Cigar Reviews, Cigar Ratings & Cigars at CigarMonkey

Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino Sungrown + Club Bargain

MonkeyDan — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:03:00 GMT

Review by Jim Scarbrough

6/26/09

For this review, rather than review a cigar, or even a line, I thought I would cover J.C. Newman Cigar Co.'s “The Cigar Connoisseur Club”, which includes 4 Cuesta-Rey Centro Fino Sungrown cigars in the membership package. For anyone not familiar with J.C. Newman, they own the Cuesta-Rey, La Unica, Diamond Crown, and the new El Baton brands.

La Unica has been noted by many reviewers as their favorite bundle cigar, rivaling some premiums for taste and quality. Diamond Crown and the MAXIMUS line are considered among the finest super-premium brands. El Baton received a 90 rating in the latest issue of We're Too Good for You magazine (aka Cigar Aficionado). Cuesta-Rey is by far their best known line, however, and is available in Centro Fino Sungrown and Centenario (Conneticut Shade or maduro wrapper) versions.

The Centro Fino Sungrown is fashioned with a sun grown (duh) Sumatra seed wrapper grown in Ecuador and binder and filler of Dominican origin. Manufactured for JCN by the Fuente family, it comes as no surprise that the CFSs have a flavor reminiscent of some of the higher end Fuente lines. Having smoked several sizes, they tend to be medium or medium-full bodied with a pleasant taste and aroma. Slightly sweet with hints of spices fading in and out, the CFS is entertaining without being distracting. It's an impressive premium cigar, usually available at reasonable prices.

A Centro Fino sampler of 4 vitolas (No. 60, No. 9, No. 1, and aluminum-tubed Captiva) is available on the intrawebz for $25 - $35. Packed in an attractive mini version of the full size box, it would make an excellent gift, but I found the cigars to be too delicious to consider not smoking them myself.

What makes it an outstanding bargain is J.C. Newman's Connoisseur Club. For only $18, you get the Centro Fino Sungrown sampler, an expensive looking golf shirt with a “Cuesta Rey Centro Fino Sungrown” logo prominently embroidered on the left breast, a copy of JCN's The Wrapper glossy magazine/newsletter, and a welcome letter with a thin plastic membership card bearing your name, membership number, and expiration date. Despite the low price, JCN donates a portion of the proceeds to the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, helping children and families in the DR. Anyone following the cigar industry is probably familiar with JCN's activism for cigar smoker's rights in the USA and their efforts to improve the quality of life for Dominicans. Due to state attempts to squash smokers' rights, NY and CA residents cannot receive the cigars via mail. There is a special membership package for residents living under either of those oppressive regimes.

You can get more info and join The Cigar Connoisseur Club at www.jcnewmancigarclub.com. Even if you only want the cigars, you'd be hard pressed to find them for this price, even on auction sites. Add in the shirt and helping a charitable cause and you're looking good and feeling good while you smoke them!

La Finca

MonkeyDan — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:18:00 GMT

After Easter dinner, I fired up an old reliable cigar. I have been smoking this Nicaraguan puro for years. It has never disappointed and is well under-priced at two dollars a stick. The La Finca robusto is the best selling Nicaraguan puro of all-time. It was the first recipient of the Golden Monkey Award. If you have not tried one, you are missing the boat.

La Finca robusto measures 4.5 x 50 and comes in a box of 25 for just under $46. This is a great everyday smoke. It has a beautiful appearance with it's natural tan wrapper. It is tightly packed with Nicaraguan binder and long-fillers. However, the draw is still smooth and effortless. It maintains an even burn from start to finish. It holds a two-inch ash every time. This medium-bodied delight packs a powerful flavor of nut and spice. Again, with the increased tobacco taxes, you may want to pick up a box of these cheap delights. Simply, wonderful.

MonkeyDan Rating: 91

I will be on a lengthy business trip for the next two-weeks. I am sure I will have some great cigar reviews when I return. Until then, good smoking!

601 Blue Label

MonkeyDan — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:52:00 GMT

Last night the neighborhood kids flooded my house with noise and hyperactivity. It was just a typical weekend night at my house, but for some reason I could not handled last night. I had to get out! All I wanted was some peace and quiet and a fine cigar. I sneaked out the back door and headed to my local B&M to watch the delayed Master's Second Round. There I fired up a 601 Blue Label robusto as I watched Gary Player's last round at Augusta. The Masters, the B&M, and the 601 Blue was the perfect escape from the neighborhood kids.

