u/Cocodrool

One of the mild to medium Stallone cigars I enjoy most. It's still a banger, but not as much as others in their lineup. This is the Alazan Corojo, with a Brazilian Corojo wrapper and very nice notes of pepper, cinnamon, cedar and nuts. I paired it with the Arabica coffee cask ST1796, which I like a lot, but for all the wrong reasons. I didn't find much in the notes of coffee in it, but it's very similar to the original 1796, but with 46% ABV, instead of the usual 40%.

All Saints Saint Francis Colorado (Robusto) 84
Mild to medium bodied
Cold aromas: sourdough, nuts, earth
First third: toast, earth, nuts
Second third: caramel, earth, pepper
Final third: pepper, earth

Intro
For this cigar, All Saints uses the same base as the Saint Francis, but swaps the dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper for a Habano Colorado, which is grown under shade cloth. The binder remains the same, though the brand notes that the filler blend has been tweaked. It's manufactured by Tavicusa in Nicaragua.

The wrapper itself is rough and lacks sheen, featuring a fair number of medium-sized veins. It doesn't feel very firm (maybe even slightly spongy). It gives off very mild aromas reminiscent of plain pizza dough, and the cold draw also reveals toasted bread and subtler hints of nuts and dry earth.

1/3
Flavors are mild from the very first puffs; there is an almost total absence of pepper, though notes of toasted bread and dough are present. Towards the end of the third slightly spicy notes begin to emerge in the retrohale, with an imperfect burn line.

2/3
The second third isn't a massive step up. Pepper is the dominant flavor, but not abundantly. A dry earthiness threatens to overpower, but never does. After the halfway mark, a sweet, fruity note like grilled pineapple, comes out. However, this flavor is short-lived and serves merely to mark the cigar's midpoint; nuts and earth take the lead for the rest of the second third.

3/3
Pepper and earth are the dominant flavors in the final third. There is also a greater dryness in the throat and a spicier retrohale. The intensity reaches medium, but strength remains mild. Construction-wise, the cigar performs admirably, aside from a few instances of uneven burning. Total smoke time is one hour and 40 minutes.

Conclusion
I originally tried the original Saint Francis (with Habano oscuro wrapper) some months ago, and it struck me as a decent cigar that could certainly be greatly improved with a different wrapper. Yet, this version features exactly that, and I don't think it’s a step in the right direction. I believe the box-press shape slightly reduces the volume of the internal tobacco leaves, and the resulting void leaves the smoking experience feeling like something is missing. While it is true that some tobacco is lost when creating a box-pressed cigar compared to a round one, I’d hate to think that’s the deciding factor between a cigar I enjoy and one I don’t. Ultimately, I didn't care much for either version.

Made by: Tavicusa
Brand: All Saints
Line: Saint Francis Colorado
Size: 5½ x 50
Vitola: Box-Pressed Robusto
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano colorado)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
MSRP: $11.20
Score: 84

Blog
Instagram
YouTube

The Doomsayer Aggressive promises an... ahem, aggressiveness that never converts, though it's still a medium to high intensity cigar at just a bit under $10. And while it may not be really aggressive, it has a nice balance of chocolate, cedar, pepper and nuts, making it pretty average. So again, I'm hoping for something aggressive, and it's just normal.

Nonetheless, Room 101 is a great brand and this cigar was just normal. Paired with a Carúpano 18 Reserva Limitada rum, while not being 18 years old, still made for a great experience, especially when the clouds are low this afternoon and the promise of rain for tonight is looming.

Despite the sheer amount of different DR Romeo y Julietas available, I will usually gravitate towards the 505 Nicaragua often. I like that they tried to make a more robust, intense and peppery cigar while still trying to keep true to their Dominican style, so it comes out as a complex and strong smoke, with notes of chocolate, Danish cookies, caramel and cinnamon. Paired with cocuy (agave spirit) from Ancestral, which is just at 40% but oh so complex and smoky.

AJ Fernandez Enclave (Robusto) 88

Medium to full bodied
Cold aromas: coffee, nuts, whipped cream, cedar, pepper
First third: chocolate, cedar, nuts, white pepper
Second third: cedar, chocolate, nuts, whipped cream, pepper
Final third: cedar, pepper, nuts, cream

Intro
I've been going into personal experiment of trying the same cigar in different vitolas. I've been a regular buyer of the Enclave in Toro size, and I also buy the Perfecto every now and then, but I recently found it in Robusto and decided to go ahead. That said, a skeptic might argue that the difference between a 6 x 52 Toro and a 5 x 52 Robusto is merely an inch in length, but here goes. The Enclave features an Ecuadorian Habano Rosado wrapper over a Cameroon binder and a filler blend of Piloto Cubano and Nicaraguan tobaccos from AJ Fernandez’s estates.

