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

Last post 4 years ago by mikinva. 197 replies replies.
4 Pages1234>
Room 101 Chief Cool Arrow - opinions?
Pudding Mittens Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
.
Hey guys.

Some online retailer I can't mention here (due to the forum rules) has Room 101 Chief Cool Arrow on super-cheap closeout sale, some vitolas with free shipping too.

These were a 2016 limited-edition from Room 101, with each vitola limited to 1000 to 1500 boxes each (depending on vitola), never to be made again. The blend is from 5 countries, with Mexican San Andreas ligero wrapper, Honduran corojo binder, and the fillers are Nicaraguan Esteli ligero, Pennsylvania ligero and Dominican Piloto Cubano.

That blend sounds fantastic to me!

However, I've never tried one yet. Online reviews are pretty glowingly positive, and say it's worth the $12.50-$14.50 each price tag it had upon release (when the reviews were written).

So when they're $4.00-$4.75 each on ultra-cheap blowout final liquidiation sale, I'm betting it's one hell of a deal.

You guys who've smoked them: if I buy a few boxes at these cheap prices, will I be happy or sad, in your opinion? How are these cigars?

Thanks!
.
zitotczito Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2006
Posts: 6,441
I just got a box from them and it's a decent cigar and burns pretty quick(Filerokee). Great high quality burn. Excellent smoke output. Lots of smoke and flavor. At this price vs MSRP it is a good deal.
Phil222 Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 10-01-2017
Posts: 1,911
Only had one. I enjoyed it.
frankj1 Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
one review on cigargeeks.com (not a competitor reference).
That guy hated it.
Ewok126 Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 06-25-2017
Posts: 4,356
I was looking at my notes, Yes I keep notes cause I can't remember chit, I was gifted a couple by some of the brothers here. According to my notes, I had written that the flavor was fairly complex. Burn was good, Ash was good, smoke output was great. A side note I had written on the second one was to purchase some if the opportunity arose at my local B&M which did not happen due to my B&M didn't carry them. So, evidently I liked them a lot.

With that said, if you take Hank for example he loves Gurkhas, when most of us here do not for our own reasons. So, as to if you will be happy or sad only you can answer that one after you make the purchase and give em a go. Since the price seemed to catch your eye I would say give it a try and come to your own conclusion.

Better to be sad at buying a box or 3 vs being sad you missed out once they are gone forever. Beer
corey sellers Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,338
Details please
Pudding Mittens Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
corey sellers wrote:
Details please

Ever hear of "the MB3 place"? Not its real name of course, but I can't say its real name. I'm also not saying that they have anything referenced in this thread, heavens no! Just mentioning them for no reason at all! Herfing

Ewok126 wrote:
I was looking at my notes ... evidently I liked them a lot.

With that said, if you take Hank for example he loves Gurkhas, when most of us here do not for our own reasons. So, as to if you will be happy or sad only you can answer that one after you make the purchase and give em a go. Since the price seemed to catch your eye I would say give it a try and come to your own conclusion.

Yeah, I realize everyone's palate is different, but it's still good to get a consensus opinion from a lot of guys. Tell me, do you like AJ Fernandez stuff? Because I love it. I've found that guys who like AJ stuff tend to have a similar palate to mine.

Quote:

Better to be sad at buying a box or 3 vs being sad you missed out once they are gone forever. Beer

Sound logic, sir. I ordered three boxes, one box of Ranflajo, which I snagged when they were $85 with freeship about 2 hours before they jacked them to $95 without freeship where they sit currently, and two boxes of Filerokee, which happily have remained at $80 with freeship, and several reviewers said it's their favorite of the three vitolas, for what that's worth, so the Filerokee sounds like the current "sweet spot" of value, being the cheapest vitola and the only one with free shipping currently.

Thanks for the perspective and opinion, all of you!

By the way, the Ranflajo reportedly ARE 6.5 inches long, despite many sites and articles saying they're 5.5. Apparently some of Room 101's own press releases mistakenly say 5.5, so there's been confusion. However the ruler says 6.5. Kind of a big mistake for Room 101's PR department, but go figure. I'll take the extra inch, obviously, it's a good thing!
.
corey sellers Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,338
Yeah rhymes with bolts
Ewok126 Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 06-25-2017
Posts: 4,356
Pudding Mittens wrote:



Yeah, I realize everyone's palate is different, but it's still good to get a consensus opinion from a lot of guys. Tell me, do you like AJ Fernandez stuff? Because I love it. I've found that guys who like AJ stuff tend to have a similar palate to mine.


