Big Butt Don Gordo
made in: Esteli, Nicaragua
size : 6 x 54
wrapper: Nicaragua
filler : Nicaragua
binder : Nicaragua
price : $3.95
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Randy said - Very nice oily wrapper. Veins are hardly
noticeable as are the seams. Perfect cap and a few
water spots. In general a nice looking cigar.
Rex said - Cigar has one large vein in wrapper, kind of a
greenish cast color.
Rick said - Wrapper was uneven in color, darker at the foot.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Randy said - Excellent construction. Maybe just ever so
slightly under-filled.
Rex said - Nice firm cigar.
Rick said - Uniformly soft and under-filled. The ash held its
shape and probably would have been solid if the
cigar had more tobacco.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Randy: xx
Rex :
Rick :
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Taste =
Randy said - Mostly just straight forward tobacco flavor. Maybe
just a hint of nuttiness to it.
Rex said - Good tobacco taste.
Rick said - Very smooth and mild with some Dominican
spiciness. The taste was thin due to the fact that
the cigar was very under-filled.
Overall Impression =
Randy said - Tons of smoke, but seemed to fall short on flavor.
No complexity.
Rex said - If this were an inexpensive cigar and you like
mild cigars, this is the one for you.
Rick said - A decent morning cigar. Too fat and mild for me.
I'd try another before forming a final opinion.
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.)
Randy said - no
Rex said - no
Rick said - no
Big Butt Don Gordo
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke
Good Cigar
Decent/Worthy
Ho-Hum <--- Rex & Rick
Blah... <--- Randy
Dog Rocket!
Editor's
2 Cents - The Big Butt brand was introduced
during the leading edge of the cigar boom. Along with this cigar
came a whole slew of clothing and other tie-in products showcasing
its "clever" name. To my knowledge this was the first
time a cigar was comarketed with all the other items right from
the beginning. This Nicarguan puro is made on contract by the
Torano family.
The Big Butt Don Gordo is an extra wide toro size parejo
with an oily colorado wrapper. It is well made with a nice roll
and a well-applied cap. Our tasters really nailed this cigar
flavor wise: a mild straightforward smoke that generates a ton
of smoke but lacks in complexity. There is a slight sweet spicy
note to this cigar as is characteristic with Nicaraguan tobacco.
The finish is dry and cool.
Although none of our tasters recommended it because of
its mildness, I do not regard this as a cigar to avoid. Although
the brand's name is bit too "kitchy" for me, it is
actually a solid mild cigar particularly at under $4.00 each.
The Big Butt Don Gordo is a nice alternative for those who typically
smoke lighter shade wrapped Dominicans and are looking to try
something new. Also, because of its size, cost, and easygoing
smoothness it is a good choice for an early morning round at
the golf course.
Cohiba Robusto
made in: Havana, Cuba
size : 4 7/8 x 50
wrapper: Cuba
filler : Cuba
binder : Cuba
price : $18.00
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Randy said - Beautiful cigar. Silky wrapper with a nice oily
sheen.
Rex said - This is one very nice looking stick, triple cap
and all.
Rick said - Very smooth dark brown wrapper. The color is very
even.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Randy said - Flawless construction. Nice triple cap. This cigar
appeared almost "cast" instead of rolled.
Invisible seams and a few very small veins gave
this stogie an impeccable appearance.
Rex said - Cigar was firm and silky to the touch.
Rick said - There was a hard spot 2" down, which softened up
as the cigar warmed up. Nice cap. No draw
problems.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Randy:
Rex : [none reported by any taster]
Rick :
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Randy: xx ---- xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Taste =
Randy said - Wonderful flavors from the first draw. Very
"woody" type flavor, with occasional hints of
spices. At times, I also seemed to detect a
"floral" or "citrus" quality.
Rex said - The cigar started out a little harsh, almost like
it was young. But once the first 1/2" was gone, it
smoothed out. Very full flavored, but not
overbearing.
Rick said - Great spicy aroma with a full-bodied, spicy
flavor. The smoke made my mouth tingle. Consistent
strength and earthy flavor from the first puff.
