THE UNDERCROWN BY LIGA PRIVADA

The Undercrown is the latest undertaking by Drew Estates. Described as an inverse LIGA #9 this cigar literally is that. The stick has a Mexican Negro San Andres wrapper instead of the usual Connecticut broadleaf giving the smoker a spicier flavor. This should be quite a treat.

After digging around town I finally found a piece of cedar to light my cigar. As I begin I lightly warm the foot and begin to draw in the spicy smoke. Right away I am reminded why LIGA PRIVADA has become one of my favorite cigars. The spice is accompanied by a hint of chocolate and slight oak flavor, bringing me back to the first time I smoked a Liga. Although the undercrown tastes like a #9 the strength is slightly less, leaning toward a medium smoke. The unmistakable Ligero blend is as excellent as the original and I am really enjoying this smoke. The construction is nothing less than perfect. The draw and burn are even and ever so great. The plume filled room has an awesome aroma and is leading me to want to by a box. At a third of the way in the ash is as sturdy as a prelit cigar. The ligero and San Andres wrapper are working so good together I’ve decided to take the smoke on the road. I arrive at the casino and am smoking in a packed house. About 10 minutes into being there men and women are constantly asking what kind of cigar this is. All ages are telling me that it is the most pleasurable smelling cigar they have ever had the pleasure of being around. With its no offensive aroma it makes for a good evening. Now I’m down to the halfway point and the construction has not let me down. The ash is still as sturdy as when it started and the burn is extremely even. The flavor is, if you can believe it, has actually gotten better and is making me realize that if I smoke anything else tonight no matter what it is will taste like a white owl. After not paying attention I’m down to the nub and it still hasn’t changed flavor and has made me compitent that I will finish this with burnt fingers and lips…

LIGA PRIVADA has done it again. The UNDERCROWN is one of the best cigars I’ve ever had and has even caused me to get some next week. I think I will buy 2 boxes and stock my humidor with them… Buy this cigar by the stick or by the box. It's AWESOME!!!! THE BEST DEAL I HAVE SEEN SO FAR IS AT ROCKY CIGARS.COM in Syracuse New York. Go out and buy some before they are all out!!!...

P.D.R. 1878 CAPA HABANO DOUBLE ROBUSTO

The P.D.R. Capa Habano is the latest addition to the Pinar Del Rio line. It is a Dominican Habano wrapped cigar with an Ecuadorian binder and a Nicaraguan filler. This will be an interesting review being as though I personally haven’t been huge fan of PDR yet, however, Abe Florez has built a huge following for this brand. I am always happy to try a new blend...and I hope to be impressed.

Smoking in the cigar lounge tonight I start my ritualistic lighting of my cedar to first warm my cigar then lighting the foot I initiate the smoking experience. It has a good light and burn. The initial flavor that catches my taste is cedar and a little pepper. The pepper is leaving a remains on my tongue but not enough to stop me from analyzing this cigar. Then cigar construction is appealing but I notice right away the ash is less than desirable. I enjoy he look of a sturdy ash. The ash has fallen off three times since the light and I’m only a third into it. The flavor however is staying consistent and is a redeeming feature of this smoke.

At the halfway point the smoke has picked up a little spiciness and is still tasting good. The strength is medium bodied and is staying that way. With the cigar mostly gone the cigar taste wise has been one of the better tasting PDR’s but I wish to see these cigars hold their ash. It's just my preference.

The PDR Capa Habano 1878 will be enjoyed by someone who likes any of the other Pinar Del Rio blends.

TATUAJE 7TH CAPA ESPECIAL SUMATRA

TATUAJE 7TH CAPA ESPECIAL SUMATRA by PETE JOHNSON


The Tatuaje 7th Capa especial Sumatra is another great product from Pete Johnson. The same excellence that this company has shown through the years in other lines shows in this cigar. The 7th Capa is a great smoke but this will be the first time that I’ve tried the Sumatra wrapper in this blend. Paired with the unique Sumatra wrapper is a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan filler making for a medium to full smoke. The master of all masters Don Pepin Garcia has blended this cigar so I know I won’t be disappointed.

With my ritualistic lighting of my stick with a piece of cedar I begin to draw. The beginning taste is no surprise a black pepper flavor accompanied by a nice spiciness that makes my tongue tingle. The burn and draw are as expected and leave no mistake that this is a Tatuaje cigar. The strength has started off medium but I know that further on it will change to something more to my usual strength. As I move a little further in I pick up an ever so slight taste of oak and I am pleasantly surprised.

