The Cigar Log Book

Drew Estate -- Liga Privada T52 - Robusto

2011-08-06T06:27:00.000-07:00

VERY COMPLEX AND TASTY CIGAR.

OCCASION: Drew Estate Event at Anthony's	PRICE: $12
BRAND: Drew Estate - Liga Privada T52

GAUGE: 52	LENGTH: 5"
SHAPE NAME: Robusto

FILLER: Nicaraguan (7 different tobaccos)
BINDER: Brazillian Mata Fina	WRAPPER: Stalk Cut Sungrown Habano

APPEARANCE:
Mouthwatering, which is why I took the $12 plunge. Dark and oily brown flawless wrapper. Outstanding looking cigar.

CONSTRUCTION:
Firm along body and cap, a bit loose at the foot, no big deal. Double cap was flawless with no bunches or bumps. Awesome construction.

DRAW:
START: Great	1/2: Great	3/4: Great

BURN:
START: Even	1/2: Even	3/4: Even

TASTING NOTES:
The beginning immediately gives you a nice spice on the tongue and throat to wake up your taste-buds. While the intro is full-bodied, it mellows down a bit near the half-way point.

OTHER NOTES:
Enough cannot be said about the look, construction and scent of this cigar. This cigar would be a great companion at a barbecue.

EVALUATION:
A wonderfully blended cigar. The beginning starts with a spicy wake up for your senses as the dark and oily wrapper suggests but morphs into a creamy smooth goodness about half-way through. For me this is one for special occasions due to the price point but one I will keep on my list of classic cigars.

Nearly all of the on-line retailers have this cigar on back-order. I suggest hitting your local tobacconist.

Oliva -- Nub Habano - 460

2010-09-30T11:46:00.003-07:00

Image from bluenotecigars.com

NUB. Novelty's Ultimate Burn? I guess that depends on the person.

OCCASION: Evening Burn	PRICE: Sampler Pack
BRAND: Oliva - Nub

GAUGE: 60	LENGTH: 4"
SHAPE NAME: 460

FILLER: Nicaragua
BINDER: Nicaragua	WRAPPER: Nicaragua

APPEARANCE:
Milk chocolatey, oily sheen. Good looking.

CONSTRUCTION:
Double cap poorly constructed with flaps and bunches. Major hole on body. Firm to the touch.

DRAW:
START: Good	1/2: Good	3/4: Good

BURN:
START: Even	1/2: Even	3/4: Even

TASTING NOTES:
Woody with minor roasted nut taste. Spicy on the first 1/2 of cigar which simmered down to a nice creamy smooth ending.

OTHER NOTES:
After taking the cigar out of the cellophane I was hit with smell of cinnamon. How weird and awesome. Aside from the cinnamon the pre-light aroma was that of leather and spicy earth.

EVALUATION:
This cigar has received mixed reviews about its quality. I believe the cigar to be a good cigar but the price doesn't reflect the experience. There are many similarly sized cigars out there that are just as good but at a lower price (Te Amo comes to mind). Truth be told, if you enjoy cigars, you've gotta try one of the Nub cigars. It's just a must.

BlueNoteCigars.com gives it a pretty good rating while Dr. Fadem from about.com isn't as pleased.

Altadis USA -- Onyx Reserve - Toro

2010-09-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

Image from StraightUpCigars.com

WTF?!?! No Way (poor on a whole new level).

OCCASION: Revisit of Onyx	PRICE: $3.49
BRAND: Altadis USA - Onyx Reserve

GAUGE: 50	LENGTH: 6"
SHAPE NAME: Toro

FILLER: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Peruvian
BINDER: Nicaraguan	WRAPPER: Coal Black Connecticut Broadleaf

APPEARANCE:
Deep, dark, almost black earth brown.

CONSTRUCTION:
Firm and very hard to the touch, almost too hard. Double cap and flawless wrapper.

DRAW:
START: Horrible	1/2: NA	3/4: NA

BURN:
START: Even	1/2: NA	3/4: NA

TASTING NOTES:
...not good...

OTHER NOTES:
The aroma before lighting was a strange combo of chocolate and dirty barn.

EVALUATION:
While this cigar is rated a 94 by Cigar Aficionado I can't get past the poor draw and the initial smell of a barnyard (dirty one at that). This is my second try at the Onyx Reserve line and unfortunately both experiences were bad. I have to add that this cigar was purchased from a large box store that mainly caters to alcoholic beverage sales and doesn't circulate their cigar merchandise as quickly as a local tobacconist. Although premium cigars should age well, perhaps there were some handling/storage issues by the store. The store does have a large walk in humidor and the cigar was celophane wrapped, so I am fairly confused as to why a 94 cigar is now serving as compost.

StraightUpCigars.com wasn't pleased with this stick either and it's been difficult finding a great review of the cigar. Many reviews give the Onyx Reserve Toro average or okay ratings. Buyer beware.

Thompson Cigar Auction

2010-09-22T18:48:00.003-07:00

So, I just received the cigars I purchased from the Thompson Cigar Auction at http://www.thompsoncigarauction.com/.

Amazing. I bid $36 + $5 shipping for 16 smokes! That comes out to $2.56/cigar!! Here's the lineup:

1-Vega Fuego Robusto Maduro $4.29
2-Cain F 550 Rated 92 by Cigar Aficionado $5.76
3-Carlos Torano Exodus 1959 Robusto $6.96
4-Nub Habano $5.80
5-Rocky Patel Autumn 2008 Collection $7.75
6-Alec Bradley Tempus Genesis $4.68
7-Vegas de Fonseca Sobrino $3.60
8-Cusano 18 Connecticut Robusto $5.88
9-Gurkha European Selection Habano 2000 Churchill $6.00
10-Gurkha Regent Churchill Rated 90 by Cigar Aficionado $5.00
11-Alec Bradley Plantation Blend Torpedo $3.00
12-Victor Sinclair Legacy Double Maduro $3.50
13-Pinar Del Rio Value Line Reserve Connecticut Toro $1.52
14-Don Lino 1989 Maduro Torpedo
15-Pinar del Rio 1878 Cubano especial Capa Madura $4.45
16-Gran Habano Factory Overruns $3.95

I saved a ton of money even compared to buying in bulk! There's only one negative...the box of cigars were delivered by UPS and sat for who knows how long in a brown cardboard box on my front door step baking in the 101F desert heat. Now I have to be real careful and try to nurse these cigars back to humidity health before I get to enjoy them.

