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.

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Chogui Cigars Dos77 Longsdale Review

Dos77 Longsdale
Made by: Chogui Cigars
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 6 1/2 by 46

This is a newer company with low production numbers. This isn’t something that I have a lot of background knowledge on. They have been quite popular on the cigar forums though. In either case I am interested to see what the little bit of hype they are getting is about. This is an interesting vitola and the company rightfully named it a Longsdale due to its near Lonsdale/Lancero size. Originally sold in only the Dominican Republic this is their first year in the US. Lets see what it has to offer with a Chogui Cigars Dos77 Longsdale Review.

Prelight

Small to medium sized veins, visible seams, well applied cap. Slightly lumpy pack, a couple of soft spots. The foot is giving off leather and cedar, odd combination. Good cut, but some loose tobacco present. Easy draw, it seems to be coming faster out of one side of the pack. Interesting prelight draw, red pepper tingle of the lips and then a heavy leather and unique almond. Underneath there are softer floral notes and cedar. Great complexity, there is a bit of tooth on the wrapper. This is going to have good flavors I can already tell. The construction is allright at this point, but let’s see how it performs so we can make an appropriate judgement.

1/3

Interesting, easy to light and very distinctly I can relate this cigars smell to Tatuaje’s La Riqueza. That is very specific, but the experience is what I am referring to. The leather on the front is bold enough to make itself detectable just from the foots smoke. Medium smoke production and thick smoke. Leather and bitter almond on the front, there is a subtle floral note in the center. The finish is a red pepper tingle with light cedar. So the profile is heavy on the front and has a soft finish. Great slightly oily mouth feel. The burn line is perfect and so is the draw. This cigar is significantly better then what my initial assessment of the construction was showing. Medium bodied and low strength, that leather note and mouth feel are the only parts I can relate to the Riqueza because this highly outranks that cigar in complexity.

2/3

The ash is holding on in about an inch to inch and a half chunks. The oily leather is holding the front, and the bitter almond has an added dry cocoa and that is now on the center. The finish is still a refreshing mix of cedar and red pepper. The floral note has dropped but I feel like it will comeback. Great complexity, medium smoke production and still strong thickness. Body has held at a medium and still low strength. Great mix of flavors, I am impressed. This cigar doesn’t need to be nurtured, it holds its burn for a solid minute and doesn’t go out. This size is perfect, I hope the last third holds to this cigars current performance. This is right on par for a great score.

3/3

The smell coming off of this cigars foot is great, if I had the choice to be in a lounge and everybody was smoking this, it would be heaven. Oily leather and dry cocoa have developed heavily on the front. The almond/macadamia nut bitterness is on the center, the floral note is back alongside light cedar on the finish and the red pepper has fallen. Elegant flavor shifts, spectacular profile. This cigars band is humble on the outside. However, this company knows what it has created, once you remove the band there is a message on the back that is entirely justified and quite comical. Toward the end of the cigar it was pushing medium full body and low to medium strength. Great complexity and flavors until the end when I was reluctant to put it down. Find one of these and smoke it, I believe you will not be disappointed.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Conclusion: 96

I took this a bit slower than usual because the profile was very intriguing. The burn was nice and slow, good smoke production and thickness. The bitter almond, the subtle floral note, and that oily mouth feel were impeccable. This cigars construction was good, I was concerned with that initially. The draw was perfect once lit and the burn line was great. The body to strength ratio was dead on. This was a great cigar, I believe this may be the highest score I have ever given in a review for Anthony’s. This is something an individual should smoke when they can appreciate the complexity and blending skills, great testament to cigars as an art-form.

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L’Atelier La Mission 1955 Review

La Mission 1955
Made by: L’Atelier
Country: Nicaragua, Mexico
Vitola: 6 3/4 by 44

This is a line by L’Atelier and with that comes decently high expectations. The cigars I have reviewed by them tend to follow a similar style, however it’s a good style. The three original launch releases of these were decent, but I expect the higher wrapper ratio present in this size to significantly improve the blend. Let’s see what it has to offer with an L’Atelier La Mission 1955 Review.

Prelight

Visible seams, small to medium sized veins, and a nicely applied cap. There are a couple wrapper blemishes. Light amount of tooth to the wrapper. Sharp cedar, and a fruity undertone coming off of the foot. Great cut, just a bit of loose tobacco. The prelight draw shows clean cedar with almost a banana bread like finish.

