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Los Hermanos Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46) Review
The Corona Gorda is the the first of two new sizes we will be releasing in the Los Hermanos line in the very near future, the other being a Box-Pressed Robusto (5 1/2 x 52). The Corona Gorda that I am smoking today was created by the great people of Casa Fernandez and Tropical Tobacco, at the Raices Cubanas factory in Nicaragua. The Box-Pressed Robusto will come out of Tropical's Miami factory, the release is TBD. I was a big fan of the first run of Los Hermanos, available here, especially the Robusto. I am generally more attracted to smaller rings, and with all the strength and nuances that the larger gauges had, I'm really excited to see how the blend does in a Corona size.
Construction / Pre-light:
This size of the Los Hermanos sports the same reddish hued Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper, the cigar itself has an earthy aroma to it while foot gives off a spicy pepper when inhaled through the nose. The cigar is well packed, with no soft or hard spots to speak of. The pre-light draw is sweet tobacco again with some spice.
First Third:
The Los Hermanos Corona starts off with a peppery blast of spice, an undercurrent of earthiness with an almost creamy bittersweet cocoa flavor. The draw is absolutely spot on perfect, the burn also while a little bit wavy is also very good. As the cigar progresses, there is a bit of a leathery flavor, with the spice still in the mix, with a cedar note on the finish.
Second Third:
The thick, rich smoke is heavy on the palate leaving a long creamy, leathery finish. This may not be to appealing if it wasn't for the sweetness of the tobacco that remains in the background. The cigar is probably medium - full at this point, it does have a bit of a sneaky character to it. It doesn't seem all that full and then all of a sudden you notice the strength creeping up on you. The flakey white ash falls off fairly easily on this sample, while another I smoked was like a rock.. Maybe the humidity of the cigar adjusting. There is a definite new-ness in this blend that has to be taken into account. By the time we make them available to customers, they will have had more time to settle.
Last Third:
In the last third the upfront spice has died down.. The cigar has become medium - full bordering on full.. but hasn't gotten bitter. The flavor nuances are mostly earthy with some sweetness and cedar behind it. A thoroughly enjoyable smoke. Smoke time was a little over an hour, I basically nubbed it.
Overall
The Corona size of the Los Hermanos predictably gives much more attention to the Nicaraguan Cafe Colorado Corojo wrapper. It allows the fillers and binders to play less of a dominant role in the overall profile of the cigar. This ends up working well for this blend, while not ultra complex, the cigar's Nicaraguan profile is packed full of positive flavors. It will satisfy the spice-aholics, and also people looking for a lot of flavor and body in a small package. Like I mentioned these will definitely do well with a few weeks of aging in our warehouse. Another great creation by Paul Palmer, Arsenio Ramos, and the rest of the folks at Casa Fernandez. These guys make great stuff!!
Cheers!
GC
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Currently rated 3.7 by 3 people
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Background:
Today I'm smoking the Elites (Toro 6x54) size of the Pre-release E.P. Carrillo Elencos Oscuro Series. The Carrillo Family has decided to release the Oscuro wrapped version of the Elencos blend in very small numbers at first, just a few boxes per retailer in the Elites size with the full release of the brand planned for late winter 2012. The Maduro Elencos Series sports a Brazilian Habano wrapper and a Nicaraguan / Dominican binder and filler.
Appearance / Construction:
The Elencos Series Oscuro is quite a specimen. The toothy wrapper is not anywhere close to as rough as the wrapper leaf used for the EPC Core Line Maduro. It's so smooth, I can barely see any veins or seams. Heavy in hand, the cigar is well packed.The pre-light draw gives off a nice barnyard aroma with some sweet tobacco flavoring. Lets light this baby up!
First Third:
After toasting the foot, the first few draws give off a substantial blast of pepper, with some nice spice through the nose. The toothy wrapper creates a nice white ash as I smoke through the first half inch. There's a lot going on here, despite the anticipation of a strong body and profile, I'm getting a very smooth, creamy cigar with vanilla sweetness to start. Something I did not expect from a cigar with such a dark wrapper! The cigar is wonderfully balanced and has a very complex flavor profile. Through the balanced strength and creamy finish, I'm also experiencing woodsy, earthy flavors that may be coming from the wrapper leaf? The regular E.P. Carrillo Elencos Series was very complex, very smooth and creamy, and instead of butting heads with the blend, the Oscuro wrapper just seems to add a new dimension. As the first third comes to an end, the strength of the body and the peppery spice is kicking up a bit. Also identifying some espresso or dark cocoa sweetness. The smoothness and balance of all the flavors is excellent, and each can still be identified in the profile. A very complex smoke.
