Montecristo Serie C

The first thing i noticed about this stick was the banding - it reminds me of a chocolate bar. The aroma is of coffee and chocolate - not surprising. I am wondering if this has anything to do with it being called a Serie C.

There are a couple of hard spots but nothing major.

The appearance also has some interesting light spots - see pic below.

Oily hairy peach fuzz. This was a tricky match light - it is pretty cold outside in the low 40's. The moonlight is spectacular. Great chocolate smoke first puff. Spicy chocolate in sinus.

Rock solid cigar. Great draw but very open. Very hard to overheat however.  Nice big ring guage.

It is like daylight at night with the moon - you could read a newspaper. The ash is medium light grey but might be a bit lighter in better light.

Earthy not overpowering wood.

A bit of a sewer smell. A lot of people say this is the smell a cigar puts off but i rarely think this is the smell or a bad smell as for the conotations it brings.

Finish is smooth and dry but lasts a while with coccoa but not all that strong.

Band was very tight and at the beginning of the final third the cigar literally popped and exploded. The wrapper snapped and cracked along the rolled seam. This was weird. I never had this happen before but it is cold so maybe that played a factor. It still burned decent - just a bit crazy because the wrapper separated  in parts and would not burn.

Overall C - nothing special to me.

Good Non-explosive Smokes,

Dave 

   

Macanudo

I am not even exactly sure of the variety and size of this Macanudo. It's pretty small and a little over three inches. This is the cigar i was given to make up for the horrible Isabella (see Isabella review).

Not a whole lot to say. This is a great quick morning smoke with coffee. Lasted maybe 35 minutes if that and had decent mild flavors of coffee and coccoa.

Only spice i got was throught the sinus.

This smoke was nice and toasty.

I would pick up a little five pack tin if a quick smoke is what you want.

This is a very small cigar  - it burned really well.

Good Smokes,

Dave

 

Punch

This cigar cost me 6.25 and was bought at the same place as thae Isabella if you have read that review. I was not expecting much beyond gargbage. I have come to find out that Punch is a big brand and well known and liked in fact I have come to discover my father in law liked them too. I didn't care for this cigar but i have a few more from another place and i am curious to see how they turn out.

Anyways, this started harsh and spicy in the sinus. Sweet tea spice plus chocolate and cedar.

An excellent draw with minimal cutting. Plenty of smoke yet not too much or too little.

Nothing really flavorful or flavor intense on the palette. Burny or spicy acid.

Ash is light color grey.

Average plain smoke, a bit fruit and not ashy like my last smoke (Big Butt).

Sweet scent. I could smoke these if they were laying around but wouldn't seek them out.

My throat is a bit irritated and scrathchy.

Some vanilla notes come and go.

My buzz is strange and anxiety a bit high.

This smoke is burning very fast and has a nice nicotene kick.

When i bought this stick the guy told me about the process of making them. I have no idea whether this is true or not but he said that this cigar is rolled from everything that is left over after a days worth of rolling cigars by the cigar roller. This causes the tabacco to be more potent for some reason and gives it a punch. Also something about sweeping the floors and then rolling it up. Sounded like bs to me but it was interesting.

Smoke is pungent and heavy on my clothes.

A bit sweeter last third. Vanilla latte.

Good jolt like an energy drink. A more calmed high at the end.

I would smoke this if i had to cram all night for an exam or for some lunch time pep.

Stick has the zing of an uncleanded pipe.

Kind of want a lager or strong wine.

All in all not my cup of tea but i can see where they might have their place in a good cycle/rotation of cigars.

I am more about something with robust nutty or buttery flavors.

I stink and need a shower afte this one.

Smoke on,

Dave

 

 

 

Big Butt mas gordo

This cigar looked pretty cool and had a funny name so i picked it up at the store. It has a nice torpedo shape at both ends and was densely packed as you can see from the pics.

To start the flavors pre light are dark tea. After lighting the flavor is again dark tea, although i am drinking tea with this smoke.

