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Favourite Cigars - September 2012

A

AmsterDan

Hi guys and galls,

Just throwing up a new thread here to see what cigars you have been enjoying this month! Perhaps doing up some inspiration for finding a new cigar?
I personally have really enjoyed the Joya de Nicaragua, Antano Consul. It is a full flavoured earthy cigar and relatively powerful. So was the new Vega Fina, Fortaleza 2 in size Toro. That was definitely the highlight of this month. It is powerful and full flavoured with rich cedar wood tones, spices, cream, slight hints of bitter and a thick sweetness at times. Highly recommended!
 
KW Driver

KW Driver

Joya de Nicaragua Celebracions. nice medium-full, but smooth. a peppery start that mellows well. and I used to be able to pick up a box for $53. I didn't know how spoiled I was with pricing there, until I moved.
 
C

canadiangolfguy

I have bought many more cigars over the past year than I have had time to smoke, but I did make time for a puff each of the last two Saturdays. First up was the Alec Bradley Prensado and then this weekend was an H Upmann Corona Major. I had high expectations for the AB as it is the Cigar Afficionado cigar of the year. Interestingly, it did not disappoint. I picked up earth, coffee, and and caramel notes. It was really fantastic. The Upmann is a personal favorite, and as I've smoked through the box over the past few years, that nice, nutty, flavor has only gotten smoother. Yummy.

Never had a Vega Fina, but will have to search one out based on your review, Dan.

Cheers
Rod
 
raisindot

raisindot

I've stupidly recently started smoking cigars (yes, it's a stupid thing for me to do. Yes, I'll probably ruin my health. Cognitive dissonance done with). I limit myself to one a week, so of course I'm buying many more that I can possibly smoke, but, as I continue in his terrible, filthy habit that I'm hiding from the wife (who I made quitting cigarette smoking a condition of marrying her over 20 years ago), I have at least come to the conclusion that the following are my favorites so far:

1. Joya De Nicaragua Antono. I agree with the OP; this is an absolute incredibly powerful and complex smoke. In the 25 or so different cigars I've tried, none has matched it quite yet.
2. Liga Pravada Undercrown. This is one great full-bodied smoke.
3. HC Series Habano Robusto. Very complex and spicy.
4. 5 Vegas Cask Strength. I don't like 5 Vegas in general, but this one is a full-strength powerhouse.
5. La Perla Habana Morado. Another very flavorful and spicy choice.
 
The Count of Merkur Cristo

The Count of Merkur Cristo

B&B's Emperor of Emojis
Davidoff 4x4 Corona Cigar

Read More: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/307331-Davidoff-3x3-amp-4x4-Bundle-Cigars-D

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"I smoke ten to fifteen cigars a day. At my age I have to hold on to something".George Burns
 
A

AmsterDan

@Raisindot
Enjoying a cigar so once in a while is as healthy as drinking a glass of wine, whisky or port ;) They are great accessories to enjoying life that little bit more, increasing our mental health. If there is one terrible and filthy habit, it would be today's work/career driven stress and walking through the polluted air around town. If you have been down town today, take a tissue and wipe your forehead and cheeks with it. That black stuff coming off your face is what we breath ... everyday. So next time you light up a cigar, do it when you have the time to optimally enjoy the flavours, complexities and the calm ambiance.

@Rod
Do it! You won't regret, especially if you like full-bodied cigars.

@Christopher
That's great stuff. Thanks for the link!

For those interested, I review cigars at Cigar Experience 2012. The list is growing slowly but surely. Our landlord asked us not to smoke in the house. They are great people and respect their request. Sad thing is, due to local tobacco laws we can not even have a cigar lounge any longer. (British Columbia, Canada). It doesn't discourage me one bit, it just slows down my reviewing capabilities which is the reason that reviews 'trickle' onto the website.
http://www.cigarexperience2012.blogspot.ca

On topic:
A cigar that also got my attention this month was the Don Tomas (Maduro) in size Robusto.
 
Devilpup

Devilpup

Tonight I'm having a Bolivar for the first time. I have to say it's very nice. Medium with a bit of spice, and light enough that it doesnt floor you while still having plenty of flavor. All while not breaking the bank at $4 locally. I think I may have to pick up more of these...many more.

@AmsterDan I liked the Don Thomas quite a bit, I'm very interested to hear your review. Good luck with finding a hospitable smoking den. I'm lucky enough to be able to, and my roommates even join me on occasion, smoke in the garage that we've turned into a semi furnished garage (couch, chairs, conference table, fridge, bar and microwave on concrete)
 
A

AmsterDan

I found the Vega Fina Fortaleza 2 to be superb, so I thought to share my review with you. Here goes:

Brand: Vega Fina
Line: Fortaleza 2
Size: Toro 6" x 54
Handmade in: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Dominican (San Andres Criollo)
Omblad: Dominican
Filler: Dominican

Appearance, Touch and Scent
As always do I begin with the presentation of a cigar. This has nothing to do with the cigar itself but is part of another important factor, the visual pleasure. The cigar band is simple which could be elegant, in this case I found it somewhat blunt. The cigar itself looks great. A beautiful tight and slightly oiled San Andres wrapper with a faint colorado redish shade. The cigar feels firm with an even spread of tobacco and one little soft spot ... not exactly the end of the world. Construction is good and the cigar's scent reminds me of delicious sweet chocolate combined with stable.

