REVIEW: ROCKY PATEL RENIASSANCE

Cigar Name: Rocky Patel Renaissance
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua and Dominican
Size: Toro 6-1/2” x 52
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Price: $3-11 each (bundle)

Smoking Time: About 1-1/2 hour

When this cigar was introduced a couple of years ago, it was said to be replacing the Rocky Patel Edge Sumatra.  I believe it really only used the same wrapper with different filler because this does not have the same strength as the Edge Sumatra.  It is however a good cigar… 

Appearance: This is a very rich looking, oily cigar.  It is a dark chocolate brown with several veins throughout but no blemishes.  8/10

Construction: No soft spots and seems pretty solid.  8/10

Burn:   This burns extremely well.  I did have to set a couple of them down for extended periods but they relit right up with no problem.    10/10

Aroma:  Very grassy and nutty.  It was not exceptionally exciting but pleasant.    8/10

Draw: Excellent.     10/10

Flavor: Flavor was nice.  Lots of coffee, almonds and just a hint of spice.  8/10

Availability: All over.  I got mine on cigarbid for about $3.00 per stick but you can walk into any brick and mortar and buy them off the shelf.    10/10

Personal Overall Experience:  I like these a lot.  Especially in the afternoon.  This is defiantly more on the medium side of things but has a good and unique flavor.  I don’t know if I would put this on any top ten lists, but it is probably in a top 25 of mine and certainly the top 5 for Rocky Patels.        25/30.

Total: 87/100

Matt

Review: CAO Italia Piccolo

Cigar Name: CAO Italia Piccolo
Wrapper: ?
Binder: ?
Filler: Mixture, predominately Italian
Size: Petite 4” x 38

Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Price: $1.00-3.00/each

Smoking Time: 30 minutes

I have been a fan of CAO cigars for a while because when I started smoking, they were probably the most innovative marketers out there and they put out a good product.  Now days, if I reach for a cigar, more than likely I will not reach for a CAO.  Not that they not good, I just think my taste has developed and changed.  The CAO cigars that I do really seek out are their Petite lines, in particular these Italias. These are inexpensive and great for a quick smoke.  I couldn’t find too much on the wrapper or binder but rather the filler is marketed as one of (if not the only) cigar that has Italian tobacco in it.      

Appearance: I imagine it is hard to make a small cigar like this and I think that comes through in the appearance.  It is rather rough looking but the packaging is cool.  You can buy these in tins of 5 or bricks of 50 and the little tins are just plain cool and easy to carry in your pocket if you so desire.        8/10

Construction:  Again, it seems a little rough.  7/10

Burn:   Considering the small ring gauge, this burns okay but there are usually several touch ups to do.              6/10

Aroma:  Tobacco and leather but that is about it.        7/10

Draw: Pretty decent actually.       9/10

Flavor:  This is pretty one dimensional.  There is a little bit of pepper, but there is no real “experience” to smoking this but then again, what do you expect for a 30 minute cigar for around a buck.    6/10

Availability: These are easy to find.           10/10

Personal Overall Experience:  For what it is, this is pretty good.  You won’t knock many people’s socks off with this, but if you only have a few minutes to relax you really can’t go wrong with the CAO Italia Piccolo.  23/30

Total: 76/100

Matt

My first beer is done

And it is GOOD!  It is an IPA and I just had my first last night.  Hoppy, strong and very bitter.  YUM.

Review: Man O' War Puro Authentico

Cigar Name: Man O’ War Puro Authentico
Wrapper: Habano ?
Binder: ?
Filler: ?
Size: Corona 5” x 42

Strength: Full
Body: Full
Price: $4.00-6.00/each

Smoking Time: Just over an hour

The Man O’ War (MOW) is another brain child of A.J. Fernandez and is supposedly his daily go to cigar.  Only offered on Cigar.com, Cigarsinternational.com and Cigarbid.com, this is a somewhat limited release but seems to always be in stock.    

Appearance: It is a little rustic and the closed foot is cool.  The band is simple with the MOW helmet on it.  Very soft and for lack of a better word, velvety.          9/10

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

Burn:   Exceptional.  No hang ups even with the smaller ring gauge.  10/10

Aroma:  Dirt, leather, coffee, barnyard, toffee and chocolate.  The aroma is all over the place and keeps you on your toes.        10/10

Draw: Very nice.  Again, with the burn I was surprised how well this drew with the smaller ring gauge.  Very well made.       10/10

Flavor:  This is the best part.  Like the aroma, this is just a roller-coaster of a ride.  Up, down, loop de loops, everything.  There was lots of pepper and spice, more leather, coffee and chocolate to boot.  10/10

Availability: As I mentioned above, you can only buy these on line but they seem to always be available.         8/10

Personal Overall Experience: If you have a cold, this will clear your sinus.  Tons of pepper and spice.  This would be such a great cigar after a big steak dinner (or during) with a big bold beer in hand.  This is now my new favorite in the MOW line.  If you can, go find some.     28/30

Total: 94/100

Matt

Casa Magna Domus Magus Limitada

Cigar Name: Casa Magna Domus Magus Limitada
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun Grown (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: Pigtail  5.75 x 52

Strength: Medium
Body: Medium-Full
Price: $8.75-9.50 Each

Smoking Time: Hour and thirty minutes

This cigar made my most memorable cigars list last year and this review will tell you why.  I love the Casa Magna Colorado but believe me, this cigar is better in my opinion.    

Appearance: The Jalapa wrapper has the sheen of velvet.  It is absolutely perfect and with the pigtail beautiful.  The strong box press enhances the luxury of this cigar.  It is a reddish, chocolate color that the sharp red and gold band make pop.    10/10

Construction:  Again, just great.  Solid even with a box press and no seams, flaws or soft or hard spots.          10/10

Burn:   If it were a knife, it would cut me.  It is just that sharp.             10/10

Aroma:  Chocolate, dirt, mossy and woody at the same time.  Think of a forest just after a spring rain.  Very intriguing.       10/10

Draw: Spectacular.  Box presses seem to me very loose.  This one was just right.    10/10

Flavor:  More chocolate, wood and peaty.  The second half really picked up some spice but just enough to notice, not overpowering at all.   10/10

Availability: GD limited editions!  I got my first one at Alcorns, tried it and loved it.  I went back the next week and got five thinking I would get some at our next meeting in two weeks and when I did, they were gone.  I am praying that they decide to remake this but rumor has it the wrapper is all gone.  7/10

Personal Overall Experience: I wish I had gotten more.  I can still find them online but I hate to pay for the shipping.  I may just have to bite the bullet and do it.  I know, I know, I am cheap but it adds up.  Seriously a spectacular cigar.    30/30

Total: 97/100

Matt

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

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