Luis's Picks

Luis
LUIS
FOLLOW
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

Tatuaje 20th Grande Merveille 6"1/8 * 46

Tatuaje 20th Grande Merveille 61/8 * 46
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This cigar, upon lighting up, scared me for a second. The last time I had smoked it, I remembered it as being a smooth medium-full body with slightly sweet and creamy notes along a main body of wood and spice. And, upon lighting up, I was blasted with an intense full body sensation! It was almost too much, but thankfully it only lasted a few minutes. By the time I worked my way a half inch down the cigar, I remembered what I liked about it. While a bit stronger on lightup, it mellows out beautifully into a nice, slightly sweet medium body. The initial blast of spice and wood is mellowed down and that sweetness takes over. It's what made me pick it up today, as I wanted to go for something that I knew I liked. This is not your average medium body, at about a seven or eight out of ten in terms of strength, but the flavor shines through as a wonderful medium. The spice soon dissipates completely, leaving behind core notes of sweet wood, slight vanilla, and nuts. Coronas gordas are my #1 favorite size, just because they're just enough smoke (like a robusto), but in the thinner than average format that is my personal preference. This cigar has a refined and elegant flavor that keeps me wanting to come back to it-- I just forgot about the intense start! Writing about it, though, will make it stick better to my memory-- and I'd easily recommend it with a coffee if you want to try something sweet and smooth, but with a beginning that will put some hair on your chest. Picked on 06/20/2024

Esteban Carreras Chupa Cabra Robusto Grande 5"1/2 * 54

Esteban Carreras Chupa Cabra Robusto Grande 51/2 * 54
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Today I'm smoking the Chupa Cabra Natural in a Robusto Grande format. The cigar is an attractive pick, with its closed foot and pigtail cap, and immediately upon lightup I'm met with bold notes of wood, spice and pepper, that quickly die back into an easier smoke. Once the spice dies back a little, what's left is a slightly sweet, nutty experience that I really enjoyed. The wrapper was veiny, but none of them were so prominent they messed with the burn, and the aroma is very pleasant. The burn was outstanding, and by the second third, the spice is all but gone-- leaving behind that delicious woody, nutty experience. This is a very versatile pairing option, I honestly recommend trying it with a few different things! To keep it classic though, I think this would pair well with a nice sweet espresso. Honestly, I enjoyed this cigar much more than I thought I would just from the band (which doesn't really tell much). Picked on 06/12/2024

EP Carrillo TAA 2023 Box-Pressed Toro 6" * 52

EP Carrillo TAA 2023 Box-Pressed Toro 6 * 52
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This is a fantastic medium body cigar-- one that I'm sorry to review while there are so few left. This cigar is a pleasant experience of wood and nuts, and has an intensely creamy consistency to the smoke. The wrapper is extremely soft to the touch, and despite having something of a wrinkle under the band it smoked passably well. This wrinkle didn't affect much, but was a bit unseamly. The flavor is top notch, with slight spice and mild sweetness to balance out the robust wood and cream. I would highly recommend it for a medium bodied smoker, and I really couldn't get enough while I was smoking it. As far as pairings go, this would go well with something that kicks up the spice a notch and cuts through the great richness of the cigar-- this would be, for me, either a scotch or rye whiskey. If you don't drink alcohol, ginger ale would provide that same contrasting spiciness, but would also add to the sweetness. The flavor didn't change all that much throughout the smoke, but I'm sure I can't be the only one in thinking a consistent flavor, if it's good, can be quite the interesting proposition. Picked on 06/10/2024

Tatuaje Miami Unicos 6"1/8 * 52

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Tatuaje Miami Unicos 61/8 * 52
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Starts of medium full bodied with notes of wood and spice. The wrapper is soft to the touch and hardly has any noticeable veins. There is a very slight sweetness that helps balance the wood very nicely. About half an inch in an undercurrent of cinnamon starts showing through. The further down I get, the more a cinamonny sweetness overtakes the wood, creating an appetizing blend of aromas. This cigar is rolled in Miami's own El Titan de Bronze Cigar Factory-- and is one of a small number of cigars still rolled in the USA. If you think you don’t like spicy cigars, give this one a shot. It’s a perfect pair with a sweet rum, and I think it’s a good introduction to cigars with mild to medium spice levels. Picked on 06/05/2024

