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.

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

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.

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

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

Winston Churchill Raconteur – 2016 Limited Edition is Shipping Jan. 21

The Winston Churchill Raconteur is packaged in a 10 ct. box and is a 2016 Limited Edition. The Raconteur has a secondary band inscribed with some of Winston Churchill’s famous witticisms.  Davidoff  of Geneva begins shipping The Raconteur to Anthony’s Cigar Emporium on Jan. 21, 2016. The Winston Churchill Raconteur 2016 LE is slightly modified version of the standard Winston Churchill blend. The Raconteur 2016 LE uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper compared to the Ecuadorian Rojiza wrapper on the regular production Winston Churchill. While they both use a Mexican San Andrés negro binder and a combination of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, The Raconteur features a 15-year-old vintage Dominican San Vicente ligero alongside the piloto visos, hybrid olor/piloto visos, piloto seco and Nicaraguan ligero from Estelí and seco from Condega that comprise the regular production Winston Churchill.  The Winston Churchill Raconteur is slightly more complex and fuller bodied than the robust and deeply satisfying Winston Churchill.  All Winston Churchill fans should get their hands on a box of The Winston Churchill Raconteur 2016 LE while they last.  Davidoff has not made the exact production numbers publicly available, but The Raconteur is limited to the suplly of 15 year old San Vicente Ligero.

From a Davidoff press release: “When talking to his great-grandson, Randolph Churchill, I discovered that Sir Winston had written as much as Shakespeare and Dickens put together.  This Limited Edition honours one of the most dazzling raconteurs and prolific writers the world has ever known,” said Charles Awad, svp of global marketing and innovation for Oettinger Davidoff AG, in a press release.

Davidoff Winston Churchill Raconteur 2016 Limited Edition
Made by: Davidoff of Geneva
Place of Manufacture: Cigars Davidoff, Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Mexican San Andrés Negro
Filler: Dominican Republic 15 year old San Vicente ligero,piloto visos, hybrid olor/piloto visos, piloto seco; Nicaraguan ligero from Estelí and seco from Condega
Dimensions: Gran Toro (6″ x 56)

All boxes of the Winston Churchill Raconteur come with free shipping at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Order The Raconteur 2016 Limited Edition here.

Liga Privada T52 Belicoso Review

Liga Privada T52
Made by: Drew Estate
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 by 52 (Belicoso)

The bronze label of the Liga Privada T52 justifies it place in the lines produced by the company. This cigar’s usually looked at as a less popular blend among the Liga Privada’s. This will be my first time smoking a T52, so let’s see what the cigar has to offer with a Liga Privada T52 Belicoso Review.

Prelight

Lots of small veins, one or two larger ones. The cap is different than the usual torpedo caps, in that, it seems less complex. However, it looks sturdy. The foot gives off a black pepper and dry cocoa with a hint of fruit. You cannot see the seams on the cigar unless you look hard. Great cut, but there was a good amount of loose tobacco. Very airy pre-light draw, there is still a hint of dry cocoa detectable and mixed pepper. Let’s get this lit up.

1/3

One thing to note is the cigar did take a while to light. The front has a almost wheat bread taste to it, followed by mixed pepper with a good amount of black pepper in that mix. There is an almost jalapeño like Sting to the pepper toward the center of the profile as well. Tons of smoke pouring off the cigar. However, the smokes thickness is less than what I am used to with the Liga Privada lines. As the first third comes to an end pepper is blasting my palate. A mix of red, black, white, and that jalapeño note. Medium bodied, low to medium strength. No changes to smoke production, and it held a good burn.

2/3

As the second third begins cocoa is beginning to appear on the finish alongside the still powerful pepper. No issues with the burn wonderful looking Ash. Just wow, that is a lot of pepper, and not just one type of pepper, very complex pepper. If you enjoy that flavor this is an interesting smoke and you will be highly entertained by those notes. No changes to body or strength, consistent in that regard, the no. 9 held to that as well in terms of consistency. I did have a tunneling issue that showed up and required a correction, but it corrected all right. After that, a barnyard and Oak note came up similar to the first third of the Liga Privada No. 9.

3/3

Very consistent in terms of body and strength. Still wonderful smoke output, not the thickest smoke however. Good burn line, so no major construction issues other then the tunneling toward the end of the second third. Very complex pepper throughout the cigar.  It’s returning at the nub, the oak and barnyard flavors are staying strong though. There is some cedar playing in the profile alongside the oak in the front. Very different than the No 9 overall.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 85

I liked the pepper a lot and that helped the cigars score, good complexity, defined transitions. The reason this did better than the No. 9 in terms of flavor is because of the complexity the pepper notes offered. So the more recent T52’s flavors are better than the recent No. 9 in my opinion. I still had to hold true to the construction score, the tunneling was unfortunate. Had it not been for that, this cigar would have scored higher than the No. 9. The Liga Privada lines are always interesting the way they change each production run.

