Origin : USA
Format : Salomon
Size : 7 x 58
Wrapper : Nicaraguan Corojo / Criollo
Binder : Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic
Filler : Nicaragua
Strength : Medium
Hand-Made
Price : ~$5 each
More info about purchasing Padilla Achilles cigars...

This review comes courtesy of Tobacmon and earns him 5 entries in our current contest.

Pre-Smoke

Scent of Wrapper : Grassy.
Scent at Foot : Cedar.
Appearance : A few veins with a slight oily sheen
Wrapper : Very nice Corojo wrapper with an oily look and small veins throughout cigar.
Feel : Firm / Tight.
Tongue : Leathery.
Flavor on Draw : Earthy with hints of cedar.

Smoke

Taste : Slight pepper, smooth vanilla.
Flavor Changes : The flavor was constant throughout the entire cigar except near the nub I picked up a little more vanilla.
Strength : I would say a Medium smoke.
Feeling : For the price of this line you can't go wrong. Depending on the size they run from as low as $2.45 box of 20 = $50.00 or the Salamon size I did the review on are 10 for $55.00. I was a little apprehensive when thinking of trying it but will not hesitate to recommend someone to try.
Scent of Smoke : I really could not notice anything.
Heat on Fingers and in Mouth : None
Draw : Starting out with this shape I thought it would be just fine and it was a great draw.
Finish : This smoke picked up slightly and started tasting more wood, nuts and earth. The leather was starting to fade.
Other Aspects of the Cigar Smoking Experience : The burn, draw, construction and taste of this smoke were all very good.
Make any notes beyond what you noted already : The only down point of the cigar is that there were only a few thousand made and when they run out they will be gone. This is my understanding. What a shame. I may have to get a box and let them rest.

I would rate this cigar as a "Very Good Cigar." 8/10

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Corona Gorda
Size : 5.625 x 46
Wrapper : Ecuador Sun Grown
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$155 for a box of 25
More info about purchasing La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial...

This line of cigars is produced by Don Pepin Garcia for Ashton. Apparently all of the tobacco used in this cigar is produced form 1st generation Cuban seeds. I have smoked a handful of cigars from this line, but this is my 1st formal review of one. So here it goes...

Read the full review of La Aroma de Cuba Edicion Especial #1...

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Toro
Size : 6 x 52
Wrapper : American Habano
Filler : DR, Honduras, Nicaragua
Binder : Brazilian Mata-Fina
Hand-Made
Price : ~$10-14 each
More info about purchasing Liga Privada T-52 cigars...

Drew Estate's Liga Privada No. 9 has received a fair amount of hype. Known mostly for flavored and infused cigars, when Drew Estate ventures into more traditional lines of cigars it always raises some eyebrows and draws attention. Their Liga Privada line of cigars seems to be their best received offering of traditional smokes. The T-52 is a new cigar in the line that hasn’t even been released yet. It is set to be released at this year's IPCPR convention. T.G., a very generous brother at The Herf Hut Cigar Forum, offered to share one of these new cigars that he was lucky enough to get his hands on a little early. Thanks T.G., I really appreciate it.

The really special thing about this new cigar is the wrapper. It is a new, never used before and exclusive wrapper that the folks at Drew Estate have dubbed “Stalk Cut Habano”. Rather that trying to tell the story myself I’ll just quote the information that T.G. sent me that he got from Jonathan Drew. In this explanation the wrapper is referred to as American Habano, but apparently they have changed their minds and decided to refer to it as Stalk Cut Habano. Read on…

Read the full review of Liga Privada T-52...

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Toro
Size : 6 x 50
Wrapper : Nicaraguan Habano
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$6.50 each
More info about purchasing EO 601 Red Label cigars...

The 601 Habano is a cigar that I've enjoyed time to time for a while now. For me it has consistently represented a solid value and experience. I decided it was time to enjoy a 601 Toro that I've had in my humidor since last October.

Read the full review of EO 601 Habano Toro...

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Torpedo
Size : 6.5 x 52
Price : ~$4.00
More info about purchasing El Cobre cigars...

As lovers of fine cigars, I'm sure that most of you are well aware of the Oliva family of cigars. With cigar lines such as the Serie V, Master Blends, and their newest smash-hit the Nub, Oliva has become a power player in the cigar industry. But, despite the overwhelming popularity of their cigars, Oliva still has some lesser known treats that you may not have heard much about. One such hidden gem is the El Cobre. The El Cobre is a full-bodied maduro cigar that packs a ton of flavour! When smoking an El Cobre, one can expect to taste complex flavours of coffee and nuts, mixed with hints of leather and chocolaty sweetness. A unique trait that sets the El Cobre apart from other cigars is the unique aroma of the resting smoke, which has a scent similar to that of burning sweet grass. If you're a fan of full-bodied cigars, then the El Cobre by Oliva is a hidden gem that's sure to please!

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Robusto
Size : 5 x 50
Price : ~$3.00
More info about purchasing Padron 2000 cigars...

This review comes courtesy of Jason Taylor aka Jandttyl.

This is the ugly date with a great personality of the cigar world. It's not much to look at, but the flavors are wonderful. Earthy with chocolate, coffee, and pepper undertones make this a steal at around $80 per box of 26. The medium bodied smoke can be had at any time of day. Especially pleasing paired with a Chocolate Stout or a Dr. Pepper. This is a must for my humidor. Highly recommended.

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Robusto
Size : 4.5 x 50
Price : ~$3.50-$4.00
More info about purchasing Oliva Serie G Maduro cigars...

This review comes courtesy of Charlie aka Labman.

The Oliva Serie G Maduro was one of the first maduro cigars I ever had the pleasure of smoking, and it has remained one of my favourites ever since. The Serie G sports a very dark, oily wrapper that for a first timer can be a little intimidating. But, once lit, all fears melt away as the Serie G delivers rich flavours of dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and hints of coffee. A light spice and sweet tanginess can be detected when retro-haling the Serie G's creamy smoke through the sinuses. Even though I would classify the Oliva Serie G Maduro as medium-full in body, it's a cigar that even the most inexperienced smoker can enjoy. So go out, give it a try, and be sure to let us know what you think!

Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Toro
Size : 6 x 52
Price : ~$3
More info about purchasing La Vieja Habana cigars...

I remember being introduced the La Vieja Habana line from Drew Estate a couple of years ago at one of my favorite B&M's. I was instantly impressed. I've stuck mostly with the Cameroon, but recently had a chance to pick up some Maduro for a change. Once lit, I knew I'd found another favorite from the LVH line. I loved the rich volume of smoke from this guy. There was a touch of sweetness amongst the coffee notes. And at around $3.00 - $4.00 locally, these are definite winners. So whether on the golf course, working around the house or even the commute, these are great to have around.