La Herencia Cubana Oscuro Fuerte - 12/19/2010

Posted: Wednesday, December 22, 2010
La Herencia Cubana Oscuro Fuerte, Robusto 5.5" x 54.  Consistently nice cigar, I have smoked many of them.  Pepper and spice, in a nice strong blend.  Never overwhelming.

Paired with 2000 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Saugivnon.  A very very good Cab!

58 degrees on the first decent evening in awhile.

Tierra de Sol - 12/12/2010

Posted: Monday, December 13, 2010
Tierra del Sol, box pressed Torpedo, 6.1x54.  Average tobacco flavor with some cocoa and coffee flavor.  Not very spicy.  Not as harsh as some of these I've smoked before, perhaps due to aging.

Paired with Boyds Gourmet Medallion coffee.

61 degrees on a cold damp morning.

Diesel Unlimited - 12/11/2010

Posted:

Diesel Unlimited, d,7, Churchill 7x58.  Big new Diesel, but very disappointing.  Harsh and tarry off the light, stayed pretty harsh throughout, finally mellowing a bit a the end.  This was smoked 5 days off the truck, and is very young, may need a bit of time aging.  All in all a poor smoke considering the excellent Diesel Unholy Cocktail's excellence.

Paired with 2007 Londer Dry Gewürztraminer.  An excellent dry white wine!

59 degrees on a cold damp afternoon.

Isla del Sol - 12/05/2010

Posted: Sunday, December 5, 2010
Isla del Sol, Gran Corona 5.0" x 44.  Small coffee infused and sweetened cigar, smokes very mild with a lot of smoke.  Nice for breakfast.

Paired with Western Family Distinct Selection French Roast Coffee after malted pancakes.

53 degrees on a soggy morning.

5 Vegas 'A' - 11/28/2010

Posted: Monday, November 29, 2010
5 Vegas Series 'A' , Anomaly petite corona 4.5" x 44.  Small, sweet spice, some pepper but mostly a raisiny sweet spice throughout.  Really nice little cigar.

Paired with Oban 14 year single malt scotch.

41 degrees on a very cold evening.

Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet - 11/27/2010

Posted: Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet, Magnum 6.0" x 50.  Nutty wood and slight spice flavor.  OK cigar, especially at a low price.

Paired with Ron Zacapa Centenario Reserva 23 Años rum.

Very cold afternoon

Partagas Black - 11/25/2010

Posted: Thursday, November 25, 2010
Partagas Black, Cabinet De Cincuenta 747, 7.0" x 47.  Slight pepper, cocoa and spice in a nice maduro Partagas.  A very good cigar.

Paired with Oban 14 year single malt scotch.

Cold afternoon.

Cain Maduro - 11/25/2010

Posted:
Cain Maduro, robusto 5.7x50.   Spice, pepper and great flavor.  A really good cigar.

Paired with Vicomte de Castellane Champagne.

43 degrees on a cold cold Thanksgiving morning.

Gurkha Legend - 11/24/2010

Posted: Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Gurkha Legend, robusto 5x50.  Pepper and spice flavors that start strong and remain throughout the smoke.  These are very very fine cigars.

Paired with Western Family Distinct Selection French Roast Coffee.

Cold morning at Irish Beach.

Oliva Series 'V' - 11/23/2010

Posted: Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Oliva Series 'V', torpedo 6x56.  Pepper and spice, strong deep finish.  This is a cigar you feel in the gut.  A great great cigar.

Paired with Vicomte de Castellane Champagne.

Cold windy day at Irish Beach.

Tatiana Mocha - 11/23/2010

Posted:
Tatiana Mocha, Caramely, 6x50.  Fudge aroma, mild taste.  Great breakfast cigar.

Paired with Western Family Distinct Selection French Roast Coffee.

Cold cold morning at Irish Beach.

Graycliff Turbo - 11/22/2010

Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010
Graycliff Turbo, torpedo 6x60.  Lot's of pepper and spice, stays strong throughout the smoke.  Very very nice smoke.

Paired with 2004 Rosenblum Rockpile Roads Vineyard Zinfandel.

Very cold and rainy at Irish Beach.

Alec Bradley Tempus - 11/22/2010

Posted:
Alec Bradley Tempus, Quadrum 5.5x55. One of the best cigars for the money.  This is a fantastic spicy cigar, lots of flavors, fruity, woody, nutty.  Just fantastic.

Paired with 2000 Dom Perignon champagne.

Cold rainy afternoon in Irish Beach.

Tatiana Mocha - 11/22/2010

Posted:
Tatiana Mocha, Caramely, 6x50.  Coffee, chocolate, a great aroma and very mild taste. My favorite breakfast cigar.

Paired with Dominican Santo Domingo coffee after sweet potato pancakes.

Still cold and rainy morning at Irish Beach.

Padron 1964 Anniversary Series - 11/21/2010

Posted: Sunday, November 21, 2010
Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Natural Imperial, 6x54.  Smooth woody, creamy, nice smoke.  Very expensive...there are other cigars as good out there.

Can't remember the wine we drank with this.

Cold cold night at Irish Beach.

Diesel - 11/21/2010

Posted:
Diesel, torpedo, 5x56.  Great flavor of pepper, spice, perfectly balanced.  This is a great cigar.

Paired with wine.

Very very cold afternoon at Irish Beach.

Davidoff Puro d’Oro Deliciosos - 11/21/2010

Posted:
Davidoff Puro d’Oro Deliciosos, 4 7/8 x 4.  Small great tasting smoke, mild with slight coffee/spice taste.  Nice little cigar but horribly expensive.

Paired with some wine.



Cold afternoon at Irish Beach.

Tatiana Mocha - 11/21/2010

Posted:
Tatiana Mocha, Caramely, 6x50.   Even in the freezing cold, the best after breakfast cigar with coffee. 

Paired with Dominican Santo Domingo coffee.

Windy, and freezing cold on a typical November Irish Beach morning.

Gurkha Legend - 11/20/2010

Posted: Saturday, November 20, 2010
Gurkha Legend, robusto 5x50. Pepper, spice and very smooth complex flavor.

Paired with something, probably champagne.

Extremely cold night in Irish Beach.

Felipe Gregorio Felipe II - 11/20/2010

Posted:
Felipe Gregorio, Felipe II, robusto, 5x50.  Medium strength, good flavor.  Don't remember much more as I drank way too much.

Very cold in the evening at Irish Beach.

Graycliff 1666 - 11/20/2010

Posted:
Graycliff 1666, robusto, 5.2x50.  Very nice smooth nutty flavor.  Deep smoke.

Paired with 2000 Dom Perignon champagne.

Very very cold in Irish Beach.

Gurkha Legend - 11/16/2010

Posted: Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Gurkha Legend, robusto 5x50. Pepper at first, very nicely done, then gets woody and spicy.  Never too strong, but full of flavor.  A great daily smoke if obtained at a reasonable price.  Nice cigar.

Paired with Oban 14 year single malt scotch.

66 degrees and cool on a calm evening.

La Herencia Cubana Oscuro Fuerte - 11/15/2010

Posted:
La Herencia Cubana Oscuro Fuerte,  Robusto 5.5" x 54.  Pepper off the light, strong spice and wonderfully deep robust flavor throughout.  The pepper subsides a bit making for a nicely balanced robust smoke.  This is one of the best values in cigars.  Fantastic.

Paired with Ron Zacapa Centenario Reserva 23 Años rum.  A great rum by the way.

73 degrees on a very warm night.

Camacho Triple Maduro - 11/14/2010

Posted:
Camacho, Triple Maduro, robusto 4.5x50.  Strong pepper, spice, and chocolate off the light.  This is a very robust strong cigar, maintains the spice but opens into a more deep chocolate meaty taste an inch or two in.  This is a great cigar.

Paired with 2004 Rosenblum Rockpile Road Vineyard Zinfandel.

73 very warm degrees on a calm night.

Tatiana Mocha - 11/14/2010

Posted:
Tatiana Mocha, Caramely, 6x50. Cocoa, coffee and a fudge aroma in a very very mild smoke.  Pairs perfectly with morning coffee.

Paired with Dominican Coffee after coconut pineapple pancakes.

56 degrees on a sunny morning.

