Oliva Connecticut Reserve:Lonsdale:Connecticut

So when I saw Oliva had a Connecticut I had to wonder? What's such a prestigious Full-flavored cigar company doing with a Connecticut? Little that I know this stick offered a lot more than just a mild flavor.

SPECS-
Size- Lonsdale 6.5x44
Wrapper-Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder-Nicaragua

Filler-Nicaragua
Price-$5.10
Smoke Time-45 mins.
Cut-Punch,Guillotine
Drink-Iced Tea

FIRST IMPRESSIONS-This cigar is very smooth. The matte sheen is good looking and with only one big vein on the bottom of the cigar it doesn't distract you from the smoke. The lightly sweet straw aroma on the cigar is somewhat expected of the Connecticut, and the foot smelled the same. The cold taste of this stick is spicy, it bites the tongue sharply and has no particular flavor. This stick is well rolled and long with the spiciness this cigar constantly reminds you its a Oliva despite its Connecticut styled Wrapper.

FIRST THIRD-This cigar makes sure you don't forget where this cigar is from. The initial tastes are of a strong spice. Unnaturally spicy for a Connecticut wrapper. I wasn't expecting this at all. When I picked it up I was expected the usual Conn. flavors but the spiciness completely threw me of the Conn. wrapper expectations. Once the spiciness settles down, subtle hints of cedar and nuts are introduced. Tons of smoke here, pretty creamy and thick. Definitely an Oliva.

SECOND THIRD-The smoke gets creamier and sightly spicier but its still pretty good smoke. In the morning this stick will wake you up. Along with the creaminess the nut flavor gets more defined to more of a cashew taste. Also the spice is more of a cinnamon and less over-powering. With the strenght of the cigar a slight leather is also produced which makes this for me a less favorable third.

FINAL THIRD-The last third has no prominent taste, you just get a ton of cream and a bit of leather, there's not much going on for the cigar's last showing. The finish is the only thing keeping me from giving up on the smoke. The finish brings back some of that cedar first encountered on the beginning and the leather becomes more palatable. The ash help up respectfully and the overall construction is good. I mean this is a Oliva after all.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS-This Oliva was slightly above average. I just think that the Mild smokers wouldn't pick up this cigar after they've tried one. It's slightly just to strong and once you're in the mind set for a mild smoke and get that strong spice it throws you off. The price is pretty good though so it's worth the try.

RATING-80
Buy It Again?Not anytime soon.
Recommend It? Eh, don't recommend you rush to your B&M and get one just pick one up to try whenever you can.

Illusione mj12:Toro:Natural?

Its been a while since I've done a review here, just been slightly busy with life and everything. So when I got the time to relax I traveled to my local B&M. Went inside the walk-in humidor and searched and what do I see? A big tin foil cigar. I later found out it was a Illusione. I never had a Illusione nor did I hear about them, so I came in with no bias. So will this smoke create a more favorable bias towards Illusione or will this be just another pretty on the outside, ugly on the inside case? Let's find out.

SPECS-
Size-Toro 6x54
Wrapper-Nicaragua
Binder-Nicaragua
Filler-Nicaragua
Cost-$9.00
Smoke Time-50 mins.
Cut-Punch,Guillotine
Drink-Starbucks Mocha Iced Coffee

FIRST IMPRESSIONS-This stick is sure to stand out in any humidor. The bright silver in a world of dark is quite something,it's safe to say this cigar needs no marketing. Once the silver is out to much mystery a matte brown stick is presented. The wrapper is pretty, the small veins throughout gives the stick a slick look. The very fragrant wrapper gave a slightly taste of leather to the lips but that cold taste and draw was good, it was like corn flakes. The stick looks neatly constructed and packed just right with no lumps. I guess this cigar is just as pretty on the inside as it is on the out.

FIRST THIRD-There isn't much flavors on the first puffs but the smoke does coat your mouth quite nicely. One of the first flavors that you recognize is a fine mocha with an undertone of herbal tea. Its very savory and with a mouthful of smoke it feels like your mouth is filled with tea. A good intro,only thing that's taking away from it though is the burn line. The line gets very wavy and slowly it canoes, it takes many touch-ups to get the stick burning the right way.

