America's #1 Online Cigar Auction
first, best, biggest!

Last post 6 years ago by RMAN4443. 222 replies replies.
5 Pages<12345>
Spring mystery cigar reviews
shaun341 Offline
#51 Posted:
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
I was just reading through this thread and I have to admit I messed up. I didn't read the entire rules and just figured on filling out the 5er. I forget what I sent Stinger for cigars 4 and 5 but I believe they were just everydays or something that I have but couldn't recall if I sent him any of yet,so I owe him something not auctioned on cbid and will get that out soon.
stinger88 Offline
#52 Posted:
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
You did throw in one of my go to favs, DPG Blue. Yum.
NWStogie Offline
#53 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
dharbolt wrote:
Nwstogie is a bassturd!

Along with the 3 unbanded he included a lfd la Nox which I'm very excited to try and an eastern standard panatella of which I've only had one. As if that weren't enough...

There was a 5er labeled hitchhikers

Afr 75 toro
Padron x000
Kristoff maduro
Ajf new world
And a Fuente hemi signature.

Thank you sir I owe you one :)


I had fun picking 'em out. If my research was correct, you lean towards smaller rg's. 3 of the 5 fit that bill. I hope you enjoy them & the hitchhikers!
99cobra2881 Offline
#54 Posted:
Joined: 11-19-2013
Posts: 2,472
Ok package landed yesterday afternoon.

Contents were

3 unbanded toros. All three are very similar, this will be an interesting blind review.

Banded cigars are an aka hydrid robusto cigar and a quesada holiday keg toro.

Thank you Chazbo. Probably be Sunday before I can review one of these.
stinger88 Offline
#55 Posted:
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
Review of Shaun's #1 unbanded.

Small perfecto cigar (I have a good idea what it is but I will put that at the bottom). It is a deep, medium brown with an open foot. Prelight....and I am not going to hold any punches. The cigar smelled like poop. Not "it smelled bad" but no kidding poop. It seemed to fade once I got it outside and let it air out. The smell had me a little nervous but what the hell, I am going to go for it.

It was an easy light, I was able to just use a little single flame torch to light it properly. After the first few puffs, the cigar took off and really started to pour out the smoke (from both ends). The flavor was a lot smoother than I thought it was going to be. The initial smell was already gone and I was enjoying the cigar. It had a darker grey ash that held on for at least 3/4 of an inch. I noticed that the cigar had a pretty thick wrapper and was burning slower than I thought it would. The cigar definitely had some earthy tones to it. Pretty solid smoke.

Once I made it past the 1/2 way mark it turned a little bitter....it might have been that I inhaled to fast/hard and got it too hot. I backed off on the power of intake and it made a big difference. So, others that smoke this one be warned, if you chief this cigar it won't taste nearly as good. As I sit here about an hour or so after smoking it, I still have a pleasant aftertaste going. (a rarity)

Overall, it was a pretty good cigar. Since I think I know what it is.....a La Aurora Preferidos (a premium cigar)....I should say that it was a premium cigar, however it performed more like the medium cigar to me.

Thanks Shaun, I do love doing these blind tests. Don't respond to my guess until I do all of the reviews. I don't want to taint my opinion on the others because of your answer.

David.
chazbo Offline
#56 Posted:
Joined: 01-21-2007
Posts: 8,159
First review doneHerfing that's a good idea Stinger not to reveal what the mystery cigars are until all three reviews are in.
dharbolt Offline
#57 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
I agree ^ I was going to hold my reviews until all were written. I was a little disappointed that I knew the yard gar was the last one I reviewed last go round.
chazbo Offline
#58 Posted:
Joined: 01-21-2007
Posts: 8,159
Ok folks, don't tell what the mystery cigars are until all three have been reviewed.
Chazbo
NWStogie Offline
#59 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
Good call.
Hank_The_Tank Offline
#60 Posted:
Joined: 11-15-2016
Posts: 3,677
chazbo wrote:
Ok folks, don't tell what the mystery cigars are until all three have been reviewed.
Chazbo


Making up rules as you go...what a noobish thing to do....OUTRAGE!

Looking forward to reading through these!
Mandoman Offline
#61 Posted:
Joined: 12-27-2005
Posts: 4,761
danmdevries - USPS site says your pkg is out for delivery
9505515241177079123415
abjd14 Offline
#62 Posted:
Joined: 08-08-2012
Posts: 396
Box just landed.

Picked up a heming way signature
And El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme
Looking forward to the mystery cigars.

Thanks Dan
Mandoman Offline
#63 Posted:
Joined: 12-27-2005
Posts: 4,761
Package arrived today
Cromagnon
Inteperence
(never had either)
And 3 very pretty cigars numbered 1, 2, and 3.
NWStogie Offline
#64 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
Got my packy from the tropics today! Contents include some nh CC's I look forward to trying:

San Cristobal de la Habana El Principe
Quay D'Orsay Coronas Claro

And

#1: 6.5 x 50, dark and toothy wrapper
#2: 7 x 40, delicate medium wrapper with a pierced cap
#3: 5.75 x 44, dark Wrapper with shaggy foot

Thx, Euodias! I look forward to smoking and reviewing when I get over my cold. All I can smell right now for the cigars is leather and tobacco.
corey sellers Offline
#65 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,337
I would love to get involved in one of these one of these days but I would definitely be wrong with my reviews so it's fun just to sit back and watch you gentz
ypetryna Offline
#66 Posted:
Joined: 07-19-2012
Posts: 1,323
stinger88 wrote:
Mine went out today.


got it today.

