Alec Bradley New York

If you live or are near New York City, you know that the tobacco tax is ridiculously high. Taxing tobacco won’t stop anyone from buying it, all it does is put good cigar shops out of business because you can’t buy as much as you want because prices are too high because of the tax.

One good thing to come out of it is that cigar companies started making cigars for the New York market. They created great, hand-made cigars at a relatively low price so that even once the New York tobacco tax is added, it is a nice price point that doesn’t break the bank.

Alec Bradley is one of those cigar companies. They created the New York line, and I smoke the Empire Toro, which is 6 x 54. It has a beautiful dark wrapper with an almost reddish tint to it. This was a good looking cigar and I was looking forward to cutting and lighting it. The cigar is balanced nicely, with a good draw to it as well. I picked up flavors of wood, chocolate and some leather as well as a nice cedar to it. This is a great cigar with a good price point for NYC. When you are in New York, make sure to try one out. If you have, let me know what you think in the comments below.

Cigar Details:
Country: Honduras
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua
Binder: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras

Paul Garmirian Gourmet II Series Robusto

If you don’t know the story about Paul Garmirian, you can read it here. It’s pretty interesting, and if you had time to read his book, you should. It’s an easy read, and was pretty relevant when first published.

If you are looking for a great, mild, flavorful cigar, you need to try P.G. Cigars. They are extremely well-made, and overall just a good cigar. The wrapper is oily, and it has a full and easy draw. The cigar is nutty and toasty, with a nice mild finish. If you are looking for a high-end flavorful cigar, then try P.G. Cigars.

Cigar Details:
Country: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Republic

La Gloria Cubana – Ernesto Perez-Carrillo

Look what I found in the back of my humidor, a box of La Gloria Cubana Churchills from when Ernesto Perez-Carillo was running the factory. I’m so excited to open it up and smoke them, but on the other hand want them to keep aging. But, if you know me, then you know what I’ll be smoking this weekend. Stay tuned for a review at some point.

A box of La Gloria Cubana churchills produced under Ernesto Perez-Carrillo

Santa Damiana Churchill

I’m always in the market for a good, handmade cheap  inexpensive cigars. I smoke a lot, and it can get expensive, and some days you don’t want to burn through two or three $15.00 cigars. Today’s review is of Santa Damiana. It’s great mild smoke, and the price point is great.

The Santa Damiana Churchill has a very nice pale wrapper, with hardly any toothiness to it. Usually with an inexpensive cigar, you have to forgo looks, and just worry about taste. The cigar has a nice creamyness to it, nothing too complex, just an overall mild cigar with good flavor. If you are looking for mild and cheap, this is the one for you.

Cigar Details:
Country: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Republic

La Flor Dominicana Coronado

Well, it’s September, Labor Day has passed, and the start of school for most children is today. September has always been the start of a new year for me. Summer is over, vacations have been taken, the pool is going to be closed, and pretty soon, if not, you will be pulling out those sweaters (or as my Australian friend says, “Jumper”). It’s the start of a new time. Sure, January 1st is traditionally the start of the New Year, but for me, it will always be in September.

Today’s review is the La Flor Dominicana Coranado. First off, I’m sometimes drawn into a cigar because of the label, and this label is beautiful. Second, this cigar has an oily, golden brown wrapper. Upon lighting it, I picked up notes of coffee, pepper and a hint of orange that gets stronger as the smoke goes. It has a complex finish with nuts and leather. Overall, this is one great smoke. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Have you smoked one, let me know what you think in the comment section. Thanks!

Cigar Details:
Country: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Nicaragua

Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve

One of my recent favorite shows is Person Of Interest. It’s just a good drama show and always has good twists and turns. Plus, he’s a good guy, done some bad things and is now trying to make amends. In some way, we can all relate to that I’m sure.

Today’s cigar review is the Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve Maduro Toro (6 1/2 x 52). It’s a dark cigar, with a very boxed pressed shape. It’s dark and oily, with a nice draw. It has notes of wood, cedar and a hint of licorice. It has a nice, short finish. Overall, a good cigar, Rocky Patel usually delivers, and this is another one. Try one today, and let me know what you think below.

