| September Points Contest is Under Way! | By: SenorPablo |
| The points contest is under way for the month of September. The 26 members with the most points for the month have a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Famous Smoke Shop. You can read the details HERE. To view the previous month's contest results see here. | |
| Toys for Tots Drive 2022 | By: SenorPablo |
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| Warped Upper Realm | September 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: (Cfickter) | |||
| In reading follow up about this cigar after the review it was interesting the amount of corojo tobacco used. The wrapper and binder and again in the filler. When I think of any corojo cigars the bel... Read More | |||
| Warped Upper Realm | September 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: (appollo) | |||
| I would like to thank Brian for including me in this. Warped is one of my go to brands and I haven't tried this mixture. The burn time was 55min.and it stayed nice and smooth for the duration. It ... Read More | |||
| Warped Upper Realm | September 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: (The Burn Ward) | |||
| I did not have the best experience with this cigar. It fell short of many of the other Warped cigars I've smoked. Thanks Ninfiction for this cigar. I don't think I'll be picking up another... Read More | |||
| Warped Upper Realm | September 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: (McBryde) | |||
| Overall, the cigar was one with some nice complex flavors in it. I enjoyed that part of the cigar, but I just had to work at it to smoke it with the burn and draw issues. I think the cigar is a little... Read More | |||
| Warped Upper Realm | September 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Neal (ntanner) | |||
| This one started out good but had some burn issues and although the flavor was good for around half the cigar the other half was somewhat disappointing. I appreciate the opportunity to try this cigar... Read More | |||
| NobleCigars Act 1 | July 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Brian (bstessl) | |||
| Thanks to Noblecigars for sponsoring this and giving us a shot at it. Overall I enjoyed the cigar. The construction was about as perfect as you can get with a clean smooth draw and seamless wrapper/... Read More | |||
| NobleCigars Act 1 | July 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: (05Venturer) | |||
| Overall a decent cigar other than a couple construction issues that I assume happened in shipping or handling. Thanks for allowing me to try out this new brand and blend. Looking forward to trying ou... Read More | |||
| NobleCigars Act 1 | July 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Brian (ninfiction) | |||
| Thank you to Jon for providing the cigar for the critique and also including Act 2. Both cigars are very enjoyable and provide completely different profiles. I think the only points deducted were ... Read More | |||
| NobleCigars Act 1 | July 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: (Cfickter) | |||
| I personally like a cigar that starts strong. While the cigar didn't show a lot of complexity the overall experience moving thru the flavors that did show was enjoyable. Hard to be highly critic... Read More | |||
| NobleCigars Act 1 | July 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: (The Burn Ward) | |||
| Smoked down to the nub. I found the smoke to be closer to the mild side in strength and lighter flavor notes. Final smoking time was 70 minutes. If you're going to have one size, the toro is a gre... Read More | |||
| Cigar | Rating |
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| DBL Cigars MAFU Cameroon Toro |  |
| By: tuck0411 (09/27/2023 11:31 AM) | |
| Humidor time: 221 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 71, foot - 64 Appearance and construction: A few minor veins, a light sheen, box-pressed, a red cloth foot-band, and a moderately firm pack with no soft spots... Gave it a single shallow V-cut and PLD was moderately open. (9/10) Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of tobacco. The light gave a medium/full profile with a spicy retro and notes of wood, coffee, and spice. The spice in the nose faded after a few puffs with the other flavors staying consistent throughout. No transitions to note and this was decently flavorful but it missed my wheelhouse by a bit. Strength was about medium or a bit better. (27/35)  Smoking characteristics: The light produced a moderately easy draw, smoke volume on the low side of optimal, and an even burn to start. I considered giving it another V-cut but I held off in the hope that smoke output would improve on its own. The burn was a bit wavy but self-correcting through the first third with the ash falling at 1 1/2" leaving no cone behind. The burn continued wavily but self-correcting through the 2nd third and I finally gave it a second shallow V-cut after the 2nd ashing when smoke output had not yet improved. The 2nd cut helped to improve smoke output slightly but it was still a bit below fully optimal. The burn continued a bit wavy but self-correcting through the remainder and down to the nub. Draw and smoke output remained on the low side of optimal throughout. (16/20) Overall impression: This one came from Privada CC as one of their "Brian's Box" selections awhile back. A reasonably good smoke but, as mentioned, it was slightly sub-par with both flavor and construction. I'd smoke it again just to see if a second sample might treat me better. (28/35) Burn time: 1:22 Rating: 80 | |
| Black Label Trading Company Lawless Robusto |  |
