Staff Reviews

As I quickly approach a half a century on this Third Rock from the Sun, I understand that there are some brand names that have become synonymous with what they are…Xerox is now a common term for a photo-copier, Kleenex is common for facial tissues, and well…Cohiba is synonymous with Cigars in my opinion. Being the General Manager of Cigar International Hamburg, the Largest Cigar Store out there, we have many people entering our store for the first time, and one thing is always true…they have heard of Cohiba. And why not, with such brands as the Red Dot, The Puro Dominica, and now the Cohiba Royale, it has solidified itself as one of the most recognized cigars out there.

The Iconic box won package of the year in 2020 from Halfwheel, the third time in a row for Cohiba, where the Spectre II tied with the Habanos S.A. Romeo y Julieta Grand Churchill in 2019, (it is similar, wherein the cigars are arched in the box and appear to be floating), and 2018 found the Cohiba Spectre getting packaging of the year. Although we shop with our eyes, we don't light up the box, so let’s talk about the cigar...

I find this cigar to be medium to full (8 of 10), marking it as the fullest Cohiba I have enjoyed to date. I will say, although strong, I don't find the Robusto to be overwhelming, I would say it is a very approachable, yet fuller cigar.

Appearance, the cigar is a beautiful dark brown with noticeable oils on the wrapper, there is some texture to the cigar, likely from the characteristics of Broadleaf veins, and possibly from the binder as well, however the cigar is well rolled. I am going to stash a few of these for 3-5 years, because I think these oils are going to crystalize and create a great plume.

Most notable to me on the first third was a molasses sweetness on the smooth pre-light draw, and even some mild pepper. Once lit, the pepper is really noticeable combined with a strong leather note. There is a sweet red wine fruitiness to the retro-hale, combined with a woody and toastiness on the palate. The finish is medium, with an oak note most predominate.

On the second third the pepper remains, and I think I noticed earthiness, which is likely form the Honduran filler or possibly the Broadleaf wrapper. There is also a hint of espresso on the smoke, the retro has stronger pepper, and the finish is a bit longer but still a damp oak.

The final third finds the earthiness building and I think the espresso I thought I found prior turned into a cocoa or other chocolate sweetness. As the cigar drew to an end, I found the pepper become a stronger crushed red pepper and a bit of baking spice develop…muting almost all the other notes. Since I love spicy cigars, this one fits me well. Flavors are a solid 9 of 10 for me. Enjoying this cigar with a fine bourbon is never a bad idea. I poured myself a few fingers of Four Roses Single Barrel and sipped along. I found the Four Roses complimented this cigar nicely, having similar profile in both body and sharing some of the same tasting characteristics.  

I had no burn issues or touch-ups needed, but I did have to relight, because I got a phone call and had to set the cigar down one time.  

Cigar: Comfortably Numb by Espinosa Vol. 1
Size: Toro (6.0"x52)
Burn time: 1 hour 40 minutes

I would wager a week’s pay that no one has purchased more Comfortably Numb by Espinosa Vol. 1 than this guy. As a YUUUGE Pink Floyd Fan, Comfortably Numb has long been my all-time favorite song since being introduced to it as a young guy by my sister Gayle in the 1980’s. So when this psychedelic banded cigar hit the store back in late January 2018 I immediately picked up a fiver of these. I was either going to love the cigar or have one put in a shadow box with the CD of Pink Floyd’s the wall, but one way or another I was going to enjoy seeing this cigar frequently. Little did I know that from the first time I fired up a Comfortably Numb Cigar, it would join my number one all-time favorite song as my all-time favorite medium bodied cigar! So why am I willing to wager a week’s pay on my purchase habit of this one…well, simply it is my any-day, any-time go-to cigar. Having an hour drive from home to work and back, I often pass that time with a cigar to make the commute on Route 78 more bearable. Well, Pink Floyd Radio on Pandora and a Comfortably Numb Volume 1 is almost a routine now on my commute. So, to say that I have purchased at least a box of these every month since February 2018 would be an understatement. At my last count, I had 38 empty boxes in my basement emblazed with the trippy Comfortably Numb by Espinosa Vol. 1 branding. But enough about my purchasing trends of this cigar…let’s discuss why I love this cigar the way I do.