About a third of the way in the pepper and spice has evened out and is now beginning to change to a little stronger cigar. The thick white plumes of smoke are starting to fill the lounge and I am really glad I choose this stick to smoke this afternoon. The construction is awesome and the ash shows no signs of faltering.

As I pass the halfway point the cigar is starting to show me that I wasn’t wrong. The strength has moved almost totally to full and the flavoring has regulated to smooth tasting pepper and spice. The ash is still there and shows no sign of flaring or falling off.

I had to do some local driving so I decided to smoke along the way. The cigar is wonderful and is no longer changing. It has become what I had suspected a full bodied smoke but extremely smooth. Without skipping a beat I have now thoroughly smoked the gem to the nub. The Don Pepin blended TAT 7th Sumatra has left me wanting more and I will sorely miss the pure enjoyment of it.

The TATUAJE 7th CAPA ESPECIAL SUMATRA is an excellent smoke. I highly recommend this cigar to anyone and especially to TATUAJE smokers. Try it I guarenty you won’t be disappointed… BUY A BOX FOR CHRISTMAS!!!! I will be receiving gifts at Rocky’s if any one feel the Christmas spirit and I will share…

601 LA BOMBA ATOMIC

601 LA BOMBA ATOMIC by ROCKY PATEL

The 601 La Bomba is the latest endeavor by the joint venture of EO and Rocky Patel. This cigar is a complete Nicaraguan creation from the Nicaraguan Habano wrapper followed by a Nicaraguan binder and a complete Nicaraguan blend. This smoke should be quite enjoyable.

In my traditional ceremony of lighting my cigar with a piece of cedar I first warm the foot and get the venture underway. At my first draw I’m hit immediately with a nice spicy flavor with a slight peppery distinctiveness. The draw and burn is exactly what I expected from the great Patel construction and it is starting the smoke with great pleasure. The spicy flavor is reminds me of a La Flor Dominicana DL and is a nice change of approach for this awesome cigar company. For the first time since my exile from the metropolises I am enjoying a cigar bar and loving the experiences. A third of the way through I’m getting asked “what is that great smelling cigar?” and it’s my pleasure to respond “it’s a rocky”. Due to the construction of this gem the ash is still attached and is sturdy and a dark shade of gray. At the half way point the taste and flavor is as consistent as when I first lit it. The ash is still attached and I’m exhaling great plumes of white smoke. The aroma has now filled the cigar bar and brought many smiles to peoples faces. With two thirds gone the change over, if you want to call it that, has become a little more spicy and I will most likely smoke this until there is nothing left. After I’m down to the nub I realize I don’t have my trusty tweezers and substitute a tooth pick. At the end I smoiked the ash right through past the safe point and finish with nothing left but ash!!

The 601 LA BOMBA is one of the best 601’s or ROCKY PATEL blended cigars I have ever had the pleasure to smoke. I recommend this cigar to anyone who likes Rocky or a spicy cigar. This cigar was an AWESOME smoke and a pleasure to review. Go out and buy a box. You won’t regret it!!!!

MONTECRISTO NEW YORK EDITION

The latest cigar by Montecristo is the New York Edition. It is a full Dominican cigar Dominican filler, binder, and wrapper all grown in the Dominican Republic. The cigar is box press with a 54 ring and is 6 inches long.

The MONTECRISTO NEW YORK is going to be interesting to smoke because it’s not my normal blend. I tend to enjoy Nicaraguan full bodied smokes and quite honestly most full bodied Dominicans don’t live up to expectations. So in my slowly becoming popular lighting with a piece of cedar, I warm the entire cigar and begin to draw in the essence of this stick. The first thing I notice is a spicy sensation on my lips teasing my sense of what I am smoking. The strength is more than what I have been expecting from a Dominican and is a pleasant surprise. The draw is good but the burn is uneven and still reminds me that I’m smoking a Montecristo. Have to relight it to even the burn is disappointing and is taking away from the pleasure of sitting back and truly enjoying the flavor. Not even a third of the way through the ash has ended up in my lap and has slightly annoyed me. With the construction of a box press the ash usually stays attached longer than a third and is a sturdy stick. The flavor is still good and my willingness to put the construction to the side is starting to outweigh the disappointment that is forming because of the ash issue. At the halfway point the ash is small but the flavor has picked up and is making for a tasty smoke. The boldness has evened out and is becoming smoother making for a pleasant experience. I have gotten a drink of Jameson to test the virility of being able to enjoy it in a true lounge setting and it seems to compliment it well. At a third left the flavor is still dominating the smoke and the lack of construction is not playing into the equation anymore. The burn has completely evened out and the plumes of white smoke are steadily becoming the atmosphere in the lounge. Getting to the nub the stick has started to become a slight bit bitter and I think I will stop so I don’t ruin my experience anymore.

