Seth's Humidor: Cigar Reviews

When it comes to maduros, we all have out favorites. Whether it is Connecticut Broadleaf, Pennsylvania Broadleaf, Nicaraguan, Ecuadorian Habano Maduro or Mexican San Andres, there is one that really speaks to you as a smoker. I have found that there is not one that really speaks to me, but rather how it is applied to a cigar. Some manufacturers do well with certain wrappers, and some use the wrapper poorly. Looking at Mexican San Andres in particular, there is one manufacturer that does especially well and wins in creating some of the best Mexican San Andres smokes. That company is Casa Fernandez and in my opinion they know how to use the wrapper properly. That is why when I saw that Sindicato would be teaming up with them again and creating a Mexican San Andres smoke, I was excited. I have been waiting patiently for the release and now that time is here. Let's see how the new Sindicato Maudro is and if it is a great follow up to the Sindicato.

For this review I was given the Magnum size and it will be interesting to go into this line by smoking a 60 ring gauge. I like to smoke brands in a smaller ring gauge for the first time, and then go to a larger ring gauge to see how it is, but we are changing it up this time. The Magnum is a 6" by 60 ring gauge smoke and is made by Casa Fernandez in Nicaragua. The blend features a San Andres Moron wrapper from Mexico and features a double binder that is tobacco from Esteli. The filler is a combination of Jalapa and Esteli tobacco, and this is not the same blend as the Sindicato. The Magnum is pressed perfectly and it has a beautiful wrapper applied. It shows terrific maduro coloring and has few veins present throughout. There is a nice closed foot to the cigar and a lovely pigtail cap applied. The wrapper gives off a sweet aroma that is floral like with some cocoa, rich earth and sweet spices, and the foot is showing notes of similar sweetness and spiciness.

The first third opens up by showing some great Mexican San Andres and maduro flavors. It is rich and chocolaty, and it is showing some earthy qualities with that. There is a soft spice present, Asian spice notes, and it has a tobacco and creamy finish. This is a morning maduro in my opinion and it is a stick that I would begin the day with and get those rich and sweet flavors to start the day. I think every smoker could smoke this and really enjoy what is offered. The body is right at a medium level, making it a great cigar for anytime of day, and the strength is there as well. As I said earlier, this is a cigar I have in the morning with a cappuccino, afternoon with a mocha and in the evening with a Shiraz or Zinfandel. The construction on the smoke is terrific as well and it is producing a slightly uneven burn line with a solid charcoal ash on the end. The draw is cool and there is a nice bit of smoke being produced.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and coffee flavors have begun to emerge and they are pairing with those rich earth and chocolate notes from before. It has really completed itself in that sense and has become a full picture Mexican San Andres offering. The soft spice notes are still present and so are those cream and tobacco notes. I really dig this cigar and I am going to say this is the best Mexican San Andres release of the year. The body and strength are still smoking at that medium level in my opinion and it is so smooth and enjoyable. This is a stick I could have all the time and I could smoke them back to back with no problems or thought of getting bored with the cigar. The construction remains top notch with the cigar as well and it is showing a fairly even burn line with that charcoal ash on the end. The ash is slightly flaky and it is giving off a nice bit of smoke with a cool draw.

When I get into the final third of the cigar I find that it continues down the road that was present in the second third and it is getting stronger and darker in flavors. The coffee bean notes are much more prominent than were present before, and it is pairing with dark tobacco and strong earth notes. There is a slight bit of dark cocoa present, but it is not as sweet as it once was. The creaminess has disappeared as well and this is finishing at a whole new level. I would say the body is at a medium full level now, much more of an afternoon smoke, and the strength is there as well. It has grown since the beginning and has shown transitioning into the final third. The construction really perfects itself in this third and it is now showing an even burn line with that flaky charcoal ash on the end of the cigar. It is still smooth and cool on the draw, and it finishes by showing some dark and filling flavors.

I am really impressed with the Sindicato Maduro and I believe it is a terrific follow up to the Sindicato which was launched earlier this year. As expected, it is a great blend from Casa Fernandez. They are a company that knows how to properly use Mexican San Andres wrappers, and because of that I think this is one of the best Mexican wrappers released this year. It is also a great maduro in the sense that it is not too strong, and it also shows transitioning and depth from third to third. This is a fairly complex cigar and it is a cigar that grows in body, flavors and strength the further into the cigar you get. I like a cigar that grows, and not a cigar that is very powerful to begin with and then takes a couple steps back. The Sindicato Maduro produced this great cocoa, coffee and rich earth flavor profile, and it was always very smooth. I smoked the Magnum, which is a 60, so it is going to be cooler overall, but given that the rest of the smokes are in the mid to high 50 ring gauge as well, those will be smooth too. This was not only a terrific release from Sindicato, but a terrific 60 ring gauge cigar. I am giving this a 92 rating and look forward to exploring the line further.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 92

Showcased at this year's IPCPR, the Black Label is the newest release from La Palina. This marks the second cigar to come out of PDR Cigars, and it is crafted to be a strong La Palina. The company has stated that this was intended to be the strongest release they have had to date, but with the strength they would not budge on losing quality flavors being delivered. There are a lot of strong cigars out there, but with the strength I find they lose necessary flavors to make the cigar truly great. La Palina is striving to continue what they have done thus far as a company and produce not just a flavorful cigar, but a cigar that can carry the La Palina name. I think the Classic was a smart release from the company, and while it did well in some ratings, I felt that the company had better releases from other partnerships. With that said, let us look at the new La Palina Black Label.

The second release from PDR Cigars, the Black Label features a wrapper from Brazil like the Classic, but this time around they are using a Brazilian Bahiano wrapper. Underneath that is a double binder, Dominican and Nicaraguan, and under that is a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco. For this review I was given the robusto vitola and it measures 5" with a 52 ring gauge. The Black Label features a rough wrapper that is very milk chocolate in coloring. The triple cap at the top is wonderful and incredibly noticeable on the cigar. The secondary Black Label band really looks great on the cigar and the black borders around the traditional La Palina band looks great. The wrapper has a hide like character and there are some veins noticed throughout the cigar. The aroma on the wrapper is that of spices, leather, wood and bread, and on the foot I am getting some rich fruit and earthy notes.

From the get go, the Black Label delivers some noticeable strength and some noticeable body on the cigar as well. It is easily the strongest La Palina I have had, but it is still delivering some solid flavors with those traits. I am picking up strong leather notes and some definite spice, anise and pepper qualities with that. There are some fruity notes as well, and it has a sour fruit flavor rather than a stone fruit or berry quality. The finish is that of earth and unsweetened dark cocoa, and it is a nice evening cigar. The construction is fairly solid overall and it has a slightly uneven burn line with a charcoal ash that is flaky and showing some darker colors as well. The draw is cool, not too tight either, and it is producing a nice bit of smoke with that. The finish is long on the cigar and remains on the palate lingering and showing its characteristics.

When I get into the second third the flavors continue to make themselves present, and they are delivering those nice spice, cinnamon, anise and pepper notes. There is some noticeable chewy leather qualities, and it has some earth notes present as well. The fruit and cocoa notes are still present like they were in the first third, but they are much softer now and not as in your face as they were from the first third. In terms of body and strength, this cigar is still on the fuller side of the scale and it is an evening cigar for me. I could smoke it in the afternoon, but it has a profile that lingers on the palate and makes for a cigar that you end the day with. The construction improves greatly in this third and I am beginning to see a even burn line with that charcoal ash holding on firmly at the end. The draw is cool as well, and it is producing a nice bit of smoke with each puff.

I am in the final third of the cigar now and the flavors are really popping now. I am getting an abundance of spice notes and the cinnamon, black pepper and anise notes are quite powerful. It is accompanied by some earth and cocoa notes, and there is a subtle fruitiness that follows that and makes the whole experience more complex. I am picking up faint leather notes as well, and it has an oaky finish to complete the picture. The construction continues off of the improvement from the second third and I am getting an even burn line to the cigar with that charcoal ash on the end. The ash holds on firmly and it is giving off a lot of smoke with a cool draw. While the flavors had been great throughout, the construction is what really improved for the better. The strength and body were at an easy full level in the final third and it is a great cigar to end the day with.

I have been a fan of La Palina since the company came about. I remember when they were only having cigars made in the Bahamas and became what they are today. I think their partnership with PDR and the creation of the Classic made them more visible as a company, but I believe with that partnership they lowered the brand value. It is not that the Classic is a terrible cigar, but it is a cigar that was not what I expected from La Palina over the years. I am pleased to say though, that my concerns with them working with PDR have gone out the window with the Black Label. This is a strong cigar, La Palina did a great job with that, but they also did a great job in keeping the cigar flavorful and not sacrificing any flavors for strength. This is a new release that I look forward to smoking more of down the road, and also keeping some in my humidor for when I want some kick to my La Palina crave. I am giving this cigar a solid 92 rating and pleased to see La Palina have another successful release.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 92

*cigars for this assessment were provided to me by La Palina Cigars

Nicaragua is country that produces wonderful tobacco. Whether you are in the fields of Jalapa or Esteli, you are standing in fields that grow some of the best tobacco available to us as cigar smokers today. I am not saying it is better or worse than other countries tobacco, but it is a country that grows great tobacco. With that, there is a myth that Nicaraguan tobacco is always strong and that cigars coming out of Nicaragua must be strong. Yes, Esteli Ligero is known for its strength, but there is tobacco grown in that region and elsewhere that is not as strong as myths have made it out to be. There are some manufacturers that emphasize the use of Nicaraguan tobacco, and that it was used in the blend for strength and flavor, but one of the few manufacturers who have released a Nicaraguan puro, and released it with the intention of not being overly strong is Dion Giolito. When he first launched the Epernay, Giolito informed us that he did not use ligero in the blend. I remember hearing that and thinking of the Cuban Hoyo Double Corona, and so it drew me to the line. I immediately fell in love with the smoke and it has been a favorite of mine ever since. That is why when Illusione announced the new Fume D'Amour line, and informed us that the blend would not use any ligero as well, I was eager t smoke it. I have been smoking an abundance of these since I first got them and because they were so good, I could not hold out on the review. Let's look at this new release, the Fume D'Amour, and see how the new "no ligero" blend smokes.

