Kuzi's Cigar Catalog

Joined Apr 2006
2K Posts | 1+
on the grass
A few cigars ago I decided that I was going to catalog (almost) every cigar that I smoked as I smoked it. After much internal debate, I have decided to share this catalog with the good folks at amback. I am already a few pages (cigars) in so I will post from the beginning of my catalog and will catch up quickly.

I know that I am a novice when it comes to cigars. All I can offer to you is my humble opinion on the experiences I have with a certain cigar on a certain day. Every post I make in this thread will be a different cigar, and a different page in my catalog. I will start every post with the day I smoked the cigar and how long its been in my humidor. I will then give the weather conditions, the cigar name, size, country the wrapper is from and country the filler(s) are from.

At this point I will tell you what I get out of the cigar from my pre-light ritual to the last few puffs.

I will then rate the cigar on 5 different criteria on a scale of 1 to 10. The criteria are: Burn, Draw, Appearance, Taste, and Construction.

I started to do this to help me understand cigars better. Maybe it will help you understand cigars better as well. This is from one novice to another. I hope we can understand the cigar world a bit better together.
 
9-19-06
Been in the Humi since 7-3-06
57* Sunny with a slight breeze
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature. 6 x 47
Natural Cameroon Wrapper. Dominican Filler.

The pre-light smell is very light. The lick on the cap pre-cut has a light cream taste. I cut with a punch. The test draw is firm but now hard. The unlit taste is creamy.

It is an interesting cigar to light with that little point of a foot that it has. The first puff is rich and sweet cream with no after taste whatsoever. After 5 minutes a rich earth and cream taste emerges. A little spice is starting to develop.

The first ash is at almost 2 inches. The taste has evened out to a mellow earth and light sweet. The after taste is a light black pepper. Very smooth in texture. There are no burn issues

At the half way point there is still the earthy taste but an almost caramel taste seems to be there as well. The after taste has built to a very rich earth and a mild black pepper.

The last two inches are burning hotter but the flavor is not lacking. The earth flavor is leaving and is moving to more spice. The draw is getting harder. Coffee hints are present.

I smoked it to the nub and burnt my fingers.

Overall this was a good smoke. This is what a good classic cigar should taste like. I can see why this would be a good breakfast smoke.

The burn time was about 1 hour and 40 min.

Burn: 8 (one corrective light issue)
Draw: 8
Appearance: 10
Taste: 9
Construction: 10


Overall: 9.0
 
9-22-06 Been in Humi since 8-10-06
60* Mostly cloudy and still.
Punch Magnum 5.2 x 54
Natural Ecuadorian wrapper
Dominican, Nicaraguan, Honduran filler.

Rich smell pre-light.
Pre-cut taste seems spicy.
Cut with a punch.
Light draw with a nutty taste.

The light of this cigar was problematic. My torch ran out of fuel ½ way through and I had to bring it to my mouth and finish with a bic.
The first few puffs are strong with a very bitter after taste. This may be due to the “incorrect” light. This cigar is putting out tons of smoke.
After 5 minutes the cigar has not settled from the light.
The first ash fell at just over 1 ¼ inches. The cigar at this point tastes of red and black pepper but mostly on the aftertaste. The initial taste is very bittersweet… but in a bad way. The wind is starting to pick up.

At the half way point it has built up to a spicy bittersweet fullness. Somehow I expected a better flavor out of the punch brand. It’s not all bad and no where near bad enough to give up on.

By about two inches left the bitter has lessened. A corrective light is needed.
The last few puffs are very spicy and bitter.
Burn time was just over an hour.

This was an ok smoke. I have more of these and I hope the rest are better. Maybe the way I lit the cigar affected it. I will let these sit for a while longer and then try again. I expected more out of this brand and shape.



Burn: 8
Draw: 9
Appearance: 8
Taste: 6
Construction: 8

Overall: 7.8
 
9-24-06 Been in humi since 8-30-06
62* Sunny and windy.
Petrus Etiquette Rouge Robusto 5 x 50
Connecticut seed Ecuadorian grown wrapper
Nicaraguan, Dominican, Honduran filler.

