The Expert Review Library
-
Tim - Romeo y Julieta Viejo09/23/2015
Romeo y Julieta is known for their use of Sumatran and Connecticut wrappers, but not until the introduction of the Viejo did they become well-known for using a San Andres maduro wrapper, masterfully at that. Expect a sweet aroma reminiscent of fresh, baking bread and smooth, savory cocoa and cream flavors. -
Andrew - Drew Estate Undercrown09/23/2015
A cousin of the famed Drew Estate Liga Privada, this hearty maduro was born in the factory by the rollers themselves, using many of the same tobaccos. The main difference lies in its spicy San Andres maduro wrapper which offers a creaminess and natural sweetness to its core flavors of spice, espresso, and vanilla bean.
-
Sean L - La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor09/23/2015
Handcrafted and engineered to generate a complex and completely satisfying experience, the La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor is nothing less than perfection. Shrouded in a Mexican Maduro wrapper and bursting with a concoction of Nicaraguan long leaf, this blend flourishes with a bouquet of cocoa, espresso, and earth.
-
Sean G - La Palina Red Label09/18/2015
La Palina Red Label hails from the PDR factory in the Dominican Republic and appears to be flawlessly constructed with no soft spots and a beautifully applied triple cap. On the cold draw there are hints of sweetness and some readily apparent pepper. This cigar has a gorgeous reddish-hued Ecuador Habano wrapper, and upon lighting I am greeted with a not so subtle blast of red pepper. As the cigar progresses the flavor profile settles down and comes to include notes of citrus fruit, baking spice, graham cracker, and cedar. I would say the strength is a flavorful medium and I am overall impressed with the construction as it burned perfectly and required no touch-ups. This was an immensely pleasurable cigar, although a little mellower than I generally prefer, and for those that enjoy medium-bodied blends I would recommend the La Palina Red Label without hesitation.
-
Sean G - CAO Pilon08/21/2015
Pilon is a new release from CAO that utilizes a 19th century fermentation technique called the circular pilon. Using this method, the wrapper leaf is fermented at a lower temperature and at a slower rate and thus making it much more flavorful. At least that’s what they want you to believe, the real test is in smoking the cigar. With all this information swimming in my head, I lit a CAO Pilon to see if it lived up to its billing. The first thing I noticed about this cigar was the gorgeous, oily, Ecuador Habano wrapper. The CAO Pilon burned cool and slow and I would rate it medium-bodied. Construction was excellent, with the cigar being firmly packed and requiring no touchups. CAO Pilon's flavors were indeed rich and meaty, and I could really taste wonderful natural tobacco notes, with some hearty cedar and pepper in the background. This cigar is definitely a winner from CAO, and I would recommend giving it a try.
-
Alex - Gurkha Symphony08/13/2015
-
Dave - Perdomo Reserve Champagne 10th Anniversary08/13/2015
This is one of the few mellow cigars you will find in my humidor. With a six-year-old US Connecticut wrapper and well-aged Cuban-seed fillers, this smooth and elegant blend offers a rich flavor profile dominated by strong notes of cedar. Don’t take this cigar’s smoothness for weakness; it’s enough to satisfy any enthusiast’s palate.
-
Tim - Ave Maria Immaculata08/13/2015
Ave Maria Immaculata is the smooth blend made for the enthusiast who usually goes full. Even if you consider your weathered and leathered palate to be too experienced for mellower smokes, don’t pass on this AJ Fernandez made masterpiece. Immaculata is a winner and I dare you not to like it! Tons of flavor, super creamy, and irresistibly enjoyable.
-
Andrew - Zino Platinum Scepter Series08/13/2015
Made by the same hands that make treasures like Davidoff this medium bodied beauty holds true to its platinum namesake. The Zino Platinum starts with a bit of unique filler from Peru mixed with mostly Dominican fillers draped by an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. You can expect to find notes of leather and earth. This one is worth its weight in platinum.
-
Sean L - Dunhill Aged Dominican08/13/2015
Like a fine wine, the Dunhill Aged Dominican is matured to perfection. Cloaked with a U.S grown Connecticut wrapper this blend is smooth and rich with decadent notes of vanilla, fresh grass, and butter. Whether you are a devotee to the full bodied blends or just starting out in the hobby, this Dominican beauty can be enjoyed by one and all.
Our Experts
