Reviews by Steve R

When word got out about a new, maduro version of the top-selling 5 Vegas Gold, I instantly grew nervous. The Connecticut-wrapped Gold Series is the golden goose of the 5 Vegas line, a mellow but flavorful stud that outsells bigger name brands like Macanudo and Ashton. You don’t want to mess with that kind of success. However, I soon learned that 5 Vegas Gold Maduro would be sporting my beloved Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper, making me eager to sample the blend. A mellow-bodied cigar using this thick and chewy leaf as a blanket? This could be good....damn good.

I was in Nicaragua a couple weeks ago and had the pleasure of sampling the new 5 Vegas Gold Maduro right off the rolling tables of Nestor Plasencia’s massive Segovia factory. This factory is gorgeous. A massive operation full of top rollers crafting some of the industry’s biggest brands, an endless tobacco inventory with countless varieties, a beautiful central courtyard with a 10-foot fountain, and a labyrinth of hallways leading to various bodegas, aging rooms, storage rooms, and even a separate rolling floor and team of torcedores specifically made for the 5 Vegas brand.

But I digress, back to the cigar. Upon first glance, this cigar is dark as night with a thick, toothy wrapper glistening with natural oils. No doubt, this PA Broadleaf wrapper is legit. Each cigar is well-packed and feels heavy in the hand with not a single soft spot to be found. There’s a slight barnyard aroma when smelling the foot, and a touch of sweet tobacco on the nose.

The cigar opens with a warm, toasty bouquet and charcoal-like aroma. The smoke is thick and heavy on the palate, coating my taste buds with a silky, chewy feel. White pepper finishes the first few puffs and is more prominent through the nose. Had I not known that this cigar was mellow to medium in body, I might have assumed I was in store for a medium to full or full-bodied ride. After the initial few puffs, the rich maduro wrapper takes over, taming the aged Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers within. The bouquet is soon dominated by meaty notes of coffee and dark tobacco, while the smoke leaves my palate in butter-smooth fashion with each exhale. Yeah, this is nice. A supremely rich and toasty bouquet deep in dark, maduro flavors without the kick. Midway through and I’m still enjoying rich notes of coffee. The white ash is perfectly straight, no flakes, and seems to be holding on with both hands. I tapped it off to produce a lovely cone at the foot of the cigar. A subtle sweetness now enters the fray, as the filler leaves mellow further into a rich, smooth array of sophisticated flavors, letting the thick broadleaf wrapper take control. This sweetness becomes somewhat oaky in the final third and remains a major player til the end. Coffee, toast, oak, dark tobacco, and sweet notes....while never leaving the mellow to medium-bodied realm. Lots of flavor, no oomph, and my temptations caused me to spark up another right when the first was finished.

Since returning to Pennsylvania I’ve burned through at least two dozen of these cigars, and handed out equally as many at a BBQ last weekend - I think I made a few new friends.

If you are primarily enjoy mellow-bodied cigars with Connecticut wrappers - or, if you are hesitant to try anything darker than Connecticut-seed - I urge you to try this cigar. It truly shows that darker does not mean stronger, and is a perfect gateway to bigger, bolder flavor profiles without going up in strength. Additionally, if you're a fan of Macanudo Maduro, Ashton Maduro, Gurkha Doble Maduro....while those are all great cigars, I think this may become a new favorite.

In case you haven’t seen our latest catalog, get on it, son. We have some mighty fine deals in there, let alone some fantastic new blends....in addition to the return of classic gems such as this: La Perla Habana. Currently, the Black Pearl and Classic are here, in house, and the Morado, Rojo, and Cobre are on the way. Since the Black Pearl was one of my favorite cigars many moons ago, I’ve decided to revisit this dark and oily lovely to see if we can’t spark the flame once more.

Years ago, this cigar was pitch black. But that’s comparing it to the rest of the blends on the market. Today, it’s as dark as many maduros....but I’ll be damned if it ain’t pretty to look at. The Brazilian Arapiraca is black as night with minimal veins and maximum oils - you may know, this is one of my favorite wrapper varieties. The pre-light aroma has hints of barnyard with a sweet tobacco note.

