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Cigar Reviews

Cigar of the Day: H. Upmann Classic

The H. Upmann brand has a long and storied history in the cigar industry, dating back to 1844 when it was founded by Hermann Upmann in Cuba. Today, the brand is owned by Altadis USA, and the H. Upmann Classic is one of the flagship cigars in their lineup.

The H. Upmann Classic is a medium-bodied cigar that features a beautiful Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, which gives the cigar a smooth and creamy taste. The filler is a blend of premium tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, which are aged for at least two years to ensure a consistent and flavorful smoking experience.

Upon lighting the H. Upmann Classic, you will immediately notice the smooth and easy draw, which allows you to take in the full flavor of the cigar without having to work too hard. The initial flavors are mellow and creamy, with notes of cedar, nuts, and a subtle sweetness. As you progress through the cigar, you may notice hints of spice and earthiness, as well as a slight nuttiness that lingers on the palate.

One of the most impressive things about the H. Upmann Classic is how well-balanced it is. The flavors are perfectly blended, creating a nuanced and complex smoking experience that is sure to please even the most discerning cigar aficionado. Despite its medium-bodied profile, the cigar never becomes too intense or overpowering, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced smokers alike.

The construction of the H. Upmann Classic is also top-notch. The ash holds firm throughout the smoking experience, and the burn is even and consistent. This is a testament to the skill and expertise of the rollers at H. Upmann, who have clearly taken great care in crafting each cigar.

Overall, the H. Upmann Classic is a classic cigar that lives up to its name. It’s a great choice for those who are looking for a smooth and creamy smoking experience that is well-balanced and nuanced. Whether you’re a seasoned cigar smoker or a novice looking to explore the world of premium cigars, the H. Upmann Classic is a cigar that is sure to please.

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Cigar Reviews

Tallchief Cigars #3 Cigar of the Year 2022: Undercrown 10

The Undercrown 10 cigar by Drew Estate is a true gem of a smoke. As a seasoned cigar aficionado, I was excited to try this new offering from one of my favorite brands, and I was not disappointed. The Undercrown 10 is a limited edition cigar that was released in 2020 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Undercrown line. This cigar features a stunning Mexican San Andres wrapper, a Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut Habano binder, and a blend of Nicaraguan and Brazilian Mata Fina fillers. The end result is a complex and flavorful smoke that is sure to impress even the most discerning cigar connoisseur.

The first thing I noticed about the Undercrown 10 is its impeccable construction. The cigar is perfectly rolled and has a nice weight to it. The wrapper is smooth and oily to the touch, with a deep brown color and a slight sheen. The band is understated and elegant, featuring the classic Undercrown logo with the number 10 underneath it. It’s clear that a lot of attention to detail went into the design and presentation of this cigar.

Upon lighting the Undercrown 10, I was immediately struck by its bold and complex flavors. The first third of the cigar features a rich mix of dark chocolate, espresso, and black pepper, with a subtle sweetness that lingers on the tongue. The smoke is thick and creamy, with a perfect draw that allows for ample smoke production without being too loose. The burn is even and consistent, producing a solid ash that holds on for a good inch or two before falling off.

As I progressed into the second third of the cigar, the flavors began to evolve and deepen. The chocolate notes became more pronounced, with a hint of nuttiness and a touch of leather. The pepper mellowed out a bit, but still provided a nice kick on the retrohale. The sweetness remained present, but shifted from a subtle hint to a more prominent note that balanced out the richness of the other flavors.

In the final third of the cigar, the flavors continued to build in intensity. The chocolate became almost fudgy, with a distinct note of caramel and a touch of spice. The leather and nuttiness remained, providing a nice earthy undertone to the smoke. The sweetness remained present but became more of a background note, providing a subtle contrast to the other flavors. The smoke remained thick and creamy, with a perfect draw that allowed for ample smoke production without being too loose. The burn remained even and consistent, producing a solid ash that held on until the end of the cigar.

Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the Undercrown 10 cigar by Drew Estate. This is a complex and flavorful smoke that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning cigar connoisseur. The construction is impeccable, the flavors are bold and complex, and the smoke production is ample and creamy. If you’re looking for a special cigar to celebrate a special occasion, or simply want to treat yourself to a top-quality smoke, I highly recommend the Undercrown 10. This limited edition cigar is sure to be a hit with cigar enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

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Cigar Reviews

Tallchief Cigars #2 Cigar of the Year 2022: Espinosa 601 Maduro

Our #2 Cigar of the Year for 2022 is the Espinosa 601 Maduro, a cigar we have been smoking for years now. While we continue to grow, learn and experience everything this hobby has to offer, this cigar has always offered a luxury experience every time you light it up.

The Espinosa 601 Blue label Maduro cigar is a true gem in the world of premium cigars. This full-bodied smoke boasts a dark and oily Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper that is visually impressive and hints at the bold flavors to come.

Upon lighting, the cigar delivers a rich and complex flavor profile that is sure to satisfy the most discerning smoker. The initial flavors are of dark chocolate, espresso, and black pepper, with a subtle sweetness that rounds out the overall experience. The smoke is thick and creamy, with a long finish that lingers pleasantly on the palate.

As the cigar progresses, the flavors deepen and become more complex, with notes of leather, cedar, and earthiness coming to the forefront. The burn is even and steady, and the ash is a beautiful light gray color that holds on well.

One of the standout features of the Espinosa 601 Blue label Maduro cigar is its impressive construction. The draw is easy and smooth, and the cigar holds its shape well, with no unraveling or flaking of the wrapper.

Overall, the Espinosa 601 Blue label Maduro cigar is a fantastic smoke that is sure to impress even the most discerning smoker. Its rich and complex flavor profile, impressive construction, and bold visual appearance make it a must-try for any serious cigar enthusiast. Whether enjoyed alone or with a glass of your favorite spirit, this cigar is an excellent choice for any occasion.

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Cigar Reviews

Tallchief Cigars #1 Cigar of the Year 2022: Rocky Patel Sixty

Take a peek at the delicious and inviting Rocky Patel Sixty.

Our #1 Cigar of the Year for 2022 is the Rocky Patel Sixty. Read on below at what we thought about this cigar and what smokers can expect to experience when lighting up one of these fantastic sticks.

The Rocky Patel Sixty cigar is a robust and flavorful smoke that is sure to impress seasoned cigar enthusiasts. The first thing that strikes you about this cigar is its impressive size; at 6 inches long and 60 ring gauge, it is an imposing presence in the hand.

The cigar is well-constructed, with a smooth and oily wrapper that hints at the delicious flavors to come. The pre-light draw is easy and smooth, with a rich tobacco flavor and a subtle sweetness.

Once lit, the Rocky Patel Sixty delivers a rich and complex flavor profile that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palate. The initial notes are of wood and spice, with a hint of leather and earthiness in the background. As the smoke progresses, the flavors deepen and become more pronounced, with a creamy sweetness that rounds out the overall experience.

The burn is even and steady, and the ash is a beautiful white color that holds on well. The smoke output is generous, and the aroma is rich and pleasant, with notes of wood and spice that linger long after the cigar has been extinguished.

Overall, the Rocky Patel Sixty is an outstanding cigar that delivers a rich and complex smoking experience. It is well worth the investment for any serious cigar aficionado, and is sure to impress even the most discerning palate.

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Cigar Reviews

CAO Arcana Series Mortal Coil

CAO Cigars might hold the record for the largest portfolio of unique blends with Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers. There is the MX2, the Bones, the Session, the Flathead…I could go on. Another cigar on this list, and perhaps the most unique of them all, is the Arcana Series Mortal Coil.

During a year-long hiatus from our shelves, this blend was one of the most frequently requested, and has definitely developed a cult following among leaf lovers locally and across the country. The Mortal Coil has returned, and just in time for our largest, most aggressive CAO promotion yet. More on that in a minute.

