La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero Chisel Maduro Cigar Review
A very impressive cigar to behold. Oily, dark wrapper. Probably a bit too hard to the touch. There are some veins that run throughout. But, even though it does have some negative aspects to its appearance it is just looks like a cool cigar. Plus, it smells like one. It smells aggressive.
The prelight draw gives off a distinct chocolate flavor along with some spice, which was to be expected. For the couple of Chisels that I have smoked their draws have seemed a little tight before I lit them up. But after I have lit the cigars the draw for each cigar has been perfectly fine.
Cigar Stats
pyramid
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Wrapper: Ecuador Maduro
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Price: $75.00/Box of 10 | $8.50/Single
Smoke
Sure enough, this cigar starts out very aggressive. Spice and a grassy earthiness. The chocolate flavor is there as well. They mix together wonderfully well and the flavors are fantastically alive. And the draw is great as well. All is good!
In addition to the aforementioned flavors there are some sweet flavors. Toffee, anise and some leather as well. There are a ton of flavors going on in this cigar and they mix together very well.
Full bodied? Sure – but the strength makes sense with this cigar. In no way is it harsh or obnoxiously strong. Exquisitely smooth cigar. Oh, and the burn is even. Yeah!
Slow burning gem of a cigar. A little over an inch in and the flavors are still wonderful. Leather and meat are taking over as the major flavors but all those other flavors are still there and they are great.
While the flavors do not match up perfectly there is a smoky-woody flavor grouping that seems right for this LFD. But just because the flavors do match up perfectly I do not see that as a problem. This is a very complex cigar, there’s bound to be a flavor or two that I don’t think matches up perfectly.
At the halfway point now and meaty/salty flavors are taking the lead. Really complex cigar.
Somewhere around the two-thirds mark the flavors do begin to lose some of their luster. It’s still a very good cigar but just not as much. And that, unfortunately, brings this cigar down a notch. A very, very small notch since this cigar after losing a bit of its “luster” is still better than most anything out there in my book.
94 points
Another View from Cigar Jack.
Padilla Dominus Cigar Review
Let me be upfront about my Padilla bias; I like their cigars. That being said, if the Padilla Dominus were a dog of a cigar I would tell you. Without giving too much away, it is anything but a dog.
The Padilla Dominus that is currently sitting on my ash tray is a beauty. Very smooth, a slight sheen of oil and only a couple of minor imperfections (a couple of dark spots the size of a gnat). It feels well packed and is a very well made cigar.
Cigar Stats
Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $9.00/cigar | $200/box of 24
Levin Flame!
The immediateness of the spice is impressive. Right off the bat you will be hit with a robust helping of spice and a healthy helping of oak as well. It’s a nice mix. My one problem with this cigar during the first third is that it isn’t a particularly smooth cigar. The fact that it “isn’t a particularly smooth cigar” doesn’t deter me because I like it when a cigar has a little bit of an edge to it.
One other thing, the spice can tend to get a little racy and overpower the other flavors. In addition to the oak and the spice there is this mild sweetness that is barely noticeable. Honestly, I did not notice the sweetness until I had smoked a few of these cigars.
As I continue smoking this cigar I realize that I absolutely love it. Seriously, the spice is so alive, so vibrant. It’s a cross between cinnamon and something caliente (that’s Spanish for spicy or hot or something like that, I think). The wood – oak – is a welcoming canvas for the spicy interplay.
It is just barely a full bodied smoke. The draw requires just the slightest tug and the burn is mostly good, requiring just one touch up about two thirds of the way through. I have had some minor burn problems with almost every one of these cigars. Fortunately, the draw doesn’t put too much of a damper on the flavors.
In addition to all the goodness that is this cigar the band is awesome. I know it doesn’t affect the way the cigar smokes but it is nevertheless pretty cool. There’s a lion in the center of a bunch of flowers. The P – for Padilla – is artfully done. And even the name, Dominus, is awesome. You may not be able to judge a book by its cover but you wouldn’t be misled if you judged this cigar by its band.
The flavors do a bit of evolving. That sweetness, however faint it is, stays on after the first inch or so. The only thing I have to add is that there is a slight grittiness to the flavor profile that comes on about halfway through. It’s actually an interesting addition that I like.
It’s a great cigar. Need I say more?
93 points
For another opinion head on over to Fire up that Cigar’s review of this cigar. They have pictures! 
Rocky Patel Puro Cubano Cigar Review
While it is not a particularly good-looking cigar I can safely say that I am not too worried. Sure, there are some rips in the wrapper, it feels dry, it’s a little misshapen by the foot and there are some pronounced veins on the wrapper. The reason why I am not worried about the quality of this cigar is mainly because it is a Rocky Patel (by the way, thanks to Cigars Direct for this cigar; much appreciated).
Recently, I decided to get a bundle of Rocky Patel’s “seconds.” These are cigars that didn’t meet his company’s stringent standards for a top flight cigar but are still good enough to be sold. It turned out that even these “rejects” were pretty good cigars.
Cigar Stats
Robusto
Length: 5 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 50
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Nicaragua & Dominican Republic
Price: $70.00/box of 20
Actuarial Torch!
A veritable bouquet of spicy flavors welcomes you in the beginning. Hickory, hay, a touch of a sweet spice, and a lot of accent flavors that are all wonderfully mixed together. Basically, if you want an idea of this cigar’s flavor profile all you have to do is go to your local spice shop and browse their offerings for an hour or so. Oh, and add in some leather flavorings as well.
The funny thing about this cigar is that it is nowhere near a full bodied cigar; it is comfortably medium bodied. Both the burn and the draw are great and the price, which is ridiculously cheap, all favorably recommend this cigar.
As far as I can tell there is nothing wrong with this cigar. Sure, it looked a little ragged (and that will hurt its final score a little bit) but the taste is simply great.
After the halfway point comes along the spice as it gently morphs into being sweeter. There were strong undercurrents of sweet spice during the first half but it is predominately sweet spice during the second half. I’ve seen on other reviews that there is also a coffee flavor that comes along with this cigar but I have yet to pick it up.
Nearing the end now and my main problem is that I’m trying not to burn my fingers. It really is a great cigar. The only drawbacks for me were the look and this cigar did require one minor touchup. The only thing left to say is: Try this cigar!
92 points
Nestor Miranda Collection Dominicano Rosado Cigar Review
Before we get into the good part, the actual review, I need to disclose the fact that I got these cigars from Miami Cigar Co. The Nestor Miranda Collection Dominicano has not been released yet and they decided to send me some. Let me be clear: if this cigar sucks then I’ll tell you. (Fortunately, it doesn’t suck – I’ve had a few already.)
It looks perfect. The shape is so artfully done it almost looks like it was crafted with the aid of CAD software. Some oils, a couple of veins and a couple of muted black spots/streaks. It is filled perfectly.
Cigar Stats
Robusto
Length: 5 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 54
Wrapper: Dominican Rosado
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $7.60/cigar
Free Fire!
This is one of those cigars that are just alive with flavor from the beginning. Nutty, an alluring bitter earthiness, cream and some spice. Generally speaking, there is also a nice sweetness present in the flavor profile.
After an inch that nutty flavor takes on a roasted quality that I like. Additionally, an aged steak flavor starts to pop in along with some saltiness. It is a medium-full bodied cigar that produces a ton of smoke.
As the burn line approaches the midway point the main flavor changes to a sweet spice. The flavors remain strong and pleasant.
This isn’t a particularly smooth cigar taste-wise. Which was probably my biggest problem with the Cain Maduro; it was just too damn smooth. The burn, while fairly even, has required a couple of touchups from me, which was the case with most of the others that I smoked. I was probably being a little too anile when I touched it up the second time though. The draw is perfect.
The second half sees a continuance of that sweet spice flavor. Actually, it has become the predominant flavor, elbowing out most of the other flavors. The nuttiness and some bitterness remain in the background.
Nearing the nub now and the best way to summarize this cigar is that it is very complex. It starts out with a heartier flavor profile then morphs into its sweet spice with some minor changes throughout. At the end a new flavor actually comes through: maple. This cigar just doesn’t want to end.
Done now. Wonderful cigar, loved smoking each of them. When they come out you should definitely pick up a few.
91 points
Second Opinion – A Cigar Smoker’s Journal
Carlos Torano Casa Torano Cigar Review
Casa Toraño appeals to all the senses. The Ecuadorian-Connecticut wrapper is delicate, silky, and smooth. The binder is especially selected from the Toraño farms in the hills of Nicaragua; and the filler is a combination of Honduran, Nicaraguan, and a family blend of Central and South American tobaccos. Originally the Toraño´s private family blend, the Casa Toraño was made available to the smoking public and has received an enthusiastic reception.
Honestly, I am looking forward to a treat with this cigar. If it really started out as the “family blend” then this must be something that is truly astonishing. Or, what they consider to be a good cigar differs from what I think is a good cigar. I hope that is not the case.
Anyway, the wrapper is light but I do have to say that it is rather veiny. Furthermore, the foot seems a little misshapen. Finally, there is a soft feel to the cigar. Other than that, all is well.
Cigar Stats
Toro
Length: 6 1/4″
Ring Gauge: 50
Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut)
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Price: Box 25 – $128 | Single – $6.35
Lost Flame!
Creamy cigar smoke leads to a couple of strong flavors. First of all, there is a strong grassy flavor. No, scratch that, it’s more like bitter, leafy greens. Beyond that there are some cherry and oak flavors. It really is an intriguing mix of flavors that I’m not altogether convinced tastes all that great.
And then after the burn line crosses the one inch mark the flavors begin working in harmony. I guess since it is such a complex cigar that it takes a little while for the metaphorical engine to warm up but oh am I glad that it has warmed up.
Oddly enough, the flavors aren’t usually what I would go for. I like my cigars spicier than this one is. I also like leather and meat, neither of which is in this cigar. Even though the flavors present aren’t my normal cup o’ tea I find myself really enjoying this stogie.
In addition to the multitude of flavors I have already mentioned there is a milky flavor. It’s not as rich as cream but it’s definitely whole milk.
It burns well, the draw is great and it is a mild bodied cigar. Couple this with the great flavors and it’s a real treat of a cigar. Can’t say that I’m going to go back to it all that often but it is undeniably a great cigar.
91 points
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