The Clementes comes in a great size that is almost a smaller Churchill, and in the Habanos world it would be classified as a Grand Corona. It measures 6.5" with a 48 ring gauge, and is rolled very well. It is coming out of the Casa Fernandez factory in Nicaragua, TABSA, and Dion has slowly moved production of his brands to this factory. There are still some left in Honduras, but all the new stuff is being made down in Nicaragua. The blend is all Nicaraguan, he focuses on the region of Jalapa, and is composed with no ligero tobacco. It is primarily Corojo tobacco, and it is lower priming leaves. This is not the first time he has done this, he did it with the Epernay, and he has done a terrific job with these blends. The cigar is rolled perfectly with a beautiful triple cap and it has a nice light Colorado color that has some Natural qualities to it as well. There are very few veins present and it has an aroma of cedar, nuts, tobacco and soft spices on the wrapper, with an aroma of cream, almonds and tobacco on the foot.

The cigar begins by showing some elegant and terrific flavors. I am picking up some soft almond notes to begin with, and it has this creaminess present as well. There is a natural sweetness to it, that is pairing with this cedar flavor, and it has a soft cinnamon finish that makes for this cappuccino flavor profile. I am really loving the flavors to begin with, and this is a terrific new blend from Dion and Illusione. The construction is great on the smoke, almost a dead even burn line, and it is showing a lovely light gray ash that is nearly white in coloring. The draw is cool on the cigar and it is giving off a nice bit of smoke with each draw. There are a lot of flavors that keep on hitting my palate throughout this smoke and it is elegant and refined. I would classify the body as being at at medium full level, just a perfect level if you ask me, and the strength is closer to medium overall which makes for a great combination.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and the flavors are simply exploding. I am getting this soft creamy marshmallow flavor and it is sweet but also balanced and not overpowering. There are some almond and nutty flavors present as well and it is truly enjoyable. There is some tobacco, cinnamon and wood flavors present on the finish, and it makes for a less sweeter finish that balanced out the sweeter beginning. It is well blended and you can tell time and patience went into the involving factors. The construction continues to be terrific as well and it is showing a nice burn line with that light gray ash holding on firmly at the end. The draw is cool and producing a nice bit of smoke, and it is hard to find faults right now. The body remains at that medium full level in this third and I would say the strength is there as well. It is closing up on being full in body, but we are not there yet and I am enjoying this road that I am travelling on.

When I enter into the final third of the cigar I find that the flavors continue to show transitioning and I am getting a nice coffee flavor emerging with the cigar. It is pairing with those nutty, cinnamon and cream notes, and it is truly producing a true cappuccino flavor now. There are still some dry cedar and soft spice notes present as well, and it is completely balanced. I love the flavor profile and it is a new release that is really got me hooked. The construction continues to perform wonderfully and it is showing that solid burn line on the end of the cigar and with that is the nice gray ash on the end that is holding on firmly. The draw is still very cool and smooth, and I smoke it down to the nub with no problems present. The body continues to smoke at that medium full level in the final third and the strength is right there as well. At no point has this cigar become too much, but instead has remained at that perfect level to complement the flavors.

For the past couple years, Dion Giolito and Illusione Cigars have kept low profiles at the IPCPR and not presented us as consumers with a lot of new lines. Yes, he has given us great limited editions, solid line extensions and the amazing single vitolas releases of Illusione Rothchildes and Illusione Gigantes, but in terms of true new lines, he has kept a low profile. I now see that over these past years he has been working hard in the factory, and working hard on this new line release. The Fume D'Amour is a terrific new release from the company and in my eyes it solidifies my believe that they can do no wrong. I go through his current production offerings and can say with confidence that he can do no wrong. He may make a cigar that is not my cup of tea, but I still find that the release is enjoyable and better than most lines that other manufacturers are throwing out every year. The Fume D'Amour is a line that shows elegance and a new offering that shows his skills in blending a Nicaraguan puro with no ligero. It falls between the Epernay and Original Documents in my opinion, actually more between Cruzado and Epernay, and is a cigar I could smoke all day every day of the week. I simply love this new release and can not stop smoking it in the Clementes vitola offering. I am giving this an easy 93 rating. I will be seeing it come December.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 93

Maya Selva Cigars is a company that is really blowing me away with their lines lately. Gabriel Alvarez contacted me about them when he was first joining the company, and when I began tasting their products I quickly saw why he joined them. They are a company that has got some true gems in their portfolio, and in Europe they do quite well. Till he joined them I never smoked their stuff or really heard about them, but now that they are entering the United States market I am glad to be smoking them and informing my America readers of their sticks as they work their way into stores. They have a portfolio that covers a lot of areas, and I can say with ease that the brands they have now will reach out well to the modern smoker. It is quite funny actually, a lot of these brands have been on the market for years now, but the smokers nowadays are beginning to favor these styles of smokes so the timing is perfect. They are a company that focuses on Honduras, both for production and tobacco, but today I look at their Nicaraguan puro Cumpay, and see how it smokes.

Cumpay is the Nicaraguan puro from Maya Selva and is a blend that is very different from the rest of the lines, not using Honduran tobacco. The wrapper on the cigar is Habano seed from Jalapa, and it features two binders that are from Esteli and Chinandega. The filler is a blend of tobacco from Ometepe and Jalapa, and the regions used are known for flavorful tobacco. For this review I went with the robusto offering and it measures 4 3/4" with a 50 ring gauge. The cigar features a silky wrapper that is light brown in coloring, and it has very small veins that are hardly visible throughout. It is rolled very well and it is firm to touch with a nice cap placement to finish. There is an aroma of soft spices, leather, cedar and tobacco on the foot, and the wrapper is showing some aromas of spices, hay and tobacco.

The first third begins by showing some nice spice and dry notes. There are some pepper qualities present, mostly white pepper, but it also has this leather, tobacco and dry wood flavor present. There is this soft sweetness present, along with some earthy and soft nutty qualities, but overall it is on the dryer side of things showing some nice wood and spice notes. I really like the flavor profile, the resting in my humidor has done a lot for the cigar, and it is not your typical Nicaraguan puro. The construction is solid in the first third and while the burn line is not razor sharp right now, it is a little uneven, it is consistent in how it is burning and producing a nice light charcoal ash on the end. The draw is, producing a nice bit of smoke, and you can tell these are well made. I would classify the strength of the cigar as being medium full and the body is right there as well.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and it continues to show some dryer flavors and some nice Nicaraguan qualities as well. There is some definite spice and pepper notes present with the cigar, and the tobacco and leather notes that are with it are very enjoyable. There are some new coffee bean and dark cocoa notes present as well, and it produces a complex flavor profile that is Nicaraguan but also not at the same time. The body and strength continue to smoke at that medium full level, same as before, and it is a perfect level in my opinion. This is a cigar I could smoke at anytime and it has a strength and body level that I reach out to a majority of the time. The construction remains top notch in this third and it shows that even burn line with that light gray ash on the end with a nice bit of smoke and a cool draw.

When I get into the final third of the cigar I find that is shows a lot of growth as a cigar and it has the spice and pepper notes leading the way. There are some soft cinnamon notes present as well, and it is then followed by some roasted coffee flavors. There is a finish of tobacco and leather, and it has some wood there as well offering a smooth and dryer finish. It is a flavor profile I really like, and it is a clean finish in my opinion. The construction continues to be terrific into the final third of the cigar and it is showing that razor sharp burn line with a light charcoal ash on the end. The ash holds on firmly and I am getting a smooth draw that is very cool. There is a nice bit of smoke production and I finish it at the nub. I would say that it finishes at a medium full level for strength and body, and it is a level that makes me want to light up another.

Cumpay is a Nicaraguan cigar that has been on the market for many years now, but what makes the cigar very interesting is that it is not your typical Nicaraguan puro. To me, it is more of a new wave Nicaraguan puro that is capturing a flavor profile that is not known as being Nicaraguan. We have seen this flavor profile with the Davidoff Nicaragua, Montecristo Espada and RyJ by Romeo y Julieta, but all of these releases have been within the past couple years and not on the market for many years now. I am not sure if that makes this release by Maya Selva the release that was ahead of it's time, but it definitely shows that the Nicaragua puros that were and are being made for Europe are different than the ones being made for the United States. If you look at any one of the lines being made by Maya Selva, they definitely have a quality that is aimed for the international market, and that is possibly why I love them so much. Cumpay is a balanced Nicaraguan puro that shows unique flavors that are enjoyable and complex. There is some transitioning throughout, but one thing that is consistent from beginning to end is the construction. I loved this robusto and would smoke these back to back all day. They will age wonderfully and I think in couple years they will be signficantly better. I am giving this a 92 rating.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 92

*cigars for this assessment were provided to me by Maya Selva Cigars

So there have been a couple brothers who have asked my input on cigars that I reviewed a while back. They know I reviewed them, but they wanted my input now on them. They wanted to know if I still had originals and how they smoke with age or even new production of the original releases that I reviewed. Because of that, I have decided to start this Cigar Revisited section and come back to cigars that I reviewed and provide my thoughts. I am interested to see how this goes because there will be some that are worse, better and the same. Today I look at the L'Atelier LAT52.

