Ok, I’ll admit it. Not only am I a sucker for Southern Draw Lanceros, I’m a big fan of Cigars For Warriors, and donate often. The fact that sales of the jars benefited CFW, I was near the front of the line. Continue reading Southern Draw Jacob’s Ladder Lancero Ignite Some Good Limited Edition
Category Archives: Reviews
Room 101 San Andreas 808 Gordo
First and foremost I acknowledge that this is not a “new” cigar. I promise to obtain and review a Big Chief Cool Arrow (henh…culero) as soon as possible; however, this cigar is new to me and I want to review it on CW as no one has before. Continue reading Room 101 San Andreas 808 Gordo
Southern Draw Cigars & Famous Smoke Shop to release Rose of Sharon Perfecto as they IGNITE some good!
Austin, Texas – APRIL 30, 2018. IGNITE project release #2 will be 
an exciting new size for the award winning Rose of Sharon. The medium bodied blend that was blessed as the 2017 #1 Cigar of the Year by Stogie Geeks (Joe D.) and Tuesday Night Cigar Club, #2 Cigar of the Year by Phillip Kohn a.k.a. the Katman with a perfect 100 rating, the #8 Cigar of the Year by HalfWheel – the Consensus, and 10 other Top 25 Cigars of the Year will now be offered in a special round format. Continue reading Southern Draw Cigars & Famous Smoke Shop to release Rose of Sharon Perfecto as they IGNITE some good!
Jeremy Jack JJ14 Corona Gorda
This cigar has a nice Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper surrounding Nicaraguan Aganorsa from Esteli and the Jalapa Valley. The aromas from the foot are earthy and floral. The bunch is a bit short of firm. The cold draw is perfect. Today’s beverage is a Stone Exalted IPA.
The cigar starts out smooth with a bit of spice, floral and earthy flavors and black pepper in the retrohale. The smoke is very smooth and thick. The burn is very even and the ash is solid. The IPA is a good pairing.
During the second third some sweetness joins the flavor profile. The pepper in the retrohale has muted a bit. The burn remains very even.
Approaching the final inch the complexity of flavors remains excellent. This is a very well constructed cigar. 90, Joe Bob says check it out.
Steve Saka Todos las Dios
Firm roll but good draw, foot and wrapper have a slight dark chocolate aroma. Initial draw also has Dark Chocolate notes with a very strong but pleasant tobacco flavor. Continue reading Steve Saka Todos las Dios
Southern Draw Cigars to release Jacobs Ladder Lancero – Box Press
Austin, TX. – Born from the new charitable strategy, IGNITE some good and produced at the A.J. Fernandez Cigar Co. in Esteli, Nicaragua, the Jacobs Ladder Lancero makes its debut in an exclusive box pressed format known as the TOP RUNG at Casa de Montecristo which coincides with the Texas Cigar Festival. The box pressed lancero in this award winning premium cigar blend is a limited exclusive release and will be available in a number of Casa de Montecristo retail locations. Continue reading Southern Draw Cigars to release Jacobs Ladder Lancero – Box Press
Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Lancero
This cigar has a beautiful smooth Connecticut wrapper with a closed foot and a pigtail cap. Very light aromas of toasted tobacco from the wrapper and foot. A box pressed cigar with a good bunch. The cold draw is perfect.
Initial flavors are toasted tobacco with a bit of a zing. Soft pepper notes are in the retrohale. The cigar is burning evenly and the ash is light grey and solid.
The first third reveals a solid mix of spice while retaining the toasty character. There is a good peppery quality in the retrohale. The burn remains even and the ash is solid.
During the second third a cinnamon note emerged from the spice mix. The smoke is very smooth and plentiful. This is a medium bodied cigar with great complexity. It also has a long toasty finish. The burn remains even.
Approaching the final inch the flavors remain solid and the smoke is very smooth. Excellent construction and complexity, this one earns 98. Joe Bob says check it out.
Hoyo La Amistad Silver Robusto
This is the 2017 release of the Hoyo collaboration with AJ Fernandez. It has a nice dark wrapper. Aromas from the wrapper are mostly tobacco, but there is a little “zing” from the foot. The bunch is firm and the cold draw is perfect. Tonight’s beverage is a Krombacher Dark Lager.
The initial draws yield flavors of tobacco, cedar and hints of spice that remind me of a really good BBQ rib rub. The draw is perfect and the burn is very even. The ash is solid and light grey.
In the first third the spices settle to a smooth pepper note on the tongue and in the retrohale. A toasted flavor blends in with the profile. The ash dropped at one inch and remains solid and the burn remains even.
During the second third a sweetness creeps into the already excellent profile. The smoke is very smooth. This is a solid medium bodied cigar. The burn remains flawless.
Approaching the final inch the cigar remains smooth and tasty. The ash has been solid throughout, as has the burn. Perhaps a bit milder than the Amistad Gold of 2016, but still an excellent experience. 95, Joe Bob says check it out.