These hobbies combine just beautifully!
proxy.php


Experience
The cigar lights up easily after which two full flavours of cedar wood and spices bursts free. I wouldn't be able to tell you what I'm tasting in those spices, but the phenomenon is most pleasurable. I am also reminded of deep fresh forest soil, the scent you get after a summer rainstorm. The finish is of spicefull espresso and a suitable bitterness. A hint of cream has been noticed and this is how the complexity became well balanced and present during the entire smoke. The nose gets an enjoyable amount of black pepper. This is the type of pepper that you can easily control to your likings by means of 'smoke technique'.

The complexity takes on different characters from the half way point onwards and does so by picking up some of the flavours. Sometimes it is the sweetness, which combined with the other flavours results in liquorice. When the spices are picking up, it reminds me of gingerbread and after that you might be surprised to taste great earthy tones of cedar and forest soil! Every draw is slightly different which makes this an exciting cigar. Near the end the complexity takes on a toastyness after which it is time to put the cigar to rest.

Body & Flavour: Fairly powerfull and full flavoured.
Appearance: 8 / 10 - Cigar band not so much, cigar very much.
Construction: 9 / 10 - Tight, clean and evenly spread tobacco.
Draw: 8 / 10 - On the heavy side but withint the 'good' range.
Burn: 8 / 10 - Small but self-correcting sideways burns.
Ash: 8 / 10 - Light grey, firm for 1.5 inches.
Smoke: 9 / 10 - Generous amounts.
Aroma: 9 / 10 - Spicefull and gentle.
Duration: 80 minutes.

Smoked with ... a beautiful Caffe Umbria cappuccino, an Oak Bay Marina view and quiet jazz music playing in the background.

Conclusion
This Fortaleza 2 is a great successor to Vega Vina's 'Classic' line. If you like that line, you can expect the Fortaleza 2 to be a bit more up-beat. Just a tad more powerful, full flavours and entertaining. I wouldn't want to call this a morning cigar necessarily but definitely a late lunch or dinner cigar.
 
Lion and the Fox

Lion and the Fox

I know it's probably frowned upon, but my current favorite is the Drew Estate Tabak Especial (coffee infused cigar)! I actually purchased a few boxes while deployed to Iraq and enjoyed every single smoke and still had one in my humidor.
 
A

AmsterDan

Lion and the Fox, if that's the cigar you enjoy smoking then no one can tell you otherwise. Thanks for sharing!
 
jazzman

jazzman

Bought a box of the new Alec Bradley American Maduro Churchills. Medium to full, complex flavors, reasonable price. I've also enjoyed a few Flor de las Antillas Toro Grandes, a new offering from My Father Cigars, which are first-rate.
 
Argonaut

Argonaut

AmsterDan said:
I found the Vega Fina Fortaleza 2 to be superb, so I thought to share my review with you. Here goes:

Brand: Vega Fina
Line: Fortaleza 2
Size: Toro 6" x 54
Handmade in: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Dominican (San Andres Criollo)
Omblad: Dominican
Filler: Dominican

Appearance, Touch and Scent
As always do I begin with the presentation of a cigar. This has nothing to do with the cigar itself but is part of another important factor, the visual pleasure. The cigar band is simple which could be elegant, in this case I found it somewhat blunt. The cigar itself looks great. A beautiful tight and slightly oiled San Andres wrapper with a faint colorado redish shade. The cigar feels firm with an even spread of tobacco and one little soft spot ... not exactly the end of the world. Construction is good and the cigar's scent reminds me of delicious sweet chocolate combined with stable.

These hobbies combine just beautifully!
proxy.php


Experience
The cigar lights up easily after which two full flavours of cedar wood and spices bursts free. I wouldn't be able to tell you what I'm tasting in those spices, but the phenomenon is most pleasurable. I am also reminded of deep fresh forest soil, the scent you get after a summer rainstorm. The finish is of spicefull espresso and a suitable bitterness. A hint of cream has been noticed and this is how the complexity became well balanced and present during the entire smoke. The nose gets an enjoyable amount of black pepper. This is the type of pepper that you can easily control to your likings by means of 'smoke technique'.

The complexity takes on different characters from the half way point onwards and does so by picking up some of the flavours. Sometimes it is the sweetness, which combined with the other flavours results in liquorice. When the spices are picking up, it reminds me of gingerbread and after that you might be surprised to taste great earthy tones of cedar and forest soil! Every draw is slightly different which makes this an exciting cigar. Near the end the complexity takes on a toastyness after which it is time to put the cigar to rest.

Body & Flavour: Fairly powerfull and full flavoured.
Appearance: 8 / 10 - Cigar band not so much, cigar very much.
Construction: 9 / 10 - Tight, clean and evenly spread tobacco.
Draw: 8 / 10 - On the heavy side but withint the 'good' range.
Burn: 8 / 10 - Small but self-correcting sideways burns.
Ash: 8 / 10 - Light grey, firm for 1.5 inches.
Smoke: 9 / 10 - Generous amounts.
Aroma: 9 / 10 - Spicefull and gentle.
Duration: 80 minutes.

Smoked with ... a beautiful Caffe Umbria cappuccino, an Oak Bay Marina view and quiet jazz music playing in the background.

Conclusion
This Fortaleza 2 is a great successor to Vega Vina's 'Classic' line. If you like that line, you can expect the Fortaleza 2 to be a bit more up-beat. Just a tad more powerful, full flavours and entertaining. I wouldn't want to call this a morning cigar necessarily but definitely a late lunch or dinner cigar.
Click to expand...
Damn you and your well written review! I've been eyeing the Vega Finas in the JR catalogues, but havent actually heard from anyone who's tried one. It's on the list now.
 
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