tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63295239413765996402024-02-18T20:36:41.715-05:00"The Burn Notice" (Fatal Halo Cigar Reviews)A collection of reviews of cigars I have sampled and other cigar related topics.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-60714856866879040992012-03-27T01:20:00.000-04:002012-03-27T01:23:24.918-04:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Liga
Privada No. 9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fatal
Halo Rating<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Dimensions</u>: 6” x 52 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Belicoso)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Price</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$10.00<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burn Time</u>: 2 hours<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Wrapper</u>: Connecticut Broadleaf <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(ligero)</i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Binder</u>: Brazilian Mata Fina<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Tobacco</u>: Honduran & Dominican<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Purchased at</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Montecristo House of Cigar <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Powell,
Ohio – </i></span><a href="http://www.houseofcigar.net/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">www.houseofcigar.net</span></i></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">)</i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ligas are truly in a league of their own when it comes to
the cigar world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Created by Drew Estates
– famously known for their line of infused “ACID” cigars, the Liga is something
special on its own as it was created specifically for the company’s President,
Steve Saka.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As detailed on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">StogieReview.com</b>: <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“During the creation of this cigar, 10 starting blends were created,
then expanded to 4 unique blends within each starting blend (a total of 40
blends).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sanka didn’t find what he was
looking for until they got to blend #9 (after 32 different cigars)”</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That fact alone really impresses me because
the amount of time and work that went in to finding the perfect blend for the
President of a prestigious cigar company really makes you feel that special
attention was paid in the development and creation of this cigar and that, for
me, allows me to savor it that much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve had a Liga No. 9 before and remember it as an excellent smoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m actually very excited to be reviewing
this one today because it is the cigar I picked out to celebrate my recent
engagement to my now fiancé.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact,
the engagement photos we had taken had pictured the ring sitting atop a Liga
Privada No. 9 cigar box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How’s that for
classy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Pre-Smoke Analysis<o:p></o:p></strong></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is just a magnificent cigar in look, feel, aroma and
construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a dark and oily
Oscuro wrapper that is velvety smooth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Packed tight and firm, there are no noticeable soft spots and the wrap
is damn near flawless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a perfect
double-cap at the head and nice bunching at the foot. Indeed, this cigar looks
as if it had been hand-rolled for the President himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aroma off of the wrapper has absorbed the
cedar of my humidor very well and there’s a faint hint of sweetness and
spiciness present at the foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
smooth and quite alluring on the senses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>The First Third<o:p></o:p></strong></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The clip on the head was very easy and presented no
fraying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of the tightness of the
roll, I expected the draw would be a little tight as well, but I’m happy to say
that is not at all the case and the smoke is pulling quite smoothly and easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to light this cigar differently
than most by using a cedar spill, but because of the texture and oiliness of
the wrapper, I had to follow up with a butane torch to get a full burn going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Liga is right away going to hit you hard in the
senses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is most certainly a
full-bodied cigar – but for those aficionados out there looking for something
special, this is just what you’re looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Flavors and aromas are strong yet sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Very subtle nuances dance on the palate and thick white smoke lingers
long enough for each draw to impress you with something new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flavor is a bit fruity, but still smoky
and rustic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am picking up on some
chocolate/roasted cocoa notes as well, but they’re very subtle and perfectly
balanced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a fairly even burn
around the rim and it is just an absolute pleasure to sit back and enjoy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>The Second Third</strong></u><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Strength kicks up a little bit, but just enough to not be
overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m being careful not to
breathe the smoke in too deeply through my nose because it does have the
potential to kick you in the boo boo a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The burn is still very even and hasn’t needed any correction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ash has been strong beyond an inch and a
half and needed a good knock against the ashtray to break it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thick, creamy smoke is coating the tongue
nicely but doesn’t leave a stale or bitter taste in the mouth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>Burning Out</strong></u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last little bit is full of flavor and the strength
really kicks into high gear now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
started to die out on me a little bit, but I knocked off the ash and torched it
up again and didn’t have any more problems after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may have let it burn on its own a little too
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smoke is still rich and
creamy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More experienced cigar smokers
will be fine with the heaviness of this cigar at this stage, but it’s not a bad
idea to have a good beverage on hand just to clean the plate a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the smokey, syrupy flavors really come
together here and bless the palate with a very unique and satisfying
taste.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall, this cigar remains one of my favorites and I
reviewed it for that reason; it is a cigar worth sharing with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve tried a few of the ACID cigars from Drew
Estate, but the Liga is by far my favorite and one worthy of lighting up for a
special occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That being said, it is
a cigar that may not appeal to those who are looking for something a little
lighter and smoother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is robust and
full of flavor and a little on the strong side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, it burns nice and slow and eases you into its more complex
flavors and aromas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some might get a
strong buzz as they finish up the last third of it, but that’s partly what
makes it what it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truly a magnificent
cigar in every category and well worth the price.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Liked It?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immensely.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Buy It Again?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most certainly.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Recommend It?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>100%.<o:p></o:p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-43719002107440108572012-02-25T01:56:00.002-05:002012-02-25T01:56:48.506-05:00ACID Ming Dynasty<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">ACID Ming Dynasty</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fatal Halo Rating</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">B</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Dimensions</u>: 6” x 60 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Toro)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Price</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$11.00</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burn Time</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 hours</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Wrapper</u>: Nicaraguan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Binder</u>: Nicaraguan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Tobacco</u>: Nicaraguan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Purchased at</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Montecristo House of Cigar <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Powell, Ohio – </i></span><a href="http://www.houseofcigar.net/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">www.houseofcigar.net</span></i></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve only had a few of the ACID cigars in the past and for the most part, they’ve been kind of . . . “Eh”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I much prefer the flavor and aroma of a natural cigar opposed to anything spiced or flavored like the ACID line, but seeing as how I always see them in their own special humidors in whatever shop I see them at, I assume there has to be a real winner among the line that I just have yet to find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, with that in mind, I picked up this beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looks nice and thick – capable of packing a punch, I hope.