Somehow, I've managed to never have tried this cigar. Lately, I've been smoking Pete Johnson's take on it, the Tatuaje Havana Cazadore, so I figured it was high time to give the original a shot.

I was expecting an intentionally rough cigar and that's exactly what I got: a foil-packed bundle of rutic, veiny and rumpled lonsdales tied with riboon and placed within a paper dress box. (Box date was Oct 06.)

The wrapper was nice and oily but as I said, veiny as hell and the furthest thing from smooth. The caps were fairly well done but not nearly as pretty as on, well, virtually any cervantes from Romeo or any other brand.

Pre-light aroma, despite the rough appearance, was plenty nice. The cigar lit up easily and the first few puffs were horrid -- think Jose L Piedra and you've got the idea. But the cigar settled down fairly quickly into a nice, straightforward smoke with lots of coffee and tobacco character. No complexity, little depth, and no real development in terms of flavor...pleasantly bold yet not overpoweringly strong as I'd been led to expect.

During the last third, I had a hard time keeping it lit and after five re-lights, tossed it. Must be an anomoly, as the other two people smoking with me had no problems.

Overall, the Cazadore is a nice yard 'gar but, unless you like an intentionally rustic smoke, I'd suggest looking elsewhere for a bold Cuban flavor -- like Ramon Allones or Bolivar or even the non-Cuban Tatuaje Havana Cazadore, which is a superior cigar. Unfortunately, it's twice the price and perhaps even harder to find than the Romeo.

I'd score it an 86.

E-cord, May I ask the date of the sample you had?

Oct 06

My one and only box is ENE 05, not as rough as yours, very dark and very oily. I have sampled a few and found them still very young, tannic and strong. I have opted to store them for as long as possible and see what developes.

Intersting review. I have smoked a box of these and bought another this July. I've enjoyed them after a spicy meal and they are affordable at $5.25 CUC each. I obviously like them more than you but I was surprised by the high rating they got on a CA review (91 in the August issue and 93 in the Cigar directory). I would put them in the 85-88 range but a 91 they're not.
I'm going to try and age my 06 box and see what they're like next summer.
Thanks for the review, you have to admit that they taste better than they look!

Great review. I like you have never tried these, but your review has made me curious. I will have to see if i can get my hands on some.

quote:

Originally posted by Extensioncord:
Overall, the Cazadore is a nice yard 'gar but, unless you like an intentionally rustic smoke, I'd suggest looking elsewhere for a bold Cuban flavor -- like Ramon Allones or Bolivar or even the non-Cuban Tatuaje Havana Cazadore, which is a superior cigar. Unfortunately, it's twice the price and perhaps even harder to find than the Romeo.

Cazadores are priced low for their relative size. They really are not enjoyable unless you store them for many years....but once they hit 4-5+ yrs, they can be great cigars.

quote:

Originally posted by sobek:
Cazadores are priced low for their relative size.

True, but not by much -- maybe $30 less than Monte #1, but about $30 more than than Fonseca No.1, which I feel is a superior smoke in terms of construction and depth of flavor, though it's a little light for some peoples' tastes.

You made a good point that these work well as a yard cigar. Four or five years definitely helps to smooth out the taste profile.

quote:

Cazadores are priced low for their relative size. They really are not enjoyable unless you store them for many years....but once they hit 4-5+ yrs, they can be great cigars.

I agree. These are quite nice with age.