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Charlie Freeman

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Gran Habano Connecticut #1 Review

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Gran Habano Connecticut Review 2

After reviewing the Gran Habano Corojo #5, I must admit I was not all that enthusiastic about reviewing the Connecticut. There’s usually a less-than-fun period of trial and error that every new cigar company and quite a few brand new cigars have to go through before they get their unique quirks resolved. Based (albeit solely) on my first G.R. cigar review, Guillermo Rico’s company seems to be in the thick of that period right now. On the other hand, I know and firmly believe that first impressions are never everything, so I’m accordingly happy to be going toe-to-toe with Mr. Rico’s Connecticut #1!

Product Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Gran Habano Connecticut #1
  • Vitola: Gran Robusto
  • Wrapper: Nicaraguan Connecticut
  • Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
  • Filler: Nicaraguan Habano
  • Size: 6 x 54

Gran Habano Connecticut Review Ashtray

Aesthetics Construction, & Feel

The Connecticut presents itself as a kind of sibling to the Habano Corojo #5. It’s body is quite tightly packed with no soft spots and very little flexibility. The wrapper is rugged and veiny, but very well-crafted and free of any breaches. This is especially the case with the cap, which is just as perfect as the Habano Corojo’s; evenly wrapped, with no seam breaches. The Connecticut has a hidden bonus, though; the cold odor is unlike anything I’d experienced up to now; a lovely and subtle sweetness that reminds me of, wait for it, a croissant.

Gran Habano Connecticut Review Closeup

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

First Third

It quickly becomes apparent that the croissant-esque cold odor wasn’t just a pleasant fluke. The Connecticut #1 makes a smooth entry with a beautiful buttery bread foreground flavor that more than makes up for the predictably tight draw (which thankfully stays out of the flavor’s way). The aroma exuded by the velvety smoke clouds is just as sultry and buttery. The foundation is completed by a deliciously salty retrohale that perfectly complements the bread & butter of the foreground. There’s not much of a background flavor profile, but the foreground’s flavor once again more than makes up for it.

Second Third

The ash begins to split right down the middle at the start of the second third, but the burn holds its ground and stays even throughout. The retrohale also begins to strengthen with the addition of a sweet spice essence, which also provides an enriching contrast to the salt. The foreground’s bread begins to morph about halfway through into a flavor that almost tastes like sourdough, with the butter moving out of the foreground and into the background to provide a contrast similar to the one occurring simultaneously in the retrohale. The morphing of the foreground continues throughout the rest of the second third to the point that the bread tastes slightly immature, but not to the point of spoiling it.

Point of Convergence

The point of convergence is slightly anticlimactic as the foreground flavor’s maturity doesn’t recover to its original glory, instead merely bringing its decent to a halt. As the sweet spice and the salt begin to fight each other for control of the retrohale, the butter in the background begins to slightly reassert itself into the soured foreground, though not quite enough to save it. The pull begins to singe the tongue surprisingly early on, but this discomfort is alleviated somewhat by something every smoker longs to hear; that delicious soft crackling sound as the smoke draws ever nearer towards its inevitable end.

The Final Verdict

Much like its sibling the Habano Corojo #5, the Connecticut #1 displays great potential that has yet to be fully realized. The buttery bread foreground and the salty retrohale in the beginning of the experience made for a flavor profile that was downright heavenly. It also displayed a nice complexity when the buttery bread morphed into sourdough in the middle. Sadly, the middle was the pinnacle of the experience; the final third was a bit of a letdown as the maturity of the tobacco faded and the tongue singe began way too early. Again, however, this stogy has potential. I look forward to reviewing it again sometime in the future.

Time: 55 minutes

Final Grade: 86

Gran Habano Corojo #5 Robusto Review

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Gran Habano Corojo No. 5 Review

I’m a sucker for the nobly grandiose, so when you hand a me cigar I’ve never heard of that sports a vibrant label with aristocratic calligraphy and golden edges, you can rest assured that I’ll be happy to give it a shot. Gran Habano is the brain child of third-generation tobacconist Guillermo Rico. The idea behind this Honduras-based company is to offer quality cigars made the old fashioned way at an affordable price.

It’s a noble venture, and I look forward to seeing how the cigars hold up to the mission!

