Boutique Cigars

OSCAR VALLADARES CISERON EDITION

OSCAR VALLADARES CISERON EDITIONI think most of us know Oscar Valladeras from his popularity of The Leaf by Oscar, at least that’s how I first heard of him. In the Oscar Valladares Ciseron Edition the goal was to promote Honduran artist Elmer Ciseron Bautista. While Oscar has generally always used tobacco from Honduras in an ironic turn, in this cigar celebrating the Honduran artist he chose to use (for the first time) tobacco not from Honduras. Seems like an interesting choice given the reason behind the cigar but what do I know? Ok enough of the history behind it on to why you are really here, what is it like.

I normally don’t talk about bands or covers but with this cigar it’s impossible not to. While the blends and cigars are all the same there are five different spices of art from Ciseron covering the majority of each cigar. On the backside of these labels is a bit of history about his art. if you aren’t familiar with his work it’s worth a read to find out about the artist that inspired this cigar.

Once removing the large covering the look of the cigar is quite pleasing. The wrapper is light brown in color, while it has noticeable veining the seams are practically invisible. The body is firm but will give if pressed and there is a slight glossy look to it from the oils. The body and foot have very light aromas and are difficult to place. The  cap cuts with no issues and the cold draw gives flavors of cinnamon and of course tobacco.

The first half is light like toasted bread with a touch of spice and is slightly sweet. The burn is even and for the light flavor the smoke production is like a freight train. The burn is even and the grey ash holds tight until you decide to release it.

Entering the second half the spices pick up a bit but still remains a mellow cigar. The over all flavor is something unremarkable but interesting at the same time. While there is nothing that immediately jumps up and says pay attention to me, there’s plenty going on if you choose to look for it. It reminds me of very well aged tobacco. It is a very easy smoking cigar and something you can either choose to pay attention to or just sit back and relax with. For the duration of the cigar it burns sharp and needs no touch up at anytime. Smoke production is always full and provides a great aroma in the room.

Since I consider cigars, cigar blending and cigar rolling to be an art form, it’s nice to see someone in the art community help bring to light another artist. This particular blend is a touch on the lighter side for my palate but is in no way a bad cigar, if anything it makes it more accessible to everyone. novice or professional I would recommend picking some of these up if you can still find them. The five styles were only made in 500 boxes of 20 so go on the hunt and see what you can find left, it’ll be worth it

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: Around $9.00 a stick
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 pints

 

Bunker Buster F.U.B.A.R.

601 Bunker BusterThe 601 La Bomba Bunker Buster F.U.B.A.R., from Espinosa, became the most recent installment in the limited edition micro series blend for Smoke Inn back in July of last year. The Microblend Series began in 2010 and offers a unique micro blend each year (with a couple of exceptions).

You might remember the original Bunker Buster that was released in 2014 with its figarado style, light box press and Habano Claro wrapper. For this installment we see the same figarado style but without the box press and this time it’s covered in an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.

The look of the cigar is a work of art. This perfecto has very little veining, tight seems and the wrapper is the color of lightly roasted coffee beans and has a nice light oily sheen to it. The body feels nice and firm but springy to the touch. The smell gives aromas of fresh cut grass, cedar, light pepper notes and a hint of sweetness.

The cap cuts easily and does no damage to the construction. The pre-light draw is firm and has flavors of of rich sweet tobacco. When beginning to light it the draw feels nearly too hard to pull through the airway but then I remember, I’m usually a fast smoker. So I reduce the amount of effort I’m using to pull air through and it beings to light just fine. Using this light pull on the cigar it begins to burn properly.

The first half has woodsy flavors and a soft buttery feel, perhaps a hint of spice on the back end is worthy to mention. Even though it felt light it was somehow still full feeling. The burn was sharp and the ash held tight until I became nervous that would fall in my lap and had to knock it off. Smoke production is medium and has good weight to it.

The second half has a change in profile, there is a much deeper darker flavor here. There is the taste of roasted nuts, spicy black pepper and a nice meaty flavor. The burn stays even with no touch up required and the smoke just keeps coming.

Smoking this cigar was thoroughly enjoyable and not what you generally think of with a cigar wrapped in a Connecticut. It’s something you’ll want to make sure you put some time aside to smoke, this guy is not designed to be smoked quick. While some might consider the Micro Blends for Smoke Inn a novelty item I see it as a chance to try something unique. Like going to your favorite restaurant and getting the chefs special for that day. Even though there were only 500 boxes of ten made last year there are still a handful left and should definitely pick some up before they are all gone.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: $95 for a box of 10
Website: Available only at Smokeinn.com
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 pints

 

Cinco Décadas from Joya De Nicaragua

Joya de Nicaragua Cinco DecadasWhile this cigar was released in 2018 to celebrate Joya De Nicaragua’s 50th anniversary and has already been reviewed by me before I though it was time to try it again after a bit of aging. Like Dr. Alejandro Martínez Cuenca, Owner and Chairman of Joya de Nicaragua said “[We want] consumers to know that in Cinco Decadas, they will find a cigar so premium that the fact that there’s one in the humidor, will be enough to celebrate”. Since these have been in my humidor for couple of years I thought it was “time to celebrate.”

When these were released I chose a box of the diadema (to me I would call them a perfecto but really we’re just splitting hairs aren’t we). The look of this cigar is incredibly pleasing and bring to mind the look of cigars seen in photos of the high class society sitting in high back chairs smoking. The wrapper is dark brown in color with speckles of red in it, nearing a cinnamon consistency. It has light veining, seams which are visible but tight and a lovely only sheen. The body feels full to the touch with little give when pressure is applied.

The smell is that of coffee, nuts, fresh baked bread and cedar. The cap cuts with no issues, the cold draw is much easier than most perfectos…excuse me I mean diademas. There is the taste of sweet tobacco and slight pepper.

The first half is buttery in constancy and has a bit of sweetness. There is a hint of spice, not overwhelming, just enough to let you know it is there. The burn becomes only slightly uneven at times but cleans itself up and by the end of the first half is sharp and even. The smoke production is plentifully and has a good weight that dances on the tongue giving it an even creamier feel.

The second half brings a bit more pepper leather into the flavor with the cream still present just creeping in on the back end. While he flavors become stronger it doesn’t “ramp up” like other cigars at the end and this is not a bad thing. The flavors remain smooth and creamy for the entire cigar. The smoke production remains full, the burn is clean and the construction is impeccable. The cigar finishes in a delightful medium full profile.

When looking for a luxury cigar to smoke for a great occasion look no further. While the flavors are quite complex the smoothness of the aged and premium tobacco used to craft this cigar make it a very enjoyable smoke and burns for ages. With a flavor that can be explored if so desired or simply smoked during a time when you want to relax and not over analyze your smoke, it makes for a perfect time. Good for either your advanced or novice smoker this limited edition cigar is worth having a box worth in your humidor.

Wrapper, Binder, Filler: undisclosed, only known that its a Nicaraguan euro
Price: $19.00 for single $190 for box of 10
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 pints