Nub Maduro Short Cigar Review

Pre-Smoke

The 460 (4″ x 60 ring gauge) Nub Maduro is a good enough looking cigar. Not too tightly packed, somewhat veiny, no glaring imperfections.

Smoke

Due to its large ring gauge, it does take a little bit longer to light than most cigars. The predominant flavor is espresso with a good helping of a low-octane spice (i.e. not very spicy spice – if that makes sense).

After the one-inch mark the flavor profile makes a dramatic shift towards earthy/grassy flavors. However, it appears that was nothing more than a brief intermission since the spice and espresso return.

It’s an up-and-down cigar as far as flavor goes. The flavors alternate between being crisp and muddled.

On the bright side, the draw is good (maybe a smidgen too tight for my liking) and the burn is for all intents and purposes, even. It is a medium bodied cigar.

After-Smoke

The Nub Maduro was one of those cigars that I don’t have any real negative or positive feelings for. It’s a fine cigar but, as I was merrily puffing along, I found that I was waiting for the end of the cigar to come along. It’s just a boring cigar.

2.5 points

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

Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles Short Cigar Review

Pre-Smoke

The construction looks to be well above average. It is a little loosely packed near the foot and there are a number of veins, which are not too pronounced. Some oils, feels powdery to the touch, smells like robust leather and just looks good.

I am smoking the Nobles vitola, which is 5″ x 50. This is a Nicaraguan puro that features a natural wrapper and is made under the supervision of Jose Pepin Garcia. Finally, even though this is a boutique brand, none of the cigars from this line will break the budget costing anywhere between $5.50 and $8.00. The Nobles vitola retails for around $7.00.

Smoke

It starts off well enough. Spice, leather, a lurking sweetness in the background. The draw requires just a little tug now and then, which is no big deal. The burn is uneven and will probably need a couple of touch ups. This is just a bit stronger than medium bodied – medium-full bodied.

What really impresses me about this cigar is that the flavors are definitely alive. They start out strong on the inhale with the leather and the sweetness, which is a close approximation of caramel, and then the spice (warm spice, like cinnamon) explodes out the nose. At the very least it is an interesting cigar.

After about two-thirds of the way through a salty flavor starts to come through.

After-Smoke

The Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles is an above average cigar. Good, vibrant flavors. The salty flavor near the end didn’t take much away from my overall enjoyment of this cigar.

4 points

Alec Bradley Maxx Short Cigar Review

Pre-Smoke

Oily and without any noticeable imperfections. It is tightly packed. I am smoking the Alec Bradley Maxx Fix (5×58) for this review. This cigar costs $5.00. The wrapper is Nicaraguan Habano, the binder is from Costa Rica and the filler is a combination of tobacco from Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras and Columbia.

Smoke

Chocolate and earthy flavors are what you are going to get from this cigar. Unfortunately, those flavors are not that strong but they are relatively pure, which is a good thing. Medium bodied cigar with a slightly tight draw and a (surprisingly) even burn. There is a mild sweetness that makes an appearance after the one inch mark.

After-Smoke

It is a nice, easygoing, albeit boring, cigar. The flavors are fine but there is absolutely no excitement with this cigar. It’s just… there. Soulless smoke rolling around like a wounded dog.

2 points

Victor Sinclair 10th Aniversario | Short Cigar Review

Looks good with its cedar sheath and the actual cigars looks good as well. Not very oily nor are there any raised veins. Solidly packed.

The draw takes a little bit of a tug and the burn isn’t exactly even. It burns a little hot and the flavors aren’t all that emotive but they aren’t exactly bad either. Somewhat sweet on the aftertaste with spice up front and a mushy graham cracker flavor. It’s not a horrible cigar but…. To tell you the truth I am a little bit conflicted. It has some good complexity to it and is a little interesting. It’s probably worth smoking again.

3 points

Victor Sinclair 10th Aniversario Page

Price Range: $5.00 – $6.00

CAO L’Anniversaire 1968-1998 Maduro Belicoso Cigar Review

Before I took a couple of months off from posting reviews I had forgotten about all the CAOs I had smoked. I’m looking through my review book and there is only this one and one more from CAO and then there are some really interesting reviews after that.

The maduro wrapper looks mostly good. There are some spots on it and there is a tear near the foot. It’s a box pressed cigar. The cap looks a little misshapen but there is a good amount of oils on this cigar.

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

OC Lights!

First impressions: decent draw, mild earthiness, a gritty cocoa flavor as well. Medium-full bodied. Nothing really special.

