Just after Christmas, a fresh snow fell on NJ and I enjoyed a beautiful sunset with the Emilio AF Suave. I’ve been a big fan of Emilio ever since smoking the AF1 and AF2 earlier this year, so needless to say I was excited to taste the Suave.
Blend Specifics
Size: Robusto (5 x 50)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Unknown mix (Nicaraguan/Honduran)
Filler: Unknown mix (Nicaraguan/Honduran)
Appearance & Construction
The Emilio AF Suave has minimal veins, a light, silky wrapper, and beautiful branding.. The black, white, and silver band adds a simplicity and elegance to this cigar that is very pleasing. The cigar is slightly oily, with a bit of springiness. The draw is good.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
The Emilio AF Suave opens up creamy and sweet, with chocolate and coffee notes not unlike the AF1, but with less prominence. There is also a bit of spice on the tongue, with the cream more on the nose: an enjoyable and unique combination. In the first third, the burn is off at times, but doesn’t detract much from the experience.
This stick seems to be a solid medium. In the second third, black pepper and vanilla notes emerge, with an amazing strength of flavor for a Connecticut shade.
Halfway through, the body picks up along with black pepper on retro hale, while the vanilla and cream back down a bit. The final third expands on this black pepper, with nothing wanted as far as strength goes. A very, very enjoyable smoke, full of complexity.
Conclusion
The Emilio AF Suave is about as far from a typical Connecticut as one could get. The strength is huge and the complexity is there all the way through. A winner and well worth a five pack.
Christmas Eve down here in Virginia where I am spending the Holidays, and up for review tonight is the Rocky Patel Private Cellar. Rocky Patel is known for quality of construction and flavor, but with so many new blends being announced, I was interested to see if this stick would prove an especially valuable addition to his line.
Blend Specifics
Size: Robusto
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Appearance & Construction
The Rocky Patel Private Cellar is a fairly average looking cigar. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is attractive, but the simple purple double-band falls a bit short. A few minor veins, but other than that, great construction per usual for Rocky Patel. My only complaint construction-wise is that the triple cap is a bit sloppy.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
Before lighting, I take note of the aroma off of the foot. Notes include granola and some dried fruit. On the light, the Rocky Patel Private Cellar kicks off with bitter chocolate and some dried fruit flavors as well. Medium to full bodied, there is also a white pepper note that tickles the tip of my tongue.
Smooth and very flavorful an inch in. At the second third, a creamy cedar is introduced that adds a bit of character to this strong cigar. Construction and draw remain perfect.
A the cigar progresses into the final third, the white pepper dies down, bringing the flavors into better balance. The flavors remain basically unchanged for the remainder of the smoke.
Conclusion
Though the Rocky Patel Private Cellar is flavorful, the notes fall flat. It isn’t until the final third that a good flavor balance is achieved. Of course, per usual the construction and draw are basically flawless, but that isn’t enough to land this in the A range.
A few weeks ago, we interviewed Patrick Vivalo of Rocky Patel Cigars. Patrick is very involved with the sales and marketing of the company, and has really added to the online presence of the brand. He sent me a few sticks about a week after the interview went up, and included in his package was the Decade, one of Rocky Patel’s signature cigars. This cigar came in tubo fashion, which as you can see from the photos below really adds a nice touch in the presentation of the cigar. Without further ado, the review:
Blend Specifics
Size: Toro (6.5 x 52)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan
Click to view
Appearance & Construction
The Decade features a dark, richly toned brown wrapper. Some minimal veins are present, though I don’t really notice them given the beautiful presentation of this cigar. With very solid construction, beautiful banding, and all just out of classic tubo packaging, the cigar begs to be smoked. Off the foot are scents of granola, wood, and coffee.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
This cigar kicks off with a very fine-textured white pepper paired with sweet granola and spice on the retrohale. The texture of the smoke is very unique, so fine that the smoke tickles the front of your tongue and coats the pallet.
About a quart of the way through this cigar, I am impressed even more by the construction (pictures above). Notes of leather emerge and the pepper begins to intensify. The second third introduces coffee and bitter cocoa notes, while woodiness becomes much more prominent.
The only detraction I can think of with this stick was that the smoke became particularly hot near the end, which is of course more frustrating when the smoke is from a cigar you are particularly enjoying.
