Monthly Recap – October

Number of Cigars Smoked: 25

Of those smoked:

• Purchased: 15 or 60%
• Gifted: 3 or 12%
• Samples Provided: 7 or 28%

Of those purchased:

• Brick & Mortar: 1 or 7%
• Online: 14 or 93%

Most Memorable Cigars Smoked

#1. Quesada 40th Anniversary Corona Clasica – Tony reviewed the Quesada 40th Anniversary back in September. You can find his full review HERE. Unlike Tony, I had no problem removing the tissue paper, and I am convinced it was more of a user error on Tony’s part than anything else But I am not here to critique the cigar necessarily. Last month, my dog that I had since I was in 8th grade was put to rest at the age of 16. I was not there to say my goodbye as he was in El Paso with my parents. However, that evening I lit up the Quesada 40th and reflected on the great memories I had with him including taking him snowboarding in the Upper Peninsula, falling through ice while ice fishing, and several others. He was one stubborn, loving dog that I will miss.

#2. Cain F Lancero – Easily one of my favorite offerings from Oliva. The Cain F Lancero is a solid cigar that I could smoke any day of the week. I have to keep them hidden at the bottom of the humi to not smoke them all at once. I picked up a box of these bad boys in the Summer of 2013, allowing myself one every few months.  With only 4 or 5 remaining, it is time to order up another box. My opinion of this cigar has not changed since I reviewed it back in June 2013, when I had this to say (find the full review HERE):

I am just going to say it. I freakin love this cigar! While it has been well over a year since I smoked the 2011 release, I felt that this release offered bolder flavors and more complexity. While ugly in appearance, the construction and burn were excellent. As I have mentioned in previous reviews, I lean towards cigars that deliver some sweetness and the Cain F Lancero it right up my alley.  I adore the Lancero format and it is just unheard of to find a lancero in the $6.00 range…

Cigar Reviews

La Gloria Cubana Domino 758, a 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.

Espinosa Cigars – La Zona Habano

For a cigar that can be found for under $4 on most days and around $2 on good days, La Zona Habano by Espinosa Cigars is a good stick that delivers without breaking the bank.

Exactus – Puro Ambar Short Coloso

The flavors delivered in the first and second thirds, but tapered off in the final third, which I will blame on the void in tobaccos near the head. I am pleased to report that the issue did not occur in the other sample. When I think of the lines I have smoked under the Exactus brand, I can honestly say that the Puro Ambar is a step above the other lines.

Romeo Y Julieta Primer Lote 770, a Mike’s Cigars Exclusive

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.

Tony’s Reviews

Padron- Family Reserve 50 Years Maduro

…the Padron Family Reserve 50 Years Maduro is an exceptional cigar delivering most notably in the flavor department. As any of you who are familiar with the Family Reserve releases would expect, the flavors were quite complex, yet very smooth and balanced. Not to mention they are ideal for beer pairing especially with the early winter seasonal releases.

Asylum 13 Ogre

As with most Asylum cigars I have smoke, the Ogre is a solid stick. That being said, there wasn’t anything outside of the strength which really stood out to me. I did like the flavors, and the changeups, but I would probably reach for the standard Asylum 13 over the Ogre.

Matilde Renacer Corona

This is a little cigar with a whole lot of personality. The flavor profile is pretty different, but a breath a fresh air showcasing some great floral and sweetness combined with some nice spice, and natural flavors which all developed at the right moments to keep my on my toes. Matilde’s Renacer is one of the better Dominican-rich cigars that I have smoked in a long time

Guest Reviews by Jeff Oda

L’Atelier Imports – L’Atelier Extension de la Racine ER 13

A tasty and relaxing medium-full bodied smoke with low-medium strength – hell yes!  I have really enjoyed the several L’Atelier Extension de la Racines that I have smoked, with flavors that are certainly not run of the mill providing a good amount of complexity without pounding you over the head with them.  Construction was pretty much spot-on, with just one small correction required and no re-lights.  The price is entirely in line with a cigar of this quality, and even more so with the limited availability. .

Nomad C-276 Torpedo

The Nomad C-276 is a great cigar, especially for those who are into the fuller bodied and stronger smokes. The flavors are distinct and complex, and the construction is solid. Although I did eventually have to correct the burn a few times, it was not an aggravation, and did not affect the flavors. Fred did an outstanding job in blending this stick, and the inclusion of the Ometepe leaf takes it a step beyond the S-307 that I had previously enjoyed, in terms of additional flavors and balanced complexity

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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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