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]

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]

CAO 'Concert' Roadie Robusto. 5.5x54. Nice build with smooth veins and ends. Medium brown wrap, scattered darker shades. Cut and lit well. Easy draw pre- and post-light. First half tastes of dark wood, earthy spice, rich roasty leaf. Second half tastes of walnut, black pepper, green leaf on the sustain.

Ash is mostly clean, striped well, holds nearly two inches. Burn was even throughout. Flavor maintained to the band.

This is a very nice smoke, finely crafted and balanced well. The flavor profile includes wood and leaf notes bound in mild leather and spice. It's an easy going cigar with just enough bite to keep me from calling it mild. An excellent afternoon session. Well recommended.

From the company:

"Raise your lighter to a CAO Concert and you’ll realize that even though harmony is great for music, it’s even better for cigars. Launched in 2012 as a tribute to our roots in Nashville, aka Music City, Concert features a blend of diverse, spicy tobaccos that delivers a perfectly balanced flavor. It has become an instant hit among discriminating cigar fans for both its taste and packaging, including a unique amplifier-inspired box and cigar-pick shaped band."

[source: caocigars.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]

CAO 'Gold' Robusto. 5x50. Excellent construction with straight lines, smoothed veins and leaf ends. Medium brown wrap. Cut and lit well. Medium draw pre-light, easy draw promptly after flame, becoming more of an effort only toward the band.

First half tastes of mild leaf, light wood, earthy notes. Creamy mouthfeel on the exhale. Second half adds dank herbal taste with a richer leaf expression. Mild overall taste while still standing at attention with its bright tobacco notes.

Ash was clean, light gray nearly white, with subtle striping. Ash held nearly two inches with ease. Even burn throughout with little work.

Sometimes you want a simple, well crafted mild cigar. This is a classic, well made mild smoke that's creamy, smooth, with an effortless draw and excellent burn from the start. You've likely had this perennial cigar before, but I recommend getting one today. It's a perfect 40-minute mid-day session. Well recommended.

From the company:

"Don’t be fooled by CAO Gold’s gorgeous, blonde Ecuadoran Connecticut seed wrapper—this cigar packs plenty of flavor. It has earned many devoted disciples, including some of the industry’s top publications, which have given it multiple 90 ratings and recognized CAO Gold as one of the best cigars in the world."

[source: caocigars.com]

Gurkha 'Ghost' Shadow Robusto. 5x52. Good construction on sight, with nice lines and moderate veins. Cut was difficult, with the wrapper leaf forcing me to cut several times deeper into the thick, over-wrapped crown. Light was also difficult, requiring an extended roasting and a second light minutes later. Medium draw pre- and post-flame.

First half tastes of cocoa powder, herbal leaf, mild pepper on the exhale. Second half is roasty dark leaf, strong black pepper, mild herbal aftertaste. Ash was gray with dark shaded striping, holding an inch and change. Burn was severely uneven in throughout, despite my best efforts. The difficulty with the light surely had a part in this, but even up toward the band the burn was aggressively bad.

I was looking forward to this cigar. A couple of friends had it and seemed to enjoy it. Additionally, Gurkha has always provided a solid smoking experience for me. Hence, I was surprised at what a disappointment this cigar was, from the very beginning. The taste was there, but was easily overshadowed by the cigar's flaws.

The cut and light were poor. The wrap was too heavy handed on the crown, forcing me to cut tragically deep into the cigar. The burn was abysmal, seemingly determined to defeat my efforts in keeping it even. All these issues stem from poor construction, something I normally wouldn't expect from this cigar maker. It feels like it was constructed by a first-day rookie at the factory.

Perhaps I will try another Ghost in the future. Perhaps a different gauge, or bought from a different shop. Until then, based on this experience, I am certainly in no hurry. It's been a long time since I've had such a negative experience from what I consider a triple-A brand. Pass on this one.

From the company:

"The Gurkha Ghost is a sleek and alluring cigar that should make an appearance in anyone’s humidor. The Ghost blend showcases a dark Brazilian, Arapiraca Maduro wrapper, complemented by an aged Criollo 1998 Binder and carefully selected Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. Ghost is a rich, medium bodied cigar with a multi-layered flavor profile providing sweet and earthy undertones with lingering flavors of cocoa and cinnamon. Rated 93."

[source: gurkhacigars.com]

After a miserable cut and light, the burn quickly went off course. I did my best to correct it.

I managed to wrangle the horrible burn briefly, but it continued to fight me.

The burn was like this most of the time, despite my best efforts to keep it under control.

Felipe Gregorio 'Fusion' Robusto. 5x52. Nice construction with straight lines, a few bumps in the wrap, but with smoothed veins. Dark roasted wrap, some streaks of darker shades. Cut well. Lighting took a minute of roasting. Medium draw pre-light, easy draw almost immediately after and throughout. Aroma of cedar, mild pepper. First half tastes of cured wood, coffee, earthy, with sharp spice aftertaste. Second half is more of the initial tastes, rounder, plus leather, raw almond.

