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