She's a Brick House

Crafted: Nicaragua
Length: 6.25
Ring: 46
Shape: Corona Larga
Strength: Medium to Full
Wrapper Color: Dark Brown
Wrapper Type: Havana Subido
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Date: March 13, 2010
Purchased: Cigar Depot in Douglasville, GA
Place: Soon to be ex-garage
Cut: Credo 2 Blades Cutter
Lighter: Colibri Firebird
Accompanying Beverage: Diet Dr. Pepper
Accompanying Music: Birds singing softly after the rain

Brick House is an old Cuban brand brought back to life by J.C. Newman Cigar Company as an all Nicaraguan stick. The wrapper is a deep reddish-brown with some veins showing. It is well constructed with a large cap that is straight. The portion of the cap that was left behind by my clip job stayed well intact.

It has a slightly uneven and very slow burn that produces large amounts of smoke. I did not have to redirect the burn since it stayed in bounds as it crawled the sidelines.

The first third of the cigar was woody. Brick House officially describes it as Oak. Fair enough. This third is alright.

The second third turned fabulous. I would truly call it a buttery pancake flavor. I have come to expect some chocolate or cocoa flavors in most Nicaraguan cigars but I have never quite experienced this taste in any cigar before.

The final third transitions to a nutty-toasty aftertaste. I would say peanut butter toast.

It was a very smooth smoke. Try it when you have at least one hour to spare. It is not the most beautiful sight lit or not. The ash is deceptive. It appears light and flaky but almost snaps when you dispatch it. It burns a bit crooked but honestly I had more trouble with the lighter than the cigar. If you like Nicaraguan cigars you will really enjoy the Brick House.

NUb Habano 460

Cigar: NUb Habano 460
Strength: Medium
Wrapper Type: Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 4"
Ring Gauge: 60
Where Purchased: Cigar & Company, Oklahoma City
Price: $5.95

When: 10/09/09, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Mike's Garage
Cut: Double Guillotine
Light: Wooden Matches
Beverage: Coffee
Weather: Cloudy, 55°

I've been wanting to try one of these unusual stubby stogies ever since I started seeing them in the pages of Cigar Aficionado.

Straight out of the cellophane I noticed the distinctive aroma of cow pasture. Seriously.

This stick is so fat that it takes an extra match or two to get it going. Very easy draw. Lots of flavor right off the bat. Initial flavors include a toasty leather with a slight salty taste on the tongue. Billows of smoke! Nice aroma.

This cigar is so big and fat that I was concerned about an even burn. Such turned out to be the case. This fat baby demands lots of attention. Ash is whitish, flaky and tough.

After about an inch the smoke became mild and creamy with an almost imaginary suggestion of fruitiness. Really quite nice! Despite the aforementioned drawbacks, the NUb is a good cigar and an enjoyable smoke. It may be short but don't let that fool you. Anticipate a full hour to thoroughly enjoy this smoke.

Long finish with pleasant complexities and woodiness.

Leaves me with a desire to try the other two varieties of this unique stick: Connecticut and Cameroon.

H. Upmann Reserve No. 2 Belicoso

Cigar: H. Upmann Reserve No. 2 Belicoso
Origin: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium
Wrapper Type: Ecuador Sumatran
Wrapper Color: Colorado
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaragua / Peru / Dom Rep
Length: 6.12
Ring Gauge: 52

When: 9/23/09, 4:15 p.m.
Where: Mike's Garage
Cut: Double Guillotine
Light: Wooden Matches
Beverage: Jack Daniel's Black Label
Weather: Sunny, 75°

Beautiful fall weather. 75°. Blue skies with a few fluffy white clouds (think "Simpsons"). Gentle breeze. Leaves just beginning to turn, giving promises of a colorful autumn. Time to light this stick!

Pre-light Inspection: Well-made torpedo figurado

First Inch: Mild and creamy with a nice aroma. There is a very cool sensation on the tongue - not sure if it's the shape, the cut, or the actual smoke, but it actually seems colder to the taste.

Ash and burn are absolutely perfect.

This aroma! There's something about it - and I can't really tell you what it is - that speaks to me of the old cigar shop on North Second street in Ponca City; and equally so of my early cigar experiences in the University district of Albuquerque. Maybe it's the combination of this fine stogie with the blue skies and the mild temps and the classic aroma. (Here's to you, Mark Bribach, wherever you are, for introducing me to the rolled Zen that is a fine hand made cigar).

