Mari's Picks

Mari
MARI
FOLLOW
TASTE:All
HOBBIES:Reading, running and smoking good cigars
STRENGTH:Medium-Full and Full
FAVORITE BRANDS

Liga Privada T52

Ashton VSG

Tatuaje Miami Seleccion del Cazador

Eiroa Classic

Aging Room Quattro Original (Formerly F55)

Joya de Nicaragua Antano Dark Corojo

Rocky Patel Sun Grown Maduro Toro 6" * 52

Rocky Patel Sun Grown Maduro Toro 6 * 52
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In paper it sounds like a blend made in heaven; The Connecticut broadleaf giving the blend stability, sweetness and a sense of dept and Nicaraguan tobacco giving it flavor and excitement with some subtle spices and all the flavor of the Nicaraguan volcanic soil. I cannot stop thinking how smooth and easy to smoke was the Rocky Patel Maduro Sun Grown. This cigar is a lot more than a blend of dark, oily, spicy, flavorful tobacco leaves, it is a well balance, savory, gourmet creation. It started with a mix of coffee and white pepper and some cocoa that becomes the prominent note in the first third. The white pepper is in the background in a supporting role, leveling and balancing and a creaminess that is very surprising for me The cream notes play a big role in the entire smoking. Even when the pepper notes increase the cigar still smooth, and the cocoa and coffee notes become one flavor: Mocha. The second third is all about this velvety, creamy feeling in my palate. This last until the nub (yes, I enjoyed it that much) when the pepper is allowed to become predominant without losing the creaminess of the mocha flavor that is now in the background. The cigar is full flavor but medium in strength and this one only increased a bit on the very last third. Draw was on point, not tight but not overly loose. Straight burn line, solid grey ash and no relights needed. This cigar was a pleasure to smoke and the perfect pairing for my morning Cortadito. Picked on 02/08/2023

1502 Black Gold Toro 6" * 50

1502 Black Gold Toro 6 * 50
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I love this cigar! I have smoked every size of this line and I have to say quality and flavor are the same on every one of them. Starting with the wrapper, an oily almost black San Andres maduro that Looks even richer and darker with the elegant Black and gold band. The pre-light aroma is of cocoa and roasted coffee with a honey type of sweetness. First puffs and the cigar starts as medium to full in strength. Some spice right up front accompanied by leather and earthy notes. The second half, cacao notes are predominant with hints of leather and earthy flavors dancing in the background; this is the perfect moment for some retrohaling…loved the feeling of the spice tickling in my nose!!! This cigar is rich and bold but not offensive to the senses, it has character and lots of flavor. Flaky ash, even burn and no relights. This cigar is solid; I paired it up with Tequila Espolon and enjoyed this stick all the way till the nub. There is not waste here! Picked on 12/05/2022

Aganorsa Leaf Rare Leaf Reserve Toro Corojo 6" * 54

Aganorsa Leaf Rare Leaf Reserve Toro Corojo 6 * 54
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Presentation is everything and it is the first thing that stands out about the Rare Leaf Reserve. the classic look, the band, the oily wrapper. The pre-light aroma transmits power, a mix of spices with sweet notes of cinnamon and cedar. First puffs are all about almonds, very nutty and creamy with some pepper. This cigar feels heavy in my hands, it is packed and I like it, construction is solid and the draw is perfect: not too tight, not too loose. After about an inch of smoking, the pepper is all gone and the creaminess takes control: latte, leather notes show now, the aroma is a perfect reflection of the flavors I’m getting on my palate. The second third is sweet with some floral/citrus notes. The creaminess and nuttiness have been the highlight of the entire smoke experience of this stick, they’ve been always there on the background. The pepper and the spices reappeared on the last third, there not predominant but to make the blend more interesting. I loved every inch of this cigar. No relights and no draw or construction issues. I paired it with a café con leche but with some Rum Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros might be even better. Picked on 10/29/2022

Sin Compromiso Seleccion No. 2 Torpedo 6" * 52

Sin Compromiso Seleccion No. 2 Torpedo 6 * 52
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Sin Compromiso is absolutely my favorite from the Dumbarton Tobacco portfolio, and it has been Long before Esteve Saka stated it is his favorite blend. Don’t get me wrong on this, I think Mi querida, Todos las dias, Triqui traca and Sobremesa are solid (I smoke a lot of those by the way) as the other lines of Dumbarton Tobacco are too… but there is something about Sin Compromiso that gets me smoking this cigar a lot. The dark wrapper contrast beautifully with the cigar band and the packaging is a hint of how good it is the cigar underneath all that. The first few puffs gave up flavors of wood and earth with a touch of pepper spice. I also got very solid and noticeable notes of espresso when retrohaling. As the first third star heating up, I pick up a little honey kind of sweetness. The second third, I tasted some cedar with earth and cocoa, chocolate and espresso notes. I would say this cigar is a medium-plus in body so far. The final third of Sin Compromiso featured cocoa and coffee notes along with some flavors I was not able to identify. It looks like I have too smoke more in order to perfect my palate. Mildly sweet notes and a little pepper spice, classic from the San Andres wrapper. The espresso flavors seemed to pick up and the pepper stayed right there boosting and supporting the flavor profile and making all them to increase the closer I get to the end. It was very difficult to me to put it out and even more difficult not to smoke another one right away. My humble opinion: this is a great smoke with a high amount of complexity and a real pleasure from the beginning till the very end. I enjoyed its complexity; the flavors; the sweetness; the perfect burn and its excellent draw. I paired it with Glenlivet 18, and I couldn't have chosen better. It truly was a match made in heaven…Salud!! Picked on 09/05/2022

