THE BIG JUICY by DREW ESTATES

THE BIG JUICY by DREW ESTATES

The Big Juicy is a cigar put out by Drew Estates under the Acid Natural line. It is the big brother of the Juicy Lucy and measures 6x52. The Big Juicy is a flavor infused cigar and is not normally something I smoke.

After preparing my palette by having a snort of Hennessey I light the infused cigar with my standard method of using a piece of cedar to light this hopefully tasty treat. At first the flavor is sweet and more than what I expected. The initial flavor is that of mint and sweetness of sugar. The stick is very well constructed and the burn is even. The ash is a light grey and the draw is easy. About half way down the sweetness is not as overpowering as when it began but the mint taste is still dominating the experience. I can’t say I’m really enjoying the smoke but I also don’t smoke infused cigars much. At 2 thirds gone the mint has dissipated and the smoke is a little more manageable. The Acid Natural line is not my cup of tea. The strength threw out is light but I believe it is due to my inexperience of smoking these type of cigars.

The BIG JUICY is a smoke I would recommend to anyone who enjoys the ACID line. The sweetness and infused flavor is not for me but it might be for someone who enjoys a flavored light tasting cigar…

THE ELENCOS SERIES DON RUBINO by E. P, CARRILLO

THE ELENCOS SERIES DON RUBINO by CARRILLO

Robusto 5x50

This nicely constructed stick is the second attempt from Carrillo to try to impress my palette. This stick has a natural looking wrap that compliments the solidly pack.

I light my cigar in normal fashion using cedar. The first draw has a taste of nut and a little oak flavor. The burn is even and the draw is loose. The stick is burning well producing a thick layer of smoke and an aroma that has people asking what that is. At the halfway point the strength has stayed at a medium feeling and is a pleasant experience. Now with 2/3 gone the smoke has stayed very consistent and has been a pleasure to smoke. The end of this “job” is making me wish that the smoke was longer and I’m wishing I had gotten a Toro instead of a robusto.

The DON RUBINO is a good smoke . I recommend getting the 4 pack to try all the different wrappers.

NEW WAVE CONNECTICUT BRILLANTES by CARRILLO

This cigar was a completely new product to me. An interesting blend with a Connecticut shade wrapper and a size that is good for a tasting,

Lighting my cigar with my usual process of using a piece of cedar I draw in my first taste of this well constructed stick. I notice a hint of cedar and a little nut flavoring telling me that this might be a gem in the rough. The light shade wrap is giving me the impression that this cigar is going to be light but I will keep an open mind.

At halfway the strength has stayed consistently light and the cedar flavor has taken over and is making for a good smoke. The ash came off about 1 third of the way but it has burned even and not to hot. The ash is the color of a grey storm cloud and the plumes of white smoke fill the lounge.

With 2/3 gone the strength has picked up a bit and is leaving me to classify this as a light to medium smoke. The usual taste of green I get from most lightly wrapped cigars is not present and leads me to believe that this company has the right blend down to compliment the lighter wrap.

The NEW WAVE CONNECTICUT BRILLANTES is a good cigar for someone that smokes an ARTURO FUENTE or an Ashton. I recommend that if you want to try this cigar that you get, if available, the 4 pack sampler…

KRISTOFF COROJO LIMITADA

KRISTOFF COROJO LIMITADA

The next new KRISTOFF is the COROJO LIMITADA. This cigar is almost a puros Nicaraguan cigar. The wrapper is Nicaraguan Corojo with a Nicaraguan Habano binder. This is followed by a mix of Nicaraguan and Dominican filler. This should be an interesting smoke.

In my ritualistic lighting of my cigar I begin to draw on my stick. The overwhelming flavor is the Nicaraguan corojo and is a nice pleasant surprise being that I don’t smoke too many Corojo wrapped cigars. The smoke has started out very smooth and has a touch of pepper and toasted nut giving a smooth taste to the cigar. The construction of the stick is nothing less than what I have become to expect from this great company. Even burn and nice ash close out the points on which this cigar is constructed. I am really enjoying this smoke and have lost track of time. At the halfway point I am totally relaxed and I rest easy thinking of how I could easily sell this cigar. The experience of this smoke is right up there with the Liga Privada and the La Serina, although completely different tasting smokes they are all in the same class. With the cigar down to a third left I’ve decided to take out my tweezers and attempt to smoke it all the way through. At the end of this smoke I’m prepared to buy a box and maybe buy one for a gift…

KRISTOFF GC MADURO SERIES 6x60

KRISTOFF GC MADURO SERIES 6x60

The first of the 2 new Kristoff cigars is the GC MADURO. This line is named for Kristoff owner Glen Case, one heck of a cigar man. His namesake cigar consists of a Brazilian Maduro wrapper, a Honduran binder and filler containing Dominican and Honduran leaf. I will be smoking my favorite size a 6x60.

