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

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

THE FACTS

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

PRE-LIGHT

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

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

FIRST THIRD

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

MIDDLE THIRD

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

FINAL THIRD

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

WRAP-UP

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

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At the start of 2017, General Cigar Co. announced the release of the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua. The cigars are produced in Danli, Honduras at the HATSA factory in four sizes: 4 7/8 by 48, 5 1/2 by 54, 6 by 54, and 7 1/2 by 54. Ranging in price from $5.29 to $6.99, the latest addittion to the Punch Gran Puro line features a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over Nicaraguan internals.

You can purchase the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua from our site sponsor Famous Smoke Shop. Make sure to use coupon code “CASASAVINGS” for $15 off orders over $100.

THE FACTS

Price: $6.49
Vitola: Toro
Size: 6 by 54
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 35 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper on the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua is dark brown with a deep red hue. There are lots of color variations, veins, and bumps that are easily noticeable on the leaf that is full of oils. As I roll the cigar between my fingers from head to foot, I do not find any soft spots on the cigar.

Notes of barnyard and chocolate come across on the wrapper, while graham cracker, chocolate, and dried red fruit are found on the foot of the Gran Puro Nicaragua. With the double cap cut, the cold draw brings forth a whole lot of sweetness, which is a combination of honey and chocolate. I am picking up just a little spice in terms of flavor, but a decent amount in heat left in the mouth.

FIRST THIRD

Out of the gate, the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua delivers medium flavors that are on the darker end of the spectrum with flavors of pencil shavings, black pepper, and earth. As I make my way to about a half inch in, the flavors lighten up and round out as a natural sweetness makes it way into the profile. The finish is of bitter black coffee that sits on the palate for quite some time. A solid, pleasant looking ash is forming as the cigar burns evenly

MIDDLE THIRD

There has been a steady progression from darker to lighter in the overall profile as the sweetness continues to develop and a new chocolate and yeast flavor joins in. For the most part, the darker flavors still remain, but are being complimented by the sweeter notes. The smoke is thick and creamy in the mouth. Before I can make my way out of the second third, the profile switches back to its darker roots as earth and cocoa characterize the flavors. The pepper is accentuated as the smoke is retrohaled and it tickles my sinuses enough to cause a sneeze to come on.

FINAL THIRD

Transitioning into the last third of the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua, the black coffee that I noted on the finish moves into the profile, now paired up with the earth and chocolate. The mouth-fill is no longer thick and creamy, but almost fizzy feeling. The burn has stayed in-line and, while the ash is not as pretty as earlier, it is still holding well.

WRAP-UP

I was super excited going into the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua as I have always found Punch, for the most part, to be both solid smokes. And this new addition to the Punch brand is another excellent stick in the line-up. The cigar performed very well from start to finish with a generous amount of smoke production and even burn. The flavors were constantly evolving as darker and sweeter flavors played well with one another. The strength gradually gained ground as the cigar progressed, moving from medium to borderline full by the end of the cigar. As I consider the price tag under $7 for this cigar, the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua is a cigar I would love to keep stocked in the humidor and in my weekly rotation.

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Earlier this year, General Cigar Co. expanded the Vault line with two new releases: Vault E-021 and Vault W-009. The W-009 features a Nicaraguan Sungrown wrapper over Honduran binder and filler tobaccos. Available in 5 ½ by 54 and 6 by 50, the W-009 comes with a reasonable price tag of $6.49 for both sizes.

The Casas Fumando crew has previously reviewed the Vault A-008 and Vault D-042.

THE FACTS

Price: $6.49
Size: 5 ½ by 54
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Jalapa Sungrown
Binder: Honduran Jamastran
Filler: Honduran Jamastran and La Entrada
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 15 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Toraño Vault W-009 is dressed in a medium brown, mottled Nicaraguan Sungrown wrapper leaf. Oils glisten in the light from the wrapper that has a few medium sized veins and tons of small web like veins. As I examine the cigar for any soft spots, I can easily feel the oils on my fingertips. The cigar is evenly and firmly filled from top to bottom.

