L’Atelier Extension de la Racine ER16 Robusto – Just Shipped to Anthony’s Cigar Emporium

L’Atelier Imports, Inc. just shipped this year’s limited edition L’Atelier Extension de la Racine ER16 to Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.  Thus year the L’Atelier Extension de la Racine ER16 is a 4 7/8″ x 50 classic Robusto and is the forth issuance of the Extension de la Racine.  The Extension de la Racine (French for Extension of the Root) offering from L’Atelier, is a special project made for attendees of the IPCPR Convention and is an annual limited production release. With a different size created each year since 2013, and available that year only, the L’Atelier Extension de la Racine is always a highly sought-after release.

This year’s L’Atelier Extension de la Racine ER16 was no exception with 1,500 boxes of 20 being produced.  The L’Atelier Extension de la Racine ER16, like the other Extension de la Racine releases are rolled by the García family’s My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.  The cigars feature a Nicaraguan sun grown Criollo ’98 wrapper grown by the García family with a double binder of Sancti Spiritus leaf, and an all Nicaraguan filler that also incorporates Sancti Spiritus, creating a connoisseur’s blend full of subtle flavors.  The Sancti Spiritus leaf double binder is grown in Ecuador by the Oliva family and the leaf is a hybrid of Criollo and Pelo de Oro varietals.  It is recognized for its spicy sweet characteristics and is used in a L’Atelier labeled cigars.

Click here to browse L’Atelier Extension de la Racine offerings at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

L’Atelier Extension de la Racine ER16 is a 4 7/8 x 50 Robusto. Click picture to browse all L’Atelier Extension de la Racine offerings at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

God of Fire Serie B Review

God of Fire Serie B
Made by: God of Fire
Country: Ecuador, Dominican Republic
Vitola: 5 3/4 by 52

The God of Fire! Its really hard to get tired of that name, keeping up with the pattern of the week this cigar boasts a beautiful Ecuadorian wrapper. As always when you get to a cigar at this price point, a flawless experience is expected. Let’s see if this can attain those standards with a God of Fire Serie B Review.

Prelight

Medium sized veins barely visible seams, the cap is done very nicely which is expected at this price point. There is a bit of excess rollers glue on the wrapper, and there are a couple blemishes as well but I believe the character of the wrapper is really going to show through. The foot is giving off cedar, milk chocolate, and cream. That sounds like a good mix and the balance seems on point as well. The cut was pretty clean with just a bit of loose tobacco, and there is a bit of mixed pepper that shows through on the prelight drawn alongside the other notes. Lets get this going and see how it preforms.

1/3

Tons of smoke production and great smoke thickness, a wonderful mouth feel off the start. Nice white flaky ash, bold bitter cocoa on the front with a balanced mix of cedar and oak underneath. Cream comes into the profile on the center and makes for a good coffee flavor that carries through the finish. There is a bit of white and black pepper that shows up but it isn’t to influential at the moment. Pretty good burn line, near razor sharp. The excess rollers glue is a little bit distracting, but the wrapper isn’t to beautiful either. I would say this cigar smokes a lot better then it looks at this point. Great blending good balance, medium to full body and medium strength.

2/3

The balance and cream in this cigars profile are its main excelling points. It is burning quickly, I have a feeling that is more due to the fact its just that enjoyable. Still keeping up with a ton of smoke production and wonderful thickness. Cream and cedar on the front mixing into a slightly bitter coffee with a good amount of cream on the center and then the finish is a clean and fresh white pepper that has light floral aspects to it. Medium to full body and medium strength, no changes there and the burn line is even sharper now. The creamy thick mouth feel is an amazing characteristic, great blending.

3/3

Razor sharp burn, once I got past the first third the burn has been flawless. The ash is a bit flaky but very white. The smoke production has been non-stop. The bitter cocoa came back strong on the front the mixed woodsy note is back underneath. The center is still very creamy but the floral note that was on the finish has moved to the center and is showing jasmine. That mix carries through the finish, the coffee and mixed pepper notes have fallen. This has had great transitions and magnificent balance.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 92

This absolutely came to the standard that you would expect from its price point. If you haven’t had a cigar today, its a great pick for Labor Day. Wonderful construction, near perfect burn, amazing transitions. The body and the strength didn’t change much throughout the cigar. The complexity was good, but not over the top. The mouth feel was wonderful with thick cream. This cigar was just really easy to enjoy, if you can find them I would say this is box worthy. Depending on personal price preference I would change the quantity to keep stocked from person to person, this does justify its cost though.

