Review These - Reviews

[Newfie]

OK, I may have gone a bit overboard on this, but I had so much fun doing it, I wanted to put the whole thing down.

Cigar # 1
Initial Impressions:
This stick was square or box-pressed and was ~ 5-3/4" long with a 44-46 ring gauge (Lonsdale?). It had a dark wrapper but maybe not as dark as other Maduros I’ve smoked and had a faint but weird greenish tinge depending how it was held to the light. It was very firm to the touch, and a gentle squeeze indicated very little give in the construction. The wrapper was clean and smooth and had one predominant vein running the length. I did notice one small blemish about 1/16" in diameter that was probably a water spot or something. It clipped firmly, but cleanly and the cut indicated a tightly rolled smoke. It had a firm but comfortable pre-light draw with no noticeable taste. There was also no aroma, very light if any that wasn’t picked up by my uncalibrated & untrained nostrils.
Light and Smoking:
The toast gave off a faint and pleasant "woodsy" smell. It lit easily and had an abundance of smoke right from the get-go. The smoke was a little on the mild side at the start, but with-in ½" it got noticeably stronger with a slightly peppery aftertaste and a mild sweetness on the lips. By about 1" I would say the strength reached above mild, but still very pleasant with a pleasant spicy taste. It showed a firm light grey (almost white) ash (with a perfect burn) that held on easily to 1-1/2" when I gently pryed it off in the ashtray.
Past halfway, it was still getting stronger with a strong, unidentifiable aftertaste (cocoa maybe) and soon I was feeling the head rush telling me I was smoking the strongest cigar I’d ever had. At this point, this cigar was giving me an amazing amount of smoke for one of this size.
At 2" left it produced another taste I couldn’t quite identify, but by now, I think my taste buds were pleasantly numb from the strength and flavours of the smoke. I was getting the "nicotene tingle" on my lips and in my mouth and pretty well know I had met my match with this one. While not unpleasant, it was past the enjoyment of my newbie palette.
With 1-1/2" left and 45 enjoyable minutes into it, I laid it to rest as the wrapper started to separate.
General and Overall:
Very nice, very complex cigar, in spite of my being unaccustomed to a smoke of this strength. While this wouldn’t be an everyday smoke for me, it will definitely have a place in my humidor should I ever feel like a strong smoke. I’d cheat it and give it an 8.5 / 10, but only because I don’t feel I’m qualified to give it a higher rating, and because I had another to smoke and wanted to leave room at the top.
Cigar # 2
Initial Impressions:
~6" X 50 ring gauge (Torpedo I assume) with a wrapper almost as dark as a Maduro. The wrapper was not real smooth and had several obvious (but small) veins that only added character to the look and feel of it. It felt firm with some give, and gave off a scent that reminded me of peat moss (is that possible).It clipped easily and at a point where it had about ½ - 5/8" opening. The cut indicated a fairly tight looking roll. The predraw was a little on the loose side, but nice and had a taste similar to the smell.
Light and Smoking:
Toasting and lighting gave off a smoke that was very pungent to the nose. The light was a little off (maybe due to the wind, maybe me) but straightened itself out with no help from a wet finger or a touch of the lighter.
The smoke was immediately mild but abundant, and had a slight hint of spice. The first inch indicated a salt & pepper ash that was somewhat flaky on the outside, but held well. I found the smoke to have a woodsy smell that I couldn’t taste (I found that weird). Past halfway the smoke took on somewhat of a harsh aftertaste with a hint of something sweet once in a while
I let this one die a peaceful death with about 2" left as the harshness was a bit beyond pleasure.
General and Overall:
This is a cigar that a fiver may find it’s way into my stash, and would be a smoke to have while working on a little project in the garage. It was a little bland (I did smoke it 4 hours after cigar #1 so that memory lingered) but all in all, wasn’t really bad. I’d give it about a 7.5 maybe.


I'd have to say that cigar #1 was definately the more expensive stick, and I can't wait to find out what they were!!

[Desert Rat]

Bravo! Your impressions are very close to how I percieve these gars.

Both cigars were aged about 2 years.

