THE MACANUDO CAFE PRINCE PHILIP CONNECTICUT IS NOT EXACTLY GOOD

This was a gift that I smoked on Christmas Day. I only wish that I could have enjoyed it more. It has a Conecticut wrapper, Dominican filler, and San Andres binder, which I thought would make an interesting blend. Maybe it does, but I will have to wait for another cigar to be able to tell you. Why? Well, the drag was very tight, which is a real downer in my book, even though it burned evenly. The precious little smoke that actually made it to my lips was mild and flavorful, which made it a real shame that it wasn't rolled better. From what I could tell, the cigar attempts to deliver a classic Dominican smoke with some added flavor from the San Andres wrapper. I can't imagine why these guys don't invest in a quality drag testing machine with all of the cigars they sell.

Alas, this may be just another case of a cigar label living off of the good name it earned from its previous owners. This is not your grandfather's Macanudo--only a distant cousin trading on Big Mac's good name. If this is your taste profile, you and your wallet will be better served with a PDR Exclusivo, MOW Virtue, San Lotano Connecticut, or a Padilla Hybrid.--Mamey

CS Rating-2.5

Camacho Connecticut Review

The Camacho Connecticut Toro is a splendid cigar. Not as full-bodied and flavorful as the Camacho Corojo Churchill, it is smooth and creamy and has excellent burn and drag. The wonderful combination of a Honduran cigar with a Connecticut wrapper was immediately evident. The finish of this cigar was a bit disappointing as it lost taste and turned a little harsh. A curiosity of the Camacho cigars is that as the stick begins to burn and ashes appear, the ashes slant up at the tip. Reminds me of a snobbish nose turn-up.

CS Rating: 4

El Alcalde

Puros Indios Especial #4 Maduro Review

Gents, this cigar did not live up to the built-up expectation. I will not go out on the limb and state that it is over-rated because I want to smoke another one before a total and crippling slam. The drag was satisfactory but the burn was somewhat uneven (it was well-lit with a splendid v-cut). The puff itself was not too shabby. The problem is, simply, it was tasteless. Well, not totally tasteless as there was a hint of dirt. Rolando Reyes is well advised to monitor Quality Control at the Honduras plant as it appears that the dust-pan plays a key but undesired role. The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper was a yawner and who knows what country the filler came from: Brazil? DR? Nicaragua? Thank goodness for the fine pairing: Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva. But, to be fair, I will give Puros Indios another chance given the hype.

CS Rating (for now): a weak 2

The night was still young - to quote a trite cliche - so I reached into my humidor to extinguish the taste of the Puros Indios dirt stick. In my hand was an old reliable, Santiago Cabana Robusto Maduro. It was the perfect antidote: sweet, flavorful, plenty of smoke, long ashes.

CS Rating: 3.5

El Alcalde

El Santiago

This is one bodacious tabacco.

Santiago Cabana Churchill (14th Anniversary Release)

-Whammer

The Gurkha Assassin: A Killer Review

I have smoked several cigars from the Gurkha suite and all have been fine sticks that I would proudly recommend. The Gurkha Assassin is no different. The GA is full-bodied just as I like and is quite flavorful and smooth, but not as smooth as the Perdomo Lot 23.

Okay, I will use some of the less masculine descriptions: the GA is a bit nutty but not chocolatey and there is a hint of coffee in the taste, particularly toward the middle of the cigar. The drag is excellent -- a very important feature.

In this case, the GA was paired by a hearty glass of Ron Matusalem Clasico, a kick-ass gift I received from Joe Chicago; a/k/a Chicago Joe; a/k/a Mojoe; a/k/a Pepe.

CS Rating 3.5

El Alcalde

Edicion Limitada Review

Top Cigar is located on Calle Ocho in Little Havana. I decided to drop in and poke around to see what they had. Upon entering I was welcomed by the sweet, comforting sound of dominos being stirred in preparation for a new game (hechandole agua). A thin man, who was a domino player, kindly greeted me.

The store was small, as they as they tend to be in Little Havana. Catching my eye were several boxes that each hold 256 cigars. The boxes had a refreshingly crude etching of "Hecho por manos cubanas", which means that they were rolled by Cuban hands, presumably Miami Cubans who work for Top Cigar. Glancing around it appeared that the cigars tended to be a bit pricey if purchased individually, but then I saw many bundles of 25 neatly organized on shelves. The cordial man told me that the bundles cost $100 each but that he would sell them to me at $80 if I told him that I worked for the City. I told him that I worked for the City (didn't he recognize me, the Mayor?). The bundled cigars were Churchill length with a simple label stating "Edicion Limitada" (Limited Edition). I decided to purchase 2 singles just to check them out. The man told me that they were $10 each but he would sell them to me for $6 because I worked for the City. (20% discount, 40% discount.....who's counting?) I took a liking to the large cigar boxes and asked if they were for sale. The guy called the owner and handed me the phone. The owner said they were not for sale because the name of the cigar company is inscribed. Huh??????

