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| | I want to take a moment to thank all the very generous Geeks out there for their contributions in driving the Marine Toys for Tots donation from our brotherhood to very nice total of $1050.00. A special thanks goes out to Brad (Longhorn) for the excellent idea and drive to make this so successful. |  |
| | | The points contest is under way for the month of December. The 35 members with the most points for the month have a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to CI. You can read the details HERE. To view the previous month's contest results see here. | |  | Hi Folks. I wanted to highlight some fine work by our brotherhood, and in particular, Nathan (nwb). Thanks to Nathan's efforts again this year and the generosity of our members, we will be sending over 1300 cigars to our well deserved troops who sacrifice so much so we can enjoy the freedom we have. These should hit in time for the holidays. Click here for some pics. Thanks Nathan and thanks members for another successful drive! |
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| Camacho Liberty 2013 | November, 2013 | 89
CG Rating |  | | Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Nick (nkowal) | | Overall, this was a very nice smoke. The flavor profile of the second third was one of the best thir... Read More | | Camacho Liberty 2013 | November, 2013 | 93
CG Rating | | | Written by Cigar Geeks Member: lubrix | | All around a great smoke that lives up to it's name. Filled with an array of bountiful tastes and co... Read More | | Camacho Liberty 2013 | November, 2013 | 88
CG Rating | | | Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Ntxsage | | Overall, the Liberty feels like it has the bones to be a very good cigar with more time to balance t... Read More | | Camacho Liberty 2013 | November, 2013 | 94
CG Rating | | | Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Don Miller (DonM) | | I found the Liberty 2013 to live up to its expectations and enjoyed this cigar all the way through.&... Read More | | Camacho Liberty 2013 | November, 2013 | 91
CG Rating | | | Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Cfickter | | Overall, the 2013 Liberty Series deserves the reputation the line has built up from previous release... Read More |
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| Partagas 1845 Robusto |  | tvolball | 12/11/2013 10:04 AM | This was a nice looking cigar with dark brown wrapper. the seams on it blended in well and it had great construction. It had a medium hay aroma coming from it. It clipped great and lit well.
The first half of this cigar was less then impressive. It offered only a woody taste from and the burn was very wavey. The positive of it was that the draw was good and smoke was plenifull.
The second started the same way as the first half with a woody taste and the wavey burn. Towards the very end I picked up hints of chocolate but it never was very strong. The wavey burn went away towards the end.
This was ok smoke but nothing to brag about. | | Pinar del Rio Oscuro Liga Cubana No.2 Robusto |  | Phog | 12/11/2013 7:14 AM | Aged at 62-64 RH for 417 days
Good looking stick that was light in the hand but packed firmly. The draw was a little tight for my liking, although not too far off. The scent from the wrapper was unique to me in that I didn't really detect much earthiness, but a subtle sweetness mixed in with the tobacco. I can't really describe it much further since this is the first I've experience this.
The flavors detected in the first 2/3 of the cigar were predominantly leather and cedar with the the subtle sweetness lingering on the palate. The smoke was plentiful and creamy.
The last third introduced an unmistakable chocolate note that played nicely with the other flavors.
I did have some major burn issues in the last third that really took away from the experience and as a result, the rating. Quite enjoyable until the burn issues, but irritating thereafter. | | Inferno (by Oliva) Toro | | Blgove | 12/10/2013 9:17 PM | | Nice looking, all Nicaraguan cigar with a colorado, Madura wrapper that smells strongly of barnyard - always a good sign! Seams are nearly in Invisible. Cold draw is easy, and a little spicy. First flavors are chocolate and pepper. This blend is nice, with a toasty, nutty nuance that contributes to the mocha. Everything was going well until about half way, when the cigar suddenly became berry bitter and I finally had to pitch it. I'm sure this is an anomaly, and I will be back to adjust this rating accordingly. | | Vindicator Toro |  | Blgove | 12/10/2013 9:06 PM | | Nice looking cigar with an oily, colorado maduro wrapper. Seems are obvious and some pretty nasty veins, but the stick held together nicely. Wrapper smells of barnyard - if someone else has a better description of horse poop, please let me know...cold draw is a little right. Clipped this stick with a v-cutter, and put the torch to the foot. Just a hint of a little coffee early on, but flavors and smells of toasty wood and nuts prevails. Burn is so so. Had to correct a few times. Ash was salt and pepper, and held on tenaciously..pretty tasty smoke! | | Punch (Core Line) Churchill Maduro |  | johncw | 12/10/2013 7:25 PM | Fairly unsatisfied with this smoke.
