Cuenca y Blanco - Lonsdale

Tale of the Tape:

Brand: Joya De Nicaragua
Series: Cuenca y Blanco
Vitola:  Lonsdale
Size: 6 1/2"
Ring Gauge: 44
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Nicaragua & Peru
Cigars Smoked for Review: 1

An offering from Joya De Nicaragua; the Cuenca y Blanco is the latest release from the Nicaraguan masters. The cigar is a blend that comes from the joint efforts of JdN President, Dr. Alejandro Martinez Cuenca and new Vice President, Jose Blanco.  Blanco is well known in the industry after spending some two decades at La Aurora.

JdN's press release gave a lot of information on the cigar.  So here is it in their own words.

"Departing from Joya de Nicaragua’s traditional puros of all Nicaraguan tobaccos, the Cuenca y Blanco had been blended to be a cigar comprised of air-cured black tobaccos from four different countries of origin. This unique recipe is handmade with aged filler tobaccos including Habano Seed lead from Nicaragua’s Estelí Valley and the volcanic isle of Omtempe, Piloto Cubano from the La Canela region of the Dominican Republic and an aromatic visa from Peru’s famed Tarapoto region. The cigar is expertly finished in a beautiful Grade 1 Ecuador Habano wrapper. This complex blend is the fruit of nearly a year of ceaseless experimentation and has resulted in a very flavor smoke with a tantalizing aroma."

I may be one of the luckiest smokers out there, in that I have a small cigar shop 200 yards from my front door.  There isn't a lounge or a huge selection; but they keep a pretty sweet selection.  That being said, I knew the blogosphere was buzzin' about this CyB (Cuenca y Blanco) by JdN (Joya de Nicaragua).and I saw a fresh box at my local shop.  Surprised the little shop picked up such a 'hot' item so quickly I jumped at the chance to try it.

First Third:

The cigar is extremely mild but tasty.  It doesn't have any predominant flavor that I can pick up, but there are nutty and woody notes.  haha woody.  As the cigar burns it starts to pick up a little bit of body, but it is definitely milder than anything in JdN's collection (I haven't smoked the Clasico).  At this point I'm a little disappointed, but I guess they are going for something completely different with this line.

Second Third:

The second third is much better than the first.  I've now accepted the fact that this is a mild-medium smoke and I"m not getting a full-bodied experience this go-round.  But its still just a medium bodied smoke with no remarkable flavor profile.  The cigar is requires a little touch up, but nothing crazy; I picked up my lighter twice.  The retrohale and resting smoke has a sweet aroma to it; the flavor profile is dominated by nutty flavors and a little bit of earthy notes.

Last Third:

The final third redeems the cigar.  Honestly, this cigar was a bit of a disappointment for my taste.  There is a time and place for mild-medium cigars - you know - sunday morning after a light breakfast, sipping  a coffee.  But as a smoker that loves full-bodied and full-flavored smokes, the CyB just isn't my cup of tea.  The cigar is well balanced and smooth; its well-made and while it might not be my style - it might be your favorite.  So give it a try.

Final Thoughts and Grade:

• The cigar is well-made and a balanced, smooth mild-medium stogie.
• I'm going to try this in a larger ring gauge.  The 44 ring on this Lonsdale leads to the Dominican wrapper carrying this smoke.  I'm usually a fan of small ring gauges but I'd be interested to smoke this in a larger ring gauge to get more of the filler flavor.
• While I wasn't blown away by this smoke, its interesting to see Jose Blanco's influence on JdN.  I can't wait to see their next offering.
• JdN is solid on quality and consistency, the CyB could be a favorite for medium smokers out there

B - 80 points 

The cigar gets top notch ratings on quality, craftsmanship and balance.  The lower ratings pertained to my personal preferences of flavor and body

UnderCrown - Corona Viva - MISS CIGAR

UnderCrown - Corona Viva

Miss Cigar here:

I won't bother explaining the origins of this series as it has been written at least a million times.  Long story short; limited supply of Liga Privada tobacco, high demand - UnderCrown now exists.  The market existed and Drew Estate/Liga Privada delivered.

Today I'll be smoking the Corona Viva, AKA Corona Gorda.
This cigar is 5 5/8" with a 46 ring.  A favorite vitola of mine!