Two days later, I decided to take a Edicion Limitada with me for a quick weekend trip to Tampa. Thank goodness I packed three other cigars because the Edicion Limitada is a horrific cigar. First, it was rather dry; second, the construction was so lousy that you would think they were rolled by Cuban feet; and, third, the taste was unpleasant. This is really a crappy cigar and one can only hope that the cigar lives true to its label and is a VERY LIMITED EDITION.

To complete the ripping of Top Cigar, I'm convinced that the domino players were also a bunch of botagordas who know less about dominos than they know about cigars. Good grief.

CS Rating 0.5

El Alcalde

Perdomo Lot 23 ... A Lot to Like

Nick Perdomo hit a home run with this cigar that was named after a plot of land in Esteli, Nicaragua ... the plot was simply referred to us as Lot 23. Not a genuine puro due the wonderful Connecticut wrapper, the Belicoso (retails for about five bucks) is consistently smooth and creamy. It paired extremely well with Ron Zacapa on a breezy cool evening enveloped with jasmine in bloom. Lot 23 never turned harsh, it burned evenly, and it furnished plenty of good smoke.

CS Rating: a solid 4

El Alcalde

Alec Bradley - Tempus

First time smoking this cigar.

I was on the golf course and had a few hours to BURN!

It looks like a great cigar. Good color and the wrapping is attractive. I bought from a local shop on a whim. It started burning well from the get go. I didn't really need to work it and I was thankful because it was windy as heck on the golf course. I noticed a LITTLE spice early on, but I either got used to it or it faded because it was not very apparent half way in. It has a nice smooth draw that I like.

If you like mild (but full of flavor) cigars this is right up your alley. It had a woody taste to it but it was smooth and enjoyable. It was consistent and enjoyable! I would definately smoke this one again!

A solid 4 in my book!
GMtarondor

OPEN LETTER TO CIGAR AFICIONADO

NOTE: The first draft of this letter was sent to the publisher and editor of Cigar Aficionado in response to the editorial in the December issue of the magazine, which is dedicated to the Communist paradise which can't find a way to feed its own people. The magazine published an edited version of the letter in its February, 2012 issue, followed by the usual self-serving response. The editorial itself is a typical fluff piece glorifying Cuba without mention of the brutal dictatorship which has brought the Cuban people over 50 years of misery and blames America for all of its problems. Of course, never far behind is the customary hack job on the U.S. Embargo which, they conveniently fail to mention, was imposed by President John F. Kennedy after Castro nationalized (stole) the land and property of all companies (including family-owned tobacco farms and cigar factories). We can understand why these patriots keep their mouths shut on their tobacco tours of Cubatraz. However, whether their motivation is future advertising dollars if the embargo is lifted or something else, their shilling for a bloody dictatorship that outlaws freedom of speech, press, association, and every other human right and tortures those who ask only for the freedoms that we enjoy in America is reprehensible. If you're a cigar maker or reader of this magazine, all I can ask is that you check the facts for yourself and decide what action to take on this. As for me, I prefer not to do business with the friends of tyranny.

Marvin and Gordon,

Your December, 2011 editorial, "Give Them a Break," is disgraceful. While you go out of your way to trash Cuban-Americans and American policy from the comfort of your armchair in the Land of Freedom, you don't say a peep about the totalitarian Cuban regime which outlaws free speech, imprisons those who try to exercise it, and tortures its political opponents. Of course, you already know this, including how Ernesto Padilla's father, poet Heberto Padilla, was tortured for having the courage to write a book of poetry critical of disctatorships. Apparently you prefer to turn a blind eye in order to pander to your "friendly Cubans" while turning your back on the real life and death struggle of the freedom-loving Cubans who have no voice, some of whom are rotting in prison, all in the name of a good Havana. By your logic the US should have done business with, and encouraged tourism to, Hitler's Germany so Americans could buy BMWs and Mercedes and "enlighten" Germans. In fact, the embargo is obviously not the reason Cuba is an economic basket case in spite of the gusher of free oil from Venezuela, since it is free to trade with virtually every nation except the US. Would you go hungry if you could shop at every supermarket in America except for Safeway? Like the food lines in Eastern Europe, which disappeared the day after the Berlin Wall was torn down, the lines in Cuba will disappear as soon as its Communist/Socialist regime is relegated to the ash heap of history.

Best Regards,

"How many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?"
Bob Dylan, Blowin' in the Wind

THE PLEASURES OF PINAR DEL RIO (Or Who Needs 72 Virgins When you can Smoke PDRs?)