Second Third:
The burn and the draw has been near perfection throughout the cigar so far, just the perfect amount of hesitation on the draw. When I smoke cigars I constantly retrohale, to the point where it's unconscious at this point. While this cigar has a medium to full body, and so many flavors going on the retrohale is amazing. Smooth and creamy smoke flows wonderfully throughout my nose allowing me to take in all this cigar has to offer. Waiting until late winter to try some more of these Toro's and the other sizes of the Elencos Oscuro is going to be tough, I'm really enjoying this cigar. The cigar's profile has shifted more towards the earthy, leathery flavors in the forefront, the sweetness has disappeared a bit, but the long creamy finish remains.
Last Third:
The final third is all leather and dark cocoa, medium to full in body, still an excellent balance in flavor and no bitterness at all. An enjoyable cigar all the way to the finish. I smoked it down as far as I could, until it got a bit too hot to smoke. All I can say is Wow, I know I'm gushing a bit on this one, but I swear Ernesto Carrillo has a gift, and luckily we are all around to enjoy his creations.
Overall:
I feel like every time I smoke or review a new EPC cigar, I'm blown away. Or at least I'm more impressed than the last time I smoked one. The ability to consistently outdo oneself is a true mark of greatness. If you were a fan of the Natural Elencos Series, which stood on its own as an amazing cigar, I promise this one is going to rock your world. Taking the Elencos to the next level by adding an Oscuro wrapper that works perfectly with the blend. Right now, the only way to score this cigar from Atlantic Cigar, is to purchase the Sublime 2012 Sampler. A great sampler for a great price, this cigar absolutely deserves to sit amongst the likes of the Padron No. 9, The OpusX Lost City and the Camacho Liberty 2011. Phenomenal cigar, can't wait for the other sizes and the full release which should be late-winter 2012.
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Background:
The latest in Rocky's Seasonal selections is the Rocky Patel Winter Collection 2012 (also known as the Winter Blend). This year's cigar sports a dark Ecuadorian Habano Wrapper with a dual binder from Costa Rica and Mexico, and fillers from both Panama and Nicaragua. An interesting blend with tobaccos from more than 4 countries. Let's see how it stacks up to the successful 2009 Rocky Winter Blend, and if it feels like a Winter cigar..
Construction / Prelight:
This 5 1/2 " box-pressed Robusto is a very attractive smoke. The aroma that comes off the cigar when you take it out of the cellophane is mouth watering! The dark reddish brown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is smooth and oily. The construction is great, the cigar is well packed, with no soft spots to speak of. The pre-light draw gives a sweet spice mixed with tobacco profile. Can't wait to fire this one up.
First Third:
Right off the bat, Rocky's New Winter Collection gives a great blast of flavor and a TON of smoke. The cigar starts off with a leathery sweetness with some peppery spice and a nice clean finish. Although well packed the draw is a tad on the loose side, making an average puff fill the air with clouds of aromatic smoke. I've had to touch up the cigar a bit with my lighter to keep it on the straight, I'm attributing the wavering burn to the looser draw. The cigar has a dark chocolate, espresso sweetness reminiscent of the Casa Magna Domus Magnus and a slight cedar or oak profile. These flavors continue on throughout the first third with excellent balance.
Second Third:
Onto the second third, the leather and earthy flavors are in the forefront, mixing well with the rich sweetness of the blend. The body is medium at this point, possibly a little stronger, but nothing too wild yet. The 2012 Winter Blend has a ton of character, a very enjoyable combination of flavors that are bold and mix well. I think the cigar does a good job of being a "winter" batch. Its richness and bold flavor, combined with a long finish gives the Rocky Patel Winter Collection 2012 a true winter feel. I could definitely see myself lighting one of these up after a heavy holiday feast, a perfect topper to a belly warming meal.
Final Third:
All the draw and burn issues I was having at the start of the smoke have worked themselves out. The cigar basically just corrected itself and started to burn near perfectly. The body and spice have picked up in the final third, I'd say the body has easily reached medium - full. The sweetness that was initially in the forefront of the profile has dropped off into the distance. The earthy core of the cigar continued to play out until I nubbed it.
