Rocky Patel Cigar Smoking World Championship Toro 9/25/20

Appearance 

A dark chocolate colored wrapper with only a couple of visible veins and tight seams. It has a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots. 

Aroma

Earth, cedar and a very distant spice on the wrapper. Earth, faint raisin, cedar and a hint of spice at the foot. 

Prelight Draw 

Earth, faint raisin, cedar, dark chocolate and a hint of spice. 

1st 

The initial draws bring notes of earth and a distant spice. About half a dozen draws in some mild raisin notes join the profile. The draw and burn are spot on. Unsalted, creamy cashew notes join the profile. Strength & body are at mild/medium. Smoke production is at low end of high range. The spice, still not fully developed is kind of like allspice(think jerk chicken). Cocoa powder notes join the profile. The ash is medium gray and stacked. The burn is off 7*at 1.75” into the 1st/3rd. The ash held firm but was beginning to lean to one side at removal. 

2nd 

Upon inspection of the working end I find a short but wide tunnel causing the uneven burn line. The burn line self corrects immediately. Smoke production is at the high range. A half inch into the 2nd/3rd some black pepper notes join the allspice. Halfway into the 2nd/3rd the burn goes off again. After ashing & inspection I find a 1/4” diameter tunnel. Brown sugar notes become noticeable. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, brown sugar, creamy cashews, cocoa powder, brown sugar and an allspice/black pepper spice combo. 

Final/3rd 

The well balanced and flavorful profile continues into the Final/3rd. Espresso notes join the profile. Strength is at medium. The profile remains consistent right to the nub. 

Overall 

The Rocky Patel Cigar Smoking World Championship Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and flavorful profile with a good draw and mildly erratic burn.

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Lost & Found B/C/S Holy Braille by Chico Rivas Robusto 8/30/20

 

Appearance

A dark brown colored wrapper with tightly wrapped seams and a few prominent veins. It has an oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Barnyard and tobacco on the wrapper. Not much aroma from the foot.

Prelight Draw

Cedar, paprika spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar, faint dried fruit and paprika spice. The draw is very snug. Notes of coffee join the profile. The burn was a bit erratic but with the help of simple physics it is self correcting. The ash is blooming and flaky. Strength and body are medium+. The draw has greatly improved but is still a tick snug at the 1.25” point. Smoke production is at the medium range. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

Upon inspection of the working end I find the filler cone is off center which is the cause of the uneven burn. Cocoa powder notes join the profile. The profile is creamy yet also has a meaty texture and is well balanced. Smoke production is at the high range. Draw is spot on as is the burn line. The finish is long with notes of cedar, faint dried fruit, coffee, cocoa powder and paprika spice.

Final/3rd

The well balanced and flavorful profile continues into the final/3rd. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The Lost & Found Holy Braille Robusto provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and flavorful profile with a great draw in the second half of the cigar and a mildly erratic burn for most of the cigar.

Micallef Grande Bold Mata Fina Robusto Gordo 8/29/20

 

Appearance

A dark brown colored wrapper with tight seams and a few prominent veins. It has a light oil sheen and also a bit of tooth. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earthy, tobacco and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Earth, dried fruit, almond and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Earthy tobacco, dark dried fruit, almond and spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of earthy tobacco, dried fruit and a mild cinnamon spice. The draw is a tick snug. The burn has a slight wave. Almond notes join the profile. The ash is medium gray and stacked. Strength is medium. Smoke production is at the medium range. The draw opens up. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

The flavor profile takes on noticeably more toasty notes. A pinch of black pepper joins the spice department giving a nice warm cinnamon/mild black pepper spice combo. The almond notes are joined by creamy cashew notes. The burn is nearly perfect at the midway point of the cigar. The finish is long with notes of earthy tobacco, dried fruit, almond, creamy cashew and a warm cinnamon/mild black pepper spice combo all wrapped in a toasty texture.

