Ciudad De Musica Robusto by Montecristo, EPC & Crowned Heads 3/11/18

 Appearance
A medium brown colored wrapper with several prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots. Some sections of the wrapper have an oily sheen while others do not. The band while attractive was very difficult to get off.

Aroma
The band is so large that there is not very much wrapper exposed to smell much, maybe a bit of cedar on the wrapper.
Cedar and sweetness at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Cedar, dried white fruit and a hint of spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of cedar and spice. The draw is perfect. The burn is near perfect as well. The ash is medium gray and fairly tight. A little over an inch in there is a marshmallow note joining the profile. A light coffee note also joins the profile. Ash held firmly til removal.

2nd
The 2nd/3rd starts off with mild citrus notes and white pepper spice alongside. The smoke production is at the medium range. The smoke is leaving my mouth dry. The burn gets a bit wavy. Smoke production moves up to the low end of the high range. A dash of black pepper joins the white pepper spice. Strength is med/full.

Final/3rd
The final/3rd begins with the spice being the dominant flavor. Flavor profile is consistent right to the nub.

Overall
The Ciudad De Musica Robusto provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A complex and flavorful profile with a perfect draw and mildly erratic burn.

La Galera 80th Anniversary LE Toro Box Pressed 3/10/18

 Appearance
A beautiful dark brown and fairly smooth San Andreas Maduro wrapper with a couple small veins on the surface. The seams are tightly wrapped. The cigar is box pressed and the filler is well packed with no apparent soft spots. It has a light oil sheen. The triple cap is well done. The bands are both colorful and ornate.

Aroma
Earth, cedar and spice on the wrapper. Earth, cedar,cocoa and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earth, cedar, cocoa, leather and barnyard with a mild cinnamon spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of earthy cedar with a hint of spice. The draw is effortless and the burn has a good wave to it. The ash is a medium gray and flaky. The smoke production is in the high range. There is a pinch of black pepper mixed in with the cinnamon spice. The strength is at medium+. The ash is getting tighter as the cigar progresses. The burn is self correcting. The ash held firm til removal.

2nd
Chocolatey notes join the profile early in the 2nd/3rd. The strength moves up to med/full. Midway in the 2nd the spice tapers back. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, chocolate and spice.

Final/3rd
A mild coffee note joins the profile midway in the final/3rd. Nice flavor and balance right to the nub.

Overall
The La Galera 80th Anniversary LE Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A nice flavor profile with an effortless draw and mildly erratic burn.

RyJ Reserve Rare Corojo 2006 3/4/18

 Appearance
A light brown colored wrapper with a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped and difficult to find. It has a nice oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Barnyard, cedar and some mild cinnamon spice on the wrapper. Graham cracker and cinnamon spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Cedar, sugary, candy sweetness, raisin and spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of cedar and a faint hint of spice on the tongue. Draw is a bit snug. Burn is pretty close to spot on. Smoke production is at the upper end of medium. Strength is in the medium range. Some buttery or creamy notes join the profile. Also starting to get a bit of that “Dominican flavor”. The ash is medium gray and stacked with a bit of flake. The burn has developed a small wave. Ash held til removal.

2nd
There are some sweet notes joining the profile. Draw has opened up nicely. Upon inspection of the working end I find a couple of tunnels which are causing an erratic burn. There is a mild citrus note joining the profile. Burn has fully self corrected.

Final/3rd
The well balanced flavor profile continues into the final/3rd and right to the nub.

Overall
The RyJ Reserve Rare Corojo 2006 provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a nice draw and mildly erratic burn.

Fin De Los Mundos Robusto by Nomad 3/3/18

 Appearance
A dark chocolate colored wrapper with a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped and visible due to the mottling. The wrapper doesn’t have much oil showing. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Earth, cedar, cocoa on the wrapper. Earth and cedar at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earthy, cedar, leather, cocoa powder and a hint of spice on the lips.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of earthy cedar. The draw is perfect. Smoke production is in the high range. The burn has a slight wave. The ash is dark gray and mostly tight with a little flake. The cocoa sweetness joins the profile at about 1” in.

2nd
The spice, a mild cinnamon at this point, joins the profile. The burn & draw are spot on. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, leather, cocoa powder and cinnamon spice.

Final/3rd
The profile rolls seemlessly into the final/3rd. No changes right to the nub.

Overall
The Fin De Los Mundos Robusto by Nomad provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A flavorful profile with a perfect burn & draw. A little pricey at $9 and change but with the recent price increase (17%) On Nicaraguan tobacco and the cost of Pennsylvania tobacco it is understandable.
Well done Fred! @Godfadr

Aladino Toro 2/25/18

 Appearance
A light brown colored wrapper with thin veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. There is a very light oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Barnyard, dry tobacco and spice on the wrapper. Tobacco, coffee and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Tobacco, coffee, caramel and a warm spice.

