Tatuaje Black Label – Now Regular Production

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium is receiving the new Tatuaje Black Label.  The Tatuaje Black Label is now a regular production cigar that started as a very full bodied-blend that Tatuaje owner Pete Johnson made for himself. All tobacco in the Tatuaje Black Label is 1st Generation Cuban-seed grown in Nicaragua. The Tatuaje Black is a Nicaraguan puro with a sun grown criollo wrapper from Estelí and Nicaraguan fillers. Lush, rich, strong, and very complex with plenty of pepper. Johnson has said the three new sizes will be like the regular production Petite Lancero: triple caps, a regular foot and a white on black band. The Corona Gorda will use a fuma cap, which features a slightly protruding nipple, a covered foot and a the silver and black band that was used for the 2013 release.  They come packaged now in 20 ct. boxes instead of the melamine jars used previously.

Click to Browse the new Tatuaje Black Label at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

The five sizes are: Petite Robusto (4 x 50), Petite Lancero (6 x 38), Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46), Cazadores (6 3/8 x 43) and Gran Toro (6 1/2 x 52).

Tatuaje Verocu No 4 Robusto Review

Verocu No 4
Made by: Tatuaje
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 1/4 by 50

I previously conducted a review on a larger vitola in this line. It was a bold offering from Tatuaje, nice strength and mouth feel. It will be interesting to see if there are any significant changes in the sizes. I am very happy that the company expanded the line beyond the No 5. I am expecting again a bold and pretty high strength offering from Tatuaje. With that let’s get this started with a Tatuaje Verocu No 4 Robusto Review.

Prelight

Small to medium sized veins, barely visible seams. Pretty good cap, not perfect but well made. The foot is giving off deep cocoa and heavy mixed pepper. There is almost a light graham cracker to it as well. Clean and perfect cut, the cap held up wonderfully. Just a bit of loose tobacco. Pretty good draw, light resistance. On the prelight there are notes of mixed pepper and dry cocoa powder. Pretty good cut, there was a bit of excessive rollers glue, definitely some loose tobacco. The draw is a bit harder than usual. The prelight draw is showing heavy mixed pepper and dry cocoa.

1/3

Medium smoke output and great smoke thickness. Dry cocoa on the front with that light graham cracker note coming in on the center. The finish is a mix of black and white pepper. Off kilter burn line, but thick and heavy mouth feel. The cocoa is bold in this cigar, which is its strong suit. Medium to full body and low strength. I know from the past that the strength should increase.

2/3

As I reach the start of the second third the pepper finish is coming up. Black forward and white behind, the dry cocoa and light graham cracker have meshed on the front and are still certainly present before the pepper takes control. The flavors are bold and the mouth feel is thick and slightly oily. Good, but leaves room for improvement. The body to strength balance has been enjoyable so far I hope that maintains.

3/3

Graham cracker came onto the front slight cashew fading, the center is still mainly mixed pepper with a hint of leather on the finish. White pepper forward at this point the black pepper has faded. Still medium to full body, as I approach the nub the strength comes up to medium. The burn line never reached perfect, but no touch ups were ever needed. Good profile, not to complex but decent transitions.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 87

I really think this is miles above the Havana IV line from Tatuaje. It’s a no brainier to keep a box of these around if you are a normal cigar smoker. The question comes down to size. The No 5 justifies a short smoke 24/7 but this keeps to traditional means of being a sit down and longer term smoke. So try it? Absolutely, box buy on your own terms but in my opinion this is a darn good profile. Despite the low complexity this is a great casual cigar to my own personal preference. On that note I highly suggest trying that for your own relaxing afternoons.

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Camacho Barrel Aged Robusto Review

Barrel Aged
Made by: Camacho
Country: United States, Honduras, Dominican Republic,
Vitola: 5 by 50 Robusto

As a general company, some of the older offerings were outstanding from Camacho. Recently, the more popular blend has been the Corojo of the newer releases. This is not “new,” it has been around for several months, but it is something that should be tried. Barrel aged refers to bourbon barrels, so in that sense it’s on the edge of being an infused offering. However, from my previous experiences with this cigar, that actually helped the profile. With that let’s see how it performs with a Camacho Barrel Aged Robusto Review.