Alec & Bradley Kintsugi Toro 6" * 52

Alec & Bradley Kintsugi Toro 6 * 52
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Today I am reviewing the Alec Bradley Kintsugi Toro. This is a cigar with an approachable medium body profile, and is actually one of the first cigars that I smoked when I was getting into the hobby. I thought it was a great cigar then, and so I decided to light another one up after a few years of smoking, to see how it stacked up with my original thoughts on it. From the dry draw, I felt an unmistakable wave of wood and nuts on the palate. Mixed in there was something a little more unique, a somewhat grassy flavor that you don’t really taste in many cigars, and less so outside of candela wrapped ones. It was actually very pleasant, though, and on light up I was met with that wood, as well as quite a bit of spice. As the cigar proceeded down the first third, there was a prominent smoky note to go with the woodiness, and the smoke developed a very nice, creamy consistency. The retrohale gives another layer of depth to the cigar, one full of pepper and earth. Past the first third, the spice would pull back and become the backdrop to a floral sweetness that stayed present through the rest of the length of the cigar. I smoked it for around an hour or so, and hardly had to correct the burn or draw. It performed well, and as a medium body cigar I think it is definitely something that can be shown to newer smokers, or even seasoned smokers who prefer the medium bodied offerings. I can see this cigar pairing naturally with an espresso or cognac-- something on the sweeter end. Picked on 04/04/2024

Sensei's Sensational Sarsaparilla Belicoso 5"1/2 * 52

Senseis Sensational Sarsaparilla Belicoso 51/2 * 52
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This week I picked up Espinosa’s Sarsaparilla in a belicoso format. I’ve been gravitating more towards belicosos, perfectos and torpedos lately, and I’ve really been enjoying the experience. This cigar was well built, packed with tobacco all the way through. Additionally, it didn’t have any large seams or pronounced veins. Upon light up, however, the draw was a hair too tight. Definitely nowhere near being unsmokable, though. The first notes are bold and pleasant ones of earth, chocolate, and pepper. These notes continue throughout the first third of the cigar, at which point the smoke gains a better consistency. I found this cigar to be an enjoyable medium-full body, and as described on the box art I really do think root beer would pair well with it. It has slightly sweet, spiced notes that are reminiscent of root beer. Picked on 02/06/2024

Aladino Sumatra Toro 6" * 52

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Aladino Sumatra Toro 6 * 52
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This week, I decided to review the Aladino Sumatra Toro. This toro cigar is a limited edition featuring a Sumatra-seed wrapper. This wrapper varietal promises earthy, somewhat spicy flavors and a sweet aftertaste. The dry draw had clear notes of wood and leather. The first third is sweet with a slight spice and woody, almost caramel-like flavors. It’s a promising cigar with a good consistency to the smoke. Into the second and third, the spice dies down and is replaced with more of that honey-sweet. Additionally, an earthy and woody aroma comes through, along with a prominent aftertaste of coffee. The cigar was a pleasant experience, with Aladino's consistently excellent construction and a solid ash buildup. I would describe its profile as medium to medium full. And because of the earthy notes and lingering aftertaste, I think something to cut through that would be ideal. For me, that would be a Scotch on the rocks. Picked on 11/20/2023