As I have often said, we do shop with our eyes first, and the giant band on this cigar is hiding a beautiful and delicate Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The light tan smooth wrapper is a prelude to my enjoyment. It calms and puts me in the mood to fire one up every time I see it. I am greeted with a nice cedar aroma, and the pre-light draw offers pepper and cedar with a very smooth and even draw.

Giving it a guillotine cut and putting a few matches to the end of the cigar is where I say…”Hello, Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me…” That’s right, almost without fail, when I light this cigar I hear the iconic David Gilmore, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, and Nick Mason crescendo of notes playing in my head.  

So…”just the basic facts.” This solid medium cigar instantly delivers a smoky cedar and black pepper on the palate with a noticeable earthiness and sweetness on the smooth, short finish during the first third. During this time it can “ease my pain, and get me on my feet again.”

“I do believe it’s working, good”, as I get into the second third of this cigar. It is generally at this point I carefully peel off the oversized band as the cedar and spice increase. Almost on queue the tea and almond notes meld with a sweet bread-like taste as raisin and citrus combine with red pepper flake on the retro-hale.  

To “keep you going through the show”, the final third of this cigar is when I find intensity of flavor building almost like the iconic Gilmore guitar solo. Now I have smoked cedar, peat, and cashew notes building over dried fruit and baking spice on the retro-hale. The clean short finish makes me want to “have that feeling once again” and immediately grab another one of these and cut and light, but I rarely do (although I have a few times.)

So, in closing, reviewing an all-time favorite cigar has actually proven more difficult, because I know why I like this cigar, but putting it into words, well, I think Roger said it best…”I can't explain you would not understand, This is not how I am, I have become Comfortably Numb.”

Cigar brands come and go. 

Whether it’s due to a lack of quality tobaccos, changes in production requirements, a necessary re-branding, or a blend just being underappreciated, there’s an ebb and flow to the availability of many premium cigars. 

And typically in this tale as old as time, you’ll hear the same marketing refrain – new look, same blend! Or: “the classic you love with a new, contemporary band.” “A phoenix risen from the ashes”, “the prodigal son returns”, etc. Inevitably those cigars will return to the same level of sales they had before, and the “New Coke” vs. “Coca-Cola Classic” cycle will spin on. 

Today, we’ve got something a little different for you. The keen-eyed out there might recognize the Latitude Zero name as one that’s been around these parts before. However, this ain’t no “same blend, new look” story. 

Latitude Zero is all new. New look, new blend, new everything. And it’s good. Scratch that — it’s damn good. 

So what’s the deal? I’m glad you asked. 

Latitude Zero is rolled at NACSA, a little-known factory in Esteli, Nicaragua that has been secretly behind the scenes of some of your favorite cigars for decades. Seriously. You see, NACSA is the manufacturing arm of the Oliva Tobacco Family (not to be confused with Oliva Cigars, a different company that makes the ‘Oliva’ branded items like Serie V or Melanio). And the Oliva Tobacco Family is arguably the most prestigious and important grower of tobacco in the cigar industry today. If you’ve ever had a cigar with Ecuadorian leaf, chances are they grew it. In fact, Oliva Tobacco sells to Drew Estate, Arturo Fuente, Rocky Patel, Nick Perdomo, Don Pepin Garcia, and many more. Long and short: if you’ve tried more than a couple cigars in your day, chances are you’ve enjoyed the fruits of their labor.

Anyway, back to NACSA. Short for “Nicaraguan American Cigars, S.A”, this factory has access to all the premium leaves that Oliva Tobacco grows, and produces cigars for some truly prestigious clientele. Perhaps most famously, they make many of Steve Saka & Dunbarton’s current products, like Mi Querida and the Muestra de Saka Unstolen Valor. In fact, one rumor goes that NACSA was the factory that first figured out the fermentation technique used on Drew Estate’s Liga Privada No. 9 — but that’s neither here nor there. 

Besides the tobacco, NACSA has another secret weapon at their disposal. Raul Disla. Raul is the Production Manager at NACSA, and oversees all 65,000 cigars they roll per day. In addition to his attention to detail and strict quality control, Raul is a master blender in his own right, helping cigar makers who use NACSA pick the perfect tobacco for their products. Keep that name in the back of your head — I guarantee you’re going to hear it more and more in the next few years.

So that’s the pedigree with Latitude Zero. Blended by Raul Disla, at the industry’s best-kept-secret cigar factory, with tobaccos from the most renowned growers in the world. Interested? 

