Esteban Carreras '13 Years Habano' Maduro Robusto. 5x52. Excellent build with straight edges, some subdued veins. Dark roasted oily wrap with a nutty, dark herbal aroma. Cut and lit well. Pre-light draw was a little tough. Post-light draw soon became slightly easier, settling on a medium draw.

First half tastes of earth, cured light wood, cocoa powder, bitter leaf on the exhale. Second half tastes of almond wood, ground coffee, walnut, black pepper notes on the sustain. Ash was clean, light gray, holding over an inch with ease. Burn was fairly even across with little maintenance.

This is a rich, solid cigar, a maduro with a deep, roasty, earthy filler complemented by a round, balanced wrapper taste, something surely earned from its 13 years of aging. A full-bodied smoke that starts strong, but gradually evens out on the palate with a flavor profile that has several shifts in expression. Woods, dank spices, earth, coffee, raw chocolate. A wonderful afternoon smoke. Well recommended.


From the company:

"Premium Esteban Carreras Habano cigars are bold and delicious Nicaraguan puros highlighted by a seamless, 13-year old vintage Habano wrapper that’s gleaming with oil. One of the strongest blends in the popular Esteban Carreras portfolio, these powerhouse cigars, featured in five popular sizes, all boast immaculate construction, a crisp even burn, and an effortless draw. After lighting, the cigar aficionado will experience a feast of fabulous full-bodied flavors that include coffee, nuts, cinnamon, dried fruit, earth, and cocoa."

[source: jrcigars.com]

Surrogates 'Tramp Stamp' Robusto. 5.2x48. Good build, straight lines, some pronounced veins. Toasty dark brown wrap that covers the foot. Cut well and lit well. Could judge the pre-light draw due to the wrapped foot. Post-light, draw was medium-tight in the first third, slightly looser from there.

First half tastes of leather, pepper, hard wood, bitter herbal on the exhale. Second half is cut cedar, strong leaf, ground coffee, harsh spice. Ash is marbled with distinct striping, holding over an inch. Burn was uneven at first but was corrected soon after, though it required a watchful eye to the end.

This is a solid, full-bodied cigar, filled with heavy flavors that pushes the line. A ton of wood and leaf taste coupled with a rising spice make for a bold profile that is miles from mild. Not a Maduro but certainly closer to one than most. If you like peppery smokes, this one's for you. Recommended.

From the company:

"Introducing the next project from L'Atelier cigars, Surrogates. Blended by Pete Johnson, and crafted in Don Pepin's My Father factory in Nicaragua, each Surrogate was masterfully created to serve up four unique and completely different experiences. This time around, their goal was simple. To create a new series of cigars, limited-edition in nature, that would be readily available to the consumer without breaking the bank. Tramp Stamp: Medium-bodied and teetering towards medium to full. Layers of cedar, coffee, nutmeg, leather, and a dash of spice. Featuring: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper, Nicaraguan long-fillers, and a covered foot."

[source: cigarsinternational.com]

Gran Habano 'Gran Reserva #5' 2010. 6x50. Nice build with straight lines and smoothed veins. Cedar wrapped. V-cut was flawless. Light took a minute but wasn't a issue. Medium draw pre- and post-flame. 

First third was oak, leather, roasted leaf. Second third adds earthy, herbal notes, almond, mild ground spice, with a creamy mouthfeel. Final third is smooth herbal, soft wood, round and nutty on the exhale. Ash is mostly marbled but with some dark spots. Burn was slightly uneven through the midpoint, requiring some touch-ups.

This was an excellent cigar, a well-aged, big smoke with a myriad of bold flavors. The construction was excellent, with a perfect cut and packed fill that needed more flame but was worth the extra attention for its dense draws of flavor. The complex taste roamed continually down the stick, with nice round, mild notes supporting a big earthy leaf expression. Not a perfect cigar, but its strengths more than make up for its shortcomings. Well recommended, if you can find it.