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pre-Smoke Analysis</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is actually a beautifully constructed cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wrapper is a little veiny and you can feel some real tooth to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a bit disappointed because after removing it from the cellophane, I see that the wrapper near the foot is cracked in an upwards direction about an inch high on the cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope this doesn’t cause any issues for me after lighting it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The feel of the cigar is very firm with a mildly-rounded cap at the head that looks like its midway between being a standard rounded-cap cigar and a torpedo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The band art is exquisite. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aroma off the wrapper is very subtle, but it has a definite sweet spiciness to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aroma intensifies at the foot and I’m picking up on hints of fine cognac and . . . baby powder oddly enough.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The First Third</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cigar lit up very quickly and without much fuss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The split in the wrapper flaked away a little bit at first, but it didn’t cause any real trouble at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The draw was very easy after the clip, but the aroma and flavor doesn’t quite pack the punch I was expecting it would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nice and mellow and a little low on flavor considering it’s an ACID cigar, but not at all unpleasant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The burn is staying pretty consistent and no major issues to speak of, so although it’s not a cigar that knocks my socks off, it’s not a complete disappointment either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>The Second Third</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not much change at all in flavor complexity or strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a very mild-bodied cigar in every sense of the meaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The burn becomes a bit hotter as the cherry closes in on the head, but still burns very even and doesn’t overpower your palate so much that you can’t enjoy pairing it with a good beverage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Dynasty picked up a little more flavor and strength right at the end, but I kind of hoped it would have kicked in a little sooner so I could have had longer to enjoy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It extinguished itself with a little less than an inch and a half left to go, but overall, it was a satisfying cigar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Final Thoughts</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From what I found in reviews on this cigar online, it didn’t get very high marks – and from seasoned cigar aficionados, I can understand why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it burned almost perfectly as I didn’t need to correct it at any point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flavors were mild, but they lingered on the palate long enough to appreciate its uniqueness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think it was necessarily worth the price I paid for it, but as far as ACID goes, it was alright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think those looking to try one expect more from it based on its size and construction and I’d like to try a Maduro version of it if one is ever produced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a bad cigar for those new to the lifestyle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Liked It?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was sufficient.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Recommend It?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very likely . . . once the price drops a bit.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pairing(s)</span></u><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed a <strong><em>Dundee Porter</em></strong> with this cigar and found it to be very well-matched!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-35399825800082497682012-02-19T02:53:00.000-05:002012-02-19T03:00:09.737-05:00A.J. Fernandez San Lotano Oval<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">A.J. Fernandez San Lotano Oval</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fatal Halo Rating</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A+</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Dimensions</u>: 6.5” x 54 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(oval-shaped box press)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Price</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$11.00</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burn Time</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 2.5 hrs.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Wrapper</u>: Habano 2000 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(aged 4 years)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Binder</u>: Nicaraguan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Tobacco</u>: Nicaraguan & Honduran</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Purchased at</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Montecristo House of Cigar <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Powell, Ohio – </i></span><a href="http://www.houseofcigar.net/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">www.houseofcigar.net</span></i></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was interested in trying this cigar after seeing it ranked #2 on Cigar Journal’s Top 25 of 2011 and also because of its unique shape which can really only be described as an "oval-shaped box press".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite an amazing look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The buzz around the smoke shop was also pretty high about this one in particular and the only deterrent for me from trying one sooner was its price tag – but I eventually had to give in and see if this one smoked as good as it looked.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Pre-Smoke Analysis</strong></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The shape itself is pretty amazing, but the wrapper is very smooth and silky to the touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a firm cigar with very few (if any) noticeable soft spots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The head seems to be double-capped – and they do look a little flimsy, so I’m hoping the clip won’t cause the wrapper to unravel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also found that the wrapper has a split leaf about half-way up on the stick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure if that’s my handling that caused that or the cigar shop’s, but I’m hoping that won’t cause too much trouble after lighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aroma off the wrapper is very mellow and smooth – kind of leathery and earthy, but just subtle enough that I can’t pick up on any specifics.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>The First Third</strong></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I clipped the cap very slightly so as not to cause any unraveling and it took just a pinch to get the proper level on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dry draw pulled very smoothly and easily, so I went ahead and torched it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could tell right away by how quickly the foot took the flame that the reason for the cracked leaf wasn’t in the handling at all, but because the cigar was a little dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless, the first pull of smoke after toasting the foot was surprisingly mellow and at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">precisely</i> the right strength that I can really enjoy the flavors!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thick, billowing white clouds of smoke rise out of this bad boy with each puff – but it is not at all overpowering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot yet tell if the cracked wrapper is affecting the smoke at all as it feels I am pulling in more air on the draw than I should be, but the cigar is burning evenly, so I do not see any issues yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps there might be in the second third when the cherry hits that segment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Still hard to describe in terms of flavor, this cigar certainly has a refined, aged aroma to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the amount of flavor it does have, I would expect it to be much more potent and full-bodied, but it is very mellow with just the right amount of spice and pepper to linger on the palate. I have never had a cigar quite like this one before, but if it is true that that majority of the flavor of a cigar is found in the wrapper, their Habano 2000 selection is right on the money. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am making sure to handle the cigar delicately when smoking it and using my free had to hold the broken wrapper in place while taking my draws to be sure that it stays intact until I burn past that point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>The Second Third</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Burned right down to the cracked wrapper, and although there was some minor flaking, the cigar corrected itself very quickly all on its own and didn’t lose a hint of flavor or compromise the burn!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m actually incredibly impressed as I was expecting a much more dramatic issue to arise – but no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cigar remains a consistent medium-body and the flavors begin to betray a bit of a cedar taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is still producing large billows of white smoke but remaining as mellow as first light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This cigar is a bit of an oddity, but one I’m actually marveling at!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m really enjoying what I think may actually be a masterpiece rivaling <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(or at least equaling)</i> the <em><strong>Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial</strong></em>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Burning Out</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had to manually correct the burn a couple of times once I burned down this far, but it didn’t detract from the enjoyable experience of smoking this cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flavors kicked up a bit at the end with a little more spice and pepper, but the consistent mellowness of the cigar up until this point really eases you into it gently and allows you to enjoy the subtle nuances that await.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tend to appreciate cigars that have more complexity to them, but in this case, the balance was perfect from the first draw and I was really glad it remained as consistent as it did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This cigar has certainly become one of my new favorites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the unique shape and flawless construction to the buttery flavor and aroma, the San Lotano is an absolutely exquisite cigar that I think experienced smokers and newbies alike will appreciate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially, I was hesitant to buy one because of the price tag, but after researching more about the components used to construct it and the experience of smoking it, the Oval is worth every penny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It most certainly deserves it’s #2 spot on the top 25 cigars of 2011 and I am looking forward to my next one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>Liked It?