Unlike the ever popular #9 and T52, the UnderCrown uses a San Andres Maduro.  This is a wrapper with mexican origin, but it has some similar properties and flavor profiles as broadleaf, without the high demand and high price.

The binder is a Connecticut grown habano leaf.  The filler is a Brazilian Mata Fina and Nicaraguan habano.  Based on the Liga Privada blends, the Undercrown simply uses lesser primimgs then the normal Ligas.  So, as a fan of Liga Privada I'm interested to see what this cigar is all about.  I've her mixed reviews, lets see what this cigar does for me.

Alec Bradley - MAXX - Brazlian

Alec Bradley - MAXX Brazilian

Tale of the Tape:

Wrapper: Brazilian Habano

Binder: Costa Rica

Filler: Colombian, Honduran, Nicaraugan

Made in Honduras

Size: Robusto - 5" x 50 Ring

Alec Bradley; a brand named after the owner's two sons, this company seems to know their way around the blending room.  With the success of the Family Blend, Prensado and Tempus; Alec Bradley got ahead of themselves and put out a couple lackluster lines.
Personally, I heard bad things about the MAXX, but if you know me, I will try anything with Brazilian tobacco in it.  So along comes the MAXX Brazil and here we are.  My expectations low, I tested two of these for the review.

The Cigar
This cigar is a real eclectic mixture of tobacco; with 5 countries of origin, the tobacco in the MAXX Brazil is chosen to create a specific experience and highlight the qualities of the Brazilian wrapper.
The wrapper is a rich dark brown.  Not Broadleaf dark, but darker then your normal Habano seed, which seems to be characteristic of a lot Brazilian wrapper leaf.   Some small veins run along the cigar, but the leaf is smooth and has a little oil on it.

The binder is a true oddball, coming from Costa Rica.  You don't see much Costa Rican tobacco in the industry, so Alec Bradley has found a specific characteristic in this binder leaf that they like.  The filler is also a very specific mixture, containing Colombian, Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco.
Hand-rolled in Honduras, the Brazil MAXX seems well-made.  It is firm and well-filled.  It isn't a heavy cigar  for its standard Robusto 5' x 50 ring size.

Ramon Bueso - Genesis The Project

Ramon Bueso - Genesis The Project
I picked up this cigar from Cigars International.  I've heard some buzz about Ramon Bueso and his offering 'Genesis The Project'.  It seems Mr. Bueso has been in the cigar industry since he started as a roller at the age of 15.  He is said to have worked for and learned from the likes of Padron and Frank Llaneza.  I've heard his cigar acumen has played a role in brands we all know and love.  With that said, it sounds like Ramon Bueso knows his shit.

The Cigar

Now that we know of Mr. Bueso, let us move onward to the cigar.  Titled, 'Genesis The Project', there is a lot of meaning stuffed in those three words.  

Genesis: Suggesting a meaningful starting point for the Bueso brand; a powerful statement of the beginning.

The Project: Suggests that Bueso has put a lot of time into developing a cigar he is happy representing his                                                   name and brand.

I've got my hands on two of these 'Projects'; both 5"x 50 ring robustos.  The cigar is a calculated mixture of tobacco and I'm interested to see how these stogies fare.  

Construction/Looks

The cigar is well-made.  It is firm, with a fresh feel to the squeeze.  Tobacco throughout, there are no weak or empty spots.  The wrapper leaf is marbled in appearance and has a pretty sheen of oil.  There are no noticeable veins and is toothy (slightly bumpy in a good way).  The leaf is dark like most Broadleafs, and the color varies just slightly (see picture above) from foot to cap with the cap 

Filler

The filler is a mixture of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobacco; some Esteli Viso(Nicaraguan) , Condega Viso(Nicaraguan), La Entrada Viso(Honduran) and Talanga Ligero (Honduran).

Binder

The binder is a Honduran leaf from the Jamastran Valley, which is up and coming with its production of cigar tobacco.

Wrapper

Last, and most certainly important, the wrapper.  The wrapper is a triple-fermented Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro.  That makes me happy.  I love a lot of Broadleaf wrapped cigars, so I'm interested to try this one out. 

The Band

As with all marketing/branding/product aesthetic, nothing is just arbitrary.  Ramon Bueso and company didn't just put a bunch of potential cigar bands on a dart board and start throwing darts.  The look and style are designed and picked for very specific reasons.  The Project band looks very similar to the band sported by one of my favorite brands, Liga Privada.  If this cigar is 3/4 as good as Liga Privadas, we've got a nice smoke here.

