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.

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