I probably didn't give it as fair a shake as I should but it was wrapped way to tight. I felt i had to try and hotbox it to get any smoke and flavor out of it. About 1/3 of the way through and got to frustrated with it so I threw it out. | | E.P. Carrillo Short Run Vintage Corona Extra | | StogieDad | 12/10/2013 1:14 PM | This was a very solid smoke for the $2.50 I paid. Nice and evenly filled, slight veins and tight seams. The cap snipped cleanly, but the pre-light draw was just a bit tight.
This was a nice medium-bodied smoke, not overwhelming but very smooth. Some nice gentle spice, leather, and a faint sweetness with lots of cedar were the dominant flavors. Very nice and perfect for my lunch time smoke.
The burn line was perfect, and the salt and pepper ash held on for about an inch and a half at a time. Nice, thick clouds of smoke billowed with each puff. I am fond of all the Short Run lines, and this is certainly not any different.
At the price tag, this is 4 stars all day. Glad I got them on clearance at CI. | | Partagas (Cuban) Shorts | | StogieDad | 12/10/2013 7:15 AM | Thanks to Mike Casey for gifting me this cigar in the 5-pack pass.
Another in my search for the great short smokes. It was a good looking little smoke, slightly dry wrapper, but tightly filled and a nice, slightly rustic look.
The pre-light draw was a little tight. Smoked this on lunch break, and I was very impressed for a 30-40 minute smoke. The flavors started out very cedary with some vanilla in the background, but quickly added some spice and leather. Notes of wood and that cuban tobacco "twang" were also evident. The draw did open up perfectly after about an inch. The ash held for little less than an inch, and was a bit flaky, but the burn line was perfect.
I really liked this for what it was, a very nice, quick smoke. Could see these as a very regular go-to for lunch if they were a bit more readily available to me. | | Aging Room (by Oliveros) Small Batch M21 Fortissimo |  | The Burn Ward | 12/9/2013 2:16 PM | Great looking cigar.
Twisted the pigtail which didn't produce a hole.
Clipped it.
Started down nice. Got a little uneven a few times. Only required 1 touch up and went out about 3" in requiring a relight.
The flavors were earthy with some nice spices. It had great complexity.
The cigar intensified through out.
Had me glued to my seat. It's a nic powerhouse.
I would rate it 5 but with the slight burn issues I am deducting a half star.
Considering it proposed rarity and flavor profile I am considering a box purchase. | | Drew Estate La Vieja Habana Brazilian Rothschild Luxo | | bmac7754 | 12/9/2013 9:20 AM | Nice dark Brazilian wrapper with very little veins, smells rich with cocoa.
This cigar has a nice cedar, and spice flavor profile and gives off allot of smoke. The draw is great, and the burn is almost perfect all the way to the nub.
I like these as a nice day to day filler cigar as they are a great flavor, burn, and not pricey at all. Burns in just under a hour and has a nice medium strength to it. | | Big Dog Pitbull |  | Adwinistrator | 12/9/2013 5:54 AM | A family member heard I was getting into cigars and gave me this Big Dog from a sampler pack[1] he purchased. Had this sitting in the humidor for a while and figured I'd get around to smoking it someday. I've been trying different types of cigars for a bit, looking to expand my tastes and find my personal preference.
