The Good Stuff:

Dion Giolito made waves back in 2017 when he announced the purchase and re-release of the One Off brand which was created by Andre Molinari from Milan Italy. Along with the purchase of One Off (read out review here) there was also the purchase of a secondary brand called Allegria. I personally hadn’t heard about Allegria until the release was announced last year as Dion wanted to wait until the cigars were ready to announce the acquisition of the brand. Allegria is essentially a stronger version of the One Off which features higher-priming tobaccos. It utilizes a Nicaraguan Corojo ’99 wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers which includes some Corojo ’99 and Criollo ’98. The Illusione Allegria comes in five sizes: Robusto (5 x 52), Corona (5 1/8 x 42), Gordo (6 x 56), Lonsdale (6 1/4 x 44), and the Churchill (6 3/4 x 48). Each comes packaged in boxes of 20 and run between $11.10 and $13.55 per stick. We purchased ours over from our good friends at Cuenca Cigars who still have them in stock currently in both singles and boxes.

• Size: 6 1/4 x 44
• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo ’99
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Body: Medium/Full
• Strength: Medium/Full
• Price: $11.84
• Pairing: The Bruery Petit Mardi (Imperial Stout 15.9% ABV)

Prelight:

The Illusione Allegria starts out with a very dark, rich brown wrapper that features lots of scatted light brown and orange. Right away the Allegria sets itself apart from the One Off visually as the wrapper is much darker. The wrapper’s texture is about average in density with some light tooth and a whole ton of oils coating it. The cigar as a whole is a bit soft and light. There are some larger veins running the course of the cigar’s thin body leading up to it’s round, triple-wrapped cap. The cigar is polished off with a larger band with features the same orange as the one off along with the peace symbol, “Allegria” embossed on the front and “Illusione” across each side.

The wrapper on the Illusione Allegria gives off a really strong must and pecan aroma while the foot of the cigar is more natural with earthiness, tobacco, and spice. The cap cut like butter using my Xikar XO double bladed cutter. The cold draw produces notes of pecan, honey, and lots of earthiness.

First Third:

The Illusione Allegria starts out with a pretty bold black pepper zing that I wasn’t expecting. After the first few draws the pepper begins to fade and the cigar starts to release bold notes of pecan, honey and musk over lighter notes of cedar, vanilla, citrus, and a great earthiness. The draw is flawless as each little puff kicks out massive clouds of thick, white smoke while the cigar releases a good amount of stationary smoke while the oils burn off the wrapper. The burn line is pretty while and a bit messy but the cigar is smoking fine so no marks taken there as it leaves behind a flaky white and dark gray ash which held on for only a half inch before falling into my ashtray.

Second Third:

Into the second third of the Illusione Allegria and the flavors are pouring out of this thing. Pecan, honey, musk, and oak lead the charge backed by vanilla, citrus, earthiness, and a great little plum or cherry that has been consistent in the second third. The retrohale is one of the best retrohales I have experienced in quite sometime as it pours on the cherry, musk and spice. I find myself retrohaling this cigar very often. The burn line has started to sort itself out and is now burning pretty consistent. I close out the second third with only a very light kick of nicotine.

Finish:

Into the final third of the Illusione Allegria and I am loving this flavor profile. The pecan, honey, musk and oak are still out in front with vanilla, citrus, earthiness, black cherry and raisin in the back along with this great consistent spice that has really backed the entire flavor profile. It took me about an hour and a half to smoke this down to the nub, and I smoked it until my fingers burned. Despite the wavy burn line at the start, the cigar completely corrected itself and I never once had to reach for my torch to touchup or relight the cigar. I experienced no harshness, no extended heat and I closed out with a decent little nicotine kick.

Overview:

I smoked a handful of these and each time I liked it more than the previous. The Illusione Allegria delivers a great, complex flavor profile that really keeps you on your toes. I smoked quite a few One Offs and at times I felt the Allegria was a much better version of that cigar and at other times I felt like it wasn’t even in the same realm as the cigar offers a profile that is quite different especially in terms of complexity and body. At this point, I think the Allegria will keep the One Off out of my rotation for at least the time being and this is a cigar that I enjoyed so much that I can see myself coming back to over and over again.

Pairing:

Petit Mardi, French for ‘Small Tuesday,’ is an imperial stout was aged in oak puncheons and carefully crafted with Petite Sirah grapes and Syrah grapes. Consider it a lighter-bodied still-beer Black Tuesday/Wine Hybrid coming in at 15.9% ABV. I’ve been a huge fan of The Bruery’s wine hybrids especially the Black Tuesday-based ones so I’ve been dying to crack these open. Normally, the Bruery’s wine/beer hybrids have been very dry. In the case of the Petit Mardi it’s the opposite as this beer is very sweet and reminds me of a great sweet red blended wine. The beer leads with loads of sweet grape, black cherry, vanilla, light honey, light malt and red apple. The mouthfeel is very sticky yet somehow still light. It finishes with loads of sweetness, grape, black cherry, vanilla and a great little spice. Very similar to a nice, sweet, fruity, Ruby Port and absolutely one of the best beer/hybrid still beers (non-carbonated beer) I have ever had. The vanilla, spice, and fruit matched up great with the flavors in the Illusione Allegria while the cigar itself added another layer to the spice notes within the beer. What a treat!

The post Illusione Allegria appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

-Tony

A. J. Fernandez Cigar Company first introduced Dias de Gloria to the cigar market in 2017, but it was soon discontinued in order for the company to concentrate its efforts on the lines that were currently in production. Recently, however, the line was brought back onto the market, and here we are with the newly re-introduced Dias de Gloria.  Dias de Gloria translates to “Days of Glory”, a tribute to the pre-Castro heyday of Cuban cigars.  The blend is a combination of tobaccos from the four oldest of Fernandez’ Nicaraguan farms, all based in Esteli, and is produced at Tabacalera A. J. Fernandez in Esteli.

Dias de Gloria is produced in four sizes:  

• Robusto 5½x52
• Toro 6×56
• Short Churchill 6½x48
• Gordo 6×58

All sizes come in boxes of 20 with prices running from $9 to $12 per cigar.

I obtained the Dias de Gloria from our great friends over at Cuenca Cigars.

The basics:

• Wrapper: Nicaraguan
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Size smoked for review: Short Churchill 6½x48
• Price: $9
• Smoking time: One hour, forty minutes
• Pairing: Ommegang Abbey Dubbel (ABV 8.2%)

Pre-light:

Dias de Gloria comes with the expected Fernandez double banded motif, with the addition of a long cedar sleeve and a red ribbon band at the foot.  Once shed of the sleeve, a gorgeous cigar is revealed, showing a uniformly amber tinted brown wrapper with a few fine veins and one medium one, an oily sheen and silky feel.  The seams are nearly invisible, and the cigar is firmly packed down to the foot, where it gets a little softer.  The wrapper gives off an earthy barnyard scent, while the foot shows earthy natural tobacco plus a little woodiness.  After giving it a v-cut, the cold draw displays light sweet spice and cedar.

First third:

Immediately upon lighting, Dias de Gloria gives off a nice mouthful of smoke laden with cedar, earth, and a good amount of pepper, backed by light leather.  The cedar is even more up-front in the retrohale along with rich natural tobacco, but thankfully, the pepper is not as strong on the sinuses as on the entry.  The pepper soon pulls back substantially and spice and musk elements creep into the background.  The burn started out rather crooked, but has recovered nicely on its own and is now razor thin and even, and the compact ash has held on for over an inch.  At this point, the flavors are blending together well, and the pepper has been alternately pushing forward, then falling back.

Middle third:

As Dias de Gloria enters the middle section, things are humming along smoothly.  The combination of cedar, musty/musky tobacco, nutmeg-like spice, and pepper are at the forefront, while wisps of leather, light bread, and a bit of savory char bring up the rear.  Even though the pepper is still quite evident, the cigar has mellowed nicely while maintaining a bit of “edginess”. 

Final third:

Things begin to ramp up in the final third of the Dias de Gloria, including the strength which had been on the low side until now.  The woodiness has turned more toward oak and the char is more prominent, as is the pepper which is leaving a definite tingle on my lips and tongue, and light sweetness has been weaving in and out throughout.  The Dias de Gloria ends up between medium and medium-full in body with a noticeable nicotine kick, while the nub is firm and cool.