The Enclave Robusto still features a covered foot and gives off aromas of coffee, nuts, and pastry cream from the wrapper, with notes of nuts, chocolate, and wood on the cold draw, along with a strong peppery component.

1/3
In Robusto, the Enclave begins with significantly more intensity; it was so strong that I had to pull the cigar away for a moment and carefully time my next puff because it actually stung. After a while, notes of chocolate, cedar, and nuts begin to emerge, along with a creamy or pastry-cream note. Chocolate nuances dominate, while nuts and cedar stand out among the secondary notes; towards the end of this third, that cedar flavor takes on a sweet quality as well. The retrohale features white pepper from the start. Strength is medium-to-full with a matching level of intensity; it burns beautifully and offers a phenomenal draw.

2/3
Cedar notes overtake chocolate, yet by the midpoint both chocolate and cedar are remarkably well-balanced, while pastry cream and nuts remain among the secondary notes. Construction remains superb, and overall, this second third offers a medium-to-full strength experience with high intensity.

3/3
The final third introduces pleasant new flavors, mostly due to the chocolate note fading. The peppery sensation on the palate intensifies and takes over, resulting in a profile defined by cedar and pepper. The nutty and creamy notes, vanish entirely; while the flavor variety diminishes in this final stretch, the intensity ramps up to a high level, with medium-to-full strength.

Conclusion
It is undoubtedly pleasant, but it is a cigar meant to be smoked at a leisurely pace. Having tried the Enclave in three different vitolas (Toro, Robusto and Perfecto) and all with a 52 ring gauge, I am struck by the fact that, while they all share a common thread (naturally), they are considerably different from one another. Of them, the Robusto is the strongest of the three and perhaps the one I liked the least; although Robusto is one of my favorite vitolas, I find it becomes too intense to truly enjoy. I was once told that what sets AJ Fernandez apart is that, unlike many manufacturers who treat the Robusto as their flagship size, AJF builds the line around the Toro. I don’t know if that’s true, but the fact is that I enjoy AJF’s Toros more than their Robustos. The Robusto feels stronger but less complex, as if that intensity prevents one from fully appreciating the range of flavors. The price difference is negligible, and while this cigar is an inch shorter, the pauses required between puffs ensure that the total smoking time remains very similar: around an hour and forty minutes for all vitolas.

Made by: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez
Brand: AJ Fernandez
Line: Enclave
Size: 5 x 52
Vitola: Robusto
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano rosado)
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: Nicaragua (AJ Fernandez selection, Piloto Cubano)
MSRP: $8.50
Score: 88

Blog
Instagram
YouTube

One of those 'desert island' cigars for me. I've had the Cromag Aquitaine in a bunch of vitolas and loved every one of them. Such a complex blend of chocolate, black cherries, honey, caramel and oak, and with Barrilito 3 Stars, otherwise known as the 'other' (and much better) rum from Puerto Rico, this was a very nice pairing.

I'd like to say I was sitting and rationalizing and philosophizing last night, but I really was thinking if a 48% ABV powerhouse Scotch like this one was going to leave me hammered on a Monday. I paired it with a relatively quick smoke, which really left me more buzzed than it should have. The Edge Corojo is a blend I like a lot by Rocky Patel, but in this B52 size (4½ x 60) it was just too nicotiney for my likes. Still, nice notes of pepper, cedar, nuts, and earth. The whisky was just amazing, though.

Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua (Maestro) - 88
Medium bodied
Cold aromas: chocolate, caramel, nuts, clove, cedar, coffee
First third: cinnamon, cloves, coffee, pepper, chocolate
Second third: vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate, coffee
Final third: chocolate, coffee, umami, cedar, cinnamon

Intro
I remember sometime in 2018 I tried this cigar and thought it was one big meh. I had tried other Aging Room cigars and liked them, but this one was nothing special. A year later, when it won the #1 spot in Cigar Aficionado, I tried it again to see if there was something that I missed, but nope; same mediocre experience. So I didn't buy it again. I kept seeing incredible discounts for it and even for a time I handled a cigar of the month thing in my country and never included it. But someone did buy it and gave me one with a couple of years of humidor time in exchange for something else and I kept it for about a year in my humidor and decided to try it again.

For starters, the wrapper offers aromas of chocolate, caramel, nuts, and clove, while notes of coffee, pepper, and cedar are at the foot. I cut it with a V-cutter, and the cold draw reveals aromas of pepper, dark chocolate, cedar, and caramel.