The 601 Blue Label was created by Don Pepin Garcia and is constructed with special-aged Nicaraguan long fillers. It is then finished in a dark Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, which is then box pressed into a square stick of delight. This blend of tobacco creates a powerful smoke that produces a flavorful kick. Early in the cigar, I noticed hints of leather then followed by some spice. There were undertones of toffee throughout the smoke. It lit easily and held an even burn. There was no relighting required and it was an effortless draw. It held a two inch ash before I forced it into the ashtray. I smoked the robusto (5.25 x 52) all the way to the nub. I was very impressed by the slow, even burn and the wonderful taste of this cigar. They come in a box of 20 for about $130. This smoke is not for the novice, so make sure you have a full stomach because it does pack a punch.

MonkeyDan Rating: 92

La Flor Dominicana Factory Press II

MonkeyDan — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:30:00 GMT

Still celebrating my recent resignation, I fired up a Litto Gomez beauty this weekend. Battling the cold, I pulled out a lawn chair and sat in my friends' heated garage and enjoyed every inch of the La Flor Dominicana Factory Press II. This is a dark, oily, full flavored creation that will sure to please. It was a perfect smoke to cap a restful weekend.

La Flor Dominicana Factory Press II is constructed with aged Dominican fillers and binder. It is the only smoke by Litto Gomez that uses a Nicaraguan Oscuro wrapper, which is then squared pressed into an absolute delight. I fired up the toro which measures an impressive 6.5 x 54. The appearance of the cigar is wonderful with it's dark, oily, square shaped aura sitting naked in it's factory tray just waiting to be enjoyed. It lit easily and maintained an even burn. It held a decent size ash roughly two plus inches long. It required no relighting and the draw was effortless. La Flor Dominicana Factory Press II was a medium-bodied delight that was packed full of flavor ranging from leather to caramel. Each stick runs for about $12. A tray of twelve costs $150 or a full box of 120 runs for about $1500. These are not cheap smokes, but are worth every penny. Would I smoke another? You bet. Will I buy a box? If I could, I would.

As a side note: I find it every surprising that not one La Flor Dominicana cigar made the Cigar Aficionado Top 25 Cigars of 2008?? I realize the Litto Gomez Diez 2008 Chisel Puro ranked third, but no other La Flor Dominicana product made it to the top 25? Instead, you have Casa Magna Colorado, Mi Dominicana, and Alec Bradley Tempus all making it to the list. Something is not right with this picture. Again, just an observation.

MonkeyDan Rating: 93

El Rey Del Mundo Olvidados Châteaux T

MonkeyDan — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:52:00 GMT

What a great afternoon! Today, I resigned from my real job for a better opportunity for myself and my family. I no longer have to deal with the leaderless talking heads and the constant flow of minutia. On to greener pastures, I hope. Who knows, but it's a new start for better pay. It's the start of a new chapter and it's up to me to make the best of it. Nonetheless, I celebrated by firing up a relatively new smoke to the market place. I fell in love with the El Rey Del Mundo Olvidados when I was up in Minnesota with my friends from Velvet Cigar. The El Rey Del Mundo Olvidados Châteaux T is a perfect medium-bodied delight to help you celebrate any victory or milestone in life. Olvidados means "forgotten", which was a great choice to help me forget the last four years with this current company.

El Rey Del Mundo Olvidados Châteaux T is a torpedo size smoke measuring 6-1/8 x 54. It is constructed with a tri-country filler: Ligero from Nicaragua, Seco from the Dominican and Viso from Honduras. The binder is a Connecticut Broadleaf and is finished with an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. This blend of tobacco created a sweet delight with a woody flavor and hints of toffee. Unlike the traditional El Rey Del Mundo smokes, this was a pretty mild smoke. It was well balanced and beautifully constructed with a dark leather, vein less appearance. It lit easily and maintained an even burn. I was able to get a two inch ash off this beauty before it fell to the deck. This effortless smoke was pretty damn good. El Rey Del Mundo Châteaux T comes in a box of 20 for around $130.

If you have not smoked an El Rey Del Mundo in awhile, fire up the "forgotten" and remember what you are missing.

