K. Hansotia (Gurkha) "Ancient Warrior"

K. Hansotia “Ancient Warrior”

Fatal Halo Rating

A

Dimensions: 6” x 58

Price: $11.00

Burn Time: 2+ hours

Tobacco: Dominican & Honduran long-filler blend

Binder: Nicaraguan

Wrapper: Brazilian

I decided to take a deviation from visiting my usual cigar shop today and popped into another one nearby to see if I might be fortunate enough to find some rare gems – and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. On a friend's recommendation, I stopped into Timba Cigar Company (www.timbacigarco.com) in Powell, Ohio and introduced myself to the owner, Thom Barber, who graciously welcomed me into his store.  He ushered me into the humidor so I could begin my search and though the picking were a lot more slim than I am used to at my usual store, I did manage to find this cigar nestled among the Gurkha selections.  As a fan of the Gurkha line, I decided it was worth checking out – and for such an attractive price, I couldn’t turn it down.  Thom even gave a nod to it himself as I was checking out, so before even lighting up, I had high hopes for this monster of a cigar.

Pre-Smoke Analysis

At a 58 gauge, I’d have to say that this is one of the larger cigars I’ve smoked and probably right within my comfort range.  Anything larger and I think it would affect the experience – but this is a perfect size and it sits well in my hand.

The wrapper is dark and oily with a noticeable toothy feel to it.  It doesn’t feel dried out at all and the texture is a bit spongy and soft, but it maintains an overall firm construction feel to it.  The cigar itself is a bit of a paradox.  Oily yet toothy.  Spongy yet firm.  The wrapper gives off a very pleasant thick and woody aroma that blossoms toward the foot, but doesn’t seem to become too overwhelming at any point.  It really has an enticing character to it and found myself eager to clip and light it.  The construction was impeccable despite a noticeably veiny Brazilian wrapper.  I picked up on a bit of chocolate in the aroma as well.  The cap clipped cleanly and the cold draw illuminated the aromas I previously described even more.

The First Third

Despite the complex aromas and the deceivingly dark wrapper, the first hot draw on this cigar produced a very mild and light-bodied bloom of smoke that was simultaneously bolstered with rich, complex flavor.  Truly an odyssey.  The draw was so light in fact that I was really able to pass the smoke over and around my palate to get a deep insight into how the different flavors mingled.  The overall tone was a touch woody, but it had a very robust and rustic aroma behind it.  Though difficult to pin down specifics, it provided a lot of flavor without thick-coating my palate so badly that I’d need a beverage.  The burn was excellent and stayed consistent.  Because of the thickness of the stogie, it definitely burned hot and produced a nice barrel of flaky, white ash but required no adjustment or correction.  This cigar was built to burn like this and I was savoring every moment of it as I puffed big billows of sweet, white smoke from this cigar.

The Second Third

The second-third didn’t really start off with much deviation from what was introduced at the beginning.  The ash was clearly showing remnants of the toothy bumps on the wrapper and I was a little surprised that it didn’t have at least a little more bite to it.  I assumed that would change as it burned down more though.  It was beginning to take on a bit more of a creamy, medium-bodied aroma.

Burning Out

Once this cigar burned down a bit, it started to take on stronger notes – and while the aromas stayed fairly consistent, it peaked in intensity just a little bit and puffed a bit hotter – really allowing it open up.  Still amazingly light on the palate, there was absolutely NO bitterness and produced plumes of thick, white smoke that I enjoyed blowing smoke rings with and inhaling back through my nose to further sample its bountiful complexity.  With this thick cigar between my fingers, the sweet taste on my lip from the wrapper and the hot smoke permeating the air, I felt a lot like a Mafia Don propping his feet up on his desk and finding that moment of contentment in one of life’s finer moments!

Final Thoughts

Judging by the name alone – “Ancient Warrior” – I was really expecting something exotic and spicy.  It was just the opposite though.  Amazingly smooth and while extremely flavorful, it wasn’t really spicy at any point.  It wasn’t a cigar that jumped down from above with a tomahawk and split your skull . . . it was just a very relaxed and enjoyable smoke.  I enjoyed the experience of smoking this one and though it doesn’t rank among my top favorites, I could easily see this being a cigar I’d pick up again when filling up my humidor – maybe giving it some time to mingle with my other cigars just to see how it affects its overall taste next time.

Enjoyed It?:  Immensely.

Buy It Again?:  Most definitely!

