Cigar Reviews Archive | Page 3 of 9

Cigar Review: Casa Fernandez JFR XT Corojo

October 17, 2014 By Kip Fisher

I recently had the opportunity to sample a few upcoming blends from Casa Fernandez. First up is the extension for the company’s JFR (Just For Retailers) line – the JFR XT Corojo. This cigar is also available in Maduro, and is produced in three vitolas: 654 (6×54), 660 (6×60), and 770 (7×70). They will be packaged in boxes of 24 and retail between $7-$9 based on vitola. The Corojo version has AGANORSA Corojo (Nicaragua) wrapper, Nicaragua (AGANORSA) binder, and Nicaraguan filler. Today I’m covering the 6X54.

The preliminary once-over shows a light to medium brown color, which is remarkably consistent. So much so that the seams are difficult to find. The soft press has also hidden the veins to a great degree. The complexion is incredibly silky smooth – yet with very little discernible oil to the touch. I found neither soft nor hard spots in any of the three examples. Two of my examples had very small (1/8”) voids in the wrap, between seams. This did not impact that smoking experience; I just thought it worth noting.

The pre-light draw is slightly open, and provides solid oats, or grain flavor. Aroma is leathery and “clean.” Once fire is applied, the first puffs from the JFR XT were spectacularly filled with sweet cedar and a soft, almost creamy spice. This was likely due to the fact that it was largely composed of wrapper leaf from the closed foot. Lighting this closed foot was enough to carry forth and light the cigar itself. I’m always impressed when that occurs. The idea that 3-4 seconds with a torch can light a leaf that puts the entire foot of the cigar itself to fire serves multiple purposes. First, it makes lighting a breeze (and saves fuel for all you gas-misers out there). More importantly, to me, is the fact that this design gives the smoker an opportunity to sample the wrapper alone and get an idea of what it is specifically contributing to the cigar overall. The close foot has become one of my favorite features to see in a cigar.

Once well into this first inch or so of cigar, the spice has ebbed slightly, but still has a peppery quality – think milder, white pepper moreso than flaming red pepper. The draw is within normal range, but maybe a bit more open than the “goldilocks zone.” Outside of this slightly open draw and a flaky ash, the construction is very good post-light.

Passing the midpoint, the flavors have developed into a palette of sweet spices, cedar and leather. It seems Casa Fernandez’ cigars become more polished and blends more thought-out and developed with each passing day. The potency picks up some during the midsection, yet are still manageable for those of us with less tolerance. In all three samples smoked for this review, the middle of the JFR XT Corojo has been most attuned to my preferences in a smoke. The interplay between the sweet cedar and leather is delightful.

In the final stretch, the strength has picked up a bit more – although in comparison to many other Casa Fernandez blends, this one is more medium in nature. The sweet spices remain, but are backed up by some earthiness that has crept in. This is just the transition needed to make the cigar complete. The cigar has performed very well, and leaves me with a sweet, pleasant finish.

Cigar Review: Roberto P. Duran Cacique Guama

October 11, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Roberto P. Duran background

I recently received a few samples of the new eponymous Roberto P. Duran line announced earlier this year. The line was presented as a progressively medium to strong cigar, estimated to be 20% stronger than the company’s earlier Azan brand. The binder and filler are predominantly Nicaraguan, with an added leaf of Latin American filler (no country specified). The wrapper is an Ecuadoran Habana Criollo, grown on Duran’s plantation and described as “very silky with a light brown Colorado color.” The samples I received were the 6” x 60 “Cacique Guama” vitola. Two have been smoked for today’s review. At retail, this vitola will be priced around $16.

Pre Light

As specified, the Roberto P. Duran Cacique Guama (henceforth referred to as RPDCG) is a light to medium brown color across its length, and is indeed silky smooth to the touch. Construction has been solid on each of the samples, with only minor variations between them. The wrapper hides its veins well, but appears to be somewhat thin and telegraphs every bump, nook and cranny beneath

Continuing with the customary pre-light examination, I have found the prelight draw to be quite sweet, with some oat or grain flavors and a slight tingle on the lips. The aroma is a much deeper sweetness, almost plumlike in character.

The Smoke

At first light the RPDCG provided a flood of smoke, with moderate spice and flavors of red pepper accompanied by other, lighter spice. I must say, this has bene the most surprising aspect of this cigar. The deep, sweet aroma and cold flavor led me to believe the spice would be in the background. During the first five minutes, the pepper flavor is unmistakable….not in degree, but in quality. To fully experience what I speak of, get a full retrohale and release the smoke as slowly as possible. The predominant flavor in these early moments has the *quality* of a fresh, just-barely-ripe jalapeno without quite as much bite.

