GOMEZ SANCHEZ MICALLEF LAYENDA 92.5

What better to smoke during Halloween week than a cigar in a casket.  This was $17.00 at the smoke shop, but I have had just as good cigars for $12.00.  Price does not always matter with cigars however as far as taste.  Look at how successful the Casa Magna is.  This one was a little sweet, maybe some peppery flavor.  It was a good smoke, but not my goto cigar in the Micallef line.

Stuff from Cigars International:

The Gomez Sanchez name in cigars is one you may not know, but they’ve been in the game for quite some time. Back in 1934 in Havana, Cuba, Don Pedro Gomez began his family’s legacy in the premium cigar game… today, their name lives on through his grandsons, Edel and Joel. But as anyone who’s been around cigars long enough can tell you, the past matters, and with the Gomez Sanchez Leyenda, Micallef cigars honors their legacy. 

Offered in tapered figurado vitolas, the Leyenda is a most impressive cigar to behold. And I’m not just talking about the unique coffin that holds each handmade. Underneath the three bands, you’ll find a five-year-aged Ecuadorian Habano wrapper leaf that’s rustic in all the right ways. This is joined by a Nicaraguan binder and a tri-country blend of Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Honduran long-fillers, all aged 5 years pre-roll as well. Toasting the foot, you’ll find a classic Cuban profile, featuring a nice strength, rounded out by naturally sweet tobacco notes, black pepper, and a roasted nuttiness. 

Cigar cost Cartoon

Cigar in Capri Italy

Tried to find a good ciga in Capri, Italy.  They have to do the danger smoking will kill you wraps like I found in Australia.

Kristoff Signature Series JT Edition

Thats right, JT edition.  Jarrid Trudeau - VP of Sales for Kristoff, asked if he could make his own edition of a Kristoff cigar using a bunch of HVA ('Habano Vuelta Abajo') leaves they had laying around.  From Habanos.com site The finest cigar tobacco-growing land in the world. Vuelta Abajo*is the main source of tobacco for Habanos, and the only zone that grows all types of leaf: wrappers, filler and binders. Indeed all tobacco for fillers and binders for Long Filler Habanos comes from this privileged zone. Not surprisingly Vuelta Abajo is also protected as a Denomination of Origin. 

These limited cigars are made with a Sumatra Binder and Dominican and Nicaraguan filler.  Jarrid wanted to make a cigar that he would smoke himself whenever he had down time.  He likes box pressed cigars, so these are box pressed.  I think the last time they did box pressed is about 2002.  He likens these to a Padron '69, and these are a very mild cigar with a little spice.  Not a chocolate or earthy flavor in these.  It took about 3 years to source the right blends of tobacco to get these to the exact blend he was looking for. 
I got a nice ash, as you can tell in the picture, before it finally fell off, and it had a very easy draw for a box press.

They are using entubar style and not booking or accordion style.

For those that care Entubar (or “Entubado”) is a “bunching technique which rolls each filler leaf into itself, almost like a small scroll. Each individually “scrolled” leaf is then placed together to form the bunch. This skillful rolling technique creates a more firmly packed cigar which allows air to travel between all of the leaves, carrying more aromatics/flavors to the palate. Entubado rolling is the most difficult and complex bunching method and is therefore rarely employed in large scale manufacturing. 
There is also another form of bunching called Accordion. This method “involves folding the outer sides of the filler leaves inward, one at a time, and placing the leaves on top of each other until the bunch is complete: then the leaves are rolled together with a binder leaf. The “folds” created by this technique allow excellent air passage through the cigar.”
A third type of bunching is called Book. “An alternative to entubado or accordion rolling, booking involves laying filler leaves flatly on top of one another and then folding them up, like a book or taco, to complete the bunch. This technique is simpler than entubado and accordion rolling and creates a less aerated cigar structure: placing the leaves directly on top of each other does not allow as much air to pass through each individual leaf in the cigar.”
The Book method is also the most often used type of bunching since it can be done more quickly and efficiently, thereby helping increase production.

This cigar uses the Kristoff standard pigtail and shaggy foot.  The shaggy is supposed to help light it, but I find it easier to cut a little bit off before I 'foot' the cigar with my lighter.

Kristoff is entering its 15th anniversary, so congrats to them on a great run so far.  These cigars are only going to be at vendors that have a cigar event so you may have to shop around to find them.

Token picture of Jarrid and I the the Leaf and Cedar event in Louisville.

Carlos Torano Master Rating 94.33

Smoked this one over at leaf and cedar cigar shop in Louisville.  They have a nice outdoor smoking area and good conversation if you have never been there.
This cigar smoke very nice and could pick up leather and earthy flavor.  I tend to migrate toward full bodied cigars and this on hit the mark.


