Caldwell Gibraltar Extra Review

Gibraltar Extra
Made by: Caldwell
Country: Dominican Republic, Ecuador
Vitola: 5 1/2 by 54

This is a newer cigar from Robert Caldwell. The JV line doesn’t get as much attention as the mainline cigars such as the “King is Dead, Long Live the King, and the Eastern Standard.” I have been impressed by alot of the mainline cigars from this company. The other recent cigar I reviewed for the JV line was the Sevillana Reserva, and that was a step down from the original Sevillana in my opinion. This cigar is an example of the JV line step up from the “Gibraltar”, lets see what it has to offer with a Caldwell Gibraltar Extra Review.

Prelight

The cap looks sloppy, but sturdy. Lots of tooth on the wrapper, there are several large veins. The seams are visible, but the veins are more pronounced. There is a understated band, this leaves some aesthetics to be desired. The foot gives off a very earth/barnyard aroma with a white pepper background. Very clean cut, loose tobacco present. I am impressed by the cap, I would have seen it having more difficulties. Extremely easy draw, it could use more resistance. Earthiness and white pepper on the preflight draw, but the draw may be an issue.

1/3

Very easy draw, and it is really throwing me off, the primary flavor is a deep earth with a cream and white pepper finish. Tons of smoke production, and really thick. Smoke this outside because it will fill a room quickly. The super easy draw is adding an interesting airy aspect to the cigar, not sure if this was planned or not. There is a cashew coming up alongside the light white pepper on the finish. Mild to medium body with low strength. Flaky ash with a poor burn line at the moment. Not holding up to the construction profiles of other Caldwell releases. Running on the veins unfortunately, may need a touch up soon. No major changes, the finish has turned bitter with the cashew note. The white pepper is down. Extremely flaky ash.

2/3

I am really missing resistance on the draw as the second third starts out. There have been no major changes to the profile. Deep earth remains on the front, and then a bitter cashew with light white pepper on the finish.  After a touch-up the burn is doing a lot better. Extremely consistent stick, on a normal basis earth is not a very pleasant flavor in my opinion. However, due to the body being at a mild to a medium the profile is working.

3/3

Extremely consistent, great smoke production. The cream is adding a wonderful aspect to the cigar. No changes so no transitions. Complexity not extremely high, but the mix of the body and the notes that are present are creating a decent profile. Still mild to medium, low strength. The burn line got a lot better after the touch up.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 82

A great yardgar, is really what this comes down to. Easy smoking, no real transitions. A great budget smoke, but not really something that will wow. It’s enjoyable if you’re not looking for something to grab your attention. This does well in its own category of budget smokes, the score is deceiving because of the lack of transitions and complexity.

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Ashton ESG 22 Year Salute Review

ESG 22 Year Salute
Made by: Ashton
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 6 by 52

The last Ashton cigar review was the VSG for the event we had a while back. This is another top of the line offering from Ashton, the ESG Torpedo. The smoke time wont be what it was on the huge VSG I reviewed but I am sure this will have a lot of interesting characteristics. Needless to say I have my expectations up, lets see if the cigar can hold up to them with a Ashton ESG 22 Year Salute Review.

Prelight

To start out, there is not much tooth, visible seams. Pretty lumpy pack for a cigar of its level. The foot is giving off a slightly floral note, with a fruity sour note accompanying it. There is a cedar undertone that is pleasant. Clean cut and just a bit of loose tobacco. The prelight draw is slightly off kilter, coming off one side heavier. Still presenting the slightly sour fruit note with cedar on the prelight draw. Good draw resistance despite the lopsided aspect, I expect that not to be an issue. Lets get this started.

1/3

The primary notes are grass and hay on the front with a tangy fruit undertone. A cedar base, is creating a great balancing factor. Medium bodied and medium strength, but it feels like the strength could creep up later in the cigar. As the first third burns down there is almost an orange flavor coming off the cigar, cedar undertone maintains. And there’s light oak in there, as well as a light white pepper coming up on the finish. The fruity note remains and is reminiscent of a sour orange. The grass and hay notes are falling off of the front as the cedar develops.

