Alec Bradley Family Blend

Alec Bradley Family Blend Robusto

51/2 x 50 ring

Wrapper: Honduras

Binder: Indonesia

Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua

Info: This cigar was created for the three founding fathers of the company Alan Rubin, Ralph Montero and George Sosa. It only comes in one size a Robusto and has a Cuban pigtail.

Appearance: First thing i notice is the pigtail. I appears to be a well constructed cigar that is firm to the touch. The wrapper is a red,gold and black and smells delicious. I was given this cigar at St.Pete Cigars the Alec Bradley rep was there for an event.

The Smoke: I pull out my stainless steel double blade guillotine cutter and my Rockey Patel triple flame blow torch. Initial reaction WOW a nice smooth medium flavored cigar with a hint of pepper. It has a nice easy draw, with thick grey smoke. It has NO harshness to it and a nice even burn.

Review: I was a fan of Alec Bradley Maxx before this smoke and now am a bigger fan of Alec after smoking this stick. This was a great smoke from beginning to end, a very nice medium flavored cigar with a hint of pepper. This will go I my top 10 favorite smokes if not top five. I recommend picking up a couple of these sticks and try the other cigars by Alec Bradley cigarsSCR, Vice Press and the MAXX. Also check your local cigar shops for an Alec Bradley cigar event.

reviewed by Ken

Rating: 9.2 1/2

Price: $6.00 to $6.50

Espinosa y Ortega Cubao

Espinosa y Ortega Cubao No. 5


6 1/8 x 50 ring


Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra


Binder: Nicaragua / Esteli


Filler: Nicaragua


Info: This cigar comes from the makers of the E O 601. The cigar has 100 percent Nicaragua binder and filler. They are being produced at the Pepin Garcia factory in Nicaragua factory. When the success of the 601, this is a full body smoke.


Appearance: Like most of the Pepin cigars it is an unassuming cigar with a brown and white wrapper. Remember a nice band does not make a good smoke and vice versa. It has a dark wrapper with veins running throughout. Nice firm and tightly packed cigar with no blemish or soft spots.


The Smoke: I pull out my punch and trustee RP blow torch. Initial reaction lots of flavors, peppery and strong. After the first couple of minutes the peppery explosion died down and turned into smooth but with lots of flavor cigar. Quit nice, it took just over an hour to smoke. The cigar kept getting better and better as I smoked it. No harshness or bitter after taste.


Review: It is hyped as a full body smoke. I personally thought it was medium to the fuller side. All in all after the first couple minutes of flavor explosion it was a very good stick. By the nub I wanted more but unfortually that was it. I would suggest it to a full body smoker. I will personally be buying a couple more of these to smoke again. Is it a everyday smoke no but it is still a very good smoke.

Rating: 9.0

Price: $7.50 to 8.50

reviewed by Ken

Rocky Patel Summer Collection

Rocky Patel Summer Collection Robusto

5 x 50 ring

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra

Binder:

Filler:

Info: This a limited edition cigar with limited supplies. It is a new smoke by Rocky for the summer.

Appearance: It is a lighter shade wrapper with small veins running throughout. it is a double banded cigar with the usually red and gold Rocky band but this one has some reflective silver in the band that gives it real pop. It is a nice firm well packed cigar with no soft spots.

The smoke: I use my trusty punch, to punch the cigar and light it with my Vector Tizio blow torch. "Wow" is my initial reaction. It has a nice clean draw and lots of thick smoke. It taste like a medium to slightly full body. It has a nice smooth flavor with NO harshness to it at all. It was a really nice smoke that lasted about an hour in a half.

Review: I smoked it to the nub and wanted more when I was done, there is not many sticks I can say that about. If you have some extra $$$ buying a box would be money well spent, they are limited edition. This was a Damn good stick. You show up at your fantasy football draft with a box of RP summer collection your definitely going to impress everyone and maybe side track them during the draft with a great cigar. The price is a little high for the average Joe BUT well worth it.

Rating: 9.2

Price: $6.50 to $7.50

Reviewed by Ken

CAO America

CAO America Potomac

5 x 56 ring

Wrapper: Double Connecticut wrapper

Binder: Brazilian

Filler: Nicaragua

Info: This stick sports a cool looking double wrapper that has a stripe running down the stick. It also has some American filler which makes the cigar true to its name, with its beautiful red, white and blue band.

Appearance: It has a cool looking pin striped wrapper. It looks to be a well constructed cigar that is nice and firm. It is a double banded cigar with one at the foot of the stick. It has a patriotic red, white and blue band.