The MONTECRISTO NEW YORK is a good full bodied smoke. If you take out the construction issues of the stick and just go on flavor and strength it is a thoughly enjoyable smoke. If you like a La Flor Dominicana or anything else with spice I recommend trying this as long as you can handle the poor construction you will enjoy it…

La Sirena by Miami Cigar

LA SIRENA PRINCE by Miami Cigars

The LA SIRENA is another one of Nestor Miranda’s and Don Pepin’s new line of cigars. The grandmasters of blending are teaming a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper and a dual Nicaraguan habano and Nicaraguan Corojo binder with Nicaraguan Criollo ‘98 and Nicaraguan Corojo ‘96 filler, this should not be a disappointment at all. The size of the cigar is 5 inches long by a 50 ring. It is called the Prince.

After doing a little research I discovered that this cigar is rated as a full bodied smoke. The teaming of two such master blends should make for a great smoking experience. I personally am a big fan of PEPIN’S work such as the MY FATHER and all of the Pepin main line of cigars.

I begin with warming the cigar with a lit match slowly rotating the short stick to warm the complete outer wrapper. I then take my trusty piece of cedar, lit it, then warmed the foot of this gem. As I begin to draw on it I notice right away that this is no ordinary Pepin blended cigar. It has a bold strength right at the onset leaving me to wonder if I had died and gone to heaven. The flavors rushing around my taste buds were phenomenal. I could taste coffee, pepper and a hint oak making my mouth water for the next draw.

The construction is nothing more than great. The burn is not fast and is letting me enjoy the cigar without worrying that it will be gone in 20 minutes. The plume of smoke is white and is filling my cigar room with the aroma of a nice and smooth Maduro. The robust flavor is adding a little spice to my excitement and making me rethink what I want for Christmas this year.

A third of the way down the ash is still attached and is showing no signs of falling. The spiciness of this pleasure is taking over and is giving my taste a nice turn over treat. I am really enjoying this smoke.

I decided since I’m having on of the best smoking experiences of my year that I would open a little cognac and give myself the experience that you get from a fully functional cigar lounge. At the halfway point the cigar is awesome and the ash is still attached. The construction of this stick leaves no mistake as to who is blending this absolute wonder. The ash is solidly gray and smooth, no curls or flaring, and makes me think that I may have a solid ash for the rest of my smoke. The bold strength and awesome complexity of the ride is as consistent as when it started.

I’m enjoying this so much that I have already gotten my tweezers out. On the way to the nub I have already put the tweezers on it and am hoping that I will be able to finish it without the ash falling (I should have taken a picture). After a hour and a half smoke the ash finally fell and the heat has warmed the tweezers to the point that I can’t touch them with my lips. This is a hell of a cigar.


The LA SIRENA by MAIMI CIGAR is one of the best smokes of this or any other year. Anyone who enjoys a full bodied cigar that is complex and tasty MUST try this. One of the main things on your Christmas list should be this cigar. Buy one or buy a box you won’t be disappointed!!!

Tatuaje Fausto

TATUAJE FAUSTO


The Fausto is one of the new lines, released July 2011, from Tatuaje cigars. The mostly Nicaraguan cigar consists of Nicaraguan filler accompanied by a Nicaraguan binder and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The size is a Churchill that measures 6.5 inches long by a 48 ring which is an odd sizing for a Churchill. The products that Tatuaje has been putting out has been awesome so this has a lot to live up to.

