Origin : Honduras
Wrapper : Viso Habano grown in the Jalapa Valley, Nicaragua
Filler : Columbia, Viso Jalapa Nicaragua, Ligero Esteli Nicaragua, Ligero Honduras
Binder : Honduras
Hand-Made
Price : $7-9

Doc James Cigars & Golf

We have received the honor of writing the first review of a brand new cigar from one of the most respected cigar store/lounges in Westchester County, NY. Doc James Cigars. With 2 locations in the county, their flagship in Shrub Oak and another in Mamaroneck, they are easy to get to and carry an incredibly wide line of sticks. There are even a few rare gems in their vintage humidor that you will have a hard time finding anywhere else, if you are able to at all.

Both locations have fantastic lounges that were designed to be both luxurious and fun. They are very inviting and provide exceptionally well for the hundreds of members who enjoy all sorts of recreational activities there including darts, cards, watching sporting events and the many conversations centering on their love of cigars. A feeling of camaraderie that we cigar smokers enjoy so much is always felt there, and Adam DeSiena, owner of the establishment is always there to enhance the experience in any way that he can. Go visit them at Doc James Cigars & Golf, 952 East Main Street, Shrub Oak NY 10588.

Now, on to the review…

Read the full review of De Siena 312...

Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Corona Gorda
Size : 5 5/8 x 46
Wrapper : Ecuador
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : $7 each
More info about purchasing Four Kicks cigars...

This week I decided to review a cigar that has hit the blogosphere with running success. The Four Kicks brand by Crowned Heads is produced by Ernesto Perez Carillo in the Dominican Republic for owner Jon Huber and Mike Conder. Being relatively new to the cigar world the brand has received very high accolades already, so let's see how the Four Kicks fairs.

Available in 24 count boxes the Four Kicks consist of the following vitolas :

• Pyramid 6 1/8 x 52
• Sublime 6 x 54
• Belicoso 5 ½ x 52
• Robusto 5 x 50
• Corona Gorda 5 5/8 x 46
• and newly added Seleccíon No.5 6 ½ x 44

On to the review…

Read the full review of Four Kicks...

Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Robusto
Size : 4 7/8 x 50
Wrapper : Dominican Republic
Filler : Nicaragua & Honduras
Binder : Peruvian
Hand-Made
Price : $9 each
More info about purchasing Zino Platinum cigars...

As spring is upon us we are all looking forward to cutting the grass again… yeah right. The good news is with more daylight and warmer temperatures the cigars smoking will increase along with barbecues and good outdoor fellowship.

This week I wanted to review a semi new cigar. Being released in May of 2011 the Zino “Z” Class line is defined as a stronger / powerful / more full-bodied line without a hefty price tag. The “Z” Class cigars come packaged in sleek streamlined metal tin boxes of 20. These cigars are currently available in the following sizes:

• 654T (Toro) 5 7/8 x 54
• 550R (Robusto) 4 7/8 x 50
• 546P (Pyramid) 5 ¼ x 46
• and 643C 5 5/8 x 43

This line will typically run you from $8 – $12 which is much less expensive than your regular Zino/Davidoff makeshift brands. Let’s see how the 550R fared.

On to the review…

Read the full review of Zino Platinum “Z” Class 550R...

Origin : Cuba
Format : Cazadores
Size : 6 3/8 x 44
Wrapper : Cuba
Filler : Cuba
Binder : Cuba
Hand-Made
Price : $12 each
More info about purchasing Fonseca cigars...

Fonseca is an under appreciated brand in my opinion. You don’t find too many people talking about it and there are plenty who haven’t even heard of it. I have found it to be a sort of hidden gem. Milder than most Cuban cigars it is still full of refined, complex flavors and they are a joy to smoke. The hallmark of the Fonseca is the white tissue paper wrapper that graces every stick in the marca, and the bold portrait of Francisco E. Fonseca that adorns each box.

Read the full review of Fonseca No. 1...

Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Toro
Size : 6.0″ x 50
Wrapper : Connecticut Shade/Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler : Dominican and Honduran
Binder : Secret
Hand-Made
Price : $7 each
More info about purchasing LGC Artesanos de Tabaqueros...

La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Tabaqueros Toro is a bit gimmicky but it does exactly what it is advertised to do. This cigar uses two wrappers, a Connecticut Shade wrapper at the foot with an abrupt transition to an Ecuadorian grown Sumatran wrapper for about the last 2/3rds of the cigar. It starts off fairly mild with creamy coffee notes and a bit of hay and then picks up in strength and body once you hit the Sumatran wrapper where there is a bit of pepper and leather and earth with what I thought was a slightly overbearing finish. Maybe even a little harsh at times. I found it to be a well made cigar. The burn was amazingly slow. It took a long time to smoke this Toro. I’d rate this stogie overall as “good”.

There was something about the two wrapper setup and that transition from the mild smoke to a more medium bodied experience that I am unsure about. I cannot put my finger on it, but it is different from the changes and nuances of a well blended and complex cigar that only uses one wrapper. I’ve struggled with it but haven’t come up with a good explanation for my feeling on it. Still, this LGC is a decent smoke and the gimmick is legit and so it it is worth trying at least once for the experience.

Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Short Robusto
Size : 4 x 50
Wrapper : Ecuadorian Arapiraca
Binder : Dominican Republic
Filler : Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : 5.50 EUR each
More info about purchasing Quesada cigars...

If you know the story behind the Quesada Seleccion Espana, you might be a bit surprised at the title of this review. Europe? Weren't these supposed to be released in Spain, then a few boxes leaked to the US because the cigars were really good? [you can find some more information about this cigar here and here]

Well, I mentioned 'Europe' simply because I found this stick in a B&M in Amsterdam and it didn't have the second "Seleccion Espana" band. Looking at the size and the main band (as well as the flavor profile), I am fairly confident this is the same blend, released across Europe (or just in the Netherlands? I don't know). Needless to say, I was pretty excited to sample these because they received really good press overseas.

Read the full review of Quesada Seleccion Espana/Europe Short Robusto...

Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Belicoso
Size : 5 1/8 x 43
Wrapper : Cameroon
Filler : Dominican Republic
Binder : Dominican Republic
Hand-Made
Price : $7 each
More info about purchasing Arturo Fuente Don Carlos cigars...

The Fuente family makes some of the most popular cigars in the US. The Opus X and Hemingway lines seem to get the most notoriety in this part of the country, but right up there with them is the premium Don Carlos line of Cameroon wrapped cigars. The Don Carlos is a superbly constructed refined cigar that proudly bears the name of Don Carlos Fuente Sr. himself. The Don Carlos can be had in various vitolas, seven of which are the most common. The #2, #3, #4, Robusto, Double Robusto, Belicoso, and Presidente. I have seen pictures of a Lancero but have never seen one in person. I don’t know the story behind the Lancero but can only assume it was some kind of special run that may or may not have ever been publicly available. The Fuente’s seem to have a lot of special run, never released cigars floating around out there. You often hear stories of them much like you hear stories of Big Foot and Lochness sightings.

Read the full review of Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 4...

Origin : Dominican Republic
Format : Perfecto
Size : 6.0″ x 47
Wrapper : Broadleaf Maduro
Filler : Dominican
Binder : Dominican Republic
Hand-Made
Price : $9 each
More info about purchasing Arturo Fuente Hemingway cigars...

As if the Cameroon-wrapped Hemingway cigars weren’t special enough, The Cigar Family makes an extra special, aged, limited release of the Hemingways with a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. Like the Anejos, the Hemingway Maduros are usually released around the holidays as a special treat for the fans and customers of Arturo Fuente cigars. I gave some more background on the Hemingway line of cigars in my review of the Hemingway Best Seller so click on over and check that out while you’re here.

Read the full review of Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature Maduro...