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12 Nov 2009

Room101 by Camacho Cigar Review

As always, posted initially at the The Cigar Spy.

*****

Target Name:

Room101 by Camacho

Target Vitals:

Wrapper: Semilla 101 (Honduran)

Binder: Honduran

Filler: Mix of Honduran and Dominican Tobacco
Vitola: 404 (Torpedo 6x54)
Strength: Medium Bodied
Average Price: $8.69 per stick at 2GuysSmokeShop; $191.99 per box of 25

Background Info:

A development from Matt Booth, Dylan Austin and the Camacho family, the Room 101 brand was initially about the creation of cigar accessories, but soon developed into the creation of a cigar. The design and marketing of the cigar has been strategically planned to appeal to everyone, while at the same time, broadening the brand, interest and knowledge to the smoker.

Mission Debrief:

Certain cigars in 2009 have created a noticeable buzz around the internet and social media circles. Cigars such as the Cain and the Nub from the Olivia family and the La Traviata from CAO are recent examples that come to mind. Another recent addition to this group is the Room101 by Camacho. Everyone I follow on Twitter that has smoked this cigar has been blown away by it. I figured it was high time for me to find out what all the excitement was about.

Giving the cigar a detailed visual examination, I found zero flaws in the wrapper, band or the cigar itself. The veiny wrapper, a Semilla 101 hailing from Honduras, was specifically grown for this cigar. The double band, hued a black and silver, really helped complete the overall look of the cigar, giving it an eye-catching visual appeal. The dragon mask on the side of the band especially caught my eye. Doing more research into the development of the cigar, using specific pieces from Japanese theatre and Buddhism practices was all part of developing the mystique and interest of the Room101 brand.

Toasting the end of the cigar and taking my first couple of resistance-free draws, I was met with an immediate hint of dull, peppery flavors. Subtle, very light on the palette but noticeable. And throughout the first half of the cigar, it stayed exactly like this. Starting into the second half of the cigar is where more pepper and a touch of earthiness became more apparent. Also a modest increase to the intensity of the flavor of the tobacco. Think of turning a volume from four to six; it's not a lot but you can hear the change. During the last third, that same intensity increased even more, giving the cigar a strong, almost full-bodied close to its smoking time. It's because of this strong ending that the overall finish to the cigar is longer than on similarly-bodied smokes.

The ash on this cigar was a bit flaky, so bear that in mind as you progress onward. The only complaint I had on the cigar was that the burn was somewhat uneven and needed some retouching. I did find that the second Room101 that I smoked, while still slightly uneven in burn, was much better overall.

Recommendations:

This cigar is going to be one of my favorites for 2009 without a doubt. A great combination of flavors and strength, coupled with a unique and hip marketing drive makes this cigar a formidable opponent in the market today. The price point is exactly what I would expect for this cigar and in my opinion, it's a fair price for what you are getting. Buy these with confidence, knowing comfortably that you will be smoking what is in my opinion, an excellent cigar.

Click here to download:

Room101_by_Camacho_Cigar_Revie.zip (10312 KB)

27 Oct 2009

Graycliff 1666 Cigar Review

Cross-posted at The Cigar Spy. Check it out.

Target Name:

Graycliff 1666

Target Vitals:

Wrapper: Jaltapec Maduro

Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra

Filler: Mix of Brazilian, Columbian, Mexican and Peruvian Tobacco
Vitola: Presidente (Churchill 7x48)
Strength: Medium Bodied
Average Price: Around $100-140 for a bundle of 20

Background Info:

Enrico Garzazoli, owner of Graycliff Cigars, brought aboard Avelino Lara to complement his five-star restaurant (1st in the Caribbean) and second largest wine collection. Avelino Lara is better known as the former personal cigar roller to Fidel Castro and the man responsible for the creation of the Cuban Cohiba brand.

This cigar was named in honor of the first building located where the restaurant and wine collection are located today. It is estimated that this first building was one of the first structures developed for the city of Nassau.

Mission Debrief:

I found this cigar by simple accident and chance, rummaging through my secondary humidor containing a large cache of various cigars purchased from a family member. Buried somewhere near the bottom is where I came upon the Graycliff 1666. Not having had the opportunity to smoke any of these cigars in the past, I felt this would be a nice candidate for immediate interrogation.

Appearance-wise for this cigar, I found a couple of small chips in the veiny, maduro wrapper. Nothing else of fault. I felt that the copper and blue hued band, while nothing elaborate or elegant, completed the overall look of the cigar. No overly packed or soft spots were detected in the length of the cigar as well.