Don't worry, I'll keep you in the loop.

Cigo

Oliva -- Serie V - Robusto

2010-09-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

Image from CigarObsession.com

Must have been a storage issue because this 94 point rated cigar didn't make the cut.

OCCASION: 1st time with Oliva	PRICE: $6.95
BRAND: Oliva - Serie V

GAUGE: 50	LENGTH: 5"
SHAPE NAME: Robusto

FILLER: Nicaragua
BINDER: Nicaragua	WRAPPER: Nicaragua

APPEARANCE:
Flawless earth brown wrapper, minuscule veins, no bumps or blemishes to be seen. Overall a great appearance.

CONSTRUCTION:
.Firm and no spongy spots. Triple or quadruple cap? No bunches, folds, or any other structural flaw. Great construction

DRAW:
START: Okay	1/2: Poor	3/4: NA

BURN:
START: Even	1/2: Uneven, relight	3/4: NA

TASTING NOTES:
I picked up an initial pleasant sweetness from perhaps the wrapper or the glue used to make the cap. An initial spice that creeps along your tongue to the back and then mellows out to a creamy smoothness. There is a strong woody presence throughout the cigar and minor spice notes.

OTHER NOTES:
Great prelight aroma of graham cracker, spice and cedar. Initial draw was okay and got more difficult as time went on and I had to relight on a few occasions. After the 1/3 mark I had to relight and the cigar foot began to produce a heavy amount of thick white smoke making me wonder if the tobacco was damp. This would explain me having to relight and the poor draw I was experiencing.

EVALUATION:
Almost all aspects of the cigar, construction, appearance, and taste were wonderful and the price for such a highly rated cigar is fantastic. Unfortunately, I couldn't get past the horrible draw I was experiencing to recommend this cigar and had to abandon shortly after the 1/2 point. This had to be a storage issue or some fluke because I have read of no other review that has rated this cigar poorly. I will have to try another one just to be sure but until then, this stays off my favorite list.

CigarFan.com has a great review on the Oliva Serie V Torpedo, which is the same blend as the robusto I experienced.

CAO -- La Traviata Maduro - Radiante

2010-09-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

Image from TikiBarOnline.com

CAO's La Traviata Maduro has not gone astray but has found home as my new favorite cigar!

OCCASION: Morning with coffee	PRICE: $5.65
BRAND: CAO - La Traviate Maduro

GAUGE: 52	LENGTH: 6"
SHAPE NAME: Radiante

FILLER: Nicaraguan and Dominican
BINDER: Camaroon	WRAPPER: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

APPEARANCE:
Silky chocolaty sheen with minuscule veins and tiny bumps on wrapper. There were a few bumps protruding from the cylindrical shape of the cigar but otherwise good appearance..

CONSTRUCTION:
Firm along the body. No folds or bunches on wrapper. Double capped and flawless construction (other than the few bumpy protrusions.

DRAW:
START: Perfect	1/2: Perfect	3/4: Good

BURN:
START: Even	1/2: Even	3/4: Even

TASTING NOTES:
Initially I had a lighting issue because of my lighter (ran out of fuel) and only lit the center of the cigar. This initial "center" taste was a nice woody almost like fresh cut oak. Once I refueled and lit the entire foot a beautiful burst of a sweet pipe tobacco flavor came through. A definite sweetness to the first 1" of the cigar and very little spice.

A peppery/spicy sensation began poking its head after the first 1". At the halfway point the spice disappeared altogether and transformed into a creamy smooth and roasted nutty flavor.

OTHER NOTES:
Prelight aromas on the body were a light chocolate and subtle sweetness. The foot smelled of strong leather and graham cracker).

The ash was tight and I actually had trouble knocking it off.

As a brief bit of extraneous information, La Traviata is a tragic opera that ends with the main female character dying in the arms of her true love.

EVALUATION:
A very complex and what I envision a perfect cigar tastes like. If you are looking for a spicy full-bodied cigar, this is not the choice for you. This one is more medium than full bodied and worked wonderfully as a morning cigar with coffee. No strong nicotine buzz and no tarry aftertaste but still a long finish with each draw. This cigar is one I will be looking to purchase a box of. A classic cigar at a great price.

To me the name is an unusual choice for what I believe is a great cigar at an awesome price point. Whatever the name, this cigar is one of my Favorite Cigars and a great Budget Cigar.

StogieReview.com gives a great section by section review of the cigar while TikiBarOnline.com states the pre-release version of the maduro as just okay.

Arganese -- CL3 - Torpedo

2010-09-11T08:10:00.000-07:00

Eh.

OCCASION: Weekend morning with coffee	PRICE: $3.50
BRAND: Arganese - CL3

GAUGE: 52	LENGTH: 6 - 7/8"
SHAPE NAME: Torpedo

FILLER: Corojo ligero
BINDER: Corojo ligero	WRAPPER: Corojo ligero

APPEARANCE:
A nice oily sheen with a consistent medium brown wrapper. Minor veins for the most part. A few ripply veins similar to an old person's ankles...gross, I know. I could see two longitudinal lines or creases in the cigar body from the cigar mold. Wrapper torn under band due to the glue. I've seen this on a few other Arganese cigars so it must be a manufacturing issue.

CONSTRUCTION:
Loose at the foot and firm at the head. Noticable spongy spots along body. Cap wrapping well constructed on this torpedo.

DRAW:
START: Average	1/2: Average	3/4: Average

BURN:
START: Even	1/2: Uneven	3/4: Uneven

TASTING NOTES:
Initial light spicy flavor with some leathery notes. Very earthy and woody, almost oaky. Picked up on some straw hints as well.

OTHER NOTES:
The burn was uneven for most of the cigar and this really drove me crazy as I tried to right the wrong. The ash was loose and didn't hold very long.

