Staff Picks

Our hard-working staff is busy smoking dozens of cigars, so you don't have to! Each week, they choose their favorite stick from the bunch.
Moe Afyouni
AGE:31
TASTE:Creamy, fruity, sweet, vanilla, coffee
HOBBIES:Football, basketball, golfing, traveling
STRENGTH:Medium-Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Padron 1964 Anniversary Natural
San Cristobal
H. Upmann 1844 Reserve

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Plasencia Alma del Cielo Amanecer 6 * 60
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This one I have been waiting for like a kid on Christmas. The Alma del Cielo is the newest addition to the Plasencia line and the first high-elevation cigar made. The name meaning “Soul from the Sky,” grown at Finca San Julian in Condega, situated at greater than 3500 feet above sea level. It is a Nicaraguan puro with a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. Its dressed with a very familiar band but with a blue color. Construction was flawless and as perfect as a cigar can be. The cigar had no imperfections and required no touch ups as I smoked it. The first notes that jumped at me were cedar and a sweet almost molasses like flavor. The cigar was extremely creamy and a lot of natural sweetness which was pleasant and a welcomed surprise. Half way into the cigar the cedar notes took a back seat to notes of cinnamon and brown sugar, subtle but enough to be tasted and enjoyed. The last third of the cigar has a lot of earthy notes and wood notes returned and were very prominent with a touch of spice that I really enjoyed. Plasencia never disappoints and anyone a fan of the brand will love this cigar no matter your wrapper or strength preference, this cigar can be enjoyed by all. This cigar was unlike any cigar I've smoked recently and I will be smoking this again in the other vitolas in the very near future. A must try! Picked on 05/30/2025
Luis Novas
TASTE:Habano, Broadleaf, Mexican San Andres
HOBBIES:Cooking, writing, reading, cigars, cycling
STRENGTH:Medium to Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Tatuaje Miami Seleccion del Cazador
Crowned Heads Four Kicks Maduro
Sin Compromiso

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La Instructora Box Pressed 5 55/8 * 55
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I decided to smoke the La Instructora Box pressed. While it doesn’t confirm to size standards I would put it somewhere between a toro and robusto in length (5.5 in) with a 55 ring gauge. A bit larger in ring gauge than I usually like to smoke but I had heard good things about it and so I decided to give it a try. The wrapper was smooth with hardly any noticeable veins and no tears in the wrapper or anything similar-- it was a perfect specimen! The dry draw revealed that the draw was perfect with initial flavors of chocolate and coffee blending together to make an excellent medium-full cigar. Upon lightup the cigar revealed that the dry draw really did indicate what the cigar itself would smoke like. Lots of bittersweet chocolate, almost like a dark chocolate, and a coffee note to break through the chocolate. It was not a very complex cigar in the sense that the flavor remained largely the same throughout the length of the cigar, which I appreciated. It something starts good and stays good, I usually don’t complain! I would definitely recommend pairing this with something on the sweeter end, as it is missing the natural tobacco sweetness that is one of my favorite flavor notes. I think a soda or especially a nice sugary espresso would work great with this. It had a great chocolatey aftertaste and the spice ramped up on the retrohale. If you like bittersweet, more on the bitter end of that spectrum, notes of coffee and chocolate, you should definitely check this out! Picked on 05/28/2025
Gabriel Novas
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:Playing guitar, watching movies, reading
STRENGTH:Medium to Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos
Crowned Heads Le Careme
Liga Privada H99
Foundation Olmec Claro