1/3
It starts off well, with intense and complex flavors of espresso and spices like cinnamon and clove along a mild peppery note. Secondary notes include dark chocolate and the retrohale highlights those peppery and clove nuances. The burn is excellent, with a well-colored ash, a great draw and lots of smoke.

2/3
The second third sees many of the top flavos lose their edge and become more subtle, in a good way. The chocolate intensifies and the pepper softens a bit, while the espresso note transitions into something resembling a cortado coffee, thanks to a creamy vanilla undertone. Meaty notes, like the charred crust of grilled meat, also come up. The retrohale includes pepper and clove. The burn remains excellent, as do the ash and consistency. The cigar is medium-strength with medium-high intensity.

3/3
There's an umami-like note in this final third, with more intense grilled-meat quality and a creamy sensation. Coffee remains the dominant note, followed by dark chocolate; clove and pepper persist in the retrohale, while faint hints of wood and cinnamon appear at both ends of the spectrum. It takes me an hour and 45 minutes to smoke this Quattro Nicaragua, with medium-high intensity and medium strength.

Conclusion
Thank god for second (or third) chances. Aging does this cigar good. It’s a bit annoying, actually, because I passed up countless deals when this cigar was priced absurdly low for a #1. I can’t quite say it’s worthy of CA’s #1 spot; after all, plenty of cigars of questionable quality end up in that category, or rather, there are far better cigars that never receive that level of recognition. But I can honestly say now that it is a great cigar, as long as it stays a couple of years in the humidor.

Made by: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez
Brand: Aging Room
Line: Quattro Nicaragua
Size: 6 x 52
Vitola: Maestro (Belicoso)
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Sumatra)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
MSRP: $13.75
Score: 88

Blog
Instagram
YouTube

Since the Powstanie War Bear isn't a widely available cigar, I figured I'd go with a spirit that isn't widely available either. First off, the War Bear has come as an annual product from Powstanie, though not available every year. Dual wrapper consisting of Ecuadorian Habano and Mexican San Andrés, and a strong demeanor of rye toast, earth, pepper, and creamy cedar.

The other side of the pairing is a Venezuelan agave spirit called cocuy. The process of making it is similar to mezcal, but the agave plant is endemic from Venezuela. Bottled at 51% ABV, there are intense herbal notes, white flowers, orange peel and an overall smoky sensation. This was amazing, even if widely unavailable.

I'm a really big fan of these Perdomo... of almost every Perdomo, really. I don't even mind their incredibly long names or the apparently infinite products they have. They're usually somewhat complex, strong and most importantly, not expensive, so I can try different ones often.

I'm not sure if they still make these, but the Small Batch Series 2005 used to be incredible, in CT, Habano or Maduro wrapper. Notes of dark chocolate, damp earth, coffee grains and black pepper, which paired great with a home made espresso, regardless of how bad I am at making these coffees and using my dad's expensive espresso machine.

• Aganorsa Leaf La Validación Habano (Gran Robusto) - 86
• Medium bodied
• Cold aromas: moss, wood, coffee, leather, hazelnuts, molasses
• First third: wood, almond, molasses, damp earth
• Second third: molasses, earth, hay, wood, almond
• Final third: earth, wood

Intro
I initially mistook this for a remake of the pre-name change Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf Habano. However, it is a new, entirely Nicaraguan blend, whereas the original used an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. I also had a hard time finding the La Validación name, as it's quite tiny on the band and if you're over 40 it's practically invisible. Also, "Aganorsa Leaf Habano" is pretty big. La Validación refers to the brand’s practice of regularly validating its quality by frequently testing the blend to ensure intended flavors.

The wrapper has aromas of wood, pepper, and honey, while the foot reveals scents of just wood. I cut it with a straight cutter, and the cold draw is good, with aromas of more or less the same: wood, pepper and honey.

1/3
The cigar starts with a smooth yet lingering pepper note on the retrohale and palate, with dominant notes of wood and almond. A molasses sweetness develops throughout, with milder notes of damp earth and hay. Intensity varies throughout the third, between mild-medium to medium, with a mild to medium strength.

2/3
There are few changes in the second third; the sweet molasses, earth, hay, wood, and almond notes remain consistent. Strength and intensity remain at a medium level, and maybe a bit milder. The burn is excellent, but the ash flakes a lot.

3/3
In the final third the cigar gets quite hot, which in turn makes the smoke entering my mouth hot, causing some of the flavors to get a little lost. I can feel some of them, but the milder ones are overtaken by the heat. It takes me an hour and fifteen minutes to smoke the cigar.