Middle: Outstanding complexities in a smooth and mild cigar. This is one of those sticks you love to hold under your nose to enjoy the fullness of every wafting tendril of aroma.

There's just something about this torpedo shape that entices the palate. Perhaps it is the concentration of flavors from a fat cigar through a smaller cut. ¿Quien sabe? All I know is that I want more of these!

Last half: This cigar never gets overpowering or even strong - it remains mellow and creamy throughout. A testament to the art of cigar making. Long finish with mild spices and unending creaminess. I didn't want to lay it down.

If you want a heavier smoke, go with a Honduran or a maduro. If you want a heavenly, easy, mellow and consistent-to-the-end stick, try this Upmann!

Cuesta Rey 1884 Maduro

Cigar: Cuesta Rey 1884 Maduro
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 6.75
Ring: 44
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Shape: Parejo
Purchased: Gift

When: August 25, 2009, 2:25 p.m.
Where: Man cave
Environment: Sunny, breezy, 90 degrees
Beverage: Bottled water
Lighter: Wooden matches
Cut: V-cut

Pre-light: Dark veiny wrapper, sweet to the taste. This is the first Cuesta Rey I've ever had, to the best of my knowledge.

First Inch: Initial flavors are sweet and creamy. Wonderful aroma off the wrapper - that precious incense of the Caribbean gods.

First Half: This stogie is soooooo smooth! There's a real overt creamy, sweet coffee and cocoa. Just what you'd expect from a really good maduro, magnified. Just amazingly mellow.

Last Half: Lots of mellow coffee. Long, sweet finish. Did not want to lay this one down!

This stick is the proverbial perfect maduro smoke. Great to enjoy on a fine summer afternoon talking with a friend about theology and philosophy and business. Which is exactly how I enjoyed it. I love to gaze through that hazy blue curtain of smoke and watch the wheels turning round and round in the mind of someone I've just dropped a philosophical bomb on. I love it even more when they don't call me names but instead find themselves agreeing with me, at least in theory.

Me, enjoying the smoke

Arturo Fuente Sun Grown Chateau Fuente

Cigar: Arturo Fuente Sun Grown Chateau Fuente
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 4.50
Ring: 50
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper: Sun Grown Ecuadorian
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Shape: Parejo
Purchased: Gift from TJ Kear

When: August 23, 2009, 2:00 p.m.
Where: Man cave
Environment: Sunny, breezy, 88 degrees
Beverage: Coke Zero
Lighter: Cedar Sleeve
Cut: Double Guillotine

My anniversary is tomorrow and I received a wonderful early gift from my lovely bride: an Arturo Fuente Sun Grown Chateau Fuente, the sun grown version of the well-known favorite, Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva.

The Ecuadorian wrapper is dark and oily. I was surprised throughout this cigar, beginning with the initial draw. The draw was easy and packed a lot of mellow flavor! There were hints of cedar and leather with mild spice from the very beginning.

Burn was slightly uneven, but that was probably my fault (and it gave me something to do).

I said that this was a surprising smoke and I wasn't kidding. If you are used to the regular Fuentes, this stick offers much fuller flavors of cedar wood and fruit - particularly a nice black cherry - but without any overt sweetness in the first half.

The last half continued full and mellow. There were hints of cinnamon with a growing light sweetness. Classic aroma. Mild spice. Wonderful tones of fruit on the palate.

Long, spicy, full-flavor finish. This is easily the best A. Fuente I've enjoyed in a long, long time. Absolutely a repeater!

In Honor of Dad

In honor of what would have been my Dad's 71st birthday, after I mowed the lawn, I smoked the last Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra Robusto in my humidor. These Dark Sumatras may well be one of the best cigars in the world. They are certainly my perennial favorite. I clipped this stick with a v-cut and lit it with the cedar wrapper. I finally knocked the ash off after it had burned away more than half the cigar. Just a wonderful, wonderful smoke and a great way to say happy birthday to my Dad.