It settles quite a bit by the one-inch point, and the spice and pepper fall to the wayside and a very slightly sweet, leathery profile comes front and center. By midway, most of the spice has dissipated entirely. The sweetness has intensified and at times is even berry-like. That was an unexpected surprise, but presented in both examples smoked for this review. Each of the cigars suffered minor burn issues, in that they tended to go out if left unattended very long. Certainly not enough to ruin the experience, but worth noting for those who obsess over burn lines. The predominant flavors passing the midpoint are woodsy in nature, with a backdrop of the earlier sweetness. The final portion of each cigar showed very consistent development of the woodsy core, coupled with a bright nuttiness and waning sweetness. The strength begins to pick up here as well, and will continue to build for the remainder of the smoke.

Summary

For a cigar with which I was entirely unfamiliar previously, the RPDCG has performed quite well. Construction is generally very good, appearance attractive, and the flavors pleasant – especially for those who enjoy a woodsy core with intermixed with sweetness to keep you guessing throughout. While these examples were not within my normal preferred vitola, I found it entirely entertaining. This is a solid smoke. This price may be an issue for someone unfamiliar with the line, I believe it’s definitely worth checking out.

Find more information at the Roberto P. Duran website, or through the company’s Facebook or Twitter pages

Pros

Solid Construction
Pleasant interplay of sweet & woodsy flavors

Cons

Occasional minor burn issues
Pricing possibly out of some consumers’ range

Cigar Review: New Fuente Añejo vitola (888)

August 21, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Fuente Añejo 888 background

[NOTE: As with all early iterations of a cigar, some blend changes may occur before final release. This review is subject to revision after the vitola hits the market. Also check out Half Ashed Episode 140, when the 888 was our featured Cigar of the Week.]

Earlier this year, at the CFC gathering in the Dominican Republic, a peculiar Añejo vitola was nonchalantly distributed to attendees (myself included). Essentially no information was given, except vague rumblings from a staff member that it was using the project name “88” or “888” (not necessarily the final name), and was scheduled to ship between then (Feb 2014) and December. In the past week, articles have popped up throughout online cigar media of its imminent delivery in September. So, I thought I’d share my thoughts about the cigar today.

Pre Light

The wrapper, from all appearances, is CT Broadleaf like all the other Añejo. I received no details about the internal components, and won’t speculate until I have something more firm….which is rare, as the Fuentes’ like to keep blend components close to the vest. It is incredibly dark in color, and slightly rustic with pronounced veining as would be expected. Dimensions are roughly 6 5/8″ x 44 – including the long, tapered head. MSRP has not been released as of yet – for review purposes, I estimated pricing based on typical Añejo pricing in the Tampa market.

Before lighting, the draw resistance is near perfect with only a slight clip of the pencil point head. I chose to leave about a 1/4″ opening, knowing that I could cut more off needed. Cold flavor is savory and dark. As for aroma, very little is perceptible from the wrapper, but a bold sweetness with slight cedar note is present at the foot.

The Smoke

The initial puffs from this stick were surprisingly spicy; not something I expect from an Añejo. The flavor is very savory – literally causing a salivary response. In the first third of the cigar, the balance is exceptional, walking a delicate tightwire between strength and flavor. I’d put the strength at a heavy medium/light full, and flavor intensity about the same. The flavors are not the rich cocoa and chocolate I am accustomed to with Añejo, but a bit more “bright.” The cigar is warmer to the touch than normal, with the heat being felt nearly 3/4″ behind the burnline – although the burnline is quite straight, never wandering much.

Into the midsection, the 88x? becomes a little more recognizable as an Añejo. It develops more of the dark sweet, cocoa that is often prevalent in the line. I’m thankful I kept the opening at about 1/4″, as I believe cutting it much further down the head could have led to some overheating and flavor loss. Burn is still very good, with only mild scalloping around its perimeter.

The final stretch shows lots of promise, with an amplification of both flavor and strength (but not too much strength for an admitted nicotine wimp like myself). The burn did wander more during this time than earlier, but continued to self-correct. The flavors maintained the sweetness, but were tempered with solid cedar presence. The interplay was very entertaining.

