Diesel Cigar Review

This near-jet black beauty of a cigar is made by A.J. Fernandez who has made cigars for Rocky Patel, Padilla and the Man O’ War lines as well. I must be honest, this is one of the better looking cigars I have seen. In addition to the jet black wrapper it is a rather smallish torpedo that absolutely glistens with oils. There are no seriously raised veins either.

It is rough to the touch, though. And the cigar is tightly packed. Based off of my previous experiences with this cigar neither of those things should hurt the flavor at all.

Cigar Stats
Torpedo
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 56
Wrapper: USA/Pennsylvania
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Jalapa, Condega, Esteli)
Price: $6.00/Single | $100/Box (30 cigars)

Funny Flame!

As expected, the draw is very good. Not too tight, not too loose. Also, as expected, the Diesel has a ton of flavor that runs smack dab through the “dark” flavor profile. Lots of espresso/coffee beans, earthiness/grassy and some charcoal. There is a little bit of spice but not a whole heck of a lot to speak of. Oh, and chocolate – milk chocolate to be precise – is a fairly prominent flavor with the Diesel.

The flavors coat the mouth and just won’t leave, which is a pretty good thing here. It’s a very good cigar throughout the first half and shows no signs of slowing down.

Medium-full bodied with a good draw and burn. One of the previous Diesels I smoked had the flavors drop off around the halfway point but, with this one, the flavors are sticking through – so far.

For the most part the flavors are staying strong even as the burn line crosses the three-quarters mark. There is some complexity with this cigar and, overall, I am liking it a lot. This isn’t to say that this cigar is special but it is above average for sure.

Leather starts to come through during the second half along with some spice. Further on, within a half inch of the nub, the flavors take a bad turn but, as long as you don’t smoke it way too far down, it’s a very good cigar. The bad flavors revolve around salt, which isn’t a horrible flavor but does diminish my enjoyment to a degree.

What amazes me about this cigar is that if you buy it by the box it is less than $3.50 per cigar. That’s amazing for a cigar that tastes this good. While the flavors are not mind blowingly great they are well above average for the majority of the stogie. If you can buy a box I would strongly suggest you do so; after all, Christmas is just around the corner.

89 points

Camacho Cigar Rights of America Limited Edition Cigar

I have waited long enough. This cigar has been taunting me from my humidor for a few weeks now and, even though I have been patiently letting it rest, the time has come to clip the head and toast the foot.

This Camacho, which comes adorned with a Cigar Rights of America and Camacho Limited Ed. bands, features a dark, oily wrapper. It may not be the prettiest looking cigar nor is it densely packed (it’s actually a little loose) but the point of these cigars is to raise awareness for CRA, which this post is doing, and to reward people who sign up. This is my reward and I’ll be damned if I get bummed out over a couple of imperfections!

The pre-light draw is mostly sweet, with a little bit of spice and leather. It is also surprisingly tight before I light it but once the flame hits the foot everything is right with the world. With just a firm tug leather and meaty flavors are coming through. I know this is a limited edition but if I was a betting man I would bet that this cigar shares a lot of tobacco with it’s Triple Maduro brother.

I didn’t measure this cigar but by the looks of it I would say its in the double corona vitola. And now that I am thinking about it, I sure wish I had taken a picture of this cigar before I started smoking it – oh, well. Life goes on.

This Camacho is a full bodied cigar, well above average on the taste scale, but the burn and the draw are a little disappointing. Neither the burn nor the draw are to the point where it is taking away from my enjoyment of this cigar but they are irksome nonetheless.

Now I’m torn about which cigar this one reminds me the most of. At first I was thinking it’s close to the Triple Maduro but now I am thinking the Coyolar. Whatever the case, in addition to the meat and spice there are also flavors of anise, raisins, saltiness and a general creaminess that coats the mouth.

There is no way I am going to actually give this cigar a score (because I have only smoked one and it’s not readily available) but, if you pressed me, it’s a 93 point cigar give or take a couple of points. The flavors are more than good enough to make up for its faults.

Whilst smoking this cigar I am watching the season finale for the second season of Oz. Truthfully, it just isn’t a fitting cigar for a show like this. Oz, if you don’t know, was a series on HBO that chronicled life in a fictitious jail. It’s an extremely gritty tragedy. This cigar would have been great for The Sopranos’ series finale but it is just too refined for Oz.

