GTO Pain Killer Maduro Lancero 2/19/17

 

Appearance 

A dark chocolate colored wrapper with a couple prominent veins. Seams are mostly tight and difficult to spot. The overall look is rustic and toothy and it has a big coiled pigtail cap. The cigar has a light oil sheen.

Aroma 

Earthy, chocolate and cedar on the wrapper. Earthy, cedar and chocolate at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Chocolate, earth, licorice and a hint of spice.

1st

The initial draws are very earthy with dark chocolate alongside. The strength is noticeable immediately at med/full(not a bad thing). Smoke production is in the high range. At 3/4" in the burn is perfect as is the draw. The spice is a warm cinnamon. The ash is light gray and mostly tight with some flaking. About 2" in the flavor gets real creamy in texture. The woody cedar notes begin to show up shortly before the end of the 1st/3rd. 

2nd

The ash has tightened up with very little flake at this point. The finish is long with notes of cedar, earth, creamy chocolate and warm cinnamon spice. The ash holds for about 1"to 1 1/2" before dropping so have an ashtray close. The profile is very well balanced to this point. As the cigar burns it provides a warm chocolatey aroma. Very nice. 

Final/3rd

The ash gets a bit flaky again. The profile remains consistent through the final/3rd. 

Overall

The GTO Pain Killer Maduro Lancero provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A very tasty flavor profile albeit not complex, with a great burn & draw. 

Thanks to Oscar @GTOCigars for the samples for review.

 

 

Lost & Found/BCS Butter Corona 2/18/17

 

Appearance 

The wrapper is light brown  and a little mottled. The seams are mostly tight but clearly visible due to the mottling. There are a couple prominent veins. It has a nice light oily sheen. It seems well packed with no apparent soft spots. 

Aroma 

Cedar, light earth, a hint of spice on the wrapper. Light wheat bread and butter with a very faint hint of spice at the foot. 

Prelight Draw 

Creamy with dried fruit, earth, cedar and a very faint hint of spice but it is there. No doubt. 

1st

Initial draws albeit a bit snug have a tingle on the tongue with some cedar notes. Draw starts to loosen right away. The spice at this point reminds of white pepper with a pinch of cinnamon. At about a 1/2" in the draw is firm so I find that totally acceptable. The ash is med/dark gray and fairly tight. Burn is spot on. The flavor is very creamy or buttery if u will. The dried fruit enters the mix about midway in the 1st/3rd. I'm getting a little wary of the ash at this point as it is beginning to bend. I removed the ash so I could focus on the flavor profile. A roasted nutty note joins the profile. The finish is medium in length with notes of cedar, creamy butter, light dried fruit, white pepper & cinnamon spice and roasted peanuts. 

2nd

The burn gets a bit wavy to start the 2nd/3rd. The flavor is reminding me of a soft warm buttered crescent roll. A little simple physics and the burn self corrects. Smoke production is in the medium range. Strength has been medium so far. The smoke production moves up to the low end of high. Draw has loosened up a little more to where I would call it perfect. 

Final/3rd

The ash has become a bit flaky. The spice is more of a warm cinnamon with a dash of crushed red pepper. Strength is medium+. The core flavor is still creamy, buttery soft crescent roll with cedar and light earthy notes and warm cinnamon spice with a dash of crushed red pepper and nuts. Very tasty. 

Overall

The Lost & Found/BCS Butter provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and very flavorful profile. Unfortunately this was a very limited production and they are nearly impossible to find. 

A Big thank you to my brother Bo Lerer for the sample for review.

 

 

GTO Trankilo Corojo Corona 2/12/17

 

Appearance 

The wrapper is a medium brown color and has a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped.  It has a very well applied triple seam cap and a light oil sheen. There is a little bit of tooth. 

Aroma 

Fresh tobacco and cedar on the wrapper. Cedar and sweetness at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Fresh tobacco, cedar, red fruit, cinnamon spice.