Upon lighting, a rush of rich and toasty nuances smack my palate. Dark tobacco and charcoal backed by a subtle spice that lingers on the tip of my tongue. The smoke wafting overhead is warm and rich with a unique oily note. After a half inch, I already begin feeling this cigar in the pit of my stomach. I wouldn’t call it full-bodied, but this Black Pearl no doubt has some meet on its bones. An inch in and the spice has become much more mellow, and the bouquet is now displaying a deep, oaky note with toasty influence. After a solid 30 minutes I’m just past the midway point. This slow-burning cigar - the 6.25” x 52 Belicoso - is pumping out a ton of thick, gray smoke right now and the flavor has yet to back down. In fact, the spice that I noticed in the first inch is now creeping its way back up the sides of my palate, while oak and toast remain in the center. Through the nose the smoke is surprisingly smooth with a touch of red pepper. In the final third the bouquet develops a dense earthy tone, which is likely the result of the zesty Mexican tobaccos within. I love it, it’s mingling with the increased spice quite nicely and remains a focal point down to the final inch and a half. The finale is assertive yet balanced - a culmination of spice, oak, toast, and earth all wrapped inside a tidy package with a purdy bow on top.

It’s been a while since I’ve nubbed a cigar. Maybe there’s a nostalgia factor at play here, or maybe the cigar really is that good, but I nubbed this Belicoso until it became too hot to handle. Tasty.

Since writing this review, I’ve burned a handful of Black Pearls in the Belicoso size to ensure consistency is still spot on - back in the day these babies burned exactly the same, cigar after tasty cigar. Much to my delight, nothing has changed - outside of a slight uptick in strength with a couple sticks - which will likely change with a little humi-time - the flavor is spot-on and delicious with every puff.

On the prowl for a dark, toasty maduro with ample complexity and impressive balance? You can’t go wrong here. Just beware, because every now and then one of these Black Pearls may mellow you a bit....but if you’re anything like me, that won’t faze you one iota.

note: we received a rush shipment of pre-packed mazos of 5, but don’t worry, full boxes will be here any day now!

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.

Finding a mellow-bodied cigar with substance can be tough. Tougher still is finding a mellow-bodied handmade with enough gusto to rival the likes of Ashton and Davidoff, without the hefty price tag. Well, one has arrived from the most unlikely of sources: Graycliff.

First some info on Graycliff. This Bahamas-based factory is tiny, housing a mere dozen Cuban-born rollers that – combined – craft just a couple thousand cigars each day. A drop in the bucket compared to a brand like Macanudo, where daily production is well over 100,000 cigars. These rollers were trained by none other than the late Avelino Lara, the Cuban-born cigar legend known best for creating the original Cuban Cohiba. To this day, Graycliff utilizes the rarest, aged tobaccos in uber-small-batch fashion to craft some of the world’s most prestigious blends and priciest cigars. A veritable breeding ground for luxury, including award-winning cigars ranked among the world’s finest.

Enter Graycliff ‘G2,’ the factory’s pioneer blend into the realm of mellow-bodied boutique handmades. Each cigar is seamless in appearance with a chestnut, chocolate brown hue. The blend is comprised of Connecticut wrappers grown under the natural valley mists of Ecuador and aged, Cuban-seed long-fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican. The aroma is soft but pleasant – some barnyard, but mostly sweet tobacco and cedar.

Off the bat, the smoke is notably rich and creamy in nature. Very creamy, in fact. The smoke is thick and heavy, leaving a velvety texture on the palate with each puff. The aroma is toasty and woodsy, enjoyable. After a few minutes I get into the meat of the cigar, and pick up a distinct doughiness, like baked bread....something I have only found in one other cigar – that I can recall. I love this nuance, and if you read through my past reviews you’ll know what I am talking about. It’s coupled with a toasty, nutty note from the Ecuadorian wrapper and a rich, leathery flavor from the Nicaraguan tobaccos. The Dominican tobaccos lend a sweet tobacco flavor that complements these unique flavors quite nicely. For a mellow-bodied cigar, the ‘G2’ is complex....these flavors are not subtle, nor are they overpowering. And the best part is, they are presented throughout the entire smoke in a balanced and soothing fashion. This truly is a full-flavored, mellow-bodied cigar with rich, satisfying qualities....but one that’s mellow enough for anytime enjoyment. The bouquet does not get harsh or grow more intense at any point during the burn. There are no twists or turns....just a solid, straightforward cigar that’s flavorful from start to finish.

