Seth's Humidor: Cigar Reviews

In a press release sent from Drew Estate yesterday, the company announced a store exclusive that is going to Barrister Cigars in Union, NJ. The new release will be called Tienda Exclusive by Willy Herrera and will be available in ten count boxes. The cigar goes on sale on September 2nd, 2014, and will be on sale from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Jonathan Drew and Willy Herrera will be in attendance and the cigar is set to be priced at $12.00 a cigar before taxes.

In terms of additional information, vitola size, blend, total production numbers, etc., nothing was given. The press release was inadequate in that area and I personally felt it was lacking necessary details for you all, my readers. I have reached out to Drew Estate for information, no updates yet, but will provide updates when unveiled. I can tell you that the cigar came about after David Mallow, owner of Barrister Cigars, spent time with Willy Herrera at New Jersey Cigar Festival and smoked through all of the samples that Willy made in this blend. It was a cigar that Willy worked on through 2012 and 2013 and because of David's love for the cigar, Willy felt that the store deserved to get it as an exclusive.

You can contact Barrister Cigars here if interested in purchasing.

Beginning September 1st, 2014, Gabriel Alvarez will be joining May Selva Cigars as the Director of Sales in the United States. Before joining Maya Selva, Gabriel was working with Kuuts, LLC. as Operations Manager where he handled day to day operations of the company. Before that, Gabriel was owner of a successful cigar shop in Miami, Florida that he left upon accepting the position with Kuuts, LLC.

Alvarez was recently quoted saying "after almost two years of helping to launch Kuuts, I have decided to resign. It was a hard decision to leave a company I was with from the very beginning, however I must do what's best for my family and myself. I have nothing but good wishes for the Kuuts team, and I would like to thank them, and John Gonzalez in particular, for guiding me in this journey. I have accepted the position of Director of Sales with Maya Selva Cigars and am looking forward to this next step and to launching another great company in this incredible industry."

Gabriel Alvarez joins Maya Selva Cigars after the company recently won an aware in Cigar Journal for their flagship line, Flor de Selva. The company has been very successful in Europe and look forward to the challenges of entering the United States market. When head of the company, Maya Selva, was asked about the new addition of Gabriel Alvarez, she stated that "few are those who truly understand what a great cigar should be. Gabriel, without question, belongs to this exclusive club. I am sure that those who will have the privilege of working with him will certainly acknowledge his natural talent and vast knowledge of cigars."

I wish my friend, Gabriel Alvarez, the best of luck as he enters into the role as Director of Sales for the United States and much success to Maya Selva Cigars as well. I have had positive experiences with the companies offerings thus far, and will be sharing my thoughts on their lines down the road. I recently reviewed the Flor de Selva, and that review can be found here.

If you head out of Los Angeles in the direction of Joshua Tree, you will hit Palm Springs. It is a desert resort city in California and is home to Fame Wine and Cigar Lounge. The lounge has been around for 12 years now and is well known for its craft beers, great selection of wine and terrific cigars. The lounge has been very successful over the years and earlier this year they announced that they would be creating their own brand, Mbombay. I was made aware of the brand through a press released they sent out earlier this year and since then the company has been investing time and money into online media, targeting smokers nationally. Today I review one of their two lines, the Mbombay Classic, and see what the company is all about and what they have to offer the industry as a manufacturer.

Hailing from Costa Rica, Mbombay is a new brand with two lines that are entering the market at a unique time. One of them is the Classic which I am reviewing today. I was given the robusto for review and the cigar measures 4.5" with a 48 ring gauge. The Classic really comes off as a classic cigar and features an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper that is from 2001. Underneath that is a binder from the Dominican Republic and the filler blend is a four country blend with tobacco from the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaraguan and Peru. The cigar features a silky wrapper and it has a nice golden hay color. It is smooth overall and there are very few veins present. There is an aroma of cedar, tobacco and soft spices present to the nose on the wrapper, and the foot shows some earthy and sweeter qualities with that.

The first third opens up like a modern day Connecticut and is showing some nice creamy and cedar flavors present with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. There are some spice notes present as well, but of cinnamon and nutmeg, and it has a nice coffee bean flavor present as well which adds some depth and complexity to the smoke. Overall, it is a nice Connecticut that has some depth and is not just one dimensional. The construction is solid with the cigar and it is producing an even burn line that has a nice charcoal ash on the end that is holding on firmly. The draw is cool and open, and it is a well constructed cigar. In terms of body and strength, I would say it is smoking at a medium level and it is a cigar I could have all the time and I think a lot of smokers could have in the morning with no problem. Thus far, it is a classic 21st Century Connecticut.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and the flavors are consistent to what was present in the first third. It is showing a nice creamy and cedar core that is accompanies by some nice spice notes which add to the cigar. Those cinnamon and nutmeg flavors pair well with the coffee bean finish and it has a sweetness to the cigar that is not over the top, but just enough to balance out some of the dryer and natural flavors present with the wood and spice notes. The construction on the cigar is still top notch and it has a nice even burn line present with that. The draw is cool and enjoyable and it produces a nice bit of smoke with the lovely flavors. The body and strength continue to smoke at a medium level and this is not an overly complex cigar, or a cigar that is showing a lot of changes in uniqueness, but it is enjoyable and not producing any problems or faults in terms of the smoking experience.

The final third shows a lot of similarities to the first and second third and it is producing a flavor profile that is very similar overall. The focus falls on some Asian spice notes, cream and cedar, and it has that nice coffee bean finish which adds a level of complexity to the overall experience. There was very little transitioning from third to third and while it did not possess tons of depth overall, the complexity was enough to keep me entertained and not disappointed. The smoking experience in terms of construction was very good and I had a nice even burn line from beginning to end and with that was a nice charcoal ash that held on firmly throughout. The draw was cool from beginning to end and the smoke production was nice as well. The finish strength was at a medium level and the same goes with the body. It was consistent in almost every area and not disappointing because of that.

In today's market, you really need to introduce a cigar that is going to grab people's attention. Smokers today are the most knowledgeable they ever been. You have smokers that know what vitolas they like, the types of tobacco they like, the country in which that tobacco is grown and the factory used. Those factors play a huge part in having a cigar smoker pick up the cigar. The Mbombay Classic is a solid Connecticut offering; it really is. The flavors are enjoyable, the construction is great and it is a smoke that I could have and not feel like I am smoking garbage. What the cigar does lack though is uniqueness. There is nothing to this cigar that says, I am different or this is what makes me unique. To me it is a house cigar in some ways, and could be a great house cigar with the guys looks for affordable sticks that they can smoke all the time and not worry about how much it costs or not having the time to finish it entirely. Because of all of this, I am giving the stick a solid 87. What really killed it was my overall impression, and what killed that was that it was nothing that made me want another one. I enjoyed the cigar, I liked the time I invested into it, but I don't see myself putting more time into it in the future.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 87

With the announcement of Gabriel Alvarez as the new director of sales in the United States, I thought it was only fitting to review another stick by Maya Selva so soon after reviewing Flor de Selva. I am smoking my way through the brand and I came across this cigar that has really wowed me. The cigar is called Villa Zamorano and it is a bundled cigar for the company. I do hate the word bundle because I think it ruins great cigars just by saying bundle, but it is a more affordable cigar. I think Maya said it perfectly in a video about the cigar by saying this a cigar filled with good tobacco. It is not a "sophisticated cigar," but rather a cigar that is filled with good tobacco. What I love about what she has said is that she emphasizes that the cigar still has good tobacco in it, it is just not as flashy as some of the premier blends. Every company needs an everyday cigar and for Maya Selva, it is Villa Zamorano.

Villa Zamorano is a bundle cigar, something I did not know after smoking many of them, and is the most Honduran of the lines Maya Selva produces. It comes with a Honduran wrapper and underneath that is a Brazilian Mata Fina binder. The filler is all Honduran and it has Viso from Jamastan with some ligero from Trojes. For this review I chose the robusto, and it is your standard robusto measuring 5" with a 50 ring gauge. The coloring of the wrapper is a little different throughout. There is a section where it is this natural color, but there are some sections that are more Colorado in coloring as well. It is not barber pole style, but it has those qualities to it. Overall though, it is a smooth wrapper with very few veins present throughout. There are some toothy areas throughout and I am finding that it has an aroma of rich earth, spices and sour fruit on the wrapper. The foot is showing that sour fruit flavor as well, and it has a sour beer aroma to it as well.

Upon lighting the cigar, I am greeted by some wonderful flavors which show some great Honduran characteristics. It has a nice dry spice to it, showing bits of white and black pepper, and it has this sweet floral quality to it as well which makes it very aromatic. There are some definite tobacco notes as well, and it has a leathery finish while producing some nice rich earth qualities. Overall, a great flavor profile and I love what is being generated right now. Along with some nice flavors, the construction is solid and it is producing a nice burn line with a light gray ash on the end. The ash is somewhat flaky, but nothing major, and it is holding on well to the end. The draw is cool and easy and this is a well rolled cigar. I would say that the strength level is between medium and medium-full, and the body is there as well. It is not overpowering by any means, but definitely present.

When I get into the second third of the cigar I begin to get some creamy aspects to the cigar and it is accompanied by some herbal notes. The floral qualities remain, the white and black pepper notes as well, but it is showing a whole new dimension to the cigar that is making for a great evolution. The spice, dried wood and tobacco notes remain on the finish and make for a complex arrangement that is very enjoyable. The construction continues to be top notch as well and it has an even burn line with a nice light gray ash on the end. The draw remains cool and it is producing a nice bit of smoke with each draw. In terms of strength, I am finding this cigar to be growing as well. It is subtle, but it is definitely present and it is closing in on the medium-full to full range in my opinion. The body remains between medium and medium-full and I am looking forward to seeing how this cigar closes.