Prelight

Nice tooth to the wrapper, medium veins, and the cap is pretty good. The cigars band covers a large amount of the cigar. Visible seams and the foot is giving off oak, light mixed pepper, and a sweet note that must be the bourbon. Good cut, some loose tobacco, no cap problems. The prelight draw is easy and is giving off sweet bourbon and oak with a spicy red pepper on the lips. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Wonderful oak on the front, sweet syrupy almost pine on the center and a sharp red pepper . Medium bodied and low strength, thick smoke. Not the straightest burn line, good mouth feel. I don’t find the cigar too balanced at this point, but my memory recalls that this cigar is one that builds as it progresses. Let’s see what happens, at this point it’s not spectacular but pretty standard.

2/3

Cream has come up on the front, oak has fallen to the center where the syrupy sweetness remains. The finish is still a red pepper, but black seems to be coming up. Medium to full bodied and low to medium strength. The ash flaky but very white, the burn line remains slightly off. As I reach the end of the second third the strength is rising, and the black pepper is actually falling. Interesting flavor shifts in this, I have to say Camacho did a good job with this cigar. As I said in the first third, this cigar builds. If the body or strength passes your tolerance then end it. In my opinion the best is still yet to come, the red pepper is amazing.

3/3

Medium to full bodied, medium strength. The flavors continue to develop as I get in the last third. The cream has dropped on the front, oak has come back up Red Pepper is prominent throughout the center and finish, the sweetness is still there but that red pepper is delicious. An odd addition is a light hay added to the red pepper on the finish. The nub did get slightly squishy.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Conclusion:86

So, my synopsis is that this, if you are a Camacho fanboy, is a great cigar to visit. Great profile, odd ordering of flavor. It builds in body and in strength. Great offering, the bourbon barrel finish did add a great aspect this cigar. As always this is personal opinion, but I would absolutely say that this cigar is worth trying.

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Le Bijou Limited Edition 2016 – Shipping this week!

My Father Cigars, Inc. will begin shipping the newest size in its Le Bijou 1922 line to Anthony’s Cigar Emporium this week. The Le Bijou Limited Edition 2016 is the latest limited edition from My Father, coming off a #1 Cigar of the Year honors from Cigar Aficionado for the My Father Le Bijou Box Pressed Torpedo.  Production of the Le Bijou Limited Edition 2016 was strictly limited to 4,000 boxes.  Each beautiful box contains 14 individual cigar coffins containing a 6 1/2″ x 52 Toro.

The blend of the Le Bijou Limited Edition 2016 is derived from the Le Bijou 1922 line and has a Ecuadorian habano oscuro wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan fillers including pelo de oro tobacco grown by the García family.  Pelo de Oro is notoriously difficult to grow, as it’s prone to disease and produces low yields, which makes it quite an investment for a tobacco grower.  However, it’s a tobacco varietal renown by cigar makers for its combination of strength and sweet flavor.  It is banned in Cuba because of its susceptibility to blue mold.

Click to Browse at the Le Bijou Limited Edition 2016 at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Camacho Liberty 2016 HAS ARRIVED!

Click to browse at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Camacho 14^th annual Liberty Series has arrived just in time for July 4^th.  The Camacho Liberty 2016 version of the annual limited release comes in a very sleek box with a triangularly folded American flag with 14 stars (for 14th year of the limited edition series).  Each Camacho Liberty 2016 box contains 20 individual cigar coffins.  The single vitola is Camacho’s 11/18 size, a 6 x 48 x 54 x 48 Perfecto.  The Camacho Liberty 2016 has an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over Honduran corojo (Camacho’s signature leaf) as a binder, with Dominican San Vicente seco, Mexican San Andrés ligero and Nicaraguan Estelí ligero and Ometepe seco for the filler blend.

The cigar was made at Davidoff’s Agroindustria LAEPE S.A. in Danlí, Honduras.  Only 2,000 boxes will be released.  Anthony’s Cigar Emporium has already received the Camacho Liberty 2016.  To order and receive Free Shipping click here.