Overall:
I was a big fan of the 2009 Rocky Patel Winter Blend, another bold blend with a PA Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. I think Rocky has succeeded in creating a similar bold and flavorful (heavy) Winter Blend, but with it's own character. What this blend lacks in complexity and elegance it makes up for with a boldness of flavor. A great medium to full cigar loaded with a unique flavor that while not varied, is balanced and very tasty. As all seasonal blends, the Winter Collection is limited, so grab yours while you can! Only 2000 boxes of each size were made this year.
Check out Our Rocky Patel Winter Collection 2012 brand page to see availability or call us 1 (800) 887-7877 to order.
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Currently rated 4 by 1 person
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Tags: rocky patel, winter collection 2012, winter collection 2009, cigar reviews, new cigars, ecuadorian habano, costa rica, mexican san andreas, panamanian tobacco, nicaragua, medium - full body cigars |
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Categories: Product Reviews, What's New |
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Background:
This is an interesting new project coming from Team La Gloria set for release in September of 2011. The La Gloria Cubana Retro Especial has been in the works for almost 8 years now. The brand was inspired by an antique humidor found at the El Credito Cigar Factory. Team La Gloria wanted to replicate the Retro look of the humidor. It took them two years to finally get the retro feel of the packaging just right. Each frontmark has a unique design and a classic name taken from the old days of El Credito. The cultivation of the cross-bred Connecticut seed grown in Honduras to create the beautiful wrapper that encases the cigars. The cigar features a double binder of bold Nicaraguan and Mexican tobaccos and a filler made up of proprietary blend of ligero and Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco.
Appearance and Construction:
This new cigar from La Gloria Cubana, the Artesanos Retro Especial has a really nice looking, rustic, toothy golden brown wrapper on it. I am reviewing the Club size which is a 5 3/4" x 47 ring gauge. The cigar is very firm and seems to be packed very well. The band gives the cigar a very Retro feel, which is what they were going for and was executed very well. One clipped the cold draw, while a bit tight, gave off somee nice earthy tobacco flavors.
First Third:
The Retro Especial starts off mild-medium with some welcoming earthy flavors, some spice, and an underlying sweetness. The draw gives off just the right amount of resistance and the burn line while wavering a bit, is pretty official. The ash is very dark and almost black where it meets the cigar. The flavors in the first third are already fairly complex. For some reason this cigar reminds me of Fall as I smoke it. The aroma is an Autumn spice with a young tobacco scent.
Second Third:
The Retro Especial Club is building in strength, body and spice as it moves into the second third. Strength wise this La Gloria Cubana is still medium in body, with clean mouth feel and a long finish. A nutty, dry flavor mixed with something earthy, possibly a woodiness, (cedar maybe?), moves into the cigar's complex array of flavors. There is something here that is reminiscent of some Cuban cigars that I have smoked in the past. It's not that twangy taste, but more of the vegetal youngness, it's enjoyable with this particular cigar because it seems to be very much balanced. I think the La Gloria Retro Especial will have some really great aging potential, even a few months in the humidor could do wonders here.
Last Third:
The earthy cedar flavors are definitely in the forefront as the cigar takes its final stand. In the background is a nice creamy sweetness, kind of like a caramel or coffee flavor. The last third of the Retro Especial is really enjoyable.. The strength of the fillers and binders have ramped up a bit to blend perfectly with the unique flavor of the hybrid wrapper. With a little left than an inch left, the cigar became a little bit too hot for my liking. Usually due to my smoking too fast.. Total time smoking this Corona Gorda was over an hour and a half.
Overall Impressions:
I'm not sure if it's the unique wrapper leaf, the interesting mix of fillers and binders, or all things considered, but this La Gloria has some serious character. Lots of complex flavors matched with an interesting aroma and perfect draw and burn. Team La Gloria definitely has an interesting product on their hands here. I can't wait to see the finished packaging, I think it's going to be a real eye catcher. It's good to see a big company like General Cigar create something with some boutique type qualities to it. While I'm sure they will be making a good amount of these babies, the cigar looks and generally performs like a smaller batch cigar. Perfect for Fall, this one will be arriving in our Retail Stores and online very soon within the next week. Keep your eye's peeled!
