The Expert Review Library
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Matt - Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 197001/03/2011
When in the mood for a full-bodied cigar, I usually think of Antano first. Honestly, I enjoy this blend's finish the most - It's smooth and creamy with a spicy feel that coats your palate with oily goodness. With an all-Nicaraguan filler and binder masked by a spicy Nicaraguan-grown Habano wrapper, this is one blend you'll never get sick of. Be warned, if you light this up in the morning you may be in for a rude awakening. -
Alex - 5 Vegas Classic01/03/2011
With over a century of exposure, 5 Vegas Classic still remains a staple in my wheelhouse. The blend carries a '90' rating so how could you complain? With an exceptional earthy flavor masked by many hints of pepper and spices, this is a great morning blend for all you full-bodied fans. I enjoy 5 Vegas Classic as it's well-constructed, carries a heavy ash and pleasantly shocks my palate.
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Matt - Montecristo Media Noche01/03/2011
An amazingly complex cigar, with notes ranging from vanilla cream to peppery-leathery nuances and even coffee; any cigar lover will enjoy this delight. This roll is firm, but draws very well and is very consistent. Media Noche is one of my favorite maduros. It is a bit on the higher end of hip national bank, however if you want the "goodness" of a blend made with luxury in mind, then pick up a sample today.
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Bryan - Graycliff Espresso Series12/30/2010
Easily the best tasting Graycliff cigar made to date. This short, hearty blend tantalizes your palate with its intense, strong and robust flavors. Black pepper and a multitude of spices will swirl around your mouth while the finish is bold with notes of cedar that stay with you far after the cigar is extinguished. Excellent but especially enjoyable after a hearty meal
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Dave - Pioneer Valley Connecticut12/02/2010
Robusto (5.0"x50) A smooth blend from head to foot with little left for the imagination. Sports a fantastic looking Connecticut wrapper leaf and releases tons of flavor. Perfectly constructed, this is an excellent way to start your day. Great with coffee.
Torpedo (6.2"x52) Torpedo shape added a ton of complex flavors. You'll easily pick up cedar, earth and light pepper from head to toe. Based on how far you cut the head of this cigar, you'll find the blend either mellow or medium-bodied - depending on the draw. Great stick to hand out on the golf course as it looks like a super premium but with an everyday price.
Corona (5.7"x43) Our personal favorite of all the sizes, although it burned hot and offered a tight draw. However, the flavor this corona exudes is unmatched by any other size. It's quite robust but with a super smooth finish that leaves a ton of cedar and earth on your palate. The aroma remains toasty while the stick produces little smoke.
Churchill (7.0"x50) This 7"x50 parejo seems like it'll produce a hearty, robust flavor but that wasn't the case. It lacked balance and maintained a semi-tight draw before it opened up after an inch. Furthermore, it burned unevenly. Besides those major issues, the flavor was quite complex, changing from inch to inch so this size definitely keeps your interest. It produced thick, creamy, milky smoke, unlike the corona size, and left a heavy finish on your palate. If we didn't experience the construction issues, this size would have earned a higher rating. -
Bryan - My Father10/05/2010
No. 2 (5.2"x54) Easily the best size in the line. The head of this torpedo only tapers slightly, allowing for an easy, consistent cut. Its length and ring guage perfectly compliment one another, creating an effortless draw while releasing thick, aromatic smoke with many competing spicy complexities.
No. 4 (7.5"x38) Truly impressive for a long lancero. Surprisingly, the stick burned perfectly even but without a tight draw, although thick smoke was left to be desired. Incredibly complex with a robust character from the start, this size builds in strength from head to foot but provides an elegantly smooth character with a long, enjyoable finish.
No. 3 (6.0"x49) Enjoyable and perfect everyday. A slightly tight draw prevented thick smoke, which was disappointing since this blend offers a great aroma. However, the blend increased in strength and complexity from start to finish without becoming overwhelmingly strong. The aftertaste also contained a nutty flavor which was not noticeable in the other sizes.
