Reviews by Steve R

If you’re on our mailing list, you’ve likely seen Punch Bareknuckle on the cover. Eye-catching, no? Rightfully so, because I’ll say it up front: the mighty Punch brand was desperate for a blend like this.

Years ago, Punch was among the strongest blends on the market. Times have changed, new makers have entered the fray, powerful new tobaccos have been produced, and Punch quickly evolved into a classic brand with a classic flavor profile. All things considered, it is best described as medium-bodied, but incredibly consistent and expertly well-made. Unfortunately, today’s enthusiast demands more, and the Punch portfolio hasn’t grown to meet these demands.

Bareknuckle changes all that. At play, a dark and leathery sun-grown wrapper grown from Habano seeds in Ecuador, overtop a long-leaf blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers, laced with ample ligeros. While the use of these powerful tobaccos aren’t sugar-coated with rare growing techniques or proprietary fermentation processes, when blended by the masterminds inside the legendary Punch factory and combined with said factory’s unrivaled quality control, the possibilities are endless.

I’ve selected the Belicoso. Why? Well, surprisingly enough....it’s the first Belicoso ever to boast the mighty Punch band. Surprising, I know, but pleasantly so. The cigar opens in brutish fashion, dishing out a bold, meaty array of aggressive flavors. Earth, black tobacco, and leather smack my palate with each puff, followed by a long, toasty finish with (surprisingly) subtle spices. The cigar is rock hard but delivers a perfect draw, leading to a very slow and cool burn. About 10 minutes in and I’ve burned through less than an inch, and the flavors have gradually toned down, allowing more subtle nuances to surface....flavors that were no doubt hiding in the background. I now note a touch of oak and a soothing trace of coffee bean, just before the long, toasty finish sits on my taste buds each time I put the cigar down for a temporary rest. Complexity....something I’ve been wanting from Punch for some time.

But, what’s even better about this cigar is its underlying strength. Punch Bareknuckle is no doubt full-bodied, but deceivingly so. There’s a ton of flavor, which many folks will confuse with strength....but pay close attention to your gut, because you will feel the ligeros there. Your head won’t swim throughout the burn, but the methodical increase in strength from the first inch and beyond will leave you satisfied, as if you just polished off a juicy steak or plate of ribs.

The final leg is everything Punch should be. A rich, flavor-packed, bold bouquet with an interesting combination of noble and delicate flavors. Roll the smoke around in your mouth a bit before each exhale. Release some smoke through your nose. Focus on the warm, charcoal-like aroma wafting above. Three suggestions to truly appreciate this bold new face of Punch.

That’s my take on Punch Bareknuckle. A necessary blend to reinvigorate the legendary Punch brand, and reinstate its place among the industry’s premier full-bodied cigars.

This is the question I heard over and over (and over) throughout CIGARfest 2012. Indeed, aside from us hosting our 9th annual CIGARfest, which turned out to be a huge success for 6,000+ cigar lunatics, Ramon Bueso was the buzz word of the day, every day, between May 2nd and May 6th. So who is Ramon Bueso? Lemme fill you in with some back story.

The first tobacco farm in Honduras was located on Ramon's family's land. It was here where Ramon was first introduced to tobacco and the premium cigar industry. His passion grew, and he became a roller at the young age of 15, only to evolve into an instrumental voice and mind inside the mighty Villazon factory – the original, Honduran-based home of legendary brands such as Punch, Hoyo de Monterrey, and Excalibur....to name a few. He worked alongside Estelo Padron, Benji Menendez, and Frank Llaneza – some of the most powerful and influential men in the business. To put it simply, Ramon Bueso has been crafting, creating, and perfecting some of the industry’s biggest and best-known cigars for nearly 40 years, including many of the cigars you've likely had and enjoyed.

Back to CIGARfest 2012. The official launch of Ramon’s first full release, Genesis The Project. 6,000 faithful enthusiasts from the CI Nation were introduced to both Ramon and his creative genius, thanks to an aggressive approach and successful execution. What began as an unknown became one of the most talked about – and often raved about – cigars of the weekend, catching countless attendees by surprise, pleasantly. Many had a chance to sample the cigar before the main events, and the commentary was exciting, to say the least. In a nutshell and without warning, Ramon Bueso and Genesis The Project took CIGARfest by storm.

I’ll be honest with you. I am not writing a review here. I was lucky enough to receive a few dozen Genesis cigars throughout the event, and not one went to waste. No matter how many cigars I burned throughout the 5 days of madness – and trust me, I burned a ton – I found myself craving more of this cigar. My reason for this ‘Staff Review’ is not to give you my tasting notes on the cigar, but to urge you to get acquainted with it. Stars are born in this industry daily, and stars fade even faster. But Ramon is no star, nor does he want to be. He’s simply a simple cigar-maker with a tremendous level of tobacco knowledge and experience, and an innate ability to utilize this knowledge and experience through crafting a delicious, top-notch cigar.

