Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro in Exclusivo

Today I decided to treat my self to a Padron! Padron's are one of my favorite cigar companies and when I can afford them I purchase one or two to keep around to treat my self with.  This Cigar is a dark brown box press cigar.  It appears a little lumpy and uneven.  Its very oily and has invisible seems and is fairly toothy. Its a 5.5 X 50, which is my favorite size for this particular cigar line.  At first light there is a sweet earth and pepper on the draw.  The pepper is medium, right now its at a 5 out of 10.  The finish flavor is a very smooth coffee and black pepper with a slight cedar.  The burn is razor sharp, and the draw is slightly snug.  Its giving off good smoke but not great.  In fact its right on the borderline of being plugged.  Because these cigars have single caps :(   I can not cut any more of the tip off to see if it will give me more smoke out put.

About an inch and a quarter in, the cigar is at a medium body.  The sweet earth and pepper are still on the draw.  The  finish is still the coffee, pepper and cedar.  A slight leathery note is coming towards the end of the finish but goes away quickly.  After a few more puffs the draw flavors remain the same, as do the finish flavors, but the coffee is really taking over the finish and is very good.  The body is on the up swing.  Its now at a medium full.  The burn is still razor sharp.  The cigar is getting slightly warm because of the tight draw.  I am having to give it a double puffs to get adequate flavor and good smoke production.

About two and a half inches in the cigar transforms completely.  The body is now at a full body.  Now, on the draw the earth and pepper remain.  A oak and nut flavor have started to develop on the draw as well.  On the finish the coffee is still there but barely.  The leather and black pepper have completely taken over the finish.  A nice sweet vanilla bean is also there and is quite delicious.  The burn is still absolutely razor sharp and has never required any attention at all.  The draw has finally opened up and giving off plumes of smoke.

At the two inch mark, the leather and pepper and nutty flavor have completely taken over the draw and the finish.  The cigar is now quite hot and mushy, due to the draw issue in the first half.  The cigar gets to warm for me and I sat it down for the last time at the 1 hour and 6 minute mark.

Price: $12.00
Appearance: 93
Draw: 86
Burn: 97
Flavor: 95
Burn Time: 91

Overall Score: 93

Cigar would have had a better score if the draw hadn't been so tight.

Emilio AF 2 in Toro

This 6 X 50 cigar has a velvety milk chocolate looking outer wrapper.  It has a few veins and slightly visible seems.  After lighting, it's already full in body.  On the draw your met with a rich tobacco and black pepper.  The black pepper is pretty powerful.  On my pepper "zing" scale, I'll give it a 8 out of 10.  It has a nice warm feel on the lips and goes down to the back of your throat and down into your chest. The finish and after taste are the rich tobacco and slight earth.  The draw is slightly snug, but giving off adequate smoke output.  The burn for the first inch has been razor sharp.

The second inch and a quarter are met with the same flavor. The body is still full. The pepper has stayed strong.  Its still at a 8 out of 10 on the scale.  Its still giving  the same deep into your throat and chest sensation.  The earth and rich tobacco finish are still there  with a slightly nutty flavor that stays with you until the next draw.  The burn required one slight touch up after the ash fell off at the one and a quarter inch mark.  The draw has opened up slightly and is still giving off a fair amount of smoke. 

I am now down about 3 1/2 inches and all the flavors remain the same.  The cigar is still full in body. The pepper has calmed down on the draw a little.  Its now at a 6 out of 10 on the "zing" scale.  A nice leather and cinnamon flavor are starting to come in on the finish and after taste.  Its mixing well with earthy, rich tobacco and nuttiness. The combined flavors are quite enjoyable. Some strength has started to come in.  Its mild to medium but is giving me a bit of a buzz.  The smoke out put is still the same as its been throughout.  The burn has been wavy and has been off a half inch for most of the cigar, but did not require any more touch ups.

With around two and a quarter inches left the flavors are starting to get warm and bitter.  The cigar has gone a bit squishy.  Overall this was a very good cigar.  It's definitely a Power-House.   I sat it down for the last time at the 1 hour and 8 minute mark.  I would like to give a big THANK YOU to Gary Griffith from Emilio Cigars for sending me this and many other fine cigars for review!