1st
Initial draws bring notes of light earth, tobacco and a spice combo of nutmeg and white pepper. Draw and burn are spot on at the 3/4” point. The ash is medium gray and tight. At 1” the burn gets a bit wavy. Strength is mild/med. Ash held strong til removal.

2nd
Caramel notes join the profile. Smoke production is at the low end of medium. The spice becomes more like paprika(not a bad thing). The burn is still wavy but not bad. Finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, tobacco, caramel and paprika spice. The ash has gotten a bit flaky.

Final/3rd
Not sure if it was the blenders intent but this cigar tastes like an “old school Camacho. The spice gets very bold and sharp(again, not a bad thing). Smoke production picks up to the high end of medium range. Strength finished out at medium. Flavor remained consistent right to the nub.

Overall
The Aladino Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. An interesting profile with an old school Camacho flavor. Draw was perfect and the burn was wavy.
The brand is owned by Julio Eiroa the originator of the Camacho brand.

CuriVari Socrates Robusto 2/24/18

 Appearance
A nice dark San Andreas Maduro wrapper with one prominent vein. The seams are tightly wrapped but visible due to some mottling. It has a light oil sheen and a bit of tooth as well. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Very faint earth, cocoa and spice on the wrapper.
Earth at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earth, cedar, dried fruit

1st
The initial draws bring notes of chewy earth and cedar with a hint of cocoa. There is a very faint spice. Draw is perfect. Burn is perfect as well. The ash is light gray and stacked. The smoke production is at the medium range. Strength is medium. Spicy notes are starting to develop.

2nd
The chewy earth and cedar are still the dominant flavors with the spice, a mild red pepper with a pinch of black pepper coming in a close second. Strength is at medium+. Burn & draw still spot on. The flavors have all come into balance. The dried fruit notes have joined the profile. Ash holds til removal at each 3rd.

Final/3rd
The well balanced flavor profile moves into the final 3rd. A well balanced cigar with a nice flavor profile right to the nub.

Overall
The CuriVari Socrates Robusto provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced cigar with a nice flavor profile and a perfect burn & draw.

RP San Andreas Vintage 2006 Robusto 2/18/18

 Appearance
A dark chocolate colored wrapper with a few prominent veins. Seams are well wrapped and are only visible upon close inspection. There is a nice oily sheen and a bit of tooth. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.
The orange bands provide a great contrast against the dark wrapper.

Aroma
Earthy, chocolate, cedar and the presence of spice on the wrapper. Earth, cedar, chocolate, mild coffee and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Cedar, licorice, chocolate and spice.

1st
Initial draws bring notes of cedar, earth and chocolate. The next series of draws bring out the spice which seems to be a mix of black & red pepper. The draw is a tiny bit snug(so say my cheeks). The burn is wavy. There is a definite leathery texture to the smoke. The ash is medium gray and stacked. The smoke production is at the low end of medium. The flavor profile remains consistent through the end of the 1st/3rd.

2nd
The burn has fully self corrected. The draw has opened up nicely. The finish has notes of chocolate, cedar, earth, mild spice and a leathery texture. Strength is in the medium range. A very well balanced blend so far. Nearing the end of the 2nd/3rd and the black pepper is getting a little more bold.

Final/3rd
To start the final/3rd the red pepper gets more bold joining the black pepper for a nicely balanced spice combo. Midway the spice becomes more crushed red pepper with a pinch of black. Flavor profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall
The RP San Andreas Vintage 2006 Robusto provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. Once the draw opened up and the burn self corrected they were perfect the rest of the way. The balance was spot on.
Another fine cigar from Rocky Patel.
GoGetchasome™️!!

La Galera Maduro El Lector Toro 2/17/18

 Appearance
The wrapper is dark chocolate colored with a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped and difficult to find. There is a very light oil sheen and a bit of tooth as well. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.
The primary band is very attractive.

Aroma
Barnyard, chocolate, a very faint leathery aroma and a hint of spice on the wrapper.
Nothing at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Chocolate, cedar, dried white fruit and black pepper spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of cedar and chocolate, both very rich and bold. There is an underlying black pepper spice developing in the back of the palate. The chocolate really dominates the finish and THAT is a good thing. The draw is a bit snug. The burn is perfect. The ash is light gray and tight. Halfway into the 1st/3rd the dried white fruit joins the profile. Just past halfway the draw opens up. The ash held strong til removal.

