Reviews by Jeff K

I’ve burned through most of the regular Graycliff lines (Professionale, Original, Crystal, Espresso, et al) and after each one, I kicked my self for dropping upwards of $20 on just one cigar (I know - I should have learned my lesson after the first one, but I’m an optimist). Don’t get me wrong, their stuff is not bad, and if I paid $5-8 I would be thrilled…but $20+, c’mon! So while I’m not normally a huge supporter of Graycliff, the new and improved Graycliff G2 definitely piqued my interest. Dude…a $3 Graycliff, that’s what I’m talking about! Yes, you read that right; we’re rolling them out here at CI for just $59.99 per box of 20. So at a price I can actually stomach, I figured I would give Graycliff’s newest offering a whirl.

Graycliff G2 features a Connecticut-seed wrapper grown in the fertile soils of Ecuador. The wrapper is slightly spotty, but it has an attractive, golden tan color with a smooth appearance and a nice sheen of oil. And unlike some of the other Graycliffs I’ve dealt with, G2 is firm and well filled. Inside, lies an aged two-country filler blend from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Pre-light, this thing looks decent and has an enjoyably mellow smell, enticing enough for me.

After sparking, I’m pleasantly surprised. This cigar is smooth. It’s fairly smooth,  the smoke just rolls off the tongue. The flavor is crisp, with notes of cream, cedar and a nice sweetness completed by an extraordinarily clean finish. And there’s some richness in the aroma, which adds to the experience. As it burned it didn’t change much, straightforward and satisfying all the way down. Throughout, it burned straight, but a bit quicker than I prefer.

Overall, Graycliff G2 was enjoyable. I can’t see it winning any awards, but I could see myself burning one fairly often. A well-made, smoother offering at a solid price. And if you’re into this sort of thing…your friends will probably think you spent top dollar on them.

I’m a certified gadget nut. I love all kinds of electronic toys, because normally they make my life easier (which is always welcomed). Cigars aren’t normally a huge forum for gadgets, but I’m sure most of you have seen an electronic humidifier either within the pages of our catalog, on the web, or at a cigar shop. It’s been my experience that most people eye them up with interest but never pull the trigger on a purchase. I know, it seems pricy for a humidifier. But if you have as much cash tied up in cigars as I do (or even a collection half the size of mine), it makes sense to ease the process of keeping your prized cigars properly cared for.

Not too long ago, I put together an instructional video for the Humi-Care EH Plus Electronic Humidifier. The EH Plus a great unit if you have a “smaller” humidor (150-500 capacity). I’ve been playing around with these electronic humidifiers for a while, and they really make cigar humidification nearly effortless. Electronic humidifiers are like the cigar accessory version of those rotisseries from the infomercials – set it and forget it. I know a lot of guys have developed good systems, and an electronic unit may not be on your wish list. But if you’ve been using those plastic humidifiers with the floral sponge inside, get one of these – it will change your life, I promise. The EH Plus works well, wont break the bank and accommodates the majority of the humidors out there.

Just recently, Humi-Care debuted a new electronic humidifier – the Humi-Care XG1000 Pro (the name even sounds impressive!). The XG1000 Pro is the EH Plus’s bigger, badder cousin, equipped with enough power to humidify everything up to a commercial size cabinet humidor (16 cubic feet). For those of you who have a cabinet size humidor, or are thinking of getting one, take note of the Humi-Care XG1000.

The unit itself is big for a humidifier, but not massive (11" x 4.25" x 4.75") – able to be nestled nicely in the bottom corner of a cabinet without losing too much space. It comes equipped with dual top-mounted fans and the ability to add additional fans (up to 3 more) if desired. The reservoir is large, to keep refills to a minimum. Once you fill it up with distilled water, set the desired humidity on the LED screen and the unit will run until it achieves that level then shut off. Then when it dips below again, it kicks back on. Simple, but effective. Another nice feature is the remote control panel (on a 54” cord), which lets you operate the XG1000 without even opening up the humidor. The unit also alerts you when the water is low with a blinking light and a beeping. Its design is sleek and attractive, it’s all digital and accurate, and it’s powerful enough to get the job done on bigger areas.

If you have a larger humidor, this thing is the way to go. In addition to being feature-loaded, powerful and well made, it retails for only $149.95 – more than $50 less than most other comparable models.

CAO is a brand that makes a ton of great cigars, has accrued a lion’s share of 90+ ratings, and developed a devoted fan base of die-hard CAO nuts. Their cigars are definitely some of the best on the market today. A personal favorite of mine has always been the CAO Black. This is the unequivocal “everybody” or “anytime” cigar. It’s mild and smooth enough to light up right at the crack of dawn, but it also has more than enough flavor and complexity to be enjoyed after a full meal or over drinks. It’s the essential, universal humidor staple. Best part is, they are consistent as hell and reasonably priced.

The packaging is noteworthy. The boxes are hand painted with a Jackson Pollock-esque paint splattering – a nice touch. Packaged in wooden boxes of 20, each cigar comes individually cedar wrapped.