Cigar Details:
Country: Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Costa Rica

C.A.O. America Landmark

Today’s review comes from one of my favorite cigar brands. Now don’t get me wrong, I love all the brands, but when I started smoking C.A.O.’s, I couldn’t stop. I tried all different lines as they have come out, and have loved most of them. Sure, there are some lines I like more than others, but with cigars, it’s all personal preference.

Tonight’s review is the C.A.O. America Landmark (6 x 60). Some call it a candy cane wrapper, I usually use the term barber pole. For me, I enjoy it because it’s unusual to look at and others around start talking about it, which makes it more fun. I always enjoy a good conversation with a cigar. This cigar has a excellent draw, with a nice even burn. It’s a medium-bodied creamy cigar with some notes of cedar as well. Overall, a pleasant smoke, with a great draw and great flavor. Try one today, especially if you haven’t had a barber pole wrapper before. Let me know what you think below.

Cigar Details:
Country: Honduras
Filler:  Nicaragua, Italy, Dominican Republic, U.S.A.
Binder: Brazil
Wrapper: U.S.A

Brick House Churchill

Today is May 1st. Around the world everyone celebrates May Day, a day for revolutionaries. Well, while the United States doesn’t formally participate in it, I’m sure there are a few protests going on somewhere. Here’s hoping you are smoking a cigar while marching for whatever you feel needs change.

Today’s review is the Brick House Churhcill (7 1/4 x 50), by J.C. Newman. This Nicaraguan puro is a good looking cigar, with a dark and oily wrapper. It has a great draw and nice even burn. It’s a nutty smoke with some hints of leather and wood. There were some nice fruitiness there as well. Overall, a great smoke with a great price point. It’s more medium to full bodied, so it fits in nicely with today’s cigar smoker, and with a low price, something you can smoke and enjoy quite often. Let me know what you think of the Brick House in the comments below.

Cigar Details:
Country: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua

Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Claro

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today is the day when everyone is Irish, at least that’s what my Irish wife tells me. Being Italian, St. Patrick’s Day wasn’t that big of a deal, and as I got older, I went out a few times to celebrate with friends, but it was never a big deal. That is, until I met my wife. Today is her favorite holiday. Last weekend we were at the parade in town, wearing green. Today, she is making corn beef and cabbage, wearing green. Can you guess what color I’m wearing too…that’s right, green. So I figured that since green is the color of the day (for my wife, the week), I would choose a cigar that fit in with today’s festivities, one with a candela wrapper. A candela wrapper is cured differently to make it green. You are almost hesitant to smoke this, because when something is green, it’s usually because it’s raw, undeveloped, young, and with a cigar you want it to be aged. But that’s not the case with today’s cigar. The color doesn’t come from use of an underage leaf, but a special curing process which retains the green chlorophyll in the leaf.  In the early 1950s, until almost the 1970, candela wrappers were the de facto wrapper of choice in the United States. In today’s market, it is almost impossible to find a candela wrapper now. Some manufacturers are still making them, so it will be interesting to see if the trend ever goes back to it.

Today’s review is the Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Claro (6 x 47). It’s a green cigar with an oily candela wrapper. The superior construction provides a long and steady burn with an excellent draw and consistent flavor throughout. It is toasty and creamy with a touch of sweetness to it. Overall a nice smoke, one I would go back to. Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day today with a green cigar, you’ll be happy you did.

Cigar Details:
Country: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut Wrapper

La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 3

Today’s cigar review is the La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 3 (4 1/2 x 56). It’s a nice short robusto with a dark, oily wrapper. After lighting it up, I tasted a balance of wood and spices along with a hint of fruit and nuts. It was an interesting blend, and I was pleasantly surprised by this cigar. The Serie R line tend to be stronger cigars, but this wasn’t as strong as I remembered. Overall, a great smoke, with a nice burn and lots of smoke as well. I would highly recommend this cigar.

Cigar Details:
Country: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic , Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador