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Curivari El Gran Rey Emperadores

So, I've had a few different Curivari cigars now, and while I've enjoyed them, they (for me) haven't been anything all that special.  Good, just not amazing.

As recommended, I paired my El Gran Rey with coffee.  I clipped it with my Xikar guillotine, and toasted the foot.  It lit up quite easily, without me needing to puff, check, blow, torch, etc..

1/3: Thick, creamy smoke right off the bat.  Nice!  I pick up toasted walnuts.

2/3: The draw has been nice and easy.  Flavors of mellow, aged tobacco.  It certainly is good with a strong cup of black coffee.

3/3: Starting the final third, there's some slight bitterness.  I chose to purge, and that seemed to do the trick.  I'm still getting nice clouds of thick smoke.  Some spice has been introduced.  Also now present is a little Vitamin N (nicotine).

Aside from the purging activity, I didn't need to touch up the cigar at all.  It burned well.  Decent smoke. 



Size: 5 x 50
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
*From website: Authentic Cuban Seed Criollo and Corojo

Namakubi Tiburon by Room 101 LTD

Matt Booth and Camacho have again teamed up to create this limited line under the Room 101 brand.  Namakubi, which translates to "freshly severed head" in Japanese is the Samurai theme here.  Definitely a different type of marketing at work.

This particular stick sat in my humidor for over a month.  Pre-light gave hardly any scent at all.  I gave it my typical clip and toast, and fully expected to enjoy this baby.

1/3: For me, I best describe the initial flavor as musty (but in a good way).  The burn line was jagged.  Predominant flavors of pepper, and very dry.  I'm a bit underwhelmed here.  I figure that this cigar might go better with some spirits, however with a planned wine tasting after this, I'm going to keep this review free of alcohol.  Instead, I don't think I can go further without some water.

2/3: Water is helping me stay in the game here, but I'm just not enjoying this smoke.  It is dry, and I'm not finding much in the realm of flavor.

3/3: Same thing.  Didn't even bother finishing it though, as I've run out of time.  Doesn't matter to me, really, as this cigar hasn't shown signs of greatness since the first 60 seconds.

I recognize that in nearly every batch of good cigars, you can find one that isn't so great.  I'm not rushing out to try another one of these though, since at $8.00 a stick, there are just too many other greats out there to buy.  If someone was to drop one in my lap, I'd smoke it (and review it) again.

Final ruling: No box purchases in my future.





Size: 6 x 44
Wrapper: Habano
Binder: Honduras "Generoso"
Filler: Dominican & Honduran "Vuelta Abajo"

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Patel Brothers Torpedo

Rocky Patel teamed up with his brother, Nish to blend this line of cigars under the Patel Bros. label.  I've heard some mixed reviews, so I decided to give one a smoke and decide for myself.  Rocky seems to have so many cigar lines out there, I wonder if he's diluted his brand.  Well, I guess he's not the only one to do it. 

This stick has a nice dark, toothy PA Broadleaf wrapper.  It smells rich and robust.  No soft spots.  Clip and toast....  Pepper on the light, with some thick puffs of smoke.  I've chosen to pair it with a bottle of Fat Tire.

1/3: Right off the bat, I'm having some minor burn line issues.  A quick touch-up with my Xikar torch, and the jagged edges are mostly fixed.  The taste is of a bold espresso.

2/3: The 2nd third starts with a somewhat tighter draw.  There's some oil seeping towards the head, so I choose to clip a little further down, and this vastly improves the draw problem.  Notes of dirt.  What is advertised as a full strength experience is so far medium in strength and body for me.  It is consistent and rather uneventful.

3/3: Same.  Relatively no increase in strength, and no real changes in flavor.

This cigar was okay.  Not great, not bad. 



Size: 6-1/4 x 52
Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Ashton ESG 23-Year Salute

A thoughtful gift from the charming Mrs. Bloom.  There are several cigars by Ashton that I haven't yet reviewed, including the VSG (which is residing in my humidor).  This ESG is a first smoke for me today.  It comes with a hefty price tag, so my expectations are fairly high.  It is a puro that has been blended by master blender, Carlos Fuente Jr.

The pre-light smell gives off a hint of coffee.  Clip.  Toast.  Easy draw and some nice clouds of smoke on the light.  I've chosen to pair up with a nice glass of Boulevard Bully! Porter. 

1/3: Dried leaves and almond.  Mild and smooth smoke in the 1st third.  The ash is quite nice looking.  It is practically seamless and light gray in color.  Good burn line.

2/3: Some cedar is apparent here.  The start of the 2nd third is ultra mild with some nice complexity, but as I get into this third, it kicks itself into medium strength and body.  I'm noticing coffee bean flavor, and at one point, a touch of rum.  The ash is a little flaky at this time.

3/3: Similar flavors in the final third, with the addition of nutmeg.  The cigar is strengthening some too.  Nice, crisp finish.



Size: 6-1/4 x 52
Wrapper: Dominican (grown on the Chateau de la Fuente farm - exclusive to this cigar)
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican