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	<title>Nice Tight Ash &#187; Guest Review</title>
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		<title>Guest Review:  Nica Libre Exclusivo</title>
		<link>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-nica-libre-exclusivo/</link>
		<comments>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-nica-libre-exclusivo/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:10:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nica Libre]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nicetightash.com/?p=4878</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Editor:  Shawn is back again this week with a cigar that has quite the following.  Another Cigars International exclusive, Nica Libre.  I find these quite enjoyable as well for such a bargain stick. Nica Libre Exclusivo 5.5 X 50 Filler: Nicaraguan Long filler Binder: Habano Wrapper: San Andres Maduro Cost: $3.80 &#8211; $4.50 Sizes: Available [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-sultan-robusto/' rel='bookmark' title='Guest Review:  Sultan Robusto'>Guest Review:  Sultan Robusto</a> <small>Editor:  Again this week, we have a guest review from...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://nicetightash.com/first-impressions-cuba-libre-one/' rel='bookmark' title='First Impressions: Cuba Libre One'>First Impressions: Cuba Libre One</a> <small>I decided to do something this week that I haven&#8217;t...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-omar-ortez-short-torpedo-maduro/' rel='bookmark' title='Guest Review:  Omar Ortez Short Torpedo Maduro'>Guest Review:  Omar Ortez Short Torpedo Maduro</a> <small>Editor:  Today we have a great written review from someone...</small></li>
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Editor:  Shawn is back again this week with a cigar that has quite the following.  Another Cigars International exclusive, Nica Libre.  I find these quite enjoyable as well for such a bargain stick.</em></p>
<p><strong><em>Nica Libre</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Exclusivo 5.5 X 50</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/22.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4879  aligncenter" title="2" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/22.jpg" alt="" width="187" height="410" /></a><br />
</em></strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Filler:</span> Nicaraguan Long filler</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Binder:</span> Habano</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Wrapper:</span> San Andres Maduro</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cost:</span> $3.80 &#8211; $4.50</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sizes:</span> Available in 6 sizes from a 4.5&#215;46 to 7&#215;50. All are box pressed.</p>
<p>The day ended off in the mid 80s for once and what a nice away to end a good day with a good cigar. Lets see how the Nica Libre turns out.</p>
<p>I have seen the Nica Libre being advertised as similar to a Padron Anniversary and heard it from other people as well. Even in a few catalogs you see the Nice Libre on the same page as the Padrons. The wrapper is from the same area (San Andres) as the Padron Anniversary Maduro. Its not the exact same wrapper, but from the same area.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><br />
<span id="more-4878"></span><br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">First Look:</span> A medium brown maduro wrapper with a few veins, not a dark maduro, but a lighter shaded maduro. Overall a nice feal to it, no hard/soft spots with a double cap. The cigar is deffinately no beauty queen, but looks can be decieving. The foot has notes of earth with a slight hint of coffee. The prelight draw is dead on. The flat sides of the box-press is obviously different and feals good in your mouth, almost like you are biting into a Snickers bar. Very faint flavors of earth in the prelight draw. Nothing jumps out at me on the prelight and what I do get is very faint.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/12.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4880  aligncenter" title="1" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/12.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="157" /></a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">First Third:</span> The first draw has tastes of a light coffee, not a faint coffee, but a light bodied coffee. An undertone of pepper is slightly noticed also. The cigar produces a good amount of smoke and the room note is fairly nice. The draw is dead on, sometimes I find a box-press can corrupt a draw if pressed too much. The coffee note reminds me of the taste of a cup of coffee with a few packs of sugar in it. There is a very faint sense of sweetness in the smoke. Nice earthy tones are produced later on in the first part of the cigar. Most box-pressed cigars I&#8217;ve had have had a bad burn and always having to touch them up. As of now, this cigar&#8217;s burn is great!</p>