This LAT52 is from the initial release from L'Atelier Imports, and I have been aging from since fall of 2012. I have smoked through the box over the years and have around five left. Over the years it has mellowed out some and the Ecuadorian Sancti Spiritus wrapper is not as strong and dominant as it once was. When I first reviewed this I found it enjoyable, I loved the cigar and still do, but the wrapper was definitely powerful in the sense that it overwhelmed the blend in some ways. With age, the tobacco has come together and now creates a very balanced blend.

I am getting those tea notes that I initially picked up, and they are pairing with some soft floral and herbal qualities. There are some bits of spices present as well, summery Asian spice, and it has some green qualities to it. Thai food comes to mind when smoking it and there is this sour fruit note present as well. There is a nice tobacco and earthy quality present as well and it is tasty cigar. The construction is absolutely terrific and the body is at a medium full level with the strength being closer to medium. Overall, this cigar has aged wonderfully and is a cigar you buy a box of and age. They are great young, but with age they are phenomenal.

Past Review Here.

How many of you have used the Humidor Bag by Arturo Fuente that is powered by Boveda or even the XIKAR HumiStore Bag? If you are like me, you have used them quite frequently and found that they are great for storing cigars for a good period of time when a humidor is not available. They are affordable and that makes them an easy purchase as opposed to buying a new travel humidor or even a new humidor. I know I have used them for extended periods of time in the past, and I have always found them to keep the cigars in great condition. I prefer the Humidor Bag over the XIKAR option, mostly because I don't care for water pillows, and the reason I don't care for water pillows is because I believe they are messy and not as reliable as the Boveda packs. The Humidor Bag is more expensive, but overall the price difference is not too great and it has a better quality to it, so it is worth the extra money. A new player to this game of "humidor bags" though is Adorini. They are a European company that focuses primarily on the European market, and recently I was contacted about their products. They make gorgeous humidors that are of very high quality, buttoday I look at their "humidor bag," and see how it works and compares with the bags readily available in our cigar shops.

Offered in two sizes, the Adorini HumiSave Bag can hold up to seven cigars in the smaller size bag or a box in the larger size bag. For this review, I was given the smaller size and to test out the product I placed in three large cigars, toro and two Churchills, and put them in there for a month. I threw in a hygrometer with those cigars, and left them alone for a month in the back of my closet. The temperature and humidor was fairly consistent throughout the month , but there were some shifts in the temperature and humidity which were out of my control, but helped with the testing. Adorini states that the bag can maintain a relative humidity level at 70% for three months, depending on the number of times it is used and how often it is opened. After that period though, the bag needs to be replaced. When I opened the bag at the end of the one month period, I found that the cigars were still in great condition and the hygrometer read a humidity level between 70 and 71% relative humidity. The temperature reflected the temperature of the area and that was in between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Overall, the system performed perfectly!

This is a very reliable product and is up their with the Humidor Bag that is powered by Boveda. From my understanding, the new Humidor Bag has a Boveda packet placed in there, and you can swap out the packets when needed. This is a plus as you don't need to buy new bags all the time, but you can replace the packs when needed. The problem is that the bags may rip or the zipper might go and you will need a new bag sooner or later. If that is the case, you might as well use Ziploc bags with packs. It is cheaper and does the same thing. The problem with both of those options is that the bags are clear and can let sunlight in with no problem. Sunlight is not great for cigars and if you leave it exposed to sunlight it will affect the wrapper and the cigar in general. This is where Adorini addresses those concerns.

The Adorini HumiSave Bag is black and prevents all light from entering. You can leave this out on a desktop or table and not worry about sunlight hitting the cigars. Along with that, the bags do not come with a zipper so you don't need to worry about the zipper breaking and then needing a new bag. It still relies on the standard closing method that Ziploc bags use, but that is unavoidable overall and in some ways more reliable than the zipper that the Humidor Bag has in place. How the bag differs in terms of thickness is that this is a double wall bag. It has an outer wall, the black lining, which is then followed by humidified fleece between that wall and the inner membrane. The inner membrane is a light gray in coloring and light does not penetrate through those walls. It is thicker overall, adding for strength, and offering a little bit more protection overall. It can still rip, but not as easy and you are still not going to be able to get around that with these travel bags.

Overall, I am a fan of this system. I don't use many travel humidor bags, but if I did I would gravitate towards this one. The price is great on these and I like that they can hold a five pack or even a box. The double walls helps in maintaining and protecting your cigars, and in that sense I would have no worries putting any cigars in these bags. I placed three great cigars, high end cigars in the bag, and they were in perfect condition when I removed them. The only downside this system has, when comparing to the Humidor Bag, is that you can't replaced the humidity system. When the system dies it dies and the bag technically needs to be replaced. With that being said, you can always throw in a Boveda bag when the bags humidified system dies. Also, the bags are super cheap and in three months time the price has paid for itself and more. To all my European readers, do not hesitate in using this product and keeping your cigars in them; the system works great. To all my American readers, don't hesitate in purchasing these as well and using them. As I said earlier, the price is great and I would order a bunch of these to have around for when you need them. I can see myself buying a couple of the big bags and bringing them with me when I travel. I plan on being in Canada and making purchases this November so I will probably bring a couple with me to store cigars in for the travel home.

You can purchase Adorini HumiSave Bags here.

I smoked a lot of Nicaraguan tobacco this week and more importantly, I smoked a lot of AGANORSA tobacco. I have always been a fan of AGANORSA tobacco, I think it is the best in Nicaragua, but some of these recent releases have come from phenomenal crops. With that being said, it is tobacco that ages wonderfully. There are great bends with the tobacco, and you can find these blends with Casa Fernandez, Illusione and others. It is easy to say that AGANORSA, is becoming a personal favorite. Besides AGANORSA tobacco, I smoked some new stuff, Cordoba & Morales and Cohiba Comador, and found them both great releases. I also revisited some old cigars, L'Atelier LAT and a La Palina Pasha which both smoked incredible. Anyways, let's take a look at what I smoked.

Aganorsa Leaf Toro - Casa Fernandez

To this day, Casa Fernandez is a company that keeps a low profile and is a hidden gem in so many ways. They are more well known for their tobacco and the manufacturers that use their tobacco and factories, Illusione and Viaje to name a few, but that does not keep them from producing cigars that bear their name. Aganorsa Leaf is classified as one of their premium brands and pays homage to the tobacco branch of the company. This box pressed beauty has been aging for a couple years now and is simply phenomenal. These are great young and old, but AGANORSA tobacco ages very well, so always keep that in mind for box purchases. I still have some of these from 2011 and they are smoking great. Expect great flavors of aged tobacco, rich earth, unique creaminess, roasted coffee beans and some toast and nutty qualities as well.

Review Here.

Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada (Optimus)

My good friend Cigar Coop was up in my neck of the woods a couple months ago and when he did, he brought me a Domus Magnua Limitada from 2011. Limited to 100,000 cigars, this was a great release and the best Casa Magna I ever smoked. It may not have received the award that the original Casa Magna did, but this was clearly the best Casa Magna. This Nicaraguan puro has aged wonderfully and produces soft and balanced flavors. I picked up soft tobacco, cocoa and coffee notes, and there were some qualities of nuts and toast present as well.

Review Here.

Cohiba Comador Toro

When I first read about the Comador, I was skeptical as to how good the cigar would be. I loved Jay-Z as an artist, but I thought this pairing with General Cigars was more to generate sales than to create a great stick. I can tell you that I was half wrong. While the cigar was definitely intended to generate sales, why else would you get Jay-Z involved, they created a great cigar as well. The Comador is simply the best Cohiba I have, non-Cuban that is, and delivers great flavors. There are some core flavors and not an abundance of transitioning, but it is still very enjoyable. The only downside to the cigar is the price, but with the packaging and release, I am not surprised.

Review Coming Soon.

Cordoba & Morales 19th Hole Toro

Last Thursday I was called up to CigarChat and the guests that evening with the folks over at Cordoba & Morales. For the show I decided to light up the 19th Hole. This dark maduro features a Broadleaf wrapper from Ecuador and is an amazing maduro. From the looks, you think this will be a strong cigar, but in reality this is a balanced and flavorful maduro that does not get over the medium strength level. Expect rich coffee bean notes with some toasted nuts, earth, tobacco and creamy aspects as well. This is a old school maduro, and a maduro that brings me back to the days when maduros were made with the intention of not being powerhouses, but rich and flavorful.

Review Coming Soon.

Illusione Epernay Le Grande

Epernay is probably one of my favorite smokes out there and when looking at the Illusione portfolio, it is probably number one there as well. Of course, with the new Fume D'Amour that is a little different and may change. Epernay is a gem and is crafted with elegant and wonderful tobacco. No ligero is used in the blend and shows how much elegance and great flavors Nicaraguan tobacco truly has. Dion does a terrific job with his blends all the time, but this is something special. Expect flavors of honey, aged tobacco, cedar, stone fruit notes, coffee and wheat.