Alec Bradley SCR - 11/10/2010

Posted: Friday, November 12, 2010
Alec Bradley Select Cabinet Reserve, Gran Robusto, 5.5x60.  Sweet toast, nuts, and spice, nicely mellow, but not too mild.  A pretty decent cigar.

Paired with Coho 2008 Headwaters Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend.

56 degrees on a chilly evening.

Man O' War - 11/07/2010

Posted: Monday, November 8, 2010
Man O' War, toro 6.5x52. Light pepper, strong spice, smooth throughout.  Very nice oaky spicy flavor.  This is a classic already, and deserving.

Paired with a margarita.

57 degrees on a wet, damp evening.

5 Vegas Triple A - 11/06/2010

Posted:
5 Vegas Triple-A (AAA), 5x56.  Nice spice, coffee, a lot of pepper.  This is a fantastic Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper that gives a fantastic flavor to the cigar.  Highly recommended.

Paired with Buffalo Bill's Brewery Pumpkin Ale, and then a Guinness Draught with dim sum.

68 degrees on a beautiful warm afternoon.

Isla del Sol - 11/6/2010

Posted:
Isla del Sol, Gran Corona 5.0" x 44.  Small little sweetened tip, coffee and chocolate flavored morning cigar.  Pairs most excellently with coffee.  I smoke a lot of these.

Paired with Mexican Café Mam Chiapas coffee, very tasty coffee.

61 degrees on a warm morning.

Perdomo 2 Limited Edition - 11/04/2010

Posted: Thursday, November 4, 2010
Perdomo 2 Limited Edition, Epicure 5.5" x 54. Box pressed.  A nice smooth slightly spicy taste, sweet but deep richness.  Pretty decent.

Paired with The Yamazaki 18 year old single malt.  Maybe the best "scotch" in the world.

73 degrees on a calm warm evening.

Arturo Fuente Don Carlos - 11/03/2010

Posted: Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos, Double Robusto, 5.75x52.  This is a great cigar.  Slighty sweet with taste of nuts and some spice.  Perfectly smooth, nice tobacco smoke flavor.  Some wood and earth, but nicely balanced.  Very very nice.

Paired with Oban 14 year Single Malt.  Honey, fruit, smoke ... a nice scotch.

73 degrees on a warm beautiful evening.

Rocky Patel Decade - 10/31/2010

Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010
Rocky Patel Decade, Toro, 6.5x52.  Smooth creamy smoke for the first few inches, then kicks in with a little spice and pepper.  Balanced satisfying smoke throughout.  This a a great cigar.

Paired with 2004 Rosenblum Solano County England-Shaw Vineyard Syrah.

63 degrees on a calm sunny afternoon.

5 Vegas Gold - 10/31/2010

Posted:
5 Vegas Gold, No. 1, 7.5x54. Mild spice, cinnamon, some cocoa.  Nice creamy smooth smoke, pairs well with coffee.

Paired with Dominican coffee after waffles.

51 degrees on a cold damp morning.

Gurkha Black Dragon - 10/26/2010

Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010
 
Gurkha Black Dragon, robusto 4.25 x 52.  Strong earth, spice, and leather from the start.  The same strong spice stayed throughout the short smoke.  Pretty good, I need to try the churchill to see if there is any complexity.

Paired with ice water.

60 degrees on a cold evening.

Alec Bradley Tempus - 10/25/2010

Posted:
Alec Bradley Tempus, Quadrum 5.5x55. A great cigar, never disappoints.  Spicy cigar, all sorts of flavors, all over the board, fruits, nuts, cream, meaty tobacco.  This is an all time great cigar that matches nearly any at any price.

Paired with  Lagavulin 16 year old scotch.  This is an Islay scotch, smoky, peaty, and much smoother than Ardbeg 10 year or Uigeadail.

60 degrees out in the late afternoon, after a few rainy days.

Tatiana Mocha - 10/23/2010

Posted: Monday, October 25, 2010
Tatiana Mocha, Caramely, 6x50. Strong smell of fudgy chocolate.  This flavored cigar smokes quit a bit milder than it's aroma would suggest.  It pairs wonderfully with coffee and is delicious morning smoke.

Paired with Dominican coffee after blueberry pancakes.

54 degrees on a cold wet morning, snuck in a quick smoke before the rain. 