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La Boheme Original Pittore Review

La Boheme Original Pittore
Made by: Rafael Nodal – Botique Blends Cigars
Country: Ecuador, Dominican Republic
Vitola: 5 1/8 by 52

It is Ecuadorian wrapper week (and Labor Day Weekend), and this has the same origins of the God Of Fire I will review next. Just in the fact that they are both Ecuadorian wrapped and have Dominican binder and filler. When these came out they received wonderful press on their complexity and balance. They have had more time to rest and they are currently on sale at our site. I have never visited this cigar so I have no idea what to expect. Let’s see if they deserve recognition with a La Boheme Original Pittore Review.

Prelight

I don’t think this cigars wrapper is pretty, some discoloration and the cap seems a bit off. The veins are a mix of everything, the band is beautiful. The cigar has a very firm ad dense pack, so really the cigar doesn’t seem like it would be a winner. That is very different from what I have heard, sometimes a cigar is much better then it looks but this one has to prove that to me still. The foot is giving off cedar and white pepper, there is another note in there but I can’t pick it up yet. Not a good cut, that’s an issue and the cap fell off with a bit of unravelling. Ok, so not a good start which is a shame because I had my hopes up. The draw is very easy which is odd because it is a heavy pack. The prelight draw blew me away though, spiced apple and citrus with a heavy presence of white pepper. If that fruitiness is bold then this could be a good profile.

1/3

This was not easy to light, medium smoke thickness but a lot of smoke production. very unique profile immediately. There is that apple note on the front but it is behind dry cedar. The cedar is very bold, that fruitiness is an undertone through the center of the profile. The cedar is overpowering though, it carries through the whole profile till the finish where white and black pepper mix with it and cause a weird flavor. Odd, I wish the front and center were the only flavors. But that wall of pepper is diminishing the complexity on the finish, it seems to balance the profile which is throwing me off. Medium to full body and low to medium strength, I definitely see the strength increasing. The cap isn’t proving to be an issue, it just needs to be held down. As I get into this third complexity is building with sweetness and a rising cutrus.

2/3

It started to improve pretty quick, a tangy citrus flavor. It reminds me of a lime with some salt, so I would probably say after the start of this cigar it would pair well with tequila shots. Cedar is still present throughout the profile, the finish is cedar and a sweet grass. The front of the profile has a great mouth feel from that lime note. That is why this cigar gets the ratings it does, that note is really special. The sweetness and tanginess started to build in the first third but they are clearer now. The cigar has much better balance, weird start but this is now something I would definitely revisit. Medium to full body still, the flavors are spectacular for the body now. That mineral salty note alongside the lime-like citrus note is just getting better. The strength is at a medium still. I hope it keeps up because this is a huge improvement.

3/3

The mix of white and black pepper on the finish has come back on the finish similar to the first third. The sweet grass is on the front with cedar, there is still a bit of the citrus and mineral notes but it has fallen from the second third. The mouth feel is still good the smoke production is still pretty high, the smoke thickness is at a medium plus. The body has stayed at a medium to full throughout and the strength did come up a bit to a medium plus. The pepper diminished the amazingness of the second third when it came back, but the cigar was enjoyable.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion:85

I enjoyed the cigar once its complexity came up, the construction hurt its score. It is entirely possible that I got a weird cigar, because this company does have better construction usually. For this reviews purposes it did not, the burn was great throughout the cigar though. The flavors were magnificent in the second third, and pretty good in the last third. The first third had to calm down before it began to get to a good balance. I would smoke it again, for the right price it would make a good casual cigar or a good quality cigar for friends. I certainly expect the God of Fire to surpass this level, this does show that it isn’t just the country that effects how good a cigar is. The individual plantations play a big role.

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L’Atelier Selection Speciale LAT38 Review

Selection Speciale LAT38
Made by: L’Atelier
Country: Ecuador, Nicaragua
Vitola: 7 1/2 by 38

The LAT38 is a wonderful creation by L’Atelier, the Selection Speciale series by the company is really a work of art in my opinion. The Ecuadorian wrapper balances the blend to perfection. In terms of lancero’s this ranks pretty high on my personal list. I have never done a formal review on the cigar so I am interested to see if it actually can hold to my perception. Let’s see what this has to offer with a L’Atelier Selection Speciale LAT38 Review.

