LFD TAA 47th Exclusive Review

TAA 47th
Made by: LFD
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican
Vitola: 5 1/2 by 52

The LFD TAA 47th Exclusive cigar was made especially for the 2015 TAA convention and is sturdily built. It has visible seams and several prominent veins. I always love seeing the TAA symbol on cigars, it’s a sign of a lot of care being put into a blend in almost all cases.

Prelight

The foot is giving off a cacao and slightly mineral note. The cigar had a clean cut, but there is a bit of loose tobacco. One thing worth noting is the wrapper leaf seems thicker than usual. That is a hint that this may be a quite flavorful and robust cigar. Mainly a barnyard earthy flavor mixed with cacao on the prelight draw with a slight tingle left on the lips. I might taste a bit of leather in there as well but only time will tell.

1/3

Plenty of smoke, medium to full body, and there is a mineral note to start and then a coffee taking over on the finish. As this third develops it shows characteristics of a can of salted nuts with coffee on the finish. The coffee note has a sweeter almost milk chocolate flavor compared to the description of cacao, which is more dark chocolate reminiscent. Slightly flaky grey ash, and a straight burn line. Not razor sharp, but that can be attributed to the ample vein presence. Low strength, but it is there in the background.

2/3

As the second third begins the ash fell in a solid chunk. The coffee flavor has developed to contain a large cacao note. And there is also a slight heat on the finish, however nothing overwhelming in terms of that spicy heat. Strength seems to be rising slowly at a medium or just below that at the moment. The body I would still put at a medium full. The nuts died down at the beginning of this third but are slowly returning as it burns. The most prominent note remains the cacao, and the nuts are still returning on the finish very slowly as the second third is coming to an end.

3/3

The primary flavor is still coffee/cacao and the salted nuts have returned. There has been no change to the body or strength since the second third. The cacao continued to dominate for the remaining part of the cigar the spice/heat returned on the finish as it reached the nub. The salty nuts were still detectable at this point. The body ended at a medium to full, and the strength held at a medium.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 89

Nothing overly impressive about this cigar, but it performed flawlessly and the flavor profile was delicious. Not a ton of complexity, but as it is, I don’t believe I would change the blend at all. It was a very enjoyable cigar. Another one for the books, the TAA exclusive cigars always impress. Medium to full body with medium strength. The predominate flavors throughout the cigar were the coffee and salted nut notes.
Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

Crowned Heads Las Mareas Pre-release – COMING THIS MONTH

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium has been selected by Crowned Heads to receive the first limited release of two sizes of the Crowned Heads Las Mareas this November, 2015.  Crowned Heads intends to launch the Las Mareas it the 2016 IPCPR Convention as a new regular production line, but two sizes are available at a limited number of retailers NOW: Las Mareas Olas (6 1/8 x 46 Fat Lonsdale or skinny Toro; take your pick) and, Las Mareas Rebeldes (5 1/2 x 52 Robusto Extra). Each vitola was limited to just 500 20-ct boxes (10,000 cigars) for the November 2015 pre-release.  Crowned Heads Las Mareas is a full bodied Nicaraguan puro grown by the García family and made at My Father Cigars, S.A. in Estelí.

The hype around the new Crowned Heads Las Mareas cigar has been intense, to say the very least. There was a not-so-secret pre-release to the official prerelease in September and a very lucky few customers have actually tried the Las Mareas. Many have described it as a good, full bodied, old-school stick with plenty of pepper, yet still balanced… plenty of body, yet palatable. We’re very excited to try one ourselves.

