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2018 Spring mystery cigar reviews with a twist
Phil222 Offline
#101 Posted:
Joined: 10-01-2017
Posts: 1,911
NWStogie wrote:
Phil: I can include a Black Honey in a potential trade, if you’d like to revisit with the band on. (I don’t want to refer to it as #2, or someone might think I’m talking dingleberries.)


PM sent...Herfing
RMAN4443 Offline
#102 Posted:
Joined: 09-29-2016
Posts: 7,683
NWStogie wrote:
Phil: I can include a Black Honey in a potential trade, if you’d like to revisit with the band on. (I don’t want to refer to it as #2, or someone might think I’m talking dingleberries.)

Now who would think that?Think I wonder?
abjd14 Offline
#103 Posted:
Joined: 08-08-2012
Posts: 396
Well a giant torpedo landed on my front porch today. My first thought was that tampatom sent a 3 foot deli sandwich and i was close. He sent a loaf of authentic Cuban bread. Going to freeze 2/3 of it and do some research and try to make some real authentic Cuban sandwiches. In the mean time he recommends a traditional Cuban breakfast which I am having right now, Cuban toast with cafe con leche while I sit down to review.cigar #2.

Also sent Fuente 858 sun
Ortegga
And padron 1000 all with some age. Thanks for the package!
chazbo Offline
#104 Posted:
Joined: 01-21-2007
Posts: 8,159
I also received my package today from Dan😎
Nice bottle of local maple syrup & some candy.
An Aston ESG
Robaina Cuban from ‘09
3 unbans to review
Thanks so much Dan👍
shaun341 Offline
#105 Posted:
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
I am nubbing cigar #3 right now. Probably post up the review tomorrow.
stinger88 Offline
#106 Posted:
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
Mystery Cigar #2
Pre-light...a medium, brown, single cap robusto. Touch of hay in the smell and a little barnyard (not a bad barnyard smell). Used the v-cut on this one. Only one cut and it seemed to allow enough air through.

1/3....It lit fairly easy and the draw was not as light as cigar #1 but was still easy enough. I am immediately hit by pepper. Not a super strong hit but I can definitely taste it right away. It did have a slightly bitter after taste that faded quickly and was only there in the first half inch to an inch. Besides the pepper, which mellowed out, I am getting spice. It definitely burned the lips and tongue. Ash didn't get to an inch before it fell off. It was slightly windy and little pieces of ash were flying all over the place. Briefly went out, not sure why...I was sticking with it.

2/3.....I like the flavor. I can't seem to describe a taste involved. Maybe more nostalgic than that of "leather" "chocolate". It just flashed me back to early days of smoking. It was a "comfortable smoke". I think I am catching a little sweetness coming through and the pepper and spice have already left.

3/3.....unfortunately, I got hit with an errand that I couldn't talk my way out of. So I left about a third of the cigar to die out. I do wish that I could have smoked it till the end.

Overall, I liked the cigar. It wasn't a punch in the face pepper or spice. It wasn't overly sweet when it hit that taste. It just gave a nice little touch of flavor on a few different levels and left me thinking about smokes that I have had over the years.

I would smoke it again.

My guess is that this is the yard gar. I seem to have smoked more yard gars in my years than I have smoking the good ones. I still struggle with the "saving the good ones for special occasions mental illness".

Thanks Yaro.

David.
Just Relax Offline
#107 Posted:
Joined: 09-26-2016
Posts: 587
Nice review David. It is fun reading what somebody else thinks about a cigar.

That's unfortunate on the last 1/3. I really enjoyed it when I smoked one.
ZRX1200 Offline
#108 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,477
Package received form Rick.

A nice local mag, pancake mix, REAL maple syrup and some blue food coloring in case I want blue waffles.

3 good looking blind cigars and two nice add ons, a Esteban Carreras Chupa Cabra PC (never had this size which I like alot) and a SCdLH La Punta! Very nice package. I will try to get to these ASAP, I'm still congested and tailing off with bronchitis.
danmdevries Offline
#109 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,124
Jamie never seems to use the small boxes.

LFR with
A bottle of Oregon Ledger David Epitome of Three 2015 red wine
Jar of Pennington Farms Cherry Rhubarb Jam

3 unbandeds (not Gurkhas):

torp/salomon
toro
Churchill

3 bodyguards:

Ashton VSG
Fuente Anejo Shark
Perdomo Small Batch 2005


Looking forward to everything. Thank you very much Z!!
ZRX1200 Offline
#110 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,477
The cigars were in a SFR, I never lie.....just stretch the threads a little. Was a little rushed as I didn't take the stuff with me when I left for work so I didn't really leave a note. Ledger David is one of the top 3 wineries here locally (IMO) that's their house red blend.
frankj1 Offline
#111 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
danmdevries wrote:
Jamie never seems to use the small boxes.

LFR with
A bottle of Oregon Ledger David Epitome of Three 2015 red wine
Jar of Pennington Farms Cherry Rhubarb Jam

3 unbandeds (not Gurkhas):

torp/salomon
toro
Churchill

3 bodyguards:

Ashton VSG
Fuente Anejo Shark
Perdomo Small Batch 2005


Looking forward to everything. Thank you very much Z!!

typical Z style.
Speyside Offline
#112 Posted:
Joined: 03-16-2015
Posts: 13,106
I would expect nothing less from Z.
NWStogie Offline
#113 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
Here’s my final review:

Cigar #3 is a box press, looks like a 6x50, although it is tough to tell rg with box press.

It has a dark brown, toothy wrapper. Prominent veins. Triple cap. Closed foot. Sweet, leathery smell.

Cold draw – creamy, sweet leather.

