Anthony, of cigarscity.com has just sent in some cigars to be reviewed. Head on over to CigarsCity.com for some great cigars and cigar accessories! And be on the lookout for my review of these cigars starting next week!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Ezra Zion Tantrum
Tonight its time for the Ezra Zion Tantrum. I have had this cigar in my humidor for around four months and for some reason I have never picked it out to smoke, so tonight's the night. This cigar comes in at 4.44 X 44. It has a light brown wrapper with no veins and invisible seems. At first light the draw is absolutely perfect, producing an extreme amount of smoke output. On the draw there is a large amount of pepper present. Its a black pepper that has a lot of flavor and a lot of "pepper zing" on the palate. On the finish there is the black pepper and a sweet cedar and coffee note. The pepper is heavy and dominates the other flavors. The pepper lingers and lasts till the next draw. The body is at a full right off the first light. For being such a small cigar, it packs quite a punch. The burn is razor sharp and the construction is perfect so far!
About an inch down, and some more flavors come in. On the draw the powerful pepper has transitioned to a red pepper flavor. The "zing" is tingling on the palate but the flavor is a tasty red pepper. The finish has a few different flavors. There is a nice caramel coffee note, with some leather and sweet cedar. The red pepper is present, but now its not overpowering the other finish flavors. Also, I'm quite surprised how smooth and creamy the smoke is on the palate considering how much pepper is present on the draw and finish. The body is still at a full and some medium strength is coming in. I feel as if the strength is building as well. The draw is still producing ridiculous amounts of smoke and the burn is still very good.
Two inches down and some more flavors changes are happening. The red pepper flavor/zing is still on the draw. Now on the finish warm molasses, sweet cedar, and nutmeg notes are coming through. The nutmeg comes in and out between draws and is faint but present. The cigar is starting to get warm but some good flavors are still present. The body is still definitely at a full. The strength is at a medium to full and is leaving me a little light headed. The draw is still perfect and the burn is good as well.
With around an inch left I took one final draw and the set the cigar in the ashtray. Total smoke time was 50 minutes, which is a good smoke time for such a small cigar. I have had several robusto's that didn't last as long. This cigar was a tiny powerhouse with some big pepper, good flavors, and strength. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thanks to my buddy Nick from my B&M for gifting me this awesome cigar!
Price: $9.25
Appearance: 94
Draw: 98
Burn: 92
Flavor: 95
Complexity: 94
Burn Time: 95
Overall Score: 94
About an inch down, and some more flavors come in. On the draw the powerful pepper has transitioned to a red pepper flavor. The "zing" is tingling on the palate but the flavor is a tasty red pepper. The finish has a few different flavors. There is a nice caramel coffee note, with some leather and sweet cedar. The red pepper is present, but now its not overpowering the other finish flavors. Also, I'm quite surprised how smooth and creamy the smoke is on the palate considering how much pepper is present on the draw and finish. The body is still at a full and some medium strength is coming in. I feel as if the strength is building as well. The draw is still producing ridiculous amounts of smoke and the burn is still very good.
Two inches down and some more flavors changes are happening. The red pepper flavor/zing is still on the draw. Now on the finish warm molasses, sweet cedar, and nutmeg notes are coming through. The nutmeg comes in and out between draws and is faint but present. The cigar is starting to get warm but some good flavors are still present. The body is still definitely at a full. The strength is at a medium to full and is leaving me a little light headed. The draw is still perfect and the burn is good as well.
With around an inch left I took one final draw and the set the cigar in the ashtray. Total smoke time was 50 minutes, which is a good smoke time for such a small cigar. I have had several robusto's that didn't last as long. This cigar was a tiny powerhouse with some big pepper, good flavors, and strength. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thanks to my buddy Nick from my B&M for gifting me this awesome cigar!
