Opus X Lost City Lancero Review

Opus X Lost City Lancero
Made by: Fuente Fuente
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 7 1/2 by 41

For the last lance of the series, I will be doing a Opus X Lost City Lancero Review. There is one certain thing, the bands are beautiful. Naturally, with the price point it should be exceptional. Often times cigars like this are almost more focused on the name rather then the quality. It does vary significantly, lets see what this one brings to the table though.

Prelight

Nice small to medium sized veins, barely visible seams. There is an excess amount of rollers glue present on the cigar. The cap of the cigar is really nicely made, as you’d expect it to be on an Opus X. The pack is firm and consistent throughout the length of the cigar. The foot is giving off cinnamon and oak with some red pepper bite. Wonderful cut, very little loose tobacco. The pre-light draw shows lots of cinnamon and red pepper similar to an Altoid. There is a light amount of sweetness to the profile as well, it’s really a pleasant start.

1/3

Easy to get lit up, medium smoke thickness and medium smoke production. The front has a nice balance mix of Cedar and Oak. The cinnamon Altoid the note is really making this profile. Very light sweetness and the cinnamon bite is no doubt amplified by the red pepper. Medium to full body and medium strength at the moment, I expect both of those to rise. But I expect the strength to rise quicker. The burn line is slightly off, but it seems to be going back-and-forth and I forsee no touchups.

2/3

It’s not often that you can say the strength in a cigar is a good thing for the profile. But there’s something about this cigar that just hits you over the head like a mallet and makes you relax. That is not to say the strength is overwhelming, just really appropriate. The strength really hasn’t changed from a medium, but the medium to full body is blending perfectly with it. Oak is up over Cedar on the front, the cinnamon note has diminished a little bit but is absolutely still there. Smoke production and smoke thickness have both risen to a high. There is still a light sweetness to the profile on the finish with a light leather. The cigar is not boldly complex and in-your-face, there are good transitions going on but the overall feel of the cigar is calm. I do hope the cigar kind of levels out at this point, because the strength could pass up the body and diminish the experience. It’s not there yet though. The burn line is still going strong, and the draw is perfect.

3/3

The body is at a medium to full and the strength is at a medium to full as well. The transitions are very subtle and smooth. The cigar is doing a great job of showing that it is a great celebratory stick. Relaxing with an odd sense of accomplishment for some reason. The smoke thickness and the smoke production are still up at a high. The burn line continues to be pretty good it has improved significantly since the start of the cigar. The ash has been pretty compact for the first two thirds, but it’s gotten a little bit flakier as I’m getting to the end of the cigar. The balanced mix of Oak and Cedar is back on the front, there is a little bit of cashew underneath. The center is now light cinnamon, leather, and a little bit of white pepper. The finish is showing a mix of red and white pepper with leather. So the cigar has had decent transitions they’ve just been subtle and very smooth.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 94

This is a cigar that you can visit every day after a long day at work. That is assuming that it’s within your price target. It’s price point is quite high, but it is truly a great calming experience. There was a lot of different notes present in the cigar, but they were well divided and defined. So this cigar absolutely held its own against the El Triunfador, there is a huge difference in the type of experience though. This was relaxing and had subtle and smooth complexity, the El Triunfador was more bold and demanded respect and attention.

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

Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero Review

Black Petite Lancero
Made by: Tatuaje
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 by 38

The Tatuaje Black Label line has been out for a good amount of time. Recently they released new vitolas that have been well received. This is one of the older sizes, and something that I have yet to write on. These few days are being dedicated to the lancero size and will also be featuring an Opus Lost City Review.  However, lets throw this into lineup up with a Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero Review.

Prelight

Medium sized veins and a pretty consistent and firm pack. Visible seams, the cap is done very well on this particular cigar. I have seen the caps a bit offset on other specimens though. The foot is giving off notes of cedar and leather with light white pepper as well. There is some light tooth to the wrapper as well. The cut went well, there was some loose tobacco. The prelight draw had above average resistance, it showed more cedar and some cashew as well. Lets get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

As with a lot of lanceros, this cigar was fairly easy to get going. The front shows dryer cedar with cashew mixed in there. There is a cleaner spice note underneath that is carrying through the profile, it does seem to have elements of white pepper. Hopefully that develops more as the cigar progresses. The center is showing more leather and light sweetness, but the light herbal white pepper is carrying through as an undertone. The body is at a medium at the moment I do expect that to rise and the strength is at a low to medium.