I switched up my lighting process and did not toast the foot, first. I read an interview with Mike Rosales where he talked about the closed foot giving the cigar smoker a chance to taste just the wrapper, before the binder and filler ignite. Lighting gave me a tiny burst of sweet mocha, then leather, then charred pepper. Not sure if I will do this again. Depends on if the char taste remains or not.

1/3: Punch gives the perfect draw. Flavor is faintly-sweet, peppery leather. Char taste is mostly gone at ¼ inch, I’m glad to report. Mottled, dark-grey ash. Burn line is a little wavy, but no touch-up needed at 1 inch. Interesting aroma. Kind of like my wife’s earl grey tea. Faintly floral. Retrohale very peppery. Reminds me of KFC barbecue sauce. Smoky, spicy.

2/3: Floral notes continue. Ash politely dropped off at the 2 inch mark into my ashtray. Burn line continues to be a little wavy, but manageable. Mild pepper, tea-like notes and roasting poultry flavor. You know that almost-sweet sage/thyme/meaty flavor you get on perfectly-crisped turkey skin? This is what it is like. Super-interesting. I’m hungry. Should’ve waited until after dinner to smoke this. Cap is starting to come off, despite my best attempts not to slobber.

3/3: Floral notes have shifted to cinnamon. Touch-up required. The thick vein is not burning a quickly as the rest of the cigar. Terrific aroma coming off the cigar. Cinnamon-like. Strength ramps up. Nicotine is kicking in. I smoked this baby down to ¾ of an inch.

Terrific cigar. I’d definitely smoke it again. Thanks for the great cigars and running this shindig, Chazbo!

So here are my guesses: Cigar #1 medium, Cigar #2 high, Cigar #3 low

I suspect that I’m probably off with my guesses. Can’t wait to find out what they are!
chazbo Offline
#114 Posted:
Joined: 01-21-2007
Posts: 8,159
Ok NWStogie,
#1 Monte Pilotico med.price
#2 Edgar Hoill Everyday Hustle yard gar
#3 Tatuaje Exclusive 2016 high end
Nice reviews Herfing
NWStogie Offline
#115 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
Woo hoo! #2 was a yard gar! I’m buying me some more! #3 actually stumped me. It didn’t seem low, but I was convinced #2 was high, so I limited my remaining choice. I was way off in my #1 guess about which cigar. I got lucky with calling it a medium. Just had some of that jam you sent. Delicious! Thx again, brother! Looking forward to more reviews!
bgz Offline
#116 Posted:
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
NWStogie wrote:
Here’s my final review:

...

Cap is starting to come off, despite my best attempts not to slobber.



lol
Just Relax Offline
#117 Posted:
Joined: 09-26-2016
Posts: 587
Shaun package arrived today.

Goodies include cilanktro hot sauce and a cape may king porter stomp chocolate porter that sounds fantastic.

Riding along are three unbranded and a montecristo open master and a john hay Nicaraguan.

Looking forward to lighting these up and giving blind reviewing my first go.

Thanks for the package Shaun.
NWStogie Offline
#118 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
#114 I should’ve known better with that closed foot on the Tat TAA 2016. I have a few of these in my humidor. Totally missed some of the flavors I “think” I taste in these.
abjd14 Offline
#119 Posted:
Joined: 08-08-2012
Posts: 396
In the middle of review 2 and between last year and this year I have learned I have to stop spending so much money on cigars because there are so many really good regular production cigars at any price point.
ypetryna Offline
#120 Posted:
Joined: 07-19-2012
Posts: 1,323
stinger88 wrote:
Mystery Cigar #2
Pre-light...a medium, brown, single cap robusto. Touch of hay in the smell and a little barnyard (not a bad barnyard smell). Used the v-cut on this one. Only one cut and it seemed to allow enough air through.

1/3....It lit fairly easy and the draw was not as light as cigar #1 but was still easy enough. I am immediately hit by pepper. Not a super strong hit but I can definitely taste it right away. It did have a slightly bitter after taste that faded quickly and was only there in the first half inch to an inch. Besides the pepper, which mellowed out, I am getting spice. It definitely burned the lips and tongue. Ash didn't get to an inch before it fell off. It was slightly windy and little pieces of ash were flying all over the place. Briefly went out, not sure why...I was sticking with it.

2/3.....I like the flavor. I can't seem to describe a taste involved. Maybe more nostalgic than that of "leather" "chocolate". It just flashed me back to early days of smoking. It was a "comfortable smoke". I think I am catching a little sweetness coming through and the pepper and spice have already left.

3/3.....unfortunately, I got hit with an errand that I couldn't talk my way out of. So I left about a third of the cigar to die out. I do wish that I could have smoked it till the end.

Overall, I liked the cigar. It wasn't a punch in the face pepper or spice. It wasn't overly sweet when it hit that taste. It just gave a nice little touch of flavor on a few different levels and left me thinking about smokes that I have had over the years.

I would smoke it again.

My guess is that this is the yard gar. I seem to have smoked more yard gars in my years than I have smoking the good ones. I still struggle with the "saving the good ones for special occasions mental illness".

Thanks Yaro.

David.



not from me brother
RMAN4443 Offline
#121 Posted:
Joined: 09-29-2016
Posts: 7,683
stinger88 wrote:
Mystery Cigar #2
Pre-light...a medium, brown, single cap robusto. Touch of hay in the smell and a little barnyard (not a bad barnyard smell). Used the v-cut on this one. Only one cut and it seemed to allow enough air through.

1/3....It lit fairly easy and the draw was not as light as cigar #1 but was still easy enough. I am immediately hit by pepper. Not a super strong hit but I can definitely taste it right away. It did have a slightly bitter after taste that faded quickly and was only there in the first half inch to an inch. Besides the pepper, which mellowed out, I am getting spice. It definitely burned the lips and tongue. Ash didn't get to an inch before it fell off. It was slightly windy and little pieces of ash were flying all over the place. Briefly went out, not sure why...I was sticking with it.

