Allow me to introduce you to what I think will be one of the next hits of the cigar industry: 13th Floor Cigars. This is a new cigar company started by a long time, passionate, cigar smoker named Bryan White.  Early in 2009 Mr. White had set out to create a “unique smoking experience“  knowing cigar smokers currently have a plethora of options. After many meetings and months of talking to various blenders he felt that his vision could be met by having his cigar produced by Willy Herrera of El Titan de Bronze.

After a year of relentless work with blending, re-blending, choosing sizes, artwork and securing distribution 13th Floor Cigars is now ready to enter the cigar world with their very first blend. As usual with most new cigar companies I have included some verbiage from the 13th Floor Cigars website.

From the 13th Floor Cigars Website:
“In 2009 the idea and concept for 13th Floor Cigars was born. Driven by an unrelenting passion to create and deliver a unique and satisfying smoking experience to cigar lovers, we sought out the best factory, most experienced rollers, and one of the most talented up and coming Master Blenders in the industry. All of our cigars are hand crafted in the USA on the famed “Calle Ocho” in Little Havana, Miami by “Level 9″ rollers all of whom have worked for world-renowned factories such as Romeo y JulietaR, CoronaR, and PartagasR. Each cigar is made in the traditional Cuban style of tubing the filler (entubado) and then finished off with a beautiful triple cap. Each “tarea” (days work) is then inspected by another Master Roller/Blender, boxed and dated to ensure the cigar is of the highest standard for the aficionado. Due to the high standards placed upon our rollers our cigars are made in small quantities to ensure quality and consistency that only a boutique manufacturer can produce.”

Construction: The 13th Floor Cigar is very raw and pure looking. It has a light brown color that is very consistent throughout the roll and has very minimal veins. However, you might find 1-2 medium sized veins that can barley be felt with the fingers – this does not cause any concern. 13th Floor Cigars packs in quite a bit of tobacco ensuring the smokers get their money worth; so have confidence that you will not find any soft-spots (or any other imperfections).

Draw: Anytime there is a boutique cigar that likes to brag about limited production, USA (Miami) made, level 9 rollers I like to hold them to a higher standard in the construction and draw categories. 13th Floor Cigars not only meets the standards but exceeds them on all levels. You will have the option to cut, v-cut, punch or bite this Churchill and it will draw with perfection. Each draw will have a slight resistance making sure that you never burn too fast or too hot.

Burn: When you have great construction and draw qualities it’s almost always a given that the burn should be (not always the case) good. So I hope it comes as no surprise that I say the burn on the 13th Floor Cigar is pretty damn good. My 13th Floor Cigars in the Churchill size have always burned slightly jagged but never require any touch-ups. The ash is a bright white and seems like it will never fall off unless you give it a good knock.

Flavor: The 13th Floor Cigars Churchill has a very consistent grouping of flavors that you will enjoy as you smoke this cigar.

Upon first light you will be introduced to a combination of cedar, spice and straight forward tobacco that will defiantly please the palate.  The cedar and spice are very light and intriguing and perfectly compliment the creamy smoke you will get on both the draw and the exhale. It’s just enough of everything that you won’t want to set this stogie down.At this point in the long Churchill I would say the cigar sits in the medium body range.

At the middle you will see a larger introduction of the spice that seems to hit the front of the palate. You still get some hints of cedar that swirl around the smoke with a mixture of chewy leather. You will pick up some hints of what I can best describe as floral – it’s a very unique flavor combination. The smoke is still extremely creamy and delightful on both the draw and the exhale. The body has slightly increased but still remains in the middle of the road (medium).

Finishing this 13th Floor Cigar has got to be my favorite portion of the smoke. This is due to the body slightly increasing to the more fuller range while all the flavors seems to stay consistent and dance around my palate. The smoke from the draw and exhale is still very, very creamy, and it’d been a pure joy from start to finish.

