Gurkha Shaggy Torpedo (Greek Mike)

Brand: Gurkha

Line: Shaggy Torpedo

Length x Ring Gauge: 6.5 x 53 (torpedo)

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (wrapper, filler, binder)

Strength: Medium Bodied

Date: April 26, 2011

Notes:

One of the greatest cigars that date back to the British Raj, the richness of their history is reflected in the quality of their cigars. The untrimmed foot gives this cigar its characteristic look. On a very windy day, sitting at the Washington Irving Boat Club overlooking the Hudson river with the NYC skyline off in the distance, this cigar was surprisingly easy to light. The untrimmed foot makes this cigar ideal for a windy day. The smoke was consistent with a smooth draw. Although there was an uneven burn throughout most of the cigar (which can be attributed to high winds), the final third was almost naturally evened out.

This is a beer cigar. The taste itself is satisfying, seemed to go fine with Bud Light or even Blue Moon (the drink of choice that day). While the smoke was enjoyable, and the draw was great, my issues with the cigar consist of the uneven burn throughout most of the smoke (again, could be weather related), and an almost sour aftertaste.

Overall: 7 out of 10

CAO Odyssey 2000-2001 (Greek Mike)

Brand: CAO

Line: Odyssey 2000-2001

Length x Ring Gauge: 6.75 x 55 (Perfecto)

Country of Origin: Nicaragua, but actually a complex mixture of all the CAO lines

Strength: full bodied

Date: April 12, 2011

Notes:

I have a love/hate relationship with CAO (see previous Greek Mike review, i.e. "Syriana"). It is an interesting relationship because I love some of the CAO lines (gold, maduro, extreme), but I am not a fan of the price. The CAO Odyssey is definitely among their more expensive (and difficult to find) lines. The filler is comprised of an intricate complex of six different cuban seeded tobacco from different regions, each region reflecting a line in their cigars. It is, in fact, an Odyssey of taste (thank you Captain Obvious).

Hands down this is a great cigar. A cigar that I feel is worth the price. Any cigar hobbyist, connoisseur, admirer, or even addict must try it at least once. I first had this cigar at my friend's bachelor party in Vegas back in 2006. Sitting at a Black Jack table in the Venetian smoking these with the groom was most memorable. Winning a hand, losing a hand, in the end it didn't matter because I was smoking one awesome cigar (that and I broke even anyway). I was actually enthralled with this cigar.

Not one to trust a first time smoke (perhaps it was a fluke), I was lucky enough to acquire another Odyssey recently. I did not need to complement the cigar with any drink whatsoever.... the cigar itself had a taste of red wine. It had that very slight acidity aftertaste, the type that does not burn your tongue but provides a nice little kick. The draw on both occasions (both in 2006 and recently), was exceptionally smooth. This is the type of cigar that Odysseus himself would have enjoyed returning home from Troy.

If you ever come across this cigar, don't think of the price and indulge yourself. It is well worth the experience.

Overall: 9.8 out of 10 (I consider this cigar second only to the Partagas Serie D No 4).

Odysseus laments only having 1 cigar after a 10 year voyage.

I don't understand NYC laws (Greek Mike)

Recently the City Council of New York passed a law prohibiting smoking in public areas and public parks due to "health concerns". First of all, I do understand the intention of this law. It is to promote a healthy lifestyle in the city and minimize air pollution.

My friends, the path to hell is lined by good intentions. Now, consider this.....obesity is a HUGE problem in these United States (pun intended). I, myself, am considered obese (I like beer, I like donuts and Homer Simpson is my role model) and obesity is a far greater health risk than smoking. If NYC (especially mayor Bloomberg) is truly concerned with public health, why not tax the obese? Or better yet, prevent obese people from ordered out? or even eating? Seems obscene and offensive? Well, it won't end there porky!

Consider this.... if you are in a closed space for a half hour with your car running, you die. If you are in a closed space for a half hour with cigar/cigarette smoke, your clothes and hair smell. Which emissions are more toxic? So if the city of New York is TRULY concerned with public health, they should also pass a law prohibiting any car that has an exhaust from driving near public parks. Ridiculous? Absolutely!

The true culprit.... Mister Softee ice cream trucks. These are not only bad for the environment (gas-guzzling, toxic emission spewing carriers of delicious frozen treats), but they ALSO encourage obesity! Do not target the cigar smokers off in the corner of the park who are merely enjoying an afternoon smoke, target these diabetes-peddlers!

Seems ridiculous? It is. Smokers are denied basic rights due to strict and absurd laws. Laws passed by out of touch politicians. The fact that this law was passed in NYC (but the police will not enforce it) is a sign of the times... a scary sign. Remember, Hitler was a non-smoker....and he was defeated by three smokers (Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin).

