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Last post 22 months ago by Sunoverbeach. 142 replies replies.
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Blind Review 2022
mjrburn Offline
#51 Posted:
Joined: 02-28-2016
Posts: 1,590
Jake's blind tasting package landed yesterday, 17 stogies, many I've never had.

First, the ones I can identify...

- 300 Manos Habano churchill, nh, smells great.
- Aganorsa Leaf Signature robusto, good cigar.
- Blackbird Unkind robusto, had one way back, gonna be nice to revisit.
- Caldwell BMB robusto, love these!
- Corona Intensa FSG toro, nh and never heard of, the blend sounds interesting.
- DPG Original (blue) lancero, nh this vitola, great blend.
- FOH Nudies Maduro lancero, nh, can't wait to try.
- FOH Nudies Rosado lancero, nh, anxious to try this one also.
- Foundation The Tabernacle Broadleaf lancero, nh this vitola, delicious in other sizes.
- HE Brazilian Maduro short cg, nh and don't know why, can't wait.
- Illusione Haut 10 toro, nh this vitola, killer good blend.
- MF Le Bijou toro, love all the MFs, especially the Bijou!
- Tat Nuevitas Jibaro No 2, nh, have one resting but haven't smoked one yet.
- Warped Serie Gran Reserva 1988, my favorite Warped offering so far.

Then we have the blind smokes...

BOB - light brown 6x52 toro

FRED - medium brown 6x50 toro

HARRY - dark brown 4.75x50 bp robusto

Thanks for the awesome assortment, Jake, I look forward to spending some quality time with every one of these beauties! I'll let them acclimate a few days and then get started on the 3 blind fellas.
delta1 Offline
#52 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,753
Hey DED/fellas !!! I'm heading up to the mountains with my son and daughter and their families...will be back on Friday, June 24.

I'll do the taste tests when I return...I need to concentrate without disturbance in a relaxed environment to do an adequate evaluation...mountain cabin with four grandkids will not be conducive...apologies for the delay.
deadeyedick Offline
#53 Posted:
Joined: 03-13-2003
Posts: 16,952
No hurry. I might get my package from Marcus if the USPS gets their head outta their ars late this week. So far it has gone from SC to San Jose where it sat for two days and then got a tracking update that it left SJ and a day later it left SJ again. WTF?
Sunoverbeach Offline
#54 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
I'm having trouble lining up some quiet time myself. The goal is there though, for what it's worth
deadeyedick Offline
#55 Posted:
Joined: 03-13-2003
Posts: 16,952
Just got a LARGE box from Marcus (mjrburn) and I’m pretty sure he skipped over the suggested requirements listed in the OP as this thing was larger than a LFR and packed to the hilt.

Three mystery cigars. All in around 52 RG vitolas. Gave them a quick look but put them away for a nap since they travelled across the US coast to coast before coming back to Az. Will dive in as soon as they settle down.

Seven extras all looking way too inviting to last:

Aladino Corojo Reserva #4 NH this wrapper
Black Works Hyena CG NH any Black Works
Don Carlos #4 Love me most any Don Carlos
Four Kicks Capa Especial CG NH
Nomad Milk Chocolate & Coffee Truffles NH but sounds interesting
Plasencia Cosecha 146 La Vega Love some 146 but not sure I have had this one
Sombremesa Short Robusto Never had one I didn’t like

A nubber tool made with a wooden pistol grip type handle. Looks like maybe black walnut? Beautiful piece of functional art!

Six beers from local SC breweries. Just in time for hot weather sipping:

Coast Brewing Hop Art IPA
Fatty’s Lazy Hazy Juicy IPA
Hi-Wire Double Hi-Pitch Imperial IPA
Westbrook Four Claw Triple IPA
Birds Fly South Sometimes Goats Doppelbock
Sycamore Mountain Candy IPA

I will be taking some of the beers and cigars up to the mile-high house tomorrow and looking forward to trying these. Might have to share a few sips with the wife as she has transitioned from Summer Shandy to higher IBU beers with my help recently and won’t even touch the lite stuff anymore.