2/3

The smoke production is at a medium and the thickness is about on par with that. The burn line is going well, not perfect but I do not foresee any touchups being needed. That herbal white pepper undertone has nice complexity to it, I am getting a light sweet fruit note as well. That flavor is so well mixed that its really just complimenting the other flavors that are more forward. The front has remained reminiscent of cedar, and the leather is coming up on the center where the cashew is now joining it. There is a bit of bitter macadamia nut in that mix, but the main takeaway is mixed nuts and leather over the more complex herbal white pepper base.

3/3

The body did get up to a medium to full and the strength stayed pretty consistent at a low to medium. The smoke production has risen and the smoke thickness is still at a medium. The draw is still a bit above average, and the burn line is going allright. The flavors have been wonderful, but as I am getting to the end there is a black pepper joining the white pepper undertone. That is diminishing the complexity of the cigar but the leather and cedar notes remain. They have come together and are mixing pretty well on the front and center, the nuts have dropped but they are still present.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 88

Overall, this was a pretty consistent cigar with good flavors and good construction. No touchups needed, the transitions were pretty subtle and less pronounced than more aggressive profiles. The pepper was really well mitigated for a cigar by Tatuaje. It actually served a good purpose to mix with the light sweetness and clean herbal notes that held as an undertone of the cigar throughout the entire experience. Absolutely worth trying, the price is right in this cigars case. I will certainly visit this again because in terms of price point and quality it does perform very well.

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

El Triunfador Lancero Review

El Triunfador Lancero
Made by: Tatuaje
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 7 1/2 by 38

This is an original release of the El Triunfador by Tatuaje featuring the broadleaf wrapper. The OR release is actually still in stock at the online store (at the moment). I will be doing a series of lancero’s the next few days, this is often a top pick for being one of the best overall. It will be interesting in terms of flavors, but also in terms of how it holds up in comparison to the Opus X Lost City Lancero that I will visit soon. Lets see what sets it apart with a EL Triunfador Lancero Review.

Prelight

Dark and very toothy wrapper with a cap done flawlessly. Medium and large sized veins, consistent slightly spongy pack. The foot is giving off a mix of jasmine and sweet thick syrup. I expect a good amount of leather and cream in the profile, but there seems to be lighter more complex notes woven in as well. Great cut, almost no loose tobacco. The prelight draw is pretty tight, jasmine and that sweet note remain with the addition of red pepper.

1/3

Pretty thin smoke at the start of this, which is a surprising characteristic. Very easy to light, nice mixed nuts on the front with a bit of the sweetness that the foot let on. Leather and dry cream are balanced on the center and finish with a light red pepper bite in the end. As I get into the first third the jasmine is coming up in the center of the profile. Medium to full body and low strength. The burn line is wonderful and the burn time is actually quite fast at this point. Great complexity, it did take a while to build, the transitions are occurring slowly and calmly.

2/3

Extremely solid and compact white ash. I feel like it could last a significant amount of time but I am unwilling to put it to the test in that regard. The smoke thickness has increased to a medium, smoke production is holding pretty high though. The burn line is perfect, almost no issues with the construction at all. Jasmine has moved to the front of the profile alongside mixed nuts. The center is now extremely clean and I am having a hard time classifying the note, I think it is a mix of really sharp clean cedar and jasmine. However, it comes out tasting like a floral perfume or a very dry and clean champagne. That is one of the best flavors I have ever gotten in a cigar. When blending this cigar it seems like they wanted to mess with the buyer because red pepper comes up and washes that note away.

