El Centurion TAA 2016 – Arriving in May!

My Father Cigars is once again releasing a limited edition cigar for TAA Members.  Anthony’s Cigar Emporium is one of 80 retailers that belong to the Tobacconists’ Association of America.  The El Centurion TAA 2016 will be a 6 1/2 x 52 box-pressed Torpedo, the format that earned My Father the No. 1 Cigar of the Year 2015 from the Le Bijou 1922 line.  The El Centurion TAA 2016 will be the third size of El Centurion H-2K-CT, featuring a sun grown Habano 2000 hybrid Cuban-seed wrapper leaf from the Connecticut River Valley over an all-Nicaraguan binder and filler. Except for the exceptional wrapper, the tobaccos for the El Centurion TAA 2016 are grown by the Garcia family and made at its My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.  The El Centurion H-2K-CT has garnered rave reviews since its introduction last year in a 5 1/2 x 48 Corona and 6 x 52 Toro (both are also box pressed) and has earned very high ratings from many publications.

Make sure that you reserve a box from Anthony’s Cigar Emporium here.  All El Centurion TAA 2016 boxes come with free shipping.

Click here to browse all El Centurion vitolas at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Arturo Fuente Anejo No. 8-8-8 Review

Anejo No. 8-8-8
Made by: Arturo Fuente
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 6 5/8 by 44

My last Fuente review went all right, but left me wanting more from the company. This is a special release labeled Xtra Viejo. It’s a very unique size, coming in at 6 and 5/8 by 44. Not thin enough to be considered a lancero, but too long to be a Lonsdale. I am looking forward to this, hopefully it smokes as great as it looks. Let’s see what it has to offer with an Arturo Fuente Anejo No. 8-8-8 Review.

Prelight

Very dark wrapper, small veins, and like the Don Carlos this also has an excess of rollers glue present on the wrapper. Visible seams especially due to the rollers glue. Consistent and firm pack, with an interesting cap that is slightly open. Lots of tooth on the wrapper so I am expecting tons of thick smoke from this cigar. Hopefully it holds up to that. The foot is giving off cocoa and some leather notes with an almost syrupy sweetness. The cut was very clean, very little loose tobacco. The prelight draw shows more cocoa and sweetness. This seems much more developed and carefully blended versus the Don Carlos Belicoso.

1/3

Thick creamy chewy smoke, great start tons of smoke production sweet dark chocolate with a fruity undertone. Cedar is at the base of the profile. It feels like I am eating dark chocolate, great smoke thickness. Medium to full body and medium strength. This cigar is showing that it doesn’t need to warm up, it is well developed at the get go. As I get into the first third the cigar is picking up a meaty taste, similar to peppered beef jerky with a hint of sweetness. Of course there are a lot of sub-notes making this flavor up, but they are blending nicely. High complexity, the main notes are dark chocolate, fruity sweetness, cedar, and light white pepper. I don’t know if the blended flavors are going to separate but I hope they don’t. This chewy flavor bomb is delicious right now.

2/3

The burn line hasn’t been perfect but the flavors have been exceptional. The cedar has come up in the profile in the second third and the dark chocolate has dropped as has a lot of the fruity sweetness. Leather and white pepper are up on the finish and the thick smoke still has a great mouth feel. Medium to full body and still medium strength. It does seem to be building slowly in those categories though.

3/3

As I am getting into the last third it seems like the excessive rollers glue was hiding a small wrapper flaw but it’s not causing issues. All right burn line, the body has reached a full and strength has come up to a medium to full. But it’s manageable and enjoyable at those levels. This has been a great heavier smoke. It would make a great dessert cigar after a large dinner. The last flavor update, dark chocolate and leather are back on the front. The woodsy notes have developed and oak and cedar are blended alongside the fruity sweetness that was present in the first third. And a black pepper has come in with the white pepper on the finish but all that is saying is that the cigar is coming to an end. The front and center of the profile are dominate and the finish is shorter so the pepper is downplayed.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 94

I liked this cigar a lot more than the last offering from Fuente. The quality increase exceeded expectations. This cigar performs above price point, if you find them buy them and enjoy them. The flavors are well developed and there is good complexity to the cigar. This is a well-blended cigar.