Review Here.

Illusione Fume D'Amour Clementes & Lagunas

I recently got a variety of the new Fume D'Amour vitolas and I have been smoking them like crazy. This is simply a terrific line and a great new release from Dion. He has had some great releases the past couple of years, but this is the release that will send him to a new level. This blend is similar to the Epernay in the sense that there is no ligero in the blend, but I find that it is between Original Documents and Epernay in terms of flavors and body. It is elegant and refined, and it shows flavors of almonds, cream, cinnamon, cedar and tobacco throughout. Simply a great blend.

Review Here.

JFR XT Toro Corojo by Casa Fernandez

One of the newest releases from Casa Fernandez Cigars, the JFR XT is an amped up and tweaked JFR that is box pressed. The JFR stands for Just For Retailers, and is a line that is released exclusively for brick and mortar stores. The cigar is packed full of AGANORSA tobacco and is an affordable release as well. It shows those great AGANORSA Corojo flavors, and it delivers a balance bouquet of flavors throughout. The press is great on the cigar and the added strength really brings the JFR brand to a whole new level. I picked up some great tobacco, earth, spice, wood, toast and nutty notes throughout.

Review Coming Soon.

L'Atelier LAT 52

When these came out a couple years ago, I thought they were great. The flavors they delivered as a young cigar were enjoyable and to my liking. It was a very different release for Pete, much different than anything he had done to date, and I believe that is why I loved it so much. With age, this cigar has gotten so much better and it is now a little bit softer and the flavors from the wrapper are a little bit less in your face. It shows some nice tea, earth, sweet spice and wood notes, and is a cigar I could have anytime of day. If you come across a box that is an original release, buy it right away. They are smoking great!

Review Here.

La Palina Family Series Pasha

One of the best releases from La Palina, the Pasha is a huge cigar that is finished with a wonderful shaggy foot. When there were young, they had some kick behind them, even with the wonderful flavors, but with age they have mellowed out and become truly enjoyable. These are not being made anymore so if you come across these, purchase them and tuck them away. I think this is the best smoke that ever came out of Graycliff and La Palina.

Review Here.

Ramon Allones Specially Selected

One of the best robustos on the market, the Ramon Allones Specially Selected delivers those great Ramon Allones flavors with a nice bit of strength. When young, these cigars can be beasts and have tons of strength with the great flavors, but with age they mellow out some and show the terrific flavors that the cigar possesses with a more medium to medium full vibe. The ones I smoked this week were from 2007 and they were simply phenomenal. I got great construction and awesome flavors of unique spices, herbal notes, toast, nuts, coffee and soft cocoa.

Review Here.

I love cigars and I love listening to Jay-Z, but the question of do I listen to Jay-Z when I smoke cigars is answered with an easy no. He is more what I listen to when I am working out and running. When it comes to the smokes, I am more of a Indie-Folk guy, but then again brother Logan calls me a total hipster. What I will say about Jay-Z and cigars is that he had possibly one of the best pieces in Cigar Aficionado that I have ever read and that he is a passionate cigar smoker. He smokes some great sticks, and when you see him smoking cigars, you can see the bands and know he knows what's up. When it was announced that he would be working with General Cigars to create a new cigar, the Cohiba Comador, I felt that the cigar was a marketing ploy to get sales, but I was still curious to smoke it. That is why I am starting this week off with the Cohiba Comador.

Released earlier this year, The Comador is the second newest release under the Cohiba brand, the Cohiba Nicaragua was recently announced. The packaging and presentation is very urban, modern and yet classic, and I think it is the best packaging the company has ever done. For this review I smoked the Toro, and the cigar measures 6" with a 52 ring gauge. The wrapper on the cigar is Connecticut Havana, and it is a wrapper that is aged for four years before being placed in Dominican barrels for the finishing touch. Underneath that is an undisclosed binder and filler blend, and all that is said is that the blend is a combination of Caribbean and Central American tobacco. The Comador features a solid cap and it is applied over a beautiful wrapper. There is a minor bit of tooth present on the wrapper and it shows very small veins with that. The wrapper is oily in texture and the cigar is very firm in hand showing no softness throughout. The wrapper has some aromas of stone fruit, and it has some sweet anise and oaky tobacco notes with that. The foot of the cigar shows some cherry notes, and it has some smokiness present as well with bits of rich earth and damp tobacco.

The first third begins by showing some noticeable tobacco and oak notes, and it is very filling and noticeable. It definitely is present through the finish, and it is a nice touch. There are some soft cherry notes present as well and it is showing some licorice and other spice notes. There are some sweet earth notes present as well, but they are not powerful and there to balance out the flavors being delivered. The construction is absolutely perfect and it has a razor sharp burn line with a beautiful white ash that is holding on firmly at the foot. The draw is smooth and cool, and this is a well-constructed cigar. I would say the strength of the cigar is at a medium level, maybe medium-full, but the body is definitely medium-full and a great evening smoke. I love this stick so far and look forward to the second third.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and it is continuing to show strong tobacco, oak, anise and cherry notes. It is a great pairing in my opinion and it produces a filling cigar that has a very long finish. There are some sweet earth notes present as well, and this is a complete cigar that produces an abundance of complex flavors. You can tell a lot of work went into this blend and it paid off. The construction remains top notch with the cigar as well and it has that razor sharp burn line with a light gray ash on the end. The draw is cool and smooth, and it is producing a nice bit of flavors. I would classify the body as being medium-full in this third and the strength is there as well. I am not going to lie to you, I am very impressed with this cigar and in some ways blown away by the finished product. This is not just another cigar that was thought up of to generate sales, but they really put a lot of time into the entire product.

When I get into the final third of the cigar I find that the flavor profile is fairly similar to what it was in the second third and it is continuing to show those oak and tobacco notes, and it is paired with those cherry and strong anise notes. The earthy quality is present as well and it is producing a finish that is long and very enjoyable. This is a complex smoke that may be consistent at times from third to third, but the core flavor profile is enjoyable and complex. The construction remains perfect in the final third as well and it is producing a razor sharp burn line that is simply perfect. The ash has a light gray coloring and against the wrapper it is simply beautiful. There is a nice bit of smoke being produced and it is a cool draw that is very smooth. The body and strength are at that medium full level on the finish and it is a wonderful way to finish the cigar.

Not only was this a successful release from General Cigars from the marketing aspect, they also created a very good cigar. It showed some great flavors and was a well made cigar from beginning to end. This is the best Cohiba I have had, not including some aged Siglo VIs, and it is a smoke I would smoke frequently if not for the price. The only two problems with the cigar, and this did not affect my review, was the price of the cigar and the fact that they come in cellophane. I think they would look a hundred times better if they got rid of the cellophane, it would look classier, and if they lowered the price to between $10 and $14 it would be even better. Overall though, I really can't complain about the cigar. There was some lack in complexity and transitioning in the back two thirds, but overall, a very enjoyable cigar. I am giving this a rating of 91 and will be interested to see if this it between General and Jay-Z, or we will see some future projects.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 91

I am going to be honest to you and say that I do not know how well the Cruzado line does for Dion and Illusione Cigars. I don't see the numbers, so I can't prove anything, but I imagine that it is at the bottom of the regular production lines in terms of demand. I think Rotchildes is number one right now, followed by Original Documents or Epernay, but I don't think Cruzado is as high as it should be. The guys who have smoked the line truly appreciate it, but for some reason most smokers just know about Epernay and Original Documents. I think that stems from the fact that Cigar Aficionado has rated those brands more than his other brands, but once again I don't know all the facts. From my experience though, this is probably one of the most underrated lines on the market, not just the Illusione portfolio. I have always enjoyed the line, I love the Marios, Dantes and Domenicos Extra, and I have a lot of them aging in my humidor, but the line really saw greatness when he released the Marelas Supremas last year.

Marelas Supremas was a line extension and featured a unique finish, the 109 cap. This slightly tapered head is beautiful on the cigar and the cigar itself is dressed with that gold foiling style that you see with the Bolivar Gold Medals. It is 6 1/4" with a 52 ring gauge, and unlike Original Documents, which focuses on AGANORSA Corojo tobacco, the Cruzado lines focuses on Criollo tobacco. The blend is almost entirely Criollo '98, with one component of Corojo 2006 in the blend, and is very different than his other brands. To me, the line is much more natural and spicier, and it produces a dryer flavor profile. I pick up lots of leather, coffee beans and wood notes, and it has some spices that you get around the holiday season. You know, anise, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Like Dion's sticks, the Marelas Supremas is very balanced, and I would say it smokes with a medium strength level and a medium-full body level. I originally reviewed this cigar, giving it a 92, and a year later, I can say that it has improved and the flavors are even better now. I got a box of these when they came out and if I were to come by a box again, I would buy it. There are not an abundance of guys who have brought these in, I only found them with Casa Montecristo and Serious, but they are smart for it. Buy these up, they are great!

Review Here.

