Wrapper: HVA (Habana Vuelta Abajo Ecuador)

Binder: Dominican Corojo

Filler: Corojo, HVA Habano, and a rare varietal known as Carbonara.

We spent some time in the Caldwell area and were introduced to Joe Smith and Jack Johnson who gave us the information that, yes, the Barber theme is “Sweeny Todd-ish.”

The initial draw is somewhat ordinary, but you could smell the cocoanut, cocoa, leather and even a bit of pepper. Good things come from risks taken, and this blender won.

Something a bit unusual, when paired with a medium strength IPA it can influence and change the flavor. The flavor stood its ground nicely, something I really admire in a medium body cigar.

Slight cracking in the wrapper at the third point didn’t stop the cigar from smoking well or cause the firm ash to drop.

At the half point the creaminess and coconut were covered over by w pleasant leathey, woody tones and not at all tinny.

You could survey with this burn, it is that straight. And the ash stands firm at 2″. Because I was wearing my Johnny * Joey * Dee Dee * Tommy shirt I tapped it just past half-way.

Then the cedar sneaked in changing the flavor yet again. Have I mentioned that I love complex cigars?

Heat started to build during the final third, but I slowed and purged my way to the nub. 90, Joe Bob says check it out.

Yes, Rocky has turned 55 and a special cigar was rolled in honor of him.

It is available in several sizes, the cigar I smoked is a short figurado with a rich dark wrapper and a firm bunch. It clips easily and draws perfect with hints of nutmeg.

An easy light produces pleasant citrus notes with hints of vanilla and almond.

Being a quite short cigar, care must be taken to not overheat the smoke. Even smoking slowly there is ample smoke to enjoy. And the burn is perfect.

At about half way a very pleasant nuttiness, a sort of very pleasant almond and pecan emerged adding even more enjoyment to the flavors. Slight sweetness almost bought out a pecan/almond flavor.

I have just one quibble with the cigar; I was nowhere near ready to put it down.

Happy 55th Rocky. I’m going to knock you down to a 99. because I just wasn’t ready to finish this cigar. Many happy returns of the day my friend

From the Company press release: Cubariqueño Cigar Co. is proud to announce that it is releasing its second blend, Protocol Probable Cause, at the 2016 International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailer (IPCPR) trade show in Las Vegas.
“We are super excited to announce the Protocol Probable Cause,” stated Juan Cancel, co-founder of Cubariqueño Cigar Company. “These cigars will launch at the 2016 IPCPR trade show.”
The name, Probable Cause, stays true to the company’s law enforcement motif, with co-founders Bill Ives and Cancel both law enforcement officers. Production will remain at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.

The dark oily wrapper smells like a tobacco barn, and the foot of the cigar smells of earthiness with a touch of spice. The bunch is firm but not hard. A clean clip on a medium box press gives a perfect cold draw.

The initial draw produces strong tobacco and leathery notes, much as one would expect from a maduro. The box press is easy to hold and draw. Plenty of rich smoke is produced with each draw.

Some pepper in the nose develops to enhance the tobacco and leather notes. So far this is a typical maduro profile with a perfect burn.

Paired with a Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout, the cigar retains its tobacco and leather notes with a bit of earthiness.

Like with the Protocol Lancero, there is enough smoke for smoke rings from single draws. The smoke is also staying quite cool and the burn is staying perfect. The wrapper is leaving a pleasant tobacco aftertaste on the lips.

The medium to light grey ash is very solid. Approaching the first third the flavor profile has mellowed some to settle into a nice creaminess. There is still a pleasant peppery note in the throat and nose.

There is absolutely no harshness to the smoke approaching the halfway point. The ash is firm and the burn remains perfect. So far this is a most pleasant cigar.

Just past the halfway point the cigar starts to heat up a bit, indicating that I need to slow down some. The perfect draw makes it difficult.

The flavor has developed a sweetness that has replaced the tobacco notes to complement the creaminess. It is becoming the “perfect” maduro cigar.

At the last third, the heat has stabilized and the flavor is still creamy with a touch of sweetness. Only approaching the last inch does the heat become an issue.

A solid 95 overall for this excellent maduro cigar. Joe Bob says check it out.

After the death of her husband Kiki, Karen Berger decided to carry on the labor of love that was Don Kiki Cigars.

The lightly pressed Salomone is a lovely cigar with an oily Habano wrapper that smells of fragrant tobacco. The bunch is firm but not hard and feels pleasant in the hand.

Initial notes of citrusy tobacco are very pleasant and leave you wanting more. Plentiful plumes of smoke enhance the enjoyment.

