July & August 2015 Recap

Most Memorable Cigars Smoked

1. E.P. Carrillo – Short Run 2015
2. Arturo Fuente – Casa Fuente
3. Crowned Heads – The Angel’s Anvil 2015
4. Illusione – Sin Cinta, Fox Cigar Bar Exclusive

Giveaway

To show our appreciation to all of our Casas Fumando readers and friends, we have partnered up with Famous Smoke Shop for a 6 cigar sampler and humidor jar giveaway! Enter HERE.

 July and August Cigar Reviews

Review Highlights

Jeremy’s Reviews
Selected Tobacco – Atabey

From the packaging to the experience itself, the Selected Tobacco Atabey is attractive, unique, and intriguing. Each third brought forth distinct flavors, while not losing site of its identity. The cigar centered around the earthy/diesel-like flavor, with transitions in more of subtle, background notes.

Perdomo Cigars – Double Aged 12 Year Vintage

Deep, satisfying, and rich flavors are showcased throughout the cigar, while easily noticeable change-ups are experienced in each third and sometime multiple times in each third. A satisfying amount of velvety smooth smoke poured out with each draw.

Oliva Cigar Co. – Serie G Belicoso

The Oliva Serie G is a great cigar when you desire a medium-bodied, medium-flavor smoke that delivers that Nicaraguan zing! Next time I visit a Serie G, I think I will reach for a parejo shaped cigar in hopes that it cuts down on the charred notes that I experienced in the final third.

Tony’s Reviews

Davidoff Escurio

The flavors are bold, tasty, and complex yet still the Escurio keeps it’s Davidoff character. There is just something in every Davidoff cigar that carries this great mossy flavor. I know, that sounds like a turn off, but it really isn’t and I’ve learned to appreciate it each time I light one up.

Crowned Heads – The Angel Anvil’s 2014

The Crowned Heads Angel’s Anvil 2014 was a solid cigar. The flavor profile was great, although a bit mild for my likes. The burn experience was spot-on and each cigar I smoked was very consistent. I personally liked the 2015 more as I usually gravitate towards bolder, more full bodied cigars.

La Mission Du L’Atelier

L’Atelier has made some great blends in the past, but they have outdone themselves with the La Mission which has quickly become my favorite release by them to date. The cigar is bold, complex, and just all around enjoyable at a damn good price.

Quesada – Oktoberfest 2015 Double Bock Nicaraguan

Let’s just say it’s still early in the cigar year and I can already tell my “Best of 2015” list is going to be a tough one. The Quesada Oktoberfest Double Bock will be fighting for a spot, that’s for sure. The departure from the Dominican Republic was a success with the Double Bock blend. The cigar was complex, yet relaxed and made for a full body experience without being too overpowering. The price is perfect for the cigar and in my opinion, may even be less than I’d expect to pay for it.

Guest Reviews by Jeff Oda

Quesada Selección España H-Town Lancero

I know the first two that I smoked were way up there in terms of enjoyment for me, with good transitions, flavors, and smoothness, as well as solid construction, all at a fair price. I did have to touch it up a few times and re-light it once, but those corrections were minor and didn’t affect the quality of the smoking experience, and it burned through that one goofy vein without any problems.

Punch Sucker Punch

I found the Punch Sucker Punch to be a pretty solid medium bodied smoke, and one that will provide a viable alternative to smokers who want a little more of an edge to the traditional Connecticut wrapped, mild cigar. Contrary to its marketing, it is not, in my opinion, an ass kicking strong smoke, but it does carry some slap to it. I would have liked a little more of the sweetness that a Connecticut stick usually provides and was a little surprised that the Cameroon binder did not for the most part provide that, but I still enjoyed it, and the price is certainly rather easy to take, especially since it can frequently be found on sale at Famous Smoke and on Cigar Monster at substantially lower prices.

The post Monthly Recap – July & August – Jeremy Hensley Edition appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

Atabey, Bandolero, and Byron are all brands produced by Selected Tobacco and owned and blended by Nelson Alfonso. Produced in Costa Rica at the Selected Tobacco factory, Atabey is manufactured in limited quantities and available in four vitolas: Divinos (4 1/2 by 50), Brujos (4 7/8 by 52), Delirios (5 3/4 by 55), and Ritos (6 1/8 by 55). Two additional sizes are available outside the U.S. market. While all three of Nelson’s brands are easily considered premium , the Bandolero falls at a more reasonable price point compared to the Atabey and Byron. Atabey cigars start around $20.00 for a single up to the low $30s for the largest size, the Ritos.  U.S. distribution is managed by United Cigar Group, owned by David Garofalo of Two Guys Smoke Shop.