</strong></u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Profoundly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>Buy It Again?</strong></u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may even buy a few to share with others!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>Recommend It?</strong></u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>100%.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>Pairing(s)</strong></u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Magic Hat’s “Howl (Black as Night Lager)”</span></strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has a real distinct malted-chocolate flavor that really compliments the cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could also see myself enjoying a nice Irish coffee with this cigar as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May have to try that next time just to be sure!</span></div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-41967533257896078492012-02-16T00:08:00.000-05:002012-02-16T00:08:35.458-05:00Cain Daytona Torpedo<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Cain Daytona</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fatal Halo Rating</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Dimensions</u>: 6” x 54 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Torpedo)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Price</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$8.00</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burn Time</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Wrapper</u>: Nicaraguan Habano</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Binder</u>: Nicaraguan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Tobacco</u>: Nicaraguan Long-filler Ligero</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Purchased at</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Montecristo House of Cigar <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Powell, Ohio – </i></span><a href="http://www.houseofcigar.net/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.houseofcigar.net</span></i></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I read that this cigar was on Cigar Journal’s Top 25 list, so I figured I’d give it a shot and see what it was all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cigars by Olivia have never really been exceptional in my experience, but knowing that each blend has different characteristics and nuances, I’m certainly not going to pass up an opportunity to explore further – and being that this cigar rated pretty high among the others, I’m interested to see what it has to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noted as a more “mild” smoke than others in its brand, it may provide just the cut off the top I’m looking for.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pre-Smoke Analysis</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wrapper itself is almost seamlessly rolled – looks as if it were rolled from a single leaf with no seams or breaks anywhere to be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very nice job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Habano wrapper itself is a little veiny, but doesn’t feel that way when I run my fingers along it. Very smooth and delicate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aroma coming off of the wrapper is exquisite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very aromatic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a sweet yet earthy aroma to it that is very pleasing indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tightly bunched tobacco at the foot looks like the cross section of a fallen tree and I’m tempted just for a moment to count the rings as if that will be any prediction as for what’s in store!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The strengthened aroma coming off of the foot is a little more earthy and roasted, but still very enticing.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The First Third</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cap clipped cleanly with no fraying and the cigar took the flame from my torch well and the draw was surprisingly perfect for a torpedo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Occasionally I’ll have some difficulty with drawing off of a torpedo because my guillotine cutter tends to smash the tobacco together and makes it hard for any smoke to pass through, but this one seems to be just fine for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder if it has anything to do with the way the ligero filler is rolled?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was certainly impressive to see it so finely packed at the foot before lighting it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first draw was a little strong, so I’m sampling it gently as the burn begins to even out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aroma is unique to anything I’ve smoked before – somewhat difficult to pinpoint specific flavors, but I’m picking up a sweetness blended with coffee and spice which is very satisfying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That earthy/cedar-like aroma that was present on the pre-smoke is certainly still evident and even more pronounced now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though the Daytona is toted as being more on the mild side, it will still likely pack a punch to the inexperienced smoker, but the flavors are certainly worth experiencing for yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>The Second Third</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am starting to have some real difficulty keeping this cigar lit – and I’m beginning to wonder if the torpedo cap is mostly to blame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had to correct the burn several times, relight once and re-clip the cap to try and get a better draw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flavors remained pretty consistent throughout this segment of the cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Smoke was thick and heavy, but full of flavor – particularly pepper and spice. I really have to draw hard on it and give it a good couple of puffs before I get any substantial smoke to sample though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m beginning to wonder if the number of times I’m having to torch this cigar to keep it lit and to keep the burn even is charring the tobacco and affecting the flavor though as it is beginning to leave a bit of a bitter taste on my palate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burning Out</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The flavors have remained consistent right up until the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing notable or revolutionary about it in my opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a milder version of some of the other Olivia cigars I’ve had in the past, but it wasn’t as complex a cigar as I was expecting it to be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Final Thoughts</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall, I was a bit disappointed with this one and not sure if the Olivia brand is really one I appreciate as much as the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cigar started off very well, but the trouble I had keeping it lit was maddening and really detracted from the overall experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was constantly canoeing in the burn and I’m sure at least half of the cigar was burned up just in the process of relighting and correcting it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking past the difficulty I had with that, the aromas and flavors just weren’t packing that punch I like to have in a cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consistency is generally a good thing for some brands, but I was expecting more considering how highly it was rated by more experienced connoisseurs than myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the appearance and construction aspect, I give this cigar high marks, but the real proof of quality should always be on the smoking experience and for this one I feel it was a bit of a let down. I would like to think that maybe a different shaped cigar of this same line may smoke more evenly so I can give it a proper review, but I don’t see myself looking into buying another one any time in the near future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Liked It?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had worse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Buy It Again?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not likely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Recommend It?</u>: Probably not.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-34088310100077367462012-02-12T12:10:00.000-05:002012-02-12T12:11:21.185-05:00Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Rocky Patel Fifteenth Anniversary</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1atVA5sfLD4FI1NjK1AxL_0HDfdT42xe8bhKZcC8VIG9FuP9w6njSJxDsZ-WGnR5KVMBxcRCcSutOB3awQGaSZ-qRr_DNcLAAAVvbOJXKicvQbu1Uaaw1FVgniealCwS5QwrON0aprg/s1600/Rocky+Patel+15th+Anniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1atVA5sfLD4FI1NjK1AxL_0HDfdT42xe8bhKZcC8VIG9FuP9w6njSJxDsZ-WGnR5KVMBxcRCcSutOB3awQGaSZ-qRr_DNcLAAAVvbOJXKicvQbu1Uaaw1FVgniealCwS5QwrON0aprg/s320/Rocky+Patel+15th+Anniversary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fatal Halo Rating</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Dimensions</u>: 6.5” x 52 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Toro)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Price</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$10.00</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burn Time</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2.5 Hours</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Wrapper</u>: Equadorian <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(grown from Habano seeds)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Binder</u>: Nicaraguan <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(2 binders)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Tobacco</u>: Special Nicaraguan blend <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(grown especially for this cigar)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Purchased at</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Montecristo House of Cigar <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Powell, Ohio – </i></span><a href="http://www.houseofcigar.net/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">www.houseofcigar.net</span></i></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve seen a lot of Rocky Patel cigars in the store that I purchase most of my cigars from, but I’ve never really had the desire to try one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I decided to try this specific blend after seeing it listed among the top 25 cigars of 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a very interesting box-press shape <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(which I later found out is called “trunk-pressed”)</i> and from what reviews I read about it, I was intrigued enough to give it a try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a $10 stick, I am expecting a lot, but from the construction and presentation, I’m confident that it will deliver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really like trying cigars that are unique from anything else on the market, and after seeing that the filler tobacco blend was grown on a farm especially dedicated to this line, my interest was piqued.