Graycliff Turbo Review

Wrapper:  Habano grown in the San Andres Valley

Filler: Cuban Seed, Long Leaf Ligeros from Nicaragua

Price: $13.00

This is one hell of a cigar. This thing is a 6” x 60 monster. The wrapper was very sweet smelling and sweet tasting but lacked in construction. It had a few cracks and splits in it, but never peeled or flaked off. The smell of this cigar reminded me of cedar right from the start.

Once I lit up this behemoth, the flavors came out immediately. I was hit in the mouth with strong cedar flavors as soon as I toasted the foot. Every puff became sweeter and sweeter. Once I got about a dozen puffs in, the flavor became a little more earthy and peppery. The pepper hints weren’t too strong, but they were there. Towards about the end of the first third, the flavor started getting a bit nutty. But the cedar overwhelmed every other flavor.

Arturo Fuente Double Chateau Sun Grown Review

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown

Filler: Dominican

Price: $6.00 - $7.00

I do feel as though Arturo Fuente makes some of the best cigars. And for the price, you cant go wrong with a Fuente. When I was asked to do a review of this stick, I jumped on the opportunity.

The wrapper of this cigar was very sweet smelling and as soon as I touched it to my lips, the wrapper was just as sweet. As soon as I clipped this cigar and tasted it, I knew I was in for a special treat.

The flavors were excellent almost immediately. I started getting sweet flavors after the first few puffs. There was some sweet sugary flavors all throughout the smoke. Along with the sugariness, there were little hints of coffee coming through as well. There was a bit of spiciness, but it was very minor. The sweetness dominated throughout the first third of this stick.

Nestor Miranda Dominicano Coffee Break Oscuro Review

Wrapper: Dominican Oscuro

Filler: Nicaraguan

Price: $6.00 - $7.00

Having smoked and enjoyed several other Nestor Miranda cigars, when my local cigar shop got these sticks in, I had to get one and give it a try. I was immediately pulled towards the oscuro because, oscuro wrappers are one of my favorites.  The wrapper was dark brown and oily. There were a few thick veins, but they never altered the burning pattern at all. Before I lit up the stick,  it had a sweet smell reminiscent of chocolate.

As I lighted the cigar, the initial flavor was quite harsh, very spicy. But right after about five puffs or so, the spiciness went away and I started getting the hints of coffee. The coffee flavor was lingering throughout my mouth. After about a half inch or so, the flavor became very earthy. The earth and coffee flavor combined for a very smooth and creamy palate.

Arturo Fuente Opus X xXx "Power Ranger" Review (Saturday Morning Smoke)

Wrapper: Dominican

Filler: Dominican

Price: $10.00 - $13.00

This is one of those cigars that I have been trying to find for some time now. I have heard nothing but great things about the Opus X, so when I found a store that carried them, I had to go ahead and get my hands on a few of them.

This cigar, although small, packs a punch. Before I lit up the cigar I gave it a good look over. The cigar itself smelled very good. It had a sweet aroma to it resembling that of aromatic pipe tobacco mixed with a little bit of maple. Before I lit it, it tasted a bit peppery with subtle sweet notes mixed in it.

The first third of this stick was surprising to say the least. The first several puffs were very strong on the pepper flavor, but that died down quickly. After the pepper flavor subsided a bit, the cigar got much sweeter. After about a half inch or so, the flavors were leaning towards a mix of sugar and maple. This combination was very unique and very enjoyable.

Morro Castle Belicoso Review

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Cuban-seed Nicaraguan and Honduran long leaf fillers
Price: $5.00

Two thing drew me towards this particular cigar. The first thing that drew me in was the band. The band is vintage looking with a lighthouse represented on it. The second thing, the size. I am a huge fan of belicoso cigars.

Before I lit up this stick, I gave it a quick look over. The wrapper smelled pretty good, not excellent. There were no veins in the leaf that would have any effect in the burn pattern. And the wrapper has a flavor that was strikingly similar to oak.

The cigar was slightly spicy and peppery right as it was lit. After a few puffs, there were subtle hints of coffee coming through as well. The combination of coffee and pepper were quite unique. Neither flavor was strong enough to say that it was a prominent flavor.

