Perdomo Conmemorativo Maduro

Robusto 5 x 52

Wrapper – Nicaraguan Maduro

Binder – Nicaraguan

Filler – 4 different Nicarguan

MSRP – TBD

Recently I had a chance to smoke and try out the newest from Perdomo called the Conmemorativo.   The cigar also features a binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Conmemorativo is set to be released in the 2nd quarter of 2011 sometime, more then likely a month or so before the IPCPR trade show.  Perdomo is still working what sizes that will be available for the new line although I have been told that the blend is finalized and the cigars are resting but they will be changing the band a bit, minor details.  The retail on the new line is still a mystery but knowing Perdomo, it will be fair and worth every penny.  Great products at great prices.

I decided to kick back at Blew Smoke in Gilbert AZ and smoke the Maduro Robusto. The Maduro wrapper is a triple fermented maduro from Jalipa Valley in Nicaragua.  Sounds Delicious.

Appearance: The wrapper on the Conmemorativo Maduro is classic.  A very nice, chocolaty colored wrapper with minimal veins and has a slightly dull tone to it.   The cigar is triple capped and is packed with tobacco.

Burn-Construction: After lighting up, I set my lighter down and didn’t need it again.  The burn was razor sharp for the most part, and the Conmemorativo produced a mouthful of smoke.  The ash was strong and gray and stayed with the cigar for a few inches. The draw was open with a tad of resistance, just the way I like it.

Flavor / Strength: Nick Perdomo has called this cigar the strongest cigar that they are currently making and honestly, I believe it.  The cigar started medium plus in strength and by the end was nice and full-bodied.  When I first lit up, I was immediately hit with some cedar spice and hints of chocolate and some flavors that I couldn’t put my finger on.  According to Arthur from Perdomo, this blend is loaded with four different filler tobaccos, “commemorating” the four growing regions in Nicaragua, and because of it, the blend was very complex and unique.

Conclusion: First of all, I am a big fan of Perdomo Cigars.  I love the way they do business and I love the mindset and innovative thinking of Nick Perdomo and Co.  They produce great cigars and with their vertically integrated facilities, they are able to produce quality cigars at great prices and Nick is great about passing those savings right along to the consumer. Quality is not determined by the price tag. The Conmemorativo is a definite winner for Perdomo and gives the smoker yet another, great option.  It is full bodied sure, but it is also very balanced and clean.  A combination that is not easy to accomplish especially with the four different fillers and complexity that you find in the Conmemorativo.  I am looking forward to smoking more of these in the future…

Now I know since I haven’t given any information on this stick people are going to assume I’m somewhat of an idiot because the title and the plain-jane band read 2008. But in reality that information is just in reference to the crop year and creation date of this limited edition, only 20,000 rolled, cigar by Tatuaje. I’m not going to get into the fancy details about why he did this project or what he was trying to mimic (wine) but the official release date was in 2010.

This stogie runs about $20 in a B&M shop and Tatuaje required the retailer to purchase an amount that isn’t too easy on the pocket books. That means not too many retailers picked it up even if they could. Lucky for me one of my local hang outs is Big Sticks Fine Cigars in Mesa, Arizona and they carry just about every cigar on the market.

I have to be honest and let everyone know upfront that I don’t know if this cigar is really that amazing or if I think it’s amazing because it happens to be my celebration cigar. But who really cares right? I mean it’s the smoking experience and our mood that makes a cigar great or not so good. You just might read this cigar review to make sure $20 isn’t going down the drain and regardless of what I say you will make your own opinions anyways.

But smoking this cigar is creating a smile across my face. It is very different when compared to all of the other Pepin stuff on the shelves because it’s not as strong. L’esprit de Verite Vintage 2008 is firmly a medium body cigar with just a little hint of spice as the smoke trails into your nose from your puff. The only other thing I really care about happens to be the draw because I work 8 long hours a day with my hands I don’t want to sit down and smoke a cigar that requires more work. And the L’esprit de Verite Vintage 2008 is a stick that doesn’t require any extra attention and I can see myself smoking this any time of the day.

So if you’re willing to part with the $20 it takes to enjoy this beauty I don’t think anyone will be disappointed. If you happen to be an Arizona smoker you can pick this up at Big Sticks.

And this will conclude my first post and instruction on puffingcigars.com. You still might be confused about what this cigar “taste” likes but to me in one way or another they all taste like tobacco. I decided to use this to give all the readers out there a little more information about me and my thought process. Stay tuned for the next postings and I look forward to interacting with all the visitors of the site.

My name is Walt and I’m just your average hard working cigar smoker enjoying life one puff at a time.

“The best things in life are simple pleasures. Let’s savor each moment.”                                                                                Keith K. Park

When I was given these cigars from Rob I had never heard of them and was under the general assumption that they were just another boutique company that was trying to make a name for themselves.  Not being one to judge without giving the cigar a fair and speedy trial, I took the smokes and stuck em in my Humidor for another day.  I loved the look from the get-go, very classy and “simple” and decided to give one a try.  I’m glad that I did…

The Sencillo was made especially for Keith Park by Camacho with the intent of creating a great everyday, affordable cigar from Prometheus.

At first glance the Sencillo has a very attractive Honduran wrapper that was vein free for the most part and very consistent of premium cigars made by Christian at Camacho.  . The double robusto had a nice weight to it and was without any soft spots or noticeable blemishes on the wrapper.  The Sencillo is a triple capped Honduran puro and has a very simple and classy look and band.  When lighting up the first thing i noticed was the burst of cedar spice and the abundance of smoke that came from the cigar which I love.  The spice was very dominant and left its mark on my tongue.

As I smoked though the 1st third and past the half way point the spice had settled and some leather and Espresso notes started to arise. The Ash held strong and had a the burn was jagged at times but never needed to be corrected.  The Sencillo also had a near perfect draw, little work required but with just enough resistance to keep the cigar feeling sturdy.  The smoke was plentiful and cool.

The leather and tobacco flavors stay dominant through the remainder with hints of spice along the  way and finishes with a burst of red pepper in the final third.  Although the flavors changed throughout, the cigar stayed pretty much medium to full bodied from start to finish.  There was an almost hidden sweetness to the Sencillo that kept the spice in check throughout and had my full attention.  It was a great combination.

So, another great cigar from Prometheus except this one happens to be 8 bucks.. From the fantastic construction to the complex flavors I will definitely be smoking it again…

“Simple” it is not…  But who wants simple anyways… I want great cigars and Sencillo is just that…

Sencillo

Size:  Double Robusto 5 3/4 x 52

Wrapper:  Honduran Habano Seed

Binder:  Honduran Habano Seed

Filler:  Honduran Piloto Cubano

MSRP:  $7.95

http://www.sencillocigars.com

]]> http://puffingcigars.com/cigar-reviews/sencillo/5073/feed/ 0 http://puffingcigars.com/cigar-reviews/13th-floor-cigars-churchill/4861/ http://puffingcigars.com/cigar-reviews/13th-floor-cigars-churchill/4861/#comments Wed, 19 May 2010 10:00:15 +0000 Rob http://puffingcigars.com/?p=4861 Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: Churchill (7×50)
Strength: Medium-Full

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?