I light my piece of cedar to first warm, then light, my cigar. With the first draw the spice and peppery flavor hit me immediately. Accompanied by a caramel and slight oak flavor this cigar has completely taken me by surprise. The medium strength is hidden by the awesome taste. This TATUAJE taste nothing like any other I’ve had before. It is giving me hope that I will never want to stop smoking medium strength cigars. After a third gone and the draw, taste and burn are staying as they started. The puffy almost white ash is light and I don’t expect it to stay long. This is another extremely well constructed cigar and deserves to wear the Tatuaje label. After each tug on this stick I look to make sure I’m smoking a Tatuaje, it smokes like no other that I ever had. The flavor is smooth yet spicy and I like the way it presents itself. At the halfway point and everything is working the way it is supposed to. This is truly a good cigar and will live among the top of the top at Tatuaje. The last third of the cigar has given me a little more caramel and a little less spice. It’s nice that it settles down and lets you experience the full effect of the blend. The finish is as good as it started and makes a good afternoon smoke while watching the game.

The TATUAJE FAUSTO is a great smoke and should be enjoyable to anyone who likes a medium smoke. I recommend trying one and enjoy the experience…

7-20-4 by Kurt Kendall Dog Walker

7-20-4 by Kurt Kendal

The 7-20-4 is a cigar that has got a Brazilian Matafina wrapper accompanied by a Costa Rican binder and filler containing Nicaraguan, Honduran, Mexican, and Columbian long leaf. This size is called the dog walker as it measures 4.5 inches long by a 48 ring making it truly a short walk cigar.

Even though it’s called a dog walk cigar it’s just too cold out to walk so I will be enjoying this in my nice warm smoking room. The 7-20-4 is a nice smoke. Lighting it in my customary way of using a piece of cedar, I draw on the little stick. With no disappointment, the cigar sparks to life giving me memories of its big brothers. With every draw the pepper and cedar mix well on my palette. This stick, as with the others, is a pleasure to smoke. Consistently drawing well due to the excellent construction I have admired since I first started smoking 7-20-4’s. Halfway through the smoke and flavor is as consistent as when it began. The ash is a nice solid gray and lasted half the smoke. The expelled smoke is filling the air and making me glad to be alone in my fortress of solitude. As I get to the nub I take out my trusty tweezers and start to suck down the remnants of the little smoke that did.

The Kurt Kendall 7-20-4 dog walker is exactly that, if you like a 7-20-4 and don’t want to waste a bigger one, then this cigar is for you. My expectations of this cigar were happily matched to my realization that this is a great smoke. I feel this cigar won’t disappoint you if you’re looking for a shorter timed smoke. Kurt Kendall has the blend down to a savory science and will leave you with a great admiration for his products…

La Aurora BME Nicaragua

LA AURORA B.M.E. NICARAGUAN by Miami Cigars


The La Aurora B.M.E. Nicaraguan is the second in the line that I have tried. A mix of a Nicaraguan wrapper with a Dominican Corojo binder and filler containing Dominican Corojo, Ligero, Nicaraguan and Peruvian leaves will make for an adventurous undertaking. We will see if this cigar lives up to its brother, the Brazil.

Ceremonially lighting my piece of cedar and warming the foot, I take my first couple of puffs. The flavor is a little surprising in that it is starting off with a oak seasoning. It’s a little rough in the back of my throat and is giving me memories of a Perdomo Lot 23. I think it’s the mix of Corojo and the Nicaraguan broadleaf wrapper that is sending my taste buds into a tizzy. The draw is good and it is burning evenly. About a third of the way in, the change from oak to a peppery Ligero is very welcome. The change over is smooth and is making me rethink how this cigar smokes. The construction of the stick is also very reminiscent of the Lot 23. It holds the ash well and is a solidly packed cigar. The more I draw, the spicier it gets. The Ligero is definitely taking over and this cigar is evolving into a tasty treat. At half way, it is definitely living up to the B.M.E. name and has become a pleasure of a smoke. The almost white ash is smooth and fluffy and the expelled smoke is slowly thickening in the room. The ease at the way this draws makes the smoke more enjoyable and gives me the feeling of contentment as I sit here in my smoking chair. When I get to the nub, I realize that the Ligero taste is starting to dissipate and instead of getting out my tweezers I decided to end this on a high note.