<p>Towards the end of the first third, the pepper notes show up just a little bit more. Its more noticed in the retrohale than in the draw.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/32.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4881  aligncenter" title="3" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/32.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="160" /></a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Second Third:</span> Comming into the second third I get a good note of chocolate. Then a slight pepper tone, but the chocolate is still the major note. The ash held for about an inch and a quarter. It wasn&#8217;t a tight ash, but it held up nicely. I&#8217;m really digging the chocolate-earthy notes in this cigar. The slight notes of pepper offsets the chocolatiness of the cigar. It reminds me of the contrast you get with a sweet and salty trail mix. Its a mixture that sounds odd (pepper and chocolate), but its really working for me. The chocolate is not super sweet, but more of a chalky dry chocolate note. But you can deffinately tell its chocolate. The burn and draw are still doing great. The burn is suprizing me with my history of box-pressed cigars in the fact of bad burns I&#8217;ve gotten from them.</p>
<p>Ending the second third the chocolate eases off and the coffee tones from the first third show back up along with the earthiness. The chocolate and coffee are mixing well together. It reminds me alot of a drink that Ben and I have at &#8220;The Cigar Shop&#8221; in Biloxi, MS. Its a Sumatra coffee with Milky Way Swirl chocolate mixed in. This cigar would pair quite nicely with that drink I think.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/41.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4882  aligncenter" title="4" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/41.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="141" /></a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Final Third:</span> This cigar has turned into a pretty nice smoke for the money.Same flavors as before, but more earthiness in the last part. The pepper is still the main note in the retrohale. I like the earthiness more than the pepper though. But overall the Nice Libre is a good combonation of flavors that works very well for me.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/51.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4883  aligncenter" title="5" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/51.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="143" /></a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Final Thoughts:</span> This cigar is a nice medium bodied cigar with nice flavors. Its complex, but not overly complex. The flavors stay the same, they just fade out and in to mingle well. This cigar would be a nice morning or lunch time smoke with a good cup of coffee (maybe with a little bit a chocolate mixed in it). I got a 5pk of the robustos and a 10pk flight sampler and can see these as being a &#8220;go-to&#8221; smoke that won&#8217;t break the bank.</p>
<p>I am going to call the Nica Libre &#8220;The Blue Collar Padron 64&#8243;. It has similar flavors as the Padron 64s, not an <em>exact</em> clone, but its similar.</p>
<p>The Nica Libre has the things I look for in a cigar: Good price and tastes, a nice &#8220;sweetspot&#8221; cigar if you ask me.</p>
<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-sultan-robusto/' rel='bookmark' title='Guest Review:  Sultan Robusto'>Guest Review:  Sultan Robusto</a> <small>Editor:  Again this week, we have a guest review from...</small></li>
<li><a href='http://nicetightash.com/first-impressions-cuba-libre-one/' rel='bookmark' title='First Impressions: Cuba Libre One'>First Impressions: Cuba Libre One</a> <small>I decided to do something this week that I haven&#8217;t...</small></li>
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</ol></p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Guest Review:  Sultan Robusto</title>
		<link>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-sultan-robusto/</link>
		<comments>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-sultan-robusto/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:36:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[indonesian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sultan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nicetightash.com/?p=4832</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Editor:  Again this week, we have a guest review from Shawn.  This one is a cigar most of you have never heard of or especially seen.  Check it out. Sultan Robusto &#8220;An Indonesian Puro&#8221; Size: 5&#215;50 Blend: Indonesian Puro from the East Java, Besuki region Sizes Available: 7&#215;50 Churchill, 5&#215;50 Robusto, &#38; 52&#215;5-3/8&#8243; Signature Info: [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-omar-ortez-short-torpedo-maduro/' rel='bookmark' title='Guest Review:  Omar Ortez Short Torpedo Maduro'>Guest Review:  Omar Ortez Short Torpedo Maduro</a> <small>Editor:  Today we have a great written review from someone...</small></li>
</ol>

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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em>Editor:  Again this week, we have a guest review from Shawn.  This one is a cigar most of you have never heard of or especially seen.  Check it out.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Sultan Robusto</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>&#8220;An Indonesian Puro&#8221;</strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Size:</span> 5&#215;50</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Blend:</span> Indonesian Puro from the East Java, Besuki region</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sizes Available:</span> 7&#215;50 Churchill, 5&#215;50 Robusto, &amp; 52&#215;5-3/8&#8243; Signature</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Info:</span> <a href="http://sultan-cigar.com/">http://sultan-cigar.com/</a> &amp; <a href="http://twitter.com/sultancigar" target="_blank">@sultancigar </a>on Twitter</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/21.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4834" title="2" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/21.jpg" alt="" width="274" height="365" /></a></p>