The night starts with a warming of the entire stick and then ceremonial act of lighting my cigar with my trusty piece of cedar. The first initial flavor to hit my palette is sharp spice of the Maduro. This is accompanied by chocolate and espresso. The burn and draw are excellent and showing me why this cigar has the reputation it does. One of flavor, quality, and consisitency.
As I get one third of the way in the spice has evened out and is allowing the surrounding flavors to take off. The smoke is very smooth for a Maduro and is very enjoyable. At the halfway point the smoke has become an awesome experience. The ash is intact and the burn is even and consistent.
The taste has stayed the same and is making me want more to keep in my humidor. The ash is a consistent grey and the plume of smoke is almost an Ivory color. With a third left the smoke is still very enjoyable and is making me wish it would never end…

The KRISTOFF GC MADURO is an excellent smoke and would be most enjoyed with a nice glass of Glen Livet. I highly recommend that you run out and try one if you can…

CRUZADO DANTES from ILLUSION

CRUZADO DANTES from ILLUSION

The CRUZADO DANTES by ILLUSION CIGARS is a cigar that consists of a Nicaraguan criollo wrapper and a Nicaraguan binder. The filler is a blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran broadleaf. I’ve never had an Illusion before so this will be a true test…

With an empty cigar lounge because its 9 am I’ve decided to smoke this uninterrupted and give it my full attention. Taking the time to wet my cigar down then warm it with a lit piece of cedar, then warm the foot and begin to draw on the stick I get a true first taste of this first time smoke. The flavor I first taste is a hint of toasted nut and nutmeg. This is a pleasant and new taste and it is giving me a new experience. The construction is good with a firm wrap and an attractive appearance.

About a third of the way in the cigar has picked up a slight spiciness and a peppery flavor. The burn is great and the ash is solid grey even though the ash is small. The plume of exhaled smoke is filling the quiet lounge and I’m wishing there was someone here to share the experience with. The stick is a mix in strength between medium and full depending on your palette. At the halfway point the taste and strength has completely smoothed out and has become almost creamy.

The construction has held up and is very impressive. As I get to a third left the spiciness has picked up and is a nice change. The changeover has been gradual and smooth. The stick has been a pleasure to smoke and I’m ready to say that I will smoke this again…

The CRUZADO DANTES by ILLUSION is a good smoke if you are looking for something new and are willing to smoke a good product. This gem is something I would give a friend if they wanted to enjoy a nice medium to full bodied smoke…

MY UZI WEIGHS A TON

DREW ESTATES MY UZI WEIGHS A TON

Along with the Liga Undercrown Drew Estates this year released another cigar and it’s called MY UZI WEIGHS A TON. The UZI is a formidable stick in that it only comes in a 60 ring.

The UZI for this review is the size that I like, 6 inch by 60 ring. As with every review I light my stick with a piece of cedar as to keep the flavor true, and then draw in my first mouth full of smoke. The flavor right away takes me by surprise. I was expecting to have the same taste of a Liga but the first thing that comes to mind is an oak flavoring followed by chocolate. Accompanying these flavors is a slight spiciness and is telling me that this is a completely different direction that Drew Estates is taking. The draw and burn are excellent and the white plumes of smoke are slowly taking over the atmosphere in the lounge.

As I get a third of the way in the ash is attached showing no signs of faltering. The solid white ash is thick and its only contrast is the red glow of the cherry when I draw off the stick. At the halfway point the taste has stayed the same but the spicy flavor is a little more apparent. Also the ash is still attached and is showing off its great construction.

The experience of smoking a totally new blend for Drew Estates is always an adventure and never a letdown. With a third left the spiciness is consistently getting more dominate and is making my mouth water for more. I really don’t want this to end and probably won’t.

The UZI is one of the better smokes I have enjoyed this year. Drew Estates once again has not let me down and is making great strides into the non-infused market. So with a smile on my face and burnt finger, from smoking it too short, I give this new cigar realistic thumbs up and say if you can get them buy them by the box… thick smoke and long ashes…