The Good Stuff:

The H99 was originally added to the Liga Privada line in 2018. Since the release Drew Estate has continuously expanding the line adding additional formats. In 2022 the company announced the release of a much anticipated lancero vitola dubbed the “Phineas Gage”. The name comes from an American railroad construction forman donning the same name who was severly injured during an accidental explosion. Phneas Gage went on to survice 12 more years and become a marvel of science. Created at the La Gran Fábrica Drew Estate in Esteli, Nicaragua the blend features a USA-grown Connecticut Corojo over Mexican San Andres Negro binder and filler tobaccos from Honduras and Nicaragua. The Phineas Gage comes in a single 7 x 40 format which comes packaged in boxes of 10 runnign $19 per cigar. I purchased mine over from our good frineds at Cuenca Cigars.

• Size: 7 x 40
• Wrapper: USA Connecticut Corojo
• Binder: Mexican San Andres Negro
• Filler: Honduran and Nicaraguan
• Body: Full
• Strength: Medium/Full
• Price: $19

Prelight:

The Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Phineas Gage starts off with a very dark brown wrapper with a ton of orange and red splotches all over it. The wrapper’s texture is very toothy and gritty ith a whole mess of oils coating it. The wrapper is very thick and dense while the cigar itself is a little soft and feels a bit lightly packed. The wrapper carries a huge vein running almost the entire body of the cigar leading up to tis round, double-wrapped cap. The cigar is then polished off with the beautiful Liga Privada white band with the words “Phineas Gage” printed accross the front.

The wrapper on the Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Phineas Gage gives off notes of spice and cinnamon while the foot of the cigar carries a ton of sweet spice over lots of woodsy-musk. The cap cut clean and easily while the cold draw produces notes of sweet spice and raisin over oak and musk.

First Third:

The Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Phineas Gage starts out with a very mild black pepper punch which fades almost instantly allowing the cigar to showcase some great spice and molasses flavors over musk and oak and lighter notes of vanilla and earthiness. The draw is absolutely perfect. Each tiny puff on this little lancero kicks out huge clouds of thick, white smoke which really hang out for a while before dissapating while the cigar releases a ton of stationary smoke as the oils burn off the cigar while it rests in my ashtray. The burnline is dead even and razon thin leaving behind a trail of tightly compacted white ash which held on for about 3/4 of a inch before falling into my ashtray.

Second Third:

Into the second third of the Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Phineas Gage and the flavor profile remains mostly the same. The vanilla, oak, and molasses lead the charge backed by lots of dirt, musk, and oakiness with a pretty dry finish. The retrohale brings out a little of the spice and some great hidden sweetness I don’t pick up in the regular experience. The cigar does need to be hit every so often as it has the tendacy to try and go out on its own. As long as I keep a good pace it burns great. I close out the second third with only a minor little nicotine kick.

Finish:

The final third of the Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Phineas Gage is pretty much the same as the second. The flavor profile remains lead by vanilla, oak and molasses while backed by dirt, spice and musk. The strength has really increased however which actually pumps up the body as bit as well. It took me almost 2 hours to take this down to the nub. I experinced no harshness, nor extended heat. There was a tiny bit of sap at the end which is liekly the result of the increased smokind speed needed to keep the cigar burning correctly. I clsoe out with a suprising little nicotine kick.

Overview:

The Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Phineas Gage was an ejoyable smoke, however as with the other H99 blends I have smoked I just wish it had a bit more “umph”. Most of the cigars in the Liga Privada lines have something extra special to it. With the H99 it’s just a bit more tame. That doesn’t mean its a bad cigar by any stretch of the imagination. I just don’t think this one speaks to my own personal palate like all the other Liga Privada blends do.

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The Good Stuff:

Joya de Nicaragua’s Cinco de Cinco is the newest offering from the company released to celebrate the company’s 55th anniversary. This release joins the “Obras Maestras” collection which is a collection that focuses on only the best of the best cigars produced at the factory. The other two blends currently in the series are the Numero Uno which was released in 2018 and the Dos Cientos which came out in 2021.

The Cinco de Cinco blend features an “ultra vintage” Mexican San Andres wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers. The cigar is offered in five soft-box press sizes: Robusto (5 x 50), Robusto Gordo 5 1/2 x 54), Corona Extra (6 1/4 x 46), Corona Double (7 x 54), and the Toro (6 x 52). Each come packaged in boxes of 10 ranging between $16 and $21 per cigar. Big thanks goes out to the Drew Estate team for sending a handful of these our way for review.

• Size: 6 1/4 x 46
• Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Nicaraguan
• Body: Full
• Strength: Full
• Price: $16

Prelight:

The Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco starts out with an extremely dark brown, extremely consistent wrapper. The wrapper’s texture is very gritty and toothy with a good amount of oils coating it. The wrapper itself feels very thick and dense while the entire cigar is hard and tightly compacted which isn’t too common with soft box press formats. There are only a very small amounts of veins in the cigar’s wrapper leading form the cigar’s foot up to it’s round, double-wrapped cap. The cigar is polished off with a beautiful emerald green band with the Cinco de Cinco crest on the front and a dark green “Obras Maestras” logo on the back.

The wrapper on the Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco gives off mostly strong tobacco and raw cocoa aromas while the foot of the cigar carries some extremely spicy scents over mostly wood. The cap took a bit of convincing to cut due to its thickness. The cold draw produces mostly notes of dark chocolate and plum over natural tobacco.

First Third:

The Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco starts off with a bang as it leads with loads of cayenne pepper which really did a number on my tongue at first. After a bit the pepper calms down and the cigar leaves you with rich, dark cocoa flavors over bold raisin, spice and oak with great natural tobacco and dirt flavors. I know dirt doesn’t sound appealing, however in cigars with more earthy flavors that one blends in really well. And maybe it’s not the best description of the flavor however it’s what I closely relate it to. Anyways, the draw is perfect and each puff kicks out MASSIVE clouds of thick, white smoke which really stick around for a while as the cigar releases a ton of stationary smoke while it rests in my ashtray. The burn line has a bunch of smaller waves, but nothing too concerning while it’s thin burnline leaves behind a trail of tightly compacted white and dark gray ash which held on for an inch before falling into my ashtray.

Second Third:

Into the second third of the Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco and the profile remains similar, however the cocoa has transformed more into a dark chocolate and now leads the charge along with bold pecan flavors. There is still a good amount of oak and earthiness. Overall the flavor profile is extremely dry, earthy, and tasty. The retrohale brings out a ton of spice, even more than I enjoy so I don’t find myself going back to that. The cigar is still burning perfectly and I close out the second third with a decent little nicotine kick already which is to be expected with any Joya de Nicaragua cigar.

Finish:

The Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco finishes strong with bold pecan and oak while the dark chocolate it still in the mix, but takes a back seat. There is still a good amount of musky earthiness in there too. It took me almost 2 hours to smoke this very slow-burning cigar down to the nub. The body was in the full arena from start to finish while the strength started out medium/full before ramping up and leaving me with a pretty heft nicotine kick. I experienced no harshness nor extended heat. While the cigar did burn slightly wavy I never once had to touch up or relight the cigar.

Overview:

Any new release form Joya de Nicaragua makes my heart happy. I have been a long-time fan of the brand and I really appreciate how they are a company that sticks to their roots in each of their blends. They don’t have to release a ton of new blends each year, they just need to keep making high quality cigars with their current profiles. The Cinco de Cinco is all the things we love about the company wrapped up into a great cigar. Amazing flavor profile, flawless performance and construction, consistent, and bold. I don’t think you can ask for more. Toss on the fact that this will be a regular production line and it quickly becomes a box worthy purchase which I intend to keep around in my daily rotation.

The post Joya de Nicaragua Cinco de Cinco appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The Good Stuff:

The Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo is the first regular production addition to the Liga Privada line since 2009. The blend starts with a Corojo seed leaf that is grown right here in the U.S. in the Connecticut River Valley over a Mexican Sand Andres binder and fillers from Pennsylvania, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo comes in a single 6 x 52 toro format packaged in boxes of 24 running $15.99 per cigar. I scored mine over from our good friends Cuenca Cigars who still have a few singles in stock currently.

• Size: 6 x 52
• Wrapper: Connecticut Corojo
• Binder: Mexican San Andres Otapan
• Filler: Pennsylvanian, Honduran, Nicaraguan
• Body: Medium/Full
• Strength: Full
• Price: $15.99

Prelight:

While is uses a different wrapper leaf the Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo starts out with an awesome orangish brown wrapper that resembles the T52. The wrapper’s texture is very toothy and gritty while it’s coated in a ton of thick oils. The wrapper itself is very hard an dense while the cigar as a whole is very tight and heavy with no give anywhere. There are some smaller veins leading up to the cigar’s round, double-wrapped cap. The cigar is then polished off with the standard manilla Liga Privada band with the H99 crest in copper in brown similar to the T52.

