Davidoff Short Perfecto Review

Short Perfecto
Made by: Davidoff
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 4 7/8 by 52

A short Davidoff! That sounds like a great go to for a quick celebration or short coffee meeting. I, of course, expect alot out of this cigar just given the name and price point. Lets see if it is consistent with its appearance with a Davidoff Short Perfecto Review.

Prelight

In typical Davidoff fashion this cigar appears to be an extremely well-constructed specimen. Barely visible seams, medium sized veins. Well-constructed cap, and the cigar is putting off a great cedar aroma. Unfortunately the cap fell off after the cut, but unraveling issues have been fixed. That’s some unfortunate construction on this wonderful cigar. Pre-light flavors are Cedar on the front, and light white pepper on the finish. I don’t expect the profile to change very much considering the short length of the stick.

1/3

Mixed nuts and hay are on the front, with a cedar undertone. There is also a light white pepper finish. Mild to medium body, no strength. Decent smoke production and slightly high resistance on the draw due to the perfecto shape. As the first third progresses, cedar opened up on the front overtaking the mixed nuts and hay. No changes to body or strength, great burn line.

2/3

At the start of the second third, mixed nuts came back up on the front. Cashew, macadamia nut, salted peanuts and the cedar undertone remains. No changes to body or strength. The burn line has gotten a little wonky, but no touch-ups needed. Due to the cigar being so short that’s going to be the only update for the second third.

3/3

At the start of this last third, the burn has gotten to the point where it needs a touch-up. Great burn time for a stick of the size, at an hour currently. Cedar came back up in the profile at the end, matching the flavors of the first third. Still a white pepper finish, very balanced and wonderful profile. My only complaint is the construction of the cigar. But that is intuitive with a perfecto.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion:88

With a great profile, it was a shame that this cigar struggled in the construction category. The short stick out performed my expectations. Absolutely worth trying out, but do not be fooled this is not necessarily a short smoke. A bit high in price point for the construction issues that it had. However, with a better burn and no cap issues it would have scored much higher. Another solid offering from Davidoff.

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

Flor De Las Antillas Review

Flor De Las Antillas
Made by: My Father
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 by 52

The My Father cigars company puts out exceptional cigars. Today I will be examining another offering from the company with a La Flor De Las Antillas Review. This is a regular production cigar, and it represents a go to every day smoke. Let’s see what its characteristics are, and if it justifies its popularity.

Prelight

The first thing to note, the cigar has a spongy soft feel but it is consistent. Lots of medium and large veins, visible seams. The cap is pretty well done, I don’t expect any issues from it. The foot puts off flavors of black pepper and leather. The pre-light draw reveals red and black pepper, alongside a leather and raisin note. Clean-cut, just a little bit of loose tobacco. Let’s get this lit up and see what it has to offer.

1/3

Primary flavors are leather on the front with an oak undertone and a red and black pepper finish. The black pepper is dominant on the finish. Thick creamy smoke, great mouth feel and lots of smoke production. Medium body, I see it reaching medium to full soon. Low strength, good burn line and a tight compact ash currently. As the first third comes to an end, the pepper finish is up. And leather controls the front of the profile with a woodsy pine under note.

2/3

Still not quite to medium-full body, strength remains at a low. Leather continues to control the front, and black pepper is up on the finish. The pine has diminished, as has the red pepper. Still wonderfully thick smoke production, great burn line. Great construction overall but not much diversion from traditional flavors. As the second third reaches the end, the red pepper is back up on the finish over the black pepper. This is recognized by the appearance of the mouth tingle. Cream has bled into the front alongside the leather producing a wonderful mix of flavors.

3/3

At the start of the last third, the leather has retreated on the front. Pepper remains dominant throughout the center of the profile. And there is a cashew note coming up on the finish, it’s a nice transition. Strength has come up to a low to medium. Body has finally reached medium to full, the burn line is still perfect. As I reached the nub the profile held constant, this was a stable and well-made cigar. I can absolutely see why some people smoke these very often.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes

Conclusion: 85

Good flavors for an everyday cigars, the leather really shines though in this profile. Great construction, as expected from the My Father cigar factory. Good price point for this level of a cigar. Nothing extremely special, but a solid smoke for relaxing afternoon.