Aromas of chocolate, barnyard, and graham cracker are found on the wrapper, while chocolate, cedar, and raisin are come across from the foot of the cigar. After a quick cut through the cap, big notes of rich cedar show up on the cold draw and a faint cinnamon flavor, but there is hardly any type of spice. Two additional cuts are required to open up a manageable draw. 

FIRST THIRD

The Vault W-009 opens with a combination of damp earth, sweet bread and heavy black pepper. The spice heat is minimal in the mouth, but picks up a little as I retrohale the smoke. A saltiness also make an appearance on the retrohale. The burn, which started off with a slight wave, is nice and even now, forming a black and white layered ash.

MIDDLE THIRD

Starting out the second third of the Vault W-009, the earth and black pepper gain ground with the sweetness trying to keep up. A more woodsy flavor has also arrived, along with a sour quality in the profile. With the new sour quality, the profile has lost some of its balance. Leather and coffee are heavy on the finish and lingers for quite some time. Finishing up the second third, I am beginning to feel a bit of strength. The burn isn’t as even as earlier, but nowhere near requiring any type of attention.

FINAL THIRD

The sweetness has returned kicking out the sourness and rounding out the profile and is now back on par with the earth and leather that is still holding strong . The finish remains dark and is a bit dry as I near the end of this 5 1/2 by 54 Toraño Vault W-009. There is an added touch of pencil shavings in the final inch that sticks around to the final puff. 

WRAP-UP

The Toraño Vault W-009 presents flavors one may expect from the Nicaraguan wrapper and Honduran internals with the earth/leather and spice that were noted throughout the smoke. But the sweet bread rounded out the profile and added a bit of uniqueness to the blend. The cigar lost some of its rhythm in the second third when the sour quality moved in, but it was short lived as the sweetness came back around shortly after and balanced out the cigar for the remainder of the smoke. In one of the cigars smoked for review, the sweetness dropped out in the second third and never really made a full recovery, leaving the profile lacking and off balanced. Good smoke production, a mostly even burn, and a firm ash characterized the performance of the Toraño Vault W-009. With such a reasonable price point, I wouldn’t mind sitting on a handful of these to see how the profile develops over time.

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Produced at General Cigar Dominicana, Partagas Heritage is available in four vitolas: Rothschild (4 ½ by 50), Robusto (5 ½ by 52), Churchill (7 by 49), and Gigante (6 by 60). The Heritage features tobaccos from Honduras, Connecticut, Dominican Republic and Mexico with only viso leaves used in the cigar. The Honduran Olancho San Agustin Valley wrapper is a proprietary leaf grown by the Plasencia family only for General Cigar Co.. The wrapper leaf can be found on a few other offerings from the company.  

THE FACTS

Price: $8.49
Vitola: Rothschild
Size: 4 ½ by 50
Wrapper: Honduran Olancho San Agustín Valley
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler:Honduran Jamastran, Dominican Piloto Cubano, and Mexican San Andrés
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Partagas Heritage is wrapped in a medium to dark brown marbleized leaf that has a deep red hue and black color splotches. A couple of medium to large veins run veins run down the bumpy wrapper. A nice amount of oils can be felt as I examine the cigar from head to foot on this evenly and firmly filled stick.

An aroma of vinegar and sweet cedar are found on the wrapper of the cigar, while a thick aroma of silk chocolate is found on the foot. A quick cut through the double cap opens up a free draw bringing forth cold draw flavors of potpourri and cedar and a light cinnamon spice is felt in the back of the throat.

FIRST THIRD

The cigar opens with a sharp metallic flavor as the smoke is thick and chewy in the mouth. There are additional flavors of sweet wood, salt, and a decent amount of pepper spice, followed by an earthy finish. The burn line is razor thin with a minor wave as a light colored, flaky ash is formed. The first ash dropped short of the one inch mark.

MIDDLE THIRD

Moving into the second third, the metallic quality has diminished and the cigar has gained in richness and spice. At the same time, the earlier flavors are now meshing well with an additional bit of sweetness that may be tied to a raisin flavor. Also, the more generic woodsy flavor in the first third is now a warm cedar. A copious amount of smoke is produced delivering a medium flavor profile as the cigar burns just about perfectly.