Winding things up:

The A. J. Fernandez Dias de Gloria turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable smoke.  There were not a whole lot of different flavors, but those that were there were complex enough, mingled well, and wove in and out enough to keep me involved with it, and the construction and burn were exemplary.  I never had to correct it the few times the burn wavered, and the only time I had to re-light it was when I left it alone for too long while I was doing something else.  The price is right at the point where I think it should be and I can certainly give it a strong recommendation.  It’s another worthy addition to the Fernandez portfolio.  

Pairing:

I wanted to match this cigar up with a beer that has a decent amount of sweetness and smoothness to it without it being big and dark, and decided on Ommegang’s Abbey Dubbel as a great partner, and indeed it was.  The malty, fruity sweetness paired well with the flavors of the Dias de Gloria, while helping to tame the pepper in the smoke.  A Scotch ale or a lighter, fruity port would also match up well with this cigar. 

~Jeff Oda~

The post A.J. Fernandez Dias de Gloria appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

-Tony

After being introduced at last year’s IPCPR trade show, the Warped Serie Gran Reserva 1988 finally began shipping to retailers this summer.  Named for the birth year of Warped owner Kyle Gellis – which makes me feel incredibly old – the Serie Gran Reserva 1988 comes in a single size and is a Nicaraguan puro comprised of Aganorsa tobacco which includes Corojo ’99 and Criollo ’98.  It is produced at Casa Fernandez’ factory Tabacos Valle de Jalapa (TABSA) in Esteli, Nicaragua and comes in 25 count boxes priced at $9 per cigar.  Big thanks to Ana at Cuenca Cigars for getting a few of these to me!

The basics:

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5¼ x 50
Price: $9
Smoking time: One hour, twenty-five minutes
Pairing: Boulevard Rye on Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged Ale (ABV 12%)

Pre-light:

The Serie Gran Reserva 1988 comes draped in a uniformly chocolate brown wrapper that is seamlessly rolled and feels extremely solid when lightly squeezed.  Any veins that can be seen are very thin and the surface of the leaf is satiny smooth. The band is extremely simple with a maroon outline of a “W” shaped crown and the number “976212” stamped over it in black (please don’t ask what significance that carries – I have no idea) on an off-white/beige background.  Turning to the back of the cigar, “1988” appears on the end of the band.  It’s quite a surprisingly subdued look for a commemorative cigar, and I like that.  The wrapper gives off a tart earthy and woody barnyard scent, while the foot shows earthy tobacco and wood.  The cold draw has just the right amount of resistance for me, and brings sweet spice and tobacco.

First third:

The sweet spice, musk, and sweet cedar combine with light pepper and a hint of leather to kick off the Warped Serie Gran Reserva 1988.  The nice draw allows for a copious amount of smoke with each draw.  While the pepper is not noticeably strong, it does linger on the palate and especially with a good burn of the sinuses on the retrohale.  The musk takes on a bigger presence along with well-aged tobacco as the wood falls back.  The burn line is thin and fairly even, leaving behind a light gray ash that lasts nearly 1½” before falling.  As the first third nears its end, a nice bready note makes its way into the mix.

Middle third:

As the 1988 moves into its middle section, an underlying creaminess begins to show up and the pepper suddenly drops back, as does the sweet spice, but there is still sweetness in the background.  The ash has gotten a little flaky, but that may be due to the breezy conditions today.  The musk is holding on with the musty natural tobacco and the underlying sweetness has taken on a caramel-like character.

Final third:

Slightly charred and savory notes greet me as the Warped Serie Gran Reserva 1988 begins its final third, adding to the complexity of the smoke. The pepper has come back and the wrapper has developed a crack, which I again blame on the breezy conditions.  The flavors have intensified, bringing in a bit of citrus tang, and the strength has moved up a tick from low to low-medium, while the body has pretty much maintained a medium profile throughout. The cigar has remained cool and firm down to the nub.

Conclusion:

I’ve really liked the Warped cigars that I’ve had so far, and this one is no exception.  There’s a decent amount of complexity and the transitions are somewhat subtle, but it carries a great balance of rich flavors on a medium body, and makes for a very enjoyable experience.  Combined with the one I previously smoked indoors, I would have to say that the construction is excellent, as is the burn.  It can easily be smoked at various times of the day and will appeal to a wide range of smokers.  With a more than fair price, I have no problem giving the Warped Serie Gran Reserva 1988 a strong recommendation, so pick up a few or a lot.  You can get them from our good friends at Cuenca Cigars here.

Pairing:

Besides being a top-notch purveyor of cigars, Cuenca Cigars also has a Montecristo Lounge, so they have a good variety of beverages to offer.  It so happens that Ana sent me a few of Boulevard Brewing’s Rye on Rye that she had just got in, which is lucky for me, since they are pretty much sold out here.  Thanks Ana!  The Rye on Rye is a limited release rye ale that has been aged in Templeton Rye whiskey barrels, and carries a whopping 12% ABV.  With a fairly light body, but full flavors of bright spicy rye, ripe apple, a nice sweetness, and a touch of booziness, the beer opens up and deepens as it warms.  It matched up terrifically with the Warped Serie Gran Reserva 1988, complementing the brighter flavors while adding a bit of fruitiness to the mix.  This cigar will go well with a number of other libations including a Belgian pale or strong ale, a smooth bourbon or Scotch, or a good strong cup of coffee.

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The Regius Exclusivo U.S.A. Red Label is a Nicaraguan puro manufactured at Plasencia Cigars S.A. Available vitolas include: Fat Perfecto (5 ¾ by 60 by 54), Toro Extra (6 ½ by 56), Pressed Perfecto (6 ½ by 54), and Lancero Extra (7 ½ by 40). Each size will run you $12.95 per cigar.  According to the press release:

Exclusivo U.S.A. uses the very best of Nestor`s tobacco, and his best rollers. Each cigar has a unique blend crafted for its respective size, all of which aid the development of flavour and complexity. The pressed perfecto has an intensity from the box press coupled with the closed foot which ages the tobacco slower. The Toro Extra develops with every puff, into a crescendo of taste two thirds of the way through. The Fat Perfecto displays an array of aromas and texture as it widens and progresses.

You can purchase the Regius Cigars Exclusivo U.S.A. Red Label Pressed Perfecto from our good friends at Cuenca Cigars in their 2017 Top 25 Cigars by Cigar Aficionado sampler.

THE FACTS

Price: $12.95
Vitola: Pressed Perfecto
Size: 6 ½ by 54
Wrapper: Nicaraguan (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Regius Exclusivo U.S.A is draped in a medium brown wrapper that has only minor color imperfections. The veins are fairly small and there are a few bumps on the leaf. To the touch, the wrapper is smooth. As I lightly pinch the cigar between my fingers, I find a soft spot between the band and foot of the cigar. The rest of the cigar gives only slightly when pressed.

Wood and brown sugar comes across on the wrapper and pepper spice and rich wood from the foot of the cigar once clipped. The same rich wood flavor and a saltwater flavor is found on the cold draw that is very comfortable. 

FIRST THIRD

The Exclusivo U.S.A. Red Label opens with a lot of richness followed by a vegetal flavor and a strange sweetness, almost like jelly beans. Diesel develops and is joined by a complimentary cocoa. The draw, which was no issue, has opened up even more so as the cigar burns past the tapered section and each small draw produces a satisfying amount of smoke. The burn started off with a major wave but self-corrected shortly into the cigar.

MIDDLE THIRD

As I enter the second third, a quick touch-up is required to get the burn back on track. The diesel/earth flavor is carrying the Exclusivo U.S.A. Red Label Pressed Perfecto along. The vegetal flavor and sweetness have been pushed off to the background. The dark flavors sit heavy on the palate and are in the medium/full range.  The ash is holding to nearly an inch and a half but isn’t too pleasant looking. The black pepper is now on the finish and a medium spice comes across on the retro-hale.

FINAL THIRD

The diesel and earth that took control of the profile in the second third have backed off. A sweet wood flavor has joined in and the pepper spice is intensifying as the diesel comes back in waves. And as I close out the Exclusivo U.S.A. Red Label, the cigar finishes with a wavy burn. 

WRAP-UP

The Exclusivo U.S.A. Red Label Pressed Perfecto by Regius Cigars provided a medium/full flavor profile with dark notes of diesel, earth, cocoa, and black pepper spice. Even though the cigar started with an odd sweetness and the vegetal flavor, it quickly found its groove and delivered a balanced profile through the remainder of the smoke. An awesome amount of smoke was produced as the cigar burned along with a wavy burn-line, resulting in one touch-up. This is a cigar you will want to keep your eye out for.

