To be honest, it isn't clear to us what sets the Viaje Late Harvest apart from the other annual Viaje LEs. Like the Exclusivo and Holiday Blends for example, the Late Harvest is a Nicaraguan puro rolled at Raices Cubanas. The cigar is available in a couple traditional formats and it's pretty safe to assume that most if not all of the tobacco is sourced from Aganorsa.
Packaging is one element that sets each Viaje offering apart. In the case of the Late Harvest, boxes are made to look like wine crates as "late harvest" is a wine making term signifying the use of grapes left on the vine longer. There's no indication we could find that any related harvesting technique is utilized in the development of raw material for this cigar...Oliva Serie V Melanio Review
Perla del Mar Cigar Review
We were able to receive some pre-release sticks handed out during last month's IPCPR and will post some reviews of the samples. This first of these is the Perla del Mar from J.C. Newman that should be arriving at retail this month.
The Perla G (toro) we tried is one of the four 52+ ring, aggressively priced vitolas J.C. Newman will be shipping for this initial Perla del Mar release. We intend to try the rest of the PdM sizes and may follow-up with a full review of the regular issue sticks after they become available.
Until then, we hope you enjoy our preliminary thoughts and findings about J.C. Newman's Perla del Mar and the remaining IPCPR pre-release review posts coming soon...Fuente Solaris Review
The Fuente Solaris we'll Review today is the fourth and most recent "Microblend" release available exclusively from FL retailer Smoke Inn. Fuente fans outside FL can purchase the limited-run cigar on Smoke Inn's website. As we write this in early July, Solaris boxes and 5-packs remain available and will set you back about $9 a stick.
Each Microblend release is produced by a different heavyweight cigar maker with Fuente being perhaps the most notable participant in the series. There aren't many bigger or more respected brands than Fuente (who certainly know a thing or two about limited releases) so the gang at Smoke Inn were surely pleased to have the Solaris added to the MB lineup...
Crowned Heads Four Kicks Review
We've been waiting for an opportunity to write about the Four Kicks line for awhile. It's a cigar that's been in our regular rotation since its release and after putting down our share of Seleccion No. 5 samples, we thought the time was right to post a full review.
Like most of our cigar blogging contemporaries, we've concluded that the Four Kicks is a hit. As regular releases go, it's one of the best new lines to come out in the last year. It's also quite a bit better than many LE's. The straight forward presentation and growing availability is a great reflection on Crowned Heads early success and no small validation of the CH team's contribution to earlier projects/brands they were a collective part of.
You can find more details about our Seleccion No. 5 tastings after the bump. There are also some musings about the industry not really specific to Four Kicks. A benefit of cigar enjoyment is the time a good smoke affords for the contemplation of things we hold dear. Being a very good cigar, the No. 5 did that job for us and we hope you enjoy the results...Tatuaje Mexican Experiment Review
The limited Tatuaje Mexican Experiment release maintained only a brief stay in the spotlight earlier this month before losing cigar-of-the-moment status when Pete Johnson’s Little Monsters hit retail about a week later. While waiting for our box of Monsters to arrive, we managed to put down several ME robustos and the tasting results are detailed below.
Naturally, comparisons to other releases featuring a Nic+Mexican maduro blend will be made. Pepin’s La Gloria Cubana Mi Amore, the Ortega Serie D have the most in common with the ME. Padron k-series maduros (rumored to have Mexican wrappers) also come to mind. Each of these cigars share a pressed presentation and similar MSRP’s, so if they fit your profile preferences, the Mexican Experiment is one you’d likely want to participate in ...
Room 101 San Andres Review
Padilla Studio Tobac Figurado
This tag-team effort from Padilla and Oliva's Studio Tobak specialty division is a limited edition release presented in a single format. The special figurado shape and dual bands that denote the partner brands make for a strong presentation. Construction is commendable and complexity above average.
At around $14, the Padilla Studio Tobak Figurado is a bigger investment than fans of either brand are accustomed to making. So it appears Ernesto and the Olivas felt they had something special when this release came together. Find out how our tasting went after the bump ...
La Reloba Sumatra Robusto
After reading all the great reviews (including an appearance in Cigar Aficionado's Top 25) and enjoying many samples from this line's Habano blend, it was decided at HLC World HQ that the time to try a La Reloba Sumatra had arrived.
Results are often surprising when steady praise precedes a first-time tasting. The power of suggestion's positive influence is in conflict with raised expectations that can set the stage for disappointment. These two forces are less likely to balance eachother out than generally complicate the process of assessing a cigar experience. As with many things, the best approach is to try and clear the mind of any/all pre-judgements and trust one's instincts. So we toasted up the foot of our first La Reloba Sumatra with the closest thing to an open mind we could muster...
Torano Single Region Serie Jalapa Robusto
Gurkha Wicked Indie Toro
Diesel Unholy Cocktail
Rocky Patel 15th Anniversary Torpedo
San Cristobal Elegancia Robusto Review
Pepin Garcia’s name doesn’t usually come to mind when considering the latest, greatest, Connecticut-wrapped releases. The San Cristobal Elegancia could be an attempt by the crew at My Father change this perception. If creating inroads beyond the Nicaraguan-spice-bomb market is a Garcia family priority, then Ashton, with their record of quality and established following, is an ideal choice for the Elegancia partnership.
Garcia-made sticks registering lower on the spice scale like the Vegas Cubanas and Tat Caibaguan are clearly winners. But My Father––or any other hot Nicaraguan boutique manufacturer––has yet to release a signature Connecticut that equals their best puros. Such an uber-successful CT launch may require super-premium positioning to captivate enthusiasts. Readily available and reasonably priced, the Elegancia doesn’t exude high-end exclusivity which may explain the comparatively little hype it received coming out of IPCPR.
Perhaps an opportunity for Ashton and Pepin to make a statement, to tell a story, has been lost?...
Casa Magna Domus Magnus Optimus Review
When we found the Casa Magna Domus Magnus Optimus up on our favorite shop's shelf, we immediately grabbed a few and began lighting them up before they had rested a week in our humi.
There's a always a few CM Colorado sticks in the HLC humi as well, so we're anxious to find out if the Quesada/Plasencia team can stir things up again....