Review: La Duena by My Father

Cigar Name: La Duena by My Father
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf    
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf      
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 6” x 42 Petite Lancero # 7
Strength: Medium
Body: Full
Price: $6.00-9.00 (single)

Smoking Time: Hour and a half

La Duena means “The Boss” in Spanish and is a cigar made by Don Pepin Garcia at the My Father Cigar factory.  The cigar was however, blended by Pete Johnson of Tatuaje FOR Janny Garcia (Pepin’s daughter).  She has been active in the sales role for My Father Cigars for a while but this is her “big” introduction. 

Appearance: This has a gorgeous broadleaf wrapper that has no flaws.  The label is white on red with a silhouette of a woman.  It kind of reminds me of those old school broaches.  Very cool and classic looking.      9/10

Construction: Beautiful is an appropriate word for this.  It has just enough give and the pre-draw is fantastic.  10/10

Burn:   Sometimes broadleaf has so much oil on it, it is hard to burn, and this however does not.  It seems it has aged the tobacco to make it burn very consistently.      9/10

Aroma: There is a sweetness and a slight barnyard smell.  Pleasant but not overpowering.        8/10

Draw: Nice draw.  Just right.    10/10

Flavor: Where to begin?  Man this tastes great.  Meaty, gritty, earthy, chocolate.         10/10

Availability: You can find these almost anywhere and that makes me happy.  10/10

Personal Overall Experience:  This cigar is great for any time of day.  It is a great cigar to relax and just enjoy.  Once the funds become available, I will be buying a box.  I can’t say enough about these.  30/30.

Total: 96/100

Matt

REVIEW: SAN LOTANO HABANO

Cigar Name: San Lotano Habano
Wrapper: Brazil 
Binder: Honduran 
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran, D.R.
Size: 6” x 54 Toro
Strength: Medium-Full
Body: Medium-Full
Price: $5.00-9.00 (single)

Smoking Time: Just over and a half

This cigar was made by A.J. Fernandez and I have reviewed his cigars before (Diesel, Man O War, Sol Cubano) and I have always liked his blends.  All of those cigars though were for big distributors (Cigar International, Cigar.com and Cigarbid).  This one is his own.    

Appearance: The wrapper is a milk chocolate, toothy, oily masterpiece.  The gold and green band is simple yet with the thick paper used, very elegant.  Simply gorgeous.      10/10

Construction: Every A.J. cigar I have had is very well made and this is no exception.  No seams, flaws, soft or hard spots.    9/10

Burn:   I think the oils in the wrapper makes the burn kind of jenkey but not too bad.  I had a couple of minor touch ups but nothing major.      8/10

Aroma: There are several aspects that I like for example the barnyard, a subtle sweetness and leather.      9/10

Draw: Dead nuts. 10/10

Flavor: There was some pepper but it wasn’t spicy.  This is a great example of medium bodied with a full flavor.  10/10

Availability: Unlike A.J.’s other offerings; you can get this one anywhere.  Alcorn’s has a great stock of these.      10/10

Personal Overall Experience:  While I like the Toro size, I would love to taste this in a lancer or corona.  That being said, you can’t go wrong with the Toro.  It was very enjoyable and it kept me interested the entire time.  Great cigar.  28/30.

Total: 94/100

Matt