Posts Tagged “herfing”

Cigar Brand? CAO LX2

Size Name? Robusto

Length/Ring Gauge? 52 x 5

Purchase Date? December 2008

Box or Individual? Box

Smoking Date? March 28, 2009

Packaging? No cellophane

Price (Per Cigar or Box)? $6.50/stick retail

Where Purchased? Online

Country Where Made: Nicaragua

Meal/Beverage: Heineken Premium Light

Overall Appearance and Presentation of Cigar (Max. 20 Points) ( 14 of 20)

Wrapper Color? ( 3 of 4)

Consistent Color Within Box? ( 2 of 2)

Oily/Dry? ( 1 of 2) Somewhat dry

Veiny/Smooth? ( 3 of 5) few veins

Cap Construction? ( 1 of 1)

Packaging? ( 2 of 2)

Ease of Cutting? ( 2 of 2)

Construction (Soft, Hard)? ( 1 of 2) Firm

Lighting and Burning Properties (Max. 15 Points) ( 13 of 15)

Even Initial Light? ( 1 of 1)

Even Burn? ( 9 of 11)

Initial Slightly Uneven 50% Even 75% Even

Resting Smoke (light & even, smoldering)?

( 1 of 1) Light & even

Burn Rate (fast, perfect, slow)? ( 1 of 1)

perfect

Ash (Solid, Black, White and Crumbly)? Semi-solid white ash

Require Re-Lighting? ( 1 of 1)

Construction (Max. 30 Points) ( 25 of 30)

Initial Draw easy 50% easy 75% slightly tighter draw ( 23 of 27)

Wrapper Stays Intact? ( 2 of 3)

Slight split about 1/3 of the way in

Taste (Max. 35 Points) ( 33 of 35)

Light, Medium, Full-Bodied? Full-Bodied

Bitter, Harsh, Smooth? Smooth

Sweet/Salty? Slightly sweet

Bland, Vegetal, Spicy, Peppery? Spicy flavor, long finish

Describe Any Changes in Body or Flavor

Initial flavor is full of hints of woody cedar, pepper, and spice

Midway through flavor changes to more of a tea & licorice profile

Aroma (Rich and Smooth and Acrid)? Rich aroma

Finish? Long finish that stays on the palate

Comments: The first of these that I smoked right out of the box seemed very one-dimensional though very powerful. After allowing these cigars to rest and age for about 3 months, the flavors have really begun to take shape without sacrificing any of the ligero strength in the cigar. Definitely a smoother cigar with age and I anticipate that these cigars will get better in the 6 to 9 month range. A very enjoyable smoke that lets you know it is ligero times two from the start. The initial draw was very easy yet perfect. The burn was slow and as with most cigars that are packed with ligero, it requires your full attention to keep it from going out. The wrapper did have one slight split about a 1/3 of the way in although this did correct itself nicely without any additional “burning” or re-lighting. The cigar is firm and has a good feel in the hand. The pepper and spice is prevalent though not overpowering throughout. The hints of licorice and tea midway through the cigar give it a subtle sweetness that is enjoyable. The finish is long and pleasant. This cigar produces lots of thick white smoke that fills the mouth and dances across the palate. Holding the smoke and blowing it through the sinuses allows the licorice flavors to intensify. Overall a powerhouse of a cigar that continues to improve with age. Definitely a cigar that I would purchase and smoke again.

Total Score / Grade: 85/100

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Man O War Double Corona 7.5 x 52

This Cigar is a real hot up and comer. Cigar is made with an aged Habano Ecuador wrapper that is combined with a blend of aged Nicaraguan filler, harvested from three separate farms. Then the cigar is aged six additional months after being rolled, to insure that the wrapper blends harmoniously with the complex mix of fillers.

Pre Light – slightly oily, slightly veiny wrapper, along with firm construction and a pre-light scent of mocha.

Light – nice draw great burn. Even ash all the way down. incredibly rich and complex cigar that falls right in line with the best premium sticks on the market.

The smoke. I felt the Man O’ War produced a hearty, earthy flavors with hints of cashews and almonds which was masked by a peppery, leathery aftertaste with just a touch of sugar.

Padilla Habano Torpedo 6.2 x 52

High rated stick that combines a 5-year-old Cuban Habano wrapper with vintage Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers secured by a robust Nicaraguan binder.

Pre light – nice firm construction. Non oily coffee complexion.

Light – good smooth draw with even burn.

Smoke – medium strength which contains nuances of cedar that blend well with its sweet, underlying hints of cocoa. The cigar finishes with some spicy nuances that cling to the palate for a long, enjoyable finish.

Rockey Patel Fusion Lancero 7 x 38

I like this smoke but I did feel the struggle between the two wrappers. The fusion gets its’ name because it is designed to blend a Habano wrapper over a second and equally flavorful Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, which is in turn used as the binder. These two exquisite leaves are masterfully blended with a mix of Nicaraguan, Honduran and Cameroon fillers to make a cigar that has received unrivaled attention from enthusiasts all over the world.

Pre Light – firm smooth and silky with a little bit of shine.

Light – As soon as you light this cigar pleasant sweetness takes over the palate and lingers until the cigar burns out.

