A.Flores AFR-75 Sublime(Robusto) 5x56 5/30/16

Appearance 

The wrapper is a very dark oily San Andres Maduro with a couple prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped and almost invisible. It has a coiled flag cap.

Aroma 

Aromatic earth with thick cocoa on the wrapper. Earthy, cocoa and fruit at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Earthy, cocoa, lush fruit(plum) and a hint of spice.

1st

Initial draws bring some charred meat flavors coupled with the cocoa(an interesting combination). A little farther in some nice floral notes and aroma's come to the surface. Draw and burn are spot on from the start. It produces a high volume of smoke even between draws. Ash is salt&pepper gray tight and stacked(a mix of both). The spice, ramping up quickly is a black/cayenne pepper mix. Strength is medium+. I removed the ash but it would have held on longer. 

2nd

The charred flavor has gone  leaving a more balanced profile of earth,cocoa,bread and spice. The spice has tapered off a bit. Strength is up to med/full. By the end of the 2nd/3rd the strength is at full.

Final/3rd

The fruit notes(think apple & plum) are joined by dark roast coffee notes. The cayenne notes disappeared late in the 2nd but have rejoined the profile balancing nicely with the earth,cocoa,bread & mild black pepper. 

Overall the AFR-75 Sublime provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A complex blend full of flavor and strength. It is a bit pricey at almost $15 but you Gotta Try Em All™.

Romeo Y Julieta Capulet Toro 5/29/16

Appearance 

The wrapper is a light brown color with tight seams and a few prominent veins. It has a light oil sheen.

Aroma 

A very pungent barnyard aroma on the wrapper and the same with some added sweetness at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Dry hay and tobacco. A little bit of sweetness with a hint of spice.

1st

The initial draws yield notes of dry hay and wood similar to a white cedar. There is a hint of cinnamon spice off in the distance. The draw is good. The burn has been a bit wavy from the beginning. 

2nd

The ash is salt&pepper gray and slightly flaky. It holds on for about an inch at a time. Some peanut notes join the profile. The flavors are well balanced. Strength is mild. The burn has evened out and the draw has loosened up to make it just right. 

Final/3rd

The flavor profile, with notes of hay, wood, cinnamon spice & peanuts has been smooth and consistent and rolls into the final/3rd.

Overall the Romeo Y Julieta Capulet provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A mild cigar with a nice flavor profile. This would be a nice breakfast smoke or for mild smokers an anytime smoke. 

Thanks to my friend Cory Grover of Famous-smoke.com for the samples for review. 

If this cigar interests you, click on the link to see the great deals from my friends at Famous Smoke Shop. https://www.famous-smoke.com/brandgroup/romeo+y+julieta+cigars

BG Meyer Standard Issue (by Camacho) 5/28/16

Appearance 

The wrapper is a dark chocolate looking Nicaraguan Habano with a couple small thin veins. The seams are tight except for the cap which is loose on 1/2. Hopefully this does not affect the cigar.

It also has a nice oily sheen and is a little toothy.

Aroma 

Earthy with a hint of spice on the wrapper. With sweetness added at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

A little molasses with a hint of cinnamon spice along with earthiness. The loose half of the cap came off during the prelight draw.

1st

First draws find notes of very earthy tobacco with a hint of cinnamon spice. There was an interesting "jelly bean" note for a few draws. The ash is medium gray and a bit flaky. The spice becomes more prominent but not overpowering. The draw is just on the snug side of perfect. The burn has a good bit of wave to it. There is a good volume of smoke production. There are notes of cedar emerging near the end of the 1st/3rd. The burn was off by as much as 45* but has begun self correcting. 

2nd

There is a pinch of black pepper coming thru in the profile but cinnamon spice is more prominent. The ash is tightening up at this point. The strength is in the med/full range. It has a long finish with notes of earth,cinnamon spice,cedar and a pinch of black pepper. The burn has almost fully self corrected. 

Final/3rd

Notes of espresso have joined the profile. The burn gets off again but fully self corrects quickly. The profile remains consistent.

Overall the BG Meyer Standard Issue provides an enjoyable smoking experience with a well balanced flavor profile. Definitely a cigar u should experience.

CAO Flathead Steel Horse "Apehanger" 5/22/16

Appearance 

A dark chocolate looking Connecticut Habano Oscuro wrapper has a couple prominent veins and is mildly toothy. The seams are tight and nearly invisible. It has a flat head(hence the name) and an oily sheen. 

Aroma

Earthy dark chocolate and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Earthy dark chocolate and molasses at the foot. 

Prelight Draw 

Earthy, dark chocolate and molasses.

1st

Initial draws yield notes of very earthy tobacco with a dark chocolate undertone. The draw is spot on. The burn is just about razor sharp. The ash is salt&pepper gray and slightly flaky. I notice that the wrapper has an auburn color to it. Very nice. I'm noticing notes of hay and leather joining the profile. The spice has begun to develop,starting as mild black pepper. 