Pre-light has an earthy smell. It reminds me of hunting with my father, when we used to rest in the old tobacco barns… a good mix of tobacco and hay. It’s got an easy draw after I cut it with a punch.

The first few puffs are kind of grassy. The cigar seems a bit dry though I keep my humi at 65-70 at all times.
The first ash fell after about 1 inch. I must be smoking too fast, it left a cone shape. Very leathery taste with slightly bitter after taste.

I slowed down my puffing by the half way point. The initial taste is sweet and earthy with hints of grass. The after taste is bitter like bad coffee. I may have to update my “taste” category to make them two: Taste, and After Taste.

At about 2 inches left I took one puff and it was cool with the previously mentioned flavors. The very next puff was hot. It was a very quick change, almost instant. This temp change also came with a flavor change. Now it tastes like a nutty coffee. This late stage of the cigar was the first time it was interesting to smoke. If the rest of the cigar was like this it would be a good smoke. Since I had to wait to the last two inches for it to be any good id say it wasn’t worth the wait. Too little, too late.

Even the last few puffs had no spice to it.
The burn time was almost 1 hour.

This cigar would not shake the bitter. It the entire cigar was like the last two inches the bitter wouldn’t matter.

Burn: 10
Draw: 9
Appearance: 7
Taste: 7
After taste: 4
Construction: 6

Over all: 7.2
 
9-25-06 been in humi since 7-24-06
57* partly cloudy light sporadic breeze.
Cusano Corojo Vintage 1997 Toro 6 x 50
Cuban seed Ecuador grown corojo wrapper, Sumatra binder.
Dominican Filler.

The pre-light smell was good and light. It’s different in a way that I can’t put my finger on.
Cut with a punch. Nutty and sweet pre-light draw. Draw itself is perfect.

The first few puffs are smooth with a light flavor. By the third puff a nice spice develops. It may be the time of the year but the after taste is of autumn leaves, even though no leaves have fallen this year yet.
The first ash fell off after two inches. There is an ever so slight uneven burn. Nothing that requires a corrective light. Flavor is creamy but not too sweet. There are 3 stages to the flavor of each puff. First is a mild cream followed by a pleasant spice. The spice sets in the way the spice of a hot banana pepper would: easy on, easy off. It then goes to a taste that I can only describe as “autumn evening”
Half way through the cigar the taste is much the same. Not too complex through the stick but complex on each puff. It’s not as sweet as I thought it would be but I am in no way disappointed.
With two inches left there is even more spice. Its not over powering at all, but quite pleasant. It lasts the right amount of time. No bitter at all yet. The cigar is very toast-like. It would go well with a cup of ear grey and buttered toast.
The last few puffs are now spicier than before and a hint of sweet. This cigar waited until the last moment to warm up.

Burn time: 1hr 20min

I am going to get a few of these to smoke next September.

Burn: 9
Draw: 10
Appearance: 8
Taste: 9
After taste: 10
Construction: 9

Overall: 9.2
 
9-26-06 been in humi since 8-30-06
63* and not a cloud in the sky.
5 Vegas Gold Churchill 7 x 50
Connecticut seed wrapper
Honduran filler

Nutty pre-light smell but very light.
Draw is a bit tight but still doable. Lots of flavor with unlit draw.

The first few puffs bring a sweet cedar taste. The aroma it spews out is very light.
First ash falls at about 1 ½ inches. It’s a very light cigar with lots of cedar and very mild spice on the finish. The burn is even but it construction seems a bit worrisome.
At the halfway point is mellowed to mild cedar and sweet cream. Same light spice on the finish. Smoke is smooth and relaxing. Not complex but no bad flavor.

With two inches left I’m getting much of the same. The smoke starts to heat up shortly after this point.

The last few puffs bring a warm cream with spice flavor.

This cigar was good- not amazing, but good and consistent. Again it was not a complex cigar at all but the taste was pleasant and relaxing.

Burn time: 2 hrs.

Burn: 10
Draw: 8
Appearance: 8
Taste: 8
Aftertaste: 8
Construction: 8

Over all: 8.3
 
10-1-06 been in humi since 9-1-06
58* sunny with light breeze.
Camacho Havana Toro 6 x 50
Honduran grown Havana seed Corojo Filler
Wrapper is Honduran Grown Jamastran Habano Criollo

The pre-light smell is very bakers chocolate.
Rich and spicy unlit pre-cut taste. Cut with a punch.
Hot chocolate with cream unlit draw. Very easy draw.