To read more click the link below...

262 Paradigm - Torpedo

262 Paradigm -

A new brand with a lot of hype; Paradigm has made a quick name for itself with quality-made cigars.  The company name, 262, represents February 1962, the beginning of the Cuban trade embargo.  I've heard a lot of good things about the brand, and all the regulars at my favorite cigar shop have been smoking the hell out of them since they hit the shelf.  The box-pressed Toro seems to be a favorite amongst a crowd of full-flavor, big cigar smokers.  I generally like smaller ring gauges and shorter sizes, but I grabbed the Torpedo since I had a lot of time to relax and smoke.

The tobaccos used to make the cigar vary and it is obvious the company had a particular type of cigar in mind by the use of different tobaccos.  The blend consists of Nicaraguan seco and ligero, and some Columbian.  The Paradigm uses a Honduran binder and finishes off the package with a Brazilian wrapper.  What more could you ask for?   -  IF YOU WANT THE ENTIRE REVIEW CLICK LINK

Arturo Fuente - Hemingway Classic - Natural

Hemingway Classic - Natural
Debuted in 1983, the Hemingway Collection has been the cornerstone of Arturo Fuente's cigar business for years.  Known for consistent quality and a famous flavor profile, the series pays homage to the famous author for whom the cigar gets its name from - a man that smoked Fuentes regularly.  This cigar is a classic.  No surprise that it is named The Classic, it is arguable that no non-cuban cigar has more tradition and success than the Hemingway Classic. 
The Classic is a beautiful perfecto vitola, measuring 7" x 48 ring.  Rolled to perfection, with virtually no flaws on the delicate Cameroon wrapper leaf  - it is no wonder that Cigar Aficianado listed the Hemingway Classic as their #7 cigar of the year for 2009.  Proving the cigar's timeless taste and quality.  The Classic is bound and filled with Dominican tobacco.
I've smoked Hemingway's before, but never a Classic - this is a beautifully presented cigar and I'm excited to light it up.

Illusione - Epernay

Thanks to Toasted Foot for the picture

Illusione Epernay - Illusione is one of these new brands taking the cigar world.  A bad ass style, affordable pricepoint and a quality made product are all features of Illusione.  The Epernay is Illusione's medium bodied offering.  The original Illusione series is a full bodied line, so the Epernay was produced to introduce Illusione to smokers that may not be attracted to a stronger cigar.
As a fan of the fuller numbered series, I had to try the Epernay.  Also, it didn't hurt that the Epernay earned a spot on Cigar Aficianado's top 25 list for 2009.  Knowing the quality of the brand's products I didn't hesitate when I saw these available at my local shop.  The Le Petit - the smallest vitola of the series - weighing in at 4.5" x 44 ring gauge.  The wrapper is a sun-grown corojo, with the binder and filler of Nicaraguan origin. 

Kristoff - Ligero Maduro

Thanks for Cigar Palace for the picture

Kristoff - Ligero (Maduro) - This cigar has sat at eye-level in my favortie cigar shop for the past 2 years and I've never smoked it.  There are a bunch of cigars in the shop's humidor I haven't smoked, but this one is different.  A lot of the cigars I haven't smoked are cigars I choose not to smoke based on my feelings about the brands or my smoking experiences.  At this point in time, if I haven't smoked it, I'm not going to.  But I've always wanted to try a Kristoff.
So at the suggestion of a friend I grabbed one yesterday.  I had been pacing the humidor for a few minutes and a buddy told me if I didn't like the Kristoff, he'd pay for it.  How could I refuse?
The Kristoff is made by Exclusive Cigars.  There isn't a lot of information on the company - and their other products are nothing I've heard of.  The internet doesn't have a whole lot to say about Kristoff, outside reviews on the cigar.
So I picked up the Robusto size (big Robusto) - looks to be about 6" x 52 ring gauge.  The cigar has a Brazilian Maduro wrapper and a cuban-seed Dominican binder.  The filler is a blend of Dominican tobacco with a large majority of Nicaraguan ligero. - Lets Smoke.....