Cigar of Celebration ~ Hoyo De Monterrey Hoyo de Tradicion

Crafted: Honduras
Length: 5.5
Ring: 50
Shape: Epicure
Strength: Medium to Full
Wrapper Color: Dark Brown
Wrapper Type: Viso-Rosado
Binder: Habano CT
Filler: Dominican, Honduran & Nicaraguan Blend
Date: June 28, 2009
Purchased: Cigar Depot in Douglasville, GA
Place: Man Tower (aka Theological Quantum of Solace)
Cut: Credo 2 Blades Cutter
Lighter: Strike on Box Match
Accompanying Beverage: Diet Coke
Accompanying Music: A Cranberries, Oasis, Marcy Playground, and Ben Folds Five compilation on my Zune

Cause for Celebration ~
This cigar was smoked in celebration of a long worked for accomplishment and to the glory of God. Today our church voted to issue a call to a new Pastor.

I have been serving on the Pulpit Nominating Committee for about 14 months as we searched for the right man to recommend to our church.

Our five person committee worked through about 50 candidates, travelled out of state twice, flew one candidate in from Pennsylvania, and spent countless hours pouring over resumes, in interviews, deliberations, and prayer. The candidate that we finally (and unanimously) recommended suffered through about 12 hours of grinding interviews. I say grinding because he was grilled by me personally to the point that it was not unlike his ordination trials in the OPC.

To make a long story short the members of our congregation that were present voted 43 yes, 0 no, with 2 abstaining. This vote outcome exceeded my expectations of success.

I thank God for the guidance and direction that He gave our committee and the gift that he is giving our church in our new Pastor. He closed the doors that needed closed and opened the ones that needed opened.

About the Celebratory Smoke ~

The Pre-Smoke
I have smoked a number of these cigars in recent months. They have all been smooth, with a small number of large veins. There have been a number with a particularly dark spot somewhere on the wrapper, and most had an uneven cap. I would describe the look as “rustic”. The unlit wrapper tastes mildly sweet.

The Burn
In normal Hoyo fashion the cigar generally has an even burn that requires only nominal help from my strike on box matches. The draw is always excellent. This cigar has a slow cool burn which adds to the ability to distinguish the various flavors.

The Flavor
The cigar begins briefly with an almost spicy cocoa flavor. This moves out quickly in favor of a fruity flavor that is mildly sweet.

About half way through the second third the fruity flavor begins to fade into the flavor of caramel and graham crackers then to a leathery earthiness toward the final transition.

The final third continued with a spicier leather flavor with hints of black coffee. Great finish!

Final Review
This was the perfect celebratory cigar. It provided for 45 minutes of pleasure amidst a restful mood of accomplishment.

Carlos Toraño Exodus 1959 Silver Edition Torpedo

Cigar: Carlos Toraño Exodus 1959 Silver Edition Torpedo
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 6.25
Ring: 54
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Habana 2000
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica
Shape: Torpedo
Purchased: Gift from TJ Kear

When: May 19, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Wichita Mountains, Oklahoma
Environment: Sunny, South breeze, 78 degrees
Beverage: Bottled Water
Lighter: Wooden matches
Cut: Double Guillotine

Really should have posted this long ago - right after my vacation in the Wichita Mountains, northwest of Lawton. Oklahoma. TJ and I were camping out amidst the buffalo of southwestern Oklahoma when I fired up this fine stick. This is a BIG stogie! But it also offers a big taste. Perfect for the big open sky of the Southern Great Plains.

Pre-light: Wonderful "cigar shop" aroma. Beautifully constructed. Dark oily wrapper.

First Inch: Easy draw. Great aroma. Slightly sweet tobacco flavors with a hint of brown sugar.

Main Body: Pleasant spices with hints of black pepper and a continued sweetness.

Slightly uneven burn (which was probably my fault), but not bad enough to need much of a touch-up. Decent ash.

Very enjoyable stogie. Mellow smoke - almost mild - yet quite flavorful.

Long finish of black pepper and smooth, sweet coffee.

Arturo Fuente Double Chateau

Cigar: Arturo Fuente Double Chateau
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 6.75
Ring: 50
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Shape: Parejo
Purchased: Gift from Karold Kingore

When: June 4, 2009, 3:05 p.m.
Where: Man Cave (Mike's Garage)
Environment: Sunny, 83 degrees
Beverage: Lost Lake Ice Pilsner
Lighter: Cedar sleeve
Cut: Double Guillotine

Pre-Light: Pretty bad 1-inch crack in the wrapper near the end cap.

Very mild start with an easy draw. Peppery, toasty, cedary.

Nice. classy (cigar shop) aroma.