| By: druid (09/27/2023 10:19 AM) | |
| Firmly packed, dark brown wrapper, no veins & decent oils. PLA sweet earth; PLT faint corky wood; PLD moderate. A fairly easy toast & light, a moderate draw, an even burn needing no work, & a sweet wood & leather smoke. Aged leather, oak tones & a small dose of black pepper in mouth & nose lead off. There is a toasted nut quality w/a bit of tang- roasted walnuts? The flavor strength is medium or a bit over. The profile remains pretty constant till the 1/2 when the wood becomes more prominent & a mix of woods. The flavors are nice through the end & the finish is wood, leather, nuts & a little spice. The body is upper medium. Another fine BLTC. (93) | |
| 1502 Aniversario 10 | |
| By: druid (09/26/2023 10:19 AM) | |
| Solid, faintly reddish wrapper, slightly folded over at foot, no veins & good oils. PLA damp hay & barn; PLT same; PLD moderately easy. An easy toast, light & draw, a very even burn, & a pleasant earth & wood smoke. Earth, leather & a bit of herbal spice (way more in retro) begin. Some nice grain notes come but the wood takes on a darker tone in the 1/3. In the 2nd 1/3 everything starts to lighten & sweeten a bit. By the 3/3 a really nice earth-baking spice really complements the flavors making for a very pleasurable ending & finish. The strength & body are medium. A real joy to smoke. (93) | |
| Asylum Insidious 652 |  |
| By: tuck0411 (09/26/2023 09:03 AM) | |
| Humidor time: 220 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 65, foot - 58 Appearance and construction: A few veins, a light sheen, and a moderately firm pack with no soft spots... Gave it a single shallow V-cut and PLD was moderately open. (8/10) Flavor: Got nothing from PLA. The light gave a medium-bodied profile with a spicy retro and notes of light wood and spice. The spice in the nose faded after a few puffs with the other flavors staying consistent throughout. No transitions to note and there wasn't a lot going on with this one, generally, but it was an entirely pleasant smoking experience with just enough spice in the mix to keep things interesting throughout. Strength was medium at best. (29/35)  Smoking characteristics: The light produced an easy draw, smoke volume on the low side of optimal, and an even burn to start. Smoke output gradually improved through the first third and reached fully optimal about 1" in. The burn stayed even through the first third with the ash dropping at 1 1/4" leaving a cone. Things were then uneventful down to the nub with draw and smoke output remaining optimal from the first third on. (20/20) Overall impression: This one came from Privada CC as one of their "Brian's Box" selections awhile back. Nothing amazing here for a conny blend, just a very pleasant morning smoke with excellent construction and I'd definitely smoke it again. (30/35) Burn time: 1:29 Rating: 87 | |
| Privada Cigar Club Gratiot Ave Coat of Arms | |
| By: tuck0411 (09/25/2023 01:07 PM) | |
| Humidor time: 219 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 63, foot - 60 Appearance and construction: A few minor veins, an oily sheen, and a moderately firm pack with no soft spots... Gave it a single shallow V-cut and PLD was moderately open. (8/10) Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of tobacco. The light gave a medium/full profile with a spicy retro and notes of dark wood, coffee, and spice. The spice in the nose faded after a few puffs with the other flavors staying consistent throughout. No transitions to note but this was very flavorful with plenty of spice in the mix to keep things interesting throughout. Strength was about medium or a bit better. (32/35)  Smoking characteristics: The light produced an easy draw, good smoke volume, and an even burn to start. The burn stayed even through the first third with the ash falling on my shirt past 1" leaving a cone. Things were then uneventful down to the nub with draw and smoke output remaining optimal throughout. (20/20) Overall impression: This one came from Privada CC as one of their monthly selections awhile back. The story is this stick was commissioned by some unknown person from Detroit (Gratiot Ave. is a street in Detroit) who put down a deposit on them and then was never heard from again. The factory contacted PCC after three years of storing the sticks and asked if they wanted them. After trying the stick, PCC snatched them up and the rest is history. Great smoke, too, at least according to my palate, and I'd definitely smoke this one again. (32/35) Burn time: 1:00 Rating: 92 | |
| Aladino (Julio R. Eiroa) Cameroon Robusto | |
| By: druid (09/25/2023 10:41 AM) | |
| Solid core, light brown wrapper, no veins & a light oil sheen. PLA a bit baked bread; PLT moist, salty earth; PLD moderate. A fairly quick toast & light, a moderate draw, a fairly even burn, & a ginger snap smoke. Lead-offs are earth, a bit of tangy wood, a touch of leather & very little spice. The flavors mellow & blend in the 1at 1/3. The flavor strength is medium. The cigar is transition-less through the 1/2 when a faint bit of baking sweetness tries to insinuate & further lightens the profile for a bit. However, in the final 1/3 some bitterness offsets the sweet. The finish is fairly pleasant & the body is medium plus. Might be better with time. | |
| Privada Cigar Club From Chico by Chico Rivas (Limited Cigar Ass.) | |
| By: tuck0411 (09/24/2023 05:10 PM) | |
