Staff Reviews

You can read the story of how we got these by clicking the link above. In short, it's designed to be a Knock-off of the Dominican Montecristo in flavor and appearance. Unfortunately, they goofed (b/c we could really use an alternative to the high-priced Montecristo.) It's a a mixed-filler cigar with a slightly burned CT-shade leaf (that looks like a Sumatra instead), loosely filled, but pretty. Yes, I said pretty. It's not offensive in appearance, the name is offensive - Montecristo "Mistakes". I can't smoke a friggin mistake. With great hesitation, and a mean-ass look from the higher-ups, I look forward to this like I look forward to preparing my tax returns.

I'm trying the torpedo "Mistake" at 6" and about 50 ring. It resembles the Montecristo No. 2 in shape-only. The wrapper is somewhat silky like the Montecristo, but it's too damn dark. It lights up like a torch - keep your arms and legs inside the moving tram, this is going to be quite a ride. The cigar is lit in 2 seconds MAX. Whoah!!! The smoke that bellows from this baby just smoked out my office mate. Sorry Larry - mucho smoko! I wasn't expecting it, my office cube now looks likes a head shop. I could really use a lava lamp to add to the ambience. Anyway, I digress.

The smoke is fulfilling (and a little overwhelming), but quite easy going in flavor. The burn is perfect - dark grey ash that holds surprisingly well for a mixed-filler cigar. The flavor holds its own, but won't knock your socks off. It burns fast and smooth. With the ridiculously low temperatures we've had up here in the Northeast, you can get in and out without freezing your butt off. I warn you, don't light this inside, your wife will flip - I'm not kidding about the smoke. The taste leaves a slight tingle in the back of the tongue. I can't identify it and it's not offensive - it actually adds a bit to the flavor.

I can't emphasize enough how well this thing burns. I only have 1/4 left and it has held very well. Other than the loose-fill, you would never know this is a mixed-filler cigar. It's a shame this was a mistake. We could sell these for $60 or $70 a bundle if it wasn't a "mistake." I need to talk to management, we need to change the name.

I just found out they're selling these for about $30 a bundle. That's a good deal. Since I lost my shirt last week at poker, I'm going to bring a bundle of these, take off the bands, and tell them their Cuban Montecristos. They'll never know the difference. Don't think of this brand as a "Mistake" and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Oh, how do I summarize thee:
- mucho smoko! Don't smoke this in the house
- silky, Sumatra-looking Connecticut-shade wrapper
- quick smoke
- good theory, bad execution
- well worth a $1.50 per stick

The latest version of this brand was just released about a month ago and it does not disappoint. This time, a similar Dominican fill with just the right amount of oomph! that makes your tongue tingle, yet a very dark (almost black) maduro wrapper. It's not like a traditional, slightly sweet, CT broadleaf maduro. Rather, more like an extra-dark Sumatra wrapper. The Churchill I just lit torches up with incredible ease. The draw is easy, even at over 7 inches, and the smoke is not over-powering. I wish I could describe the flavor more poigantly. It leaves no chalky, dry throat aftertaste. It's just smooth and even better than I remember. It burns even and neat. The ash will hang until you're ready to push it off. The maduro wrapper feels slightly oily to the touch and very well-manicured.

This cigar is a great change of pace and will enlighten all of your senses. The Churchill seems huge, burning slow, giving you a solid 1.5 hours. I think this cigar would be perfect for a port wine or perhaps an after-dinner brandy. I wish I had one of those handy, but buying port wine or brandy just isn't in my vocabulary. So, I reach for Keystone Premium Lager (really, at $8.95 a case it does taste just like Coors.) The most surprising feature is the body. So easy going in flavor, it still offers that oomph! I knew from the Dark Shark of old. The maduro wrap softens it considerably, and it does seem mellower, but I'm just giddy how pleasant this cigar is.

So where does the bad and ulgy come into play. Well, in the name obviously. How does a company market the name Dark Shark with a goofy, almost cartoon image of a shark bursting through a hole on the box and label? Obviously, they give away freebies like a free t-shirt with every box. That's what we're doing. The sad thing is you shouldn't have to. The cigar speaks for itself, so try just a 5-pack and you won't be disappointed.

The finish is just as solid as the start. It might be a little green - I had to relight about 3 times, but give it a few weeks in the humidor and this baby will shine. I smoked it down to about 2 inches and it started to get a little hot, but the flavor held through and through. Well, my head is getting a little wobbly, so I better run.

Slow-Aged is a good looking bundled cigar, available in one size only, a 6”x52 toro called ‘Glorioso’. Prior to smoking my first 2, I knew nothing about this cigar. Since then, I’ve learned that the natural wrapper is a dark Connecticut shade leaf and the filler is a blend of three different Nicaraguan tobaccos. Perdomo, bundle, bargain, toro, complex...and I haven’t even talked about how it smokes, yet! So, I’ll do that now. It smokes great! I’m only about a quarter of the way through my bundle so far, but I can tell this one’s a winner. Each cigar performed beautifully. The burn was slow, cool and stayed even from start to finish. The flavor was rich and smooth. I noticed a unique trace of coffee and cocoa complemented by a slight creaminess that gradually became more robust as the cigar burned. Although Slow-Aged is not as full-bodied as the rest of Perdomo’s arsenal, it has some noticeable pop that will get’cha if you’re on an empty stomach or had your fill of Schlitzes. But the real focus with this cigar is on flavor. Well rounded, mature and never overwhelming, the Glorioso is a cool burning handmade that puts out a generous dose of refined flavor that’s easy on the palate. The aftertaste is subtle, but lingers just long enough to keep you satisfied. I like everything this cigar has to offer. The glossy, darker than usual Connecticut shade wrapper, the bold, complex flavors, the perfect draw. All this for a price that’s second to none. Once again, Tabacalera Perdomo scores big points.

