Origin : Honduras
Format : Corona
Size : : 5 3/4" x 45
Wrapper : Honduran Viso-Rosado
Binder : Habano Connecticut
Filler : Dominican, Honduran, Nicaraguan
Hand-Made
Price : ~$100 for a box of 25
More info about purchasing Hoyo de Tradicion cigars...

I had read some nice things about this line of cigars and had passed over them many times in my local cigar shops until recently, when I grabbed one impulsively before leaving. I am glad that I did. This cigar's wrapper is grown in the Jamastran Valley of Honduras and the blend contains tobacco from 4 different countries.

Read the full review of Hoyo de Tradicion Corona...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Petit Corona
Size : 5.1 x 42
Price : ~$4.00
More info about purchasing Romeo y Julieta cigars...

Handmade since 2002, the Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleurs is another decent Cuban cheapie. Satisfying aesthetically-wise, these cigars provide a consistent construction (at least in boxes from 2007 and 2008). Upon lighting, one can find typical R&J flavors, which are floral and cedary. The smoke is medium-bodied and never aggressive. At $4 per stick, that's a good buy.

Origin : Honduras
Format : Perfecto
Size : 4 1/2 x 60 (at the thickest point)
Ring : 30 (foot) to 60 (thickest point)
Wrapper : Ecuadoran Sumatra
Binder : Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler : Honduran, Nicaraguan, Dominican (Piloto Cubano)
Factory : Honduras American Tabaco S. A., Cofradia, Honduras
Hand-Made
Price : $3.90 each
More info about purchasing Punch Champion cigars...

Today's review comes courtesy of Stephen who generously offered to contribute. Thank you, Stephen!

This is a review of just one cigar. It was given to me as a gift from Ted the owner of Big Jack's Cigars in Boothbay Harbor, ME. I always stop by there to say hi when I am in Boothbay Harbor and I recommend you do too. There is no lounge or anything. Just Ted who is passionate about his cigars and he carries some nice bottles of wine as well.

Ted told me Punch created this cigar to be a competitor to the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story. It is a member of the “original” Honduran Punch Family with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a Connecticut binder, and filler tobaccos from Honduras.

It's been resting in my humidor for about a month.

Read the full review of Punch Champion...

Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Torpedo
Size : 6 x 52
Price : ~$49.95 for a box of 20
More info about purchasing Cigar.com cigars...

This is another guest review from Matthew and Jed at Smoking & Talking. They are good at finding good value cigars!

Ever on the lookout for quality cigars at cheap prices, I recently received a sampler of the 7 House Blends produced by cigar.com. Today's review is the Blue Label, which is their flagship blend that started the idea to create their own line. The appearance looks like a $2 smoke but nothing else about this stick does. The smoke has a wonderful sweetness with hints of licorice and tiny bursts of pepper at each transition. Lacking a bit of complexity, this is a very smooth stick that doesn't quite measure up to the Medium body advertised by cigar.com. It burns fast, real fast--it took just over an hour to down this Torpedo. The draw was medium, the ash was loose, and there were a few green spots--but were talking about cheap smokes here! This is an everyday smoke to be sure, with a box of 20 coming in just under $50. If appearance bothers you, close your eyes and you'll find a can't miss smoke.

Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Robusto
Size : 5 x 50
Price : ~$2.00
More info about purchasing Cu-Avana cigars...

This is a guest review from Matthew who just started a cigar blog called Smoking & Talking. It's definitely worth checking out!

Cu-Avana is Manuel Quesada’s ugly duckling; coming from the man responsible for such brands as Romeo y Julieta and Casa Blanca, the $2 a stick Cu-Avana just might be the best valued and most under-rated cigar on the market. I’ve had several of the Natural and the Maduro and these sticks are consistently smooth with zero burn issues and solid construction. The construction on this maduro was close to many $5+ cigars and the draw was exceptional. This is not a cheap version or an alternative of anything—genuine quality in my opinion. The lacking component is complexity and flavor variety. Though the maduro stayed smooth and sweet throughout, there were no real flavor that jumped out at you. Though a bit of spice was detected in the pre-light draw it did not appear in the smoking. Perhaps one of the mildest smokes you’ll ever have, the Maduro would perfectly accompany your morning coffee or tea.

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Robusto
Size : 5 x 52
Wrapper : Cameroon
Binder : Nicaragua
Filler : Dominican/Nicaraguan/Peruvian
Strength : Medium
Hand-Made
Price : ~$5 each
More info about purchasing H. Upmann Cameroon cigars...

Pre-Smoke

Scent of Wrapper : Cedar.
Scent at Foot : What else but Cedar.
Appearance : Nice color, nicely rolled and packed tobacco.
Wrapper : Medium to Dark Cameroon wrapper looked tasty.
Feel : Compact.
Tongue : Cedar with a bit of hay.
Flavor on Draw : Earthy.

Smoke

Taste : Really nice flow of Cedar and spice.
Flavor Changes : Not noticeable until 2/3 into the smoke—the flavors of the Cameroon started in and were very enjoyable—a smooth and rich flavor.
Strength : A steady Medium smoke throughout the entire cigar.
Feeling : I have always enjoyed this line and was accustomed to the Belicoso -- the Robusto size was OK but I remembered the Belicoso to have a little more flavor in it.
Scent of Smoke : Cedar.
Heat on Fingers and in Mouth : No.
Draw : Draw had a bit of a tug to it--Not Bad—should have let it rest for a few weeks maybe.
Finish : Cedar and a bit of salty taste at the nub.
Other Aspects of the Cigar Smoking Experience : I was not impressed with this smoke like I was with the Belicoso –maybe the size difference and the resting time may have been reasons for this review not to be as good as I was anticipating.
Make any notes beyond what you noted already : I may have out grown these smokes as my tastes have become more accustomed to the newer lines out today. I still enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone that has not tried to give it a whirl...

I would rate this cigar as a "Good Cigar." 7/10

Origin : Honduras
Format : Toro
Size : 6 x 52
Ring : 52
Wrapper : Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder : Mexico
Filler : Nicaragua, Panama (+ secret location)
Hand-Made
Price : ~$5 each
More info about purchasing Rocky Patel Edge cigars...

The cigars for this review were kindly provided by CigarsDirect.com, your source for premium cigars.

Rocky Patel Edge was introduced in 2004 and immediately became a hit. Even though no particular marketing efforts were done and the cigars came unbanded, the word of mouth quickly made it a best-seller. Since then, the excitement abated, the cigar gained a band and the quality seems to still be there. This toro with a partly secret blend still delivers!

Read the full review of Rocky Patel Edge Toro...

Price : $50 for a box of 30

This is a guest "cheap smoke" review from Anthony Lund. Thank you!

I had the opportunity to enjoy a nice budget smoke recently. Clint's Cigars, a unusual cone shaped smoke with a light rum flavor. This cigar is the perfect quick smoke and at it's low price one you could enjoy every day. They recently were hit by the SCHIP bill and had to double their prices, but it is still worth it at twice the cost. Look them up online at Clint's Cigars, they only have the one cigar.

Update: here is a more in-depth review of the Clints.