The Expert Review Library

Showing -49--40 of 51 Reviews
  • Sean G - Caldwell Blind Man's Bluff
    Sean G
    11/20/2015
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    My first impression of Caldwell’s Blind Man’s Bluff is how beautiful the cigar looks. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is simply stunning. A little rough to the touch but rolled seamlessly and dripping with natural oils. It’s easy to see why there’s so much hype surrounding this brand. And that hype is almost justified when I first fire one up. Smooth, crisp notes of pepper, cedar, and hints of espresso are present and make for an incredible opening to the cigar. Unfortunately, for me, that’s the highlight. As the cigar burns, I don’t notice many changes and the overall experience feels a bit lackluster. I get why everyone is drawn to Caldwell’s cigars; they’re made well, look great, etc. After enjoying a few of these, the results are always the same for me.
  • Tim - Brick House
    Tim
    11/12/2015
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    She’s a BRICK… HOUSE!  From the makers of Diamond Crown comes the wildly popular Brick House brand.  Under an oily Havana Subido wrapper leaf, the all Nicaraguan filler blend provides some power yet remains balanced and smooth with a slightly sweet finish.  Well deserving of a ‘92’ rating and Cigar Aficionado “Best Buy” honors. Santa will be wrapping a lot of these this year.
  • Alex - Dunhill Heritage
    Alex
    11/12/2015
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    Known for mellower blends, Dunhill switches gears and pays tribute to Cuban heritage with this release. More full-bodied, this blend features an Ecuadorian Habano ligero wrapper, a Nicaraguan Jalapa binder, and a mix of long-fillers from Ometepe and Estelí, Nicaragua and the Jamastran Valley in Honduras. This potent new Dunhill is up my alley with plenty of spice and pepper.
  • Andrew - Ramon Bueso Genesis Habano
    Andrew
    11/12/2015
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    Who is Ramón Bueso? Well if you don’t know, you must be new to this catalog. This is the latest blend from Ramón, featuring an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with a mix of Nicaraguan and Honduran ligero. The blend is strong but smooth with notes of oak, pepper, earth and bits of leather. This sleeper of a smoke is sure to wake you up and put some pep in your step.

  • Dave - E.P. Carrillo Dark Rituals
    Staff Review
    11/12/2015
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    Dark Rituals was a limited release years back and sold out virtually overnight. Back and better than ever, this rich, full-bodied blend from E.P. Carrillo features an extra-fermented Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper and a bold mix of Nicaraguan long-fillers. Its complex character is evident with each draw as delicious notes of coffee, leather, and spice entice the palate.
  • Sean L - Rocky Patel Vintage '90
    Sean L
    11/12/2015
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    Vintage 1990 is the perfect medium-bodied blend. Draped in a 12-year-aged Honduran Broadleaf Maduro wrapper and brimming with 5-year-aged long leaf fillers, this cigar maintains a perfect balance of flavor, complexity and richness, offering strong earthy notes with a subtle espresso and dark chocolate undertone.  A sweet finish allows for a thick and milky smoke throughout.
  • Sean G - Padilla Hybrid
    Staff Review
    10/23/2015
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    Full disclosure, I used to love Padilla Hybrid. I’d fire one up most mornings when I got into the office and pair it with a nice, dark espresso. Needless to say, when I saw these hit our docks again, I rushed to stock up. SPOILER ALERT: They’re still delicious. Hey, knock me for being biased but I’d be hard-pressed to find a cigar this good starting at $1.99 each. The mellow to medium-bodied blend hits all the right spots with rich smooth notes of cedar, almonds, vanilla and hints of spice on the finish. A great morning cigar for an enthusiast who normally enjoys fuller-bodied cigars. Sure, I won’t be firing one of these up on a special occasion but enjoying one every morning makes it feel like every day is a special occasion.
  • Tim - Romeo y Julieta Viejo
    Tim
    09/23/2015
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    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 Undercrown
    Andrew
    09/23/2015
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    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 Amor
    Sean L
    09/23/2015
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    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.

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