From the company:

"Gran Reserva is back - bigger and bolder than ever. Gran Habano Gran Reserva #5 2010 continues the tradition of the well-aged Gran Habano Gran Reserva line. This version was rolled three years ago - back in 2010 - using a rich blend of vintage tobaccos aged 7 to 8 years prior. But what's most different about this installment is the strength, a full-bodied handmade with plenty of power. Additionally, some chunky big-ring size options are present and relatively affordable considering the healthy amount of costly vintage tobaccos rolled within.

To craft this blend, an 8-year-aged Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper, a 7-year-aged Nicaraguan binder, and an 8-year-aged all Nicaraguan long-filler blend are used. This combination offers a rich and hearty blend that's chock-full of spices, earth, espresso, and wood. Mellowed slightly by time, but still safely in the fuller-bodied spectrum, Gran Habano Gran Reserva #5 displays an elegant smoothness backed by ample flavor."

[source: cigarsinternational.com]

Espinosa 'Crema' Toro Grande. 6x56. Good build overall with a light brown wrap, mostly smooth surface, a few pronounced veins. Cut was okay, a brief bit of unraveling. Lit well, roasted with a match. Easy draw pre- and post-flame.

First third is walnut, bright fresh leaf, pepper on the back end. Second third is light wood, earth, almond, creamy mouthfeel. Last third is spice blend, light cloves, thicker woods taste, deeper pepper, but not harsh or bitter.

Ash held over an inch and was marbled well, mostly clean, light gray. Burn was uneven at the foot, but quickly corrected with ease and was even throughout.

This is an excellent cigar, a mild, creamy smoke with a gradual rise in spice and herb. An even wood expression all the way through, with background pepper and tree nuts that never overpowers. Excellent draw for such a wide gauge. Good balance, mellow and round all across. A nice session indeed. Highly recommended.

"The ​Espinosa Crema is the first Connecticut offering in the Espinosa Portfolio.  The Crema is made with Nicaraguan binders and fillers and wrapped in a beautiful Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.  The cigar is creamy, with a nice balance of nuts and spices."

[source: espinosacigars.com]

Esteban Carreras '211' Sixty. 6x60. Medium brown wrap. Good build with straight lines and well smoothed veins and edges. Cut and lit well. Punch cut today. Medium-easy draw pre- and post-light.  

First third tastes of bright herbal spice, white pepper, mild tobacco. Second third is raw almond, botanical, slightly bitter herbal on the exhale. Final third is walnut, cured leaf, allspice. Ash is marbled well, chunky, flaky, denoting a cut leaf fill. Ash held over an inch well. Burn was uneven at the foot, evened out in the first third, wandered slightly off-course again passing the midpoint.

This is a fine smoke, middle of the road between its brethren, the 5150 (a mild, balanced smoke that I loved) and the 187 (nearly too harsh for me). It's a mild cigar with bright spice notes, a flat white pepper expression, and nutty tones going into the second half. I smoked it at a leisurely pace and the pepper was present throughout without becoming too bitter or otherwise harsh. It was enjoyable all across while still maintaining that spice bouquet, a balance many mild spice cigars fail to achieve. Good stuff. Well recommended.

From the company:

“211. A light to medium cigar with hints of toasted almond and a touch of white pepper spice. The De Florado wrapper keeps the flavor consistent from start to finish.”

[source: estebancarreras.com]

Foundation 'Charter Oak' Grande. CT Broadleaf. 6x60. Excellent construction with well subdued veins and ends. Medium-dark brown wrap with darker shades. Cut and lit well. Straight cut provided an easy draw pre- and post-flame. The wrapped foot roasted well, readying the cigar promptly. 

First third tastes of cedar, almond, faint sweet bread, earthy spice on the exhale. Second third includes fresh leaf, pepper notes, walnut, botanical herbal. Final third has more wood expression, further walnut and pepper but still balanced well. 

Mouthfeel was creamy from midway through the first third, continuing well to the band. Overall taste was mild-plus, round, balanced. Ash was clean, holding two inches with ease. Burn was mostly even, particularly in the second third, with little maintenance on my part. 

