Nat Sherman 1400 Double Corona

This cigar wasn't very refreshing - it was a bit harsh. In fact, the first half inch was very unpleasant. I probably wouldn't have it again unless someone gave it to me. However, it was constructed well, and drew extremely well. Plenty of smoke with every draw. It also kept lit very well - I had enough time to run inside and make some coffee to go with it (it was pretty strong) and come back outside with it still lit. The ash was an ugly dark grey - which probably signifies one of the reasons it wasn't a very good cigar. I could see potential in the cigar, if one is willing to age it for a few years, but I'm not sure it's worth the effort. Of course, I can't really know, since I haven't aged any.

The flavors were nice, but the cigar was not balanced. It was too heavy on spice, which made it seem too harsh. Among the flavors I noticed were: spice, earthy, grassy, coffee, caramel sweetness (note: not sugary sweetness), and a slight hint of leather. The cigar was not very complex at all - it was pretty much in-your-face spice for the whole length of the cigar. I ended up finishing it, even though it was cold outside and I wasn't really enjoying it too much. I figured maybe the complexity would increase towards the last third. It failed. However, the cigar was only $4.10 - it reminded me of days of Don Kiki's and cheap Punch's.

Size: 7 x 50
Shape: Churchill
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

1980 El Rey del Mundo Panetelas Largas

The oldest cigar I've had, at a premium twenty-seven years of age. This cigar has been discontinued for some time now. I received this particular cigar as a gift from a friend on the Club Stogie discussion forum, and it has been in my possession for quite some time now. I decided that today was the day to give this extremely unique cigar a try.

Every time I decide to pull a new Cuban cigar out of my humidor to try is a tough decision. They are to be treated with the utmost respect, a combination of delicate time and care. The cut of a new Cuban cigar is important, as well as the first light. After I cut this cigar I took a pre-draw to check the draw and make sure it was a perfect cut. I knew this cigar would be a different experience, because I had not had this specific vitola prior to today. The pre-draw on the Panetelas Largas is slightly different, especially if you are used to drawing on Robustos. The draw must be very long and slow, and I have read in my copy of Min Ron Nee's "An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars" that the draws should be infrequent.

After lighting the cigar, I took three puffs and closed my eyes to consider the waves of flavor. I detected something very unique and unlike most cigars. A subtle honey taste combined with a fruity/floral sweetness wafted in the air and in my mouth. This cigar is not very full-bodied, which helped me detect the more subtle honey sweetness. The cigar's burn was even except at one point 2/3 down the length of the cigar, which was easily fixed. Drawing was very pleasurable; the length of the cigar helped to cool the smoke down, until the final third. It was easy to draw plenty of smoke, and it was actually easy to control the amount of smoke per puff, which helped stretch the experience. Overall the cigar lasted one hour.

Shape: Panetelas Largas
Size: 7 x 28
Leaf: Cuba

Romeo y Julieta Aniversario Churchill

A finger-burner. One of those cigars that brings back the feeling you had with your first good cigar. These are the cigars that you smoke cigars for. I haven't had one in a long while. This sweet, smooth, nutty cigar with a splash of tang lasted a good hour. Billows of smoke rolled out of the foot; the draw was near-perfect. The burn was slightly off for the whole duration, but this was one of those cigars when it doesn't even really matter. Occasionally the burn problem got corrected, but for the most part it wasn't a problem at all. I'd definitely have another one of these - the churchill was a great size too. Strength 2/5. May develop with aging, but I can't be too sure.

This cigar has five different leaves inside, and I felt like the Dominican leaves were prominent, but the Nic. and Conn. leaves shined as well. I didn't really detect much of the Peru flavor, but I'm not too atuned to it. For some reason the Conn. did not pop out as much as the D.R. Obviously there were some Ecuadorian overtones, but they were fairly mute - this wasn't a very full-bodied cigar.

Size: 7 x 54
Shape: Churchill
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: USA/Conn.
Filler: D.R., Nic., Peru

Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve Torpedo Maduro

I was gifted this cigar by my father for Christmas (along with some pipe tobaccos and an Opus X) and I decided to have it tonight. After getting the perfect cut and lighting it, the cigar tasted great and performed well.

The draw was near-perfect. A great amount of smoke with each puff. The burn was fairly even; I only corrected it maybe three times. The construction overall was very good. The cigar had a nice slow burn, which allowed me to catch up on some reading. The wrapper was very dark and there was a small development of plume, which comes from the aging process RP used if anything, since I only had this cigar in my possession for a week before I lit it up.

The taste of the cigar was by far the best I've had in a long while. Of course I'm known for loving Nicaraguan Puros, so this didn't surprise me too much. Most of the flavors were earthy (probably my favorite flavor), woody, and a hint of spice. Since the cigar remained fairly earthy for most of the duration of the herf it was very enjoyable. The smoke was not off-putting, and was actually very refreshing.

The overall effect of the cigar was relaxation, which is my favorite. I can't stand it when a good Nicaraguan Puro decides to make me slightly nauseous; it takes away from the enjoyment of the cigar. I'm noticing that I'm starting to enjoy figurados now. I never liked the draw on them before, but both the Opus X and this were torpedoes, and I got nice draws from both. I think I still prefer the robusto size, but the torpedo is becoming more enjoyable for me. It's mostly an issue of draw for me. I'm finding that I can cut closer to the tip and get a better draw than if I cut it like a robusto. I would definitely give the RP Olde World Reserve another try.

Size: 4 x 54
Shape: Torpedo
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Valle Dorado Dark Maduro Robusto

I received this cigar for free from an online vendor when I purchased a box of Padron 2000 Maduros. I had it a week ago outside the library before a study session. It's a Honduras/Dom. Rep. mix. There was no label. It was a pretty plain cigar but the construction was PERFECT. Overall I really enjoyed it and I would definitely try another.

C.A.O. eXtreme Corona

To celebrate ECU's win over Marshall yesterday I had a C.A.O. eXtreme Corona. I've been meaning to try to eXtreme for a long time. Anyways, it's probably one of the better C.A.O. cigars I've had, but what can I say? I don't really like C.A.O. cigars very much at all. The burn was very bad though, and the draw was horrible. The taste was nice, but if I want a nice Nicaraguan taste I'll go Padron, not C.A.O. Thanks.

Shape: Corona
Size: 5 1/2 x 42
Wrapper: Ecquador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

A. Pontillo Paragon Robusto

Had this cigar tonight with Gabe while recording an Engagement Head podcast. I got it earlier today at Capital City Cigars. It is a five-year-aged sun grown cigar. Larry let me know that it would provide a decent punch. Gabe and I both got great cuts on the cigar - which is surprising because the wrappers usually crack on Pontillos for me. The pre-draw was great. It lit fairly well and packed quite a punch at the beginning - a lot of spice. Flavor mellowed out a bit but stayed very full bodied. I got a lot of smoke rings off - I really liked the draw. The burn was a little odd - and the cigar kept going out for both Gabe and I. Overall I enjoyed the cigar and I might try to get another one - it's the only Pontillo I've really liked so far.