Smoke and Joe Lounge (house blend) Blackhawk Maduro 4/30/16

Appearance 

The wrapper is a very dark chocolate looking beauty with a couple prominent veins. The seams are tight and nearly invisible at certain angles. It is very toothy. The foot is almost fully closed by excess wrapper leaf. The head has a beautiful coiled pig tail. It has a matte finish oil sheen.

Aroma

The wrapper has a very earthy,woody aroma which reminds me of the black walnut species my dad had in his workshop when I was young.

Prelight Draw 

The cold draw has notes of Cocoa,black licorice,very earthy with a faint hint of spice.

1st

First puffs yield notes of earthy sweetness from the wrapper. Once the binder and filler begin to burn the woody notes join in. At 1/2" in the cigar is very chewy(thick flavor). The draw is perfect. The burn is almost perfect with a slight wave. The cigar produces a thick volume of smoke. There is a very mellow black pepper spice. The ash is light gray and tight. The finish is long with earthy woody notes along side the black pepper. Strength is at medium+.

2nd

Ash held til I removed to start the 2nd/3rd. The chewy,earthy,woody,black pepper notes continue with the spicy aspect of the black pepper becoming more noticeable albeit still nicely balanced. A little bit of the sweetness from the Prelight has joined the profile. The ash becomes slightly flaky then tightens up again. The wrapper develops a couple cracks but doesn't affect the performance of the cigar. 

Final/3rd

The strength goes to med/full. The chewy,earthy,woody,black pepper spice notes continue with a hint of sweetness. 

Overall the Blackhawk provides a very pleasurable smoking experience with a balanced flavor profile. Definitely a cigar u want to smoke.

A big thank you to my friend Bill Niederer(Owner of Smoke and Joe Lounge) for the samples for review. 

GoGetchasome™

Toraño Cigars Exodus 1959 Box Pressed Robusto 4/23/16

Appearance 

The wrapper is medium brown and has no prominent veins but does have a silky smooth finish. The seams are tight and just about invisible. There is a nice oily sheen on the wrapper. 

Aroma 

Earthy on the wrapper. Earthy with some dry grass and a mild sweetness at the foot. 

Prelight Draw 

Earthy & grassy. Took many draws trying to nail down the sweetness (dried fruit, banana/apple) and picked up a nice cinnamon spice in the process.

1st

The 1st few draws were a bit snug but that doesn't usually last too long. There is an earthy flavor with a combination of black pepper and cinnamon spice notes. The ash is light gray and flaky in the early going. 

2nd

The draw has opened up and the deep earthy tobacco is still at the front of the flavor profile but the black pepper/cinnamon spice combo balances it nicely. The burn had been off about 30* but is self correcting nicely. The strength is in the medium+ range. A nice espresso note has joined the profile. The earthy/spicy/espresso finish is long. The ash has tightened up. 

Final/3rd

The strength has moved to med/full. The earthy,spicy espresso profile has been very balanced. Burn & draw are perfect. The cigar produces a nice volume of smoke throughout. 

Overall the Toraño Exodus 1959 provided a very enjoyable smoking experience. A cigar u should keep in your humidor. I have had them in mine since their release.

Thanks to Toraño Cigars @ToranoCigar for the samples for review. 

GoGetchasome™!!

FDG Cigars 20 Aniversario Robusto 4/17/16

Appearance 

The wrapper is dark chocolate colored with a couple prominent veins and is slightly toothy. The seams are tight and almost invisible. Soft box press. The bands are very attractive. A light oil sheen is visible on the wrapper leaf.

Aroma 

Very earthy with dark chocolate and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Cocoa powder at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Cocoa powder and a hint of spice.

1st

Initial draws bring lots of earth and some black pepper spice notes as well. The ash is almost white as the leaf burns and is mostly tight. The burn is off a little but I'm sure it will self correct. The draw is a tiny bit snug. The cocoa powder from the prelight draw is joining the profile. The burn line has fully self corrected.

2nd

Cedar and almond notes  join the mix blending nicely with the earth,cocoa powder and black pepper spice. The finish is medium in length and has a dried fruit flavor at the end. The draw has opened up nicely. 

Final/3rd

The flavor profile continues to be consistent throughout the final/3rd. Strength has been in the medium to medium+ range.

Overall the FDG 20 Aniversario provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. It's flavor profile is very flavorful and smooth. A fine cigar blended by Yadi and her team at Flor De Gonzalez Cigars that u need to smoke and experience for yourselves. 

A big thank you to Brad Berko of Scottsdale Cigar Club, @scottsdalecigar on Twitter for the sample for review. GoGetchasome™!!

The Crowned Heads Las Mareas Olas Corona 4/16/16

Appearance 

The milk chocolate brown wrapper has a couple of prominent veins. It is slightly toothy. The seams are tight. There is a nice oily sheen to the cigar.

Aroma 

Deep earthy barnyardy aromas from the wrapper. Earth,barnyard,honey and a hint of spice at the foot. 

Prelight Draw 

Earth hay and spice. Nice cold draw but seems a bit snug.

1st

Starting out the draw is a bit snug, feeling it in the cheeks. First draws bring notes of creamy cedar with a warm cinnamon spice. Midway in the 1st/3rd notes of cashews join the profile. I would gauge the strength at medium+. Draw is opening up. The ash is medium gray and flaky. The cigar produces copious amounts of smoke.