2/3.....I like the flavor. I can't seem to describe a taste involved. Maybe more nostalgic than that of "leather" "chocolate". It just flashed me back to early days of smoking. It was a "comfortable smoke". I think I am catching a little sweetness coming through and the pepper and spice have already left.

3/3.....unfortunately, I got hit with an errand that I couldn't talk my way out of. So I left about a third of the cigar to die out. I do wish that I could have smoked it till the end.

Overall, I liked the cigar. It wasn't a punch in the face pepper or spice. It wasn't overly sweet when it hit that taste. It just gave a nice little touch of flavor on a few different levels and left me thinking about smokes that I have had over the years.

I would smoke it again.

My guess is that this is the yard gar. I seem to have smoked more yard gars in my years than I have smoking the good ones. I still struggle with the "saving the good ones for special occasions mental illness".

Thanks Yaro.

David.

Yaro sent to me in this Mystery pass.......Dave(JustRelax) sent to you,Stinger

I'm gonna smoke #2 and review tonight Yaro.......Hopefully I'll get to #3 tommorrowHerfing
abjd14 Offline
#122 Posted:
Joined: 08-08-2012
Posts: 396
My guess (originally I listed possible cigar names but deleted them.in fear of.being terribly off) I choose the order merely.based off the ones i liked the best to least. Overall I would smoke all of these again and finish them. Thanks Tom!!

Cigar #1 high end
Cigar #2 yard gar
Cigar #3 mid level



First review of Cigar #2

Grabbed this one bc it was the largest and had plenty of time to smoke on the 55 degree day after a 2 day snow storm. At first glance I will just assume it is the budget stick. Nice tight roll some large veins, very toothy but wrapper seems very thin. After a straight cut the ends seem to have lots of large veins/sticks idk what to call them but consistent with a lower budget stick.

Vitola: Toro
Color: claro
Cold draw: sweet with a little earth, cedar and raisen. A slighty tight draw so I opened it up. I like a really loose draw so almost everything I smoke is too tight.

Hit it with the torch and immediately love the flavors coming out. Great smoke output, good burn not a lot of flavor yet but unique. The flavor lingers after each puff.

1st third: mild to medium body. Subtle tobacco flavors, faint spice, hay. Not the usual flavor profile I smoke but very enjoyable so far. Getting thru the 1st third the burn is perfect beautiful white ash. (Will do the sand test with the ash after it drops)
Cool ash is Sandy so shouldn't be a cuban

2nd Third: lots of earthy/woody flavor. Still mild/medium. A little bit of pepper and clove on the retrohale. I might be smoking a little fast because I do enjoy the cigar and hoping it develops a little more flavor but the fast smoking is making it slightly harsh.
Still a perfect burn line.

3rd Third: moved up to medium body getting more pepper, all pepper. Quick drop off of pepper back to more mild earthy tones. This is turning to be a great afternoon smoke with a coffee.

Overall: I would be surprised if this was the high end smoke. This is for sure low to mid level. I usually prefer the full body cigars but I would def. Keep 5vers of these around if they come at good prices. Haven't got a clue as to what brand this might be.

Second review cigar #1

11:22 am
50 degrees and sunny
32 coffee pairing
4.25x52 dark and shimmery cigar but not oily. Foot and straightcut.end has some nice looking filler with very few stems. Great looking construction, firm cigar and firm draw but not tight.

1st third: first few puffs, rich flavors of cocoa, leather, cedar. Starting out as a medium body. Thru the end of this third all the same flavors ash remains but not a tight ash suggests mid to low cigar. I have a strange feeling this is the same Monte medio noche I sent for Tampas blind review last year

2nd third: smooth creamy smoke output. No more sweet notes of cocoa. More doni ate is the cedar and leather and a small touch of spice on the back end. Def. Don't believe this is the low end as the flavor profile keeps developing. Leather has gone away and this has developed into just smooth creamy smoke.

3rd Third: pepper is really amping up. This is how I like a cigar to develop. Starts with lots of flavors moves to medium with dominate flavors and then nub it all the way down with strong peppery nicotine kick but still smooth and no harshness especially since I smoke fast. Finished this re view 20mims ago and still smoking the nub. I'm leaning to the high end.

My guess it's the high end smoke.

Third Review of Cigar #3

5.25x46 paired with a root beer, punch cut
Appearance beautiful wrapper small to no veins triple cap that goes down about 1/4 in.
Cold draw: very loose sweet on the lips no distinguishing flavors or aromas yet

1st Third: First Few Puffs and I am reminded of something I have defonetlt had.before. not many but have had. Great smoke output again, some sweetness, floral notes and hints of citrus on back of the tongue. Initial thoughts are some boutique cigar warped/crown heads.

2nd Third: ash still intack, even burn but the filler is burning faster than the wrapper (just learned this happens when the wrapper isn't aged long enough) flavors are mellowing out a bit. Would.call this mild to more medium still sweet with some raisen/currants touch of honey.

3rd Third: sweetness fading out and paper and earth building up.






ypetryna Offline
#123 Posted:
Joined: 07-19-2012
Posts: 1,323
package from stinger includes local beer and beer coozie that is hanging out in the fridge, hot sauce that looks intense and some solid looking smokes (will update later)

the unbanded roster include a lancero, a torpedo and smoke #3

Torpedo 6" x 50/52 rg darker wrapper, but unsure if a maduro

prelight - firm roll, oily, solid construction has an excellent feel in the hand. liga 9 is what it is reminding me of based off appearance and initial aroma. angled cut with guillotine cutter. no beverage while walking the pupper. this is going to be oily as many pre light puffs are staring to have the oil come off the wrapper.

