ROB try the anejo 77 and 55 decidedly different taste-these i don't think u will be dissapointed in

Thanks. That shop had a few other sizes that they're going to put out when the 48's are gone. I'll pick a few up when I get a chance.

From most of the reviews I've read the opus's and anejos do better with age. Now I haven't had any as of yet as I just got some over the last two months, but I am curious to give one of each a go soon. There was a review of an opus, I think it was a fuente, fuente and it was taken over a three year period, each year it was smoked from the same humi, and each year it had got better. So again some age will probably help. BTW, I have several 48's so I hope I like them.. =}

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Been a while since I've reviewed anything but have had a few decent cigars lately. Thought I'd give this post an update.

First on the list was the Zino Chubby. This was a nice mild cigar and my favorite shape: the perfecto. I have to comment on the mostly even burn on this one considering the usual burn issues with perfectos. Lit up nicely with a woodsy, creamy character. The overall flavor profile was very creamy with hints of sweet roasted nuts and a slight cedar characteristic. I'd recommend this if it weren't for the price. For what I paid, I'd rather go with an Ashton Classic, 5 Vegas Gold, or Perdomo Champagne - all similar smokes in profile for much less money.

Next was the not-so-mild, new CAO Lx2. This was a beautiful cigar and I was really looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint at all. From the light, it was a burst of spice, pepper and oak followed by a cocoa, leather and dark coffee core that became more pronounced as the spice and wood faded. The middle of the cigar seemed to linger on a few prominent notes a bit long, but the notes were well done, so it wasn't too boring. By the end of the cigar, I felt the strength of it and had to set it to rest. I'd recommend this one to anyone looking for something closer to the full bodied range.

thanks for the review rob, the cao lx2 is one i've been wanting to try ......

My last cigar was extremely disappointing. Yesterday I tried a DaVinci robusto. I wasn't expecting much and that's about what I got. Started off decent. Some spice and tobacco, then it just went flat and sour. I waited through half the cigar for something to happen, some notes to pick up, but nothing. I don't think I'll be going back to those.

I also just realized that I had the ESG a few months back and never reviewed that. I had the robusto that was put out last year (21 year salute). This was a beautiful and complex cigar. Construction was top notch, burn was very even and it produced lots of smoke. Flavor started off spicy and woodsy and turned to a more cocoa like flavor with occasional floral or vanilla sweet notes, with the spice fading after the first inch. All in all, a beautiful cigar, but pricey. If you must try one, I say go for it, but as is with all other super premium $20+ cigars, perfection is a tough goal.

Hey Rob, Sorry for you and the Da Vinci. It has been my experience that once a cigar gets flat and sour, they do not come back. Start over and just chalk it up to a bit of misfortune.

I know Phobic was interested in this one and I'm sure a few others around here might be as well. I just had my first Gurkha Blue Steel Robuso a little while ago.

Pre-light looked and smelled nice, the cigar lit easily. Once lit, I noticed the draw was a bit tight and it seemed like the head of the cigar was rolled a bit tightly. Unfortunately, this led to draw problems and took away some points from the cigar. The initial flavor was very tobacco/earthy. Reminded me of some of the other gurkha blends in the legend series (legend, centurian, royal brigade) but closest to the legend itself. Some barnyard, hay, and leather notes mixed with a strong tobacco taste. No detectable spice here, which was actually a little disappointing. I would probably put the strength on the milder side of medium and the body/flavor closer to bland. There wasn't much evolution to this cigar, it just kind of hung on those few notes before becoming increasingly bitter. Maybe just a bad stick - who knows. I'll find out as I have another 19 of them in two different sizes to work out the kinks. Maybe some more rest will do them some good.

I had one about a week or so ago and found it to be very enjoyable.. I agree with the single dominating flavor as being a toasty tobacco. I thought the burn and draw were very good. Urbi pointed out to me that the Costa Rican Maduro wrapper seems to be a popular trend with Gurkha lately, which is why it may remind you of other Gurkhas. I will rest a few and smoke a few soon, I like 'em.

Holding out on me aye..? lol. Well glad to hear about the blue steel. I didn't know you got boxes of them rob. Well I'm hoping you enjoy the others more. Good to know kas liked it. I have 6 of them that have been resting for a couple weeks. I'll light one up soon. The ESG 21 year salute is one that I've been eying, though it is pricey. Haven't been able to really find it anywhere though, My local shop only has the ESG. Rob would you say it is better than the ESG or about the same?

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Phobes, the only ESG I've had is the 21 year salute. I bought one of the 20 year salutes (the churchill size that was originally released) but it's been resting since. Did you mean the VSG? If so, I'd say yes, the ESG was definitely more complex than the VSG. I enjoyed it a bit more, but 10 dollars more? Maybe. It's a special occasion smoke and I would (and have, multiple times) consider purchasing a few more to save for those special occasions.

Finally broke out the Monecristo Media Noche Robusto I purchased back before the weather went stale up here in New England. I had been eyeing this cigar every time I opened my humi and couldn't wait to light it up. For all that anticipation, I honestly have to say, the biggest disappointment to this cigar was putting it down when I was done.

The low down: construction was absolutely perfect on this cigar. The wrapper had minimal veins, and was wrapped tightly and perfectly. The feel was heavy but springy, not brittle or fragile at all. No soft spots or lumpy spots. The performance throughout the smoke was exactly the same - no burn draw or wrapper issues.

Pre-light smell: Cocoa, cocoa and more cocoa. Not chocolate, but pure cocoa. The cigar actually smelled like it had been rolled in cocoa powder or sleeping in the same bed with lots of cocoa beans.

The cigar lit nicely and evenly and the initial draw was, well...cocoa (didn't see that one coming, did ya?) and spice. The spice mellowed after an inch or so and some dark coffee or espresso notes became pronounced with the cocoa. The spice eventually returned and would fade and creep back in every inch or so. It gave a nice variation to the overall flavor profile of this cigar.

About half way through, I noticed a subtle cinnamon flavor pairing with the cocoa (btw, the cocoa remained throughout the whole cigar) and coffee notes. Again, spice would fade in and out. This is when I noticed the strength of the cigar. I had eaten just before lighting up, but I still got a little light headed (actually, I still am as I'm typing this). Towards the end, I noticed an anise flavor in there as well.

My recommendation: Actually, here's what I'm thinking doing some night over the summer. Make yourself a nice big pasta dinner and make sure you have just enough room for a cigar and a cup of fresh, strong, black coffee. This cigar is very full flavored and strong and though I wouldn't exactly call it a dessert cigar, it is definitely an after dinner cigar. I will be picking up more of these.

Rob, The Media Noche is a good one. You did a good job reviewimg this one.. If you like cocoa, coffee, and spice, this one is for you. It didn't strike me as to full bodied but what I liked was the sweet and spicy aspects of the cigar.. also the construction, draw, and burn were near perfect.

I'm intrigued, i think I mailed that one off in a bomb or something.. oh well.. thanks for the great review rob.

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Thanks Kas. I really enjoyed this one and totally agree with you, though I did find it a bit on the full side. Maybe I haven't been smoking enough lately. And Squirrel....get some. Seriously, I'd highly recommend this one. Hell, if I had any left, I'd offer to send you one.