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

Liga Privada No 9 Toro Review

Liga Privada No 9
Made by: Drew Estate
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 by 52 (Toro)

I did a Liga Privada review on the robusto vitola, this will now cover its cousin the 6*52 toro. But before I get to the cigar review, there is a story. For this review, I was in San Diego and could not find a place to review this near my hotel. In my travels I found a wonderful little restaurant called Pampas, I would have reviewed the cigar on the patio at this location. However, it was already shut down for the night by the time I got there. But Marco, the head guy there, was very friendly and had the most positive response was to my inquiry of a place to review my cigar. Given that several of the places that I went would not allow cigars on the patio unfortunately. Anyhow, I was able to review the cigar in a location near the restaurant, so with that let’s see what this vitola has to offer with a Liga Privada No 9 Toro Review.

Prelight

There is slight tooth to the wrapper, plenty of medium size veins. A well structured cap, visible seams. The foot gives off a herbal mint with a background of white pepper. Very clean-cut, just a little bit of loose tobacco. And the prelight draw gives off a herbal note with a darker barnyard note alongside mixed white and red pepper. Red pepper noticeable via the spicy tingle left on the lips.

1/3

Tons of thick creamy smoke, barnyard flavors are up on the front with a cedar. Slight bitter notes mixed in on the front. Slightly sour note coming up on the finish. Unbalanced at the moment, and there is no issue with the burn line and no issue with the ash. The cigar’s saving grace is the creamy mouth feel from the smoke. As I reach the end of the first third, there’s a cocoa note coming up on the front of the profile. The bitter and sour notes are fading, the balance is starting to work out a little bit better. The burn is still straight, beautiful ash. And that mouth feel, that’s what really does it for the cigar.

2/3

A dry cocoa on the front is mixed in with a oak that came up. I think the oak was mixed in with the Cedar earlier in the profile but it was subtle. There’s a slight white pepper at the end of the profile. And the red pepper is still just on the wrapper, on the lips. Thick creamy smoke, medium bodied, and low strength. Dry cocoa dropped in front of the profile, barnyard has come back up, after that there is still an oak flavor. The oak is well-developed and there is a slight cedar after it matching the first third. No changes to body or strength. And unlike the other sizes of the cigar I have yet to really experience the minty herbal note that I usually find them. Hoping it comes up in the next third.

3/3

Oak and creaminess still dominate profile, the bitterness in the profile is actually coming from the dark cocoa taste I want to say. It is still pretty unbalanced, but the flavors are complementary despite the unusual profile, again I have come to expect things from this line that it doesn’t seem to be delivering. The mouth feel was still wonderful, medium bodied and low strength, no changes to that. Toward the end of the last third the herbal minty note has finally appeared. It’s Nice to know that some of the basic profile notes I’ve held true in the recent releases of the blend. There have been some management changes to Drew Estate, the quality is a little different, but this last third has been a salvation point for me for the company. Still worthwhile smoke because the mouth feel.

Smoke Time: 1 hour  and 45 minutes

Conclusion: 86

Not sure where to go with this really, in the past Liga Privada has held to a decently higher standard in my opinion. This cigar didn’t show that. Not that it was bad by any means, but compared to the recently reviewed robusto it was very different. Medium complexity, ok transitions, but other then that it lacked the luster I expect from Liga Privada. These things pour off smoke, and burn well, the mouth feel is an impressive aspect of the cigar. It would be interesting to see what aging would do to the most recent vintage of Liga Privada’s. The unbalanced profile needs to be worked out, I would like to think time could do that for this cigar.

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

Pampas Argentinian Grill – San Diego, CA

La Colmena Amado No. 36 Review

La Colmena Amado No. 36
Made by: Warped Cigars
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican
Vitola: 6 by 36

Warped Cigars have released several interesting blends, Black Honey, the Reina, and the Unico Series are all harder to find lines associated with the “La Colmena” line. This cigar is known to be a honey bomb. And with my past experiences with the cigar its reputation holds true. But let’s see how the cigar performs today with a La Colmena Amado No. 36 Review.