Macanudo Maduro Vintage 1997

Macanudo Maduro Vintage 1997 - When I go into a cigar shop I remember exactly how I felt when I was eight years old walking into Toys-R-Us.  I know that sounds a little weird.  But that helps explain why I take so long when choosing a cigar to smoke right then and there. 
I see guys in my local shop who smoke the same exact cigar, day in and day out.  The majority of guys tend to stick with  three to four "go-to" smokes.  Then there are ADHD smokers like myself, who smoke different cigars every day- and can be seen pacing back and forth through the humidor....picking up a cigar walking half way to the door and seeing another cigar - grabbing that one - putting the other back and so on.  I don't know what it is I'm looking for. 
In my defense - my local shop probably carries over 100 different cigars and seems to get a new release every week or two.   This process can be fun and exciting - other days it can be tedious and miserable.  The most difficult - and sometimes enjoyable part - is turning down the shopworker's recommendation.  Usually the shopworker's idea of something I might like is the last thing I would consider smoking. 
Today when the worker started saying..."Hey we just got a new Macanudo in..." I was 99% sure that I was going to shoot down his offer yet again. 

Then I laid eyes on the masterfully presented - Macanudo Maduro Vintage 1997 - A bold, metal band is the first thing that caught my attention.  Frankly, I dislike Macanudo's so much, that anything shy of such a gawdy band would have left me turning away from the box.  Next, on the underside of lid, the word Broadleaf drew me in closer to the box.  You have to see what happens next....

Illusione/Drew Estate - Nosotros

Illusione/Drew Estate - Nosotros - In today's world of technology, blogging, tweeting and instant exchanges of information - news spreads fast and early.  The cigar industry embraces this and uses it to every marketing advantage.  The Nosotros Cigar is a perfect example of how information travels and how it can be valuable for cigar manufacturers.  It seems that from the moment Jonathon Drew and Dion Giolito decided to collaborate on a cigar, people were at attention; awaiting a chance to smoke - what was/is expected to be - an amazing cigar.

Berger & Argenti - Clasico

Berger & Argenti - Clasico - I stopped by my local B&M, Cross Street Tobacco, for an event with the Berger & Argenti cigar company.  I haven't heard much about the brand, so this is all new to me.  I only had a chance to smoke one, so I'll keep this review short and sweet.  The pricepoint on a Rothschild ran a little under $6.  A great value for a decent smoke.
The cigar is wrapped in a milk chocolate Ecuadorian Connecticut.  Although it is a Connecticut, it is darker than any Connecticut-wrapped cigar out there (broadleaves aside of course).  Bound by a Nicaraguan corojo and filled with Nicaraguan tobacco.  This line is one of 3 made by the brand, and is available in 4 sizes.
This cigar was chosen in The Robb Report as one of the best cigars of 2009.  Cross Street Tobacco's owner, Sheldon, spoke highly of the brand and the nice construction on the stick had me on the edge of my seat waiting to try one.

Gurhka - Evil

My Hateful Disclaimer- There are some cigar brands out there that rely on tradition for sales; some that create a few great lines and stick with a simple and successful approach.  There are also companies that see room for new growth and innovation in the cigar industry.  All of these approaches have their own qualities and flaws.  But then there is a company like Gurhka that does something completely different. 
Gurhka is a company built around image and ambiguity.  They produce tons and tons of products, give them aggressively bad-ass cool names, and then package them in an over-the-top fashion that makes their cigar boxes seem like magical treasures more than a box of smokes. 
If you've seen a large assortment of Gurhkas in one shop, you know what I mean.  One shop worker told me he saves the boxes and gives them to his 6 year old son to use as toys. 
All that said, it may be obvious that Gurhka's approach bothers me.  They over-saturate the market with tons of product and package them in fairy dust and magic wands.  Even the most seasoned smokers have trouble telling you anything about their cigars; and I think that is Gurhka's plan.  They thrive on unknowing smokers reaching for the 'coolest' thing they see.  They are the flare-filler in almost every bargain 20-pack sampler online.  They appeal to the smoker who would rather be seen smoking a flashy piece of crap, then a VSG without a label on it. 
Also, some of their pricepoints are just outrageous.  I haven't smoked any of their $20 selections, so I really can't comment; but I doubt their any better then a Padron Anniversary or Liga Privada.