Kristoff Criollo Matador Review

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Criollo

Filler: Blend of Cuban-Seed Dominican and Nicaraguan long filler

Price: $8.00

This cigar has been intriguing to me for several reasons. The box it comes in looks very rustic, leading me to believe that the cigar is going to have an “old school” feel to it. Also, the color of the wrapper has a reddish tint to it. So when I had the opportunity to get my hand on a few, I went right for it, and decided that I had to write up a review on it.

The wrapper of this cigar was something to just take in. It smelled exceptionally sweet. The wrapper has several veins in it, but not one affected the burn at all. As soon as it touched the cigar to my lips, I could taste the flavors coming out, and the wrapper was very oily and all-around great.

Man O War Armada Toro Grande Review

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Maduro
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: $20

This was the last of the Man O War cigars for me to try. Several years ago, I got my hand on a few of the original Man O War cigars, and they were amazing. So, since then I have been a huge fan of the line. When I had the chance to get my hand on one of these rare gems, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.  Now I know that $20 a stick is kind of pricey, but this cigar, for once, deserves that kind of price tag.

This cigar looks perfect in every aspect. The wrapper in of perfect construction, with no veins at all to alter the burn pattern. The cigar smells just as great as it looks. One I cut and lit this cigar, the flavors starting coming out immediately.

Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve Toro Maduro Review (Saturday Morning Smoke)

Wrapper: Costa Rican Maduro

Filler: Combination from Nicaragua, Panama, and Honduras

Price: $9.00 - $10.00

To me, there is nothing more relaxing than getting up on a Saturday morning and sitting outside with a nice cigar and a cup of freshly brewed coffee. So for now on I am going to do a weekly Saturday Morning Smoke, weather permitting of course.

Before I lit this stick up I gave it a nice look over. The wrapper had a few thick veins in it, but posed no problem throughout the entire smoke. The wrapper was jet black but smelled wonderfully sweet. The smell of the cigar resembled a combination of aromatic pipe tobacco and cedar. The cigar cut very easily and cleanly, and lit with no effort at all.

Gurkha Archive 1887 Churchill Review

Wrapper: Connecticut Maduro

Filler: Nicaraguan

Price $9.00 - $10.00

Before I lit up this cigar, the wrapper smelled great.  Upon inspection of the stick I found no veins thick enough to effect the stick in any way.  This cigar was wrapped very tight, almost to the point that it felt like a rock.

One I lit up this stick, it burned very slow. Quite possibly one of the slowest burning sticks I have ever smoked. The cigar was packed so tight that the draw was a little too difficult to enjoy. Now for about the first inch and a half, the primary flavor that was coming through was the general earthiness of the tobacco. Then, once the cigar started burning a little further, I started getting bit of pepper coming through.  After about two inches, or a half hour in, there came a subtle sweetness to the smoke.

Brick House Mighty Mighty Review

 Wrapper: Havana Subido

Filler: Nicaraguan

Price: $5.00 - $6.00

I have heard several good things about this cigar before. So I figured it was time to do my own write up on it to give a few other people my take of this stick. The wrapper was very flavorful on the lips, and it also was very chewy.

The first third of this stick was amazing. This was one cigars where the flavors jumped out as soon at it was lit. The initial flavor was slightly earthy with very sweet flavors to it as well. To be honest, it actually seemed like the sweetness resembled pancake syrup. After about an inch or so, there were slight hints of pepper coming through. As the smoke continues, the sweetness was lingering on the palate as well as on the back of my mouth.

Diesel Shorty Review

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro

Filler: Nicaraguan tobaccos from the Jalapa, Condega, and Esteli regions

Price: $4.50

This cigar just looks awesome. It measures only four and a half inches but packs a sixty gauge. Under no circumstances should the length of this cigar point you away from this stick. The initial flavor is a spicy delight, yet very earthy, and the aroma off the bat tingles the nostrils. The smoke is a dark gray shade with subtle hints of brown marbled through the smoke.

The first third of this cigar was very interesting to say the least. The flavor was very earthy, with mind cinnamon-like undertones. Also I was getting little bits of chocolate throughout the smoke. The taste was also very sweet on the palate, leaving a creamy film on the roof of my mouth. The subtle notes of cinnamon and chocolate are just swirling together beautifully making this cigar a real pleasant smoke.

Man O War Puro Authentico Review

Wrapper: Habano Ligero

Filler: Nicaraguan Long Leaf Ligero

Price: $7.00

First off, this cigar has a very unique appearance. The foot of the cigar wasn't cut clean and the tobacco on the foot was folded over the fillers. And the other end ad a little twist like a pig's tail. The pre-lite smell of this cigar is absolutely amazing, the smell is just delicious. And the first taste on the lips was very spicy, but in no way was unpleasant.

