Tatuaje Broadleaf Especial

Notes: Measured at 40 rg instead of 38. Prelight aroma of cocoa with flavors of black coffee, unsweetened cocoa, salt, black and red pepper, and molasses. In the last third that familiar sweet milk chocolate flavor unleashed, body and flavor both went from medium to full. The draw tightened up in the last two inches and it immediately became unenjoyable.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty four minutes

Rating: Four stars

Rodrigo Habano Clasico

Notes: Measured 40 ring instead of 38. Flavors of caramel, citrus, sourdough and white pepper. Complexity wasn't great, but this blend has a nice familiar balance. Burn was very uneven at one point, then it tunneled about one inch near the middle.

Smoking time: One hour, six minutes

Rating: Four stars

Fausto

Notes: Another one with a overly restricted draw. Not terrible, but not what I was hoping for. Non descript sugary pre light aroma. Very firm and heavy, the bunch is obviously too dense. Flavors of oak, dark roast coffee, black pepper and cola sweetness. Though complexity suffered, the combustion surprisingly wasn't affected much until the last third, where the flavors became somewhat bitter and damp.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty four minutes

Rating: Four stars

La Casita Criolla

Notes: Wrapper has a very rustic appearance, both the cold draw and pre light aroma are rich milk chocolate. Flavors of red pepper, espresso, milk chocolate and sweet barbecue. Even though the complexity was only average, this blend is stunningly rich, savory and sweet. Combustion and construction were flawless.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty eight minutes

Rating: Five stars

Lost & Found Iconoclast

Notes: Who knows the actual identity of this cigar, don't really care though. Combustion was fine for the first half and then it needed several relights in the second half. Flavors of earth, mineral/salt, cumin, red pepper, roasted nuts and a mild honey sweetness. Became sour at points, mostly in the second half.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty three minutes

Rating: Three stars

La Riqueza

Notes: Pre light aroma of barnyard. Flavors of milk chocolate, tea leaves, dark fruit and white pepper. Body, flavor and strength were all just under medium. Draw was slightly tighter than I prefer and at points I couldn't get a satisfying mouthful of smoke.

Smoking time: One hour, thirteen minutes

Rating: Four stars

BLTC Deliverance 2017 FoF Exclusive

Notes: Measured 7.125 inches and 36 ring gauge. San Andres wrapper has no visible oil, but otherwise very smooth and even color. Flavors of fruit, espresso, salty peanut, pastry, clove, red and black pepper. There was an odd mineral flavor that appeared in the last third, but only on a few puffs. Great complexity and a very unique overall flavor profile. Construction was perfect aside from the measurements being incorrect.

Smoking time: One hour, fifteen minutes

Rating: Five stars

illusione ~hl~ (Holy Lance Maduro)

Notes: Flavors of milk chocolate, molasses, hickory, vanilla, apple, coriander, clove, and white pepper. Light to medium in body and strength with full flavor. Another perfectly balanced and delicious blend from Dion. Construction and combustion were also flawless.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty five minutes

Rating: Five stars

illusione ~hl~ (Holy Lance)

Notes: Perfect density and draw. Flavors of bread and pastry, cream, almond, cinnamon and a subtle white pepper. Extremely consistent smoke that crescendos from light to medium body and flavor. Even with no noticeable transitions, the complexity and elegance of this blend is simply outrageous.

Smoking time: One hour, forty nine minutes

Rating: Five stars

Tatuaje Cabaiguan Guapos

Notes: Draw is also a bit tight. Flavors of white pepper, cedar, citrus and honey. Balance was excellent.

Smoking time: One hour, sixteen minutes

Rating: Four stars

Tatuaje Havana VI

Notes: Draw is somewhat tight. Flavors of oak, citrus and subtle spice with very little pepper. In the middle third, the citrus changes to a darker fruit, there's an addition of bread, and the spice broadens. Complexity and flavor are excellent till the last third, when a tunnel develops, requiring five relights and flavors go downhill quick. Another I want to revisit.

Smoking time: one hour, twenty minutes

Rating: Three stars

Tatuaje Private Reserve

Notes: Construction was great. Pre light aroma of barnyard and chocolate. Flavors of oak, milk chocolate, cumin, almond, vanilla and a touch of red pepper. Great balance and complexity, medium body, full flavor.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty three minutes

Rating: Five stars

Las Cumbres Senorial

Notes: Good construction, draw resistance is too open. Flavors of cedar, cinnamon and red pepper. Also a floral note that gets mostly lost. Overall too harsh from the quick combustion. I can tell this blend would do well with a proper bunch. I want to revisit this.