The first few puffs taste of sweet coffee and spice. The spice seems to linger.

First ash fell at 1 ½ inches. Its “mellowed” to a medium-full flavor. The taste is caramel and chocolate. That quickly changes to spice then coffee. I’m not a fan of coffee but this is quite pleasant. So far the burn would qualify as “flawless.” Even my poor light corrected itself.

At the half way point the cigar is building again. The chocolate is now in the initial taste and the spice is still in the aftertaste. What girls are made from comes to mind. “…Sugar and spice and all things nice.” Full flavor, full body. I’m glad I’m sitting down. Very relaxing. I wish I had a Captain and coke. The burn is less even now but still no corrective light.

2 inches left. Very full. Caramel and chocolate with hints of coffee. One corrective light now. Spice is moving to initial taste now, but it fades quickly.

In The last few puffs the spice is very pronounced. Its mostly black pepper and coffee.

This was a good cigar. Full and complex. I always have and always will have a handful of these on hand.

burn time 1h 40 min


Burn: 9
Draw: 8
Appearance: 9
Taste: 10
Aftertaste: 9
Construction: 10

Over all: 9.2
 
Pueblo Dominicano Torpedo

10-2-06 been in humi since 8-30-06
61* overcast and calm.
Pueblo Dominicano Torpedo 6.2 x 52
Ecuadorian Sun grown Wrapper.
Filler is a 6 country blend.

Pre-light smell is of rich soil; almost farm-like
Precut flavor of very light spice and leather.
Cut with a double guillotine.
Chocolate on an unlit draw. Draw is a bit stiff.

The first few puffs are sweet and leathery. Earth as an aftertaste. There is a quick shot of spice right after the initial taste but before the after taste. Very short on the palate.
The first ash falls after 1.5 inches. Draw is becoming tighter. The flavor starts out sweet the fades to spicy and then rich earth. The spice comes and goes it isn’t consistent.
The burn is great. Very even.

At the halfway point I get more of the same, Im not amazed by this cigar but I am in no way upset with it either. Is it worth the price? For me, yes. (I won it in a PIF I think) Would I pay full price for another? Probably not. There is nothing wrong with it… just not for me.

The last two inches still have a perfect burn. I am approaching the spot where I squeezed too hard to try and loosen the draw. Burn may not be so perfect then. The flavor is more earthy then sweet now.

The last few puffs are more of the same. This cigar was cool till the end.

Burn time 1h 35min.

Burn: 10
Draw: 7
Appearance: 9
Taste: 8
Aftertaste: 9
Construction: 8

Overall: 8.5
 
Gurkha Class Regent Toro

10-3-06 been in humi since 8-10-06
65* sun and cloud mix.
Gurkha Class Regent Toro 6 x 50
Honduran Wrapper
Honduran Filler.
Box pressed.

Pre-light smell is earthy with a hint of (I’m not making this up) raisins. Light taste pre-cut.
Cut with a punch. Draw is firm and again tastes of raisins.

The first few puffs are sweet and almost fruity. There is a slight spice. No after taste as of yet.
The first ash fell at just over an inch. Very smooth but with a fair amount of spice. The sweet has faded. Earthy aftertaste with a hint of raisins. Even burn.
At the half way point the cigar is of medium body and is smooth and earthy. Spice is in the taste and it is cool on the after taste. I think the raisin taste is from the smell of the cigar. It smells much sweeter than it tastes. It’s a very interesting cigar. Id like the draw to be a bit lighter.
The last two inches: Slightly warmer smoke and that brings a bit of a bite but no extra spice or harshness. A flavor of rye is coming on. This is a great way to finish a very good cigar.
The last few puffs are warm and rich spice with no bitter. It is toasty and smooth. A wonderful smell accompanies. There is less than an inch left and I want more. I must resist the urge to go grab another one.
There has been a slow perfect burn all the way down.