The wrapper on the Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo gives off notes of deep cigar and spice with a bit or floral while the foot of the cigar is mostly cedar with natural tobacco scents and a touch of spice. The cap took a little convincing from the Xikar XO double bladed cutter to clip since it was so thick. The cold draw proceeds notes of heavy cinnamon and nutmeg over musk. It reminds me of Christmas morning.

First Third:

The Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo starts out with a huge burst of cayenne pepper that left my lips and tongue screaming. After the first few draws the pepper began to fade and I am left with a mostly cedar flavor profile with lighter notes of spice, dirt, and musk with hints of brown sugar and raspberry herbal tea. I was hoping that more of those Christmasy cold draw notes would shine through. The draw is perfect as every little puff kicks out huge clouds of white smoke which seem to never go away while the cigar releases a chimney of stationary smoke while it rests in my ashtray. The burn line is super sharp and pretty even leaving behind a very tightly compacted trail of white ash which held on for an inch before falling into my ashtray.

Second Third:

Into the second third of the Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo the mossy, earthy, musky, dirt notes really take hold of the experience while the sweetness has all but tapered off. The retrohale coats my nasal passage with spice and pepper so I don’t find myself doing it too often. The burn line has become a bit wild and I found myself having to use my torch to touch it up a few times. I close out the second third with a pretty significant nicotine hit which puts the H99 up there in strength with most other Liga Privada blends.

Finish:

The final third of the Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo reports much of the same in terms of flavor profile. I was hoping things would switch up a bit but the main flavors are cedar, dirt, and musk over a very light cinnamon. I had to touch up the cigar a few times into the final third as well, however it wasn’t anything too significant. Just worth mentioning. It took me an hour and forty five minutes to smoke the H99 down to the nub. Outside of the burn issues I experienced no harshness nor extended heat. The cigar did leave me with a pretty heft bit of nicotine kick.

Overview:

I was really excited to finally get my hands on the Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo for two main reasons. First, I am admittedly a huge fan of the Liga Privada blends and that’s no secret. Secondly, I LOVE corona. While this is a great cigar, I feel like it didn’t fully satisfy either of those marks. The altered blend just didn’t live up to the experience that I had with any other Liga Privada blends in the past. The corojo just didn’t mesh well and the result was a good cigar, but nothing special which is one of the things I like most about the Liga Privada experiences. They are always special. Couple that with the rarity of this cigar and I don’t think it’s something I would have in my regular rotation. It’s worth picking up a few to try, but not something I’d really keep on hand.

The post Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Connecticut Corojo appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The Good Stuff:

It’s no secret that I am a Liga Privada fan. When the H99 and 10 Aniversario dropped I went hunting, however it took me way longer to acquire both of these blends as the release was so limited they flew off shelves. Created to celebrate the Liga Privada’s 10 anniversary the 10 Aniversario arrives in style. The blend features a Connecticut Criollo wrapper over a Mexican San Andres Otapan Negro Ultimo Corte binder and fillers from Nicaragua and Pennsylvania USA. The cigar comes in a single 6 x 52 format that features the same unique fan-tail style cap as the UF-13 and a covered foot. The cigars come packed in boxes of 10 running $17.90 per stick with only 10,000 cigars have been released. I purchased mine from our good friends over at Cuenca Cigars who offered them in singles and boxes at the time.

• Size: 6 x 52
• Wrapper: Connecticut Criollo
• Binder: Mexican San Andres Otapan Negro Ultimo Corte
• Filler: Pennsylvanian and Nicaraguan
• Body: Full
• Strength: Funk
• Price: $17.90

Prelight:

The Liga Privada 10 Aniversario starts out with a very consistent, very dark brown wrapper. The wrapper carries some slight grit and a whole mess of oils that come off on your hands and you handle the cigar. The wrapper itself feels very hard and dense while the cigar as a whole is extremely heavy and well-packed. There are a few smaller veins running from the cigar’s covered foot up to the pigtail/fan-tail styled cap. The cigar is finished off with a first that I’ve seen, a black version of the Liga Privada band featuring the Lion crest with a number 10 on the back and the standard Liga Privada script on the front in silver. There is also an added secondary band with the word “Aniversario” on the front.

The wrapper on the Liga Privada 10 Aniversario gives off mostly coffee and cedar-forward aromas. The foot is much of the same with a little bit of earthiness and spice leaking out. The cap cut clean and easily using my Xikar XO double bladed cutter. The cold draw produces notes of coffee, sweetness, musk and cedar.

First Third:

The Liga Privada 10 Aniversario leads with a black pepper punch that left my lips tingling. After the first few draws the pepper fades and the cigar left me with bold cedar, sweet brown sugar, espresso, plum, and musk over lighter floral and earthy flavors. The cigar really starts off with a bang. There is a certain floral flavor that I pick up in only two other blends, the Dirty Rat and Undercrown Corona Viva. It’s one of my favorite flavors I have ever had in a cigar and the 10 Aniversario carries a ton of it. The draw is perfect as each little puff kicks out huge clouds of thick, white smoke while the cigar just unleashes a massive amount of stationary smoke while it rests in my ashtray. I seriously have never seen a cigar spill this much stationary smoke. The burn line started out a bit wild, likely due to the covered foot, but it corrected itself after the first few draws leaving behind a very tightly compacted trail of white ash which held on for about an inch before falling into my ashtray.

Second Third:

I am just absolutely loving the Liga Privada 10 Aniversario. I’m not even going to be shy about it. That unique floral flavor is still banging into the second third backed by vanilla, espresso, musk, and espresso over some great maltiness, cedar, black cherry, and earthiness. The retrohale really brings out the sweetness and a bit of spice as I find myself doing it quite often. The cigar is still burning perfectly. I close out the second third with a decent little nicotine kick already.

Finish:

I can’t believe that awesome floral flavor is still rocking from start to finish of this Liga Privada 10 Aniversario. Backed by bold espresso, vanilla and musk with lighter raisin, pecan, and cedar. This cigar has been a flavor bomb from the get go. It took me a little over two hours to smoke this cigar down to the nub and I loved every second of it. No harshness, no extended heat, and I never once had to reach for my torch to touchup or relight the cigar. I close out with a pretty heavy nicotine kick and a smile.

Overview:

This is by far one of the better cigars I have smoked in recent memory and one of the best Liga Privada blends I have had to date. The flavor profile in the 10 Aniversario is just something to behold. Bold, complex, and extremely enjoyable. The cigar burned flawlessly from start to finish and at a slower rate with made the $17.90 price tag well worth it. I just wish these were easier to come by. Hopefully the success of the cigar makes Drew Estate realize how big the want is for these suckers cause I’d really like to stock up!

The post Drew Estate Liga Privada 10 Aniversario appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

#10 – Arcana CAO Mortal Coil

The CAO Arcana Mortal Coil was certainly an enjoyable cigar, but that didn’t come without it’s issues. The draw on 3 of the cigars I smoked were all a bit on the tight side. Not anything that killed the experience but it did require some extra effort. Outside of that, I enjoyed the flavor profile, and the pricing seems perfect if the cigar performed without the issues. The flavor profile was particularly exceptional. I have a handful more of these that I will probably let rest a while and see how they perform in a few months but it’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a CAO as much as I have this year.

Read the Review here

#9 Drew Estate Liga Privada Undercrown 10

There is so much hype around each one of Drew Estate’s releases, and in most cases, they deliver which is the case for the Undercrown 10. This cigar has all the flavors from the classic Undercrown maduro line that I love, with added body and a ton of new flavors. The cigar reminded me so much of Abuelita hot chocolate for those familiar. The cigar is balanced, complex, and nailed my personal profile for what I look for in a cigar. The burn performance was great, and the cigar as a whole offered a fantastic experience. These are a bit pricy as they are almost pushing the bounds for the normal Liga Privada lines, but the cigar does deliver.

Read the Review here

#8 Davidoff Winston Churchill Limited Edition 2021

hen Davidoff hits it out of the park, its all the way out of the park and the Davidoff Winston Churchill Limited Edition 2021 landed in a different time zone. The big, bold and unique flavors kept me on my toes from start to finish. The construction is flawless, and this cigar is astonishingly still available. The price tag probably has a lot to do with it, and is my only gripe here. But you get what you pay for and in this case, you get a hell of an experience.

Read the Review here

#7 Tatuaje The Frank Redux 1

While the original Frank is so far in my rear view mirror that I can’t remember much of that experience outside of my written words, I do remember how special of a cigar that was. The Frank Redux 1 delivered the same experience. It’s just an all around fantastic cigar. The flavor profile is incredible and really marries up well with my I personally look for in a cigar. The blend is complex, yet balanced, the price is perfect, and the fact that it’s much easier to find this time around is just awesome. I’ve always been a huge fan of the monster series and I for one am more than happy with it’s resurrection.