The T Robusto: A Collaboration and a Success
This cigar is a collaboration from Matt Booth, AJ Fernandez and Robert Caldwell. It is box pressed with a smooth dark wrapper. Notes of coffee are notable in the foot. The bunch is firm. The cold draw is perfect. Today’s beverage is a Real Ale Commissar Russian Imperial Stout. Continue reading The T Robusto: A Collaboration and a Success
Blanco Nine Robusto
This cigar has a beautiful dark brown wrapper. The predominant aromas are well tanned leather and cocoa. The ligeros seen in the foot and clipped head are very well placed. The cold draw is perfect. Today’s beverage is a Lorelei Merdude Russian Imperial Coffee Milk Stout.
The cigar starts very smooth, especially for a triple ligero. This is a full bodied smoke from the start. The smoke is very full and rich. Strong notes of leather and cocoa dominate the opening flavors. The burn is very even. The mottled grey ash is fairly solid and taps off easily.
The burn angles a bit in the first third; perhaps a bend in one of the ligero leaves. Every other aspect improves. Cedar notes appear and blend in very well. There is a healthy dose of pepper in the retrohale.
During the second third the burn self corrects and is once again even. The flavors build without any bitterness. Some coffee notes also appear. The ale is a perfect pairing, enhancing the cigar.
Approaching the final inch the flavors remain exceedingly complex. The overall construction is also very good. Again, a very full bodied smoke. 93
Nat Sherman Metropolitan Habano Short Robusto
This cigar has a beautiful chocolate brown wrapper. The wrapper has a nutty aroma while the foot smells of cocoa. The bunch is firm. The cold draw is perfect. Tonight’s beverage is a Dos Equis Lager.
The initial flavors are nuts and cocoa. The smoke is very smooth from the beginning. The burn and draw are perfect. The ash is light grey and looks solid.
In the first third the burn developed a fairly bad run, so I corrected. We’ll see what happens. The cigar is burning in a cone, so it’s not a filler issue; it could be a wind problem since the big doors of the lounge are open and a storm just blew through. The flavors continue to be a nice blend of nuts and cocoa. The retrohale is very smooth.
During the second third the correction worked and the cigar is burning evenly. A bit of cedar has joined the flavors and is blending in well. The smoke is very smooth and the ash remained solid even though the correction.
Approaching the final inch the flavors remain the same. Still decently complex but didn’t develop much. Except for the one run, the construction is good. 83, Joe Bob says check it out.
Most interesting cigars of 2017 part 2
I’m not assigning rankings to these cigars, and no Cubans are listed. All these cigars were released in late 2016-early 2017. To avoid the illusion of rankings, the cigars are listed in alphabetical order. I have chosen 22 cigars for this list. 11 Will appear on this part and the second 11 will appear next week. Continue reading Most interesting cigars of 2017 part 2
Most interesting cigars of 2017
I’m not assigning rankings to these cigars, and no Cubans are listed. All these cigars were released in late 2016-early 2017. To avoid the illusion of rankings, the cigars are listed in alphabetical order. I have chosen 22 cigars for this list. 11 Will appear on this part and the second 11 will appear next week.
Remember, these are listed alphabetically, not by rank. Continue reading Most interesting cigars of 2017
AJ Fernandez Enclave Broadleaf
Size of cigar: 5 inches by 52 ring gauge
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler leaves: Nicaraguan
New as of this summer, A.J. Fernandez has released a broadleaf version of the Enclave.
My review sample exhibited a very smooth and dark wrapper with the expected sweet aroma of broadleaf, while the foot gave off light cocoa and leather scents. Overall, construction looked and felt excellent, with the cigar showing a nice firm bunch and a great cold draw. My morning accompanying beverage was a fresh-roasted Torquino/Serrano blend of coffee. Continue reading AJ Fernandez Enclave Broadleaf
Herrera Esteli Miami
Size of cigar: 5.75 inches by 48 ring gauge
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Fillers: Dominican & Nicaraguan
The Miami version of the Herrera Estelí blend is rolled at the El Titan factory, the ‘home’ factory of Willy Herrera. Continue reading Herrera Esteli Miami
White Hat Hirochi Robaina series
White Hat Cigars distributes the Hirochi Robaina (HR) line of cigars. If the name Hirochi Robaina sounds a little familiar to you, that’s probably because Hirochi is the grandson of revered Cuban tobacco grower and expert Don Alejandro Robaina. The HR line of cigars is made at the La Corona Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.