3/3

Still at a medium to full body and the strength is at a low to medium, the burn line and construction are near perfect. The draw has a very appropriate amount of resistance. The sweetness and mixed nuts had dropped in the second third but the transition occurring now is interesting. The mixed nuts and sweetness are back on the front. Jasmine has fallen but cream is up to join it on the center and then the finish is red pepper and leather. Wonderful balance, complexity, and transitions.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Conclusion: 94

The construction was flawless, the flavors were delicious. One loss the cigar had was that the second third was so amazing I felt the first and last were lacking. However, on any day the profiles of the first and last thirds of this cigar are rare. So complexity was near perfect, transitions were balanced at first and then they came on with more force in the last third. This would be a great cigar to do a box split on with a couple friends. I can say that this is not a cigar I could smoke everyday because it is so rich and delicious that it almost becomes overwhelming. Definitely an experience, I could see this as a special cigar for moments you don’t want to miss because the cigar itself is quite unforgettable.

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

Warped Guardian of the Farm – Coming to Anthony’s Cigar Emporium

The Warped Guardian of the Farm will be coming to Anthony’s Cigar Emporium in October, 2016.  Casa Fernandez and Warped Cigars, who collaborated on the Warped Futuro line in 2015, are teaming up once again for a new release called Warped Guardian of the Farm. The Guardian of the Farm cigars use vintage AGANORSA leaves from the Fernandez family tobacco vaults that was reserved for its personal blends. At the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show, the two companies showed off its second collaboration project called “Guardian of the Farm”.

Max Fernandez of Casa Fernandez and Warped Cigars’ owner Kyle Gellis unveiled the Warped Guardian of the Farm at this year’s IPCPR Convention however the cigars are not being released until October. The Warped Guardian of the Farm line is a tribute to the guard dogs of the AGANORSA tobacco farms in Nicaragua. Each of the names of the sizes correspond to one of the dogs: Campeon (6” x 52 Toro), J.J. (5 ¼” x 50 Robusto), and Apollo – Seleccion de Warped (6” x 44 Lonsdale). The Apollo Seleccion de Warped is a limited edition release and has a secondary band.

The Warped Guardian of the Farm is a Nicaraguan puro whose blend includes a Jalapa Shade Corojo ’99 wrapper, a Corojo ’99 binder, and a Corojo ’99 and Criollo ’98 filler blend.

Each of the three sizes of the Warped Guardian of the Farm is packaged in 25 count boxes. The cigar is handmade at the Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA) factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

Click to view the Warped Guardian of the Farm at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Click to view the Warped Guardian of the Farm at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

Warped Guardian of the Farm Apollo – Seleccion de Warped Lonsdale, a limited edition vitola featuring a secondary band. Click to view the Warped Guardian of the Farm at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

L’Atelier Extension de la Racine ER16 Robusto – Just Shipped to Anthony’s Cigar Emporium

L’Atelier Imports, Inc. just shipped this year’s limited edition L’Atelier Extension de la Racine ER16 to Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.  Thus year the L’Atelier Extension de la Racine ER16 is a 4 7/8″ x 50 classic Robusto and is the forth issuance of the Extension de la Racine.  The Extension de la Racine (French for Extension of the Root) offering from L’Atelier, is a special project made for attendees of the IPCPR Convention and is an annual limited production release. With a different size created each year since 2013, and available that year only, the L’Atelier Extension de la Racine is always a highly sought-after release.

This year’s L’Atelier Extension de la Racine ER16 was no exception with 1,500 boxes of 20 being produced.  The L’Atelier Extension de la Racine ER16, like the other Extension de la Racine releases are rolled by the García family’s My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.  The cigars feature a Nicaraguan sun grown Criollo ’98 wrapper grown by the García family with a double binder of Sancti Spiritus leaf, and an all Nicaraguan filler that also incorporates Sancti Spiritus, creating a connoisseur’s blend full of subtle flavors.  The Sancti Spiritus leaf double binder is grown in Ecuador by the Oliva family and the leaf is a hybrid of Criollo and Pelo de Oro varietals.  It is recognized for its spicy sweet characteristics and is used in a L’Atelier labeled cigars.

