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.

La Aurora 100 anos:Robusto:Corojo

I have a very fond memory of my first ever La Aurora 100 Anos. Back in the summer I payed a Boston a visit, a city in which I came from before I moved to SC. It was a very long time since I I've been there and couldn't wait to see my old friends. Once there I traveled to a B&M and had a blast, I was taking the subway, the bus, and even walking my old streets. It really was a blast to the past traveling to get this cigar. Once I got it I held on to it and smoked it here in SC and it wasn't that good. I blamed my eagerness to smoke it and me not being patient for not waiting for the cigar to settle in my humidor. So felling a little homesick I bought another one to give it another try. So does this cigar bring back fond memories? Or are those memories better off forgotten?

SPECS-
Wrapper-Dominican
Binder-Dominican
Filler-Dominican
Price-$13.00
Cut-Guillotine
Smoke Time-45 mins
Drink-Coke

FIRST IMPRESSIONS-This is a very pretty cigar from the lion to the cardboard colored leaf, this cigar presents itself well. The almost vein less wrapper was very fragrant with compost. The foot was also had an outstanding smell of graham cracker and raisins similar to the Opus, I felt that I had a little treasure on my hand. Clipping the cigar was effortless and it produced a hay flavor with the same graham cracker on the foot. The wrapper was slightly spicy on the lips and I couldn't wait to spark it up.

FIRST THIRD-The first initial flavors are very woodsy,that bring about a very present oaky finish to it that was very delicate. Along with the oak a slight nut flavor was intermingled but somewhat muted by the strenght of the oak.The oak also brings along a sweeter and woodsy undertone of flavor that is very similar to cedar. The slow and somewhat lopsided burn worries me but so far it's not to bad of a cigar and it brought some memories back from my trip. A great introduction.

SECOND THIRD-The flavors get more delicate and the burn more erratic. During the period of this third I had to touch up the cigar numerous of times which took away from the overall experience. As the flavors mellow out more the cedar brings a sweeter finish that was starting to shape up to be an orange peel taste but I'd loose the taste because of the burn. The burn also gets very hot and I have my focus somewhere else because of this disappointing third. As the flavors get more delicate the cigar does too, after getting hot I left the stick down for maybe two minutes and it went out . After that I had to keep puffing the cigar to keep it lit and with the constant relighting it brought along a harsh tar taste.

LAST THIRD- After a nice purge the cigar is on track again. The cedar is still sweet but any hints of oranges are far gone but a cherry flavor is now the undertone. The nut flavor is still there but its not sweet, it just brings a floral taste almost like honey and it's delectable. But again the cigar doesn't fail to disappoint. After maybe an inch of solid smoking the cigar gets messy again. I had to relight it numerous times and was only greeted with harsh ash flavor and nicotine. After many tries I just gave up on the smoke completely,it was good while it lasted.

LAST IMPRESSIONS-Overall this was a very woodsy cigar with complex undertones, this cigar might of been a fluke but my gripe is at $13 dollars a stick there shouldn't ever be a fluke. This was an interesting cigar to bring back old memories with, but at the price range I know cigars that offer better experiences and better memories. Good thing about this cigar though is that when I was done, the nub made a very good device to wipe off my B&M's ash tray. The flavors were good though, but ultimately the construction overshadowed the experience for the worst.

RATING-77
Buy It Again? No
Recommended It? Maybe yes, if you don't get a fluke and enjoy very woodsy cigars. Overall though no.

Opus X:Fuente Fuente:Sun Grown

Today is my birthday, or at least it was since it's 12:21 am right now. To celebrate I decided to smoke a cigar which I've been saving up for a while. A cigar that almost needs no introduction. But for those that don't know what the Opus is about, let me tell you. The Opus was the first Dominican Puro, being the first to have a Dominican wrapper which was never done before circa 1995. This rare stick is very limited to only about 500,000 a year or its what I'm lead to believe and only sold in major B&M's twice a year, once in the summer time and once during the winter months. This limited stick is often sold at high prices when it's not in season it has the most hype out there than any cigar. So I've had a ESG which claimed to be just as good as the Opus, but now here's the real thing. So did this cigar start my birthday in a sour note?

