Staff Picks

Our hard-working staff is busy smoking dozens of cigars, so you don't have to! Each week, they choose their favorite stick from the bunch.
Martin Ruiz
AGE:32
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:Sports, video games, food, good beer
STRENGTH:All

FAVORITE BRANDS
Liga Privada No. 9
Padron 1926 Serie Natural
Arturo Fuente Fuente Opus X
Flor de las Antillas

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Vega Fina 1998 Wonders Collection Nabateos 7" * 48

(2)
Vega Fina 1998 Wonders Collection Nabateos 7 * 48
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The Vega Fina 1998 Wonders Collection Nabateos is one of those cigars that surprises you the moment it starts burning. It opens with a clean, creamy texture that gradually folds into soft notes of toasted almonds, warm cedar, and a touch of natural sweetness that reminds me of vanilla bean. As it settles in, there is a gentle layer of white pepper that never overwhelms but adds the right amount of character. What really stands out is how smooth it stays from start to finish, making it an easy cigar to relax with while still offering enough depth to keep you engaged. The construction is dependable, the draw stays steady throughout, and the aroma has that warm bakery quality that Vega Fina fans always recognize immediately. For the perfect pairing, enjoy this cigar with a medium bodied rum like Flor de Cana 12. The subtle caramel and oak in the rum blend right into the cigar’s creamy and nutty profile, bringing out even more of its natural sweetness while keeping the experience balanced and refined. Picked on 12/03/2025
Older Picks
Erika Colmenares
TASTE:Creamy, Vanilla
HOBBIES:Traveling, Going to the beach, Music
STRENGTH:Mild-Medium

FAVORITE BRANDS
Montecristo White
La Galera Connecticut
Sobremesa Brulee

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My Father Blue Petit Robusto 4"1/2 * 50

(18)
My Father Blue Petit Robusto 41/2 * 50
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This time I chose the My Father Blue Petit Robusto, a cigar whose dark, silky wrapper immediately reflects its high construction quality. From the first draws, it presents notes of black pepper, cocoa, and earth, accompanied by dense and aromatic smoke. In the second third, the profile evolves into more creamy nuances, with notes of coffee, toasted wood, and a subtle sweetness. In the final third, the intensity increases, highlighting deeper flavors of cocoa, rich earth, and a spicy finish, all while maintaining an even and consistent burn. To accompany this experience, I paired it with whisky, which enhanced the cigar’s toasted, sweet, and spicy notes, creating a harmonious pairing. With a medium-to-full strength and a Petit Robusto format, the smoking time was approximately 45 minutes, offering complexity, balance, and exceptional performance for those seeking a refined cigar in a practical size. Picked on 11/19/2025
Older Picks
William Lazo
TASTE:Nutty, woody, pepper, cream
HOBBIES:Video games, watching football and MMA, movies
STRENGTH:Medium-Full
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Camp Aladino Cameroon Gorbusto 4"1/2 * 60