I have smoked practically the entire line of PDRs and they're all terrific, flavorful, well-balanced, cigars with even burns and easy draws. My favorite is the medium-bodied Pinar Del Rio Oscuro. It has a Brazilian Maduro wrapper(also used by AJ Fernandez on the San Lotano Habanos), Dominican Criollo 98 binder, and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler. It's a complex, smooth smoke, with just enough spice to keep it interesting, but not overwhelming. These guys come from a Dominican cigar growing family and veterans of the Davidoff and Fuente factories. Unlike the current Fuentes, they don't sacrifice quality for quantity and oversee every aspect of their operation. The $6.00 retail price is actually very cheap for the quality of this first-class product. Good stuff!--

Mamey

CS Rating- 4.0

Flor de Oliva - Gold

If you are looking for the best inexpensive stogie, this one may be it!

This was my first attempt at looking for something inexpensive to test. The cigar shop owner said this is the only "cheap" cigar they sell.

What a surprise, it tasted good with a very mild touch of spice. It burned great (even and no re-lights). The on-line cost of this 6x50 cigar is about $2.30 a piece for a bundle of 20.

This would be a 5 for its price category and was tempted to give it a rating of 4.0, but after considering the cigars that have achieved that ranking and smoking my second one, it did not quite merit that esteemed score.

I certainly would buy this cigar again as it earned a

Diamond E CS Score of 3.5

THE SIRENS OF SAN LOTANO

I tried one of these cigars on the recommendation of Danno TOB, then another, and then another. I was instantly transported to old Havana nights, waves crashing on the Malecon, the music of Perez Prado and Beny More on the radio, Cubans playing dominoes, couples holding hands and laughing...

Back to the facts: beautiful wrapper, perfect burn, effortless drag, and a sweet, toasty, creamy, and complex flavor. If you long for the taste of pre-1959 Cubans, this is your cigar. For the record, I started with the SL Connecticut and then tried the Oval, Maduro, and Habano, in that order. Each is different, each is wonderful, and they're all more than worth the money($8-$10, depending on the vitola). So pick your paradise--they all await. The Oval and the Habano have gotten all of the attention, but I liked the Connecticut best. If you can't catch a flight to Havana this weekend, escape to San Lotano instead. And don't beam me up, Scottie!!--

Mamey
CS Rating-5.0

Camacho - Triple Maduro

A friend of mine was gracious enough to give me this cigar for an impromtu smoke.

The 4.5" x 50 cigar reminded me of the Punch Rare Corojo, with just a tad less consistent full flavor and it had to be re-lit a couple of times towards the end and it started burning hot.

All in all it was a very pleasant smoke and earned a

Diamond E CS Score of 3.8

Gran Habano - Azteca

My first cigar from this brand and it had its good points and bad.

First the good. One can tell that the quality of tobacco leaves were very good, there was something genuine about this cigar. I never had a cigar of the 50s or early 60, but some reason this cigar represented what I imagined a Cuban cigar of that period tasted like. The cigar had a tad bit of a pepper flavor, but nothing overwhelming...it just had a solid tobacco taste. Toward the end of the cigar, it produced perfume type flavors that caught me totally off guard. Not every drag had it, but a few. It has a nice drag, relatively even burn and no re-lights were necessary.

Now the bad, the cigar (especially for the first half) had an after tasted that I don't particurly care for and produce a small desire to spit, not to spit it out, but just caused the saliva glands to become active. I got that same affect in a big way when smoking the Por Larranaga-Cabinet Seleccion, but that was a bit over the top and failed to enjoy that cigar. Lastly, towards the end, the cigar became a bit harsh, always a bummer for me...I like to smoke one to the end.

All in all I enjoyed the cigar and it earned a

Diamond E CS Score of 3.5

Hoyo de Monterrey - Excalibur Dark Knight

As I continue my random testing of the HdM line of cigars, this one came up next.

This 5.75 x 54 cigar was the smokiest one I have tried to date, or maybe there was no wind, but at the beginning the cigar smoke got annoying. All in all though, it was not very much different than the HdM - Excalibur Epicure, just smokier, did not burn as nice and left me with a want for more espresso flavor. None the less, I did enjoy the cigar and it earned a

Diamond E CS Score of 3.5

DIAMOND CROWN MAXIMUS = CHOCOLATE TORO

Rating this cigar was an agonizing ordeal. Not because of its quality- it's a first-rate baton with an exquisite Oliva El Bajo wrapper, terrific drag and burn, and lots of smoke. So what's not to like? Nada.

Then there's the taste. Robust full-bodied flavor, yet never harsh. Nice spicy taste, but not "in your face" like the nasty RP Prodigy. And then there's the chocolate. Yep, real chocolate. Rich, dark chocolate. Crazy chocolate! Not the imaginary chocolate you read about in hyped cigar reviews. Authentic, certified, guaranteed chocolate. Who needs a bogus flavor-infused cigar when the Real McCoy tastes like this? Not I, says Mr. Mamey.