Price: $9.25
Appearance: 94
Draw: 98
Burn: 92
Flavor: 95
Complexity: 94
Burn Time: 95
Overall Score: 94
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Rodrigo La Fortaleza Forte
This evening we have the Rodrigo La Fortaleza Forte. This cigar has a medium brown wrapper. It has a few veins running all the way down the cigar. It comes in at 5 1/2 X 50. After lighting, the draw flavors are a interesting smoked apple wood note. Its sweet and smooth, and very tasty. The finish is the smoked apple wood and a slight coffee. The flavors leave the palate fairly quickly and and do not last until the next draw. The body is a mild to medium at this point. The draw is a little firm. It takes one good puff to get it going and another to get good smoke output. The burn is a little wavy but not an issue. So far there are some pretty interesting flavors to start it out and I am enjoying it very much.
About two inches down and some flavor changes are starting to happen. The smoked apple wood has left completely(never to return again). On the draw there is a sweet cinnamon/nutmeg flavor followed by some sweet cedar. The finish is a smooth cinnamon/nutmeg and a citrus note. The flavors are starting to last longer and linger till the next draw. The body is up to a medium. After a few more puffs some coffee comes in on the finish along with a nice vanilla note. The cigar is starting to change on the finish every few puffs. Its mixing between the cinnamon/nutmeg, the vanilla, the citrus and the coffee. Something interesting to note is that their is no spice or pepper "zing" or flavor to speak of. There is some present through the nose on the retro-hale but absolutely none on the draw or the finish. The draw has become better. It now only requires one draw. The burn has become razor sharp. The cigar has a two inch ash holding firm. As far as the flavor and construction go, I could not ask for more.
Three inches in and the cigar starts to calm down as far as the flavors are concerned. The draw is the cinnamon/nutmeg note. The finish is the vanilla and coffee. Every now and then a coco powder note comes in on the finish but fades quickly. The body is settling in at a medium. Some strength is coming in. Its also at a medium. The draw is still good and the burn is razor sharp. The cigar is still holding on to its ash. It has a three inch ash holding on solid! This cigar is definitely impressing me.
With two inches to go the cigar has gone warm and the tasty flavors are starting to be washed out by a warm leather and citrus flavor. I sat the cigar down for the last time at the one hour and 12 minute mark. This cigar was excellent and I will be tracking down some more for sure.
This completes the cigars that were sent in by Gary Griffith from The House of Emilio. I would like to thank him for these excellent cigars. Every cigar he sent me I would recommend to anyone. They were all excellent and opened my eyes to a lot of new brands and excellent smokes I had little knowledge of. Check out the House of Emilio.com for more information on some phenomenal cigars and some great cigar brands!
Price: $8.25
Appearance: 92
Draw: 93
Burn: 95
Flavor: 95
Complexity: 94
Burn Time: 94
Overall Score: 94
About two inches down and some flavor changes are starting to happen. The smoked apple wood has left completely(never to return again). On the draw there is a sweet cinnamon/nutmeg flavor followed by some sweet cedar. The finish is a smooth cinnamon/nutmeg and a citrus note. The flavors are starting to last longer and linger till the next draw. The body is up to a medium. After a few more puffs some coffee comes in on the finish along with a nice vanilla note. The cigar is starting to change on the finish every few puffs. Its mixing between the cinnamon/nutmeg, the vanilla, the citrus and the coffee. Something interesting to note is that their is no spice or pepper "zing" or flavor to speak of. There is some present through the nose on the retro-hale but absolutely none on the draw or the finish. The draw has become better. It now only requires one draw. The burn has become razor sharp. The cigar has a two inch ash holding firm. As far as the flavor and construction go, I could not ask for more.
Three inches in and the cigar starts to calm down as far as the flavors are concerned. The draw is the cinnamon/nutmeg note. The finish is the vanilla and coffee. Every now and then a coco powder note comes in on the finish but fades quickly. The body is settling in at a medium. Some strength is coming in. Its also at a medium. The draw is still good and the burn is razor sharp. The cigar is still holding on to its ash. It has a three inch ash holding on solid! This cigar is definitely impressing me.
With two inches to go the cigar has gone warm and the tasty flavors are starting to be washed out by a warm leather and citrus flavor. I sat the cigar down for the last time at the one hour and 12 minute mark. This cigar was excellent and I will be tracking down some more for sure.
This completes the cigars that were sent in by Gary Griffith from The House of Emilio. I would like to thank him for these excellent cigars. Every cigar he sent me I would recommend to anyone. They were all excellent and opened my eyes to a lot of new brands and excellent smokes I had little knowledge of. Check out the House of Emilio.com for more information on some phenomenal cigars and some great cigar brands!