Summary

Pros

Delicious interplay of sweet and savory flavors

Exceptional balance

Cons

Minor burn issues

Minor construction issues with wrapper

Pipe Tobacco Review: GL Pease Robusto

August 3, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Blend History – GL Pease Robusto

From the GL Pease website:

“For years, I’ve been intrigued by the idea of cigar leaf blends, but with one notable exception, nothing has really hit the mark for me, and the one that did, the celebrated Sobranie Virginia #10, has long been out of production. In mid-2000, I began flirting with different ideas, experimenting with different leaf, concocting prototypes, and quickly tiring of them, until, finally, I was shown samples of some exquisite maduro wrapper leaf that stimulated a new interest in finding my perfect cigar leaf blend. After months’ worth of experimental recipes, I zeroed in on the blend I’d been searching for, and Robusto was finally born.

The cigar leaf would make an overly bold statement if blended with a heavy hand, but in just the right amounts, it provides an alluring spice, a suggestion of the richness of a great cigar, and a creamy texture to the smoke. Cyprian Latakia rounds out the flavors, and smoothes the edges. Ripe, red Virginias provides a modest sweetness while giving the blend structure. Oriental tobaccos fill in the gaps, and make Robusto a complex, full flavored and spicy mixture that is still gentle on the tongue. It’s perfect with the afternoon coffee, as a delicious finish to a wonderful meal, or as a stout companion throughout the day. And, it ages beautifully!”

This Tin

I’ve smoked GL Pease Robusto for several years, and thought “What better way to kick off pipe tobacco reviews on a cigar blog than with a blend containing cigar leaf?” The blend was introduced in November 2002, one of Greg Pease’s Original Mixtures. Blend specifics are not published, of course – but from the information provided we know that in some quantity it contains Virginias, maduro wrapper leaf, Cyprian latakia, and miscellaneous Oriental varietals. It is coarsely cut, but packs rather easily via the Frank method or traditional 3-step packing (which I typically prefer). I have noticed that it seems to need a bit more dense a pack than normal to burn optimally. Robusto is widely available at any number of both Brick & Mortar and online tobacconists, and comes in 2- or 8-ounce tins. Today’s review is based off my experiences with a recent tin I opened bearing a fill date of 6/23/2011 (3 years of age at opening).

The first few moments after opening the tin provided a rush of dark, “raisiny” sweetness. It certainly wasn’t overly sweet, but brought forth the delicious aromas of finely aged tobacco – which were likely so at production. The contents seemed just a bit more moist than I usually prefer, so each bowl’s worth has been given a few extra minutes spread across a sheet of paper to acclimate. I’ve never had any serious burn issues with Robusto – nor any Pease blends for that matter – but these few moments of drying seem to make a big difference, especially on the initial light.

Tasting Notes

Without fail, the first few puffs from a bowl of Robusto are very nutty in flavor to my tastes. If blindfolded, I would probably speculate that there is some small portion of burley in the blend, but in all likelihood this comes from the cigar leaf. Body is full, with mouth filling, palate coating smoke. I have to admit that this particular blend is one of very few cigar blends for which I ever reach. I’m generally of the opinion that if you want a cigar, have a cigar. If you want a pipe, have a pipe. I have to credit Mr. Pease with creating a very good blend that can satisfy both desires. At the same time, I don’t believe the average cigar smoker would confuse the flavor with that of a cigar. The cigar qualities are much more pronounced in the room aroma than to the smoker.

Summary

Generally, I don’t attempt to break down a bowl of pipe tobacco into thirds as some do (and I myself do with a cigar). I will say that mid-bowl really shines for me. Once the ember is firmly in place and my palate has adjusted to the blend, the initial nuttiness slides into the background and is replaced with a woodsy core, tinted with a slightly tannic note. The woodiness is less cedar and more charred oak. I’m a fan of this profile in cigars, and I’m a fan of it in Robusto. This general set of flavors continue throughout until the end – a small patch of mottled ash in the bottom of the bowl.

**NOTE: I would not recommend leaving an unfinished bowl for later. Like most cigars, Robusto does not do well with a delayed relight. If you’ve let it go out for more than a few minutes, dump it and refill your bowl. Otherwise, it will likely provide a heavy dose of bitter acridity. This isn’t necessarily a criticism of the blend, but some friendly advice in its care and feeding.