Click to browse at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Padron 1964 Hermoso Natural Review

1964 Hermoso Natural
Made by: Padron
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 4 by 56

I am expecting greater complexity and balance from the Natural version of the Hermoso by Padron. The Maduro was powerful and bold, let’s see where this falls in comparison. With that let’s begin a Padron 1964 Hermoso Natural Review.

Prelight

Do I even need to talk about the cap, after the previous two reviews I think the point has been made that this company doesn’t particularly focus on that part of the cigar. In either case, their rollers know what they are doing because time and time again this is not a problem. This cap is a bit better then usual but still leaves room for improvement. Subtle tooth, visible seams, and slight box press. Small to medium sized veins, and the foot is giving off cocoa, light hay, and red pepper. Just given those characteristics I believe the finish may be similar to the Maduro version, in an ideal world that will be lighter though. Clean cut, but some loose tobacco, just as easy as a draw as the Maduro there is a red pepper tingle on the tongue which is new. Light sweet hay and cocoa on the prelight draw, the finish is more red pepper then white this time around though. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Sweet dry hay and cocoa on the front, the hay stays present through the center and then a red pepper finish comes on with nice tongue bite. Medium to full bodied and medium strength, so less bold then the Maduro but it is still holding the strength. That hay note is enjoyable, but not as unique as the floral note. Lots of smoke production and the thickness is increasing.

2/3

Good burn line, in that sense this is outperforming the Maduro. This cigar seems to be coming up in complexity and keeping the strength. Very compact but flaky ash, hay and cashew are now on the front cocoa has dropped but is notable on the center. The finish has maintained red pepper but it also has a white pepper addition. Enjoyable profile, this seems to be the sweet spot the strength hasn’t moved from medium and the body has stayed at a medium to full.

3/3

As I reach the end of the cigar the body has stayed at a medium to full and the strength has reached a medium to full as well. The complexity is dropping as hay comes back into control on the front and the cocoa joins it again in a more subtle role. The finish has come up and is a mix of red and white pepper. Still a good tongue tingle from that red pepper.

Smoke Time: 55 minutes

Conclusion: 88

If you hopped to the conclusion, the main change from the Maduro that this cigar showed was a lighter body (medium to full), but it held the same if not more strength. So if you like strength to your cigars, the Hermoso line is a good pick. From there comes body preference in which case the Maduro is bolder. Overall both were good, but coming in at a lighter body places the Natural up against a lot more cigars in the medium full area. That said, it differentiates itself by bringing higher strength to the table alongside improved complexity (when compared to the Maduro as well as other medium to full cigars).

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Padron 1964 Hermoso Maduro Review

1964 Hermoso Maduro
Made by: Padron
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 4 by 56

Quite a shorter cigar in size today, however due to the 56 ring gauge I believe the smoke time will not be affected. On that note I will be leaving the review in three sections. This is the first of a series this week. If you don’t count the TAA Padron. I will be doing the Natural and the Maduro version of the Hermoso. Let’s get it started with a Padron 1964 Hermoso Maduro Review.

Prelight

Lots of tooth on the wrapper, looking forward to the thick smoke production that nearly guarantees. Barely visible seams, small veins with one medium sized exception. As always the cap leaves some attention to be desired, but being a Padron I have faith that will not be an issue. Cocoa on the front with a tinge of floral jasmine. Clean cut, almost no loose tobacco, and an extremely easy draw. I am hoping a bit more resistance comes into play. Cocoa (almost dark chocolate like) on the front with a floral center and white pepper finish on the Prelight draw. Seems fairly stable flavor wise, the pack is firm, and the slight box press is a nice addition to aesthetics in this case. Let’s get this lit up and started.

1/3

Great dark chocolate notes on the front, the center of the profile is muffled by an over taking white pepper on the finish. But the jasmine can still be picked up as the pepper starts come up on the finish. Full bodied and medium strength. Great body on this cigar, strong and bold flavors. Lots of smoke and good thickness is there as well.

2/3

The burn is going pretty well, I don’t foresee a need for a touchup. Compact but flaky ash, full bodied and medium full strength. The jasmine has relocated and mixed with the cocoa on the front. Interesting flavor and nice complexity, floral dark chocolate. The finish is still white pepper but without the floral tinge.