From Mikes Cigars site:
MASTER by Charlie Torano is one of the latest premium cigars made by up and coming Torano family cigar group. Charlie Torano, who is the great grandson of company founder Carlos Torano is taking this boutique cigar company to the next level. The company was founded in La Havana, Cuba in 1916 and was moved to the free world after Castro took over in 1959.

The first success they made with the EXODUS which was made to commemorate the exile from their homeland and they are best known for the EXODUS SILVER and the EXODUS 50 YEAR - 1959. to create the MASTER, Charlie Torano collaborated with master roller Felipe Sosa to develop the Master concept, he told us: “Master’s box art bears the image of Felipe for a good reason. His talent, initiative, and character have earned him the title of Master Roller. He and I work in unison to oversee every aspect of blending and manufacturing this premier cigar. We feel confident the Toraño reputation for never compromising quality and performance is further enhanced by our new collaboration. Few people know of Felipe’s courage and determination. He had been rolling cigars in Cuba, acquiring extraordinary skills. Felipe’s work is a testimony of a great talent and desire to excel that far surpassed those of his fellow cigar artisans. At age 32, he left family and friends, and entrusted his life, and the lives of his wife and infant son, to a tiny raft, drifting away from Cuba for a better life in America. Now, the flawless construction, consistency and beauty of our cigars have gained admiration among smokers and retailers at Toraño events, at which he has rolled thousands of personalized cigars.”

The Master comes in four different sizes that cost an average of $5 a stick! The Carlos Torano Master line is “for the man with a seasoned palate, a cigar that fully satisfies after an opulent meal or an evening pairing with spirits. True aficionados will discern and appreciate the balanced flavor and body.” Torano says.

The best sizes of Torano Master are: Torano Master BFC, Torano Master Churchill, Torano Master Robusto and Torano Master Torpedo.

601 Blue Label Maduro 88.67 rating

Smoke this one on my front porch with a nice Eagle Rare Bourbon.  The wrapper cam a little loose, so do not know if was a tad too dry or what.  It had great aroma and taste and would do this again, even though it is rated a little lower than some of my usual ratings.  However, could pick up nice spices, the bourbon may have helped bring out some of the flavor :).

Review for Cigars International site.

A box-press beauty from Erik Espinosa.

As if 601 Serie wasn't good enough, Erik Espinosa decided to raise the bar with this maduro-wrapped lovely finished in box-pressed format. On the outside, a dark Nicaraguan maduro glistens with oils and boasts a mouthwatering, toothy texture. Inside, a robust blend of aged Cuban-seed long-leaf tobaccos marries to promote a rich, medium to full-bodied profile layered with satisfying flavors.

Expect a classic combination of earth and coffee complemented by a touch of spice on the finish. Naturally, quality is top-notch with each slow-burning cigar, so sit back and savor this impressive super-premium. Stack 601 up against any other box-pressed maduro on the market — we're sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.

601 Blue Label Maduro received a healthy, 93-point rating, which noted: "A thick, box-pressed cigar with a triple-seam cap and dark, clean wrapper. The substantial draw layers the palate with a chewy, complex smoke full of dark-roasted espresso bean flavours, touches of almond, and caramel."

Cigars and cancer risk study

https://rodutobaccotruth.blogspot.com/2016/08/fda-study-cancer-risks-nearly-nil-for-1.html?m=1

Canoe in your cigar, what causes it, what to do about it.

Every once in a while you get a canoe in your cigar like the one I pictured.  The most likely culprit is an uneven filler in the cigar.  You can feel a cigar before you light it to see if it feels well packed and even around the length.  You can gently squeeze around soft areas and sometimes that helps.  

You should also be sure to foot the cigar at the start by making sure to light the cigar by rolling it around as you light it to get an even burn at the start, this also can help remove any unwanted tastes and chemicals before your first puff.

If it happens you can try letting it sit for a minute to let it catch up, unburned side down the get more air and see if it catches up.  If you need to use your lighter to burn it off it may introduce some bitter taste.  I also had a person tell me that smoking it too fast can cause this issue.  

Anyway, other than the burn, it usually does not impair the taste for me.   Happy smoking.

Big Johnny- It lasts the whole 9 holes

I was talking with Nestor Miranda about larger size cigars seem to stay lit better when playing golf, and he jokingly gave me one of these to try.  It actually lasted 9 holes and made an impression on my foursome.  They all accused me of compensating somehow.  Anyway, it was an ok smoke, nothing to write home about, and not sure I would pick it up again.  I mean the 66 ring barely fit in the cigar holder on the cart.