But here's the thing. How do you rate a great cigar that's not in your wheelhouse? My preference is for Cubanesque sweet, creamy, toasty cigars like the Padilla 1932, Padron 1964, Man O' Wars, rum, baseball, and movies. The DC Max isn't that, but Oh! the chocolate! So if you like cognac, soccer, opera, and the Opus X, meet your new BFF. You could rate the DC Max a 5 and I'd be powerless to quibble. But for me, it's a 4.5 unless, of course, I'm having a chocolate craving with no Mrs. Field's cookies in sight. By the way, the chocolate doesn't come cheap. Be prepared to pay a Godiva-like $10 for the robusto and $13.00 for the toro.--Mamey

CS Rating 4.5

Don Pepin Garcia - Cuban Classic

This cigar was chosen because of the praise given to it by Mamey.

The cigar is rich in flavor, it has some sweetness and a touch of spice (mostly in the beginning) and some eathiness. As I first smoked it reminded me of other cigars, good but not really special, but as I continued the cigar kept bringing a richness of flavor that separated it from the others. In some ways it reminded me of the HdM - Excalibur Epicure, but because of it fullness of flavor it began pulling away.

The cigar had an average drag, but it did not burn very evenly and then the wrapper started to do a little cracking and slight unravelling. In addition, the cigar had to be re-lit, which I was happy to do. It was worth it. Maybe the cigar was not stored correctly which caused some of the extra attention, but regardess it took away from the experience.

That being the case, the cigar in terms of flavor is wonderful and subsequently earned a

Diamond E CS Score = 4.0

Hoyo de Monterrey - Excalibur Epicure

Hoyo de Monterrey seems to be my go to brand.

Another spontaneous purchase, but not on a whim, this time I was looking for another Hoyo de Monterrey to try as I visited the cigar store. Saw this 5.25 x 50 cigar and picked it up.

It has more spice than the HdM PO3, but still smooth and consistent. It starts off with some noticable spice then mellows a bit but still keeps a touch that is enjoyable.

Very nicely constructed cigar, burned evenly, but not at even as the PO3, never had to relight, and was smoothy good to the (not bitter) end. The draw was good, but not great.

I wonder if Mamey and Danno the Oil Barron smoked this one, would they don't give it a .5 rating higher than the Siglo? It has the same tendencies, just taste better and has better construction.

Diamond E CS Score = 4

Gran Habano Vintage 2002

This cigar is like your hot friend you bring to all the parties.

The Gran Habano Vintage 2002 is Gran Habanos Corojo#5 cigar with a wrapper aged since 2002.

The cigar comes wrapped in a classy cedar covering with the word "Vintage" emblazoned on it. In addition to the cedar this cigar sports the intricate gold, red, and white Gran Habano band which really sets it off.

Not only does the cigar dress in nice clothes, but when you take off all of the accessories you are left with a gorgeous oily wrapper that hints at the pleasures to follow.

In order to get the best burn out of the cigar, light it slowly. It's like foreplay, if you don't rush it you will reap the benefits later.

The cigar is not complex. In fact the only main tastes are spice, the flavorful nicaraguan tobacco, and a little bit of sweetness. Even though it isn't complex, the cigar is anything but boring in that each of the flavors are very tasty, as well as full.

In addition, this cigar produces more smoke than pretty much every cigar I have smoked. After every exhale you see the volume of smoke and can't help but feel satisfied.

And the best part about this cigar? You can have her for 2 bucks. American. USD. 2 dollars.

This is a cigar that can be given to someone, and they will think it's an expensive stick because of the cedar. And even if they know cigars, they would be impressed by how good it smokes.

In summary: Gorgeous, expensive looking, tasty, lots of smoke, and CHEAP.

Danno the Oil Baron CS rating: 4

Siglo II Limited Reserve

Another cigar I picked up on a whim.

This cigar was a pleasant surprise. It was fairly smooth with a bit of pepper taste. Draw was fine, but it did not burn very evenly and needed a couple of torch blasts. It did give a bit of a buzz.

Diamond E CS Score = 3.5

Punch - Champion

The Punch Champion is a damn good smoke. Stress on the word "smoke" because this one burns nice and heavy. I used a v-cut and the drag was very satisfying. It is robust and the taste is ...well, tobacco. Earthy tobacco. I would have preferred a bit sweeter but the great mouthful of smoke made up for it. A half-point was deducted because the burn was uneven and it did get a bit hot toward the end, preventing full enjoyment to the last puff.

CS Rating: 3.5

El Alcalde

Padron Delicias Maduro

This cigar was recommended to me as a short smoke, it sure was, lasted about 10 minutes before I let it go out. Just tasted bad, don't know a clever phrase to use or how else to articulate it, just tasted bad.

I read the reviews and wonderered what were the reviewers smoking, it must be advertising dollars or free samples. We pull no punches at Cigar Saloon, and this cigar was knock out early.

