Review: Cain F Tubo

Cigar Name: Cain F Tubo
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: Lancero 38 x 7”

Strength: Full
Body: Full
Price: $4.00-7.00 Each

Smoking Time: Hour and fifteen minutes

Olivia makes the Cain series as part of their Studio Tobac line.  The Cain F is billed as 100% Ligero and I have reviewed the Torpedo before.  The Lancero is a different beast though.  Lanceros are traditionally thought to be a more flavorful, stronger shape because the compacted size allows for all the flavors to shine through. 

      

Appearance: The wrapper is milk chocolate in color with a red band around the foot.  The tube is just awesome!  What a great presentation piece.      10/10

Construction: There were a couple of soft spots but I don’t think it is anything to worry about.  It is probably due to the smaller ring gauge.          8/10

Burn:   Flawless.         10/10

Aroma:  There is not too much aroma coming off this thing.  Maybe a bit of ammonia?       8/10

Draw: I really like the lancero format because you tend to get really good rollers on that particular size.  Draw was perfect.        10/10

Flavor: You can REALLY taste the Ligero leaf.  Kind of a wasabi heat on the back of your throat and horseradish on the roll.  Very intense.    9/10

Availability: You can find these on line and in stores but they are sometimes backordered.        9/10

Personal Overall Experience: Wowsa!   This thing brought the heat.  I would recommend smoking this on a full stomach.  The ligero is powerful and the flavors intense.  I luckily bought a box of these and will be looking for more in the future.  The price point is great too.  These are not for the weak willed and faint of heart.     30/30

Total: 94/100

Matt

Review: Carlos Torano Vault

Cigar Name: Carlos Torano Vault
Wrapper: Nicaragua Colorado Shade 
Binder: Nicaraguan Omempte 
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5” x 52 Rubusto
Strength: Medium-Full
Body: Medium-Full
Price: $5.00-8.00 (single)

Smoking Time: Hour and a half

It has always been a struggle for me to keep Carlos Torano cigars in my humidor.  Not because I smoke them a lot but because for whatever reason, I always overlook them when I buy.  When I went to Alcorn Cigars Torano open house about 6 months ago, that all changed.  I was simply wowed by the tradition and family first attitude from the cigar rep.  Torano is a family run company and they do a LOT for local charities (both in the US and near the manufacturing locations).  Ever since then, I have been buying more and more Carlos Torano Cigars. 

The Vault is the first of a series of releases in the Vault line that started in the Torano Top Secret blend book.  This blend was started over ten years ago but never released because it was missing something.  When they revisited the blend book with the intention of releasing some of those blends, they came across the Omempte binder that made this cigar.  Labeled A-008 (the 8^th entry into the Blend book), the vault was released onto the world. 

 Appearance: Silky smooth wrapper with some oils.  It has a reddish hue to it.  There is a silver band with Vault printed at the head and a smaller foot band with the A-008.  Good looking cigar.  9/10

Construction: Like most Torano’s this is a very well-constructed cigar.    10/10

Burn:   It burned pretty well.  There always seem to be some relights needed but I believe that has to do with the oils.  This may be a cigar you smoke in the 60% humidity range to really appreciate it.  8/10

Aroma: Some pepper on the lips and some grassy hay.    9/10

Draw: Nice and firm, but not too firm.  Most Torano cigars in my opinion have the same draw.  Very smooth and consistent.        10/10

Flavor: There is a really unique “twang” to this.  It is hard to explain.  Almost sour but not and not quite sweet enough to be called sweet.    10/10

Availability: Decent.  The price point is spot on and you can find these anywhere but they are somewhat limited although I understand they are coming out with more.      8/10

Personal Overall Experience:  Buy these.  They are great.  The twang I was talking about is so unique it is worth a box purchase.  I hope these will be in my humidor for a long time to come.  30/30.

Total: 94/100

Matt

Review on CAS Last Cigar Standing

Review: CAO Last Cigar Standing

When we were at Alcorns last week, I found an interesting package with cigars in it.  I read the place card on it and found it is a cigar promotion from CAO where the smoker gets to “pick” the next production cigar.  In order to get the tin with the cigars, you have to buy six (6) CAO cigars and you get the tin with the cigars free.  Not too bad a deal so I scooped one up.  Here are my reviews for the three cigars.  Please note that I don’t have any concrete information on the blends, tobaccos or history behind each cigar.  I only know that each was a robusto size (5x50). 

Review C:   Of the three, this was the worst.  The only good thing about it was the construction.  There was almost no flavor or aroma and it was very one dimensional. 

Review A:  Of the three, this was the most balanced cigar.  I wasn’t a HUGE fan of any ONE of them, but this one has the most potential.  I think this is a Honduran Rosado wrapper.  Flavor was decent and construction was EXCELLENT.  I wish it had just a little more oomph.  Good but not great.  By far the best of the three. 

Review O:  If this one had just a little less Ligero, it would have been tops in my book.  I normally like stronger cigars but this one was just a little harsh and the Ligero I think made it burn uneven and I had to relight it several times. 

Final thoughts:  Honestly this is a great marketing concept and will no doubt get a lot of buy in from the people who sample the cigars.  Depending on the price point of these, I could see myself picking up a few of the A version if it wins.  No way in hell on the C version. 

Matt

REVIEW: PINAR DEL RIO HABANA SUN GROWN

Cigar Name: Pinar Del Rio Habana Sun Grown
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic Criollo 98
Filler: Dominican Republic
Size: Torpedo 6.5” x 52

Strength: Full
Body: Full
Price: $2.00-8.00/each

Smoking Time: Hour and a Half

This is my second Pinar Del Rio (PDR) review and I am excited to do it.  Again, these are a great value and I can’t recommend them enough.     