<p>I have never had an Indonesian cigar, let alone a Indonesian Puro. I was given this cigar a little over a year ago by a friend on a cigar forum site to try. I did some research on Sultan and they are made from tobaccos that are aged 5 years, rolled, and then the cigars are aged anywhere from 6 months to a year. The cigars were created in 1990 for diplomatic use in the Sultan&#8217;s Palace.<br />
<span id="more-4832"></span><br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">1st Look:</span> A light brown wrapper covers the cigar with a few veins. A nice firm cigar with no soft spots and a nicely applied double cap that allows for a nice cut. Prelight draw is good, a little firm, but good. The draw tastes like stale air with undertones of nuts.<a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/11.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4833  aligncenter" title="1" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/11.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">1st Third:</span> The first draw on this cigar screams out coffee! Wow! Not so much the actual taste of coffee, but it smells like a coffee shop or fresh roasted coffee, a very pleasing taste. A fairly nice and strong note of nutty flavors that quickly overwhelm the coffee notes. The nuttiness is fairly creamy and the coffee has faded off almost completely. A nice little flakey ash has formed with a greyish color. Finishing the 1st third, a slight spice has formed that I can taste on the very tip of my tongue. The burn is a little off, but the draw is still doing ok.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/31.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4835  aligncenter" title="3" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/31.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2nd Third:</span> I start to smell cedar in the smoke, but taste nuts and wood. The wood taste is of a hardwood, fairly deep and pronounced. A creamy but bitter note comes through. I can&#8217;t put my finger on exactly what the flavor is, its a fairly odd flavor never tasted before. The creaminess of the smoke goes back and forth to bitterness. I possibly need to slow down on my time between puffs to offset the bitterness. The burn turns very uneven throughout the middle of the cigar. I tried to adjust it without a lighter touchup.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/4.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4836  aligncenter" title="4" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/4.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Final Third:</span> The cigar seems like it kept wanting to go out on me for some reason.But it is still smoking ok. Still has major burn issues, so I had to eventually touch it up with my lighter. The woody and nutty notes stay throughout the cigar. I was hoping the strong coffee note would be more in the cigar, but it faded off quickly back in the first 1/2&#8243;. The wood notes were not bad, but the coffee would have been a lot better in my opinion. Not as complex as I thought this cigar would be. The cigar eventually went out on me and I had to relight it. It may have not had very good air/humidity flow to it in the humidor, but cigars are hand made, so it could have been bunched tighter on that one side of the cigar. Once I relit the cigar, I notice that cedar smell in the smoke, but I don&#8217;t taste it one bit in the cigar. I find that fairly odd and interesting how you can smell it, but not taste it. A hint or three of cedar would liven up the cigar and gave it some more complexity, but you can&#8217;t always get what you want.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/5.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4837  aligncenter" title="5" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/5.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></a></p>
<p>Overall a good medium-medium/full bodied smoke with nice woody and nutty notes. Not overly complex, but a good smoke that is a little different from what I usually smoke. Definitely worth a try.</p>
<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-omar-ortez-short-torpedo-maduro/' rel='bookmark' title='Guest Review:  Omar Ortez Short Torpedo Maduro'>Guest Review:  Omar Ortez Short Torpedo Maduro</a> <small>Editor:  Today we have a great written review from someone...</small></li>
</ol></p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Guest Review:  Omar Ortez Short Torpedo Maduro</title>
		<link>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-omar-ortez-short-torpedo-maduro/</link>
		<comments>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-omar-ortez-short-torpedo-maduro/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:59:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Omar Ortez]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nicetightash.com/?p=4799</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Editor:  Today we have a great written review from someone you&#8217;ve seen on several of my review videos with me, Shawn (@thebayratt).  Thanks Shawn! Omar Ortez Original Short Torpedo Maduro Size: 5&#215;48 Blend: Nicaraguan Puro Paired with: Samuel Adams Summer Ale Price: $2.75 (by box) &#38; about $4-6 at a B&#38;M Sizes available: Toro, Robusto, [...]