MonkeyDan Rating: 91

Cerdan Chamberlain

MonkeyDan — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:46:00 GMT

The other day my good friend, Stinkie at CigarBeat, sent me a surprise package of assorted cigars. One of the sticks contained in the box was a Cerdan Chamberlain. I have never smoked this lonsdale, but was excited to fire it up. It had a very earthy and rugged appearance that was simply packaged naked with a white band. As you are aware, I love to try new cigars. I am always looking for a good smoke. With that said, I had to travel to a business meeting that was two hours away. This trip was the perfect opportunity to fire up the Cerdan Chamberlain.

The Cerdan Chamberlain is a medium-bodied delight developed by Juan Cerdan Soto. It is constructed with a Dominican binder and Dominican fillers. It is then finished with a Connecticut wrapper. It was tightly packed with long fillers creating an easy light along with a smooth draw. The Cerdan Chamberlain measures 6 x 44. It maintained an even burn with no issues. As I first lit this smoke, I got a surprise blast of a sweet floral or jasmine. At first, I thought I was smoking a flavored stick, but the taste quickly turned into an almond flavor that lasted for most of the smoking experience. However, as I approached the nub, the flavor turned to a sweet syrup. I was very surprised by the quality and construction of this cigar. More surprising was the unique cornucopia of taste coming from this mild Dominican.

I was very impressed with Cerdan Chamberlain. If you enjoy mild smokes, you may want to pick up a box of 25 for about $81. These would be perfect at ocean side or poolside. I just may pick up a box as well.

MonkeyDan Rating: 86

Empresario Connecticut

MonkeyDan — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:20:00 GMT

I was cleaning out my humidor and ran across a smoke that was buried in my humidor. It's called Empresario by Thompson Cigars. It's a low budget smoke costing less than two bucks a stick. The Empresario must have been in my humidor for well over three years, since I can't remember when the last time I ordered from them. After cleaning out my humidor, I fired up the Empresario Connecticut.

The Empresario Connecticut corona measures 6 x 44. They come in a bundle of 25 for just $47. The Empresario is a blend of short fillers from the Dominican Republic and finished with a Connecticut wrapper. I was not expecting much out of this low-budget smoke, but to my surprise it was a decent experience. It fired up easily and maintained an even burn that required no relighting. The construction was firm with a tight draw. It held a two-inch ash before it fell into the ashtray. Further, the taste was very pleasant with hints of buttery almond and cedar. This medium-bodied smoke surprised the heck out of me! However, towards the nub I did eat some short filler. This was not a surprise and the stick held together pretty good. I still have a couple left in my humidor and look forward to smoking these this summer.

MonkeyDan Rating: 85

Tatuaje Series P #3

MonkeyDan — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:28:00 GMT

The other day I visited a good friend at KawKaw's in the South Loop of Chicago. This is a relatively new cigar lounge located at 13th and Wabash. It is a huge place with high ceilings. The cigar selection is limited but they have a comfortable atmosphere, plenty of seating and a huge back room that is available for lounging or rental. This is a must visit on your way home from work or for an afternoon break. At KawKaw's, I fired up a Tatuaje Series P #3 as I talked politics and sports with my old friend.

The Tatuaje Series P #3 is a toro size stick that measures the standard 6 x 50. It is created by Pete Johnson down in Little Havana, Miami. This is a low budget line of Tatuaje which is constructed of short (60%) and long fillers (40%). I purchased my Tatuaje Series P for just under four bucks. They come in a box of 31 for roughly $112. As mentioned, they are constructed with a Nicaraguan binder, wrapper and fillers. This medium-bodied smoke lit easily and had a very open draw. It held a very loose, but even ash. The Tatuaje Series P #3 burned evenly and required no relighting. However, towards the nub, I started to eat some short filler. If I was not eating it, I was pulling it out of the foot. This destroyed the last third of the cigar. I was unable to finish it nor did I want too. On a positive note, the taste was pretty good with hints of cedar and caramel throughout the smoke. In the end, I would never buy or smoke another one. This is a must pass and worthy of a vote for Worst Cigar of 2009.

