cigar review

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Cigar Review: Emilio AF2

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Emilio AF2 Toro

After reviewing the Emilio AF1 and finding it to be an absolutely fantastic cigar, I couldn’t wait to light up the AF2 and compare. That being said, you’ll notice a lot of comparisons to the AF1 in this review. Not to spoil things, but I’d recommend picking up a 5 pack of both blends.

I performed this review on my back patio with a cup of coffee and background music from my favorite Spanish guitarist, Jesse Cook.

The Emilio Cigars website says of the AF2:

Our AF2 blend, produced and blended by A.J. Fernandez is certain to delight.  Crafted from rich Nicaraguan fillers combined with the strength of Pennsylvania ligero and a beautiful Ecuadoran Habano Oscuro wrapper.  These cigars are available in cabinet boxes of 20 in four sizes:  Robusto, Toro, Torpedo, and BMF.

Blend Specifics:

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan, Pennsylvania USA

Appearance & Construction

The AF2 sticks with the minimalist theme laid down originally by the AF1. This stick, however, has a bronze fill with black lettering spelling “EMILIO AF2.” The aroma off of the foot of the cigar is a real treat, with really rich notes of natural tobacco, moss, and something resembling buttery caramel. I also pick up a spice that I’m not aware of until it hits my nose and I sneeze. Doh. As other reviewers have noted, it is interesting that the AF2’s oscuro wrapper is not darker than the AF1. Still, it is a rich brown, with lots of tooth that makes me want to light up.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Like the AF1, this cigar dishes up loads of tremendously smooth smoke after being lit. During the first third, expect to find a distinct mix of leather, spice, dried fruit, and a hint of that dark chocolate you’d expect from the AF1. Body and strength wise, this cigar is a solid medium. Imagine the AF1 with a faint spice and a bit more of an edge. At halfway through, the salt and pepper ash is holding strong and the burn is razor sharp. In the final third, the smoke becomes even more rich, and the notes of dark chocolate so evident in the AF1 come to the forefront. No complaints with that!

Conclusion

The AF2 does not disappoint. Between the AF1 and the AF2, I would probably have to recommend the AF1 first. It made quite a first impression. But, if you love the AF series from Emilio, the AF2 is a stick to keep stocked in your humidor. It delivers copious amounts of smooth, rich smoke and a flavor profile comparable to, but distinct from the AF1.

Final Grade: A-/B+

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Cigar Review: La Aurora 107 Corona

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La Aurora 107 Corona

In the work of anyone reviewing cigars, chances are you’ll find yourself with many great cigars to choose from. In over a year and a half, I have, to my great shame, never reviewed a La Aurora cigar. So, after stocking up on a few of their sticks, my first up for review is the La Aurora 107 Corona. The 107 is somewhat legendary among seasoned smokers, and now I can say I know why. And now it is my pleasure to explain the reasons from my perspective.

The setting for this review will be hard to beat. A beautiful early-summer day with a gorgeous view of the Manhattan skyline, Buena Vista Social Club in the background, and a hot cup of coffee all combined to make this a memorable experience.

Blend specifics:

Vitola: Corona (5.5 x 43)
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic/Nicaragua

Appearance & Construction:
I can’t say that the construction on this cigar is entirely flawless, but with how beautiful the dark, golden brown Ecuadorian wrapper is, I can’t say I care. The cigar invites the smoker in with rich color tones, slight toothiness, oiliness and a rough texture that feels good on the fingers. In fact, the cigar was so inviting that I almost slobbered on it when I put it in my mouth (ok, I admit it: I actually did slobber on the cigar – it smelled that good). It is triple-capped and slightly springy when squeezed gently. The cigar has a beautiful band, with a lion’s head taking center stage, flanked by red, white, and gold. The smell of the wrapper is exquisite – notes of sweetness, rich chocolate, and natural tobacco. From what I can tell, the draw on this cigar tends to range from perfect to slightly loose.