(3)
Camp Aladino Cameroon Gorbusto 41/2 * 60
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The Camp Aladino Corojo Gorbusto starts with an assertive burst of black coffee backed by a lively mix of sharper acidity and warm earthiness. Early on, the cigar shows impressive range: notes of toast, straw, nuts, cream and bread weave in and out, giving the profile both depth and movement. A soft sourdough thread adds an unexpected but welcome contrast. The finish in the first third is engaging—salty, peppery and lightly starchy—while retrohales offer a smooth blend of cream or bread before bright acidity introduces touches of floral sweetness or cranberry. A dry, sawdust-like wood note closes each retrohale. The cigar sits comfortably at medium-full flavor with reliable, clean construction. As the cigar transitions into the second third, the profile really finds its stride. A rounded cashew-like nuttiness takes center stage, supported by bread, creaminess, a delicate sugar sweetness and just enough pepper to keep things lively. The overall impression is balanced and composed—smooth, flavorful and with the right amount of bite to stay interesting. The finish grows more nuanced here, shifting gently between added sweetness and pepper while keeping familiar elements like coffee, nuts and salt. Retrohales become even more enjoyable, separating flavors clearly and introducing touches of brown mustard, pretzel and salt before settling into a hard-pretzel finish accented by a satisfying pepper punch. Flavor remains medium-full, body moves toward medium-plus and strength holds steady at medium. Aside from one minor burn correction, the construction is excellent throughout. By the second third, the cigars harmonize beautifully. A rich, cashew-like nuttiness leads the way, supported by smooth bread and cream and just a touch of sweetness. The profiles feel balanced, polished and impressively cohesive. Their finishes still show individuality—the first turns slightly sweeter, the second a bit rougher, the third more pepper-forward—but all revolve around comforting staples Picked on 11/18/2025
Older Picks
Mace Maisuria
TASTE:Creamy, woody, spicy
HOBBIES:Golfing, cooking, movies and documentaries
STRENGTH:Medium
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Plasencia Alma del Campo Sendero 6" * 56

(11)
Plasencia Alma del Campo Sendero 6 * 56
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Getting to smoke a Plasencia is always a great time no matter the occasion. Smoking the Sendero Alma Del Campo was a treat from beginning to finish and I got a lot of compliments about the aroma from friends. The start is very consistent to Plasencia where you get an initial sweet tobacco taste and earthy profile, the spice notes are similar to the Claro where it’s not peppery. You get this robust flavor of nutty tobacco and coffee as the oils develop in the first quarter of the cigar. Around half way it picks up with a richer profile of earthy tobacco and pepper notes in the initial inhale and sweet tobacco on the exhale. The final half and finish of the cigar in true Plasencia fashion was smoking beautifully with lots of oil and the ash staying on strong until I knocked it off. The notes all were heightened with a coffee, nutty, and earthy tobacco profile taking center stage. The construction of these cigars is always top tier and it adds to the smoking experience in a way a sports car needs the right oil to perform. I can’t wait to smoke this again and recommend it to all fans of Medium body smokes and coffee/nutty profile or natural/sun grown profiles of tobacco. Picked on 11/18/2025
Older Picks
RICHARD GARCIA
TASTE:Earthy, Leather, Espresso Bitterness, Dark Chocolate
HOBBIES:Being a Dad, Student of the Leaf.
STRENGTH:Medium/Full
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Romeo y Julieta 151st Kentucky Derby 2025 Toro 6" * 50

(5)
Romeo y Julieta 151st Kentucky Derby 2025 Toro 6 * 50
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From the moment you pick up this Romeo y Julieta Derby edition, its pedigree feels unmistakable. The wrap is a Nicaraguan leaf with a mellow Colorado hue, tightly and uniformly packed into a solid 6" × 50 Toro. Supplies are limited—just 1,350 boxes in this 20-count run—so it's clearly aimed at enthusiasts who appreciate both quality and collectability. On lighting, the first few draws bring out a balanced mix of sweet spice and dried fruit. There’s a soft cedar undercurrent, giving it a refined woody character—not aggressive, but certainly noticeable. It’s medium-bodied but not timid: there’s strength and elegance. As you transition into the second third, a very pleasant nuttiness begins to emerge—almost like toasted walnuts or almonds—layered under that dried fruit sweetness. The cedar remains, but it’s softened by a gentle creaminess, which smooths out the profile and keeps it refined and not too sharp. In the last third, the cigar leans into a more woody, slightly darker tone. The fruit fades just a little, giving room for a subtle spice to rise—pepper flickers at the finish, but nothing overpowers. The finish is velvety, linger­ing, and satisfying—a kind of slow, polished crescendo The Romeo y Julieta 151st Kentucky Derby Toro is a refined, elegant limited-edition stick that pays homage to both racing tradition and cigar heritage. It isn’t about power or flash—it’s about balance, craftsmanship, and a thoughtful flavor journey. Whether you're lighting up to toast the roses or just treating yourself to something special, this cigar delivers a memorable, dignified smoke Picked on 11/18/2025
Older Picks
Robert Vallee
TASTE:Coffee, dark chocolate, earth
HOBBIES:Smoking, making music, playing cards
STRENGTH:Medium to Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Padron 1926 Serie Maduro
The Tabernacle
Punch Diablo