Recommend It?: Absolutely – especially to those new to the cigar lifestyle looking for a mild to medium-bodied cigar with complex flavor that isn’t too overwhelming.

Room 101 "323" Toro

Room 101 “323” Toro

Fatal Halo Rating

A

Dimensions: 6” x 50

Price:  $10.00

Burn Time:  2 Hours

Wrapper: Special Semilla 101

Binder: Honduran

Tobacco: Honduran & Dominican Republic blend

Room 101 was a cigar I had been meaning to try for some time.  Aside from their cigars, they have a wickedly impressive merch line that certainly catches the eye in any cigar shop you might walk into.  Definitely a style all their own, Room 101 cigars seem to be the type that is designed and made by Samurais and sold to Rockstars – and reality isn’t that different as they were developed by Christian Eiroa and musician Matt Booth.  Just to give you an idea of how col their style is, I had wanted (and received) a VERY nice Room 101 cigar ashtray for Christmas – well before I had even smoked one!  I was also impressed that the varying sizes of cigars in the Room 101 line were named according to different area codes.  This one was the “323” which corresponds, of course, to Central LA & Hollywood, California.  The rest of their line is as follows:

“213” Coronoa – Los Angeles, California

“305” Robusto – Florida

“404” Torpedo – Atlanta, Georgia

“702” – Las Vegas, Nevada

“808” Bertha –  Honolulu, Hawaii

I chose the "323" because it seemed to be of adequate size to produce a good smoking experience and because the price was right about where I was looking to spend.  The whole story of the Room 101 line is a pretty interesting one, but rather long to highlight here, so if this review interests you, feel free to check out their main site at: www.room101cigars.com and see what they’re all about.  It is notable to mention that Room 101 uses their own special wrapper that cannot be found on any other cigar anywhere else and this was a big reason why I was anticipating trying one.

Pre-Smoke Analysis

Right away, the design of the label stood out to me the most.  A simple black and silver tribal-style text design with obvious Japanese influence including some kanji on the back – renditions of the Japanese Irezumi tattoo style – were evident that this was more a work of art than just a clever marketing design.  The label itself was wrapped around a firm and well-made cigar – no noticeable soft spots with a triple-capped head.  The wrapper was a bit veiny, but no noticeable tears or defects to detract from its milk-chocolate colored body.  The feel of the cigar was smooth – like parchment – and didn’t really give off any noticeable aromas.  The cap clipped off cleanly with no fraying and lit as easily as the parchment feeling it had between my fingers.

The First Third

Right away, the Toro gave off a nice, woody aroma.  Medium-bodied with definite traits of nut and cedar; a real relaxed and earthy taste.  The flavor didn’t rest too heavily on the palate and remained surprisingly smooth.  It was a bit peppery, but not at all overpowering.  It was an easy cigar to draw from and produced a strong, solid ash with an even burn.  I couldn’t help but admire its construction as it burned and could really see the potential this cigar might have if it had marinated in a properly seasoned humidor with other cigars for a few months – but that would be difficult to allow with how enticing it is all on its own.  It’s leathery aroma to match its texture was also a bit of a welcomed surprise.

The Second Third

I was also surprised to notice that this cigar was virtually weightless.  It had no heft at all.  I don’t know if that made a difference in the burn or the taste, but it was interesting to barely feel anything in my hand at all – especially something that produced so much flavor.  The aroma and taste began to sweeten a little bit amid the enhancing spiciness.  It took on more “savory” characteristics but remained very woody and earthy.  Though it was teasing at a growing complexity of aromas and flavors, it balanced out to a pretty consistent level and the intensity of its characteristics were remaining just as strong as they were at first light.  The burn was damn near flawless and produced thick, white smoke that I allowed to linger on my palate for as long as it could before taking another draw.  The professionalism of the craftsmanship was very evident at this stage in the burn.

Burning Out

What was remarkable about this cigar was that it burns cool – as in to say that the smoke pulled into the mouth from the draw is surprisingly cool against the tongue – and it remained this way up until the end.  It didn’t grow hotter as the cherry burned up to the head.  The flavors kicked up a bit and the spiciness became a little more pronounced which allowed me to really taste the earthiness on my tongue.  I had to correct the evenness of the burn at this point, but was really able to overlook that one occurrence against all the positive experiences I had smoking this cigar.  Big billows of white smoke lasted right up to the end and this was not one that I wanted to put down.

