Man O War Side Project 52C Review

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Ligero
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: $9.00

Man O War cigars have been a favorite of mine for a while now. A couple months ago, they released the "Side Projects" which are limited edition cigars. Previously I had reviewed the other two side projects. The Phalanx and the Little Devil were both very good cigars.

The only one left was this one, the 52C. It wasn't until recently that I was able to get this cigar, and I couldn't wait to complete my reviews of all the Side Projects.

The firth thing that I noticed with this cigar, is the chisel tip, which is how this cigar got the name. 52C stands for 52 ring gauge chisel tip. The wrapper leaf is the color of milk chocolate. The chisel's cap is a little rough and made up of three layers.

Man O War Puro Authentico Maduro Review

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro
Filler: Nicaraguan Ligero
Price: $7.00

As many of you have probably learned by now, I am a huge fan of the Man O War cigars. Actually, I just thing that A.J. Fernandez makes great cigars. I was recently offered a trade for this cigar, and I couldn't pass it up.

I reviewed the original Puro Authentico almost a year ago to the day. So I felt it only fitting to review this one right away.

The Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper is dark chocolate in color. This cigar looks absolutely delicious. Started at the double layer cap, that comes to a small twisted end, all the way down to the closed foot.

There were a couple very thin veins, but nothing to worry about. This cigar is perfectly uniform and solid all the way through. After a final look over, I noticed it gave off a very sweet yet peppery smell.

Man O War Side Project Phalanx Review

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: $9.00

If you recall, last week I took the time to review the Little Devil Side Project and I absolutely loved the cigar. Well my fiancé knew that I liked it because I raved about it after I smoked it. Well out anniversary is coming up in a couple weeks, and she decided to get me a box of another side project for it. Well she knew she couldn’t hold them from me for that long, so she gave them to me a little early. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to review this one right away either.

This cigar looks awesome. The chocolate brown wrapper is very oily and smooth. There are actually no veins running through the wrapper at all. As I felt this stick, it was very solid all the way through with not a single soft spot. The cap is made up of two layers that both lay perfectly flush. I gave the cigar a good look over and noticed that it gave off a very strong aroma from the foot that resembled hot pepper and chocolate, very unique.

Man O War Side Project Little Devil Review

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Sun Grown
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: $7.00

As many of my readers probably know, I am a huge fan of A.J. Fernandez's cigars. When I first experienced the original Man O War several years ago, I was instantly hooked. I was browsing a few websites late last week and noticed that there were a few new blends that came out with the Man O War name on them. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to grab a box of them. So I chose these "Little Devils" because they were the perfect size for me to enjoy any time of day.

The wrapper on this cigar is a medium to dark shade of brown and is very smooth and oily. The cam is made up of two layers and is topped off with a nice twisted end. There is actually a closed foot on this cigar as well which makes it very easy to light. There are no thick veins running through this cigar. There are a few thin veins, but nothing out of the ordinary. The cigar is pretty solid all the way through with a slightly softer foot. Before I lit this cigar, I noticed that it gave off a strong smell of pepper and chocolate.

Zack the Stogie Man's Top 10 of 2011

Back in March of this year, I set upon a mission to find some of the best cigars. Throughout the year I have visited a wide variety of shops, as well as different online retailers. But without the help of family, friends, social media, and of course, my friends over at /r/cigars, none of this would have been possible.  Another special thank you goes out to all of the cigar companies that have been in contact with me and their sales representatives for all of the samples they have supplies me with. The people I have met over the past nine months have really helped this website become what it is today. With total page views creeping up on 30,000 views, I feel this website is going in the right direction, and I have all of you to thank for this wonderful feeling.

Now I will get into the part that everyone has been waiting for. This is a compilation, of what I feel, were the 10 best cigars that I reviewed in 2011.

Man O War Special Edition Figurado Review

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan long fillers

Price: $15

A few months back I stopped in the Cigars International Superstore on my way home from a weekend away and I spent an hour walking around. I was like a kid in a candy shop in there. They were running a deal on Man O War cigars. The deal was that when you bought any box of Man O War cigars, get five of their Special Edition Figurados for free. So I bought a box of the Puro Authenticos for $60 and got $75 worth of cigars for free. Sounds like a good deal to me. So these figurados have been sitting in my humidor for a few months seasoning and it is now time to light one up.

The cigar looks very impressive to me. Since it is a special edition, I have pretty high hopes for this one. The wrapper is a chocolate shade with a very sweet smell coming off of it. There were a couple veins, but they were all relatively thin. The cigar is ridiculously hard and caused the draw to be tight. Since the draw was tight, the cigar was difficult to light.

The flavors were there right from the start. This stick was very spicy with strong oak flavors lingering throughout the smoke. The smoke and flavor latched onto my palate immediately leaving an earthy flavor. After a inch and a half or so, the spice dies down to give way to prominent wood and earthy flavors.

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.

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.

Man O War Ruination Review

Wrapper: Habano Ecuadorian Ligero

Filler: Nicaraguan & Honduran

Price: $7.00 - $8.00

First off, I want to say this is one of my all time favorite cigars. The flavors are amazing, and the smoke is delicious.  Now this stick has a very full body. It will knock you back if every once and awhile. The first time I had one, I was already feeling its strength before the halfway mark.

The construction of this cigar is amazing to say the least. The combination of the different tobaccos make this stick easily enjoyable over and over again. The cut is clean and the draw is easy. This is a great cigar to relax with in the back yard.

The first taste of this stick is very spicy and earthy. The spice flavor is a subtle mix of pepper and other spices, and the earthiness is accented with flavors of woods and and leather. After a few draws, the peppery flavor slightly diminishes and a sweeter flavor comes into the picture.