SECOND THIRD-Now this third is interesting. The main flavor can't be described by normal means. Only way to describe the flavor is if I describe it as a color. The color Grey. Its not a dark flavor as you experience in a Xikar HC, but its not a light Flavor you get in a AVO. It's in the middle and only way to describe is by a good taste of grey. Its slightly herbal, slightly mocha nutty and all parts good. Along with this greyness is an undertone of leather and cedar, its a very relaxing third, but again the burn line takes you from fully enjoying the flavors.

LAST THIRD-The greyness settles down some at this point but its still slightly present. The grey flavor is very creamy and coats everything in your mouth,its a super smooth smoke. At the last bit the cigar displays a tastes of sweet coffee and a subtle hint of coconut. This thing is packed with flavors if you digg and the spice was never strong it was just in the foreground. Sadly though the smoke was still wavy,

LAST IMPRESSIONS-This Illusione impressed me. I never thought I'd describe a flavor by a color. But at $9 bucks its just slightly expencive. This would be a great stick at the $6.50-$7.75 range. Its a weird price range, right in the middle. It reflects the smoke justly, this cigar is in the middle. Its not a bad smoke nor a spectacular one. Its not a mild smoke, nor a harsh overpowering stick. Again this cigar is grey, but whoever said grey is a bad thing?

RATING-88
Buy It Again?Yup, the stick I reviewed was my 3rd one and I bought another 1 already
Recommended? It does it's flavors good, so yes. Just wish it was slightly cheaper

Gurkha Black Dragon-Robusto-Maduro

I must really be liking Gurhka Cigars these days, 2 Gurkhas back to back. As said before Gurkha is in a class of its one. Their cigar presentation is one of the best. When I got the stick it was wrapped in cedar with the typical silk sleeve towards the foot, the box that this guy came from was also elaborate. So does this cigar present itself as a mid grade BMW as the Warlord did, or is this cigar in a class of its own?

SPECS-
Size- Robusto 4.5x52
Wrapper-Connecticut Maduro Wrapper
Binder-Cameroon
Filler-Dominican
Price-$8.00
Smoke time-1 hour and 20 mins
Cut-Punch/Guillotine
Drink-Iced Tea,Cherry Coke

FIST IMPRESSIONS-After unsleeving the dress-up of this cigar it presented itself with a dark oily brown and with a rarely veiny wrapper, it looked gorgeous. The wrapper had a good aroma of cedar and the same is true for the foot. Punching the cigar was slightly tricky, but I was able to get a good constructed draw that tasted like a woody barn, which rewarded my efforts.

FIRST THIRD-There's not much going on in this third. The spice is decent, it hits you just like a chili pepper and it gives you a nice mental image of that pepper. Along with the spice a good bit of cedar is thrown at you. The finish is sweet and earthy and it brings along a mocha to that's not quite yet there. The cigar took the flame well and ash held strong up to the band, great construction.

SECOND THIRD-The mocha that wasn't quite there on the first third is here and its worth the anticipation. The cedar gets a little lighter and crispy working its way up towards more of a nutty taste, this was a good transition into thirds. As the smoke makes its way to the last third it gets creamier, the smoke is very thick and coats your palate with a slight leather taste. By far this is the best third of the smoke.

FINAL THIRD-This stick works backwards, as you smoke it the lighter and lighter it becomes. Yet it's still a strong and dark complex smoke. The leather gets more present here and its easily welcomed. The second third warmed this leather up well for your palate. This cigar is very well blended, the thirds that you experience also showcase the next third you're going to experience. The mocha fades away to a roasted coffee bean flavor that is slightly sweet, it compliments the leather. I sipped this cigar slowly this morning and I was rewarded well for my patience.

LAST IMPRESSIONS-This cigar is good for what it is. It uses its blends very creatively, I wish all cigars introduced their next third the way this one. Its also the only thing that saves this cigar. The flavors are good but are not easily recognizable it takes some digging, but once you find them they are good. For $8 dollars though there is better smokes, but I don't regret the price point of this smoke.This cigar is in a class of its own. It's not like the Warlord, it differentiates itself a little bit better, it'd say this is still a 5-series like the Warlord, but just the better trim model.

RATING-87
Buy it again-Why not?
Recommended? It's a pretty solid smoke so yes.