SmokeInn.com had this on their site:

At 8” x 66, believe it or not, this is not the largest cigar made by Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Co. - one of the hottest boutique brands currently turning heads in the craft cigar scene. The biggest? That honor goes to the brand’s event-only “The Woody by Oscar” - at an astonishing 21” x 100!

If you ever plan on taking that beast down, you’ll need practice. That’s where “Big Johnny by Oscar” comes in… The blend is based on the cult hit “LEAF by Oscar” Maduro blend and was inspired by one of Island Jim’s regular customers at his Leaf & Bean shop in Pittsburgh.

With a familiar, simplistic/rustic design, Big Johnny is all about the smoking experience! No frill. No fluff. Simply a beastly smoking experience worthy of at least 2.5 hours of sweet, maduro pleasantries… Experience this massive Honduran smoke that has enthusiasts abuzz - featuring an oily, Nicaraguan Jalapa wrapper over Honduran fillers - making for a medium-full experience you won’t soon forget!

LEAF by Oscar Rating 96.50

I really like these cigars and ended up buying a box of them.  Another nice, mild cigar that has more nutty flavor than anything.   Each cigar comes wrapped in an outer tobacco leaf.  Rick at my favorite cigar store www.leafandcedar.com said that he has seen people trying to light them with the outside layer still on, and one time someone asked what happened to the cigars and he jokingly told them he was not sure they just exploded.  You have to love good cigar stories.
CigarsInternational.com had this blurb:

Originally starting in Pittsburgh, PA, the Leaf by Oscar has swept the nation, delivering their four boutique brands to cigar enthusiasts everywhere. And I’ll be honest, when they landed here we conducted a little scientific “taste-test” across the line, and they all fit easily under the “win” column. 

The fullest-bodied of the four offerings, this Maduro is a gorgeous specimen. And before you peek at our picture and wonder what the hell I’m talking about, remember that you’re supposed to remove that outer leaf before lighting up. Underneath, you’ll find a slick, dark cigar, glistening with oils. Each sample I scarfed down gave off a thick, honey-like sweetness, with notes of chocolate and black pepper in the mix. It’s a most satisfying combination, especially with a bourbon in the other hand, and I’d recommend you give it a shot today. 

Esteban Carrera Chupa Cabra Hellcat box press 94.42 rating

Tried this the other day at the cigar shop.  Several other smokers swear by this brand.  It was a mellow smoke and could taste coffee and chocolate flavors.  Copious smoke and stayed lit the whole time.  Good smoke at $10.00 a stick.
They brag about the pigtail on the end and the furry foot(for easier lighting).  I guess the pigtail helps in keeping the cap on better after cutting it off, but not sure. 
Atlanticcigar.com had this on their page:
Esteban Carreras Cigars have been around for decades now and for good reason. Plain and simple they make great small batch boutique cigars at a great price point. One of their best-selling lines is the Chupacabra, just got a new addition the Chupacabra Hellcat. The Esteban Carreras Chupacabra Hellcat is comprised of a gorgeous Mexican San Andres wrapper and features the same binder and inner filler tobaccos as used in the original Chupacabra, as well as constructed with an unfinished foot and a pigtail head. What differs is the Hellcat is box-pressed and is covered in both wax paper and foot band in order to protect its beautiful wrap. All three vitolas come in 20 count wood boxes. Buy a box of the Esteban Carreras Chupacabra Hellcat Cigars today for the best prices on the net! We’re sure this maybe your new favorite go to smoke.

Micallef Maduro 96.67 Rating

This is a new cigar at the shop.  There are not a lot of places carrying this cigar yet.  From the other picture there were 5 selections to choose from.  All priced from about $12.50 to $10.00 a stick.  Based on the Maduro, these are well made cigars and I will probably try them all to pick up the differences.   I also found out they have a good facebook page, but you have to be an ambassador to join.  This involves going to their web page at https://www.micallefcigars.com
and signing up for an ambassador coin and unique user number.  It will take 2-3 weeks to get it because of 'high demand'.  Will post the coin when it gets here. :)
Rick, the owner at https://www.facebook.com/leafandcedar/ likes them because for the size of the cigar it has one of the nicest finishes he has tried.   I did enjoy this cigar and it had nice flavors and was suprisingly mild for a maduro.  Plenty of smoke and did not have to relight it once.

