Posts Tagged ‘Cigar Review’

Rocky Patel Vintage 2003 Cameroon – Cigar Review

Rocky Patel Vintage 2003 Cameroon - Band

I didn’t really keep up to date this year with what was new and being introduced at the trade show this year by a few manufacturers. I chose to wait for them to appear in my local cigar shops and be surprised. Not knowing is better most of the time, and as a person who lacks patience it is better to just seem them as they appear. One of the cigars was the Vintage 2003 Cameroon by Rocky Patel which appeared at Cigar Inn this past week. According the The Cigar Feed, the stick is made at the General Factory in Honduras.

The Cameroon is offered as a Robusto (5.5 x 50 – $7.55); Toro (6.5 x 52 – ); Torpedo (6.25 x 52- ); Churchill (7 x 48 – $8.55) and a Sixty (6 x 60- $8.55)

Partagas 160 – Cigar Review

Partagas 160 Band

In 1995 General Cigar offered an extremely limited edition cigar to commemorate the 150 years Partagas cigars have been in production- the Partagas 150. Ten years later, using the same rare, 1977 vintage Cameroon wrapper, they launched the Partagas 160 Signature Series. Blended with Dominican Piloto Cubano and Mexican San Andres filler tobaccos, these cigars have been sorted three times to intensify the flavors of the tobaccos. The result is a cigar connoisseur’s delight; a medium bodied, well-balanced, extremely rich and creamy smoke. Because of the limited availability of the tobacco, these cigars will never be issued again.

I was at Primo Cigar Shop in Santa Fe, New Mexico this past week and was stunned to see a box that was about half full available for sale. I grabbed a couple leaving a few for those who would also appreciate such a classic, rare cigar. Although we reviewed this cigar back in 2008, we decided to see how this smoke and our palate has changed.

Torano Loyal – Cigar Review

Torano Loyal - Band

According to Charlie Torano, “Our new brand Loyal is dedicated to my father’s long standing commitment to provide exceptional quality cigars without breaking the bank. To him cigars were never a far reaching luxury, but one of life’s simple pleasures”. These pleasures could go away if we do not get involved in stopping the FDA.

The cigars will come in 21 count boxes in a 5 x 56 Robusto, 6 1/8 x 52 Torpedo, 7 x 47 Churchill and a 6 x 60 referred to as the BFC. MSRP on all sizes is between $4.95 and $5.50. The sticks feature an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

CAO OSA Sol – Cigar Review

CAO OSA Sol - Band

I recently had the time to sit down with Rick Rodriguez who spearheads product development for CAO, at Club Macanudo. It was here that I got the feeling that CAO was in good hands even without the cigar being released at that time. According to Rick Rodriguez he worked with a group of in-house cigar experts to put together the first new release for CAO under new ownership. He knew that all eyes would be on them when the new cigar came out.

He began the process with Olancho San Agustin wrapper tobacco from the proprietary 2008 crop. Ideal climatic conditions that year led to the expression of essential oils on the leaf. When processed, the natural oils contribute to the cigar’s uniquely robust, earthy flavor and full-bodied aroma.To achieve its uniquely balanced, medium-bodied taste, Rick and his team have punctuated the flavorful OSA wrapper with a hearty…

Illusione ~1~ – Cigar Review

Illusione 1 The Dark Prince - Band

When La Sirena Series A came out, I went into a bit of a kick on the vitola. I picked up some cigars here and there and placed them in my humidor, why I do not know. You really need to have the time to invest in smoking a cigar that is over 9″ long. Well one of those days has arrived with the start of college football season. So with Penn State on the tube I pulled out today’s smoke (which was smoked on Saturday, but posted today, Monday).

According to the illusione website…

Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011 – Cigar Review

Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition Band

Today’s smoke is the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition. According to Uptown Cigar Company,

With a total of only 3,700 boxes made, this is the first limited edition cigar made solely by Master Blender Jaime Garcia. A Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper from a lower priming, a Nicaraguan Pelo de Oro binder, and 2 Cuban-seed Nicaraguan leaves for the filler, this full bodied smoke has a similar taste to the original Jaime Garcia, except the cigar is MUCH richer and more refined in depth and flavor.

The cigars come 16 in a box, with a twist. The Broadleaf wrapper is on 15 of the sticks, while 1 features a Connecticut share which might be the wrapper used in 2012.

La Palina El Diario – Cigar Review

La Palina - El Diario - Band

I first found out about the resurrection of the La Palina brand from Gary Arzt and I was intrigued giving the history of the brand. We attended the launch event, loved the Pasha and were looking forward to the release of the El Diario. That time is here, and I had the chance to meet up with Bill Paley, owner of La Palina about 2 months ago at Cigar Inn in New York City. At the time we talked about the process of creating another cigar to the line that would hold true to the historical tradition of the brand.

According to La Palina website, Rolled at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras for La Palina Cigar, the El Diario is a perfect complement to our acclaimed original line, the Family Series. The La Palina El Diario is a richly flavored medium bodied cigar.