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<li><a href='http://nicetightash.com/reinado-torpedo/' rel='bookmark' title='Reinado Torpedo'>Reinado Torpedo</a> <small>Recently, I was contacted by Antonio Lam about trying out...</small></li>
</ol>

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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Editor:  Today we have a great written review from someone you&#8217;ve seen on several of my review videos with me, Shawn (<a href="http://www.twitter.com/thebayratt" target="_blank">@thebayratt</a>).  Thanks Shawn!</em></p>
<p><strong>Omar Ortez Original<br />
</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Short Torpedo Maduro</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Size: 5&#215;48</li>
<li>Blend: Nicaraguan Puro</li>
<li>Paired with: Samuel Adams Summer Ale</li>
<li>Price: $2.75 (by box) &amp; about $4-6 at a B&amp;M</li>
<li>Sizes available: Toro, Robusto, Short Torpedo, Robusto Grande, Robusto, Belicoso</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><br />
<span id="more-4799"></span><br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>1st Look:</strong> </span></p>
<p>Nice dark wrapper with a few viens. No hard or soft spots, but an overall soft feal. Cut about 1/4&#8243; off the tip and had a dead on draw. Prelight tastes of straw and hay with a slight bitterness undertones. The band on this cigar is like no other. It is located on the foot with a &#8220;cap&#8221; that covers the foot. Good idea, in that it protects the foot from damage.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">1st Third:</span></strong></p>
<p>Nice sweet taste of hay and straw similar to the prelight draw. Slight undertones of bitter chocolate/cocoa. Nice white ash with few small flakes that held decently. The bitterness of the Summer Ale (from the lemons its made with) compliments the slight bitter cocoa in the cigar. The ash holds for about 3/4 to 1&#8243;. Tapped it off to avaoid it falling into my lap. No burn issues at all on the cigar.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/1.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4800    aligncenter" title="1" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/1.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>2nd Third</strong>:</span></p>
<p>The bitterness of the beer is almost overpowering the bitterness of the cigar. Which makes the cigar taste a good bit better. This lets the strong straw/hay flavors prevail in the 2nd third. The burn and draw are pretty much dead on. Sometimes you get a tight draw from a torpedo and end up having to cut more off the head. But this cigar draws excellent cutting off 1/4&#8243; off the tip. The cocoa of the smoke has turned into a dark cocoa flavor. Almost a hint of leather creeping up, but not a strong leather note. The hay/straw flavors are still the major notes in this cigar and somewhat stronger.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4801  aligncenter" title="2" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Final Third:</span></strong></p>
<p>A taste of stale hay has made its way up into the final third. No touch-ups or major burn issues getting into the last part of the cigar. Nice cocoa flavors show thier heads in the last piece of the cigar after a good sized swig of the Summer Ale. The beer is a nice compliment to the cigar. The flavor of the stale hay is real prevalent on the retrohale. Slight burn problems arrising towards the end, but nothing a slight touch-up wouldn&#8217;t fix. Started buring hot towards the end and got more bitter. Not a horrible bitter flavor, but it is there.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/3.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4802  aligncenter" title="3" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/3.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong>:</span></p>
<p>This is not an overly complex maduro. The hay/straw notes were in the cigar from beginning to end. For the price, its a decent maduro smoke. Medium-full in body with full flavor. Its deffinately not a Padron 64 Maduro, but for the price, its a nice smoke. Decently constructed cigar, with great draw. Its no beauty queen, but a good smoke thats deffinately worth a try.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Beer:</span></strong></p>
<p>Samuel Adams 2011 Summer Ale.</p>
<p>Nice lemon zesty bitterness tastes. Served ice cold, this is always on my &#8220;must get&#8221; list of summer beers.</p>
<p>&#8220;Samuel Adams® Summer Ale is an American wheat ale. This summer seasonal uses malted wheat, lemon peel and Grains of Paradise, a rare pepper from Africa first used as a brewing spice in the 13th century, to create a crisp taste, spicy flavor and medium body. The ale fermentation imparts a background tropical fruit note reminiscent of mangos and peaches. All of these flavors come together to create a thirst quenching, clean finishing beer perfect for those warm summer days.&#8221;</p>
<p>Good cigar, good beer, and nothing beats a nice tight ash!</p>
<p>Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://nicetightash.com/reinado-torpedo/' rel='bookmark' title='Reinado Torpedo'>Reinado Torpedo</a> <small>Recently, I was contacted by Antonio Lam about trying out...</small></li>
</ol></p>