Cigar Review: Crowned Heads Las Calaveras

June 26, 2014 By Kip Fisher

After no small amount of wrangling and reformulation, I am finally ready to go live with the new Review Guidelines. To christen the new standards, I selected The Crowned Heads’ Las Calaveras. This is a limited edition annual release from Crowned Heads, produced by My Father S.A. Per the company description, it “is a respectful homage to those who have passed away in the year before, and is intended to be a celebration of their lives and remembrances, rather than a mourning or a symbol of sadness and death.” For 2014, a total of 72,000 cigars were produced (1,000 boxes of 24), evenly distributed among three vitolas – LC550 (5” x 50), LC652 (6” x 52), and LC754 (7” x 54). As is often the case with Crowned Heads’ products, symbolism runs deep. Even the arrangement within the boxes is meaningful, with 3 rows of 8 cigars. The “3 rows represent life’s cycle of a beginning, middle, and end. In biblical terms, the number ‘8’ signifies new beginnings, and in mathematical terms an ‘8’ laid on its side symbolizes “infinity,” as in eternal life.” The wrapper leaf utilized is an 8th priming Ecuadoran Habano Oscuro, enveloping Nicaraguan binder and filler. Today’s review covers the 6″x52 LC652, which retails for $9.55 in the Tampa market. Three cigars were smoked for this review, which were purchased by me at my local brick-and-mortar shop.

The Look

Giving the Las Calaveras a preliminary once-over, it has a beautiful dark brown wrapper with consistently even coloration. The only deviation here is that today’s particular example has a bit lighter tint around the head, with a faint reddish hue. It is very oily to the touch, with smooth interstitial areas and light to moderate veining. As for prelight construction, the only noticeable variation is a slight soft spot in the pack density around the midsection of the cigar and a small wrinkle around the cap. Once clipped, it provides a faint aroma of cedar and hay from both wrapper and foot, with the foot aroma being just a bit sweeter in quality. The cold draw is deliberate but open and perhaps just tight of the “goldilocks zone” for me. Flavor on the cold draw is woodsy and sweet, with an oaken quality.

The Smoke

Initial puffs on the lit Las Calaveras take off with a slightly sour bent, but this adjusts within a minute or so and it immediately jumps into a predominantly savory profile with just a touch of sweetness. The retrohale is crisp, but not overly sharp. Some of the pre-light woodsy character presents, still with an oaken quality. The retrohale is noteworthy here, and very pleasant. It provides a touch of spice but is manageable and never uncomfortable. Flavors throughout the balance of this first third are dominated by the oak, but supported by a sweet leathery flavor that comes across as a mild citrus. The burn wanders a bit in these early minutes, with some minor scalloping.

Into the 2nd third, the burn has wandered a little more, although never wildly. The background sweetness has blossomed into a delicious citrus, although the savory leather has intensified concurrently to produce a fun interplay. The retrohale at this point produces a peppery tingle through the nose, which I personally find pleasant. These three aspects give the whole experience a great deal more “substance.” It creates a tangible, palpable experience. The Las Calaveras really shines during the early portions of its midsection.

It’s worth mentioning however, that I have noticed a tendency throughout each of the Las Calaveras’ for the flavors to weaken if over-smoked. Too fast a cadence creates a slight acridity, so take it easy on the puffs….this is only noticeable because today’s example is a bit resistant to fire at this point. Nearing the end of the second third, it’s tough to walk this line between going out and over-puffing. The burn continues to waver somewhat, but I still have not had to touch it up. It has remained scalloped but self-policing.

The final third of today’s stick was slightly problematic. The cigar had a tendency to go out, even with regular puffs. But let me be clear and fair because I don’t want to overstate the issue: this was not an experience-crushing concern; I just had to really pay close attention to my puffing cadence for 2 of the 3 Las Calaveras’ I smoked for this review. As mentioned above, the flavors can become weakened when the burn wanes, yet harsh if over-puffed. There’s a delicate balance that must be tracked closely to truly enjoy this cigar. When accomplished, one is rewarded with brilliant toasty, woodsy flavors over a sweet citrus core….when NOT, some harshness can creep in. Even still, none ever approached unpleasant or offputting. Aside from that, final portion was denoted by a noticeable uptick – in both strength and flavor. The flavor really shines in these final minutes if the burn is managed properly. The sweetness can develop into a roasted nut flavor that is very, very enjoyable.

