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]

Flor de Oliva Maduro Robusto. 5x50. Nice build with smoothed veins and leaf ends that wrap around nearly horizontally. Dark brown/black maduro wrap. Cut and lit well. Medium draw pre- and post-light.

First half tastes of bitter herb, dark roasted leaf, tall spice and the exhale. Second half is hard wood, roasted almond, black pepper. Toward the band, the taste became intensely peppery, overpoweringly so, and eventually harsh burnt leaf. Ash is evenly marbled and shaded. Burn was even from start to finish.

This is a fine value smoke with a fairly big flaw. Flor de Oliva was one of my first go-to cigar lines back in my early days as an aficionado, and therefore has a place in my heart. However, nearly 20 years later, the flaws of this entry-level smoke are apparent. I'm referring specifically to the harsh taste of the final third of the stick. I rarely retire a cigar before reaching the band, but I did today. The taste at the end approached burnt cardboard under a pile of bitter black pepper. Unfortunate.

However, before that point, I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar. Flor de Oliva is the entry-level line from Oliva, makers of my current go-to cigar, the outstanding Oliva 'Serie G', which is wonderful from end to end. The Flor line may no longer be my regular smoke, but it can still be enjoyed, so long as you know when to quit. Keeping that in mind, I will surly have one again, paying close attention to that flavor profile drop. It's definitely excellent for the price, but that's the bulk of my praise. Mildly recommended.

From the company:

"Every Flor de Oliva Maduro is handmade with a slowly fermented, well- aged Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and proprietary filler tobaccos from their farm in Nicaragua. Painstakingly rolled, every single cigar then must pass a ridged quality control inspection to assure the consumer that they will never encounter a dud. Experts in the industry acknowledge the Olivas for making some of the finest maduro wrappers in the world, and these gorgeous smokes prove it. Flor de Oliva Maduro’s are medium-bodied in strength, with tasting notes of earth, spice, almonds and caramel, all enhanced with a sweet satisfying finish. Every puff brings new flavors to the palate, making for a very complex and highly enjoyable experience. Packaged in bundles of 20 and sold for well below what others charge for the same quality, this budget friendly cigar has become a huge favorite for Maduro enthusiasts everywhere."

[source: jrcigars.com]

"Flor de Oliva cigars are value-priced beauties from Gilberto Oliva and family, crafted from Dominican and Nicaraguan long-leaf tobaccos and a robust and satisfying Sumatra wrapper. After aging, the end result is a flavorful, creamy blend - rich and creamy without the bite."
[source: cigarsinternational.com]

Villiger 'Export Natural' Maduro. 4x37. Medium brown box wrap. Wrap is mostly straight, smoothed seams, with the exception of a couple of largely pronounced veins. No cut needed since the cigar is open-ended. Lit very easily. Medium draw pre-light, effortless draw soon after.

First half tastes of dank leaf, tangy herbal notes, flat pepper on the exhale. Second half is a little more round herbal, leather, brighter tobacco notes. Charred wood emerges toward the end. Medium body. Ash is marbled well, holding at an inch. Burn was mostly even across.

This is a nice value smoke, a cigarillo that bends expectations: mild for a Maduro, thick for a cigarillo, excellent far beyond its price point. It has dark dank tobacco taste with a somewhat tangy botanical aftertaste that's herbal, leafy. Not a bad way to spend a half-hour break. A good little smoke from Switzerland. Well recommended.

From the company:

"Villiger Export round and pressed is a cigar with a balanced, pronounced Havana blend. The high-quality Maduro wrapper rounds off the tangy taste. This small Havana is a value-for-money alternative. Mellow and flavorful, Villiger cigarillos and little cigars are made in Switzerland and available in American, allowing cigar lovers to experience the smoothness of Villiger."

