DTT Mi Querida Ancho Largo

Today we have the Mi Querida Ancho Largo. This cigar has a dark brown wrapper with a few veins and a invisible seems.  It comes in at 6 X 52. After lighting, the draw is perfect, producing large plumes of smoke.  The draw flavors are a bold black pepper and cinnamon.  The finish starts out earthy, and goes into a cinnamon and coco combo with the black pepper coming in to round everything out.  This is one tasty cigar! The body is at a medium to full and the flavors on the finish stay on the palate long into the next draw.  The burn is good, not razor sharp but it does not require any attention.

Two inches down the cigar and some flavor changes have happened.  The draw still has the cinnamon and black pepper flavor and tingle sensation on the palate.  The finish continues to be VERY rich with earth, coco, cinnamon and black pepper.  Every few puffs or so a sweet leathery note comes in.  The entire profile is getting richer as the cigar burns down but not as heavy on the palate. It's still at a medium to full body.  The burn remains good, not prefect but still not presenting any issues.

Four inches down.  The draw has seen the black pepper flavor and tingle sensation die down a bit.  A rich earth and cinnamon still remain.  The finish still has the rich earth, cinnamon, coco and leather.  A roasted coffee bean flavor has started to emerge and is the new dominant flavor on the finish.  The flavors are are very pleasant and a overall sweetness is building.  The cigar is at a full body now.  The flavors are long lasting.  The burn is still good.

Two inches remain, and the cigar is near the end.  I wish it would go on for days.  The flavors all still remain.  The cigar never got washed out by warm flavors and never got hot.  The cigar burned for 1 hour a 30 minutes.  Overall, and in my opinion, I think this is a prefect representation of what a broad leaf maduro cigar should taste like.

Be sure to check out Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust's website for more information on their great cigars!

Price: $9.45

Appearance: 9/10

Draw: 20/20

Burn: 18/20

Flavor: 19/20

Complexity: 19/20

Burn Time: 10/10

Overall Score:  95 / Fine Cigar

E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Natural 52

This evening we have the E.P. Carrillo Cardinal Natural 52.  This cigar had a dark tan wrapper with a few visible veins and visible seems.  It looks fairly rugged in appearance.  It comes in at 5 X 52.  After lighting, the draw is near perfect, producing large amounts of smoke output.  The draw has a large amount of black pepper spice, with some heavy black pepper and red pepper on the retro-hale.  The finish is red and black pepper with a sweet cedar.  The body is medium to full and they flavors stay on the palate till the next draw.  The burn is slightly wavy but not an issue.

One inch down and the cigar starts to change.  The draw still has the red and black pepper spiciness.  The retro-hale is still powerful with the black and red pepper spice as well.  The finish sees the spiciness dropping off but still faint in the background.  A sweet creamy cedar followed by some earthiness and toasted caramel start to pop up on the finish.  The flavors are all easy to pick out and switch back and forth on which one dominates the finish from draw to draw.  Its a very unique combination.  The body is still at a medium to full.  The burn still remains wavy but doesn't require any touch ups or attention.

Two inches down not much has changed.  The only addition at this point is on the finish.  I nice smooth leathery taste has started to accompany the creamy cedar, earthiness, and toasted caramel.  The cigars flavors are very smooth and are starting to intensify.  The body has risen to full.  A small strength kick is starting to come in.  The strength is mild to medium but is just powerful enough to let you know its there with a slightly head rush.

With just over an inch to go the cigars starts to get to warm and a chard tobacco and black pepper flavor are all the remain.  I sat the cigar down at the 1 hour and 5 minutes.  This cigar had classic E.P. Carrillo flavor's that I have come to really enjoy.  If anyone ever asked me what E.P. Carrillo cigars taste like I would recommend that they try this cigar to find out.  This was a very enjoyable and fairly complex cigar that had the same flavors throughout but presented them differently on the finish from draw to draw, a truly great cigar!