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-Tony

Last year, I reviewed the Flor de Selva No. 20 LE Lancero which was made to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the Maya Selva brand.  Consequently, the company decided to blend a regular production line based on the No. 20 LE and released it to the European market in 2016.  This year, this Honduran puro was brought to the US in four sizes:

• Egoista – 3½ x 56
• Petit Corona – 5½ x 42
• Robusto – 4¾ x 50
• Tempo – 6 x 60

Prices range from $9 to $14.50 in boxes of 10.

I acquired a couple of the Petit Corona size from the good folks at Cuenca Cigars.

The Basics:

Wrapper: Honduras Habano Jamastrán
Binder: Honduras Olancho Azacualpa
Filler: Various tobaccos from Honduras
Size: Petit Corona 5½ x 42
Price: $9
Smoking time: One hour, twenty-five minutes
Pairing: Silver City Brewery Luminous Libation Tripel-style ale (ABV 9%)

Pre-light:

The Flor de Selva Colección Aniversario Nº20 is a nice looking cigar, sporting a light chocolate brown wrapper with a red/orange cast with slight darker mottling.  Veins are minimal and the seams are virtually invisible.  The cigar is extremely firm in its pack, and has a bit of heft to it.  I like the simplicity of the color scheme of the two bands, which is red, white, and gold, although the ones on the Petit Corona were obviously printed for the larger vitolas and the wraparound cuts off part of the copy.  The aroma off of the wrapper is very light, showing earth, tobacco, and a somewhat meaty scent and dissipates quickly once out of the cellophane.  Likewise, the foot scent also requires some effort to pick up, and is mainly natural tobacco.  An easy clip of the cap reveals a snug, but tolerable, draw that gives up notes of sweet spice on top of cedar and tobacco.

First third:

The sweet spice is present in the opening draws of the Flor de Selva Colección Nº20 Aniversario, along with cedar, earth, natural tobacco, and light white pepper.  The sweetness soon falls back as the earthiness becomes more prominent.  The burn line is fairly sharp and straight, with a layered light gray ash that holds on for ¾”.  The earth fades a bit as the flavors blend together in a smooth and balanced mix.

Middle third:

The sweetness and earth have been swapping places every few puffs and the pepper has been making a very gradual climb up on the retrohale, as the cigar settles into the medium bodied range.  The wood notes have become stronger and darker, as well.  Some sourness creeps in, but I find that spacing out the draws a little longer helps to alleviate that issue and turns it toward more of a sweet/sour citrus.

Final third:

As the Flor de Selva Colección Nº20 Aniversario enters its final third, the body, which had moved to the plus side of medium, has shifted back down to medium, melding the flavors together so that no particular one stands out; not necessarily a bad thing.  Earthiness once again nudges forward and the cigar burns down to a firm and cool nub, finishing at medium-plus, with low medium strength.

Conclusion:

First off, I just have to say it: I don’t like the name of this cigar just for the length and the fact that it requires some Alt+codes to type, which is why I avoided doing so as much as possible.  Rant over.  The Maya Selva Flor de Selva Colección Nº20 Aniversario is a good cigar, and I enjoyed smoking it, even though there is something about Honduran puros that normally don’t quite fit my preferred flavor profile.  I think it is the preponderance of that earthy flavor that needs a good dose of sweetness and spice to balance things out for me.  I did, however, enjoy this one quite a bit more than I did the more expensive (and limited) No. 20 LE, as the flavors in that one leaned a little too much on the earthy side for me.  With its solid construction and the fact that I didn’t have to think about corrections or re-lights, even after letting it sit for an extended amount of time, I think this is a cigar worth giving a shot.  Although the price of $9 for a petit corona seems a bit high, it shouldn’t be a deal breaker for those who love the Honduran flavors, as it also provided a surprisingly long smoking time for a smaller cigar.

Pairing:

Matching this cigar with a beer seemed pretty easy: stay away from the bitter brews and ones that would tend to overpower the body of the smoke, such as stouts and quads.  I chose to go with Silver City Brewery’s Luminous Libation, a Belgian Tripel-styled ale.  This Bremerton, WA brewery’s creation is pretty much a typical American tripel, with banana, citrus, sour apple, and grassy hops combined with a light sweetness and mouthfeel.  Those flavors played well with what the Flor de Selva Colección Nº20 Aniversario had to give, and helped bring out a little more sweetness from the cigar, while filling in any gaps with its fruitiness.  I can also see a sweet, aged rum, or even a sweet sherry or Madeira wine, going well with this smoke.

The post Maya Selva Flor de Selva Colección Aniversario Nº20 appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

(Disclosure: Although I have a friendly relationship with Ana Cuenca, who along with her husband Miguel owns Cuenca Cigars, this in no way has any influence on my opinion of the Happy I cigar.)

The Basics: 

Wrapper: Nicaraguan natural
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: Torpedo 6 x 50
Price: $49.99 for a bundle of 25
Smoking time: One hour, ten minutes
Pairing: Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) Abominable Winter Ale (ABV 7.3%)

Pre-light:

A $2 bundled, non-cellophaned and unlabeled cigar, the Happy I’s medium brown wrapper is mottled throughout with both lighter and darker splotches and has several fine to medium veins, an oily sheen, and areas of fine tooth.  The pack is generally firm with a few softer spots and tight seams.  All in all, though, the cigar looks and feels just fine.  The wrapper carries a faint earthy barnyard scent on top of natural tobacco, while the foot gives off cedar and tobacco.  The cold draw is open and shows light sweet spice and cedar.

First third:

Upon lighting, the draw of the Cuenca Happy I snugs up to just the right amount of resistance for me, pouring out gobs of sweet earth, leather, and rounded woodiness on a smooth and mild body.  Natural tobacco serves as the base of the flavors.  The cigar is burning at a bit on a slant, but the burn line is sharp and the light gray ash is compact, tapping off at 1”.  Light bread notes and some pepper move into the mix.  By the end of the first third, the Happy I is burning dead even and razor sharp.

Middle third:

Entering the second third the body is still on the mild side, as musk and a light, sweet citrus note joins in.  The wood has become a stronger component as the leather has receded, and the pepper has become more active on the retrohale.  The middle third winds up with the Happy I closing in on medium with no nicotine strength.

Final third:

The final third of the Happy I doesn’t bring in any new flavors, but intensifies the already existing ones, finishing at a solid medium body, with little noticeable nicotine effect and no harshness.   The resulting nub is cool and firm.

Conclusion:

The Cuenca Cigars Happy I cigar surprised me with its solid construction and burn, and the flavors, while not complex or myriad, were enjoyable.  What impressed me most was, unlike so many other inexpensive bundle smokes, it developed more intensity as it went along without the big drop off I have so often experienced, with the final third being the most enjoyable.  Having smoked nearly twenty of the bundle, it’s not the most consistent in terms of build, and I don’t expect a $2 stick to be so.  Some are packed tighter and have a more restricted draw and the caps are not all tapered alike.  Some are a little deeper and more peppery in flavor, but none struck me as unbalanced.  This one seemed to smoke a little faster than others, although I didn’t keep track of the ones I previously had, so that may not actually be true.  All in all, I found this cigar to be a solid smoke and an absolute bargain.  In fact, if I had not known the cost, I would have expected it to be double the price, which makes me happy (yes, pun intended).   Cigar smokers who desire a budget friendly mild to medium everyday smoke would do well to grab a bundle.  I will now have to give the maduro version a shot.

Pairing:

I will admit that choosing a beverage to pair with a $2 cigar isn’t going to be a major area of concern for most folks.  I mean, if they don’t go that well together, no big deal, right?  Still, I wanted to be fair to both the cigar and the beer, so I went with a brew that I felt would provide an agreeable match.  Abominable Winter Ale from Hopworks Urban Brewery, aka HUB, of Portland, Oregon is a seasonal release that I look forward to picking up on each year when the temps cool down.  It’s like a ramped up amber ale; maltier and hoppier, with citrus and dark fruits and caramel.  The malt and citrus matched well with the Happy I, although a number of other styles such as a weizen, dubbel, or brown ale would provide a suitable match.  A fruity red wine would also be ideal.

~Jeff Oda

The post Cuenca Cigars Happy I Torpedo Natural appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

-Tony

After reviewing the Gilberto Oliva Reserva Blanc Connecticut (you can find that review here), I now bring you my thoughts on the Sumatra wrapped Gilberto Oliva Reserva.  Originally slated to be released last year as the Facundo, a trademark conflict put the launch on hold.  Now the cigar has been released as Gilberto Oliva Reserva, an Indonesian Sumatra wrapped stick, and Gilberto Oliva Reserva Blanc, in Ecuadorian Connecticut.  Both versions come in five sizes: Corona 5¾ x 43, Robusto 5 x 50, Toro 6 x 50, Torpedo 6 x 52, and Churchill 7 x50.  Packed in boxes of 20, pricing is very affordable, starting at $5.25 for the Reserva Corona and topping out at $6.90 for the Reserva Blanc Churchill.