Thanks Marcus!
mjrburn Offline
#56 Posted:
Joined: 02-28-2016
Posts: 1,590
Glad everything made it safely! I was beginning to wonder if it was ever gonna leave Cali. Enjoy!
mjrburn Offline
#57 Posted:
Joined: 02-28-2016
Posts: 1,590
deadeyedick wrote:
A nubber tool made with a wooden pistol grip type handle. Looks like maybe black walnut? Beautiful piece of functional art!

Yes, you are correct, it is walnut with stainless steel pokers and was handmade by our very on Cbid brother Telecaster52. Sorry I forgot to include that info in my letter. d'oh!
Whistlebritches Offline
#58 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
Jake according to tracking it has landed


Ron
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#59 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
Got it Ron thanks!
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#60 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
I was gonna wait a little while for acclimation. However. I believe I’ll light up #2 now

Bout a lonsdale nice cold draw. Pretty open. I don’t pay much attention to cold draw flavors. I usually can’t pick them up. I’ve also never really seen any evidence the cold draw gives any clues as to what the cigar will taste like lit.

Light black pepper on the initial light. Smooth I can nearly retro the entire puff. Seems to be settling into the medium full with more body than flavor. Nice start I’m liking it smoke output is pretty well spot on.
Burn line is respectable.
After dropping the ash and nearing the end of the first third there’s a new flavor moving in. I can’t put my finger on what to call it. But I taste it. The classic pepper is still there but more in the background

2nd third. This new unknown flavor has become the main flavor. Still no idea how to explain it. More like some type of a spice. Certainly something I’ve tasted in cigars before. Burn line has wiggled around but needed no correction. Pretty confident it’ll continue its pattern.

Final third
Hanging around the lower end of full flavor and body Still rolling with a light pepper tingle. Black pepper basically. The unknown flavor is still there. Maybe some extra leather. I do believe it will finish that way.

Final guess is this is the ever day type o smoke.
Believe it’s Nicaraguan. Likely a puro. As far as which cigar. No clue

Don’t think it’s oliva ,my father, fuente (originally thought it was. Doubt it now). Not perdomo.

Final smoke time was just at an hour. There’s a few puffs left


Well stored cigar whistle. Smoked flawlessly I liked it I’d certainly smoke it again
stinger88 Offline
#61 Posted:
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
2 down, 1 to go.
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#62 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
Next up #3 unbanded robusto
Beginning kinda like a Smokey cherry on the retro. Very smooth no pepper to mention. Maybe some light cocoa and spices I’m not familiar with. Good start fairly full flavor and body. Pretty well rolled cigar. Burn line is crisp. Tastes like a joya Antano 1970.
2nd slight creamy taste with that kinda charred cherry on the retro. Some mineral flavor that’s tastes good. A little wood or leather. Strength is picking up a little. Certainly full at this point. The cherry flavor seems to come and go. Almost the flavor of smoking meat with cherry wood. I’ve gotten that flavor from antano and master blend 3s. Pretty sure this isn’t a master blend. Think they’re all box pressed. This still makes me think antano. Similar blend maybe. Real good cigar. Flavors kinda cycle around enough to say it’s fairly complex. Enough to keep this one pretty interesting.
Final third
Still rolling with the same flavors mentioned. They’ve gotten a bit deeper Darker maybe. If I really let the cigar sit then take a big draw it’s just like a good bbq should smell. Burn line has been a razor since I lit it. Rolled near perfect. Gonna wrap this up. Cigar will burn around 50 minutes. I smoked a little fast.

Final guess. This is the Midcard smoke. Nicaraguan

Jumping out a window guessing it’s a joya antano

Another nice cigar whistle.
deadeyedick Offline
#63 Posted:
Joined: 03-13-2003
Posts: 16,952
Nice 78 degree morning after my 5 mile stroll so I picked out the #3 blind from Marcus and away we go.

About 4 7/8 X 52 robusto with a golden colorado dryish wrapper and a lumpy cap. Cold draw says hay and maybe some wood. Very easy draw and a razor straight burn for the 1 hour duration with a white ash that held firm for 2" when I tapped it. Good amount of smoke output but I could not peg any specific notes beyond the hay and a little wood in a light-medium and somewhat one-dimensional flavor profile. Very pleasant aroma but just no specific notes and almost no spice even on the retro. I'm glad I picked this one as a morning smoke as it's a very easy going profile.