2/3

The orange flavor has begin to drop off, and in its place a toasted marshmallow has come up. The cedar has come up and it’s affecting the profile. Interesting profile good transitions and complexity. As the second third burns down there is heavy cream from the wrapper, great thick smoke production. This is affecting the cedar profile causing the toasted marshmallow note. Slightly bitter note with a macadamia nut and cashew on the finish. Very balanced finish. Great profile wonderful cigar probably about a 94 at this point the only issue being the starting aesthetics. The nutty bitterness has developed into a stronger note at the end of the second third.

3/3

Body came up to a medium-full, medium strength still, bitter macadamia has come up even more. Strength is definitely detectable but not overwhelming. Oak came up at the nub. The woodsy notes of cedar and oak have begun to control the profile toward the end of the cigar. The nuts dropped, and the flavors began to wash over and blend.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 94

The cigar held a wonderful profile, great transitions throughout. The complexity was magnificent, a solid and well-constructed cigar. Absolutely a need to try if you have not, and it is justifiable to buy a box of these for smoking and/or aging. I really don’t have much to say bad about this, other than the beginning aesthetics and the first impressions of the cigar where little bit off. Flavors were solid but left room for improvement, a thumbs up for Ashton.

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Viaje Hangover – Anthony’s Cigar Emporium Exclusive – JUST ARRIVED

Viaje has chosen Anthony’s Cigar Emporium of Tucson, Arizona for a 2016 Store Exclusive called the Viaje Hangover in honor of Anthony’s 22nd anniversary. The vitola is a hefty 6” x 54 Gran Toro with a covered foot from a liga named “The Hangover.” The Viaje Hangover is a Nicaraguan puro made at the Raíces Cubanas factory in Danlí, Honduras. The Hangover blend is a mixture of Criollo and Corojo leaves from AGANORSA farms under a dark and oily Corojo ’99 wrapper from the Valle de Jalapa. Production was strictly limited to 150 boxes of 22 each (3,300 total cigars). The Viaje Hangover, like many Viaje limited releases from Raíces Cubanas using AGANORSA tobacco, is very full bodied with signature spice and rich earth flavors and roasted nut aromas.

The white Viaje label and the box seal has “Made Exclusively for Anthony’s Cigar Emporium” in bright orange.

Click pictures to browse the Viaje Hangover at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium online store.

All boxes of the Viaje Hangover come with free shipping at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.  Click here to browse boxes and 5-Packs.

Curivari Buenaventura BV 560 Review

Buenaventura BV 560
Made by: Curivari
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 1/2 by 56

This is one of the top rated Curivari releases, it is a Nicaraguan puro and in that I expect it to contain a pretty consistent cocoa/pepper profile. But let’s see, after getting somewhat of a following there must be something driving the interest. Let’s see what this cigar has to offer with a Curivari Buenaventura BV 560 Review.

Prelight

This is a good looking cigar, the wrapper looks perfect, only a couple medium sized veins. A very light amount of tooth, very visible seams. Extremely even pack and just a slight box press. Well defined and created triple cap. I am beginning to understand the appeal of his cigar before even attempting to gather a flavor profile. It seems very well made, the foot is giving off a traditional dry cocoa you would expect with the tobaccos included in the blend but there is also a light fruit note there as an undertone. Great cut, no issues, but the cap was well made so I didn’t expect any. Good draw and it reveals the cocoa note up front with some woodsy notes and a slight black pepper.

1/3

This cigar lit easily, great smoke production medium body off the bat and low strength. Primary flavors are a dry cocoa followed by a mix of cedar and oak with a light black and white pepper finish. As the cigar progresses the flavors are developing. The light fruit note is following the cocoa on the front, similar to grenadine flavor due to the mix of the thick smoke. It’s pretty subtle however, I hope it develops further. The center of the profile is losing the cedar tinge and oak is coming up. And the finish still contains black pepper over white pepper. The body has come up to a medium to full and the strength is up to a low to medium at the end of the first third.

