Cigar Blog

Templar by Gurkha "Grand Master"
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Size: 6" x 60
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Colombian
Presentation: Bundle of 15 cigars
Location smoked: Office desk
Paired with: Coffee w/cream & sugar

Appearance and feel: Nice even brown Colorado hue and a silky feel; not to veiny, very delicate, seams were a bit wide. (83)

Rocky Patel The Edge Candela
Country of Origin / Factory: Honduras / El Paraiso factory in Honduras)
Size: 6 x 52 Toro
Strength: Mild - Medium
Wrapper: Honduran Habano-seed Candela (aged 5 years)
Filler: Secret
Binder: Secret
Presentation: Boxes of 20 cigars and singles
Location smoked: Leaf Cigar Bar / Office
Paired with: Vodka & Tonic / Coffee

I came into this cigar by accident. Nimish "Thunder" Desai was visiting our offices last month and I couldn't help but notice the bright green box. I guess you've figured out by now that he offered me one. The cigars are made in limited edition, only 1,000 boxes, and one size, a 6" x 52 Toro. For that reason, you will only find The Edge Candela at local cigar stores.

CAO Brazilia "Samba" (ca. 2004)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Size: 6¼" s 54 ( Belicoso)
Strength: Full
Wrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Presentation: Boxes of 20 cigars / 5-Packs / Singles
Location smoked: Garage
Paired with: Coffee

It's been a while since I've had the chance to write about not one, but four cigars I had over this past weekend. Let's start with Friday evening...

After work, I headed over to Leaf with a co-worker and I lit up a cigar I was really looking forward to smoking, a Zino Platinum Z-Class 550 R (4 7/8" x 50). As usual, the cap clipped-off perfectly and the draw, though somewhat grassy in flavor, was excellent. The cigar lit and burned well, but as this was my first Z-Class, I'm going to leave the jury out until I have another. Though this cigar was excellent in many respects such as balance, strength, construction, ash firmness, and aroma, the cigar tasted grassy all the way through. This grassy taste is common with many Davidoff and Avo cigars, but it usually fades early, making way for more toasty, woody flavors. This cigar just didn't have it. However, I had given one of the larger Z-Class 654 T's to a friend and he LOVED it. So, I'm thinking, it was either the size, or the cigar was a bit young. Since I have a couple more 654's, I'll hold-off until I smoke those and give it a more thorough review.

Liga Privada Unico Series "Dirty Rat" (Factory Sample)
Country of Origin (Factory): Nicaragua (Drew Estate)
Size: 5" x 44
Strength: Full
Wrapper: Connecticut River Valley stalk cut & cured Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
Presentation: Boxes of 12 cigars
Location smoked: Office
Paired with: Hot cocoa 

Appearance and feel: Nice little flag leaf cap. Perfectly packed. Wrapper is even in color and somewhat toothy with a nice sheen. (90)

Draw: Perfect (95)

Pre-light flavor: Wood and licorice (89)