I'm assuming this is the everyday type of smoke and I did enjoy it.

Edit from Marcus on July 6: Illusione Rothchildes Connecticut, every day.
Sunoverbeach Offline
#64 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Plebian Palate Reviews Vol III

Cigar #1

Looks to be a Churchill. 7.5” in length. Guessing 52ish gauge
Light brown wrapper with I believe a triple cap. Very smooth with tight seams and small veins.
Pretty light in the hand with a fair amount of give throughout, but not overly spongy.
Easy draw. No need for adjustment. I'm no good with the pre-light flavahs.

Tanginess was prevalent on lighting, along with a sweet tobacco flavor, and some creaminess in the background. Almost no spice even on the retrohale. Very smooth.
Ash was light gray with some darker spots. It held pretty tight for about an inch before I tapped it since I feared for my crotch.
Burn was nice and straight.

About a 3rd of the way in some pepper began to develop. I’d call it white pepper, mild and not overpowering.

1/2way required a slight touchup to the burn. The tanginess gives way to more of a charred oaky taste which then morphs into a toasted marshmallow.
Strength seems in the mild range, possibly edging towards med.

Around the last 1/3 the pepper strengthens, probably more of a black pepper at this point. The tanginess makes a resurgence, then fades again leaving a creamy pepper to the end, if that makes any sense whatsoever. A crack develops near the cap, probably due to my troll like fingers.

Total smoke time was 1½ hours, a little shorter than I anticipated, but it wasn’t as dense of some cigars I’ve come across.

I’ll admit I didn’t expect much going into this, being what appears to be a connie. At first glance, I was fully set to stick this in the yard gar category. I was pleasantly surprised by the construction, the burn, and the flavor. Who knows? Maybe I’m maturing as a person and am learning to appreciate different things. Sure, that's plausible!

Anyway, I’m tentatively placing this one at mid-range status until I see how the next two fare. Good smoke. Thanks, David
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#65 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
Last blind smoke from whistle

Red pepper on the initial light. Hay, think I’d call the other flavors baking spices. Maybe some graham cracker in there too. Off to a heck of a start here. Some floral notes kicking in. This cigar is rolled incredibly tight. To the point I was afraid the draw would potentially be plugged. Smokes perfect. Draw is perfect. Burn line is razor sharp
Hanging around medium body. Flavor I’d call full. Profile is right up my alley and very complex. Ash is very firm. I knocked it off. Kinda didn’t wanna let go but I don’t like 3inches of ash hanging off my cigar.
2nd third
Hints of vanilla Strong vanilla. A lot of sweet spices involved. Maybe some Cuban twang going on here. Wrapper is fairly dark. So that kinda throws me. This is one hell of a cigar. No matter where it’s from. Among the best cigars I’ve ever smoked. All the flavors I’ve mentioned are still here. They come and go. The hay is back presently. 2-3 draws from now it’ll be graham crackers.
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#66 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
Final third.
Real gentle touch up just to keep things pretty. There could even be some new flavors at this point. Tastes like very well blended tobacco.
Light red pepper. Maybe graham cracker. Carmel. Yeah I’m making stuff up at this point.

This was a robusto by the way. Smoke time 1 hour. I could stretch it a little longer. Probably will. Very good cigar. My guess is top shelf

Maybe Cuban. Feeling pretty good about that. But it’s a darker wrapper than I’m used to seeing. My experience with Cubans is pretty slim. So just going with Cuban.
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#67 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
So how’d I do whistle
Sunoverbeach Offline
#68 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Some nice reviews, JtS, regardless of how you did
Sunoverbeach Offline
#69 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Plebian Palate Reviews Vol III

Cigar #2

This one is looking corona gordaish. About 6" in length and a 46-48 gauge.
Wrapper's a med brown. Looks like milk chocolate. Seams are tight, mostly small veins with a couple of larger ones running the length of the cigar.
The feel is fairly firm throughout. No soft spots detected.
The draw was easy. Drilling not required. Definitely more body on the cold draw, but again, I'm no good at that part.