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IGM 537 Toro 5 * 52
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Coming from the boutique, exclusive IGM Cigars factory in Costa Rica, the IGM 537 Toro is a well-made, medium-bodied cigar that delivers a smooth and flavorful smoking experience. This cigar looks appetizing right out of the cellophane, an oily, red leaf with minimal veins and a solid feel in hand, indicating expert rolling and proper aging. Upon lighting, I'm greeted with a wide open draw that blasts my palate with notes of cedar, earth, and a subtle toastiness. An inch or so into the first third, flavors of cocoa and roasted nuts begin to develop, harmonizing beautifully with a strong undercurrent of white pepper that tingles the nose on the retro-hale. Burning well into the second third, the flavor opens nicely—think cocoa, roasted nuts, and espresso. I get a very creamy finish on the smoke that adds balance, something I can only think to contribute to the Costa Rican fillers. The construction is solid, with an even burn and firm ash throughout. In the final stretch, I found deeper leather and dark chocolate notes, rounded out by a subtle spice. It finishes clean, with no harshness or bitterness. It's a super solid medium-bodied cigar. All the flavors you come to expect from an Ecuadorian Habano, beautifully married, and mellowed out by the premium selection of Costa Rican fillers. I would pair this cigar with a Kentucky bourbon or maybe even an Old Fashioned so that the drink's sweetness can complement the drier notes of the cigar. Picked on 05/15/2025
Rene L.
AGE:38
TASTE:Wood, Earth, Leather
HOBBIES:Guitar, Beer, Sarcasm
STRENGTH:Medium/Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Liga Privada No. 9
Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro
Tatuaje Miami Seleccion del Cazador
Kristoff GC Signature Series
Eiroa CBT Maduro

