Blind Taste Test Review Pass

SD_Stack said:

Review Cigar #01 - Toaster

Sherpa Diablo Churchill 7.00 x 50 $2.00

Appearance: Outstanding
Construction: Outstanding
Burn: Even
Problems: Split/Unraveled
AshColor: White
AshStructure: Very Solid
Draw: Perfect
Aroma: Good
Smoked_To: Past the Band
Strength: Medium
Recommended: Yes
Scale: Good Cigar
Class: Premium

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$2.00? :0

That's quite a deal for that cigar, I've seen some $15 sticks that were not made that well. I enjoyed the cigar, which is why I smoked it past the band, otherwise I would have tossed it. I thought for sure it was a DR cigar, and probably an RyJ.....

Full bodied? Not by a long shot... Medium AT BEST, it was on the weaker side of medium if you ask me. But I guess that's in the palette of the beholder (so to speak).

I had fun guessing though! :thumbs:
Thanks again Stack!

SD_Stack said:

What SD Said:  I couldn't find much info on the cigar.  It is supposed to be an expensive premium stick.  ???  It's not a PAN Moki.  Good try though.  Thanks for the review.  Good job.  :thumbs:

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Oh trust me, I know it's not a PAN -- the size is all wrong, too large to be a PAN Torpedo-- I said "The worst Padron 1964 Anniversary Natural" as a joke. You know, like after a lobster dinner saying "That was the worst chicken I ever had!"

I thought it was much more likely to be a wannabe PAN, and perhaps it is. Also mentioned that it was probably a "premium" smoke that isn't worth but $2-3 -- I would never say that about a PAN!

From the review:

If I had to guess, I'd say this was a Toraño or some other Padron-wannabe cigar.

I am VERY glad that this is not a Toraño -- because it is a crapstick, IMHO, and I've been looking forward to having a Toraño.

nice, have heard some nice things about the Diablo's, will have to check out now.

IMO, it is nice to hear some blunt reviews on some cigars so we are ggoing by name, but by what we think.

:thumbs:

Was clearly unambiguous in this one, with no humor at all. #32 has been reviewed and submitted.

SD_Stack said:

Savinelli ELR (Natural) Belicoso 6x49 $9.50
...............

What SD Said: I couldn't find much info on the cigar. It is supposed to be an expensive premium stick. ??? It's not a PAN Moki. Good try though. Thanks for the review. Good job. :thumbs:

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Quored from Savinelli

For this very special cigar, Savinelli worked with the most renoun cigar producer outside of Cuba, Tabacalera A. Fuente, also from the Dominican Republic. It too is hand made and using long leaf filler from an original recipe developed by Giancarlo Savinelli, and of course adheres to the strict levels of quality control Savinelli is famous for.

The ELR also contains Cuban seed tobaccos, but uses a blond Connecticut wrapper, giving the cigar a much smoother taste. It imparts distinct notes of vanilla and coffee, making it the perfect cigar for celebrating special occasions, or for when you just want to treat yourself to a truly spectacular cigar.

In 1996, Cigar Aficionado gave the ELR the title of the highest rated Dominican Lonsdale. The Extra Limited Reserve is only available at fine tobacconists in the U.S. and Italy, and has even been seen being smoked by the President himself

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I'm glad they won an award for their lonsdale in 1996, but this Belicoso in 2004 was just not good. Perhaps some age would do it some good.

Moki... You sure are touchy. This is all about having fun.

Everyone... I screwed up. For the record. Moki didn't say it was a PAN. He said it was a wannabe PAN.

I'll try to keep my comments about the reviews to myself from now on.

I will have your latest review up shortly.

Thanks for playin'.

SD_Stack said:

Moki... You sure are touchy. This is all about having fun.

Everyone... I screwed up. For the record. Moki didn't say it was a PAN. He said it was a wannabe PAN.

I'll try to keep my comments about the reviews to myself from now on.

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No man, your comments on the reviews are my favorite part! Keep doing them!

Review Cigar #32 - Moki

CPUserName: Moki
CigarNumber: 32

ISOM Romeo Y Julieta - Exhibicion No.4 June 2000 5x48 $7.00

Appearance: Good

Appearance Notes
Nice natural wrapper cigar, arrived in fine shape.

Construction: Good

Construction Notes
Nice little robusto, very tightly rolled, nice triple cap, too.

Burn: Even
Problems: None Found
AshColor: Light Grey
AshStructure: Typical
Draw: Tight
Aroma: Fair
Smoked_To: To the Band
Strength: Medium
Recommended: Yes
Scale: Good Cigar
Class: Low End ISOM

TasteNotes
Nice leathery/chewy cigar -- a bit of a tight draw that got better over time. Very tasty, slight hints of nuts and spice.

