Review These - Reviews

**Roham** · 01-16-2006, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by rpcky16

Basil your cigars were

Cigar #1
Flor de Oliva Original Torpedo

Cigar #2
Ashton Cabinet VSG Belicoso

Which one is more expensive?

**Roham** · 01-17-2006, 12:46 AM

I couldn't resist so I decided to spark Cigar # 1 right away. It felt like it had retained all of it's moisture on the trip. It was a little larger then the average robusto. Dark wrapper, probably mudaro. Not a bad roll job. A few veins through out. The smell was a bit strong, leathery, the way I like it. I decided to use a bullet punch instead of my xikar on this baby and I think it was a good choice. It seems that the pre light draw was a bit too loose for my liking. I knew right away it would be a strong smoke and I began wondering if I would enjoy it. The first few puffs were horrible as I lit it. Seemed very bitter. But I marched on... Actually about 1/5 of the way into the smoke it started tasting the way I am sure it was intended. Was an ok aroma, seems almost familiar. Good even burn. Nice ash so far. The draw is alot better now that it is lit, doesn't feel so loose. It ended up being an ok smoke. It tasted like a mexican mudaro wrapper or something. I usualy smoke right down till my fingers burn but I had to toss it when it still had an inch and a half, just got too harsh. I am preparing to smoke the next one shortly. I'll post a review right after.

**Roham** · 01-17-2006, 03:01 AM

Cigar #2 was a little bit shorter with a smaller ring gauge. It was a lighter leaf also. The roll job was a bit better, as well as the firmness. After I cut it with my xikar you could see how well it was compacted and rolled. The pre light aroma was a bit mild but the smoke was very creamy after I sparked it. It had a perfect ash that lasted for an inch or so. Nice even burn. I smoked this one down to just about a nub. A little bit mild for my taste, but plenty of flavor! I'd say this was the nicer of the two.

JJ Westbrook! Thank you for the two cigars, both of which I enjoyed. Now, whats the verdict?

**JJ Westbrook** · 01-18-2006, 02:07 PM

Glad to hear you enjoyed them. Sorry I didn't see that you had posted this last night, but I am at work right now. So, as soon as I get home I will come back and edit this showing you what I sent and which was which.

**rpcky16** · 01-19-2006, 01:58 AM

VSG cost more

Originally Posted by Roham

Which one is more expensive?

**SuperChuck** · 01-19-2006, 08:04 AM

I love how the first review is always kind of guarded. No one has said "this is one of the best I've ever smoked" JUST in case it's a dud. :)

**JJ Westbrook** · 01-19-2006, 10:07 PM

#1 - Punch Gran Puro

&

#2 - Baccarat Casino Vintage Selection

#2 (the one you liked better) was about half the price of #1. . .go figure

I have had both, a Punch (After Dinner Maduro) and a Baccarat. I personally liked the Punch much better. Who knows?

**Lopaka** · 01-29-2006, 10:05 PM

Click for larger image

Mystery Cigar A

Size: 6
Ring: 54
Color: Natural Even

Before smoke- Smell very good. Prelight draw very smooth no hesitation.

First Draw- Great Taste, nice calm draw.

This smoke starts off with a very nice taste and wonderful smell with plenty of smoke to go with it. Very typical of the Cubans that I have smoked before.

As I continue to smoke, this is a very tasty smoke and I’m enjoying it soooo much it’s hard to write anything while smoking it but I’ll try.

¼ way through cigar, and the taste is great, reminds me of a Cuban that I’ve had in the past. This so far is one of those enjoyable smokes that you take your time with…relax, sit back, and enjoy.

I little past ¼ of the way in this smoke and the ash is still on the cigar!. That tells me it’s a well constructed smoke. Enjoying this very much, describing the taste with wood, nuts, and other flavors is currently out of my league. However, I just think if I had a woman with me…this would be perfect!

Half way down the cigar right now. Awesome smoke and it’s becoming very hard to write what I think. I think I’ll just sit back and enjoy.

Slightly past the halfway mark and cigar is still very tasty and wonderful. Starting to get that nice buzz that one gets from a really nice smoke, have to slow down more if I want to finish this wonderful smoke.