This is the first new line of cigars to be released by Oliva since the Melanio came out in 2012.

The Basics:

Wrapper: Indonesian Sumatra
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: Torpedo 6 x 52
Price: $6.40
Smoking time: One hour, thirty minutes
Pairing:  Fremont The Sister Imperial IPA (ABV 8.5%)

Pre-light:

The Gilberto Oliva Reserva comes draped in a medium brown leaf with a slight greenish tint and a couple of spots of discoloration, one light and one dark.  Veining is minimal along the length of the shaft, but more prominent toward the sharply pointed cap.  The pack is firm with a bit of springiness down toward the foot.  The band differs from the Connecticut wrapped Reserva Blanc in that the Reserva uses a maroon background rather than white.  The wrapper gives off an aroma of earthy tobacco, while the foot shows a little more barnyard and woodiness.  After clipping the cap twice, I am presented with a snug draw that gives up notes of sweet cedar and spice and a spicy tingle on the lips.

First third:

The tightness of the draw makes for a rather light mouthful of smoke, but double-hitting it allows for earth and cedar elements to show on top of natural tobacco, while aged leather appears in the retrohale.  The burn started out a bit thick and wavy, but has quickly sharpened up and is now almost perfectly even, leaving behind a compact ash that holds on for an inch.  As the draw opens up a bit, pepper begins to show, and the wood turns deeper than cedar as a sweet musk note plays on the tongue.

Middle third:

While there really no new flavors apparent as the Gilberto Oliva Reserva enters its second third, the ones that are present have become more cohesive, giving the experience a more well-rounded and smoother feel, and smoke production has also increased.  The pepper drops down on the palate, while maintaining a moderate presence on the retrohale.  A slight breadiness and lightly sweet spice soon begin to emerge and a light-roasted coffee note follows.

Final third:

As the Gilberto Oliva Reserva moves into its stretch run, the coffee note has become sweeter and blends in well with the oaky wood, earth, and spice.  The cigar has tipped over to just past medium, climbing into the low-medium range in strength.  A small amount of char has come in to mix in nicely with the other flavors.  As it smokes down toward the nub, the sweetness falls back as the other flavors intensify, and the Reserva finishes at near medium-full in body and medium+ in strength.  I had no thoughts of reaching for my lighter throughout the smoking experience, as it burned evenly with no threat of ever going out on me.

Overview:

All in all, I found the Gilberto Oliva Reserva to be a solid smoke, offering up good flavors.  While not terribly complex, it’s still an enjoyable cigar with great construction and burn properties, and had enough change-ups to keep me interested.  I would like to try out the parejo sizes to see if the snug draw is a result of the torpedo shape, but it did eventually open up to a comfortable level, so along with the affordable price, it’s a nice addition to the Oliva stable, and  I can easily recommend picking up a couple to try out.

You can get the Gilberto Oliva Reserva from our good friends over at Cuenca Cigars here.

Pairing:

The Sister Imperial IPA from Seattle’s Fremont Brewing showcases tropical and citrus fruits, honeyed maltiness, and a big hop backbone, weighing in at 8.5% ABV.  That makes it a solid match for medium bodied cigars and the Gilberto Oliva Reserva is no exception.  The fruit, maltiness and body of the beer increases as it warms, countering the bitter finish nicely and helping to keep up the sweetness that the cigar offers, while complementing the spice notes.  I think a nice Dubbel or Doppelbock would also be a good match for this cigar.

The post Gilberto Oliva Reserva Sumatra appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

-Tony

AJ Fernandez continues to pump out new blends at a prodigious rate, including cigars for other brands.  The Enclave Broadleaf is an extension of the original Enclave line that was introduced in 2015, and is the first cigar in the AJ Fernandez portfolio to utilize a Broadleaf wrapper. I reviewed the Enclave Habano wrapped original blend back then (review here), and enjoyed it a lot.  The Enclave Broadleaf comes in four sizes – Robusto 5 x 52, Toro 6½ x 54, Churchill 7 x 52, and Gordo 5½ x 58 – and is made at AJ’s Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua, in Estelí, Nicaragua.  Prices run from $8.50 to $9.50 for the first three sizes.  While the Gordo is listed on the company’s website, I have not yet seen it advertised for sale anywhere, so it may be a future release.

The Basics:

Wrapper:  Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder:  Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua Pueblo Nuevo, Esteli, and Jalapa
Size:  Churchill 7 x 52
Price:  $9.50
Smoking time:  One hour, fifty-five minutes
Pairing:  Founders Sumatra Mountain Imperial Brown Ale (ABV 9 %)

Pre-light:

The Enclave Broadleaf comes draped in a fairly rustic and extremely dark brown wrapper that features a few fine to medium veins and patches of toothiness.  The roll is very firm down to within a couple of inches of the foot, where it becomes a little softer and springier.  The wrapper offers up aromas of earth, wood, and faint barnyard, while the foot gives off soil and a savory cracker-like scent.  A clean and easy clip of the cap reveals sweet earth and cocoa.

First third:

Right off the bat, the Enclave Broadleaf offers up medium bodied flavors of the same sweet earth and mocha, along with oak, sweet floral spice, and white pepper.  Both the wood and pepper are more prevalent and much sharper on the retrohale.  The cigar is having not trouble producing a large amount of smoke with each puff ad is burning with just a slight wave in the sharp burn line, leaving behind a compact light gray ash that lasts for over an inch before falling into my ashtray.  By this point, the sweetness has moved up slightly, while the pepper has backed off on the palate, but not on the retrohale or the back of the throat.  However, the tail end of this first third brings forth a sudden smoothness to the proceedings, while maintaining its medium body and introducing a small bit of muskiness.

Middle third:

As the Enclave Broadleaf enters its middle section, the cocoa has turned more coffee-like and the sweetness has dialed back further.  A slight char has also entered the picture, joining the earth, coffee, and some leather.  This profile doesn’t waver much throughout the central third.

Final third:

The final portion of the Enclave Broadleaf brings in a bump toward the medium-full range while also gaining back some of the sweetness and pepper bite.  The strength, which had been in the mild area, has also picked up.  The little bit of char and musk that have hung around make for an interesting flavor combination.  With a little over an inch to go, and the flavor starting to fade, it’s time to put the Enclave Broadleaf to rest.  It has smoked nearly dead-even and firm down to the nearly full bodied, medium-full strength end.

Final thoughts:

I found the Enclave Broadleaf to be a very enjoyable smoke, although I would have appreciated it even more had the sweetness hung around throughout the experience, so I would probably prefer the shorter robusto size, which I have not yet had the opportunity to smoke.  Aside from that, I think that this is a cigar that is well worth picking up to give a shot.  Construction and smoking properties were excellent, although I will warn you that it pumps out a crapload of resting smoke, so that might be something to take into consideration when lighting up.  Other than that, thumbs up.

You can get the Enclave Broadleaf from our good friends over at Cuenca Cigars.

Pairing:

Founders Sumatra Mountain is an Imperial Brown Ale brewed with Sumatra coffee that clocks in at 9% ABV, which it hides quite well.  What I love about this beer is that the coffee really stands out in a fresh ground way, unlike so many others that I have tried.  With a nice moderately sweet maltiness, the coffee bitterness balances things out well, and the beer proved to be a great match for the Enclave Broadleaf, complimenting the cigar’s coffee/mocha notes and helping to maintain its sweetness.  Any number of darker beers would also pair well with this cigar, such as a strong ale, brown ale, or porter, as would a bright, rich port or sweet, fruity rum.

The post Enclave Broadleaf by AJ Fernandez appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

-Tony

By now, most cigars smokers are probably familiar with the Leaf by Oscar story.  A collaboration between ‘Island Jim’ Robinson, owner of Pittsburgh based retailer Leaf and Bean, and cigar maker Oscar Valladares, this cigar comes wrapped in an outer leaf of tobacco in lieu of the usual cellophane.  Leaf by Oscar comes in four wrapper options:  Connecticut, Corojo, Maduro, and Sumatra.  Each of the different wrapper lines come in four sizes:  Toro 6 x 50, Double Toro 6 x 60, Robusto 5 x 50, and Lancero 7 x 38, although my understanding is that the latter two are less widely distributed.  The exact MSRPs are a little difficult to track down, but seem to run between $8.50 – $10.50.  The Leaf by Oscar is produced at Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. in Danli, Honduras.

