Cigar Reviews

Viva la Vida

Viva la VidaArtesano Del Tobacco is a boutique cigar brand based out of the Big Apple. Not a name that rings a bell for most but with more than 2 decades in the industry I’m sure they know a thing or two. They started in the cigar business 25 years ago in New York as “New York Cigar Inn” which housed the only Cigar Aficionado humidor and lounge in the world. They eventually sold the lounge to Casa de Montecristo and reached out to A.J. Fernandez to form what we have here today, Viva La Vida or “live your life” for all my gringos out there. I mean, who else would you reach out too? The guys only the worlds best master blender ..no biggie.

At a glance the cigar features a very toothy wrapper, Oily sheen and a milk chocolate color. In the sunlight there’s almost a Burgundy hue to it .. not sure, maybe its the whisky messing with me. Veins and seam are barely noticeable as one would expect from a habano oscuro 2000. What resembles a clown like figure on the band really draws the eyes in, definitely reminiscent of the 80’s style Harley Quinn from the Batman comic books. Firm to the touch (that’s what she said) with no dead spots and this bad boys rocking a triple cap like no ones business. Packed well and might I say the ciViva la Vidagar has some decent weight to be a 5X54 Robusto.

*Insert sniffing noises here* Beautiful aromas of Coffee and leather, the foot carried the same notes with a hint of cinnamon. A straight cut was my weapon of choice, medium draw with flavors parallel to the aromas. Lighting the cigar you’re greeted with a decent amount of pepper and if your a “real man” go-ahead and retro hale. You’re greeted with an array of toasted nuts is the best way I can put it being that I couldn’t really put my finger on just one.

The first half carried the nutty profile and the pepper toned down quite a bit. Hints of floral and malt start to kick in and the burn is razor sharp. This is usually the time I decide what ill be drinking. Paired it with some Grangestone 12 year I had sitting around, the pair was like waking up to Journey as your morning ringtone… just a perfect way to set things off.

Viva la VidaThe second half is where the “ooo” and “ahh” come in. The malty tobacco flavor takes over as the cigar really heats up and the finish of every draw leaves a sweet floral note. The burn doesn’t change in the slightest. I rolled the ash off to see what was happening on the inside and like I figured a pencil tip cherry was in the driver seat. Always the staple of a good roll. A solid smoke all the way around and being that it’s a new smoke for 2019 I definitely see it gaining traction and becoming a great go to. Id say its a Medium/ Medium full but I’m sure anyone can find something they enjoy about this smoke.

Wrapper: Habano Oscuro

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Price: $10.50 – $14.50 depending on vitola

Instagram: artesanodeltobacco

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 pints

Article by guest author Andy Melo

 

La Instructora: Perfection

La Instructora Perfection CigarThe La Instructora line is one of those sneaky brands that doesn’t do a lot of intense marketing but rather lets the tobacco do the talking. Quietly released in 2016 and on a larger scale at the 2017 IPCPR. The line was formed by farmer Jose “Jochy” Blanco of Tabacalera Palma and Aaron Saide owner of Chatham Cigar in Midland, Mich. during a work trip Aaron had taken to Santiago in the Dominican Republic. It was by happenstance that the Perfection cigar became a brand with a Aaron having a chance run in with one of the rollers who made a cigar for him to smoke. He liked the cigar so much that he went back the next day and began working out the details for the blend with the head roller until the line was perfected. I was able to get my hands on some of the Perfection cigars and had a great time smoking them.

The look of the cigar is interesting with it’s oily red color Ecuadorian Habano Rosado wrapper. It is fairly smooth but there is some veining to it. The seams are nice, tight and nearly invisible. The construction is firm to the touch and no dead spots could be found along the body. The cap cut easily with no damage taking place to the cigar. The smell from the body was a nice barnyard aroma mixed with a hint of sweet spices, from the foot it was similar odors only more pronounced.