Price: $6.95
Appearance: 93
Draw: 87
Burn: 86
Flavor: 91
Burn Time: 91

Overall Score: 90

Drew Estate My Uzi Weighs a Ton +11

So......Maybe just one more review before Vacation!

This 5 1/2 X 52 dark brown cigar is absolutely gorgeous.  It has completely invisible seems, minimal veins and a toothy dark chocolate looking wrapper.  The first light reveals a black pepper flavor on the draw mixed in with a creamy earth.  There is a slight zing that the pepper brings into play.  I would say its a 3-10 on the pepper "zing" scale.  The draw is slightly tight, but is giving off a large amount of smoke.  The first third burns razor sharp and has a extremely toothy tight white ash.

Down about two inches, the black pepper and earth are still the main draw flavors.  On the after draw a leather flavor has developed that complements the creamy earth and pepper.  The flavor stays on the palate until the next draw.  The burn is still razor sharp and requires no attention up to this point.  The draw is still producing large amounts of smoke.  The foot of the cigar never stops smoking(much like the Undercrown).  It would not take long to fill an entire room with smoke.

Down about three inches and all the draw and after draw flavors remained untouched.  The only noticeable difference is that the leather has gotten sweater and stays long on the palate.  The body is at medium to full.

With near two and a quarter inches left the cigar starts to come alive a little bit.  The body comes up to a solid full. The pepper, earth, and leather are still there with the same exact flavors as before.  Now a nuttiness is coming into play during the draw.  It stays half way through the after taste and turns into a light coco flavor that leaves after a few seconds.  The draw is still slightly tight but is putting out large plumes of smoke.  The burn did start to go wavy but self corrected and stayed perfectly sharp afterwards. The leather and pepper are now taking over on the finish and are starting to get warm and bitter.  I sat the cigar in the ash tray for the last time at the 1 hour and 5 minute mark.

Price: $6.25
Appearance: 96
Draw: 92
Burn: 94
Flavor: 90
Burn Time: 90

Overall Score: 92

Stogie Bink on Vacation!!

Sorry for the delay in reviews .  I'm currently on Vacation. I'll be posting updates of the cigars I'm enjoying.  Have a good week everyone!!

Alec Bradley Prensado Robusto

This cigar comes in at 5 X 50 and has a box press.  It has no visible seems or veins and is slightly toothy.  At first light I am met with a black pepper.  The pepper is at a 4-10 on the pepper scale.  Its not overly spicy but a zing is on my lips and tongue after each initial draw during the first inch.  A rich coffee and leather develop on the after taste and continue on the palate until the next draw.  The burn is close to razor sharp.  The draw is a little tight but is giving off a good amount of smoke.  The body is at a solid medium.

Two inches in and the flavor have stayed the same.  The black pepper is still at the same level with the coffee and leather notes still hanging around on the finish.  The draw is still slightly tight but the smoke out put is satisfactory.  The burn however has gone slightly wavy.  I will hold off on giving it a touch up in hopes that it will self correct.  The body is on a up swing.  Its still at a solid medium but is starting to ramp up to a full.

Now, three inches in.  The draw has now opened up considerably.  Huge plumes of smoke are starting to come out after each draw.  The burn almost self corrected, but did require a minor touch up.  The pepper is still on the draw.  The finish still has a coffee and leather, but now a sweet raisin is also being added on the after taste.  It is quite reminiscent of the Alec Bradley Family Blend that I recently reviewed.  The difference here is, is that the sweet raisin is not as dominant and fades quickly.  Also the Family blend never went over a medium in body. Never the less, the raisin is a  good flavor and is mixing really well with the leather and coffee.  The body is at a full and the strength is almost matching.  I've got a fairly good buzz and am a little dizzy.

Two inches remain and the cigar is staring to get extremely mushy and hot.  All the flavors have been washed out by a chard tobacco flavor.  I sat it down the for the last time at the one hour and 3 minute mark.

Price: $8.25
Appearance: 95
Draw: 92
Burn: 88
Flavor: 93
Burn Time: 90

Overall Score: 92

Big thanks to Gary Griffith

Gary Griffith of Emilio Cigars and House of Emilio, has sent in some awesome cigars that will all be up for review in the coming month!  If your a fan of Stogie Bink head on over to Gary's twitter page and show your appreciation! Please like and share his info and go enjoy some of his cigars!! Twitter: @EmilioCigar

Thanks Gary!

