Cubanacan Soneros Habano Claro Toro 3/13/15

Cubanacan Soneros Habano Claro Toro 3/13/15

Appearance

A couple of veins but otherwise a nice smooth wrapper with fairly tight seams. The wrapper has a light sheen.

Aroma

Very faint hay aroma on the wrapper. Sweetness at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Almost a dry tobacco draw but there is a hint of sweetness in the background.

1st

The Soneros starts out with some sweet candy type notes. The draw and burn have been perfect from the start. There is also a very light white pepper note with some cedar in the mix. At about 1 1/4" into the 1st/3rd the candy like sweetness becomes more of a tangy citrusy sweetness. The finish so far is short. The strength thus far I would say was mild.

2nd

The flavors I notice at the start of the 2nd are cedar and white pepper with a hint of the citrus. The ash has been salt&pepper gray and semi tight. There is actually a creamy texture to the flavors as they meld together. About halfway thru the cigar the spice ramps up a bit staying in the white pepper range. The strength at this point is just on the high side of mild. While the balance and creaminess is the high point of the cigar so far. 

Final/3rd

The flavors stay about the same while the spice moves up a notch. I would say the overall strength of the Soneros Habano Claro Toro is a mild to mild+ and the body is medium. This would work well for new smokers or as a morning smoke for others. Thanks again to Spence Drake for the review samples.

Cubanacan Soneros Maduro Toro 3/10/15

Appearance 

Wrapper has a few prominent veins but mostly fine. Seams are fairly tight.

Aroma

Hay and grassy notes on the wrapper. Molasses notes at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Licorice and molasses

1st

Draw is a bit snug to start out. Cedar and leathery notes to start it off. The burn has been almost perfect from the start. A light spice has been noticeable but not prominent. Near the end of the 1st the spice becomes more prominent. It reminds me of Pimenton (spanish paprika). 

2nd

The cedar, leather and Pimenton spice notes continue into the 2nd. Part way in the cocoa I was waiting for showed up. Shortly after that some nutty notes blend with the cocoa. The ash is light gray and semi tight. The finish is long with spice, cedar and sweet notes.

Final/3rd

The flavors continue thru the final/3rd with the cedar being more pronounced. I found it to be mild in the complexity scale but a very relaxing smoke. The strength and body we're medium to med/full but on the very low end of full. So most smokers will enjoy this stick. Thanks again to @thedrakeisgood Spence Drake for the samples for review. GoGetchasome™!!

Crux Cigars Bull & Bear 3/8/15

Appearance

A Colorado Maduro color with a low sheen. The seams are nice and tight. A couple prominent veins. A little mottled.

Aroma

The wrapper gives aromas of wood, soft leather and a faint hint of spice. Molasses and cocoa powder at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Notes of molasses, spice and leather.

1st

The cigar starts out with the spice notes. Like a mild curry or Asian spice. I do love spice in a cigar! I'm also tasting some nutty notes. The draw is a bit snug but I'm sure it will open up. The burn is almost perfect. The ash is a little flaky and salt&pepper gray. The strength started at medium but is med/full by the end of the 1st/3rd.

2nd

The balance is good in that nothing is overpowering. The nutty notes are creamy which reminds me of cashews. The finish at this point is spice and cashews with a faint note of leather. Getting some cocoa powder notes almost 1/2 way point of the cigar. The burn line is off by about 22* but I will let it self correct. The draw has loosened up nicely at this point. The cigar gives off plenty of smoke,which is very aromatic. Love the flavor profile! 

Final/3rd

The burn line has fully self corrected. The flavors from the 1st & 2nd carried through the Final/3rd. The strength is med/full and the flavor is full. This was a very enjoyable cigar! One that many smokers will want to enjoy! Wait 4 It! Wait 4 It! BOOM™!! The Crux Cigars Bull & Bear gets The Chairmans BUY Signal™!! GoGetchasome™!! A big Thank You to Joel Rogers Co-owner of Crux Cigars for the review samples!

Selected Tobacco Byron Reserva 4 Años 3/8/15

Appearance

The wrapper has a nice oily sheen. It has a couple prominent veins. The seams are tight and nearly invisible.

