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.

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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.

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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.

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Oliva V Belicoso Review

V Belicoso
Made by: Oliva
Country: Ecuador, Nicragua
Vitola: 5 by 54

This cigar is often a go to for a casual smoke. This is at least in my past experiences with it. The Oliva V was one of the first cigars that repeatedly appeared in my humidor when I began this hobby. Of course the Melanio, the regular lines “older brother,” is a step up but the regular line does a wonderful job of bringing consistency and a good profile to the table. The only way to get my point across is to conduct a Oliva V Belicoso Review.

Prelight

The wrapper of the cigar has a little bit of tooth, medium size veins and barely visible seams. A sweet stone fruit note is coming off of the foot, with a cedar undertone. Good torpedo cap, easy and clean cut. Very little loose tobacco on the cut, very firm pack. The prelight draw shows an almost apricot note with a cedar undertone and light red pepper left on the lips. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Off the bat there is tons of thick smoke production. Very creamy smoke mixing with the cedar on the front, there is slight sweetness in the center of the profile but it isn’t well defined yet. The finish is a smooth red pepper. Very promising start, medium body, I could see it hitting medium to full. And the strength is at a low. As I reach the end of the first third a slight white pepper comes up alongside the red pepper finish. The sweetness in the center of the profile has been muffled. In its place there’s a cashew note now. Not a very straight burn, but no touchups needed.

2/3

Consistent, that would be the one word I do use to describe the cigar so far. I will be giving it a touch up because the burn has officially gotten wonky. Heavy cream and Cedar remain on the front of the cigar, cashew and a mix of white and red pepper round out the finish. Body has come up to medium to full, and strength remains at a low. No changes to the flavor profile, the strength has come up to a low to medium. But that is all in the way of changes at the moment. It may need another touch up, that’s my only complaint. The flavors are enjoyable so the lack of transitions is not an issue.

3/3

Smoke production is down by bit, and the body has fallen back to medium. The strength remains at a low to medium. The front is more Cedar forward there is still a light cream. The finish is holding with cashew, white pepper, and red pepper. As I reached the end of the cigar the cedar continued to rise and the cashew and white pepper moved to control the finish. No more changes to note.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Conclusion: 87

This is a great cigar with pretty familiar notes incorporated into the profile. Not many transitions, medium complexity. This is a staple for some cigar smokers for the consistency of this line. The step up version is highly rated every year, but the regular line maintains an impressive and consistent profile.

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DPG Cuban Classic Robusto Review

Don Pepin Garica Cuban Classic
Made by: My Father
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5*50 (Robusto)

An interesting off-shoot of the traditional My Father cigars, the Don Pepin Garcia lines are quite popular among regular cigar smokers. One very popular cigar is the DPG blue lancero, but the cuban classic is easier to find and offers wonderful flavors. The only way I could explain this is with a DPG Cuban Classic Robusto Review so lets get it started.

Prelight

Lumpy pack with a few soft spots, small to medium veins. Very little tooth, well made triple cap. The band is understated, the foot gives off cedar with a white and black pepper note. Tough cut, very firm pack at the cap. Loose tobacco after the cut. The prelight draw shows white and black pepper with cedar, there is above average resistance on the draw. Let’s see how this performs.

1/3

At the start of the first third, there is a bitter coffee note on the front with a cedar undertone. The finish is a white and black pepper. Thin smoke, and low to medium production. The bitter note on the front is verging harshness, the cigar tastes young. As the third progresses there is a mixed nuts flavor coming up in the center of the profile alongside the bitter coffee. A nice addition to an off balanced profile at the moment. Medium bodied and no strength at this point. Dry mouth feel, not a very pleasant mix of flavors at the moment. At the end of the first thirds the flavors have calmed down a bit. Still dry, bitter coffee, and slight black pepper, all making up for an odd mix. On a positive note the constructions good.

2/3

Body remains at a medium, still no strength. The smoke production is still at a low to medium, and the burn line is great. Still pretty thin smoke which is unfortunate. As the second third burns down macadamia nut comes up to control the front, other flavors retreating. The finish is a mix of black and white pepper. No more changes to body, strength, or smoke production. The harshness has died down and the stick is becoming more balanced. The rise of the macadamia nut really helped the profile.

3/3

The sweet spot of this cigar is right at the turn from the second to last third. Macadamia nut controls the front completely and clean white pepper washes over that on the finish. Very good balance still medium bodies and no strength. Still low to medium and thin smoke production. The draw resistance stayed above average the entire cigar. The macadamia nut is falling back into a mixed nut on the front as I hit the nub and black pepper is sneaking back in on the finish.

Smoke Time: 1 hour

Conclusion: 83

I was hoping for a bit more complexity out of this cigar. Good performance, not very distinct transitions. This is a nicer yardgar in my opinion. Nothing exceptional about the blend, not much to make it stand out. But it acted as a well-built cigar with not many construction issues. Definitely shined at the end of the second third and beginning of the last third. This would make a good cigar to keep around for newer or casual cigar smokers.

