Origin : Honduras Format : Churchill Size : 7.25 x 50 Wrapper : Nicaragua Binder : Nicaragua Filler : Nicaragua Hand-Made Price : ~$115 for a box of 25
Brickhouse cigars were released at the 2009 IPCPR show in New Orleans. This line of cigar was originally introduced by the J.C. Newman Company in 1937. It has recently received a rating of 91 by Cigar Aficionado. It is a Nicaraguan puro featuring a Havana Subido wrapper grown in Esteli. It comes in four vitolas, with the Churchill being featured today.
Origin : Nicaragua Format : Robusto Size : 5 x 50 Wrapper : Nicaragua Filler : Nicaragua Binder : Nicaragua Hand-Made Price : ~$2 each
When I first began smoking, a fellow BOTL generously set me up with a large assortment of cigars including some that he deemed as daily smokers. A dozen of these were the Sol Cubano Series B’s. Being far more focused on premium smokes at the time, I stored these away in my humidor. After gifting several of them to infrequent smoking friends and family along the way I discovered that almost everyone who tried them deemed it an enjoyable session. While traveling recently, I had a failed attempt (underfilled) at my first PSD4 and the only other smokes with me were ones that I had planned on giving out, one of which was the Series B. Thinking it the perfect opportunity, I broke one out in order to see what everyone was so pleased with.
Origin : Dominican Republic Format : Perfecto Size : 5.75 x 54 Wrapper : Dominican Corojo Filler : Dominican Binder : Dominican Hand-Made Price : $4.50-$5.00 each
Background Info
This target has an internal gem of a single 12-year-old filler leaf. This “heart” was transplanted by Manuel Quesada 10 years ago from a bale of 1996 vintage tobacco leaf. A pacemaker with a soul of its own.
Mission Notes
Smooth Corojo wrapper, small veins. No patches or blemishes. Modeled a great deal after me! After beheading and befooting (?) I started the interrogation. Sometimes the least obvious characters give you the largest amounts of information. Robust, full flavored after-dinner enjoyment right here. White pepper, slight coffee, spicy richness. Great draw from this puro figurado! Nice evenly marbled and solid ash. Not much else to say… not much change throughout except for an increase in body.
Final Statement
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this cigar. I have had other 5 Vegas blends and had mixed opinions. I would pick this up again if I ever saw it at a shop. However, it is unfortunately forgettable.
AGENT TIP # 31: If you bring the funk, don’t forget the flavor.
Origin : Nicaragua Format : Corona Size : 5 1/2 x 42 Wrapper : Nicaraguan Habano Criollo Binder : Nicaraguan Seco Filler : Nicaraguan Habano Seco and Ligero Hand-Made Price : ~$4-5 each
A couple of months ago I was gifted a box of Joya de Nicaragua Antano (the review it links to is not mine and I can’t pick up all those flavors, but it describes it nicely). Needless to say, I immediately smoked one and regretted my decision 30 minutes later as it packed quite a punch and I had it on an empty stomach. My second experience was much better, but I still found the cigar too powerful despite the excellent flavors that I was enjoying. I continued smoking these cigars from time to time, mainly after dinner, and, visiting my local B&M, saw a box of Celebracion in the corner. The tobacconist told me that these were basically the ‘lighter’ versions of Antanos, so I grabbed 5 sticks to try.
Origin : Nicaragua Format : Torpedo Size : 6 x 52 Wrapper : Nicaraguan Sumatra Filler : Nicaraguan Binder : Nicaraguan Hand-Made Price : ~$2.50
Background Info
Handmade by the Oliva family, this particular cigar is a ever popular choice in the world of budget-conscious cigar buyers.
Mission Debrief
Coming from last review where I reviewed the pricey God of Fire, I wanted to follow up with a cigar that anyone could afford. One of my go-to, affordable cigars in my humidor is the Flor de Oliva. I discovered it about a year ago from the cigar chatter via Twitter but because of the price tag (note: cheap), I was a bit wary it might end up like the cigars you see behind the counter at a gas station. Nevertheless, I heeded the words of those I trust and followed through.
Origin : Honduras Format : Robusto (Merlin) Size : 5.25 x 50 Wrapper : Cameroon Binder : USA (Connecticut Broadleaf) Filler : Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua Hand-Made Price : $68.95 / box of 20
Below is the second dual review in our series of 6.
Ed: Excalibur 1066 is a product from Hoyo de Monterrey (General Cigar). The cigar is named for the year of the Norman Conquest of England. Although William the Conqueror led the Normans to victory, several of the vitolas are named after King Arthur and several of the members of the court (Galahad and Lancelot). Today’s dual review feature is named after the Merlin – Arthur’s wizard, prophet, and adviser. In the Excalibur 1066 line, Merlin is the name given to the robusto.
Stephen: According to the Cigar World website, this line is no longer called the Excalibur 1066, it’s now the Excalibur Cameroon. However, they don’t say that any change was made to the blend. These cigars are available in 4 sizes and are made at the Honduras American Tabaco factory in Cofradia, Honduras.
Origin : Dominican Republic Format : Perfecto Size : 4 x 49 Wrapper : Dominican Republic Filler : Dominican Republic Binder : Dominican Republic Hand-Made Price : ~$6 each
Today we’ve got the first dual review in our series of 6.
Joe K: Early on in my cigar smoking, Arturo Fuente’s Hemingway line sparked my interest with its diverse shapes and shades coupled with consistently positive mentions among various members of the cigar community. Making it a point to acquire and try at least one of each vitola, I began with the highly acclaimed Work of Art Maduro. Finding it enjoyable, I wasted no time in taking the second step along that journey with the equally reputed Short Story Natural.
Stephen: It was the first nice weekend of the year. Temps in the 70s and I was heading to the park for a walk. I thought what a perfect time to try another one of these fantastic cigars. I have smoked 3 in total.
Origin : Dominican Republic Format : Toro Size : 7 x 50 Wrapper : Ecuador Filler : Dominican Republic Binder : Mexico Hand-Made Price : $75.80 for a box of 20
This brand made its debut in 2004 and uses a sun-grown Corojo wrapper from the 1997 harvest; hence the name. It comes in four vitolas: a 7 x 50 Churchill; 5 x 50 Robusto; 6 x 52 Torpedo; and today’s featured smoke a 7 x 50 Toro. The Cusano brand (now owned by the Davidoff group) has been one of my favorites for a very long time. Recently, Michael Chiusano has parted ways with the Oettinger-Davidoff group and DomRey Cigars in pursuit of other interests, and we can only hope that the brand continues to be as good as it is without him.