Alec Bradley American Sungrown in Toro

This 6 X 50 dark brown cigar has a flawless appearance.  There are no visible seems or veins.  It is slightly toothy and has an oily wrapper.  First light reveals a dark tobacco and black pepper on the draw with a light cedar on the finish.  The pepper is at about a 4-10 on the pepper scale.  Its not to intense but is present.  The draw is perfect, slight resistance and is giving off huge plumes of smoke.  Its at a mild to medium in body.  After about a quarter inch or so the flavors stayed the same and the burn was near razor sharp.

After about two inches some flavor changes started to happen. The dark tobacco and  pepper remain on the draw.  A cedar and rich coffee flavor started to come in on the finish.  The coffee and and cedar stay on the palate all the way until the next draw.  The body is up to a solid medium and is starting to push to a full. Smoke out put has stayed the same.  Huge plumes of smoke fill the room after every draw and is quite aromatic.  It smells of sweet cedar, hay.  The burn has become slightly wavy, but is giving no issues and self corrects any time it gets off track.

At the four inch mark some more flavors come into play.  One the draw the dark tobacco flavor and pepper are still there.  On the finish a nice nuttiness has developed and are mixing well with the cedar and coffee.  Every other puff or so and nice dark chocolate note comes in on the finish.  It stays for just a few seconds.  Its very sweet and very rich.  I wish it would stay longer on the finish, but its quickly muted by the cedar and coffee flavor moments after the draw.  The burn is still going well and never presented any problems

With about two and a quarter inches left the cigar started to get warm and mushy.  The pepper and nut flavor are dominating the draw and finish, and have become rather bitter and unpleasant.  I sat the cigar in the ash try for the last time at the 1 hour and 26 minute mark.

Price: $5.25
Appearance: 95
Draw: 95
Burn: 92
Flavor: 93
Burn Time: 92

Overall Score: 93










Decided to smoke only Alec Bradley cigars this weekend....Here's a photo of what I smoked!

San Lotano Oval maduro in Robusto

This 5 X 52 oval shaped cigar, appears to be flat.  It almost appears that it is squished, but does keep some of the traditional roundness of most cigars.  Its has a dark brown wrapper.  The wrapper is light brown in some areas but is overall a dark maduro. It has visible seems and a few veins.  First light reveals a rich coffee and black pepper flavor on the draw and a earthy sweetness on the finish and after taste.  The draw is fairly loose. There are large plumes of smoke and the flavors remain the same through the first inch.  The burn is near razor sharp.

Now I'm onto the second inch. The burn is wavy and the wrapper is very thick, giving a few burn issues. Its giving me the impression that it may be tunneling and going out.  Smoke production has dramatically decreased and a bitterness is hitting my palate hard.  Two more draws and the cigar has gone out.  I taped the ash off to discover that it is indeed tunneling.  I am smoking this outside.  Its about 64 degrees here in central Illinois today.  The wind may be a factor to the burn.  However, I am sheltered by a few trees, the wind is at about 6-10 miles an hour.  I am dong my best to keep the cigar out of the wind.

After relighting, I smoked the cigar down another inch or so.  The coffee and black pepper are back on the draw, but are slightly bitter and chalky feeling in my mouth.  I think this "chalky" feel is due to the relight,  I get this often after relighting cigars.  The pepper is at a 6-10 on the pepper scale and is quite powerful at times going  up to a 7-10 during a few draws.  at about the 3 1/2 inch mark the chalky feel and bitterness have gone away.  The burn is very wonky and did require another two touch ups. The smoke production has never quite caught up to the first inch and is only giving medium out put.  The flavors remained unchanged.  Its still a rich coffee and pepper on the draw, and a sweet earthy after taste that continues until the next puff.

I sat the cigar down with around 1 1/2 inches to go where the cigar went out by itself.  The overall burn time was about an hour. Overall, the cigar had good flavor but was not complex.  I have had cheaper maduro cigars that performed much better with the burn and had near the same flavor.  The La Perla Habana Classic Maduro comes to mind.  I have one more sample of this cigar in my humidor.  I will review it again after a few months of rest to see if it preforms better.