Burn time 1h 50min

Burn: 10
Draw: 7
Appearance: 10
Taste: 9
After taste: 9
Construction: 10

Overall: 9.2
 
Gurkha Regent Nepalese Warrior

10-5-05 been in humi since 9-7-06
55* sunny
Gurkha Regent Nepalese Warrior Toro 6 x 50 box pressed.
Honduran Filler
Cameroon wrapper.
This is the same cigar as the Class Regent but with a Cameroon wrapper.

Pre-light smell is woody and sweet. The taste before the cut is leathery and peppery. Cut with a punch. Draw is good with hints of cinnamon.
First few puffs are earthy and light. The spice is a bit on the cinnamon side.

First ash fell after about 1 ½ inches. The flavor is medium. It is sweet and earthy initially and fades to cinnamon. The cinnamon reminds me of the old atomic fireballs I used to have as a kid, just more mild. This fades to leather. Not a very even burn but no corrective lights have been needed.

At the half way point it is still earthy. The spice comes and goes. Any sweet that I detect reminds me of a light raisin. The taste is very light but if the smoke is held it builds fast. The after taste is very leather. However this cigar is more flat than I would have expected. It’s burning fast.

Last two inches: cinnamon is building again. Leather after taste. A corrective light is now needed. There is a touch of bitter but it isn’t a big deal.
The last few puffs are warmer and more pepper than cinnamon.

Burn time 1h 15 min

This cigar is not as well rounded as the original regent. It is not as smooth and not as dynamic. It’s more bitter. It’s not that the original was sweet, just that this one had a touch of bitter. The Nepalese warrior has a more woody taste and aroma than the regent and that is very pleasant.


Burn: 8
Draw: 10
Appearance: 10
Taste: 8
Aftertaste: 8
Construction: 10

Overall: 9.0
 
Macanudo Vintage 1997 no.3

10-6-06 been in humi since 8-30-06
52* sunny and windy.
Macanudo Vintage 1997 no.3, 5.9 x 43
Connecticut Shade Wrapper
Dominican and Mexican Filler.

Pre-light smell is very light and smells of hey. Uncut taste is slightly bitter in a nutty sort of way. Cut with a punch. Nutty unlit draw.
First few puffs are light and mildly sweet with a bitter aftertaste that fades fast.
Fist ash at almost an inch. Taste is sweet and nutty with a shot of spice on the finish. All of this is very light and I find myself drawing on it more to try and get more flavor. The burn is even. The bitter aftertaste is so light that is it almost non existent.

Half way point: the cigar has settled to a very mild flavor; a bit nutty but almost too light to tell. The only real taste is a shot of spice. Nothing else jumps out and the draw is a bit hard.

Last two inches start to burn hot and brings along a cedar smell. Still little taste.
The last few puffs are a hotter version of the above. I’m unimpressed, but the burn was perfect.

Burn time 1h 10min


Burn: 10
Draw: 7
Appearance: 9
Taste: 7
Aftertaste: 7
Construction: 9

Overall: 8.2
 
Bolivar Churchill

10-10-06 been in humi since 9-18-06
70* and sunny
Bolivar Churchill 7 x 49
Honduran grown San Augustine Ligero Wrapper
Nicaraguan and Honduran Filler.

Pre-light smell is rich and chocolaty and uncut taste is creamy. I cut with a punch. The draw tastes of a good combination of the two afore mentioned tastes. It’s a bit tight.
The first few puffs are creamy and surprisingly light. No aftertaste this early.
First ash at 1.5 inches. Now a chocolate and cream taste with coffee undertones and aftertaste. The amount of smoke is small considering the taste. Full flavor medium body. The smoke seems to have a drying effect in my mouth. Very light spice every now and then. I needed a corrective light and the wrapper has a crack in it that I did not see before. I think I caused it myself.
Half way through the spice a built a tiny bit and burnt chocolate in the main taste. The coffee is still there. The aroma is creamy coffee.
With two inches left it is sweeter with more cream that is sort of warm. And a corrective light was needed not long before.
The last few puffs are more of the same.

Burn time 1h 50 min
Not a bad smoke. I’m not a big fan of coffee but this isn’t bad. None of the bitter I usually associate with coffee is in this cigar. The cream and the chocolate taste balances out the coffee well. I have heard of people talking about a “balanced” cigar. Now I know what they mean. This isn’t the taste I usually go for but still a good smoke.

