Villa Zamorano No.15 by Maya Selva Cigars 3/23/15

Villa Zamorano No.15 by Maya Selva Cigars 3/23/15

Appearance A few small thin veins appear on the wrapper. The seams are tight and nearly invisible. Very little sheen.

Aroma

Very little aroma on the wrapper. Light molasses at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Faint hint of molasses.

1st

Notes of cedar, leather and a hint of spice. The draw is a bit snug. The draw is almost perfect. The ash is light gray and flaky. There is some sweetness that comes and goes. The ash tightens up by the end of 1st/3rd.

2nd

So far the spice which has picked up in strength is like a curry. The strength of the cigar is medium so far. The Cedar,leather and spice carry on thru the 2nd. The draw is no longer snug.

Final/3rd

The strength has moved to medium/full. The burn line is off by about 22 1/2*. Burn line self corrected before 1/2 way into Final/3rd. A well balanced enjoyable cigar. Thanks to my brother Gabriel @gabealvarez_ for the review samples.

Bill Bromley Cigars "OG" Maduro Toro 3/19/15

Appearance Sort of a Colorado chocolate color. Nice tight seams almost invisible. I notice a couple of small thin veins and very little oil sheen on the wrapper.

Aroma

A sweet tobacco aroma with some hay notes on the wrapper. Molasses notes at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Black Licorice and molasses.

1st

The beginning of the cigar starts out with a meaty and woody combination of flavors.  About 3/4" in the spice arrives albeit subtly. The draw is about perfect. The burn line is darn close to perfect as well. The ash is light gray and tight. 

2nd

The cigar is still burning and drawing well, significant of great construction. There are some floral notes that leave as quickly as they came. The strength is about a medium with the flavor profile about the same. It has a nice long smooth mild spicy finish. The spice reminds me of allspice. Very pleasant.

Final/3rd

A bit of espresso notes to start this 3rd. The spice seems to be more of a cayenne pepper spice now. The strength has moved to a medium+. This Bill Bromley Cigars "OG" Maduro Toro was a very well balanced cigar. A very pleasureable smoking experience. Thank you to Bill Bromley for the review samples. I'll be reviewing the "Butter" very soon. Follow Bill at @BBromleyCigars on Twitter and give these cigars a try.

Flor De Selva Maduro Robusto 3/18/15

Appearance

Dark chocolate with a light oil sheen. It has a couple of prominent veins. The seams are tight and almost invisible. 

Aroma

The wrapper has an earthy scent. The foot smells like molasses and earthy.

Prelight Draw

Similar notes of earth and molasses like the aroma. 

1st

The first notes to b present are chocolate. There are some cedar notes as well. Late in the 1st/3rd the spice presents itself first as a hint.  Then more pronounced. The draw is perfect. The burn slightly off but not bad. 

2nd

More of the same flavors thru halfway point of cigar. The strength has been mild to medium.

Final/3rd

Consistent flavors continue thru to the end. A very relaxing cigar from start to finish. Thanks to my brother Gabriel Alvarez of Maya Selva Cigars for the samples for review.

Jeremy Jack Cigars JJ 23 Maduro Toro 3/17/15

Appearance

Chocolatey. Has a couple of prominent veins. Tight seams nearly invisible. It has a very light oil sheen.

Aroma

The wrapper has an earthy aroma with a sweet chocolatey scent. Earth and molasses aroma at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Earthy with some leather and wood notes.

1st

The first few draws bring a heavy earthy flavor with notes of white cedar. A little ways in I'm noticing some spice. The draw is a bit snug but I'm sure it will loosen up as I smoke. The burn line is off by 45*. The ash is salt&pepper gray and somewhat flaky. The burn is already self correcting. The spice started out leaning toward blk pepper(which doesn't thrill me). Nearing the end of 1st/3rd and the spice seems to b changing. 

2nd

The burn line has not yet corrected. The cigar produces plenty of smoke. I'm noticing some mild citrus notes(tangy). At this point the draw has loosened up. The spice has become a cross between blk pepper & crushed red pepper. With the CRP being dominant.(that's a good thing). Had to touch up the burn(1 1/2"is too much). 

Final/3rd

This part of the cigar is the most enjoyable with the blk pepper gone and the CRP taking over in the spice department. The earthy and woody notes come together nicely with the crushed red pepper spice thru the end of the cigar. I want to smoke another of these JJ23's as I'm sure the burn issues are not indicative of the Brand. Thanks to Brady of Jeremy Jack Cigars for the samples to review.

Crux Cigars Passport Lancero 3/15/15

Appearance

Milk chocolate looking wrapper with a couple prominent veins and nice tight nearly invisible seams. Has a very light oily sheen.