The final third shows some additional transitioning in terms of flavors and it is here that I begin to pick up a lot of spice and tobacco notes. The pepper flavors are very present as well, and it is showing this strong Honduran flavor profile. There are some herbal qualities with that, and it has a finish of seasoned wood and some leather notes present as well. It is definitely the darker and stronger of the thirds and it shows the growth of the cigar from third to third. The strength of the cigar really picks up in this third as well and I truly believe that it is smoking a full strength level and it is fairly noticeable if you ask me. The body is still at a medium full level in my opinion and it is an interesting balance between the two. The construction continues to be terrific as well and it is producing an even burn line with a nice light gray ash that is holding on firmly on the end. The draw is cool all the way to the nub and it showing some nice tobacco flavors to the end.

Looking at this cigar on the website, it is much different than what they have. I notice the bands are different, but I got so much more out of the blends. I love the cigar to be honest with you, I really think it is great, and when you see that it is a bundled cigar I am thoroughly impressed. It showed great construction from beginning to end and the flavors delivered were awesome. The Mata Fina binder did a lot for the cigar, and when paired with the Honduran tobacco, it brought the Honduran flavor down a notch and made is slightly sweeter and earthier. I don't know the cost of these things, just that they come in 25 count bundles, but I would definitely stock up on these and keep some lying around. I even believe they will do great with age on them. Never count out a cigar because it is a bundled cigar, you never know what you are going to get. I am giving this stick a solid 90 rating and I love these robustos.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 90

This was a good week of smoking. I did not smoke too many new cigars, but I did smoke some great ones from all different levels. Whether they were from the Dominican, Honduras or Nicaragua, or composed of Dominican, Honduran or Nicaraguan tobacco, they all showed some awesome flavors and unique qualities. I am asked by many, where is my favorite country or region for tobacco, and I always struggle in answering that. There are so many great regions growing tobacco right now, not just in Central America or the Caribbean either, that it makes it difficult to really pinpoint my region of choice. At the end of the day, give me a cigar that has Cuban, Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco in it.

Most likely my favorite smoke from Tatuaje ever, the Reserva J21 is a terrific robusto that shows great flavors and awesome strength. With age they really show their elegance and when the strength dies down some more flavors come out. I have never had an issue with this cigar, having smoked multiple cigars from different boxes from different vintages, and even new production is still great as they once were. If you want to smoke a Tatuaje, and have a lot of time, grab a Reserva SW. If you don't have as much time, but still want a terrific Reserva J21.

Review Here.

Villa Zamorano, a bundled smoke from Maya Selva Cigars that is simply terrific. I know there are a lot of great cigars that are "bundled cigars" from a lot of great companies, but this is up there in being the best. The one thing that I love about the smoke, which the owner Maya Selva said herself, is that the cigar is not "refined or elegant, but a cigar that is made of good tobacco." I think she worded it perfectly and really did that cigar and solid bundled cigars justice. The Villa Zamorano is a great stick that shows awesome Honduran flavors and has nothing but a solid flavor profile with a nice strength and body. This is a cigar that I would smoke over and over with no disappointment.

Review Here.

The new Tattoo by Tatuaje. I have seen a lot of people smoking this and heard a lot of good things as well. I look at the stick as Pete's attempt in mimicking the Illusione Rothschild by Dion, and it is a little to early for me to be deciding which one wins. After smoking one, I see where people are loving the smoke. It showed great construction, solid flavors and an awesome strength and body level, and it did all of that while being very affordable. As I said earlier, it is still to early to really make a judgement, but pay attention as I will be sharing my thoughts soon.

Review Coming Soon.

Last year Pete released the final Avion. Well, he actually released two Avions but this one was technically the Avion to follow up the other smokes from the past years. It is a nice use of a Connecticut Broadleaf and I think it is one of the best uses we have seen from Pete, and he has had some good ones with that. The box pressed figurado shows a nice richness with some solid strength behind that and is a flavorful smoke that has great construction from beginning to end. This is easily the best Avion in production, but if you include the FF, then this gets #2.

Review Here.

If you love the Partagas brand and the Serie D No. 4 as well, then I would recommend you reach out to the Serie D No. 5. Slightly smaller than the D No. 4, the No. 5 shows all the great flavors in a more compact offering. I know some have said that the cigar is not consistent from batch to batch, but the batch I have had has been nothing but terrific. This may not be a new smoke, but this is definitely the best "new"Habano I have had in a while.

Review Here.

The Last Payday is the torpedo vitola in the line The King Is Dead, and while I typically don't reach out for those vitolas, I have heard from so many people that this is the cigar to smoke in the line and the Caldwell brand. For the most part, torpedoes don't do anything for me, but when I hear so many people say positive things about the stick who also dislike torpedoes, I had to give it a try. The smoke offers amazing flavors of hazelnut, milk chocolate and spices from beginning to end, and the body and strength are great as well. I think this is a solid medium to medium-full smoke in terms of body and strength and is a cigar many will enjoy.

Review Coming Soon.

Today I conclude my review of the premier lines from Caldwell Cigar Co. and look at The King Is Dead. It has been an incredible journey exploring the offerings from Robert Caldwell and he has come a long way since his time at Wynwood with Christian Eiroa. His blends have improved tremendously, and while I was a fan of his Wynwood smokes, the new smokes by Caldwell Cigar Co. have been terrific. I have had no complaints with anything I have smoked and everything has been so different and so good at the same time. The King Is Dead may have been released with the other blends at the same time, but to me this is the line that comes off as the first. It is a line that pays respect to the past and has a history that tells the story of Robert Caldwell before Caldwell Cigar Co.and lead the path to the new journey with the company. When approaching the line, Robert Caldwell pointed me in the direction of this particular smoke and explained that there was something special in this blend. Today, I looked at The Last Payday.

The Last Payday is the one vitola that I have heard a lot about for the company and it is offered in a vitola that I typically don't reach out to. It is a torpedo that measures 6" with a 52 ring gauge and is made in the Dominican Republic at Tabacalera William Ventura like the rest of the Caldwell smokes. The wrapper on the cigar is Negrito Dominican and it has a Dominican Corojo binder. Underneath that is 30% Dominican Corojo Ligero, 20% Dominican Negrito Viso and 50% HVA 20/20. The torpedo features a lovely Colorado wrapper coloring and it has this silky texture which is smooth and soft. There are some veins present throughout the cigar and it has a nice firmness that is not too tough, but has a little bit of give. The wrapper itself has a lovely aroma of cedar, spices, aged tobacco and it has a soft musty quality with that. The foot shows some similar spices with soft tobacco notes, and it has this lovely milk chocolate and hazelnut qualities with that.

The first third is showing some tremendous flavors and it has this awesome sweetness with a great bit of spice. I am picking up some bits of hazelnuts and milk chocolate, and it has this nice creamy quality on top of that which make it even more complex and enjoyable. It is followed by this nice spice and pepper quality, and it has that strong tobacco present with that. The construction is simply top notch on the cigar and it has a nice burn line that is very even with a solid charcoal ash on the end. The draw is cool on the smoke and it is producing a nice bit of smoke that is a perfect amount and not overly smokey. I would say that the cigar is smoking at a medium to medium full level in terms of body and it has a strength closer to medium full. So far, this is a great stick and the best The King Is Dead that I have had. Right now, this could be the best single stick that the company has released.

I have moved into the second third of the cigar now and I am finding that the strength and body level are still fairly similar to that of the first third. The strength level is at a medium full level and it is enough to really grab your attention but not be over the top. The body is matching with that perfectly and it is producing a balanced cigar with tremendous flavors. In terms of flavors, I am getting that great hazelnut flavor that I was getting in the beginning, and it has a nice creaminess to it which is just screaming Nutella. There are some milk chocolate flavors on top of that and it is paired with some solid spice notes that have some soft pepper qualities to it. There are some solid tobacco notes present with that as well and it is a flavorful cigar, no doubt about that. In terms of construction, it is top notch and showing a solid burn line that has a lovely charcoal ash holding on at the end. The draw is cool with the tapered head and as I smoke the cigar down to the nub it is cool and flavorful.

The final third produces a calming finish and it is a finish that focuses on some of the smooth and more "flavorful" aspects to the cigar. It is definitely the Flavor Flav of the thirds and with that is a softer strength and body level. I am getting some nice creamy aspects to the cigar and it is pairing with this cedar, hazelnut and chocolate cake like flavor. It is very nutella like, and the chocolate flavors are very milk chocolate like, not dark chocolate. It has a strength level that is right around medium and the body is there as well. To me it ends perfectly, and it ends by making the smoke want to start the cycle all over again and light up another one to get those first third flavors. The construction is top notch and with the tapered head it smokes cool to the finish making it a great torpedo. The burn line is razor sharp and the charcoal ash on the end is holding on firmly. The final draw is cool and I put it down with very little left.

The Last Payday was not the first vitola I smoked in the line. Honestly, before I smoked this stick I was not a big fan of the line. I felt the line lacked a lot in terms of flavors and body that I look for in a cigar. I felt that the Eastern Standard delivered more overall and this was the weaker of the lines. With that being said, The Last Payday is easily the best vitola in the line and possibly the best vitola in the Cadwell Cigar Co. brand portfolio. I am not one for tapered heads/torpedos, I'm not, but this cigar, this particular cigar, is simply amazing. It is packed full of complex and delicious flavors and with that is a great strength and body level. The construction is phenomenal from stick to stick and it never disappoints. The transitioning from the beginning to end is great and it makes you want to smoke another one right away. There are not many companies that have one stick that is clearly their best stick, but this is it. I am giving the smoke a 93 rating and look forward to smoking more down the road.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 93

Today I continue on with my review of the Pudgy Monster Series and look at a Monster that I was not the biggest fan of when initially released, and while it is not my least favorite of the smokes, it is towards the bottom end of the list. The cigar I am talking about is The Wolfman which was the Monster Series release in 2011. The cigar featured an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, and was the first Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper to be placed on a Monster cigar. I am a fan of the Sumatra wrapper, I think it can produce a great flavor profile, and I believe Pete has done fairly well with the wrapper, especially when he uses it on a box pressed format. I did not go nuts over the original Wolfman when it was released in 2011, but today I look at the smaller pudgy version and see how the smoke compares to the original.