1/3

Nice thick smoke, medium smoke production. Easy to get lit up, the mouth feel is great. Bitter macadamia nut on the front, the center is truly best described as banana nut bread. The finish is really those two notes mixed with a light red pepper. This cigar builds as the profile presents itself. Medium to full body, and low to medium strength. Slightly off kilter burn but I expect it to correct itself.

2/3

So what the cigar is presenting itself as is a decently complex, “building” medium to full body smoke. The flavors have dropped in complexity since the first third. Bitter macadamia nut remains strong in the front, but the center is quite a mix. Cream, leather, and cashew make up the center. Something, I am guessing the fruity note, dropped removing the description of banana nut bread. Those three flavors that are still present are still making a “bread” like flavor. Red pepper is up on the finish leaving a great tongue tingle. Smoke thickness has dropped, no doubt adding to the flavor shift. Smoke production is constant at a medium. The strength is slowly getting to a medium.

3/3

The burn is completely back to normal, smoke thickness is staying at a medium and the smoke production has held constant. The flavors are beginning deteriorate. Leather, cream, and mixed nuts control the front and the center. The finish is now a mix of red and black pepper. Great cigar overall, the best part was the first third in my opinion. A great profile and solid characteristics.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Conclusion: 89

I have to say this is a big step up from the previously released vitola’s. The profile is expertly blended. Great smoke qualities and production. The decomposition of the banana nut bread note in the center of the profile during the first third was interesting. That was by far my favorite part of this cigar. Good offering by L’Atelier, the other vitola’s justified a 5 pack but this certainly reaches box worthy territory in my opinion.

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Davidoff Puro d’Oro Notables Review

Puro d’Oro Notables
Made by: Davidoff
Country:Dominican Republic
Vitola: 5 5/8 by 46

Very sad to hear that Davidoff is retiring this line. The last review I conducted on this line scored the Eminentes (another vitola of this cigar) at a 92. I expect at least and equal experience if not better from this cigar. While you can find them, or if you already have a stockpile of these, savor them. This is a very good cigar, at a reasonable price point. So as a “soft” goodbye, here is a Davidoff Puro d’Oro Notables Review, I hope they do reopen this line at some point in the future.

Prelight

Perfectly done cap with a tight pigtail. Small veins with just a couple larger, visible seams. There is a slight give to the pack but it is very even. The band is a bit over the top, but they look really nice. The foot is giving off cedar, some mixed nuts, and a tangy fruity note. Clean cut, almost no loose tobacco on the cut. The prelight draw shows similar flavors to the foot with the appearance of a white pepper and leather. Definitely going to be complex, but as I recall the last vitola was as well.

1/3

High smoke production off the start, and a perfect draw. Cedar and light citrus on the front moving into cashew and then white pepper on the finish. Wonderfully smooth smoke, there is a bit of leather coming up mixing with the white pepper on the finish as I get into the first third. Medium to full body and low strength. Pretty good burn throughout this third, great smoke production.

2/3

The citrus has dropped on the front and has been replaced with cream alongside the cedar. The cashew has also dropped, leather is up on the center carrying into the finish. The pepper note is now a mix of red and white. Body has maintained at a medium to full, strength has risen to a low to medium. The burn and smoke production are both going strong. Nice defined transitions, and great complexity.

3/3

At the start of the last third, cream has dropped on the front, and a mix of cedar and oak are in its place. Cashew is back up in the center of the profile, and leather and red pepper now control the finish. Those transitions are what make this cigar so good, so defined and distinct. That is the biggest strong suit of this cigar. That and its complexity. Body has come down a bit, but has maintained medium to full and the strength is at a low to medium. No changes to the smoke production or the burn both held strong throughout. Once again a great offering from Davidoff.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 93

This hit right alongside its larger vitola now that I look back to that review. There were some structural flavor differences, but the notes are fairly consistent between the two sizes that I have reviewed. One clear change was the increase in body this cigar had. Had that stayed down and held its complexity it would have scored even higher. In either case this is a delicious cigar. The smaller ring gauge of this vitola made for some interesting changes. I really hope these will be reproduced someday, but that variability gives an excuse to stock up now. I highly recommend trying one to see if it fits your tastes.

