Mike's Cigar Page

On this page you will find my notes and rating from recent cigar experiences.   More will be added as they are smoked!  My ratings are based on the Cigar Aficionado rating system, which has four parts: Appearance and Construction (15pts), Flavor (25pts), Smoking Characteristics (25pts), and Overall Impression (35pts), for a possible 100pts total. 

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Epicure #2     Onyx Reserve Toro     Montecristo #2     Macanudo Maduro Duke of Devon

Punch Elite     Macanudo Robusto Duke of Devon     Montecristo #4    

Where purchased and $$: Aachen, Germany (approx. $14.00), August 2001.

When smoked: June 2001, Marche, Belgium- Officer’s Club.

Appearance and Construction (15): A silky tan wrapper, with a smooth veinyness. Feels very smooth, and the absence of a band only adds to its character. 15.

Flavor (25): Wow! Smooth, silky and creamy. Very mild, and one of the most enjoyable cigars I’ve ever smoked. What a pleasure! 24.

Smoking Characteristics (25): A very consistent burn, with a nice ash. It needed less attention than most, making it a great conversation cigar. 24.

Overall Impression (35): What a cigar! This was a great smoke, with a wonderful feel and great flavor. The smoke was smooth, and it made for a delicious after dinner smoke. I really liked this cigar, and I would buy several boxes for now, and some to put away for later. 34.

Where purchased and $$: CJ Perkins (Palisades), $7.50, August 2001.

When smoked: Ring Weekend (August 2001).

Appearance and Construction (15): Beautifully box-pressed and black as night. Flawless construction and an overall beautiful appearance. Veiny. Soft to the touch, and very moist. 15.

Flavor (25): A surprisingly smooth flavor, with a creamy smoke and only a hint of sharpness. Not as spicy as most maduros, which was a pleasant surprise. 24.

Smoking Characteristics (25): An even burn with an impressive white ash. Tended to burn a bit uneven without rotation, but not a major problem. Burned a bit hotter than expected, which was its only major problem. 23

Overall Impression (35): A magnificent smoke, one of the best yet. It easily rivals Cubans (at least the one’s that I’ve smoked). I definitely want to buy several boxes and see how they age. A cigar to be brought out on all special occasions, especially considering its beautiful appearance. 32

Where purchased and $$: Aachen, Germany (approx. $12.00), August 2001.

When smoked: June 2001, LW Golf Course.

Appearance and Construction (15): A beautiful tan wrapper with some veins. Somewhat oily from age. A nicely constructed torpedo. 14.

Flavor (25): Full-bodied with a woody taste with peppery overtones. 22.

Smoking Characteristics (25): A slightly inconsistent burn, and it took a lot of attention to keep it lit. Burned a bit warmer than expected. 22.

Overall Impression (35): A good cigar that took over an hour to get through. It took more attention than normal to keep lit, and the slightly inconsistent burn detracted from its character. Overall a nice Cuban, but not the best. 32.

Where purchased and $$: Mom’s Discount Cigars (Central Valley) $4.75, August 2001.

When smoked: August 2001.

Appearance and Construction (15): Moderately impressive with a nice, dark wrapper. Veiny and rough looking, and rough to the touch. 12.

Flavor (25): Smoother and milder than I expected from a maduro. Mildly spicy, with hints of pepper and coffee. A good flavor overall. 23.

Smoking Characteristics (25): A nice, even burn. Beautiful white ash. A very tight draw, which detracted from the smoking pleasure. Burned hotter than I wanted. 20.

Overall Impression (35): A very nice smoke, and it would make a great everyday fishing cigar. I would like to buy several boxes and put one away for a few years. Overall impressive. 32

Where purchased and $$: Smokey’s Cigars, $2.00

When smoked: Summer 2000.

Appearance and Construction (15): A typical tan wrapper, with a slightly veiny appearance. Somewhat rough feeling, but with solid construction 13.

Flavor (25): A dry smoke, with flavors of burnt wood and very mild spices. 20.

Smoking Characteristics (25): It takes a conscious effort to maintain a consistent burn, and it burns a bit hotter than expected. A good everyday smoke. 21.

Overall Impression (35): A solid everyday cigar. This is a good one to give to friends who are not cigar aficionados, but still would enjoy a quality handmade cigar. I would have a box on hand for social occasions where everyone wants a quality smoke. 31.

Where purchased and $$: Mom’s Discount Cigars (Central Valley) $5.00, August 2001.

When smoked: September 2, 2001.

Appearance and Construction (15): Nicely colored tan wrapper, with a few inconsistencies. The smoothness is broken up by the inconsistent veins and flaws.12.

Flavor (25): Sharp and, well, robust. Strong taste of pepper with a hot flavor. The peppery flavor overpowered everything else, and left a nearly chemical aftertaste. Not as pleasant as expected. 21.

Smoking Characteristics (25): A nice, even burn. A medium-gray ash. A nice draw, but a hot burn, enough that it detracted from the flavor of the cigar. 20.

Overall Impression (35): I didn’t really enjoy this cigar, as it was too spicy and hot for my tastes, but I guess that’s what robusto is about. 30

Where purchased and $$: Aachen, Germany DM 17 (approx. $7.75), June 2001.

When smoked: Ring Weekend.

Appearance and Construction (15): Nice tan wrapper, but a very dry feeling. Veiny and fragile appearing, and it didn’t feel quite right. 11.

Flavor (25): Very sharp, dry and full-bodied. The overwhelming dry flavor left a lot to be desired, and it made for an unpleasant experience. Pepper and spice overwhelmed this smoke, leaving lots to be desired. Disappointing for a Cuban. 20.

Smoking Characteristics (25): An even burn, but it burned way too hot. Needs to be over-humidified to be enjoyed. 20.

Overall Impression (35): This was quite disappointing, since my previous experiences with this cigar were much better. Despite being in a humidor, it needs both more humidity and some time to age and mellow out. Past experiences were great, and given time, this one should get much better. 28.

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