The Expert Review Library
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Bryan - La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial11/18/2008
No. 2 (4.8" x 48) Easy draw with tons of different aromas. Burned perfectly even from start to finish and was incredibly complex. The smoke produced a ton of cedar-like nuances with a definitive cinnamon flavor in the aftertaste. Did not notice many sweet flavors.
No. 5 (5.5" x 52) Great size with a cool and even burn. Noticeably complex with cedar, earth, white pepper, and spicy notes intermingled throughout. Far from boring and produced a thick, creamy smoke. The wrapper was very oily and the aftertaste left a sweet flavor on the palate, with some hints of nutmeg.
No. 3 (6" x 50) Pepper fills the palate with the initial light, producing a robust experience from the start. The blend's medium-bodied character shifts halfway through to a more potent full-bodied flavor with spicy undertones that mask its cinnamon characteristics. Almost no sweet nuances were present, as the cigar burned slightly uneven. Complex, strong, and robust.
No. 1 (5.6" x 46) Offered many competing nuances between pepper, spice, and cinnamon. Noticeable sweetness left on the palate with an oily feel. Burned slightly hot to the touch and was very earthy. Robust.
No. 4 Torpedo (7" x 49) Robust from the start. Burned well but still maintained a tighter draw than expected. Earthy sensations were noticeable throughout with a unique sweet-pepper flavor left on the palate. Great aroma. -
Dave - Tatuaje La Riqueza11/03/2008
#2 Torpedo (5.5" x 52) Excellent. Offered earthy nuances at first, then more robust flavors of spice became noticeable throughout. Maintained an even burn with an easy draw and emitted a milky smoke that had a leathery, cedar-like character. Very rich.
#3 (5.6" x 46) Initial light was very smooth, with the blend drastically increasing in power within a half inch of enjoyment. The burn was cool, and although slightly complex, the flavors remained consistent from start to finish.
#4 (5" x 48) Perfect draw and burn throughout with a good mixture of cedar, earth, and peppery nuances. Notes of earth were more exaggerated over spice, leaving a smooth finish on the palate. First two inches were very complex as the blend become more linear towards the head.
#1 (6.5" x 42) Very complex, with different flavors of spice and pepper changing throughout the burn. This size burned hotter than the others, mostly due to the small ring gauge, and became incredibly robust towards the final three inches. Many flavors of pepper were noticeable in this blend but the rich characteristics seem lost.
#5 (4.4" x 42) Offered a tight draw with a noticeably hot burn. Cigar was very robust, and scratched the back of the throat, as a ton of pepper and spice engulfs the palate. Although a relatively quick smoke, perfect for the winter season, expect more of a full-bodied robust characteristic over a richer, smoother medium-bodied character. -
Dave - Rocky Patel The Edge Lite09/15/2008
Toro (6" x 52) Complex and smooth, this size was very enjoyable. It offered ample spice but remained smooth, with a very creamy smoke. The aroma was earthy and the sweet notes were subtle.
Torpedo (6" x 52) Very complex in comparison to the other sizes and burned incredibly cool. The initial flavor consisted of pepper, which then dissipated into an earthy core before transforming back into a spicy blend. Noticed a ton of sugary sensations in the palate, only masked by a peaty finish. Perfectly constructed and offered an easy draw with thick smoke.
Double Corona (7.5" x 52) Draw was slightly tight but the stick burned slowly. Offered robust notes of pepper to start and continued to produce more complex notes of spice as it burned. Noticed a sweet sensation in the finish but the majority of flavor consisted of light pepper.
Robusto (5" x 50) Offered some sweet notes with the initial light and burned evenly throughout. The draw was perfect with mellow, yet spicy undertones. Noticeable nutty flavors mix with white pepper in the finish. -
Sean G - Nub by Oliva09/02/2008
Habano:
460 (4" x 60) Oily wrapper offering a complexity that seems more potent than other Habano leaves. Much spice noticeable on the palate with a hint of sweetness in the finish. Average burn time is about 60 minutes.
464 Torpedo (4" x 64) Burned slightly uneven but still produced rich, toasty flavors with peppery nuances. Draw was a bit tight for the size and shape but this particular stick was incredibly complex and eventful. Average burn time is about 70 minutes.
358 (3.7" x 58) Rich with hints of espresso in the initial light. Becomes slightly more robust as the cigar burns and provides ample spice through the nose. Average burn time is about 45 minutes.
466 (4" x 66) Thick cigar that is slightly uncomfortable to hold between the lips. Offers a peaty taste with pepper and spicy sensations, much complexity and a robust finish. Average burn time is about 80 minutes. -
Sean G - La Herencia Cubana08/19/2008
Robusto (5.0"x50) Complex right from the start with a sweetness on the lips and earthy nuances on the palate. Spice was noticeable but not overwhelming. Allowed for a medium finish, cool burn, and produced a ton of creamy smoke.
Torpedo (6.5"x52) Great size – very complex. Offered nuances of pepper, peat, earth, cedar, sugar cane and a hint of vanilla with a robust finish. Easy draw and a perfect burn, which created a balanced flavor. The strength is never overwhelming while the finish is smooth and mellow.
Toro (6.5"x52) Robust during the first inch and then slightly mellowed before picking up more power after 3 inches. Initial flavor was peaty with a spicy aftertaste but the cigar burned unevenly. The smoke was creamy and left an aroma of cedar. The finish was very strong, robust, and rich.
