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.

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Liga Privada Unico Series "Dirty Rat"

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)

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Nestor Miranda Seconds Rothschild

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Camacho Triple Maduro 50/4.5
Country of Origin: Honduras (Rancho Jamastran)
Size: 4½" x 50
Strength: Full
Wrapper/Filler/ Binder: Honduran Maduro
Presentation: Box of 20 cigars / 5-packs / Singles
Location smoked: Home
Paired with: Vodka & Orange juice

Appearance and feel: Excellent color, well-packed. Wrapper is thick, toothy, nicely oily, yet not overly so. Thick, rich-looking double band (black & silver). One at the neck and the foot. (90)

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Avo LE 2009 Compañero

Since March 22nd is Avo Uvezian's 86th birthday, I thought it would be appropriate to post this week's review on an oldie but goodie I've had in my humidor for about two years: An Avo 2009 "Compañero," still in its cello, too! If I remember correctly, this cigar was hailed as the strongest Anniversary cigar released by Avo since the immortal Avo 80th. Perhaps the time in my humidor mellowed it a little, since I found the smoke to be mostly on the medium-bodied side, but this cigar still looked great and tasted equally delicious. Let's run through the tasting criteria and I'll continue on the other side.

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To tell the truth, I have been smoking a lot of 6 x 60 cigars lately, and I'm starting to get used to this Double Toro shape. In fact, as I write this post I'm smoking one of the new E.P.C. Short Run 2012 Nitidos (6¼" x 60). So what am I getting at?

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Arturo Fuente Hemingway "Signature"

Appearance and feel: A bit rustic in appearance (see notes below), but wrapper was nice and silky.
Draw: Perfect
Pre-light flavor: Woody
Toasting & Light: Tip lit right up and took well.
First puff: Creamy and sweet.
Retrohale: smooth and nutty.
Base flavors: sweet cedar and nutmeg.
Aroma: Sweet.
Burn / Ash: Clean and even with a very firm ash.
Balance: Dead-on center

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Xen by Nish Patel Robusto

Appearance & Feel: Cuban-style box press. Wrapper was silky and even in color, and the tobaccos were well-packed.

Paired with: Svedka Citron Vodka & Tonic with splash of lime juice.

Cap: Well made and clipped nicely.

Pre-light: Spicy, but flavor-wise, nondescript.

Foot: Lit easily and evenly without having to apply too much flame.

Draw: Just right.

First puff: Smooth and creamy with a note of wood and a trace of sweetness.

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Cigars of the Week: Famous Nicaraguan Connecticut

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'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the casa,
Swirled ribbons of smoke from my Liga Privada;
My humidor placed by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While CAO Visions danced in my head;
And Mom in her 'kerchief, and I in my robe,
Had just settled down for a long winter's smoke;

When out on the lawn dropped a Siboney bundle,
I sprang from my chair and started to stumble.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and reached for the stash;

Moonlight on the wrappers of fresh-rolled cigars
Gave them a luster like thousands of stars;
When, what to my wondering eyes was appearing,
Dozens of Davidoffs, oh how endearing!

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El Rico Habano Corona Supremo

If you're freaky for full-bodied cigars, El Rico Habano is one of those classic brands that's been around since the early 1970's, yet easily stands up to today's myriad full-bodied offerings. The brand was first produced at the El Credito Factory in "Little Havana," Miami, where La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Miami cigars are made, and in over 30 years, little has changed. The blend currently consists of Nicaraguan longfiller & binder rolled in a sweet and savory Sumatra wrapper sun-grown in Ecuador.

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Mi Barrio El Forro
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Size/Strength: 7" x 48 / Full
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan Estelí & Jalapa
Binder: Nicaraguan
Presentation: Box of 20 cigars

This week's selection is a cigar that is quite close to my heart. The Mi Barrio El Forro is a Churchill-sized, Nicaraguan puro made in limited edition by Don Jose Pepin Garcia. These cigars were originally distributed by E/O Brands (Espinosa/Ortega) at which time, they were very upmarket in price. The first Mi Barrio I ever smoked, The Puro, went for $250.99/box.

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