Moving away from my punch and using my favorite Xikar cutter and a butane lighter, I gave the cigar a couple of firm draws and took in the flavors presented to me. This is one of those Maduros that looks worse than it is, as it's a bit milder than you would think. The persistent flavors I found were a dark coffee/espresso and a touch of spice and earthiness. Nothing overpowering here but pleasant to the palette. I did find in the last third of the cigar that I felt it was burning a bit hot, as the flavors pushed towards a harsher, side.

Expect a nice, even burn overall. I did have to relight the cigar a couple of times throughout the two hours and change smoke time. In the last third of the cigar, the wrapper was starting to unravel a bit from the cigar. I think this is because of the status of my secondary humidor and not necessarily from the cigar. The finish for this cigar was slightly longer, most likely because of the maduro wrapper but it is nothing out of the ordinary.

Recommendations:

This is a enjoyable, medium bodied maduro. It has a nice complement of flavors, won't bog you down in terms of strength and the price point is agreeable to most. While it didn't have the "wow factor" from the La Traviata in my last review, the Graycliff 1666 is certainly one I'll be looking for in the future.

Click here to download:

Graycliff_1666_Cigar_Review_Ta.zip (2699 KB)

15 Oct 2009

CAO La Traviata Cigar Review

Cross-posted at The Cigar Spy.

Target Name:

CAO La Traviata

Target Vitals:

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Cameroon

Tobacco: Nicaraguan and Dominican
Vitola: Intrepido (Churchill 7x48)
Strength: Medium to Full Bodied
Average Price: $5 to $6 per stick; around $120 per box of 24

Background Info:

Introduced this year at the IPCRR Annual Convention and Trade Show, the CAO La Traviata is an homage to the La Traviata brand that started over 100 years ago in Cuba. For a look at the press release, The Cigar Spy reported on it HERE back in July.

Mission Debrief:

This is one of those cigars that in the past couple of months has started making a buzz around the Internet, on various cigar blogs as well as on Twitter. I expect anything from CAO to typically be spot on, whether it is the ever-favorite Brazilia (my review of it HERE), the MX2, or even recently the Brazilia Cuban Press, a new take on the original. Being that I do my best to stay abreast of new cigars coming into the public eye, I felt it was my duty to give the La Traviata its owed time.

Giving the La Traviata the physical look over, it became very apparent that I was looking a flawlessly made cigar. No flaws to be found on the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. And speaking of the wrapper: it is oily! You can see it shine and feel the oil on your finger tips. Veiny too. No soft or overpacked areas were found within the cigar either. Finally, the band of the cigar has a very old world feel to it; nothing elaborate on the band design itself but it commands a certain amount of elegance. I felt it really completes the overall look and feel for what CAO was trying to achieve with this cigar.

My first draw, after using a punch and my butane lighter, was greeted with an effortless, resistance-free draw. Immediate flavors that greeted me were a strong leather and a hint of wood. The oil from the wrapper added into the mix nicely, giving this cigar a balanced grouping of flavors without being overly powerful. As I ventured through the smoking time of this cigar, it does become noticeably stronger starting in the second half. I got an even larger presence of that leather flavor into the second half and by the last third, the cigar was well into full-bodied territory. Expect the finish on this cigar to be on the shorter side as the flavors didn't stay on my palette for more than a couple of hours.

I had zero burn issues at all with this cigar. The ash from the cigar was firm and held to the end of the cigar well. And finally, I felt I got a thick, white smoke from the easy draw. The thickness, I felt, was something to be proud of as it hung in the airspace of the room.

Recommendations:

I can say without reservation that this is my new favorite from CAO. A great balance of flavors with a very happy price point that anyone can appreciate. I would like to try out the other sizes to see if there is any discernible differences. Give this one a chance you will not be sorry.

Click here to download:

CAO_La_Traviata_Cigar_Review_T.zip (4342 KB)

1 Oct 2009

Winston Churchill Cigar Review

Originally posted at The Cigar Spy.

Cigar Mission #24

My name is Agent 8. My mission was to review the Winston Churchill. As an asset of The Cigar Spy agency, I promise to respect the A.S.H.E.S. code of honor. The information below is my debrief.