Bit of an uneven burn in the first inch, but a nice ash throughout.

After about an inch, I started getting a refreshing sweet cream mixed with the pepper. Classic Arturo Fuente.

Crack in the wrapper had no effect on the smoke. Binder must have been well intact!

The sweet creaminess is extremely mild as this stogie is smoked, plus there is an almost indiscernible nutmeg with hints of cedar and very mild leather. Just a classic Dominican smoke.

This is a perfect cigar for a summer afternoon, or right after a steak dinner (preferably an New York Strip or a Filet Mignon, medium), or with drinks among friends. Very relaxing.

This stick would also compliment a reading of theology or philosophy nicely. This is the kind of smoke that evokes, for me, memories of my old cigar shop and the great discussions that were held there over a chess board and makes me wish for intellectual peers gathered in soft chairs before a fireplace with espresso or microbrew or fine bourbon - like Luther and his friends gathered at the White Horse Inn. It speaks of liberty, philosophical debate, the joy of being free, and the glory of serving a sovereign God.

Alas, I wax a bit too eloquent and grandiose.

Nevertheless, it's a good cigar.

Long, LONG, cool creamy finish. This is a huge cigar. Be sure to allow plenty of time to enjoy it thoroughly. The finish comes with flavors of tobacco, cream, mild leather and a fine aroma of cedar.

Highly recommended!

Onyx Reserve No. 4

Crafted: Dominican Republic
Length: 5
Ring: 44
Strength: Medium to Full
Wrapper Color: Dark Brown
Wrapper Type: Darkened Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan and Peruvian
Date: May 24, 2009
Purchased: Cigar Depot in Douglasville, GA
Place: Man Tower (aka Theological Thunderdome)
Cut: Credo 2 Blades Cutter
Lighter: Strike on Box Match
Accompanying Beverage: Diet Coke
Accompanying Music: A Beatles, Elton John, and Coldplay compilation on my Zune

The Onyx Reserve #4 is advertised as a Petit Corona. However, it looks a little like a Robusto due to its not so petit 44 ring gage.

This box pressed cigar is very rustic in appearance. It is vieny and the box press has produced a rounded square shape rather than the crisp lines that you expect to see. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is dark, almost black. It is an aged maduro. The wrapper is only mildly oily. It does not have the perfect shape and oiliness that a Partagas Black Label would provide. It more closely resembles the suede appearance of a box pressed Henry Clay, only much darker. I will say the cap was even and provided a suitable guide for my Credo to snip.

As with every Onyx I have ever smoked the opening draw is almost sweet with a hint of bitter cocoa. I am normally not the biggest fan of Connecticut wrappers but I fell instantly in love with the darkened Connecticut Broadleaf.

Around the mid-point, while the toasty sweetness continued on my palate and Daniel wafted through on the Zune, I adjusted the burn once. This does not mean that the cigar burns poorly. No cigar has a fair chance with me at the helm. Both the cigar and the song remind me of my brother. One of the first cigars I ever smoked was an Onyx after Mike’s recommendation. I am not sure why the song does but it always has. Adjusting the burn? No, but it would have been funny to say so.

At length it is the flavor of toasted cedar and a sweet dark coffee undertone as well. Not an incredibly complex cigar it has only a faint flavor change from start to finish. It burns a beautiful white ash that contrasts pleasantly with the extremely dark wrapper. Although I prefer a Honduran cigar with coffee I think this would go great with a strong brew like Sumatra.

Even though I didn’t find an official Cigar Aficionado rating for the #4 it’s next bigger brother, the Mini Belicoso, scored a hefty 94. The per cigar price should run in the $4.50-$5.25 range at shops in a larger metro area. I have heard the Onyx Reserve line called the Maduro lovers dream. I would agree and plan to stock a number in my humidor.

Romeo y Julieta 1875 Rothchilde en Tubo

Cigar: Romeo y Julieta 1875 Rothchilde en Tubo
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 5.00
Ring: 50
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Medium Brown
Wrapper: JAVA
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic/Brazil
Shape: Parejo
Purchased: Jumbo, Enid, OK, $6.00

When: May 23, 2009, 6:45 p.m.
Where: Mike's Garage
Environment: Sunny, 80 degrees
Beverage: Miller High Life
Lighter: Cedar sleeve
Cut: Double Guillotine

I have two Romeo y Julieta Rothchilde cigars in my humidor. One is "en Tubo" and one isn't. I've been wanting to compare the two and see what the differences are. The "en Tubo" comes in a silver aluminum tube with a cedar sleeve.

