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.

Montecristo Petit Edmundo

Montecristo Petit Edmundo

4 1/3 × 52 

Made in Cuba

Paid:  $19

Drink: Diet Pepsi

I'm quickly becoming Monte fan boy.  I have a half box of Edmundo's that I splt with a co-worker, and planned on lighting that up today.  I reached for this instead, as it's been sitting in the humidor alone for awhile.

Like with all Monte's, I find the construction, and feel of the cigar to be perfect.  It lights nicely, and burns even start to finish, without ever getting to hot.

Right off the bat I'm hit with strong wood cedar flavour, that can't be mistaken.  About an inch in, the wood softens, and lets a slight earth in, if I exhale a little out the nose.  It's very creamy, and coats the entire mouth.  There is a definite cocoa or chocolate in there, but I don't get it every draw.   The smoke is nice and thick. 

By the last third all the flavours mellow out, and I get a slight fruity taste added in.

Now a lot of reviews also describe pepper, and spice.  I don't really ever taste those in a cigar, other then the tingling sensation similar to pepper in the nose, if I exhale out the nose.  If that is indeed what people are talking about, then there is a slight pepper in the nose, that gets stronger in the last third.  The spice thing I still don't get.

I would consider this a mild cigar.  I've smoked a Hoyo Petit Robusto, and Bolivar Royal Corona.  The Royal Corona was very strong, and I feel that this was more mild then the Hoyo.

Another great Monte, I highly recommend.  Having not smoked the Edmundo yet, my thinking right now is to try and see if I can get someone to split a box with me.  

Montecristo No. 4

Montecristo No 4

5 × 42 

Made in Cuba
Paid: $15 CDN

Drink: Water

I can't believe this wasn't my first blog review.  I've had a several of these, and right now it's my go to cigar.  I ended up buying a box, dated OCT09, and while I don't know the box dates for the few I smoked before it, the experience has always been consistent.  That's part of the reason why I love them... No surprises.

These things are made great, and smoke great.   From start to finish I find you get a perfect balance and blend of earth, and wood.  It's never overwhelming.  As long as I keep my draw slow and smooth, on the exhale I  get the tasty aroma of the wrapper, mixed with a kinda chocolate/cocoa taste that just sites on the back of my tongue on the exhale.  Makes me salivate.

It doesn't produce a whole lot of thick smoke compared to a lot of other cigars, but the aroma is pleasant.

The only downside I consistently find with this cigar (and quite a few other Cubans), if I draw to fast, and let it burn to hot, it will get this bitter, varnish type flavour, that takes the place of the chocolaty taste I mentioned earlier.  Completely ruins the smoke.  I really have to take my time with it, and not ever rush it.

I think this is one of the best cigars I can recommend to a beginner, as its flavour is smooth, and the tobacco kick is mild.  You just can't go wrong here.

Bravos Nicaraguan Robusto

Bravos Nicaraguan Robusto 
Robusto 5.5 x 50
Wrapper: Appears to be a corojo

Binder: assuming Nicaragua
Filler: assuming Nicaragua
Paid: $5 CDN from local Holy Smokes (Loblaws Superstore)
Drink: Diet Pepsi

I smoked this one last week, and never got around to typing up a review.  You can't find much on the web about this brand, other then people asking for information about this brand.  It looks like the label has been knocked off a Cubao band.  Perhaps it is a factory second of Cubao.  Loblaws carries a few different labels that are known to be factory seconds, rejects.

The construction is pretty nice, and has leather pre-light aroma.

Upon lighting, the dominant flavour in this thing is ashtray.  I could really taste nothing else.  My first thought was 'Its a short filler machine made cigar'.  That's the only time I have ever tasted anything that awful

I gave it to the half way point, and had enough (including a headache).  I cut it open to confirm my suspicion, and to my surprise it was actually long filler.  I ended up talking to the guy who sold me it at Holy Smokes, and he was shocked by my experience.  He chalked it up to a bad stick, and kindly fronted me a second at no cost.