Gurhka Warlord Special:Warlord:Maduro

This was my first adventure into the Gurkha world. Gurkha always markets itself as a high-quality smoke. The Cigar only the virtuoso's smoke, the Rolls-Royce's of cigars if you will. So, does this cigar feel more like a Kia than a Rolls-Royce? Let's start this test-drive.


SPECS-
Size- Warrior 7x55
Wrapper-Nicaragua
Binder-Dominican
Filler-Nicaraguan
Price-$12.00
Smoke Time-1 hour
Cut-Punch/Guillotine




FIRST IMPRESSIONS-When you pick up this cigar the first thing you think is,"wow that's huge". That's the best way to sum it all up. The Cigar is very ornate, a nice cedar strip with some silk at the foot presented by a gorgeous Gurkha band, what a good way to start. The wrapper is a nice shade of brown with small veins branching throughout the cigar. The wrapper was slightly salty with a good aroma of cedar,the foot had hints of earth that gave the draw no particular taste. This stick has a great construction, so it's no Ford, it's a Honda.



FIRST THIRD-This Warrior introduces you into some very simple but yet, non-archaic flavor tones. It's simplicity introduces you to a roasted nut flavor that leaves a good bit of mocha behind on the palate for you to savor. For being such a Warrior this cigar isn't very up in your face like you think it'd be, the spice is very subtle and leaves a nice backdrop for the mocha. So far it feels like a Toyota, simple but good.

SECOND THIRD-The spice mellows out quite sublimely in this third, its very short,smooth,and creamy, its a great backround for the main flavor of nuts to settle in. The spice is more likely to remind you of clove and with the roasted nut feeling you may think its Christmas. Its developing really well for such full-flavored smoke, its starting to feel like a Cadillac.




FINAL THIRD- The best of the thirds, the spice is almost subdued here by the Coffee that takes the place as the main flavor. As the coffee fades to the back an introduction of sweet and subtle leather is added to the blend that stays that way trough the rest of the smoke. The leather and coffee flavor was rather enjoyable but it wasn't anything over the top. The ash held respectfully trough the length, flaking here and there, almost like a Chevy.



FINAL IMPRESSIONS-This was a good intro to what Gurkha has to offer, but the admission was just a tad too high. If this stick was cheaper it would rate higher, albeit it was a good relaxing smoke for $13 dollars there are better varieties you can be looking into.But overall with decent flavors, the best use of spice I've ever tasted and construction that was remarkable this stick is good, but not Rolls Royce good, more like BMW's 5-series good.

RATING-85
Buy It Again? Yes, its worth to keep in rotation once in a blue moon.
Recommended? It's worth the test drive.

Don Pepin My Father:Robusto:Natural

Don Pepin is the man behind most blends in the cigar world, and without a doubt he makes the best blends too. This cigar features tobacco that is from his own private reserve in Miami. This rare stogie is limited to 50,000 sticks, which makes quality control superb. So does this cigar sneak through quality as a fluke? Or did it come out as a winner? Let's find out.


SPECS-
Size- 5x50

Wrapper-Ecuadorian Habano
Binder-Nicaragua
Filler-Nicaragua
Smoke Time-50 min.
Price-$10.80
Cut-Punch/Guillotine

FIRST IMPRESSIONS-This cigar is gorgeous. Very oily with no veins at all, just a small main vein on the bottom that branches just a little. Its brown wrapper was fragrantly sweet. The foot was also matched with that sweetness with a hint of earth. The draw was easy and smooth with that familiar sweetness. The construction is flawless, the triple cap is perfect, and the band is pink for a cigar named "My Father", beautiful.



FIRST THIRD-The wrapper being so sweet I was surprised to taste spice and a slight saltiness. The cigar burnt very slow and easy. The initial taste was spicy but good reveling a good bit of flavorful smoke. You get introduced to a nice cocoa that remains on the palate, it coats your mouth with a sweet mollaces that is splendid.

SECOND THIRD- The spiciness remains pretty much thought the length of the cigar which is a good compliment to the flavors you get. Undertones of nuts and coffee, its a pleasure. After the main flavors decay a nice finish of yeast, similar to bread sticks around that makes you feel like you've just eaten bread. For a full-flavored smoke this cigar is very smooth. The ash is very stable, it presents great craftsmanship.