Ash is clean with perfect marbling striped across, holding and promptly dropping at an inch. Burn was uneven at flame but quickly corrected itself and was nicely even from then on.

This is an excellent cigar, one that delivers more than expected. The build is spot on, as is the effortless draw and nearly perfect burn. The flavors are ever-present and distinct, each shining and each never losing punch. The flavors of cedar and coffee become more mellow toward the band, but is joined by leather and nutty flavors. This particular cigar is likely a 2009 or 2010, as the company has since branded if as the ReFusion; same stick but with different packaging. If so, this cigar has aged well. It encourages me to try on of its younger successors. Highly recommended.

From the company:

"Dressed in a silky, golden-brown Habano wrapper, each Felipe Gregorio Fusion combines a well-aged recipe of superior long-fillers grown throughout Nicaragua. After an extensive post-roll, cedar-aging process, each Fusion burns slow and cool to present a flavorful, medium-bodied experience layered by cedar, nuts, pepper, and earth. Each of these flavors intensify during the burn, coming to a full-flavored crescendo toward the nub without increasing in strength one bit. A balanced treat that satisfies every time, that's Felipe Gregorio Fusion.... In 1995 we came out with a single batch limited cigar called Fusion (Fifty Best Cigars of the World). All the tobaccos for this cigar were aged over 3 years together in cedar trunks, 'Fusing' the blend. 15 years later we are bringing out the same cigar. Over the years we have had a lot of demand for this cigar, but did not have the right tobaccos until 4 years ago. Finally a reality, Refusion. Full bodied, full of complexities an engaging one of a kind smoke."
[source: fgcigars.com]

CAO 'Pilón' Robusto Extra. 5x52. Superb construction, with straight lines, smooth surface, nearly invisible seams, a couple of subdued veins. Dark brown wrap with deeper shades marbled across. Cut perfectly. Lit very well, evenly, quickly. Medium draw pre-light, slightly easier from the first third.

First half tastes of fresh leaf, bright spice, sweet herbal, light wood. Second half taste is rich tobacco, oak, coriander on the exhale. Aroma is roasty, dark wood. Ash is very clean, light gray and smooth, dropping promptly at an inch. Burn was even throughout with no maintenance on my part. Perfection.

This is an outstanding cigar, with a rich creamy taste from first light, sweet herbal spice, plenty of wood notes and a tall, fresh leaf presence. It is expertly crafted, from filler to wrap, with every moment precisely executed. Wonderful. Strongly recommended.

From the company:

"Old-World Cuban Method. New-World of Flavor. CAO Classics are just that, classic. So when we set out to craft a new cigar for the Classic Series, we went straight to a fermentation technique that helped to build the mystique of old-world Cuban cigars, the round pilon. What’s a round pilon? We’re glad you asked. Sit back, lend an ear and let us tell you the story. The scene was the tobacco barns of late 1800s Cuba. Skilled men called piloneros were masters of a slow, 18-month long fermentation technique using round pilons. This method involved hemming tobacco leaves together and stacking them, layer by layer, in a circular pattern. While building and tending to the round pilon took as much patience as it did skill, this method of natural fermentation maximized the flavor and color of the leaves. Of course, it was of little concern that this methodical process was costly and time-consuming. Back then, the only bottom line that mattered was the flavor. And the tobacco didn’t lie. But time marched on, less costly fermentation methods were explored and the standard rectangular pilon was born. With CAO Pilon, we’re bringing back the round pilon from old-world Cuba. And along with it, the richer, more complex taste that’s unattainable through other methods. Crafted with an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler, Pilon features a deep, rich color and an incredible depth of flavor with notes of wood, spice and a touch of sweetness. To top it off, the band features the signature of our Master Blender, Rick Rodriguez, along with an illustrated homage to the round pilon."
[source: caocigars.com]

"CAO is known for their laundry list of 90+ rated blends and for being one of the most innovative brands in the industry. From their breakthrough classic CAO Black, to the shape of the CAO Flathead, to their use of unique leaves in CAO OSA Sol, CAO has never been afraid to push the envelope. Now with their new release, CAO Pilon, they are resurrecting a seldom used and costly fermentation method, the circular pilon. A standard tobacco pilon is basically a pile of tobacco ‘hands,’ which are 10-15 tobacco leaves tied together, that are allowed to heat up and ferment. With a circular pilon the hands are carefully layered in a circular pattern, with the payoff being that the tobacco ferments at a slower rate which enhances the flavor. CAO Pilon comes dressed in a dazzling Ecuador Habano wrapper, encasing the binder and long-fillers from Nicaragua. This cigar is medium-bodied and packs flavor in droves with delicious notes of spice, cedar, pepper, nuts, and cocoa. CAO Pilon is a rich and hearty blend that continues CAO’s string of hits."

