The Velvet Cigar

Posted By ironmeden on February 28, 2010

I had smoked and reviewed this cigar on February 11th.

Over the weekend I received a note and a care package from Victoria Jaworski the Director of Public Relations for General Cigar Company. In her note she referenced confusion on the blogosphere concerning the tobacco used in two of their new cigars, The Upper Cut by Punch and La Escepion. Her letter described the different flavor notes you should expect while smoking both cigars and of course the make up of each cigar. Having missed out on what was going on-line concerning the ‘confusion’, it was time to do a little research.

It didn’t take long to find a discussion going on at The Stogie Guys regarding their review of the La Escepcion. Looks like some of the ‘confusion’ was related to descriptions of  the Upper Cut at Cigars International.

When I went back and looked at my review, the descriptions I listed had the Binder from Ometepe. When I was researching the blend during my review, I did reference Cigar International for the blend make up. I have since corrected the mistake. I know at times during the years when I’ve done reviews its difficult to find blending information on a cigar and when a email is sent to the cigar manufacturer, most go unanswered.

Thanks to Victoria at General Cigars for passing along the correct information on the blend of the cigars and the care package.

Upper Cut by Punch

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua, Ometepe

The wrapper has a dark appearance with a few lumps below the wrapper, there are a few veins that run up and down the cigar. The cap on this cigar has a sloppy appearance. There are 2 bands on the cigar. The main band has a dark blue and gold color tones with the name Upper Cut displayed and the red Punch name below. The band at the foot of the cigar has a picturesque view of a tobacco field with the twin volcanoes in the background.

The size of this cigar is Toro which is 6.6 x 54. I punched the cigar and lit it with a table top lighter. First impressions are salty, creamy and woodsy. The burn is razor sharp. The draw is a little tight at the start.

At the 1/4 mark the cigar is more robust with a earthy aroma. There is a little tartness at the initial draw but it smooths out at the end. The finish of each draw is quite complex in flavors with a black tea note.

Halfway through the cigar loses slightly the complexity. The burn is still razor sharp. The draw is easing up.

At the 3/4 mark the becomes more intense in flavor like its packed full of flavor towards the end. I’ve been really impressed with the burn. I’m finally getting a some spice in the back of my throat and tip of my tongue.

Punch has really produced a solid cigar with the Upper Cut. The Upper Cut is a medium to slightly full flavored cigar. It has great complexity throughout, but it slows down a little bit as the cigar burns on. I highly recommend this cigar. I give this cigar a 4.5 out of 5. Rating:

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Posted By ironmeden on February 20, 2010

Flatbed Panacea Red

Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro

Binder: Habano

Filler: Dominican and Nicaragua

The Panacea has a deep brown toothy maduro wrapper. The overall appearance of the wrapper is beautiful, it looks good enough to take a bite out of. It does have a few little lumps. Rolling through the fingers the cigar has a firm feel. The size i’m smoking is a Torpedo measuring 6 x 52.  The band has a ruby red color tone different designs colored in white. There is a large P in the middle of the band with what looks like a golden sun behind the P.

I clipped the cigar and lit it with a table top lighter. The first initial flavors are light  licorice, wood and nuts.

At the 1/4 mark the cigar is quite smooth. The cigar is exhibiting a burn issue. The draw is a little loose. There isn’t much change in the flavor.

Halfway through the cigar gets a little richer. I’m starting to get a light cherry flavor.

At the 3/4 mark the cigar has an ash taste, the richness has subsided. The burn evened out shortly after the midpoint.

The Panacea Red is a mild Maduro cigar. If your looking for mellow maduro to enjoy I would recommend this cigar. I’m giving this cigar experience a 3.5 out of 5 Rating:

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Posted By ironmeden on February 11, 2010

I have to admit lately i’ve taken myself out of the world of cigars. I’ve really haven’t been doing much reading on cigars and reviews. I feel like i’ve lost part of my knowledge of the cigar world. I do find myself missing the words of other cigar smokers and enjoying their thoughts on cigars. I’m certainly going to take the time now to catch up.

Like a prowler i’m always on the hunt, searching, looking for something new and different. When I go to the local shops, i’m not always looking for the new cigar line from the old standby companies, I like to smoke something from a company i’ve never heard of before. I found that line one day, Esencia Cigars.

The cigars really don’t jump out at you from the shelf, the bands are well, pretty plain. Even with the non eye catching appearance, I still wanted to smoke it up.

Going to their home page Esencia Cigars they still promote the 2008 cigar whereas i’m smoking the 2009. I had to do a little searching to find the tobacco that makes up these cigars. It appears the Esenica 2009 consists of the same blend as the 2008, being a Nicaraguan puro made in Honduras by the Brothers of the Leaf. The wrapper on the cigar is a dark brown in shade with a few noticeable imperfections.

I punched the head of the cigar and lit it with a table top lighter. There was an initial harshness to the cigar upon first light, but it subsided. A bitter coffee flavor note jumps out from the cigar. The burn is even at the start.