*UPDATE: These are now available in our retail stores and online in the Brand page section of La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especial.
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Appearance / Pre-light:
A new limited edition blend from SAG/Matasa is the Casa Magna Domus Magnus. The cigar is a Nicaraguan Puro with a sun-grown wrapper from the Jalapa Valley and was blended by Manuel Quesada and Nestor Plasencia. Packed as 10 counts in a sturdy built hinged box, the presentation is wonderful. The larger of the two sizes that I am sampling is called the Primus (6 3/8 x 55), the smaller being the Optimus which is (5 7/8 x 52). Both are extremely box pressed, basically square really and finished off with a pigtail cap. The band is similar to the original Casa Magna, with different colors identifying the Domus Magnus Blend. The cigar is finished off with a foot band also identifying the namesake.
The wrapper is toothy yet smooth, with a rich brown color. The cigar feels well packed with ample heft , yet at the same time has a bit of softness to it when you give it a pinch. There is a sweet scent coming from the foot of sugar, sweet tobacco and some fruit notes. The cold draw has a really fruity taste, think Juicyfruit gum.. It's really an intense flavor hopefully it will be balanced with some nice spicy body.
First Third:
The cigar takes to flame very well and starts off with some great flavors. Right off the bat I'm tasting the fruitiness mentioned above with some peppery spice, overall very enjoyable. The draw is a bit loose and the cigar puts out a good amount of smoke. The square shape of the cigar is very comfortable in the mouth. The fruitiness has died down a bit leaving rich tobacco flavors with a nice creamy spice through the nose. The burn line is wavering, but nothing that cannot be touched up easily. The initial ash hung on for well over an inch before I dumped it. As the first third ends the cigar's fruitiness has come back on the forefront. It seems like areas of my palate that don't normally get stimulated while smoking a cigar are coming alive. The tip of my tongue is alive with a tanginess that is rare for me while smoking a cigar.
Second Third:
Although Nicaraguan, this cigar is starting out as a medium body smoke. The second third is much like the first, with more body and more pronounced flavor. I'm not sure if I'm able to truly identify the complexity of the sweet fruit-like flavors. If I were going to try it would be something like blackberry or a dark raspberry. I am pairing with coffee, so it may be amplifying this flavor, but it seems like a dark roast coffee or dark chocolate is in the mix here as well. The finish is all sweetness though, fairly long and very sweet. There are also some hints of leather or earth in the background that I'm picking up. The burn and draw are perfect at this point and the ash hangs on like a champ. Towards the end of the second third the Domus Magnus builds to something more along the medium-full in body with a full, complex flavor. There's a lot going on here!
Last Third:
The last third has the Domus Magnus becoming a very rich smoke. Because the cigar is so intent on delivering such a variety of sweet flavors, I would have to say this is almost like a "dessert" cigar. Everything has come together in the final act of this cigar perfectly offering amazing balance and complimentary flavors. It very much reminds me of my morning cup of very strong french press coffee, but towards the end, where the unmixed sugar is left behind. This cigar is like the last sip of that strong, sweet coffee. I think the final third of this cigar is my favorite, the flavors are awesome, the body is just right and it's just a very enjoyable, unique smoke at this point.
Overall:
This cigar is very enjoyable. Definitely a change of pace from the fuller body, peppery spicy Nicaraguan's. There were some flavors in the Casa Magna Domus Magnus that I honestly have never tasted before in a cigar. I would qualify it as a dessert cigar, very rich a sweet. A perfect closer for a big meal. This cigar is very unique and I think the complexity of flavor and balance are really second to none. With only 5000 boxes being made, if your interested, pull the trigger soon, these won't be around much longer. Check out the brand page for the Casa Magna Domus Magnus to see what's in stock.
Keep on Smokin!
~GC
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Currently rated 0 by 0 people
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Tags: Casa Magna Domus Magnus, Matasa, SAG Imports, IPCPR 2011, cigar reviews, optimus, primus, nicaraguan puro, fruit, coffee, complex, richness, medium - full |
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Categories: Product Reviews, What's New, IPCPR Watch |
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Background
CAO OSA Sol is the first brand released since CAO International was purchased and placed under the massive umbrella of General Cigars. The cigar was released at the IPCPR in 2011 and landed on our shelves quite quickly after that. The OSA in the name refers to the Olancho and San Augustin Valley in Honduras, where the tobacco for this blend was grown. Overall the blend is an "OSA" wrapper, Connecticut Broadleaf binder and a blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers. Available in three sizes, the Lot 50 (5 x 50), the Lot 54 (6 x 54) and the Lot 58 (6 1/2 x 58). The cigar is considered by CAO to be medium to full bodied in strength.
