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More Reviews By Alex

Showing 1-10 of 25 Reviews   Back To Expert Reviews
Alex |
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.
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.

Alex |
Alec Bradley’s masterpiece blend is graced with a limited production Mexican wrapper to create a blend that delivers a complex onslaught of flavor from first light to finish. Everything from the top-notch construction, oily wrapper, and even burn, make this one a go-to full-bodied maduro for myself and so many others.
Alec Bradley’s masterpiece blend is graced with a limited production Mexican wrapper to create a blend that delivers a complex onslaught of flavor from first light to finish. Everything from the top-notch construction, oily wrapper, and even burn, make this one a go-to full-bodied maduro for myself and so many others.

Alex |

I have to say, this blend caught me totally off-guard. Symphony is an extraordinary Connecticut. On first light, notes of white pepper are dominant which transitions into cedar and cream. The real complexity is on the finish where I pick up dark chocolate and roasted nuts. This is by far my favorite Gurkha blend, and I think you will agree.

I have to say, this blend caught me totally off-guard. Symphony is an extraordinary Connecticut. On first light, notes of white pepper are dominant which transitions into cedar and cream. The real complexity is on the finish where I pick up dark chocolate and roasted nuts. This is by far my favorite Gurkha blend, and I think you will agree.


Alex |
The Edge came out in 2004, and was hot right out of the gates earning “Best Buy” honors from Cigar Aficionado.  Over ten years later, and I am still lighting them up on a regular basis. The maduro variety is my go-to featuring an extra-dark Honduran maduro wrapper. It’s rich, strong, and maintains a perfect balance down to the nub.
The Edge came out in 2004, and was hot right out of the gates earning “Best Buy” honors from Cigar Aficionado.  Over ten years later, and I am still lighting them up on a regular basis. The maduro variety is my go-to featuring an extra-dark Honduran maduro wrapper. It’s rich, strong, and maintains a perfect balance down to the nub.

Alex |
If you are like me, you seem to have a new favorite cigar every month.  No matter my favorite at the time, I do tend to have that mainstay list of five or so brands that I just find myself always reaching for.  This month, I am deviating away from my “flavor of the week” picks to a mainstay in my rotation and a long time favorite, Oliva Serie V.  This cigar debuted in 2007 (to much acclaim with a 94 rating from Cigar Aficionado and the No. 4 spot on their annual Top 25 list that year) and in my humble opinion was a pioneer blend setting the standard today for what a full bodied cigar should really be all about.  Unlike the full bodied selections of the day which were crafted with the sole purpose of blowing your face off, Oliva brought the horse power with V but with a refined elegance and balance a true connoisseur can appreciate.  The secret to the sauce in this blend is the slow, patient and lengthy fermentation that the ligero fillers undergo which takes out all the bite and leaves all the flavor and goodness in a thick and creamy smoke presentation that still delivers just the right shot to your gut reminding you that it is still as strong as it is flavorful.  Forget about notes of “this” and nuances of “that”, this cigar is 100% good old fashioned tasty tobacco that envelopes the palate completely and leaves a long finish.
If you are like me, you seem to have a new favorite cigar every month.  No matter my favorite at the time, I do tend to have that mainstay list of five or so brands that I just find myself always reaching for.  This month, I am deviating away from my “flavor of the week” picks to a mainstay in my rotation and a long time favorite, Oliva Serie V.  This cigar debuted in 2007 (to much acclaim with a 94 rating from Cigar Aficionado and the No. 4 spot on their annual Top 25 list that year) and in my humble opinion was a pioneer blend setting the standard today for what a full bodied cigar should really be all about.  Unlike the full bodied selections of the day which were crafted with the sole purpose of blowing your face off, Oliva brought the horse power with V but with a refined elegance and balance a true connoisseur can appreciate.  The secret to the sauce in this blend is the slow, patient and lengthy fermentation that the ligero fillers undergo which takes out all the bite and leaves all the flavor and goodness in a thick and creamy smoke presentation that still delivers just the right shot to your gut reminding you that it is still as strong as it is flavorful.  Forget about notes of “this” and nuances of “that”, this cigar is 100% good old fashioned tasty tobacco that envelopes the palate completely and leaves a long finish.

Alex | | Great Everyday Option
Maybe it’s just me but I’m really into this packaging. The crisp, clean design and the elegant logo caught my eye right away amongst a sea of new products in our conference room. But great packaging usually doesn’t translate into a good cigar. The blend is combination of hand-selected Nicaraguan Cuban-seed long-fillers. It’s then finished with a San Andres wrapper that is extremely smooth to the touch and loaded with natural oils. Construction-wise you can’t really ask for more.

Upon lighting the cigar, it hit my palate with a blast of spice. Not the best start but serviceable. As it progresses, that spice subsides into a medium-bodied profile with earthy and oaky notes. Those notes remain prevalent throughout most of the smoke but I ended up getting subtle hints of spice towards the end of the cigar. While I didn’t have glass of bourbon on hand, I suspect it would have improved the overall experience. Overall, not the best blend I’ve ever had but for the price I’ll happily pick up a box and use them as an everyday option throughout the summer.
Maybe it’s just me but I’m really into this packaging. The crisp, clean design and the elegant logo caught my eye right away amongst a sea of new products in our conference room. But great packaging usually doesn’t translate into a good cigar. The blend is combination of hand-selected Nicaraguan Cuban-seed long-fillers. It’s then finished with a San Andres wrapper that is extremely smooth to the touch and loaded with natural oils. Construction-wise you can’t really ask for more.

Upon lighting the cigar, it hit my palate with a blast of spice. Not the best start but serviceable. As it progresses, that spice subsides into a medium-bodied profile with earthy and oaky notes. Those notes remain prevalent throughout most of the smoke but I ended up getting subtle hints of spice towards the end of the cigar. While I didn’t have glass of bourbon on hand, I suspect it would have improved the overall experience. Overall, not the best blend I’ve ever had but for the price I’ll happily pick up a box and use them as an everyday option throughout the summer.

Alex |
In this industry, so often it is all about the next best thing. On the contrary, I enjoy classic blends that have stood the test of time, and few have maintained a loyal following quite like Serie R. This Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapped beauty from La Gloria Cubana is bold and rich, yet refined and smooth. It’s time to take a much closer look at Serie R.
In this industry, so often it is all about the next best thing. On the contrary, I enjoy classic blends that have stood the test of time, and few have maintained a loyal following quite like Serie R. This Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapped beauty from La Gloria Cubana is bold and rich, yet refined and smooth. It’s time to take a much closer look at Serie R.

Alex |
The flagship blend from one of the most renowned families in the cigar business, this Nicaraguan puro exhibits top-notch construction with a Cuban-esque flavor profile of spice and rich cedar. Its oily habano wrapper is always impressive and meshes perfectly with a hearty blend of fillers grown in Esteli, Condega, and the Jalapa Valley.
The flagship blend from one of the most renowned families in the cigar business, this Nicaraguan puro exhibits top-notch construction with a Cuban-esque flavor profile of spice and rich cedar. Its oily habano wrapper is always impressive and meshes perfectly with a hearty blend of fillers grown in Esteli, Condega, and the Jalapa Valley.

Alex |
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.
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.

Alex | | Broadleaf Beauties
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.
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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Alex
Alex
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