EVALUATION:
Inexpensive cigar but not a real taste pleaser. The cigar is average at best but for an everyday budget cigar I suppose it would fit the bill. I personally wouldn't smoke it again.

StogieGuys.com have a pretty good review giving the cigar average and good ratings.

My Father Cigars -- No. 1 - Robusto

2010-09-05T19:31:00.000-07:00

A definite No. 1 in premium cigars.

OCCASION: 1st Entry in The Cigar Log Book	PRICE: $9.95
BRAND: My Father Cigars - No. 1

GAUGE: 52	LENGTH: 5.2"
SHAPE NAME: Robusto

FILLER: Nicaraguan
BINDER: Nicaraguan	WRAPPER: Ecuadorian

APPEARANCE:
Oily with a nice dark mahogany color. Minor veins and the foot flares a bit but otherwise great appearance.

CONSTRUCTION:
Triple cap with a few bumps poking underneath. Using my punch cutter to cut a hole in the cap I had to maneuver around those bumps.

DRAW:
START: Perfect	1/2: Perfect	3/4: Perfect

BURN:
START: Even	1/2: Even	3/4: Even

TASTING NOTES:
A nice spice started right off the bat and tapered down to a light and smooth woody flavor after the 1st 1/3 to 1/2 of the cigar. This woody flavor had hints of roasted nuts speckled throughout. A very enjoyable and creamy smooth finish.

OTHER NOTES:
The aroma before lighting the cigar reminded me of new leather and hints of chocolate, cedar and vanilla. The draw produced the perfect amount of billowy, creamy smoke perfect for making smoke rings in still air.

The cigar's ash was dense and held on for nearly 2 inches as I strolled the neighborhood. Shortly after the first ash departed was when the cigar began to mellow out and the second ash held on for another 1 - 1/2 inches.

Blended by Don Pepin Garcia's son Jaime this cigar has received rave reviews and is considered one of the best blends by this master blender.

EVALUATION:
Some folks aren't too pleased with the cigar because of its hype and because it doesn't finish as a full bodied cigar but rather tapers off at the end. I personally prefer this blending technique to rock'em sock'em tobacco blends offering a constant barrage of thick and spicy full bodied punches to the palate.

Believe the hype of this No. 1 cigar.

Tucson Tobacconists

2010-09-04T18:47:00.003-07:00

I made a trip to a few of the various tobacconist shops in Tucson, Arizona recently and was extremely pleased with all the stores I visited. All were helpful, had great selection and provided the many amenities helping your cigar respite be that much more enjoyable. Please peruse the reviews and visit these premium stores.

Anthony’s Cigar North

Hours

Monday thru Saturday:

9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Sundays:

11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Service

The tobacconist was able to guide me through the various brands and blends and answered all questions. He was extremely knowledgeable and patient and able to help many customers simultaneously.

Selection

They have a tremendous selection of cigars and lockers for customer storage. Their humidor is full of great premium cigars and they even have a cigar designed by their employees and made by Oliva.

They order their stock, like most tobacconists, from the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) which was held in August. They had a few items in the humidor from the show but many were on order for delivery in September / October. One of the latest items they received was Drew Estate’s La Privada T52.

Amenities

They have areas for people to sit inside and watch sports, movies, etc. They also have some outside seating however, legally I’m not sure you can enjoy your cigar outside.

There are fairly good sized lock boxes in the humidor for people to store their purchases. Most of them were claimed (and stuffed with boxes upon boxes of cigars!).

Atmosphere

I visited the store on a Saturday early afternoon and there were quite a few people inside enjoying their cigars watching some college football. A pretty good group of regulars visit this store and chat with the tobacconist who is extremely knowledgeable with the inventory and beyond. There are two Anthony’s Cigar Shops in the Tucson area and this North location’s clientele is a bit older than the clientele at the East location.

Anthony’s Cigar East

Hours

Monday thru Thursday:

10:00 am to 9:00 pm

Fridays & Saturdays:

10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Sundays:

11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Service

I never asked for any assistance and didn’t receive any as the employee was busy assisting some of the other clientele.

Selection

Great selection with many of the great premium brands to choose from.

Amenities

They have a seating area to watch television and a stool area at the cigar “bar” near the register. There is seating outside at this location as well but, you are probably not allowed to enjoy your cigars outside.

They have some lock boxes for customers here as well.

Atmosphere

I visited on a Friday afternoon and the place was fairly busy with regulars enjoying their cigars watching a movie in their seating area.

Jerry’s Cigars

Hours

Monday thru Friday: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Saturdays: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Sundays: Closed

Service

I was assisted by both the owner and the employee working at the store. Both were extremely knowledgeable, helpful and patient.

Selection

Great selection with many of the great premium brands to choose from. They will be receiving a shipment in September / October of new cigars they ordered from the IPCPR in August.

Amenities

They have two central seating areas to watch multiple televisions. There are quite a few lock boxes for the customers to use.

Atmosphere

I visited the store on a Saturday afternoon and there were many people relaxing, conversing and watching television with their cigars. A very friendly atmosphere.

Illusione -- Nosotros - Robusto

2010-08-29T20:03:00.004-07:00

Collaboration between Drew and Dion left "nosotros" poorer.

OCCASION: August Hail in Desert	PRICE: $9.90
BRAND: Illusione - Nosotros

GAUGE: 50	LENGTH: 5"
SHAPE NAME: Robusto

FILLER: Nicaraguan
BINDER: Nicaraguan	WRAPPER: Nicaraguan Corojo

APPEARANCE:
Medium to dark brown with petite veins. A light and silky sheen with no bunches, folds, bumps, spots or any other imperfections. A complete masterpiece by the torcedor.

CONSTRUCTION:
Firm from head to foot. Absolutely no soft spongy spots. Round head with no perceivable imperfections on the cap construction.

DRAW:
START: Great	1/2: Great	3/4: Great

BURN:
START: Even	1/2: Even	3/4: Even

TASTING NOTES:
Great cedar and earth aroma before lighting. As soon as I lit up, there was a powerful spice that hit my tongue and eventually subsided rather early. I'm not sure if this was because my senses had been annihilated or because the tobacco backed down from its initial bum rush. A woodsy flavor continued throughout the cigar and nutty, roasted flavors would spring up occasionally.