Product Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Gran Habano Corojo #5 Habano Robusto
  • Vitola: Robusto
  • Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
  • Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
  • Filler: Nicaraguan/Costa Rican Habano Long Filler
  • Length: 6 Inches
  • Ring Gauge: 54

Aesthetics Construction, & Feel

This Gran Habano Corojo #5 could be in better shape. Part of the veiny and rugged wrapper that was chipped off in the midsection somewhere along the way, and the body is packed quite tightly, almost to the point of being downright brittle. On the bright side, however, the cap is in perfect condition: no openings, no unraveling, just an excellent garnish with the seams perfectly sealed and stacked on top of each other like the rings of a tree trunk. The foot sports a cold odor of faint pepper, as does the wrapper.

Gran Habano Corojo No. 5 Review closeup

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

First Third

Despite the extra tightness of the body, the draw is borderline perfect, although this might have something to do with the whole in the midsection of the wrapper, which takes a lot of air out of the body and accordingly obscures the flavor. The flavor itself (when I can taste it) is a pleasant, though slightly immature, with a sourdough bread note in the foreground and some salt in the background. The retrohale initially has no flavor whatsoever. The smoke clouds, though are just the way I like ’em; thick and aromatic. The burn is also quite even, which mediates the wrapper dilemma.

Second Third

Things thankfully start to pick up as the wrapper hole in the midsection of the body is slowly eaten up by the burn, which is still even at this point. The flavor profile begins to change and expand as the foreground’s flavor gets incrementally more woody and musky as the second third progresses. The background of the flavor still has its salt, but it is eventually joined by the pepper that was hinted at in the cold odors before lighting up. The draw remains surprisingly smooth, even after the wrapper hole is eaten up.

Point of Convergence

The foreground once again morphs, with the musky wood in the foreground being joined by a pleasant meaty essence. The background salt and pepper provide a perfect supplement to this combination in the foreground. The retrohale begins to get some flavor as well, receiving some of the pepper that came into the background. The two eventually merge, but before they do, the wood becomes bitter, and the draw begins to singe the tongue as the nub is approached. When they do eventually merge, however, the singed tongue is ultimately worth it for the sultry flavor combination.

Conclusion

Not unlike the Archetype Initiation I reviewed some time ago, this cigar has great potential, but it’s got a bit of a ways to go. The craftsmanship is there, without a doubt. That pesky hole in the wrapper was the only real flaw in an otherwise flawless design; probably the result of bad handling before it found its way to me. The #5 has a robust flavor profile, there just isn’t enough of it. The Grand Habano Corojo is not by my favorite thing by a long shot, and not something I’d recommend. However, if Mr. Rico keeps at it, then in a few years, I’m entirely confident that he’ll have me eating my words.

Time: 55 minutes

Final Grade: 83

Archetype Initiation Corona Review

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Ventura Archetype Initiation Review 2

It’s always a treat to review a cigar you’ve never heard of before from a producer you might not know as well (in this instance, Drew Estate’s La Gran Fabrica factory). It’s an opportunity to go outside your comfort zone; to potentially get a fresh perspective, and maybe even find a new go-to cigar. That’s why this article features the Archetype Initiation Corona, a cigar produced by Ventura Cigar Co. This is also a nice change of pace for yours truly by virtue of it being the first time in a long time reviewing a corona size.

Product Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: Archetype Initiation
  • Vitola: Corona
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
  • Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
  • Filler: Nicaraguan Habano
  • Length: 5 Inches
  • Ring Gauge: 46

Aesthetics Construction, & Feel

The Archetype makes a memorable first impression by way of being rather unusual. The cold odor is an interesting mixture of bread and earth. The stogie itself is incredibly tightly packed. On the bright side, this also means that this robusto is guaranteed to be soft-spot free, making a fully even burn all the more likely. Additionally, the wrapper is quite smooth in texture and is rolled together absolutely flawlessly, from the foot right up to the cap. With this kind of initial impression, I’m quite curious.

Ventura Archetype Initiation Review

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

First Third

Given its especially tight packing, the Archetype Initiation predictably starts off with a draw that’s a bit too tight for comfort. In fact, the draw seems to be so tightly put together that the filler constricts the cigar’s own flavor profile; a barely discernible and slightly under-matured combination of salt and cedar. Another consequence of the tight packing is that the draw has no texture to it, leaving little to no sense-based indication of whether or not the cigar is being smoked in the first place. Additionally, the entire first half of the body becomes heated up quickly, and the burn has a tendency of fizzling out quickly as well. However, the smoke clouds are surprisingly mildly thick for such a tight draw, and the evenness of the burn is absolutely flawless from the get-go. And in spite of the incredibly tight draw, the retrohale has a robust element of spice to it.