Sound logic, sir. I ordered three boxes, one box of Ranflajo, which I snagged when they were $85 with freeship about 2 hours before they jacked them to $95 without freeship where they sit currently, and two boxes of Filerokee, which happily have remained at $80 with freeship, and several reviewers said it's their favorite of the three vitolas, for what that's worth, so the Filerokee sounds like the current "sweet spot" of value, being the cheapest vitola and the only one with free shipping currently.

Thanks for the perspective and opinion, all of you!



Very true, I know none of the guys here has ever steered me wrong and pretty much everything I have or have ever have gotten was based on their thoughts and opinions.

I have had Ave Maria Argentum and the Enclave Broadleaf and loved them both but then again I pretty much like any full bodied, full flavor cigar. I am one of those idjits that go for any cigar that kicks in what few teeth I have left. That's why I love LFD so much. I am also a cigarette smoker since the age of 13 and LFD's can still make my knees wobble when it comes to a nic kick.
Whistlebritches Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
Found a review that mentioned their likeness to the LFD Double Ligero line.That was all I needed to go two boxes deep on the Filerokee.

Thanks for the info PM
ZRX1200 Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,476
Had me at S.A. wrapper, pass
Pudding Mittens Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
Whistlebritches wrote:
Found a review that mentioned their likeness to the LFD Double Ligero line.That was all I needed to go two boxes deep on the Filerokee.

Thanks for the info PM

I didn't see that particular review, Whistle. That sounds great! Do you have the URL by any chance? I'd love to read the rest of it.

You're quite welcome, glad to share the info! You guys (and other cigar guys elsewhere) have helped me immensely over the years.

ZRX1200 wrote:
Had me at S.A. wrapper, pass

"Mexico" used to be a bad word in the cigar world, but IMO that's not been true for awhile. Some San Andreas leaf is pretty nice, and this is ligero, the high priming, so extra oomph. Also, look at the rest of the blend! PA ligero, Esteli ligero, DR Piloto Cubano, Honduran corojo. Tell me that doesn't sound friggin' delicious!

That said, if you categorically hate S.A. tobacco in all forms and all primings, and it doesn't matter what else it's paired with, then I respect that. Everyone's different! But I have no such qualms personally.
.
csgamecock Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 05-08-2012
Posts: 2,447
ZRX1200 wrote:
Had me at S.A. wrapper, pass


Your opinion doesn't matter...... Pass...... RollEyes RollEyes RollEyes
dstieger Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 06-22-2007
Posts: 10,889
Pudding Mittens wrote:

That said, if you categorically hate S.A. tobacco in all forms and all primings, and it doesn't matter what else it's paired with, then I respect that. Everyone's different! But I have no such qualms personally.
.



Something 'different' about S.A. It's sort of a strange thing. I'm exactly like ZRX. I have not had any S.A. wrapped cigars that I truly enjoyed. In fact, it is probably the only wrapper that I can identify blind almost every time. There are a very few that I can tolerate - where the 'SA-effect' seems a bit muted, but I can still tell and won't buy them any more (Illusione Maduro and Undercrown Maduro come to mind.)

Two telling examples are limited runs of cigars that I absolutely loved, but following years had S.A. wrappers and both times, I immediately bought new runs without knowing the change; but knew immediately upon smoking them; Oliva V Maduro, and Las Calaveras.
bgz Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
I like San Andreas wrappers. Like other maduros, they get relegated to golf course duty.
Whistlebritches Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
ZRX1200 wrote:
Had me at S.A. wrapper, pass


My favorite Maduro wrapper hands down.........been digging Padron's for years.
ZRX1200 Offline
#17 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,476
LaDC Mi Amor (reserve and normal) is the one I can think of I like.
ZRX1200 Offline
#18 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,476
Whistlebritches wrote:
My favorite Maduro wrapper hands down.........been digging Padron's for years.




LIES!!!!
Pudding Mittens Offline
#19 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
.
Here's something amusing: one reviewer pointed out that "Cool Arrow" sounds like the Spanish word "culero", which in the Mexican version of Spanish basically means... well, the forum software will censor it, so let's use dollar signs instead, and say: "a$$hole".

