The Expert Review Library
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Michael B. - Punch Bareknuckle Pita09/19/2017
Punch Bareknuckle will knock you proverbial socks off with its multi-country blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos draped in an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Ensure this champion is always on hand for those moments you want to "go a few rounds" with a real powerhouse.
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Andrew D. - Diesel Heart of Darkness Gordo09/19/2017
AJ Fernandez, need I say more? My love affair continues with Diesel Heart of Darkness. An Oscuro Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan fillers exude notes of pepper, earth, and a slight hint of coffee. This bold premium is definitely not for the faint of heart.
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Daniel A. - CAO Extreme Robusto09/19/2017
A personal favorite, this cigar's dark, oily Habano wrapper is brimming with premium ligero fillers. The first quarter of this cigar strikes your palate with pepper, but opens up nicely to notes of oak with spicy and sweet cream nuances—an unforgettable cigar.
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Bella D. - Partagas 1845 Extra Oscuro Robusto09/19/2017
Rum barrel-aged Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan fillers are encased in an oily Oscuro wrapper. I immediately enjoyed notes of coffee, spice, and some hints of black cherry. A must-try for those who enjoy a solid medium to full-bodied cigar.
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John M. - 2017-09-10 Macanudo Inspirado Black09/08/2017
You’d be hard pressed to find an enthusiast who hasn’t sampled one of Macanudo’s many blends. You’d be even more hard pressed to find one who hasn’t at least heard of the brand during its nearly 50 year run. The brand started out in Jamaica in the late 60s, but moved to the Dominican Republic a few years later where it set down permanent roots. At first, the cigars were mellow and packed with flavor, making them accessible to a wide variety of palates. But as time progressed, so did enthusiasts Tastes. And, to keep up with demand, Macanudo began blending fuller-bodied cigars with bolder tasting notes.
Macanudo’s latest creation may be one of its most innovative to date. Inspirado Black comes dressed in a dark and oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper which was ripened on the stalk. At the cigar’s core you’ll find a proprietary blend of fermented tobaccos grown in EstelÃ, Nicaragua. Well-constructed, this cigar has a rustic quality to it. But what really grabs me is the aroma coming from the tobaccos in this premium. They have an intoxicating smell of molasses and earth, reminding me of dried cherries. As soon as the cigar is lit, the flavor profile is striking, with notes of pepper, hay, and dried fruit at the finish. As the cigar progresses, the pepper nuances intensify, but they’re not overwhelming and the finish is nice and long. This may be my new favorite blend from Macanudo, simply because it offers so much complexity and spice. I would urge everyone to try Inspirado Black, but do so after a good meal. This cigar’s boldness took me a little off guard, but that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the hell out of it.
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John - Brick House Connecticut08/14/2017
Easily one of J.C. Newman’s most popular cigar lines, Brick House has cornered the market on top notch cigars at an unbeatable price. Each blend is beautifully balanced with a pleasing aromas, and a throng of satisfying tasting notes. The original Brick House cigar was well-received by both fans and critics, and earned a well-deserved spot in Cigar Aficionado’s top 25 cigars of 2010. The maduro blend also received high marks with a ‘91’ rating just this year.
With such high acclaim, it was only a matter of time before J.C. Newman added a Connecticut wrapped offering to its lineup of Brick House cigars.
Masked with a pristine Connecticut Shade leaf and brimming with sweet smelling long fillers, Brick House Connecticut is love at first sight. The cold draw offers classic Connecticut notes of sweet cream, a touch of cedar, and some nuances of earth. I noticed more pepper in the first few puffs of this cigar, with notes of vanilla and roasted nuts. I was actually surprised by the spice. Not over the top, but more pronounced than I was expecting. The pepper lingered throughout, but became less present throughout the burn. The finish was short, but sweet, and overall this cigar presented complexities not often found in run of the mill Connecticut blends. I would call this an absolute homerun for Brick House. It offers the same complexities and spice of more expensive fuller-bodied cigars, but can be enjoyed as an everyday cigar. I’ve probably enjoyed close to a box of these since we got them in our warehouse, and I’m probably going to buy another just as soon as I make room in my humidor, or I just may buy another humidor specifically for these beauties.
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John- Perla del Mar Perla G08/10/2017
A gorgeous offering from JC Newman. Perla del Mar’s golden brown wrapper is pristine. An Ecuadorian Connecticut leaf masks long-fillers from three growing regions in Nicaragua, bringing about decadent notes of cedar, caramel, and cream. Without a doubt, Perla del Mar is one of my favorite mellow-bodied cigars.
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Dan A.- Oliva Serie ‘G’ Maduro Belicoso08/10/2017
One of my favorites, the Nicaraguan box-pressed Oliva Serie ‘G’ Maduro, sports a dark and oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. I found that it pairs perfectly with a deep-ambered brandy. The palate is rewarded with a slightly nutty profile accompanied by notes of dried sweet fruits, cocoa, and coffee.
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Michael B. - Punch Rare Corojo Magnum08/10/2017
This Punch is rare for a number of reasons, from the limited yearly production to the unique tobaccos utilized to create its spectacular, full flavor. When aged, the blend flourishes to create an experience that’s indeed rare, and packs a punch that will have you craving this box-pressed beauty for years to come!
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Andrew- Alec Bradley Tempus Quadrum08/10/2017
Alec Bradley has never failed me, and the Tempus Quadrum is no exception. Blended with Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers cloaked in a Habano wrapper, expect a full smoke with spicy notes of earth and leather balanced nicely by a sweet cedar finish. With a pedigree of multiple top 25 COTY awards, this one will not disappoint.
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