The almost pure white ash is very firm. This is a very well-constructed cigar.

The fragrance mellows a bit into a nice creamy smoke. The smoke is staying nice and cool as well.

A sweetness develops in the first third, further enhancing the flavor. A light pepper develops on the retrohale.

A minor burn correction was necessary at the half way point, causing the ash to fall. Still, that’s a long ash for a Salomone.

At about the last third the cigar began to heat up. A few purges helped this, but it quickly became too hot to smoke. Still, the overall quality of the cigar was excellent and I give it 85, mainly for the heat at the end. Still a very worthy cigar. Joe Bob says check it out.

Nice Corojo aromas from the wrapper and foot. I messed up the clip and the head started to unravel; completely my fault and I will be very careful with this one.

I always pair a heavy IPA with Sungrowns and Corojos because the flavors blend so well.

The initial draw is exactly what I look for in a good Corojo, and the heavy citrus/hoops of the beer are the perfect complement.

Even being careful, the cigar is producing lots of tasty smoke. Light spice and an almost mellow tobacco flavor are developing nicely. Something I can’t quite put my finger on, perhaps a light almond note is sneaking in adding a further dimension to the flavor. The wrapper is somewhat nutty on the lips.

The cigar is drawing and burning perfectly, despite my rough clip. At 1/3 there is absolutely no heat.

The medium grey ash is firm and resisted my tap-off just past 1/3. I can’t overstate the quality of the construction of the cigar.

The beer is melding perfectly with the flavors of the cigar, something I always aim for and am very pleased when it comes out this well.

Halfway down the cigar is still very pleasantly cool and has developed stronger tobacco flavors, yet with creamy overtones.

The last third of the cigar is still very pleasant, although it bit of heat has developed. I am slowing down and using small purges.

A quick note; the unraveling that my bad clip caused presented no problems after moistening, probably more due to the excellent construction of the cigar and not my “smoking skills.”

The Nestor Mirana Series from La Aurora is definitely a cigar to keep at hand. 88, Joe Bob says check it out.

Shaggy foot and pigtail, mild aromas from wrapper and foot. Good bunch and cold draw. Paired with Kona Pipeline Coffee Porter.

Initial draw gives full bodied smoke. Notes of leather and coffee. Firm light grey ash.

Smoke is very smooth. At 1/3 some pepper notes develop as well as a pleasant woodiness. Plentiful smoke that creates a “cigar shop” aroma.

Halfway the flavor develops a semi-sweet nuttiness. Burn is razor-sharp.

Switching to a Grapevine Sir Williams English Brown Ale. A bit sweeter than the porter but still a good match.

The medium body smoke is very enjoyable and has changed to include stronger tobacco notes.

Cigar is heating up some at about 1-1/2 inches from the end. Not critically so, only a minor issue. Slowing down and small purges take care of most of the heat.

Pepper notes have picked up as I reach the end.

Had to put it down at one inch because it got too hot to hold. Nice solid smoke. 85. Joe Bob says check it out.

A bit veiny and creamy smelling wrapper with some meaty notes from the foot. A firm but not hard bunch makes for an easy clip and a slightly firm draw that has notes of medium tobacco.

The initial draw has notes of well-aged tobacco with some citrusy notes. The firm white ash is holding steady. I lightly tapped it off at two inches.

A definite sweetness is developing at the first third adding a new dimension to the creaminess.

The smoke is a bit thinner that with previous lanceros but is no less enjoyable.

A fairly firm draw and excessive heat at the third point are the only flaws I find with the cigar and am giving it 80. Joe Bob says Check it out.

The wrapper and foot smell like rich tobacco. The cold-draw tastes like tamarino candy. The big event with this cigar is that it fell in the garden but was successfully recovered and was a stellar cigar.

Steve Saka is not only a master blender but a master of dropped cigars.

This will be my favorite dropped cigar story of all time.

Back to the cigar. I thought Saka had outdone himself with last year’s Sobremesa. I was dead cold wrong. Along with the Dunbarton Trust Mi Quierda Gordo and the Short Robusto (reviews coming), he not only topped himself, he created a new class for himself.

Sublime flavors of tobacco, spice (remember the tamarino I mentioned) and deep rich leather blend together to make this one to remember. And do your best to keep some in your box because they keep getting out and being smoked.

This is definitely one of the best smokes in recent memory. I almost never give 100 ratings because there’s always some little issue that kills it. Not this time. 100. Joe Bob says check it out!

This cigar is very box pressed and beautiful at the same time. Exquisite aromas from the wrapper and foot of well-aged tobacco with cocoa notes. Clip was perfect as was the cold draw, which hinted at nutmeg.