Pre-Light: This is a well made cigar with a couple of noticeable veins. This Tubo comes with a gold band instead of the traditional red one. Nice round end cap.

Started out with a v-cut and lit the stogie with the cedar sleeve it came wrapped in.

Wrapper has an immediate hint of mild salt and sweet leather on the tongue.

Ever noticed how the first faint smell that reaches your nose from a fine cigar upon being warmed by a cedar sleeve brings a remembrance of fireworks?

First Inch: I can't help but hold this wonderful stogie under my nose. Mild and GLORIOUS! Cedar and nutmeg with a hint of woodiness that reminds me of a Punch Gran Cru.

Draw is a little tighter than I generally like, so I went ahead and used the stainless steel guillotine cutter which seemed to open the draw right up.

A ton of leather and cedar in the aroma: very pleasing!

Mid-point: Nice complexity developing of all the aforementioned qualities along with some mild white pepper and other spices which, at this point, are way too subtle for me to name.

Draw is now perfect.

Decent ash, even burn.

This stick really brings back a lot of cigar shop memories from The Gentlemen's Humidor for me, which means that it is a classic high-end smoke.

An excellent cigar for a nice Oklahoma spring evening. The birds are singing. The kids are playing in the neighborhood streets. I'm watching thunderheads build up 50 miles to the south. The trees and grass are green. The breeze is gentle and cool. This is the cigar that was made for such an evening as this!

Second half: Continues with a predominant cedar and leather, but also introduces the flavors of roasted nuts and a subtle, almost indiscernible, sweetness.

Ahhhhh!!! That subtle sweetness is a delicate cask-aged bourbon!!! Wow! truly extraordinary.

Long, smooth finish marked by hints of smoky Tennessee bourbon and a very, very subtle licorice.

I couldn't ask for a finer cigar.

Macanudo Portofino Robust

Cigar: Macanudo Portofino Robust
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 7.00
Ring: 34
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Dark Brown
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Dominican Republic/Mexico
Shape: Parejo
Purchased: Jumbo, Enid, OK, $6.49

When: May 5, 2009, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Mike's Garage
Environment: Rainy, 60 degrees
Beverage: Iced Tea
Lighter: Cedar sleeve
Cut: Double Guillotine

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, my pal Karold took me out for a fine lunch of primo Mexican fare and then generously purchased a selection of premium cigars to cap off the event.

Pre-Light: Straight out of the green aluminum tube, this Robust had a sweet and earthy fragrance with hints of cedar. The binding was a bit rough and looked veiny, but the burn was good. The wrapper was the color of creamy coffee and had a light, salty taste with a pleasant tanginess.

Initial smoke is sweet and mild and companioned with a wonderful aroma. After an inch or so, the aroma remained sweet and earthy. The flavors, while not amazingly complex, were pleasing to the senses, growing more and more robust and spicy.

This stogie had a middle of the road draw. Often these slim cigars can have a tight draw that distracts from the overall experience, but this stick was just tight enough to remind you that you were drawing on it without the distraction. Good burn, fine ash.

Halfway in, a variety of complexities began to set in. The most enjoyable for me was the taste and fragrance of dark chocolate. Yum!

The Robust is a great cigar for smokers who favor the distinctions of Macanudo but who also enjoy a stouter stick and the characteristics of a maduro wrapper.

Long, robust finish with flavors of sweet dark coffee, chocolate, and heady spice.

Valentine's Day Goodies

She hearts Me

(click the pics)

Oliva Serie G Belicoso Maduro

Origin: Nicaragua
Length: 5
Ring: 52
Strength: Medium
Wrapper Color: Dark Brown
Wrapper Type: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan Habano
Shape: Belicoso
Date: January 17, 2009
Purchased: Cigar Depot in Douglasville, GA
Place: Dave’s Study
Cut: Credo 2 Blades Cutter
Lighter: Strike on Box Match
Accompanying Beverage: Diet Pepsi


The pre-smoke inspection revealed a very well made box pressed cigar with tight construction and no major veins to contend with. This Oliva Serie G Maduro cigar presents an affordable, box-pressed puro with a dark and oily Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. It burned well and required no touch-ups at all. The ash was a handsome light gray to white.

