Cigar Reviews: Spring 2018

by Steve Rowbottom

Caldwell Eastern Standard Cypress Room (robusto)
Dominican  Republic        6.0”x54                               Medium
94-Rated
I’ll start my review with one word: smooth. Then I’ll add another just before it: buttery smooth. Everything about Caldwell Eastern Standard is smooth. From the silky Ecuador Connecticut wrapper to the soft, pillowy smoke that fills thy palate. Beneath this dark-ish leaf, Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos unite to present a medium-bodied array of cedar and cream with a lemon-like citrus. During the burn, a dash of white pepper completes each puff and lingers nicely on the finish.
Camacho Powerband Gordo
Honduras                            6.0”x60                               Full
91-Rated
This 60-ring vitola is big, beefy, solid from head to toe and sits heavy in my hand. The pre-light is straight barnyard, which I love. Upon lighting, I get blasted with charcoal and earth. A bold start, that eventually mellows to unveil a dark, roasted display of bitter cocoa and toasted oak. The finish is long, dominated by earthy undertones and complemented by pepper. The strength increases towards the nub, helping to complete a robust and satisfying experience.
Cohiba Blue Robusto
Dominican Republic        5.5”x50                               Medium
90-Rated
A 3-country blend from Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican mingle inside a leathery-brown Honduran wrapper to create Cohiba Blue. The cigar burns a bit fast, but stays cool and brings a wealth of subtle flavors I enjoy. Leather, sweet tobacco, cedar and cream. The smoke is smooth out of the gates and remains medium in body throughout. I noticed no bells, nor whistles, but found Cohiba Blue to be a straightforward yet flavorful cigar with delightful aromas.
Mi Querida SakaKhan (Churchill)
Nicaragua 7.0”x50 Medium-Full
93-Rated
Sometimes I say chewy. Grab a Mi Querida. You’ll know why. The dark, Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper on this slow-burning Churchill delivers a rich and sweet flavor with a chewy mouthfeel. A nice vehicle to prepare my palate for a dense series of earth, cocoa and espresso bean. Midway through, the Nicaraguan tobaccos inside kick in, revealing earth and pepper backed by ample power. I suggest setting aside a good hour-plus for this cigar. It burns slow and is worth the attention.
Rocky Patel 1961 Toro
Nicaragua                            6.5” x 52                               Medium
91-Rated
Disclaimer: 1961 may not be Rocky’s finest creation, but I’ll be damned if you can find something more relaxing with an RP band on it. The cigar is gorgeous, sporting an oily, reddish Habano wrapper from Ecuador. Underneath, well-aged Nicaraguan tobaccos marry to create a smooth and sweet cigar. I get sweet tobacco and sweet cedar, followed by a spicy-sweet aftertaste. The aroma is like freshly baked bread and, every now and then, it hits the taste buds. It’s pretty darn good.

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