As I stated in my intro post a couple of months ago, I have started keeping a journal and thought I'd occasionally share my unbiased (yet) nu-b findings with y'all.

I use a 30 point system. Roughly as follows...

Construction - How cigar looks, holds up during smoke, burn etc. - 5 points

Smoke - Draw, volume of smoke, consistancy, overall pleasure factor - 10 Points

Flavor - Intensity, distictiveness, finish, consistancy - 15 Points.

Please feel free to comment on my findings, suggest things to look for, or correct me on my mis-usage of terms.

RW

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ravenwood,

Carry over from the orginal post.....

Greycliff Red Original

- Nice Easy Draw
- Mild almost bland flavor that didn't seem to change at all through the smoke.
- Burned very even
- grey/black ash
- seemed to be well made

Overall - Meh, could take it or leave it.


Torano Exodus 1959 Silver

- Firm Draw (not overly so)
- Very good flavor that increased the further I went along
- Whitish Grey Ash.
- Burned well
- Seemingly good construction

Overall - Loved this Cigar!! Will definetely consider ordering some! (mine was from a sampler)


Felipe Gregorio Suntuoso

- Medium uneven draw
- Horrible almost dirt like flavor
- burned unevenly
- Outwardly good construction
- went out 3 times in the 1st inch

Overall - Hated this cigar, what a piece of crap! Threw it away 2/3rds left.


Pueblo Dominico

- medium draw
- nice mild, but not bland, flavor
- even burn
- light grey ash

Overall - Good cigar, not sure I would buy a box, but wouldn't turn my nose up at one either.


Hoyo de Monterrey

- firm draw
- wrapper thin and flakey
- even burn
- mild flavor
- Overall Score 19 (out of 30)
- Buy? NO / Smoke Again? NO


Punch Bolos

- firm draw
- mild and bland flavor
- even burn
- Overall Score - 18
- Buy? NO / Smoke Again? NO


La Gloria Cubana Glorias

- easy draw
- mild, earthy flavor
- white ash
- good burn
- Overall Score - 20
- Buy? YES / Smoke Again? YES


Rocky Patel 1992 Vintage

- medium to easy draw
- good burn
- mild flavor
- white grey ash
- Overall score - 21
- Buy? NO / Smoke Again? YES

** Good cigar, just doesn't suit my taste enough to buy.


Tabacalera Perdomo Seleccion Estate

- medium draw
- ok burn
- bland flavor
- Overall Score - 18
- Buy? NO / Smoke Again? NO


Perdomo Reserve La Tradicion Cabinet Series

- Nice Draw
- Really good burn (lasted for over an hour, had a nice 3" ash at one point)
- Good flavor that improved
- Overall Score - 24
- Buy? YES / Smoke Again? YES


Montecristo Platinum Robosto

- firm draw (little too much)
- Ok flavor - mild (tough to get a good read with the draw)
- even burn
- Overall Score - 20
- Buy? NO / Smoke Again? YES


Gurka Boer

- Even Burn
- Mild, earthy flavor
- medium draw
- Overall Score - 19
- Buy? NO / Smoke Again? YES


Graycliff Blue Original

- mild flavor
- easy draw
- good burn
- Overall Score - 20
- Buy? NO / Smoke Again? YES


Padron Panetelia

- tough draw
- burned too hot
- acrid flavor
- Overall Score - 17
- Buy? NO / Smoke Again? NO


Gold Torano 1959 Exodus........

- Nice Full Flavor
- Even Burn
- Silky Smooth wrapper
- Good white ash
- Overall Score: 24 out of 30

My 1st box-pressed cigar. Loved it!


Oliva Serie G Cameroon

- Great Construction - Silky smooth wrapper
- Beautiful even burn
- Nice dense white ash
- Smooth Flavor - Sweet at times
- Overall: 27
- Buy: YES / Smoke: YES

My favorite so far - defines fine cigar IMO.


Partagas #2

- Rough uneven wrapper - veiny
- Good Smoke - Easy to Medium Draw
- Grey Ash
- Ok Flavor - somewhat bland
- Overall: 18
- Buy: NO / Smoke: Yes

Ok Cigar, probably would work for Golf, but I can think of better.


C.A.O. L'Anniversaire 1968-1998 Maduro

- Very Dark chocolaty (sp) wrapper
- Good Draw after recut - First cut draw was uneven
- Almost black ash - (due to wrapper?)
- Intense chocolate / cocoa / coffee flavor
- Overall - 20
- Buy: NO / Smoke NO


Torano Virtuoso

- Nice meaty cigar
- hard to distinguish cap - I made about a 1/4" cut and had a little bit of wrapper unwind
- good even burn until about a third left, then burned hot.
- fair flavor - earthy
- Overall - 20
- Buy: NO / Smoke YES


AVO XO Intermezzo

- Nice wrapper smooth and creamy
- Nice draw and very even burn
- Light smoke - aqain, smooth
- Flavor was like the wrapper - smooth and creamy, I would swear my untrained palate picked up leather at the beginning, with a nice cedar, wood finish. It was pretty cool!
- Overall - 22
- Buy: Yes / Smoke Yes

Nice mild cigar for morning or when you want an cigar that is easy on you.

