The Cusano Nicaragua Esteli features tobaccos from Mexico, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua. Since Nicaraguan tobacco is only found in the filler, the Cusano Nicaragua Esteli name seems to be more marketing hype than anything else.  The Cusano Nicaragua Esteli line is available in four vitolas: Robusto (5 by 50), Toro (6 by 50), Churchill (7 by 48) and Gordo (6 by 60). The cigars come packaged in 16-count boxes with a per stick price of $4.99 to $6.49.

THE FACTS

• Manufacturer: Davidoff
• Country: Dominican Republic
• Price: $6.00
• Vitola: Churchill
• Size: 7 by 48
• Wrapper: Mexican Negro San Andres
• Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut
• Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan (Esteli)

THE EXPERIENCE

Construction and Appearance:

• Medium brown Mexican San Andres wrapper loaded with bumps, dark veins, color imperfections and an oily sheen.
• The simple band is well done and stands out against the wrapper color.
• Rolled firmly from head to foot. No soft spots found.
• Messy triple cap.

Pre-Light: 

• Wrapper aroma: sweet and syrupy
• Foot aroma: warm cedar and pepper
• Cold draw: clove, cedar, and pepper

Tasting Notes:

• 1st third: mild/medium flavors of earth, toasted notes, and black pepper. Faint spice and sweetness trail the other flavors.
• 2nd third: flavors shift up to medium with the core flavors remaining from the first third. Pepper lingers on the finish. A little more sweetness and a yeast quality move in.
• 3rd third: flavors darken to a black coffee combined with pepper. The earlier sweetness has departed.

Performance:

• Well holding ash
• Firm cold draw that opens up shortly into the smoke.
• Great smoke production
• Even burn

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 55 minutes

THE ROUNDUP

The Cusano Nicaraguan Esteli is a very good value-priced cigar even if the name is not the most fitting. Coming in at $6.00 for the Churchill, the cigar provides nearly two hours of relaxation. The cigar delivers medium, balanced, and earthy flavors with just enough pepper to pay homage to Nicaragua. The performance was excellent with its even burn and firm ash.  I prefer more strength and spice, but this cigar would be a great compliment to a cup of coffee in the morning or an early afternoon smoke on the weekends when time permits.

The post Cusano Nicaragua Esteli Churchill appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

Cigar Advisor, a partner site of Famous Smoke Shop, has this to say of the Trinidad Esteli:

Made at the Plasencia Cigar Factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, Trinidad Esteli by Plasencia is a Nicaraguan puro blended with vintage Nicaraguan tobaccos spanning three years, 2008 to 2010. Most of the tobaccos were grown in the Jalapa Valley and come from the mid and lower primings of the plant.

The Trinidad Esteli comes in four sizes:

• Robusto – 5 x 50 – $5.86
• Toro – 6 x 50 – $6.00
• Belicoso – 6 1/2 x 52 – $6.16
• Churchill – 7 x 50 – $6.30

You can purchase the Trinidad Esteli from our good friend over at Famous Smoke Shop.

THE FACTS

Price: $6.00
Vitola: Toro
Size: 6 by 50
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The dark tan Nicaraguan Habano wrapper is coated with crisscrossing veins, bumps, and some color variations on the Trinidad Esteli. The cigar is a little soft near the foot of the cigar but firms up as I feel my way down the stick.

The aroma from the wrapper is a pleasant cedar and cedar, pepper, and damp earth comes across on the foot. A shallow cut of the cap causes it to begin unraveling, but I think it is under control. The free cold draw is light with some more of the cedar, a tropical fruit sweetness, and cinnamon. 

FIRST THIRD

After slowing toasting the foot of this 6 by 50 cigar, I am met with that tropical sweetness I picked up on in the cold draw. Damp earth and pepper follow after the sweetness but linger for some time between draws. At the one-inch mark, the sweetness begins to fade as a piney wood flavor moves in. Through the first third, the burn is near perfect as layered ash forms and holds to an inch.

MIDDLE THIRD

The combination of damp earth and pine is creating a sour edge to the smoke. It is not harsh, but a little sharp on the palate. Retrohaling the smoke accentuates the pepper flavor, but there is hardly any associated spice. The flavors are between medium and full, while the texture of the smoke is light and fizzy in the mouth. The finish has become somewhat bitter. 

FINAL THIRD

Into the last two inches, I find no relief to the sour edge of the Trinidad Esteli and I find myself hoping for the sweetness to return. The smoke is drying the palate and the finish remains bitter.

WRAP-UP

First, I will start with the objective aspects of the Trinidad Esteli. The cigar is well constructed and performed exceptionally from start to finish with its even burn and well-holding ash. Each draw delivered a mouthful of smoke with ease. However, it’s the flavors that will bring me back to a cigar time and time again. And the Trinidad Esteli just didn’t work for me with the combination of pine and damp earth that resulted in a sour quality. The tropical sweetness was intriguing but did not stick around long enough to counter and balance the other flavors. The Trinidad Esteli is a cigar that I will pass on going forward, but I cannot wait to explore the other Trinidad cigars that Rafael Nodal has worked on.

