Recent Posts
Cigar News: Alfonso Gran Selección Announced
Alfonso Gran Selección will be released at PCA 2023 in Las Vegas. The Alfonso Gran Selección is the sequel to the highly rated Alfonso Añejo that debuted at last year’s PCA show. Alfonso Gran Selección features an oily, rich Ecuadorian Habano wrapper cloaked over Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers that provide a darker flavor profile than its predecessor.
Team Cigar Review: Sencillo Black Lancero
Overall, the Sencillo Black Lancero was a good cigar. Bolder and rustic delivery of mala dried red pepper spice, earthy dirt grit, and softened nicely by naturally sweet and creamy mixed nuts. This isn't the type of flavor profile that I necessarily enjoy, but the delivery of the bolder flavors mixed with softer flavors was well done. And a great burning and drawing lancero to boot.
Cigar News: Casa Magna XV Anniversary Announced
Quesada Cigars is celebrating fifteen years of the Casa Magna Colorado brand with a limited-edition Casa Magna XV Anniversary cigar debuting at PCA 2023, in Las Vegas.
Team Cigar Review: O.M. Cigar Essential Blend No. 1 Torpedo
The O.M. Cigar Essential Blend No. 1 Torpedo started out with an interesting earth forward profile in the first third. As it progressed, that earth profile became unbalanced, and by the last third it took on some bitter components which were off-putting. Given the burn issues I would likely take another pass at this cigar to see if another one performed better.
Cigar News: Bolivar Gran Republica Announced
In a nod to the pivotal role Bolivar played in shaping South America, the four-country blend features tobacco grown on land liberated by Bolivar himself. The medium-to-full-bodied cigar represents the finest tobacco from the continent’s most respected growing regions.
Team Cigar Review: Davidoff Year of the Rabbit Limited Edition 2023
The Davidoff Year of the Rabbit Limited Edition 2023 had a complex profile through the first two thirds and then became less dynamic in the final third. It really amped up the profile from multiple blends the company has employed previously. This is a cigar I'd definitely come back to, but the high price point is a bit of a detractor. Nice to see a step back up for the Year of series.
Cigar News: Santana 1997 Series Released
Santana Cigars & Co. announces the release of the Santana 1997 Series. The Santana 1997 Series is composed of different three blends. Santana Cigars Co. made its debut as a company in January 2023 with the Santana San Andres. Owner of Santana Cigars, Andy Santana, felt it was the right time to release this series of cigars which have been years in the making.
Cigar News: VegaFina Fortaleza 2 Reposado 10 Años Announced
VegaFina launches “Reposado 10 Años”, a new limited edition framed within its Fortaleza 2 line, which offers aficionados an exquisite selection of cigars that have been aged, once rolled, for 10 years in VegaFina’s cedar room in La Romana (Dominican Republic).
Team Cigar Review: Tatuaje PCA 2022
At this point in time, i.e. smoking the cigar for review about 3 months after release, the cigar is average tasting. Interestingly enough, I smoked this cigar at a local cigar shop about 2.5 months ago and the cigar was much more enjoyable. It has the overall Tatuaje ID of great body and heavier and bolder flavors, but it's not packaged well yet. I know it will get better with some time.
Cigar News: S.T. Dupont Line 2 Declaration of Independence Lighter Announced
Let freedom ping and proudly display American patriotism with this symbolic piece of art. S.T. Dupont's new U.S. exclusive luxury limited edition, the 'Declaration of Independence' pays homage to the birth of America with this iconic Line 2 soft-flame lighter.
Team Cigar Review: Warzone Rabito
The Warzone Rabito was a nice addition to the Warzone offerings. The cigar was spicier and fuller in body and strength than past releases, but it still offered those complex and enjoyable flavor qualities. Much more concentrated in this smaller offering. I do think the cigar, like all Warzones will age well, and if you wanted a little more strength and body with Warzone, this cigar captures those qualities.
Team Cigar Review: Caldwell Long Live The Queen Queen’s Crown
This Caldwell Long Live The Queen Queen's Crown is the exact profile of Caldwell cigars that I enjoy. Cigars that are first and foremost undeniably full of flavors. The flavors in themselves meld well with the softer and spikier notes. The stronger strength is not typically there but the strength never took away from the focus of the flavors. Well done.
Team Cigar Review: Villiger Villiger de Nicaragua Edición Limitada 2022
This Villiger Villiger de Nicaragua Edición Limitada 2022 was a solid blend from beginning to end. Love the diversity of tobacco in the cigar. Rich profile that is one of the few examples of dark Ecuadorian Sumatra flavor working well. Some transitioning, but it made up for it with the depth and complexity. Nice strength and body level as well. If the factory keeps producing cigars like this, I see good things for Villiger.
Team Cigar Review: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Stillwell Star Bayou No. 32
The Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Stillwell Star Bayou No. 32 was quite monotonous as the flavor profile was concentrated around the core set of flavors that coated my tongue and weren't all that exciting. The degradation in the final third with the char joining just capped off the not so great performance. Thus far, this is my least favorite of the series. Not one I'd come back to.