OverallNotes
A good smoke; to me it tastes like a Cuban cigar, not a domestic. Enjoyable to smoke, but lacking in the more interesting flavors I tend to enjoy. If this sucker isn't a Cuban, it's sure got me fooled. Whatever it is, it's tasty, but not exceptional.

The Manufacturer Said: Check Ron-Nee.

What SD Said:

Aw c'mon, I take it all back, keep on making your comments on the reviews!!

Reviews on 13 and 21 sent. 13 had me stumped as to brand, 21 was...well, see my review.

Hey brother Steven. DC#0301 0120 0001 2010 3451


Thanks for letting me play.



Ken

Review Cigar #21 - Psyktek

CPUserName: Psyktek
CigarNumber: 21

CAO L'Anniversaire Cameroon Belicosos 6x54 $6.70

Appearance: Poor

Appearance Notes
Dry, dirty-looking wrapper. Several small cracks and holes. Extreme box-pressed pyramid, like a Perdomo La Tradicion but without the quality.

Construction: Poor

Construction Notes
Spongy, loose. Overall very unpleasant.

Burn: Even
Problems: None Found
AshColor: Dark Grey
AshStructure: Flakey
Draw: Too Easy
Aroma: Rank!
Smoked_To: Less than Half Smoked
Strength: Bland
Recommended: No
Scale: Dog Rocket!
Class: Bundled Cigar

TasteNotes
Like fresh-cut lumber, unpleasant and resiny.

OverallNotes
Yuck! Likely some knock-off or house brand. Either that or very poorly stored at some point. Only smoked the first quarter inch and dumped it.

The Manufacturer Said: The CAO L'Anniversaire line was developed in honor of the 30th anniversary of CAO cigars. The new L'Anniversaire Cameroon Series is a highly successful complement to the incredible success of the L'Anniversaire Maduro Series also released by CAO recently. In a nutshell, the Cameroon is an unforgettable smoke with a great looking square-pressed shape. Made with reddish-brown Cameroon wrappers from Africa and premium Nicaraguan long-fillers and binders. Mild to medium-bodied in taste and box-pressed - an attractive, high-quality smoke.

What SD Said: Wow! Psyktek. You really nailed this one! ROFL Why didn't you tell us how you really felt! <edited out> It came to me from a trade I did here. I can't say how it was kept prior to me getting it and I don't know who I traded with but it has been handled here with kid cloves. It looked fine when I bagged it up. Maybe I was drinking... who knows. I never have found a CAO that I liked except the Crillo. ??? Great review bro. Maybe now, CAO will lower their prices some! Good Job. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. No quite as much as I enjoyed reading the next one I am getting ready to put up though! :0 ROFLMAO !!!!!!! :sign:

Review Cigar #13 - Psyktek

CPUserName: Psyktek
CigarNumber: 13

Don Diego Figurado $3.00

Appearance: Good

Appearance Notes
A very strange figurado. Tapered from a perfecto foot to about a 30 head. Like an elongated bowling pin. Smooth, firm, slight veins. An ISOM by the triple cap.

Construction: Good

Construction Notes
Solid and very firm. By the shape, done by a very experienced roller.

Burn: Even
Problems: None Found
AshColor: Light Grey
AshStructure: Typical
Draw: Perfect
Aroma: Good
Smoked_To: To the Band
Strength: Medium
Recommended: No
Scale: Ho-Hum
Class: Low End ISOM

TasteNotes
An unpleasant chemical undertone, otherwise just a solid tobacco flavor. Nor what I would expect from a typical Cuban.

OverallNotes
Smelled Cuban, looked Cuban, tasted very un-Cuban. From the bad old days or very young? Ash unlike any Cuban I've smoked, flavor non-descript. Possible fake? I would guess about a $4.00 smoke.

The Manufacturer Said: A classic Dominican cigar with a silky-smooth, almond-colored Connecticut Shade wrapper. Beautifully handrolled, these cigars have a creamy flavor that never bites, and a subtle finish with no aftertaste. An excellent cigar for those who prefer a milder smoking experience.

What SD Said: It's a Cuban. No... It's not a Cuban. Yes it is... Oh, it's a fake! Make up your mind Bro! :sign: :sign: :sign: You know I wouldn't send out a fake CooBan! You crack me up. I am having so much fun doing this. It was a great looking stick wasn't it? Too bad the taste wasn't as good. Another fine review Bro. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

Ya'll keep um comin'! :thumbs:

LOL, psyk... you noob!

All these reviews are great.

