Tatiana Mocha

This was the first flavor-infused cigar I had tried.  I was leery after reading some very divided opinions on the internet - some people love infused cigars, some people hate them.  Count me with the former.

The Tatiana Mocha (Caramely: 6.0" x 50) is, first and foremost, a good looking cigar, with a beautiful, dark Sumatran wrapper.  Unlit, it smells, tastes and looks a lot like a Tootsie Roll.  Light it up, and it's still very chocolaty, but now there's a smoky, rich coffee in there as well.  I was a little worried that the sweetness would become cloying after a while, but it didn't.  The flavor stayed consistent and smooth.  It burned coolly and evenly, and left a firm, gray ash and lots of sweet-smelling smoke. I enjoyed a couple of glasses of a nice, sweet port wine while I smoked this, and the two combined into a very interesting, adult maraschino cherry kind of thing.  Not something I would smoke every day, but delicious and a great choice for when I'm feeling like something a little different.

Appearance and Construction:  14/15

Flavor:  22/25

Smoking Characteristics:  23/25

Overall Impression:  31/35

Total:  90/100

5 Vegas Series ’A’

This seductively beautiful stick is also brutally flavorful.  The first half-inch tasted so strongly of leather I thought I was smoking a belt.  I almost gave up on it, honestly.  But I'm glad I didn't.

The 5 Vegas Series ’A’ (Archetype: 6" x 50) is gorgeously built, with a smooth, dark maduro wrapper,  well-packed fillers and excellent construction overall.  Looks great.  Feels great.  Smells great.  Put it to your lips and you feel a peppery burn immediately.  Light it up and... POW.  In-your-face flavor so full-bodied it's almost overpowering.  Pronounced leather and pepper, that evens out as it burns (or maybe my tongue was just going numb), with subtler notes of coffee and nuts that I couldn't detect until the last third.  It lit easily, burned evenly and produced clouds of thick smoke.  The draw was just right.  But the flavor was a little too "too" for me.

Appearance and Construction:  14/15

Flavor:  20/25

Smoking Characteristics:  22/25

Overall Impression:  29/35

Total:  85/100

My Cigar Rating System

The more cigars I smoke, the more I become aware that my palette and tastes are getting more... discriminating.  I'm getting to the point where I can pick out finer and finer details and differences in taste, aroma, draw, etc.  And I'm discovering that my rating system isn't precise enough.  Not all "7 out of 10" cigars are created equal, after all.  To make matters worse, I never really used a rating system at all, just 10 point "enjoyment" scale.

So I'm going to go back and re-do all my ratings, using a 100-point scale suspiciously similar to the one used by Cigar Aficionado magazine...

Appearance and Construction (15 point maximum)
A cigar should have consistent color and shape from head to foot;  the wrapper should be smooth and flawless. When held, the cigar should feel firm and give off a slightly oily moistness. Points will be deducted if the wrapper has areas of large veins or if the cigar feels dry or firmer in some parts than others.

Flavor (25 points maximum)
A cigar should have clear, distinctive (and pleasant) flavors, and it should be consistently smooth and rich. Points will be deduced if the cigar leaves a bitter or harsh taste on my lips, tongue or mouth.

Smoking Characteristics (25 points maximum)
A cigar should light and burn easily and evenly, and it should have a comfortable, consistent draw.  The ash should be pale and firm, and the cigar should give off thick, white smoke.  Points are deducted if the cigar burns unevenly, too quickly, too hot, or if the cigar is difficult to keep lit.

Overall Impression (35 points maximum)
A completely subjective score based simply on how thoroughly I enjoyed the cigar.  This is the most heavily weighted category because it is the most important, at least to me.

In some cases, I may be forced to re-smoke a given cigar in order to refresh my memory, but that's a burden I'm prepared to accept for you, my devoted readers...

Sancho Panza Double Maduro

My latest "splurge" from Cigars International.  After reading some impressive reviews, I grabbed a 5-pack of these while ordering a few more of the 5 Vegas Gold Maduros that I enjoyed so much night before last.  Honestly, I didn't expect much.  $3 per stick seemed rather cheap even at CI's usually great prices.  But man... did I hit the jackpot.  (Next time I'll order a full box and save even more...)

