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.

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.

Construction: I always find my self staring at the blond silky wrapper as it sits nestled between the dark maduros in the humidor. The Di Fazio Connecticut is smooth with minimal veins that can barley be felt with the fingers. There is just the right amount of tobacco that gives the Di Fazio Connecticut some weight but leaves a slightly spongy feel.

Draw: With just the right amount of resistance this Di Fazio Connecticut creates mountains of smoke. This is the type of cigar that can be punched, cut or even bitten (if your in a jam).

Burn: The Di Fazio Connecticut has no issues burning down to the nub. On some of the Di Fazio Connecticut cigars the burn became slightly jagged but self correcting. So if you are a perfectionist you may want to keep a lighter near by. The ash was thick and white but some of the stogies did a little “self-ashing” at every inch to inch and a half. Overall I would say the Di Fazio Connecticut did a great job burning and we did nothing extra to correct the jagged lines (again self correcting).

Flavor: It’s always tough to sit down and go into detail on any type of mild, smooth Connecticut cigar. The reason being is that the good cigars, such as the Di Fazio Connecticut, will always be constant while enhancing the other flavor profiles introduced with beverages or food.

We can say that the Di Fazio Connecticut has a very unique taste you may not find on other cigars in this category. It starts out with a grassy taste that finishes with a creamy smoke.  You will then get a smooth wheat profile that again finishes with a creamy smoke that coats your palate.

So in short the Di Fazio Connecticut is a grassy/wheat consistent cigar that produces lots of creamy smooth smoke.

Final Verdict: Di Fazio Connecticut retails in the $7-8 range. This is truly a unique Connecticut cigar that stands out in the market and is a gem to keep in the humidor. You can smoke this in the morning, to enhance any drinks or when you feel experiencing something unique.A new smoker will enjoy the smoothness and creamy smoke while the advanced will cherish its unique wheat like profile. Buy a box (24) or you can even buy the half boxes (12) Di Fazio makes. You will not be bored, you will not be sorry and this is a Connecticut you have to pick up before the secrete is out.

Surfing the Twittersphere and asking people for suggestions on my next cigar review many gave praises to the La Caridad Del Cobre by Frank Herrera.  This is a new cigar that was introduced at the 2009 IPCPR.

Frank Herrera is a name you might have heard before. He is the intelligent gentleman who runs CigarLaw.com and keeps us informed on the various legal matters that arise in the cigar industry.  Mr. Herrera has tapped the shoulders of master roller Manuel Medina of Cuban Crafters to have the La Caridad Del Cobre created.

Being a new cigar I was unable to locate any locally in Arizona. Coming to our rescue was Brian White (@smokinonthe13th) who graciously provided some of his samples to smoke.  So thanks to Mr. White and the Twitter recommendations we now have the La Caridad Del Cobre cigar review.

Construction: My first thoughts when I take a look at the La Caridad Del Cobre cigar is that it appears dry because the wrapper has zero sheen to it. Aside from the dull appearance the La Caridad Del Cobre has just a few larger veins that can not be felt with the hand. It feels like it has a good amount of tobacco with enough give in the tobacco to give me the impression that it will have an effortless draw.

Draw: Just as I suspected! With just a small end of the cap taken off the La Caridad Del Cobre you will get a plethora of smoke rushing into your palate and nose.

Burn: La Caridad Del Cobre produces a lot of smoke while sitting at rest. The cigar will not burn too fast or hot, so please don’t make that assumption. But it’s almost like the La Caridad Del Cobre is sending out smoke cigars letting everyone around you know that it’s sitting there ready to go.

The real important part about the burn of this cigar is that it will burn perfectly straight, not require any corrections or work and produces a thick gray ash. Maybe the smoke signals are intended to draw attention to its perfect form?

Flavor: La Caridad Del Cobre makes “no apologies for our smooth and gentle smoke” and I couldn’t have said it any better. The La Caridad Del Cobre is a very mild and straight forward cigar that anyone can consume.

From start to finish you get a sense of the mild tobacco that is used in the creation of cigar. The body never leaves the mild range and does a great job of picking up the other flavors you might be introducing with your drink of choice.  I can tell you that in the smoke, more specifically on the finish, you get a ever-so-slight  hint of spice.

Final Verdict: La Caridad Del Cobre retails in the $7.xx range. That being said I have to let you know that I think there are some other mild body cigars that are more complex (better), cheaper and have a better price range (Perdomo Champagne or Camacho Connecticut). However, I also think the La Caridad Del Cobre is a good cigar for what it is. This is something that every mild-medium body cigar smoker should have in their humidor and something that all the full body smokers should keep if they love the taste of raw tobacco. So pick some up, give them a try and let me know what you think about the La Caridad Del Cobre.