Price: $8.25
Appearance: 92
Draw: 93
Burn: 95
Flavor: 95
Complexity: 94
Burn Time: 94
Overall Score: 94
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Emilio La Musa Mousa in Toro
On another beautiful Central Illinois evening we have the Emilio La Musa Mousa in Toro. This cigar has a medium brown wrapper. It has a few visible veins and seems. It comes in at 6 X 50. At first light there is a nice black pepper and some earthiness on the draw. The finish is the same with a slight mustiness that stays on the palate till the next draw. The body is at a medium. The draw is producing large amounts of smoke and has just a slight amount of resistance. The burn is slightly wavy but isn't a problem.
Two inches down and the cigar is staring to come alive. On the draw the pepper flavor and zing are still present. The earthiness has come way up on the draw. On the finish there is a nice coffee mixing nicely with the earth and pepper. After a few more puffs the draw flavors are the same but a nice espresso flavor is dominating the finish. Its fairly sweet and has some slight citrus notes as well. The body is at a medium to full. The flavors that its producing are quite nice. This is definitely turning out to be a nice relaxing smoke. The burn is slightly wavy but not an issue. The draw is still producing large amounts of smoke and is just about perfect.
Three inches down and some more flavors come into play. The draw still has a nice black pepper flavor and zing. There is still a nice earthiness to the draw as well. The finish is still the espresso mixing in with some cedar and a sweet coco notes. A few more puffs and the finish has some nice cinnamon/nutmeg notes. They fade pretty quickly but are very nice. The body has settled at a medium. The burn has become razor sharp since about the two and a half inches down and has settled nicely. The draw is still excellent. I am really enjoying this cigar.
With around two and a half inches to go the cigar becomes warm and extremely mushy.The flavors have been washed out by the heat and I sat it down for the last time at the 50 minute mark. I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar. My only complaint is that I wish it lasted longer.
Price: $8.25
Appearance: 93
Draw: 96
Burn: 90
Flavor: 93
Complexity: 94
Burn Time: 82
Overall Score: 91
Two inches down and the cigar is staring to come alive. On the draw the pepper flavor and zing are still present. The earthiness has come way up on the draw. On the finish there is a nice coffee mixing nicely with the earth and pepper. After a few more puffs the draw flavors are the same but a nice espresso flavor is dominating the finish. Its fairly sweet and has some slight citrus notes as well. The body is at a medium to full. The flavors that its producing are quite nice. This is definitely turning out to be a nice relaxing smoke. The burn is slightly wavy but not an issue. The draw is still producing large amounts of smoke and is just about perfect.
Three inches down and some more flavors come into play. The draw still has a nice black pepper flavor and zing. There is still a nice earthiness to the draw as well. The finish is still the espresso mixing in with some cedar and a sweet coco notes. A few more puffs and the finish has some nice cinnamon/nutmeg notes. They fade pretty quickly but are very nice. The body has settled at a medium. The burn has become razor sharp since about the two and a half inches down and has settled nicely. The draw is still excellent. I am really enjoying this cigar.
With around two and a half inches to go the cigar becomes warm and extremely mushy.The flavors have been washed out by the heat and I sat it down for the last time at the 50 minute mark. I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar. My only complaint is that I wish it lasted longer.
Price: $8.25
Appearance: 93
Draw: 96
Burn: 90
Flavor: 93
Complexity: 94
Burn Time: 82
Overall Score: 91
Monday, July 7, 2014
Casa Magna Dominicana Licey in Robusto
For my second cigar of the evening we have the Casa Magna Dominicana Licey in Robusto. This cigar comes in at 5.5 X 52. It is has a dark brown wrapper with invisible seems and a few veins near the cap. At first light I am met by a big bitterness with some pepper and slight cedar. The bitterness is the main note on the finish. The bitterness is fighting the cedar for domination and winning. Its not a very pleasant taste. It keeps on throughout the first inch(unfortunately). The burn is razor sharp and the draw is giving off good smoke output with just a slight bit of resistance. Its settling in at a medium body. I am hoping that the bitterness wears off soon and is replaced by,well, anything else.