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El Mago Renegade Maduro 5"1/2 * 56

(14)
El Mago Renegade Maduro 51/2 * 56
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One thing I can commend El Mago Cigars for is their presentation. It's so hard to ignore them on the shelf with their brightly colored and fancy-looking tubes. El Mago, which translates to "The Wizard" is a fairly new player in the cigar game. Started as a tribute to Nicholas Fusco's grandparents in 2021, this brand has been making some noise here in the Fort Lauderdale store, and after constant recommendations from friends and customers, I finally decided to take a chance on the Renegade Maduro. This stick sports a gorgeous, toothy midnight colored Mexican San Andres wrapper. It is very boxy in appearance compared to other box-pressed cigars I smoked, however there's nothing to worry about. This one smoked like a charm for me with a spectacular draw and burn requiring no touch-ups. This is a dark chocolate espresso bomb, sprinkled in with a little bit of black pepper spice. A fairly smooth experience for me, definitely a cigar strong in nicotine content but smooth on the tongue and won't have you choking and running for a glass of water. I personally loved this cigar and it paired well with my favorite glass of bourbon. Of course, if you aren't a drinker, this will also pair well with a nice dark roast coffee. Look forward to trying more of El Mago in the future, a fitting name for a brand that is creating some magic with tobacco! Picked on 10/31/2025
Older Picks
Patricio Olivares
TASTE:Leather, Wood, Nutty, Creamy, Vanilla
HOBBIES:Working on cars, Poker, Video Games, Formula 1, and Film
STRENGTH:Medium, Full
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Bolivar Cofradia Robusto 5" * 54

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Bolivar Cofradia Robusto 5 * 54
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The brand Bolivar is named after the military general Simon Bolivar, who is responsible for the liberation of several South American countries from Spain's grasp. Like Simon, the Bolivar Cofradia liberated my palette from the oppressive twenty-dollar cigars that attempted to compete for my attention. This cigar freed my mind from my prejudice against value sticks. From the first puff, this cigar unleashed its mouth-watering earthy and oaky notes, only accentuated by its intensifying oiliness. The earthy tones were accompanied by a slight peppery kick, keeping me on my toes. The Cofradia burned perfectly, like the fire inside a revolutionary: untouchable and unstoppable. The draw was as smooth as Simon drawing his famous sword before going into battle. What else can I say? A stick with fantastic construction, sublime taste, and at an affordable price?! It's a done deal in my book!   Picked on 10/31/2025
Older Picks
Gabriel Novas
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:Playing guitar, watching movies, reading
STRENGTH:Medium to Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos
Crowned Heads Le Careme
Liga Privada H99
Foundation Olmec Claro

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Cuba Aliados by EPC Churchill 7" * 50