The Wolf sports the ring gauge that the original The Wolfman came in, a 52 ring gauge, but it has that 5 1/2" length from the Wolfie. It is your standard box press belicoso if you ask me, and it is a great size. The cigar is made at My Father Cigars and like The Wolfman, features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Underneath that is a Nicaraguan binder and filler blend. The belicoso sports a beautiful wrapper and shaggy foot, and the wrapper itself is silky and smooth in texture. There are small veins present to the eye, but to touch it is perfect. The cigar is pressed nicely and the shaggy foot carries on that press perfectly as well. There is an aroma of milk chocolate, earth, spice and tobacco on the foot, and the wrapper gives off a nice spicy aroma with some woody qualities as well.

The first third of the belicoso begins by showing some nice Nicaraguan and Ecuadorian Sumatra flavors. I am getting some solid oak and soft pepper notes, but it has a nice creaminess to it as well. There is this faint vanilla bean flavor present as well, and it is relatively sweet overall. It is a solid and enjoyable core flavor profile and right now I can tell you that I like it much better than the original Wolfman. The construction on the cigar is solid as well and it is producing a fairly even burn line with a dark charcoal ash on the end. The ash is somewhat flaky, but it is holding on and with that is a nice bit of smoke being produced. The draw is cool and this is a nice cigar for the construction and flavors being delivered. I would say that the body of the cigar is right at a medium level and the strength is there as well. It is not over the top, just balanced, and a cigar many could enjoy.

When I move into the second third of the cigar I find that the sweet flavors from before have faded some and to be honest they faded more and more as I got more wrapper and not the shaggy foot flavors. I am still getting those nice oak and spice notes to the cigar, and it is showing a darker Ecuadorian Sumatra flavor that I really enjoy. It still has that creamy flavor to the cigar, but it is a woody and spice creamy flavor profile that is more like sausage gravy rather than cream cream. The construction continues to smoke at the level in which it did in the first third and it is showing a fairly even burn line with that charcoal ash right on the end. The draw is still cool and the ash is flaky but still holding on. I would not say the burn is impressive, but it is good and solid in ranking. The body and strength continue to smoke at that medium level and this is a smoke I could have in the morning or evening and not be overwhelmed or underwhelmed.

The final third to the cigar shows a nice spicier and oakier finish and it is growing as I come down to the tapered nub. It is still smoking cool, but the flavors are getting stronger and more pronounced. I would say that the creamy aspect to the cigar is still present, but it is much more subtle now and not as noticeable. I am seeing a return in those vanilla bean notes, and it is pairing with this tobacco and leather flavor profile which is balancing the spices and oak notes. In some ways I am getting this sarsaparilla flavor profile, but it is very soft. The construction continues down the path it has from the beginning and it is showing a burn line that is slightly wavy but not terrible or very noticeably uneven. The ask is still this dark charcoal color and it is flaky on the end. I would say that the finish strength notes are on the medium side of things, same as before, and the body is there as well.

I did not like the original Wolfman. It is not my favorite Monster release and I do not think it is the best example of an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper from Pete. This cigar however is very enjoyable and one that I would come back to. For some reason, I see this being a great cigar to be regular production and I can see it in those standard cabinet style boxes with the pressed cigars nicely placed with the shaggy foots on the end. I love the spices delivered throughout the smoke and with the oak and natural sweet flavors on top of that, it adds a nice level of complexity. Am I going nuts over this cigar, no, but it does not mean that it is not a solid release. Ecuadorian Sumatra is a wrapper that does well when it is pressed and the release Pete has done with it being pressed are more my cup of tea. I think this will be a successful smoke when looking at the Pudgy releases, and many smokers will look back and say this was one of the winners from the box. I am giving the cigar a solid 91 rating.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 91

It has been a little over three years since Michael Herklots moved from Davidoff to Nat Sherman, and in that time he has done nothing but release incredible cigars that have resurrected the Nat Sherman brand. He is a man who works on several fronts for the company and does a great job, from an outside perspective that is, in all of them. He created several new faces for the company, always a positive thing to do, but this year the company decided to take a trip down memory lane and give us a piece of their history. Owned by Nat Sherman in 1929, Epoca was the first cigar brand for the company. The cigar marked their entrance into the cigar industry and at the time was Cuban handmade. Many years have past since then and while the brand went out of production, it was not forgotten by the company and was resurrected earlier this year. The company wanted to pay tribute to its roots this year, launching an anniversary cigar for Joel Sherman as well, and what better way to remember the past than to resurrect your first brand as a company. Today I look at the Nat Sherman Epoca Selection and see how the modern version is, 85 years after its creation.

For this review I chose the Prince vitola, and it is a toro measuring 6" with a 50 ring gauge. The wrapper on the cigar is Ecuadorian Connecticut and it has a Dominican binder underneath that. The filler is a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco and this cigar is made in the Dominican Republic at Quesada Cigars. The wrapper on the Epoca just screams Cuban to me and it has this nice light Colorado almost Colorado Natural coloring to it. It is incredibly silky in texture and there are very few veins present throughout. The cigar features a nice triple cap and with the band this cigar comes off as a classic or vintage. I know Nat Sherman resurrected the line, but this cigar looks old and like an original. I love it! The cigar is firm in hand and it has an aroma on the wrapper of grass, barnyard and tobacco, and on the foot I am getting an aroma of hay, tobacco and wood.

When I light up the cigar I am greeted by some great flavors and it is super smooth and enjoyable. There is a nice sweetness to the cigar, almost a natural sugar flavor profile, and it is paired with this great creaminess and it has a nice soft nutty quality with some cedar and hay notes as well. It is an enjoyable flavor profile that is not overly complex but very enjoyable and an easy smoke to have at any part of the day. The construction is top notch on the cigar and it is showing a razor sharp burn line with a firm charcoal ash on the end of the cigar. The draw is smooth and cool and this is a cigar to sit back and relax with. I would say the body is at a medium level, maybe a little bit less, and the strength is right there as well. So far this is an enjoyable cigar and I am really digging what it is offering me as the smoker.

As I move into the second third of the cigar I find that the flavor profile remains fairly similar to that of the first third but I am getting some stronger sweeter notes with the stick. The hay and cedar notes are definitely present, and it has that nutty finish, but overall it is sweet and creamy and incredibly enjoyable. To me it is a cigar that is not as elegant or refined as the Timeless, but a very enjoyable smoke that so many could enjoy. I think it is just a great solid stick that is not over the top or underwhelming. Just perfect in the middle. The construction remains incredible with the cigar as well and it has that razor sharp burn line with that soft charcoal ash on the end of the cigar. The body and strength continue to smoke at a level right around medium and this is a cigar I could begin my day with or end my day with and never be disappointed.

I am finding the final third to be very similar to that of the first third and it is showing some more natural flavors and not so much sweetness as was present in the second third. I am getting some faint coffee bean notes to the cigar and it compliments the cedar, cream and nutty qualities. There is a tobacco and soft leather flavor present on the finish, and it has a nice hay and sweetness with that. I don't even need to get into construction as this cigar has smoked wonderfully from beginning to end. The draw is cool all the way to the nub and the last draw is flavorful while I still have that light charcoal ash holding on firmly at the end of the cigar. The body and strength close at a medium level and while there is a slight increase as the cigar is closing, it is still easy and a cigar that does not push you.

I really love this new offering from Nat Sherman and I find it to be my favorite smoke they have released yet. There is something about the cigar that is just a classic flavor profile. It is a new cigar to the market, at least to us in the since of the blend, but it has this old flavor profile vibe to it that I really love. It really comes off like they blended the cigar to be like the original Epocas. The Ecuadorian Connecticut does well with the blend, and it shows those great Dominican and Nicaraguan qualities. I think some will either love this cigar or not care for it, there is very little middle ground, but I am one that really loves it and would smoke it back to back all day. This is a box worthy cigar in my opinion and it is something that never gets tiring. It is not mind blowing or overly complex, but just solid and enjoyable. Try this one out and see what you think. You may love it, you may not, but you can not deny that it is a well made and solid stick that some smokers out there will really enjoy. I am giving this cigar a 91 rating.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 91

I will be honest with you, over the past seven to eight years, the Dominican Republic has taken a back seat in terms of cigars and tobacco. Nicaragua really came on strong when it was really introduced, and for the past years the country has grabbed attention with cigars coming out of factories located in Nicaragua and Nicaraguan tobacco in general. I think it is a country filled with great tobacco and great factories, but with the focus on that country, we have forgotten about how great the Dominican Republic is in terms of cigar factories, tobacco, etc. I am pleased to see 2014 be a year where the country makes a return to center stage. It was due for it's Return of the Jedi or Return of the King, no matter how you look at it, and it has returned to center stage with a lot of great releases. This week I smoked some of them and look forward to sharing my thoughts on these sticks with reviews to come.

The resurrected Epoca is a lovely release from Nat Sherman that is a classic cigar. It delivers old school flavors, but to be honest with you, they will be flavors that you love or just don't care for. I really enjoyed the offering and because of that loved the cigar. Is it a complex cigar or a cigar that is considered a modern cigar? No, but it is what it is, a classic blend, and a very enjoyable one at that. Sometimes more is just more, and this cigar delivers the perfect amount in every area. This cigar is creamy, sweet, cedary and has a soft coffee finish with it as well.

Review Here.

I am a fan of the Eastern Standard line by Caldwell Cigar Co. I think it is a great use of a dark Connecticut wrapper and delivers so many flavors throughout. It pairs well with the Dominican tobacco, and I think it is a blend that is very modern and is the new Dominican Connecticut in some ways. With the release of The Silk Road though, Caldwell took the blend to a whole new level. This lancero is simply stunning and is a cigar I would come back to over and over again. It is very unique, different from the core line smokes, and it shows some amazing flavors that I have picked up in a well known Habanos line. Overall, I loved this cigar and the flavors delivered showed notes of lemongrass, coffee, cream, cedar and spices.

Review Coming Soon.