3/3

White pepper is taking over the profile as the floral note shifts back to join the pepper on the finish. The burn evened out and is near razor sharp at the nub. Body and strength held constant, smoke production and thickness did as well. This was a great offering in terms of a full bodied cigar.

Smoke Time: 50 Minutes

Conclusion: 89

For a cigar in the full bodied and decently high strength category this did wonderfully. Something to remember is that full bodied complexity is hard to master, this did a good job balancing bold flavors and power. There is far more competition for cigars in the medium category because of how many cigars land there. If you enjoy full bodied cigars this is a great pick and something that you can probably find. I will be interested in seeing how the Natural compares to this in terms of body and how it presents complexity.

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Padron No 48 TAA 2016 Natural Review

No 48 TAA 2016 Natural
Made by: Padron
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 1/2 by 60

This is Padron’s TAA offering for 2016 coming in at 5 1/2 inches by 60, it is the same length as the 2015 but definitely a “Gordo” ring gauge. The last 1926 I reviewed was a very good cigar, this bearing the same branding, I expect to hold to those standards. Let’s get this started and see what it can do with a Padron No 48 TAA 2016 Natural Review.

Prelight

The cap construction on Padron branded cigars always throws me off a bit, they just aren’t really paid attention to. That said, it never really seems to be a problem, other than that this cigar has small veins and visible seams. An even and slightly spongy pack, the cigar also has a slight box press. Light tooth to the wrapper, and the foot is giving off a campfire note of mixed cedar and oak. The undertone shows nuts and leather as well. Seems pretty standard and in line with the last 1926 that I reviewed. Very clean cut and almost no loose tobacco, extremely easy prelight draw. Oak and leather on the front with some cashew in the background and a sharp red pepper tingle. This should be a good cigar, let’s get it lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Thick, heavy, and creamy smoke. Great oily and extremely smooth mouth feel with a distinct red pepper bite on the finish. Leather and cashew are actually on the front and well mixed, the center of the profile shows oak as the red pepper takes over on the finish. A different ordering of Padron’s usual notes. It seems very well blended and the smoke production and thickness are its biggest strengths at the moment. Medium to full body and low to medium strength, barely a medium to full body but it is “just” there. Not a perfect burn line but it is going pretty well, I do not foresee any touchups.

2/3

Solid transition, cashew and cream accompanied by oak are on the front now. The center is now leather with a slight bitterness, and the finish has maintained a red pepper. There is also the appearance of a light black pepper. It’s held at its barely medium to full body, and the strength has stayed at a low to medium. The burn line has gotten better, again I don’t believe any touchups will be required. The cigar still has a great oily mouth feel. That is the best part of this cigar, good blending to produce that. The ash is holding on in inch and a half chunks. This has been an enjoyable and relaxing cigar so far. The red pepper is coming back up on the finish as the black pepper fades toward the end of the second third.

3/3

Tons of leather and cream on the front as I get into the last third. Oak and cashew have retreated to the center of the profile and the finish is a blast of red pepper. The cigar has gotten to a stable medium to full body and the strength has hit a medium. Great burn and great smoke production all the way to the end.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes

Conclusion: 89

Overall a good cigar, it kept true to Padron’s usual notes and style, just in a different way than usual which helped. Smooth, thick smoke, and stable flavors that have been time tested to be winners, lacking a bit of excitement, but none the less it’s perfect if you do like this companies cigars. If Padron is a brand you frequent on a regular basis this will be a great offering for you. If not then this falls in a bit of a different area, good for TAA collectors and cigar smokers that prefer a bit of a larger ring gauge.

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Davidoff Art Edition 2016 – Heading to Anthony’s Cigar Emporium

Davidoff Limited Art Edition 2016 Perfecto (5 15/16″ x 54)

As a Davidoff Appointed Merchant, Anthony’s Cigar Emporium is excited to hear that Davidoff of Geneva has rereleased one of our favorite Davidoff limited editions.  For the Davidoff Art Edition 2016, only 7,000 10 ct. boxes were produced, each with a unique print from some of the sponsored Latin American artists from the Davidoff Art Initiative.  Only 3,500 boxes are being exported to the US, with the remaining for worldwide export.  The packaging is exquisitely Davidoff.  The lid of the Davidoff Art Edition 2016 box is a piece of art in a frame.  It can be removed and hung on a wall.