¾ mark and smoke is very nice, buzz is coming along well. Head is spinning and my brain is begging for water. The cigar sadly goes out and my lighter is empty (damn!) However I need to get some water before I’m go past happy land to the dark side.

Over all, this was a awesome smoke. I think I’ve had one of these before because it smelled and tasted very familiar, going to guess Monte #2. This I would guess is the more expensive of the two smokes. Either way, I would recommend this bad boy to anyone to smoke.

**Lopaka** · 01-29-2006, 10:15 PM

Click for larger image

Mystery Cigar B

Size: 6 ¼
Ring: 46
Color: Natural Uneven/Spots

Before smoke- Smell: good nice tobacco smell. Prelight draw, tight maybe a good fight.

First Draw- Good Taste, nice draw.

So far a nice taste although nothing to blow my kilt up. Smoke is plenty. Even burn so far…no problems.

¼ ways through cigar and nothing really special yet. Taste is ok/good…slightly enjoyable.

I’m little past ¼ of the way and nothing really changing about this cigar.

Almost to the ½ mark and really this smoke is not making me to happy. Not horrible. Just smoking regular tobacco and no distinct flavor to say hello to me!

As I got half way down the cigar still had a very bland flavor, something that I would expect out of a Partagas (Domestic) or Macanudo.

As I started to get slightly past the halfway mark the cigar is changing flavor just a little. A little more pleasant flavor, reminding me of a Don Carlos, still; nothing that would make me want to run out and get one of these.

I approached the ¾ mark and this smoke still had very bland taste. Something I would expect from the less expensive smokes or the while-I-golf-I-want-to-look-sophisticated-but-have-no-taste-cigar.

As I started to slightly past the ¾ mark the cigar tries and get a nice flavor to it. A little late, just like the Oakland Raiders in the Super Bowl XXXVII, can’t show up in the last 2 min of the game and expect to win!

Over all, this was a bland cigar until near the end. It tried to give some taste, but the taste wasn’t that exciting at all. I would guess this is the lesser of the two samples sent.

Thanks for letting me play and hope you enjoyed the reviews.

**Roham** · 01-30-2006, 03:57 AM

Great reviews and a perfect guess with the first one

It was a Monte #2. The second cigar was a La Vieja Habana

**cinda** · 01-30-2006, 07:48 AM

As I continue to smoke, this is a very tasty smoke and I’m enjoying it soooo much it’s hard to write anything while smoking it but I’ll try.

"¼ way through cigar, and the taste is great, reminds me of a Cuban that I’ve had in the past. This so far is one of those enjoyable smokes that you take your time with…relax, sit back, and enjoy".

"I little past ¼ of the way in this smoke and the ash is still on the cigar!. That tells me it’s a well constructed smoke. Enjoying this very much, describing the taste with wood, nuts, and other flavors is currently out of my league. However, I just think if I had a woman with me…this would be perfect!"

It does not sound like you needed a woman....

**Lopaka** · 01-30-2006, 07:41 PM

**slcraiders** · 02-08-2006, 09:41 PM

Alright, here is a review for mystery stick #1. I will try to get something posted for #2 in the next day or two. Both cigars are of a Robusto size with natural wrappers. Smoke #1 is slightly darker than #2.

Pre-smoke Impression: The wrapper was slightly oily with some noticeable vein texture. The scent is earthy, reminding me of a few ISOMs I have had- Punch and H. Upmann come to mind. It is very firm with very little give.

The smoke: The first few puffs were pleasantly mild and I did not taste any distinct flavor. 1/3 of the way in, it took on an entirely new character with a more harsh and bitter flavor. Not in a bad way by any means… …peppery, is the best way I can describe it. The aroma on this cigar is very strong, my wife commented. This flavor continued all the way through (mellowing a bit though) to the 1 ½ inch mark when I let it die. Both the draw and the burn were very nice. I enjoyed this cigar with zero complaints. It would pair nicely with a good Ale or Stout, or even better, the hybrid of the two- Black and Tan.