Final/3rd

The well balanced and flavorful profile continues into the final/3rd. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The Micallef Grande Bold Mata Fina Robusto Gordo provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a nice draw and a mildly wavy burn.

Prohibition Cigars Batch ARI23 Toro Extra 8/23/20

 

Appearance

A medium brown colored wrapper with a few prominent veins and tight seams. The cigar has a nice oily sheen. There are a couple of imperfections on the wrapper leaf so we shall see if anything develops. The filler bunch is soft packed as opposed to hard packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Faint barnyard on the wrapper. Cedar and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Cedar, earth, sweetness and spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar and spice. The draw starts out snug. The burn is erratic. Smoke production is at the low range. The ash is dark gray and stacked. The ash held firm until removal.

2nd

Upon inspection of the working end I find 2 tunnels side by side, 1/8” under the binder which are responsible for the erratic burn.

Coffee and roasted peanut notes join the profile. The draw has opened up nicely. Smoke production increases to the high end of medium range. With the help of simple physics the burn has almost fully self corrected. The finish is long with notes of cedar, sweetness, coffee, roasted peanuts and a cinnamon/mild black pepper spice combo all well balanced.

Final/3rd

The profile moves unchanged into the final/3rd. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The Prohibition Cigars Batch ARI23 Toro Extra provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a great draw after it opened up and an erratic burn.

Thanks again to brother Ari @arithepoet for the samples for review.

Prohibition Cigars Batch SC53 Torpedo 8/22/20

 

Appearance

A medium brown colored wrapper with a few prominent veins and tightly wrapped seams. It has a nice oily sheen visible to the eye and especially to the touch. There is also a bit of tooth. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Tobacco, light earth, cedar and a very faint spice on the wrapper. Light brown sugar, cedar and light spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Cedar, sugar, almond and a mild spice on the lips and tongue.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of almond, cedar and a mild spice. The draw is snug. Smoke production is low. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked. The burn line is razor sharp. Near the end of the 1st/3rd the draw begins to open up. The ash holds firm and straight until removal.

2nd

The spice becomes more noticeable as the draw opens up more, reminding me of warm cinnamon. The stack lines have disappeared leaving a nice tight ash. The finish is long and dominated by the warm cinnamon spice with very faint notes of cedar, almond and sugar.

Final/3rd

The draw has fully opened up. Smoke production is at the high end of medium range. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The Prohibition Cigars Batch SC53 Torpedo provides a somewhat enjoyable smoking experience. A nice flavor profile with a snug draw until the final/3rd and a great burn.

A big thank you to brother Ari @arithepoet for the samples for review.

Prohibition Cigars Batch EM21L Lancero 8/16/20

 

Appearance

A medium brown colored wrapper with only a couple of thin veins and tightly wrapped seams. There is a very light oil sheen. Filler is well packed though there isn’t much there.

Aroma

Barnyard and cedar on the wrapper. Nothing at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Dried white fruit, cedar and a hint of spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar, dried white fruit and a faint spice. The ash is light gray almost white and tight. The draw is a tick snug. The burn line is razor sharp. Strength is medium. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

The draw opens up and smoke production increases to the high end of medium range.

The spice which was tasty like cinnamon early in the cigar has taken a turn and begins to taste like black pepper. The finish is long with well balanced notes of cedar, dried white fruit, almond and a mild black pepper spice.

Final/3rd

The well balanced and flavorful profile continues into the final/3rd. Crushed red pepper notes join the spice portion of the profile. The well balanced and flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall

The Prohibition Cigars Batch EM21L Lancero provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a nice draw after it opened up in the beginning of the 2nd/3rd and a perfect burn from start to finish.

A big thank you to brother Ari @arithepoet for the samples for review.

Well done brother Ari.