FINAL THIRD

The Partagas Heritage has become more enjoyable with each puff . Down to the last third of the cigar, the profile remains rich and the flavors well rounded. The saltiness has held strong for the entirety of the cigar and remains an intriguing part of the profile. A toasted bread flavor develops with only an inch remaining. The burn is a bit off track , but with so little cigar remaining it is not worth a touch-up.

WRAP-UP

The first sample smoked for review started off a little bumpy with the metallic flavor, but it quickly moved from a disjointed profile to one that was rather  balanced. Up until the last third, the cigar performed flawlessly. And even with the wavy burn in the final third, there was really no impact to the smoke. The second sample skipped right over the metallic flavor, but several burn issues were encountered over the course of the smoke. Even so, other than being a minor annoyance, the touch-ups didn’t interfere with the flavors. For a reasonably priced cigar, the Partagas Heritage presents a medium flavor and strength profile with some intriguing qualities.

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Exclusive to online and catalog retailers, the La Gloria Cubana Serie R Black Maduro is manufactured at Scandinavian Tobacco Group Esteli, S.A.. There were no new sizes produced for the maduro version. Like the original Serie R Black, the Maduro comes available in the following three size: N0. 58 (6 7/8 by 58), No. 60 (6 by 60), and No. 64 (6 1/4 by 64). The cigars come packaged in 18-count boxes and heavy discounts on box purchases can easily be found online.

THE FACTS

Price: $7.79
Vitola: No. 58
Size: 6 7/8 by 58
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Serie R Black Maduro is draped in an extremely dark wrapper that hides most of the veins. However, one large and one medium vein can be seen, but the smaller ones blend into the dark leaf. The wrapper is full of bumps and has a very fine tooth that gives the leaf the feel of a fine grained sandpaper. This is one big, hefty cigar in the hand. No soft spots are found as I examine the stick.

The wrapper aroma is pungent with an earth and vinegar mix. But there is also a less appealing strong paint smell. The foot aroma is plain with only a generic wood. I am pleased to find a more welcoming dry draw after a slight complication trying to cut the cap on this very large cigar. Cold draw flavors of rich cedar, sweetness, and cooking spices awaken the palate.

FIRST THIRD

As the La Gloria Cubana Serie R Black Maduro opens, a sweetness quickly comes across, followed by a sour quality that may be tied to a woodsy flavor. A dirty earth and pepper flavor move in shortly after. At about a half inch, the profile finds a great rhythm as the flavors noted earlier begin to mesh. The pepper flavor is heavy on the palate, but not a whole lot of spice warmth in the mouth. But as I move some smoke through my sinus, the spice is rather sharp.

MIDDLE THIRD

The earth flavor pushes its way to the front of the profile, overshadowing most of the earlier sweetness. The sour is still hanging in there and, at this point, I would characterize it as a lemon zest. So far, the cigar has been performing flawlessly with an even burn, solid ash, and a satisfying amount of smoke.

FINAL THIRD

The earth continues to build, but, at the same time, the sweetness has moved back in and complimenting the darker, heavier flavors. A quick touch-up is required as I make my way into the final third of Black Maduro. The retro-hale still shows off some spice warmth, but very manageable and actually enjoyable. The sweetness has developed to more of a cocoa with the last inch and half remaining in the La Gloria Cubana Serie R Black Maduro.

WRAP-UP

The flavors, which began near the full side, tapered off to more of medium profile, which it maintained till the end. On the strength side, the La Gloria cubana Serie R Black Maduro showed more strength than the Esteli Maduro. The combination of sweet and sour worked well with this blend, against the darker earth and pepper flavors. The smoke production was decent and a touch-up was needed in the final third. But overall, I have no real complaints in terms of performance. The Serie R Black Maduro can certainly stand on its own, but between the Esteli and the Black, I will be reaching for the Esteli. 

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At the 2013 IPCPR Trade Show, General Cigar Co. expanded the La Gloria Cubana brand with the addition of the Serie R Esteli and Serie R Black. The former being exclusive to brick and mortars, while the latter can be found through major online retailers. Fast forwarding several years to the 2016 Trade Show, General Cigar added in a maduro version to both the Esteli and Black lines. The Esteli Maduro switched out the Nicaraguan Jalapa wrapper for a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro, which happens to be one of my favorite wrappers out there. Like the original Serie R Esteli, the Maduro version comes available in three vitolas:  No. 54 (6 by 54), No 60 (6 by 60), and No. 64 (6 ¼ by 64).