Like the 2014 edition , the Davidoff Art Edition 2016 is in a special Perfecto (5 15/16″ x 54) vitola that only 10 rollers at Cigars Davidoff in Santiago are able to make.  From Davidoff: “The Davidoff Limited Art Edition introduces a creative complexity of flavors from the creamy richness of the wrapper, to the sweet flavors of milk coffee and wood, finally giving way to the spicy and peppery notes.”  The blend is considered to be very rich, smooth, creamy and elegant and is “fit to pair perfectly with the sherry and coffee notes of the Macallan Scotch Whiskey (12 year).”  It has an Ecuadorian habano wrapper, Dominican piloto binder and a variety of Dominican fillers including: piloto visos, San Vicente mejorado seco, seco from Yamasa and a pair of San Vicente mejorado visos.

Click Picture to Browse the Davidoff Limited Art Edition 2016 at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Davidoff Chef’s Edition Review

Chef’s Edition
Made by: Davidoff
Country: Dominican Republic, Ecuador
Vitola: 6 by 54

A Davidoff with an Ecuadorian wrapper, that alone has me highly intrigued. I am excited given that information because when a cigar is blended right with such a wrapper it can hit the blend out of the park. Interesting, this is a limited production cigar down to 1500 boxes. Given that information it’s a “try” if you come across one. Let’s see what it has to offer with a Davidoff Chef’s Edition Review.

Prelight

A good amount of tooth to the wrapper, barely visible veins. The cap looks a bit rushed. Small veins, the foot is giving of strong barnyard and light cedar. Odd cut, lots of loose tobacco always a bit of a buzz kill when that is the case. Slightly spongy pack with a couple of hard spots. The prelight draw shows barnyard and hay alongside light cedar. Very easy draw, let’s see what this has to offer.

1/3

Tons of thick smoke, this is a chimney of a cigar. Bitter cocoa and cream on the front with a good amount of cream, and a great bouquet of pepper on the finish. A full mix of white/red/black pepper. Medium to full body, almost pushing full, and the strength is on the high side of low to medium. This is one of the heavier cigars I have had by Davidoff. It’s burning pretty quick which is surprising. The pack does seem on the lighter side which would account for both the loose tobacco on the cut and the quick burn. Stable burn line but not razor sharp, great pepper on the finish. As I get toward the end of the first third a mixed jasmine floral note and red pepper are on the center and the finish is still the full pepper mix.

2/3

The front is morphed into a mix of cocoa, hay, and cedar. The center is holding the floral jasmine and red pepper, and the pepper finish is constant. The creaminess has dropped, the body is holding at a medium to full. The strength is up to a solid medium, one clear sign of this is the smoke has a brown tinge. The complexity is great and you can tell it is quality tobacco. The finish is taking on a cinnamon flavor, the floral and light cream notes alongside all the pepper is making for a great effect. The burn has gotten sharper and smoke production has been constantly high.

3/3

The overall flavor I am getting now is a lot like a Campari and soda. If I do revisit this cigar I would certainly do so with that as a drink. A bitter mix of cocoa, hay, and jasmine with a full blend of pepper notes. One thing to bring up is as the cigar progresses the flavors are meshing. That is true in the transition from the second into the last third at least. Body held at medium to full and strength got to a medium plus. A very different cigar than usual cigar from Davidoff. It is good to see an oddity in their lines though.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 88

It’s a good cigar, the flavors are highly complex. Pretty good burn, great smoke production, the flavors give it a good uniqueness. It feels a bit off balance, with a bit of age I feel like this would shine. The second third was definitely the most interesting. This is absolutely something event worthy of you like a bit more of a punch in a cigar. It doesn’t command attention, but it is tasty and has its appeal to a certain audience. I suggest trying one, this is a cigar that would be very popular with people that enjoy complex pepper. If it does fit your palette it may justify a box buy, but I would not recommend hopping into a box purchase blind on this offering.

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