No. 1 (5.2"x52) Its not often a robusto is rated so low but this size lost points due to faulty construction. The draw was great and the flavor was incredibly enjoyable with perfect balance between earth and hot, spicy sensations. However, the burn was uneven from the start and never corrected itself. -
Dave - Diesel Unlimited09/14/2010
d.5 (5.5"x54) This size stands out the most due to its amazing balance. The 54 gauge provides an effortless draw, creating thick clouds of hearty, chewy smoke while the length allows for a stead burn and a ton of complexity. Expect a punch of pepper upon first light and then a bold rush of competing earthy flavors throughout the finish. Strong, hearty and smooth. Excellent.
d.7 (7.0"x58) If you're looking for a full-bodied power bomb that'll keep you puffing for more than an hour, then go with d.7. This size is incredibly powerful as it begins full-bodied while relentlessly building in strength from head to foot. Be sure to have a full stomach before lighting up this firecracker.
d.X (5.7"x56) The most elegant of the all sizes. Light pepper graces your palate upon first light before becoming increasingly complex as the blend burns. Black pepper and earth are present throughout while the aroma gives off notes of cedar and toasted wood. Cut this torpedo's head down a bit more than usual to prevent a tight draw.
d.6 (6.0"x60) A size for those who can't get enough power. This stick releases massive amounts of smoke and with nothing else but fiery, robust characters throughout. You'll feel the strength in your gut and your head while enjoying a plethora of complex nuances ranging from toast, anise and earth to dark spices, black pepper and cedar. Burned slightly uneven. -
Sean G - Cain Nub by Oliva08/30/2010
464 Torpedo (4.0"x64) Potent and hearty from head to foot with an incredibly smooth finish. The Habano offers spicy nuances throughout that surround a core of earth while the maduro maintains a sweetness that lasts throughout the finish. Both versions are quite complex and will perfectly complement your favorite meal.
460 (4.0"x60) Expect a burst of earth and red pepper from the start as the size allows the strength to build throughout. This stick will burn for at least an hour while creating thick, milky smoke. Both versions still create a long, smooth finish while the Habano creates a full-bodied robust character with no sweet nuances. -
Dave - Man O' War Virtue08/16/2010
Toro (6.0"x50) Incredibly smooth and full-flavored from start to finish. Offers a great balance between earth and cedar with a semi-sweet note on the finish.
Churchill (7.5"x52) Produces thick, creamy smoke and maintains a cool, even draw. The complexities are unique as the blend changes in flavor from inch to inch while slowly building in strength. Keeps a bold finish with a rich aftertaste.
Salomon (5.7"x54) Great, limited size for the true enthusiast. The 5.7"x54 frame burns perfectly and the thick foot allows for an easy light. Be sure to toast the foot a little longer than usual, which will allow the multitude of different tobaccos to combust together, producing ample flavor and complexity. Semi-spicy.
Robusto (5.0"x50) Great 45-minute smoke. Bold and hearty from start to finish while maintaining a smooth, toasty aftertaste. One of the best Connecticut-wrapped robustos on the market. If you enjoy tons of thick smoke with an earthy, cedary aroma, go with this size.
Torpedo (6.0"x50) If you enjoy figurados but are looking for something a bit less complex than the Salomon, the torpedo is a great substitute. Offers some complex flavors but the overall blend releases a core of earth and pepper from start to finish. Light sweet nuances intermingle throughout but are masked by a hearty, smooth finish.
Lonsdale (6.0"x44) Incredibly potent but lacks balance. The small ring burned unevenly for the first inch but corrected itself. Flavor stays the same from head to foot while releasing competing notes of pepper and earth. Strongest size in the line with a long finish. -
Dave - My Father Le Bijou 192208/03/2010
Petit Robusto (4.5"x50) What a flavor bomb! If you're searching for that hearty, full-bodied maduro that gives off a rich character with little sweetness, then pick up this size. The short and stout 4.5"x50 frame allows for an effortless draw that exudes tons of thick smoke with many competing complexities that swirl around your palate. Many peppery, spicy flavors are present from head to foot while the finish is rich and full. A great, well blended cigar.
Churchill (7.0"x50) Perfect for those looking for that spicy Pepin flavor and expect at least 90 minutes of enjoyment. The size burns long and stead but slowly picks up in strength, providing a light, medium body up front before transitioning into a heavier character. The finish is very long with very little to offer in terms of sweetness.
Toro (6.0"x52) If you prefer a maduro with more sweetness than pepper or spice, then go with the Toro size in this line. Although you'll get the same hearty aftertaste found in the other sizes, the Toro leaves sweeter nuances on your palate and finish. The blend varies in complexity from head to foot with an emphasis on richness rather than spice. Enjoyable.
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