THE FACTS

Price: $6.99
Vitola: No. 54
Size: 6 by 54
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Serie R Esteli Maduro is dressed in a dark brown Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper that has its fair share character. There are several medium-sized veins that are raised off the leaf and a good amount of bumps. However, with the oils on the leaf, the wrapper feels much smoother than it appears.

A pungent aroma of vinegar and earth greet me as I bring the wrapper to my nose. On the foot, the aroma is somewhat rich with a combination of cedar and a natural tobacco sweetness. The double cap is not pretty with its crooked lines, but gets the job done like most caps do. Upon cutting, a cold draw reveals more of that rich cedar, cinnamon-like spice and sweeteness. There is a spice warmth in the mouth, but it is rather mild on the dry draw.

FIRST THIRD

The Serie R Esteli Maduro immediately pumps out medium to full flavors. For the most part, the profile is dark with black coffee and leather being center stage, followed by a yeast flavor and some sweetness. The bitter coffee has an edge on the sweetness. The spice, which began mild, has moved to medium. A white, layered ash is being formed as the cigar burns along with a minor wave.

MIDDLE THIRD

The yeast flavor has really gained ground, along with the sweetness as I make my way into the second third of the La Gloria Cubana Serie R Esteli Maduro. Even so, the coffee and leather are holding strong. The smoke is heavy and chewy in the mouth as volumes of smoke pour out of the cigar. The coffee sits on the palate for quite sometime after the smoke is released from my mouth.

FINAL THIRD

The profile is rich with the sweetness now playing the most dominant role, not overshadowing, but rounding out the other flavors. The sweetness is tied to a dark fruit flavor now. The spice is very manageable as I pass the smoke through my sinuses.

WRAP-UP

It has been so long since I smoked the Serie R Esteli original that it is difficult to compare to the new Maduro. But looking back at my review, there were some similarities. The Serie R Esteli Maduro offered a deeper profile, but maintained much of the same richness and sweetness as its counterpart. The flavors hung in the medium/full realm throughout and the strength gradually increased, ending about medium. The cigar behaved well with excellent smoke production and pleasant-looking ash. For a cigar under $7.00, the La Gloria Cubana Serie R Esteli Maduro is a solid cigar. I would recommend a five-pack of them.

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Featured at the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show, the Mao Limited Edition 2016 carries a premium price tag and will run you between $16 and $18 per stick. Three sizes are currently produced to include the No. 10 (5 by 50), No. 11 (7 by 50), and No. 12 (6 by 57). Production is limited to 1,800 10-count boxes per -size.

THE FACTS

Price: $16.00
Vitola: No. 10 (Robusto)
Size: 5 by 50
Wrapper: Connecticut 
Binder: Mexican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Columbian
Smoke Time:

PRE-LIGHT

The medium tan Connecticut wrapper leaf has a couple of medium veins that are easily seen and some scattered bumps. There are no soft spots as I examine the cigar. From head to foot, the cigar is evenly filled. 

The wrapper aroma is very sweet and rich with a big caramel aroma. The foot aroma is milder with prunes, some woodsy notes, and some of that same sweetness. A snug draw is revealed after I clip through the double cap. The cold draw is rich with notes of cedar, cinnamon, and prune. A second, deeper cut opens up a freer draw.

FIRST THIRD

The Macanudo Mao No. 10 quickly starts off with a rich, medium profile with notes of pencil shavings, black pepper, and an exotic fruit flavor. The pepper is fuller than expected and a warmth is felt in the back of my throat. The flavors and spice quickly calm as the tropical fruitiness takes center stage with the pencil shavings still peaking through and a darker coffee note joining in. There is thick burn-line as the cigar burns mostly even forming a light gray ash i. The first ash held easily past an inch.

MIDDLE THIRD

Pulling into the second third of the cigar, the draw has opened up considerably. Rich, dark flavors of earth and coffee are pushing back the pencil shavings and fruit sweetness. The pepper has stepped up its game and is sharp as it passes through the sinuses. A jagged burn is resulting a flaky looking ash, but it is nowhere near a place of requiring any kind of attention. 