I would like to put a little disclaimer in this flavor section of the 13th Floor Cigar review. While I have described what seems to be a consistent grouping of flavors do not take this as one dimensional and boring. It is actually the complete opposite.  The Churchill is very complex and it is hard to pinpoint what will be thrown at your palate. Just know that once you finish the smoke you will reach for another.

Final Verdict: 13th Floor Cigars retail in the $8 range and will only be available for purchase through a B&M establishment.  I have to urge everyone to pick up a box or two before these creamy, spicy, delightful sticks go on backorder (because they will sell fast). The cigar lingers in the medium body range so it will be delightful for the new smoker yet complex enough for the most seasoned of palates. Plus I am always a fan of supporting new brands that take the time and effort to create a cigar correctly and back the local B&M smoking community/industry.

It’s quite easy for someone to sit down and review or discuss the next cigar of the year. Talking about this type of cigar has no shortage of interesting facts, unique histories, complex tobaccos and especially high price tags. Price points that not every smoker in our community has the luxury of affording, so we have decided to start profiling some of the less expensive cigars that one might find online or through the local B&M.

Many boutique cigar manufactures will create a line that can be distributed online to help bring brand awareness, please the budget conscious shopper but most importantly please the online retailer who can bring in much needed capital due to the high volume of sales. Most of the time the savings will reach the consumer by creating a “sandwich” blend, a short and medium sized filler inside a long filler, or by using a lower grade wrapper (or filler) on the cigar. Up first for review will be the J. Fuego Casa Fuego sold exclusively by Cigars International.

Construction: The J. Fuego Casa Fuego has a beautiful honey or caramel colored wrapper that seems to be slightly spongy. This would indicate to me that the cigar was created in the “sandwich” style but this information was not indicated on the retailers website (and the website is known to be vague on budget lines). You might find one large vein that can be felt with the fingers but this will not effect the way the Casa Fuego burns.

Draw: Perfection. Regardless of what price point J. Fuego is trying to hit he will always ensure his cigars draw (and burn) with absolute perfection. Feel free to punch, cut, bite or poke this cigar – you will get a perfect draw.

Burn: Again, J. Fuego prides himself on the way his cigars burn and this is evident even in the cigars that have a lower MSRP. You can see from the pictures inserted that this cigar burns very evenly, holds an ash and does not require any touch-ups.

Flavor: The J. Fuego Casa Fuego has a pretty consistent flavor from start to finish. It is slightly woody, has a nice amount of like peppery spice and delivers a smooth creamy smoke. The body always maintains in the medium range and will be easy for anyone to smoke. Throughout the Fuego you will notice instances of something sweet, almost caramel like, that keeps your palate entertained and happy.

I would like to note that these cigars are good when smoked young but turn into something … beautiful with just a few months of resting time. So if you order a box (which I will suggest you do in the “Final Verdict” section) set them aside and let the Casa Fuego cigars fully develop.

Final Verdict: You can purchase the J. Fuego Casa Fuego at Cigars International in boxes of 29 (21 + “Freebies“) for 95 dollars – $3.30 a stick. But allow me to give you a savvy shopper tip: Go to the CI auction or offer site and you can pick up a box for about $40 – so everything comes out to just under $2 a stick. So for $40 I suggest that everyone goes out and buys a box. Casa Fuego is a phenomenal budget cigar that will find their way in your regular smoking rotation. And if your still a little hesitant about buying the cigar just know that this is something you wont be ashamed to send in the good ole “cigar bomb“.

Today’s cigar up for review is the D’Crossier Diplomacy Series Golden Blend. I have been letting my box rest in the humidor for about 6 months due to the lack of time to really sit down and enjoy the smokes. However it appears like fate wanted me to enjoy these today as PuffingCigars.com received a request to review it just as the weather cooled down, I finally got around to packing the samples for a friend on twitter (jnbcigars) and I received a phone call  from Santana (the owner of the brand) to talk…. cigars. So without further ado let’s talk about the D’Crossier Diplomacy Series Golden Blend torpedo.