Conclusion
You don’t have to like Rocky Patel as a brand, but you have to hand it to him that this is a stand out blend that is worthy of acclaim. It is a bit on the pricey side, so this isn’t an everyday smoke. It is, however, a cigar that any medium-full bodied lover should smoke as soon as they can.
Cremo is, in my opinion, one of the more interesting brands on the market today, partially for its duel identity. Though the brand has been around for well over one hundred years, its current form is only a handful of years old. The Cremo Classic Maduro is the second blend out of Cremo, coming on the heels of the remarkably successful Cremo Classic (reviewed here). I was excited to smoke these pre-release cigars after enjoying the Classic, so now I’ll get right to it.
Blend Specifics
Size: Intrepidus (6 x 52)
Wrapper: Mexican San Andreas
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Appearance & Construction
The Cremo Classic Maduro really is a beautiful cigar. This is partially to do with the unique reflective band that displays “Cremo” in black lettering. I find that this presentation works really well with the dark brown color of the San Andreas wrapper. The stick is slightly springy to the touch, well packed, and has only a few barely-visible imperfections.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
Before lighting, the smell off of the foot of the cigar reveals chocolate notes, definite spices, and something like hay. On the light, this cigar kicks off with deep, rich notes of milk and dark chocolate, a hint of cherry, and medium spice on the retro hale.
About an inch in, the body increases, and a touch of leather is added to the mix. At the beginning of the second third, there is a significant addition of white pepper and bitter chocolate, a welcome complexity. The body continues to build.
In the final third, the strength picks up even more, while black pepper dies off, leaving a profile very similar to the Alec Bradley American market sungrown. It is here that the profile finds its resting point and after about an hour and a half of smoking, I put the cigar down.
Conclusion
Coming in at about $12 a stick, the Cremo Classic Maduro isn’t a cheap stick, but it is well worth the ticket price. The Cremo Classic Maduro is rich, complex, aromatic, and well balanced. It is a cigar that tells a story as it progresses, and I didn’t want to put it down. Easily a must-buy cigar. I’m very impressed with how Cremo has released two incredibly different cigars, both of which measure up to a high standard of quality and enjoyability.
I dropped by the Cigar Inn recently and figured I’d give the La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amor another smoke. I was a big fan of it when it came out, and a big fan of it when the brand took #2 Cigar of the Year for 2011.
Blend Specifics
Size: Magnifico (6 x 52)
Wrapper: Mexican San Andreas
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Construction & Appearance
This cigar features a dark rust- brown wrapper in a box pressed vitola. Construction is well done, though there were consistently some minor imperfections. After clipping the cigar, I can tell the draw is perfect – not too permissive or too tight. The prelight draw gives me a bit of earth and spice.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
This cigar is, in my opinion, fairly straightforward. Notes of toasted bread, cinnamon, wood, and cocoa hit the tongue and the nose in very enjoyable fashion. As one would guess, there was a good deal of spice in this stick, though in the second third and onward the spice dies down a bit to reveal the root flavors more clearly. Very few cigars can zero in on dark, rich notes, and remain balanced at the same time. For that reason, this is a stick to pay attention to.
Conclusion
This stick is a must-smoke. It isn’t in my top ten, but it probably makes top twenty, and for good reason. You get a clear, enjoyable profile, good construction, and ultimately a very enjoyable smoking experience.
The Torano Exodus 1959 50 Year is the first in the FineTobaccoNYC Fall Cigar Review Schedule. I have to admit, in the past I have been underwhelmed by Torano Cigars, so I was excited to try something new and see if this blend could offer something substantially new. I smoked two of these cigars for this review, and, not to give everything away, but I wouldn’t mind another box or two to have on reserve. This is, simply put, a fantastic blend. But more details below.
Blend Specifics
Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca Sungrown
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Esteli & Pueblo Nuevo Nicaragua
Appearance & Construction
This cigar sports an orange-gold band featuring the Torano coat of arms. The wrapper is a beautiful chocolate brown that blankets the box-pressed vitola. A few veins, but nothing out of the ordinary. Off of the foot I smell leather, coffee, and a slight granola.
Taste & Smoke Characteristics
Boom. Flavor! This cigar wastes no time in getting started. Tons of smoke are produced from the perfect draw, revealing coffee, cinnamon (trademark Torano, in my opinion), subtle spices (there are more than one) and prominent dark chocolate notes.