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

Viva Republica Guerrilla Warfare Review

Guerrilla Warfare
Made by: Viva Republica
Country: Brazillian, Ecuadorian, Dominican, Nicaraguan, Ecuadorian
Vitola: 5 1/4 by 43

This is a wonderful go to for a short smoke, the corona and petite sizes are both very enjoyable with a medium to full profile and a good amount of strength. That synopsis is going off of my past experiences with the cigar. Lets see what it has to offer this round with a Viva Republica Guerrilla Warfare Review.

Prelight

Viva Republica as a company has began to release some interesting blends, this is no exception. Boasting tobacco from 5 different countries, this line from the company presents what highly thought through blending can bring to the table. The cap is sloppy looking, the wrapper is full of big veins with slight blemishes. Visible seams, and a lumpy pack, this all adds up to a not so appealing look. The foot gives off a cedar and cocoa note. Clean cut, no issues with the sloppy looking cap. The resistance on the draw is moderate, and the prelight flavors hint at a mixed pepper as well as the cocoa. Lets get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

The cigar lit easily, great smoke production off the bat. The primary flavors are a cocoa with a hint of clean white pepper. There is a nice strong undertone of cedar. The finish is really the development of the white pepper note to include black pepper and a light red. Very balanced and organized flavor notes. Medium to full bodied with low-medium strength. As the first third burns down the burn line is going well despite the veins. The white pepper seems to be developing in the center of the profile as I come to the end of the second third. The finish is coming up slowly as well, but for majority of this third the flavors were balance at the cedar and cocoa on the front and then the upcoming mixed pepper finish.

2/3

No changes to body or strength at this point, the center on the profile has continued to rise, the cedar and light cocoa are still detectable on the front though. The mixed pepper now controls the profile though. The white pepper has a clean herbal freshness to it which is a nice touch and makes this different then your traditional pepper bomb of a cigar. The burn is still great, pretty compact ash. The body almost hit full for a bit there but then dropped back to medium full. Consistent thick and creamy smoke production. Toward the end of the second third I am finding the pepper to be dropping, hopefully this will give the rest of the profile that was present in the first third a chance to come back.

3/3

The mixed pepper notes have continued to die down. The body remains at a medium to full. The strength has risen to a medium as I am getting to the end of the cigar. Cedar, cocoa and the clean herbal white pepper are back up controlling the profile. This has been the most interesting third, due to the fact that the lack of the pepper notes that were so present in the second third have allowed the other flavors to shine. For a couple minutes I was picking up an almost citrus note alongside the herbal clean white pepper on the finish. Wonderful ending to this short cigar, the dying out of the black and red pepper really helped the profile.

Smoke Time: 50 minutes

Conclusion: 88

Great flavors, great overall profile. The last third really shined allowing the different tobaccos to show through. Good transition although not too defined, they were more power shifts in the profile. Where the front would have control of the profile or the finishing mixed pepper notes would have control. I stick to my original position on this cigar, it makes a great quick smoke cigar. For something in this low of a price range performing like it does this is a steal of a cigar. If you haven’t tried one I highly encourage you to. Again, for the price point you will not be disappointed.

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

Avo Nicaragua Syncro Review

Nicaragua Syncro
Made by: Avo
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 by 50

I am a big fan of a lot of the Avo cigars, the LE’s are almost always delicious, and the Avo Maduro is a wonderful cigar as well. Today I will be doing a Avo Nicaragua Syncro Review, a newer release from the company.

Prelight

The first thing that pops out is the box press, this thing is a rectangle. I’m not sure how they got such sharp edges on the box press, but it certainly adds an aspect of aesthetics to the cigar. The cap has been quite disfigured by the press, I hope that that does not cause issues on the cut. Barely visible seams, slight tooth, and small to medium sized veins. The foots giving off a milk chocolate and peppermint note, it essentially smells like peppermint bark in my opinion. Cocoa and herbal notes add to a profile that isn’t seen very often, this will be interesting to see if those flavors actually develop in the cigar. The herbal peppermint is detectable on the pre-light draw. As it is a slight amount of white pepper, no issues with the cut. Very little loose tobacco, and good draw.

1/3

Very thick creamy smoke, the front is controlled by a dry Cocoa and light cedar as a base and then there’s a herbal peppermint with a macadamia nut finish. High complexity at the moment.  Medium to full body, and low to medium strength. Amazing draw, great mouth feel because of the thick smoke. OK burn line, a nice thick compact Ash. And a well-rounded profile really describes the cigar at the moment. The herbal peppermint is dying down in the center of the profile, the Cedar and the dry Cocoa are going back-and-forth in strength on the front.