Price: $7.50

Appearance: 8/10

Draw: 20/20

Burn: 18/20

Flavor: 19/20

Complexity: 18/20

Burn Time: 10/10

Overall Score:  93 / Great Cigar

Padron Family Reserve No.45 Maduro

Tonight we have a cigar that I have been waiting to try for a very long time.  The Padron Family Reserve No.45 Maduro.  This cigar is dark brown and boxed pressed.  It has no visible veins and invisible seems.  It comes in at 6 X 52.  After lighting, the draw is perfect producing a large amount of smoke with just the right amount of resistance. On the initial draw a large amount of black pepper spice is present.  It gives a tingle sensation on the palate.  The finish is a bold earth, black pepper, and cedar.  The body is full and the burn is perfect through the first inch.

Two inches down and the black pepper is starting to calm down on the draw.  Its only half as potent as it was to start with.  The finish has seen a the earth turn into a sweet earth that is transitioning into a chocolate note.  Black pepper flavor and tinge is still present.  A few more puffs and a coffee note is starting to mix with the chocolate for a mocha flavor.  The best description I can give for the over all flavor combo is a spicy mocha late.  Its very desert like and rich.  The body is still a full and the flavors stay on the palate long into the next draw.  The burn remains razor sharp.

Three inches down and the flavors are getting richer.  The black pepper on the draw and retro hale are still powerful but not nearly as bold as it was on first light.  The finish still has the spicy mocha late note.  Every few puffs or so a leather note starts to come in.  The leather is bold and is a nice addition to the spicy mocha late flavors.  The draw remains perfect, the burn remains top notch.

I have an inch left of the cigar and its just starting to get to warm to smoke.  The flavors never stoped pouring out of this cigar. The smoke stayed cool all the way down to the nub and the flavors remained delicious.  I sat the cigar down for the last time at the 1 hour and 30 minute mark.  I wish this cigar was a mile long and I could smoke it forever.  The desert like flavors were delicious, sweet, rich, and tasty.

Price: $28.00

Appearance: 10/10

Draw: 20/20

Burn: 20/20

Flavor: 20/20

Complexity: 17/20

Burn Time: 10/10

Overall Score:  97 / Fine Cigar

Stogie Bink's HIGHEST rated cigar so far!

E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Brillantes

Today we have the E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Brillantes.  This cigar has a light tan wrapper with no visible veins and a slightly visible seems.  It comes in at 5 X 50.  After lighting, the draw is perfect, producing a large amount of smoke output.  The draw flavors are a fairly spicy black pepper and earth.  A semi sweet, and creamy textured cedar dominate the finish with the black pepper flavor and tingle sensation come in towards the end.  The body is at a mild to medium and the flavors fade away fairly quickly.  The burn through the first inch is razor sharp.

Just over 2 inches down and not much has changed.  The cedar and black pepper spice is still the initial flavors through the draw.  The finish is still a creamy textured and now creamy flavored cedar.  A sweet tobacco note has also come in and is a nice complement to the cream and cedar.  The flavors are all melting together nicely.  The cigar is very smooth and is a delightful experience.  The body is holding at a medium and the flavors are starting to stay on the palate longer.  The burn remains razor sharp.

With just over an Inch left, the draw flavors remain the same.  The finish is seeing a warm leather note come in.  The black pepper flavor and tingle sensation is starting to become harsh. The body is still at a medium and the burn remains razor sharp.  I sat the cigar down for the last time at the 1 hour and 2 minute mark. Overall, this cigar was one of the better Connecticut's I have ever smoked.  It had just enough to keep it interesting and keep my attention.  Another great thing about this cigar is that it delivers a great smoking experience for all palates. It also as a $4.49 price tag, which is an amazing deal!

Price: $4.49

Appearance: 10/10

Draw: 20/20

Burn: 20/20

Flavor:  16/20

Complexity: 15/20

Burn Time: 10/10

Overall Score:  91 / Great Cigar

DE Liga Privada No.9 Toro

Today we have the Drew Estate Liga Privada No.9 Toro.  This cigar has a dark brown wrapper with no visible veins or seems.  Its a very attractive cigar.  After lighting, the draw is fairly firm and is not giving off very good smoke output.  The draw flavors are creamy cedar and black pepper, the retro hale is fairly light on the black pepper.  The finish flavors have earth, black pepper, and cedar.  A few more puffs and raisin flavor with a sweet tobacco start to dominate the finish.  The cigar is at a medium to full in body and the flavors stay on the palate long into the next draw.  The burn is razor sharp, in fact its unbelievably sharp.