Second Third

This is where things begin to improve. The flavor profile takes on a nice hint of coffee in the background to compliment the salt and cedar in the foreground. Additionally, the draw begins to develop a smooth, creamy texture that helps to make the flavor profile a bit more prominent. And what’s best of all is the cigar begins to emit that immensely satisfying crackling sound at the foot that I know and love so much. The Archetype Initiation suffers two major setbacks on the second third, however; the wrapper unexpectedly begins to unravel slightly near the foot, and the burn eventually begins to canoe, albeit only slightly. The second third fortunately ends on a slightly more positive note, as the robust spice that had been absent from the retrohale near the end of the first third makes its way back and advances onto the palette.

Point of Convergence

The cedar wood that had dominated the flavor profile since the very beginning now begins to intensify and expand beyond the flavor profile, marking the palette with a strong wood aftertaste. The burn finally evens itself out in time for the flavors to converge, but the wrapper sadly continues its streak of mild unraveling right up until the end. What’s more, the convergence of the flavor profile’s various notes are sadly obstructed by a draw that, in a move I thought impossible, becomes even tighter than before. Yet, this tightening is followed by thicker smoke clouds than before, which offers a certain degree of consolation.

The Final Verdict

From a draw tight enough to constrict the flavor profile to a wrapper that boasted less structural integrity than the wrapper’s appearance suggested and everything in between, the Archetype Initiation was riddled with problems from the get-go. Yet, there is a silver lining to this tale. The positive elements of this cigar were not only satisfying, but unique; the burn was remarkably even throughout, and when it canoed, it was barely noticeable before it corrected itself. The way the spice was able to weave its way into every area of the smoke was also a first, and the creamy coffee texture on the draw was to die for. In short, the Initiation has a very long way to go, but its got a great start on the path to perfection.

Time: 51 minutes

Final Grade: 82

El Gueguense The Wise Man Maduro Toro Huaco Review

el gueguense maduro cigar reviewFoundation Cigar Co.’s Nicholas Melillo announced this handsome stick last summer, basing its name off the subject of El Gueguense, a centuries-old Nicaraguan folk tale about, that’s right, you guessed it, a wise man:

In the seventeenth century, somewhere in the streets of a small colonial Nicaraguan city governed by the Spanish authorities and inhabited by indigenous and mestizo people, a comedy play of high cultural value was born. Expressed in the play was a rejection of the Spanish domination in a mocking, ingenious, and creative way. Over time this theatrical piece transformed into a national symbol for its protesting character that identified the Nicaraguan people. Three centuries later the UNESCO declared this work “Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”.

This historical play, by a unanimous author, is “El Güegüense o Macho Ratón”, the first literary Nicaraguan work, pertaining to the Nahuatl culture. 

Building upon the foundation of its predecessor cigars, Melillo sought to take the next logical step by expanding out of the Esteli Region of Nicaragua into other regions of the country, as well as to Mexico (home of the increasingly famous and fertile San Andres Valley).

Product Specs

  • Cigar Reviewed: Review: El Geuguense The Wise Man Maduro
  • Vitola: Toro Huaco (6 x 56)
  • Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Wrapper
  • Binder: Nicaraguan
  • Filler: Jalapa, Esteli & Condega regions, Nicaragua

Aesthetics, Construction & Feel

The Wise Man bears a most striking appearance. The wrapper is dark, positively rugged-looking and finely assembled, to the point where if you removed the wrapper, you might mistake it for a Padron 1926 Anniversario. The wrapper is also satisfyingly fuzzy to the touch, and exudes a cold odor that hints of nothing but, I kid you not, pure, unadulterated tobacco (another first for yours truly). The body is unique as well; hard as a rock, but without being brittle. The cap is the epitome of the body’s robustness; perfectly wrapped, and no loose ends to found after being cut.

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

First Third

It’s 9:50pm, and the Wise Man gets right down to business by emitting a sweet crackling sound the moment the match’s flame begins toasting the foot. Given the body’s all-around hardness, the draw is surprisingly loose, clearing the way for a heavy and rich spice that immediately and smoothly settles into the palette. The retrohale is equally spicy in nature. Yet, like the draw, its flavors are able to shine through without searing the tongue or nostrils. The background is characterized by delicious combination of nutmeg and cinnamon sugar, offering a crucial counterweight to the spice in the foreground.

