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March Points Contest is Under Way! By: SenorPablo
The points contest is under way for the month of March.  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
The 2022 Marine Toys for Tots drive was a great success.  This was the way to earn the Toys for Tots badge for being a contributor.  If you gave a kit for auction, won an auction, or donated at least $20 you were awarded the badge. A special thanks goes out to Emerson (McBryde) for stepping up to run the drive again this year.  

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Member Geek Critiques  [All Geek Critiques]

French Collection (by Jochy Blanco) Cardinal Mazarin March 2023 90
CG Rating

Written by Cigar Geeks Member: (amigodecigars)
It was well-constructed with well aged tobaccos, had a perfect draw, and just enough complexity in flavor to keep it interesting. I really enjoy well aged tobacco and these were aged for 6 years acco... Read More
French Collection (by Jochy Blanco) Cardinal Mazarin March 2023 89
CG Rating

Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Byron (Beegerply)
I found this cigar to be a bit to mild for me. As nice as it looked I was hoping for more. I'm not sure if the mildness caused me not to pick up more notes in this cigar. I think this cigar would ... Read More
French Collection (by Jochy Blanco) Cardinal Mazarin March 2023 64
CG Rating

Written by Cigar Geeks Member: (junglepete)
The lineage and breeding of this venture had me quite interested, but is was a tough cigar to evaluate. The construction issues surely diminished the overall experience. I liked most of the tastes, bu... Read More
French Collection (by Jochy Blanco) Cardinal Mazarin March 2023 64
CG Rating

Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Gary (headfirst)
Thanks to Todd for letting me give this one a try. I definitely saw the potential for an enjoyable smoke in that first third, but unfortunately mine had construction issues that plagued it the rest o... Read More
French Collection (by Jochy Blanco) Cardinal Mazarin March 2023 82
CG Rating

Written by Cigar Geeks Member: (DRuff)
This cigar was pretty good. Not a flavor bomb and definitely not in my usual wheelhouse, but a decent smoke for the most part. Medium strength with some flavor transitions, and a few burn issues but n... Read More

Vendor Geek Critiques  [All Geek Critiques]

Camacho Liberty 2021 September 2021 87
CG Rating

Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Steve Ladd (Caveman Steve)
All in all, this was real pleasure to smoke. The performance of the cigar itself overcame the lack of complexity in flavor by a goodly margin. I'm anxious to try another one after dinner to see how ... Read More
Camacho Liberty 2021 September 2021 83
CG Rating

Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Nick (nkowal)
The Camacho Liberty 2021 was a bit of a disappointment given the high bar I have for the Liberty series. But that might also just be about resetting expectations about what the Liberties are going for... Read More
Camacho Liberty 2021 September 2021 92
CG Rating

Written by Cigar Geeks Member: (nirab)
I really enjoyed this cigar. The oak notes were perfect with the coffee and pepper, and the natural sweetness was very pleasant. My entire experience smoking this cigar was excellent, and I look forwa... Read More
Camacho Liberty 2021 September 2021 86
CG Rating

Written by Cigar Geeks Member: (tuck0411)
Pretty nice smoke, this one, the uneven burn and needed maintenance aside. Flavor for days and if I hadn't known I'd have sworn this one had more Nicaraguan tobacco in it given the spicy profile, but ... Read More
Camacho Liberty 2021 September 2021 89
CG Rating

Written by Cigar Geeks Member: (Murphy223)
Thanks to Kevin (wescat) and Bruce for allowing me to participate. This one was fun. Overall, I enjoyed this cigar from start to finish. I'm glad I picked up a few because it is one I'd smoke again. ... Read More

Member Reviews  [All Cigar Reviews]

Cigar Rating
Tabacos de Costa Rica D'Guzman Robusto 3 Star Rating
By: tuck0411 (03/27/2023 03:14 PM)
Humidor time: 143 days
Humidimeter reading: Head - 66, foot - 62
Appearance and construction: A few veins, a light sheen, a closed foot, 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 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 apart from the wood ramping just a bit in the last third. No transitions to note and this was decently tasty but it was missing something that would have put it closer to my wheelhouse. Strength was about medium. (26/35)



Smoking characteristics: The light produced an easy draw, good smoke volume, and an even burn to start. The burn started getting wavy about a 1/2" in with smoke output dropping about the same point. I thought it was on its way to being lopsided but then it started to self-correct prior to the first ashing at 1 1/2" on the low side of the burn line which left a cone. The waviness continued in the 2nd third and a touch-up was finally needed. Same story in the last third - more lopsidedness and another touch-up before reaching the nub. Draw and smoke output were intermittently optimal or somewhat less, probably related to the uneven burn all the way through. (11/20)

Overall impression: This one would have scored a bit higher with better construction, but the flavors weren't much to write home about, either, unfortunately.  Kind of a run-of-the-mill habano blend here, but I have a few more and will update this review should they perform better than this one did. (24/35)

Burn time: 1:18
Rating: 69
Micallef Grande Bold Mata Fina Toro Extra 4.5 Star Rating
By: druid (03/27/2023 09:47 AM)
A rock-solid torpedo, dark brown & oily, no veins. PLA heavy barn; PLT wine & cheese; PLD moderate  An average toast & light, an even burn, a moderate draw, & a slightly salty smoke.  Salty leather & earth, wood notes & almost no spice in mouth & nose to start.  An inch in light cocoa & nuts- almonds?- come on & build in character.  The profile continues to sweeten to the 1/2 when the wood identifies itself as oak.  There is still little spice & what there is is herbal, akin to anise.  The flavor strength is medium.  The flavors meld nicely to the end & a sweet & salty finish of earth, leather, wood, cocoa & nuts.  The body is medium +. Excellent!  (93)
Byron 21st Century Honorables 4 Star Rating
By: tuck0411 (03/26/2023 11:36 AM)
Humidor time: 142 days
Humidimeter reading: Head - 70, foot - 67
Appearance and construction: A few minor veins, a light sheen, and a moderately firm pack with no soft spots... Gave this huge stick a wide-ring punch and PLD was moderately open. (8/10)

Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of mild tobacco. The light gave a mild/medium profile with a slightly spicy retro, a note of light wood and hints of spice, butter, and citrus. The spice in the nose faded quickly with the other flavors staying more or less consistent throughout apart from the spice ramping just a bit in the last third. Reasonably tasty, overall, although it would have gotten closer to my wheelhouse with more spice in the mix. Strength was medium at best. (28/35)



Smoking characteristics: The light produced a moderately easy draw, smoke volume slightly below optimal, and an even burn to start. I considered giving it a V-cut immediately after the light but decided to let it go and see if smoke output would improve. The burn stayed even through the first third with the ash falling at 1 1/4" leaving a nice cone. Smoke output was improving by this point and reached the low side of optimal shortly into the 2nd third. Things continued uneventfully through the 2nd third, then I gave it a double deep V-cut after the 2nd ashing and smoke output quickly reached optimal. Things were then uneventful down to the nub with draw and smoke output remaining optimal from the 2nd third on. (19/20)

Overall impression: I received a few of these un-banded sticks from a source close to the factory, which is why they came un-banded. Pretty good morning smoke that went well with my cupa joe. Not the most amazing conny blend I've ever had, but it was entirely pleasant and the construction was very good. I'll have to remember to give the next one a deep V-cut at the start as I probably would have gotten a better draw and more smoke output from the beginning if I'd done that with this one.  (29/35)