Alec Bradley Black Market Churchill 7" * 50

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Alec Bradley Black Market Churchill 7 * 50
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This week I tried the Black Market by Alec Bradley. It had a beautiful Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper, but what called my attention to it most was the presentation. Once you take off the paper sheathe that showcases the name of the cigar, you're left with a very simple band. The contrast of the black and white against the maduro wrapper provide something nice to look at while you're smoking. As for the flavor, I got rich maduro notes of earth, chocolate, and coffee. The earth was not overbearing, though there was a lingering aftertaste of earth and leather throughout the cigar. Upon lightup and throughout the first third there was a nice bit of spice present on the tip of my tongue, though that disappeared throughout the later portions of the cigar. It was just enough to make the cigar interesting, without being overbearing. The construction was excelent, with a perfect draw and a burn that only required minor touch-ups throughout the rather long smoking time, well over an hour and a half. As far as pairings go, I would recommend something that can cut through the earthy profile of the cigar and lend some sweetness, like a coffee or even a Coke! Picked on 11/08/2023

Casa Magna Liga F Churchill 7" * 50

Casa Magna Liga F Churchill 7 * 50
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This week I decided to review Casa Magna's Liga F in a Churchill size. While doing some research on the stick, I found that the F stands for 'fuerte', or strong. However, I didn't find it to be overwhelmingly so. Upon lightup, the flavor was earthy and slightly spicy. There was good construction and an even burn all the way through, and after getting through the initial earthiness a subtle sweetness began to show through. I would call the cigar medium to medium-full in both flavor and strength, not quite as strong as advertised, but it's definitely a cigar that makes its presence felt. I would pair it with something sweeter, like a spritz or old fashioned. Picked on 09/27/2023

Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero 6" * 38

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Tatuaje Black Petite Lancero 6 * 38
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Today I'm reviewing the Tatuaje Black Label in Petite Lancero. Before even lighting it up, the foot and wrapper of the cigar have an inviting, heavy sweet smell to them. The tan, sun sungrown wrapper is smooth to the touch, with the rolling seams clearly visible. Upon lighting it up, I'm greeted with a woody spice that I've come to expect from much of Tatuaje's portfolio. This spice is present for around the first inch of the cigar before it dies back and is replaced with a pronounced nuttiness. I would call this cigar medium to full in terms of strength, but that nutiness was so tasty it was hard to notice! This sweetness with a touch of spice is present for the majority of the burn length, and entering the last third and through the end it was nearly as spicy as the beginning. I found this to be a great cigar, especially if you want a somewhat stronger cigar paired with a shorter smoking length of an hour, give or take. Though the burn needed minor corrections, I'd highly recommend this to people who enjoy a bit of spicy sweetness with their cigars. To pair, I think a lighter-tasting whiskey like a good Irish would go well. Picked on 08/22/2023

Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 652 6" * 52

Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 652 6 * 52
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My first impression of the Triqui Traca is that it is complex but full of spice, with a rich medium-full body. Upon light up it puts out wave after wave of a rich, muddy earth with a touch of cream to it. Pepper closes out the first third along with a bit of sweetness, but neither of them pulls focus away from the earth and leather that make up the core body of this stick. Although the burn was slightly uneven, the construction was good enough to build up an impressive ash before falling off; however, the draw was just slightly too tight-- perhaps because of the solid packing of tobacco. The flavor throughout the second third is a relatively consistent leather and pepper, switching between increased intensity in one or the other. The almost mineralish taste proposes an interesting aroma that keeps one coming back and forgetting about the clock on the wall. This is certainly a meaty stick, and if you’re looking for a potent after dinner cigar to settle down with for an hour or two, look no further than the Mi Querida Triqui Traca. I would pair it with a Negroni to offset the full body of the cigar with some more sweetness. Picked on 02/15/2023

Aladino Maduro Box Pressed Corona 5" * 44

Aladino Maduro Box Pressed Corona 5 * 44
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The Aladino Maduro has one prominent vein on the right side, otherwise blemish-free, and is rough to the touch, a result of the raised bumps along the wrapper. Aladino is a brand by JRE Tobacco that intends to be reminiscent of the branding and sizing of pre-revolution Cuban cigars-- and with its elegant, minimalistic logo, I'd say it's hit the mark. I chose a corona for this review, and immediately after taking it out of the cellophane a rich, sweet smell wafted up from the foot. My light up was greeted by a pleasant pepper, not overbearing, along with a slight tobacco sweetness. As the cigar progressed the flavors shift towards being more dominant in leather, and the pepper fades some. Near the end of the second third it develops a creamy woody note that is extremely pleasant. The corojo binder and finder lend a great presence of body to this cigar, which I would pair with a nice scotch whiskey. Picked on 02/07/2023

