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

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