Reviews by Steve R

New 2010 Release: La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor

As some of you may know, I was a HUGE fan of the old La Aroma de Cuba blend from Honduras. Chewy, rich, tasty....I loved this cigar and have missed it considerably ever since it left the market. Now, this brand is made in Nicaragua by Jose ‘Don Pepin’ Garcia, and it’s drastically different. Some claim it’s better, some claim there’s nothing quite like the original.

I now have in my hand the latest blend from La Aroma - Mi Amor - which I plan to take for a test drive. This new blend is very different in appearance than the other La Aromas on the market. The wrapper is a dark and toothy Cuban-seed leaf grown in Mexico - it offers a dark chocolate-brown hue with minimal oils. Smelling the unlit foot, I pick up a trace of baked bread - much like the aroma you’ll smell when walking through a tobacco curing barn. The slightest bit of spice tickles my nostrils, leading me to believe there’s a little ligero within this all-Nicaraguan long-filler blend, ready to smack my palate with a dash of pepper. I chose a punch cut - because somebody took my damn cutter off my desk - and am ready to go.

The first few puffs are very smooth, with a deep, roasted tobacco flavor and toasty influence. From the get-go, I notice thick and heavy clouds of gray smoke exiting the foot of this cigar. Dark, aromatic smoke with a warm, toasty scent. The faintest bit of spice lingers on the back of my palate after each puff, a spice which is more promiment through the nose. I’m just a half an inch in and I feel this cigar will surpass the medium-bodied range and reach full-bodied before the smoke is done.

An inch in, the deep, roasted flavors remain when the smoke is first introduced to your palate with each puff, however a rich, espresso-like nuance is left behind with each exhale, quickly followed by the subtle spice. The Mexican wrapper is true to its origin, a dense, earthy leaf offering an enjoyable, rustic tobacco flavor that hits the front of your palate everytime you draw on the cigar.

Midway through, the cigar becomes considerably smoother. The roasted influence seemed to have faded by now, allowing a rich, unsweetened touch of dark chocolate to surface. This nuance hit me mostly in the middle of the palate and on the sides, and does not overshadow the espresso flavors or slightly spicy finish. It’s actually a welcome change to the first half of the smoke.

By now, I feel the weight of this cigar in my belly and behind my eyes. I won’t go as far as saying this is a full-bodied handmade, but there’s no doubt some strength behind the blend. A full meal is not required prior to enjoying Mi Amor, but I wouldn’t recommend this as a morning smoke for first-timers.

The final third is quite rich, with a soft charcoal-like aroma that fills the room. Rich tobacco, dark chocolate, and espresso followed by that subtle spice I’ve been mentioning the entire time. All the while, this cigar has produced a flaky but firm, salt and pepper ash with a razor-sharp burn and easy draw. No one flavor dominates any significant portion of the smoke, and all are presented in a balanced and smooth fashion.

While La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor is still very different than the original, Honduran-made La Aroma that I loved so much, I did enjoy burning this cigar and will no doubt burn more in the future. It’ll never replace the original, but it’s great to see the new Nicaraguan-made La Aroma making strides in a tasty direction.

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.