Reviews by Steve R

Unless you’ve been asleep at the wheel the past few months, you know that SCHIP has hit home. This bill places a heavy tax on all cigars, and has resulted in higher prices starting 4/1. Some manufacturers are using this tax as a vehicle to introduce price increases that, in some cases, go above and beyond the level of the tax. In several cases, manufacturers have instituted multiple price increases on the same cigar, capitalizing even further. On top of this, some cigars are already quite expensive, and any new increases (whether it be additional costs or taxes) could possibly put them out of reach for the working man. In an effort to provide you with optimum value, I will be matching up two cigars each week. One expensive cigar and one lesser-expensive option, comparing them based on flavor, satisfaction, construction, and price.

– Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva and 5 Vegas Classic

Like previous SCHIP Buster reviews, this write-up will be difficult for many to stomach. Arturo Fuente has a diehard customer base, one that’s loyal to the core and swears by every cigar under the Fuente label. On the other hand, 5 Vegas Classic has quite the following as well, and it seems to be getting stronger by the second. The blends are very different, but both offer a solid, medium-bodied smoke that’s hella-consistent and of the highest quality.

Yes, I just said hella-consistent. Gonz, add that to your Gonzism list, I think it’s a winner. Anyway, let’s get into the cigars.

Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva – Everybody knows this name. And, like I said, many swear by it. In fact, folks walk into our shop asking for a particular vitola in a specific Fuente line. If we don’t have it, they simply walk away, despite having immediate access to every blend under the sun at comparable - if not better - prices. This Dominican brand as a whole is rated very highly....very often. The standard Gran Reserva line combines a toothy Cameroon wrapper with Dominican long-fillers to produce a consistent, well-made stick. I will be burning the 8-5-8, a popular, 6”x47 vitola.

5 Vegas Classic – This brand has become a monster. Hand-made in Nicaragua, the red label 5 Vegas is a 91-rated blend of dark Sumatra wrappers and Cuban-seed long-fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican. In fact, premium tobaccos from five different farms are utilized throughout this cigar, producing what is considered to be a complex and balanced, medium-bodied bang for the buck. To keep things as comparable as possible, I’ve chosen the Double Corona, an impressive 6”x48 parejo.

I’ve reviewed both of these blends several times in the past and am quite familiar with each, so a side-by-side comparison should be interesting. Without further ado, let’s dig deeper into the flavor and quality of these two popular cigars....

Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva – This cigar is already clipped and ready for my torch lighter. The pre-light aroma is that of cedar, with no hints of spice or pepper. The 8-9-8 is lit and away we go. The cigar begins with a heavy dose of cream which seems to magically disappear after each puff. A short finish. I am picking up notes of toast and cedar, with a crisp tobacco influence. Midway through, a new flavor enters the mix - a somewhat grassy note lingers on the aftertaste. This is pretty much how the story unfolds. Despite being delivered in a nice, toasty fashion, the tobacco and cedar flavors are crisp and sharp, only to be finished by a misplaced touch of grass. Definitely medium in body....but only by a hair. The all Dominican core resulted in a relatively straight-forwarded experience.

5 Vegas Classic – After cleansing my palate, it’s time for the 5 Vegas. The cigar is clipped and the pre-light aroma is that of baked bread. A slight tingling sensation hits my nostrils, hinting at a faint spice to come. Upon lighting, my palate is coated with a core of rich, creamy flavors. Early on, it’s difficult to pick out any one flavor, but the sensation is enjoyable. Shortly after, a strong backbone of coffee is clearly noticed, with softer notes of earth. The aroma is toasty with a little bit of zest. Midway through, I begin to pick up a little bit of peanut – it almost tastes like the toasty skin of a peanut. I also note a touch of pepper....a very faint touch. The cigar has been burning slow and smooth, and comes to a complex finish during the final inch without losing any balance along the way. The medium-bodied strength was apparent from the start and lasted through the burn. I think the Nicaraguan tobaccos helped add a pleasant level of complexity to this cigar.

Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva and 5 Vegas Classic. Different cigars from different countries. A true underdog, David and Goliath matchup....one would think. Both burned perfectly, with an effortless draw and razor sharp burn. Both seemed to be well filled from head to toe, and made with top-notch wrappers. However, one appealed to my finicky palate more than the other. Arturo Fuente, 86.

