Cigar Review

Lunatic Hysteria By Aganorsa

Lunatic Hysteria Aganorsa Aganorsa Hysteria is third cigar that Aganorsa Leaf (formerly known as Casa Fernandez) has created for Famous Smoke Shop, joining the Aganorsa Famous 80th and Siboney Reserve. Created to expand their Just For Retailers series and inspired by the Def Leopard song it is the one of the newest installments in the series. (OK maybe the Def Leopard thing inst true but it should be.) Incase you didn’t know the Just For Retailers series are cigars made exclusively for brick and mortar stores to help support them. So you might think, “Wait a minute, if these are to support B&M shops why does Famous have an exclusive blend for them when I buy cigars on line from them?” Well if you’ve never been there Famous has a large B&M along with a large restaurant attached at their warehouse in Easton PA and has been gracious enough to host several DR Meetups there. If you haven’t had the chance to go there I would recommend making the trip.

The wrapper is dark bronze in appearance with medium veining, nearly invisible seams and a closed foot. It feels firm to the touch with little yield when pressed between the fingers. The construction is solid and the cap cuts fine leaving no damage to the body. From the body I smell a lot of hay and cedar. The cold draw offers lots of licorice, tobacco and sweat tea flavors with a resistant pull.

As soon as it is lit the first few draws are loaded with pepper. Quickly the pepper drops to the backgrounded a more earthy flavor come to the front. The burn is even and the smoke production is plenty and light on the tongue. As I am a fast smoker I found the draw to be a little tight but after relaxing how hard I was trying to pull, it became easier to smoke.

When I reach the second half of the Lunatic Hysteria it becomes more full bodied and spicy. it is still earthy but with nuts with plenty of spice on the finish making it a real delight. Burning evenly through the entire session and loading the room with great smelling smoke I bring this one down to a nub.

Even though this is a JFR cigar the advantage of making an exclusive for Famous is that you have access to them even if you’re not in PA. With a full body and flavor its a great cigar that’s flavors make it enjoyable to anyone. Whether you’re in Easton or you have to hop on to their website at least pick up a fiver of these, you will not be disappointed.

Wrapper – Mexican San Andrés maduro

Binder – Nicaraguan

Filler – Nicaraguan

Price: From $26.00 for a five pack and $100 for a box of 20

(Available exclusively at Famous Smoke Shop.)

Website: Aganorsaleaf.com

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 pints

 

Partagas Black Label

Partagas Black labelThe Partagas Black Label is an excellent example of the quality and flavor that Partagas Cigars produces. Being a brand that has been around for over 150 years means most people know a little something about them but just to be safe here’s a quick history lesson. Originally founded in 1845 by Don Jaime Partagas and then owned by Ramon Cifuentes SR in 1900 followed by his son in 1940. In 1959 during Fidels takeover of Cuba (which included the Partagas factory) Cifuentes JR had to flee and start for all over again to create the brand to what it once was. When he retired in 1994 his long time friend Benji Menendez took over as master blender is still is to this day.

The Black Label looks very dark and has plenty of oily sheen to it. There is some veining but not so much as to make it unappealing. The seams are tight and it is dense and firm to the touch with little give. The smell is very floral and sweet with notes of coffee from the foot. The cold draw is easy and gives flavors of licorice and caramel.

The first half meets you with bold flavor of spices and meat. (Trust me this cigar is akin to eating.) The burn stays even and the smoke production is more than plentiful and has a nice medium weight mouth feel.

Second half – Each draw starts creamy and rich and ends with a full black pepper and chocolate. The burn did have to be touched up but I will blame this on user error as I am sitting outside and there is a fan blowing which is contributing to the uneven burn. Still plenty of smoke.

Partagas spent 10 years perfecting the unique wrapper and the La Vega Especial binder for the Partagas Black Label cigar. It was definitely worth the effort because this has resulted in a fantastic cigar. Full in flavor and a good deal of strength this cigar is perfect for the morning to get you going or nighttime with a nice bourbon. Reasonably priced these are the kind of cigars you’ll want to always have in your humidor.

Wrapper: Connecticut Medio Tiempo
Binder: La Vega Especial from the Dominican Republic
Filler: Nicaraguan Lgero and Piloto Cubano Ligero
Price: $8.50 – $9.50 a stick.
Website: Partagas.com
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 pints

 

Blind Mans Bluff From Caldwell

Blind Mans Bluff Caldwell CigarsBlind Mans Bluff from Caldwell Cigars is one of those cigars that I see from time to time when I’m in my local B&M but have never picked up. Since I am trying to explore things outside of my normal go to cigars I thought it would was a good time to try it. Originally released at the 2015 IPCPR trade convention and unlike the rest of Caldwell’s cigars, they are fabricated at Agroindustrias Laepe S.A. in Danli, Honduras, which is also the same factory that rolls all of Camacho cigars.

The cigar is milk chocolate in color, has some thin veining and has more of a powdery finish as opposed to appearing oily. Construction wise the seams are nice and tight and it feels dense but a touch lumpy near the band. It gives the smells of dried fruit, cedar and hay. These are all noticed from the foot but the sweet dried fruit smell is more prevalent. The cold draw has flavors of spice cinnamon and hay, the draw was easy but not loose.

The first half has the flavors os black pepper and wood with a bitter sweet finish. It burns sharp and produces plenty of smoke that has a light weight mouth feel. The ash does drop off about every 1/4 inch so you’ll want to keep up with it to prevent getting a lap full. A small concern and nothing that detracts from the cigar.

Coming to the second half it turns dark chocolate in flavor with nuttiness and earth. For a moment there was is a sweet and spicy cinnamon finish that quickly changes to a long pepper finish. These are the flavors for the rest of the cigar. The burn remains even and the smoke continues to billow and fill the room.

To me this cigar is full in flavor and medium in strength. It would pair well with just about anything you choose to drink and a great cigar to unwind with at the end of the day or with a group of friends. With a rich flavor profile it would be easily appreciated by either a novice or experienced smoker. After smoking this the Blind Mans Bluff I wish I had looked into the Caldwell line earlier and if you haven’t tried it yet once do, you’ll feel the same way.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Honduran Criollo
Filler: San Vincente, Honduran Criollo Ligero
Price: $7.50 – $9.50 a stick.
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 pints