The post Trinidad Esteli Toro by Plasencia Cigars appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The JFR Lunatic line is manufactured in Nicaragua and is available in Maduro or Habano wrapper options. The JFR Lunatic Maduro utilizes a Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos grown by Aganorsa. Available sizes include Short Robusto (4 1/4 by 52), Short Titan (4 1/4 by 60), El Chiquito (4 1/4 by 70), Jackhammer (8 by 60), and Mambo (8 by 80). The cigars come packaged in 28 count boxes except for the Mambo (24-count) and Jackhammer (35-count) and will run you between $6.20 for the Short Robusto to $9.20 for the Mambo.

You can purchase the JFR Lunatic Maduro from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop.

THE FACTS

Price: $6.20
Vitola:: Short Robusto
Size: 4 1/4 by 52
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour 20 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The JFR Lunatic Maduro wears a dark chocolate wrapper that is coated in a fine tooth and raised veins. Sugar-like crystals glisten on the wrapper that feels like fine-grain sandpaper. There is not a soft spot to be found on this firmly rolled cigar. 

The wrapper aroma presents a mixture of earth, barnyard, chocolate, and dark fruit notes. Even though the foot is closed, I am still able to pick up on a cedar woodiness and pepper spice. The triple cap cuts clean and opens up a near-perfect draw. Big woodsy notes are found on the cold draw with some faint, dry baking spices. A medium heat lingers on the lips. 

FIRST THIRD

The JFR Lunatic Maduro opens with a dark earth and black coffee profile. A black pepper spice follows closely behind and dark fruit notes are in the background. Huge volumes of smoke pour out of this Short Robusto as it burns evenly while a brilliant white ash forms. 

MIDDLE THIRD

The profile settles as I make my way into the second third of the JRP Lunatic Maduro Short Robusto. The earth is still the dominant flavor, but not as heavy on the palate. A yeasty quality and dry cocoa move into the profile. As I move the smoke through my nose, I find the pepper to be brighter than expected.

FINAL THIRD

I am beginning to feel some of the strength this 4 1/4 by 52 cigar brings to the table as I enter the final leg of the cigar. As the earth develops to a deeper note of dirt and diesel, the smoke becomes a bit drying in the mouth. A meaty, savory quality joins up as I move into the last inch and half of the JFR Lunatic Maduro

WRAP-UP

The JFR Lunatic Maduro Short Robusto comes in at a wallet-friendly price of $6.20 and delivers a dark, earthy, and spicy profile in the medium to full range.  Even though the core flavors held throughout the smoke, there were some noticeable changes in each third. The strength progressively increased as the cigar burned with a near-perfect burn-line  The JFR Lunatic Maduro provides a great bang for the buck.

The post JFR Lunatic Maduro Short Robusto by Aganorsa Leaf appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

We are very excited to launch the new Camacho Box-Pressed (BXP) extensions. Broadleaf tobacco delivers a great intensity to these blends and we feel very lucky to get our hands on some high quality primings to build into this venture.

The Camacho Connecticut Box-Pressed or BXP features a Connecticut Shade Honduran wrapper over a Honduran Corojo binder and Dominican and Pennsylvanian Broadleaf filler tobaccos. Three sizes are available in the BXP version including Robusto (5 by 50), Toro (6 by 50), and Gordo (6 by 60). Packaged in 20 count boxes, the cigars will run you between $8,00 and $9.25.

THE FACTS

Price: $8.25
Vitola: Toro
Size: 6 by 50
Wrapper: Honduran Connecticut Shade
Binder: Honduran Corojo
Filler: Dominican & Pennsylvanian Broadleaf
Smoke: 1 Hour and 45 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Connecticut Shade wrapper is consistent in its golden tan color, but the color seems to collide with the orange trim and lettering on the band. There are several medium-sized veins that are stitch like in appearance. The wrapper is very soft and smooth to the touch. The cigar feels hefty in the hand and it is evenly and firmly rolled.

I am greeted with a wonderful aroma of baking spices that are common in the fall. The foot shows off a doughy note with pepper spice trailing close behind. With the messy triple cap cut, the draw is a hair firm, and those baking spices are front and center on the cold draw leaving a medium spice heat in the mouth and on the lips. 

FIRST THIRD

The Camacho Connecticut BXP opens with a traditional Connecticut shade flavor that is somewhat bitter and vegetal. A pepper spice and a more savory quality of the smoke immediately follows the shade flavor. The cigar is on the mild side during the first third of the cigar and the finish is nearly undiscernable. The burn line is thick with a small wave to it as the ash holds easily past an inch.

MIDDLE THIRD

A sweet tobacco flavor moves into the profile in the second third of the Camacho Connecticut BXP and the pepper picks up in both flavor and spice. As the profile shifts up from mild to medium, the bitter shade flavor remains at the front and there is an underlying woodsy flavor to the profile. The burn is edgier than earlier but of no issue and the ash is flakier in appearance. 

FINAL THIRD

The black pepper has pushed its way to the front of the profile that is now a steady medium.  While the flavors showoff a decent amount of spice, it is really the retro-hale that highlights it. This 6 by 50 cigar is burning the best it has with its near even burn line.  