Pre-Release Mini Review: TLJ Legend Reserve 63 Maduro "Reborn"

June 20, 2014 By Kip Fisher

I recently received an unmarked, unbanded cigar from Terry Johnson (TL Johnson Cigars), with the simple request that I smoke it. I finally got around to doing so this morning, and thought I’d post a few thoughts. I talked to Terry via phone this afternoon, and it appears he and Mad Scientist Luis Sanchez have been busily preparing for IPCPR 2014. What I smoked was a reformulation of an existing blend that Luis has manufactured for TL Johnson in the past – but with a few new twists. The line in question is the Legend Reserve ’63 Maduro. There are some minor blend tweaks internally that Terry would like to keep close to the vest at the moment, but the most significant change is the wrapper. In the past, the blend was wrapped in Habano maduro leaf, but now features Mexican San Andrés. The natural version will still carry the original, Habano wrapper leaf. The sample I smoked was 5 3/4″ X 44, but according to Terry it will be available at the show in five other sizes: 5 1/2″ X 50, 6 1/2″ X 46, 6″ X 54, 6″ X 52 (Torpedo), and 7″ X 50. Most sizes will retail in the $10 per cigar neighborhood. NOTE: The sample was round; product to be shipped will be square-pressed. Here are the notes I took from the cigar:

Preliminaries

As you can see in the picture at right, the wrapper is an evenly-colored dark brown with significant tooth. Even with the more coarse texture stemming from this toothiness, it is quite oily to the touch. Seams and veins are visible but inconsequential. Overall, the construction appears to be spot-on, and the cigar feels dense and evenly packed. Pre-light, the draw is deliberate but free and provides little in terms of flavor outside of a faint hay. Additionally, the aroma on the wrapper is similar. However, the aroma from the foot comes through very strongly with marked sweet, heavy cedar. This was not entirely expected from the first observation, but was a welcome surprise.

The Smoke

Once lit, the first couple of puffs from the stick are a bit sharp and spicy through the nose. However, I have to admit this dissipated about as quickly as any cigar I’ve ever smoked. Within a minute or two it had settled into a lovely, dark, sweet-bread flavor with just a bit of cinnamon. Cinnamon is a flavor I will very rarely put into a cigar review, but it is definitely called for here. It’s quite clear and bold.

Heading into the real “meat” of the cigar, it seems somewhat enigmatic in its smoke production. When seated on the cradle of the ashtray, it almost appears to have gone out rather quickly…but a quick puff draws a great deal of smoke. In fact, the burn is progressing impeccably with this stick. The flavors remain much like those early minutes: sweet and dark, with perhaps a bit of molasses at this point. Somewhere about midway through the cigar, I have begun to notice some cedar coming through. It never overtakes the earlier sweetness, but rather complements it well. I’ve paid particular attention to the physical attributes of this cigar, and I have to give kudos to Luis. The construction has been truly flawless. In fact, I’m glad I only had one of these, and that it is a pre-production sample. If I’d had to publish a formal review for this cigar as the first using my new standards I fear it might have scored highly enough to make me question my method.

Going into the final stretch, the flavors continue to intensify with little impact on overall strength. I’d place the Legend Reserve 63 Maduro firmly into the fuller end of medium in terms of strength – but absolutely full-flavored. The sweetness has endured throughout its length with the cedar for much of it – and perhaps some lemony citrus notes in this final third. There was a point in this section that shifted into a more leathery profile, but only briefly.

Wrap

I’ll be perfectly honest. I’ve been a fan of Luis Sanchez’ cigars, and even specifically the TL Johnson lines from him in the past – as well as Mexican San Andrés leaf. That being said, this was a spectacular smoke. It’s always a tricky business introducing a new – or reblended – cigar to market at or above the $10 mark, and when premium components and craftsmanship are brought more into play it is sometimes even more so. Nonetheless, if this cigar comes to market of the same build, blend, and quality I could absolutely see it occupying space in my humidor. I have no higher recommendation to give. It was absolutely delicious.

Mini Review: Belle Encre vs. Belle Encre Reserva

May 22, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Good day, folks. I’ve been smoking a fair number of both the Tatuaje Belle Encre and its Reserva brother lately, and thought I’d jot down some comparisons between the two. The Belle Encre was a line expansion to Pete Johnson’s original Brown Label line (Seleccion de Cazador) this past year, in commemoration of Tatuaje’s 10th Anniversary. The Reserva was not released until 2014, and features the same internal blend as the original, but wrapped in Connecticut leaf. I know the original will continue on as a regular release (sans 10th Anni band), but I do not know the future of the Reserva variation. Unlike my normal (overly?) wordy reviews, these will be fairly brief and concise, with little fluff and backstory. Just the facts, ma’am.