Construction: The CAO Gold Vintage Cremant is a beautiful cigar (maybe because of the cool bands CAO always uses). It has a spongy firm feel to the touch and no veins can be felt with the hands. A light oily sheen covers the CAO making it impossible to see the wrapper lines in this caramel colored stick.

Draw: The CAO Gold Vintage has a perfect draw that some people might find a bit too easy. On the multiple cigars we have smoked we never had any burn hot on us. We suggest starting with a punch so you can gauge how easy or hard the cigar draws for you.

Burn: A few of the CAO Gold Vintage Cremant cigars needed a just a little touch up during the smoking process. It was not major enough to consider it a problem but keep a lighter near by. The ash was also inconsistent, some cigars had a great ash that stayed on while the others fell at every opportunity.

Flavor: The CAO Gold Vintage Cremant is one of the most delightful and consistent toro sized cigars we have smoked in a long time. On first light you are introduced to a very light sweet tobacco that has some nutty characteristics. The sweetness is a mixture of vanilla and caramel that is only amplified by the creamy smoke on the finish. The final component is a very nice spice that leaves you craving for more.

Towards the middle of the cigar, and consistent to the end, the nutty notes have warmed the Gold Vintage up. As the cigar is now smoking in the medium body range you will still get the caramel, the vanilla and perhaps a slight floral taste. The spice on the CAO has also changed and subdued a bit but the creamy finish still remains.

Drinking a coffee, espresso or any morning drink will only increase the enjoyment the CAO Gold Vintage brings. Thus making the cigar perfect for a morning start or paired with a light meal.

Final Verdict: CAO Gold Vintage Cremant retails in the $8-9 range. This is a cigar that everyone should try, buy and keep in their humidor. It pairs well with drinks and makes a perfect start to the day. The cigar also has qualities that usually do well with time, so hide this in your humidor and see how it does. It’s mild and complex enough that new smokers will enjoy it with ease and the seasoned aficionado will enjoy the subtle touches. Pick the CAO Gold Vintage up while you can and let us know your experience!

Construction: Illusione Epernay Le Ferme has a light milk chocolate colored wrapper. Minimal sheen on the but oils can be seen. Veins are also minimal although you may find a medium sized vein or two that can not be felt. There are no soft spots on any of the cigars throughout the cab.

Draw: Illusione Epernay Le Ferme has a perfect cigar draw from start to finish. It has the right amount of resistance that I wish every cigar was created with.

Burn: These Epernay has a clean straight burn that does not require any corrections. The ash being produced is light and peppery in color.

Taste: Illusione Epernay Le Ferme is a mild bodied cigar that has may hints on the palate. You will get a lot of faint flavors that are easy on the palate. In the first 1/3 of the cigar you will get some spice, grass, and lots of sweet smooth smoke.

The middle of Illusione Epernay Le Ferme is where the cigar really starts to pick up in the medium body range. The complexity of the smoke, in general, has picked up for our enjoyment. The Le Ferme is really bright and floral and the smoke starts to get thicker while coating your mouth with some wood notes. You will encounter some spice that will linger in and out and pair really nicely with whatever the cigar is bringing to your palate at the current time.

From start to finish the Illusione Epernay Le Ferme will develop more flavors and more complexity. It will stay consistent and smooth down to the nub. You will continue to get the spice, floral, wood, and cool creamy smoke that makes the cigar appropriate at all times.

Final Verdict: The Illusione Epernay has a final price tag in the  $9.xx range. The Illusione Epernay is one of our all time favorite releases of cigars. This is a cigar that you should buy in bulk and keep handy at all times. Enjoy this as the first cigar in the morning or the last smoke in the evening – either way you will never be disappointed. Buy a cab, buy 3 cabs, just make sure you have plenty laying around.

Construction: Allow us to start out by saying the G.A.R. GAR Cigar (I like saying that) is a beautiful cigar. The wrapper is a light brown cinnamon matte color that looks amazing in the bright white box and band. There are some very tiny veins that make the cigar very smooth to the touch. It is boxed pressed and stuffed full of tobacco, so don’t bother looking for any soft spots.

Draw: Again – perfection. You can cut or punch (small or large) and you will not have any issues drawing clouds of wonderful smoke.

Burn: The G.A.R. GAR Cigar is is packed full of tobacco that creates a nice slow burn. Make sure you set aside some time to really enjoy this stogie. The ash is solid and white, there is no tunneling, and it stays cool through the entire smoke. Should I say perfection again?