WRAP-UP

The Camacho Connecticut BXP was recommended to me at my local shop. I nearly dismissed the recommendation since Connecticut shade cigars usually fall outside my wheelhouse. But I decided to give it a shot and I am glad I did. The Camacho Connecticut BXP falls in the mild to medium range, delivers a spicy backbone, and maintains its shade quality. Other than a minor wavy, edgy burn, I encountered no performance issues. It is a cigar I will be reaching for to pair with coffee earlier in the day or an iced tea during the summer months.

The post Camacho Connecticut Box-Pressed Toro appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

Southern Draw’s Quickdraw line is produced in Esteli, Nicaragua by A.J. Fernandez. The cigars come wrapped in either Pennslyvania Broadleaf, Ecuadorian Connecticut, or an Ecuadorian Dark Habano leaf and filled with tobaccos from Nicaragua. Available sizes include Petite Corona (4 ½ by 44), Short Panatela (5 ½ by 40) and Corona Gorda (5 by 46). You can find our Southern Draw Cigars reviews below: 

• Jacobs Ladder
• Kudzu
• Quickdraw Pennslyvania

You can purchase the Southern Draw Quickdraw Habano from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop.

THE FACTS

Price: $6.31
Vitola: Corona Gorda 
Size: 5 by 46
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Dark Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 5 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Quickdraw Habano is dressed in a medium-dark brown Ecuadorian Dark Habano wrapper that is consistent in color. There are small veins webbing down the oily leaf and scattered bumps. Lightly pressing my fingers down the cigar, I encounter a void in the filler tobaccos between the band and the head of the cigar. The rest of the cigar feels firm to the touch. 

The wrapper aroma is of dark red fruit, manure, and cedar. Being a closed foot, I don’t pick up much more other than a touch of chocolate from the foot. With the small pig-tailed cap cut off, the cold draw is firm as expected with the covered foot. I am met with sweet cinnamon and cedar on the cold draw and a mild spice can be felt on the lips. 

FIRST THIRD

The Quickdraw Habano lights with ease but takes a few seconds to get the smoke production going on the draw. The opening profile is on the low side of medium with flavors of Pepper, yeast, and a sour edge.  As the cigar warms, the pepper sharpens and a bit of saltiness and pencil shavings join into the line-up of flavors. The cigar is burning along well with a decent ash forming considering the small ring gauge.. 

MIDDLE THIRD

An earthier profile presents itself in the second third of the Quickdraw Habano by Southern Draw Cigars. The pepper is still holding strong, but the sour edge has dropped out as I make it near the halfway point of the cigar. This Corona Gorda is producing a mouth-full of smoke with each small draw. 

FINAL THIRD

Since the second third, the Quickdraw Habano has been growing in richness and savoriness. A pepper and salt combination is at the forefront of the profile with the earthier notes trailing just a hair behind. The finish is made up of charred wood and coffee, while the retro-hale highlights the pepper but doesn’t bring out too much more spice. 

WRAP-UP

Just like all the other Southern Draw cigars I have smoked, the Quickdraw Habano hit the spot for me. The Corona Gorda (5 by 46) format is one of my favorite sizes and, when you pack it full of rich and spicy Nicaraguan tobaccos underneath an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, it makes for one heck of cigar. The performance was great between the even burn and awesome smoke production. I would reach for the Quickdraw Pennslyvania over the Habano version, but that’s just because I am a sucker for Broadleaf. But either way you go, you are in for a treat.

The post Souther Draw Cigars – Quickdraw Habano appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

We wanted to create a blend that capture the elegance and style of classic Cuban Cigars. Covered in our finest Corojo 99 wrapper from Jalapa, Siboney Reserve is rich in flavor, complex, and balances with a subtle sweetness. It’s a cigar for those who crave old-world flavor and aroma.

Handmade in Nicaragua by Aganorsa Leaf, the cigar utilizes all Nicaraguan tobaccos sourced from Aganorsa farms. The cigar was introduced in four sizes including Lonsdale (6 by 44), Rothschild (4 1/2 by 48), Robusto (5 1/4 by 50), and Toro (6 by 52). Packaged in boxes of 10, the cigars will run you between $7.00 to $8.50.

You can purchase the Siboney Reserve by Aganorsa Leaf from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop.

THE FACTS

Price: $7.00
Vitola: Lonsdale
Size: 6 by 44
Wrapper: Nicaragua Corojo 99 Jalapa
Binder: Proprietary Nicaragua
Filler: Proprietary Nicaragua
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 35 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Siboney Reserve is dressed in a medium brown Nicaraguan Corojo 99 Jalapa wrapper that has tons of dark watermarkings. There are some veins and bumps on the wrapper leaf but, to the touch, the cigar feels crazy smooth. The cigar is firmly rolled with a couple of indentations.

A strong chicken coop aroma emits from the wrapper. A more subtle aroma comes across from the foot of the cigar with notes of cedar, manure, chocolate, and pepper. The draw has more resistance than preferred and my palate is met with cold draw flavors similar to those from the foot.

FIRST THIRD

A sweet tobacco provides a nice opening to the Siboney Reserve. The sweetness is followed by a combination of wood and earth. The sweetness backsoff as the cigar warms up. There is a mild pepper flavor on the palate, but, the pepper really pops in both flavor and spice heat as I retrohale the smoke. The filler tobaccos are burning quicker than the wrapper requiring a touch-up.

