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.

Quintero Londres Extra

Quinter Londres Extra

Petite Conona 4 7/8 x 40
Made in Cuba

Paid: $5 CDN
Age: Purchased  about 6 months ago at Holy Smokes (Run out of Loblaws Superstore)
Drink: Ice Water & Diet Pepsi

I'm not going to bother going long on this one.  It's a piece of crap. Move on with your day, if you don't care to read more. 

The guy recommended these, along with the Guantanamera brand as a 'good beginner smoke'.  So I bought two.  I smoked one that day, and I was disgusted.  Had this been my first cigar, I would have never picked up another cigar again.  Anytime I here someone at a cigar shop recommend me these, or the Guantanamera brands, I immediately do not trust their opinion.  I think they are just trying to move a crappy product out on the back of my inexperience.

Six months did nothing to change my opinion, or make this cigar any better. It's really, really bland, and flavourless.  By the end you just taste cigar ash.  It's very mild, and if you told me it was filled with paper, I would not be surprised.  I didn't even taste a hint of tobacco, nor feel the affects. 

I will give it some positive feedback.  The smoke is super thick, and the ash hung on till the half way point, as you can see in my pics.  The smoke left no lingering bad odor (Thank God), and it left no bad after taste in my mouth.  It didn't hurt the pocket book to much either.  

Another positive... it's no longer in my humidor!!!; There will never be another.  I still have two Guantanemera's left, and I'm not looking forward to smoking them. 

In my opinion, if your new to cigars, spend the extra $5 to $10, and go with the respected names, like Bolivar, Montecristo, etc...  The Por Larranga Panetela's, while slightly smaller, are super cheap in this cigar's price range, and far superior, if your looking for an everyday decent cheap cigar.