CAO Brasilia Versus Italia:Artistry of Champions:Brazilian Flag Perfecto

I seem to to be review a lot of rare item recently, I have some other rarities on my pipeline. Well today I bring you the CAO Brazilia Perfecto. Like its Italia sibling both of them are somewhat rare and are part of CAO's Artistry Of Champions Humidor. I also have yet to see I review on this particular cigar, so this is also a little bit of a comparison review to the Italia. Let's see how these cigars stack up.


SPECS-
Size-7x47
Wrapper-Brazilian Maduro with Candella and Conn. Bands
Binder-Nicaragua
Filler-Nicaragua
Cost-$20
Cut-Straight
Smoke Time-1 hour and 15 mins.
Drink-Coke over Ice


FIRST IMPRESSIONS-The first thing I noticed when I picked up the cigar was its smell. The cigar just oozed of a aromatic cedar. Second was the wrapper, it glisten with oil and the somewhat spotted maduro is a sight to look at. At close inspection though the triangle in the middle of the cigar is slightly green. Now I don't if it was originally Candela that got discolored or if it was a Conn. leaf that turned slightly green. The foot had also I interesting aroma of a sweet spice almost like clove and the tickler head had a nice aroma of aged tobacco. The construction is also a great piece of art and with a good cold taste of a nice subtle hay this cigar begged to be smoked.


FIRST HALF-As soon as the cigar took the flame it presented a great deal of a deep earth and chocolate flavor that I haven't experienced before. The black pepper was also deep and slightly sweet adding to the overall profile of the smoke. The spice is slightly stronger than the Italias but I like the profile. Exploring the chocolate flavors I could detect a slight roasted coffee undertone and the earth had a nut undertone. The ash never really hung out for very long but the burn was always straight with only 1 touch up needed.


LAST HALF-Once the burn line reached the Conn. portion of the cigar I thought the smoke couldn't get better. The overall flavors had a nice toasty finish and a few hints of a roasted caramel that slightly tasted of toffee. The main flavors never really changed trough out the cigar, after the main Conn. strip was gone I was reintroduced to the original Maduro. The maduro now got slightly darker and lost all its complexities, a new leather taste was produced along with a soy sauce finish. Though interesting it wasn't my cup of tea and after a few puff I felt I was satisfied by the cigar and set it down.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS-I think I might have to eat my words here. I never thought a Italia could be better than a Brazilia. But after smoking the Trumpets of the same humidor set I quickly found out that the Brazilian wrapper gets rather too dark and almost harsh when taken in large doses. Which one is better though you might ask? I think they're both equally good. The Italia for those who prefer a milder and less complex smoke and the Brazilia for those who can pick up on subtle tobacco subtleties easily and prefer a darker smoke. I can see me picking up another vitola (If I could) and smoke it after a Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner. So if you have one of these cigars and holding up for a special occasion but can't decide on when to smoke it, I hope I helped.

RATING-94
Buy It Again? Yes
Suggest It? Yes

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

Padron 1964: Anniversary: Natural

So here's my first entry into Cigar Reviewing. So big question here. How do you start your first review? Or better yet which cigar will you start off with? Do you go all out and review a superb and rare stogie? Or do you start small with a common day smoke. I choose neither. I choose one of my favs. A Padron 1964. So come on in, into cigar reviewing amateurism.

SPECS:
Size: Exclusivo 5.5 x 50
Wrapper:Nicaragua
Binder:Nicaragua
Filler:Nicaragua
Smoke Time: 40 mins.

Drink:Starbucks Mocha Iced Coffee.
Cost-$11.50

Cut: Punch/Guillotine
Touch-Up: Minimal 2-3 Times.

FIRST IMPRESSION-This stogie is gorgeous up close. Very minimal veins, oily wrapper with a impressive cap, Padron never disappoints. This isn't a very heavy stick at all for its size, yet its firm to the touch with no soft spots or lumps. The double band looks very classy and its interesting to see how all of the stick are individually numbered. The wrapper and foot smelt of a light barnyard smell, with hints of cereal grains, with wheat being the most prevalent one. The cap was punched evenly and flawlessly with no cracks on such a small punching space. The pre-light draw tasted like cereal, with such a nice and airy draw it reminded me of corn flakes. Enjoyable non-the-less.

First Third-The Stick took to the flame very well, Lots of thick and creamy smoke. The cigar is shaping up to be an incredible and joyous smoke. Hints of a floral accent and sweet nuts keep you interested in the cigar, the smoke isn't overwhelming at all. The ash is very tight and semi wavy, This is deff going to be a long ash cigar.

Second Third-The flavor profile is picking up some. The floral tastes, are accompanied now by sweet leather, hints of mocha, and grain. Smoke still bellows from the stick,very slight pepper when retro haled, not much of a punch with this one and I like that. Flavors are smooth and well blended with no flavor being more prevalent than the other one. Ash is still strong except now its getting a bit spotted. Construction once again is Flawless.

Final Third-It's a shame to see this cigar getting into its last stretch. It's been such an enjoyable experience. Especially now in its final third. All the hints of flowers have now fallen letting the Creaminess of Buttermilk and mocha that laces the tongue in velvet. The sweetness and strenght of the cigar have amped up a bit, which makes the cigar so hard to put down. The ash fell about half inch before reaching the band when I was reaching for my phone to take a picture. But the ash that remains is still strong and not one bit cloudy, just a few cracks.
Putting it down was difficult but I was impressed on how little of the cigar was left and yet it burnt strong, no harsh flavors, or any ash defect. This Cigar is a winner every time, with less than a inch left I had to say my goodbyes.


Final Impressions-This one was my third sampling into the Padron 1964 series and the best. Even though its price keeps it from being an everyday smoke, its magnificent. I'm glad this cigar isn't cheaper. Such a smooth and high-grade product should truly be enjoyed in a special occasion to make the evening truly memorable. I smoked this in an ordinary day, and the cigar it self highlighted the whole day. Strong ash, great flavor, and a reasonable price point for such an incredible smoke. Some people prefer the Padron 1926, but so far, no 26' has knocked my socks off more than this particular stogie. Deff pay a visit to your local B&M and give these a try in case you haven't so already.

Rating-95
Buy It Again? Deff!
Recommended? Highly