1st 3rd - this thing is very earthy and the smoke is almost chewy. its got a lot of body to it. it is surprisingly not very intense or in your face thou. the ash lasted a little until i knocked it off the cigar reaching cross body. fail. i try a retrohale and it is heavy black pepper. close enough to almost entice a sneeze. small burn issues, but i would blame it on the windy walk condition. there are faint tastes espresso and maybe bitter dark chocolate.

2nd - there is a side of cigar that is slowing down, which turnund out to be from a vien a split. the cigar is trying to correct its self, and for the most part it is. needed one touch up. this was the also the time i notice a very bitter taste that stopped me mid puff. total flavor change, if only for a puff. the earthiness is still my most noticeable taste with pepper on the retrohale.

final
not much change in flavor profile. the pepper is the still the most noticeable flavor on the retrohale. the strength is now ramping up to the high range of me enjoyment. i slow down the smoking in case that is the reason, but there is little effect on it. it continues to increase, and once my lips and mouth begin to tingle, i abandon the smoke with a little over an inch left.


overall
this was a solid smoke. to me it seemed one dimensional, with the same taste remaining. strength wise it seemed a medium to maybe med. full that could have ramped up full at the end when i put it down. the construction was solid, and needed little baby sitting. reminded me of an undercrown/rp edge/AB (more of a 2nd i bought on cbid that didnt disclose the blend but i think a tempus)

i will reserve judgement to which category i thought it was until after i smoke the other two.

thanks stinnger, did not disappoint, but i should wait for better weather on the next 2
ypetryna Offline
#124 Posted:
Joined: 07-19-2012
Posts: 1,323
RMAN4443 wrote:
Yaro sent to me in this Mystery pass.......Dave(JustRelax) sent to you,Stinger

I'm gonna smoke #2 and review tonight Yaro.......Hopefully I'll get to #3 tommorrowHerfing


smoke in any order man, I just randomly numbered
RMAN4443 Offline
#125 Posted:
Joined: 09-29-2016
Posts: 7,683
ypetryna wrote:
smoke in any order man, I just randomly numbered

lol, just easier if I go 1,2,3........easier for me if I lose countAnxious
Just Relax Offline
#126 Posted:
Joined: 09-26-2016
Posts: 587
Rick I think stinger was thanking yaro for the saying he quoted.

After cleaning out from 8 inches of snow today it has stopped and I'm going to fire up # 3 from Shaun. Just poured a johnie black to settle down with it.
stinger88 Offline
#127 Posted:
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
David (Just Relax),
I did thank the wrong person. Thank YOU for the cigar. My brain has been fried!! I was doing some hardcore studying for my PMP test retake that I took today.



I passed!!!!!

David (one of the many Davids).
NWStogie Offline
#128 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
Congrats!!!
stinger88 Offline
#129 Posted:
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
Thanks. That test was a bear!!!
NWStogie Offline
#130 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
The Wish

A project manager, a software developer, and a hardware engineer are in Miami for three weeks helping out on a project.

About midweek, they decide to take a lunchtime walk up and down the beach. Halfway up the beach, they come across a lamp. As they rub the lamp, a genie appears and says, I will grant each of you one wish.

The hardware engineer says, I want to spend the rest of my life living in a huge mansion with no money worries. The genie grants his wish.

The software developer says, I would like to spend the rest of my life living on a yacht cruising the Caribbean with no money worries. The genie grants his wish.

Then it is the project manager's turn. And what would your wish be? Asked the genie.

I want them both back after lunch replies the project manager.
stinger88 Offline
#131 Posted:
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
That is pretty funny.
tamapatom Offline
#132 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
abjd14 wrote:
My guess (originally I listed possible cigar names but deleted them.in fear of.being terribly off) I choose the order merely.based off the ones i liked the best to least. Overall I would smoke all of these again and finish them. Thanks Tom!!

Cigar #1 high end
Cigar #2 yard gar
Cigar #3 mid level



First review of Cigar #2

Grabbed this one bc it was the largest and had plenty of time to smoke on the 55 degree day after a 2 day snow storm. At first glance I will just assume it is the budget stick. Nice tight roll some large veins, very toothy but wrapper seems very thin. After a straight cut the ends seem to have lots of large veins/sticks idk what to call them but consistent with a lower budget stick.

Vitola: Toro
Color: claro
Cold draw: sweet with a little earth, cedar and raisen. A slighty tight draw so I opened it up. I like a really loose draw so almost everything I smoke is too tight.

Hit it with the torch and immediately love the flavors coming out. Great smoke output, good burn not a lot of flavor yet but unique. The flavor lingers after each puff.

1st third: mild to medium body. Subtle tobacco flavors, faint spice, hay. Not the usual flavor profile I smoke but very enjoyable so far. Getting thru the 1st third the burn is perfect beautiful white ash. (Will do the sand test with the ash after it drops)
Cool ash is Sandy so shouldn't be a cuban

2nd Third: lots of earthy/woody flavor. Still mild/medium. A little bit of pepper and clove on the retrohale. I might be smoking a little fast because I do enjoy the cigar and hoping it develops a little more flavor but the fast smoking is making it slightly harsh.
Still a perfect burn line.

3rd Third: moved up to medium body getting more pepper, all pepper. Quick drop off of pepper back to more mild earthy tones. This is turning to be a great afternoon smoke with a coffee.

Overall: I would be surprised if this was the high end smoke. This is for sure low to mid level. I usually prefer the full body cigars but I would def. Keep 5vers of these around if they come at good prices. Haven't got a clue as to what brand this might be.

Second review cigar #1

11:22 am
50 degrees and sunny
32 coffee pairing
4.25x52 dark and shimmery cigar but not oily. Foot and straightcut.end has some nice looking filler with very few stems. Great looking construction, firm cigar and firm draw but not tight.

