Review These - Reviews

[Newfie]

These sticks arrived sometime last week while I was in Cuba, and my daughter opened the "package from the UK" per my instructions and laid it to rest in my coolidor. Last night things slowed down so I got a chance to smoke both, back to back with some time in between.

CIGAR # 1:

This was a very nicely constructed ciger, Petite Corona size (~ 4" X 40) with a medium brown wrapper that was very smooth & oily feeling with no prominent veins. The cap looked almost perfect and snipped off easily and cleanly with my Xikar revealing a very nice roll pattern. The pre-light draw was almost perfect with flavours reminding me of many of the cigars I smoked in Cuba last week.

It lit easily and initial impressions were a little harsh, but that's possibly because I wasn't expecting (or ready for) either the amount of smoke or the power in this little beast. . It settled down to a nice, strong, flavourful smoke after the first 1/2 inch or so.

The burn was a little wonky on this, but easily self-corrected. The ash was on the light side of med-gray with a little flaking but held it's shape very well.

1/2 way found the flavours of Cubans (cedar & leather) very prominent, but the strength seemed a little milder with still a wonderful amount of smoke for a cigar of this size.

Getting to the end, the strength picked up a bit again, but still a very smooth smoke. It started burning my lips so I let it go out. This smoke lasted 25 minutes.

Cigar # 2:

Another Petite Corona size, ~ 4-1/4" X 42 with a wrapper slightly darker then #1, and a little rougher with some veins showing. It also had one tiny white spot about 3/4" from the foot. This one also had a near perfect cap that snipped cleanly to once again reveal a nice roll pattern. The prelight draw on this one was tighter, but not to the point of being uncomfortable and also showed some "Cuban" flavour characteristics.

Lit easily, and with the tighter draw, I found it milder with less smoke. It showed a much cleaner burn than the other with no hint of even needing a correction. The ash was slightly darker, but smoother and firmer than #1.

At 1/2 way, it seemed like it was going to plug, but after a few more puffs, the draw settled out again. The flavours became more pronounced at this point and started to become a little stronger with more smoke. It strengthened close to being harsh by the end of the smoke. This stick lasted 35 minutes.

OVERALL:

Here's a picture of the nubs side by side with corresponding caps. #1 is on the left and this picture doesn't really give the slight colour difference justice.



Dare I say that I think both these cigers were Cuban in origin?? I thoroughly enjoyed both, but I have to say I enjoyed #1 more, mainly because I liked the draw better. Both had their good points, but I would have to give #1 a slightly higher mark. I don't know if I was sent two ISOMs to play with my skull or not, and maybe neither is Cuban, but I would buy either as a short smoke (depending on price, of course). In spite of my preference, I may have to say #2 may be the higher priced smoke.

So, what are they??

I can't wait!

[stjohnroe]

These sticks arrived sometime last week while I was in Cuba, and my daughter opened the "package from the UK" per my instructions and laid it to rest in my coolidor. Last night things slowed down so I got a chance to smoke both, back to back with some time in between.

CIGAR # 1:

This was a very nicely constructed ciger, Petite Corona size (~ 4" X 40) with a medium brown wrapper that was very smooth & oily feeling with no prominent veins. The cap looked almost perfect and snipped off easily and cleanly with my Xikar revealing a very nice roll pattern. The pre-light draw was almost perfect with flavours reminding me of many of the cigars I smoked in Cuba last week.

It lit easily and initial impressions were a little harsh, but that's possibly because I wasn't expecting (or ready for) either the amount of smoke or the power in this little beast. . It settled down to a nice, strong, flavourful smoke after the first 1/2 inch or so.

The burn was a little wonky on this, but easily self-corrected. The ash was on the light side of med-gray with a little flaking but held it's shape very well.

1/2 way found the flavours of Cubans (cedar & leather) very prominent, but the strength seemed a little milder with still a wonderful amount of smoke for a cigar of this size.

Getting to the end, the strength picked up a bit again, but still a very smooth smoke. It started burning my lips so I let it go out. This smoke lasted 25 minutes.