OTHER NOTES:
I grabbed this at Anthony's Cigar Emporium. They have a packed humidor and nice place to relax and enjoy your cigar. The store was fairly popular with what looked to be regulars indicating great customer service and stellar stick selections.

EVALUATION:
A great cigar in construction and appearance. As someone once said, "If it doesn't work, at least make it look good," this cigar looked great but I have tasted much better with lesser priced cigars. In this economy you want to purchase a cigar you will enjoy immensely and one that really makes an impression on you. Unfortunately the impression I experienced was the morning after, no actually the day after, when my mouth continued to taste like tar and my wallet was a bit thinner.

At nearly $10 for this cigar I was half expecting to be smoking gold dust. This definitely would not qualify as a quality budget cigar and should be reserved for special occasions. This collaboration between Drew Estates and Illusione cigars was not as I had hoped. My friends have raved about the Illusione cigars and I have personally enjoyed the Illusione 88 hoping the Nosotros was going to join my "Favorite Cigars" lineup. Alas, I will keep this one on the sidelines and continue my search.

CAO -- America - Monument

2010-08-23T09:52:00.025-07:00

CAO America isn't as bold and full bodied as its namesake.

OCCASION: Weekend	PRICE: $8.64
BRAND: CAO America

GAUGE: 54	LENGTH: 6 - 1/4"
SHAPE NAME: Monument

FILLER: Nicaragua,Dominican Republic/Italy/USA
BINDER: Brazil	WRAPPER: Connecticut (double)

APPEARANCE:
A patriotic band and edge collar nicely complements the lighter shade grown Connecticut pinstripe that runs around the length of the cigar. The wrapper leaves were a deep, dark and rich chocolaty brown. Some of the wrapper leaves had broken off near where the the band was attached but otherwise the wrappers were flawless.

CONSTRUCTION:
The cigar was firm for the entire length and the cap was nicely wrapped with no lumps or bunches.

DRAW:
START: great	1/2: great	3/4: great

BURN:
START: even	1/2: even	3/4: even

TASTING NOTES:
There was a bit of a peppery taste at the beginning that quickly evolved itho a woody taste. Minor hints of leather and roasted nuts went well with my Sumatra Blend coffee. The cigar was a smooth experience with no harsh tarry aftertaste. The taste was consistent for the entire cigar.

OTHER NOTES:
The aroma was pleasant and produced a good amount of smoke. The draw was great throughout, even to the nub and the burn remained even.

Picked this one up at Shades of Havana. The tobacconist there was extremely knowledgeable and helpful and supplies great and unpretentious boutique cigars.

EVALUATION:
I was really hoping this would be a great cigar. One that could become my go to cigar and I could feel comfortable handing out to folks for special occasions. Unfortunately, for the price, this cigar fell short. I now know why a local tobacconist only carries them around this time of the year.

Cigar Tobacco Types

2010-08-15T16:48:00.012-07:00

Click Image Below to See the Cigar Tobacco Family Tree

According to legend, tobacco has been cultivated for around 5,000 - 8,000 years and is native only to the Americas originating in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador and Peru. Technically, tobacco is any plant from the genus Nicotiana. Nicotiana belongs to the Solanaceae family which is widely used for food (eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, etc.), medicine (henbane, etc.) and drugs (nicotine).

President of Drew Estate, Steve Saka, mentioned there are 66 types of tobacco in his Spring 2006 article Black Tobacco for Cigar Magazine. Of those types, only two are used in the tobacco products used today, Nicotiana rustica Linnaeus and Nicotiana tobacum Linnaeus. Both types were named by Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus in 1753. He credited Nicot de Villemain, an ambassador documented as introducing tobacco to France, by naming the genus after him.

The first type, Nicotiana rustica Linnaeus, was the main tobacco used in pre-Colonial days in North America and is now typically used in Northern India and Afghanistan. Known for its high nicotine content a study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology authored by D.E. Hadley examined the use of Nicotiana rustica Linnaeus, hydrated lime, and water as an insecticide.

Nicotiana rustica Linnaeus	Nicotiana tobacum Linnaeus

Nicotiana tobacum Linnaeus, the second type, is considered the “sweeter” of the two. Within this species are many subspecies, some of which are listed below.

Black
Blond
Burley
Oriental

Of these subspecies, the blond, burley and Oriental are typically flue or fire cured and used mainly for cigarettes while the black tobacco is air cured and used for cigars. Black tobacco provides more robust flavors and aromas, has a higher nicotine content than the other subspecies and is meant to be enjoyed for taste and aroma alone.

Black tobacco seeds can be grown nearly anywhere, it has been cultivated as far north as Canada and as far south as New Zealand, but it prefers a hot and humid climate and sandy loam volcanic soil. This makes the Central Americas and Caribbean Islands an ideal location to cultivate premium cigar tobacco.

Image showing Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn region for growing black tobacco from http://tobacconistuniversity.org/

Although this area produces some highly sought after premium cigar tobacco, there are five basic types of black tobacco and not all regions fit within the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. The five basic types are listed below.

Bahia - From Brazil this tobacco type is one of the oldest native seed tobaccos
Broadleaf - This type is widely grown especially in the USA
Habanesis Hybrids - Developed from seeds brought to Cuba from Mexico this type forms the basis of the Cuban seed tobacco family
San Andreas Negro - From Mexico this tobacco type was cultivated by the Aztecs
Sumatran - Dutch explorers and traders brought this tobacco to Indonesia circa 1500

From the five basic types introduced above, come thousands of varieties. Similar to wine varietals, each black tobacco variety has its own characteristics yet the exact same variety can have very different flavors, body and aromas when grown in different terroir. Some of the most common black tobacco varieties are listed below.

