Archive for the ‘direct’ Category

First Impression – 5 Vegas Limitada 2009

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

To be fair, I should mention that this is a first impression review. I try to smoke at least 2 to 3 cigars before doing a review. Unfortunately I couldn’t get my hands on more. Anyway…It was time to reach into the Cigars Direct goody bag again. What I pulled out was tonight’s review, the 5 vegas Limitada 2009. This is a small yearly production and I have never had any previous releases.

 

Wrapper: Dominican Corojo (2002)

Binder: Piloto Cubano (2003)

Filler: Piloto Cubano 2003 and Criollo Ligero 2004

Size: Belicoso 6.2 x 52

Price: Around $8.00 to $10.00

 

Pre-smoke & Construction:

This was a rugged, oily, yet attractive looking cigar. The wrapper had one large vein and a few medium to small ones. Overall the cigar was packed evenly except towards the cap, where it became a little spongy. When I sniffed the wrapper and foot, I picked up a fairly strong natural earthy tobacco odor, along with a sweet spice. The pre-light draw was perfect, and had a earthy, sweet, and simple natural tobacco taste.

Construction was good, requiring only a couple touch up’s on the burn. The ash held firm for over an inch.

1_5VegasLimitada2009

Flavor:

The first third began with very simple and subtle peppery notes. As long we we are talking about subtle flavors, next up was a slight earthiness. The smoke feel was toasty and the finish (aftertaste) had an interesting flavor that I lack words to describe. As I progressed more, woody notes combined with sweetness came about. Strange but decent.

2_5VegasLimitada2009

The second third wasn’t a lot to talk about… The sweet pepper remained, along with the toasty finish. Woody notes lingered just like before, along with the sweet woody flavors I mentioned before. Basically a carbon copy of the first third.

3_5VegasLimitada2009

The last third, like the previous ones, didn’t offer too much. One subtle change was all the flavors I mentioned before remained but took on a sweet tinge. Other then that, copy and paste my previous comments and that sums up the last third.

4_5VegasLimitada2009

Conclusion:

The cigar wasn’t  bad, but didn’t wow me in any way. I’d say it fell in the medium body range. The flavors seemed one dimensional and flat, but were never bad. I guess for such a hyped cigar, I expected more complexities and body. Considering this is the only time I’ve tried this cigar, I’ll try another one if I run across them. If your experience was the same or different, I’d appreciate your opinions. Is this review accurate or am I way off base here? Be brutal, I can take it.

Oliva Master Blends 3

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

I was pleased when Cigar Direct chose to send me a couple of these cigars to review. The Master Blends 3 is the third installment in the “Master Blends” series of cigars. Tobacco for this line is limited, which I imagine accounts for the higher price and limited availability. I paired up with the usual glass of water and got to the review.

 

Wrapper: Connecticut broadleaf Sun-grown

Binder: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan Ligero

Size: Robusto 5×50

Price: Around $9.00

 

Pre-smoke & Construction:

With small to medium veins, the dark sun grown wrapper had an overall rich appearance. Squeezing the cigar’s length, I found no inconsistencies. The wrapper and foot had an earthy smell with a hint of sweet spice. The pre-light draw was free, and had a smooth earthy taste.

The burn required two corrections, and the ash held for 1.5 inches. No complaints in the construction department.

1OlivaMasterBlends3 

Flavor:

The first third started with pepper. It was strong, but not over the top or harsh. After smoking about an inch, coffee notes kicked in. As if on queue, mocha flavors came minutes later to round out the first third. It was pretty cool how each flavor came in individually, as if they were being introduced.

2OlivaMasterBlends3 

Mocha, or chocolate, was the main flavor of the second third. The pepper remained but it was joined by a sweet spice. Like the first third, black coffee rounded things out. The smoke feel was dry, but not in an annoying way. I did feel the need to drink more water then I usually do.

