Seth's Humidor: Cigar Reviews

It is that time of the year, it is time for the annual Habanos Festival! This year marks the 17th Habanos Festival, and while the first part of today is registration and opening press conference, the main event is tonight with the official announcement and release of the Romeo y Julieta Gran Reserva Cosecha 2009. This the first time that Romeo y Julieta has been selected as a Gran Reserva, and the Habano will be composed of tobacco that has been aging for five years. Production is capped at 5,000 numbered boxes, and no corners were cut with the production of this particular Habano. The Wide Churchill is a relatively new vitola for the brand, and it is a popular vitola currently with larger ring gauges being in demand.

CONTINUE READING

Bolívar is one of my personal favorite brands and I am crazy about almost every vitola they have in circulation. Whether is a Churchill or petit corona, the vitolas they have deliver the brands classic flavors, and they are flavors that I enjoy whether they are young or aged. Along with having great regular production offerings, it is a brand that is popular for regional releases. I enjoy the regional releases they have brought to the market, they are all solid blends that do the brand justice, but when it comes to limitadas, they are not so hot. They have had one limitada over the years, the 2009 Petit Belicosos, and to this day I believe it is one of the strongest and most unbalanced examples of the brand. Last year, Habanos S.A. announced that Bolívar would be making a return to the limitada lineup, and they would be one of the three 2014 limitada brands. I was eager to see how the release would be, and today I will see how the follow up is, compared with the disastrous 2009 release. Enough of this though, let's take a look at the Bolívar Super Coronas Edición Limitada 2014.

CONTINUE READING

Last night, the Habanos Festival concluded with the tasting of the Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill Gran Reserva Cosecha 2009, and to no surprise the release was intended to be a larger ring gauge release, as that is the direction the market is going. For the past several years, Habanos S.A. has been cutting the brands and vitolas that are less in demand, and to no surprise, they have been smaller ring gauge releases. While I am more a fan of smaller ring gauge offerings, I have found that Habanos S.A. has been very successful in the release of larger ring gauges. I personally believe they do a better job than the non-Habanos manufacturers and brand owners, and a classic example is the Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill and the Cohiba Robustos Supremos.

CONTINUE READING

It's What Embargo?: Episode Veintitrés. Check out what Catfish and Big Tuna have to say about the Cohiba Robustos Supremos & 2015 Habanos Festival.

The artists formerly known as Bellatto/Caldwell/Sears, and before that Impromptu, have finally come to an agreement with their name, and decided on Lost&Found. Less than a month ago, the individuals behind this "concept" announced that the 2014 established Impromptu would become Bellatto/Caldwell/Sears, and now we are onto Lost&Found. Adding onto the name change, Caldwell announced that this was not a concept that was part of the Caldwell brand, but rather something completely separate.

Along with the "concept" being separate, Caldwell stated that he would not being running Lost&Found, but rather Tony Bellatto would be taking the lead. The three of them play different roles in Lost&Found: Caldwell's is finding the cigars and coming up with the idea, Sears handles artwork and packaging, and Bellatto handles distribution. The concept is truly unique, one of a kind, and as Caldwell has said, "it is the coolest thing to ever happen a second time to a great cigar."

The full letter read as such:

Press Release / BCS (Impromptu) Explanation

Robert Caldwell

February 20 2015 - Miami,FL

I wanted to take the time to explain Bellatto/Caldwell/Sears (Formally Impromptu). A lot of people don’t quite understand what it is, how it works, or its’ purpose. We explained it a year ago, but no one was listening then.

For years I had been travelling all over the world and brought back really cool cigars. I would always return and share them with Jaclyn and Tony and a five minute conversation about wishing we could do something with them always ensued. I have always gotten a kick out of chasing down old blends I loved, or exploring great manufacturers aging rooms and finding gems. Tony and Jaclyn pushed me to turn this into a project. Find great lost cigars. Package them. Share them with friends. This is BCS.

Last year we came to market together with this concept. It was and is Tony’s project. He decides who gets it and who does not. He runs point on the whole deal. I find the cigars and come up with the concepts. Jaclyn does the artistic side of the project. We love this project because it does not matter. It is fun. It is carefree. It is what cigars should be. It allows us to bring in really special cigars and share them with true friends. It allows me to push myself creatively. It allows me to work with friends.

BCS is not a Caldwell project. It is not a Caldwell brand. It is not even a brand. It is a concept. We do not manufacture the cigars. They are something Lost and then Found. We go after cigars that were very special when they were on the shelves and breathe new life into them. It is a chance to bring in one-off cigars that have been aged to perfection and share them with true connoisseurs. Some quantities have been as low as 100 cigars. It is the coolest thing to ever happen a second time to a great cigar.

Tony is limiting the retailers to 20. They are very hard to sell at brick and mortar retail. They come wrapped up in simple paper with catchy names and designs. He wants to keep them mainly off of store shelves. His target is online boutique, as well as social media forums and trade groups. This is where the brand is understood. He wants to keep it small and fun.

He has renamed the brand twice. 3rd time is a charm. It is called Lost&Found. Just look for the parachute.

It is an uber cool project.

Robert Caldwell

If you enter any cigar factory's escaparate, you will find media ruedas of cigars aging properly on shelves, awaiting the application of bands and the completion of the packaging process. Most of the time these cigars make it out of this room for packaging and distribution to the market, but there are times where these cigars end up sitting in the escaparate. These cigars slowly age to perfection, and can sometimes be "forgotten" about, not being smoked for many years. The concept of Lost&Found, formerly Bellatto/Caldwell/Sears & Impromptu, is to find these cigars, the good ones that is, and release them to the market in limited quantities. Very little information will be revealed by Lost&Found regarding the actual cigar, but because they loved these cigar so much, they wanted to share them with the market. This concept was first released last year, not fully understood but appreciated, and this year the group has made a return that is stronger than last year. One of the highlights of last year's releases was the Pepper Cream Soda, and following up on that, Lost&Found has released its follow up release, Pepper Cream Soda Cream Machine.

Measuring 6" with a 50 ring gauge, Cream Machine is the follow up release to the Pepper Cream Soda that was released that year. The release last year was a 2006 vintage smoke that was a 5" by 50 ring gauge robusto, and the Cream Machine is the same vintage in a toro offering. Release numbers are set at 1,800 cigars, and they are being sold in packs of three and nine. The cigar is finished with an Brazilian seed Arapiraca wrapper from Ecuador, a Dominican Piloto Cubano binder, and a filler blend of Habano, HVA, and Piloto Cubano tobacco from the Dominican Republic. The cigar comes with a silky wrapper and it has a lovey coloring that is between Natural and Colorado. There are a few minor veins present throughout the wrapper, and it has some nice tooth present with that. It is firm in hand, and as I said earlier, it is remarkably silky. The cap is applied nicely, and it has a very minor 109 finish. I don't think it is intentional, but I am picking up a little bit of that. The wrapper is giving off an aroma of cedar, tobacco, light spices, and cream, and I am getting some more oaky, spicy, and vanilla notes on the foot.