Price: $8.50
Appearance: 90
Draw: 88
Burn: 82
Flavor: 89
Burn Time: 87

Overall Score: 87

The Oliva Serie V Double Robusto

This 5 X 54 reddish brown cigar has no seems that are visible to the eye.  It has no veins and it appears near flawless.  After lighting I am met with a big blast of black pepper, cedar, and coffee.  The black pepper is fairly intense, I'd say its a 7-10 on the pepper intensity scale.  The burn is a little wavy, but not causing any problems.  The body is at a solid medium.  The flavors are rich on the draw, but fade away slightly after.  The draw is slightly snug but delivering huge amounts of smoke

I'm about an inch and a half down on the cigar and the flavors have stayed the same but have picked up in intensity.  The cigar has become full bodied.  The cigars flavors are mixing well.  The cedar and coffee have become slightly sweet and the black pepper is still there on the draw.  The after draw, or the finish is peppery and leathery.  The leather stays the dominant flavor until the next draw.  The burn has become razor sharp and no construction issues have come into play as of yet.  The draw is still giving off big plumes of smoke.

Now I'm down to the band point and there are around two and quarter inches remaining.  The leather and pepper are now the dominant flavors on the draw and the finish. The cigar is definitely at full body. The cigar is starting to become warm and squishy. Some strength is starting to pick up.  The strength is mild, but is giving me a bit of a light headed feeling.  The burn has wobbled a bit.  One side did take about 12 minutes to completely catch up to the other.  It self corrected but never went back to a razor sharp burn. Finally, a  nut flavor has developed over the last inch or so that is warm and slightly bitter.  I continued smoking the cigar down about another half inch were I sat it down for the last time at the 1 hour and 8 minute mark.

I personally enjoy Oliva cigars.  They are one of my favorite companies.  The Serie V gets alot of love from smokers.  Its one of Olivas top selling and highest rated cigars.  I personally enjoy the the Serie O and Serie G  more so then the Serie V.  To each there own. Give this one a shot, it is a good cigar but for me, I'll grab a Serie G in toro over this cigar if given a choice.


Price: $7.75
Appearance: 95
Draw: 92
Burn: 86
Flavor: 91
Burn Time: 89

Overall Score: 90

Alec Bradley Family Blend VR1

This 5 1/2 X 50 light brown cigar, has a few visible seems, a few veins and has a pigtail cap.  At first light I am met with a slight peppery cedar.  The draw is slightly loose and is produceing large plumes of smoke.  The black pepper has a bit of a zing to it.  Its a 3-10 on the pepper scale.  The cedar comes in on the draw, and the finish is all black pepper.  There is a slight nuttiness that mixes in with the pepper on the finish.  At the one inch mark the burn is almost razor sharp.  The body is currently at a mild to medium and is starting to ramp up to a solid medium

Around an inch and a half in the flavors have stayed the same, however a nice new flavor has come into play.  A sweet raisin flavor is now present with the cedar on the draw and then with the pepper and nuttiness on the finish.  My suspicions of the body coming up to a medium was confirmed.  The raisin flavor is relatively sweet and creamy.

With three inches remaining some new flavors have joined in.  On the draw the cedar has dropped off.  The sweet raisin is still there, along with the nuttiness, and a creamy leather flavor.  These flavors mesh into a roasted coffee on the finish and after taste that last all the way until the next draw.  The flavors are playing off of one another and add in a slight vanilla bean on occasional draws.

Now I have about two inches left and the flavors are starting to get warm and mushy.  The leather is still there but it is starting to become bitter.  The raisin, and coffee have faded way, but the leather and nuttiness have really elevated to the fore front.  I sat the cigar down the last time at the 1 hour and 42 minute mark, which is a excellent burn time for a robusto size cigar.