Diamond E CS Score = 1

THE PARTAGAS SPANISH ROSADO IS A LOSER

My how the mighty have fallen! I tried this during an afternoon escape from the Houston heat. It comes in a nice tube and wrapped in a darkish wrapper. The first taste is earthy and toasty. Later it becomes earthy and toasty. But the final third is earthy, toasty, and a little harsh. It's not as toasty as the Hoyo de Monterrey and a little more flavorful, but not by much. On the plus side, the draw is good, the burn is even and it produces lots of smoke, so it doesn't totally suck. The Partagas is, of course, one of Cuba's legendary labels, but this Dominican stick would need to improve considerably to become a shell of its former self. Too bad. The current Cuban Partagas is inconsistent and overpriced, so there's a void in the market for a classic smoke. Unfortunately, this reincarnation isn't up to snuff. Fortunately, I was able to take a page from Diamond E's book, chase it with a Padrón 1964 Principe and return to the Havana summers of my youth. If you want the classic Cuban corona smoke that the Partagas used to deliver for under ten bucks, instead try the Man O' War, Padilla 1948, 5 Vegas Miami, or even the uber-cheap Finck 1895. As for the Partagas, we'll always have Havana.--Mamey

CS Rating- 2.5

Punch - Rare Corojo

This is becoming one of my go-to cigars (I used it to chase away the skanky RP-Prodigy Torpedo taste). It is just a great cigar, burns well, no re-lighting and burns fairly evenly. It has a slight peppery taste, but never over powering.

I tend to buy Robusto size cigars, but with this one, that I will start buying a larger size. It seems to burn rather quickly or myabe just time flies by because of the enjoyment, but I'm bummed each time when I come to the end of the cigar. Speaking of the end, this is the only part of the cigar I don't like as the flavor tends to get harsh. Other wise, great cigar.

One last point, the RARE Corojo seems to only be released once per year, I am guessing that where it gets its name from.

Diamond E CS Score = 4

A TALE OF TWO CUBANS

Last night I smoked a real Cuban Romeo y Julieta Churchill. It was a quiet evening, so I could really hear Winston Churchill turning in his grave when he asked me, "How could a cigar named after me be this awful?" I answered, "What can you expect from Communists?" The beautiful wrapper concealed a criminally miswrapped and poorly constructed cigar which drew a little better than a 2" x 4", but not by much. I say let the Europeans and other status seekers continue to get fleeced by buying these absurdly expensive, inconsistent, and overrated sticks while we in the USA continue to enjoy the best cigars in the world made by Cuban experts!

CS Rating - 1.5

I had to recover from the above experience real fast, so I reached for a Man O' War Torpedo made by Abdel "AJ" Fernandez, the hottest cigar maker in the biz and justifiably so. The MOW is toasty, sweet, creamy, and very flavorful. It tastes more Cuban than the Communist Cubans and the draw is terrific. If you want the authentic taste of a 1959 Cuban cigar, the MOW is the way to go.--Mamey

CS Rating- Rock Solid 4

Rocky Patel - Prodigy Torpedo

Tried one of these today, started off really bad...a musky peppery taste, but then it work its way up to a smoother taste. It had a fairly even burn and the draw was average.

Diamond E CS Score = 2

Oliva Series G - Churchill Maduro

Another cigar that was purchased on a whim and had not tried an Oliva cigar. It was relatively smooth, just a touch of spice, it burned relatively well, just one re-light, but the draw made you work a bit. The tough draw and and the incident of the uneven burned caused it half a point so my:

Diamond E CS Score is 3.5

Hoyo de Monterrey - Hoyo de Tradicion

Thought that a review of another HdM would be a fitting post for the inaugural month of Cigar Saloon. After all, the HdM has been the raging debate of August. I smoked the HdT paired with an ice cold Shiner Bock on a hot and slightly muggy tropical afternoon this weekend. I had the HdT Toro. It is square or boxed shaped.

Overall, the HdT is a better cigar than the controversial HdM O3. Basically, the HdT has all the good qualities of the O3 (smooth smoke, great puffs, even burn) plus the added benefit of more taste ....it is robust and definitely more complex. Another HdT positive is that it is a slower burn. The stick will last for the duration of 12-15 songs for those of you who enjoy kicking back and listening to tunes when smoking. However, the cigar did get a bit hot toward the end. I still need to re-review the O3 accompanied by an espresso.

http://www.cigar.com/cigars/viewcigar.asp?brand=563

CS Rating: 3.5

El Alcalde

Kinky Friedman says...

'Obama has done for the economy what panty hose did to foreplay'

(a few minutes ago on Fox News with a cigar in hand that was NOT a Texas Jewboy)

El Alcalde

Aesthetic Review of The Infamous 'Hoyo De Monterrey'

At first glance, the 'Hoyo De Monterrey' looks exactly like a cigar.

Upon further inspection (a thorough sniffing), I concluded that this fine piece of what the kids these days call "tabacco" smells just like, and confusingly so, the similarly-worded plant "tobacco".

At second glance, it just looks like a fancy dog turd with a label on it.