The first third opens up by showing nice cedar notes, and it has some great pepper qualities on top of that. The pepper notes present are really white pepper like, and it is a nice combination overall. I am getting some smooth flavors with that, as I was expected giving the title, and the smooth flavors are creamy and nutty. This is a really enjoyable cigar, one that I would like in the morning and afternoon, and it is a cigar that would be appealing to many people. The body and strength level are at a medium level in my opinion, and it is a nice balance with the flavors being produced. I would say the construction is fairly decent on the cigar, not perfect, but it produces a solid charcoal ash on the end that is holding on well. The draw is smooth and cool, and I am looking forward to the growth of the cigar.

When I enter into the second third of the cigar, I find that it opens up more and is showing some sweeter qualities overall. There are still a nice bit of white pepper flavors present, but I am getting some vanilla and oak notes with that. There is a cedar flavor present as well, and it has a creamy, tobacco, and spicy finish. It is a complex blend that has grown as it has moved into the second third, and the body and strength have progressed as well. I would say that the strength is now just above medium, and the body has as well, just shy of medium-full. The construction is still similar in this third to the previous third, and it is showing a slightly uneven burn line with a charcoal ash on the end. I have had to touch up the cigar from time to time, but the ash is holding on well and it is smoking cool overall.

The final third shows some similar flavors to that of the first third, and it is creamy with some nice cedar notes. There are some toasty qualities present, and I am getting some soft oak and graham cracker notes. There is very little spice or white pepper flavors present on the finish, and it is a smooth finish that makes for a nice ending. I would say it is complex, but also light overall, so you have to focus on the flavors. The construction is similar in the final third to that of the first and second third, and it is has a burn line that is a little off, and requires some touch ups here and there. The draw is smooth though, and a good bit of smoke is being produced with each draw I would classify the final third as being medium in body strength and body, and with the finish being what it is, it makes me want to light up another smoke right after.

Cream Machine is an enjoyable release, and one that definitely shows its age. It is smooth, mild, and creamy throughout, and it delivers some nice flavors with that. I would be fascinated to see how this cigar smoked when it was younger, as this cigar is close to ten years old now, and I am willing to say that it was much better when it was two to four years old, rather than nine years old. It still smoked well for its age though, and you can see that it has been aging properly, but as for my personal taste and preference, it is a little mild. This is a cigar that I would recommend to many, especially for the milder fans, and it is a great morning smoke. The construction was decent from beginning to end, and I found myself smoking many of these before this review. I am giving this cigar a solid 87 rating, and it is a cigar that I would recommend people smoke now, and not age and put away. Lost&Found does not have anything to do with La Barba or Caldwell Cigar Co., I want to make that clear, but as for comparing the three, La Barba and Caldwell are definitely superior blends.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 87

Davidoff of Geneva USA announced today they they will begin construction of a Davidoff of Geneva - since 1911 store in Tampa, FL, 20 minutes away from the company's American headquarters. This will be the first licensed flagship store outside of Las Vegas, NV, and is one of several flagship stores being opened across the country. The store is slated to open late 2015, and will be opened with the partnership of Jeff and Tanya Borysiewicz from Corona Cigar Company.

This 5,000 square foot store is going to be completely humidified, and it will be the largest Davidoff Flagship Store in the world. It will be filled with multiple lounges, both indoors and outdoors, and will have private lockers, and a full service bar.

Jim Young, President of Davidoff of Geneva North America, stated that “Davidoff of Geneva North America is delighted to open a new “Davidoff of Geneva - since 1911” store in our home market. We are particularly excited to do this in partnership with Jeff and Tanya who have been outstanding Davidoff partners for quite some time. They know how to provide consumers with a premium retail
experience, they know our entire product portfolio, and they know our company."

Jeff Borysiewicz was quoted in saying that“We're thrilled to expand our retail operations and to serve cigar enthusiasts in the Cigar City of Tampa. We look forward to creating the "Ultimate Cigar Experience" in a community with such a long history of cigar manufacturing and rich cigar culture,” says Jeff Borysiewicz, President of Corona Cigar Company. “It's an honor to be partnering with Oettinger Davidoff, the global leader in premium cigars and luxury cigar stores, and it is exciting to be building upon the legacy that Zino Davidoff started over 100 years ago.”

This is another exciting announcement from Davidoff, and on a personal note, I have an interest in going to Tampa now.

Seth's Humidor

Month in Review: (Volume 1, Issue 2)

January 2015 Highlights

I am back at the end of February to wrap up the best cigars for the month. These cigars have had a rating of 92 or higher, and these are cigars you will find in my humidor, if still available. I have 92's as being equivalent to a 5 pack in my rating system, but depending on the price and packaging, they may be box worthy cigars. I had three cigars in January that made the list, but let's see what February looks like.

Easily the best cigar I have smoked in the month of February and the 2015 year, the illusione ~eccj~ 20th is a fantastic release, and one that I have been waiting for patiently. This Short Churchill is a fantastic size, and I believe it is a size that shows the best of both worlds. The 48 ring gauge is the perfect ring gauge for balance between wrapper and filler, and with the length of 6 1/2", you are getting this "improved toro" vibe. The Nicaraguan tobacco is used perfectly in the cigar, and the Corojo Cafe Rosado wrapper is used brilliantly over the entire blend. The 20th blend is based off of the ~eccj~ 15th, which is the basis for the Epernay blend, but what makes this particular smoke superior to the Epernay is the amped up body and strength that comes with the cigar. Worthy of a box and then some, the ~eccj~ 20th is a cigar you should not pass on. There is a reason this cigar got a 94 rating.

Review Here.

El Oso is a line that I have enjoyed thoroughly since I first lit it up, but I never felt that it was the best line from Warped Cigars. I prefer La Colmena and Flor del Valle over El Oso, hands down without a question, but when I lit up El Oso Mama, I was blown away. Mama is a unique vitola for the line as it the smallest ring gauge, but it also features a different wrapper. A slightly shorter lancero, Mama features a Mexican San Andres wrapper, and this is a flavorful and well constructed cigar. From beginning to end, the lancero delivers complex flavors, and they are flavors that I love to see with a Mexican San Andres lancero. This is definitely my favorite offering in the line, interesting because it is the odd one out, and it is a smoke that I would keep around in my humidor to smoke young and see how it ages. A solid 92 rating cigar, I am happy I gave this offering a chance.

Review Here.

Friends and Family has been a line/brand that I have enjoyed with each vintage, but it was with last year's release, the Bel Air, that I found the best release. A classic toro, 6" with a 50 ring gauge, the cigar delivers impeccable construction and terrific flavors throughout. The Bel Air is lighter overall when compared with past releases, but the flavors are much more complex and there is a nice bit of depth and transitioning from beginning to end. I have never been fortunate enough to pick up a box of these releases, but I have truly enjoyed the sticks that I have smoked. I love the concept of Friends and Family, and appreciate that Andre has never made it more regular than he has. Because of this, he has kept people interested and fascinated with the line/brand. I gave the cigar a 92 rating, and wish I had more of these to smoke.

