Caldwell All Out Kings –  Coming this Fall!

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium will be getting the Caldwell All Out Kings this fall.  Robert Caldwell, owner of Caldwell Cigar Company, wanted to make his first Nicaraguan cigar very special and he went to the best, the creators of the Nicaraguan Liga Privada.  He wanted it to be an oily, complex, and full bodied cigar with a stalk-cut, sungrown Connecticut Habano wrapper like the famous Liga Privada T52.  So with Jonathan Drew, and master blender Willie Herrera they blended the All Out Kings using Liga Privada tobaccos and made at La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Esteli, Nicaragua.

From Drew Estate: “All out Kings debuts with tobaccos from La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Esteli, Nicaragua including Connecticut Stalk Cut and Sun Cured Habano Wrapper, with Indonesia Sumatra Binder, and filler comprised of Jalapa Viso, Esteli Viso, Dominican C-98 Seco, and Connecticut Broadleaf Ligero. When asked about the blend, Willy Herrera, from Miami, Florida noted “Working with Caldwell was challenging because he is very specific on what he likes and does not like with a maduro blend. Creating a cigar that he could enjoy while still staying true and giving it my signature spice was a delicate balance that I looked for in our numerous blending sessions at Joya and Drew.”

The wrapper of the Caldwell All Out Kings is Connecticut Habano, binder is Indonesian Sumatra and the filler blend is a mélange of four leaves: Connecticut Broadleaf Ligero, Dominican Corojo 98 Seco, Nicaragua Estelí Viso, Nicaragua Jalapa viso. While these are made at Drew Estate, Caldwell will be distributing the All Out Kings.

Order the Caldwell All Out Kings at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium here.

Caldwell All Out Kings vitola line-up. Click picture to browse are Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

 

Warped Maestro Del Tiempo Blend 5205 Review

Maestro Del Tiempo 5205
Made by: Warped
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 3/8 by 42

This is a great up and coming brand, Warped puts out some amazing cigars. This cigar is going to be the newest addition to the reputation the company has been creating. I have to say two things about my experiences with this company so far. The construction is always flawless, and when this company does anything limited it fly’s off of boutique seller shelves. So that really means if you find one grab it. Let’s get this started with a Warped Maestro Del Tiempo Blend 5205 Review.

Prelight

Wonderful looking triple cap with small to medium sized veins, barely visible seams. There is some nice tooth to the wrapper so I do expect some nice cream in the profile. The foot is actually pretty spot on with the cigars visuals, it is putting off an almost fluffy note. There is certainly cream in the profile, with a softer note alongside wood in the background. That could mean one of two things; the cigar hasn’t aged properly yet or there is going to be some serious complexity to this blend. The cut was perfect with no loose tobacco, nice firm pack and there is a bit of sponginess near the cap. Slightly sour fruit on the prelight draw, with some very clean cedar. There also seems to be a bit of white pepper in the background. Lets see how it performs.

1/3

Easy to get lit up, the flavors are great off of the start. Some nice coffee with an undertone of cream. There is a sharp hazelnut in the background, this has the makings of a great morning cigar. Medium smoke thickness and tons of smoke production, the amount of tooth on the wrapper is deceiving because there is a great mouth feel and presence of cream in this cigar. There is a bit of a sour note in there, but I would classify it as an aspect of age at this point rather then a blend characteristic. Great cream, really that is the best part of this blend so far. The body is coming in at a medium and the strength is at a low to medium. Not a perfect burn line but pretty close to it.

2/3

Lots of wood coming up as I get into the second third, that sour note is actually adding to the profile which is odd. Instead of the age of the cigar affecting the blend negatively I believe it is actually a positive here. The cigar tastes very fresh and clean, great balance and great flavors. There is still lots of coffee and cream to the profile in addition to the wood. The burn line is razor sharp now, beautiful white ash, this is a great cigar at the moment. Consistent smoke production and smoke thickness. The body is holding at a medium and the strength is still at a low to medium.

3/3

The slightly sour woodsy note is lingering on the front and there has been an appearance of the pepper that was detected on the foot. This pepper finish is new for the profile and has come up as I have gotten into the last third. The coffee is still there but it is in the background. White and red pepper is what the finish is made of at the moment and it is pretty balanced. That hazelnut note came back up a bit on the center, it had dropped slightly in the second third. The transitions have been smooth, this is just a really nicely blended cigar.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Conclusion: 92

Great cigar, great balance, wonderful flavors. That sour note was actually a wonderful addition to the profile in my opinion. The balance was dead on and the body stayed at a medium the strength did raise slightly but it never matched body. Absolutely a must try, this was a prerelease so it isn’t available on the site yet but keep your eye open and ready for it. This is a real winner.