Had mine with a Arizona Green Tea Lemonade.


AVO Domaine #30

- OK Construction, smooth wrapper but it began to flake when it got hot. (cigar was not dry)
- Nice draw and very even burn
- Thin smoke, strange
- Flavor was hard to dicern, bland and unpleasent, tossed half way through
- Overall - 18
- Buy: NO / Smoke NO


CAO Cameroon 1968-1998

- Very good construction, smooth wrapper
- Very easy draw, very good burn
- Would have sworn I detected a pot smell at first. (I'm sorry but that's what it smelled like) I will instead call it grassy. After that it was sort of uneventful.
- Overall: 21
- Buy: NO / Smoke: YES


Punch Rare Corojo Pita

- Dark wrapper, box pressed, good construction. Looked like a double cap?
- Good medium draw, nice smoke, good burn
- Good flavor, kept on picking up a strong flavor which I just couldn't identify - like something burnt (coffee?)but it wasn't unpleasant.
- Overall: 23
- Buy: YES / Smoke: YES


Oliva Serie "O" Cameroon

- Very good construction w/ smooth wrapper
- Medium Draw / Near perfect burn / nice smoke / white ash
- very mild flavor, not unpleasant but hard to decern specifics.
- Overall: 22
- Buy: NO / Smoke: YES

Overall not a bad figurado, but the serie G is better.


Rocky Patel 1990 Robusto

- Ok Construction, box pressed, maduro wrapper
- Difficult draw, burn ok
- full flavor
- Overall: 19
- Buy: NO / Smoke: NO

OK, I think I'm done with RPs. I have not as yet found one I like. The draw on this cigar is too tight. Who wants to blow a gasket trying to get a decent puff? Don't see why people like these....


Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 1

- maduro wrapper, good construction, loved the feel of it.
- burn was pretty good, a little uneven despite a really good light (thanks CA)
- draw medium, good ash, decent smoke
- flavor started out non descript and somewhat bland for what I was expecting. About half way through though, it picked up considerably. I detected a nice cocoa flavor that was a little short on finish.
- Overall: 22
- Buy: NO / Smoke: YES

I gave this a No for buy because, for me, didn't quite live up to expectations although it was not bad.


C.A.O. Brazilia Lambada

- Dark almost obscuro wrapper, oily and pungent. For those of you who chew tobacco, just like Red Man Gold in aroma.
- Very good burn and medium draw.
- Flavor was nutty and sweet with a nice finish. Good throughout the cigar. Full flavored.
- Overall: 25
- Buy: YES / Smoke: YES

So far in my top 5.

New ones....

Partagas Black Clasico

- Dark Oily wrapper, thick, sweet smelling
- Good Draw and Burn, Good Smoke
- Ok flavor, milder than I expected with a weak finish. Nutty and sweet.
- Overall - 20
- Buy: NO / Smoke: NO

Torano 1916 Cameroon Robusto

- Fairly Smooth wrapper, decent construction
- Easy Draw, Good Burn, Smoke was fair
- Flavour was weak with toasty notes.
- Overall - 19
- Buy: NO / Smoke: NO

Opus X Fuente Fuente

- Solid construction, smooth wrapper, seemed more tightly rolled than any I've seen.
- Considering the above, suprisingly easy draw. Burn was good with large volumes of smoke.
- Flavor was leathery with coffee and some spice. Consistant finish.
- Overall - 26
Buy: Maybe / Smoke: YES

I am conflicted on this cigar. While I thought it was a great cigar, I don't know if it was twice as good as some of the $7 to $8 cigars that I have had. (spent $16.00 for this one)

Ashton Imperial

- Smooth Wrapper, Solid Construction
- Prelight draw made me think this one was going to be rather firm, however, when lit the draw was fairly easy. Burn was solid, good volume of smoke
- Flavor - somewhat sweet with grass and wood notes, maybe cedar? Good finish and consistant
- Overall - 24
Buy: YES / Smoke: YES

RW

good reviews so far

I enjoyed reading them, keep em coming. Maybe I should start doing this.

I agree with you on almost every one.

Thanks Guys! In the last month I have been stocking up on more varieties, so more will be coming.

RW

RW, try the Partagus 160 and see what you think. A little expensive at around $20 or so but man what a smoke. I tried the Robusto major. Like to see what you think about it.

Ravenwood,
If your going to try the Partagas 160, the local tinderbox has them buy one get one free.
I'm going to get a couple as they just went into the 2 for 1 cabinet.

quote:

Originally posted by littoines:
Ravenwood,
If your going to try the Partagas 160, the local tinderbox has them buy one get one free.
I'm going to get a couple as they just went into the 2 for 1 cabinet.

Excellent! Thanks for the tip. I was thinking of taking a spin over there at lunch tomorrow.