5 Vegas Series 'A' - 10/21/2010

Posted:
5 Vegas Series 'A' ,  Anomaly petite corona 4.5" x 44. Very sweet spice, lots of pepper, and a dark chocolate flavor come through throughout the smoke.  Nice little cigar for the rainy evenings.

Paired with Croft Pink Porto.

64 degrees on a drizzly cool evening.  Looks like the rain is back.

Partagas Black - 10/20/2010

Posted:
Partagas Black, quatro 5.5x50. Strong coffee and chocolate right off, matching the fantastic aroma.  Smooth coffee spice, with notes of chocolate throughout a rich meaty smoke.  Very nice cigar.

Paired with 2008 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir.

63 degrees on a nice evening.

Padilla Obsidian - 10/19/2010

Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Padilla Obsidian, belicoso 6x54.  Strong hay aroma, like elephant poop.  Delicious looking very dark and oily Nicaraguan ligero wrapper.  Some pepper, very robust taste, but kinda flat.  Cocoa and mild pepper throughout.  Difficult burn especially on the last third.  Good but not great.



Paired with ice water.


73 degrees on a nice evening.

5 Vegas Classic - 10/18/2010

Posted:
5 Vegas Classic, Double Corona 6.0" x 48.  Medium to mild but full of creamy flavor with some spice and grassiness.  Smokes smoothly and remains flavorful throughout.  Perfect burn, no harshness.  A pretty good cigar, especially given the low price.

Paired with ice water.

68 degrees, after a warm day.

Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet - 10/17/2010

Posted:
Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet, Magnum 6.0" x 50.  Starts off dry and harsh, but smooths out quickly.  Nice smooth tobacco, nut and some chocolate taste.  Pretty decent.

Paired with 2006 Londer Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir.  This is a fantastic Anderson Valley Pinot.

59 degrees on a cold evening.

Tatiana Mocha - 10/17/2010

Posted:
Tatiana Mocha Eden, 5x46. Mild chocolate flavored.  Big aroma, mild flavor.  Pairs fantastically with coffee.

Paired with Dominican Coffee after oatmeal pancakes.

59 degrees on a chilly morning.

La Herencia Cubana - 10/16/2010

Posted:
La Herencia Cubana, Toro 6.5" x 52.  OK smooth, medium body cigar.  Woody flavor with some hay.  Pretty average.

Paired with Buffalo Bill's Brewery Pumpkin Ale.

71 degrees but warm.

5 Vegas Series 'A' - 10/15/2010

Posted: Friday, October 15, 2010
5 Vegas Series 'A', Anomaly petite corona 4.5" x 44.  Pepper and spice throughout the burn on this little petite cigar.  Nice flavor for a quick strong smoke.

Paired with sour apple martini.

83 degrees but seems warmer in the afternoon.

Diesel - 10/13/2010

Posted: Thursday, October 14, 2010
Diesel, torpedo, 5x56. Very strong pepper and strong spice off the light.  Pepper remains through the first third. Pepper subsides a bit in the middle third, with dry strong spice taking over.  Deep meaty flavor, spice and hay develop. Last third is smooth, spicy, with some pepper still and that deep in the gut flavor.  Excellent cigar.

Paired with ice water.

85 degrees on warm but cooling evening.

Fonseca - 10/12/2010

Posted: Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Fonseca, Vegas de Fonseca sobrino, 5.25x50. Nutty and woody mild flavor.  A little sweet spice but very smooth and mild overall.  Decent cigar.

Paired with ice water.

84 degrees on windless night.

Brazilian Label - 10/11/2010

Posted: Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Cigar.com Brazilian Label, robusto 5"x50.  Very quick burn, very dry mild spice and harsh pepper throughout.  Might be the fastest burn I have ever smoked, this thing was gone in minutes despite proper humidification.  Very dry nutmeg and slightly sweet spice.  Decent, not great.

Paired with ice water.

84 degrees after sunset, on a very windy warm night.

Tatiana Mocha Caramely - 10/10/2010

Posted:
Tatiana Mocha Caramely, 6x50.   My favorite breakfast cigar. Mild, strong chocolate aroma, slight coffee and cocoa flavor.  Extremely mild, huge smoke.

Paired with Dominican coffee, after golden malted pancakes.

62 degrees on a warm morning.