Trip to New Jersey! pt.1

Sunday i drove the 14 hours to my friend Carlos's house, a good friend from the cigar community. The drive was pretty uneventful, other than the bear that ran out in front of my car, and getting pulled over literally 1 minute from Carlos's house (apparently you cant talk on your cell phone while driving in NJ? at least he didnt give me a ticket) He welcomed me late last night by handing me a Cohiba Siglo I that smoked wonderfully. Today we visited 2 cigar shops, where i smoked a La Aroma De Cuba Especial, followed by a very tasty Illusione 88 Robusto.

Carlos hadnt ever had Sushi before, which just isnt right, so we went to this little sushi place and had some pretty damn good food, which was followed up with some Brooklyn Lager and a Tatuaje Cojonu 09 that he gave me. The Tatuaje was really good, not quite as good as the 03, but damn close. To finish off the night, we had this cigar made by La Flor Dominica called the Cheroot (aka Crack stick). This cigar was ugly, and man do i mean ugly! From what ive heard (this may or may not be truth) this cigar was made on a dare to Lito Gomez, the owner of La Flor Dominica. It is 100% ligero leaf, which is the strongest grade of leaf out there and is the leaf blended into cigars to give it body and full flavor, but is usually accompanied by a few other grades of tobacco to make a balanced cigar. This is not the case with the crack stick. These things are like a kick to the face. Strong, flavorful, and did i mention strong? I expected it to be on the ulpleasant side, and was actually surprised at how tasty it was. There is no balance or finesse to this smoke, just strait up power. Definitely worth trying, that is if you can get them. They are made exclusively for a shop in Raleigh, NC.
Standing in front of the humidor Carlos built.
More later this week!

El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme

Todays review is the Cuban El Rey Del Mundo Choix Supreme, which measures in at 5 inches by 48 ring gauge. This looks like your basic robusto as far as size goes, but is slightly thinner and considered a hermoso no.4 technically speaking.

This cigar doesnt have the prettiest wrapper for a Cuban, with a few big veins. There is a bit of a box press to this cigar and it has a really nice cinnamon spice and cedar aroma and flavor on the predraw. The draw is in the typical Cuban style, with a bit of resistance. The first few puffs on this cigar reveal that classic Cuban twang that i was hoping for. The flavors i am picking up on right away are cinnamon, cedar, and nutmeg, all wrapped up in silky smooth smoke. There is also a really nice toasty nutty flavor at the center of the flavor profile. This cigar is on the lower end of medium bodied, but is showing just how pleasant a lighter bodied cigar can be. The further i get into this cigar, i am noticing a really nice beany flavor and some floral notes as well. Somehow this unique flavor combo is working together quite nicely.

El Rey Del Mundo is not one of the Cuban brands that gets a lot of attention, but i am one to venture off the beaten path when i get the chance and am more often that not, happy with what i find. Ive had this cigar a handful of times, and i remember it always being a pleasant cigar to smoke. This isnt one of those cigars (at least for me) that really wows you, but it certainly doesnt disappoint. This cigar is one that i think most experienced cigar people would enjoy, as well those new to cigars. It is very approachable and would be an great after lunch cigar.

Ashton Cabinet Selection No. 6

Todays review is of the Ashton Cabinet Selection No.6, which measures in at 5.5 inches by 52 ring gauge. This cigar has a Dominican binder an filler, with a Connecticut shade grown wrapper. The construction looks flawless, like most ashton products, and the wrapper is very smooth and silky. Apparently the filler has been aged at least 4-5 years before rolling.

The predraw is shows a nutty characteristic, and mild tobacco flavors. Right away upon lighting, this is a very creamy, cedary cigar with a definite roasted nut flavor. For an after dinner cigar, this is way too mild for my tastes. Starting out, the body is very light and mild, but pleasantly creamy. If i was going to light another one of these up, it would probably be earlier in the day, maybe after a light lunch or even before that. The burnline on this particluar cigar has been all over the place, which is a bit on the annoying side. When i have to constantly touch up the burn on a cigar to keep it from canoeing, it takes away from the relaxing part of the cigar experience. The flavor continues to be creamy with a touch of raisin, and thats about it. Im bored with this cigar at this point. There is also a slightly unpleasant papery quality to this cigar.

I know people who love this cigar, but it really doesnt do anything for me at this point. I think i have one more left in my humidor, and i will save it for a day i plan on smoking in the morning. I do not smoke a ton of mild cigars, but when i do, i want one with enough flavor to keep me interested. If the next one of these i light up canoes like this one did, i'm going to pitch it. I cant stand a cigar that burns up one side like this througout the entire cigar. Some cigars will correct themselves when they start to burn uneven, but i had to touch this one up every 5 minutes. Here is the real kick in the ass on this one for me, these go for about 10 bucks a piece! If i am going to pay 10 bucks for a cigar, i want it to burn evenly and come through a bit more in the flavor department. If all you want in a cigar is a mild creamy flavor, then this is definitely a cigar for you if you dont mind spending 10 bucks on it. The thing is, i know quite a few other cigars where i can get a very similar flavor profile out of for half the price, without the burn issues. For Ashtons, i think ill stick with VSGs, San Cristobals, and La Aroma De Cuba Edicion Especials.

24th Birthday cigar!

After a great lunch of Sushi with laurie, its time for a cigar! I always like to save a special cigar for my birthday, and this years cigar is the Cuaba 2008 Edicion Limitada. This pyramide measures in at 6.1 inches by 52 ring gauge. I am not really going to do a full review on this one, as i just want to sit back, relax and enjoy this splendid cigar! What i will tell you though is that it has that rich dark flavor i have come to exect on most limited edition cubans. There is a nuttyness, dark chocolate and a touch of spice, and is right in the medium/full bodied range.

Thankfully it doesnt show much youth to it, which a lot of young ELs do. The tobacco was aged for a minimum of 2 years before being rolled, and with about a year of humidor time on it, these are smoking very well already. The wrapper on this cigar is very oily and very inviting! There is also a nice black cherry flavor that showed up on this cigar.

Onto the drink! I got a bottle of rum i have been after for a while from my sister this past weekend, Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva. This is a very flavorful rum that seems perfect for sipping alongside your favorite cigar. The combo of aged rum and a great cigar is hard to beat.