Friday, January 28, 2011

Torano Single Region Serie Jalapa

This robusto sports a reddish brown hue wrapper, tight cap and solid cut foot, and great construction as evidenced from it's amazing drawing characteristics.  Many flavours of peppery spice, woody oak, vanilla and sweet cinnamon fill my palate.  The spiciness does subside eventually and is supplemented with creamy notes.  A nasal exhale reveals flavours of vanilla, earth and some more spice for those of you who wonder where the kick went.  Overall a good full cigar that I would suggest smoking as an after dinner treat.

Alec Bradley New York Robusto Review

Had an opportunity to acquire this robusto from a local tobacconist.  It is clean, well made cigar with flawless wrapper, clean foot and a tight cap.  The draw was fantastic.  Upon smoking I was able to pick up flavours of white pepper spice, leather and earth with some sweet notes.  A nasal exhale reveals a floral bouquet complimented with hints of vanilla.  Although a full flavoured cigar, I found it very unbalanced and the flavours were over powered by the peppery spice, and as such I myself can not place a good time frame for smoking this stick.  A decent stogie over all but in the end to me this is something I would categorize as a yard gar contributed from it's flavour imbalance.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Is a cigar really "just a cigar"?

A.K.A. - Are we really all that stupid? pt. 2

In response to the anonymous criticisms left on the previous intended stand alone rant, I felt some clarification was needed.  I do appreciate input, however slight they are, or close minded, as long as they have some intellectual value, or some form of merit in terms of expressed opinions such as mine that might in fact stir free thinking.

There are some major flaws are presented.  I do enjoy smoking cigars.  It is a hobby, promotes relaxation for myself.  I find it so enjoyable that I make time to smoke one or two per day, no matter how hectic or tight my daily schedule is.  To think that I do not enjoy smoking is proof of ignorance to the rest of the content on this blog. 

And to the claim that the first part was a large whine... yes of course it is.  The disgust and anger presented is not directed at the products but at the people who make the products.  Cigars are the unfortunate vehicle to relay the piss poor project management and customer service delivered to the consumers. 

If you, the reader, are offended, I invite you to not read it.  Plain and simple. Don't waste your time with anything discouraging, negative, and go off into your utopia where everything is fantastic.  Don't waste your precious brain power to think up some meaningless response that just wasted 4 minutes of your life and 3 seconds of mine.

If you the reader, are somewhat moved emotionally and/or intellectually and might actually agree or disagree combined with some examples to concur or dispute the ideas being discussed, then feel free to express yourself.  I have provided examples to support my rant, targeting some beloved brands that I myself was infatuated with and ultimately betrayed by.  I encourage you readers to do the same.

Is a cigar really just a cigar? For the one hour that I take to smoke that robusto, or toro, or lancero, or churchill... the world just fades away and I find myself in a relaxed state, much like if I were to go on vacation at an all inclusive resort drinking an ice cold beer on the beach during sun set having a pleasant conversation with a few friends.  Now is a cigar really just a cigar? 

Nestor Miranda Art Deco 6x60 Review

Had an opportunity to try this new release from the Miami Cigar Co. 

As the size indicates, this is a large format cigar, with a flawless smooth uniform wrapper, clean foot and tight cap.  The construction is further accented by its excellent draw.  Full flavours abound with balanced woody flavours coupled with pepper, cream and coffee.  A nasal exhale reveals hints of vanilla, coffee, and pepper spice.  I would place this as an after dinner cigar, however its low nicotine buzz makes this a versatile cigar ready to be smoked at any interval of the day.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Are we really all that stupid?

Seriously.  I miss the days of when people have innovative ideas and produce interesting products, cigars for example, and keep thinking of better ways to improve upon their current lines.  But recently it has been nothing but a hog wash of bullshit to keep the sheep drinking more of the same old kool-aid. 