Being long intrigued by this cigar, I decided to pick up a couple of the Sumatra Toros from the good folks at Cuenca Cigars.

The Basics:

Wrapper:  Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder:  Honduras
Filler:  Honduras
Size:  Toro 6 x 50
Price:  $9
Smoking time:  One hour, thirty-five minutes
Pairing:  Melvin 2X4 DIPA (ABV 9.9%)

Pre-light:

It’s hard to imagine a more rustic presentation than what the Leaf by Oscar offers.  The protective leaf wrap is rough and ragged, and if there were no band on it to differentiate between blends, one might be tempted to chuck into the trash and that would be a huge mistake.  Speaking of the outer band, it is printed on handmade agave paper from a small shop in Danli and matches the rustic look very well.

Unwrapping the cigar tamale reveals a very thin and fragile yellowish tan wrapper, shiny with oils and with minimal veining and a firm pack.  There is little in the way of a distinct aroma off the wrapper other than a very light barnyard/hay, while the foot shows a slight grassy tobacco with a bit of spice.  After an easy clip of the cap, the cold draw shows surprisingly little flavor, just an extremely faint echoing of the foot aroma.

First third:

The Leaf by Oscar Sumatra has gotten off to a mild start, focusing on cedary tobacco with light earthiness.  Those flavors are reflected in the retrohale, which also shows some grain and a bit of pepper.  An inch in, the cedar has gained some sweetness, and my palate is hit by little bits of salt here and there.  The burn had started out very even, and is now off just a bit, but not in any way posing a problem.  The ash held on for just over an inch.  Nearing the end of the first third, the Leaf Sumatra has dropped most of the pepper and turned smoother and almost creamy, with a sweet talc note at the end of the retrohale, finishing mild with no nicotine strength.

Middle third:

The start of the middle section of the Leaf by Oscar Sumatra sees the flavors taking themselves a notch up in intensity while maintaining the smooth feel.  The pepper has made a comeback, not to a great degree, but enough to let you know it’s still there.  The sweetness is also more noticeable, as the wood is now more of an oak than cedar.  I should mention that the salt that I picked up in the first third has not been present since the latter part of that third.  The Leaf Sumatra ends the second third at a low-medium body with still no trace of nicotine.

Final third:

The final portion of the Leaf by Oscar Sumatra introduces a citrusy sweetness and a light char in back of the lightly oaky tobacco.  The char quickly fades leaving a sweeter feel, and the pepper has all but exited the palate, but remains on the retrohale.  Near the end, the sweetness dials back and the pepper once again shows on the palate.  The Leaf Sumatra has smoked absolutely cool all the way down to the nub, showing just a little softness, finishing at medium body and mild strength.

Overall:

The Leaf by Oscar Sumatra proved to be an enjoyable mild to medium cigar with great construction and smoking properties, and a moderate amount of complexity.  It’s a cigar that I would prefer to smoke in the morning, or at least earlier in the day, and one that can be enjoyed by both novice and experienced smokers, although those who lean toward stronger smokes might find it a bit light for their tastes.  I love the presentation of having the cigar wrapped in the outer leaf of tobacco, with the only drawback being that it will take up more space in one’s humidor.  Does that outer leaf make a difference?  Who knows?  I can only say that I enjoyed the smoke, and that’s really all that matters.  I look forward to trying the other blends in the Leaf by Oscar portfolio.

Pairing:

Although I keep saying that I find matching IPAs with cigars a big challenge, the 2X4 DIPA from Wyoming’s Melvin Brewing is one that I feel can pair up well with a large number of sticks.  The large amount of maltiness and deep and sticky mouthfeel offsets the big hop presence well enough to go very well with medium-bodied cigars. It is really a big favorite of mine, so matching it with this cigar was a no-brainer for me.  The Leaf by Oscar Sumatra is a cigar that will also pair nicely with a number of other styles of beers, such as a Belgian Tripel or Belgian-style IPA, German Weissbier, or good English ale.  A lightly sweetened coffee would also be ideal.

The post Leaf By Oscar Sumatra appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

-Tony

After reviewing the Sun Grown version of the Perdomo Habano Bourbon Barrel Aged line, I was eager to grab some of the Maduro, the darker wrapped sticks having been by far my favorite of the old blend.  So after giving them a nice little rest in my humidor, here is my take on the Perdomo Habano Bourbon Barrel Aged Maduro.  Like the Sun Grown, the Maduro comes wrapped around a core of aged Nicaraguan filler and shares the same sizes – Robusto 5 x 54, Epicure 6 x 54, Torpedo 6 ½ x 54, Churchill 7 x 54, and Gordo 6 x 60 – which run in the same $7 – $8.50 price range.  Once again, these were picked up from Cuenca Cigars.

The Basics:

Wrapper:  Nicaraguan Maduro, aged 14 months in bourbon barrels
Binder:  Nicaraguan
Filler:  Nicaraguan Condega seco aged 4 years, Jalapa viso aged 5 years, Esteli ligero aged 6 years
Size:  Robusto
Price:  $7.25
Smoking time:  One hour, fifty minutes
Pairing:  American Brewing Co. Caboose Oatmeal Stout (ABV 6.2%)

Pre-light:

The Perdomo Habano Bourbon Barrel Aged Maduro is cloaked in a very dark wrapper that goes from reddish-brown to nearly black with minimal veins and some noticeable tooth to it.  The seams are very tight and the pack is more than firm; it’s nearly rock-hard.  The flashy new banding sports a beige background with dark yellow, burnt sienna, and black, offset by bright chrome silver filigree and borders, with the foot band indicating the Maduro wrapper.  The wrapper gives off a rich, musty tobacco aroma, with earth and a bit of tang.  The foot shows off an even richer profile of the same, with a sort of meatiness thrown in for good measure.  After easily sliding off the foot band, an effortless clip of the cap reveals a snug draw that shows natural tobacco, sweet grassiness, and a bit of woodiness.

First third:

The first few puffs are surprisingly mild, with the natural tobacco and sweet cedar at the forefront and black pepper flavor (but not the heat) and some coffee bringing up the rear.  The retrohale shows earthiness and there is a leathery dryness to the mouthfeel.  The tight roll of the stick is making it a little difficult to get a good mouthful of smoke without requiring a double-puff, but it’s getting better as it goes.  The burn line is a bit thick and pretty even, and the light gray ash is compact.  The ash refuses to tap off at over an inch in length, which probably means that it will decide to fall into my lap soon.  The sweetness is climbing as the Perdomo Habano BBA Maduro slowly moves into the low end of the medium-bodied range, with all of those well-aged tobaccos making for what has so far been a very smooth smoking experience.

Middle third:

After the ash finally fell at a good 1½”, and thankfully into my ashtray, the Perdomo Habano Bourbon Barrel Aged Maduro has moved into the central third with an easier draw and shift in flavors.  The sweetness has stepped back and a savory, almost meaty, umami tone has moved forward, and the smoke is no longer as dry as it was in the initial third.  The wood is now more oak than cedar, and a bready note has emerged as well.  Just past the halfway point, the sweetness has again moved up, along with the pepper, which is just beginning to assert itself on the retrohale, while the cigar tips just over the medium-bodied threshold.

Final third:

As the Perdomo Habano Bourbon Barrel Aged Maduro enters the home stretch, the sweetness has once again moved to the background, as the rich natural tobacco, earth, bread, oak, and savory notes vie for attention.  Coffee has also re-emerged.  The cigar has been burning like a champ throughout, never needing a correction or re-light while staying almost dead-even, but I would caution that it has been pumping out stationary smoke like an emerging Icelandic volcano.  This slow smoking stick goes down to the wire cool to the touch and draw, firm, and with absolutely no harshness.

Final thoughts:

My take on the Perdomo Habano BBA Maduro as compared to the original, is that although some of the elements are alike, they are totally different smokes.  While my memory of the old Habano Maduro dredges up thoughts of a fairly strong and full bodied cigar, the new version is a much more refined and smoother experience.  As with the old Habano Maduro, construction is top of the line, and the burn, while a bit testy to start out, came around and behaved admirably.  Neither cigar is the most complex smoke around, but that is fine with me, as the flavors that came with this one were certainly enjoyable and the back and forth movement of the flavors kept me on my toes and held my interest.  This is a cigar I would want to smoke on a consistent basis.