LAST THIRD-A great finish to such a splendid smoke. The cocoa and coffee disappear in this last bit,but you get better flavors here. The coffee is replaced with toffee, and the cocoa gets more herbal. A good taste of tea floats around in your palate, very unexpected but easily welcomed. I smoked this cigar to the numb.








LAST IMPRESSIONS-This was definitely not a fluke. This cigar was a masterpiece. For the $10 dollars it may seem a little steep, but its worth every dollar. I can't think of a better stick for this price range. Don Pepin outdid himself with this one, and I'm glad he did. This cigar was one of the best I've had in a while, sticks that are completely unexpected makes this hobby so great.


RATING-95
Buy It Again? Yes, I'll try to get one every month.
Recommended? Without a doubt, get one if you can.

Padron 1926:Robusto:Natural

So with all cigar blogs, if One has the Padron 1964, one must have the 26'. The 26 is usually mostly preferred of the 2. I can't agree with this statement. In my opinion The 64' is slightly better than its $20 counter-part.



SPECS-
Size: Robusto 5 x 50
Wrapper:Nicaraguan
Binder:Nicaraguan
Filler:Nicaraguan

Smoke Time: 50 mins
Drink: Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
Price:$18.80
Cut:Punch/Guillotine



FIRST IMPRESSIONS-Padron's rollsmenship is always consistent. They always make the best sticks. Nicely packed, robust for their size, smooth to the touch with tiny veins. And a stiffness that can only be challenged by a lead pipe, this 26's is no exception. The wrapper was a touch spicy with a sweet straw aroma. The foot smelt of slight earth intertwined with the wrappers scent. The draw was spectacular. This will be a long ash cigar, no doubt.

FIRST THIRD-The first inch of this cigar is powerful. I will even go out to say this stick is stronger than the Opus X,to me anyways. The first initial spice is good though, its very similar to Andy Capp's Hot Fries. This spice makes you pay attention to the cigar. But once that spice subdues some, you get introduced to sweet mocha notes that remain nicely on the palate.

SECOND THIRD-My favorite part. The mocha us joined with a different chocolate taste, one of slightly bitter chocolate which is a pleasure, this flavored is easily contrasted by the slight nuttiness that is being introduced. The nut flavor is nice and crisp, almost like almonds. The spice is still a reminder of how full flavored this smoke is. but its delightful and smooth on that palate.

LAST THIRD- The ash is holding on just amazingly. This is a long ash cigar through and through. The spice starts to pick up a little more here bring along more of a leather overtone as the tar builds up sum, but it doesn't effect at all the burnline or the pleasure of the smoke. The rum is complementing this cigar quite well. It brings small hints of vanilla wafer to a cigar, a taste I did not expiriece when I smoke this cigar by itself. Along with the spice the vanilla is adjoined with cedar and anise, giving the smoke a nice crisp taste. As the burn gets down to the band the cigar is loosing its steam. It's flavor slowly starting to descend to more of a natural tobacco taste. I soon let go of the cigar,it was good while it lasted.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS- This is a good cigar, but not an outstanding smoke. For the $18 dollars asked you can get much finner smokes that give more pleasure like its sibling the 64' usually a whole $8 dollars cheaper. There's a trend with super-premium cigars being spawned from their high range counterparts. For example the Ashton VSG vs. the ESG. But that's another 2 reviews.

Rating-87
Buy It Again? Yes, but not anytime soon
Recommended? Yes, but not this ring gauge, there's smaller and cheaper sizes of the 26's that offer a similar taste for $8-$3 cheaper.

Bands, Bands, And More Bands. A Time Machine.