-- Whammer

In Search of ... Montecristo La Habana Por Delacroix

Need help from my Cigar Saloon brethren. I smoked one of these about a year ago and kept the tube that depicts El Morro and street scenes from La Habana Vieja. If my memory and olfactory senses serve me well, this could be a CS 5 smoke, one that Rudyard Kipling would write about. The tube says that the cigar is Hand Made in the Dominican Republic and there is a signature of Michael Delacroix on the tube as well. Perhaps he was the artist. A few months ago I unsuccessfully tried to order some more. One internet retailer said he doesn't think they make them any longer. The cigar is churchill length.

El Alcalde

More on Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur - Prensado Oscuro III

Danno's review was spot on for the first half of the HdM O3. The cigar was bland and it was difficult to decipher its taste. A bit insipid. But patience paid off because I found myself enjoying it increasingly more as the smoke wore on. Diamond E may have been in the perfect frame of mind to enjoy the O3 and consequently gave it a CS 5. The cigar is good and I see how it would pair well with an espresso at five in the afternoon. But it is not a 5. And it is certainly not a 1.5. I did purchase two so will re-rate once I try with an espresso. The cigar did burn well, and was very puffable.

CS Rating: 3

El Alcalde

COUNTER REVIEW Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur - Prensado Oscuro #3

Upon reading the Diamond E review of the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur I decided to pick one up and see what I have been missing.

Evidently, not much.

It is very mild, with only the slightest sweet flavor. And when I say slight, I mean it. Occasionally I would puff on the cigar and question whether there was anything to taste.

I have a natural bias to full bodied cigars so my review of mild cigars is somewhat skewed, but even for a mild cigar I found it lacking. The flavor was not complex, and for whatever reason it seemed to be without a that succulent tabacco taste I do enjoy so much. If you like a mild smoke, I think there are better to be had elsewhere.

I would like to note though, that cigar did have a perfect burn and seemed to always be producing smoke, which is pretty cool actually. Looks totally bad ass.

COUNTER REVIEW CS Rating: 1.5

Danno

Ever Had a Kinky Cigar?

Don't worry, Cigar Saloon is not drifting to R-rated mode, not just yet anyways. The question is a serious one -- have you ever tried a Kinky cigar? As in Kinky Friedman, the erstwhile musician and songwriter from the 1970s. His band, Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys, hit it big with sentimental ballads such as "Asshole from El Paso" and heart-rendering gospel such as "They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore". And let's not forget the tender and romantic "Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and your Buns in Bed".

Kinky, with wit and quips that evoke the spirit of Mark Twain and Will Rogers, is almost always seen with a cigar. Kinky and cigar were in full display in 2006 when he ran for Governor of Texas as an Independent. So when I saw that he had a line of cigars, I immediately ordered a box of the Texas Jewboy Maduro Torpedo (6 in x 56 ring gauge). The box of 20 cost me $120 in January, now they are selling for $158.

The filler is Honduran and Nicaraguan; the binder is Costa Rican; and the wrapper is Honduran. I ordered through an internet retailer and it took me forever to get the cigars, at least two months. The cigar merchant blamed the "fucking Texans" for the delay and my anticipation to try a Jewboy only rose with each broken delivery date promise.

Upon opening the package I couldn't help but notice how impressive the box looks, with all the Texas bullshit stuff and the Star of David and Texas Jewboy etched on the side of the deep reddish/orange box. The cigar label is equally cool. It's a double label and I didn't know if I should smoke the damn thing or just admire the label. I smoked it.

The cigar totally sucks! The taste is awful. Let's see, how to describe? It tastes like you are smoking a cigar that was lit and half-smoked the day before and then crushed into an ashtray. This emetic posing as a cigar lets out a taste that one can only associate with a hint of vomit-coated leather and a sprinkling of stale coffee that has been laying on the bottom of a trash can at LaGuardia airport at the end of Labor Day weekend. The taste of the cigar was actually leagues better than the horrible, sloppy construction of the stick. It is an unmitigated disaster of a cigar. I think I have 8 or so Texas Jewboys still sitting in my humidor. I smoked one last night hoping that by some miracle it would be less offensive. No way, it was a piece of shit. I guess we are R-rated after all. Who gives a shit?

CS Rating: 1 (and I'm being generous)

Box and Label: 5

El Alcalde

Padilla 1948 - Edicion Limitada

This is an impressive smoke. It is a well constructed cigar. A bit tart and sweet. Burns great. Takes about 30 minutes to smoke. Pairs well with a coffee drink.