The cigar is burning evenly and there is a mild sweetness. But my overall impression of these flavors? So-so. Nothing to write home about.

Halfway through and things have not changed all that much. There’s a slight chocolate flavor that is coming through but, besides the chocolate, it’s boring. I also have to mention that it is medium bodied at this point and has been for about an inch.

Perhaps the only good thing about this cigar is that I am smoking it while watching the movie “Orange County.” It’s a hilarious movie and you should watch it. If you do pick up the DVD then the best parts, besides the movie itself, are found in the “Interstitials.” Oh, yeah, I’m still smoking a cigar.

The cigar doesn’t get harsh but it does get bitter after the halfway point. Specifically, it’s a chalky bitterness that completely ruins any good feelings I may have had about this cigar. The previous CAO L’Anniversaire Maduro I had was much, much better.

84 points

The price point for this cigar demands a higher quality cigar than this one. It’s also worth pointing out that the previous one I had scored 93 points. There really shouldn’t be this kind of disparity between scores for the same vitola of the same cigar. For my money the Cameroon line is a better choice than the maduro one.

Sancho Panza Extra Fuerte Barcelona Cigar Review

I recently posted a Sancho Panza review and I thought it was a good cigar. It got 88 points. This will be my first Sancho Panza Extra Fuerte review and this one is better than it’s conventional brethren.

It has pretty good construction. Box pressed cigar with an imperfect cap. Deep, chocolate brown wrapper. Supposed to be a really full bodied powerhouse of a cigar from what I’ve heard. We’ll see. Drinking Wild Turkey and a Cherry Coke.

Cigar Stats
Toro
Length: 6 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 48
Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Price: $4.00

Late Night Fire!

It is not overly full bodied – not nearly as strong as I was led to believe. Draw is a little tight but not too bad. Mellow maple syrup flavor. Smoky flavor as well.

Not burning evenly. Some kind of licorice tinged spice coming to the fore in this cigar.

A third of the way through and there is a mild sweetness to it. It really is beginning to smell like a barnyard. The burn has thankfully evened out though.

Two-thirds of the way through now and I have found that retrohaling it makes it a lot better, much more enjoyable. I was already retrohaling it (blowing the smoke through my nose) but now I’m concentrating on it more. When I retrohale I get mocha and some spicy notes. I’m glad I concentrated on retrohaling this cigar.

Nearing the end and I am getting chocolate notes when I retrohale. Very complex flavor profile. The flavors, individually, are not great but when you add them all up it becomes very, very good.

90 points

Sancho Panza Toledo Cigar Review

This is a cigar I smoked quite a while ago but I do have some notes on. It’s a gigantic cigar and very black. Box pressed with a good amount of oils. There is one minor blemish on the wrapper.

Cigar Stats
Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 60
Wrapper: USA/Connecticut
Binder: USA/Connecticut
Filler: Dom. Rep., Honduras, Nicaragua
Price: $6.00

Big Flame!

CAO Criollo Pato Cigar Review

It’s been a couple of days since I smoked this cigar and the thing I really remember about it is the pig tail on the cap. I guess I’ve already given away the fact that I didn’t absolutely love this cigar but it was pretty good. Here’s my review:

I smoked this cigar during the AFC Championship game between the Ravens and the Steelers. I am glad I finished it before that brutal hit on McGehee because after that happened I wasn’t in the mood for anything fun. Seriously, McGehee could have died but, thanks to God, he’s alive and will probably be fine.

This cigar shines with oil and has that aforementioned curly head. Perfect construction except for a tiny hole near the foot of the cigar. Medium brown color. Drinking a Cherry Coke.

Cigar Stats
Robusto
Length: 4 7/8″
Ring Gauge: 50
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nic
Filler: Nic
Price: $6.00

Steel Curtain Fire!

CAO Brazilia Samba Cigar Review

One of the things I try to do when doing a cigar review is tell you what I think without being biased by something I have heard or read. This can be difficult because if you go into a cigar knowing that others think very highly of it you will be thinking that that cigar will be very good. Hopefully I do not fall into that trap and I think that this will be an example of that. Onto the review.

Dark cigar with very little oil, which is a point of concern. It does look perfect though. I am drinking Wild Turkey, a Cherry Coke and some water to cleanse my palate. Just to let you know my frame of mind going into this cigar I know that this is supposed to be a very good cigar and full bodied.

Cigar Stats
Torpedo
Lenght: 6 1/4″
Ring Guage: 54
Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $7.00

Go Fire!