Cigar Blog

Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Size/Strength: 6" x 56 Figurado / Full
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan Ligero
Binder: Nicaraguan
Presentation: Box of 24 cigars

Now THIS is a cigar of the week! Rated "96" by Famous Smoke Shop customers (and not surprisingly either), the Oliva Serie V "Ligero Especiale" Torpedo is, in a word, exquisite. I'm not much of a Torpedo smoker, but this cigar is one of my few exceptions. The blend is composed of all Nicaraguan-grown tobaccos, including a flawless Habano wrapper leaf.

What's most impressive about this cigar, as well as the other cigars in the line is, the smoke is so smooth and well balanced you really don't feel the potency of this cigar as you would with many full-bodied cigars that have an ample amount of Ligero. Oh, you may get a nice shot of peppery spice in the early puffs, but give it about half an inch and it's smooth sailin' all the way.

Famous VSL Nicaragua Robusto
Size: 5" x 50
Strength: Full
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan Viso, Seco, Ligero
Binder: Habano

I had several cigars over the weekend. Among them were an Avo XO, a Padilla Miami, a Flor de Oliva, and this week's subject, a Famous VSL Nicaragua Robusto. It was one of those choices where I hadn't smoked one in quite a while, and I didn't want a very long cigar.

The Famous VSL Nicaragua Robusto in question had been in my humidor for approximately eight months and had aged-up nicely. The cigar was well-packed, clipped neatly, burned clean and smoked smoothly, revealing a firm grey ash and a pleasant aroma.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Size/Strength: 6" x 47 / Mild
Wrapper: African Cameroon
Filler: Dominican
Binder: Dominican
Presentation: Box of 25 cigars

The Arturo Fuente Flor Fina 8-5-8 cigar is a true classic. Mellow, flavorful, flawlessly constructed, and amazingly consistent from box to box. Plus, it's one of the few cigars that still comes in boxes of 25. I can't tell you how many cigar smokers (yours truly included), that list this cigar among their top favorites.

I started with the Cameroon, shown here, then moved to the Maduro. Though I tend to order the Maduro more often for its sweeter taste, the two blends are pretty much interchangeable; you can't really miss with either of them. For my next 8-5-8 purchase I was planning on going back to the Cameroon, too. It has a mild, sweet-woody character with notes of nutmeg in the mix, and the aroma is incredibly alluring.

Room 101 305 Robusto
Size: 5" x 50
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Honduran Semilla 101
Filler: Honduran, Dominican
Binder: Honduran

About a month ago Christian Eiroa and J.T. Guagliardo of Camacho Cigars, stopped by the Famous Smoke Shop offices to say hello. Since I'd yet to smoke one, I jokingly said, "You wouldn't happen to have any Room 101's on you by chance?"

"Actually, I do," said J.T., and several minutes later I was holding a Room 101 305 Robusto. So, since yesterday was Father's Day, I thought I'd celebrate by smoking it.

We're talkin' some mighty upmarket cigars here folks, starting at around $162 for a box of 25 Coronas, so my expectations were high, and I'm pleased to report that this Robusto did not disappoint.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Size/Strength: 5" x 50 / Medium
Wrapper: Sumatra (sweetened cap)
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Presentation: Bundle of 20 cigars

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later…This week I present to you one of my all-time favorite everyday cigars, Flor De Oliva 550 Natural (Sumatra). Those of you who've been following me for a while already know this, and I've lost count as to how many cigar smokers I've recommended them to over the years. If you're looking for a well-made, budget-friendly cigar with a rich, dark, and sweet tobacco flavor, this little number from Oliva Cigars has served me well over the years. I've even tried them in different sizes, and I always come back to the 550 (though the 6½ x 44 Lonsdale was pretty darn close).

The caps are lightly sweetened with a natural sugar base. IOW, they don't have that heavy artificially sweet taste you find on a lot of flavored cigars. Actually, in a conversation I had with Jose Oliva a while back, he said the caps are so lightly sweetened, some smokers don't even notice. These are also the only cigars in the line that have the sweetened caps, too. You won't find them on the Maduro, Corojo, or Gold selections.