Also note that the Chief is carrying the space helmet of Johnny Tobacconaut (Room 101's prior-year limited release in 2015) under his arm, leading one to assume that he murdered poor Johnny. Why? Because he's "Chief A$$hole", apparently!

Matt Booth sure does have an active imagination.
.
Whistlebritches Offline
#20 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
ZRX1200 wrote:
LIES!!!!


Ok dickweed...........what have I told you.I can't stand Ct broadleaf maduro's,all I get is pencil lead.There are a handful I like........a very small handful.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#21 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
.
Just got my boxes in.

Presentation: Heavy, slick, glossy box with metallic printing, raised-lip Spanish cedar construction, nice interior accents inside the lid, possibly useable as a humidor if it passes a seal test. Tissue-paper-wrapped cigars with logo'd paper tube over that. Top-notch presentation all-around.

Filerokee: perfect construction, orangey-chocolatey smell and cold draw, complex flavors, great smooth retrohale flavors, overall strong but not too strong, good nic-kick, clearly worth way more than $4 each, smoke time 65 minutes.

Ranflajo: will try later tonight and report back.
.
Ewok126 Offline
#22 Posted:
Joined: 06-25-2017
Posts: 4,356
It sounds like Puddin is digging the Chief so far. It is hard to go wrong with any of Matt's older stuff before the Divorce.
bgz Offline
#23 Posted:
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
I like most of what I tried from Room 101. Just checked out the site on these, I would guess I would like them.

Bought some Room 101 Masters collection with the Ecuador Habano wrapper (papi chulo, love that size).

I bought them along with the Room 101 San Andreas with the SA wrapper in the corona size.

Bought them from the same place, always have clearance deals on Room 101. Both are good smokes in my opinion.

Have bought others in the past as well, don't remember what they were though.
Ewok126 Offline
#24 Posted:
Joined: 06-25-2017
Posts: 4,356
Room101 Ichiban and the Room101 Uncle Lee Ranfla was my absolute favorites of the whole bunch.

Still breaks my heart to see em go.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#25 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
Ewok126 wrote:
Room101 Ichiban and the Room101 Uncle Lee Ranfla was my absolute favorites of the whole bunch.

Still breaks my heart to see em go.

For what it's worth, one reviewer said that Uncle Lee and Chief Cool Arrow were his favorites, but that the chief edged out the uncle by a little.

Just finished the Ranflajo. It's about the same as the Filerokee, it just lasts longer. Smoke time: 87 minutes.

If I had to pick a favorite, the Filerokee has a slight edge, and it's $15 cheaper and unlike the Ranflajo, has free shipping.
.
Ewok126 Offline
#26 Posted:
Joined: 06-25-2017
Posts: 4,356
Get what you can because once Davidoff empties his warehouse of em they are gone forever.
Palama Offline
#27 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
Whistlebritches wrote:
Ok dickweed...........what have I told you.I can't stand Ct broadleaf maduro's,all I get is pencil lead.There are a handful I like........a very small handful.


I’ll keep that in mind. Whistle
bgz Offline
#28 Posted:
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
Whistlebritches wrote:
Ok dickweed...........what have I told you.I can't stand Ct broadleaf maduro's,all I get is pencil lead.There are a handful I like........a very small handful.


Great, now that I read this... that's all I'm going to taste next time I smoke a CT broadleaf. Thanks for that.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#29 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
Ewok126 wrote:
It is hard to go wrong with any of Matt's older stuff before the Divorce.

Divorce? Do tell. I hadn't heard of that. Personal divorce (with a spouse) or figurative "divorce" meaning two businesses splitting up (or similar), and why'd it make his cigars go downhill?
.
Ewok126 Offline
#30 Posted:
Joined: 06-25-2017
Posts: 4,356
Pudding Mittens wrote:
Divorce? Do tell. I hadn't heard of that. Personal divorce (with a spouse) or figurative "divorce" meaning two businesses splitting up (or similar), and why'd it make his cigars go downhill?
.



Tow business splitting.

Ever since he left davidoff (to me) his cigars just have not tasted the same to me. The hit and run for example, Don't get me wrong it's a great smoke but there is something lacking. In the Ichiban and Uncle Lee there was a very unique taste that I have only found in the old Room 101 stuff. Still to this date I can not described what that taste is but it's there and I love it.