Prohibition Cigars Batch 777 Toro Extra

 

8/9/20

Appearance

A dark brown colored wrapper with tight seams including the cap. It has a couple of prominent veins and a little bit of tooth. There is a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

No aroma on the wrapper. A hint of cedar at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Cedar, cocoa, dried red fruit and cinnamon spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of almond and cedar. The draw is a tick snug. Smoke production is at the low range. Burn is perfect at 1/2” in. Vanilla notes join the profile. The ash is medium gray and stacked. The draw opens up and smoke production increases to the medium range. The burn line goes off about 30*. I immediately implement simple physics. The ash holds firm and straight until removal.

2nd

Upon inspection of the working end I find a 3/16”diameter tunnel on the faster burning side. An inch later the burn has fully self corrected and the tunnel is gone. The spice ramps up to a warm cinnamon spice. Dried red fruit notes join the profile. The finish is long with notes of cedar, almond, vanilla, dried red fruit and warm cinnamon spice.

Final/3rd

Moving into the final/3rd the profile remains unchanged and well balanced. Black pepper spice notes join the profile. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The Prohibition Cigars Batch 777 Toro Extra provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a great draw after the 1st/3rd and a mildly erratic burn until late in the 2nd/3rd.

A big thank you to brother Ari @arithepoet for the samples for review.

Well done Ari!

Prohibition Cigars Batch PC/CR Limited 8/8/20

 

Appearance

A medium brown colored wrapper with tight seams and a few prominent veins. It has a light oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

No aroma to speak of on the wrapper or at the foot. The loss of aroma from the tobacco is a good reason to use cello.

Prelight Draw

Cedar, light dried fruit, almond and a distant hint of spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar and almond with a hint of mild allspice. The draw is very snug. About 3/4” in the draw begins to loosen. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked. The burn is off by 20*. After using simple physics the burn almost fully self corrects by the end of the 1st/3rd.

2nd

The draw is still snug but not as bad. There were 2 tiny tunnels right under the binder causing the erratic burn. At the midway point of the cigar the draw opens up and the smoke production increases to the high end of medium range. The spice has continued to develop in small increments since the start and now is like a warm cinnamon. Dried fruit notes join the profile. The finish is long with notes of cedar, dried fruit, almond and a warm cinnamon spice. Draw and burn have been spot on since the midway point of the cigar.

Final/3rd

The ash has held firm and straight until removal at the end of each third. The profile has been well balanced from the start. A pinch of black pepper spice joins the profile late in the final/3rd. A well balanced and flavorful profile right to the nub.

Overall

The Prohibition Cigars Batch PC/CR Limited provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a great draw and burn after the midway point of the cigar.

A big thank you to brother Ari @arithepoet for the samples for review.

Well done Ari!

Macanudo Inspirado Palladium Robusto 7/5/20

 

Appearance

The wrapper is light brown in color with tight seams and only a couple of veins on the surface. There is a very light oil sheen. The filler bunch is not very densely packed and there is a soft spot on the back side below the secondary band.

Aroma

Barnyard, light brown sugar and spice on the wrapper.

Hay, cedar and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Black licorice, cedar and a mild spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of sugar, hay, cedar and spice. The draw is a little snug. The burn has a 1/2” wave. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked. Nearing the end of the 1st/3rd and the burn has almost fully self corrected. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

Getting into the 2nd/3rd I notice some light roast coffee notes followed by palate cleansing citrus notes. Mild/medium in strength. The draw is now open. My cheeks say thank you. The burn gets wavy again. I notice a couple of tunnels in the faster burning area’s. Smoke production is at the medium range. The finish is long with notes of hay, cedar, light roast coffee, citrus and warm cinnamon spice.

Final/3rd

Moving into the final/3rd the profile remains consistent with the exception of the cinnamon spice continues to build in intensity. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The Macanudo Inspirado Palladium Robusto provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a good draw after the 1st/3rd and a mildly erratic burn.

If mild/medium with a Connecticut wrapper is your jam, give this one a try. It’s sure to please.

It’s a limited production so get them while they are available.

Espinosa Murcielago Robusto BP 7/4/20

 

Appearance

A dark chocolate colored wrapper with a couple of prominent veins and a matte finish. The seams are tightly wrapped except for the cap which is loose in a few areas. There is a very light oil sheen hidden by the matte finish.

