Public Profile

Illusione - Epernay La Vie
Unique flavor makes a memorable moment
I like cigars that you don’t forget and this is one of those. It has a unique set of smooth, woody flavors that have just a tinge of sweet citrus from the Cafe Rosado wrapper. It’s a cigar you can have at any moment in the day, all by itself or with any kind of lighter refreshment.

Lost & Found - Paradise Lost Toro
Something unique
I’d put this more at a 4/5 than a 3 in terms of strength. The flavor is unmistakable yet impossible to pin down completely. Definitely oats, and flavors of wood. The description they gave of milk, oak, pepper, and oats is as good a description I could come up with. There’s something about its rich dark flavor that is balanced by a refreshingly creamy lightness. This is one of those cigars that you don’t forget the flavor of, that you can summon to mind and say “yes that’s what I want”. All that and it has that first-light full-flavor construction I love. Perfect draw. Flawless burn.

Rojas - Bluebonnets Lancero
Tasty sensation
If you don’t like a lancero like this you just don’t like lanceros. It’s super tasty. Nuttiness, earth, and freshly baked dessert pastry. It’s awesome. The strength won’t steal your soul, but you enjoy it the whole way through with consistent flavor and strength.

Rojas - Statement Lancero
Quality and flavor
Excellent lancero. Smokes beautifully every time. It’s definitely full strength and flavor, but you won’t get any ashy flavor out of it. It’s all chocolate and bread and earth. Very similar to the Blue Bonnet but stronger and deeper.

Gran Habano - Corojo #5 Maduro Triumph
One of the absolute best
I have had dozens of this cigar. It’s a uniquely dark and enchanting experience. The flavors is certainly earthy, like a good espresso, while chocolate and salt follow each other. I’ve never had any construction issues on any of them. Perfect burn from the light to the last draw and a great draw the whole time.

Alec Bradley - Kintsugi Wabi Sabi
Excellent medium smoke
Not many cigars remind you of green tea and cream. This is in a category by itself. A perfect any time cigar that has depth and unique flavors that make it stand out. It was perfectly constructed with an open, but full draw. Total smoking time was about 1.5 hours for me, taking it at a slow pace. Enjoyed it with a solid Irish pot still. The spice and high flavors of the whiskey made the cigar sing.

Caldwell Cigar Company - Anastasia Yellow Label Opera
Perfectly delicious
Nuanced and perfectly constructed. I got a full draw and instant complexity out of this cigar. There is something familiar about it. It is evocative of other Caldwell Cigar co blends, yet it still stands alone. Leather and wood abound. It doesn’t rely on pepper to complicate your tastes, there’s so many other flavors. A real treat and worth the price.

Drew Estate - Deadwood Dominicana Gordo
Not for everyone
If your taste buds are injured in someway, I promise you will taste this one. It was horrible. They need to label these infused cigars clearly. I know people like these so I’m just saying, if you don’t usually care for infused cigars don’t buy this. Its flavoring is so strong I can’t explain it. Three puffs and I had it in my mouth for 30-45 minutes. Vulgar.

Gran Habano - Corojo #5 Maduro Pyramid
One of the best at any price
I’ve had all the cigars and this is one of my absolute favorites. It’s the kind of cigar that fills you up but you still need a good meal before you have it. Chocolate and earth and steak are the flavors I get. A bit salty like a great Cuban. Just one of the best.

Gran Habano - Corojo #7 Gran Robusto
Amazing anytime cigar
You look at this dark color and think it will only be a heavy leathery Maduro, but even in the first pull you know there’s something different about this one. It’s a medium-full flavor cigar using a lot of aged tobacco. It won’t lay you out like the Corojo 5 Maduro Limited does. It can be enjoyed after only light meals and even in the AM. It gives me a lot of complex flavor that I enjoy discovering every time I have one. The most common notes for me are fresh earth, dried leather, and toffee. Like every Gran Habano/George Rico cigar I’ve had, every cigar in the box was rolled perfectly.

Warped - Moon Garden Especial
Strength and Flavor
There aren’t many good dark cigars with a roundness of flavor and an equal amount of creaminess. The smoke was rich and every pull was full. This cigar was good right off the nose coming out of the package. Even the cold draw was a pleasure. It’s construction was top notch and didn't start getting hot until it was in the end of its last 1/4. As far as strength, I feel confident that this is more of a medium-full than a medium. I wish I had enjoyed a more full meal prior to starting it. It has real strength for all of its creamy flavors. Very unusual find and a cigar that I am sure to come back to soon.

Illusione - Original Documents Ultra Gordo
Hidden Gem
Like its namesake mind control program the MKULTRA will never leave your mind once you have it. It’s a full cigar to me. The journey of it is long, but what a ride! Unlike some cigars it doesn’t batter you with pepper and fire. This cigar has a story to tell and you should listen close to its rich, creamy, and dark siren song. One of the best cigars at any price.

Hearth & Home - Viprati 1.75oz
Simply one of the best
What can you say about something that is one of your favorite tobacco blends? The blend is extremely well balanced and structured. I know it is a Virginia Perique but it's unlike any other VaPer that I have had. This tobacco is perfect every time, no matter what pipe I put it into. It has fruit up front like wild berries and the fragrance of a spring strawberry... a little tart, a little green, but with a sweet kiss that promises sugar later. Only it is the kiss that you get again and again and you are never overwhelmed. So there you have it... it's a tobacco you can rely upon to always be enjoyable for exactly what it was the last time. It's not to say this blend has no subtlety, to the contrary I enjoy contemplating its flavors very much. But it's like a really, really good whiskey or wine... it is always excellent and it is always exactly what you expect. If you aren't "allergic" to perique, I'd recommend you try it.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Kendal #7
Quality, unique, pure tobacco
I really enjoy this tobacco as it’s easy to pack and keep lit. As someone else said it is very well mannered. It’s not topped or flavored or scented in my way that I can detect. It’s a rich and satisfying smoke with a fairly pleasant room note. That said it is a tad acrid and lightly cigar like. The cigar quality for me knocks this down a bit. It may be an excellent base to mix with other cool burning tobaccos such as a cavendish or even Latakia. I definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a real straight tobacco taste.

Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation - Morning Blend
Just about perfection
This is a very satisfying pipe tobacco. It’s excellent in the AM and it’s still excellent at noon. It’s very reliable to load but burns a little fast. This isn’t bad for me personally as I use this in the morning and at lunch and I don’t want a 30 minute pipe. I’m not retired yet. Then I’ll be able to smoke the rough cut ribbons and hard bars all day long (can’t wait!). Until then there is this delicious, subtly topped, satisfying tobacco to keep me going. Great job Stokkebye!

Cornell & Diehl - Burley Flake #4 2oz
Shows what burley can do
This is a satisfying and perfectly smoky, sweet blend. It has enough bright burley and fruity red VA to make the Latakia become that thing that it can become when it is not overwhelming. I enjoy this with a big homemade latte on quiet mornings when I have some time to think. I find it hard to imagine any pipe smoker who enjoys a strong blend, at least occasionally, not enjoying this one. Give it time to settle down or it will bite you. The required pacing along with the subtle sweet smokiness of it is what makes it the thoughtful smoke that it is. Just lean into it.