To be honest with you, I am not the biggest Liga 9 fan. They are not my cup of tea, and while they may be a solid Connecticut Broadleaf offering to many, it is not for me. However, these were great in the morning when I was in Nicaragua and they have grown on me some since then. They don't age well, but they do smoke well young and they taste better down in Nicaragua, that is for sure.

The new offering from Espinosa, Laranja uses a Brazilian wrapper, something very new for Eric and company, and is a different cigar than they have ever done. I personally think it is great; it has this comforting spice present throughout the entire cigar, and has a nice body and strength level as well. I need to smoke more, only smoked two, but right now I would say this is my second favorite release after the Espinosa Habano. The cigar shows some nice dry earth, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper notes throughout.

Review Coming Soon.

Probably one of the best Dominican puros I have had, and I love Dominican puros, the Angel's Share is a softer version of the OpusX and yet still delivers so many flavors and has a nice body and strength level. These are going to age wonderfully, but they smoke great young as well. I picked up some nice creamy notes in the beginning, but as it progressed it showed those leather, spice, cedar and coffee flavors that are present in traditional OpusX releases.

Review Coming Soon.

The newest cigar from Nat Sherman, the Joel Sherman 75th Celebration celebrates the 75th birthday of the company president, Joel Sherman. It is a limited edition cigar from the company and an elegant one at that. The extra long corona gorda or narrow Churchill shows incredible flavors and construction from beginning to end, and is a cigar many will love. I think it is one of the best releases from the company, and they have two great Ecuadorian Connecticut releases this year with this smoke and the Epoca. Notes of red pepper, cedar, oranges and cream were present throughout, making for a wonderful smoking experience.

Review Coming Soon.

So who knows why I am reviewing an Oktoberfest cigar in the early weeks of September when I should be waiting for the end of September/early October? The only reason I can come up with is that I am tired of summer and ready for fall to be here. I have so many bottles of Pumking, Warlock and other fall beers ready to be drunk and right now is not the time. My goal with this review is to urge the fall season to approach and bring some cooler weather. Fall is easily my favorite season, so many reasons, but one of them is that I think it is the best time to smoke cigars. That is why today I smoke a cigar that is crafted in honor of a fall festival. We all know the cigar, and probably all of us have paired it with an Oktoberfest beer, but today I look at the cigar by itself. Today I review the latest addition to the Oktoberfest line, the Krone. This is the smallest smoke in the line and the one I have always been interested in smoking. The cigar was released last year, so it is not really new, but what makes this review special, is that I review the smoke with the new bands.

Released in 2013, the Krone is the newest addition to the Oktoberfest line. It completed the line in terms of vitola offerings and is the smallest one in the seasonal production. It is a petit corona in measurements and measures 5" with a 43 ring gauge. The cigar is a Dominican puro and sports a wrapper from the Cibao Valley with a binder that is undisclosed in terms of region. The filler is a blend of Criollo and Olor tobacco, and is Viso and Ligero primings. The Krone is a solid petit corona and sports a beautiful dark Colorado wrapper. There is some very minor tooth present on the cigar and some small veins present throughout as well. There are some faint oils present on the wrapper and it has a great cap finish. The cigar has an aroma of wood, soft earth, spices and very faint sour fruit notes on the wrapper and an aroma of rich tobacco, wood and earth notes on the foot of the stick.

First off, the Krone is a flavorful little petit corona but it does not show a ton of transitioning throughout the cigar. Because of that, I will be reviewing this cigar in halves. The cigar begins by showing some nice spice notes, lovely bits of black pepper, and it is accompanied by this earthy an wheat flavor profile that really add a lot to the cigar. There are some woody notes present as well, and it has this sour fruity finish which reminds me of some beers, most quads. The flavors are really terrific, and this is the smoke that does best by itself when smoking these with a Marzen style beer. The other sizes in my opinion really benefit by the pairing, but this cigar does great on its own and when paired. The body and strength are at a solid medium full body level and the strength is nearly there as well. This is a great Dominican puro, I have always enjoyed it, but it shows the greatness in a Dominican puro in a whole new way. Construction is top notch with the cigar and it has a nice even burn line, a solid charcoal ash and a cool draw throughout.

When I enter into the second half of the cigar I find that the earthy and sweeter qualities are much more present and they are balancing out those woody and spice notes. I am still getting those sour fruit and beer notes as well, but they are not as present in this half and more of a background flavoring. The black pepper flavors are present on the finish of the cigar and it is showing some dark chocolate powder with that. Overall, a great flavor profile that is extremely enjoyable and a cigar I could smoke all day without bore. The construction continues to be top notch with the cigar as well and it produces that even burn line, firm light gray ash and a nice cool draw. The ash holds on well for the small petit corona and I typically find troubles with smaller sizes and ashes doing well on the end. Part of that stems from the fact that I smoke a lot of Habano petit coronas. The body and strength continue to smoke at that medium full level and this is a cigar that ends just perfectly and makes me reach for another one.

This cigar has been on the market for a year now, it is not new, but the packaging is and it is ten times better. It still pays homage to Germany, but this time around it is more to the state of Bavaria rather than Germany as a whole. It captures that Marzen beer logo that you see this time around and not so much a Reich like appearance. That does not factor into the cigar rating, but I think repackaging was a good idea for the company. In terms of flavors, the cigar delivers tremendous flavors and while there is not an abundance of transitioning in those flavors, it does produce a core flavor profile that does not disappoint. The body and strength is to my liking and I think it is a great modern day smoke in that sense. In terms of construction, there are no faults and this is a cigar I really sat back and relaxed with. The Oktoberfest is a new Dominican puro if you ask me and a great one at that. It really shows the versatility of Dominican tobacco and makes a Dominican puro that any Nicaraguan nut-bag would enjoy. I am giving the cigar a solid 92 rating and look forward to smoking another.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 92

It was during the Han dynasty that we saw the emergence of the Silk Road. This series of routes, roughly 4,000 miles in distance, connected East and West, and from 200BC to 1200AD this was a well traveled set of roads. Obviously more than silk was traded and items from all over the world made their way along the road, connecting and promoting different societies. It is a set of roads that is rich in history and when you name a cigar after it, you are really setting the standard high for the cigar in my opinion. With the length of the lancero and the silky Connecticut wrapper it possesses, you can see the connection that Robert Caldwell had in mind when he named this cigar The Silk Road. I have always been a fan of lanceros and loved when a manufacturer takes on making one with a Connecticut wrapper. It is a hard endeavor, but if you succeed you will have a great cigar. But enough of that, let's look at The Silk Road and see how it does.

Like the other smokes in the Eastern Standard line, the wrapper is classified as a Connecticut Hybrid from Ecuador, and was grown in 2006. The binder is Dominican Habano from 2005 and underneath that is a combination of aged tobacco from the Nicaragua and DR. He utilizes some Dominican Criollo '98 Viso from 2008, Dominican Corojo Ligero from 2006 and Nicaraguan Habano Seco from 2007. This lancero, The Silk Road, is a little bit bigger than your standard lanceros and it measures 7.5" with a 40 ring gauge. The lancero sports a dark Connecticut wrapper and it has a coloring that is closer to Colorado while staying in touch with those Natural qualities that you get with a Connecticut. There are some veins throughout the cigar and it is relatively smooth to touch while silky in texture. It is firm in hand and the aroma on the wrapper is that of fruit, tobacco, cedar and soft spices. The foot is showing an aroma of hay, leather and cedar, and the cold draw is producing similar notes while producing an easy cool draw.

The first third opens up by showing some really unique flavors and flavors that I typically pick up with one other cigar. I am getting some noticeable pepper notes, black pepper mostly, and it has this lemongrass flavor to it as well. It is followed by some cedar and cream notes, and it has a finish that is showing some additional wood and aged tobacco notes. It is a complex flavor profile and very unique when looking at the other Eastern Standard flavors. In terms of body, the cigar is smoking at a level between medium and medium full, and the strength is right there as well. It is like no other Connecticut lancero and it is something revolutionary in my opinion. The burn line is a little uneven though and it is slightly wavy with a charcoal ash on the end that is slightly flaky at times. The draw is cool though and producing a nice concentrated bit of smoke.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and the flavors are becoming more intense and showing some terrific qualities to that. The peppery flavors are very prominent in this third, much more so than before, and with that is a strong lemongrass flavor. I am getting those cedar notes as well, and it has a finish that shows some earthy qualities with that aged Dominican tobacco. I really dig the flavors and it is an elegant lancero. The body and strength are now at a medium full level and this may be classified as a Connecticut, but it is something more than that. It really is a Dark Connecticut cigar. The construction remains similar in this third to the first third and it is showing a slightly wavy burn line with that dark charcoal ash on the end of the cigar. The ash is holding on well and the draw is cool and producing a nice bit of concentrated smoke. I really love where this cigar has gone and look forward to the final third.

When I get into the final third, the cigar shows some transitioning and I am beginning to pick up some herbal notes on the front end. It is pairing with some creamy qualities, and there are some cedar notes present after that which are very enjoyable. The spice notes have really faded, but the lemongrass notes are still there on the finish, making for a great one at that. I really enjoyed the transitioning in this third, and it showed those great qualities throughout. The body has lessened some in this third and I am finding it to be more at a level between medium and medium-full. Along with that, the strength has faded some too and it is now smoking with a medium strength level on the finish. The construction really picks up in the final third and I begin to get a razor sharp burn line with that solid charcoal ash on the finish. The draw is cool and effortless, and it has a flavorful and softer finish.

