Posts Tagged cigar review

Arturo Fuente Opus X Cigar review

Cigar review of the Arturo Fuente Opus X

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Fuente Fuente 5.6 X 46, Dominican Puro

Presentation :  over the top, this cigar comes in a cellophane wrapper, with a decroative foot band of red silk cloth, a cedar wrapper on the body, and a very elaborate cigar band, bearing the Opus X label.

Pre-light sniff gives some slight hint of cedar must surely from the body band just removed.

The wrapper on this stogie is very smooth, almost no veins to speak of, a rich reddish brown color.

The roll is tight, no soft spots noted at all.  A beautiful triple cap.

Snip, Snip and lets light this baby up, on pre-light draw, I picked up a nutmeggy to ginger like flavor, thats a first.

On light up, the black pepper hits hard, even for a cigar thats been aging in my humidor for over a year, and was at least three years aged prior to being given to me.

About an inch in and the pepper is joined by a hint of ginger on the finish, some creamy notes are also evident.  But the prominent flavor is pepper.  Although the initial burn started a bit uneven, it has since straightened out to near perfect.

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Some licorice has surfaced in conjunction with the ginger, its a bit odd, but interesting never the less.  the pepper has taken a back seat to this flavor combo.  at about 2 inches the ash was holding on strong but I tipped it off so as not to mess up my lap top.

The draw is excellent on this cigar, producing a thick smoke .  About half way now and the flavors have come together well, smooth finish, some pepper, ginger, and licorice still thriving.

The power on this stogie is formidable.  I must say its not for the meek and mild.

The last leg of this cigar has powered up.  But smooth all the way.

I can see why this cigar is so sought after, rightly so, an excellent Dominican puro.

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Alonzo Menendez cigar review, 42×7

Cigar Review of the Alonzo Menendez Cigar, 42×7

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Wrapper, Binder and Filler:  Brazilian

Body: Med-Full

Construction: very nice, some notable veins as is expected with any stogie, nice cap, minimal tooth, nice and tight

pre-light sniff:  barn yard

initial draw: earthy, some spice present but only minor notes

1 inch in or so:  black coffee developed as did the spice, earth still present

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nice tight even ash developing

2 inches in or so:  cocoa to go with the coffee, still some spice when nose haled, and a creamy finish is developing nicely

My ash fell off at 2.5 inches or so,  oops

Some notable bitterness developed which was unappealing, hope that doesnt last.

Bitterness subsided after about another inch, but not pleasant.

Almost like a shot of espresso, then it mellowed nicely giving way again to cocoa, and spice built again as well, when nose haled at the midway point.

And just like that the bitter espresso returned, thats enough for me to put this one down for good.   the bitterness is over the top.

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Oh well!  on to the next one

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Cigar Review, Tatuaje Black label tubo

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This cigar review , of the Tatuaje black label is a spur of the moment thought, brought about by the generosity of a friend, who traded me cigars during a poker game.  Thanks Bob!

The tatuaje black label is a very limited production cigar

All Nicaraguan tobacco

Very complex stogie with consistent transition in flavor and finishDSCN0405

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Exile Cigar Review

Exile Cigar review click link to view video

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Cigar, Cuban Imports, Hermanos Argenti

Corona Gorda  5.5×44

Full Body

Spicey

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Cigar Review “La Herencia de Cuba” Red Label Churchill

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This cigar review covers a locally produced cigar, by locally I mean locally to me in the Tampa Bay area.  Its from the cigar capitol, Ybor City Florida.

Blended by the Ramirez Family, who have a long and rich history in the cigar industry, originally from Cuba, this cigar line is, well fabulous.  The cigar I’m evaluating today is the Red label model of La Herencia de Cuba cigar line.

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This particular cigar is the Churchill size: 7×50

The particulars on this are:

Wrapper: Dark Habano

Binder: Indonesian

Filler: Dominican Republic, Columbia and Honduras

Body: Medium to Full

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At first inspection, the wrapper is smooth with only fine veins.  The roll is firm and even.  Theres a nice triple cap that appears flawless.