5 Vegas, 89.

Now let’s add price to the mix. Both of these cigars can be considered a good value. The Fuente 8-5-8 carries an MSRP of under $5 apiece, while the 5 Vegas Double Corona chimes in at under $3.50 apiece. What’s a buck and a half between friends, eh? However, the price for Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva has gone up due to SCHIP. 5 Vegas Classic is not. I think you know where this is going.

Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva: 86

5 Vegas Classic: 90

SCHIP Buster Series - Volume 4

Unless you’ve been asleep at the wheel the past month or two, you know that SCHIP has hit home. This bill places a heavy tax on all cigars, and has resulted in higher prices starting 4/1. Some manufacturers are using this tax as a vehicle to introduce price increases that, in some cases, go above and beyond the level of the tax. In several cases, manufacturers have instituted multiple price increases on the same cigar, capitalizing even further. On top of this, some cigars are already quite expensive, and any new increases (whether it be additional costs or taxes) could possibly put them out of reach for the working man. In an effort to provide you with optimum value, I will be matching up two cigars each week. One expensive cigar and one lesser-expensive option, comparing them based on flavor, satisfaction, construction, and price.

Volume 4 – Ashton and John Bull

Today’s review will be a tough one for some to swallow, largely due to the fact that John Bull is brand new and most of you have yet to try it. However, I can assure you, it’s a good match-up for Ashton. Ashton is a popular, expensive cigar that rivals the ranks of Macanudo and Davidoff. A smooth-bodied handmade crafted in the Dominican by the Fuente family. John Bull is another smooth-bodied cigar, but it is made in Nicaragua and comes equipped with a very low price point in value-sized boxes of 30.

Hopefully you’re still with me here. If so, let’s move on.

Ashton – When it comes to smooth, high-quality Dominican handmades, the classic Ashton is usually one of the first brands people speak about. The brand has enough ratings in Cigar Aficionado to field most of the NFL’s teams, and has been rated as high as ‘92’. Ashton combines a golden Connecticut shade wrapper with aged Dominican long-fillers. I chose the Double Magnum, which measures 6”x50, sits heavy in the hand, and offers a nice, glossy texture.

John Bull – This cigar is brand spankin’ new, and comes from Nicaragua. Out of the gates, it has already been called “the working man’s Excalibur.” It’s smooth in body, using a thick Connecticut-seed wrapper from Ecuador to conceal a mellow blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. The wrapper is a few shades darker than the Ashton’s Connecticut leaf, with some tooth and oils to boot. To keep things comparable, I chose the 6”x48 Britannia.

Again, I hope you’re still with me here. Especially those that enjoy Ashton on a regular basis. I know there’s a good amount of you out there, so please read on as I break down the flavor and quality of each....

Ashton – Over the years, I have come to really enjoy smooth-bodied cigars. They offer a subtle, but sophisticated level of flavor and, when done right, today’s makers are producing mellow smokes that are really quite rich and enjoyable. The Double Magnum is smooth and shiny with no veins, and it offers a nice, cedary pre-light aroma. Off the bat, a creaminess coats my palate, followed by a toasty series of tobacco and cedar. The aftertaste sticks around just long enough to pick up more toast and wood on the tip of the palate. The cigar isn’t overly rich, but it’s balanced and pleasant. Ashton is known for consistency and quality, and this Double Magnum drives this point home. The flavor is consistently smooth and pleasant, while the burn remains slow and straight. A full-bodied fan may not reach for Ashton all too often, if ever, but I can easily find a spot for this cigar in my morning rotation, as I feel the crips (but creamy) flavors will pair nicely with a bold cup of coffee. The smooth-bodied character lasts throughout the burn, while the cigar continues to pump out thick clouds of creamy, white smoke.