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pre-Smoke Analysis</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This cigar has some amazing aromas that really just relax the senses and create a “hum” of buttery flavor with each inhale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wrapper is a bit veiny, but smooth and silky to the touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shape itself is interesting and it feels comfortable in the hand and between the fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aroma intensifies at the foot and has the distinct smells of hazelnut and chocolate – almost as if this cigar was sold from Starbucks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a soft and alluring aroma that has me anxious to clip and toast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The head is triple-capped and the gun-metal double bands on the body really compliment the overall appearance of an undeniably fine cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chocolate/cocoa aroma kicks up a bit on the cold draw and seems to have an easy pull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No cap fraying after the clip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m already impressed and I haven’t even pulled out my lighter yet. </span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The First Third</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, the new butane torch I bought didn’t make it through lighting even one cigar, so I guess the search continues to find<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>good one of those, but the cigar took the flame very well as I torched the foot and got a decent cherry burning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really like how the shape of this cigar contours to my lips when I take a draw - and it’s almost effortless to pull rich, creamy smoke off of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not at all over-powering and just the right balance of spice that is only noticeable on the back of the palate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a dusty, nutty aroma complemented by roasted undertones to dull the sweetness still present on the lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This cigar smokes like a dream and puts me to ease almost immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The burn was a little uneven, but nothing so severe that it required any manual correction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ash is a flaky, marbled gray, holds strong beyond an inch and a half and maintains the shape almost flawlessly - all indicative of a well-constructed and finely-blended cigar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>The Second Third</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The spiciness kicks up a bit during the second third but the rich, creamy smoke stays very consistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m also picking up on a bit of vanilla under the expanded nutty aroma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The burn needed a little correction at this point, but I attribute that to how frequently I’m drawing off of it to savor the taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The overall flavor remains pretty consistent yet picks up on strength and balances out to a fairly medium-bodied cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I typically like to wait until this point to truly judge the body of a cigar as this is where the real concentration of the flavor/aroma mix tends to reveal itself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burning Out</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As with the second third of the burn, the cigar retains its flavor and aroma, but intensifies in strength with a notable increase in pepper that tingles the palate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The burn has evened out and the smoke draws heavier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uncommon to cigars I have smoked previously, this one seems to adopt a more full-bodied status than was present earlier in the burn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am pleasantly surprised, though it is almost a bit overpowering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each draw leaves a cool, menthol-like burn on the lips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Final Thoughts</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This cigar was one of the more interesting ones I’ve had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an introduction to the Rocky Patel line, I think it has convinced me to explore more of what they have to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A superbly crafted smoke rich with flavor and aroma, it had an excellent burn and though it had a little bite at the end, it was enjoyable down to the last draw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see why it ranked as it did among Cigar Aficionado’s top 25 of last year and I am almost a little regretful that I did not try one sooner!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Liked It?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Buy It Again?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Recommend It?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes – but more so for seasoned cigar smokers who will appreciate its strength.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Pairing(s)</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed a “Java Head Stout” from the Tr<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ö</span>egs Brothers Brewery to compliment this cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very appropriate.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv11y7kDBlIJazAQX70zalV_bNbAXRKFkJw5chyphenhyphenEkjdpM2-eZBGclRDXzyhTJI6BqSBqUPh7UEUiQjFJ5Q1miYPGDY4OLLl1uD_KzXZONb1COhRJViE94TTWhMGYC1JA9ypJvWaFLuits/s1600/troegs-javahead-stout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv11y7kDBlIJazAQX70zalV_bNbAXRKFkJw5chyphenhyphenEkjdpM2-eZBGclRDXzyhTJI6BqSBqUPh7UEUiQjFJ5Q1miYPGDY4OLLl1uD_KzXZONb1COhRJViE94TTWhMGYC1JA9ypJvWaFLuits/s320/troegs-javahead-stout.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-71159355683996917462012-01-30T00:23:00.001-05:002012-01-30T00:23:32.661-05:00K. Hansotia (Gurkha) "Ancient Warrior"<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">K. Hansotia “Ancient Warrior”</span><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j5-78TQBxYuuTQ19QSqVO5ncLy1h4nlFAS-WfmhyphenhyphendCpB_WkGsUIlaU0_dL5_fTY8qbpy7EPJcdjniPQH94ZrZ2Q__5oifpp1S29W0o3zZav4iv7_IaovMus7qMT6isXJiPKOqDyPRoA/s1600/Ancient+Warrior+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j5-78TQBxYuuTQ19QSqVO5ncLy1h4nlFAS-WfmhyphenhyphendCpB_WkGsUIlaU0_dL5_fTY8qbpy7EPJcdjniPQH94ZrZ2Q__5oifpp1S29W0o3zZav4iv7_IaovMus7qMT6isXJiPKOqDyPRoA/s320/Ancient+Warrior+(2).jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fatal Halo Rating</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">A</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Dimensions</u>: 6” x 58</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Price</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: $11.00</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Burn Time</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: 2+ hours</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Tobacco</u>: Dominican & Honduran long-filler blend</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Binder</u>: Nicaraguan</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Wrapper</u>: Brazilian</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">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 <strong>Timba Cigar Company </strong><em><span style="color: red;">(</span></em><a href="http://www.timbacigarco.com/"><em><span style="color: red;">www.timbacigarco.com</span></em></a><em><span style="color: red;">)</span></em> in Powell, Ohio and introduced myself to the owner, Thom Barber, who graciously welcomed me into his store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pre-Smoke Analysis</span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything larger and I think it would affect the experience – but this is a perfect size and it sits well in my hand.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wrapper is dark and oily with a noticeable toothy feel to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cigar itself is a bit of a paradox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oily yet toothy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spongy yet firm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really has an enticing character to it and found myself eager to clip and light it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The construction was impeccable despite a noticeably veiny Brazilian wrapper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked up on a bit of chocolate in the aroma as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cap clipped cleanly and the cold draw illuminated the aromas I previously described even more.</span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The First Third</span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truly an odyssey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The overall tone was a touch woody, but it had a very robust and rustic aroma behind it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The burn was excellent and stayed consistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Second Third</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second-third didn’t really start off with much deviation from what was introduced at the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assumed that would change as it burned down more though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was beginning to take on a bit more of a creamy, medium-bodied aroma.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Burning Out</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Final Thoughts</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Judging by the name alone – “Ancient Warrior” – I was really expecting something exotic and spicy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just the opposite though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazingly smooth and while extremely flavorful, it wasn’t really spicy at any point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Enjoyed It?</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immensely.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Buy It Again?</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most definitely!