Actual Review

Gurhka Evil - I've smoked a handful of Gurhkas; never finding anything worth writing about.  The brand was almost in my "never smoke again" category.  But then a B&M worker told me the Evil had a Brazilian wrapper leaf.  If you didn't know; I'm a sucker to try any cigar with Brazilian tobacco.  The cigar came in a modest box in cellophane.  The band, while large, had a non-flashy rustic appeal.  To make it better - a Toro size was only $6.  I had to give it a shot

READ MORE TO SEE REVIEW OF GURHKA EVIL....

Padilla - Signature 1932 - Robusto

Padilla Signature 1932 - Released in 2006 by Padilla, the 1932 has garnered quite a bit of attention from the cigar community.  Owner of Padilla, Ernesto Padilla, made this cigar in honor of his father; 1932 is his father's birth year.  A collaboration between Padilla and Don Pepin Garcia, the 1932 was blended by Pepin and is rolled in Pepin's Miami-based El Rey De Los Habanos factory.
The cigar is a Nicaraguan Puro, featuring a 5-year aged Corojo wrapper.  The binder and filler are made of Criollo leaf and are aged for a substantial period of time as well.  The Signature 1932 is made in limited quanities and I've heard a lot of guys rank this cigar as one of their favorite smokes.

Arganese - Connecticut Presidente - Robusto

Arganese - Connecticut Presidente - I've never smoked an Arganese cigar, so this particular cigar is my
introduction to the brand.  I haven't heard much about the brand or this particular series, but I won this cigar as part of a prize from my friends over at NiceTightAsh. 
I can't find a lot of information on this cigar but it is bound and filled with a mixture of Dominican tobaccos.  The wrapper on the other hand, is an Ecuadorian grown Connecticut shade.  I have no doubts this will be a milder cigar than I prefer, but I could use a change of pace and this thing has been resting in my humidor for quite some time.

Tatuaje Verocu Tubo (Red Tubo)

Tatuaje Red Tubo- Pete Johnson released this special blend of the Red Label two years back with a separate vitola for the east and west sides of the country. Immediately, they became a huge success and Tatuaje lovers across the country found themselves scrambling to get ahold of these coveted smokes.
The new Red Tubo series is supposed to match that original Verocu blend. The cigar is a Nicaraguan Puro and is a fuller-flavored mix than the normal Havana VI (red label) cigar line. While the two blends share some similarities, the Verocu is much stronger and full bodied.
The Tubos come in an attractive box of ten and are a beautiful Torpedo shape, looking very much like the Cuban Partagas Series P No. 2. Not a surprise, as Pete likes paying homage to classic Cuban cigars.

Prelight- This cigar is a work of art. Absolutely beautiful. The wrapper is so dark it could be a maduro. The has a dry, rough look...but it is attractive. This torpedo is well made and feels amazing in the hand. I almost feel bad take a cutter and flame to these Tubos, because they are a site to behold.
The prelight draw tasts of hay and a little spice. Lets get down to business.

Sparking it- This cigar wastes no time in providing flavor and body. The spice is vibrant and apparent in the first inch or so. I enjoy exhaling smoke through the nose to help me get a better taste and smell of the flavors and nuances of any cigar I smoke...and let me tell you, the Verocu Tubo has a strong but sweet spice that sends tingles through my nose.
This Tatuaje burns to a nice white ash that holds on firm a structured. The early flavors are that of cinammon and roasted nut. I can't get over just how sweet and aromatic the resting smoke is. Truly an all around pleasure.

Smoking it- I love the flavors of this cigar. I've heard folks say that the Tatuaje Verocu Tubo cigar is a medium flavor, and I disagree with them whole-heartedly. This cigar starts medium-full and evolves to a medium through the next 2"-3". After the halfway point, this cigar goes full flavored and tastes like a red-hot candy.
The flavor profile is complex and varies from inch to inch.
The cigar has earthy flavors, sweet spice, cinammon and hints of cream mixed throughout. The original Red Label (Havana VI) is one of my favorite cigars on the market, and probably my favorite medium bodied cigar.
I had heard about the original release of this Verocu blend, but never had the chance to smoke any.
Just a few weeks ago, I stopped into a Tatuaje event, and had to pick up the Ten-pack Tubo box when I had the chance. Also, there was some freebies with a box purchase, so I couldn't resist.
I've smoked about 7 of the 10 I purchased and couldn't be happier with the flavor and classic look of this Torpedo. Howeve, (I'm sad to say this) these cigars burn uneven on a consistent basis. It seems like an issue with keeping the wrapper lit all the way around the stick. One of my Tubos had a monsterous vein running through the binder, compeletely ruining the smoke past the half-way point.
As much as I love the flavor and look of these cigars, the burning characteristics have disappointed beyond belief. On more than one occasion the wrapper cracked as the cigar got to the last 3 inches. I hope for my own sake, that this was a bad box, as I love the flavor of this cigar. Unfortunately, the latest issue of Cigar Aficianado rated the Tatuaje Verocu Tubo, and they commented on an uneven burn. I have heard others share similar experiences.
I recommend this cigar as it is truly an enjoyable smoke...hopefully Tatuaje addresses this problem with future releases of the Red Tubo.