3OlivaMasterBlends3 

The last third still held that dominant mocha flavor. Earthy notes helped to mellow out the pepper and the sweet spice. Coffee was still very noticeable like the first two thirds. The parched feeling remained, but I got used to it. Not a whole lot of change, just an enjoyable melding of flavors.

4OlivaMasterBlends3 

Conclusion:

It was interesting how the flavors introduced themselves. For the most part they held their positions in the overall picture. After some debate, I determined this was a full bodied cigar. Overall it was very enjoyable and relaxing. The only bad thing I could think of is the price. For a cigar of limited availability, I guess you have to expect that. If you want to give this cigar a try, Cigars Direct has a selection of various sizes. Any Oliva fan should at least give the Master Blends 3 a chance.

Oliva Master Blends 3

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

I was pleased when Cigar Direct chose to send me a couple of these cigars to review. The Master Blends 3 is the third installment in the “Master Blends” series of cigars. Tobacco for this line is limited, which I imagine accounts for the higher price and limited availability. I paired up with the usual glass of water and got to the review.

 

Wrapper: Connecticut broadleaf Sun-grown

Binder: Nicaraguan Habano

Filler: Nicaraguan Ligero

Size: Robusto 5×50

Price: Around $9.00

 

Pre-smoke & Construction:

With small to medium veins, the dark sun grown wrapper had an overall rich appearance. Squeezing the cigar’s length, I found no inconsistencies. The wrapper and foot had an earthy smell with a hint of sweet spice. The pre-light draw was free, and had a smooth earthy taste.

The burn required two corrections, and the ash held for 1.5 inches. No complaints in the construction department.

1OlivaMasterBlends3 

Flavor:

The first third started with pepper. It was strong, but not over the top or harsh. After smoking about an inch, coffee notes kicked in. As if on queue, mocha flavors came minutes later to round out the first third. It was pretty cool how each flavor came in individually, as if they were being introduced.

2OlivaMasterBlends3 

Mocha, or chocolate, was the main flavor of the second third. The pepper remained but it was joined by a sweet spice. Like the first third, black coffee rounded things out. The smoke feel was dry, but not in an annoying way. I did feel the need to drink more water then I usually do.

3OlivaMasterBlends3 

The last third still held that dominant mocha flavor. Earthy notes helped to mellow out the pepper and the sweet spice. Coffee was still very noticeable like the first two thirds. The parched feeling remained, but I got used to it. Not a whole lot of change, just an enjoyable melding of flavors.

4OlivaMasterBlends3 

Conclusion:

It was interesting how the flavors introduced themselves. For the most part they held their positions in the overall picture. After some debate, I determined this was a full bodied cigar. Overall it was very enjoyable and relaxing. The only bad thing I could think of is the price. For a cigar of limited availability, I guess you have to expect that. If you want to give this cigar a try, Cigars Direct has a selection of various sizes. Any Oliva fan should at least give the Master Blends 3 a chance.

CAO MX2

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

Cigars Direct was nice enough to send me some MX2’s for review. After smoking those down, I wanted to review the same cigar that had been sitting in my humidor for at least two years. The CAO MX2 has quite a mix of tobaccos. Most notably is the outer Connecticut maduro wrapper, and the Brazilian maduro binder. Hence the name MX2, or “Maduro times two.” I’m pairing this cigar with water and a bit of Glenfiddich 18 year scotch.

Wrapper: Connecticut Maduro

Binder: Brazil

Filler: Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican, Peru

Size:  – Toro 6×54

Price: 6 – $7.00

1CAOMX2

Pre-smoke & Construction:

The dark maduro wrapper was a bit veiny and oily. Despite quite a few blemishes everything looked decent. The cigar was moderately packed but not too tight or loose. When I sniffed the wrapper, it had a very unique wood and sweet spice odor. I can’t explain well enough to give it justice. The foot had a similar smell, but not as strong. The pre-light draw was a little snug for my liking, with a taste of natural tobacco, wood and earth. The burn required several corrections, and the ash held for around an inch before falling off on my keyboard.