1 2 3 numbered

LFD, i think a toro/gordo (anthonys cigar emporuim special?)
My father le bijou 1922 the martino


will put fire to one of these these bad boys within the next few days and give you guys a good chuckle.

thanks david
stinger88 Offline
#67 Posted:
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
LFD is a Rocky Mountain Cigar Fest 2015 special edition. It is fantastic!!
danmdevries Offline
#68 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,114
Mandoman wrote:
danmdevries - USPS site says your pkg is out for delivery
9505515241177079123415


Yup, there was an SFR on my desk when I woke up. I'll open it when I get home in the morning
tamapatom Offline
#69 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
Chaz....heads up..........9500 1161 4453 7082 1058 60
tamapatom Offline
#70 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
Got mine from Anthony Abjd14.........3 unmarked plus 3 nice ones in the boutique or special issue category..........including

Viaje with a silver foot band ????

Foundry Cayley rocket bomb?? How do smoke this thing? NH

Guaimaro box press NH

Thanks.....I cant wait to get to work!


abjd14 Offline
#71 Posted:
Joined: 08-08-2012
Posts: 396
Yeah def. Went with the boutique unusual. Don't know about the foundry just threw it in. Guaimaro is about roma craft
NWStogie Offline
#72 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
My first Spring Mystery Cigar review.

I asked my wife to pick a number between 1 and 3. She picked 3, then asked what she won. I explained that she had won herself an hour or so of quiet time for herself while I was out on the front porch smoking one of my Spring Mystery Cigars.

Cigar #3 is about 5.75 inches long with about a 44 ring gauge. It has a shaggy foot and a pigtailed cap. Dark and silky. Ever-so-slightly toothy. Sniffing gently, I encounter mellow aged-sweet tobacco and leather. It is firmly packed, with a slight oil sheen.

First snip of the cap produces a tight cold-draw. Blast of pepper and tingly lips. If I don’t get an aneurism trying to draw some smoke into my mouth, I think I’m going to like this bad boy.

I carefully roll the head of the cigar between my thumb and first finger, pinching slightly while I roll. This opens up the draw just enough for me to try to get this lit. Perhaps the shaggy mostly-closed foot is interfering with the draw as well. This might just open up after I get it lit.

Not much has changed with the draw post-lighting. Initial aroma is barbeque sauce. Medium pepper on tongue and lips. Great aged-tobacco slightly-sweet aroma while it sits in the ashtray as I type.

I’m running for my draw poker. It takes two tough pulls to get decent smoke in my mouth. Too much work.

Ahhh… That’s better. Only had to go in about an inch and the draw has become ideal.

The wind shifted and the smoke from the ashtray blows right into my face. What an amazing smell. Still slightly-sweet aged tobacco. Sweet like pine has hints of sweetness. Not sweet like an infused monstrosity.

Front of tongue and back of throat are very peppery after-tasting.

Ash is holding on at ¾ of an inch. Appears to be marbled, black and white.

A creamy-citrus taste starts at an inch and a half. Very faint. Compliments a slight brown-sugary sweetness. Coupled with the pepper, which still is predominant. Ash falls off naturally at this time. Aroma from the ashtray has overtones of baking cookies. Caramelized brown sugar. Yum.

Nicotine starts to hit. Oh Baby, I’m really liking this cigar. Knowing me, it’s probably the yard-gar. Wow… The smell of the smoke from the ashtray and the taste of the smoke in my mouth are incredibly complementary. Delicious. More, please.

The second third has the pepper taste taking a back seat to the tobaccoey brown-sugary (and head-spinny) goodness that this cigar is sharing with me. Draw has tightened up. I’m salivating too much and have killed my draw opening. Draw poker to the rescue. Ahhh… The first draw after reopening rewards me with rich flavor. More carmelized brown sugar. Almost meaty undertones, like a good steak. Rich, white smoke. I'm savoring it and don’t want to blow it out of my mouth.

Do I dare try a retrohale?

I dare. Barbecued meat. And pepper. My nose is running and my eyes are watering. But, dang, that was good.

I’m not a fan of the Leccia Black/DE KFC flavors. They have hints of BBQ, too. But this is different. This is a nice, rich ribeye, seared and seasoned with black pepper. Not the liquid-smoke bleah from those others. This is a real smoke. This is a meal in a cigar. This is one I’d seek out and buy. I’m hoping it is the yard-gar at this point so that I can buy lots and have $ left over for more. But I suspect that it isn’t.

Ash isn’t firm. Burn line is very straight. Ash is delicate and deep-ridged.

I retrohale again. Pepper blast and BBQ. Rich and satisfying. And I slobber again and need to get my draw-poker out again. That first unobstructed draw is a good one. I’m loving this. All is good in my world. I don’t feel compelled to pick on the Hankster. My head is spinning a bit. The stress from my workday is completely gone. This is what cigar smoking is all about for me. Stopping the constant doing. Stopping being “on” all the time like I need to be at work. Being in the moment. Contemplating what is right in front of me rather than the past or the future. Being present. Thanks Chazbo for setting this shindig up and thanks Euodias for this cigar. Life is very good right now.

The final third ramps up the pepper and what I assume to be the ligeros. Burn line goes a little awry and I get a little bitterness as I puff to keep it lit. I had just ashed it and then left it unprotected while I was a-typing this out. Poor cigar. I neglected my sacred duty to you. I promise not to do that again.

Burn corrects mostly and I am rewarded by a return of the rich, flavorful smoke.