Smoking time: Sixty three minutes

Rating: Three stars

Room 101 Daruma Gold

Notes: Great density and draw with prelight aroma of spice and hay. Flavors of cedar, burnt coffee, toast and a full range of baking spices. Delicious blend with nice complexity, but in the last third the draw tightened up and flavors became somewhat bitter.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty one minutes

Rating: Four stars

Saga Golden Age

Notes: The Dominican Corojo wrapper is so light it could easily be mistaken for shade grown CT seed. Also of not is the ugly mottling and bumpiness. Draw and construction are otherwise excellent. Flavors of oak, nuts, white pepper and a delicious caramel sweetness that dissipates by the last third. Complexity was lacking and this blend, though great in the beginning, steadily went downhill.

Smoking time: One hour, thirty minutes

Rating: Three stars

Tatuaje El Triunfador No.6

Notes: Draw is tighter than I would prefer. Flavors of red and black pepper, cedar, citrus, nutmeg and salt. There is a faint sourness that persists through most of the cigar. Complexity was lacking and this blend never achieved a good balance between the spice and earth flavors.

Smoking time: One hour, forty nine minutes

Rating: Three stars

Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real

Notes: Flavors of cedar, grass, cashew, cream, and something vegetal that becomes sour around half way through. Balance is okay and there is almost no complexity, but the construction and combustion were decent.

Smoking time: One hour, forty one minutes

Rating: Three stars

Tatuaje Seleccion de Cazador Especiales

Notes: Draw was just slightly too tight. Flavors of cocoa, oak, earth, walnut, and a minimal red pepper on the retrohale. Last third started to get bitter. Complexity is decent and I feel like previous times I've smoked this cigar, they were even better with a correct draw.

Smoking time: One hour, thirteen minutes

Rating: Four stars

Tatuaje Cabaiguan

Notes: Flavors of cedar, bread, mineral, sweet hay and black pepper. Combustion and construction were perfect, just lacking in complexity.

Smoking time: One hour, three minutes

Rating: Four stars

Caldwell Room 101 Hit & Run

Notes: These were a very limited, event only vitola from summer 2017, and in my opinion, the best of the Hit & Run line. Flawless Ecuador Habano wrapper, medium body and strength with full flavors of cedar, butterscotch and that slightly sour tang that seems common with some Dominican tobaccos. Construction was also flawless and complexity was good.

Smoking time: 61 minutes

Rating: Five stars

Casa Fernandez Miami (Original Release)

Notes: This one is from probably 2010 or 2011 and flavors weren't quite as pronounced from the age (I assume). First half was somewhat uninteresting, with flavors of oak and bread. In the second half I noticed some mild, dark fruit and finally got that signature Aganorsa spice and nut combination. Great complexity towards the end and decent construction.

Smoking time: One hour, fourteen minutes

Rating: Four stars

La Palina Illumination

Notes: Medium body and flavor. Dominant flavors of cedar and mineral, but something sour and vegetal building throughout and full strength by the end. Very little complexity. This blend is not working for me in a lancer.

Smoking time: One hour, eighteen minutes

Rating: Two stars

Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta No.13

Notes: I love the contrast between the two wrappers and how they match the colors used on the band. Medium body and full flavors of cream, oak, and barbecue with espresso underneath. Great construction and combustion. A blast of barbecue and spice when I finally hit the criollo wrapped section towards the end.

Smoking time: 59 minutes

Rating: Four stars

La Palina Classic

Notes: Wrapper is a shade lighter than most Habano, almost mistaken for CT shade. First third was very creamy with hints of citrus and cedar. Somewhat harsh by the middle and very little progression or complexity. Body and flavor were just under medium with good construction and combustion.

Smoking time: 56 minutes

Rating: Three stars

Gran Habano Connecticut No.1

Notes: Flavors of cream, wood, hay and a bit of black pepper, but with very little complexity. Overall good construction for the price. Slightly bitter by the last third.

Smoking time: One hour, six minutes

Rating: Four stars

Curivari Achilles Heroicos Peleus

Notes: Nicaraguan puro, no other details available about blend or wrapper. Flavors of oak, roasted nuts, salt and red pepper. Construction was good, but very little complexity.

