Anthony Bellato and Craig Rossi teamed up with the boutique cigar manufacturer Wynwood to produce #10 on my list. This is the first cigar released by the duo and it’s been a smash around the cigar community. This is a solid cigar carrying a ton of pepper, spice, earthiness and strength while it finished smooth and creamy. I love the artwork too. This is a perfect example on a cigar living up to the buzz.

Read the full Review Here

#9 – La Flor Dominicana – Mystery Cigar

The Mystery cigar. What’s so mysterious about it? Pretty much everything except the fact that it rocks. I’ve seen good and bad reviews on this cigar, but I personally loved it and wish it was more readily available. It’s a departure from the standard power-first mind set that La Flor Dominicana blends usually carry as it’s much more tame, yet still very flavorful. The size is perfect and I would have to say this is probably one of the best LFD cigars that I have ever had the pleasure of smoking.

Read the full review here.

#8 – Reinado – Grand Empire Reserve Corona Gorda

I know the Reinado Grand Empire Reserve came out prior to 2013. And I know the photo above and the link below showcase the robusto format and not the corona. But, the corona was a line extension that Antonio Lam added to the Grand Empire Reserve line this year. While 2013 was the first time that I smoked the line, it was also the first time any of us had smoked the corona gorda which is the size in the line that I personally fell in love with. You can ask anyone who has smoked any cigars if the GER line and I guarantee there wouldn’t be a single person with a single bad thing to say about the cigar, or the manufacturer.

Read the full review here.

#7 – Moya Ruiz – La Jugada Prieto

Sweetness galore! Seriously, Moya Ruiz showcased just how tasty Mexican San Andreas tobacco can be. From the time you light up the Prieto you are taken to a far away place where you find yourself skipping through a field of chocolate. Yeah, that’s totally stretching it, but seriously this cigar tastes like a hershey’s bar wrapped in tobacco. Coffee, cedar, and just a ton of sweetness all wrapped up in a glorious package.

Read the full review here.

#6 – Leccia – White Label

We all have been anxiously awaiting the return of Sam Leccia. His hiatus from the cigar industry was interrupted this year when he released two blends under his new company “Leccia Tobacco”. I smoke both of them, and while I enjoyed both I think the white not only surpassed the black, but also many of the other new blends released by other manufacturers this year. The pepper captured me right off the bat while the strength, spice, cedar, and leather guided me through an incredible experience form start to finish. I just with these babies were easier to find in our neck of the woods.

Read the full review here.

#5 – Quesada/Smoke Inn – Oktoberfest Dunkel

It’s not secret that I loved Quesada’s Oktoberfest release. Hell, most of the cigar community did. When I heard that Quesada had teamed up with Smoke Inn to create a new Oktoberfest blend using my favorite wrapper leaf (Connecticut Broadleaf), I was all over it. While the cigar didn’t differ too much from the original Oktoberfest I found that the Dunkel carried much more sweetness as well as a more creamy take on the Oktoberfest blend. Too bad these bad boys are a limited run, but if I am not mistaken Smoke Inn still have a few of these left in stock.

Read the full review here.

#4 – Crowned Heads – JD Howard Reserve

The JD Howard Reserve was love at first smoke. First off, I love me some Brazillian tobacco, always have. And when that tobacco is used in a blend right, it shines. The JD Howard fires on all cylinders creating a wonderfully strong flavor profile with flavors such as floral notes, maple, spice, and a shit-ton of sweetness. One thing I really liked about the JD Howard was how powerful the cigar was in the flavor department while remaining relatively modest in the strength department. This is an ideal cigar to show off just how great medium-bodied cigars can turn out when they are blended properly.

Read the full review here.

#3 – Tatuaje – 10th Anniversary Belle Encre

Some may say this is not a new release, some may say it is. Whatever the case is, Pete Johnson kicked out another winner. I have read in some blogs that the 10th anniversary is simply the same brown label we all know and love with nothing more than a band change, while some insist that Pete has slightly altered something in the blend. Maybe it’s true, or maybe it’s just due to the vintage of tobacco used on this release, but the 10th anniversary seemed to have a bit more “umph” in the experience than normal for me this year. The strength was slightly more than I was used to (and I smoke a lot of brown labels) while the body of the cigar seemed to show a slight ramp up as well. The Bella Encre was also a new format made exclusively for the 10th anniversary release. The figurado was an instant hit.

Read the full review here.