Prelight

One thing I do have to say about Warped Cigars as a brand is that they have found some wonderful rollers. As far as construction goes the cigar is flawless in appearance. Visible seams, well-constructed cap with a little pigtail. The cigar has a closed foot but it still releases a sweet syrupy honey note with a cedar undertone. There are a few medium sized veins and the band is simple but clean. Very clean-cut, almost no loose tobacco, and the pre-light draw reveals more developed woodsy notes than foot suggested. Slight white pepper tingle on the lips, and very easy draw.

1/3

Right off the bat there is a strong dry Cedar note on the front followed by a sweet hay and then a moderate white pepper finish. Medium smoke production and the cigar was easy to light. Medium bodied and no strength detectable at this point. The blended flavors of the sweet hay and Cedar produce a honey-like flavor. As the first third progresses those two flavors blend even more to produce the unique honey note. The smoke has gotten thicker, leaving a great mouth feel. The white pepper finish has died down, and quickly leaves the profile. The Cedar and sweet hay flavor stays in the mouth well past the white pepper note. The cigar is not presenting much in the way of transitions at this point. But the flavor is immaculate, and I hope it does not change at the moment because the next profile would need to be better than the current one to keep my attention. Right at the end of the first third the compact white ash dropped which is impressive for this rain gauge. Sharp burn no issues at all with that.

2/3

As the second third starts, the Cedar has come up on the front and the sweet hay is now following that note again. There is still a hint of white pepper on the finish, but it’s subtle. Medium bodied still and no strength detectable. My only complaint at this time is the burn time, it seems to be going pretty quick and I am enjoying the profile so much I want it to last. I’m at about the halfway point and the cigar is just reaching 30 minutes, I expect it to last approximately 55 minutes. As the second third burns down there is an oak accompanying the Cedar on the front. This is just giving off a heavier feel to the profile but the body is still at a medium plus. This is not the most complex smoke and not terribly exciting in the way of transitions but it is enjoyable in my opinion. Toward the end of the second third, there is a black pepper mix in with the white pepper on the finish creating a slightly bitter note.

3/3

And Cedar with the sweet hay maintains the front. Again not much is going on in the way of transitions, the main thing to note at this point is the white pepper finish has morphed into a mixed pepper slightly bitter note. Low strength and still medium body, great burn in the ash is falling off in perfect thirds. As I reached the nub the pepper notes came up as did the harshness and bitterness unfortunately. But the cigar did shine in the first third, and majority of the second third.

Smoke Time: 50 Minutes

Conclusion: 87

The score is misleading here, the flavor notes in the first and second third were wonderful. The cigar did exhibit a lack of transitions and lack of overall complexity, and that did hurt the final score. But that unique honey note is something that should be tried at least once. Personally, I do look forward to smoking another one of these on occasion but certainly not consistently.

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

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Boxed Pressed Torpedo Review

Le Bijou 1922 Boxed Pressed
Made by: My Father
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 1/8 by 52

This is the My Father Le Bijou 1922 box pressed torpedo. A shorter name that could be recognized is the “cigar of the year for 2015” according to Cigar Aficionado. I recently did a review on the Martino, a shop exclusive vitola of the Le Bijou 1922. So without further presumptions, let’s see what this cigar has to offer with a My Father Le Bijou 1922 Boxed Pressed Torpedo Review.

Prelight

There is visible tooth on the wrapper, and visible seams. As for the cap, it is well made however not perfect by any means. No soft spots, a few medium sized veins. The main note the foot gives off is a dry cocoa, and there is a floral note mixed in with cedar on the finish. The wrapper looks very oily and slightly more aesthetically pleasing than the Martino’s wrapper. The orange ribbon foot band adds to the prestige of the cigar. There was a bit of loose tobacco on the cut, perfect draw, slight cayenne pepper tingle on the lips. The pre-light draw reveals cocoa and leather with the addition of a complex fruity/floral note. Interestingly enough it reminds me of a note that was weak and the Martino’s profile. That may be a key difference between these two cigars.

1/3

The cigar lit flawlessly, and again much like the Martino it starts off with a robust cocoa. Secondary in the profile, there is leather and a floral hint of Jasmine. It’s nice that that flavor can actually be defined this early in the cigar. There is a white and cayenne pepper finish to the cigar at this point, there may be a subtle black pepper in that mix as well. Great complexity notes, a ton of smoke production. And the draw is as perfect as it was in the pre-light. Medium to full body and low to medium strength. The burn is not the straightest at the moment, I just hope that no touchups are needed throughout the cigar. As the first third progresses the cocoa maintains on the front. The Jasmine has fell, and the woodsy have developed into a mixed Cedar in Oak with some leather tied in. The mixed pepper finish has changed as well with the black pepper coming up in the white pepper and cayenne fading. Lots of complexity and lots of transitions occurring. And strength and body are continuing to rise.

