Saturday, July 24, 2010

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


Wednesday, July 7, 2010

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