La Flor Domincana Air Bender

La Flor Dominicana

Air Bender

Guerro 6.25 x 54

La Flor Dominicana cigars are the product of Litto Gomez. I was really looking forward to trying this cigar when it came out.

It just so happened that Tony Gomez put one of his own in my hand. That certainly added to the smoking experience but if the Air Bender had not been for me, I would have said so. I loved it and will gladly smoke more of them.
I have always enjoyed the entire line of great La Flor Dominicana cigars and I certainly add the Air Bender to that list. I love the name of this cigar and its a real beauty of a fine premium stick.

It features a nice triple cap and has the quality construction La Flors are known for.
This cigar just looks and feels like a great cigar should. The Ecuadorian-grown Habano wrapper has a dark, reddish-brown color with little veining and has a slight oily sheen to it.

The Air Bender is full flavored and rich but not one of Litto’s many Ligero laden power bombs. A Maduro and a new stronger Chisel only blend will be forthcoming. I can’t wait to try them both.
The Chisel in my opinion is one of the easiest to smoke and nicest overall vitolas being made today.


Tony said they were looking for something different here that would appeal to many smokers and they have succeeded big time. I personally enjoy the heavy hitting power smokes but that is usually for a smaller group of seasoned smokers. This smoke definitely has what it takes to make itself home in my humidor.
Please, do yourself a favor and pick up an LFD Air Bender.


Format : Guerrero
Size : 6.25 x 54
Wrapper : Ecuador (Habano)
Filler : Dominican Republic
Binder : Dominican Republic
Recommend: Bend some air today
Price : $8 approx

Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta Serie

The last time I smoked a Hojo de Nicaragua was the Antonio 1976. A full bodied power house only for the seasoned smoker. I was not sure what to expect form this.
A two tone wrapper that has a creamy, mellow taste with sweet and spicy notes. The cigar is first rolled with the Ecuadorian wrapper and after it is finished it is covered at the tip of it with a rich, dark and sweet Nicaraguan wrapper.
A very nice draw all the way through and finishes nice. The ash flaked throughout but over all a very pleasant smoke.

Illusione " Nosotros "

Illusione

Nosotros Corona Larga 6 x 46

Nosotros which means "Us" is symbolic of Illusione and Drew Estates joining forces to produce this long awaited cigar.

The Illusione Nosotros Cigars are rolled by Drew Estates in Nicaragua and are the latest creation from Illusione.The Nosotros is a blend tobaccos from Nicaragua with a Corojo '99 wrapper, Nicaraguan fillers, and Connecticut Habano binder.

I was looking forward to trying this cigar and I was not disappointed. I found this to be a good smoke right from the get go. I experienced no burn, draw or construction issues and this is always a good thing.

I found it to be of medium strength,with a good array of flavor. I don't think any one thing jumped out to take note of with this cigar but it was just plain good and very enjoyable to the very end. We can hunt for greatness in our cigars but this one delivers a nice little ride along the way.

If anything, I did find the wrapper to be a bit dull and nothing impressive about the overall appearance. If you were not looking for it, it might not jump off the shelf and catch your eye begging to be tried. Price is subjective but it is certainly on the high side and a lot more than other Illusione cigars. None the less, It definitely gets my approval of a cigar you should try.

I am a big fan of Illusione cigars and it would be hard to find a cigar in Don Giolito's line up that I don't enjoy. Some of my other favorites being the cg4, Epernay and 88. I can certainly add the Nosotros to that list.

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 99
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Connecticut Habano
Sizing: 8 sizes in Boxes of 20
Price from $7.95 – $12.95

Recommend: Yes

Murcielago Toro by Espinosa y Ortega

" Bat out of Hell "

The Devil's Weed !!

Should you come upon a chance pre departure meeting with the Devil himself and he offers you a stick from his personal stash, what else could you do but accept it ? Such was recently the case for me and besides it was already lit.

Without a doubt, this is the cigar you will be offered.
The "Murcielago" out of Hell is one of his personal house blends.

Murcielago from Espinosa y Ortega the makers of 601, Cubao and Mi Barrio blends and are blended by Don Pepin Garcia. The cigar features a dark oily Mexican San Andreas wrapper, Mexican binder and Nicaraguan fillers.

The resulting cigar is a power house combination of Industrial strength tobaccos. Were I to put my finger on the dark flavors of this beast they would best be described as
Notes of
Wood - Gaboon Ebony
Spice – Whole Black Peppercorns
Coffee – Triple Expresso
Earth - La Brea Tar pits
Leather – Back in Black

Surely the or one of the strongest cigars I have ever survived. Move over La Flor ” Double Ligero”, Antano, Prensado and you other titans of power, there’s a new contender in town and it's name is Murcielago.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this cigar and its perfect if you need a little trip without leaving your chair.
Did I mention that this thing is STRONG !!!

