Cigar review - Monte Pascoal Brazilian Puro - The Rest of the stogie

Cigar Review - Monte Pascoal Brazilian Puro Robusto

 Monte Pascoal Brazilian Puro

Monte Pascoal cigars are 100% expertly hand-made in Brazil using only the finest estate-grown Mata Fina and Mata Bonsucesso tobaccos from the Bonsucesso Farm of Tabacos Mata Fina. The estate is located in the city of Governador Mangabeira, in the State of Bahia, Brazil.

Wrapper: Mata Bonsucesso (Colorado Maduro)

Binder: Mata Bonsucesso

Filler: Mata Fina, Mata Bonsucesso (Long Filler)

Aging 3+ Months

$10.95 ea. or $239.95 for a Cedar box of 25 www.montepascoalcigars.com

In case you didn't know:

Mata Fina is widely exported to South America, the Caribbeans, and Europe. Many famous brands use Mata Fina for unique lines or to improve their blends. Among these: CAO (notably CAO Brazilia), H. Upmann, Altadis USA, La Aurora Preferido Maduros, Carlos Toraño Signatures, Alec Bradley Trilogy Maduros, Villiger Tobajara Brasil, and more.

Mata Bonsucesso is a unique cultivar developed by Tabacos Mata Fina from Piloto Cubano seed and grown at Bonsucesso Farm. It is dark, sun-grown tobacco, brown to caramel in color after fermentation, with medium to full strength. It is very aromatic, with rich flavor, and a strong influence of the Brazilian terroir. Mata Bonsucesso yields excellent Maduro and Colorado wrappers, with very few veins, and smooth colors. It is also used as binder and filler, to give body to the cigar blend.

Released in Brazil in 2008 and introduced to the US in 2010, these have remained a little known brand of a unique Brazilian made and 100% Brazilian tobacco cigar.

Ring Gauge:  50     Length: 4 7/8"   

According to the Monte Pascoal website: 

Strength: Medium to Strong

Taste: Slightly Bitter with Roasted Notes   

Aroma: Wood, Moss, Leather, Pepper

Smooth, silky, seamless dark wrapper, with some oils. Nuances of earth, Starts with sweet coffee aromas, then come fine cedar, bitter almond notes and the sweetness of nougat and honey. 

Burn time 1hr 15min.

to watch the review go to https://youtu.be/jy9FVGZMx4o

This cigar is beautiful, the construction is everything a cigar should be sturdy, firm, well packed a medium to tight draw that never changes. The wrapper has 1 noticeable vein so that you can still tell its a leaf, yet does nothing to impede the flavour or burn. The seams are difficult to detect and I have to search to find them. 

 I use a light top clip.
Pre-light it has very light cocoa and nutty leather aroma with a hint of cinnamon and honey.

Pre llight draw I get a very pleasant fruity, nut and cocoa, with a noticable cedar/mineral/citrus, or however you may perceive the dry sour taste, but its nice and I don't know why, I hate the twang.  Is it possible this is a blend that can compliment it?  I soon find out.

It lights up nicely and evenly, possibly because of my expert lighting abilities or luck (after 24 years I still get issues) 

The first draws are strangely mild not fresh lit tobacco, sharp hot leaf taste, 

I CHECK IT TO SEE IF IT ACTUALLY LIT.

It lit just fine, by the third draw the flavours show up, I get a very nice nutty, light wood and a powerful but oddly pleasant cedar citrus.  The other flavours seem to compliment it and I am enjoying the taste that usually turns me off.

I typically like a chocoalty, peppery sweet, and strong cigar.  

I am not a fan of Connecticut wrappers, they are typically boring and sharp to me nor am I a fan of Dominican tobaccos because of the sharp taste that many people love and and are distinguishing traits of cigars from the Caribbean including Cuban.... Unless they are blended right,   and this one is....Very right.

One of the reasons I am attracted to the ultra small batch, startup, and boutique in-house cigars is the effort that goes into the blends.  I am finding more cigars outside of my typical profile that I really like, Love in fact. It's a great feeling instead of being corralled into a narrow band of cigars. I do these reviews for people like me who are tired of feeling one dimensional in a world of thousands of choices of cigars. and have started to or are already focused on specific blends, and tobaccos, just because that's what has been available.

Now back to this delicious Monte Pascoal.

