2 Cigars A Month: A Cigar Review Blog

Cain, a new creation from the mind of Sam Leccia, creator of one of my favorite cigars, Nubs. This Nicarguan Habano promotes not only the seed, and growing region, but how they care for it after it has been harvested. Using what Sam calls a “Triple Fermentation” process, the tobacco is carefully handled individually and brought up to temperature three times. Since the ligero part of the leaf is the most flavorful and the most thick, this is the emphasis of the process. Other manufactures add more ligero, i.e. Camacho and Ghurka, Sam focuses on the one and meticulously draws out its full flavor.

All this being said, one still needs to try it. After a particularly long couple weeks, I needed a cigar that would help wipe away the sorrows and woes. I was given this beast of a cigar (6” x 60 ring gauge) for my birthday and this is what I reached for. Being a fan of Nubs, I was excited to try another new concept.

Without question, Sam has another great hit! The aged ligero tobacco from Esteli, Condega, and the Jalapa Valley in Nicaragua was a mouth watering mix. Having the Oliva name on it aw well, you know that the wrapper (Maduro from San Andreas Mexico) would be paid great attention to. It was dark brown with no large veins. Large ring gauged cigars usually give a great draw and this 60 gauge did not disappoint. Very smooth, especially since I smoked a Litto’s Chisel the night before, and the smoke was very plentiful. No punch, no spice, almost too mild for my liking but great cigar nonetheless. Well done Mr. Leccia. Come up with more and I’ll try them all.

Now here is a cigar that needs very little introduction. The Oliva Serie V from the Oliva Cigar Co. This Nicaraguan puro tastes even better than it looks. And it looks beautiful!!! Cuban seed binder grown in Esteli, Nicaragua along with long fillers and ligero fermented from the Jalapa Valley, this combination is always a hit. Just look at all the awards Oliva gets each year.

Not being a big fan of CAO, I thought I would give the brand a chance with one of it's best. I recall CAO when I first started getting into cigars. They had a cool look, nice band, and I did enjoy their Soprano Cigar. But I found that they were bought out from another company and things started to change for CAO. (I could be wrong in my estimation, but I thought they sold out.) I liked the marketing technique of packaging sets with a DVD. It is actually a pretty good DVD. Then they began selling flavored cigars and having scantly dressed women visit shops to promote it. Cano Ozinger, please stick to cigars. That is my humble opinion.

$2.50 a stick. Come on! The "Rolls Royce" of cigar world, creating $500-$1000 per cigars such as His Majesty Reserve and Black Dragon, has made a cigar for less than 3 bucks!?!

There are times in life when the little foot prints you leave in the sand is recognized. This moment marks the pitter patter of my feet in the sands of cigar reviews. (Don't get all excited, its really not that big of a deal to many except to me.) I featured a cigar back in August last year. It was an excellent smoke that bears the name Casa Magna. I thoroughly enjoyed this Nicaraguan puro and have been looking to get my hands on one ever since. Well if you care to visit this link

I usually buy new cigars in pairs. That way if I like the cigar I have another one to enojy again, or one to give to a less discerning aficionado. This cigar was not the latter. I wish I had bought the whole box!

Worth the 3 hour drive!!!

Hellam's is one of the best cigar shops I've ever visited. What they lack in terms of amenities such as leather couches, and flat screen tv's, they more than make up for in friendliness, knowledge of cigars, and selections at a very reasonable price. When I went there for a weekend getaway, it was packed with aficionados that were local, (this speaks volumes for a local shop that competes with internet prices). But also in the shop were patrons as far away as the East Coast, and one lucky guy had having his very first cigar ever. After being carded, the whole staff and the crowd assisted and applauded his excellent choice of a sophisticated adult entertainment. I could easily see why this place has been in business since 1873. It is a classy, and excellent place to frequent whenever you are in Monterey, Ca. You will not be dissapointed.

Well after some winter hibernation, Spring beckons with nicer weather and new segars to try out. I can't say the winter months have been good for my habit, but I did manage to bare the elements and enjoy a couple of old favorites. {With the weather being as bad as it was, it was not time to be adventurous. If I was going to risk hypothermia, I needed to make sure I did it with some tried and true smokes. So Nubs, Rockey Patels, Cohibas, and some Cuban ones as well. Don't worry, I have dual citizenship so I am free to enjoy cuban delights.) However, I did manage to sneak away to better weather in the islands. Below are some pics of notable smokes.
I also am trying to discover how to pair cigars with spirits. Comment if you have suggestions. In Hawaii, I tried a local Hawaiian cigar, it is grown in Kauai, but fermented and wrapped in Nicaragua. I could not say the smoke was great...okay it was absolutely terrible. Plus the price tag of 20 bucks for a corona size. No aloha with that!
But my best discovery is the 5 Vegas series 5 Miama Knuckle. Wow!!! In the cold you want a short smoke so that you and your cigar does not become an popcicle. These Knuckles are the best. A Nicaraguan gem. It is a puro from the same country (wrapper, filler, ligero, etc.). 4.5 inches, 60 ring guage, and smokes for about an hour, 45 minutes for me. It begins with a powerful kick that most beginners cannot bounce back from, but once you get over the pepper and spice beginning, the rest of the cigar rewards the few brave enough to stick it out. I must say this cigar is turning out to be one of my all time favorites. Try it and let me know.