Nelson Alfonso is most well known for his work on the Cohiba Behike branding. His Cuban influence transfers over to the the branding of Atabey, which is very Cubanesque and reminiscent of the Behike. But the most captivating aspect of the packaging is the Humitube the Atabey arrived in. United Cigar Group’s website explains the technology used:

Humitube® technology is the unique real and effective humidifier cigar tube in the world for its double chamber system that let the cigar receive a slow humidify thought the wall of the tube that make a balanced humidified cigar at all its length.

With this technique, called double chamber tube, the cigars receive a smoothly uniform humectation, and receive a complete equal humectation from top to the bottom of the cigar.

The other conventional cigar tubes of the market always destroy the cigar cause the humidify are supply are located only in the bottom of the tube, and this strong and direct humidity destroy the cigars cause the humidity is received direct to the “mouth” of the cigar, making an “trump shame cigar” that is over wet in the “month” of the cigar and total dry at the end of this.

The Facts

Samples Provided by United Cigar Group
Price: $33.00
Vitola: Ritos
Size: 6 1/8 by 55
Wrapper: Unknown
Binder: Unknown
Filler: Unknown
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 25 Minutes
Drink: Water

Pre-light

The Atabey is dressed in a golden tan wrapper. Some wrinkles are seen, but hardly any veins are apparent until closer examination. Upon removing the cedar sleeve, I find a small tear in the wrapper running about a half inch starting at the foot of the cigar. The initial aroma triggers memories of walking into my first walk in humidor with the smell of Spanish cedar and tobacco in the air.

Quickly, the strong aroma of cedar fades and I am left with notes of hay and a very faint pungency. Spice instantly hit my sinuses causing quite the tingle. Much fuller notes are found on the foot beginning with cedar, deep red wine notes, graham cracker and some spices. Opting for a straight cut instead of using the cigar punch located on the Humitube, I find a perfect draw that brings forth notes of clove and rich cedar.

First Third

The flavors are much darker and fuller than expected. Diesel, coffee, and wet earth are on one end of the spectrum of the profile, being contrasted and complimented by some bright cedar notes on the other end.  The finish is short and is having drying effect on my palate making me once again think of wine, but this time a dry red. Only an inch in and a transition in the flavors has taken place with a light, refreshing fruitiness and sweetness joining in. The retrohale, one of the cleanest and smoothest I have come across, brings out the pepper. The Selected Tobacco Atabey is burning cool with a thick, crooked burn. A firm, light gray ash is holding strong.

Middle Third

The darker, heavier flavors from early on remain with some added black pepper and cocoa. However, the profile is in no way fatiguing to the palate. The retrohale remains very pleasant and a hint of the fruitiness and sweetness is found on the finish of the smoke. The Atabey continues to burn well.

Final Third

Pulling into the final third of the Atabey by Select Tobacco, some strength is finally making an appearance and the flavors are chugging along. After removing the band with ease, I find a clove flavor that quickly hits the palate then moves behind the more dominant flavor of diesel. Additionally, a syrupy sweetness has joined in and the finish develops a char taste with only a few minutes remaining. The draw has firmed up, but it still within the acceptable range.

Wrap-up

From the packaging to the experience itself, the Selected Tobacco Atabey is attractive, unique, and intriguing. Each third brought forth distinct flavors, while not losing site of its identity. The cigar centered around the earthy/diesel-like flavor, with transitions in more of subtle, background notes. The play between the char and syrupy-sweetness in the final third was the only off-putting part of the cigar. The flavor and body were in the medium/full range, while the strength crept up steadily through the cigar ending in the medium/full range as well.  The price may make the Atabey out of reach for some, but for those who have the cash, the Atabey is worth the buy as it does not disappoint.  The Atabey is definitely out of my price range, but it was a treat to smoke nonetheless.

The post Selected Tobacco – Atabey appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.