MonkeyDan Rating: 74

Ashton Heritage Puro Sol

MonkeyDan — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:42:00 GMT

Last week I paid a visit to my good friend down in Dallas, Texas. He took me to a wonderful cigar haven called Tap-In Pub & Grill in Grapevine, Texas. It is the utopia for all cigar smokers. It is a full service bar that allows cigar smoking. They offer a huge menu and have great beers on tap. I grabbed a Ruben and a Grolsch. After the meal, I fired up an Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Double Corona. This was the first time in a long-time that I remember having a great meal and firing up a cigar immediately after wards. Usually, you have to move from the table to a courtyard or outside the building to enjoy a nice smoke. Not at the Tap-In, you can fire up anytime you please. They also have a connecting cigar shop next door. Simply, a must visit next time your near Grapevine, Texas. The Tap-In Pub & Grill is very deserving of a GoldenMonkey Award!

The Ashton Heritage Puro Sol is constructed with all sun-grown tobaccos. The binder and fillers hail from the Dominican Republic and is finished with an African Cameroon wrapper. I fired up the double corona which measures 7 x 52 and comes in a box of 25 for around $245. This impressive size stick fired up easily and maintained an even burn until the nub. It required no relighting and was a pleasure to smoke. The draw was effortless; this medium-bodied creation produced hints of spice, cedar and undertones of graham. It was a very tasty smoke. I still prefer the VSG over the Heritage, but the Heritage Puro Sol is worthy of a try. It is a bit pricey, so make sure you are in the right place and have enough time to enjoy this delightful smoke. I suggest firing one up at the Tap-In Pub & Grill in Grapevine, Texas.

MonkeyDan Rating: 89

Mi Dominicana by Jose Seijas

MonkeyDan — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:44:00 GMT

Cigar Aficionado voted the Mi Dominicana by Jose Seijas a Top 20 cigar for 2008. I happened to find some at my local B&M, so I had to try one. They are a relatively new cigar that was produced in limited production. The cigar is named for the man who ran the largest factory for Altadis S.A. Technically, the robusto was rated a 91 in Cigar Aficionado. I purchased the churchill which is two inches longer than the number 20 ranked Cigar of the Year. With that said, I was excited fire one up.

The Mi Dominicana by Jose Seijas is constructed with Dominican fillers, binder and wrapper. As mentioned, I fired up the churchill which measures 7 x 54. A box of 20 runs for about $162. It had a rich appearance highlighted by a simple white band. This overly large stick fired up easy and had a smooth draw. Smoking time for this stick is well over two hours. It started out with an even burn, but an inch into the smoke, the burn started to run. The burn never evened itself out which caused an enormous amount of effort on my part to try to correct it. It never did! However, the taste of this medium-bodied smoke was very enjoyable. It had hints of spice, cinnamon and leather. It was very tasty which kept me motivated to finish this very large stick. As I approached the nub, the burn went out requiring a couple of relights. Overall, this cigar was a disappointment. It required a ton of effort to smoke and although delicious, the taste was not enough to want me to smoke another one.

Thanks to Cigar Aficionado for another wonderful suggestion. Further, evidence this cigar journal sucks. Granted, they did review the robusto, but I highly doubt the construction on the robusto was so much superior to rank this cigar number 20 for the year. Come on!

MonkeyDan Rating: 83

Rocky Patel 2009 Winter Collection

MonkeyDan — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:11:00 GMT

While at my local smoke shop, I ran into a gentlemen who fully endorsed the Rocky Patel 2009 Winter Collection. He said it was the "best" cigar produced by Rocky. It was bold, flavorful and will be worth every penny of the eleven dollars I had to spend to fire this stick up. This gentlemen had passion for the newest creation by Rocky, so I had to try it. However, I did warn him that Rocky makes some great cigars and I would be very surprised if this was the "best". Needless to say, my expectations were very high for this cigar.