Taste: The beginning of the G.A.R. GAR Cigar has dry earthy flavor that really resembles a Padron. In the background you get a slight hint of sweet cedar and the overall body is in the mild-medium range. Even though the description may be lacking you will find this to be a really complex cigar that your palate will fall in love with.

Flavor wise you will continue to get the earthy complex cigar with a flawless finish. The body only slightly moves from the mild-medium range into medium segment as you continue to burn. The G.A.R. GAR Cigar will never get hot, harsh, or provide you with anything but enjoyment.

This G.A.R. will quickly become your consistent go to cigar.

Verdict Is: Retailing in the $9.xx and online prices in the $8.xx range this is a must buy cigar. The G.A.R. GAR Cigar has great complexity, it’s smooth, packed full of tobacco, and can be smoked by anyone. Buy a box of the G.A.R. GAR Cigar. You might want to consider purchasing two boxes because after you and a smoke buddy try one – you will not be able to stop. I promise.

A Stroll in Flavor Country

Every once in a while its  nice to take the path less traveled, and branch out into uncharted waters.  Camacho is no novice brand when it comes to making good cigars, but they are new to making a mild Connecticut stick.  It is in fact a response to the masses who have been clamoring for a stick of this nature.  The Camacho Connecticut is a wonderful treat wrapped up in a truly inexpensive package.

The stick I chose was the robusto (Monarca) size, and it was selling for five and some change at my local cigar haunt, Casa Fuma, in Gilbert.  Having smoked the stick with one of my good friends, and talking with the proprietor of Casa Fuma, Cliff Coen, we all concluded that it was a great stick for the price, and a lovely example of a Connecticut.

In choosing the size, I went with the preferred size of Camacho’s president Christian Eiroa.  In a recent article he stated “I tend to favor the robusto.  It is the chassis from which we make all of the blends.  In my opinion, this size, 50 ring by 5 or 41/2 inches, allows us just the right girth for the blend to develop and the right amount of time to smoke the cigar.”  It is knowing this that I sampled his preferred size, and was greeted with a wonderful smoking experience, that I liken to taking a stroll through flavor country!

Construction: The construction of the Connecticut is a revealing look at the passion of the master blenders at Camacho.  Every Camacho Connecticut is an amalgamation of different blends of tobacco from all over the Central American region.  The wrapper is a beautiful Ecuadorian Connecticut leaf, which gently wraps a Honduran binder, that securely nestles the Dominican and Honduran filler.  All of the  wrapper leaves that I inspected in the box, and on my stick were smooth and without rips or tears.  The cap was of a sturdy construction that allowed for the Camacho Connecticut to be easily punched or cut, without compromising the integrity of the draw.  On this particular size I would recommend a punch.

Draw: The draw of the Camacho Connecticut was tight, but smooth.  It was tight in the sense that you could feel some resistance, but smooth in that smoke had no trouble passing through the channels and come spilling out in creamy clouds of tastiness.

Burn: While smoking the Connecticut I found the burn to be even and steady.  There were some moments where the burn was slightly uneven, but overall it held a fantastic burn down to the end.  Throughout the smoking experience the ash was consistently strong and light gray, with a slight striated pattern.  Overall the cigar burned the way it was supposed to and clearly showcased the telltale signs of expert rollers who know how to construct one fine cigar.

Flavor: One of the most flavorful cigars to me is a well constructed Connecticut.  Perhaps it is because that is the type of stick I first started out with, and it therefore will forever hold a special place in my heart, but a creamy Connecticut is truly a blissful smoke.  The Camacho Connecticut is creamy, spicy, and contains a constant note of cedar.  Upon the first draw the spicy taste is the overture to the masterpiece that is about to unravel in your mouth.  From there the spice becomes the sotto voce to the notes of cedar that take over for the remainder of the time.  From there it is a mixture of cream and cedar with the interruption of nutty flavor all the way to the last inhalation.  Connecticut’s can tend to end on a bitter note, but this cigar had no hint of bitterness at the end, and was a delectable cigar that any connoisseur could appreciate through and through.

Overall Opinion: From start to finish the Camacho Connecticut is one of the nicest mild body Connecticut’s I’ve had the pleasure of smoking.  Everything melded together to create an enjoyable smoking experience for a rock bottom price.  To be quite honest, this stick comes close to Ashton quality at half the Ashton price.  Camacho has done well in venturing out into terra incognita, and come back with cigar gold!  So if you are looking for a delightful mild body connecticut at a lower end price, or higher end price for that matter, then this cigar should definitely be at the top of your list for taste, construction, and overall economy.

Construction: Oliva always makes cigars that have excellent construction, very minor veins, and that are packed full of tobacco – The Oliva Connecticut Reserve is no exception.  The wrapper is a nice gold-brown color that appears silky under light. You might find a little blemish (or two) on the wrapper.

