I have smoked a few of these 1666s when I first received them and a couple recently that I kind of “forgot” about in my humidor. These sticks are now over 2 years old and when I smoked one the other day, I thought it would be interesting to put up a review and talk a bit about how the stick has done with some rest. Without further ado, let’s see how these smokes held up to the extra time…

Don’t forget to get involved in our March Contest.

Name: Tatuaje Black Tubo
Company: Havana Cellars
Made by: My Father Cigars
Made in: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
MSRP: $14.00
Comes in: Boxes of 10
Vitola: 6-1/8″ x 52

Final Thoughts

This was an incredible stick. Good complexity of flavor, very nice construction. While the price point is high, it’s definitely worth having one now and then on a special occasion. It’s definitely my favorite size in the Black lineup now.

I also talk a bit about the interview that Pete did with Jerry from Stogie Review, where he talks about not doing the tubes anymore. Lots of good info in that interview, so I suggest checking it out. I also talk about special occasion cigars and how to get the most out of them.

So check out the video as we smoke both the Petit Corona and Lancero; you might find our views interesting.

Name: El Triunfador (new blend)
Company: Havana Cellars
Made by: Don Pepin Garcia
Made in: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Comes in: Boxes of 25
Vitola: No. 5 Petit Corona (4 3/8″ X 42) & No. 6 Lancero (7 1/2 X 38)

Although we realize that the size of a cigar can alter the overall flavor and body, it’s often not as obvious until you do a vertical tasting. Although this wasn’t a complete vertical tasting, we still got to see just how different the new El Triunfador is between the Petit Corona and Lancero.

The Petit Corona was a good cigar, but the over-the-top spice really took away from the rest of the cigar. Brian and I both agree, that this cigar would really benefit from six to twelve months of age. In that time we would expect the sharpness of the spice to mellow and allow the cigar to be a bit more well rounded. The Lancero, however, already has a well rounded flavor profile. Our final recommendation would be to buy both with the intention of smoking the Lancero now, and aging the Petit Coronas.

Nestor Miranda and Miami Cigar teamed up with Don Pepin Garcia and My Father Cigar Company about 9 months ago, and their latest collaboration is now available, the Nestor Miranda Collection Dominicano. This cigar was definitely a collaborative effort with La Aurora S. A. providing the tobacco, and Don Pepin doing the blending and manufacturing. It uses Nicaraguan filler and binder, and a Dominican Corojo wrapper. It’ll be in the $7–8 price range.

The cigar will come in boxes of 20. Like the Nestor Miranda Special Selection cigars made by Don Pepin, two wrappers will be offered: Rosado and Oscuro. You’ll have your choice of five sizes:

• Lancero — 7–1/2″ x 40
• Coffee Break — 4–1/2″ x 50
• Robusto Grande — 5–1/2″ x 54
• Belicoso — 6–1/8″ x 52
• Ruky — 5–5/8″ x 48 x 52

There’s going to be three big in-store events to celebrate the launch of the Dominicano. The first is a two-part event in San Diego with a dinner on March 11th and a store event on March 12th. The second will be at the Grand Havana Room in New York City on March 19th. And the last will be on March 20th at Sabor Havana in Doral, FL.

For more details on the events, you can read the full press release.

First thing that caught my eye with this cigar is the obvious use of two wrapper leafs. The lighter wrapper, an Ecuadorian Shade, runs the entire length of the cigar. Then a secondary leaf, a Nicaraguan Criollo, tops the cigar from the head down to the band. Secondly, the construction of this cigar appeared to be flawless. Seams were not visible on either wrapper and the cigar was just jam packed full of tobacco. Brian and I had slightly different opinions on the pre-light aroma. Brian picked up on cocoa while I got a bit more of a mocha aroma. Pre-light draw was perfect, but absent of any recognizable flavor.

So watch the video and find out what we thought. Video runs just over 20 minutes, but we had a good time dissecting this cigar… and dealing with a few technical issues.

Name: Cabinetta Serie
Company: Joya de Nicaragua
Made by: Joya de Nicaragua
Made in: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Shade and Nicaraguan Criollo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
MSRP: $6.05
Comes in: Boxes of 24
Vitola: No. 7 Toro(6″ X 50)

Brian’s Impressions

Let me start by saying WOW! Like I say in the video, I usually don’t go over the top to endorse a cigar but this stick, in my personal opinion, is great. The flavors and aromas that you get during this smoking experience stimulate all of the senses from the awesome sweet, floral aromas, the complexity of flavors, the visual appearance, to the feel of the smooth, pristine wrappers.

