Enjoy, James
Archive for the ‘Ecuadorian Sumatran Cigars’ Category
Oliva Serie V Melanio Torpedo Cigar Review
08
Apr
I had this Oliva Serie V Melanio Torpedo for my birthday and I simply loved it! I have had a Serie V (robusto) before but it was not this good!
As usual, Mike gifted this to me. Its size is (6 1/2 x 52) and I must say, it is probably the most beautifully wrapped cigar I have seen in a long time. With its Ecuadorian/ Sumatran wrapper, it had tiny veins, invisible seems, a perfect Torpedo head with absolutely no spots. The band was also classic. I was enthralled.
First draw revealed a very nice nutmeg note, some cocoa, light leather, and a finish of nut with a hint of pepper. The draw was a little tight, but nothing bad.
About halfway through, the complexity was firing on all cylinders. I think SerieV’s are known for their full bodied balance and complexity. It was all there and more, but this was just slightly smoother than a regular V.
The cocoa (which I think is the best note of this cigar) was blooming, along with some nut and creme. It was just a wonderful experience.
The last third was slightly spicier but in a clean kind of way. The creme was also kicking up to match the salty nut and spice. I also noted a small amount of earth in the mix.
It was paired this with some Woodford Reserve Bourbon. Which was an excellent decision.
Click on thumbnails for close-ups!
I rated this cigar a 9.3 on our 10 point scale.
Honestly, James
Romeo Y Julieta Aniversario Belicoso No. 2 Review
20
Dec
This is another one of those cigars I have had basically since I started this hobby. It was gifted to me by my great friend Liam who gave me this along with some others. So, I was approximating that this cigar had six years of age on it! Now, I do remember my friend did not properly humidify these cigars which is why he gave them to me. So this stick’s flavor profile might be a little different than normal.
The construction was flawless on this cigar. Really, it had everything I look for in a Belicoso shaped stick. The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper really was a beautiful consistent shade. This cigar also has Connecticut Broadleaf for the binder and an interesting mix of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian tobaccos for the filler.
First draw was moderately tight, so I snipped a little more off of the head. After that it was still a little more resistant than I would of liked but nothing that really hindered the cigar’s performance.
Throughout the entire cigar (6 1/2 x 52), the body was medium to mild bodied. With hints of well aged tobacco, leather and some sort of subtle sweet note like licorice that seemed to come and go.
About thirty five minutes in and I had a very nice long white ash on this cigar. It had the most perfect burn anyone could ask for.
Click on pics for closeups!
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- Loving the white ash!
After about forty minutes of enjoyment, I biffed and had ash all over my pant leg. The cigar then changed to darker notes of leather and toast notes until it ended.
All in all, this was a fantastic smoke! I would rate this cigar a 9.2 on our 10 point scale. I believe age really helped this cigar out. I say this because when I had one of these two years ago, it didn’t burn as well or taste as great.
Honestly, James
A Visit to Cigar Factory in Sterling Heights, MI
11
Jan
I went down over the past week with a group of friends to celebrate a good buddy’s (Chris) 30th birthday. I felt the best place to relax and share some cigars together and also celebrate Chris’s birthday was at the Cigar Factory in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The Cigar Factory claims to be “largest humidor in the country”. I have been to many walk in humidors and technically they would be correct. With that said, I have also been to the Corona Cigar Co. in Orlando Florida that would make the Cigar Factory seem undersized by comparison. I believe what makes it technically the largest humidor in the country is that it is an enclosed walk-in humidor and not an online retail store that just happens to be humidity controlled.
Anyway, their website says that they have a whopping 2,750 different cigars in their massive 2,256 square foot humidor which is positively impressive and without question the largest humidor in Michigan!
That afternoon I smoked two sticks; a Tatujae Reserva Cojonu 2006 and a Torano 50th Anniversary Robusto. My friend Chris (Bday boy) smoked a Monte Cristo No. 2, my good friend, Nathan smoked an Illusion ’88′, a Sumatran Edge and lastly a friend of Chris smoked a Partagas Black Label. I also treated Chris to birthday pick-a-cigar from their massive selection. Chris chose a Liga Privada No. 9 Robusto; wise man!
Overall, it was a great night with lots of laughs. What better way to spend a late afternoon with five friends that love good cigars?
honestly, Mike
