Staff Reviews

Just to prove that I actually do read the ol’ e-mails that people send, I’m going to do this review based on a request from Jack W. who hails from Marysville, MI. Jack e-mailed me saying that he enjoyed the La Flor Dominicana Air Bender and wanted to know my thoughts, specifically on the Maestro Size. So I moseyed on out to the humidor and picked up a 5’er of these 5.5”x52 sized cigars. The first thing I noticed is the oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that encompasses the all Dominican blend which is sure to packed full of usual ligeros that are the hallmark of blender Litto Gomez.

The cigar itself is heavy in the hand and has a pre-light aroma familiar to blends that utilize well fermented tobaccos. As I light up one of these puppies I’m reading about the history of La Flor Dominicana… Turns out founder Litto Gomez started up the company after his jewelry store was robbed of about $400,000 in merchandise! Go figure…

Right about….now, I’m about half an inch in and I am noticing a light spice on my palate as well an enjoyable flavor upon exhaling through the nose. I’m not that far into the cigar and already I can tell that it is going to be full bodied – something that the bulk of La Flor’s releases are known for.

I’m about half way through this here Bender of Air and I’ve noticed that the spice has dissipated, but there is a nice amaretto like finish that I am actually finding myself enjoying. The strength hasn’t let up at all. In fact, I am having trouble typing at this point.

One thing that I should point out about this cigar is that I’ve had to relight it a few times and the burn I found to be less than perfect. Aside from that, I am enjoying the blend which seems to pair well with my ‘Best of Johnny Cash’ collection that I have pumping through the headphones. As far as price goes, well, the MSRP may cause a few folks to take a second glance, ranging from $140 - $165 a box.

I’ll wrap up this review since I’ve gotten near the end of the cigar. I must say, the blend does seem to be heading south a bit. I’m starting to get some harsh flavors that are turning me off to the cigar. I found this same characteristic to be present in each of the Air Benders that I burned through. So, to sum it all up – I enjoyed the first half, but the second half – not so much. Was that first half worth $7+? To me…no. But as always, taste is subjective. So pick a few up and try them for yourself!

La Aroma de Cuba has always been a brand to which I didn’t give much attention. But I’ve recently seen the light.

La Aroma de Cuba is an old Cuban brand with a great back story. Supposedly, the Cuban La Aroma de Cuba brand was a favorite of Winston Churchill. In 2002, Ashton released a Honduran-made La Aroma de Cuba which initially made a big splash. Quickly earning some impressive ratings, La Aroma de Cuba was generating some serious buzz. The artwork was beautiful, the cigars were made in the renowned Flor de Copan factory (home of Saint Luis Rey, Quintero, Romeo Habana Reserve, et. al), and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. I was excited to try one. So I tried about 4 and had a terrible experience each time – I had some serious issues with construction and the flavor was just average. Then I forgot about La Aroma de Cuba for a long time. A couple of years ago they launched La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial and while I enjoyed it, the price was a bit more than I cared for. But a new era of La Aroma de Cuba is here and they’ve calmed all my fears. The original La Aroma de Cuba is now made in Nicaragua by Don Pepin Garcia and the Edicion Especial has just experienced a drastic price decrease. Plus, they’ve just launched a new addition to the line – La Aroma de Cuba ‘Mi Amor’ – and the initial response has been tremendous. So once again, I was excited to one.

La Aroma de Cuba ‘Mi Amor’ is handmade in Nicaragua by Don Pepin Garcia and marks a drastic departure from the other blends in the line. The wrapper is a dark, ultra-thick Mexican maduro leaf that’s extra toothy. On the inside, a bold blend of Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers. The whole thing is then gently box-pressed and adorned with the signature La Aroma de Cuba artwork. And I must say, it’s a good looking cigar.

Initially, the flavor is slightly dry with a rich, charred finish. That kind of sounds bad, but it’s an interesting taste that’s oddly delicious. As it burns, the flavor develops nicely and the taste balances.  It’s extremely rich, with a supporting cast of espresso, pepper, spices, cedar, and a slightly sweet finish which rounds out the mix. It changes often and offers a ton of flavor, all delivered in a full-bodied, but refined manner. And the toasty, chocolatey aroma adds an additional layer to the experience. Smooth throughout with a slow-burn and tight, grey ash, La Aroma de Cuba ‘Mi Amor’ is a cigar I’ve been thoroughly enjoying.

It’s different than most cigars on the market, but a true premium with a ton of flavor. If you enjoy rich, full-bodied smokes, La Aroma de Cuba ‘Mi Amor’ is one that should definitely be added to your rotation. They’re not cheap, but for a cigar of this level of quality, they’re worth the asking price.

A few days ago, my December issue of Cigar Aficionado was delivered. Today, I got around to leafing through it. Amongst the ads for countless items I’ll never be able to afford, something caught my eye, inspiring me to write this staff review. Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Dark Corojo received an ‘88’ rating. Wait a minute....

Let’s go back 10 years. An 88-point score would be a dynamite rating. I cry foul. Today’s rating system is seriously skewed – 91s and 92s are now commonplace, and we frequently see ratings as high as 93, 94, and even 95 – usually for the same brands or countries of origin, mind you. These new, bloated scores make an 88 seem so....well, mediocre.

So why was I inspired to write this review? Because the JdN Dark Corojo is a good cigar. A damn good cigar, and I disagree with the 88-point score in today’s rating scheme. I’ll explain....

Let’s face it, when it comes to full-bodied, full-flavored cigars, Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 is a frequent mention. This Nicaraguan puro may not be the powerhouse it once was – due to the influx of some seriously full-bodied blends now on the market – but the Antaño cigar brings the brass in a smooth, velvety fashion that almost anybody can enjoy. And, after years of experimenting, blending, and perfecting, the folks at Joya de Nicaragua have released an even fuller variety in the Dark Corojo, and it’s flippin’ good.

As one would expect from Joya de Nicaragua, the Dark Corojo is a brute, sitting heavy in the hand and jam-packed big boy tobaccos. The Corojo-seed wrapper is grown in Nicaragua, and has been carefully fermented to achieve a super-dark color and excessively oily sheen. The Nicaraguan long-fillers within contain plenty of ligero aged 3 years prior to rolling and expertly blended, producing a bold yet bready-sweet pre-light aroma that’ll make your mouth water after just one whiff.

My 5.5”x54 El Martillo is cut, lit, and already producing a ton of dark, thick smoke. My palate is greeted by a rich and creamy core of dense, deep tobacco flavors. This initially rush of Nicaraguan tobacco goodness is soon met with a toasty blast of wood – an oaky influence that’s like velvet, sitting heavily on the palate and clinging to the taste buds. There’s an underlying spice at play that’s neither moderate nor overwhelming. Just a gentle touch of pepper that teases my taste buds. And then, just as I'm kicking my feet up to savor this slow-burner, the ligero-laced power kicks in, soothing my senses with the possibility of modifying my motor skills. Hang in there Steve. Stick around for the long haul, because I'm in for a treat at the end. While the power doesn’t instensify, the flavors do, becoming more complex toward the nub. Indeed, this cigar has taken yet another turn, becoming richer in character with a hint of roasted coffee mixed in about an inch before risking your fingertips. No doubt satisfying, the Dark Corojo is a powerful, flavorful handmade I'll easily find myself craving again in the near future....after my motor skills are back.

Yeah....that’s my take on Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Dark Corojo. 88? Please. Let’s get serious here, folks.

To be honest, I have no idea why I am even writing this review. Watching truckloads of Gran Habano Corojo Vintage 2002 cigars hit our docks (seemingly) monthly tells me you already know about the brand. Hell, this cigar is nearly impossible to keep in stock, and writing a review could potentially make it even more difficult to maintain a decent level of inventory. But, I’ve been burning these bad boys like crazy the past 2 months, and I’ve got a few minutes to kill, so I might as well tell ya why I like’em so much.

Reason 1: I have good luck with Gran Habano....

First off, I’ve always been a fan of everything Gran Habano. There’s just something about the cigars coming from this Honduran-based factory. They’re always well-packed, slow-burning, and dish out a ton of soothing, Cuban-esque flavors. Whether’s it’s the flagship Gran Habano line or 3 Siglos (now known as 3 SLS), G.A.R. or Blue Label....I could burn cigars from the Gran Habano rolling tables all day long.

Reason 2: I love Corojo-wrapped cigars....

There are two wrapper varieties that I love. The first, as you may know, is a dark and oily maduro leaf, especially of the Brazilian Arapiraca or PA Broadleaf variety. The second – you guessed it – is Corojo, grown just about anywhere. Gran Habano’s Corojo leaf is a gem. A thick, toothy wrapper loaded with hearty goodness. And since this Gran Habano Corojo Vintage blend employs a Corojo leaf cultivated in 2002, I pick up a uniquely creamy bouquet with all the zesty, Cuban-esque qualities I’ve come to know and love from the flagship Gran Habano line.

Reason 3: The flavor is always on point....

In addition to making some seriously well-made cigars that always feel heavy in the hand and come jam-packed with tasty tobaccos, every Gran Habano cigar tastes exactly like the last. And fortunately for us, that taste is....well, uhmm....tasty! Every single time I pick up a Gran Habano cigar, I know exactly what my palate is in for. A rich and flavorful array of familiar flavors that never disappoint. Consistency is key, and never an issue from this factory.

Reason 4: The uniqueness of flavors....

One might think a cigar with such aged tobaccos will be mellow. Tamer in nature. Especially a Corojo which is traditionally quite full in flavor. This is not the case. Rather, the flavors are more balanced and refined. The zesty, Cuban-esque nuances are still there, but they’re backed by a unique creaminess not found in the standard #5 Corojo blend. This creaminess is a wonderful addition to the hearty undertones. A silkiness that lingers long on the palate, mingling with the subtleties of coffee and nuts perfectly and complementing the peppery-sweet finish in delicious fashion.

Reason 5: It’s still a little powerhouse....

Don’t let the age full you. This vintage variety still packs a meaty punch. Remember, the tobaccos within the aged wrapper are the same, so the dynamics haven’t changed all that much when it comes to potency. These rich, heady tobaccos still deliver that medium to full-bodied strength you’ve grown accustomed to – it’ll just sneak up on you this time.

Reason 6: Price

If you’re one of the countless CI Lunatics that’s had the opportunity to buy this gem, you already know the deal. If you haven’t, click the link and check the price. Nuff said.

There you have it. Gran Habano Corojo Vintage 2002 – a winner, all around.

By popular demand I’m switching up my normal mantra of reviewing a cigar and giving it my personal rating…for this round I’ve decided to review 2 CIGARS! That’s right gents…side by side comparison of two truly boutique blends – The Diesel Unholy Cocktail vs. Tatuaje Havana VI. Both of these blends have received high praise from consumers since they hit the market and well, I’m gonna see how they stack up against each other…mano y mano – or I guess it would be cigaro y cigaro.

First, I’ll select the vitolas for this matchup:

DIESEL – No brain power necessary for this one. Only comes in one size, dubbed the Unholy Cocktail – it’s a stout 5x56 belicoso that comes packed in a box of 30.

HAVANA VI – This selection took some consideration. There are 2 sizes that share similarities to the Diesel Unholy Cocktail. There’s the Gorditos - a 5.5x56 standard parejo that’s slightly longer with the same ring gauge OR, the Artistas - a 6.25x52 Torpedo that shares the same shape as the Diesel. Hmmm…I’m going to go with the Gorditos.
 

                Next, the wrapper and the blends:

DIESEL – Blended by Abdel Fernandez in Nicaragua, the Diesel is constructed with top-notch Nicaraguan long-fillers and finished with a gorgeous Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. Once only utilized as a binder or for filler tobaccos, the PA Broadleaf is becoming increasingly popular among manufacturers for use as a wrapper. It yields a spicy yet sweet character that true maduro wrappers are known for and an extra layer of power to boot.

HAVANA VI – Tatuaje’s Havana VI is a Nicaraguan Puro meaning that the entire cigar is made from tobacco grown in Nicaragua. It utilizes a Nicaraguan Corojo 99 wrapper and is manufactured by Pepin Garcia in his shiny new Nicaraguan factory.

                Third, the flavor and body:

DIESEL – I’ll admit, I’ve burned literally dozens of these since they were released, and every time I am greeted with a medium-full bodied experience that is nothing short of uber-complex. There is a spiciness on the front of the palate and a nice peppery yet sweet finish that keeps me coming back for more. As the cigar develops it tops out with one heck of a full-bodied crescendo.

HAVANA VI – I’ve had a few of these in my time in various shapes and sizes. The Nicaraguan tobaccos really shine through on this blend giving it the trademark Cuban-esque flavor that Pepin has come to be known for.

                And Finally – Price:

DIESEL – Pricing for this cigar goes above and beyond the call of duty in my opinion. Available for around $3 per stick…the price of a cup of coffee at your swankier joints – it’s a no-brainer to at least test a few out.

HAVANA VI – This line is a little more ‘spensive than the Diesel. Suggested retail on the particular vitola for this review is $7.50. But, looking at the other cigars that Tatuaje offers I guess the Havana VI would be considered their “budget” line.

                To cap off this review, I must say that looking at these two truly Boutique blends, you can’t go wrong with either of them. But when it comes down to it, I’m tilting my hand in favor of the Diesel Unholy Cocktail. Is it price? Maybe...  After burning through a 5-pack of each for this review I find the Unholy Cocktail to be a more unique and enjoyable experience and the Havana VI to be similar to cigars that you can find at a lower price point. Now I may get chastised for that last sentence since Tatuaje has a die-hard following that would likely view my opinion as blasphemy but I’m not saying that the Havana VI is a bad blend at all. I’ve enjoyed every one that I’ve had. All I’m saying is I liked the Diesel a little more…that’s all!!!