AF Hemingway Signature Sun Grown - Review # 1,159

Review Date: 06-29-13

Review Time: 7:35 AM

Review Setting: Front warm humid overcast morning. Looking out over my lawn I see in the tall grass small men with blowguns hunting for squirrels and rabbits. The rains continue to stymie my efforts to cut back this jungle.

2.7 years old; Medium Body; $9.50

Rating out 5 of 5  

Ecuadorian Sun Grown Wrapper; Dominican Binder & Filler

Construction: This is the poster child of a toothy wrapper… very rough, lumpy, dark, and oily.

Size: 6 x 47 Perfecto

Pre-light aroma was Molasses

Pre-light draw was Molasses and Wood

Drink - Coffee with a splash of agave.

1/3 - Great to Excellent - Sweet and tangy wood flavors with a little pepper on the draw. It leaves just a hint of bitterness on the lips.  Awesome rounded sweet wood and coffee RH.  Perfect draw & sweet paper aroma.  Crooked burn with solid white ash. Touch ups required.

2/3 - Excellent to Phenomenal - Great tangy molasses flavors on the draw.  Super creamy RH.  Fantastic aroma.  The burn continues it's wayward ways - C'est le fume!  Ash almost 3 inches long now.

3/3 - Excellent to Great - Tangy wood flavors with a lingering sweetness on the draw.  Sweet tangy and peppery RH.

This is reportedly a medium bodied smoke but once again in my emaciated condition I find it very strong.  I am happy to lose the weight, but not too happy to always be knocked out by one of my favorite past times.  My collection of full-bodied Churchills, Toros, Corona Gordos, etc. continues to age as I search for smaller milder sticks. I had to put this one down with an inch an inch and a half to go.

Tangy sweet wood finish

Hard band removal

Buy Again? Now hold it... I know the answer to this question.. Uhh okay.

Future Aging?  In 2003, the Fuente Family released this special cigar...Hemingway's with a Ecuadorian Sun Grown Wrapper. Very limited production.  I have nine Classics and six Signatures remaining all of which are aged.

Smoke Time: 1 1/2 hours

Happy Smoking

Don Ricardo

Draw issues continue – I have started my dry box routine. Cut a Warlock Corona, but after lighting determined it was too firm on the draw to enjoy the smoke. Then I cut a Partagas Cuban and determined on the cold draw it was to firm as well. So into the box they go…

Arturo Fuente Rosado Magnum Sun Grown R52 – Review # 1,125

Review Date: 06-02-13

Review Time: 3:45 PM

Review Setting: Front warm and windy – a storm is brewing!

3.2 years old; Medium Body; $6.30

Rating 4.5 out of 5   

Ecuadorian Sun Grown Sumatran Wrapper; Dominican Binder & Filler

Construction: Reddish-brown oily with some prominent veins

Size: 5 x 52 Robusto

Pre-light aroma was honey and hay

Pre-light draw was honey and wood

Drink - Glenfiddich 12 year old Scotch – A good pairing.  Also sipped water, which was another good pairing. The Scotch brought out the pepper and the water brought out the sweet.

1/3 - Very Good to Great - Sweet wood and pepper flavors on the draw. Caramel and wood RH.

Firm draw, pepper aroma & crooked burn requires touch-ups.  Very white solid ash, similar to pumice.

2/3 - Great - Same flavors on the draw & RH. Rugged burn continues.

3/3 - Great to Excellent – A little more dark sweet flavors on the draw and RH.  Allot of pepper which the scotch nicely amplifies. The RH is a standout. The cigar got a real strong at the end and started to knock me out.

Sweet wood and pepper finish

Easy band removal

Buy Again? Yes

Future Aging? One aged. Need to get more.

Smoke Time: One hour 20 minutes

Happy Smoking

Don Ricardo

I had reviewed this one previously and gave it a 3.5. I was very surprised by the great sweet flavors.  Age has seriously helped this cigar.