Belle Encre (original)

Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Dimensions: 5 3/8″ X 48 perfecto
Cost: ~$9.00 per cigar in the FL market, boxes of 20
(~44k total production)
Number smoked: a bunch (a metric buttload, if you’re a Half Ashed listener)
Source: purchased
Color: Medium brown; evenly colored
Complexion/sheen: Smooth, oily wrapper; supple to the touch
Seams/veins: Minor; typical Habano veining
Soft/hard spots: None; perfect resistance pre-light

The Smoke

From the initial puffs, I get a significant but not overpowering dose of spice through the nose on retrohale, with more of a black pepper bent than red. Right off the bat, I’m reminded of the original “Brown Label” or Seleccion de Cazador line to which the Belle Encre belongs. It is very familiar, yet maybe a bit more polished. I can, will, and do smoke any of the available sizes from this line, but the blend really “shines” in this vitola for me. In the early portions of the Belle Encre, I find loads of sweetness as a framework from which the peppery spice hangs. The sweetness is in the form of molasses, leather, and an occasional bout of cedar. The black pepper tends to fade by the halfway mark of the cigar, except on retrohale, but the sweetness endures. Within the last inch the strength picks up significantly, but never problematically. I’d put the Belle Encre firmly into medium territory, with subtle but quite pleasant flavors.

Belle Encre Reserva

Wrapper: CT Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Dimensions: 5 3/8″ X 48 perfecto
Cost: ~$11.00 per cigar in the FL market, boxes of 20
(~44k total production)
Number smoked: several (~10)
Source: My Half Ashed co-host Craig Schneider; purchased
Color: Evenly dark brown
Complexion/sheen: Smooth, oily wrapper (less so than standard issue)
Seams/veins: More pronounced than standard Belle Encre
Soft/hard spots: None; perfect resistance pre-light

The Smoke

From Jumpstreet, an extremely “bright” spice., coupled with a very earthy bent – which seems to be formed around a more fruity core. The spice is mainly on retrohale, and is somewhat intense to be honest. There’s also a good bit of coffee in these early minutes. Midway through the cigar, the coffee takes on a noticeable sweetness – if you’ve been to Miami and had dash of Cuban coffee, it’s that kind of sweetness. This continues through to the end of the cigar, with the only major change usually occurring during the final inch or so, where the spice really goes up a few notches. A retrohale near the end of the Reserva can be a bit intimidating, but still pleasant in limited doses. The burn has to date been excellent on each of the BE Reservas I’ve had. Overall, a very good cigar.

Summary

Both the Belle Encre and the Belle Encre Reserva continue to be exceptional cigars for my tastes, although I personally have a strong preference for the Habano-wrapped version. It’s no secret that I’m a huge Tatuaje fan, and frequently enjoy the brand. However, there are few – save the Mexican Experiment, which is long gone – that I would be as happy to smoke every day as the Belle Encre. If you’re the type of smoker that prefers the bite that a CT wrapper can provide to a cigar, you might prefer the Reserva – but both blends are definitely worth checking out. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend either, just don’t go buy up all the originals before I’ve appropriately stockpiled a nice stash…

Cigar Review: La Sirena Triton

May 16, 2014 By Kip Fisher

La Sirena Triton background

I recently had a chance to try the La Sirena Triton after a trip back to visit family in Tennessee. The cigar is a shop exclusive for SILO Cigars in Knoxville (specifically Farragut), TN produced by My Father Cigars for La Sirena/Miami Cigar in 2013. I had the maduro version, which carries a CT Broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan Criollo ’98/Nicaraguan Corojo ’06 binder, and filler blend of Nicaraguan Habano and Corojo. It is a 7 1/2″ X 38 lancero produced in a single run of 50 boxes of 20 (1,000 cigars) with an SRP of $10 per cigar. Chris Whaley of SILO was kind enough to provide one of the two samples smoked for this review.

Pre Light

The Triton (maduro) is evenly and quite darkly colored, with a rustic Connecticut wrapper. The wrapper has an oily sheen when held in the light, but a rough feel due to the tooth on the leaf itself. Additionally, it has significant veining, as would be expected from this leaf. I detected neither soft nor dense areas within the pack, and from all appearances both examples were well made.

The Smoke

The prelight draw offered free but acceptable resistance, and a mild, sweet barnyard/loft hay flavor. The aroma before light was similar. The initial puffs bring forth medium spice, and a very toasty and bready set of flavors. There is an occasional, fleeting glimpse of cedar flitting about during these first few minutes as well. Within ten minutes or so, the cedar has taken a more prominent position in the profile – with a solid peppery presence on the retrohale. Nearing the end of the first inch, these flavors have solidified and begun to settle.