John Bull – This cigar is brand new to us, and has only been featured in one catalog to date. So far, sales are promising and, based on the “working man’s Excalibur” comments from our retail store customers, the brand seems to be off to a good start. The cigar is pretty, with a dark, toothy appearance. Upon first light, I note an interesting mix of dark tobacco flavors and crisp, mellower tobaccos. This mix is a result of the Nicaraguan and Dominican leaves inside, and it’s complemented nicely by the Ecuadorian-grown wrapper’s rich, creamy influence. There’s some sweet cedary tones during each puff, while toasty remains on the exhale. The slightest touch of pepper is found when the smoke exits my nose. The Ashton fan might consider this to be mellow to medium. I say medium would be a stretch, as John Bull is a solid, mellow-bodied handmade with a good balance of contrasting flavors. The Britannia burns a little quicker than the Double Magnum, but I am not going to complain about that. This cigar can be enjoyed brainlessly, puffing away while doing just about anything, but enjoying it thoroughly.

Ashton and John Bull. Two very different cigars made in two very different countries of very different tobaccos and priced at opposite ends of the price spectrum. Ironically enough, they’re surprisingly comparable in terms of flavor and quality. That said, I’d have to give the Ashton the edge here with a ’90,’ while John Bull sits comfortably with an ’88.’

But, price is obviously part of the equation. John Bull carries an everyday price point. The MSRP for its largest size - a massive 7.25”x54 presidente known as the Prime Minister - is $4.50. Furthermore, the economical boxes of 30 allow us to sell this size for a paltry $2, which is becoming even more rare as the effects of SCHIP become increasingly more real. Ashton is expensive. We all know this, and the brand’s closest size – a 7.5”x52 Churchill – maintains an MSRP of $9.30. That’s more than double, and we sell it for a little over $8 apiece. A big difference.

Both cigars are gentle and pleasant, so this toss-up comes down to what you’re looking for. If you’re a stickler for big brand names and flashy ratings, Ashton is one of those brands that has established itself in that realm. However, if you’re just looking for a mellow smoke to enjoy on a regular basis, John Bull is a fine choice. Now that price has entered the equation, the tides have turned....slightly.

John Bull:

Ever since I did the Nub vertical tasting, I have been receiving a relatively steady stream of emails requesting similar reviews on other brands. Of these emails, one of the most requested brands was 5 Vegas Classic, a brand that we showcase often and sell a ton of. Some made this request because they have yet to try it. Others have tried it, but have yet to try all the sizes. And, since I am always open to burning as many cigars as possible while I work, I’ll be more than happy to meet these requests. Let’s get right to it, I’ve got a lot of tasting to do....here’s some info on 5 Vegas.

5 Vegas is an old brand that has been around for decades. The Classic represents the original, otherwise known as the ‘red label,’ and is the recipient of a 90-point rating from Cigar Aficionado. 5 Vegas Classic is handmade in Nicaragua using a dark Sumatra wrapper and a long-leaf mixture of Cuban-seed tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican. The brand is known for both consistency and value, and has become an everyday favorite among our customers.

5 Vegas Classic Vertical

5 Vegas Classic Robusto: Dark, oily cigar with a solid feel. The initial few puffs are loaded with spice and cedar. Smoke soon mellows a tad to release a rich core of coffee complemented by a long, creamy aftertaste. The aroma is toasty and pleasant. Midway through, the strength begins to build a bit, flirting with the lower-end of full-bodied, but never quite making the hurdle. No worries, the Robusto is complex and satisfying nonetheless.

Rating: 90

5 Vegas Classic Corona: A classic Corona shape. This cigar looks tasty with a great pre-light aroma. The burn is cool and surprisingly slow, while the flavors seem to be a great display of properly proportioned fillers to wrapper. No one flavor dominates. Notes of wood, nuts, earth, white pepper, and coffee bean are present. Surprisingly strong compared to the other sizes.

Rating: 89

5 Vegas Classic Fifty Five: A dense, 5.5”x55 box-pressed vitola that feels heavy in the hand and solid from head to toe. Lots of pepper up front, which is quickly mellowed by a rich and creamy series of black coffee and cashew. The pepper becomes an afterthought, only hitting the palate on the tailend of each puff in a very gentle way. Size seems significantly stronger than the rest. I’d call it medium to full, but sometimes full from start to finish. My second favorite in the line.

Rating: 91

5 Vegas Classic Panatela: A skinny Corona with a nice, oily sheen. The Sumatra wrapper really shines through with this one. Subtle spices and nutty undertones. Not nearly as rich or creamy as the rest, but a smooth, straightforward smoke nonetheless. Not a preferred size, but good for the car or a short walk.