Smoke Time: 2 hours

Happy Smoking

Don Ricardo

Review # 1,118 - Oliva Serie V Special V Figurado

Review Date: 05-26-13

Review Time: 3:45 PM

Review Setting: Front cool and windy

2.9 years old; Full Body; $8.50

Rating 4.25 out of 5  

Nicaraguan Habano Sun Grown Wrapper; Nicaraguan Binder & Filler

Construction: Solid oily with a few veins

Size: 6 x 60 Figurado

Pre-light aroma was none

Pre-light draw was honey

Drink - New Hope Almondiera Wine

1/3 - Great - Honey and pepper flavors on the draw.  Sweet peppery wood RH.   Strong so far and a little harsh on throat.

Good draw, pepper aroma & ragged oily burn with solid ash.

2/3 - Great to Very Good - Sweet pepper flavors on the draw. Nice sweet wood RH.

Burn still bad with constant touch ups.

3/3 - Very Good - All about the same.

Sweet wood finish

Easy band removal

Buy Again? Yes

Future Aging? One aged

Smoke Time: 2 hours

Happy Smoking

Don Ricardo

Review # 1,119 - Diamond Crown Maximus No. 5

Review Date: 05-27-13

Review Time: 9:20 AM

Review Setting: Front glorious warm sunshine.

2 years old; Full Body; $10

Rating 3.4 out of 5  

Ecuadorian Sun Grown Wrapper; Dominican Binder & Filler

Construction: Firm, dark, oils glistening in the sun with one prominent vein.

Size: 5 x 50

Pre-light aroma was Chocolate

Pre-light draw was Honey chocolate.

Drink - Coffee

1/3 - Very Good - Spicy leather and wood flavors on the draw.  Dark coffee with lots of pepper RH. The pepper is a little harsh on the throat Firm draw but still getting plenty of smoke to chew. Dark paper aroma & fairly even burn with very weak flaky ash. Need to either constantly ash it or wear the ashes - which of course clash with my black pants.

2/3 - Good - Bitter coffee and wood flavors on the draw with less pepper.  Slightly sweet wood and coffee RH. 

Continued firm draw with moderately uneven burn.  Surprisingly strong stick -too strong for a morning cigar.  Had to take a break and eat a banana.

3/3 - Good to Fair - Bitter leather flavors on the draw. Wood RH.  All else same.

Tangy dark wood finish - lots of cigar oils on the lips.

Easy band removal

Buy Again? No

Future Aging? None

Smoke Time: 1 1/2 hrs.

Happy Smoking

Don Ricardo

So far not overly impressed with Diamond Crown - especially at their high price point. I had smoked the Robusto No. 4 Maduro and gave it a 3.2

Three famous cigar families were brought together to create the Maximus: the Stanford Newman family, the Carlos Fuente family, and the John Oliva family. The Fuente family continues to provide their "secret" blend of 5 year-old Dominican filler and binder, while the Oliva family produces the 5 year-old sun-grown Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper grown at their El Bajo plantation in Ecuador.

Top 51 - May 2013

Below is my current Top 51.  When I look at this list, I am as surprised as some of you might be with the cigars on the list.  I am as equally surprised by not seeing some of my best friends on this list.  My palate changes over time and maybe even seasonally, so that accounts for some of these.  Many are currently One Smoke Wonders and the 2nd stick might move it off the list.  But currently, it it what it is.  Hopefully this will entice you to try something different.  Please feel free to shoot me your lists too!
Happy Smoking, 
Don Ricardo
P.S. - Had to make it 51.. couldn't bring myself not to include the Don Pepin Demi-Tasse

