The KC/DW Review Series

[DeeDubya]

Let me begin with the ending. I could not find a single outstanding attribute in this cigar. Having said that, I must also say that nearly everything about this cigar is good. All together, they compose a symphony of pleasure that makes it one hell of a fine smoke. No single attribute overwhelms another. One can certainly experience a "master's touch" with the 1962.

For me it was closer to medium than full bodied, but still full-flavored. I think well-balanced best describes it in one fell swoop.
The wrapper is Habano seed Criollo, buttery-smooth, oily, hardly a vein to be seen. Only a slight indication of press ridges on either side that could be felt but not seen.
It burned even and drew well. The ash had some clouds of grey, but held firm. I believe the filler tobaccos are aged Honduran which make for a creamy smooth flavor and slight hint of earthyness. Maybe a tinge of pepper toward the end. Oh yes, till the very end. A forensic arson specialist couldn't identify what was left of this stogie.
As per Ashauler's suggestion, I enjoyed it with a Samual Adams Boston. Good choice.
I believe I will be introducing a few of these to the rest of my humi clan.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 9.3

Thanks again to KC for sending a special cigar to end the week.

[ashauler]

Excellent review!! I must say that I concur with your opinions almost exactly. This smoke is a very fine example, imho, of the med-strength yet very flavorful cigar. Might I suggest that you try the corona size. Glad you enjoyed the Sam Adams pairing as well.

[derivation]

I agree that the 1962 are excellent. I really enjoyed the one that I got.

[King Catfish]

It's going to be perhaps 2 weeks before I can squeeze in another review. Deedubya, take the helm! Perhaps someone else can jump in as well.

[DeeDubya]

Don Lino Africa Duma

Last evening I had pleasure of trying this cigar that I had not seen before. Thanks to KC for sending me one. KC reviewed it (post #49) and I wouldn't try to improve on that thesis of a review. Although, I can't vouch for it tasting like the road dust in Mogadishu. He gave it an 88.5 and I would have to go along with that rating.

[DeeDubya]

Oh, life is good. Thanks again to KC I had the pleasure of smoking a limited production (2000 boxes) cigar.
This is a full bodied Dominican with full flavor and is well-balanced. The filler is a combined Dominican, Peruvian and Nicarguan blend with an aged (1991) Dominican.
The wrapper is Brazilian maduro. Well rolled, good draw, no significant blemishes and very few pronounced veins.
Toasting produced that typical maduro sweetness. I could immediately detect the quality in this cigar so my expectations were high. The first half produced no pronounced flavors other than a little earthiness from the aged tobacco. The burn was even but the ash did displayed something that I had not seen before. The ash was mostly white but the few small veins were black and tended to curl and peel away from the ash. Not that it really mattered, just an observation.
Overall it presented what I think a good maduro should have, slight sweetness, a little peppery bite, good body and well-balanced, robust flavor.
The fullness and full flavor made it's apperance in the second half. It is a full bodied cigar and not for just anyone.
I fully enjoyed this cigar down to the very end. I will rank it at the top of my maduro list.

On a scale of 1-10 I will rate this cigar 9.5

[DeeDubya]

It's going to be perhaps 2 weeks before I can squeeze in another review. Deedubya, take the helm! Perhaps someone else can jump in as well.

Well I hope it's business or pleasure and not health issues or something serious. Yes, anyone else out there who would like to give their review on anything you have smoked lately, or maybe even one that we have reviewed? You might have a different opinion and that would be good. I've got a box of Gran Habano 3 Siglos Robustos coming this week and would like to hear an opinion on them.

[King Catfish]

No, nothing serious, thanks! Just going on a trout-fishing vacation, and work piled up and such.

I got a Gran Habano sampler recently; I have set aside one of each variety to review at some point. Looking forward to comparing notes with you on the 3 Siglos.

[mrtr33]

I have so many cigars to try as a result of this thread. Thank you both so much.

[DeeDubya]

This is a very "authentic" looking cigar if there is such a thing. Robusto size, tawny and oily Nicaraguan wrapper, heavy feeling, thick, sweet aroma before lighting. I think the fillers are a blend of Colombian, Costa Rican and Nicaraguan.
Toasting further exemplified it's appearance. Cocoa, almonds, fresh ground columbian coffee all filled the air as I anticipated that first puff.
A medium draw and some very thick and creamy smoke started an hour and one half of very pleasurable smoking. Surprisingly it did not build in intensity or bitterness like some of the full-bodied cigars do. I've had some that started smooth but ended downright nasty. Like the Manolete Belicoso's that the goats won't eat.
It definately lives up to it's "robusto" classification as a full-flavored, full-bodied and well-balanced cigar. This is most likely one of the best sticks I've had lately. I plan to smoke another tonight just be sure.
I had Scotch but maybe Guiness would compliment this stogie as well.
A cigar like this needs appreciation. Don't waste them on someone who doesn't normally smoke. We all have friends who want one only after they see you light up. This cigar will kick their ass and they will most likely toss it.

