Wednesday, July 24, 2013

La Dueña Robusto No.5

So many good cigars today have the Garcia family's influence behind their blends, and so La Dueña comes not from Don "Pepin" Garcia or his son Jaime, but for Pepin's daughter, Janny.  Pete Johnson is responsible for the blending of this cigar, which is produced via the My Father Cigar Co. 

The cigar is dark and leathery, finished up top with a triple cap.  I chose to pair it with Boulevard's Long Strange Tripel.  I used a punch cut and toasted the foot with my trusty Xikar torch.

1/3: As per most Pepin cigars, we start off with a pepper blast.  Near the inch mark, it mellows, and becomes far less intense.  Leathery notes and hints of sweetness are present.

2/3: Predominantly notes of cedar throughout the 2nd third.

3/3: In its final third, the cigar starts to get a little moist, and an earthiness flavor develops.  At this point, it did require a touch-up. 

A decent smoke, but nothing that drove me to run out and buy a box. 
Size: 5 x 50
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf, Nicaraguan
Filler:  Nicaraguan

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Siglo II Limited Reserve VI

I didn't get a photo of this one.  It had been a freebie cigar from my B&M.  I hadn't planned to write it up, so I'll just share a few brief comments, and a stock photo.

I used punch cut and toasted the foot with my torch. 

1/3: Cedar and pepper
2/3: Mild pepper, tobacco
3/3: Same, nothing new.


















Size: 6 x 54
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Cubano
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan

Arturo Fuente Magnum R44 Rosado




This cigar came recommended to me, so I was happy to try a Fuente that I hadn't experienced before.  I used a punch cut, and noticed a slightly sweet pre-light draw.  The cigar has a slight box-press.  The wrapper has a reddish appearance, and appears to have a triple cap.  There are some noticeable veins, but they are thin and not protruding much.  As usual, I toasted the foot, and this time I've chosen to pair my cigar with Boulevard's The Sixth Glass.

1/3: Upon lighting, there is pepper.  

2/3: Predominantly notes of bakers chocolate and coffee.

3/3: A hint of raisin.

The burn line was a bit jagged throughout, but no runs.  The ash was also a little bit flaky.  The cigar was satisfying, with a good draw throughout.  No bitterness or acidity to the very end - I nubbed it. 




Size: 4-7/8 x 47
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Rosado Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican
Filler:  Dominican

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

CAO Osa Sol Lot 50

On a bright, sunny day, I thought: What better day to try the CAO OSA SOL?  I'd given this cigar over a year's worth of humidor time.  I used a punch cutter, and then my torch to toast the foot.  For a change, I paired it with a nice, cold glass of pink lemonade.

The cigar was a little veiny, and the cap had some wrinkles in it.  Construction and appearance could be better.  This was the first new cigar to be released by CAO after some changes in leadership, i.e. Tim O. leaving the company, General Cigar takeover, etc..

1/3: Honestly, I found the flavors to be a little difficult to describe.  Ultimately, I'm going with earth and mild to medium tobacco. The ash fell on its own after about 1-1/2 inches.

2/3: Taste has shifted to leather.  From here on out, the cigar is burning hotter and the at-rest smoke has increased.

3/3: More of the flavor that I tasted in the 2nd third, however the cigar never cooled off, despite me slowing down (I wasn't smoking fast to begin with).  I didn't want it to go out, which it didn't, but the heat made it annoying to smoke. 

 Overall, the cigar wasn't bad.  As you can see from the photo, the burn line was actually pretty good.  Nothing about the cigar was exceptional, however.  I would smoke it again, but I'm not going to be seeking it out. 


  



Size: 5 x 50
Wrapper: Honduran Olancho San Augustin Sun Grown
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler:  Nicaraguan and Honduran

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Onyx Reserve Mini Belicoso





This particular stick was given to me in October 2012 by a friend who had a box of these stored since 1999. Because the box was intact, the box-pressed shape held all this time.  I kept it in my humidor until July 2013. 

The cigar still has a rich, strong scent, with "barnyard" being more noticeable at the foot.  There was a whitish-powdery substance on the cap, which I clipped off with a straight cut.  The appearance of this cigar is dark, oily, and leathery, with some subtle veins.  I toasted the foot with a single-flame torch. 

1/3: Smooth and buttery.

2/3: Notes of toasted bread in the 2nd third.

3/3: Mild, but pleasant char taste to accompany the tobacco flavor. 

This cigar held up quite well, for being 14 years old! 




Size: 5 x 50
Wrapper: Blackened Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler:  Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Peru
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