Nothing subtle about this cigar.
Overall Impression =
Randy said - Great cigar with tons of flavor and smoke without
being the least bit overpowering.
Rex said - It would be very nice to have a box of these to
age and enjoy.
Rick said - Very robust robusto. I smoked this one late one
afternoon. I should have waited until after
dinner.
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.)
Randy said - yes
Rex said - yes
Rick said - yes
Cohiba Robusto
SCALE
YOWZA!!! <--- Rex
Great Smoke <--- Randy & Rick
Good Cigar
Decent/Worthy
Ho-Hum
Blah...
Dog Rocket!
Editor's
2 Cents - Cohiba was the first post-revolution
brand and has become Cuba's flagship marquee over the last 30
years. Created by Eduardo Ribera this new brand was founded in
1968 with just three sizes. It was regarded as the private cigar
of President Fidel Castro and was only shared with other heads
of state and high diplomats. Under the careful 26 year stewardship
of Avelino Lara the brand became legendary. It wasn't until 1982
that the cigar became available to the public at large, and it
wasn't until 1989 that larger sizes were added. In 1992 Cohiba
introduced their Linea 1492 Series called Siglo. Two things make
this brand different than any other Havana brand: 1) The ligero
and seco leaves are triple fermented, and 2) Cohiba receives
the "selection of the selection" as it has first choice
of all the tobacco available from the best vegas in Cuba.
The Cohiba Robusto is an impeccably well-crafted cigar
with a beautiful chestnut brown natural wrapper. It was part
of the 1989 expansion of the brand. I regard it as a mild-medium
blend of Havana tobaccos with no distinct individual taste, but
rather an intricate blend of wood and fruit notes with a light
spice. Also, it proves to be a creamy cigar on the palate. Although
two of our tasters regarded it as "powerful", Randy's
opinion of its not "being the least bit overpowering"
is a more accurate assessment of where this cigar fits strength-wise
in the spectrum of premium Cuban cigars.
Because of its mildness, this high profile Cuban robusto
is more popular with infrequent smokers and those preferring
to smoke lighter cigars. It is a wonderful smoke, but it is simply
not as entrancing as the heavier Havana blends. Compound this
with the fact that on average it costs 50% more than other Cuban
vitolas of the same size and it simply is not a good value to
most aficionados. Regardless of these drawbacks, the Cohiba Robusto
remains an exceptional cigar and is a must try for every smoker.
Bering Dominican
Hallmark Robusto
made in: Villa Gonzalez, Dominican Republic
size : 4 1/2 x 50
wrapper: USA/Connecticut
filler : Dominican Republic
binder : Indonesia
price : $2.60
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Randy said - Very light wrapper with some fairly large veins.
Rex said - A nice looking cigar, a few veins in the wrapper.
Rick said - A little lumpy and wrinkled at the end. Very light
wrapper. A slight tear (from removal of band?)
exposed very dark binder.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Randy said - No soft spots; nice firm roll. Very well done
double cap.
Rex said - Cigar has a slight square press to it. Seems very
solid, no soft spots noted. Great draw.
Rick said - The wrapper was very thin and split a little when
I cut the cigar.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Randy:
Rex : [none reported by any taster]
Rick :
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Randy: xx
Rex : xx ---- xx
Rick : xx ---- xx
Taste =
Randy said - Begins with a little spice, with a vegetal
(grassy?) quality. About halfway into the cigar,
it developed a very pronounced flavor of cedar.
Rex said - This cigar gave plenty of smoke. The overall taste
was a little mild.
Rick said - Very flavorful; more flavor than I expected with
this light a wrapper. A smooth, not spicy taste,
reminiscent of some La Hoja Selectas I bought a
few years ago.
Overall Impression =
Randy said - At first I thought this cigar had potential, but
it fell flat in the second half and became harsh
and bitter.
Rex said - This is one good cigar. A little more mild than I
prefer, but still a very good smoke.
Rick said - Good flavorful, mild to medium cigar. This one was
perfect one afternoon on the back porch with an
iced coffee.