Review Here.

The Dominican Republic is a country I am paying attention to right now because I believe there is a resurgence occurring in the country. You are seeing a lot of veterans who were once part of large companies starting their own smaller boutique companies there, producing cigars the way they always wanted to produce, and along with that, you are seeing some new and young guys head to the country creating new and unique blends that we have not seen from the country. Two of these young guys are Tony Bellatto and Craig Rossi with La Barba Cigars. Originally working in Honduras with Christian Eiroa, the duo moved to the DR to team up with Tabacalera William Ventura to produce a new kind of cigar. La Barba Purple is almost entirely a Dominican cigar, and it is a cigar that shows solid construction from beginning to end. The flavors are simply fantastic, and it shows great spice, caramel, and mineral notes with that. The recent stuff coming out of the Ventura Factory has been really enjoyable, and La Babra Purple is one the best. I gave this smoke a 92 rating, and it is a blend I have been coming back to over and over again.

Review Here.

Seth's Humidor

Week in Review (Volume 3, Issue 9)

This was a terrible week again, if you are looking at what I smoked that is, but if you are checking out what I reviewed, there is some good stuff in there. I smoked stuff that covered a broad spectrum this week, and it ranged from really good to really disappointing. Overall, the week was a short week to a short month, but it was finished with the excitement of a new flagship Davidoff store in Tampa, FL. I am intrigued in attending the opening, and the store is going to be amazing. Let's check out this week!

News This Week:

Wednesday, February 25th, 2015: Bellatto/Caldwell/Sears Becomes Lost&Found

Friday, February 27th, 2015: Davidoff Flagship Store Headed to Tampa, FL

Cigars Reviewed This Week:

Monday, February 23rd, 2015: El Oso Mama by Warped Cigars

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015: Curivari Seleccion Privada Robustos

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015: Bolívar Super Coronas Edición Limitada (2014)

Thursday, February 26th, 2015: Pepper Cream Soda Cream Machine (Lost&Found)

Cigars Smoked This Week:

The most appealing of vitola offerings for the 2014 limitadas, this was also the most disappointing. I am a huge fan of the Bolivar line, but I find that it is terrible when it comes to limitadas, 0-2 in my opinion. It is a brand that produces some solid regional releases though, depending on the country, but limitadas have been busts. The construction was decent throughout the cigar, that was not the issue, but the flavors were an issue. They started out fairly strong, showing some nice cocoa, espresso, earth, and barnyard flavors, but as it progressed it showed more and more youth, and did not deliver the quality flavors I was hoping for. It is young, but I do not see it maturing to the level I would like.

Review Here.

In all honesty, this is the cigar that Habanos S.A. should have gone with instead of the Serie E No. 2. It is a more appealing size, and it embraces a slightly smaller ring gauge which I love. This Magnum 50/Double Robusto is great for being as young as it is, and it shows solid construction with awesome flavors throughout. The cigar shows nice pepper, spice, sea salt, leather, and oak flavors throughout, and it has some nice coffee grind and herb flavors on top of that. I would say that it is a medium-full to full body and strength cigar now, and that will remain present for several years. Out of the three limitadas released last year, this is my second favorite after the Cohiba, a solid cigar.

A classic smoke, the Davidoff Aniversario No. 3 is a cigar that is approachable to any cigar smoker. It shows excellent construction throughout, and it delivers mild to medium flavors as well. I pick up cedar, hay, soft spice, cream, and nutty flavors, and the strength and body are in the same category, smoking just below medium. Because of the flavors and consistency, I believe it could be classified as an old faithful, and one you could come back to in years, still having it deliver those flavors it once did. I typically gravitate towards fuller and more complex Davidoff offerings, but you can't go wrong with this cigar, and that is why I classify it is a "classic." Oh, and the tubes that these sticks come in are simply amazing as well!

The Roman Empire was plagued with many terrible emperors throughout its existence. There were some great ones in there as well, but it seemed that before and/or after every great emperor there was a terrible one who really messed everything up. This made it difficult for the empire, as the good emperors had to correct everything that was messed up, or have all of his great achievements go to waste. One emperor that entered at a crappy time, but was able to do greatness and have it continue on for 21 years after the his reign came to and end was Trajan. Known as the "best ruler," for nearly 20 years he improved the Roman Empire and expanded it as well. If you read up on the Roman Empire and its emperors, his name is one that is mentioned in good taste, and that is a challenging thing to do when talking about the Roman Emperors. Because of his greatness, Quesada Cigars decided to pay tribute to him this year, nearly 1900 years after his death, and release a limitada bearing his name. The cigar is a part of the Casa Magna brand, and it is the Casa Magna Domus Magnus II Trajan.

Released early this year, the Trajanis a limitada that is limited 10,000 cigars in ten count boxes. The cigars were rolled at Plasencia Cigars in Esteli, Nicaraguan, and the cigar itself is a Nicaraguan puro. The line features a Nicaraguan Jalapa Sun Grown wrapper, and underneath that is Nicaraguan binder and filler tobacco. The blend measures 5 1/2" and is a 60 ring gauge cigar. This unique "toro" is pressed on one side and round for what would be the other three sides. They classify it as a "D-Shaped cigar." It is finished with a nice pigtail cap, and it has your standard band along with a foot band. The wrapper is toothy and thick, and it is showing some medium sized veins throughout the cigar. The coloring is a dark Colorado Maduro coloring, and it has a nice dark milk chocolate coloring. There is an aroma of earth, spices, cocoa powder on the wrapper, and I am getting some woody and tobacco notes on the foot.

The first third opens up by showing some nice pepper notes, and it has some Asian spice flavors present with that. There are some earth and chocolate qualities present as well, and it has a tobacco and creamy finish which really balances it all out. It is an enjoyable flavor profile, one that I was expecting with the blend, and while I hate the vitola offering, it is not presenting a problem by any means. The construction is solid, showing a nice burn line, and it has a charcoal ash that is firm on the end of the cigar. I am getting a cool draw that is a little bit too open for me, and there is a good bit of smoke being delivered with that. The ash has this nice white coloring and it is holding on firmly to the end of the cigar. The one thing I will say about big ring gauges is that the ash holds on well. I would classify the cigar as being medium-full in terms of body and strength, and I move forward to the second third.

The second third really showed a lot of rich and sweeter qualities, and I was picking up a lot of rich earth, chocolate, and dark cherry notes. There was damp tobacco and wood qualities with that, and it had a faint bit of spices on the finish. There was some transitioning from the from third third, but overall it was showing similar flavors throughout. I don't think the ring gauge being as large as it is is helping the blend, but it is not killing the overall flavors. The construction remains to not be an issue in this third as well, and it is showing an even burn line with a nice charcoal ash on the end. The ash is holding on firmly, and I am getting a good amount of smoke being produced with each cold draw. I would say that it is smoking more at a medium level in terms of body and strength in this third, and let's see where it goes in the final third.