My second experience was better, in that it didn't taste like an ashtray, but it was still really dry, and bland left me parched.  You got a slight earth, and some pepper in the nose, but barely enough to mention.  I still have a Maduro which looks to be a Corona Gorda left.  I'm not looking forward to the day I have to light that up.

Partagas Mille Fleurs

Partagas Mille Fleurs 
Petite Corona 5 1/8 x 42
Made in Cuba
Paid: $10 CDN from Cigar Studio (February Special)
Drink: Diet Pepsi


Lit this one up today, on a whim.  Wasn't planning on smoking but found myself with some down time so I grabbed this Partagas, as I have yet to try anything from the brand yet.

On a side note, this cigar is a corona, don't know why a 42 gauge cigar over 5" is deemed Petite.  Yet they call a 4" x 42 cigar petite as well.  Whatever, its a size I enjoy all the time.

It lit, and burnt great, and the pre-light aroma, like with the majority of Cubans was nice.  The construction felt, and looked good..

The taste is a different with this one.  The dominant flavour was a rich woodiness that I couldn't pin down to a specific wood.  It didn't have a remote hint of earth, that I find almost guaranteed in Cubans.

Now I had read a few reviews before lighting up, and quite a few mentioned a floral taste.  Not sure if the name 'Fleur' influences that, and in turn influenced my own taste; but I actually did get a hint of what I would describe as light floral taste.  If I didn't read that going in, I'm not sure I would have picked up on it, or if I just made it up, as it was in my mind.

I found it to be mild to medium strength.  Nice rich creamy smoke.

This was a decent smoke.  If I could find them by the box for significantly less then the $10 a stick I paid, I would certainly consider getting a box, or splitting with someone.

Alec Bradley Family Blend

Alec Bradley Family Blend 
Robusto 5.5 x 50
Wrapper: Honduras CriolloBinder: Indonesia Embetunado
Filler: Jalapa, Nicaragua, Trojes, Honduras
Paid: $11 CDN from local B&M  (Cigars for You - I think)
Drink: Diet Pepsi

I have been excited to smoke this for awhile.  The construction is great with the added pigtail.  What got me most excited was the pre-light aroma.  With a beautiful aroma of strong leather, slight chocolate, and tobacco, I would often take this cigar out just to hold, and smell.  It lit well, and the burn was pretty good, but thats where it ends.

From start to finish, this smoke was really bland.  Quite the disappointment.  Other then a slight earthiness, I got nothing else.  If there is one thing I have begun to learn, it's the pre-light aroma has absolutely nothing to do with the flavor once lit.


This cigar seemed to burn really hot, and fast.  Due to its size, I really took my time with it, but it always had a bright amber.  I think this also caused it to be a really dry smoke, constantly drying out my mouth.


It was about a medium strength cigar, and I put it down with about an inch or so left.  Just too flavorless, and hot.

Montecristo No. 2

Montecristo No.2

6 1/8 × 52

Made in Cuba
Paid: $22 CDN from local B&M.

Drink: Spiced rum, and cola.

I've smoked a few cigars since my last review that I have notes, but have not yet posted.  I smoked this cigar tonight, and couldn't wait.  I had to post right away while it was fresh in my mind.  What a great cigar.  The best cigar I've smoked to date.

I've been wanting to smoke this cigar for awhile, but was a bit worried, as I get pretty buzzed off a robusto size, and was unsure if I could handle a cigar of this size, and enjoy it.  Not quite the case here. While I was feeling the nicotine by the end, the overall experience was amazing.

The size is perfect.  It rolls around in the hand with a natural fit.  Great construction, and draw.  It does not quite give off the thick smoke I would expect from a cigar like this, but who cares.

This Monte #2 was so smooth, and earthy from start to finish.  It had a very slight ammonia scent by the half way point, but very subtle.  Overall, start to finish the flavor was consistant, and left not even a trace of aftertaste in the mouth.

The burn was amazing.  It canoed slightly in the middle, but corrected itself when I set it down for a couple of minutes.  I don't know what else to say about this cigar.  I hope this is the common experience for the vitola.

Hopefully I can get back to the place I bought it from soon, and check the box date, to buy a box with close to the same date.