Arturo Fuente Signature Hemingway Review

Signature Hemingway
Made by: Arturo Fuente
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 6 by 47

The Hemingway is another offering often visited by long time cigar smokers, this is often just in the sake of habit but maybe the Don Carlos smokers could find a new option with this is well. The Don Carlos was already reviewed and it will be interesting to see how this compares with that line. This is a “Signuture” size and with that it should command a decent burn time, their are much larger vitola’s in this line if that is more of an interest. Lets see what it has to offer with a Arturo Fuente Signature Hemingway Review.

Prelight

Decently applied double cap, medium sized veins, and visible seams. The wrapper has quite a few blemishes, I don’t expect them to be an issue but it does detract from the aesthetics of the cigar. Same band as almost every other Fuente, the foot smells like cashew and butter with a cedar and mixed pepper undertone. Good cut with just a bit of loose tobacco. The prelight draw shows cashew a bit of leather and mixed pepper on the finish. The oily butter flavor will probably come into play on the mouth feel, there is a good amount of tooth which will only add to that.

1/3

This is one cigar where the foot hints perfectly to the profile. Cashew and leather are on the front with lots of cream in the center of the profile. Oily slick mouth feel and the finish is a black and white pepper. Medium bodied and low strength. Slightly of balanced burn, but that usually comes with the tapered foot on figurados. Beautiful compact white ash though, the tooth remains visible in the ash. As I get into the first third the leather rises on the front and the cashew drops, the buttery creamy center is holding. The finish remains a fairly balanced black and white pepper.

2/3

As I get into the second third the nutty notes are developing the front is short but consists of cashew and salted peanuts. And then fades into leather and mixed pepper. The creaminess has fallen noticeably. Distinct and noteworthy transition, it’s always a plus when there is a shift like that. Fair complexity and good transitions currently, the cigar is holding at medium body and low strength. The burn line has leveled out and has no issues at all. No changes to the profile as the second third burbs down, the main noticeable difference is cream is returning in the center. The cigar still has a great oily buttery mouth feel. The black pepper is up in the mixed pepper note and is a bit harsh but not in a bad way. It is complimenting the leather nicely.

3/3

Cashew has come up on the front boldly, the cream has dropped in the center and leather replaced it. And the finish has broken down to a balanced black pepper. Great rotation of notes and flavors. Good complexity and solid transitions, great burn once it self-corrected from the start. The best part in my opinion was the thick smoke and the buttery mouth feel. One more thing to note is that the cigar did get squishy and picked up a harsher bitter note on the finish at the nub.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Conclusion: 87

Good cigar, it is a step above general flavors and complexity which explain the loyalty so many people have to this company. This is a cigar that should absolutely be kept in rotation, mainly because it is a consistently good cigar. If you haven’t tried it then you are missing out and it should be the next thing you visit. This is a cigar that most people are aware of whether or not they are advanced or beginning cigar smokers.

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

Padron 1926 No. 48 2016 TAA Exclusive – Coming mid June

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium, a Tobacconists’ Association of America (TAA) Member is getting the Padron 1926 No. 48 2016 TAA Exclusive.  Padron said it would be shipping in mid-June, 2016.  For its 2016 TAA Excluisve, Padron is following last year’s concept by adding another LE  size to its 1926 Serie portfolio.  It is the 1926 No. 48 (refers to the 48th annual TAA Convention).  The Padron 1926 No. 48 2016 TAA Exclusive is a very hefty 5 1/2″ x 60 Gordo.  A large ring gauge is quite unique for the Padron 1926 line, and sure to be a slow burning masterpiece considering the sheer quantity, and the fine quality, of Padron’s ultra-premium aged tobaccos that are used in its ultra-premium 1926 and Family Reserve lines.  The Padron 1926 No. 48 will be available in Natural and Maduro wrappers.  The Padron 1926 No. 48 will be a one-time limited release with boxes expected to hit Anthony’s Cigar Emporium in June.

A sneek peek at the massive Padron 1926 Serie No. 48 TAA Exclusive.

The 1926 Serie are box-pressed Nicaraguan puros offering refined tobaccos aged five to ten years then blended to create an exceptionally smooth, complex, balanced and full-bodied flavor. Flavors of savory roasted meat, dried tart cherries, rich earth, and black pepper spice envelop the entire palate as a woody and barnyard aroma fill the air.

You can make sure to get your hands on a box of Padron 1926 Serie No. 48 in both Natural and Maduro by pre-ordering at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.  They should be arriving in June and as soon as we get them, we’ll ship them to you immediately!