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

Avo 90th Classic Covers Volume 3 Review

90th Classic Covers Volume 3
Made by: AVO
Country: Ecuador, Mexico
Vitola: 6 by 54

Avo has done some great cigars, I am really looking forward to this blend, but with that I have some pretty high expectations. I couldn’t list all of the cigars that I consider a success by this company. My only question is why these cigars aren’t as widely popular as they deserve to be. Well let’s see if this can further justify my comments with an Avo 90th Classic Covers Volume 3 Review.

Prelight

Barely visible seams and an almost invisible cap. Small to medium veins, and firm stable pack. The foot gives off a cedar with a lightly minty herbal note. Slight white pepper in the background. The cut went well, definitely a bit of loose tobacco. Good draw with lighter resistance. The cedar and herbal spice are detectable on the prelight draw. It’s tasting like cilantro and a mix of other fresh herbs. I am expecting a pretty complex cigar at this point. Let’s get this lit and see what it can do.

1/3

Airy smoke very light, mild to medium body. Good smoke production but thinner smoke. Lots of cedar on the front with the mixed herbs underneath. Cilantro and mint are creating an interesting green note, that is not to say that it tastes young. It doesn’t, it just tastes very unique and wonderfully balanced. Light white pepper finish to round out the profile. The herbal flavors in the center are the best part currently. Low strength, sharp burn line so far. For being a lighter body stick this has some good flavors, I could see it moving to a medium body in the second third. Great flow to the profile, consistent flavors as I approach the end of the first third. Cedar on the front, cilantro-citrus moving to a mint in the center, and then white pepper rounding it out. In the category of mild to medium cigars this is the best I have had in a while. If the body does move up it would have to gain complexity and smoke thickness to contend with other medium bodied cigars.

2/3

Great sturdy ash, perfect burn which is a nice change. A lot of reviews I have done lately have had “OK” burn lines, this one is flawless. Just as I wrote that down the ash fell just at the start of the second third. Smoke thickness is up a bit but the body remains at a mild to medium. The cedar is maintaining the front and the odd cilantro note has dropped. There is still a bit of mint before the white and red pepper finish takes over. The finish has come up which has pushed the center notes down a bit. The cigar is smoking very smooth though, that white and red pepper finish usually has a bit of harshness to it when I have encountered it in other blends. That is not the case with this cigar, good balance. As I am getting to the end of the second third the oak is matching the cedar on the front. Cashew is replacing the mint in the center of the profile and the mixed pepper maintains the finish.

3/3

Great touch to the aesthetics of the cigar to note is the secondary band’s message after removal. The backside reads “It’s not about how the legacy you leave. It’s about the one you share.” I love it when companies do things like that. Cedar has regained power on the front as the oak falls. Strength has come up a bit to a low medium. Cashew is dropping as the cilantro comes back alongside the mint. And the mixed pepper remains on the finish. This blend is a work of art, the body did hit medium at the end. Great cigar in the mild-medium category but it was pushing medium body. Strength continued to rise a bit just hitting medium at the end matching the body.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Conclusion: 93

I took my time smoking this because I was enjoying the profile a lot. Great construction, great flavors, and great complexity. If you have the chance to try one of these I would certainly encourage you to do so. This is another wonderful cigar produced by a wonderful company.

Find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com (I attatched the link where the 2016 Vol. 3 should be when they are up)

Davidoff Box Pressed Nicaragua Toro Review

Box Pressed Nicaragua
Made by: Davidoff
Country: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Vitola: 6 by 52 (toro)

It’s time for another Davidoff Review! I recently did another vitola of the Davidoff Nicaragua. This is a box pressed toro size of the same line and it will be interesting to see how that changes the profile. Let’s see how it performs with a Davidoff Box Pressed Nicaragua Toro Review. And then I’ll connect it back to the other vitola in terms of finding some differences.