I am impressed and – to be honest – surprised. Many mellow-bodied cigars are just that: mellow airballs with nothing more than tobacco flavors going on, which is why I lean more towards medium and full-bodied blends. This is not one of them, and considering the price per box I can easily find myself adding Graycliff to my regular rotation – something I never thought I’d say.

Rarely do I have a chance to sit down and truly enjoy a cigar. As a member of the CI Merch Squad, I am constantly testing samples for potential blends, writing descriptions for new brands, or providing feedback for upcoming new releases. Yes, I enjoy many of these cigars and some are true gems, but having the freedom to dig deep into my humidor to find something I’ve been craving is rare at times.

Sunday was one of those rare occasions. I spent the better part of my day painting doors while listening to Peyton Manning graciously give Mark Sanchez a mere glimpse of an AFC title before ripping it away from him like the true, cold-blooded champion and football technician he is. After Peyton marched his team down for their last touchdown, I headed to the humidor for a quick cigar before Brett Favre took the field. To save time, I chose the cigar to be during halftime: Cuba Libre.

Cuba Libre is one of those cigars that cigar purist love. Traditional and simple, yet attractive packaging. No bells, no whistles....it’s all class. The same goes for the blend. This cigar does not contain 12-generation Cuban seeds grown in the virgin soils of a tiny Honduran valley bordering Nicaragua. Cuba Libre does, however utilize quality Cuban-seed tobaccos from the Jalapa Valley of Honduras inside a toothy Corojo wrapper. An expertly blended recipe of hand-selected tobaccos chosen to achieve a satisfying balance in flavor and strength. No promises that cannot be kept, just a good Honduran handmade for the cigar purist to enjoy.

This particular Cuba Libre has been aging in my humidor for some time now – probably a year - so consider this when reading my review. I will say, Cuba Libre is great off the rolling table, issuing a raw, earthy profile replete with heady spices and a feisty Cuban-esque character. However, as you know....not every cigar ages well, and the power of a full-flavored cigar can easily be lost after spending a significant amount of time in the humidor.

The first light offered a ton of earth and leather, followed by a toasty, charcoal-like aroma. Lots of flavor off the bat, just like I expected. However, it’s not until I broke the half-inch mark when the true character of this cigar came out. I picked up a solid dose of oak and toast, with some notes of pepper hitting the back of my palate and through the nose. Not scratchy, ‘this is harsh’ pepper....rather, a ‘freshly cracked black pepper’ pepper. The smoke was creamy and heavy, filling my entire palate and leaving behind a long, woodsy aftertaste. Midway through it became clear that Cuba Libre still possessed the same power one would notice right off the factory floor. And thanks to the tamed-by-time bouquet, the gradual increase in power is easily discernable – and actually quite enjoyable. The final third contains no pepper on the palate (exhale through the nose, it’s still there) but offers an increased array of earth, leather, and toast. Then, rather than ending will a full-bodied, full-flavored display, the flavors wind down a tad, becoming mellow in nature only to dish out large volumes of creamy, soothing smoke without losing the power it’s known for.

Cuba Libre offers no frills and requires no marketing. It’s just a solid, no-nonsense cigar that customers re-order after sampling just a few. It’s one of those, ‘the proof is in the pudding’ handmades that customers constantly recommend to others in the deepest corners of our Super-Store....as if they want to save them all for themselves. (Don’t worry folks, they’ll make more.) And now that I took the time to sit back and enjoy a finely aged Cuba Libre I can honestly say, it’s even better after a long cedar nap.