Saturday, January 21, 2017

It's all about the cigar


Cigar Review

This was a prize winner from Cigar Aficionado several years  back.  I originally tried it and thought it was a good smoke but not sure it merited cigar of the year. Now am going to revisit the cigar. It was purchased  as part of a sampler from Lone Wolf Cigar Lounge in Los Angeles. I suggest you make your own opinion but how and where I received the smoke does not influence my thoughts. 

Brand/ Name of Cigar: Oliva Serie V Melanio Churchill
Country of Origin: Nicaragua 
Size: 7 x 50
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Shape: Churchill
Price:  Sampler
Purchase : Lone Wolf Cigar Lounge
Where and When Smoked: Los Angeles , Ca. 1/8/17

Appearance and Construction:

Impressive brown hue, box pressed with a striking cigar band. The cigar was firm to the touch with a oily feel, smooth texture and several small veins showing.  Very attractive looking as a higher priced, well constructed smoke should be.



Flavor /Taste and Aroma:

Rich chocolate complexity  with a creamy , coffee influenced nuance. Liked the overall taste which was developing over a period of time. No blasts of spice or pepper. Would describe it as a medium to full bodied blend. The first third was exactly what I hoped for.







































Smoking Characteristics :

This cigar is built for the long haul with a good looking solid grey ass, staying lit, with no construction or tunneling issues. Even burn, cool and no hot spots. It continued to have the same flavor profile as in the first third, no surprises hitting me which is a good thing.

Conclusion/Overall Impression:

I had a slight issue during the last third with the burn and also received a flinty taste.  A cigar of this nature should be consistent throughout which did not happen. It did effect the overall enjoyment of the smoke.

Final Thoughts :

The numbers:

Appearance and Construction: 4.2 out of 5
Flavor/Taste and Aroma: 3.8 out of 5
Smoking Characteristics : 3. 8 out of 5
Conclusion/ Overall Impression : 4 out 5

A smoke that pretty much delivers what you hope for.  Cigar of the year? Not sure about that but everyone makes their own judgment. I would buy this again and smoke it a couple a times a year. The best cigar is always a very opinionated decision. If you have desire to spend for a high end cigar , give this a shot. 

Keep smoking






Sunday, January 8, 2017

Best Cigar of the year, so far.


Cigar Review

Brand/ Name of Cigar: Montecristo/ Pilotico/ Pepe Mendez

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Size: 6.2 x 52

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Dominican, Nicargua

Shape: Toro

Price: Purchased from Lone Wolf Cigar Lounge , received as part of a gift sampler, 12/ 2016.
As always how and where the cigar was purchased or smoked does not influence my subjective judgment of the review. I always suggest to consider the smoke yourself if this review brings up your interest.

Where and When Smoked: 1/1/2017

Appearance/ Construction: 

 Attractive rich looking brown wrapper, slight veins showing but no obvious flaws or defects.  Good looking labels which brings out the the oil in the wrapper.  No soft spots in the handling  of the cigar.




















Flavor/ Taste and Aroma:

Initial third was very smooth with a combination of nuts and sweet hints of chocolate. Medium strength in the flavor with no hits of spice or pepper.  Very consistent in the taste with no deviation from this combo.  Aroma was sweet , not pungent with the nutty smoke dominating.




Smoking Characteristics: 

The burn was even with no hot spots or tunneling . The ash was a solid white but needed two re lights  during the second third of the smoke. So no real apparent reason for this as the construction for the smoke  appeared well made. Maybe I missed something in my initial look.



Conclusion/ Overall Impression:


Price aside which is on the high end, I liked the overall quality of this cigar.  It was consistent in flavor however there was no wow factor in this smoke.  The two relights were a bit baffling so maybe it was in my handling of the cigar.
The folks at Altasis must know this is a limited appeal cigar for a few cigar dudes who have money to spend on a very high end product.  There are other smokes to be had which provide more flavor for less cost.

Final thoughts:

Here are the numbers:

Appearance/ Construction: 4 out of 5
Flavor/ Taste and Aroma: 3.5 out of 5
Smoking Characteristics: 3 out of 5
Conclusion/ Overall Impression: 3.5 out of 5

I appreciate  a well crafted, thought out cigar which brings the consumer a variety of taste and flavor.
Somehow the Montecristo Pilotico missed the mark for me. It fell a bit short on just about all avenues of an outstanding cigar.  Given the market this cigar hopes to attract, I believe most cigar mavens will pass on buying the smoke after trying it. Lets see how it works out.



Keep smoking