Por Larraenga Petit Panatenella

Por Larraenga Petit Panatenella

5 × 36
Made in Cuba
Paid: $4

I've smoked quite a few of these since I started smoking cigars.  With a price tag that can usually be found for less then $5, they are a great value.  My understanding is they used to be machine made cigars untill 2002, and are now hand rolled.

I find a slightly different experience every time I smoke one, but I've never had a bad one.

This cigar had a nice floral flavour, mixed with wood, and some mild earth.  I find these three flavours are always common to this cigars profile, and it's just a matter of which combination and strength you see the flavours that will vary.

Smoking time is usually about 30-45 minutes, and the last inch will get acidic due to heat.  They do have some strength to them also, probably in the medium range for the size.

I highly recommend these cigars.  In my opinion you can't go wrong.  I keep them around for an everyday smoke, and their so cheap you don't feel guilty turfing it if you have to.

CAO La Traviata Devino

CAO La Travata Devino

5 x 50 Robusto

Made in Mexico          
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Cameroon

Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican

Drink: Diet Pepsi with Jack Daniels

I have the Radiante (Toro) sitting in my humidor, but was gifted this Devino (Robusto), and thought I would try this one first, as I find cigars with a Cameroon binder to be on the strong side.  Adding to the strength it's supposed to have two different ligero fillers, one from Nicarauaga and Dominican Republic

It has a nice barnyard pre-light aroma.  The wrapper is very oily, and shiny.  This cigar 'looks' good, but I have been fooled by that many times.

Right off the bat, I'm pummeled by pepper.  Caused a few sneezing attacks.  Less then an inch in the pepper settles down, and I get a predominant nutty flavour which is delicious.  Every now and then I get some strong leather added in.  I like leather in my sticks, but in this case I wish it wasn't.  The nutty flavour is that good.

The flavour is consistent from start to finish.  On the whole I found the cigar quite dry, despite reviews of it having a creaminess.  Usually when I have Jack Daniels with a cigar it enhances any creamy flavours, but it just wasn't there for me.  I also did get some ammonia from it, but not enough to take away from my overall enjoyment.

The ash was also very flaky, not taking much to jar the ash off, or chunks to flake off.

It's labeled as strong in strength, and I would agree.  By the half way point I was feeling it, and really took my time on the second half.  I would have liked to nub it, but was feeling overwhelmed.  Glad I didn't reach for the larger Radiante stick.

A very good cigar, that I would recommend, but maybe not for someone new, unless you're prepared to not smoke the whole thing.

Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles Robusto

Tatuaje Havana VI Nobles

5 x 50 Robusto

Made in Nicaragua

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 99

Binder:  Nicaragua

Filler:  Nicaragua

Paid: Gifted

I was really excited to smoke this.  I have quite a few Tatuaje/Pepin sticks now, and have heard nothing but good things.  

This cigar has some strong flavour to it.  It was very consistent from start to finish.  I get this strong wood flavour, and used coffee grinds.  There is also some nuts mixed in the exhale.  A lot of pepper on the exhale.

This cigar was not all that smooth, and had an ammonia harshness to it that made retro-haling difficult, especially with how peppery it is.  That's too bad, because the wood, coffee, and nuts were really pronounced, but would get flushed out by the harshness.  

I found this cigar really strong, which also detracted from my enjoyment of it.  Kind of gave me a headache by the half way point.

The ash was pretty white, and held on good.  Burn was also fantastic.  Nice slow even line.

I have one more of these that looks like its from a different batch based on the band being a little faded.   I will certainly revisit this stick down the road, and hopefully not get the harshness, and be able to handle the strength.

Cusano Habano Sun Grown LXI Robusto

Cusano Habano Sun Grown LXI

5 x 50 Robusto

Made in Domincan Republic

Wrapper: Dominican Sun Grown Ecuadorian Habano

Binder:  Dominican Sun Grown Ecuadorian Habano

Filler:  Dominican Ligero

Paid: $12 CDN from Cigar Studio

The first third I get a creamy sweet floral, with slight wood flavour.  Not bad, but certainly nothing special.  I think the wood is what detracts from it.