Read the Review here

#6 Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sin Compromiso Paladin de Saka

The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sin Compromiso Paladin de Saka is an exceptional cigar. The profile is incredibly nuanced and complex. Anyone who knows Saka knows just how picky he is when it comes to his blends and I can’t imagine the work that was involved getting this one right where it is. Outside of the flavors the experience as a whole were flawless. No burn issues, no heat or sap. Just all around a great experience. While this cigar was excellent, the cost still feels a little steep for me. I know you can’t achieve the same experience without the high-level of production and selectivity, something that Steve Saka is known for, I just don’t know if I’d grab a full box of these. This is something I’d probably keep a few around for though when I am craving such a complex experience. Now if you’re a big Sin Compromiso fan and don’t mind paying a bit of extra coin for a next level version of the cigar I think you’ll be all over this one!

Read the Review here

#5 Black Label Trading Co. Last Rites Viaticum

Giving credit where credit is due, this is easily one of the best cigars I’ve smoked all year. The construction and burn were fantastic while the unique blend and flavor profile really appealed to my personal palate. And when I say it “really appealed”, I meant that I loved it. There are few drawbacks, but most are expected. It’s a bit pricey, however I feel the price is justified as I don’t mind paying $15 for the experience it delivered. It’s very limited. Well, that’s a given. And it burns very quickly. None were big enough miffs to keep me from purchasing quite a few more.

Read the Review here

#4 Tatuaje T110 2021

That Tatuaje 110 is everything I remember it being. A complex cigar that will kick your butt if you aren’t ready for it. The flavor profile was great, the burn was awesome after the slight stumble at the start, and the price is on point. If only these weren’t so limited. If for some reason you happen to stumble across any, buy them. All of them. You won’t regret it.

Read the Review here

#3 Black Works Studio Hyena

The Black Works Studio line is unique, and the Hyena is a perfect example of that. Cameroon is a tobacco that I don’t often smoke, and every time I do I wonder why I don’t smoke more of it. The tobacco is just so flavorful which is on full display in this African version, which is the first time I have ever tried. The cigar is packed with very deep, rich, and complex flavors that will keep you on your toes but more importantly, are all extremely pleasant and appealing. This was probably one of the better cigars I’ve smoked all year and something that I will definitely keep on hand going forward.

Read the Review here

#2 Illusione Jeremy Piven Collection PIV Robusto

I’d be curious to know just who Jeremy Piven met with before ultimately deciding to do this collaboration with Illusione. Why he chose Illusione, well that’s pretty obvious. As my boy Drew would say, “Cause he is the king of Corojo!”. The PIV Robusto carries some great, deep, yet very balanced flavors. While a few of the cigars we reviewed recently by Illusione tend to be a bit of a departure from his normal style, the PIV Robusto is a great representation on just how well Dion knows his way around Corojo. This is a perfect afternoon smoke when you are craving something with a good amount of flavor that won’t overwhelm your palate yet still deliver.

Read the Review here

#1 Black Label Trading Co. Bishop’s Blend 2021

The team over at Oveja Negra is making it really hard for me not to include every one of their releases in my top 10 cigars for 2021. I always thought the bishop’s blend releases were special cigars, but this year there was something extra special with the blend or tobacco. The flavor profile is absolutely incredible from start to finish. The cigar burned perfectly, and the price is actually lower than I’d expect for a cigar like this. The limited production is a bit daunting, but they have released a new run each year which evens it out. The only complaint here is the amount of sap this cigar produces. There is quite a bit and while slowing down my smoking pace greatly reduces it, I was unable to make it through any of the cigars I smoked without some slipping out. I’m sure some more rest would easily clean that up.

Read the Review here

The post Top 10 Cigars of 2021 – Tony Casas Edition appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

With that out of the way, lets get rocking!

#10 – Drew Estate Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat

This cigar actually reminded me much more of a No.9 than a rat, and that’s likely why I enjoyed it so much. The flavor profile was spot-on with what I look for in a cigar, the burn and construction were perfect, and the burn was so slow it really allowed me to get more comfortable with the cigar. All in all this is a near-perfect cigar if it wasn’t for the availability which I really hope expands more in the near future as I’d love to keep this in my daily rotation.

Read the Full Review here

#9 – The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2020

This year’s Las Calaveras release simply put, is fantastic. It seems a bit of a departure in flavor from previous releases as the flavors seemed more on the sweet/chocolatey side vs more organic tobacco flavors. The construction is flawless, and the price point as always, is very affordable. This was one of the better cigars I had this year, but I still don’t believe it competes with last year’s release as far as the flavor profile goes which is strictly subjective. I even smoked them back to back to make sure my bias against how much I enjoyed last year’s wasn’t leading my decision and I still choose last year’s release over this one. I can’t stress this enough, that doesn’t mean this cigar isn’t on par by any stretch, it certainly is.

Read the Full Review here

#8 – Tatuaje Escasos N

To me the Cazadores line always had this nice sweetness to it, but the Escasos is a much more dry experience in a very special way. The cigar is complex, and the flavors are very enjoyable. While the blend is similar in some aspects to the Cazadores, the experience is not. This blend actually seems like they took a more Cuban spin on the Cazadores line, which may be why it’s been circulated more in Europe as they tend to smoke more Cubans that us Americans do. Either way, its a great, special cigar and I can’t wait to get my hands on more.

Read the Full Review here

#7 – The Crowned Heads Four Kicks Capa Especial

It’s no surprise that I absolutely loved this cigar. The Crowned Heads Four Kicks Capa Especial falls right in line with the rest of the portfolio. The cigar absolutely delivered on both taste, complexity, and overall smoking experience. It’s very likely that this one will fall in my top 10 cigar list as its one of the best cigars I have smoked all year.

Read the Full Review here

#6 – Tatuaje Karloff

The Boris was one of my absolute favorite Tatuaje cigars released to date. While the memory is distant, reviewing my notes and what still exists up in my brain this cigar feels very similar, only with a bit more body to it. Taking the Boris out of the equation, the Karloff is an incredible experience. The flavors are incredible, well balanced, and just complex enough to keep me on my toes. On the subjective side those flavors really appeased my personal palate, especially the sweetness the cigar offered. The experience was perfect with not snags at all, and the price is well worth it. The only gripe, as you’d guess it, is the availability. That just means I gotta throw in a little more effort to pick up more of these before they are gone.

Read the Full Review here

#5 – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Sobremesa Brûlée Blue

It goes without saying that I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar. And any Connecticut-wrapped cigar that can product enough flavor to be paired with a bold pastry stout without being overpowered by the beer demands attention. The flavors were incredible and a great change of pace for cigars I’ve smoked recently. They were complex enough, yet smooth and balanced. This is really a cigar for all occasions and something I would like to get quite a few more of before they are gone.

Read the Full Review here

#4 – RoMa Craft Tobac Baka Jengi

I am a big fan of RoMa Craft’s cigars and there is no hiding that. While I smoked quite a few Baka last year, I never got around to reviewing them. I just kept smoking them thinking “It’s ok, you can just grab more when you’re ready to review them”, and then suddenly they were gone. Not making the same mistake with the Jengi I am glad to finally give my thoughts on this cigar. Plain and simple, I absolutely loved it. The whole Full-Body, Medium-Strength combination is my preference and this flavor profile is incredible. Its complex, yet easy to pick apart. The chocolate and oak flavors really appease my personal profile. All while delivering a flawless smoking experience. The only gripe I have is the availability, but that just means I need to buy more up front and make them last right? Box-worthy for sure.

Read the Full Review here

#3 – Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf Robusto

The Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf has been flying off shelves, with good reason, its a fantastic cigar. I have always been a fan of the brand and thier newest releases have just been on a whole new level. The flavor profile for the Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf is complex, and really showcases the superior quality tobacco in which the company uses. The price is VERY affordable and in my opinion much lower than what I’d drop on a cigar like this. Lets just hope they start coming in more regularly so I can stock up and keep them on hand for my regular rotation.

Read the Full Review here

#2 – Fonseca by My Father Robusto

I’ve been on pins and needles awaiting the moment I could get my hands on these cigars. Quesada has been a favorite brand of mine for as long as I can remember, and My Father, I mean, who doesn’t love them? How did it go? Well, in short, it was absolutely amazing. The flavor profile is incredible and right up my alley, the smoking experience was flawless and the price is way below what I feel like I’d be comfortable paying for such a fantastic cigar. This is box worthy for sure, and a strong contender for my top 10 cigars of the year as it sits currently.