Below is the head after cutting

Nice easy light since there is less area to get going. It is airy and goes through sinus no prob. A better smell than taste to start. It is much lighter bodied than i expected. Something about the name suggested to me it might be powerful. Seems to be developing every few millimeters while puffing away. Burn is even.

The draw keeps tightening but a good bite on the head lossens it up.

Pepper spice then very salty. Kind of different. Very Ritz cracker aftertaste. Smoke is good volume and might be offensive to non smoker.

A bit of a rustic taste and slightly ashy. Honestly this cigar just gets a solid C halfway through. Tastes bitter when tounge touches the head.

 

To me this cigar dosn't scream pick up a box but i would smoke em if they were around.

Last two inches are spicy. Somewhat like a less earthy Cuban Reject with less dry flavor but heavier tea rawness. This flavor again conjures that image of Terminator 2 biker bar like i talked about when reviewing the Cuban Reject.

Yes corn can grow in Oregon in case you were wondering.

Smokes out,

Dave

Cuban Reject

There is a reason for the name. I just don't think there is any potential right from the get-go. It's not horrible but not great. The cigar looks pretty nice - decent construction - a little rough and rugged but nicely done. I am not a fan of something with no banding or identification but when the purpose is to save the customer money then who can complain. This cigar comes naked and just looks average.

Very dry with some pepper. Back of throat is dry and itchy. Woody oak is the stand out flavor.

The burn is wavy at half an inch in and smoke output is medium.

The taste is conjuring up old church or barn wood imagery. Stale rasins, burnt coffee, but honestly nothing big or spectacular - but hey this cost me 2.50 and is good for that price.

Ash is light- medium grey and hanging well at 2 1/2 inches pretty cool. The burn has corrected itself. Walnut aftertaste comes in after ash drops.

This is a nice cigar to chew and hold onto with your mouth/teeth. It is not bitter at all.

As i smoke i get the image of a biker stogie - in particular there is that scene from Terminator 2 where a biker dude in a bar tries to put cigar out on his (terminator's) chest and it dosn't even phase him. This is the cigar i imagine he is smoking.

Sweet nuances come but fade to bitter. Flavor is just fairly bland and wood is too much for my taste. Getting a lot of nicotene on the other hand and there is a nicorette sort of flavor. For me i would pair this with Guiness or Killians.

No acid or burn on the lips. Smoke is heavy on my clothes. Not much of an after taste. Feel like i smoked a few cigs at the bar from the smell and taste. That's about it.

Good Smokes,
Dave

Isabella

A cigar should not make you angry. Well, I am and this is pure garbage. The band was all funky and crooked and glued on so much so that it tore into beyond the binder. Very disappointed. This wrapper injury has my cigar tearing and coming apart at the seams while smoking. Part of the problem is the vendor. You really need to be suspicious when you buy a cigar in a place selling mostly other products. I picked this up at a local wine place in Coos Bay and the guy had some cigars in a glass box humidor on the counter. He swore buy this thing and was probably trying to get rid of them. I actually took this thing back for a refund in a baggy the next day. A different clerk argued that it was not the same cigar (the outer wrapping had completely come away and she was looking at a totally different binder - who could blame her - i couln't believe it either) Anyway she gives me a tiny Macanudo to make up for it, but it really didn't since this cost me six bux. Oh well.

Anyway my lighter ran out - had to use a match. Horrible draw and the burn line was insane only burning down one side of the stick no matter how much i corrected. The guy told me it was a good Vanilla kind of stick however the only taste in my mouth is of anger and frustration. Ridiculous.
No more Isabella, you had your one chance. 

Bad Smokes,
Dave 

Partagas 1845

Cigar looks very nicely made pre light. A little splotchy wrapper and a bit toothy i guess. Very oily smells rich and deep. Wrapper also seems very durable and thick.