The flavor was not overpowering and earned itself a medium rating. After lighting there was a mild earth tone which stays consistent throughout the smoke as a warm and subtle spice builds. Towards the end it finishes with a warm and buttery leather taste.

This cigar took about 45 minutes to smoke and cost $4 (you can probably get it for $3 if you look around).

Christmas Goodies

Santa Claus brought me three nice cigars for Christmas.

He brought a Havana Honey which I smoked right away and enjoyed while I fixed our screen door. It had a sweet wrapper, which was unusual but good.

He also brought me a Cohiba Extra Vigoroso which I smoked a couple of days later. It was as good as you might imagine a Cohiba to be. But wait! There's more! It had a Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper that was to die for. Imagine what would happen if a fine Cohiba and a Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra got married and had a child. The Cohiba Extra Vigoroso would be that baby. Wonderful to look at, great aroma, nearly perfect smoke. Thanks, Santa!

Still resting in the humidor is cigar number three: An absolutely beautiful Carlos Torano Exodus 1959 Silver Edition torpedo. This cigar doesn't come cheap, so I'm saving it for a special ocassion.

Santa was really nice to me this year.

Punch Gran Cru Certified Vintage 2000 No. 2 Pyramid

Cigar: Punch Gran Cru Certified Vintage 2000 No. 2 Pyramid

Origin: Honduras
Length: 6.12
Ring: 54
Strength: Medium
Wrapper Color: Light Brown
Wrapper Type: Connecticut Shade
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: DR/HON/NIC
Shape: Pyramid

Date: December 6, 2008

Place: Mike's Garage

Cut: Double Guillotine

Lighter: Wooden Matches

Accompanying Beverage: Gevalia Antico Caffe Greco

You know in an instant that this is a classic cigar. The construction is faultless. The draw is perfect, the burn is perfect, the ash is perfect, the aroma is perfect.

Initial flavors upon lighting consist of roasted nuts and a mild salty leather.

An inch or so into the stogie a wonderful Earl Grey bergamot creeps in with lots of cream with it!

This cigar has an aroma to die for: the bouquet of classic Caribbean craftsmanship.

I cannot overstate the perfection of the draw of this fine figurado. There is a mild and very cool creaminess on the tongue and palate without the slightest hint of harshness. What a pleasure! There's just a mellow cornucopia of sweet heavenly spice.

Long, long llllllooooonnnnggg finish with nothing but sweet creamy spice.

This is a high-dollar cigar for my budget (about 10 bucks a stick), but worth every penny. This may well be the perfect Holiday smoke, a real companion to the aroma of fresh pumpkin pie, piñon, cedar, and the soft sounds of Christmas carols (or Beethoven's Ode to Joy or Pachelbel's Cannon in D).

Let me also say that the accompanying beverage I chose for this cigar was a fine fit. Davy sent me a pound of Gevalia Kaffe's Antico Caffè Greco in the whole bean a while back and it's been in my freezer for several months. I got it out yesterday and ground me some. Nice. This is a light coffee with hints of dark caramel and just the right touch of sweetness.

Don't you think...

cigars would make a great stocking stuffer?

Partagas 1845 Maduro

I should have posted this cigar review about a month ago, but alas, I got distracted...

The Partagas 1845 Maduro is truly outstanding. It is a large stogie - 6.5 X 54. It starts off with an unexpected spiciness which soon mellows to a sweet and creamy chocolate.

The v-cut is salty on the tongue (which I like) with a hint of leather. The cigar proceeds into a buttery toast flavor with a close to perfect burn and ash. An easy draw enhances the overall effect. You really can't go wrong with a Partagas maduro - and this one is no exception to the rule.

Nothing but the best.

Don Tomas ~ Sun Grown

Cigar: Don Tomas Sun Grown
Origin: Honduras
Length: 5.00
Ring: 50
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Honduran Jamastran
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran
Shape: Robusto
Purchased: New Manchester Cigars in Douglasville, GA
When: August 23, 2008, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Dave’s Study
Environment: Air conditioned down to a cool 72 degrees (the winds of Fay are blowing outside)
Beverage: Diet Pepsi
Lighter: Strike on Box Match
Cut: Old Plastic Double-G

The pre-smoke inspection revealed a very well made cigar with tight construction and no major veins to contend with. It burned well and required no major touch-ups.