2/3

Strength is officially up to medium in the body hasn’t quite reached full yet, I expect it to. The cocoa note has fallen, and the Cedar came to the front of the profile along with a light white pepper tingle. That white pepper carries through the Cedar, cocoa, and leather to the finish where it mixes in with a black pepper. Great complexity, the cigars on track to receive a perfect score in that category. Toward the middle of the second third the body has reached a full and the strength is still at a medium. The tooth is visible in the ash, and the burn is still not perfect. As the second third is coming to an end, there is a dry cocoa balanced with the Cedar in the front of the profile. This is followed by a light leather and a balanced mix of white and black pepper.

3/3

At the start of the last third, the Cedar has developed a lot, and I’m getting a grapefruit like citrus flavor on the front. That note was brief and fell back into a strong Cedar note followed by leather which is come up and the balanced white and black pepper. The body has actually fallen back down to a medium full and the strength is still at a medium. Toward the end of the last third the dry cocoa, Cedar, and leather all fell as mixed pepper began take over the profile. The mix pepper note included a strong cayenne, at this point the nub was getting warm and slightly squishy.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 93

This blend is much more developed than the Martino was. That justifies the score difference between the two cigars. There were a couple of issues, the burn, the cap could have been better, but both of those things fall into the construction category. The blend was perfect, I can see why Cigar Aficionado named this the cigar of the year. It would be appealing to casual cigar smokers and seasoned veterans. It is worth buying if you can find them. However, the Martino is a nice grab as well and would be easier to find. Happy hunting, and a Happy New Year.

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

My Father Martino Review

1922 Martino
Made by: My Father
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 4 1/2 by 50

My Father released a cigar for Anthony’s Cigar Emporium called the Martino. It was a short box pressed size of the 1922. Let’s see what this shop exclusive cigar has to offer with a My Father Martino Review.

Prelight

Recently, the box press torpedo 1922 won cigar the year from Cigar Aficionado. In my opinion, this cigar has all the aesthetics of the box pressed torpedo in a smaller package. A dark oily wrapper with visible seams, and a well-structured cap. One note though, I do miss the orange ribbon on the foot. However, having Martino on the cigar is a nice addition. The foot gives off notes of cocoa and pepper, clean-cut. A little bit of a tight draw, not expecting any issues there though. And the wrapper is leaving a cayenne tingle on my lips.

1/3

As the cigar starts it’s the strength is at a low to medium, and the body is at a medium full. There is a dry cocoa and leather note on the front with a pepper tingle on the lips, cayenne. The finish is a mix pepper, but the cayenne has my attention at the moment. As the first third progresses, there is a woodsy note coming up before the pepper finish. It’s reminiscent of Cedar at the moment, but the cocoa and leather on the front are overpowering. The burn isn’t perfect but no touchups needed, and thick creamy smoke. At the end of the first third there is a nutty note coming into play alongside the cedar. Great complexity at this point.

2/3

The pepper notes on the finish have blended. The strength is coming up slowly but I would still put it at a low to medium, the body is still medium to full and rising just as slowly as the strength. The woodsy notes in the center of the profile have developed, the cedar is stronger and more on par with the flavors on the front. Very thick and plentiful smoke production. Pretty consistent flavors on the front, the main switch ups are coming from the power of the different notes in the profile. At the end of the second third the dry cocoa and leather notes on the front are coming back over the woodsy notes.

3/3

As the last third starts the woods he notes continued to deteriorate in the center of the profile. And the mixed pepper on the finish has evolved as well, with a black pepper coming up over the white pepper and cayenne pepper. The strength is officially at a medium, and the body hasn’t really changed maintaining at a medium full. As the cigar has reached the end, the leather has come up over the dry cocoa on the front. The woodsy note has been completely covered by pepper. And the cigar has gotten a little warm at the nub.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 87

My Father did a wonderful job blending this cigar into a go to shorter smoke then the larger vitolas in this line. The cocoa/leather notes are robust and bring out a great smell. There was not an excessive amount of strength by any means, great cigar. The 1922 is a wonderful line and deserves the recognition as a wonderful cigar. “Cigar of the Year”…..that is opinion, but you will not be disappointed with this at all. If you ever come into town and have the opportunity to try one, it is absolutely worth it. I often send this cigar to other smokers, who I know will appreciate it as well. I think the main point of differentiation between this blend and the box press torpedo, is smoke time. Depending upon what situation you’re in, either cigar would be a great pick. But let’s see what the box press torpedo has to offer, that will be a review to come.

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