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Crowned Heads Juarez Bulldozer LE 2025 51/2 * 58
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It wouldn't surprise me if you have seen (or smoked) Crowned Heads' Juarez before, as it's been out for several years now. However, it WOULD surprise me if you've smoked the limited edition Bulldozer version of this historic blend, seeing how it was just released now in 2025. The Bulldozer is not your ordinary Juarez, as it tweaks the blend to add Mexican tobacco in the filler in addition to just the wrapper. This change ramps up the flavor in the Juarez Bulldozer to new levels of tastiness. This box-pressed gordo is rustic in appearance, with a pigtail cap and a black footer band. A quick whiff will provide you a smokey aroma, which is quite telling of what you're about to experience. After lighting, meaty notes of leather and chocolate flood the palate, with a nice touch of hickory on top and slight cashew notes. Although I normally twist pigtails off, I opted to straight cut this one, and the draw was immense! Wide open and easy, the smoke output was also extremely generous, filling the room with chewy smoke you could almost cut with a knife. Sporting a 58 ring gauge, the Bulldozer took its time burning, clocking in at around the hour and 15 mark. Medium-to-full bodied, this Juarez is not quite as powerful as you may initially expect, with lots of bold flavor but a forgiving strength overall, making this beast easy to tame no matter your experience level. At a price point under 9 dollars at the time of this writing, the Crowned Heads Juarez Bulldozer is what I call one hell of a value and belongs in everyone's humidor - no bull! Picked on 05/09/2025
Mace Maisuria
TASTE:Creamy, woody, spicy
HOBBIES:Golfing, cooking, movies and documentaries
STRENGTH:Medium
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Zino Platinum Scepter Series Grand Master 51/2 * 52
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I always enjoy cigars that have complexity in notes as well as construction and Zino never disappoints. Big fan of the Nicaragua for early morning smokes with a coffee or golfing with the guys which made me want to try the Platinum Scepter Series. One of my favorite wrappers (Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade) with a combination filler of Dominican and Peruvian. The beginning has a prevalent spice note, peppery, which stays continuous till the end along with a woody profile which picks up mid way through. Lots of flavor as you get past the middle, there is a bit of sweetness in the final quarter and is very welcoming to balance the peppery finish. Nice medium finish thanks to the rich oil in the wrapper. Highly recommend this cigar to any medium and mild smoker looking for a smooth yet rich smoke with a strong finish. Picked on 05/08/2025
Patricio Olivares
TASTE:Leather, Wood, Nutty, Creamy, Vanilla
HOBBIES:Working on cars, Poker, Video Games, Formula 1, and Film
STRENGTH:Medium, Full
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Montecristo Espada Signature Valiente 6 * 55
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The Presentation: First and foremost the presentation of this cigar is impeccable. The bands that encapsulate this cigar are elegant and tasteful while remaining simplistic in its design. The Draw: The draw of this cigar was refreshingly smooth. The open airflow allowed for a perfectly satisfying amount of smoke while maximizing the delightful taste profile of this cigar. The Construction: One of the high points of this cigar is it's construction. No apparent flaws, such as cracks or deformities, were found on the wrapper. The burn stayed refreshingly even and did not require any touching up during the entirety of my smoking experience. The Taste: Those few opening puffs were a shockingly delightful introduction to this Montecristo. The earthiness of this cigar blended perfectly with hints of wood/cedar while accentuating it's natural sweetness. The following puffs established a trace of pleasant spice notes, which remained for the entirety of the first third and perfectly demonstrated this cigar's complexity. The middle portion of the Montecristo contained an intensification of the wood hints which were accompanied with a pleasant nutty aftertaste. The oils of the cigar also grew more intense as the cigar began to entertain a darker more oily taste that is typically found in maduro shades. The final act of this cigar finishes with a bold oily and charred wood flavor profile that highlights the natural sweetness and nuttiness left in the cigar. The retro-hale calls to attention the slight undertones of the aforementioned nuttiness and sweetness. Overall: This beautiful cigar accentuates a dark and earthy taste while entertaining some natural sweetness and overall nuttiness. The complexity of the flavor profile is assisted by the excellent construction keeping the cigar consistent and wildly enjoyable. Picked on 05/08/2025
William Lazo
TASTE:Nutty, woody, pepper, cream
HOBBIES:Video games, watching football and MMA, movies
STRENGTH:Medium-Full
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Alec Bradley MAXX The Freak 63/8 * 60
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The cigar opens with rich, bold notes of tobacco that quickly mellow, settling into a profile dominated by mild tobacco and a slightly burnt black coffee flavor. The retrohale introduces a smooth, heavy cream component accented by pepper, adding a well-balanced kick to the overall experience. As the cigar progresses, the strength remains present, though the pepper begins to fade, making way for deeper notes of dark chocolate and semi-bitter espresso. The retrohale continues to evolve, offering a sweet chocolate nuance that enhances the richness of the smoke. Midway through, the cigar becomes creamier and sweeter, with the spice gradually increasing particularly noticeable on the retrohale, but also subtly throughout the draw. Although the draw is slightly tight, it doesn’t hinder the experience, and the ash performs impressively, holding firm before finally dropping. In the final third, the cigar maintains its power while delivering a complex and well-integrated mix of creamy dark chocolate, nuttiness, and espresso. A touch of graham cracker sweetness appears intermittently, adding an extra layer of interest to the core flavors of tobacco, coffee, and pepper, and keeping the profile dynamic and far from monotonous. Picked on 05/05/2025
Eliu Arroyo
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:MMA, Listening to music, Photography, Videography
STRENGTH:Medium to Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Padron 1926 Serie Maduro
Leaf by Oscar
The Tabernacle

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Byron 1850 No. 4 5 * 50
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From the moment the Byron Selección 1850 No. 4 touched flame, it was clear this wasn’t going to be your average smoke—it came out swinging with a rich combo of cocoa, earth, oak, and cedar. The earthy notes quickly muscled their way to the front like a headliner on stage, while the oak and cocoa danced in and out of the spotlight like seasoned backup singers. Meanwhile, on the retro-hale, the cedar and oak teamed up to deliver a subtle but satisfying encore. Just as the first third settled in, a sneaky duo of natural tobacco and red pepper crept into the mix—lurking in the background but adding intrigue like plot twists in a good mystery novel. As the second third rolled in, the earthy and oaky characters stayed firmly in control, while cocoa, cedar, and that touch of sweet natural tobacco played their supporting roles beautifully. The red pepper didn’t shout, but it made sure you knew it was still hanging around, giving the flavor some spicy punctuation. In the final third, the story stayed largely the same—but with a small spike in peppery drama, like a finale with just enough fire to keep things exciting. Flavor-wise, the Byron delivered a smooth, medium-bodied ride, perfectly balanced by medium strength. No surprises here—just consistent, well-calibrated intensity from start to finish. The draw? Near perfect, with just enough resistance to keep you engaged. The burn, however, played hard to get—requiring more touch-ups than a diva before curtain call, and the ash was as perfect. Picked on 05/05/2025
Erika Colmenares
TASTE:Creamy, Vanilla
HOBBIES:Traveling, Going to the beach, Music
STRENGTH:Mild-Medium

