I am almost completely recovered…

Well, I think I have just about beat this goddamn headcold…   Unfortunately, my palate is not quite up for a review yet.  I did smoke a hell of a cigar to test things out though — a Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona from 2004.  Some really wonderful Cuban twang and flavors – at the same time smooth and refined.  I couldn’t pick out a lot of what I thought I should be able to, so I am going to maybe try a review in the next few days and see how things go.

Thanks for your patience…   I am trying to find some interesting cigars to review at the moment.  There are so many new offerings, that I am having a hell of a time figuring out what I should try to locate and buy.

Is there anything that any of you would like to see me review?  Let me know, and I will be happy to add it to my list assuming I can find it around here or online.

Cheers,
~B~

Down for the week…

Well…   I was hoping to get a review in, but it just doesn’t look like it is in the cards.  I am feeling the beginnings of some kind of head cold/sickenss, and I need to try and fight it off.  My palate won’t be much good for a review for the next few days at least.

I hope to get a RASS in tonight for good measure though…   

Keep reading the other cigar blogs I have linked, and I will start reviews again as soon as I get through this!

Thanks to those who read this little blog, I appreciate it!

~Bill

Punch Robusto 2005 Edición Regional Suiza

Punch Robusto 2005 Edición Regional – Suiza (Switzerland)
Size: 4.9” x 50
Age: (Box code unknown.)
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Date: 09-13-08
Smoke Time: 73 minutes

Thanks go to Alex of CCF for the opportunity to try this cigar!

Prelight:
A light caramel-colored wrapper with no major veins or defects at all.  The cigar appeared to be well packed with no noticeable hard or soft spots.  Prelight aroma was light and cedary with some floral and sweet elements.  The balance was great, and the aroma was very pleasing.  The prelight flavor was light and refreshing – there were light tobacco flavors complimented by a honeysuckle sweetness and touch of cinnamon.

1/3:
Though the draw was a touch tighter than I prefer, it did not present any problems or distraction at all.  It started with pleasant mild flavors – cedar with a smooth creaminess and straight tobacco flavors.

2/3:
The smooth cedary and creamy flavors continued.  Additional flavors developed as this third did – toast and a touch of grass.

3/3:
The light and smooth flavors continued, and a slight butterscotch-like sweetness developed just as I reached the band.  There was a slight intesnification of flavors in the last inch or so – there was a very slight bite of spice, but it did not become anything significant.  I was able to smoke this cigar to the nub without it heating up much at all.

Overall:
A pleasant mild cigar that would be excellent in the morning or at lunchtime.  The delicate and mild flavors would not be able to stand up to a full-flavored meal or beverage.  Well worth a try for a change of pace.

Gran Habano 3 Siglos Gran Robusto

Gran Habano 3 Siglos Gran Robusto
Size: 6 x 54
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Shade Grown)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia
Date: 09-06-08
Smoke Time: 76 minutes

Prelight:
A very nice looking cigar.  The dark brown wrapper had a nice oily sheen.  The head was triple capped and very flat.  The wrapper was very smooth to the touch, with no major veins or defects at all.  Prelight aroma had lots of hay with some toast.  At the foot, the aroma was candied fruit and straight tobacco.  The prelight taste was dominated by straight tobacco and grass, with a touch of mint.

 

1/3:
The cigar started right off with thick volumes of smoke and a dose of pepper, though not the spicy bite that is normally associated with peppery flavors.  This was very subtle, with just the slightest hint of a bite at the midpoint of my palate.  There were some nice woody flavors with bitter chocolate as well.  Overall, it started off as a very smooth cigar with no harsh flavors at all.

 

2/3:
The flavors in the second third were remarkably similar to those in the first third.  I guess this wasn’t so bad, as the flavors in the first third were pretty good.  The cigar remained smooth, and the subtle peppery flavor remained in the background.  A slight sweetness did develop at the midpoint of the second third, along with some cinnamon and allspice flavors.

 

3/3:
The flavors finally started to change in the last third.  The spiciness moved to the forefront, but it was still not overpowering at all.   The rest of the flavors did intensify a bit, but to be honest it was not that exciting or different than the first two thirds.

 

Overall:
A good cigar.  The blend provided with a nice flavor profile that had a solid medium body.  My only complaint is that it remained relatively flat throughout just about the whole cigar, with the only major change occurring in the middle of the last third.  I would like to try the Gran Corona (6 x 44) and see how the smaller size works with this blend.

Me and Cigar Magazine…

So a little while back, I decided to throw my hat in the ring when Cigar Magazine called for reviewers for their “Many Faces Of…” feature.

I was shocked that I was picked, especially since I had lat my subscription run out over a year before.  Anyway, I was informed that it was going to be “Many Faces of CAO”, and I received a load of CAO cigars to smoke and review.

My feelings were quite honestly mixed, as I have not had the best CAO experieneces in the world, aside from the Brazilias (which I do enjoy).

I was determined to be HONEST, and typed up my reviews and sent them in.  I had a couple of positive things to say about a couple of the cigars, and a lot of not so positive things.

Well, I just found out that one of my comments made it to print – and not one of the more positive comments suprisingly enough…    It was a comment I made about a CAO Sopranos Soldier – here it is:

 

 

 

Well, I said I was going to be honest, didn’t I? 

 

Padilla Series ’68 Lancero

Padilla Series ’68 Lancero
Size: 7 x 38
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Corojo)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Date: 08-31-08
Smoke Time: 70 minutes

I picked up a few different Padilla Lanceros at a Padilla event at Cigar Monkey in Merced, CA on Thursday, August 28.  They were sampling the Series ’68 Toros that night…   I enjoyed the cigar, and was curious to see how the blend would be in a Lancero.  I was not disappointed!

Prelight:
A well-constructed lancero with no knots or soft spots.  The wrapper was an oily medium brown with no major veins or defects.  The cigar had a pigtail cap.  Prelight aroma had lots of cedar with a little barnyard and a touch of spice.  Prelight flavor had pungent spice flavors and notes of top soil.

1/3:
The cigar started off right away with thick, billowing clouds of smoke.  It opened up with a pleasant medium-bodied woody flavor with some spiciness at the back of my palate and creeping up into my nose.  There were also some notes of hay.

A nice peppery spiciness started at the end of the first third.  It was just at the tip of my tongue and not overpowering at all.  This peppery bite was a great compliment to the flavor profile.

2/3:
The peppery spiciness maintained its level, and actually widened out from the tip of my tongue to include my lips and the front of my palate at well.  The woody flavor became deeper, almost to the point of earthiness.  A slight touch of grassiness also developed as well.

3/3:
The final third was much different than I was expecting.  I am accustomed to the final third building in intensity and strength.  This cigar actually smoothed out in the final third.  All of the woody, spicy, and earthy flavors were still there, but they were smoother with a creamy-like overtone.  Very nice.

Overall:
A very enjoyable lancero.  It had a solid medium body and a good blend and balance of flavors.   It never became overpowering or harsh, and actually became smoother and more refined in the final third.  At approximately $5-7 each, it is definitely worth considering for a future purchase.