Smoked Query Main Cigar Average

Main Cigar	Rating	Brand	Price	Wrapper	Qty Smoked
Cubao No. 3 Lancero	7.50	Cubao	$7.00	Ecuadorian Sumatran Oscuro	1
Padron 1964 Habano Exclusivo	4.80	Padron	$14.00	Nicaraguan	1
RP Summer 2008 Robusto	4.80	Rocky Patel	$4.00	Ecuadorian Sumatran	1
AF Flor Fina 8-5-8 Rosado Sungrown - 2002	4.75	Arturo Fuente	$10.00	Dominican Rosado	1
Ashton VSG Sorcerer	4.75	Ashton	$11.60	Ecuadorian	1
AB SCR Churchill	4.75	Alec Bradley	$7.00	Honduran	1
La Aurora 107 Lancero	4.75	La Aurora	$7.00	Ecuadorian	1
Nub Cameroon 464	4.70	Oliva	$5.75	Cameroon	1
AF Anejo Reserva Xtra Veijo No. 48 2008	4.70	Arturo Fuente	$11.00	Connecticut Maduro	2
La Aurora Preferidos Cameroon Lancero	4.68	La Aurora	$6.96	Cameroon	15
Illusione Epernay Le Grande	4.65	Illusione	$4.50	Nicaraguan Café Rosado	1
AF Opus X Perfecxion X 2007	4.65	Arturo Fuente	$17.00	Dominican Rosado	2
Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Churchill	4.60	Ashton	$10.00	Cameroon	2
LFD Coronado Gorda	4.60	La Flor Dominicana	$8.00	Nicaraguan Sun Grown	1
AB SCR Gran Robusto	4.58	Alec Bradley	$8.00	Honduran	3
Punch Honduran Pita Maduro	4.50	Punch	$7.00	Connecticut Maduro	1
AB Havana Sun Grown	4.50	Alec Bradley	$6.75	Ecuadorian	1
Nub Cameroon 464T	4.50	Oliva	$5.00	Cameroon	1
Puros Indios Toro Especial	4.50	Reyes Family	$5.00	Ecuadorian Sumatran	1
AF Don Carlos Double Robusto	4.50	Arturo Fuente	$10.35	Cameroon	1
Padilla Miami 8 & 11 Salomon	4.50	Padilla	$25.00	Nicaraguan Corojo	1
Exile Robusto	4.50	Exile Cigars	$7.00	Ecuadorian	1
AF Anejo Reserva No. 77 "Sand Shark" 2007	4.50	Arturo Fuente	$35.00	Cameroon	1
Vibe Corojo	4.50	Rocky Patel	$4.50	Honduran Corojo	1
Padron 1926 Maduro No. 35	4.50	Padron	$10.75	Nicaraguan Maduro	1
Cohiba Esplendidos	4.50	Cohiba	$30.00	Cuban	1
HDM Cuban Petite Robusto	4.50	Hoyo De Monterrey	$9.00	Cuban	1
Illusione Epernay La Ferme	4.43	Illusione	$9.30	Nicaraguan Café Rosado	3
Illusione Epernay Le Matin	4.40	Illusione	$9.00	Nicaraguan Café Rosado	1
AF Casa Fuente Torpedo	4.40	Arturo Fuente	$25.00	Cameroon	1
Fonseca Cubano Limitado Toro	4.40	Fonseca	$7.50	Honduran	2
Padron 1964 Maduro Exclusivo	4.40	Padron	$10.98	Nicaraguan Maduro	2
AF Casa Fuente Belicoso	4.40	Arturo Fuente	$25.00	Cameroon	1
AF Don Carlos No. 3	4.36	Arturo Fuente	$7.52	Cameroon	6
Astral Cameroon Beso	4.35	Astral	$5.00	Cameroon	1
Tabacos Baez H	4.35	Don Pepin	$4.50	Nicaraguan	2
AF Hemingway Signature Maduro	4.33	Arturo Fuente	$8.19	Connecticut Shade Maduro	3
AB SCR Corona	4.32	Alec Bradley	$6.42	Honduran	3
AF Don Carlos No. 4	4.31	Arturo Fuente	$6.81	Cameroon	12
Oro Cubano Natural Lancero	4.30	Oro Cubano NJ	$4.00	Dominican	1
AF Don Carlos Edicion de Anniversario 2006 Robusto	4.30	Arturo Fuente	$25.00	Habano Sun Grown	1
Perdomo La Tradicion Reserve Champagne C	4.30	Perdomo	$6.75	Connecticut Shade	1
Padron Family Reserve 45 Years Maduro	4.30	Padron	$26.00	Nicaraguan Maduro	1
Pinar Del Rio Petite Maduro Salomon	4.30	Pinar Del Rio	$10.00	Dominican Maduro	1
Cohiba Robustos	4.30	Cohiba	$10.00	Cuban	1
Nub Habano 358	4.30	Oliva	$5.00	Nicaraguan Habano	1
AF Casa Cuba Toro	4.30	Arturo Fuente	$10.00	Unknown	1
Ashton VSG Belicoso No. 1	4.30	Ashton	$11.00	Ecuadorian	1
AF Unkown Don Carlos	4.30	Arturo Fuente	$10.00	Unknown	1
LFD Limitado III Toro	4.28	La Flor Dominicana	$9.00	Ecuadorian Sumatran	3
Don Pepin Blue Label Demi-Tasse	4.26	Don Pepin	$4.03	Nicaraguan	10