2/3

Quite a large transition at the start of the second third, the front flavors of cocoa and Cedar have died down. In their place the herbal peppermint has come back up along with a floral Jasmine note. There is still a bitter macadamia nut finish, and no changes to the body or strength. Great smoke production and the burn line self-corrected. It is smoking pretty quickly, 30 minutes and I have reached the halfway point. Toward the end of the second third, the macadamia nut and white pepper on the finisher pushing back. Those flavors and the herbal and floral notes dominate the profile at the moment. One thing to note the band was quite hard to remove. It would be better just to slide it off.

3/3

At the start of the last third the herbal peppermint and Jasmine have control of the profile again. There is still a light white pepper on the finish, but the macadamia nut has died down. The body is still at a medium to full, and the strength is at a medium now. No issues with the burn, and construction is been wonderful overall. I haven’t lived a cigar this far in a while, the finish came up and controls the profile now. White pepper, floral Jasmine, oak, and a light bitter macadamia nut. This was a delicious cigar.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 92

Interesting profile, good clear transitions, amazing complexity, it did had some harder to find notes. This is a cigar that will give you a good shake up if you feel like you have gotten into a flavor rut of buying the same thing over and over. So that classifies it as a “once in a while” cigar, not really a frequently visited stick because you want to keep the profile entertaining. And it is, this cigar is one I could smoke over and over and have it get boring after 3 boxes or so. But this is certainly something I want to revisit and be able to appreciate the wonderful flavor notes.

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

Viaje Skull and Bones Red Label 2016 Limited Releases – Little Boy, Fat Man, & Big Ivan arriving by next Tuesday!

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium is receiving  a very limited number of Viaje Skull and Bones Red Label 2016 Releases: Viaje Little Boy (4 1/4″ x 52 Short Robusto), Viaje Fat Man (4 1/4″ x 56 Gordito), and Viaje Big Ivan (5″ x 60 Gordo) by Feb. 16, 2016.  These highly sought after and coveted Viaje Skull and Bones Red releases have always been super full bodied, spicy and tangy, with a thick leathery texture.  This is the tenth Viaje Skull and Bones Red Label release and the first since the Viaje WMD in 2014.  Last year, the Viaje Skull and Bones release was the Collector’s Edition Ten Ton Tess made at PDR Cigars by Abe Flores in the Dominican Republic.  These new Skull and Bones Red releases are also now made at PDR cigars.  The Viaje Skull and Bones Red Label 2016 have a varuety of tobaccos from five different origins.  The wrapper is Mexican San Andres Maduro with a double binder from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua and the filler blend has leaves from the United States, Nicaragua, and Brazil.

From Andre Farkas @viajecigarcompany Instagram.

All Viaje Skull and Bones Red (Viaje Fat Man, Viaje, Little Boy, Viaje Big Ivan) come with Free Shipping.

Browse the Viaje Skull and Bones Red at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium online store here.

Diamond Crown Julius Caeser Review

Julius Caeser
Made by: Diamond Crown
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 6 by 52 (toro)

This will be the first cigar that I will be reviewing from Diamond Crown. As a company they are still coming up, but the Maximus and the Julius Caeser are their best know cigars. Tonight I will be doing a Diamond Crown Julius Caeser Review and covering the characteristics of this Dominican stick. lets get it lit up and see how it performs.

Prelight

The cigar has a firm pack with a couple soft spots near the band, large veins that may cause issues for the burn. Barely visible seams due to the high concentration of veins. The roller used a ton of glue on this cigar. The cap is covered, as is parts of the wrapper. There is a lot of tooth, and the wrapper seems quite thick. The foot is giving off oak, leather, and a mix of red and black pepper. Clean-cut, very little loose tobacco and a perfect draw. Prelight draw flavors are reminiscent of red pepper with an oak base. Let’s get it lit up and see how it goes.

1/3

The primary flavors are leather and oak, thin smoke surprisingly. There is a light red and black pepper mix on the finish as the foot suggested. The smoke production looks to be increasing. Medium to full body and low strength. There is a slight sour note on the finish as well, I see that going away pretty quickly though. Extremely uneven burn to start, it is running on one of the veins. It is in need of a touch up, unfortunate because I’m enjoying the profile despite this. Not a very sturdy ash, the thickness of the smoke has increased. Very smooth smoke, no major changes to the profile heavy oak and leather.

