Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan Arganorsa
Filler: Nicaraguan Arganorsa
Body: Medium
Size: 5 x 52

Yesterday, I reviewed the Condega F Corojo stick. Today is the Condega Maduro’s turn. Now I had smoked the Corojo before I reviewed it but no such preview with this stick.

So here we go…The San Andres wrapper is more like an Oscuro than a maduro. It is close to jet black and probably won’t photograph well…at least not with my equipment. LOL!

This stick is extremely rustic. Lots of veins. The cigar is almost an oval and I’m not sure they intended it that way. The Nicaraguan Cigar Co needs to get more info on their web site because I am just guessing away. There is one thing noticeable…it looks like the torcedor that rolled this cigar screwed up and fixed the wrapper and I can see the glisten of the cigar glue on the wrapper. But if the stick is great, who cares?

The cigar is as hard as a rock. Just the tiniest amount of give.

I do the sniff-o-rama and detect barnyard, ammonia, cedar, and leather.

I light ‘er up.

The first puffs bring a tiny bit of spice. The draw is good allaying my fears that the tightness might make it difficult.

The first part of the cigar is just a hearty tobacco flavor. Then I get a bit of sweetness.

While no flavors jump out at me, the cigar can seen as a premium cigar, not a yard ‘gar.

Then half an inch in, the spice explodes on the tip of my tongue. The char line is close to perfect. And the ash is close to snow white…

The tightness of the tobacco makes me suck a little harder than I normally would, but at this point, I am hopeful, it will loosen up soon.

The cigar begins to soften. The red pepper is ramping up. The inside of my mouth feels the fire.

I am forced to use my ice pick tool to open up an airway for the cigar. This helps.

A new creaminess enters the picture taming the spice a bit.

It is really hard to draw on this cigar. I am going to light up the other one I have and see how that goes.

The new one has all the same flavor characteristics as the first one. And it also has that overly packed tobacco problem. I’ve got a plug near the cap that I must fix. I think I got rid of the plug but we shall see.

The cap on this one is a little sloppy.

I am still having a hard time with the draw. I am sucking so hard that I’m beginning to get the spins. Very little smoke emits from the foot while I smoke.

I use the ice pick tool once more.

I can’t smoke this cigar. I am going to have an embolism.

Wrapper: 100% Cuban Seed Corojo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Body: Medium/Full
Size: 6 x 52 Piramide
Price: Approx. $5.00-$6.00
Available: TheCigarStore.com

Written by Katmancross

UPDATE: NOV 6, 2012

It is now a few weeks since I wrote this review and have allowed the balance of the cigars some time to rest. And I have been rewarded handsomely. The cigar has changed so much, in a positive way, that I felt I must annotate the original review. The cigar now has a very well balanced character. Creaminess has now become the dominant flavor…with some spice and an earthiness that is just wonderful.  The burn line is dead nuts. The construction has been enhanced by time. It is very sweet now. It is a solid meaty cigar. I highly recommend this cigar. The Katman.

The Nicaraguan Cigar Co is something of a mystery. Information about the Condega Serie F Piramide is almost non existent. They have a web site but not much there. No history of the cigar or the company.

I smoked the Petit Robusto and it was a real fire cracker. But now I will see what a larger size does for me.

All of the cigars tend to be oval rather than round…almost a box press. The wrapper is a bit on the rustic side. Lots of veins. Seams are good and tight. The color looks Ecuadorian but I’m guessing as the only info I could find is that the wrapper is Corojo but no country of origin. It is a tan with a nice reddish hue.

I do some sniffing and I get spice, cocoa, and a bit of barnyard. The stick is very solid. And firm in the hand.

I clip it and light up…

Like the petit robusto, I get that Garcia blast of pepper. But not quite as intense as the robusto. The draw is excellent and loads of smoke come from the foot.

I’m guessing that the corojo is Nicaraguan, not Ecuadorian.

And then I get some nice sweet tobacco flavor. And right after that, some buttery smooth creaminess. And on its heels; some cocoa. So I grab the Diet Coke for that chocolate phosphate experience. This is the perfect stick for that.

The burn may need some correction but I will give it an inch before I decide what to do.

The stick is a solid medium body. Another thing I don’t know about is why it is called Serie F. What does the F stand for? Fuerte? On a medium bodied cigar? Probably not.

The char line corrects itself at the one inch mark. I’m a happy man.