HR Signature
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder & Fillers: Nicaraguan (Esteli & Jalapa)
The HR Signature (brown band) sports a smooth and oily dark wrapper exhibiting an intoxicating aroma of rich dark chocolate, also present in the shaggy foot. The cigar has a nice firm bunch, clips cleanly and displays a perfect cold draw. Continue reading White Hat Hirochi Robaina series
Black Label Trading Company Last Rites Petite Lancero
Size of cigar: 6.5 inches by 42 ring gauge
This cigar has a very nice, smooth Maduro wrapper. The bunch is firm with no soft spots, and the wrapper gives off an aroma of cocoa nibs and leather along with some spices. The cold draw is perfect. My chosen accompanying beverage is a Southern Star Winter Warmer Ale. Continue reading Black Label Trading Company Last Rites Petite Lancero
Southern Draw Jacob’s Ladder Robusto
Beautiful smooth dark wrapper with a firm bunch and a perfect draw. Aromas of dark chocolate from the shaggy foot and wrapper, more of a spicy vibe from the cold draw. Owner Robert Holt says smoke this one after a good meal. Continue reading Southern Draw Jacob’s Ladder Robusto
Hamlet 25th Year Master of Tobacco Robusto
Size of cigar: 5½ inches by 50 ring gauge 
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Pennsylvanian Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaraguan & Honduran
This is the second blend issued by Hamlet Paredes since he joined the Rocky Patel family. Continue reading Hamlet 25th Year Master of Tobacco Robusto
AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Robusto
This is a new blend of an old favorite. A rich dark wrapper with only minor veins that smells heavily of cocoa, with more of the same from the foot. The bunch is firm and the cold draw is good.Ash fell off just past the first inch (fortunately not in my lap).
The cigar and the coffee are matching extremely well (can’t beat a cup of fresh roasted torquino). Good smooth smoke with a good amount of black pepper on the retrohale. Firm light grey ash and an even burn. So far this is definitely a very pleasant experience.
At one third the pepper has settled and a nice lingering bittersweet flavor has developed. The cocoa notes are very subtle but add nicely to the profile. I would call this a medium+ bodied smoke with medium flavor.
After 2/3 the pepper notes return in the retrohale and the overall blend has really come together with notes of cocoa and coffee. I always start a cigar expecting the best and this one has definitely not let me down. The burn has remained even throughout with a nice conical burn.
Approaching the final inch the ash fell off again, this time nailing my shirt. Not that big of a deal, but the ash could have been firmer. Still, this is a very good cigar with a great complexity of flavors. 90, Joe Bob says check it out.
Room 101 Johnny Tobacconaut
Before I cut or lit it I noticed rich tobacco aromas from the cigar. The dry draw was perfect and tasted wonderful.
I am a big believer in giving every cigar a chance up front and this one earned it a little spice on the tongue with back flavors of holiday spice bread made me want to smoke faster, but I resisted. Continue reading Room 101 Johnny Tobacconaut
Camacho Ditka Gametime
Good construction, some veins in the medium wrapper, light tobacco notes from the wrapper and a somewhat generous draw. Paired with a Shiner Texas Warmer ale.
Not surprisingly, it’s very similar to the Camacho Corojo I smoked last week; the differences being a cleaner draw and less tendency to go out, although I will have to say that I was pretty involved in conversation while smoking the Camacho.
There is however a slight difference in the tasting notes; the Ditka has more pepper early on and has an odd sweetness that I might expect from a “dipped” cigar, although I know this one is not. Continue reading Camacho Ditka Gametime
General Cigar/AJ Fernandez Diesel collaboration -Grind
A perfect bunch and aromas from the wrapper and foot that almost make you want to eat the cigar it smells so good. Hints of cocoa wrapped in earthy tones of tobacco. A clean clip and a perfect draw speak of great things to come.
A nice strong bite of tobacco greets you from the very start, grabbing your collar and yelling, “this is gonna be special, ok?” And it’s right. This is a great cigar. Undertones of cocoa provide a nice bed for the tobacco while the peppers play around with your palate. The burn is nice and even with a firm light grey ash.
When two great cigar makers team up you can expect great things. This cigar has the consistency of a General with the complexity of an AJ Fernandez. While that may sound somewhat contradictory, trust me, the end product is outstanding.
At 1/3, hints of cognac sneak in. The peppers are somewhat muted although still present. And the volume of smoke is outstanding. The burn continues to be straight and the ash remains firm. My Topo Chico also does a very good job of keeping the cigar from being overwhelming.
There is absolutely no stinging from the smoke as it passes across the face. At 2/3 I am still impressed by the seamless combination of General and AJ. When you smoke this cigar you will understand how it can be both complex and consistent. The strength combined with the flavors is epic.
Putting it down at one inch, I wish it was a longer cigar so I could continue to enjoy it. 90. Joe Bob says check it out.
Micallef Cigars interview at IPCPR2017
IPCPR 2017 Wrap-up
The 2017 International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Convention has come and gone. While it took place in Las Vegas like last year, there were significant differences – and these not all due to the fact that the venue had changed from the Sands Expo to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Continue reading IPCPR 2017 Wrap-up
haveapremiumcigar 