As I approach and enter the midsection of the cigar, as I have the chance to give the Triton a more diligent examination, I’ve noticed the burn has been slightly wandering on this second example. It never truly got out of line, but was enough to keep my attention throughout the entire first half of the cigar. The ash has also been more apt to fall before reaching any great length. This differed from the first Triton I smoked, which was quite well behaved throughout. The flavors continue within the earlier noted bready, yeasty palette. There are some occasional sweet notes that make an appearance, but overall the range is narrow – which is not intended to sound negative. These flavors are very pleasant, and I have enjoyed each of the Triton examples I’ve had. Too many people make an assertion that complexity is based entirely on how many times he or she perceives a bold “change in flavor.” Personally, I measure complexity by the minor nuances that only make themselves known to those willing to give the cigar the attention it deserves. There are myriad nuanced flavors to be found in the Triton, but they are not obvious. It is worthwhile to set aside time to actually pay close attention to the cigar. If you’re busy working, driving, or chatting with the crew at your local shop you might not perceive everything it has to offer. Within the Triton – particularly as it nears the mid- and final sections – I found remarkable diversity in the form of citrus, cedar, and a broad nuttiness. The citrus in particular was deceptive. Most often, it appeared in occasional spurts of sweetness. However, in the final segment of the cigar it came through with a marked lemon tendency.

Summary

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the Triton. The flavors were consistent and pleasant, the construction spot-on, and strength moderate (medim-full if you’re keeping score). If you are a lancero fan it would be beneficial to call the guys at SILO and pick up a few before they’re all gone. If you are willing to invest the time and attention to it, you will be greatly rewarded. Being a fan of smaller ring cigars, I would not hesitate to have these onhand regularly – that is, if they were regular production, and available nearer than the 700 mile trip to Tennessee. Highly recommended.

PROS
Good construction; burn
Bold, enjoyable flavor without a nicotine overload
CONS
Limited availability
Price isn’t out of line, but on the upper end of this particular stick’s value.

Cigar Review: Herrera Esteli Lancero

May 9, 2014 By Kip Fisher

Herrera Esteli Background

A few weeks ago on Half Ashed, we talked a bit about the latest addition to Willy Herrera’s Herrera Esteli line – a lancero. The folks at Drew Estate were kind enough to provide a couple of samples, but they have now been making their way to shelves for a week or more. The lancero, unlike the rest of the line, will be limited to 2,000 boxes of 15. They will retail for $12 per cigar ($180/box). The basic blend remains the same as the earlier vitolas, with an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper over Honduran binder and Nicaraguan filler blend – although some variation in flavor would be expected in such a narrow ring, of course. Having recently been on quite a lancero kick, I’ve been looking forward to this cigar for some time now. It should be noted that production has been marked for a 7″X38 cigar, and the samples I received were a full 1/4″ shorter. Mine were spot-on 6 3/4″, which cast some question in my mind as to whether or not they were actually from earlier work Willy had done with that size while developing this blend, rather than the batch currently making its way onto store shelves. I have asked the question of Drew Estate personnel, and will update if I learn more.

Pre-Light

The samples I received bring a consistently light brown wrapper with a delicate appearance, telegraphing every bump, nook, and cranny from below. The leaf has a very silky feel to it, with only minor veining. I don’t feel any inconsistencies with the bunch, and overall it seems to be quite well made. The prelight draw provides a goldilocks resistance, and surprisingly sweet flavor.

The Smoke

The initial puffs are bold and bright, with some of the typical spiciness found in the Herrera Esteli line. But this soon decreases significantly, settling to a more manageable level. Once fully into the cigar, I find a sweet note to the spice that is difficult to specify – although it is a bit reminiscent of cardamom-tinted Turkish coffee. In any event, I find it peculiar to this vitola and not in any of the others from the that I’ve tried to this point (short corona, robusto extra, and lonsdale).

At the initial application of fire, the foot of one of my samples cracked, but the construction held true and quickly overcame the split. Since passing that, and throughout the first sample, the burn has been impeccably straight. As I get into the middle of the cigar, much of the earlier spice has dissipated and been replaced with a predominantly oaken character. Accompanying that is an incredibly long, toasty finish.

Summary

The oak flavors carry strongly into the final stretch, and a pronounced sweetness presents as well. This sweetness, amplified by the ebbing of spice, really showcased the blend in my opinion. This final portion of the cigar was the most appealing to my palate. The Herrera Esteli lancero finished bold in flavor, moderate in strength, and billowing smoke like a champ. Of the sizes in this line that I have yet smoked, this is my favorite. The spice in some of the other sizes has, at times, been a bit much for my tastes. The lancero has that aspect of the blend well in check, and I found it thoroughly enjoyable. I would definitely recommend stashing some of these away while you can….

