"This was a intense flavorful smoke with a ton of smoke output during the whole time smoking it. The flavors were a really nice sweet cedar flavor with some red pepper spice on the tongue like red pepper flake on a pizza. The retrohale was intense black pepper then fade some then picked back up at the end." -Chad M. (Chad Tchad)
"The beginning notes of vanilla, raisin, roasted coffee, and leather and how it transitioned from the first to the second third really kept my interest. Packed full of flavors. The burn and draw were perfections. This is a cigar I would definitely try again and recommend to any cigar Smoker. Very well done overall. " -Kevin J. (maninblack77)
"Another great cigar that I enjoyed. Beautiful light chocolate wrapper with bumps and veins showing. Nice notes of sweet tea, hickory, black pepper, and butterscotch balance this cigar out. Minor splitting at the end that corrects itself. Even burn with a nice inch long ash. Great late afternoon smoke. A cigar I'd try again." -Sean F. (fullermaine)
"A perfect cigar! This beautiful box-pressed cigar with a chocolate wrapper makes this a cigar worth enjoying. Notes of chocolate, oak, and black pepper make me want another one. A cigar you'd want for your humidor. Pick up a few or a box, and let the pleasure begin." -Sean F. (fullermaine)
La Gloria Cubana is adding a 7 x 70 size to their Serie R line. The collection is known for its fat ring gauges and this marks the brand’s largest size to date. The La Gloria Cubana Serie R No 8 uses an Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican blend.
"The general consensus on this cigar is astoundingly good as it checked off almost all of boxes. The construction, burn, and draw were all perfect which made for an ideal smoking experience as I did not have to babysit or put any effort into smoking. The cigar absolutely shined throughout the first two-thirds with a cadence of flavors I've yet to experience together and was not only unique but most of all quite enjoyable. Had the final third not offered such an abrupt change in flavors I would have smoked this cigar down to a nub. Once its identity is revealed I will absolutely seek it out for another round. Should the ending be rewritten I could even see this cigar being a regular in my humidor." -Noah S. (Noah)
Crowned Heads Paniolo is making a comeback for the first time since 2019. Originally released in 2015, this Hawaii exclusive is made by Ernesto Perez-Carrillo and Tabacalera La Alianza. The Paniolo Especiale 2022 comes in one size, a robusto extra that measures 51/4 x 52
"'Finger licking good.' Those were the only words in my mind when this cigar was burning my fingertips in the end. The flavors were great, and the transitions were cohesive. I'd love to try this cigar in a larger format because I couldn't get enough of this cigar." -Isaac M. (The Nothing)
"This is one of the better experiences I have had since being a panelist with Blind Man's Puff. While the prelight aromas were a little "odd" and had what I would describe as hints of dryness to it, the overall profile of the cigar was great! It developed nicely and changed all along the way, offering something different and enjoyable with each part of the cigar. This is a key point for me in rating a cigar, as I personally feel a cigar that develops a more favorable profile as it goes, is paramount to a rewarding smoking experience that keeps the smoker coming back for more" -Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
"This is an extremely full-bodied cigar with core flavors of earth and wood. When the initial pepper spice was joined by some mineral early on things calmed down a bit, I only wish that the addition of coffee and orange zest that appeared in the final third had arrived earlier in the smoking experience as they added some complexity and balance to the cigar that I felt was needed. As far as pairings are concerned, I highly recommend a bourbon that has a natural touch of sweetness to it." -Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)