1st

Initial draws bring notes of cedar and fresh tobacco. A cinnamon spice is beginning to develop starting with the outer edges of the tongue. The draw is spot on. The burn has a small wave. The ash is a salt&pepper gray and fairly tight. There is a nice leather texture joining the profile. Burn has begun self correcting. 

2nd

Smoke production is at the low end of high. The burn has fully self corrected. The red fruity notes have moved from way in the background to right up front with the rest of the profile. There is a bready note blending in nicely with the rest of the profile. The cinnamon has faded to the background. The finish is short with notes of cedar, bread and hints of red fruit and cinnamon. The cinnamon spice is re emerging with the red fruit alongside. There is a buttery note as well. 

Final/3rd

Oddly the length of the finish is now long. Vanilla and coffee bean notes join the profile. The strength of the cigar has been medium from the start but is inching toward medium+. 

Overall

The GTO Trankilo Corojo Corona provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A complex and well balanced flavor profile. 

Thank you to Oscar @GTOCigars for the samples for review. 

They are available in the Atlanta area and other shops in the SouthEast. Definitely worth seeking out. U won't be disappointed. 

GoGetchasome™!!

 

 

The Oscar Habano Robusto 2/11/17

 

Appearance 

A nice milk chocolate colored wrapper with a couple of prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. It has a bit of tooth and a nice light oil sheen on the wrapper. The cigar is well packed with filler with no soft spots. 

Aroma 

Very light tobacco and some cedar aromas on the wrapper. A little cedar and very faint dried fruit notes at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Fruity with cedar and some earthy notes. 

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar and a little dried fruit. There is also a hint of spice beginning to develop. Around a half inch in bready notes join the profile. A few draws later there are some white pepper notes joining the mix. The ash is dark gray and stacked. The draw is perfect and the burn has a small wave but otherwise is straight. Near the end of the 1st/3rd the spice is like a warm cinnamon. The strength starts out medium and is at medium+ by the end of the 1st/3rd.

2nd

The ash looks stacked but is actually moderately tight and held firm til removal to start the 2nd/3rd. Espresso notes join the profile. The finish is long with notes of cedar, bread, faint dried fruit, espresso and warm cinnamon spice. There is also a hint of black pepper and more white pepper. All of the flavors are nicely balanced. A 1/4" tunnel was exposed when I removed the ash at the end of the 2nd/3rd. 

Final/3rd

The white & black pepper is slightly more prominent than the warm cinnamon spice at this point. The burn which has been wavy and erratic has nearly fully self corrected. The smoke production has been medium throughout. The ash has become a little bit flaky. The warm cinnamon becomes more prominent than the white & black pepper again. 

Overall

The Oscar Habano Robusto provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A mildly complex and well balanced flavor profile with a perfect draw and wavy burn. Definitely a cigar to put on your list to try.

 

 

LaPalina Maduro Robusto 2/5/17

 

Appearance 

A dark chocolate looking wrapper with a few prominent veins. The seams are tight and difficult to find. The cigar is very toothy and has a very oily sheen.

Aroma 

Earth, cocoa, cedar and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Espresso, citrus, licorice and a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Dark chocolate, licorice, earth, citrus.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of earthy citrusy flavors with an underlying cinnamon spice. The ash is salt&pepper gray and fairly tight. The draw is perfect and the burn is almost razor sharp. The dark chocolate notes join the profile along with some coffee notes making  a nice combination of flavor. The spice begins to lean toward white pepper. The burn develops a slight wave. 

2nd

The smoke production is in the medium range. Some cashew notes join the profile. Strength started at medium and has moved to medium+. Oddly the licorice has a Cherry type flavor. Though I don't think I ever had Cherry licorice that's what my palate is saying. The burn has a bigger wave now. The ash has become stacked. The finish is long with notes of earth, citrus, dark chocolate, coffee, cashews, Cherry licorice, mild black pepper and a hint of cinnamon spice all well balanced. The burn has fully self corrected. 

Final/3rd

Strength and body are at med/full. The ash has tightened up. The burn has become wavy again. The black pepper fades to a white pepper. 