[source: thompsoncigar.com]


"Villiger Sons Limited was established in 1888 by Jean Villiger in the small town of Pfeffikon, Switzerland, where Villiger remains headquartered to this day. All Villiger cigars are Machine made in Switzerland with only the finest select Cuban-seed tobaccos from the world's most fertile growing regions. Whether you choose the box pressed and nutty tasting Villiger Export or the rustic Villiger Kiels with the unmistakable mouthpiece, you will definitely enjoy these tasty cigars. Light up a Villiger today and enjoy a relaxing time-out from your busy day."
[source: jrcigars.com]

Punch 'Elites' Double Maduro Corona. 5.25x45. Good build with straight edges, though veins and ends were too pronounced for my taste. Dark sweated wrap. Lit well. Cut was poor, resulting in a bad unraveling of the crown and careful handling for the entire session. Easy draw pre- and post-light.

First half tastes of roasted, almost burnt walnut, hard wood, almond notes. Second half is wood, bitter herb, notes of black coffee, allspice on the exhale. Ash was clean, nearly white with gray striping, holding near two inches. Burn was mostly even across, though some course correction was needed mid way. Draw was consistently easy to the end.

This is was an enjoyable cigar with the one build flaw of its wrap at the crown. Even the sloppiest of cuts should not result in a complete unravelling of the wrap. Throughout the cigar, I had to pay careful attention to the wrap to keep it in check. Other than this, the cigar was good with a standard of quality that I come to expect from Punch. I will have this cigar again in the near future, to test whether or not the rookie wrapping was a fluke. Recommended.

From the company:

"A go-to brand among tenured smokers since its introduction in 1969, Punch cigars are a classic. The brand lives up to its name with a bold, full-flavored taste derived from its Ecuadorian wrapper and rich blend of Honduran, Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. The large-ring Magnum and uniquely-shaped Champion frontmarks have earned high praise from Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Insider, with 90 and 91 ratings, respectively. Cigar Cyclopedia concurred, and gave the collection a stellar A rating."

[source: punchcigars.com]

"Smooth with some spiciness, a Punch cigar will fit everyone's palate. With an excellent range of flavor but not overpowering, Punch cigars are superbly constructed and consistently delicious. Honduran, Dominican, and Nicaraguan filler, Connecticut binder and a dark wrapper. Robust and full-flavored - Punch is a world class cigar. Punch cigars have received countless 90+ ratings, including several 91s and ‘Humidor Selection’ honors, noting: 'This attractive, oily cigar has a rich leathery aroma. It’s full bodied and balanced. Flavors include leather, wood and earth. The finish is long.' "

[source: cigarsinternational.com]

Perdomo Reserve 'Champagne Noir' Maduro Epicure. 6x54. Roasted brown wrap with dark spots. Good construction, straight, slightly pronounced veins. Cut well. Light took some work, still producing a minor uneven burn during the first third. Draw was easy pre- and post-flame.

First third is peppery out the gate, dank bitter herb, roasted leaf. Second third is earthy, fresh cut cedar, black coffee. Last third is continued strong pepper, cured dark wood, bitter nutty notes. Ash was well marbled, with light gray patches, holding strong to nearly three inches. Burn was slightly angled at first but even from the second third with minimal effort.

This was a very good cigar. It's well put together in terms of construction and appearance, with subdued flavors punctuated by fresh and bright tastes. The draw was a breeze throughout, and the burn was mostly accommodating.

All that being said, despite its appearance, name, and complex moments, it is firmly a mild cigar. Although it is the "noir" or dark edition of Perdomo's Champagne cigar, its best suited for beginner smokers or times where a fierce Maduro won't do. If you know this going in, you will surely enjoy this hour-long smoke. Well recommended. 

From the company:

"Take the top-selling Perdomo Champagne cigar, add a maduro-wrapped variety into the mix, and the results are spectacular. More than spectacular. The Perdomo Champagne Noir cigar utilizes a triple-fermented, Cuban-seed Nicaraguan maduro wrapper that's been aged for nearly 2 years - much of that time spent in Bourbon barrels. Inside is a rich and well-aged blend of Nicaraguan long-fillers. The result is a full-flavored, but very well-balanced smoke that's layered with notes of coffee, cocoa, sweet cedar, and earth. Medium to full-bodied and h​ighly enjoyable. Perdomo Reserve Champagne Noir received a well-deserved 91-rating noting: "Brownish-red in complexion this robusot offers plenty of roasted meat and rich woody flavors underscored by an earthy component with a slight anise finish."