The Surrogates brand is a brand that always intrigued me, and if you look at Surrogates as a part of L'Atelier Imports, it is really a brand within a brand. The brand was originally made for New Havana Cigars, owned by Dan Welsh in Columbus, Ohio, and he is one of the four players in L'Atelier. It started out with the Bone Crusher and Skull Breaker, but with the establishment of L'Atelier, they added Crystal Baller and Tramp Stamp in 2012 and in 2013 they added the Animal Cracker. The concept behind the brand is to release cigars that smoke like limited releases, but are regular production and affordable. This year marked their latest release, the Satin Glove. Each release has had a unique name, the meanings of which are only really known by the four L'Atelier members, and that keeps things fun and entertaining to the consumers who wish to know every little detail. The brand itself was a brand that never really spoke to me, that is until they released the Crystal Baller, and I am interested to see how this new release, Satin Glove, does to keep my interest in the brand and look forward to future releases.

Satin Glove is the sixth release for Surrogates and the newest regular production release for L'Atelier Imports. I was showcased at this year's IPCPR Show, and was showcased with the new Racine, additional vitolas in the L'Atelier Selection Spéciale and the small five pack offerings. Satin Glove is made at My Father Cigars in Esteli, Nicaragua, and is a Churchill in classification measuring 7" with a 47 ring gauge. The cigar is box pressed and comes with a Mexican San Andres wrapper and Nicaraguan fillers and binder. The cigar has a rich aroma on the wrapper and it is showing some strong chocolate notes, rich and damp earth, and some musty qualities as well. The foot is showing some chocolate, rich earth and spice notes as well, and this is a nice and rich aroma. The press is beautiful on the cigar and it has a nice chocolate bar coloring. The wrapper has a nice smooth and silky texture and there are some nice veins present as well.

When I first smoked these a couple weeks ago, they were good, but they seemed a little tight and young. With that extra period of time in the humidor, they have opened up and are deliver even better flavors. I am picking up some nice chocolate notes and it has a rich earth quality present as well. There is a nice bit of spice present with that, Asian spices, and it has nice sweetness that is sharp but soft at the same time and not overpowering. I am getting some classic Nicaraguan tobacco flavor as well and this is a rich maduro. The construction is absolutely phenomenal and it is is showing an even burn line with a nice charcoal ash on the end. The ash is holding on firmly and there is a great bit of smoke being produced. I would classify the strength as being between medium and medium-full, and the body is right at a medium-full level.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and it is showing some transitioning which is quite enjoyable. I am getting this nice mint flavor to it and it has a hint of lemon-mint with that. It is still showing those rich earth and cocoa notes as well, and it is finishing with some strong tobacco and and pepper notes. I am getting some black pepper flavors mostly, and it has a aged tobacco finish with that. The draw is perfect on the cigar, producing a nice bit of smoke, and it has a charcoal ash that is holding on firmly at the end. The draw is cool and above all else, flavorful. I would classify the strength of the cigar as being medium to medium-full still, and I am picking up a body level that is closer to medium-full. I really love where the cigar has gone in this third and the transitioning and growth in complexity is terrific. This is a great Mexican San Andres wrapper out of My Father Cigars, and one that is not one dimensional.

The final third shows another shift in flavors and it provides a great closing to an already great cigar. There is a nice roasted coffee flavor present, reminds me of waking up the smell of coffee, and there is a creamy aspect with it that is accompanied by some earth and cocoa qualities. There is a nice pepper and spice flavor present on the finish and it is smooth and cool to the end. The construction remains perfect in the final third and it has a razor sharp burn line with that charcoal ash holding on firmly at the end. The draw is cool, producing a nice bit of smoke, and the finish is flavorful and clean. In terms of body and strength, it finishes at a full level in both categories and this is a terrific evening cigar in my opinion. The transitioning to this third was great and it was a finish that showed the best qualities of the Mexican and Nicaraguan tobacco.

The Satin Glove is a success for the Surrogates brand and L'Atelier Imports, and I know it will be well received when it hits stores across the nation. I think it is a terrific addition to the Surrogates brand, and it is my second favorite Surrogate after Crystal Baller. In terms of a Mexican San Andres release from Pete Johnson and My Father Cigars, I believe it to be the best one that has come out of the factory and the best one this year. It is a cigar that shows complexity and transitioning from beginning to end, and at no point is the cigar producing anything identical to what was produced in a previous or latter third. I think the fact that the cigar was box pressed did a lot for the blend, and the fact that it was a Churchill made it even better. I am a big fan of the Churchill size, and this was blended correctly for that offering. I am giving this an easy 92 rating and look forward to smoking them down the road. When I first got these they were really good, but with a little bit of rest and settling in my humidor, they have gotten substantially better.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 92

One of the best release ever by E.P. Carrillo Cigars was the E.P. Carrillo Edición Limitada 2010. It was an incredible limited edition that received much praise, and high rankings that the cigar received were well earned. I think it is one of the best full body releases at the time, and to this day it is a hell of a cigar. It was so successful that the company made it into a regular production line, but that did not turn out as successful as the limitada did. The company could explain the high price with the limitada, but when they tried to carry that price over to the regular production cigars it did not stick. There was great tobacco used throughout the blend, but the true greatness fell on the Brazilian Habano wrapper that the cigar possessed. I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a box of these, and for some reason I decided to open them and start smoking them. I started smoking them again in 2013, three years after they were initially released, and have enjoyed one from time to time since then. I still have a five left, and I can tell you that age has done nothing but good things to this cigar.

With only 10,000 cigar released, the cigar came with a Brazilian Habano wrapper, a Dominican binder and Nicaraguan fillers. It was a large toro release, 6" with a 54 ring gauge and rolled in the Cuban fashion. The cigars smoked wonderfully, producing a great burn line, powerful flavors and a medium-full to full body and strength level. It was terrific young, very elegant and powerful, but I knew that with age it would be incredible. In the four years since it was released the cigar has held on to that wonderful body and strength level, and it is smoking at a medium-full level now. The flavors are still in your face, but have really come together to produce a flavor profile that is united and wonderful. It shows nice bit of white pepper and nutmeg, and it has some strong leather, cedar and caramel qualities to it as well. There are some espresso bean notes announcing present, along with some cinnamon and cream as well, and this is a well aged cigar. It was definitely worth buying a box of at the time, and if you by any chance come across these in a shop, do not hesitate in picking some up. If you have the funds, get a box, they are worth it. If not, grab a handful and enjoy them on special occasions.

After 14 days of seasoning with the 84% Boveda seasoning packs, the Ammodor is ready to be used. I removed the 84% Boveda packs and put in a 72% pack. I placed a hygrometer in there to monitor the relative humidity, and I put in some cigars from one of my humidors. I decided on placing 25 in the Ammodor for testing, but soon realized that I had 26 and decided that it was an extra and lucky stick. I placed in a variety of vitolas, from petit coronas to large Churchills, and put them in the middle of the Ammodor. I am going to leave them in there for about two weeks and monitor the humidity throughout that period. I will be leaving them in a stable environment, as I want consistency in outside temperature. When I come back I will give you some figures and let you know my thoughts. I will also have a nice little surprise regarding the Ammodor and cigars inside.

President and CEO of Nat Sherman, Joel Sherman has been working with the company since 1960. When he joined the company, he began by working for his father and continued to work for him and the company for some years. There was a period of time where he left the company, but when he returned in the 1990's after his father's death, he returned as President and CEO. It is a company that has always been run by a Sherman, and it is a company that is known for their wonderful retail store, cigarettes. cigars and pipe tobacco. To me and many others in online media, they were a company we did not focus on for many years, but with additions in the past years the company has become a "new company," and they have begun to offer cigars that speak to individuals like myself. With their new offerings, and cigars that are to the new generation's liking, they have released the Joel Sherman 75th Celebration, honoring Joel Sherman's 75th birthday.

Measuring 7 1/2" with a 46 ring gauge, this is a unique size that can only be seen as a super corona gorda or a really fat lancero. I don't think there is a technical name for it, but it is a nice size. The wrapper being used on the blend is Ecuadorian Connecticut, and underneath that is a blend of Dominican tobacco. The cigar is being made in the Dominican Republic at Quesada Cigars, and production is limited to 25,000 cigars. The Joel Sherman 75th Celebration is a beautiful cigar and it comes with a gorgeous wrapper that is applied perfectly. There are some minor veins present throughout, but with that is a silky texture and a nice firmness that is consistent from foot to head. My god, the aroma at the foot of the cigar is simply incredible and it has this amazing fruity aroma that is incredible. There are some spice notes present as well, and it is showing some nice sweet spice notes that re of cinnamon and nutmeg qualities. The aroma on the wrapper is great as well and it has some nice spice notes as well, mostly cinnamon and nutmeg again.

Upon light the cigar, flavors of heavy cream, warm spices and cedar began to hit my palate. It was accompanied by some red pepper notes and it had a finish that was showing some citrus orange qualities. There was a little bit of that orange rind present, but overall it was showing the meat aspects and was sweeter. So far, a great beginning to the cigar and while it is fairly subtle overall, the flavors are incredibly complex and noticeable when focused on. This is a cigar you sit back with and focus on, you really want to take in everything it has to offer. In terms of strength, I would say that it is smoking at a level that is below medium and it has a body that is fairly similar as well. If you don't pay attention to the cigar, it comes off as mild, but if you really focus, you get a little bit more than that. In terms of construction, the cigar is producing a perfect burn line and with it is a solid charcoal ash. The ash is holding on firmly and the cigar is producing a cool draw with a nice bit of smoke.