Rating: 88

5 Vegas Classic Double Corona: Nice looking Toro. Lots of rich coffee flavors throughout this medium-bodied smoke. Flavors are delivered in a very smooth fashion. They’re mellow, but pleasant. The smoke promoted by this vitola seems to be the creamiest and richest, however the flavors come into play gradually, making it a slow-burning, relaxing cigar with little twists and turns. Some coffee, some earth, and a light, toasty element on the finish and aroma.

Rating: 90

5 Vegas Classic Torpedo: Love the look of this sharply tapering Torpedo. Be careful not to lose an eye. The smoke starts out mellow and rich, then gradually builds into a medium-bodied experience that gains complexity during the burn. I pick up coffee bean, cream, nuts, and toasted cedar. Every now and then subtle spices break through, completing a flavorful bouquet with a warm, toasty aroma. Preferred size.

Rating: 92

5 Vegas Classic Churchill: A bit long for my tastes, but a good substitute for the Double Corona. Flavors are quite comparable: medium in body with a tame, balanced bouquet noting coffee, earth, and toast. Best of all, the price doesn’t make you cringe (too hard) if you have to end the experience 10-15 minutes early - bonus points - even though you probably won’t want to.

Rating: 89

Overall, 5 Vegas Classic offers a wide variety of sizes that vary ever-so-slightly in flavor and strength, but maintain a common theme: flavorful, balanced, and consistent. Quality is a non-issue. Each one burned perfect, creating a nice, white ash and offering a cool, easy draw. For the money, it’s hard to beat a cigar like this.

If you read Keith’s review on this cigar, you understand the debate behind it. If not, it seems to be a love or hate blend. While most of our customers enjoy it, some do not....and our retail store has been marked as a meeting grounds for their (seemingly) weekly debates. Ever since Keith wrote his review last month, I have received a steady stream of emails asking me what my take is. Why? I have no idea. I’m just cigar-crazed goofball with spiky hair. But here goes!

First off, let’s talk looks. La Herencia is a blend of Nicaraguan long-fillers inside a Sumatra-seed wrapper grown in Ecuador. Like most Ecuadorian wrappers, this leaf is smooth and oily. However, it maintains the dark hue and almost-leathery trait of a good Sumatra. The cigar really is quite pretty and gives off a nice pre-light aroma.

Now, let’s get into the smoke itself. The opening is quite creamy, with a heavy dose of toast and wood. Every now and then some hefty spices enter the fray, but they are quickly diminished by the smooth, lingering aftertaste. After about an inch, the flavors seem to mellow a bit, but the strength does quite the opposite. Ahh....welcome to Nicaragua, please enjoy your stay. The flavors are balanced, but rich, releasing a deep, aromatic smoke with some body behind every puff. The smoke coats my palate, leaving behind the slightest tingling sensation. The toast and wood remain, but I am now picking up a trace of coffee bean. The smoke is all over me, with a zesty, cedary element. The peppery aspect of this cigar is beginning to build with each puff as the cigar approaches the midway point.

I’ll be honest with you. My head is starting to swim a bit. I’ve burned through enough of these to know it’s medium to full in body. However, every now and then one really seems to kick me in the knees early on.

The cigar ends in a big way, with all the flavors (except the coffee) fighting for supremacy. Quite a nice ending for such a subtle, yet sophisticated cigar. Now that it's done, here's my take: it's not the best cigar on the planet, but I have to agree with the majority here, and I'll continue burning them.

While reviewing this cigar, I thought about the love-hate relationship people seem to have for it. And believe me, these types of relationships occur with many brands, even some of today’s best. I think there are many times when enthusiasts give up on a cigar after just a few minutes, not knowing how the cigar might change in both flavor and strength during the burn. While the first inch might be boring, the final 4 or 5 inches might be fantastic....but, some people might not last long enough to get there. Worst part is, many won’t give the cigar another chance after chucking the first out the car window. One, stop littering. Two, give cigars a chance, you might be surprised!

It seems you folks enjoyed my previous vertical tastings for Nub, and many have asked when I’d be reviewing the Connecticut. That’ good to know, since they took an awfully long time to write, and resulted in me feeling lightheaded for hours. All in a day’s work, right?

Today, I will be completing the Nub Vertical Trifecta. Before we start, here’s everything you need to know about Nub....