Burn: 8
Draw: 8
Appearance: 8
Taste: 8
Aftertaste: 8
Construction: 9

Overall: 8.2

I feel that this rating does not reflect my opinion accurately. My impression is that it would have been a higher rating. I may need to rethink my rating system to include the intangible impression I get from the cigar. If I include that, my new rating would be either an 8.4 or 8.5.
 
El Cobre by Oliva

10-10-06 been in humi since 9-21-06
56* overcast and a bit of drizzle
El Cobre by Oliva Torpedo 6.5 x 52
Nicaraguan Wrapper
Habano seed Nicaraguan grown filler

Pre-light smell is earthy. Pre-cut taste is sweet and creamy. Cut with a double edge guillotine. Unlit Draw is firm and the taste is a spicy sweet.

The first few puffs are creamy and a hint of sweet with a slow building spice. It takes a quite some time for the spice to hit. Very black pepper and leather.

First ash was accidental. I brushed against the arm of my chair at about ¾ of an inch. Until that point it had been a razors edge perfect burn and a perfect ash. The taste is full and earthy and peppery. The aftertaste holds the spice and a hint of sweet comes on.

Half way point. I have never seen a cigar burn so evenly. On a scale of one to 10 this gets an 11. The ash is straight and even and strong. Very full flavor leather and earth with no bitter. Sweet and spice. The sweet is mild. There is a lot going on in this cigar. The draw is a bit tight and some more time in the humi may do it some good. I’m impressed with this cigars strength. I’m glad I ate. Very strong and very relaxing.

Two inches left. This cigar has kicked into high gear. The initial taste of leather is instant. There is no ½ second to wait before the flavor hits. The spice is constant but not overpowering. The finish is quick and earthy. Very nice. This cigar makes me want to take a nap and sitting down is good.
The last few puffs are of warm earth. They are spicy and full. I’ve got a good cigar buzz.

Burn time 1h 45 min


Burn: 11! (mine goes up to 11…)
Draw: 8
Appearance: 9
Taste: 9
Aftertaste: 8
Construction: 10

Overall: 9.1
 
How do I do it?

First of all: thanks guys. I appreciate all the feedback I’m getting and I’m glad that I’m helping a few of you out. I will try and take requests on what to try in the future but I can't promise anything. (My pocketbook may have the final word on that one.)

Now, on to the meat and potatoes of this post.

So, how do I come up with these numbers?
This is all just subjective isn’t it?

Yes. It is all just subjective. There is, however, a method to my madness. I am trying to be as open and objective as I can be.
Here is how I do it.

As I smoke I write down my thoughts about the cigar. I note when there is a problem. I pay a lot of attention to the taste. I try and taste whatever taste I can in there.
When I am done with the cigar I look back at what I wrote down and based on those comments I make my numbers.

8 is my base point. An 8 – 8.5 is average. Nothing amazing, but in no was crappy. You could be good with it but you are not running out to buy a ton more. 8.5 – 9.2 is a damn good cigar. Anything above that I think falls into great. Anything below an 8 should be tried again and anything below a 7 I won’t try again.

Burn: for every corrective light or burn problem I mention I lose a point of the final. That one is simple.

Draw: this one is hard to quantify. I know what I like and I know what most people like. Somewhere in the middle of those two is a 10. Most cigars are 8 or so.

Appearance: Is it a crooked little “Clint Eastwood” cigar that looks like hell, or is it smooth and shiny and have the perfect amount of veins? I often find myself asking me “if you were in the Mob, would you look cool holding this cigar?”
Is the color consistent?

Taste: this isn’t just how much I like or dislike the taste. If you remember the Bolivar Churchill and the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature I said they both have coffee hints to them. I gave the Bolivar an 8.4 and the Fuente a 9.0. Getting an 8.4 isn’t bad and a 9.0 is not too shabby either. I am not a fan of coffee. With the taste, I try and decide how defined the flavors are, if they are good or bad, and how strong they are. I try to think along the lines of “if I liked coffee would I think this cigar is better?” I’m not saying if I like the taste as much as is it there and what kind. There is an element of my preferences but I hope that it isn’t too much. I also realize that there is a difference between “good coffee” and “bad coffee.” This is true about many other flavors. If the taste is nutty but in a bad way the rating will be lower but if it’s nutty in a good way, that’s a plus

Aftertaste: I do much the same with the after taste. The one thing I do pay attention to the aftertaste differently than the initial taste is if it’s bitter. This could mean it is burning hot. I also pay attention to how long it lingers. Most cigars that have a good aftertaste would start to taste bad if the taste never went away.