2/3

The cocoa note remains the front with a hint of leather, the fruity note has died. The oak is following the primary cocoa and there is a light cashew/peanut coming up on the finish. Pepper is still detectable via a retrohale of the cigar and that note remains black pepper forward and white pepper under. No changes to the body or strength since the last update. The burn isn’t perfect but there have been no touch-ups needed. The appearance of the nutty flavors was a nice transition from the first third, while this cigar has shown some uniqueness it still could have better complexity in my opinion, the flavors are developing but not into anything impressive. It has been a solid cigar with good construction and a pretty traditional profile at this point.

3/3

The nuttiness is beginning to die on the finish. I would put the body at a medium full and the strength at a medium now. Cocoa/leather is on the front with an oaky center and the black pepper is coming back over the mixed nut finish. The flavors are beginning to diminish unfortunately, but for a stick in the price range where this does fit, it has done wonderfully. Toward the very end it began to get hot and the main nots left were a cocoa/leather front with a black pepper finish.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 86

It was a good cigar, the flavors didn’t really impress me however. It lost points in that category as well as complexity. Now I am not saying that the cigar didn’t have a lot of flavors, because it absolutely did. They were not presented in a well-defined and transitional based way. That said, this cigar sitting at the price range where it does. It is a no brainier to buy if you are on a budget. It embodies a solid example of a Nicaraguan Puro, and smokes very well. Something to keep in mind, this would make a good “friend cigar” for people that give out cigars to friends often this could be a good option and they would still enjoy the cigar. But, sometimes you want to blow an acquaintance away with a great cigar in which case this would not fit that situation.

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Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto Review

Nicaragua Robusto
Made by: Davidoff
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 by 50 (Robusto)

So now I will do a Davidoff Nicaragua Robusto Review and see how it does against the Escurio. They are probably very different, I am expecting this to be a fuller bodies offering from Davidoff. In either case let’s get started and see how it ends up.

Prelight

The construction looks great! Well let’s see what happens because the Escurio looked wonderful in that regard as well. The cap looks fluid on this cigar nothing sticking out. Visible seams and a very tiny amount of tooth. There are some very large veins on this wrapper which might suggest a rather uneven burn is in store. The foot is reminding me of the Tatuaje Havana IV line just cleaner. A cocoa note that reminds me of the cocoa dust they put on some candies is on the front. Then the finish is a mix of black pepper and cinnamon. The prelight draw hints at a similar profile with cocoa, cinnamon and then a finish of black and red pepper. Red pepper leaving a lip tingling feel. The cut was great, the cap had no issues. Very little loose tobacco to run away, promising start.

1/3

The primary flavors are consistent with the prelight foreshadowing. Cocoa on the front, pretty dry. And the finish is a very balanced black/red pepper alongside the cinnamon. Medium bodied with low to medium strength. Good smoke production but the smoke itself is on the thinner side. Smooth as you would expect from the brand. Toward the end of the first third a cedar came up out of nowhere in the center of the profile and is mixing with the cinnamon giving a graham cracker not in the middle of the profile. Interesting flavor mix at the moment.

2/3

So dry cocoa leading into the graham cracker note and finish on a light black/red pepper. Great profile, it lost a bit of the smoothness that the start of the first third had. Medium body and its approaching medium strength. The burn is much better than expected, none of the major wrapper veins are causing issues. Not many changes going on, the one main profile has held all the way till the end of the second third. The only transition was the appearance of cedar in the profile. No changes to body or strength.