From the D’Crossier Website:
“This eloquent and rare pyramid is inviting in its reddish colored wrapper. Enrobed in earthy and hazelnut notes it offers subtle sweetness to the palate with intermittent hints of spice. Typical of this complex and balanced blend, the smoke released is opulent, heady and almost intoxicating. Aromas of toasted chocolate and peppery caramel whisk you away to a majestic place. The nutty and cool finish remains in your memory, along with its tantalizing aroma. The head should be cut with measure to allow for maximum appreciation of the heady flavors.”

Construction: The D’Crossier website describes the cigar best as “inviting” with its “reddish colored wrapper“. Generally you will be able to locate a medium sized vein or two but they will not cause any issues during the burn process. It was a densely packed cigar that allowed just a bit of movement during the standard pinch test. You will not find soft sports or any other inadequacies with the cigar.

Draw: This specific D’ Crossier Golden Blend I was smoking is a torpedo (as you can tell from the size listing and pictures) so you have to use scissors or a regular cutter to get her open. Now that the obvious has been said you can rest assured that there will be a perfect draw. It requires just a bit of a tug and you will be rewarded with impeccable spicy, yet slightly creamy, smoke.

Burn: I always like to point out the pictures, that can be found below the “Final Verdict” section of this cigar review, so that you can get an immediate visual analysis of the burn. I would still like to tell you that the D’Crossier burned creating a slightly jagged edge but required no touch-ups via the lighter. The peppery ash was very thick and held on passed the midpoint of the cigar.

Flavor: I will not break the D’Crossier Diplomacy Series Golden Blend flavor section down to sections because it was so consistent from start to finish. However I do not want you to misinterpret that as the cigar was boring – it was a phenomenal smoke.

What I do mean by consistent is that the cigar had the primary flavors (for lack of better words) of tobacco, a subtle sweetness, a medium body peppery  spice and caramel. All of these flavors seemed to intertwine each taking front stage at different points of the smoke keeping my palate very happy. The smoke delivered was semi-creamy and smooth while the body always stayed in the medium range.

Final Verdict: I wholeheartedly suggest everyone goes out and tries the D’Crossier Diplomacy Series Golden Blend cigar. It has just the right amount of spice, sweetness and tobacco flavors that everyone with palates in the medium to full body will enjoy it. Additionally the flavor is so unique and smooth (all the way down to the nub) you can always go to it for variation in your smoking lineup.

Revolution 262 is a new cigar company that was formed in 2009 but seem to be taking the online cigar world by storm in 2010 with the release of the 262 Paradigm cigars. The company takes their name from the date of the Cuban Embargo (Feburary 1962) and has a “Manifesto” that calls for cigar smokers to “keep the freedoms and rights“.

Cigar information from the 262 website:
“Assembled in Honduras, this well-balanced cigar starts off with 3 fillers coming together to create a rich array of tastes. The Seco and Ligero tobaccos from the Esteli and Jalapa valleys in Nicaragua are blended with a Cubito tobacco, a Cuban-seed leaf grown in Columbia. The binder for the filler blend is Honduran with a Brazilian wrapper that pulls everything together to deliver notes of citrus, coffee and a dark chocolate finish.”

You can find out more about this new company, buy some cigars or check out the cool swag by visiting their website at http://www.smoketherevolution.com. Additionally you can connect to them socially via Twitter (revolutioncigar).

Construction: The 262 Paradigm Torpedo is a very beautiful stick. There are zero veins, it’s rolled very cleanly, the amount of tobacco is perfect to the touch – wow. Color on the 262 Paradigm Torpedo is the standard Brazilian dark brown and is again perfect (no splotches, streaks, etc).

Draw: With a torpedo cigar you really don’t have any options but to use the good ol’ guillotine or scissors and with that I have to say “Pick your poison“. 262 Paradigm Torpedo requires just a slight tug and generates the right amount of smoke.

Burn: I should admit that I am not quite the stickler when it comes to the burn of a cigar. As long as I don’t have to keep correcting it every 10 minutes I am happy. Needless to say this cigar burned just a little jagged. That’s it – nothing that effected the beautiful white ash or required any extra work during the smoking session.