I am in the final third of the cigar now and it is showing a return of the pepper and Asian spice notes from the first third. There is still a nice rich earth quality present with the cigar, and it is finishing by showing damp wood, tobacco, and chocolate notes. There was some transitioning throughout, I won't say there wasn't, but it was very minor overall. It did have some depth and complexity as well, and the biggest issue I found was the size of the cigar. The construction however was great and it smoked cool smoothly throughout. There was a nice burn line in the final third, something that was present in the first and second third, and it had a nice gray ash line that held on firmly to the end. With nice construction and some solid flavors, I felt that the strength and body made a return to medium-full in this third, and it ended at an appropriate level where the body was matching the flavors.

I honestly don't know where Quesada was trying to go with this. I don't get the size offering, and if it was created merely to let one side be a box press size so that the cigar can easily be put down, why not make the whole cigar be pressed? There are some companies who are making these "unique" vitolas which has me totally confused, and at the end of the day they should spend more time on the blend rather than on a one of a kind vitola. There were some flavors present that were solid, and there was some transitioning, but it was just lacking what a good cigar should have overall. Yes, the construction was solid on the cigar, but that should always be a given. I have thoroughly enjoyed Domus Magnus releases from the company over the years, but this one was just a release to be a release it seems. The cigar lacked in so many ways, and it is a complete shame. I give the cigar an 85 rating. Trajan would not be pleased, he would be disappointed in all honesty, and this would be more fitting to the psychotic Caligula than Trajan. But then again, why are we naming a cigar after Caligula?

Seth's Humidor Rating: 85

Belux is not a specific country; let's begin there. Sometimes with the regional program you can tell by the bands where the Habanos is designated: Alemania is for Germany, España is for Spain, and Italia is for Italy, but with bands that say Benelux or Belux, it is easy to get confused. Benelux is actually a union of three countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and Belux is a combination of Belgium and Luxembourg. You would wonder why the countries come together for a regional program, but when you look at the cost, the sizes of the country, and the market, it makes sense to come together to create a regional release and have it do very well. That is why over the years, you have seen these countries come together to have a regional release. In 2013, Belgium and Luxembourg teamed up to create the Bolívar Poderosos Edición Regional Belux, and today I look at this Rodolfo or Double Pyramid.

CONTINUE READING

In last year's Saints & Sinners kit, Pete include two vitolas that were the Tatuaje Verocu. They were the only two cigars that were easily identifiable, and it was a nice addition given that Pete announced the Verocu line would be making a return at the 2014 IPCPR. To be honest, it had been sometime since I actually smoked a Verocu, and on top of that, it had been even longer since I smoked a Havana VI. As many know or have heard, Pete has referred to the Verocu as the "Havana VI on steroids," and in my experience it was definitely a stronger and improved version of the line. I looked forward to smoking the cigars in the set, and this review could not have come at a better time with the Verocu getting a soft launch this week. The Verocu that is getting a soft launch is not this size, it's actually 3/8" longer, but let's see how this version smokes.

This particular size offering was only avialable in the Saints & Sinners kit, but it is close in length to the Verocu No. 3 being released this week. This cigar measures 5 5/5" with a 46 ring gauge, and it is finished with a Habano seed wrapper from Ecuador. Underneath that is Nicaraguan tobacco in the binder and filler blend, and production came out of My Father. The cigar features a dark Oscuro wrapper, and there is a nice placement of the triple cap to finish the cigar. It has a variety of veins throughout the cigar that range from minor to large, and the wrapper is thick and hearty. It has some oils present, and it has some tooth with that. There are a couple areas where the veins in the wrapper present this bumpy and uneven field, but overall it is not a major issue. There is an aroma of rich spices, strong earth, and heavy tobacco on the foot, and the wrapper is showing some similar qualities with some oak and leather notes.

The first third is a powerhouse, and it has some great flavors with that. There is a nice bit of coffee grinds making an appearance at the beginning, and it is accompanied by some strong black pepper notes on top of that. I eventually begin to get some oak and red wine qualities, and it has some earth and leather on top of that. It is very filling, and it has a nice bit of depth on top of that. The complexity is at a good amount, and it is matching the strength and body with the cigar. I would say the body is at a medium-full to full level, and the strength is "full-on full." It is all working together wonderfully right now, and I look forward to where the second third takes me. In terms of construction, the cigar is perfect and it is showing a dead even burn line with a light charcoal ash on the end. The ash is holding on firmly, and I am getting a draw that is cool and producing a nice bit of smoke.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and I am finding that it is balancing out some and while it is still full in all aspects, it is more balanced and a smoother smoke because of that. I am getting those black pepper notes along with the oak flavors, and it has a nice earthiness present as well. There are some smooth black coffee flavors present on the finish, and there is some leather on top of that which makes for a nice touch. The construction remains perfect in this third and it is showing that even burn line with a firm charcoal ash on the end. The draw is smooth, producing a great smoke cloud, and it is a cool finish. I would classify the cigar as being more medium-full in strength and body in this third, and I like the direction that the cigar is going. It caught my attention early on, and it is now toning it back some as to not overkill me.

The final third shows a lot of qualities that are similar to the first third, but it comes off as being softer than the second third. I am getting very little pepper notes, and the coffee bean flavors are muted as well. It has an oaky and earthy quality in the end, and with that is some nice natural tobacco flavors to add some complexity. I think the first and second third flavors were more my cup of tea, but that has to do with the strength and body present. The strength and body are a less in this third and they are really smoking more around the medium level in my opinion. It has decreased in that sense as the cigar has moved on, and while it is "easier" for the smoker, I think it loses some of those awesome qualities. The construction remains solid though in this third and it is producing a decent burn line with a darker ash than what was present before. The draw is cool, and a little wet as it comes to a close, but it is showing some earthy flavors on the finish.

The Tatuaje Verocu is a nice smoke and a better offering than the Havana VI in my opinion; I think many others agree with that though. I don't think it is as good as the "Brown Label," but at the same time it is a very different smoke. I have always been curious about the relationship between this cigar, the Brown Label, and Havana VI, and the reason for that is that Pete has been very vocal in saying that the Havana VI is a toned down version of the Brown Label, and the Verocu is an amped up version of Havana VI. Most people's first reason would be to relate Verocu and Brown Label, but the two are completely different. I think Verocu is the stronger of the three, since I am relating the three cigars now, and while the flavors are not as good as they are in the Brown Label, they are better than they are in the Havana VI line. Other than that, the construction was solid throughout the cigar and it delivered a nice strength and body level. It did decrease in strength as the cigar progressed, but it became more accessible to smokers at the same time. This is a blend that I would love to have in a petit corona offering, but the corona gorda is solid as well. I am giving the cigar a solid 88 and it definitely has its place in the Tatuaje portfolio.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 88

In mid-July, Crux Cigars announced that they would be expanding the Passport line. This announcement came just before the IPCPR, and the announcement included two new sizes. Both of the sizes were small releases, under 5" and a 50 ring gauge, and they were releases that were attractive to a certain crowd in the industry. I think there are three divisions in the industry, in terms of the size of the cigar you smoke, and those divisions are: the 60 ring gauge crew, the toro crew, and the 40's crew. More often than not, I come across guys smoking a 6" by 60, a 6" by 52, or a cigar that is under 5 inch and has a ring gauge in the 40's. There is a great difference in what a cigar will smoke like in those three sizes, and I am one that goes for the smaller size. One of the more difficult sizes is in that smaller set, and it is the Half Corona. That is the size the Crux Cigars announced back in July of 2014, and today we check out the Crux Passport Half Corona and see how they do with the size.

