Tatuaje Series P Short Cigar Review

Pre-Smoke

The Tatuaje Series P is significantly cheaper than the other lines from Tatuaje. The robusto costs between $3.00 to $4.00 per stick, depending on how many you buy at one time. So, is it as good as it’s much higher priced brethren?

Just based off of looks and feel I would have to say no. It looks like a dried out leaf with only a slight sheen of oils. Beyond that, it does feel a little squishy to the touch. Not a good start for this Nicaraguan puro.

Smoke

With a good draw and burn and a medium body this cigar is starting off alright. While I don’t think it measures up to the premium Tatuaje lines (which is an unfair expectation considering the price) it is actually a somewhat enjoyable smoke at the beginning. A slight amount of spice, a decent helping of maple sweetness and woody flavors.

Working against it is that it is not a smooth cigar and the flavors don’t meld all that well together. In fact, as the cigar progresses it does get harsh and then it gets better and then it gets harsh all over again. Basically, it’s an inconsistent cigar that does have a couple of kind of good moments.

In addition to the aforementioned flavors there is a nuttiness and meatiness to it.

After-Smoke

Upon reflection, the best way to describe this cigar is that it is dry. The flavors are there but they are intermittently harsh. It’s a cheap cigar and it shows.

1.5 points

Casa Magna Colorado Cigar Review

There are two important things to know about the Casa Magna Colorado line of cigars: they are relatively cheap and they are the reigning #1 cigar according to Cigar Aficionado. I smoked a few of these recently and, for the most part, I have gone away with a positive perception of these cigars. For this review I am smoking the torpedo vitola, which isn’t the same vitola as the CA #1 cigar of the year (it was the robusto).

A couple of the cigars I have smoked have had some small holes in the wrapper but, for the most part, I have been impressed by how oily the wrappers have been. There have been some that have more veins than the others but the veins are not too pronounced. Beyond these aspects, the construction of this cigar is great. The reddish brown Nicaraguan wrapper houses a firm packing of filler and binder tobaccos.

Furthermore, I think if I was in a pinch and needed to stab an intruder I could use the Casa Magna Belicoso as some sort of icepick since the point of the torpedo is extremely pointy! Even though “use as a weapon” does not fall into my scoring rubric I will keep this little tidbit in mind if I’m torn between two scores. The only drawback from the ability to weaponize this cigar is that it could be difficult cutting it… but, no, it cuts just fine and the pre-light draw is fine as well.

Cigar Stats
Torpedo
Length: 6 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 52
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $7.00

Glee Flame!

A core of spice is buffeted by a mild floral sweetness, woodiness and an oily nuttiness that all works well together. After the first half an inch the spicy core is superseded by those other flavors and only remains as a background flavor. There is a good deal of complexity and strength of flavor with this cigar that I really enjoy.

So far, this Casa Magna is burning and drawing really well. I have had some minor burn problems in the past with this cigar but nothing major.

It starts out as a really robust, full bodied cigar but mellows out once the spiciness takes a step back. Still full bodied but the finish is smoother and the other flavors really get to shine through.

The draw has remained even but I did have to cut a little more off the head of the cigar to open up the draw. For the remainder of the cigar it draws extremely well.

At the beginning of the final third of the cigar there is a faint cocoa flavor but it quickly fades away. The main flavors – spice, floral sweetness, wood (a heartier wood unlike oak) and nuttiness – remain throughout in some variation or another. It is an impressive cigar, that I am sure of.

Is it one of the best cigars ever? Probably not. It is complex, full flavored and the essentials (burn and draw) are average to above average. When you factor in the price (although I had to pay around $8.50 at my local tobacconist – damn cigar taxes!) it does make this cigar even more attractive. Let me put it this way, I loved this cigar and will definitely be smoking more of them in the future. Additionally, there is now a Casa Magna Oscuro that was recently released and I’ll get my hands on those as quickly as possible.

92 points

Cain Maduro Cigar Review

It is a nice looking cigar without much in the way of raised veins or discolorations. Not exactly the darkest maduro I have ever seen but it has a nice, chocolate hue to it. I am smoking the torpedo and I have noticed that most of the torpedos I got were cracking a little bit near the pointed foot of the torpedo. This is probably due to the care given to them by the cigar shop and, since the cracked wrapper is never too large, it gets cut off anyway. No harm, no foul in my book. It’s not very oily and has a number of soft spots throughout.

A lot has been made about the fact that this cigar is chock full with ligero tobacco from all the coolest locales. The little booklet that comes with a box of Cains states that it is “25% Esteli Ligero, 27% Condego Ligero, 30% Jalapa Ligero.” So, to put it bluntly, if you like a cigar that packs a punch then you would probably like Cain cigars.

Cigar Stats
Torpedo
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua Ligero (Esteli, Condega and Jalapa)
Price: around $7.00

Crazy Light!

