HDM Excaliber Sterling Nobilis (5 1/2 x 50)
I picked a couple up the other day and I know alot of people are curious so here we go. I dont normally rate a cigar based on one stick, but this is at special request.

Apperance and Construction (14 of 15 points possible)
A very nice wrapper devoid of viens and silky smooth. The color is a leathery brown that was so consistent in color you could hardly tell where the wrapper and cap crossed itself(nearly invisible). The band was very atractive, black on a silver background.

Flavor (23 of 25 points possible)
Nice flavor in typicall HDM fashion. Fist couple of puffs take on a Bittersweet chocolate, earth and coffea flavors. A 1/4 way in it turns into a solid core of smokey cedar, spice and coffea. The flavors are very rich and smooth. At halfway the cigar builds a bit more with cedar still dominating followed by earthy spice, coffea and a hint of something I just cant put my tastebuds on(almost like coconut or vanilla). This cigar has nice complexity. The last 3/4 really got tasty and fuller in body. The cedar is now a undertone with the earthiness that was there turning into a dominate coffea flavor with white chocolate creaminess(thats what I was picking up). No rough spots, no bitternes and a real finger burner. I could go on but I'll cut it short.

Smoking Characteristics (23 of 25 points possible)
Nice draw, not to loose but just the right amount of resistince. Loads of thick rich smoke, with a cedar and hickory accent to the smoke along with a scent of fresh baked chocolate cake somewhere in the background. Aroma was very impressive, I wouldnt hesitate to light this around anyone. If they dont like the smell their warped! The burn was razor sharp all the way down and just slighty off by a C*nt hair. Salt and pepper ash that hung on till I nocked it off at a little more than a inch.

Overall Impression (33 of 35 points possible)
I think HDM hit the mark on this one. A truly rich and balanced smoke thats medium-full in bodied. It starts off medium them builds to a grand finalle. A cigar you could smoke anywhere and at any time of the day, its good. If your a fan of the regular line Excaliber, AF Don Carlos and Hemmingway you definetly need to try the sterling. Like the regular Excaliber but with more body, more complexity, balance and richness in the flavor. Definitely take your time and enjoy this one. Try one if you get the chance.

Overall Score - 93

I got a couple more and a lucky someone might get one!

Excellent Review. You haven't lost your touch stoge.

very nice...
So you're handing out free stoges huh?

Nice review! Sounds like you found a winner.

I think the hint of something was nutmeg and toast. You had indicated coffee with chocolate creaminess, and I was thinking coffee with cream. I love the thoroughness of your reviews and will try to go to school on you. The only thing I thought might contradict your opinion was that it seemed to be a mild to medium cigar. The wrapper was fabulous, thin and smooth like the cuban romeo y julieta. Thanks for the great review.

Thanks Denn for the compliment, I take a lot of notes and time when reviewing my smokes. It could of been nutmeg I was trying to describe, Ive got another Im gonna give a little more humi time and I'll see if thats it. The wrapper was very unique in color, one of the things that really caught my eye.

Excellent review Stogie!! By the time I finished reading the review, I was on the search for the real thing. Anyway, thanks for your time and effort - sure helps us sorta NOOB's wind our way through the jungle of cigars out there. Hope to be able to post a review with some sort of authority one day.

AS much as I would like to saty away from the BIG GUYS' cigars (I like to help the little guys out), I always come back to the HdM's. Always good consistent smokes, and I agree with your review the Royal Sterling are excellent!

Thanks for the review. I went out last night and purchased three cigars one in each of the size they had. I smoked the nobillis last night. It was a great smoke and a terrific buy. Thanks again for the recommendation.

I don't think I like this cigar. I am going to try it a few more times before I give it a review but my first impression is that it is way too sweet for my taste. It beats the regular xcal line in both richness and complexity but the finish is like drinking high fructose corn syrup. The wrapper also seems to give it a vegetal/floral aspect. Sure smells purty though. I hate to say it but it also had a muddy flavor that reminded me of an aroma de cuba. Anyone else get that sweetness or is this just a fluke?

Thats weird PMP! I guess I'll have to smoke a few more, the one I smoked wasnt like that.

Finally got to try one of these. Wanted to based on your review.
Started out harsh or maybe it was bitter. Ashy flavor but with some of that clovey or nutmeg spice I like. That flavor lingered into the finish. After about an inch, the cigar smoothed and was much better. Stayed that way till the end.
Not bad, I've got one more to try.

'Beautiful review 'Stogie';will have to try one!'

ok stog, picked one up based on your review, but havent smoked it yet. You usually have pretty good taste in cigars, other than your love of iguanas...

Ive only had one and it was very nice and balanced. I had about 4 or 5 in all and gifted the rest out to friends because they seemed real hard to find when they first came out. Im gonna have to pick up some more and see if the first one was a fluke.

you talking about your iguanas again sto?, i know youve smoked more than one of those...

No! I still havnt tried that one you gifted me yet.

well I was one of the lucky ones that was gifted one of these from stogie, and I finally got to smoke it today. Very nice cigar, nice and spicy to begin with, with a great aroma. I didn't really taste any sweetness although the aroma made it seem to be sweet. Pretty much coffee and cedar taste, although my ash was real fine and fell off onto my shirt prior to one inch. Pretty much a typical dependable HDM cigar with great construction and flavor. Thanks for the gift stogie...

I too was a recipient. Thanks for the nice cigar(s), I've always like HDM's. By the way Stoge, this reminded me I still need to e-mail you back. Check your e-mail tomorrow, I've got a basketball game (actually 2) tonight.

No problem guys, glad you enjoyed them. Thats what its all about.