Crux production is coming out of Esteli, Nicaragua, and the cigars are being made at Plasencia Cigars. The Passport is one of the first lines to hit the market, and for the most part the line is filled with small ring gauge offerings. The Half Corona measures 4" with a 42 ring gauge, and it is a multi-national blend. The cigar has a Nicaraguan wrapper and binder, both from Jalapa, and underneath that is a filler blend that is composed of tobacco from Honduras and Nicaragua, Jamastran and Esteli to be specific. The Half Corona comes with a nice shot pigtail cap and closed foot, and it is a nice addition to the little smoke. I love half coronas, don't get me wrong, but appearance wise they can be lacking and uneventful. What Crux has done though is add some "flare" to the little smoke, making it stand out and appealing. The wrapper has a nice Colorado Maduro coloring to it, and it is a thick wrapper with some medium sized veins throughout. It is dry to touch, showing no oils or silky textures, and it has a dark and powerful aroma that is showing some berry qualities with some oak, tobacco, earth, and spices.

The first half has a strong opening, and it begins by showing some strong spice and pepper notes with some oak qualities present as well. There are some fruity qualities present as well, and it is showing some berry and currant vibes. It has a finish of minerals and dry earth, and it is a strong flavor profile. In my opinion, this is the strongest Passport I have had, and it is very different from the other offerings. The construction is solid throughout the first half and it is producing a dark charcoal ash on the end of the of smoke. The draw is cool, giving off a great bit of smoke, and it is smoke that really lingers on and does not dissipate. I would classify the strength of the cigar as being easily full right now, and the body is there as well. I would not light this up in the morning, but it is a great smoke for the late afternoon and evening.

The second half of the cigar shows some similarities to that of the first, but it has some additional flavors making an appearance as well. I am getting some coffee notes now which are pairing nicely with the earth and mineral notes, but it still has those fruity, currant, and oak flavors that are dominant, matched with some spice and pepper notes. It's a full flavored cigar, no doubt, but there is a lot of balance with that. I did not find an abundance of transitioning from the first half to the second, but there was enough and already a solid flavor profile present to make a nice touch. The construction remains top notch in the second half of the cigar and it is showing a solid burn line with that dark charcoal ash on the end of the cigar. It has a smooth and cool draw with that, and there is still a great bit of smoke being produced. I would say that it is still an easy full body and flavored cigar, and this is a great cigar to close the night.

The Half Corona is the strongest of the Passport blends I have smoked, and it is a lot of cigar in such a small offering. I don't think it has an abundance of transitioning throughout, but it is a nice complexity to it, and it is an enjoyable flavor profile. Making a cigar that is under 4.5" really complex and having a lot of transitioning is difficult, there a few who can really do it, but Crux came close with this stick. The construction is solid throughout the entire cigar, and it is showing a nice charcoal ash from beginning to end. I think the ash could hold on for more than half the cigar, if the band did not get in the way, but I was not in a "how big was your ash" contest. I have been a fan of what Crux has been doing since they first announced, and while the Passport is not my favorite line by the company, it is a solid line. I am giving the Half Corona an 89 rating, and it is a smoke I would come back to down the road. I prefer the No. 4 overall, but that is because of the 109 finish that comes with the cigar.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 89

* cigars for this assessment were provided to Seth's Humidor by Crux Cigars.

With what I do, I have the fortune of getting quality time with manufacturers and label owners in this industry that many others do not have. I don't take advantage of it like some do, but at the same time I believe I am not annoying the hell out of them like those who constantly contact these individuals for something. Back in September, I was able to get some time with the husband and wife partnerships by Cordoba & Morales, and besides the fact that I was able to get some quality time with them talking about tobacco, cigars, and other matters, I was able to really be introduced to the company. The "interview" is on Cigar Chat, and it is something you should check out, and one the coolest parts of the interview, or at least what I got out of it, was the term puro. We look at puro as referring to a cigar that is composed of tobacco from one country entirely, but to the duo of Cordoba & Morales, it is something more. In Cuba, children are constantly referring to their parents as puro and pura, and it is a great sign of respect as the word is translated as pure. You see, the husband, Azaria Córdoba, hails from Cuba, Pinar del Rio specifically, and he wanted to create a cigar that paid tribute to his father and country. When coming up with the name, he could not think of anything better than Puro Pinar, and that is because it is a name that pays tribute to his father and his home region. With that introduction, let's see how the cigar smokes.

Puro Pinar comes in two offerings, and both are 6 1/4" with a 52 ring gauge. The Toro is what I smoked, and it would be my preferred vitola as well. The cigar begins with an Ecuadorian wrapper, and underneath that is a Nicaraguan binder with a filler blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Pennsylvania Ligero tobacco. There is one leaf of the Pennsylvanian tobacco in the blend. Production is coming out of American Caribbean Tobacco S.A in Esteli, Nicaragua, and this is a run by a family member of Azaria Córdoba. With a cap applied roughly, Puro Pinar comes with a rustic wrapper that has a light brown coloring that is a soft Colorado overall. It is applied well, and it has some veins present throughout. There are not an abundance of veins, but the ones present are fairly solid. It has a foot that is giving off an aroma of spices, pepper, tobacco, and earth, and the wrapper is giving off some dry earth and wood notes.

The first third opens up by showing a lot of spice and pepper notes, and I am getting some dry tobacco and wood qualities with that. There are some earthy aspects present as well, but they are also dry and producing a lingering flavors on my palate. There is a smooth nutty and creamy flavors on the finish, which helps, and it balances the cigar some but not entirely. So far it is a good cigar, but I am hoping that is grows as it moves into the next third. I would classify the strength so far as being medium, and the body is right around below a medium level. I would not say it is out of whack, but the second third will have to show some more balance and depth overall. The construction is off as well and it is producing an uneven burn line which requires some touch ups. Burn line is never a huge issue for me, it is a lovely benefit but not crucial, but in this case there is room for improvement. The draw is smooth and cool though, a nice bit of smoke being produced, and it has a lovely light gray ash on the end.

