Chris's Cigar Reviews

Joined Aug 2005
2K Posts | 0+
Gahanna, OH
1/21/07.

Tonight's smoke of the day was the Partagas Serie D. No. 4. As many of you know this is one of the most popular Habanos available. Firstly, if you are a fan or not a fan of Opus, but just a fan of spicy smokes, then this is a cigar you would enjoy. The prelight aroma is very nice and gives you hints to the powerbomb you're about to smoke. Keep in mind I was smoking this in my garage. The burn was a little uneven, and it began to unravel slightly to the middle. This is more of a case of humidity change than construction. Most Partagas seem to be consistent in construction as conditions at that factory have improved.
This is a cigar that is spicy. It is not overpowering but certainly balanced. Opus lovers will definitely appreciate the better refinement in this cigar. The cigar remains consistent throughout.
Taking into account construction, impressions, flavor, and overall smokie, I would give this cigar an 89; however, in better weather, this rating may improve.
 
1/22/07
Ramon Allones Specially Selected (RASS)

Also quite a popular smoke. First impressions: well constructed, close to a box pressed stick. The prelight aroma is light and pleasant with very mild coffee bean notes. The stick lights very easily with a butane torch and requires no touch-ups at all.
Perhaps this cigar is medium-bodied, but I found it to be very smooth. Imagine a cigar similar to the Padron thousand line in a natural wrapper with some earth flavors and a hint of caramel especially toward the end. I enjoyed this smoke very much. It had no burn problems whatsoever and was consistently creamy throughout. I look forward to letting these rest over the next few months to see if there are any changes. All factors considered I would rate this cigar a 90.
This cigar could easily become an everyday smoke for me or a go-to cigar when you just don't know what to smoke that day. This cigar certainly is a nice constrast to the spiciness of the PSD4.
 
Bolivar Royal Corona Review

As many of you may know, there has been a lot of talk about the increased quality of Bolivar cigars over the past few years. This robusto is certainly no exception. After cutting with my Xikar, I was treated to a wonderful prelight aroma smacking of cocoa bean and coffee. Once lit these flavors became even more apparent. This cigar is subtle, but the flavors remain consistent throughout. The wrapper is smooth and contains few veins. My only problem is that it is too short! Factoring in appearance, construction, flavor, and overall impressions, I would rate this cigar a 93. It should only improve with age. If you have the opportunity to smoke one you will be pleasantly suprised at this quality and medium body of this great cigar.
 
Cohiba Sublime LE 04 Review

A beautiful cigar that has a dark, brown wrapper. I cut the tip smoothly with a Xikar. It has a wonderful prelight aroma. The cigar is consistent throughout with cocoa bean, coffee, and rich tobacco flavors. This is truly a special cigar with a lot of quality and care in its construction. Taking into account appearance, construction, taste, and overall impression: 94. Be careful not to burn your fingers, this is one that you will definitely smoke to the nub. This cigar will get even better with another year or two of age on it.
I can't say enough good things about this cigar. This would make for a fine celebratory smoke for any occasion.
 
Man....I thought I was right there smoking those with you!

Excellent descriptions and reviews, brother!
 
Thanks for your kind words brother. As long as it is okay with everybody I'd like to keep posting my reviews to let you guys know what I'm smoking and how these sticks are.
 
im glad you started posting your reviews also. I enjoy them greatly.

Its nice to get a series of reviews thats intended for the seasoned smoker. My catalog is more or less for newer smokers (like myself) and this is great for people that are willing to put more time/effort/money into the hobby. Kudos to you and keep em comming!!!
 
kuzi16 said:
im glad you started posting your reviews also. I enjoy them greatly.

Its nice to get a series of reviews thats intended for the seasoned smoker. My catalog is more or less for newer smokers (like myself) and this is great for people that are willing to put more time/effort/money into the hobby. Kudos to you and keep em comming!!!

Kuzi, thanks for your kind words. I was certainly inspired by your reviews which I find terrific to read. Keep them coming as I look forward to each new one.
 
Tatuaje Noella 1/26/07

Don Pepin Garcia is known for creating a wide range of beautiful, rich-tasting cigars. The original Tatuaje line, in my opinion, is probably some of his best. This Nicaraguan puro is constructed in his small factory in Miami by a hand-full of experienced, Spanish-speaking rollers. This particular cigar measures 5 1/2x48 and was rated in the top 25 of CA, and they got this one right.
This cigar is deceptively thin because it is packed with a large amount of flavor. I'm getting ahead of myself though. First off, it is well-constructed in the Cuban tradition with a nice cap that snips easily with my Xikar. If you like Nicaraguan tobacco, then you'll really like this cigar. From the first puff you get some rich, earthy flavors that really hit your palate with a lot of complexity. Further into the cigar I was treated to leather and rich, coffee flavors along with some woody and red wine notes. The ash forms long and falls flush to the foot.
If you've been on the fence about trying Tatuaje because of the cost, then pick this stick up first. I highly recommend eating something beforehand. Factoring in appearance, construction, flavor, and overall impressions, I would rate this cigar a 91. It should get better with age, although it's going to be hard not to smoke them.
 