#1 Ashton VSG Corona Gorda-you write "complex" and that is what I enjoy about vsg's. They seem to vary flavors a little with every puff. I agree with a mid 80 score .

#2 TTT Trinidad Belicoso- This is a once in awhile gar for me to change pace. The listing is for "Ecuadorian Sumatra wrappers surround a zesty broadleaf binder and a vivid blend of Nicaraguan, Dominican and Peruvian long fillers". I find them a fairly complex smoke also, but something in the blend must not suit you, giving it the "harsh" effect you describe.

I honestly don't exactly remember what I paid for these, but I think the Trini (230/box) was a hair more expensive than the Ashton (200/box), but that is due to the belicoso vitola. Both cigars are similar in price for other sizes.

Well done .

[drew_goring]

Ok, I may have mixed up the order. I smoked them both while playing pool tonight.

Cigar #1 (I think)

Dark wrapper. Robusto size. Very rough looking cigar. Almost scary rough. As in I thought Newfie rolled it himself rough (well, not that bad buy you get the idea). I had very low expectations and it actually impressed me. Although not an amazing smoke by any means, it would be a good daily addition. Burned excellently. I could taste is, but due to my newbishness, I could not pick out the individual flavors. Nice medium simple smoke.

I think due to it's construction it is some sort of seconds or bundled brand. In either event, I would definately smoke it again.

Cigar #2

Torpedo. Lighter wrapper. Nice construction and prelight aroma. Cut nicely with a decent draw. Didn't burn quite as well as number 1, but it was still definately smokable. Medium body with again a nice flavor.

I actually have no idea what it could be, but I will throw this out...RP Edge?

Thanks Newfie for the chance to review these. Let me know if I screwed up the numbers.

[Newfie]

Nice reviews Andrew.

Yes, you did mix 'em up, but they're different shapes so it doesn't matter.

Torpedo - Valle Grande - http://www.cigar-smoke.com/catalog?c...RANDE%20CIGARS The price list here is $19.52 USD each, I paid $17 ea CDN for the ones I bought. The ones I smoked had just about perfect burn. Strength and flavour were good, but I don't think worth the cost (Friggin' Canadian taxes). If these were available in the States for like $80 / box, I'd buy a box

Robusto - It was actually out of a box of Puros Indios Maduro Rothschild (Robusto shape). I bought these after smoking a bundle of Roly's (P/I seconds) to see the difference. Some were nice, and some had a rough wrapper like the one I sent you. For some reason, I like the "rough" ones better. The feel of the wrapper kind of gives the feel some character, if that makes sense. Except for wrapper & construction, I saw or tasted no difference in the Roly's or the P/I, so I'll get the Rolys in Detroit for 1/3 the cost of the P/I's.

Like you, I do enjoy these as a daily smoke.

Glad you enjoyed 'em.

Thanks again.

Newf.

[slcraiders]

Reviews-

Smoked cigar 1 last night. Robusto in w/ a darker maduro wrapper in a cedar sleeve. Good Contruction. Light gray ash. No burning problems throughout. Draw was tad bit tight. Robust Medium strengthed cigar with hints of wood and coffee (couple well with the espresso I was drinking at the time). The smoke picked up in intensity and was slightly bitter midway through. Yet, it finished off with a mild nutty taste. Good and interesting smoking experience.

I just finished cigar 2. Toro in size, with an earthy prelight aroma. Ash light gray. Again with this smoke- I had no burning probs. The draw was slightly better on this one. No real distinct flavors popped out at me. mild-to medium. Consistant flavor throughout. Another good smoke.

Thanks, DG for two good smokes. Tough call, but I will guess #2 was the more expensive of the two?

[drew_goring]

Nice reviews, but unfortunately wrong with the more expensive one.
Number one was an AF Anejo #48 (I think...might be a different size though)
Number two was a RP diesel.

Number one was more expensive. I though that by leaving the cedar on it would make it a little easier but I guess not. I did take the black ribbon off the anejo though, so that may have complicated things.

Great job.

[slcraiders]

The cedar sleeve actually served as reverse psychology in this case. I thought you were trying to fool me into picking it. In either event, both were great smokes. Now I am more excited to smoke the Diesels I have in stock.