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.)
Randy said - no
Rex said - yes
Rick said - yes
Bering Dominican
Hallmark Robusto
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke <--- Rex
Good Cigar <--- Rick
Decent/Worthy
Ho-Hum <--- Randy
Blah...
Dog Rocket!
Editor's
2 Cents - The Bering Dominican Hallmark Selection
was introduced in 1998. Traditionally, this has been a Honduran
brand, but this new four-size blend is their foray into the Dominican
cigar making market. They are quickly identifiable by their new
red, black, and yellow rings.
The Bering Dominican Hallmark Robusto is a traditonal
robusto sized vitola with a thin pale claro wrapper. Many heavy
veins from the binder show through its thin wrapper making it
unappealing to the eye. It lacks bouquet and even has a light
green grassy flavor before being lit. On the plus side it is
well constructed and densely packed, but sadly it does little
with all that tobacco. This robusto is a very dry light smoke
with notes of grass and balsa. It has a slightly cedar-like cloying
finish which turns bitter in the second half. This cigar lacks
both strength and body, in fact it is basically like smoking
warmed air.
Two of our tasters found this to be a pleasing cigar,
but honestly I can not figure out how. At best, I would give
this cigar a "ho-hum" rating. Overall I regard the
Bering Dominican Hallmark Robusto as a cigar to skip.
C.A.O. L'Anniversaire
Maduro Robusto
made in: San Jose, Costa Rica
size : 5 x 50
wrapper: USA/Connecticut
filler : Dominican Republic
binder : Ecuador
price : $5.85
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Randy said - Very toothy maduro wrapper with a nice oily sheen.
Rex said - Dark, box-pressed beauty with one large vein. Has
what I like to call the typical crappy Padron cap.
Rick said - Silky smooth, oily maduro wrapper.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Randy said - Nice box pressed shape with no soft spots. A few
noticeable veins, but not enough to take away from
this finely rolled cigar.
Rex said - No hard spots found, cigar is a little soft
towards the foot.
Rick said - Well-packed cigar producing a lot of slightly
sweet smoke.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Randy:
Rex : [none reported by any taster]
Rick :
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx ------ xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Taste =
Randy said - Wonderful complex coffee flavor with sweet spices.
Slight citrus quality adds to the sweetness. Great
spicy, leathery aroma.
Rex said - If this was not a Padron 2000, I will eat my
socks!
Rick said - Started a little harsh. The maduro taste dominated
for about 1 inch, then a round, full flavor
developed with some complex earthiness. Is this a
C.A.O. Anniversario?
Overall Impression =
Randy said - Fantastic maduro! Reminiscent of a good Puros
Indios or a Padron Anni.
Rex said - [no comment - ED]
Rick said - Excellent cigar, perfectly rolled with great
taste.
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.)
Randy said - yes
Rex said - yes
Rick said - yes
C.A.O. L'Anniversaire
Maduro Robusto
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke <--- Randy, Rex, & Rick
Good Cigar
Decent/Worthy
Ho-Hum
Blah...
Dog Rocket!
Editor's
2 Cents - Introduced in 1998, this offering
from CAO is made by Tabacalera Tambor, SA. Due to another deal
between other parties, Tabacalera Tambor will begin exclusively
manufacturing for a single cigar importer and the CAO blend taste
tested here will have to be made elsewhere after December 1999.
My understanding however, is that CAO has retained the rights
to the recipe/blend and tobacco and will be having another manufacturer
produce the identical cigar next year.
The CAO L'Anniversaire Maduro Robusto is a box pressed
rothschild that comes swaddled in a dark toothy maduro wrapper.
The bouquet is tantalizing when held to the nose, making it a
very inviting cigar. It proves to be a densely packed, firmly
rolled smoke with a dark mottled ash. This cigar is a well-balanced
blend of tobaccos delivering tastes of chocolate and heavily
sugared Latino coffee. Medium in body and mild in strength, it
is a relaxing cigar to kick back with and smoke away your worries.
