Cigar Break

Nestor Miranda is responsible for some very good cigars, and the 1989 was released to continue the trend; it also fits into the budget cigar category, weighing in at just under five bucks a stick (that’s $80.00 per box of twenty!) The name 1989 refers to the year that the Miami Cigar Company was founded. Additionally, it’s being produced by Jamie & Don Pepin Garcia through the My Father Cigar Company, responsible this year for the wonderful La Reloba, as well as the less-successful Jamie Garcia Especial. It comes in both a rosado and a oscuro format, the rosado being closer to medium and the oscuro packing a bit more punch. Today, I’m lighting up the robusto (5×50) size of the rosado wrapper.

The cigar is incredibly light for a rosado, and has a lot of vein action which can (and sort of does) lead to some burn issues later on. Torching the foot, I’m immediately greeted by a great black pepper flavor that isn’t overpowering or harsh, along with notes of licorice, bell pepper, and chili pepper on the finish. The aforementioned odd burn comes in right around now, with a line being burnt a tiny bit down the veins, but it isn’t too major. The black pepper flavor is very well constructed, in that it’s wet and very savory. There is a fair amount of strength through the nose but it remains a solid medium body. My only complaint is that this is just a bit too much on the spice flavors. A bit more sweetness or soft flavors to balance out the cigar would make this an instant winner. It’s still a great cigar, especially for the price.

In the second third my prayers are answered, and the sweetness slowly builds up to complement a core of wet black pepper and a wet, almost rare steak flavor. This is truly an excellent cigar for the price, and I feel like the 1989 really hits it’s stride throughout the second third. A light cream builds in the finish and there are hints of wood, maybe maple. The ash finally breaks half-way through. It ends with a bit more of a smoky flavor, but I fear that the best part of the cigar has passed.

While my assumption is correct, the next third starts off with a bit of a vegetal kick and some cedar and pepper notes. It maintains this profile, still a medium body with plenty of smoke and a good draw, down to the last inch. Finally, the 1989 gets a bit harsh, and I find myself considering putting it down, holding out only because a faint vanilla flavor drifts in and out. Finally, the 1989 seems to want to die as it starts to go out on it’s own, and I take this as a sign to lay it to rest.

Verdict: An excellent smoke on its own, but the price makes it even sweeter. The second third is absolutely fantastic. It’ll be interesting to see what age does to them, but I look forward to smoking many more.

Useful links:

• Compare prices on Nestor Miranda 1989 cigars here
• More Nestor Miranda cigar reviews

Constructed with a mild blend of some of the finest Dominican and Brazilian filler tobacco, the Dunhill Cabreras smokes with a slow, long-lasting burn–making it the ideal travel companion. The blend is cloaked within a light tan wrapper, revealing a solid, white ash during the burn. The cigar band consists of the Dunhill brand logo, authenticating it as a premium quality, Churchill-style cigar. Coupled with a suave, well-proportioned barrel, the Dunhill Cabreras is an exquisitely crafted cigar, whose beauty might even make you think twice before reaching for the cutter.

After lighting the foot, the draw of the cigar tends to be tighter than most. However, this is to be expected with such a light, slow-burning cigar. Either way, the mildly noticeable flavors make up for it with a creamy, mellow finish. Being a mild smoke, it’s an unexpected surprise to smell the soft, rich plumes wafting above; allowing you to gently absorb the true magnificence of the Dunhill Cabreras cigar.

With prices ranging from anywhere between $250 and $350 per box, perhaps the only downside to the Cabreras is the value for money, for such a light-smoking cigar. There are a number of (arguably) better premium brands available, at around the same price. Nevertheless, if it’s an easy-smoking, mildly flavored cigar that you relish after a fine Italian meal–the Dunhill Cabreras could be for you.

Useful links:

• Compare prices on Dunhill Cabreras cigars here

The Perdomo Lot 23 Robusto Maduro cigar is just one of many Perdomo’s fine cigars. Perdomo is a premier tobacco grower and cigar manufacturer that has its roots in Cuba, known for its rich history and strong value and flavor.

The Lot 23 blend is grown in one of Perdomo’s finest pieces of land in Nicaragua, in the Esteli region. It is planted around September and harvested at the beginning of the year. After harvest, it is allowed to ferment for a year. Beyond that, it is bale-aged for three more years, meaning that by the time you have this cigar in your hands, it has been aged to perfection for at least four years, probably longer.

The Perdomo Lot 23 Robusto Maduro comes in the classic robusto size of 5” x 50, which can give you the short, intense burst of flavor you know and love in this cigar size while being large enough to not feel so short-lived. This makes it great for a quick smoke after dinner or a short walk with friends or family in the great outdoors.