3/3

Body has come up a bit to a medium/full and the strength is still at medium. The graham cracker is gone. Dry cocoa on the front and then the mixed red/black pepper on the finish. Still a good burn line, this cigar hasn’t had many issues construction wise. The transitions and complexity have been good, but I had my expectations slightly higher than this cigar performed. At the nub the complexity has continued to diminish. But that rounds off the cigar as a whole pretty well.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Conclusion: 88

Stronger offering then the Escurio. In my opinion the Escurio was better balanced. This did have a better burn time. And the flavors were great, it is funny but I feel like this was an attempt to stretch into similar territory as Tatuaje in the heavy cocoa profiles. But they did a really good job finding a blend that brought interesting flavors into play. So construction wise this cigar gets the upper hand on the Escurio. Flavor wise however, I would have to give it to the Escurio.

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Davidoff Escurio Robusto Review

Escurio Robusto
Made by: Davidoff
Country: Ecuador, Brazil, Dominican Republic
Vitola: 4.5 by 54

This is a newer release from Davidoff, featuring a black and silver band. There is also a second band that reads Escurio identifying the line. The next review that I will be conducting will be on this cigars cousin the Davidoff Nicaragua. It will be interesting discovering the key differences between the blends. With that, let’s see what this has to offer with a Davidoff Escurio Robusto Review.

Prelight

The construction, as you would expect from this brand, seems wonderful. Expertly done cap. In truth it seems like the cap was heavily focused on and it seems extremely sturdy. Visible seams and a few medium sized veins. The foot is releasing a blast of woodsy notes and a slight background of nuts. The cut was not clean, unfortunately it fell off when cutting. If I had to guess I would say that the cap was an error on the rollers part and he tried to fix it by covering it over. That’s not usually the case with the cigars however it does happen. Slight unraveling issues, not enough rollers glue user perhaps. The construction score has officially been hurt in my book. The prelight draw leaves white pepper hints on the lips. And the flavor notes are cedar and there seems to be a citrus in the mix (but it never showed up thought smoking the cigar), only one way to find out. Time to get this lit up.

1/3

Once lit the draw was absolutely perfect, the primary flavors are a bitter macadamia nut and a white/black pepper mixed finish. There is a cedar note behind the mixed nut front. Mixed nut referring to the bitter macadamia nut note and a cashew note that is mixed in with it. Great smoke output, very smooth smoke not very creamy but it is still very thick. As the first third progresses the pepper finish cleaned up. It dropped the black pepper and is a fresh white pepper flavor now. Mild to medium body and low strength. Beautiful white ash. It has now reached the status of a great profile in my mind, not one that I have seen before. The mixed nut note is shifting frequently with which note has power (macadamia nut note and a cashew note). The burn is running on some of the veins, but self-correcting. The cedar has come up on the finish alongside the pepper and leave a great aftertaste.

2/3

At the start of the second third the main profile notes are the macadamia nut note and the cedar finish high has risen over the clean white pepper. Great transition for the finish there. Body has risen to a medium and the strength has come up to a low medium. Consistent smoke output and the burn has evened out. Despite the cap falling off there have been no issues with that. I should have seen it coming, the ash fell at the halfway mark. Keep an eye on that. Toward the end of the second third the white pepper rose back over the cedar on the finish. The macadamia nut note and a cashew note are holding the front still.

3/3

As the last third of the cigar gets going smoke production has increased. The body is still at a medium and strength still at a low to medium. The finish has balanced out with the cedar and clean white pepper equal in power. No changes to the front of the profile still. And the burn is going great. At the nub the profile was consistent, only thing to note was that there was unraveling of the wrapper occurring in the very end due to the absence of the cap.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 90

Despite the construction scare at the start of this cigar, it was delicious. Great transitions, solid complexity. No major issues with the burn, and above all the mix of the macadamia nut note and a cashew note on the front made the cigar. This is a cigar you could smoke over and over again.

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El Centurion H2KCT Corona Review

El Centurion H2KCT
Made by: My Father
Country: Nicaragua, USA
Vitola: 5.5 by 48

This cigar is produced by My Father Cigars and features an very elaborate band with a orange foot-ribbon. One interesting thing to note is the USA sourced Connecticut hybrid wrapper. Let’s see what it has to offer with an El Centurion H2KCT Corona Review.