Target Name:

Winston Churchill

Target Vitals:

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown

Tobacco: Blend of Dominican, Peruvian, Ecuadorian, and Nicaraguan Tobaccos, all with a Cuban seed origin
Vitola: Blenheim 7x48
Strength: Mild to Medium Bodied
Average Price: Around $24 per stick; $525-550 per box of 25

Background Info: Created in honor of Sir Winston Churchill, Davidoff and Winston S. Churchill (grandson) put together this blend of cigar with the concept that Winston appreciated the best and finest in life. Blenheim Palace was the location of both Winston Churchill's birth and marriage.

Mission Debrief:

This cigar definitely had me a bit torn. Any company that goes out and names their cigar after one of the world's most respected leaders (and who happened to smoke an average of 15 cigars a day) and gets the blessing from the grandson of said leader is probably putting out an excellent product. However, when that company is Davidoff, I tend to think of two things when it comes to their cigars: overpriced and overhyped. Even still, interrogation was inevitable for a cigar named one of my favorite people of history.

The cigar itself had no imperfections or problems with its appearance. And to my fingertips, it felt correctly rolled throughout its length. The double band, gold ornamented with maroon touches, really gave this cigar an elegant, attractive look.

Using a cutter and my butane lighter, my first draw was met with a very minimal amount of resistance. The first thought I had when it came to describing the flavors was simple: mild. An easy-going, pleasant strength to start this cigar, something that anyone could enjoy. Perhaps even a slight creaminess to the overall taste. I was informed by the Davidoff rep I met recently that the mild start to this cigar is because of the Ecuadorian tobacco. He said that the target audience for this cigar was for the European market as they take to a more milder cigar.

As the cigar pushed towards the end of the first half of its lifespan, the strength began to increase. A much more pointed tobacco flavor arose moving into the second half. And into the last third of the cigar, a hint of spice hit the palette, making it a nice counterpoint to what the beginning of the cigar offered.

Expect a two to two and a half hour smoke time. No retouches or relights were needed as the cigar had an even burn. The ash however, did surprise me with a few gifts of ash on my lap and front my shirt, so keep that in the back of your mind.

Recommendations:

While I am not a big fan of milder cigars, I did enjoy this cigar, especially starting at the halfway point on. However, I did not like the price. Not one bit. It really kills the cigar. If this cigar was about $12-16 cheaper, I would recommend this in a heartbeat and would smoke these with regularity. If you have the money to burn and enjoy milder cigars and/or the Davidoff brand, you'll love this. If you are more price conscious, look elsewhere as you can find a similar cigar for much cheaper.

- 8 -

Click here to download:

Winston_Churchill_Cigar_Review.zip (4097 KB)

17 Sep 2009

Cain Maduro Cigar Review

My latest review on The Cigar Spy.com

Cigar Mission #23

My name is Agent 8. My mission was to review the Cain Maduro. As an asset of The Cigar Spy agency, I promise to respect the A.S.H.E.S. code of honor. The information below is my debrief.

Target Name:

Cain Maduro

Target Vitals:

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro
Binder: Blend of Nicaraguan Ligero
Filler: Blend of Nicaraguan Ligero
Vitola: Torpedo 6 x 54
Strength: Full Bodied
Average Price: Around $7-8 per stick; About $145.00 per box of 20 online

Background Info:

A new creation from Sam Leccia, these cigars are made from a straight blend of ligero tobaccos and filler, coming from the Condega, Esteli, and the Jalapa Valley in Nicaragua. The Cain website has a much more in-depth look at how they create these cigars. They are also having a drawing for a custom chopper.

Mission Debrief:

The Cain Maduro I had heard some rumblings about throughout the reaches of the Internet. Typically, anything made from either the Oliva family and/or Sam Leccia (Nub) is most likely going to be great. Luck was with me as I found a single box of the Cain Maduro less than half full in my latest visit to The Hill Cigar Co. in St. Louis. Not one to pass up the opportunity, I took one for immediate interrogation.

This is a well crafted, attractive looking cigar. The maduro wrapper I found to be quite veiny and had a coarse-looking texture. However, I felt that the band, primarily white with red and gold highlights, really completed the overall appearance to the cigar: simplicity with a certain elegance. No issues were found on the wrapper, such as extra globs of glue or a chipped portion of the wrapper. I did find a firmer-than-usual spot within the middle of the cigar. I have some thoughts on that later in the review.

Giving the cigar a cut and lighting with my butane lighter, I was taken by surprise by my first draw in that it was quite tight. A bit unusual fare considering who the cigar comes from. No matter as I gave the cigar a little higher cut. A bit tight even still but I ended up staying with it and I'm glad I did because about 45 minutes or so into it, the draw of the cigar opened up and gifted me large plumes of white smoke. It simply could have been a tighter roll near the middle which caused the tight draw. It worked itself out and I ended up happier in the end.