Pairing:

When matching up maduro wrapped cigars with beer, stouts are, of course, a natural go-to, and the Caboose Oatmeal Stout from American Brewing Co. in Edmonds, WA is one that epitomizes the standard for American stouts.  With a smooth and almost creamy texture to go with coffee/chocolate, caramel, and a whole lot of semi-sweet maltiness offset by just enough hoppy bitterness to keep it from cloying, the Caboose does its part in providing a great compliment to the flavors of the Perdomo Maduro.  Of course, a nice strong coffee, whether sweetened or not would be another way to go, as would a rich, sweet rum or port.

We often post pairings here on Casas Fumando and have always been advocates on finding the right pairing for your cigar smoking experience. Our friends over at Famous Smoke Shop recently released a very easy to use tool which helps you choose the right pairing for your cigar or drink. Check it out here: https://www.famous-smoke.com/cigar-pairing 

The post Perdomo Habano Bourbon Barrel Aged Maduro appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

-Tony

Duran Cigars introduced the Baracoa line at the IPCPR trade show in 2014, intending it to be an affordable everyday smoke.  While the company says that it receives the same attention to quality as its other lines, the cigars come in cardboard cartons for display – and, I assume, for cost efficiency – rather than conventional wooden boxes.  These Criollo wrapped sticks, which are named after the home city of the Roberto P. Duran family, come in nine sizes, and since I’m too lazy to type them out, I’m using the size chart from Duran’s website:

Graphic courtesy of Duran Cigars

Prices range from $3.00 for the Robusto size to $4.50 for the Gigante, with the cigars coming in 20 count cartons.

I have previously reviewed Duran’s Neya and Azan White Premium lines, and found them both to be excellent smokes.

Since the Duran cigars aren’t available in my area, I picked up a handful of these from my friends over at Cuenca Cigars.

The Basics:

Wrapper:  Ecuadorian Habano Criollo
Binder:  Nicaraguan
Filler:   Nicaraguan
Size:  Churchill 7 x 47
Price:  $4.00
Smoking time:  One hour, twenty minutes
Pairing:  Hops and Grain Alt-eration Altbier (ABV 5.1%)

Pre-light:

The Duran Cigars Baracoa comes draped in a dark brown wrapper with darker mottling, fine toothiness, a somewhat bumpy roll, minor veining, and a few stretch marks.  It is firmly packed with a couple of small softer spots and tight seams, culminating in a double cap.  The scent off of the wrapper is not much more than a musty tobacco, while the foot gives up tobacco with a bit of earth and faint cocoa.  Clipping the cap reveals a snug draw that gives up some sweet natural tobacco and wood.

First third:

The Baracoa’s restricted draw requires a quick double-puff to get a good mouthful of smoke, but it’s a rather pleasant mix of earth, leather, and wood, with virtually no pepper spice.  The burn is sharp, but slanted, leaving behind a tightly layered ash in various shades of gray that lasts for over an inch before easily tapping off.  The leather has taken the lead, and I’m surprised that the sweetness I tasted in the cold draw hasn’t yet transferred over to the palate.  Near the end of the first third, the leather has stepped back and a nice smoky cedar has moved front, as the draw has opened up a bit more and the burn has almost completely evened out

Middle third:

The Baracoa has by now moved squarely into the medium-bodied range as its flavors continue to brighten.  There is now a citrus-like sweetness lurking in the background with an herbal tinge, and sweet cedar has become a major player in the retrohale, along with a nice light savory element.

Final third:

By the time the Duran Cigars Baracoa moves into its final third, things have evolved quite nicely, as the sweetness is now a definite part of the mix and the leather has long been relegated to the background.  I’m finding the mix of flavors to be very complimentary to each other and the draw has been gradually opening up to the point where it is now comfortable, albeit not at all loose.  While there is a bit of pepper in the retrohale, it is not a major player, and there is a nice powdery sweetness at the end of the exhale.  Other than that, there have been no new flavors to speak of in this section.  With a little over an inch left, the sweetness has dissipated, and it’s time to put the Baracoa down, having smoked cool and firm all the way down, and ending at a solid medium-plus in body with little nicotine strength.

Wrap-up:

True to Duran Cigars’ “EPF” (Evolution and Progressive Flavor) concept, the Baracoa does indeed develop nicely as it goes.  Although I found the first couple of inches to be a bit underwhelming, the rest of it was enjoyable and satisfying.  Construction and burn were ideal, even if the draw was stiffer than I would like.  I’m curious to try some of the other sizes to see if a shorter vitola would provide more of what I liked from the outset, but in any case, for anyone looking for that good affordable smoke, the Duran Cigars Baracoa is a cigar well worth checking out.

Pairing:

Alt-eration Hops and Grain Brewery in Austin, TX is their iteration of the German top-fermented “old beer” style.  Of course, as is with anything from Texas or the Southwest, this one came to me courtesy of Casas Fumando’s own Tony Casas.  With a medium body, toasty malt, caramel, and faint dried fruitiness, it’s a nice beer, but a lack of overall sweetness made it not an ideal match for the Duran Baracoa.  Oh well, live and learn.  I’ve had one before, but I guess I had better start taking notes on the beers I drink as well.  I think a sweeter beer like a malty Scotch ale or even a DIPA that is more fruit forward would be a better match, as would a sweet rum or light port.

The post Duran Cigars Baracoa appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

-Tony

After smoking and reviewing the Flor de D’Crossier Selection No. 512 back in February, I was very impressed with my experience, and compelled to try out some of the other lines produced by Pure Aroma Cigars, Inc.  The D’Crossier Imperium Class Vintage was originally introduced at the 2009 IPCPR trade show and the line has grown to include seven sizes:  Robusto 4 7/8 x 50, Bullet (Belicoso) 5 1/8 x 58, Taino 5 7/8 x 54, Trabuco 5 1/8 x 60, Canonazo 5 7/8 x 52, Genio 5 1/8 x 55, and Wide Toro 5 1/8 x 58.  The Imperium Class Vintage utilizes a Costa Rican grown wrapper that the company calls Habano Criollo Especial.  The Robusto’s wrapper is designated as Maduro, while the others are called Centro Gordo, which is a term for the second layer of leaves on the Corojo plant.  Prices run from $10 to $14 each in boxes of 25 uncellophaned sticks.  I picked up a handful of the Robustos from our friends at Cuenca Cigars.

The Basics:

Wrapper:  Costa Rican Habano Criollo Especial Maduro
Binder:  Ecuador
Filler:  Costa Rica and Dominican Republic
Size:  Robusto 4 7/8 X 50
Price:  $10
Smoking time:  One hour, fifteen minutes
Pairing: Columbia Crest 2013 H3 Merlot (14.5% ABV)

Pre-light:

There’s no getting around it – the D’Crossier Imperium Class Vintage is an extremely handsome cigar, coming draped in a dark reddish-brown leaf with even darker mottling, a slight toothiness and a nice oily sheen.  A couple of fine to medium veins are present and a nearly rock-hard roll culminates in a nicely applied triple cap.  Although it is obviously well packed, it is not particularly heavy in the hand.  Since it comes without a cellophane enclosure, the scent off of the wrapper is not pronounced, showing only a very faint tobacco, while the foot adds some sweet spice.  The cold draw is a just a bit snug, but well within tolerance, and exhibits sweetly spiced tobacco.

First third:

The sweet spice picked up in the cold draw immediately hits the tip of my tongue, followed by earth, bread, and pepper pungency without the heat.  The smoke is extremely smooth all the way through the retrohale, where a bit of leather emerges.  The burn is sharp, albeit a bit wavy to start out, leaving behind a solid dark gray ash.  In the latter portion of this section, the sweetness drops back in favor of light oakiness and refined tobacco flavors, as the Imperium Class Vintage closes out the first third at a low-medium body.

Middle third:

As the D’Crossier Imperium Class Vintage ventures into its central portion, I’m picking up a spice component that’s not quite nutmeg or cinnamon as the flavors have suddenly deepened.  The burn continues to waver as I give it a quick and easy correction.  Toast, nuts (toasted nuts?), and light muskiness are now evident, as peppery heat begins to pop up in the retrohale.

Final third:

The final section of the D’Crossier Imperium Class Vintage ushers in a sweet coffee note to complement the week and earth, pushing the body of the cigar to just past medium.  I’m really enjoying the way the cigar has continually intensified in flavor without diminishing its smoothness or introducing any harsh notes.  There is even a bit of cinnamon in the aroma of the smoke as I draw on it that doesn’t show on the palate, which adds to my interest.  Toasted nut again moves into the mix as the Imperium Class Vintage closes out at medium-plus in body and at a low-medium on the strength scale, smoking cool and just a bit soft with no harshness.