FAVORITE BRANDS
Montecristo White
La Galera Connecticut
Sobremesa Brulee

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La Galera Connecticut Chaveta Robusto 51/8 * 50
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I am reviewing the La Galera Connecticut Chaveta Robusto today. It is composed of an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade Wrapper, with Dominican Filler and binder. This cigar is an excellent choice if you like smooth, creamy smokes just as much as I do. From the moment you light it, it feels super smooth on the palate, with flavors like cream, a bit of nuttiness, and good amounts of cedar. This cigar definitely surprised me with the woodiness it showed. This is an absolute gem for the price point. It's not too strong, not too mild, but just right, making it ideal for relaxing and a wonderful pairing with a morning coffee. Picked on 05/01/2025
Robert Vallee
TASTE:Coffee, dark chocolate, earth
HOBBIES:Smoking, making music, playing cards
STRENGTH:Medium to Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Padron 1926 Serie Maduro
The Tabernacle
Punch Diablo

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Diesel Vintage Series Robusto Gordo 5 * 56
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The Diesel Vintage Series Robusto is a collaboration between AJ Fernandez and STG's Justin Andrews. For a $7 cigar (For the robusto size that I am smoking) It really doesn't get any better than this. The construction was very sturdy with a dark chocolate toothy Mexican San Andreas wrapper, a personal favorite of mine! In your first 10 mins of this experience you will get pungent notes of black pepper and a little bit of cherry sweetness mixed with dark chocolate. About half way through I noticed the ash was very firm, sign of a beautifully constructed cigar. Nothing new if you are familiar with AJ Fernandez cigars. Throughout my 70-minute experience I was blown away that this cigar was only 7 dollars, full of flavors of cocoa, espresso, fruit and earth. This is the cigar you want to go out and buy a box of as it doesn't break the bank and provides you with a rich premium smoking experience. Definitely give this one a shot. Picked on 04/03/2025
Joseph Pizzuto
TASTE:Nutty, creamy, woody, leathery
HOBBIES:Rap, making music, basketball, comedy
STRENGTH:Medium to full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Natural
Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro
Liga Privada Unicos
Davidoff Nicaragua

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Partagas de Bronce Corona Gorda 61/4 * 46
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Alright, if you don't know about the birthplace of this cigar then you definitely need to get acquainted. Rolled out of the El Titan de Bronze factory located on SW 8th St, the Partagas de Bronce is a special stick rolled by level 9 Cuban rollers! The craftmanship and superb construction leaves you amazed. With a beautiful white ash I was extremely impressed by how well made this cigar was. Upon first light I was met with strong notes of cedar as well as graham crackers. I was overall impressed by how much this cigar tasted like a cinnamon graham cracker. As I continued, those notes started to blend with some cocoa notes as well. You will also notice an extremely pleasant creamy and smooth consistency all they way through till the end. I was drinking a chocolate milk while enjoying this one which really pronounced the cookie notes I was experiencing. Overall regardless of it being a bit pricier then your average budget stick, I would gladly throw this one in your collection for special nights and special moments with friends and family! Highly advise you pair with a Caribbean rum instead of a chocolate milk like me - hopefully you aren't on the clock like I was when you light it up! Picked on 03/14/2025
Luz Holguin
TASTE:Earthy, Pepper
HOBBIES:Cooking, Reading, Traveling
STRENGTH:Medium

