This Robusto is a very dark and fragrant Sa Andreas wrapped Maduro. The wrapper is very smooth and the bunch is firm. Tonight’s beverage is a glass of Agavales Anejo tequila.

Initial flavors are sweetness with a touch of pepper. The retrohale has much more pepper and a bittersweet background. The draw is perfect and the burn is very even.

Agavales is pretty much a margarita mixer brand, but the Anjejo has a much better flavor profile of agave and caramel notes. It’s a pretty solid pairing with the San Andreas wrapper.

In the first third the sweetness backs down a bit from sugary to more of a molasses flavor and the pepper settles in retrohale. The flavor profile is mostly medium bodied. The ash is a bit fragile but the burn remains very even.

During the second third the cigar and tequila continue to pair well. The molasses of the cigar blends almost perfectly with the caramel of the tequila. The burn has become a bit uneven, although only slightly.

Approaching the final inch the pepper in the retrohale comes back to full. The flavor profile is very consistent. The burn is returning to even. Overall I would recommend both the cigar and the tequila.

This cigar is very dark and smells very rich. The bunch is firm. Tonight’s beverage is a glass of Diplomatico Reserve Exclusiva Rum.

The flavor starts out heavy on the tongue like molasses, enhanced by the rum. The retrohale has hints of black pepper with heavy smoke as well. The burn is fairly even.

In the first third the flavor profile remains heavy and sweet. The smoke is very smooth and plentiful. The retrohale remains about the same. The burn remains mostly even.

During the second third the sweetness of the cigar combined with the rum produces a very sugary finish that isn’t really what I look for in a cigar. The pepper in the retrohale has retreated and leaves mostly heavy smoke. The burn remains mostly even.

Approaching the final inch the sweetness dies down and leaves a heavy but fairly ordinary Maduro profile. This cigar is fine if you’re not looking for a lot of complexity. The construction is good and the burn remains mostly even.

This cigar has a mostly smooth wrapper with some veins towards the head. The foot smells of light cocoa. Cutting with a Colibri deep V. Full disclosure, this was a gift and is definitely out of my price range. The cold draw is perfect.

The initial flavors are very full with hints of cocoa and fig. The burn started uneven but has already corrected itself. The retrohale is very smooth. The body of the cigar is a very pleasant medium to full. There is plentiful pleasant smoke.

In the first third the flavor profile is medium bodied with a rich tobacco flavor. So far I have not been able to detect any other flavors. The cigar is very good, just very one dimensional. The burn remains perfect.

During the second third a bit of earthiness joins the flavor profile. The smoke is very smooth, both on the palate and in the retrohale. A very pleasant cigar without much complexity, which I understand some people prefer.

Approaching the final inch some cedar notes join the flavor profile. Overall this is an excellent cigar, but I doubt I’ll smoke it again due to the price point.

This cigar has an utra-smooth wrapper. There are light vanilla notes in the foot. The cold draw is perfect. Cut with a Colibri Deep V.

Initially the cigar is very smooth but with light white pepper notes both on the palate and in the retrohale, creating a good complexity from the start. As the flavors settle in the pepper subsides and a creamy vanilla note comes to the fore. The burn is excellent.

In the first third the pepper stays far in the background, almost teasingly. For a lighter cigar, this one has plenty of body, as well as pleasingly thick and aromatic smoke. The burn remains perfect.

During the second third the flavor profile builds a bit. It suggests that this cigar would pair well with a good cognac. Anyone suggesting that this cigar too light is smoking it too fast. The burn remains perfect.

This is a great light to medium bodied cigar. Definitely the lightest in the Dunbarton line-up. But it is still a very satisfying smoke; perfect for those who like to start their day on the lighter side. The construction is immaculate and the complexity is very interesting. And the finish is very pleasant.

Approaching the final inch, the cigar remains excellent. From construction to flavor profile, I find little to no flaws in this cigar.

Well constructed Figurado with a very smooth dark wrapper. The bunch is firm and the draw is perfect. Tonight’s beverage is a cold Topo Chico.

The initial flavors are very earthy with coffee and dark cocoa. The retrohale is surprisingly smooth. The burn is excellent.

In the first third the strength ramps up as the burn clears the hump. This is definitely a full bodied cigar and I’m glad I ate first. A cloying sweetness creeps into the flavor profile. The burn remains perfect.

During the second third a crack appears in the wrapper. The burn remains even across the split. Some cinnamon has joined the flavor profile, which remains otherwise consistent. The retrohale remains very smooth.

Approaching the final inch pepper joins the flavor profile, both on the palate and in the retrohale. This is definitely a must have for all fans of the Jacob’s Ladder line. The spiciness has been kicked up for an excellent flavor profile.

This is a very good looking box-pressed cigar with a very smooth wrapper with only a couple of minor veins. The draw is perfect.

Continue reading Cornelius & Anthony The Gent Robusto →

Very smooth dark wrapper with a light ring at the foot. The bunch is firm and the draw is perfect.

Continue reading Roma Craft Intemperance →

This cigar very good looking with a very dark wrapper that is very smooth. The initial flavors are earthy and sweet. The bunch is firm and the cold draw is perfect. The burn is somewhat uneven at the start.

Continue reading PDR Capa Oscura Robusto →

This is a smooth wrapped cigar with no visible veins. The cold draw is perfect. Today’s beverage is a More Cowbell IPA.

Continue reading Caldwell Eastern Standard Sungrown →

This cigar has a very dark smooth oscuro wrapper. The bunch is firm. The wrapper and foot have the heavy aromas of an oscuro. The cold draw is perfect. This morning’s beverage is a Chameleon Cold Brew Pecan.

Continue reading La Palina Black Label Toro →