Broadleaf - From Windsor, Connecticut this sun grown variety gives it more strength and body than a shade grown strain. This variety is popular for Maduro wrappers
Cameroon - Originating in Africa this variety offers a subtle sweetness and complex character. Typically used as a wrapper and can be hard to match with a filler
Connecticut Shade - Originally from the Connecticut River Valley but also grown in Nicaragua and Honduras, this shade grown variety produces a thinner and finer tobacco than its sun grown counterpart. Typically used for wrappers of milder cigars
Connecticut Sun Grown - Different than sun grown broadleaf this comes from Cuban seed and may also be called Havana Seed and Maduro Tiempo
Corojo - Created by Cubans from breeding Criollo plants and now widely planted in Honduras, Nicaragua and others
Corojo 99 - Developed in Cuba as wrapper leaf and widely planted in Ecuador and other locations
Criollo - Originally a native seed Cuban tobacco this variety can be flavorful and smooth or very powerful. Is also grown in Honduras and Nicaragua
Criollo 98 / Criollo 99 - Developed in Cuba to be more disease resistant than the standard Cuban Criollo plant. The Criollo 98 is also planted in Honduras and Nicaragua
Habana 2000 - Disease resistant variety to replace the Cuban Corojo and widely used for wrapper. Also grown in Nicaragua, Honduras and Mexico
Olor - Mild native to Dominican Republic
San Andres - Frequently made into Maduro and used as wrapper. Flavor ranges from chocolatey smooth to a light peppery. Grown in Mexico and Costa Rica
Sumatra - Originated in Indonesia and can be sweet to tangy depending on where grown. Now also in Mexico, Ecuador and others

As we can see, there is no shortage of cigar tobacco variety and thanks to modern science there will be more varieties to come.

Interesting Fact: In American Colonies, tobacco was used as money throughout the 17^th and 18^th centuries. So, while money doesn’t grow on trees, apparently it once grew from the seeds of the tobacco plant.

References used in this article:

Steinberg, R.A., T.C. Tso, Physiology of the Tobacco Plant, Annual Review of Plant Physiology, Vol. 9, 151 - 174, June, 1958.
Haley, D.E., F.L. Follweiler, Studies on Nicotiana Rustica as a Source of a Nicotine for Insect Control, Journal of Economic Entomology, Vol. 18, No. 6, 807 – 817, December, 1925.
Knapp, Sandra, The Solanaceae as Drugs and Medicine: A Natural History of the Potato Family, The Natural History Museum, 2002.
Breen, T. H. Tobacco Culture, Princeton: New Jersey Press, 2001.
Saka, Steve, Black Tobacco, Cigar Magazine, Spring 2006.

Get 33% Off For This New Release

2010-08-10T11:41:00.001-07:00

Now available The Cigar Log Book for beginners as well as aficionados to document cigar conquests and collect cigar band art in one location. Enter code BNWGGJ9N when you check out to get 33% OFF.

The Cigar Log Book contains over 100 cigar log entry pages, a description of cigar anatomy, basic production from seed to cigar and typical cigar sizes and shapes. The Cigar Log Book also gives you a place to measure cigar ring gauge and length as well as index cigar entries for quick reference.

Use The Cigar Log Book to learn about cigar manufacturing, anatomy, and common shapes and sizes. Ultimately, this book allows you to discover your cigar tasting palate as you journal your cigar experiences. Do you prefer mild or full bodied, Robustos or Perfectos, Nicaraguan or Dominican? Find out after getting The Cigar Log Book!

This is great for a gift too!

Perdomo -- Nick's Sticks - Toro

2010-08-07T15:52:00.010-07:00

Search for the best budget cigar starts here! First up, the all new Nick's Sticks Little Havana Blend from Perdomo.

OCCASION: Building a work bench for the garage	PRICE: $4
BRAND: Nick's Sticks Little Havana Blend - Sun Grown (from Perdomo)

GAUGE: 54	LENGTH: 5-1/2"
SHAPE NAME: Toro

FILLER: Cuban Seed Nicaraguan
BINDER: Cuban See Nicaraguan	WRAPPER: Sun Grown

APPEARANCE: There were a couple of small blemishes in the wrapper. The wrapper was tawny colored, with minor veins.

CONSTRUCTION: The cigar was well made, and had no hard or soft spots.

DRAW:
START: Good	1/2: Good	3/4: Good

BURN:
START: Even	1/2: Even	3/4: Even

TASTING NOTES: The spicy sun grown wrapper really shined in the stick, and especially at this price. Lots of woody cedar, earthy flavors with the sun grown wrapper providing a bright, spicy backdrop. Even with the spice of the sun grown wrapper, this remained a medium bodied cigar that even new puffers would find easy to smoke.

OTHER NOTES: Nick's Sticks Little Havana Blend cigars are also available in a Maduro or Connecticut wrapper.

EVALUATION: Overall, for the price point, I thought this was a wonderful, very flavorful cigar. This puro had lots of good flavors, a spicy character, was well constructed, and burned even throughout the smoke. This little sun grown stick is going to be hard to beat!

The Cigar Log Book - Available Tuesday!

2010-08-06T15:35:00.001-07:00

The Cigar Log Book is getting its finishing touches and will be available for purchase next week on August 10th!

The Cigar Log Book contains over 100 cigar log entry pages, a description of cigar anatomy, basic production from seed to cigar and typical cigar sizes and shapes. The Cigar Log Book also gives you a place to measure cigar ring gauge and length as well as index cigar entries for quick reference.

Don't forget to use the code BNWGGJ9N to get 33% off.

Check out the book and order at www.cigarlogbook.com

CAO -- Lx2 - Toro

2010-07-27T11:03:00.002-07:00

While a great full-bodied cigar, the Lx2 should be renamed $x8.

OCCASION: Desert rain	PRICE: $8.09
BRAND: CAO - Lx2

GAUGE: 50	LENGTH: 6"
SHAPE NAME: Toro

FILLER: Nicaraguan and Dominican Republic (Ligero)
BINDER: Honduran	WRAPPER: Nicaraguan

APPEARANCE:
Dark chocolate with an oily sheen. Minor veins.

CONSTRUCTION:
No seams or bunches on body of cigar. The glue used to attach the double cap darkened the wrapper edges and really pointed out the sloppy cuts and a few minor bunches. Perhaps this was done so you could easily pick of the cap with your fingernail but it was unattractive to say the least. The last third of the cigar near where the band sits was a bit looser than the rest of the firm construction.