| Humidor time: 218 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 67, foot - 62 Appearance and construction: A few veins, a light sheen, and a moderately firm pack with no soft spots... Gave it a single shallow V-cut and PLD was moderately open. (8/10) Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of tobacco. The light gave a medium+ profile with a spicy retro and notes of salty wood, spice, and citrus. The spice in the nose faded after a few puffs with the other flavors staying consistent throughout apart from the salty aspect fading to a mere hint by the 2nd third. Very tasty, overall, and pretty close to my wheelhouse for this type of blend. Strength was about medium. (33/35)  Smoking characteristics: The light produced a moderately easy draw, smoke volume slightly below optimal, and an even burn to start. I quickly gave it a 2nd shallow V-cut on top of the initial cut and this helped to gradually improve smoke output to optimal about 1" in to the first third. The burn was slightly wavy but self-correcting through the first third with the ash dropping at 1 1/4" leaving a small cone. Things were then uneventful down to the nub with draw and smoke output remaining mostly optimal throughout. (18/20) Overall impression: This one was a Limited Cigar Association release from Privada CC and there were apparently enough of these left over as this one appeared in PCC's "Brian's Box" awhile back. A very nice smoke it was with great medium flavors and pretty good construction. Would definitely smoke this one again. And the band was pretty easy on the eyes, too... (32/35) Burn time: 1:18 Rating: 91 | |
| Arturo Fuente Unnamed Reserve 2021 | |
| By: druid (09/23/2023 10:42 AM) | |
| Fairly firm, shallowly toothy, medium brown wrapper, no veins & good oils. PLA a bare hint of barny earth; PLT cedar & sweet earth; PLD moderate. A fairly easy toast & light, a moderate draw, a fairly even burn, & an earth & wood smoke. Openers are earth, cedar, a hint of citrus-y tang & a touch of pepper in mouth & nose. Early in any sharp edges round off & the profile becomes a pleasant mix of the earth, cedar & citrus with only a hint of the spice. Except for some hints of grasses & coffee that come & go the profile remains the same to the end. The finish is pleasant but not sweet & the body is medium plus. Decent but not special. (90) | |
| ACE Prime Cigar Luciano The Sergeant Robusto |  |
| By: tuck0411 (09/23/2023 10:03 AM) | |
| Humidor time: 222 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 67, foot - 55 Appearance and construction: A few veins, a light sheen, and a moderately firm pack with no soft spots... Gave it a single shallow V-cut and PLD was open. (8/10) Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of tobacco. The light gave a medium+ profile with a spicy retro and notes of wood, coffee, spice, and a hint of citrus. The spice in the nose faded after a few puffs with the other flavors staying consistent throughout apart from the citrus intermittently fading in and out as the smoke progressed. Not bad, but it wasn't anything amazing or worth writing home about. Just kind of average... Strength was about medium. (25/35)  Smoking characteristics: The light produced an easy draw, good smoke volume, and an even burn to start. The burn got a bit wavy shortly into the first third and then the stick started tunneling. When it didn't show signs of recovering on its own, I gave it a touch-up about a 1/4" in. The burn continued wavily through the rest of the first third with the ash falling at 1 1/4" leaving no cone. The burn got lopsided part way through the 2nd third and another touch-up was needed. And again in the last third with another touch-up before reaching the nub. Draw and smoke output remained intermittently optimal throughout with drops in the smoke along the way as it struggled to burn straight. It was a fast-burning stick, clocking in at 45 minutes from light to nub. (6/20) Overall impression: This was the last stick in my Ace Prime sampler that I've been working through and it was easily the saddest smoke out of this pack. Flavors were merely OK and construction was pretty pathetic. Not one I'd go out of my way to smoke again but I have a couple more and will update this review should those perform any better. (21/35) Burn time: 0:45 Rating: 60 | |
| ACE Prime Cigar Factory Cuts Maduro Robusto | |
| By: tuck0411 (09/22/2023 12:17 PM) | |
| Humidor time: 221 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 71, foot - 61 Appearance and construction: A few veins, no sheen, and a moderately firm pack with no soft spots... Gave it a double shallow V-cut and PLD was moderately open. (8/10) Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of rich tobacco. The light gave a medium/full profile with a spicy retro and notes of coffee, leather, and spice. The spice in the nose faded after a few puffs with the other flavors staying consistent throughout. No transitions to note but this was quite flavorful with plenty of spice to keep things interesting throughout. Strength was about medium. (31/35)  Smoking characteristics: The light produced a moderately easy draw, smoke volume on the low side of optimal, and an even burn to start. I quickly gave it a single deep V-cut and this helped to bring smoke output to optimal shortly into the first third. The burn stayed even through the first third with the ash falling on my shirt past 1" leaving no cone behind. The burn continued slightly wavy but self-correcting through the 2nd third and things were otherwise uneventful down to the nub. Draw and smoke output remained optimal from the first third on. (19/20) Overall impression: A pretty good smoke, this one, and better than the Habano version of this stick but not quite as good as the Connecticut. Nothing amazing, blend-wise, but completely enjoyable and the construction was very good as well. Would definitely smoke this one again. (31/35) Burn time: 1:06 Rating: 89 | |
