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Habana
La Flor de Cano Selectos
made in: Havana, Cuba
size : 5 7/8 x 41
wrapper: Cuba
filler : Cuba
binder : Cuba
price : $5.00
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Tom : xx ----- xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Tom said - Even med./dark brown maduro wrapper, average
veining, slightly oily sheen.
Andy said - Some thick veins, but overall the wrapper is clean
and evenly colored, with a decent amount of shine.
Brent said - Varied colored wrapper. Spotty. Obvious seams.
Rugged cap.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Tom said - Didn't live up to appearance, very tight, hard
feeling.
Andy said - Firm and fairly even from head to foot. The cap is
kind of sloppy. Overall this cigar looks and feels
good, though not great.
Brent said - Slight box press feel. Firm. Initially a tight
draw that improved after one inch. Quite well
made.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Tom :
Andy : xx
Brent:
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx (almost black)
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx (but improved)
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Taste =
Tom said - Almost plugged, re-snipped as far as I dared and
re-lit. Still tight. Put down and let settle. Draw
improved dramatically. Full tobacco flavor with a
bit of spice. Developed strength and a bit of
richness last 1/3. Sour/astringent aftertaste.
Andy said - Heavy cedary flavor at first. Full-bodied with a
flavor that jumped around from dirty and earthy to
well-rounded, rich and strong. Lots of flavor, but
overall a bit rough. May have been better if the
draw was not so tight.
Brent said - Delightful pre-light "barnyard" aroma, very rich.
Started out tasting young. After an inch, slightly
sweet and somewhat fruity. Stayed that way to the
end. Average aftertaste.
Overall Impression =
Tom said - A bit of a puzzle. Didn't have complexity I
expected and construction problems would bar a
recommendation if typical.
Andy said - A rough and strong cigar with some appealing
flavor, but poor construction detracted. It has
body, but lacks balance. Some Cuban-like taste,
but I'll guess this is of Mexican origin, and
probably cheap. I would not recommend based on
a tight draw, but I might if the draw is better
for those who like rough, in-your-face cigars.
Brent said - Enjoyable, but did not leave me begging for more.
Not a bad smoke if not more than $3.00. Slow to
sour.
Would you recommend this cigar as one to try based on your
blind taste??? (Editors Note - remember these guys don't
have a clue what cigar they just smoked or what it costs.)
Tom said - no
Andy said - no
Brent said - yes
Habana
La Flor de Cano Selectos
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke
Good Cigar
Decent/Worthy <--- Andy & Brent
Ho-Hum <--- Tom
Blah...
Dog Rocket!
Editor's
2 Cents - La Flor de Cano is a small Havana
brand that was introduced in 1891 by Juan and Tomas Cano. Over
the years this blend has gone through a variety of changes including
being temporarily discontinued. Today the entire line consists
of only twelve cigars, eight of which are machine made to some
degree. The four handmade sizes are very rare, and are considered
some of Havana's finest mild cigars, while the machine-mades
are easy to come by, relatively inexpensive, and are of considerably
different quality.
The La Flor de Cano Selectos used in the MOTT was machine-made
with a hand finished wrapper. The Selectos is probably the most
common La Flor de Cano available on the world market and is reasonably
priced for a Cuban cigar. They tend to be rather rough in appearance
with mottled wrappers being the norm. As for the construction
it varies from box to box, some burn and draw well, while others
are far too tight or too loose. Typically, the flavor is a strong
biting grassy and dirty edge that is unpalatable. This cigar
lacks depth overall.
Sometimes it is possible to get a box that is quite good.
If only there were some way to tell before smoking them, because
when they are good, they prove to be an excellent value. Overall,
though the Habana La Flor de Cano Selectos is of marginal smoking
value and far too inconsistent to recommend. Your five dollars
would be much better spent on another cigar.
Romeo
y Julieta Romeos
made in: Santiago, Dominican Republic
size : 6 x 46
wrapper: Indonesia
filler : Brazil, Dominican Republic
binder : USA/Connecticut
price : $6.00
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Tom : xx ------ xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Tom said - Attractive slim perfecto. Light veining. Greenish
(claro) wrapper. Had some spots and variations in
color. Dry looking.
Andy said - The medium brown wrapper has very light spots and
minimal veins. Very clean appearance. It looks
like one of the new Hoyo Seleccion Royales.
Brent said - Love the shape. Small dark spots all over wrapper.
No pre-light odor.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Tom said - Firm along length. Nice tight wrapper. Excellent
cap and end.
Andy said - Cool teardrop shape. Looks and feels well rolled.
Very tight and firm, but a bit light weight.
