Updated Tuesday March 24, 2003
CIGAR NEWS 2003
The Big C, smokes no cigar before it's time and remains uninfluenced by commercial cigar ratings.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE! I am an INDEPENDENT cigar rater. Although everyone at UPTOWN CIGAR COMPANY are friends of mine, I am NOT employed by, nor do I have any financial or controlling business interest in UPTOWN CIGAR COMPANY. Any business correspondence with UPTOWN CIGAR COMPANY should be done directly with them.
Welcome to another, not as frequent as I would like, installment of my commentary. This month I would like to wish a victorious, safe and secure return to our troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. My thoughts are with those brave men and women and all of the families that have loved ones in the Armed Services of the United States of America. Regardless of your view on this war, these individuals deserve our respect and moral support for having the courage, dedication and will to defend our country and it's principles with their lives.
I received an e-mail from a Naval Lieutenant aboard the USS Constellation asking if I had tried Cuesta Rey Aristocrats. I have not, but I did place it on my list of smokes to experience.
I must say that sadly my cigar reviewing has suffered something of a lull. The plethora of new smokes that once appeared on the market has seemed to dissipate. It appears that there is such a push by anti-tobacco and anti-smoking groups that the industry very cautious about developing and marketing new cigars. It also seems that the craze has subsided and cigar smoking has lost a bit of it's public chic. Even "cigar Aficionado magazine" diminished the word cigar in the title and this month doesn't even have someone smoking a stogie on the cover! I'm not sure what that means. Were the clientele and subscribers that helped sustain the magazine's circulation no longer their main market? I don't know. They do report though that cigars may be enjoying a mini boom. The upside to all of this is that many cigars that were previously hard to find due to enormous demand have becoming more available to the regular cigar smokers. A pleasant development in my not so humble opinion. It's a good time to check with your supplier and see if some of those previously hard to get labels are in stock. Who know how long the lull will last before we're scrambling for whatever we can get our hands on? AGAIN.
Until next time,
Carlo
If you find that your favorite cigar is not reviewed on my page, drop me an e-mail and I'll give it a try. If I like it, I'll add it. If I don't the worst that can happen is that I don't add it to the page.
Past commentaries:
New Year 1999
June 1999
January 2000
April 2000
June 2000
April 2001
September 2002
October 2002
Don't forget to Visit my friends at UPTOWN CIGAR CO. It's my favorite place to buy Cigars both on the web and off !!!
CARLO's CIGAR REVIEWS:
I'm a huge fan of good cigars. So I've taken the time to smoke and give others my take on some popular, and not so popular smokes. Remember, everyone's taste is different, so you may disagree with me on some of these. If you have any favorites to recommend E-Mail me with your opinions.
NOTE: These cigars are my favorites. I have smoked
at least 2 and quite possibly more of each cigar listed. I don't
review cigars that I haven't enjoyed, so you can take these as
recommendations to your smoking repertoire. As with any subject
that involves taste, yours may vary from mine (which may mean you
don't have any), so remember the true test is to smoke the cigar
and see if you like it. The prices listed are very fluid in
today's market, and reflect the retail prices in New York State
where I live, so don't scream at your retailer if you find they
are higher than the price listed. The names and sizes of the
cigars are accurate to the best of my knowledge, so if you find I
have made a mistake, call it to my attention.