Burn time: 1:48
Rating: 84
A. Flores (by Pinar del Rio) 1975 Gran Reserva Maduro Robusto 4.5 Star Rating
By: druid (03/26/2023 10:00 AM)
A firm, fairly oily, medium brown cigar, no veins. PLA musty earth & barn; PLT musty & a bit of lip spice; PLD easy.  A normal toast & light, a moderately easy draw, an even burn though needing several relights, & an earthy smoke.  Starters are earth, a tingle of anise & a faint caramel note that builds rapidly & turns a bit vanilla-y.  Before the 1/2 coffee & cream join the profile.  The flavor strength is in the medium range.  By the end of the 2nd 1/3 the coffee & vanilla-caramel have joined forces to taste like one of those expensive & sweet coffee drinks.  The body is medium + & the finish is a delicious mix of cappuccino, earth & mild anise.  Despite the relight issue this is a wonderful cigar.  (93)
Cuba Aliados Limitado by AJ Fernandez Core 4 Star Rating
By: tuck0411 (03/25/2023 05:03 PM)
Humidor time: 253 days
Humidimeter reading: Head - 66, foot - 61
Appearance and construction: A few veins, an oily sheen, and a moderately firm pack with no soft spots... Gave it a wide-ring punch and PLD was moderately open. (9/10)

Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of rich tobacco. The light gave a full-bodied profile with a spicy retro and notes of black pepper, black coffee, leather, and spice. The spice in the nose faded after a few puffs with the other flavors staying consistent through the first half after which the black pepper ramped along with a hint of citrus coming in and sticking around through the remainder. Very tasty, overall, but quite heavy on the black pepper as a predominant note throughout. Strength was pushing medium/full by the last third as the nic. effects were noticeable. (32/35)



Smoking characteristics: The light produced a moderately easy draw, smoke volume a bit below optimal, and an even burn to start. Smoke output quickly improved and reached optimal about a 1/2" in. The burn was a bit wavy but self-correcting through the first third with the ash falling at 1 1/4" leaving a cone. Things were uneventful through the 2nd third, then the burn got a bit wavy in the last third but self-corrected before reaching the nub. Draw and smoke output remained optimal from the first third on. (17/20)

Overall impression: This was the third vitola I've had from this blend and was a similar experience to the first two with nice (but strong) flavors and pretty good but not perfect construction. One more vitola to go from this sampler and it's the skinniest one of the bunch at 45 ring gauge, so we'll see how that one does shortly. (31/35)

Burn time: 1:27
Rating: 89
Kristoff Corojo Limitada Robusto 3.5 Star Rating
By: druid (03/25/2023 09:55 AM)
Solid, rustic, oily, seamy, pig-tailed, closed foot & one vein.  PLA woody & faintly citrus-y; PLT a hint of oily wood; PLD easy.  A fairly easy toast & light, an easy draw, a quite even burn, & a slightly sharp wood smoke.  Bitter coffee bean, a bit of earth & leather, & white pepper (more in retro) lead.  The bitterness leaves the coffee shortly into the 1st 1/3.  Hints of cocoa & grassiness appear.  Flavor strength is medium.  Past the 1/2 there are ghostly wood tones.  This profile continues to the end with a finish of earthy leather, coffee bean, touches of cocoa & grass, & a dusting of white pepper.  The body is a tad above medium.  A decent smoke.  (90)
Camacho Connecticut Churchill 4 Star Rating
By: tuck0411 (03/24/2023 12:14 PM)
Humidor time: 248 days
Humidimeter reading: Head - 67, foot - 61
Appearance and construction: A few veins, a light 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 mild tobacco. The light gave a medium-bodied profile with a spicy retro and notes of light wood, cream, spice, and a hint of citrus. The spice in the nose faded after a few puffs with the other flavors staying consistent through the first third after which the spice and citrus gradually ramped with the citrus becoming a full note by the last third. Very tasty, overall, with plenty of spice in the mix, especially in the 2nd half, to keep things interesting throughout. (32/35)

Forgot to take a pic before the first ashing...