Even before I gently torch the foot I can taste the strength. The center of my tongue lightly touched the newly cut part of the cigar and it stung a little. Knowing that I am in store for a full bodied cigar I light it and can immediately tell that it’s got a great draw. A couple inches into this cigar reveals a steady, even burn and a really strong ash. And, yes, it is a full bodied cigar but, to tell you the absolute truth, the strength isn’t bowling me over like the Cain F has (review forthcoming).

What is really impressive about this cigar is that with all the strength there really isn’t a foul note; it’s a smooth cigar. When I started smoking these cigars I was at least expecting some harshness and maybe some bitterness as well but they are nowhere to be found in the Cain Maduros I have smoked.

The second most impressive thing about this cigar is that it burns evenly. When I got these cigars I was fully prepared to do the occasional touch up but, for the most part, I haven’t had to touch up any of the Cain Maduros I have smoked.

Coffee, chocolate, a dirty earthiness and some other rich flavors lead the way with this cigar. The spice, which is a cross between cracked black pepper and a warmer spice like cinnamon, play well as a secondary (definitely not background) flavor profile. There is also an underlying sweetness evident in this cigar that works to accentuate the Cain Maduro’s overall robustness.

Interestingly, the spice, which is a strong supporting flavor profile, is what lingers the longest on my tongue, which is preferable to me.

After the halfway point the spice takes over the top flavor spot. There is also a nuttiness that starts to come through.

Overall, this cigar does not live up to the amazing amount of hype that has been heaped on it. While there is a lot of different flavors evident in this cigar none of those flavors really stand out. All of the different flavors play well with each other but it’s not amazing.

This all brings me to the conclusion that it’s a lot better to ignore the hype surrounding a cigar and to just appreciate it for what it is. It’s a semi-enjoyable cigar flavor-wise with a decent amount of kick. Don’t expect great things if you pick one of these up.

88 points

Camacho Triple Maduro 50/4.5 Cigar Review

I do not usually make a big deal about the band on the cigar (in this case the over-sized normal band and the one on the foot) but I think that the band perfectly encapsulates what this cigar is all about. The bands are sleek, stark and over-the-top. Mostly silver and black, with a thin line of red and some other colors, the bands give you the sense that this stubby cigar means business. Having smoked some before, I know that it means serious business.

Besides the flavor what is really impressive about this cigar is how Camacho was able to make a cigar with all maduro leaves smoke well. Maduro leaves are thicker than normal and can have burn problems.

This cigar looks awesome. Very oily without any noticeable imperfections. The dark wrapper beckons for me to cut and light it, so that is what I am going to do now.

Cigar Stats
Robusto
Length: 4 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 50
Wrapper: Honduras Maduro
Binder: Honduras Maduro
Filler: Honduras Maduro
Price: $11.30

Kurtz Flame!

It starts out wild and spicy but (mostly) calms down within a quarter of an inch. By spice I do not mean the warm, cinnamon kind of spice. I mean black pepper or maybe even some cayenne pepper. Tasty stuff. There’s also cocoa, coffee, earth and a whole host of other flavors that come and go.

A couple of weeks ago I saw a review of this cigar at Tom’s Cigar Reviews and they were smoking it in the morning. Why do I mention this? Well, mainly because it is a full bodied cigar and I can definitely see where the uninitiated would have a hard time with its strength. But, to be honest, if you have smoked full bodied cigars for a while you shouldn’t have too much of a problem with this cigar. Don’t be afraid, it’s an awesome cigar and well worth any dizziness that might ensue. If you are a little wary then smoke it after a meal.

The smoke is very creamy. There is also a rich nutty flavor as well. Overall, the Camacho Triple Maduro is a very complex cigar with lots of great flavors. The draw is superb and the burn is basically even (required a couple of touch ups this time).

Almost finished now. It stays consistently strong: both in strength and in flavor. The price of this cigar will probably make many do a double take but I think it is worth the extra money, especially if you want to treat yourself. And, after smoking a few of these cigars, I’m impressed with their consistency. Truly great cigars are hard to come by – this is one of them.

95 points

Arturo Fuente Cuban Corona Cigar Review

Good looking cigar save for a large vein near the cap. Tons of oils on the wrapper. The cigar tapers down from the foot to the cap and I’ve got to say that the cap looks a little weird. But, since I’m going to be cutting it off shortly, I’ll let it slide. I should also note that I’m smoking the cigar with the natural wrapper, not the maduro version.

Cigar Stats
Corona Extra
Length: 5 1/4″
Ring Gauge: 45
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Price: $5.50

Baseball Light!

Great draw with an even burn. The two initial flavors are earthiness and roasted nuts. There’s also a subtle spice that lingers on the tongue. I’m going to peg this as a medium-full bodied cigar.