The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, cocoa powder, cedar and spice on the wrapper.

Earth, cocoa powder, cedar and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Earth, black licorice, cocoa, mild spice on lips and tongue.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of earth, cedar, cocoa powder and a mild to medium spice. The draw is a bit snug, cheeks are feeling it right away. The spice is developing into a thick black pepper, hopefully it doesn’t overpower the profile. The cocoa powder has become more like dark chocolate notes. The ash is light gray and stacked. There is a bit of crushed red pepper mixing in with the black pepper spice and that’s a good thing. The burn is spot on at just over an inch into the cigar. Smoke production is at the high range. The draw has opened up nicely. The burn has become a bit erratic. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

Upon inspection of the working end I find a small tunnel on the faster burning side. The black pepper spice has tapered back a bit, balancing well with the other flavors in the profile. A half inch after implementing simple physics the burn has fully self corrected. Strength is at med/full. Flavors are very rich. The finish is long with notes of earth, chocolate, cedar and a crushed red pepper/black pepper spice combo.

Final/3rd

Going into the final/3rd the CRP tapers back a bit while the black pepper spice increases a bit. By the midway point the black pepper spice has taken over as the dominant flavor in the profile and continues right to the nub.

Overall

The Espinosa Murcielago Robusto BP provides an enjoyable smoking experience up to the middle of the final/3rd when the heavy black pepper spice hijacked the profile. A well balanced and flavorful profile(until the midpoint of the final/3rd) with a good draw after it opened up and a spot on burn except for the 1/2” of erratic burn in the 2nd/3rd. Overall though a cigar that u should give a go, especially if you like heavy black pepper spice.

I still prefer the original blend.

The T Toro by Booth, Caldwell and AJ Fernandez 6/28/20

 

Appearance

The dark chocolate, rich looking Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper has a couple of thin veins and tightly wrapped seams. The wrapper leaf has an oil sheen but in a matte finish. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, cedar, dark chocolate and a thick spice on the wrapper. Dark chocolate, earth, cedar and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Earth, cedar, dark chocolate and a mild spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of very thick, earthy cedar with a pinch of nutmeg spice. The draw and burn are spot on at 3/4” in. The ash is salt&pepper gray, stacked and looks a bit suspect. Right after typing the word suspect, the ash fell on my lap. Smoke production is at the high range. Strength is currently at medium. Dark chocolate notes begin to show their presence in the profile.

2nd

About 1/4” into the 2nd/3rd notes of black pepper begin to combine with the nutmeg spice. The profile is thick and meaty. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, dark chocolate and a nutmeg/black pepper spice combo.

Final/3rd

The well balanced and flavorful profile continues into the final/3rd. Strength is at med/full. The spice is becoming more like a crushed red pepper/black pepper spice combo and is starting to dominate the profile. The profile, dominated by the spice combo continues right to the nub.

Overall

The T Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a spot on draw and burn.

Warped El Oso Papa Panatela 6/27/20

Appearance

A medium brown colored wrapper with a couple of prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped. The wrapper has a light oil sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, chocolate, sweet tobacco and spice on the wrapper. Earth, chocolate, sweetness and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Brown sugar, chocolate, licorice, citrus and spice

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar, earth, a faint citrus and a mild cinnamon spice. The draw is a bit snug. Chocolate notes join the profile right away. The burn is off by about 15 degrees. Within just a few draws after implementing simple physics the burn has begun to self correct. The ash is salt&pepper gray and tightly stacked. The strength is medium and smoke production is medium as well. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

Upon inspection of the working end I find 3 tiny tunnels responsible for the erratic burn. Almond notes join the profile. At the midway point of the cigar the burn has fully self corrected and the draw opened up. The finish is long with notes of cedar, earth, citrus, chocolate, almond and warm cinnamon spice.