Read the Full Review here

#1 – Illusione Cigares Prive PCA 2020 Exclusive

This Cigares Prive is a pretty big departure from the Illusione cigars I have smoked lately, yet somehow still feels similar. The flavor profile is very complex, and extremely impressive as it suits my personal palate extremely well. The cigar burned like a dream from start to finish, and the price is something I would pay time and time again for this cigar resulting in a perfect mixture. My only gripe is the availability. This just means I’ll need to buy quite a few more as a Christmas present for myself before these are gone.

Read the Full Review here

Thanks for sticking it out with us this year. I hope each and everyone one of you have an amazing holiday and a much better 2021!

The post Top 10 Cigars of 2020 – Tony Casas Edition appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The Good Stuff:

Originally released in 2016 as a Drew Estate Lounge exclusive as well as an event only release when Jonathan Drew was present the Year of the Rat has been one of the most elusive Liga Privada blends released to date. Earlier this year Drew Estate announced that they’d be widening their release this year to include Drew Diplomat events, which, well, aren’t happening for obvious reasons so now these cigars are starting to pop-up in extremely limited batches as Drew Diplomat retailers. I was lucky enough to pick some up from our friends at Fox Cigar Bar. The blend, which is closed to the Velvet Rat, No.9 and the UF-13 in that it starts with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper (vs. the Connecticut Sungrown Habana wrapper found on the Dirty Rat and T52) over a Brazilian binder and Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers. The Year of the Rat comes in a single 5.5 x 46 format packaged in boxes of 10 running $16 per stick.

• Size: 5.5 x 46
• Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
• Binder: Brazilian
• Filler: Honduran and Nicaraguan
• Body: Full
• Strength: Full
• Price: $16
• Pairing: Jester King Dark Matter (Imperial Stout 10.3% ABV)

Prelight:

First. let’s remove this huge ass foil wrapping. Once that’s gone we can finally take a good look at the cigar. The Liga Privada Year of the Rat starts with a very consistent, almost black, dark-brown wrapper. It almost reminds of of looking at a bar of Hershey’s dark chocolate. The wrapper’s texture is very toothy and gritty with a ton of oils, a few larger veins, and a good amount of natural tobacco webbing in the leaf heading up to the cigar’s round, pigtail style cap. The cigar is then polished off with the elegant Liga Privada style band we have all grown to expect with the words “Year of the Rat” printed across it. Anything below the band is covered in a gold foil with a blue and gold foot band with the year “2020” embossed across the front.

The wrapper on the Liga Privada Year of the Rat gives off a very musky/floral aroma while the foot of the cigar carries the same musk over more natural tobacco scents. The cap cut clean and easily using my Xikar XO double bladed cutter. The muskiness carries into the cold draw along with dark chocolate and rich oak.

First Third:

The Liga Privada Year of the Rat starts out with a quick burst of black pepper which faded after the first few puff leaving behind bold oak, musk, and dark chocolate notes over light blackberry, cinnamon and coffee. As I smoke on a nice floral flavor that I picked up in the prelight keeps coming and going. This flavor profile is bangin’. The Year of the Rat kicks out a ton of thick white smoke with each and every puff while the cigar releases a whole mess of stationary smoke while it rests in my ashtray. The burn line is razor thin and dead even leaving behind a trail of tightly compacted white/light gray ash which held on for an inch before falling into my ashtray.

Second Third:

Into the second third of the Year of the Rat and the musk, dark chocolate, and coffee are now leading the charge back by oak, blackberry, and more of the floral flavors I picked up in that first third. The retrohale is very sharp hitting my nasal passage with loads of spice and pepper so I don’t find myself doing it too often. The burn line is still sharp and even while I close out the second third with a minor little nicotine kick.

Finish:

Into the final third of the Year of the Rat the oak and musk have really taken control of the flavor profile backed by black cherry, spice, and coffee. It took me two full hours to smoke this cigar down to the nub and I wished it would never end. I never once had to reach for my torch to touch-up or relight the cigar. There was no harshness, nor extended heat while the cigar did leave me with a decent little Nic-kick.

Overview:

This cigar actually reminded me much more of a No.9 than a rat, and that’s likely why I enjoyed it so much. The flavor profile was spot-on with what I look for in a cigar, the burn and construction were perfect, and the burn was so slow it really allowed me to get more comfortable with the cigar. All in all this is a near-perfect cigar if it wasn’t for the availability which I really hope expands more in the near future as I’d love to keep this in my daily rotation.

Pairing:

I decided to pair this Year of the Rat with Texas’s own Jester King’s Dark Matter. Dark Matter is an imperial Stout brewed in Austin, Texas with Guatemalan Catuai / Caturra coffee from Dark Matter. Coming in at a solid 10.3% ABV Dark Matter leads with a ton of roasted malt, black coffee, dark chocolate, and a hint of spice with a very heavy mouthfeel before finishing with more coffee and malt. This isn’t a very complex beer, and it didn’t need to be. The coffee and chocolate notes married up perfectly with the notes found in the Year of the Rat resulting in a perfect pairing.

The post Drew Estate Liga Privada Unico Year of the Rat appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

Our expansion in the bundle business was a decision we did not take lightly. Bundles aren’t glamorous and the efficiency required to produce them effectively is not easily reached, which is why there aren’t a ton of entrants innovating in the value priced space. This is long overdue for Drew Estate, and when we reached the production scale required to compete we knew we wanted to do what we do, and disrupt the space with an innovative, deep value line of quality smokes for a broad set of thrifty individuals

There are currently four blends available in the Factory Smokes by Drew Estate line to include Factory Smoke Sweets, Factory Smokes Maduro, Factory Smokes Shade, and Factor Smokes Sun Grown. Each blend is available in the same four vitolas: Robusto (5 by 54), Toro (6 by 52), Belicoso (6 by 54), and Churchill (7 by 50). Packaged in bundles of 25, Factory Smokes will run you less than $2 a stick. 

You can purchase the Factory Smoke by Drew Estate from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop.

THE FACTS

Price: $42.50/Bundle of 25
Vitola: Toro
Size:6 by 52
Wrapper: Maduro
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Indonesian
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Factory Smokes Maduro is dressed in a rough looking Maduro leaf that is full of bumps, raised veins, and a rough tooth. As I gently press down the dry-feeling cigar, I find the cigar to be somewhat spongy. 

As I bring the wrapper to my nose, there is an aroma is of wet earth, raisins, artificial grape, and wood. A warm cedar smell is found on the foot of the cigar. The (ugly) cap cuts with ease opening up a draw with just the right amount of resistance. Apple cider, cinnamon, and cedar come across on the cold draw with only a faint spice heat in the mouth.

FIRST THIRD

The Factory Smokes Maduro opens with an earthy and gritty profile with an underlying cocoa flavor and mild pepper spice. The cocoa sits on the finish of the smoke. In typical Drew Estate fashion, this cigar is pumping out a copious amount of smoke as the cigar burns along evenly. A brilliant white ash forms that drops short of an inch. 

MIDDLE THIRD

With the second third underway, the profile remains earthy but is now showing a good amount of pepper. The flavors are medium and meatier than before. Slowly moving the smoke through my sinuses, I find the retro-hale surprisingly smooth even though the pepper flavor is dominant. 

FINAL THIRD

A new yeast flavor is pushing forward in the profile that is holding ground with the earth and pepper. There is now a decent amount of spice in the profile warming the palate. In line with the other two thirds, the burn is right on.

WRAP-UP

The Factory Smokes Maduro is certainly not a “glamorous” smoke with its rustic appearance and unrefined profile. But there wasn’t anything not to like about this smoke. Crazy low price, excellent burn and ash, and a profile that hits the spot. I know I will be grabbing a few bundles of these to fill up the humidor to light up while working in the yard, fishing for some Walleye, or camping with some friends.

The post Factory Smokes Maduro by Drew Estate appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

#10 Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust – Sin Compromiso

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust’s Sin Compromiso is one of this year’s most highly anticipated / most sought after cigars. Making it’s debut at this year’s IPCPR show in Las Vegas Sin Compromiso or “Without Compromise” consists of tobaccos that were specifically grown just for this blend. Everyone knows just how picky, and meticulous Steve Saka, founder of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust can be so to hear that he went through the trouble of carefully picking and growing specific tobaccos to create such a unique experience creates a considerable amount of anticipation. The cigar starts with Nicaraguan filler tobaccos covered with an Ecuadorian Habano binder, then wrapper with a special San Andres Negro wrapper which is grown by using a similar process Japanese fruit farmers use. As the tobacco plant grows workers remove the bottle leaves of the plant which causes more nutrients to be consumed by the tap of the plant resulting in a much bolder tobacco leaf. The end result to all the hard work results in what Saka calls the blest blend he has ever created. 