Conclusion
While the La Validación Habano isn't a cigar defined by frequent flavor explosions, the intensity and variety of flavors do not remain static for long. You could argue the cigar feels linear, but I'd say the flavors remain consistent throughout the smoke. In terms of construction, it performs beautifully, boasting a solid ash and a very straight burn line, while its medium intensity and strength provide an enjoyable smoking experience. The biggest downside of it was the last third, where the heat just 'burned' the flavors and brought a bitter end to a smoking experience that was otherwise consistent and interesting right from the cold draw. While 1:15 may seem a shorter time than expected for a 5 x 54 cigar, I don't feel like I rushed it at all. Rather, I think it was just the right amount of time.

Made by: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa
Brand: Aganorsa Leaf
Line: La Validación Habano
Size: 5 x 54
Vitola: Gran Robusto
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Habano)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Corojo 99, Criollo 98)
MSRP: $9.50
Score: 86

Blog
Instagram
YouTube

It just took 13 years and this Serie E No. 2 is incredible! (It's always been, it just is incredible-er now). Strong notes of oak, earth, nuts, honey and pepper blended into this 95 minute blissful smoke. Paired with a very chocolate-forward rum, the Partagas just took off on its own and halfway through I left the rum behind and just enjoyed the cigar.

It just took 13 years and this Serie E No. 2 is incredible! (It's always been, it just is incredible-er now). Strong notes of oak, earth, nuts, honey and pepper blended into this 95 minute blissful smoke. Paired with a very chocolate-forward rum, the Partagas just took off on its own and halfway through I left the rum behind and just enjoyed the cigar.

The jury's still out but damn, this Family Reserve 46 years Maduro is just something else. I'm sure the 50 years might be better, but the cigar and the pairing were incredible.

Tons of notes of dark chocolate, creamy coffee, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, and pepper. It took me over two hours to finish and I was probably very buzzed at the time. Pairing was a 12-ish year old rum bottled at 45% ABV from Venezuela.

Adrian Magnus Supremos 7 Years (Robusto) - 93 points

Low to medium bodied

Cold aromas: moss, wood, coffee, leather, hazelnuts, molasses
First third: peppercorn, cedar, raisins, dark chocolate
Second third: Rye bread, cedar, peppercorns, nougat
Final third: cinnamon, vanilla, cedar, rye bread, dark chocolate

Intro
Adrian Magnus is a relatively new brand, founded just in 2020, but they focus primarily on aging the tobaccos used in their products. They offer lines featuring tobaccos aged anywhere from 5 to 15 years. About a year ago, they contacted me to try their products; at the time, I had no idea who they were, but I gladly accepted. The cigars finally arrived after a few months, though I didn't hear from the company again. So, I put the cigars in my humidor, and only now have I finally had the chance to smoke one.

The wrapper offers aromas of moss, wood, and a faint note of coffee, while the foot reveals scents of coffee grains and leather. I cut it with a punch, and the cold draw feels airy, with aromas of hazelnut, molasses, coffee, and wood.

1/3
The notes are distinctly spicy rather than merely hot, alongside hints of cedar wood, raisins, and chocolate. The finish highlights that peppercorn quality, and subtler notes of dark chocolate. The smoke is dense, the burn is very straight, and the ash drops off quickly. Strength in the first third is low, with medium intensity.

2/3
A strong note ofrye bread (Pumpernickel) and notes of wood and pepper. Retrohale offers nuances of nougat and the wafer of a vanilla cookie. Also, raisins and a hint of coffee on the palate.

3/3
Peppercorn vanishes completely, but spicy notes remain, though more toward cinnamon and vanilla, along wood, rye bread, and chocolate. With medium-high intensity and medium-low strength. Experiences lasts an hour and 45 minutes.

Conclusion
Not all cigars have to be strong to be good, though in my experience, many strong cigars are. I have also tried strong cigars that aren't good, but the Adrian Magnus strikes a great balance in its profile; it is neither strong nor particularly intense, yet it is excellent. I was actually a bit hesitant at first, given my generally poor track record with mild cigars, but the Adrian Magnus isn't exactly a mild cigar; it just combines high intensity with low strength. This is an unusual combination, and it makes for a much better cigar.

Made by: No idea. Adrian Magnus, I guess?
Brand: Adrian Magnus
Line: Supremos 7 Years
Size: 5 x 52
Vitola: Robusto
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano Criollo 98)
Binder: Ecuador (Habano HVA)
Filler: Ecuador, Nicaragua, Honduras
MSRP: $15,00
Score: 93

Blog
Instagram
YouTube

I've always assumed the O in Serie O is for "Oh my gawd this is awesome" or something around that. Had it with a Carupano 12 rum, which is not 12 years old, but it's still a great rum from Venezuela.

