Review These - Reviews

[sprangalang]

Ashauler, those were some fine smokes. I enjoyed both very much. As for determining which was the more expensive, I will have to take a shot in the dark.

These both sat in my humi for a while, about a week, at a nice 62 to 65%.
#1
Natural wrapper robusto, 5x50. Very firm and well consructed. Some veins, not shiny.
The cut, separated the ring a little, but it re-adhered with a little moisture no problem. Pre light draw - a bit on the tight side, but still good. Alert - spice detected pre light.
I lit it with the toast and blow method, completely glowing foot before the first draw. Spicy! Toasty spice from the git-go. Wow, a bit of burn on the nose. Oil around the ember. A great ligero kick, the aroma was just fantastic. Spicy white pepper, toasty flavors, maybe caramel. Occasionally a slighly sweet flavor, but very subtle. Clean finish in the first half. Wrapper split slightly, but not a catastrophe. Burn was a little uneven, but never got out of control. Not favoring one side, just had kind of a jagged edge. Ash was a darker shade of grey, with a white center. Last half, strong ligero scent, peppery notes abound, with coffee flavors.
Some people would consider this cigar as harsh, but I really enjoyed it. The spicy taste and aroma was just kick ass. It had some nose burn and when I inadvertantly inhaled a wisp, it about knocked me out. I nubbed the hell out of it.

#2
5 1/4 x 50 robusto. Darker wrapper, but not a maduro, I don't think. Some light spots,veins, but well constructed. Nice and firm. Smells good, hint of chocolate. Toothy wrapper, some goose-bumps.
The cut, ring separated a bit, but stuck back on with moisture. Pre light draw, nice and easy.
Lit with the same method as on #1. First puff, I was rewarded with a ton of smooth white smoke. Lots of flavor, rich earthy toasty flavors. Mottled grey ash. The burn was uneven throughout the smoke, the cone was off-center, but it never got silly with a canoe or anything, and no tunneling. Huge smoke volume, this baby filled my garage with smoke. Every draw resulted in lots of smoke. The smoke was very creamy, big fat smoke rings, and what a great flavor. Rich, nutty, smooth. Easy on the nose, no choke on the slight inhale. Leathery notes at the end, delicious, I did not want it to end. Nubbed the hell out of it.
This was a very well balanced smoke. Great full taste.

I would buy both of these, I enjoyed them both immensely.

As for guessing the price that is difficult. Both cigars had great attributes. I guess #2 is the higher priced one.

Thanks again Jamie, I enjoyed them both.

Jeff

[ashauler]

First off, let me apologize to all for missing these great reviews for this long !! I don't know how I did that, but sorry.

I'm glad you enjoyed the smokes Jeff , I like both of them as well. the smokes were:

Smoke #1 La Aurora Preferidos Robusto $9.95 at the b/m
Smoke #2 Excalibur 1066 merlin $3.50 at the b/m

jamie

[sprangalang]

Oh man, I knew it. I had a feeling it was #1. That kind of oomph comes at a price.

First off, let me apologize to all for missing these great reviews for
this long !! I don't know how I did that, but sorry.

I'm glad you enjoyed the smokes Jeff , I like both of them as well. the smokes were:

Smoke #1 La Aurora Preferidos Robusto $9.95 at the b/m
Smoke #2 Excalibur 1066 merlin $3.50 at the b/m

jamie

[CgarDan]

Sorry for the delay but the New Years was pretty busy here.

I will do these reviews in real time.

Stick # 1:

Looks like a solidly constructed stick with a triple cap. (Cuban ? ) Smelling the foot produced a nice aroma. Wrapper is connecticutr shade color. Looks like it is packed heailly so could be a bit tight on the draw.

Cut was effortless. Pre light draw was very easy I guess no tightness in the draw on this one. Even the prelight draw hit me with spice.

Light it up.

Right away I got hit with peppery spice. After a few puffs I am starting to have doubts that this is a Cuban. Another thing that makes me lean in that directin is the ring size a little too big for a regular Cuban. Also I tend to notice more notes reminiscent of Conn shade wrappers. So far it seems a little one dimensional just peppery taste, although I do have to say no harshness on this one. The ash is grayish white and flaky.

One 1/3 through now. This cigar is a little too light for me. I doubt it has any NIC tobacco in it as well. Perhaps a DOM puro.

2/3 the pepper is gone now its more leathery and plain tobacco that is actually a bit sweet now.

into the last 1/3 now. Taste is earthy and sweet with some pepper creeping back.

Overall impression it's a nice cigar for those who like milder - medium body. It turned out to have enough comlexity to keep one interested. Still doubt its a Cuban but probably not a bad Dom perhaps an Ashton


Review # 2 to follow tom

[Desert Rat]

Right on the money Dan. I'll give you the line after you do the second cigar to compare the two.

[CgarDan]

Review # 2 in real time

THis cigar also looks like it has good construction. The warpper on this one is a maduro. By the way both this one and the first about 5 inches long although this one looks like perhaps a slightly smaller ring gage than # 1. this one is prob a 46 while #1 was a 50 i think.

Cut was easy and the prelight draw was nice noi plugs on this baby.

Lighting it up

Well this one has some spice but its very mellow spice. At the same time I get the sweetness that is usual for a maduro wrapper. this baby produces a lot of smoke which I like. The flavor at the beggining is chocoalety, woodsy and a bit of spice. THis feels to me like a NC profile.

1/3 ash is very solid and white very much lie the Nc tobacco

now into 2/3 flavor profile stays te same. I think I will rule out Gurkha, CAO, Padron, indian Tobacc, Sancho Panza, this is very simialr to 5 Vegas serie A could be Partagas or Montecristo

into the final 1/3 still the same flavor profile.

Overall I have to say that this is also a nice cigar and probably a $3-4 stick which is a nice value for this one . I think #1 is more expensive somewhere is the $9-12 range

[Desert Rat]

#1 Fonseca Serie F Robusto (5 x 52)
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: USA/Conn. Shade

#2 Carlos Torano Signature Robusto
#2 Carlos Torano Signature Robusto (5 x 52)
Binder: USA/Conn. Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican Cubano Ligero, Nicaraguan Habano Ligero
Wrapper: Sun Grown Brazilian Maduro

I sent you two average ho-hum smokes to compare. Both were stored over a year.(I don't remember, but some of the riders are better gars). You hit #1 exactly on the head, except for price, and I agree that cigar is too light for my taste.

You called #2 right on too. I actually get a little more flavor out of the Torano, but nothing to write home about.

Either cigar can be had for about $3/stick or so.

Great job!!!

#2 Carlos Torano Signature Robusto
#2 Carlos Torano Signature Robusto