Aroma

Woody and slightly earthy scent on the wrapper & foot with a hint of cocoa.

Prelight Draw

Notes of wood, leather and earth.

1st

Notes of earth and wood show themselves right away. Has a slightly snug draw. The burn is close to perfect. The ash is salt&pepper gray and semi tight but only holds for about 3/4" to 1" at a time. There is a slightly metallic flavor a little past 1/2 way in the 1st/3rd. Draw has already loosened up before the end of this 1/3. 

2nd

As the 2nd/3rd starts the metallic flavor disappears in favor of a very mild spice. Like a white pepper. There is a nice long creamy woody & leathery finish with a hint of the spice on the sides of the tongue. The strength so far has been medium. Same flavors have continued thru the 2nd. Only difference being the spice gets a little more pronounced near the end of 2nd/3rd.

Final/3rd

The final third continues the same flavor as the rest of the cigar. Tho it lacks complexity it was not lacking in overall smoking enjoyment. We don't always need a spice or flavor Bomb and the Crux Passport fits in the relaxing enjoyable cigar category. I will definitely smoke it again. Thanks again to Joel @Joelrogerscrux for the samples to review. GoGetchasome™!!

Cubanacan Soneros Habano Claro Toro 3/13/15

Cubanacan Soneros Habano Claro Toro 3/13/15

Appearance

A couple of veins but otherwise a nice smooth wrapper with fairly tight seams. The wrapper has a light sheen.

Aroma

Very faint hay aroma on the wrapper. Sweetness at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Almost a dry tobacco draw but there is a hint of sweetness in the background.

1st

The Soneros starts out with some sweet candy type notes. The draw and burn have been perfect from the start. There is also a very light white pepper note with some cedar in the mix. At about 1 1/4" into the 1st/3rd the candy like sweetness becomes more of a tangy citrusy sweetness. The finish so far is short. The strength thus far I would say was mild.

2nd

The flavors I notice at the start of the 2nd are cedar and white pepper with a hint of the citrus. The ash has been salt&pepper gray and semi tight. There is actually a creamy texture to the flavors as they meld together. About halfway thru the cigar the spice ramps up a bit staying in the white pepper range. The strength at this point is just on the high side of mild. While the balance and creaminess is the high point of the cigar so far. 

Final/3rd

The flavors stay about the same while the spice moves up a notch. I would say the overall strength of the Soneros Habano Claro Toro is a mild to mild+ and the body is medium. This would work well for new smokers or as a morning smoke for others. Thanks again to Spence Drake for the review samples.

Cubanacan Soneros Maduro Toro 3/10/15

Appearance 

Wrapper has a few prominent veins but mostly fine. Seams are fairly tight.

Aroma

Hay and grassy notes on the wrapper. Molasses notes at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Licorice and molasses

1st

Draw is a bit snug to start out. Cedar and leathery notes to start it off. The burn has been almost perfect from the start. A light spice has been noticeable but not prominent. Near the end of the 1st the spice becomes more prominent. It reminds me of Pimenton (spanish paprika). 

2nd

The cedar, leather and Pimenton spice notes continue into the 2nd. Part way in the cocoa I was waiting for showed up. Shortly after that some nutty notes blend with the cocoa. The ash is light gray and semi tight. The finish is long with spice, cedar and sweet notes.

Final/3rd

The flavors continue thru the final/3rd with the cedar being more pronounced. I found it to be mild in the complexity scale but a very relaxing smoke. The strength and body we're medium to med/full but on the very low end of full. So most smokers will enjoy this stick. Thanks again to @thedrakeisgood Spence Drake for the samples for review. GoGetchasome™!!

Crux Cigars Bull & Bear 3/8/15

Appearance

A Colorado Maduro color with a low sheen. The seams are nice and tight. A couple prominent veins. A little mottled.

Aroma

The wrapper gives aromas of wood, soft leather and a faint hint of spice. Molasses and cocoa powder at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Notes of molasses, spice and leather.

1st

The cigar starts out with the spice notes. Like a mild curry or Asian spice. I do love spice in a cigar! I'm also tasting some nutty notes. The draw is a bit snug but I'm sure it will open up. The burn is almost perfect. The ash is a little flaky and salt&pepper gray. The strength started at medium but is med/full by the end of the 1st/3rd.

2nd

The balance is good in that nothing is overpowering. The nutty notes are creamy which reminds me of cashews. The finish at this point is spice and cashews with a faint note of leather. Getting some cocoa powder notes almost 1/2 way point of the cigar. The burn line is off by about 22* but I will let it self correct. The draw has loosened up nicely at this point. The cigar gives off plenty of smoke,which is very aromatic. Love the flavor profile! 