H. Upmann Petite Corona 2006

2/12/07

This was my first cigar out of a fresh box. The cigar has a wonderful, light brown color to it with few veins. The prelight aroma is wonderful with lots of coffee and tea present. The cigar lights nicely and burns evenly throughout requiring a few minor touch-ups. The stick begins with wood and caramel flavors. About halfway through is a hint of nuts which gives way to licorice flavors. A very pleasant smoke that would go well after a nice dessert or with a good cup of coffee or hot tea.
Minimum score of 35
Construction: 17
Flavor: 17
Character: 17
Value: 3
Overall Rating: 89
4 out of 6 smoke rings
 
Montecristo Petit Edmundo

2/15/07

It's been a few days, but I'll try to recount this cigar. First off, a fat cigar with lots of tobacco inside; a beautiful cap. i was suprised that it cut very well with my Xikar. The prelight aroma was kind of a damp earthiness (sorry, don't know how else to describe it). The wrapper was a very pale brown.
The cigar lit up nicely and required no touch-ups. The burn was even throughout. There was a lot of strength in the cigar but not a lot of depth. Most of the flavors I got were of earth and wood. I think this cigar has some aging potential, but it is certainly not ready for the weekly rotation.
Minimum score of 35.
Construction: 18
Flavor: 15
Character: 16
Value: 3
Overall Rating: 87 (will revisit next year with some rest on it)
3 out of 6 smoke rings
 
San Cristobal de la Habana 2001

A gorgeous cigar with a rich, tan wrapper. Very nice prelight aroma with aromatic tobacco flavors. This cigar lights up nicely and required one or two minor touch-ups. Lots of flavor for a six-year-old cigar: wood, leather, and nuts with a floral hint. I really enjoyed this cigar.

Mimimum score of 35
Construction: 18
Flavor: 18
Character 18
Value: 4
Overall Rating; 93
5 out of 6 smoke rings.
 
Montecristo #5

I will admit I am biased toward Montecristos as they were the first CC I really smoked. The No. 5 is certainly no exception. This stick came from an 06 box, and is very intense. It starts out with coffee bean and vanilla flavors and switches over to some black cherry about halfway through. I managed to keep the ash on it for about 2/3's. This will get much better with a few years.

Minnimum Score: 35
Construction: 18
Flavor: 17
Character: 16
Value: 4
Overall Rating: 90
4 out of 6 smoke rings (needs age to get a 5)
 
Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto

I had this cigar gifted to me a couple months back. I saw it lying there in the humidor all helpless and decided it needed a friendly torch. This cigar has a thick ring guage with the cap coming off nicely with my Xikar. The wrapper was a bit toothy. The prelight aroma has wonderful scents of coffee, tea and cedar. After lighting this up, I found the first third to be a powerhouse of coffee bean and tea flavors. After the first third, it mellowed a bit and I could detect hints of nut and cedar. The cigar finished suprisingly smooth. This is a great smoke and would have continued to mellow nicely.

Minimum Score: 35
Construction: 17
Flavor: 18
Character: 17
Value: 3
Overall Score: 90 (4 out of 6 smoke rings)
 
Cigar review: 1998 Punch Churchill Box Code: OSSU-TTH-01

ATMOSPHERE: Outside on a sunny day, with a light wind.

PRE-SMOKE:
Scent: Very light tea noticeable with a slight floral scent.

Appearance: Wrapper is a medium brown.

Feel: Slightly bumpy with a few veins.

Pre-light draw: Light tea and caramel.

SMOKE:
Taste & Flavor:
First 1/3: Mild, nutty flavors with a hint of amaretto.
Second 1/3: Not much change. Sweetness becoming more apparent.
Last 1/3: Hints of caramel. Sweetness building. Not much depth.

Strength: Mild- to medium-bodied.

Feeling: Slight give with pinch.

Scent of smoke: Mild amaretto.

Heat: None, burns very cool.

Draw & Burn: Easy draw and even burn.

Finish: Short and dry.

OTHER:
Ash: Salt and pepper. Very strong and holds well.

Duration: 1 hour.

CONCLUSION: This makes for a good morning cigar. Not much complexity but pleasant. 3/6 smoke rings.
 
Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos

A beautiful dark wrapper covers this oily, reyes-sized cigar. The prelight aroma is earthy. The first few puffs are a bit harsh with flavors of cedar and peat moss overpowering the Cuban twang. The cigar then transitions considerably into flavors of dark cherry and creamy coffee bean.
About a third of the way, the cigar changes course yet again and smacks of a buttery smoothness. The burn had been even although it required one touch-up. There is a lot of smoke in this little cigar.
Although this cigar shows a lot of potential, it doesn’t seem ready for any sort of regular rotation. It is way too young right now for smoking, but it certainly was worth burning one to see how they fare.

3/6 smoke rings.