Oooh…the creaminess and cocoa are a dream. The spiciness has tamped down a bit. Overshadowed by the above profile.

The first third ends with the introduction of hazelnut. Now I have some Nutella spread. Cocoa and hazelnut and creamy.

And then as the second third begins, another flavor shows up…what is it? I can’t write and think at the same time so I stop typing.

I have to take the dogs out back to do their business which gives me a few minutes to figure out the new flavor and it comes to me: Maple. Its sweetness was beginning to get syrupy and then the maple creeps up.

I’m having a small burn with this stick. The other two I tried had dead nuts burn lines so this must be an aberration.

I take a swig of my Diet Coke and all the flavors explode…..the creaminess and cocoa work as a team…the sweetness is delightful…and the waffle flavor is enhanced by the maple component. Yeah, waffle flavor. It’s yeasty.

The second third burns down and as I start the last third, the spice returns in trumps. What at first was a black pepper flavor, turns to red pepper as my tongue tingles and my sinuses clear.

This is a delicious cigar. It has all the goodness of an infused cigar without any infusion…it’s all natural. A good sign.

I should mention that this cigar is a slow burner. Being jam packed with tobacco will do that. I have a maduro I will review tomorrow and I really look forward to that. The spiciness is making my nose run. LOL! My kind of stick!

This stick has a very long finish and is very well balanced. If this was a hyped boutique cigar, it would go for more than $5 or $6.

As I get down to the last couple inches, everything swells in proportion…one of the creamiest sticks I’ve ever had. I smack my lips and get that hot cocoa on the palate.

I find the problem of the burn….there is a tiny little plug near the cap. I use my little ice pick tool and dislodge it and now we’re cooking. Should have caught this in the beginning.

What can I say? This is a very good cigar. A great price point. Excellent flavor characteristics….I definitely recommend this cigar.

I get to the nub and it never gets harsh or bitter. Ends up a winner.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: 6.5 x 56
Body: Medium

Written by Katmancross

 

 ADDENDUM TO ORIGINAL REVIEW (10-18-2012):

It’s been over two weeks and I am smoking another one.

In a nutshell, the cigar starts of with that Pepin Garcia Pepper Blast.

The cigar’s flavor profile has intensified in all manner of possibilities….Much earthier, richer, very well balanced, and loads of flavor. The strength has increased as well.

This unusual cigar turned out to be a big surprise. It smokes masterfully. And while the packaging is somewhat startling, the package inside is a very well made cigar.

 

You’ve all seen the promo for this cigar. This is all the info I could find on the blender: “Our master tobacconists are the Puentes brothers (Gonzalo and Daniel); third generation Cuban cigar masters now residing in Esteli and creating some of the most disruptive blends for Humo Del Diablo, LLC (Recon Cigars’ parent company). They bring a long legacy of tobacco growth (Gonzalo is an agricultural engineer) and cigar production to and industry where commonplace is everyday practice. We could not be more pleased to be teamed up fellow innovators.”

So, thanks to the wonderful Robb Capielo of The Cigar Store, I have 3 of these sticks in my possession…including the behemoth aluminum tube meant to look like a 25mm anti-aircraft round. Now what everyone is supposing is that the fancy bullet, that is 10” long, and the gimmicky notion of placing 3 types of tobacco leaves on top of the wrapper to look like forest camo, is a total gimmick…and that the cigar is probably not that good.

The company that makes these sticks is called Humo del Diablo and is based in Florida, no city given.

The cigars are also available in real ammo boxes of 20 sticks.

 

The PR photo of these sticks show vibrant colors. In reality, they are a drab color and the veins of the cigar show through the patches making the patches look wrinkled.

 

I pick the most aesthetically pleasing of the three and do the sniff-o-rama and detect some hay, barnyard, some citrus, and cocoa.

I light it up and get a flavor of spice, cocoa, woody, cedar. My cigar gut instincts tell me this is going to be a good cigar.

 

The char line is perfect and so is the draw.

Mind you, I am smoking the cigar one day off the truck and out of the tube. Substantial resting would make this a horse of a different color.

I am getting some cinnamon. So far, very pleasant. The spice and cocoa continue to ramp up at the 1” mark. The body is a light medium.

This is a big cigar and will take some time to smoke and review…and since I smoke as I review, I will be coming back and forth to the written word as the cigar burns down.

Just after the 1” mark, some creaminess shows up. This cigar is turning out to be a big surprise. It’s good!

