Review - La Galana Torpedo Clásica - 89/100

The La Galana Torpedo are an oddity amongst many other cigars, as they are manufactured in Cologne, Germany. To my knowledge, the La Galana factory is one of the very few in Europe nowadays. The factory is owned and run by Annette Meisl, a friendly and a beautiful lady with a burning passion for cigars.

What comes to the Torpedo Clasíca cigar itself, it is a great smoke, starting from the look and feel... The cigar has a rustic wrapper with some veins and a shine, which reminds me of polished mahogany. It feels firm in hand and creates expectations with an earthy and woody fragrance unlit.


Spicy start to the flavor, showing off powerful tobacco and dark earthy tones, which smooth down going to the second third. Some distant whispers of heated wood and mushrooms. Like sitting on the porch after a sauna, watching the rain play on the leaves and trunks of late summer's trees. Finishes off with bitter liquorice.


A heavy, full bodied cigar with a somewhat linear profile, but a great smoke nonetheless. Some resemblance to a few old school Cuban cigars, although made from Nicaraguan tobacco. Goes well every time of the day, but really comes to life after a heavy and rich-flavored dinner or with a sweet drink in hand... 


Origin: Germany


Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nigaragua


Points: 89/100

Review - Bolivar Petit Belicosos Edición Limitada 2009 - 90/100

The limited edition Petit Belicosos from Bolivar is only of some resemblance to the "general" release Bolivar. This dark, veiny cigar carries a lot of power in a small package, most of it coming from the young tobacco - the rest is just pure Bolivar.

Definitely a full bodied cigar with complexity all over the board. There is some acidity in the beginning, but soon it gives way to powerful flavors of leather and some strong herbs and spice. Going forward, the intensity decreases, but not by sacrificing the rich flavors. Towards the ends, a lot of oils gather to build up a nice bitter chocolate ending. 

A little off balance, but nothing a few years in proper conditions would not correct. Huge potential!

Origin: Cuba

Wrapper: Cuba

Binder: Cuba

Filler: Cuba

POINTS 90/100

Review - Partagas Serie D.3 Edicíon Limitada 2006 - 93/100

This Corona Gorda can easily be recognized as a part of the Serie D family. As its siblings D4 and D5, the D3 holds its head up high amongst the other contestants from Cuba. 

By looks, it resembles the D5, although a different vitola. It is beautifully wrapped and has a flawless triple cap. The size fits my hand perfectly.  First fragrances rising from the unlit cigar are those of cocoa, chocolate and espresso. 

A few years have done splendorous things to the smoke - it has a smooth and mellow character with sweet creaminess and chocolate. Half way through, the cigar opens up with some beautiful espresso followed by faint spice and a leathery finish.  A cigar with finesse and character, no doubt.

Origin: Cuba

Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba

POINTS 93/100

50 Cigar Bands

Here is a great piece on pre-embargo Cuban cigar bands by Cary Georges. Check it out and let the nostalgia sweep over you. Just click the link below:

LA Times - 50 Cigar Bands

Thanks Cary!

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Review - Partagas Lusitanias - 100/100

Partagas Lusitanias is simply a perfect cigar.

It has a perfect balance of aroma and strenght. A thoroughly interesting experience in a full bodied form. The Lusitanias has an intoxicating scent unlit which gently whispers suggestive words to your year - or should i say nose ... ?

The Lusitanias can often be referred to as possibly the best cuban cigar in production (ever?), and i must admit i agree 100%. Never have i smoked a cigar which would fit my palate as perect as the this gorgeous giant of a cigar does. With all its smoothness and creaminess combined with some herbal and spice notes, finished off by some faint cocoa, honey and wood from the shadows of the tobacco barns in Cuba...

The cigar offers two hours of pure pleasure, holding a perfect draw and burn until the very last draw burning your fingers. No other cigar could hold its title as the "Emperor of Havanas" with as much dignity than the Partagas Lusitanias.

Origin: Cuba

Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba

POINTS: 100/100 points

Review - Room 101 Robusto 305 - 92/100

The Room 101 cigars is a joint effort from the Owner and designer of Room 101 Silver - Matt Booth - and Camacho Cigars. two great concepts joining forces to create something extraordinary.

The 101 robusto "305" is an easy cigar to approach. It is a beautiful concept combining a great looking cigar with two beautiful bands. The wrapper is silky and smooth with a dark brown gloss. A few veins do not bother too much and the cigar feels good in hand. The burn is occasionally a little of and the draw might be a little too loose, but nothing of any signifigance.

This medium bodied cigar starts a little dry as herbs, gras and leather take the lead. Half way through it opens up to reveal some heavy chocolate and espresso. In the generous amount of smoke you can really get a good taste of the whole flavor profile of the blend.

A Luscious Smoke.

Origin: Honduras

Wrapper: Honduras (Semilla 101)
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras, Dominican

POINTS: 92/100 points

Review - Santa Maria Robusto - 83/100

A new acquaintance for me an d probably for almost everyone. The Santa Maria Robusto from Panama Caribbean Tobacco is an interesting cigar. It is next to free in price and it holds its value as an everyday cigar.