Prelight

Small to medium veins with visible seams. Well done cap, with Davidoff’s this can be an issue area hopefully that goes smooth though. The foot is giving off a deep cocoa/cedar with light leather and a tangy almost sour note. And not in a bad way, the sour note is quite a welcome addition to that profile. Clean cut with some loose tobacco, slightly below average resistance on the draw. The tangy note is still noticeable on the prelight draw as is the cocoa/cedar and a light red pepper on the lips.

1/3

Extremely easy to light, medium smoke thickness but tons of smoke. Cedar on the front with cocoa and macadamia nut underneath, that tangy note is the finish. The best description of that is lemon rine, the macadamia nut carries into the finish as well. One thing I am noticing off the bat is that this is more developed then the normal vitola’s in this line. Medium body and low strength. The cigar is burning pretty quickly. I expect the body to rise to a medium full. Not a perfect burn line but no issues. That tangy finish with the macadamia nut is delicious. There is a low black and red pepper that lingers in the mouth after the other flavors have retreated. Cedar and the undertone of cocoa remain on the front. In all honesty I would be fine with the cigar holding this profile the entire smoke.

2/3

Watch the ash it does fall off in thirds and it almost got me because I thought it was sturdier. As I am getting into the second third the nutty notes are coming up as the cedar/cocoa falls. Cashew and macadamia nut are the notes that control the mixed nut flavor. The tangy note on the finish alongside the macadamia nut remains. And the pepper note is now red pepper forward with black in the background. Great mouthfeel but still medium smoke thickness. High smoke production, the strength is still at a low. The body has reached a medium full and the strength has gotten to a low-medium. Wonderful strong flavors, much more defined then the normal lines.

3/3

The body is holding at a medium to full and the cedar/cocoa has returned to the front of the profile as the nuts retreat. The tangy note is starting to die down as the mixed pepper begins to take the finish. The pepper note is holding the red forward characteristic. Strength has come up to a solid medium. Smoke production and thickness is constant. If I had to pick a vitola out of the Davidoff Nicaragua’s to smoke. This would undoubtedly be my go to.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 90

There were a couple of profile changes mainly with the power of flavors between this and the previous Davidoff Nicaragua that I reviewed. In either case this is another solid blended cigar by the company holding true to Nicaraguan flavors with a slight twist. Smoke one of these if you are picking a vitola of the Nicaragua. And they absolutely justify a box purchase if you enjoy the flavors. I love that tangy note.

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

Caldwell Eastern Standard Cake Walk Review

Eastern Standard Cake Walk
Made by: Caldwell
Country: Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 by 50

The construction of Caldwell cigars is impeccable. Not even getting into the description of this cigar, any time I think of this brand now, that is my initial thought. I have produced a lot of reviews for this company’s cigars and they have done a great job with their set up. The JV line is lower on the transitions and complexity and it rises with each step up in the company’s cigars. Whether that be to their regular lines or the limited run cigars. This is a regular line cigar, the Eastern Standard, and I know I am in for a treat. Let’s see what it can do with a Caldwell Eastern Standard Cake Walk Review.

Prelight

Very firm pack and an exceptionally well done cap. Barely visible seams and small veins. The foot is giving off cedar and a sweet hay note. Clean cut, and the prelight draw flavors show the cedar, sweet hay, and a light white pepper. There seems to be a light citrus note in there as well. Some loose tobacco was present after the cut. Easy draw, good start overall. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Took a while to get lit, medium smoke thickness and great draw. Cedar and the citrus note on the front with a well-balanced light white pepper finish. Mild to medium body and low strength. There is a bit of the sweet hay subtle in the center of the profile but it is being dominated by the front and finish. That citrus almost herbal note alongside the cedar on the front is delicious. As the first third progresses the front is controlling the profile and that’s working wonderfully for the blend. The sweetness is still present in the center but still muffled. The light white pepper rounds it out nicely. At the end of the first third the citrus is retreating and the woodsy note is developing to be a mix of cedar and oak.