 

The little patches of Candela, Cameroon, and Criollo Maduro don’t really have any impact to flavor. Just too small.

The first third comes to a pleasurable end. The spiciness comes from a black pepper profile….black pepper always hits me in the back of the throat and cheeks; while red pepper on my tongue.

The cigar is showing a pattern. It continues to be a worthy cigar. My only issue is two things: The first is that I saw some unreliable info that some portion of the proceeds will go to soldiers, vets…not clear. The Recon website is terribly devoid of information; Just plenty of mission statement.

 

I am at the halfway mark and the body is medium in strength. Everything is building in the flavor department. The cocoa is strong; the spice is becoming both black and red peppers.  There is some sweet tobacco flavor.

 

If I had to compare this cigar to another brand, I’d have to say that based upon the potential I foresee, this is in the same family as the Young Turk category. The modern blenders seeking new and exotic methods of blending. Nothing old school about this cigar.

The sweetness is highly complimented by the ever growing creaminess. The entire flavor profile and strength profile are growing simultaneously, and in harmony.

The draw continues to be perfect. The burn line is pretty close to dead nuts the entire first half.

The second half will either become a show off or it will go downhill.

Time for a break.

 

When I come back to the cigar, there is some finite coffee flavor which the creaminess really compliments alongside the cocoa.

A citrusy component enters. Lemon zest.

 

It is advertised as high quality torcedores doing the hard work on this cigar. The placement of patches has to be a pain in the ass…but it is done well as none of the patches come loose…so job well done.

The stick stays in the medium range as I enter the last third. I am getting a little nicotine buzz but I think it is because it really takes some puffing on such a large ring gauge.

The cap gets a bit funky but a little snip with some scissors and all is well.

I discover something odd. The cap on the aluminum tube says that the cigar is a 6.5 x 52. But their web site calls it out as a 6.5 x 56. I measured it and it indeed is a 56 ring gauge. But to complicate things, the initials “mm” follow the size and gauge. Cigars are not sized in millimeters, but rather, inches. The ring gauge is in 64ths of an inch. So this makes no sense whatsoever.

That’s sort of a big boo boo.

 

 

I would characterize the last third as a much more intense version of the second third. This is not a complex cigar but it makes up for that by being very full flavored. And…this cigar has not received any time to rest; so common sense tells me that a few months in the humidor; without the tubes, will do wonders for the taste and complexity.

Buying a few sticks is something cool to show off to your friends. Would I buy a box? No. If you are bucks up, why not?

I believe what everyone guessed at has been dispelled in this review. It is not a piece of junk. Yes, it is a gimmick. But the makers of this gimmick did the right thing and put a quality cigar into its PR package.

Recon Cigar by Humo del Diablo AVAILABLE AT THE CIGAR STORE

 

Wrapper: Costa Rica
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Honduras, Peru, Nicaragua
Size: 6.125 x 52 Belicoso
Body: Full
Price:  $5.00 by the box of 25

Written by Katmancross

Saint Luis Rey Reserva Especial Belicoso

When I get cigars delivered by truck, no..not the truckload, but by the mailman or UPS…I try a cigar right away. I want it to talk to me. And it does. It tells me its potential. And it tells me roughly how long I will let it rest before I get the full blossom of the cigar’s flavors.

I didn’t think much of this stick on receipt. It was less than blah.

I waited a couple weeks and nothing had changed.

I waited 6 weeks, and KAPOW!

Let us start from the beginning.

Construction is good. The stick is firm without soft spots. Seams are tight. But there are some pretty ugly veins that look like they came from the Frankenstein Monster running up the length of the cigar.

The color is gorgeous. A very light tan with a beautiful reddish hue. The red and gold band compliments the color of the cigar nicely.

This is a belicoso so the shape is very difficult to roll. A torpedo cap but the from that point downwards towards the foot, there is a gentle widening of the circumference of the cigar…very nice looking. No #4 torcedor did this.

I do the sniff-o-rama and I get a faint aroma of coca and apricot. At the foot, the tart/sweet apricot aroma is strong.

I clip the puppy with my Xikar. And ohh…the aroma of apricot, where I just cut the cap, is like opening a fresh jar of apricot jam.

I get a perfect draw. And smoke billows like a Pennsylvania coal chimney. The char line is looking pretty good.

And then the spice hits. Plus a sweet tobacco flavor. The sweetness coats my lips and makes them feel almost sticky.

There is also a cereal component. A rich bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon. The strength is just about medium.