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Recommend It?</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: 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.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-51555843613864190962012-01-29T16:55:00.000-05:002012-01-29T17:03:18.962-05:00Room 101 "323" Toro<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Room 101 “323” Toro</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZF-g06uDPpWaP04PZEa9yxQ4LDqRg4RUEBtP6CSCob-M2CCkZT8taD0RAnu5OmDSGlQ5kbEZJ7QoinGIPOWkBHAil-UZJNgCdjgE9beLd7siNYr82JvOGS_7B20EEW6tzBis2gWiJ3cE/s1600/Room+101+Label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZF-g06uDPpWaP04PZEa9yxQ4LDqRg4RUEBtP6CSCob-M2CCkZT8taD0RAnu5OmDSGlQ5kbEZJ7QoinGIPOWkBHAil-UZJNgCdjgE9beLd7siNYr82JvOGS_7B20EEW6tzBis2gWiJ3cE/s320/Room+101+Label.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fatal Halo Rating</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Dimensions</u>: 6” x 50</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Price</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$10.00</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burn Time</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 Hours</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Wrapper</u>: Special Semilla 101</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Binder</u>: Honduran</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Tobacco</u>: Honduran & Dominican Republic blend</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Room 101 was a cigar I had been meaning to try for some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from their cigars, they have a wickedly impressive merch line that certainly catches the eye in any cigar shop you might walk into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just to give you an idea of how col their style is, I had wanted <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(and received)</i> a VERY nice Room 101 cigar ashtray for Christmas – well before I had even smoked one!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also impressed that the varying sizes of cigars in the Room 101 line were named according to different area codes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one was the “323” which corresponds, of course, to Central LA & Hollywood, California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of their line is as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“213” Coronoa – Los Angeles, California</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“305” Robusto – Florida</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“404” Torpedo – Atlanta, Georgia</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“702” – Las Vegas, Nevada</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“808” Bertha –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honolulu, Hawaii</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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: </span><a href="http://www.room101cigars.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.room101cigars.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> and see what they’re all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pre-Smoke Analysis</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Right away, the design of the label stood out to me the most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The label itself was wrapped around a firm and well-made cigar – no noticeable soft spots with a triple-capped head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wrapper was a bit veiny, but no noticeable tears or defects to detract from its milk-chocolate colored body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The feel of the cigar was smooth – like parchment – and didn’t really give off any noticeable aromas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cap clipped off cleanly with no fraying and lit as easily as the parchment feeling it had between my fingers.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The First Third</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Right away, the Toro gave off a nice, woody aroma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Medium-bodied with definite traits of nut and cedar; a real relaxed and earthy taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flavor didn’t rest too heavily on the palate and remained surprisingly smooth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bit peppery, but not at all overpowering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an easy cigar to draw from and produced a strong, solid ash with an even burn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s leathery aroma to match its texture was also a bit of a welcomed surprise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>The Second Third</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was also surprised to notice that this cigar was virtually weightless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had no heft at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aroma and taste began to sweeten a little bit amid the enhancing spiciness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took on more “savory” characteristics but remained very woody and earthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The professionalism of the craftsmanship was very evident at this stage in the burn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burning Out</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t grow hotter as the cherry burned up to the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Big billows of white smoke lasted right up to the end and this was not one that I wanted to put down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Final Thoughts</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My only regret about this cigar was that I wanted to kick myself for not trying one sooner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was an amazing cigar that gets a thumbs-up on all aspects from design, construction, flavor/aroma and burn quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was unlike any cigar that I have had thus far and certainly worth the hype.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a cigar that matches well with my personal style and my preferred tastes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only wish these were a little more affordable as I could certainly see myself stocking my humidor with a box.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Liked It?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my top favorites!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Buy It Again?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Recommend It?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d be a fool not to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Check out Room 101’s unique style through some pictures from their merch line:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGdYNrSt_Iof_EvRvO0abZERt0PeRa1R1a2nOJbCm_rbPyiINswC9LBbiXNef9sUmY8FYf-98Ip2RTwxSnEfeIHcKiKlYP3rtFPkYQqkbdAyozQV-7EliArhD1GJK6cBjtR_Z0bv35NM/s1600/DSC09886.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGdYNrSt_Iof_EvRvO0abZERt0PeRa1R1a2nOJbCm_rbPyiINswC9LBbiXNef9sUmY8FYf-98Ip2RTwxSnEfeIHcKiKlYP3rtFPkYQqkbdAyozQV-7EliArhD1GJK6cBjtR_Z0bv35NM/s200/DSC09886.gif" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ashtray I received for Xmas!<br />
Still can't bring mysef to use it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmheFUfdiIU84BE84DQgvEZzKUwqEnEN_heQ_i-R7HzAdspkBPEyaZNq2l-qMF_zNpU0k0oJLhCH3EK8nma7NtaKjJ6aFfGSLu21MTdbvAeH1_wI4Hdo5qSPwQjCeC2O1aStuwtGfUKJI/s1600/room_101_silver_cigar_cutter_lighter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmheFUfdiIU84BE84DQgvEZzKUwqEnEN_heQ_i-R7HzAdspkBPEyaZNq2l-qMF_zNpU0k0oJLhCH3EK8nma7NtaKjJ6aFfGSLu21MTdbvAeH1_wI4Hdo5qSPwQjCeC2O1aStuwtGfUKJI/s200/room_101_silver_cigar_cutter_lighter.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice clipper/lighter with chain combo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjK4oOiPbq32BsKvu5bSM9PaMLl1OtStVw-hGakrysmMoxkE7wKODSTtM3DDZ68v_h70FGOLh_TExSbCeQdYewp2uwgcUcxGcECDFo2LMhbg5PznkdzL0A0UaTxYVYY57FTbsbUy694ZI/s1600/imagesCA9RNW9Z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjK4oOiPbq32BsKvu5bSM9PaMLl1OtStVw-hGakrysmMoxkE7wKODSTtM3DDZ68v_h70FGOLh_TExSbCeQdYewp2uwgcUcxGcECDFo2LMhbg5PznkdzL0A0UaTxYVYY57FTbsbUy694ZI/s200/imagesCA9RNW9Z.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A double-blade cigar clip. Great artwork.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-88259638577878860252012-01-29T15:12:00.000-05:002012-01-29T15:17:57.427-05:00Paul Stulac "Ghost"<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Paul Stulac “Ghost”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ6hRceSTk_7u71UbqJMdXSwcVkzPztn4ofvCqyKHhPHV4D8ERIUXdVGq0YADPNChOI7gumAV7Z-pQsAMb5z1vuGW_DesoEtVhLedZyODJb02yp5ZniUgAB07Ragg16s8SD5cUrLyctY/s1600/PS-GHOST-CIGAR-2000__16558_zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ6hRceSTk_7u71UbqJMdXSwcVkzPztn4ofvCqyKHhPHV4D8ERIUXdVGq0YADPNChOI7gumAV7Z-pQsAMb5z1vuGW_DesoEtVhLedZyODJb02yp5ZniUgAB07Ragg16s8SD5cUrLyctY/s320/PS-GHOST-CIGAR-2000__16558_zoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fatal Halo Rating</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">B-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Dimensions</u>: 6” x 58 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Toro Box Press)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Price</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$12.00</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burn Time</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 Hours</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Wrapper</u>: Equadorian Habano</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Binder</u>: Nicaraguan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Tobacco</u>: Nicaraguan Blend Long Filler Tobacco</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, there’s something about a product with a skull on it that just dares you, am I right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon closer inspection of the band, I read the phrase “Regalo De Dios” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Spanish for “Gift From God”)</i> 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.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pre-Smoke Analysis</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aroma off the wrapper was smooth and buttery – a little more earthy and pronounced at the foot, but still excellent as a whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The First Third</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cap cut cleanly with no fraying and the cigar took the flame quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an easy draw with a peppered and buttery aroma and left a subtle sweetness on the lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spice tingled my palate a bit, but in a pleasant way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The toothy bumps on the wrapper remained intact on the ash and produced a thick, white smoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had some difficulty on the evenness of the burn and required occasional corrections, but the aromas were very satisfactory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>The Second Third</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear that the aroma of leather is appealing to some and not so much for others – but in this case, it was perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The complexity of the flavors began to plateau and became more consistent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was beginning to wonder if keeping this cigar lit was going to be more of a chore than anything else.