I was very heart broken when I tried the first Hit and Run as it was lacking that. Just my opinion of course. Beer
csgamecock Offline
#31 Posted:
Joined: 05-08-2012
Posts: 2,447
Ewok126 wrote:
Tow business splitting.

Ever since he left davidoff (to me) his cigars just have not tasted the same to me. The hit and run for example, Don't get me wrong it's a great smoke but there is something lacking. In the Ichiban and Uncle Lee there was a very unique taste that I have only found in the old Room 101 stuff. Still to this date I can not described what that taste is but it's there and I love it.

I was very heart broken when I tried the first Hit and Run as it was lacking that. Just my opinion of course. Beer



Someone send me Ewoks snailer ........... He needs to try a couple of the Room 101 Farce and I've got plenty lol....Right Ron?

Herfing Herfing
Pudding Mittens Offline
#32 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
Ewok126 wrote:
Ever since he left davidoff (to me) his cigars just have not tasted the same to me.

Oh. Well I don't know much about Room 101's history of business alliances, but these Chief Cool Arrow boxes all day "Davidoff" prominently on the back, so apparently they're from the "good era", then.

By the way, I just had another Filerokee, this time paired with some good strong coffee with cream, and I smoked it a bit more slowly. Wow. I got more and better flavors, including hints of that orange that's in the box smell and cold draw taste, plus a little mint and more chocolate. Same impeccable construction and burn as the prior examples too, plus it lasted about 75 minutes this time instead of 65. Major levels of complexity, and again, a good nic-kick too, but no harshness at all, very smooth.

If you get these, guys, smoke 'em slow for maximum flavor. Coffee-n-cream pairing highly recommended for flavor enhancement/complementing.

I'm still amazed that a variable-ring cigar with a nipple foot doesn't need ANY corrective burns, just light the nipple and put your lighter away after that, with an even burn line the whole rest of the cigar. Very impressive, never saw that before with such a vitola. Top-notch construction.

Gonna have to break down and order more boxes, I think, before they're gone forever.
.
Whistlebritches Offline
#33 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
csgamecock wrote:
Someone send me Ewoks snailer ........... He needs to try a couple of the Room 101 Farce and I've got plenty lol....Right Ron?

Herfing Herfing


Between the two of us we could crush him.
Whistlebritches Offline
#34 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
Palama wrote:
I’ll keep that in mind. Whistle


Hey I told you no funny stuff while we're in Vegas.
Whistlebritches Offline
#35 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
bgz wrote:
Great, now that I read this... that's all I'm going to taste next time I smoke a CT broadleaf. Thanks for that.


It's probably just me.............
Ewok126 Offline
#36 Posted:
Joined: 06-25-2017
Posts: 4,356
csgamecock wrote:
Someone send me Ewoks snailer ........... He needs to try a couple of the Room 101 Farce and I've got plenty lol....Right Ron?

Herfing Herfing



Dont no one be sending chit. Ewok don't have an address no more. The Zoo does not allow any kind of smoking. Anxious
Palama Offline
#37 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,461
Whistlebritches wrote:
Hey I told you no funny stuff while we're in Vegas.


Don't worry, I'm no Don Rickles. jester
Pudding Mittens Offline
#38 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
.
The Ranflajos have just dropped from $95 without free shipping to $85 with free shipping, at least for the moment. Good time to get in!

Although the Filerokees, holding steady at $80 with free shipping, are also a fine idea. Even though they last about 20 minutes less (about 65 versus 85 minutes), they seem a little stronger and more concentrated and just have a different overall character with more transitions, probably due to the significantly different shape:

https://img.mshanken.com/d/cao/incopy/chief--cool-arrow-1-600-1.jpg

Filerokee is on the left, Ranflajo in the center. Notice the serious differences. Compared to the Ranflajo, the Filerokee has a wider maximum ring gauge and a notably steeper taper of the body that narrows the ring gauge more rapidly as you smoke which seems to introduce more flavor changes. In fact, if you chop off the head and foot of the Ranflajo, it just looks like a straight-walled parejo.

One is tempted to think, "the Ranflajo is bigger for only $5 more a box so it's a no-brainer!" It's not as simple as that, though. You may want to consider getting some of both.