[source: cigarsinternational.com]

The Perdomo was actually my sister's cigar during this smoke break, but she allowed me to cut, light, and share this stogie for a review. Thanks sis!

Bloodline O.P.A. Vestige Maduro. 6x54. Dark brown wrap with darker shades. Nice box construction with sharp lines and mostly smooth surface. Cut and lit well. Medium draw pre-light, easier draw immediately post-light. 

First third tastes of bright pepper, rich sweated leaf, round herbal spice on the exhale. Second third is leather, hard wood, black pepper. Heading into the third, the taste is much more smooth, round, with plenty of toasted wood notes and herbal spice. Rich roasty leaf taste underneath throughout.

Ash is marbled well, mostly clean, light gray with thin darker striping. Ash holds just over an inch before each drop. Burn was slightly uneven in the first third but was corrected with little maintenance was on my part.

This is an excellent cigar with only minor flaws. Full bodied taste overall, big smoke, spice profile mellows nicely toward the band. However, the burn and narrowing draw keep this stick from being a perfect 45-minute session, which is unfortunate considering the premium price. Still, it's worthy of your time if you can find one. Recommended.

From the company:

"Impossibly smooth? A cigar made with Haban Rosado wrapper and 75% ligers-leaf filler… all from the richest OPA-seed tobacco plants… cannot be smooth. But it is. Amazingly so. Impossibly so. It’s all due to our Soft Crush Fermentation process. During fermentation, as bundles of tobacco age, we apply weight to add pressure (a ‘soft crush’). This increases the temperature and duration of the natural heat of fermentation. Oils are drawn to the surface, sweating out the bitterness of the lager leaf while allowing the floral flavors to blossom. The resume is pleasure with every puff - a truly bold and complex flavor with a surprising absence of peppery bite. it is because it shouldn’t work that has never been tried. And it is precisely why Bloodline OPA is truly different."

[source: bloodline cigars.com]

Rocky Patel 'Edge Maduro B52' Gordo. 4.5x60. Good construction with mostly straight lines, subdued veins. Dark brown with charred spots. Wrap is heavily sweated and nicely oily. Cut well. Lighting took a couple of minutes of gentle roasting. Medium draw pre- and post-flame, becoming a touch easier mid way down.

First half tastes of black pepper, cocoa powder, cedar. The tobacco flavor is roasty, bitter on the back end. Second half tastes of leather, sweet woodsy spice, herbal notes, dark fruit. The tastes becomes creamy going down the stick, and the spice profile becomes more pronounced.

Burn was quite uneven at first, but was corrected by the second third. Ash was marbled with light and dark gray patches, not as clean as I prefer.  

This is an excellent cigar, but one not meant for beginners. It is aggressive on all fronts, including its taste, mouthfeel, length of smoke, immense draw, and sweaty charred maduro wrap. If you like bold cigars with strong tobacco and spice flavor, you will surely love this big cigar. Highly recommended.

Full Disclosure: I smoked this cigar with goblets of barleywine on a mostly empty stomach. This is a rookie move, particularly for someone that has been enjoying cigars and beer for decades. The evening did not end well for me, to put it mildly. Learn from my mistake! Have a fine full meal before lighting up the B52. You can thank me later.

From the company:

"Edge Maduro. The Edge remains the hottest and bestselling cigar in the country. Wonder why? Consistency! Consistency! Consistency! Rich flavor, complexity and value make this one of the greatest selling brands ever. Full-bodied and full-flavored is an understatement."

