Friday, June 27, 2014

Camacho Diploma (robusto)

This is the older label version of the Camacho Diploma.  I've had it in my humidor for several years.  I've been smoking cigars for nearly two decades, but it wasn't until about 5 or 6 years ago that I started getting more serious about them to the point where I wanted to know the details and keep track of what I tasted.  In fact, this blog was really created for that sole purpose.  It seemed more fun than just creating another spreadsheet.  Anyways, the Camacho Diploma was a cigar that a local tobacconist had recommended to me right around that time 5 or 6 years ago.  I liked the look of the cigar itself as well as the classy looking band (which recently changed).  Unfortunately for me, the cigar really kicked my behind that evening.  So much so, that even as my tastes in cigars changed (and shifted more to fuller-bodied cigars), I kept finding other cigars to review, while the Diploma sat in my humidor, repeatedly being passed over.  Not all cigars age well, so this summer seemed like as good a time as any to give her another try.  On the band, it says: Quinto Corte.  That's Spanish for 5th Priming.  The blender for the Diploma was Christian Eiroa. 

Pre-light scent of molasses from the wrapper, and especially from the foot.  Punch cut/torch to light.

1/3: Bold pepper is present at the start.  The draw had too much resistance, so I rolled the cigar in my hands gently to get it to loosen up, and that helped somewhat.  At a half inch in, there's some real "bite," and an uneven burn makes me wonder where this thing is going to go.  I decided to get something to drink, and my selection was Ginger Ale.  It's certainly a full-bodied, full strength stick.  The smoke just sort of coats the palate.  Towards the end of the first third, I pick up some wood flavor.

2/3: The draw seems to be normal at this point.  The cigar is also burning quicker.  I read somewhere that these cigars are packed a little more loosely than what's typical. There's a slightly unique tobacco taste present.

3/3: It's surprisingly mellow as I transition into the final third of the Diploma.  There's still some boldness to it, but it is fortunately not at all bitter or charry.  The burn line isn't perfect, but it has improved.  As I've noticed in many Camacho cigars, if you're not careful, the nicotine will come up from behind and smack you.   
Size: 5 x 50
Wrapper: Honduras (Authentic Corojo)
Binder: Honduras (Authentic Corojo)
Filler:  Honduras (Authentic Corojo)

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Illusione R Rothchildes

Now here's a nice little prize!  Illusione puts this little guy out for $3.99 a stick.  This size is perfect for when you just don't have a few hours to kill, but want a premium smoke that you don't have to smoke halfway and leave sitting on an ashtray.  I'm not one for relighting cigars that have been sitting for more than a few minutes, but not everyone's like me.  This cigar is nice and leathery, with a deep brown-colored wrapper.  Some veins are visible, cause, well... leaves have veins, don't they?  I'm still in the habit of opting for the punch cut, so I removed a circular piece of the cap, toasted the foot, and dove right in.

1/3: Woodiness is the first flavor I pick up on.  It's pretty heavy at first too.  Then comes the cocoa. 

2/3: Milk chocolate catches my attention at the beginning of the 2nd third.  There's creaminess present, and the draw is quite good.  At it's strongest, this cigar is medium-strength so far.

3/3: In the final third, the Rothchildes is fuller, bolder, and slightly meaty. 

At this price point and size, I've purchased a handful of these little sticks and enjoyed them throughout the summer.  Good stick and at good price.  Go get you some!
Size: 4-1/2 x 50
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler:  Nicaragua

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Illusione mk Ultra

I'm a fan of the Illusione 88 and MJ12.  mk Ultra came recommended, so why not?  The wrapper is veiny, with a milk chocolate coloring.   I used a small punch cutter and a torch on the foot.  I paired this cigar with some brandy.

1/3: Strong leather notes start this Illusione off. Unfortunately, the burn is rather uneven. It seems to have corrected itself at nearly an inch in. I've seen it compared to the Dirty Rat by Drew Estate (Liga Privada). The ash is not very attractive, in fact it is rather ugly and flaky. The draw, however is pretty good.  Pepper flavor presents itself at about an inch in, along with some floral notes. I'm getting a slight irritation on the roof of my mouth. As I approach the 2nd third, the strength and flavor mellows out, then all of the sudden...

2/3: Bang! It's now burning my tongue a little.  Where did that come from?  A few re-lights are necessary to keep things moving along.  

3/3: More black pepper in the final third.  This stick had become fuller-bodied, and that's very evident at this point.  
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: 5.1 x 42 

Inch by E.P. Carrillo #62

So much for my review of the Inch...  My review notes somehow disappeared, so I can only comment on what I remember.  I wanted to like the cigar, because E. P. Carrillo makes a decent smoke.  I'm not a huge fan of the the super-chunky ring gauges (60+), but I'm also not opposed to mixing things up every so often.  That said, I remember this cigar not being anything special.  I recall that there was a strong cedar flavor, and that the draw was pretty loose. Others have said that they loved it, so maybe I need more than one stick to draw a solid conclusion.