Prelight

A beautiful toothy dark thick wrapper, it really adds to the aesthetics  of the cigar. The cap is does very well, in a nice little pigtail. The foot is giving off floral jasmine, sweet honey, and leather. The prelight shows more sweet honey and leather. The cut went well with just a bit of loose tobacco. Fairly consistent firm pack with just a couple softer spots. There is s bit of resistance on the draw but this is not an issue at all. Medium sized veins and the secondary band gives the cigar the extra prestige it deserves when compared to the normal L’Atelier line.

1/3

Easy to light, there is a balanced mix of sweet honey and jasmine on the front. Just like the foot suggested, the finish is leather and the jasmine does carry through the profile in the background. As I get into the first third there is a bit of red pepper that comes up on the finish. Overall, this cigar is extremely balanced. The sweetness compliments the more traditional leather flavor and the jasmine adds the perfect amount of complexity. Even the red pepper plays a role in the balance. Medium to full body and low to medium strength, the burn line is a bit off. High smoke thickness and medium smoke production, this is a good start but lets see where it goes.

2/3

Slightly flaky ash, I wouldn’t recommend letting it grow out to long. Oak has come in on the front as the honey and jasmine fall, the finish shows leather and jasmine at even levels still. The red pepper end note has come up a bit and is showing more tongue bite then the first third. The body has actually fallen to a medium plus and the strength is at a low now. The smoke thickness has fallen to a medium and the production has held at a medium. The burn line is shifting around but there have been no touch-ups.

3/3

Smoke thickness came back up a bit the production has held at a medium. The body is back up to a medium full and the strength has returned to a low to medium. The flavors have gotten bolder but they are not present at the same complexity as the first third. There is a good mix of oak and leather on the front. I am still picking up a floral undertone, but the sweetness has diminished. The finish is a stronger leather note with red pepper meshed in now. The tongue bite is a good addition to the profile and has rounded out this cigar very well.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Conclusion: 89

Delicious cigar, between this and the L40 its a tough race. The first third of this cigar is my personal favorite, but the balance really holds throughout the profile. No touch-ups but not a perfect but, the smoke thickness shifted around a bit. That thickness most likely can be attributed to the changes in the pack. It was shifting with the firmer and softer spots. The flavors is this cigars best characteristic, and that really makes it worth keeping around the humidor. This is one cigar that I consistently restock and keep about 5 around. Of course try it before you start to stock it regularly, but this cigar won’t disappoint.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Liga Privada L40 Review

Liga Privada L40
Made by: Drew Estate
Country: Brazil, Honduras, Nicaragua
Vitola: 7 by 40

Liga Privada time! It has been a while since I reviewed one of these cigars, and I am absolutely looking forward to it. As always aesthetics are wonderful, and the wrapper looks delicious. These are the more limited production releases done by Drew Estate, that said being able to get your hands on one is an accomplishment. Finding a box is even better, if they are in stock you would find them in the link attached to the picture (note: they are in stock at the time I am writing this). Lets see if it performs as good as it looks with a Liga Privada L40 Review.

Prelight

A very thick toothy wrapper, mainly small veins but there is one that is very large that may cause a burn issue. The foot is giving off leather and cedar. The cap is pretty well done, good cut with some loose tobacco. The prelight draw is giving different flavors then the foot, I am getting milk chocolate with some orange. There is a bit of pepper but it is subtle, the draw itself is pretty easy. The pack is pretty lumpy, but from the notes I am getting I expect that not to be an issue. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Easy to get lit up, wonderful start. Leather is on the front with a bit of orange underneath. Cedar comes up on the center as the front’s flavors fade. The finish is a clean mix of cedar and white pepper. The leather note does linger in the mouth, the smoke is nice and thick and there is a ton of it. The mouth feel is abnormal because the smoke itself is oily but the cigar is definitely dry. I would recommend a drink with this cigar on that note. As I get toward the end of the first third the orange is coming into play on the finish as well. Medium bodied and almost no strength at this point.

2/3

The shortest summary I could do of this complex profile would be that leather and orange notes are on the front. Then cedar takes over the center of the profile, and the orange comes back up with white herbal pepper alongside the cedar on the finish. This is a very relaxing cigar, the construction is very good. There is no need to worry about the burn, draw, or smoke production. The strength came up a bit just to a low, and the body is at a medium plus now. The ash is strong, holding for about an inch and a half before I lose faith in leaving it on longer. The cigar is burning a bit quick which is unfortunate. As I get to the end of the second third the front is now milk chocolate and leather. The chocolate dies abruptly on the center and the cedar comes up with some cashew mixed in. The orange and white pepper notes are almost completely gone. There is a very faint black pepper coming up but it’s not a big player in the profile yet.

3/3

Still wonderful smoke production and smoke thickness, the cigar has been a chimney throughout. The body has stayed at medium plus and the strength is still at a low. And that’s been a good balance for this flavor profile, good complexity and decent transitions. The oily characteristic of the smoke is more present now, the dry feel has fallen. The front is now bitter cocoa and leather, and the finish is cedar and light white pepper. The black pepper never really came up to be important in the profile. The reappearance of the white pepper was very nice, and to be honest I don’t think I’ve number a cigar to the point I got with this one in a while. Because of that I actually ended up getting an hour and ten minutes out of the cigar. Had I not done this, an hour would’ve been the smoke time.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 93

Absolutely delicious, pretty good body and very low strength. There was good transitions with the flavors but nothing changed to the extreme. The complexity was very good, the smoke production and smoke thickness was wonderful. These cigars are as popular as they should be. A wonderful blending job by Drew Estate. This is something that you absolutely should try.

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Oscar Valladares 2014 Island Jim Review

Island Jim 2014
Made by: Oscar Valladares
Country: Never Released
Vitola: “No 2”

This is an interesting one and it isn’t as much as a stretch to find it as you would think. I have come across a couple boxes in different brick and mortar shops on the west coast. That said I only pick up one when I find them because I am a firm believer that when it comes to rarer cigars, I hope as many people as possible get the chance to experience them. It was released in 2014 by Oscar Valladares, that is important because Ortega Cigars released a “Wild Bunch Island Jim” cigar that is very different. This is a work of art and Oscar didn’t release the blend, so if you find a cigar that looks like this grab one. Chances are the only way you will know what you came across is if you have read something like this. Lets see what it has to offer with a Oscar Valladares 2014 Island Jim Review.

Prelight

So where to begin with this cigar, my first thought was I didn’t want to cut it at all. To back that up, it does draw without cutting it. Now that said, if you were to leave the cigar the way it comes it is very tight. So I’m going to cut it, and that opens up the draw a bit more although it seems to becoming stronger through one side. There is a good amount of tooth to the wrapper, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to be too creamy. Small to medium sized veins, a very even and firm pack. The foot is actually giving off sweet grass, hay, and floral jasmine. The pre-light draw shows white pepper and floral jasmine, so I am guessing that this cigar is going to have a good amount of complexity. Let’s get it lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

There is tobacco hanging off of the foot, so lighting this felt like lighting a Tiki torch. Pretty thin smoke production off the start, as well as thin smoke thickness. Dry hay on the front with a sour slightly bitter note coming in on the center. The finish has floral Jasmine and white pepper, which redeems the start of the profile a bit. I’m hoping that the cigar will balance out as I get further into it, but at this point the flavors are slightly off. If the profile can develop off the finish the cigar would be really good. Medium bodied and low to medium strength. The burn line is going pretty well, I was expecting it to be off more because of the foot. One very clear note that I can make already, this cigar is a slow burner. That little off-balanced bit at the start is deceiving. As I get into the first third, the front has developed and now it has a mint, almost Altoid-like flavor. Complexity is increasing significantly the body seems to be increasing as well.

2/3

OK, so mint is on the front, very clean almost like a store-bought breath mint. The center shows floral jasmine and hay, and then the finish holds that floral note and has a subtle light white pepper appear. Wonderful complexity, night-and-day from the very start of the cigar. The body is at a medium plus and the strength remains at a low to medium. Smoke thickness has improved a little, but smoke production remains pretty low. The draw resistance is above normal, and that may be contributing to the slowburn of the cigar.

3/3

The burn line stayed great throughout the cigar, I am well into the last third now. Smoke thickness reach a medium, smoke production still stayed pretty low. I contribute this to the tight pack the cigar has. The body reached a medium plus, and the strength stayed at a low to medium. The mint note on the front of the cigar is much stronger than it was in the second third, it carries into the center of the profile boldly, but a jasmine note remains underneath. The finish is now a mix of floral jasmine, white pepper, and leather.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Conclusion: 90

Apart from the first 5-10 minutes this was unique, delicious, and very complex. Pretty good transitions, wonderful flavors, the cigar smokes as good if not better then it looks. I would say that the resistance is a bit to strong and that the extra tobacco off the foot is excessive. However, considering the idea of “Island” Jim the extra length on the foot really felt like a Tiki torch, and the tighter draw wasn’t an issue and made for a wonderfully long burn time. So this cigar really is all about experience, I think it would be absolutely perfect in a hammock on a beach. Which is a bit stereotypical, but this cigar really fits that description.

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EP Carrillo La Historia Dona Elena Review

La Historia Dona Elena
Made by: EP Carrillo
Country: Mexico, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 1/8 by 50

I haven’t done many reviews on cigars by EP Carrillo, but this is one of my favorites for its price point and its performance. They are sold in boxes of ten with great packaging, but in the end its about the tobacco right? Lets see what this has to offer with a EP Carrillo La Historia Dona Elena Review.

Prelight

Just a few medium sized veins, and very dark wrapper with just a couple blemishes. The cap is a little bit off-center, but it still held a clean-cut. Lots of tooth to the wrapper, I’m expecting some cream in this profile. The foot is giving off a syrupy sweetness with light red pepper underneath. Just a little bit of loose tobacco on the cut, easy pre-light draw which shows leather and red pepper. I am getting a bit of mixed nuts but will see if that note shows up in the profile.

1/3

Extremely easy to light, lots of cashew and red pepper on the front. The center allows the entrance of leather in to the profile and the finish holds that note, but brings the red pepper back up a lot, much like the front of the profile. Pretty light smoke but I would still classified as medium thickness, medium smoke output. The red pepper really is influencing the body of the cigar, which I would put at a medium plus at the moment. The leather note on the center and the finish, is a great addition to the first third of the cigar. Not a perfect burn line but pretty good. Smoke thickness is increasing as I get toward the end of the first third. It is certainly at a medium now, I still expect that to rise because you can see the tooth in the ash. It’s out of character for a cigar like this to have thin smoke.

2/3

The body has made it up to a medium to full, the strength is at a low to medium. The cashew note remains on the front but there’s a dry bitter cocoa coming up alongside it. No red pepper on the front anymore, the cocoa carries into the center of the profile where it blends nicely with leather. The finish didn’t change much, leather and red pepper mixed for a very good balance. The burn line is still going all-right, I don’t believe touchups will be needed. Smoke thickness remains at a medium and production is at a medium as well.

3/3

As I get into the last third there was a little bit of a tunneling issue. It did mess with the burn line, but it is self-correcting as it is burning down. Smoke thickness remains at a medium, smoke production is actually up to a high. Leather has come up significantly, it’s dominant throughout the profile. There is still a little bit of cashew on the front underneath, and red pepper does come up on the finish. So overall there hasn’t been a ton of transitions during the profile of the cigar. The complexity was decent, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 86

I love the flavors in this cigar, while they’re not overly unique they are satisfying. Not much in the way of transitions but pretty good complexity. The burn, therefore the construction, of the cigar was not at the level that I think EP Carrillo as a company normally puts out. There was that little bit of a tunneling issue. The leather was great and the red pepper complements it wonderfully. Personally I usually keep five of these on hand just because I enjoy the profile despite the construction issues. I would absolutely recommend trying it, there are a lot of good cigars at this price point. Which puts it up against a lot of competition, but I think it does a good job regardless of that.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Herrera Esteli Edition Limitada Lancero Review

Herrera Esteli Edition Limitada
Made by: Drew Estate
Country: Ecuador, Nicaragua
Vitola: 7 1/2 by 38

This cigar is by Drew Estate, I have done several of the other vitolas but this will be the first lancero review. In my opinion this is the best size for this blend, and I hope that will show through in this review as well. The secondary band is a nice touch to this release. If you find this at a shop pick up the box, you won’t regret it. No guarantees on where to find them, if we do have any they would be at the link attached to the picture. Lets see why I say these are so good, with a Herrera Esteli Edition Limitada Lancero Review.

Prelight

Barely visible seams, mainly small veins but there are a couple medium sized exceptions.  The foot is giving off floral jasmine, red pepper, and cream. There is some tooth to the wrapper, but from what I am getting off the foot the cream is much more impactful to the profile then the wrapper lets on. The pack is pretty consistent with just a couple softer spots. Good cut, just a bit of loose tobacco. The prelight draw has just the right amount of resistance, and the flavors are similar to the foot but now include white pepper. Lets get this started and see how it performs.

1/3

Lots of white pepper on the front with and undertone of floral jasmine and cashew coming in on the center and the finish. There is a bit of cream on the finish as well, high smoke thickness which is contributing to that cream. Medium smoke production, medium body and low to medium strength. Great burn line but it is burning pretty quickly which is a shame because it tastes great.