The cigar only ashed twice. I expected as much because of the great construction.  The flovours remain consistent and the cedar flavour seems to come and go. at one point it dissipates, and the flavor changes to a Coaoa, hazelnut, and almost a light smokey wood, I love it.

I'm very happy I decided not to pair this with anything and make it the first cigar of the day, I ate rice and nothing more so that my pallet would be fresh.  

I got a sweet nutty cinnamon on the retro, but not a spicy cinnamon just the flavour/aroma, and a bit of earthy cedar.
I retro quite a few times with this, something I'm not always able to do with the pepper/spice bomb sticks I typically smoke.

Just after the ash dropped the flavours changed up to what I considered a sharp, hazelnut, and leathery wood. 

I am assuming these are the flavours that Monte Pascoal describes as Earth, Bitter almond, and honey

The aroma of this cigar is like a fresh cigar as if I hadn't lit it yet.  Possibly the almond, nougat, earth the website described. 

Whatever it is it smells fantastic!

The band is simple elegant and small, I don't even take it off until it's a nub, and it slips off with ease.  The cigar never swelled or changed at all from it's original state other than burning perfectly.

What I really liked about this was the sharp cedar and bitter almond that I typically dislike.  I liked it because it was on the finish and didn't linger. I couldn't taste it 4 hours later, or even a half hour later BIG PLUS for me.

I love cigars and have been enjoying them for close to 25 years and my biggest pet peeve is tasting a cigar in the morning after I smoked it last night. 

Pairings:

I don't drink but for those of you that do This would pair great with a Port Wine after dinner, Sangria for lunch, a mimosa at breakfast or a great spiced rum or sweeter scotch.

For non-drinkers A pairing with a good cream soda, ginger ale, or a mixed juice drink, like pineapple juice with orange crush and a splash of grenadine, or some white grape juice.

Positives

NO touchups

NO relights

NO uneven burn.

Strong ash (only 2)

Medium amount of smoke

Great construction

Unique flavour and aroma

NO lingering "twang"

Negatives:

There are not in more stores

I don't have a box

being picky, without that vein the wrapper would have been flawless.

I'm not going to bother rating this.  It's simply a great cigar. 

I would give it a 96 on aroma, construction, and presentation.

But the flavour is strictly up to you to rate for yourself and that's what I recommend.  Get a few, try them, these should not be a hidden gem, but should be out in front.  

Thank you again to the people at Monte Pascoal for providing me the opportunity to smoke and to review this wonderful cigar.  Congratulations on making a very high quality and unique product. I wish you much success in the future.

Muito Gostoso!

Gregorio Cigars The Imperial review

The Imperial

by: Gregorio Cigars

Nice Ash Cigars and Lounge

Depew NY

After reviewing Tatuaje "W" The Whore in which I mentioned the in house roller at Nice Ash Cigars and lounge in Depew NY.  I thought to myself I try and focus my reviews around boutique, small batch, store and catalog cigars.  So it only makes sense that I should put my review out of the smallest batch I know of.  

The Gregorio Line, specifically the Imperial

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Cubano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Honduran & Nicaraguan

​According to the website:


Flavor profile: The Imperial is medium bodied with great dark and earthy flavors. Full notes of dark chocolate, espresso, spice, caramel, dark fruit
sweetness, rich natural tobacco and nuts can be found throughout. This one is equally suited to be paired with coffee in the morning or as an after dinner smoke with a dram of whiskey.

 I had the pleasure of watching Greg roll my cigars right in front of me and then light one up immediately.  It was great!  The cigar was heavy firm and solid, it smelled fresh and delicious and the rolling was what you would expect from a true premium cigar.  A deliciously dark oily wrapper very few veins, a barely noticeable fresh seam and a perfectly placed triple cap. I couldn't believe some guy from buffalo, NY sitting at a desk just rolled this incredible premium cigar.
Absolutely outstanding! but how would be with some age?


Which brings me to my review of the Imperial,  aged 5 months.
It looks darker, maybe my imagination, it smells amazing I can't wait to light it.  It smells like a spicy candy bar.

It smells so good I almost don't want to light it.
I clip it without issue, toast and light.

It is absolutely everything it's description says it is and everything I got before but intensified. 

Did I really get this cigar from a guy in Buffalo? 

YES, Yes I did!