A common trend with cigar smokers is to keep the cigar bands of the sticks they have smoked and liked. Some are avid collectors that search the web for one of bands of sticks that never made it. There are also less fanatic collectors, the ones that hold on to pretty bands, or bands that have a special meaning behind them, or just have them laying around just because. I think I fall in to that latter description. But the big question is whats the best way to present your beauties? I've seen everything from catalogs to a full coffee glass table inlaid with the stuff. I don't have quite enough yet to fill up a coffee table, but here's what I did:

A CD jewl case is the easiest way to display all of your bands attractively. Just pop the back jewel that hold the CD the Track listings and line up you bands and then BAM! Next time you pull out you your Fav CD and look at the back there they are, all your conquers and defeats. Then there you are, looking, and you're just reminiscing your favorite stick behind that plastic envelope. Its like a small time machine. When I look at my La Aurora 100 Anos Band I remember the trip I took this summer to Boston. Breaking bread with my cousins, just hanging out smoking cigars and laughing and bringing up old memories. I remember taking the Boston T, the adventure in itself to just get the cigar, nevermind the smoke. A single cigar band can bring you back in time. With most of these sticks I can picture the day or night, the reason why I decided to pick it up. They reminded me of great evenings, the laughter shared and missed. There's something truly magical about that, these simple bands tell a story. But when ever I do end up having enough to fill up a coffee table, I hope I remember every single evening,every single stick with such fondness as when I look at my simple CD jewel cases.

Oliva V:Figurado:Sun Grown

This Nicaraguan puro is one of the smoothness full-flavored cigars out there, or that's what Oliva's website says. This V is my favorite series that Oliva produces, it also is one of my favorite full flavored smokes. But that whole smoothest cigar out there claim, does it hold true here?

SPECS-
Size-Figurado 6 x 60
Wrapper-Nicaragua
Binder-Nicaragua
Filler-Nicaragua
Smoke Time-1 hour
Price-$8.80
Cut-Guillotine
Touch Ups-2

FIRST IMPRESSIONS-This is a very nicely rolled cigar. Rolling such a cigar is an art, it has the best sun grown wrapper I have seen. It has a really nice heft to it and you can just tell this is going to be something special. The wrapper has very minimal veins and its a very beautiful brown sheen to it. With a sweet wrapper and fragrant wrapper this stick invites you in. The Cold Taste had no particular flavor but it was a nice breezy draw that makes you think this is gunna be a super fine smoke.



FIRST THIRD-The wrapper was slightly dry when I put it on my lips, but the nipple lit up quite well with just one match. As the ash works down the nipple end you get introduced with more volume of smoke and flavor. The first flavor that welcomes you in is a sweet spice, almost like cinnamon or nutmeg. The very subtle flavors of cedar and coffee is really nice. The spice is very easy on the nose, doesn't make you sneeze and with the spice it leaves the coffee and cedar notes on your mouth, its subtle but nice.

SECOND THIRD-The ash is very strong, slightly wavy but strong, another testament to the high class rolling going on at Oliva. Along the transition between thirds a toffee flavor is introduced, you get hints of it along with the cedar and coffee. This cigar doesn't have one main flavor, just a real nice bouquet of taste. The smoothest full flavored cigar ever? Yea, so far it is.








FINAL THIRD- The spiciness moves from being just a nasal spice to more of a tongue spice, almost similar to a pipe tobacco bite. Now the cigar is becoming more leathery and dark. This is my least favorite third of the whole smoke but the ash makes me appreciate the overall smoke. The smoke produced a whole bunch of thick white smoke. Quite nice







FINAL IMPRESSIONS-This stogie puts in good place why this cigar review is called the longest ash. This is a very fabulous smoke with a pretty good smoking time. This cigar its very nice, truly a very smooth full flavored smoke. But the flavors aren't very robust to make this a truly mind-blowing smoke. This cigar is good, I keep it on my rotation, truly one of my favorite full flavored smokes.

Rating-91
Buy It Again-I always do
Reccomeded? Yes

Arturo Fuente 8-5-8:Lonsdale:Candela

This is an unique cigar, this oddball is sure to stand out in any humidor. What makes this Fuente so unique is it's candela wrapper. You may have seen these wrappers on cheaper smokes like Dutch Masters and Garcia y Vegas. These wrappers used to be really popular with the American public in the 50's but fell outta favor when the Connecticut hit the wrapping tables. So was this change good? I believe yes, after smoking this cigar I know why this wrapper is a dying breed, as it should be. That's mean huh?

SPECS-
Size: Lonsdale 6 x 47
Wrapper: Dominican
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Smoke Time: 30 mins

Price:$6.00
Cut:Punch
Touch-Ups: 7



FIRST IMPRESSIONS- This leafy green cigar stands out in any cigar shop. In a world of escuros,claros, and naturals, the green is a fresh sight. The roll itself is really good as one can expect from the Fuentes. The wrapper though is very veiny and figured. With the cigar being spongy it gives you a airy draw. Not surprisingly though the wrapper leaf smells and tastes like well, a leaf, grass if you will, its slightly sweet. The foot also reminds you of lawn clippings which isn't too bad.