Appearance / Pre-light
Wrapper has a nice oily sheen to it, just a bit mottled, overall a nice milky chocolate color. The CAO Sol Lot 54 is well packed and has some nice heft to it. I'm not sure if I'm a fan of the artwork, the contrast of the green and black is a little bit strong. It definitely grabs your attention, which may have been the idea, being cigar shelves these days are getting pretty crowded. The pre-light draw has some sweet tobacco flavors along with a bit of earth and woodiness. The draw is a bit tight, hopefully the smoke output will still be adequate. Here goes nothing..
First Third
Upon clipping and lighting the first flavors I'm getting right away are very mild and sweet. The draw has just a bit of resistance which isn't a bad thing.. I actually kind of enjoy a bit of stoppage as it causes the cigar to smoke a bit slower which translates to cooler. The finish is very smooth and enjoyable, very similar to the aroma. I think smoking this cigar in a relatively accepting crowd would be accepted. The aroma is sweet earth with a woody character. I'm having a little bit of difficulty keeping the burn line straight.. I touch it up with surgical precision with my Blazer PB-207 Pocket Torch. As the first third comes to an end, the ash finally drops after hanging on for well over an inch. As far as complexity, the cigar basically stayed very similar throughout the first third with a sweet earthy profile. Not bad at all mind you, so far similar flavors throughout.
Second Third
So far this cigar has not gotten much stronger than medium in body, while flavor-wise it's definitely in the medium to full range. I made short work of the draw problem by giving it one small poke down the middle with a draw tool. It opened up like a charm and is now smoking perfectly. The flavors have started to make a bit of a transformation into a cocoa or coffee in the foreground with the earthy, woodiness still there, but taking a back seat. The body has also started to build a bit, I'd say its tipping the scale of the medium range into more of a medium-full. At this rate, the cigar will probably continue to progress body wise right up until I nub it. There's a very small bit of spice on the finish, but it's very minor. Hopefully that will pick up, spice would be a welcome addition to this cigar's blend, especially if done in a balanced way. I just picked up a bit of a clove taste, or possibly an anisette flavor. The second third is surprising me with all the different flavor changes it's showing off. Because of the straight-forwardness of the first third I thought the cigar would be fairly simple and non-changing throughout.. The cigar has kept its composure as well and stayed balanced so far through the complexity.
Last Third
The spice gods have answered my call.. The cigar has become spicy and medium-full in it's last act. I am interested to try the Robusto "Lot 50" to see how the ratio of the OSA wrapper changes the flavor. I am enjoying the end of this cigar more so than the earlier stages. I may even venture to say that the final third of this cigar may be as full body as a CAO cigar has ventured. I really want to start comparing the OSA Sol with CAO's superstar La Traviata but I really haven't smoked enough of these OSA's to make an honest and accurate statement. As far as a one off statement, which could be a fluke, I'm enjoying this cigar more than the Traviata right now. Back to the cigar itself, while burning a little bit hot, the complexity of flavors is really enjoyable. There is the underlying earthiness, a sweet anise, spicy flavor upfront with a leathery finish that leaves the mouth without a bitter taste.
Overall
I really enjoyed this cigar! Big toro's are not a favorite size of mine, but the complexity of flavor and all the different changes the cigar made throughout the smoke really kept me interested. I usually smoke a fuller bodied cigar then most of CAO's brands but I could see smoking this on a the regular. Again the Robusto Lot 50 size may be even more interesting due to the wrapper flavor being more upfront, but this Lot 54 was a really enjoyable cigar. I foresee these selling really well.. As an inaugural cigar for the "newly merged" CAO, I think they did a really good job with the OSA Sol. Click here to check out our current stock of CAO OSA Sol Cigars.