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L’Atelier Cote d’Or La Tache 2016 Review

Cote d’Or La Tache 2016
Made by: L’Atelier
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 1/2 by 50

The Cote d’Or 2015 release was quite a cigar, this is the new 2016 release just hitting shelves. Again it is boasting a Sancti Spiritus wrapper, it will be interesting to see how this release holds up. One of my favorite cigars  in general (the Special Selection LAT38) is produced under L’Atelier so I have high expectations. Lets see if this can impress as well, with a L’Atelier Cote d’Or La Tache 2016 Review.

Prelight

Medium veins, not a perfect wrapper but I can smell it before I even examine the foot. Visible seams, pretty good cap. The aesthetics of the cigar overall are pretty good, the foot ribbon adds to it. The notes coming off the foot are interesting, it reminds me of a snack I use to eat “fruit leather”. So naturally I expect notes of leather and the fruit seems to be mixed stone fruit. There is something else in there that’s unique, but I believe it will not appear until lit. Pretty good cut, definitely some loose tobacco though. Great even and slightly spongy pack, the prelight draw shows a good amount of pepper alongside the leather and fruit. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Easy to get lit up, tons of leather on the front there is a subtle sweet peach underneath, but that leather is very overpowering. The finish is a slightly bitter black pepper that wiped the rest of the flavors off the palette. Medium smoke production and medium smoke thickness. As I get toward the end of the first third there is a macadamia nut coming up in the center, leather is still on the front and I am still getting that low stone fruit undertone. The finish is holding solid black pepper. Flaky ash and the burn line isn’t perfect, it may need a touch up. The flavors seem to be shifting a bit, might be an interesting second third.

2/3

There was almost no tooth on this wrapper which seems to be keeping the smoke thickness down. Medium body and low strength. Almost a mild to medium body. It did need a slight touch up to the burn, seems to have fixed that. This is a lighter cigar with heavier flavors, it’s a good mix. The stone fruit came up a bit on the front alongside the leather. Salted cashew and macadamia nut on the center with a black pepper finish. Wishing the pack was a bit firmer, the cap area is getting quite soft as the cigar is burning down. The flavor profile is great that black pepper finish is the only detractor. Overall a pretty good blend so far. I was expecting more in the way of transitions, but it seems to be pretty consistent. Leather has regained dominance on the front as the fruit note falls. Macadamia nut is back up in the center and cashew has fallen. The finish did have a slight change, now it is a mix of white and black pepper. This blend is surprisingly low on distinct transitions.

3/3

The body has held at a medium and the strength is at a low to medium. Smoke production is still at a medium and thickness is also still a medium. The burn is great now, the ash is still pretty flaky. This has been a nice cigar, not something I would take to an event, but certainly very enjoyable for leisure time. The flavors have gone back almost identical to the start. Leather on the front, it has officially drowned out the fruit undertone. The finish is mixed macadamia nut and black pepper.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Conclusion: 87

This was a good consistent cigar, aside from the score this would probably be my top pick for a cigar that holds its profile. It was enjoyable, the black pepper actually was fitting to the rest of the notes. The softness of the cigar near the cap, while it hurts the construction score, is actually something I really enjoy. So in the end, as always try it and see if it fits your tastes. But this is worth a box purchase in my opinion. Leather without heavy cream isn’t a characteristic I pick up very often and it worked wonderfully in this release.

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La Aurora Preferidos Maduro Review

Preferidos #2 Maduro
Made by: La Aurora
Country: Dominican Republic, Brazil
Vitola: 5 by 54

These cigars often get overlooked because of how long they have been around. I have to say it has been a while since I have visited these. One difference to take into account is that this is a review of the non-tubo version of the Preferidos. The tubos are significantly more expensive, which makes these a good buy. Lets see if that holds true with a La Aurora Preferidos Maduro Review, but keep in mind this is just one of the offerings that La Aurora puts out.

Prelight

Nice tooth to the wrapper, medium sized veins. Visible seams and the perfecto shape has been absolutely “perfected” by this company since 1903 as it says on the band. The foot is showing lots of pepper and heavy barnyard. The prelight draw has above average resistance, no doubt due to the shape. The notes off the draw are heavy molasses and black pepper. I am expecting heavy cream in the profile as well. Let’s get this lit up.