This is an excellent cigar at any price point, but stands tall within its value range. It smokes and tastes like an exclusive, expensive cigar. It’s also one of those smokes that has no “put it down” point. It never goes over the cliff with strong bitter pepper. From end to end, it’s rich, creamy, woodsy, spiced, and slightly sweet, developing a balance throughout. 

The combination of Connecticut broadleaf with Nicaraguan fill makes for a medium-to-full bodied smoke with an inviting rich taste that’s bold but not overpowering, a taste that both a long-time connoisseur and a first-timer can agree upon. A superb smoke that made for a nice lunchtime break. Highly recommended.

From the company:

"Foundation Cigar President Nick Melillo announces the completion of his newest brand, Charter Oak, set for release at the 2016 IPCPR Show in Las Vegas. Charter Oak also pays tribute to Melillo’s grandfather, who while earning a modest salary working for the Winchester Repeating Arms factory after WWII, smoked exclusively, broadleaf cigars manufactured by FD Graves on State St, while, no joke, Rick Ardito’s grandfather, a guard at Winchester, also smoked FD Graves biggest selling broadleaf, Muniemakers."

[source: foundationcigarcompany.com]

Gurkha 'Beauty' Super Toro. 6.5x56. Light-medium brown wrap. Good construction, straight lines, smoothed veins and leaf ends. Cut and lit well. Medium draw pre-light, slightly easier soon after flame.

First third tastes of mild tobacco, cut wood, leafy herb, notes of allspice. Second third is more botanical, round, creamy on the exhale. Final third is earthy, woodsy, walnut, faint pepper. Aroma is roasty, nutty, cured leaf. Ash is marbled well, holding near two inches. Even burn throughout. Consistent medium draw to the band.

This is a lovely mild smoke, a well rounded, balanced taste wrapped in a big stick. The profile is full and complex, sustaining flavor down past the midpoint without succumbing to a bitter peppery cliff. Great balance of mild yet surely present tastes. A great hour smoke. Well recommended.

From the company:

"A work of art from Gurkha. Built for the true connoisseur, Gurkha Beauty is a sophisticated, mild-bodied cigar loaded with elegant and enjoyable flavors. Each patiently crafted cigar comes attractively packaged inside a heavy, opaque glass tube....incredible presentation, the norm for Gurkha cigars. Utilized is an ultra-rare blend of 5-year old tobaccos and a superior Connecticut-seed wrapper that might bring a tear to your eye. Beauty offers a divine experience that’s deep in rich, luxurious flavors. Limited, rare and truly one-of-a-kind, the Beauty is a wonderful new addition to Gurkha’s high-profile Special-Edition series. A must-try for those enthusiasts looking to treat themselves to one of life's finer pleasures."

[source: cigarsinternational.com]

Villiger 'La Capitana' Robusto. 4.75x52. Medium brown wrap. Decent construction with straight lines, some prominent veins and ends. Footer tapers to a box press. Cut well. Light took a few extra rounds but roasted well once lit.

First half tastes of bright herbal spice, earthy tones on fresh leaf. Second half tastes of leather, light wood, almond. Slight bitter finish toward the band. Full body. Aroma is roasted hard wood. Ash was light gray, chunky, flaky. Burn was uneven in the first half, evening out mid point.

This is a nice bright session smoke, strong for its shade with plenty of spice and fresh tobacco taste. The build quality was not pristine but worthy with a decent burn. Far from world class, but still a nice 45-minute smoke that has some nice quality. Mildly recommended.

From the company:

"Oh captain, my captain. The Villiger legacy can be traced all the way back to 1888, and even in present day the company is family owned and operated. La Capitana is hand-rolled with perfection, while keeping great focus on quality. La Capitana features a luscious dark chocolate colored Habano-seed Colorado wrapper overtop a bold mix of Nicaraguan long-fillers. Notes of spice and citrus with a slight hint of chocolate are present in good measure, and the overall flavor experience is bold and eventful. This Nicaraguan puro is powerful and memorable, much like the mighty sea. Set sail to flavor town and enjoy smooth sailing from here on out."
[source: cigarsinternational.com]

J.Fuego 'Americana' Petit Corona. 5x44. Dark Maduro wrap. Nice rugged construction, almost cheroot. Mostly smooth lines with a couple of pronounced veins. Double tapered shape lies somewhere between a presidente and a perfecto, with an open crown. Easy draw pre- and post-light. Lit well.