Arturo Fuente / Don Carlos- #3 (5 1/2 x 44) / Dominican Republic - Of all the Fuentes I've smoked, this is without a doubt one of the nicest smokes I've had. Cameron wrapper and a blend of four different fillers make this an unforgettable cigar. The smoke is medium bodied and it has a rich slightly sweet finish that kept my interest until the end. Current price: $7.25 US
Arturo Fuente / Chateau Fuente Sungrown- (4 1/2 x 50) / Dominican Republic - This is a unique smoke and a perfect dessert cigar. Although I like the original Chateau Fuente, I feel this on stands out enough to make the page! The components of this fine smoke are a sungrown, natural, dark, Equador wrapper round Dominican binder and filler. The smoke was smooth and mild with hints of sweet spice. Very nice. Current price: Around $3.50 US
Arturo Fuente / Hemingway Signature - (6 x 47) / Dominican Republic - This is the third A. Fuente that strikes me as remarkable. This cigar is a pure delight, and I've only had one person disagree with my assessment of this smoke. This cigar is medium bodied, even burning, lightly leathery tasting with a hint of sweetness. It finishes better than it begins and leaves the smoker wishing there were more. The only problem with this cigar is the availability. Current price: Around $5.85 US
Note: All A.Fuente cigars use Cameroon wrappers unless otherwise noted and contain a blend of as many as four different filler tobaccos and each line contains a different blend.
Ashton - Corona (5 1/2 x 44) / Dominican Republic - This cigar is the favorite smoke of my wife, Kathy. Connecticut shade wrapper, Cuban seed Dominican binder and filler, make the Ashton Corona a smooth, creamy, mild smoke with slight cedar and nutmeg undertones. This cigar is a perfect smoke if you want something very mild yet flavorful and complex. A good cigar to begin the day for more experienced smokers, or the perfect evening cigar for a beginner. Current price: Around $6.00 US
Ashton - #20 Aged Maduro (5 1/2 x 44) / Dominican Republic - The spicy brother of the Ashton corona. An aged oscuro wrapper adds more spice and depth to an already wonderful cigar. A more advanced smoke than the natural. Current price: Around $6.75 US
Ashton VSG
- Belicoso #1 (5 1/2 x 52)
/ Dominican Republic - Another spicy entry from Ashton. VSG stands for Virgin
sun Grown, a very sexy name for a very sexy cigar. I love the thick medium bodied
smoke and spicy lip smacking flavor of the wrapper. Current price: Around $8
US
BAHIA GOLD by Tony Borhani- #4 Natural (5 1/2 x 42) / Costa Rica - The Bahia Gold #4 is a full bodied smoke constructed from Sumatra seed Ecuador grown wrapper, Dominican binder and filler. These cigars are extremely well made, even burning and a real pleasure to smoke. The ash was firm and resilient. These cigars come box pressed in boxes of 30 and happen to have a really nice band. Current price: Around $7.00 US
CAO Anniversarie Camaroon - Napoleon (4 3/4 x 52) / Nicaragua - Here's a great alternative to those hard to come by Padron Anniversarios! These box pressed beauties sport a smooth flavorful Cameroon wrapper, nicaraguan binder and filler for about half the price of the Padron Anniversario. The flavor is rich and mildly spicy and develops nicely throughout the smoke. This is the second in this line of cigars that I've smoked and really enjoyed, the first was the Robusto (5 x 50). DO NOT pass up an opportunity to try this cigar, you will find it a pleasant experience! Current price: Around $7.40 US
Cifuentes Partagas - (NO LONGER AVAILABLE) Belicoso (6 1/4 x 50) / Jamaica - The blend of tobacco reportedly used in this cigar is Dominican, Jamaican, and Mexican grown Cuban seed tobacco. The wrapper is Connecticut Shade. If I had to chain smoke cigars this would be the one I'd buy a box of to start my day! A smooth consistent draw and burn, light cocoa flavors, mild to medium bodied. I really like this cigar and it's at the top of my current list of regular smokes. One of the best of the newer cigar lines to erupt from General Cigars spawning grounds. I would compare the quality of this smoke to any Dominican Montecristo cigar and in fact I think it's a hands down better cigar! Current price: NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Don Tomas Special Edition - #500 (5 1/2 x 46) / Honduras - I recently rediscovered this cigar, and although the wrapper has changed from Connecticut shade to a Indonesian wrapper, this cigar is GREAT! In fact the change in wrapper has actually added a new flavor dimension to an already fine smoke. Highly recommended. Great value! Current price: Around $4.50 US