(11)
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Cuba Aliados by EPC Churchill 7 * 50
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The Cuba Aliados by E.P. Carrillo Churchill is a cigar with a lot of history. Originally a legacy Cuban brand, it was made by Ronaldo Reyes Sr. and later acquired by Oliva in 2022. Oliva makes their own version of the cigar and entrusted another version to Ernesto Perez Carillo, owner and founder of Casa Carillo, which is what I will be reviewing. Casa Carillo makes this cigar in their Dominican factory, Tabacalera La Alianza, for Oliva. This Churchill features a well-aged Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and a rich blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. The result is a cigar that’s well constructed and flavorful Immediately upon lighting, the flavor profile opens with cedar, roasted nuts, and gentle spice, followed by notes of earth, cocoa, and a hint of citrus. Throughout the firs third, there is a bit of pepper on the retrohale, but not an incredible amount of spice on the palate. The most dominant flavor coming through for me is coffee. Moving into the second third, the cedar and nutty notes become more pronounced a the white pepper takes the backseat. It’s at this point I had to touch up the cigar to even out the burn but it wasn’t canoeing or tunneling drastically. The final third has a pronounced sweet nutty note that carries through the whole cigar. The finish on the palate is not too strong but woody notes are definitely present. Elegant, complex, and satisfying, the Cuba Aliados by E.P.C is a great choice for when you have enough time to be able to fully enjoy a Churchill with a lot of complexity. It’s not so strong as to knock you out while smoking it, despite its length, and the flavor really was nice. Whether you’re relaxing after dinner or enjoying a well deserved break, this cigar delivers craftsmanship in every draw. Picked on 10/16/2025
Older Picks
Luis Novas
TASTE:Habano, Broadleaf, Mexican San Andres
HOBBIES:Cooking, writing, reading, cigars, cycling
STRENGTH:Medium to Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Tatuaje Miami Seleccion del Cazador
Crowned Heads Four Kicks Maduro
Sin Compromiso

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Ozgener Aramas A54 6"1/4 * 54

(9)
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Ozgener Aramas A54 61/4 * 54
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The Ozgener Aramas A54 is a standout offering from Ozgener Family Cigars, blended and produced at the renowned Tabacalera La Alianza factory in the Dominican Republic. This torpedo-shaped cigar, measuring 6¼ × 54, features a dark and oily Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper over an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder and a rich filler blend of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and U.S. Connecticut Broadleaf tobaccos. From the first light, the cigar opens with bold notes of earth and coffee, setting a deep and grounded tone. As the smoke progresses, it evolves beautifully, introducing layers of dark chocolate, espresso, and leather, before finishing with a touch of sweet licorice that lingers pleasantly on the palate. This is a classic maduro cigar with sweet, chocolatey and coffee-like notes. The draw left a little bit to be desired, but the inclusion of Connecticut Broadleaf in the filler is something very interesting that we don't see too often! For the 'coffee on coffee' experience, I'd recommend pairing this with an espresso. Picked on 09/05/2025
Older Picks
Rene Labor
AGE:38
TASTE:Wood, Earth, Leather
HOBBIES:Guitar, Beer, Sarcasm
STRENGTH:Medium/Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Liga Privada No. 9
Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro
Tatuaje Miami Seleccion del Cazador
Kristoff GC Signature Series
Eiroa CBT Maduro

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New World Decenio Toro 6"1/2 * 54

(11)
New World Decenio Toro 61/2 * 54
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There's certain cigars that you just KNOW are going to be a hot topic after their release, and the New World Decenio by AJ Fernandez is a perfect example of that. When I first heard about this upcoming celebratory release, I knew it would be the talk of the cigar town, and now that it's been out for a few weeks, I decided to board the hype train. I'll start by saying that I've always enjoyed AJ's brands, but in recent years found that some of his blends have started becoming a little too "samey" for my palate. Not the case with the new Decenio! I'm happy to say that this has to be my favorite AJ Fernandez offering in a long time! Those smokers worried about a pepper bomb have nothing to fear, as the Decenio is full-bodied yet smooth as butter, with little spice to be found. Notes of leather dominate the palate, with touches of espresso and almonds swirling around as well. Progressing along into the second half, a subtle citrus note begins to seep in, and by the end the leathery goodness is thicker than ever, making for one bold but svelte experience. The draw on my toro was immaculate, wide open and billowing a ton of smoke as per most of AJ's sticks. The burn was mostly fine, with a little touch up needed once or twice, but nothing that annoyed me. Although the spice is low on this one, it is still very much a strong smoke, and is best saved as an after-dinner treat. All in all, I highly recommend this stogie, and have already enjoyed 3 in the short time it's been out. The hype is real. Celebrate a decade of excellence with the new New World Decenio! Picked on 08/19/2025
Older Picks
Eliu Arroyo
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:MMA, Listening to music, Photography, Videography
STRENGTH:Medium to Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Padron 1926 Serie Maduro
Leaf by Oscar
The Tabernacle