“At some points… I’m not sure if I’m smoking a Cuban-made Montecristo or Hoyo de Monterrey, or a Nicaraguan Crowned Heads…The ‘Cubanesque’ term gets thrown around a lot but this [Las Mareas] is… as close as I’ve tasted.” – Halfwheel

From Crowned Heads: “Las Mareas translates to ‘the tides,’ and the blend’s big-rich-bold flavor profile is a nod to the big waves of the world and the surf culture that surrounds them. Comprised of 100% Nicaraguan tobaccos, many who’ve sampled pre-release Las Mareas have compared the taste to a bygone era of vintage Cuban cigars. The binder and filler tobaccos in Las Mareas are all Nicaraguan, and grown on the García family fincas in and around Estelí. The Corojo ’99 wrapper that finishes the blend, originates from what is regarded as the ‘original Cuban seed,’ and is grown under the expert supervision of Don Pepín and Jaime García at the García family finca in Namanji (approximately 20 miles outside of Estelí, Nicaragua). Las Mareas is the first Crowned Heads cigar to utilize 100% García-grown Nicaraguan tobaccos.

Crowned Heads Las Mareas Pre-release
Made by: My Father Cigars S.A. for Crowned Heads
Place of Manufacture: Estelí, Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo ’99
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Dimensions: Olas (6 1/8″ x 46 Lonsdale), Rebeldes (5 1/2″ x 52 Robusto Extra)

 All Crowned Heads Las Mareas Cigars come with Free Shipping at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Browse the Crowned Heads Las Mareas Here.

Davidoff Colorado Claro Review

Colorado Claro Special R
Made by: Davidoff
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Vitola: 4 7/8 by 50

The Davidoff brand comes with a prestigious pre-judgment, and rightfully so. Many of the cigars that this company produces are well constructed, smooth, and worthy of any celebration. This Davidoff Colorado Claro Review will attempt to break down the complexity of this widely recommended and praised cigar.

Prelight

The cigar has a nice looking cap. The band is just the right size to where the cigar looks like it was made with the intent to please the smoker in every way possible. Barely visible seams. And the foot gives off a scent that reminds me of my great grandpa’s vineyard. A raisin and earth scent. I enjoy that but also recognize the flavors the cigar puts off will most likely be different then what I am gathering from the foot. The perfect draw, and there is a raisin note followed by a very low leather on the prelight.

1/3

Deep earthiness is in the front with a mix of nuts on the finish. Slight pepper note on the retrohale, that note is reminiscent of cayenne. Thick creamy smoke on the draw, exactly what you would expect from a cigar at this price point. The nutty flavors linger in the mouth until the next draw. A mix of macadamia nut and hazelnut with a dash of cinnamon is the primary flavor at the moment. The cinnamon on note is most likely coming from a mix of the cayenne and the nuts. Great complexity and enjoyable. Nothing bad to say, good burn and solid ash. Medium bodied with no strength at the moment. At the end of the first third the smoke is so creamy it’s playing into the flavor of the cigar alongside the nutty mix. And the little cayenne finish rounds it out perfectly.

2/3

As the second third starts there is an earthiness detectable behind the front macadamia and hazelnut mix. The cayenne finish is still present. No changes to the body or strength though. The earth has come up to match the nuttiness and the cayenne has gotten stronger on the finish. Hoping the earth will die back down because the first thirds flavors were wonderful. The flavors are all matching at medium body in the nut to earth to cayenne order. There is a slight amount of strength noticeable, but only at a low. Nice cool smoke, the pepper is changing into a more black pepper note, the retrohale is no longer something I would recommend doing.

3/3

The mixed nut flavors are coming back up, the earthiness is dying down and the finish is now the black pepper note. And then there was a pretty abrupt change to Hazelnut and cacao notes. And the black pepper retreated on the finish toward the end of the last third. And the cigar ended at a medium body with low strength.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 90

Intriguing transitions, distinct and well announced flavors. High complexity and good structure. Great beginning and good ending. Definitely something worth smoking even at its price point. It held medium body all the way through and not any higher then low strength.