  














Absolutely loving the richness of this smoke. It has a lot of texture. I know i will have many more within the first minute. Ash is a beuatiful light contrast to the dark wrapper. Mellow and smooth creamy aroma, a bit buttery which is nice.
Sinus is creamy as well with vanilla. The wrapper was strong woodsy scent upon lighting.  
Flavors before had me a little concerned it was a bitter wood but good. I thought it would be bitter and woody but is creamy and buttery.

Some dark chocolate. A huge dimension to this cigar is brought out in the sinus. I think its a good idea to exhale through the nose at least once every smoke to get a full flavor profile and this cigar really opens up with doing this.

Draw seemed tight but loosened up once it got going. This is turning out to be a nice Thanksgiving holiday smoke.
Cigar just feels right in my hand - can't wait to try the black Partagas.

Ash is really firm and solid to the touch pressing on it. Some spice notes are popping in at the halfway point.  

Intesity and flavor has ramped up by half what it was and is a nice progression.
Great volume of smoke and draw is getting more loose.
The taste has many different elements blending together and it is hard to identify any particular flavors.
Mainly it is a slight bitter sweet butter. Some expresso notes. Also pleasantly sweet at points.
Relaxed but uplifting buzz. No ill feelings.
Solid medium body for me and a huge lasting finish.
Moving into a fuller medium spectrum towards the end.
Almost caramel then it goes.
Almost almond then it fades.
The end was pepper and overall this was enjoyable and burned fantastic.

Well thats it.

Smoke on,
Dave

Rocky Patel Vintage 1990

First impressions of a cigar, to me, are everything. Based on looks alone this is quite a nice cigar. Looks classy and elegant. Smells well balanced and the oily wrapper is perfect plus it is box pressed and looks great.

Toast time. Right away i love it. It's great when you get that first taste and you realize nothing short of a disaster is going to make a cigar go downhill. Easy breezy draw. Having this with French pressed coffee and it is really great with it. This is my morning smoke since its the lightest thing i have on hand at the moment. Generous cloud of smoke.
This stick smells great has a nice sweet attractive odor - i can't see someone disliking it. Long finish on the palette with good after taste. flavor is chocolate but really just complex and nothing stands out. Maybe a litlle wood maybe some sour. The Rocky Patel sour you could say.
Smooth butter and aged perfection in the sinuses. Just very rich with nothing in particular taking the forefront so i would have to say it is extremely balanced but a little lighter and laid back than i expected. This is a no worries, effortless draw, relaxing smoke.
Flavor remains mild but lastes long.
Burn line is wavy at first but then corrects.














I am really enjoying this and as i inspect the cigar while smoking i am getting some nice photos. Looking closely when held to the light the oily wrapper is like oil slick in a puddle - shimmering and opalescent. Very neat. Also i notice some small hairs to the cigar although it is smooth-silky and not very toothy. Check out the close-up pic below to see hairs.

Close up of picture above

Really a beauty of a cigar in my opinion - i wish the raibow effect of the oily wrapper had shown up a bit more it was pretty cool.

The flavor expanded a bit after my ash fell for the first time at about inch and half.

Just bit of latte and more earthen woody.

I am definately going to get more to throw in the humidor only i would get a shorter version.

Nice balance - not too old and rustic musty nor is it fermented or vulgar vinegar.

No probs, good flavors, go try some.

Good Smokin,

Dave

Drew Estate Java Maduro

This guy cost me 5.65

Nice box press cigar. Beautiful construction. Photographed really well - all artsy fartsy and whatnot. Weird tricky cut for me though since it was so cubic. No prob though.

Draw seems perfect...not too much or too little especially since this is light weight the draw is not super loose which is cool.

Ash is very light grey. Very well put together.

Latte comes in then fades few seconds after inhale. This feels like a great morning smoke with a tiny little kick. It's a perfect day and i couldn't be happier... took a ton of gorgeous photos.

Some spice in sinus. Very nice sweet maduro wrapper. Bitter and dry slightly.

Getting some nutty cream with acid on the tounge.

