The Expert Review Library
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Quinn - Ave Maria Divinia11/11/2022
Ave Maria’s portfolio is always in my rotation. And that should be no surprise, with every cigar being produced under the watchful eye of AJ Fernandez. But the one that stands out to me is Ave Maria Divinia. One of the brand’s top-shelf o¬fferings, Divinia is packed with Nicaraguan tobaccos and finished with a Sun Grown Nicaraguan wrapper. Notes of earth, coffee, cocoa, and almonds round out this perfectly-balanced beauty.
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Michael - Rocky Patel Vintage '99 Connecticut11/11/2022
The Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Connecticut is another outstanding cigar in the Vintage series and an excellent any-time-of-day cigar. This mild to medium-bodied smoke features a seven-year-aged Connecticut Shade wrapper, encasing a Nicaraguan binder and a complex blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican Ligero fillers, giving this cigar rich notes of cream, nuts, and toast. It’s the perfect pre-dinner cigar to pair with an Apple Spiced Martini.
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Lindsay - Montecristo Nicaragua11/11/2022
When AJ Fernandez was asked to blend a Nicaraguan puro for Montecristo, it resulted in this ‘93’-rated, #10 of 2018. Notes of earth, hay, red pepper, red berries, cedar, and sweet hickory in this medium-bodied blend provide a new take on that classic Monte experience. Construction is flawless, with the right amount of pull on the draw.
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Bella - Gurkha Yakuza11/11/2022
One of Gurkha’s most limited releases, Yakuza never fails to impress. A hefty helping of Ligero tobaccos makes for a potent base that gets finished with dark, oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. This full-bodied treat definitely hits the spot after a stressful day. But even with Yakuza’s power, there’s a subtle balance that makes for a smooth, rich finish. Pour yourself a glass of single malt and kick back with this limited release!
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Kelly - Oliva Serie 'G'11/11/2022
Oliva’s catalog of blends is legendary. And personally, I love a good Cameroon-wrapped cigar, so this one was a no-brainer for me. A hearty but balanced handmade, Serie ‘G’ is packed with Nicaraguan tobaccos and gives off notes of leather, cedar, and coffee. To top it off, the genuine Cameroon wrapper offers hints of sweetness throughout. Pair this gem with some bourbon and you have a match made in heaven.
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Bella - Graycliff G2 Habano09/23/2022
Here’s your everyday Habano! This medium to full-bodied treat delivers a plethora of flavor without being over-powering. Starting with a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos, this beauty is finished with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that supplies ample notes of cedar, pepper, and hints of cream on the finish. Pair it with a spiced rum and cola cocktail and never look back.
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Quinn - Man O’ War Ruination 10th Anniversary09/23/2022
Man O’ War is typically known for their full-flavored, Nicaraguan blends and this gem does nothing to dispel that. This hefty 6.0”x60 box-pressed treat comes packed with a bevy of Nicaraguan and Honduran Ligero tobaccos and is finished with thick, dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Expect notes of leather and earth with hints of dark chocolate and spice on the finish.
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Kelly - 5 Vegas Cask Strength09/23/2022
5 Vegas is a brand that delivers fantastic value for a premium brand. Cigars that will easily fit into your daily rotation. 5 Vegas Cask Strength weighs in as the strongest blend in their best-selling portfolio. The blend consists of all-Ligero tobaccos that are finished with a red-hued Nicaraguan wrapper. You’re going to want to want to have a full stomach for this powerhouse!
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Lindsay - Alec Bradley Black Market Esteli09/23/2022
This ‘93’ rated spin-off of the original Black Market was Cigar Aficionado’s #9 of 2018. Sourcing prime tobaccos from the Plasencia family, this handmade utilizes a double binder (Honduras and Nicaragua) amid a Nicaraguan wrapper and long-filler bunch. Medium to full-bodied, it contains a consistent woodiness, with notes of caramel, cashew, cocoa, and a bit of raisin on the finish.
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Michael - Romeo y Julieta Reserve09/23/2022
The Romeo y Julieta Reserve is a ‘90’-rated blend handmade in Honduras from premium Nicaraguan and Honduran binder and filler tobaccos covered by an oily Nicaraguan wrapper leaf. This perfect blend of premium tobaccos gives this cigar notes of leather, cinnamon, and almonds. The Churchill size is perfect for the golf course and afterwards pairs well with a Continental Sour.
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