Overall 

The LaPalina Maduro Robusto provides an extremely enjoyable smoking experience. A very complex and flavorful profile with great balance. Although I can't give it the Chairmans BUY Signal™ due to the burn issues I highly recommend this cigar. I will definitely be keeping some of these in my humidor. 

GoGetchasome™!!

 

 

Casa Lovo Honey Tip Petite Corona 2/4/17

 

Appearance 

The wrapper is light brown in color with very little in the way of veins. There is a slight imperfection in the seam near the head but all the seams are tight. There is a light oil sheen.

Aroma

Mild earthy, cedar and tobacco with a hint of spice on the wrapper. Not much of anything at the foot. 

Prelight Draw 

Honey with cinnamon and light cedar.

1st

The honey dominates the profile with an odd flavor in the background kind of metallic. The burn and draw are spot on. The ash is light gray and tight. 

2nd

The metallic flavor continues with the honey/cinnamon spice in the background and on the finish. Burn goes off by almost 45* before beginning to self correct. 

Final/3rd

The metallic flavor continues thru to the end. 

Overall

The Casa Lovo Honey Tip Petite Corona started nicely but went downhill fast. I was wondering if the honey Tip was an attempt to mask the metallic flavor of the tobacco.

 

 

GTO Pain Killer Short Culonas Maduro 1/22/17

 

Appearance 

The chocolatey brown wrapper is a bit mottled and has a couple prominent veins. The seams are tight but the cap is a little rough. There is a nice oily sheen. It's also a bit toothy. 

Aroma 

Barnyardy, cedar, spice and molasses sweetness on the wrapper. Barnyard, cedar, molasses and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Earthy, dark chocolate, dried fruit, molasses and spice.

1st

The dried fruit comes right to the forefront in the initial draws. Also some earthy notes and mild spice. The draw is spot on. Not always the case with a Culonas. The spice is a warm cinnamon. The flavor profile is very prominent. The burn is a bit wavy. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked. The medicinal properties of the molasses is an additional feature that is often overlooked, but seems to play a prominent role in the Pain Killer. There is even a syrupy texture to the smoke on each draw. Strength is medium.

2nd

The burn which got a bit wonky has begun to self correct. I'm picking up a nice espresso note midway in the 2nd/3rd. The ash tightens up midway also. The dark chocolate goes from a minor role to a more balanced part of the profile. Strength moves to med/full.

Final/3rd

The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, molasses, dark chocolate,espresso and warm cinnamon spice. The burn has fully self corrected. Strength and body are med/full.

Overall

The GTO Pain Killer Short Culonas provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and very flavorful profile. Definitely a cigar to experience.

Thanks to Oscar @GTOcigars for the samples for review. 

GoGetchasome™!!

 

 

Cuban Border Robusto Gordo (5x60) by Casa Lovo 1/21/17

 

Appearance 

A medium brown colored wrapper with a few prominent veins. Well rolled with nice tight seams. It appears to be well packed with filler and there are no apparent soft spots. There is a nice oily sheen on the wrapper. 

Aroma 

Light earth, cedar and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Cedar and tobacco at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Wood, tobacco and spice.

1st

The Initial draws reveal a doughy texture with notes of cedar and a spice in the early stages. At 1/2" in the burn has a slight wave and the draw is spot on. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked. I'm noticing some dried fruit notes on the finish. Strength and body are in the medium range. A wide u shape has developed in the burn. It looks like it is beginning to self correct. 

2nd

Smoke production is at the low end of high. There is sugary sweet flavor on the palate just into the 2nd/3rd. Burn continues to self correct. I'm finding the flavors are a bit plain on the draws but they really blossom in the finish which is fine by me. The finish is very flavorful with notes of cedar, tobacco, a fruity sweetness like strawberry with some candy like sweetness and a mild cinnamon spice. The spice develops to a warm cinnamon on the draw. 

Final/3rd

The burn has almost fully self corrected. Flavors are well balanced. Ash has tightened up. Strength moves to medium+. Some leathery notes join the profile. 