2/3

The cigar is almost to a medium in body at this point but I don’t expect it to make it there. Great burn line, the cedar and oak mix is up on the front. The sweet hay note has come up to be more recognizable in the center of the profile, and the light white pepper finish has fallen but is present. Toward the end of the second third the cedar is up and the oak has fallen on the front. The citrus has returned alongside the sweet hay toward the end of the profile and it still is rounded off with that soft white pepper. The blend has great balance. The body did hit a medium, and the strength came up a little bit to a low-medium.

3/3

Still medium smoke production, and medium smoke thickness that makes a decent mouth feel. The flavors have been this cigars biggest asset, that and the great construction. Due to the tapering ring gauge the wrapper’s characteristics are coming out and shining. The citrus has blended back alongside the mixed cedar and oak on the front. The light white pepper finish has picked up a bit of black pepper but it’s not a detractor from the blend. The sweet hay is gone, or at least retreated significantly. Those changes are allowing for a good closing to the blend. Great cigar, interesting how the wrapper’s impact was noticeable at the very start. I would imagine the larger ring gauge would make it more subtle, but it did shine at that segment as well as the last third.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 89

Pretty good transitions, great complexity, this cigar’s construction is magnificent. This would rival any other cigar at this price point and beat most of them. That is as long as you are all right with the mild to medium body. That is the intention for this line and it does a great job. For being that level of body, it really accomplishes a lot with it. Spectacular blending, another great cigar from Robert Caldwell.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com (note: I believe the cake walk and the cypress room are switched at this time, I am looking into that)

Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Belicoso Review

Don Carlos Belicoso
Made by: Arturo Fuente
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 5 3/8 by 52

This will be the first review conducted on something from Arturo Fuente. This is a popular cigar for the occasional cigar smoker. Or a friend that recognizes it when they walk into a small cigar shop. I have had mixed experiences with these cigars in the past, not this particular one though. Let’s see if it is worthy of it’s often recommendation with a Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Belicoso Review.

Prelight

Visible seams and medium veins, there’s a slight tooth to the wrapper. Well done cap, but I have had unraveling issues with these cigars in the past. Clean-cut this time, the foot is giving off hazelnut and leather with a hint of black pepper. Firm pack with a couple of soft spots, the prelight draws resistance is about medium. The draw also shows more of the hazelnut and leather, also hinting at more pepper then the foot suggested. The roller used a bit too much glue on the cigar but that’s just a little hit to its aesthetics.

1/3

Medium body to start, the hazelnut with a light sweetness is on the front with leather following and then a mixed white and black pepper finish. The mixed pepper is a bit harsh but I believe that will calm down. The front of the profile is very balanced, low strength at this point. Good thick smoke output, the burn line is slightly off but it seems to be self-correcting. Flavors are holding at the end of the first third.

2/3

At the start of the second third a cashew note has joined the hazelnut to make a nice mixed nut note. With leather and a light cedar accompanying that flavor. And the pepper finish has calmed down it is still present though just better balanced. The burn line is still struggling but due to the medium veins I was expecting that to be the case. Pleasant flavors but not any real defined transitions. Very consistent and balanced currently.

3/3

As the cigar comes to an end the cedar has come up on the front, the mixed nuts have fallen a bit as has the leather. The finish still holds a black and white pepper mix, and that is rising slowly. The body is at a medium plus, I just can’t call it a medium full. Low strength remains, nothing attention grabbing that way. At the nub the pepper notes have risen further, and the front has changed slightly again incorporating more leather to the profile.

Smoke Time: 1 hour an 15 minutes

Conclusion: 83

Consistent but nothing exceptional, not much in the way of defined transitions. The complexity was all right, but left a lot of room for improvement. For a cigar on the lighter side, and a recognizable brand, this preformed mediocre. There are a lot of cigars that shine at this price point in comparison. But the popularity of the brand would be the reason for the attention in my opinion.