First, about the cigar. The Mortal Coil makes use of an ancient fermentation technique where the rare Dominican fillers are bundled together and then rolled into palm tree leaf pods, and left there to age and ferment. This process teases out otherwise hidden flavors, resulting in a strong, naturally sweet tobacco.

Then CAO adds the earthy, salty sweetness of a marble-brown USA Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. It has tooth and character, both visibly and to the touch. The pre-light aroma is especially sweet, with a definitely chocolate note, as well as something like nougat.  A Three Musketeers bar, but better because I get to smoke it instead of pulling a muscle in my tongue trying to scrape this from the roof of my mouth.

I found it very difficult to put my finger on the central flavor note that makes this cigar so unique. It was familiar, and I was racking my brain trying to place it. So I asked my man Carl, and being the bottomless pit of smoking experience that he is, he immediately recalled the note I was struggling with…raisins. Dark, sweet, sour raisins. Nailed it.

Try one for yourself, it is incredibly unique, and not always available, so make sure you try one while we have them on the shelves. Can’t make it to the shop? No problem, just click this link to buy online! 

Keep Coming Back.

-DP

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Cigar Reviews

Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne

I have always had a proclivity for contrarian thinking, but some cigars are just so good that, try as I might to find a reason for a dissenting opinion, I find myself flowing right along with the torrent of positive reviews. Sometimes the masses all agree for a reason…because they’re right.

The Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne Epicure (6×54) is one of the most popular premium cigars in our shop, and I mean inside the top 5, outsold only by Romeo Y Julieta Reserva Real Toro and Magnum, Montecristo White Series Toro, and the CAO Flathead 660. The brands on that list are all Behemoths in the cigar industry, with massive sales and marketing budgets and big-time name recognition. Perdomo is a family owned company that earned it’s place in the industry in only one way…making incredible premium cigars at reasonable prices. The 10th Anniversary Champagne is a perfect example. You can snag this smoke in Robusto (5×54), Epicure (6×54), or Super Toro (6×60) for about $10 or less per stick.

So let’s take a look inside:

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Cuban-seed Nicaraguan
Filler: Cuban-seed Nicaraguan

Seems common enough, until you get one in your hand and remove the tell-tale tinted yellow cellophane. This beautiful butterscotch Shade wrapper feels like velvet. Like the thinnest strip of perfectly supple leather you’ve ever felt. The pre-lit cigar has all of the traditional aromas of Nicaraguan and Connecticut Shade tobaccos, but there is an extra hint of sweetness that enters the nose as well. A dry pull yields earthy notes, and some wood, with a hint sweet cream near the front of the palette.

Cream, honey, and oaky, woody undertones are the prominent flavors of the first third-to-half of this smoke once lit. But it is the very specific combination of these flavors in their specific variants and amplitudes that give this cigar its undeniably Perdomo essence. Perdomo fans will know what I mean when I say that every Perdomo cigar has a shared essence, which I was able to taste immediately and which remained throughout the experience.

The cigar does begin to heat up some after crossing the halfway point, but if extra care is taken not to pull too hard or too frequently, the smoke remained cool enough for pure flavors to be drawn out.

This is a mild cigar, but as complex as any Connecticut Shade I am familiar with. I have to put it up very close to the Oliva Connecticut Reserve in terms of quality and flavor. Connecticut Shade is something I typically will only reach for in the morning, but this cigar has been, and will remain in my breakfast cigar rotation.

If you’ve never had the pleasure, see for yourself why so many serious cigar enthusiasts are buying this cigar by the fist full. You can find it in our web store, and as a thank you for reading, use the code CHAMP for 10% off your Perdomo Champagne purchase online!

Hope you’re enjoying the reviews, and all of our Media Center content. Follow us on social media for lots more cigar content.

Keep Coming Back.