This cigar is nothing like I thought it would be when I received it. I admit, I am a schmuck. The blend combos are simply bizarre. But it works.

Because this is an inexpensive cigar and because it is an old school cigar, it doesn’t get much respect on the internet. Not hip enough. But I am telling you that this cigar deserves your attention. The price is right and all you need to add is patience.

An inch in, I get a bit of citrusy…or more like orange zest. The spice continues to ramp up incrementally.

I know from the last cigar, that the first third is tasty, but unremarkable. It is not until the second half begins, that we see some action.

As I enter the second third, the body goes into overdrive. It is more than medium but less than full. The Netherworld.

I take a big swig of water and my palate becomes awash in sweet fruitiness. I was hoping the apricot aroma would translate to one of the flavors, but alas, it does not.

I recently did something that most cigar smokers already know, or do. I bought a pipe. Those little gizmo skewers that you stick through the nub of your cigar may work like a roach clip but it does not keep the cherry from burning your mouth. Stuffing the nub into the pipe allows me the opportunity to finish the cigar in a nice cool fashion milking the flavor to the very end.

At the second half, some creaminess shows up complimenting the other flavors nicely. And following that, I get some cocoa and coffee. Very typical of Nicaraguan leaves.

There is definitely a cappuccino taste going on.

The last third takes the cigar to full on full on full on….LOL. I am getting a nicotine buzz. Time to slow down a bit.

The creaminess brings the last third to its zenith. The spice of red pepper is strong and making my nose run. The sweetness component is hanging tough.

This is a very good cigar. And the price point makes it an extra treat.

 

 

 

 

Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Binder: Olor Dominican and Cuban Seed
Filler: Olor Dominican, Cuban Seed, and Nicaraguan
Size: 5.5 x 54
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $6.40 by the box of 20. $8 by the 5 Pack

Written by Katmancross

Exclusive Cigars makes the Kristoff Maduro along with the balance of Kristoffs. The company started doing business in 2005.

Construction is solid. Nary a soft spot. The foot is closed so sniffing around there. It has a nice triple cap pig tail.

The body is redolent of cocoa. And sweet sage honey.

The first taste is of cocoa and cedar with a bit of leather.

The sweetness from the cocoa is extremely satisfying. So I grab my Diet Coke to recreate the chocolate phosphate experience.

Shortly after that, the red pepper arrives. Typical of the Kristoff blends. There is a tad bit of saltiness here and there.

I have been a Kristoff fan for the last couple of years. It is a solid brand with solid blends.

The first third ends uneventfully. The flavors are just starting to spread their wings. As the second third begins, the spiciness ramps up. I like this.

It is here that the stick begins to become complex. The cocoa is augmented by some lovely creaminess. And the sweetness turns to caramel. I can also taste some strong coffee. But it is the cocoa that dominates the profile.

This blend is not as strong as the Ligero line. Which is full on strength and body. This is more of the beginning of the day cigar.

The second third really shows off the flavors. While the body remains medium in tone.

The last third is where this stick really shines. The spiciness is pushing for top billing. But a buttery smooth creaminess keeps it from being a total spice bomb.

I don’t drink so I cannot recommend a good libation to accompany this. Although a good Glen Livet would be nice. Unfortunately, as an old man, certain meds don’t agree with alcohol. I miss the combo of a good cigar and scotch.

The creaminess is now over the top. It swirls around my mouth like a Creamsicle. Absolutely gorgeous.

I don’t know much about Glen Case, the owner. Other than he brought this line of cigars out of the dark alleys of boutique cigars into the main stream. He carefully blended each new cigar to augment and compliment the rest of his line.

As I am only a couple inches away from nubbing it, I get some tart citrus. A cross between sweet grapefruit and lemon.

The cigar ends nicely without harshness or bitterness. And no nicotine buzz. No fear of my pants falling to my sneakers.

This is a cigar you can easily nub. The slight tartness disappears and is replaced by an even stronger cocoa and creaminess combination. The spiciness is nicely engaged but never overwhelming.

The only caveat is that this stick needs some time in your humidor to rest/age. The longer, the better.

I cannot find my nubber tool so I grab my cigar ice pick and use that instead. Even as the cigar turns into nothing, the flavors are still expanding and getting stronger.

I must now retract an earlier statement. I am starting to get a buzz from the nub.

I highly recommend this cigar and everything in the Kristoff line. These are solid, no nonsense, well made cigars.