Construction: Did the cigar unravel? Was the draw hard? Was it squishy in any spots? Did it run? Did the draw change too much as I smoked it? Did the Ash fall too soon? All of these could be signs of construction problems.

Overall: I average the numbers.

In my review of the Bolivar Churchill I toyed with the Idea of having another category on how the cigar made me feel. I decided to go against this. If I happen to not like a cigar in taste alone I will be more likely to not like the over all feel of it. (Just because I don’t like coffee doesn’t mean that the millions of other coffee lovers won’t enjoy the cigar) If I had a bad day and just could not enjoy it, I would give it a lower rating. This would bring the rating of the cigar down unwarrantedly. My goal is to give a taste profile and to give my experience on more or less “quantifiable” aspects. This is hard to do. I will do my best to keep this subjective matter as objective as I can.

…and on a sadder note…

The smoking season is coming to an end. The front porch may not be as hospitable in the winter as in the spring and summer. My reviews may trail off a little. Fewer. Farther between. I will do what I can over the long hard NE Ohio winter but it may be a difficult task if this smoking ban passes. Wish me luck.
 
Graycliff Professionale GPX

10-16-06 been in humi since 8-24-06
53* cloudy
Graycliff Professionale GPX 6 x 50
Brazilian, Dominican, Nicaraguan Filler.
Indonesian Sumatra wrapper.

Very light pre-light smell, maybe coffee chocolate. Taste uncut is creamy and VERY light. Pre-light draw is good and tastes of cream and maybe a hint of vanilla.

First few puffs: Sweet vanilla coffee maybe a hint of pepper.
First ash at just shy of one inch. Cigar has mellowed to a mushroom or earth and maybe some spice. More mild than expected. Very little aftertaste. What after taste is there is earthy. Decent, even burn. Not amazing, but no relight needed.
Halfway point: smoke is cool. It tastes “cool.” The best way to describe it would be “cool earth.” I find the coolness interesting because of the light spice that come with it. It’s like the cigar is juxtaposing itself. The aftertaste is still light. Burn is a bit more uneven. Still no relight. Aroma is very good- toasty and a bit of sweet.
Two inches left: Cool earth and spice is still there, just creamier. The after taste is richer. The shorter the cigar gets the more flavor it has. It is getting sweeter, also. This cigar has personality. It is distinct and just different enough to be “new” but familiar enough to feel comfortable with. Aroma is picking up a cedar note. The burn has corrected itself.
Last few puffs: Picking up a “toasty oats” taste spice is perfect and burn is still good. Very complex cigar. The end of this cigar is different from the beginning.

Burn time: 1h 25 min

Burn: 9
Draw: 9
Appearance: 8
Taste: 9
Aftertaste: 8
Construction: 9

Overall: 8.7
 
5 Vegas Series A Archetype

10-30-06 been in humi since 8-21-06
Sunny and 65*
5 Vegas Series A Archetype 6 x 50
Costa Rican maduro wrapper
Three country blended filler. Honduran, ?, ?

Pre-light smell is a rich maduro and cedar. The pre-cut taste is chocolaty and slightly coffee. It’s very strong. The wrapper is almost oily to the touch but not smooth. The construction has been better on this brand/type before. Unlit draw is earthy and cedar and good.

The first few puffs are rich and chocolaty and bursting with flavor. There is a light spice in the aftertaste. The aroma is very cedar.

First ash at about one inch. The cigar has mellowed a bit to an earthy and woody taste, mostly cedar. The aroma is thick with cedar. Very light spice and no burn issues. The taste is very distinct. It is unlike any other cigar I have ever had. Very balanced. I can taste sweet, salt, sour, and bitter in this smoke. They all work well together. The cedar taste/smell is exquisite.

