I was at the cigar shop Saturday. The owner was just back from a cigar show in Vegas and was putting out some neat looking signs with some great art and the word Africa on it.
After he sat down we all asked him to review the show and tell us what was new. He went through the usual Davidoff dinner, LaFlor Dinner etc. He said the Africa cigar, was pretty good. So on the way out I went into the humidor and picked up three sticks at 7.25 each. I was doubtful of them being any good because when a band is this pretty the cigar is usually crap, kind of like a painted up woman.

Around 8:00 Saturday night I was at a lavish beach house owned by one of my members celebrating his birthday. I walked out onto the second floor deck and looked out over a beautiful San Augustine grass lawn leading to a sand dune and then a beautiful full moon reflecting into a soft rolling Gulf of Mexico.

Spotting two large padded wicker chairs I eased over and settled in. I reached in and pulled out the Africa. It was picture book perfect in appearence with a dark oily wrapper (Just like the picture), firm construction. Since I was in such a rich setting, sipping, some Crown I went through the motions of clipping the cigar carefully, taking a pre-lit draw and smelling the aroma of the unlit smoke. I must say if I have ever smelled barnyard earthy this was it.

I carefully lit the cigar to make sure it was evenly ignited and took the first puff.

This is a good cigar. A little over medium strength, no bite or after taste, finished well, great construction, beautiful to look at. I sat there in a perfect setting and felt as if I had money and all the world was right.

Seldom does a new cigar seem worthy of its price but I have found two this year. The new Africa and the Criollio. They both cost about 7.25 depending on the size you purchase and both are worth that money.

[This message was edited by Depthfinder on August 02, 2004 at 10:05 AM.]

Thanks for the review, I will check out both of them. Does your shop have the new Anaconda yet? I would enjoy reading anything you guys have to say about it.

quote:

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Originally posted by Depthfinder:
I was doubtful of them being any good because when a band is this pretty the cigar is usually crap, kind of like a painted up woman.

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That quote is awsome, lol, I actually sat here in my chair laughing.



Oh, I got a million dreams. That's all I do is dream
-Duke Ellington

I'm just finishing my third Africa robusto. Very good standard bearer. I was very surprised. Try one... btw my shop charges in the $6.00 range for the robusto. Timberbox, Ahwatukee, AZ (Phoenix)

Philip

You're 54! Just grow up!

James B - I don't know about the Anaconda, I was going to check on my next trip but I forgot.

Philipe1 - I think the Robusto is about 6.25 and I have tried it. Although I like the figurado better it is probably in my mind. I almost always purchase the belecoso or torp. shapes in my cigars, I just like the way they smoke, however they do require me to use my cutter rather than my punch which I really prefer.

Guys,

I had my first Africa last night - robusto size.

I did think it was a nice looking, and also tasty cigar. It seemed to have a sweetness to it shortly after lighting that went away, and had a medium spicy or perhaps leathery taste that stayed consistent and got a bit spicer toward the area of the band.

Only problem is that not 30 seconds after I took a puff in mid-cigar, the thing snuffed totally. I had to cut off the ash and relight. Also, the ash dropped very early, like at 1-inch or barely over.

The VSG I smoked the night before had an ash that hung on like the devil until the cigar was half gone, so the contrast between the two cigars was stark.

I have another Africa in my humi and will not be at all afraid to smoke it, since the first one was pretty good. I just wish it had burned better.

~ masher

I have on waiting in my humi for a night out smoking instead of at work where I can't fully concentrate on my smoke. The wrapper is beautiful and it smells nicely. One question though... I keep hearing drums like in the movie Jumanji from my Humi. Is this normal?!?