Overall- B+

If it weren't for the shitty burn, this would be in my top 3 favorite cgars. I will definitely smoke these in the future, but at $11-12 a cigar, it is a damn shame this cigar burns as uneven as it doesn.

Padilla Habano

Padilla Habano- The Padilla Habano is a Nicaraguan Puro, blended with cuban-seed tobacco and wrapped in a beautiful Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. Padilla doesn't offer as many lines as companies like Rocky Patel and CAO, but they have had some success over the years. Ernesto Padilla (owner and company's namesake), is known for his blending abilities and many of the cigars put out by Padilla seem to offer a nice balance of smoothness and flavor.

Prelight- This cigar is absolutely beautiful. The Habano wrapper is flawless; nice oils, no veins and an attractive-bumpy appearance. I picked up the Robusto and am impressed with look of this stick. I've never smoked a Padilla; not because I've chose not to, I've just never come across a single stick at the shops I go to.
I live in Maryland and have been snowed in the past few days. I got lucky when I came across this Padilla on a beer run. I was jonesin' for a cigar and it just so happened this liquor store had a nice tower humidor with a decent selection. Most of their cigars were of mild flavor, so I ventured to grab the Padilla in hopes of some flavor and a new smoking experience.
The cigar is spongy and consistent in feel. The foot smells of cinammon and earth, while the prelight draw has a sweet spice taste. I'm interested and ready to smoke.

Sparking it- The cigar lights with ease and the initial drags are bland and have no defining taste. The draw is a little tighter than I like, so I clip a bit more from the cap end and gently roll it with my fingers. The draw loosens a bit and provides a little more smoke, but still the flavoring is kind of bland. I taste some spice, but I'm reaching on that. I hope this smoke has more to offer than this.

Smoking it- After about an inch and a half the flavor picks up and does a complete turn around. The absence of flavor is gradually filled by a bouquet of sweet spice. The draw is still a little tight, but the cigar is burning slow and cool while providing an adequate amount of smoke, so I let it be.
The cigar's construction is awesome. The burn is even and consistent, and I put a mean bite on the stick while driving without compromising the end. I really enjoy the flavors after the first bit and am happy with the complexity. Some hints of fruit, almost like an apple-cinammon taste. A little bit of leather and pepper towards the end.
This stick starts as a mild-medium, but slowly builds to a medium-full. Really an interesting smoke for anyone that enjoys flavor change and complexity. I really can't pick a defining flavor, but there is a nice mix of sweetness throughout the smoke. I'll be reaching for another when I'm in the mood for a medium smoke

Overall- B+

Onyx

Onyx Reserve- The Onyx is made in the Dominican Republic and distributed by Altadis US. The cigar is a bargain price at about $4-$5 and has gotten a lot of rave reviews. Cigar Insider rated this stick an impressive 94. The Onyx, like its namesake, is almost black. One of the darkest wrappers on the market. The stick has a unique blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan and Peruvian tobacco. There is some ligero in the fill as well which should pack some punch. The binder is Nicaraguan and the wrapper a blackened Connecticut broadleaf maduro.

Prelight- I've gotta say, this cigar is attractive. The wrapper is dark and oily with some veins. The band is white and black with gold lettering, making it really pop when set against the almost black wrapper. The cigar smells of sweet maduro and cocoa. I usually like sweet maduros, so this should be a good smoke.
The Robusto size is a square-shaped box-press and has solid construction. Really a good looking body shape. I take my cutter to the cap and start to test the draw. Unfortunately, the draw is as tight as can be. I cut a little extra to help open up the pull, but that does nothing. I'll definitely be poking at this cigar to loosen it up. It seems like the problems are coming from the capped end, as the rest of the cigar has a nice spongy feel.
Even though the draw is tight, it is easy to taste dark chocolate and maduro.