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

Pardon 1964 Anniversary Natural Review

1964 Anniversary Natural
Made by: Pardon
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 1/2 by 50

This is a step up from the thousand series that Padron produces, and the price point reflects that. But in terms of the company’s cigars, this is still one of the more budget friendly lines. This has been a cigar I have visited in the past and it has performed well. Let’s see what it has to offer with a Pardon 1964 Anniversary Natural Review.

Prelight

Nicely box pressed appearance, with barely visible seams. A decently applied double cap, small to medium veins. Consistent and well distributed pack. The foot is giving off a light black pepper and more defined cocoa. The cut was smooth, average resistance on the prelight draw with cocoa and a slight sweetness. The light black pepper is still detectable though. Let’s get this lit up.

1/3

Slightly bitter cocoa on the front with a nice sweetness alongside it. Light earth and cream from the thick smoke are also playing into the profile. High smoke production and a good mouth feel with that. Very thick and creamy smoke, making for a great addition to the flavor of the cigar. Medium to full body and low strength. Toward the end of the first third the flavors have defined themselves better. The front tastes like chocolate covered coffee beans, and I say that because it’s a well balanced mix versus bitter coffee and chocolate as separate notes. Great profile and nice complexity.

2/3

As I get into the second third the creaminess of the smoke is really adding to the center of the cigars profile. The chocolate is more powerful than the slightly bitter coffee on the front, so I can’t call it chocolate covered coffee beans anymore. The finish is a black pepper that’s my only issue, I wish there was more to it but it bring the blend to a good close. Medium to full body and the strength is holding at a low. As I get to the end of this third the strength is raising slightly and the earth that was present in the first third seems to be coming back.

3/3

At the start of the last third the earth has come up with a little barnyard on the front. The chocolate and coffee are still present but they are falling. The creaminess has fallen a bit in the middle of the profile and the black pepper is rising. The body didn’t fluctuate much, the strength did come up to a low to medium. The burn line was stable the entire cigar with a beautiful and sturdy ash. The flavor trends held, and the cigar got a bit squishy toward the nub.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Conclusion: 91

This outperforms some of the more expensive lines that this company produces in my opinion. Bursting with strong flavors and transitions. Great complexity and depth of the profile. I look forward to having another one of these in the near future. Absolutely worth trying if you have not ventured deep into Padron as a company.

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

Lost and Found Panda Welfare – Arriving Friday!

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium will be receiving the newest Lost and Found Panda Welfare this Friday, March 11th, 2016 After months of anticipation for the Panda Welfare release, it is finally coming and we are very excited.  The Lost and Found Panda Welfare comes packaged in 12-count Chinese take-out boxes.  They are 4″ x 50 short robustos with a Sumatra-seed wrapper.  They are the most hyped and anticipated Lost and Found release yet.

Lost and Found Panda Welfare will set off a frenzy on the internet like many Lost and Found releases that sell out online within minutes.  The Lost and Found project that seeks to find and release vintage cigars that have sat in warehouse aging rooms and were never released.

Lost and Found Panda Welfare Packaging

As Robert Caldwell said of his partner in the Lost and Found project:  “Tony is limiting the retailers to 20. They are very hard to sell at brick and mortar retail. They come wrapped up in simple paper with catchy names and designs. He wants to keep them mainly off of store shelves. His target is online boutique, as well as social media forums and trade groups. This is where the brand is understood. He wants to keep it small and fun.”  Anthony’s Cigar Emporium is proud to be among the select group of boutique online cigar retailers that carry the coveted Lost and Found cigars.

The Lost and Found Panda Welfare will go very fast.  Order your take-out at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium here.

Click to browse Lost and Found Panda Welfare.

La Aroma De Cuba Noblesse Review

Noblesse Toro
Made by: La Aroma De Cuba – Ashton
Country: Ecuador, Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 1/2 by 52

Produced by Ashton, this cigar is a limited run of 3,000 boxes of 24. So naturally this is a “must smoke before it’s gone,” but lets see what characteristics the cigar has to offer and see if it justifies the price point. Knowing Ashton I have high expectations. Maybe it will live up to my hopes, we’ll see with a La Aroma De Cuba Noblesse Review.