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Undercrown Corona Viva Review

Undercrown Corona Viva
Made by: Drew Estate
Origin: Nicaraguan, Honduran, Brazillian
Vitola: 5 5/8 by 46

The one the only, the Undercrown! The story behind this cigar is the best part. As its told, the rollers were smoking to many of the cigars being made for the Liga Privada lines. When confronted, and told not to smoke those anymore, they made an alternate choice. That became very popular among the torcedor’s. Soon enough they made that blend into a regular production cigar, the Undercrown. This is known as a particularly enjoyable vitola in the line. Lets see what it has to offer with a Undercrown Corona Viva Review.

Prelight

The Undercrown cigars always look absolutely beautiful. A bit too much rollers glue, but I have faith that the cigar will stay together completely. Clean-cut just a little bit of loose tobacco. Medium size veins, a nice dark toothy wrapper. A syrupy cocoa is bleeding from the foot with a leather undertone. Everything points to an extremely flavorful and consistent cigar. And in my previous experiences ton of smoke production. Slightly uneven pre-light draw. Cocoa and a syrupy sweetness coming from the pre-light draw. Firm and even pack. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

A blast of mixed nuts and cocoa on the front, with the sweet note on the finish. The thick smoke is producing a creamy flavor that affects the finish. Great profile, medium bodied and low strength. I do expect strength to rise. The cigar is absolutely pouring off smoke. There is an aftertaste of the cocoa and nuts. As the first third burns down there is a leather note that is detectable on the finish as well. Great burn, and very white ash. The cream from the smoke is starting to affect the profile even more with the wonderful thick mouth feel. Cocoa is up on the front and the mix nuts have retreated, the finish remains a mix of leather and a light sweet note. The strength has come up to a mild to medium the body remains in a medium.  The cigar is slow burning and consistent at this point, no flavor profile changes.

2/3

Strength has come up to match body at this point. They are both holding at a medium. Cocoa has developed on the front, the cream from the thick smoke still affects the profile. And the finish is still holding a light leather and a light sweet note, there seems to be a light white pepper hidden in there as well. As I reach the end of the second third the front is back to a balanced mix of nuts and cocoa. Great smoke production and consistent burn line. This says a lot about the Undercown line in terms of it being a solid go to and enjoyable profile.

3/3

The mixed nuts are back on the front alongside the cocoa, and the finish is holding a light white pepper and subtle leather. The creamy smoke enters the profile about halfway and is responsible for a light sweet note and the thick mouth feel rounds out the cigar. Medium strength and medium bodied are holding. It’s been a consistent cigar with a few transitions, not a ton of complexity. But overall a very satisfying and enjoyable cigar.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Conclusion: 87

For one of the shorter vitola’s in the Undercrown line, this cigar performs wonderfully. The flavors are consistent and well pronounced. And the smoke production on these cigars is incredible. This is a cigar the can be smoked over and over again. And for a lot of people this is a very consistent choice for an everyday smoke. And it does not disappoint, if you haven’t tried this you’re missing out. But definitely smoke this outside because it will fill up a small room very quickly.

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Davidoff Puro d’Oro Eminentes Review

Puro d’Oro Eminentes
Made by: Davidoff
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 6 1/4 by 50

Another Davidoff review, this is one that I actually haven’t had before. Considering the past Davidoff reviews I have conducted, the biggest tell if a Davidoff is going to be good or not is if its construction is solid. So the prelight is going to be very important on this cigar. Of course the name comes with prestige, but lets see if the construction and tobacco can back it up this time around. Lets get it started with a Davidoff Puro d’Oro Eminentes Review.

Prelight

To start off, the cap looks well done, a nice pigtail. There’s a light tooth to the wrapper of the cigar. Visible seams, medium to small veins. The foot is giving off a white pepper note with some light citrus on the back. Very firm and even pack, let’s see how it cuts. Lots of loose tobacco after the cut, but other than that the cap is intact and the draw is great. Cedar and white pepper on the draw, little red pepper tongue tingle is also present. And there still is a slight citrus finish that I’m getting. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Very balanced and unified flavor profile. A mix of Cedar, white pepper, and citrus is blended on the front and the finish is a white and red pepper, notable by a tingle.  As the first third starts to burn, there’s a light cashew coming up alongside the finish. Medium bodied, low strength very relaxing profile at this point. Good burn line, I don’t expect any construction issues with the cigar. In my experience with Davidoff’s if the cut goes smoothly than the construction doesn’t end up being an issue. The blended flavors on the front are holding steady, the finish is changing inclusive now with red pepper, light leather, and cashew.

2/3

At the start of the second third the cashew has moved to the front alongside the Cedar. The slight citrus note is still on the back, leather and white pepper now control the finish. That was a great really pronounced transition, great complexity at this point as well. Again, when the construction of the Davidoff’s are on point then the cigars are outstanding. The body is holding at a medium, the strength is still at a low. Not a razor sharp burn but I don’t see any touchups being needed. The ash held for about 2 inches but I would recommend knocking it off at 1 1/2 to avoid ashing on yourself. Good smoke output, nice and thick good mouth feel. Toward the end of the second third, the cashew has come up and the Cedar has dropped on the front. Finish still has a light white and red pepper and it is accompanied by the leather.