Prelight

This box pressed cigar looks impressive, that doesn’t mean much in terms of the way it will smoke. The cap looks squished a by-product of box pressing. Visible seams and a few larger veins. The foot is giving off a hint of black pepper with and oaky background. There is a floral hint, but it seems subdued behind the primary notes. The prelight draw reveals a black and red pepper note that leaves my tongue tingling. There is oak alongside leather, it will be interesting to see what flavors show dominance in this profile. Pretty tight draw, it seems this would have had a more fluid draw before pressing.

1/3

Plenty of smoke being produced, it is not very thick though. The cigar lit very easily. Cedar is on the front with a leather and oak finish. The pepper is subtle and lingers in the mouth it is a mixed black and red pepper note. It is easier to decipher on the retrohale. Calling this medium bodied would be a bit generous, mild to medium body. No strength, very smooth easy smoke at this point in the first third. Not the straights burn, no changes to the profile it is holding pretty consistent. At the end of the first third no changes, just consistent and easy going.

2/3

Tight compact ash, mild to medium bodied. Still not a great burn. The profile remains cedar forward with leather and then the subtle red and black pepper finish. As I reach about the midway point the oak note has risen alongside the leather near the finish. In this case the foot gave a great hint at the profile. Still very consistent and low complexity. But it’s an enjoyable one trick horse. Hopefully the last third brings a bigger change or at the very least a rise to a solid medium body.

3/3

As the last third kicks off the black pepper came up on the finish and a jasmine floral note came up to mix with it. Producing a not so enjoyable mix, I hope the floral note comes to the front of the profile because it doesn’t go well with black pepper. As the last third continued that flavor dropped and it went back to the cedar, leather/oak, red and black pepper profile. Interesting end to this cigar but I can say by this point it has reached a medium body. And the strength is still nowhere to be seen.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 83

The cigar left me underwhelmed. The band was not an example of what was to come. If these flavors fit your profile then you may enjoy the cigar. It didn’t perform wonderfully and left me wanting a more balance and complexly blended cigar. In that sense this would make a good cigar if you know it will be a multi stick night. As always it is worth trying for yourself, but in my book. There are a lot of other cigars around this price point that are better. Switch ups are always needed though. Interesting choice for the blender in the last third, not well balanced in that moment.

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Liga Privada Dirty Rat Review

Liga Privada Dirty Rat
Made by: Drew Estate
Country: Brazil, Honduras, Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 by 44 (Corona)

The king! The Dirty Rat is probably the most know of the Unico Series produced by Liga Privada. The band says it all, gold emblem and beautiful wrapper. Let’s see what this legend has to offer with a Liga Privada Dirty Rat Review.

Prelight

Construction looks flawless, and I have high expectations given this cigars reputation. Tons of tooth on the thick wrapper, of course suggesting creamy plentiful smoke which I know from experience will be a characteristic of this cigar. The foot gives off a cocoa note, alongside a white pepper and a sweet syrupy undertone. Great cut no issues there, I love the added flat tail the cap has. Adds another aspect of enjoyment to the smoking experience. The prelight draw is very loose and the flavors detected are a cocoa and herbal clean white pepper, with the sweet tone still around haven’t picked it out yet. Let’s get it lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

In typical Liga Privada fashion smoke is barreling off of the end of the cigar once it has been properly toasted. The initial profile shows the cocoa note presented in a lightly bitter dark chocolate form. The creaminess from the wrapper produces a wonderful mouth feel and that plays directly into the profile. The sweet syrupy note is balancing the cocoa wonderfully. There is a cedar undertone mixed in with a herbal/floral clean finish. So yeah, this cigar is heavy hitting in the complexity category from the get-go. Body is at a medium full and strength is at a medium. As the first third burns down there is a white pepper note coming up on the finish alongside the herbal/floral clean finish.

