Sons of Anarchy Toro by Black Crown

Today we have the Sons of Anarchy Toro by Black Crown. It has a medium brown wrapper with completely invisible seems and no visible veins. It comes in at 6 X 54. At first light the draw is fairly snug. It takes two good puffs to get adequate smoke output. I'll have to baby this one to make sure I dont over heat it. The draw flavors are a spicy flavor and zing. The finish is the spicy note with some semi sweet leather and a bit of a bitter citrus on the tail end. There's a spicy sensation that goes from the tongue to the back of my throat at the end of the finish. The cigar is kind if "young" tasting. I think I'll let the other two I have rest in ny humidor fir a couple months to see if they can smooth out a little bit. Anyways, the flavor are at a mild to medium in body and fade away from the palate after thirty seconds or so. The burn throughout the first inch was pretty straight, not requiring any touch-ups.

Two inches down and I had to touch up the burn after the ash dropped off. The draw is still snug and is still requiring one tiny puff to get it going and one longer one to get good smoke output. The flavors remain the same on the draw and finish as the last update. The only addition is a bit of a cedar at the tail end of the finish. The body is still at a mild to medium. The burn has gone wavy after the first ash dropped off.

Three inches down and the draw has started to loosen up a little bit. Unfortunately, the snug draw requiring two puffs has made the cigar rather warm already. The draw and finish flavors remain the same but a fairly unpleasant warm nutty flavor has come in on the finish and quickly dominates the other finish flavors. The body is up to a medium and the warm nutty flavor stays on the palate till the next draw. The burn never recovered and has required two major touch-ups to keep the cigar burning properly.

With 2 3/4 inches left the cigar has become to mushy and warn to continue smoking. A burned tobacco and nut flavor have taken over the palate and has become pretty gross.  I chucked this one into the yard at the 1 hour mark. A VERY disappointing experience from a cigar representing a tv series I have loved.

For information on how I rate my cigars, click HERE

Price: $5.50

Appearance: 9/10

Draw: 10/20

Burn: 12/20

Flavor: 12/20

Complexity: 12/20

Burn Time: 8/10

Overall Score: 63/DOG ROCKET

La Perla Habana Classic Robusto

Today we have the La Perla Habana Classic Robusto. It has a light brown wrapper with a few visible veins and slightly raised seems. It comes in at 5 X 50. At first light, the draw is very good. It has Just the right amount of resistance and is putting out good smoke output. The draw has a good amount of black pepper flavor and zing. The finish is a creamy Cedar, black pepper flavor and a sharp leather note. All the while the flavors are going over the palate the black pepper zing is quite spicy on the tongue and down the back of my throat. The body is at  medium to full and the flavors stay on the palate long in till the next draw. The burn line is slightly wavy but not an issue.

Two inches down and the draw and finish flavors remain the exact same. The draw is still very good. The body remains medium to full. The burn is still slightly wavy and required one small touch up after the ash dropped off. The flavors are picking up in intensity, as the pepper flavor and zing is now over take the leather. All the flavors are present but the pepper is standing out in flavor and intensity.

With three inches left the draw still has the black pepper flavor and zing. The finish is a creamy smooth cedar and leather. Here near the end a warm nutty flavor is mixing in on the finish. It comes in after the leather but right before the pepper flavor and zing take over. I sat the cigar down for the last time at the 43 minute mark when it started getting warm and mushy.

For details on how I rate my cigars, click HERE

Price: $5.25

Appearance: 7/10

Draw: 19/20

Burn: 16/20

Flavor: 15/20

Complexity: 13/20

Burn Time: 5/10

Overall Score: 75/ Mediocre Cigar

Drew Estate Nica Rustica

Today we have the Drew Estate Nica Rustuca. It has a dark brown wrapper with visible seems and a few veins. It has a semi closed foot and a pig tail cap. The cigar looks very "rustic" it has a few nicks and tears and the color of it is lighter in some areas and darker in others. It comes in at 6 X 52. At first light, the draw is perfect with just the right amount of resistance.  On the draw there is a sweet earth and cedar. The finish has some black pepper flavor and zing accompanied  by a chocolate note. The flavors stay on the palate till the next draw and are at  medium to full in body. The burn is near razor sharp.

Two inches down and the draw remains the same, producing large amounts of smoke.  The flavors on the draw are the sweet earth and cedar. The finish has more of the sweet earth and a nice chocolate note. A leather comes in an  out every few puffs as well. Sometimes on the finish a citrus note comes in near the end. It's semi sweet and is usually dominated quickly by either the leather or the sweet earth. The body is still at a medium to full and the draw is still razor sharp.

Three and a half inches down now. The draw flavors remain the same as the last update. On the finish a semi sweet "smoked  wood" and leather dominates. The earth is in the mix as well but is quickly overshadowed by the "smoked wood" and leather notes. Every few puffs the chocolate and black pepper with citrus come in but the flavors quickly shift back to the "smoked wood". It's  very interesting combination of flavors that I'm enjoying alot. The body is now approaching full and the burn is still razor sharp.