Davidoff Yamasa Piramides Review

Yamasa Piramides
Made by: Davidoff
Country: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 1.8 by 52

We have a new release from Davidoff this year, this is the Yamasa. The one will be observing today is in the piramides vitola. As always, if the cut goes well with a Davidoff you’re in for a flawless experience. The name demands quality, and I expect nothing less from this offering. Let’s get this started with a Davidoff Yamasa Piramides Review.

Prelight

The cigar smells like a mixed greens salad on the foot, lots of white pepper and then a hint of lemon and cilantro mix. Very interesting note on the foot, I wouldn’t quite classify it as floral but it’s definitely herbal. A better way to describe it might be a balsamic vinegar, somewhere between that and the lemon and cilantro. Wonderfully done cap, I would not expect anything different from Davidoff. Barely visible seems, medium size veins, and a good amount of tooth to the wrapper I’m not sure if this is going to cause creamy smoke but it might. Easy cut, the draw has just the right amount of resistance. The pre-light flavors are consistent with white/red pepper and a herbal/floral note that will be better describe once the review is underway. There is also a bit syrupy raisin but that may just be a surface note. The only way to know for sure is to get this started.

1/3

Extremely easy to light, the cilantro and lemon are more what I would describe the front. That balsamic vinegar is close but the flavor doesn’t quite match. Good smoke production and medium to high smoke thickness. Not quite to high smoke thickness. There is a clean cedar/balsa wood underneath the herbal/citrus front. That clean woodsy note carried into the center of the profile. The finish is a balanced mix of leather and then red and white pepper. So absolutely wonderful complexity. I can’t speak for transitions yet but this cigar is great and unique so far.

2/3

Not the best burn line but the flavors are unbelievable. Not overwhelmingly in your face, but quite one of a kind. Medium plus body. Almost to medium-full body. And the strength is at a medium as well. Outstanding blend in my opinion. This is a winner, the Escurio was good but this is even outperforming that blend. The flavors are deteriorating as I reach the end of the second third. The complex herbal note that was at the front, is now a green slightly bitter grass/hay note. Underneath the woodsy note remains, the center is now consistent of that mixed wood along with a slight amount of cream from the wrapper. The smoke thickness has increased. The finish has come up, the white pepper is behind the red pepper now. There is a bit of tongue burn on the finish. The strength is up to a medium to full, and the body is up to medium-full as well. It’s not ideal for the body to be matching the strength, but given the complexity of the flavors it is acceptable.

3/3

The burn line evened out, and the smoke production and thickness has remained pretty consistent. With the exception of the center of the cigar where smoke production and thickness both rose for short amount of time. The body and the strength maintained at a medium to full level till the end of the cigar. The herbal note that was present at the first third of the cigar dropped significantly. Mixed wood and cream now can control the front and most of the center of the profile. The mixed pepper (white/red) came up at the end of the cigar and controlled the finish. Not excessive by any means but quite balanced, there may have been a bit of black pepper thrown into the mix. The leather accompanied the pepper till the nub as well. Overall good transitions and a good profile.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Conclusion: 90

Balanced, very good body and good strength. Wonderful complexity and transitions for a cigar of its level. I think this was a good blend, there are better profiles out there but this did a good job of incorporating an array of notes and characteristics. So, worth trying and possibly worth a fiver. A box buy my be pushing it, but it was a good blend. Personally, when a cigar comes around and its strength matches body it leaves me wanting more. This was satisfying which was a bit different, so I can certainly say I will be revisiting it. Very good for a switch-up if you enjoy the Davidoff Nicaragua. I could see the two complementing each other.
Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com

La Flor Dominicana Salomon Unico

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium will be getting the La Flor Dominicana Salomon Unico next week.   La Flor Dominicana has outshined itself in terms of artistry and craftsmanship with the new LFD Salomon Unico, the latest release of its signature Salomon . The La Flor Dominicana Salomones have always been in a class all their own as one of the most expertly made cigars in the world. Exclusively using tobaccos grown at its own La Flor de Palma Farm in La Canela, Dominican Republic, each 7” x 64 La Flor Dominicana Salomon Unico is rolled by a single roller in the LFD Factory. The La Flor Dominicana Salomon Unico is packaged in 10-ct. boxes with 10 unique wrapper designs in each box. There are a total of 75 individual wrapper designs in total. From those designs, ten cigars are selected for each box so that each box contains a unique set of ten designs. The packaging now features company owner Litto Gomez’s silhouette on it. The total amount of cigars rolled will be based strictly on what is ordered from the 2016 IPCPR Convention.