Taste & Smoke Characteristics:
The texture of the smoke all throughout this cigar is what I would describe as creamy smoothness. This is interesting considering the spice that builds throughout the cigar. I consider this to be a pretty complex cigar. The cigar opens with a very unique granola, which some reviewers have accurately described as having hints of cinnamon. About half an inch into the cigar, I’m surprised by a very interesting flavor that reminds me of the torched, top layer of creme brulee. Delicious. Throughout the smoke, though, one note eluded me – something like a lightly buttered caramel. As the cigar burns low, the spice picks up pleasantly. Then, the experience is over, and I am sad until I realize I have 5 more in my box.

The original cigar holder

Conclusion:
I would recommend this cigar to anyone. The price point is great, the cigar delivers huge amounts of flavor and complexity while not overwhelming the smoker. I’m looking forward to smoking many more of these.

Final Grade: A

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Cigar Review: Reinado Habanito

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The Reinado “Habanito” (4×38)

After a few months on vacation from reviewing cigars (FTNYC has been busy hosting events all over New York City), it was with great excitement and a bit of apprehension that I chose to review the Reinado Habanito. Excitement because I’ve long been a fan of Reinado Cigars, and apprehension because I’ve found owner Antonio Lam’s cigars to be delicious, yet difficult to describe at times because of their complexity.

For a bit of background, I’ll quote from StogieGuys.com:

“Reinado, Spanish for “reign,” is gaining traction at tobacconists across the country as more and more cigar enthusiasts become exposed to the brand through mainstream cigar publications and the online community. I’ve been a fan since last October. That’s when I reviewed the Torpedo, a great smoke with notes of leather, espresso, and cherry.”

And now for the review.

Blend Specifics:

  • Size: 4×38
  • Wrapper: Nicaraguan
  • Binder: Nicaraguan
  • Filler: Nicaraguan


Appearance & Construction:

The first thing that I notice about this cigar is the deep golden brown color of the Nicaraguan wrapper. There is a rich texture (including a bit of tooth) that makes the cigar very inviting to smoke. The label features a combination of deep red, gold, and off-white that I really enjoy and am glad is used across the board on Antonio’s cigars. The cigar is triple-capped, and there are a couple of substantial veins, though I haven’t found this to be characteristic of Reinado cigars in general. We’ll see how it pans out with the burn.

Pre-light draw:

The scent on this cigar is a kind of bright natural tobacco, which leads me to believe that this cigar will have the all of the spice characteristic of Reinado’s other sizes. On the foot I can smell granola, natural tobacco, and something resembling coffee.

Taste & Smoking Characteristics:

The cigar kicks off with a bit of pepper on the tongue and notes of coffee, a wonderfully smooth sweetness and a bit of floral on the back-end. And by the way, if that description didn’t make a lot of sense, I apologize. Every time I’ve smoked a Reinado cigar, I’ve been surprised by the smoothness, richness, and complexity of the taste, so much so that I have a difficult time describing it. Flavors tend to jump and pop. For a few minutes, I taste almonds, with floral fading in and out, and then the almost transition to coffee notes.

At the end of the first third, the body of the smoke picks up, and so does the spice. The cigar has required a minor touch up, but it hardly detracted from the smoking experience. Also in the mix of taste is a an enjoyable cinnamon, reminding me of fresh snickerdoodle cookies. At about halfway, the body continues to build, and the spice spreads over the palate. I found in the duration of the smoke that the body of the cigar increased, and so did the tastes of pepper and cinnamon. I was also surprised to find near the end that I received a pretty significant nicotine kick, which surprised me considering the size of the cigar.

Conclusion:

Reinado seems to have recreated their signature taste, with a few shifts in balance, that the discerning cigar smoker will find very enjoyable. My only regret was not pairing this cigar with a bold cup of coffee like I normally do with Reinado.

Highly recommended.

Final Grade: A-

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Cigar Review: La Floridita Fuerte Robusto

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It’s a beautiful day out in Astoria, Queens – not a cloud in the sky, 85 degree weather, and a beautiful back yard to smoke in. I haven’t reviewed in a while, so I figured I’d give this La Floridita Fuerta sitting in my box a try. I didn’t pair any drinks with this cigar besides a glass of water.