The more I smoke this cigar, the more I love it. It is probably the best vitola in the Eastern Standard line, and I love that this limited edition is unique when looking at the other smokes. With the 40 ring gauge, this cigar shows a flavor profile that the core line did not show and it is a great one at that. Construction was not perfect, it wasn't bad, but it was not perfect, but the flavors were simply terrific. I could smoke this cigar all the time and it is a great afternoon and evening cigar. This particular smoke reminded me of a Cuban brand which I typically don't go for, because it takes a while for them to mature, but this cigar showed all those great qualities while being relatively young as a cigar. The Silk Road will age wonderfully and I think in two plus years it will be simply amazing. I really am loving this stick and it is becoming one of my favorites by Caldwell Cigar Company. I am giving this smoke a solid 95 rating, and I know that is high, but it is simply amazing.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 95

When I think of Arturo Fuente Cigars, the first thing that comes to mind is the OpusX brand. That should not be a surprise, but the second thing that comes to mind is how much they help those in need. I have seen no other cigar company help children and families to the degree that they have. If there other companies do it, they are quiet about it, but the Fuente Family is a family that tells everyone they are helping people, and they help people that because they are so thankful for everything they have. They say it themselves, they are so blessed that they know it is their responsibility to help those in need. They deserve a round of applause for that, and that is why today I am smoking the Fuente Fuente OpusX Angel's Share. This is a special release cigar by the family that is an OpusX blend from lower primings, and it is a cigar that has the proceeds go to organizations like the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, St. Jude and The Dan Marino Foundation. There is something special about smoking a cigar, but there is something more special about knowing you are helping people in need.

For this review, I went with the Churchill vitola, and grabbed the Reserva d'Chateau. The Churchill measures 7" with a 48 ring gauge and is box pressed. It features a Dominican Chateau de la Fuente Sun Grown, same as the regular OpusX, but this is from a lower priming. Underneath that is an all Dominican blend, and all the tobacco is aged. With beautiful bands, a solid triple cap and gorgeous colored wrapper, the cigar is simply stunning. It has a beautiful press to it and silky and slightly oily texture to touch. I would say the coloring is right between Natural and a light Colorado, and it is a firm cigar in hand and firm to touch. At the foot of the cigar I am getting an aroma of raisins, sweet milk chocolate, tobacco, ripe banana notes and a hint of soft manure. The wrapper is showing some earthy, leathery and tobacco notes as well, and the aroma is terrific.

The cigar begins by showing some great creamy flavors and it is accompanied by this soft lemon and coconut flavor with that. There are some noticeable spices present as well and it is accompanied by some cedar, hay, leather and coffee bean notes. There are some soft grassy flavors on the finish as well and this is an elegant cigar. It has a softer beginning to it, that other Opus Xs don't have, but that comes from this lower priming wrapper. The construction is good on the cigar, it is producing a burn line that is not perfect, but it burns razor sharp with that slight unevenness. The draw is cool and producing a nice bit of smoke, and the ash is holding on firmly while showing a nice charcoal color. I would say that that the body of the cigar is at a medium level right now and the strength level is there as well.

When I get into the second third of the cigar I begin to see some transitioning and the cigar begins to show more stronger Opus X flavors. The creaminess really calms down in the second half of the cigar and it is showing some more tobacco, leather and coffee bean notes. I am getting some spicy qualities here and there, and it has a nice finish that has some soft cocoa notes present. It is definitely a complex smoke and a great blend by the Fuente Family. The construction is great in the second third of the cigar and I find the burn line has perfected itself and is showing an even burn line now with that charcoal ash on the end holding on firmly. The draw is still cool and while I typically like Churchills in the round format, it is smoking well with this press. The body and strength are above medium in this third and I would say it is between medium and medium full overall.

I am in the final third of the cigar now and it is really ending by showing some solid Opus X flavors. I am picking up some solid leather and tobacco notes, and it has some coffee and cocoa notes present as well. It is really ending like an Opus, but it still has this lighter quality present with some nutty and creamy aspects as well. I like how the cigar ends, very different from where it began, and while it is still elegant it is fuller. The strength of the cigar is right at a medium full level and the body is there as well. It is not as strong as a regular Opus X, but it is almost there while showing some lighter qualities. The construction is great on the stick in this third as well and it has that even burn line with a nice charcoal ash that is holding on firmly at the end. The draw is cool on the finish and it is showing those nice flavors at the end.

This is an incredible cigar and in some ways, I prefer these to regular OpusXs. I think that comes from the softer beginning and the fact that these are better young than regular OpusXs. With age these will become even better and there is a reason that the brand is a well loved brand. I am a fan of Dominican tobacco and Dominican puros when done correctly, and this cigar is done correctly. The construction was nice on the cigar from beginning to end and with that is an amazing flavor profile that is hard to match. The family knows how to blend a Dominican puro and deliver this unique and wonderful quality that is almost a trademark for Arturo Fuente Cigars. This is a cigar you buy, smoke some and age the rest. Come back in a year and it will be better. Come back in five year and this cigar will be simply magnificent. I am giving this cigar a solid 94 rating and look forward to visiting it again down the road.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 94

Just this week the cigar industry was shocked and awed about the acquisition of the Toraño Family Cigar brands by General Cigars. There are always rumors of small companies that will be taken in by these larger corporations, but when the news came out that General Cigars acquired the brands of Toraño Family Cigars, I was completely surprised. To this day I remember my first 1916 Cameroon, and I am going to be honest in saying that if I lit one up now, it would not be the same. There is something about this industry that projects a since of tradition and heritage that when an acquisition like this occurs, myself and others find it quite discomforting. This is an industry like no other, and it is an industry that really promotes the brick and mortar stores; stores that are run by families and not run in the corporation fashion. That is why when I see a family company, who promotes the sense of family and history, sell their brands to a large corporation, I ask myself "what?"

Our initial reaction as consumers is to be angry with these large companies and criticize them for their recent purchase of a smaller family run company. Yes there are emotions and people's jobs involved, but this is a business decision. Whatever the reason, and I am really looking for one, the two companies discussed and went through with this plan. Are these large corporations to blame though? Is it fair to punish General Cigars for acting like the corporation that it is and making such business decisions? The answer is an easy no, and while I do not see this working out well for General Cigars and Toraño Family Cigars, it is a business decision that has been carried out by the two companies. General can't do a better job of promoting Toraño Family Cigars then Toraño, and I hope that they are smart enough to remove "a family cigar company" from the slogan as it is no longer a family company.

Looking at this decision from the other side, is it fair to be mad at these small companies that sell their brands, or some would say themselves, out to the highest bidder? Is it wrong for these small companies to think about their brands and their best interest? Is it wrong for these family companies to assess the situation currently in the cigar industry and make a business/corporation decision that is in the best interest of them from a business aspect? The business side of me says no to all of these questions, but it does not mean that on a deeper and emotional level I am unhappy with the current situation. Right now the cigar industry is under attack and in some cases we are circling the wagons, but I still find it difficult when some pioneers ditch the wagons and run for higher ground. While from a business aspect, the Toraño Family Cigar "wagon" is teaming up with another set and not leaving, the reality is that the pioneer who led that wagon has left and taken the word Family with him. Since 1916 the Toraño family has been in the industry, at different levels and in different countries over the years, but as of September 11th, 2014, that is no longer the case. You can keep the name, but that does not mean the family is still involved or this is a family company. It is what it is, and Toraño Family Cigars is no more.

No one likes to see businesses depart from an industry, and when we do see it happen we typically think the worst. As consumers we believe we are losing options in selection, companies checking one another in terms of pricing and also relationships with companies. This is very much the case with the cigar industry and no one can deny that it is easier to build connections with these smaller companies than the larger companies. These connections with smaller companies may not have been all of the time, but they were much more frequent than the larger corporations who did not need to build those relationships. As a country we love to see competition and in any area you will see that. Look around your city or town, how many burger places do you have? I can think of hundreds in my area and that ranges from the large corporate joints, smaller corporate places and even the local places that are different on so many levels. This is most definitely the case with the cigar industry, and wrapping up everything I have said so far, theories and concerns come to mind.

What this all boils down to is the level of discomfort in the industry that is already in place. If the FDA subject was not in place, not so big of a deal, but because of the FDA, this will be an acquisition that is discussed for some time. I know we are all wondering if we are going to see any more companies sell and get out of the business? There have been no other announcements of companies leaving, but the year is not over and the FDA has still not publicly announced their decision. I would not be surprised if we see more of these down the road in the next couple years. Is Toraño just the first of many to sell and get out while the industry is still doing well? They were a company that provided premium cigars at an affordable price. You did not see their sticks selling at a higher price level like some, and with the industry expecting the FDA to take actions to a certain degree regarding pricing, there is a possibility that they would not have survived the changes that will possibly be carried out by the FDA.

Toraño is nowhere near the smallest company, there are a lot of smaller companies out there, and I would not be surprised that if the going gets tough, these small companies begin to depart. The reality is that the market is flooded and it is only a matter of time before these boutique boys start killing each other. How much tobacco is really being grown? The larger companies right now are gaining more and more control, and with that control is factories, tobacco fields and placement in the humidors. At the end of the day, retailers are going to go with a company like General that can provide produce regularly, than go with a smaller company that has trouble shipping cigars and keeping up with the demand. There was a time when Toraño had factories and fields, but when they sold them they may have hurt themselves down the road. They may have been fine early on, but having your own factory and fields saves a lot of money. This whole discussion and reports leads to the question of boutique cigars and the smaller companies.

I will be honest with you, this past year has been a disappointment in terms of speaking up for our rights. I felt that a lot of the responsibility fell on the consumers, and a lot of that stems from the fact that manufacturers and retailers did not do enough in the early years to prevent this from happening. I have no problem standing up for my rights, but the words need to come from more than just consumers. Guns and alcohol understood that threat early on and that is why they are where they are. While I think a lot of the big manufacturers will be fine, these companies that have solid brands, the fear should be felt and shared by the boutique companies. All of these boutique companies need to be vocal and in my opinion they have done nothing or very little. They just keep throwing out these small batch releases and looking two feet ahead of them when they need to be looking 100 yards ahead. This

As I titled this piece, are we beginning to see the decline of tradition and heritage in the cigar industry? Is the old guard and their family leaving for good? I hate to say this, but I would be disappointed to see the industry become an industry of successful individuals who have very little history in tobacco and cigars, but merely entered into the industry because they were able to do it financially or with financial backers. I look at some other industries and see that family and tradition continue on, or are really emerging, and ask myself why is that not the case with this industry. Yes, you still have some families left who have been with us for a long time, but that number is small. Will outsiders who have entered into this industry because of their financial means be all that is left? Are the guayaberas being hung up in the closet and being replaced with three piece suits? Can we expect to see a handful of large companies control the industry and dominate the humidors of cigar shops across this nation? The positive side of me wants to say no, but the realist side in me says that things are moving in the direction that we have just seen, and no longer will companies like Toraño Family Cigar truly celebrate 100 years in the industry. Yes, General Cigars can promote that 100th year in 2016, but it will not have a Toraño family member present and/or a part of the project when it happens.