CS Rating: 4

El Alcalde

Windbag Warren

Warren Buffet, a bonafide billionaire (and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that) clamors for higher taxes on the rich as part of the solution to remedy our federal government's debt and deficit madness. Parroting fiscal maven Obama, he proclaims it as "a matter of fairness" that Mr Buffet's secretary should not pay a higher tax rate than he himself does. Here are some casual thoughts on the subject:

1. How much income does Buffet's secretary earn? Maybe he/she is among the targeted Obama filthy rich, and earns the ghastly amount of $200,000 or more (assume not married). If so, why take pity on a villainous millionaire?
2. Hey, here's an idea -- fix the heretical injustice by lowering Buffet's secretary tax rate rather than raising Warren's. Relieve the mendicant secretary and not punish the windbag.
3. Why aren't we told the name of this mythical secretary? Let's just out the person once and for all.
4. Windbag Warren is already a billionaire. Increasing tax rates on those that earn more than $200,000 but haven't quite amassed the billions that Warren has will simply make it harder for the billionaire wannabes to become billionaires. Therefore protecting Warren from billionaire intruders. How convenient.
5. The windbag is always free to volunteer to pay more taxes himself. Just write the check Warren. As Milton Friedman said - you are free to choose.

CS Rating for WB: 2

El Alcalde

La Libertad and Gurkha Viper

I recently smoked these two cigars and:

Libertad - This one was purchased on a whim, each time I go to a cigar shop I pick up a cigar, and the shop seemed relatively expensive, but this cigar was rather inexpensive. It tasted fine and would have given it a CS rating of 2, but the cigar began to unraveling and burned unevenly so the inexpensive cigar turned out to be a cheap one also. The name rocks but had to give it a CS Score = 1.5

Gurkha Viper, I was giving this one a second chnace, the cigar is well constructed, but just don't care for the taste, not peppery, but just don't like it. My CS Score is a 1.

I would not buy either cigar, then wondered if I would smoke it if it were given to me for free and thought that I would rather enjoy the company with a Diet Coke.

Diamond E

Gurkha Ninja - Maduro

Gents, if you are in the mood for a good, robust, satisfying SMOKE, then partake of a Gurkha Ninja. I capitalized "smoke" because that is the best way to describe this cigar's experience. From the moment you light it and take the first puff, the stick smokes. The puffs are full clouds of smoke and when not puffing the baby just ... well... it just smokes. The wrapper is oily and the drag is even. Caution, the Ninja is not for wimps.

CS Rating: 4

El Alcalde

Hail to Santiago Cabana

Last night I was able to totally chill thanks to a Cabana torpedo with natural wrapper. The Cabana is made by Santiago Cabana, a legendary Habana Master. Cabana was largely responsible for the start of the cigar renaissance/craze of the 1990s as he, as a Cuban exile, was able to beat the Cuban cigar makers at their own game. In January 2000 SMOKE Magazine rated 57 different Maduro cigars and Cabana's EL ORIGINAL got the highest rating, better than the Cubans. Santiago is doing well and is a helluva guy also. I do customize my Cabanas by putting my own designed label on them. The one I smoked last night is what I call The Princess. A glass of Zacapa rum was the perfect pairing. Total chill.

CS Rating: 4

El Alcalde

Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur - Prensado Oscuro #3

My First Cigar Posting:

Let me introduce myself as it pertains to cigars.

I do not have a sophisticated pallet, I don't really care what the wrapper looks like where the binder came from, how long the ash stays on the stick or for that matter where the tobacco seeds originate.

What I do care about, is being able to enjoy/relax with a good smoke, enjoy the company or the enviroment without working the cigar. One can easliy be drawn to all the nuissances regarding cigars and that can be fun to learn, but at the end of the smoke one has to ask oneself "Would I buy a box of these?"

I tried the subject matter for the first time last night and need to give it a rating of 5 - World Class (especially for its price range of $5-$8). See Cigar Ratings on top right.

It was consitently smooth the entire length, kept its great flavor, it was not peppery, it burned evenly, easy drag, burned at a nice pace and I did not have to re-light it. It just tasted good and did not make me work.

What else can I ask of a cigar?

Thanks for joining us at the Cigar Saloon and hope to hear from you,

Diamond E

THESE 5 CIGAR LABELS ARE DEAD ENDS!

Open a cigar magazine, any cigar magazine, and you don't find a single truly negative review of any cigar. Maybe these guys have been fortunate in life and never smoked a bummer, but the little cynic in my head whispers that it's probably has something to do with their advertising income.

And then there is their purported "blind" testing of cigars. Can these experts really not tell the difference between a Padron and a Cohiba without the label? Come on, now! Maybe they think we're blind! After percolating on all this over a Padilla Miami, I came to the realization that what this country really needs is a cigar blog that tells the truth. Let the chips fall where they may!

More so, cigar smokers needed to unite to get the word out on the most overrated cigars and protect ourselves from glorified ropes. Here is my list. If you have a cigar you want to add, please let me know. I'll take one for the team, buy it, and write about it. If you disagree, please let me know that too, because we want to be fair to everyone. So here goes:

5. Rocky Patel. Oh if the cigars were only as good as the hype, what a wonderful world it would be! Sadly, they're not. Sure, there are some very good Rocks out there, particularly the ones made by Abdel "AJ" Fernandez, but for the most part they are disappointing and overpriced. Instead, save yourself a little money and check out Fernbandez' Man O' War line. You'll never look back.