Crap. Draw poked right into what I assume was the cherry. Seared my tongue with that last draw. Burn line has completely self-corrected. I’m no longer hungry. I decided to have this before dinner. Not sure if this was the best idea. Fine nicotine rush pulsing in my temples. My fingers are getting numb from the cold outside. But I don’t want to say goodbye to this baby yet. I have 2 full inches to go.

My tongue is not doing me justice at this point after the searing. The aroma from the ashtray remains amazing, but I’m just not able to taste as well now. When I take a draw into my mouth and then breathe in through my nose I smell figs?

Hmmmm... Still goodness to go.

Caramelized meat. Thick, rich smoke. I’m down to the last ¾ of an inch. I hate to say it, but I think it is time to say goodbye to this newfound friend after nearly 90 minutes.

This was great. Thanks, Euodias. I have no clue what I just had. But I definitely want some for my humidor.
euodias Offline
#73 Posted:
Joined: 10-16-2009
Posts: 1,467
^ Thats a high quality review right there.
shaun341 Offline
#74 Posted:
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
Yup, that was a good read and I feel like someone could be doing reviews on the side.
danmdevries Offline
#75 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,114
Mandoman wrote:
danmdevries - USPS site says your pkg is out for delivery
9505515241177079123415


Finally got it opened.

3 unmarked
A torpedo
A slimmer robusto
A fatter robusto

LGC serie R 2011 EL (LGC was a go-to several years ago, been a while and looking forward to this one)

Acme Premier never had or heard of

Galano cigar from Florida. Big fan of Wynwood, haven't had any of the other Florida stuff

And a Diamond Crown - I do like these.
NWStogie Offline
#76 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736

Never did a review before. But I know what floats my boat when it comes to reading reviews. And I do like writing. Glad you liked it.
danmdevries Offline
#77 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,114
Well I'm starting with the smaller of the two unmarked robustos.

Uneven color wrapper, cap edges uneven, couple small to medium veins in the leaf. The foot looks a bit loosely rolled, uneven. Fairly smooth texture on the wrapper.

Cut with a V cutter as my regular one is packed away for upcoming vacation. Cold draw kinda makes me think of mulching leaves.

First light, nice and mild, woody nut shell flavors.

First few minutes and I'm really liking it. Very creamy rich mouthfeel, flavors are long lasting. Sweet on retrohale, but there's a faint hint of rubber at the finish. Might just be leftover from the rum I had when I got home though, very faint. Vanilla, oak and burnt sugar are at the front.

Ash is loose, breaking off around an inch. Again, it feels and looks loosely rolled but the draw is absolutely perfect. I went in thinking this was yard gar, and from appearances it might be, but it's fantastic. Kinda reminds me of the Diablo cigars that I loved while mowing.

About 1.5" in, and the flavor has grown. Much more spice with a distinct cinnamon up front. Still with this amazing creamy texture that coats the mouth and keeps on giving flavor time. I'm quite happy with this cigar. Surprisingly smokey/oily for its appearance. I want a box of these, though with what I'm getting from this smoke, this is a well aged example. Been a long while since I've had a cigar. I've been on the pipe this winter. Maybe my brain's ready for cigar season, but I'm loving this.

I'm trying to find fault since i billed it the tard gar but it's not showing up.

Halfway, a nice blend of sweet vanilla, much more pepper-centric spice flavor, and nut wood.

I really keep thinking I've had this before, it's very spot on with my preferences. Very rich, oily, not too much pepper bite, smells good, and perfect draw.

Final bit, pretty much unchanged from the midway. Starting to feel the strength, but it's not too bad. I'm at about 2" now and it's definitely ramping up. Flavor is still wood, vanilla, spices . I have to sleep. I think I'll be calling it soon.

It's been a surprisingly fantastic smoke. The draw, the flavors, the texture, all 100% spot on what I like. It's not a pretty cigar, but who the F cares when it's this damn good. It's like the nerd girl from my gross anatomy lab.

Wrapping up with 1.5" I'm calling it midrange (big points lost for appearance or I'd call it premium). Maybe a Fuente product? I certainly enjoyed it and would love to get more. I'd nub it but I am already running late for bed. 100 hour weeks don't lend much pleasure time.
99cobra2881 Offline
#78 Posted:
Joined: 11-19-2013
Posts: 2,472
Another good review, I'd forgotten just how much fun these are to read.

Mandoman Offline
#79 Posted:
Joined: 12-27-2005
Posts: 4,761
Dan, glad you liked it. Want to know now, or wait until you finish all 3?

I lit up #1 from my pkg.
Nice even color, heavyish maduro, 6 X 56?
First puffs - slight leather, coffee, with a citrusy tang. Light pepper. Plenty of smoke.
Throughout, it burned well, nice and even, with an easy draw.
A more refine palate would probably detect more, but, to me the flavors didn't change during the smoke.
It was pleasant, I enjoyed the cigar to the nub. I'd definitely get more,
danmdevries Offline
#80 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,114
Mandoman wrote:
Dan, glad you liked it. Want to know now, or wait until you finish all 3?



Hold till end.

Gonna try to squeeze one in the next couple mornings
danmdevries Offline
#81 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,114
The fatter of the two robustos is nicely rolled, tight seams, even color throughout the wrapper, nicely laid triple cap, clean cut foot. Smooth leaf with small veins, no "tooth".

V cutter again. Cold draw is dry hay/ leaves.

First light kinda dry, a bit harsh. Not sure if I'm going to like this one. Lots of pepper bite but no sweetness to balance. Astringent, my mouth feels dry. Grab another beer.