#2 – Drew Estate – Liga Privada UF-13 Dark

Yes, I love my Liga Privada, we all know that. But the UF-13 dark was an incredible release. Drew Estate fills top 10 lists across all blogs year after year and 2013 is no exception. The UF-13 dark was sold out the second it hit the shelves, there has been a few restockings and even then they don’t stay on shelves. The strong, bold, rich flavors really showcase how badass a powerhouse cigar can be when done properly. Very strong, yet somehow smooth, and not over-powering in the least. The Drew boys did it again.

Read the full review here.

#1 – Illusione – *r* Rothchildes

Now why did this cigar rank #1 on my list? Let me start of by telling you all it’s not due to the price point. While I really appreciate Dion giving our wallets a break with the low price point of the Rothchildes, I simply found this cigar as the most enjoyable cigar I had all year without even taking price into consideration. The first time I smoked it I enjoyed it very much, but it took one or two more to really appreciate the departure from the other lines in the Illusione portfolio. The strong, bold flavors, sweetness, spice and overall balance are not to be messed with. I smoked about 15 of these cigars and every single one produced a perfect experience.

Read the full review here.

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When I received the cigars, I was instantly impressed by the presentation of the Carajos. I absolutely love the packaging in the cedar box/sleeve and the size of these puppies. Browsing laflordominicana.com, I did not come across any information on these sticks. After messaging Anthony Cantelmo for some information on the cigar, I was forwarded an e-mail from Antonio “Tony” Gomez, Litto Gomez’s son, about the Carajo. This is what Tony has to say:

The Carajos are basically an experiment to see how big a % of Ligero we could fit into a cigar relative to its ring gauge. Carajo is one of those words that can be used in a lot of different ways and doesn’t necessarily have an exact definition, but it is typically used as an exclamation or for emphasis. I’d say that “Los Carajos” loosely translates to “The Shit”. Anyone that lights up a Carajo will experience an immediate blast of power and flavor and it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for them to proclaim “Carajo!” or “Shit!” haha.

The Facts

Vitola: Petit Corona
Size: 4 by 34
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Maduro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Pairing: N/A
Smoke Time: 50 Minutes

Pre-light

This petite corona sports a dark reddish brown wrapper that has a very fine tooth.  The cigar is firmly packed from head to foot, and I encounter no soft spots during my pre-light inspection.  The wrapper aroma is of cedar, which is expected due to the packaging of the cigar. I do not pull much else off the foot other than a mild spice sting in the nose.

The cap has been applied neatly. A nice change from the last couple of cigars I have reviewed. The double cap clips clean, revealing a great draw . The cold draw delivers cedar and rich tobacco, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.

First Third

This LFD  is comfortable in several respects. The small ring gauge makes it comfortable in the hand and mouth, and the draw has just the right amount of resistance. The Carajo Maduro is producing a satisfying amount of smoke that is delivering heavy flavors of black coffee and earth, and a black pepper spice that warms my palate. I will not be retrohaling this cigar often due to the sharp,black pepper blast. A salt and pepper, layered ash is holding strong. The fine tooth on the wrapper leaf can be seen in the ash as it burns down. The thick eyeliner burn is even and the ash holds to three-fourths of an inch before dropping.

Middle Third

The spice has picked up leaving a tingle at the back of my throat. A rich cedar has arrived in the flavor mix bringing a nice balance to the coffee and earth. Already making my way down to the disproportionately large band, I remove it with ease. There seems to be an unidentifiable sweetness attempting to make its way into the flavors. With this being a Maduro, I did expect some sweetness in the smoke.  No change in the burn or ash. It is nice to see such a small ring gauge producing a firm ash that isn’t constantly dropping in my lap.

Final Third

The flavors have been full throughout but it is just as I enter the final third that I begin feeling a relaxing amount of nicotine. If this cigar was any larger, I would probably need a fuller stomach to smoke it without getting sick. All the flavors from the previous thirds have balanced making this one heck of a pleasant smoke. Now I am wishing I had a few more inches! The richness continues to pick up pace, as well as the sweetness that seems to be more of raw sugar sweetness than anything else. Some heat is forming  in the smoke and on the tips of my fingers, letting me know it is time to put this cigar to a close.

Wrap-up

The La Flor Dominicana Carajo Maduro delivered bold flavors, with a nice amount of spice that will wake you up and keep you interested in the cigar. The burn line and ash were exceptional for a petit corona and I can’t forget the perfect draw. I have smoked through half of the 6 pack, and all have performed at the same level. A 6 pack of the LFD Carajo Maduros can be found online around $18, which is an easy buy in my book. According to a halfwheel.com news piece, there has been a change in packaging to boxes of 5 that will be offered at $15.60. However, as of now, the 6 count boxes can still be found online. I am always on the lookout for great, small cigars that can be enjoyed commuting to and from work or maybe even during a lunch hour. While this may not be a cigar I would smoke on my way to work, I will definitely keep a handful around for the drive home or a quick lunch break.

