| May Points Contest is Under Way! | By: SenorPablo |
| The points contest is under way for the month of May. 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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| All Saints Cigars St. Francis Mitre | May 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Byron (Beegerply) | |||
| Overall I really enjoyed this cigar. Although the complexity was not overwhelming it did stay consistent. I really liked the peaty earthiness to this cigar. This is a cigar that I would smoke again an... Read More | |||
| All Saints Cigars St. Francis Mitre | May 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Gary (headfirst) | |||
| Thanks to Kent for sponsoring, I was glad to try this since I've been curious to explore the brand after enjoying the Berkey earlier this month. This was pretty well made but just fell short in t... Read More | |||
| All Saints Cigars St. Francis Mitre | May 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Adam (BewareDaPenguin) | |||
| I’d like to thank Kent & Geeks for letting me submit this critique. Not normally a brand I’d smoked much from, so not very familiar with their lines, but this stick performed well. I had it pe... Read More | |||
| All Saints Cigars St. Francis Mitre | May 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Barry (benchjockey) | |||
| Since I always have a spot in my rotation for a chocolate tasting cigar, this stick was squarely in my wheelhouse so the lack of complexity was not an issue. The contrast between the chocolate and pep... Read More | |||
| All Saints Cigars St. Francis Mitre | May 2023 |
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| Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Brian (ninfiction) | |||
| Thanks to Kent for sponsoring this critique. While I didn't enjoy the first half of the cigar, it wasn't all bad. I do like an earthy cigar and the touch of pepper helped to keep it interestin... Read More | |||
| Camacho Liberty 2021 | September 2021 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 | |||
| Cigar | Rating |
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| Alec Bradley Black Market Esteli Torpedo |  |
| By: tuck0411 (Today at 03:15 PM) | |
| Humidor time: 255 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 67, foot - 52 Appearance and construction: A few veins, a light sheen, and a moderately firm pack with no soft spots... Gave it two clips with the guillotine and PLD was moderately open. (8/10) Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of tobacco. The light gave a full-bodied profile with a spicy retro and notes of black pepper, charred wood, leather, spice, and a hint of something like smoked meat. The spice in the nose faded after a few puffs with the other flavors mellowing a bit through the first third and the body receding towards medium/full. The smoked meat hint also faded away leaving the other flavors to maintain through the remainder albeit at a somewhat muted level. Very tasty, overall, and not far from my wheelhouse for this type of blend. Strength was about medium or a bit better. (32/35)  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 third clip but this had no immediate effect on smoke output although it did gradually improve and reached optimal about 1" in. The burn got wavy through the first third and proceeded to get lopsided so a touch-up was applied before the first ashing which happened at about 1 1/2" leaving no cone behind. Things were then uneventful down to the nub apart from the burn continuing a bit wavy but self-correcting through the remainder. Draw and smoke output remained mostly optimal from the first third on. (15/20) Overall impression: Another C-bid single, this one, and I've had the Black Market blend in a couple of other vitolas but this was the first "Esteli" stick I'm smoked. Quite the nice fuller-bodied blend it was, too, but as is typical of some of these mass-market brands, the score is brought down a bit by mediocre construction. This one wasn't as bad in that regard as some I've had but it could have done with a better rolling job. It wasn't so bad I wouldn't smoke it again, though, and I may do that if I see it in other vitolas. (29/35) Burn time: 1:16 Rating: 84 | |
| Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve (2018) Toro Corojo |  |
| By: tuck0411 (05/29/2023 03:17 PM) | |