Over 75 unique designs. Each box of the La Flor Dominicana Salomon Unico is individually packaged with 10 different wrappers. Click picture to browse at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

LFD Salomon Unico features compoany founder Litto Gomez’s silhouette.

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story Review

Hemingway Short Story
Made by: Arturo Fuente
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 4 by 48

Fuente cigars have a rich and vibrant history, they also have quite a reputation. This brand is extremely popular, both with people new to cigars and seasoned veterans. The short story is usually a go to cigar recommendation for both groups. There is something about this little figurado that balances satisfaction and flavor. Let’s see what this iconic cigar has to offer with a Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story Review.

Prelight

Small to medium sized veins, and barely visible seams. The cap is decent, the cigar overall is light. A good amount of tooth to the wrapper, hinting at a good mouth feel. Traditional Arturo Fuente band with nothing unique in that regard. White pepper with some herbal spice on the foot alongside some woodsy notes. Good cut with just a bit of loose tobacco, and a smooth easy draw. More herbal notes on the pre-light draw alongside mixed red and white pepper.

1/3

Easy to light, good smoke production and thickness both sitting at medium. The body is mild to medium and there is almost no strength. Dry leather on the front with a subtle jasmine on the center and white pepper coming in on the finish. That leather carries under the other notes throughout the profile. Very balanced, I want to say there is a woodsy aspect to that background note but it is not cedar or oak. Wonderful burn line, the cigar is delicious I am already wishing it was longer.

2/3

There has been a light red pepper coming up alongside the white pepper on the finish. The front has picked up more floral jasmine with that dry leather and woodsy undertone. The body has held constant at a mild to medium, and still almost no strength. The size of this cigar kills me because I feel like the story is just getting started and I am entering the last third. “Short Story” is a very fair name for this offering by Arturo Fuente.

3/3

The floral note has dropped in a strong transition move and the front is now a bolder mix of dry leather and wood, there are hints of the floral note on the center. The finish has dropped a lot of the pepper that it had. The white pepper is almost all gone and the dry leather and wood have replaced it. There is still a faint amount of red pepper that lets your tongue know it is there.

Smoke Time: 45 minutes

Conclusion: 90

This cigar could fit any occasion and deserves the recommendations it does get. My only wish is that it was longer. However, size is one of the attractive aspects of this cigar. A quick smoke like this rarely has this level of complexity. Great construction, great flavors, and yes this cigar does beat out some prestigious cigars and it deserves that identity.

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

La Palina Black Label Robusto Review

Black Label
Made by: La Palina
Country: Brazil, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Vitola: 5 by 52 (Robusto)

A week of first’s, this is a label I have yet to visit for the blog as well. The most popular blends that the company puts out are the Mr. Sam and the Goldie, but let’s see what this blend has to offer with a La Palina Black Label Robusto Review.

Prelight

Mainly a spongy pack, but there are couple of hard spot. The cap is well-made, small veins and visible seams. Very light tooth to the wrapper, and the foot is giving off heavy wood with some black pepper. Easy cut, definitely some loose tobacco. Extremely easy draw, and the prelight flavors are similar to what the foot was putting off. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Tons and tons of smoke production right of the bat, the extremely easy draw is making this an interesting experience from the start. Cocoa and deep oak on the front with black pepper controlling the center and finish alongside the heavy oak. Flaky but compact ash, the burn line is slightly off but no touchups needed yet. Medium smoke thickness, medium to full body and medium strength. It seems to be burning quicker than usual for a cigar of this size. That is most likely attributed to the light pack resulting in the easy draw.

2/3

Cocoa is up on the front there is now a mix of oak and cedar underneath. The center is more pronounced now showing leather and deep oak. That black pepper and deep oak finish is still holding. The deep oak is a constant characteristic of this cigar and carries through the whole profile. Approaching full body but it’s not quite there, and the strength has stayed at a medium. The smoke production is still a lot and the smoke thickness is holding at a medium. Some decent flavor shifts but the overall flavor is being pretty consistent in this profile. The ash is still pretty flaking and it isn’t the best burn line, but the flavors are very present. The finish is a bit over pronounced but there are always areas for cigars to improve.