2/3

Leather is forward on the profile, oak has died down. There is a red and black pepper mix remaining on the finish. Smoke production is up. The burn is running on one of the veins again, it did need another touch up. Strength is up to medium, body is constant at a medium-full. No major changes to the flavors, low complexity at this point. But it is an enjoyable profile.

3/3

Strength is still at a medium, bodies out of medium full. Oak came forward and the profile leather fell down. The red pepper is up on the finish, and the burn has continued to be an issue. That is my main complaint of this blend, at this price point that should not be an issue. Is reaching the end of the cigar though cause come back to take control the profile, those of really been the only transitions throughout the cigar. There’s not really an issue with that because it’s been extremely enjoyable. My only thing is the burn, it took three touchups which is unacceptable for a cigar this price point.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Conclusion: 84

The cigar had a good burn time, great flavors although not very many transitions. And for that matter it was lacking complexity as well. I was expecting a lot more from this blend. Absolutely worth trying because the flavor profile is great, just be aware that you will have to touch it up. Diamond Crown as a company puts out some great cigars, this is a bad example “construction wise” of that.

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

Tatuaje TAA 2016 – Sneak Peek

The annual TAA Meeting & Convention takes place March 6 -10 in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico but there is already a lot of buzz about the Tatuaje TAA 2016.  Anthony’s Cigar Emporium is a TAA Member and will be there enjoying the good golf and great cigars.

Tatuaje TAA releases typically have not shipped until Fall.  Pete Johnson, owner of Tatuaje, has already sent out a preview of the coming blockbuster in his instagram account.  The Tatuaje TAA 2016 is box pressed and follows Tatuaje’s typical TAA blend with a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper over 100% Nicaraguan binder and filler.  This year’s size will be a 6 1/4 x 50 Toro.

Following are pictures just posted on Pete Johnson’s instagram account of samples of the Tatuaje TAA 2016:

Lost and Found Forever Fresh – Coming Soon to Anthony’s Cigar Emporium

We just heard about the newest Lost and Found Forever Fresh release.  Not much is known yet, though the packaging says Indonesia 5.5 x 48.  Stay tuned for more details on the Lost and Found Forever Fresh.  Browse all Lost and Found releases at our online store here.

Tatuaje K222 – New Regular Production Cigar rolled in Miami

Tatuaje will be shipping out its newest regular production cigar, the Tatuaje K222 in the beginning of May, 2016. Tatuaje K222 will be a 5 7/8″ x 52 Toro and is reported to be a hybrid of Tatuaje’s Cojonu 2003 and Reserva J21 blends. Both of these blends use an Ecuadorian habano wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers.  The Tatuaje K222 is the first new regular production Tatuaje being made at My Father’s Miami factory since 2009.  Its production will be limited to 2,500 cigars monthly (100 25-ct. boxes).  Pete Johnson’s K222 project is in honor of his beloved Rottweiler named Kona who passed at 2:22PM, hence K222.  Order the Tatuaje K222 at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium here.

Tatuaje K222 on tatuajeinc instagram

Tatuaje K222 on tatuajeinc instagram

Tatuaje Krueger – 2016 Halloween Release

Recently, Pete Johnson, owner of Tatuaje, posted on his instagram a picture of the Tatuaje Krueger – the 2016 Halloween Release.  The Krueger will be a 7 1/4″ x 48 Churchill with a short belicoso tip.  The Tatuaje Krueger will have the signature “Monster Series” fiery Nicaraguan fillers wrapped in a Mexican San Andrés Maduro leaf.

From tatuajeinc instagram.

Tatuaje is also making antoher release in its Monster Series: Skinny Monsters.  Tatuaje Skinny Monsters are thinner vitolas from the blends famous Halloween releases: Included in the sampler will be the smaller versions of the first eight Monster Series releases: The Frank, The Drac, The Face, The Wolfman, The Mummy, The JV13, The Jekyll and The Hyde, along with Chuck and Tiff.  All of the Tatuaje Skinny Monsters will be a round 6 x 38 petit lancero size like the Tatuaje Black.  They will be packaged in 10-count samplers like the Tatuaje Pudgy Monsters and a few 25-count boxes will be made.

Browse the Tatuaje Krueger and other Tatuaje Monster Series at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium’s online store here.