Archive for April 4, 2008

Graycliff “Professionale Blue Label” Presidente Un-banded Maduro

{ April 4, 2008 @ 8:05 am } · { Cigars, Everyday, Maduro }
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  • Blend: Nicaraguan/Brazilian Maduro
  • Wrapper: Dominican/Nicaraguan/ Brazilian Maduro
  • Region: (Above)
  • Dimensions: 7 x 48
  • Price: Single: 12.50-16.00 Box: 300.00-350.00

Now, to point a few things out.

First, we got our Graycliffs un-banded at a reputable local cigar shop. They were cycling their stock, and had these Graycliffs up on sale. The person who sold them to us knows us well, and we are regular customers. They were recommended to us because they were Graycliffs that had been un-banded for the discount sale (possibly so Graycliff reps couldn’t identify them) We got them 8 dollars a piece, about roughly half their normal price.

Second, it is not a normal decision for us to smoke un-banded anything, and we don’t recommend smoking any un-banded cigars, as we feel this is a way for cigar manufacturers to keep people from recognizing cigars they produced that may have not been, well, “up-to-snuff” by removing any branding that may allow you to either avoid those cigars, or possibly even complain. In this case, we were aware of where the cigars had come from, who had unbanded them, and why. Now, onto the review.

Extremely unique roll, with a very smooth, dark wrapper. Slightly harsh start, but evened out quick to a cedar, woody flavor with a pleasant aroma/ Slightly less full-bodied, mildly spicy, smooth and creamy. Had ember issues that would not let you look away for a second. VERY inconsistent cigar to cigar. Mine (T) was god-awful and now I am gun-shy about ever smoking Graycliffs. Sulfurous foulness every few draws, jumping back and forth between wonderful flavor, and complete ass, emitting an eye-watering stink. (I don’t believe any of this had to do with where, how, or who we got them from). As expensive as they were, even on sale we were just expecting more consistency, especially cigar to cigar. Weasel thinks his was delicious, but not worth the price.

  • Flavor: 7.5/10
  • Aroma: 7.5/10
  • Ember: 5/10
  • Draw: 5/10
  • Maintenance: N/A
  • Overall: Thirteenthcor 1/10, Weasel 6.5/10

Re-Buy: Maybe, On Sale Only

Duration: 1hr 15min

La Aroma De Cuba Immensa

{ April 4, 2008 @ 7:35 am } · { Cigars, Everyday, Natural }
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  • Blend: Natural
  • Wrapper: Natural(?)
  • Region: Honduran
  • Dimension: 5 1/2 X 60
  • Price: Single: 5.25-6.50 Box: 105 – 127.50

This cigar was awful! Very harsh start, with a short enjoyable smoking window. Very difficult to maintain ember, as well as maintain in a humidor (probably because of its gauge) not very spicy, but overpoweringly full-bodied. Halfway in, it jumps flavors ranging from the subtly spicy, to full-bodied almost-harshness, to downright assy! No notes of chocolate or nuts, no notes of woody, oaky or piney flavors. Aroma was mediocre at the best of time, foul at the worst. Don’t let the price, band, and well rolled look fool you! Would not recommend.

  • Flavor: 4/10
  • Aroma: 3/10
  • Ember: 1/10 (spooning, with no air current and proper lighting technique)
  • Draw: 5/10
  • Maintenance: 2/10 (attributed to the gauge)
  • Overall: Thirteenthcor 3/10, Weasel 2.5/10

Re-buy? No

Duration: 1hr (if you make it that far)

Oliva Serie G Boxpress Churchill Maduro

{ April 4, 2008 @ 7:21 am } · { Cigars, Everyday, Maduro }
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  • Blend: Maduro
  • Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro
  • Region: Nicaragua (?)
  • Dimensions: 7 x 50 – Box of 24
  • Price: Single: 4.25 – 6.00 Box: 92.50 – 118.00

Slightly harsh start. Evens out about half a centimeter in to a very creamy, moderately spicy flavor. Very smooth maduro, similar in burn length to its Serie O brothers. Lasts longer in creaminess than the normal Serie O maduros. Not detectable notes of chocolate or nuts. Hints of oakiness along with the cream, followed by a more peppery, less creamy taste getting closer to the band. Nothing particularly special about this one other than the Serie O and G’s distinctive oily dark maduro wrapper, and the creaminess this Serie G has. Normally shy of box-press (I feel it messes with the ember) Olivas tend to do decently well with their embers. Ligero is slightly noticeable down the long-axis. Everyday Smoke

  • Flavor: 8/10
  • Aroma: 6/10
  • Ember: 6/10
  • Draw: 8/10
  • Maintenance: 6/10
  • Overall: Thirteenthcor 6/10, Weasel 7/10

Re-Buy? Yes

Duration: 3o-45min

Oliva Serie O Torpedo Maduro

{ April 4, 2008 @ 6:50 am } · { Cigars, Everyday, Maduro }
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  • Blend: Nicaraguan Maduro
  • Wrapper: West African Maduro(?)
  • Dimensions: 6 x 52
  • Region: Nicaraguan
  • Price: Single: 4.00 – 5.75 Box: 79.95 – 95.00

Extremely tight draw! (even when cut properly). Extremely dark, oily wrapper. Very spicy, VERY strong full-bodied flavor. Large hints of bitter chocolate and maybe roasted peanuts. About halfway down, the flavor seems to get so strong it begins to border on harsh, switching to a peppery, bitter chocolate taste, with the nutty flavor gone. Pure soft-white ash, with a consistent ember (semi-tolerant of wind). 5.75 puts them a squarely middle in the everyday category.

  • Flavor: 7/10
  • Aroma: 6/10
  • Ember: 6/10
  • Draw: 10/10
  • Maintenance: 6/10
  • Overall: Thirteenthcor 6/10, Weasel 6.5/10

Re-Buy? Yes

Duration: 1hr