Life Less Common

Partagas 1845 Review

jlordi1 — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:42:22 +0000

The new Partagas 1845 is undeniably a tasty cigar. It started a bit slow with those familiar tastes that usually brim from American Market Partagas cigars of the past. It was thick, probably 58 or 56 ring gauge. The roasty, nutty, slightly sweet, coffee bean flavors are complemented by leather and some earthy notes. It seemed to be a pretty straight forward cigar. Not terribly complex, but enjoyable, full bodied, and a great complement to a cup of strong coffee. 88 cursory rating. Try it to see if you dig it.

Roxor Deluxe Maduro Churchill Review

jlordi1 — Fri, 18 May 2012 06:57:44 +0000

For me, Roxor has been hit and miss. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Roxor that I have outright disliked, but I have never reached for one as my first choice in a humidor, so with this stick, I’ll do. Bit of deep thinking. This cigar was big when I picked it out of my humi. It was hefty, the ring gauge is at least fifty, probably a fifty two. The wrapper is silky and beautiful with some veining and a light consistent toothiness, not too oily, but nice to touch, with a bit of sheen. The draw is easy, and the burn is even. Ash: a perfect medium gray. From an aesthetics standpoint, nearly perfect. The flavor profile is not what one usually gets from a Nicaraguan puro, however. It’s very smooth, and has lots of black coffee, even a few hints of iron (like rust or blood). There are a few hints of pepper, though they are subdued… Not like the sharp bursts of black pepper one gets from other cigars. There is also a refined sweetness… Like a fig or raisin sweet. The main flavors are not subtle however, they’re quite bold. I am still not sure if it’s my bag, but it’s a well made cigar and has a great taste (not a single note of ammonia or fingerpaint that one usually tastes on a young cigar). Try one and decide if you dig it or not. Just know that you cannot call it a bad cigar.

Aging Room M365 review

jlordi1 — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:35:52 +0000

This cigar is definitely well made and a great smoking experience. This Dominican cigar is a tad soft, has a chewy consistency, and a good draw… not great, but good. The ash is white and flaky. The overall experience is similar to smoking a Kristoff. Tastes consist of fabulous aged tobacco ( as the name honestly implies) a few notes of spice, some vanilla, very smooth, and very refined. It’s not light like a Davidoff, though it does possess a crisp taste profile, though some of the notes are mottled. Medium bodied, and overall very likeable. 90 points off the cuff. Though it’s subject to change when I smoke more.

Pinar Del Rio: Liga Especial

jlordi1 — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:26:05 +0000

What can I say? I have seen this cigar before, but never got around to lighting one up. It is beautiful on the outside with a super dark and toothy wrapper, and three silver bands. The ash is dark and the draw is easy. The smoke is thick and very very similar in taste to the Liga Privada. Dark chocolate and some dusty earth notes are immidiately noticeable and carry through the cigar with barely any spice. A leathery espresso overtone eventually complements the chocolate and even a few citrus notes come into play. It’s a great cigar. Full flavored, full bodied, medium in strength. Plus, if you’re a Ligero fan, you’re in luck, because that’s all the tobacco in the filler.

Viaje Skull and Bones WMD Review

jlordi1 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 04:38:04 +0000

This cigar, the tiny short Robusto with the red (as opposed to white) jolly Roger (dubbed the “WMD”) from boutique cigar manufacturer Viaje is 4 1/4 x 54, and is the very essence of strong. The strength and complexity of this small, but long lasting cigar, simply staggered me. From the very first puff the cigar was profoundly spicy, and throughout was meaty with overtones of espresso and leather. Subtle hints of dark cocoa, roasted nut, and even some hickory made appearances while smoking. The finish is tarry and long with smoky hints of Latakia. The smoke, though short lasted longer than an hour. The appearance was gorgeous and the wrapper was just as dark and oily as the taste betrayed… Rich, slightly veiny and possessed of a subtle tooth. The draw was easy, but not airy, and the burn was rather even though not perfect. Numerical score? I dunno… Over 90 though. Great smoke.