The Sancho Panza Double Maduro (Cervantes: 6.5" x 48) is a delicious smoke.  It's good looking, too.  The maduro wrapper is as dark and oily and smooth as you'd imagine something called "double maduro" would be.  The construction is a little loose:  compared to the 5 Vegas Gold Maduro that I reviewed last week, the Sancho Panza felt light by contrast. I cut the opening slightly smaller than I normally do, but in retrospect I probably didn't need to.  It lit easily, burned evenly, and left a light, medium-gray ash.  It seemed to burn quicker than my other cigars, but never got "hot".  This thing is definitely not light on flavor, though.  Leather, toast, chicory and dark chocolate, all laid on thick - stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth thick, but never overpowering - right down to the nub.  I have a feeling I'll still be able to taste it tomorrow morning - and that will be a good thing.  My new favorite.

Appearance and Construction:  13/15

Flavor:  24/25

Smoking Characteristics:  23/25

Overall Impression:  33/35

Total:  93/100

5 Vegas Gold Maduro

This cigar is a dilemma... I enjoyed a 5 Vegas Gold Maduro (Robusto: 5" x 50) while reading a good book out on the patio last night - a crisp, clear autumn night that I enthusiastically filled with clouds of thick, white smoke.  Beautiful to look at - the dark, oily maduro wrapper makes it look more like a stick of fudge than a cigar - it felt solid and heavy for its size.  I've smoked two of these, both Robustos from the same batch, and they were both so dense that the draw was very difficult. The flavor stayed consistent all the way through, which was a good thing, because it was delicious from start to finish.  Strong notes of leather and cedar and coffee, with a hint of pepper and a white-chocolaty sweetness than never became cloying.  My only complaint is the draw:  getting smoke out of these things seems so much like work I gave up on the last two inches both times.  I'm hoping it was just a bad batch; putting these down before they burned my fingers seemed wasteful.  It's like finally getting a Ferrari and realizing you had more fun driving your old Ford.  I've ordered 5 more of these in the Torpedo size - hopefully they'll be less work, because this would be a great cigar otherwise.

{Edit, 16 November 2010:  I finally got around to trying one of the torpedoes, and it smoked much better than the first two had.  The scores below have been updated.}

Appearance and Construction:  14/15

Flavor:  23/25

Smoking Characteristics:  22/25

Overall Impression:  31/35

Total:  90/100

5 Vegas Classic

 

A very, very nice cigar, the 5 Vegas Classic (Torpedo: 6" x 52) appealed to me from the moment I removed the wrapper.  Beautiful, and beautifully made, it just... smelled like it was going to be good.  I lit it unevenly but it burned slowly and coolly and eventually evened itself out.  The taste reminded me of leather, hickory smoke and a little vanilla.  It was quite smooth for a medium-bodied cigar.  Minus just a little for an uneven draw - some parts were too easy, some too tight.  Towards the end it was difficult to keep lit.  But very enjoyable overall.

Appearance and Construction:  12/15

Flavor:  22/25

Smoking Characteristics:  21/25

Overall Impression:  30/35

Total:  85/100

5 Vegas Historical Collection

Another order from Cigars International, this 5 Vegas sampler contains 8 of 5 Vegas most tantalizing blends.  The sampler contains:

3 - 5 Vegas Classic (Torpedo: 6" x 54)
3 - 5 Vegas Gold (Robusto: 5" x 50)
3 - 5 Vegas Gold Maduro (Robusto: 5" x 50)
2 - 5 Vegas Cask-Strength (Toro: 6" x 52)
2 - 5 Vegas Series ’A’ (Archetype: 6" x 50)
1 - 5 Vegas Limitada 2010 (Belicoso: 6.25" x 52)
1 - 5 Vegas Triple-A (5" x 56)
1 - 5 Vegas Miami (M5: 5.5" x 55)

Graycliff 'G2'

The Graycliff 'G2' Pirate (Torpedo: 6" x 52) is a good cigar.  Very mild, but flavorful from the very beginning.  Creamy smooth, with lots of cedar.  I enjoyed this one while floating on my back, alone in my swimming pool, for a good, solid hour.  It had a slow, even burn, and a very easy draw.  Lots of thick smoke, which I like.

Appearance and Construction:  13/15

Flavor:  18/25

Smoking Characteristics:  22/25

Overall Impression:  27/35

Total:  80/100

5 Vegas Gold

A beautiful cigar, the 5 Vegas Gold Series (Robusto: 5" x 50) has excellent construction and a perfect Connecticut wrapper.  Mild, but chock full of flavors - nutty, peppery, smoky, and leathery.  It started off strong - almost too strong - but mellowed quickly.  After a half-dozen puffs, it was creamy smooth and actually got smoother and tastier as it burnt.  The burn was even and the draw was slightly firm.  I smoked this one until it was burning my fingers.  Very, very good and very satisfying.

Appearance and Construction:  14/15

Flavor:  22/25

Smoking Characteristics:  21/25

Overall Impression:  32/35

Total:  89/100

Rocky Patel 'R4'

The Rocky Patel 'R4' (Double Corona Corojo: 7.5" x 52)  is easily my favorite, so far.  This is a big, beautiful cigar that I loved smoking.  Earthy and nutty and flavorful - but smooth - from the moment I lit it up.  The flavors clung to my palette like a life preserver.  Perfectly constructed, it had a just-right draw, and a cool, even burn all the way to the nub.  I hated to put it out.  I will definitely be getting some more of these.

Appearance and Construction:  15/15

Flavor:  25/25

Smoking Characteristics:  22/25

Overall Impression:  30/35

Total:  92/100

Oliva Serie 'O'

The Oliva Serie 'O' (Robusto: 5" x 50) may deserve a better writeup than I'm going to give it.  At the time of smoking, I was working my way through my 5th, 6th and 7th servings of Jerry Gibson's dangerously good rum punch.  As a result, many of the details of the afternoon have escaped me.  I do remember that the Oliva had an easy draw and a consistent burn, and a solid salt-and-pepper ash.  The last third of the Oliva burned a little hot, but I may have been over-smoking it.  The flavor was... well honestly, I don't remember.  In any case, it wasn't remarkably good or remarkably bad.  In the spirit of fairness, I'm going to have to try another one sometime.  (Poor me!)

Appearance and Construction:  12/15

Flavor:  18/25

Smoking Characteristics:  22/25

Overall Impression:  25/35

Total:  77/100

Gurkha's Park Avenue

Gurkha's Park Avenue Series 44 (Churchill: 7" x 48) - This is a beautiful cigar, with a smooth, oily Connecticut wrapper.  It had a good, nutty flavor that started out very mild but intensified during the smoke; toward the end it was a little overpowering.  A shorter stick may have been more enjoyable.  The cigar had a good draw, even burn, and salt-and-pepper ash that flaked annoyingly in the light breeze.

Appearance and Construction:  13/15

Flavor:  16/25

Smoking Characteristics:  15/25

Overall Impression:  27/35

Total:  71/100

Bahia Blu

This little beauty surprised me.  I don't know why I wasn't expecting much, actually.  Maybe the plain, modernish-looking band threw me, but when I decided to try it I was prepared for disappointment.

I was wrong.

The Bahia Blu E652 (Torpedo: 6.5" x 52) is a very nice smoke, smooth and mild but consistently flavorful.  Lots of cedar and something sweet - honey, perhaps.  The clean, pleasant aftertaste stayed for a long, long time.  The draw was perfect; the burn was even.  The ash was firm and pale.

Appearance and Construction:  10/15

Flavor:  22/25

Smoking Characteristics:  21/25

Overall Impression:  28/35

Total:  81/100

My Humidor

A birthday present from my lovely wife, Kathy.  It's lined with Spanish cedar and it holds 100 cigars (not yet, but maybe someday...).  It has a lock, a small brass nameplate for engraving, a humidifier and a small hygrometer.  Kathy was also thoughtful enough to order me a bottle of cigar juice, a seasoning kit, and a calibration kit for the hygrometer.  The hygrometer that came with this humidor was way off (25% off!), and the set-screw adjustment didn't work.  I wound up using a sharpie to mark off an area that equates to between 65 and 75% RH.  But that's my only gripe.

The humidor itself is beautiful and solidly constructed.  It was hard to avoid playing with it during the seasoning process, which took two weeks with the seasoning kit, and I still open it too often just to stick my nose in and smell.  The seal is exactly right and it will serve me well for many years.

Note that this image is from Cigars International, but Kathy actually ordered this humidor from www.humidorvault.com.  The CI image is the nicest I could find though, and with all the free advertising they're getting from this blog, I didn't think they'd mind...

Graycliffe Profesionale

This was another great deal from Cigars International.  These 92-rated Graycliff Profesionales have an MSRP of $20 each.  CI usually charges $90 for 5 of the Torpedo (6" x 52) size.

I got 10 for $39.99.

I'll repeat that:  I got 10 for $39.99.

Four measly bucks each for 10 of the best cigars Graycliff makes!  And since it was a daily special, I didn't even have to pay shipping and handling.  And just like the first order, they arrived quickly (ordered Thursday night; arrived Monday morning) and in great shape.

The Graycliff Profesionale is superbly constructed, with a beautiful, oily wrapper that's a little darker than the picture makes it look.  It lights well, burns coolly and evenly and yields clouds of thick smoke.  The flavor is complex:  nutty, smoky and earthy, with hints of leather and cedar and pepper and other spices I couldn't even identify.

Despite all that, I probably shouldn't have made this plunge.  This cigar is a little too full-bodied for me to be 100% enjoyable.  If I had done a little more research, I probably would have realized that.

After handing a few out to friends, I still have five of these left.  I think I'll let them mellow in the humidor for a few months.  Maybe the flavor will settle down to something more suited for my beginner's palate.

{Edit, 18 November, 2010:  I finally tried another one of these a couple of nights ago, and it was superb.  Either four months in the humidor gave these babies time to settle, or my "beginner's palate" is starting to grow up.  Either way, I've upped the overall score from 75 to 85 as reflected below.}

Appearance and Construction:  14/15

Flavor:  20/25

Smoking Characteristics:  21/25

Overall Impression:  30/35

Total:  85/100

Puros Indios Viejo Maduro

The Puros Indios Viejo Maduro (Toro: 6" x 52) was the first cigar I tried from my Cigars International order, and I was... well... underwhelmed.  (To be fair, I didn't yet own a respectable humidor, so all of my cigars sat in a Tupperware bin with a small sponge soaked in distilled water until my "real" humidor arrived.  The other smokes fared well enough though, so it doesn't seem likely that I ruined just this one.) It lit well, and had a nice, easy draw.  The burn was even and consistent.  But the flavor was just OK - nothing I could describe as bad, but nothing memorable, either.  It was certainly no "dog rocket", but I probably wouldn't go far out of my way for another one.

Appearance and Construction:  12/15

Flavor:  17/25

Smoking Characteristics:  20/25

Overall Impression:  25/35

Total:  74/100

My First Internet Order

This was the first internet cigar purchase I made, a great sampler deal from Cigars International.  At the time, it was $15, plus $5 shipping and handling.  Get this:  I ordered these on a Thursday afternoon, and they arrived Friday morning!


Here's what I got:
- 5 Vegas Gold Series (Robusto: 5" x 50)
- Bahia Blu (E652: 6.5" x 52)
- Graycliff 'G2' (Pirate: 6" x 52)
- Gurkha's Park Avenue (Churchill: 7" x 48)
- Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Maduro (Toro: 6" x 52)
- Oliva Serie 'O' (Robusto: 5" x 50)
- Puros Indios Viejo Maduro (Toro: 6" x 52)
- Rocky Patel 'R4' Corojo (Double Corona: 7.5" x 52) 

It also came with a very sturdy little 5-cigar travel humidor called a "Herf-A-Dor".  It has soft foam lining to protect your stogies and a small humidifier that you can charge with a few drops of cigar juice or distilled water.