Bolivar Corona Junior

Bolivar Corona Junior 
4 3/8 x 42

Made in Cuba

Paid: $7 CDN
Age: Purchased yesterday from local B&M

Drink: Water

In my hunt to find a petite corona to buy a box, and put away, I'm giving this one a try based on good reviews.

The draw, and construction looks perfect.  The burn was was fairly uneven, and had to be corrected drastically twice.  The smoke was really thick, and cloudy.

The inhale was much better then the exhale.  The dominant flavour was a toasted sawdust aroma, much like cutting a bunch of 2x4's.  Not quite that pleasant but close.  I could tell this cigar was young, as I did detect a slight ammonia aroma throughout, but it didn't nearly detract from the smoke, like I had with the Montecristo Open Junior the day before.  Pretty one dimensional flavour wise.

This cigar left a mild mushroom after taste on my tongue, which I was unsure if I enjoyed or not. (EDIT: I've finally come to learn that mushroom taste is earthiness.  Had a buddy help me out with that, cause he thought I was crazy, so we shared a cigar.)

It felt like a mild strength smoke, and the last third seemed the most enjoyable.  Despite the burn issues, and slight ammonia odor, I found this smoke pleasant, and would consider revisiting again down the road.  I think a little time on this cigar would make a huge difference.

Right now I would rank the Montecristo No 5 way ahead of this one, but I have still yet to try the Partagas Short, or Siglo I, which are next on my petite cigar hit list.

Cusano 59 Rare Cameroon Robusto Review

Cusano 59 Rare Cameroon 
Robusto 5x50
Made in Dominican Republic
Wrapper: African Cameroon
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Domincan with a wrapper leaf.

Price: $10 CDN - These were on special, regular $12.

Age: Purchased early February from Cigar Studio, and sat in my humidor for a few weeks.

Drink: Ice Water & Diet Pepsi with Spiced Rum

The cigar lit well, but my torch lighter started to die, and I had to get the flame right on it to get it going.  This also caused an uneven burn right off the hop.  The first few draws were harsh. My first thoughts were, 'This is going to be brutal'. After it settled down, I got a predominant wood flavour, like cedar.  It also had a sweet taste in there with some spiciness.  The burn also evened out nicely by itself after several more draws.

I found I had to really slow my pace.  Taking shallow to medium draws, and not letting to much in or out my nose really allowed the wood flavour to come out, and be enjoyed.  Otherwise a nice full draw came off as really caustic, and harsh.  

At about the half way point, I got a little distracted, and slowed down for a bit. I was surprised it went completely out on me.  After the relight, it was crap tasting really harsh, and ashy.  I ended up digging out the ash to about the last third, and gave it another relight.  This worked, and the wood flavours were out again, but I still kept getting the occasional harsh draw.  A few times I had to gargle some water, and breath in some fresh air to clean out the taste.  I also got a really dry for the final third.

The smoke that came off was fairly thick, but had a fairly bad aroma, one I would relate to a stinky cheap cigar.  I often enjoy the aroma of the lingering smoke, and have no problem temporarily walking through the house with a cigar, but not the case here.  Definitely one I would keep out doors.

I smoked it down to the nub.  All in all I would say it was an OK experience, that may have been better had the cigar not gone out half way through.  The predominant flavour is definitely woody, with sweetness, and spice from start to finish.  I got a moderate nicotine buzz near the end, that bordered on uncomfortable. 

There is nothing that would make me want to go out, and buy more, especially considering there is so much out there to try, and the expense involved.