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Currently rated 2.7 by 3 people
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EO 601 Natural White Label Toro Review
Originally the mildest of the 601 Family by E.O. Brands was the Black Label Connecticut Blend. While being the mildest, I would not necessarily call it mild. More like a medium strength cigar wrapped in a Connecticut wrapper to tone it down a bit. The 601 Black was discontinued in 2010 and replaced by this new 601 "Natural", which happens to have a white band, so I'm sure calling it the 601 White Label is going to be pretty common as well. I love, love the fact that Eddie Ortega and Erik Espinosa decided to redesign the original departure from the 601 branding and go back to something very similar to the original, but with a modern twist. The last packaging attempt made the 601 Brands look cheap, which is definitely not the case. While the cigars themselves are not mega bucks by any means, they have a certain level of quality and flavor that people who smoke the brand know very well.. Still to this day, although blended by Don Pepin Garcia, I don't feel like 601 gets the accolades it deserves. Out of all the blends, Blue, Green, Red, and Now White, there is not one cigar that holds the pack back, they are all in great in their own ways. But I digress. Lets jump into the new 601 White label "Natural". The cigar uses Nicaraguan / Ecuadorian filler and binder with a Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. The Flavor Profile on the inside of the box is stated as "Mild Bodied. Smooth rich and creamy." Being a 601 / DPG Cigar I truly have a hard time believing this is a true mild cigar, but what the heck lets give it a try and see what happens.
Appearance / Construction / Pre-light:
As stated above, I love the new band, so much better than the in between phase, and the white really goes well with the golden brown light color of the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. The cigar is very well rolled with a standard DPG triple cap, and a consistent firmness throughout. No soft spots. The cigar gives off a sweet hay aroma especially at the foot. The pre-light cold draw gives off a ton of flavors of sweet tobacco flavors, some earthiness, and a bit of grassiness.
First Third:
Once clipped and torched the 601 Natural greets me with a bouquet of nice flavor. When I think of Mild cigars, I generally think of a cigar with much less flavor than this. The cigar is reminding me of the original 601 Black Label Connecticut, but scaled back a bit, with a creamier flavor. The retrohale through the nasal passage brings some spice into the picture, but nothing overwhelming. So far the cigar is very smooth and creamy, maybe a bit more flavor and a little bit more body than a Mild body cigar smoker is used to. While the ash is a bit frail, dropping off at 1/2 inch increments, the draw is just about perfect. As the first third comes to an end the vanilla creaminess of the cigar is really coming to the forefront. The 601 Natural is starting to show some real character in the flavor department.
Second Third:
I chose the Toro Size of this 601 so I could accurately determine each third's flavor characteristics. Sometimes a Robusto size just isn't enough. Buy the time you get to the last third of a Robusto, your really dealing with the very end of the cigar.. Which if the cigar is very good, is still ramping up flavor without getting bitter. Too often though, the last third is a only good for a handful of puffs before it becomes bitter and a bit to hot to smoke. The second third of this cigar is progressing very nicely. As a full body cigar smoker, I would enjoy this as a first cigar of the day, or if I was looking for something milder to switch it up. For smokers that want to try a milder Nicaraguan cigar, which equates to something really closer to medium body comparitively.. This is a great smoke.
Last Third:
The last third of the 601 Natural was very good, continued on very smooth. So smooth in fact that I forgot to take pictures of it! I went about my business, working, talking on the phone and generally enjoying the sweet, creamy flavors that this 601 was outputting. I did not notice any huge flavor changes in the the last third of the cigar, it remained very good throughout. The very end became kind of bitter, but that's to be expected for a Connecticut wrapper, especially at the speed I smoke (Too Fast!) For those of you who smoked the original 601 Black Connecticut and found it to be a bit too strong, I suggest you revisit the lighter 601's by trying the new White Connecticut. I found it to be a bit more refined, with absolutely less strength. The original was more of a spicy Nicaraguan Cigar with a lighter wrapper that functioned to calm it down. The new 601 Natural has more balance and smoother, creamier flavors, with the wrapper contributing more to the overall flavor of the cigar. While this is a morning cigar for myself, this may be a perfect cigar for someone who smokes milder stuff who wants to up the ante just a bit.
Enjoy and Keep on Smokin!