I saw some reviews that also noted cherry, and I usually call BS when I hear flavours like that.  By the second third the wood disappears, but at the end of the exhale I do get a cherry flavour in there now.  Quite a surprise.   The aroma also has a very sweet vanilla.  This is turning out to be a really good smoke.

This cigar did leave an acidic aftertaste on the tongue, that wasn't overpowering, and bordered on pleasent for some reason.  I usually don't like that taste.

The ash was pure white, but flaked off very easy, and never held for more then a half inch.  The smoke is really thick, and white. It's pretty strong, on the medium to full power end, and definitely full bodied.  I found the best way to smoke this, and get all the flavour was to NOT to retrohale.  As I exhaled, I would slightly breath the smoke in the nose, and would get the vanilla added.

If you read the above, you would think I'm going to conclude this was a great smoke, and highly recommend it.  Not the case.  I had huge burn issues.  This thing went out constantly.  The last half was brutal.  It went out almost every few puffs.  I walked away from the last inch, because I was so annoyed, despite enjoying the flavours.

Almost every review I read, I think every review I read, notes similar burn issues.  It's not a case of it being too wet either.  This thing spent a few months in my desktop humidor which sits at 58-60% RH.  

I would say try this cigar, and hope you don't get the burn issues, and enjoy what this stick has to offer, but I would not buy a box.  I might get a few, I they could be had for a couple of dollars.

Partagas Series D No. 4

Partagas Series D No. 4

6 1/8 × 52 Robusto
Made in Cuba
Paid: Gifted
Drink: Jack Daniels, and Diet Pepsi

After smoking the Partagas Series P No. 2 yesterday, I knew this would be my next cigar.

My cigar had abou a 3/4 inch split in the foot, that caused it to start off with a wonky burn.

I notice that the flavour is consistent with a Partagas cigar.  This one had a definitive floral flavour, and lots of pepper.  It isn't nearly as sweet as the P2, so I think that's why I'm not getting that kind of vanilla flavour mixed with the floral.  I hardly detect any wood to it either.  It also leaves a nice subtle cream flavour on the tongue.

By the second third, the pepper dies off, and it's really relaxing to sit back, and enjoy the smoke.  The aroma it gives off is very pleasant. 

While not as strong, or full flavoured as a P2, still a very good quality smoke, and great switch up from the Montecristo Edmundo's that I usually go to when I want to relax and smoke a Cuban robusto.  

One little annoyance was a little to much glue on the band that tore open the wrapper on the last third causing it to unravel. Had to be careful with from there out.

Partagas Series P No. 2

Partagas Series P No. 2

6 1/8 × 52 Pyramid
Made in Cuba
Paid: $27 CDN
Drink: Jack Daniels, and Diet Pepsi

I reached for my last Montecristo No.2, and thought I would save it, and instead give the Partagas Series P No.2 a shot.  I've heard so many good things, and was curious.  I also heard good things about the Diplomatico No.2 which was OK, but not rivaling the Monte #2.

I lit this up, and my mind was blown.  The first half was an amazing very sweet woody, slight earth, and creamy flavour that I went back and forth on, deciding if it was floral, or vanilla. Just delicious.  The second half changed up a bit, getting less woody, but continuing with the floral/vanilla, and some nutty taste's sprinkled in.  The whole cigar is rich, and smooth.

A lot of reviews state this is not a beginner smoke, and describe it as overwhelming, or strong.  Was not the case here.  Definitely medium strength, and full of flavour.  Very similar to the Partagas Mille Fleur, just exponentially flavour filled.

This cigar really WOWed me.  If this one cigar sample is the consistent experience you get, then this cigar certainly rivals the Monte #2, and perhaps bests it.  I have a Series D No.4, that I can't wait to try.

I'm definitely getting more of these, and would absolutely get a box if I get more of the same.

Diplomatico No. 2

Diplomatico No. 2

6 1/8 × 52
Made in Cuba
Paid: $20 CDN
Drink: Jack Daniels, and Diet Pepsi

I haven't smoked a Cuban in awhile, after a tear trying to find some Non-Cuban sticks I like.  Needed the break, and contemplated a Montecristo Edumndo.  Reached for this one after a recent post comparing the Montecrsito No. 2 and the Diplomatico No. 2.  I have a few Monte 2's under my belt, and absolutely love that cigar.  This is supposed to be a cheaper alternative, that many prefer over the Monte.