RW

Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Belicoso No. 1

- Medium to dark wrapper, well made
- Real nice draw, very even burn with solid white ash.
- Flavor was good, picked up leather and some spicy flavors. Still a noob at this and this cigar was hard to pick out precise notes. Could be that it was also a little short on finish. Strange but I really enjoyed the 1st half of this cigar much more than the second half....
- Overall: 23
- Buy: YES / Smoke: YES

Saint Luis Rey Serie G Short Robusto

- Construction was solid with a nice maduro wrapper, some plume was on the cigars in the box I bought this from and evident on cigar I bought.
- Burn was even, draw was fine
- Flavor was real disappointing, mostly "tinny" in nature. Tossed this cigar half way through.
- Overall: 17
- Buy: NO / Smoke: NO

In the spirit of full disclosure, my proprietor at one of my local B&Ms recommended this cigar. I had noticed a small puddle of water in the humidor where this cigars were stored and when I first opened it and bent down (these were near the bottom) I thought I detected a faint musty smell. The cigars had plume on them. It brushed right off and when I got home I nosed the cigar rather carefully. It smelled good. So I don't think the cigar was moldy, but was just really bad.

Although doesn't say much for the B&M or the person who waited on me. I did inform him (quietly) of what I found and he thought it might be the wood getting musty and "would check into it."

Still, no matter the cause....a very bad experience. I hated this cigar.

RW

La Gloria Cubana Series R #4

- Construction was solid with a nice dark maduro wrapper and a pleasant sweet aroma. Cigar was tightly rolled.
- Burn was very good with a medium to light draw
- Flavor was full with a long finish. Dark chocolate and leather dominated.
- Overall: 25
- Buy: YES / Smoke: YES

Very pleasant experience, really liked this cigar.


Rolando Reyes Junior INDIOS

- Decent construction, wrapper was slightly flakey.
- Burn was good and draw was easy.
- Flavor was toasty, but notin a bad way.
- Overall: 22
- Buy: YES / Smoke: YES

A friend gave this to me on the golf course. I didn't ask but I believe this is a "T" cigar? This was a 6" x 54 cigar, and as a golf cigar, it really wasn't bad.

RW

Cohiba Robusto (DR)(Red Dot)

- Veiny wrapper, decent construction
- Good burn, draw too loose for my liking
- Flavor was very mild, hard to get a good sample with the draw being so loose. I have another in the humi, when I try that if the draw is better I'll include some more flavor notes.
- Overall: 21
- Buy: NO Smoke: NO

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ravenwood,

Partagas 160 Robusto Minor

- Very good construction with an oily wrapper
- Draw was perfect with beautiful volumes of smoke, good white ash.
- Flavor was medium and very pleasant. Definitly detected leather, cherry, and a sweet cedar note, excellent finish.
- Overall: 27
- Buy: YES / Smoke: YES

A great cigar. At the 2 for 1 price (came out to about $13.00 each) they are definately worth it.

Quarter Savant, great call on this excellent smoke!

Littoines - Thanks for all your assistance on this bad boy.

RW

A. Fuente Gran Reserva

- Medium wrapper, slightly oily, good construction
- Medium to easy draw, good burn and ash, good smoke volume
- Flavor was medium and one dimensional, liked the first half better than the second. Got a little tinny at the end.
- Overall: 22
- Buy: NO / Smoke: NO

Edit.... Just smoked my second one of these. Same opinion with the exact same result (first half better than second etc.). The only thing different was this one burned hotter and had wrapper problems (cut was good, but I had some unraveling and flaking.)

2ND edit....Just smoked my third of these. Same as the first two. At least they're consistant.
RW

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ravenwood,

quote:

Originally posted by Ravenwood:
Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Belicoso No. 1

- Medium to dark wrapper, well made
- Real nice draw, very even burn with solid white ash.
- Flavor was good, picked up leather and some spicy flavors. Still a noob at this and this cigar was hard to pick out precise notes. Could be that it was also a little short on finish. Strange but I really enjoyed the 1st half of this cigar much more than the second half....
- Overall: 23
- Buy: YES / Smoke: YES

I agree precisely with your notes. I too found it hard to pick out the flavour notes. But it was a real pleasure to smoke. Excellent smoke though, and a new staple in my humi.

ravenwood: try the Olive serie O maduro. It's a much better smoke than the cameroon imo. plus, at only $3-4 a smoke, you're not braking the bank to give oliva another try.

I was under the impression that the Oliva O natural is not a cameroon but just a Nicaraguan leaf. I thought only the Serie G was a cameroon.

I have a 5 pack of Oliva O naturals coming in though I have never tried it. I have had the maduro and it is tasty.

I stand corrected. Sorry for the mistake.

It's not to say the natural isn't good, but I just think the maduro has more flavor to offer.

i agree most maduros have more flavor to offer imo

but really i enjoy the reviews and am going to look into the ones you rated high

maybe ill find a new fav