The Rocky Patel 2009 Winter Collection was produced in small quantities. Only 3,000 boxes were made for each size: corona, robusto and toro. I fired up the toro which measures 6 x 52. It is blended with Nicaraguan fillers along with an Ecuadorian binder. It is then finished with a dark, oily Connecticut Broad leaf Maduro wrapper. This stick had a beautiful appearance; the dark tobacco contrasted perfectly with it's silver and blue double band. The 2009 Winter Collection fired up easily and maintained a hot, almost harsh, even burn. It did burn a little fast and hot which took away from the flavor. Most of my taste came from the first third of the smoke before the ash got too close to the foot. Early in the smoke, I could taste a bold, hardy leather and chocolate flavor. However, as the burn became closer to the foot, the flavor disappeared. This occurred around the middle of the stick. At this point, it became just an ordinary full-bodied smoke that lacked any personality. I think a little aging would help with this issue. Otherwise, it was pretty enjoyable, but nowhere near being the "best" Rocky Patel creation. I still prefer the Olde World Reserve and the Decade over the 2009 Winter Collection. At a price of $127 for a box of 20, I would pass unless you plan on resting them for a couple of months. They are just not ready.

MonkeyDan Rating: 87

El Rey de los Habanos

MonkeyDan — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:35:00 GMT

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Being Irish, this holiday is celebrated for an entire week. Before yesterday's festivities started, I smoked one of the most disappointing cigars of the year. I realize it is early in the year to make that claim, but I think I found a winner for this award. This completely tasteless cigar is a Don Pepin creation that left me completely disappointed. With that said, the El Rey de Los Habanos corona did not ruin my night nor will it ruin my holiday.

El Rey de los Habanos is a medium-bodied creation of Don Pepin. It is named for his factory located in Little Havana. I would assume this line of cigars is the equivalent to a "house" brand. It is a very good-looking smoke that is blended with Nicaraguan fillers. It is finished with a Cuban-seed Corojo Rosado Claro wrapper. I fired up the corona which measures 5.5 x 44. It burned hot and fast while maintaining an even burn. The draw was smooth and it held a decent size ash. No maintenance was required, but there was no taste! It was like smoking a well-rolled piece of paper. El Rey de los Habanos left me completely disappointed. I expected more from the Great Don Pepin. These duds come in a box of 23 for $118. For over five dollars a stick, these were not worth my time, money or effort.

MonkeyDan Rating: 82

Perdomo Lot 23

MonkeyDan — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:37:00 GMT

After a week's worth of job related stress and ass-kissing, I need to sit back and unwind. I went to my local B&M and grabbed an over-sized leather chair. I plopped my fat ass into the seat and fired up a Perdomo Lot 23 churchill. I left my cell phone in the car and punched out of society for two hours. I sat in the chair watching the Big East Tournament. I was so punched out that I am not sure who was even playing. I really didn't even care. All I wanted was a good smoke and some down time.

The Perdomo Lot 23 is a medium-bodied delight grown on a virgin plot of land at the Perdomo Farm in Esteli, Nicaragua. I fired up the churchill that measures a standard 7 x 50. It is blended with 2001 Cuban Corojo and 1998 Criollo fillers. It is then finished with a 5-year aged Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. This combination of tobacco creates a creamy, almond flavored smoke with hints of spice. It fired up with ease and had a smooth draw. The Perdomo Lot 23 held an even burn all the way to the nub. It did require some maintenance. As I approached the last third of the cigar, the burn went out which required a re-light. No big deal, I still enjoyed this pleasant smoke. The Perdomo Lot 23 is also very affordable. A box of 20 runs for about $86. These would be great on a golf course due to medium power and mild taste. Give them a try this Spring as you head to play 18 holes, you will not be disappointed.

MonkeyDan Rating: 86

Oliva Serie G Belicoso

MonkeyDan — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:34:00 GMT

The other day, I fired up an Oliva Serie V Ligero Especial Double Robusto and was quickly reminded how I appreciate the construction, quality, taste and price of the Oliva line of cigars. Writing reviews for CigarMonkey tends to pull me away from the cigars that I savor. I am always on the look out for new and different smokes. This leaves me little time to smoke the cigars that I truly enjoy. With that, I ran out to my local B&M and bought a box-pressed beauty called the Oliva Serie G Belicoso.

The Oliva Serie G Belicoso measures 5 x 52 and is constructed with Nicaraguan Habano fillers. It has a Cuban-seed Habano binder and is finished with an African Cameroon wrapper. This blend of tobacco produces a rich flavor of cedar along with a mild coffee taste. This medium-bodied delight was well constructed with a dark oily box-pressed finish. It fired up easily and maintained a perfect burn all the way to the nub. It required no maintenance and was a pleasure to smoke. Best of all is the price. A box of 25 runs for $87. At $3.50 a stick, you can't go wrong. This beauty held a two-inch ash and had a tight draw. This slow burning masterpiece was much appreciated. Between the Serie O, G, and V, these smokes are a great value. They are never over-priced and have consistently performed well. I have no issue with this line of cigars. In fact, I am going to by a box of each series before the new tax hike comes into effect. I advise you to do the same.