1st third: first few puffs, rich flavors of cocoa, leather, cedar. Starting out as a medium body. Thru the end of this third all the same flavors ash remains but not a tight ash suggests mid to low cigar. I have a strange feeling this is the same Monte medio noche I sent for Tampas blind review last year

2nd third: smooth creamy smoke output. No more sweet notes of cocoa. More doni ate is the cedar and leather and a small touch of spice on the back end. Def. Don't believe this is the low end as the flavor profile keeps developing. Leather has gone away and this has developed into just smooth creamy smoke.

3rd Third: pepper is really amping up. This is how I like a cigar to develop. Starts with lots of flavors moves to medium with dominate flavors and then nub it all the way down with strong peppery nicotine kick but still smooth and no harshness especially since I smoke fast. Finished this re view 20mims ago and still smoking the nub. I'm leaning to the high end.

My guess it's the high end smoke.

Third Review of Cigar #3

5.25x46 paired with a root beer, punch cut
Appearance beautiful wrapper small to no veins triple cap that goes down about 1/4 in.
Cold draw: very loose sweet on the lips no distinguishing flavors or aromas yet

1st Third: First Few Puffs and I am reminded of something I have defonetlt had.before. not many but have had. Great smoke output again, some sweetness, floral notes and hints of citrus on back of the tongue. Initial thoughts are some boutique cigar warped/crown heads.

2nd Third: ash still intack, even burn but the filler is burning faster than the wrapper (just learned this happens when the wrapper isn't aged long enough) flavors are mellowing out a bit. Would.call this mild to more medium still sweet with some raisen/currants touch of honey.

3rd Third: sweetness fading out and paper and earth building up.







So here is out it laid out. I numbered them 1,2,3 so I could remember what I sent.

#1 High end - First Public release of Newman Black Diamond.......been resting for over a year.

#2 Middle - Crowned Heads Hedley Grange - also about a year in humi.

#3 low end- I don't treat this one like a yard gar........ Curivari Buenaventura BV 500 barely under the $5 wire.........actually my favorite of the lot as I am not a big nic fan but love a flavorful smoke.

Good job on reviews and I like seeing all at once........yours coming soon.

Making your own cuban? Too ambitious for me as it is easier to buy around here. I just butter and toast it. Tampa cuban? in addition glazed ham and swiss cheese. Gotta have Genoa Salami, the right Pork and pickle - the often missing ingredients in fakes.....and of course the bread is often fake. Mustard NO MAYO. No lettuce tomato. Hot pressed is the best but a variation on original.
Just Relax Offline
#133 Posted:
Joined: 09-26-2016
Posts: 587
stinger88 wrote:
David (Just Relax),
I did thank the wrong person. Thank YOU for the cigar. My brain has been fried!! I was doing some hardcore studying for my PMP test retake that I took today.



I passed!!!!!

David (one of the many Davids).



Ah ok. No worries. Congratulations on passing the test!
Just Relax Offline
#134 Posted:
Joined: 09-26-2016
Posts: 587
So after coming in the house proud of cleaning up 8" of snow and celebrate with a cigar my wife went out to measure and point out it was only a bit over 6" so I stand corrected.

Now on to the review. I guess the chocolate porter that Shaun included with the package had me craving chocolate and I picked cigar #3 robusto based on the initial smell of chocolate that was radiating from it. I strongly considered popping the top on that to pair with it but didn't want that to influence the result of the review so I went with my tried and true Johnnie Black. This cigar felt dense and leathery to go along with the predominant cocoa scent.

Upon cutting the draw was easy, not too light, just right really. The prelight draw gave the taste of black licorice.

1/3 - After lighting my first impression was a nice mellow blend of spices like a good steak marinade. Taking a sip of my scotch doesn't quite pair well and with the flavor I'm getting and am wishing I had a nice Merlot ready that I didn't have to dig for. The smoke is a nice white and the ash is light gray with very fine grain lines. Burn is razor sharp. So far I'm very impressed and am thinking this is a solid mid range cigar. The spice is putting a nice tingle on the tip of my tongue. In the back of my mind I'm thinking this is similar an LP Dirty Rat but am confused as it is not putting out as much smoke as I remember those producing.

2/3 - Ash is still sticking strong and came off with a light tap at the 2" mark. Could have went a bit longer but was afraid it'd fall in my lap if I pushed it. The flavor has moved on to my lips and has gained a bit of intensity with the notes of black licorice/cocoa returning. It is still staying mellow and smooth in the medium/full profile. Ash fell off at about 1" this time. I noticed when I hit the licorice notes the ash had lightened slightly and it is darkening a bit and the array of spice is hitting my gums now. I'm enjoying this dense smoke and think I might need a toothpick to clean my teeth out when finished.

3/3 - I'm really enjoying this cigar and am disappointed I'm already almost done. Time is passing so quickly that I'm afraid I've been hot boxing it. Checked time and 40 mins in so right on schedule for an hour. It is still burning cool and razor sharp. I've had no touch ups or relights. A blemish in the burn appeared but I let it go and it quickly corrected itself. The nicotine is starting to kick in a bit and am feeling it. The ash is lighter and I'm picking up more of the black licorice that is staying now. The cocoa taste isn't there but that is the smell that is radiating from it. A sip of the scotch brings the spice back and I think the cigar actually enhanced the flavor of the drink. It tastes more like a rye.

I nubbed this until the burn line which was still perfect was hitting my fingers. This was a very fun experience and I am trying to stay subjective but as good as it was and the quality of the construction has me thinking this was the high end cigar. I still can't shake the similarities that I'm remembering and I think I just smoked a Liga Privida. I thought a few times about checking to see if they made one in the size I smoked but didn't want to influence my review if they did by reading the description.

