More Reviews By Michael

La Palina Red Label is a ‘92’ rated gem from the Dominican Republic. This mellow-medium-bodied beauty features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Ecuadoran binder, and aged long-fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. There is subtle spice with notes of pepper, wood, cocoa that make this cigar a summertime treat, especially with a nice Rye cocktail.

This third installment of the Oliva Master Blend series should be a staple in your humidor. Oliva Master Blends III has notes of dark chocolate, coffee, and black pepper. Receiving its complexity from the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and robust Nicaraguan binder, this cigar pairs perfectly with 10-year-aged Bacardi Diez Gran Reserve rum.

Alec Bradley American Sun Grown is a '91' rated, Nicaraguan puro that boasts earthy notes complemented by sweet hints of dark chocolate and a nutty finish. This cigar is the perfect everyday smoke for those who like a medium to full body profile. This dark and rich puro pairs perfectly with a nice Imperial Stout.

San Lotano Oval CT is a must-have in any enthusiasts' humidor. It is a mellow and smooth blend from AJ Fernandez featuring an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, with a blend of Nicaragua and Honduras binder and filler. This Connecticut is complex, with toasty notes and a creamy, nutty finish—pairs very will with a Northern Italian Pinot Noir.

This '90' rated beauty might be a Nicaraguan puro but its soul is Cuban. With notes of cedar, coffee, and a bit of spice, Plasencia Alma Del Campo will definitely find a home in your humidor. With a medium-bodied profile, pair this premium with a peaty Scotch like Laphroaig on a chilly evening.

This '91' rated beauty from Erik Espinosa is a medium to full-bodied smoke that tastes as good as it looks. 601 Green has a dark, oily Habano Oscuro wrapper blended with well-aged Cuban-seed tobaccos from Nicaragua. This blend yields complex flavors of earth, leather, and dark chocolate. Pair this cigar with Macallan Highland 12 year Single Malt Scotch.

When the weather starts getting chilly, this is the cigar to reach for. Balmoral Añejo XO Nicaragua is a medium smoke that is extremely complex. It features a dark Nicaraguan wrapper, a Cuban-seed Brazilian binder, and fillers from the Dominican, Nicaragua, and Brazil. Imparting notes of oak, espresso, and black pepper, pair it with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked.

Oliva Serie 'O' garnered multiple '90' plus ratings, and for good reason. This Nicaraguan puro is a perfect balance of tobaccos from three different growing regions in Nicaragua, giving it complex, layered flavors. With distinct notes of pepper, dark chocolate, and spice, this medium-bodied robusto pairs perfectly with an Italian espresso coffee or your favorite stout.

Camacho Connecticut is the mellowest in the Camacho portfolio, but don't take that for having a lack of flavor. This '90' rated gem has great balance, delivering notes of cedar, nuts, and a bit of pepper on the finish. Boasting an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, it's perfect when you're teeing off on the front 9.

Don Pepín García Blue is a smooth and rich powerhouse with a '93' rating from legendary Jose Pepín García. Blended in classic Cuban tradition at the prestigious My Father Factory, this all-Nicaraguan blend has notes of red peppers, cocoa, cedar, delivering a rich and spicy finish with a perfect draw. Pair perfectly with a single malt Scotch.