"A man with no vices, has even fewer virtues."-Honest Abe Lincoln.

Oliva Serie O (Greek Mike)

Brand: Oliva

Line: Serie O

Length x Ring Gauge: Perfecto 5 x 55

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (filler, binder AND wrapper)

Strength: Medium

Date: March 18, 2011

Notes: Another beautiful day in Queens, NY and another beautiful cigar. the Oliva Serie O stands for "original blend". The aroma is great (as in a typical Nicaraguan puro) and I would consider this cigar to have a well-rounded body and aroma. The wrapper was silky smooth. My one and only gripe with this cigar was the finish. It was very hot (and not in a sexy way), which did put a damper on the overall smoke.

I read that Cigar Aficionado gave this brand a "92". I would be wary of cigar rankings from that magazine. It is known that the more money a company spends on advertising, the higher they rate their cigar. I would read that magazine to see what is new and also compare some notes. I admit that sometimes I do not taste hints of cocoa, or pepper or raw cow hide (read: leathers) in cigars, but I love their feature articles and sometimes they peak my curiosity to check out new brands.

I tried this cigar with a nice Spanish Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon (2008 Volteo). Surprisingly the cigar brought out the nuances of the wine. I know my friends will make fun of me for saying this, but the cigar brought out an almost berry taste in the wine.

As far as cigars go, its a decent cigar. I would definitely smoke it again, but given the choice, I would go for an Joya de Nicaragua instead (again, due to the very hot last third of the cigar).

Overall: 7 out of 10 (gets uncomfortably hot towards the end).

Astral Talanga Valley Selection (Greek Mike)

Brand: Astral

Line: Talanga Valley Selection

Length x Ring Gauge: Corona Gorda 6 x 50

Country of Origin: Honduras (Filler: Honduras; Binder: Honduras; Wrapper: Honduras)

Strength: Full

Date: March 17, 2011

Notes: Top o' the evening to ya! This St. Patty's Day, we were lucky to have very beautiful weather in NYC. It was in the 60s, and I was sitting out on my porch gazing into the traffic at a distance, smoking one of my most beloved cigars, the Astral Talanga Valley Selection. This full bodied, well constructed (with some impressive white ash), spicy cigar is the premium line among Astrals. Complimented with a very excellent beer (Trois Pistoles, courtesy of my better half), the smoke was smooth, savory and gave a little kick in the end.

This Honduran puro was very enjoyable. As a matter of fact, during my years of smoking this brand, I have yet to come across one that has been poorly constructed. The draw was perfect, the bouquet wonderful (although I am very much against smoking indoors, as a bouquet aroma can end up smelling like ass within 24 hours).

Another interesting quality is the ability to age this cigar. They are perfectly fine smoking them right out of the box, but if you age them, the taste does matures with complexity over time. Having smoked one that was aged for 2 years, I can tell you that there were many complex notes. I would prefer this cigar over many cubans, and even some other "premium" cigars. Astrals are usually on the low-end among cigar brands, but this line really stands out for its quality and taste. It is also reasonably priced.

To compliment this cigar, I would recommend a full bodied beer. Normally I would not recommend a strong beer with a strong cigar as the tastes would get masked, not so in this case. Trois Pistoles is comparable to a Chimay Blue and it really brought out the taste in the Astral. A nut brown ale, or even porter beers would also go well.

Overall: 9 out of 10

5 Vegas Gold (Greek Mike)

5 Vegas Gold

Country of Origin: Honduras (Wrapper: Ecuador, Connecticut; Binder: Honduras; Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras).

Size: Churchill, 7 x 50

Date: 3/8/2011

Notes:

This cigar is considered a mild, everyday cigar. Mild to medium bodied, but also reasonably priced. I think out of all the "Gold" cigars I have tried (CAO Gold, Macanudo Gold), this one gives you the best smoke for your dollar. I drove up to Porterhouse in White Plains (on Mamaroneck Avenue, a vast selection of beers and some pretty tasty food too). They are somewhat cigar-friendly (you can still smoke on their patio which is dotted by heating lamps), and met up with a dear friend. We drank some Paulaner Hefeweisens and enjoyed the 5 Vegas Gold. This is definitely a beer cigar. The Hefeweisen is also not a heavy beer, which complimented the cigar nicely.

Well constructed, good draw and mild taste, but considering the price, I would prefer this cigar over the CAO and Macanudo versions.

Overall: 7/10 (a nice afternoon cigar)

Cohiba Siglo I (Greek Mike)

Cohiba Siglo I

Country of Origin: Cuba (Filler, Binder and Wrapper: Cuba).

