Review

  • The Troublemaker

    The Troublemaker

    The Troublemaker is the latest line extension to JC Newman’s Diamond Crown Julius Ceaser line. The cigar was given the name because of the difficulty in making the shape. Apparently, “troublemaker” is a tame translation of the moniker it had in development at the factory. Wrapper: EcuadorianBinder: DominicanFiller: Caribbean, Central AmericaSize: Perfecto 5 3/4 x…

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  • Kopp Limited Edition: Flame 1919 (2024)

    Presented in a large tin without an airtight seal, the tobacco is in a plastic bag inside. The blend consists of cube-cut Virginias, cube-cut Burleys, Cavendish, and Perique. It is deep, sweet, and creamy, with notes of stewed fruit, dark chocolate, nuts, and rye bread. There is almost no spice, but warm cedar notes are…

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  • Arsenio Toro

    Arsenio Toro

    Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio Toro The Aganorsa Leaf Arsenio Toro features a velvety smooth medium brown wrapper. Upon lighting, the cigar delivers smooth and creamy flavors with notes of coffee, nuts, and oak. There’s an almond-like sweetness on the finish and a hint of baker’s spice on the retrohale, accompanied by a touch of hay. The…

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  • Ferio Tego Generoso (2023)

    Ferio Tego Generoso (2023)

    Michael Herklots’ Ferio Tego Generoso is an annual release. The 2023 edition is the third release of this flagship of the Ferio Tego brand. Wrapper: HonduranBinder: NicaraguanFiller: NicaraguanSize: Toro 6 x 50 The Ferio Tego Generoso 2023 release has an attractive medium brown wrapper with a slight oil sheen to it. The cigar appears well-constructed,…

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  • Davidoff Millennium Robusto

    Davidoff Millennium Robusto

    The Davidoff Millennium Robusto is beautifully constructed, with a flawless Ecuadorian wrapper that is smooth and slightly oily to the touch. The cigar is firm and well-packed, with no soft spots, indicating excellent construction. The band is elegant, featuring the classic Davidoff logo. Wrapper: EcuadorianBinder: DominicanFiller: DominicanSize: Robusto 5 1/4 x 50 Before lighting, the…

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  • Meerapfel Meir Pyramid

    Meerapfel Meir Pyramid

    The Meerapfel cigar lines are a testament to the Meerapfel family’s long-standing presence in the tobacco industry since the 1600s. Named after Meir Meerapfel, who established the Meerapfel cigar factory in Untergrombach, Germany in 1876, the Meir Pyramid follows the company’s release pattern of 613 boxes each year. The distinctive bands on their cigars are…

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  • G.L. Pease Barbary Coast

    G.L. Pease Barbary Coast

    One of GL Pease’s Original Mixtures, Barbary Coast is a blend of cube-cut Burley, Red Virginia, and Perique with a “kiss” of brandy. It is one of the few blends from GL Pease that you may want to give a few minutes of drying time before smoking. I find that it works best in a…

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  • 7-20-4 Briary Blends: Boston Tea Party

    One of the highlights of my career as a tobacconist has been the privilege of working with Jeremy Reeves, the head blender at Cornell & Diehl, and Kaz Walters from Laudisi Distribution Group, on a series of pipe tobacco blends that would essentially be a tobacco line extension to Kurt Kendall’s storied 7-20-4 cigar brand.…

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  • JC Newman Yagua

    JC Newman Yagua

    The Yagua Toro is a visually unique cigar with its multi-sided, misshapen appearance that comes from being wrapped into bundles of 20 in royal palm leaves in lieu of going into individual presses after being rolled. The result is a bundle in which no two cigars look alike. Wrapper: CT BroadleafBinder: NicaraguanFiller: NicaraguanSize: Toro 6…

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  • G.L. Pease Barbary Coast

    G.L. Pease Barbary Coast

    One of GL Pease’s Original Mixtures, Barbary Coast is a blend of cube-cut Burley, Red Virginia, and Perique with a “kiss” of brandy. It is one of the few blends from GL Pease that you may want to give a few minutes of drying time before smoking. I find that it works best in a…

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