"There are five things, above all else, that make life worth living: a good relationship with God, a good woman, good health, good friends, and a good cigar."
-- Prince Sined Yar Maharg

I tried my Africa this last weekend and I was truly disappointed. Not only with the taste but with the way it stained my fingers!! Why do they do this?!?!
Actually threw it out and opted for a Padron 5K

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"There are five things, above all else, that make life worth living: a good relationship with God, a good woman, good health, good friends, and a good cigar."
-- Prince Sined Yar Maharg

Very interesting posts. I'll add my $.02

I was wondering why my local cigar shops in Miami were replete with so much high-end advertising for this new Don Lino "Africa" brand. After reading some more I found out that it is a new brand for the Miami Cigar Co. and therefore we locals will probably see much more marketing than others. The displays are impressive and very pleasant to look at. I agree with Depthfinder, I even stayed away from these sticks for a while just because I thought there had to be much more put into PR than taste. I bought a robusto yesterday and smoked it right away.
I have to admit that I had no real reaction in either direction; the cigar looks beautiful, but it just lacks any kind of depth. Maybe I goofed and should have buried it in my humi for months, but I have enjoyed many a smoke straight out of the store. This smoke just didn't do much. The draw was fine, the burn was fine, the taste was muted, but fine. I can't say I'd buy another one - especially at $7.00 plus per stick. A Padron 2000 costs half that and delivers a WAY better experience.

Anyone else notice the "painted" wrapper?

Andy... where do you shop at? I'm mostly at Sabor Havana in Doral but also at Aficionados in Pembroke and Stogies in Kendall.
---------------------------------------------------------
"There are five things, above all else, that make life worth living: a good relationship with God, a good woman, good health, good friends, and a good cigar."
-- Prince Sined Yar Maharg

$7.00!!!!!!!! I haven't seen it over 4

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"The cigar...is something that commands respect. It is made for all the senses,
for all the pleasures, for the nose, the palate, the fingers, the eyes... A good
cigar contains the promise of a totally pleasurable experience."

--Zino Davidoff

En4cer71!
I shop at Stogies in Kendall and sometimes at Vilar Cigars on US1... I have yet to try out those ones you mentioned in Pembroke Pines although I am always on the lookout for a good store. To me, Stogies has the best selection in the southern part of Miami where I live. The folks who own it and work there are still very excited about products and take a lot of genuine interest in customers.
Where are you at?

quote:

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Originally posted by Depthfinder:
Seldom does a new cigar seem worthy of its price but I have found two this year. The new Africa and the Criollio. They both cost about 7.25 depending on the size you purchase and both are worth that money.

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Do you mean the CAO Criollio?

To be honest I didn't look to see. It was in the box that has all the drawers in it. Wrapped in tissue paper. I smoked the belecoso shaped one. I'm sorry but I never can remember what they name each one of these shapes and sizes. The African cigar was the belecoso shaped call the Kafada or Kafria or something like that.

I don't know if shape has anything to do with flavors but in my mind the belecoso seems to taste smoother to me. I have some of the robusto size Africans now and I just don't enjoy them quite as much.

ANDY

I'm in Miami Lakes but often go to Kendall. Wife's mother lives a few blocks from Stogies on 107 av. You gotta try Sabor Havana in Doral (26st & 87 av). You'll love the selection and store. Sometimes the smokes at stogies seem a bit dry to me. Like the store though.. love the girl that works there.

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"There are five things, above all else, that make life worth living: a good relationship with God, a good woman, good health, good friends, and a good cigar."
-- Prince Sined Yar Maharg

En4cer:
Miami Lakes! I lived and worked there for years. Lived in Lake Glen Ellen subdivision on Dunbarton Place. Thanks for the news about the store you mentioned in Doral - is a MUST to check out. I'll be there this weekend! Yeah, I understand your appreciation of Stogies and the, um, selection there I have yet to buy a bad one there. What I most dig about the place is that they are still excited about cigars. I have found myself 100 times in situations where I go into a store looking for someone to talk to who is as INTO cigars as I think they should be, only to find out that they are just working the counter or are bored by the biz.
Once again, thanks for the tip about the store in Doral. Email me off the thread here if you get a chance and we can exchange more Miami info: agiam@bellsouth.net
Take care,
Andy