Overall, this is a well-rolled cigar.
Brent said - Very firm cigar. Nearly perfect.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Tom :
Andy : xx (minor)
Brent:
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Tom : xx ---- xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Taste =
Tom said - Very mild at first light due to wrapper. Leathery
with a bit of pepper for the first 1/3. Smoothed
out and richened up for the last half with nice
hazelnut overtones to finish.
Andy said - Medium-bodied with a mouth filling, rich, earthy
flavor. Very smooth and very flavorful, and it
never gets boring. I appreciated the consistency
of the flavor which was good to the end. I smoked
it before lunch and it was very satisfying.
Brent said - Bland initially, but a well aged tobacco flavor
kicked in just past the closed foot. Ever so
slightly sweet. Quite enjoyable. Smooth.
Overall Impression =
Tom said - Good smoke. Not great complexity or flavor, but
pleasant with a nice appearance. I'd put up a few
if they were reasonable.
Andy said - I really enjoyed this cigar, which I swear is a
Hoyo de Monterrey Seleccion Royale "Aristocrat,"
but didn't you review that cigar on MOTT recently?
Either way, it's a great smoke.
Brent said - A very pleasant cigar. Would buy if not too
expensive.
Would you recommend this cigar as one to try based on your
blind taste??? (Editors Note - remember these guys don't
have a clue what cigar they just smoked or what it costs.)
Tom said - yes
Andy said - yes
Brent said - yes
Romeo
y Julieta Romeos
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke <--- Andy
Good Cigar <--- Tom & Brent
Decent/Worthy
Ho-Hum
Blah...
Dog Rocket!
Editor's
2 Cents - The Dominican Romeo y Julieta brand
has once again started showing up on tobacconists' shelves after
nearly a two-year absence. This trademark has changed ownership
and blends numerous times in recent history. The current owner
and maker is Tabacalera de Espana and they have begun to reintroduce
the brand. One notable change in this cigar is the replacement
of their Cameroon wrappers with an Indonesian leaf.
The Romeo y Julieta Romeo is a classic teardrop shaped
perfecto. Sadly the dull wrapper on this figurado detracts from
it otherwise appealing appearance. The draw is excellent once
you surpass the shoulder of the closed foot. It produces a thick
pull of smoke with a medium bodied blend of leather and cedar
with definite spicy sweet notes. All three of our tasters noted
how smooth a cigar this is to smoke. Its flavor is consistent
throughout and the aftertaste is light in the mouth.
Overall this figurado is a pleasing and relaxing cigar
to smoke. It is not a cigar I would choose to pair with a stout
single malt, but is an excellent mid-afternoon diversion. I would
also recommend it to cigar smokers who cut their teeth on milder
Dominicans and are looking for a "next step." The new
Romeo y Julieta Romeos is well worth your sampling.
Napa
Nicaraguan Selection Rothschild
made in: Esteli, Nicaragua
size : 4 3/4 x 50
wrapper: Indonesia
filler : Nicaragua
binder : Nicaragua
price : $6.00
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Tom said - Stocky robusto. Rich, dark brown maduro color w/
oily sheen. Light veining.
Andy said - The medium-brown wrapper looks a bit stretched.
The color is fairly consistent, but there are a
few blemishes that mar this cigar's overall
appearance.
Brent said - Slopped on cap. Varied colored wrapper.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Tom said - A bit soft along its length, otherwise good.
Andy said - Feels loose and there's a hard spot near the head,
but overall it looks and feels well-rolled.
Brent said - Looks nice. Felt okay. Looks can be deceiving.
IMHO under-filled.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Tom :
Andy :
Brent: xx
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Tom : xx ---- xx
Andy : xx ---- xx
Brent: xx
Taste =
Tom said - Very easy draw with lots of smoke and light
spices. Only kept getting better with tasty
cinnamon, orange, and chocolate overtones.
Couldn't put it down. One of the best I've smoked.
Andy said - Definitely Nicaraguan-like flavor. Full-bodied,
but not powerful, with a rich, sweet, floral,
earthy flavor, that is very distinct and smooth.
It got a little bitter in the last third, but
overall I really liked the way this cigar smokes
and the way it tastes.
Brent said - Started out mild, then tunneled and turned harsh.
Burned ashes for an aftertaste.
Overall Impression =
Tom said - This one gets the best of show for me. I'll take a
box!
Andy said - A good cigar. It provides a lot of complexity and
flavor yet never gets harsh or overpowering,
although it does get a little hot and bitter
towards the end.
Brent said - Looked a lot better than it tasted. I'll pass.
Would you recommend this cigar as one to try based on your
blind taste??? (Editors Note - remember these guys don't
have a clue what cigar they just smoked or what it costs.)
Tom said - yes
Andy said - yes
Brent said - no
Napa
Nicaraguan Selection Rothschild
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke <--- Tom
Good Cigar <--- Andy
Decent/Worthy
Ho-Hum
Blah...
Dog Rocket! <--- Brent
Editor's
2 Cents - The Napa Cigar Company was among
the hundreds of the new cigar companies that cropped up during
the boom. They introduced two lines in late 1996 - a Dominican
blend and a Nicaraguan blend. Then in 1997 they added their reserve
line that included another cigar from the Dominican and one from
the Canary Islands. Although many companies have faltered, the
Napa Cigar Company continues to produce and ship cigars to retailers.
The Nicaraguan Selection Rothschild is a 4 3/4" robusto
with a dark Indonesian finely veined wrapper. The wrapper on
some of the samples I smoked was pulled too tight and the cap
was poorly applied. Also, I found the draw on the cigars to vary
from smoke to smoke, ranging from being too loose due to under
filling while others were actually too tight to enjoy. This mild-medium
bodied cigar delivered a unique smooth sweet floral flavor, but
the final third did turn bitter on my palate. The aroma was pleasant
to the nose.
Two of our tasters really enjoyed this cigar, however
it did not suit my fancy. I found the floral notes too strong
for my taste buds and the inconsistent construction unacceptable.
Personally I would not typically recommend this cigar but given
that we split 2/2, I suggest you try a Napa Nicaraguan Selection
Robusto to see if it is a cigar for you.
Habana
Saint Luis Rey Regios
made in: Havana, Cuba
size : 5 x 48
wrapper: Cuba
filler : Cuba
binder : Cuba
price : $12.00
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Tom said - Beautifully colored colorado robusto. Fabulous
reddish brown w/ oily sheen. Flat cap. Very light
even veining. I saved it for last based on
appearance alone!
Andy said - Slightly box pressed. The medium-brown wrapper
looks a bit rough, with streaks and marks. Looks
like a Cuban triple cap!
Brent said - Nearly perfect. Very mild pre-light aroma. A
beautiful looking cigar.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Tom said - Firm and resilient. Very evenly textured. Rich
dark color.
Andy said - Firm, but not too hard. Good, consistent shape.
Well packed. Overall, a well-rolled stogie.
Brent said - Firm throughout. Very easy to smoke.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Tom :
Andy : [none reported by any taster]
Brent:
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Tom : xx ---- xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Taste =
Tom said - Rather plain, medium tobacco bite at first
lighting. Smoothed out a bit to a somewhat flat
tobacco flavor through the first half. Gained
fullness towards the end with good richness and a
bit of spice. Lots of smoke.
Andy said - Wow! This raw, powerful cigar almost overpowered
me! It starts with a brash, stinging assault that
doesn't relent. Likely a Havana, but a young one.
It's strong and earthy, but one dimensional due to
its youthful qualities.
Brent said - Started out bold, but mellowed quickly. Straight
forward tobacco taste. Well-aged. Mild, yet
pleasing aftertaste. I really liked it.
Overall Impression =
Tom said - A good smoke, I wish it had developed more
quickly. Last half was worth the wait.
Andy said - I'm pretty sure it's Cuban, but I'd age it for a
while. I like this kind of cigar, and Havana
lovers will too. However, this will overpower many
smokers.
Brent said - Very relaxing cigar. Practically smoked itself. I
would buy these. Best cigar of the five. Please
send a box for further evaluation!
Would you recommend this cigar as one to try based on your
blind taste??? (Editors Note - remember these guys don't
have a clue what cigar they just smoked or what it costs.)
Tom said - yes
Andy said - yes
Brent said - yes
Habana
Saint Luis Rey Regios
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke
Good Cigar <--- Tom, Andy & Brent
Decent/Worthy
Ho-Hum
Blah...
Dog Rocket!
Editor's
2 Cents - This Havana blend was created over
50 years ago by British importers for the English market. The
name and marquee was adopted after the success of the American
film The Bridge of San Luis Rey based on Thorton Wilder's play.
This is a small line of superior quality handmades consisting
of only six different vitolas. Regretfully this brand is often
confused with the Cuban-made San Luis Rey that are mass marketed
in Germany. They are two entirely different cigars and you should
not confuse the two even though they have similar artwork and
names.
The Saint Luis Rey Regios is a classic Hermosos No. 4
sized robusto that is available box pressed in dress boxes of
25 or "in the round" with 50 count cabinets. As with
all the Cuban SLR line, its construction is of outstanding quality.