The post La Flor Dominicana – Carajo Maduro appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

Back in January, I was gifted this La Flor Dominicana Oro Chisel by a great friend and BOTL for my birthday. And to be honest, I have smoked very few cigars from LFD, which is weird because I have enjoyed almost everything I have smoked from them thus far.  The Casas Fumando Team has reviewed the following La Flor Dominicana Cigars:

• La Flor Dominicana Coronado Maduro

• La Flor Dominicana Litto Gomez Diez 2009

Browsing around La Flor Dominicana’s site, I was unable to locate any information on the Oro blend. However, Halfwheel.com had coverage of LFD’s booth at the 2012 IPCPR and had this to say on the LFD Oro:

 Gold tubes and a new blend. Natural and Maduro in Parejo and Chisel sizes. According to Litto, “These cigars are an amped up Coronado blend, with dark Nicaraguan wrappers and Dominican fillers and binders from our farm in La Canela, Dominican Republic.”

The Facts
Price: $13.00
Vitola: Chisel
Size: 6 by 54
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Pairing: Water (Plus Capri Sun)
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 55 Minutes

Pre-light

I love the presentation of the LFD Oro Chisel.  The tubo and cigar are shaped in La Flor Dominicana’s signature Chisel format. As I remove the top of the tubo, I immediately notice a fairly large crack in the cap that runs about three-fourths of an inch into the wrapper. As of late, I have come across several tubo cigars that have had severe cracking on either the cap or foot of the cigar.

The bottom half of the cigar has a cedar sleeve. The aroma off the wrapper is a wonderful mixture of chocolate, manure, and earth.  The chocolate aroma is reminiscent of Village Inn’s French Silk pie.  Surprisingly, I am not picking up much cedar off the wrapper.  The foot has an unbelievable nose of a much more pronounced chocolate. The medium brown wrapper with a deep red hue contains mainly small veins webbing across the cigar, with a couple of medium sized veins.   With the significant crack in the cap, only a small pinch was needed to reveal a free draw.  The cold draw is very rich with notes of cocoa and spice.  The spice is already leaving a slight sting on my lips and palate.

First Third

Each time I take a draw of the Oro Chisel, the wrapper begins to unravel.  I am going to have to be careful with this cigar to not cause additional construction issues.  The Chisel feels extremely comfortable in my mouth. Only if all large ring gauge cigars could be shaped like this. The draw is free but a couple warm up puffs are required before my mouth fills with smoke. The flavors are full highlighting earth, spice, coffee and a smoky quality.  The coffee is in the French roast realm.   Retrohaling the smoke reveals deep earth and cedar notes, as a sharp spice stings my sinuses.  The light grey ash is holding firm for well over an inch.  The back of my throat is feeling some irritation but the flavors are enjoyable.  The burn is a bit wavy requiring a touch-up.

Middle Third

The spice has become much more dominant and really starts to clear out my sinuses.  There has been some development in the flavor department but I can’t quite put my finger on the major change. Black coffee makes up the core of the profile with added notes of dark fruit, along with the earth, cedar and pepper.  Cocoa is coming forth on the finish.  I am starting to feel the strength of the cigar kick in which I have been waiting for. Flavors and strength are side by side in the full range.  The harshness in the back of the throat has resided. No change in the burn line and one more quick touch-up was needed.

Final Third

As the burn approaches the final third, I slide the band off with ease. The smoke begins to dry my palate but nothing a quick sip of water does not fix.  Feeling a good amount of nicotine, I busted out one my daughter’s Capri Sun All Natural 100% Juice – Fruit Punch to counteract the nicotine. The Capri Sun is actually keeping my palate moist, which is an added bonus. The black coffee and pepper are still holding strong accompanied by a toasted bread-like flavor.  The burn once again swerved off the path requiring one last touch-up.  The flavors finished full, along with a hefty amount of strength.

Wrap-up

The tear in the cap and wrapper is more than likely a result of travel than anything else, so I can’t ding the cigar for that.  This cigar delivered in flavor and strength; however, I was very surprised that I did not encounter any sweetness in the Oro Chisel, especially after the sweet chocolate aroma I picked up off the wrapper and foot. This was a solid smoke that I will be revisiting after a big meal and with a drink pairing.  Also, knowing that my body handles nicotine better mid-day, I will not be smoking another one so late at night.  In the next several weeks I will be making a focused effort to try more La Flor Dominicana offerings.  If you have tried the LFD Oro Chisel let us know what you think. If not, make your way to your local B&M grab a stick or two and share your thoughts with us.