3/3

If you like black pepper then this last third would be perfect. The cocoa has fallen as the front as the black pepper is bleeding into the entire profile. There is a subtle mix of leather and oak under the pepper on the center and the finish now has characteristic of red pepper showing as well. The cigar did reach a full body and the strength got to a medium plus at the end of the cigar.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Conclusion: 83

In my opinion the first two thirds of this cigar were pretty good. The black pepper was overwhelming in the last third. Definitely a cigar with more body and strength then usual which is something that a lot of people look for. Interesting and bold transitions and a fair amount of complexity within the flavors that the cigar did present.

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

Perdomo Champagne 10th Anniversary Epicure Review

Champagne 10th Anniversary
Made by: Perdomo
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 by 54

This is the first Perdomo cigar that I have reviewed, and I think it’s one of the best blends put out by the company. This is a vitola that I have yet to visit, but my hopes are up. Let’s see if it can hold up to my memory with a Perdomo Champagne 10th Anniversary Epicure Review.

Prelight

Almost no tooth to the wrapper, very small veins. The cap is pretty well done but leaves some room for improvement. Slightly spongy and consistent pack, the foot is giving off cedar, hay, and black pepper underneath. Pretty good cut with just a little bit of loose tobacco, the pre-light draw has a little bit more resistance than usual. The flavors show more mixed pepper then the foot let on. Let’s get this lit up and see how it performs.

1/3

Easy to light, mild to medium body. Lots of smoke production surprisingly, smoke thickness is about a medium. Dry cedar on the front, with hay on the center and some subtle cocoa undertones. The finish is a balanced mix of red and white pepper. Good mouth feel, this cigar is starting off well, the body is rising slowly and the strength is staying at a low. Not a perfect burn line but it is going pretty well. Toward the end of the first third the body still hasn’t quite hit medium. There has been the addition of cream to the hay in the center of the profile.

2/3

Cedar and mixed nuts on the front now, cashew and almond. No further changes to the center, still a mix of hay and cream. The finish is even more balance then the first third still holding calm red and white pepper. The cigar is just hitting medium bodied, the strength has stayed at a low. The burn is still going well, no touchups needed.

3/3

As the last third burns the cedar is back up on the front as the mixed nuts are falling. Hay has come back up on the center as the cream is falling. The finish has lost a bit of balance as red pepper is coming up. The body has stayed at a medium and the strength has come up just a bit to a low to medium. The burn line is still going well no touchups needed throughout the cigar. This showed the tendency of returning toward the first thirds profile in the last third.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes

Conclusion: 86

The second third was this cigars sweet spot. A pretty good burn, not super unique flavors but they are presented smoothly and fairly balanced. This is a great casual cigar, not heavy in terms of body or strength. This would make a great breakfast cigar just due to the fact that it is on the lighter side. Perdomo did a good job with this blend.

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

Crowned Heads Le Careme – Coming Soon!

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium will be ordering the Crowned Heads Le Careme at this month’s IPCOPR Convention in Las Vegas. The Crowned Heads Le Careme is named after Marie Antoine Carême, a pioneer in French cuisine during the 19th century whose long list of accomplishments includes popularizing the soufflé.  Le Carême is made at Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr.’s Tabacalera La Alianza S.A., the same factory that produces the Four Kicks, Headley Grange and J.D. Howard Reserve lines and The Angel’s Anvil TAA Exclusive for Crowned Heads.  Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. described the blend, saying, “it tastes like a chocolate soufflé.”  The Crowned Heads Le Careme uses a Connecticut broadleaf Grade A Dark wrapper, Ecuadorian Sumatra binder and Nicaraguan filler.  The Le Careme will be offered in four sizes: Cosacos (5 3/8 x 42), Hermoso No. 1 (6 1/2 x 48), Robusto (5 x 50) and Canonazo (5 7/8 x 52). All sizes are trunk-pressed, a soft box-press. The cigars are packaged in 24 ct. boxes.

Click to Browse the Le Careme at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

The Le Careme will be offered in four sizes: Cosacos (5 3/8 x 42), Hermoso No. 1 (6 1/2 x 48), Robusto (5 x 50) and Canonazo (5 7/8 x 52).

Viaje Juntos 2016 – Coming in thee weeks!