Ammodor

When one thinks of a humidor, the last thing that comes to mind is an ammunition can. I would not say that is because every cigar smoker is using a traditional desktop humidor that you buy at a cigar store, I mean, Igloo Coolers are being used as humidors, but an ammunition can is a bit of a stretch when envisioning a humidor. There aren't many guys that have ammunition cans lying around and they aren't something you see at stores often, so why use them as humidors? Well for starters, they look awesome. I mean, there is something about storing your cigars in a humidor that gets the testosterone flowing, and with the handles on top, you can carry them around as well. You want an awesome travel humidor? Check out Ammodors.

But what makes Ammodors truly great as humidors is that the humidors are lined with Spanish Cedar and are airtight. These humidors definitely pass the seal test, and with A-grade 1/4" thick Spanish Cedar lining the sides, your cigars will not dry out. The company has Ammodors that vary in size, and you can get a smaller one that holds between 25 and 50 to a larger one that can hold over 150 robustos. Now, if that is not big enough, you can get a custom Ammodor per request. If you go to the companies website, you will see some custom project he has done and it is all very impressive. With all of these details, you are probably wondering how he gets all of these ammunition cans. Where do they come from?

Ammodor The 50

It's actually an easy answer, the company buys these ammo cans at government auctions when they are no longer needed. The government doesn't want to hold on to them and store them in storage facilities, so might as well sell them. Ammodors only buys the highest quality ammunition cans, and after purchasing them cleans them and gets them prepped to become humidors. Once cleaned, they begin the process of installing the cedar, new rubber seal and then clean them out again so they are ready for use. They install a felt pad at the bottom of every Ammodor so as not to damage any surface they are stored on and at that point they are ready for you and me.

felt pad bottom protects surface from the ammunition can

With that introduction, let's take a look at these humidors and get one ready for use. I am going to be focusing on The 50, and this is an Ammodor that is made from a .50 CAL ammunition can. The humidor can hold up 125 robustos, depending on how you store your cigars, and I have seen a lot of cigars fit properly into these in the past. As you can see from the photo below, I prepared the humidors with Boveda seasoning packs before storing cigars in it. I think it is a lot cleaner and easier, and while it takes a little bit longer, it is very reliable. You can also see from the picture below the Spanish Cedar and the quality of cedar that it is.

Seasoning with Boveda

All Ammodors come with a basic humidification device, that is always provided, but if you want to have an upgrade you can. That upgrade includes a hygrometer along with the humidification device so you can see the temperature and humidity inside. You can install these devices on the lid with the magnet provided, which is what I did, or you can use Velcro if that is what you prefer. (The Velcro is provide as well.) There are actually a lot of upgrades that can be done with the humidor, so when checking out of the store, see what they have and what you want. You can get dividers, shelves, etc. As you can see from the photos below, they provide a quality humidification device and the magnet sticks well to the lid.

Ammodor Humidification Device

The last and one of the most important things I will cover is something that I was curious about the first time I checked out an Ammodor; the seal. It is always important that humidors have a good seal, and the Ammodor does. Sometimes we get humidors where the seal is poor so you have to adjust to get the humidity to where you want it and that also affects temperature as well. This is not the case with the Ammodor. The company installs a new rubber seal to the can after cleaning, and this makes the humidor truly airtight. I took a photo below to show you what I am talking about.

Rubber Seal - Airtight

I think that about covers it. I am going to be coming back to this humidor on the 25th and at that point, the humidor should be ready for cigars to be stored inside. I am really looking forward to filling this humidor up and seeing how it performs once ready. In the meantime, go to www.Ammodors.com and check the company out. See what they have to offer. These are really cool humidors and if you are or you know someone is into ammunition cans, and this is a humidor for your lifestyle, I would not hesitate in picking one up. If you have any questions, I would be glad to answer them but as always, do not hesitate to reach out to Ammodors as well. They are incredibly friendly and know more about this system than I do.

A big week of smoking, this was a week filled with some great cigars. Some were new, but for the most part a lot of them were cigars I have smoked in the past and come back to because I wanted something really good. Something interesting that I smoked this week was a French puro that was enjoyable and different, and a cigar I would want to come back to again down the road. but was not a cigar that I was blown away by. Besides that, I smoked some great Nicaraguan puros, some terrific Habanos and the first Mexican San Andres from My Father that I have really enjoyed. Take a look!

Sindicato Churchill

Why Sindicato did not begin with releasing this stick confuses me, but at least they did release this cigar and get it on the market. This Nicaraguan puro that is rolled by Casa Fernandez shows tons of great Nicaraguan flavors and flavors that I love which Casa Fernandez does a great job in producing. The construction is absolutely terrific from beginning to end and it is balanced with a nice body and strength level. While the company did not have the best start as a company, they have turned things around and producing some solid stuff now.

Review Here.

Long Live the King Petit Double Wide Short Churchill

This is a smoke that I love, and I mean love. I am smoking this all the time and have not found a bad one yet. Do yourself a favor and pick some of these up. There are great sizes in the line, but the Petit Double Wide Short Churchill is easily the best.

Review Here.

Joya Red Toro

The newest release from Joya de Nicaragua, this is a terrific smoke that really shows the greatness and diversity in Nicaraguan tobacco. It is very different from a lot of the other Nicaraguan puros that they have made, better in my opinion, and with that is some amazing construction. I have smoked all of the sizes and I find that they are all enjoyable and somewhat unique in their own way. I have reviewed the Toro, and loved it, and could not resist in smoking ti again. If you have not smoked this yet, you need to pick some up. The cigar shows some great spice, leather, tobacco, toast and earthy notes, and is simply tasty as hell.

Review Here.

Illusione Original Documents ~f9~

A classic Lonsdale, the ~f9~ is probably my favorite Lonsdale on the market. I have found that the flavors are always great and no matter the box or vintage, the cigar does not disappoint. I have gotten them in darker and lighter colored wrappers, I prefer the lighter ones, and they always produce some great leather, rich earth, stone fruit, cocoa and spice notes. There are so many great smokes in the Original Documents, and I love most of them, but this is one that just does it all for me and seems to be an off the radar smoke by so many as well.

Review Here.

La Navarre Short Robusto

The first French puro that I have ever smoked, and probably the only one I smoke, the cigar showed some interesting and mild flavors that were decent, but not mind blowing. I smoked an Italian puro earlier this year, that I prefer to this, and that had just a little bit more body which I prefer. The construction was solid on the short robusto and overall I would say the cigar smoked around a mild to medium level in body and strength. I got some herbal, leather, cedar and floral qualities overall, and it was interesting and fun to smoke something new.

La Palina Black Label Robusto

The latest core release from La Palina, and the second from PDR Cigars, the Black Label is categorized as a full body smoke from La Palina. It definitely was full body while producing some great strength, but it had nice flavors as well. The construction was good, and while I need to smoke more, the first one I smoked was enjoyable and a nice offering from the company. I think it is one of the better regular production smokes, after El Diario, and I like the new bands.

Review Coming Soon.

Satin Glove by Surrogates

The newest smoke in the Surrogates brand, the Satin Glove was released this year at the IPCPR Trade Show. It is the first Mexican San Andres wrapper for Surrogates and L'atelier Imports, and the third Mexican San Andres by Pete Johnson. This pressed maduro is the best Mexican release from My Father Cigars this year, and is constructed wonderfully. It shows rich and dark flavors, and with the Nicaraguan binders and fillers, this is not a novice smoke. I am not the biggest Mexican San Andres fan, I think there can be good releases, but for the most part they are disappointing. This is an enjoyable cigar and I look forward to reviewing it.

Review Coming Soon.

H. Upmann Half Corona

I am a huge fan of the H. Upmann brand, I will not deny it, but it is also a brand that is packed full of great cigars. Whether you are smoking the Magnum 46, Magnum 50, Sir Winston or the No. 2, you are going to get something great. One unique offering though, and the newest to the brand, is the Half Corona. This tiny smoke is packed full of flavors and has a great punch, but is also a cigar that you can smoke when you do not have much time. In about half an hour you can finish this cigar and get back to what needs to be done. The ones I have smokes have only been about a year old, so they are still young, but they have a ton of kick to them right now which means that it will take some years for them to mellow. Very enjoyable!

Review Here.

Ramon Allones Specially Selected

Simply a classic, this is one of the best robustos on the worldwide market in my opinion. They are great young, showing tons of strength and body, but with age the become more refined and really mellow while producing those great flavors that are known with Ramon Allones. This particular robusto was from 2007 and it smoked cool with a nice medium body and strength level. I picked up some earth notes with a nice bit of cedar, cocoa and some herbal spices. There was a touch of leather present on the end, and it was very enjoyable.

Review Here.

Casa Fernandez Lancero

This is possibly one of the best lanceros in my opinion, and it also happens to be one that really keeps a low profile. Yes, this cigar received praise from Cigar Aficionado years back, but it just never seemed to grab the attention of a lot of the consumer out there; which is a total shame. I find that this is a great Nicaraguan puro, and it is a puro that shows balance and complexity. The construction is perfect throughout and I am always looking forwarding to smoking my next one. The cigar shows notes of cinnamon, coffee, wood and cocoa, and it remains at a medium level in terms of body and strength from beginning to end.

Review Here.