The Smoke: I pull out my double guillotine cutter and my new Rocky Patel blow torch. Initial reaction NICE a nice flavored medium smoke. The stick has a nice smooth draw with some suttle flavors. Nothing over powering about this stick. I made some correction throughout the smoke. It took just over an hour to smoke.

Review: I nice medium smoke but did not find it to be full body like CAO suggested. All in all I liked the cigar and will pick up some more of these sticks. CAO Brazillia is one of my favorite sticks and this one was not as good. Do not get me wrong I liked this smoke and would suggest my friends to try it. I fact I bought a couple of these months ago and when my friends came over and had a smoke they would always pick this one for the way it looked.

Rating: 9.1

Price: $6.50 to $7.75

Macanudo 1968

Macundo 1968 robusto


5 x 50 ring


Wrapper: Honduras


Binder: Nicaragua / Dominican


Filler: Nicaragua / Dominican


Info: This is Macanudo newest cigar and they are looking to attract the medium to full body cigar smoker. Macanudo is known for its mild cigar and most of you have had them when you first starting smoking. They pretty much dominate that market and are looking to offer a stick for the seasoned cigar smoker.


Appearance: It has a dark chocolate Honduran wrapper with some thick veins running throughout. It is nice and firm and appears to be well constructed. No blemish or soft spots. The band is a classic black and gold Macundo band.


The Smoke: I pull out my new triple flame Rocky Patel blow torch with punch and light. Initial reaction the draw was kind of tough, not a smooth as other cigars. The flavor was definitely medium not full flavored like they suggested it was. It is a smooth cigar, with no over powering flavors. I had to make some correction but it was a windy evening on my porch. It had hints of chocolate and coffee. The stick lasted 1 and 30 minutes.


Review: A medium flavored stick with smooth subtle flavors. There was no harshness to it or bitter after taste. All in all I like a stick with some more bolder flavors but for there first entry into the medium to full body cigars not bad. With a little more tweaking I could see Macundo producing a very nice full body cigar. I would suggest that you pick on up to try.


Rating: 9.0

Price: $8.50 to $ 10.50

Tatuaje Havana VI Artistas

Tatuaje Torpedo

6 1/8 x 52 ring

Wrapper: Nicaragua Havana VI Artistas

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Info: This cigar is produced in Nicaragua by Pete Johnson. It is the first cigar produced at the new Don Pepin Garcia factory in Nicaragua. He also produces the Cabiaguan, a great smoke. They are blended in the old stlye of Cuban Cigars. This is a true puros cigar, meaning the cigar has all its tobacco blended from a single country.

Appearance: A dark reddish wrapper with large veins running throughout it. It has some give to the stick but has no blemishes. The stick has a very nice peppery smell to it. It has a thin red and white unassuming looking band. Very basic looking.

The Smoke: I must say I am a big fan of the Cabaiguan. After reviewing the Cabaiguan I could not wait to review the Tatuaje Havana. I pull out my double guillotine cutter and my trusty Vector Tizo blow torch. Initial reaction WOW a nice spicy / peppery flavor just what I like in a good stick. The draw is not bad with nice thick smoke. The burn was pretty much even with a couple slight correction. A nice smooth flavor with no harsh after taste. It lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Review: Grab your car keys and head to your local smoke shop NOW. Pick up this stick and the Cabaiguan and while your at it grab some Don Pepin cigars too. This is a plain looking cigar with a plain band DO NOT let that full you, we all know a good looking band does not make a good smoke and vice versa. This was a nice medium flavored cigar with some nice spice and pepper flavors. Please do yourself a favor and try both of these cigars you deserve it. This stick will definitely be a regular in my humidor.

Reviewed by Ken

Rating: 9.4

Price: $7.00 to $7.50

Well worth it

Gurkha Ancient Warrior

Gurkha Ancient Warrior Torpedo

6 x 54 ring

Wrapper: Brazilian

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Honduran / Dominican

Info: Gurkha cigars are made in Miami by Torana family. The name comes from the people of Nepal know as Gurkha warriors. They where known for their loyalty and aggressive fighting style.

Appearance: A dark and oily Brazilian wrapper with small veins running throughout. A nice firm stick with no soft spots or blemishes. It has a purple, yellow and gold band.