3/3

The body remains at a medium, and the strength has come up to a mild to medium. I am noticing that the smoke production has risen in the last third, which is actually a nice transition and is adding to the flavor profile. Cedar and white pepper are back up on the front, cashew has retreated back on the finish and the light red pepper tingle is back on the finish is well.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Conclusion: 92

Great cigar solid profile, great transitions and complexity. Absolutely worth trying, this comes in right about at its price point. Good burn good construction, this is another Davidoff success. Box worthy if you find that the profile matches your palette. Wonderful balance of flavors, and the cashew acted as a great building point for the profile.

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La Boheme Cigars – New Line from Boutique Blends

La Boheme cigars are in stock and available at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.  La Bohème is a new project by Rafael Nodal, owner of Boutique Blends Cigars. La Boheme cigars have been welcomed with rave reviews. La Bohème received Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 honors for 2015 (#12 overall) and a 94-rating on the Pittore vitola noting: “The combination of Ecuadoran Habano wrapper and Cuban-seed tobaccos has all the dynamic range of an operatic performance, hitting baritone notes like earth and ripe fruit, all the way to bright soprano tones of spice, ending with a midrange nutty finish.” The inspiration for the cigars was Rafael Nodal’s passion, Cuban culture, and great cigars, and classical music. All three have been blended into this brand, from the Cubanesque packaging (using an old Cuban marca), the cigar’s earthy, rich and robust, yet medium-bodied flavor profile, and the La Bohème name came from a Puccini opera and sizes from its characters.  The filler tobaccos are vintage Dominican leaves from the inventories of José “Jochy” Blanco, head of Tabacalera Palma in Tamboril, Dominican Republic, where some of the finest cigars in the world are assembled along with La Boheme cigars.  This cigar is truly a masterpiece and worthy of the new hype!

Made by: Tabacalera Palma for Boutique Blends Cigars
Country: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Domincan Republic
Dimensions: Poeta (5 3/4 x 54 Robusto Extra); Musico (6 1/4 x 60 Gordo); Pittore (5 1/8 x 52 Robusto); Mimi (3 1/2 x 46 Petite Corona)

All La Boheme boxes come with Free Shipping at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium’s online store.  Browse the La Boheme cigars here.

Padron 3000 Maduro Review

3000 Maduro
Made by: Padrom
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 1/2 by 52

Something that I have not gotten around to reviewing, a Padron. This is the robusto size of the thousand’s series from the company. And when it comes down to it I have not had a bad offering from Padron, I hope that doesn’t jinx this cigar. Lets see what it can do with a Padron 3000 Maduro Review.

Prelight

Immediately you detect a wonderful aroma coming from the cigar. A very deep cocoa and leather coming off of the foot. And then some deeper tones of oak, right off the bat you can tell this is going to be a medium-full bodied smoke. Medium size veins, a couple soft spots in the pack. You can feel the tooth on the wrapper, and it is visible. Suggesting a thick creamy smoke, flawless cap construction. Despite the fact that the cigar is box pressed, I don’t foresee any construction issues. Very clean-cut, no loose tobacco which is a rarity. Pre-light flavors represent the same as the foot, cocoa and leather with a hint of barnyard.

1/3

The smoke is super thick, cream is absolutely bleeding into the profile. Alongside it is a deep cocoa, with an oak/leather undertone. Medium bodied, no strength at this point, slightly wonky burn to start. But a great profile, let’s see where this goes. The best explanation of flavors at the moment is a well-done wheat toast, and I know that sounds odd. The mix of the cocoa, cream, leather, and oak are doing wonders for the profile. As I reach the end of the first third, a bitter Macadamia nut comes up on the finish. No further changes to the body or the strength of the cigar.

2/3

Continuing clouds of billowing smoke, good burn line no touch-ups needed. The body is coming up slowly and the strength is now at a low. An interesting factor to the cigar is the creaminess of the smoke, the thickness doesn’t reach Drew Estate level but the cream is still powerful enough to effect the profile.  This characteristic is playing along wonderfully with the cocoa on the front of the profile. There is a slight amount of red pepper coming in on the finish alongside the bitter macadamia nut. The cigar is representing a wonderful balance of flavor, strength, and body. Accompanied with great construction. Toward the end of the second third, macadamia nut and oak take over the profile. This is producing a wonderful flavor, and a very clear defined transition.

3/3

Cream and leather have re-entered the profile, macadamia nut still rounds out the finish. Smoke thickness has increased to match the output of Drew Estate cigars, creaminess and cocoa are back in the front of the profile with the macadamia nut bitter finish. At the end of the cigar, salted peanuts come up in the finish, alongside that note there is a bitter macadamia nut. Leather and Coco continue to hold the front. The creaminess from the smoke is retreating. At the nub the cigars the main flavor notes are oak and dry cocoa. No changes to body or strength. Very enjoyable cigar.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion:89

This cigar held to my previous experiences with the Padron brand, representing a well balanced and heavier feel profile. There is a great blend of flavors, and a great price point. This is a cigar that represents an area where it can be smoked over and over again. Wonderful example of a daily go to.

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