Final/3rd

The well balanced and flavorful profile continues into the final/3rd. The strength moves to medium+. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The Warped El Oso Panatela provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A complex, well balanced and flavorful profile with a nice draw after it opened up and a mildly erratic burn.

Another fine Warped cigar which like the La Colmena and some of their early blends is made at the El Titan De Bronze factory in Little Havana, Miami.

GoGetchasome™️!!

Altar Q Yax-Pac 16 Toro by Oscar 6/21/20

Appearance

A silky light brown colored wrapper with a couple of prominent veins and a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Faint cedar on the wrapper. Cedar and mild white pepper spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Orange peel, cedar, hay and white pepper spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar, hay and faint orange peel with a hint of white pepper spice. The draw is a bit snug and the burn a bit wavy. The ash is light gray, fairly tight but flaky at the same time. Strength starts at mild/medium. Smoke production is at the low end of medium range. The white pepper spice has become more prominent. The draw has opened up.

2nd

The 2nd/3rd starts with a good draw and a slightly wavy burn. The flavor profile has remained consistent from the start. The finish is long with notes cedar, hay, orange peel and white pepper spice.

Final/3rd

Profile continues into the final/3rd. Burn is fully self corrected. Profile continues right to the nub.

Overall

The Altar Q Toro by Oscar provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced flavor profile with a good draw and mildly erratic burn.

2012 Barber Pole by Oscar Valladares Box Pressed Toro 6/20/20

Appearance

A candela and San Andres Maduro wrapped barber pole cigar with tightly wrapped seams and a few prominent veins. It has a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Earth, cedar, clove and spice on the wrapper. Cedar, light brown sugar and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Cedar, earth, black licorice, spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of cedar, earth and spice. Noticing notes of chocolate mixed with green grass. The draw is a bit snug. The burn has a slight wave. The spice is very mild at this point. The ash is light gray and stacked. Their is a bit of a meaty note joining the profile. The spice is of the cinnamon variety with a pinch of black pepper. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

The well balanced profile moves into the 2nd/3rd. Strength is medium. There is still a v in the burn on one of the sides which is caused by a tunnel near the binder leaf. The draw has opened up nicely. The blend gives a very dry mouth feel. Smoke production is at the high end of medium range. A few draws into the 2nd/3rd the burn fully self corrects as the tunnel ends. The finish is long with notes of cedar, earth, chocolate, meat and cinnamon/black pepper spice.

Final/3rd

There is a citrus note joining the profile. The blend is now causing more salivation. The well balanced and flavorful profile continues right to the nub.

Overall

The 2012 Barberpole by Oscar Valladares box pressed Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a great draw(after it opened up) and a mildly erratic burn.

Definitely a cigar to try.

H.Upmann 1844 Hispaniola by Jose Mendez Robusto 6/14/20

Appearance

A medium brown colored wrapper with a few prominent veins, tightly wrapped seams and a very light oil sheen.

The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.

Aroma

Plum, earth, cedar and a hint of spice on the wrapper. Lush red fruit, cedar, cocoa and spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Earth, cedar, dried fruit, cocoa and spice.

1st

The initial draws bring notes of earth, cedar, a faint metallic note and a mild spice. The draw is a tick snug. The burn has a slight wave. The ash is salt&pepper gray and stacked. Strength is medium and the smoke production is at the medium range. The draw opens up. The ash held firm and straight until removal.

2nd

Sweet cocoa notes help to balance the Olor tobacco notes which were beginning to dominate the profile. Due to a couple of tiny tunnels just under the binder leaf on one side, the burn is off by 10 degrees. With the help of simple physics the burn fully self corrects. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, dried fruit, sweet cocoa and nutmeg spice.

Final/3rd

The well balanced and flavorful profile continues into the final/3rd. The profile remains consistent right to the nub.

Overall

The H. Upmann 1844 Hispaniola by Jose Mendez Robusto provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a good draw and mildly erratic burn until the midway point, then razor sharp for the rest of the cigar.