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burning Out</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I came to the end of the cigar, the flavors changed up on me once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Creamy, nutty flavors seemed to coat my tongue and palate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aromas were smooth – almost like a blend of campfire and Frankincense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Final Thoughts</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall, I was a little bit disappointed with this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really don’t know what to attribute that difficulty to though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other detracting factor was the price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Liked It?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes – but mainly for the flavor/aroma and the band artwork.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Buy It Again?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will probably try another brand from the Stulac line first.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Recommend It?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will give it a second chance at some point.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-79926089112177667192012-01-29T14:06:00.005-05:002012-01-29T15:18:08.685-05:00La Gloria Cubana Serie "R" En Crystal<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">La Gloria Cubana Serie R En Crystal</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fatal Halo Rating</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">B+</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Dimensions</u>: 6” x 54</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burn Time</u>: 2 Hours</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Price</u>: $10.00</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Binder</u>: Nicaraguan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Wrapper</u>: Oily Equadorian-grown Sumatra</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Filler</u>: Dominican Olor Leaf / Nicaraguan Ligero</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>P</u></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>re-Smoke Analysis</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This was a very attractive cigar and seemed worthy of being encased in a glass tube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard a lot of great things about La Gloria Cubana, but this was my first time trying one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could pick up on some very distinct cedar notes and had an earthy, woody aroma which strengthened a bit on the cold draw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not overly aggressive, but certainly a cigar with some character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>The First Third</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cap cut cleanly with no fraying and the cold draw revealed that it would be a relaxing, easy smoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first hot draw produced plumes of chalky, white smoke and hit my palate with strong flavors of wood, spice and coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is definitely a cigar that takes some easing in to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>The Second Third</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cigar consistently maintained its flavor through to the second third, but it was beginning to develop some subtle sweetness and toffee notes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had a kind of “sweet and spicy” feel to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smoke remained thick and plentiful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burning Out</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easily corrected with a quick splash of flame from my butane torch and we were back in business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Final Thoughts</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was really impressed with this cigar’s presentation in the glass tube and its overall construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was indeed a finely made cigar and one that was not a disappointing experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Liked it?</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Buy It Again?</u>: Yes – but online next time to pay what it should properly cost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Recommend It?</u>: Yes – but only to experienced aficionados who appreciate a strong, full-body cigar!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-15358999936853260512012-01-09T00:43:00.001-05:002012-01-29T15:13:05.739-05:00Montecristo Original Collezione Cristalli<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Montecristo Original Collezione Cristalli</span><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></shapetype></span><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTKOthp6ypYIzxRDCaIjQsgBM2hTMZca70yzmxdRAfXcqrAzjArhbxBZM0ic-HQ6q33xoIBOSQr_r4p3Na4wnRL3ESnZ1J__bnECeo2MHiPDBI2yyP-Dq3YBGMqnZ2NgfLl5pcgl0qmY/s1600/Montecristo+Original+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTKOthp6ypYIzxRDCaIjQsgBM2hTMZca70yzmxdRAfXcqrAzjArhbxBZM0ic-HQ6q33xoIBOSQr_r4p3Na4wnRL3ESnZ1J__bnECeo2MHiPDBI2yyP-Dq3YBGMqnZ2NgfLl5pcgl0qmY/s320/Montecristo+Original+02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fatal Halo Rating</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">A</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Price</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: Part of a gift set collection <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">($10.50 per stick online price)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Burn Time</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: 2 hours</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dominican binder and filler</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Connecticut shade wrapper</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Montecristos are an exceptional brand for a lot of reasons, but for me they are personally special because they remind me of my father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grew up watching my father enjoy a cigar now and again <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(I remember Cohibas and Macanudos were a popular choice of his for some time)</i>, and it wasn’t until many years later that I came to appreciate them in the same way I believe that he does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pre-Smoke Analysis</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have to say that most of the cigars I analyze before lighting up really don’t have much to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not so with this cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After removing it from its glass tube, I checked the feel of construction and found it to be essentially flawless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Handmade in the Dominican Republic, this cigar was undoubtedly rolled by a master of the trade – a true Artisan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no soft-spots whatsoever and the wrapper itself was silky smooth with a triple-capped head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though impressive in design alone, the real reward was the aroma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cigar smelled as if it were infused with a fine cognac with the bouquet becoming more pronounced at the foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Odd as it sounds, I spent a good few minutes just twisting and running the cigar under my nose to savor its perfume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never appreciated this part of the analysis as much as I have with this cigar.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The First Third</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely a light to medium-body cigar, the flavor and aromas were not over the top and were actually quite gentle on my palate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(cedar perhaps)</i> and nut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The burn was flawless – producing a flaky, light-gray ash that broke off with minimal effort yet retained the cigar’s shape almost faultlessly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to just lean back and really enjoy its subtle nuances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was doubling up on each draw to produce thick and creamy smoke.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Second Third</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By the time I reached midpoint of the cigar, I was thoroughly enjoying it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flavors and aromas stayed pretty consistent throughout as did the evenness of the burn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was picking up on a definite sweetness now and the nutty flavor was becoming a little more “roasted” and pronounced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ocean while my father enjoys an “end of the day” cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a very specific scent that triggers this memory for me and something that I’ve found is wholly unique to Montecristos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a very modest increase in pepper that stimulated my sinuses and balanced out the overall tone of the cigar.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Burning Out</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Final Thoughts</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, at my first cigar social event, I recommended these cigars specifically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would very much like try this cigar again – but perhaps a shorter, thicker version to see if it packs a little more punch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">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!