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Camacho Cigars

Blind Review: Camacho Liberty Series 2021

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A lot of cigar companies have released holiday-specific limited edition blends. Few have had the impact or longevity as the Camacho Liberty. This year mark the 19th consecutive year where Camacho commemorate the birth of USA, and I was lucky enough to blind review it.

Blend Specifics:

  • Cigar Reviewed: Camacho Liberty Series 2021
  • Wrapper: Ecuador
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Dominican Republic & Honduras
  • Size: Churchill (7”x 48)

Appearance & Construction

I begin by examining the cigar. Its tawny colored wrapper is smooth, yet ridged at the same time with multiple veins running in all directions. As I hold the cigar between my fingers, its softness has a curious feeling, as if I was holding onto a dry sponge. Nevertheless, it is very sturdily built and proportionally filled.

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

There is a very decadent smell of caramel toffee coming from the wrapper, so strong that I can almost taste the syrupy texture. The foot has a scent of tart stone fruits follow by a hint of spice. After shaving off the cap, I take a cold draw, and at first, I taste a hint of sweet and tart dry plum. As I continue to draw air through it the flavor intensifies.

Since the wrapper felt softer than most cigars I have smoked, I decide to light the cigar with matches thinking it would be gentler on the wrapper. As the soft flame comes in contact with the foot, a stream of smoke whirls like a small tornado around the room and fills it with aroma of fresh baked sugar cookies.

I take my first puff and I am immediately reminded of my morning walk to work with a strong taste of roasted coffee and fresh baked bread. As the smoke exits my mouth, the initial flavors weaken and I am able to identify notes of light leather, hay, toasted peanuts, and a hint of tang. The retrohale only enhances the taste of fresh baked goods, toasted peanuts, and warm baking spice. This is a great start for my experience, and it is easy to lose myself within this cigar; hoping it never ends.

An inch in, the burn line is slightly crooked, but the ash seems like it has been reinforced with concrete. The smoke itself becomes very creamy, with a hint of bitterness emerging which thankfully doesn’t affect the taste too much.

Two thirds in, the burn line fixes itself, and the smoke is ample and luscious, all the while indulging myself in cedar, toasted almonds, caramel, and a hint of citrus tang. The smoke then becomes very dense and creamy, as if I had just drunk a cup of milk. As I continue my smoke, the cigar stays at this consistency until the very end with the exception of the retrohale increasing its spice level, but still within the pleasurable realm.

Conclusion

I was a bit speechless after learning of this cigar’s identity. Camacho was never a brand on my radar because they often stayed in the shadow of Davidoff when I see them at brick and mortars. And the few that I have tried have been mediocre.

That said, the Camacho Liberty Series 2021 is a game changer for me. It hits all the right flavors, creates a well balance experience that paints a very vivid picture for me. The combination of roasted coffee, fresh baked goods, toasted almonds, caramel, and a hint of citrus tang reminded me of a weekend at my grandparents’ house as a kid. Excellent. Give it a try if you can find it!

Final Rating: 91

Cigar Review: Camacho Select Super Robusto

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I picked up this Camacho Select at Cigar Cigars in Cleveland, OH while in town visiting. I didn’t have many expectations because I had no intro to this cigar, but wow was I blown away writing this review. Here it is:Camacho Select

Blend Specifics:

Wrapper: Cameroon (Honduras)
Filler: Honduras
Binder: Honduras

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

The smell off of the foot is a mixture of wood, hay, and nuts — actually very exceptional in that those notes are very distinct and very present at the same time.

When I light this cigar up, I’m greeted by a really wonderful, smooth, mild to medium bodied smoke that has distinct notes of nuts, milk chocolate, farm-fresh cream, and a nice musty backdrop that reminds me of going up into my grandpa’s forgotten attic.
By about an eight of an inch into this smoke, I can already tell I’m smoking something really special. I’m not sure if it’s because this cigar is pre-Davidoff merger and thus has been aging for a few years now or if it is just masterful blending, but most cigar smokers will know the feeling when you first light up a cigar you know you’re going to really enjoy for the next few hours.
By the second third, I’m fighting the urge to close my computer and stop taking notes. One drawback with reviewing cigars is that, if you spend too much time focusing on the notes (yes, it is possible), you can miss the enjoyment of the cigar itself. In this case, I’m deciding to continue writing based on the assumption that I’ll be dropping by my B&M tomorrow and picking up a few more to savor later.
The second third is a glorious mix of wood, buttercream, and milk chocolate. Not much more to say other than the draw is perfect, smoke production is great, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the cigar.
In the final third, it’s a bit more of the same with a few minor additions: some light saltiness, a slightly more bready texture, and of course more of that delightful milk chocolate flavor.

Conclusion

This cigar isn’t in production any longer, but if you get your hands on these, buy at least three. The Camacho Select really showcases what Honduran puros can do: distinct flavor profiles, and nearly always a silky-smooth texture that is hard to find anywhere else.
Final Grade: A

Cigar Review: Camacho Ecuador

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Since reviewing the Camacho Connecticut Toro, I had not only warmed up to Camacho cigars, but I had also given them a great set of expectations to live up to after my successful run with the Connecticut. Can the Ecuador Toro live up to, and possibly one-up, the Connecticut? Let’s see.