MIDDLE THIRD

Into the second third, the flavors are balanced and harmonizing well. I am still able to identify the individual flavors as they form into a wonderful bouquet on the palate. The sweetness moves in waves and, combined with the pepper, is keeping me fully engaged. Even though the flavors are only hoovering in the medium range, there is a bit more strength than I would have expected.

FINAL THIRD

The final third of the Siboney Reserve shows a transition in the wood flavor to more of dry pencil shavings. The darker flavors move forward with the earth and pepper playing a a more dominant role. A yeasty flavor develops as I near the end of the cigar. An edgy burn in the final third makes one more touch-up necessary before I close it out.

WRAP-UP

My experience with Cuban cigars is limited to say the least. So I cannot say if the Siboney Reserve is Cuban-Esque or not. But I can say I enjoyed this cigar from the first light to final puff. The medium profile delivered a well rounded profile primarily of wood, earth, shifting sweetness, and pepper. A little bit of strength sneaks up on you with the Siboney Reserve. Just enough to get put you in a relaxed state of mind. This is a great cigar that I highly recommend.

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The 601 Kryptonite is produced by Erik Espinosa at La Zona in Nicaragua and features all Nicaraguan tobaccos. The cigars are available in Robusto (5 by 50), Toro (6 by 50), and Churchill (7 by 5). The cigars will run you from $6.59 to $7.00 per single or $79.99 to $84.99 for a box of 20.

You can purchase the Espinosa 601 Kryptonite from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop.

THE FACTS

Price: $6.59
Vitola: Robusto
Size: 5 by 50
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 15 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The 601 Kryptonite comes in a dark tan, Nicaraguan Habano wrapper that has a light green hue. The wrapper leaf is rather rough being full of bumps, veins, stretch marks, and color imperfections. Even to the touch, I can easily feel the rustic character of the leaf. Lightly rolling the cigars between my thumb and index finger, the cigar is spongy near the head of the cigar but firms up as I make my way towards the foot.

An aroma of chocolate-covered cherries greets me from the wrapper. The chocolate aroma is even stronger on the foot of the cigar and is joined with some warm cedar notes. The chocolate/cherry combo carries over to the cold draw that has hardly any resistance. 

FIRST THIRD

The Espinosa 601 Kryptonite starts with a heavy dose of black pepper, leather, earth, and sweet cherry. Cocoa and a darker earthy flavor remains on the palate for half a minute or so between puffs. A section of the wrapper is already struggling to burn inline with the rest of the cigar. A quick hit with my lighter gets everything back in line. 

MIDDLE THIRD

The pepper remains strong and is joined alongside the sweet fruit flavor as I pull into the second third of the 601 Kryptonite. The leather and earth notes move to more of a cedar. As the cigar progresses, the intensity of the flavors gradually picks up and the nicotine is right in the middle of the road. The burn line is edgy but performing much better than the first third.  

FINAL THIRD

Into to the last couple of inches, the woodsy cedar transitions to charred wood and gritty earth and cocoa sit heavy on the finish. The fruity sweetness has mostly departed but is very subtle on the backend of the smoke. As I take lighter draws of the 601 Kryptonite, the sweetness make a final reappearance before I lay down the cigar for its final rest. 

WRAP-UP

The 601 Kryptonite is a wallet-friendly cigar that offers some solid medium/full flavors and a medium strength profile. I really enjoyed the upfront pepper spice and the sweet cherry. A couple of burn issues were encountered and a touch-up was required during the first third of the smoke. I don’t know if I would pay the single stick price of nearly $7.00 for this cigar, but I would grab a fiver for $19.99.

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HVC’s Pan Caliente, which translates as “Hot Cakes”, was first introduced in April 2016 in a robusto (5 by 50) format. At the 2017 IPCPR Trade Show, the company added both a toro (6 1/4 by 52) and a double corona (5 5/8 by 46) to the line. The cigars are manufactured at the Raices Cubanas factory in Danli, Honduras, but it is surprisingly a Nicaraguan puro featuring the highly acclaimed AGAGNORSA tobacco.

You can purchase the HVC Pan Caliente from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop HERE.

THE FACTS

Price: $6.00
Vitola: Double Corona
Size: 5 5/8 by 46
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Criollo 98
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 20 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Pan Caliente wears a medium brown Nicaraguan Criollo 98 wrapper that has a decent amount of oils and covered in small veins. The small veins web down the leaf and are darker in color than the rest of the wrapper. To the touch, the cigar is crazy smooth with only a couple of random bumps and raised veins. As I inspect the cigar, there is an indentation near the foot that can be both seen and felt. The rest of the cigar gives slightly when pressed.

As I bring the wrapper to my nose, I note a pungent vinegar and barnyard, along with an artificial chocolate sweetness. The foot shows off some big notes of chocolate (real) and pepper spice. In the background, there is fainter graham cracker and raisin aroma. The cutter easily slices through this 46 ring gauge cigar. The draw is right on with some rich cinnamon and clove flavors greeting my palate. A mild to medium spice heat lingers in my mouth. 