I lit it stupid so the burn was off, but quickly corrected itself.

The first third is all Earthy dark chocolate/cocoa spice with a great fruity nut finish. Wow! I'm impressed.

At the end of the 1st third The ash is still hanging on strong and the spice backs off a bit and the flavour of dark chocolate develops into a rich cocoa/espresso and takes over, with a light vanilla, fruit in the background. I get a pleasant nutty caramel finish, I cant help but retrohale with almost every draw. 

The final third the flavours and aroma remain the same, but the spice comes back and I find myself feeling like I'm smoking a a dark chocolate covered cherry hazelnut candy, that someone rolled in cinnamon. 

There is a great flavour of leather that comes in towards the end and the cigar finished nicely down to a nub. with a leathery, cocoa, cedar.  This was a great cigar.

The construction was incredible, the burn was perfect, no touchups, and the flavor and aroma were great.

I would have been impressed with this cigar if it were rolled in Nicaragua, wrapped with a pretty band and put in a beautiful cedar box with exciting graphics and a fancy name.  

The fact that it was hand rolled on a desk in a store in Buffalo, (Depew) NY and handed to me is simply amazing. 

Tatuaje "W" The Whore

"W" 

The Whore

Collaboration By Tatuaje, Pete Johnson and Rob Roth from Nice Ash Cigars in Depew, NY

Ultra Limited production of 2500.

(No Longer Available)

This is going to be a horrible review.  

Why?  

Because this cigar is fantastic and they are gone.  These were a very limited production and were sold out almost immediately.  If you are lucky enough or persistent enough you may be able to get your hands on one and I recommend you try.

The W came in a single vitola of 6 x 52 belicoso. 

 A Beautiful Sumatra Rosada wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and filler, and packaged in boxes of 10, but available in 5 packs or singles 

The first third starts out Kind of light but build in intensity quickly. I get a nice dose of spice like cinnamon, leather and earth, which makes for a nice solid flavorful smoke. The draw is perfect for this cigar, at least in my opinion and with my chosen cut. Burn is nice and even and I get a bit of either vanilla and cocoa or milk chocolate depending on your pallet. which seems to be developing nicely and kicking in a bit of sweetness that I was looking for, It fits in great with the Leathery, spicy cinnamon, earth.  For me I was getting a full spicy leather with more of the sweetness and vanilla cocoa as a great accent.

I had this smoke outside at a fair listening to blues and classic rock, I accidentally paired it perfectly with a birch beer and the aroma of funnel cakes in the air made it all that much more enjoyable.  It was breezy which didn't seem to affect the burn much, but it took a bit extra to keep it even.  

Into the second third the flavours remained the same but the spice intensified into a peppery sweet like you get with Ligero but not quite as powerful.  I start getting a richer cocoa mixed in and the vanilla and cinnamon seem to back off as just a hint, the leathery earth is still dominant but not overpowering.

3/3

In the final third the pepper and leather take over in full swing everything else pretty much backs off with the exception of a background of earthy cedar which finishes of this great cigar. 

At 12.00 each these gems are worth a one off and definitely worth a try if you can managed to snag one in a trade or buy one from a buddy. 

If this were a regular production I would think they could back off to about $8.00 or $9.00 to hit the sweet spot. Unfortunately there are no plans to duplicate this at this time or in the near future, however Nice Ash is not only working on a different blend, but the in-house Roller and blender, Gregorio, puts out an excellent line that if you ever get the chance I recommend, it's a store only cigar and not a collaboration.

Famous announces 75th Padrón Anniversary Cigar.

Easton, Pennsylvania based retailer Famous Smoke Shop is celebrating 75 years in business, and they now have a special exclusive cigar to commemorate the occasion. Today the retailer has announced that Padrón Cigars has made available a limited edition cigar that will be carried exclusively by Famous – the Famous 75th Padrón Anniversary Cigar. The cigar is now currently available from the retailer.

The Famous 75th Anniversary Cigar is based off the Padrón 1926 Serie line.  It is a 5 x 54 box-pressed robusto. As with most Padrón Cigars, the Famous 75th Anniversary will be available in a Nicaraguan Habano or Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper.  The cigars are available in ten count boxes and there is a total production of 3,000 boxes. Consistent with the 1926 Serie, a serial number will be on the cigar band.  There will also be a secondary band indicating the exclusive cigar to Famous.