Click here to browse L’Atelier Extension de la Racine offerings at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

L’Atelier Extension de la Racine ER16 is a 4 7/8 x 50 Robusto. Click picture to browse all L’Atelier Extension de la Racine offerings at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

God of Fire Serie B Review

God of Fire Serie B
Made by: God of Fire
Country: Ecuador, Dominican Republic
Vitola: 5 3/4 by 52

The God of Fire! Its really hard to get tired of that name, keeping up with the pattern of the week this cigar boasts a beautiful Ecuadorian wrapper. As always when you get to a cigar at this price point, a flawless experience is expected. Let’s see if this can attain those standards with a God of Fire Serie B Review.

Prelight

Medium sized veins barely visible seams, the cap is done very nicely which is expected at this price point. There is a bit of excess rollers glue on the wrapper, and there are a couple blemishes as well but I believe the character of the wrapper is really going to show through. The foot is giving off cedar, milk chocolate, and cream. That sounds like a good mix and the balance seems on point as well. The cut was pretty clean with just a bit of loose tobacco, and there is a bit of mixed pepper that shows through on the prelight drawn alongside the other notes. Lets get this going and see how it preforms.

1/3

Tons of smoke production and great smoke thickness, a wonderful mouth feel off the start. Nice white flaky ash, bold bitter cocoa on the front with a balanced mix of cedar and oak underneath. Cream comes into the profile on the center and makes for a good coffee flavor that carries through the finish. There is a bit of white and black pepper that shows up but it isn’t to influential at the moment. Pretty good burn line, near razor sharp. The excess rollers glue is a little bit distracting, but the wrapper isn’t to beautiful either. I would say this cigar smokes a lot better then it looks at this point. Great blending good balance, medium to full body and medium strength.

2/3

The balance and cream in this cigars profile are its main excelling points. It is burning quickly, I have a feeling that is more due to the fact its just that enjoyable. Still keeping up with a ton of smoke production and wonderful thickness. Cream and cedar on the front mixing into a slightly bitter coffee with a good amount of cream on the center and then the finish is a clean and fresh white pepper that has light floral aspects to it. Medium to full body and medium strength, no changes there and the burn line is even sharper now. The creamy thick mouth feel is an amazing characteristic, great blending.

3/3

Razor sharp burn, once I got past the first third the burn has been flawless. The ash is a bit flaky but very white. The smoke production has been non-stop. The bitter cocoa came back strong on the front the mixed woodsy note is back underneath. The center is still very creamy but the floral note that was on the finish has moved to the center and is showing jasmine. That mix carries through the finish, the coffee and mixed pepper notes have fallen. This has had great transitions and magnificent balance.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 92

This absolutely came to the standard that you would expect from its price point. If you haven’t had a cigar today, its a great pick for Labor Day. Wonderful construction, near perfect burn, amazing transitions. The body and the strength didn’t change much throughout the cigar. The complexity was good, but not over the top. The mouth feel was wonderful with thick cream. This cigar was just really easy to enjoy, if you can find them I would say this is box worthy. Depending on personal price preference I would change the quantity to keep stocked from person to person, this does justify its cost though.

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

La Boheme Original Pittore Review

La Boheme Original Pittore
Made by: Rafael Nodal – Botique Blends Cigars
Country: Ecuador, Dominican Republic
Vitola: 5 1/8 by 52

It is Ecuadorian wrapper week (and Labor Day Weekend), and this has the same origins of the God Of Fire I will review next. Just in the fact that they are both Ecuadorian wrapped and have Dominican binder and filler. When these came out they received wonderful press on their complexity and balance. They have had more time to rest and they are currently on sale at our site. I have never visited this cigar so I have no idea what to expect. Let’s see if they deserve recognition with a La Boheme Original Pittore Review.

Prelight

I don’t think this cigars wrapper is pretty, some discoloration and the cap seems a bit off. The veins are a mix of everything, the band is beautiful. The cigar has a very firm ad dense pack, so really the cigar doesn’t seem like it would be a winner. That is very different from what I have heard, sometimes a cigar is much better then it looks but this one has to prove that to me still. The foot is giving off cedar and white pepper, there is another note in there but I can’t pick it up yet. Not a good cut, that’s an issue and the cap fell off with a bit of unravelling. Ok, so not a good start which is a shame because I had my hopes up. The draw is very easy which is odd because it is a heavy pack. The prelight draw blew me away though, spiced apple and citrus with a heavy presence of white pepper. If that fruitiness is bold then this could be a good profile.