Read the Full Review Here

#9 Tatuaje – 15th Anniversary Habano Oscuro

The Tatuaje 15th Anniversary is a great celebration of 15 strong years in the cigar community. The cigar is bold, complex, with great flavors and great balance. The experience and construction is great, while the price point is just a bit high I don’t see that stopping me from grabbing more of these to keep in my humidor for those great nights when I am craving an extra special treat. I really enjoyed the flavor profile and the fact that the cigar burned so slowly taking me 2 hours to smoke down to the nub so you definitely get quite a bit of bang for your buck.

Read the Full Review Here

#8 The Crowned Heads – Four Kicks Maduro

Several months ago, I lit up the Four Kicks Maduro with my close friend and former boss. As soon as the smoke started flowing, I knew this cigar was something special and one I had to review. Full flavors, medium/full strength and a hefty amount of spice are masterfully matched up with balance and smoothness. Other than a single touch-up, I have no complaints on the performance. The price of $9.60  is a little more than I prefer to spend on a regular smoke, but the Four Kicks Maduro is one that is worth it.

Read the Full Review Here

#7 Caldwell Cigar Co. – The T

So, you decide you want to put 3 of the more prominent, forward thinking cigar minds in the game in one room to create a single product. In a lot of cases, the hype is stronger than the cigar, but in the case of The T. The outcome was an incredible cigar. From start to finish this cigar was flawless. The burn, the construction and the profile were all exactly what I look for in a cigar. The price is slightly high, but what I would consider on-point for a cigar of this stature and I would gladly pay it for what the cigar delivered. My only gripe would be availability as I know sooner rather than later this cigar is going to become a whale.

Read the Full Review Here

#6 Warped – Serie Gran Reserva 1988

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.

Read the Full Review Here

#5 Black Label Trading Co. – Bishops Blend

It’s not just Texas love ya’ll, Black Label Trading Co. has produced some of the greatest blends in the recent years and the cigar community has quickly grown to appreciate and embrace the boutique brand. I have been high on their blends for a few years now and Bishops Blend has made it’s way into one of my favorite blends they have made to date. My only issue is how hard it is to find. The construction is flawless, the experience is memorable and the flavor profile is complex an right on key with my own personal preference. I love how bold it was without being over the top, or over powering. The price point is perfect and this cigar would easily make its way into my regular rotation if it was easier to acquire. 

Read the Full Review Here

#4 RoMa Craft Tobac – Black Irish

I have been a long-time fan of RoMa Craft Tobac’s releases and I have to be honest hear, the Black Irish is probably one of the best cigars I have smoked from the team. The flavor profile is unique, and incredible while the cigar sports perfect construction, and the price point is about where you would expect it to be. I bet you can guess that my only gripe is that these are pretty near impossible to find. So if anyone has been hoarding onto these… let me know.. now please.

Read the Full Review Here

#3 Drew Estate – Pappy Van Winkle Tradition

Its no secret that I have been a longtime fan of Willy Herrera’s blends, and in all honesty I think the Pappy Van Winkle Tradition is right up towards the top of my favorite cigars that he has made. The flavors are solid, meticulous, complex, and so well balanced without hitting you in the face. That’s something I have always been able to appreciate with his blends and why he fits right in and Drew Estate. The Pappy Van Winkle is an exclusive, limited, and expensive cigar which fits right in with the Pappy branding. In all honesty, I think this cigar is worth the coin. I dropped so much money on the La Palina Goldies and I can easily see myself buying a box of the Traditions as well. If you find them, buy them.

Read the Full Review Here

#2 Illusione – One Off

The Illusione OneOff is a fantastic cigar through and through and I couldn’t think of a better team than Casa Fernandez and Illusione to bring this brand back to life. While I haven’t smoked the original OneOff in years and years I do remember how much I enjoyed it which is similar to just how much I enjoyed this version of the cigar. It’s complex, bold from the start, has a wonderful flavor profile, and burned like a dream. While the price is a bit steep it’s not more than what I would personally pay to make sure I had this cigar ready and available in my regular smoking rotation. The 10 count packaging makes it much more manageable as well and I will go back on record for the thousandth time in saying the more manufacturers should follow that route.

Read the Full Review Here

#1 Joya de Nicaragua – Cinco Decadas Diadema

What a fantastic cigar. Not even going to try to hide how much I enjoyed it. Usually Joya de Nicaragua cigars are packed with both power and punch, but I found the Cinco Decadas was the perfect balance of full flavor without being an overly strong cigar. I kept finding myself really relaxing and taking in all the flavors the cigar had to offer. While this cigar is limited, and pricey, its a perfect cigar for a seasoned smoker who is looking for a special experience. The price would be the only thing keeping this out of my day to day rotation.

Read the Full Review

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The Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro was developed by the torcedores at the factory in 2009 as an alternative to Liga Privada. The cigar features a Mexican Otapan Negro Último Corte wrapper, T52 Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut & Cured Habano binder, and Brazilian Mata Fina and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The Undercrown Coronets began shipping in August 2017. 

You can purchase the Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro Coronets from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop.

THE FACTS

Price: $22.00/10-Count Tin
Vitola: Coronet
Size: 4 by 32
Wrapper: Mexican Otapan Negro Último Corte
Binder: T52 Stalk Cut Connecticut Habano
FIller: Brazilian Mata Fina and Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 40 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

This small 4 by 32 cigar wears a very rustic leaf. Even though the darkness of the Mexican Otapan Negro Ultimo Corte wrapper conceals it upon a quick glance, a more thorough inspection reveals a leaf loaded with tooth, bumps, and raised veins. 

There is a pungency to the wrapper leaf with a combination of vinegar and earth. A mild cedar aroma is noted on the foot of the cigar. The Undercrown Maduro Coronet comes is a close with a slightly tapered head that cuts with ease. A free draw allows notes of cedar and glove to pass through on the cold draw.

FIRST HALF

The introductory profile of the Undercrown Maduro Coronet is rich, sweet, and smooth. As the cigar warms up, the sweetness settles in as meatier flavors push their way to the front. The smoke is thick and creamy in the mouth as a mild to medium spice heat lingers on the palate that is quickly gaining in spice heat. The burn is right on, but the ash doesn’t hold for more than half an inch.

SECOND HALF

Big flavors and spice characterize the profile of this mixed-filler Undercrown Maduro as I transition into the second half. The profile remains meaty with pepper spices and a mesquite smokiness, but there is just enough sweetness to balance everything out. In typical Drew Estate fashion, the Undercrown Maduro Coronet is pumping out tons of smoke.

WRAP-UP

Mixed-filler, machine made, smaller than I prefer. There wasn’t a whole lot going for the Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro Coronet prior to smoking it. But once lit, my mind was quickly changed. Full, rich, spicy, sweet and satisfying. And other than the flimsy ash, it didn’t smoke like a mixed-filler cigar. The Undercrown Maduro Coronet is one heck of a cigar and one that I would keep around for those days when your smoking time is limited.

The post Undercrown Maduro Coronet appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

#10 – L’Atelier Cote d’Or 2017

Overview: I’ve had a run of great cigars as of late and The L’Atlelier Cote d’Or only adds to that list. The cigar is bold, complex, well balanced, and just all around fantastic. I love it when you can find such a complex, full-bodied cigar that doesn’t kick your ass with strength. It burned flawlessly, and slow, with a larger format which was great. It’s a bit pricey, but considering some of the tobaccos needed to create this blend I feel it’s justified and can easily drop the coin on it, and will. Since its so limited I would easily say this is a box-worthy cigar, while they are still available.

Read Full Review Here

#9 – Drew Estate Pappy Van Winkle Tradition

Overview: Its no secret that I have been a longtime fan of Willy Herrera’s blends, and in all honesty I think the Pappy Van Winkle Tradition is right up towards the top of my favorite cigars that he has made. The flavors are solid, meticulous, complex, and so well balanced without hitting you in the face. That’s something I have always been able to appreciate with his blends and why he fits right in and Drew Estate. The Pappy Van Winkle is an exclusive, limited, and expensive cigar which fits right in with the Pappy branding. In all honesty, I think this cigar is worth the coin. I dropped so much money on the La Palina Goldies and I can easily see myself buying a box of the Traditions as well. If you find them, buy them. They won’t be around for very long. Again, hit Fox Cigar bar for yours. They should be releasing soon.

Read Full Review Here

#8 – Hit and Run by Matt Booth and Robert Caldwell

Overview: Without hesitation I can easily say The Hit and Run is one of the better cigars I have smoked all year. While keeping a mild temperament this cigar almost hit the full mark in body and that’s not something you encounter everyday. It’s as complex as it needs to be, without having to put too much thought into what you’re smoking. It kept me on my toes and never once had me asking for more. The price point is where you would expect it to be, and the limited availability makes it a hot commodity which will sell out very fast. So again, get yours from Fox Cigar Bar while you can.