FAVORITE BRANDS
Arturo Fuente
La Aurora Preferidos Cameroon Platinum
Tatuaje Black Label
La Galera Imperial Jade

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My Father The Judge Grand Robusto 5 * 60
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A smoke for fans of medium to full bodied cigars, with a reddish-brown Sumatra seed wrapper grown in Ecuador that gives this stick a rich flavor of earth and spice. There is white pepper and cinnamon that comes not just from this wrapper, but also from the double binder Corojo and Criollo leaves. I rarely go for the thick ring gauges such as this one but in this case, it works. The Jalapa and Esteli fillers in the blend balance each other, one providing a creamy and smooth flavor and the other a bolder, more leathery and spicy flavor. This is a well balanced smoke that will satisfy your craving. Regardless of whether you consider it to be worthy of the Best Cigar of the Year award or not, I encourage you to forget the accolades and just enjoy this cigar for what it is: a damn good cigar! Picked on 03/14/2025
Samuel Pafford
TASTE:Natural tobacco / anything new
HOBBIES:Video games, dogs, documentaries, smoking new cigars
STRENGTH:Medium to full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Oliva Serie V Melanio
ADVentura the Navigator
Crowned Heads Mil Dias

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Kristoff Veinte 20th Anniversary Robusto 5 * 50
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Today's review happened by accident, but what an awesome mistake. I was trying to grab Kristoff's Vengeance (another great full bodied blend) and thought I was grabbing one of the rebranded versions. Instead, we stumbled into Kristoff's 20th Anniversary. I'd like to start by mentioning the entire Kristoff line is very approachable for price and is offering delicious opportunities in every strength bracket, even if this review doesn't sound like you I think there is a Kristoff that would fit in your rotation. Now to the business at hand. This cigar is rocking a nearly black Brazilian wrapper, Indonesian binder, and filled with Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania tobacco. For taste it was oaky and smokey all the way through with a light natural sweetness. While it did lead with a decent peppery bite on the first half inch (expected based on tobacco varietals) this mellowed out by the end of the first inch and turned silky smooth by the mid way point, for my pallet delicious transitions. Some dark coco notes were present throughout that became more pronounced further into the cigar as the rest of it mellowed. This build also hit the spot in terms of construction. Smoked this at work with all the days distractions and it never went out on me, never bittered, and took me almost an hour to nub this classic 5 x 50 robusto. Bold start, rich flavors, inoffensive bite, and a quality construction on an anniversary edition cigar that hit with a standard price tag, yes please! Medium bodied guys with an adventurous side willing to get through the first half inch and any full bodied smoker is going to find something to like about this cigar, enjoy friends! Picked on 01/28/2025
George Perez
TASTE:All. Except soft
HOBBIES:Smoking good cigars, watching movies, Jazz music, spending time with family
STRENGTH:Medium , Medium to full, Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Oliva Serie V
La Flor Dominicana Limited Edition
Espinosa Habano
CAO Flathead
New World
Asylum 13 Ogre
La Galera Habano
CLE Prieto

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La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse Coronation 6 * 52
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The aroma de cuba has always delivered some great cigars. That tradition continues with the Noblesse Coronation. This cigar is packed with some great flavors. This medium body cigar has a great earthy, nutty flavor at the beginning. Some hints of chocolate is introduced also at the beginning. Thge draw is phenominal. It has an easy draw. Can not say that about alot of cigars. The aroma is welcoming too. At the half way point, those flavors at the beginning are still found. Some cigars would of changed a bit at this point. Not this one. The draw is still great. Toward the end of the cigar, I was not surprised that the cigar was still consistent. It did pick up a bit in strength to a medium full. Some hints of spice was also introduced. Not overwhelming. But enough to make the cigar enjoyable. Every flavor was still there. The earthiness, the nutty. The hint of chocolate was not too overwhelming. This is one cigar that you have to try. What I liked about it also, no aftertaste was left in my mouth. Like some cigars tend to do. And if you need to pair it with a nice drink, I would recomend a nice Glenlevit. The oak of the drink compliments it. Enjoy everyone Picked on 09/17/2024
Martin Ruiz
AGE:31
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:Sports, video games, food, good beer
STRENGTH:All