Second Third

The second third sees the burn begin to canoe slightly, but the Wise Man’s lush, white/grey ash holds firm while consistently emitting enormous smoke clouds with every puff. The flavor profile gets more and more interesting, on both fronts. The background emits what can only be described as refreshing peppermint element. This new note, along with the nutmeg and cinnamon, partially melds with the foreground, resulting in a new flavor that tastes like a Dark & Stormy. All this in spite of the fact that the flavor is partially compromised by a persisting under-matured tobacco and a slightly tightening draw.

Final Third: Point of Convergence

As the ash finally falls off the foot for the very first time, the flavor profile continues its variation streak with a background note of bitter fruit, which eventually merges with the spice, cinnamon, nutmeg and peppermint to complete the mix. Unfortunately, the flavor begins to strangely disappear entirely near the end, though thankfully not completely. The draw begins to loosen up again, and the burn holds steady, keeping itself relatively even throughout the last third. The smoke finally, and conveniently, comes to an end at 11pm on the dot.

The Final Verdict

It’s been a long time since I reviewed a cigar with a flavor profile this complex. The combination of notes and the way they interacted and melded with each other was like a breath of fresh air. The fact that the draw and burn were as relatively consistent as they were made the experience all the more enriching. The gradual disappearance of the flavor profile on the final third wasn’t the most desirable outcome, but the Wise Man is still a powerhouse of a cigar that deserves a place in Cigar Aficionado’s top cigars of 2017.

Final Grade: 92

Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva Magnum R54 Sun Grown Toro Grande Review

Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva Magnum R54 Sun Grown Toro review

Arturo Fuente is known for making great cigars regardless of price range. The average cigar smoker has no need to go all out with an Opus X to have a knockout cigar experience. He can just as easily do so with a regular Gran Reserva or a Short Story at a fraction of the cost. That’s why I’m excited to have this handsome toro in my hand. If the Fuente family is holding its own, then I’ll be most glad that I didn’t burn a gaping hole in my wallet on that Opus!

Product Specs

  • Cigar Reviewed: Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva Magnum R54 Sun Grown Toro
  • Vitola: Gran Toro (6 1/2 x 54)
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Rosado Sungrown
  • Binder: Dominican
  • Filler: Dominican

Aesthetics, Construction & Feel

The Magnum’s appearance is deceptive in a good way. Sporting a flat cap and thick veins, the wrapper looks quite rugged, almost jagged, at first glance. However, the wrapper also sports a texture that’s highly velvety and smooth. The Magnum further distinguishes itself by its body; it expands and contracts with pressure like a pillow while constantly maintaining structural integrity and having virtually no soft spots whatsoever. But the best part of all is the cold odors. A sultry combination of sweet earth and chocolate on both the wrapper and the foot makes for a much-appreciated first in my 3 years of cigar reviewing. At this point, I simply can’t wait any longer, so let’s get on with it.

Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva Magnum R54 Sun Grown Toro

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

First Third

The Magnum hits hard right off the bat with a strong and rich pepper note in the foreground, supported by a spicy wood note in the background and an equally spicy retrohale. The smoke clouds are nice and thick, and the draw is initially seamless, though it eventually contracts somewhat noticeably. Each and every puff indicates that the tobacco has been aged to complete maturity; none of the quasi-gasoline tastes characteristic of under-matured cigars are to be found here. Admittedly, I made the mistake of being careless when lighting the foot, resulting in an uneven burn. The problem is exacerbated by the Magnum being unable to correct itself. Fortunately, this does nothing to get in the way of the flavor itself.

Second Third

Just before the first third is cleared, a delicious chocolate note appears subtly in the background, and spends the second third making its way into the foreground, eventually going toe-to-toe with the spice. Meanwhile, the background acquires a salty essence that compliments the spice quite nicely. The retrohale also begins to change around this time, morphing from its initially spicy essence into a peppery one. The burn is still unable to even itself out, and the draw begins to tighten again, but these inconveniences are mitigated by another first for yours truly: the aroma of the smoke clouds, which still maintain their thickness, sports a lovely cinnamon sugar note that is simply to die for.

Final Third: Point of Convergence

The point of convergence is slightly anti-climactic. The draw doesn’t loosen up as hoped, though it should also be noted that it doesn’t tighten either. The spice and the chocolate that have dominated the foreground begin to merge together into a flavor that gains strength, almost to the point of singing the palette. The background, meanwhile, holds steady with its spice and salt, and the retrohale does the same with its pepper; prominent, but not offensively so. The smoke clouds remain thick to the end, making for an overall satisfying finish in spite of the stubborn draw and burn.