Read Full Review Here

#7 – Foundation Cigar Company Güegüense The Wise Man Maduro

Overview: The Wise Man Maduro is a the perfect example of a classic Maduro done right. Smooth, balanced, not too complex, and just solid all around. Foundation Cigar Company has been kicking out some great cigars and I don’t see them stopping anytime soon. While this cigar would easily find its way into my regular rotation I can’t say I would enjoy it more than I enjoyed the original version which will always hold it’s place in my regular rotation. But this is a box worthy cigar for sure, especially if you’re a Maduro fan.

Read Full Review Here

#6 – The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2017

Overview: I am a huge fan of the Las Calaveras line, and a bigger fan of the Crowned Heads. How did The Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2017 compare? It may be a bit early to say it as I only smoked through a handful, but this may be my favorite Calaveras release yet. It’s bold, flavorful, complex, well balanced and won’t kick your ass. That’s exactly what I personally look for in a cigar. The flavor profile was stellar and the price point is exactly where it should be. With a large release these won’t be too hard to find either which is a great thing cause it looks like I will be picking up quite a few more.

Read Full Review Here

#5 – Tatuaje TAA Exclusive 2017

Overview: The 2012 and 2014 have been my favorite TAA releases from Tatuaje to date, and I am glad they brought them back. It’s hard to compare the 2014 to the 2017 as its been some time since I smoked one, but what I can tell you is that I absolutely loved the damn cigar. The flavor profile really got me going, while the cigar was bold, and not overpowered by strength. The size is perfect and I love soft box-press cigars. The price is a bit steep, but its something I’d gladly pay time and time again especially since it’s supporting the TAA who do so much for the industry.

Read Full Review Here

#4 – Drew Estate Undercrown Sun Grown

Overview: First of all, I have to state that the Undercrown Sun Grown that I smoked prior to this one had no burn issues whatsoever, and since I have rarely, if ever, had any construction or burn problems with any of the many Undercrowns that I have had over the years, I have to consider this one an anomaly (coincidentally, I also thought the first one had a bit more kick to it, but perhaps that’s just where my head was at).  Once I burned past the short tunnel, the cigar picked right up where it left off, although it probably shortened my smoking time by a good five to ten minutes.  Even with the issue, I still enjoyed the heck out of the stick, as it presented great full flavors, good complexity, and otherwise solid construction and burn, and I was kind of bummed out when it came to an end, wanting the experience to last a little longer.  The price is, in my opinion, spot-on, if not more than fair, and I will certainly be smoking more of this cigar.  I definitely recommend it.

Read Full Review Here

#3 – Davidoff Winston Churchill Late Hour

Overview: I have really enjoyed the trend of more full-bodied cigars coming out of the Davidoff factory and the Late Hour tops that list. What a fantastic cigar that kept true to the Davidoff palate. The cigar is complex, yet easy smoking sticking true to it’s roots. Its rather expensive, but it’s Davidoff so that’s expected. This is a great cigar for those full-bodied smokers out there who have stayed away from Davidoff due to it being too mild for them. I would say this would have a place in my regular rotation but I just can’t do that with a $20 cigar. But this is something I’d spring for when I want something special especially around the holiday season when I’m drinking more stouts.

Read Full Review Here

#2 – Black Label Trading Company Santa Muerte

Overview: As I type of this recap Jawbreaker’s “Accident Prone” comes on my Spotify making for one of the best, relaxing Sundays I have had for a long time. Plus, Im on vacation all week, so I guess this is kind of kicking it off on a good note. Anyways, the Black Label Trading Company Santa Muerte is one of the best damn cigars I have had all year, and there have been some great ones. That being said, this isn’t the typical cigar you see released by Black Label. Usually their cigars punch me in the face, kick me in the chest, then beat me when I’m down with both crazy bold flavor and strenght. This is a different cigar. It’s flavorful, complex, yet creamy and down to earth. There isn’t much strength, and it doesn’t need it. This is probably my favorite, if not one of my top cigars the company has released. It’s box worthy for sure and I’ll be seeking more out. Thanks again Jason!

Read Full Review Here

#1 – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Muestra de Saka Nacatamale

Overview: Hands down in my humble opinion the Muestra de Saka Nacatamale is my favorite cigar released from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust to date. Its meaty, its complex, its bold, and the flavor profile is something that I personally love. The price is a bit steep but in this case you get what you pay for and thats a cigar that delivers. These are limited, and the box count is small enough that even with the higher price this is something I will try to have stocked in my humidor for as long as I can.

Read Full Review Here

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Life in Olde Penn was anything but pedestrian. Its people worked hard, played fair and stood up for what they believed in. When they met adversity face-to-face, they gave it a wry look and spit in its eye. Pennsylvanians business was building America. They followed their fathers into the coal mines, forged America’s railways in their steel mills, tamed the Great Lakes, and 4,600 cigar factories (more than any other state in the Union), plus myriad Keystone State tobacco farms, satisfied the nation’s appetite for a good smoke.

Suffice it to say, Pennsylvania’s roots run deep, hold fast, and remain strong. And it’s in this unanimous, spirited and determined tradition that Olde Penn cigars were forged with the same grit and determination that’s been coursing through Pennsylvanians veins since 1682.

Manufactured at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Esteli, Nicaragua, Olde Penn is available in five vitolas: Small Corona (4 1/2 by 33), Robusto (5 by 50), Toro (6 by 52), Lonsdale (7 by 46), and Gordito (6 by 60). The cigar, running between $6 and $7.50 per single, features a Connecticut seed wrapper grown in Ecuador over Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. You can purchase Olde Penn cigars from our good friends over at Famous Smoke Shop HERE.

THE FACTS

Price: $7.25
Vitola: Toro
Size: 6 by 52
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 25 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

Olde Penn by Drew Estate wears a golden tan Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper. There are mostly small veins to be found on the leaf and a couple of medium sized, stitch-like veins. The light color does little to hide the stretch marks and bumps.

A mild aroma of graham cracker and cardboard is found on the wrapper, while big cinnamon and chocolate notes come across on the foot. There is a void in the filler tobaccos near the band and the foot appears under-filled. A shallow, quick cut through the double cap opens up an easy draw. A cinnamon spice instantly warms my palate followed by cedar.

FIRST THIRD

Out of the gate, Olde Penn starts with solid mediums flavors. That common Connecticut shade bitterness is being contrasted by a natural tobacco sweetness.  Trailing behind these upfront flavors are earth and a generic woodsiness. As the cigar progresses, a sweet fruit flavors joins in. A significant section of the wrapper is struggling to keep up with the rest of the burn as a dark gray, flaky ash forms. But within no time, the burn has self-corrected 

MIDDLE THIRD

The sweetness has evolved to more caramel-like, making the overall profile richer and there is now a nuttiness to the smoke. The sweetness is keeping the bitterness and earthier flavors at bay. There seems to be a hint of cinnamon spice flavor going in the background as the Olde Penn warms my palate nicely.

FINAL THIRD

As I pull into the last third of the Olde Penn Toro, a tear forms in the wrapper as a result of a little too much glue on the band. I can now easily see how thin and delicate this wrapper is. Even with the hole in the wrapper, the cigar is still pumping out smoke and it doesn’t seem to be hindering anything. The central sweetness of the flavors continues to hold strong as a charred wood flavor arrives. The cinnamon spice has departed and the spice at this point is more of the typical black pepper.

WRAP-UP

I have never been a huge fan of Connecticut shade cigars. There are a few out their that get me going, but, overall, they just don’t suit my palate. But when Drew Estate releases a Connecticut shade cigar, I know it is worth a try. I really like the branding and story behind Olde Penn, but more importantly I enjoyed the cigar itself. Olde Penn delivered medium flavors highlighted by a Connecticut shade bitterness and evolving sweetness. This would be a great cigar to pair with a cup of coffee in the morning, but it would also hold its own later in the day on a fresh palate. A couple of construction issues were encountered with the burn and delicate wrapper, but not enough to concern me. There are some great deals on the five-packs over at Famous Smoke Shop and I recommend you grab yourself a couple.

The post Olde Penn by Drew Estate, a Famous Smoke Shop Exclusive appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The Good Stuff:

Drew Estate’s Pappy Van Winkle Tradition is the second release from the Drew Estate/Pappy partnership and made it’s debut at this year’s IPCPR show in Las Vegas. This extremely limited cigar can only be purchased at Drew Diplomat retailers. The Drew Estate press release carried a hefty amount of information on the cigar:

From Kentucky, Julian Van Winkle President of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, “I was invited to Cigar Aficionado’s A Night to Remember by Jonathan Drew in 2016 and was presented with a non-banded, wooden box of cigars with white bands on it that just read “Exclusively for my Friend Julian by Willy Herrera Sincerely Jonathan Drew”. I loved this blend because of its balance, shortly thereafter, my family and I visited La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Nicaragua and I smoked the same blend most of the trip. By the end, I knew this would be the Pappy Van Winkle Tradition.”

