Origin : Cuba
Format : Corona Gorda (Francisco)
Size : 143 x 17.46 mm (5 5/8 x 44)
Ring : 44
Hand-Made
Price : $12+ each
More info about purchasing Ramon Allones cigars...

This is probably the cigar that I wanted the most from the Limited Editions sampler. Ramon Allones Eminencias was released in 2005 to the Swiss market to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the brand. It is called Eminencia in honor of the factory where Ramon Allones were initially rolled. The vitola's name is Francisco and it's close to a corona gorda. There was a re-release in 2007 but the one I smoked is from the original release, considered as more successful. I was ready for a royal treat.

Read the full review of Ramon Allones Eminencia (Regional Edition Switzerland)...

Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Panetela
Size : 7" x 33
Wrapper : Connecticut Shade
Filler : Dominican
Binder : Dominican
Age : 13 Years
Hand-Made
Price : $12+ each
More info about purchasing Davidoff Mille Series cigars...

Wow, this is one beautiful cigar. It is satiny and smooth to the touch. The cellophane is yellow from 13 years of contact with this beautiful Connecticut Shade wrapper.

The pre-light draw was easy and the cigar lit very easily from the flame of my IM Corona lighter. The flavors, as expected were mild, but numerous. I was hit with waves of cream and wood, leather and nuts, with some of the Kelner mustiness thrown in as well.

The ash burned red hot leaving the most striking white ash I have ever seen. It did not heat up the cigar too much and the burn was dead on even. The exhale is rich with creamy coffee and nuts with some leather and grass.

The Davidoff Mille 3000 burned flawlessly another example of the artistry of Henrik Kelner. I enjoyed every minute I spent with this cigar!

Overall the cigar was creamy and woody, mild but with a lot of flavor still after 13 years. It was a pleasure to get the opportunity to try it!

Origin : Cuba
Format : Robusto
Size : 140 x 20.64 mm
Ring : 52
Wrapper : Maduro aged 5 years
Hand-Made
Price : ~18€ each
More info about purchasing Cohiba cigars...

I'm bringing you something special today. Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios, a custom robusto-sized cigar introduced in 2007, is indeed an elite treat. At over $20 each, it is not an everyday smoke (well, at least for me) and I only reward myself with one on very important occasions.

Read the full review of Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios...

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Long Corona
Size : 6 x 48
Wrapper : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Filler : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ?

This is an exclusive from Holt’s to celebrate their 110th Anniversary (really?). Here’s a blurb from their site:

To celebrate Holt’s 110th year of business our good friends the Padrons decided to blend a brand new, extra-special cigar exclusively for our customers: The Padron Legacy. Not only is this a momentous release due to the fact the Padron’s rarely produce anything new, but also because the cigar itself is spectacular. An incredibly well-aged blend of all Nicaraguan tobaccos in this gem, providing it with a complex, but balanced, full-bodied flavor boasting layers of earth and leather interwoven with nuts and spices, culminating in a smooth, chocolaty finish.

Now normally I buy local, but this LE I could not resist!

Read the full review of Padron Legacy Holt’s 110 Anniversary...

Origin : Cuba
Factory : El Laguito
Format : Canonazo
Size : 150 (5.9'') x 20.64 mm
Ring : 52
Hand-Made
Price : $100+ each
More info about purchasing Cohiba cigars...

The Cohiba Siglo VI X Aniversario that I will be smoking today comes from the Cohiba Siglo limited edition humidor that was introduced back in 2002. Only 500 were made and each humidor came with 90 cigars. That’s six different vitolas, each with 15 cigars.

The cigar looks fantastic. A smooth wrapper with no veins popping at you, a beautiful light brown color, and the classic taxi colored Cohiba band with a little twist. In my opinion, the Sig VI is one of the perfect size cigars measuring at 52 x 5.9, it just feels good between your fingers.

Read the full review of Cohiba Siglo VI 2002 X Aniversario...

Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Belicoso
Size : 4 5/8 x 49
Ring : 49
Wrapper : Dominican Republic
Binder : Dominican Republic
Filler : Dominican Republic
Hand-Made
Price : ~$10 each
More info about purchasing Arturo Fuente Opus X cigars...

Here we have a “Power Ranger” that’s got about 2 years humidor time invested. This little firecracker is known for being a big smoke in a small package. It doesn’t disappoint.

Read the full review of Arturo Fuente Opus xXx “Power Ranger”...

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Lancero
Size : 7 x 36
Ring : 36
Wrapper : Connecticut Shade
Filler : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : $12.15 each
More info about purchasing Tesa cigars...

Thanks to Chris from Tesa Cigars who sent us a sampler of these cigars.

TESA cigars are a small production boutique brand made in Esteli, Nicaragua and sold at the company shop in Chicago. All blends in the TESA line are blended by native Chicagoan Chris Kelley. According to the company website, "10% of your purchase will go directly to housing repairs, education, clothing, and sustinance of the Nicaraguan people." This is the 1st and only TESA blend I have tried thus far. The other vitola in the line is a 5.5 x 36 No. 2 lancero. Both cigars also come in a maduro version.

Read the full review of Tesa Havanitas No. 1 Lancero...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Regalo / Britanicas
Size : 137 x 18.26 mm
Ring : 46
Weight : 9.34 g
Box code : SMB NOV 07
Hand-Made
Price : $300+ for a box of 25
More info about purchasing Hoyo de Monterrey cigars...

We would like to express our gratitude to Richard Cordero who took amazing photographs for this review. Thank you!

Habanos Edicion Limitada 2007. To read the advertising on this cigar one would think it would provide something of a religious experience. Where it was an amazing experience, it took some work to get there. There are still, unfortunately, some hit and miss issues from the Island South of Miami.

Read the full review of Hoyo de Monterrey Regalos EL 2007...