FIRST THIRD

From the get-go, the HVC Pal Caliente presents full and rich flavors. There is a vegetal, sour edge to the flavor that trails closely behind the rich wood and sweet combination going on. As the cigar warms, the flavors settle in and back off a bit towards the medium side. The calming of the other flavors has allowed a pepper spice to move in. A gray ash forms as the cigar burns with a thick eye-liner burn line. 

MIDDLE THIRD

Into the second third, the richness is back in full swing. The woodsy, sweet flavor has evolved to more of charred and earthy flavor. There is a sweet hazelnut flavor that joins in and chocolate lingers on the finish of the smoke. The ash appears flaky but continues to hold well. Just past halfway point, I am beginning to feel just a slight nicotine kick. 

FINAL THIRD

The sour edge has made a reappearance in the final third. This time, it is no longer trailing the other flavors, but it is leading the charge. The charred wood and earth are holding strong and the sweetness is still pulling through. The pepper is highlighted in the retro-hale and remains very manageable even with a full exhale through the nose. 

WRAP-UP

There is nothing not to like about this cigar. An awesome price point of $6.00, a perfect size – Double Corona (5 5/8 by 46), great flavors, and exceptional performance. The cigar has some clear shifting points as you move through each third. There is just enough strength to put one into a relaxed state and enough spice to keep one’s palate alert. The cigar burned evenly from start to finish without a single touch-up required. And, even though the ash began to look flaky in appearance, it never dropped prematurely. This is a cigar I highly recommend and one I will be purchasing more of.

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After some research, we decided the history of the Union Fire Company was a perfect match for a new cigar line. The cigar itself is a rich and smoky blend of Nicaragua tobacco

Crux Union Fire cigars are rolled in Esteli, Nicaragua at Tabacalera Plasencia. The cigar utilizes a proprietary Nicaraguan wrapper leaf, Connecticut Broadleaf binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. The wrapper leaf, known as Enganoso, is also featured on the Crux Limitada lines. There are three sizes being produced: Robusto (4 ¾ by 50), Toro (6 by 52) and Churchill (7 by 50). 

You can purchase the Crux Union Fire from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop HERE.

THE FACTS

Price: $7.80
Vitola: Toro
Size: 6 by 52
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Enganoso
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 40 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Crux Union Fire is dressed in a dark tan wrapper that is coated in oils and bumps. There are a couple of medium-sized veins running the down the cigar that are easy to spot.

Having arrived with no cellophane, I am only picking up on cedar on the wrapper, which I attribute to my humidor. Earth and cedar are noted on the foot of the cigar with a faint spice tickling the nose. The cold draw has a bit more resistance than preferred. And this may be one of mildest cold draws I’ve ever encountered with only a hint of cedar and mild spice felt in the mouth.

FIRST THIRD

After slowly toasting the foot of the cigar, the Crux Union Fire is underway. The warm cedar flavor transfers over from the aroma on the wrapper/foot and the cold draw. It is joined with a combination of sweet and tart with black pepper hanging in the background and on the finish of the smoke. Even early on, the flavors are a solid medium and well-rounded. For the most part, the burn is even as white ash forms.

MIDDLE THIRD

This is a slow burning cigar. Forty-minutes in and I am barely making my way into the second third of the Union Fire. All of the flavors in the first third continue to hold their ground as the cigar develops in richness. The tartness moves to orange zest as the retro-hale brings out the pepper and a darker earth flavor. A quick hit with lighter is required to get a small section the wrapper back in line with the rest of the burn.

FINAL THIRD

Prior to lighting, I had some concern on the draw. But I quickly forgot about that concern once lit. The cigar has been producing a mouthful of smoke ever since the first puff. The flavors are still medium-full and rich and I am feeling some strength from this Plasencia-made cigar. The orange zest has faded out as a perfume quality joins in as I begin to wrap up my journey through the Crux Union Fire. 

WRAP-UP

Crux cigars have consistently scored well with the Casas Fumando crew (on our nonexistent scoring system). And when news broke of a shop exclusive with Famous Smoke, a site sponsor, it quickly moved to the top of my list of cigars to review.  The Crux Union fire hit the spot with its medium-full flavors, developing richness, and pepper kick. What intrigued me about the cigar was the sweet and tart in the first third that evolved to an orange zest as the cigar progressed. The cigar burned incredibly slow so you definitely get your money’s worth on this cigar.

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Manufactured in the Dominican Republic at Agio Caribbean Tobacco located in the small town of San Pedro de Macoris, the line is now available in four wrapper options Brazilian Arapiraca, Ecuadorian Connecticut, Nicaraguan, and Sun Grown. Currently, there are three available vitolas: Perla ( 4 1/8 by 40), Corona (5 7/8 by 42) and Robusto (5 1/8 by 52). Packaged in boxes of 20, this valued-price lines from Royal Agio Cigars will run you between $4.75 and $5.50 per cigar.

You can purchase the San Pedro de Macoris Brazil from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop HERE.

THE FACTS

Price: $5.50
Vitola: 5 1/8 by 52
Size: Robusto
Wrapper: Sun Grown Brazilian Arapiraca
Binder: Dominican Olor
Filler: Brazilian Mata Fina, Dominican Olor, and Dominican Piloto Ligero
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 10 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The San Pedro De Macoris Brazil wears a dark brown Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper with a deep red hue and some even darker markings. The bright Brazilian flag-like colors really stand out against the dark leaf. There are a few small, thin black veins running down the length of the cigar and a very fine tooth can be felt. As I gently press my fingers on this 5 1 /8 by 52 cigar, I find some indentations in the tobaccos but, other than that, the cigar is firmly rolled.