Appearance: This has a reddish wrapper with lots of oils.  The label is brown with gold and red and it has a good looking red ribbon around the foot.  It is striking how smooth the wrapper is.  10/10
Construction:  Well made with no seams, stems, cracks or soft spots.          9/10

Burn:   No problems at all.  There was lots of smoke production and it never got hot.      9/10

Aroma:  Spice and leather.  Lots of pepper.        8/10

Draw: Nicely made and there were not any issues.  These were all very consistent.  10/10

Flavor:  More spice but there were some floral notes on the back 3^rd.  It was a nice contrast.    9/10

Availability: I don’t know of any stores that carry them locally but I know they are making the rounds around the country.  Easy to find online.         8/10

Personal Overall Experience: I cannot stress enough how much of a value this is.  I was able to find these for less than $2.00 each online.  This is not a dog-rocket but a good cigar at a rock bottom price.    28/30

Total: 91/100

Matt

Review: Man O War Virtue

Cigar Name: Man O War Virtue
Wrapper: Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Size: Churchill 7.5” x 52

Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Price: $2.00-7.50/each

Smoking Time: Hour and a Half

I have done a couple of reviews on other Man O War’s but this is the first on the Virtue.  Considered to be their “lightest” of the blends, the Virtue is still blended by A.J. Fernandez. 

Appearance: This is a very pretty, golden Connecticut wrapper.  No veins and smooth to the touch.  The band is silver and blue and is pleasing to the eye.             8/10

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

Burn:   The only issue I ever have with these is keeping them lit.  Not anything on their part but when I enjoy them, it is usually in the morning when I am driving or playing golf.  I can get easily distracted and it does not hold the flame long.    7/10

Aroma:  Grass and hay.          8/10

Draw: Nice and smooth.  No issues here.  10/10

Flavor:  For a Connecticut it is spicy.  Not overpowering at all but just a nice healthy shot of pepper on the back of the palate.  Very pleasant but there is not a lot going on.  These are one dimensional.      8/10

Availability: These are only available online at Cigars International, Cigar.com and Cigarbid.           7/10

Personal Overall Experience: For me, this is a very good morning cigar.  It is pretty one dimensional so you don’t have to concentrate too hard on it but it is just enjoyable.  When you can get them cheap on the auction site, I recommend it.  24/30

Total: 81/100

Matt

REVIEW: Pinar Del Rio Reserva Limitada

Cigar Name: Pinar Del Rio Reserva Limitada
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Size: Torpedo 6.5” x 52

Strength: Full
Body: Full
Price: $2.00-3.50/each

Smoking Time: Hour and a Half

Pinar Del Rio is a true Boutique cigar maker.  They make a few blends and are under the radar for the most part.  You can find them online and in brick and mortars.  Because they are small, they don’t seem to advertise a lot.  However, if you search online for them, you will find a STRONG following.  For two reasons 1.) they are very inexpensive and 2.) they are GOOD.  I was unsure myself so I picked up a few samplers.  This is my first of many PDR’s!     

Appearance: This has a dark maduro wrapper with lots of oils.  The label is white with gold and silver and it has a good looking ribbon around the foot.  It is very impressive looking cigar that is well put together from top to bottom.            10/10

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

Burn:   There were a couple of touch ups but nothing to be concerned about.    8/10

Aroma:  Leather, coffee and tobacco.        8/10

Draw: Cold it was very good.  Once lit, it was a dream.  This is very well made for the price.  This is better made than some $15.00 cigars I have had.       10/10

Flavor:  Cedar, leather and dirt.  Lots of coffee.  10/10

Availability: I don’t know of any stores that carry them locally but I know they are making the rounds around the country.  Easy to find online.         8/10

Personal Overall Experience: For such an inexpensive cigar, this smokes like a dream.  I never found myself wanting for more or less of anything.  For the price, this could be considered a yard cigar but it could easily be given as a gift and someone would think you spent a lot on it.    Seriously, this is a FANTASTIC value.  I hope it stays that way.  28/30

Total: 91/100

Matt

REVIEW: Nub Maduro 464

Cigar Name: Nub Maduro 464
Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: Torpedo 64 x 4”

Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Price: $2.00-8.00 Each

Smoking Time: One hour

The Nub cigar is a neat concept that was the brain child of Sam Leccia of Olivia Cigars.  Sam left the company in 2010 but Olivia still makes these.  As I have mentioned before, Olivia is one of my favorite manufactures because of their consistency.  The Nub is designed to be the “sweet spot” of the entire cigar.  Let’s see.     

Appearance: Very toothy with a good looking, dark maduro wrapper with a torpedo shape.    8/10

Construction: I can only imagine how hard it is to make this small of a cigar while still maintaining the flavor profile.  That said it seems they accomplished what they wanted to.  Very solid and no soft spots or blemishes.          9/10

Burn:   Not bad.  The edge held for the entirety of the cigar but towards the end I did feel the heat from the flame on my lips.           8/10

Aroma:  Not a lot of aroma really.  Some coffee and sweetness but not much.      6/10

Draw: The draw was good considering the size of the cigar.  I think the torpedo shape helped that.       9/10

Flavor: Some coffee and campfire notes.  Not very complex and didn’t hold my attention for very long.    7/10

Availability: Easy to come by.  You can get these anywhere.  I got mine from Alcorns for about $4.60      10/10

Personal Overall Experience: Meh.  The concept is neat but it just is not my cup of tea.  I don’t really like the large ring cigars although this one was not too bad.  The ash did hold for a good 2/3 of the cigar which was cool but it didn’t add too much to the experience for me.  I think these would be good for a beginner but for me, they just didn’t get a rise out of me.    23/30

Total: 80/100

Matt