Although simple, we cigar enthusiasts are a frugal, finicky bunch. We love cigars, but we have developed our preferred tastes, and always seek the best, new cigar to fit our needs at a price that fits our budget. We are rarely content with the norm. We are always looking to expand. It’s a never-ending circle of cigar-frenzied, smoke-filled madness, but the rewards are oh-so-sweet.

That’s me to a ‘T’ - does this sound like you? If so, consider Ramon Bueso a new avenue to expand. If you like bold, eventful cigars with complexity and richness, this cigar comes highly recommended by me as well as hundreds if not thousands of attendees at CIGARfest 2012. My suggestion: get acquainted with Ramon Bueso, because you’ll be seeing a lot of him in the near future.

A lot has happened since my last review. The Phillies collapsed. The Eagles have gone from the best team in the NFL, to the worst, to the best, then back to the bottom of the barrel about....oh, eleven times. MLS became the number 3 sport in America - I love soccer, but really? Kim Kardashian got married, again. And divorced, again....all while Gurkha released 17 new small-batch brands. During this time, I’ve been trying a ton of samples for future releases, but when I truly wanted to enjoy something special, I found myself reaching for the same cigar, over and over: Obsidian.

Obsidian is a brand that – at first glance – raises more questions than answers. The dark, mysterious appearance. The black, intimidating artwork. The obscure name and simple, yet appealing logo. Where did this brand come from? Who makes the Obsidian? Is it as powerful as it looks? Are the unconventional sizes part of the equation or merely a coincidence? Does the appealing appearance set the stage for an underwhelming performance....a la Paranormal Activity 3?

You’ll quickly notice, everything about Obsidian is dark. A pitch black box with minimal art. A tall, dark black band with the Obsidian name distressingly printed behind a simple rune. A dark and leathery Brazilian Habano ligero wrapper. A generous amount of dark, near-black tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican visible from the foot. Let’s shed some light on the darkness.

I chose the 5.5”x54 Robusto, the size I’ve been burning most frequently. It’s heavy in the hand, oily to the touch, and solid from head to toe. The pre-light aroma is sweet and zesty with a touch of barnyard. After a quick snip and toast, the easy draw produced thick, heavy clouds of aromatic gray smoke. Instantly, the wrapper takes center stage, consuming my palate with a sweet series of spices that linger long on the finish.

About a half an inch in, the Obsidian’s true colors shined through. A rich, chewy core of roasted nuances took center stage, with soft notes of leather, toast, and an underlying creaminess that seemed to cling to my taste buds after each puff.

One third of the way through, this generous Robusto evolves once again, unveiling a dense array of dark, unsweetened cocoa and espresso bean. The finish is peppery-sweet and the zesty aroma remains true to the pre-light inspection.

Shortly after the midway point, I realized I was in the final stretch as the Obsidian gradually moved from medium-bodied to medium-full and then ultimately full-bodied at the finale. The spices returned for a final hurrah, but never overpowered the rich, chewy flavors I’ve been enjoying thus far. This final half of every Obsidian has amazed me. All this complexity, all this evolution in taste sensations, but literally no harsh tones, bitter notes, or signs of imbalance at any point during the burn.

Then, the finale. After a long, cool burn, the 5.5”x54 Robusto is coming to an end. I could hold on a bit longer, clinging to an uncomfortable nub for just a few more minutes....but I’d rather just light up another and take my palate for another roller coasted ride – or, in the words of Gonz, another “plethora of roller coasters.” (WHAT?).

The Obsidian had me from first sight. Maybe it’s my exploratory nature. Maybe it’s my eagerness to try anything some might call offbeat....with edgy, unconventional art. Maybe it’s my employee discount. Whatever the case may be, Obsidian won my attention, and has kept it for 2 full months. I urge you to try this cigar, and hope you send me your feedback. I think you’ll love it....and can’t wait to hear the positive reviews.

We just finished up our Christmas catalog, and added a nifty little gift-buying section for all types of buyers. Some of us were chosen to play the role of everyday characters folks can relate to. Characters you work with, associate with, are related to, etc....characters best described as, ‘that guy.’ My character, in a word, was superficial. Makes a lot of money (completely false), prefers name brand stuff (depends on what I’m buying), and spends a lot of money (busted). Anyhoo, the cigar for ‘that guy’ is Cohiba Robusto. I lit one up for my photo, and decided to keep it burning to double-up on a review. Multitasking, check. Efficiency, check. Cutting costs, check. Yeah, I’m also ‘that guy’ - where you at, boss?

First off, this Cohiba certainly ain’t the prettiest cigar. The wrapper is mottled and marbleized. No biggie, sometimes I prefer a cigar rustic in appearance. It’s more genuine - more authentic - and seems less fabricated. It’s solid as a brick, though. No soft spots anywhere throughout the barrel. A slight barnyard aroma on the pre-light, a quick toast, and away we go.