Final/3rd

The burn line has fully self corrected. The flavors from the 1st & 2nd carried through the Final/3rd. The strength is med/full and the flavor is full. This was a very enjoyable cigar! One that many smokers will want to enjoy! Wait 4 It! Wait 4 It! BOOM™!! The Crux Cigars Bull & Bear gets The Chairmans BUY Signal™!! GoGetchasome™!! A big Thank You to Joel Rogers Co-owner of Crux Cigars for the review samples!

Selected Tobacco Byron Reserva 4 Años 3/8/15

Appearance

The wrapper has a nice oily sheen. It has a couple prominent veins. The seams are tight and nearly invisible.

Aroma 

Dry hay on the wrapper. Hay and molasses at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Black licorice 

1st

The first few puffs give generous amounts of woody notes and a mild spice. The ash is light gray and mostly tight. The burn line is razor sharp and the draw is perfect. Late in this 3rd notes of espresso come to the surface.

2nd

At the beginning of the 2nd/3rd the spice had mellowed but after a few more draws it came back a little stronger. It's definitely the crushed red pepper spice. The strength went from medium to medium/ full. Then back to medium by the end of 2nd/3rd.

Final/3rd

The burn line got off slightly in each third but then self corrected. The ash stayed mostly tight throughout. The Selected Tobacco brands are a bit pricey but have great construction and nice flavor profiles.

Bow Tie Cigars Copper Label Medium 3/7/15

Appearance 

The wrapper has a milk chocolate mottled look to it. The seems are tight and there are several prominent veins.

Aroma 

Faint hay aroma on the wrapper. A nice molasses aroma at the foot.

Prelight Draw

I pick up some of the molasses and also some floral notes.

1st

The 1st several draws are a bit snug. After several more draws I start to notice some spice notes joining the mix. The spice at this point is like allspice(a mild spice). The burn is off about 22*. The ash is salt & pepper gray and tight. At the 3/4" mark the draw is beginning to open up more to my liking. Late in the 1st/3rd I'm noticing a tangy note and the spice had mellowed prior to the tangy notes. A very flavorful 1st/3rd.

2nd

At the start the burn is self correcting. The flavors from the 1st/3rd continue into the 2nd. The spice comes back strong but more of s cardomom(India spice). The  burn has fully self corrected and the draw has loosened up to a nice draw by the midway point of the cigar. The spice kind of comes and goes which is a nice twist. Starting to notice some nutty notes. Roasted nuts. 

Final/3rd

The strength has remained medium throughout. No touch ups or relights were needed. A very flavorful and enjoyable cigar from start to finish! GoGetchasome™!! Great cigar Billie!

Bandolero Travie Short Torpedo 3/5/15

Appearance 

Nice wrapper with tight seams and mostly fine veins.

Aroma 

Very faint hay aroma on the wrapper. Raisiny sweetness at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Hay with sweetness like molasses.

1st

Right away I notice citrusy notes. There is also a hint of allspice. It has a nice draw and even burn. There is also a faint espresso note on the finish with the citrus. At this point the strength is medium. Very pleasing to the palate. The ash is salt & pepper gray and fairly tight.

 

2nd

The spice ramps up, reminds me of curry. The flavor becomes meaty. Strength leaning toward full.

Final/3rd

A complex cigar with nice flavors. Some nutty notes come out. When combined with the spice which has gone more to a crushed red pepper tastes like roasted almonds. Wait 4 It! Wait 4 It! BOOM™!! The Bandolero Travie gets the Chairmans BUY Signal™!!

Maya Selva Cigars Cumpay No.15 2/24/15

Appearance 

Nicely rolled Belicoso head. Veins are almost invisible. Lots of tiny veins.

Aroma

Hay on the wrapper. Hay and honey at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Hay & honey.

1st

First puffs are mild with an underlying spice coming. The cigar has an even burn and the draw is just a touch snug.The strength is at medium at 3/4". Ash is light gray and mostly tight. The Nicaraguan Habano wrapper from Jalapa is burning nicely. Leather and roasted coffee bean are the prominent flavors in the 1st/3rd. 

2nd

The 2nd/3rd brings sweet nutty notes like hazelnuts. The spice becomes stronger almost like curry. The Indian word Cumpay refers to the rolled tobacco leaf. Midway thru the coffee bean gets a little stronger and nicely balances the spice which gives it that roasted flavor. The sweet spicy flavor is a characteristic of Ometepe leaf. 

Final/3rd

All the flavors balance well together as the draw loosens up. Burn line has stayed almost razor sharp from the beginning. The strength has become med/full. A very enjoyable smoke! Thank you to my brother Gabriel Alvarez for the samples to review. More Maya Selva reviews coming soon.