I had great plans of fitting in several more cigar reviews before the close of 2014, but it was not possible with the busy holiday season and year-end work responsibilities. At the end of November, I received for review several samples of the King David by Alec Bradley from our good friends at Mike’s Cigars, which I will finally be reviewing today. King David is the third Mike’s Cigars exclusive that we have reviewed here at Casas Fumando. I was rather impressed by the other shops exclusives that I had the pleasure of smoking. You can find the two other reviews below:

• Romeo Y Julieta – Primer Lote 770
• La Gloria Cubana – Domino 758

Produced in Honduras, the King David by Alec Bradley is available in five frontmarks: Corona Extra (4 3/4 by 45), Gran Robusto (5 by 55), Gran Toro (6 by 54), Churchill (7 by 52), and Gordo (6 by 60). The price ranges from just above $6.00 for the Corona Extra up to $12.50 for the Gordo. The prices significantly decreases for five packs and 20-count boxes. Lenin Euceda, Social Media Manager of Mike’s Cigars, provided me the following background on today’s stick:

The new King David by Alec Bradley cigars is made in Honduras under the watchful eye of Alan Rubin, president of Alec Bradley cigars. All Alec Bradley cigars are high quality and made of premium aged tobacco and the King David is no different.  The cigar is finished with a silky golden roll of pure Connecticut leaf which paves the way for a perfectly light aroma that marries with the Honduras/Nicaraguan blend and the Sumatra binder. Just like other non-heavy smokes that feature light wrapper but  rich and complex flavors, the King David is easy on the palate and full of tastes at the same time.

The Facts

Samples Provided by Mike’s Cigars
Price: $7.85/single, $24.95/5-pack, and $94.95/20-Count Box
Vitola: Gran Robusto
Size: 5 by 55
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Sumatran
Filler: Honduran and Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 20 Minutes
Drink: Water

Pre-light

The King David is dressed in a very light tan Connecticut wrapper leaf. Small and medium-sized veins are easily seen against the light colored wrapper, as well as some bumps and color imperfections. When I first removed the cigar from its cellophane, I was met with big notes of barnyard/manure. Having the cigar outside of the cellophane for pictures, the aroma off the wrapper has significantly toned down.

There is now only faint notes of natural tobacco and cedar. I do not find much more off the unlit foot of the cigar, but feel a light spice sting in the sinuses. Upon clipping the neatly applied double cap, a just about perfect draw presents itself with notes of clove, cedar, and pickling spices.

First Third

The profile is very mild at the start with a subtle natural tobacco sweetness and some faint cedar notes. As the cigar warms, the woodsy notes come to the front of the profile and pepper is really showcased with each retrohale. A thick, eyeliner burn-line has a slight wave but behaving overly well. The ash has yet to drop as I close out the first third.

Middle Third

Moving into the second third, the texture of the smoke has evolved and is now much more creamy and thick in the mouth. The flavors are now in the medium range but remain very easy on the palate with the creamy feel, along with balanced notes of wood, leather, and natural tobacco sweetness. The burn has been a bit edgy through the middle third but nowhere near the point of requiring a touch-up. The second ash held half as long as the first and dropped in the middle of my keyboard.

Final third

The main flavors remain consistent with the previous two thirds. However, I am noticing some bitterness that I find on most Connecticut shade cigars, as well as a toasted quality. Lengthening the time between draws seems to minimize the bitterness. The smoke production is awesome. The smallest draw fills my mouth with the medium flavored smoke.

Wrap-up

The King David was very different than my typical go-to cigars. I could probably count on one hand the number Connecticut shade cigars I smoked in 2014 and even less Alec Bradley cigars, if any.  But I was pleasantly surprised by the King David. The mild to medium flavors were easy on the palate and the natural tobacco sweetness rounded out the profile. The performance was exceptional with a mostly even burn, firm ash, and copious amount of smoke production. The only downfall I noted was the bitterness in the final third that can be easily avoided by slowing my pace. This is a cigar I would  reach for first thing in the morning as the sweetness in the cigar would compliment a black cup o’ Joe.  Also, this would be a great cigar for mild cigar smokers and newbies to the cigar world.