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

Tatuaje Hyde – 2015 Halloween Limited Edition – IN STOCK

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium has received the Tatuaje Hyde – part of Tatuaje’s annual Halloween Limited Edition.  The Hyde release is No. 8 of the annual Halloween Series.  The Hyde is a hefty 7″ x 49 Churchill with a slight belicoso styled cap.  Like all of the Tatuaje Halloween releases, The Hyde is based on a famous dark character in literature and film –  from Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.   The Hyde is made by My Father Cigars, S.A. in Nicaragua with production limited to  666 Dress Boxes of 13 Tatuaje Hyde cigars & 4,500 Plain Boxes of 10 (53,658 total cigars). Plain 10-count boxes are available at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium here.

The Tatuaje Hyde is draped in a gorgeous Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over 100% Nicaraguan filler and binder.  Boxes are going fast, so make sure you order your while supplies last.  Once they’re gone, you’ll just have to wait for a year 🙁

Tatuaje Hyde 10-ct. Non-Dress Box

Order the Tatuaje Hyde Here.

Romacraft Intemperance Review

Intemperance
Made by: Romacraft
Wrapper: Brazilian
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: Avarice (4 1/2 by 52)

Romacraft puts out some amazing cigars. I have over looked doing a Romacraft Intemperance Review for quite some time. The Romacraft Intemperance Avarice is 4 and a half by 52 ring gauge cigar, and looks slightly different then the cigars I have smoked by Romacraft. The band is a single white strip with black lettering compared to the usual two tone band present on the Romacraft Cromagnon and Aquitaine.

Prelight

The foot has a light sweet cacao note. The binder is protruding just by a bit. There are some slight blemishes on the wrapper leaf. And the cap leaves some more attention to be desired, but is cleanly applied. Very firm pack, decent amount of resistance on the draw. No loose tobacco on the cut. Deep cacao on the draw possibly some woodsy notes in there.

1/3

The cigar took a while to toast, the primary flavor on the draw is cacao and black pepper is noticeable on the retrohale. There appears to be a slight cedar note on the finish which was unexpected. Medium to full body, low strength. The black pepper note is rising as the cigar burns. There is good smoke production, and great burn line. Pepper tingle continues to rise on the tongue. The cacao and cedar mix rose back to the front at the end of the first third. As that came up the pepper retreated.

2/3

As I reach the start of the second third the cigar has become balanced. All the flavors have mended into one mix of cedar pepper and cacao. Clean finish, this seems to be the Intemperance’s sweet spot. As the second third ends the strength is rising to a medium and the body is a full. The pepper is rising alongside the body.

3/3

When the last third begins, there is a light white pepper appearing on the finish. The black pepper has become the main flavor point though. Full body, and strength is rising but I would still put it at a medium. Black Pepper rose back up and the cacao note became detectable again at the end of the cigar.

Smoke Time: 55 minutes

Conclusion: 85

If you want a full bodied cigar with some strength, this is not a bad option. Especially given its price point. Good transitions, a little heavy on the pepper notes for my own taste. But if you enjoy the “cacao and pepper” profile with some strength this is a good option.

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

Caldwell The Last Tsar Churchill – ON ITS WAY!

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium will be the first retailer to receive Caldwell The Last Tsar Churchill and has just confirmed that its shipment of Caldwell The Last Tsar Churchill is on its way. Caldwell The Last Tsar Churchill is the second vitola released under Caldwell Cigar Co.’s limited edition The Last Tsar brand.  Be among the first to get a box of Caldwell The Last Tsar Churchill by ordewring at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium here.

The limited edition The Last Tsar cigars are limited to the “First 49”, a group of 49 retailers that helped to launch the Caldwell brand.  Robert Caldwell, owner of Caldwell Cigar Co., has been  planning to make The Last Tsar a twice a year limited release to the First 49, with each release being a different format and possibly different blends.  This second release of The Last Tsar is highly anticipated given the success of the inaugural The Last Tsar Belicoso that celebrated Caldwell’s first anniversary.  Caldwell The Last Tsar Churchill release is limited to 1.000 ten-count boxes with a picture of Tsar Nicholas II and “The Last Tsar” in Russian (последний царь).  The cigar is an homage to Tsar Nicholas II, who, along with his family, was murdered in 1918, ending the Romanoff dynasty that ruled the Russian Empire for centuries and ushered the Bolsheviks into power.