Upon looking this morning and the profile that I experienced I'm going to take a guess and say this was an LP#9 but in all likelihood my noobiness will shine through and I'll be dead wrong.

Thanks Shaun this was a very enjoyable cigar. This was a very fun experience as well and was my first blind review.



RMAN4443 Offline
#135 Posted:
Joined: 09-29-2016
Posts: 7,683
Mystery Cigar review #2........paired with A&W Rootbeer
4.78 x 50
very smooth and well constructed....triple cap, firm and well packed, nice solid cigar
PLA-sweet hay........punchcut....PLD-smooth and easy......PL Flavors-sweet hay and mild white pepper
Toasted foot and lights up easily......Initial draw is open and easy, lots of smoke......Flavors at light up are sweet spice with a lemon(citrus) tang to it

1/3: Lots of smoke, lemon/white pepper.....retrohale is stronger on the spice.....having a hard time pinpointing this flavor, but I like it.....maybe cinnamon?
Solid grey ash, holds for 1.5 inches until I tap it off

2/3:Flavor has a deeper, richer sweetness....maybe molasses, the pepper has faded but not quite gone-seems to last longer on the tongue....
cedar pops in for a quick visit but then it's gone.....flavors are really fleeting and changing......very nice

3/3:Spicyness is ramping up....I can feel the strength ramping up, mild nicotine tingle on the tongue......had to relight(my fault)....About an hour and 45 minute smoke
Smoked to a half inch nub......the spicy molasses flavors lasted until I let it die.....This was a great smoke.....probably one of the best cigars I've had the pleasure of smoking
I really loved this smoke......I'm gonna say this is the high end cigar.....everything about it says QUALITY....
I'd like to say I'm going to stock up on these, but fear of the unknown(price point) will keep me from doing so
Thanks for this Yaro......I'm hoping this is the yard gar so I can enjoy more of these, but in my mind I know better
stinger88 Offline
#136 Posted:
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
Mystery Cigar #3

Just to start.....this was a very good cigar!!!!
Pre-light- rich, brown torpedo. Construction looks pretty good except I left it in the baggie for a little over a week before smoking it. The foot had some very minor cracking. Nice earthy smell. Went with a nice clean straight cut. Easy but not too easy draw.

1/3 slightly bitter on initial light but went away after a few puffs. Immediately I got a light dark chocolate taste which stayed with it for all of the first and most of the second third. It was a smooth cigar that had a mild flavor but was definitely a med-full strength cigar. Have I said that I really liked this cigar?

2/3 flavor still right in my wheelhouse. I am horrible at describing what I taste but it is just perfect tasting to me. A few times the cigar will give me a sign like it is about to go out but it just needed a little rotation and a bite(yeah I know that sounds bad) and it was back to fine.

3/3 I numbed it. Took it to almost burning my fingers.

Straight to the summary. Initially when I looked at it I thought it might be a Padron 6000. I knew it wasn't a Monte #2 because I have smoked a few of those and they have a slightly different look. After the first ten minutes I knew it wasn't the Padron. However, I would put some serious money on this being a Cuban. So, I believe it to be the High end and Cuban.

Just Relax/David, that was a great smoke that I will have to find more of.

Thank you for another great Spring Blind review.

I will wait until tomorrow to open the envelope.

David.
NWStogie Offline
#137 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
Great reviews, gents! I’m looking forward to the reveals. More cigars for me to find/smoke/hoard.
Just Relax Offline
#138 Posted:
Joined: 09-26-2016
Posts: 587
David,

I'm glad #3 hit the spot. It is in my top 5 cigars I've smoked and probably my favorite non-unicorn.

You guessed all 3 correctly on price point.

#1 - Medium - EP Carrillo La Historia E3. I wish it'd done more for you during the tasting.

#2 - Low - Oliveros Sun Grown Reserve. I really enjoy this cigar for a yard gar. I wish I could send you another so you could finish but that was my last one.

#3 - High - Diplomaticos #2. You'd have won your bet. My favorite Cuban in the under $15 range I've had.



shaun341 Offline
#139 Posted:
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
Just Relax wrote:
So after coming in the house proud of cleaning up 8" of snow and celebrate with a cigar my wife went out to measure and point out it was only a bit over 6" so I stand corrected.

Now on to the review. I guess the chocolate porter that Shaun included with the package had me craving chocolate and I picked cigar #3 robusto based on the initial smell of chocolate that was radiating from it. I strongly considered popping the top on that to pair with it but didn't want that to influence the result of the review so I went with my tried and true Johnnie Black. This cigar felt dense and leathery to go along with the predominant cocoa scent.

Upon cutting the draw was easy, not too light, just right really. The prelight draw gave the taste of black licorice.

1/3 - After lighting my first impression was a nice mellow blend of spices like a good steak marinade. Taking a sip of my scotch doesn't quite pair well and with the flavor I'm getting and am wishing I had a nice Merlot ready that I didn't have to dig for. The smoke is a nice white and the ash is light gray with very fine grain lines. Burn is razor sharp. So far I'm very impressed and am thinking this is a solid mid range cigar. The spice is putting a nice tingle on the tip of my tongue. In the back of my mind I'm thinking this is similar an LP Dirty Rat but am confused as it is not putting out as much smoke as I remember those producing.

2/3 - Ash is still sticking strong and came off with a light tap at the 2" mark. Could have went a bit longer but was afraid it'd fall in my lap if I pushed it. The flavor has moved on to my lips and has gained a bit of intensity with the notes of black licorice/cocoa returning. It is still staying mellow and smooth in the medium/full profile. Ash fell off at about 1" this time. I noticed when I hit the licorice notes the ash had lightened slightly and it is darkening a bit and the array of spice is hitting my gums now. I'm enjoying this dense smoke and think I might need a toothpick to clean my teeth out when finished.

