Man O’ War Ruination Cigar Review

I get it, the marketing whizzes behind the Man O’ War’s branding really want to get across the point that they are extremely bad ass by calling their newest creation “Ruination.” Well, it’s either they want to position their cigars as the bad boy of cigardom or their Ruination line is an ode to America’s economy. Alright, now that I have done the requisite mocking of the bad boy image thing I can actually get to reviewing this cigar.

Two bands adorn this dark and oily cigar. It is very hard to the touch and has some imperfections (veins, minor holes, discolorations) but, based on the other cigars from this line I have smoked, those negatives do not translate into a bad cigar.

One thing that I do have to mention is the sheer size of this cigar. I am smoking the Robusto No. 1 that measures 5 1/2″ by 54 ring gauge, which is fairly substantial, to say the least. Cigars of this magnitude will almost always take longer to smoke than their smaller brethren and, when you also factor in the price, which is north of $10.00, you would be well advised to take your time with this cigar.

Cigar Stats
Robusto
Length: 5 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 54
Wrapper: Ecuador grown Habano-seed ligero
Binder: ???
Filler: Cuban-seed Nicaraguan and Honduran long-leaf ligeros
Price: $10.00

Legion Flame!

While the draw is definitely too tight with this cigar, it’s not to the point of being unsmokable by any means. Flavors are definitely rolling through. A phalanx of warm spice is followed up by a cacophony of other flavors ranging from leather to herbal notes to sweet wood.

After about the one inch mark the draw does noticeably open up so that it is no longer a problem. The burn is very consistent and the strength of this cigar is definitely in the full bodied range.

This is definitely one of the best cigars I have smoked in a couple of months. With robust flavors and some strength this cigar is definitely growing on me – and I’m still in the first third of the cigar!

The second third of the cigar features a smokier flavor profile that features leather and a slight hint of charcoal. There is also a vein of sweetness that runs throughout the flavor profile.

Nearing the last third and it this Man O’ War Ruination is still great. What is really great about this cigar is the shear number of flavor layers. Sweetness, spice, leather and a couple of other tasty layers make up what is a great cigar.

Near the end a blend of salty and meaty flavors come through.

93 points

Punch Pitas Cigar Review

Punch cigars come in three different versions: Habano, maduro and double maduro. The version for this review is the Habano or natural wrapper.

It has a nice shape to it, feels good to the touch, but is very veiny. There isn’t much oil on this wrapper but the cap looks perfect. So, the construction looks good but the choice of this leaf for the wrapper concerns me.

Cigar Stats
Toro
Length: 6 1/8″
Ring Gauge: 50
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: USA/Connecticut
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua
Price: $5.00

Double Flame!

First impression: Wow! Toasted nuts, a nice caramel sweetness, and it is full bodied. The draw is a little bit tighter than I prefer but it is easily open enough to get the flavors through. This cigar produces a lot of smoke.

That caramel flavor just gets stronger. It has a pretty even burn and it is going well with the bourbon I am drinking. I’m thinking that the nutty flavor I am getting is almonds. You have to retrohale, or blow the smoke through your nose, to get the full force of this cigar. If you just leave the smoke in your mouth then you will miss out.

There might also be a candied cherry flavor with this cigar. It’s a very good representation of that flavor; not too strong but definitely present. And it’s actually a good thing that the draw requires a bit of effort since there is so much smoke that comes through this cigar. Well, that’s my story anyways – an easier draw would improve it somewhat.

In the end this is a really enjoyable cigar. Sometime after the halfway point the cherry flavor takes on a more prominent role. I don’t mind since all the flavors have been really pure. It’s a great cigar.

93 points

CAO L’Anniversaire Maduro Belicoso Cigar Review

Even though I live in Southern California it does get cold here. That means my habits have to change, especially my cigar smoking habits. No longer can I relax outside at the end of another day and enjoy a nice cigar. Now I’m forced to go outside in the afternoon. Even still, it is getting colder and making it harder to enjoy cigars. Fortunately, I think I could have smoked this cigar in freezing weather and still enjoyed it. Onto the review.

Ugly! Wrapper is missing a chunk at the foot with another tare 3/4 of an inch from the foot. It is also spotted with flecks of white. There are a couple of raised veins and there is little oil on this wrapper. All I am accompanying this cigar with is water.

Cigar Stats
Torpedo
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Wrapper: USA/Connecticut
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Dom Rep, Nicaragua
Price: $8.00

Full Flame!

Luckily, it tastes a lot better than it looks. Perfect draw. Bold spice at the beginning. Notes of chocolate and coffee back it up. This one produces a lot of smoke.

About an inch in and I can say that this is a full bodied cigar. The spice is gone but in its place there is a strong earthy flavor. The chocolate and coffee remain but they are less noticeable now.

There is also a distinct sweetness to this cigar but, unlike with the Bolivar from yesterday, this is a welcomed sweetness. It just tastes more natural, if you know what I mean.

Complex cigar. It’s at the lower end of full bodied at this point but still in the full bodied camp halfway through. The earthy flavors have become even a more central focus for this cigar pushing the chocolate, coffee and sweetness further into the background.

Now that I am nearing the end the chocolate flavor is taking over. One of the more complex cigars I have ever had the privilege of smoking. It even burns evenly. This is just a pure joy to smoke even when you consider the shoddy appearance of this cigar.

93 points

Partagas Black Label Piramide – Cigar Review

As luck would have it, just a couple of days ago I saw a great review of one of these cigars (it was the Classico, 5.25″X54) over at the Stogie Review. The reviewer, Jerry (follow him on Twitter @jcruz), had smoked one of these a while ago and thought it was a great cigar. Then he smoked it again within the last week and basically said that while it was a good cigar it was no longer a must have favorite.

So, what do I think? Here’s my review.

A very oily cigar, almost jet black. While there are a couple of raised veins I am not overly apprehensive about this cigar because the whole look of it is just amazing. It should be a very good cigar.

Cigar Stats
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 60
Wrapper: USA/Connecticut
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dom Rep, Nicarauga
Price: $7.50

Black Light!

Right from the beginning this is a full bodied monster of a cigar. There is spice (especially through the nose), just a hint of sweetness, coffee and chocolate. It’s been a while since I smoked a cigar that is so well balanced and offers a good amount of punch.

Even though the draw is slightly tight it is still fine. Although, with a bigger cigar you would think that the draw would be better – minor complaint though. I’m loving this mix of flavors and it doesn’t seem like these flavors are going away anytime soon.

I am smoking this cigar, which was last night, while watching the last season of 24, which appeared two years ago (damn that writer’s strike!) and I can’t think of a better accompaniment to Jack Bauer ripping a man’s jugular out with his mouth then this cigar. I’m guessing that this cigar is in Jack’s humidor.

Little over halfway through now and this is a great cigar, there is just no denying it. There is a lot of nuance to these flavors and they are truly amazing flavors as well. I absolutely love this cigar.

It even burns evenly! I am nearing the end of this stick and all is well. There is no way that this is the best cigar I have ever smoked but it is right up there with them and I will definitely buy this one again.

93 points