</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-83214663105629094832011-12-31T10:58:00.002-05:002012-01-29T15:12:55.813-05:00Alec Bradley Tempus Medius 6<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">Alec Bradley Tempus </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">(Medius 6)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuJLNC_CQF_VWiSwJr_nqcNH_ZGkWO09k3EPgVuFP0URQaD1PxB1jW-0EAYgOMPdiYcPh8LEb8qkS_iVteG8uRu3_OJ91yktsp010b8fvTlfGxSEa4fwAG2ubGRbLd6gBd6yWdjyUHHk/s1600/20110304abtm60001-edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuJLNC_CQF_VWiSwJr_nqcNH_ZGkWO09k3EPgVuFP0URQaD1PxB1jW-0EAYgOMPdiYcPh8LEb8qkS_iVteG8uRu3_OJ91yktsp010b8fvTlfGxSEa4fwAG2ubGRbLd6gBd6yWdjyUHHk/s320/20110304abtm60001-edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif";">Fatal Halo Rating</span></u><span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trajan Pro", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">B</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Price</u>: $10.00</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Burn Time</u>: 1.5 hrs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Indonesian Binder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Honduran & Nicaraguan Filler</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Honduran-Grown Habano Wrapper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was drawn to this cigar after reading some decent reviews on it in a few magazines and saw that it paired up well with some choice beverages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cigar Aficionado gave this one a "94" rating, so I was expecting a lot from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a number of different styles and sizes of this line when I found it in the shop, but I settled on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Medius 6</i> as I felt it would offer a fairly long smoke so that I could really take my time enjoying the flavors as it burned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Pre-Smoke Analysis</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cigar seemed to be of excellent construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to dig through a few sticks before I found one where the wrapper wasn’t starting to unravel – but I’ll attribute that to vendor responsibility instead of to cigar construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stick I did find seemed to be seamless with very few leaf veins throughout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had a smooth texture – almost as if it had a thin, invisible powder coating the wrapper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no noticeable soft spots and it appeared to be double or triple-capped at the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The foot gave off a nice aroma and the appearance of the cigar as a whole was very enticing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>The First Third</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was a little disappointed when I trimmed the cap because it frayed a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed to kind of pop off as I clipped and tobacco remnants spilled out all over the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assumed this may be because the wrapper was a little dry (which may explain why I had trouble selecting a decent stick in the humidor), but the rest of the cigar seemed to keep its form pretty well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my pet peeves with cigars is always feeling a piece of a frayed cap on my lips when I take a draw off of it, so I did the best I could to repair the fray and continued on with my smoke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From the first draw, I could immediately taste a potent spice and pepper blend that really woke me up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not overpowering, but definitely a statement by the cigar that lets you know it’s got legs to stand on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The initial pop of flavor quickly mellows out though and some more subtle flavors started taking their turns on my palate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leather, chocolate and earthy spices dominated with occasional hints of incense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drawing from the cigar was extremely cool and smooth and it produced a rich, creamy smoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Solid and strong white ash held its form nicely and it burned evenly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>The Second Third</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I approached the second third of the cigar, it began to canoe a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I corrected it with a couple matches, but it definitely wasn’t keeping burn as uniformly as it did at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thickness of the smoke was starting to diminish a little and it settled into a solid medium-body cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flavor became sweeter and more pronounced with woody, cedar tones starting to take over and plateaued to a very smooth taste.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Burning Out</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I finished out the cigar a lot of the initial flavor resurfaced at the end – maintaining its medium-body, but delivering a very solid reminder of what impressed me at the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still continuing to have problems with the cigar canoeing and spent more time correcting it than I would have liked and the cigar did eventually burn out before I smoked it down as far as I would have if it had not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just wasn’t keeping a flame past a certain point, but I did get a decent experience out of it first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flavors were pretty consistent throughout – and while there weren’t any notable changes in aroma or flavor after the initial burn, it was an enjoyable smoke for the most part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Final Thoughts</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall, I did enjoy this cigar and have nothing really bad to say about it – however, that is not to say that there were not a few issues that kept me from giving this an “A” rating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first concern was how dry the wrapper seemed to be when I clipped the cap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It kind of seemed to explode off the stick and the dusty remnants of tobacco all over the place made me feel that it was going to burn quickly and unevenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That didn’t really tend to be the case, but the frayed cap the clipping left behind was a little disappointing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The burn itself seemed to start off well, but it really detracts from the enjoyment of the cigar if you’re constantly checking and correcting the burn like I had to do toward the middle of the stick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t seem to detract from the aroma or the taste at all and so I’m not knocking it for that – but I can’t ignore that it detracted from the overall experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it cigar construction, vendor storage or operator error?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe a combination of all three.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fact that it became harder to keep lit toward the end of the smoke and that it eventually extinguished itself was disappointing as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The taste was becoming just a little bit bitter, but the cigar seemed to retain its physical strength of construction right to the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For every issue I had with it, there was something rewarding stepping up as compensation and so I had very mixed feelings about this cigar upon finishing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I have to give it the benefit of the doubt that it is a great cigar – and I think I’ll have to try another one from another shop sometime to see if maybe that makes a difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then, the best rating I can give it is a “B” – only for what seems attributable to condition that were beyond noticeable control.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-69218501861078848162011-12-28T00:39:00.001-05:002012-01-29T15:12:48.844-05:00The CAO Italia Novella<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcIGR80-6AyRyv9sq-uVGAtdLq7X8Vjs-DNMG1dRuy73DFkyrOLB26T3DlWAhmAPqcbzWlRd5qV9jn2HjVPJW25H2BqaYyQOYra0ppjKr22Wo4lYQpYYPBkIdP3z3e0grBRZVv4gmVGY/s1600/03242011_Blog_Italia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcIGR80-6AyRyv9sq-uVGAtdLq7X8Vjs-DNMG1dRuy73DFkyrOLB26T3DlWAhmAPqcbzWlRd5qV9jn2HjVPJW25H2BqaYyQOYra0ppjKr22Wo4lYQpYYPBkIdP3z3e0grBRZVv4gmVGY/s200/03242011_Blog_Italia.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Fatal Halo Rating</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">A</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Price</u>: $6.00<br /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.5” x 46 ring gauge <em>(Novella)</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Italian, Nicaraguan & Peruvian Filler</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Honduran Habano Seed Binder & Wrapper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My interest in this cigar was brought about mainly by what I had read about its construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never smoked a cigar with Italian tobacco and so I was curious how the taste would be different from others I had sampled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also impressed by the blends of Nicaraguan & Peruvian tobaccos with the Italian brought together inside a Honduran Habano seed wrapper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The complexity of flavors and aromas was almost too enticing to pass up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After doing some additional research, I discovered that the Italian tobacco was grown in the southern Benevento region between Rome & Naples – and the seeds they originated from were brought over from Cuba over 40 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds like the beginning of a good love story, doesn’t it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Pre-Smoke Analysis</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The construction of this cigar was pretty impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A nice, symmetrical-cut cap, a definite rigidity in its feel and a solid toughness but silky feel to its wrapper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rolling it gently between my fingers, I did not detect any noticeable soft spots, so I knew right away that it would have a pretty even burn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had an earthy aroma with just a subtle hint of spice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very aromatic cigar, but no specific descriptive terms immediately lept to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I resigned myself to the realization it would have to be deconstructed as it burned!