FIRST THIRD- The cigar lit up well, you'd think since its such a fresh looking stick it'd take a while to catch a flame. While toasting a inviting smell of sharp vanilla is unexpected but welcomed.The airy draw produces lots of smoke, its a very dry smoke that hits you on the throat, its unpleasant. The main flavor that hits you is woodsy which doesn't the dryness of the smoke. Along with the wilderness, hints of nuts are always on the background, get used to this because this flavor, because it's this cigar's cup of tea. The ash isn't too strong its completely light and porous.

Second and Last Third-The flavors on the first and second third remain about the same. In between thirds there isn't any attempt into a subtle transition, its just harsh all the time, its also the same with the second and the last third. The airiness of the smoke also produces a lot of spice. Sadly, the spice is probably the best part of the cigar. It's spicy but its a good spice. It's like eating hot wings, they may be hot but for some reason its enjoyable. Another semi-enjoyable aspect of the smoke is its slight hints of vanilla and hints of mocha, but nothing to write home about. The cigar does have a great vanilla aroma which makes the atmosphere pleasurable. The ash never really does hold on, it kept falling over in every attempt to get a long ash, it made a mess at my B&M.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS-I did not like this smoke. Point blank. As one of the tobacconist at the store said: "I enjoyed it, with a sore throat and stuffy nose this cigar is good". And I'm sure this is the only way to enjoy this cigar, with all your senses muted. I now see why major blenders have switched wrapper leaves. The Connecticut's offer so much more; buttermilk, underestimated creaminess and nuttiness, which I would take over any nasty Candela grassness. I wanted to like this cigar. Some people really enjoy them, they light up when they talk about candelas. Maybe it'll grow on me eventually, but until then, pass me that Maduro mocha heaven is calling me.

Rating-68
Buy it again? No
Recommended? No not at all.

Xikar HC:Robusto:Habano

The Xikar HC, this is my third experience with the stogie with that last 2 being very disappointing because of 2 plugged stogies. Hopefully after 2 tries and much anticipation this stick won't disappoint.

SPECS-
Size: Robusto 5 x 50
Wrapper: Habano Colorado
Binder: Esteli
Filler: Costa Rida Jalapa Honduras
Smoke Time: 45 mins
Price: $8.30
Drink: Coke
Cut:Guillotine and punch
Touch-Ups: 2

FIRST IMPRESSIONS- The wrapper is the first thing you notice on this stick. Its dark brown and veiny wrapper is well in lack of words its impressive. The wrapper is very sweet and fragrant, foot had a nice rich earth and hay aroma that was a polar opposite of the wrapper. The dark wrapper also was spicy on the lips, and the cold taste was sweet overall with of hint of dry straw. The Xikar is very nicely rolled, very firm with no soft spots or lumps and a good heft overall.

FIRST THIRD- While toasting the cigar it took the flame very well for this humid weather today. Plenty of white smoke compliments the cigar. The flavor takes a while to finally build up and hit your palate, during this warm-up your introduce to a strong spice that is really nice and makes you pay attention to the flavor that follow. The first flavor that hits you its a nice and rich mocha that coats your mouth that leaves a thick film in your mouth, almost like syrup. The mocha is joined by hints of cedar and a slight nuttiness. The ash is is strong but wavy, doesn't look like it'll hold up for very long though.



SECOND THIRD- My favorite third, this cigar gets very dark and rich at this point. Along with the mocha a second layer of chocolate is introduced, a earthiness chocolate, one that is lovely the earthiness of the chocolate can be identified as a cocoa powder, or a fine chocolate truffle. The ash is flaking at this point and its not quite holding on, but it docent effect the cool burn overall of this stick. As it approaches the last third these flavor become more muted and darker that leads to a rich tobacco flavor.






