Reviews by Steve R

It’s safe to say Don Diego cigars are made well. I can’t recall receiving complaints about the quality or construction of this brand. It’s the recipient of numerous favorable ratings from various cigar magazines and commands prices anywhere from $4 to $7 per stick (well, not at CI). Holding the cigar in my hand, a hefty 6”x50 Grande, I can easily agree with these statistics. A sweet, cedary aroma works hand in hand with a thin, vein-free wrapper to scream, “Pick me, I’m gentle!” to passersby. And gentle it is. Smooth, gentle and crisp. Not bad, especially if you’re new to cigars, or the exact opposite, a loyal veteran that refuses to try something new. I find that a lot from those that smoke old brands like these...Don Diego, Henry Clay, Hoyo de Monterrey etc. Come on fellas, variety is the spice of life! But I digress. The chestnut-brown Connecticut shade wrapper is incredibly smooth, and lends a straight burn from first spark up, while the Dominican and Brazilian long-fillers turn to a solid pale-grey ash. The aroma remains pleasant, and will surely please any crowd. The flavor, that’s another story. These days, I find this cigar doesn’t have enough character to please my palate, which is growing more critical by the hour. The flavor is pleasant, and mellow. Offering the slightest hint of cedar. No bells, no whistles, just a crisp tobacco flavor that diminishes hastily after each puff. If I smoked 1 cigar every few days, Don Diego might stand a chance, but I’m up to 2-3 a day lately. That kind of rotation calls for something with a little more substance. There’s nothing wrong with mellow, as long as there’s some complexity to add a little excitement. Sorry Don Diego, things just aren’t going to work out.

Like any true cigar enthusiast, I decided to give this cigar a second try. I mean, I take ratings with a grain of salt, but do notice that most cigars manage to ‘walk the walk’ when it comes to a score from Aficionado. I will admit, the cigar is pretty to look at. Coal-black wrappers with a nice bumpy texture and oily sheen sharply pressed into a square. Heavy in the hand, this little cigar has an inviting aroma. Maybe I was too critical the first time around? As I sit here smoking my second Mini Belicoso from the 5-pack I purchased just last week, I am starting to think that my first impression was not a fluke. When I look at this cigar I think to myself, “buttery smooth”, “super rich” and “powerful”. Maybe it’s because most cigars of this form) maintain these characteristics (Torano Exodus, IT Super Fuerte, Astral TVS). Unfortunately, these thoughts are not running through my head as I smoke it. Indeed, it’s incredibly well-made and consistent, and offers an enjoyable, smooth flavor. However, its alluring appearance hints at what it lacks: deep, dark, rich flavors that shift my taste buds into 5th gear. While I would recommend this cigar to those wanting to enter the darker realm of maduro wrappers or bigger name brands, I cannot see myself giving it a ‘94’. It walks well, but not that well.

When we first received samples of this new line, I was ecstatic – it’s absolutely gorgeous and the flavors follow suit. Since I just finished my samples and the experience is fresh in my mind, I’ll cut right to the chase and explain the flavor. Connecticut generates an abundance of ultra-smooth, earthy notes that coat your palate to the nub. It’s just that simple. There are no hints of leather, no notes of white pepper, and although I tried my hardest, red wine and floral nuances could not be found. Nope, none. Just a clean, crisp earthiness, coating my palate in a smooth, velvety manner. Exactly how a premium, mellow to medium bodied Honduran should smoke. The aftertaste seems to last forever after each puff, allowing you to fully enjoy the genuine flavors produced by quality Honduran tobaccos. The wrapper does its job well, taming the blend into a sit back ‘n relax, mellow strength that can be enjoyed anywhere, any time, any day. And quality hardly comes into play. Rocky Patel is on the ball, and each roll is perfect. There’s nothing more I can really say about this cigar. It’s solid in every aspect. If you enjoy Rocky’s cigars and want a nice, relaxing cigar to break the monotony of your full bodied selection, this cigar is an absolute must.

It’s safe to say the quality and consistency of Victor Sinclair cigars are top-notch, and the Vintage Select is no exception. The other day we received a small shipment of Torpedos, which has already sold out, but I managed to score one of the boxes. (Don’t worry, more are arriving any day now) Anyway, I’ve since smoked close to half the box, and every single cigar was just like the last. Each is beautifully constructed using a silky Brazilian Maduro wrapper and a hefty blend of Cuban-seed Dominican tobaccos, including a generous helping of Dominican Olor. This mixture makes for an extraordinary assortment of flavors. The wrapper has a naturally fermented sweetness that’s subtle but nice, while the fillers offer a robust character that hints at roasted coffee, with an underlying rich creaminess. The aftertaste is long and pleasant, leaving a dark, espresso-like flavor on my palate. Incredibly smooth right up to the nub, it ends with a velvety, full-flavored finish. Tasty. It’s not full-bodied, but boy is it satisfying.

The Vintage Select will please just about anyone. No spice, harshness or dizzy-spells, just a smooth, rich, flavorful cigar that maxes out a medium-bodied. I really hope this cigar does better this time around – it deserves it, easily.

It’s 3 in the afternoon and I’ve got a craving for a good smoke. Brandon was kind enough to give me a Sun Grown from his employee purchase, and although I’m on an empty stomach, I think it will fit the bill. Smell, snip, light and away we go. Right off the bat I am hit with an assortment of unique flavors. The dark sun-grown wrapper leaves a slightly sweet aftertaste on my lips while I pick up a subtle nuttiness, almost like toasted peanuts. Surprisingly enough, I’ve yet to receive any spicy notes and the strength is quite tame. I’m about 2 inches in and the flavor is quite mellow – a creamy earthiness dominates, while that subtle sweetness lingers after each puff. The burn is slow and true, and the cigar seems to ‘breathe’ relentlessly as it sits in my ashtray. Side note: when you see smoke coming from the head of a cigar, it’s ‘breathing’. About 75% of the way through my head starts to swim a bit. The strength is building, and the spiciness I expected up front has shown itself. The earthiness has grown richer, while the sweetness has been replaced with a definitive peppery flavor. Although this transition was gradual and balanced, it didn’t sneak up on me. Rather, the richness developed nicely, and then BAM, the spice kicks in towards the nub. The ending was phenomenal – robust and flavorful – a great way to finish a complex, well-made cigar. Good choice Brandon, and nice work Rocky. I’ll be gettin’ me some of these.