Flavor: The 262 Paradigm Torpedo is not a very complex cigar. However when you have a great blend in the proper size you do not need it to change at every segment, you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.

During the first 1/3 of my 262 Paradigm Torpedo my palate was only getting a sense of the Brazilian wrapper that was used. I guess this is best described as that “Brazilian sweetness” and that’s just kind of the general flavor many cigars will generate using this wrapper.

However during the middle portion of the smoke I was able to pick up a very dry chocolate and maybe a hint of coffee. You are still going to pick up the “Brazilian sweetness” but it is being complimented very well. Overall the smoke is really smooth and easy to enjoy.

The final third (or so) of the 262 Paradigm Torpedo is perhaps my favorite section of the cigar. The body has slightly increased into the more full range. The wrapper or “Brazilian sweetness” has subdued, the dry chocolate is still in play and there is a very slight (yet enjoyable) bitterness.  Overall the smoke continues to be smooth and fulfilling after a great dinner or stiff drink.

Final Verdict: Paradigm is a brand new company that’s trying to get their foot in the door. So at this current time you just about have to buy the cigars from them directly (As an official B&M supporter we won’t hold that against them). This torpedo has a box price of $160 or about $8 a stick.  I think for the construction, amount of tobacco and the overall smoothness this is something you should pick up to add to your humidor. Especially to all of the Brazilian fans out there – you can’t go wrong.

Thank you to Casa Fume Fine Cigars in Gilbert, Arizona for sponsoring the review of the Illusione Epernay Le Monde. If anyone is looking for a respectable cigar shop to ship them cigars they might not be able to find locally, then please give them a call! 480.794.1581

Construction: Dion Giolito is a stickler when it comes to the fine details of creating a cigar. The people of Casa Fernandez (they make the cigar) are sticklers when it comes to creating a cigar. Does anything else have to be said? This cigar is beautifully constructed, tightly packed and ready to be enjoyed by everyone.

Draw: The draw of the Illusione Epernay Le Monde will reflect on the construction. As we know the construction is excellent, so it comes as no surprise that the draw is also… perfect! I would suggest starting any of the Illusione line with a punch or a v-cut as this usually creates a large amount of smoke. If you like your cigars extra smokey then just give it a snip.

Burn: The Illusione Epernay Le Monde had absolutely zero issues with the burn. Spark this cigar up and put the lighter away. The ash is a nice white with traces of gray and falls off when tapped.

Flavor: Let me start this flavor section off by saying that the combination of tobaccos due to the size is perhaps the best cigar that Illusione has produced. From start to finish you will get a clean, bright pure smoke that everyone (regardless of smoking experience) will fully enjoy.

The cigar will range in an earthy flavor, floral notes and subtle spice that keeps the smoke complex. Again, it is very consistent and you will notice these hints through the entire Le Monde. It also seems like these notes will introduce and reintroduce themselves in different sections of the stogie making sure every stick you smoke has its own unique characteristics.

Final Verdict: Your local tobacconist should have the  Illusione Epernay Le Monde retailing in the $10 range. Dion Giolito, the man behind Illusione, does a great job of protecting his cigars (and prices) from the internet – so don’t be afraid to support the local B&M. That being said, do not hesitate to pick up this great cigar. This stogie is perhaps the best blend, due to the blend, of the Epernay line. You and everyone you share this stick with will enjoy the clean and bright (with hints of fried ice cream) smoke!

Allow us at PuffingCigars.com to be one of the first, so my limited research shows, to introduce you to Garo cigars. Licensed Chiropractor and President, Dr. Garo Bouldoukian has been developing this brand for over 10 years. Dr. Garo has been the sole blender of Garo Habano cigars since the company’s birth onto the world.  Today we will be reviewing one of their highest rated cigars – the Garo Aniversario X.