The Serie O has nice notes of coffee, pepper, sweet chocolate milk and a bit of nutmeg, which pair great with the sea air and caramel in this extraordinary rum, which is probably my favorite from Carupano.

Sometimes you just need to take it easy with the pairings. Not everything needs to pair, but there's a lot of experimenting going on. One of the ways I've gotten to that point and to 417 different pairing options is by taking in all the flavors and notes the cigar has to offer. Then playing it up with milder flavors in the drink, and then kicking it up a notch (and eventually several notches) with stronger drinks.

But fizzy water is how it comes about at first. It can be scented like this one, or just plain one. And today, while not experimenting, I'm just taking it easy. Maybe later I'll go with something else, but right now, this works fine.

1502 Ruby (Corona) - 75
Low to medium bodied
Cold aromas: Earth, barnyard, leather, chocolate, oak
First third: earth, wood, wasabi, leather
Second third: Dry earth, wood, leather, vanilla
Final third: wood, earth, pepper

Intro
While browsing websites and looking for deals, I frequently used one called Serious Cigars; there, I found several closeout offers, including a 10-pack of these 1502 Rubys for like $25, which I quickly purchased. Serious Cigars was acquired by Casa de Montecristo.

The Sumatra wrapper feels slightly rough, and offers aromas of earth, barnyard, and a mild leather note, while the cold draw reveals hints of chocolate and oak. The draw feels quite good; it appears the wrapper covers part of the foot.

1/3
The flavors seem to lean toward woody nuances along with notes of chocolate and a persistent hint of wasabi on the retrohale. As the third progresses, the smoke takes on an oily quality, and the burn remains even. The strength is low-to-medium, with a matching level of intensity.

2/3
The flavor profile shifts toward mineral notes, including dry earth and clay. Pepper remains the dominant element in the retrohale, though it subsides slightly past the midpoint as chocolate and vanilla notes begin to emerge.

3/3
The Ruby becomes considerably sweeter, and the spicy notes essentially vanish. Vanilla flavors meld with sweet notes while retaining underlying hints of cedar and earth; only in the retrohale does a faint trace of pepper remain.

Conclusion
While there is little to criticize, I struggle to find standout qualities when comparing it to other cigars from the same brand and price range. The experience isn't negative, exactly, but rather "ordinary," and there are more surprising options available at that price point. It feels like smoking a blend that hasn't changed in fifteen years, and while it’s not bad, it isn't memorable.

Made by: Plasencia Cigars
Brand: 1502
Line: Ruby
Size: 5½ x 42
Vitola: Corona
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador (Sumatra)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Jalapa, Estelí)
MSRP: $8,00
Score: 75

Blog
Instagram
YouTube

Lots to celebrate yesterday, though it may seem pointless: After the earthquakes, the replicas, the crumbling and the rescues, the donations and traveling around the city to deliver those donations, I realized there's little sense in storing stuff waiting for 'the moment'. Lots of people died in Caracas and La Guaira, and many didn't get to that moment.

So I'm cracking open the Montecristo A that's been sitting at the bottom of my humidor for the last couple of years and opening the 1.75 liter bottle of Roble Zafra 2005, which is a 15 year old rum.

For a $70 cigar that lasted 3 hours, the woody, almondy, coffee and cinnamon notes were incredible, and by the time I took a drag and the smoke reached my palate, it was smooth and cool and delicious. Pairing it with the rum was otherworldly, with the raisin, oak, orange peel and toffee.

I probably won't get to buy another Montecristo A soon, but it was a great smoke (review soon).

Lots to celebrate yesterday, though it may seem pointless: After the earthquakes, the replicas, the crumbling and the rescues, the donations and traveling around the city to deliver those donations, I realized there's little sense in storing stuff waiting for 'the moment'. Lots of people died in Caracas and La Guaira, and many didn't get to that moment.

So I'm cracking open the Montecristo A that's been sitting at the bottom of my humidor for the last couple of years and opening the 1.75 liter bottle of Roble Zafra 2005, which is a 15 year old rum.

For a $70 cigar that lasted 3 hours, the woody, almondy, coffee and cinnamon notes were incredible, and by the time I took a drag and the smoke reached my palate, it was smooth and cool and delicious. Pairing it with the rum was otherworldly, with the raisin, oak, orange peel and toffee.

I probably won't get to buy another Montecristo A soon, but it was a great smoke (review soon).