The Final Verdict

The Fuente family promises on their website that the Magnum offers a creamier and smoother experience without sacrificing flavor. In spite of the difficulties encountered with the draw and the burn (the latter of which was partly your truly’s fault anyway), the Magnum lives up to its promises quite well. The sheer abundance of flavor, the texture of the draw, and the maturity and diversity of the flavor profile was enough to surprise even this longtime Fuente fan, and I have no doubt that most other Fuente fans will feel the same way. The Magnum certainly has its issues; fortunately, they appear to be exclusively in terms of structure and assembly, something that is far easier to fix than a flavor problem.

Final Grade: 90

Time: 1 hour, 48 minutes

Quesada Oktoberfest 2016 Triple Bock Review

Quesada Oktoberfest 2016 Triple Bock Review Close up

In my personal experience, specially-themed cigars have a tendency to be either amazing or abysmal, with few (if any) in-betweens. The Oktoberfest thus far has consistently made its way into the former category (I distinctly remember enjoying the Über vitola with a hard cider in October of 2015). I know it’s December of 2017, but let’s dive into the Oktoberfest 2016 Triple Bock!

Form and Substance

  • Vitola: Toro Gordo
  • Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano, Estelí
  • Binder: Estelí region, Nicaragua
  • Filler: Estelí region, Nicaragua
  • Dimensions: 6’ x 56”
  • Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Quesada Oktoberfest 2016 Triple Bock Review

Aesthetics, Construction and Feel

This is quite a fancy looking cigar; the Germanic label design is a particularly great compliment to the body, which is more than a bit gritty, but also well-constructed (no seams on the wrapper, and very few veins). The body is unusually stiff, indicating that the cigar is stuffed to the brim with tobacco, to the point of inflexible stiffness. This fact is also partially evidenced by how the binder filler seem to extend outwards from the wrapper. The ’16 Oktoberfest sports an unusual cold odor; it reminds the senses (not surprisingly) of beer. I’m a bit concerned that there will hardly be a draw at this point, but I’m also keen to taste a cigar that has a quasi-beer cold odor…

Smoke and Flavor

I’m pleased and relieved to find that my initial concerns about the draw were ultimately overstated. The draw has a medium-grade strength toit, allowing me to experience an excellently-textured, strong and meaty flavor complimented by undertones of spice and pepper. The burn is also consistent in its evenness; very rarely do I find myself consciously paying attention to it, which is always a good sign.

Quesada Oktoberfest 2016 Triple Bock Review Close up 2

Around the second third, the pepper in the background finds its way to the retrohale as well, making it more zesty, but not always in the most constructive way, given how harsh pepper can be. Not long after, the foreground’s flavor incrementally becomes more mild, going from spicy and peppery meat to salty bread (essentially a pretzel, fittingly enough). It’s not always preferable to have a cigar’s flavor become mild at this stage, but the transition is seamless and the flavor still works well. It’s also at this transition point that the undertone becomes more chocolatey, which balances the flavor profile with the foreground’s salt remarkably well.

The Point of Convergence is where I realize that the Oktoberfest has a slow burn that can keep it lit and undisturbed for over five minutes at a time. After refilling the water glass and various other chores and distractions, I find myself picking up exactly where I left off without need for maintenance. I find the salty bread of the foreground merging with the chocolate undertones to mature into a handsome and rich dark wood, with the occasional touch of BBQ and a spicy/peppery retrohale reminiscent of the first third’s foreground. This flavor profile continues up unto the nub of the cigar, many minutes later.

The Final Verdict

Given my previously stated suspicion, I was particularly surprised at how well the ’16 Oktoberfest turned out to be. From the meaty beginning to the pretzel-esque middle to the dark wood-infused ending, this season release proved itself quite viable, versatile, and enjoyable in its flavor profile, if somewhat unrefined. The construction is also quite laudable. It’s not every day you find a stogie that can consistently burn evenly, maintain a consistent and medium-strength draw, and stay lit for over 5 minutes, all at the same time. This stogie is definitely a winner overall.

Final Grade: A-

Charlie’s Tips for a Perfect Smoke Experience

  • Smoke it for social events. Even though the Oktoberfest’s flavor profile is excellent, it is still just unrefined enough to make it best enjoyed as a supplement to an experience, as opposed to the center point of it. So break out the bier unt the sauerkraut and light one up in the midst of a group of friends.