Once I lit the stick, the cigar was very strong. Not just the regular full body strength, more like a "punch you in the mouth" kind of strong. The draw was great, producing a great deal of smoke.

La Sirena The Prince Review

 Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro

Filler: Nicaraguan Criollo and Corojo

Price: $8.00-$9.00

I have to say this right of from the start, this cigar is amazing. If the band doesn't drag you in, I don't know what will. The band is the complete nautical theme, and is about three inches long, in other words, it is epic. The band nearly stretches two thirds of the cigar. This cigar also smells amazing before it is lit, and one it is, the experience is amazing.

The first third of this cigar starts out with a tender kiss on the lips. The wrapper just expels flavor upon flavor that sent me into overload. It was the complete package, sweet and spicy. More prominent flavors were a cane sugar flavor and pepper. Now the smoke was very thick and heavy, which further proves the full body of the cigar. And the draw is just so smooth and effortless throughout this stick.

Alec Bradley Harvest Selection 1997 Review

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Combination of Dominican Piloto Cubano, Mexican Ligero, and
       Nicaraguan Criollo

Price: $5.00

Now as you can see from my past reviews, I am not much for mild bodied cigars. But, I heard from a few people that this was a fairly good smoke, and I bought it in a sampler pack awhile back, so I figured I would write it up.

At first take, the cigar smelled pretty good. It was also very tightly packed. Once I clipped it and lit it up, the draw was surprisingly easy. The cigar burned a lot faster than i expected it too as well.

I'm going to say this ahead of time... there weren't any strong flavors at all in this stick. If I had to say what I was tasting, it was just a toasty earthiness with very subtle hints of spice. After I was about an inch in or so, the flavor was primarily just a generic sweet tobacco taste.

Padilla Miami Robusto Review

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo

Filler: A Mix of Nicaraguan Criollo and Corojo tobaccos

Price: $9.00

Now I have heard big things about this cigar. It comes highly recommended from several sources, and is highly rated, so I figured it was time for me to put it to the test.

This cigar is beautiful in ever aspect. The color of the corojo wrapper is amazing, the smell of the cigar is delightful, and the flavor is exquisite. The first taste of the wrapper was amazing in every way. The flavor just resonated on the lips.

Once I lit the cigar, the flavors were there instantly. There were definite flavors of wood and coffee right from the start. There was also a slight cocoa flavor that left a very sweet aftertaste on the palate. That sweet aftertaste would eventually become slightly peppery after a few puffs. Towards the end of the first third a slightly nutty flavor entered into the picture and combine perfectly with the other flavors.

Oliveros King Havano Oscuro Review

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Triple-Fermented Oscuro

Filler: Ligeros from different regions throughout Nicaragua

Price: $5.00 - $7.00

Now I have found out over my years of having a stogie here and there that most Oliveros makes a very good cigar, although highly underrated.

Having said that this cigar had an appearance that drew me in right away. The wrapper was the perfect shade, and the smell and texture were amazing. Not to mention that the band on the cigar was very cool looking. The cigar had a very nice cut, no peeling, and no splitting at all.

Once I lit it, it had a relatively hard draw, and the wrapper had a slightly spicy flavor on the lips. Once it was lit, the aroma was very amazing, very fragrant and sweet. But surprisingly there were no prominent flavors at the start of the stick, just a basic tobacco flavor with a very slight peppery flavor.

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Masterpiece Review

Wrapper: Connecticut Maduro

Filler: Dominican

Price: $12.00 - $15.00

Well first off, I want to say that this was the single biggest cigar I have ever had. It was a staggering 9 inch cigar with a 52 gauge.

When I examined this cigar, I was amazed that one single leaf would spiral around to complete this stick. It cut great and the draw was amazing. When I first lit the stick I realized how flavorful and chewy the maduro wrapper was. And I realized I was in for an enjoyable two hour smoke.

The first third had a very sweet complexion of flavors. The more robust flavors I was finding were a sweet, creamy coffee flavor accented nicely with a mild cocoa flavor. After the first inch and a half or so, the

creaminess slowly diminished and an earthy cedar taste come out. This combination was amazing on all accounts.