You should be, because this baby delivers in every way imaginable. Before you even get into the cigars themselves, just look at the gorgeous presentation on this brand. Open the simple, yet elegant, box and a detailed, hand drawn world map with beautifully embellished compasses and flourishes greets you. The small touches here are top-notch: the compass on the band is made up of tobacco leaves, and the cloth foot ribbon brings a level of polish to the whole affair. It’s a real looker.

On paper, this blend is not unique. But don’t let that fool you. An Ecuadorian Habano wrapper leaf sits atop Nicaraguan binder and long-filler. What is special about this one though is the quality and hue of that wrapper. I mean, just look at it! Dark, oily, and rich – in a blind test, I’d peg this as Broadleaf before I’d say Habano. That just shows you how masterful NACSA’s fermentation technique is. A lesser factory would never be able to get this color and performance out of their materials.

But now, the piece de resistance – the flavor. Lighting up Latitude Zero, I was instantly reminded of old school Liga Privada. Truly, this blend is reminiscent of the types of cigars that got me into this industry in the first place. It’s full-bodied but the flavor is shockingly smooth. For how dark the wrapper on this cigar is, you barely get any spice. Instead, sweet caramel leads the charge, with rich, dark chocolate joining shortly after. The cigar remains enjoyable to the end, with roasted nuts and a bit of dry cocoa flitting in and out throughout the back half. 

And the price. Come on! I kid you not, this cigar is worth easily double, maybe even triple the price. 

The recommendation here is easy folks — get yourself a box of Latitude Zero, use the money you save to grab a nice bottle of bourbon and a thick steak, and clear your weekend plans. You’re not going to want to leave the house as long as you have a couple of these around to enjoy. 

Ladies and gentlemen, AJ’s done it again.

Today, I’m going to be diving into the Man O’ War Valkyrie. This cigar from AJ Fernandez has been one at the top of my mind lately, and I want to explain to each of you just why that is. Get your credit cards at the ready, though, folks – without spoiling the punchline, this one’s a huge BUY from me. 

There’s a lot to talk about here, but I want to mention very quickly up top the Desflorado wrapper that AJ utilizes on this cigar. It’s very rare, and you typically only see it on uber-high end (and expensive) sticks like Davidoff or Padron Damaso. Peep our write up above this review real quick for a little more info on the process to make this leaf.

Back? Good. Let’s toast this sucker up and get started.

The flavor on Man O’ War Valkyrie is brilliant from the beginning, as each draw delivers a smooth mixture of cream, cedar, and very slight hits of pepper. That combination of words together is nothing new. Hell, check out almost any review of a Connecticut wrapped stick on this site, and you will easily find the same phrase. However, the way Valkyrie delivers this to you is truly unique. Each note melds together in one, as Valkyrie delivers a flavor unlike anything I’ve had before. Familiar, but exotic – simple, but elegant. 

Truly, cigars like this remind me over and over that we are witnessing a generational talent, a true master of his craft, in AJ Fernandez.

As the Churchill I’ve chosen to light up continues to burn, let’s talk about the other Connecticut line in the Man O’ War arsenal – Virtue. There’s one question I feel I have to address: is one better than the other? If you’ve always smoked Virtue, should you switch to Valkyrie? 

For me, there’s space in the humidor for both. 

Virtue was AJ’s first exploration with the “new wave” Connecticut trend that has dominated the market over the last decade. For those unfamiliar, these blends define themselves by packing a lot more flavor and traditionally, a lot more spice, into a Connecticut than one might expect from something like a Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real or a Macanudo Café. 

And Virtue absolutely fits that bill. While the body of the cigar is mellow enough that you can light it up first thing in the morning, the flavor is just as full as a traditional Man O’ War or Ruination. There’s a lot of toastiness. Warm, spicy notes dominate the game, and the cigar is a perfect companion to a sweet, creamy drink like a cappuccino to help balance out the sharper notes of the blend.

Valkyrie is a different animal. While there is some spice, it’s rather light, and the finish is clean and short. No lingering flavor on the palate. What that means is that this is a cigar, in my mind, best enjoyed without an accompanying beverage. Adding a cup of coffee to the samples I enjoyed actually dampened the experience – there’s a lot of subtlety and balance to Valkyrie, and it tends to be a “blink and you might miss it” experience. In short, Valkyrie is a cigar best enjoyed by giving yourself over to it. 