Pre-order a box of Padron 1926 Serie No. 48 2015 TAA Exclusive today!

Avo XO Notturno Tubo Review

XO Notturno Tubo
Made by: Avo
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 50 by 42

Another Avo offering this week, the XO. The vitola being observed this time around is smaller so naturally I can expect it to be a shorter smoke time. I have my expectations curbed, knowing that I have just had two spectacular cigars from the company and this is back to earth with a regular production cigar. Lets see what it has to offer with an Avo XO Notturno Tubo Review.

Prelight

Visible seams, medium sized veins, and a tight but slightly sloppily applied cap. Avo does a great job with their bands, just perfectly stated. The foot is giving off cedar with a hint of sweet hay and cinnamon. A little bit of tooth to the wrapper. Good cut with a bit of loose tobacco, the prelight flavors are mainly cedar and cinnamon.

1/3

Mild to medium body with cedar on the front and a light herbal cinnamon in the center. The finish is a well-rounded white pepper note. Low strength and the resistance is a bit above normal. As I get into the first third there is a bit of black pepper coming into the finish. That little harsh tinge at the end is actually a nice addition. It’s a very smooth profile so the finish is an odd shift.

2/3

Quick burning little cigar. Cedar remains on the front with some cream coming in from the thick smoke. The herbal cinnamon remains on the front, and mixed pepper is still holding the finish producing an enjoyable bite that is actually coming from the black pepper. Body is approaching a medium and the strength is staying at a low.

3/3

Cedar and oak are mixed on the front. Smoke thickness has dropped along with the cream note. The cinnamon that was present in the center has fallen and been covered by the mixed pepper which has risen on the finish. No changes to the strength or body, the burn line has been good throughout but not razor sharp.

Smoke Time: 40 minutes

Conclusion: 86

Good profile, decent burn, this makes a good travel cigar. Being a tubo this is definitely something that would be an on-the-go choice. With a shorter burn time, it isn’t a commitment to get into. This would make a good golf cigar. The body and strength stay down, and the complexity is on par with the price point.

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

Viaje Exclusivo Reserva – 2016 Limited Release now here!

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium has the newest 2016 release from Viaje: the Viaje Exclusivo Reserva, which uses 100% AGANORSA Nicaraguan vintage tobaccos that have been aged longer in the curing barns and aged for a significant period after being rolled than the Exclusivo blend on which the blend for the Reserva release was based. Viaje is reusing a concept of making an longer aged version like it did in the Viaje Oro and Platino Reserva releases from 2010, and the ever popular Edición Limitada releases from the Cuban Habanos S.A. conglomorate.

The Exclusivo Reserva is a Viaje release intended to be smoked right out of the box, instead of put away and humidor aged after purchase. Viaje’s all-Nicaraguan full-bodied blends age well as their flavors marry into a rich aroma.

The Viaje Exclusivo Reserva is made at Raíces Cubanas in Danlí, Honduras.

The Viaje Exclusivo Reserva Toro (6″ x 52) and Robusto (5″ x 54) are both box-pressed.  They come packaged in 25 ct. boxes with Reserva secondary bands.  Browse these cigars here.

From Viaje Cigar Co. Click for more info.

From Viaje Cigar Co. Click for more info.

Davidoff Art Edition 2014 Review

Art Edition 2014
Made by: Davidoff
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 5 9/10 by 54

Davidoff cigars have performed very nicely in the past reviews that I have conducted on the company. The most common issue that I have come across is wrapper problems, but as you move up in price the cigars tend to be flawless. That said, this limited production release should be just about the top level of that perfection. Lets see if it can hold up to that with a Davidoff Art Edition 2014 Review.

Prelight

Only one pronounced medium vein, all the rest are small. Visible seams, and there is a lot of tooth on the wrapper. Very cleanly constructed cap, with a good cut there shouldn’t be any issues. Strong white pepper coming off of the foot along with cedar and light cocoa. Very little loose tobacco on the cut, a good amount of resistance that is probably being added to due to the tapered foot. Cedar and white pepper are the main notes coming off the prelight draw, there is a light grass note underneath. Firm and consistent pack. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Medium smoke thickness and smoke production. A lemon citrus and cedar on the front with cashew and white pepper moving in on the finish. Very balanced. Mild to medium body at the moment and no strength yet. Extremely smooth and creamy once it opens up and gets into the first third. Cedar and that tangy citrus remain on the front but the cream from the thick smoke (smoke thickness has been rising) is bleeding into the full profile. Up to a medium body and low strength. The finish has picked up leather alongside the cashew and white pepper. Great complexity and transitioning very smoothly, great blending work. Wonderful burn line, really enjoyable cigar so far.