The wrapper shows off an aroma of earth and barnyard, while a lighter aroma of warm cedar, cinnamon, and raisin come across on the foot of the cigar. Upon cutting the cap, I find an easy draw and a big flavor of cinnamon.

FIRST THIRD

Once lit, the San Pedro de Macoris Brazil opens with medium-full flavors of wood, earth, and lemon. The sour bite of the lemon lingers on the palate for some time between puffs. As the cigar warms, the sour fades slightly as a yeast moves into the profile resulting in sourdough-like flavor. The burn line is sharp as a gray ash forms.

MIDDLE THIRD

Into the second third, a bright pepper flavor moves into the profile alongside the earth that is holding strong. The earth note has evolved from a generic earthiness to a deeper dirt flavor.  The flavors have shifted down from medium-full to a notch below medium. Even so, the pepper comes across sharp and full through the nose. The San Pedro de Macoris Brazil continues to burn with no issue. 

FINAL THIRD

As I make my way into the final third, a growing sweetness rounds out the profile as the darker flavors of earth and pepper soften. Each puff is producing a satisfying amount of smoke as the cigar continues to burn exceptionally well. As I begin to close out the cigar, I am feeling just the slightest kick of nicotine. 

WRAP-UP

Royal Agio Cigars is still not a company I am overly familiar with, but I was thoroughly impressed with Balmoral Royal Selection Anejo 18 that I smoked back in 2014. It even landed the #9 spot on my 2014 Top 10 List (You can check it out HERE). But a $12 cigar is high for my taste. So when I heard a new value-priced line was being released by the Royal Agio Cigars in 2018, I knew I had to get my paws on one. The San Pedro de Macoris Brazil Robusto offers a good profile that leans towards the darker end of the spectrum and rounds out in the final third with the addition of some sweetness. For a $5.50 smoke, I was pleased with the flavors the cigar presented. The performance of this wallet-friendly cigar was exceptional with its razor sharp burn, well holding ash, and excellent smoke production. Grab yourself a couple and let us know what you think. I know it’s a cigar that I will be lighting up again.

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Manufactured in Esteli, Nicaragua, the New World Cameroon Selection is available in Short Robusto (4 by 48), Robusto (5 1/2 by 54), Toro (6 by 50), Torpedo (6 1/2 by 52), Gordo (6 by 60), and Churchill (7 by 48). The cigar features a Cameroon wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos grown at A.J. Fernandez’s Esteli farm. The cigars come packaged in boxes of 20 and will run you between $5 and $7 a per cigar.

You can purchase New World Cameroon Selection from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop.

THE FACTS

Price: $6.50
Vitola: Churchill
Size: 7 by 48
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 50 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The New World Cameroon Selection wears a medium brown wrapper with a greenish hue that has some darker markings, small sugar-like crystals, and small veins running down the leaf. To the touch, the cigar is smooth, velvety, and somewhat spongy as I gently press down the cigar. 

As I bring the wrapper to my nose, I am met with barnyard, vinegar, and coffee. The aroma on the foot is of cardboard and dry wood. The draw is easy showing more of the wood and some light cinnamon with a spice heat being felt on the lips.

FIRST THIRD

The New World Cameroon Selection opens with a rich profile showing off flavors of earth, heavy black pepper, and a vegetal flavor. A sweetness moves into the profile that is tied to the vegetal flavor and continues to intensify as the cigar progresses. I can feel a spice in the back of the throat that lingers for some time between puffs. A light colored ash forms as the cigar burns evenly. 

MIDDLE THIRD

As this latest iteration of the New World progresses, the earth and cocoa become the central flavors. The unique vegetal flavor appears every couple of puffs but seems to be fading out.  An espresso coffee flavor is now on the finish of the smoke, and the earlier black pepper flavor and accompanying spice have calmed. The texture of the smoke is smooth and creamy in the mouth.

FINAL THIRD

Moving into the last third, the sweetness has evolved to a roasted marshmallow and is pairing well with the dark espresso, earth, and cocoa flavors. I am also getting a fat nutty flavor on the backend of the flavors. The New World Cameroon closes out with rich and full flavors. 

WRAP-UP

The original New World has been a go-to cigar for me over the last couple of years. A cigar that I know will deliver and hit the spot when I am not sure what else to reach for. On a recent trip to Florida, I was introduced to the New World Cameroon Selection. And after smoking it, I knew it was a cigar I needed to review. The cigar takes a little time to warm up, but it is an absolute treat once it does. The combination of flavors in the second and final third won me over and held my attention through this nearly two-hour smoke. The performance was right on from start to finish and a price tag under $7 makes this cigar that much sweeter.

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Rabit Hole bourbon barrels are used in the aging of the Mexican San Andres binder tobacco. The cigar also features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and filler tobacco from the Ometepe, Condega, and Jalapa regions of Nicaragua. Available vitolas include Robusto (5 1/2 by 52), Toro (6 by 54), Churchill (7 by 49), and Gigante (6 by 60). Packaged in 25 count boxes, the Diesel Whiskey Row will run you between $7.49 and $8.99 per cigar.

