Sorry I did not update after the first day. The show this year was only three days and it was a lot of work.
All in all I thought the releases this year were decent, there were a few cigars that really impressed me but it seems that more and more cigar makers were launching sticks in the 10 - 20 $$$ price range which may be a bit too optomistic. But we will see how they turn out. I am still smoking through all of my samples, but here is a quick review of what I have had thus far:
Partagas 160: Upon further research this is actually the exact same blend and lot of tobaccos used 10 years ago to make the 150. The only difference is that they were just rolled. Even the wrapper is the 1977 Cameroon. I smoked one and thought it was pretty light in flavor (probably due to the age of the tobacco) but a decent smoke. Looks like these will retail in the 15 - 30$$$$ a stick price range. 88/100
CAO Vision: Not nearly as full bodied as I had expected. The wrapper is rich and the cigar is tasty. Medium Bodied with a dry and spicy aroma. This is a great cigar but pricy. 12 - 16$$$ a stick. 90/100
Oliva Series S: Nice fuller bodied Nicaraguan. It reminded me of the bold that is no longer being made. Dry and wet on the palate with a long finish. Full Bodied. 87/100
Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Perfecto: These were the same size as the short story and absolutely amazing. I think it will be an even better combo for you morning short story and coffee drinkers. 92/100
Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Connecticut: Had a lot of Rockyesk traits in the filler and the wrapper was smoothed. It reminds me of a vintage fused with an edge lite. 86/100
Victor Sinclair 10th Anniversary: This cigar was a total sleeper. The wrapper is not much in the looks department but the flavor and balance was fantastic. Plus they priced it righ at just over $5.00 a stick. 90/100
Graycliff Professionale Vintage 1999: This is a cool stick that will be exlcusive to Cigar.com and one other retailer. The owners of Graycliff found a small stock of Professionales that got misplaced in the warehouse in 1999 and they are being banded and sent over. 92/100
I will have more reviews to come as I plow through more samples. The theme of the show was definately Dominican Wrapper. These have been a long time favorite and it looks like at least 7 new releases had one. Most notable was the Vision, Victor Sinclair, and the Partagas Cifuentes blend.
I did get a chance to try the new Tatuaje but did not write down any notes. I just remembered that it was fantastic.
Some of the other releases I am excited about and have yet to try are:
Cohiba Black
Mac Vintage 2000
EO Brands came out with their new 601 that is being made by Pepin Garcia in both a connecticut and habano
Padillas new 1932 also made by Pepin
Gurkha Beauty
CAO Britalia (Brazilia and Italia mix made in funky shapes)
Oliva Master Blends III
All in all I thought the releases this year were decent, there were a few cigars that really impressed me but it seems that more and more cigar makers were launching sticks in the 10 - 20 $$$ price range which may be a bit too optomistic. But we will see how they turn out. I am still smoking through all of my samples, but here is a quick review of what I have had thus far:
Partagas 160: Upon further research this is actually the exact same blend and lot of tobaccos used 10 years ago to make the 150. The only difference is that they were just rolled. Even the wrapper is the 1977 Cameroon. I smoked one and thought it was pretty light in flavor (probably due to the age of the tobacco) but a decent smoke. Looks like these will retail in the 15 - 30$$$$ a stick price range. 88/100
CAO Vision: Not nearly as full bodied as I had expected. The wrapper is rich and the cigar is tasty. Medium Bodied with a dry and spicy aroma. This is a great cigar but pricy. 12 - 16$$$ a stick. 90/100
Oliva Series S: Nice fuller bodied Nicaraguan. It reminded me of the bold that is no longer being made. Dry and wet on the palate with a long finish. Full Bodied. 87/100
Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 Perfecto: These were the same size as the short story and absolutely amazing. I think it will be an even better combo for you morning short story and coffee drinkers. 92/100
Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Connecticut: Had a lot of Rockyesk traits in the filler and the wrapper was smoothed. It reminds me of a vintage fused with an edge lite. 86/100
Victor Sinclair 10th Anniversary: This cigar was a total sleeper. The wrapper is not much in the looks department but the flavor and balance was fantastic. Plus they priced it righ at just over $5.00 a stick. 90/100
Graycliff Professionale Vintage 1999: This is a cool stick that will be exlcusive to Cigar.com and one other retailer. The owners of Graycliff found a small stock of Professionales that got misplaced in the warehouse in 1999 and they are being banded and sent over. 92/100
I will have more reviews to come as I plow through more samples. The theme of the show was definately Dominican Wrapper. These have been a long time favorite and it looks like at least 7 new releases had one. Most notable was the Vision, Victor Sinclair, and the Partagas Cifuentes blend.
I did get a chance to try the new Tatuaje but did not write down any notes. I just remembered that it was fantastic.
Some of the other releases I am excited about and have yet to try are:
Cohiba Black
Mac Vintage 2000
EO Brands came out with their new 601 that is being made by Pepin Garcia in both a connecticut and habano
Padillas new 1932 also made by Pepin
Gurkha Beauty
CAO Britalia (Brazilia and Italia mix made in funky shapes)
Oliva Master Blends III