2/3

The front is cedar forward but the citrus is still underneath. Leather is up on the finish and the cashew dropped. The white pepper now includes a bit of red pepper as well. Good flavor shifts that aren’t drastic but they are complementary to the profile. Toward the end of the second third the pepper is dropping down allowing the cashew to return alongside the leather on the finish. The citrus note on the front has dropped but it’s more due to the fact the cream is way up mixing with the cedar. I do expect that enjoyable note to return if the cream falls. Medium body and low to medium strength seems to be where this cigar has settled. Great smoke production and thickness, good burn, and appropriate resistance on the draw. Very balanced, this is a well-made and winner of a cigar you certainly get right what you paid for. Plus the aesthetics of the second band of that is important to the smoker.

3/3

One thing to note is this is burning pretty quickly. I am into the last third and it has been 40 minutes. Only really expecting an hour or a bit more from this depending upon how enjoyable the nub is. Never mind it slowed down significantly and surprisingly. Cedar and cream continue to control the front. Leather and white pepper are back controlling the finish. Medium strength and body, good burn, not much in the way of changes toward the end here but it was an enjoyable cigar.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Conclusion: 90

Definitely something that can be used for celebrations or events without taking complete attention. Absolutely worth keeping a 5ver on hand,  because it’s a great cigar even at its price point. Smooth, balanced, and relaxing, that first third was the sweet spot in my opinion. Good job Davidoff.

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

EPC Short Run 2016

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium is carrying this year’s EPC Short Run 2016 annual limited cigar.  For 2016, the E.P. Carillo short run will have a single size: a 6″ x 52 Toro (though the boxes posted on Ernesto Perez-Carillo say Robusto 6 x 52) .

The E.P. Carrillo Short Run series is an annual limited production line that uses different blends each year featuring very special, limited tobaccos. The E.P. Carrillo Short Run 2015 featured a Nicaraguan Criollo ’98 wrapper that was very dark and oily, grown in the Jalapa region with a Nicargauan Binder and a combo Nicaraguan-Dominican filler made in three sizes.

The EPC Short Run 2016 has an Ecaudorian Habano wrapper, and 100% Nicaraguan binder and filler blend that includes some Criollo ’98 from the growing region of Somoto, Nicaragua which is located about 32 miles north of Estelí on the Pan American highway. “A lot of people aren’t familiar with Somoto,” said Ernesto Perez-Carrillo to Cigar Insider. “The growing area isn’t that big, but I think the tobacco brings complexity to the blend.”

The EPC Short Run 2016 is made in a single 6″ x 52 Toro, though pictures of the boxes say Robusto 6 x 52. E.P. Carillo describes the cigar as a “medium/full bodied cigar at 3/4 strength with a full flavor profile that has spice, pepper, a bourbon wood undertone that rounds out with a light creaminess in the finish. This true small batch cigar has an easy draw and lots of smoke…”

The EPC Short Run 2016 is made at Ernesto Perez-Carillo’s own Tabacalera La Alianza factory in Santiago, D.R. Only 2,500, 10-count boxes of the Short Run 2016 will be released.  See the EPC Short Run 2016 at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium online store here. 

Click picture to browse the EPC Short Run 2016 at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Band Redisigns of EPC Short Run.

Box Redesigns of the EPC Short Run.

Padron 1926 No 9 Natural Review

1926 No 9 Natural
Made by: Padron
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 1/4 by 56

Padron has a wonderful history as a company, and quite a loyal customer base. Previously I have reviewed a cigar from the thousand series, 1964 series, and now I have the pleasure to review a 1926. This is perhaps the most popular regular lines from Padron. Known to be fuller bodied and have quite a good amount of complexity, lets see if this cigar can hold up to that with a Padron 1926 No 9 Natural Review.

Prelight

Barely visible seams and medium sized veins. Simple looking double cap which is contradictory to the cigars reputation of prestige. But let’s see if the tobacco can justify the lacking aesthetics. Spongy pack to the cigar with a soft box press. The foot is giving off herbal note and leather. Very little tooth to the wrapper. Lots of loose tobacco to wipe away on the cut. No problems with the wrapper, no unraveling, extremely easy draw. Lots of red pepper on the wrapper and prelight draw. A slightly sweet herbal note with light leather behind and cayenne pepper lingering throughout.

1/3

Extremely unique draw, very open, I am really wanting more resistance but the cigar has great smoke thickness and production the way it is. Cedar and red pepper are very strong on the front. Heavy flavors this is a full bodied cigar with medium strength that I expect to rise. Bitter cashew and leather on the finish with the cayenne biting at the end to remind you that it is there. This is a very robust cigar, controlling and powerful. As the first third burns down the cedar develops and begins to include oak on the front. Red pepper is still holding throughout the entire profile. Pretty straight burn, not expecting touch ups. Leather and bitter cashew continue to hold the finish. The profile is holding consistent but increasing in complexity.

2/3

Very full cigar and strength is up to a medium to full. This is a bold power-house, I haven’t had something this bold in a while. That said you can’t compare this to a mild or a medium cigar at all. If you are hunting for a flavor explosion and a high strength cigar this is a no brainier. It does explain the loyalty many cigar smokers have to the 1926 line. The front is heavy mixed wood notes the finish has dropped slightly. But it still consists of the same notes in the finish, bitter cashew and light leather. Of course the red cayenne pepper is lingering throughout the profile and it’s becoming a defining based to the cigar. The power started to balance at the end of the second third. Full bodied and holding medium to full strength. The front has retreated now as the bitter cashew and light leather take over the profile. The red pepper remains throughout. Very simple yet distinct transitions, great flavors, allright complexity. This is a good cigar in the full category. I would suggest this with a heavy port wine after a big meal for the best enjoyment of this cigar.

3/3

Full bodied and almost full strength, but great profile. Not the most complex and no drastic transitions but a delicious cigar. The front has taken back control, heavy oak and cedar with the finish lower. Still holding the bitter cashew and leather notes though, as the red cayenne pepper stays as a base. The cigars main changes were what notes were dominating. It was either the front or the finish and both were delicious. Stable but not perfect burn all the way to the end, no touch-ups.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 89

Great cigar in the full category, wonderful profile. No major transitions and not crazy complexity. But great and distinct power shifts between the front and the finish. The red pepper base was a great note to have carry throughout the cigar. Great offering from Padron.

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

Davidoff 2016 Golf Scorecard Edition – Just Arrived at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium!

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium, a Davidoff Appointed Merchant, has recently received these limited edition gems. Davidoff Limited Editions are generally more fuller bodied releases from Davidoff.   Davidoff limited releases are strictly limited to the amount of the finest vintage tobacco leaves that are in its superb and masterful limited edition blends.  The Davidoff 2016 Golf Scorecard Edition comes packaged in a 5-Pack with one cigar having a golden band (intended for the round’s winner).   Unlike the 2015 Golf Masters Edition that came in two sizes, the 2016 comes in only one size, a 6 x 55 Gran Toro that has a flawless Ecuadorian habano wrapper, Dominican piloto binder and Dominican San Vicente mejorado ligero and viso along with piloto visos hybrid/olor piloto seco.

From Davidoff:  “The front nine delivers oaky, coffee notes while the back nine comes home with sweet honey tones.” “When lighting it up, peppery notes are paired with an enjoyable creaminess, combined with flavours of hardwood, roasted coffee and salted nuts. The hardwood and the roasted notes are trading up in the second third with a beautiful added complexity deriving from the Dominican Mejorado tobaccos in the filler and the Piloto binder from the Martin Garcia zone. In the last third, aromas of a well brewed Darjeeling tea with a hint of honey are present, and the last puffs have a delightfully earthy character”.

Get your 5-Pack of  today of Davidoff 2016 Golf Scorecard Edition Gran Toros at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium and get Free Shipping by clicking on the pictures below.

Click Picture to Browse Davidoff Limited Editions available at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Click Picture to Browse Davidoff Limited Editions available at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Viaje Exclusivo Toro Review

Exclusivo
Made by: Viaje
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 by 50

Viaje is a company that hasn’t been given a lot of attention in my reviews. I do not have an opinion on whether they are generally better or worse that other cigars. Therefore, I am looking forward to seeing how this performs. I will get into the construction of the cigar in the prelight sections as usual, it is very well rolled though. You can tell that off the bat, lets see what it has to offer with a Viaje Exclusivo Toro Review.

Prelight

Small veins, almost no visible tooth, the cap is decently applied. Barely visible seams, this cigar is visually very different then the cigars recently reviewed. The foot is giving off very typical Nicaraguan notes, cocoa and white pepper. There is a bit of syrupy sweetness as an undertone. The prelight draw is consistent with the foot. Dry cocoa and white pepper, let’s see what this has to offer.