[source: cigarsinternational.com]

Rocky Patel 'Sun Grown' Robusto. 5.5x50. Excellent build with straight lines, subdued veins, and nice even shades. Medium brown wrap with darker shades toward the foot. Cut and lit well. Medium draw pre-light, easier shortly after light. First half tastes of herbal spice, mild pepper, roasted almond. Second half tastes of almond, earth, allspice on the exhale. Aroma was mild tobacco and coffee. Medium body. Wrap was creamy from the midpoint down.

Ash was clean with perfectly even marbling, holding two inches before an effortless drop. Second drop was at an inch. Burn was slightly uneven at light but was easily and immediately corrected.

This is an excellent cigar. The construction is top shelf, something I've come to expect from all of Rocky Patel's lines. The tastes starts with spicy peppery notes that never turn bitter, gradually becoming more roasty and creamy. Another wonderful stick from a premium brand. Worth a good 45 relaxing minutes. Highly recommended.

From the company:

"The 90-rated Sun Grown brand is best described as medium-plus in body. With its lush 5-year-old Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, the ignited Sun Grown becomes a little bit spicy on the palate with a hint of pepperiness. A perfectly balanced blend from Honduras."

[source: rockypatel.com]

Nestor Miranda 'Doppelbök' Robusto. 5x50. Superb construction with straight lines, smoothed veins and leaf ends. Dark chestnut color. Cut and lit perfectly. First half tastes of almond, cedar, scorched oak, notes of allspice. Second half tastes of walnut, roasted tobacco, bittersweet herbal on the exhale.

Ash is clean with some light gray striping. Easy drop at an inch. Burn was mostly even, with some correction needed shortly after flame. Once the minor correction was made, the burn was perfectly even to the end.

This is a great mild smoke with plenty of woodsy, nutty flavors mingling about. Roasty taste, background spice, and herbal notes make this a well-rounded, solid cigar. Well recommended.

From the company:

"The Nestor Miranda Collection is comprised of four great brands all manufactured in Esteli, Nicaragua and one special edition cigar, the Grand Reserve."

[source: miamicigarandcompany.com]

"After a slew of highly rated releases, Nestor Miranda transitions to something a little easier on the wallet. But that’s the only difference – the flavor and construction are still on par with its counterparts. The Doppelbok is hand-crafted with a dark, leathery Habano wrapper that’s loaded with oils cloaking a unique blend of Nicaraguan long-fillers, making it a flavorful and interesting smoke throughout. Look for notes of nuts, cedar, and earth overlaying a rich tobacco core. This medium-bodied smoke is smooth, creamy, and mellow. Panelists were most impressed by its burn and draw. One characterized them as “amazing,” another said, “This cigar burned better than many cigars four to five times the price point.” So look for it to burn relatively straight, at an ideal rate and temperature and to require few touch-ups. As Goldilocks would say, the draw is just right, not too loose and not too tight. Enjoy this one with the Sunday paper and your favorite cup of java."

[source: cigarofthemonthclub.com]

Cuba Libre 'One' Robusto. 5x52. Medium-dark brown wrap. Excellent build with nearly perfect lines and smooth veins. Cut and lit well. Medium draw pre-light, slightly easier soon after flame. First half tastes of cedar, pepper, leather. Espresso notes on the exhale. Second half tastes of sweated leaf, walnut, cedar. Ash is very clean with nice marbling, easily holding at an inch. Perfect even burn throughout.

This is a superb cigar. The taste is rich, woodsy, spicy, with a creamy mouthfeel and wide aroma. The dark notes of coffee and earthy herb are just a touch on the back of each puff. Nice balance and body. Well recommended.

From the company:

"Cuba Libre One is a stellar new handmade from Nestor Plasencia, finally released after two years of work, now available to all (all those with a pulse and a checking account that is). An ultra-bold, mega-flavorful super-premium, this Nicaraguan's most apparent trait is its thick, dark Habano-seed ligero wrapper - a gorgeous leaf grown in the Jamastran Valley of Honduras that's brimming with flavor and giving off an oily, flawless appearance. Below the surface is a robust blend of Cuban-seed ligero long-fillers from the Esteli and Condega paired with additional ligeros from Honduras. It has two binders: a Habano leaf from the Jalapa Valley and a flavorful Costa Rican leaf. From first light to final puff, Cuba Libre One is rich, complex, and balanced. It's powerful but balanced, and layered with notes of coffee, earth, pepper, and cream complemented by a spicy-sweet finish. Strong, delicious, refined. A traditional and Cuban-esque blend with some punch and zest you won't soon forget.​ A deliciously stout, 4.5"x60 vitola was crafted for those seeking the ultimate in full-flavored goodness. It's known as 'The Brute' and it's downright tasty. Layers of deep, concentrated flavor are waiting."

[source: cigarsinternational.com]