Torano Vault {Tony}

Brand: Torano
Line: Vault A-008
Length x Ring Gauge: Torpedo 6' x 52
Country of Origin: Filler: Nicaraguan; Binder: Nicaraguan; Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium
Date Smoked: May 21, 2014

Notes: Head honcho Charlie Torano recently revisited this cigar with the goal of giving it some extra kick.  This was achieved by using tobacco from Nicaragua's rich, volcanic Ometepe region which is known for it's oily Colorado wrapper that gives intense flavors. 

Immediately the band is very nice and elegant. The first few puffs are very spicy with strong pepper and clove flavors. There's a very interesting sweet undertone that is present only when inhaling it. It doesn't stick around afterwards- whether due to the subtlety of the flavor itself or the overpowering spiciness of the aftertaste, I don't know. After a few minutes the spices begin to mellow and end up leaving more clove and sweet grass aftertastes. However, there is still a great deal of pepper flavor that stays in the back of the throat. One thing I noticed which was kind of strange was that the thin wispy smoke had a green-grey hue to it.

The second third sees the spiciness subside while puffing on it but the aftertaste becoming stronger with the pepper flavor. The smoke has also become much thicker and more billowy. This proves to be a very well constructed cigar with a tight burn line and an ash that is very solid grey white. I never had to retouch it once.

Sadly the last third really took a turn for the worst. There was still some decent flavor but it started to become bitter, which got worse as it got shorter and shorter. I ended up giving up on it with still a good inch and a half or more left. Overall this is a well made cigar but it's definitely not for everyone.

Overall: 6 out of 10

2010 Viaje Holiday Blend Petit Robusto (Tony)

Brand: Viaje
Line: Holiday Blend
Length x Ring Gauge: Petit Robusto 4" x 54
Country of Origin: Filler: Nicaraguan; Binder: Nicaraguan; Wrapper: Criollo 98 Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium
Date Smoked: Feb 18, 2014

Notes: 
If you aren't familiar with this vitola, Viaje started releasing a special Holiday Blend in December 2009 as a small batch 5"x54 cigar with only 100 boxes of 30 cigars to boutique cigar shops.  In 2010 they released 2 different vitolas: a 5"x54 Torpedo and a 4"x54 Petit Robusto, the latter of which I'll be reviewing here.  Only 125 boxes of 30 cigars of each vitola were released in December of 2010.

The cigar has a dark wrapper with a few veins and a wrapped foot.  Even though this cigar has been aging for over a year in my humidor set for 72% humidity (I like my stogies a bit more moist) it was still pretty stiff when squeezed.  The first few puffs bring on a black pepper flavor with toast.  But it's not like regular white bread toast, more like a honey wheat toast, and it's really quite good.  However, it quickly evolves to a sweet clove flavor that leaves just a bit of spice in the mouth.  This remains throughout the first third.

The second third smooths out into a grassy hay flavor that's really good and sweet with a mild spicy aftertaste.  I've seen some other reviews complain about it being too bland here, but I enjoyed the light flavor.  Great for a mid-day quick smoke, which is what this is.  It consistently provided thick smoke and burned down to a solid brownish grey ash.

The last third ramps up a little bit with the spice but ultimately stay pretty true to the rest of the cigar.  I did notice a serious nicotine hit towards the end that I wasn't expecting.  It oscillates between the hay and grassy flavor throughout the cigar.  It is good down to the nub; this thing is a true finger burner.  This is an ideal mid-day smoke, however the $9+ price tag is hardly justified.  Too bad they don't make this in a bigger vitola.
   

Overall: 8.5 out of 10

Pinar Del Rio (PDR) 1878 (Tony)

Brand: Pinar Del Rio 1878 

Line: Cubano Especial Capa Maduro
Length x Ring Gauge: 7 x 54
Country of Origin: Filler: Dominican Republic; Binder: Dominican Republic; Wrapper: Brazilian maduro
Strength: Full Bodied
Date: 16 Feb 2014

Notes:

A long winter came- a la Winterfell- for me and my cigar habit but it's over now and I am back to smoking some well aged cigars in my collection.  I've had a few before this one (Jaime Garcia Reserva, CAO Brazilia) but this is the first one I remembered to take notes on.  I won a box of these PDR 1878 at my local cigar shop just prior to my last tour.  They've been aging in my humidor for some time and I was looking forward to trying one out finally.