So I decided to light this cigar up, get a taste for what a lesser quality stick is like... Well, it was bad. The cigar had a soft, loose feel to it, definitely not rolled as tight as I am accustomed to. There wasn't a strong smell to the cigar either, very bland. After cutting off the end and lighting, it did not get any better. The taste was just not there, not discernible notes or flavors, just a poor tasting tobacco. After spitting out filler crumbling into my mouth for the tenth time I decided to put it out.
I don't want to come off as a total snob, had the construction been better, and the cigar not come apart in my mouth, I probably would have smoked the whole thing and had some opinion on the flavor, but it just wasn't worth bothering with. | | Drew Estate My Uzi Weighs A Ton (MUWAT) Bait Fish | | Blgove | 12/8/2013 11:54 PM | | This a gorgeous little cigar. Well priced for a 30 minute smoke. The Mexican, maduro wrapper is a little oily, and the seams are tight and invisible. Easy to cut, the cold draw is easy. This is a pretty strong, spicy cigar, and the pepper really gets going later on. The spice is joined by earthy, tobacco flavors and tastes of leather and wood. The burn is perfect with an ash that holds nicely. Great little smoke! | | Opus X Fuente Fuente |  | theque | 12/8/2013 10:22 PM | Purchased this on the recommendation of the cigar ship owner. He suggested we purchase more as if we did like them, they would not last long. As this was a new shop for us (We just started smoking cigars last month), we assumed it was a sales push.
Best cigar I have ever smoked. Spicy at first, almost overwhelming. After the first inch it became a dream cigar. We went back the very next day to purchase more assuming there would be more (they had 3 boxes) and all they had was one left. As we smoke together we decided 1 would not do it and did not purchase it.
Great buy but pricey and not an everyday cigar. | | Viaje Skull and Bones MOAB 2012 (White Label) | | Avrus | 12/8/2013 6:04 PM | Nose:
A few strong smells coming off of the Skull and Bones. Cedar, heavy fermented tobacco and white pepper.
Construction:
This Viaje release from 2012 measures 4 1/2” long with a 52 ring gauge which falls under the short robusto vitola. The cigar is flawless and the wrapper is a very dark brown.
Flavor:
First Third
My initial impressions are as if I bit into a sweet jalapeno pepper; tons of white pepper with a sweet after taste. Each draw produces a deep complex flavor and loads of smoke. As I start to settle into the first third I started to pick up some oaky undertones and what I would describe as toasted wheat. This cigar already packs a nicotine punch even in the first third. There’s a hint of earth at the end of each draw but it almost immediately dissipates. Your mouth and tongue are absolutely coated with flavor here.
As the first third starts to wind down I recognize that even though the vitola is small, the strength of this cigar is not to be underestimated.
Middle Third
I found that the pepper, which was quite dominant in the initial third, starts to fade rapidly here. There’s a strong leather after taste that coats your mouth after a draw. The leather isn’t acrid or unpleasant but the taste is quite strong.
At approximately the mid-point there’s some spices detectable post-draw.
Last Third
The leather dissipates here like the pepper did from the first to the second third. The flavor profile is very similar to the first third but muted in intensity. As I approach the end it becomes quite earthy and quietly goes out.
Burn/Draw:
The burn on this was great and the draw had no issues. Generous amounts of smoke production with each draw. Total smoking time was approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, which is impressive for a short robusto.
Value:
Unfortunately the Viaje Skull and Bones MOAB was available only in limited quantities last year, so the likelihood of obtaining one is rather low. At the time of release singles were going for about $10, with boxes of 25 going for around $220. The price is a bit steep given the vitola, but not excessively so when you consider the super limited quantities produced. I usually try to obtain a single or two before committing to a purchase of something very limited.