The Serie O...OOOOOhh So Good. The Serie G....Grrreat (sorry for sounding like Tony the Tiger) and the Serie V....Venerable. Again, I apologize if it sounds corny, but each series is a truly wonderful creation.

MonkeyDan Rating: 89

Don Ramon Maduro

MonkeyDan — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 14:05:00 GMT

Well over a month ago, HJ Bailey Company sent me some samples of their new house line called Don Ramon. I was excited to fire up these smokes considering they were new to the market. With that said, I opened the box in which they were shipped and popped one in my mouth immediately. The experience was less than pleasant and was not worth reviewing. I decided to sick these smokes in the humidor and let them age for a bit to see if they got any better with some moisture.

The Don Ramon Maduro churchill which measures a standard 7 x 48 have been resting in my humidor for well over a month. The Don Ramon is manufactured by Camacho Cigars. They are constructed with all Honduran fillers, binder and wrapper. The Don Ramon Maduro has a dark chocolate appearance. The vein less wrapper was very dry and extremely rough almost equal to sand paper. Again, this is after several weeks in a humidor. The Don Ramon Maduro fired up with ease maintaining an even burn for all seven inches and required no re-lighting. It had a tight draw that burned very fast but still even. Again, this maybe due to the smoke being very young and dried out. I finished this churchill in less than 35-minutes. The all-Honduran smoke produced mild leather and earth flavors resulting in a medium-bodied experience. The Don Ramon Maduro comes in a box of 25 for $120. At five bucks a stick these seem a little over priced.

In summary, I had a far more pleasant experience with the Don Ramon Maduro after letting them age for a month. Even still, the additional weeks in a humidor were not enough. I believe this is a good smoke that is very young and needs time to rest. Would I smoke another one? Absolutely. Would I buy a box? Not yet.

I still have a box of Don Ramon Connecticut churchills resting in my humidor. In fairness to HJ Bailey Company, I will not review them until this summer. I want them resting in my humidor for another couple of months to see how these Camacho creations really smoke. Right now, they are just too young.

MonkeyDan Rating: 83

Gran Habano 3 Siglos Gran Corona

MonkeyDan — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:10:00 GMT

Yesterday, I was forced to sit in an all-day meeting regarding "Blah", "Blah", "Blah". To make matters worse, it was a beautiful day reaching sixty degrees in Chicago. The only way to deal with 8-hours of hearing talking heads dribble on about how important they are is to fire up a fine cigar before the bullshit starts. Needless to say, I was sitting in the hotel parking lot enjoying a Gran Habano 3 Siglos Gran Corona at 7:00 A.M. in the morning. This down time helped me relax and build enough energy to sit in a dim lit room and listen to the non-stop minutia.

My first experience with the Gran Habano 3 Siglos was forcing down a Robusto, so I had low expectations as I fired up the Gran Corona. These cigars are a combination of ligero fillers from Colombia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The binder is a Nicaraguan Habano and is finished with a Nicaraguan Corojo Shade Grown wrapper. It had the appearance of a solid smoke that was tightly wrapped. It fired up easily and maintained an even burn. However, just as I was enjoying this smoke, it went out with about a third of the smoke remaining. After a relighting, I was able to finish the Gran Habano 3 Siglos Gran Corona . This cigar measures 6 x 44. This medium-bodied stick produced a flavorful experience ranging from spice, mild pepper and almond. They come in a box of 20 for $105.

In summary, I prefer the Gran Corona over the Robusto. I just had a more pleasant experience with the thinner stick. Is it worth the five dollars? I leave that up to you. Would I smoke another one? Yes. Would I buy another one? No. However, it did serve it's purpose so early in the morning.