FINAL THIRD-My least favorite third, That rich tobacco flavor really develops here. Along with the rich tobacco flavor is a really good bit of leather. The flavor is good, gives you a taste of how well refined these leaves were made, but the flavor doesn't interest me. Albeit its a good flavor its not a flavor I want to cling to. Finish this stogie ended up being more of a task or accomplishment rather a pleasure during the last final minutes. I really thought the flavor was good though, it was just a miss for me.






FINAL IMPRESSIONS-I'm glad after the 3rd try this stick was a success. At $8 bucks its a good cigar, also great after a great dinner or one to cap off a splendid night. Though I don't think I'll keep this stick as a celebratory cigar I can see myself keeping these in my rotation. If it wasn't for the last third I'd enjoy this cigar a lot more. Overall it has great construction, a decent price, and good flavors, the Xikar HC is a great smoke.

Rating-89
Buy It again? Ill keep it in my rotation
Recommended? Yes if you like a nice complex smoke

My Humidor

Well I couldn't give you guys a full fledged review today since I'm a bit low on stogies, but I can give you some content. I'd be tricking to you guys if I told you I had a humidor, what I really have is more like a glorified, 4x cedar lined cigar box. I started with a standard Ashton VSG Belicoso box. With hopes of short term storing and aging my Opus Exes till I can afford a actuall box. So far it fits my needs, all stogies Ive put in there have been coming out fresh and properly humidified.
The success I think I've had so far with box is because of its overall construction. It has a pretty decent latch and hinge. But the thing I'm most proud of is it's cedar lip lining. It has the cedar strips of over 5 different cigar boxes. With all strips being seasoned and the box seasoned for 2 days the micro atmosphere of this box is excellent, the seal is almost air tight, the only draw back of such a heavily lined box is that it limits the cigar number count which is fine.
I never have enough in there to really matter.

So I guess moral of the story or the post here I suppose is, you don't need a real fancy $350 humidor to keep your stogies fresh. Just a good solid box with a humi-stick and a couple of stogies should do you well. Do I trust this box? Somewhat, and that's only because I can't afford a proper one right now. Do I recommend it? Sure as a short-term no problem, but this is just a small fix to a bigger problem, a clogged hole in a multi-holed colander. But if you're short on cash man go to your local B&M buy you a box for $3 bucks and a humi-stick for $10, worth every cent.

Tradicao:Torpedo:Maduro

Boy another review for today? Ha don't you wish you got that at other Cigar Reviewers? So for my third review I thought I'd go for something more exotic. A Brazilian Puro Cigar, unlike the CAO Brazilia which only has a Brazilian Wrapper. This Cigar can be only be found at East End Cigar Co. here in sunny Myrtle Beach. I'm very impressed by this "in-house" cigar I think a big name company should deff invest in these. If Interested I'll put ordering info at the bottom for you curious onlookers.


SPECS-
Size: Torpedo 52 x 6.5
Wrapper: Brazil (Matafina)
Binder: Brazil (Matafina)
Filler: Brazil ( Matafina and Matanorte combo)
Smoke Time: 50 mins
Price: $7.00
Drink: Coke Can
Cut: Guillotine at a angle
Touch-Ups: None

FIRST IMPRESSIONS- This is a very rugged looking stick, but don't let that steer you away, it has medium size veins at a minimum with slight tobacco bumps. It is a very well constructed stick very finely packed and a triple cap to wrap it all up. The wrapper is just a touch dry with a strong barnyard aroma that can be smelt thru the cellophane.Foot smelt completely different than the wrapper, with earth and cedar being more prevalent. The draw was a bit too tight for me but with the wrapper with a slight floral taste and a very crisp cap cut this cigar was begging to be smoked.

First Third-A faint coconut smell and sharp smoke was a great intro while I toasted the cigar. The first puff welcomed me in with a good bit of flavorful smoke. First tastes were of a nice and rich mocha, intertwined with hints of earth and Brazil nuts. Very lovely. This cigar wasn't spicy at all for such a medium range cigar, the spice was easy on the nose and trying to isolate just the spice itself reminded me of Tabasco sauce, but I had to really dig for that spiciness. The smoke leaves a really nice smoothness on the palate, one that makes you think you've just eaten some really good and moist chocolate cake. The ash is slightly peachy and wavy. Very slow burn, with razor straight burn line . This cigar is shaping up quite perfectly.