The Smoke: I pull out my double guillotine cutter and my trusty Vector Tizo blow torch. Initial reaction is a full body Brazilian cigar full of flavor. It has a nice draw and had to make a couple correction through out the stick. This stick is full of spice and hints of pepper. It is a full body smoke but not to heavy or over powering.

Review: A full flavored smoke that lived up to the hype. It was not harsh or a bitter aftertaste, just a nice full flavored smoke that lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you like a full body smoke I would suggest that you try this stick. I will definitely buy this cigar again. I personally like the COA Brazilian a little better but for the price you can not beat this stick.

Rating: 9.1

Price $5. 50 to $6.00

Rocky Patel Vintage 1992

Rocky Patel Vintage 1992

61/4 x 52 ring

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumtra

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Dominican / Nicaraguan

Info: This stick has a 10 year old Ecuadorian Sun Grown Sumtra wrapper with filler tobacco that is 8 years old. This is one of the most popular sticks Rocky has produced. It has a bit more flavor than the 1990 version.

Appearance: A good looking chocolate colored sumtra wrapper with small veins running throughout. Nice firm cigar with no blemishes or soft spots. Once again another quality stick by RP. It has the Rocky red and gold band.

The Smoke: I pull out my double guillotine cutter and my Vector Tizo blow torch. Initial reaction when I think of a med/full this smoke sums it up. It has a nice draw and an even burn. No harsh after taste or bitterness. Just a nice smooth enjoyable smoke. The stick lasted just over an hour.

Review: For medium to full cigar lovers this is the stick for you. If you have been smoking for a while and have not tried this one I do not know what the hell you are waiting for, go to your local smoke shop and pick a couple up. I am a big Rocky fan and this stick will not let you down. Rocky is one of the most popular cigar makers today and this stick is one of the reason why. This is a good cigar to give to a friend that loves medium/full cigars.

Rating: 9.2

Price: $8.00 to $9.00

Cabaiguan Imperiales

Cabaiguan Imperiales

7 x 47 ring

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua


Info: This cigar is blended by Jose Pepin Garcia made in the old world Cuban style. They are hand rolled in little Havana in Miami. He is the owner of Don Pepin cigars and makes Tatuaje cigars. It has became a popular smoke in the last couple years.

Appearance: A light shade wrapper with some small veins. There is a slight tear at the base of the cigar. It has no soft spots and looks to be a nice smoke beside the slight tear. The band is kind of boring.

The Smoke: I pull out my punch and trusty Vector Tizo blow torch. Initial reaction a very smooth medium flavored cigar. It has a nice draw and a slight peppery flavor. No harsh after taste what so ever. It lasted about an hour and 20 minutes and was smooth throughout.

Review: This was a very good cigar, I would recommend picking one up. It appears to be a plain looking cigar but we all know a band does not make a cigar. I was told to try this by Tampa Humidor (the Mecca of cigar bars in Tampa, Fl). I had smoked a Don Pepin cigar and liked it. Now I am a fan of the Cabaiguan and can not wait to smoke the Tatuaje. In the words of the great philosopher Jimmy Walker this cigar is "DYNAMITE". I will definitely stock my humidor with this cigar and tell my friends about it.

reviewed by Ken

Rating: 9.3

Price: $8.00 to $9.00

Macanudo Maduro

Macanudo Maduro Hyde Park Robusto

49 x 5 1/2 ring

Wrapper: Maduro

Binder: Mexico

Filler: Dominican / Mexico

Info: It was introduced in 1999 with wrapper grown in the Andres Tuxtla valley in Mexico. It is Mac anudo verison of a medium to full stick with a dark Maduro wrapper.

Appearance: A very dark, almost black wrapper with some small veins. Very firmly packed cigar with a black, gold and white wrapper. It appears to be a full bodied smoke.

The Smoke: I pull out my punch and trustee Vector Tizo blow torch. Initial reaction, a very poor draw so I pull out my cutter to see if I can get a better draw. Not much for flavor what so ever and a mild Maduro. I am not impressed at all. After 45 minutes I had enough.

Review: Macanudo is a name that brings back memories of when I first starting smoking. I think every virgin smoker has had a Macanudo. Unfortunately this stick does not live up to those memories. I love a nice Maduro stick like CAO Brazilia one of my favorite sticks. This maduro did not even come close. I guess if you never smoke a maduro cigar and are not used to something medium to full, this might be a cigar to bridge that gap. This is definitely a one and done smoke. Do not waste your money when there are much better maduro cigars.

reviewed by Ken

Rating: 8.1

Price: $5.25