Staff Reviews

I’ve decided to do something a little different with this Staff Review. Last week I was in Nicaragua visiting several factories, creating new blends, and trying some upcoming releases which we’ll soon be carrying. The latter was the most exciting, largely in part to the cigar I am writing about now: the new Diesel Unlimited. Although the final product is still a few months out, I felt obligated to dish out a primer upon returning to Camp CI – the cigar really is that good. If you’re a fan of Diesel, or full-bodied boutique blends for that matter, this is one to add to your radar. 

Extending the highly popular Diesel brand may seem like a tall task, but AJ Fernandez has both the materials and blending knowledge to do it. Upon arriving at his factory in Esteli, AJ had several blends ready for us to try....blends he was very excited about. Additionally, several varieties of long-leaf filler tobaccos were spread out on the conference table, mostly ligero. The room smelled glorious and we were eager to taste his latest creations.

After burning through all of the samples, we carefully analyzed each cigar and took inventory of the well-aged leaves of tobacco before us. A few tweaks were made here and there and the results were - for lack of a better word - amazing.

Mouthwatering spread of tobaccos

Diesel Unlimited working its magic

The finalized Diesel Unlimited blend looks and smells great. A thick Honduran ligero wrapper grown from Habano seeds is used on the outside, offering a dark appearance and generous oils. Beneath this leaf, bold tobaccos from Condega (Nicaragua), Esteli (Nicaragua), and San Andres (Mexico) are secured by a zesty Habano Ecuador binder. The cigar is thick and chunky - with ring gauges ranging from 54 to 60 - and sits heavy in the hand. The pre-light aroma is a mixture of barnyard, freshly baked bread, and black pepper....hints of vintage, yet robust tobaccos.

From the very first puff, this cigar produces a ton of smoke. Thick, heavy clouds of smoke that emit a rich aroma that can only be described as oily. Heavy spices kick start the palate and nostrils with each puff, preparing the taste buds for a searing series of bold nuances ahead. After an inch the opening spices evolve to an aftertaste, allowing a deep core of bold flavors to shine through. Raw, Cuban-esque tobacco notes, earthy undertones, rich leather, toast, oak....all complemented by the slightest touch of natural sweetness throughout the burn, then finished by a soothing spice that reminds you of the ligeros within. This cigar is powerful - it starts out strong and doesn’t let up....I instantly feel it sitting in my belly like a big and juicy porterhouse. But AJ is a master at blending, and managed to combine a complex recipe of powerful tobaccos into a balanced and eventful bouquet of intriguing nuances.

So far I’ve had three sizes within the line and each size burns like a dream. I have no idea where pricing will be for this brand, but whatever it is, I suspect it’s going to be a great bargain for full-bodied, full-flavored fans seeking high-quality and unique cigars.

As I said earlier, Diesel Unlimited is still a few months out - hopefully less. However, since I am very excited about this blend and will no doubt be buying a ton upon release, I wanted to get this information into your hands as quickly as possible. If you’ve yet to try the standard Diesel Unholy Cocktail, I recommend it with confidence. Actually, it’s a great way to prepare your palate for the bolder, bigger Diesel Unlimited.

The current cigar deal threat level is red. Red as in Bahia Maduro and its bright red bands, that is. She’s a beauty that Bahia Maduro, bringing brains, brawn, and good looks: quality construction, generous ring gauges, smooth, rich flavor…. to top it off she’s a cheap date. To be sure, for $2 to $2.25 per stick it’s in the running for top handmade value.

Bahia Maduro begins with an aged blend of Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-leaf tobaccos covered in an Habano leaf binder, and ends with a dark, marbleized Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper to complete the recipe. The wrapper’s not cosmetically perfect, but damn this thing looks good…..almost too good.

It burns even, draws perfectly. That alone would be good enough for a stick costing a buck-fitty. But the flavor profile brings a lot more. Medium in body with a dense, rich, and hearty flavor profile, at its core Bahia Maduro is defined by ample notes of cocoa, spices, earthiness and a peppery-sweet tobacco base. Combined with a smooth yet deliberate and slow burn, this sucker is memorable and downright lip-smacking. You’ll smoke it, you’ll nub it, and you’ll want more.

At full MSRP, it would be a regular in my rotation. But at CI’s prices, I will grope it amorously, early and often. In a world where the enjoyable sub-$2.50 maduro is soul-achingly rare, the Bahia Maduro blend is a prince among men. Maduro fans – this is a gift. Don’t pass it up.

I must admit, when I first saw the advertisements for Cain I was completely turned off. I mean, c’mon the motorcycle….and is that the Undertaker? I don’t get it. But maybe I’m just out of touch.

So I held off as long as possible….until a couple appeared on my desk. And now I’m regretting not getting into these sooner. I should have known, because I can’t ever remember having a bad cigar from Oliva. But this just reeked of gimmick, and that’s not my bag.

So it’s time to eat crow. Cain by Oliva, more specifically the ‘F’ Series, is a good cigar. Actually, really good. Created with dark and oily Nicaraguan Habano leaf that’s smooth, even colored and extremely appetizing. Inside, a full-tilt mixture of ‘straight’ (actually 82%) Nicaraguan ligeros waits to deliver power and flavor in droves. The ‘F’ Series is basically an amped up spin-off of the original Cain….and it does have a little more pop. Flawlessly constructed, Cain ‘F’ Series is firm and dense with a meticulously applied wrapper. Visually, this cigar is as impressive as they come.

Through the first inch, the draw was just slightly tight. Not too bad, but enough to mention. And then it opened up perfectly. The aroma is rich, spicy and makes itself evident adding an important element to the experience. A complex display of black pepper, cedar, caramel, coffee and a smoky, almost burnt finish characterize the core flavors. Backed by a subtle sweetness and an overall rich tobacco tone, Cain shows an impressive depth of flavor. There’s a lot going on, but the smoothness and balance are unwavering. As promised, Cain is full-bodied. And it builds significantly in strength as it burns. I actually felt this one about halfway through.

Well blended, well made, intensely flavorful and brimming with strength, Cain brings the full, full-bodied package. I’d absolutely smoke Cain again…and again and I’d recommended it – I’m a fan. With prices between $6 and $8, I wouldn’t say they’re a tremendous value. But for an occasional treat or when they’re on special, I would definitely suggest it. It’s different, it’s strong, it’s a complete cigar – Cain by Oliva is easily one of the best new blends on the market. If you like full-bodied, full-flavored handmades, you’ll like Cain.

“Wow” was the first thing that came to mind after lighting my first Reposado ’96 Maduro. Not because it’s an all long-filler 7.1” Salomon that retails for $2.50 (which is outrageously cheap). But because the onslaught of flavors that greet you right from the start is so astounding.

If you’ve browsed through the (brilliant!) archives of my past reviews, you know I’m a fan of the other two Reposado ’96 blends. These are the Big Hairy Beasts that rule the cigar value jungle. Solid flavor, excellent construction….pound for pound it’s one of the finest handmade values anywhere. The newest addition to the mix – complementing its Connecticut and Habano brothers – is the Maduro. It’s a homerun.

Draped in a naturally dark, leathery San Andres maduro leaf and packed with a flavorsome, flavoryific blend of Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers, the stately Reposado ’96 Maduro Salomon is an impressive cigar bringing gobs of flavor. It’s actually surprising how quickly it develops. Almost instantly after lighting you’re greeted by a flood of rich and hearty flavors. With dense notes of coffee, caramel, spices and a toasty-sweet finish, Reposado ’96 Maduro coats the palate with a wealth of sensations. Adding to the experience is the warm, bready aroma that fills the air. Medium in body but overflowing with character….Reposado ’96 Maduro is a complete cigar. You complete me.

I burned it all the way down – almost two hours of work – and loved every inch. If I sold you this cigar for $5 or even $7, I bet you wouldn’t balk. But for $2.50? I give it extra points for price. There are a whole lotta cigars that cost a whole lot more, but aren’t nearly this good. So if you like maduro wrapped cigars, say hello to your new friend.

The Ashton Classic line has been a force in the world of mellow cigars ever since their release. They’re not cheap, but they deliver every time. A consistently well-made, smooth Dominican handmade that has a long-time reputation for quality. Ashton was one of the first cigars I really enjoyed, but I later dismissed them for being too gentle and uneventful for my tastes. I like Connecticut wrappers and I like mellow on occasion. But with prices upwards of $10, I just couldn’t justify the regular Ashton purchase. Recently, my opinion changed.

Last year, Ashton released a new size in their Classic line, the Ashton Majesty. This 6” x 56 vitola looks like all of the other sizes in the Ashton Classic line. Same bands, same box - just a bigger size. Not really that exciting. But when I actually got around to smoking one, I realized that this size is special. A little searching would reveal that the Majesty size employs a slightly different blend than all of the rest. It utilizes the same Connecticut shade wrapper overtop a tweaked blend of filler tobaccos. It’s still all Dominican, but the tobaccos included within considerably more rich and robust.

In appearance, the Majesty is a nice as any. Featuring a smooth, oily, chestnut Connecticut leaf and near flawless construction, this is obviously a well made, premium cigar representative of the Aston brand. When you get into it, you’ll realize that it definitely has some more body than the standard Ashton – more medium-bodied rather than mellow. But the extra flavor that’s included is what puts the Majesty in a different league. It burns straight, draws perfectly and has that creamy, smooth Connecticut smoke, but the underlying flavors are what make the Majesty so good. With a warm aroma, a decent amount of pepper, and a rich array of flavors including earth, cedar, cream, coffee, spices and a slightly sweet finish, Ashton Majesty is interesting and balanced. As it burns, it builds in body and the flavors intensify until an exciting finale. It’s hard to describe why its better, but it just is. It has more flavor, it has more strength, but it retains all of the same elegant and refined qualities as its smoother counterparts. That’s what is most impressive.

It’s hard to justify the nearly $10 per stick price, but I’ve really become a fan. There’s just something interesting and charming about this blend that keeps me wanting more. It’s perfect in the morning and can hold its own after a full meal. It’s surprisingly good anytime. So if you like Ashton, this takes it up a notch. And if you normally avoided Ashton, this size may make you think twice.