Cigar # 2:

Another Petite Corona size, ~ 4-1/4" X 42 with a wrapper slightly darker then #1, and a little rougher with some veins showing. It also had one tiny white spot about 3/4" from the foot. This one also had a near perfect cap that snipped cleanly to once again reveal a nice roll pattern. The prelight draw on this one was tighter, but not to the point of being uncomfortable and also showed some "Cuban" flavour characteristics.

Lit easily, and with the tighter draw, I found it milder with less smoke. It showed a much cleaner burn than the other with no hint of even needing a correction. The ash was slightly darker, but smoother and firmer than #1.

At 1/2 way, it seemed like it was going to plug, but after a few more puffs, the draw settled out again. The flavours became more pronounced at this point and started to become a little stronger with more smoke. It strengthened close to being harsh by the end of the smoke. This stick lasted 35 minutes.

OVERALL:

Here's a picture of the nubs side by side with corresponding caps. #1 is on the left and this picture doesn't really give the slight colour difference justice.



Dare I say that I think both these cigers were Cuban in origin?? I thoroughly enjoyed both, but I have to say I enjoyed #1 more, mainly because I liked the draw better. Both had their good points, but I would have to give #1 a slightly higher mark. I don't know if I was sent two ISOMs to play with my skull or not, and maybe neither is Cuban, but I would buy either as a short smoke (depending on price, of course). In spite of my preference, I may have to say #2 may be the higher priced smoke.

So, what are they??

I can't wait!

Newf:

All cuban, but not intentional to screw with you mind.

#1 Cohiba Siglo1 (apr $9)
#2 Partagas Short (apr $5.50)

To be honest I think that the cohiba is overpriced, but it still is a nice cigar. The cohiba might have been a bit young.

[slcraiders]

Great reviews, Jim.

[Newfie]

Great reviews, Jim.

Thanks James.

Cool, I'm not losing it!!! I figured at first the #1 was a Monte Cristo, but I've never had a small MC with a nice draw. I find 'em too tight. I didn't think of the Party Short for #2 because of the "milder" start.

[stjohnroe]

Well Jim has put me to shame, both with the quality and promptness of his review, not sure if this is going to help my case much either.

Crappy weather has kept me from smoking this stick (#1) for a while, but finally the clouds clear and I am able to clip the cap from this churchill (7⅛" 46(?) RG), again a lovelly colarado maduro wrapper with an easy pre-light draw.

First draw on this after lighting gave me an almost sweet (burnt sugar) flavour and plenty of body, but this did not last long. For the most of the cigar I got leather and pepper and a lot of well bodied smoke. The stick burnt incredibly well and easily dealt with a sip on the smoke every three to five minutes, such an even burn circle.

As I came into the last two inches the smoke became a bit sour and acrid, and I stubbed with an 3/4 inch left.

All in all a very nice smoke, definately in the medium to full range as it left me feeling kind of full.

On the comparison between the two cigars, I would have to say that i prefer #1 as it just seems to fit my taste range better, and given a better day with my pallate I think that I could have really got a lot out of it. Given the distinctive shape of #2 I guessing that it was a Trilogy and the cheaper cigar, but if it was what my research led me to believe, then it is damn good value for money.

Thanks for the opportunity Dan and I look foward to learning what these sticks were.

[CgarDan]

Great revews man

You are right on the money with #2 -- Trilogy Corojo ( although not the best cigar out there, still a very good deal for the money IMO )

#1 was in fact the more expensive one AVO maduro. I also agree that it is a very pleasant smoke and I am glad you enjoyed it

[TheNakedGun]

Review These From Newfie

Ok well I started the review these today I started with #1 it was a short cigar about 5" with a small ring gauge it snipped really well it lit kinda hard at first the draw was tight and the burn was a little uneven for me at the start the taste was not real good at first then about the second half it really started to develop and burn evenly but really it was over to quick for me as far as what kind of cigar it was I would have to guess some kind of Cohiba I am not a real big fan of short small cigars as far as rating this I would have to say on a scale of 1-10 I would have to give it a 4 I will post #2 as soon as get a chance to review it