Smoke – I found this smoke light with a sweetness that is perfectly balanced with rich and creamy flavors that has hints of cedar nuts and peat. The one down fall to this cigar is the long lasting after taste. I woke up with a strange coating on the inside of my mouth that I can only describe as being chalky.

The Gurkha Centurian Perfecto Shape. 6 x 60

This cigar is made with 8 year old Dominican fillers that are finished with a Connecticut wrapper giving this medium bodied cigar its unique and enticing aroma.

Pre light – I love this cigar’s shape and feel. It reminds me of a throw back cigar that you would see in the old gangster movies.

Light – tight draw at first but cigar really opens up half way through the smoke.

Smoke opens up with Toasty aromas that have hints of coffee and wood.

Great cigar should be one of my favorites for a long time.

601 Green Oscuro Tranco 5 X 52

This Cigar is considered by some to be the best blend made at Pepin’s Esteli factory. The Green Oscuro is made with a hearty bunch of Nicaraguan long fillers that are specially fermented by Pepin.

Pre Light – Sporting a dark and oily Nicaraguan Habano wrapper

Light – Very firm tight draw that needs to be work. Great ash with a tight slow burn.

Smoke – The resulting cigar is a full bodied masterpiece that exudes rich espresso, leather and chocolate flavors with a pleasant and toasty finish. This cigar is a great way to finish a meal or end the day.

CAO Black Mosaic 6 x 42

Need I say more than CAO Black? It is hard to find an avid cigar smoker who has not tried one of these babies. This beauty comes Individually dressed in cedar sleeves and packaged in hand-painted boxes. The CAO Black is medium-bodied smoke that is layered with big, rich flavors. Made from an Ecuadorian wrapper with Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Mexican fillers this smoke will get you.

Pre Light – Very Smooth Firm construction

Light – Thick smoke produced from an even draw. Leave a heavy white ash

Smoke – Very complex for a cigar that is billed as a medium smoke. Each draw produces a variety of flavors. that tantalize the palate with notes of pepper and wood that leaves a sweat after taste.

EO 601 Original Robusto 5 X 50

The 601 is a medium to full bodied stick that is blended of Nicaraguan fillers that are finished with a spicy and rich Corojo wrapper.

Pre Light Firm Veiny appearance.

Light – heavy smoke with loose draw.

Smoke- Intense bitter aroma with a long finish that is often compared to many of the popular Cuban cigars made today.

Sol Cubano Artisan Salomon 7.1 X 58

Love at first sight! I have seen the barber pole style before but never like this. This stick is attractively tapered on both ends with an impressive 7.1 x 58 frame. The Sol Cubano is rolled with three flavorful wrappers: Connecticut, Habano and Broadleaf Maduro. These wrappers are combined with aged long-fillers that consist of long leaves grown in both Honduras and Nicaragua, blended harmoniously to create a medium bodied cigar that has an exceptionally complex flavor.

Pre Light – Not much else to say. Almost to pretty to smoke… almost.

Light – Effortless draws that puts you in the drivers seat.

Smoke – This cigar will take you where ever you want to go. With so may wonderful tobaccos it makes for a complex flavors that can be only explained as a smorgasbord for the palate.

La Flor Dominicana Mysterio 7 X 54

The La Flor Dominicana Mysterio with the natural wrapper is by far the best smoke I have had to date. An excellent blend of all Dominican fillers is complimented nicely by a spicy Nicaraguan leaf wrap.

Pre- Light Great shape, look, and feel. Very Smooth. Fits perfectly in my mouth.

Light. Wonderful draw that once again because of shape starts out mellow than really opens up after a couple of inches.

Smoke – The rare Sumatran tobaccos create a subtle sweetness in the aftertaste. This cigar starts off very smooth and creamy before transforming into a complex, full-bodied masterpiece that offers tons of flavors including pepper, peat, and some slight hints of cocoa. This is a great looking stick that is perfect for the collector or seasoned enthusiast alike.

Camcho 1962 Pre-embargo 6 X 48

This cigar is made with a vintage 1999 Jamastran Corojo wrapper that finishes a complex filler that includes authentic Pre-Embargo Cuban tobacco. The aged Cuban tobacco used in this cigar is taken from one of four remaining bales in the world. The unique taste of this cigar is almost beyond words.

Pre Light – Oily Sheen with some noticeable veins. The pig tail end makes for an easy cut.

Light – Firm draw with nice even slow burn. Tight grey ash does not fall of easily.

Smoke – Medium bodied with a rich full flavor. Smoke brings an abundance of flavors to the palate including wood, leather, peat, nuts and some spiciness.

Many people are calling this cigar a new classic. One of the finest on the marker. I am not sure about that but it is still a great smoke.

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Cigar Watch provides cigar ratings, information on how to smoke a cigar and enjoy the experience and tips on how to identify fake cigars. We are a cigar club whose members contribute reviews of their favorite stogies and rant or rave about their experiences with smokes.

Chief@CigarWatch.info
www.CigarWatch.info

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Chief@CigarWatch.info
www.CigarWatch.info

OK – I’m a nut about cigars. I’ve been known to just look at a particularly well made one – roll it over and over in my fingers – until one of my fellow herfers finally says ‘are you going to smoke that thing or take it out on a date!’ But there is method to my madness. Here’s a case in point – consider the cut.

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