I absolutely loved the sweetness and light woodiness that provide the base flavors with tinges of sweet spice and cocoa intermingling throughout the smoke. The savory earthiness in the last inch of the cigar is mouthwatering. My only complaint is that there wasn’t more of that. Another half-inch to inch of the Criollo wrapper I think would be great. Construction was great for the most part with nothing that takes away from the experience.

To wrap it up…this is a great smoke for all smokers. Mild and not overpowering for those not looking for that nicotine hit, but full of flavor that any cigar smoker would be able to pick out and enjoy. I highly recommend this stick and if you can find them, the price point is ridiculous. Get Some!

Chris’ Impressions

Like I said in the video, I initially thought that this cigar was gimmicky, but it didn’t take me many puffs to realize that the Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta Serie is the real deal. This cigar is loaded with flavor and remains mild to medium in body. I won’t re-hash what Brian said about the overall flavors of this cigar, but I will say that I found the complexity of this cigar to be intoxicating. Although these sticks were slow burners, I found myself taking puffs frequently so I could savor all the flavors.

Regardless of price, I would recommend trying this cigar. But, with the No. 7 coming in at $6.05 I have to say that the Cabinetta Serie is a must try. I did a quick search online and found there is at least one online retailer out there with these cigars. So find that spot, and pick up a handful.

Have you tried the JdN Cabinetta Serie yet?

Don’t forget to get involved in our March Contest. We have an absolutely spectacular prize for this one.

Also, don’t forgot about our contest we are running sponsered by Drew Estates for some Drew Estates swag and some Liga Privadas!
March Contest

You can have a ton of great cigars in your humidor, but before you enjoy them you have to have a way to get the cap off and set the end on fire. For years now, I’ve carried a cutter and lighter in my left hip pocket, so I’ll always be ready for a smoke when the opportunity arises. The cutter has changed a few times, and the lighter has changed even more often. Whichever cutter and lighter pair I’ve carried, they all add bulk. It’s still two items I have to carry. Add in my car keys, some gum, and a small Leatherman, and pretty soon it takes me 3 minutes just to get something out of my pocket. The folks at Xikar have found a way to reduce some of that bulk you carry, and introduced the Ultra Cutter and Lighter combo.

The Ultra combo is a single-flame butane lighter with two magnetic sides to hold the thin guillotine cutter to it. The cutter was introduced first a couple of years ago. It’s thin enough that it can fit in your wallet. Back in the fall, I was at Mt. Washington Cigar Co. in Baltimore, and saw a customer with the new cutter and lighter combo. The lighter is thicker than the cutter of course, but still pretty thin, and when you attach the cutter to the lighter, you still end up with a piece that is only 5/8″ thick. I’ve been using the combo for about 2 months now, and I’m ready to give my thoughts on it.

Name: Xikar Ultra Gunmetal Cutter/Lighter Combo
Made by: Xikar, Inc.
MSRP: $79.99
Warranty: Lifetime

Form

Click photos to enlarge

The cutter is ridiculously thin. A mere 1/8 of an inch. And only 2 1/2″ long. But don’t mistake thin for flimsy. Two layers of gunmetal gray metal are wrapped around the stainless steel blades, and are held together with rivets at the corners in a slightly rounded rectangle shape. Two notches are carved out at the ends to resemble the traditional guillotine cutter handles, but are too narrow to use in that way (more on that in the next section). One of the handles is wrapped in a lighter colored steel, and held in place by three more rivets. The Xikar logo adorns one of the blades. The cutter has a great feel to it. Incredibly sturdy but smooth and stylish as well.

The lighter matches the cutter in style and craftsmanship. It measures in at a half inch thick and 2 1/2″ across, and matches the cutter’s rounded rectangular shape. For such a thin lighter, it has a definite heft to it. Perhaps a bit more than I’d like, but I’ll take sturdy over weak. Like the cutter, two gunmetal gray pieces are held onto the steel center section with 4 rivets. The sides each have a raised oval in the center that gives the cutter a place to get fit when they are attached. Both sides are magnetic, and have the Xikar logo stamped near the bottom. The ignition button is large with grooves on the top. The flame hole is covered, and it is revealed when pulling back on the ignition. A good sized fuel indicator window adorns one of the sides. The bottom of the lighter has the combination fill valve and flame height adjustment dial common to most quality butane lighters.

Separately, the cutter and lighter look very nice. When placed together, they look seamless. The cutter molds nicely to the lighter, and holds firm. The handles in the cutter reveal the Xikar logo stamped on the sides in a very subtle, attractive way.

Function

Since the cutter is short, the handles really aren’t usable. Opening the cutter requires holding one of the handles between your fingertips and pulling it open. It slides open smoothly, but not too loosely. After that, you nestle one end of the cutter into your fingers and the other end against your thumb. Pressing your thumb down clips the cigar in a smooth, clean motion. The blades are incredibly sharp. Quite possibly the sharpest blades I’ve used. The thin blades make for a very clean cut, and I’ve never cut too much off the end of a cigar, and had it unravel. On the other hand, I had one cigar where I didn’t take off quite enough, and needed to go back with the cutter again to get the draw to be even workable. I’m not blaming that on the cutter, but you do need to think about taking off enough when you are cutting a stogie. It can handle a 60 ring gauge cigar with no problem, and is rated for up to a 64 ring.

The lighter is great to use. The grooves on the ignition make it easy to get a good grip, even when wearing gloves or sweating a bit in an overcrowded shop. The ignition button provides just the right resistance. The lid over the jet slides out of the way when you ignite, and hides inside the lighter so you’re not bumping the end of your cigar against a protrusion like some lighters. The flame height is very nice, even when set to the middle setting. I like a long flame, and the Ultra delivers without having to crank up the setting. The flame adjustment requires a small screwdriver or knife to adjust it. I’d prefer a thumb adjustment like on some of the other Xikar lighters, but adding that in a way that would keep the style of the lighter intact would probably be difficult. Alas, it’s easy to use for the type that it is.

When attached to each other, the magnet does a great job of keep the cutter attached. Not once have I reached into my pocket for them, and had to go back into my pocket because the cutter came off. I’m not sure why you’d really want to, but both sides are magnetic, and you could keep two cutters attached if you wanted. When placed together, the weight is a bit heavy, but not obnoxious. It can handle up to about a 52 ring gauge cigar with minimal effort, and up to a 60 with a little bit of focus.

Warranty

Xikar is well known for their lifetime warranties. If the finish or function aren’t living up to what you want, mail it to the company, and they will fix it or replace it. I haven’t had any issues with the Ultra combo, and I haven’t had to send it back. In the past when I’ve sent cutters off for sharpening or lighters for ignition problems, most of the time I get a replacement rather than a repair. So if for some reason you want the same item back (example: a lot of people like the style of their old Xikar MTX over the new one) be sure to mention that when sending off it off. Return time is usually pretty good. I’ve had most of my repairs sent back in around 2-3 weeks.

Final Thoughts

This combo is really tough to beat. It has great style and great craftsmanship. The materials are high quality, and have withstood 2 months of heavy use with almost no blemishes. The cutter requires a bit more effort than most guillotines because of its small size, but more than makes up for it with it’s super sharpness and precision. The lighter is the best single flame lighter I’ve ever used. The ignition is just perfect, butane isn’t used up at an obnoxious rate, and it looks great too. I highly recommend the Ultra lighter and cutter combo. At an MSRP of $80, it is well worth the money, and you can find it for less if you look around. If you’re just in the market for a cutter or lighter, the Ultra lighter or cutter can be had for $50 each. At that price though, I say spend the extra $30 and get the combination. There’s more value to the combo than just than either by itself.

Recommendation: Must Buy

This stick features a dark and oily Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper. The veins are visible on the wrapper, but nearly undetectable by touch. Pre-light aroma yields a robust blend of barnyard and sweetness that really gets my salivary glands working. Like all cigars that come from Pepin, this cigar is beautifully constructed and is topped with a triple cap. I clipped the cap with my Xikar cutter, and took a few pre-light draws. Most notable was the black pepper which hit me right on the tip of my tongue. Once I set fire to the foot, this cigar took on a life of it’s own.

Name: 601 Maduro (Blue Label)
Company: United Tobacco
Made by: Don Pepin Garcia
Made in: Esteli, Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
MSRP: $8.40
Comes in: Boxes of 20
Vitola: Robusto (5 1/4″ X 52)

It’s difficult to explain just how much I enjoyed the 601 Blue. This was a full-flavored and full-bodied cigar and maintained a wonderful balance. With the balance and smoothness in mind, I think the 601 Maduro could be enjoyed by just about any cigar enthusiast. The black pepper was never a predominant flavor, so those that are leery of spice can rest assured that this stick won’t fry your taste buds.

Also, in the spirit of our March Contest I’m requesting that you make some suggestions on cigars you would like to see me review. It’s easy to just review cigars I want to smoke, but it’s more important to review what you want to hear about. So give me a few suggestions, and I’ll do my best to work them into future reviews.