Well the bite and harshness has mellowed out after a half inch. Still loads of pepper, especially on initial retrohale, but it subsides and there's a bit more sweeter spices coming through. Draw is perfect, burn line fairly even, and ash is sturdy wouldn't tap off at an inch.

Decent, nothing terribly special but nothing terrible either. It's not a cigar id buy, but I could see those who enjoy big pepper bite liking this cigar. It's slightly harsh, I may be rushing. I'll try to slow it down, gave myself an hour and I'm 30m in.

Little past halfway, definitely got a lot more pepper bite. Some cedar in there, fading to oak/vanilla finish and fleeting citrusy notes. Ash started drooping about 1.75" in, tapped off but no flaking or anything. It's a bit of a stinky cigar, not a room note I want to hang around so I turned up the exhaust fans and cracked the garage door. Between the stink and the fairly flat flavor profile, I'm betting yard gar. Though, it's not a rocket, I'd take a freebie while mowing. Not something I'd buy myself.

Another inch down, 1.5-2 left and I'm calling it. Smoked it for about an hour. Gotta sleep sometime. Fairly flat throughout, not terrible, not great. The astringent qualities are a big turnoff for me. I want to be salivating, not drinking to combat the effects. No big progression of flavor, though the middle section was decent. Stayed with pepper bite, cedar, and citrus for the most of it. Maybe dry tea leaves/ iced tea for the tannin astringency.

Appearance, I thought this was certainly the midrange or premium, but flavor didn't get close. Going yard gar here.

Hopefully I will get to the torpedo tomorrow morning. Running on fumes currently but last night wasn't bad, hopefully tonight will be the same.

Thanks again and looking forward to number 3
Mandoman Offline
#82 Posted:
Joined: 12-27-2005
Posts: 4,761
danmdevries wrote:
Hold till end.

Gonna try to squeeze one in the next couple mornings



OK

I'll say this, you're better at this reviewing gig than me.
abjd14 Offline
#83 Posted:
Joined: 08-08-2012
Posts: 396
Here is my first review on the forum for any cigar.

I tried to pick my first cigar based on appearance and what I was hoping to be the "yard gar". And also because 1 of the other 2 looks like a cuban to me which I will save for the last review.

Cigar is a 50x150 dark, oily wrapper, lots of bumps, very veiny. There was also a very unusual double cap that went about 1/2 inch down the cigar. The cigar had an inconsistent feel while running through my fingers. The ends were firm and the middle was spongy. (I ran into problems with the spongy area, see below)
Poured myself a nice tall coffee, light and sweet to prep for this review. Made a straight cut with my table top cutter. When I took a prelight draw and my tongue hit the end there was a very bitter taste and the draw was very unusual. I started to get worried.

Lit the bad boy up. While lighting the burning wrapper has some really great aromas coming off. To my amazement the first few draws were extremely enjoyable and I was delighted to get going on this. I got lots of spice and pepper with some caramel and a little earthiness. Continuing through the 1st 3rd a lot of those flavors were coming through with the spice being dominate. The retro-hale was very familiar burning the nostrils but reminded me of many of the boutique cigars we all enjoy here on cbid. After a while the flavor started to really mellow out, lost some of the spice for a while but started to feel a heavy nicotine kick punching me in the face. Draw was very good, slightly tight for my preference.

Very tight ash that held on all the way till the end of the 1st third. This is where I started running into problems. I was really enjoying it and would rate it about 85. Starting on the 2nd third I was getting some dry cocoa notes and lots of earthy/dirt. Still a great burn all the way down. About halfway I realized that every puff I was in for a surprise Either no flavor, lots of flavor, or just bad flavor. When I hit the spongy spot in the middle the cigar went out, relit it and it went out shortly after. And with the relight the aromas coming off were great. The cigar got very harsh from the relight and draw got tight. From the tight draw I was pulling out some tar through the back end of the cigar and I had a brown sticky liquid over my fingers. At this point I wasnt' feeling good about smoking in all that tar so I had to stop there. I really enjoyed the 1st third of the cigar. Started out medium, ended medium/full

Overall, not a bad cigar, for a yardgar(my guess). Don't think I would buy these up if I couldn't get them on the cheap. Thanks Dan Defintely enjoyed it while I did. Really looking forward to the other two.
abjd14 Offline
#84 Posted:
Joined: 08-08-2012
Posts: 396
I forgot to add that was labeled cigar 2
chazbo Offline
#85 Posted:
Joined: 01-21-2007
Posts: 8,159
abjd14 wrote:
I forgot to add that was labeled cigar 2

Nice first review Herfing
NWStogie Offline
#86 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
My second Spring Mystery Cigar review.

My wife picked cigar #2 this time. It is a 7 by what looks like a 40 rg. Delicate, smooth, light brown wrapper. The color of a very creamy cocoa. Wrapper so delicate, it started to flake off at the foot. Cap was a single and had a small hole in the middle.

Pre-light, it smells of light, sweet hay. Cold draw is slightly sweet, perhaps a continuation of the sweet hay. Although the construction is firm, I’m getting good flow through my cold draw. Perhaps my draw poker will remain unused today.

Initial draws after lighting are light. Light, sweet pepper. Light creaminess. Ash is very firm and compact. A marbled grey and black. I listen to cigar podcasts sometimes and I’ve people describe a Necco Wafer taste. This has that in the aftertaste. Very faint. Very slight. Aroma of the smoke is like sweetgrass.