Smoking time: One hour, sixteen minutes

Rating: Four stars

Protocol Themis

Notes: Beautiful CT shade wrapper with no visible oil. Perfect construction, balance, and decent complexity. Simply delicious and a perfect morning / first cigar of the day. Dominant flavors were cream, cedar and citrus. I think the shorter time was most likely because I just couldn't put it down.

Smoking time: 56 minutes

Rating: Five stars

My Father Flor de Las Antillas (original)

Notes: Feels somewhat soft, but draw resistance is nice. Flavors of oak and cedar, honey, cuimin, coriander, baking spices, and a broad range of pepper. Overall complexity was lacking, but great complexity in the peppers and spices.

Smoking time: One hour, nine minutes

Rating: Four stars

Illusione Cigares Prive H-Town

Notes: Draw seemed a little tight but never impacted the experience. Flavors of milk chocolate, cedar, cinnamon, toasted almond, sweet popcorn, grass, malt grains and a faint red pepper. At certain points I got an amazing pilsner beer sensation with a deep retrohale. Body fluctuated from light to medium, balance, transitions and complexity were fantastic.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty nine minutes

Rating: Five stars

Tatuaje Exclusive Series H-Town

Notes: Rather unappetizing Sumatra wrapper, but construction and cold draw are great. Prelight aroma of hay. Flavors of espresso, cocoa, oak, salt, bread, cornmeal and black pepper. Great construction and combustion, but the balance and complexity of this blend are lacking.

Smoking time: One hour, seventeen minutes

Rating: Four stars

Alec Bradley Nica Puro H-Town

Notes: Measured a quarter inch long. Flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, oak, sourdough bread, minerals,cumin and black pepper. Canoed around the middle and became somewhat bitter by the last third. Flavor was full with decent complexity, but the minor construction problems held it back.

Smoking time: One hour, fifteen minutes

Rating: Four stars

Espinosa Laranja H-Town

Notes: Construction and draw are great. Flavors of coffee, cedar, citrus vanilla, hay, butterscotch, white and black pepper. Full flavor, medium to full body. Very complex blend with nice transitions.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty seven minutes

Rating: Five stars

Herrera Esteli Edicion Limitada H-Town

Notes: Quite firm and the CT broadleaf wrapper looks similar to that on the #9, only a shade lighter. Prelight aroma of milk chocolate and barnyard. Perfect construction and cold draw with flavors of cocoa, coffee, black licorice, red pepper. Delicious but complexity was lacking.

Smoking time: One hour, thirteen minutes

Rating: Four stars

Four Kicks H-Town

Notes: Density is overly firm with noticeable weight and draw is too tight. Flavors of coffee, hay, oak, graham cracker and black pepper. Halfway point brings a caramel sweetness that gives the blend it's first sense of balance, but the tight draw is making everything bitter. I can tell this one would have been great if not for the construction problem.

Smoking time: One hour, forty two minutes

Rating: Two stars

RoMa Craft Neanderthal OM H-Town

Notes: Original release. San Andres wrapper is toothy and sand paper rough. Prelight aroma is milk chocolate which I also taste on the cold draw. Flavors of milk and dark chocolate, oak, clove, cashew, butterscotch and mild black pepper. Full flavor with medium body and strength. Perfect construction, delicious and balanced blend with decent complexity. Legendary.

Smoking time: Sixty nine minutes

Rating: Five stars

Fratello H-Town

Notes: Density feel nice, cold draw flavor is cocoa but resistance is tight. Flavors of cedar, cola, citrus and red pepper. Canoe develops early on and gets worse until the halfway point, during which the flavors were unbalanced and harsh. Construction problems really hurt this one, but I'd like to revisit at some point.

Smoking time: Sixty one minutes

Rating: Two stars

Nomad H-Town

Notes: San Andres wrapper covered in fine tooth, very firm density, but an eighth of an inch short. Prelight aroma is barnyard. Flavors of coriander, salt, roasted peanut, black licorice, white and black pepper. Nice complexity, but a bit of combustion trouble in the last third caused some bitterness.

Smoking time: Fifty nine minutes

Rating: Four stars

Room 101 Namakubi Ecuador H-Town

Notes: Made in 2013, the wrapper of unknown varietal is a deep brown with lots of oils. Ring is closer to 40. Prelight aroma is barbecue, cold draw has great resistance with flavors of maple and pistachio. Flavors of barbecue, cola sweetness, something floral and a blast of white pepper. Extremely spicy and savory, full body and full flavor. Great balance and flavor, but not much complexity.

Smoking time: One hour, five minutes

Rating: Four stars

La Palina H-Town

Notes: Resistance is good and cold draw has a grassy flavor. Flavors of bread, green tea, citrus and black pepper. Good construction but very little complexity.

Smoking time: One hour, ten minutes

Rating: Three stars

Quesada Espana H-Town

Notes: Flavors of bread, almond, honey and later hickory. Body was light and this thing required about ten relights, which muddied the otherwise good complexity. Major combustion problems.

Smoking time: One hour, six minutes

Rating: Two stars

CH Headley Grange Drumstick

Notes: Somewhat ugly Sumatra wrapper, quarter inch short and slightly under 38 ring. Flavors of cedar, caramel, bread, coriander and cumin, something vegetal and white pepper. A constant bitterness develops in the first third and persists for the duration. Great complexity and transitions, but this blend did not work for me in a lancero format.

Smoking time: One hour, nine minutes

Rating: Three stars

La Aurora 100 Anos

Notes: Definitely past it's prime. Remarkably even colored Corojo wrapper. No pre light aroma or cold draw flavor, but resistance was good. Flavors of bread, mineral, coffee and peanut, but all are somewhat harsh. Light body, flavor and strength with decent complexity.

Smoking time: Fifty seven minutes

Rating: Two stars

La Aurora Preferidos Cameroon

Notes: Density is firm. Flavors of wood, salt, cumin, red pepper and a slight citrus and remained very consistent with no noticeable transitions. Great construction and blend.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty eight minutes

Rating: Four stars

LFD Cameroon Cabinet

Notes: Medium brown, oily Cameroon wrapper. Flavors of caramel, cornmeal, white pepper, and a very buttery finish. Body and strength are medium with full flavor. Simple but absolutely delicious blend. Even though complexity was lacking slightly, it still earned top marks.

Smoking time: One hour, thirty seven minutes

Rating: Five stars

LFD Double Ligero

Notes: Sumatra wrapper with some weird veins, almost rustic in appearance. Flavors of earth, espresso bean, cumin, a caramel sweetness and black pepper with red on the retrohale. Strength is full, flavors and body are medium. Relight needed in the last third resulting in flavors becoming muted and slightly bitter.

Smoking time: One hour, eighteen minutes

Rating: Four stars

LFD Coronado

Notes: Softest feel of the five Los Lanceros and most unappealing wrapper but with a very faint tooth. Density feels a bit light but cold draw has nice resistance. Flavors of oak and cedar, almond, soda, cinnamon, cumin and red pepper. Also thought I tasted yeast at one point. Good complexity but this blend doesn't seem to do as well as a lancero.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty minutes

Rating: Four stars

LFD Double Ligero Oscuro

Notes: Very dark and gorgeous wrapper, also with excellent draw and construction. Flavors of espresso, malt, nuts, floral, minerals, and black pepper. Full strength with medium body and flavor. Finish is noticeably smoky and buttery. Great complexity but this blend doesn't agree with me.

Smoking time: One hour, fifty six minutes

Rating: Four stars

LFD Air Bender

Notes: Excellent cold draw with a molasses flavor. Flavors of tea, toast, honey, cinnamon, red and white pepper, and towards the end, cumin, citrus and butterscotch. Spices came through on the retrohale many times and smoke remained cool throughout. Excellent complexity with perfect construction and balance.

Smoking time: One hour, twenty nine minutes

Rating: Five stars

Caldwell Long Live the King Jalapeno

Notes: Red brown Corojo wrapper with lots of oils, somewhat soft with decent draw. Smoke production is limited for some reason. Flavors of milk chocolate, cedar, graham cracker, and white pepper. Struggled at time to keep it lit and smoke seems damp, eventually leading to bitterness. Interesting blend but poor combustion ruined any complexity. I'd like to revisit one of these with two or three months of dry box time.

Smoking time: One hour, eighteen minutes

Rating: Three stars

Caldwell Eastern Standard Silk Road

Notes: Darker than most Ecuadoran Connecticut shade, eighth of an inch short and slightly thinner than 40 rg, and draw is a bit tight. Flavors of coffee with cream, walnut and cashew, cumin and nutmeg, a caramel sweetness, and faint red and black pepper at times. Very flavorful and complex, but the restricted draw made the flavors bitter by the last third.

Smoking time: One hour, thirteen minutes

Rating: Four stars