Notes

Construction, burn and draw were all perfect with no issues.
Strength : Industrial Haz Mat
Recommended: Yes with Caution. If you have to ask yourself if you could handle it, you can’t.


Name: Murcielago Toro 6 1/8 “ x 50
Company: United Tobacco / EO Brands
Made in: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andreas
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Nicaragua
MSRP: $10.00 Not bad for a trip to Hell and back

Cusano " Killer Cameroon "

Vintage 1996 Churchill 7 x 50

Return of the " Killer "

No, not back in production, but the " Killer " Cammy is back from the depths of a very old and well cared for collection of fine cigars to make its triumphant, albeit short lived, return to my humidor.

The right moment just presented itself to fire up this blast from the past and I felt compelled to waste little time in presenting it here.

Ok, I know what your thinking, a " Cusano " review here and from me. Well if you are still with me, just hold everything !!. This is not your every day, ordinary Cusano fare and has nothing in common with anything you have seen or tried from them in the last 10 years or so. Only the longest term veterans of the leaf will know of what I speak here.

This cigar ain't your grandpa's barnyard pasture rocket with notes of hay, decaying vegetation and manure. It surely isn't the infamous " Cuvee " that you know you have buried in the moochador somewhere and can't give away. I know you tried and tried but face it, It"s still there. Even novice guests draw the line somewhere.

What this cigar is, is absolutely outstanding and incredible. Yes, one of the finest cigars I have smoked in a long time and not out of the realm of inclusion in any serious list of best ever smokes.

Construction, burn and draw were flawless from start to finish. It progressed with a long white ash and burned dead even all the way. It has a rich Cameroon wrapper with bold strength and a prevalant spiciness that is just sublime. Never too much and always good, the word Wow !! kept coming to mind. Smoking this cigar made me think only of lighting up another one,had that been remotely possible. It wasn't.

Sadly, you may never get to try one as few specimens exist. At least in any future circles of cigar talk where any normal "Cusano" might get ribbed like the fat kid at a pie eating contest, you won't include this one. This brothers, is cigar greatness.

Wrapper: African Cameroon
Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican

Rating : 94

Strength : Strong

Price during production : A ridiculous $3.99

Recommended : You should be so lucky

La Aroma de Cuba E.E. Sun Grown

The fine cigar for review here is the all new

La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial

" Sun Grown "

This is the latest offering in the Edicion Especial line of La Aromas and just started hitting the shelves.

I had yet to even become aware of this new stick when it was kindly offered up by a Brother of the Leaf.

Finishing up an excellent Illusione MJ 12, I wasted no time in firing it up for a spin.

These cigars fly under the Ashton flag with the sticks coming from the revered halls of non other than Don Pepin Garcia. Not a bad pedigree here.

I do not normally go for the " Sungrown " varieties. While I most certainly do go for the

stronger, Maduro and even Powerhouse Ligero laden blends such as Joya de Nicaragua and La Flor Domincana's, other typically strong Sun Grown offerings have not faired so well.

This new cigar certainly breaks that mold and offers up full and strong flavors that were just right. It let you know it was there without being harsh or unpleasant in any way. This cigar was very consistent and had no burn or draw problems to mar the experience. It tasted great from start to finish and was very enjoyable.

While not high in complexity it was just plain good and I recommend it highly. Power wise,It won't be invited to play with the big boy's from the "Antano" family down the block, but few cigars will. This is one very solid and good smoke that makes the grade and is one of the better new smokes I have had lately. There is a place for a cigar like this one. Don't hesitate to fire one up.

Wrapper: Ecudorian Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Made In: Nicaragua
Size: Toro 6 X 50
Price: About $6-$8 per single

Rating : A very solid 91

La Fontana -Vintage Da Vinci

Normally I am drawn to cigar with full flavor and body. Mild to medium normally do not please me often but a few weeks ago I was introduced to this "La Fontana" by Camacho cigars.

The wrapper is a Connecticut shade and the binder and filler are of Honduran tobaccos.

This medium bodied cigar is very smooth with a distinctive flavorful and creamy taste. It also has a slightly sweetened tip and leaves a sweet taste to the lips.

I preferred the Da Vinci (a church hill size) of what was available. It had a very nice, easy draw and the burn was even all the way through. It's wrapper was smooth, not veiny and finished well to the end.

Priced at under $5.00 a stick this is a steal in my opinion.