I am in the second third of the cigar now and I am seeing some major growth with the blend. There is a richness that is on the rise, and it is showing some faint un-sweet dark chocolate notes with that. It has some nutty and creamy qualities on top of that, and it is paired with some pepper and spice notes. There are still touches of tobacco and wood as well, and it is a much better second third from the first third. The construction has improved greatly as I move forward into the third also, and it has an even burn line now with that charcoal ash on the end. The ash is holding on firmly, and there is a smooth draw with that. I would say that the strength and body are now at a solid medium level, and they may be closer to medium-full in some ways. So far, this is a very nice second third and I hope to see this growth into the final.

The final third shows a lot of continuation from the second third and it is delivering a flavor profile that is balanced and really enjoyable. The cigar has grown as it has progressed, and it is concluding the way a good cigar should. There is balance between the wood and tobacco notes with the earth and cocoa powder flavors, and there is a nice bit of spice and pepper on the finish. I am getting faint bits of leather and mineral qualities on the end, and there is a nice kick there as well. The body and strength are smoking at a level slightly above medium, and it is working well with the flavors, producing a complex smoke that has some depth. There was not an abundance of transitioning throughout, but I enjoyed the smoke nonetheless. The construction continued to perform well in the final third and it showed that even burn line with a nice charcoal ash on the end. The final draw was smooth, producing a nice amount of smoke, and it had a clean finish.

Working my way through the Cordoba & Morales portfolio, the one thing I can tell you is that the entire portfolio is unique. Nothing is alike, and every offering speaks to a certain smoker. With so many brands, you find consistency and similar qualities, but C&M has done a terrific job of making something completely different in every release. With that being said, Puro Pinar is not my favorite of the offerings that I have had from the company, but it still an enjoyable one nonetheless. I will admit, it is aimed at being a price friendly cigar, and it most definitely is that! Throughout the cigar, you can taste that Pennsylvania tobacco in the filler, and it goes to show the presence from just one leaf in the filler leaf. I liked the growth of the cigar as it progressed, and while it did not begin or end where I would have liked it to, I can't deny that there was improvement overall. The construction went from being an issue to not, and the strength and body remained at a level I was a fan of throughout. I am giving the cigar an 87 and I would smoke it again, even if it was just to pickup more of the Pennsylvania tobacco flavors. I think a lower humidity and age will improve the cigar, but I have yet to conform that overall. With all of that being said, Cordoba & Morales is really one of those hidden gems in Central Florida that everyone should take a look at.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 87

*Cigars for this assessment were provided to me by Cordoba & Morales.

In 1999, Maya Selva Cigars released their first Nicaraguan focused cigar called Cumpay. It was released to the European market, and if you look at a lot of releases that go to Europe from Central America, it makes sense. It is not what a lot of Americans think of when they smoke a Nicaraguan puro, and that is because I think it is a better version of what a lot of Americans think Nicaraguan puros should smoke like. You see this with releases like Epernay, ~eccj~, Davidoff Nicaragua, and a few others I can't name off the top of my head, and they are more balanced overall. They are not juggernauts with strength and body, but more have a strength and body that compliments the flavors of the tobacco. What makes Cumpay so special though, is that it is a Nicaraguan puro that was probably 8 to 15 years ahead of its time, that is if you released it in North America. With the success of the other brands I listed, I thought it was important to make a return to the Cumpay line, and what an appropriate time as they are celebrating their 20th Anniversary. With all of that being said, let's take a look at the Cumpay Short.

A Nicaraguan puro, Cumpay is made in Honduras at Tabacos del Oriente that is run by the Plasencia Family. The cigar comes with a Habano seed wrapper from Jalapa, Nicaragua, and underneath that is a Habano seed binder from Esteli. The filler is composed of tobacco from two regions, and they are the regions of Jalapa and Ometepe, both known for being flavorful tobacco. The Short vitola, which is what I am smoking, measures 4" with a 46 ring gauge, and it is a terrific size. This is my definition of a petit robusto, and this is what I would smoke a majority of the time if it was around more. The cigar has a lovely wrapper that is a light Colorado coloring, and it is smooth with few veins present at all. The construction shows firmness throughout, and it has an aroma of nuts, tobacco, warm spices, and citrus qualities.

The first half opens up by showing some nice warm spice notes, but it is accompanied by some creamy qualities with some toast and nutty qualities. There are some soft citrus flavors present as well, and it has a unique earthy quality that is also present and dry, balancing out the prominent flavors. It is a balanced smoke, and it is a cigar that is great for morning, afternoon, or evening. The construction is absolutely perfect on the cigar and it is showing a razor sharp burn line with a white ash on the end. It has touches of light gray present as well, and it has a cool draw with a nice bit of smoke being produced on each draw. I would say that it is smoking around a medium level in terms of body, and the strength is there as well. A great short smoke, I am digging the first half of this cigar and look forward to the second half.

As I enter the second half of the cigar, I find that it has continued to show growth as a blend, but remain balanced throughout. I am getting a nice earth, toast, nutty and creamy flavor profile, and it has a nice spice level that is showing some pepper and cinnamon notes. There are touches of citrus qualities present as well, and it is very enjoyable. The construction remains perfect in the second half of the cigar and it is showing a razor sharp burn line with a light charcoal colored ash on the end. The ash is holding on firmly and it looks great against the lighter wrapper. The draw is smooth and cool, and it is giving off a nice bit of smoke with each puff. I would classify the the strength and body as being medium overall, and it is a balanced cigar in that sense and it makes it very approachable to a lot of smokers. Overall, it is a flavor focused cigar, and that is where I want my cigars to take me all of the time.

Cumpay is a terrific line and is really a line that was ahead of its time. This is a true Nicaraguan puro, but it does not have that Nicaraguan vibe that a lot of puros were showing that were introduced from 2003 onwards. In some ways, this is is similar to what Davidoff has done with the Nicaragua, but it is a blend that was out long before that. This is a Nicaraguan puro that is very European friendly, and that is why I enjoy it so much. The flavors are complex and unique, and the cigar overall shows balance and complexity. There is not an abundance of transitioning, but for being a short smoke like this I am okay with that. The construction is absolutely perfect and it smoked cool from beginning to end with no worries. I believe this cigar would do well with any smoker, and while it may not be a particular person's cup of tea, it would be hard for them to say it was a bad cigar. Overall, I give the smoke a solid 90 rating, and it is a size that I am a fan of on a personal level.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 90

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

Being that the cigar industry is incredibly family oriented, you have a lot of companies that are being running by second generation family members, and in some cases it is more than that. If you listen to the stories of these individuals, some of them begin in Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican, but a lot of them begin in Cuba. That is the case for Cubanacan Cigars, and they are a company that traces its history back to the tobacco fields in Cuba. Eventually, in 2006, they purchased farm land in Nicaragua, and that is when they opened up a factory and started Cubanacan. The name itself can be translated as where fertile land is abundant, and that applies to their history in Cuba and Nicaragua. They are a company that respects their history, and uses that to help them in the future. To honor that history and future, though unwritten, they created the Cubanacan line, and today I look at the Cubanacan Maduro.