Overview:

Overall, I really enjoyed the D’Crossier Imperium Class Vintage.  It provided top-notch construction and a decent burn (see below for details) to go along with great flavors and complexity.  I know that my tasting notes are a bit short, but the experience was a lot more satisfying than that might indicate, and the few quick corrections to the burn were pretty much inconsequential.  The price puts it in the realm of a lot of other very good cigars, but for those looking for a refined and relaxing smoke, this could very well prove to be one that will merit having on hand at all times.

However, I must add a word of warning:  Of the five Imperium Class Vintage robustos I purchased, the first smoked well and showed the promise of the blend, whereas the second one was fraught with burn problems, not wanting to stay lit and tunneling, which made for a less than desirable experience.  It seemed that the thick wrapper had absorbed too much humidity, so on that hunch, I dry boxed the next one for a few days, and it smoked much better.  I contacted D’Crossier owner Santana Diaz, and he responded, agreeing that this cigar does indeed have combustion issues due to the wrapper, and should be smoked at 60%RH.  Luckily, I happened to have an empty humidor that I put the remaining cigars in, maintaining it at 58-59% for about five weeks before I finally lit one up for this review, and the results speak for themselves.  I want to stress that I am not pointing my finger at Santana when I say this, as he was very open about the burn issue, but it would be of great service for manufacturers to inform consumers (and retailers) in their descriptions of their cigars about issues that require care and storage that deviates from the norm; in this case the much lower than usual ideal humidity that the Imperium Class Vintage needs.  An informed consumer is much less apt to be a disappointed one, and that can only be a plus for the cigar maker.  

Pairing:

I decided to go with a red wine to pair with the D’Crossier Imperium Class Vintage, and the widely available and affordable Columbia Crest 2013 H3 Merlot seemed to be an ideal match.  H3 stands for the Horse Heaven Hills AVA in Columbia Valley area of Washington state, and produces grapes for some of the state’s most sought after wines.  This wine exhibits a profile that is on the more elegant side, although it is not the most complex of sippers.  Medium bodied, with ripe, but not overly ripe berry fruit, earth, and a firm acidic backdrop, it might be a candidate for a bit of cellaring, as when I poured a second glass through my Vinturi wine aerator, it brought out a lot more sweet fruitiness that helped it to better mingle with the flavors of the cigar. Looking back on it, I think a fruitier red such as a good Australian Shiraz or Spanish old vines Garnacha might be a better foil for the Imperium Class Vintage.  I could also see a nice Cognac or not overly sweet port being a great pairing for this cigar.

The post D’Crossier Imperium Class Vintage appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

-Tony

Happy New Year!

While perusing the cigar list at Cuenca Cigars, I came across a brand that I hadn’t heard of before, El Galan.  Doing a little research on the internet, despite not a whole lot of information out there, I was intrigued enough to want to try some of their blends out, so I picked up a handful of the Reserva Especials from Cuenca.  Blended by Felix A. Mesa and rolled at his factory El Galan S.A. in Esteli, Nicaragua, the Reserva Especial is a Nicaraguan puro.  According to Cuenca, the wrapper is a Habano Oscuro (although I haven’t seen any other site, even El Galan’s listing it at anything other than Nicaraguan).  They are all box-pressed and come in Airosos – 5×52, Gallardos – 6×52 torpedo, Apuestos – 5.75×54, and Obesos – 6×60.  All sizes come in boxes of 24 and carry a list price between $6.80 and $7.40.  Here’s hoping that my first reviewing experience of 2016 is a happy one!

Basics:

Wrapper:  Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro
Binder:  Nicaraguan
Filler:  Nicaraguan
Size:  Airosos 5×52
Price:  $6.80
Smoking time:  Two hours
Pairing:  Avery Ellie’s Brown Ale (ABV 5.5%)

Pre-light:

The El Galan Reserva Especial comes clad in a dark chocolate brown leaf with slight variations in hues.  It is rather smooth and fairly oily, with a very firm and solid feeling roll and very minor veining which leads to what my aging eyes seems to be a triple cap.  The double bands nicely offset the wrapper color with their red, gold, black, and white color motif featuring a portrait of a rather dapper gentleman (“el galán” translates to “handsome man” or “ladies’ man”, and yes, I had to Google that), although for some reason they have all been applied a bit off center on all of the ones I have.  Not that that will make any difference once I light up.  The wrapper scent is rather slight earthy, manure-y barnyard, while the foot is more of an earthy tobacco.  The first cut of the cap reveals a rather tight draw, and a second trimming brings just a small amount of relief.  The cold draw shows sweet spicy cedar.

First third:

Upon lighting, I am greeted by the sweet spiciness, wood, and earth, along with smooth pepper and great meaty savoriness on the retrohale.  The draw is indeed very snug, but producing a decent amount of medium-bodied smoke, while burning at a bit of a slant.  The woodiness is now more of an oak, as the sweetness has dropped back and some bready notes slip in, while the burn has evened itself out with the ash tapping off at a solid inch.  As the cigar closes out the first third, it has remained at a medium body, and I’m feeling no nicotine.

Middle third:

As the El Galan Reserva Especial enters its middle portion,  the bread notes have increased, and I’m picking up some medium-roasted coffee in the mix.  The oaky and savory flavors still dominate, but the combination of flavors is very pleasant.  The stationary smoke, however, is plentiful and rather pungent.  The draw has opened up somewhat, making things much more enjoyable.  The smoke is now very smooth and the pepper is still present in flavor, but not in bite, as it climbs toward medium- full.

Final third:

Into the final section of the El Galan Reserva Especial, I finally have to give it a touch-up, as it was going off a bit and threatening to go out.  There hasn’t been much of a changeup in flavors, save for a slight bit of char, but the body has moved into the medium-full range and there is now a little bit of a nicotine kick.  Some sweetness has returned to round things out, along with a peppery tingle on the lips.  The Reserva Especial has smoked cool all the way down to the nub.

Overview:

Despite the draw problem I encountered, the El Galan Reserva Especial provided a nice range of coordinated flavors and solid construction, making for a good amount of enjoyment.  I really liked the juxtaposition of the light sweetness to the savoriness, although one should not expect a whole lot of transitions other than a ramp up in body and strength.  As a side note, this one was a little tougher on the draw than the three I had previously smoked, and it did eventually open up to an easier going level.  I may have to consider transferring these to a drier humidor when I get more.  Combined with the easy to take price and surprisingly long smoke time, I have no reservations recommending that you give it a try.  I do now intend to see about the other lines that El Galan has to offer.

Pairing:

Avery is known for their special release and seasonal brews, but Ellie’s Brown Ale from Avery is one of their flagship core beers, and a great pairing for this cigar.  With a smooth, easy going sweet maltiness and notes of caramel and light chocolate, it matches up well with many cigars and this one is no exception.  I think that a Scotch ale, strong ale, or sweet porter would also be a terrific pairing for the El Galan Reserva Especial, although with the cold season here, a lightly sweetened coffee would also be ideal.

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#10 – Joya De Nicaragua – Rosalones

I have smoked more Rosalones than any other cigar on this list, which is understandable since it has a price point just over $3 a stick making it is easy on the wallet. Tony raved about this stick upon his return from Drew Estate’s Cigar Safari back in April when he first sampled the cigar and I will continue rave about this cigar because, for the price, there is not much competition out there.

 Read the full review here.

#9 – La Gloria Cubana – Serie R Esteli

If you would have asked me at the start of 2013 if any of the manufacturing giants would have found a spot on my top 10 list I would have said “no” without question. But, as with many other things in my life, I was wrong. The Serie R Esteli by General Cigar Company is a complex cigar that performs exceptionally well. For almost two hours, the Esteli will bring you on a journey of flavors consisting of deep notes of cedar, earth, cocoa, and dark fruit. All for a price around $7.00.

Read the full review here. 

#8 – Leccia Tobacco – Black

After a two-year hiatus from the industry, Sam Leccia made quite the return in 2013 with his release of the Black and White. The Black features a unique “Dark Fire” tobacco alongside Nicaraguan, Brazilian, and Dominican fillers, a Nicaraguan binder, and a Habano wrapper. The Dark Fire tobacco brings out peaty and hickory notes that balance well with the other flavors in the cigars.The Black offers complexity, balance, and a whole lot of uniqueness for around $8.00.

 Read the full review here. 

#7 – Espinosa Cigars – Espinosa Habano

While this is a 2012 release, I did not have opportunity to smoke the Habano by Espinosa Cigars until March of this year. So, while I may be breaking all of the rules, I believe this stick is worthy of a spot on my top 10 list. The Habano shows off a crazy creamy, spicy profile with a welcoming sweet cedar flavor that I absolutely love. For a price around $6-$7, this is a cigar I am always on the look out.