I mean really, a one-time use steel ring on a cigar to keep it from sliding into an ashtray?  Gotta figure out a way for the cigar to actually fit in the steel ring in the first place, and then find a way for the cigar to not slide out of the ring when held vertically before that even becomes a plausible idea.

Then you have one of the premier cigar blenders creating masterpieces 5 years ago to just making variations of his hallmark Black, Blue, and White labels.  Yes Pepin, talking about you.  Let's face facts, your best stuff was when you were playing with Corojo and Criollo, not oscuro, nor Maduro, nor Connecticut wrappers.  Padilla Miami 8/11 and Signature 1932 were the best examples in your portfolio and you part ways to make more stuff for Ashton and the Miami Cigar Co.?  Really?

Then the New York only cigars come out.  So a retailer has to carry the cigar, find ways to sell it in an over-taxed state, and then take on the burden of looking for interstate sales either through internet, telephone, or mail order catalogs (all of which require substantial capital and labor to maintain presuming the retailer doesn't have these capabilities which pretty much applies to most of them) just to "help the NY brick and mortars". 

Then it is the age old problem of over saturation of the cigar market, which leads to cannibalism in the humidors of the retailers, which then leads to having the major online retailers carrying them, which hoses all the brick and mortars who still have stock unable to compete with the pricing.  A friend brought to light some possible faults in the R&D department, but let's face facts.  You manufacturers know what you are doing.  I was completely wrong in thinking as a consumer and question certain moves performed in the industry. Over saturation is the key to your financial success apparently, and I don't see any indication of stopping even if Cigarmageddon insues and the only retailers to stand after the dust settles happens to be CI and Famous.

Honestly, I am a consumer.  I am not looking for the next new thing.  I don't care about a cigar that is blended and rolled by only one person.  I don't care about fancy coffin boxes, multiple flamboyant bands, or the endless gimmicks attached to whatever product you are making and selling.  I just want a stable consistent product to put into my humidor at home so I can smoke and enjoy whenever I want.  10 years from now we'll all probably be looking at a Padron 57th, or a Fuente Fuente Obsured Demolished Toast Across Lost City Prince B-T-Z, or a Pepin Limitless Limited extremely scarce Limitada... and then I'll think back to like I am now and reminisce how I used to love the Cuban Classics until they started sucking, or maybe how many times Padron can replicate that chocolate flavour in their cigars and still have the cultists drinking the kool-aid.

If you manufacturers aren't smoking your competitors' cigars, yours sucks already.  I promise.  I have tasted raisins and licorice with cinnamon and oak before.  Really.  I have smoked salamones and culebras and barber poles before.  Honest.  I fall into a niche of cigar smokes that has been abandoned as of late from the majority of the cigar manufacturers. 

Give me something affordable. 

Give me something that's thinner than a 56 ring gauge. 

Most importantly, give me something that is consistent and easily attainable.  

Since this is a new year, and it's all about resolutions, I am going to be a bit more diligent.  I resolute to stop being so nice this year.  How about you manufacturers stop churning the bullshit.

Reinado Toro Robusto Review

A firm solid cigar sporting a uniform honey amber hued wrapper complete with a neat cap and tight foot.  The draw is excellent, which leads me to say it is one of the most well constructed cigars of I have smoked.  I picked up flavours of pepper and wood with caramel notes and hints of vanilla and earth.  A very enjoyable medium cigar, and I can be so bold as to say this particular stick can be enjoyed anytime.

Monday, January 3, 2011

CAO Traviata Maduro Robusto Review

Being a fan of the original Traviata, I had to try to maduro version, and am pleased to say it performed as well as it's predecessor.  A dark oily discolored wrapper envelopes the cigar with a poorly cut foot, sloppy cap, however as disheveled it's presentation is, the draw was excellent.  The smoking produced woody earthy flavours with spicy notes, underlying cream and cocoa.  There is a strong depth of flavours, accompanied with velvety silky smoke compels me to say from first hand experience this cigar can pair well with a highland. 

A wonderful cigar I should implore to be enjoyed with a fine scotch, after dinner.