Illusione Cruzado Churchill 6"3/4 * 48

Illusione Cruzado Churchill 63/4 * 48
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The Illusione Cruzado features a corojo wrapper Grown by Aganorsa. It is an excellent example of a Nicaraguan puro…It shows in the wrapper, the aroma and of course the performance. Cedar, spicy, sweet, and natural notes is what I get right up front. This cigar is on point…A dash of pepper and hints of coffee to complete the parade of flavors playing in my palate. The profile is complex, well balanced, with lots of flavor and the perfect medium strength making for a very enjoyable smoke until this point. The flavors don’t change as I approach the halfway point, but the strength has gone from medium to medium plus. The earthy notes are upfront now, very rich and well balanced. Even though the pepper continues to be strong there is a unmistakable creaminess on the cigar, all the flavors colluded to make the smoke very pleasant and satisfying. The burn line is not as perfect as I prefer and I have a bit of a mess here…too flaky and does not hold more than half an inch but nothing major, just a small detail. I paired it with a Cuban Cafecito…nothing more than good things to report here. Picked on 08/04/2022

Guardian of the Farm Cerberus Toro 6"1/4 * 52

Guardian of the Farm Cerberus Toro 61/4 * 52
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The Guardian of the Farm Cerberus is a beautiful looking cigar…Just the name causes an impression and makes you want to know a little bit more about it. The Cerberus is the most recent addition to the Guardian of the Farm line, and of course pay tribute to the dogs in charge of guarding the fields at the Aganorsa plantation. Is a Nicaraguan puro that utilizes tobaccos that were all cultivated on Aganorsa farms. Like its name, this is a powerful blend. And I’m not talking about strength here, the power of this cigar resides on how flavorful, complex and easy to smoke it is. The wrapper leaf is a Corojo 2012, underneath, a group of ultra-premium tobacco leaves, medio tiempo leaves among them to add some deepness on flavor and strength. Everything combines for a flavorful medium-bodied experience. Upon lighting, you are met with notes of cocoa, walnuts and espresso and some white pepper that complement really well the flavors, enhance the aroma and give a new dimension to the retrohale. These flavors intensify throughout the smoke. In the second third some toasted almonds notes appeared and espresso notes are stronger and more dominant now. The second third is all about the same predominant notes but with some added spice. Easy draw and perfect burn line, I paired with Zafra Rum and I can say they go really well together. Picked on 06/30/2022

Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 Belicoso 6" * 54

90
Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970 Belicoso 6 * 54
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A truly Nicaraguan. The wrapper, the cold draw, the aroma, everything is there. This is one of my favorites cigar ever, When I feel overwhelmed by all the cigars out there, I always come back to this one. Even the first puffs, the cigar has an array of flavors. The first notes and one can feel the sweetness and the strength…chocolate, some pepper and a few minutes later, a dash of floral joins in the notes. The sweetness tone down and a subliminal tone of dates/raisins maybe, which then change into a spicy sweetness at the end of the first third. all this flavors melting on one that balance the pepper in the background The second third presents the same set of flavors but with more richness and body. At this point, the cigar is full-bodied with all of the richness of a Nicaraguan Puro. The final third of the cigar is an explosion of flavors, very bold and satisfying. There’s fruity, pepper, chocolate/cocoa and there is some creaminess as well. Picked on 05/07/2022

RoMa Craft CroMagnon Aquitaine Cranium 6" * 54

RoMa Craft CroMagnon Aquitaine Cranium 6 * 54
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Dreams become reality in Nica Sueno factory in Nicaragua. Roma Craft has a reputation of making cigars , they have created this amazing blends with such interesting names. When one think about innovators in the cigar world Roma Craft Tobacco is always in the list. In just a few years they have acquired a huge numbers of followers. A variety of blends that has something for every type of smoker out there. The Aquitaine features a beautiful Ecuador Habano Ligero wrapper with a Cameroon wrappe. I have to say this is quite an interesting combination. The look is very simple but powerful, the cigar has a very imposing look. The wrapper is very oily and kind of rough, with some visible veins. The aroma of Coffee and chocolate is so provocative and promising. I can’t wait to light it up!. First puffs and I was inundated with an array of rich flavors, a wonderful bouquet of coffee, chocolate, and leather notes consistent all the way through the first and second third. Some nutty notes appeared in the transition to the last third for a delicious balance. The strength intensifies and the flavors became bolder and richer on the end. Flavors are consistent, body and strength as well. Construction is flawless and the smoke experience was delightful. Picked on 02/28/2022

Mi Querida Gordita 4"1/4 * 48