2/3

Constant smoke production and thickness, the flavors have shifted a bit. Cedar and white pepper are on the front with cream and the floral jasmine on the center now. The finish is a mix of white pepper and the floral note which is rounding out the profile nicely. Medium body and the strength has actually dropped to a low. The burn line has stayed wonderful throughout the cigar.

3/3

The white pepper on the front now has a bit of red pepper mixed in with cedar behind it. The center is cedar and cream which is producing a graham cracker flavor, and the finish remains the white pepper and the floral note. The body never rose past a medium and the strength came back up to a low to medium. The flavors are great, the construction is great, overall this is just a really well built and blended lancero.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Conclusion: 92

Superb burn line, great complexity, the transitions left a bit to be desired. This cigar is just a really relaxing and well constructed example of what Drew Estate can put out. The smoke production and mouth feel was wonderful, and the wrapper didn’t hint to that characteristic. These are as special as their reputation and they would make great cigars for an event or a calm morning.

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Tatuaje Black Robusto Review

Black Robusto
Made by: Tatuaje
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 by 50

The Tatuaje Black Corona Gorda cigars are works of art. This is a cigar that has been coming in three packs as box buy additions as well as show exclusives. However, it is utilizing the Black Label blend. On that note it shouldn’t be to far off of the now regular production black label line. Lets see if that is the case with a Tatuaje Black Robusto Review.

Prelight

Medium to large veins and barely visible seams. The wrapper is very thick and has a good amount of tooth, the cap is really a work of art. The bump is a nice addition to the looks of the cigar. The foot is giving off mixed pepper, a bit of herbal spice and mixed woodsy notes. The cut went well, definitely some loose tobacco. The prelight draw has above average resistance, lost of mixed pepper and spice with some deep oak and mixed nuts underneath. Lets get this started and see how it performs.

1/3

Easy to light and the draw opened up a bit more then the prelight was showing. There is lots of cashew and macadamia nut on the front, and a deep oak on the center that carries through the finish. The finish is a mix of that woodsy oak and red pepper. As I get into the first third cream is coming up alongside the oak on the center. Wonderful thick smoke and medium smoke production. Medium plus body and low to medium strength. Solid profile and good flavors so far, not a razor sharp burn but it is not needing any touch-ups.

2/3

Bitter macadamia nut has come up on the front but there are still mixed nuts in the background, the deep oak is carrying through the profile now. There is a bit of cocoa on the center alongside decent cream that is coming from the smoke thickness. The finish is the oak that is present throughout the cigar and some light mixed pepper that is predominantly white pepper . The cigar is medium to full body now with low to medium strength. No changes to the burn line, and the smoke production is still at about a medium.

3/3

There is a great balance of mixed nuts coming up on the front now the macadamia nut has settled down, the oak is still present on the front, but cream and mixed spices (mint/cinnamon) are coming up on the center. The finish is subtle mixed pepper and thick leather now. Great Profile, the body dropped back down to a medium and the strength stayed at a low to medium.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 88

Good flavors, good profile, the burn line left a bit more sharpness to be desired. This vitola actually underperforms the corona gorda in my opinion. There is a big effect in terms of size and that is noticeable here. This is still a great cigar, and of course preference does come into play. The newer releases of the Tatuaje Black are something that need to be tried to determine the best size for the individual. I think the Corona Gorda still holds the crown though.

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Foundation El Guenguense – Now at Anthony’s!

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium is now carrying the ultra-boutique maker Foundation El Guenguense cigar.  They are available for purchase here.

The El Güegüense was Foundation Cigars debut line that is produced in small quantities.  The El Güegüense cigar is named after a Nicaraguan folk dance called “The Wise Man,” and is composed entirely of AGANORSA tobacco.  The El Güegüense cigar is a Nicaraguan puro that uses a corojo 99 wrapper from Finca Puntalito in Jalapa and a corojo 99 binder from Finca San Jose in Jalapa along with a mixture of corojo and criollo filler tobaccos from the Estelí and Jalapa regions of Nicaragua. The El Güegüense cigars are rolled in Nicaragua at Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA).  These cigars are blended by Nicholas Melillo who is also the founder of Foundation cigars and was the Executive Vice President of International Operations for Drew Estate.  Foundation Cigars says that the leaves composing the El Güegüense are from the third, forth, sixth and medio tiempo primings and were used to obtain good strength, aroma and flavor.  The flavors Intense with hints of honey, wood and pepper and the aromas are cedary with hints of sweetness.

Foundation El Guenguense Roubsto Open Box. Click picture to browse at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Foundation El Guenguense Cigar Line-up. Click picture to browse at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.