Half way point: the taste is a spicy cedar and still well rounded. The aroma is wonderful and the burn is great. Earthy aftertaste. This cigar could double as incense.

Last two inches: Sweeter, smoother, stronger. Otherwise much of the same. The cigar does not change in flavor through the length of the cigar much but it doesn’t have to; it tastes good from the start. The complexity is in the only flavor it has. There is a lot going on in that smoke.

Last few puffs are warmer and the spice and bitter are becoming more apparent. I smoked this until I burnt my fingers.

Burn time 1h 20 min

Burn: 10
Draw: 10
Appearance: 9
Taste: 10
Aftertaste: 9
Construction: 8 … it was kind of lumpy. Seen better from 5 Vegas.

Overall: 9.3
 
Free Cuba Toro

10-31-06 been in humi since 6-18-06
53* rain …but indoors.
Free Cuba Toro 6 x 50
Connecticut Windsor Shade Wrapper
Cuban seed Dominican grown filler.

Pre-light smell is woody with not too much going on.
Pre cut taste is again woody with maybe a hint of spice or a bite to it. But very light. Draw is great with hints of earth.
Cut with a punch.
First few puffs are earthy and woody and a bit of spice.

First ash falls at just under an inch. It’s the same taste but maybe a bit nuttier. Good burn so far. Medium body. Not amazing taste but not bad. The taste would go well with a glass of coke …and some rum.

Half way point: spicy wood and earth still. A corrective light was needed. There is no harshness at all and the aftertaste is slightly nutty.

Two inches left: more of the same. Good taste but no change. The burn isn’t that even but I haven’t needed another relight.

Last few puffs: Warmer and more spicy. Cedar notes in the aroma.

Burn time 1h 20min

Burn: 7.5
Draw: 9
Appearance: 8.5
Taste: 8
Aftertaste: 8
Construction: 8

Overall: 8.2

Had I cataloged this over the summer it would have been a lower score. This cigar did not burn this well until it sat for 4-5 months. I have one more of these and will smoke it at the one year mark and see how it goes.


This cigar made me wonder if I should start to include value in my rating scale. I thought about this as I smoked because this is a buck a stick. An 8.2 out of a buck a stick isn’t that bad in my opinion. I have smoked other cigars that were more than this and did not taste as good and that did not burn as well. If this rating system was taking into account price/value then this would have scored much higher. I would have no problem handing this cigar out to friends… even if they DID know about cigars. (Some of you have these from me via PIF and F&G). I decided, though, that I should rate cigars on taste alone. At some point it is all about the taste and not about the price.
 
Cusano P1 robusto

11-6-06 been in humi since 5-25-06
Cusano P1 robusto 5 x 50
Filler: Dominican
Wrapper: Maduro Connecticut broad leaf.
The inside of the band was very yellowed and the cello has a slight tint to it.
Pre-light smell is a classic maduro smell and it is very strong. I have a suspicion that this is the cigar that is making my humi smell so damn good. Pre cut taste is actually sweet with a light bite to it. Cut with a punch. The draw is great and tastes of dark chocolate.

First few puffs: the taste is dominated by a sharp sweet and it full of flavor right off the bat. The aftertaste is of burnt chocolate and very toasty.

First ash fell at almost an inch. The flavor explosion at the beginning has settled into a very dark chocolate and toasty aftertaste. Not as sweet as I thought it would be. There is maybe a hint of spice but it is light and very short on the palate. I want to say there is more to this cigar but I can’t put my finger on it. Very smooth and no harshness at all.

Half way through the burn has been so good that I haven’t had to put a second thought to it. The flavor is much of the same but a bit more sweet. It is starting to build. A good drink to complement this cigar would be a coffee or a rich tea.

Last two inches and last few puffs: It is stronger now with more flavor. Coffee hints are now being brought out. There is no bitter or harshness at all. I’m finding this cigar mildly complex. The flavor changes but only subtly. The smoke has a wide range of flavor at this point but the dominating taste is dark chocolate and then toasty on the finish. The aroma is slightly woody. Very enjoyable.
Smoked to the nub and the smoke never got hot.

Burn time: 55min

Burn: 10
Draw: 10
Appearance: 8
Taste: 9
Aftertaste: 9
Construction: 8

Overall: 9.0