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Ashton ESG 22-Year Salute 6" * 52

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Ashton ESG 22-Year Salute 6 * 52
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The ESG Torpedo begins with a gentle kick of black pepper and a subtle tartness on the tongue. The pepper leads the way early on, especially through the first inch, but never overwhelms. Despite the spice, the smoke is impressively smooth and creamy from the start. It doesn’t take long to realize this cigar has something special — the aroma is rich, multi-layered, and unlike anything else. Hints of cedar and soft florals drift through the nose, both understated and refined. The ambient scent is particularly inviting. As the cigar transitions into the middle third, the profile deepens with earthy tones and a touch of lightly roasted coffee. The floral sweetness in the aroma lingers beautifully, though a dry, tannic finish begins to creep in — something that slightly detracts from the otherwise pleasant experience. The pepper fades into the background while the strength of the cigar subtly ramps up. The final third stays remarkably smooth, keeping its creamy character intact. The bouquet is truly captivating, with delicate notes of lavender or violet that never become overly perfumed. It’s floral, but expertly balanced. That said, the tannic dryness continues to linger on the palate, leaving my mouth feeling parched by the end. Still, the aroma alone makes the hour-long journey worth it. Picked on 07/10/2025
Older Picks
Moe Afyouni
AGE:31
TASTE:Creamy, fruity, sweet, vanilla, coffee
HOBBIES:Football, basketball, golfing, traveling
STRENGTH:Medium-Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Padron 1964 Anniversary Natural
San Cristobal
H. Upmann 1844 Reserve

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Plasencia Alma del Cielo Amanecer 6" * 60

(10)
Plasencia Alma del Cielo Amanecer 6 * 60
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This one I have been waiting for like a kid on Christmas. The Alma del Cielo is the newest addition to the Plasencia line and the first high-elevation cigar made. The name meaning “Soul from the Sky,” grown at Finca San Julian in Condega, situated at greater than 3500 feet above sea level. It is a Nicaraguan puro with a Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. Its dressed with a very familiar band but with a blue color. Construction was flawless and as perfect as a cigar can be. The cigar had no imperfections and required no touch ups as I smoked it. The first notes that jumped at me were cedar and a sweet almost molasses like flavor. The cigar was extremely creamy and a lot of natural sweetness which was pleasant and a welcomed surprise. Half way into the cigar the cedar notes took a back seat to notes of cinnamon and brown sugar, subtle but enough to be tasted and enjoyed. The last third of the cigar has a lot of earthy notes and wood notes returned and were very prominent with a touch of spice that I really enjoyed. Plasencia never disappoints and anyone a fan of the brand will love this cigar no matter your wrapper or strength preference, this cigar can be enjoyed by all. This cigar was unlike any cigar I've smoked recently and I will be smoking this again in the other vitolas in the very near future. A must try! Picked on 05/30/2025
Older Picks
Joseph Pizzuto
TASTE:Nutty, creamy, woody, leathery
HOBBIES:Rap, making music, basketball, comedy
STRENGTH:Medium to full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Natural
Padron 1964 Anniversary Maduro
Liga Privada Unicos
Davidoff Nicaragua

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Partagas de Bronce Corona Gorda 6"1/4 * 46