| Humidor time: 254 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 55, foot - 53 Appearance and construction: A few minor veins, a light sheen, box-pressed, and a soft 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 dark wood, spice, and a hint of salt. The spice in the nose faded after a few puffs with the other flavors staying consistent through the first third after which I started getting a hint of citrus which stuck around through the remainder with the other flavors maintaining throughout. Pretty tasty, overall, and not far from my wheelhouse for this sort of medium Corojo blend. Strength was about medium. (30/35)  Smoking characteristics: The light produced an easy draw, good smoke volume, and an even burn to start. The burn got wavy through the first third but mostly self-corrected with the ash falling at 1 1/2" leaving a small cone. The burn continued wavily through the 2nd third, then finally got lopsided going into the last third and needed a touch-up before reaching the nub. Draw and smoke output remained mostly optimal throughout. It was a fast-burning stick for its size, clocking in at a bit past one hour from light to nub. (14/20) Overall impression: Another C-bid single, this one, and this was the first vitola I've had from this blend. Pretty good smoke, construction issues aside, with nice flavors, but this was kind of a typical RP stick in that regard with good flavors losing out to mediocre construction when totaling up the overall score. I guess RP still hasn't got the memo about how you need both a good blend and competent rollers to make sticks that folks want to buy again.... (28/35) Burn time: 1:07 Rating: 80 | |
| Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask Gigante | |
| By: tuck0411 (05/28/2023 04:17 PM) | |
| Humidor time: 253 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 62, 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 open. (8/10) Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of rich tobacco. The light gave a full-bodied profile with a slightly spicy retro and notes of coffee, leather, dark wood, spice, and a hint of something tangy and sour/sweet. The spice in the nose faded quickly with the other flavors mellowing a bit through the first third and the body receding towards medium/full. This slightly mellower profile then stayed consistent through the remainder. No transitions to note apart from the profile mellowing in the first third, but this was reasonably flavorful throughout although it missed my wheelhouse by a bit. If there was anything to do with whiskey here, it was probably the hint of tangy sweet and sour that lingered in the background throughout, although it didn't remind me of whiskey at all. 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 2nd shallow V-cut and this succeeded in bringing smoke output to optimal shortly into the first third. The burn stayed even through the first third with the ash falling at 1 1/4" leaving a cone. A wrapper/binder split developed at the head in the 2nd half but this didn't affect smokeability at all and things were otherwise uneventful down to the nub. Draw and smoke output remained optimal from the first third on. (19/20) Overall impression: Another C-bid single, this one, and it was a similar smoke to the regular Whisky Row stick I had yesterday. They are different blends with this one having a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper vs. the Ecuador Habano wrapper on the other one and this one also had a Brazil binder vs. the Mex. binder in the other one. Similar flavor profiles, though, with the only noticeable difference being the hint of tangy sweet/sour I got from this one. Definitely good enough to smoke again and I may pick this up in other vitolas as I see them. (31/35) Burn time: 1:35 Rating: 89 | |
| Diesel Whiskey Row Churchill | |
| By: tuck0411 (05/27/2023 04:17 PM) | |
| Humidor time: 252 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 70, foot - 55 Appearance and construction: A few minor veins, a light sheen, and a moderately soft pack with no soft spots... Gave it a double shallow V-cut and PLD was moderately open. (9/10) Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of tobacco. The light gave a full-bodied profile with a very spicy retro and notes of dark wood, coffee, leather, spice, and a hint of sweetness. The spice in the nose faded after a few puffs with the other flavors mellowing a bit through the first third and the body receding towards medium/full. This slightly mellower profile then stayed consistent through the remainder. No transitions to note and this didn't seem overly complex but it was quite flavorful even though it missed my wheelhouse by just a bit. I didn't detect anything that reminded me of whiskey although it did have a slightly sweet aspect to it. Strength was about medium. (30/35)  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 at 1 1/4" leaving a cone. Things were then uneventful down to the nub with draw and smoke output remaining optimal throughout. (20/20) Overall impression: Another C-bid single, this one, and this was the first vitola I've had from this blend. Not bad, and pretty good, actually, although it didn't quite blow my socks off, flavor-wise. Just a good, solid habano blend with plenty of spice to keep things interesting and, yep, I'd smoke it again and might even buy it again in other vitolas when I see them at C-bid. (31/35) Burn time: 1:46 Rating: 90 | |
| Alec Bradley Black Market (core line) Churchill | |
| By: tuck0411 (05/26/2023 06:01 PM) | |