~GC
Click here to browse the 601 Natural Connecticut Line
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Casa Fernandez Copacabana Torpedo Review - Now Available On Sale at Atlantic Cigar
The Copacabana Torpedo has a light chocolaty brown appearance, and seems to be well packed. The foot gives off a strong aroma of sweet leather and tobacco. Although Torpedo's are not my favorite Vitola, I'd figure I give this one a shot. Being a big fan of most everything Casa Fernandez has to offer I'm sure this will not be a let down.
Upon lighting I'm greeted with some nice light easy going flavors, with some sweetness on the finish. The draw is a bit loose, but nothing to complain about. I had a hard time digging up much background information on this cigar besides the fact that it was blended to be "medium" in body and that the wrapper used is a Cuban Seed Corojo 1999. Despite a hint of spice on the retrohale through the nose, for Casa Fernandez, this is decidedly milder compared to their other lines. Definitely not Mild by any means however, so far I would put it right in the solid medium body category. The flavors are interesting and multidimensional. I was not expecting this kind of depth from a $5 cigar, but I'm getting it!
As the Second Third starts, some spiciness comes to the forefront and lingers on the finish. Although the cigar is still fairly tame strength wise, to have some red pepper spice on your lips and tongue is an interesting dynamic. Usually you only get this kind of up-front spice in a much fuller bodied cigar. Definitely a new dimension to a medium bodied smoke. It has many of the characteristics of a full-body cigar without the knock out strength. This is no easy feat in the blending room.
The Copacabana has an interesting aroma, a sweetness with a grassy or hay-like smell. The cigar has a nice complex array of flavors at this point, the sweetness, a very leathery or earthy taste as well as the perfect touch of spice. The balance of all these elements is great, a truly enjoyable smoke so far.
The last third is very much a continuation of the second with some flavors accentuated. The body is still very medium, possibly medium-full towards the very end, with some vanilla sweetness showing up on the finish. The burn and draw continued to be spot on as they were throughout the smoke. There was no bitterness as the Copacabana came to the end.
Overall Casa Fernandez has created a great medium body cigar with complexity and flavor for a great price point. The MSRP averages around $5.50 per stick, which is money well spent in my book. If your looking into trying some of Casa Fernandez's Aganorsa leaf, and enjoy more of a medium bodied cigar, then the Copacabana is a great place to start.
Click here to try the Casa Fernandez Copacabana
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Currently rated 4 by 2 people
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Background:
The Carlos Torano Loyal was just released at the 2011 IPCPR and is now in stock and ready for sale. The Torano family named the brand after Carlos Sr.'s Loyalty to the philosophy that anyone should be able to smoke a well made, flavorful Torano cigar at an affordable price. The blend features Nicaraguan and Dominican Fillers, a Nicaraguan binder and a dark oily Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.
Appearance and Construction:
This is definitely one hefty Robusto weighing in at 5 x 56. The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper is smooth as silk despite a bit of tooth, with even coloring that isn't too dark or too light. The Torano Loyal Robusto is well packed, firm to the touch with no soft spots to speak of. The artwork on the band has a retro feel, but not to overdone, I like the simplicity of it all.
Prelight:
A good whiff of the foot gives off that classic sweet barnyard smell. My Palio takes off the well applied cap with ease. The pre-light cold draw gives off flavors that are identical to what the foot promised.. Earthy, sweet flavors.
1st Third:
It takes me a little bit to get this beefy stick all lit up, and we're off to the races. I was worried about draw due to the resistance I got before lighting, but my fears are unwarranted, the draw is perfect. The Loyal starts out great with big tasty plumes of chewy smoke, a lot of sweetness up front and some of the Nicaraguan tobacco showing through with a small amount of spice. I would say right off the bat the cigar is medium body. The burn line is wavering a bit, partly my fault, I'm smoking this thing way too fast. I can't help it the cigar is actually fun to smoke, if that makes any sense? Big ring, lots of mellow tasty smoke, so far very enjoyable.
2nd Third:
The second third continues on a lot like the first, with some hints of leather, and the body steadily building a bit. The spice has pretty much gone away, it's still a medium body smoke in my book and it seems like its on par to stay that way. This is a very approachable cigar for both smokers just starting out and accomplished pallets alike. I have to say I'm extremely impressed by the balance of flavors in the Torano Loyal. Everything just blends together so well, its a totally effortless smoke. The ash holds on for close to an inch, I find myself pushing it a bit, I'm probably going to end up wearing it on this one. As an "experienced" smoker I find myself constantly retro-haling cigars these days. For those who don't know it's the simply the practice of exhaling smoke through the nasal passages to pick up on some more flavors and aroma using your nose. I've been sorry on more than one occasion, stronger cigars, loaded with pepper can sometimes be a eye watering experience. This cigar however is a great retro-hale stick. The chewy medium body smoke flows through the nose with ease, doesn't burn and adds a deeper dimension of the balanced flavors.