First half tastes of dark herbal, toasted hard wood, walnut shell, earthy spice notes over a distant pepper exhale. Second half is well cured roasty leaf, dark wood, with more of a pepper/spice expression that is balanced well. Medium-full body. Creamy, toasty, nutty sustain. Ash is well marbled, holding over an inch with ease. Mostly even burn all across with little maintenance.

This is an excellent cigar, a leisurely smoke that I managed to enjoy on my lunch hour. The taste is creamy, roasty, with herbal notes and a well balanced background pepper all across. A full-bodied smoke to be sure, one with plenty to maduro qualities, yet balanced enough for those who enjoy milder sticks. Would be a great bridge to darker, more robust cigars.

Lastly, this cigar is one of those precious few stogies that has no "turning point," no point at which the taste becomes bitter or over-the-cliff peppery. The flavor is pleasurable and fairly consistent from end to end, and I tend to smoke my sticks down to the nub. A wonderful lunch-hour smoke. Highly recommended.

Special thanks to Gary of Perfect Blend for providing this excellent new cigar. They're one of my regular cigar lounges in the heart of the Tower District, and this cigar was featured at their recent CigarFest event.

From the company:

"Jesus Fuego, owner of J. Fuego cigars stopped by not too long ago and luckily he was not empty handed. He was packing his newest creation, the J. Fuego Americana. This cigar is a super premium blend made in small batches featuring a Pennsylvania Sun Grown Broadleaf wrapper paired with a Corojo binder from Costa Rica and a filler blend of Honduran Corojo and Nicaraguan Criollo. The J. Fuego Americana is a bold, full-bodied cigar, featuring a perfect dose of pepper spice from the Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper, while the filler blend rounds out the strength from this powerhouse wrapper giving the cigar wonderful balance. The J. Fuego Americana will be released in four sizes: 5 x 50 Robusto, 6 x 54 Toro, 7 x 58 Grande and the popular 5 x 44 Originals size that come in the paper-wrapped five-packs. All sizes besides the Originals come in twelve-count boxes. For those of you who like bold full bodied smokes, don't sleep on this cigar."

[source: atlanticcigar.com]

"True Americana wrapped to order. With the history that Jesus Fuego has under his belt, it’s safe to say he has tobacco coursing through his veins. Boasting a lineage running back to 1876, the Fuego family has been knee deep in the leaf since Mark Twain was riding steamboats down the Mississippi. Today, J. Fuego continues to shell out one tremendous blend after another. And the cigar on the chopping block in front of us is described by J. Fuego as being satisfyingly rich and full-bodied (a statement not to be taken lightly coming from the man himself), enter J. Fuego Americana. Gently wrapped in a Pennsylvania Sun Grown wrapper leaf, and housing a sturdy Costa Rican binder, Americana play host to a bevy of potent long-fillers including Nicaraguan and Honduran Corojos. A dual band design scheme accents the gorgeous wrapper leaf perfectly, giving Americana a unique look all its own. Its flavor profile is showcased by hearty notes of sweet spice, oak, and leather, with a hint of black cherry hitting the tip of the tongue. A true winner for ‘Merica and every other country that has the privilege of enjoying this gem, J. Fuego Americana is a must try."

[source: cigarsinternational.com]

Cheap Bastard Corona. 5.5x42. Good build with straight lines and smoothed veins. Medium brown wrap with scattered dark shades. Cut and lit well. Cigar came pre-punched but I cut it wider at the shoulder. Smooth draw pre- and post-light. Lightweight, loose fill.