DRAW:
START: great	1/2: great	3/4: great

BURN:
START: even	1/2: even	3/4: even

TASTING NOTES:
Woodsy and earthy with subtle pepper and leather hints. CAO's process for fermentation, aging and blending was perfect because this double ligero was an extremely smooth full-bodied cigar.

OTHER NOTES:
The smell of this cigar before lighting is an experience in it of itself. A rich leather and a hint of cedar filled my nostrils prompting me to take in many deep breaths. This is what you imagine Fidel Castro's walk in humidor would smell like (assuming he has a walk in humidor).

EVALUATION:
While the Lx2 is a full-bodied cigar, there was no heavy lingering tar taste in my mouth. The burn and draw were perfect with the dense ash holding on for over 2 inches. Construction was good aside from the cosmetic flaws on the cap and the soft spot along the last 1/3 of the cigar body which didn't dampen the experience. The Lx2, while not my favorite CAO cigar, was an excellent cigar, and it should be for the price per stick I paid. I do recommend this cigar, but if you've got some $$ and want a full-bodied cigar I would suggest going another route, perhaps the Illusione 88.

Cuban Cohiba -- Siglo III - Gran Corona

2010-07-25T18:09:00.020-07:00

Cuban Cohiba Happiness

OCCASION: Matty B's Birthday Bash	PRICE: $17 retail - for me free however (a gift)
BRAND: Cohiba - Siglo III

GAUGE: 42	LENGTH: 6.o (15.50 cm)
SHAPE NAME: Gran Corona

FILLER: Cuban Volado, Seco and Ligero
BINDER: Cuban Seco All Habanos are made from "Tabaco Negro Cubano" – native Cuban Black Tobacco	WRAPPER: Shade Grown Seco

APPEARANCE:
This beauty had an oily golden wrapper with no blemishes that could be seen. The wrapper had very little raised veins, and oh how I love that Cuban Cohiba collar design - sort of Art Deco, and very classy.

CONSTRUCTION:
The construction of this little stick was immaculate, complete with a triple-seam cap. There were no hard or soft spots throughout the cigar.

DRAW:
START: Great	1/2: Great	3/4: Great

BURN:
START: Even	1/2: Even	3/4: Even

TASTING NOTES:
As soon as I took the stick out of the glass tubo it was packaged in, it's fragrance was immediate. Smooth, rich tobacco scent. From when it was first lighted, all the way to the end, there was an abundance of thick, creamy smoke. This was definitely a medium bodied stick, but was very complex with lots of flavors. The flavors of the cigar alternated between woody, earthy tone, to coffee flavors. However, there was always a wonderful cinnamon and nutmeg overtone, which gave the cigar a sweetness that was very unique. The cigar burned extremely even, and the draw was smooth and full. The ash was very tight, and held on for at least two inches before breaking off.

OTHER NOTES:

Here is some additional info. that I learned about the Cuban Habanos.

This Cohiba Siglo III is in the Linea 1492 cigar line, which is Cohiba's medium body Cuban line. The Linea 1492 was introduced in 1992 to mark the 500th Anniversary of Columbus’s epic voyage of discovery.

The name "Cohiba" is an ancient Taino Indian word for the bunches of tobacco leaves that Columbus first saw being smoked by the original inhabitants of Cuba — the earliest known form of the cigar.

The leaves for Cohiba are the “selection of the selection” from the five finest Vegas Finas de Primera in the San Juan y Martinez and San Luis zones of the Vuelta Abajo region.

Uniquely amongst Habanos two of Cohiba’s filler leaves, the seco and ligero, undergo a third fermentation in barrels, which adds smoothness to the blend.

EVALUATION:
I enjoyed this cigar immensely. It was possibly the best constructed cigar I have ever smoked, which speaks to the great history, and the love of cigar making in Cuba. Even though the cigar was medium body, it had lots of character with the sweetness on the wrapper, and I think I could almost taste the aged tabacco. Overall, a wonderful experience, and I am looking forward to my next Cuban!! Now that I think of it, I know someone who is planning a photography trip there next year. With that trip they will be in the country legally, which means....yep......they would be able to bring back lots of tasty Habanos with them!

EO Cigars -- Murcielago - Robusto

2010-07-21T14:51:00.002-07:00

This bat produced a home run.

OCCASION: Lazy day	PRICE: $6
BRAND: EO Cigars - Murcielago

GAUGE: 52	LENGTH: 5 - 1/4 "
SHAPE NAME: Robusto

FILLER: Nicaraguan
BINDER: Mexican	WRAPPER: Mexican maduro

APPEARANCE:
Dark, rich brown sheen. Bumpy with minor veins.

CONSTRUCTION:
Great construction. No bunches, no wrinkles, flawless triple cap and box pressed. Firm to the touch with some give.

DRAW:
START: great	1/2: great	3/4: great

BURN:
START: good	1/2: good	3/4: good

TASTING NOTES:
Peppery and hint of sweetness at the start. Smooth with a bite of pepper after-taste. Midway through I began to experience the initial sweetness fade to a toasty, then woody taste finally finishing off with a black pepper taste in throat. There was no long after-taste and no thick tar buildup in my mouth.

OTHER NOTES:
Earthy and old leather scent before lighting. The draw was cool throughout and produced a decent amount of smoke.

EVALUATION:
All in all I thought this was a very pleasurable medium bodied cigar. I have experienced others that were not as pricy that were just as good but I had to try the Mexican binder and wrapper grown in volcanic soil. Who wouldn't want to try that? For all the fuss out there about how horrible Mexican cigar tobacco is should try the Murcielago.

Illusione -- 88 - Robust

2010-07-14T20:58:00.007-07:00

Let there be no illusion, the Cigar Log Book recommends this great full-bodied cigar.

Occasion: Gift Cigar	Gauge: 52
Cigar: Illusione 88	Length: 5"
Price: $7	Shape: Robusto
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua Corojo

Appearance:
The 88 had a rich, mahogany and silky wrapper. The wrapping did look a bit like a barber's pole due to darker brown color where wrapper overlapped. Only imperfections came from minor veins and a rip and fold in one location. But in all the cigar's appearance was great.