With three offerings in the Cubanacan line, today I am focusing on the maduoro offering. The cigar begins with an Ecuadorian Habano Maduro wrapper, and underneath that is an Ecuadorian binder with Nicaraguan fillers. For this review I am smoking the Rothchilds vitola, and it is your standard robusto measuring 5" with a 50 ring gauge. A solid robusto, the Cubanacan Maduro has an even wrapper with practically no veins present at all. It is smooth and oily to touch, and there is a nice cap placed on top. I am noticing a very minor bit of tooth overall, and it has a solid and even coloring that makes it come off as a semi-dark chocolate bar. It is firm in texture, and there is aroma of Australian black licorice, rich earth, coffee beans, and chocolate at the foot, with some spice, wood, and licorice notes on the wrapper.

The cigar opens up by showing some heavy and rich flavors, and it is a great opening. There is a nice coffee bean flavor present, and it has some rich cherry and molasses flavors present. It has a syrupy quality that lingers on the palate, and there are some oak notes present as well. I am not getting any spices or pepper notes, and it has a tobacco finish that is great on the palate. The flavors are very balanced, though rich, and it is smoking wonderfully. I am finding it is a flavor profile I could begin or end my day with, but I will admit that it is a flavor profile that lingers on the palate. The construction is dead on though thus far, and it is showing an even burn line with that lovely light gray ash on the end. The draw is cool and it is producing a plethora of smoke on each draw. I would say that in terms of strength and body it is smoking at a medium level, and I like how it is slightly softer than the flavors.

As I moved into the second third of the cigar I find that the flavors continue to grow and become more balanced. The syrupy and heavy flavors have toned down a bit, and it is showing rich earth and dark chocolate cake notes. There is a nice coffee flavor present, and it has some cherries present with that. There are touches of oak on the finish, and it has some tobacco qualities with that. The burn line is fairly decent in this third, not as good as the first third, but it is still showing that light gray ash on the end. The ash is holding on fairly well and it has some flaky traits with that. Because of the oils from the wrapper, I have had to relight the cigar a few times, but with the flavors being delivered it is not that big of a deal. In terms of strength and body, I would say that it is smoking around that medium level still, and I am looking forward to the final third as I have enjoyed the first and second third thus far.

The final third shows those strong and pronounced flavors, and it is a return of the profile that was present in the first third. I am picking up strong tobacco, earth, and syrup flavors, and it has some cherry qualities present with that. The coffee flavors have faded some, but it does have a dark chocolate cake flavor that is nice on the finish. There no spice or pepper flavors on the finish, and it is a rich and powerful finish. I feel that the strength and body increase in this third as well, and it is now smoking at a medium-full level overall. The flavors are really matching the body and strength in this third, which is a nice switch up, but it is still a smooth and balanced finish. The construction remains to be fairly similar overall as well, and it is producing a fairly even burn line with that charcoal ash on the end. I have had to relight the cigar in this third as well, and that is due to the oils present on the wrapper. Overall, a nice third that has a smooth and flavorful finish that dominated the palate.

The Cubanacan Maduro is a maduro with a long finish, the flavors really linger on the palate for some time, and they are really maduro flavors showing a lot of richness throughout. It was not a very powerful maduro in terms of strength or body, something that a lot of blenders are going for in recent years, but was more a traditional and old-school maduro in terms of the strength and body. I have had plenty of Ecuadorian Habano Maduros in my time, but this is possibly one of the most potent ones I have had. With the wrapper being fairly oily, I had to relight the cigar from time to time, but other than that the construction was not an issue throughout. As mentioned earlier, the body and strength were softer than a lot of other maduros, and it made it approachable overall because of that. The biggest division that will arise with the cigar is the flavor profile, it may not be appealing to some out there, but I found it enjoyable, and it made it a cigar I would come back to down the road. I am giving the cigar a solid 88 rating and would be interested in smoking the line with age and in different vitolas.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 88

* Cigars for this assessment were provided to Seth's Humidor for review.

Simón Bolívar is a well known figure in Latin American history, and he is considered by many to be one of the most important figure in history of the Latin American countries. He was able to take advantage of the Spanish Empire situation in South America, and establish the countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia at the time of his death. In fact, he was such a great revolutionary that once Spain lost control, and he attempted to take the position of "lifetime President," the people would not have it. Many countries have statues of him today in their capital cities, and because of the impact he had in Latin America, a brand was created to honor him. He is known as Libertador or The Liberator in Latin America, and that is why in 2013, 230 years after his birth, Habanos S.A. announced the latest LCDH exclusive, the Bolívar Libertador.

CONTINUE READING

The second release in the Ichiban Series of the Room 101 Brand is heading to Cigar Realm in Ashland, VA next month, and it will be hitting shelves, April 1st, 2015. The first release, the Ichiban Tiburon, was released in February, and it was a Lonsdale release for Smokin' Joe's & Old City Cigar in Knoxville, Tennessee. Next month's release, the Roxxo, will be released in April, and a total of 1,000 boxes will be produced.

Like the Tiburon, the Roxxo will feature an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with a Nicaraguan Criollo '98 binder, and Nicaraguan Corojo '99 fillers. The Roxxo will measure 4" with a 48 ring gauge, and will be packed in ten count boxes. The packaging will go back to what he has done with the OSOK and the Namakubi Ecuador, and it will feature a tissue and decorative paper wrapper.

The cigar will sell for $7.35 a cigar, and boxes will go for $69.95. The shop is taking pre-orders, but Matt Booth will be present for the event on April 1st, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. When asked about the release, Matt Booth stated that: “This will be my second visit to Cigar Realm in the last six months and based on what I saw, I don’t expect them to have the Room101 Ichiban Roxxo for long. Scott and team have been great partners of our brand for some time, it is an honor to be working with them on this project.”

This is the second of eight release for the Ichiban Series, and the following six retailers have yet to be announced. Room 101 Brands is a brand that has had a lot of success in recent years, and they are a brand that really resurrected themselves after a poor entry into the industry. I have yet to smoke an Ichiban Series release, but being a fan of the Roxxo, I am eager to try the smoke.

Towards the end of last year, Altadis USA announced that there would be a new VegaFina, and that this release would continue down the road of recent Altadis releases, and be a Nicaraguan puro. This would be the fourth newer release that the company had with all Nicaraguan tobacco, and it would following releases such as the Espada by Montecristo, RyJ by Romeo y Julieta, and Juan Lopez. A lot of these releases have been newer takes on the Nicaraguan puro, and they are a series of releases that continue the pattern of the "Dominican mindset of Nicaraguan puros." A lot of these Dominican heavy companies have been playing with Nicaraguan tobacco recently, and are making puros that are much different than those who are actually in Nicaragua. Some are good/better, and some are not. I don't think where the cigar is made determines how good of a puro it is, but rather the blender and tobacco. (Referring to Nicaraguan puros made in the Dominican Republic or similar story lines) With that being said VegaFina has always been known as being a milder and softer offering for Altadis, and that is why it is has been a European release. Today we look at the VegaFina Nicaragua and see how it smokes.

