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Tag: Connecticut Broadleaf

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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

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 Uncategorized

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

Categories
Editorial Uncategorized

The Mistresses of Mi Querida

The Mi Querida (right) and Mi Querida Triqui Traca from Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust

Mi Querida literally translates to “my mistress” in Spanish. These cigars had been on Carl’s and my radar for years, and on our wishlist as a new addition to the shelves since January or even before. The Mi Querida enjoys a reputation among aficionados as a cigar for insiders. Everyone has had a Liga Privada. Make no mistake, they are top shelf cigars, but they are commonplace now. If you’ve spent time with a Mi Querida, you are a member of another tier of cigar enthusiast.

These are the darling blends of master blender Steve Saka, the former chief executive officer of Drew Estate Cigars, creator of the original Liga Privada blends, and now the creative mind behind the cigars of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust.

Overcome with excitement at the arrival of these amazing new cigars to our humble shop, we couldn’t wait to see how they would be received by our guys and gals. I asked one of our VIP’s, Kevin George Berger, long time aficionado and well-respected member of the Tallchief Cigar Circle, to smoke one of each of the two Mi Querida lines and give us his thoughts. What came back were a few quotes I couldn’t wait to share.

Guest Reviewer: Kevin George Berger

Before I get to Kevin’s experience, here is the quick blend breakdown, according to Dunbarton T&T.

Mi Querida (blue label):
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Flavor Profile: Full Bodied

Mi Querida Trique Traca (red label)
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Flavor Profile: Extra Full Bodied

After sampling the original blue label blend, Kevin wrote to me saying that the experience of this cigar brought to mind “the spring of a man’s life; The honey sweet innocence and discovery of new love; the journey of new experiences.”

Wow! Well said Kev.

I couldn’t wait to hear what thoughts would come out after smoking the much stronger and fuller bodied Triqui Traca (red label).

“The red label is the autumn of a man’s life! Appreciating the rich spice and mystery life has to offer, and yet the sheer joy in the anticipation of a known bliss yet to come! The Triqui Traca is an older mistress. More discerning, more wise, more mysterious less playful, she takes her time and knows what she wants. Less sweet for sure but has a complex and satisfying array of delicate spice. She is confident in her femininity and realizes it’s powers. Miss Red Label is a mistress for sure, but also, a remarkable woman worth spending time with!”

I challenge anyone reading this to translate the full experience of a cigar in a more beautiful and more relatable way that Kevin did here. Special thanks to our friend Kevin George Berger.

If you have yet to try Mi Querida, please come see us at the shop, as they are special cigars. And if you want to participate as my next blend review interviewee, I would love to talk to you! Hit me up, and as always…

Keep coming back!

-DP

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