2/3

As the second third starts the burn line of the cigar isn’t very straight but it is self-correcting so it will probably be fine in that regard. The draw is still loose, great smoke output still. The dark chocolate note is up in the front with the addition of a cashew nutty note. The cedar has fell in the center of the profile and an oaky note has blended with it. The finish lost power in the profile but it has the same notes of white pepper and a herbal clean spice. I don’t recommend retrohaling this cigar unless you are trying to torture yourself via a pepper explosion. As I come to the end of the second third the woodsy notes in the center of the profile have faded. The white pepper and herbal finish is up, and the syrupy sweetness/cocoa/nuttiness hold the front.

3/3

The burn has evened out the body is still at a medium to medium-full. The strength has come up slightly toward the end of this cigar but I would still categorize it as a medium (plus). The smoke production is consistent and that creamy mouthfeel is delicious. The flavors of this cigar keep you very engaged throughout the smoke. There is some strength to the blend but the flavors are intense and are far more attention grabbing. Delicious profile throughout the cigar, at the end the profile hasn’t changed up much. The white pepper finish has now changed to include some black pepper, the herbal note has dropped. The flavors on the front are cocoa and the syrupy sweetness that has lasted through the cigar. The creamy flavor from the smoke/wrapper has added to the front of the profile in a great way. This is definitely one of the better offerings from Liga Privada.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Conclusion: 91

Worth trying, absolutely. A good amount of strength, delicious flavors, lots of complexity. It’s exactly what you would expect with all the talk about it. If you ever have the chance to smoke one do it. But the difficult part will be finding one. The hunt is always the best part though. Wish the cigar could have hit the full body mark, but it did not in my book. The transitions left more to be desired but how crazy can those get with the complexity at the level that it is at. And the burn line, next time dry boxing may help the burn on this particular cigar. But in every other regard this was a magnificent offering from Liga Privada.

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Oktoberfest Krone Review

Oktoberfest Krone
Made by: Quesada
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 5 by 43

The Quesada brand is underrated in my opinion. I plan on reviewing a couple more by the brand but to start off this, an Oktoberfest Krone Review. Their 40th anniversary lines were great, and the Espana editions have also made their mark in my notes. But to start I will cover one of the more common cigars that they produce.

Prelight

Well-made cap, east cut, but lots of loose tobacco after cutting. Visible seams, and lots of tooth suggesting thick creamy smoke. The foot gives off a sweet cocoa note, and the prelight suggests the same note. Let’s see what this has to offer with an Oktoberfest Krone Review.

1/3

Plain slightly bitter cocoa on the front followed by a mix of oak and cashews on the finish. No pepper detectable unless retrohaled. Very thick creamy smoke that is playing into the profile. Medium bodied and low strength at the moment. Well balanced but overall pretty common flavor profile. The absence of detectable pepper is a nice touch to the blend, very smooth cigar. As the first third is coming to an end a red pepper tongue bite is coming up on the finish. Pleasant flavors, but lacking body. This cigar has a very compact and white ash that adds another positive aspect to it.

2/3

At the start of the second third the red pepper has control of the finish. The cashew has mixed with the cocoa on the front, and there is still a oaky woodsy note in the background. No changes to body or strength. And the cream smoke is still a great addition to the profile. In the sun this cigars wrapper has a wonderful red tone that is beautiful. Not a razor sharp burn but no problems with it.

3/3

At the start of the last third the profile hasn’t changed much, cocoa is overpowering the cashew on the front, the red pepper still controls the finish. There is still an undertone of oak. Only real Chang is that strength is up to a low to medium, still medium body. As the cigar is coming to an end the red pepper is taking over the profile drowning out everything, there is a bit of white pepper coming up as well. The other flavors are still there, just much more subtle then the tongue tingling red pepper.

