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.
Shelly Kingsberg
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Kristoff Exclusive TAA 49 Salomon 7"1/2 * 56

(2)
Kristoff Exclusive TAA 49 Salomon 71/2 * 56
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Since I had heard mixed reviews on this new Kristoff TAA, and I am a huge Kristoff fan -- I had to judge it for myself. First of all, one has got to be interested in this gorgeous salamon shape. Proper toasting and lighting of this cigar shape is important in the way it burns. Patience is needed in letting the cigar open up. Upon first light, nuttiness and earthiness are popping on my palate. Moving into the second third, I am loving the nutiness mixed with coffee and earthy notes -- a great balance in flavor! Into the last third, the nutiness subsides but cedar notes come out as well as the coffee notes still hanging on. The cigar is medium in strength throughout. I had no problem whatsoever with the burn or draw. I definitely look forward to smoking this special cigar again. Enjoy! Picked on 08/18/2017
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Marianela Mena
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:Reading, running and smoking good cigars
STRENGTH:Medium-Full and Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Liga Privada T52
Eiroa by CLE
Tatuaje Miami Seleccion del Cazador
Aging Room Quattro F55
Ashton VSG
Joya de Nicaragua Antano Dark Corojo

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La Palina 2017 Goldie Toro 6" * 52

(1)
La Palina 2017 Goldie Toro 6 * 52
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There's something about the Goldie, it looks classic, the light brown shade wrapper is smooth and even, it is flawless! And the gold band just adds more elegance to this stick. Upon lightning it up my first impression are waves of cedar notes taking up my palate along with some pepper, not enough to be overwhelming but to scare me a little bit; I'm not a fan of pepper. One inch down and it becomes very smooth and velvety, there's a touch of nuts, roasted nuts to be more precise with a sweetness like cinnamon and earthy flavors alternating and combining...of course I'm loving it. In the last third all these flavors toned down and is all about wood and pepper not as much as the beginning but it is there and I don't mind at all, since I can still taste some of the previous notes. Medium to medium plus in strength, perfect draw and a perfect burning line with a grayish beautiful ash. The cigar lives up to its reputation of being something special. I don't know if the history and mystery surrounding this cigar (which I love) influenced my appreciation of it but I truly enjoyed it and can't wait to smoke it again tonight. I'll keep you guys posted! Picked on 08/13/2017
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Daniel Gutierrez
AGE:26
TASTE:Wood, Cream, Cedar
HOBBIES:Painting, Animation, Music
STRENGTH:Medium/Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Padron 1926 Serie Maduro
Partagas
Arturo Fuente Fuente Opus X

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La Gloria Cubana Coleccion Reserva Torpedo 6" * 54

(2)
La Gloria Cubana Coleccion Reserva Torpedo 6 * 54
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I’ve heard a lot of people talk about how La Gloria Cubana use to taste back in the late 70s, and 80s. “The blend isn’t the same when EP left.” -Customers. Carrillo and General Cigars has heard your cry for a classic. “The blend is very much in keeping with the spirit of the original La Gloria.” -Perez-Carrillo. Thus, the Colección Reserva was born. A soft looking Sumatran-seed wrapper and viso, ligero, from Nicaragua. Which makes this a nice, smooth, and medium to full bodied cigar.The first light and inch was very subtle, with some pepper and light cumin. I was actually expecting a lot of spice, but it’s a nice change from a blast of spice like a Don Pepin, who is notorious of. Second to three quarters, it turned to cedar and nut-brown notes, but smoothly, no spice. Forth and passed the band gets interesting. The cigar opens up beautifully, with sweet undertones like dark molasses, almost like sugar being cooked to an amber toasty finish. I really recommend this cigar to those who miss the old blend and new comers to enjoy and appreciate. Picked on 08/12/2017
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Rene
AGE:30
TASTE:Wood, Earth, Leather
HOBBIES:Guitar, Beer, Sarcasm
STRENGTH:Medium/Full

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

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My Father The Judge Toro 6" * 56

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My Father The Judge Toro 6 * 56
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I've been eager to smoke this one for a long, long time. After months of being asked for it by numerous customers, The Judge has finally arrived at Neptune, and I'm happy to say it lived up to the hype. If you're already a fan of My Father cigars, then you know a little bit of what to expect: a perfectly harmonious marriage of spice and cream, with a delectably sharp yet smooth aroma. Right from the start, notes of almond and pepper flooded my palate, while hints of leather and fig swirled around throughout. The solid box-pressed construction offered a strong ash and an even burn. No re-lights needed. I would classify this cigar as medium to full-bodied in strength, however, it is definitely full in flavor. Pair it with some nice scotch! Another terrific offering from My Father. BONUS: Also available in a cool 5 x 60 vitola for those who prefer fatter stogies. Picked on 07/16/2017
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Luz Normand
TASTE:Earthy, Pepper
HOBBIES:Cooking, Reading, Traveling
STRENGTH:Medium