Blend Specifics

  • Vitola: Toro
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
  • Binder: Brazil; Mata Fina
  • Honduras & Dominican Republic; Corojo, Criollo Ligero, Pelo de Oro
  • Dimensions: 6’ X 50”

Aesthetics, Construction and Feel

The simplicity of the label is an essential part of this stogie’s allure: its overt simplicity distinguishes it from 99% of the premium cigars on the market, whose labels are deliberately more ornate to reflect the brands’ heritage and traditions. Thus the Ecuador jumps out at you and exerts a stranglehold on your attention and curiosity, making it hard to resist giving it a try.

The wrapper makes for an excellent second impression; the veins are noticeable, but it’s well-constructed. There are no soft spots, no cracks, no loose ends. Finally, the wrapper has a rugged, leathery texture and a wonderful odor that is curiously similar to the full-bodied smell of many Cuban cigars. This all sounds promising, but will the smoke experience fulfill the first impressions’ promises?

Smoke and Flavor

The Ecuador definitely starts off on the right foot. The first few puffs are are solid without being harsh. The flavor is rich and smoky, lightly resembling southern barbecue. The smoke clouds are rich and thick as well, bearing a lovely essence of coffee. After the first fifth is done, the smoky flavor seamlessly transitions into a nice, black wood-like flavor. The black wood remains at the forefront right up to the end.

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The draw is a bit too constricted, which makes puffing seem like a chore at times. The draw remains tight until the nub of the cigar, where the draw can always be trusted to breathe more freely. In spite of the tightness of the draw, however, the burn is conveniently slow and remains almost perfectly even throughout the smoking experience. As I step out to get some fresh air, I am astonished to find that not even the stiff breeze outside can hinder the burn in any significant way. Finally, and perhaps most remarkably of all, the finish is excellent; it’s a solid finish that is fully enjoyable due to the unusual absence of the harsh spice that the average cigar nub has. This is a completely new experience that I could easily get used to.

The Final Verdict

All in all, I was genuinely impressed with this cigar from start to finish. The flavor was deliciously dark and consistent; the burn was stubbornly even throughout, requiring no maintenance on my part; the smoke clouds were thick and aromatic; and last, but certainly not least, the impeccable ease of the finish made for a spectacular end to a wonderful smoke. What’s more is that I felt little to no tobacco buzz, despite having only eaten a slice of pizza before lighting up. This cigar may not look like a premium right off that bat, but rest assured, the Camacho Ecuador can run with the best of ‘em.

Final Grade: A

Tips for a Perfect Smoke Experience

  • While this dark habano might not give you a dry mouth, it’s still a darker cigar. As such, a nice cup of coffee or a cocktail is always recommended to balance the Ecuador’s smoky essence.

Cigar Review: Camacho Connecticut

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Below is another review by New York City cigar aficionado Charlie Freeman. I recommended this cigar for a review after it taking a spot in my regular line up because of its quality and consistency.

Camacho Connecticut

True confession time: I was immediately skeptical of this cigar and of the brand name that it bears the moment I laid eyes on it. It’s simplistic, it’s intense and in it’s unashamedly up in your face, like it or not; this attitude is a far cry from the cigar culture I’m familiar with, where calmness, courtesy and respect are prioritized. However, experience has taught me that you can’t judge a stogie by its label; so let’s get down to business.

Blend Specifics

  • Vitola: Toro
  • Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
  • Binder: Corojo
  • Filler: Honduran Generoso, Aleman Ligero
  • Dimensions: 6’ x 50”
  • Country of Origin: Honduras

Aesthetics, Construction andFeel

The bright orange label may not be the most sophisticated I’ve ever laid eyes on, but there’s something about it that attracts the eye. With the label juxtaposed against the beige wrapper, the Connecticut evokes images of peanut butter in my head. And I do love peanut butter…

The stogie itself is excellently constructed: there are few veins, and the veins that are there are difficult to notice; the wrapper has a smooth and velvety feel to it; the odor has an ever-so-slight sweetness to it, an odor reminiscent of many Dominican-made cigars. Finally, there are no soft spots or openings detected in the wrapper.

Smoke and Flavor

Right off the bat, the stogie delivers an excellent performance. From the very beginning to the very end the draw is remarkably well-balanced: not too tight, not too loose. For every deliciously chewy puff, there is a lush, voluminous cloud of smoke that carries with it a warm and woody odor. Despite its tendency to lose the ash rather quickly, the Connecticut’s burn is surprisingly consistent, remaining even throughout the entire cigar.

However, the real treat for this particular stogie is its flavor. Right away, the smoker is greeted by a natural, light, woody flavor that wets the palate. Right up to the end, the wood is consistently at the forefront of the flavor. Much to my surprise, the wood doesn’t give way to any spice at the end, making for a smooth, satisfying finish.

The Final Verdict

With a chewy, perfectly balanced draw, even burn, tantalizing woody flavor and solid start and finish, I can honestly say that this is the greatest connecticut strength cigar I have ever smoked thus far. Make no mistake, this is a lot coming from someone who has been smoking consistently for three years. This work of art is a must for smokers of all tastes and experience levels; it’s not harsh in any for beginners, and its flawless construction and flavor is guaranteed to leave even the most experienced smoker reeling.

Final Grade: A+

Tips for a Perfect Smoke Experience

  • Anything with peanut butter in it is a perfect complement to this chewy mild stogie; so break out that old peanut butter cookie recipe that you haven’t had an excuse to use yet!