sweet, and spicy. The flavors themselves haven’t moved much, but the increased balance amplifies the enjoyment of the smoke.

In the final third, the Montecristo Nicaragua Series edges above medium in terms of body and strength. Sweetened almonds, cedar and burnt espresso are center stage, with baking spices and salt on the tip of tongue. It’s a pleasant enough profile, but it’s clear at this point that the cigar could benefit from more movements in flavor. Thankfully, the cigar manages to avoid the burst of harshness at the end that many fall prey to, providing for a nice close to the experience.

Conclusion

While the Montecristo Nicaragua Series doesn’t fly high in terms of balance, it does offer a nice take on the more traditional profiles of Dominican Montecristo cigars. It’s also a lot more elegant of a cigar than many other Nicaraguan blends that focus exclusively on producing high powered smokes. That being said, I’m still very particular to other Montecristo blends like the Espada, New York Series, and others.

Final Score: 87

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