It has a dark shiny maduro wrapper and is well constructed overall.  The pigtail was really tight and when I cut it off, I could tell the whole cigar was pretty tightly rolled.  Either that or my cutter is going dull.  The first few puffs were very spicy and almost had a cigarette smoke flavor which I didn't like at all.  However, it quickly evolved into a nice peat moss and spice flavor.  Smoke was plentiful, and the ash was a nice white color. The burn line was razor sharp and never needed any touching up.  The second third brought on a sweet hay flavor with just a little spiciness that was really nice.  The second half must have been more tightly rolled because the draw started getting much harder.  The last third brought on toasty grassy flavors with some subtle spice still there in the aftertaste which remained throughout the end with the spicy peppery aftertaste kicking up ever so slightly.

I expected this to be a very spicy maduro, especially given the first few puffs, but it really turned out to be a relatively mild one that was simply full of good sweet and spicy flavors.  I look forward to smoking the rest of this box, especially the few sticks that have been aging for a while.  It's good to be back and watch out for more reviews!

Overall: 7.5/10.

Partagas Black Label (Greek Mike)

Brand: Partagas
Line: Black Label
Length x Ring Gauge: 5 1/5 x 50 Crystal
Country of Origin: Filler: Nicaraguan; Binder: Dominican Republic; Wrapper: Connecticut Broad leaf
Strength: Full Bodied
Date: March 2, 2013

Notes:

   As a personal preference, I enjoy full-bodied cigars in the winter. The best therapy for plummeting temperatures and cold dry air that accompanies a typical New York City winter is a rich maduro cigar. The dense plume and rich aroma quickly overtake the senses and deliver you away from the frigid cold. Naturally a full bodied cigar needs the company of a full-bodied drink. In  the past, I would recommend a nice cabernet sauvignon. This time around, I decided to be a tad adventurous and give some bourbons a spin. 

  I have been on a bourbon kick recently. Having been introduced to Woodfood Reserve and Buffalo Trace, I have embraced this truly American spirit with full enthusiasm. Yesterday at Lexington Bar and Books, I enjoyed the Partagas Black Label Crytsal cigar with a Woodford Reserve on the rocks, followed by a bourbon (Knob Creek) Manhattan. The Partagas Black Label was very rich. Daniel Nunez truly created a maduro masterpiece constructed from Dominican, Nicaraguan and American tobacco. At the beginning of the smoke, there is a "woody" subtlety that complements the Woodford reserve. As the experience continues, the taste becomes more complex. A bourbon Manhattan augments this complexity. Your head is swimming with nicotine and alcohol goodness. The taste of the cigar with the Manhattan, the sight of the plume and the smell of the bouquet transports you away from the bitter NYC cold. 

Overall, this cigar is among my favorites. It is full bodied and packs a punch. It is a very well constructed cigar with an even burn and white ash. Its definitely a seasonal cigar. I cannot imagine smoking this during the heat and humidity of summer... I consider this cigar better suited for "winter" therapy.

Overall: 8.5/10.

Alec Bradley at Oktoberfest (Greek Mike)

Brand: Alec Bradley
Line: Jam
Length x Ring Gauge: 6 1/2 x 52 Toro
Country of Origin: Nicaragua (filler, binder and wrapper)
Strength: Medium
Date: October 7, 2012

Notes:

   A few months ago I wrote about a somewhat lackluster debut of Alec Bradley's Jam. After 3 months of aging in the humidor (giving the tobacco leaves a chance to emit their oils), I decided to give these cigars another go.