Two inches down and the bitterness has tailed off a little bit. Its still present on the draw with some cedar and pepper. The finish is a slightly sweet leather. It faded quickly and is replaced by the bitterness but isn't quite as potent as the last update. To further elaborate on the "bitterness" its like a homemade icing for a cake that has sat out for a few days. Its bitter, slightly sweet, but dominates the palate. The burn is still razor sharp and the ash is holding on nicely. The body is still at a medium.
With two and a half inches left the flavors remain the exact same. Its pretty unappetizing as the bitterness has come back up since the last update. I sat the cigar down for the last time at the 1 hour and 22 minute mark. The construction of the cigar and the draw were excellent, as well as the burn time. It burned slow and cool. Unfortunately, the flavors left me wondering why I didn't wave the white flag earlier and chuck this cigar in the yard.
Price: $7.25
Appearance: 10/10
Draw: 20/20
Burn: 20/20
Flavor: 5/20
Complexity: 5/20
Burn Time: 10/10
Overall Score: 70 / Poor Cigar
San Cristobal Classico
Tonight we have the San Cristobal Classico. This cigar comes in a 5 X 50. It is medium brown in color. It has invisible seems and a few veins. First light reveals lots of black pepper. Even more pepper is present through the retro-hale. The finish has a sweet cedar note but is quickly dominated by the pepper zing and taste. The burn is slightly wavy through the first inch. The draw is producing large amounts of smoke with a slight bit of resistance. The body is at a medium but is pushing a full.
Two inches down and the pepper has lightened up a bit. On the draw there is the pepper, the sweet cedar, and some coffee. The finish is the pepper and the cedar with the coffee ever so slightly making its way in. The flavors stay on the palate till the next draw. The body is at a full but is not completely over powering the palate. The burn is still slightly wavy but is not presenting any problems. The draw is still producing excellent smoke output.
Three inches down and the cigar is transitioning slightly. The pepper is still there on the draw but fades during the finish. The finish is a coffee and cedar with slight coco notes coming in and out between draws. The smoke is now becoming slightly sweet. Every few puffs and a salty nut and leather flavor come in on the finish. The cigar is starting to be fairly complex and changes flavors every few draws or so. The burn is still wavy but not problem and the draw is still excellent. The body has settled in at a medium to full.
With an inch and a half left the flavors become warm and washed out and I sat the cigar down for the last time at the on hour and 15 minute mark. This was the first cigar I have had in the San Cristobal line and will not be my last. A very good cigar that keeps your attention all the way through. For those of you that do not like lots of pepper, if you can get through the first two inches, you will be rewarded with nice flavors and transitions.
Price: $8.75
Appearance: 94
Draw: 95
Burn: 87
Flavor: 92
Complexity: 93
Burn Time: 94
Overall Score: 92
Two inches down and the pepper has lightened up a bit. On the draw there is the pepper, the sweet cedar, and some coffee. The finish is the pepper and the cedar with the coffee ever so slightly making its way in. The flavors stay on the palate till the next draw. The body is at a full but is not completely over powering the palate. The burn is still slightly wavy but is not presenting any problems. The draw is still producing excellent smoke output.
Three inches down and the cigar is transitioning slightly. The pepper is still there on the draw but fades during the finish. The finish is a coffee and cedar with slight coco notes coming in and out between draws. The smoke is now becoming slightly sweet. Every few puffs and a salty nut and leather flavor come in on the finish. The cigar is starting to be fairly complex and changes flavors every few draws or so. The burn is still wavy but not problem and the draw is still excellent. The body has settled in at a medium to full.
With an inch and a half left the flavors become warm and washed out and I sat the cigar down for the last time at the on hour and 15 minute mark. This was the first cigar I have had in the San Cristobal line and will not be my last. A very good cigar that keeps your attention all the way through. For those of you that do not like lots of pepper, if you can get through the first two inches, you will be rewarded with nice flavors and transitions.
Price: $8.75
Appearance: 94
Draw: 95
Burn: 87
Flavor: 92
Complexity: 93
Burn Time: 94
Overall Score: 92
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)