FINAL THIRD

There is not a whole lot of progression in the Macanudo Mao N0. 10 as it burns its way into the final third. The tropical fruitiness is mild at this point, along with the earlier wood flavor. However, the spice has picked up and is keeping my attention. A major crack has formed that runs nearly an inch. It does not seem to be impacting the smoke production or flavors.

WRAP-UP

Overall, the Macanudo Mao No. 10 was a pleasant cigar that offered bigger flavors and fuller body than the appearance, or the brand,  lets onto. The first two-thirds of the cigar showed a decent amount of complexity with the tropical sweetness, medium to full spice, and some evolution in the other flavors. The cigar fizzled out a bit in the last third, but there was enough spice that kept my palate engaged in the experience. The tight draw at the start and the large crack at the end are not ideal for a $16 cigar. But I do have to mention that no such issues existed in the other sample smoked for review. It actually smoked rather perfectly. With all of that said, even with how much I enjoyed the Macanudo Mao, I would be hard-pressed to smoke it again with the $16 price tag.

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Hoyo was inspired by Hoyo Edición de Cumpleaños 150, a successful, limited edition cigar released last year.  Hoyo 150th anniversary took the first step toward breaking the conventions of the brand by featuring a new variety of Nicaraguan tobacco, a shade-grown wrapper never used before in any other cigar. With sleek new packaging and a contemporary logo, Hoyo Edición de Cumpleaños 150 represented a new wave of the brand.

Continuing along the path carved by Edición de Cumpleaños 150, Hoyo is an artisanal line featuring special tobaccos, proprietary aging techniques and old world craftsmanship. Hoyo takes the same Esteli-grown Habano shade wrapper used in “150” and adds extended fermentation to deepen the flavor. The blend was also updated to complement the wrapper and features longer aging on the filler and binder to deliver a deep, rich smoking experience.

Hoyo begins with a proprietary wrapper called Esteli Habano Shade. Cultivated by the Plasencia Group exclusively for Hoyo, it is the first Cuban-seed, shade-grown wrapper, and is also one of the heaviest wrappers used in premium cigars. The Plasencias use special cultural practices to deliver a thick, pliable leaf with bold, peppery flavor. Given the power of the leaf, the Hoyo blending team chose to apply increased fermentation, taking place over two years, to bring deeper dimension to its taste.

Produced in Honduras at STG Danli, Hoyo is available in four vitolas: Rothschild (4 ½ by 50), Robusto (5 by 54), Toro (6 by 50), and Gigante (6 by 60). Packaged in boxes of 20, single cigars range from $5.49 for the Rothschild to $6.99 for the Gigante. 

The Facts

Samples Provided by General Cigar Co.
Price: $6.59
Vitola: Robusto
Size: 5 by 54
Wrapper: Esteli Habano Shade-Grown
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Pennsylvanian, Nicaraguan (Esteli & Ometepe)
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 40 Minutes

Pre-light

Hoyo by General Cigar Co. wears an extremely dark brown shade grown Habano wrapper grown in Esteli, Nicaragua. Even with its dark color, tons of veins and dark color markings can be seen down the cigar. The wrapper has a nice oily shine and a few sugar-like crystals. The cigar is packed solid with no soft spots to be found.

Bringing the Hoyo to my nose, the aroma is pungent with a sharp vinegar, wet earth, and a faint woodsy smell. A much more pleasant aroma is found on the foot of the cigar as I am greeted with a cherry and chocolate combination. A section of the already ugly double cap is pulled away from the wrapper. Upon clipping the cigar, the entire cap fell off. Hopefully, the cigar won’t unravel on me! The draw is right on showing off a medium-rich profile with graham cracker, cedar, and potpourri-like spices.

First Third

As the cigar opens, dark, heavy flavors begin pouring out of the Hoyo. The profile is a mix of dirt/diesel, oak, dark red fruit, and pencil shavings. A medium/full spice lingers in the mouth and is causing a minor itch in the throat. The finish is of a bubble-gum that has lost all of its sweetness. About twenty minutes into the smoke, the flavors tapered off and smoke production died out. In that time, only a quarter inch of the wrapper burned down, but I could easily tell the internal tobaccos had burned significantly farther. After putting a flame to the wrapper to catch it up to the rest of the cigar, the flavors are back in full along with the smoke production.

