More Reviews By Kelly

Debuting in 2021, Rocky's White Label has flown under the radar a bit. Is it any wonder? With an award-winning portfolio like Rocky's, it can be hard to stand out. But something tells me this gem is about to get noticed. A combination of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos is finished with a silky-smooth Connecticut Shade wrapper. Expect notes of cedar, earth, and hints of vanilla.

AJ Fernandez more than earns his Master Blender title with this ‘91’-rated blend. Due to the dark Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, the Maduro is bolder than its predecessor, but no complaints here. There’s a nice spicy-sweetness due to the interplay between earth and pepper underneath sweeter nuances of almond, cocoa, and vanilla. Remarkably even burn.

I simply can’t resist La Gloria Cubana Spanish Press. These Dominican-made premiums are chock full of tobaccos from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico’s San Andrés Valley capped off with a redolent Nicaraguan Jalapa wrapper. Savor every moment as this medium-bodied cigar is rich with notes of earth, red licorice, black pepper, raisin, and baking spice. Fire up a steak and pair this with a nice bourbon…you’ll thank me.

Oliva’s catalog of blends is legendary. And personally, I love a good Cameroon-wrapped cigar, so this one was a no-brainer for me. A hearty but balanced handmade, Serie ‘G’ is packed with Nicaraguan tobaccos and gives off notes of leather, cedar, and coffee. To top it off, the genuine Cameroon wrapper offers hints of sweetness throughout. Pair this gem with some bourbon and you have a match made in heaven.

5 Vegas is a brand that delivers fantastic value for a premium brand. Cigars that will easily fit into your daily rotation. 5 Vegas Cask Strength weighs in as the strongest blend in their best-selling portfolio. The blend consists of all-Ligero tobaccos that are finished with a red-hued Nicaraguan wrapper. You’re going to want to want to have a full stomach for this powerhouse!

Normally, when you attach AJ’s name to a blend, it instantly puts it on the map. But La Herencia Cubana’s CORE line still flies under the radar. Why? As one of AJ Fernandez’s earlier releases, AJ’s celebrity hadn’t taken off quite yet. But let me tell you, this one deserves your attention. A bold, rich beauty ripe with notes of dark chocolate, spice, and hints of cashews.

The after-dinner cigar gets all the credit. To me, it’s the morning cigar that gets me going. Pour a nice cup of coffee, fire up a Connecticut-wrapped gem, and gather my thoughts…an exceptional way to start the day. So, this month’s Alec Bradley Connecticut really resonates with me. A complex blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos finished with a seamless Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. 

As the first Cohiba with roots in Nicaragua, this '91' rated blend is worth toasting to again and again! Constructed with elegant complexity, this premium produces ample amounts of smoke and releases hearty flavors of leather, cedar, and pepper on the palate—all thanks to its Nicaraguan binder, long-fillers, and Honduran Jamastran Colorado Oscuro wrapper.

More than a favorite, this Monte is a '94' rated homerun. Stepping up to the plate in confidence, Montecristo Platinum is fitted with a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper and Nicaraguan, Peruvian, and Dominican long-fillers. This leads to one extraordinary result: a plethora of cashew, almond, and coffee nuances with slight spice throughout—a true pastime for any fan.

The complexity of the Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers presents bold notes on the palate, which are complemented by a natural sweetness thanks to the cigar's Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper. This richly-balanced, box-pressed premium delivers a slow, even burn with a long finish—a '93' rated blend that is sure to have you falling head over foot!