Just finished the cigar and I can safely say that I am certainly glad I got a membership with CRA. If you haven’t done so already you should get a membership as well. Even if you don’t get the Camacho as one of your freebies there are many other cigars that are well worth it. Furthermore, it’s just the right thing to do as a cigar smoker. So few are fighting for our rights but CRA is doing a good job at it.

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

Carlos Toraño Exodus 1959 Cigar Review

If you don’t understand the significance of 1959 to cigar makers then read this from the Toraño website: “The Exodus 1959 commemorates the Exodus of expert Cuban cigar families and their impact on the cigar industry after the nationalization of all tobacco farms and cigar factories by the Cuban government in 1959. The Toraños were one of those families.” One last thing before I get into my review – this cigar was a Top 5 cigar for Cigar Aficionado in 2006.

The Exodus is a good looking cigar that has a slight box press and is coated with a good helping of oils. Even though it is not completely devoid of imperfections it’s look is well above average. It is nicely and evenly packed. I am smoking the Exodus Gold Double Corona for this review.

Oh, and before I start smoking this cigar, I need to thank my Twitter buddy, SentinelX, for suggesting this cigar. I think he saw that I didn’t like the Toraño Virtuoso and wanted to make sure I smoked a good one next. Thanks!

Cigar Stats
Double Corona
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 50
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua
Price: around $7.25

Scotch Fire!

My first impression of this cigar is that it is analogous to the Carlos Toraño 1916 Cameroon with a couple important distinctions. Vanilla is apparent but it is definitely a supporting player to spice and leather. The vanilla is reminiscent of vanilla wafers and the spice and leather, while they are the main flavors, are muted.

The draw is great and the burn is fairly even. It is a medium bodied cigar. After the halfway point the vanilla flavor almost completely disappear. The spice and leather flavors do become more lively, which is welcomed. An oak flavor also starts coming through after the halfway point.

It is a relatively smooth cigar with good flavors. Over the first half of the cigar the flavors were just there, sitting around. Then after the halfway point they have revved up. Leather has mostly disappeared with the spice, which is deep and soulful, has mostly taken over. The oak is mostly an accent flavor.

91 points

Camacho Select Short Cigar Review

Pre-Smoke: This is part of the upper echelon of the Camacho lines; ultra premium is its designation. According to the Camacho Select page this cigar comes in five different vitolas with the binder/filler tobaccos hailing from Honduras and the wrapper picked in Cameroon.

This cigar has a couple of raised veins but, other than that, it looks perfectly fine. Not overly oily and the wrapper feels fuzzy, like velvet. Packed nicely. I’m smoking the robusto vitola.

Smoke: The flavors start out meaty and leathery. There is also a smokiness about this cigar that works out really well with the meatiness. After an inch or so a charcoal flavor begins to dominate.

It is a medium bodied cigar with a good draw. The burn is not even though.

After-Smoke: It was not that impressive of a cigar. The flavors are alright but any chance of me liking it a lot was dashed by the uneven burn and the charcoal flavors that came on too strong.

3 points

Price Range: $6.00 to $8.50

601 Blue Band Short Cigar Review

Pre-Smoke: If Don Pepin Garcia makes a cigar then it is worth a try or two. The wrapper and the construction are both perfect with the wrapper having some oils. There is a slight box press for this cigar.

Smoke: Sweetness is the first thing that pops into my mind and then it pops back out. There’s some spice and leathery flavors along with some toasty flavors. It is a medium-full bodied cigar with a slightly tight draw and a decent burn.

After-Smoke: It’s a good cigar. The flavors are above average and there is some complexity to it.

601 Website

3 points

Fuente Fuente Opus X Belicoso XXX Cigar Review

Alright, I’ve got to admit that I have been wanting to smoke an Opus X for a very long time but, since the price is so exorbitant, I had resisted the urge to splurge. That, as you will see in the following review, was a mistake.

Frankly, when you have a cigar that costs as much as this you expect greatness. And yet, the wrapper is anything but great. There are a couple of holes in the wrapper and there are also a couple of stretch marks as well.

Beyond that, however, it is great. Very oily, rich color to it, and the cap looks perfectly constructed, which, based off some of the other torpedoes I have seen, is no small feat. It’s tightly packed.

Cigar Stats
Torpedo
Length: 4 5/8″
Ring Gauge: 49
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Price: $26.00

Forbidden Flame!