| Humidor time: 251 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 71, foot - 62 Appearance and construction: A few veins, a light sheen, a large foot-band over the bottom half of the stick, and a firm pack with no soft spots... Gave it a double shallow V-cut and PLD was moderately tight, then gave it a single deep V-cut and PLD was still moderately tight. (8/10) Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of tobacco. The light gave a full-bodied profile with a slightly spicy retro and notes of charred wood, black coffee, leather, and a hint of spice. The spice in the nose faded quickly with the other flavors mellowing through the first third and the body receding towards medium/full but otherwise staying consistent throughout. No transitions to note and this was reasonably flavorful but was missing enough spice to put this closer to my wheelhouse. Strength was about medium. (26/35)  Smoking characteristics: The light produced a moderately tight draw, thin smoke volume, and an even burn to start. I quickly gave it a 2nd deep V-cut on top of the initial cuts but this had no immediate effect on smoke output. The burn was a bit wavy but self-correcting through the first third with the ash falling at 1 1/4" leaving a cone. Smoke output had been improving through the first third and reached optimal at about the point of the first ashing. The burn continued a bit wavy through the 2nd third and then proceeded to get lopsided going into the last third and got a touch-up. Things were then uneventful down to the nub with draw and smoke output remaining optimal from the end of the first third on. (15/20) Overall impression: Another C-bid single, this one, and this was the 2nd vitola I've had from this blend, the first being the "Vandal", which is a toro. My review of that one describes a similar flavor profile, although it had considerably more spice in the mix and I enjoyed it a lot more than this one. This one was a decent smoke but was definitely lacking for spice or much else to make me want to smoke it again. Good yard gar, I suppose, but I won't be finding out about that as I don't plan to buy anymore based on this mediocre experience. (26/35) Burn time: 1:55 Rating: 75 | |
| Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Magnum |  |
| By: tuck0411 (05/25/2023 11:29 AM) | |
| Humidor time: 250 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 72, 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. (9/10) Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of rich tobacco. The light gave a medium-bodied profile with a spicy retro and notes of light wood, spice, and a hint of butter. 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. And that description doesn't quite do justice to this blend as it was a very rich and tasty blend that my limited palate can't adequately describe. Strength was pushing medium/full as the nic. effects on my head were noticeable towards the end. (33/35)  Smoking characteristics: The light produced a moderately easy draw, good smoke volume, and an even burn to start. The burn stayed even through the first third with the ash falling at 1 1/4" leaving a small cone. Things were then very uneventful down to the nub with draw and smoke output remaining optimal throughout. (20/20) Overall impression: This one came in a tube and was another C-bid single acquired with the batch of sticks I got from that source awhile back. This was the third vitola I've had from this blend, the "epicure" and the robusto being the first two. My reviews of those sticks show a somewhat similar experience, flavor-wise, although I certainly enjoyed this one quite a bit more than either. Maybe my palate has learned to appreciate this sort of conny blend using quality tobacco, but this one was definitely the best of the bunch according to my previous reviews of the others. Just a really nice blend albeit one with considerably more strength than I'm used to from a conny. (33/35) Burn time: 1:45 Rating: 95 | |
| Oscar Valladares The Oscar Maduro Robusto | |
| By: druid (05/25/2023 08:54 AM) | |
| Fairly firm, leaf wrapped, dark brown wrapper, no veins & light oils. PLA cedar & coffee bean; PLT sweet, spicy cedar; PLD airy. A quick toast & light, an airy draw, an even burn needing no work, & a spicy earth smoke. Openers are earth, coffee bean, cedar & a fair bit of black pepper with more in the nose. Leather & sweet cookie come in early. The 1st 1/3 is all about the leather, spicy cedar & the cookie note. The flavor strength is upper medium. The pepper backs down at the 1/2 in favor of the cedar spice which provides a nice tingle. The final palate is more leather, cedar, coffee & earth with the sweetness in the finish. The body is near full. A truly great cigar. (94) | |
| Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 (Sumatra) Churchill | |
| By: tuck0411 (05/24/2023 02:28 PM) | |