The LA AURORA B.M.E. NICARAGUAN is a good smoke and I recommend that if you like a Perdomo or a spicy cigar like a La Flor Dominicana, this is the cigar for you. This is a medium to full bodied smoke depending where your taste and experience lies. Enjoy…

San Lotano Connecticut

SAN LOTANO CONNECTICUT by A.J. FERNANDEZ


This San Lotano has an Ecuadorian wrapper with a Honduran binder. The filler is a mix of Nicaraguan and Dominican long filler. I will be smoking a robusto which measures 5.5 inches long by 54 ring.

The San Lotano Connecticut is a little smaller than my normal smoke but I decided to try something new. Using my piece of cedar I begin to light my cigar and draw in a mouth full of smoke. The initial taste was a smooth and creamy flavor of hazelnut and a little oak. The cigar has a good draw and a great burn. The strength is medium bodied and as I smoke it further it begins to pick up spice. About halfway through I the spice and pepper has taken over. This is turning out to be a great smoke and the strength of the cigar has stayed consistent. The spice reminds me of a cross between a La Flor Dominican and a Brickhouse. The cigar is well burning and taste great. When I hit a third of away the cigar the flavor has stayed consistent and the smoke is awesome. I took out my tweezers and finished it right down to the nub.

The SAN LOTANO CONNECTICUT is a good smoke and I think it’s a smoke people will enjoy. The cigar is peppery and spicy and will give you a great ride. I recommend this cigar to anyone who likes a good smoke….

BLACK MARKET by ALEC BRADLEY

BLACK MARKET by ALEC BRADLEY



The Black Market by Alec Bradley ....the Interent has been burning with buzz on how good this cigar is so I have finally got one to try. The Black Market is an attractive cigar and looks to be excellently constructed. The composition of this cigar is a wrapper consisting of Nicaraguan broadleaf, a Sumatra binder, and Panamanian / Honduran filler. I will be smoking a Toro and if this is as good as the reports say then it will be a treat.

Using a nice piece of cedar I light my cigar with care and ease. The first thing I notice is the excellent draw and the ease that the cigar works on my taste buds. The flavor is a little leathery due to the Sumatra binder. The next thing I taste is a little spice and pepper mixed with a little woodsy flavor making for an interesting blend. The strength of this stick is medium and I am having no problem inhaling with each draw. The smoke is forming a nice plume and the ash has a nice deep gray appearance. Smoke filling the room is leaving a nice aroma and the cigar is going down smooth.

At a third of the way down the ash is still attached and is solid to the touch. The smoothness of this smoke is giving me an awesome smoking experience and I want this to never end. Now I’m at the halfway point and a nice flavor or caramel has taken over making a terrific change and giving my senses a totally new outlook on this cigar. The high regards that this cigar has gotten is well deserved and makes me wonder why any one would want to compare this with any other Alec Bradley. Getting down to a little past two thirds gone and the flavor is still right there and shows no sign of letting go. When I got to the nub I started to use my tweezers and smoked it until there was nothing left to hold on too. This cigar never went ashy even when that was all that was left. This was an amazing treat and I can’t wait until the next time I get one!!

The BLACK MARKET by ALEC BRADLEY is one of the best cigars I have ever had. I HIGHLY recommend this cigar to any one who is looking for a smoke to knock your socks off. I plan on asking Santa for a box for Christmas and hope he is listening right now! I can’t say enough about this cigar and hope everyone’s experience is as good as mine. Buy one or buy a box you won’t be disappointed…

A. Turrent Puro Corojo

A. TURRENT PURO COROJO


The A. Turrent Puro Corojo is manufactured by Altadis Corporation. They are known for Montecristo, Romeo y Juliette, Siglo and Teamo. The size I will be smoking is a Gran Toro which measures 60 ring by 6.5 inches long. The cigar is constructed with San Andres’ Corojo wrapper accompanied by a Corojo binder and San Andres’ Corojo and Nicaraguan Corojo.


I light my cigar with a piece of cedar and begin to draw on the massive stick I notice that the draw is a little tight but not so tight as to make me suffer. It has a good burn and you can taste the Corojo immediately. The flavor is a little bothersome to the back of my throat but that is to be expected with an A. Turrent product. After growing accustomed to the flavor the Corojo dances across my taste buds awakening a flavor not sensed in a long time. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a pure Corojo smoke and it took me by surprise, the Corojo flavor is exciting me to open my mind to this company again. With the cigar half gone the Corojo flavor is effervescent and is making me realize how long and how much I’ve missed a Corojo smoke. The ash is sturdy due to the tight great construction of this gem. I’ve been smoking this stick for about an hour and it is awesome. I have a little more than a third and the flavor is starting to dissipate. The cigar is now down past a third and the flavor is almost gone being replaced by an ashy taste, plus the stick has also started to unravel as it begins to heat up. As the cigar finishes it reminds me of a Teamo in that it’s a good smoke two thirds of the way and finishes with great disappointment.


