Review These - Reviews

[rpcky16]

Basil your cigars were

Cigar #1
Flor de Oliva Original Torpedo

Cigar #2
Ashton Cabinet VSG Belicoso

[basil]

ah. i've tried the VSGs before and am just not a fan. Never had the FdO before - I'll definitely buy more. Thanks.

[JJ Westbrook]

After receiving this box in the mail at work a little before noon, I could not help but to antisipate what suprises I would find inside. By the time I got it home I could wait no longer. I opened the box and, to my delight, I found two cigars that I immediately knew that I have never had before. These are both so far from anything I have ever had that I have no way of guessing what they are. The wrappers on both were as dark and rich as one could imagine. I examined them both as closely as my un-trained eye would allow and stuck them in my humidor. That is when I posted the confirmation that I had received them and intended to begin my expedition later that night. After dinner I decided that the time was right. Now I had to choose.

Well, I smoked cigar #1 if for no other reason than it was the smaller of the two (in ring gauge only as they were the same length - 5 inches) and was about the size of what I smoke regularly. Pre-light draw was smooth (almost loose) but not very tasteful. It wasn't bad just nearly no taste at all. It was easy to light and started off tasting pretty decent. The taste did change slightly throughout the smoke but never got any better or worse than pretty decent. There was not really a large amount of smoke, but it was not disappointing either. The burn was really my least favorite attribute of this cigar. Almost from begining to end it burned unevenly. On my 1-5 rating [1=Really Bad; 2=O.K.; 3=Decent; 4=Good; 5=Excellent] I give this one a 3.

I had hoped to smoke the second suprise last night but found myself on the road far later than I had hoped. So, I had it after breakfast this morning. Pre-light draw on this was was close to medium, the way I prefer it. It was also more tasteful. Now, I don't pretend to be able yet to really pick out and describe the different flavors in a cigar (especially these that are so new to me) but I could definately taste more "aroma" with this cigar. I was equally easy to light and started out tasting better than the first had ever gotten. The first thing I noticed with this smoke was the volume of smoke. There was more thick billowing clouds of smoke with this one than any cigar I have had yet, lots more. It caught me off guard and was a nice suprise. The taste was much stronger (more full-bodied) than I am use to but I didn't find it at all 'harsh'. The second thing that I noticed as unusual was the ash. The ash all the way down this stick had a reddish or brownish tint to it. This is the first time I have ever seen this. Now, it may be that this is common to the dark wrapper and I just am not familiar with it. I did not notice this with the first cigar but I did smoke it outside in a not-so-well-lit area in front of my house, so who knows?... This smoke just seemed to go on and on. The draw became a little looser than I am use to shortly into it. I can only assume that this is due to the larger diameter. This one did burn much more evenly than the first, which I was glad to see. As for rating it, this was a very hard thing for me to do. I suspect that my tastes are not yet developed enough to appreciate this smoke but to me it was still a least a Good (4) smoke.

Many thanks to Basil for both of these interesting smokes. I am very anxious to find out what they were.

(P.S. Please over look any typing/spelling errors you run across in this post as I am on a borrowed computer with no spell check and at 0100 I am sure I have missed something.)

[basil]

After receiving this box in the mail at work a little before noon, I could not help but to antisipate what suprises I would find inside. By the time I got it home I could wait no longer. I opened the box and, to my delight, I found two cigars that I immediately knew that I have never had before. These are both so far from anything I have ever had that I have no way of guessing what they are. The wrappers on both were as dark and rich as one could imagine. I examined them both as closely as my un-trained eye would allow and stuck them in my humidor. That is when I posted the confirmation that I had received them and intended to begin my expedition later that night. After dinner I decided that the time was right. Now I had to choose.

Well, I smoked cigar #1 if for no other reason than it was the smaller of the two (in ring gauge only as they were the same length - 5 inches) and was about the size of what I smoke regularly. Pre-light draw was smooth (almost loose) but not very tasteful. It wasn't bad just nearly no taste at all. It was easy to light and started off tasting pretty decent. The taste did change slightly throughout the smoke but never got any better or worse than pretty decent. There was not really a large amount of smoke, but it was not disappointing either. The burn was really my least favorite attribute of this cigar. Almost from begining to end it burned unevenly. On my 1-5 rating [1=Really Bad; 2=O.K.; 3=Decent; 4=Good; 5=Excellent] I give this one a 3.

I had hoped to smoke the second suprise last night but found myself on the road far later than I had hoped. So, I had it after breakfast this morning. Pre-light draw on this was was close to medium, the way I prefer it. It was also more tasteful. Now, I don't pretend to be able yet to really pick out and describe the different flavors in a cigar (especially these that are so new to me) but I could definately taste more "aroma" with this cigar. I was equally easy to light and started out tasting better than the first had ever gotten. The first thing I noticed with this smoke was the volume of smoke. There was more thick billowing clouds of smoke with this one than any cigar I have had yet, lots more. It caught me off guard and was a nice suprise. The taste was much stronger (more full-bodied) than I am use to but I didn't find it at all 'harsh'. The second thing that I noticed as unusual was the ash. The ash all the way down this stick had a reddish or brownish tint to it. This is the first time I have ever seen this. Now, it may be that this is common to the dark wrapper and I just am not familiar with it. I did not notice this with the first cigar but I did smoke it outside in a not-so-well-lit area in front of my house, so who knows?... This smoke just seemed to go on and on. The draw became a little looser than I am use to shortly into it. I can only assume that this is due to the larger diameter. This one did burn much more evenly than the first, which I was glad to see. As for rating it, this was a very hard thing for me to do. I suspect that my tastes are not yet developed enough to appreciate this smoke but to me it was still a least a Good (4) smoke.

Many thanks to Basil for both of these interesting smokes. I am very anxious to find out what they were.

(P.S. Please over look any typing/spelling errors you run across in this post as I am on a borrowed computer with no spell check and at 0100 I am sure I have missed something.)

Cigar #1 Diamond Crown Maximus robusto #5

Cigar #2 El Rey Del Mundo Robusto Oscuro

The DCMax is of course the more expensive of the two - maybe 2 1/2 times higher. IMHO, you rated them exactly how I do, knowing what they are. I thought it was an interesting curve. Good job!

[JJ Westbrook]

Cigar #1 Diamond Crown Maximus robusto #5

Cigar #2 El Rey Del Mundo Robusto Oscuro

The DCMax is of course the more expensive of the two - maybe 2 1/2 times higher. IMHO, you rated them exactly how I do, knowing what they are. I thought it was an interesting curve. Good job!

Hey, I am actually surprised to find that 1 was the more expensive cigar (especially by that much). I will be looking for more of those El Reys. I really enjoyed that smoke.

Again, it was a really good chance for me to experiment with something new and turned out to be good test of my taste buds (and was fun to boot)... Thanx

[Roham]

Basil your cigars were

Cigar #1
Flor de Oliva Original Torpedo

Cigar #2
Ashton Cabinet VSG Belicoso

Which one is more expensive?

[Roham]

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]

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]

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]

VSG cost more

Which one is more expensive?

[SuperChuck]

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]

#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]

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]

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.