Famous_Smoke_Shop_75th_Anniversary_by_Padrón_Cigar

The project for the Famous 75th Anniversary is described as a collaboration between Jorge Padrón and Famous Smoke Shop CEO Arthur Zaretsky – two second generation men in the cigar business with a combined 115 years experience. Zaretsky’s parents founded Famous Smoke Ship in 1939 in New York City before the store was moved to Pennsylvania.

“Both Jorge and I owe a lot to our parents and the values they taught us,” said Mr. Zaretsky in a press release. “So, in celebrating our 75 year legacy as Famous Smoke Shop, and in the spirit of family, we celebrate you – our customer – with this special cigar from Padrón.”

At a glance, here is a look at the Famous 75th Anniversary Cigar by Padrón.

Blend Profile

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano or Nicaraguan Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Vitolas Available

Both the Natural and Maduro version of the Famous 75th Anniversary Cigar will be available in one size – a 5 x 54 box-pressed

Cigar Aficionado On CBS Sunday Morning | Cuba | Cigar Aficionado

Cigar Aficionado On CBS Sunday Morning | Cuba | Cigar Aficionado

La Sirena Porthole review

La Sirena Porthole

The porthole is a special edition cigar by La Sirena. (5,000 of each Vitola)  it was released in June 2015 and retails for six -Seven bucks.

Cigar Reviewed:  La Sirena Porthole Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro Corona

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Factory: La Zona Cigar Factory

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Size: 5 x 44 Vitola Corona,

The full name is La Sirena Porthole ECUADORIAN HABANO OSCURO CORONA.  A name which mimics the old saying the more keys the less important you are.  Unfortunately the same goes for this cigar.  Now don't get me wrong, it's not a Bad review, or cigar, but it definitely does not live up to the pomp and circumstance of the name nor the the fact it is limited.

Since it is called the porthole I thought it appropriate to do my review from one the Newly Beautified Buffalo, NY Waterfront  Park at New Times Beach.

When I pulled this out of the package I immediately noticed a sweet, light barnyard smell with just a hint of cocoa. The foot had a scent of leather and woodyness, but nothing too intense this lack of intesity was a precursor to what was coming for the entire smoke.

As for the appearance and construction It had a dark wrapper expected of a Habano, but it was missing the reddish muddled hue that is the typically predominant trait of a Habano.  It looked somewhat rough, not a nice tight cigar and was soft and airy in spots.

The single flimsy cap pulled off, and I didn't even have to cut it.  Not a great first impression!

The initial cold draw was lightly peppery and definitely had a leathery cocoa flavor.

It lit up nicely, with not much flame or fanfare.  The first several draws were a bit sharp, possibly do to the wind, but the fourth it smoothed out and I tasted a light hay, leathery, cocoa once again. The peppery taste seemed to have disappeared or at least backed off greatly The retrohale  seemed to give off a light tar taste, like a freshly paved driveway, or railroad ties after a day of sitting in the sun. 

The first thrid was uneventful the flavours stayed muted and little changed there was nothing complex, but it gave off a nice aroma of the leathery tobacco, with light cocoa.  

I was sitting on the Buffalo, NY Waterfront and the sweet wild grasses and trees seemed to compliment the aroma from the Porthole.

The first third and halfway through the second third it finally ashed with a crazy coast line that needed maintenance.  I have no idea how this oddly burning loosely wrapped stick held on to that ash for so long and in the wind, but it did, and it was a very dark ash.

I got a bout half way through the final third and the tar flavour stared to appear in the draw.  The cigar wan't very hot, but the flavour started to become too sharp. It was at a nub so I couldn't really continue, so perfect timing I suppose.

The rest of the stogie:
The Porthole was good. A six dollar cigar at best, it was consistent, and apparently better constructed than it seemed

but boring in my opinion.  This could be a good smoke for a newbie. It was definitely a medium body and stayed that way.  I heard from a few people to age it a bit, however that did not seem to help.  The second porthole I had was identical. Meh! that's about the extent of it. nothing exciting nothing complex, not would I would expect from a special, limited edition, but everything I would expect from a 6 dollar cigar.  For my money I would rather go with a Drew Estate Liga Privada at $7-$9.00 Papas Fritas or even an Asylum Schizo (prices at about $3.00 retail).