The initial draw produced notes of spicy gingerbread with a heavenly sweetness on the lips. The smooth and creamy smoke was as plentiful as it was pleasing.

One thing to note about the box press; it is not only easy to hold, it will not roll off of the ashtray.

Approaching the first third, the description that comes to mind is “delicious,” a fine cigar with obvious attention to detail. The medium grey ash is a tad flaky, but not messy by any means.

Paired with a Sanuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout enhances the sweetness of the cigar and makes for an even more pleasing smoke.

A slight burn correction takes nothing away from the excellent flavor of this cigar.

At the half way point the flavors continue to develop into an excellent medium body, full flavor cigar.

At the last third the smoke began to heat up a bit, but small purges did a good job of solving this.

Only burn issues and heat problems prevented this from being a perfect cigar. 88 for this excellent cigar. Joe Bob says check it out

From the press release: the Recluse Amadeus Habano Reserva is the newest blend from Iconic Leaf. With its Habano wrapper, Mexican San Andrés binder and a variety of Dominican fillers, including Pennsylvania Broadleaf, this is a specially blended tobacco flavored trifecta! The flavor profile is a recipe for delight… toasty nuts, woodsy cedar aside mellow chicory, creamy caramel, and a touch of sweet cherry and raisins. Black pepper balances the smooth flavors with a bit of tongue-pleasing bite of zing! It’s a medium to full-bodied smoke with excellent construction for the ultimate smoking experience! So gather your senses and get ready for an alluring seduction of brilliantly blended tobaccos and flavor enhancements. This is a smoke to share with friends or to simply enjoy on your own. Whichever you decide, you’ll be glad you’ve uncovered the Recluse Amadeus Habano Reserva and made it your own!

This fairly heavy box press gives off heavy cocoa notes from the wrapper and the foot. Another interesting feature of the cigar is simply rolling the end between your fingers eliminates the need for a cutter. The easy dry draw also yields of cocoa.

The initial draw shows notes of medium full tobacco light cocoa and pepper. There is a pronounced sweetness on the draw that accentuates the cocoa notes.

The flavors mellow a bit at one third, less pepper, lesser tobacco and the emergence of smooth leather.

The light cool smoke is very pleasant and solidly in the medium range.

At about the last third the cigar and smoke begin to heat up. A couple of purges solve this temporarily, but I can tell that I will not make it to the final inch.

This is a very nice and complex cigar but it will have to be smoked very slowly to avoid heat issues. Still, based on flavor and complexity I will give it 83. Joe Bob says check it out.

Leather and cocoa notes from a somewhat toothy wrapper and foot, solid bunch, fairly easy cold draw with leather notes.

Immediate leather with spicy notes. Smooth and clean, both draw and burn, very light bitter tones on the lips. Solid medium grey ash.

Spice notes subdue a bit during the first third. Surprisingly, the cocoa aroma of the unlit cigar has yet to manifest.

Subtle cocoa notes begin to appear at about 1/3. Peppery spiciness is mostly gone leaving behind some cinnamon notes.

A prominent ligero presence gives the cigar a nice kick; not overpowering and very pleasant. Some coffee notes emerge just past the first third. The cocoa notes subdue a bit but the cinnamon remains.

Lots of thick satisfying smoke, still coffee and cinnamon but with a very smooth and leathery component emerging. Cocoa notes remain, but that may be partly due to the Chocolate Stout.

At 2/3 the flavors have settled into a most pleasing coffee and leathery smoke which is just on the full side of medium. The burn continues to be perfect with a conical coal.

The final third remained a very pleasant leathery flavor with the cinnamon tones lingering.

Strength picks up as the cigar heats up a bit, but not unpleasantly so.

Approaching the final inch the smoke heats up enough to sting a bit on the lips. Nothing small purges can’t combat, but signaling the end of the cigar. The smoke remains very pleasant.

At one inch it becomes too hot to hold and I put it down. Rich complex smoke still make this cigar stand out and earn it a 90. Joe Bob says Check it out.

This very dark robutsto has an oily if somewhat rustic appearance. The wrapper smells like your favorite leather jacket, and the foot smells like unsweetened cocoa. It has a firm bunch and a good medium draw with leathery overtones.

Initial draw tastes of cedar with some leather notes. Plenty of smoke that also has a cedar aroma. Some sweetness on the lips from the wrapper.

This cigar has an even burn with a medium grey ash that is firm and the mild to medium smoke is very smooth and flavorful.