Aroma 

Dry hay on the wrapper. Hay and molasses at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Black licorice 

1st

The first few puffs give generous amounts of woody notes and a mild spice. The ash is light gray and mostly tight. The burn line is razor sharp and the draw is perfect. Late in this 3rd notes of espresso come to the surface.

2nd

At the beginning of the 2nd/3rd the spice had mellowed but after a few more draws it came back a little stronger. It's definitely the crushed red pepper spice. The strength went from medium to medium/ full. Then back to medium by the end of 2nd/3rd.

Final/3rd

The burn line got off slightly in each third but then self corrected. The ash stayed mostly tight throughout. The Selected Tobacco brands are a bit pricey but have great construction and nice flavor profiles.

Bow Tie Cigars Copper Label Medium 3/7/15

Appearance 

The wrapper has a milk chocolate mottled look to it. The seems are tight and there are several prominent veins.

Aroma 

Faint hay aroma on the wrapper. A nice molasses aroma at the foot.

Prelight Draw

I pick up some of the molasses and also some floral notes.

1st

The 1st several draws are a bit snug. After several more draws I start to notice some spice notes joining the mix. The spice at this point is like allspice(a mild spice). The burn is off about 22*. The ash is salt & pepper gray and tight. At the 3/4" mark the draw is beginning to open up more to my liking. Late in the 1st/3rd I'm noticing a tangy note and the spice had mellowed prior to the tangy notes. A very flavorful 1st/3rd.

2nd

At the start the burn is self correcting. The flavors from the 1st/3rd continue into the 2nd. The spice comes back strong but more of s cardomom(India spice). The  burn has fully self corrected and the draw has loosened up to a nice draw by the midway point of the cigar. The spice kind of comes and goes which is a nice twist. Starting to notice some nutty notes. Roasted nuts. 

Final/3rd

The strength has remained medium throughout. No touch ups or relights were needed. A very flavorful and enjoyable cigar from start to finish! GoGetchasome™!! Great cigar Billie!

Bandolero Travie Short Torpedo 3/5/15

Appearance 

Nice wrapper with tight seams and mostly fine veins.

Aroma 

Very faint hay aroma on the wrapper. Raisiny sweetness at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Hay with sweetness like molasses.

1st

Right away I notice citrusy notes. There is also a hint of allspice. It has a nice draw and even burn. There is also a faint espresso note on the finish with the citrus. At this point the strength is medium. Very pleasing to the palate. The ash is salt & pepper gray and fairly tight.

 

2nd

The spice ramps up, reminds me of curry. The flavor becomes meaty. Strength leaning toward full.

Final/3rd

A complex cigar with nice flavors. Some nutty notes come out. When combined with the spice which has gone more to a crushed red pepper tastes like roasted almonds. Wait 4 It! Wait 4 It! BOOM™!! The Bandolero Travie gets the Chairmans BUY Signal™!!

Maya Selva Cigars Cumpay No.15 2/24/15

Appearance 

Nicely rolled Belicoso head. Veins are almost invisible. Lots of tiny veins.

Aroma

Hay on the wrapper. Hay and honey at the foot.

Prelight Draw

Hay & honey.

1st

First puffs are mild with an underlying spice coming. The cigar has an even burn and the draw is just a touch snug.The strength is at medium at 3/4". Ash is light gray and mostly tight. The Nicaraguan Habano wrapper from Jalapa is burning nicely. Leather and roasted coffee bean are the prominent flavors in the 1st/3rd. 

2nd

The 2nd/3rd brings sweet nutty notes like hazelnuts. The spice becomes stronger almost like curry. The Indian word Cumpay refers to the rolled tobacco leaf. Midway thru the coffee bean gets a little stronger and nicely balances the spice which gives it that roasted flavor. The sweet spicy flavor is a characteristic of Ometepe leaf. 

Final/3rd

All the flavors balance well together as the draw loosens up. Burn line has stayed almost razor sharp from the beginning. The strength has become med/full. A very enjoyable smoke! Thank you to my brother Gabriel Alvarez for the samples to review. More Maya Selva reviews coming soon.