Price: $6.00
Appearance: 89
Draw: 92
Burn: 95
Flavor: 95
Burn Time: 96

Overall Score: 94

Crowned Heads Headley Grange Drumstick, Limited Edition 2013

This 7 1/2 X 38 lancero cigar has a medium brown wrapper and invisible seems.  The wrapper appears a little stretched as it goes along the 7 1/2 inch length of the stick.  The caped end of the cigar has pigtail end.  This will be the smallest ring gauge cigar I have ever smoked.  If you read this blog, you will know that I gave my "cigar of the year 2013" to the Headley Grange Estupendos, I rated it a 95.  Only one other cigar that I have written about on this blog has received a higher rating.  The Estupendos absolutely blew me away.  After being in love with the Crowned Heads first release: Four Kicks, I thought there was no way that they would be able to make another cigar that would hit my pallet as perfectly as Four Kicks did. I was wrong.  The Estupendos blew me away, constant flavor all the way through.  Very complex but very balanced.  Needless to say I am very excited to try the lancero  and see if the limited edition can stack up to my favorite cigar of all time.  They only made 15,000 of these cigars.  I am lucky enough to have three left from a 10 count box that I purchased.

At first light I'm met with a blast of black pepper.  Its quite strong during the first three or four puffs or so.  I would put it at a 6-10 on the pepper/spice scale. There is a sweet earth that is mixing in with the spice and quite delightful.  The burn is just about razor sharp.  The draw is slightly tight, but is not an issue.  Large amounts of smoke are being produced with good amounts of flavor.

After about an inch or so the nougat/graham flavor is starting to come into play. The earthiness has dropped off a bit, but still present on the after taste.  The pepper has also died down considerably and is now 3-10 on the scale.  The slight sweetness is still present and mixing nicely with the nougat/graham, which is now the dominant overall flavor.

A half an hour has passed and the cigar has burned down about 3 1/2 inches or so.  The nougat/graham is still the dominating flavor.  Its sweet, and creamy on the draw.  The after taste is nougat/graham and the slight black pepper.  The after taste is quite dry, but not so much so that it requires water or another type of beverage to pair with it.  The burn is still razor sharp and the draw remains the same.

 As I smoke it another inch and a quarter the flavors remain the exact same.  A chard dark tobacco flavor is starting to mix in and the cigar is getting a little warm, and slightly bitter.  I put it in the ash tray for the last time at the 1 hour and 35 minute mark.

This cigar was good overall. Very pleasant, but lacking the complexity and other flavors that the Estupendos and the other sizes in the line offer.  As far as it being the smallest size I have ever smoked, after a while I couldn't really tell a difference.  It was definitely a smaller feel in the hand, but the large amounts of smoke and flavor made it a nice transition.  Overall, it was a very good cigar, but the Estupendos keeps its place a top of StogieBinks mantle.

Price: $9.95
Appearance: 94
Draw: 89
Burn: 95
Flavor: 90
Burn Time: 91

Overall Score: 92

Pinar Del Rio Habano Sungrown in Robusto

This 5X50 caramel colored cigar is from Pinar Del Rio.  This brand of cigars are fairly new to me and I'm interested to see how it smokes.  I received this cigar in a sampler 5 pack that has five different cigars from this boutique manufacturer.  I have several more that will be up for review in the coming months, so stay tuned.

  This cigar starts off with a smooth cedar and spice.   The draw is near wide open and is producing large amounts of smoke. Its at a medium body and leaves a good amount of flavor in your mouth all the way until the next draw.  The spice is a black pepper/green pepper in flavor.  The burning pepper sensation is at a 6-10 and is fairly intense.  The cedar is fairly sweet, but dry.  Its leaving my mouth with the tingle sensation from the pepper but dry with the cedar on the aftertaste. About a quarter inch down the burn is wavy but not dipping and is preforming well.

At around the Half way point(about two and a half inches in) All the flavor have stayed the exact same and have started to add dark roasted coffee notes every other draw or so.  The coffee is mixing between the dark roast coffee and a leather flavor.  These flavors come in after the draw and are a little harsh.  The back of my throat has a bit of a warming sensation going on and is not smooth.  I believe this cigar may be a little young and could use some age in the humidor to smooth it out a little bit.  The construction has stayed good, no cracks or soft spots have developed.  The burn is a little wonky, but no touch ups have been needed to this point.

At about 45 minutes in I have around two and a quarter inches left of this cigar.  The flavors have gone to a leathery chard tobacco and the heat is picking up.  The cigar gets very unappetizing and warm and squishy and is leaving a bad after taste.  I sat the cigar down at the 52 minute mark.

Price: $5.00
Appearance: 93
Draw: 85
Burn: 86
Flavor: 85
Burn Time: 87

Overall Score: 87