Monday, January 31, 2011

E.P. Carrillo (robusto)

Spicy on the lips.  Spice and pepper on the light.  Settling in nicely, 1/2 inch in.  Expectations are high.

Now it makes sense. This one is made in the "Pepin" factory from what I'm told, which explains the spicy blend at the foot. After the bold start, the flavors and smoothness really kick in (much like the My Father cigar). Great smoke - definitely recommend trying one.
4.0/5.0 stars

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Giralda (Toro) 6x52

Tony at Churchill's n Down recommended this one.  Chocolate pre-light draw.  Even burn, good flavor in the first 3rd.  Lots of smoke.  Medium in body.
As I start the. Second 3rd, the draw is loose, and I am tasting some carbon. The cigar has gone out now, requiring a re-light. After the re-light, I've had to do one touch-up. This stick now seems to have periods with loose draws. Not bad, but the first 3rd was better, which is unusual to me. A quarter turn seems to help firm up the draw.
This cigar initially seemed quite promising. Admittedly, I only had one stick, but I'm not running out to suffer through another one. From second 3rd on, I fought with keeping it lit, keeping the burn even, and some nasty flavors which may have resulted from the burn issues. The middle of the cigar certainly got soft, and I do not believe that I was smoking this one too fast.

Update:  Turns out that this brand is blended by Jaime Garcia, and hand made in Nicaragua at the My Father Cigar Factory.  Currently, Forcade, Giralda Natural and Giralda Maduro are the lines available.  

Saturday, January 29, 2011

BrickHouse robusto

Been seasoning since Thanksgiving....  Great bang for the buck!  Flavorful, mild-medium in body.  Slightly veiny.  Good burn line. Paired with a pint of Guinness. Great cigar, and I believe it may be a Nicaraguan puro.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Finding ONE good part of this weekend.

None better.

Jayhawks lost.
Bears lost.
At least I got a good smoke in to wrap up the weekend.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Diamond Crown Julius Caeser* (robusto)

I first saw this cigar a few weeks ago in C&M's Long Grove humidor.  It came highly recommended, and someone just shared with me that it made this month's Cigar Aficionado magazine (I'll have to check that out).  It's made by J.C. Newman Cigar Company, hence the "Julius Caeser" name, which pays tribute to Julius Caeser Newman, the founder of the oldest family-owned premium cigar maker in the US.  The first tobacconist described it as a mild smoke, and the second tobacconist I spoke with said it was medium-bodied.  The price point is around $10-$11 a stick.

No complaints on the construction, and the wrapper was smooth and oily.  I sniffed the foot, and didn't smell much of anything, but then again the "Diamond Crown" lounge was already full of smoke.  The pre-light draw was just fine.  The JC was consistent from the beginning, all the way down to the nub.  The predominant flavor was that of nuts and cream.  I enjoyed it with a glass of cabernet, however I imagine it would be tasty with a coffee as well. 

I seem to have gotten away from the "rating system," however this cigar finds itself somewhere in the 3.75-4.0 stars out of 5.  I'm not running right out to buy a box, especially at ten bucks a pop, but it was definitely a satisfying smoke.
*spelled wrong on purpose. It's how J.C. Spelled his own middle name.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Amazing deal on Oliva Master Blend 3 Double Robusto!

$228.00 MSRP for $135 (zero tax & free shipping)

http://store.tobaccolocker.com/servlet/-strse-9409/Oliva-Master-Blend-3/Detail

Support your local tobacco shops/lounges, but don't pass this deal up... 
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Every year, the Oliva family cultivates a limited amount of fine tobaccos to create a rare, one-time-run of super premium cigars. The blend of this cigar is based solely on the leaves harvested, which often results in an entirely new cigar from year to year. Normally, these cigars have been privately reserved for ‘family use’ only. The scarcity of leaves acquired for this line, the Oliva Master Blends, has prevented the cigar from being released to the public. But, thanks to improved growing methods and quality control, yield now allows us to enjoy the fruit of the Oliva family’s labor, with a limited number of cigars produced each year.

Good news, the Oliva Family has announced the third release of the Master Blends Series - a limited edition cigar featuring the finest tobaccos cultivated within recent harvests. Available in 4 choice sizes, Master Blends III (MB3) is very limited in quantities and designed to cater the distinguished palate. MB3 is constructed with a lucious sungrown broadleaf wrapper leaf and a Nicaraguan blend of Habano-seed, ligero tobaccos. The result is a beautiful, dark brown cigar that’s bursting with complex, balanced flavor that satisfies the palate with a rich, bold, full-bodied finish.

Inventory is extremely limited.

MB3 received an oustanding, ’92’ rating. Here’s what the experts had to say:
"A pressed cigar with an oily, chocolate brown wrapper. A good draw imparts a good balance of earthy, creamy flavors. The spicy finish hints of brown sugar." [Description quoted from Cigars International]

Holiday gifts from the lovely Mrs. Bloom

Ashtray: Bram Warren Deep Conference by Alec Bradley
Torch: Xikar Executive
Sweet!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Graycliff Crystal Edicion Limitada 2010




A rare figurado.  Bringing in the new year properly at Cigars & More in Libertyville.


Very good cigar.  The flavors developed nicely.  Hints of coffee, with an undertone of milk chocolate.  Unlikely that I'll be able to get my hands on another one, but definitely lived up to the hype (or close to it, anyways).
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