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Photo Credit: Mike’s Cigars

According to Mike’s Cigars:

This fantastic four country blend, featuring Nicaraguan, Honduran, Dominican Republic fillers, Nicaraguan binder and topped off with 3 year old Habano Ecuadoran Sumatra or Broadleaf Maduro wrapper with a small batch release accommodating 10 wonderful and affordable cigars in a ‘domino’ box that pays homage to their Cuban roots. With a wonderful smoke that’s both rich in culture and exceptionally tasty flavor.

While the vitola is stated as a churchill, the size is much larger than the traditional 7 by 47-50 size. As the name suggests, the Domino 758 measures in at 7 inches by 58 ring gauge. Blend tobaccos and wrapper choice of Habano Ecuadorian Sumatra and Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro are similar to the standard La Gloria Cubana line with Honduran tobacco as an added ingredient in the Domino 758 filler tobaccos.

The Facts

Samples Provided by Mike’s Cigars
Price: $72.95 for a box of 10
Vitola: Churchill
Size: 7 by 58
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan
Smoke Time:2 Hour and 10 Minutes
Drink: Water

Pre-light

The La Gloria Cubana 758 is one hefty cigar coming in at 7 inches by 58 ring gauge. The Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper is consistent in its medium to dark brown color. Mainly small veins run down the cigar with a only a few medium in size to be found. The wrapper leaf is coated in oils and a fine tooth that can be felt on the finger tips. Actually feels like a fine coarse sand paper.

Notes of dry fruit, chocolate, and a faint pungency are found on the wrapper, as big notes of raisin, honey and more chocolate come off of the foot of the cigar. Additionally, I am picking up some sort of chili powder. The aroma of the foot is just awesome. The double cap has been applied very clean and once cut presents a decent draw with rich notes of cedar, chocolate, and some holiday spices of nutmeg and clove.

First Third

A bit more toned down that expected, the 758 begins with deep savory notes of cedar and earth. Coffee and unsweetened cocoa dominate the long finish that leaves a chalky texture in the mouth. There is some mild black pepper that is causing a warming sensation on the palate but the smoke moves through the sinuses smoothly. Instead of gaining in intensity, the flavors have become even more mild after the first inch with no spice to be found. A touch-up is required as I exit the first third and the firm ash is holding easily past an inch.

Middle Third

I am pleased to report that the flavors are creeping towards medium. Some sweetness has joined the rich profile of toasted woodsy notes, clove and earth. The pepper spice has regained its footing in the profile. With the profile so mild early on and now only medium, I am surprised to feeling a nicotine kick in my gut. The earthy notes have transitioned to more diesel-like and the cocoa to a sweet chocolate. The burn is now edgy and the ash has become somewhat flaky.

Final Third

A small crack has formed in the wrapper just above the band. I am hoping that the tear doesn’t continue under the wrapper. Rich smoke is pouring out of the La Gloria Cubana 758. The earth continues to have a stronghold in the profile and coffee has made its way from the finish right into the center of the flavors. The mix between the rich smoke and coffee reminds me of an espresso. What a great way to finish up a cigar!

Wrap-up

I am not sure how to put words on my experience with the La Gloria Cubana Domino 758, but I will give it a shot. As a multi-course meal begins lightly and builds to a wonderful end with a sweet, rich dessert, so did this Mike’s Cigars exclusive. Beginning with a mild profile, the cigar developed to medium in the middle third and ended on a high note with medium/full, rich flavors. Only once did I have to correct the burn in over two hours of smoking. So a 10 second annoyance out of 7200 seconds of smoking is really no issue at all. Finding two hours to enjoy a cigar can be very difficult. But a backyard barbeque or just an evening smoke with friends where you know you’ll be going for awhile, the La Gloria Cubana Domino 758 may be the perfect cigar for the occasion.