The construction is good, but seems ever so sub par to a Monte 2 with veins, and bumps in the wrapper.    I love the feel of a pyramid in the hand.

I get a good amount of earth, but this cigar also has a nutty flavour to it, which I'm not sure I get with the Monte.  Very smooth.  Burned like a champ.

The taste, while similar to a Monte 2, is not as full.  The flavour profile seems more like a Guantanamera brand cigar (Cheap), minus the horrid construction, and draw issues.  Overall I can't say anything bad about it.

I'll make this comparison.  It's like drinking Coke, or Pepsi, or any other name brand product, and then going out and buying the no name brand.  Even though their marketing it as cola, it just doesn't taste like the real thing.  If these were significantly cheaper, like a no name, I would consider it an alternative, but I'm pretty sure this was only a couple bucks cheaper then a Monte 2.

Punch London Club EMS

Punch London Club EMS 

5 x 40 Petit Corona

Made in Honduras          

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra

Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf

Filler:  Dominican, Nicaraguan, Honduran

Paid: $10 CDN)

Drink: Diet Pepsi with Jack Daniels

I smoked one of these yesterday for the first time, while I was out and about.  I was so impressed I decided to light this one, and see if it really was that good.  So this review will encompass the experience of both sticks.

I've had a couple of them sitting in my humidor for a few months now.  They were purchased from different locations, and I noted that one had darker wrapper then the other, and it wasn't the maduro version.

They both are made well, and burn perfect.

The first stick started out with a strong wood flavour, with a mild floral taste in the background.  At the halfway point it switched up to strong floral, and the wood took the back seat.  Very pleasing.  The best of the two sticks.

The second stick I got a strong earth, mixed with some floral, and woody tastes.  The taste was similar to a Cuban Hoyo de Monterey.  By the last half, the earth subsided, and all I was getting is floral.  I don't know what tobacco gives that flavour, but it's great.  Kinda tastes like soap, which sounds bad, but not in this case.  

This cigar is nothing mind blowing, but a very enjoyable stick.  The tobacco strength is mild, and the taste is just right, and leaves no aftertaste.   

A box of 25 can be had in the US for as little as $50-60, and I'm going to pull the trigger on one in the near future, as they tend to go for about $10 a stick here.  This is one of the better Non-Cuban cigars I've smoked, and probably the first I can definitively say I would smoke on a regular basis, if I can get them for $2-3 a stick.

TTT Trinidad Robusto

TTT Trinidad Robusto 

5 x 50

Made in Dominican Republic          
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra

Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf

Filler:  Dominican, Nicaraguan, Peruvian

Paid: $30 for a sampler of 8 from JR Cigars ($4 CDN)

Drink: Diet Pepsi with Jack Daniels

The pre-light aroma on this is the best I've smelt to date.  Tremendous aroma of caramel, chocolate, and some leather.  I really want to eat this stick  In my experience, this is usually followed by a huge let down (Alec Bradley Family Blend comes to mind).  Another bone of contention I have coming in is, smoking traditional Cuban brands, in a non Cuban format.  Their never as good as the Cuban.  We'll see.

It lights fine, the construction looks and feels great.  The burn is perfect from front to back.  I get some long ashes with this one.

While not nowhere near as bad as the Alec Bradley Family Blend, the flavour is as I suspected.  Bland.  It's a very smooth, mild tobacco flavour, with some kind of sweetness, that I find common in Dominican cigars, it's just nowhere near the point of quenching my pallets thirst for flavour, like I get in a Cuban cigar.  The last third really gets ashy tasting.

Every now and then you get the rich taste of the wrapper on your tongue, but that same feat can be accomplished by not lighting the cigar. There was no harshness, and the smoke did have a creaminess to it, which is another plus.  Very mild in body, flavour. and strength.  Could easily be smoke by anyone new or old to cigars.

Overall I can't say anything bad about the stick. It's smokable.  I'd have no problem smoking another, just nothing exciting, and no where near the experience of smoking a Cuban Trinidad.  Also nowhere near the price of it's Cuban counterpart either.  This cigar would probably retail in the $12 range, while a Cuban can be as much as triple that.