The A. TURRENT PURO COROJO is a good cigar for someone who likes a TEAMO or a SIGLO. I think that if you are someone who smokes a cigar and doesn’t always finish it you will enjoy this smoke.

SAN LOTANO HABANO TORO

SAN LOTANO HABANO TORO


The San Lotano Habano is a mostly Nicaraguan cigar. The construction of the stick is attractive and looks to be a good smoke. The wrapper is Brazilian Habano, the binder is Nicaraguan, and the filler is Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Dominican. The mix of these three different leaves should make for an interesting smoke. The size I will be smoking will be a Toro, which measures 6 inches long by a 54 ring.


The night starts off with the traditional lighting of my piece of cedar. Lighting the cigar the first thing I notice is a nice flavor entering my mouth and it is smooth. The cigar has an excellent draw and the burn is quite good. The exhaling smoke is thick and white. As the smoke fills the room I notice that the smoke is almost ivory and leaving a pleasant smell in what has become my favorite room in the house.

One third of the cigar is gone and due to the excellent construction the ash is still attached. The ash has a dark gray color and is smooth to the touch. The taste of the Habano is not out of the ordinary. The Habano is not plain tasting but it lacks the complexity of the Oval. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good smoke but it doesn’t challenge the senses. The actual flavor is good for a beginner.

The most prominent flavor would be the Habano wrapper. It has a leathery taste accompanied by a medium strength that is good for a night at your local lounge. At the halfway point, the cigar is still consistent in the way it tastes and burns. The ash has finally come off and is in one piece. This cigar is very well constructed and even though it’s not a complex smoke, it is still enjoyable.

The draw is still as good as when I first lit it and the burn is even. Two thirds gone, the smoke has picked up strength and is more like what I normally smoke. The finish of this cigar is great. I took out the tweezers and smoked it until there was nothing left.


The SAN LOTANO HABANO is a good smoke. The pleasure of the surprise ending was worth the journey. This Habano is a completely different animal than the OVAL but I still recommend trying it. The cigar is a nice change if you’re looking to move up from a light strength cigar. It will broaden you horizons and leave you wanting more…

SAN LOTANO OVAL by A.J. FERNANDEZ

SAN LOTANO OVAL by A.J. FERNANDEZ



The San Lotano Oval is a new product by A.J. Fernandez. The wrapper is a four year aged habano 2000, a Nicaraguan binder and a mix of Nicaraguan, Honduran and A.J.’s secret blend. This combination makes for a mysterious smoke. The size I have chosen is the Toro. The measurements are 6 inches long by a 54 ring making this a good size to enjoy.

I begin as normal and light my piece of cedar and warm the end of the cigar. As I initially draw in the flavor I realize a woodsy and leathery taste that makes for a good enjoyable smoke. I also sense a light taste of caramel but very gentle. The cigar is burning very even and the draw is nice and smooth. This cigar has a distinctive and very pleasing taste. About a third of the way in the hint of caramel is more abundant and is pleasing my palette. The ash is still intact and is showing off its excellent construction. As I pull on this cigar the cherry of the end illuminates the darkness of the room casting shadows of expelled smoke on the walls. The Oval is pleasing all my senses and leaving me wanting more. At the half way point the caramel flavor is prominent and the cigar has taken on a new life. The ash is still gray and very sturdy. The cigar started medium-bold and now has become bold in strength and is a pleasure to smoke. The change over occurred at the half way point and was a little sharp but not overly. (It didn’t turn me off) The Oval has a dark appearance but doesn’t taste that way until a little past half, then you realize your smoking a bolder smoke. Two thirds gone and it begins to loose the caramel taste and the woodsy takes over. My palette is enjoying the change and that reminds me of the way the El Baton smokes. The Oval is now down to the nub and is ready to be finished, the flavor is all but gone and is being replaced by an ashy taste. Smoking it down to the nub is not recommended but was necessary for this review.