Fire brings some sweetness, kind of caramel in nature, distinct amount of pepper, some creaminess, hints of cocoa and coffee, with a touch of leather.
Tasting pretty Nicaraguan and very much like a Tatuaje.

Ash is a darker gray and flaring at the end. I don't trust the structural integrity, and tap it off pretty quickly. Strength seems to be med to start with.

The flavors do a little dance throughout the course of the cigar. Caramel takes the lead, then pepper, then creaminess to the fore and so on. None of them really go away at any point though. I guess it's more of a dance party really.

Strength leans more towards med/full in the second half. Flavors continue their Riverdance routine.

This smoke was really good and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I actually lost track of about 20mins where I forgot I was focusing and taking notes. Whoopsie!

I'm still set on this being a Tat. I'd bet all the money in my wallet on that. Granted that's only about $7, but I'd bet it. I can't pinpoint which one, but I'm going to guess one of the brown labels. As far as categorizing, I'm torn. I definitely liked this better than the first cigar (nothing against that one) and could see it being the premium, but it could be the mid range. For now I'll give it a tentative top shelf rating with a final call to be made after I finish the 3rd.

Thanks for another good one, stinger.
mjrburn Offline
#70 Posted:
Joined: 02-28-2016
Posts: 1,590
Finished up my reviews Monday, gonna post all at once. This is going to wreck my stellar reputation as a connoisseur of the leaf... d'oh!

BOB - light brown 6x52 toro
Drink choice - Iced coffee
Scent - Strong barnyard, fresh tobacco
Dry draw - sweet grass, mild tobacco, light resistance
First 3rd - sower grass, hay, nut butter, salt
Switched my drink to beer - Buschhhhh
Second 3rd - roasted nut, mild honey, mild spice
Final 3rd - more roasted nut, sweet honey, mild pepper spice, dry mineral
Perfect burn line, heavy smoke clouds, satisfying smoke.
Dominican puro?
Think this was the every day selection.

FRED - medium brown 6x50 toro
Drink choice - Coke
Scent - Strong, fresh cow turd
Dry draw - mild sweetness, pecan, dry fruit, some resistance
First 3rd - sweet tobacco, toasted pecan and vanilla.
Second 3rd - still getting sweet tobacco but the nut flavors are closer to toasted walnut now and the vanilla has morphed into something closer to a white chocolate cordial cherry.
Final 3rd - a little black pepper, more cordial cherry and some faint syrupy notes.
Wonky burn line, a couple of minor wrapper cracks, light smoke production, very tasty.
Dominican filler? Cameroon wrapper?
Think this was the mid level choice.

HARRY - dark brown 4.75x50 bp robusto
Drink choice - Colombian coffee with whole cream
Scent - dark tobacco, diesel fuel
Dry draw - mild/sweet/dark tobacco, raisin, no resistance
First 3rd - toasted walnut, bittersweet chocolate, raisin.
Second 3rd - dark toasted walnut, dark chocolate, prune, honey.
Final 3rd - more dark walnut, dark chocolate, coffee and a dry/sweet mineral note.
Perfect burn line, excellent draw and smoke production. Very good, my favorite of the 3.
Nicaraguan? Maduro? I'll go out on a limb and guess a Padron anny.
Think this was the top shelf smoke.

Alrighty Jake, I'm ready for you to reveal. I'm sure my guesses missed by a mile but I enjoyed giving it a shot. All very good smokes, thank you sir!
Sunoverbeach Offline
#71 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Ha! Like you ever had a stellar reputation Frying pan

Nice reviewing, Marcus!
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#72 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
Bob don pepin blue One of my go to mid card.
Fred cao Nicaragua they surprised me.
Harry padron 1926
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#73 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
Cao is a Honduran wrapper with Nicaragua filler.
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#74 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
Don pepin is all Nicaragua
Stogie1020 Offline
#75 Posted:
Joined: 12-19-2019
Posts: 5,226
This is fun to watch as a spectator. Interesting to hear blind reviews of these smokes. I am sure there are more surprises than expected.
mjrburn Offline
#76 Posted:
Joined: 02-28-2016
Posts: 1,590
^ you can say that again! Really surprised about the DPG. Thanks again for the great smokes, Jake, I enjoyed every one of them!
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#77 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
Glad you liked them. You’re very welcome !
Whistlebritches Offline
#78 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
Jakethesnake86 wrote:
So how’d I do whistle