The maduro wrapper, also from Nicaragua, gives this cigar some real spice when it comes to flavor. Speaking of flavor, this particular smoke gives the user a short burst of spice followed by a deep chocolate and mocha. The only detriment to this cigar is a somewhat bitter aftertaste that can be a bit overpowering after smoking.

Overall, for the cigar smoker who wants a strong taste and a short burst of flavor in a short smoke, the Perdomo Lot 23 Robusto Maduro is one of the best. At a typical cost of around $5.00 per stick, this cigar is a great value and well worth the price for anyone looking for a good, quick cigar smoking experience.

Useful links:

• Compare prices on Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro cigars here
• More Perdomo cigar reviews

The Casa Magna Oscuro is the latest in the award-winning Casa Magna cigar line, that impressive result of the joint effort of well-respected industry veteran manufacturers Manuel Quesada and Nestor Plascencia. The talented duo’s Nicaraguan puro Casa Magna won the much coveted Cigar of the Year award from Cigar Aficionado in 2008, and now these two talented cigar artisans have released another powerful blend: the Casa Magna Oscuro.

This is a medium-bodied cigar, similar to the regular selection, but darker. The dimensions of this smoke are 5” x 52. The draw is decent, a bit tight at times, but not bad, and the burn is sharp and even throughout the duration of the smoke. The Casa Magna Oscuro produces thick, stout, stationary smoke with a rustic, woody scent. This cigar is dark, both visually in its smooth Honduran wrapper and in terms of its distinctive aroma and flavor. The filler of this cigar is all Nicaraguan, and the notes run a full gamut of full-bodied flavors for a rich, changing experience as the smoke progresses. The taste is fruity to start with, but still dark, reminiscent of prunes, and then drifts into a dark chocolate smoothness spiced with peppery, nutty notes. There is a slight bitterness in the first few draws, but this quickly falls to the backdrop as the experience unfolds. The finish also isn’t as smooth as it could be, many of the flavors having diminished by the end of the smoke. In light of the many positive qualities offered by the cigar at this price though, this is not a major drawback.

Priced very reasonably in the $5-7 dollar range, the Casa Magna Oscuro is a worthy purchase if you’re looking to buy something strong and atmospheric without breaking the bank. The Oscuro is sure to join the Robusto in the cigar lovers’ line of favorites. With the cocoa notes, this makes a great dessert cigar and goes very well with tea or coffee.

Useful links:

• Compare prices on Casa Magna Oscuro cigars here
• Another cheap underrated cigar: Ambos Mundos

When you’re looking for a huge stick – the Flying Pig is essentially something that you may think about purchasing. Sure, it seems as if it’s for the seasoned smoker, but there’s a lot to like about this one, independent of how long you may have been enjoying cigars. There have been people who have touted this as an oversized perfecto, and that’s definitely a valid claim. The wrapper is stellar, overloaded with some impressive oils, making the cigar pretty solid and heavy. That makes it even more alluring, as it feels almost leathery to the touch,

This is a great thing. It just makes a person thinks of how powerful this cigar will be. It’s not abrasive by any means, but it’s definitely full of aroma. Pre-light, you can smell this sweetness coming off of it and it’s almost mouth-watering. Once the cigar is lit, one can expect for an eruption of flavor, but that’s to be expected, especially considering the size of this thing. Immediately, it packs a wallop of cocoa, spices and cedar. Also, the leather that’s felt pre-light is apparent here. This flavor is also one that holds all the way through. That’s a good thing, as it’s definitely a very complex, yet enticing flavor.

What’s impressive about the cigar is how well they crafted this. The ash will hang on to the stick pretty well, offering one of the smoothest burns experienced in a cigar, maintaining a very even keel the whole way through. You can also expect this one to have a pretty sufficient burning time, totaling about an hour and a half. Also, if you’re a smoke enthusiast – don’t worry, there’s more than enough here to keep even the most discerning of smokers entertained. With an MSRP at around $12, you can expect this cigar to be one of those that only come around every so often.

Useful links:

• Compare prices on Liga Privada Flying Pig cigars here
• More Liga Privada cigar reviews

Canimao Robusto is now a popular name among the men who are fond of smoking cigars. The cigars, which were first made by Miami’s Master Roller Mel Gonzalez, have become the favorites among cigar smokers for its Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. Priced between 5 dollars to 7 dollars, these cigars are given a classic look by using wrapper and binder that follows Ecuadorian style. Manufactured with due care, the cigar has not received any complaint related to its make. The small veins, oily texture, and a well-fitted cap will surely attract your attention.

