Artesanos de Tabaqueros 750

I have become a fan as of late of these transitional cigars(that's what I call them)which are made with two different wrappers.
Last month at a cigar tasting event I had the pleasure of seeing Rik Rodriguez again and trying Gloria Cubana's new Artesanos de Tabaqueros 750. A Connecticut Shade and hearty Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper. Rik is part of the team to come up with this wonderful cigar and I recommend every one to try it.
At the light up it has an earthy taste with nutty flavors. Very smooth cigar begins and begins to change as the Sumatra wrapper is breached. The cigar takes on notes of coffee and
chocolate.
The draw is easy and has a flakey but nice white ashe. Construction on the connecticut wrap is smooth with little weins and the Sumatra is oily with more prominent veins. I had to retouch lighting the connecticut a couple times but burned well though out the Sumatra side. This will be in my top 5 for 2010.

Torano 2008 Tribute Maduro

Carlos Torano 2008 Tribute

Maduro Toro 6 X 50

A recent gift of this cigar that I expected to either maybe smoke some day or not be impressed by has just launched itself straight to the list of my best cigars of the year. That is a short and distinguished list but It really was that good. I have not had any bad Torano's just not any that floated my boat worth mention. That has now changed.

I had never heard of or come across one of these cigars before. This is one stick I never would have tried that I am sure glad I did not miss. I will be hunting down more of them.

A number of cigar makers have blended special edition cigars in honor of their fathers and grandfathers, but the Carlos Torano Tribute has to be one of the very best.

Torano Tribute is a limited edition cigar, made with a blend of very special filler tobaccos and binder from Nicaragua, and a dark Brazilian wrapper. The cigar is available in four sizes. The size that I smoked for this review was a 6 X 50 Toro.

The Torano 2008 Tribute is a medium-to-full bodied cigar with a full and rich flavor. Although the cigar is not overly strong, it is recommended for more seasoned cigar smokers, as opposed to beginners. The cigar tasted great with no bad aftertaste. It was perfectly balanced, and I just loved it. In fact I could barely wait for my next draw and I never wanted it to end.

This Toro size was perfectly constructed and had a great draw. The cigar had an even burn and did not need any touch-up lights. I simply lit it and then smoked away.

In the $8 to $10 range when purchased by the box, these are not value-priced cigars, but special limited edition cigars for special occasions. As such, they are well worth the price, and could be considered under-priced when compared to other super premium cigars on the market. The only disappointment was learning these were a limited release of only 1200 boxes. Fortunately they can still be had.
Smoke one if you possibly can.


Company: Carlos Toraño
Made In: Honduras
Made by: Carlos Toraño
Vitola: 6 X 50 Toro
Wrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina Triple Fermented
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
MSRP: $9/ $180 for a box of 20

Recommend : Big Time

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