This really reminds me of the one cc that I’ve had. It had a distinct sweet hay aroma and taste.

An inch in and I’m getting a slight bitterness at the back of my tongue. I took a drink of my coffee and swirled it around in my mouth to clear it. Next draw, the bitterness is gone. Ash is holding firm at a little more than an inch. I’m taking long, slow draws.

Retrohale was interesting. Campfire toasted marshmallows. Setting it down after the retrohale caused the ash to fall into my ashtray. Copious amounts of smoke are not coming out of this cigar when I do single draws. I switch to double draws (puff, then draw). Nice, thick smoke when I do that. Pepper ramps up when I do that as well. Still lots of sweetgrass smell.

There is something just a little acrid in the smoke. Hits the back of my tongue. Maybe it is what I was calling bitterness, earlier.

While I’m working my way through my first third, I might as well tell you about my third attempt at a draw poker. (First was a straightened paperclip. Second was a small drill bit.) After some looking around at what commercial options were available, I decided to try to make my own. I bought a 4-piece pick and hook set at good old Harbor Freight. I took my propane torch and heated one of the hooks and then hammered it straight. Not liking the thickness, I took my angle grinder and carefully shaved down each side until it was a more desirable thinness. Then, with the angle grinder, I gently ground serrations into it. I thought that it would be good for removing tobacco from the air channel that I was trying to make. So far, it has been a great little tool. As long as I am careful with insertion so that I keep to the center of the cigar, and I spin and insert slowly, it has done a good job. Hasn’t cracked a wrapper yet. And with the day-glo orange handle, it is hard to misplace. Definitely not something to carry around in a pocket. Maybe I should make a sheath for it.

As I approach the end of the first third, I have my second inch-long ash fall off on its own. This time, unfortunately, it fell into my lap and partially onto my laptop. Glad I’m smoking outside.

With a few inches gone, I’m finding that the draw is easier and I can go back to single slow draws. I’m getting good amounts of smoke now. Still light and slightly sweet. Not much change in flavor with this cigar.

I’ve been wondering what people mean when they describe their cigar as a flavor bomb. All cigars have flavor. Some are crappy to my palate and others are very nice. I wonder if it is the layering of flavor that makes their cigars flavor bombs. My cigar that I reviewed on Thursday has this great interplay between pepper, light, sweet barbeque and meaty. This cigar by comparison seems simpler. Light and sweet. Hay-like. Maybe just a brush of pepper. This is definitely a mild cigar.

Second third has no detectable taste or aroma differences. Still a nice cigar. Burn has been very straight. I think this would be a great morning cigar. Great with coffee, sitting on the front porch, watching the world wake up. Can’t wait for some warm weather. I love the Pacific Northwest, but I’m not a fan of the slllllooooowwwww transitions between seasons. Or the rain. My broski in Idaho is getting near 70’s temps on some days.

Spiciness has ramped up as I start the third third. Also, a little bitterness. The smoke is noticeably warm as I draw it into my mouth. I suspect that the spiciness is related to this. I’m not slobbering on the cigar and I’m not seeing any tar. Lips are slightly tingly.

This balancing a laptop on my lap, typing and smoking gig is interesting. If I feel the need to connect to the world through the interwebs during my cigar time, I usually just get my phone out. The laptop is a bit much.

I might as well slip this in here: I, like a lot of us, am still missing some cigars that I have won. Missing a box of L’Atelier Selection Speciales that I won on 2/23 as well as 5ers of Aging Room Quattros and Jericho Hill .44s won on 2/10. I’ve received other cigars won on those same dates as well as other cigars won since those dates. Open ticket inquiring on their status has gone unanswered. I trust it will all get sorted out at some point. I definitely am not “low” and have more than enough to keep me entertained during my cigar times for the foreseeable future. As an IT guy who has coordinated many large-scale web implementations, I can understand how they can go awry. My bid history still shows that the items I’ve won. I’m patient and trust that this will get sorted at some point.

After 90 minutes, we are getting to the end of this cigar. Last inch. Spicy, bitter. Time to say farewell.

I think this might be a Cuban. And I don’t think this is a yard gar. Thanks again Euodias for the fine smoke!
danmdevries Offline
#87 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,114
abjd14 wrote:
I forgot to add that was labeled cigar 2


At work, don't recall what was what but you got a dud, haven't had any issues from that box before. Bummer.

You want the answers as you go or at the end? I can look when I get home in the morning
euodias Offline
#88 Posted:
Joined: 10-16-2009
Posts: 1,467
Cigar A: Robusto Extra

Visual Inspection: light wrapper, some greenish blotches. Not too appealing. Smells distinctly of leather, like a new belt. Foot is a little loosely packed. Just by looking, I think this is the yard gar.

Clip and Draw: Draw is perfect, cold flavor is pretty much reminds me of a tack-room.

Smoking Experience: Opens really promisingly. Sweet cream and a hint of citrus. A little like a creme doughnut. As it progresses, it goes downhill, getting a little bit of bitter vegetal harshness and pepper. Burn gets a bit uneven at the midway point, more disappointing notes develop, a bit of mineral flavor sours it, and a charred flavor develops, taking it from doughnut to burn doughnut, which isn't as good.

Evaluation: Its the yard gar. Its isn't bad, if I was getting them for cheap I would chuck them halfway through and everything would be fine. It might be a cigar that improves with another 6-12 months of age, in which case it might be a hidden gem.

Cigar B: Corona Gorda Maduro

Visual Inspection: Veiny maduro wrapper, looks dyed perhaps. Smells faintly of molasses. Just by looking I think this is the mid range cigar.