-DP

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La Gloria Cubana Serie R Maduro

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been introducing a number of new smokes and new sizes from LGC into our “World Famous” humidor. The response from you all has been incredible as always. The cigar I want to talk about today is one that has recently only been available in a huge Presidente-type size called the No. 7 (7.0×56), which is an amazing smoke but can prohibit one from reaching for it if one doesn’t have 2 full hours available. I am very excited to report that we now have another great size of this cigar on the shelf, the No. 5 (5.5×54).

So let’s look at the blend.

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

This is a combination that we see quite often, but La Gloria Cubana in general, and this cigar in particular, have a taste and a personality all their own.

The wrapper has a beautiful marble of dark browns, and has that feel of soft cedar. Its got just a touch of sheen, but appears mostly matte and dry, though you can feel that the natural oils are present. The cigar is firm and feels evenly uneven, sort of lumpy and not perfectly cylindrical, but in a charming way. It has the aesthetic of a well-made, hand-made, artisan product.

Pre-light aromas are of a dark orange chocolate and black cherry. I straight-cut the cap, and take a couple dry pulls. The flavors are light and airy, and there is still some chocolate, dry cherry, and also plenty of leather. Time to light.

The first third has a medium body and a full, complex flavor with notes of sweet leather, earth, and dark chocolate. A long, firm ash developed, allowing the cigar to stay cool, and burn evenly. Entering the middle third, things took an interesting turn, with a very sudden flavor transition, as a strong cedar note took over, and the leather and earth took the back seat for the rest of the ride, and a very pleasant ride it was.

You can buy this cigar, and many, many others, on this website. Check out the Brands section to find your favorite brand and see the spread of options within. Or just stop into the shop, introduce yourself, and ask for the LGC Serie R Maduro. If you are down with full-flavored cigars, this is a must-try.

Keep Coming Back.

-DP

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Undercrown 10 Robusto

To illustrate just how good I believe this cigar is, I’m going to tell a quick story…

So I’m in Las Vegas with Carl at the Tobacco Plus Expo, an enormous gathering of basically every cigar manufacturer in the industry. Three days of sampling the latest and greatest smokes that each company has to offer. We tried them all. From major blockbuster releases like the H Upmann AJ Fernandez Heritage to little known boutiques like the ADVentura Queens Pearls. It was awesome.

At the end of this three-day cigar bender, we sat down for one final smoke before heading for the airport. Drew Estate had the largest, most extravagant booth in the entire convention center, complete with a cigar lounge, the perfect spot to rest our legs before the journey home. Out came the new Undercrown 10 in Robusto, and wouldn’t you know it, it turned out to be the best cigar I’d smoked all week. With the entire industry there showing off their stuff, old favorites and new unheard-of’s, and the best cigar in the building was this cigar.

So let’s break down the blend.

Like its predecessor the Undercrown Maduro, here we have a blend of Nicaraguan fillers and a thick, dark, Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper. The difference with the UC10 comes in the form of a Connecticut River Valley Broadleaf binder, and those classic Broadleaf flavor traits are clearly noticeable once lit. But more on that in a minute.

Upon removing the cellophane, I brought the cigar to my nose as was overcome with the clearest chocolate note I’ve even smelled on a pre-lit cigar. Somewhere between Milk and Dark, but unmistakeable. Make sure don’t skip this step with yours. Then it was straight-cut, and the dry pull yielded more chocolate notes, but different as they blended with earth and leather.

Once lit, it was much the same, with a note that feels like thick molasses holding the flavors together. Even at 5×50, this stick feels solid and heavy, and burns very slowly even while producing puff after giant puff of smoke with the density of star-forming nebulae. The Robusto is the right choice for this blend. The Toro has more girth, which means a lower wrapper/binder-to-filler ratio and therefore doesn’t show off those flavors quite as prominently. But typically, longer sizes will smoke cooler, and that tradeoff can be worth it. I’ve found that choosing a Robusto over a Toro or Churchill can often mean a hotter smoke, and the heat can overcook the flavors and detract from the experience, but not in this case. The resistance in the draw and slow burn lead to a relatively cool smoke for its size. For UC10, the Robusto is where it’s at.