Middle Third

As I enter the second third, the texture of the smoke is now thick in the mouth. The oak and dark fruit flavors are front and center, while the diesel has moved to the background but continues to sit on the finish of the smoke. The profile begins to jump back and forth from the oak and fruit to more diesel centered and a new chocolate joins in. At the halfway point, I am already feeling a nicotine kick in my gut. The spice heat has considerably calmed since the prior third but the pepper flavor has shifted up a couple of knots, and I am no longer feeling the spice itch in the throat.

Final Third

The most drastic transition took place as I made my way to the final few inches of the Hoyo. A richness has crept in showing sweet breadsy notes, chocolate, a floral quality and pepper. The newly arrived flavors are pushing back the more earthy qualities of the cigar that are becoming somewhat bitter at this point. The wrapper once again struggles to keep up requiring an additional touch-up to give me a few more minutes with this Hoyo. 

I may or may not have forgotten to take a picture in the final third…

Wrap-up

It has been years since I have smoked a Hoyo de Monterrey cigar. I remember being handed one years back as I was beginning to smoke more full-bodied smokes. I wonder if I would still characterize that Hoyo de Monterrey as a full-bodied smoke today… Well, if I was handed the new Hoyo, it would most definitely be considered a full cigar by most standards. Full in flavors and medium/full in strength but not overpowering. The dark flavors worked well in the profile from the start and by the time my palate was getting a bit fatigued, the cigar evolved to a more rich, easier on the palate profile that concluded the cigar. The smoke production was excellent as long as the wrapper continued to burn in-line with the cigar. I am going to blame the touch-ups on the high humidity going on in the U.P. and won’t dock any point from my non-existent point system. With all that said, I actually found the Hoyo to my liking and a cigar I will be grabbing again as I see it around.

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Silver Tongue is native to Jamaica organically grown in the Montego Bay region. It is described as a low yield tobacco that is one of the most expensive filler tobaccos in the world. This is an exclusive proprietary leaf to General Cigar.

Production is limited to 18,000 cigars or 1,800 10-count boxes of the Macanudo Estate Reserve 2015 that consists of tobaccos from five counties. Based on the blend alone, the cigar intrigues me as it has a 10-year aged Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, San Andres binder, and the exotic  Silver Tongue tobacco from Jamaica in the filler next to Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. Three vitolas will be available in the 2015 release to include: No. 9 (5 by 50 Robusto), No. 8 (6 by 57 Belicoso), and No. 7 (7 by 50 Churchill). The Estate Reserve line carries a premium price tag ranging from $16.00 for the Robusto to $18.00 for the Belicoso.

The Facts

Samples Provided by General Cigar Co.
Price: $16.00
Vitola: No.9 Robusto
Size: 5 by 50
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Mexican San Andres
Filler: Dominican, Jamaican (Silver Tongue), and Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 5 Minutes

Pre-light

The silver, gold, and black band is eye catching against the oscuro, almost black, wrapper that has a nice oily sheen and a fine tooth. Mainly small veins web the cigar with a couple of medium-sized veins that are hard to see on the dark leaf. A pugent barnyard aroma is found on the wrapper, while the foot shows off some natural sweet tobacco and woodsy notes, with just a hint of cooking spices.

Clipping through the beautifully applied double cap, the cigar is jam packed with tobacco making it difficult to cut through the beautifully applied double cap. My worries are quickly relieved as I find an easy draw with just the righ amount of resistance. The dry draw flavors are rich with more of the cooking spices, clove, and woodsy notes.

First Third

As the cigar warms up, I note common flavors of wood, dirt, and black pepper. However, there is a very interesting sour and floral essence to the flavors.  As I pass a small amount of smoke through the sinuses expecting a black pepper hit, a cocoa sweetness peaks through and really compliments the other flavors. Quickly, the sweetness makes its way into the main profile. A white ash is being formed as the cigar burns evenly with a thick burn-line.

