The Expert Review Library
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Dave - Macanudo Cafe09/20/2016
This Dominican blend is a classic and one of the world’s best-selling cigars. If you thought mellow-bodied cigars weren’t your thing, there’s a good chance Macanudo Café will prove you wrong. It’s one of the most consistent cigars ever made and delivers an ultra-smooth experience from start to finish. Perfect for any occasion, Macanudo Café offers creamy notes of almonds, cedar, and vanilla. -
Tim - Punch09/20/2016
I know a thing or two about getting punched, let’s just say I have one of those faces. That said, this Bareknuckle blend from Punch is enjoyable through and through. Featuring an oily and redolent sungrown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and aged ligero long-leaf fillers, Punch Bareknuckle provides layers of spicy nuances and a strong yet pleasant aroma. You’ll be glad you got in the ring with this hard hitter.
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Andrew - CAO Italia09/20/2016
A favorite from CAO’s popular world collection, Italia utilizes a habano seed that was brought to Italy from Cuba nearly fifty years ago. Featuring a complex blend of Italian, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian fillers topped off with a Honduran binder and wrapper, this full-bodied blend offers a unique aroma and flavor you won’t get anywhere else. I often find myself pairing this classic with a hearty red wine. You can’t go wrong CAO Italia.
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Dean - Rocky Patel Vintage '03 Cameroon09/20/2016
Vintage 2003 begins with a perfectly balanced blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long-fillers that offer a wonderful aroma and flavor. The icing on the cake is a Cameroon wrapper, aged for eight years, which adds a nice hint of sweetness with some lighter notes of pepper and cedar. Enjoying this cigar with your favorite Octoberfest style lager will make for a great evening on any fall day.
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Dave - Hoyo La Amistad08/24/2016
Developed by the Cuban cigar maker, AJ Fernandez, who has produced some of the finest cigars in Nicaragua, Hoyo La Amistad is a bold move for the legendary Hoyo de Monterrey brand. I have to admit, when I first heard that AJ Fernandez was teaming up with Hoyo for a release, it had me scratching my head, but at the same time I couldn’t wait to light one up. After hearing that AJ Fernandez and his family grew up very near to the Hoyo de Monterrey farm in Cuba I knew he had put his all in this one.
The cigar features perfect construction. Once lit, you know you’re in for a bold and full-bodied treat. While the cigar is strong, it is nowhere near overpowering and there are some nice sweet and spicy notes mixed in that help to balance out the palate. While I didn’t find the blend to be overly complex or change much throughout, Hoyo La Amistad certainly lives up to its historic branding and delivers a classic, Cuban-esque experience that even the most discerning aficionados can enjoy.
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Dave - Ramon Bueso Olancho Vintage07/27/2016
Featuring an oily, Sun Grown Ligero wrapper, purposely under-fermented to create a unique flavor, the latest from Ramón Bueso will instantly grab your attention. It begins with a blast of pepper. As it settles down, notes of chocolate and spice appear with slight hints of raisin. This medium to full-bodied cigar has an aroma that sets it apart from any other cigar I’ve had.
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Dave - Latitude Zero Excursion07/27/2016
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Michael - Dunhill Heritage07/27/2016
Dunhill Heritage is wrapped in an Ecuadorian Habano ligero wrapper, which encases a Nicaraguan Jalapa binder and fillers from Ometepe and Honduras. Blended in Honduras, with Cuban heritage, this cigar pairs fantastic with a single malt scotch. Watch the pairing video at CIGAR.com/HERITAGE
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Tim - Rocky Patel Super Ligero07/27/2016
Rocky Patel has always catered to enthusiasts that enjoy fuller-bodied cigars. Now he's added the Super Ligero which will undoubtedly win over the hearts and humidors of America's ligero lunatics. A unique St. Augustine Habano wrapper is on display here, not to mention the totally ligero long-fillers from Costa Rica and Nicaragua. This is one intense blend.
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Andrew - Man O' War Ruination07/27/2016
This is hands down my favorite blend out there. Man O’ War Ruination is a perfect Nicaraguan blend featuring an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. It comes on strong but remains well-balanced with notes of cedar, leather, pepper, and a slight mix of nuts. If I had to choose one cigar to have every day for the rest of my life, this is it.
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