The flavors accompanying this cigar vary: a hint of spice and leather, coupled with a rich and smooth mochaesque-maduro hit to the palette. You can expect that hint of spice to fade after 30 minutes or so. Also expect the flavors of the cigar to relax slightly, giving it an even smoother taste. The last third of this cigar will strengthen the flavors slightly. Nothing that anyone would regret but it is something to note. Unlike the Gurka Triple Ligero from my last review, this cigar is definitely on par as a more standard maduro, meaning a longer and stronger finish with this cigar.

As for the ash, I felt it held pretty well to this cigar overall. Expect a slower and an even burn as well. My smoke time for this cigar was roughly two hours, fifteen minutes but if I wanted to exercise some patience, I probably could have stretched it to close to three hours.

Recommendations:

While the Gurkha Triple Ligero left me wanting more from a maduro cigar, the Cain Maduro gave me exactly what I wanted: a complex, full-bodied, pleasant smoke that made me want another one...or ten. Do not hesitate to get your hands on these should you be a maduro and/or full-bodied cigar fan.

2 Sep 2009

Gurkha Triple Ligero Cigar Review

As usual, posted originally at The Cigar Spy. Check it out as well as other great cigar reviews on the site.

*****

Cigar Mission #22

My name is Agent 8. My mission was to review the Gurkha Triple Ligero. As an asset of The Cigar Spy agency, I promise to respect the A.S.H.E.S. code of honor. The information below is my debrief.

Target Name:

Gurkha Triple Ligero

Target Vitals:

Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Binder: Aged Ligero
Filler: Aged Ligero
Vitola: Toro 6.1 x 52
Strength: Medium to Full Bodied
Price: Around $5 per stick; $59.95 per 15 pack at Cigars International

Background Info:

Formerly known as the K. Hanostia Triple Ligero X3, this cigar is now an "internet exclusive" on the Cigars International and Cigars.com websites.

Mission Debrief:

Arriving home this past weekend, I found a package addressed to me sitting on my desk. Not remembering if I had ordered anything recently, I opened it, realizing it was a gift pack of cigar from a friend (thanks again @dannysguitar). Being that the Gurkha was the largest of them all and I haven't had as much "interrogation time" with the Gurkha brand as others, it was chosen first.

The band of the cigar, mostly gold with some black and reddish highlights, really helped highlight the dark and slightly oily cigar. The cigar also has a cedar sheath protecting its body; a nice added touch to the overall appearance. No soft spots or chips in the wrapper found, but I do think this is the first time I have across a noticeably bent cigar, starting about a half inch from the end of the cap.

Using a punch and butane lighter this time around, I was met with a solid draw with a minimal amount of resistance. Hints of coffee and leather came to my palette. While this cigar is a maduro through and through, in my opinion, it's a lighter feeling maduro. The overall finish to the cigar was shorter than expected. The flavors, while having a nice balance, were not as strong as other maduros I have smoked in the past. I also felt that there was less overall smoke from the cigar itself. Perhaps the added resistance to the draw had something to do with it, I don't know. Not a bad thing necessarily, just an observation. Expect the last third of the cigar to slightly increase in overall strength, but nothing that is harsh or overbearing.

I did notice that over the almost two hour thirty minute smoke time that the wrapper around the cap started to flake off pretty easily. It could be from the travel. The burn did have to be correct a bit in the middle of the smoke a couple of times. Nothing drastic, just a simple light to fix. As I mentioned above, I didn't feel that this cigar, to my palette, was worthy of full-bodied status. However, my wife came home while I was smoking this and commented that she could smell the cigar quite clearly from the garage. So your results may vary.

Recommendations:

This is a pleasant maduro, for sure. You can count on great flavors with a nice price point that would make anyone happy. Yet, why did I feel underwhelmed? Perhaps I was expecting a bit more fuller bodied smoke. Blame the many CAO Brazilias and Edge Maduros I have smoked over time. For those looking for a maduro that won't kick your ass, here it is. But for the full-bodied veterans who want to feel the cigar long after it's been smoked, look elsewhere.

- 8 -

19 Aug 2009

Casa Fuente House Cigar Review

Always cross-posted at The Cigar Spy.