3/3 - I'm really enjoying this cigar and am disappointed I'm already almost done. Time is passing so quickly that I'm afraid I've been hot boxing it. Checked time and 40 mins in so right on schedule for an hour. It is still burning cool and razor sharp. I've had no touch ups or relights. A blemish in the burn appeared but I let it go and it quickly corrected itself. The nicotine is starting to kick in a bit and am feeling it. The ash is lighter and I'm picking up more of the black licorice that is staying now. The cocoa taste isn't there but that is the smell that is radiating from it. A sip of the scotch brings the spice back and I think the cigar actually enhanced the flavor of the drink. It tastes more like a rye.

I nubbed this until the burn line which was still perfect was hitting my fingers. This was a very fun experience and I am trying to stay subjective but as good as it was and the quality of the construction has me thinking this was the high end cigar. I still can't shake the similarities that I'm remembering and I think I just smoked a Liga Privida. I thought a few times about checking to see if they made one in the size I smoked but didn't want to influence my review if they did by reading the description.

Upon looking this morning and the profile that I experienced I'm going to take a guess and say this was an LP#9 but in all likelihood my noobiness will shine through and I'll be dead wrong.

Thanks Shaun this was a very enjoyable cigar. This was a very fun experience as well and was my first blind review.





That was a fun review to read, I will keep from giving hints until you finish all of the reviews to not influence the experience in any way.


Been busy lately and have finished two of my review cigars but not posted it yet, might wait until weekend and just post all three at once.
shaun341 Offline
#140 Posted:
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
Just Relax wrote:
David,

I'm glad #3 hit the spot. It is in my top 5 cigars I've smoked and probably my favorite non-unicorn.

You guessed all 3 correctly on price point.

#1 - Medium - EP Carrillo La Historia E3. I wish it'd done more for you during the tasting.

#2 - Low - Oliveros Sun Grown Reserve. I really enjoy this cigar for a yard gar. I wish I could send you another so you could finish but that was my last one.

#3 - High - Diplomaticos #2. You'd have won your bet. My favorite Cuban in the under $15 range I've had.






Dips are a favorite of mine and have been out of stock for awhile now too. Stinger was close with the Monte 2. I hear that Dips were Montes that had lighter wrapper colors, not sure if it is true or not but for some reason that wrapper color makes a difference to my taste. Love Dip #2s but not a fan of Monte #2s.
frankj1 Offline
#141 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
Dips were born to be the affordable Monte
abjd14 Offline
#142 Posted:
Joined: 08-08-2012
Posts: 396
Shaun. My dip 2 vendor has them in stock, reasonable prices
ZRX1200 Offline
#143 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,477
I smoked a LFD Petite LaNox to test out my capacity for a cigar, was a little rough but I will get to this ASAP.
danmdevries Offline
#144 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,124
Only my second or third cigar in 2018. I'll write the post as I smoke.

Jamie's number one cigar which is not a Gurkha. Light colored robusto, slightly spongy, ok by me, I prefer a more open draw.

Smells like dry tobacco. barn/hay/crap Wrapper's nothing special to look at, and the weight vs size in the hand is really skewing my impression to yard gar before I've even cut the cap off.

Cut the cap, cold draw is dried tobacco - sweet and raisin

First light brings me back to my first few premium cigars. When you haven't smoked a while, there's certain flavors that come out that are just lost when you smoke more often.

First inch is already going wrong. Had a good toast and even light, but only half of the cigar wants to burn. One side is 1/2: down, the other is well over an inch canoe burn. Tried to correct but it's already souring. I'm gonna cut off the foot a half inch past lowest burn line, see if I can't get more smoking time from it.

Flavor is inoffensive, but not much there. Harsh on retrohale but not a peppery bite, more like a horseradish burn - no discernable flavor, just burn. Lingering flavor in the mouth is burnt wood. Overall that's really the only flavor coming through is burning leaves/twigs.

I cut it off and re lit.

On the restart it's still struggling to burn straight. I can feel a good bit of heat about 2" from the head. Definitely some tunnel burn happening. It's pretty foul at this point and I"m going to toss it. He says it's not a Gurkha, but it smoked like one. Only about 15-20 minutes smoking time.

Without hesitation I'm calling this yard gar. I think if I got one without the burn isssues it might work as a yard gar, it's a pretty straightforward flavor. Inoffensive but unimpressive. Think this may be an Alec Bradley or a Kristoff product, it mirrors my experience with them - could be good, but construction is seriously lacking.

Cigar #1 is Yard Gar.
Phil222 Offline
#145 Posted:
Joined: 10-01-2017
Posts: 1,911
Enjoying these reviews...ThumpUp
HuckFinn Offline
#146 Posted:
Joined: 07-10-2017
Posts: 2,044
These reviews are the closest things to cigar porn I've ever seen.
Amazing how specific you guys are about flavors you're tasting.

Personally I've never tasted any of these nuanced flavors that you all talk about.
I wish I could but can't.
I've always joked to myself that 'any real smoker can't taste anything'
But damn, apparently I'm more than just a little wrong.

Reviews are great.
Smoke on!
tamapatom Offline
#147 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
Cigar #3 - a beautiful toro pigtail that looks more like a fishtail. A dark San Andres like wrapper. Mottled color with some veins.Firm hard roll.

Prelight - chocolate! ....first draw - no pepper...picks up a little pepper as it starts out......mostly on back of tongue.

Now getting into it, it develops a meaty spiciness. Burn a little uneven, perfect draw.

During first third - spice attack on pallet! Burn corrects itself. flaky white spotchy ash.

Start of second third - cigar like steak on grill.....further develops into steak sauce flavor

Intensity comes and goes - am enjoying but wondering if this is too much for me. Not quite in my wheelhouse but I can enjoy and appreciate unique in your face flavor.