Graycliff Original – Cigar Review

Graycliff Original - Red Label - Band

With Hurricane Irene battering the Bahamas what better cigar to review then a Graycliff. According to the website, “The red label is the original Graycliff Cigar created by Master Torcedore Avelino Lara. This blend offers a medium strength full-bodied cigar, with a spicy finish. This is a true cigar for everyone from novice to aficionado. Blended from Nicaraguan, Honduran, Brazilian, Ecuadorian and Sumatra Wrapper) tobacco, these cigars are available in thirteen different sizes.

Cigar: Graycliff Original (Red Label)
Size: 7 x 48 (Presidente/Shaggy Foot)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra

illusione ultra MK – Cigar Review

illusione ultra mk band

I don’t recall when I had my first illusione but I remember it was the ’68 Bombone’ that someone sent to me in a Cigar Bomb. Since then I have been a big fan of the illusione line. Perhaps I have been brainwashed, or there is something in these cigars that pull me back to them, or the countless other conspiracy theories I can come up with to poke some good-natured ribbing at the creator Dion Giolito. In the end though it is the quality that pulls me back to the brand made at the Raices Cubanas factory in Honduras.

The Ultra was first released a few years back but in a very small batch. Since then the cigar has undergone some changes so it fits in better with the original lineup. I picked up a 5-pack on-line as I was eager to try them. Right now you can only find them in a 5 1/8 x 42 format but more sizes are expected in the near future.

Quesada Oktoberfest – Cigar Review & Contest

Quesada Oktoberfest Band

I think one of the things I miss the most is the ability to light up at a bar drinking an ice cold beer from the tap. Thankfully there are a few places here in Gotham where you can do this although it has become increasingly more difficult.

Earlier this year Matasa in Santiago, Dominican Repuiblic announced they would release a cigar meant specifically to smoke while drinking beer, an Oktoberfest style beer. At first I was skeptical because unless you have a man cave or a friendly neighborhood B&M that allows you to BYOB the chances to properly enjoy such a cigar might be rare. The cigars are available in two sizes, Bavarian (5.5 x 52) and Über (6 x 65). The MSRP of the Quesada Oktoberfest $7.95 and $8.95 respectively.

The cigars are due out later this month.

La Aurora Cameroon – Cigar Review

La Aurora Cameroon Band

Since the spring of 2010 I was lucky enough to develop an ongoing relationship with the distributor of La Aurora in the United States, Miami Cigar & Company. It was through that relationship I became close to Guillermo Leon as well. Our friendship goes beyond that of a blogger/manufacturer and we often spend time together when he is in New York City. In my eyes there is no one more down to earth and refined with a sense of humour, dignity and class then Senor Leon. Perhaps it is because of these relationships that I have become a fan of La Aurora. However, when it comes to reviewing cigars they know I can be brutally honest.I share this little story with you, to offer full disclosure.

Earlier this year I helped out at the La Aurora booth at Cigar Fest, and I will be doing the same at Cigar Carnival so say hello. At Cigar Fest the cigar we gave out were the La Aurora Cameroon and I smoked my fair share that day . Today I smoke the re-blended version of the cigar that has been slightly tweaked to make it a more full bodied cigar.The cigar was introduced at IPCPR and you can tell the difference by the new band that adorns the smoke.

San Cristobal Elegancia – Cigar Review

San Cristobal Elegacia Band

I was talking to a friend who owns a retail establishment and he believes the days of the ultra strong cigar are behind us. Now, while I can appreciate a full strength cigar this would be music to my ears. Lately, the cigar companies have released one nicotine bomb after the other and the body of the cigar has suffered tremendously. I know many will disagree with me, but it feels like the art of cigar making is becoming a lost art.

Made in Nicaragua by My Father Cigars for Ashton Distributors, the San Cristobal has begun to ship to stores after it’s debut at IPCPR in Las Vegas last month. The cigar comes in 5 sizes and will retail for under $7.00 before local taxes. The cigar is being released as a Churchill (7 x 50 / $6.85); Corona (5.5 x 46 / $5.95; Imperial (6 x 52 / $6.75); Pyramid (6.25 x 52 / $6.90) and Robust (5 x 50 / $6.40).

Read More to see our review…

Casa Miranda – Cigar Review

Casa Miranda Band

One of the latest cigars from Miami Cigar & Company deviates from the norm which is a big risk. The company which is run by Nestor Miranda is known for his relationship with My Father Cigars. The collection which bares Nestor’s signature has long been a favorite of mine especially in the coffee break and lancero sizes. Other cigars include the Art Deco, Dominicano, and the soon to be released Limited Reserve. The latest release, Casa Miranda comes from the famed El Titan de Bronze factory in Litte Havana, Miami, Florida. With the help of Willy Herrera while he was still part of the Titan team Miami Cigar & Company set out to make a cigar that was made in Miami including the boxes.

Does the risk pay off?

Room 101 Connecticut – Cigar Review

Room 101 Connecticut Band

The prior two Room 101 cigars have been met with mixed reviews online. The original release and the Conjura were good, but they weren’t revolutionary and I found myself getting bored with them. For me their shelf life was short and for this I felt bad because having met Matt Booth I found him to be a nice guy. So on my recent excursion to Tobacco Plaza in Great Neck, NY to check out what is new post IPCPR 2011 I hesitantly reached for the Room 101 Connecticut

According to the Room 101 website…

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