I'm uploading this post in hopes of adding on to it at a later date, but who knows when I'll buy another one...  If Ernesto Perez-Carrillo (or his daughter, Lissette) wants to send me a couple, I'd be happy to smoke 'em!

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano, Corjo and Criollo ’98
Size: 5.0 x 62

Nat Sherman Timeless 556

I haven't smoked a Nat Sherman cigar in close to 16 years.  The new branding caught my attention, so I picked up the box-pressed, oval shaped 556.  The smell (pre-light) had a sweetness to it.  I went for a punch cut and toasted the foot, as per my usual ritual. 

1/3: The draw was on the loose side.  The sweetness recognized pre-light is also coming through during the 1st third.

2/3: In the 2nd third, some pepper shows up.  At this point, I would classify this cigar as being medium-bodied.

3/3: I don't always smoke my cigars all the way down, but this time I nubbed it.  It required a few re-lights/touch-ups throughout to keep producing nice clouds of smoke and to keep things burning smoothly.

Overall it was an enjoyable cigar, however I was not overly impressed, which is of some surprise to me as it was ranked #10 by Cigar Aficionado, and while I don't put a ton of stock in what CA's tasters have to say (everyone has different tastes, obviously), I do find myself wanting to try some of the cigars that they rate highly. 


Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5.0 x 56

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

La Palina Maduro 52

This tripled-capped beauty is the Maduro version, released in 2012.  I've smoked a few La Palinas, and I like them!  La Palina is a revival of The Congress Cigar Company’s flagship brand from the late 1800′s.  Bill Paley is the man responsible.  The Mexican San Andres wrapper showed off a nice sheen, thanks to the oils present in the leaf.  Veins were visible, but subtle.  The cigar looks prestigious with that shiny, gold band against the deep, dark chocolate-shaded wrapper.  Sure looks tasty!  I used a punch cut, and a torch to toast the foot, in hopes of getting a good burn.

1/3: Very smokey!  There's plenty of strength in the La Palina, but it's not acidic at all.  Predominant notes of pepper and leather.  Near the end of the 1st third, the burn went on a small run.

2/3: After doing a quick touch-up, the burn was otherwise fairly good.  The cigar is weighted nicely, and is of solid construction, which gives it a good feel in my hand.  Predominant flavors present here of leather and black coffee.

3/3: More coffee and some earthiness finish off the La Palina Maduro 52. 
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Honduran
Filler:  Nicaraguan tobacco (mixture of Corojo and Criollo)
Size: 5 x 52 

Monday, June 16, 2014

Hoyo de Monterrey Reposado Sueño (Robusto)

I've had this cigar in the humidor for a couple of years now, I believe.  Finally gave it a shot.  I decided to use a straight cut, and one of my trust Xikar torches.  Veins are present in the Sumatra wrapper, and the color is a nice shade of brown. 

1/3:  Nutty taste and milk chocolate notes.  Of course, some cedar taste is present.
2/3 - 3/3: More of the same.

This is definitely a mini-review here.  The cigar was medium-bodied, but due perhaps to the humidor time, I didn't catch a lot of complexity here.  It was a decent smoke, but didn't blow me away, nor did it turn me off.  Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, I suppose.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: U.S. Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras and Nicaragua
Size: 5-1/4 x 54 

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Rocky Patel The Edge Habano (toro)

Rocky has so many labels out there, it is getting difficult to keep track of them.  When my palate was into lighter-bodied smokes, the Edge Lite was my go-to cigar.  From there, I have enjoyed the Edge Sumatra, and I was excited to try the Habano, since it happens to be a Nicaraguan puro!
Pre-light sniff revealed a traditional tobacco scent.  Nothing more, nothing less.  I used a punch, and quickly became concerned because the draw was really loose (pre-light).  After toasting the foot, and allowing the cigar to do its thing, I ended up not experiencing any issues.  The draw was on the looser side, however once lit, the resistance was acceptable. 

1/3: Predominantly cedar in the 1st third.  Decent burn line, draw corrected itself.  No need for touch-ups or relights so far.

2/3: Thicker smoke is present in the 2nd third.  The experience is very pleasant.  Mild-medium strength at this point. 

3/3: Still no relights or touch-ups.  Notes of spice and pepper become more noticeable in the final third.  Sadly, towards the end, this stick got moist and meaty.  I would try this one again sometime. 
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size:  6.0 x 52
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