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

La Riqueza Short Cigar Review

Pre-Smoke

Sitting in my humidor this cigar did not look like much. The band is unassuming and the cigar is well crafted but rustic. Some oils on the dark US Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper give me hope even though the cigar seems a touch too soft throughout.There seems to be a slight box press to this cigar.

I am smoking the La Riqueza #4, which is a robusto measuring 5″ x 48. The binder and filler come from Nicaragua. This cigar should cost you about $9.00 per stick.

Smoke

Leather and tobacco with a meaty aftertaste. After the halfway point there is an herbal flavor. Some bitterness is evident on the tip of my tongue – not a negative in this case.

It starts out a lot better than it finishes. The beginning is an explosion of flavor that is very enjoyable. The second half becomes harsh at times but it still has it moments.

This is a medium bodied cigar with a good draw and an uneven burn.

After-Smoke

Truthfully, after the first couple of inches I was getting really excited about this cigar. The flavors were very enjoyable. I just guess I was expecting more from a cigar that costs nearly ten dollars.

3.5 points

CAO Vision Prana Cigar Review

The number on the band was 703433, if you really need to know. Good looking cigar with a couple of raised veins. On the tip of this torpedos cap there’s a lot of extra wrapper that just hangs down. I don’t think that’s normal. Oh, according to the Cigar Cyclopedia, the filler is Dominican Corojo – so it should be very flavorful.

Cigar Stats
Torpedo
Length: 6 1/4″
Ring Gauge: 52
Wrapper: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Filler: Brazil, Dom. Rep., Nicaragua
Price: $12.00

[SIDE NOTE - I looked online and this cigar can get quite expensive, up to $16 a stick! That's a ton of money for any cigar so it better be good!]

A good amount of spice with a good draw. Doughy, slightly herbal, very moist smoke. I’m liking it so far but I’m only half an inch in so things can change.

It has burned evenly over the first inch of the cigar. It is full bodied but barely so. Not the most powerful cigar ever but it’s still pretty strong. Great amount of smoke.

Very smooth flavors. No real leading flavors as far as I can tell but, this may be odd, I am getting a flowery flavor coming through as well. The smoke is very creamy though.

Over halfway through the cigar now and it’s definitely 90+. Nothing has changed to the flavor profile. Great cigar, no problems with it.

I’m nearing the end now and, in retrospection, the flavors just aren’t that extraordinary. They are good and well above average but there’s just something missing.

91 points

Pride of Jamaica Vintage Reserva Crystals Cigar Review

This isn’t a mistake. Even though I reviewed one of these yesterday (HERE) that doesn’t mean I can’t review another one today. The same thing goes for this one – I got it for free. Here’s my review:

Pale and dry to the touch. The construction on this cigar looks pretty good but there are some bumps and some mildly raised veins. The last one got 91 points. By the way: I’m smoking this cigar while recovering from being sick. I’m drinking Wild Turkey with some water.

Cigar Stats
Grand Carona
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 45
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Mexican
Filler: Jamaica
Price: $6.50

Second Flame!

Lots of spice; reminds me of cinnamon. There is also a mellow cedar flavor in the background. This one is at least medium bodied.

A half an inch in and that herbal flavor that I tasted the last time I smoked one of these cigars starts to creep back in. It isn’t a strong flavor but it is there.

This has to be one of the spiciest cigars I have ever smoked and I really like that about this cigar. Remember how I described the second half of the other one (“it’s like a little firecracker”)? Well, this one is like that from the beginning. The flavors I am getting are cinnamon and peppermint.

It’s an interesting cigar, very unique. It isn’t full bodied but the spice is extremely strong on the palette and when you blow smoke through your nose. You may not like this cigar if you don’t like your mouth numb from spice. But if you are like me then you will love this cigar.

This is the second one I’ve had and I have got to tell you that this is a great cigar. I love it.

92 points

Pride of Jamaice Vintage Reserva Crystals Cigar Review

This cigar comes from Barrington House International, Ltd. Barrington House is one of the only cigar companies that operates in Jamaica and before I started this blog and did a post on Jamaican cigars I can’t recall ever hearing about them. Luckily for me the good people at Barrington House saw the post and decided to send me a few dozen cigars for free and, based off the first couple I have smoked, I am very glad.

And I must say that even though I did get these cigars for free from Barrington House in no way have they paid me for my reviews nor would I be any easier on them in a review. Now onto the review:

Very pale cigar. It comes in a glass tube and it looks like it has very good construction. There are some oils in this cigar. I must also mention that I just got this cigar today and it hasn’t had enough time to rest in a humidor – so keep that in mind. I’m drinking Makers Mark and some water.

Cigar Stats
Grand Carona
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 45
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Mexican
Filler: Jamaica
Price: $6.50

Gratis Fire!

It’s actually quite good. Mild-medium bodied but strong on the flavors. Perfect draw. Earthy with fleeting spice on each puff. The flavor is musty, it’s not a dry cigar. There’s also an herbal flavor to it – something like sage or rosemary.

Normally, I do not like cigars that are less than medium bodied but this one has strong flavors so I’ll make an exception. Half an inch in and the spice still lingers on the palette. Very laid back cigar; none of the flavors are too strong nor offensive.

Burning quickly – that could be because it’s not properly humidified. Whatever the case, I’m really liking the flavors. Spice is taking over more now. Halfway through and it’s turned into a spicy little firecracker! That herbal flavor is still there but it’s way in the background now.

Burns evenly with lots of smoke. I am really enjoying this cigar. Maybe if I give it some time in the humidor it will get even better. Usually I would be lowering a cigar’s rating as the cigar progressed but this isn’t the case here. This cigar only gets better.

91 points

Bolivar Toro Cigar Review

This is a fairly dark cigar. It has a good amount of oils and bumps. Other than the bumps this seems like a well made cigar. For this cigar I am drinking some Makers Mark with some water.

Cigar Stats
Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Wrapper: Honduras
Binder: USA/Connecticut
Filler: Dom Rep, Nicaragua
Price: $6.00

2009 Light!