Overall

The Casa Lovo Cuban Border provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A flavorful profile with medium complexity. 

Thank you to Martin Delgado @MartincdWfg for the samples for review.

 

 

Hypnotic Sumatra Torpedo by GTO Cigars 1/14/17

 

Appearance 

A dark chocolatey looking wrapper with minimal veins on the surface. The seams are tightly wrapped and nearly impossible to find. It is slightly toothy and has a nice oily sheen.

It is well packed with tobacco with no soft spots.

Aroma 

Barnyardy, earthy, cedar and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Earthy, cedar, fruit, molasses and a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Candy, mint,spice

1st

The initial draws bring notes of candy sweetness and some earth, cedar and mild cinnamon spice. The smoke production is at high. The smoke is billowing off the wrapper in between draws. The draw is on the snug side of perfect and the burn is almost perfect, has a small wave. The ash is medium gray and tight. 

2nd

Strength has been mild up to now when it moves to medium. Draw has opened up and is very smooth. There is also a nice bready note joining the profile. Espresso notes join the mix. The cinnamon becomes warm midway in the 2nd/3rd. Spice tapers back a bit at the end of 2nd. 

Final/3rd

Spice ramps back up to start the final/3rd. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, bread, espresso and warm cinnamon spice. A nice almond note joins the mix. 

Overall

The Hypnotic Sumatra Torpedo provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A complex and flavorful profile albeit a bit sweeter than I'm used to. 

Oscar blended this as an alternative to infused cigars and I would say he achieved his goal. I would recommend everyone give it a try.

 

 

ATABEY Robusto 1/8/17

 

Appearance 

The light brown colored wrapper has a few prominent veins. The seams are tight. It has a nice oily sheen. 

Aroma 

Sweet,hay and a hint of spice on the wrapper. About the same at the foot. 

Prelight Draw 

Hay, honey, cedar and a hint of spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar with a slight hint of spice. The honey sweetness is present after a few more draws. The draw & burn are spot on. The ash is light gray and mostly tight. Body & strength are medium. The spice is developing, at this point late in the 1st it's like a nutmeg. 

2nd

Burn line develops a small wave. Strength moves to medium+. There are light coffee notes joining the profile. The ash has become more stacked. The finish is long with notes of cedar, hay, honey, coffee and nutmeg spice. Strength is continuing to climb, is at the low end of med/full. The spice retreats a bit and the honey sweetness becomes more prominent but still within the boundaries of balance. Burn is a bit erratic but begins to self correct immediately. Smoke production is medium. 

Final/3rd

The coffee notes along with the nutmeg take the lead in the profile. There is also some warm cinnamon mixed in. Burn line is back to a slight wave. Strength is at med/full. Burn has fully self corrected. The flavors remain well balanced right to the nub.

Overall

The ATABEY Robusto provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with great complexity. Definitely a cigar to try albeit a bit pricey. They are available at @AmbassadorCigar and @CigarzonAve if your B&M doesn't have them. 

 

 

Mederos Habano Toro by Cubanacan 1/7/17

 

Appearance 

The wrapper is milk chocolate in color with a few prominent veins. It is slightly mottled which makes some of the seams visible but tight. The cigar is well packed with filler with no soft spots. It has a light oil sheen. 

The bands are very attractive. Overall this cigar looks very enticing.

Aroma 

Barnyardy and a faint leather with a hint of spice on the wrapper. Light barnyard, dried fruit and a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Cedar, citrus and other dried fruit, leather and a mild spice.

1st

The initial draws bring woody notes with lots of dried fruit and a nice soft leathery texture. There is a nice mild spice developing. Burn is off by 45* about an inch in but self correcting as we speak. Draw is a bit snug. The ash is light gray and tight on 1 half and salt&pepper gray and stacked on the other. Strength is in the medium range. 

