"I have always said how a cigar look does not translate to how it performs. I have smoked some elegant-looking cigars that just didn't deliver. This one was definitely not a beauty queen, but it was a very good cigar. It kind of started to head in the direction of bitter in the middle, but recovered admirably in the final third, making for a cigar that transitioned and developed very well from start to finish. It was also a relatively slow burner. With the burn and draw on point and the strength never getting overwhelming, this is a cigar I would have zero issues handing to a new smoker, nor would I hesitate to hand one to a seasoned aficionado. Looking forward to finding out what this one is! " -Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
"I liked this cigar and wanted to like it a whole lot more except for the burn issues and the falling off of flavors in the last third. I liked the look of it and the notes of leather, coffee, and salt are definitely flavor notes that I thoroughly enjoy. I’d definitely revisit this cigar again and might enjoy it with a mild Bloody Mary as I think it would enhance the flavors." -Diana (ArmyRN)
AllAVOBlind Cigar ReviewsDavidoffDominican RepublicDouble CoronaEladio DiazFeaturedHabanoHendrik Kelner
·"This would not be my typical choice for smoking. Even though I may smoke a couple of cigars in succession, and therefore spend several hours herfing, I tend to like to switch up flavor experiences by smoking more than one type of cigar. For a cigar of this size, I found it to be more enjoyable than I would have originally expected. There were moments of monotony but not enough for me to want to be done. The mix of flavor notes, although not overly complex, provided enough variety that I enjoyed it more than not. Make sure to have time for this cigar and pair it with something that accentuates the flavor profile such as a nice hearty bourbon and even while eating a nice piece of red meat. Red wine would also be complimentary." -Diana (ArmyRN)
"If I had to give 2 thumbs as a rating, one would be up and the other down. The first two-thirds of this cigar was pretty damn tasty, the last third however was a salt city and was very difficult to enjoy. While the burn, construction, and draw were all grade A quality, the ending flavor for this stick was very off-putting for my tastes, unless you’re a salt coinsurer!" -John A. (Bostoneo)
JRE Tobacco is adding two new Aladino Vintage Selection sizes this year. They are officially launching at the PCA tradeshow...
AllBlind Cigar ReviewsCubariquenoErik EspinosaFeaturedHabanoHector Alfonso Sr.NaturalNicaraguaRosadoToro
·"I'm very conflicted. The burn required constant attention and more relights than I cared to count. The flavors were very good though and I found the profile shifted though out in engaging ways. I would smoke this again to see if the construction issues were a fluke but I would be wary of purchase if the price was high. " -Alan (Eulogy)
Crowned Heads is bringing a new line to PCA 2021 "CHC (Crowned Heads Court) Serie E." The original CHC Reserve line was released in 2018. The CHC Series E, like many other Crowned Heads releases, got its inspiration from a song. In this case, the instrumental rock guitar solo, "Eruption," performed by Eddie Van Halen, from the album, "Van Halen" released on February 10, 1978. The song precedes "You Really Got Me" on the album and is often played together on the radio.
Foundation Cigars has announced new house blend exclusively to Ligero Tobacco House in Buford, GA. The new cigar is called simply "Ligero Tobacco House" and comes in one size, a 6 ¼ x 46 Lonsdale. The blend uses a Habano Ecuador wrapper, San Andres Mexican binder, and filler from Esteli, Jalapa, and Ometepe.
Alan RubinAlec & BradleyAlec BradleyAlec RubinAllBlind Cigar ReviewsBradley RubinFeaturedHabanoHondurasRobusto
·"After initial inspection I wasn’t sure what to expect, however, this cigar smoked fantastically and produced delicious flavors. From pre-light draw to last puff, the cigar performed above expectations and had great smoke output. Not exactly my cup of tea as it was a little sweeter than I prefer, but I would gladly smoke another. Fantastic smoke if you have under an hour. Nub was the best part. Puff slowly and enjoy the end my friends." -Adam B. (Bushboi)
"Overall this is a pretty good cigar. Construction was fantastic to the point where I considered if it was machine rolled. Absolutely flawless. Very light weight. For a Toro cigar rolled with this precision I would expect more oily and heavier tobacco’s. Not a bad thing, but lead to easier smoke output and a quicker burn. Flavors kept me guessing the whole time and we’re always interesting. Quite different from the beginning of the cigar to the end in a pleasant way. Will definitely smoke this one again." -Adam B. (Bushboi)