Review # 1,060 - RP Summer 2008 Lancero

Smoke Date: 04-06-13 Smoke Time: 6:30 PM

5 years old; Med to Full Body; $5;

Rating 7.25 out of 5

Ecuadorian Sumatran Wrapper; Cameroon Binder; Nic Filler

Construction - Oily , lumpy with some prominent veins

Size: 7 x 42

Drink - Coffee

1/3 - Great to Excellent - Sweet caramel peppery wood flavors on both the draw and RH.  Still has a lot of kick for a 5 year old stick.  Super even burn line; Wonderful Cameroon aroma.

2/3 - Phenomenal - What a great stick!!  The combination of the Ecuadorian Sumatran Wrapper & Cameroon Binder make it a blend made in heaven for my taste buds and olfactory glands. Excellent burn as well.  

3/3 - Phenomenal - Need I say more? I have run out of superlatives!!

Sweet wood finish

Easy band removal

Buy Again? Yes

Future Aging?  34 aged - Seriously thinking about scoring another box or two. Between this and the La  Aurora Cameroon Lancero I want to make sure I am smoking one or the other as I am taking my final breath. 

Smoke Time 2 hrs.

Happy Smoking

Don Ricardo

Review # 1,016 - LFD Double Press Habano

3.3 years old; Full Body; $10.40

Rating 4.2 out of 5  

Ecuadorian Wrapper; Nicaraguan Binder & Filler

Construction - Box pressed oily

Pre-light aroma was hay

Pre-light draw was hay

Drink - Coffee

1/3 - Very Good to great - Strong pepper with great Ecuadorian sweetness ;Sweet coffee  RH; good draw & nice paper aroma.   Erratic burn needs touch ups.

2/3 - Great - Less pepper in the flavor and very sweet RH.  Burn issues continue and went out

3/3 - Very Good - Mostly pepper on the draw at the end but sweet RH still there until the end.  Burn issues to the end as well.

Peeper finish

Easy band removal

Buy Again? Yes if I can find them

Future Aging?  None

Smoke Time - 1 hr. 45 min.