Frankly, my dear, I no longer give a damn about the wrapper because the first few puffs have been sublime. Loads of spice and leather are evident on my tongue and through the nose. Perfect draw and definitely full bodied. Wow!

There may be a hint of licorice in the background, which adds nicely to the complexity of this cigar. There is also a magnificent toasted flavor. Everything is just going swimmingly with this cigar.

It’s amazing just how alive the flavors are. Tons of billowing, creamy smoke. Smoking this cigar is making my mouth water. This has got to be one of my all-time favorite cigars because I hate putting it down. I just can’t wait for the next puff! The only drawback I can think of with this cigar is that it is so short. It fits my tastes perfectly and it is definitely one of my top favorites.

96 points

Camacho Connecticut Figurado Cigar Review

Here is a review from Mike’s Cigars of the brand new Camacho Connecticut.

Camacho Cigars has recently introduced a new Connecticut wrapper cigar under the name Camacho Connecticut. The new cigar features an unusual blend for Camacho, a company which established its name making bold, full and rich cigars.

Christian Eiroa said that the new line opens the Camacho gates to consumers who prefer a milder smoke: “People were afraid to smoke our cigars but with the new medium bodied Connecticut it is a whole different story.” Milder, indeed. Having been known for their cigars’ powerfully intense smokes, Camacho has taken a giant step forward with their new medium-bodied Connecticut line.

The Camacho Connecticut sports an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, Honduran Corojo binder, and Honduran and Dominican filler tobaccos. There are six sizes in the line: Monarca (5 x 50); Toro (6 x 50); Churchill (7 x 48); Figurado (6 1/8 x 54); 11/18 (6×54); and 60/6 (6×60). I tried the Camacho Connecticut Figurado and it truly lived up to its potential. Significantly lighter than previous Camachos, this really is a groundbreaking cigar.

Cigar Stats
Figurado
Length: 6 1/8”
Ring Gauge: 54
Wrapper: Connecticut (Ecuador)
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras, Dominican Republic

Lite-r Light!

The cigar starts slow and chewy but opens up quickly, with an easy draw and full volume of thick white smoke. The construction is good and the cigar stays lit even for a long duration of ashtray parking, a definite 9 in my book. Medium in body, but savory and rich, the new Camacho Connecticut Figurado tastes of cedar and leather and a delicate touch of macadamia. The aromatic flavors gently open a new world for Camacho.

Travis’ Take: I have yet had the opportunity to smoke this cigar, will be ordering some from Mike’s Cigars soon but, as far as I can tell, it looks like a good move for Camacho. I was looking at some of the other cigar bloggers and the Camacho Connecticut has gotten some mixed reviews but none that are truly negative. This is a cigar that I will be trying – definitely.

CAO L’Anniversaire 1968-1998 Cameroon Belicoso Cigar Review

This is the torpedo vitola and I have smoked the robusto vitola in the past. I gave that cigar 90 points, here’s what I had to say about it:

Lots of smoke and an excellent draw. There is spice, which tastes like red pepper flakes, and the flavors are crisp – not muddied down at all. The flavors just explode on the tongue. It is medium bodied.

That was one of those I smoked a while ago so my notes were a little sparse. Here’s my review of this cigar that I thought was even better.

Milky brown wrapper. Good amount of oil with a box press, which I have grown to really appreciate. Perfectly good construction, no problems with it. Drinking Makers Mark with some water.

Cigar Stats
Torpedo
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $8.50

Afternoon de-Light!

Peppery and leathery. It has a perfect draw. Warm, moist smoke. Medium-full bodied with a bias towards being more full bodied.

Slightly salty undertones. There is also this molasses-like sweetness to it. Very complex array of flavors.

Inch in now. The molasses sweetness, which is very rich and deep and is actually quite good is the main flavor now. Next is spice with a small side of saltiness. Still a very most cigar and the saltiness isn’t anywhere near the point of being a nuisance.

A third of the way through and the saltiness is gone. It’s a net plus that that flavor has left but it wasn’t too much of a problem since all the other flavors are great. The burn is fairly even, haven’t had to touch it up.

Nearing the end now. I love this deep, molasses sweetness because there’s also some peppery flavors remaining. It really is an enjoyable cigar. The complex flavor profile stays for nearly the whole length of the cigar.

92 points