Cigar Review

Anemoi Eurus From La Galera Cigars

La Galera Anemoi Eurus

The La Galera Anemoi derives its name from the greeks, it is their name for all of the gods of wind combined. Following this idea they have named four of the five vitolas after the directions of the wind and are distributing them to those regions only and the fifth size simply named Anemoi in regular distribution. Discussing their idea La Galera said this, “Each wind’s direction gave the Greeks an idea of whether to expect a good crop or to brace for a bad season. We considered paying our respects to these ubiquitous forces, appropriate. The Dominican Republic is no exception to the influence of these winds. We researched the Boreas, Notus, Eurus, and Zephyrus in the natural habitat of our tobacco.”

When looking the Eurus the first thought that comes to mind is rustic. This is a veiny, dark brown wrapper with loads of reddish brown mottling throughout and a slight oil gloss to it. When you pick it up it feels dense and solid, there is hardly any give to it when pressure is applied. When checking the from top to bottom no dead spots could be found. The smell reminds me of leather, cedar, wet earth and sweat dried fruit. The cold draw is firm and I notice the dried fruit flavor matching the scent and a bit of spice.

In the first half the taste is earthy and chocolate with some spice on the finish. The smoke production was more than satisfactory and the burn line held sharp.

Through the second half the earth and chocolate flavors begin to fall to the back and the spice moves forward the primary flavors never disappear however. This is the profile at which the cigar remained until finished. Smoke production continued to be ample and the burn line never wavered.

At no point did I want to put this cigar down. Regardless of the outward “ugly” appearance, the combined ingredients make this a great tasting cigar. Rich in flavor and smooth in smoke this cigar could be enjoyed any time of the day and by any pallet. While the different vitolas were sent to the different regions look for your areas “wind direction” in your B&M shops and when you see them grab some. Of course if you don’t see any make sure to let the shop know you’d like them to have them.

Wrapper – Connecticut Broadleaf

Binder – Dominican, Jacagua

Filler – Dominican, Criollo 98 & Piloto Cubano La Canela

Price: $9.00 – $11.00 a stick depending on vitola.

Website: Lagaleracigars.com

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 pints

 

Undercrown Dogma Sungrown

Dogma SungrownThe Undercrown Dogma Sungrown, set to be released in August 2020, comes six years after Dojo and Drew Estate teamed up to make the Undercrown Dogma Maduro. Since Cigar Dojo awarded Drew Estate’s Undercrown Sun Grown the No.1 Cigar of the Year in 2017 it’s no large surprise that this would be the next collaboration between the two.

“The Undercrown Dogma Sun Grown features an Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed sun-grown wrapper, a Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut/Cured sun-grown Habano binder, and all Nicaraguan fillers, including extensively aged ligero from Nicaragua’s rarely used Nueva Segovia region. Like the original Dogma, the Dogma Sun Grown boasts a box-press shape, boasting an amped-up 5″ x 54 format, as chosen by the Cigar Dojo staff in collaboration with Willy Herrera, master blender for Drew Estate. In the spirit of the Dogma, the cigar performs with more intensity than the core-line blend it was built upon.”

The wrapper is silky with light veining and a nice oily sheen. Milk chocolate in color and slick feeling to the touch this cigar is firm and dense with little yield when pressure is applied. It has the smell of coffee, cedar and a bit of pepper from the foot. The cap cuts fine causing no damage to the body. From the cold draw the flavor is rich sweat tobacco.

The first half is spicy, salty and creamy, just full of flavor. There is loads of smoke production and it burns evenly. The ash holds tight for about 1/2″ at a time and leaves the room with a pleasant aroma.

In the second half the flavor profile remains fairly the same but a bit of roasted nuts is now Dogma Sungrownnoticeable. While I generally don’t discus the retrohale there is a light cinnamon note that can be found and is worth commenting on. The smoke production does not fail and the burn remains sharp for the entirety of the cigar.

This cigar was a real pleasure to smoke, while robust in flavor it was medium in stregnth so it doesn’t leave you with those nicotine jitters. Solid in construction you can tell the care that was taken when these were rolled. With the release right around the corner be sure to keep an eye out at your local Drew Diplomate brick and mortar stores for these to appear on the shelves and when they do grab as many as you can.

Wrapper – Ecuadorian Sumatra

Binder – Connecticut River Valley (Stalk Cut/Cured)

Filler – Nicaraguan

Price: $10.20 per stick (offered exclusively through Drew Diplomat-authorized retailers).

Website: Drewestate.com

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 pints

 

Davidoff Escurio

 

Davidoff EscurioDavidoff Escurio was initially released at the 2015 ICPCR being their second cigar to don the black label band. Inspired by the intense atmosphere of Rio, Brazil they deserved the name by combining Escuro and Rio to end up with Escurio. “A cigar kissed by the rains and born by the Bay of Todos Los Santos in Brazil. The climate gives Escurio its distinctive sweet original taste and rich aroma. This blend is crafted with Cubra and Matafina tobaccos from the Bay of Todos os Santos in Brazil, along with tobacco from Dominican Republic and Ecuador. The climate gives Escurio cigars their original taste and rich aroma.” For this article I chose the Corona Gorda.

The cigar is a dark chocolate brown with noticeable veining and gleaming oily sheen. It feels full between the fingers but but slightly lumpy. The smell is floral and sweet with some cedar and a hint of caramel. The cap cuts fine with no damage to the construction. From the pre-light draw I pick up sweet flavors, a hint of spice and of course tobacco, the draw is a bit on the tough side it is workable.

The first half is decadent with its sweet and salty flavors and a touch of red pepper on the finish. It has excellent medium weighted smoke production and clean burn although it did require a touch up. The ash holds for about 1/4″ at a time until falling off.

Once reaching the second half the flavors become more earthy and espresso like with the saltiness still present on the roof of the mouth but the pepper backing off quite a bit. This flavor stays for the duration. The smoke production continues at the same pace and the burn after the touch up has remained even for the rest of the cigar.

In all the well balanced flavors of this cigar make it easily smoked by anyone. While the price point removes this from being an everyday smoke it’s something you’ll want to have around for special occasions or when you just feel like being a bit extravagant for the day. I would say it’s worth picking up a couple when you see them and have them on hand when you feel like having a fancy day for yourself.

Wrapper – Ecuadorian Habano

Binder – Brazilian Cubra

Filler – Brazilian (Cubra and Mata Fina), Dominican (San Vicente, Piloto and Olor/Piloto Seco)

Price: Starting at $17.00 a stick.

Website: us.davidoffgeneva.com

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 pints