After tasting countless cigars and working hands on in the Oliva factory, Sam Leccia concluded that a cigar normally hits its ‘sweet spot’ within 3 to 4 inches of the burn. Therefore, one must invest a good amount of time with a cigar prior to being rewarded with its true character. So, Sam worked with the Oliva Cigar Family (maker’s of Serie ‘V’ and Serie ‘O’) and developed the Nub line: a variety of blends and sizes within the 4 inch range, with ring gauges ranging from 56 to 66. These cigars were engineered - using three wrapper varieties - to capture the essence of the blend from the get-go, rewarding you with the cigar’s sweet spot throughout the entire burn. Packaged in boxes of 24, each box contains the weight and burn time of the cigar, so you know exactly what’s in store.

Nub offers three blends. Cameroon, Connecticut, and Habano. Each blend offers four sizes - three are shared among all three blends, then a fourth that is specific to each blend. Clear as mud? Good. I’ve burned them all and can say each size in each blend offers an entirely unique bouquet and body. For that reason, I decided to do a vertical tasting of each blend...finally, it’s time for Nub Connecticut.

Nub 354 Connecticut: Compared to every other Nub I’ve burned over the past few months, this thing looks tiny! However, it burned surprisingly long....about 35 minutes, if not longer. The dry, but smooth wrapper is tawny in appearance with tiny veins. Some ligero is noticed at the foot. The pre-light aroma is tranquil and sweet with cedar. The opening is buttery and smooth, with a toast that lingers long on the finish. Soon after the initial few puffs, sweet black pepper smacks the back of the throat. Spicy, tingling sensations are noticed. The aroma is pleasant with a cedary influence. After an inch and a half, the smoke mellows and remains buttery and creamy to the end. Medium-bodied. My favorite size in the line.

Rating: 90

Nub 358 Connecticut: Slightly larger, the 358 offered the same pre-light aroma as the 354. The opening was very creamy, almost milky in character. I insantly noticed how silky this cigar is through the nose in the beginning. However, keep exhaling in this fashion and you will pick up some pepper after the first half-inch. Solid tobacco flavor throughout, with a dry, crisp, and short aftertaste. This vitola seems to be a touch smoother than the 354. No real complexity, but a good, consistent cigar.

Rating: 87

Nub 460 Connecticut: Now we’re talking. It’s amazing how big the ‘60’ looks....even after burning the ‘58’. Looking at the foot, I noticed a little more ligero....or, at least, what looks to be ligero. The pre-light aroma is sweet with a faint spice. Upon sparking, I was instantly greeted with a series of zesty flavors, followed by a sweet tobacco aftertaste. Sweet spices are left on the lips and the tip of my tongue after each puff....making my palate tingle. The zest subsides to present a rich, toasty core of tobacco complemented by an interesting element reminiscent of damp wood. Odd, but enjoyable. The aroma is smokey with a somewhat charcoal-like character. Nicely balanced, medium-bodied, hour-long cigar....

Rating: 89

Nub 464 Torpedo Connecticut: Finally, the biggun. This sucker looks like a bullet. The pre-light aroma is rich with a trace of cedar. The cigar was creamy, smooth, and mellow to start. Sweet tobacco flavors with a crisp finish. Damp wood and a subtle touch of white pepper soon came into play. The cigar gradually became medium in body as I approached the midway point. At several points throughout the hour or so long burn I noticed a hint of paper. Despite the size, this cigar was not overly complex. The smoke was smooth, cool, and velvety....filling the room above my head with each exhale. I like that.

Rating: 88

By now, just about everybody with a pulse has heard of Nub. And based on sales, it’s easy to see that a good number of you have tried it. That’s good to see....it lets me know that our customers have an open mind and want to try new things, rather than burning the same Fuente cigar every dang day.

Like the Habano and Cameroon, the Nub Connecticut is a nice blend available in four sizes, each of which offers a unique flavor and strength profile. While the Connecticut is the least robust member of the Nub family, I easily see myself burning more in the near future.

Since it may be difficult to choose a size or blend, I created a nifty chart to quickly break down the entire line:

If you’re a fan of Connecticut-wrapped cigars, or smooth to medium-bodied blends, I recommend this cigar with confidence.