The flavor was not overpowering and earned itself a medium rating. It was lightly wooded with a faint splash of a spicy tea, possibly Earl Grey. It is a good between meals smoke.

This is one you can smoke while reading, writing, or preparing BBQ chicken (coming up soon). At $3 a stick I will try several more.

Excalibur 1066 Dark Knight

Cigar: Excabilur 1066 Dark Knight Maduro
Origin: Honduras
Length: 5.75
Ring: 54
Strength: Medium-Strong
Wrapper: Dark Brown Maduro
Wrapper: African Cameroon
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: HON/NIC/DR
Shape: Parejo
Purchased: Cigar & Co., OKC, $6.95

When: August 23, 2008, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Mike's Garage
Environment: Sunny, 88 degrees
Beverage: Bottled Water
Lighter: Wooden matches
Cut: Double Guillotine

Pre-light: This is a nice cigar to hold. A bit veiny, but still beautifully constructed with a dark oily wrapper. Perfect cigar shop aroma.

The start was quite interesting with a great draw and lots of thick and heavy smoke. A hypnotic fragrance - the incense of Central American perfection. Almost instantly there are those familiar flavors of coffee and dark chocolate with hints of buttery cream. This is how a cigar is supposed to taste!

At the halfway point the coffee/chocolate flavors only intensify, but added to this there is a sweet spiciness from the toothy African Cameroon wrapper that is really exceptional.

Bit of an uneven burn during the second half as a result of the veininess. Hints of cedar add to the cornucopia of delightful tastes. Long finish with lots of tobacco and spice.

Hoyo de Monterrey does it again. Worth every penny of the $6.95 I spent on it.

Macanudo Hyde Park Maduro

Cigar: Macanudo Hyde Park Maduro

Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 5.50
Ring: 49
Strength: Mild
Wrapper: Dark Brown Maduro
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Mexico
Filler: DR/MEX
Shape: Parejo
Purchased: Cigar & Co., OKC, $7.25

When: August 15, 2008, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Mike's Garage
Environment: Breezy, Partly sunny, 88 degrees
Beverage: Diet Dr Pepper
Lighter: Wooden matches
Cut: Double Guillotine

Today was my day off so I decided to have one of the premium cigars that I'd hidden away in my humidor awhile back - a Macanudo Maduro.

Pre-light: Yum! A near-perfect aroma, beautifully constructed, very dark and oily wrapper.

Very mild initially. Again, a perfect aroma! Excellent burn, perfect ash.

This is a very subtle cigar. There's not much complexity to it at all. It's as if the construction and the aroma are the pillars, but they aren't really holding anything up. There's a touch of flint, a touch of sweetness, and a touch of tobacco. Long finish with, again, only a touch of spice.

I've been wanting to try one of these cigars ever since Macanudo left Jamaica and moved their production to the Dominican Republic. While the cigar is the very picture of craftsmanship, it is just not as interesting as the old Jamaicans. I kept waiting for the complexity to kick in and it never did. I kept waiting for the familiar coffee/cocoa/chocolate flavors which are common to maduros, but they simply weren't there. A beautiful cigar with a beautiful aroma and not much else. Way overpriced at $7.25.

Te Amo Meditations

Origin: Mexico
Length: 6.00
Ring: 42
Strength: Medium
Wrapper Color: Medium to Dark Brown
Wrapper Type: Mexico
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Mexico
Shape: Parejo

My lovely bride gave me two boxes of these quintessential Mexican cigars for my birthday, one box of 10 naturals and one box of 10 maduros. In the past I wasn't all that impressed with some of the Te Amos I'd smoked, thinking that they were a bit too harsh and vegetal for my taste, so I wanted to be cautious with these. I was so cautious in fact that I smoked about ten of them before I figured it was time to write this review.

The fact that I've smoked ten of them should give you a clue right off that I don't hate them. In fact, I was fairly surprised by these puros. These aren't the most beautiful cigars in the world. They are kind of rough looking when you first unsheathe one. And for the life of me, I am constantly amazed at how much the naturals smell like a cow pasture before lighting. The maduros do not share this peculiar trait. About three weeks ago there were several of us sitting around and I got ready to smoke one of these Te Amo naturals. I passed it around pre-light and everyone agreed that there was a distinct aroma of vaca de pasto. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, just peculiar.

