The Expert Review Library
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Sean G - Alec Bradley White Gold12/21/2014
This guy has a whole warehouse full of cigars to review and he picks one of the cheap ones?! At least, I imagine that’s what you’re saying now. But, seriously, there’s a place for inexpensive cigars in all our humidors and you know that. Of course, what struck me about this blend was the Alec Bradley name attached to it. That alone is worth a try.
In a nutshell, Alec Bradley’s White Gold is a pretty tasty cigar. I’ve burned through a bunch of these lately. The blend is light and mellow with the typical nutty and creamy notes Connecticuts are known for. It finishes with a hint of spice and remains pretty consistent throughout. For a Cuban-sandwich blend, the construction is superb. This is a cigar you stock up on and fire up everyday when the weather gets warmer. -
Sean G - Sons of Anarchy Clubhouse Edition Chapel11/23/2014
When Black Crown released the original Sons of Anarchy blend, I was skeptical. Popular show, boutique blend; seemed like a gimmick. That thought quickly washed away once I tried the first cigar. The blend was legit and enthusiasts everywhere seemed to agree as the cigars started to fly off our shelves.
Now that the Clubhouse Edition Chapel has hit our docks, any fear of this cigar being a gimmick is completely washed away. Made by AJ Fernandez and coming in hand carved boxes designed to mirror the iconic clubhouse table from the show, the cigar blows you away on pure aesthetics alone. And after quickly firing up one of these gorgeous gems, you’re hit with the familiar rich and flavorful profile of an AJ Fernandez cigar. The blend sets itself apart by the hints of sweetness that come from the tobaccos being aged in rum barrels. Even though the cigar is wrapped inside an Ecuadorian Habano, it reminds you more of a maduro. The cigar is incredibly balanced and pairs extremely well with the Dominican rum I’ve been hording in my liquor cabinet. Unfortunately, boxes of these classics will move fast but if you get a shot at them, don’t hesitate; this one is worth it. -
Andrew - Latitude Zero11/17/2014
This may be the best cigar of 2014. Latitude Zero utilizes the top 1% of the tobacco harvested and comes across medium to full-bodied. Notes of earth, leather, and cedar with hints of espresso migrate from puff to puff. Pair it with something subtle so you don’t miss out on the wondrous complexity.
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Alex - Diesel Wicked11/17/2014
Diesel Wicked is my favorite Diesel blend of all-time. The only problem was that this limited release was snapped up quick by any enthusiast with a pulse. Well, it’s back for a second run and I’m not missing my chance to stock up. The ligero-laced gem is bursting with flavor and is the perfect late night treat.
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Sean G - Graycliff Espresso Series11/17/2014
There’s nothing like a true Graycliff from the Bahamas. The high-end brand makes some of the finest boutique cigars in the world. The only problem? The hefty price tag. But it’s the Christmas season so I’m treating myself to Double Espresso’s robust blend of ligero tobaccos covered inside a gorgeous Costa Rican maduro wrapper.
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Tim - Oliva Serie 'V'11/17/2014
Oliva Serie ‘V’ changed the way the industry and enthusiasts looked at full-bodied cigars. It was the first to specially ferment a ligero-heavy blend to provide a robust flavor that remained smooth and balanced. Fast forward more than 5 years later, the Serie V still wears the crown. This is what a true classic tastes like
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Sean L - Man O' War Puro Authentico11/17/2014
Just like AJ Frenandez, the master behind these corona sized bundles of joy, I love to enjoy these on a daily basis. Full-bodied, spicy and well balanced is the name of this game. If you’re looking for a go-to blend that will keep you coming back for more, these are the firecrackers that will do the job.
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Sean G - Bahia Vintage10/19/2014
Admittedly, this one had me scratching me head a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I love Bahia. They’re easily one of the best bargain brands in the business and I always keep a bundle or two around the house. But as I stared down these delicious-looking morsels nestled beneath a plexiglass lid, I was shocked with the steps that Bahia was making. These things look awesome! But as we know in the cigar business, looks only get you so far…
Starting off, Bahia Vintage hits you with a wave of spice. Ok, I’ve been here before; nothing special. But after that first wave, the blend progresses into a deep, rich espresso base. Notes of cedar, spice and almonds complement that base and make for one of the finest blends I’ve had in a long time. Bahia Vintage isn't overly complex but delivers a ton of flavor and is prefect with a strong cup of coffee. Bahia’s next step up is well worth it. -
Sean G - E.P. Carrillo La Historia09/21/2014
The first thing that popped in my head while enjoying these was how smooth they were. There’s absolutely no spice to the blend. The cigar has an oaky core with a rich espresso finish and has absolutely no complexity. Of course, I say that as a complement. There are a ton of cigars out there that boast a world of complexity but end up falling flat in muddled confusing mess. La Historia shows what a seasoned blender can do with properly aged and fermented tobaccos. Carrillo has been in the business for a long time and knows that you don’t need to throw a million flavors at a palate for a cigar to be good. Novices will like this cigar; season enthusiasts will love it.
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Alex - Cohiba Black08/18/2014
There are a lot of great Broadleaf-wrapped cigars out there but how can I resist a Cohiba? The storied Cuban brand is a full-blown legend and Cohiba Black proves it. Comprised of luscious, well-aged tobaccos, Cohiba Black is finished with a dark Connecticut Broadleaf that is ripe with notes of dark, chocolate, espresso, and cashews.
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