First Impressions: Gran Habano 3 Siglos Robusto

This brand seemed to burst on the scene when the gran corona made it into the Top 25 Cigars by Cigar Aficionado in 2007. The cigar has a Nicaraguan shade-grown corojo, with Nicaraguan Habano binder, and Nicaraguan, Colombian, and Costa Rican Filler. The corojo wrapper on this recent 5 pack is a lot darker then the previous ones I have smoked and the flavor profile was slightly different then I remember them to be, but it was still a pleasant cigar. The robusto is 5''x52 ring and had a slightly uneven burn and an effortless draw. The stick started with a blast of spice, but quickly mellowed into a woody flavor with cinnamon and spice undertones. Towards the end of the cigar, it developed a meaty flavor with a hint of coffee. Overall a very enjoyable cigar.

Final Verdict-Hit

Review: Oliva Connecticut Reserve Lonsdale

The Oliva Connecticut Reserve is the latest cigar from Oliva (although I haven't checked the IPCPR updates so that may have changed) and it had been one I have grown to enjoy recently with my foray into some of the milder offerings in the cigar world. Like all Olivas, this 6.5''x44 lonsdale has a Nicaraguan binder and filler, but the wrapper is Ecuadorian Connecticut shade. This is their first attempt to make a mild bodied cigar and this is a very high quality one for under 4 bucks a stick. The construction is a little lumpy, but the draw is smooth with hints of sweet cream and cedar on the pre-light draw.

First 1/3-Initially, the cedary and creamy profile was very apparent, like in the pre-light draw. About half an inch in, there was some subtle spicy/peppery notes that tingled the back of the palate, but not enough that I would call the cigar harsh. The body rested right in the mild/medium range.

Second 1/3-There were periods in the second third where the cigar became more creamy or more cedary, but there was never really a "change" in the flavor profile.

Final 1/3-Really, much like the previous third, pretty consistent flavor.

Overall-As far as mild offering go, I really like this one. The burn and draw were spot on, I just wish the ash was a bit stronger, it barely got to an inch long before dropping. While this cigar is no where near as complex as say, the Oliva Serie V, it is more complex then the Serie G. The flavor profile compares favorably to a lot of other Connecticut cigars, but the Nicaraguan tobacco gives it a different tang as opposed to the Honduran and Dominican competitors on the market. I'd give this cigar a solid 87 and at about $3.50 online and under $5 for a single here locally in MD, I would highly recommend this as a mild change-of-pace or morning smoke to guys that enjoy a cigar with their coffee. This would almost certainly be my first recommendation to a guy that enjoys mild smokes in that price range as well. As far as the other sizes go, I haven't tried them, but if anyone wants to post any differences they have experienced in the comments, I'd love to hear it.

(Couldn't get any pictures of the progression due to the lack of a digital camera, so until I get one, I'll just post stock photos)

First Impressions: Rocky Patel MJK Toro

This 6x52 toro size cigar is made as an exclusive through only one shop retailer out in Iowa. You can't get it anywhere else, but I was lucky to get one from a guy on the CA forums who frequents the shop. The cigar looked great with small veins and a maduro wrapper that smelled of sweet wood and hay. The flavor was that sweet wood and slight coffee taste for the first third and a strong vegetal flavor that developed from the second third to the end of the cigar. The ash was speckled gray and very lose, twice dropping at under 1-1/2 inches onto my lap. The flavors of the cigar were good, but it was not at all complex. At $8 by the box and with the limited availability, being one dimensional really prices it out of something I would look for again. So because of that I recommend that you pass on this.

Final Verdict=Bust