You can purchase Diesel Whiskey Row from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop.

THE FACTS

Price: $7.99
Vitola: Toro
Size: 6 by 54
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Mexican San Andres Aged in Rabit Hole Bourbon Barrels
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Diesel Whiskey Row is outfitted in a medium brown wrapper with a heavy oily sheen. There are several medium-sized veins that are lighter in color than that rest of the wrapper. From head to foot, the cigar is evenly and firmly filled.

Notes of earth, pepper, and vinegar come across on the wrapper, while a warm cedar and pepper spice are on the foot of the cigar. Upon clipping the double cap, I find the draw to be a hair firm. The cold draw shows off cedar, baking spices, and a deep red fruit note.

FIRST THIRD

At once, big flavors begin pouring out of the Diesel Whiskey Row. There is a combination of yeast, charred wood, blackberry, pepper,  and salt. The texture of the smoke is thick in the mouth. The cigar is burning along with a near perfect burn line as a beautiful, white ash forms. 

MIDDLE THIRD

Burning into the second third of the cigar, I am beginning to feel the effects of the nicotine as it puts me into a nice relaxed state. The earlier flavors are holding strong with the sweetness picking up with an added cocoa in the mix. The black pepper spice is also gaining ground in the profile as the dirt/earth lingers on the finish of the smoke. 

FINAL THIRD

Into the last couple of inches, the earth is heavy followed by dry pencil shavings. The earlier blackberry and cocoa continue to make an appearance every few puffs. Like the previous two third, the burn is right on and smoke fills the mouth with each small puff. 

WRAP-UP

Any cigar made by AJ Fernandez is a cigar that is put on my list to smoke. And I am definitely glad I got my paws on the Diesel Whiskey Row. From start to finish, the cigar showed off an exceptional burn with a well-holding ash. And even though the draw seemed firm prior to lighting, my concerns were alleviated once lit with each draw filling my mouth with a copious amount of smoke. But it was the flavors that won me over. AJ Fernandez’s signature flavors were present with the heavy, spicy profile but it was the complexity of the flavors and blackberry sweetness that brought something completely new to the Diesel Brand. And the $8 price tag is right in the sweet spot for a smoke like this.

The post General Cigar – Diesel Whiskey Row Toro appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

Produced in Nicaragua at the Tabacalera Oliva De Esteli S.A. factory, the Nub line is available in Connecticut, Cameroon, Maduro, Habano, and Sumatra wrapper options. There is also a limited edition double Maduro called Nub Dub. The Connecticut version frontmarks include 354 (3 3/4 by 54), 358 (3 3/4 by 58), 460 (4 by 60), and 464T (4 by 64 Torpedo).

You can give the Nub Connecticut 358 and 464T a try for yourself in the Nub 8-Cigar Sampler from our good friends over at Holt’s Cigar Company.

THE FACTS

Price: $7.14/single | $27.95/8-Cigar Sampler
Vitola: 358
Size: 3 3/4 by 58
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 50 minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Nub Connecticut wears a golden Connecticut Shade wrapper that has some darker markings and veins running the short length of the cigar. As I gently press down on the cigar, I find it to be evenly filled with only the smallest amount of give.

Bringing the wrapper to my nose, there is an aroma of earth and barnyard. The foot shows off sweet tobacco, earth, and black pepper spice. The double cap has clean lines and cuts with ease. The resistance is well within the acceptable range, possibly a hair on the firm side. A cinnamon spice warms up my palate and overshadows any other cold draw flavors that may be going on.

FIRST THIRD

This Nub Connecticut opens with solid medium flavors with earth and pepper central in the profile. The spice heat is medium and lingers on the palate as a natural tobacco sweetness pushes its way into the profile. There is a thick burn line that is mostly even as a salt and pepper ash forms.

MIDDLE THIRD

Burning down into the second third of the Nub Connecticut 358, both the earth and pepper shift up a notch. There is only a touch of that common Connecticut shade bitterness and it is working well with the core flavors. It is at this point in the cigar that I am surprised to be feeling a little nicotine kick.

FINAL THIRD

Into the last third, the profile is much lighter allowing the sweetness to shine through as well as the bitterness. A shallow draw and allowing additional time between puffs are needed to keep the bitterness at bay. The thick eyeliner burn from earlier is now thin and edgy as a gray ash develops that holds well. There is no concern about dropping the ash prematurely in your lap or on your keyboard. 

WRAP-UP 

The Nub Connecticut 358 by Oliva Cigar Company opens with a solid medium profile, kicks up a notch or two in the second third, and then mellows out in the final third of the smoke. The profile was characterized by core flavors of earth and pepper with a nice tobacco sweetness to round things out and a touch of Connecticut bitterness to remind you what you are smoking. The performance was impressive with its even burn and only two ash dropping during the fifty-minute smoke.

So, how would I line up the cigars in the Nub 8-Cigar Sampler?