There’s a good amount of rich, raw tobacco at play here. Not bad. But the thing that I enjoy most is the salt and pepper flavor I’m getting. Salt up front, pepper on the exhale. Not a spicy, lingering pepper. But a quick, cracked black pepper that diminishes with ease on the finish. Through the nose I get cedar and spice. Actually, if I exhale through the nose that black pepper on the palate lingers much longer. An enjoyable little discovery. After about an inch, the salt-like influence fades, the pepper remains, and a sweet, woodsy nuance takes center stage along with a softer hint of almond. Who knew Cohiba was this complex?

This is where the cigar remains ‘til the end. I’ll be honest, it burned a little fast but the flavors were pretty damn enjoyable....especially on a fresh palate paired with a cream and sugar ‘Great One’ from Dunkin. I’m drinking Dunkin, fool. This is a tasty, medium-bodied cigar with some good flavors at play. Now....mind you, I probably wouldn’t find myself buying a box of these anytime soon, but for the right price, this is a good buy. And we have enough ways to save on this brand to make them more reachable for the common man.

I have to say....I am pleasantly surprised. Don’t be fool by my 89-point score. Remember the days when 89 was ‘outstanding?’ Indeed, 92 seems to be the new 89. And if you compare this score to my previous scores, know that price is always a factor with me. If this were a $5 stick, we’d be playing a much different game.

With CIGARfest this weekend, time is of the essence. We’re all pumped as hell to welcome 3,000 cigar lunatics representing all 50 states, but let’s face it: it’s a lot of work and takes a lot of prep time. Work that’s fully worth it, but work that leaves little time for a staff review. Fortunately, I have some added incentive to write this review. Some inspiration if you will.

You see, every time I drive to work I listen to ESPN radio. I’m a huge Mike and Mike fan. And not a day goes by that I don’t hear the same silly commercial. A winery comparing buying wines to buying cars. “You wouldn’t buy a new car without test driving it, so why buy a wine without tasting it?”

Really? Comparing a bottle of (soon to be gone) vino to a car purchase? Seriously? Let’s face it. A decent bottle of wine can cost you as little as $10, even less by the box....eh, eh? Then there’s the rule of permanency....since the first bottle usually doesn’t last past appetizers, is it really vital to taste the wine before breaking it open with a spaghetti dinner? If you’re buying wine that’s so expensive it must be tasted, no questions asked, this review probably isn’t for you. Surely you light your expensive pre-embargo Cuban cigars once owned by Mark Twain with $20 bills, and have no room in your household - let alone mind frame - for a solid, buck-and-change cigar with [gasp!] no band. If you’re in my camp, celebrating the success of finding a delightful bargain knowing you might hit a homerun, but strike out now and then....read on.

Onto my review: Blue Label ‘B2.’ Like the original Blue Label, this sales stud hails from the Gran Habano factory of Honduras. If you’re familiar with Gran Habano, you know they have a knack for bringing quality, Cuban-esque handmades to the table for minimal coin....they’re always consistent and always delicious. Despite the modest price tag, ‘B2’ is no different. Available in 4 generous sizes, Blue Label ‘B2’ is packaged up in aging room fashion: hefty Cuban wheels of 30 with no bells or whistles, just a simple blue ribbon for a band.

I have the 6”x60 Double Toro in my hand. The wrapper is silky to the touch, thick, and durable. Like a piece of leather hugging a truckload of Nicaraguan and Panamanian long-fillers. If you’ve ever held a Gran Habano cigar, you know they come packed to the brim, heavy in the hand, and solid from head to toe. I find this size to be very enjoyable. A tame, medium-bodied bouquet full of flavor and charisma.

The cigar opens with a rich, slightly peppery blast of tobacco flavors. Thick clouds of smoke fill my palate and the air above, releasing a lovely aroma that’s earthy and zesty. Awesome. After a few minutes of burn time, a dense core of earth presents itself. The spices move to the finish, complementing a lovely sweetness from the dark Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. Midway through, things really get interesting. The cigar becomes very complex, thanks to a thick 60-ring comprised of bold, contrasting tobaccos. Sweet cedar, coffee bean, and leather join the fray and hit different parts of my palate as a sweetness is left on the tip of my tongue. The velvety smoke clings to all sides of my mouth, leaving behind a tingly spice that lingers long after each exhale. Full-flavored and medium in body, a great combo you’ll find in the Double Toro size. While the other three sizes tend to gain strength as they burn, this 6”x60 beast remains mellow and tame, something you could puff on constantly without sacrificing balance for harshness. I love it. The quality, the flavor, the smoothness, the consistency....it’s hard to find a bad thing to say about this cigar, especially when you factor in price.