When I enter into the second third of the cigar I am finding a subtle shift in the flavor profile and it is really more an overall addition to the cigar rather than changes. It is still showing those heavy cream qualities to the cigar and it is pairing with those cedar, red pepper and spice notes. The orange flavors are a little bit softer in this third and the additional flavors of honey are terrific. It has this honeycomb quality to it which is very enjoyable, and when looking at the cream flavors it is going with, it is a perfect match. The construction continues to be great in this third and it is showing that even burn line with that charcoal ash on the end. The draw is cool, producing a nice bit of smoke, and it shows all those flavors without any problems elsewhere. In terms of strength, the cigar is still smoking below the medium level and the body is right there as well. This is a soft cigar, very different than a lot of other releases, and is a cigar that you smoke and focus on.

I am in the final third of the cigar now and it continues to smoke incredibly. It is showing those honey and cream notes up front, and they are stronger than they were in the second third. The red pepper and orange flavors are present as well, and it has a nice cedar and spice finish. Overall, I would say the flavors are a little bit bolder in this third, and it is showing some growth as it comes to a close. The flavors are still very elegant, just more noticeable and present. The body and strength are up as well, and I would say that it is finally at that medium level and maybe a little bit above in both areas. It is still a cigar that many could smoke and enjoy, and I think most smokers could have this in the afternoon o evening without problems. The construction remains terrific in the final third as well and it is shows that even burn line with a nice charcoal ash holding on firmly at the end. The final draw is cool, and it shows those great flavors that have been present throughout.

This is a great cigar and a terrific release to celebrate Joel Sherman's 75th. It is definitely the best release of the year for Nat Sherman, and with every new release they begin to show these qualities which scream Davidoff. They are making balanced smokes that are not overly powerful in body or strength, but they are absolute flavor bombs. I loved the Epoca, I think that is a great everyday smoke release, and the Joel Sherman is a great limited and special smoke that goes with Epoca. The flavors were complex throughout and this is a cigar you need to focus on from beginning to end. The construction was absolutely terrific and this cigar really showed little faults throughout. Because of the softness in body and strength, the flavors are subtle and not so much in your face, so you have to focus on them, but when that is accomplished you will find a terrific cigar and you will truly appreciate it. I am giving this cigar a solid 93 and would recommend it to so many out there.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 93

Well, October is here and fall is really present today. We're getting into colder weather now and with that comes shorter smokers, half corona season for me, and with that smaller size I am looking for some darker and bolder flavor cigars. I love these stronger and spicier shorter smokes for the season, it just seems fitting, and I love finding that one cigar which you know will be perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas. In the meantime, let's close down the late summer with some great smokes that are classics and also new to me. By the way, who saw my Bills win on Sunday? Tied for first in the AFC East!

Probably one of my favorites, the Casa Fernandez Miami Reserva Toro is a hell of a cigar. When young, it is simply a beast, but with age it shows definition and elegance. It is great to see the use of medio tiempo tobacco from Nicaragua in the blend, and it is always nice to see the difference in that tobacco and medio tiempo from Cuba. I have bought some of the newer vintage releases, but they don't compare with the original release. At one time this was a one vitola release, but with the expansion and introduction of newer bands, it all seemed to change. If you are able to find a cigar with these style Reserva bands, you have an original and early release and buy them all up.

Review Here.

The newest release from Guayacan Cigars, Sabor de Esteli is a powerhouse in the limited corona format. If you want a peppery smoke, this cigar will deliver that and more. I really like the blend, I think it is the best thing coming out of that factory, and it is a cigar that I look forward to trying in different vitola options. If you are able to get your hands on a box, get them because they are going to age wonderfully. Review is coming up this week, so pay attention.

Review Coming Soon.

The newest release in the Surrogates brand, Satin Glove is the first maduro for the brand, the second maduro for L'Atelier Imports and the first Mexican San Andres for L'Atelier Imports. It is a terrific blend that is showing greatness at a young age, and I love the size and press that comes with the cigar. This might be one of the better releases from the trade show, and also one of the better maduros released this year. I am loving this blend right now and I would not be surprised if it makes a return at the end of the year.

Review Here.

I am a big fan of half coronas. They can be truly impressive, but you need to have good tobacco and a good blend to make them this impressive. The Crux Passport Half Corona is that great half corona and it is a cigar I can't get enough of after smoking. This cigar is perfect for half an hour to 45 minutes worth of smoking time, and from beginning to end the cigar shows some great flavors and amazing body and strength. Pick up a box of these, you will not be disappointed.

Review Coming Soon.

Producing a 33 ring gauge right now is simply badass. Joel Rogers said it perfectly when he said he did not want to take a piece of the pie but instead make the pie bigger. The new Ninfamaniacs are incredibly tasty and smoke great, especially for a 33 ring gauge. They are hard as hell to make, expensive too, but when you get it right like this blend, you are doing great. If you have not had the opportunity to smoke these, you are missing out. Pick up a handful of these and the Darks, they are terrific! Seeing a company release a 33 ring gauge and small ring gauge cigars right now is great.

Review Here.

Sancho Panza, it is a not a brand I have reached out to in the past, but when a member of Habanos Critic sent me some to smoke, I was interested and eager. I can tell you know, I was impressed. The Belicosos smoked great and it was a blend I could have everyday. It is creamy with some nice complex flavors on top of that. Is it the best Habano? No, but it is still a great one and I would pick up a box of them to have now and age some as well.

Review Coming Soon.

I am working my way through the vitolas of the Senorial line and I can tell you that I have not found one that is a dud. I love the corona gorda, toro and robusto, and when I recently lit up the torpedos I was impressed as well. I find that it is a solid medium body and strength cigar, and it is a blend that does well in the size. It has a Cuban twang to it, while being a little bit stronger and Dominican, and this is a cigar I will smoke many more of down the road.

Review Coming Soon.

Noel Rojas is not a manufacturer that many know of, there are a lot of bigger names, but he is well known in the boutique world and being a member of the House of Emilio has helped in years past to get his name out there. What makes him very interesting though when looking at the House of Emilio is that he is the only member of the House of Emilio that has his own factory. Because of this, he has become a foothold in someways for many members of the Emilio Family, and this gives him an advantage over others if you ask me. He currently has one line on the market, Guayacan, but this year he showcased the anticipated Guayacan Maduro and the new Sabor de Estelí. I have been a fan of Noel's work, I really enjoy his blends and what he is doing in Esteli, and I was excited to see a new release come to the market out of his factory that was his own project. There is one thing to see a factory make cigars for other manufacturers but not for themselves. I think the factory can do a good job, but it is always nice to see the owner of that factory put something out with his name on it. I think there is a little more heart put into it, and thus the cigars come out a little bit better. Enough of that though, let's look at the new Sabor de Estelí.

As I mentioned earlier, Sabor de Estelí is one of the two new lines from Noel, and is available in a Natural and Maduro offering. For this review I went with the corona vitola, and this is a limited release that is only in the natural version. It is actually not a corona, more a Lonsdale, and it measures 6.5" with a 42 ring gauge. The name Sabor de Estelí is Spanish for flavors of Esteli, and that is where the cigar is made and Noel's factory is located. The factory is called Tabacalera Aromas de Jalapa, and this is a factory that has done stuff for Gary Griffith and Fred Rewey to name a few. The blend is finished with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan tobacco in the filler and binder. The cigar features a wrapper that is nice in coloring, a nice Natural color, and it has a smooth texture that shows some small veins throughout. The cigar is rolled very well and is finished with a nice pigtail cap. There is a nice closed foot as well, but the prettiest aspect is the band that is present on the cigar. The cigar shows an aroma of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and I am getting some additional aromas of sweet chocolate and salted nuts.

In my opinion, this cigar starts off like a beast. I am getting tons of pepper and spice notes, and it is predominantly that of red pepper. There are some leather hide qualities present as well, and it has this seasoned meat flavor too. There are notes of toasted nuts on the finish, mixture of walnuts and cashews, and a touch of sweetened coffee. It is a tasty first third, and while I was not expecting this much strength, I like it. The body is at a medium full to full level and the strength is right there as well. This is easily an evening cigar for me, and I am interested to know how it is in the larger vitola offerings. The construction is solid thus far, it has a cool draw with a nice bit of smoke being produced, and it is showing a nice burn line with a light gray, near white ash on the finish. So far, a nice start and it appears to be another successful release from Noel Rojas.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and it is still showing those spice and red pepper notes, but it is a little bit more balanced now. It is producing this hay and grassy flavor as well, adding a unique combination, and it has this bitter lemon flavor profile present as well. It is almost this lemon peel flavor, and it is an interesting mix of flavors. There is a slight harshness on the finish, but nothing major and I actually like it with the flavors being produced, really adds to the smoke. The construction is top notch in this third and it is continuing to show that light gray, near white ash, and it has an even burn line present as well. The draw is cool, very nice with the small ring gauge, and it is producing a good amount of smoke. The strength is at an easy full level and the body is there as well. I am really digging this smoke!

When I get into the final third of the cigar I find that it shows another shift in terms of flavors and it begins to settle down some and show some more earthier flavors. It still has some spice present, but the red pepper and strong spice notes from before are much softer now. There is a hint at black coffee present, but it is mostly showing some earthy and manure like flavors. Overall, a nice finish to the cigar and I like how it tones down a little bit as the cigar comes to a close. The body and strength are at a full level and while it seems stronger than the second third, the flavors go with it and make it very balanced. The construction remains great as well and it is showing a smooth burn line with that light gray, near white ash on the end. The draw is cool, still producing the perfect amount of smoke, and it has a nice finish that is cool and flavorful.