#1 – Nub Cameroon

#2 – Nub Connecticut

#3 – Nub Habano 

#4 – Nub Maduro

If I would’ve guessed which Nub cigars I would’ve liked the most before smoking any, the list would have been in the complete opposite order. The Nub blend shined with the lighter Cameroon and Connecticut wrappers.

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Showcased at the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show, Magic Toast by Alec Bradley is manufactured in Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas in Danli, Honduras. The cigar features a Honduran wrapper over a double binder from Nicaraguan and Honduras and filler tobaccos from the same two countries. Magic Toast is available in three sizes Robusto (5 by 52), Toro (6 by 52), and Gordo (6 by 60) and will run you between $8.95 to $10.25 per cigar.

You can purchase Magic Toast by Alec Bradley from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop.

THE FACTS

Price: $9.50
Vitola: Toro
Size: 6 by 52
Wrapper: Honduran
Binder: Nicaraguan/Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan/Honduran
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Magic Toast is draped in an extremely dark brown wrapper with even darker splotching. Thin black veins crisscross down the leaf. I do not see or feel any tooth, but there are some scattered bumps. The cigar is rolled firmly and evenly from top to bottom.

The cap cuts with ease and opens up a fine draw with just the right amount of resistance. With all my excitement to fire up this cigar that has received rave reviews, I completely skipped over noting any of the cold draw flavors. My apologies. 

FIRST THIRD

The Magic Toast opens with a toasty/meaty profile of toasted bread and full pepper spices. The flavors come out of the gate full and the texture of the smoke is thick in the mouth.  As the cigar warms up, a sweet berry sweetness moves into the profile and compliments the other qualities of the cigar. A wavy burn forms a black and white layered ash.

MIDDLE THIRD

Progressing into the second third, the toasted and meaty flavors are now joined with earth and coffee.  The new additions to the flavor department are also the flavors that linger on the finish of the smoke. As I move the smoke through my nose, there is a bright white pepper that is full but also a great addition to the experience. There is a ton of depth to the flavors and a good amount of strength showcased by the cigar. A quick hit with the lighter is needed to get the burn back to even.

FINAL THIRD

A gritty earth note is carrying the Magic Toast along with a black coffee holding it ground right beside it. The early berry sweetness is more jelly-like in the last third of the cigar, but it is also toned back from the introductory sweetness. The overall profile seems to have settled with everything meshing well together. The burn is the best it has been and no additional touch-ups are needed.

WRAP-UP

Alec Bradley cigars are hit or miss for me. But the Magic Toast is something special. The evolving profile and great depth in the flavors made this an absolute treat to smoke. The strength pushed full and the retro-hale is a must with this cigar. Other than the minor burn issue, I have no real complaints and I can easily see why the Magic Toast rated so well on a wide variety of review sites. I may be reaching for an Alec Bradley cigar next time I walk into the humidor.

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Produced in Nicaragua at the Tabacalera Oliva De Esteli S.A. factory, the Nub line is available in Connecticut, Cameroon, Maduro, and Habano wrapper options. Maduro frontmarks include 460 (4 by 60) and 464T (4 by 64 Torpedo).

You can give the Nub Maduro 460 and 464T a try for yourself in the Nub 8-Cigar Sampler from our good friends over at Holt’s Cigar Company.

THE FACTS

• Price: $27.95/8-Cigar Sampler
• Vitola: 460
• Size: 4 by 60
• Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Smoke Time: 1 Hour

PRE-LIGHT

The Brazilian Maduro leaf on the Nub Maduro is dark brown and consistent in color from head to foot. There are a few small veins webbing down the leaf with a fine tooth. Even with the tooth, the cigar feels almost silky to the touch.

Barnyard and a faint sweetness come across on the wrapper, while a big chocolate note, graham cracker, cedar, and pepper are noted on the foot of the cigar. The draw is free allowing cedar and a sharp cinnamon spice to move across the palate.

FIRST THIRD

A traditional Maduro sweetness is first to greet my palate once the Nub Maduro is lit. Earth, a sour edge, and medium pepper follow the sweetness with black coffee on the finish of the smoke. The sweetness fades as the other flavors push to the forefront of the profile about half an inch in. The cigar is burning along with a minor wave as a light gray ash forms.

MIDDLE THIRD

Pulling into the second third of the Nub Maduro, a dry cedar, almost pencil-shavings like, is now alongside the coffee. There remains only a hint of sweetness in the background of the medium profile. A small section of the wrapper is struggling to burn along with the rest of the cigar. A quick hit with the lighter is needed before I move into the final third and it is at this point that the first ash drops.

FINAL THIRD

Pepper, earth, and coffee make up the profile in the last leg of the journey through the Nub Maduro. Retrohaling the smoke, the spice is a little fuller and tickling the sinuses. While the flavors are on the low side of medium, a richness is developing as I near its end.

WRAP-UP

The Nub Maduro presented a mild to medium profile with earth, coffee, and pepper being the dominant flavors with a few other notable flavors moving in and out through the smoke. With that said, I wouldn’t characterize the profile as complex. Additionally, just like the Nub Habano, I wish the sweetness held its ground through the entire cigar. A performance hiccup was encountered in the middle third with some difficulty with the wrapper burning, but the ash still held to the halfway point and the draw was no issue from start to finish. And while I cannot put my finger on it, the Nub Maduro left me wanting something more.

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