SPECS

Size-Robusto 5.25 x 52
Wrapper-Dominican
Binder-Dominican
Filler-Dominican
Cost-$13.50
Cut-Punch/Guillotine
Smoke Time-55 mins
Drink-McD's Iced Caramel Coffee

FIRST IMPRESSIONS-Once you get this cigar in your hand it doesn't seem that menacing or a dark, stingy and powerful cigar as some people describe it. The flawless wrapper had no veins,no tears no toothyness to it, just a smooth sandy color, that invited me with its sweet honey aroma. At a closer inspection the foot smelt like graham cracker with touches of cinnamon, honey, and some raisin. The cold taste also had that unexpected but lovely taste of graham crackers and honey. The wrapper itself had a very neutral taste on the lips and the draw was perfect. This cigar wasn't as hard as a lead pipe or soft and mushy, it had the perfect amount of give. This cigar was begging to be smoked.

FIRST THIRD-I took my time to light this stick, I must of used over 10 matches to light it and as soon as I took my first puff the cigar greeted me with a good bloom of smoke. Some say that this cigar is "ultra-powerful" and that it will knock you on your ass in the first puffs. I didn't get that here or with any other Opus I've smoked, it was a perfect morning smoke that didn't make me feel dizzy or anything. The first flavor that is introduced is a lovely spice on the nose, its very soft and it almost felt like a piece of cotton candy in your mouth. After the introduction of the spice a well rounded sweet cedar is present in the smooth finish. This is a very delicate and well rounded third, nothing stands out at first and makes you pay attention to the cigar to see what flavors are coming up. It's burning quite well at this point and the ash is white and very solid without any wave marks on it. I wish I could start more mornings like this.

SECOND THIRD-The best third without a doubt, the flavors here are outstanding. The well rounded cedar that was in the middle of the finish gets sweeter and more rounded, producing a tasty flavor of orange peel that is marvelous. The orange peel flavors comes and goes as if it doesn't want to overstay it's welcome. When ever the orange peel flavor fades to the back its replaced by a coffee bean flavor that is accented by mocha. Truly a great flavor that stirs up the pot in a world of cigars where you mainly get chocolate,cedar,dirt,or coffee. The finish is still very smooth and the cigar is burning at the same slow pace. Ash help up well before falling a half a inch short of the band. Only gripe with this cigar so far is that I expected the ash to be longer, but the flavors do a lot more than just make up for it.

LAST THIRD-If this cigar ever gets slightly "offencive" it's here. The orange peel soon fades when the longest ash fell, along with it is the mocha and cedar. The main flavors now are a honey maple sweetness adjoined with a spicy leather taste. A very unclimatic end to a superb smoke. The leather profile is still in a class of its own, it brings with it floral accents that makes this cigar difficult to put down. The finish gets dirtier and less refined, but worth it. The ash got more flacky here and never held a long ash. This is a definitely a full-bodied smoke and would take many Opuses(?) for one to truly understand the flavor profile. Lucky for me I have one more.

LAST IMPRESSIONS-This was a superb smoke to start my day. Hopefully when ever I look back to my 19th birthday I'll remember the Opus that introduced me to it's subtle tones of orange peel, and this is the most memorable flavor of the smoke, the orange peel taste. Without a doubt this cigar is worth all the hype it gets. The thing is though I'm happy this cigar is very limited, because if this was available everyday I wouldn't pick up everyday, or make it an everyday thing. This cigar is truly reserved for special occasions, no wonder it's usually sold on Father's Day and Christmas. The price I payed for it was very justified, no cigar I've smoked before has surprised me like this cigar does. Long story short, this was a beautiful cigar that I had the pleasure of smoking with a good friend, one of the best mornings I've had in a while.

RATING-96
Buy It Again? Yes
Recommend It? Yes

San Cristobal:Fabuloso:Rosado

I like Ashton's cigars, I also tend to like Don Pepin's creations so when a friend of mine gifted me this cigar I was more than excited to smoke it, Thanks Landon! So I've also heard that this San Cristobal was in the works for a while and after much acclaim this cigar was getting great reviews. So is this cigar worth the hype?