In youth it is a bold brash cigar that is chocked full of leather,
wood, and peppery spice. This cigar is the epitome of the description
"spicy." In fact, it is commonly too strong for many
cigar smokers. However time really tempers this cigar, given
three years to age this smoke settles into becoming one of the
more soothing milder Havanas, yet it retains a wonderfully complex
array of flavors for the aficionado to enjoy. In both its youth
and maturity, this cigars flavor and aroma leaves little doubt
as to its pedigree. Those used for the taste test were just at
a year old.
This cigar is highly sought after by Cuban cigar junkies
worldwide and because of the limited production numbers it can
prove to be difficult to obtain. Thankfully this brand's marquee
is not as popular with the general public as Cohiba or Romeo
y Julieta so the prices on these remain reasonable considering
they are Havanas. The Saint Luis Rey Regios is a great cigar
and is highly recommended for the experienced smoker.
Dunhill
Honduran Corona Grandes
made in: Honduras
size : 6 1/2 x 43
wrapper: Indonesia
filler : Mexico
binder : DR, Mexico, and Brazil
price : $6.65
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Tom : xx --- xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Tom said - Lt. medium-brown. Very dry looking. Greater than
average veining.
Andy said - Nice looking. The wrapper has a fine grain of
tooth and a few green spots. Clean consistent,
medium-brown color.
Brent said - Almost no pre-light aroma.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Tom said - Dull looking & had several splits in end and along
length. Wrapper split and unraveled about halfway
through. Tight feeling, but burned very well even
with the problems.
Andy said - Very firm and tightly rolled. Good density for a
thin cigar. Very even from head to foot.
Brent said - Nice and firm. Maybe too firm.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Tom : xx
Andy :
Brent:
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Tom : xx
Andy : xx
Brent: xx
Taste =
Tom said - Light leathery/woody taste at first. Developed
nutty flavors toward the end. Reminded me very
much of a Don Xavier Corona.
Andy said - Mild to medium bodied. Very smooth - this cigar
tasted of well-aged tobacco. A mixed bag, though.
It's smooth earthy core gives it body, but at
times it bordered on bland. Overall, an enjoyable
smoke that got better at the end.
Brent said - Nearly none. Very bland.
Overall Impression =
Tom said - Decent light mild smoke with good flavor. If
physical problems are typical, can't recommend.
Andy said - I'd say this is a high quality cigar, judging by
the solid construction, and the smooth, well-aged
flavor. Not an ass-kicker, but solid.
Brent said - Just plain awful! I must find out what this is so
I never, ever buy them!
Would you recommend this cigar as one to try based on your
blind taste??? (Editors Note - remember these guys don't
have a clue what cigar they just smoked or what it costs.)
Tom said - no
Andy said - yes
Brent said - no
Dunhill
Honduran Corona Grandes
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke
Good Cigar <--- Andy
Decent/Worthy <--- Tom
Ho-Hum
Blah...
Dog Rocket! <--- Brent
Editor's
2 Cents - Alfred Dunhill is a legendary name
in the cigar business. This English company has been importing
fine Cuban cigars and accoutrements for well over a century.
It was responsible for helping launch the Montecristo blend in
1935. Also, it imported ultra-premium Havanas under the name
Dunhill Super Seleccion and sold the infamous Cuban house brands
of Don Candido and Don Alfredo. It even had a Havana brand called
Dunhill that was discontinued in 1991. From there Dunhill began
producing cigars in the Dominican Republic and the Canary Islands.
The new Dunhill Honduran Selection was created to introduce a
fuller bodied Dunhill cigar to the market.
The Dunhill Honduran Coronas Grandes is classic lonsdale
shape with a colorado brown wrapper. It sports the new green
Dunhill ring that makes it easy to recognize its Honduran origin.
I have found that most of the samples were too tightly rolled
and had a tough draw as a result. The blend is smooth, so smooth
that it is a total snoozer. I smoked a dozen of these looking
for some sort of flavor to develop and each one proved to be
more boring than the last. The only flavor of note was a slightly
sweet finish it left on my palate.
Being a longtime smoker, I can not help but remember just
how great Dunhill brand cigars used to be. Although I miss the
Havanas, their original Dominican cigars were excellent mild
smokes, however today they have become marginal. And this new
Honduran line is a total disappointment. Whoever blended this
cigar really missed the mark on what Honduran cigar smokers desire
in a cigar. I suggest you skip the Dunhill Coronas Grandes because
not only can you buy a much better Honduran cigar, but you will
have money left over for an excellent double shot of espresso
to enjoy as well.
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