Middle Third

Transitioning into the middle third, the black pepper and spice heat are gaining in intensity. The darker flavor of earth (dirt) is playing a more dominant role, while the woodsy notes have moved to the background and the sweetness has exited but the an unsweetened cocoa is found on the finish. The sour quality is still hanging around but difficult to pinpoint somewhere between floral and grapefruit.

Final Third

The smoke is drying out my palate and the flavors remain similar to the previous third. The deep earth notes are heavy on the palate. The sweetness is trying to make a reemergence but is unable to cut through. Without the sweetness, the profile is off-balanced. The floral and cocoa linger on the finish for a long time. Closing out the cigar, the strength is at the high-end of medium.

Wrap-up

Macanudo Estate Reserve 2015 delivers medium flavors, body, and strength, sometimes pushing full, with an effortless performance. The sweetness noted in the first third brought a nice balance to the dark and sour/floral flavors and was sorely missed once it exited in the middle third and never made a return. The sour floral or grapefruit essence held my interest throughout but I longed for the return of the sweetness. $16 for a Robusto is a steep price, and even though there were some things left to be desired, the cigar is most certainly unique in terms of flavor and worth giving a shot.

Note: the cigar pictured in the pre-light photos had a much lighter wrapper leaf, with more visible veins, and hardly any tooth compared to the cigar smoked for review. While the cigars appeared quite different, both samples smoked the same.

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The three country blend is produced at General Cigar’s Danli factory, Honduras American Tobacco S.A., in five vitolas: Box-Pressed Robusto (5 by 50), Toro (6 by 50), Torpedo (6 1/4 by 52), Churchill (7 1/2 by 50), and Gigante (6 by 60). Prices ranges from $10.15 for the robusto to $12.95 for the 6 by 60 gigante. Dunhill cigars are distributed by General Cigar Co. in the United States. 

The Facts

Samples Provided by General Cigar Co.
Price: $10.15
Vitola: Box-Pressed Robusto
Size: 5 by 5o
Wrapper:Ecuadorian Habano Ligero
Binder: Nicaraguan (Jalapa)
Filler: Nicaraguan (Ometepe and Esteli) and Honduran (Jamastran Valley)
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 5 Minutes

Pre-light

The Dunhill Heritage 5 by 50 box-pressed robusto is consistent in its medium brown wrapper that has a orange/rusty hue. Wrapper seams and small, dark veins are visible, but to the touch it is velvety smooth. Upon removing the Heritage from the cellophane, I am met with a pungent aroma of barnyard and vinegar. Once the pungecy subsides, more mellow wet earth notes present themselves.

A rich, butterscotch smell is found on the foot, followed by a pepper spice that tickles my sinuses. The double cap has a small tear, wrinkles, and wavy lines, but gets the job done I suppose. Opting to punch the Dunhill Heritage, a stiff draw shows off more rich notes of cedar, sweet butterscotch, and some lingering pepper.

First Third

Dark notes of wet earth, black pepper, and pencil-shavings are first to arrive on the scene. An unidentifiable sweetness is creeping up in the profile. There is some sort of sour, citrus dimension to the smoke and a diesel flavor lingers on the finish. An even burn, a firm, white ash, and the copious amount with each draw is making this an effortless smoke thus far. Let’s hope it stays that way. Barely making my way through the first third, I am already feeling a kick in the gut from the strength.

Middle Third

The flavors are coming across lighter, or maybe more balanced, on the palate as I pull into the second third of the Dunhill Heritage. The deep pencil-shaving notes are the most dominant, paired alongside a chewy leather flavor. The sour quality remains in the background. Finally working up the nerve to retrohale the smoke, the pepper flavor is full but the spice heat is mild. The finish has developed to a much more pleasant flavor of vanilla that you would find on the nose of spiced rum. The cigar is chugging along as I am already half way through in 30 minutes.

Final Third

As I allow the cigar to rest in the ashtray, smoke pours of the Dunhill Heritage. The flavors are composed of char or burning wood, earth,  pepper, and the sourness from earlier, Finally, an anise or black licorice sweetness has surfaced. The flavors have been full throughout and the strength has been hanging right in-line.  