The SAN LOTANO OVAL by A.J. FERNANDEZ is a good product and I recommend trying it. The OVAL has a great taste and has a lot of changes. It is not a complex smoke but it is a palette challenging experience. If you prefer a cigar like this then you will enjoy it. If you are a beginner then I recommend that you smoke this with ease.

American Classic Blend by Alec Bradley

AMERICAN CLASSIC BLEND by ALEC BRADLEY


On to my next choice the AMERICAN CLASSIC BLEND by ALEC BRADLEY. This cigar has a Honduran Connecticut wrapper with a Sumatra binder. Its filler is a blend of Panamanian and Honduran leafs, which will make for an interesting smoke. I will be smoking my favorite size, the Gordo, which should give me a long smoke. Alec Bradley has been right on with the blends lately so this should be interesting.


Taking my usual piece of cedar and lighting the monster I notice the awesome draw and medium strength right away. The first initial draw gives me memories of the family blend D3 which is my favorite of that blend. The blend has a nice taste of hazelnut with a slight woodsy flavoring. The exhaling smoke is thick and very white. The combination of the draw and burn allows the cigar to progress quicker than I initially thought it would. The ash is a nice dark gray and is very sturdy showing the excellent construction of the cigar. This stick is very consistent in its taste, no change over and evenly dancing across my taste buds. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a cigar that hasn’t had a lot of complexity and it’s a nice change. At a third gone, the ash has finally fell off and the cherry red end is showing in all its glory. The burn is still great and the draw is consistently staying the same. With the glass of bourbon I have, the cigar is a good match. At the halfway point the cigar is still going strong and has not changed of in any way. The flavor has stayed the same along with the strength. The simplicity of this blend is surprising me and leaving me not to want this to end. As I get to the nub I pick up a slight spiciness but not very noticeable. The spice is a pleasant slight change and it has caused me to get my tweezers out to see if it gets any stronger as I finish. With the tweezers, I can hold it with less than a quarter of inch left and the spicy change has not taken over. This has been a quite enjoyable smoke.


The AMERICAN CLASSIC BLEND is a good everyday smoke. I can’t think of anything wrong with this cigar. If you’re looking for a consistent non challenging everyday smoke this is for you. The blend is straight forward and it has an excellent draw. Keeping a box on hand would be a smart idea and always leave you with a smile when you’re done smoking it!

La Aurora BME Brazil

LA AURORA B.M.E. BRAZIL from Miami Cigars

Today I chose to smoke a LA AURORA B.M.E. BRAZIL. It is a mostly Dominican cigar with a Brazilian wrapper. The binder is Dominican Corojo and the filler is a mix of Dominican Corojo, Ligero, Nicaraguan and Peruvian leafs. This should make for an interesting and tasty blend. The size I have chosen is a Toro. The dimensions are 6.5 inches long by 54 ring which I think will be a good size to sample.
I am lighting the cigar with a piece of cedar and as I take my first draw the blend is very unique. It is unique in the sense that it tastes like no other La Aurora I have ever had before. I can immediately taste the Ligero and that is a pleasant taste for me. The draw is awesome even though it is a tight rolled cigar and has a hard feel to it. The smoke emanating from the end is a bluish gray and the burn is o.k.. It has started off as a medium bodied cigar and is promising to be a good smoke. Draw after draw it gets to be more and more ligero flavored. About a third of the way in the ligero is being accompanied by a slight taste of Corojo and is making the smoke ever so enjoyable. The burn has not worked as well as I thought it would. It’s good but not even and is making me wonder if I should relight it to even the burn. I’m into the halfway point and I have to keep reminding myself that I’m smoking a La Aurora. This cigar is awesome in flavor and making me rethink all the things I have ever said about this company. In the past I thought they were tasteless and extremely light but this is a totally different animal. At two thirds the strength and flavor has stayed consistent ant the burn has completely evened out. This is a pleasure to smoke. The draw is as good as when it started and the ligero flavor is making my mouth water for more. This cigar has taken me by complete surprise and has turned out to be a gem of a smoke.
The LA AURORA B.M.E. BRAZIL is a great smoke and I recommend that if you like a ligero smoke or are looking for something new to try this or buy a box and keep it for your special friends. If this smoke is this good I can’t wait to try the others. They come with different wrappers Brazil, Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Ecuador. If the others taste as good, I’m in for a treat.