I really like this cigar and it makes me want to try out the other vitolas. If they are anything as good as this smoke, then I will be a fan of the line. I know the maduro option is stronger, or so I have been told, but I am always one that gravitates towards the more natural like wrappers. The flavors are really unique and with them are some noticeable amounts of strength. Fortunately the body balances it all out, and while this cigar is young, in time it will chill out some and become even better as a cigar. I think a lot of guys will love this cigar and while some love the strength and will enjoy them now, let this cigar rest some and come back in six months. With age, this blend will get even better and provide for an even better smoking experience. I would buy a box of these sticks, smoke some now and then age a handful to come back in a year or so. Right now, I am giving this cigar a 91 rating and this is a success for Guayacan Cigars and Noel Rojas.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 91

Released in 2009, the T52 line is probably my favorite line from Drew Estate. What makes it so special to me is the unique wrapper used on the cigar and the process that the wrapper leaf undergoes before it is applied to the cigar. It is classified as American Habano and it is Habano seed grown in Connecticut. There are not many cigars that possess this wrapper, but what makes this wrapper much more special than others is that the leaf is not picked the same way. Instead of picking the leaves in primings, the tobacco is stalk cut and then cured while still on the stalk. What this does is allow the stalk to continue to provide nutrients to the leaf long after it was picked during the particular priming stage. The result is a very potent and robust leaf. I remember when these first came out, I was completely wowed, but there were a couple years that it was not up to par, the wrapper is very tough to work with. Fortunately on my trip to Nicaragua earlier this year I came back to the cigar and smoked some newer production releases. They were spectacular!

Measuring 6" with a 52 ring gauge, the T52 Toro is heavy in hand and packed full of tobacco. The cigar was blended by Nicholas Melillo, the former Master Blender for Drew Estate, and came with a Brazilian binder and filler tobacco from the Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua. It is easily a full body and full strength cigar, and it is a cigar that produced an abundance of smoke and flavors from beginning to end. The construction is absolutely terrific and it produced warm spices that show cinnamon qualities along with some pepper notes, and it has coffee beans, cocoa and rich earth present as well. There are some fruity qualities and it is very filling. This is a perfect cigar to end the day with and if you do happen to smoke these earlier on in the day, you might as well keep smoking them because the flavors will dominate your palate. If you happen to come across these, because a retailer has tucked them away or hidden them, buy up as many as you can. Recent production is phenomenal and you will not be disappointed.

Review Here.

I love how Robert Caldwell has reentered the industry. He didn't come back with one line, but rather came back with two brands. Each brand had three lines, and the two brands are divided into higher price end and the more affordable end. What is cool is that the lower price end cigars come in ten count boxes which makes it even easier to buy by the box. As you all known, I have been on a Caldwell frenzy lately and I have been digging all of his smokes. I have stuck to the premier lines mostly, but today I take a look at the wallet friendly releases which he has classified as his Seleccion Junior Varsity smokes. They all intrigue me, and I will get to them, but today I am focusing on the Murcias which is his Mexican San Andres offering.

The Murcias is the maduro offering in the Seleccion Junior Varsity brands, and is finished with a Mexican San Andres wrapper. The filler and binder blends are not disclosed, but Caldwell has told me they were blends created as factory/house blends for Tabacalera William Ventura. One can only imagine that there is some if not all Dominican tobacco in the blend. The Toro is what I am reviewing today, and the cigar measures 6" with a 54 ring gauge. The Murcias has a dark maduro wrapper, very chocolate like in appearance, and it has some very small veins present throughout. The cigar is rolled well, nice firmness in hand, and it is giving off an aroma of rich earth, cocoa and soft spices on the wrapper. The foot is showing some soft sweetness with no spice, and you can pick up that wonderful aged tobacco inside. The cold draw is great and I am looking forward to lighting this stick up.

The first third opens up by showing some smooth flavors, great maduro flavors, and also great Mexican San Andres flavors. I am getting some creaminess up front, and it has some rich earth and cocoa flavors with that. The cocoa notes are more creamy rather than dry, and it is showing some finishing notes of hay and cedar. There are some soft coffee bean notes on the finish and this is an easy and enjoyable maduro. It is very smooth and in terms of body I would say it is at a medium level. It is possibly less than that to be honest with you, and it is a morning or afternoon maduro. The strength is that of medium as well and it is a great stick that many could enjoy. The construction is dead on and it is showing a razor sharp burn line with a dark charcoal ash on the end. The ash almost blends in with the wrapper, and it is giving off lots of smoke with a cool and flavorful draw.

When I get into the second third of the cigar I find that it shows some growth as a blend and it is producing a flavor profile that is more complex. It still has those rich earth notes, cocoa aspects as well, and it has some more herbal, toast and wood qualities. There are still some creamy flavors present as well, and this is a nice transition into the second third and a great addition of flavors. I am finding that the body and strength are still smoking at that medium level, same as before, and it is a level that I am a fan of right now. This is a cigar I could have in the morning, afternoon or evening, and it is a cigar I know I could share with a handful of smokers and find that they enjoy it. The construction in the second third remains as perfect as it was in the first third and it has that dark charcoal ash with a cool draw and a nice finishing flavor profile.

I am in the final third of the cigar now and it is finishing on a level that is fairly similar to what it was at in the second third. I am getting some great earth, cocoa and cream notes, and they are pairing together perfectly. It is showing a great amount of balance, and it is not always present with Mexican blend. There are some herbal and wood notes on the finish, and this is a nice finish to the cigar. The construction in the final third of the cigar is very similar to that of the second third and for the most part it is not showing any problems and it has an even burn line. There are some minor uneven parts once in a while, but nothing major. The ash is still that dark charcoal color and it is holding on firmly to the nub. The draw is cool and on the end and it is still showing all of those great flavors. I would still say the cigar is smoking at a medium level for strength and body, and this is a perfect cigar for morning, afternoon and evening.

Murcias is a very nice release and a great Mexican San Andres offering for the company. I think it is a solid Mexican release for the year as well, and one of the better options out there. It is tough wrapper to use, but Caldwell has done a good job in using the wrapper. I would be interested in smoking this in a smaller vitola offering, and it makes me want to gravitate towards the corona option down the road. I think the smaller option would be better, but the Toro is a great option as well. The flavors were enjoyable from beginning to end, and I found that they produced some complexity throughout. The construction was solid as well and with the solid medium body and strength level, this is a cigar I could have all the time. Overall, I am giving the cigar an 89 and I would and will definitely come back to this cigar down the road. With the price what it is, and the box count be set at ten, I would get a box to have around and smoke when I want a nice Mexican offering.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 89

Without a doubt, Aquitaine is my favorite of the RoMa Craft lines. I actually believe it to be his best line overall, no competition there, but unfortunately it does not possess his best individual cigar. That honor goes to the Intemperance BA XXI A.W.S. What the line does have though is a blend that is flavorful, balanced and at the same time very strong. I smoke the petit edmundo offering all the time, that would be the Knuckle Dragger, but when I want a different offering and something unique, I go for the Mode 5. The Mode 5 is the figurado in the line, and was the newest offering before he released the panatela samplers. It's a great figurado because it has the curves that you want in a figurado, but it is not overly large as some can be. It measures 5" with a 50 ring gauge at the middle and can be smoked in the same amount of time as a robusto.

The biggest ingredient to the Aquitaine line is the Ecuadorian Habano Ligero wrapper applied to the cigar. You can really pick up the strengths and flavors of the wrapper on this cigar, and in the Mode 5 offering you get the opportunity to get a heavy does of the wrapper at the tapered head and foots. I find that when the Mode 5 is strong, it is the strongest of the Aquitaine releases, but there are times when it is not killing me in strength as it can other times. I think one in every three will kick your ass, and that pretty much applies to the entire line. The cigar shows a flavor profile that has qualities of dry earth, sweet cedar, leather, spices and some oak on the finish. It is a dryer flavor profile in my opinion, and it is a perfect cigar for spring and summer. The smokes age very well, and my other Aquitaine offerings that I have, which don't have bands on them, are tasting great right now. Do yourself a favor and pickup a bundle of these. They will smoke great now and with age will mellow some and keep all the great flavors.

Review Here.

I have been working my way through the Maya Selva brand lately, and today I come to the end of my exploration of their cigars. It has been wonderful experience exploring the brand, and it is a brand that I found a lot of favorites in. The brand has a terrific Nicaraguan puro in Cumpay, an amazing wallet friendly offering with Villa Zamorano and a smooth Connecticut with Flor de Selva. Looking at those three releases, the brand is in great shape, but what am I missing there? Well the answer is simply a maduro. Every company needs to have a maduro, at one point or another, and they need to have it so they can reach out to the smokers who like the richness that comes with the wrapper. Whether it is a very strong, or softer and flavor focused, you need to have one in your deck, and that is why Maya Selva Cigars has Flor de Selva Maduro. For a time, it was not a main focus in their lineup, they were looking at Europe, but recently with their expansion into the United States they have begun adding to the line and with that addition came the Flor de Selva No. 15 Maduro.