The spice is slowly becoming a bigger part of the flavor profile for this cigar, which is nice. No poor notes to mention whatsoever. The previously mentioned roasted nuts reminds me of almonds. When I inhale this cigar it comes in spicy and then when I exhale out of my nose it is nutty. The earthiness is a tertiary flavor at best. It’s a very good cigar.

I started out smoking Fuentes and, for the most part, they are solid cigars. And so is this one. While they do have high-end lines that are much better than the Gran Reserva line that I am smoking right now the Gran Reserva is good for its price.

Two-thirds of the way through this cigar and the nuttiness has almost completely dissipated. The spice has taken over where the nutty flavor left off; both when I inhale and when I exhale out my nose there is spice. That nutty flavor is present in the aftertaste, but barely. The earthiness is gone.

Even though it’s not possible to claim that this is one of the best cigars out there, it is solid. While the flavors are tasty they are not all that provocative and this isn’t an extremely complex cigar. It smokes well though and is worth smoking again.

90 points

CAO Criollo Pato Cigar Review

Pigtails. Who does not love pigtails? But, if you do, this cigar might not be the one for you because it does have a pigtail on the cap. Alright, other than the pigtail there is a good amount of oils. The construction looks fine but I have to say that it is visibly lopsided. That is a little bit disconcerting but, as long as the cigar smokes fine, I’m OK with it.

My Previous Review of this Cigar

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

Chuck Light!

Oats, wheat and charred wood. There is also a nutty flavor going on here. Medium-full bodied and burns evenly. I like these flavors and they work well together.

I’m halfway through now and the flavors are still very, very good. Loving everything about this cigar. Good flavors, good draw and a decent burn. It’s definitely better than the last one of these I smoked (Which I gave 88 points to).

It does not end very well though. There is an ashiness to it as it gets close to the nub. However, I don’t think that this needs to overshadow what is good about this cigar and there is a lot that is good about it. Still, these bad flavors do last for a half an inch or so and that does hurt my score for this cigar a little bit.

Hmmm. The bad notes leave as soon as they came. That’s good. What is also a good thing is that those enjoyable flavors come back.

91 points

CAO Gold Corona Cigar Review

From CAO: “Flawlessly constructed, this nugget of smoking pleasure delivers a smooth buttery flavor laced with vanilla, cream and nutmeg creating an escape that is nothing less than golden.” They peg it as being a mild smoke.

Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Well, just going off of what anyone says about their cigars they would all sound wonderful. That is why I am here, to tell you who is fudging how good their cigars really are. Here’s my review:

Light brown wrapper that is a little misshapen. It does glisten with oils. There is a hole near the foot of the cigar. It gets thinner by the cap. Drinking Cherry Coke with water.

Cigar Stats
Corona
Length: 5 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 42
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $4.50

Z-Light!

Very mild (I don’t like mild cigars – so be forewarned). Kind of boring actually. Not very flavorful in the beginning.

There are some slight vanilla flavors. Draw is a little tight and there is this ashy flavor that I don’t like.

This review may end up being short unless this cigar gets better. It’s a fine cigar; it burns evenly, the draw is good, the flavors are not bad…. It is just that this cigar does not excite me at all. Halfway through at this point and unless it becomes more flavorful then I won’t like it.

Luckily, it does get better. The vanilla flavor is joined by a nuttiness along with an oak flavor as well. It does improve my overall perception of this cigar. Overall, it is a fine cigar.

87 points

Romeo Y Julieta Habana Reserve Toro Cigar Review

This cigar has a slight sheen of oil. It looks perfect and it’s the second cigar I smoked after the CAO Vision. Very big cigar. Drinking Wild Turkey and a Cherry Coke.

Cigar Stats
Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 56
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Price: $5.00

Go Light!

This cigar is on the verge of being too fat. Yet, the draw is perfectly fine. I usually end up having draw problems with the thinner cigars anyways. I’m not getting a ton of flavor from this cigar however, which is somewhat surprising.

Feels like a medium bodied cigar, which is shouldn’t be. It should be full bodied. The only flavor I’m getting from this cigar is that it’s a little nutty. Cashew? Maybe. There is also a mild sweetness to it that’s nice.

About halfway through now and it is just a boring cigar. There really isn’t that much flavor to it. No spice or anything that would push the limits of my palette and nothing that makes me think that this is a full bodied smoke.

It does burn evenly though. But who cares if it burns well if it’s boring? I would rather have a cigar that was more of a technical problem and tasted wonderfully than a cigar that was technically perfect, like this cigar, but is just boring. Even if it had some more good flavors to it but it doesn’t – so I don’t like it.

84 points

Outlaw Padilla Miami 8&11 – Cigar Review from Cigar Jack

Here is a great review from a cigar blog called Cigar Jack. Jack, I’m guessing that’s his name, gives a great description of this Padilla cigar. Makes me want to light one up myself!