[source: rockypatel.com]

"According to the man himself, Rocky Patel Edge B52s were made to accommodate the man who wants that big taste but doesn’t have a whole lot of time. They’re short (4 ½ inches) and stout, but no less flavorful and intense than their full-height counterparts. It’s the Edge experience you know and love...miniaturized. Rocky Patel Edge B52s come with your choice of wrapper leaf: a dark, oily maduro or an ultra-robust Corojo. In both cases, the double binder duo hails from Nicaragua and Honduras, and the filler is top secret. One thing Rocky did reveal is that the filler mix includes a dose of Panama ligero, and the overall character is medium to full in body. Flavorful, impactful, and easily enjoyed in a hurry, this is just what you need for those harsh winter months ahead."
[source: cigarsinternational.com]

Sancho Panza 'Quixote' Double Maduro Robusto. 4.5x50. Dark brown sweated wrap. Nice and oily. Good box construction, smooth lines, flat veins. Cut and lit well. Draw was moderate pre-light and post. First half tastes of rich roasted leaf, scorched hard wood, almond. Second half is roasted walnut, slightly sweet oaky, faint earthy spice on the exhale. Even burn across the stick. Ash is pure white clean, holding at nearly two inches before the drop.

This is an excellent cigar. A fine oscuro taste with an oily Maduro wrap, a blend of mild and medium tobacco, whose flavor gradually mellows while still retaining a faint herbal spice on each exhale. Worth a good 45 minutes of your time. Highly recommended.

From the company:

"Sancho Panza Double Maduro is a powerhouse of Honduran, Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers with 4-year-aged Connecticut broadleaf wrappers and Connecticut Shade binders sun-ripened to an extra-dark Maduro color. One of the best of the new dark wrapper cigars in taste and price!"

[source: famous-smoke.com]

"Gorgeous oscuros. The Sancho Panza Double Maduro is a nice-looking Honduran, made from a long-filler blend of Honduran, Nicaraguan and Dominican Piloto Cubano leaves, along with an alluring, dark, oily Oscuro wrapper. Medium to full-bodied with some spiciness."

[source: cigarsinternational.com]

La Gloria Cubana 'Wavell' Maduro. 5x50. Dark brown Maduro wrap. Good build with some veins. Cut was poor with some unravelling of the crown. Light took  some time but was fine once it started. Medium draw pre- and post-light. Mostly even burn across. Ash was nicely marbled, mostly clean, cling over an inch with ease.

First third taste of rich roasted leaf, pepper. Second third is a boost of bitter spice, the taste of the Maduro wrap coming through nicely. Near the band, the taste mellows a bit, a milder smoke with notes of wood and leaf.

This is a solid cigar that started out uncertain with the less than favorable cut and light but soon improved with its refined flavor and steady burn. I've had better from LGC, but this is still an excellent stick. Recommended.

From the company:

"La Gloria Cubana has become a favorite of cigar smokers everywhere. Available in an array of sizes, in both Natural and Maduro varieties, La Gloria Cubana’s special blend delivers a uniquely balanced and unmistakable flavor. Rich, flavorful and refined: These words perfectly describe La Gloria Cubana’s taste experience. Once Little Havana’s best kept secret, La Gloria Cubana has become the cigar of choice for cigar smokers the world over who appreciate a richer, fuller-bodied smoke."

[source: lagloriacubana.com]

Montecristo Media Noche. 5x52. Good build with a mostly straight line, a few pronounced veins. Maduro wrap. Cut well. Light took a moment longer than I'd like, a minute more roasting. Good draw pre- and post-light. Even burn until the second third. A slightly uneven burn from that point, despite my best efforts. Tastes of mild leaf, light wood, slightly sweet nutty profile on the intake. On the exhale, the tobacco flavor has more earthy notes. Wrap has a creamy taste once the burn gets going. Clean light gray flaky ash that drops at an inch.

This is an excellent mild cigar wrapped in a nicely roasted maduro wrap. There's not as much punch and spice as I was expecting, but it's still an excellent cigar. Recommended.

From the company:

"Montecristo Media Noche is hand made in the Dominican Republic and provides a very smooth and deliberate draw while creating a pleasant flavor, medium in body. Media Noche is one of the more recent releases from Montecristo. It features a dark Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrapper and tri-country filler which includes tobaccos from Nicaragua, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. This cigar features both, sweet and spicy flavors and produces some earthy notes, which feel incredibly toasty on the palate. A top-notch choice from a top-notch brand, you should definitely give the Media Noche a try!" (source: Cigar.com)

The ash turned flaky shortly after the light. It was still solid, holding just over an inch.