Btw, sorry to hear about the cameroon beli. Thats one of my favorites from the CAO line. Its usually a very solid smoke. Nothing fancy... and perhaps a little overpriced, but still decent.

Oh waiter! I asked for this crow medium rare!!

Got me on both of those, Steve, but I would never have described that CAO as a Belicoso!! Unless someone had stepped on it before it got to me. Also, I was so curious I de-constructed this one and found wrapper and filler full of holes. The only CAO's I've ever liked are the Brazilias; now I know why.

And you must have stored that Don Diego out by the mule before you boxed it up; definite barnyard aroma from the baggie :0

Thanks for having me in this one, if only for the entertainment I provide! :sign:

Last one from me posted.... Only mistake I made was I said I smoked it 1/3 of the way, which is actually not true, I smoked it to the band.... I'm curious to read that one. ???

This was tons of fun! I'm soooo glad I got in on this. THANK YOU MR. STACK! :thumbs:

BTW: If I'm wrong on my #4 review, I'd like my pie served cold.

Psyk. When you say holes... do you mean beetle holes? ??? I don't get it. It was a Bell. The tube said so!

Please don't tell me there's a beetle problem! :0




Toaster. Your review is on its way. Stand by.

Review Cigar #04 - Toaster

CPUserName: Toaster
CigarNumber: 04

GENUINE PRE-EMBARGO COUNTERFEIT CUBANS 1958 PALMITAS D'ESPANA
6.75 x 43 $1.80

Appearance: Poor

AppearanceNotes
At 6 3/4 inches, this cigar appears thin, dark and oily, though definitely not a maduro or oscuro, it has lots of dark blotches covering the wrapper- they almost look like oil stains to me. Displaying lots of viens and what feels to be a large stem down one side. The cigar is completely round, not even a hint of being box pressed.

Construction: Poor

ConstructionNotes
I hate to complain, but I must be honest. The cigar looks and feels like crap. Under filled in spots, as the foot is very soft, and its very hard at the cap. I can feel that the fill is inconsistent through-out the cigar (short filler maybe?). The cap is messy and rough, lots of bumps, looks like the ends of stems trying to poke out. But hey, some of the best cigars I've ever smoked were UGLY as could be! So we'll wait and see... Looks are not everything you know (if that were the case my wife would have never even dated ME!), lets see how this bad boy smokes.

Burn: Very Uneven
Problems: Runners
AshColor: Dark Grey
AshStructure: Flakey
Draw: Easy
Aroma: Poor
Smoked_To: To The Band
Strength: Mild
Recommended: No
Scale: Blah...
Class: Bundled Cigar

TasteNotes
Sweet and Minty. This is probably the mildest "dark" cigar I've ever smoked, most of the time a dark cigar has lots of flavor or is strong, this one- while dark is very mild. The very first thing I noticed when smoking was how sweet the smoke was, not flavored sweet, but sweet none-the-less. And believe it or not, minty! like peppermint. No spice at all. If I could taste subtle flavors, I might have been able to get more from this cigar, but since I can't... thats all folks!

OverallNotes
Cheap cigar....prelight aroma was non existent... Smells incredibly mild, if there is any smell at all.. When cut with my Xikar, the cap crumbled big time, and the wrapper cracked and unraveled a little, its not starting out well. After lighting, the burn was very uneven- I tried to torch fix it a bit, but it kept getting uneven- so I gave up and smoked it burning uneven. It smelled kind of bad, one of my kids walked in and even commented that the cigar smelled bad, and said it doesnt smell like most of my cigars do. The cigar was fairly soft to start with, and only got softer as I smoked. Impressed? Not even close. Was it a dog rocket? No, but it wasn't a good cigar either... Since I have to guess, I'd say it was a Nicaraguan something, bundled would be my guess? and I'm gonna say $1.50 to $2.00 range (and thats being overly generous). GPECC maybe? (honestly, no clue)

The Manufacturer Said: These cigars are packed sans cellophane in a half wheel of fifty, tied by a stunning micro-stitched saddle featuring the Cuban Warranty Seal. The Ecuadorian Sumatran wrappers are a deep auburn hue and very oily to the touch. Meticulously made, these parejos have a perfect draw, producing very thick smoke with bold flavors and a lush, lingering finish.

What SD Said: LOL! Even your kid knew this was a crappy stick! You got the brand right! Ya’ll are too good for your own good. PuroBrat seems to like the one he smoked. LOL. Great Review. Thanks.

Forgot to mention, got my sticks on Friday or Saturday. They looked fine. Had one today, I think it sat long enough. Probably have the other tomorrow. Looking forward to finding out what it is.