Smoke Time: 55 minutes

Conclusion: 87

Nothing to crazy occurred throughout the profile, but it was a very good everyday type of cigar. Great burn, good construction, not worth searching out but if it is available it is certainly worth smoking. The progression of the pepper coming up was a nice touch to the blend, as was the creamy smoke output.

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Señorial 65th Perfecto Review

Señorial 65th Perfecto
Made by: Las Cumbres
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 5 3/4 by 55

I don’t know much about this cigar, it gives credit to Jose Blanco according to the band. It is made by Las Cumbres Tobacco Company, and its stats say that it is Dominican in origin. I was given this cigar from a friend, and he had nothing but positive things to say about it. Let’s see what this has to offer with a Señorial 65th Perfecto Review.

Prelight

The cap of this cigar is so well done, it really appears the roller took the time to make sure it was perfect. A good amount of small veins, and barely visible seams. The band is gorgeous, the tobacco better hold up to what the aesthetics of this cigar are suggesting. Firm and extremely even pack throughout the perfecto. The foot of this cigar smells like a vanilla candle with a floral jasmine on the finish. The cut was smooth, absolutely fluid with nonresistance. There was a bit of loose tobacco once cut. The prelight draw shows that floral jasmine mixed with a clean white pepper spice. Very easy draw, almost too easy but the only way to tell if that is an issue is to get it lit up.

1/3

It was easy to get going, the front of the profile revealed a cedar note followed by a sweet hay with the floral jasmine alongside it. The finish is a light white pepper, very well balanced. Unbelievably smooth start. The finish leaves an almost tangy mouthfeel. Medium to full body with low strength. This cigar is very complex, more so then any “Dominican” puro I have ever smoked. The smoke thickness has built and it is creamy and plentiful. There is an earthy background note playing in with the white pepper finish, again it just adds to the cigars balance. The ash on this cigar is like a white rock, amazing. Strength is on the move rising quickly, low to medium at the moment. One thing the cigar is picking up is a bit of dry mouth effect. The flavors are changing in power at a rate I cannot keep up. The profile now is the cedar low on the front, followed by a stronger sweet hay/floral jasmine note, and ending with a deep earthiness with a subtle white pepper. No issues with the draw at all, and razor sharp burn which is rare on a perfecto. One thing to note, as the first third is ending the white pepper has been subdued by a salted peanut note on top of the earthy finish.

2/3

At the start of the second third the body remains at a medium to full and the strength has risen to a medium. The sweet floral mix has been pushed to the front of the profile, cedar is still present under it. The salted peanut has come up to dominate the finish end center of the profile with the earthy undertone. White pepper is still hiding in the profile, it is apparent in the retrohale. The ash is still hard as a rock no sign of falling. And the balance and smoothness of this cigar is impeccable. The burn has gone a bit off but I will note if it needs a touch up. That’s really the only area I can dock the score of this cigar at the moment. As the cigar progresses the white pepper has come up mixing in with the salted peanut note but still holding the earthy undertone. The sweet and floral note on the front is still there and is as impressive as ever. Finally the cigar ashes just after the halfway point. At the end of the second third the sweet hay and floral jasmine have come back up and the salted peanut/ white pepper has dropped. The lower level of flavors hold the cedar to earthy transition. Great cigar.

3/3

At the start of the last third the creamy smoke has taken the tangy mouth feel back up, the dry mouth is the same level it was at the start of the cigar. I wish Las Cumbres would make this in a longer vitola, I don’t want it to end. As I am reaching the end of the cigar the cedar is coming above the sweet hay and jasmine on the front. The white pepper and earth control the finish as the salted peanut note is dying. The cigar is coming to an end like a wonderfully written novel. That last profile update held till the nub, and I certainly enjoyed all I could of this cigar.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Conclusion: 96

Buy a box. This cigar was that good, and that is a rare outright conclusion. Incredible complexity and wonderful transitions. Only thing to dock the score was the little burn wobble and the dry mouth. But those are hardly complaints, great blend that was masterfully done.

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