All three of our tasters enjoyed it immensely - kudos
to Rick for IDing the cigar and Rex, please let us know how those
socks taste... The CAO L'Anniversaire Maduro Robusto is an excellent
choice for those who like a cigar that doesn't fight the palate,
but prefer a milder smoke that delivers plenty of flavor. Also,
this is a cigar to keep your eye on, as I will be curious as
to how the cigar tastes after the manufacturer changes hands.
My hopes are that it will remain the same, because "as is"
I highly recommended this smoke as one to try.
AF Hemingway Signature
Maduro
made in: Santiago, Dominican Republic
size : 4 1/2 x 50
wrapper: USA/Connecticut
filler : Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
binder : Ecuador
price : $6.25
Appearance = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Randy said - Fairly rough maduro wrapper on this "closed-foot"
figurado.
Rex said - A nice maduro perfecto, a lot like a Hemingway,
but not as nice looking.
Rick said - Very smooth, oily wrapper with an even darker cap.
This is the same size & shape as a Hemingway
Signature.
Construction = poor fair good outstanding perfect
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Randy said - Large veins in wrapper leaf, which was nearly
covered with the vegetable gum used in the rolling
process.
Rex said - Fairly well made cigar seems hard to the touch.
Rick said - Uniform, perfect feel. Burned slightly uneven; I
had to keep the Blazer on it.
Burn = very uneven uneven even very even
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Problems = runners tunneling got soft split/unraveled
Randy:
Rex : [none reported by any taster]
Rick :
Ash Color = black dark grey light grey white
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Ash Structure = flaky typical very solid
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Draw = too easy easy perfect tight plugged
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Aroma = rank! poor fair good great
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Smoked to = left>=1/2 1/3 to band <band nub
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Strength = bland mild medium full powerful
Randy: xx
Rex : xx
Rick : xx
Taste =
Randy said - Mostly straight forward tobacco flavor, but had
cedar hints. Also had a faint sweetness, probably
due to the dark maduro wrapper.
Rex said - Cigar started off rather mild, started gaining
flavor about 1" into cigar. Started getting a
little harsh about 1/2 way through the cigar.
Rick said - I don't know if my palate was fried from ASHCAN
II, but to me there was very little to this nice
looking cigar, I smoked this to the nub, hoping
some flavor would develop.
Overall Impression =
Randy said - Not the prettiest cigar made, but it had enough
flavor and body to keep me interested from start
to finish.
Rex said - Not a bad stick, not one of the best either. If
they were cheap, I would buy them.
Rick said - Although the construction and draw were very good,
the taste made very little impression on me.
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.)
Randy said - yes
Rex said - yes
Rick said - no
AF Hemingway Signature
Maduro
SCALE
YOWZA!!!
Great Smoke
Good Cigar <--- Randy
Decent/Worthy <--- Rex
Ho-Hum <--- Rick
Blah...
Dog Rocket!
Editor's
2 Cents - Arturo Fuente is without a doubt
one of the most popular brands in today's cigar market. There
are many reasons for this including a wide diversity in cigars
in both flavor and price, good to exceptional construction, consistency
in all their blends, and a progressive public relations campaign.
One of their most successful lines is the Hemingway figurado
series which was first introduced in the mid-1980s.
The Hemingway Signature Maduro is a beautifully crafted perfecto
with a smooth dark wrapper, it actually looks like it is made
out of dark rich Godiva chocolate. As with all Hemingways, the
draw, burn, and ash are near, if not perfect. Sadly it is dull
to smoke - the Hemingway blend is just not suited to this maduro
wrapper. The wrapper itself is dull in flavor and in turn it
makes this cigar bland on the palate. The result is a mild cigar
that lacks complexity. I can't help but wonder how this cigar
would taste with a more robust broadleaf wrapper instead.
Anyone that doubts what an impact the wrapper has on the
flavor of a cigar should do a side by side tasting of this cigar
and one of the Cameroon wrapped perfectos. Although very smooth,
the Hemingway Signature Maduro is uninspiring. Granted it is
a decent cigar, but it remains a mere shadow of its Cameroon
wrapped counterpart.
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