**slcraiders** · 02-09-2006, 09:46 PM

As promised, here is my take on mystery cigar #2-

Pre-smoke Impression: This was the lighter leafed smoke. The wrapper was thin and smooth with very small veins. The aroma was of tobacco, and nothing really else.

The smoke: Initially mild and creamy, but like the first smoke, it became stronger as I continued. I would say this is medium in body. The smoke also finished on a smooth and creamy note. The closest similarity I can make in comparison, is to some of the Cusano line I have tried and the Baccarat Vintage Casino. The draw was wonderful. Burn was slightly off ½ of the way down, but nothing major. Ash was medium gray and a tad flakey, falling off at the 1 inch mark. I enjoyed this cigar as well.

I am probably wrong on this, as some others have discovered in this thread… …but I venture to guess that smoke #1 is the more expensive of the two?

Lopaka,

Thanks for sharing these. Now, what are the results/identities???

**Lopaka** · 02-09-2006, 10:12 PM

Ahh the detective is correct.

Cigar #1 was a La Aurora Robusto

Cigar #2 was a Baccarat Rothchild

**drew_goring** · 03-07-2006, 07:59 PM

I am getting ready to go out and smoke these one after another. I will give my review at about 11:00pm my time.

**drew_goring** · 03-08-2006, 12:57 AM

Cigar #1:

Lighter wrapper. Robusto size I think Seemed lighter than #2. Clipped it and lit it up. Loose draw, lots of smoke. Very mild cigar. Extremely nice burn. Very even. Not really my kind of cigar. I like a more full-bodied cigar. I found it boring. I toughed it out and near then end it got a little spicier, but nothing to write home about. Decent smoke, but definately not on my daily list.

Cigar #2:

Darker shade wrapper. Robusto size as well. Definately heavier than than #1. Lit it up and from the first puff, knew I was going to enjoy the 'gar. I found it to be a complex cigar. Tight draw off the bat, almost ISOM tight, but it loosened up after the first inch or so. Hard to pinpoint just one flavor. I enjoyed it. Not as nicely burning as #1, but it still required no touch-ups. It was definately strong enough for my tastes. I would smoke it again for sure.

Thanks slc for sending me the smokes.

I really don't have much to base my guesses from, but I will give it a shot.

#1-5 vegas gold?
#2-Graycliff blue label? (Obviously the more expensive one)

Let me know.

edit to add draw.

**slcraiders** · 03-08-2006, 10:58 AM

Good work, Drew and thanks for playing. Nice, direct reviews as well. Yes, Cigar #2 was the more expensive of the two.

#1= Cusano 18 Yr.
#2= RyJ Anniversario (Twice as much as the Cusano, but half as much as the Graycliff that you guessed it was).

**drew_goring** · 03-08-2006, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by slcraiders

Good work, Drew and thanks for playing. Nice, direct reviews as well. Yes, Cigar #2 was the more expensive of the two.

#1= Cusano 18 Yr.
#2= RyJ Anniversario (Twice as much as the Cusano, but half as much as the Graycliff that you guessed it was).

The second one really reminded me of a ISOM RyJ right off the bat just based on the draw, but then I was really thinking it was a graycliff. Thanks for providing the smokes. My end has been sent, the next review should take place in a week or 2.

**rpcky16** · 03-09-2006, 02:34 AM

Cigar #1 - From Pyrofish

Well I finally got around to smoking the first cigar that I got from Pyro. It has made a long journey from Canada to Maine and finally New Orleans. It’s trip taking about four weeks to get to New Orleans from Maine due to my favorite girl Katrina. Mail takes at best two weeks longer to get to New Orleans still. I let them rest in my humidor between 58% and 62% for about a month due to their long time in the mail. Cigar #1 was about six and a half inches long and about a 50 ring. It had a nice brown rapper and was well constructed. It had a good draw and burned a little uneven for the first inch then evened out and burned perfectly for the rest. The ash held for about an inch. It was in my opinion a medium strength cigar that had a consistent woody flavor. Over all I think that it was a decent cigar nothing special I would give it a six out of ten. I will add the second cigar review tomorrow.