The KC/DW Review Series

[King Catfish]

A gift from my friend Deedubya.

This evening I smoked an Olor Fuerte in the bellicoso/torpedo size (never could tell the difference, really). I saw a review of this cigar by Logan37, and it seems he found it to be a complex stick with a “dark” taste. I thought I saw a review of this by Deedubya as well, but I could not find it. Perhaps I am mistaken, there.

The cigar is made up of Dominican, Nicaraguan and Brazilian fillers with a Mexican San Andreas binder and a dark Talanga Cubano wrapper. The cigar was slightly rough but with a very oily sheen asd a solid heft. The unlit aroma was rich and dark, and the smell of cherries (mentioned by Logan37 in his review) was strong and clear.

I cut the cap, and the prelight draw was delicious, like chocolate and cherries. I contemplated the serious-looking black and gold band as I toasted the foot, and drew in the first couple of puffs of smooth, voluminous smoke. It tasted like more chocolate, and the cherry flavor was there, too, and as Logan37 mentioned, sweet leather.

The opening third saw in increase in leather; the sweetness started to fade a bit, the cherry flavor was nearly gone, and the cigar started to settle into a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and a rich leathery aftertaste with a slight note of that cherry flavor at the very end. The ash held on for the ride to a length of more than an inch and was solid and light gray. Smoke volume was really pleasantly big.

The middle third was mainly a continuation of the first third, with the flavor profile holding steady. The final third showed an increase of leather and a strengthening of body. The cigar showed a smooth, gradual, undramatic evolution from a memorable start to a strong finish. The draw was perfect throughout.

The Olor Fuerte is a fine, medium-bodied stick with abundant, consistent character and a long lifespan, and well worth the asking price. I had this cigar with a low-budget Pilsner, but I would hazard a guess that a strong red wine would be a better pairing with this stick; I would stay away from whiskey, which I believe would tarnish the sweetness in the aftertaste.

I saw some complaints online about construction problems with this variety, but I did not encounter any problem; construction of this stick was absolute aces. Also touted was the cigar’s complexity, and I agree with that for the most part. Some retail outlets advertise this as a full-bodied cigar, but I think medium would be a better categorization. I scored this stick a solid 84, plus one point for the fabulous unlit aroma and prelight draw and another half point for the aftertaste of leather and cherries. I added yet another half point for a stylish start, for a final score of 86.

[DeeDubya]

Good review KC,
Olor should be proud.

I've smoked 10 or so and find them to be a little inconsistant in quality. You might have smoked one of the better. I can't say that they are all that good. But, on average, they are a pretty decent stick.

[logan37]

Thanks KC. Nice review. No apple taste on the first puff for you? I'm still confused by that.

[King Catfish]

Thanks KC. Nice review. No apple taste on the first puff for you? I'm still confused by that.

I have to admit I did not detect any taste of apple. But everyone's taste buds are different.

[DeeDubya]

I have to admit I did not detect any taste of apple. But everyone's taste buds are different.

I tasted apple cider. Oh, wait, that's because I was drinking apple cider. hic

[DeeDubya]

KC and I previously reviewed the La Aurora 1495 and Barrel Aged, both receiving high marks. These robusto's which are on the lower end of the La Aurora line have become one of my favorite daily smokes. At only around $2.65/stick they are a good value and very fine cigar. These are mild yet rich-tasting. Dominican fillers wrapped in a smooth African Cameroon leaf make for a delicious blend of thick, flavorful smoke.

They draw easy and burn with a near perfect ash. The strength doesn't stack or get bitter toward the end, so I usually nub them thinking, wow that was good, too bad I'm finished. Actually, I have never been dissapointed with any of La Aurora's lines, but these are so reasonable yet maintain a high standard of craftsmanship and quality that I feel they are worthy of special mentiion.

Also, I'd like to mention a couple other small details that got my attentiion. The bands seem to be applied differently somehow. They are easy to peel open and are never stuck to the wrapper. I have damaged a few cigars by peeling the band to find it was stuck to the wrapper. Also, I have never had a wrapper to split or a severely crooked burn. Quality and consistancy are high with La Aurora.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 8.6.

[DeeDubya]

New Year's Day

My sweet sister bestowed upon me a very much appreciated Christmas gift. Created by Davidoff these Winston Churchill Marrakesh are one of four vitolas produced to honor the legendary Sr. Winston Churchill. Each is dedicated to a particular time or place in his life and love for cigars. Marrakesh was a place that he loved to relax and paint and of course smoke cigars.

The Marrakesh is a handsome cigar, not too smooth and pretty like some Davidoffs but somewhat veiny and toothy. The roll however is very uniform with a perfect cap. They consist of a "secret blend" of 5 diverse Dominican Cuban-seed fillers, bound with a Dominican Yamasa' Cuban-seed binder, and finally wrapped with an Ecuadorian special sun-grown leaf. The roll is medium firm and makes for a very easy pre-light draw. Also, I savored the clean, earthy scents of the wrapper. I like to breathe on the wrapper as one would fog his glasses to clean them and then sniff the length of the cigar. It seems to enhance the aromas.

Having consumed a very hearty Standing Rib Roast, candied yams, black-eyed peas and all the trimmings I was primed and anxious to give one a try. I v-cut, toasted and immediately achieved a perfect coal. I knew with the first puff that this was going to be special. Earthy, rich, thick and creamy best describes it with my limited vocabulary. That special essence of the aging process is most evident. The flavor is full yet mild, spicy and delicious. Although I am not one for exhaling through the nose, this would be a candidate for getting that extra pleasure.

I enjoyed this wonderful cigar for about an hour but could have easily stretched it an extra 30 minutes. All the while the beautiful crisp, light gray ash held firm, tipping it only twice. The flavors grew slightly bolder toward the end but totally without any bitterness. The scrooge that I am, I nubbed it until my fingers were smoking, still enjoying the rewards of a nobleman.

Having only smoked one of the series (Blenheim, Chequers, No. 10, & Marrakesh) I can only commend Davidoff for it alone as a tribute to the great Statesman. However, I will soon sample the remaining vitolas. At $415/box, they are quite pricey and I hope to find a sampler pack with all four. Cheers.

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