Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Matt's most memorable cigars of 2011

Another year has come and gone and it still is amazing how fast it all goes.  Thankfully I have a great family, a good job and my cigars.  I just wish the company I smoked them with was a little better...

For my list of most memorable cigars I really didn't have any rules I just kind of winged it.

1.  Tatuaje La Casita Criolla - This was my last review of the year but I have been enjoying these for months.  This opened up my mind to more medium bodied smokes and it was a great one.  I will never be with out one in my humidor.  Here is a link to my review:  http://originalchapterofthecigarsociety.blogspot.com/2011/12/review-tatuaje-la-casita-criolla.html

2.  Casa Magna Domus Magnus Limitada - We all know how much we all enjoy the Casa Magna Colorados.  Well think of that cigar and then multiply it by 3.  Holy cow what a luxury.  And for only $9.00! This is easily better than $15-30 smokes out there.  It is too bad these were a limited edition and from what I can tell, sold out.  I will have a review of these in 2012.

3.  Torano Single Region Serie Jalapa - I had my first one of these about 3 weeks ago at the Torano event at Alcorns.  I can't get enough of them.  Another GREAT value at only $6.50.  This has it all - Looks, aroma, construction, burn - you name it.  Another one for me to review in 2012.  Mark my words, this will be my first box purchase next year.

4.  Man of War Puro Authentico - What a little spice bomb!  You can get these on Cigar.com or Cigarbid.com and they are an excellent pick-up.  Expect to pay between $45-60 per box of 10 for the little corona size.  Totally worth it and yes, another review to come next year.

5.  Tatuaje Anarchy - I just did a review of this one as well but have had the box of cigars since Christmas of last year.  This is certainly not an every day smoke, but if you have the chance, burn it.  Here is a link to my review:  http://originalchapterofthecigarsociety.blogspot.com/2011/12/review-tatuaje-anarchy.html

Special mention - Tatuaje Verocu #5 - This little petite corona has become my go to smoke.  I pick up a hand full or more when I go to Alcorns and at $4.00 each (with the buy 7 get one free discount) you can't go wrong ESPECIALLY during the winter months for this little 4" x 40 bundle of awesomeness!  Another review to come in 2012.

That's it.  I'm out.  See you next year.

Matt

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Review: Tatuaje La Casita Criolla

Cigar Name: La Casita Criolla
Wrapper:
Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Binder:
Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Filler:
Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Size: Corona 5-1/8” x 42
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium-Full
Price: $7.00/each
Smoking Time: Just under an hour

The La Casita Criolla created a lot of stir at the annual tradeshow this year.  The main reason:  It was made with 100% Pennsylvania broadleaf tobacco.  Every part of it…  When I first had one in August, I thought I would like it because it was made by Tatuaje in the Don Peppin My Father factory, but I had no idea how much I would like it.  This cigar is a revelation to medium bodied smokes for me. 

Appearance: It is a little rustic looking and fairly toothy.      8/10

Construction:  Well made with no seams, stems, cracks or soft spots.          9/10

Burn:   The only drawback in this cigar is the burn.  Maybe it is the 100% broadleaf not allowing full combustion but on a couple of them I had to relight and keep an eye on.            7/10

Aroma:  Earth, hay, fresh cut grass, spring-time      10/10

Draw: Excellent.  While the burn was a little tough, the draw was perfect.     10/10

Flavor: This thing is crazy good.  There was more of the hay and grass.  Somewhat salty with a hint of fruit.  VERY unique flavor.    10/10

Availability: No problems.  If they are not sold out, you should be able to find them.         10/10

Personal Overall Experience: Dang.  What a great cigar.  This proves to me that you don’t need a spice bomb in order for me to like it.  It really reminds me of the first weeks of spring when you can smell Mother Nature begging you to come outside.  It reminds me of baseball, flowers and rainstorms all rolled into one.  I could smoke these all day and not get tired of them.  So rich and flavorful I wish I had more and could make this my everyday smoke.  30/30

Total: 94/100

Matt

Friday, December 16, 2011

Review: Tatuaje Anarchy

Cigar Name: Tatuaje Anarchy
Wrapper:
Ecuadorian Habano
Binder:
Nicaraguan
Filler:
Nicaraguan
Size: Perfecto 6x52
Strength: Medium-Full
Body: Medium-Full
Price: $10.00 Each
Smoking Time: Hour and thirty minutes

I looked through my notes and realized I have not given this cigar a review yet.  My bad.  I received this as a Christmas gift from my wife in 2010.  This is a retailer exclusive at the Smoke Inn (smokeinn.com).  There was a lot of hype and advertisements before these came out to pump up the frenzy and I fell for it hook, line and sinker.  However, I believe these lived up to the hype. 


Appearance: What a cool, manly cigar box.  The band is black with the red Anarchy symbol.  The cigar itself is covered in oils and has a neat looking pigtail.  This is more of a figurado than perfecto but the foot is about 4 ring gauges larger than the head.  This thing is massive.    10/10

Construction:  A great example of what you can do with a cigar shape.  Beautiful.        10/10

Burn:   Razor-like.  I wish it produced more smoke though.           10/10

Aroma:  Earthy, chocolate.     10/10

Draw: Excellent.  By cutting off just the pigtail, you get in my opinion a perfect draw/burn ratio.  10/10

Flavor: Lots of chocolate, pepper, leather and coffee.  The great thing about this one was it kept changing.  Very complex and a roller coaster of a ride. 10/10

Availability: I have said it before and I will say it again, I do not like retailer exclusives.  This one is pretty easy to come by though.  They are still available.        9/10

Personal Overall Experience: The ONLY drawback on this cigars performance is the lack of thick smoke.  I really like it when cigars allow smoke to billow.  The Anarchy however only put out little wisps.  Other than that, perfect.  If you can, pick up a box.        28/30

Total: 97/100

Matt

Friday, December 2, 2011

Review: Olivia Serie V Lancero

Cigar Name: Olivia Serie V
Wrapper:
Nicaraguan Habano Sun Grown
Binder:
Nicaraguan
Filler:
Nicaraguan
Size: Lancero 38 x 7”
Strength: Full
Body: Full
Price: $6.00-8.00 Each
Smoking Time: Hour and fifteen minutes

Olivia has been mentioned here before as a quality maker of cigars.  Their Serie V blend is by far their boldest.  Five years ago you probably would not have seen me smoke a Lancero size but man o man, they are one of my favorite now and the Serie V is at the top of that list too.   
  


Appearance: There is a reddish hue to this cigar with lots of oils present.    9/10

Construction: No flaws, blemishes or soft spots        9/10

Burn:   Like a gem.  Excellent burn.         10/10

Aroma:  It smells like dirt and hay.     8/10

Draw: The think I like about lanceros is they tend to bring out the best of the rollers.  It is hard to have a well flavored cigar in that small amount of space and Olivia did it just right with this one.       10/10

Flavor: It tastes like a well aged steak with horseradish.  Seriously.  This goes excellent with some peaty Scotch.  10/10

Availability: Easy to come by.      10/10

Personal Overall Experience: The lancero is my new favorite to this line.  I love them.  I can’t recommend these enough to a serious cigar smoker.  I say serious because there is some power here and it is concentrated with the lancero size.  Great cigar!  30/30

Total: 96/100

Matt