Final Word:
It’s always great when you have a chance to try something out of the ordinary, especially if that particular cigar was a part of a rare release. The only down side is that you’ll really enjoy it and be considerably past the point where you could still purchase them. The Viaje Skull and Bones MOAB is a full flavored, full strength powerhouse packed into a short vitola. Unfortunately I’m late to the party on the 2013 release as Viaje targeted February 2013 this year for the Big Ivan, Fat Man and Little Boy series. I was fortunate enough to snap up a Fat Man from Casa de Montecristo’s aging room, while in Chicago for the 2013 Chicago Tweetup. I’m looking forward to reviewing this down the road. | | Rocky Patel Nording Robusto | | Avrus | 12/8/2013 6:03 PM | Nose:
A combination of leather, barnyard and hay. Careful examination kept returning the same flavor profiles.
Construction:
The Rocky Patel Nording is a Robusto vitola measuring 5.5” by 52 ring gauge. It has a pig tail cap which is interesting. The wrapper is a dark brown with mottled sections that are darker. No imperfections anywhere to be seen. The band is a bright silver and is quite striking.
Flavor:
First
The first few draws is lots of nut flavors. There’s some sweetness present post draw. I pick up some slight pepper only in the retrohale. 10 minutes in and I get some leather as an after taste.
This is fairly in the middle of the road for complexity but enjoyable through the entire first third.
Middle
The nut flavors that were present in the first third are more pronounced and complex in the second third. The leather that was present as an after taste also becomes stronger and more present here. The pepper that I picked up just on the retrohale starts to push through on the flavor map at the halfway mark.
As the middle third winds down I pick up some floral notes.
Last
The primary flavors in the final third are earth and the nuttiness that has been present all throughout. The leather from the first and second thirds is barely perceptible here.
A nice finish in the final third with no bitterness. I’m easily able to smoke this down to the nub.
Burn/Draw:
No burn issues to speak of here. The draw hit the sweet spot. The ash held quite well throughout the review. Total smoking time was just under the 1 hour and 50 minute mark.
Value:
Extremely good value here, with singles available in the $4.50 range. 5 packs range pretty significantly from $16 – $32. Boxes of 20 are readily available for $123 but you can find bundles marked down at various online retails for as low as $70.
Final Word:
Rocky Patel tends to have a lot of products on the market, and as a reviewer it’s sometimes difficult to differentiate one product from another. The Rocky Patel Nording Robusto is a good cigar with a price that puts it at a top level of value. If you’re looking for a medium bodied cigar with some flavors that should be approachable even for the beginner cigar smoker, these are going to land into the must buy category for you. | | 262 Ideology Corona | | Avrus | 12/8/2013 6:02 PM | Nose:
An interesting nose here comprised of some floral notes and saddle leather. I can’t say I’ve ever remotely picked up that combination before.
Construction:
This Ideology by 262 Cigars measures 5.5” x 42 ring gauge in the Corona vitola. The wrapper is a pleasant brown color, and the construction is flawless.
Flavor:
First
The first few draws bring nuts and loads of cedar with some pepper undertones. Delightful start here. There’s a savory charred meat after taste that coats the inside of my mouth. I can definitely detect stronger pepper on the retro-hale.
Middle
No discernible flavor profile changes from the first to the second third. I’m really enjoying the flavor profile I find it very well balanced.
Last
The flavor intensity starts to wane across the board as I move into the final third. Overall profile has remained consistent throughout the entire smoking experience.
Burn/Draw:
An absolutely razor sharp burn here. The draw is excellent, utilizing a v-cut here, and total smoking time was almost exactly 45 minutes.
Value:
The pricing on these is quite reasonable. Singles are around the $7 mark. You can snag a 5-pack for $32. Ideology in the Corona size are 20 to a box for around $125.
Final Word:
The Ideology by 262 Cigars is a great smoke. The strength is medium bodied so it won’t blow out most aficionados. The flavor profile is consistent and no one flavor dominates, with a consistent cigar experience from start to finish. I’m going to have to add these to my buy list the next time I’m travelling into the US. |
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