The wrapper - It’s a Connecticut-seed grown in Ecuador, but it is unlike any other Connecticut wrappers out there. Dark-brown, even colored and astoundingly smooth, this wrapper is a sight. The binder is a Nicaraguan Habano, which adds some oomph. Its 3-country filler blend is well aged for smoothness and diverse for complexity. With long-filler tobaccos from Nicaragua, Honduras and Mexico, CAO Black is well proportioned and meticulously blended for optimal smoothness, flavor and complexity.

From beginning to end, CAO Black is smooth, impressively smooth. The flavor profile isn’t overly flamboyant, but it is loaded with rich, natural tobacco notes. With some cigars, I get a ton of different distinct flavors – which I like most of the time. But CAO Black offers something a bit more traditional. It tastes like a cigar – pure, natural tobacco. I definitely get some notes of cedar, cream, and pepper accompanied by a clean, semi-sweet finish, but nothing too intense of overwhelming. Its mellow and easygoing from start to finish, but the flavor is defined and always present. Medium-bodied, refined, elegant and not overdone.

This may not become your favorite cigar (although it very well may), but they do have a place in your humidor. When I buy a box, its always seems to be empty pretty quickly.

Oliva has more than a handful of great blends in their portfolio, but no Connecticut among their signature lines…until now. Enter the NEW Oliva Connecticut Reserve.

Utilizing a striking Connecticut wrapper and Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers, this Oliva is a welcomed addition to their already healthy sized line. The band is very similar to their other lines, but with a stark white background. You’d think a white band on a gentler cigar would look horrible- not the case at all. I love the packaging; it’s well designed, definitive and eye catching.

The Connecticut Reserve is on the smoother side, but it still retains a solid amount of flavor. Smooth for sure, but with some strong notes of coffee and white pepper, complemented by a meaty, earthy core- it’s a very different tasting Connecticut. Although I think its one of a kind profile puts a refreshingly, unique spin on a typical gentler Connecticut, the way it finished was a little unsettling. It had a lingering aftertaste, which almost tasted a little dirty. It really stuck with me and put a damper on my enjoyment of the cigar. I kind of have the feeling that it’s something that could grow on me, but I’m two sticks in and no such luck.

As far as quality goes- no qualms here. The Connecticut Reserve burned exquisitely; it honestly couldn’t have gotten any better. The draw was consistent and comfortable and the ash (although a bit lumpy) was firm and white. 

This cigar is a definite stick to try. I’d be willing to bet some serious cash that this will quickly become a lot of people’s favorite cigar. Gentle is popular, different is good, and it’s very reasonably priced- so it definitely has a strong appeal. For me personally, I’d say it is just a few steps away from a great cigar. I feel it has a lot to offer in terms of creatively blended tobaccos and complex flavors but it’s missing that polished, refined edge.

I burn a lot of cigars, so I’m always looking for something inexpensive, but enjoyable. I don’t mind spending $7-10 bucks on a cigar I like, but if I can find something good for less- bring it on. The eternal quest may just have ended. I discovered La Herencia Cubana, like an oasis in the desert, just at the right time. With SCHIP quickly approaching, most of the cigars are going to go up a minimum of 40 cents a pop (the sad part is that many are going up much more drastically). So a cigar that was 5 bucks a stick could realistically become 6 dollars or even more in many cases. La Herencia Cubana is currently between $2.50 and $3.00 a stick- so realistically it may go up, but only marginally (I hope!). Worst-case scenario 4 bucks a piece, which is still a totally appetizing price.

Forget the previous- that this cigar retails for less than $3. If I handed you one un-banded, I’d be willing to bet a hefty sum that you like it and would be willing to pay more. I’ve always said if a cigar burns well, draws well, and tastes half decent- it’s worth 4 dollars, right? Sure, there are definitely undervalued cigars out there, even in the $1-2 range, but they usually lack a bit in the flavor department. Therein lays the difference between La Herencia Cubana and others in it price range.

Haven’t heard of La Herencia? Well have you heard of Padilla Habano, ITC 10^th Anniversary, Rocky Patel Fusion, or Man O’ War? All top dollar sticks, made side-by-side in the same factory as La Herencia. Same rollers, same quality control, same well-fermented, well- aged tobaccos. 

La Herencia Cubana employs an oily, Sumatra wrapper from Ecuador that’s just loaded with flavor. The balance of long-fillers from different regions of Nicaragua (Jalapa, Condega, and Esteli) along with the wrapper, creates an experience that’s ultimately smooth, but also extremely flavorful and complex. The final piece, which completes this cigar to a degree usually reserved for the pricey sticks, is the aroma. I just savor it. Extremely rich, but with that buttery baked bread smell that’s just so enjoyable, the aroma alone is worth the price of the cigar. The smoke itself is cool, creamy and velvety thick. With notes of cedar, spice, and tobacco- La Herencia imparts a rich, earthy profile that changes constantly and keeps it interesting until the final puff. Medium-full bodied, enjoyable and intensely flavorful.

Honestly, I think I could smoke one everyday. Hell, for that price- twice a day. It’s just good. With about 500 different brands of cigars to pick from- I chose this for my first review. I think that speaks for itself.