So that being said, let’s see how the marketing material form Garo defines this cigar: “…Garo’s new Aniversary X(10) cigars offer four Cubanesque shapes (Salomon, “A”, Belicoso and Toro Gordo). Aniversario X (10) is a full bodied, beautifully-constructed masterpiece, easily one of the finest cigars to come along in quite a while.

The sun-grown Corojo wrapper finishes a complex and intriguing blend of the finest Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The result is a taste and structure almost indistinguishable from fabled Havanas of the 50s and 60s. Bold, clean and entrancing, the cigar is certain to find devotes from every segment of the cigar smokers’ realm.

The finest and most exclusive humidors in the world will make room for the cigar.”

Construction: Garo Aniversario X is wrapped in an elegant light brown wrapper with some medium sized veins. While the veins are medium in size they can’t really be felt with the fingers. Tobacco is packed in nice and tight leaving no soft spots and the cap is put on with perfection.

Draw: Smoking the  Garo Aniversario X belicoso means that our cutting options are somewhat limited and you can pull out any standard issue accessory. An interesting observation – these belicosos have a flat head so if you had a small punch you would also be able to open the stogie up. The draw had some resistance that required just a little tough, not enough to become cumbersome, and provided a good amount of smooth smoke.

Burn: Garo Aniversario X created one of the brightest ash I have seen on any cigar in long time. The ash did very well at holding on until I was ready to dispense of it. Burn can be described as slightly jagged, generally straight and required no sort of correction through the entire smoking process.

Flavor: Initial light introduced an interesting spice on the lips and a very smooth tobacco tasting smoke on the palate. However this upfront spice quickly faded away and only started lingering in the aftertaste. In this initial 1/3 of the cigar you aren’t going to differentiate tons of different tobacco profiles. You simply, and enjoyably, get great mixture of tobaccos that are smooth and easy.

Perhaps the most notable change in the middle of the cigar is the body and spice. The body still only slightly increases remaining in the medium range and the spice tends to remain on the palate slightly longer.

No other changes can be noted on the Garo Aniversario X as it comes to an end. This cigar was very consistent from beginning to end and produces a smooth smoke of the true tobacco flavors. Being so consistent and marrying the tobacco flavors really well makes the Garo Aniversario X a great candidate for that morning coffee. In doing some research you will find Dr.Garo (the creator) does a lot of sales in the European market. This cigar is a slightly more full body cigar than you would find in that market.

Final Verdict: Retailing at $8.xx the Garo Garo Aniversario X this is a cigar I think everyone should try. If you are looking for the full body power house – stay away.  However, if you want something that is consistent, smooth, good and goes very well with a drink – then stock up now. You will also notice the quality and amount of tobacco just stuffed into these sticks makes it a great bargain.

Debo Mukherjee, vice president of marketing for General Cigar was quoted stating the “Brioso was created with today’s value conscious, premium cigar consumer in mind. In Brioso, we feel we have satisfied all the touch points of the smoker who demands high quality tobacco, complex flavor and expert craftsmanship. Since Brioso delivers an excellent smoking experience at a very accessible price point, we are confident that this new collection has all the makings of a consumer favorite.”

It’s always exciting when a value-priced, “bundle“, cigar comes into the market from a company that is well established. The Brioso concept has the ability to keep people smoking on a very limited budget; with today’s hardships and tax increases this is a very good thing from General Cigar. Briosos is also a “contract” stick meaning they can only be sold at the local B&M – again, thank you General.

Construction: Brioso has a pretty decent looking wrapper for a bundle cigar. It is light brown in color and appears dry, lacking any kind of oils, and has a couple of large veins that makes the stogie feel rough.

Draw: Impeccable. You can cut, punch or… poke the Brioso cigar and it will have no trouble filling your mouth with thick smoke after requiring a light tug.

Burn: As great as it is to poke fun at the “big giant cigar company” I have to give them credit with the burns almost all of their cigars create. The Brioso has a peppery white ash that holds strong and will never require a correction.

Flavor: “Hey, what kind of wrapper are they using on this?”

“A gross one.”