At the $8 and under pricing, this brand is certainly a deal.

 

Wrapper: Honduras OSA
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran
Size: 6.5 x 58
Body: Medium
Price: $132.98 for box of 25 ~ $34.39 for 5 pack

Written by Katmancross

The OSA name is short for Olancho San Augustin….a region in Honduras.

The CAO OSA Sol marks the first new blend released under the CAO brand since it was produced under the umbrella of General Cigars in 2010.

Supposedly, this stick is a big departure from the CAO blends. A move to get into the boutique movement. And keeping the price very low.

I do the sniff-o-rama and can detect a bit of baking spices, some spiciness, and cocoa all intensified at the foot.

I light up.

Oh my. A delicious surprise of sweetness and cocoa and baking spices and very, very creamy. I had gone through a few of these soon after I got them and was disappointed. I am very pleased now.

Construction is pretty solid. It has a very mottled wrapper. Lot of veins but tight seams.

I am not getting any spiciness. The char line is close to perfection. I was dreading this review because it’s the last stick I had and what if I didn’t like it? Oy vay.

But like all good things….patience is the key. This cigar is really more like a stick of dynamite…more so the Viaje TNT. It’s huge. I generally don’t like sticks this big. It’s a statement. If you are out and about and have this stick in your mouth, you are telling everyone that you escaped the hit on Tony Soprano.

I always read what other reviewers have to say about a cigar before I review it to get a feeling of what I might expect. About half the time, I disagree completely. But I read one review where the taste of roasted marshmallows was described and that is right on!! That is the sweetness flavor I couldn’t put a finger on. Marshmallows. Brilliant assessment by that reviewer.

This cigar is going to take 2-1/2 hours to smoke…or longer so I will be taking breaks from writing to give this log a chance to burn…while I enjoy it.

It’s 15 minutes later….and I have now hit the 1” mark! Oy Gavalt! But realistically, that’s just fine with me. I’m low on sticks and this will keep me happy for several hours. $4 for a 2-3 hour stick. That’s around $1.33-$2.00 per hour. Can’t find cheaper entertainment.

As the first third comes to a close I decide I like this cigar. The body is just barely medium. And I like the flavors that remind me of a chocolate pie with the buttery crust, the creamy topping and the dark chocolate.

There is a slight tingle of black pepper in the back of my throat.

This cigar isn’t all that complex. It has some nice flavors but it’s not a Tat.

But then, I still have 5” to smoke. I’ve only smoked 1-1/2”. So anything can happen.

I’m into the second third. Flavors are the same. No major shift in the cigar.  Just more of the afore mentioned flavors.

The last third is more of the same. Except now, there is a nice component of spiciness.

The cigar never really becomes complex.

It’s a solid medium.

But for a $5 stick, this is a great stick to hand out to newbies, your golf buddies, and moochers. They get a very nice stick with a nice flavor profile and you didn’t dump $9 on someone who whines.

It’s a nice morning cigar. Nothing in its body attacks your stomach and the flavors are constant and get stronger near the end.

It’s also a great cigar if you’re on a budget. It is a pleasant smoke. It just doesn’t challenge you.

 

Wrapper: Shade grown Criollo – Nicaragua
Binder: Sun grown Criollo – Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Size: Belicoso  6 x 52
Body:  Medium/Full
Price: $125.84 for box of 21 ~ $38.03 for 5 Pack

Written by Katmancross

Rated 91 by Cigar Aficionado

Each Xikar HC Criollo cigar is handmade at the Nestor Plasencia factory. The four-vitola Criollo line features a two-country filler blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos along with a sun-grown Criollo binder and a five-year-old Nicaraguan shade-grown Criollo wrapper.

I did the sniff-o-rama and could smell a faint cocoa and dried fruit aroma in the pre light. And a very rich chocolate on the foot

The cigar is packed a little too tightly at the top  so I grab my cigar ice pick…but use it very carefully as not to crack the wrapper.

The stick is very firm. No soft spots and yet it had a perfect draw.

Upon light up, I got a blast of spice, but also, the cocoa was ruminating in my mouth.

The first third develops an earthy, nutty, creamy group of flavors with a spicy pepper and baking spice finish. It’s full flavored and medium body in strength. I smiled like the Cheshire Cat.

As I continued to smoke it down, the profile changed a little, in terms of flavor. The earthiness was still present.  But a sweetness, that was somewhere between mocha and caramel, became apparent.  The caramel side was very prominent.