For my money, that makes Valkyrie slightly better than Virtue if I had to choose between the two. I’m sure the times we’re living in contribute to this. When I’m looking to enjoy a cigar nowadays, it’s to take a break from the non-stop cycle of crazy news and hectic emails. I want something that will slow me down, that provides an experience in itself, as opposed to my normal routine of smoking cigars as a background to clearing out my inbox, grilling, or hanging out with friends. 

Coming back to the cigar, Valkyrie finishes much as it began. Bready notes enter the mix, with some of the creaminess petering out, and the cigar edging a tad closer to medium-body, though still staying just slightly shy of the mark. 

I’m adding Valkyrie to my regular purchase list for a few reasons. As a fan of AJ’s work, trying a blend where he utilizes a wrapper out of his normal rotation is already an awesome experience. As a lover of Connecticuts, it’s great to find a cigar that provides so much richness without strength. And as a guy who’s lucky enough to get to burn cigars for a living, it’s very refreshing to have one that truly knocks my socks off. 

Long story short, this is an easy recommendation for me. The Churchill rules the roost as my favorite size, though I’ve enjoyed the Robustos I sampled immensely as well. Whatever size you go with, I guarantee you’re going to love it. 

(Wake up & Smell the Roses!)

Most people don’t start their day with a powerhouse cigar. But it’s February in Pennsylvania, and while the weather has been all over the place lately precipitation-wise, there’s one thing it’s been steadily, and that’s cold. Sure, it might not be below freezing every day, but cold is cold, right? And when I’m shivering on my way to the office, I generally lean towards the stronger stuff.

There’s just something about a real heavy, full-bodied cigar that warms my soul. In the summer I want something with an airy, crisp finish, but in the winter, nothing but those palate-busting, earth-laden spice bombs will do. That’s why for breakfast this morning I reached for a new release from the factory that produces a good number of my favorite spice-bombs: The La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial, made by the one and only Don Pepin Garcia in Nicaragua.

Now for those who have been around the block a few times, La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial should be a familiar name. The La Aroma de Cuba bearing the ‘EE’ on the secondary band has been with us since ‘08 but received a bit of a reblending before being rereleased in early 2020. On paper, the blend remains the same: Nicaraguan long-fillers covered by a Nicaraguan binder and Ecuador Havana wrapper, just like before. The difference is in the primings, the parts of the plant from which the leaves are pulled. The tobacco used in the updated version come from higher up on the plant and exhibit more strength & complexity than the original. I haven’t burned the original EE recently enough for it to be fresh in my mind to compare, but I can say that as far as my tastes are concerned, the updated version fits the bill perfectly.  

For this tasting, I went with the No. 1 size, a 5 5/8” x 46 Corona Gorda. The wrapper is chestnut-brown and oily, with a little bit of tooth and very little give when squeezed. Overall a beautiful specimen, and when run under the nose gives off aromas of barnyard, leather, coffee, and a touch of citrus. The draw was a bit tight, but by no means unenjoyable, and the cold draw carried notes of earth, coffee, and bread. It took a light from my soft-flame lighter without fuss.

While this might not be everyone’s cup of tea (pun intended) for a morning cigar, to me it’s the ultimate wake-up smoke. For starters, the dominant flavors throughout are coffee, cocoa, spice, and earth. Naturally, this makes for an excellent pairing with my daily cup of strong black coffee. The coffee and earth are there from the beginning, but the spice and cocoa come into the picture in the first third and steadily rise as the burn approaches the band. I would peg the first half as medium-full in body, and while there is some strength, it won’t put you on your ass. After the halfway point, the flavor is kicked up a notch, and the spice and pepper rise to join coffee, earth, and cocoa in the dominant up-front notes. There’s a bit more sweetness in the finish of the second half, which is more apparent with a retrohale, but it’s still not enough to make me describe this stick as ‘sweet’. 

While Don Pepin has long been a favorite cigar producer of mine, La Aroma de Cuba is a brand I overlook too often. The reblended Edicion Especial has inspired me to take another run through their portfolio, especially before the weather warms up again and I move to less heavy selections. Overall, a very satisfying cigar that’s strong, but not inaccessibly so. And can’t forget the burn, razor straight all the way down with no touchups required. Bravo Don Pepin, this stick was the perfect way to start the day.