It is not all that will make you praise Canimao Robusto. Once you cut the cap, you will surely love the smell of espresso, light pepper, and oak that comes through the cigar. If you are lucky to get hold of a newly rolled cigar, you will have a light smell of ammonia on the surface of the cigar.

Once you lit the cigar, you will notice a huge smoke along with formation of creaminess on it. As you smoke, you will get the vanilla, oak and espresso flavor. Yet, some sourness might also fill your mouth, giving you a unique smoking experience. Though the creaminess will disappear after sometime, the flavors of the cigar will continue till the end.

Ending with a grey ash, Canimao Robusto can give you a pretty decent experience of smoking. The cigar has enjoyed good response from the cigar lovers, and many of them consider it to be a full bodied cigar. Yet, there are some who possess different opinions in this regard. Though there are different opinions of people related to the body of the cigar, all of them have given a common verdict. Canimao Robusto is worth it all and is one of the many decent cigars available at a range of 5 to 7 dollars.

If you are a seasoned smoker, you are probably familiar with the exclusive cigars produced by Drew Estate. The flavored, fragrant ACID brand and the Ambrosia line are what you might call their regulars. However, Steve Saka, the company’s president, and founder Jonathan Drew, have also dabbled in producing traditional cigars, such as Chateau Real and Liga Privada no.9.

It is noteworthy that Liga Privada T-52 is Steve Saka’s personal choice and the second cigar created purely for his own personal enjoyment. T-52 was then released to the market due to its phenomenal characteristics. With Liga Privada no.9 having had such resounding success, the two have set upon a pursuit across continents to find a worthy humidor companion for their recipe. The successor comes in the form of Liga Privada T-52.

From the beautiful cedar box used as packaging, branded with the Liga Privada logo, to the unique recipe of seven types of tobacco, Liga Privada T-52 is an exquisite display of luxury.

A unique stalk-cut Sungrown Habano wrapper encompasses the aforementioned blend of tobacco. The dark shade of reddish-brown of the glistening wrapper will please even the most pretentious smoker’s eyes.
Liga Privada T-52 has roots in several different countries. The binder is Brazilian, while the filler consists of Nicaraguan, Honduran and Dominican tobacco blends.

Compared to the Liga Privada no.9, the T-52 is great for those desiring a stronger, more robust smoke. Handcrafted by the best Drew Estate torcedors, each Liga Privada T-52 cigar is guaranteed to be flawless in construction, flavor and character. The T-52 has a good pre-light draw, while its pre-light flavor mixes aromas of hay and pepper, topped by a sweet reminiscence of cocoa.

Once lit, the T-52 will provide great enjoyment if you are accustomed to the Drew Estate style, all the while preferring a full-bodied and semi-spicy traditional blend. Subtle hints of cocoa and a thick spiral of smoke accompany the dominant peppery flavor. Progressing through the middle of the cigar, you will notice the mild harshening of the aroma; towards the end, a spicier note will tickle your palate. The T-52 burns evenly, leaving behind mostly white ash.

With its bold, distinct flavor, loaded with notes of leather, earth, spices and black pepper, T-52 is, without doubt, an excellent successor to the acclaimed and highly sought-after Liga Privada no.9. The same quality standards apply, as only the best rollers are used to ensure that the final product is perfectly adequate for all fine cigars aficionado.

Useful links:

• Compare prices on Liga Privada T-52 cigars here
• Another Liga Privada T-52 review

While the Padron family can trace its cigar business history back over 125 years, it’s current incarnation is only 46 years old. Coming from a family known for growing top quality tobacco, Jose Padron set up a cigar shop in Miami in 1964. Using tobacco grown from a Nicaraguan plantation, Padron Cigars have slowly made inroads into American cigar culture and are finally being recognized for the fine, hand rolled cigars they produce. One of their most popular cigars, the Padron 3000 Maduro, has experienced an increased level of popularity within the last few years.

While the Padron 3000 is no Cohiba or Davidoff to look at, it is still quite the stellar cigar. Sometimes, the actual physical characteristics of the cigar can vary, with some having more pronounced veins visible on the wrapper and others being a little rougher in construction, but considering these cigars are hand rolled, this is to be expected. It is 5 ½ inches long and has a 52 ring gauge. The wrapper, filler and blender are all Nicaraguan. Some of the cigars do have an oily appearance depending on the specific wrapper used, but overall, the level of quality is high for a cigar in this price range.