At Tallchief, we carry this smoke in both Toro and Robusto, so definitely try them both and let me know if you agree with me on the size. But I’m pretty confident that you will agree with me that this is one of the best cigars to come out in the last few years.

Buy this cigar online here, and use the code UC10 for 10% off at checkout.

Keep Coming Back.

-DP

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CAO Bones

  • Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
  • Binder: Connecticut Shade
  • Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan, Dominican
  • Vitola: Chicken Foot (Robusto) 5×54
  • Tasting Notes: Dark Sweetness, Nuts, Coffee, hints of Vanilla

THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE CIGAR!

As you may have heard me say before, I am a huge fan of Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers. The combination of savory and sweet darkness, the toothy, rustic appearance, the beautiful near-black color…I could go on.

Every palette is different, but my palette is build for Broadleaf. That said, I also find much to appreciate in other types of leaf, including Connecticut Shade. Mild, velvety to the touch, producing creamy smooth smoke. So when I read the blend breakdown of the CAO Bones and saw that it held a Connecticut Shade binder (a somewhat rare use of this type of leaf) beneath a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, I was obviously intrigued.

I swear, one can actually taste both leafs at once. Vanilla from the Connecticut Shade, and the tell-tale dark sweetness of the Connecticut Broadleaf. While CAO calls this a full-bodied smoke, I found the Robusto, or Chicken Foot as they have titled this vitola, to be full in complex flavor, but medium in body at most. This combination of full dark flavor in a milder to medium body can be very hard to find, but is exactly what I have been after.

As ones palette develops, one finds one goes through phases lasting many weeks or months at a time, where the specific smoking experience the palette craves will change. After a 50-ring-rocket phase, I have found myself gravitating toward milder cigars and larger ring gauges, and I have found that in the CAO Bones Chicken Foot. While very dark in appearance and in flavor, the large ring gauges (the Toro, Robusto, and Churchill are all 54 ring) mellow out the blend to a perfect medium.

May is CAO Month at the World Famous Tallchief Cigars Humidor and Lounge, and we would like to extend that promotion to our online customers as well. So use the coupon code BONES to save an additional 10% on any box of CAO Bones. This offer will only be good until the end of May, so get yours today.

Keep Coming Back!

-DP

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Drew Estate JAVA

Rocky Patel’s infused line, made in partnership with Drew Estate.

Every now and then I do get the urge to try something that is flavored, because (not to toot my own horn) I smoke so many good cigars that I need something just for the palate cleanse before getting back into the money sticks. I am a guy who loves his coffee, so if I am going to try something infused, there are a number of coffee flavored cigars on the market that use premium tobaccos. Tabak by Drew Estate comes to mind. But in my experience working in cigars shops in Western New York for a decade now, Java has consistently been the most popular in the coffee category.

I am a maduro guy, so I tried the Java Maduro first. This cigar is very sweet and has strong notes of mocha with a bit of coffee to it. in a blind tasting, I might call this a chocolate cigar before I would call it a coffee cigar. Great as a dessert smoke. I know that the Mint variety also has many fans, though I couldn’t bring myself to try it…yet.


The ‘Latte’ was next, which is the variation with the Connecticut Shade wrapper, and I loved every bit of it. It was mellow, smooth, buttery and creamy and it really helped you not only taste the natural coffee flavor of the cigar, but it also helped add to it a little bit. I loved the Java Latte for a gimmicky break from my usual smokes. It’s nothing I’d have every day, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a great dessert cigar like it’s cousin, the Java Mint. I’d try it if flavored smokes are your thing, or if you’re bored with your current selection.

Don’t forget that all Rocky Patel cigars, and that includes Java, which was made by Rocky Patel in partnership with the infused cigar giant Drew Estate, are still available to you at an additional 10% off of our already low prices. Just make sure you use the coupon code ROCKY10 at checkout!

Keep coming back! -DP & CB

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