Second Third-The Second third is my favorite in this cigar. The mocha is joined with a rich coffee taste with just a very light touch of earth and leather. This Brazilian Maduro is really nice, in fact one of the finest Maduro leaf I've tasted. The Brazil nuts takes a back drop in the second third and a roasted chestnut flavor takes its place, with a warm and smooth finish is still being there. The ash is peach in color and holding up quite nicely. My only gripe so far is that while the flavors on this cigar are good they never linger, they are just rather quick flavors that you notice, and once noticed they are gone until your next puff. The draw is still a little tight and hinders somewhat of the overall experience.


Last Third-As the last third comes along I'm sad to let this cigar go. The Mocha that was prevalent on the last 2 thirds changes in to a darker and richer flavor of dark chocolate. Along with the dark flavors the coffee is replaced with more of a smooth espresso taste. Hints of coconut and earth are a great addition to the overall flavor, but the blend doesn't allow any of those flavors to stick around. Shame, but the cigar it self is very hard to put down, it leaves you guessing how its going to surprise you next even though it never disappoints.

Final Impressions- At $7 dollars a stick this is a very good value for such a complex smoke, and the price of $100 for a box of 25 I have yet to see a better value. The smoke had excellent construction without the need of a single touch up. This cigar would of gotten a perfect rating of 100 if it wasn't for the shortlengthof flavors and slightly tight draw, I'm sure that just a slight variation in the blend and the rolling construction would turn this stick from an excellent smoke to a suburb smoke. This stick would be great after a nice and hearthy meal, for example steak, such a robust smoke would be lovely compliment to a full-belly.

RATING-94
Buy it again? Yes, by the box
Recommended? If you don't mind ordering online or thru phone, it won't disappoint.

For ordering info you can call: Phone: 843.839.4499
or visit their website at http://www.eastendcigars.com/tradicao-brazilian-cigars.asp

Avo XO:Preludio:Connecticut

This is my first AVO cigar. With Davidoff's master blender behind this one I expected a much richer or fulfilling smoke.

SPECS-
Size: Preludio 6 x 40
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Smoke Time: 30 mins
Price: $7.60
Drink: None
Cut: Punch/Guillotine
Touch-Ups: 1

FIRST IMPRESSION- This is a very crisp and clean looking stick. Sporting a somewhat dry
Connecticut wrapper with just one big vein branching vein on the back, this cigar is pretty. Its construction is excellent, light yet modestly packed this cigar shows AVO's high class rollmenship. The dry wrapper smelt of dry hay, or barnyard. The foot had the same dry smell with a slight earth hint. The cigar was punched cleanly and easily. The draw was very good, with the wrapper being slightly salty and with the cold taste similar to nori, or that green leaf outside sushi rolls. Interesting.

First-Second-Third Thirds-Since this is a very one dimensional cigar it'd be redundant to give this cigar proper third reviews. The tastes are all very similar beginning to end and with separate thirds review I'd be almost repeating myself. The First Third, was probably the best third. With hints of cedar,nuts, and a smooth butter cream that leaves a long taste on the palate. The Second Third looses the cedar hints and welcomes you with more of a roasted nut flavor. The nuts are complimented with a very sweet leather and hints of coffee if you dig for them hard enough. The creaminess of cigar is still there but not as profound. The Cigar is very mild for me and with the Last Third it just picks up a little into a very light medium range of flavor. A dark and more richer taste of leather takes up as the main flavor. This crescendo was good, but the flavor is not all there it peaks, then its gone, leaving you a faint taste of leather. The ash on this cigar was slightly above average with the longest ash holding up a least a inch close to the band and the rest just slight flaky and never truly holding on after that.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS-Overall the cigar was alright. For its price point I just expected a lot more outta of it, you can get better same flavor profiles from cheaper sticks. I think the name of the cigar fits it perfectly "The Preludio" which I'm pretty sure means prelude in Italian. This Cigar is great for the middle of the day, or if you're going to smoking a lot of other cigars its perfect. The emptiness and not much of a punch makes you desire something else and gets your mind set for a stronger, more complementing,fuller smoke, this truly is a prelude. I just wish this intro was much cheaper.

Rating-81
Buy It Again-Maybe, not in any rush to get one though.
Recommended? Only If you never tried a AVO or Davidoff, or you're heading to a Hurf.