Monday 27 August 2007

Review - Bucanero La Noche Robusto - 61/100


Well... There is not much to write about the Bucanero La Noche Robusto. It is a Bundled cigar, made by hand from cut tobacco. The blend is that of "their finest maduros".

And maduro this cigar truly is... The color is nearly that of an Oscuro. And the taste is far too sweet throughout the whole cigar. While this is a quite medium bodied cigar, the extremely sweet flavor makes it hard to finish the cigar with one sit.

I guess this goes well with people who like this type of cigars, but i personally prefer more straight forward aroma and taste...

What comes to the construction and appeareance of this Robusto, they are ok. The short filler can be detected through the wrapper, which in itself is quite beautiful.

The burn is somewhat uneven and the draw is fine.

All in all, i will not buy more of these cigars. Simply not anything near my own taste in cigars.

Origin: Nigaragua

Construction 10/20
Appearance 15/20
Smoke/Ash 5/10
Burn 12/20
Draw 15/20
Aroma 4/10 (4,5,3)

TOTAL POINTS 61/100

Review - Montecristo 2 - 95/100

There is nothing quite like the Montecristo 2. This cigar, called the Piramide by the actual rollers of the cigars, is a great example of Cuban cigars craftmanship. It really has CUBA written on it wíth capital letters.

I really really love this cigar. The full flavor starts right from the first puff and really follows you through to the moment you lay it down to die out. This cigar offers perfect draw and excellent flavor every time - Never letting you down. That i can promise.

The Flavor start up with a rich and round tobacco flavor mixed with some cedary notes. The easy draw allows you to take big mouthfulls and let the smoke play on your tongue, but the large ring gauge keeps the burn cool enough not to make the cigar taste harsh at any point.

The second third offers you spicy, rich and generous flavor that intensifies with every draw. some hints of almond can be detected along the way. The last third gathers up all the flavors and ties it up in some woody notes and coffee-like aroma. The great aftertaste follows you for a long time and adds value to the experience even more.

Accompanied with even burn, beautiful looks (perfect wrapper and cap), firm ash and elegant smoke, the unique flavor make this one of the most desired cuban cigars of our time. And in my humble opinion, one of the very best.

Origin: Cuba

Construction 19/20
Appearance 18/20
Smoke/Ash 9/10
Burn 19/20
Draw 20/20
Aroma 10/10 (9,10,10)

TOTAL POINTS 95/100

Saturday 25 August 2007

Top Brand Cigars introducing

As you might know, i have some online retailers supporting my journey through the world of cigars. I thank them dearly and gladly post interesting stories about them here. This is a short introduction from Linda at the TopBrandCigars.com:

The idea of creating TopBrandCigars.Com was to help people experience the real taste of a cigar. It is not just about a fine smoke, it is about the smell of Cuba that we bring to your homes and clubs. Our aim is to make the Havana cigar renowned and enjoyed in every community, small or huge.

When we say that we have a rich selection and affordable prices we mean it. Visit us, put all hesitation aside and choose what YOU like or try something new. When it’s about cigars, there is always something you have to explore.

Our newest acquisition – the long-waited Cohiba Maduro 5 line. Genios, Magicos and Secretos. Wrapper leaves were aged for 5 years to create a smooth and complex aroma…

Linda Gregar,
TopBrandCigars.Com
We’re here to make a smoker’s dream come true.

Saturday 18 August 2007

Montecristo Robusto EL 06

This is my latest.


The picture is NOT taken by me but you get the point. I will contribute with my own pic as soon as I get my camera working again.

The thanks go to TopCubans.com and to Richard and Rick there...Cheers.

I smoked one of these beauties fresh from the box, and it tasted great. I wonder what rest and age will do with these cigars.

PS. I will try to post some reviews soon on different smokes Cuban and Not Cuban alike....

Saturday 11 August 2007

Review - Don Gabriel Robusto - 83/100


The Don Gabriel Robusto is a good looking cigar. Its color is that of a roasted honey. The resemblence to the PSD4 is obvious, but it could not be mistaken for one though, not by looks nor by taste. Don Gabriel Robusto is a whole different story.

The wrapper and cap look ok, but are a little "loose". Could be a single case, but seems like the cigar has not been rolled as carefully as it could have been. Not Major issues but annoying ones nevertheless. The construction was great though.

The cigar has a great sweet, a little musky fragrance. It lights up nicely and the draw is good. The burn is quite uneven but the ash is firm and together with the smoke create a decent experience.

The flavor started sweet and light. It has very sugary body with some honey and faint leathery notes in it. There was even something fruity in the flavor.

Towards the second third of the cigar it became even more sweeter and reminded me of some maduro cigars, as though this is not one... At one point, i kind of thought of Cohiba Robusto, but it quickly faded away. When turning from the second third to the third, the taste announced itself as sugar roasted peanuts, excellent in my books.

The Don Gabriel Robusto is an affordable passtime smoke with great price value. It does not stand up against a hefty steak meal or any strong beverages, but goes great with light flavors or by itself as an afternoon smoke. Despite the minor flaws, i will definitely return to these cigars in the future.