Clip and Draw: Draw is fine, cold flavor is vaguely campfire-ish

Smoking Experience: Cigar is dense and smokes slowly. Its got a kind of bbq'd meat sweetness. Ash is stark white. Pepper builds as it progresses, with a hint of marshmallow. Fairly strong cigar, but not killer. Construction was solid with no burn issues. No chocolate, I want chocolate :(

Evaluation: Overall, it was a pretty straight forward maduro, which isn't something I reach for much. If it is mid priced cigar, I can see it being worth the money, but the blend just isn't for me.

Cigar C: Robusto Extra, light wrapper

Visual Inspection: This is a perfect looking cigar, smooth, flawless wrapper. Just by looking you can tell this is a high end cigar. Prettier than a cigar ever needs to be, it seems clear that a lot of effort has been put into making a perfect roll. This is the high end cigar, it has to be.

Clip and Draw: Smells of barnyard with a wide open draw. Some flakes of tobacco fall out.

Smoking Experience: Perfect burn, long ash. Flawless performance. Pretty strong, but not face melting. Tons of pepper with some fruitiness underneath. Fairly one dimensional, without much change until the very end, with the last couple of puffs bringing in some woody notes. Too much power and not enough finesse.

Evaluation: Im going to go ahead and guess that this is an AF Don Carlos Anniversary. If it isn't, I bet its another high end Fuente. Really well made, but it didn't have enough going on to keep me interested. If the pepper had faded sooner, I think there maybe a lot more going on in the background. Probably a good aging candidate.

Fun stuff, thanks ypetryna!
danmdevries Offline
#89 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,114
Final one, the torpedo. Put this last because I don't like the shape, and I don't have a straight cutter right now. Cut the cap with my pocket knife.

Appearance is fair, some larger veins, seams visible, fairly large stems visible in the pack after cutting the head.

Cold draw is dry mowed hay. Sneezed afterwards.

First light is woody, dry. Draw is perfect, somewhat sweet finish. I'll grab a couple beers and settle in, I'm gambling on getting an on-call instead of going in tonight. Leaving for Florida and would like to get reset to sleep nights up days before we leave.

Half inch in, the initial light bite has eased, and it's fairly simple smoke so far. Still dry, woody, with a pepper bite up front on retrohale that gradually fades to a sweeter charred oak flavor. Maybe cherry, some leather like flavor. Small draws help reduce the bite.

Ash holding tight, no flakes. Walked away to pee and it was still fully lit when I returned.

Retrohale is a bit much, very biting pepper up front. But it does open up the finish. Nice sweet smoky caramel burnt sugar kinda makes me think of those canned/bottled Starbucks drinks.

I'm pegging this midrange. The first was the premium, second was a yard gar, and this one is in the middle. If this were my preferred go-to for an average smoke, I could see where the yard gar of the 3 fits in a similar flavor profile.

Ash is still on at a good 2" even getting set down a few times, and walked away from it twice. Nope. Just fell off when I picked it up. Still, no flakes on my flannel shirt.

Really not getting any changes in flavor. Maybe a bit more cherry/fruit sweetness on the finish but still a low-volume retro does help open it up - I just need to stifle a sneeze each time I do.

Mostly woodsy flavors, with a bite on retrohale that fades to a fleeting fruity sweetness.

Not among my favorites, but I like it more than number two. They're very similar, with this one feeling more "refined" to me. Not so much astringency, a bit nicer finish.

About ready to wrap up and go to bed. Still going with midrange here. It didn't get better or worse. A lot more pepper flavors than I care for. But in its defense, I also did not eat any spicy food when I got home. May just be noticing it more because of that. The last two were smoked after eating jalapeños on my morning taco. Mouthfeel on this one is right in the middle as well. Drier than I prefer, but not as bad as the last one. Didn't make me feel like I had cotton mouth, but didn't make me salivate.

Thank you sir, now spill the beans on what they were. Pray
danmdevries Offline
#90 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,114
abjd14 wrote:
Here is my first review on the forum for any cigar.

Overall, not a bad cigar, for a yardgar(my guess).


Was the midrange cigar.

Sucks you got a dud, I do like these a lot. Bought 2 boxes, and yours was.the last of my second box.

La Palina Black Label

dharbolt Offline
#91 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
Great reviews everyone. I've come down with a head cold and can't taste anything. As soon as my head clears up I'll get my reviewing done.
Mandoman Offline
#92 Posted:
Joined: 12-27-2005
Posts: 4,761
Well, Dan
Good to know you liked one of 'em.
They were, in smoking order::
1) La Aurora 100 Anos - from the 2nd release, after they "found" leftover tobacco from the original release.
2) Oliva V
3) Mr. XL, small batch boutique - One time release and no longer available.

I really like the 100 Anos. I have 2 or 3 OR belicosos left. Oliva V is a favorite. The Mr. XL I've smoked have been tasty..

Anyway, very nice reviews.
tamapatom Offline
#93 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
I can't wait to get started. Good reviews so far. I had plans to start yesterday but pain got in the way.
NWStogie Offline
#94 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
Today, I’m having my third mystery cigar, the one labeled #1. It appears to be about a 6.5 x 50. Toothy dark brown wrapper. Noticeable veins. Can’t tell if double or triple cap. Firm construction. Smells of light, sweet cream and leather. Clipped the cap with no issues and cold draw has perfect airflow. Not getting much taste in the cold draw.

