The KC/DW Review Series

**derivation** · 04-05-2008, 04:01 PM

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

**King Catfish** · 04-06-2008, 02:55 PM

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** · 04-07-2008, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 04-07-2008, 09:26 AM

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** · 04-07-2008, 03:05 PM

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

**DeeDubya** · 04-09-2008, 02:08 PM

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** · 04-15-2008, 08:19 PM

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.

**DeeDubya** · 04-06-2008, 02:58 PM

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** · 04-06-2008, 07:50 PM

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