Drew Estates NATURAL - China 5 (5 x 43) / Nicaragua - Actually this cigar, although made in Nicaragua, is pretty far from any typical Nicaraguan cigar you'll smoke. It's blend of South Asian, Honduran, and Jamaican tobacco in a triple fermented African wrapper gives this cigar a mildly sweet, almost aromatic smoke. This is the most unique cigar I have ever smoked and, although it won't be my regular smoke, it presents a nice alternative for those times you just want something different. Current price: Around $6.00 US
El Rey Del Mundo - Robusto Supremo (7 1/4 x 54) / Honduras - Take your time with this baby, you're gonna love it. Yeah, it's big. Yeah, it's got a dark oily Ecuador/Sumatra Maduro wrapper. Yeah, it's full bodied with lots of flavors. Yeah, it's a lot like some of the better Cubans. Need any more reasons to try it? Didn't think so. This is one of the few non-Cuban cigars that Cigar Aficionado rated 91% and one of the few ratings I think was right on the money. Current price: Around $4.75 US
El Rey Del Mundo - Robusto (5 x 50) / Honduras - This is the Supremo's baby brother. I like it as well, it has most of the same character of it's big brother. Current Price: Around $3.75 US
El Rey Del Mundo - Robusto Zavalla (5x54) / Honduras - Another fine cigar from El Rey Del Mundo. These guys just seem to have the formula. This cigar has a natural Ecuador wrapper, unlike the two previous El Reys which are maduro, the binder is Honduran and the filler is a Dominican/Honduran blend. The smoke is medium to full bodied yet very smooth with a light woody finish and a hint of cocoa. The burn on the sample was a tad uneven, but it only slightly detracted from the overall experience. Current Price: Around $4.00 US
FelipeGregorio - Felipe II Fusion F1(F-one) (7x48) / Nicaragua - A true Cuban style cigar in taste, body and strength. Complex smoke varies from medium bodied to full body while avoiding becoming overly harsh. Not a beginner's smoke but recommended for (dare I say?) Cuban Cohiba fans. A bit pricey even for a high end Nicaraguan but a better value than a comparable real Cuban. Current Price: Around $16.00 US
Felipe Gregorio - Niņo (4 1/4 x 44) / Honduras - This is a full bodied and flavorful cigar. Despite it's small size it delivers a great smoke without the heat associated with smaller cigars. Current Price: Around $6.20 US
Gillberto Oliva - Robusto (5 1/2 x 50) / Dominican Republic - It just dawned on me that most of the cigars you see here are NOT from DR. Well this one is, and it's a sleeper. A beautiful Connecticut shade wrapper, Dominican binder, and a perfect blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobacco for filler, make this cigar a smooth medium bodied, classy smoke. It also has a very attractive price for a cigar of this quality. Current Price: Around $4.50 US
Hoyo de Monterey - Sultan (7 1/4 x 54) / Honduras - Funny thing about this cigar, I like it much better than any of the Hoyo Excalibur series, in fact, THIS IS A GREAT CIGAR! This cigar is all Honduran grown Cuban seed tobacco. It's a medium bodied cigar with a lot of flavor an no harshness, it finishes as nicely as it starts and smokes through smoothly. Current price: Around $5.00 US
LaFinca - Corona (5 1/2 x42) / Nicaragua - A rich robust flavored corona! Strong , full bodied, yet the smoke is smooth. In my opinion one of the best corona's on the market and one of the best values too. Current price: Around $1.50 US
La Finca - Robusto (5 1/2 x 49) / Nicaragua - This is a full bodied smoke, strong and rich but not overpowering. This cigar is constructed from all Nicaraguan tobacco. It has a nice dark oily wrapper. Even with the characteristic strength of Nicaraguan tobacco, this cigar manages balance flavor and smoothness into the mix. Current price: Around $2.40 US
La Gloria Cubana - Wavell (5 x 50) / USA - Ecuadorian wrapper, Dominican binder and a blend of Dominican, Brazilian and US leaf tobacco come together to form this spicy, medium bodied cigar. Well constructed, nice ash, lots of smoke and a complex blend of flavor and spice make this a good pick. Current price: Around $3.70 US
Montesino - Pyramid (6 1/4 x 52) / Dominican Republic - Dominican sungrown wrapper, Dominican binder, and blended filler makes one heck of a good smoke. Lightly spicy and flavorful, with rich medium to full bodied smoke. If you like some of the richer Fuentes this is a good (and available) smoke. Current Price: Around $6.25 US
Note: The Montesino Pyramid is the only of the line to use the sungrown wrapper at this time.