I love it when a manufacturer changes things up and releases a line that is not what you would expect from the brand. It is always great to see these companies leave their comfort zone and head into an area that is unknown to them and new to us as well. To do this, Erik Espinosa decided to release a new cigar this year for Espinosa Premium Cigars, and release a cigar that was very different from what we have seen from the company. The cigar revolved around a unique wrapper that is from Brazil, a country that is mostly known for its Mata Fina tobacco, but this wrapper is not Mata Fina. This wrapper is called Laranja and like it's name, which is orange in Portuguese, it is orange in appearance. We have seen Brazilian Habano wrappers used in the past, but it is the first time we have seen Espinosa take on a wrapper from Brazil, and I look forward to see how it smokes. Enough with the introductions though, let's take a look at the Espinosa Laranja Reserva.

For this review I chose the Toro, and the cigar is your standard toro that measures 6" with a 52 ring gauge. The bands are not your typical Espinosa bands, and I find that the bands is a little bit more classy and the foot band is a nice touch as well. The cigar features a Brazilian Laranja wrapper, and Laranja is Portugese for orange. Under that is a filler blend of Nicaraguan tobacco with a Nicaraguan binder.The cigars are made in Esteli, Nicaragua at La Zona Cigar Factory and are rolled in the Cuban fashion. The toro has a beautiful color to it and the name of Laranja is fitting for the cigar. The orange coloring is gorgeous and it has this nice Colorado coloring present as well. There is a lovely triple cap on the cigar and it is rolled well. There are very few veins present overall and it has a smooth texture to the cigar. There is an aroma of toast, cedar, spices and red pepper on the cigar, and it is a nice comforting and warm aroma.

The cigar begins by showing a lot of spice notes. I am getting tons of red pepper for the most part, but it has some cinnamon qualities present as well. It is paired with some toast and nutty qualities, and it has this dry cedar flavor profile on the finish. There is a mineral quality as well, that is slightly sweet, but for the most part this cigar is all about the spices. I would say the strength of the cigar is at an easy full level, and the body is right at medium full. To me, this is a late afternoon and evening cigar, and if I smoked in the morning I would need to have a good breakfast. The construction is nice on the cigar and it has an even burn line with a charcoal coloring there as well. The draw is super easy and producing a nice bit of smoke, and it is a cool draw despite the dryer and stronger flavors.

When I move into the second third of the cigar I find that the flavor profile remains fairly consistent with that of the first third and it is a spicy and dry cigar. I begin to pick up these orange rind notes, which I thought were more mental because the name of the cigar and so forth, but after really concentrating I realized I was getting some orange rind notes. It is paired with those pepper notes that have been present from the beginning and this is a full body and full strength smoke. The body and strength are really noticeable and powerful in this cigar and it really reminds me of some powerhouse cigars that were hitting the market years back. It is very different from other Espinosa stuff but at the same time riding on that full strength and body wave. The construction remains similar in this third and it is showing a fairly even burn line with that charcoal ash on the end. The draw is cool, producing a nice bit of smoke, and so far the cigar is fairly similar and enjoyable.

I am in the final third of the cigar now and it is finishing very much like it began. There are a lot of pepper and cinnamon notes, and it has this cedar, toast and mineral flavor profile present as well. The nutty qualities are slightly present, softer than they were initially, and the orange rind flavors have become softer as well while showing a less sweet flavor. As I have said from the beginning, this is a peppery and spicy smoke and a full one at that. The strength is still at that full level that it was when I first lit up the cigar and the body is full tilt as well. This is a later in the day cigar for me, I am not going to deny it, it is a little much for me right now, but I enjoy the flavors being paired with the strength and find them to complement each other. The construction remains identical to what it has been from the beginning and it is showing that fairly even burn line, charcoal ash and a nice bit of smoke on a cool finish.

The Laranja is an interesting new offering from the company and I like the use of the Brazilian wrapper. It is not my cup of tea as a cigar in general, but there are many who will enjoy it. I actually find myself enjoying his Espinosa Habano the most out of everything he has made, and that is a cigar that is meant to be smoked by me. I felt this cigar lacked some complexity and transitioning, but if you are looking for a cigar that has a core flavor profile that is spicy and is a cigar that is also strong, you will enjoy it. I can see my bud Logan Lawler really liking this cigar because of what it offers in strength, but if it were a little bit softer in that sense I would be able to smoke these more often. The construction was solid with this cigar as well, and from the beginning it presented no problems in that category. I have smoked through four of these now and looking back on them I wish they had just a little bit more in terms of complexity and flavors. I am giving the cigar a solid 89 rating and would like to smoke the smaller offerings to see if I get some change.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 89

When I first saw the name Tatuaje Tattoo, the first thing that came to mind was the movie Mickey Blue Eyes with Hugh Grant. In the movie, Grant's character is about to marry Jeanne Tripplehorn's character and her father, played by James Caan, is an Italian mafia head who for cover owns a restaurant called The La Trattoria. Grant makes the obvious comment, you know your father has a restaurant called "The the Trattoria,"to which Tripplehorn's character says yes, I know in a less amused tone. For some reason, that scene of the movie comes to mind when I think of this cigar and while it may not come off as positive for the cigar I am about to review, I really enjoyed the movie. Anyways, today I look at the Tatuaje Tattoo Caballero, and see how this budget friendly release is for Tatuaje Cigars.

Made at My Father Cigars sister factory in Nicaragua, Tabacalera Cubana, Tattoo is a release that is intended to be very budget friendly. I don't think his company has a problem with releasing cigars at an affordable price, but this is significantly less than others. The cigar features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, dark one at that, and are is then completed with a Nicaraguan binder and filler blend. For this review I went with the Caballero, Spanish for knight/gentleman, and the cigar measures 5" with a 50 ring gauge. This was the early release size, as the other three sizes were featured at the IPCPR this year. Construction is fairly solid on the cigar and it features a dark wrapper that is maduro in coloring. It has some veins throughout with a texture that is slightly oily. The cigar has an aroma of rich earth, dark spices and cherry notes, and that is present on the foot and the wrapper.

Lighting up the cigar, it begins by showing some noticeable spice and pepper notes. They are very present and they really announce themselves on the retrohale. The flavors are accompanied by some oak notes and it has this rich earth and dark cherry flavor profile present as well. The flavor profile is very bold and overall I am enjoying the cigar for what it is. The strength is very present with the cigar as well and it is at a full level which is overwhelming the flavors in some ways. The body is closer to medium full and this is an afternoon or evening cigar for me with the qualities present. In terms of construction, the cigar is showing a nice burn line that is not perfect, but a little uneven in parts. It's producing a dark charcoal ash that is holding on well at the end and there is a slot of smoke being produced. Overall, it is an entertaining cigar and for the price I can see why so many guys enjoy the cigar.

When I get into the second half of the cigar I find that the flavor profile is fairly similar to that of the first half and it is a strong flavor profile with a stronger strength level. I did not expect the cigar to be this strong when I went into it, and it is showing some Fausto qualities with the strength present. I am picking up some noticeable strong oak notes in this half, and it is accompanied by some dark earth and spices with that. There is some noticeable tobacco qualities present as well, and it has a finish that is showing some dark cherry notes, but not an abundance of them or in a strong format. The strength and body are now at a full level, and while the strength was there from before, the body is now present there and this cigar is going the limit. In terms of construction it is smoking at the same degree as it was in the first half and it is showing a burn line that is a little uneven and with that a dark charcoal ash on the end. The draw is cool and at the end of the cigar are those strong flavors and powerful strength.

I am truly enjoying watching manufacturers release these budget friendly smokes in 50 count cabinets. I would love to see more manufacturers get in the competition because you never know what you are going to get, but I am not holding my breath. Right now Dion is leading the pack in my opinion, but I know a lot of Tatuaje guys who would say otherwise. But let's be real, they are Tatuaje guys. The Tattoo is enjoyable, not my cup of tea, but an entertaining smoke that is producing some stronger flavors with a hell of a strength and body level. I really have no interest in smoking the other vitolas in the line, I think he should have just kept to the one, but Pete likes to please the masses so what am I going to say about that. Overall, I am giving this cigar an 89 rating. I am glad I smoked some, they were entertaining, but I would not count on myself getting more down the road, especially a cabinet. Who knows though, maybe age would be great to these sticks.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 89

Espinosa Premium Cigars and Cigar Dojo are pleased to announce today their first collaboration project, Sensei;s Sensational Sarsparilla. The project is the first time the two companies have worked hand in hand, but this is not the first time Cigar Dojo has created a cigar. The cigar gets its name from the once popular drink Sasparilla, and this was a drink that was common in the Midwest and believed to alleviate health conditions. The release will be a limited batch release, and the cigars will come in ten count bundles. They will only be available through Famous Smoke Shop in Easton, PA, and total production numbers has not been released.

The smoke will be a 5.5" by 52 ring gauge belicoso, and will be made at La Zona Cigars in Esteli, Nicaragua. The filler and binder blend has not been disclosed on the cigar, but it has been revealed that the wrapper is Mexican San Andres. Master Sensei of Cigar Dojo is quoted in saying that "we wanted to come up with a cigar that had a unique flavor. We wanted a cigar that took the cigar smoker through a journey from start to finish. We wanted a cigar that evolves as you smoke it...we wanted a full-flavored cigar that would grab your attention and not let go” The cigar will first be avialable to members of the Cigar Dojo app in early November, and will then be released at Famous Smoke Shop shortly following that.

It has been 50 years since Jose Orlando Padron founded Padron Cigars in the area of Miami, Florida called Little Havana, and 47 years since he first visited Nicaragua and established a home there for the family as well. Throughout those 50 years the company has seen great times and tough times, but they continued throughout that entire time to make Padron Cigars, great cigars, and do well as a company and family. There are not many companies that have been around for 50 years, and the ones that have been around for that long or longer you can really count on one hand. It is because of this that we see the Padron Family as a classic company, and they are seen at a higher status. The family has done well over the years, releasing masterpieces, and in 2007 the company launched their newest line to date, the Family Reserve. Since then there have been four releases under the Family Reserve line, and this year we saw the fifth to honor their 50th anniversary. They have a very limited and special release to honor their 50 years as well, the Little Hammer, but the more readily available anniversary release is the Family Reserve No. 50. I have been smoking Family Reserves since they first became available, and today I look at the newest one, the Family Reserve No. 50 Maduro.