Happy Smoking

Don Ricardo

Review # 1,018 - Nestor Miranda 20th Anniversary Danno Rosado

3.2 years old; Full Body; $8.50 
Rating 3.3 out of 5 Nicaraguan Habano Rosado Wrapper; Nicaraguan Binder & Filler
Construction very lumpy and oily Wrapper cracking and coming apart as it is smoked Pre-light draw was sweet hay Drink Coffee
1/3 - Very Good - Nice and Sweet flavors. RH Molasses and Burnt coffee with a hint of licorice. Terrible burn and plugged draw - had to spike it twice but still not getting much smoke. Sweet old paper aroma. This would be Excellent if not for the burn, draw and wrapper issues. About 1 1/2" in the draw finally opened up. Unfortunately some slight bitterness has crept in as well. Long solid ash. 50 min. for 1st third.
2/3 - Very Good to Good - Molasses sweetness continues and it is both smoother and stronger at the same time. Bad burn continues due to wrapper cracking with touch ups required. RH Slightly bittersweet with some floral tanginess and a touch of peppermint! Very unique. 2nd third 40 min.
3/3 - Poor to Fair - Had to spike it again causing some more bitterness. Keeps trying to go out causing allot of puffing and ineffectual draws yielding little or no smoke. Went out and relights not helping. Wrapper cracking problem finally over. Had similar issues with the 1/2 Danno I smoked last year. Flavor flat and bitter at end due to strong draws to get any volume of smoke. RH mostly floral, if any. Put it down early. Tis a shame. Was hoping for much better.
Lightly sweet finish
Easy band removal
Buy Again? No
Future Aging? 1 aged
Smoke Time - 2 hrs.
In 2009 Nestor Miranda released a special size (7 x 56) of his Special Selection 20th Anniversary, named after his late son.
Happy Smoking
Don Ricardo

Review # 1,019 – Rocky Patel Summer 2008 Lancero

5 years old; Med to Full Body; $5.00

Rating 4.4 out of 5

Ecuadorian Sumatran Wrapper; Cameroon Binder; Nicaragua Filler

Construction – Oily, lumpy with some prominent veins

Drink - Milagro Tequila Select Barrel Reserve Reposado

1/3 - Great - There is such a nice light creamy sweetness to the beginning of this cigar. Firm draw still yielding plenty of good smoke.  Fairly even burn line; Sweet nutty oval chocolate RH; Great Spicy paper Cameroon aroma from the binder.

2/3 – Great to Very Good – Sweet flavors continue despite the fact that it got a little plugged so had to spike twice. Wonderful sweet RH and aroma

3/3 Very Good - Unfortunately the plugging still plagues this stick.  But after spiking it and it opened up, the flavors are great.  Sweet floral RH.  Aroma continues to be awesome. 

Spicy sweet finish

Easy band removal

Buy Again? Yes

Future Aging?  38 aged

Smoke Time - 2 hrs.

Happy Smoking

Don Ricardo

Review # 1,014 - Padron 1964 Habano Exclusivo

5.50" x 50 - 2.2 years old; Medium to Full Body; $14;

Rating 4.80 out of 5  

Nicaraguan Puro

Smooth box pressed

Pre-light aroma was hay

Pre-light draw was hay

Drink - Coffee with Bourbon

1/3 - Great to Excellent - Predominantly wood flavors with some pepper.  Wonderful old wood creamy retro-hales.  Perfect draw, perfect burn and solid white ash.  Sweet and peppery paper aroma.  What a winner!

2/3 - Excellent - Some coffee flavors mixed in with the wood both on the draw and RH.  RH still favorite part of the cigar, but the aroma is picking up in sweetness as well.  Draw continues excellent but the burn is a little erratic requiring some touch ups.

3/3 - Excellent - Sweet wood flavors with a hint of pepper continue.  Every draw is now accompanied by a marvelous sweet RH.  A little strength on the back of the throat, but well within Excellent parameters.   

Sweet peppery wood finish

Easy band removal

Buy Again? Yes

Future Aging? None this Size.  One aged Diplomatico and 3 aging Principes...need more

Smoke Time - 1 hr. 40 min.

A phenomenal cigar from beginning to end.  I keep going back and forth between 1964 Natural vs.1964 Maduro vs.1926 Natural vs.1926 Maduro - all of them seem to be the best of the choices while I am smoking them, so I guess there is no contest.. all are great.  I smoked this in my study whilst the cold winds blow outside, hence the picture of the cigar with the cigar review sheet on my computer.  

One site says that the cigar is "crafted with select sun-grown Habano tobacco aged for a minimum of two and half years." If that is the case, then this cigar had close to 5 years on it. Whatever Padron does to get such consistently great tasting and balanced Nicaraguan's when there are unfortunately other Nicaraguan's out there that are not so great is well worth the extra $$ they cost.

Happy Smoking

Don Ricardo