The post La Gloria Cubana Domino 758, a Mike’s Cigars Exclusive appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

Primer Lote 770 is produced in Honduras in three vitolas: Burgundy – Robusto (4 ¾ by 54), Bordeaux – Toro (5 ¾ by 54) and Beaujolais – Belicoso ( 6 by 52).   Some literature received with the samples gave some background on the stick:

Unique and special, Primer Lote are first-run, small batches made from exclusive bales of newly acquired limited availability tobaccos. Now, for the first time ever, we have decided to make these limited quantity cigars available to you. Each box is hand-stamped with the special lot number for each batch. Pimer Lote are some of the rarest first-batch tobaccos out there: don’t miss the chance to experience these outstanding cigars….while you can.

 The Facts

Samples provided by Mike’s Cigars
Price: $7.70
Vitola: Beaujolais – Belicoso
Size: 6 by 52
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Indonesian and Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 35 Minutes.
Drink: Water

Pre-light

The Nicaraguan wrapper on the Primer Lote 770 is oily, veiny, and bumpy  The oils can be felt on the tips of my finger as I examine the cigar for soft spots. The traditional red band with white lettering and gold embossment stands out against the dark tan, oragnish wrapper leaf. The lot number is contained on the secondary band that has a less traditional appeal but works well with the cigar. I don’t know why, but I like it.

The wrapper carries aromas of sweet tobacco and pungent barnyard, while thick notes of chocolate and rich cedar are picked up on the foot of the cigar. The chocolate is similar to a chocolate pudding. Clipping away a quarter inch of the pointed cap opens up a wonderful draw. The sweet tobacco, chocolate, and cedar are accentuated on the cold draw, along with exotic, chai tea spices.

First Third

Removing the foot band and taking my time evenly lighting the 52 ring gauge Primer Lote 770, the cigar is underway. The cigar begins with a pepper spice that is common in Nicaraguan tobacco but not something that I find in most Romeo y Julieta lines. The smoke moves across the palate smoothly but leaves a small itch at the back of the throat. As the pepper tones down, I note some cedar and grassy flavors, accompanied by a mild sweetness that is rounding out the profile. Jumping back and forth from wavy to even, the burn-line can’t make up its mind. But as long as a touch-up is not needed, I am not bothered by it. The ash is firm holding up to an inch and a half.

Middle Third

Other than the pepper in the first third, the flavors were rather bright, but, as I make my way into the second third, the profile transitions to darker flavors of earth and coffee. The sweetness evolved into chocolate and the cigar continues to build in richness with some clove joining in. The finish is of coffee and cocoa that sits heavy on the palate. At the thirty minute mark, I finally had to touch-up a portion of the wrapper. Things are back in-line and are going well. The pepper comes across sharp and the clove is showcased on the retrohale.

Final Third

Each third thus far has been characterized by distinct flavor profiles and the final third is beginning no differently. As smoke enter my mouth, rich cedar, clove, and sweet tobacco notes meet my palate. The earthyness that arrived in the middle third has become deisel-like on the finish. A sip of water every few puffs is needed to offset the richness of the cigar.

Wrap-up

During my past visits to the local tobacconist, it was rare for me to grab any Atladis U.S.A cigars even though their product took up a quarter of the humidor. Beginning with the Romeo Y Julieta RyJ in 2013, followed by The Banker by H. Upmann a few months ago, and now the Romeo y Julieta Primer Lote 770, my perception of Altadis U.S.A. is changing. The Primer Lote 770 delivered a good performance with medium flavors. But what  made this Mike’s Cigars exclusive unique was the distinct flavor profiles in each third. For a price under $8, this cigar falls right into the sweet-spot. Heck, a fiver can be had for under $30. Finally, a big “THANKS” to Mike’s Cigars for providing the samples for review.

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