Final Thoughts

My only regret about this cigar was that I wanted to kick myself for not trying one sooner.  This was an amazing cigar that gets a thumbs-up on all aspects from design, construction, flavor/aroma and burn quality.  It was unlike any cigar that I have had thus far and certainly worth the hype.  This is a cigar that matches well with my personal style and my preferred tastes.  I certainly think you are doing yourself a great disservice if you claim to enjoy fine cigars and do not give this brand – in any of its many incarnations – a try at some point.  I only wish these were a little more affordable as I could certainly see myself stocking my humidor with a box.

Liked It?:  One of my top favorites!

Buy It Again?:  Absolutely!

Recommend It?:  I’d be a fool not to.

Check out Room 101’s unique style through some pictures from their merch line:

The ashtray I received for Xmas!
Still can't bring mysef to use it!

A nice clipper/lighter with chain combo!

A double-blade cigar clip.  Great artwork.



Paul Stulac "Ghost"

Paul Stulac “Ghost”

Fatal Halo Rating

B-

Dimensions: 6” x 58 (Toro Box Press)

Price:  $12.00

Burn Time:  2 Hours

Wrapper: Equadorian Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan

Tobacco: Nicaraguan Blend Long Filler Tobacco

This was a cigar I saw in the shop under the “New Arrivals” section – and although I had never heard of Paul Stulac before or his cigars, the band art alone was enough to entice me into giving it a try.  I mean, there’s something about a product with a skull on it that just dares you, am I right?  The fact that it was named “Ghost” further catered to my interest in the alternative in very much the same way I was drawn to the Gurkha line of cigars with names like “Black Dragon”, “Evil”, “Ninja” and “Assassin”.  Upon closer inspection of the band, I read the phrase “Regalo De Dios” (Spanish for “Gift From God”) and for a cigar to have such braggadocios attitude evident directly on it, I was actually excited to see if it lived up to the visual hype.

Pre-Smoke Analysis

The cigar was a little spongy on construction, but still quite firm I liked the box-pressed shape a lot and it rested well between my fingers.  The wrapper was a little veiny and toothy but the wrapping technique was almost seamless and appeared to have a double-capped head rather than the triple I’m used to – but not sure if that really makes a noticeable difference.  The aroma off the wrapper was smooth and buttery – a little more earthy and pronounced at the foot, but still excellent as a whole. 

The First Third

The cap cut cleanly with no fraying and the cigar took the flame quickly.  It was an easy draw with a peppered and buttery aroma and left a subtle sweetness on the lips.  The spice tingled my palate a bit, but in a pleasant way.  Though the aromas and flavors were easy enough to sort out, I still considered it to be a cigar with complex flavors and medium-body.  The toothy bumps on the wrapper remained intact on the ash and produced a thick, white smoke.  It had some difficulty on the evenness of the burn and required occasional corrections, but the aromas were very satisfactory.

The Second Third

As I burned into the second third of the cigar, the spice began to mellow and a more leathery taste began to permeate my palate.  I hear that the aroma of leather is appealing to some and not so much for others – but in this case, it was perfect.  The complexity of the flavors began to plateau and became more consistent.  The cigar suddenly extinguished itself and required a relight which was a bit disappointing after having to correct the evenness of the burn a few times during the first third.  I was beginning to wonder if keeping this cigar lit was going to be more of a chore than anything else.

Burning Out

As I came to the end of the cigar, the flavors changed up on me once again.  Creamy, nutty flavors seemed to coat my tongue and palate.  The aromas were smooth – almost like a blend of campfire and Frankincense.  It grew into a more full-bodied smoke right at the end, but it was hard to really appreciate the last little bit of it as I continued to have trouble keeping it lit.  The smoke became thicker and whiter, but failed to have any redeeming qualities to it to make up for the difficulty in keeping this cigar lit.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I was a little bit disappointed with this one.  Although the complexity of the aromas and flavors were excellent, it was hard to find any lasting enjoyment from them since keeping the cigar burning proved to require too much attention to focus on the subtle nuances that might have made it a more enjoyable smoking experience.   I really don’t know what to attribute that difficulty to though.  I liked the band artwork a lot though and may try another from the Stulac line at some point, but fussing with the cigar to keep it burning is a big drawback for me.  The other detracting factor was the price.  For a $12 cigar, I expect to have zero issues, so I think it would be a more appealing choice to me in the future if the price settled down in the $8 range.  I wouldn’t hold the Ghost in the same line as Montecristo or Fuente and I definitely wouldn’t consider this cigar a “Regalo De Dios” – but perhaps there will be some improvement on future Stulac releases.