The spiciness held its own.

During the last third, the cigar transitioned into a very complex cigar. All that creaminess, and cocoa, just a hint of coffee, and the peppery zing was a wonderful combination.

I smoked it to the nub. It had no harshness or nicotine bitterness or buzz.

Wrapper: Honduran Trojes
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran
Size: 5.5 x 50
Body: Medium
Price: $104.50 for Box of 20 ~ $33.56 for a 5 Pack

Written by Katmancross

 

This Alec Bradley Family Blend cigar was awarded #16 in Cigar Aficionado‘s best cigars of 2009. According to Alec Bradley’s website, the cigars were created “expressly” for the fathers of the firm’s three top execs.

The Family Blend cigars are blended at Tabacos Raices Cubanas in Honduras, the factory that also makes Alec Bradley Tempus and Prensado cigars. Family Blend is made up of specially selected Honduran & Nicaraguan longfillers, plus an Indonesian binder rolled in a beautifully aged Honduran Trojes wrapper.

The pre light offered an earthy, nutty aroma, with a sweetness at the foot.

There are a few medium sized veins that stand out on this stick, but all in all, the construction is excellent. The pigtail cap provides an attractive look. The cigar is firm and has no soft spots.

Upon light up, I could taste a sweet spice, a hint of leather and some earthy tobacco flavors that round out this little flavor profile. It has a perfect draw and a dead even burn.

During the first third, the sweetness and the spice grew a little bit. The sweetness slowly becomes a dark fruit, maybe raisins or dark cherries, and the spice turns into a  dark, earthy spice,  like cinnamon.

Into the second third, I got notes of earth and creaminess. The creaminess warms the palate and makes the mouth smile.  There was also a heavy dose of sweetness from the fruity component.

As I approach the last third, the body has ramped up into the medium range and the stick has a little more bite. Zesty, as the Alec Bradley folks proclaim.

The last inch brings out red pepper flavors in full force.  The other flavors are keeping the spice tamped down. The creaminess is just lovely and so is the sweetness and earthiness.

It’s never harsh or bitter and very easy to nub it.

 

Wrapper: Havana Subido
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6 x 60 Mighty-Mighty
Body: Medium/Full
Price: $115.44 for box of 25

Written by Katmancross

On the pre-light, I am overwhelmed with bulbous aromas of walnuts, cedar spice, 0ak, pepper, and grass. For the first time, the foot does not intensify the aromas. They lay most prominent on the barrel of the cigar.

The Brick House is such a delight because J.C. Newman decided to put the price point at around $5 per stick. And Cigar Aficionado gave it a highly respected 91.

It is densely packed and firm to the touch with no soft spots. The aroma is sweet and syrupy. It appears slightly rustic and takes on some raw and earthy flavors. The nicely weighted cigar has some tooth to it.

The first notes are  peppery. About an inch in, the pepper fades and the cigar develops a sweetness that is like molasses. This is a huge cigar. 6.25″ x 60 ring gauge. This will take up my entire morning to smoke and review.

As in every part of the country, the weatherman has screwed up. The Days of Summer were to be upon us all week. I woke up this morning to thunderstorms and lots of rain. And now the predictions have changed for more of the same. Every old and achy bone is screaming out, “Move to Arizona!”

The Havana Subido wrapper has a mahogany-red color with some visible veins. The wrapper just oozes oil which makes it very silky and smooth to the touch.  The aroma from the cigar has a floral smell with a note of nutmeg.

The ash falls off at the 1/2″ mark. This is very unusual. But the burn is dead even.

The second third has a sweet tobacco aroma with leather as an undertone and notes of spice and fruits. I get the distinct taste of dark cherries.

The creaminess picks up and the draw opens slightly and smoke billows to the ceiling. The oak, cherries, molasses and black walnuts weave their flavors amongst the more prominent wood, leather, and earthiness flavors.
At the halfway point, anise sticks its little head into the circus of flavors. Definitely black licorice dances in the background.

The second half of the cigar is nuttier and sweet. As the end of the smoke approaches, the sweet notes disappear, while the nutty flavors of almond, black walnut and hazelnut emerge as the prominent flavor of the cigar.

The flavors are easy to pick out and the finish is very long and smooth.

As the creaminess picks up, it overwhelms everything and I realize flavors are being masked underneath it. It ends tasting like a fresh butter churn from the morning milking.