Pre-light sniff reveals a nice woody scent, but its very light

Pre-light draw is also woody, or hay like.

Initial draw at lighting was mildly spicey with some hints of earth.  The draw was effortless, through the V-cut placed on this stogie. Early tastes are spice and wood, the finish is leathery and lingers from puff to puff.

After about an inch the light grey ash appeared to be loosening, probably due to my typing with cigar in hand, so I tapped it off.

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The peppery spice is the predominant taste early on, this continues along with the leathery finish up through the first third of the cigar.  Some notes of nut are evident but very subtle.

Of note at this point is the burn of this cigar.  It is very even.  Also notable is the draw which is effortless.

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At beginning of the second third of this cigar, the leathery finish is replaced by a creamy one, with hints of sweetness, lip smacking to say the least.  When the smoke is nose haled it has a substantial spice characteristic.  More wood flavor has developed as well.

Approaching the half way mark this cigar took a taste turn, with a nice increase in nuttiness, surely a sign of more good things to come.   A gentle tap at this point released the ash which had been holding on well for a good 2 inches.

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At the half way mark, theres still good peppery spice mixed in with the nutty, woody taste.  The finish has maintained its creamy sweetness.

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Flavor evolved to more black coffee and nuts with the ever present spiceyness beyond the half way mark, .  The finish has cream, and a slight sweetness remains on the lips now after each puff.

An unexpected ash release at the mid way point.  But the flavors have built up into a symphony.  nut, coffee, spice all working in harmony.

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At the back end of this cigar the spice never faltered, it remained true throughout, on the tongue palate and when nose haled.

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Summing it up:

construction is flawless

burn and draw straight and effortless

flavor: evolves continuously so, leathery onset, spicey pepper, wood, nut, coffee, creamy finish, sweetness lingers in the lips

power: not overwhelming, very manageable, a medium strength stogie

Body: medium to full

Overall impression: this is a nice cigar that is very enjoyable.  Just the right strength and body, with an effortless draw.  The flavors are constantly mixing and build at the back end.  Good to the last puff, hard to put down.DSCN0376

price: very reasonable, the churchill is about 7.00 bucks

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Cigar Review, Oliveros Eight Zero, Robusto

ASIANWALLGIRLOliveros Eight Zero Robusto Cigar Review

5×52

Medium to Full Body

Excellent Burn, Draw

Complex: Nutty, creamy finish, evolves throughout:

Click Link to view Video Review


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Tatuaje cojonu 2003 Cigar Review

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This is a phenominal cigar, not my first time around the block with this one so Im always happy to have one, and do a Cigar Review.

Made by: El Rey de los Habanos, Havana Cellars

Size: 6.5×52

Wrapper, filler and binder are all Nicaraguan,  the wrapper is a corojo

Strength: above average

Body: Full

Pre-light draw: gives a woodsey taste.

A pre-light sniff of the foot however gives a definite coffee aroma

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I always give these stogies a hole punch as they are rolled pretty tight and I dont want to work at getting a good amount of smoke.

This stogie has a spicey pepper character right away.  Very distinct nutty notes, which give in to a creamy finish.

Even at the begining 1-1 and 1/2 inches this baby tells you its gonna be complex.  You can taste the different flavors from one good puff, spice in the nose, nutty on the tongue, cream on the lips, hints of leather too.

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The ash is white and tight.

A bit of trivia info.  What does “cojonu” mean? I’ll get back to that for ya. Since Ive read other reviews stating all sorts of things like “ball buster” for one.  Well cojonu is slang commonly used by cuban guys and it leterally translates to “ballsy”.  Although this stogie has plenty of power, its not really super strong cigar, but it is a very complex and flavorful one.

Right at the 2.5 inch mark this cigar lost its ash for the first time.  The draw so far has been very good, effortless.  The smoke is thick and rich.  The leather notes have increased some what but the nuttyness and spice still very much present.

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At the half way mark the spice mellowed substantially but the leather and nut stayed consistent.  Very nutty , some leather and wood.