Tatuaje Avion 13 Double Perfecto 6"7/8 * 52

Tatuaje Avion 13 Double Perfecto 67/8 * 52
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This cigar is certainly an eye-catcher, despite being one of the harder to spot cigars on our Little Havana location's shelves. A strikingly dark broadleaf wrapper without any prominent veins that is smooth to the touch in a beautiful double perfecto-- though you could also call these diademas. Upon light up, a dark earthy taste coats the palate. The smoke production was outstanding, and though the draw was somewhat tight, it opened up beautifully after smoking through the taper on the foot. There was a rich espresso note clear in the aroma-- at times a little bit sweeter, at times almost leathery. But if you are looking for a bold, aromatic & earthy cigar at the softer end of full-bodied, this is the one for you. Despite having to touch up the burn a few times, the draw was a bit tight but not uncomfortable. I would pair this cigar with a sweet bourbon to mellow it out. Picked on 01/26/2023

La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Chisel 6"1/2 * 54

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La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Chisel 61/2 * 54
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The Chisel is a size that was invented by LFD (La Flor Dominicana), with the idea of not having to cut the head. The result is an extremely comfortable pointed tip with a perfect draw. It has a striking reddish-brown wrapper that is smooth to the touch with one large vein along the back. The dry draw is sweet with just a touch of spice. Upon lighting it, smooth flavors of coffee and spice are present, along with a distinct earthiness. It is an extremely balanced and rich smoke which has LFD's famed strength of body in spades. Every puff brings with it a gratifying amount of smoke, and even a slight note of sweetness to round out the boldness. I would pair this cigar with a strong rum, maybe a Santa Teresa. Picked on 01/18/2023

Warped Lirio Rojo 5"1/2 * 44

Warped Lirio Rojo 51/2 * 44
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Christmas is over, but Warped’s Lirio Rojo is not going anywhere— at least, for now. This on-again, off-again holiday-season release has a slightly sweet, nutty woodiness along with a touch of spice on the lips during the dry draw. Immediately upon lighting, my palate was hit with a smoky and woody spice which is extremely prominent, for only about ten minutes. Once it dies down, it is replaced by an intense nuttiness along with some creaminess which creates a very enjoyable end to the first third. Occasionally at this point a sweet, sugar note is present on the retrohale. As the second third begins in earnest you start to feel an increase in the intensity of the nuttiness, and the main essence of this smoke is a sweet, creamy and nutty flavor with a touch of cedar. A very interesting cigar that starts off powerful and quickly pulls back, but by the beginning of the final third that strength of body is there in full force paired with a brown sugar sweetness. A slightly peppery wood closes the cigar out, a great experience. Because of the nutty sweetness and slight spiciness, I think it would go well with a cappucino. Picked on 01/04/2023

Room 101 The Big Payback Maduro Toro 6" * 54

Room 101 The Big Payback Maduro Toro 6 * 54
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This time, I reviewed Room101's The Big Payback Maduro in the Toro size. This cigar has a slightly sweet & leathery aroma on the wrapper and a slightly rough texture under my thumb, a sign of the richly developed oils that await in its broadleaf wrapper. The dry draw is slightly spicy with a rich woodiness. It has a dark & smokey flavor on light-up with a rich maduro sweetness characteristic of broadleaf— dark chocolate with leather and a slight, but welcome touch of cream. The retrohale brings with it a large nicotine kick and more of its spice. During the midpoint of the second third a slight inhale through the nose would lead to a strong spicy, woody kick. Moving to the last third, the spice would shift to a softer pepper note, which with the ever-present creaminess was a very interesting combination. I would pair this cigar with perhaps a rum or bourbon whiskey to bring a bit more sweetness into the experience. Picked on 12/27/2022
Luis

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