2nd

The burn has been wavy. The draw is now just right. Picking up some espresso notes along with the cedar,cashews and warm cinnamon. The finish is long and has a dash of black pepper as well as the aforementioned flavors. The flavor profile is very well balanced. 

Final/3rd

The burn line evens out. The flavor profile remains consistent. Strength is still in the medium+ range. 

Overall the Las Mareas Olas Provided a very pleasurable smoking experience. Very well balanced and flavorful. 

PJH Collection Connecticut Toro 4/10/16

Appearance 

A light brown wrapper with a few prominent veins. It is a bit toothy as well. The seams are tight. The cigar has a light oil sheen. 

Aroma 

Light tobacco on the wrapper and tobacco and honey at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Tobacco, wood, honey and a faint hint of spice on the lips.

1st

The tobacco, cedar and sweetness of honey are all present into the 1st/3rd. Draw is a bit snug to start. Strength is mild. Burn has a slight wave but not bad. No change in 1st/3rd.

2nd

The 2nd/3rd begins with notes of cinnamon spice. The draw has loosened up nicely. The ash is salt&pepper gray and fairly tight. Strength moves to medium. 

Final/3rd

Burn line has evened out and tobacco, cedar, honey and spice have remained consistent. 

Overall the PJH Collection Connecticut provided a nice smoking experience.

Thanks again to Paula Hernandez @PJHCollection for the samples for review.

PJH Collection Corona 4/9/16

Appearance 

Milk chocolate colored San Andres wrapper with a couple of thin veins. The seams are tight but visible due to the slightly mottled coloring. It has a nice tight pig tail coiled cap. There is a nice oil sheen on the wrapper. It's also a little toothy. 

Aroma 

Very earthy with spice and some hay on the wrapper. Earthy and Woody at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Earth, hay and sweetness with a hint of spice and a dash of cocoa powder.

1st

Right away there is a moist earthy flavor coming thru. The cedar note is melding nicely with the earthy flavor. The spice I've been hoping for has begun to develop. The draw is just right. The burn is off about 20*. The ash is charcoal colored and fairly tight. Strength is medium+. Burn has almost fully self corrected before the end of 1st/3rd. 

2nd

The strength bumps up to med/full to start 2nd/3rd. The finish is more on the woody side with a nice cinnamon/nutmeg spice. The spice ramps up a bit in the profile(never a bad thing). There is also a hint of white pepper. Smoke output is high on exhaust. 

Final/3rd

Flavor profile continues into the final/3rd with the spice leading the way followed by cedar and earth. 

Overall a pleasurable smoking experience. Might b a little strong before breakfast for most so eat first. Thanks again to Paula @PJHCollection for the samples for review.

PJH Collection Toro 4/3/16

Appearance 

Dark chocolate wrapper has minimal thin veins. It's a little mottled. The seams are tight and barely visible. There is a very faint oil sheen on the wrapper. This sample came with no band.

Aroma 

The wrapper has an aroma like earth & seasoned mahogany. There is an aroma like wood and oatmeal at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Dried fruit w/ raisin and tobacco 

1st

Initial draws are earthy with some warm cinnamon notes. There is some dark chocolate on the long finish. The draw is on the snug side of just right. The burn has a slight wave. The ash is almost white and fairly tight. Halfway into this 3rd there are some interesting metallic & minerally notes that remind me of very rich dark black earthy topsoil with the sweetness of the dried fruit to balance it. The strength is at medium+. Ash looked a little suspect but held on til I removed.

2nd

The smoke output has been really good and aromatic. 1/2" into 2nd I'm tasting some walnuts joining the profile. Very balanced flavor profile. The draw has loosened up to just right. Strength has moved to medium+.

Final/3rd

The flavor profile continues into final/3rd with the warm cinnamon leading the way. Strength is at full. Tasty right to the nub.

Overall a very flavorful,interesting and enjoyable smoking experience! This is a cigar you must try! 

A big thank you to Paula Hernandez @PJHcollection for the samples for review! 2 more blends to review.

Not sure where they are available or the price point but I will find out because I want them in my humidor.

PJH Collection Torpedo 4/2/16

Appearance 

Milk chocolate colored wrapper with a couple prominent veins. Slightly toothy. The seams are tight and tough to find. There is s nice sheen on the wrapper. 

Aroma 

Strong barnyard aroma on the wrapper. Barnyard with a sweetness and a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Very sweet, hint of spice,hay and cedar all come through on the prelight draw.

1st

First draws bring notes of cedar and cinnamon spice to the palate. Strength is med/full right out of the gate.(not a bad thing) The ash is very light gray, almost white and tight. The burn has a slight wave. The draw is nice. An espresso note has crept into the profile. 

2nd

The spice tapers back a bit bringing more balance to the profile. The spice becomes more like crushed red pepper. The finish is long with notes of cedar,espresso and crushed red pepper. The ash holds on til I remove at each 3rd.

Final/3rd

The profile stays consistent throughout the final/3rd. 

Overall the PJH Collection Torpedo provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. 

Thanks to Paula Hernandez @PJHcollection for the samples for review. I'll be reviewing 3 more of her blends very soon.