Liked It?:  Yes – but mainly for the flavor/aroma and the band artwork.

Buy It Again?:  Will probably try another brand from the Stulac line first.

Recommend It?:  Maybe.  Will give it a second chance at some point.

La Gloria Cubana Serie "R" En Crystal

La Gloria Cubana Serie R En Crystal

Fatal Halo Rating

B+

Dimensions: 6” x 54

Burn Time: 2 Hours

Price: $10.00

Binder: Nicaraguan

Wrapper: Oily Equadorian-grown Sumatra

Filler: Dominican Olor Leaf / Nicaraguan Ligero

Pre-Smoke Analysis

This was a very attractive cigar and seemed worthy of being encased in a glass tube.  I have heard a lot of great things about La Gloria Cubana, but this was my first time trying one.  Upon opening the tube, I noticed that the cigar had a triple-cap at the head, had nice, strong construction – although the wrapper was a little veiny.  I could pick up on some very distinct cedar notes and had an earthy, woody aroma which strengthened a bit on the cold draw.  Not overly aggressive, but certainly a cigar with some character.  The feel was generally smooth – despite the veiny wrapper – ad didn’t seem to have much tooth to the texture; more silky with a sheen that could be seen in the right light.

The First Third

The cap cut cleanly with no fraying and the cold draw revealed that it would be a relaxing, easy smoke.  The first hot draw produced plumes of chalky, white smoke and hit my palate with strong flavors of wood, spice and coffee.  It was riding the line on being a bit over-powering – definitely a full-body cigar – but it backs off just enough to allow the flavor/aroma to balance nicely on the palate.  This is definitely a cigar that takes some easing in to.

The Second Third

The cigar consistently maintained its flavor through to the second third, but it was beginning to develop some subtle sweetness and toffee notes.  Had a kind of “sweet and spicy” feel to it.  The burn was staying slow and even and produced a strong, gray ash that held form for a good inch and a half before I’d knock it off.  The smoke remained thick and plentiful.

Burning Out

The cigar burned out momentarily, but not sure as to why as there seemed to be no knots or plugs that I could feel or that gave me any trouble on the draw.  Easily corrected with a quick splash of flame from my butane torch and we were back in business.  The flavors really kicked-up here at the end and the sweetness I was enjoying for a good portion of the second third seemed to dissipate almost entirely.  The nub began to soften a bit as the cherry ate closer to the head, but it didn’t affect the evenness of the burn.

Final Thoughts

I was really impressed with this cigar’s presentation in the glass tube and its overall construction.  It was indeed a finely made cigar and one that was not a disappointing experience.  I would have to say that it was a good first choice for my introduction to sampling the La Gloria Cubana line and it had an immense amount of flavor that – although was bit strong from time to time – remained consistent throughout the smoke.  I tend to enjoy cigars more fully when there is a complex blend of flavors and aromas that keep me intrigued, but for a good, solid smoke – this one knocked it out of the park.  Ultimately, while I didn’t find this cigar to be anything to rave about, it was an experience that has certainly enticed me to try different sizes and styles from the brand.  I was also a little disappointed by the price because although I paid $10 in-store for it, I found it online for under $8.  I certainly can’t hold that against the manufacturer though, so I would have to rank this cigar fairly high on the Burn-Notice board.

Liked it?:  Yes

Buy It Again?: Yes – but online next time to pay what it should properly cost.

Recommend It?: Yes – but only to experienced aficionados who appreciate a strong, full-body cigar!

Montecristo Original Collezione Cristalli

Montecristo Original Collezione Cristalli

Fatal Halo Rating

A

Price: Part of a gift set collection ($10.50 per stick online price)

Burn Time: 2 hours

Dominican binder and filler

Connecticut shade wrapper

Montecristos are an exceptional brand for a lot of reasons, but for me they are personally special because they remind me of my father.  I grew up watching my father enjoy a cigar now and again (I remember Cohibas and Macanudos were a popular choice of his for some time), and it wasn’t until many years later that I came to appreciate them in the same way I believe that he does.  Due to all my tattoos, piercings, music preferences and the unconventional lifestyle that sets me apart from my parents and siblings, there is not a lot I share in common with my family, but a good cigar has become the means by which my father and I have ultimately found our mutual interest.  Over the course of the last year, I’ve sampled many different cigars and have learned more than I thought was possible to know about them.  I’ve found some choice “favorites” among the many, but I will always enjoy a Montecristo not only because of their reputation, but more importantly because of that very personal connection I have to them.  Montecristo is my father’s brand of choice and the cigar I am reviewing today comes as part of a gift set collection that he sent me – and therefore this review is dedicated to him as my way of saying thanks.