Ash feel right at an inch and half. First puff after ash feel is very different. This seems to happen a lot and i tend to look forward to this in a smoke. Something about how the flavor changes as soon as a long ash falls.

More complex with coffee flavors and toasted almond.

Ash is easily flicked at quarter inch its a loose cigar but great burn and burning fast as expected. Spicy one inch above band. Band is nice and loose which is good since it is boxed and a bit harder to get off.

Ash is interesting. Head on there is a pattern of light and dark ash swirls. The wrapper is lighter than all filler.

I don't get a heavy infused or flavoered taste. Latte is there but nothing crazy. Mild pepper. Chocolate coming out more. This, to my nose, seems like a fairly friendly smoke in public.

Flavors really melding at the end and my mouth is light nothing too heavy.

It does put out considerable smoke.    

The last inch and half is not so pleasant. Sorta caffenine buzz. Lips have a minty spice. Ash flavor is predominant at end.

Overall enjoyable smoke. Gonna pick up a few - they just seem perfect for a morning smoke and are not overly flavored.

Good Smokin,
Dave

Game wine flavored (if wine tasted like a dog fart)

This is a cigar i had a while back, but i just wanted to throw it in here because some things need to be said about it.

I bought this cigar on a late night beer run when i didn't want to waste a good cigar in the humidor and the cigar shop was closed. Bad idea. I wish i would have picked up a macanudo but this kid at the gas station insisted this was a good smoke and was not something to be gutted and used for something else. I was skeptical but bought it for maybe two bux. Mistake. After picking from the assortment ass backward berry fruit explosion-festivals this brand offers i chose the wine.

The cigar was horrible looking and came in a foil sleeve. Very veiny. As soon as i toasted the aroma was obnoxious and nothing like wine. It was an incredble saw dust flavor and maybe just a hint of Boone's Farm. The cigar gods had a decent laugh at me this night to say the least.

Sadly, i made it nearly halfway through this mess of a cigar hoping it might get better. You live you learn.

I smoked this a while back and before any Acid cigars - i was afraid when i picked up some Acid cigars recently this was what i was in for. To anyone knocking Acid i say try a Game. Game makes them look like a Porshe.

Honestly i think i am going to pick up a Swisher or Philly just to see if the Game is a bigger bottom feeder of a cigar.

WARNING : Stay away from these !

Good Smokes,

Dave

Acid Kuba Kuba

Firstly this set me back 5.70. I was ok with paying this amount seeing as i enjoyed the Atom Maduro by Acid.

Upon inspection a powerful tea aroma becomes apparent. Specifically a floral tea perfume not unlike the Atom but a bit different. Not as obnoxious.

Plain Jane came to mind as i smoked this cigar. I was occupied on a long distance phone call for the duration of my smoke - so i can't say i gave it a ton of attention, but it was nothing spectacular overall. It was not as comples as the Atom and was a bit lighter bodied in my opinion. It's more laid back perfume characteristics made it seem i little less femanine than the Atom but yet the flavor and body was not there so i was a little confused.

just a close-up of some damage from removing the band which was on pretty tight. I hate this problem. One of my peeves.

I will definately pick up another sometime soon since i never want to go soley on one smoke but i can't imagine seeking out a box of these. Further i am not too crazy about flavored or infused cigars anyway.

My mouth is a little out of sorts as well since i smoked a cigar earlier in the day - this might have fizzled out some of the flavors too - i dunno.

I am also wondering about the marketing of these cigars and the type of person buying them as i smoke and talk on the phone. For a few seconds i got the distinct flavor/aroma of a certain herb and the taste of a gutted cigar containing said herb.

The price point of the cigar leads me to conclude nobody is buying this cigar for other purposes but the thought crosses my mind and the brand does seem appealing to this demagraphic in a lot of ways.