The post La Flor Dominicana – Oro Chisel Tubo appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

Today I will be lighting up the second cigar in this set. Needless to say with a selection like his, I can’t help but get all giggly each time I find the spare time to fire up one the cigars he sent over.

Prelight: #2 is wrapped in a very, very, very dark brown, almost black tobacco leaf. The leaf itself is pretty consistent in color with just a few darker spots especially concentrated around the head of the cigar. The wrapper seems pretty thick and gives off an almost duct tape type gleam as light shines off of its silky, oily texture. The wrapper is excellently laid and tapers off to a very large, beefy torpedo shaped cap. The cigar is firm for the most part, but there are a few softer areas dead center of the cigar’s body. I can’t pick up too much other than a really musky cedar smell coming from the wrapper as the foot of the cigar gives off the slightest hint of spice. Not much aroma coming off this unlit cigar what so ever.

The cap clipped clean off (although a little flaky) using my double bladed Palio cutter. The cold draw surprisingly kicked out a massive burst of what could be best described as a spicy gingerbread. Maybe it’s a little too close to Christmas for me., but I swear that’s all I’m getting off this cold draw.

First Smoke: The cigar didn’t start off with the massive kick of spice I was expecting. It’s not to say the spice wasn’t there, it just wasn’t in the action packed form I thought it would be. Outside of the subtle spice/pepper the cigar packed a vibrant, woodsy taste, backed by a bit of leather and even some of that gingerbread flavor I picked up during the cold draw. The pepper is kind of interesting though. It’s not too noticeable in taste, but my lips and back of the throat are really feeling it. This cigar kicks out just an overly massive, effortless cloud of thick, grey smoke with every draw. Tons of stationary smoke as well. The burnline was all over the place at first but finally into the second third it began correcting itself.  The ash left behind was very flaky, and medium gray with dark black spots and only held on for a little over half an inch before falling into my ashtray.

Halfway There: Early into the second third and I am already starting to feel the body in this cigar. One interesting note on my last blind review was the fact that I felt a bit of a full body experience, yet knowing that the cigar is now, I know it’s a mild/medium stick. Maybe I am not the best judge in body, or maybe this just goes to show that my theory is true. The strength of each cigar will always affect each smoker in different ways. Anywho, back to the review. The pepper and spice in this cigar is still just a tease. They’re not as potent as they were to begin with but they still sine through the cocoa, leather, woodsy flavors that have started to develop in the second third. The retrohale is killer, priming my nasal passage with a ton of pepper and cedar. The burnline is still a bit wild on one side of the cigar, but nothing to cause any concern. The ash has also taken a turn for the better with the body being much more smooth, compact and a consistent brownish-gray.

Finish: This cigar is really packing a punch. Into the final third and I am really getting a nice little nic-kick off of this one. The pepper has finally started to wear off and now the main flavors are a really smooth woodsy flavor, backed by a bit of earth tones, cocoa, and spice. I am also getting just a bit of harshness as I get to the mid-point of the final third. It’s a bit bitter, but could be worse.  The burnline has been consistently wavy leading me to think there might be a bit of ligero thrown into the mix. No touch ups or relights leading up to about an hour and a half total burn.

Overview: This was a great little cigar. The full body and very powerful flavors made for a great departure from your everyday, smoother, milder maduro.  Outside of the harsh bitterness that crept into the final third, this cigar was very enjoyable. It’s probably not something I would smoke everyday, but it’s the perfect cigar to keep on hand when you are out back, enjoying some late night coffee and relaxation.

Final Guess? I would have to say something Nicaraguan. Maybe the Oliva Serie V Maduro or the Alec Bradley Tempus. Whatever it is, it’s a spicy little cigar that boasts tons of body and excellent flavors.

The Reveal: This was actually an exact quote from Brooks when I sent him my guess:

“Not even close :), Oh, and I would not send you an AB Tempus, surely you think better of me then that? LOL!”

He then goes on to reveal what cigar this was:

“It was a LFD (La Flor Dominicana) Cabinet Maduro #6..Apparently, about once a month Litto picks out some cigars that have the darkest & most oily wrappers & when he get enough cigars to make a cab of 50,he sends them out to specific stores. Really great stick, & usually not easy to find…”

Very awesome. I would have never in a million years been able to guess this one. What a pleasant surprise. One a side note, Brooks had mentioned that there was a cigar in the bunch that was the only cigar that had ever mad him vomit. This was the cigar. He went on to explain hotboxing and smoking too fast was probably the main culprit. But that’s something to keep in mind if you ever do stumble across one of these cigars.

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