I enjoyed this Montecristo Media Noche on the lovely patio of Cigars Ltd.

Victor Sinclair Legacy Double Maduro. 6x50. Wrap is a nice dark, marbled shade. Construction was good, though veins and leaf ends were prominent. Excellent cut and light. Medium draw pre-light turned into an excellent draw in the first third. Aroma of mild tobacco with notes of cocoa powder. Flavors of tobacco, dark wood, cocoa, and faint spice were consistent during the first half. Second half, only the taste of mild leaf remained as the flavor diminished. Ash was mostly clean, light marbled gray, clinging nearly two inches before the drop. Burn was good, mostly even all the way to the band. This is a good cigar for times when you want a Maduro wrap with a very mild filler. 

From the company:

"The Original Legacy. What is the difference between the smoke and our Double Maduro? First the feel is different, since Legacy is box pressed. A milky smooth flavor is considerably lighter in taste due to a 5 year old Brazilian Maduro Wrapper. Although the Double Maduro share a dark and moist appearance, the Original Legacy is subtle, yet satisfying."

Here I am enjoying the VS Legacy Double Maduro with my friend Ron at our homebrew club's annual Oktoberfest. Thanks Ron for the stogie!

Saint Luis Rey Reserva Especial Rothchilde Maduro. 5x50. Dark dry wrap with pronounced veins and uneven surface. Cut was terrible, requiring several passes to get clean across. Draw was poor pre-light, but much better down the stick. Burn was poor, with the filler burning far faster than the binder or wrap. I had to relight the wrap to get it back on track. Aromas of hard wood, walnut, rich leaf. Ash clung a good two inches before the fall, dark gray at first, becoming cleaner mid-way. Taste of sweated tobacco in the first third. More rich, creamy tastes moving the second. Some pepper notes toward the band. By the final third, it was finally a proper, enjoyable smoke.

Normally, I'd blame all these shortcomings on improper storage. However, looking at the cut crown at the start, it's clear that the cigar was packed unevenly, resulting in the poor cut, inconsistent draw, and abysmal first-third burn. As the ash reached its first inch, empty pockets appeared, further revealing its poor construction. The ingredients are clearly here, just not the build. Because I've had good smokes from SLR before, my bet is that this was constructed by a rookie at the plantation.

Technically, a Rothchild(e) cigar is 4.5x48. This cigar is actually a Toro, even after factoring in the crown and foot, so even that was not correct. Some apprentice messed this up this otherwise fine cigar. They need to shadow their masters a little longer.

From the company:

"Looking for a great cigar? Look no further than the Saint Luis Rey Maduro. Expertly crafted in Honduras, these exquisite cigars are beautifully packaged in lovely semi-boite nature boxes. Saint Luis Rey cigars achieve their exceptional full flavor and enticing aroma through a unique blend of Honduran, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian long filler tobaccos, a Nicaraguan binder and a San Andrés Morrón wrapper. It is a bold, full-bodied smoke with rich tastes of coffee and tobacco that will please the experienced cigar smoker."

This cigar was problematic from the start, but got better mid-way.

Pockets in the ash from the poor build. I'll have to revisit this one.

Punch London Club Maduro. 5x40. Well constructed with even coloring on the dark sweated wrap. Cut was ok. A few wisps of leaf is acceptable. Lit very well with a perfect burn throughout. Medium draw. Clean ash that retains well. Flavor on the intake is rich dark tobacco, slightly peppery, not as aggressive as some Maduros. Woody. Earthy. Spicy notes on the outtake. Nice little smoke that is a notch above a cigarillo in size. A good 30 minutes to relax.

From the company:

"A go-to brand among tenured smokers since its introduction in 1969, Punch cigars are a classic. The brand lives up to its name with a bold, full-flavored taste derived from its Ecuadorian wrapper and rich blend of Honduran, Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. The large-ring Magnum and uniquely-shaped Champion frontmarks have earned high praise from Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Insider, with 90 and 91 ratings, respectively. Cigar Cyclopedia concurred, and gave the collection a stellar A rating."