Cigar Mission #21

My name is Agent 8. My mission was to review the Casa Fuente House Cigar. As an asset of The Cigar Spy agency, I promise to respect the A.S.H.E.S. code of honor. The information below is my debrief.

Target Name:

Casa Fuente House Cigar

Target Vitals:

Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Dominician
Filler: Dominician
Vitola: Corona Gorda 5.25 x 45
Strength: Medium to Full Bodied
Price: $18.00 per stick at the Casa Fuente Club in Las Vegas

Background Info:

Originally made for the Opus X line, these cigars from Arturo Fuente are made solely for the Casa Fuente club in the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

Mission Debrief:

My sister-in-law came up to me a couple of weeks ago and told me her and her Mom were going to Las Vegas together. Being that my wife and I had spent our honeymoon there and I've been there on business a few times, she wanted to know where to go. Knowing full well that she isn't a cigar smoker, I told her to visit the Casa Fuente club, located in the Forum Shops in Caesar's Palace. "Have a mojito and enjoy yourself," I said to her. While she was there, she called up and said that she was getting me a cigar from the club. And sure enough, when she returned home, I found a Casa Fuente bag waiting for me with a Casa Fuente House Cigar inside.

Now, I have been to the club before and have smoked a few of these over the years. I even get a pilsner glass each time I visit. But for whatever reason (probably being that between the cigars and the number of Cuban drinks I take in while there), I never really get around to taking notes on the cigar. Needless to say, I was quite happy to sit down with this cigar and give it a thorough inspection.

Taking the cigar out of the wrapper and giving it a look over, I was greeted with an attractive looking cigar. The Cameroon wrapper really helped highlight the gold and maroon ornamented band. The only flaws I found with the veiny Cameroon wrapper was two tiny spots. Perhaps moisture from traveling to the club from the factory or a flaw in the wrapper itself. It didn't cause any issues with smoking. I also noticed a soft spot in the middle of the cigar, which I think caused a couple of relights at the halfway point during the smoking time.

Using a wooden match and punch, my first draw was open and easy. Taking in the flavors for a couple of minutes, I would offer up earthy hints and an almost dull spice to the flavor palette. The spice, very soft overall, only hit the very back of the mouth. The flavors overall are a bit on the stronger side, but I can't say for sure if I would consider this completely full bodied. A few steps back from that perhaps. A nice white smoke is the by-product from the draw, but I felt it dissipated into the room rather quickly. The ash had a more deeper gray/black tones to it and be warned: it is flaky and will easily fall. I had ash in my lap in the first ten minutes of the cigar. I'd also say that this cigar had a shorter finish than others; it didn't stay with me as long as I thought it would.

As I mentioned earlier, I did have a couple of relights about halfway through the cigar. However, that was the entirety of the problems with the cigar. With this size, expect around a two hour smoke time.

Recommendations:

This is a great cigar, no doubt about it. Everything except the price anyway. I will say that if you are in Vegas and you get a chance to visit the Casa Fuente club, be sure to have one of these cigars and a drink (or several), and enjoy the atmosphere of the club. If you are able to take a few home with you, save lighting these up for a special occasion.

- 8 -

Click here to download:

Casa_Fuente_House_Cigar_Review.zip (1085 KB)

5 Aug 2009

Nub Maduro 464 T Cigar Review

Posted a few hours ago at The Cigar Spy. Give it and other great reviews there a look.

******

Cigar Mission #20

My name is Agent 8. My mission was to review the Nub Maduro 464 T. As an asset of The Cigar Spy agency, I promise to respect the A.S.H.E.S. code of honor. The information below is my debrief.

Target Name:

Nub Maduro 464 T

Target Vitals:

Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: 4 x 64 Torpedo
Strength: Full Bodied
Price: Around $125.00 per box of 24

Background Info:

Originally created by Sam Leccia and the Oliva Family as a theory to make a cigar that hit the taste sweet spot (1-2 inches into a standard sized cigar) right at the onset of a cigar, the Nub line has been a tremendous hit since it has arrived onto the market. The Maduro line was introduced this year in May at Nub Live tour events around the United States.

Mission Debrief:

I can remember the first time I saw a Nub cigar. My wife and I stopped by a local Tinderbox over a year ago to pick a few cigars and some wine. Spotting them in the cabinet that housed several other favorites, I turned to my wife and asked "Where is the rest of the cigar?" I didn't purchase one that day but it wasn't long before curiousity got the best of me and I picked up a few to try. I buy them today, if that gives anyone any indication if I like them or not. A few months ago, I got wind of the imminent release of the Maduro line via Twitter. Checking with my local shops soon after hearing of the announcement, no one had them in stock. I ended up getting my first one while I was out of town for a wedding, but as luck would have it, I didn't get a chance to smoke it. Last week, I was able to secure a few from the Oliva Cigar Event at one of the local shops here in St. Louis for interrogation.

