Vitola: Robusto

Wrapper: Maduro

Origin: Honduras

Age: 3 months

The Di Fazio Maduro is a medium bodied chocolatey offering from this small boutique outfit from Miami.

This super big ring gauge cigar took a while to light due to it’s girth, the draw was a little tight with a punch – so I clipped it instead.  The wrapper is dark and rustic looking with minimal veins and a lot of tooth.

Once lit, this cigar still gave me draw problems.  I tried to look past these construction issues and focus on the flavors if I could.

The burn was OK at first, but it began to tunnel.

Flavor wise, this as a good typical Maduro.  A subtle sweetness with coffee and chocolate undertones and a bittersweet finish.  There was also a touch of leather and hickory.

Sadly, I could not finish the cigar, as the draw was way to frustrating.  But, the flavors were very nice, this has the potential of being a very good middle-of-the-line Maduro.  Their other product drew well, so I will assume this was an aberration, but will have to adjust my score accordingly.

Thanks to the great folks at Di Fazio cigars for the opportunity to try their product!

Rating: 79 (C+)

Vitola: Robusto

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut

Origin: Honduras

Age: 3 months

The Di Fazio Connecticut is the mild offering from this small boutique outfit from Miami.

This super big ring gauge cigar took a while to light due to it’s girth, but it gave me time to admire the gorgeous Connecticut shade wrapper.  A flawless satiny leaf!

Once lit, this cigar gives off tons of smoke, with a nice woody creaminess, with a little tea on the finish.

The burn is right on, which is always difficult for a cigar this size.

There are some citrus undertones that pop up every now and then as well as a little white pepper to keep things interesting.

The finish is nice and long, another difficult feat for a milder Connecticut wrapped cigar.

For a “mild” cigar, this really has a lot of flavor and complexity.  Thanks to the great folks at Di Fazio cigars for the opportunity to try their product!

Rating: 88 (B+)

Vitola: Robusto

Wrapper: US Connecticut Shade

Origin: Dominican Republic

Age: 3 months

This is Miami Cigar’s new release from the 2008 show.  It is made in the DR at the Aurora factory.  This is a quick review.  You’ll see why…

This robusto started out really good, with its light brown wrapper it looks mild but has medium strength.  It was very flavorful at the start with a lot of coffee and chocolate.

The smoke volume was less than desired but there was a construction issue that may have been the cause.

Halfway down it had a bad tunnel, but then it fixed itself but had gotten too hot and the flavors all went sour.

I couldn’t finish it because of this but it does have some potential.

Rating: 70 (C-)

Don Lino 1989

Vitola: Robusto

Wrapper: Habano Sun Grown

Origin: Nicaragua

Age: 2 months

Pinar del Rio cigars aim to capture the essence of a good Cuban cigar. Click here for more information on the company and their products. I received a sample from at at PDR cigars and was itching to try the Habano Sun Grown.

The cigar has a very reddish hue, I would classify it as colorado maduro in color. It has a very satiny wrapper that has a dull hue but looks ripe with flavor.

I clipped the cigar and took a pre-light draw, which was nice and easy. The cigar when lit gave off waves of leather and sweet wood, mostly cedar. There was also a sweetness in the finish, which also had a few coffee notes here and there.

The cigar was rich but not overpowering. I expected it to be a stronger cigar than it was, but mostly that was because of the type of wrapper. Most are blending in a lot of spice and pepper these days, so that’s really why I was expecting more “oomph”.

The blending to me was very patient, not too much full-on spice, so I was able to really enjoy the changes in the cigar as I smoked it. I enjoyed this cigar a lot. Thanks to Abe & Co. at Pinar del Rio cigars!

Rating: 88 (B+)

Vitola: Toro

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Maduro

Origin: Dominican Republic

Many thanks to the fine folks at Ted’s Made by Hand for letting me try their products!  This is the review for the Aged Maduro 6×50. 

Right off the bat you can tell this isn’t your standard Maduro.  When I hear or see Aged Maduro, I think of the Ashton cigar, but this is going to be completely different.  This cigar is a Maduro only in color, as it wrapped with an aged Nicaraguan Habano wrapper.  

This chocolaty brown cigar is firmer than the Connecticut wrapped version.  I used my punch and took a pre-light draw; this fellah is slightly tighter than the Connecticut Shade version.  After lit, the draw is still firm, but the burn is also slow, which is good for this stick.  A nice slow burn is good because it allows that thicker, sugary wrapper to burn evenly with the filler.  So often Maduros burn from the inside out!  

This cigar is way spicier than Connecticut Ted’s.  I pick up flavors of bourbon on the finish, you know, that nice oak barrel taste with a touch of vanilla.  There is also a little bit of pepper on the finish which at times is slightly metallic.  Don’t expect this cigar to have that typical Maduro sweetness that you find in your standard maduro.  This medium-full flavored cigar is on a realm of its own!

Rating: 89 (B+)

Vitola: Toro

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade

Origin: Dominican Republic

Thanks to the guys at Ted’s Made by Hand for letting me try their fine products!  

This Connecticut Shade wrapped Toro looks very inviting!  It has a light brown color (Claro) and an oily satiny feel.   I didn’t think I would, but I like the band; it is clean and simple. The cigars also come individually packed in their own little paper boxes (like the Cuban Trinidad Robusto Extras). 

Upon lighting, to no surprise it is a mild cigar that gives off woody and toasty notes.  There is just a little bit of green flavors, like hay and grass) here and there and it is a touch dry on the palate.  Halfway through I get a touch of vanilla on the finish, which is short. 

The cigar has a good draw, good construction and plenty of smoke.  It has a salt and pepper ash that hangs on forever.  This is a great morning cigar!

Rating: 88 (B+)

Vitola:  Robusto

Wrapper:  Ecuadorian Connecticut

Origin: Dominican Republic

Luis Molina was nice enough to send some samples my way for a review.  I’ve wanted to try these for a while.   Thanks a lot Mr. Molina!

Rolling this cigar in my hands I notice it has a very nice looking light brown wrapper, the Ecuadorian Connecticut-wrapped has a nice cap and firm feel; the leaf is soft and silky to the touch.

It cuts easy, this particular one I took with a punch, and cut the other two samples, and they drew fine with either cut.

The flavors I am greeted with are creamy buttered toast with a little coffee and a slight woodiness on the finish.  The cigar is just a touch dry on the palate with a nice long woody and leathery finish.

This is a great “breakfast” cigar that would go great with coffee and toast.

Throughout the entire smoke the burn was even with a firm salt and pepper ash evident of good construction.  The draw is firm not too firm and still yielded a good amount of smoke with every draw.

I would classify this as a mild to medium bodied cigar. I really enjoyed this cigar!  If you see a Devil’s Weed cigar, make sure you pick up a couple (or a box)!

Rating: 89 (B+)

Vitola: Robusto

Wrapper:  Sun Grown Connecticut

Origin: Dominican Republic

From the Vault:  Not sure if I got this from, but it’s been in the humi for a while.

This is an odd looking cigar, I think it was wrapped in cedar for a good reason. 

Let me take it back, it’s not odd looking its Ugly!  The veins are lighter than the wrapper itself, which is strange looking.  It’s also rough looking in general, the wrapper is very wrinkly and mottled. 

How bout the taste?  I’ve heard this cigar described as soapy.  But too me I think it’s just the acidity which does leave a certain sourness. 

I do have some nice things to say about it.  It has a nice woody aroma, slightly dry, and it burns fairly even with a gray flaky ash.  It is inoffensive, nothing horrible, just there. 

Rating: 80 (B-)

Size:  5″ x 52

Vitola: Robusto

Wrapper:  Nicaraguan Criollo

Origin: Nicaragua

This Viaje cigar is already available at my local, Empire Cigars (formerly Capital City Cigars).  I picked this up last night and smoked it.

Made in the same factory as the Joya de Nicaragua brand, Viaje is a boutique company that’s on the rise.  Read here for more info.

This is a rough looking cigar with a spongy feel.  The cap was placed on the head of the cigar, no triple cap here. 

At first light, there was a touch of bitterness and sourness that parted for a nice earthy and toasty smoke.  It looks like a powerhouse, but the cigar is actually on the mild-medium side.

This is not a complex cigar, but it definitely has an interesting aroma, that is heavier than the cigar itself.  It shows lots of potential, this may be a cigar to watch…

Rating: 85 (B)

Vitola: Robusto

Wrapper: Colorado Maduro

Origin: Dominican Republic

One of my buddies has a line of cigars called A. Pontillo.  He has several marcas including an All-American cigar and has recently re-blended his Paragon line into three marcas – Colorado Maduro, Havana Natural and Sun Grown.  This review is for his Colorado Maduro line.

The good news is that this cigar isn’t your typical Maduro.

This chunky cigar is not your regular Maduro.  It has a reddish tint, hence the name Colorado Maduro.  The construction is commendable and you are rewarded with a nice draw and an even burn all the way down.

This cigar starts out subtle and builds as it heats up.  Initially there’s faint coffee and wood with an underlying sweetness.  As you smoke it, the flavor intensifies and you get rich notes of dark chocolate and coffee.  This cigar has a great aroma as well.  Towards the end I pick up faint notes of cherries and licorice.  Great cigar, AJ!

Rating: 90 (A-)