Nat Sherman Metropolitan Habano Toro Review

I have never in all my (albeit limited) years smoked a Nat Sherman I didn’t like, so when Matthias asked me for my thoughts on the Metropolitan Habano, I was psyched, having enjoyed a robusto around the time the line was first released. The Metropolitan Habano is a part of Nat Sherman’s noble endeavor to achieve the perfect middle ground cigar: a medium-strength cigar with as much flavor per puff as your average maduro. Since we’re dealing with a thicker cigar that is more filler and less wrapper here, that’s going to be a challenge…

Blend Specifics

Vitola: Toro
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano, Estelí
Binder: Estelí region, Nicaragua
Filler: Estelí region, Nicaragua
Dimensions: 6’ x 52”
Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Appearance & Construction

True to its maker, this Metro sports a Nat Sherman’s signature look: the juxtaposition of the gilded gold and brown art deco label against its natural, unpolished body makes for an appealingly unusual look of refined ruggedness. The wrapper has a relatively rough texture with a couple of visible seams and sports a natural, earthy and musky cold note. The body is packed right to the brim with filler tobacco, yet it’s also satisfyingly cushiony, ensuring that the humidity level is just right.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

The Metro gets an excellent start on its mission of balance by coming in firmly with a note I hadn’t tasted before: dark cedar. It’s flavorful, but it’s not so strong that it knocks me out of my Barclay Rex chair (not in that way, anyway). The draw starts out mildly constricted, it’s texture is quite musky, though again, without being heavy-handed. This makes every single puff all the more wholesome and satisfying. Mind you, I haven’t yet mentioned the thick and silky smoke clouds that every puff produces. This combination is topped off by a tingly spice undertone that resides both in the draw and in the retrohale.

The spicy undertone in the background is joined by a hint if sour wood around the time the second third begins. Not long afterward, the draw is supplemented with a sweet touch of nutmeg that compliments the dark cedar excellently as the spice retreats from the retrohale. The Metro burns with some slight inconsistencies here and throughout but these ultimately require no manual maintenance; the Metro proves itself capable of correcting itself. The ash displays great structural integrity; holding strong and steadily well into the final third.

The final third, or the Point of Convergence, as I like to call it, begins with the spice returning back to the retrohale as the dark cedar that had so consistently dominated the foreground morphs into an even richer note of woody steak, again complimented by the sweet nutmeg and spice that remain in the background. In spite of a draw that remains as mildly constricted at the end as it did in the beginning, the converging flavors still manage to shine through. Finally, after a solid hour and a half, the Metro comes to a satisfyingly flavorful end.

The Final Verdict

I’m the kind of guy who prefers medium gauge cigars because I think they generally have the best flavor profile by achieving the right ratio between filler and wrapper. That being said, I was particularly and pleasantly surprised at just how much dynamic flavor this thick Metro toro had to offer. The constrictive draw did inhibit the Metro from reaching its full potential, but even that could only do so much to keep the flavors at bay. As such, for those who prefer a bigger gauge and long to enjoy an habano filled to the brim with flavor, this cigar is most certainly for you.

Final Grade: A-

Tips for a Perfect Smoke Experience

  • Smoke it inside; within a small group of friends, one on one, or alone. Because of the richness and complexity of the flavor, this high quality cigar is meant to be savored. It’s the linchpin of the time you set aside more than a supplement. Accordingly, this type of stogie is best suited to a closed environment with as few distractions as possible.
  • Supplement it with something light-handed. Even though the flavor is immense, the Metropolitan is still just an habano at the end of the day. Pair it with a lighter spirit and or chocolate to ensure that the flavors are not overshadowed. Contrast is often the key.

Papa Juan Yankee Stadium: Buy Me Some Stogies and Cracker Jacks

Papa Juan Cigar Room Bronx

August of 2015 saw Papa Juan open up their second location, situated just a block away from Yankee Stadium and its two subway stops. It’s a big relief in the context of Mayor DeBlasio’s continuation of his predecessor’s anti-smoking crusade. At long last, Yankee aficionados no longer have to settle for standing on the curb and enduring dirty looks to enjoy a pregame, postgame (or both) stogie. Hallelujah!

It’s a perfectly mild Saturday night in October, the kind of night where the staff fold back lounge’s glass panels; an open-door policy in the most literal sense. This gives the lounge a charming resemblance to a street-side café, with patrons in all casual attire multitasking in the art of smoking, chatting, and people-watching. I’ve just come from a party on the Upper East Side in a full suit, bow tie and suspenders; needless to say, I stick out like a sore thumb in more ways than one. Yet I’m accepted as a member of the family the moment I walk in.