Drew Estate is honored to represent the Van Winkle Family with an ultra-premium cigar that reinforces the legacy for one of America’s true living icons, Julian Van Winkle. The Pappy Van Winkle Tradition features an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper, Indonesian Binder and aged fillers from Nicaragua and Dominican Republic. From his Wynwood Safehouse, Jonathan Drew President and Founder of Drew Estate notes, “The Pappy Van Winkle Tradition features an ultra-complex combination of extensively aged fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic that are blanketed with a flawless Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper. Availability is limited. I am humbled to extend the Drew and Van Winkle friendship, time tested honor, and craftsmanship to Drew Diplomat Humidors across the United States.”

The Drew Estate Pappy Van Winkle Tradition will be offered in seven different sizes: Coronita (4 x 46), Robusto Grande (5.5 x 54), Toro (6 x 50), Belicoso Fino (5 x 50), Churchill (7 x 48), Lonsdale (6.5 x 44), and Corona (5.5 x 44). All except the Lonsdale and Corona come packaged in boxes of 10 running between $14.60 and $25 a stick. The Churchill can only be purchased at Drew Diplomat Spirits Retailers. Both the Lonsdale and Corona are not of sale. The Lonsdale  can only be obtained at Drew Diplomat Reward Events in October, November, and December 2017. The Corona can only be obtained personally from Jonathan Drew or Julian Van Winkle. Fox Cigar Bar, a Drew Diplomat retailer, was kind enough to send a few of these our way for review. In case you haven’t heard they recently launched a complete cigar shopping experience on their site! You can check them out and place your orders here. Tell them we sent ya! They should have these in stock as soon as they are released.

Size: 6 x 50
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Nicaraguan / Dominican Republic
Body: Medium/Full
Strength: Medium
Price: $24
Pairing: Goose Island Bourbon County Regal Rye 2015 (Imperial Stout 13.2% ABV)

Prelight:

The Drew Estate Pappy Van Winkle Tradition starts with a gorgeous looking medium/dark brown wrapper. The color is consistent for the most part with small splotches of darker brown scattered throughout the wrapper’s natural webbing in the tobacco leaf. The texture on the wrapper is decently toothy with a bit of grit and a whole mess of oils. The cigar actually leaves a little residue behind as I hold it to examine it. The body of the cigar carries some very mild veins as the wrapper leaf is laid seamlessly over itself leading up to the cigars round, double-wrapped cap. The wrapper feels a bit thing and delicate so I didn’t play with the cigar too much, but it feels firm for the most part with no real signs of soft spots. The cigar is polished off with a red, gold, and white band featuring Pappy Van Winkle’s iconic crest in the front, as well as a secondary band with the word “Tradition” across the front of it.

The wrapper on Drew Estate’s Pappy Van Winkle Tradition gives off some pungent musk, oak, and sweetness while the foot of the cigar carries a bit of dirt, spice, and natural tobacco aromas. The cap cut clean and easily using my Xikar XO double bladed cutter. The cold draw produces some soft spice and pepper over honey, grain, and natural tobacco.

First Third:

The Drew Estate Pappy Van Winkle Tradition starts out with a very natural-forward flavor profile full of honey, spice, oak, earthiness, some soft black pepper, and just a hint of cherry. I am really digging the starting profile of this bad boy. The draw is absolutely perfect as each tiny puff kicks out a huge cloud of thick, white smoke while the cigar pours out stationary smoke like a chimney as it rests in my ashtray. The burn line is razor thin, and dead even leaving behind a very tightly compacted trail of white, and light gray ash which held on just over an inch before giving way.

Second Third:

Into the second third of the Drew Estate Pappy Bank Winkle and the flavors have remained consistent for the most part. The spice, honey, and oak lead the charged backed by earthiness, cherry, and even slight hints of pine. The beer I decided to pair with really helps bring out the sweetness and oak. The retrohale is phenomenal as it coats my nasal passage with straight up honey and oak and I find myself doing it more often than any cigar in my recent memory. The burn line is rock solid as I close out the second third with nothing in terms of a nicotine kick.

Finish:

In the final third of the Drew Estate Pappy Van Winkle Tradition the cigar really takes off. It’s strange saying that as the cigar has been stellar up until this point, but this is the sweet-sport of an already glowing cigar. The cigar has now reach the Medium/Full bodied point and the flavors really start to surround the oak. Oak forward backed by honey, pine, cherry, sweetness, musk, earthiness and natural tobacco. It took me 2 hours to smoke this cigar down to the very tip of the nub. My hands were burning, while my heart was burning for more. I experience no harshness, no extra heat, and only the slightest of a nicotine kick.

Overview:

Its no secret that I have been a longtime fan of Willy Herrera’s blends, and in all honesty I think the Pappy Van Winkle Tradition is right up towards the top of my favorite cigars that he has made. The flavors are solid, meticulous, complex, and so well balanced without hitting you in the face. That’s something I have always been able to appreciate with his blends and why he fits right in and Drew Estate. The Pappy Van Winkle is an exclusive, limited, and expensive cigar which fits right in with the Pappy branding. In all honesty, I think this cigar is worth the coin. I dropped so much money on the La Palina Goldies and I can easily see myself buying a box of the Traditions as well. If you find them, buy them. They won’t be around for very long. Again, hit Fox Cigar bar for yours. They should be releasing soon.

Pairing:

By now I think that we are all aware of the incredible Bourbon County Brand Stout produced annually, released on Black Friday by Goose Island Brewing in Chicago, Illinois. The Regal Rye variant is the same Imperial Stout, coming in at 13.2% ABV aged in Rye Barrels with Blackberries, Candied Cherries, and Sea Salt Added. The result is a boozy, sweet, sticky, tart, flavor profile with lots of berry, malt, bourbon, oak, and chocolate with an extremely heavy mouthfeel before finishing with more sweetness, tart berry, malt, vanilla, and chocolate. As the beer warms more and more of the berry and booze sneak out. This beer is fantastic and easily one of my favorite variants yet. The beer really helped bring out the cherry, oak, and sweetness in the cigar without overpowering it.

Giveaway:

Anyone who has been following our blog for sometime now knows that we have a very strong relationship with Fox Cigar bar in Arizona. Fox Cigar has two locations, one in Gilbert, and the other in Scottsdale. While Jeremy and I make sure to stop in and stock up on cigars whenever we are in town, Fox recently launched a full-on mail order cigar and accessory site. To celebrate, we teamed up with Fox to bring you one hell of a contest! Big thanks goes out to them for sending all these goods our way, to give to you. Up for grabs is:

Drew Estate Ashtray
Liga Privada No. 9 fitted Hat
Liga Privada No. 9 Cutter
Liga Privada L40 Lancero – review here
Liga Privada Dirty Rat – review here
Liga Privada Velvet Rat – review here
My Father Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial The Fox – review here

The giveaway will run between now, and Monday, August 21st when the winner will be announced. It’s a quick one so get on it ASAP! You can enter using the widget below. Must be 21 and over, and located in the US only. Good luck!

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The Good Stuff:

Launching last year at the 2016 IPCPR show in Las Vegas, the Archetype is the newest line produced by Ventura Cigar Company. Some of the blends for the Archetype series are being produced at Davidoff, a company Ventura has partnered with in the past, while others are being produced at Drew Estate. As far as I know, this is the first time they companies have partnered with one another. In the case of the Initiation, Drew Estate handled the production. The Ventura Cigar Initiation is blended using an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan Habano Binder, and Nicaraguan Habano Filler. The cigar is offered in 4 sizes: Churchill (7 x 48), Toro (6 x 52), Robusto (5 x 54), and the Corona (5 x 48). Each blend comes packaged in boxes of 20 ranging between $10.49 and $12.99 a stick. Big thanks goes out to Ventura for sending a few of these our way.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan Habano
Body: Full
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $10.49
Pairing: Blackrocks Barbaric Yawp (Scotch Ale 7.5% ABV)

Prelight:

The Ventura Archetype Initiation starts out with a beautifully consistent dark/medium milky brown wrapper. The wrapper’s color is so consistent its hard for me to even pick out the smaller veins and natural webbing in the leaf. There are a few bigger veins which are easier to pinpoint but I doubt they’d cause me any problems. The wrapper feels pretty thin with a decent amount of tooth and a great amount of oils. The cigar itself is very light and small, with a good amount of give as I squeeze it between my fingers. The shorty, snobby body is finished off with a round double cap while the cigar itself is polished off with a silver, black, and red band with a Phoenix on the front, as well as a silver secondary foot back with the word “Archetype” printed across it as well as a little maze logo which seems to accompany the series.