Caldwell The Last Tsar Churchill is being produced at Caldwell’s new 3,000 sq. ft. factory in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. William Ventura , former Davidoff Master Blender is still overseeing the production of Caldwell Cigar Co. products (exc. Blind Man’s Bluff), but the enormous success that Caldwell cigars have received has forced it to open its own factory next door to Tabacalera William Ventura, which heretofore produced Caldwell cigars.

Caldwell The Last Tsar Churchill is a classic 7″x 47.  The format is different from the Belicoso but the blend has remained the same.  Caldwell The Last Tsar Churchill uses the same wrapper leaf as the Eastern Standard line, which Caldwell describes as Arapiraca/Connecticut Shade Hybrid Maduro. The wrapper leaf was fermented longer and processed a little differently than the Eastern Standard making it difficult to work with.  As Robert Caldwell said: “it was a pain in the ass to make, we lost a ton of tobacco when making it because it was more of an experiment than anything to use that wrapper in that way.”

Caldwell has used unique and hard to source limited batch leaves in all of the Caldwell Collection, its line of premium cigars, but The Last Tsar blend is very unique and uses rare varietals.  The blend of The Last Tsar is undisclosed but we know it includes another rare tobacco called Carbonell which Caldwell has described as a “really cool tobacco that has incensy aroma to it.”  He further said that the blend is completely unique to anything he has smoked before, describing them as full-bodied, yet very refined. “They are going to be the fullest bodied cigar in the Caldwell Collection, yet palatable for most smokers.”

Caldwell The Last Tsar

Order Caldwell The Last Tsar Churchill at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium Now

Get Free Shipping with your order.

Caldwell Sevillana Reserva Review

Sevillana Reserva
Made by: Caldwell
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Vitola: Corona Gorda (5.7*46)

One of my favorite things about this cigar, just from an appearance standpoint, is the fact that above the bull on the band it reads “Loyalty over Greed.” The Caldwell Sevillana Reserva is the newer edition of the original Sevillana which is part of the JV line the company produces. These cigars run slightly lower in price then the regular line Caldwell’s. I usually enjoy the non-reserva Sevillana’s quite regularly, hopefully this version will keep up to my expectations.

Prelight

Being a budget cigar some area’s must have sacrifices in terms of quality. However, with my prior experience with the JV line, I know that looks can be deceiving and hide gems. The cap of the Caldwell Sevillana Reserva is not perfect by any means, but it is sturdily applied. The cigar is firmly packed until band point, and then it is slightly softer. The foot gives off a very distinct molasses like sweetness. The prelight draw reveals a slight tingle on the lips and is giving off the syrupy sweetness noted on the foot.

1/3

The cigar toasted with ease and evenly. Starts off with medium smoke output, mild to medium body, and a mix of nuttiness and cedar for the primary flavors. It finishes on a low Black pepper. Pretty dry flavors, the nut is perplexing me. Best description would be a deep almond with a slight black pepper tingle on the finish. Razor sharp burn line. The dryness is quick to appear on the draw, but once it fades the flavors linger in the mouth. Very firm sturdy gray ash. Relaxing cigar, great performance, toward the end of the first third the cedar overtook the almond, and the finish of light pepper remains.

2/3

My favorite thing about the regular Sevillana is that it is a casual cigar, you can sit have a full conversation and then realize your enjoying what your smoking a lot. The Caldwell Sevillana Reserva holds onto those same characteristics. No problems with the cigar at all, perfect burn, and despite the dryness the flavors are still detectable. The cedar and nuttiness are still in control and the pepper finish is still present. This is a very consistent and predictable cigar. If you liked the profile at the start of the cigar, you will still be loving it. The pepper finish is noticeable on the retrohale if you can’t find it in the primary flavors. Toward the end of the second third the pepper tingle is coming up but is still muffled by the cedar and almond. The smoke has gotten thicker and creamier. Flavors are remaining constant.