Thompson Cigars had this information also:
You’ll want more than just A Maduro after you light up this one by Micallef Cigars. The Gomez Sanchez family with nearly 100 years of experience in the cigar industry partnered with Al Micallef to deliver true classic Cuban inspired blends that are consistent in flavor and balance like the Grande Bold A Maduro. Full-bodied, and full-flavored, Grande Bold A Maduro features Nicaraguan tobaccos underneath an Ecuadorian Broadleaf maduro wrapper. Notes of wood and nut are accompanied by a hint of dark chocolate and are all followed up by a cedar finish for a deliciously satisfying maduro. Grande Bold A Maduro 552 is one you’ll be coming back for.

President U.S. Grant and cigars

I had heard a story about President U.S. Grant that I found fascinating.  He was a pipe smoker and chewed tobacco avidly.  However during the Battle of Fort Donelson  he was handed a cigar and carried it on the battlefield.  The word got out in a news article that said he smoked cigars.  Supposedly he was sent over 10,000 cigars by thankful supporters to his field headquarters.  He gave many to his troops, but became a cigar smoker, smoking as many as 20 a day.  He ended up dying of throat cancer however.  The best article I found that describes the whole history in detail was this one at
http://www.jmarkpowell.com/the-gift-that-killed-general-grant/

Crowned Heads Le Careme 96.84 Rating

I smoked a couple of these to be sure, and then I had to buy a box.  That is 24 in a box at around $12.00 a stick.  I typically do not like to spend that much on one cigar unless I want to be smoking them for a while in my rotation.  They had some torpedo's but it looks like they may not be making those any more, but the flavor was no different for these 52 ring cigars.  They have a great taste from start to finish.  You get earth, pepper, and nutty flavor.

JR Cigars says this on their site:

Le Careme cigars, a new premium handmade offering from Crowned Heads, comes from the Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr.’s factory in the Dominican Republic, the same factory that produces the Four Kicks, Headley Grange and the J.D. Howard Reserve lines. This medium body cigar features an Ecuador Sumatra binder, aged long filler tobaccos from Nicaragua, and an almost black, Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with hardly any visible seams. If you were to describe a cigar as a dessert flavor, La Careme would be it, because every draw delivers mouthwatering notes of chocolate, sweet spice, leather, toffee, and caramel. The taste is appropriate considering the smoke pays tribute to Marie Antoine Careme, a pioneer in French cuisine during the 1800s. 

Diesel Whiskey Row PX Sherry Cask 97.67 Rating

Tried this cigar today at the "Leaf and Cedar" cigar shop in Louisville.  It is made by aging the binder leafs in a bourbon barrel that was used to make a sherry wine.  This ended up giving it a slight cherry/berry taste, but not overwhelming like an infused cigar.  It had a nice start and finish.  Several of the other guys at the shop felt it was a very mild cigar also.  I highly recommend it, especially at its price point.


 Cigars International has this to say on their site:

Rabbit Hole Bourbon & Diesel Cigars are a match made in heaven. The Diesel Whiskey Row was released in 2018 to a wave of excitement from cigar aficionados everywhere, owing to the fantastic blend and bold flavors from the binder aged in Rabbit Hole bourbon barrels. The follow-up to that fantastic success uses barrels that originally contained 30-year old Pedro Ximenez Sherry which were sent to Rabbit Hole to produce their PX Sherry Finish Bourbon, before finally landing at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Nicaragua.

The blend consists of a dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and Nicaraguan fillers, but the barrel-aged Brazilian Arapiraca binder is the star of the show. The flavors are wonderfully influenced by the sherry casks, without becoming infused or overly sweet. Instead, you’ll find notes of dark fruit, cedar, chocolate, and pepper, for a smooth medium-bodied experience that pairs great with any drinks with naturally sweet characteristics. Diesel crated something truly special & unique with this release, so you won’t want to hesitate to go down the Rabbit Hole. 

Romeo y Julieta Media Noche 96.005 Rating

Medianoche (pronounced [meðjaˈnotʃe]; "midnight" in Spanish) is a type of sandwich which originated in Cuba. It is served in many Cuban communities in the United States. It is so named because of the sandwich's popularity as a staple served in Havana's night clubs right around or after midnight.   
This cigar must have been named to enjoy late at night.  I found it a pleasant cigar typical of this brand.  You cannot go wrong with this one.  I did not pick up any unique flavors like a pepper or fruit, but it smoked very nice and I would buy this again.


Cigar.com says this:
Unlike any other Romeo you’ve experienced before, Romeo y Julieta Media Noche offers a medium-bodied strength and full-flavor profile while retaining a distinguished smoothness this brand is so well known for. Featuring a dark, San Andrés wrapper, a Dominican Olor binder, and a core of smooth Dominican long-fillers, this hearty new blend from Romeo y Julieta offers a plethora of rich tobacco flavors balanced out by sweeter notes of cedar and cocoa.