Luis's Picks

Luis
LUIS
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TASTE:Habano, Broadleaf, Mexican San Andres
HOBBIES:Cooking, writing, reading, cigars, cycling
STRENGTH:Medium to Full
FAVORITE BRANDS

Crowned Heads Four Kicks Maduro

Tatuaje Miami Seleccion del Cazador

Sin Compromiso

Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 652 6" * 52

Mi Querida Triqui Traca No. 652 6 * 52
Appearance
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Aroma
Taste
My first impression of the Triqui Traca is that it is complex but full of spice, with a rich medium-full body. Upon light up it puts out wave after wave of a rich, muddy earth with a touch of cream to it. Pepper closes out the first third along with a bit of sweetness, but neither of them pulls focus away from the earth and leather that make up the core body of this stick. Although the burn was slightly uneven, the construction was good enough to build up an impressive ash before falling off; however, the draw was just slightly too tight-- perhaps because of the solid packing of tobacco. The flavor throughout the second third is a relatively consistent leather and pepper, switching between increased intensity in one or the other. The almost mineralish taste proposes an interesting aroma that keeps one coming back and forgetting about the clock on the wall. This is certainly a meaty stick, and if you’re looking for a potent after dinner cigar to settle down with for an hour or two, look no further than the Mi Querida Triqui Traca. I would pair it with a Negroni to offset the full body of the cigar with some more sweetness. Picked on 02/15/2023

Aladino Maduro Box Pressed Corona 5" * 44

Aladino Maduro Box Pressed Corona 5 * 44
Appearance
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Aroma
Taste
The Aladino Maduro has one prominent vein on the right side, otherwise blemish-free, and is rough to the touch, a result of the raised bumps along the wrapper. Aladino is a brand by JRE Tobacco that intends to be reminiscent of the branding and sizing of pre-revolution Cuban cigars-- and with its elegant, minimalistic logo, I'd say it's hit the mark. I chose a corona for this review, and immediately after taking it out of the cellophane a rich, sweet smell wafted up from the foot. My light up was greeted by a pleasant pepper, not overbearing, along with a slight tobacco sweetness. As the cigar progressed the flavors shift towards being more dominant in leather, and the pepper fades some. Near the end of the second third it develops a creamy woody note that is extremely pleasant. The corojo binder and finder lend a great presence of body to this cigar, which I would pair with a nice scotch whiskey. Picked on 02/07/2023

Tatuaje Avion 13 Double Perfecto 6"7/8 * 52

Tatuaje Avion 13 Double Perfecto 67/8 * 52
Appearance
Draw
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Aroma
Taste
This cigar is certainly an eye-catcher, despite being one of the harder to spot cigars on our Little Havana location's shelves. A strikingly dark broadleaf wrapper without any prominent veins that is smooth to the touch in a beautiful double perfecto-- though you could also call these diademas. Upon light up, a dark earthy taste coats the palate. The smoke production was outstanding, and though the draw was somewhat tight, it opened up beautifully after smoking through the taper on the foot. There was a rich espresso note clear in the aroma-- at times a little bit sweeter, at times almost leathery. But if you are looking for a bold, aromatic & earthy cigar at the softer end of full-bodied, this is the one for you. Despite having to touch up the burn a few times, the draw was a bit tight but not uncomfortable. I would pair this cigar with a sweet bourbon to mellow it out. Picked on 01/26/2023

La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Chisel 6"1/2 * 54

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La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Chisel 61/2 * 54
Appearance
Draw
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Aroma
Taste
The Chisel is a size that was invented by LFD (La Flor Dominicana), with the idea of not having to cut the head. The result is an extremely comfortable pointed tip with a perfect draw. It has a striking reddish-brown wrapper that is smooth to the touch with one large vein along the back. The dry draw is sweet with just a touch of spice. Upon lighting it, smooth flavors of coffee and spice are present, along with a distinct earthiness. It is an extremely balanced and rich smoke which has LFD's famed strength of body in spades. Every puff brings with it a gratifying amount of smoke, and even a slight note of sweetness to round out the boldness. I would pair this cigar with a strong rum, maybe a Santa Teresa. Picked on 01/18/2023

Warped Lirio Rojo 5"1/2 * 44

Warped Lirio Rojo 51/2 * 44
Appearance
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Aroma
Taste
Christmas is over, but Warped’s Lirio Rojo is not going anywhere— at least, for now. This on-again, off-again holiday-season release has a slightly sweet, nutty woodiness along with a touch of spice on the lips during the dry draw. Immediately upon lighting, my palate was hit with a smoky and woody spice which is extremely prominent, for only about ten minutes. Once it dies down, it is replaced by an intense nuttiness along with some creaminess which creates a very enjoyable end to the first third. Occasionally at this point a sweet, sugar note is present on the retrohale. As the second third begins in earnest you start to feel an increase in the intensity of the nuttiness, and the main essence of this smoke is a sweet, creamy and nutty flavor with a touch of cedar. A very interesting cigar that starts off powerful and quickly pulls back, but by the beginning of the final third that strength of body is there in full force paired with a brown sugar sweetness. A slightly peppery wood closes the cigar out, a great experience. Because of the nutty sweetness and slight spiciness, I think it would go well with a cappucino. Picked on 01/04/2023

Room 101 The Big Payback Maduro Toro 6" * 54

Room 101 The Big Payback Maduro Toro 6 * 54
Appearance
Draw
Burn
Aroma
Taste
This time, I reviewed Room101's The Big Payback Maduro in the Toro size. This cigar has a slightly sweet & leathery aroma on the wrapper and a slightly rough texture under my thumb, a sign of the richly developed oils that await in its broadleaf wrapper. The dry draw is slightly spicy with a rich woodiness. It has a dark & smokey flavor on light-up with a rich maduro sweetness characteristic of broadleaf— dark chocolate with leather and a slight, but welcome touch of cream. The retrohale brings with it a large nicotine kick and more of its spice. During the midpoint of the second third a slight inhale through the nose would lead to a strong spicy, woody kick. Moving to the last third, the spice would shift to a softer pepper note, which with the ever-present creaminess was a very interesting combination. I would pair this cigar with perhaps a rum or bourbon whiskey to bring a bit more sweetness into the experience. Picked on 12/27/2022
Luis

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