As little as i know about the cigar, i thought i'd let the smoking do the talking. The Panamanian puro delivers a steady stream of sweet tobacco flavor with woody and leathery notes visited occasionally by spicy whispers. Nothing too complex, but nothing too overwhelming or "off" to turn you off. And the price does not stop you from tossing it away if it does not suite your style anyways...

I will continue to explore the products from Panama Caribbean Tobacco for sure, and hopefully i will get back to you with more news.

Origin: Panama

Wrapper: Panama
Binder: Panama
Filler: Panama

POINTS: 83/100 points

Review - E.P. Carrillo Edición Inaugural 2009 - 93/100

The first cigar out from the E.P. Carrillo brand is simply awesome. Not only is it unique in flavor, it is featuring a blend of rare tobaccos used in unique ways. It is a combination of Nicaraguan and Dominican filler aged fro two years, tied together with two binders - Dominican and Nicaraguan - both aged for 5 years and as an icing on the cake, it has a very beautiful and rare golden wrapper from Ecuador which has been aged for 3 years.

The cigar looks and feels beautiful and tastes excellent. It is a medium bodied medley of ever changing flavors which create a complex and unique profile. Within its creamy bosom it holds tones of wood, leather and cedar, reaching out for some fruits - perhaps from the citrus family.

This honestly is something you would expect form a legend like Ernesto. I would not have it any other way. Read more on the E.P Carrillo brand and the man himself from an interview or go and buy the cigars. It's worth the money.

Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican, Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican, Nigaragua

POINTS: 93/100 points

Review - Flor de Gonzáles 15 Aniversario Robusto - 91/100

The limited edition Robusto from Flor de González is a treat. It has all the ingredients to make a great cigar. It looks good with its deep brown "desflorado" wrapper. It feels solid and good in the hand and it has a great aroma unlit.

What comes to flavor, it also delivers. From the woody start rises a balanced mix of nuts and sweet tobacco, layered with a creamy topping. This all comes from the Ecuadorian wrapper and the Dominican, Nicaraguan and Panamanian fillers complementing each other.

Complexity and flavor carry on nicely until the last few draws. completed with its even burn and nice white ash, this medium bodied cigar reaches a high score in my books. I'd Recommend you should go and hunt one down somewhere.

Origin: USA

Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Dominican, Nicaragua, Panama

POINTS: 91/100 points

A Rainbow of Wrappers - a Short Guide to the Wrapper Color Range

As in shapes of cigars, there is also a wide variety in the color and shades of the wrapper leaves used in cigars. The common belief is that the color of the wrapper determines the strength of the cigar, as in darker the wrapper the stronger or fuller-bodied the smoke.

This is however not true. The part the wrapper plays in the strength depends on the quality and origin of the wrapper leaves and on the ring gauge of the cigar. Smaller the RG, a larger part the wrapper plays in the strength as well as in the over all flavor profile. What little can be determined from the color of the wrapper, is that darker wrappers tend to be sweeter and "rounder" in taste than the lighter ones.

As a general consensus, wrapper colors can roughly be divided into seven categories:

Double Claro

Green in color. Sometimes referred to as “Candela”. More popular in the past. Not so much in production today.

Claro

Very light beige. most often originated from Conneticut.

Colorado Claro

Medium Brown in color. The most popular wrapper in production today. Often referred as "Natural". Also usually from Conneticut or grown from Conneticut-Seed.

Colorado

Brown wrapper with a recognizable red hue.

Colorado Maduro

Dark version of the Colorado Claro. Usually from Cameroon or Havana Seed grown in Nicaragua or Honduras.

Maduro

Dark brown. Most Maduro wrappers come from Nicaragua and Brazil. Also some from Conneticut and other areas. Very popular in production today (especially on the USA market).

Oscuro

Simply: Black.

A wide selection of cigars with different wrapper types can be found also from our friends at Famous-Smoke.com and CigarMonster.com

King of Smokes 2009

As the situation at work is starting to settle down, it is a perfect time to begin postings for this year. And what better subject to start with than King of Smokes - a retrospective view on the cigars reviewed in 2009. here goes:

King of Smokes 2009

1. Partagas Serie D 5 Edicíon Limitada 2008

2. Montecristo Sublimes Edicíon Limitada 2008

3. Casa Magna Colorado Gran Toro

Best Cuban Cigars 2009

1. Partagas Serie D 5 Edicíon Limitada 2008

2. Montecristo Sublimes Edicíon Limitada 2008

3. Cuaba Piramides Edicíon Limitada 2008

Best Non-Cuban Cigars 2009

1. Casa Magna Colorado Gran Toro

2. Gurkha Grand Age

3. Gurkha G3

4. Warped Private Blend Petit Corona

5. Warped Anubis Maduro Corona Gorda

Black Horse (positive surprise)

Warped Private Blend Petit Corona

Black Sheep (disappointment)

Reyes Classic Toro

Please share your thoughts on the cigars. I would love to hear them. I've got lots of reviews coming up!

cheers