Cigar Review: RoMaCraft Aquitaine Anthropology

April 25, 2014 By Kip Fisher

RoMa Craft Aquitaine background

I was first introduced to the RoMaCraft Aquitaine at its national release during the 2012 Chattanooga Tweetup. I came home with a handful of them then, and it has since blossomed into a frequent smoke for me. The Aquitaine line was the follow-up for RoMaCraft’s Cro Magnon line, and shares its binder and filler components (Cameroon and Nicaraguan, respectively). It also shares the lineup with regard to sizing, coming in six standard vitolas – Knuckle Dragger (4″x52), Mandible (4.5″x60), Mode (5″x50 short perfecto), EMH (5″x56), Anthropology (5.75″x46), and Cranium (6″x54). Several other vitolas have been produced for events and shop-specific releases as well, including the Atlatl (7″x38), Breuil (5.5″x37), Blockhead (6″x54), Epoch (7″x49), and Venus (6.5″x56). Standard sizes retail from the $6.25 Knuckle Dragger to the $8.25 Cranium. The main difference in the Aquitaine blend is the Ecuadoran Habano Ligero wrapper, although I’m personally intrigued by the filler blend for both. From the RoMaCraft website:

“The filler leaf for this blend was acquired from three separate growing regions in Nicaragua: Esteli, Condega and a small farm north of Esteli on the Honduran border, Pueblo Nuevo. This third leaf, a ligero, brings a strong, smoky, savory flavor to the blend. When combined with the spicy characteristics of the habano wrapper, the exotic bite of the Cameroon binder and the clean finish of its viso and seco companions, the blend adds another dimension to the deep rich tobacco flavor we present in the CroMagnon.”

Pre Light

Today’s review covers the Anthropology, as quite frankly the 5.75″x46 size is where I tend to gravitate in terms of what I buy for my own enjoyment. . I don’t have a reliable retailer close to home, but whenever I visit family in Tennessee I pick up a few. I purchased those for today’s review from Silo Cigars in Knoxville. MSRP on this vitola is $7.25.

Giving it the preliminary once-over, the Aquitaine wrapper is uniformly chocolate brown in color, with only the slightest of mottling. It has a marked oily sheen and feel to it, and moderate veining. Only one pronounced vein can be felt along its length. I don’t feel any density throughout, and construction appears to be spot-on. I didn’t bother to go through the whole cold-draw ritual with either of these cigars. Although I normally do this, cigars are made to be alight, no?

The Smoke

The initial puffs of the Aquitaine are bold, with some “bright” cedar and moderate spice. As expected, today’s example eagerly took to fire, and the burnline immediately aligns with even continuity around its perimeter. The cedar character remains throughout this early portion of the smoke, but becomes more subdued as I get into the heart of the cigar. Going into the second inch, the spice is tempered by some sweetness. Rather than the typical cocoa sweetness, I find a more leathery core to the Aquitaine. Some earthiness peeks through on occasion, but overall it retains this leather and baking spice nature for me. This continues throughout the midsection, with some increase in strength. As a whole, I would put the Aquitaine into the heavier end of medium with regard to strength – but definitely full in body, with an almost velvety feel on the palate. Entering the final stretch, the strength does pick up a couple of notches, but never approaches an unmanageable level. It’s quite comfortable, actually. Throughout this final segment, the flavors remain bold and firmly within the leathery, baking-spice tempered range – and the spice returns in full force. In short, I dig it.

Summary

Only a year and a half into its life cycle, the RoMaCraft Aquitaine has earned a lofty spot in my humidor. No matter how many I bring home, they just tend to go up in smoke. They are “special occasion” cigars, at an everyday price. The value of this stick is remarkable. To me, that’s one of the things that has driven RoMaCraft’s quick ascent to a nationally recognized marque. They produce excellent cigars at a phenomenal price, right in the market “sweet spot.” With neither a century of tradition, nor an established name to coast upon, the dedication that Skip Martin and Michael Rosales (owners) have put into building their craft is apparent. Not only would I recommend the Aquitaine line, but any of their other offerings. You simply can’t go wrong with any selection from their range. I don’t assign numeric rankings to cigars; but if I were to do so, this one would be near the top. If you’d like to find out more about the RoMaCraft business model and cigars, you can check out last year’s Half Ashed Episode 028, where we had Skip Martin as guest. He offered a great deal of insight into how he and Rosales have built the company, and their products, from the ground up.