1/2 way - minor tunnel and relight. Nic is coming on strong. I grab a lemon lime soda. I have never had a Liga Privada but this is what I would imagine one go be like.

At last third, I had to put it down and stumble to bed.

Next morning could not resist lighting it up. A good cigar seems to be able to have a second life. Wow really enjoying a fresh start on this dead soldier. A nice blending and evening of all the flavors from last night.

This must be the high end.


Cigar #2 - punch cut.....all these were punched.....a test of a cigar that draws well with a punch.

This one seems to be a firm well constructed robusto. Fine bumps and veins.This has a very multi colored dark and lighter wrap...almost barberpole looking but not. Dark Splotches remind me of an aged sungrown wrapper.

Prelight - slight bitter on lip and an unidentifiable nice flavor.

First draw Strong pepper kick....nice though

Nice burnline not perfect.......lots of smoke for a punch.......wavy black and white ash

1 1/4 inch in....pepper is mellowing......ash hanging good

Second third - getting soft but straight Edge burn.......went out once - relight

Rest of cigar was enjoyable but nothing new. By last third, it was real squishy and lost its original firmness. I let it go out.

Cigar #1 - Natural wrapper toro. Roll seems reasonable but a nick in wrapper and a soft soft spot.

Prelight - slightly sweet tobacco flavor

Initial flavors - salty roasted nuts, pepper cardamon..........promising

Now a cracks develops and more, bigger soft spots. Still draws fine but I have to handle it like a flute. A finger on every leak.

1 1/2 inch in and cracks getting worse. Cigar getting hot an inch or more from coal. Flavor suffers.

Cigar bitter and hot. I cut off end thinking there was tunneling but no. Trying straight cut. Relight and hope for better.

1/2 way through. - behaving a little better. No flavors like at beginning. Some serious soft spots now. I put it down - not worth hassle. I call this one the yard gar based on my experience on this but maybe it is not.


Enjoyed that Partagas while doing this write up. Thanks. Can't wait to hear what they were.

abjd14 Offline
#148 Posted:
Joined: 08-08-2012
Posts: 396
Great reviews Tom. Spot on on all 3.
#3 was a LP UF-13
#1 Fuente R44
#2 Tatuaje P2- I liked your visual of blocking the leaks. Sorry it didn't hold up.

Glad you enjoyed the liga. They are by favorite my favorite flavor profile. You might like a smaller rg a little more. Lp-dirty rat has a small rg.

And yes. I will tackle an authentic Cuban sandwich . Being close to NYC we can get most.authentic anything. But I like to cook and always to try to recreate traditional foods.
danmdevries Offline
#149 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,124
Cigar numberr 2 from Jamie is a dark chocolatey colored salomon. Per routine, I'll live post my impressions.

Feels and smells fantastic. Smells lightly of barnyard, the roll is exceptionally tight - concerned with draw once I get it going. I've had issues with most of the semi-closed tapered foot cigars I've had in the past. They never seem to light straight. I'm going to give this one a standard light and see how it does. Pretty sure it's the high end just off look and feel.

Cut the torpedo cap off on an angle. Cold draw is a huge load of black pepper. Made my eyes water and triggered a sneeze. Some raisiny sweetness in there as well.

First light is a huge blast of black pepper, with some cedar wood in the background. It's already burning very unevenly, got past the nipple tip and one side's running away while the other is stagnant. Attempting touchup, it's now close to an inch difference.

Touchup was successful,it's now at the widest part of the bulb and fairly even. The foot puts off a lot of smoke, but the draw is not a huge smoke volume. It's strong. Already feeling it. Putting my feet up and swinging the recliner back.


It's a lot sweeter now. Sweet cedar wood, some nutty bits but big pepper on retrohale. Mouth feels coated in oils. I'm digging it. Money's on this being Dominican by the flavor profiles, and I'd bet it's an LFD. Fuente's IMO are less spicy and more savory while LFD is the opposite.

Working its way back up the taper it's picked up a lot of sweetness. Buttery vanilla pecan like nutty flavors linger. Still has the big pepper and cedar but it's much more balanced now. Had to do another touchup but the cigar took it well.

This is a phenomenal smoke. It's the high end.

About halfway. The sweeter savory bits are more prominent but retrohale still makes my eyes water with the pepper. Cedar and pepper big up front on retrohale but when it settles it's just very rich savory pecans and butter/vanilla. Feels like my mouth has a layer of lard everything's coated.

Retouched again, and recut the head to a straight cut. Again the cigar took the touchup in stride and is burning evenly without change in flavors.

I can't say enough about this rich savory flavor. It's like I had a stick of butter in my mouth, everything's oiled up. Without a doubt this is the high end. Cedar wood, black pepper, pecans, butter, vanilla. High end Dominican flavor profile. This would pair really well with a strong dry drink dry red wine, or neat bourbon. I only brought a Dr Pepper with me to the garage.

Gonna cut the review now, got about 2.5" left but I'm gonna pull up something to watch on my laptop and just enjoy the remainder without worrying about continuing the review.

Thank you ZRX for this fantastic smoke. I'm pegging it high end, LFD or at least from DR. If this is from anywhere else I'll eat my shorts. It's also got a fair bit of age under it.
danmdevries Offline
#150 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,124
Wrapped up the cigar watching Southpark.

It finished the same, but ramped up drastically in strength.

Finished out with the same savory rich creamy flavors, the pepper died down on retrohale but I had a hard time getting out of my recliner. Way stronger than I could handle, but it was good.

Still standing by premium, Dominican, and LFD. Smoked this for an hour and 45 minutes. Can't recall the last time I put that much time into a cigar.

Thanks again Jamie.
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