1/3

This was not easy to light, medium smoke thickness but a lot of smoke production. very unique profile immediately. There is that apple note on the front but it is behind dry cedar. The cedar is very bold, that fruitiness is an undertone through the center of the profile. The cedar is overpowering though, it carries through the whole profile till the finish where white and black pepper mix with it and cause a weird flavor. Odd, I wish the front and center were the only flavors. But that wall of pepper is diminishing the complexity on the finish, it seems to balance the profile which is throwing me off. Medium to full body and low to medium strength, I definitely see the strength increasing. The cap isn’t proving to be an issue, it just needs to be held down. As I get into this third complexity is building with sweetness and a rising cutrus.

2/3

It started to improve pretty quick, a tangy citrus flavor. It reminds me of a lime with some salt, so I would probably say after the start of this cigar it would pair well with tequila shots. Cedar is still present throughout the profile, the finish is cedar and a sweet grass. The front of the profile has a great mouth feel from that lime note. That is why this cigar gets the ratings it does, that note is really special. The sweetness and tanginess started to build in the first third but they are clearer now. The cigar has much better balance, weird start but this is now something I would definitely revisit. Medium to full body still, the flavors are spectacular for the body now. That mineral salty note alongside the lime-like citrus note is just getting better. The strength is at a medium still. I hope it keeps up because this is a huge improvement.

3/3

The mix of white and black pepper on the finish has come back on the finish similar to the first third. The sweet grass is on the front with cedar, there is still a bit of the citrus and mineral notes but it has fallen from the second third. The mouth feel is still good the smoke production is still pretty high, the smoke thickness is at a medium plus. The body has stayed at a medium to full throughout and the strength did come up a bit to a medium plus. The pepper diminished the amazingness of the second third when it came back, but the cigar was enjoyable.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion:85

I enjoyed the cigar once its complexity came up, the construction hurt its score. It is entirely possible that I got a weird cigar, because this company does have better construction usually. For this reviews purposes it did not, the burn was great throughout the cigar though. The flavors were magnificent in the second third, and pretty good in the last third. The first third had to calm down before it began to get to a good balance. I would smoke it again, for the right price it would make a good casual cigar or a good quality cigar for friends. I certainly expect the God of Fire to surpass this level, this does show that it isn’t just the country that effects how good a cigar is. The individual plantations play a big role.

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

L’Atelier Selection Speciale LAT38 Review

Selection Speciale LAT38
Made by: L’Atelier
Country: Ecuador, Nicaragua
Vitola: 7 1/2 by 38

The LAT38 is a wonderful creation by L’Atelier, the Selection Speciale series by the company is really a work of art in my opinion. The Ecuadorian wrapper balances the blend to perfection. In terms of lancero’s this ranks pretty high on my personal list. I have never done a formal review on the cigar so I am interested to see if it actually can hold to my perception. Let’s see what this has to offer with a L’Atelier Selection Speciale LAT38 Review.

Prelight

A beautiful toothy dark thick wrapper, it really adds to the aesthetics  of the cigar. The cap is does very well, in a nice little pigtail. The foot is giving off floral jasmine, sweet honey, and leather. The prelight shows more sweet honey and leather. The cut went well with just a bit of loose tobacco. Fairly consistent firm pack with just a couple softer spots. There is s bit of resistance on the draw but this is not an issue at all. Medium sized veins and the secondary band gives the cigar the extra prestige it deserves when compared to the normal L’Atelier line.

1/3

Easy to light, there is a balanced mix of sweet honey and jasmine on the front. Just like the foot suggested, the finish is leather and the jasmine does carry through the profile in the background. As I get into the first third there is a bit of red pepper that comes up on the finish. Overall, this cigar is extremely balanced. The sweetness compliments the more traditional leather flavor and the jasmine adds the perfect amount of complexity. Even the red pepper plays a role in the balance. Medium to full body and low to medium strength, the burn line is a bit off. High smoke thickness and medium smoke production, this is a good start but lets see where it goes.