Last Third:
The sweetness that was dominating up until now has taken a backseat to the earthy tobacco flavors of the last third. Another positive aspect of this cigar, although the smoke has been super thick and tasty all the way through, it has not left any coating or taste on my tongue or mouth. The finish is very clean and goes perfect with the balanced flavors. The cigar got a bit hot toward the end, but I slowed my pace and the heat went away. The flavor was again consistent throughout the last third, with an earthy, tobacco flavor with a sweetness on the finish.
Overall:
This is a very enjoyable smoke. Again, very approachable, easy to smoke with lots of good flavor. The Torano Family has attempted to blend a consistent, well made cigar for a great price, $4.95 - $5.50 MSRP. Lots of companies try this and some fail miserably. I feel like the Loyal delivered on all fronts and will be a great go-to daily smoke for many cigar smokers. This cigar has since come into stock here at Atlantic and is available here: Carlos Torano Loyal Brand Page.
Keep on Smokin!
~G
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Currently rated 4 by 1 person
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The Tatuaje La Casita Criolla consists entirely of 100% Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco making it an American Puro. The blend comes in three sizes, The HCB Corona ( 5 1/8 x 42), The HCBC Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46), and the HCBF Short Churchill (6 1/2 x 48). The Tatuaje La Casita Criolla is available for purchase now at Atlantic.
The La Casita Criolla has a rough and dark mottled appearance that is common with broadleaf maduro wrappers. The cigar is well made, well packed with a perfectly applied cap. The La Casita Criolla’s band is very much a throwback to the original Cuban cigar that bared its same name. It does give the cigar an older, rustic feeling though that I like.
Taking a deep inhalation of the foot gives me some nice earthy, cocoa aromas. The cold draw is very much the same, with some spice on my lips.
First Third:
As I light the cigar up there is some spice initially and lots of rich chewy smoke. The draw and burn are fantastic, just the right amount of resistance. This Tatuaje is no chimney, as I take a puff a small flavorful burst of smoke emits from the stick. The flavors in the first third of the La Casita Criolla are very nice, medium in body, with some earthy maduro with a cocoa sweetness and a surprisingly clean finish.
Second Third:
The body is ramping up a bit, a hint of peppery spice coming into the picture, fitting more into the body and strength that Tatuaje smokers are generally comfortable with. It’s still a medium to medium-full body cigar. What continues to surprise me is that usually a cigar with this flavor profile, rich sweet maduro with chewy smoke, leaves your mouth coated with these flavors. This cigar leaves absolutely nothing behind except for a yearning for another puff of the earthy sweetness. I read someone’s review mentioning that the finish is refreshing, and I absolutely 100% agree. This is a great quality for a cigar to have, especially a maduro.
Last Third:
The La Casita Criolla is now at the final third and some new flavors are developing. The cocoa is more pronounced and the overall body of the smoke has a heavier mouth feel. Once again this is my first smoke of the day and I’m feeling a minor nicotine buzz, nothing overwhelming at all. In fact it’s actually a nice way to start the day, but that’s just me. I’m tasting some mintiness, and with little more than an inch to go, the finish is still super clean with no bitterness.
Overall Impressions:
All things considered, this is a really interesting smoke. To be honest, I’m generally not a huge fan of rich maduro cigars. The difference I mentioned above, the clean overall taste without sacrifice of all things that make maduro cigars great, has sold me on this one. Great rich earthiness with the perfect amount of sweetness and spice, combined with a great price point is going to make this another winner with the Tatuaje crowd. Hopefully this boutique stick will be able to cross over into the mainstream a bit so folks can get a new perspective of a maduro cigar. Put another feather in Pete’s cap, an interesting adventure in broadleaf and overall a great smoke.
The Tatuaje La Casita Criolla is on sale now, try out this tasty Tatuaje for yourself!
Keep on smokin!
-GC
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Currently rated 5 by 2 people
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