2nd

It's a very smoky stick(think Gurkha Ghost). The profile is very balanced up to this point. The strength is medium to medium+. The finish is long with notes of earthy dark chocolate, leather, hay, mild black pepper and a creaminess that brings it all together nicely. The black pepper spice is becoming more prominent. 

Final/3rd

The molasses sweetness is becoming more noticeable. The black pepper spice is still the dominant flavor with earthy dark chocolate and hay in the background. Draw & burn are still spot on. Strength is right at the low end of med/full(remember I review b4 brkfst). Cashew notes have joined the profile. Ash is tight in final/3rd and held on til I removed at each 3rd. 

Overall the Steel Horse provides an enjoyable smoking experience. It's a complex and balanced smoke albeit more black pepper than I prefer, with a great draw and burn. Definitely a cigar to try. 

Thanks to Ricky Rodriguez( blender) for the sample for review. 

Smoke and Joe Lounge(house blend) Corsair (Maduro/Rosado) 5/21/16

Smoke and Joe Lounge(house blend) Corsair (Maduro/Rosado) 5/21/16

Appearance 

Barber pole wrapped with Maduro & Rosado wrapper leaf. A few prominent veins are visible. Seams are tight for the most part. It has a closed foot and a light oil sheen.

Aroma 

Barnyard and earth

Prelight Draw 

Fruity sweetness with a hint of spice. Light coffee bean.

1st

Hay and leather with a light cocoa powder are the initial flavors as the excess wrapper creating the closed foot burns. As the filler begins to burn a noticeable woody cedar note joins the mix. At about 5/8" in I'm noticing the draw is a bit snug. The burn has a bit of a wave to it. The ash is salt&pepper gray and fairly tight. There is a leathery texture to the profile as well. The strength starts out on the low end of medium. 

2nd

The spice is beginning to develop, starting as a mild cinnamon. Strength takes a noticeable jump to med/full. The fruity sweetness from the Prelight draw has joined the profile. The finish is long with notes of cinnamon, cedar, leather, hay and fruit(apple & pear). The cigar produces a good volume of smoke. 

Final/3rd

The draw is still a bit snug. The ash has held til I remove at each 3rd. Flavor profile remains consistent thru the final/3rd.

Overall the Corsair provides an enjoyable smoking experience. The complexity of the flavor profile outweighs the snug draw. 

Thanks again to Bill Neiderer owner of Smoke and Joe Lounge for the samples for review.

Sobremesa Cervantes Fino 5/15/16

Appearance 

A very chocolatey looking brown wrapper with a couple small veins. The seams are tight and nearly invisible. There is a light oil sheen on the wrapper.

Aroma 

Chocolatey and earthy on the wrapper. The same at the foot with just a hint of spice.

Prelight Draw 

Earth & chocolate and a hint of spice on the lips.

1st 

Wow, first draw is full of cedar & cocoa with a fruity undertone as well as a touch of leather. About a 1/2" in the spice begins to develop. The draw is perfect as is the burn. The ash is salt&pepper gray and tight. The spice is a balanced combination of cinnamon and black pepper. The strength is already at medium+. There is a nice honey sweetness making its presence known. 

2nd

A few draws into the 2nd/3rd a very nutty flavor joins the profile. It's a very almond like nutty yet very sweet with the honey making it nougat like. Interesting! The finish is long with notes of cedar,cocoa,honey,almond,spice and just a hint of leather wrapped in earthiness. Strength is at med/full late in the 2nd. Burn and draw are still spot on. 

Final/3rd

On a side note the etymology of the name Stephen(my name) is Crowned One. The band a beautiful gold crown surrounded by the leathery oily Ecuadoran sun grown wrapper with eased(rounded) edges at the end is exquisite. 

There is a nice espresso note joining the complex flavor profile. The flavor profile really comes together in the final/3rd.

Overall the Sobremesa provides a very relaxing and very enjoyable smoking experience. The profile is complex and well balanced. U need these in your humi! Trust Me™ 

Wait 4 It! Wait 4 It! BOOM™!! The Sobremesa Cervantes Fino receives the Chairmans BUY Signal™!! GoGetchasome™!!

I big Thank You goes to Steve Saka(brand owner) of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust @stevesaka for the samples for review.

Smoke and Joe Lounge(house blend) Raptor 5/14/16

Appearance 

The wrapper is a milk chocolate brown with tight seams. There are a couple prominent veins. It has a pigtail cap and closed foot. It also has a nice oily sheen.

Aroma

Dry tobacco, hay and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Closed foot gives nothing more. 

Prelight Draw 

Dried fruit, cinnamon 

1st

Initial draws yield dry tobacco notes and hay. After about 3/4" the cinnamon spice appears and begins to develop. The ash is light gray and fairly tight. Draw is a tiny bit snug and the burn has a wave to it. 