One inch down the cigar and some flavor changes start to happen.  The draw has opened up, its not giving off an acceptable amount of smoke.  The draw flavors has a creamy earth and cedar with black pepper.  The sweet tobacco and raisin come in first on the finish. Through the retro hale, black pepper and chocolate cashew nuttiness come in and fades away pretty quickly.  A few more puffs and some dark chocolate comes in on the finish which is a nice compliment to the earth, raisin, and sweet tobacco.  Its a unique combination of flavors that I cant say i have had before in any cigar that I have smoked. The body is at a medium to full leaning towards full.  The burn remains razor sharp

Four inches down and another transition happens.  The draw still has the cedar, earth, and black pepper. Although the black pepper has come down just a bit.  A chocolaty earth and creamy is now dominating the finish.  A sweet tobacco note continues to come in and out between draws but the chocolaty note is dominating.  The sweet raisin also comes in every few puffs but is now fading quickly.  The chocolate cashew nuttiness is still on the retro, but the black pepper takes over on the retro hale.  The burn remains perfect.

With just over two inches left the cigars flavors are getting washed out by a warm chard tobacco and leather taste.  I sat the cigar down for the last time at the 1 hour and 22 minute mark.  Overall, this cigar was very tasty.  It was my first Liga No.9 and it will not be my last.

Price: $13.49

Appearance: 10/10

Draw: 17/20

Burn: 20/20

Flavor:  18/20

Complexity: 18/20

Burn Time: 10/10

Overall Score:  93 / Great Cigar

Crowned Heads Le Careme Canonazo

Today we have the Crowned Heads Le Careme Canonazo.  This cigar has a dark brown wrapper with a few veins and visible seems.  It measures in at 5 7/8 X 52.  After lighting, the draw is near perfect delivering a large amount of smoke out put.  The draw flavors are earthy and slightly bitter.  The finish has an earthiness and continues the bitterness.  A few more puffs and the same flavors remain but a nice spiciness is coming through, especially through the nose on the retro hale.  The body is at a medium and the burn is not razor sharp but isn't causing any problems either.

One and a half inches in, the cigar starts to come alive a little.  A sweetness has shown up on the draw which has now seen the bitterness completely leave.  The finish is earthy with a sweet tobacco note, black pepper spice, and a bit of a dark bakers chocolate is starting to come in.  The body is up to a medium to full.  The burn continues to not be perfect but not an issue.

Two inches in and some more flavor shifts happen.  The draw sees the black pepper spice die way down.  The finish continues with the sweet earth and tobacco notes.  The bakers chocolate has come way up to be the main flavor dominating the finish.  Its sweet and desert like.  After a few more puffs the spice starts to come back in a little bit but the bakers chocolate is still the dominating.  The body is medium to full and the burn and draw remain excellent with no construction issues.

Three inches down and the sweetness, earth, and bakers chocolate have really come to the forefront, dominating the draw and finish.  Every few puffs a black pepper spice compliments the dark bakers chocolate and gives it a sweet and spicy combo.  The mouth feel of the smoke is getting thicker as well.  The overall body of flavors on the finish kind of remind me of a chocolate lava cake.  Its very rich, creamy, and sweet.  The body is up to a full and the draw and burn remain excellent.

With just over an inch left the cigar started to get to warm and mushy and had a scorched tobacco and caramel flavor.  I sat the cigar down for the last time at the 1 hour and 24 minute mark.  Overall, this cigar was a tasty morsel. If they were going for a chocolate souffle, they definitely succeeded. I tend to like smaller ring gauges, so I'm definitely looking forward to trying he corona gorda size!

Visit Crowned Heads.com for more information on this cigar and their other lines!

Price: $8.95

Appearance: 9/10

Draw: 20/20

Burn: 18/20

Flavor:  18/20

Complexity: 18/20

Burn Time: 10/10

Overall Score:  93 / Great Cigar