2nd
The profile rolls into the 2nd/3rd the same. The ash gets a bit flaky. The black pepper spice picks up a tick. The smoke production is at the medium range. Strength is medium+. The burn got off about 45* due to the Ligero cone being off center and 3 1/8” tunnels on the faster burning side. With the help of simple physics it self corrects over the next 1”. Very well balanced so far.

Final/3rd
Burn has fully self corrected. Smoke production is at the low end of high. Flavor profile remains consistent through to the nub.

Overall
The La Galera Maduro El Lector Toro provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a great draw and erratic burn(through first 2/3’s). A well made and blended cigar by Jochy Blanco(Jose Blanco’s cousin and owner of the Tabacalera Palma factory in the DR).
My 1st experience with this blend(Robusto) during #AZ2016 was not good as it had a heavy black pepper presence which I’m not a fan of. After hearing a number of people were enjoying the Toro size I figured it was worth another try. I’m glad I did as it was very enjoyable. So the lesson is: just because u don’t like a cigar doesn’t mean you won’t like it in a different vitola. In other words as I always say “GottaTryEmAll™️!!”

LFD TAA 2018 Box pressed Toro 2/11/18

 Appearance
A reddish brown colored wrapper with a couple prominent veins. The tightly wrapped seams are visible due to the mottling of the wrapper leaf. There is a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma
Barnyard, wood on the wrapper.
Hay, sweetness and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Cedar, black licorice and mild cinnamon spice.

1st
The initial draws bring meaty notes with a wood like hickory(the wood chips dad put on the bbq briquettes to add flavor). The draw is perfect as is the burn. The ash is medium gray and stacked. There is a pinch of cinnamon way underneath. Late in this 3rd there is a paprika note developing. Ash held firm and straight till removal.

2nd
Smoke production is at the medium range. The finish is long with notes of cedar, bbq’d meat, caramel, citrus and paprika spice. The spice ramps up to a cayenne pepper then tapers back to paprika. Strength is at medium. The citrus notes are evident by the “clean” feel on the palate.

Final/3rd
Smoke production picks up to the high range. Strength moves to med/full. Profile remains consistent through to the nub.

Overall
The LFD TAA 2018 Box Pressed Toro provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A very unique, flavorful and well balanced profile with a perfect draw and burn.
Available at TAA shops.

Espinosa Murcielago Maduro Toro 2/10/18

 Appearance
A dark chocolate colored wrapper with a few prominent veins. It has a beautiful oily sheen and the seams are nearly invisible. The filler bunch is well packed with a single soft spot near the foot.

Aroma
Earth, leather, cocoa and spice on the wrapper.
Earth, cocoa and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Earthy, cocoa, mild pepper spice.

1st
Initial draws bring notes of earth with a pinch of black pepper. Smoke production is in the high range from the first draw. Draw is spot on. Burn has a slight wave. Notes of cocoa are joining the profile. The ash is medium gray and stacked. Ash was looking suspect so I removed it at 1 3/4”.

2nd
The black pepper spice becomes more prominent. The finish is long with notes of earth, cocoa and black pepper spice.

Final/3rd
The black pepper tapers off a bit and red pepper notes join the profile. The profile remains consistent through to the nub.

Overall
The Espinosa Murcielago Maduro Toro provides a somewhat enjoyable smoking experience. A bit too much black pepper for my taste. A consistent profile with a perfect draw and slightly wavy burn.

My Father La Opulencia Super Toro 6x60 BP 2/4/18

Appearance
A milk chocolate colored wrapper with a few prominent veins. I had to really look to find the seams which are rolled perfectly. It has a nice oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.
The bands are a work of art.

Aroma
Earth, cocoa and spice on the wrapper.
Nothing much at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Cedar, earth, cocoa and a mild spice.

1st
Initial draws bring notes of earth, cedar and a pinch of black pepper spice. The draw is perfect. The burn has a slight wave. The ash is light gray and mostly tight with a little flake. At 1” in the cocoa sweetness is tempering the black pepper spice(that’s a good thing). Ash dropped at 1 1/2”. The flavor profile is becoming creamy in texture and very well balanced.

2nd
The strength is med+. Smoke production is at the high end of medium range. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, cocoa and black pepper spice with a creamy texture. Strength moves to med/full. Black pepper spice becomes more prominent again.

Final/3rd
Strength moves to full. Half a dozen draws later the black pepper spice tapers back to be in balance. Halfway in the final/3rd the black pepper is replaced by crushed red pepper. Flavor remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall
The My Father La Opulencia Super Toro provides a somewhat enjoyable smoking experience. A fairly well balanced flavor profile with a perfect draw and near perfect burn. The heavy black pepper and the vitola are not in my wheelhouse but others may find it quite enjoyable.