Juana, the hostess, greets me and escorts me into the walk-in humidor. The selection has a healthy balance of established brands (like Rocky Patel, Montecristo, etc.) and newer brands (such as Exactus and Manolo Estate) “Where you been?” she asks me with a smile while I pick out a cigar, “Francis (the founder and owner of both Papa Juan lounges) really misses you, you know.” This is quite impressive, considering I’ve only visited Papa Juan a handful of times, most of which were for business, no less. It’s just one of the countless externalities of the highly community-driven and people-oriented enterprise that is Papa Juan.

Papa Juan Cigar Room Bronx

Papa Juan Cigar Room Bronx

I pay for my cigar and drink and pop a seat in one of the identical black lounge chairs lined up against the brick wall flawlessly in a row. Each chair also comes with its own adjacently positioned fancy ashtray complete with two separate trays on a stem; one up top for ashes, and one down below for everything else.

I light up and enjoy a comfortably solitary 90 minutes, surrounded by the mild night air, the different games on the numerous TV screens, and the autographed memorabilia on the walls; the occasional passerby will complement my bow tie and suspenders and then go their merry way. It’s not that the clientele are by any conceivable means insular or tribal, even though they often cluster up in their own groups; rather, I notice they are quite perceptive and accordingly respectful to the social preferences of the people around them.

Papa Juan Cigar Room Bronx

Papa Juan Cigar Room Bronx

After I finish my cigar, a group of gentlemen approach me to complement me on my attire; they then invite me to join them in the lounge’s unofficial Man Cave in the basement. I soon find that, in addition to being regular patrons, they’re part of a motorcycle club for hard-working family men with a peace-loving name; the Interstate Predatorz. They kindly invite me to help myself to their smokes and libations, an offer I can’t refuse, and I ask them what keeps them coming back to Papa Juan. Andrew, the club’s president, sums it up perfectly; “it’s comfy, and it’s happy.” Enough said.

The Predatorz take their leave after about an hour of stories and laughs; Andrew is even kind enough to give me a cigar for the road. As someone who’s visited more than a few cigar lounges throughout this great city, I can tell you that this is not the norm. A group of total strangers made me, a total stranger, feel very much at home. A healthy balance of alone time and time spent with old friends and/or meeting wonderful new people is imperative for the ideal cigar experience. In my experience, Papa Juan excels in this essential regard!

Where is Papa Juan Cigar Room Bronx? 

Address: 886 Gerard Ave, Bronx, NY 10452
Phone: (929) 265-9552
What are the hours for Papa Juan Cigar Room Bronx? 
Saturday 10AM–2AM
Sunday 10AM–10PM
Monday 9:30AM–12AM
Tuesday 9:30AM–12AM
Wednesday 9:30AM–12AM
Thursday 9:30AM–12AM
Friday 10AM–1AM

Davidoff Yamasa Petit Churchill Review

 

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Davidoff has a long and proud history of innovation. The company’s namesake, Zino Davidoff, not only created game-changing experimental blends during his time in Cuba, he also invented the humidor as we know it today. Davidoff led the charge amidst the game-changing Cuban embargo, experimenting with Dominican tobacco to launch a new line of fine cigars. One such experiment involved a 20-year endeavor by master blender Henke Kelner to cultivating and refining tobacco from the swampy Yamasá region of the D.R. Welcome to the first of our four Yamasá reviews! Today, we’ll be puffing on the Petit Churchill vitola; can this little fellow honor Davidoff’s proud legacy of innovation?

Form and Substance

Vitola: Petit Churchill
Wrapper: Yamasá, Dominican Republic
Binder: Yamasá, Dominican Republic
Filler: Nicaraguan Estelí, Condega
Dimensions: 50’ x 4”
Country of Origin: Yamasá, Dominican Republic

Aesthetics, Construction and Feel

The Yamasá’s distinctive nature is made immediately apparent by the cold odor of the body; it carries the velvety earth odor, a signature of Davidoff stogies, but it’s a far more strong and mature version than any other Davidoff I’ve ever had. The wrapper and the cap are both rustic, much like the swamps of the region it comes from; there are no veins, but the stems are visible from a mile away; yet, they’re also tough, the cap in particular showing no unraveling signs after the cut. The body is totally packed; there’s literally no room for soft spots. This should be good.

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Smoke and Flavor

The Yamasá nearly knocks me off my feet on the introduction with a blast of dark hardwood in the foreground and a cinnamon kick in the background. The draw is tight, and the body has a little trouble burning evenly, but the smoke clouds are nice and thick, as is the texture of the puff, and the retrohale is full and peppery.