My search for a non-Cuban cigar that impresses me, and I can love as much as a Cuban continues...

Frank Correnti Maduro Robusto

Frank Correntti Maduro Robusto
4 3/4 x 50
Hand Rolled in Toronto, Canada
All Imported Cuban Tobacco
$11.50 CDN

Frank Correnti is the only maker of Cuban hand made cigars.  He's located at 606 King St W, Toronto.  You have to walk down a laneway to the very back where you'll find the door leading up to his second floor factory.  Like you're doing something illegal, and need to know the secret knock to get in.

The place is nice, and you can see where they hand roll, and store them.  There is also a lounge.  The cigars are unbanded, and unboxed, though you can purchase those options for extra if you want.

They sell each vitola in a Claro wrapper, or Maduro.  In my opinion the Maduro is the best. I have not had good luck with the Claro's in construction, and taste.  Very Bland.

This Maduro Robusto you can see is not well constructed if that matters to you.  I find all his cigars have an overall poor construction, and loose draw when compared to a brand name cuban.  It's really hit or miss, however I don't smoke them for looks.

This cigar I got nice flavours of sweet wood, mild earth, pepper on the exhale, and a nice caramel creamy after taste. None of these flavours are overwhelming.  The wood is really pronounced.

He claims all tobacco is aged five years, but occasionally I get a slight ammonia in the smoke.  I find all his cigars on the mild to medium side of strength.

While I don't think these cigars come close to standing up to a cuban cigar like Hoyo de Monterrey, Montecristo, Partagas, etc... they are still really good, especially when you factor in the price.  A single robusto from the aforementioned brands will garner $20 and up in Canada.  So not a bad trade off.  I would certainly rank them well above the Guantanamera, and Quintero lines of Cuban cigars.

You can check them out online at http://www.correnticigars.com/, and if your in Toronto certainly take the time to visit.  I like to go buy a few cigars every now and then, just to support the cigar business in general.

TE-AMO World Selection Series Nicaragua Blend

TE-AMO World Selection Series 

Nicaragua Blend

4 x 62 Gran Corto

Made in Mexico          
Wrapper: Mexican Cuban Ciriollo seed

Binder: Mexican

Filler: Nicaraguan 

Paid: $7 CDN from Cheers Smoke Shop 

Drink: Diet Pepsi

I'm just going to start this off, by saying this was a surprisingly good cigar.  I'm always weary of any cigar south of $10 in Canada.

The girth of this thing is a site.  If your putting a football team of cigars together, this is the NT.  A little pitbull of a cigar looking as wide as it does long.

It lights well, and feels well constructed.  I cut a little to much off, and the draw ended up being loose.

The first flavour I got was that sweet hay, or bitter sweet wine taste I've described in other cigars, that I can't stand.  I was expecting to turf it by the half way point.  Thankfully it only lasted the first few draws, and transformed into an amazing tasting cigar.

I was hit with so many flavours that seemed to change back in forth, or combine, that I couldn't describe them all.  The predominant theme was a nice creamy caramel, cocoa, and woody taste. I was in bliss, it tasted that good.  The smoke coming off this thing was very thick.

I got to the half way point and for some reason it went for shit.  Gone were all the great flavours, and I was either getting no flavour, or a bitter acidic, varnish flavour. I blew it out every now and then, which helped remove the varnish flavour, but just left it completely flavourless.

The size is a nice quick, well burning smoke, which took about 45 minutes, leaving the pyramid end unsmoked.  I was also surprised at how mild in tobacco strength this was.  Very mild, that a beginner like myself had no problem handling.

I'm really torn on this one.  How could the first half be so amazing, and just bomb on the second half.  The first half was so good, that I'm going to get a couple more to rest for awhile, and see if that helps the second half, and try to get a few of the bigger vitolas as well.

Ultimately I would say TRY IT.

W&D Honduran Robusto

W&D Honduran Robusto
5 x 50
Orgin: Honduran
Paid: $5 from Holy Smokes (Loblaw Superstore)

Paraphrased from www.bonitasmokeshop.com
"Often compared to the well known Don Thomas premium cigar line these W & D cigars are a great buy. Those in the know realize that this is in fact a Don Thomas cigar with ever so slight imperfections which do not in any way affect the smooth silky cigar... Nothing "second" about these cigars except for being in a bundle and costing far less..."