Pre-Smoke Analysis

I have to say that most of the cigars I analyze before lighting up really don’t have much to offer.  They may look appealing, but they often fall short of giving away any clues as to what the smoking experience is going to be like.  Not so with this cigar.  After removing it from its glass tube, I checked the feel of construction and found it to be essentially flawless.  Handmade in the Dominican Republic, this cigar was undoubtedly rolled by a master of the trade – a true Artisan.  There were no soft-spots whatsoever and the wrapper itself was silky smooth with a triple-capped head.  Though impressive in design alone, the real reward was the aroma.  The cigar smelled as if it were infused with a fine cognac with the bouquet becoming more pronounced at the foot.  Odd as it sounds, I spent a good few minutes just twisting and running the cigar under my nose to savor its perfume.  I’ve never appreciated this part of the analysis as much as I have with this cigar.

The First Third

The cap clipped cleanly with no fraying and a dry draw on the stick let me know that it would be a little tight toward the cap but should smoke evenly as long as I applied some modest pressure on the pinch.  The foot took the flame like kindling and I quickly had the ring of fire glowing well-enough for me to take my first couple of draws off of it.  Definitely a light to medium-body cigar, the flavor and aromas were not over the top and were actually quite gentle on my palate.  No hint of the spice or pepper that I was anticipating, the flavor was buttery and smooth and I even had to check it once or twice to make sure it was burning strong which, of course, it was.  I suppose I am used to more full-bodied cigars, but the gentleness of this cigar really allowed me to pass the smoke over my palate a bit more than I’m usually accustomed to and was able to pick up on strong essences of wood (cedar perhaps) and nut.  The burn was flawless – producing a flaky, light-gray ash that broke off with minimal effort yet retained the cigar’s shape almost faultlessly.  I was able to just lean back and really enjoy its subtle nuances.  I was doubling up on each draw to produce thick and creamy smoke.

The Second Third

By the time I reached midpoint of the cigar, I was thoroughly enjoying it.  The flavors and aromas stayed pretty consistent throughout as did the evenness of the burn.  I was picking up on a definite sweetness now and the nutty flavor was becoming a little more “roasted” and pronounced.  I was also noticing a “leather” piquancy that remind me very specifically of the aroma on my family’s back porch looking out onto the South Carolina  ocean while my father enjoys an “end of the day” cigar.  It’s a very specific scent that triggers this memory for me and something that I’ve found is wholly unique to Montecristos.  There was a very modest increase in pepper that stimulated my sinuses and balanced out the overall tone of the cigar.

Burning Out

As I expected from my dry draw before lighting, it became a little more difficult to draw off of the cigar as I approached the end of it, so I had to pinch a little harder around the cap to get a good pull of smoke.  The flavors and aromas remained fairly consistent and I didn’t pick up on any notable changes for the duration of the final third of the cigar.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I felt this cigar was a little mind for my taste – but still undoubtedly a masterpiece of a cigar in both construction and burn.  As part of the Cristalli collection, the smoke was about as perfect as one you’re likely to find having been sealed in a glass tube immediately after construction and, of course, bearing the Montecristo band.  This cigar truly looked as if it should be on display somewhere and I felt a slight twinge of guilt as I cut and torched it, but nevertheless a remarkable cigar and one I would highly recommend to those new to smoking cigars or just looking for a real mild to medium-bodied smoke.  In fact, at my first cigar social event, I recommended these cigars specifically.  I would very much like try this cigar again – but perhaps a shorter, thicker version to see if it packs a little more punch.  The gift set this cigar was a part of also includes the Montecristo Afriques, Platinums, Whites and Negras, so I am looking forward to reviewing each one of those in the near future.

Thank you Dad for sending me this incredible gift set and I look forward to another night on the porch with you soon overlooking the ocean, admiring the blanket of stars in the sky above, listening to Jack Johnson, cracking a bottle of wine and sharing another fine cigar!