1/3

Great draw, took a second to get lit properly. Medium smoke production and medium smoke thickness. Cedar and dry cocoa on the front, those same notes carry through the center. A mixed black and white pepper controls the finish. Medium bodied and low to medium strength. The cigar is burning pretty quickly and the flavors aren’t changing much. This seems to be a cigar that offers more consistency versus complexity. In that regard it is doing its job and performing well in terms of construction.

2/3

Oak has replaced cedar and the dryness that the cocoa had at the start is gone. The pepper on the finish has come up including black, red, and white pepper in that order. Body is up to a medium to full and the strength is up to a medium. The burn line is going well and smoke production has increased, thickness is still about a medium though. The front and the finish are pretty balanced in power.

3/3

Cream entered the profile on the front alongside the oak in the last third. The cocoa note has fallen a bit but is still present. The mixed pepper has also retreated, both are a result of the body falling back to a medium as the strength holds at a medium. Not much complexity or transitions, but a decent consistent cigar.

Smoke Time: 55 minutes

Conclusion: 83

I must admit, I am a fan of the Nicaraguan cigars, however the profile does need some aspect of differentiation. This cigar didn’t really show much in the way of identifying itself against other Nicaraguan cigars.

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

AVO Classic Covers Vol 2 Review

Classic Covers Vol 2
Made by: AVO
Country: Nicaragua, Mexico
Vitola: 6 by 54

The Classic Covers 2016 release, the Volume 3, was amazing and one of the best cigars I have had recently. The only thing that really comes to mind other then that is the Caldwell Eastern Standard Midnight Express. My interest in the Classic Covers series peeked after the Volume 3 so this week I will be doing the Volume 2. The wrapper of this cigar is very different the the Vol 3, I am not expecting the same experience at all but my hopes are still high. With that, lets see what this has to offer with a AVO Classic Covers Vol 2 Review.

Prelight

Medium sized veins, a good amount of tooth, the cigar has a thick rough wrapper. I am expecting highly developed sugars in the profile. That cap is really well done, covering more area then usually allowing for less attention needing to be paid when cutting this cigar. A bit of excess rollers glue, the foot is giving off an interesting combination of flavors. Sweet hay, elderflower, and an undertone of oak. That is a profile I have yet to come across. Let’s see if the prelight and overall cigar can actually present those notes. Firm and consistent pack, clean cut almost no loose tobacco. Sweet hay and oak are present on the prelight with a hint of leather. Hoping that odd elderflower note comes through, but it may have just been the foot.

1/3

The cigars reviewed lately have been doing really well, this lit wonderfully and evenly. The flavors went the other direction compared to what the foot was suggesting. Mixed woods notes (cedar forward and oak back) are on the front with heavy cream. The center is a bitter macadamia nut with a more subtle cashew and then leather takes over for the finish with a bit of black pepper. Interesting notes, not the best blend of flavors at this point, but definitely unique. Medium to full bodied and low strength. Good smoke production and great thickness. At the end of the first third the nuts in the center of the profile are coming up as the woodsy front falls. Leather and black pepper are holding the finish but white pepper is coming up slowly. Allright burn line, no touch ups have been needed but it may later.

2/3

Body has fallen a bit but only to a medium plus. The strength is at a low, the creamy smoke and the thick mouth feel is the best part of the profile currently. Cream and bitter macadamia nut control the front and this is the sweet spot if this cigar has one. The cream is carrying through the finish mixing with the leather. The pepper notes have dropped, and the mouth feel is as good as it can get. Very chewy smoke, great characteristic. Body has moved back up to a medium to full and the strength is up to a low to medium.

3/3

The body has held at a medium to full and the strength is up to a medium. This is a bit heavier than the Volume 3 but very enjoyable in a different way. The flavors have returned to a variation of the first third. Oak is on the front up above the nutty center which has fallen. Leather and black pepper remain on the finish. The cream has fallen as well. Good cigar, the wrapper definitely affected the profile heavily with all that tooth. Interesting that the foot’s notes on the prelight were different then how the cigar performed. The cigar did get quite hot at the nub.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 89

The Volume 3 absolutely has this cigar beat in my opinion. That is not to say this was a bad cigar, it just didn’t hold up to my expectations given the Volume 3. Ratio wise I would keep one of these for every two of the volume 3 release. Worth trying, and the construction of the Avo’s is always a masterpiece. If you’re looking for a solid medium to full the Vol 2 is the way to go, the Vol 3 is more of a medium but more complex.

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