Well let that be some indication as to what is going to come from the “flavor” section for this very article.  I commend General for trying to create a cigar that is affordable and easily obtainable to the public for every day consumption. However, if you are going to do something (like create a cigar), why not try to do it right?

At least the cigar is smokable. Yes – put it in your mouth, light it up and give it a puff. Now if you are looking for something complex or even slightly enjoyable you might (I wish you could hear the tone of my voice) have to turn away from the Brioso. At best this cigar might be called “less harsh” or “smokable” or maybe even just a cigar.

I know people might counter with the pricing argument. Stating that one can’t have too much of an expectation on a cigar with a bottom of the barrel pricing structure. To you, the one sticking up for the “big giant cigar company“, I would ask you to pick up a Benchmade, Fresco or Flor de Oliva – all of which are 1000x better.

Please accept my apologies for not really describing the “flavors” of this particular cigar. I did not have the strength to relive the horrible memories.

Final Verdict: The Brioso Corona cigar by General Cigar retails  in the $3.xx range. Did you know General Cigar required the retailer to separate the Brioso from the other lines? Originally, as it was spun to me, due to the fact that this would be more “boutique” and sold exclusively inside stores to help counter the online sales. General Cigar would have done retailers more of a favor by not even selling them stick and freeing the space up for a cigar people might actually enjoy. Maybe instead of trying to help the budget minded smoker General Cigar was just trying to pick their pockets too?

The Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta Serie cigar review and video is sponsored by Casa Fuma Fine Cigars in Gilbert, Arizona. This is a shop that is fortunate enough to carry this limited edition cigar. If you would like to try to get your hands on the Cabinetta Serie you can contact them at (480) 794-1581.

Construction: Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta Serie is quite the beautiful two tone cigar. The wrapper is flawless with just a few medium sized veins that are difficult to feel with the fingers. The tobacco filler, with the pinch test, feels a little soft giving indication to an easy draw to come. A perfectly made horizontal line distinguishes the final 1/3 of the cigar and brings an interesting taste to the overall smoke.

Draw: Effortless with a punch cutting the Cabinetta Serie will produce a draw that is too loose. For the daring that like a large amount of smooth creamy smoke – feel free to cut this wide open.

Burn: When a cigar has a loose burn typically the ash tends to fall off on it’s own. The Cabinetta Serie is no exception to this phenomenon so be prepared to ash often. On a more positive note the burn produced a nice straight line that never required a correction.

Flavor: Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta Serie was blended for the European palate. From start to finish that is exactly what it delivers and is a perfect fit at all hours of the day.

To best describe the flavors: You will get a creamy cigar that allows you to enjoy the quality tobacco that was used. Starting at the mid point and finishing off you may notice a slight woody taste. This whole process is in the light to medium body range.

Final Verdict: If you can get your hands on the Joya de Nicaragua Cabinetta Serie then do so! For one, this is currently slated to be a limited release cigar that might disappear after the initial run. Secondly, everyone can enjoy a cigar that is smooth, creamy, and straight forward. Regardless of the type of cigars you smoke you will love it and wish you bought more.

PuffingCigars.com is not only a B&M supporter but we also a support boutique cigar manufacturers. Today we are happy to introduce you to a great cigar company called Honduras Caribbean. This is a true cigar company that owns their own farms and means of production in the Honduras. Starting in 2005 by a gentleman named Clayton this cigar company strives to “offer an affordable cigar with a premium quality taste and appearance.”

The Maduro by Honduras Caribbean is the cigar we will be reviewing today. The Madruo comes in four sizes: Robusto (5×52), Churchill (7×50), Torpedo (6×54) and the Gordo (6×60). From the website the Maduro is described as “Our first 100% sun-grown cigar from the Honduras Caribbean farms in Trojes.  This natural maduro is a powerful and intoxicating cigar with a complex, rich finish.”