First half tastes of mild leaf, light wood, earthy. Second half includes mild herbal spice, thin leather, walnut on the back end. Flavor was pleasant down to the band with no harsh bitter tastes. Slight oil feel on the wrap. Ash was clean, holding over an inch. Burn was mostly even throughout with a few corrections needed.

This is a nice little cheap cigar, often the cheapest in the shop. It has a very easy draw, mostly due to its very light fill, with plenty of mild flavors throughout. None of the flavors sing, but there are enough to keep the smoke interesting. This stick comes from a cigar shop, but is priced like a gas station stogie. Not a great smoke, but worthy for its price point. Recommended.

From the company:

"If ever there was a time for a good inexpensive cigar to come along...it's now. Cheap Bastard Cigars to the rescue. 100% hand made Dominican Republic cigars rolled in the traditional Cuban Sandwich style. With a silky Sumatra or Maduro outer wrapper and a special blending of three select tobaccos of medium and long filler, the Cheap Bastard Cigar delivers a mild to medium smoke with lot's of flavor, smoothness, even burn and great aroma that is not only easy on the palate, but most importantly... easy on your wallet."

[source: factorydirectcigars.com]

Arturo Fuente 'Exquisito' Maduro. 4.5x33. Cut and lit well. Easy-medium draw pre- and post-light. Good build with mostly straight lines and some pronounced veins. Appearance is similar to a cheroot.

First half tastes of scorched leaf, dark herbal, bright earthy spice on the exhale. Second half is round, nutty, hard wood tones, peppery back end. Ash is mix of lights and darks, holding a bit over an inch. Even burn all across. 

This is a great little cigarillo, a half-hour Maduro with plenty of dark roasty herb and spice flavors. Lately, this has been one of my go-to smokes during lunch when I have about 30 minutes to relax. Nice easy draw throughout, mild filler taste with a rich, maduro wrap. Very good. I can imagine always having a bundle of these on hand. Well recommended.

From the company:

"Made from the same tobacco as Hemingways and 8-5-8, this cigar has great taste and aroma. It has a medium filler and a Maduro wrapper. It is a small cigar for those times when you only have time for a quick smoke, but still want that unbeatable Fuente flavor."

[source: thompsoncigar.com]

Caldwell 'Blind Man's Bluff' Toro. 6x52. Medium brown wrap. Good construction with smoothed leaf ends and mostly subdued veins. Cut and lit well. Easy-medium draw pre- and post-light, getting easier with the burn. 

First half tastes of wheat bread, herbal leaf, mild earthy spice. Aroma is mild leaf with bright herb notes, leather. Second half offers more wood taste with walnut and rounded leaf notes. Mouthfeel is warm and creamy all across, with a gentle wood and spice expression. 

Ash was very clean, nearly all light gray, flaky, blooming and holding over an inch. Burn was uneven at first but was corrected soon after with a secondary light.

This is a superb mild cigar. It's creamy from the start, unlike the recent Connecticut Kreme I had, which needed to burn its way toward an eventual creamy taste. Today's offering was creamy, mildly spicy, with plenty of bready and herbal tones. Well recommended.

Special thanks to Anthony of CigarsCity.com for providing this cigar. It was my first time having a Caldwell, which is not available in my neck of the woods. I'm definitely going to get another in the future.

From the company:

"Robert Caldwell has burst onto the boutique cigar scene like some sorta supernova, and it seems like there’s no stopping his meteoric rise. You see, he makes cigars his way…he scours farms across the globe for the best tobacco leaves, tests and retests his blends until he gets the exact flavors he’s looking for, and keeps production limited in an effort to deliver a superior product. My word is bond, son, and I’m telling you once you try a Caldwell cigar you will count yourself among his growing legion of fans. Blind Man’s Bluff comes wrapped in an enticing Ecuadorian Habano leaf atop a refined Honduran Criollo binder, long-fillers from the Dominican and Honduras ramp up the intensity. Tasty notes of cedar, bread, and sweet spice all enter the fray with a long and cool finish topping off the experience. Do yourself a favor and pick this sucker up before everyone else beats you to it."

[source: cigarsinternational.com]