Fire Up That Cigar

La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero Maduro 452
Wrapper: Ecudorian Sun Grown Maduro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Made In: Dominican Republic
Size: 4×52
Price: about $6.00

Appearance & Construction: A nice dark oily plug of a cigar. I was instantly drawn to this cigar because of the sheer amount of oil this cigar has on it and the size is quite interesting as well. The wrapper is a deep brown color with absolutely no color variation what so ever. The cigar seems packed well and is pretty solid with a slight bounce, which is usually the norm. The roll is seamless and has an expertly applied cap. One thing I think they could have done differently is shrink the band down. The band covers damn near a third of the cigar and is a shame considering the beauty of this cigar.

Smoking Characteristics: The DL 452 has a nice easy draw and it produces a ton of smoke. The burn is a little wavy while the ash is nice and compact with some slight flowering. The body of this cigar is full and you can defiantly feel this one in the belly, almost like you just got done eating a huge meal. The strength is full with a good nicotine kick.

Flavors: The La Flor Dominican DL 452 starts off with a deep rich earthy sweetness with some coffee and citrus flavors along with some peppery spice. In the second third the spice backs down and really gives way to the flavors from the first third. The final third is much of the same but adds a hickory flavor almost reminiscent of a nice smoky barbeque sauce. The finish is of the cigar is slightly dry so make sure to have beverage handy while smoking this one.

Final Thoughts: This cigar is a winner in by book. The flavors are fantastic and they are so rich and complex. I really don’t expect this much complexity out of a $6 cigar but this cigar defiantly performs. Also the cigar is a slow burner. I was expecting to polish this baby off in less than an hour but it took me about an hour and fifteen minutes to finish this guy up which is typically how long it will take me to finish a regular robusto.

Worth a Shot: A definite yes for the full bodied smokers
Buy Again: Yes, a box of these may be in order
Enjoyablity: High
Similar Cigars: Cain Maduro, CAO LX2, La Flor Dominicana Ligero

La Herencia Cubana
Wrapper: Ecudorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Made In: Nicaragua
Size: 5×50 Robusto
Price: $59.95 per box of 20; $19.00 per 5 pack

A Little Background: This cigar is made by AJ Fernandez in his Tabaclera Fernandez in Estil Nicaragua. AJ has made some blends you may have heard of such as the Padilla Habano, ITC 10th Anniversary, and the Man O’ War. Some people refer to him as the next Don Pepin. That’s a big name to live up to but his style with the spicy start is reminiscent of Pepin’s cigars.

Appearance & Construction: This is a nice looking cigar. The band is simple and the cigar is well made. There are a few lighter colored veins running throughout the cigar and it has a slightly lumpy feel to it.

Smoking & Burning Characteristics: The draw is a bit snug but does the trick. The burn is pretty wavy and required some touch ups. The ash is slightly flaky but not bad. The body is medium to full.

Flavors: Right off the bad there is spiciness to the cigar that gets my lips tingling. After the first inch the cigar settles into a nice combination of earthy, woody flavors with notes of coffee, mocha and a bit of sweet tea. The pepper is present throughout the cigar and is most prevalent on the finish. This cigar is not that complex but for the price I wasn’t expecting it to be.

Final Thoughts: This cigar is yet another great value stick. The cigar has nice flavors but I think the pepper may be a turn off for some smokers. As far as AJ Fernandez being the next Pepin Garcia, I guess only time will tell. So far he had a spectacular portfolio of cigar. The Padilla Habano and the ITC 10th Anniversary are cigar I like and if he keeps producing cigar like that, there is no doubt he will be a rock star in the cigar industry.

Worth a Try: Yes
Buy Again: I have a box of these but I will pick up another once these are gone
Enjoyablitiy: Medium-High
Similar Cigars: Cubao with less depth and complexity. Benchmade by Ashton but a bit more earthy and less crisp.

Camacho SLR Maduro
Wrapper: Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran Corojo
Made In: Honduras
Size: 5×50 Robsuto
Price: $30 per 5 pack: about $6 per single

Appearance & Construction: This cigar is dark looking cigar sporting a red and gold band and a secondary band that lets me know this is Maduro, as if I couldn’t tell from the dark brown wrapper. The wrapper is kind of dull looking but is smooth to the touch. The cigar has a little give to it when pinched gently between my fingers and the roll of this cigar is great. No visible defects with this cigar.

Smoking Characteristics: Draw is a bit light on this cigar but I have come to expect that from Camacho Cigars. The burn is a little wavy but always corrected itself. The body of this cigar is just shy of full for me but they have been sitting in my humidor since January 2009.

Flavors: The cigar is a nice rich toasty combination of wood, a cocoa sweetness, coffee and a bit of spice. There is also some saltiness to the cigar which goes well with the sweetness of this cigar. The flavors remain very consistent throughout the cigar and don’t change much.