A Nicaraguan puro, the cigar is covered with a Habano 2000 wrapper from Jalapa. Underneath that is a Seco priming binder from Jalapa and a filler blend of: Ligero from Jalapa, Viso from Esteli, and Seco from Jalapa. For this review, I went with the toro, and the cigar measures 6" with a 52 ring gauge. The cigar comes with a cap that is poorly applied and a wrapper that is rough in appearance. It has some medium sized veins throughout, and the seems for the applied wrapper are not smooth throughout the cigar. It has a coloring that is a true Colorado, and it is showing a nice red coloring in the wrapper. The wrapper has a nice fine grit to it, and you can feel the oils on your finger tips. The aroma at the foot is that of earth, tobacco, and cocoa powder, and the wrapper is showing some herbal, tobacco, and wood notes.

The first third opens up, and I am immediately greeted by some red pepper notes. There is this herbal and mineral quality present as well, and it has a green quality that is showing some pine and spearmint qualities. I am picking up some cereal notes on top of that, and it has a cinnamon, dry earth, and coffee finish. It is a unique flavor profile, very different than what Altadis has done with their other Nicaraguan smokes, and much different from what the Vega Fina line was originally about. The construction is decent thus far and it is showing a slightly uneven burn line with a firm ash on the end. The ash does have a flaky quality to it, but it is still holding on firmly. There is a nice cool draw with the smoke and with the draw I am getting a nice bit of smoke. I would say that it is smoking around a medium level in terms of strength, and the body is closer to medium-full overall.

The second third continues to deliver much of the same flavors that were present in the first third, and it is showing that mineral, green, and pepper flavor profile. There are those touches of cinnamon and earth present, but the coffee notes have faded. There is a fruit bread quality that has made a presence as well, and overall its not showing a lot of transitioning. I would not say it is overly complex either, but it does have some flavors present. The construction is similar to what it was in the first third and it is showing a fairly even burn line with that charcoal ash on the end. The ash is holding on firmly, and there is a good bit of smoke being produced with each draw. The body and strength are now both on the same playing field, and I would say that they are smoking at a medium level right now. Overall, a slightly disappointing second third.

I am in the final third of the cigar now and the flavors are really dying out overall. It is showing some soft spices with tobacco notes, but a lot of the other flavors that were present in the first and second third have vanished. I am getting some faint earth and cereal notes as the cigar comes to a close, and overall I am disappointed. I wasn't expecting a magnificent final third after smoking the first two thirds, but I was hoping for a little more overall. The construction remains solid throughout though and it is showing an even burn line to the end. The ash has that charcoal coloring and is fairly firm on the end, and the smoke production is at a good amount, not to much overall. I would classify the final third as being medium overall in terms of strength and body, and it smokes cool to the end, showing the flavors of soft spices and earth.

I understand that the market is looking at Nicaragua, and consumers want these Nicaraguan puros, but there comes a point where they are all fairly repetitive or more and more disappointing. I didn't think poorly of the Espada, I think that was a decent smoke, but the other Nicaraguan puros that Altadis USA have been releasing have not been up to par. The VegaFina brand is one that I have mixed thoughts on, and the smokes are either really good or quite poor. I like Fortaleza 2, and the original Sumum, the initial limited one that they have now killed, but the VegaFina Nicaragua goes into the category of "why?" The VegaFina brand was never a brand for the States, so why spend the time in making it for the States? The Nicaragua lacked complexity and solid flavors throughout, and at the end of the day they could have used the tobacco for something else or held onto it. I am giving this cigar an 84 rating and would not come back to it or recommend it. I believe they need to rethink this brand and cut a lot of stuff out of it.

Seth's Humidor Rating: 84

*The VegaFina Nicaragua Gran Toro was provided to Seth's Humidor for review by Altadis USA.

Yesterday, March 13th, 2015, Gabriel Alvarez, Director of Sales at Maya Selva Cigars, teased the online community with a upcoming lancero from the company. The cigar is being titled as the Flor de Selva 20th Anniversary Lancero, and while no information was posted with the photo, Gabriel Alvarez did provide some additional information to Seth's Humidor.

The lancero is being released to honor the company's 20th anniversary, and it is an anniversary that company recently celebrated at the beginning of the month in Honduras. The 20th Anniversary Lancero will be a true lancero, and is going to measures 7.6" with a 38 ring gauge * a 7.0" by 38 ring gauge lancero, and production will be hailing from Tabacos de Oriente. The actual blend has not been disclosed, but most blends in the Flor de Selva line are Honduran puros with variations throughout the blend. The blend, though not disclosed, was finalized at the beginning of the month, and production is underway.

The company will be releasing the smoke in ten count boxes, and will be limited in production. The total production numbers have not been finalized, but it will only be made available to existing Maya Selva customers in the United States at the 2015 IPCPR In New Orleans, Louisiana. Alvarez informed Seth's Humidor that they will keep this a true limited production release, and stated that "once it is gone, it is gone."

Further details will be released prior to the show in July, but when asked how it was smoking, Alvarez informed Seth's Humidor that it was a tasty son of a b..." Stay tuned for further details on the blend and actual production numbers.

*Seth's Humidor was originally informed the cigar was a true lancero, but in reality it is a 7.0" by 38 ring gauge lancero. A true lancero measures 7.6" with a 38 ring gauge.

Photo courtesy of Gabriel Alvarez.

Habanos Critic News: 17th Habanos Festival Begins

Habanos Critic Review: Bolívar Super Coronas Edición Limitada (2014)

Habanos Critic News: Day Two of The 17th Habanos Festival

What Embargo?: Episode Veintitrés Cohiba Robustos Supremos & 2015 Habanos Festival

Bellatto/Caldwell.Sears Becomes Lost&Found

Cigar Review: Pepper Cream Soda Cream Machine (Lost&Found)

Cigar News: Davidoff Flagship Store Headed to Tampa, FL

Month in Review (Volume 1, Issue 2): February 2015 Highlights

Week in Review (Volume 3, Issue 9)

Cigar Review: Casa Magna Domus Magnus II Trajan

Habanos Critic Review: Bolívar Poderosos Edición Regional Belux (2013)

Cigar Review: Tatuaje Verocu

Cigar Review: Crux Passport Half Corona

Cigar Review: Puro Pinar Toro by Cordoba & Morales

Cigar Review: Cumpay Short (Maya Selva Cigars)

Cigar Review: Cubanacan Maduro Rothchilds

Habanos Critic Review: Bolívar Libertador (LCDH Exclusivo 2013)

Cigar News: Room 101 Ichiban Roxxo Heads to Cigar Realm in Ashland, VA

Cigar Review: VegaFina Nicaragua Gran Toro

Cigar News: Maya Selva Cigars Teases Flor de Selva 20th Anniversary Lancero