Read the full review here. 

#6 – Cuenca Cigars – Cuenca 5 Anniversary

There are not many cigars produced by A.J. Fernandez that I do not enjoy and the Cuenca 5 Anniversary is no exception. The Cuenca 5 is a full flavored, full strength cigar made exclusively for Cuenca Cigars in Hollywood, Florida. The box pressed format and tapered head, makes this 7 by 54 behemoth of a cigar easy to manage in both the hand and mouth and the bold, complex flavors make it even easier to enjoy.

 Read the full review here. 

#5 – Leccia Tobacco – White

Leccia Tobacco is the only company to find two slots in my top ten list and that is probably a bigger surprise to me than to anyone else. Back in August, Skip Martin’s tweet summed it up best when he said

Leccia Black Robusto is going to bring them to the brand, but White is going to keep them.

While this is a more traditional cigar than the Black, the White delivers in all aspects and does not disappoint.

Read the full review here. 

#4 – Ortega Cigar Company – Cubao

With Ortega Cigar Company’s release of the Ortega Wild Bunch this year, several other offerings from the company have gone overlooked and the Cubao is one of those. The Cubao has been on the market since 2008 under EO Brands but it was relaunched under Ortega Cigar Company earlier this year. The Cubao sports an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper overs its Nicaraguan filler and binder and delivers flavors of peppery spice, rich cedar, orange peel, and some sweetness.  On top up the profile that just suits my palate, the Cubao always seems to perform beyond expectation, even in the Lancero format, which is my favorite.

Read the full review here. 

#3 – Moya Ruiz Cigars – La Jugada Prieto

The La Jugada Prieto is the freshman release from Moya Ruiz Cigars produced at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. Back in June, when Tony Casas and I were guests on episode 55 of Stogie 411, I mentioned that the La Jugada Prieto was one cigar that stood out to me this year and, at the close of 2013, that has not changed. The Prieto showcased the San Andres Maduro wrapper better than any other cigar I have smoked this year.

Read the full review here. 

#2 – Ezra Zion Cigar Company – Tantrum Eicion Limitada

You may think it crazy to spend $9.50 on a 4.4 by 44 Petit Corona but that is probably because you have not smoked the Tantrum by Ezra Zion Cigar Company. This little sticks packs a punch and is fitting of its slogan – “a little baby powerhouse”. But beyond its punch, the Tantrum delivers full, spicy flavors with complex subtleties. While my experience with other offerings from Ezra Zion is limited, I would not hesitate to recommend the Tantrum even with its higher price. I look forward to getting to know the other lines from the company in 2014.

 Read the full review here.

#1 – Crowned Heads – J.D. Howard Reserve

Last year, Crowned Heads found the #9 spot on Tony’s top 10 list with their Headley Grange. This year, Crowned Heads found the #4 spot on Tony’s list and the #1 spot on my first top 10 list with their J.D. Howard Reserve. As I mentioned in the full review, I have a lot of respect for how Jon Huber and Mike Conder run the company but even more respect for the excellent product they have put on the market. From the presentation to the flavors, the J.D. Howard is one heck of a smoke making it worthy of the #1 spot for 2013.

Read the full review here. 

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A medium to full body cigar with a full flavor profile accented with spicy notes. Uniquely blended by Miguel Cuenca, with a taste group of five seasoned smokers at Cuenca, Cigars of Hollywood, Florida, and later on with the final approval by Ana Cuenca. “This is how we do things at Cuenca Cigars…The blending process is multi layered to insure the best quality,” said Ana Cuenca. The Cuenca 5 reinforces the model behind Cuenca cigars of cultivating consumer palates by allowing the smoker to freely experience the many flavors of the Cuenca Humidor and developing a sophisticated palate. The complexity of the cigar is owed to the testing process of the Cuenca Customers, and we would appreciate a fully engaged feedback process by you in our reviews of the cigar. After all the Cuenca 5 celebrates our appreciation to you as our Customer for the past 5 years.

Our goal was to blend a cigar with complexity and a lot of flavor. We did not want to come out with a mild blend; we love spicy and full bodied cigars. We want to be known and defined for offering a spicy and strong product. We also love to be “different”, in every possible way. Did you notice the absence of the “th” in 5? We like it like that way, and 5 is a great number for us. “Cuenca 5 Anniversary” will have an initial batch of 500 boxes.  Full production will be up to 100,000 Cigars.

All boxes will be signed by Miguel Cuenca. The cigar is a 7 x 54, Torpedo Box pressed, with carefully selected dark Habano wrapper from Nicaragua. It is aged and cured by AJ Fernandez the creator of San Lotano Cigars, a good friend of the Cuenca Family. They come in an elegant cedar box which contains 10 cigars.

Samples provided by Cuenca Cigars
Format: Box Pressed Torpedo
Size: 7 by 54
Wrapper: Nicaraguan (Select Habano Oscuro)
Binder: Unknown
Filler: Unknown
Pairing: Water
Smoke Time: 2 hours and 10 minutes

Pre-light

First off, this is a great looking stick.  The milk chocolate wrapper is consistent in color from head to foot and is smooth to the touch with the smallest of veins.   The festive band is quite large but fits this 7 by 54 behemoth of a cigar.   The Habano Oscuro wrapper gives off chocolate, manure, and mild pepper, with the foot showcasing sweet tobacco, chocolate, and pepper.  The pepper off the foot is already stinging my sinus passage. This stick may be a spice bomb!

The box pressed format makes the Cuenca 5 Anniversary very manageable.  This is one of my favorite formats for a large cigar.  The cigar has no soft spots and gives slightly when squeezed.   The wrapper transitions to the cap neatly making it barely noticeable. The cap clips clean exposing a  draw with a  nice amount of resistance. The cold draw leaves a spice tingle on my tongue but not much in the flavor department.

First Third

Upon toasting the foot, I’m instantly greeted with a good amount of spice which quickly fades and mixes in with flavors of caramel, cedar, and pepper. The pepper is heavy on the retrohale, tickling the back of throat. The dusty chocolate finish is long  with a lingering spice. While puffing away in the first third, I already begin to notice a transition to much darker flavors of coffee and roasted notes.  Just like determining the age of tree by the number of rings, you could count the number of puffs I have taken on the stick from the black and white layered ash it is leaving.  The burn line is razor-sharp and the ash held on over inch.   The draw is a little snug but producing a decent amount of smoke that is medium/full in flavor and strength.

Middle Third

The caramel has moved on as I make my way into the second third and citrus notes enter the profile.  I continue to pick up a lot of woodsy notes of cedar with an added layer of oak.  I am wrong about the caramel, it is once again in the flavor make-up.  The Cuenca has found a great rhythm.  The profile bounces back and forth from caramel and wood notes to pepper, coffee, and toasted flavors. While the retrohale is on the spicy side, I am really enjoying it.  I have been retrohaling the heck out of this 5 Anniversary, which may be contributing to the nicotine I am now feeling. The smoke has become chewy in the mouth coating my palate with each draw that is now delivering a copious amount of smoke.  A slight wave develops in the burn line but quickly corrects itself. The flavors are full and the strength is creeping up on me putting it into the high-end but not unbearable.

Final Third

The flavors settle into a  combination of vanilla bean, caramel, and oak much like spiced rum.  There is also a meaty flavor entering the profile.  It reminds me of the smell from a wood smoker.  I have been so focused on the flavors that I almost burned right into the band.  As I nub the cigar, the black coffee and citrus begin to dominate the profile but I have not encountered any harshness.  The smoke is no longer chewy but a bit dry. However, my palate is still able to recover by itself (good thing because I’m out of water and too lazy to walk inside).  The burn line is rock solid. The strength has steadily picked up throughout the stick and I’m wishing I had a soft drink or something with some sugar to counteract the nicotine.  I may be putting a sugar cube under my tongue after I finish this stick.

Wrap-up

The Cuenca 5 Anniversary is a solid smoke.  It is rare to come across a cigar that A.J. Fernandez has his hand in and not enjoy it. This cigar is no exception.  The jumping back and forth of flavors kept me engaged the entire 2 hours and 10 minutes.  It is difficult for me to find time to enjoy such a larger stick but this would be a wonderful cigar to have on hand when time permits.  The format and packaging of this stick screams “celebratory cigar”, but, with a price of $8.50, the Cuenca 5 Anniversary could be enjoyed anytime.

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