Sparking it- The draw makes it a little challenging to light the cigar, but nothing out of control. The first few puffs taste of chocolate, but it doesn't fulfill the palette. It almost feels like I'm eating sugar-free chocolate; the front of my tongue tasted the chocolate, but the back has no sensation to back it up. The ash holds as tight as any cigar I've seen and crumbles off nicely with a roll against the ash tray. The ash itself burns to a peppery white and dark gray. I poke the end to help loosen up the draw. It helps: a little.



Smoking it- This is not a complex cigar. It is tasty though. As the cigar burns, the chocolate flavor becomes more fulfilling and coats the palette. After the first half, I taste some cappucinno work its way into the mix. Great flavor, medium body and strength. It bothers me that the draw is ruining the smoke experience. I think there is a lot of value in this line. I can see myself grabbing this stick when I don't want to shell out much money and know I want a smooth, sweet smoke. I hope that future smokes, don't have such a crappy draw.
The cigar holds up nicely and burns even. Only with about 2" left do I have a little bit of the wrapper pull back and split near the cherry.
I would say that this cigar has points of full flavor, but it so smooth and basic that it would be a great cigar for mild smokers to give a try. There is almost no spice, which surprises me because there is said to be ligero in the blend. If it weren't for the draw, this would be an amazing cigar for the price. I recommend picking one up with hopes of having a better draw than I did. But I've heard that this is a common complaint with the Onyx.

Overall- B-

La Aroma De Cuba

La Aroma De Cuba- Ashton introduced the La Aroma De Cuba line back in 2002. This series pays homage to the original favorites smoked by Winston Churchill. It is said that Churchill smoked up to ten of these cubans a day. I guess WWII caused him quite a bit a stress.
The cigar is almost a Honduran Puro, but there is some Nicaraguan tobacco blended in the filler. These cigars are priced in the $6-$8 range and have received some nice reviews. Cigar Aficianado have rated these bad boys as high as 93.

Prelight- The wrapper is dark and attractive. Like most cigars produced by Ashton, the construction seems top-notch. The band is very traditional and has a nice look to it. The cigar has some nice aroma to it. Very rich and fresh. The prelight draw tastes of leather and fresh tobacco. The cigar pulls with ease, just the right amount of resistance. Lets see how this thing smokes.

Sparking it- The cigar starts off with a bouquet of spice and some leather flavoring. These flavors are constant through out the beginning of the cigar. The cigar has a nice draw with bounties of smoke. The cigar has solid construction and the Robusto size (which I'm smoking) feels strong in the hand. So far, this is a good smoke. Even though I'm just starting, there are some subtle complexities to the flavor. I like where this is going.

Smoking it- The stick burns like a champ; even, smoky and tasty. It has a medium to full flavor and the body slides down to medium at times. I'm not a fan of spicy cigars, but the spice in this cigar stay at a desirable and varied level, which makes it kind of interesting as you bounce between mocha and leather.
I'm not going to run out and buy a box, but this is a good cigar. The ash holds tight and the resting smoke has a nice smell to it. The cigar has some nice flavor transition, but it isn't as complex as other cigars a tad more expensive.
I recommend this cigar to all medium to full smokers who don't care for spice but are looking to entertain their palette. I'll be smoking this cigar again.

Overall- B

Nica Libre

Nica Libre- Calling all Padron lovers! The Nica Libre seems to be a decent attempt at riding the coat-tails of the Padron 1964 series without the price. This cigar resembles the Padron 1964 from wrapper to band(label). If you're eye-sight is a little off, it wouldn't be hard to mistake the Nica Libre from a short distance. The cigar is wrapped with a San Andes Maduro, filled with long-leaf Nicaraguan tobacco and binded with Habano leaf. I've read rumors that the Nica Libre is manufactured near Padron headquarters and is made up of disgruntled ex-employees. Whatever the connection may be, at $6 a cigar, this could be a cigar with immense value.