Well I'll let you be the judge of that...........drum roll please

#1 A.Flores Gran Reserva Corojo..............a real sleeper in my opinion.Sadly these have all but disappeared.........SORRY. I'd call this the "good smoke".

#2 Ashton VSG Illision.........one of my all time favorites but it MUST be smoked slow.Some of the larger ring guages in the VSG line can be pushed but this 46 rg needs a soft touch.I'm a very slow smoker so it has just always hit that spot for me.This was " top shelf" my friend.

#3 Illusione Rothschildes with roughly 6-7 years humi age on it.While I think with a few years age it smokes way above its pay grade it is just an "everyday" smoke.


Glad you enjoyed the smokes.
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#79 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
Looks like I failed pretty miserably. There’s always hope for next year lol
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#80 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
Really liked # 1. Had a very unique profile I thought
stinger88 Offline
#81 Posted:
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
Blind Review Cigar #1
Pre-light= Deep brown, not a super dark brown but deep. Looks like it has the remnants of a box press on it. Length 6 inches probably a 46-48 ring. The foot has a mix of lighter and very dark (almost black) tobacco. Cap looks a little bit sloppy.

Cigar lit easily and had an initial “sweet” draw. It went straight into a nice even burn. An interesting flavor to it. It has been while but it reminds me of a cigar I had quite some time ago (La Riqueza). A slight harshness sets in for about a half dozen inhales…didn’t really detract from the cigar. Seemed to be a transitionary point of the cigar. As it left the first 1/3 there were some surprising nuances to the flavor profile.

The harshness slipped right into a leathery flavor with tinges of sweetness hanging on. Harshness has completely gone away. The 2nd 1/3 really smoothed out and seemed to leave a bit of a “coating” in the back of the throat. Burn was still straight and had a nice light gray ash. At this point…just passed the half-way point, I wrote down that the strength was a mild-medium.

Last 1/3, I might have spoken (written) too soon about the strength. The nicotine launched itself from the top rope and came in with a thump.

Overall, the cigar wasn’t very complex to me. After a somewhat rocky start, it really evened out and became a very enjoyable smoke. I think that doing the review allowed me to enjoy this cigar fully. I was able to power through the part of the cigar that wasn’t the most enjoyable and land right in a nice little comfort zone.

I am going to say this is the lower end of the 3 cigars.

(Delta, I am going to guess that all three of the cigars that you sent me have been chilling out in your humidor(s) for a decent amount of time. Thanks for a good one right out of the gate.)
delta1 Offline
#82 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,753
Blind Taste Review: 6/24/2022

Cigar “A”, sent by DED


Start time: 8:55pm Finish: 10:07pm Duration: 1 hr, 12 min


The cigar measured 5 and 5/8” and its ring gauge was a tight 46, a loose 48 (47?). The wrapper was a reddish light brown color, dull/matte finish. Could be criollo, corojo or habano leaf. Triple cap. No obvious fragrances. Cold draw was open with a little resistance…perfect. Tasted like nearly all pre-light draws - dried fruit. Paired with iced water.

First few puffs and I noticed the absence of pepper in the flavor profile; what was there was grassy/like hay and flowery, mostly tasted through the nose. Taste buds in my mouth aren’t sensitive to subtle cigar flavors, only recognizing generic cigar smoke. A few more puffs and I’m thinking, “is that Cuban twang?” About the one inch mark, a slightly sweet bready note appears, complementing the grass and flower mixture.

