Top 5 cigars

Along the lines of last week question, I would you guys consider your top 5 favorite cigars? That would be all things considered, taste, flavor, price, availability, etc. Mine are:

1. Ashton VSG
2. Casa Magna
3. Rocky Patel Edge Maduro
4. Olivia Serie V
5. Sol Cubana Cuban Cabinet

Matt

Review: Fire by Indian Tabac

This stogy is a great every day, medium to full body, spicy, fairly rich smoke. I picked up a 12 pack of Maduro Robustos (4.5 x 52) from Cigarbid.com, and at less than $3 a stick (including shipping!!), you can't go wrong. This particular size is a relatively quick smoke--which is great for after lunch or for watering the lawn after dinner. 8.75/10

Adam

OCCS June Meeting Notes / Gurkha Coffee Review

It was great to see everyone @ Joe's Meeting. Thanks to Jeff for the use of his place again--and for picking up Valkyrie for all of us to enjoy (I thought it was a pretty good flick!). It's nice to sit in the comfort of a friend's home, without a bunch of bull-shit going on in the background, and enjoy fine cigars, great food & company, and a good movie. Nothing like it.

Thanks to Joe for the frickin' awesome Dicky's BBQ, not to mention the mind-blowing Casa Magna. I realize the Casa Magna has already been reviewed by the OCCS, but I think it is worth repeating: 10/10. Period.

On a totally different subject: I picked up a pound of ground Gurkha Americana Coffee (I think Gurkha currently has 5 or 6 different coffees out there). The Americana is pretty good coffee, although I do not think it lives up to the Gurkha name. I expected more from it--maybe to be found in one of Gurkha's other coffees, but the Americana, in my opinion, is not much different than a good Folgers or other name-brand coffee.

Adam

Don Peppin Garcia - My Father

Last night Jeff and I went to the new Alcorns store. Man was it much improved. There is so much room there it is not all elbows and assholes. The woman behind the counter said they are not done with it yet as they will be bringing in more cigars, soda cooler, etc. They had a great lounge with 3 couches and the big screen tv. VERY nice.

While there I thought I would treat myself to a Don Peppin Garcia My Father #4 7.5" x 38 ring guage. Don Peppin likes to model his cigars after the Cuban style. I have only had a few Cubans in my day and I would say he surpassed them. This is a beautiful cigar, dark, oily and firm. It had a solid gray ash and the aroma, oh, my the aroma. Very nutty, very cedary (it had a cedar sleeve) and a perfect burn right down to the nub. 10 of 10

Matt

July 2009 Meeting Date Set, Cigar Chosen

The OCCS July Meeting will be held on Friday July 31 at Growler's Pub in South County (been too long since the last Cuban Sandwich).

The July Cigar will be the Excalibur 1066 Dark Knight I (which happens to be one of my first favorites).

"The Excalibur 1066 is an extension of the popular Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur line. It features a blend of Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos along with Cameroon wrappers. A superior Cameroon cigar that’s consistent and dependable with a pop of flavor on the finish.

The Dark Knight I is a compelling addition to the line that has cigar enthusiasts drooling. The unique dark, oily "extra dark natural" Havana-seed Connecticut wrapper is a delight, featuring a complex, rich, and layered smoothness."

Looking forward to seeing everyone there!!

Adam

Casa Magna

While golfing with Joe on Sunday, he was kind enough to bring me a couple extra Casa Magna's. This was my first time smoking one and let me tell you, it was worth the wait. In my opinion, it was also worth the #1 rating in CA. The wrapper is a beautiful reddish hue and is flawless in construction. My first taste was full of spice and flavor, medium to full. I had a little issue with an uneven burn, but was easily corrected with a little re-light. I nearly burnt my tounge with this and even put little burn marks on my driving glove from holding on to it for too long.
With a little againg I think this could put pressure on VSG being my personal #1 ESPECIALLY when you consider the value of this smoke. At $5.25 each you just can't get a better smoke (although Adam would disagree with the Edge Maduro). 10/10

Matt

OneOff

Right now this smoke is by far my favorite. Not sure if it is the simple band, the big ring, the perfect length, the great taste--and draw, or the insanely cheap price, but I can't get enough of these things. They are not always on Cigarbid, but when they are I try to get at least a five pack or so. I am giving some serious consideration to making this the featured cigar at my meeting. 9/10

Adam