Prelight- I have never heard of this cigar. The owner of a nice cigar shop in Bel Air, MD (Main-Street Cigar) recommended this cigar as we chatted in the humidor. It was my first time in the shop, so I had to grab it.
This cigar looks a lot like the Padron 1964. I've grabbed the Diplomatico size (7" with a 50 ring gauge) and it is a beauty of a box-press. The wrapper has some attractive veins and glistens with chocolately oils. The prelight draw has a little too much resistance. I trim the cigar back a bit more to see if that helps the draw ease up, but it does not. The flavor on the prelight is peppery with a hint of cherry. Time to smoke.

Sparking it- The cigar lights with ease, but the tough draw is bothering me before I begin. This is a long ass cigar, so I'm expecting it to loosen up as the stick disappears. The prelight flavors remain during the first part of the smoke. Smooth and peppery with hints of fruit. So far so good...at $6 a stick (single cigar in a shop - cheaper by the box), you can't beat the flavor. It is a little too early to draw comparisons to the Padron.

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Smoking it- As the cigar burns I have some burn issues. The draw is a pain in the ass and the cigar almost burns out on occasion. I have to reach for the lighter often. In contrast to the poor burn, the flavors and complexity of the cigar are great. The spice and cherry remain throughout, but the cigar starts to taste like oak through the middle and very spicy in the last third. When I pick a cigar, I'm always looking for complex, full flavors. This cigar has it.
Unfortunately, the stick burns like shit. I'm definitely going to pick some more of these up to see if I had gotten a bad stick because the flavor is so good. I wouldn't go as far to say that the Nica Libre is like a Padron 64, but it has some similar flavors. The construction on the cigar seems solid. The burn was pretty even overall, but I had issues with the cigar burning to a cone or noticing cold spots on the lit end of the stick.
I recommend this cigar to anyone that smokes the 64's and can't afford them, and to those who want to and can't afford them. I'm hoping my cigar was a shitty one and the rest of them burn like champs. The bouquet of flavors are enough to bring me back for more. Before you light up a Nica Libre, make sure you have some food in your stomach and at least an hour and half to kill. At 7", this isn't a short smoke.

Overall- B-

Esteban Carreras - Habano Maduro

Habano Maduro- Esteban Carreras cigars are made in Esteli, Nicaragua; a hot-bed for cigar manufacturing. They produce only a few lines, with variation in the lines between Natural and Maduro wrappers. I've read information that there are some blends mixed with Dominican and Ecuadorian tobacco, the Habano is a Nicaraguan Puro. As you may have noticed with my posts; I like a good Nicaraguan Puro and am eager to try them. At $5-$6 a stick, this smoke is worth a try.

Prelight- The construction looks pretty good on this stick. I picked up the Robusto and it is solid and looks nice. The Maduro wrapper is a rich chocolate brown with some noticeable oils. Looking into the foot I notice a little color variation in the filler, which sometimes, I find, produces a good balance in a smoke. The prelight draw tastes heavily of raisins and the foot gives off an aroma of fresh vegetation. Nothing too impressive, but its only the flavor and burn that really matter.

Sparking it- The cigar lights easily and it is easy to see this is a full-flavored smoke. Not too overpowering, but tasty. I get a little spice on the first drags, but that disipates soon after. The raisiny taste still shines through from the prelight, but coffee flavors are beginning to take over. The ash burns to a nice white on the outside and holds on tight. I don't ash for about an 1", and even then I don't think I had to. The burn begins to run a little uneven, but it doesn't seem like it will present any issues. It seems as if as the Robusto size has a good build to it.

Smoking it- This cigar doesn't have much complexity to it, but its got a good taste. I taste mainly coffee and as the smoke progresses, a rich dark chocolate. Pretty tasty overall. The uneven burn corrects itself and the cigar burns beautifully. The ash stays solid and doesn't flake. There is a lot of value in this cigar for being in the $5 range. Not complex, but a good smoke. This would be a great everyday smoke, or a smoke to share with friends who aren't exactly aficianados.
I've noticed a lot of the guys at my local shop (www.crossstreettobacco.com) in Baltimore pick this stick up as an everyday, lets not break the bank, smoke. I'll definitely reach for a Habano Maduro in the future. This is my first Esteban Carreras cigar and I like what they have to offer for the price point.
It is definitely a full flavored smoke, but a medium smoker could reach for this on a full stomach and enjoy. I recommend this cigar for any full flavored smoker looking to cut down on their cigar spending, but still want a full, tasty cigar.

Overall- B