Padron - #3000 (5 1/2 x 52) / Honduras - An excellent cigar in both natural and maduro wrappers. The maduro is rich and chocolate, while the natural has slight cinnamon under tones. These cigars are constructed from all Nicaraguan tobacco which has been blended to create a smooth flavorful smoke. Current price: Around $5 US
Padron Serrie de Aniversario 1964 - Exclusivo Maduro (5 1/2 x 50) / Nicaragua - Arguably one of the best cigars on the market. From it's elegant maduro wrapper and box pressed shape to the smooth cinnamon hinted flavor, this cigar is a true pleasure to smoke. I'm sorry I overlooked reviewing it for so long, but it is produced in limited quantity and not widely available so subconsciously I may have been keeping it to myself. Can you blame me? Current price: Around $10 US
Padron Serrie de Aniversario 1964- Pyramide Natural (6 7/8 x 52) / Nicaragua - The second entry in the Aniversario series is yet another super stogie. Normally I find pyramid shape cigars burn a little uneven and require quite a bit of tending which detracts from the enjoyment of even the most flavorful smoke. Not this one, baby! From the silky smooth natural wrapper and box pressed pyramid shape this was smoking pleasure at it's best. Right form the light the burn was so even it looked artificial, I built nearly a 2" ash that only broke away because I decided to flick it. The draw was easy and the smoke was medium bodied, cool, rich and plentiful with a slightly peppery flavor. The only draw back to this cigar is the price (not that it's not worth every penny), but if you're in the mood to treat yourself by all means this is the choice! Current price: Around $13 US
Partagas - #8 Maduro (6 1/4 x 48) / Dominican Republic - Okay, so I like a mainstream smoke. Actually the Partagas Maduro is not quite so mainstream, although the filler is a blend of Jamaican, and Dominican tobacco and the binder Mexican the wrapper is a kettle cured Cameroon maduro. This is not a naturally occurring maduro, and it gives the cigar an interesting complexity of flavor. This cigar is extremely well constructed, burns with a beautiful light gray ash and has a combination of spice and sweetness that is hard to beat. Current price: Around $5.45 US
Temple Hall- #550 (5 1/2 x 50) / Jamaica - This is a well made, tasty cigar. Connecticut shade wrapper, Mexican binder, and a blend of Jamaican, Dominican, and Mexican filler combine to form a smooth elegant smoke. Nice to relax with. Current price: Around $4.75 US
Zino - Mouton Cadet #6 (5 x 50) / Honduras - Well, this was a surprise! This is the smoothest Honduran smoke I've had to date. A beautifully constructed, full flavored smoke. I strongly recommend this cigar, even if you normally find Honduran smokes a bit too strong. It lacks the harshness often associated with most Hondurans. Current price: Around $7.50 US
Well that's it for the time being. I'll be adding more as time goes on, for now give these a try and let me know if you have any favorites I should try. You can learn more about cigars through these Cigar Links so check them out and enjoy.
All views
expressed on this page are those of the writer, who is pretty
much a flawless individual and a true humanitarian.
Any errors in spelling are entirely the fault
of my third grade teachers and a defect resulting from a poor socioeconomic
climate during my childhood.
When in the
Kingston New York area visit:
The ONLY place to buy cigars in the Hudson
Valley and on the Web!