MonkeyDan Rating: 84

Tabacalera Reserva 1990

MonkeyDan — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:14:00 GMT

This year I have fallen in love with Philippine cigars. Namely, the creations coming out of the oldest cigar manufacturer in the Philippines, La Flor de la Isabela, Inc. I have reviewed a couple of their smokes called: Tabacalera and Don Juan Urquijo Vintage 2001. Both of these well-crafted cigars captured my interest in this company and Philippine tobaccos. Alan Harrow, CEO of La Flora de la Isabela was kind enough to send me a couple of his new premium creations. I had the pleasure of firing up the Tabacalera Reserva 1990. This little gem was very impressive and only added to my love for a good Philippine cigar.

The Tabacalera Reserva 1990 is constructed with fillers from Isabela that are fermented and aged for the last 19 years. It also contains some filler from the Dominican Republic. It has a Java binder and finished with a Java wrapper as well. I fired up the robusto that measure 5 x 50. This little beauty fired up easily and maintained an even burn all the way to the nub. It had a tight draw creating a slow burn and phenomenal smoking experience. The construction was solid which resulted in a two-inch ash. The only disappointment is this smoke lasted for just over an hour. I wanted more, so much so, that I smoked it until my finger tips caught fire. The Tabacalera Reserva 1990 is unlike any Philippine cigar that I have enjoyed. This was more of a full-bodied smoke producing a cornucopia of flavor starting out spicy and mellowing to some caramel and leather undertones. Just delicious! The Tabacalera Reserva 1990 is produced in limited quantities. Only 700,000 sticks were produced. They come naked in a box of 25 for roughly $138 per box. They are available in two sizes: robusto and corona only. The Tabacalera Reserva 1990 was a wonderful smoking experience and very deserving of a Golden Monkey Award.

If you are a true aficionado and are looking for something different, the Tabacalera Reserva 1990 is a must try. This cigar would be a perfect addition to anyone's humidor. Unfortunately they are not currently available in the United States. If you are interested in purchasing some of these beauties, please contact Alan Harrow at alan.harrow@cigarsmanila.com. Tell him that CigarMonkey sent you.

MonkeyDan Rating: 94

Oliva Serie V Ligero Especial Double Robusto

MonkeyDan — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:10:00 GMT

This week I had my first business road trip of the year. After returning from New Jersey again, I had to travel to Peoria, IL immediately after my flight landed. I had a three hour drive in front of me and there is no better way to travel that distance than with a fine cigar. I packed a gorilla size smoke measuring 5 x 54 called Oliva Serie V Ligero Especial Double Robusto. This mammoth size smoke was plenty big enough to get me to Peoria in a relaxing state. I fired up the Oliva Serie V Double Robusto, set the cruise control at 65 M.P.H. and turned on some Doobie Brothers. It was a very enjoyable ride thanks to my Oliva Serie V.

The Oliva Serie V Ligero Especial is constructed with a Nicaraguan binder and Jalapa Valley Ligero fillers. It is then finished with a Habano Sun Grown wrapper. This combination of tobacco creates a flavorful smoke with hints of spice, dark chocolate and coffee. This full-bodied delight was tightly packed causing a tight draw and a slow burn, which lasted for just over two hours. It maintained an even burn all the way to the nub and never required any re-lighting. It burned slow, even and tasty. I could not ask for much more from this well constructed smoke. These gorilla size sticks come in a box of 24 for $122. For six bucks a stick, these are must try. I have never smoked an Oliva creation that has disappointed and the Oliva Serie V Ligero Especial is no exception. Pick one up and fire it up when you got two hours to kill. It will not disappoint.

MonkeyDan Rating: 90

Gran Habano Corojo #5 Fumas

MonkeyDan — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:49:00 GMT

Review by Jim Scarbrough

With the tight economy, and a cigar habit that has grown to between 2 and 5 smokes a day however, I can't afford to support the entire industry single-handedly. And with the ill-conceived SCHIP bill going into effect soon, supporting a major herfing habit just won't be realistic for many. I met MonkeyDan recently at Belicoso's in Orland Park, IL and after a couple of hours of herfing and talking, he invited me to submit reviews for CigarMonkey.com.

As my first official review on CigarMonkey.com, I decided to set the tone early. I love a great $8 or $12 cigar. Who doesn't? Any tabacalero that can't deliver a tasty and rewarding smoke for that price needs to get out of the business.