It seems to be standard practice to section off a cigar into thirds when doing a review, so I’ll follow that protocol. I detected a slightly sweet citrus flavor in the second third. It replaced the flowery note. The grassy hay and bread mix is dominant, and there is more twang. Some hints of mild mint pop in and out. Strength is mild-medium. Burn is true. Ash is flaky and drops off while the cigars sits in the tray. Very good cigar! Strength coming on near end of second third as well as some very mild pepper notes. The second third ends with a nice blend of citrus, grass and bread: the flavors are blending into a kind of broth where individual flavors are difficult to pick out.

Third third and the twang retreats. The flavors remain blended together into a nice indescribable broth, without salt. Strength is picking up…feeling a little jittery. Some sweetness appears in a few puffs along with a small dash of mint. Ash holding on in second half of cigar. Final third can be summed up as a minty veggie blend.

Very nice cigar that had me drooling in anticipation of next puff. I’ll wait until I smoke “B” and “C” before ranking them and guessing their identities.

Thank you, DED, for this great cigar.


^#81: yes Stinger...cigars have been stored for awhile in my humidor...some longer than others
Sunoverbeach Offline
#83 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Plebian Palate Reviews Vol III
Cigar #3

6in in length. Looks to be about 50 gauge. A toro if I've ever seen one.

The wrapper's very dark and a bit mottled, oily sheen in the light, I'd say it's a maduro.
Seams are tight. A few fair sized stems showing. A somewhat rustic appearance overall.
The cigar feels firmly packed. Draw was easy once again. No need to adjust.

There was a blast of pepper on lighting. It faded within a couple of puffs to a very smooth smoke.
A strong taste of cedar is out front. I'm also picking up some sweetness like a molasses, some coffee notes, dark cocoa, and just a touch of salt.
The profile stayed pretty consistent throughout until the last couple of inches when the molasses made a move for top position, but then the cedar slapped it back into the pack.
I got Dominican vibes from this one. Maybe a Fuente

The burn got a little wavy at times, but generally it self corrected. I love it when a cigar does the work for me.

Ash a very light gray, almost white, and was very tight throughout. It held on through the first 3rd before I encouraged its departure into the ashtray.

Overall it was a very pleasant and consistent smoke. Burn time was an hour and a half.

So here we have another one I'm unwilling to label as an everyday smoke. It's clear to me that Stinger cheated and sent me nothing but top shelf.
Sunoverbeach Offline
#84 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Ok, so the final call for these:
#1 - Connie that surprised me with the amount of flavor it had. First glance had it as an everyday. Smoking elevated it to the mid-range and I think I'm going to stick with that.

#2 - Habano seeming wrapper that hit my sweet spot. It didn't transition the same as #1 but the flavors it had rotated nicely throughout. Seemed like a Tat and I'm leaving that at top shelf.

#3 - Maduro that burned nicely and was consistent through the smoking experience if not overly dynamic. I'll call it the everyday smoke since that's the only slot I have left.

Thanks again to stinger for the great set of smokes!
Sunoverbeach Offline
#85 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
So, a patient man would wait for David to tell me how wrong I was. But I've got an envelope of labels so fuque that chit.

#1 was an Isabella Churchill. Clearly the top shelf and deserving of such.

#2 was a Guillermo Leon corona gorda. I love these. I've smoked many, but they are definitely not a Tat and I assume intended to be the everyday smoke.

#3 was the Diamond Crown Maximus toro. Also a good smoke, but I believe intended to be the mid range in this set.

So that leaves me at 0 for 3 this year. You'd think I'd learn to take my gut instinct, shuffle the hell out of them, and finally get one or two of these right for once. Oh well. At least I had fun.
delta1 Offline
#86 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,753
don't trouble yourself over your erroneous conjectures, SOB. I haven't got anything correct over the past few years of participation. Your reviews are entertaining reads...


But...on the other hand... I haven't gone as far abroad as declaring with absolute certainty that a Nica Libre was a Padron Anniversary!!!
Sunoverbeach Offline
#87 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Yeah, being certain about something shoulda been my first clue I was off. At least nobody took me up on the $7 bet
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#88 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
Is that a true story?
Sunoverbeach Offline
#89 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Is what a true story?
ZRX1200 Offline
#90 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,473
Blind Smoke #2~

Double capped robusto with a very smooth beautiful wrapper which appears to be habano or Corojo by appearance, no seams nor prominent veins. Nose is barnyard light not heavy. Cut well pre draw is sourdough bread and red pepper.