Anthony’s Cigar Emporium will be getting the new Viaje Juntos in  approximately three weeks.  Viaje is partnering with Quesada Cigars for the inaugural version of the Viaje Juntos 2016.   The Juntos is the third installment of the Viaje Collaboration series following releases from TABSA and PDR factoris, although Viaje had to change the name to Juntos (“together” is Spanish) from Collaboration due to a trademark issue.

The Viaje Juntos 2016 come in a cylindrical metal jar that contains two staking and interlocking tubes.  One tube has 10 6” x 54 Toros, and the other has 10 6” x 54 Torpedo.  Each cigar has a Dominican negrito wrapper, a Dominican criollo binder, and a filler blend described by Viaje as having criollo ’98 and ligero tobacco from Nicaragua.

Production of the Viaje Juntos is limited to 1,000 metal jars of 20 cigars (10 Toros and 10 Torpedos).  The Viaje Juntos is made at the Quesada Cigars factory in the Dominican Republic.

Browse the Viaje Juntos at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium here.

Click Picture to browse Viaje Juntos at Anthony’s Cigar Emporium.

The Viaje Juntos 2016 come in a cylindrical metal jar that contains two staking and interlocking tubes. One tube has 10 6” x 54 Toros, and the other has 10 6” x 54 Torpedo.

My Father Le Bijou 1922 Limited Edition 2016 Review

Le Bijou 1922 Limited Edition 2016
Made by: My Father
Country: Nicaragua
Vitola: 6 1/2 by 52

This is the Limited Edition Le Bijou 2016 offering from My Father. The normal vitola’s offered of the 1922 are world class. So it is expected that this cigar will at least meet that standard. Pelo de Oro is the magic contributor that is in the mix of this cigar, that leaf will no doubt make this an enjoyable experience. Lets see what it has to offer with a My Father Le Bijou 1922 Limited Edition 2016 Review.

Prelight

The wrapper of this cigar is gorgeous, tons of tooth and a couple medium sized veins. The pack is slightly spongy, the bands are ornate and well stated. The cap looks like there was a good amount of time put into it, the wrapper leaf being as thick as it is created a bit of a lift to the cap. This lift could cause issues, but given the price point and standard to which I believe this cigar was made it should not be an issue. Sweet syrupy honey and cocoa coming by off the foot, I can guarantee cream and leather in this profile as well. The cut went well, no cap issues. There was a bit of loose tobacco on the cut, the prelight draw has a good bit of resistance. The flavors are consistent with the foot with the addition of some red pepper which has been a theme in the cigars reviewed this week it seems.

1/3

Thick creamy smoke with a slick oily mouth feel, medium smoke production. Sweet honey and leather on the front which is interesting. The center is a heavy cream that washes the front’s notes out. And the finish is a dark chocolate with light red pepper and bitter macadamia nut underneath. Clear and distinct segments to the flavor profile, pretty high complexity right off the start. Medium to full body and medium strength, those characteristics are pretty consistent with the normal 1922 line but the complexity is on another level in this version. Smoke production is increasing as I get to the end of the first third.

2/3

Pretty good burn line which is a bit surprising for this thick of a wrapper. Huge transitions up to this point. The current profile is coffee and light leather on the front, the center is heavy cream and the sweet note that was present in the first third has moved to the center alongside the cream. The finish is very soft, a balanced and smooth mix of red pepper, macadamia nut, and leather. The body and strength are matching at a medium to full now. As I am reaching the end of the second third the smoke production is back down to a medium and thickness is still up allowing for that creamy center.

3/3

The burn line is holding pretty constant not perfect but good considering the thick wrapper. Smoke production is still at a medium and the thickness has actually fallen a bit. The front is almost getting to an expresso like flavor followed by lighter cream on the center and the finish is now a mix of leather and red/black pepper. A bit of an odd note I am picking up is a hint of celery hidden in the finish. I can’t explain that but it is definitely there. Great complexity and good transitions in this cigar.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 93

Really good, it’s body and strength was nice and consistent raising just a bit throughout the experience. The complexity was there and the transitions were on point. Good smoke time, good aesthetics, the flavors were unique. It left some room for improvement, but it hit right at its price point and it was what you would expect from a cigar of this caliber. So worth buying? It was absolutely worth having at least one. I could see keeping a fiver on hand, if you like the body and strength balance it could even justify a box purchase. As always I suggest trying the cigar, but this one is a step above your run of the mill LE so if it’s available I highly recommend it.

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