 

Blend Specifics:

Wrapper: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Length/Ring Guage: 5×50

Construction & Appearance

On first glance, this stick seems to be very well constructed, has a good weightiness in hand, and has a great oily sheen. Unfortunately, after closer inspection, it also seems that it is packed a bit unevenly. I’m not a huge fan of the black, white and gold band from an aesthetic standpoint. “La Floridita” is displayed in large Times New Roman font, which makes it appear as if whoever created the label didn’t put a lot of thought into it. The aroma off the foot of the stick, however, is pretty good: hints of leather, a bit of spice, and dark chocolate.

 

Taste & Smoking Characteristics

I was a bit surprised with how this stick kicked off. From what I smelled off of the foot pre-light, I was expecting a bigger kick than I got. The flavor introduced itself as an earthy, bitter cocoa, lacking any of the spice I imagined would be there. The smoke has a certain heavy thickness to it that seems to mask some of the flavor. About a half-inch in, the taste opens up a bit, the earthy sweetness pulls way back to reveal what I’d describe as a sort of savory, meaty flavor with a bit of woodiness and spice on the retrohale. Unfortunately, there’s also a slightly fermented finish, which is probably indicative of a lack of time spent in the humidor – my fault!

 

At 2/3, I’m a bit torn. I’m tempted to say that I’m a bit bored with the flavor profile, but it is possible that this Ligero blend just isn’t my cup of tea. I would like a spice that’s a bit more discernable – at levels this low it just seems like the cigar can’t make up its mind! By about halfway through, I haven’t noticed a lot of change, except for a brief, maybe 2 minute transition into an earthy, sweet, dark chocolate that is very enjoyable. I can also say that the construction is excellent. At halfway, I still haven’t ashed the cigar and the burn is straight.

The final third is where this stick really picks up. The spice on the tongue increases, and the flavor profile becomes a mix of earth, leather, and pepper. Enjoyable, but a little too late in the game for me.

Conclusion

This is not a bad medium to full bodied cigar, and for $5 a piece, it won’t break the bank. There are, however, better sticks for the price. I’d say it is worth a shot if you want to try something new because it is unique, but I probably won’t be picking up any more with so many other great sticks out there that I know I can rely on.

Final Grade: B-

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Cigar Review: Don Pepin Blue Label Generoso

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Unless you have been living under a rock for all of your cigar smoking life then the name José Garcia a.k.a. “Don Pepin” should ring bells. His cigar blends have reached cult status throughout the industry and throughout the world.  That being said, this stick has been on my “get to” list for some time now I was eager to get my hands on some, especially in the Generoso(Toro)  vitola.

Blend Specifics:
Toro(6×50)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Apperance & Construction

First look at this stick and I must say it just looks classy.  The band was well  balanced and elegant. The wrapper was clean, satin and chocolate in color, very smooth with a slight tooth with no visible imperfections

One classy band, even through the cellophane

Taste & Smoking Characteristics

First third: Consistent with Don Pepin cigars, this stick starts off zesty, with spice just dominating the palate and  rich creaminess, wood and leather in the background.  If your anything like me, you love to see great amounts of smoke and this stick proved to be very visually pleasing. As I progressed the burn was razor sharp and the bright white ash proof of excellent tobacco.  Close to end of the first third the spice starts slowly  to diminish leading into the second third.

Second Third: There was a slow transition from a zesty spice to a rich creamy flavor which I must admit I found delicious and entertaining. As I  proceeded the flavor would ever so slightly change between creaminess, wood, leather and a subtle tease of spice in the finish.

Final Third: The last third was a continuation of the second except that this time the flavor profiles were present for a longer amount of time as to give me there last hurrah or final appearance.   In the following order I bid farewell to the rich and creamy, the smooth leather and the shy zesty spice that was lingering ever so slightly in the background. Following this great show the cigar lost its energy and while never getting harsh, it did get woody and dry and due to respect I layed her down and watched another good stick turn to dust in the wind.

 Conclusion:

Overall, this stick was just shy of being full flavor and full strength. There was plenty of  complexity for those willing to pay attention and while the changes were subtle I believe they were enough to satisfy even a picky snob such as myself especially at the price point of  $10-12.  I absolutely recommend.

Final Grade: A-

Cheers,

Kelvin Batista

Mr.KelvinBatsita@gmail.com

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