Giving it a physical look over, the cigar itself was really flawless. The Brazilian Maduro wrapper was perfect; no cuffs or cracks found on the wrapper, nor was there any extra globs of glue from the band. The band, with its chocolate-brown and gold hues, complemented the dark wrapper well. The stocky torpedo felt thick in my fingers, as it should with all Nubs.

Lighting it up, I was met with an effortless draw and an immediate hit of familiar maduro flavor. A rich, hearty flavor, but not too heavy. Hints of a dark coffee or espresso came to the palette as well. Thick white smoke was the byproduct from the draw. It seemed to hang in the air a bit longer than other cigars I have had the in past. The ash had a similar consistency as well: an attractive, white hue that held well to the end of the cigar until nudging in onto the ashtray.

I had an hour and 25 minute burn time with the cigar. Expect a longer finish as well; the thicker, maduro flavors stayed with me well into the next morning. The only issue I did have was the wrapper undoing itself from the torpedo side of the cigar. I do think that this was "operator error" in that my cutter is on the dull side and I could have gotten a cleaner cut.

Recommendations:

For any Nub fans out there, you should really get ahold of the Maduros. You can expect the same high quality from the Maduros as you would from the other lines of Nubs, as well as other lines from the Oliva family. You certainly can find me smoking these on a regular basis.

4 Aug 2009

Coming Tomorrow

My bi-weekly review for The Cigar Spy is coming up tomorrow and I figured I'd attach a pic of what is going to be up for review. Anyone who knows my cigar habits should have an idea already of what my opinion of this cigar will be. Look for it tomorrow here and on The Cigar Spy.

10 Jun 2009

Benchmade Robusto Cigar Review

My latest cigar review originally posted at The Cigar Spy. Check it out there if you'd like as well as the other great reviews.

***

Target Name:

Bechmade Robusto

Target Vitals:

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: Robusto 5x50
Strength: Medium to Full Bodied

Price: $3.00 per stick; $56 to $60 mark per box of 25

Background Info:

Intelligence indicates that Don Pepin Garcia and Ashton are the creators behind this cigar. Price point on this cigar suggests that DPG and Ashton desire to get a foothold among the bargain priced cigar brands such as the Oliva family's Flor de Oliva line.

Mission Debrief:

I came across this cigar many months ago at my local shop. The price catching my eye and the desire to try something new, I ended up buying two that day; one I smoked later that evening, the other went into my humidor. As the months passed, this Benchmade found its way down to the bottom of my humidor, forgotten. As I was going through my cigars to determine a new target, I found this one almost by accident.

Taking it out of the plastic, I only noticed a slight chip off of the veiny, Nicaraguan Sumatra wrapper, otherwise, it was built well. It felt evenly rolled throughout the length of the cigar, no spot or overly packed spots to be found.

Clipping the end, pigtail and all, and giving the cigar a light, I was greeted with an easy draw an a complex, earthy flavor, like cloves found in a spice cabinet. That earthy, clove flavor did mellow a bit after 30 minutes, but I still felt that the flavor hovered in the background for the reminder of the smoke, which was an hour and forty minutes. Because the distinct flavors of the cigar, you will have a longer finish than you would have with other cigars.

Thick, white smoke was the end product left from the cigar, although I did find that it dissipated into the room quickly. The burn on the cigar did get slightly uneven about halfway in, but seemed to correct itself after too long.

Recommendations:

From what I can remember when I first smoked this months ago, I enjoyed the cigar but it didn't blow me away. After finding this one that had ample time in my humidor, I can say that this is one that definitely improves with age. A great mix of flavors with an easy draw and an even easier price. For those looking to purchase these, put them down in the depths of the humidor and leave them there for awhile. You'll be happy you did.

Room101 by Camacho Cigar Review

Graycliff 1666 Cigar Review

CAO La Traviata Cigar Review

Winston Churchill Cigar Review

Cain Maduro Cigar Review

Gurkha Triple Ligero Cigar Review

Casa Fuente House Cigar Review

Nub Maduro 464 T Cigar Review

Coming Tomorrow

Benchmade Robusto Cigar Review

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