At 1/3 I had to touch up the wrapper to correct a minor run. Some almond notes join the leather and cedar. The smoke seems to be getting milder as the cigar progresses, then pepper notes hit and it returns to medium.

Approaching 2/3, light cocoa notes appear while the pepper has vanished. The smoke remains smooth and plentiful.

Cocoa notes have subdued leaving a very pleasant medium bodied leather flavor. Another slight retouch evens up the burn.

This is a very easy to smoke cigar that would go well with coffee as it does the porter. Its complexity and pleasing amount of smoke, along with good construction and draw earn it 80. Joe Bob says check it out.

Nick Mellilo of Foundation Cigars presented 4 new lines of cigars at this year’s IPCPR. Today’s review is of the Tabernacle Toro.

Beautiful dark brown wrapper, foot aromas of leather and cocoa, pliable yet firm bunch, this cigar looks and smells of good things to come. Easy clip and medium cold draw confirm notes of cocoa and leather. The overall appearance of the cigar is a thing of beauty.

A slightly firm draw opens up the leather notes while the cocoa remains in the background, although it is present in the foot smoke aroma. There is a bit of “greenness” to the flavor, but not enough to make the smoke any less pleasing.

Paired with a Samuel Smith Organic Chocolate Stout, the cocoa flavors become more defined. Such a good beer for a nice maduro.

There remains a slight vegetal flavor around the edge of the pleasingly plentiful smoke, but the dominant flavors of cocoa and leather remain.

A solid light grey ash is firm. The construction of this cigar is immaculate; I can detect no flaws in the burn. The draw remains a bit firm, but it is staying cool and producing ample smoke.

Approaching 1/3, a bit of “meatiness” emerges in the flavor profile, not detracting at all from the cocoa and leather. The wrapper is leaving a sweetness on the lips that complements the cocoa notes.

As the cigar approaches halfway, some spices emerge, making for a very nice peppered cocoa flavor, not unlike a Lindt cayenne and dark chocolate bar.

The environmental humidity tonight is causing the draw to get a bit tight, but using a series of small purges opens it back up nicely.

Past 1/2 the cigar remains a cocoa bomb with plenty of smoke. The spices have subdued a bit but are still in the background, like a rich molé sauce. The burn is still perfect.

As the spice subsides the cigar settles into a very silky smoke; very pleasant and making me think that I will not be ready to put it down when I reach the end.

The cigar is very complex with its notes of cocoa, leather and spice all making for a very good smoking experience.

Approaching the final third the draw opens up some increasing the volume of smoke while still burning to perfection. I think that with less humidity in the air the draw would remain steady and good throughout.

I believe that this cigar will be one of the better things that I will smoke from this year’s new releases. Excellent balance and complexity that should please any maduro fan. 95, Joe Bob says check it out!

As with any cigar branded “Davidoff,” the quality of the constitution is readily evident. The complexity of aromas is also expected. The cold draw draw adds only a sweetness to the complexity.

Very pleasant aromas toasting the foot, and once the gassiness had been blown out, the initial flavors are very intriguing with a mix of nut and cooking spices on a solid tobacco base.

Playing along tonight is yet another Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout. Sometimes I frivolously wonder if my cigar reviews keep the brewery in Tadcaster in business.

A pronounced sweetness on the lips is a perfect match for the chocolate of the beer as the characteristics of the cigar develop.

This cigar is what a Davidoff should be. In the past, the regular Davidoff lines were about as exciting as Macanudo Hyde Parks. Not at all a bad cigar, but certainly nothing adventurous.

The ash is a bit flaky but does not immediately drop off when the cigar is set in the ashtray.

The cocoa notes of the beer add to the already pleasant sweetness of the cigar. Bountiful amounts of smoke add to the overall enjoyment.

Old Cuban Davidoffs aside, this the best Davidoff I have ever smoked. The complexity of finely aged tobacco with nuanced of cinnamon and nutmeg keep it so interesting that I will regret finishing it.

I generally bypass the Davidoffs in favor of the Camachos and Avos, but I now have a reason to pause at the flagship cigars. Only an unreasonable price point would move me along, and even then I occasionally splurge price wise, and this will be among my splurge choices.

At half-way, the cigar continues to improve. Known as I am for smoking too fast, I have had to slow down and have been justly rewarded for doing so.

A slight crack in the wrapper has developed, but I anticipate no problems from it.

I can honestly say that I have been less than enthusiastic about the Davidoff brand in the past; this cigar changes everything. I give it a hearty 90. Joe Bob says Check It Out!

This Lancero sports a beautiful dark and smooth Ecuadoran Habano Oscuro wrapper with a firm bunch. The foot smells of leather and cocoa. I get an easy clip and a perfect cold draw.

