Curtis's Picks

Curtis
CURTIS
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TASTE:Spice, Sweetness, Oak, Roasted nut, Coffee
HOBBIES:Smoking excellent cigars, Cooking, Going to new restaurants and bars, Playing badminton, Muay Thai, Always enjoy a good whiskey, scotch or tequila
STRENGTH:All
Warzone Toro 6 * 52
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When I heard General Cigars and Espinosa were teaming up to create a cigar, utilizing their own unique styles, to say I was excited would be an understatement. I couldn't wait to get my hands on one. The cigar is constructed nicely, and I appreciate the thought process that went into designing the band, and the Warzone has a beautiful one. The cigar has a Cameroon wrapper, with a Honduran binder and a filler from Colombia and Nicaragua. The Warzone is a medium to full-bodied cigar with notes of white pepper, cedar and cocoa. On the cold draw you will pick up on the cocoa and cedar. As the cigar is toasted, you can smell the cedar. The first third lends itself to the cedar. As it transitions into the second third, the cocoa and white pepper become more prevalent especially on the retro hale. On the final third, the white pepper stands out a bit more but not to overwhelm your senses. The Warzone pairs well with a dark rum. It’s a good cigar to end your day. Picked on 01/03/2020
Casa Cuevas Reserva Natural Toro 6 * 50
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The Cuevas Reserva is a relaunch from Casa Cuevas and comes in a natural and maduro wrapper. I had the pleasure of smoking the natural and was pleasantly surprised on how smooth the cigar is. The natural has an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper with a habano binder and the filler is a mix of Dominican, Nicaraguan, and USA tobaccos. I was drawn to it by the presentation a blue band adorning a light brown wrapper with a very smooth surface once held in the hand. On the pre-light you will get notes of earth and cedar, when the foot is toasted you will pick up more of the cedar notes. The first and second third of the cigar remained consistent with earth notes and the on retro hale your sense will pick up more of the cedar. During the final third, the earthiness goes away and white pepper becomes present along with the cedar. The burn was even, and the draw was good as well. Perfect to start the day with or as an introductory cigar as it’s mild and won’t overpower your pallet. Picked on 12/01/2019
Crowned Heads Juarez Willy Lee 6 * 54
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When do you know you’re smoking a good cigar? When you just toasted the foot and the person next to you asks, “What are you smoking, it smells fantastic!” The Juarez Willy Lee from Crown Heads will not disappoint, the wrapper is a Mexican San Andres, the binder is an Ecuadorian Sumatra, and the filler is of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The cigar is well-balanced from strength to flavor. It’s a medium to full body cigar, with notes of chocolate, black pepper with some sweetness on the first third. The second third has more of the black pepper notes as the sweetness starts to dissipate. On the final third, more earth notes while the spiciness fades. I really can’t say anything negative about this smoke, from start to finish you will remain hooked. It has a good burn as well as a good draw. If you have time on your hands and you’re looking for a that cigar that will keep you vested as you sip on your favorite beverage the Juarez is the way to go. Picked on 11/19/2019
Aging Room Bin No. 2 C Major 53/4 * 54
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Let me start out by saying "WOW!!!" The Aging Room Bin No. 2 C Major is a must for anyone who is a fan of Nicaraguan cigars. This 100% puro is wrapped in a Nicaraguan leaf, binder is from Ometepe as well as some of the filler. To round out the blend, tobaccos from Esteli and Jalapa were also used. As you smoke the cigar you will pick up notes of earth, leather, some sweetness, and little spice. Overall its a wonderful smoke, has a good draw and burns nice and slow. As I mentioned before if your a fan of Nicaraguan cigars or just a full body smoker this cigar should be in your rotation. Picked on 10/03/2019
Island Jim San Andres #2 Torpedo 61/2 * 52
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At first glance you can’t help but chuckle when you see the Island Jim #2 Torpedo. From the shaggy foot, to the colorful band, and the way it resembles a #2 pencil, you would think it belongs in a novelty shop. Then you start to think, “Why is my local tobacconist carrying it?” Now it becomes intriguing. The cigar has an open cap so there is really no need to cut it but you can. On the pre-light, you pick-up notes of hay and earth tones. What I liked about this cigar is that because of the shaggy foot, you get to taste the binder and filler before you reach the wrapper. The binder and filler had a subtle, sweet, pleasant taste. Once it got to the wrapper, I started to get the earth notes and hay even on the retro hale. During the second third the cigar picked up, I started to get some spice and just enough pepper to keep me interested. On the final third, the cigar remained the same. It is a mild to medium smoke, with a good draw and a very light smoke. Overall, it’s a good cigar to enjoy. Picked on 08/26/2019
Aladino Connecticut Robusto 5 * 50
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If your new to cigars, a seasoned cigar enthusiast and perhaps just introducing the world of cigars to someone. Then the Aladino Connecticut Robusto would be a good choice. The cigar is beautifully constructed and the silver, black and white band makes it stand out a bit. On the pre light you will pick up on notes of cedar, oak and vanilla, as you toast the foot you will smell more of the cedar. After a few puffs you will taste the cedar and on the retro hale your sense will get the oak. As you continue to smoke you will get some hints of spice but its very subtle it just lingers on the tip of the tongue. The second third you may start to notice some leather not overwhelming and the final third you will pick up the vanilla. It has a good draw and nice light grey ash. So as an introductory cigar or just in a mood for a mild one, the Aladino Connecticut Robusto is one you must absolutely try. Picked on 06/23/2019
The Wise Man Maduro Robusto 51/2 * 50
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If you have not tried the Wiseman Maduro Robusto and you are a fan of medium to full-bodied cigars, then you are doing yourself a disservice - this 5 1/2 by 50 is a gem. The cigar is wrapped in Mexican San Andres, with a Corojo binder and Nicaraguan filler, giving this cigar a complex flavor profile. As you smoke the cigar, you will pick up notes of black pepper, some sweetness, nut and earth. The cigar is not overwhelming so it's a nice one to smoke, especially for anyone who is trying a medium to full-bodied blend for the first time. Picked on 04/28/2019
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