2nd

Ash held til removal at start of 2nd/3rd. The finish is long with notes of dried fruit, cedar, a pinch of white pepper and a lingering citrus note. Smoke production is at the low end of medium. Burn has just a slight wave now at 1/2" into 2nd.  A paprika note has joined the profile. Draw has opened up nicely. The profile is very well balanced so far. Smoke production is at medium now. Coffee notes are entering the profile just past the halfway point of the cigar. Burn has fully self corrected. Strength has moved to medium+. The ash was still strong when I removed.

Final/3rd

Cashew notes join the profile to start the final/3rd. Smoke production is at the low end of high now. The flavor profile remains well balanced right to the nub.

Overall

The Mederos Habano Toro provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A complex and very flavorful well balanced profile. 

Definitely a cigar you should try.

 

 

LFD Andalusian Bull 12/18/16

 

Appearance 

A large cigar tapering smaller from foot to head. There are a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped and well hidden. There is a nice oily sheen over the entire cigar. Appears to be well packed with filler with no soft spots. 

Aroma 

Fresh tobacco on the wrapper. Cedar, tobacco, nutmeg at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Cedar, nutmeg spice, dried red fruit

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar and a hint of spice but is a bit snug. At about 3/4" in the burn line is still a bit wavy. The ash is salt&pepper gray and tight so far. At 1 1/2" in the spice begins to develop. A mild cinnamon comes to mind. The overall flavor is quite muted at this point. Nearing the end of the 1st/3rd the burn continues to self correct albeit slowly. The ash is becoming a bit flaky as well. The burn has fully self corrected. 

2nd

Smoke production has been at the low end of medium so far. To this point the finish has been short with light cedar and mild cinnamon notes. Just before the halfway point of the cigar the draw begins to open up. Just after halfway the spice dramatically changes from a mild cinnamon to a warm cinnamon/nutmeg combo. Just as quickly the warm cinnamon fades leaving the nutmeg. Late in the 2nd/3rd pimenton notes join the profile. 

Final/3rd

The draw has finally opened up to where I like it. Smoke production moves to the medium range. The finish has become long with the pimenton spice(Spanish paprika) lingering the longest. 

Overall

The LFD Andalusian Bull provides a rather boring smoking experience. It's flavor profile was one dimensional til the middle of the final/3rd. The draw being snug til the final 3rd did not help matters.

 

 

C.L.E. AZABACHE TAA Maduro Robusto 12/17/16

 

Appearance 

The Maduro wrapper is slightly mottled with a couple thin veins on the surface. The seams are visible due to the mottling but are tightly wrapped. There is very little oil visible on the wrapper. 

The silver & black band is simple yet attractive. 

Aroma 

There's not a lot of aroma on the wrapper because it is not sleeved in cello. There are some light earth & wood notes on the wrapper with similar aromas at the foot. 

Prelight Draw 

Earth, marshmallow, light cedar, espresso and a hint of spice. 

1st

The initial draws bring lots of earthy notes. After about a 1/2" there is a spice beginning to develop. There is also a sweet & fluffy note like a marshmallow. The burn has been near perfect. The draw is perfect. The ash is a medium gray and mostly tight with a little stacking. Strength is at medium. The spice is like a mild cinnamon and in the background. 

2nd

Notes of dark chocolate join the profile to begin the 2nd/3rd. The cinnamon becomes a bit more pronounced. The espresso from the prelight joins the profile. The finish is medium in length. The burn & draw have been perfect since midway in the 1st/3rd.

Final/3rd

The final/3rd starts with notes of cashews joining the profile. Smoke production is at medium and has a very appealing aroma. The ash holds firm til removal at each 3rd. It would hold longer I'm sure but as u know I don't play that game. The flavors remain consistent to the nub. The burn & draw remained perfect.

Overall

The CLE Azabache Maduro TAA Robusto provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. The flavor profile is mildly complex and very well balanced. A very tasty cigar which u should try. As with all TAA cigars, production is limited so find a TAA store and grab some while you can. 

Another great cigar by Christian Eiroa @CLECigars .

Thank you to my brother Fritz Giambetta for the gift for review