An easy light leads to a nice full draw with plenty of smoke. Notes of tobacco, leather and cocoa emerge with a bit of pepper in the nose. A light sweetness from the wrapper lingers on the lips. The ash is light grey and the burn is razor straight.

There is a slight harshness near the beginning that disappears almost immediately. The leather and cocoa notes are complemented by a Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout. Smooth nutty notes also emerge as the flavor develops.

Tobacco notes subdue into a smooth creaminess that takes the flavor to another level. The creamy cocoa notes make the flavor quite exquisite. The ash is not flaky, but taps off easily every half inch or so.

No “double clutching” is needed to produce plentiful smoke from the perfect draw of this cigar. And even deep draws don’t heat up the smoke. The uncut remainder of the cap unraveled, but this had no negative effects. The smoke is thick enough to allow for smoke rings.

The tobacco notes return for the final third of the cigar without affecting the creaminess of the smoke. Like most Lanceros the flavor has continued to develop for a truly complex smoke. Pepper notes have returned to complement the overall flavor.

At about one inch the cigar becomes too hot to hold, but it still qualifies as a nubber. Fractions off for two touch-ups; 95. Joe Bob says check it out.

While many of you are familiar with the Perdomo Champagne series, this is my first impression of the Sungrown. Many thanks to Nick for his generosity in providing us with samples to review.

The immaculate wrapper and the foot provide exquisite aromas of spice and well aged tobacco. An almost flawless clip yields a perfect cold draw with light spices. As with most sungrowns I am pairing the cigar with an IPA, Stone’s Ruin Ten triple IPA to be exact.

The aroma from toasting the foot is heavenly, promising great things to come. The initial draw does not disappoint. Light spices with full tobacco notes deliver as promised.

Great volumes of smoke are produced even in the early draws. A sip of the IPA serves to enhance the rich flavors of the smoke. The ash is medium grey and firm.

The spiciness of the sungrown wrapper is enhanced by the smooth character of the filler, which adds creamy tobacco and light champagne notes for a perfect mixture. This is without a doubt one of Nick’s finest offerings.

The burn gets slightly uneven in spots, but self corrects with no touch ups.

The complexity of this cigar alone places it in one of my all-time favorites. A solid 99. Joe Bob says check it out!

Basically a lonsdale (the shorter relative of the lancero sans pigtail, and nearly as sought after) this cigar smells of a dessert with slight pepper notes. A clean clip and perfect draw promise a very tasty cigar,

The initial draw brings forth q bittersweet chocolate with muted noted ow white pepper and some coriander. The blend of flavors is most pleasant.

A pleasant sour note develops at the first third, enhancing the coriander notes.

A tear in the wrapper develops half way, but quickly corrects itself.

A bit of heat develops at two third, but is easily fixed with a light purge.

This mildly pleasant cigar was not without its flaws, but still rates a 78. Joe Bob says check it out.

As with most Connecticut shade cigars, this starts mild and flavorful. The difference is the building strength to a mild to medium profile that is quite good. Paired with a French Press Ecuadorian coffee facilitates this.

Even with the French press coffee, the smoke is mild and creamy, a most pleasant flavor profile. The Connecticut shade cigar is very pleasant and should have a place in the humidor of any fan of medium bodied aficionados. A very solid 87. Joe Bob says check it out.

Something new for IPCPR16 was the Dictador series. Featured in Connecticut, Habano and maduro wrappers the cigars were specifically to be paired with gin, rum and scotch. My wife not being a big fan of liquor and cigars I chose to pair the maduro with a heavy ginger beer.

Pre-light aromas were well aged tobacco and a somewhat spicy cocoa. The pre-light draw was a bit vegetal.

The initial draw was medium tobacco with some notes of leather and earth. After the first taste of ginger beer I realized that I should have slept on the couch. Not bad, but not what a good dram of, say, Lagavulin would have been.

Marital issues aside, the cigar burned very clean with a medium dark ash. The ginger was a bit overwhelming, but the maduro flavors shone through.

The burn was not clean, but not uneven enough to require a correction .

At one third the flavors had settled to a nice medium to full as one would expect from a maduro. Not in a bad way, just as one would expect.

Another taste of the ginger beer confirmed that I had selected the wrong beverage. A good stout beer or a nice single malt would have been more appropriate.

At the final third the cigar, in spite of the ginger beer, developed into a very nice complex cigar. Paired with the appropriate beverage this would shine.

Overall this is a very good cigar that deserves an 85 rating, probably better with the right beverage.