Origin: Canary Islands

Construction 16/20
Appearance 18/20
Smoke/Ash 9/10
Burn 16/20
Draw 17/20
Aroma 8/10 (7,8,8)

TOTAL POINTS 83/100

My new Pride and Joy!

Here is my latest from Cuban-Cigars-Store:

Cohiba Piramides Edicion Limitada 2006. mmmmmm...
thank you Linda

Review - Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story - 85/100


The Perfecto sized Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story is a cigar true to its name and size in many ways - Perfect Short Story. I got a hold of couple of these little buggers thru a trade with a BOTL from Germany called Oliver. Thank you, Oliver.

The Short Story is only 4 inches long and "funny looking", as the perfecto sized cigars can be to a smoker familiar to only the classic shapes. However, i hope you do not let the small size or "weird" shape fool yourself. This is a good cigar on any scale.

The deep brown color and the oily smooth wrapper are perfect. As is the construction of the cigar. The unlit fragrance is quite enjoyable too. Easily lit with great draw and extremely beautiful white ash and smoke can be added to the list as well.

What comes to the flavor, it is well formed, mellow and balanced from the start to the finish. A little too light for my taste, but suits well for a pastime smoke or to be shared with friends along afternoon coffee. The beginning offers some woody notes with a creamy frame and a short finish. Thru the midway of the cigar is the best part. In addition to the creamy, somewhat sweet flavor of the cigar, comes a hint of cinnamon, that lasts to the end.

All in all, the Short Story offers nothing extravagant, but on the other hand, there are no flaws either. Well, if you do not count the fact that it runs out too quickly...

I recommend the Short Story to everyone either looking for a easy smoke or different shape.

Origin: Dominican Republic

Construction 17/20
Appearance 18/20
Smoke/Ash 9/10
Burn 17/20
Draw 17/20
Aroma 7/10 (7,8,7)

TOTAL POINTS 85/100

Sunday 5 August 2007

Arganese Cigars growing and expanding

One of my favourite cigars - Arganese Maduro Chairman (rated 89/100) - comes from Arganese Cigars based in the Dominican Republic. I have had some discussions with some friendly people there and we seem to be building a strong relationship despite the long distance between the Dom. Rep. and Finland.

Anyway, i got this yet to be published press release from Arganese and also the green light to post it here. So, please enjoy reading and having a peek into the world of cigar production:

Since its founding, Arganese Cigars has been dedicated to supplying the “world’s finest cigars.” Recently, however, Arganese Cigars has been forced to expand in order to maintain quality and consistency, as well as to meet the growing demands of cigar retailers and smokers throughout the United States. As founder Gene Arganese explains, “by February 2007 I started to realize that our sales were increasing every month and our facilities wouldn’t maintain our high standards and handle the volume demanded throughout the country.”



In response, in March 2007, Arganese Cigars secured another building in Tamboril, D.R., located in LaPalma Firzona, only minutes from its existing factory. The new facility is four times larger and outfitted with the most advanced equipment possible. In addition to housing the finest plastic molds in the industry, the new factory’s state of the art humidification and aging rooms can hold up to three million cigars, enabling ideal rotation and aging of a larger volume of Arganese Cigars.



Arganese Cigars has also hired two more master supervisors, who, combined, have over 50 years of experience in the premium cigar business. They joined the finest team of cigar rollers in the Dominican Republic, as well as an expanding support staff in the United States.



Arganese Cigars’ expansion proved timely, as the company was flooded by sales calls that poured in following the Tobacco Expo Plus in Las Vegas in April. Since the Las Vegas expo, sales have continued to increase each month. In an effort to keep pace with growing demand, Arganese Cigars has hired more staff, and secured contractual agreements with two more of the finest tobacco farms in D.R., as well as premium tobacco farms all over the world.

As Arganese Cigars grows further to meet the increasing demands of the cigar industry, founder Gene Arganese pledges to “experiment with innovative manufacturing techniques to better our products, and continue to be a leader in the industry while offering our loyal customers the world’s finest cigars.”



If you want more information about the Arganese Cigars or anything related, please contact me via e-mail to mikko.eriksson@welho.com or check out http://www.arganesecigars.com/.

The only thing i'd like to add to all this is, that i hope you'll go and find some Arganese from your local retailer or on the net and try 'em out. I am sure you will NOT be dissapointed.

Peace out

Friday 3 August 2007

New humidor - Adorini Chianti Grande - from Humidor Discount

I am soooooo excited. Today i got my new humidor and some accessories from HumidorDiscount. Very friendly people there, especially Katharina - many thanks to you!

I got myself a new humidor - Adorini Chianti Grande. It holds up to 300 cigars and looks great. a sort of mini-cabinet if you will. take a look:


I also got some super accessories as i already said:
- Adorini steel cigar case for one cigar
- Adorini Bullet punch cutter
- Some other steel cigar case for two cigars
- Trinidad hand made leather cigar case for three cigars (WOW)

Can't wait to try 'em all! if you want more information, please do not hesitate to e-mail me.

peace out