 

Flavor:

The first third began just as I though it would. A lot of the flavor profile screamed of another maduro cigar, which isn’t a bad thing. A sweet spice through the sinus, with an underlying chocolate. On top of those flavors stood smooth earthy notes.

2CAOMX2

The second third began with a dominant chocolate flavor. Directly behind it was another unidentified sweet flavor, followed by earthy notes. A faint pepper remained in the background. It sounds simple enough, and it was for the most part. But there was something more, and I may have to attribute it to the Brazilian binder. Why do I say that? Well, it seems like whenever I smoke a Brazilian puro, I often get stumped with a pleasant yet unidentifiable flavor. Maybe none of this makes sense… Let’s get to the last third.

3CAOMX2

Last third… Nothing really changed in terms of flavor. The smoke took on a thick feel and coated the mouth. That was really the only change. Hey, this third was easy to review at least.

4CAOMX2

Conclusion:

Was the aged MX2 any better or worse then the fresh one? It definitely wasn’t worse. I couldn’t tell any real differences in taste between them. Cigars Direct has them HERE if you want to give them a try.

If you are a fan of the Camacho triple maduro like I am, you may enjoy this cigar. Although they are similar, they are still different and both are worth trying. Personally, I like the Camacho’s triple maduro a bit more. But that’s just my opinion. The tight draw got on my nerves initially, but luckily the experience as a whole helped me forget about it. This is still a very good medium to full bodied cigar. It’s definitely worth a try.

CAO Italia

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

Not too long ago I was contacted by Cigars Direct. Apparently they enjoyed my little site, and asked if I’d like to review some cigars. Naturally I never turn down free cigars. After letting their care package rest a bit, I grabbed the cigar up for review tonight. The CAO Italia boasts tobacco from four countries. It’s namesake comes from a component of the filler from Italy. It’s been awhile since I’ve had an Italia, so I grabbed a glass of water and got to smoking.

Wrapper: Honduras

Binder: Honduras

Filler: Italy, Nicaragua, Peru

Size: Ciao 5 x 56

Price: 5 to $6.00

1CAOItalia

Pre-light & Construction:

Overall the dark oily wrapper looked appealing, with small to mid sized veins. It smelled of wood and earth, and overall the cigar was firmly packed with tobacco. The foot smelled of earth, wood, and an unidentified sweetness. The pre-light draw was a little tight, and had notes of wood, earth, and sweetness.

As you can see from the pictures, I had to correct the burn quite a few times. The ash held on for around an inch and a half before I knocked it off. It could have went longer I’m sure.

Flavor:

The first third started with interesting coffee notes combined with a smooth pepper through the nose. As I progressed I could pick out a definite woody flavor. This led the way to smooth earthy notes. The pepper didn’t last very long, and transformed into a more sweet mellow tone. A very eventful first third. Good times.

2CAOItalia

The second third had an increase in coffee, it was basically espresso. A strong but smooth sweet spice was noticed when passing the smoke through the sinus. Honestly, I could have sworn at times I tasted a meaty flavor. It was almost like steak. Woody flavors always remained present.

3CAOItalia

The last third went well. No BS, I still got a draw here and there that was meaty. Other then that, the main flavor was coffee or espresso. The sweet spice remained and lost most of it’s bite, but revealed itself as mild cinnamon. A mild grassy, earth flavor came back after a short leave during the second third. With an inch to go, it started heating up and it was time to call it quits.

4CAOItalia

Conclusion:

This was a very good, even great full bodied cigar. The rich flavor profile made it impossible to ignore or get bored. The negative aspects of this cigar were the burn corrections, and the stiff draw. I was able to open it up a bit using Henry’s draw correction tools, but I shouldn’t have to. The problems I had was an isolated event. If you smoke, or are interested in a great full bodied cigar, give the CAO Italia a try. Cigars Direct, thanks for sending me this great smoke!

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