Construction:
A very solid construction. Nice and compactly rolled but not hard as a rock. The head was triple capped and was nicely constructed and the foot was evenly cut. A top notch construction.

Draw	Burn
Start: good	Start: uneven
Halfway: good	Halfway: canoe, relight
Three-Quarters: good	Three-Quarters: even

Tasting Notes:

This was a definite full-bodied cigar with a spicy start and continued to hold on well after the draw. From the first draw there was a sweet taste that peaked through but quickly dissipated as a peppery taste held on well after the draw. As the cigar progressed the peppery and spicy taste gave way to a roasted and leathery taste. For a full bodied cigar the finish was nice and smooth.

Other Notes:
I smelled an earthy aroma almost like landscape mulch before lighting the cigar and for a person that has worked in the landscaping business, this was actually a pleasant smell. The cigar produced a fair amount of smoke per draw. There was a real issue with the cigar burning evenly until the last 1/3 of the cigar.

Recommend:

This cigar was given to me by one of my guest authors, Nathan Ambuehl, who swears by their quality. I'll have to admit, this passed my inspection and received my recommendation as a top notch masterfully constructed, flawless appearance with a wonderful full-bodied blend of tobaccos. The tobacco actually came from the Esteli and Jalapa regions in Nicaragua. While these locations are very popular sources for Nicaraguan tobacco, this is the same region the tobacco's for Cain's Straight Ligero come from. In comparison to Cain's SL, Illusione's 88 is a clear winner. Both started off with the distinct spice and full-bodied taste but Cain's tobacco put me down for the count. A cigar is something to be enjoyed and to relax with, not deliver a knock out blow to your senses.

I would definitely recommend this cigar to anyone looking for a complex full-bodied yet smooth cigar. The only issue, if you call it that, was that the burn was uneven until the last third of the cigar.

The Story of Perfecto Love - The Battle Between Arturo Fuente's Short Story and Romeo y Julieta's Reserva Real Love Story

2010-07-09T21:40:00.006-07:00

This Arturo Fuente (AF) Short Story wasn't much to write home about.

Unlike Shakespeare's Love Story, this Romeo y Julieta (RyJ) cigar did have a happy ending.

Occasion: Face Off	Gauge: 46 - 49
Cigar: Short Story(AF), Love Story(RyJ)	Length: 4 - 1/2 "
Price: $5.99(AF), $4.99(RyJ)	Shape: Perfecto
Filler: Dominican (AF), Dominican & Nicaragua (RyJ)
Binder: Dominican (AF), Nicaragua (RyJ)
Wrapper: African Cameroon (AF), Connecticut (RyJ)

Appearance:
RyJ:
The wrapper had a greenish / tan color to it and each wrapper leaf had a slightly different color than its adjacent one. No major veins or lumps were noticeable. The only real blemish was under the band where there was one minor green spot the diameter of a pencil lead.

AF:
There were minor veins in the wrapping and the color was a deep dark oak color. The African Cameroon wrapper had the characteristic bumps.

Construction:
RyJ:
The Love Story had pretty firm construction with one spongy dip near the foot. The cap and foot were well shaped and wrapped. No bunches or folds where wrappers overlapped.

AF:
I was a bit disappointed at the construction for this cigar because it was quite spongy in the perfecto end and rather tight at the head end. There were no bunches or folds where the wrapping overlapped and the cap was well constructed. This had a near perfect perfecto shaped foot.

Tasting Notes:

RyJ:
A very toasty, mellow cigar. There was a slight leathery taste that made its appearance at once in a while throughout the cigar. This was light but still with a complex taste profile. I was able to enjoy this cigar down to the nub.

AF:
This was a medium bodied cigar with minor peppery taste to it. There was a simple toasty taste throughout the smoke however toward the end the taste became a bit hot and acrid. The African Cameroon did give each draw a sweet taste at the beginning of the puff which dissipated quickly. I wasn't able to enjoy this to the nub and disposed of it with about 1 - 1/2" remaining which makes up about a third of the cigar body.

Other Notes:
RyJ:
The ash held on for about 2" and was a bit frayed with a white / gray color. Each draw produced a good amount of smoke.

AF:
The smell before the cigar was lit reminded me of a field of hay being harvested. The African Cameroon wrapper felt like lizard skin. There was a fair amount of smoke per draw.

Draw (for both)	Burn (for both)
Start: good	Start: even
Halfway: good	Halfway: even
Three-Quarters: good	Three-Quarters: even

Recommend:

RyJ:

I would recommend the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Love Story for anyone looking for a quick and light cigar that still provides a complex and enjoyable taste profile.

AF:

This truly was a short story that I wished had a better ending.

Cain's Nicaraguan Ligero Tobacco

2010-07-03T09:05:00.005-07:00

After enjoying the very able Cain Straight Ligero on Friday, I decided to conduct a geography lesson for myself. I looked up the regions the three ligero fillers came from on Google Maps as shown in the figure below.

The map above is centered on Nicaragua. Near the north (top) are three green call outs labeled A,B, and C which mark the three areas as follows: A=Jalapa, B=Condega, C=Esteli. As you can see the tobaccos come from the northern region of Nicaragua. Below is a tiny bit of information on each of the areas and about the tobacco as described by caincigars.com.

Jalapa:

Jalapa is perhaps the smallest of the three locations with an elevation of about 2,300 feet above sea level. Jalapa provides the least amount of direct sun due to the valley the tobacco is grown in and the smoothest of the three ligero tobaccos.

Condega:

Nicaragua.com describes Condega as a tranquil area surrounded by mountains and beautiful valleys and is an important contributor to the tobacco industry. Here Cuban exiles perfected the skill of making cigars and relocated the craft to Esteli. Condega is slightly lower than Esteli and as a result a bit warmer. The Condega ligero tobacco is medium bodied with a complex richness.