The wrapper on the Ventura Archetype Initiation gives off very little aroma. I was able to pull out some slight natural tobacco and earthiness, but hat was about it. The foot of the cigar is a different story releasing a good amount of spice, pepper, earthiness, grain, and tobacco aromas. The cap cut clean and easily using my Xikar double bladed cutter. The cold draw produces some nice floral, cedar, moss, and spice flavors.

First Third:

The Ventura Archetype Initiation starts out with a big pepper blast mixed with a surprisingly bold mixture of something almost metallic. The pepper dropped off after the first few puffs while the metallic followed suit shortly after leaving behind some bold oak, musk, cherry, moss and spice with a great floral aftertaste. The draw is incredible. It takes no effort at all as each tiny puff kicks out a massive trail of thick, white smoke. The burn line is dead even and razor thin leaving behind a tightly compacted trail of dark gray has which held on for a half an inch before falling into my ashtray.

Second Third:

There is so much roasted oakiness coming out of the Ventura Archetype Initiation it often feels like I’m smoking a stick of wood, but in a good way. On top if that the flavor profile boasts of floral notes, pine, spice, earthiness, and some underlying coffee. The wrapper is also leaving behind a good amount of salt on my lips and tongue. The retrohale brings that spice up to the front of the palate, but adds a bit more that I’d like so I don’t find myself doing that too often. The burn line is still perfect and I close out the second third with only a very light nicotine kick.

Finish:

The final third of the Ventura Archetype Initiation showcases a much more piney/earthy makeup. Leading with pine, most, dirt, and natural tobacco backed by musk, spice, and dark cherry the flavor profile in this cigar has been a bit wild, but always familiar. The cigar burned perfectly from start to finish without any attention from my torch. There was no harshness, nor any extended heat even into the final inch. The Ventura Archetype Initiation left me with a decent little nicotine kick as I put it down.

Overview:

I have had most of the cigars in the Ventura Cigar Company portfolio. While they aren’t the most well known cigar company out there the blends they release have always impressed me. Partnering with some of the biggest names in the cigar business will tend to do that. The Ventura Archetype Initiation is no exception. Its a great little cigar. The flavor profile is meaty, beefy, and complex while the burn and experience was flawless. I would like to see a bit lower price on these cigars but that won’t stop me from picking a few more up. Now I’m excited to see what the other blends in the series bring to the table.

Pairing:

Jeremy is such a good guy. Did you guys know that? I hope so. Each time he comes into town he smuggles down new local beer from the Michigan Area for me to try. Small batch stuff that never makes it way remotely close to here. One of those brewery is Blackrocks. I have one or two of their beers so far and have really enjoyed them. The Barbaric Yawp is a scotch ale brewed in Marquette, Michigan which comes in at a nice 7.5% ABV. The Barbaric Yawp leads with roasted malt, smokey peat, barley, a ton of spice, and some nice light oak with a hefty mouthfeel before finishing heavy with a bit of booziness, a ton of roastiness, some slight citrus, and a whole lot of malt. As the beer warms the booziness comes out more and more. This is a beer that could easily overpower a cigar, or make for the absolute perfect pairing. I had been waiting for the right cigar to pair this with and the Ventura Archetype Initiation was just that. The flavors mashed up extremely well while the citrus added to the cigar.

The post Ventura Cigar Company Archetype Initiation appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The Good Stuff:

The All Out Kings is a collaboration by two of the biggest names in the cigar business, Caldwell and Drew Estate. Making it’s debut at this year’s IPCPR show in Vegas, the All Out Kings has been pushed back quite a few times before finally hitting retail shops this week. This highly anticipated effort is created by the hands of master blendernWilly Herrera from Drew Estate and Robert Caldwell the owner of Caldwell Cigar Company at the La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate factory in Esteli, Nicaragua while the distribution is handled by Caldwell Cigar Company. The blend features a Connecticut Habano Stalk Cut wrapper similar to what we find on Drew Estate’s famous Liga Privada T52 blend with a Indonesian Sumatran binder and Nicaraguan viso from Jalapa and Esteli, Dominican Republic Corojo 97 Seco, and Connecticut Broadleaf Ligero fillers. The blend comes in 4 sizes: Smash (5 x 52), Give me your Lunch Money ( 5 3/4 x 46), Foreverlast (6 1/2 x 54), and the 4th Pose (5 x 54). The cigars come packaged in boxes of 20 and run between $12.80 and $16.80 a cigar. I picked up a handful of these over at Smoke Inn.

Size: 5 3/4 x 46
Wrapper: Stalk Cut Connecticut Habano
Binder: Indonesian Sumatran
Filler: Nicaraguan/Dominican/Connecticut Broadleaf
Body: Full
Strength: Full
Price: $12.80
Pairing: Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti (Imperial Stout 9.5% ABV)

Prelight:

The wrapper on the All out Kings looks identical to that of the T52. The dominant colors are that of scattered dark brown, and orange with lots of lighter brown splotches. The texture of the wrapper is extremely toothy and feels like oily sandpaper as I handle the cigar. The wrapper feels extremely thick, hard, and dense while the cigar is packed pretty tightly. The wrapper is laid seamlessly over itself while the cigar showcases a few larger veins throughout it’s slender body which leads up to a round, double-wrapper cap. The cigar is polished off with similar artwork found on many of the Caldwell releases with a few different hands holding a crown. I can only assume this symbolizes the connection between Drew Estate and Caldwell Cigars.

The wrapper gives off a very tart, musky, spicy aroma while the foot of the cigar is much more spicy with some pepper, leather, and cocoa aromas. The cap cut clean and easily using my Palio double bladed cutter. The cold draw resembles the pre-light aromas with a very peppery, musky mixture of flavors. The cigar lit up with ease using my Dupont single flame torch.

First Third:

The All Out Kings starts out with a nice cayenne pepper bunch which quickly dissipates leaving me with a whole ton of dark chocolate, cherry, oak, spice, musk, and leather. The draw is absolutely perfect. Each tiny puff kicks out a massive cloud of very thick, white smoke which hangs around for a good amount of time before fading away while the cigar pours out stationary smoke as the oils burn off the wrapper while it rests in my ashtray. The burn line is dead even, and razor thin leaving behind a perfectly compacted trail of white ash which held on for an inch before giving way.

Second Third:

The further I get into the All Out Kings the more pronounced that dark chocolate flavor gets. It’s not due to the pairing either as I picked the same thing up while smoking the cigar with water on separate occasions. The beer does help zero in out it though. The backing flavors are still very heavy on the musk and spice with a nice sweetness, a little tart, oak, and cherry. The retrohale brings out a ton of sharp pepper and I don’t find myself doing it too often. I close out the second third with a small nicotine kick, and a ton of enjoyment.

Finish:

In the final third of the All Out Kings this really interesting flavor came out that I can only really describe as a musky cologne. It’s subtle, yet marries up wonderfully with the bold dark chocolate, musk, spice, sweetness, leather, cherry, and tartness that the cigar has to offer. It took me about an hour and forty five minutes to take this cigar down to the nub and I enjoyed every second of it. I closed out with absolutely no harshness, no extended heat, and a pretty decent nicotine kick. The burn was flawless. I never once had to reach for my torch to touch up or relight the cigar.

Overview:

I have liked pretty much everything Willy has had a hand in blending. I’m a huge fan of Drew Estate, and a huge fan of Caldwell cigars. In the past, I’ve seen so many promising collaborations fall apart, but in the case of the All Out Kings these brands absolutely murdered it. The cigar is complex, the flavors absolutely line up with my desired profile, its very full and bold, yet balanced and the strength of the cigar never overpowers the flavors while the burning experience was flawless. Outside of the steep price, I can’t think about anything I don’t like about this cigar. And while we are on price, I really don’t even mind that. When it comes to Caldwell’s use of rare, and vintage tobaccos I’ve grown to expect those prices, and rarely do the cigars not deliver. So this is box-worthy in my opinion for sure and will easily become a staple of my regular rotation.

Pairing:

Great Divide Brewing Company out of Denver, Colorado makes some phenomenal beers, and amongst my favorite is the Yeti series of Imperial Stouts. The Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti is just that, a 9.5% ABV Chocolate Oak Aged variant of the beer. The Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti starts with a great roastiness, malt, cocoa, vanilla, and barley with a very heavy mouthfeel before finishing sweet with more cocoa and roasted malt, a nice splash of pepper and spice, nutmeg, and oak with a neat little cinnamon aftertaste. As it warms the cocoa really takes over the flavor profile. With so many similar flavors it was easy to see why I chose this beer to pair with the All Out Kings. I think this cigar can easily hold it’s own with some off the biggest, powerful beers. I’d love to pair it with some Prairie Bomb!, A Xocoveza, or even a nice, bold, Tawny Port.

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