"This is another cigar that hits my profile perfectly. A deep chocolatey Maduro with savory flavors and a lot of spice. The nicotine definitely picks up in the final third so you do have to watch out for that a bit, but as long as you are prepared this is a stellar blend. My only complaint is the fact it actually smoked faster than I expected at 2 and a half hours, and would not hold an ash for anything. I do admit I have a pretty good idea what this cigar is since Maduro Presidente cigars are pretty rare, but I have never had a chance to smoke it before." -Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
"This cigar started out typical with mild to medium in strength with mostly walnuts in the flavor department. As the cigar progressed the strength went down to a mild, and cream with roasted peanuts and hints of bread really took over. The second third was the best part of this cigar, but I'm happy to say those flavors continued until the end. I nubbed this cigar with about an inch to go. Definitely a great cigar, and that I feel is box worthy." -Mickey T. (irratebass)
"This was an enjoyable cigar from the prelight on. It started of medium-full, built a little strength as it went, and finished in the upper end of the medium-full range. Flavor transition from the 2nd to the final third sealed the deal on the enjoyment factor and this is definitely a cigar I would visit again." -Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
"I highly enjoyed this cigar! If you’re not blowing smoke out of your nose you’ll probably have a more boring experience. While the French Roast coffee note on the draw is nice ALL the retrohale flavors of mineral, mint, and spice steal the show. Combine that experience with great construction and this cigar is a winner. " -Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)
Protocol Cigars announced a new limited edition cigar today to celebrate their second annual Pool Party: Protocol Pool Party 2. THis follows up last years original Protocol Pool Party (PPP). Like most other Protocol cigars, it is rolled at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.
Joya de Nicaragua is celebrating Central America’s Bicentennial with a new Limited Edition Cigar: Dos Cientos. This month is the 200th anniversary of Central American independence from the Spanish empire. Following independence in Latin America and throughout the Caribbean, the American Revolution and French Revolution, Central Americans won their right to self-government and began the process of creating the nations of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
CAO announced today that Zócalo is coming back, now as a regular production cigar. The name comes from a celebratory city square in Mexico. Zócalo was first released in 2018 as a limited edition blend and in just one vitola. The new regular production version of Zócalo comes in three sizes. It was the first CAO cigar to use a Mexican wrapper. We reviewed the original back in 2018 and gave it an 89.
General Cigar has announced a new series in the CAO brand: Arcana Series. The first release in this new line is called Mortal Coil. The purpose of the Arcana Series is to "highlight the secrets and traditions of old-world tobacco processing methods, passed down from generation to generation to bring out the best in native tobaccos from across the globe."
Within the cigar industry, Jalapa, Nicaragua, is well-known for its rich soil and sophisticated tobacco. Jalapa tobacco has become a favorite for premium cigar makers, famously used as binders, fillers, and even wrappers by cigar manufacturers and brands, big and small. Jalapa is an extraordinary place for the cigar industry, amongst the beautiful mountains and valleys, agricultural tobacco production is flourishing. Yet, while the region's economy evolved, growing from a subsistence livelihood to commercial-scale agriculture, its people, nevertheless, live in heartbreaking poverty.
"This medium to full profiled cigar will give you plenty of strong flavors to keep the most hardened enthusiast interested. Big bodied notes of chocolate, leather, wood, and pepper kept always in play at some level, while It burned on. Burn and construction were top-notch as this cigar slowly burnt and lasted a whole eighty minutes for a Robusto. It was a bit strong for me, but I am sure there are plenty of people who may enjoy this." -John A. (Bostoneo)