As the cigar burned on the way to the 1/4 mark, i’m noticing the cigar is a slow burner. The wrapper as the cigar burns, the wrapper has a thicker appearance.

At the 1/4 mark the wrapper starts burning a little uneven. There isn’t much change in flavors. It just tastes like a cigar. I did touch it up slightly to even out the burn.

Halfway through the cigar has a slight dirt flavor. Its not a bad flavor, it just tastes like the cigar was ripped from the ground.

At the 3/4 mark the cigar opened up. The cigar had a crisper and fresher taste. A strong woody note comes through with more bold body to the cigar.

The Escencia 2009 is a man’s cigar. Its a solid smoke. Though I enjoy a cigar with more flavors, this cigar is consistent and relaxing. If you enjoy a medium to full bodied cigar this is your smoke. I would recommend this cigar being smoked with a bourbon. I give this cigar a 3.5 out of 5. Rating:

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Tags: esencia 2009, Nicaragua, puro

Posted By ironmeden on February 5, 2010

A little over a year a go I got an email from Alberto Medina requesting I try the PIO Overture blend. That was one of my favorite cigars in 2008. When I received a recent sampling shipment from Alberto, I opened it like a kid on Christmas morning. Inside were samples of his new blend.

PIO – Resurrection

Wrapper: USA Broadleaf

Binder: Ecuador

Filler: Nicaragua and Mexico

The PIO Resurrection has a blotchy wrapper. Measuring 6 x 52, the cigar has a rectangular press, but this sample I have, one side of the foot has a rounded appearance. The band is simple with the PIO brand and the Resurrection line prominently displayed. The colors are of brown, black with gold accents. Its not the most attractive cigar.

I punched the head of the cigar and lit it with a triple flame Colibri lighter.

The PIO has a excellent draw right away. The first flavors i’m tasting are earthy and barnyard. The burn is a little uneven at the start.

At the 1/4 mark the cigar still had a burning problem, I touched it up slightly. The flavors are not as rough as it was at the start of the cigar, it smoothed out slightly. I don’t usually ash this early in a cigar but the ash was looking flaky. I noted that the filler was started to tunnel, so I slowed down my puffing. I started tasting a deep dark cherry flavor.

Halfway through I noted the cigar gives off quite a lot of smoke, even with the slightest puffs. The cherry flavor gave way to a red wine note. I had to still touch up the uneven burn.

At the 3/4 mark the cigar has a little more complexity and richness to the cigar. The tobacco seems to stand out more with the fruit flavor subsiding.

I did have Elvis smoke his sample and his cigar did  not exhibit any signs of the burning issue I was experiencing. The Resurrection is a good addition to the PIO line. It doesn’t compare to the Overture blend, but it does show hints of the same complexity at the end of the cigar. Overall I give the cigar a 4 out of 5. Rating:

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Posted By ironmeden on January 21, 2010

So you want to find out how stupid a state tax department can be? A few years ago Elvis and I invested a small amount of money to find out if it would be worth opening a new cigar shop. During this process we purchased a tobacco license from the state of Minnesota. This license when the store is open gives us the right to purchase tobacco. Since we never opened the store, we kept the license but never used it. We still had to send in monthly statements to list how much tobacco we purchased, which every month was $0. Today we receive word from the state of Minnesota that we are being audited for our tobacco license, which expired the first of the year. So the state of Minnesota is wasting somebody’s time to audit a tobacco license which was never used which they have proof of mailings every month of a total of $0. They are spending hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars to audit $0. Please don’t tell me that any government official has out best interests in mind!

Room 101

The Room 101 cigar is a creation of Matt Booth of the infamous Room 101 with Camacho Cigars. For more information on the  Room 101 line of cigar go to Room 101 Cigars.

Wrapper: Semilla 101 (Honduras) This wrapper is an exclusive seed created for the Room 101 cigar grown by the Eiroa Family.

Binder: Honduras

Filler: Honduras and Dominican

The wrapper has a medium brown shade. The wrapper has a bumpy appearance coming up from some parts of the wrapper. There are 2 bands both with a black and silver color tone. I like the simplicity of the design. The size I’m smoking is the 305 which is a Robusto size.

I punched the cigar and lit it with my Colibri triple flame lighter. The first flavors I get are of a sweet vanilla, but right behind that is a slight bitter aftertaste. A strong wood note stands out. The cigar produces a lot of smoke.

At the 1/4 mark the cigar has a hint of spice. The bitterness is still prevalent, but doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the cigar. The wrapper does start to have a burn issue. I touch is up slightly. It still gives off a lot of smoke.

Halfway through, the burn is still a problem, again I touch it up. Its still exhibiting the strong wood flavor.

At the 3/4 mark the cigar ramps up in spice. My tongue is on fire at this point.

Overall the cigar is good but there really are no other flavors then the strong wood flavor. The spice in the cigar is quite surprising at the end. I give this cigar a 3 out of 5. Rating:

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Tags: Dominican Republic, Honduras, roomo 101