The KC/DW Review Series

[heftysmokes]

Thanks for providing great reviews. I always enjoy reading them and am quite happy that you're hitting some value sticks. There are so many "cheap" smokes out there, it's hard to seperate the wheat from the chaff. These reviews are a huge help in finding those hidden treasures.

[DeeDubya]

Thanks for providing great reviews. I always enjoy reading them and am quite happy that you're hitting some value sticks. There are so many "cheap" smokes out there, it's hard to seperate the wheat from the chaff. These reviews are a huge help in finding those hidden treasures.

All too true. But I have a habit of posting only those I like. I pass over quite a few that I don't care for because someone else might like them and I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from trying anything. Take the Jameson for example: I didn't like them but others thought they were good. I would not have done that review had I not been asked to.
Try one of the Conuco's. Very tastey.

[DeeDubya]

Considered to be Oliva's most luxurious series, I had to try some when they were first introduced. Although fairly impressed I just couldn't rank them with the V or the Master Blends 3. This evening I got the urge to try another that had been hibernating in my humi for about 18 months.

The special tapered foot made it easy to light and start an even burn but it did have a somewhat hard draw that just wouldn't go away. Finally, after smoking through the first third I gave up, got my cutter and wacked another 1/8" off the head to free it up considerably. The tight spot was right at the slightly tapered head just above the cap.

Things got better and I really started enjoying the spices in the Nicaraguan Habano long-fillers and Cuban-seed binder. Of course the lush Ecuadorian sun-grown (aged 5 years) wrapper contributed as well. Supposedly the leaf is aged in cedar crates which impart the natural richness while maintaining the smoothness desired. Considered to be full-bodied I would call it medium compared to other Habano's I have tried. Very tastey, and true to the high quality that the Oliva's are known for.

Other than just really good tobacco flavors (spicey and earthy) I couldn't detect any pronounced scents or flavors. Maybe some cedar, but then this stogie was aged, wrapped, and stored in cedar it's entire life.

At somewhere around $17 bucks it is not a "value" yard-gar, fish-gar or anything at the top of the charts either, just a very good cigar. One that should be enjoyed to it's fullest in a leisure setting to appreciate the quality rolled into it. There are many to choose from in this price range but I will say that it holds it's own up on the top shelf.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 9.4.

[DeeDubya]

Much, Much different than the traditional Montecristo, the Platinum La Habana got my attention with an advertised "medium-bodied" cigar.
I'm all for rich flavor but also appreciate the immaculate construction, smoothness and near perfect burn of other Montecristo's.

This very "Habano" looking stick has some veins, toothy feel and darker Mexican Cubano leaf. The filler, a blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan and Peruvian long-leaf fillers produce a full-bodied enjoyment that some (like me) prefer.

Of course it has a new silver band that looks good on the medium dark wrapper. It toasted well and lit evenly. It was easy to settle into the nearly perfect draw. About half-way it did burn a little uneven but not uncontrollably. Overall I thought the flavors were about average for a Habano. Well balanced, a little peppery, mild sweet aftertaste, pretty much in line with a $6.50 cigar. I will have to try a few more before I buy a box.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 8.3.

[DeeDubya]

I can honestly say that I have never been dissapointed with a Padron. Likewise this little Corona held up to my high expectations. Of course the highly-respected Nicaraguan family would not allow a sub-standard cigar to be banded a Padron.

Being partial to "full-bodied" cigars I savored the delicious, thick, creamy smoke that this small ring guage, box-pressed cigar produced. Very smooth and mellow with a perfect draw, even burn and uniform white ash. The flavors are outstanding with coffee, chocolate and nuts seeming to dominate. Also, the 4-year aged all-Nicaraguan tobaccos present a special singular non-blended purity that is hard to find these days.

Being a fairly small cigar this would make a perfect companion to a cup of coffee for a mid-morning smoke. If you like maduro's at all you must try one. If you don't like maduro's you should try one anyway, it might just change your mind. These little delicioso's retail for around $8.50 but are worth every penny.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 9.4.

[DeeDubya]

Some time back I did a review on a Georges Reservce Robusto. I was so pleased with the quality and flavors that I gave it a 9.2. I find it interesting to compare cigars that vary only in size (ring guage). So I picked up a box of the Lonsdales and have since been alternating between them and the Robusto's.

As one would expect the Robusto's seem to burn slightly cooler. The flavors are very close although the Robusto's are slightly richer and mellow with a creamy smoke. The draw and burn on the Lonsdale is impeccable with a firm light gray ash. Of course because of the smaller ring guage the Lonsdale also burns just a little faster/hotter, making for a tie at around 45 minutes burn time.

A very interesting point that I did not mention in the Robusto review however, and is deemed unimportant by almost everything you read about cigars: The Binder. The Georges consist of Nicaraguan long-fillers, a rare African Cameroon binder and Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut-seed wrappers. Tell me why would a manufacturer use "rare African Cameroon binder" leaves if the binder has little affect on the flavors? Or maybe the blend is where it's at and the perfect combination of ingredients make for well-balanced flavors and a complex finish? I'm going to give the Robusto a slight edge over the lonsdale but a very slight edge indeed.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 9.1.

[ashauler]

Once again a fantastic review!! I've eyed these in the catalouges for awhile now.....have always been too skeptical to try them. Perhaps now its worth a shot to grab a 5er.......thanks for costing me more $$!!

Keep 'em coming, I've got a comfortable couch.