Size: Petit Corona, 4" x 40
Date: 3/6/2011

Notes: The Cuban Cohiba, once the treasured private cigar of Fidel Castro himself is one of the jewels in the pantheon of great cigars. The siglo I is a spicy firecracker, but drawbacks include the hit or miss construction (see previous reviews), and the cigar gets extremely hot towards the end (i.e. the last third of the smokable portion). The cigar starts off smooth and spicy, but due to its size and draw can end very hot and almost ashy.
Cohibas can age very well in the humidor (I prefer to keep the humidity a little above 70 because I like my cigars to be a little moist). Aging a Cohiba Siglo I (at least 6 months) significantly eases the heat from the last third and hence prevents that ash-like aftertaste.

Overall: 7/10 (not aged), 8/10 (aged)

CAO L'Anniversaire (Greek Mike)

CAO L'Anniversaire Cameroon Belicoso

Date: 3/5/2011

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (Filler: Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Wrapper: Cameroon).

Size: Torpedo (that's what she said), 6" x 54

I am a huge fan of CAO cigars. I would buy CAO Cameroon, Maduro, Extreme, Gold by the boxes. They are mighty tasty smokes with consistent construction. However, since the popularity of Sopranos took hold, I found the CAOs to be too commercial with too different many lines. Then came the Italias, the Brazilias and even Americanas (I am wondering if they will follow with the Libyanas, EUanas and the Syrianas). The puro, the taste, the plume, the richness of the aroma drew me to the C.A.O., but unfortunately the commercialism (which was followed by the increase in price) pushed me away.

This cigar (L' Anniversaire) is a medium bodied smoke ideal for the spring time. I always drank a Cabernet with this cigar. I feel a beer would ruin the taste and a scotch would mask it. The red wine brings out the flavor (a great compliment) and according to theories in medical physiology, rich nicotine from a Nicaraguan cigar (a fine one from CAO) + a nice Cabernet = happy panda.

Overall: 8/10 (its medium bodied, flavorful and really compliments a nice cabernet).

However, if price is an issue, and you want something similar, I would recommend Joya de Nicaragua.

Another line from the marketing geniuses of CAO:

Excalibur 1066 Lancelot {Greek Mike}

Brand: Excalibur 1066 Lancelot

Length x Ring Gauge: 7.25” x 54

Country of Origin: Honduras (Wrapper: Cameroon; Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican; Binder: USA Broadlead)

Strength: full bodied

Date: May, 2001

Notes: During the twilight of my tenure as an undergraduate at Cornell, I was sitting outside McGraw Tower overlooking the slope with two of my closest friends, and beloved cigar chums. On that particularly humid day, we lit some Excalibur cigars while contemplating the past four years, and discussing plans for the summer and post graduation. The smooth taste and pleasant plume of the cigar added to the ambiance. Our conversation eventually involved the arts (these conversations are a plate of intellectual hors d'oeuvres, a little bit of everything). Allow me to paraphrase:
I am a proud patron of the arts.
Dude, I do not think strip clubs count.
Of course they do! Ballet, interpretative, pole…. Dancing is dancing.

Because of this conversation, whenever I smoke Excaliburs, I always ponder whether the NYC Ballet would ever consider pole dancing.

OK, so back to the cigar. The draw on the cigar was even, with a nice taste. It’s a versatile, spicy cigar. I say versatile because it goes well with a nice Scotch, a cold beer or a pinot nior (a heavier wine would mask the taste). The plume is rich and thick. I would recommend this cigar on a warm summer evening (probably talking about the arts).

Overall: 8 / 10
{Greek Mike}

Don Diego {Greek Mike}

Brand: Don Diego

Line: Torpedo

Length x Ring Gauge: 6 x 50

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Filler: Dominican Republic; Binder: Indonesia; Wrapper: USA/Connecticut Shade)

Strength: Medium

Date: May, 2002

If Padron (one of my favorite cigars) is the Chimay of medium bodied cigars, and Philly Blunt is the Schlitz of cigars then the Don Diego would be considered the Pabst Blue Ribbon. I write this with all sincerity as a Pabst Blue Ribbon fan (thank you Blue Velvet). If you are not too big on taste, but you want a nicotine fix then this cigar is for you. I consider this to be a step above a cigarette. Its a rather ho-hum cigar that doesn't really stand out. I do not harbor any ill content with this cigar.... I would smoke Don Diegos while recapping the events of a week among friends in a pool hall that could potentially be the setting of another Coen Brother's film.

Overall, as medium bodied cigars would go, I give this a 5/10