The construciton looks good, and it feels packed full of tobacco.  Upon lighting, it's extremely tight.  I cut it two more times, before finally cutting the entire cap off, and it was still very tight.  Made it difficult to smoke, and enjoy.

This cigar was probably the most mild cigar I've smoked to date, in both strength, and flavour.  Very sweet, like hay, or a bitter sweet wine.  The only time I tasted this flavour was when I smoked an Arturo Fuente Brevas Royal, and I'm not a big fan of the taste either.  I also dislike wine.  It also had some earth to it.  By the half way point the flavour only get more dull, to the point I'm not really tasting anything.

This thing smoked, and burned good, but the tight draw was a real set back.  I really had to work for this thing.  I ultimately set it down shortly after starting the last third, as it was flavourless, and too tight to draw from.

The draw problems aside, I don't like the flavour profile of this.  That Sweet hay or wine taste I'm getting is OK for a short while, but gets annoying, and tastes weird.

I have Don Tomas Maduro Robusto in my humidor, and I hope it tastes nothing like this.  I don't recommend this cigar.

Montecristo Edmundo

Montecristo Edmundo

5 3/8 × 52 Robusto

Made in Cuba

Drink: Diet Pepsi

Box date: Sept 09

In continuation of my great run at the Montecirsto line, I'm smoking a Edmundo.  I split a box of these with a co-worker, so it better be good.  I wasn't to worried.  I smoked the Petit Edmundo yesterday, and was expecting an identical experience, just a half hour longer.

I found the draw on this thing a little tight, and it opened up to a normal draw by the half way point.  The smoke is thick, and creamy, coating my mouth with flavour.

The flavours were the same as the PE, but far more mellow, and spread out.  You get the woodiness, and the earth kicks in after an inch or so.  By the half way point I then get the chocolate/cocoa flavour on the back my tongue.

This is not a powerful stick.  I usually can't take a robusto to the nub, but did it with ease here.  I loved the Bolivar Royal Corona, which is a little shorter then this, and couldn't finish it due to the strength.

Overall a really great smoke, and I'm happy I have a dozen of these waiting.  If I had to choose based on now smoking one of each, the PE would get the nod. The PE had a stronger flavour, which I got from start to finish.    Perhaps the PE would get equally as mellow with a year and half of age.

Another great Monte, I highly recommend. 

CAO Cameroon Box Pressed Robusto

CAO Cameroon - Box Pressed 

Robusto 5.5 x 50

Wrapper: West African Cameroon

Binder & Filler: Nicaraguan 

Paid: $11 CDN from local Holy Smokes (Loblaws Superstore) 

Drink: Diet Pepsi

Smoked this one a few days ago, and never got a chance to post about it.

I continue to try and find a Non-cuban I can love, and hold to call my own.  The box press is very cool looking, and feels great in the hand.  It has a rich chocolate aroma coming off the wrapper, and is very well made.

I clipped this one a little too much, and the draw was very loose, though as you'll see, I don't realize it till later.  I started smoking it, and it was really hot, and dry.  I went through half the cigar, and was getting no flavour.  Just bland smoke.  I was about to set this thing down, when I decided to change up how I smoked it.

I began to draw really slow.  This change up made a huge difference.  It was then that I realized that I opened it up to much, and/or was drawing to hard on it.  With the slow controlled draw I all of a sudden had a very sweet creamy flavour, that I would describe as caramel.  There was also a wood flavour in there too.

Shortly after the last third, I unfortunately had to walk away from this thing right as I was enjoying it.  I was just overwhelmed by it's strength, and had to go lay down.  I've never been that f*cked off a cigar.  I felt a huge weight in my stomach that lasted well into the next day.  I think the loose draw, mixed with a strong draw was my downfall.  It's said to be a medium strength cigar, but sure seemed very strong.

I really want to try this one again down the road with a slower/tighter draw, and really take it easy.  I think it may be a really good smoke, but perhaps not for a newer smoker.  I'll keep my eye out for a deal.