Initial light, bad idea for a morning cigar. Tons of oak and some red pepper. A bit in and neither is subsiding, I thought for a minute that it reminded me a bit of the old DPG Cuban Classic.

Halfway point the oak and pepper have calmed their tits, getting a very faint floral impression but mainly still the oak and pepper though now not almost overwhelming. Glad to see the blend have some complexity as the construction is excellent.

Final third nothing has really changed. If I were to guess I’d say maybe I have no clue, closest thing this reminds me of is a JDN. I definitely enjoyed the first cigar more than this and not just because of the strength but the profile and complexity factor (and the first wasn’t overly complex). I wouldn’t say this is a blow torch as this was in the morning but my sinuses are tingling like Linda Lovelace’s throat. I would say I wouldn’t buy this but I didn’t hate smoking it. It performed well in construction and burn the profile just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Yes it was paired with a 5 shot breve.
delta1 Offline
#91 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,753
Blind Review, “B”, sent by DED

Start: 8:55pm Finish 10:05pm Total time: 1hr, 10min
Paired with iced water

This cigar was 5 and 1/2 inches long with a 44+ ring gauge - classic corona. The wrapper was light brown with a very slight greenish hue and a dull sheen; definitely a Connie Shade leaf. Neatly triple capped, it was solid to the pinch, firm and tightly and smoothly rolled. Negligible pre-light fragrance. Good draw.

First few puffs were surprisingly strong in flavors but not overwhelmingly so. There was a core of charred light wood, mild pepper and toast. The flavors settled down into a mild and mellow volume…some earthy herbal notes came and went in the first inch or so. There was a slight sweetness on the finish through the nose. The ash was solid until it splattered on my lap at about 1 and a half inches.

Second third and the herbal earthiness became more apparent but secondary to a transition to a toasty, bready, burnt caramel blend that became dominant as the charred wood and mild pepper faded away. Sweetness also gone. There was a creaminess in the mouth when I swirled the smoke with my tongue.

Third third came with some citrus peel notes in the mouth followed later by a few gingerbread notes. The primary flavor on the retrohale was the blend of toasted bread and caramel. They continued on as the dominant flavors and was joined by the herbal earthiness on an equal footing as the cigar approached the finish line. At the end, the charred wood joined the herbal earthiness as the toast and caramel faded. When some harshness appeared with about an inch left, I put it down.

The cigar finished at about mild to medium in strength. This was a very nice cigar that would be a perfect mild and mellow morning smoke with coffee.

Thanks to DED, for sending me this great cigar that would be perfect to start the day with a cuppa coffee.

I will make my guesses as to the identities of these fine cigars when I review the "C". It may be delayed because I am having a couple of teeth extracted tomorrow morning...
Sunoverbeach Offline
#92 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Sorry that didn't align with your tastes better, Z. If it's any consolation, I choked on my water at the calmed their tits line.
delta1 Offline
#93 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,753
oral surgeon's assistant told me to go on a one week hiatus from cigars after tooth extraction...I'll do the third review in a week and venture my guesses then.
Sunoverbeach Offline
#94 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Dry socket sucks. Take all the time you need, Delta
deadeyedick Offline
#95 Posted:
Joined: 03-13-2003
Posts: 16,952
This was marked #1 from Marcus (mjrburn)

A 6” X about 47 RG kinda a Corona Gorda with a dark Colorado, mottled, oily, lumpy wrapper and a closed foot like a Tat Black. Slightly sloppy wrapper near the foot but solid construction with some heft to it. Kinda a triple cap with a mounted head.

I picked up a little molasses on the cold draw. Very straight burn and a strong gray ash that held firm to 2” mark when tapped. Started slowly building from mild-medium to medium throughout the 70 minutes of smoking. By the 1st third the flavors were tending to roasted meaty and coffee/cream notes with some dark fruit like plum and the dense smoke was coating the tongue with a slight tingle of citrus peel. I’m thinking this is well-aged tobacco but no Nic kick was
noted .