The second third only makes the Yamasá even stronger than before. The wood remains consistent in its strength, although its taste displays signs of slight immaturity at this particular stage. The texture of the puff becomes very dense and swampy, fittingly enough, and the heat intensifies, burning the tongue with every puff. Fortunately, the cinnamon in the background evolves into straight sugar, helping to counter and therefore ease the burgeoning intensity.

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The final third is, per the usual, the best part. The harshness in the puff begins to wear off while keeping its dense and swampy texture intact. The dark hardwood in the foreground converges with the sugar in the background, maturing into a hybrid, redwood flavor. The retrohale stays peppery, though the pepper itself mellows somewhat with the addition of some sugar in the flavor.

The Final Verdict

This is definitely a cigar for the history books. The Yamasá is undoubtedly one of the strongest high-end cigars I’ve ever had. The dark hardwood was consistent, and the background notes gave the flavor the complexity and intricacy that Davidoff prides itself on. The fact that this cigar even exists at all is a miracle in and of itself; a testament to Davidoff’s efforts to continue their traditions of innovation and quality. The slight immaturity in the wood that I encountered during the second third indicate to me that the Yamasá can be improved upon somewhat. In essence, this means that there’s nowhere to go but up for this already exemplary line of cigars. Job well done, Davidoff, continue to push those boundaries!

Final Grade: A

Tips for a Perfect Smoke Experience

This cigar is one of the heaviest hitters on the current scene, so arm yourself with chocolate to eat, or something sweet to drink; it’ll help to balance the flavor, and it’ll protect your tongue from singeing during the second third.

Barclay Rex Pearl Street: A New Form, Same Substance

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Barclay Rex Pearl Street

Picture, if you can, a traditional four-story building with a brick-red and beige facade packed against an enormous modern white office building-turned residential space. If you can picture this, then you have just visualized the brand new Barclay Rex lounge at 126 Pearl Street in the City’s Financial District.

After a year-and- a-half of anticipation and deprivation of a much-needed lounge in the area, I was just one of the countless Barclay fans who anxiously rushed downtown to see if the wait was worth it.

Inside,  the tasteful brick wall is mostly fronted by large, dark wood cabinets sporting the finest cufflinks, butane lighters, hats, hand-made pipes, and pipe tobacco. Longtime Barclay hostess Joanna, whom I’ve known since the Broad Street days, approaches from the brand new wood-and- stone counter with a genuine smile and welcomes me to the new location.

She helps me pick my jaw back up off the floor and informs me that the lounge is actually still being worked on; hence the construction equipment outside; The shop’s “members only” lounge, which takes up the entire second floor of the building, is due to be finished in October.

Joanna escorts me beyond the pipe tobacco counter to the store’s brand new walk-in humidor. It’s a magnificent sight to behold; Barclay’s same diverse and fairly-priced selection is there, per the usual, but with fantastic new product displays gilded in beige, precision-cut wood. And, of course, there’s the old familiar sliding ladders that we all know and love. I pick up my smoke and pay for it. Sadly, City Hall no longer permits Barclay to sell coffee, nor does it allow Barclay a liquor license. However, they can still sell sodas and waters; and Joanna kindly hands me a Coke from a brand new high-tech fridge installed into the counter.

Barclay Rex Pearl Street

Joanna then directs me to the main lounge downstairs. It’s a fresh, stone tile-floored sanctuary, complete with outlets, matching orange and black comfy chairs, cityscape murals on the walls, and two big screen TV’s, with the Olympics on, hung up against a brick wall. I’m quickly joined by a group of regulars. To my relief, the lounge remains tranquil and quiet, with the regulars being unusually careful to maintain a calm atmosphere. Even during conversations, I can still clearly hear “I Can’t Tell You Why” and “You’re the Inspiration” over the speakers. This atmosphere of quiet consideration seals the deal for me; it picks up right where Broad Street left off.

I eventually make my way back up to the main floor to finish my Padrón Series Delicias 46 x 4 ⅞. Barclay owner Vinny Nastri is on location today, and he kindly extends his hand to shake, recognizing me from my previous visits. This new location represents a new chapter in Barclay Rex’s story, 106 years and counting; this is the first time the company has owned an entire building, and Vinny expresses his hopes that this new arrangement will last longer than the other locations did, which was decades at a time. Well, Vinny with a new abundance of smoking space and technology to supplement your family’s traditions of hospitality, affordability, and variety, I think the latest Barclay Rex location is here to stay. Keep up the good smoke!

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