tobacco

Rocky Patel Super Ligero

IMG_7056In the past I’ve smoked my share of different Rocky Patel cigars and have been pleased with most of what I’ve smoked but have always wanted something a bit bolder from them. So as someone who smokes ligeros on a near daily basis I was excited to try their new Super Ligero to see how it stood up in flavor to the others.

Inspection of the cigar reveals a well-constructed stick with no empty or dead spots along it found when applying pressure. It is firm but gives enough so when squeezed it doesn’t crack or feel over filled. The smell of leather, coffee, and rich tobacco can be noticed along the cigar and of course is stronger from the foot.

It lights easily and burns evenly from the beginning. The taste is lighter than expected at first but IMG_7012quickly the power of the ligero can be noticed. A heavy full flavor of pepper and oak are in the forefront with a slight hay flavor hidden in the back along with an almost sweet aftertaste. The cigar continues these flavors throughout the entire stick with little to no variation in flavor. It burns evenly with no tunneling through the cigar (which with the slower burning ligero can be a problem sometimes). It maintained a nice dark ash that is tight but doesn’t hold for any great length and produces a good heavy dense smoke.

If your looking for a new ligero to try and want something that you can sit back with for a but of time and have consistent flavor I would suggest picking up one of these. With the sticks in the $8.00 range you can’t really go wrong.

 

Wrapper: Saint Augustine Habano

Filler: Costa Rica & Nicaragua Triple Ligero

Binder: Habano

 

Sizes: Lancero, Sixty, Toro and Robusto

 

Website: RockyPatel.com

 

Rating: 4.4 pints out of 5

Jericho Hill Willy Lee by Crowned Heads

20150127_150037The Jericho Hill was the Crowned Heads fourth regular production release as well as their second release out of the My Father’s factories in Estelí, Nicaragua, following the Las Calaveras.  The Jericho Hill line was inspired by “The Man in Black”, Johnny Cash’s song, “The Cocaine Blues”.

Pre Light Inspection

The Willy Lee is a beautiful box press with a deep dark maduro wrapper that has a decent amount of little veins, and some noticeable tooth to it.  The pre light draw was very smooth and had rich tobacco, cocoa, and a hint of spice to it.

1st third

Upon lighting, I was immediately impressed with the draw and classic My Father’s spice and pepper.  There was leather, wood, and a sweet molasses notes that I really enjoyed.  The pepper and spice remained on my palate between draws.  The leather and wood really took center stage for the first third of the cigar.  The strength was medium, and the burn and ash were on point as well.

2nd third

The strength has now begun to pick up.  The flavors really started to evolve.  I have noticed that the pepper and molasses slowed down and cocoa and leather have taken center stage.  I’ve also noticed a slight citrus note.  Still a nice amount of pepper on the retrohale.  The ash has fallen off and the burn needed a minor touch up about halfway.

Final third20150127_155304

The strength has jumped into full gear, changing from medium to full flavor.  I started to notice some tar bubbling out of the punch cut opening with about 3 inches of the cigar left.  The cigar has now taken on a bitter tar taste.  I tried my best to smoke through it, but had to put it down about a half inch away from the band.  This is very unfortunate.  The other vitolas I have smoked in this line smoked perfect from start to finish.  While this will not change my attitude toward Crowned Heads cigars, this particular one ended early for me.

Overview

The whole cigar has amazing transitions in flavor and strength.  However, this one wasn’t what I am used to when I smoke a Jericho Hill.  It was an explosion of great flavors that I enjoy.  I have yet to smoke anything from Crowned Heads that didn’t leave me wanting more in my humidor.  I recommend the 4 pack sampler with all the vitolas of the Jericho Hill line.

20150127_155614

This cigar would go well with a stout beer or a good scotch.  I of course paired it with a local craft root beer.

 

Jericho Hill Willy is a 2 out of 5 pints for this cigar in particular.  The tar issue made a serious impact on the 2 pints score.  Still going to smoke more of these, just maybe not the Willy Lee.

 

 

Website: Crownheads.com

Size: 6”

Ring Gauge: 54

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Vitola: Toro Box Press

Rating 2 out of 5 pints.

 

The Palomino Santa Ana Maduro

image-4If you haven’t heard of Palomino Cigars then you are missing out. The Palomino family has been making cigars in the Cibao Valley of the Santiago De Los Caballeros Province of the Dominican Republic since 1965. What makes them different from the rest of the companies is not only that they make a wide selection of quality sticks but they only sell factory direct. What this means for you is that not only do you get a great cigar but, instead of paying the $9 – $13 a piece you can pick theirs up for around $2 – $3.

Now I know what your thinking already, “how can a $3 stick be good?” The answer…most of what you smoke could probably be sold for around $3 a stick if they sold factory direct as well. For the other brands you are paying for their advertising cost, their sells reps pay, retail mark ups, and so on. So that being said on to the cigars.

Since I like a fuller flavored cigar I decided I would try the Santa Ana Maduro. Inspection shows a well-constructed stick covered in a nice oily wrapper with minimal veins and is in the dark chocolate color realm. It is firm to the touch but just pliable enough that it will not crack if you like to bite the end of yours like I do when you smoke. The odor from the body is of chocolate and old leather with a hint of cedar and fruit. The odor from the foot is the same just more intense.

It lit easily and the draw was even and smooth. The flavor was earthy with a bit of spice with coffee on the back end. The flavor held consistent throughout the cigar. The burn was even all the way through and did not have to be restarted at any point. The ash held well and was near white. The cigar created ample, thick smoke that looked heavy but felt light on the tongue.

When you first get these cigars you might be skeptical but after this smoke I bet you will have no qualms recommending these to anybody. In my opinion for the cost of these cigars they are a great value and could easily fetch between $9-$13 a stick at a brick and mortar store.

Brand: Silvo Palomino 

Web Address: www.palomino-cigars.com

Rating: 4.6 out of 5