Johnny-O! Lonsdale

[Mark Twain]

I got a bundle of these from John in three days flat! They look incredible and they smell even better. The cigar I choose was a little on the spongy side, so I let it sit out for an hour before I took my things and headed to the local park to catch up on some paper work.

It was a little warm, 92 degrees in October, but I found a nice shady spot next to the river and started to smoke as I looked over some short stories.

The cigar had good construction with a heavy smell of tobacco coming off the foot. The opening puffs revealed a decidedly full body. This lonsdale was a real performer. It burned quite evenly.

The cigar was fresh and still a little young, but I could already notice a balance forming between the intensity of flavor with the body of the cigar. The two were made for each other. The smoke had a very earthy tone to it and the finish was a bit rough because I had smoked the cigar without giving it proper time to accumulate in my humidor. I found this cigar to be highly enjoyable and I look forward to seeing how they come around in a month or so.

 

[Fatken]

Nice review! I haven't tried the Lonsdale, but the Torpedos and Sublimes are also great. I couldn't stay out of the first batch, now I need to get more.

Ken

 

[riverratt]

I am still waiting for him to reply to my PM. I am ordering the Lonnies.

 

[tsmckenney]

Marc, great review. I think many of the Newbs (myself included) have been awaiting a review on one of these smokes. This fit the bill perfectly. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Infinity]

Thanks for the review Marc.

I did ask about his smokes in another thread but never got a response. I also asked him if he does Maduro, no response there either. This kind of put me off buying any.

You mention improvement in one month. Are you saying that these smokes don't have to sit for a year or more?

Brian

 

[rectifythis]

I had a batch that were over a month old and they were NOT good at that time...fresh they are fantastic...they go into a sick period and I have been told to let them sit a year. I also have been having concerns of John not always answering PM's. FWIW

 

[Dave]

Hmmmmm, I am a little hesitant on parejos, but maybe this calls for a bundle purchase...

 

[duglynukem]

Mark, nice review. What a great setting to enjoy a cigar and a little quiet time. I really enjoy the stuff I have gotten from Johnny-O.

- Doug

 

[PTownshend]

I had a batch that were over a month old and they were NOT good at that time...fresh they are fantastic...they go into a sick period and I have been told to let them sit a year. I also have been having concerns of John not always answering PM's. FWIW

I too PM'd him twice in the past week and have not heard bupkiss from him. Wonder if something is amiss?

Darren

 

[Mark Twain]

Thanks for the review Marc.

I did ask about his smokes in another thread but never got a response. I also asked him if he does Maduro, no response there either. This kind of put me off buying any.

You mention improvement in one month. Are you saying that these smokes don't have to sit for a year or more?

Brian

I smoked this 'fresh off the truck' as Wilkey would say. I think it needed some time to adjust to my Humidor. John does roll a Maduro Sublime, but I dunno about anything else. Give him some time to respond to your questions, if you can.

John's cigars smoke very well when fresh. Several people have noted that the cigars go into a sick period after the first couple of months. Sort of like the cigars some guy in TJ rolls. :whistling:

 

[Martin2D]

John does roll a Maduro Sublime, but I dunno about anything else.

Are you sure? He labels these as Dark EL type wrappers...is that maduro?

 

[Dave]

Johnny O!'s are not a cigar that I would consciously age more than 6 months. Something about the flavor tells me fresh is where it's at.

 

[Ginseng]

Johnny O!'s are not a cigar that I would consciously age more than 6 months. Something about the flavor tells me fresh is where it's at.

I can't say for sure but I tend to agree. I've found them to be refreshing, pleasant smokes with a happy character when fresh. Complex or dense they're not. I do have some set aside for intermediate term aging and it might be time to revisit them again. They'd have about a year on them by now.

Wilkey

 

[riverratt]

sure wish he would PM me.

 

[BobbyRitz]

Thanks for the review Marc.

I did ask about his smokes in another thread but never got a response. I also asked him if he does Maduro, no response there either. This kind of put me off buying any.

You mention improvement in one month. Are you saying that these smokes don't have to sit for a year or more?

Brian

I asked a question that remains unanswered as well. So I decided not to buy any.

Great review and pictures Marc!

 

[Johnny-O!]

Thanks for the review Marc.

I did ask about his smokes in another thread but never got a response. I also asked him if he does Maduro, no response there either. This kind of put me off buying any.

You mention improvement in one month. Are you saying that these smokes don't have to sit for a year or more?

Brian

I asked a question that remains unanswered as well. So I decided not to buy any.

Great review and pictures Marc!

I have tried to answer anyone that PM'ed me. If I missed you I will try to answer any concerns you might have. If I did not answer you it was because I was islandside until today. I have had maduro/Dark EL type wrappers on most sizes before, the Sublime is very popular at the moment. I will probably get some Lonnie pigtails in Dark EL type wrapper in the near future. Whether you should smoke these right away or age them depends on your tastes. A lot depends on your patience. Once again Marc, those were outstanding pictures that you took. If anyone has any Q's feel free to PM me. Thanks all, John