2/3

Slightly flaky ash, I wouldn’t recommend letting it grow out to long. Oak has come in on the front as the honey and jasmine fall, the finish shows leather and jasmine at even levels still. The red pepper end note has come up a bit and is showing more tongue bite then the first third. The body has actually fallen to a medium plus and the strength is at a low now. The smoke thickness has fallen to a medium and the production has held at a medium. The burn line is shifting around but there have been no touch-ups.

3/3

Smoke thickness came back up a bit the production has held at a medium. The body is back up to a medium full and the strength has returned to a low to medium. The flavors have gotten bolder but they are not present at the same complexity as the first third. There is a good mix of oak and leather on the front. I am still picking up a floral undertone, but the sweetness has diminished. The finish is a stronger leather note with red pepper meshed in now. The tongue bite is a good addition to the profile and has rounded out this cigar very well.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Conclusion: 89

Delicious cigar, between this and the L40 its a tough race. The first third of this cigar is my personal favorite, but the balance really holds throughout the profile. No touch-ups but not a perfect but, the smoke thickness shifted around a bit. That thickness most likely can be attributed to the changes in the pack. It was shifting with the firmer and softer spots. The flavors is this cigars best characteristic, and that really makes it worth keeping around the humidor. This is one cigar that I consistently restock and keep about 5 around. Of course try it before you start to stock it regularly, but this cigar won’t disappoint.

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

Liga Privada L40 Review

Liga Privada L40
Made by: Drew Estate
Country: Brazil, Honduras, Nicaragua
Vitola: 7 by 40

Liga Privada time! It has been a while since I reviewed one of these cigars, and I am absolutely looking forward to it. As always aesthetics are wonderful, and the wrapper looks delicious. These are the more limited production releases done by Drew Estate, that said being able to get your hands on one is an accomplishment. Finding a box is even better, if they are in stock you would find them in the link attached to the picture (note: they are in stock at the time I am writing this). Lets see if it performs as good as it looks with a Liga Privada L40 Review.

Prelight

A very thick toothy wrapper, mainly small veins but there is one that is very large that may cause a burn issue. The foot is giving off leather and cedar. The cap is pretty well done, good cut with some loose tobacco. The prelight draw is giving different flavors then the foot, I am getting milk chocolate with some orange. There is a bit of pepper but it is subtle, the draw itself is pretty easy. The pack is pretty lumpy, but from the notes I am getting I expect that not to be an issue. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Easy to get lit up, wonderful start. Leather is on the front with a bit of orange underneath. Cedar comes up on the center as the front’s flavors fade. The finish is a clean mix of cedar and white pepper. The leather note does linger in the mouth, the smoke is nice and thick and there is a ton of it. The mouth feel is abnormal because the smoke itself is oily but the cigar is definitely dry. I would recommend a drink with this cigar on that note. As I get toward the end of the first third the orange is coming into play on the finish as well. Medium bodied and almost no strength at this point.

2/3

The shortest summary I could do of this complex profile would be that leather and orange notes are on the front. Then cedar takes over the center of the profile, and the orange comes back up with white herbal pepper alongside the cedar on the finish. This is a very relaxing cigar, the construction is very good. There is no need to worry about the burn, draw, or smoke production. The strength came up a bit just to a low, and the body is at a medium plus now. The ash is strong, holding for about an inch and a half before I lose faith in leaving it on longer. The cigar is burning a bit quick which is unfortunate. As I get to the end of the second third the front is now milk chocolate and leather. The chocolate dies abruptly on the center and the cedar comes up with some cashew mixed in. The orange and white pepper notes are almost completely gone. There is a very faint black pepper coming up but it’s not a big player in the profile yet.