(14)
Partagas de Bronce Corona Gorda 61/4 * 46
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Alright, if you don't know about the birthplace of this cigar then you definitely need to get acquainted. Rolled out of the El Titan de Bronze factory located on SW 8th St, the Partagas de Bronce is a special stick rolled by level 9 Cuban rollers! The craftmanship and superb construction leaves you amazed. With a beautiful white ash I was extremely impressed by how well made this cigar was. Upon first light I was met with strong notes of cedar as well as graham crackers. I was overall impressed by how much this cigar tasted like a cinnamon graham cracker. As I continued, those notes started to blend with some cocoa notes as well. You will also notice an extremely pleasant creamy and smooth consistency all they way through till the end. I was drinking a chocolate milk while enjoying this one which really pronounced the cookie notes I was experiencing. Overall regardless of it being a bit pricier then your average budget stick, I would gladly throw this one in your collection for special nights and special moments with friends and family! Highly advise you pair with a Caribbean rum instead of a chocolate milk like me - hopefully you aren't on the clock like I was when you light it up! Picked on 03/14/2025
Older Picks
Luz Holguin
TASTE:Earthy, Pepper
HOBBIES:Cooking, Reading, Traveling
STRENGTH:Medium

FAVORITE BRANDS
Arturo Fuente
La Aurora Preferidos Cameroon Platinum
Tatuaje Black Label
La Galera Imperial Jade

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My Father The Judge Grand Robusto 5" * 60

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My Father The Judge Grand Robusto 5 * 60
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A smoke for fans of medium to full bodied cigars, with a reddish-brown Sumatra seed wrapper grown in Ecuador that gives this stick a rich flavor of earth and spice. There is white pepper and cinnamon that comes not just from this wrapper, but also from the double binder Corojo and Criollo leaves. I rarely go for the thick ring gauges such as this one but in this case, it works. The Jalapa and Esteli fillers in the blend balance each other, one providing a creamy and smooth flavor and the other a bolder, more leathery and spicy flavor. This is a well balanced smoke that will satisfy your craving. Regardless of whether you consider it to be worthy of the Best Cigar of the Year award or not, I encourage you to forget the accolades and just enjoy this cigar for what it is: a damn good cigar! Picked on 03/14/2025
Older Picks
Samuel Pafford
TASTE:Natural tobacco / anything new
HOBBIES:Video games, dogs, documentaries, smoking new cigars
STRENGTH:Medium to full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Oliva Serie V Melanio
ADVentura the Navigator
Crowned Heads Mil Dias

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Kristoff Veinte 20th Anniversary Robusto 5" * 50

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Kristoff Veinte 20th Anniversary Robusto 5 * 50
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Today's review happened by accident, but what an awesome mistake. I was trying to grab Kristoff's Vengeance (another great full bodied blend) and thought I was grabbing one of the rebranded versions. Instead, we stumbled into Kristoff's 20th Anniversary. I'd like to start by mentioning the entire Kristoff line is very approachable for price and is offering delicious opportunities in every strength bracket, even if this review doesn't sound like you I think there is a Kristoff that would fit in your rotation. Now to the business at hand. This cigar is rocking a nearly black Brazilian wrapper, Indonesian binder, and filled with Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania tobacco. For taste it was oaky and smokey all the way through with a light natural sweetness. While it did lead with a decent peppery bite on the first half inch (expected based on tobacco varietals) this mellowed out by the end of the first inch and turned silky smooth by the mid way point, for my pallet delicious transitions. Some dark coco notes were present throughout that became more pronounced further into the cigar as the rest of it mellowed. This build also hit the spot in terms of construction. Smoked this at work with all the days distractions and it never went out on me, never bittered, and took me almost an hour to nub this classic 5 x 50 robusto. Bold start, rich flavors, inoffensive bite, and a quality construction on an anniversary edition cigar that hit with a standard price tag, yes please! Medium bodied guys with an adventurous side willing to get through the first half inch and any full bodied smoker is going to find something to like about this cigar, enjoy friends! Picked on 01/28/2025
Older Picks
George Perez
TASTE:All. Except soft
HOBBIES:Smoking good cigars, watching movies, Jazz music, spending time with family
STRENGTH:Medium , Medium to full, Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Oliva Serie V
La Flor Dominicana Limited Edition
Espinosa Habano
CAO Flathead
New World
Asylum 13 Ogre
La Galera Habano
CLE Prieto