3/3

No changes to note other than the pepper tingle has continued to rise very slowly. The almond is stronger than the cedar again, and this cigar just hit the one hour mark. Toward the end of the last third there was a low strength, but the flavors held till the end of the cigar. Smoke Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Conclusion: 87

This is a great consistent cigar. I had to dock a couple points for the basic aesthetics of construction. But this flavor profile and the burn time of the cigar is something that is rare and wonderful. The body of the cigar ended at a medium but overall the stick is a mild to medium body with low strength. Best place to smoke it would be among company and as a relaxing casual cigar.

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

Matilde Oscura – Now in Stock

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium has received the Matilde Oscura. The Matilde Oscura is the second addition to the Matilde family blended by Master Blender José Seijas and expertly constructed in his new factory in the Dominican Republic. At Tabacalera La Matilde, no corners are ever cut.  For the wrappers, a single leaf is used from foot to head and the cigar is also capped from a single leaf. This method not only creates a beautiful product but also improves the consistency of the burn.

The Matilde Oscura is a San Andres wrapped maduro which is a darker and bolder blend when compared to their original Renacer cigar, which had rave reviews and entered Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 Cigars of the Year.  In the Matilde Oscura, the combination of Dominican, Nicaraguan and Pennsylvanian filler, held by a Sumatran binder and finished with an exquisite San Andrean wrapper will yield amazing notes of black and white pepper with hints of sweetness that will evolve to play a larger role as the tobaccos burn. Light up and let Matilde Oscura guide you through an unforgettable journey of flavors and aroma.

About Master Blender José Seijas: Seijas was the Vice President and General Manager of the large Tabacalera de Garcia factory in La Romana, Dominican Republic, maker of all Altadis products including Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta. In that role Seijas oversaw the production of a factory capable of making 60 million cigars annually. He would retire in 2012, but late in 2013 he would return with is own company – Matilde Cigars. With Matilde, Seijas has collaborated with his son Enrique and Ricardo Seijas and has his own boutique factory, Tabacalera La Matilde.

Available in Three Formats

Matilde Oscura
Made by: La Matilde Cigar Co.
Country of Manufacture: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: San Andres Oscuro
Binder: Sumatra
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, & US Pennsylvania
Dimensions: Corona (5 1/2 x 44), Robusto (5 1/4 x 50) and Toro Bravo (6 1/2 x 54)

The Matilde Oscura is a full-bodied, powerhouse cigar from one of the best cigar blenders and makers in the world.  Try one and you won’t be disappointed, just beware, it has a kick!

All Matilde Oscura come with free shipping at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.  The Matilde Oscura is in stock and ready to ship immediately! 

Order the Matilde Oscura here.

Caldwell Blind Man’s Bluff Review

Blind Man’s Bluff
Made by: Caldwell
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Dominican
Vitola: 5 by 50

The Caldwell Blind Man’s Bluff is a 5 inch by 50 ring gauge cigar, the pack feels even. Nothing to distinct about the cigar in particular, the band is quite attractive though. It reads “Blind Mans Bluff” on one side and “We Own the Night” on the other side.

Prelight

The cap is decently applied, and the nose on the foot reveals a slightly sour tinge followed by a sweeter scent reminiscent of hay. Extremely clean cut with no loose tobacco. The cigar maintains the light dry sweetness and the sour note seems to denote the age of the cigar. I would assume this to age well with my observations at this point.

1/3

The first notes that appear are a clean dry hay, very quick finish. Low-Medium body and absolutely no strength in sight. Faintly on the retrohale there is a ever so slight herbal spice on the finish. It is odd however, the cigar is producing a great amount of smoke, yet the body is very low in comparison. The flavors are holding through the first third. The finish remains quick and clean. The pepper is coming up on the finish and is more noticeable on the retrohale. However, the sweet dry hay still dominates till the finish. The body is rising slowly with the pepper.