SPECS-
Size-6.25x52
Wrapper-Nicaragua
Binder-Nicaragua
Filler-Nicaragua
Price-$13.00
Smoke Time-1 hour
Cut-Guillotine
Drink-Starbucks Iced Mocha

FIRST IMPRESSIONS-The first thing that catches your attention is the big vermilion Parrot. The band is very classy along with the wrapper. Even though the wrapper was spotted with veins this one year old aged wrapper (Thanks one more time Landon) looked fabulous. The brown leaf was very matte in its finish and sweetly fragrant. The foot was earthy and spicy with a cold taste that was married with the same spice and a touch of hay. The solid construction gave the perfect draw and I knew I was ready for something special.

FIRST THIRD-The perfect draw bloomed the perfect bloom of smoke. Very thick and white, the first initial flavors was of black pepper spice that hit you one the nose that almost made me want to sneeze, but I smiled, I was happy thus far. As the spice progressed the sweet and earthy mocha left a good finish in my mouth that had a coffee bean taste in the middle. The cigar is burning at a even pace and good burn line, it's worth the hype so far.









SECOND THIRD-The spice takes a back seat in the second third and leaves ample room for the flavors to flourish. Along with the mocha a touch of cedar is introduced in the finish that thicks the mouth with an almost like syrup finish similar to one of Pepin's creation "My Father". Along with the finish a nice bit of cream joins along that makes you want to sip the cigar and wish it burnt more slowly and that's the only gripe I have with the stick so far, it burns just slightly too quick.



LAST THIRD-The spice picks up where it left off. The mocha is welcomed back and the finish changes. The cigar still coats the palate but the cedar changes to more of a burnt bread flavor that is similar to crispy pizza crust, along with this bready flavor a touch of sea salt is sprinkled here and there. The ash held well and the rate of burn picked up the pace a little bit. As the cigar starts working it's way to the nub it greats you a farewell and see you soon with a good bit of rich tobacco taste and a rounded out flavor that I just couldn't pick up, a great finish.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS-This was a great cigar with a great well rounded flavor, Don Pepin never disappoints. The price point is just about right for one of Pepin's blends and Ashton's craftsmen ship, though I wish this cigar burnt a little slower and wish the flavors were more robust. But overall this is a good stick for a good occasion say you won $500 bucks on a scratcher ticket or good enough for a treat cigar. I'm glad I got to try this cigar and my world is just now opening up to Don Pepin's master selections.

RATING-93
Buy It Again? Yes
Recommend It? Yes

CAO Brazilia:Lambada:Arapiraca

I'm a big Brazilian junkie. I love the dark earthiness and chocolate tones that the Brazilian soil brings to their leafs of tobacco, I'm also slightly bias to Brazilians and am willing to pay attention to a cigar more if it has Brazilian tobacco in it. Whether it be binder wrapper or filler, I'm always interested in a Brazilian. But don't think I'll automatically approve of this smoke, but I can tell you early on that this is the best and cheapest cigar in CAO's "International Line". But this vitola in The Italia and the America has been giving me some problems, but is it the same disappointment in this Brazilia?

SPECS-
Size-6x50
Wrapper-Brazilian
Binder-Nicaragua
Filler-Nicaragua
Cost-$6.50
Smoke Time-50 mins
Cut-Guillotine

FIRST IMPRESSIONS-This is a very nice wrapper, the dark brown is very figured, in some spots the wrapper is almost black and contrast the brown filler tobacco quite nicely when you compared the two. The wrapper was very fragrant and had a slight leather smell to it. The foot had a lovely aroma of raisins and touches of earth. The cold taste was delicious, it was of a very sweet date and with a perfect draw it made my mouth water. What a great cigar to finish my CAO comparison.

FIRST THIRD-Beginning with your first puffs you'll notice that this cigar is very dark and rich. Plenty of thick white smoke welcome you along with a deep mocha flavor. The cigar burns very slowly and almost perfect burn line. The spice is hits you on your nose and its very pleasurable, it makes you pay attention to the cigar. As the cigar progresses into the second third a raisin like flavors start building up.