IMO you can't go wrong either way though. I certainly stocked up on both sizes, before this sale and the cigar itself goes bye-bye forever.
.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#39 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
.
Just had another Ranflajo, as an additional data point. Damn what a great cigar. It's a friggin' steal at $4.25 each with free shipping, the slick packaging is just a bonus.
.
Ewok126 Offline
#40 Posted:
Joined: 06-25-2017
Posts: 4,356
I am glad to hear you like em. They also seem to stay pretty dang consistent from cigar to cigar or, that has been the case in my experience.
corey sellers Offline
#41 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,338
Going to have to get a couple boxes myself had one the other night good smoke
csgamecock Offline
#42 Posted:
Joined: 05-08-2012
Posts: 2,447
Just got my order in and I have to say, I'm extremely impressed with the condition of these smokes after being a 2016 release.
I'm still debating if I like the cigars or the packaging better! the box is an absolute piece of work lol
Pudding Mittens Offline
#43 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
csgamecock wrote:
Just got my order in and I have to say, I'm extremely impressed with the condition of these smokes after being a 2016 release.
I'm still debating if I like the cigars or the packaging better! the box is an absolute piece of work lol

Open the box, stick your nose in it near either end of the sticks (in the middle the scent is less potent) and take a deep sniff. Orange-chocolate smell, and not subtle either! Try it!

Same orange-chocolate flavor on the cold draws too, and if you smoke slowly enough (seriously, very slow) you'll probably taste a little orange in the puffs of smoke too, along with slightly more pronounced mint and much more pronounced chocolate flavors. Mmmmmmmmm.

The boxes are gorgeous, yes. As I said, they're probably usable as humidors (but seal/leak-testing would be a good idea). They look like good candidates though.
.
Whistlebritches Offline
#44 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
csgamecock wrote:
Just got my order in and I have to say, I'm extremely impressed with the condition of these smokes after being a 2016 release.
I'm still debating if I like the cigars or the packaging better! the box is an absolute piece of work lol


I have two boxes arriving tomorrow.They'll get the standard 72 hour deep freeze nap then a month or two's rest..........then maybe I'll burn one.
Pudding Mittens Offline
#45 Posted:
Joined: 08-15-2016
Posts: 1,291
.
My pal came over and smoked a CCA tonight, out on the covered patio, in a light rain. Big mistake. He couldn't keep it lit, had to keep relighting and it got soft and had no flavors.

I was smoking a different cigar, but it was 2-years-aged also and known to be a good cigar, and sure enough it had the same set of problems.

Cigars really do suck up the water vapor in such an environment, and mighty quickly too. Ugh.

We know bettter than to smoke outdoors when it's raining or has recently rained with water still on the ground, but we did it anyway.

Yet another data point indicating, "DON'T DO IT, YOU FOOLS!" Next time we'll actually listen.

So, don't evaluate the CCA (or any cigar) in such conditions! Wait for a nice dry day.
.
danmdevries Offline
#46 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,124
someone wanna pm me where the deal is?

I need to buy a few boxes of reasonably decent smokes for my father in law for Christmas. He'll smoke a bundle cigar or a super premium and say they're the same, but I grab one every time I'm over there so I like to keep him stocked with decent stuff. Usually refill him with the MB3 deal, same place??

ETA: Got PM'd yes same place
jjanecka Offline
#47 Posted:
Joined: 12-08-2015
Posts: 4,334
Good luck with cheif culero
Cereal City Cigar Smoker Offline
#48 Posted:
Joined: 03-30-2006
Posts: 14,587
I'm late to the dance here, bur CCA is a good smoke. I've gifted quite a few out and the feedback has always been positive.

HERFON!

c3s
Ewok126 Offline
#49 Posted:
Joined: 06-25-2017
Posts: 4,356
Whoooo Hoooo c3s. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. One of the first CCA I had came from c3s. Like I said these fellows will not lead you wrong.
99cobra2881 Offline
#50 Posted:
Joined: 11-19-2013
Posts: 2,472
Well chit my coolers still full from that places last clearance deal on the very old Camacho’s.

$80 and a free ride is tough to pass on but my cigar box Tetris is good but not that good!!!
Users browsing this topic
Guest
4 Pages1234>