Draw: Oliva Connecticut Reserve has a loose draw that requires very little effort. I would suggest using a small punch on this cigar.

Burn: Again, with Oliva in general, this cigar acted how you would expect every quality stick to act. The burn was very even and never showed any signs of tunneling. The ash was solid and white. Oliva Connecticut Reserve might burn a bit quick depending on how you cut/punch the stogie. Another credit to the Oliva team for quality control.

Taste: The Oliva Connecticut Reserve starts off with a light sweet aroma (if you are able to detect anything at all).

Oliva Connecticut Reserve starts off with a nice, yet light, peppery spice and a bit of earthiness. The creaminess of the cigar immediately introduces itself leaving you will a palate comfortable. At this point the cigar is in the mild-medium range.

The Oliva Connecticut Reserve settles down through the middle of the cigar. The spice is less dominate and the cigar turns into a medium body stick. The creaminess increases and the overall flavor can be described as toasty. You might pick up some woody notes with a slight touch of sweetness. Now this can be defined as a mild cigar.

As you finish the Oliva Connecticut Reserve the flavor profile becomes even more muted. The finish is still slightly creamy and there is no harshness to be found. It’s impressive that the end of the mild Oliva does NOT get hot or finish poorly (which can tend to happen with other “mild” cigars).

Final Verdict: The Oliva Connecticut Reserve is in the $4.xx – 5.xx price range. This is a verstile cigar that can be smoked by anyone who enjoys a full body cigar (due to the complex) or someone just getting into the cigar smoking game (because it’s mild). It would be a great cigar in the morning, after a light lunch, or even mid day as your first smoke. At the fabolous price point I can only suggest one thing: Buy a box of the Oliva Connecticut Reserve.

In my long history of smoking cigars I will never forget my first Ashton Cabinet. It was my first foray into a higher priced stick, and boy what an entrance into the next tier! As a cigar novice, one often wonders what sets apart a five dollar stick, and a ten dollar stick, and at the time I was one, but after that day I knew.

From the website: “The Ashton Cabinet is the “White Burgundy” of cigars. “White Burgundy” gets its rich complex taste from the soil and aging of the grape in French oak barrels. The Cabinet’s 4 to 5 year old Dominican filler blend has a rich, complex and well rounded taste. The extraordinary Connecticut shade wrapper is aged for an extra year and has an elegant palamino color resulting in a smooth and creamy flavor. The Ashton Cabinet includes no less than six different tobaccos and ends with a “big finish.” Seven years pass from seedling to finished cigar before Ashton Cabinet is brought to fruition and presented for your smoking pleasure.”

Construction: The Ashton Cabinet number 6 is a blend steeped in tradition and pride. It is one of the main arsenal of the Ashton line, and it reflects the artisan tobacconists’ love for developing a great cigar. Each cabinet has a beautiful Connecticut shade wrapper of a golden hue, nestled within its binder is no less than six different blends of fine tobacco. Ashton understands patience is a virtue, and any great product worth producing takes time to get to its ultimate fruition. The cigar is from seed to finish a seven year product. The cap is of a solid design and can easily be punched or cut, I would recommend a punch.

Draw: Simply put the draw is an effortless draw that pulls out voluminous amounts of smoke at every delightful inhalation.

Burn: The burn is another testament to the craftsmanship of the Ashton Cabinet. It is one of the most evenly burned cigars that I have ever done. In all my many occurrences of smoking the Ashton Cabinet, I have never had a bad burning stick. The ash is a solid grey and will continue to build until you are ready to dust it off.

Flavor: I’ve always appreciated the unique taste of the Ashton Cabinet. It is a type of taste that reminds one of wood, and campfire overtones. The following descriptor is not the most erudite in saying that it is toasty, but its certainly more apt to describe the Ashton Cabinet as a flavorful cigar that reminds one of eating a lightly singed smores marshmallow. If your not a fan of a lightly singed marshmallow, then this stick might not be for you, but if you are, than this cigar is a wonderful treat all the way through.

Overall Opinion: The Ashton is a wonderfully crafted mid-range smoke. It is a mild treat, that has a wonderful even burn and an easy draw. It is close to the super premium range in craftsmanship and taste, without the often heavy price tag. So if you are looking for a wonderful stick in the ten dollar price range, then the Ashton Cabinet reigns king in this category. Mark Twain often waxed eloquent on how the Mississippi River would bring him back to his brightest and most fond memories, to me the Ashton Cabinet will always stand out as a smoke that represents the artisan craftsmanship that makes cigar smoking such a joy and pleasure to me.