Wrap-up

Early on in the Dunhill Heritage robusto, I was afraid the strength was going to overpower the rest of the experience. However, the strength remained a steady full without becoming overwhelming allowing the cigar to showoff its complexity in the flavor department. While the flavors were a bit heavy for my palate at some points, if you enjoy a full strength smoke and dark, heavy flavors this cigar may be for you. 

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Foundry Tobacco Company, led by Michael Gianini, is best known for its innovative blends and steampunk packaging . Finding the Bolivar and Ramon Allones under Foundry Tobacco Company umbrella may seem odd, but the below press release excerpt from Gianini might help clear things up:

In homage to the past and a nod to the future, classics are reimagined. With a passport to forbidden tobacco, suddenly the old is new. You’ve expected the unexpected from Michael Giannini and Foundry Tobacco Company. Once again, the visionaries deliver.

Heritage brands are shone in a modern and contemporary light. Here is a futuristic interpretation of how two storied brands could look 10 years from now. The world’s best tobaccos mixed with the forbidden fruit.

But for now, while those leaves remains locked away, the blends tell the story. The best tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Nicaragua and the USA expertly developed in true Foundry style.

Manufactured in the Dominican Republic at General Cigars Dominicana, both the Bolivar and Ramon Allones lines will be available in three vitolas: 550 (5 by 50 Robusto), 652 (6 by 52 Toro), and 660 (6 by 60 Gordo). Prices range from $6.49 for the robusto to $7.49 for the gordo. Today, I will be reviewing the Foundry Heritage Bolivar 550 Robusto.

The Facts

Samples Provided by General Cigar Co. 
Price: $6.49
Vitola: 550 – Robusto
Size: 5 by 50
Wrapper: Connecticut Havana Maduro
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan Esteli ligero, proprietary Nicaraguan ligero
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

Pre-light

The dark brown wrapper on the Bolivar is uniform in color. The small veins are difficult to see against the dark, oily leaf. To the touch, the Bolivar is spongy with a couple of strange indentations. The leaf contains no visible tooth, but bumps are found all over the place. Beginning with a shaggy foot and coming to a close with a swirled pig-tailed cap, the Bolivar is an eye catching cigar.

Aromas of barnyard, earth, and a vinegar pungency are found on the wrapper. Being a closed foot, not much more is identified other than woodsy notes. A stiff draw shows off a very welcoming combination of chocolate, potpourri spices, and woodsy notes as a mild spice is felt in the mouth.

First Third

The opening profile is of woodsy notes, earth, and spice, along with a combination of sweetness and tartness.  The interplay between the sweet and tart flavors is similar to a sweet and sour sauce. The woodsy quality evolves into much deeper cedar notes, as the  mild spice causes some irritation in my throat. After a wild start, the bun has self-corrected and is of no more concern. 

Middle Third

Barely making my way to the second third, I am already having to remove the large single band. Already at a solid medium moving towards full, the Bolivar is stronger than expected. The profile remains consistent with the prior third, with the woodsy notes and tartness playing the dominant roles. The gaining sweetness is balancing out the profile. Retrohaling the smoke, the spice is highlighted, while black coffee notes linger on the finish. The Foundry Bolivar burned quickly through the first third, but has considerably slowed down. 

Final Third

The coffee noted on the finish has transitioned into the profile, along with a newly found coca. The Bolivar has found a great rhythm in the last third delivering rich and satisfying flavors.  I can’t help but think of a full-bodied cup of mocha as I burn down to the final inch.  An even-burn, copious amount of smoke, and solid ash characterize the performance of the final third. So no complaints there. 

Wrap-up

The reblending and rebranding of the Heritage Bolivar by Foundry Tobacco Company may cause some opposition among the traditionalist. But in my opinion, it brings life to a dying brand as it was rare for me to stumble upon the Bolivar or Ramon Allones brands at any brick & mortars. I have a feeling that is all about to change. The Bolivar 550 offered a consistent profile in the first and second third of medium/full flavors of woodsy notes, earth, coffee, some spice, and a very unique sweet and tart flavor. It was the last third that really shined with its rich, full profile. The strength steadily picked up throughout the cigar beginning at the low-side of medium and ending at the low-end of full. Performance wise, burn, draw, smoke production, and ash were above par. For a price of $6.49, General Cigar Co. and Foundry Tobacco Company have a winner on their hands.

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