In the second third, many of the same notes, though the medium bodied intensity draws back slightly and the texture smooths itself out. The final third heats up a bit, but interestingly did not detract from the enjoyment of the smoke. Near the end of the stick, I get one more surprise: the dark chocolate notes become distinctly milk-chocolate in flavor.
I was sad to put this cigar down.
Conclusion
There is no way around it: this is my favorite Torano blend to date. It is complex, subtle, powerful, and smooth all at the same time. It delivers loads of flavor while not breaking the bank. Do yourself a favor and give the 50 year a try.
The first time I got one of these in my hand was from Tim a young man I met at the IPCPR who kept talking about this brand he was working with based out of NJ. The whole time I’m like blah blah, whatever man, because you hear this speech from everybody. I smoke everything it doesn’t have to be a full bodied powerhouse with loads of spice, leather, coffee, etc . to be a good cigar. Case in point Hoja de Flores! So here I am at the Miami cigar after party (thanks to Nestor, and Renee) With my 2 younger brothers having some rum, and Tim comes over and says what’s up!? “I need a cigar right now man” I said promptly. “ I got you Dave” Tim reaches into his bag and pulls out 3 Toros. I cut it light and from the first puff I knew I was smoking something good, very good actually. Here is the blend:
Review Hoja De Flores Vitola: Toro Wrapper: Criollo 98 Binder: DR Filler: DR
With hints of spice, earth, but the overall character is smooth with vanilla undertones. Damn it was good! The aroma had a lot to do with that as well, this cigar along with the Turei by Hispaniola and a few others are what I see the future of cigar smoking becoming. Quality, flavor, aroma, construction are more important than strength, power, every time. So check out Hoja de Flores you will not be disappointed.
Thunder is a blend by Rocky Patel Cigars, and particularly Nimish Patel. I had the opportunity to meet Nimish at the Rocky Patel event at Studio Sq. That event is also where I received this stick for review. As far as pairings go, I paired this stick with Jameson triple-distilled whiskey, some Esperanza Spalding jazz, and some interesting weather that developed halfway through the smoke.
The wrapper on this cigar is a rich, dark brown that is very inviting. The color of the Habano wrapper pairs incredibly well with the green, black, gold, and white label. As an Oregonian, this reminds me of a nice foresty color theme that I appreciate. The cigar is packed very well, triple capped, and has a nice layer of oiliness. The draw is a bit tight, but from what I understand this is not typical of the blend.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
Off of the foot of this cigar are notes of granola, manure, cedar, and coffee. The stick kicks off with a medium to full body smoke that features spice, pepper, coffee, and caramel. At about an inch in, the cigar develops a bit and the flavors become very “Patel.” Notes of coffee, dark chocolate, a caramel texture, and something distinctively fruity. In fact, I identified the fruit later as cherry and… pears! I’m not the only reviewer to notice a fleeting fruity note.
By the second third, it’s clear that this cigar will have some consistent burn problems, which other reviewers have also noted. Then again, the burn problem could be a partial result of the literal thunder that rolled in. Sitting outside in New Jersey for the weekend smoking, a big storm rolled in, flashes of lightning everywhere, and thunder too (pictured below).
Notes in the second third of this cigar included dark chocolate & wood. The caramely texture completely dropped off, revealing a much more earthy texture. As the smoke progresses, the chocolate becomes more and more bitter, which pairs nicely with the woody notes.
The final third was, unfortunately, quite a bit hotter than the rest of the cigar, and the bitterness of the chocolate became a bit overpowering, as did the earthy texture.
Conclusion
This is a cigar to try, but be aware that you will likely have some burn issues. This is a full bodied smoke – definitely not for beginners. It certainly doesn’t showcase my favorite flavor profile, but it was a unique and enjoyable smoke.
I’ve been excited to review the Domus Magnus for quite some time. As a cigar, I view it something like the Colorado’s younger brother – not as much strength, but still very enjoyable and it bears resemblance to its older sibling. I purchased and smoked this cigar at The Cigar Inn (53rd st. location). With the cigar I paired a cup of coffee from the bodega across the street on 52nd.