For this review I had to go with the No. 15 Maduro, and the reason for that was that Gabriel Alvarez told me to smoke it. It is a belicoso in dimensions mearsuing 5.5" with a 54 ring gauge. It comes covered with a Natural Maduro from Jamastrán, Honduras, and it has a Brazilian Mata Fina binder. The filler is all Honduran as well, and it features Habano from Jamastrán some Ligero from Azacualpa. The foot of the belicoso has a beautiful aroma and it showing some rich earth and strong coffee notes. There are some manure and dark cocoa qualities as well, and it has a nice tobacco spice present as well. The wrapper is giving off an aroma of spices, aged tobacco and rich earth, and this is a great maduro. The belicoso is rolled wonderfully and it has a wrapper coloring that reminds me of the Cohiba Maduro 5. It is a natural maduro in that sense so it has some reddish hue to it as well, showing that Colorado coloring. It is firm in hand and has a terrific cold draw.

The No. 15 Maduro begins wonderfully and it is showing some terrific flavors. I am picking up this meaty quality to the cigar, and it is accompanied by some pepper and spice notes. There are some herbal qualities present as well, and it has a woody and leather following flavor profile. The finish notes are more maduro like, and it is here that I get some roasted coffee and rich earth qualities. This is a natural maduro as I like to call it, and it is not overly sweet but more balanced. The construction is terrific with the cigar and I am getting a nice even bur line with a light charcoal ash on the end. The ash is holding on firmly and not budging. The draw is cool on the belicoso, focusing the flavors on the upper part of my palate, and it is producing a nice amount of smoke with that. I would classify the cigar as being medium full in strength, and the body is at an easy full level.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and it is showing some solid changes. It has a nice spicy and meaty quality to it, and it is stronger and much more natural than other maduros out there. There is a nice leather flavor profile and the finish shows some coffee flavors. Overall, the flavors are spicy and full, and this cigar really kicked it up a notch. The strength and body are both at full level and it is beast of a cigar in my opinion. I am really liking this cigar and how it is smoking, and to me this is a Honduran maduro. The construction is terrific on the cigar and it is showing that even burn line with a nice charcoal ash on the end. The draw has been cool from the beginning to right now and it has been producing some solid smoke with that. The second third has been terrific, a great follow up to the first third,

When I get into the final third I find that the cigar is increasing in strength and the flavors are changing as well. I find that it is showing some strong spice and pepper notes, and it has some herbal and oak notes with that. I am getting those meaty notes, and they are pairing with some leather and coffee notes Overall, this is a very interesting maduro and it is not one that you would expect when you near the word maduro. The construction is simply terrific on the cigar and it is showing an even burn line with a smooth draw. The draw is cool with the tapered head, and it smokes wonderfully to the end. There is a nice bit of smoke being produced and it is flavorful to the end of the cigar. I am finding that the strength continues to smoke at a full level and the body is right there as well. Overall, this was a nice final third and a lovely ending to the final third.

The No. 15 Maduro is a very nice release and very different than the original Flor de Selva line. While that is very flavorful and light, this cigar is flavorful and noticeably strong. You can really get the Honduran strength with this blend, but it does not lose any of those great flavors. The flavors are dark and powerful, but very enjoyable and more natural in my opinion. The best way I could describe this cigar is imagining an Cohiba Maduro 5, and then have the Maduro 5 be good. It is as if they took the goal of the Habanos Cohiba Maduro and actually delivered the goods. The flavors are bold and complex, and they show some great natural Honduran flavors, not flavors you would get with a maduro, and then provide a finish that is very rich and maduro like. I think some smokers will not care for this cigar, that always happens, but others will really love it. I am giving the cigar a solid 92 rating and look forward to smoking other sizes.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 92

*cigars for this assessment were provided to me by Maya Selva Cigars.

Earlier this year, Crowned Heads released their first release with My Father Cigars and it was a limited edition. The release was the well known Las Calavares, and it is a release that has gotten a lot of positive attention from smokers out there. It is intended to be annual limited release with each year's release having a different blend; and I will be interested to see how future blends are in comparison to the initial release. I was not a huge fan of this year's release, that happens with cigars, but I was hopeful that future blends with My Father Cigars would be better. I saw improvement with Jericho Hill and after smoking that I was excited for future projects. When I saw that there would be more limited editions release this year, bringing it to a total of eight limited releases in 2014, something I think is a bit excessive, I knew that the opportunity would present itself for me to see how the relationship was working out. One of these releases is the Hecho Con Corazon, which is being made for the Hickory Cigar Club in Hickory, NC, and is based off of that Las Calavares blend.

Hecho Con Corazon is the newest limited edition to be released, and with only 1,000 cigars being made, that is truly limited. The cigars were first being offered at Hickory Cigar Club in Hickory, NC on October 1st, with the remaining cigars being sold at the recent Crowned Heads event at Tinderbox in Charlotte, NC. At the release, Crowned Heads had a pamphlet explaining the title of the cigar, Hecho Con Corazon. The pamphlet talked about a roller from Cuba many years ago who rolled with such passion that he rolled beyond the title of Hecho A Mano (made by hand), but rather Hecho Con Corazon, made with heart.

Measuring 6" with a 50 ring gauge, and being box pressed in nature, Hecho Con Corazon is the same blend as Las Calavares. It features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, 8th Priming, and it has a Nicaraguan filler and binder blend. The cigar is being made out of My Father Cigars, and is limited to 1,000 cigars, 100 boxes of ten. The toro is beautiful in hand and it has a gorgeous wrapper applied. You can see that it has a nice triple cap applied and the wrapper is silky and smooth. There are some very small veins present throughout the cigar and it has a great coloring that is a light maduro in coloring. The foot of the cigar shows an aroma of tobacco, hay, earth and some soft spices, and with the wrapper I am getting an aroma of cocoa, rich earth and additional tobacco notes.

The first third open up by showing some core flavors and it is an entertaining beginning. I am getting some earthy notes that are paired with these subtle cocoa flavors, and it is finished with some cedar and spearmint qualities. The spearmint qualities make for this smoothness on the draw, but the cedar notes are a little bit harsher and really remain on my palate. Overall it is a cigar that is showing some flavors, but they are a little all over the place. The construction is fairly solid and it is producing a decent burn line that is not wavy, but at the same time not even. There is a charcoal ash on the end of the smoke and it is holding on firmly. There is a lot of smoke being produced and it is a cool draw. In terms of strength I would classify it as being around the medium to medium-full level and the body is closer to medium in my opinion.

When I get into the second third of the cigar I find that it is opening up a little bit more and I am getting some roasted coffee bean flavors. The coffee bean flavors are pairing with the earthy and cocoa notes, making for an enjoyable offering, but it has that spearmint and cedary finish which is unique and giving me mixed signals. It is relatively complex, but the flavors that are making it complex do not seem to be working well together. There is this smokiness present as well and it is a little all over the place. The construction remains similar in this third to the first and it has a burn line that is slightly uneven, though not presenting a problem, and it has that charcoal ash that is firm and holding on well at the foot. The body and strength remain at the same levels they were at in the first third and it has a medium body with a medium-full strength level.

The final third shows a lot of the same flavors that were present in the second third and it keeps that profile to the end. It has some coffee bean flavors present that are dominant, and it is accompanied by some earthy and cocoa notes. The spearmint and harsh cedar notes are present on the finish and it is a flavor profile that is not wowing or impressive in my opinion. Some may consider it complex, but I don't. At the same time though, it is not one dimensional. The construction remains similar in this third to that of the second third and while it is not perfect, it is far from terrible. The ash is still showing that charcoal coloring and it is firm on the end. The draw is cool and does not get hot at the end. The overall body and strength of the cigar remain at that medium-full level in this third and overall it is a continuation of the second third.

This is a cigar that did not wow me or catch my attention. If it was regular production I would say "okay, it is what it is", but it's not. This was a very limited cigar, only 1,000 made, and it did not deliver what it should have. There was no complexity and it had a flavor profile that worked against itself throughout the entire cigar. While I want more out of any cigar, regular or limited, when you make a limited edition you need to make a great one and make it worth being limited. The cigar showed that high priming Ecuadorian Habano flavor profile that I would expect, and it is a flavor profile that is becoming more and more present with every release, no matter the company, coming out of My Father Cigars. I don't want to say that a Crowned Heads fan will love this, you should never love every cigar that a manufacturer releases because you like the manufacturer as a person and/or his past releases, but maybe some will like what this cigar delivers. I will say that it is a better than Las Calavares, but it is still not a great cigar. It gets an 87 in my book.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 87

Cigar Review: Sindicato Maduro Magnum (Sindicato Cigars)

Cigar Review: La Palina Black Label Robusto

Cigar Review: Illusione Fume D’Amour Clementes

Cigar Review: Cumpay Robusto (Maya Selva Cigars)

Cigar Revisited: L'Atelier LAT52

Product Review: Adorini HumiSave Bag

Week in Review (Volume 2, Issue 30)

Cigar Review: Cohiba Comador

Cigar Revisited: Illusione Cruzado Marelas Supremas

Cigar Review: Surrogates Satin Glove by L'Atelier Imports

Cigar Revisited: E.P. Carrillo Edición Limitada 2010

Ammodors: Testing the Ammodor (Seasoning Complete)

Cigar Review: Joel Sherman 75th Celebration

Week in Review (Volume 2, Issue 31)

Cigar Review: Sabor de Estelí Corona

Cigar Revisited: Liga Privada T52 Toro by Drew Estate (Stalk-Cut)

Cigar Review: Murcias Toro Seleccion Junior Varsity (Caldwell Cigar Co.)

Cigar Revisited: Aquitaine Mode 5

Cigar Review: Flor de Selva No. 15 Maduro

Cigar Review: Crowned Heads Hecho Con Corazon LE 2014