With two inches left a fairly bitter nuttiness dominates the draw and finish flavors. I sat the cigar down for the last time at the one 1 hour and 18 minute mark. This cigar preformed very well for a $5 dollar stick. I will definitely be buying these again!!

For information on how I come up with my scores click HERE

Price: $5.25

Appearance: 7/10

Draw: 19/20

Burn: 19/20

Flavor: 18/20

Complexity: 17/20

Burn Time: 9/10

Overall Score: 89 /Good Cigar

La Herencia Cubana Oscuro Fuerte Robusto

Today we have the La Herencia Cubana Oscuro Fuerte in Robusto. This cigar has a dark brown oily wrapper with lots of veins and invisible seems. It comes in at 5.5 X 54.  After lighting the draw has a good amount of resistance. It's producing large amounts of smoke. The draw flavors are a nice black pepper flavor and zing with some sweet earthiness.  The finish is a sweet creamy earth and cedar with the black pepper flavor and zing coming in near the end. The finish flavors stay on the palate till the next draw. The body is at a medium. The burn through the first inch is a bit wavy.

Two inches down and not a lot has changed. The draw still has the black pepper flavor and zing with a naturally sweet earthiness. The finish is the sweet earth, black pepper flavor and zing and a nice coco that comes in late on the finish. The coco is soft and fades fairly quickly.  The body is at a medium full. The draw is still doing well. The burn did require a small touch up after the ash fell off.

With just over two inches to go some medium strength has come in giving me a little buzz. The smoke is starting to get warm and the pepper has really taken over. The burn has gone a little windy during the last two inches. I sat the cigar down for the last time at the 1 hour and 2 minute mark. For a budget cigar it preformed pretty well and had descent flavor.

To see information on my scoring click Here

Price: $4.25

Appearance: 9/10

Draw: 18/20

Burn: 16/20

Flavor: 16/20

Complexity: 14/20

Burn Time: 8/10

Overall Score: 81/ Enjoyable Cigar

Ratings System

Price: What I personally paid for the cigar, or the MSRP if cigar is gifted to me.

Appearance: 1-10- based on how the cigar appears, if it has nicks or tears, 

lots of veins, stretch marks, obvious seems, holes, etc.

Draw: 1-20- based on if the draw is to tight or to loose. Low score reflects negatively on how draw affected smoking experience.

Burn: 1-20- based on how well the cigar burns. Does it stay even, does it tunnel, does the cigar require a re-light. Low score reflects how the burn affected the smoking experience.

Flavor: 1-20-based on the flavors the cigar has, whether their pleasant, whether I enjoy it, or whether the flavors were unique. Will score low if the flavors are bitter, one dimensional, unappetizing..etc

Complexity: 1-20-based on how many flavors the cigar puts off,

Does it have more flavor then the average cigar, does the flavors change from draw to draw or inch to inch, are the flavors unique. Low score would reflect common flavors and no changing of flavor through the cigar.

Burn Time: 1-10- simply put: how long did it smoke for. Did it smoke longer or shorter than an average cigar of its size.

Overall Score: Added total from all categories out of 100

100-95: Fine Cigar
 95-90: Great Cigar
 90-85: Good Cigar
 85-80: Enjoyable Cigar
 80-75: Mediocre Cigar
 75-70: Poor Cigar
 70-_  : Dog Rocket

Stogie Binks Top 15 of 2014

It's that time of year again! This List will consist of My top 15 Cigars that I have smoked in 2014.  Some of them new to 2014 and some of them from years past. My top list will consist only of cigars I have reviewed and rated since January 2014. To be on this list the cigar must have been rated at a 92 or higher. I reviewed 70 cigars this year and these were my favorites!

#15

#14

#13

#12

#11

#10

#9

#8

#7

#6


TOP FIVE OF 2014

#5


#4


#3


#2


#1

Montecristo Monte Conde

Tonight we have the Montecristo Monte Conde. It has a medium brown wrapper with a large vein running down the back of the entire length of the cigar and invisible seems. It comes in at 5 1/2 X 48. At first light the draw is on the tight side but is producing good smoke output.  On the draw there is a spicy flavor and zing.  The finish has the spice notes mixed with a sweet and creamy cedar. Some leather rounds out the finish and the flavors are at a solid medium body, staying on my palate till the next draw.  The burn is fairly wavy but not an issue.

An inch down and the draw and finish flavors remain the same. The only real change is that the body is now at a medium to full and the flavors are all becoming bolder and lasting longer on the palate. The draw remains fairly tight but is still producing adequate smoke output. The burn has evened out and is performing nicely.

Two inches down and some flavor changes are occurring. The spice is still present on the draw. The finish flavors have the spice flavor and zing accompanied by the sweet and creamy cedar. The leather comes and goes every few draws. Some coco and baking spice notes comes in when the leather leaves.  The burn is still even and the draw remains slightly tight. The body remains at a medium to full.