Smoking characteristics: The light produced a moderately easy draw, smoke volume on the low side of optimal, and an even burn to start. The burn stayed even through the first third with the ash falling at 1 1/4" leaving a cone. Post-ashing, I gave it a single deep V-cut to try and improve smoke output and this gradually helped to improve smoke output to optimal part way through the 2nd third. Apart from a wrapper split developing towards the end of the 2nd third, which had no effect on smokeability, things were uneventful down to the nub. Draw and smoke output remained optimal from the 2nd third on. (17/20)

Overall impression: This was the 2nd vitola I've had from this blend (robusto being the first) and my review of the first one shows a somewhat different experience with the flavors.  I got cream and citrus from this one, neither of which I reported in the robusto, but that was nearly five years ago so my palate's probably changed somewhat in the meantime. At any rate, this one was a good smoke for the most part with nice flavors and pretty good construction and I'd smoke it again if I had any more... (31/35)

Burn time: 1:40
Rating: 88
Cuba Aliados Limitado by AJ Fernandez Doble Toro 4 Star Rating
By: tuck0411 (03/23/2023 04:11 PM)
Humidor time: 251 days
Humidimeter reading: Head 61, foot - 53
Appearance and construction: A few veins, a light sheen, and a moderately soft pack with no soft spots... Gave it a wide-ring punch and PLD was moderately open. (8/10)

Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of rich tobacco. The light gave a full-bodied profile with a spicy retro and notes of black pepper, black coffee, charred wood, leather, and spice. The spice in the nose faded after a few puffs with the other flavors staying consistent through the first two thirds after which the black pepper ramped a bit going into the last third. It was already predominant from the beginning but became even more so in the last third. Very tasty, overall, at least to my palate, but I'm partial to black pepper in a profile so this might not be for everyone. Strength was in the medium/full range as the nic. effects were noticeable. (32/35)



Smoking characteristics: The light produced an easy draw, good smoke volume, and an even burn to start. The burn was a bit wavy but self-correcting through the first third with the ash falling at 1 1/4" leaving a cone. The burn continued wavily through the 2nd third and then proceeded to lopsided going into the last third and got a touch-up before reaching the nub. Draw and smoke output remained mostly optimal throughout although it did intermittently drop a bit in the last two thirds. (17/20)

Overall impression: This was pretty much an identical experience to the toro I had the other day, both with flavors and construction. Same great black pepper-heavy flavors, which are pretty close to my wheelhouse, so I'd definitely smoke this one again.  Two more vitolas to go from this sampler, so we'll see how those do shortly... (31/35)

Burn time: 1:36
Rating: 88
Alec Bradley Project 40 05.50 Robusto 4 Star Rating
By: druid (03/22/2023 10:03 PM)
Firm-bodied, lightly BPd, khaki wrapper, no veins & a good oil sheen.  PLA faintly toasted wheat;  PLT earth & wheat; PLD mod easy.  An easy  light, a mod easy draw, a very even burn, & a wood & hay smoke.  Bitter wood notes start & there is hay & some black pepper.  In the 1st 1/3 the bitterness leaves the wood & becomes a citrus tang, & the pepper eases in the mouth.  Near the 1/2 light milk chocolate waxes & wanes.  Late in the 2nd 1/3 the citrus takes command.  In the final 1/3 the citrus eases, the wood returns & a bit of nuttiness slides in, all coloring the finish with the chocolate.  The body is medium.  An interesting, nicely performing smoke.  (91)
Atabey Brujos 2.5 Star Rating
By: SparklePony (03/22/2023 05:00 PM)
I have no idea what happened to this cigar, but it was nothing like it was supposed to be. It's beautifully constructed, with a gorgeous, creamy golden wrapper. The foot smelled of sweet hay and sugar with a hint of maple. The cold draw was all sweetness.

Unfortunately, once lit, the cigar had all the charm of an unmucked horse stall. It was bitter, almost acrid, with no real flavor except for charcoal and sadness. I have no idea what happened, but I don't think I'll be spending $30+ on one again any time soon.

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Tabacos de Costa Rica D'Guzman Robusto 5" x 50
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Byron 21st Century Honorables 7" x 60
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Cuba Aliados Limitado by AJ Fernandez Core 4.5" x 60
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Camacho Connecticut Churchill 7" x 48
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Cuba Aliados Limitado by AJ Fernandez Doble Toro 6" x 60

   
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