SECOND THIRD-The raisin builds into a well rounded flavor for the mocha to rest on. The sweetness of the raisin and the deep tones of the mocha go really well together, so far this is a very well rounded stick. The spice picks up a little bit as the smoke works its way to the last third and here is where I got nervous, the longest ash falls and I'm to be expecting the downwards spiral of this cigar.

Last Third-This cigar like the other Vitolas I tried also suffers from the unusual odd flavor. But here they're not that bad. Since this is already a dark cigar the "odd flavor profile" isn't too big of an impact here. The mocha gets a lot dirtier with this, almost bringing along a cocoa powder taste to it, the raisin flavor also gets more well rounded and sweeter, but its a funky sweet like you know that flavor isn't supposed to be there. After the cigar works its way through this slump all the complexities of this stick pretty much leave which is disappointing. You just get a dark,faint taste of leather and mocha, its a boring and not very pronounced flavor but for whatever reason the cigar was very hard to put down.

LAST IMPRESSIONS-This was overall a good and complex smoke and without a doubt the best in CAO line. Though I like the box-pressed Brazilia better I thought it'd be better to use the same vitola sizes for a fairer comparison because the box press would blow everything outta of the water. This cigar is also cheap for the complexity it involves and is cheap enough for an everyday smoke. Good thing too, because the America is way too damn expensive.

RATING-84
Buy it Again? Yes,
Recommended It? Yes, try the Box-press you won't be disappointed.

Davidoff Maduro R:Robusto:Maduro

You've seen of how I handled a high price cigar, so is this Davidoff any different? Choosing another super premium stogie was a little bit difficult for me. But I have high hopes for this stick. Unlike the ESG this stick doesn't try to compete with anything else, its in a class of its own. So Davidoff makes a maduro, a departure from its usual lighter shade lines. So how does this Davidoff Maduro hold up against other Maduros?

SPECS-
Size- Robusto 5x52
Wrapper-Dominican
Binder-San Vincente
Filler-Sungrown Nicaraguan Cuban-seed
Price-$17.00
Cut-V,Guillatine
Smoke Time-1 hour

FIRST IMPRESSIONS-The wrapper on this stick is gorgeous, the reddish brown Maduro is lightly sweet and the foot is reminiscent of a fine chocolate truffle. The wrapper gave of a slightly salty taste to it and a cold draw that was slightly yeasty and complementing. This stick is very solid and heavy for its size. This Maduro again shows that Davidoff is in a Class of its own.

FIRST THIRD--This Cigar bellows out plenty of white and thick creamy smoke with a long finish. The first draws are a very polite spice, its just there to welcome you into a very dark and complex smoke. The long finish introduces one of the main flavors, mocha. The mocha is very thick with a good flavor profile that is well rounded. This is a very slow burning stick with a almost perfect burn line, this maduro is one of the best on the market.

SECOND THIRD-This third brings along some very complex and dark flavors. There's a good espresso flavor that is underestimated by words, along with it there are some nuts. On the finish of the thick smoke there are hints of saffron and anise. As the backdrop of all of this is a yeasty flavor very similar to fresh bread. This is without a doubt the best third.

FINAL THIRD-Overall this is a pretty one dimensional smoke. The overall flavors don't progress much but the stick is blended in such a way that you don't get bored of it. This is without a doubt a Full bodied cigar. Its very complex, it'll take you many sticks to fully understand and enjoy the flavors it produces. This is my second one and I was able to detect tastes of black cherry and hints of peach flesh that I did not get on my first stick. Overall the burn was good and the smoke entertaining. The price though is a little debatable. At $17 dollars it's a bit rich for the tastes you get and I'm sure knocking the price off this stick a buck or 2 would make it truly reflect the experience.

LAST IMPRESSIONS-This is a good cigar, truly more of a special occasion smoke or a smoke to challenge your taste buds. The yeasty flavor told me alot about this cigar, it has a lot of sugar it yet has to ferment. Ageing this stick without a doubt will make it a stupendous smoke and truly make the price justifiable. This is a without a doubt a great maduro and a great experience that any Maduro lover will greatly appreciate, now if only that price was cheaper.

RATING-93
Buy It Again?Yes
Recommended it? Yes, I recommend buying two if you can, smoke one young and then age the other, your time and money will surely be worth it.

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.

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.

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