With just over two inches left the cigar is getting mushy and the spice flavor and zing has come way up, dominating the draw and finish.  The body is now at a full. I sat the cigar down for the last time at the 1 hour and 5 minute mark.

Price: $8.75
Appearance: 87

Draw: 88

Burn: 90
Flavor: 92

Complexity: 88

Burn Time: 92

Overall Score: 90

Nica Libre Robusto (original band)

Today we have the Nica Libre in Robusto. This dark brown cigar has a few veins and tight invisible seems. It measures in at 5 1/2 X 50. After lighting, the draw is tight but producing adequate smoke output. There is a musty earth and black pepper on the draw.  The finish is a creamy coffee note with a faint coco coming in late on the finish. The body is at a medium. The burn is wavy and having trouble catching up on one side.

One inch down and the draw and finish flavors remain the exact same. The smoke is creamy and smooth and the flavors are enjoyable but consistent. The draw remains firm. The burn did catch itself up but is still uneven. The body has stayed at a medium.

Three inches down and a minor flavor shift happens on the finish. The musty earth and black pepper flavor remain on the draw. The finish still has the creamy coffee and coco notes. A leather comes in near the end of the finish and takes over till the next draw. The body is at a medium to full now and no strength is present. The burn did require one minor touch up after the second ash fell off. The draw is still producing adequate smoke output.

Now, with just over two inches left the flavors have turned bitter and warm adding in a chard tobacco flavor. I sat the cigar down for the last time at the 57 minute mark.

Price: $4.75
Appearance: 90

Draw: 87

Burn: 85

Flavor: 90

Complexity: 83

Burn Time: 88

Overall Score: 87

 

E.P. Carrillo Perez-Carrillo La Historia El Senador

This afternoon we have the La Historia. This cigar has a dark brown wrapper with visible veins and seems. It comes in at 5 3/8 X 52. After lighting the draw is a bit firm but producing an insane amount of smoke production. The draw flavors are a fairly intense black pepper flavor and zing. The finish is a sweet cedar with some roasted coffee notes mixed in every few draws.  The flavors stay on the palate till the next draw and is at a medium to full in body.  The burn is slightly wavy but not an issue through the first half inch or so.

Just over an inch down and some flavor shifts are occurring.  The draw still has the black pepper flavor and zing. The finish starts out with sweet cedar and roasted coffee. A few more puffs and a gritty earthiness starts to come in with a coco at the tail end. A few more puffs and a jalapeno flavor creeps in just behind the coco notes. It's a interesting combination, one I've never had before. The smoke is leaving a creamy texture in my mouth and is intense but very smooth. The body is now nearing a straight full. The burn has evened out considerably and is now burning slightly above average. The draw is still firm but producing huge plumes of smoke.

Three inches down and the jalapeno flavor has taken over on the draw. On the finish the earthiness is starting to overpower the sweet cedar, the roasted coffee and the coco. Accompanying the earthiness is a warm cashew nut flavor. The cigar is starting to get warm and a bit mushy. I sat it down for the last time at the one hour mark with around two inches left.

Price: $7.25

Appearance: 10/10

Draw: 18/20

Burn: 19/20

Flavor: 18/20

Complexity: 17/20

Burn Time: 10/10

Overall Score: 92 / Great Cigar

Padron 2000 Natural

Tonight we have the Padron 2000 Natural. This medium brown cigar comes in at 5 X50. It has a few veins and slightly visible seems. At first light a sweet and creamy cedar are the draw flavors. On the finish there is a black pepper flavor and zing accompanied by a semi sweet coffee note. The flavor last till the next draw and is at a medium body. The draw is completely open and I will have to make sure I do not heat it up to quickly when taking draws. The burn is slightly wavy but not an issue.

Two inches down and some flavor changes occur. The sweet creamy cedaar is still the draw flavor. The finish is the black pepper flavor and zing with a bakers chocolate. It compliments the semi sweet coffee that comes in and out every few draws. The body is still at a medium. The draw is still completely open. The burn is now razor sharp.

Three inches in and some more flavor shifts happen.  The draw now has the black pepper flavor and zing accompanied by the sweet creamy cedar. On the finish the coco and coffee come in and out every few puffs. A leather also comes  in and out as well on the finish. Also, the cigar is taking on a earthy and nutty combo on the finish. Every two or three puffs the flavors are changing and all of them are very enjoyable. The body is now at a medium to full. The burn and draw remain the same as the last update.

With one and a half inches left the nutty flavor has come to the forefront as well has the pepper zing. The cigar is extremely hot and mushy. I sat it down for the last time at the 49 minute mark. The flavors in this cigar were excellent. I enjoyed the flavors in this cigar more so than my review of the Padron 1964 exclusivo. My only complaint is the draw and the smoke time. I will definitely be buying more of this cigar and at $6.25 a stick, it's a absolute steal.

Price: $6.25
Appearance: 89

Draw: 85

Burn: 92

Flavor: 96

Complexity: 96

Burn Time: 84

Overall Score: 90