The 2nd third intensified with a tangy but not twangy mix of very smooth notes of caramel, creamy coffee, and plum cake or maybe raisin . Very subtle flavors of molasses and some dark sweet tea played nicely with toasty leather that appeared about that point. The last 3rd was more of the same but never passed the medium and almost no spice even on the retro. Very well balanced and subtle throughout with creamy notes of raisin, leather and plum coming and going constantly. Toward the end the it got a little stronger but never got hot and left that roasted meat taste on the pallet for hours.

Nubbed it with the nubber tool that Marcus gifted and thoroughly enjoyed it. I might call this the top shelf cigar except for the rustic construction, so I’m going to say the medium tier. I would smoke these any day and need to know what it was. Very interesting and right in my wheelhouse for a medium smoke.

Thanks Markus!

Edit from Markus on July 6: Stolen Throne Call To Arms cg, mid level.
ZRX1200 Offline
#96 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,473
Ok here we go with #3

Appearance is a 5x?? Severely box pressed cigar I see a double cap but it’s hard to be sure the wrapper was pretty wet when this was rolled there wrinkles on the head of the cigar. Wrapper is mottled brown with a touch of a brick hue to it, no prominent veins and it is well rolled. Nose is nothing but faint barnyard. Prelight is sourdough with a touch of cherry.

Light and it hits me with oak and some mild sweetness, a hint of nuttiness and a slight sourness. That may be my fault as I’m enthralled with the perfect draw this is giving me. This is reminding me of something but I’ll hold off on that for now I don’t want to bias this.

Halfway in no major shifts or changes and that’s fine the sourness hasn’t subsided though so I did purge it. Helped slightly. Mainly still oak and mild sweetness. Very unobtrusive and easy to smoke cigar in the am with a 6 shot breve (got an extra extra shot after that last cigar just in case…).

Finish was more of the same. This one was interesting and if that hint of sweetness wasn’t there that sour note paired with that oak would have been awful. I really enjoyed smoking it and if I were pressed to guess I’d say it was a Eiroa First 20 years. Though I don’t remember it tasting like that, BUT I usually buy the maduro version.

Enjoyed the experience on all 3 and will try to remember getting the envelope from home on my lunch break. I didn’t enclose an envelope for Ron because last memory of doing this pass I posted the Ad Print from CI on each cigar for the answers. My bad if I should have inclosed that for him but he is sneaky and probably would cheat.

Me saying I wouldn’t buy something earlier should be prefaced, I don’t smoke very much at all anymore and when I do it’s generally just a few that I have narrowed my collection to or a few new to me try it’s. All three I smoked were VERY well rolled and preformed pretty well (the last one drew and burned perfectly) so my impressions were just that. I don’t think I tell anyone “NO” if we’re sitting down and it was offered.

I would HOPE they were in order of:
1) mid tier
2) everyday
3) premium

But I have a feeling 1 & 2 are actually reversed in reality.

Thanks SOB I had fun even when #2 kicked my azz! And as soon as I get off call one of those beers is dead.
Sunoverbeach Offline
#97 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Your feeling is accurate, sir. I'll save ya an envelope run.

#1 Man o War Damnation - everyday
#2 Crux Union Fire - mid tier
And a near dead nuts guess on #3
Eiroa PCA Exclusive '21 for the top tier

Some nice reviewing and excellent guessing, Jamie. I enjoyed the reads
ZRX1200 Offline
#98 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,473
Wow, don’t think I’ve ever had a Crux before, but my local carried the Ninfa’s or whatever they’re called and I thought about getting one! I’ve got some reading to do. I used to smoke a LOT of original MOW they aged really well, loved the non-Corona sized called Coronas. Hadn’t had any exclusive Eiroa! Appreciate the send on that it was a very good cigar!
Sunoverbeach Offline
#99 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,583
Ninfamaniacs. I've got a couple waiting but haven't tried yet. The Union Fire and Limitada are purty good, but there is some spice to the UF. Limitada had some pepper but was better balanced overall from what I remember
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#100 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 3,938
You sent me one of those too. I haven’t tried it either. Gonna have to get to that one
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