Davidoff Entreacto review

jlordi1 — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 07:47:38 +0000

Okay, here’s the brutal truth… I love Davidoff. Why? Because its expensive? Because old men love the brand? Because its a pain in the ass to find? No (okay maybe a little bit). Really, I love the flavor profile of a Davidoff cigar. Normally I dig Strong cigars, Dominican and Nicaraguan… But like the Epernay, I will take balanced and well aged over strong any day, but that’s hard to find. The Davidoff Entreacto (Spanish for “intermission” or literally “between acts”) is like a short petit corona, and it’s a little guy but has enough girth for complexity. The size and flavors are so elegant. I like to smoke one at the opera, or I slip one out of my breast pocket and puff on it after a symphony. It’s so refined in flavor. The epitome of mild, but not bland like a Macanudo, creamy, a tad papery, a bit nutty, with the slightest modicum of leather. The draw is so easy and the burn flawless! Anytime is a good time for this smoke, but I like it for a nightcap or a morning smoke with my coffee. The Profile of a Davidoff is so light and easy on the senses. Fresh on the palate, zero spice, and a touch of fruitiness. It’s a veritable bouquet of tastes. Almost like smoking the very essence of a brisk spring morning… You know those ones where the dew is still frozen to the blades of grass and the sun beats down on your face. Smoke one… Do it.

Illusione Epernay Churchill Review

jlordi1 — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:15:55 +0000

Okay, it’s been a while since I’ve done a cigar review, but lay off I’ve been busy! All joking aside, I have lots of good things to say about the Epernay. I think it may’ve been Cigar Aficionado’s no. 2 of 2011. I didn’t know why they would choose an Illusione that wasn’t dark and oily like all the others, especially after having smoked one. The first Epernay I smoked was over humidified and the subtlety for which the cigar has become famous was lost. Having realized I should never smoke only one cigar and Dislike it, I tried another and it was GOOD. The cigar is a treasure trove of flavor, somewhat creamy overtones of cedar with notes of ozone and fresh cut granite that linger on the palate like the way the air tastes after a rainstorm. The room note is like sniffing the binding of an old book inside a pastry shop. The doughy and papery subtleties are pronounced but never take center stage. It’s a most curious cigar that would be well paired with a gin and tonic or a champagne. Wow I’ll give it a 93 cursory rating. A modicum of sweetness and sharper flavors would add points.

Berger & Argenti Mooch Review

jlordi1 — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:12:12 +0000

When I smoke the mooch, I think of the essence of what a cigar should be. That’s right! It’s damn good! The cigar, not as a sum of its parts, but as an overall smoking experience is so good. I think of the spring’s fresh cut grass, soil, earthiness (the kind you smell when you stick your nose in a sack of potatoes), or a warm summer breeze. Also, there are some great cedar and leather components, and the cap of the cigar is salty on the palate. The burn is good, the draw is awesome, and one gets some nose spice akin to that of ginger beer. Wow, what a good smoke!

Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve Belicoso review

jlordi1 — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:17:34 +0000

Okay, I have done my fair share of slandering Rocky, but I’ll bite my tongue on this one. This new box pressed Belicoso is beautiful, silky wrapper, just the right amount of oils, all that. But what’s on the inside counts as well. The draw and burn are equally awesome. The flavors are very savory too. The tobaccos are all perfectly matured. There is a bit of red pepper nose spice, but lots of tangy soil and sweet toffee flavors that qualify the cigar as “rich and smooth”. Good one Rocky!

El Primer Mundo Epifania Review

jlordi1 — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 02:29:34 +0000

The El Primer Mundo, at first did not not impress me much, however the Liga Miami edition and this Epifania are both tasty, well balanced smokes…. If not a tad expensive. I’d like a price closer to 6 or 7 dollars. Anyway, even burn, great draw and flawless construction all warrant praise, but naturally, the flavor is what’s important. Lots of graham cracker sweetness, some smoked wood notes, and almond are all the hi lights of this cigar. Cedar and some grassy notes are present as well.