Every winter, I get into this rut. I feel like I'm always running the 2 minute drill. You football nuts out there know what I'm talking about. The no huddle offense. Move the ball quickly, plow forward, hope the defense goes into the "prevent" defense, or as I refer to it - the "prevent winning" defense. Anyway, about February of each year, this happens. Go go go go go go go go. I start hoping that by running a hundred miles per hour, it'll make winter go by quicker. And this year has been brutal, abso-spectacularly brutal - snow, cold, ice, snow, rain, sleet, sideways snow. And occasionally the sun will come out and just tease ya a little bit - man I've got the cabin-fever real bad. My winter habit - work 12 hours, go home, have dinner, work a few more hours - tear off another 1/2 dozen emails to my fans, watch B-movies until 2am, go to bed, then get up at 6am to start all over again. (Anyone out there see a movie called Miracle Beach with Amy Dolenz - what a classic! If you haven't seen it, rent it, it's the greatest B-movie of all time.) That's my routine, all the while choking down cigar after cigar to keep my glazed eyes from closing. Every night I dream it's going to be 50 degrees when I wake up and I'll actually be able to see grass in my backyard (How do some of you actually live in Michigan and Green Bay.)

So, here we go, 2 minute drill on Gonz's pick too, I'm taking you to the end-zone. Cu-Avana Maduro on 2, ready, break! You can't go wrong with this play and it'll catch the defense way off guard. For those of you that emailed me on that my Cu-Avana Connecticut Shade pick was too mellow for ya, don't turn me off yet. This medium-bodied, slightly spicy, tasty maduro wrapper has real depth of flavor. Coming off of a month where I smoked a bunch of Indian Tabac Corojos, the flavor profile on this gem still fancied my tastebuds. Don't expect a ligero-filled choke-ster that grows hair on your chest with the first puff, but grab hold of the fantastic flavor that'll roll off your tongue. The Connecticut Broadleaf is georgeous, slightly toothy, and slighty oily. The cigar is solid, packed well, impeccably rolled. Go ahead, light it up, take a chance, I just threw you a bomb into the end zone.

You'll immediately get a chalky-white firm ash that'll hold and drop, not flake and fly. The draw requires a little tug, I love it best when I can let a cigar hang out of my mouth for a 1/2 hour while shoveling snow and I don't choke on it. This is probably one of the finest maduros I've smoked. Why? The wrapper provides the depth of flavor that you might find missing in tamer cigars. I never had a favorite Maduro before, but there are nuances of sweet cocoa that caress a potentially flat flavor and it keeps me running out of the huddle for the next play. Plus, if you're in the mood for a couple cigars today, the all-Dominican-filler is not going to rock your boat, but keep you interested enough to press on. You won't find a dull finish, there's a lingering body but still dissipates from the surrounding room quickly.

As I break out of winter, I've found something to look forward to each day - a great cigar like Cu-Avana Maduro. And I can't wait 'till this weather clears and I can actually sit on the porch, slow down, and get out of this 2-minute panic that keeps me wondering if we're hitting the next Ice Age. Throw me into the igloo with a few boxes of Cu-Avana Maduro, and I'm happier than a penguin floating aimlessly on a block of ice in Antarctica.

Examining this cigar alone is enough to make you weak in the knees, especially the Gran Consul. Pick it up and see for yourself. It’s thick, dense and hosts a sizable portion of ligero. Look at the foot: you see that black tobacco? That’s ligero – AKA tobacco Novocain. The reddish Nicaraguan sun-grown wrapper makes this chunky robusto look and smell like an Ashton VSG on steroids. The abundance of ligero lends a peppery tinge to the pre-light aroma, which is subtle but nice. After a few minutes of preparation, including a bite to eat, it’s time to step up to the plate and get-gettin’ with this powerhouse. The initial draw requires a little effort and as expected the flavor is peppery off the start. Just as the spiciness begins to fade, the draw opens up a bit, allowing me to truly appreciate the fine qualities of this cigar. The Nicaraguan fillers are rich and smooth with hints of wood. The Nicaraguan-grown Ecuadorian wrapper offers the slightest bit of sweetness that’s easy to miss due to its robust, leathery profile. About 2/3 of the way through, I realize that the hidden power of this cigar has snuck up on me once again, and decide to put my double espresso aside for a bit. There’s no doubt the Antaño is strong. Even those that enjoy the strongest of cigars on a regular basis cannot deny its strength. But the lively taste is so involved it’s hard to focus on anything but the wealth of unique, interesting flavors. And last but not least, the thick ring gauge burns slow and cool, providing maximum time to appreciate the work put into the cigar. All this for just $3 a stick. Yeah, Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 definitely scores big in my book.