Prelight

This cigar is showing lots of character just from the aesthetics. Of course that is a goal at this price point. Small to medium sized veins. Visible seams, and not much tooth visible. Expertly done cap, perfect and easy cut. The foot gives off a floral jasmine, cedar, and sweet hay. The prelight draw shows these flavors as well but with the addition of a white pepper. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

The cigar lit evenly and quickly. Tons of mixed nuts on the front, slight bitter note on the finish. After a couple minutes the flavors open up and show macadamia nut and cashew on the front with a creamy cedar center. The finish is a light bitter cocoa powder. Medium to full body and low to medium strength. Extremely high complexity, and transitions are occurring very frequently and pretty distinctly. I’ll try to keep up with them in the next third.

2/3

Macadamia nut is up on the front, extremely balanced. Dry bitter cocoa powder maintaining on the finish, smoke production is up. There is a floral jasmine note in the center of the profile. No changes to body or strength. Cedar is coming up on the front and mixing with the nuts. Creaminess and floral jasmine are producing an odd middle flavor and dry cocoa is holding the finish as the second third comes to an end.

3/3

Cedar has taken over in the last several minutes accompanied by and undertone of oak. There is a white pepper taking the finish. Complexity is dropping and strength is at a medium. Body is still at a medium to full. The burn and smoke production have been wonderful throughout the cigar.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes

Conclusion: 93

This cigar justified the price point. Wonderful balance, high complexity. There were solid and defined transitions. The profile was a pretty unique one which is usually a good sign for the flavor category of the score. Definitely worth trying and keeping in rotation of celebratory cigars. Celebratory in the sense you just completed a long productive day of work. This is something that could be revisited upwards of once a week.

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

Illusione Fume D’Amour Clementes Review

Fume D’Amour Clementes
Made by: Illusione
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 1/2 by 48

Illusione is known for putting out consistent and stable blends. The MJ12 is the first notable cigar that comes to mind by the company in my opinion. This will be my first time visiting the Clementes vitola of the Fume D’Amour. So lets see how it performs with a Illusione Fume D’Amour Clementes Review.

Prelight

Pretty lumpy pack on this cigar, medium to large sized veins. Hoping that those don’t turn into burn issues. Visible seams and a decently constructed cap. Lots of oak coming off the foot with some slight nut undertones. Good cut, little bit of loose tobacco leftover. The prelight draw shows a lot of oak with some lighter signs of nuts and mixed pepper. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

The start shows an oak on the front with a mix of white and black pepper on the finish. Thick creamy smoke, it’s almost to the point of affecting the profile but it’s not there at this point. It is at a medium body and low to medium strength. As the first third is coming to an end the black pepper is overpowering the white on the finish. Oak remains on the front, and the creamy smoke is affecting the front of the cigar lightly. No changes to body or strength and good burn line, no touch ups needed.

2/3

I was thinking the veins would affect the burn more but the cigar is performing well. Oak remains on the front with the appearance of a cashew as well, the mixed pepper finish is still prevalent. The cream has died down a bit but the smoke production is still high and thick. The body is rising slowly and the strength is moving with it. At the end of the second third the body has reached a medium to full and the strength is up to a low to medium. The mixed pepper is up and the oak and cashew have retreated on the front but are still there.

3/3

The body has held at a medium to full and the strength is approaching a medium. The oak is coming back over the mixed pepper that rose at the end of the second third. The burn line is still progressing wonderfully. Smoke production has been constant the whole cigar and the cream is coming back. At the end of the cigar the mixed pepper came back and was balanced with the oak and cashew front. There were no further changes to the body or the strength.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 84

I was not overly impressed by this cigar. Fairly normal flavors and nothing really separating it from the pack. Ok transitions, and ok complexity. This cigar, I would say, is placed a bit too high in price point. If you can get them on special it would be a good yardgar. But that’s the main potential I see this holding. That and a good “hand out” cigar for friends. This is odd because I have heard good things about this cigar. Maybe it was just the vitola, hopefully I will revisit this in another vitola.

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