Initial draws are peppered leather. Smoke is copious. The draw is just perfect. The aroma reminds me of that sweet Hoppes No. 9 leather smell I get from some of my holsters.

Half-inch in and I’m starting to get a charred meat taste/aroma. Pepper has not let up.

An inch in and the pepper has settled down. More of a creamy-smooth, slightly sweet taste of good tobacco aging. Ash is a mottled white/grey.

I’m confused. After my first two reviews, I thought for sure this would be the yard-gar. But it is good. Really good. Great burn line. Nice, firm ash holding on at an inch and a half. Nice, thick, aromatic smoke. Bobbled the cigar in my ashtray accidentally and the ash separated nicely. Flavor remains creamy. Maybe a little cedary. Sweet undertones. Retrohale gives the usual pepper blast. But as it fades, I get charred marshmallow. Maybe some crusty, caramelized sweet-roll. Holy crap the smell of the smoke while it sits in my ashtray is good.

This has been a great exercise. Take the band off of a cigar, and my preconceptions get removed. And I suspect that I pay more attention to what the cigar offers.

Reading and listening to some reviewers on the interwebs, they describe tastes that I have a hard time placing. I just don’t think my palate is that capable or sophisticated yet. It might never get there.

I’m really enjoying this medium-bodied cigar. I love the flavor transition it made when it passed the inch mark. I like pepper and LOVE ligero zings in cigars. But I don’t like it when they overpower the other flavors that a cigar might offer. (It is the same with hot sauce for me. Too many of the cheap hot sauces have a powerful vinegar component that gets in the way.) I can still taste the pepper in this cigar. But it has other layers of flavor underneath. Very nice.

Last draw was very meaty. I think I’m going to grill a bunch of meat today so that I can have leftovers in my lunch for the week. Haven’t had breakfast yet and I’m getting hungry. Dense, almost yeasty sweet-bread taste in the draws as I approach the end of the first third. Wow… Just took a sip of my now-cold coffee. Definitely reminds me of a breakfast sweet-roll, without the icing. This cigar is a perfect complement to black coffee.

I’m well into the second third and my fingers are getting numb from the cold. Can’t wait for some warmer, not-so-rainy weather. Flavor remains amazing. Delicious. Slightly-sweet baked bread with meaty undertones. Have you ever had a bacon maple bar? If you dialed the sweetness of one way back, you’d have the meaty, slightly-sweet interplay I’m trying to describe. I’m an hour in and have more than half the cigar left to finish.

Last third of the cigar. Nicotine starts to hit me a bit. Creamy, meaty deliciousness. Pepper amps up a bit. I’m thoroughly enjoying this cigar. Great draw, great smoke, great flavor.

I ended up nubbing this bad boy and wrapped it up at just shy of two hours. Delicious smoke. I’d buy more of them in a heartbeat.

My guess is that #1 wasn’t the yard-gar. But none of the cigars I had seemed like yard-gars. I’m at a loss as to which cigar could have been. My noob guess is that either #1 or #3 was a premium and that #2 was the mid-range. I couldn’t spot a yard gar in the bunch. Good selection, Euodias. Can’t wait to hear what they were!
NWStogie Offline
#95 Posted:
Joined: 07-25-2016
Posts: 736
Great reviews, so far. I'm planning some future purchases. Can't wait to read the rest of 'em.
ypetryna Offline
#96 Posted:
Joined: 07-19-2012
Posts: 1,323
euodias wrote:
Cigar A: Robusto Extra

Visual Inspection: light wrapper, some greenish blotches. Not too appealing. Smells distinctly of leather, like a new belt. Foot is a little loosely packed. Just by looking, I think this is the yard gar.

Clip and Draw: Draw is perfect, cold flavor is pretty much reminds me of a tack-room.

Smoking Experience: Opens really promisingly. Sweet cream and a hint of citrus. A little like a creme doughnut. As it progresses, it goes downhill, getting a little bit of bitter vegetal harshness and pepper. Burn gets a bit uneven at the midway point, more disappointing notes develop, a bit of mineral flavor sours it, and a charred flavor develops, taking it from doughnut to burn doughnut, which isn't as good.

Evaluation: Its the yard gar. Its isn't bad, if I was getting them for cheap I would chuck them halfway through and everything would be fine. It might be a cigar that improves with another 6-12 months of age, in which case it might be a hidden gem.

Cigar B: Corona Gorda Maduro

Visual Inspection: Veiny maduro wrapper, looks dyed perhaps. Smells faintly of molasses. Just by looking I think this is the mid range cigar.

Clip and Draw: Draw is fine, cold flavor is vaguely campfire-ish

Smoking Experience: Cigar is dense and smokes slowly. Its got a kind of bbq'd meat sweetness. Ash is stark white. Pepper builds as it progresses, with a hint of marshmallow. Fairly strong cigar, but not killer. Construction was solid with no burn issues. No chocolate, I want chocolate :(

Evaluation: Overall, it was a pretty straight forward maduro, which isn't something I reach for much. If it is mid priced cigar, I can see it being worth the money, but the blend just isn't for me.

Cigar C: Robusto Extra, light wrapper

Visual Inspection: This is a perfect looking cigar, smooth, flawless wrapper. Just by looking you can tell this is a high end cigar. Prettier than a cigar ever needs to be, it seems clear that a lot of effort has been put into making a perfect roll. This is the high end cigar, it has to be.

Clip and Draw: Smells of barnyard with a wide open draw. Some flakes of tobacco fall out.