2/3

As the second third begins the body has reached a medium, and the strength has come up slightly. The sweet hay is still recognizable on the draw but black pepper is the primary flavor. The finish is lasting longer, with the black pepper lingering. The ash fell as the first third ended and it was white and tight. Plentiful and rich smoke production is continuing. The pepper drowned out the hay as this third progressed. At this point it is medium bodied and low strength with black pepper controlling the profile. At the very end of this third pepper rose even more, but the slightly sour note showed its face. I believe the sour note will retreat with age. And if your not really looking it won’t be noticed. This will definitely be something that I would like to revisit in 2 or 3 months.

3/3

Surprise, at the very start of the last third the herbal spice came up. It’s enjoyable because after the black pepper note, this herbal white pepper scrubbed the black pepper note out completely, and there is an hazelnut note showing up on the finish. There is a slight sour note that catches me off guard occasionally, but the blend needs time to better mesh in my opinion. Still it is a well constructed cigar that you can tell was played with a lot when it was being created. Different would be my best way to describe the transitions encountered in this. One more note, as the cigar reached the nub the black pepper was coming up again with the heat of the cigar reaching its end.

Smoke Time: 55 minutes

Conclusion: 84

This cigar surprised me, the last third was the gem by far. I was expecting the cigar to maintain the sweet clean hay that was present in the first third. Medium bodied cigar with low strength, again I would like to see what a little bit of age does to this flavor profile. I recommend smoking one now and aging a couple more. Seeing a cigar develop is fulfilling, especially when you know it made the transition in your own humidor. If you have any questions on how I develop my scores, sign up and leave a comment, I would be more then happy to make a reference post explaining my reasoning behind them.

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

 My Father La Antiguedad Review

La Antiguedad TAA
Made by: My Father
Country: Nicaraguan Puro
Vitola: Toro 6 by 50

This My Father La Antiguedad review will focus on the TAA exclusive size 6 inches by 50 ring gauge. At first glance this cigar is well constructed and aesthetically pleasing. As would be expected from a cigar made exclusively for the TAA convention. The filler, binder, and wrapper of this cigar are all Nicaraguan classifying it as a Nicaraguan Puro.

Prelight

I am getting a sweet woodsy note on the foot of the My Father La Antiguedad. There is a nicely applied triple cap, the cigar is box pressed and to the touch, feels evenly packed. The prelight draw reveals an oakier note and there is slight resistance on the draw.

1/3

Cedar is forward on the draw, however the oak is detectable on the finish which is currently lasting until the next draw. There is also a subtle pepper that is mixed in with the oak on the finish. Once retrohaled the pepper note was noticeable, it is very faint at the moment. The cedar is rising as I move through the first third. The oak is still noticeable with the slight tinge of pepper on the finish. Medium bodied and no strength detectable at this point.

2/3

The primary note of this cigar is the cedar, and the oaky pepper finish remains as the 2nd third starts. As I move through this third black pepper starts to come up and deep leather replaces the oaky finish. At this point the cedar has died down. The burn speed is slowing down in the second third. The burn line has been solid throughout the cigar.

3/3

The cedar came back up as the last third began, and the leather note diminished. The more noticeable black pepper stayed. The body is still at a medium. And strength is at a low at the most. This is making a great midday smoke. This flavor profile held strong till the nub. The cigar stayed at medium body and low strength throughout the end of the final third.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 89

This would make a great cigar if your just enjoying yourself and looking for something that will keep your attention. The woodsy notes and subtle transitions made me feel like I was up in the mountains relaxing. For the cigar smoker that prefers cigars on the lighter side, or the full body smoker looking for a intriguing change this would be perfect. I will definitely be revisiting this one soon. Medium bodied all the way through with low strength. 
Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com