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>The First Third</strong></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first few draws on this cigar were not immediately noteable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was definitely full of flavor – but I still could not pinpoint anything specific due to its incredible complexity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was enjoyable nonetheless and I spent the first third of this cigar really drifting off on its unique taste and savoring its delicate nuances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The burn was even and its solid white ash held form very well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>The Second Third</strong></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By this point, I was really starting to pick up on the spiciness and a definite taste of leather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Medium in body, it was not at all overpowering and I found myself taking quicker and longer draws on it so that it would play longer on my palate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It began to sweeten a little as it burned hotter and though I’ve heard in other reviews that smokers often taste coffee and chocolate, I wasn’t really picking up on any of that just yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>Burning Out</strong></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last little bit of this cigar was by far the most enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The earthy flavors I mentioned before suddenly became more pronounced and the cigar took on a more herbal flavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was now picking up on some of the chocolate aromas and something very fragrant – almost like incense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though hotter on the draw, it remained consistently medium-bodied with no real over-powering changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s complexity was unfailing right down to the nub and I found myself wanting more simply because of how intriguing it was!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Though unremarkable at first draw, the Italia pleasantly surprised me with its complex range of flavors and aromas that really blossomed as it burned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found myself inhaling the smoke through my nose to take in more of the fragrance – and that, in my opinion, is truly the most accurate way to describe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a “fragrant” cigar – both in scent and in taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the best way for me to rate a cigar is by whether or not it is one I would see myself smoking again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I most certainly plan to smoke more of these in the future and would recommend an Italia to anyone who appreciates a finely-blended cigar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I had a beverage within arm’s reach, I never took a sip because I didn’t dare want to wash any of the flavor away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Already a big fan of the <strong><em><span style="color: red;">CAO Brazilia</span></em></strong>, I’ve added a new favorite to my humidor with the Italia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have the opportunity, treat yourself to this wonderful edition of the CAO line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bravo!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-56033905823983576902011-12-26T13:31:00.003-05:002012-01-29T15:12:41.977-05:00Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRySE3FvBs7ebi1bnfwIfdjNh3cHd3h874O07kCl052Ckz9uXN90qm6_xTcW1_9zt2vYdiFqlu63rfpzVgrCxAkOdxUAg8esvTOV9oquJxxjjPqYK8p7Vkg0dvpbMJP8KPVn9O4uwFwdE/s1600/Jamie-garcia-cigars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRySE3FvBs7ebi1bnfwIfdjNh3cHd3h874O07kCl052Ckz9uXN90qm6_xTcW1_9zt2vYdiFqlu63rfpzVgrCxAkOdxUAg8esvTOV9oquJxxjjPqYK8p7Vkg0dvpbMJP8KPVn9O4uwFwdE/s320/Jamie-garcia-cigars.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Fatal Halo Rating</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A+</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Price</u>: $7.00</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.2” x 54 ring gauge</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nicaraguan Long Filler</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nicaraguan Binder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Connecticut<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maduro Broadleaf Wrapper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As far as my cigar smoking experience goes, I haven’t sampled a lot from the Garcia’s “My Father” line, but having read a glowing review of this particular stick in Cigar Snob magazine, I was intrigued to see if it really lived up to the hype.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve smoked several of the <strong><em>La Reloba Selecci<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ó</span>n Sumatra</em></strong> sticks and found them to be very consistent and flavorful, so I was expecting a lot from this signature blend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Pre-Smoke Analysis</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As far as my pre-smoke analysis, I found the cigar to be of excellent construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No soft spots, no tears or flaws in the wrapper and, oddly, a toothy yet silky feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was most impressed by the cap that looks as if it was perfectly symmetrical to diameter of the cigar and the aroma was immediately enticing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subtle hints of chocolate and coffee were immediately evident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using my Montecristo Samurai guillotine cutter, it cut smoothly and cleanly with absolutely no fraying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew right away this cigar was going to be a special experience. This cigar was clearly constructed for the discerning aficionado.</span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The First Third</span></u></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I torched the foot, the aromas became stronger and more pronounced – now a more sweet and woody aroma permeated the air and actually made my mouth start to water before I even took my first draw on it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once I had a nice burn going, I took my first few draws on it and was blown away by how sweet and smooth it was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the appearance alone and having smoked several other Nicaraguan cigars, I was expecting something a little over-powering, but it was a pleasant surprise to find that all the flavor was there but none of the harshness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took some time to sit back and just enjoy the way the flavors played on my palate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little peppery and woody, but still smoothed out by that chocolate/coffee blend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely a medium to full-bodied smoke depending on your personal taste.</span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Second Third</span></u></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As my smoking experience continued, I was delighted to see how strong the ash was holding!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A marbling of black and white ash held the perfect shape of the cigar I had smoked so far almost perfectly with a completely even burn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No canoeing, no tunneling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about an inch and a half, I tried to flick the cigar to drop the ash and it wouldn’t budge!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to break it off on the ashtray and could feel definite resistance as I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the expertise of the construction wasn’t apparent at first, it certainly was now! No doubt as a result of the accordian-style bunching used on the filler tobacco.</span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Burning Out</span></u></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I found most amazing about this cigar was how the flavor seemed to change and strengthen as the cigar burned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was constantly analyzing the differences, and although they were incredibly complex and sometimes hard to detail, I enjoyed it immensely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smoked this one right down to the nub - and if I didn’t mind singed lips and burned fingertips, I certainly would have enjoyed it a little longer! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Final Thoughts</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My final thoughts on this cigar is that it is truly a masterpiece among others and is a delightful find for someone like me who is constantly exploring new brands and blends. A diamond in the rough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being Jaime Garcia’s introduction to the industry in the wake of his father’s legendary status in Cuba (Don Pepin Garcia), it more than lives up the hype and to his family’s reputation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has become one of my all-time favorite cigars and one I cannot recommend enough to those who truly appreciate a fine smoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Excellent construction, impeccable flavors and aroma, a perfect balance in body and feel and burns without flaw. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more about Jaime and this line of cigars, check out the June 2010 issue of Cigar Snob Magazine (</span><a href="http://www.cigarsnobmag.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">www.cigarsnobmag.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">) where you can read in detail about his approach to quality control and construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll never pass up one of his family’s cigars again, I assure you!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329523941376599640.post-55576705639665068162011-12-26T02:24:00.000-05:002011-12-26T02:24:12.654-05:00CAO Brazilia "Pirhana"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzTNdbVDVz9CdPRPOTEWrd_fJLENZQtxklGaMwmHjdAevlmrJzMes3K-KJZQSJYbeQKH1BJL58Bb8Du4cqOtZoEszokJYI6Dg0G6qXs3xvGwiiSYi1EjjEkPZTO9Z8ejVtajh20EjClM/s1600/CAO+Brazilia+Piranha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzTNdbVDVz9CdPRPOTEWrd_fJLENZQtxklGaMwmHjdAevlmrJzMes3K-KJZQSJYbeQKH1BJL58Bb8Du4cqOtZoEszokJYI6Dg0G6qXs3xvGwiiSYi1EjjEkPZTO9Z8ejVtajh20EjClM/s200/CAO+Brazilia+Piranha.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />
This cigar is one of my personal favorites. Because of its length, it smokes in a relatively reasonable amount of time. Taste-wise, it packs a lot of punch. Definitely a full-bodied cigar in every sense of the word, it is spicy and earthy and each draw rewards you with rich flavor.<br />
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The construction of the cigar is impressive. A tight and firm roll, there are very few noticeable soft spots and the dark wrapper has a very smooth and velvety feel. The cap cut cleanly with no fraying at all and the foot took the flame quickly. There was an immense amount of flavor on the first draw that continues in every subsequent one. The ash is a solid white and holds firm while handling the cigar.<br />
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The strength of this cigar’s flavor is evident the moment you pick it up from the look of the dark Brazilian wrapper to the aroma emanating off of it. It is not too strong for my taste and packs just the right amount of punch to let me know that I am enjoying a very fine cigar. This particular one must be my third or fourth Brazilia and the flavor consistency is right on the mark. CAO is quickly becoming one of my favorite cigar makers.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1