"This cigar hit all of my sweet spots in terms of flavor. Peppery, leathery, with hints of scotch whiskey toward the end. I'd happily invest in a few more of these to see if I could get some with a more consistent draw. I bet this would be a tremendous smoke if that issue was ameliorated. " -John I. (John I.)
"On one hand this cigar is a master class on how to roll a cigar but it falls short in providing a good smoking experience in my book. I feel like it would benefit from some rest time. I would love to revisit it after 30, 60, or 90 days to see if it could push out some of the sharper flavor profile. Only time will tell. " -Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
El Artista has been making the Big Papi cigar line since 2016. In 2019, they added a line extension called "The Slugger which was a new, fuller-bodied blend, but it only came in one size, a 6 x 60 Gordo. Now, the company is releasing that same blend in a 5 x 50 format.
Tabacalera El Artista has announced two new line extensions for existing brands and one new rebrand. Fugly Cheroots and Buffalo TEN each are each getting line extensions and the eight-year-old Puro Ambar is getting a new look and blend.
"This cigar was a very enjoyable smoke on a Tuesday night. The aromas and flavor profile were quite enjoyable and pleasant to the palate. The lack of spice or pepper up front was unconventional due to the color and makeup of the cigar, however, it led to a surprising smoke and "on the edge of your seat" experience waiting for what was next to come. The cigar never truly changed complexity and stayed the same throughout, but again, the flavor profile was enjoyable so it did not hinder the overall outcome. I would suggest at least giving this cigar a chance and seeing if it fits your style. For me, I like a stronger maduro with a lot of pepper forward, but this is a nice change of pace to clean out the palate and enjoy some sweet, citrus flavors and aromas." -Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
(Tamboril, Dominican Republic) - Today the President of El Artista Cigars, Radhames “Ram” Rodriguez announced the first boxes of Big Papi by David Ortiz began shipping this week from Doral, FL. The much anticipated cigar line makes its way onto hundreds of retail shelves this week, fulfilling IPCPR 2016 pre-orders. The first boxes shipped Monday morning, and El Artista expects thousands of boxes to reach retailers by Friday. Mr. Rodriguez stated, “The response from retailers and consumers has been overwhelming. We get calls every day.”
"Overall, I enjoyed it. Especially liked the spice and the heat it produced. By the final third, it was nice and hot on the palate, lips and left a real good 'zing' through the sinuses. This is one I can see having a home with me." -Robert (NavyPiper)
Sinistro is releasing a new line with multiple blends: La Fabrica. This new series consists of small batches of "forgotten" cigars that have been aging for some time. The cigars are unearthed, tested, and given new names. The concept is similar to the Lost & Found series from Robert Caldwell and Matt Booth.
"I use to be a leather tongue smoker but over the last few years, that has shifted to a more balanced profile fan. So it is nice that find a cigar that walks the tight rope between these two profiles. This cigar did just that. It is a full-on flavor but without that heavy punch that most cigars have these days. This cigar will appeal to a wide range of smokers. Easily smokeable under any situation. I will for sure be looking for them once I know what it is. " -Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)
"This cigar surprised me since there weren't any real aromas coming off of it before setting it ablaze. The cigar gave me plenty of cream, nuts, coffee, and chocolate. The big surprise/winner here was the crackerjack flavors I got on the finish.....it's subtle but it's there. The second half of this cigar opened up with a bit more earth and dirt flavors, but it never got harsh or hindered the cigar in any way. I am very curious to see what this is. I would definitely pick up a fiver and retry it again before committing to a full box purchase. Give it a go, and see if you get the crackerjack too." -Mickey T. (irratebass)