3/3

Still wonderful smoke production and smoke thickness, the cigar has been a chimney throughout. The body has stayed at medium plus and the strength is still at a low. And that’s been a good balance for this flavor profile, good complexity and decent transitions. The oily characteristic of the smoke is more present now, the dry feel has fallen. The front is now bitter cocoa and leather, and the finish is cedar and light white pepper. The black pepper never really came up to be important in the profile. The reappearance of the white pepper was very nice, and to be honest I don’t think I’ve number a cigar to the point I got with this one in a while. Because of that I actually ended up getting an hour and ten minutes out of the cigar. Had I not done this, an hour would’ve been the smoke time.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Conclusion: 93

Absolutely delicious, pretty good body and very low strength. There was good transitions with the flavors but nothing changed to the extreme. The complexity was very good, the smoke production and smoke thickness was wonderful. These cigars are as popular as they should be. A wonderful blending job by Drew Estate. This is something that you absolutely should try.

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

Oscar Valladares 2014 Island Jim Review

Island Jim 2014
Made by: Oscar Valladares
Country: Never Released
Vitola: “No 2”

This is an interesting one and it isn’t as much as a stretch to find it as you would think. I have come across a couple boxes in different brick and mortar shops on the west coast. That said I only pick up one when I find them because I am a firm believer that when it comes to rarer cigars, I hope as many people as possible get the chance to experience them. It was released in 2014 by Oscar Valladares, that is important because Ortega Cigars released a “Wild Bunch Island Jim” cigar that is very different. This is a work of art and Oscar didn’t release the blend, so if you find a cigar that looks like this grab one. Chances are the only way you will know what you came across is if you have read something like this. Lets see what it has to offer with a Oscar Valladares 2014 Island Jim Review.

Prelight

So where to begin with this cigar, my first thought was I didn’t want to cut it at all. To back that up, it does draw without cutting it. Now that said, if you were to leave the cigar the way it comes it is very tight. So I’m going to cut it, and that opens up the draw a bit more although it seems to becoming stronger through one side. There is a good amount of tooth to the wrapper, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to be too creamy. Small to medium sized veins, a very even and firm pack. The foot is actually giving off sweet grass, hay, and floral jasmine. The pre-light draw shows white pepper and floral jasmine, so I am guessing that this cigar is going to have a good amount of complexity. Let’s get it lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

There is tobacco hanging off of the foot, so lighting this felt like lighting a Tiki torch. Pretty thin smoke production off the start, as well as thin smoke thickness. Dry hay on the front with a sour slightly bitter note coming in on the center. The finish has floral Jasmine and white pepper, which redeems the start of the profile a bit. I’m hoping that the cigar will balance out as I get further into it, but at this point the flavors are slightly off. If the profile can develop off the finish the cigar would be really good. Medium bodied and low to medium strength. The burn line is going pretty well, I was expecting it to be off more because of the foot. One very clear note that I can make already, this cigar is a slow burner. That little off-balanced bit at the start is deceiving. As I get into the first third, the front has developed and now it has a mint, almost Altoid-like flavor. Complexity is increasing significantly the body seems to be increasing as well.

2/3

OK, so mint is on the front, very clean almost like a store-bought breath mint. The center shows floral jasmine and hay, and then the finish holds that floral note and has a subtle light white pepper appear. Wonderful complexity, night-and-day from the very start of the cigar. The body is at a medium plus and the strength remains at a low to medium. Smoke thickness has improved a little, but smoke production remains pretty low. The draw resistance is above normal, and that may be contributing to the slowburn of the cigar.

3/3

The burn line stayed great throughout the cigar, I am well into the last third now. Smoke thickness reach a medium, smoke production still stayed pretty low. I contribute this to the tight pack the cigar has. The body reached a medium plus, and the strength stayed at a low to medium. The mint note on the front of the cigar is much stronger than it was in the second third, it carries into the center of the profile boldly, but a jasmine note remains underneath. The finish is now a mix of floral jasmine, white pepper, and leather.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Conclusion: 90

Apart from the first 5-10 minutes this was unique, delicious, and very complex. Pretty good transitions, wonderful flavors, the cigar smokes as good if not better then it looks. I would say that the resistance is a bit to strong and that the extra tobacco off the foot is excessive. However, considering the idea of “Island” Jim the extra length on the foot really felt like a Tiki torch, and the tighter draw wasn’t an issue and made for a wonderfully long burn time. So this cigar really is all about experience, I think it would be absolutely perfect in a hammock on a beach. Which is a bit stereotypical, but this cigar really fits that description.

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