1/3

Lighting this was easy, good smoke production, it opened up pretty quickly. Sweet molasses on the front with bitter macadamia nut and black pepper on the finish. There is a strong bitter note near the finish. There is a dry hay coming up on the front coming up slowly. Interesting, the foot had leaf wrapped over the wrapper leaf. I believe the sweet molasses was coming from that, as I am getting to the end of that “exterior wrapper leaf” the molasses is dropping and being replaced by the dry hay. Bitter macadamia nut and black pepper remain on the finish. Smoke production is increasing as the burn reaches a wider ring gauge. Body is at a medium and strength is at a low. It’s odd that that added foot wrapper played an important role in the first third. Previous times smoking this cigar I had not noticed that.

2/3

Dry hay remains on the front, and then the profile moves to bitter macadamia nut and black pepper. Good burn line and the ash is holding on wonderfully, smoke production is up and the draw is perfect now. This is a cigar whose profile could break through a heavy drink pairing. The hay and bitter macadamia nut could still be picked out after a glass of bourbon. Body remains at a medium and strength has moved to a low to medium. The only real change to note is black pepper has come up as I get to the end of the second third. Great burn for a figurado. Also, I tapped the ash right at the halfway point just to be safe. Impressed that it made it that far.

3/3

Unfortunately I did get a little crack/pop in the wrapper, not a major issue but worth noting. Oak has come up on the front as the hay has dropped, the finish has been consistent the entire cigar with bitter macadamia nut and black pepper. That bitter note and black pepper have been a good characteristic. Body stayed at a medium the whole cigar and strength stayed at low to medium. Overall a solid cigar.

Smoke Time: 55 minutes

Conclusion: 85

This cigar is stable and had good notes while leaving some room for improvement. However, at its price point, and for what you’re getting its spot on. The flavors, while not super complex, are enjoyable throughout the cigar. The construction is good for a figurado. Wonderfully thick smoke and overall a relaxing cigar, worth keeping around for events or an afternoon by the pool. When I think about this cigar “Island life” comes to mind, something to do with the perfecto shape and the big lion on the front.

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Roma Craft CroMagnon Anthropology Review

CroMagnon
Made by: Roma Craft
Country: Nicaragua, United States
Vitola: 5 3/4 by 46

Roma Craft does a great job of staying true to the art form of cigars. This is, in my opinion, their most successful line. The wrappers of this cigar are sourced from the United States which is an interesting characteristic and adds to the story of the cigar. Lets see what this has to offer with a Roma Craft CroMagnon Anthropology Review.

Prelight

Visible seams, small to medium sized veins, and the cap is allright but leaves some more attention to be desired. Tons of tooth to the wrapper, of course this leads me to believe this is going to be a very creamy smoke. Kind of a lumpy pack, but apart from close observations, when you look at the cigar the wrapper is a beautiful leaf. The bands that Roma Craft uses are perfect for their cigars. The foot is giving off leather and black/red pepper. Good cut, definitely some loose tobacco. The prelight draw is giving off leather on the front with a red pepper finish. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

It took a second to get lit but once it was it gave off very thick smoke. High smoke production, medium to full body and low to medium strength. Cream and slightly bitter cocoa on the front with leather in the center, and the finish is a balanced mix of black and red pepper. Great burn line, compact ash, great mouth feel from the thick smoke. The progression of flavors in the profile is creating a great experience.

2/3

The cream is up on the front and the bitterness has dropped from the cocoa. So the front is getting to a cream and milk chocolate mix that is carrying through the center of the profile. The finish is now a nice blend of leather and red/black pepper. Strength is up to a medium, and body is approaching full. The burn line is staying constant, overall good construction. The flavor profile is transitioning wonderfully.

3/3

Cream has absolutely taken over the front and leather controls the center of the profile. The slightly bitter cocoa that was present in the first third is back but it’s low behind the cream and leather. Black pepper is over the red pepper on the finish, but it is not as powerful as it was in the first two thirds. The body is back to a medium-full and the strength has held at a medium. Great burn line to the end, and overall a solid cigar.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 87

This company views their product as art, not simply a way to make money. That is a characteristic that often gets lost in current times. While this cigar left area some area for improvement it was still a solid smoke. This is the type of cigar that can justify a box purchase because it’s tasty and doesn’t command total attention when smoking.

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