The Expert Review Library
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Sean G - E.P. Carrillo La Historia09/21/2014
The first thing that popped in my head while enjoying these was how smooth they were. There’s absolutely no spice to the blend. The cigar has an oaky core with a rich espresso finish and has absolutely no complexity. Of course, I say that as a complement. There are a ton of cigars out there that boast a world of complexity but end up falling flat in muddled confusing mess. La Historia shows what a seasoned blender can do with properly aged and fermented tobaccos. Carrillo has been in the business for a long time and knows that you don’t need to throw a million flavors at a palate for a cigar to be good. Novices will like this cigar; season enthusiasts will love it. -
Sean G - Montecristo Media Noche08/18/2014
Montecristo Media Noche has been a mainstay in my humidor for years. The complex blend of Nicaraguan, Peruvian, and Dominican tobaccos make for a perfect end-of-day cigar ripe with notes of cedar, espresso and spice. Definitely on par with the lofty expectations that come with a name like Montecristo.
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Sean L - Ramon Bueso Genesis The Project08/18/2014
Ramon Bueso is a master of his craft. Draped in a thick, toothy Connecticut Broadleaf maduro, Genesis has rich nuances of dark chocolate, earth, and espresso complimented with a slight cherry note. If you are a maduro hound like me, you will want to pick up more than one of these beauties.
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Alex - Cohiba Black08/18/2014
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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Andrew - Diesel Unlimited Maduro08/18/2014
Of course, I had to pick the latest from AJ Fernandez. Diesel’s Unlimited Maduro is another full-bodied winner. The spice kicks things off but mellows into a unique cinnamon-type base which is slightly hidden by the earthy and espresso notes. For any maduro lover looking for something new, this one is sure to fit the bill.
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Sean G - H. Upmann The Banker06/22/2014
I hated this cigar; seriously hated it after trying it for the first time. And I even like the folks who make it and the packaging of the cigar. You’d think some of that would have swayed me subconsciously but it didn’t. I swore to never try this again…until I ran into a meeting where The Beard and our boss were puffing away on them. I was shocked. These two were talking about how great these things were. So much for not trying one of these again. Time to pick up a 5-pack and give it a test…
As soon as I fired it up, that familiar overwhelming spice and sharpness hit me. This is what caused me to put it down the first time. And don’t get me wrong, I love a powerhouse cigar but this just seems unbalanced. This time, I had to power through though. Amazingly, the spice subsides gradually and is gone after the first half inch replaced by rich notes of coffee and earth. The Banker then goes through another shift offering spicy and smoky notes. Overall, way more complexity than I expected. One thing I noticed is that when you puff too fast on this, the cigar quickly becomes unbalanced which I found was my error the first time. If you take your time with H. Upmann’s The Banker, you’ll find your investment will certainly pay off. -
Tim - Montecristo Classic06/21/2014
Even though 60-rings are the latest craze, nothing rivals the Churchill size when you have time on your hands to kick back. And when it comes to smooth, mellow Churchills, few do it better than Montecristo. mellow to medium in strength, ‘Monte’ offers notes of cedar and cream backed by a crisp finish. In fact, the hardest part about enjoying this blend is trying to put it down to grab another brew.
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Alex - Brick House Maduro06/21/2014
It’s no coincidence Brick House has been rated Cigar Aficionado’s Best Bargain 5 years running. The Mighty Mighty Maduro is heavy in hand containing bold Nicaraguan long leaves inside a Nicaraguan binder. The star of the show is the Brazilian wrapper offering up chocolaty sweetness that pairs well with the spicy Nicaraguan leaves. If you’re like me, you’ll be coming back for more.
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Sean G - HC Series Criollo06/21/2014
If you’re looking for a thick, meaty Habano-wrapped cigar look no further. HC Series Criollo is a blend that caught me off guard, nowhere on the packaging did it say it would be this delicious. Notes of leather, earth, and a hint of coffee intermingle for a very enjoyable experience. The construction and burn are top-notch and most impressively it’s perfectly balanced.
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Alex - Padron05/27/2014
Why He Likes It: What more is there to say about Padron? The Nicaraguan puros have been immensely popular, and the brand churns our delicious cigars at an alarmingly consistent rate. This ‘90’ rated beauty is no exception. Loaded with toasty notes of coffee, cedar, and hints of caramel, this is the perfect Father’s Day blend.
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