Final Thoughts: I am kind of pissed at myself for not smoking these cigars sooner. I bought a box of Camacho Triple Maduro’s, which are much more expensive and I find the SLR Maduro to be similar. Of course it does not have the complexity or richness that the Triple Maduro’s have, but the enjoyment for the dollar is much more favorable for the SLR Maduro. Overall this was an enjoyable cigar. The flavors were great and the cigar did not turn harsh, even when smoked down to the nub.

Worth a Shot: Yes
Buy Again: Yes
Enjoyablity: Medium to High
Similar Cigars: As stated above a Camacho Triple Maduro with less complexity and richness

Camacho Select
Wrapper: African Cameroon
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran
Made In: Honduras
Size: 5×50 Robusto
Price: $128 per box of 24; about $6 per single

Appearance & Construction: A flawless looking cigar. Nice roll, solid construction. Although this is the old band of the Camacho Selects, I think I prefer the simpler band on this cigar, as opposed to the new one that covers damn near half the cigar. I think the large bands on cigars in general take away from the true beauty of the cigar which is the wrapper.

Smoking Characteristics: Nice free draw, the burn is pretty even and the ash is nice and compact. The body starts out medium to full but by the end of the cigar, it is well into the full realm. This cigar does great in this category.

Flavor: The first third is spicy and buttery, with notes of toasted nuts and wood. The second third brings some sweetness on board and I also detect some coffee in the background. The final third is much of the same great flavors.

Final Thoughts: This was a nice cigar. It had some great flavors and is by far one of my favorite Cameroon wrappered cigars. Typically I am not a big fan of Cameroon cigars but this cigar had something else to it that I like; I can’t quite put my finger on it but I know I like it.

Worth a Shot: Yes
Buy Again: Yes
Enjoyablity: Medium to High
Similar Cigars: Perdomo Reserve Cameroon, Nub Cameroon

Casa Magna Colorado Robusto
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Colorado (Colorado refers to the reddish color of the wrapper)
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Made In: Nicaragua
Size: 5.5×52 Robusto
Price: $27.99 per 5 Pack, I paid $7 per single (touted as a $5 cigar, pshhhst)

Background: Unless you’ve been hiding in a hole for the last year, you may already know that this cigar was rated Cigar of the Year 2008 by Cigar Aficionado. There has been much controversy over this cigar regarding such a high rating and weather it is worthy or not. I typically don’t pay much attention to the ratings that a cigar gets in “CA” because of the way they review cigars, but it does influence my buying habits from time to time; this is one of them. I first got to try this cigar when it was first rated a 92 before it became cigar of the year. Then, boom, they are gone; “Oliva Serie V-ed,” “Decade-ed” (after a great rating from Cigar Aficionado there were none to be had for a while). About 6 months later, one of my shops got them in and I immediately grabbed a few and went on my way. I got home and noticed I paid $7 per single, a cigar that was touted to be a $5 cigar, hope they put the extra $2 back into the shop.

Appearance & Construction: This is a nice looking cigar. The wrapper is an oily reddish-brown color and it appears to be flawlessly constructed; no soft spots, no blemishes on the wrapper – Nice! And a pretty fancy looking band to top it all off.

Smoking Characteristics: The draw is a little sung for my licking but I am sure it is perfect for others. The burn is slightly wavy and required some touch ups. The burn rate was ultra slow which was nice for a change. For the most part the ash was solid however there was some flowering but it stayed attached to the rest of the ash. The body of this cigar is full and the strength is medium.

Flavor: This cigar has a spicy intro but quickly settles into a nice rich, sweet bouquet of cedar, coffee, and caramel. As the cigar progresses I also get some leather which is very nice. The cigar does not alter out of these flavors but certain flavors fizzle in and out at different times of the cigar.

Final Thoughts: Not my choice for cigar of the year but don’t get me wrong, this is a damn good cigar. Here is the thing with cigar reviews. It is subjective. We all have different flavor profiles that we enjoy and running a cigar review site, I try to rate the cigar upon its merit. If a cigar doesn’t fit my flavor profile I will tell you, but I try to give as much information to you, the reader, so you can make the decision of whether or not to buy the cigar. One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure and just because the “experts” say it is a good cigar doesn’t hold any water with me and shouldn’t with you because once again, we all have different palates. Again, this cigar is no chump but I think there were plenty of other cigars on that list that were much better in my humble opinion. The Decade, Tempus, Definace, Serei V, but again my palate is not the same as the boys at CA.

Worth A Shot: Yes
Buy Again: Yes, I’ld like to have 5er of these
Enjoyabliity: Medium – High
Similar Cigars: Don Pepin Garcia Blue with more sweetness