The size of the Padron 3000 dictates around a 30-40 minutes of smoke time, more than enough to enjoy the fine aromas of this cigar. Once lit, this cigar fills the room with a rich, almost coffee like aroma that continues on throughout the whole burn. The first few puffs can be a little rough, with an almost burnt flavor, but as time goes on, the harshness subsides and strong cocoa and coffee aromas can be tasted. Unlike some higher priced cigars, you can tell that there are various subtle aromas present, but they are not that easily discernible. After the first few minutes, this cigar continues to draw smoothly until you get past the last third, when the smoking pleasure decreases a little and the aromas are less present.

For the price point, the Padron 3000 can’t be beat. This is a fantastic cigar for when your non cigar-smoking friends come over and are looking for something to try. It is very cost effective, coming in at under $5 per cigar, but offers a smoking experience that one would expect from a much higher priced brand. While the Padron 3000 is no Cohiba, it is definitely worth keeping in your humidor.

Useful links:

• Compare prices on Padron 3000 cigars here
• Another Padron 3000 review

The Fabrica de Tobacos de Padilla takes pride in yet another cigar from its stable – the Padilla Miami Lancero. The Padilla Miami smoke shows off a new band and has a blend that many regard as not much different from that of its predecessor. It has been said that the conceptualization of this new cigar was the result of Padilla’s longing to cut down on costs by getting more hands on with the production process.

Appearance-wise, the Padilla Miami Lancero is generally regarded as a gorgeous cigar. The new band it sports gives it a look that is both imposing and classic. It has a smooth and oily wrapper adorned by a tiny pigtail cap, and has very small veins that complement a prominent one. Its light brown color matches its leathery scent made a bit more aromatic by some whiff of earth and butter. There is hardly any blemish as its color is level all throughout making it a pretty charming stick. Clipping, however, requires extra care to avoid causing any cracks near the head.

There is really nothing worthy of criticism when it comes to the Padilla Miami’s construction. The burn line is no less than ideally straight and has a draw that provides a totally satisfying smoking experience – practically perfect in this regard. The stick offers a nice feel that is both firm and springy which is a loud statement that attests to its excellent construction.

When it comes to flavor, the pre-draw experience instantly suggests that you’re in for a complex smoke. Initially, one might expect some sort of leathery, spicy and nutty concoction, but it all turns out to be an altogether different treat when the stick is lit and you find yourself puffing a sharp earthy flavor. The smoke comes with a medium body and gives a lingering honeyed aftertaste which soon after becomes rather buttery and nutty. Halfway into the Padilla Miami, you can expect things to be more peppery, and the experience gets more and more concentrated and spicy all the way to the end of the stick – a complex smoke indeed that might get you longing for some smooth creaminess.

Overall, the Padilla Miami Lancero is a premium smoke, especially considering its exquisite looks, first rate construction, nice mild flavor, and reasonable price. We have here a smoke that may be enjoyed even by cigar aficionados on a tight budget, and will be a surefire hit whether you are a medium-bodied buff or a full-bodied enthusiast.

Useful links:

• Compare prices on Padilla Miami cigars here
• Another Padilla Miami Lancero review

Camacho has long been known as an authority in the cigar world, supplying cigar aficionados with stogies that people genuinely fawn over. The Coyolar Puro is one that doesn’t break away from their tradition of excellence, as it is a quality cigar that is both rich in flavor and cost-efficient. This Honduran puro is one that makes a very strong impression at first glance, as the stick possesses a very pleasing lightly roasted coffee bean coloration. The wrapper itself is constructed pretty well. While it does have a few medium veins, there aren’t many other defects on the wrapper, and that’s especially surprising considering the price.

At first draw, it becomes apparent that this is a stick that’s full of flavor. While it certainly isn’t overwhelming, the blend definitely makes a statement. One would expect an especially flavorful cigar to be very strong, and while it isn’t a light stick, it’s surprisingly smooth. The initial draws are a bit reminiscent of cinnamon or brown sugar, quickly progressing from sweet to almost a peppercorn, and finally to something that nestles in between. The Camacho Coyolar is definitely rich in the body with these unique tastes, but it is one that stops short of being a full cigar, as it doesn’t possess those characteristics that are normally seen with cigars with this much flavor.

While this cigar definitely deserves praise — it isn’t perfect. It may not be the case for every Coyolar, it’s known for not being the most structurally sound of cigars, and it may need a couple of touch-ups while smoking. Also, the taste deteriorates as one makes their way down toward the head. It can be especially frustrating because the stogie starts off so well. All in all, this puro is a solid choice. At the current price, it may be hard to find something more satisfying.

Useful links:

• Compare prices on Camacho Coyolar cigars here
• Another Camacho Coyolar Puro review