On a scale of 1-10 I would rate this cigar 9.6

[DeeDubya]

This evening I will smoke a big cigar. I could see Paul Bunyon puffing one of these after a 64oz Porterhouse. For me it's a little too big. Being a generous contribution from King Catfish I will give it my best shot.

A little research indicates a blend of rare Italian and Piloto Cubano Dominican fillers. The wrapper is a jet black triple-fermented Brazilian maduro leaf. A very nice oily sheen and toothy to the touch, it is an impressive looking stick.

This heavy duty maduro certainly did have that "manure" aroma discussed elsewhere in this forum. I imagine "triple-fermenting" would have something to do with that. Toasting didn't reveal anything different than any other maduro other than taking a while to get it glowing. The first half was fairly mild for a reputedly full-bodied smoke with plenty rich sweetness and smooth tobacco taste. However, I did detect some slight ammonia on the palate, again probably due to the triple-fermenting.
The firm ash held for about 3" until I tipped it, afraid that it would fall unexpectedly and cause some discomfort with it's inch wide coal aglow.

At halfway the heavy layers of tabacco flavor were getting my attention but I had to search for "special" flavors other than just plain rich tobacco. The ammonia scents went away and it settled in to what turned out to be a pretty decent stick. It did burn a little uneven toward the end but not unmanageable. The ash was never pure white in keeping with a good maduro and had some large dark clouds that I think were due to the binder and not the wrapper.

All in all I was not impressed but it might be just the stogie for someone like, well, Paul Bunyon or Monica Lewinski.

On a scale of 1-10 I will give it a 7.

[King Catfish]

Hey there. Nice Review, DW. I have to agree in full. I found this cigar not too spectacular, but it was different and interesting, so I thought you might like to try it.

I caught a couple of nice trout, and a trophy smallmouth that I had to throw back of course (not in season right now). My team failed to win the pool, though.

I will try to resume reviews this week. Thanks for keeping it going, DW.

[DeeDubya]

Occasionally I will dig around in my humi and come up with something I didn't know was there. I don't remember buying this cigar so it must have been in a sampler. Anyway it turned out to be a decent stick so I thought I'd write a quick review.

The 1927 has a beautiful Brazilian wrapper, oily and covered with tooth. It was a little light in the hand and the dry draw was easy so I expected a fast burn. It started out burning a little too fast for my liking but did not get hot and the ash was very nice, white like a maduro ash. So, the wrapper did it's part.

Inside was concealed a well rolled blend of extra-aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan and Dominican long-fillers. So I got some pleasurable coffee, dark chocolate and slightly spicey aromas around the half-way mark along with some complex tobacco flavors.

The finish continued to burn very even and the flavors strengthened a little along with the addition of some woodsey flavors. All in all a pretty good value for a cuban wannabe in the lower price range.

On a 1-10 scale I will rate it 7.5

[King Catfish]

I think it was me who sent you the 1927. If I didn't I meant to.

You package arrived today, DW. Thanks very much! It's a big stack of fabulous sticks to try.

I think this thread is going to become very large indeed.

[King Catfish]

Today I am reviewing a big (7. 5/8 x 54) torpedo, the Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva Royal Salute. It appears to be the sun-grown Ecuadorian wrapper version. It comes with a black stripe on the lower edge of the usual red Arturo Fuente band, a cedar sleeve, and a black ribbon for a footband. Its garb, shape, color and thickness make for an impressive presentation. The cigar was very firm in the hand, but without an excess of weight.

The wrapper was a medium brown with a fine texture; it was medium brown in color, with a slight sheen of oil. Construction appeared rock-solid, absolutely perfect. This cigar appeared to my not-quite-expert eye to have the tiniest bit of plume on it; it was also a bit light (in weight) for its size. I would wager this cigar has been in Deedubya’s humidor for quite a while. Prelight aroma was spicy and cedary. The prelight draw was very free and easy, and my mouth was watering to get this stick started, so I took my diamond file to my el-cheapo cutter and made the cut. Unfortunately, the cut produced a small crack at the cap, which flaked just a bit. I really need a new cutter, I think.

Toasting the foot brought to the nose a dark, earthy, complex smell I enjoyed but could not name; the first puffs arrived with great volume and character. Right away earthiness, leather and spice were at the fore, with nuts in the background. The aroma of smoke in the room was pleasant and “classic”. I don’t know how else to describe it; it was just a classic pleasant cigar smell. The ash was white from the very beginning, and quite firm.