FAVORITE BRANDS
Arturo Fuente
Tatuaje Black Label
La Aurora Preferidos Cameroon Platinum
Montecristo Espada
Crowned Heads Headley Grange

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Aladino Robusto 5" * 50

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Aladino Robusto 5 * 50
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Aladino is a Honduran puro made with all 100% Authentic Corojo tobacco farmed by the Eiroa family in the Jamastran valley. Despite the all-Corojo composition, this cigar is well balanced and not overpowering. The strength is medium to full and you must definitely be prepared for the nicotine kick. Aladino is a very good looking stick which burns beautifully and has an easy draw. Earthy flavors and some white pepper in the beginning made this a very pleasant experience for me and I will definitely smoke again. An excellent first offering from JRE Cigars! Picked on 07/12/2017
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Michael Diaz-Silveira
AGE:22
TASTE:Wood, Leather, Nut, Maple
HOBBIES:Guitar, Football, Basketball, Volleyball
STRENGTH:Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Herrera Esteli
Eiroa CBT Maduro
Liga Privada No. 9
Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Connecticut
CAO Amazon Basin


BONUS
Adrenaline Junkie!
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Ashton VSG Robusto Especial TAA 5"1/2 * 50

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Ashton VSG Robusto Especial TAA 51/2 * 50
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The Ashton VSG TAA Robusto Especial is an excellent cigar. At a glance it is quite dark, contrasting with a beautifully crafted band emphasizing the wrapper color. The construction is flawless and burn is even; ashing only when directed to. I even left the cigar for a little came back and it was still lit! The cigar boasts rich flavors of molasses, nuts and slight pepper. It was delicious from the very first puff to its very last as I was practically burning myself trying to savor every last puff. Picked on 06/25/2017
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Tyler Bartley
AGE:29
TASTE:Everything
HOBBIES:Drawing, Traveling, Formula 1 racing, Baseball, History
STRENGTH:Medium to Full

FAVORITE BRANDS
Matilde Renacer
Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 Years
Tatuaje El Triunfador
Dunhill 1907
Don Pepin Garcia Blue Edition
Rocky Patel Vintage 1992

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Romeo y Julieta Vintage II 6" * 46

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Romeo y Julieta Vintage II 6 * 46
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The cool retro style cigar band on this smoke is what initially made me gravitate towards it. I was looking for something on the mild side so I decided on the vintage. The cigar itself has a very smooth Connecticut shade wrapper and gives off a light appearance. The initial first few minutes of this stick were to my surprise very mild with none of the instant pepper and spice you get with most other cigars. The first half is what I would consider very mild but still flavorful containing many distinct notes. Predominately I can taste traces of honey and cinnamon throughout with a bit of very faint white pepper as well as other mild seasonings. Towards the middle the cigar continues to stay mild and at no point is it really overpowering or harsh. Towards the last third the cigar does indeed pick up the spice a little but still retains its overall mild character. I would have to say that this is one of the more flavorful cigars out there that still retains its mild strength from beginning to end. Picked on 05/20/2017
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Adam
AGE:37
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:Music, Reading, Art, Nature, Craft Beer, Slacking
STRENGTH:All

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

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Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 Gran Perfecto 6" * 60

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Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 Gran Perfecto 6 * 60
Appearance
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Though this cigar has been on the market for quite a while now, it has not lost any of its appeal. It is a big, fat (perhaps not by today's standards, but still...) Nicaraguan Puro that is well packed and feels heavy in the hand. Its reddish brown chocolaty wrapper is beautiful and flawless. Be patient when you first light it as the draw will be tight until you work through the tapered foot. Once it opens up however, it will open with a bang. You will be hit with an intense and wonderful aroma followed by flavors of spice, cocoa, molasses, raisin, cedar, earth and licorice. The spice will get more intense as you work your way through the stick, but it at no point does it override the other flavors. The ash is sturdy and white. When you figure out just how good this cigar is in combination with its very reasonable price tag...you will understand why there are always at least a few of them in my humidor. Much like a 64.5 Mustang or a well worn pair of Levy's, this cigar is a classic. Picked on 04/02/2017
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