| Humidor time: 249 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 66, foot - 59 Appearance and construction: A few minor veins, an oily sheen, box-pressed, and a moderately soft pack with no soft spots... Gave it a double shallow V-cut and PLD was moderately open. (9/10) Flavor: PLA gave a whiff of rich tobacco. The light gave a medium/full profile with a spicy retro and notes of black 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 if a bit one-dimensional in terms of not being very complex. Strength was about medium. (30/35)  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 was a bit wavy but self-correcting through the first third with the ash falling at 1 1/4" leaving a small cone. Similar story in the 2nd third and when smoke output was still just on the low side of optimal after the 2nd ashing, I gave it a single deep V-cut on top of the initial cuts and this quickly helped to bring smoke output to optimal. Things were then uneventful down to the nub with draw and smoke output remaining optimal from the 2nd third on. (17/20) Overall impression: Another C-bid single, this one, and this was the 2nd vitola I've now had from this blend, the robusto being the first. My review of that one from a couple years ago shows a somewhat different experience with the flavors as I was getting charred wood from it vs. the coffee and leather I got from this one. I'm going to go ahead and chalk that up to my palate changing or being difficult or somesuch (probably both). At any rate, this was a pretty good smoke and I'd smoke it again and may pick it up in more vitolas if I see them at C-bid next shopping visit. (30/35) Burn time: 1:18 Rating: 86 | |
| Oliva/ Studio Tabac Connecticut Reserve Double Toro | |
| By: tuck0411 (05/22/2023 11:34 AM) | |
| Humidor time: 247 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 64, foot - 64 Appearance and construction: A few veins, a light sheen, and a firm pack with no soft spots... Gave it a double shallow V-cut and PLD was moderately open. (8/10) Flavor: Got nothing from PLA. The light produced a mild/medium profile with a spicy retro and notes of light wood, spice, and hints of citrus and creamy butter. The spice in the nose faded quickly with the other flavors staying consistent throughout. No transitions to note but this was quite flavorful and very similar to what I remembered from smoking this blend in other vitolas. Strength was medium at best. (32/35)  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 single deep V-cut, which had little effect on smoke output, and then a 2nd one, which improved things a bit. Smoke output continued to gradually improve and reached optimal about 1" in to the first third. The burn stayed even through the first third with the ash falling 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. It was a bit of a fast-burner for its size, clocking in at just under an hour and a half from light to nub. (19/20) Overall impression: Another C-bid single, this one, and this was the 4th vitola I've had from this blend, and 6th if you count the Oliva 2nds Liga F, which I'm about 99% sure is the 2nd of this Connecticut Reserve blend. This was the very first Oliva blend I tried when I was a newbie smoker and also the first conny stick that really got me hooked on this type of blend, so I'm always looking for CR vitolas I haven't had yet whenever I'm shopping for singles at C-bid. This one wasn't maybe quite as tasty as what I remembered from other vitolas, and I suppose that could either mean my palate has changed a bit or possibly this fatter vitola has a slightly different profile than that of the other slimmer vitolas I'd previously had. A really nice smoke, in any case, and I'd easily smoke it again. (32/35) Burn time: 1:27 Rating: 91 | |
| Alec Bradley American Classic Blend Churchill | |
| By: tuck0411 (05/21/2023 12:44 PM) | |
| Humidor time: 246 days Humidimeter reading: Head - 66, foot - 52 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 mild/medium profile with a spicy retro and notes of light wood, spice, and hints of citrus and butter. The spice in the nose faded after a few puffs with the other flavors mellowing slightly through the first third but otherwise staying consistent throughout. No transitions to note but this was quite flavorful for a conny blend with plenty of spice in the mix to keep things interesting throughout. Strength was about medium. (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 at 1 1/4" leaving a small cone. Things were then uneventful down to the nub apart from a bit of self-correcting waviness in the burn line in the last third. Draw and smoke output remained optimal throughout. (19/20) Overall impression: Another C-bid single, this one, and I thought I had had this one in at least one other vitola, but nope, this is the first one. A very nice morning smoke, too, with great conny flavors and excellent construction. Would definitely smoke this one again and I'll be looking to pick it up in other vitolas the next time I go on another C-bid singles shopping spree. (32/35) Burn time: 1:43 Rating: 91 | |