Cigardoc fans enjoying life at Oktoberfest

  The venue: Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains NY; The event: Oktoberfest; Beer of choice: Sam Adams Oktoberfest (the superior oktoberfest this season, sorry Brooklyn Lager) and Vegetable of choice: awesomely delicious bratwurst.

  The aged Alec Bradley added to the aforementioned experience. The sights, the sounds, the smell, it was truly Oktoberfest ala cigardocs. The smoke was smoother and less ashy towards the end. The draw was consistent (aged or not aged). The plume was rich and the bouquet was complex and aromatic. Aging definitely improved the experience of smoking this cigar. As far as libations, I feel this is definitely a beer cigar. I look forward to aging these Jams for NEXT Oktoberfest. I predict they will be phenomenal.

Overall: 8 out of 10 (3 months aged).

Onyx, Beer and the Jets, oh my! (Greek Mike)

Brand: Onyx
Line: Reserve
Length x Ring Gauge: 6 x 50 Toro
Country of Origin: Binder and Filler: Dominican Republic; Wrapper: Connecticut Broadfleaf Maduro Wrapper
Body: Full
Date: September 30, 2012
Notes:

  Football, beer and cigars help prepare one for the inevitable challenges during the approaching workweek. You can find all three at Sullivan's on Bell Boulevard. Sullivan's is a well known anchor, almost an institution, on Bell. They have open air seating along with a designated smoking section (which is a tad on the drab side, but beggars can't be choosers). The food is typical bar fare, beer is decent but there are tvs aplenty and the atmosphere really sets this place apart from other bars on Bell. If you are nice enough, you are welcome to smoke cigars at the outside bar (instead of the smoking section).
  Watching the Jets lose wasn't as painful when smoking an Onyx Reserve. I had purchased this maduro cigar back in 2006 and has been aging in my humidor since then. The even burn gave way to a rich plume of smoke with a deep, toasty bouquet. The draw was excellent, and the buzz was not too overwhelming. Towards the end of the cigar, the draw was not too hot, and the taste was not ashy. This cigar truly improved with age.
 Straight from the box, an Onyx reserve is a good smoking. Aging this cigar makes it even better (or at least better than an aged CAO maduro, and at a fraction of the price).

Overall: 9.5 out of 10 (mainly due to the aging of the cigar)

Diesel Unlimited D7 Churchill (Greek Mike)

Brand: Diesel
Line: D7
Length x Ring Gauge: 7 x 58 Churchill
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Strength: FULL bodied
Date: September 14, 2012
Notes:

   *CAUTION, NOT FOR THE WEAK* This is by far one of the strongest, most full bodied cigar I have ever smoked. With a dark brown, oily smooth wrapper, a rich aroma and a full body (emphasis on full), this cigar will easily incapacitate you in a nicotine-induced euphoria. I have had this cigar with beer, with red wine, with a scotch.... the cigar held up with all three libations. This cigar is so well constructed that it never gets hot or ashy, even when you are brave enough (or have the constitution) to smoke this monster to the nub.
     In order to diversify the opinion on this blog, I presented the Diesel d7 churchill to a close friend of mine while vacationing in Florida. I believe that he summed it best "If a 1992 Rocky Patel Reserve and a Hoyo De Monterray had a baby and that baby was raised by Chuck Norris, we would have the d7 churchill".
    To capture the sheer force of this cigar, you would have to imagine Mike Ditka fighting a hurricane named Ditka during Armageddon. The cigar is that strong, and that awesome.