Featured at this years IPCPR, the No. 50 is one of the two new offerings released by the company to honor their 50 years in the industry. As most Family Reserve releases, the No. 50 will come in two offerings, a maduro and natural, and will be in boxes of ten. For this release I went with the maduro offering as it was the only option available at the time. The No. 50 measures 5" with a 54 ring gauge, and to no surprise it is box pressed. The tobacco used in the blend is aged for ten years, as that is the case with all Family Reserve smokes. The smoke is beautiful in presentation, as all the Family Reserve smokes are, and features the classic Family Reserve band with a secondary 50 Years band. The maduro is incredibly dark in coloring, a true maduro, and it possesses some tooth on the wrapper with small veins. It is oily and slightly gritty in texture, and it possesses an aroma of rich earth and dark cocoa on the wrapper with an aroma of spices, rich earth and coffee on the foot.

The first third begins by showing some dark coffee bean notes and it has some rich cocoa qualities with that which match perfectly. There are some definite spice notes as well, and it is accompanied by this aged Nicaraguan tobacco flavor that is great. There is a creaminess with the cigar as well and it really completes the flavors and balances it all out. This is a great Family Reserve, and I haven't had a smoke like this since the 45 was initially released. The body is perfect, smoking right at a medium full level and the strength is there as well. It is stronger than some typical Padrons, but they still balance and check that with the flavors being produced. In terms of construction the cigar is absolutely perfect and it has a razor sharp burn line with that lovely charcoal ash on the end that is holding on firmly to the halfway mark. So far, a great smoke and truly a classic. These will smoke great now and age wonderfully.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and it is definitely growing in darkness and the flavors are bolder than they were before. The creamy aspect has faded and it is now showing those dark chocolate and coffee bean notes from before. The tobacco notes are present as well and it has this cinnamon and pepper quality present as well. This is one of the bolder Padrons I have had and this is a smoke that will age very well. The construction remains perfect into the second third and it has that razor sharp burn line and cool draw. The ash has that nice charcoal coloring present and it is holding on firmly still. If the bands were not on this smoke, the ash could hold on all the way into the final third with no problems. The body and strength are at a medium full level and this is terrific evening smoke. I wonder how the natural version will be in comparison, and if it is this strong it is going to be a great offering.

The final third of the cigar continues to show that growth in terms of the darkness of the cigars flavors, and I am picking up a lot of rich earth and tobacco notes. The dark coffee bean flavors continue to be dominant and it is accompanied by some spice notes, focusing on pepper and cinnamon. There are some noticeable dark chocolate notes as well and it is showing a smooth and bold finish. The construction is absolutely terrific in this third and it has throughout. It shows that perfect razor sharp burn line on the end, and it has a solid charcoal ash that is holding on firmly. The draw is cool with the press that was applied, and it is showing some solid smoke production. In terms of body, the cigar finishes at a medium full level and the strength is right there as well. This is a bold Family Reserve, one of the bolder ones I have had, and it will age well.

The No. 50 is a very nice offering and I am interested to smoke it in the Natural version. The Maduro was definitely a bold and stronger offering, and it is at a medium full level in body and strength from beginning to end. Looking at the Family Reserve releases over the years, I would say this is the more fuller in body of the vintages, and in my opinion it shows that the smoke will mellow out some in years and really improve. The flavors with the No. 50 Maduro showed darker flavors and it was not a standard Padron in that sense. I understand that there is significantly aged tobacco in this blend, and I would be interested to see what this tobacco was like when it was younger. With excellent construction and flavors of coffee, earth, tobacco and dark chocolate present throughout, this cigar was complex and a lovely offering from the company. It is not my favorite release in the Family Reserve line, it is still hard to beat the No. 45 Maduro, but this is the second best if you ask me. I am giving the smoke a solid 92 rating. I do look forward to the Little Hammer release, and I believe that cigar will be a true masterpiece.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 92

Good stuff. That is all that I smoked this week. Whether it was from Cuba, Honduras or Nicaragua, I only smoked good stuff this week. I had a wedding this weekend, which is always an excuse to light up a crap load of Padrons, but I also had the opportunity to light up the new Padron Family Reserve No. 50 Maduro. I will share my thoughts on that later. My bud Cigar Coop shared with me a Casa Fernandez Rolling Event Cigar and besides that, I watched some Bones which is becoming quite addicting. Let's take a look at the week.

Casa Fernandez Miami Reserva Corojo Rolling Event Cigar

I have been a fan of the Miami Reserva line since it was first released, ask Stogie Geeks, Havana Phil's and any Casa Fernandez guy, and I believe it is a cigar that showed the greatness of Medio Tiempo tobacco and is a cigar that will age amazingly. I actually have not bought any boxes of the new stuff. I invested heavily in the original releases when it was just the Toro, but today I look at a cigar they make only for events. The cigar is the Miami Reserva Corojo blend, but it is released in a 7" by 48 ring gauge Churchill. It is truly terrific, love the size, and I am looking forward to reviewing it down the road. Smoking it fairly fresh though, fantastic!

Review Coming Soon.

Cohiba Maduro 5 Magicos

I am going to be honest, this cigar is not that good. I respect that Habanos went out there and released a maduro, and did it in the most purest of fashions, but the still fucking failed. The cigar has nice construction, sometimes, but it does not deliver any great flavors. It is a very a natural maduro, nothing mind blowing or overly sweet, so I appreciate that, but then again it is not that good so why do I bother. Catfish is still pissed at me for picking some of these up, and because of that I will make an episode dedicated to the Habano on What Embargo?. Hell, I might even ask Jose Blanco to join us!

Review Coming Soon to Habanos Critic.

Flor de Selva Maduro No. 15

Now this, this is a good maduro. A Honduran wrapper that has a natural maduro wrapper, it shows strength, flavors and complexity. The cigar itself was rolled wonderfully, and it is no surprise that my buddy Gabriel Alvarez wanted me to smoke it and get a review out. Review is on the way brother, but I am smoking more because I really enjoy them.

Review Coming Soon.

Jose Piedra Brevas

Talk about a great cheap cigar. This short filler masterpiece beats the Maduro 5 and beats a lot of non-Cubans as well. The size was great, construction terrific and flavors truly enjoyable. This is a cigar you buy bundles of and smoke them when you are working in the yard, want a quick smoke that you are not worried about putting down or you are completely hammered and want to smoke something but not waste a great cigar you have in your humidor.

Review Here.

La Palina Goldie Laguito No. 5

Not my favorite Goldie, hard to beat the No. 2, but this is my second favorite one and an enjoyable one at that. With the larger ring gauge, it shows some flavors that remind me of Hoyo de Monterrey and Cohiba, and it is a smooth cigar with flavors that are present but subtle throughout. The construction is absolutely phenomenal, and it is a great afternoon or morning smoke. I still have a box of these aging, and I am interested to see how they age. It is up in there air right now and I think they have the potential to be great or really go South.

Review Here.

Padron 1926 Serie No. 9 Natural

Simply a classic. This is probably the second best cigar ever made by Padron Cigars, possibly the first best, and one of the top five cigars ever made in Nicaragua. If you have not smoked it, you are missing out on an experience. I could smoke this all the time if possible.

Review Here.

Padron Family Reserve No. 50 Maduro

I have smoked all the Family Reserves, Natual and Maduro, and I can tell you that the line has had incredible fluctuation for me. The smoke can be truly magnificent, one of the best ever made, or it can be a total disappointment. Of course, that is to be expected when a company like Padron releases a new cigar as they are fairly conservative with new releases. the Family Reserve No. 50 Maduro is easily the second best maduro in the Family Reserve line, and while it is not as good as the No. 45, it is tasty. It is fairly strong overall, one of the strongest after the No. 85, and I believe with a little bit of age it will mellow out and get better.

Review Here.

Papas Fritas

How is that I like this over the Liga Privada No. 9? The question has me so perplexted that I don't know what else to day. Maybe I drank the Kool-aid and spit out so the effects are opposite.

Review Here.

Sindicato Maduro Magnum

I am a fan of the Sindicato releases that have been released with the cooperation from Casa Ferandez, and I was eager to see how the maduro would be after the original Sindicato release. All I can say is that this cigar is great, and if the smokes are better in smaller ring gauges, than I believe it will be phenomenal. The Magum smoked great and I will let you all see tomorrow morning when the review is posted.

Come Back Tomorrow!

Tienda Exclusive by Willy Herrera: Barrister Cigars Gets Store Exclusive from Drew Estate

Maya Selva Cigars Announces Gabriel Alvarez as U.S. Director of Sales

Cigar Review: Mbombay Classic Robusto by Bombay Tobak

Cigar Review: Villa Zamorano Robusto by Maya Selva Cigars

Week in Review (Volume 2, Issue 26)

Cigar Review: The King Is Dead The Last Payday by Caldwell Cigar Co.

Cigar Review: Tatuaje Wolf (Pudgy Monster Series)

Cigar Review: Nat Sherman Epoca

Week in Review( Volume 2, Issue 27)

Cigar Review: Quesada Oktoberfest Krone

Cigar Review: Eastern Standard The Silk Road

Cigar Review: Fuente Fuente OpusX Angel's Share Reserva d'Chateau

From Guayaberas to Suits: The Acquisition of Toraño Family Cigars by General Cigars

Ammodors: An Introduction into Ammunition Can Humidors

Week in Review (Volume 2, Issue 28)

Cigar Review: Espinosa Laranja Reserva Toro

Cigar Review: Tatuaje Tattoo Caballero

Sensei's Sensational Sarsparilla: The Collaboration of Cigar Dojo and Espinosa Cigars

Cigar Review: Padrón Family Reserve No. 50 (Maduro)

Week in Review (Volume 2 Issue 29)