The cap cut easily with no damage taking place to the cigar. The pre-light draw gave a minimal resistance but was not a struggle and gave the usual rich tobacco flavor that I prefer along with a bit of malt and sweetness. It lights easily and and the first flavors are quite spicy. The smoke productionLa Instructora Perfection is large and medium bodied, resting well on the pallet so flavors can be extracted.

The flavors of the first half of this cigar are red pepper with a bit of earth and leather near the finish. The cigar burns well keeping an even edge and maintained its excellent construction.

The second have had a slight transition where the pepper flavor moved more to the back seat and the earthiness became more prevalent along with the addition of some coffee notes. The burn continued to remain even and there was no need to touch up the light at any point.

This was really a surprise hit for me. After having seen them in my local B&M shop for a while I was always curious to try them and glad I did. While I would describe it as a medium to medium full bodied cigar it’s profile is accessible enough to be smoked by anyone. If you have yet to try this line I would suggest going out and getting a couple because you will not be disappointed.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado

Binder: Dominican Criollo 98′

Filler: Dominican Criollo 98′ Dominican Piloto

Price: $10.00 – $18.00 depending on vitola

Website: lainstructoracigars.com

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 pints

Hiram and Solomon Traveling Man Lancero

Hiram and Solomon LanceroHiram and Solomon popped up on my radar a couple years ago when I was looking for a smoke in a not so pleasant downtown cigar shop and I spotted their band. Since at the time it was something new to me I picked up a few sticks and gave them a try. Turned out they were pretty good and next time I was back downtown I went into the same shop to get some more and for some reason they had stopped carrying them. Bummed I left the store empty handed and started looking elsewhere, and of course it didn’t take long to find them. Recently I ran into Fouad, George and their rep Heather (who just happens to also be a DR Member) in town and as we were talking the conversation lead to the new Traveling Man lancero that is being released. After smoking one with them I knew I wanted to write about it so I brought a couple more back to try and this is what I found.

Construction wise, it doesn’t have that traditional rigid nearly hard feeling that most lanceros have, this has a bit of give to it. The wrapper has a lovey milk chocolate color to it with a nice velvet sheen and there is very minimal veining. The seams are tight and there are no areas that fill unfilled. The smell from the body and the foot reminds me of smoked foods and hay. The cap cuts off easily and with no damage to the cigar, pre-light flavor has a slight sweetness on the tongue along with rich tobacco flavors. The draw is easy and offers little resistance. It lights easily and burns evenly. For a lancero it produces plenty of medium weighted smoke with a bread like consistency. The initial flavor is mild but well balanced.

The first half is slightly sweet and creamy with a bit of barnyard notes. There is a hint of pepper hidden in the finish but is not very noticeable. The smoke production for this cigar is fantastic giving large amounts of the same medium weight smoke noticed from the initial light. While the ash does drop off fairly easily the burn is even.

Once reaching the second half of the cigar the sweet and creamy taste remains but now the pepper flavor is more apparent along with other spices and a light woodsy taste. The burn continues to be razor sharp and the smoke is full. At no time did I need to touch up or re-light this cigar.

This really did end up being a great cigar. Hiram and Solomon describe it as being a “medium body blend that is masterfully encased in a silky Sumatran wrapper from the island of Indonsia. The thick smoke is rich in aroma with a hint of spice and coffee on the palate. The Finish is soft and subtle as a creamy texture melds with notes of cocoa leather.” While I enjoy most things from Hiram and Solomon this one has become a quick go to for me. It has a great construction, great flavor and a great burn time. If you haven’t had a chance to try their line yet I would recommend starting with the Traveling Man lancero, its strong enough for someone that likes a fuller body but the creaminess of it makes it feel light enough for everyone.

Size – 7 x 38

Wrapper – Sumatra Indonesian

Binder – Indonesian

Filler – Arapiraca, Habano Jalapa, Habano Ometepe and Dominican

Price: $8.50

Website: Hiramandsolomoncigars.com

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 pints