Ditka vs Diesel d7

   Overall, the cigar was flawless. Its strength, its taste (some hints of chocolate), the smooth draw, the aroma, the bouquet.... I would have to say that this is the perfect cigar. I have smoked this brand and line on three different occasions. All three were consistently awesome. This cigar is a force to be reckoned with.
Overall: 10 out 10 (perfect cigar)

CAO Maduro, aged (Greek Mike)

Brand: CAO
Line: Maduro
Length x Ring Gauge: 5.5 x 42 Corona
Country of Origin: Fillers: Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua; Binder: Nicaragua; Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Strength: Full bodied
Date: August 25, 2012
Notes:
    Fidel Castro had a great philosophy. You smoke a cigar to commemorate a victory or lessen the impact of a defeat. I decided to smoke a CAO Maduro that I had in my humidor since 2007. I cannot disclose the purpose of my indulgence but, I can say that I enjoyed a smoke with a buddy of mine.
  Drinking a refreshing IPA is quintessential for a cool summer evening, however, the cigar was a little disappointing. There is no doubt in my mind that CAO makes quality cigars (albeit on the pricey side). I often enjoyed CAO cigars (Maduro, Extremes, Golds). I allowed this maduro to age 5 years in my humidor as an experiment to determine the effects of cigar aging on taste. While it works quite well on some cigars, it does not work well for this one.
   The burn was even, but the ash wasn't long. Plume was rich and thick (as characteristic of a maduro), with a leathery note. Draw was smooth. However, the last third of the cigar was extremely hot and ashy to the point of annihilating the taste. While I was expecting an oily, slow burning, cool smoke (i.e. as an Onyx Reserve), I experienced a leathery turd (sorry CAO). While the aged cigar was not that great, it is still better than a Galleon, or a Helix. I would not recommend aging this one.

Overall: 5 out of 10

Like this, only eligible for social security

Getting Diesel with Diesel d.x. (Greek Mike)

Brand: Diesel

Line: d.x

Length x Ring Gauge: 5.75” x 56 belicoso

County of Origin: Honduras (wrapper), Nicaragua (binder and filler)

Strength: Full bodied

Date: August 18, 2012

Notes:

                Sitting on a leather couch, sipping on a Manhattan while the James Bond classic “For your eyes only” plays in the background. A woman in a red cocktail dress leans over to ask if there would be anything else. It is here, at Hudson Bar and Books that you can enjoy the opulence of a cigar in the lower west side, within a stones throw of the famous Belgian beer bar, Vol de Nuit (another one of my favorite haunts).

                The cigar which complemented the Manhattan (followed by a glass of Pinot Nior) was the Diesel d.x.  This cigar offers a very smooth smoke and consistent draw throughout. Even when you smoke this to the nub, it does not get hot or ashy, as a testament to its fine construction. The draw is easy and so smooth that you only notice the taste. The plume is rich and thick, offering an earthy bouquet. The taste, at first subtle, builds intensity over time. Notes of leather and spice become evident. This was truly an enjoyable and versatile smoke. The Manhattan (two parts rye whiskey, one part vermouth and some bitters) did quite well, but a wine pairing (the pinot nior, a light red wine that does not mask any cigar flavor) was more appropriate.

                This particular cigar had been aging for over 14 months in my humidor. Aging definitely improves the quality and taste of this smoke. I would recommend this cigar and age it gracefully for good things truly come to those who wait.

Overall: 9.0 out of 10

Alec Bradley's Jam (Greek Mike)

Brand: Alec Bradley

Line: JAM

Length x Ring Gauge: 6 ½ x 52 Toro

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

Strength: Medium

Date: July 21, 2012

Notes:

            The cigar of the weekend was Alec Bradley’s Jam. I smoked this cigar at Studio Squared in Astoria. Studio Squared is another beer garden that a little more stylish than my beloved bohemian beer garden. The crowd is rather brusque than other places in Astoria, which is why I do not frequent it as much. The second time I tried this cigar was in a club that shall remain nameless (for obvious reasons).

            I tried this cigar with beer on both occasions. In all honesty, I feel a nice, rich red (read: cabernet sauvignon or even a spicy shiraz) would be more adequate. The cigar itself is very well constructed. The burn is even, giving off a rich plume and a nice long ash. The taste seemed rather immature. I didn’t detect any of the notes mentioned in other reviews. It seemed that this cigar should age very well in my humidor and develop a rich, complex taste. While it is a decent cigar right now, it should be phenomenal once it is aged.

Overall: 6 (grade pending on the age of the cigar)