Esteli:

According to Perelman's Pocket Cyclopedia of Cigars, Esteli is the location where the Cain cigars are handmade. Esteli is just over 2,600 feet above sea level in a cooler region of Nicaragua giving the town a nice and cool climate. Nicaragua.com mentions this region is a location where Cuban cigar makers sought refuge during the Cuban Revolution and could attribute to why the tobacco industry is such a large part of the area. Esteli ligero tobacco is the strongest of the three and must be used sparingly otherwise it could overpower the other tobaccos.

Clearly Cain selected areas deeply rooted with cigar history and an ideal climate for producing the full flavored and complex cigars we enjoy today.

Cain -- Straight Ligero - Robusto

2010-07-02T07:13:00.004-07:00

Cain and VERY Able. Those guys at Oliva weren't joking when they described this cigar as "strength under cover".

Occasion: July 1st	Gauge: 50
Cigar: Habano Straight Ligero	Length: 5-3/4"
Price: $6.25	Shape: Robusto
Filler: Ligero (Esteli, Condega, Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano

Appearance:
The Nicaragua Habano wrapper had a rich milk chocolaty brown color with a silky sheen. Each wrapper leaf had a prominent lighter colored vein and a small hole was present along one of the veins. Aside from the veins, the wrapper appeared flawless.

Construction:
A very firm roll with no spongy spots at all. The cap was extremely well constructed with only a minor bunch where the body's wrapper folded under. A thick vein became exposed at the middle after I punched out a hole in the cap. A v-notch punch could have had an issue but a guillotine would have cut right through.

After about an inch of enjoyment the burn became uneven and lasted for the duration of the cigar. This did not reduce my enjoyment of the cigar and was only a cosmetic issue.

Tasting Notes:

Right from the get-go to about the halfway mark you get a nice peppery rush that fills your entire mouth. The peppery taste holds on for a bit before retreating and an earthy and then roasted flavor sets in. A very complex flavor profile with this cigar. Even though this cigar is a very full bodied smoke there was no harsh after-taste or unpleasant mouthfeel when finished. This must be attributed to the tobacco's triple fermentation process.

Draw	Burn
Start: good	Start: even
Halfway: good	Halfway: uneven
Three-Quarters: good	Three-Quarters: uneven

Recommend: Be ready for jaw dropping taste experience. While the cigar was complex and flavorful and remained smooth and consistent throughout, those triple fermented ligeros sat me down.

Other Notes: Got this at Tinder Box. What a great place with very knowledgeable and helpful staff. The guy asked many questions to learn what I enjoyed and what price range I was looking for and offered many great suggestions.

Coming Soon - The Cigar Log Book

2010-06-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

Some folks have asked when The Cigar Log Book will be ready for sale and I'm here to tell you that it will be by August 2010. I am proofing the current copy and adding a Cigar Index page and then sending it off to the printers.

Thank you all for your patience and interest. Don't forget to use the code BNWGGJ9N when you check out to get 33% off your copies.

Regards,

Nathan Lester

La Perla Habana -- Morado - Toro

2010-06-28T18:08:00.003-07:00

Now this is a cigar! After the Saturday Lite, this was a tasty delight.

Occasion: Why not?	Gauge: 50
Cigar: Morado	Length: 6
Price: $3	Shape: Toro
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: African Cameroon

Appearance:
This was a magnificently presented cigar with a cedar wrapping and a purple ribbon at the foot. No blemishes or discolorations in the dark wrapper. The only complaint was that the wrapper was a bit torn but I attribute this to the fact that I purchased it in a multi-pack sampler. Shame on the person that put the pack together!

Construction:
The Morado Toro was tightly rolled with not a spongy spot along the entire cigar. You could tell a seasoned veteran put this one together. The cap was well wrapped and no folds or bunches where the wrapper overlapped.

Tasting Notes:

The Camaroon wrapper for this cigar was a delight and apparently in short supply according to Doug Wood, president of La Perla Habana Cigars. A definite spicy and earthy flavor came about and toasty hints came into play for the entire smoke. There were no real distinct flavor phase changes as the cigar was enjoyed but there were many tastes adding to the complexity. This was a consistent and complex cigar. I've heard others describe chocolate flavors but I have yet to experience those.

Draw	Burn
Start: good	Start: even
Halfway: good	Halfway: even
Three-Quarters: good	Three-Quarters: a bit uneven

Recommend: I would definitely recommend this to anyone that can enjoy a fuller-bodied experience.

Other Notes: Wrapped in a cedar sheath and purchased from a multi-pack sampler from Thompson Cigars.

Rocky Patel -- The Edge Lite - Robusto

2010-06-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

Oh boy. Where do I begin? I've always been a Rocky fan but like a man on a diet eating a rice cake, this one left me unsatisfied.

Occasion: the weekend	Gauge: 50
Cigar: The Edge Lite	Length: 5-1/2"
Price: $6.29	Shape: Robusto
Filler: Nicaragua & Honduras
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut

Appearance:
The main body and foot were well groomed. The glue attaching the cap discolored the wrapper a bit. The rest of the wrapper was nice and golden with a silky sheen. There was minor bunching where one wrapper leaf overlapped another but this was minor. A few green spots on the binder were peaking through the thin Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.

Construction:
The Lite was not as dense as other Rocky Patel cigars I am used to. The filler seemed to be packed a bit looser and this really was apparent with the draw of the cigar. There were no spongy spots throughout and the density was constant from the foot to the head. The ash was nice and solid and hung on for 2" before it dropped off. The second ash was just as long as the first before it dropped off.

Tasting Notes:

The folks at RP weren't kidding with the name "Lite". The taste is alright, when you find it. There was a bit of a peppery taste when I drew it in but it quickly vanished. At about halfway, a toasty taste began to come through but just like the taste at the start, it faded fast. At about three-quarters through, the draw began to get hot. This could be because at the end I was just hoping to find some complexity and taste before my cigar was finished. The name "Lite" is no misnomer. In fact I frequently was comparing this cigar to smoking a roll of paper. Not surprisingly there was NO aftertaste, unfortunately it was because there was no before or during taste either.

Draw	Burn
Start: too lite	Start: even
Halfway: too lite	Halfway: even
Three-Quarters: too lite	Three-Quarters: even

Recommend: Only if you like it light and mild.

Other Notes: Crescent Tobacco Shop