Blend Specifics
Wrapper: Nicaragua Sun Grown Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua
Top bandFoot band
Appearance & Construction
This cigar tends to be very springy to the touch. As a result, the draw tends to be a bit loose – which I really enjoy. The cigar delivers loads of smoke, and I can’t complain about that. Other than that, the box pressed cigar sports a rich brown Nicaraguan Sun Grown wrapper, and the pig tail wrap on the head ads a nice touch. Off the foot are scents of wood and bread.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
The Domus Magnus kicks off much milder than I would have expected right after smoking the Colorado. After the first few puffs though, the cigar really opens up with notes of wood, toasted bread, and chocolate. Very notable as well is just how smooth and cool the smoke is. As the reviewer at acigarsmoker.com rightly points out, there is also a discernable tartness in the profile as well.
The first half of the cigar was excellent – up until the point that I dropped a huge load of ash and put a big red burn on my hand. I can’t exactly blame Casa Magna for that though!
Right around the halfway point, the tartness (bordering now on bitterness) becomes a bit more prominent, which pairs nicely with the coffee notes. The strength of the cigar is also picking up.
The final third of this stick gets really interesting. The body of the smoke grows, and a really enjoyable spice is present on the tip of my tongue and in the retrohale. Smoke off the foot also has a nice savory note to it, confirming that this is a great complex cigar.
Conclusion
Casa Magna remains one of my all time favorite brands. This cigar is smooth, complex, and flavorful. At $12-$15, it is a bit pricey, but it is well worth it. I highly recommend picking up a five-pack.
Since coming under the management of Michael Herklotz (formerly of Davidoff), the Nat Sherman Townhouse has become something of a second home to me. The selection is fantastic, there is more seating than ever before (minus access to the Johnson lounge downstairs), and the staff is knowledgable and friendly. So when I asked what was new, a gentleman kindly pointed out the new Bench Collection cigars. The first such cigar up for review is the L-IDD, which, from La Aurora, sports a unique Indonesian wrapper that I’m excited to smoke.
La Aurora, the Dominican Republic’s oldest cigar factory, has teamed up with Nat Sherman to offer two very special cigars to the Tobacconist’s loyal customers at their Flagship Townhouse Store.
These cigars were manufactured in 2007 in their Dominican factory. The blends were part of the development of the La Aurora Excepcionales, a cigar made exclusively available to a small group of New York City retailers.
“We had three blends we really liked”, said Michael Herklots, who worked closely with La Aurora’s Manuel Inoa on the project. “Ultimately we chose a blend for the Excepcionales, but there were two other blends that we really liked and decided to make a very small production of them to use sometime in the future.” On a recent visit to La Aurora, Herklots inquired about the small production of the other two blends. And, fortunately for Nat Sherman, they were resting in the company’s vast aging room.
La Aurora agreed to make the small amount of cigars avialable for Nat Sherman’s exclusive Bench Collection- a series of small production cigars that use harder-to-get tobaccos in more artisenal style blends.
Both cigars are available in limited quantities boxes of 20 cigars
Blend Specifics
Vitola: Lancero
Size: 6.5″ x 40
Wrapper: Indonesian
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Appearance & Construction
This is not the most beautiful cigar my eyes have ever beheld. There are a few blotches on the Indonesian wrapper, and the color is (unsurprisingly) not quite like most cigars – sort of a light brown with a slightly reddish hue. The band, with the traditional Nat Sherman color scheme, says Nat Sherman “Bench”.
Otherwise, the construction is pretty much flawless, there are minimal viens, the wrapper is slightly oily, and the city is springy to the touch. After using a straight cut on the triple capped head, I find the draw to be about average.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
Before lighting this cigar, I take a whiff of the foot of the cigar. Apparent is a sort of woody smell, and something else that I can’t quite put my finger on and am hoping shows up a bit more discernably when I light.
The second the smoke touches my lips, I’m tasting a very unique and powerful sweetness that I haven’t experienced in any cigar I can remember. It is also, delicious, with tinges of milk chocolate, butter, and the slightest tanginess on the retrohale.
As I hit the second third, a few things are apparent. First, the ash has a hard time staying put – it burns perfectly straight, but tends to fall quickly. Second, the wrapper is delivering lots of flavor with this vitola. The strength of the smoke continues to build, making sure I don’t get bored with this cigar.
The final third sees the body and strength of the smoke increase, and the retrohale gets significantly more spicy.
Conclusion
The Nat Sherman Bench L-IDD is a cigar worthy of the Nat Sherman name. I found it to be complex and very flavorful, mostly thanks to the lancero vitola. It isn’t a cigar I would smoke every day, partially because the flavor profile isn’t one that I typically smoke, but it is a great morning cigar. Pick up a few of these before they are all gone!