The first third delivered an abundance of spice and a taste somewhere between earthiness and leather. The cigar was obviously full-bodied and very flavorful right from the very first half-inch; no weak start for this one! The burn was acceptably even although not perfectly so. The aftertaste was pleasant and persistent. This cigar was like a confident karate master at tea or a champion boxer at an opera; the strength and huge character did not attack the mouth or throat, but gave a civilized display of power without wrecking the place. Perhaps like a mild-tempered draft horse: nonaggressive but strong. You get the idea.

Before the first third was over, the burn perfected itself without any help from me. By the time the middle third got started a mild saltiness was emerging, and the cigar burned very cool and smooth. It was at this point the entire first third fell off as a single ash, well over an inch and half in length. The saltiness was increasing slightly, as was my impression that this is a very individual, unique cigar, different from any others I’ve had. The spiciness remained center-stage, and the leatheriness was fading; there was perhaps the smallest hint of unsweetened chocolate, perhaps coffee, maybe some wood, but none of these were pronounced or central to the overall taste. Smoke volume remained simply enormous. The next ash that fell off was nearly three inches in length.

The final third brought in an alkaline, “black coffee aftertaste” sort of flavor, with the leatheriness, earthiness, and saltiness fading; the spiciness remained. Taking the band off produced some tiny cracks in the wrapper and worsened the crack already in the cap, and the cigar started to unravel a bit. It seems the band was stuck to the cigar just a bit, and I was not deft enough to get it off without damage. Despite my care not to rush it and puff too often (hard to do with a smoke this tasty), the flavor profile started to blend together and become a little less complex, and the aftertaste started to become a bit flat and bitter, although still pretty good. In the final inch, a purge brought back some of the flavor quality, but construction issues prevented me from smoking it quite to the finger-burning stage.

An hour and a half had passed. Make sure you have enough time for this one.

Score 19.25 (x5) = 96.25, losing a point for not surviving my inexpert cut unscathed and another point for a somewhat flat and bitter finish, for a final score of 94.25. This is a most excellent, well balanced cigar, with a complex, strong, delicious flavor profile, especially in the first half. I smoked it with a glass of water (trying to cut back on the drinking). I would try my next one with a rich, flavorful meal, and I would not worry about overpowering it with strong drink, although I would avoid anything sweet, which I think would clash with the taste.

Many thanks to the generous DeeDubya for this fine experience.

[DeeDubya]

This is a big brother of the Gran Habano Corojo #5 Rothschild 4.5x50 that KC reviewed early on in this series. He gave the Rothschild an 85.25.
I picked up a box of the Gran Robusto's without trying one first. These are (should be) identical in composition and construction excepting the size.

Like it's little brother the Gran Robusto has a satin smooth, dark reddish wrapper that is very inviting. It appears to be a top-shelf stick. I generally put a new order in the humi for a week before smoking. I couldn't wait so I busted out a stick right after dinner on the same day they arrived.
Toasting took some time. It was stubborn to get aglow, but did saturate the air with an appetizing aroma that only toasting can achieve.
Like the Rothschild it is a full-bodied blend of Costa Rican and Nicaraguan longfillers, with a Nicaraguan binder and Corojo wrapper.
The smoke is thick and creamy, well balanced but complex in flavor and undoubtedly full bodied. I would not be able to smoke this cigar in the morning or even mid-day. It's definitely an after-dinner pleasure.
Around half-way I decided that this cigar was definitely a blood relative of the Rothschild and pretty much mirrors all the good things KC had to say about it.
It's just bigger. In this case, bigger is not better but equal. It burned a little longer but not evenly. This could have been due to a moisture imbalance from shipping. Anyway I've got 19 more attempts to get it right.
Value wise, it's a good deal at only $10 more per box than the Rothschild. That's 50 cents per stick for a cigar that's about 25% larger.
For me I don't think they will replace the Rothschild which has been a favorite of mine for some time, but if you like a bigger size it's just as good.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 8.5

[ashauler]

This is a big brother of the Gran Habano Corojo #5 Rothschild 4.5x50 that KC reviewed early on in this series. He gave the Rothschild an 85.25.
I picked up a box of the Gran Robusto's without trying one first. These are (should be) identical in composition and construction excepting the size.

Like it's little brother the Gran Robusto has a satin smooth, dark reddish wrapper that is very inviting. It appears to be a top-shelf stick. I generally put a new order in the humi for a week before smoking. I couldn't wait so I busted out a stick right after dinner on the same day they arrived.
Toasting took some time. It was stubborn to get aglow, but did saturate the air with an appetizing aroma that only toasting can achieve.
Like the Rothschild it is a full-bodied blend of Costa Rican and Nicaraguan longfillers, with a Nicaraguan binder and Corojo wrapper.
The smoke is thick and creamy, well balanced but complex in flavor and undoubtedly full bodied. I would not be able to smoke this cigar in the morning or even mid-day. It's definitely an after-dinner pleasure.
Around half-way I decided that this cigar was definitely a blood relative of the Rothschild and pretty much mirrors all the good things KC had to say about it.
It's just bigger. In this case, bigger is not better but equal. It burned a little longer but not evenly. This could have been due to a moisture imbalance from shipping. Anyway I've got 19 more attempts to get it right.
Value wise, it's a good deal at only $10 more per box than the Rothschild. That's 50 cents per stick for a cigar that's about 25% larger.
For me I don't think they will replace the Rothschild which has been a favorite of mine for some time, but if you like a bigger size it's just as good.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 8.5

