Taboo Connecticut:Churchill:Connecticut

I'm a big fan of smaller no name brands. I truly like how these cigars makers do the things they do. They usually offer a pretty decent smoke for a decent price. I guess this is because they don't have to pay for advertising like big name brands do, I feel also that the smaller people have more control on the cigars that they make. Taboo cigar is relatively unknown at the cigar world,but for those who do know the brand can attest to the lovely cigar ladies that follow Taboo whenever they have a large cigar tasting. But my question is, behind all the mascara and highlights are these cigars hiding their true imperfections?

SPECS-
Size-7x50
Wrapper- Ecuador
Binder-Nicaragua
Filler-Nicaragua
Cost-$4.99
Cut-Punch,Guillotine
Smoke Time-45 mins
Drink-Hot French Vanilla Coffee

FIRST IMPRESSIONS-This cigar is rather plain looking. Its the standard Connecticut shade with the expected slight veins and almost dry look. The even wrapper offered a decent amount of compost smell with a ketchup like foot. Not very standard anymore, the cut was crisp and offered a good draw with no particular cold taste. This isn't too bad nor over the top, it seems just about right and a good cigar for this lovely SC sun.

FIRST HALF-The initial taste of this cigar is very decent for the price range. The cigar opens up with a good bit of earth with almost a touch of nuts. The well rounded and mild finish left a good background for the spice to embed it self in your palate. The coffee is complimenting the cigar perfectly, all I wished for when I had this cigar was a nice puff pastry like a nice and warm apple strudel. The small cinnamon undertones shapes this cigar for a good early morning smoke, I didn't find this cigar lacking nor over the top it was just right. Construction is holding up well with just a few occasional touch ups and no flaws on the wrapper, so far so good.

LAST HALF-By this point I've drunk all my coffee and I don't have the perfect companion for this cigar. In this last half I was very fulfilled and choose to smoke the cigar up to the band. So just because you see me reviewing a cigar in halves doesn't mean its a bad smoke,shame on you and your assumptions,ha. But in all seriousness though without the coffee the cigar gets a little darker and not as complex. Along with the darker profile the cinnamon hint is gone and is replaced with a cedar overtone, so overall its not too bad of a trade off in flavors. The cigar did have some small flaws with the wrapper not ashing properly and the burn line did stray off here and there, but for a $5 dollar cigar its great. When the cigar reached the goal line I had planed,the cigar became hard to put down, it almost made me want to go back inside and make another cup of coffee but I felt truly satisfied with this smoke so I can't complain.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS-At $5 bucks this cigar can be a perfect everyday smoke in the morning, the flavor profile is mild enough for anyone to enjoy and feel fulfilled. Even though the constructions was slightly iffy at times it didn't take away from the overall experience. I guess this cigar isn't as Taboo as the name implies. It's just a rather comfortable smoke that will surely greet you well in the morning without disappointments. Cigars like these is why I'm always looking for the next and best small house blends of cigars.

RATING-89
Buy It Again? Yes
Recommend It? Yes, without a doubt.

Camacho Connecticut:Monarca:Connecticut

So this review is pretty much a answer to my Oliva Conn. Reserve. Once I posted that review some readers suggested the Camacho Conn. was a better smoke. I was eager to get my hands on one. Wanting to experience a more robust flavor from a Connecticut leaf was almost a goal of mine. So do I find out that more medium flavor profile that I was looking for, or was this cigar also disappointing? Let's find out.

SPECS-
Size- Robusto 5x50
Wrapper-Ecuadorian Shade
Binder-Honduras
Filler-Dominican, Honduras
Price-$6.20
Smoke Time-50 mins.
Cut-Punch

FIRST IMPRESSIONS-To my understanding this cigar was produced after Davidoff purchased Camacho and the by the looks of it, it shows. The cigar has the same white label tone with gold lettering. Along with the band the cigar also shows high Davidoff workmen ship. The triple cap on this cigar was produced flawlessly and beside the wrapper being a little toothy and veiny you could almost mistake this stick for a Davidoff. The wrapper had no particular aroma while the foot had a earth smell. The cold taste had a subtle hint of straw which drew very well with the punch cut. Pretty standard for a Conn. leaf, I have my hopes up that this cigar won't disappoint.

FIRST THIRD-This stick finally ended my search. Right off the first puffs I could get taste of a very sharp spice, it's not obnoxious or lacking, it's just right. They pulled of the spice profile a whole lot better here than the Oliva. Once I got used to the spice hints of cedar and nuts start emerging, its a sharp flavor profile with some depth to it. The ash is holding up well and the burn is good this cigar shows great promise

SECOND THIRD- The spice is still present in the background and I think it really helps the flavors chug along. The finish doesn't linger too long, its just right it and it produces hints of sweet coffee that don't feel awkward or over-stay their welcome. I wouldn't smoke this stick in the morning. Its just slightly too strong for that but it could be good if you're eating a spicy Italian sausage since the spices are just in that alley. The nuts are sweet and also enjoyable, now this is a great medium body Connecticut styled smoke.

LAST THIRD-There isn't much complexity in this third but its still worth while. The main flavors are still there but a bit darker. The nuts get intertwined with leather to produce a flavor I quite can't describe but its pleasant. Ash help up quite well and touch-ups were kept at a low minimum, this turned out to be a good smoke.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS-I'm glad I got recommended this stick, if I walked in to a humidor I would never expect such a complex smoke from such an uninviting stick. A true sleeper. I didn't feel queasy or tired after smoking this which is quite an accomplishment for such a strong spice.This somewhat cheap cigar can also be an everyday smoke, not so much in the morning but in the afternoon or late at night. If you feel like experiencing a spicy stick and not wanting to pay for it later this makes for a great smoke


RATING-85
Buy It Again? Yes
Recommend It? Yes