So this review will be of one of the least expensive mixed-filler name brand smokes available today, the Gran Habano Corojo #5 Fumas. As the #5 Fumas isn't even listed on the company's website, I had to rely on Cigars Int'l retail website for details. “Gran Habano Corojo Fumas [...] are well-constructed sandwich cigars employing the same bold ligeros from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rica to give that ’oomph’ that makes the Corojo #5 so unique. The Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper seals the deal, completing a rich, medium to full-bodied smoke...”

The regular Corojo #5 is one of the 30 or so cigars on my top 20 list. Armed with the encouraging details from CI, I ordered up a mazo of 20 each of the Churchill (7.0x52) and Robusto (5.0x54). After a week in my humidor, I held my excitement in check and gave a churchill the once over. (I found both sizes to deliver the same flavors and experience.)

The rough, slightly veiny wrapper was rustic, a bit lumpy, and dry. It does not resemble the smooth, oily wrapper of the regular #5 at all. Overall, it was slightly soft and spongy. Upon clipping the cap, a bit of loose tobacco spilled out, confessing the bargain nature of the stick. It lit easily, as expected of a loose cigar with a lot of short filler.

What a piece of crap. This was one of the worst cigars I have ever smoked. It is indeed “medium to full bodied”, but I suspect a dog rocket from MonkeyDan's backyard would be full bodied, if one dared to light one. Trying a couple more of each size over the next 2 weeks simply confirmed my opinion.

It occurred to me that for a manufacturer, at these prices, any time spent aging would be an unnecessary expense. Perhaps I needed to let them rest longer?

Finally, at 4 months, I have a cigar I can smoke. There is still a coating in the mouth, but it is not harsh or unpleasant, though some smokers will not appreciate it. There are finally identifiable flavors and I no longer dread smoking one. Considering this cigar is supposed to used the same tobaccos from the regular #5 Corojo, it tastes nothing like that cigar. Don't buy this fumas expecting a similar experience. And plan on aging it yourself for at least a few months. At $25-$30 for 20, this cigar is easy on the wallet, but difficult to recommend. For similar money, I would heartily recommend any blend of either the Drew Estates La Vieja Habana Fumas or Flor de Oliva instead.

Litto Gomez Diez 2008 Chisel Puro

MonkeyDan — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:53:00 GMT

Last week I purchased my last-ever copy of a Cigar Aficionado magazine. As you are aware, their February issue listed the top 25 cigars of 2008. I just reviewed the Casa Magna Colorado, which is a good smoke, but unworthy as Cigar Aficionado's Cigar of the Year. Needless to say, the number three cigar was a figurado by Litto Gomez. I am a huge fan of Litto Gomez and his La Flor Dominicana line of cigars. My expectations were high for this cigar, considering it was listed as the number three cigar for all of 2008. This is a huge statement and I wanted to smoke one for myself to see if Cigar Aficionado misled me once again.

I picked up a Litto Gomez Diez 2008 Chisel Puro at my local B&M for about $11 for a single stick. They come in a box of 24 for about $239, which is not a bad price considering the workmanship that is involved in creating a chisel cigar. This figurado measures 5.5 x 54 and has a flattened head with a round body. It is a very unique stick and is the signature trademark of Litto Gomez himself. This is an all Dominican Republic Puro with it's binder, filler and wrapper grown on his farm in La Canela. The chisel is a special shaped smoke requiring no cutter. Just simply twist the head and the cap comes right off. Very cool! It lit easily and burned evenly until the nub with no relighting required. The Litto Gomez Diez 2008 Chisel Puro had an easy draw which created an ash well over two inches. Before I lit the this beauty, I could taste earthy undertones. As I approached the body of the smoke, it turned into some strong leather taste with hints of pepper. It was a very flavorful smoke and it packed a little punch. This full-bodied smoke is not for the novice, so be careful! Overall, I was very impressed with this Litto Gomez creation. It is very worthy of the eleven bucks that I paid for it. I was so impressed with the taste, craftsmanship and experience that I can safely give this little gem a Golden Monkey Award. It lived up to it's billing as the number three smoke of 2008 and is far superior than the Casa Magna Colorado. Try one for yourself, it will not disappoint.

I am sure the Litto Gomez Diez 2008 Chisel Puro will be difficult to obtain, but it's worth the effort to search for it. Grab one before they are gone. I am going to head back and pick up a couple more. They are damn good.

MonkeyDan Rating: 95