As always, nice review. I have to say that I enjoy the GH line. I keep the rothschild size of the #1-#3-#5 around all the time. I agree that the #5 is a full bodied/full flavored smoke.........try a #1 with that morning cup of joe sometime. I think you'll enoy it.

[DeeDubya]

As always, nice review. I have to say that I enjoy the GH line. I keep the rothschild size of the #1-#3-#5 around all the time. I agree that the #5 is a full bodied/full flavored smoke.........try a #1 with that morning cup of joe sometime. I think you'll enoy it.

I'll try em. That would be the Connecticut natural? Which size do you like? The only time I smoke in the mornings is on weekends but have trouble choosing a smaller, milder stick. Thanks for the suggestion.

[ashauler]

Yep, the connecticut.....rothchild 4 1/2 X 50. Goes well with a cup, though you can overpower the smoke if you go with a heavy dark roast. This is certainly a mild cigar, but the flavor is quite nice. I hope you enjoy it.

This is another nice GH smoke, imho :http://www.stccigars.net/habano.php

[King Catfish]

Another contribution from the generous Deedubya.

Gurkha’s Connecticut Reserve is a variant of the Master’s Select (which employs a mixture of Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Honduran fillers) with a Connecticut wrapper instead of the Habano 2000 wrapper used for the rest of the Master’s Select line. The Habano-wrapped Master’s Select is among my very favorite cigars, so I was looking forward to this one.

This is a long cigar for a Robusto, (6 x 50), more like a Toro, really. It had a light golden brown wrapper with a very smooth texture and even color. It was very firm and evenly packed. It sported the red Master Select Gurkha Band. Prelight aroma was mild and tangy, perhaps a little cedary. Despite being in my humidor for several weeks under perfect conditions, my cut cracked the cap. This crack did not worsen significantly or unravel the cigar, but it did prevent me from smoking it to the finger-burning nub stage.

Note: I have cut several cigars since my last review (more than 10, I would guess) without cracking the wrappers, so I have my doubts that the cutter or my technique is to blame… although there seems to be a trend that when I sit down to review a cigar the wrapper fails to survive the cut. When I hastily cut one in the car on my way to or from work, it always seems to survive. Go figure.

Toasting the foot provided no insight into the coming experience. The first few puffs delivered that tangy Connecticut taste, with no noticeable undertones. Soon, a nutty taste emerged as my palate grew accustomed to the tang of the Connecticut wrapper, but was gone as soon as it appeared. The first third continued on in this fashion, with a very white ash that fell off before an inch had been smoked. Smoke volume was immediately respectable (but not huge), and remained so, and the burn was respectably even. Draw was medium to easy.

The middle third carried on as did the first third with no real evolution, except for the slightest appearance of leatheriness. In the final third, the smoke volume increased, as did the leatheriness. The Connecticut tang was mostly gone. The cigar never held a long ash, but I do not put a lot of stock in ash length. Strength did pick up at the very end, but not very much. Those who like a mild cigar can smoke this one to the finger-burning end; it did not get strong, harsh, or bitter at all, and if you like a cigar to be consistent, then perhaps this cigar should be on your wish list. Smoking time was an admirable 2 hours and 10 minutes.



Score: 15.45 (x5) = 77.25, losing 1 point for construction issues (cracked wrapper at the cap end) and another point for being one-dimensional, for a final score of 75.25. Gurkha makes some of my very favorite cigars ([regular] Master’s Select, Class Regent, Nepalese Warrior, Royal Brigade, Symphony, etc.), but this cigar did not impress. It makes me wonder if the wrapper really does make up such a large proportion of the flavor that the mere change of wrapper separates this respectable but unimpressive cigar from the fabulous complexity and rich flavors of the rest of the Master’s Select line.

I would like to see this cigar reviewed by someone who likes a milder cigar, as my tastes run to the fuller-bodied. My recommendation for this cigar is to smoke it early in the day with a nice cup of mild coffee or after a modest lunch with a glass of sweet iced tea; anything more flavorful than that will overwhelm this mild stick. In the end, the lack of complexity is the deal-breaker for me, and I will not go out of my way for another Gurkha Connecticut Reserve. This is by no means a bad cigar, just too mild and plain for me.

Many thanks to Deedubya for this fine experience.