Man O’ War

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Cigar Review: Man O’ War

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This Man O’ War cigar was given to me as a gift a few months ago. A.J Ferdenez is the blender behind the Man O’ War. I am relaxing on my favorite couch with a cup of coffee while I inspect the cigar.

Blend Specifics

Size: Toro 6.5” x 52”
Wrapper: Habano Ecuador
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Appearance and Construction

The Man O’ War is well constructed with a toothy wrapper. The cigar is firm to the touch with no soft spots signaling that the Man O’ War should burn well. A modern label complements the thick oily habano wrapper with a gold Spartan helmet, black background with red and white, and “Man O’ War” in bold white below the helmet. Sweet spice and wood were dominant on the cigar’s foot. I used a straight cut and the cold draw was firm with flavors of pepper, earth, and wood. After lighting the foot, the aroma produced nuts and spice.

Taste and Smoking Characteristics

Upon lighting the cigar, the opening flavors were peanuts and spice followed by large plumes of smoke. Vanilla, anise, and cinnamon appear in the flavor profile balancing the cigar’s focus on spice.

The Man O’ War begins to calm down some as the spice retreats to the background. Flavors of bread and honey complement the other kitchen spices that are taking the forefront. On the retrohale spice dominates. There is a white ash that hold to 2” with an even burn.
The cigar is creamy marinating with distinctive spices. Cardamom and nutmeg emerge among the other baking spices with maple concluding a smooth finish on the palate. These additional flavors compliment and further the complexity of the Man O’ War.

Conclusion

I was very impressed with the Man O’ War’s complexity. The bouquet of cooking spices balance the sweet flavors in this medium-full bodied cigar. The Man O’ War reminds me of perusing my spice cabinet with the array of spices in this gustatory cigar. Overall, I highly recommend finding your inner Spartan warrior with a Man O’ War.

Final Grade: A-

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Smoking in Rhode Island & A Three Cigar Review

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Hey blogoshpere; it’s Guy again.

For the month of July, I’ve packed up and moved to Rhode Island for a job. True, I miss New York, but a month in a house 500 feet from the beach is not so bad.  I’ve been working my ass off, but I’ve managed to sneak off a few evenings to smoke a cigar on the beach.  Watching the waves, listening to the surf, and smoking a good cigar – how can I complain?

As I’ve mentioned, I’m still looking for new, great cigars.  I keep a little book with all of my cigar labels and notes on what I liked and didn’t like.  Perhaps when I’m back in my apartment, I can scan a few pages to show you all.

But while I’m here, I’m smoking my way through The 12 Angry Men Sampler I bought on CigarsInternational.com. The price was right, and I hadn’t smoked most of the brands in the sampler so I gave it a shot.

I’ve worked my way through three so far.  Here is a short review (note: I had to grab some of these pictures from the net due to a lack of a flash on my camera phone):

Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet Robusto (5″ x 50)

I can best describe this cigar as “simple.”  It’s easy, mild, and clean on the palate.  It reminds me of the Macanudos I smoked when I was just getting used to cigars.  While, I don’t think I’d try this brand again, I’d definitely suggest it newbies.  Admittedly my tasted tend toward the middle of the intensity spectrum, so this is too light and uncomplicated for me.  I gave this stick a “C”

Man O’ War Robusto (5.5″ x 50)

Now this had some flavor!  I’d say it’s a medium to full bodied smoke, but it didn’t even have a hint of that bitter taste you get with darker cigars.  Tons of flavor.  My biggest complaint is the stupid looking cigarband.  Hey, what can I say: I like the whole aesthetic of smoking, and the band is part of that.  I’m excited to try the other Man O’ War cigars in this sampler.  “B+”

La Herencia Cubana Oscuro Fuerte Robusto (5.5″ x 54)

I knew what I was getting with this stick.  It has a second band that announces that it’s “Oscuro” and “Fuerte” – dark and strong.  I just finished this one.  I was in the mood for dark and strong, so I gave it a shot.  Now, though I don’t usually go for the dark/maduro cigars I like one every now and then because they provide a complex set of tastes.  I think of the Casa Magna (Matthias’ favorite) which is a damn complicated cigar.  Lots of stuff going on.  This was lacking in the that complexity.  It was thick and heavy, without any interesting flavors, so I rated this cigar a “C”.

Now I’ve been told not to judge a brand just on one cigar, that sometimes there are inconsistencies within any given box of cigars.  Sure I get that.  But you have to start somewhere.

Has anyone else enjoyed the Man O’ War?  Am I missing something about the La Herencia or the Sol Cubano?  Anyone else keep notes the way I do?

I’d love to hear what you think.