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La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse Coronation 6" * 52

(36)
La Aroma de Cuba Noblesse Coronation 6 * 52
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The aroma de cuba has always delivered some great cigars. That tradition continues with the Noblesse Coronation. This cigar is packed with some great flavors. This medium body cigar has a great earthy, nutty flavor at the beginning. Some hints of chocolate is introduced also at the beginning. Thge draw is phenominal. It has an easy draw. Can not say that about alot of cigars. The aroma is welcoming too. At the half way point, those flavors at the beginning are still found. Some cigars would of changed a bit at this point. Not this one. The draw is still great. Toward the end of the cigar, I was not surprised that the cigar was still consistent. It did pick up a bit in strength to a medium full. Some hints of spice was also introduced. Not overwhelming. But enough to make the cigar enjoyable. Every flavor was still there. The earthiness, the nutty. The hint of chocolate was not too overwhelming. This is one cigar that you have to try. What I liked about it also, no aftertaste was left in my mouth. Like some cigars tend to do. And if you need to pair it with a nice drink, I would recomend a nice Glenlevit. The oak of the drink compliments it. Enjoy everyone Picked on 09/17/2024
Older Picks
Aramis C.
TASTE:Earthy, cedar, cocoa
HOBBIES:Family time, grilling, combat sports
STRENGTH:Medium to full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Oscar 2012 Sumatra
Arturo Fuente
Aladino Classic
Tatuaje Havana VI

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Ashton VSG Illusion 6"1/2 * 44

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Ashton VSG Illusion 61/2 * 44
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The Ashton VSG Illusion is one of Ashton's most popular cigars, and it's not hard to see why. Handmade by Arturo Fuente in the Dominican Republic, this cigar sports an Ecuadorian 'Virgin' Sun Grown wrapper covering a Dominican binder and fillers. The cigar has a sweet chocolatey aroma and a little spice on the dry draw. The spice really comes through on first lighting it, with a subtle sweetness that underlines a bold peppery flavor. Working through the first third I noticed the spice die down letting that molasses sweetness come through. A wide open draw and some surprisingly big puffs of smoke for such a skinny lonsdale led me to the final third. The spice is gone all but for on the retro hale, notes of cocoa and leather on the finish make for a very satisfying finale. It's no surprise this took the number 15 spot on Cigar Aficionado's 2023 Top 25, it's definitely a stick every aficionado should smoke. The cigar lasted a little over an hour, perfect for a quick hit of peppery sweetness. I'd recommend a cognac to cut through that spice and enhance the sweet flavors of the tobacco. Picked on 06/29/2024
Older Picks
Adam Stewart
AGE:46
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:Music, Reading, Art, Nature, Craft Beer, Slacking
STRENGTH:All

FAVORITE BRANDS
Arturo Fuente
Liga Privada No. 9
Tatuaje Black Label
Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970

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CAO Cameroon Perfecto 4" * 48

(45)
CAO Cameroon Perfecto 4 * 48
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This little perfecto surprised me. I was not expecting it to be bad by any means, but, being an inexpensive small cigar, I assumed it would be mediocre at best...something to smoke on while taking the dog around the block, etc. In actuality, it was excellent. While not being incredibly complex, it is well constructed and pumped out a decent amount of smoke. it also burned impeccably, and did not require any touch ups or relights, despite the foot starting out nearly as thin as a pencil. The flavor profile was somewhat typical for a Cameroon cigar....sweet, nutty, earthy, with subtle hints of cocoa / coffee. For just over $5.00, it is hard to say no to this little guy. AF Short Story fans seriously need to take note.... if your Short Stories are not available, or if you just feel like saving a couple of bucks.... this stick is for you. Try pairing with a Café con leche morning, noon or night and you will not be dissapointed. Cheers. Picked on 05/02/2023
Older Picks