Lonsdale (6.5"x44) Tight draw but burned evenly throughout. Produced many flavors of pepper with very little sweetness in the aftertaste. Burned slightly hot and produced a thin smoke with a robust finish. -
Sean G - CAO America08/08/2008
Monument (6.2"x54) Complex with layers of spice and earth masked by an enjoyable underlying sweetness. The draw was a bit tighter than expected but the cigar burned even and true throughout. Strong, robust finish.
Constitution (6.0"x50) Burned even, true, and cool throughout. Offered competeing notes of earth and sweetness from start to finish without ever becoming too strong. Great size, perfect after lunch.
Potomac (5.0"x56) Smooth, easy draw that produced large amounts of creamy, white smoke. Not as complex as expected, with pepper and cocoa noticeable from start to finish. The ring gauge allows for a cool burn. Enjoyable after a hearty meal.
BottleRocket (7.0"x50) This churchill is smooth but does pack a punch. The initial light offers intense flavors of earth and pepper, which mellows after half an inch. The remainder is complex, with hints of chocolate and cedar throughout. Burned slightly hot to the touch, but offered thick clouds of smoke and an incredibly robust finish.
Landmark (6.0"x60) Very easy draw due to its massive ring gauge, but also incredibly powerful. The initial light offered a burst of pepper that faded into an earthy, peaty flavor. Complex, with many competing nuances of spice but very little sweetness. Expect at least 120 minutes of enjoyment. -
Dave - Man O' War07/14/2008
Torpedo (6.1"x54) Smooth, even draw with a great burn and perfect construction. The wrapper was very oily, offering more in terms of sweetness. Noticeable coffee flavors blended well with an array of spices, for at least 130 minutes of enjoyment.
Double Corona (7.5"x52) Initial flavors were incredibly robust, but mellowed towards the center. Complex, with hints of vanilla masking white pepper undertones. Strong and robust finish. Burned cool.
Corona (6.0"x44) Good 45 minute cigar. Surprisingly easy draw for the size. Many competing peppery notes from start to finish, with little sweetness.
Toro (6.5"x52) Tighter draw then expected but produced a ton of creamy, white smoke. The aftertaste offered spice mixed with oak for a mellow complexity. This size continually increased in strength from the start, allowing for a powerful finish.
Robusto (5.5"x50) Spicy, but far from overwhelming. Burned slightly uneven, producing rich earthy flavors with a spicy sweet finish. Easy draw. -
Sean G - 601 Green Label Oscuro06/17/2008
La Punta (5.5"x52) Perfect size. The ring gauge allows for an easy draw, without sacrificing the slow burn. Many cocoa nuances noticeable on the palate with much pepper and spice through the nose. Produced almost a 3-inch ash.
Tronco (5.0"x52) Started off robust and heavy with ample spice but refused to mellow out. In addition, the after taste was definitely sweet making this size incredibly well blended. The oils left some residue on the lips and the last two inches were very strong, but highly enjoyable.
La Fuerza (5.5"x54) Medium in length but thick, this size emits a ton of smoke. Although it burned evenly, the smoke seemed slightly hot on the palate but allowed for a rich after taste. Many espresso-like flavors.
Trabuco (6.1"x58) Very big cigar that engulfs the palate with many competing nuances of coffee and pepper. Very complex but the burn followed a vein down the left side. Good cigar but became incredibly intense towards the last 3 inches. Will easily last 90 to 120 minutes with very little to offer in terms of sweetness. -
Bryan - 5 Vegas Series 'A'06/03/2008
Alpha (6.0"x52) Robust during the first 2 inches, but mellows to become richer in flavor towards the band. Produced many hints of pepper, which blended well with the chocolaty aftertaste. Also offered an easy draw, slow burn, and thick smoke.
Artisan (5.0"x52) Great size. Well blended and extremely complex offering nuances of earth, peat, and cocoa. The initial light was not as robust as the other sizes but the cigar still changed in flavor from inch to inch. Toothy wrapper that burned evenly and slow all the way to the nub.
Anomaly (4.5" x 44) A spicy, 25-minute cigar. Offered the same complexities noticeable in the larger sizes, with added pepper, and burned evenly throughout.
Archetype (6.0"x50) Great draw. Again, the flavors were very robust towards the foot of the cigar and slightly mellowed towards the head. Noticed more peppery nuances over sweetness but the wrapper was cloaked in oil, which coated the palate. Cool burn.
Apostle (7.0"x50) Draw was a bit tight but still allowed all complexities to be enjoyed. Noticed few veins in the wrapper and this size burned slow, providing more than an hour of enjoyment. The sweet aftertaste was not as prominent. -
Dave - Cuba Libre02/18/2008
Epicure (6.0"x50) Excellent burn. The cigar is relatively mellow for the first inch and then explodes with flavor as it burns towards the head. Sweet nuances are noticeable and the finish seems to last longer than expected. The complexities are greatly noticeable from inch to inch. Preferred size.
Unico (torpedo) (6.2"x54) Perfectly constructed and offers more complexities than the Epicure. The wrapper is almost flawless with little veins and the draw is very, very easy. Definitely the best size when looking at construction and complexity.
Magnum (5.5"x55) Features a very easy draw, flawless construction. Produces a creamy smoke and many spicy nuances can be tasted. Perfect forty-five minute cigar.
Club Corona (5.5"x44) More robust than the other sizes and the draw is a bit tight. Due to its size, the flavors seem stronger and the spice is abundant from start to finish. Noticed almost no sweet nuances but still, very enjoyable.
Chairman (7.0"x52) The draw is a bit tight for the size; however, this stick offers a stronger experience. The blend is balanced throughout but the burn was slightly uneven. Great to enjoy after a hearty meal.
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