The draw of these cigars is very nice and easy - the way a cigar is supposed to draw - with a great initial aroma loaded with lots of cream and spice. So far so good!

With each cigar I am continually amazed at the cool and effortless draw. Despite the rough appearance, the burn and ash are pretty close to perfect. The aroma is spectacular. There are hints of cedar and buttery toast as the cigar progresses.

The second half has hints of wood with a mellow sweet spiciness. Reminds me from time to time of a good Nicaraguan.

The only inconsistency I found in these cigars is that some have a long and complex finish with nice eathrtiness and spice, while others have a short and harsh finish. Overall these cigars were surprisingly enjoyable!

The maduro wrappers added the ubiquitous cocoa/coffee flavors to the cigar and the finish on the maduros was always long and complex.

These sticks have definitely changed my perspective on Te Amos and now I'd be willing to give some of their more expense stogies a try.

Perdomo Habano Maduro

Cigar: Perdomo Habano Maduro
Origin: Nicaragua
Length: 5.00
Ring: 52
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Shape: Robusto
Purchased: New Manchester Cigars in Douglasville, GA
When: July 13, 2008, 2:30 p.m. (on the Lord’s day)
Where: Dave’s Study
Environment: Air conditioned down to 72 degrees
Beverage: Diet Dr. Pepper
Lighter: Cedar Sleeve
Cut: Old Plastic Double-G


This little Nicaraguan Maduro is one that my wife surprised me with from her last trip to Douglasville.

Upon pre light inspection I notice the ornate banding. High marks for good Dépêche mode. Once naked I see the wrapper which is rich, dark, and slightly oily. The most pleasurable portion of the pre light was smelling the unlit tobacco. It was the fragrance of chocolate and sweet tobacco.

Once I finished the toasting process I found the draw to be free. It started out in the medium range of body and held that range throughout. The immediate flavor was a refined classic Maduro sweet and chocolaty with a creamy finish.

As the tasting went on I determined the base flavors to be very complex. The primary focal point remained the naturally sweet Maduro wrapper with secondary flavors of mild black peppers. It also seemed to maintain a mild fruit flavor which was not citrusy or sweet. It was almost a leafy essence (not a taste but more of a palate memory).

This was overall a fun and relaxing smoke. At $5 per stick I may not buy a box but will certainly try the Perdomo again from time to time.

Happy Birthday to Me

Although my birthday isn't until Saturday, my presents arrived in the mail a few days early. My lovely bride got me 10 Te-Amo Meditation Naturals, 10 Te-Amo Meditation Maduros, and a 2-year subscription to Cigar Aficionado magazine. Sweet.

Reviews will be forthcoming.

Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra Media Noche

Cigar: Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra Media Noche
Origin: Honduras
Length: 5.75
Ring: 54
Strength: Medium-Full
Wrapper Color: Dark Brown
Wrapper Type: Ecuador Sumatran
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: HON/NIC/DR
Shape: Parejo
Purchased: JR Cigars

When: July 6, 2008, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Mike's Garage
Environment: Breezy, Sunny, 94 degrees
Beverage: Diet Coke Plus
Lighter: Cedar Sleeve
Cut: Double Guillotine

Today, in honor of what would have been my father's 70th birthday, I pulled out a magnificent stogie which I had tucked away in my humidor - the Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra Media Noche. When Davy and I were getting ready to open our cigar shop in the late 1990s, Dad went with us on a shopping expedition to Northwest Arkansas where we purchased our initial inventory. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Bentonville and bought our inventory from a supplier in Rogers. That was a fun trip!

Pre-light: What a beautiful cigar! Well made, a really fat 54 ring gauge, and packaged in a cedar sleeve - which I used to light this "jewel" ("hoyo" means jewel in Spanish).

Creamy and mellow start with a taste of salty butter and leather on the tip of the tongue. Very strong and very pleasant aroma of cedar from the beginning on. Phenomenal fragrance!

Perfect burn, perfect ash. And what is this distinguished and enigmatic aroma which is developing as I enjoy this cigar? Piñon! Yes, indeed!

The quintessence of the second half is creamy coffee and buttery cedar with only the slightest hint of mild peppery sweetness.

Sweet, spicy finish. Mellow, creamy and cedary to the end.

The Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Sumatra has once again demonstrated to me why it is my absolute favorite cigar!

Click the pics for a bigger view!