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The draw and burn on the cigar are excellent, most assuredly due to the impeccable roll this baby has, no soft spots very well made.

The bottom third is still nutty, but the spice is building once again and its rejoined by a creamy finish, with hints of chocolate.

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Every time I burn one of these tatuaje cojonu cigars I am pleased with the consistency of the flavor and burn.  This is a first clas cigar and a pleasure to enjoy.

To sum it up:

Construction: excellent

Draw: wonderful

Flavor: complex, nut, leather, spice, chocolate.  they come and go, build and mix together for a treat.

Strength: above average but not a powerhouse, very much a cigar for all

Body: absolutely full

Price: about 11-13 bucks

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La Gloria Cubana, Maduro, Rothchild

Cigar Review of La Gloria Cubana Cigar :

Size: Rothchild 4 7/8 x52

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Dominican/ Nicaraguan

Strength : Strong

Body: Full

Complex

Flavor Profile: leather, earth, pepper, spicey, sweet finish with hint of chocolate

Burn time: approx 50 minutes

GRILOK

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Cigar Review, La Aroma de Cuba 6×50 Toro

la aroma de cubaCigar Review , La Aroma de Cuba , 6×50 Toro by Ashton Cigars in conjunction with Don Pepin Garcia.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

This cigar is a medium to full body.  Construction is very nice, smooth with medium veins that run the length of the cigar but had no effect on the burn of this cigar during the entire cigar review.

pre-light draw revealed some minor hints of spice

inital light flavor:  some spice but nothing overwhelming

cigar is complex and evolves quite frequently throughout the course of the cigar review.

initial spice, some leather

followed by notes of sweetness, some coffee, wood/cedar

very enjoyable


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Flor de Oliva Maduro, Cigar Review

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Flor De Oliva Maduro from the Oliva Family Cigar Company
Size: 7×52
Body: Full
Wrapper: Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
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Prelight Sniff and Puff: hay, woodsy. With a V-cut good draw
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Over all visual inspection: a rustic cigar, veiny, dark brown mottled wrapper, with slight color variences.
Nice cap
Patriotic band ( what do want for a bundle stogie)
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Light up: Initial impression, smooth, Leathery taste, Exhale through the nose reveals a little spicey, peppery sensation.
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That spice quickly disappeared in the first 1/4 inch, yielding to smooth, woodsy taste, with a lite nutty/creamy finish.
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about 15 minutes into it and still smooth, no significant change, good draw, even burn, ash is a little squirrely, kinda curling around a bit but holding on.
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Ash dropped at the 20 minute mark, unexpectedly.

At 40 mintues a little un-eveness developed in the burn but nothing drastic, the smooth nutty/creamy finish continues, a bit more spice has developed when exhaling through the nose. Some what I would describe as citrus flavor has developed, along with the earthy flavor.
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At 50 minutes the ash bloomed a bit, still burning a bit uneven but no need for touch ups, still some spice on the nose hale and a leathery, woodsy flavor, with the slightly nutty/creamy finish. For a bundle stogie its pretty impressive.

An hour in and I have decided to join this cigar with a fine Presidente beer from the Dominican Republic. see the squirrely ash.
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And then its gone, dropped like a hot potatoe.

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Flavors have melded together, nutty, spicey , earthy. very smooth through the nose hale, with a tiny bit of pepper, but the citrus has left the building. And the beers not bad either.
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1 hr and 10 minutes, still smooth , some more pepper on the nose hale, but leathery, nutty, and still creamy on the finish.
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1hr and 20 minutes, and off comes the band. and here comes the sweet spot, some definate spice development, and that creamy zing on the tongue, coupled with more nutty/earth and wood.
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1hr and 30 minutes and off goes the ash again, unexpectedly. And here comes the nicotine wow, its turned for the better at the end, spicier too. But still smooth. this stogie has remained smooth throughout, never a harsh note.

1hr 45 minutes and all good things must end. Great bundle cigar. Good flavor, strength and body, and for about 3 bucks cant beat it.
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