2nd

The flavor profile continues with the addition of some sweetness like dried fruit. The spice is more like nutmeg than cinnamon at this point. About the halfway point a light coffee bean note emerges to join the profile. The finish is long with notes of dried fruit, hay, nutmeg and coffee bean. The flavors are well balanced. Strength has been a solid medium. 

Final/3rd

As the final/3rd gets underway notes of nutty almonds and crushed red pepper take over the profile. 

Overall the Raptor provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A mildly complex, medium strength cigar that most palates will enjoy. 

Thanks again to Bill Neiderer owner of Smoke and Joe Cigar Lounge for the samples for review.

Joya De Nicaragua Cunning Toro 4/24/16

Appearance 

The Ecuadoran Connecticut wrapper is light brown in color with no prominent veins. There are a couple minor thin veins but the wrapper leaf is mostly smooth. The seams are tight and only visible at certain angles. The cap is nicely done. There is a nice oily sheen.

Aroma 

Hay with a hint of spice on the wrapper and the same at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Sweet tobacco and a hint of spice on the tongue and lips.

1st

White cedar and a soft leather are the initial notes I'm tasting. The draw & burn are perfect from the start. The ash is light gray and tight. About an inch in there is a flavor that reminds me of olive or vegetable oil. 

2nd

The cedar & leather notes roll into the 2nd/3rd. About the 1/2way point in the cigar the spice begins to develop, starting mild like allspice. The ash holds on to the transition at each 3rd. The strength has been mild thus far. The finish is long with the cedar, leather and spice notes evenly balanced. 

Final/3rd

No changes in flavor other than the ramping up of the spice at 1" into final/3rd. 

Overall this was a nice cigar for a person that enjoys a mild cigar with a consistent flavor profile.

Thanks to my friend Cory Grover of Famous-smoke.com for the samples for review.

If you're interested in this cigar, click this link to check out my friends at Famous Smoke Shop

https://www.famous-smoke.com/brand/cunning+by+joya+de+nicaragua+cigars

 

 

Esteban Carreras Bronze Cross Toro 5/7/16

Appearance 

The 1st thing to catch the eye are the absolutely beautiful bands on this cigar! The black and bronze colors work well together. The cigar is box pressed and tightly packed.

The wrapper is a milk chocolate brown with minimal very fine veins. A silky looking leaf with nearly invisible seams. There is a nice oily sheen.

Aroma 

Earthy & sweet with a hint of spice on the wrapper. Earthy molasses at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Very earthy with a lot of molasses as well. The spice is developing already.

1st

The 1st few draws are very earthy. The spice begins as a warm cinnamon with a dash of black pepper. Ash is charcoal gray and fairly tight. Burn line has a slight wave. The warm cinnamon spice which seemed to be ramping up rather quickly has tapered back just as quickly and is nicely balanced with the earthy notes. There are some nice bready notes. The draw is a tick on the snug side of perfect. 

2nd

The ash is becoming a lighter gray. The molasses sweetness is moving up in the profile. The strength was medium in the 1st/3rd and now is at medium+. The spice has mellowed to mild cinnamon and medium black pepper. The finish is long with balanced notes of earth,molasses,bread and cinnamon/black pepper spice. The cigar produces a lot of smoke. 

Final/3rd

The flavor profile remains very balanced. The strength finishes at med/full.

Overall the Esteban Carreras Bronze Cross provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. It is well balanced in both flavor and strength throughout. A worthy addition to your humidor.

GoGetchasome™

Smoke and Joe Lounge (house blend) Hercules Habano 5/1/16

Appearance 

The wrapper is light brown in color with only 1 prominent vein the rest of the visible veins are small. The seams are tight. It has a light oil sheen. A small tight pigtail cap. It also has a semi-closed foot. 

Aroma

Not much aroma, maybe a little hay on the wrapper. More of the same at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Sweet dried fruit with a hint of spice. Also some cedar notes.

1st

The first draws bring notes of cedar with a little leather and some cinnamon spice. Once the filler and binder begin to burn the dried fruit sweetness joins the flavor profile. There is a hint of citrus tang in there as well. The ash is medium gray and a little flaky. The burn is off about 30* but it is already self correcting. The draw is just right. The dominance of the citrus and cedar vacillates back and forth which keeps it interesting. 

2nd

The burn has almost fully self corrected. The flavor profile has become nicely balanced. Strength is in the medium+ range. The finish is long with notes of cedar,leather,dried fruit,citrus and cinnamon spice. By the mid point in the 2nd the strength goes to med/full. 

Final/3rd

The balanced profile continues into the final/3rd. The burn got off near the end. 

Overall the Hercules provided an enjoyable smoking experience. The flavor profile was balanced and interesting. 

Thanks again to Bill Niederer of Smoke and Joe Lounge for the samples for review.