Construction: If there is one thing a boutique manufacturer should be able to do it’s control the construction of their product hitting the market. I am proud to announce that the Maduro by Honduras Caribbean was able to do just that. They provide you with a very dark Sun Grown Honduran wrapper that was grown on their own farm in Trojes. The tobacco, again grown on their own farms, is packed into the cigar giving it a nice weight and feel. Looking at the cigars you might be able to see a single faint vein from the toothy wrapper.

Draw: Feel free to choose whatever method you would like to open the cap on the Honduras Caribbean cigar. Regardless of choice you get the perfect draw with just a slight bit of resistance. Your palate will be greeted with just the right amount of smoke for the perfect smoking experience.

Burn: Slightly jagged from start to finish you will not have any issues smoking the Maduro cigar down to the nub. The ash is gray and perfectly able to hold it’s own until you give it a nice firm tap in the ashtray.

Flavor: Doing a pre-light smell/taste on the Maduro by Honduras Caribbean will give you a really good indication to how the cigar is going to smoke. You can smell and the earthy tobacco and wrapper you will soon be greeted with.

From the get-go the smoke is very smooth and very easy on the palate. The most memorable aspect of the cigar is that it will not deliver the “typical” maduro sweetness your taste buds can easily get bored of. Overall the cigar is just great tasting tobacco many will describe as earthy. On the exhale you will also get a slight spice that can barley be noticed but actually rounds off the flavor profile for a great experience.

Towards the end of the first 1/3 I’m picking of a little dry coffee/chocolate taste, again only strong enough to compliment the tobacco. This is exactly how the middle of the cigar will smoke. However I will say the spice has become a little bit more prominent in the finish.

The spice becomes even stronger yet as you enter the final 1/3 of the cigar. At this is the point of the Maduro by Honduras Caribbean you will officially transitions from the medium to full body range. Flavor is still a dry chocolate/coffee that just pairs well with the tobacco that’s packed inside.

Final Verdict: Retailing in the $6.xx range, and even if this cigar had cost more, it is a great buy. It is too easy to create an “okay” cigar with a typical Maduro taste. However very complicated to great a great cigar that provides you with a real sense of the tobacco as the Maduro by Honduras Caribbean has done. So, if you can look past the glitzy advertising of others and want a very solid cigar that will truly bring you enjoyment at a great price – then buy a box of the Maduro by Honduras Caribbean.

Construction: The Di Fazio Maduro looks good enough to take a bite out of. The wrapper seems to be made out of dark chocolate with a slightly rough texture.  Veins can be felt with the finger but do not play any major role in the burn of the cigar. All this rough looking dark tobacco is topped off with an elegant white band that screams for attention.

Draw: Ladies and gentleman we have perfection at its finest. The Di Fazio Maduro cigar can be smoked with a punch or cut and will provide you a great amount of nice smooth smoke.

Burn: The Di Fazio burned slightly jagged and created a peppery ash that held quite well.

Flavor: As of lately most Maduro cigars seem to produce the same sweet, coating, boring smoke that we do not find interesting in the least bit. This is exactly what the Di Fazio Maduro is not.

This Di Fazio Maduro produces a flavor profile that is best described as oaky with a very smooth clean smoke. There is no variation in this from start to finish. However towards the middle of the cigar, after it warms up a bit, you will start to get a dry chocolate taste that compliments the profile and keeps the cigar interesting. In the final section your smoke will get a slight hint of spice that may only be noticeable on the retro-hale or the lingering smoke hits your nose.

Again, not being a fan of Madruo cigars I have to compliment Di Fazio for not following the same sweetened beaten down path. To be quite frank – if we was forced to create a maduro cigar (if only we had the chance)  this is exactly what we would create.

Final Verdict: Di Fazio Maduro robusto has a retail price tag in the $8 dollar range and should absolutely be purchased. This is not the typical madruo you will find at your local B&M and would be a unique addition to any humidor. A smooth clean cigar with an oaky body that produces mountains of smoke can, and will, leave a smile on your face.  After fully reviewing both the Connecticut and the Picoso cigars I can say that Di Fazio is on the right track to stardom by creating cigar lines that do not fit the typical mold.