4. Zino. Who buys these cigars anyway? Overrated and seriously overpriced, do yourself a favor and pass on these stogies if your tobacconist has any cigar not on this list. However, if you have a choice, pick up a Padilla 1932, Miami, Hybrid, 0r 1948 instead.

3. Hoyo de Monterrey. This one's controversial, but the emperor has no clothes. There, I said it. Sure, there some terrific HdMs, but they're not worth the price and most of the line is solidly mediocre. If you love ropes that taste like mush, by all means run to your tobacconist and buy one of these losers. Me, I'll pay $5 bucks for a Gran Habano Vintage 2002, Padilla 1948, or a Man O' War instead and enjoy them until my fingers burn. If Dominican cigars are your thing, then check out the terrific Pinar Del Rio line, which cost far less than the HdMs and are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

2. Graycliff. This brand is Exhibit A to why hotel vanity labels should only be sold to inebriated tourists wearing Hawaiian shirts and Bermuda shorts staying at your hotel and never leave the premises. If you've ever paid full retail price for one of these losers, you know exactly what I mean. They say these are blended by a Cuban guy, apparently to make them credible. But for my money, I'll take any of the cigars made by another Cuban guy named Pepin Garcia instead.

1. Habanos. Yes, this includes all of the caca that's coming out of Cuba now. Sure, people who don't know any better want them because it's the "forbidden fruit." Some of you have been lucky and purchased cheap counterfeits which are actually made in the Dominican Republic and smoke better than the "real" Cubans. The reality is that Commie cigars are generally mediocre, inconsistent, and way overpriced, so don't bother(picture postal workers making your $30 cigars). I say let the Europeans buy 'em up so that we can keep the good stuff to ourselves! If you want a smooth smoke in the real Cuban tradition, pick up a San Lotano Connecticut, Man O' War Virtue, Padilla Hybrid, or PDR Clasico. If a full flavored fix is what you need then try a macho Camacho, San Lotano Oval, or even a cheap Padron Churchill Maduro. And if you still want a terrific expensive cigar that makes a statement, just light up any Padilla 1932, Gran Habano Cabinet Selection, PDR Oscuro, or Padron Maduro anniversary stick. Everyone will know that you've arrived!--Mamey

Cigar Pansy with Padron 1926 Aniversario

Check this manly man out at 5 minutes and then at 7 minutes.

El Alcalde

The Titan Chronos approached me and offered me a cigarette.

I punched him in the face.

"Give me a Camacho Corojo Churchill Maduro, please"

- Whammer

Top 10 Book Openers

I am qualified to make this list because I have read the first line of EVERY book that has been written. Really I have.

El Alcalde

10. If I am out of my mind, it's all right with me, thought Herzog. -- Saul Bellow, Herzog

9. He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty- four days now without taking a fish. -- Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and The Sea.

8. Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains. -- Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract.

7. " Who is John Galt?" -- Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

6. Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. -- Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

5. Everything is good as it leaves the hands of the Author of things; everything degenerates in the hands of man. -- Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile

4. It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. -- George Orwell, 1984

3. Call me Ishmael -- Herman Melville, Moby Dick

2. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair. -- Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities.

1. I have long believed that any man interested in either the mystic or the romantic aspects of life must sooner or later define his attitude concerning Spain. -- James A. Michener, Iberia

THE PADILLA 1932 SIGNATURE IS A SILENT ASSASSIN!

PADILLA 1932 SIGNATURE. This is quite possibly the most underrated cigar in the world. The 1932 is the creation of Ernesto Padilla, who comes from a Pinar Del Rio tobacco family and is the son of noted poets Belkis Cuza Male and Heberto Padilla. After Jose Marti, Heberto Padilla, is Cuba's most famous poet. Born in 1932, the elder Padilla lived in New York, returned to Cuba to support the revolution, and served various posts under Castro, only to be jailed and tortured for his writings. Ernesto creates terrific cigars instead of poetry and dedicated the 1932 to his famous father. It is a Nicaraguan puro which has a sweet, creamy, and full-bodied flavor reminiscent of the pre-1959 Cuban cigars, the best in the world. It's not as macho as the Camacho(menos mal!) and the draw and burn are perfect. The smoke is effortless and aromatic. The 1932 is preferable to the wonderful Padron anniversary line because the wrapper is beautiful and round and smooth. It's also smoother without compromising taste. The draw between the two is, well, a draw. Undoubtedly, the Padilla 1932 is an all-world five label cigar. Mamey

Welcome to Cigar Saloon; just belly up, puff, and spill it

This is the new playground for Mamey, Diamond E, Danno The Oil Baron, Whammer, El Alcalde and any other Saloon member.