Anywho, overall this is surely not a bad cigar. It burned even, ash was medium grey, construction was good etc etc. There is a 'real' cigar buried underneath the perfume and it definately isn't a GAME cigar. (see following review of a nasty little fella i would not recomend to anyone)

Good Smokes,

Dave

    

Juicy Lucy by Drew Estate

Pure INSANITY ! First off this thing is the size of my pinky finger. Next - the banding is ridiculous. I mean it has this huge ugly band and then another with the huge NATURALE. Laughable - no way. I will hesitate to say infused but it is definately flavored. On top of this craziness when you remove the band you get Drew's phone number printed out. Funny.

Redeeming qualities - it has a funky twisted end and fits in your pocket. Ha.

However...

There was something enjoyable about this little boy or girl. Very sweet and VERY unatural. That's about it. I think it is similar to the Kuba Kuba having had one but i had no comparison since this was my first blend from Drew or Acid. The entire smoke was reminiscent of a Swisher Sweet or Phillie when i was 18. It was not worth 3.75 or 4.20 or whatever it was. It burned hot and got squishy. I was able to take it down pretty far despite being hot. This would be good if you just wanted a quick smoke at the bar or party for something fun to do. But it's overpriced for quality and flavor. The only flavor is sweet and it's not the natural cigar tobacco doing this. I have heard reviews saying this was like smokable coccoa pebbles cereal and i would agree. But really just not my cup of tea - this did not deliver.
Sorry Lucy.

Sweet smokes,
Dave

Rocky Patel Vintage 1992

This guy was a good deal to me at 5.35.

Very open prelight draw. Very moist cut sort of squishy. First draw is woodsy cedar with hint of sweet to the smell of the smoke.

Glad that i checked the band becuse it was a bit snug and would be hard to get off while lit.

Light and airy, flows easily on the palette. Nasal exhale is a breeze and not harsh, but still flavorful. Mocha house latte. Somewhat bitter, old and musty, like a trunk full of flavor-treasure in the attic has been opened.

Green, stale, leafy feeling - sophisticated - thinking of Three Wise Men beer. So in short it's mature.

Wrapper smells like a good coffee house while burning.

Smoke is not pungent or heavy for the loose draw. This is a great sinus cigar for someone who dosn't exhale this way. No taste is prominent - all sort of muted flavors. Possibly raisin or tea in the background to the airy smoke.

High is mellow, relaxed, and soothing. Good morning smoke.

Something tells me this would be tasty a bit more dry - the humidor it was in at the store was really steamy and it is still very fresh.

Ash is dark in a few places but overall medium grey. Burn is uneven after an inch or so - i might correct or slow down - 15 minutes.

Flavor changed after ash dropped to nutty rich cream that fades into bitter slight chocolate.

Really emjoying the subtlies and hidden flavors and it has been woody throughout. Nutty with butter wants to come through but dosn't. My mouth is getting dried but is being fixed with coffee.

Easily ashed at qurter inch.

Cigar really looks and feels great - but i would like to be holding a thicker guage. I think a bigger ring guage in this blend would be a bigger whomp and more defined flavors.

This cigar makes me think of exploring run down abandoned ruins - which is what i sometimes do when i go out to shoot photographs. A plug for being an artist.

Its really burning now at last third. The smoke coming off the stick is noteworthy. It has moved into deep muddy territory. It's a bit humid and clamy outside and this feels like my dry warm hideaway. Driftwood comes to mind every other hit. Sweet ending is nice - compexity is shining.

Nut has overtaken wood and it is less dry as well. The burn was never corrected. I just pulled back a bit and it burned even.

Crisp wine notes.

Moved into light medium territory and is earthy. Seems like it would burn for a while if i needed to set it down. Still pumping smoke.

Getting county fair french fries vinegar or the char from grilled chicken. (looking back this is typical leathery sour in a Rocky Patel - albeit light and not overly powerful) Salty soft pretzel - think i am just hungry.

At the end some burnt plastic taste with over heating puffs - had to finish in a rush to be somewhere.

Overall i would pick this up again.

Happy Smokes,

Dave