Smoking Experience: Perfect burn, long ash. Flawless performance. Pretty strong, but not face melting. Tons of pepper with some fruitiness underneath. Fairly one dimensional, without much change until the very end, with the last couple of puffs bringing in some woody notes. Too much power and not enough finesse.

Evaluation: Im going to go ahead and guess that this is an AF Don Carlos Anniversary. If it isn't, I bet its another high end Fuente. Really well made, but it didn't have enough going on to keep me interested. If the pepper had faded sooner, I think there maybe a lot more going on in the background. Probably a good aging candidate.

Fun stuff, thanks ypetryna!


Nice reviews, hit the yard gar right on the head. the top shelf was one i picked up from a local that i have really wanted to try from all the high praise on here. it was labeled as a 50, so i think thats a robusto extra. the UC Shade is one of my favorites right now, and i haven't really ever gotten a badly constructed stick from DE. the original UC would get me off balance with the strength, so i loved when they released the CT. now i need to try to a don carlos anniversary.
Happy you enjoyed some of them!

A - HC Series White Shade Grown Robusto (yard) my go to fly fishing cigar that i dont mind losing when i battle a fish

B - AF Anejo (top shelf)

C - DE Undercrown Shade robusto (Mid)

BTW your inbox is full
tamapatom Offline
#97 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
I'm looking over the cigars....#1 is a beatiful trunk press corona.....i'll set it aside for now. The other two are maduro. They are both good looking cigars but the robusto is a tighter roll with less veins or bumps. I grab #3 a churchill.....a close call but I suspect this is the yard gar if judged visually.

I pair this with a goose prelager.....and my pain med and antibiotics.

I go for a straight cut. Easy draw. Hint of cocoa on the prelight draw. Starts smoking like a chimney. Same faint cocoa flavor followed by a slight sweetness. Relatively mild with no distinct flavors. I think, "I wonder where this is going?"

Burn is great. Develops a long ash. Goes for 1 1/2 inches white and grey and a bit flaky but firm. No pepper. Dominican? This has some promise.

Still in 1st third and ramps up some pepper on the finish. Some vague floral taste comes through now and then. Maybe this is a nic? A little change up is nice but things are moving slow and the needle doesn't rise high or often.

At about 1/4, the burn gets lopsided. A good basic cigar. Nothing yet jumps out to suggest it's anything but the yard gar.

By end of 1/3, I feel lightheaded and tired. I know it is NOT a nicotine bomb so that's not it. Must be my meds. I let it go out and I take a nap.

Feeling better. I come back at it for another try. Recut and relight. Improved flavors after sitting for a few hours. But no more pepper...no more floral. Hmm. Maybe because I switched to a Sam Adams IPL? Is it the beer talking?

Still no wow. It goes out and I relight again. Still working it. Halfway now. Getting bored. End of session.

I was hoping this might be a good yard gar that I would want to pick up at the right price, especially since its a churchill. Not sure there is one for me however. If I am way off on this, blame the hangover of adreneline combined with drugs.

Don't tell me what this is until I do the other two.
frankj1 Offline
#98 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
tamapatom wrote:
I'm looking over the cigars....#1 is a beatiful trunk press corona.....i'll set it aside for now. The other two are maduro. They are both good looking cigars but the robusto is a tighter roll with less veins or bumps. I grab #3 a churchill.....a close call but I suspect this is the yard gar if judged visually.

I pair this with a goose prelager.....and my pain med and antibiotics.

I go for a straight cut. Easy draw. Hint of cocoa on the prelight draw. Starts smoking like a chimney. Same faint cocoa flavor followed by a slight sweetness. Relatively mild with no distinct flavors. I think, "I wonder where this is going?"

Burn is great. Develops a long ash. Goes for 1 1/2 inches white and grey and a bit flaky but firm. No pepper. Dominican? This has some promise.

Still in 1st third and ramps up some pepper on the finish. Some vague floral taste comes through now and then. Maybe this is a nic? A little change up is nice but things are moving slow and the needle doesn't rise high or often.

At about 1/4, the burn gets lopsided. A good basic cigar. Nothing yet jumps out to suggest it's anything but the yard gar.

By end of 1/3, I feel lightheaded and tired. I know it is NOT a nicotine bomb so that's not it. Must be my meds. I let it go out and I take a nap.

Feeling better. I come back at it for another try. Recut and relight. Improved flavors after sitting for a few hours. But no more pepper...no more floral. Hmm. Maybe because I switched to a Sam Adams IPL? Is it the beer talking?

Still no wow. It goes out and I relight again. Still working it. Halfway now. Getting bored. End of session.

I was hoping this might be a good yard gar that I would want to pick up at the right price, especially since its a churchill. Not sure there is one for me however. If I am way off on this, blame the hangover of adreneline combined with drugs.

Don't tell me what this is until I do the other two.


screw the cigar, send me what you're on! HA!
delta1 Offline
#99 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,753
this class of cigar reviewers is top notch...keep up the entertaining info...
Mandoman Offline
#100 Posted:
Joined: 12-27-2005
Posts: 4,761
Smoked #2, 5 X 50? torpedo maduro. Looks good, smooth wrapper, no prominent veins.
First puffs, charcoal/oaky with a little pepper.
About 1/3, pepper decreased and leather replaced the oaky flavor.
2/3, spice disappeared, leathery flavor increased slightly, with coffee hints.
Near the end, spice returned.
Throughout, the smoke had a creamy feel.
Overall, nice fairly mild smoke with pleasant flavors.
I would smoke these regularly.
Users browsing this topic
Guest
5 Pages<12345>