FAVORITE BRANDS
Liga Privada No. 9
Padron 1926 Serie Natural
Arturo Fuente Fuente Opus X
Flor de las Antillas

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CAO Arcana Mortal Coil 61/8 * 50
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The CAO Arcana Mortal Coil is what I will be reviewing today and I can say this was a poetic experience. This cigar sports a USA Connecticut Broadleaf Wrapper with a USA Connecticut Shade Binder and a combination of fillers including the Andullo Dominican Tobacco, Dominican Piloto Cubano, Esteli, and Jamastran. The Presentation of this box makes me feel like I just got a golden ticket from a chocolate bar. The cold draw gave me hints of chocolate, coffee, and cocoa notes. After lighting up the cigar I must say this is a chocolate lover's dream. I truly did feel like I had won a golden ticket trying this cigar. This cigar contained powerful chocolate notes, espresso, dried fruits, anise, cocoa, and just enough pepper to keep it sweet and spicy. I must say, this falls perfectly into my palate of cigars that I love and, for an incredible price. Retrohale gave bits of leather and a bit nutty with a pinch of pepper. But if I had to use one word to describe this cigar it would be "Chocolate". I would describe it as a medium strength with loads of flavor. I recommend pairing this with a nice Chocolate Stout Beer, as I always say one can never have too much chocolate. Picked on 09/05/2024
Aramis C.
TASTE:Earthy, cedar, cocoa
HOBBIES:Family time, grilling, combat sports
STRENGTH:Medium to full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Oscar 2012 Sumatra
Arturo Fuente
Aladino Classic
Tatuaje Havana VI

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Ashton VSG Illusion 61/2 * 44
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The Ashton VSG Illusion is one of Ashton's most popular cigars, and it's not hard to see why. Handmade by Arturo Fuente in the Dominican Republic, this cigar sports an Ecuadorian 'Virgin' Sun Grown wrapper covering a Dominican binder and fillers. The cigar has a sweet chocolatey aroma and a little spice on the dry draw. The spice really comes through on first lighting it, with a subtle sweetness that underlines a bold peppery flavor. Working through the first third I noticed the spice die down letting that molasses sweetness come through. A wide open draw and some surprisingly big puffs of smoke for such a skinny lonsdale led me to the final third. The spice is gone all but for on the retro hale, notes of cocoa and leather on the finish make for a very satisfying finale. It's no surprise this took the number 15 spot on Cigar Aficionado's 2023 Top 25, it's definitely a stick every aficionado should smoke. The cigar lasted a little over an hour, perfect for a quick hit of peppery sweetness. I'd recommend a cognac to cut through that spice and enhance the sweet flavors of the tobacco. Picked on 06/29/2024
Adam Stewart
AGE:45
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:Music, Reading, Art, Nature, Craft Beer, Slacking
STRENGTH:All

FAVORITE BRANDS
Arturo Fuente
Liga Privada No. 9
Tatuaje Black Label
Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970

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CAO Cameroon Perfecto 4 * 48
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This little perfecto surprised me. I was not expecting it to be bad by any means, but, being an inexpensive small cigar, I assumed it would be mediocre at best...something to smoke on while taking the dog around the block, etc. In actuality, it was excellent. While not being incredibly complex, it is well constructed and pumped out a decent amount of smoke. it also burned impeccably, and did not require any touch ups or relights, despite the foot starting out nearly as thin as a pencil. The flavor profile was somewhat typical for a Cameroon cigar....sweet, nutty, earthy, with subtle hints of cocoa / coffee. For just over $5.00, it is hard to say no to this little guy. AF Short Story fans seriously need to take note.... if your Short Stories are not available, or if you just feel like saving a couple of bucks.... this stick is for you. Try pairing with a Café con leche morning, noon or night and you will not be dissapointed. Cheers. Picked on 05/02/2023