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		<title>Guest Review:  Arganese Connecticut Presidente by Matt of ReviewingCigars.blogspot.com</title>
		<link>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-arganese-connecticut-presidente-by-matt-of-reviewingcigars-blogspot-com/</link>
		<comments>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-arganese-connecticut-presidente-by-matt-of-reviewingcigars-blogspot-com/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:27:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arganese]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[connecticut]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Presidente]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nicetightash.com/?p=3495</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This week NTA has a great guest review from Matt of ReviewCigars on a cigar I sent him as part of the prize package from they Limerick contest on St. Paddy&#8217;s day. Its a great read. Check it out! &#8211; Ben This is Matt from ReviewCigars &#8211; Arganese &#8211; Connecticut Presidente &#8211; I&#8217;ve never smoked [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This week NTA has a great guest review from Matt of ReviewCigars on a cigar I sent him as part of the prize package from they Limerick contest on St. Paddy&#8217;s day.  Its a great read.  Check it out!</p>
<p> &#8211; Ben</em></p>
<p><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/100_09171.jpg"><img src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/100_09171.jpg" alt="" title="100_0917" width="450" height="600" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3497" /></a></p>
<p>This is <strong>Matt</strong> from <a href="http://www.ReviewCigars.blogspot.com">ReviewCigars</a> &#8211; </p>
<p>Arganese &#8211; Connecticut Presidente &#8211; I&#8217;ve never smoked an Arganese cigar, so this particular cigar is my introduction to the brand.  I haven&#8217;t heard much about the brand or this particular series.I can&#8217;t find a lot of information on this cigar but it is bound and filled with a mixture of Dominican tobaccos.  The wrapper on the other hand, is an Ecuadorian grown Connecticut shade.  I have no doubts this will be a milder cigar than I prefer, but I could use a change of pace and this thing has been resting in my humidor for quite some time.<br />
<span id="more-3495"></span><br />
________________________________________<br />
<strong>Prelight </strong>- The Connecticut wrapper is as dry as can be; no oil in sight.  Not that one should expect copious amounts of oil on such a leaf.  The wrapper leaf has a few little knicks on it, but I think that is more my fault than Arganese&#8217;s.  The cigar offers little aroma, but the draw has a welcomed resistance to it.  Even with a moment of cold draws, I cannot detect any flavor.  I hope mild doesn&#8217;t equate to flavorless. </p>
<p><strong>Sparking it</strong> &#8211; The cigar lights with ease and I am surprised with how nicely it is burning; an inch and half in and I have yet to ash.  I started this smoke with the understanding that it was going to be a mild one; with that in mind, I&#8217;m enjoying the soft smoke on this warm spring evening.<br />
There isn&#8217;t a lot going on in the flavor category.  I mean, obviously I&#8217;m tasting cigar smoke, but maybe I&#8217;m not looking for the right flavors.  I used to smoking fuller cigars and have often shied away from mild cigars.  On second thought, the smoke has a nice creamy feel to it.  I taste a little bit of vanilla and some type of nut.<br />
To my surprise, this is a well made cigar; the burn is better than most cigars I&#8217;ve smoked and the ash is solid as can be.</p>
<p><strong>Smoking it</strong> &#8211;  Smoking this cigar, while not captivating and awe-inducing, it is enjoyable.  I think the Arganese Connecticut has seared a place in my heart for milder cigars.  With subtle flavoring and an impeccable burn, there is a time and a place for milder smokes.  This would be a great cigar to keep in the humidor for those friends who don&#8217;t smoke much and would turn green smoking a ligero filled cigar.<br />
<strong><br />
Overall &#8211; B-</strong></p>
<p>With so many great options in the cigar world these days, it is easy for a smoker to find themselves smoking many different cigars without really trying something different.  By this I mean, there are so many great cigars, that you could smoke a new cigar every day for months while staying in your comfort zone of flavor and strength.  I encourage blind trades with buddies and friends you meet in the online community.  </p>
<p>When I received this cigar from Ben over at NiceTightAsh.com &#8211; I thought &#8220;Oh crap, this is going to sit in my humidor untouched.&#8221;  And it did&#8230;.maybe I&#8217;m in a good mood this evening&#8230;.or maybe I&#8217;m just happy to smoke because I haven&#8217;t in two days, but this cigar has changed my perspective on the spectrum of cigars.</p>
<p>Go outside your comfort zone and try different cigars.  Try a cigar because the label looks cool, or try a cigar because it has a Brazilian wrapper, or try a cigar because its $5 and you happen to have a $5 bill in your wallet.  Whatever your reason may be, just do it.  We&#8217;ve reached a time in history where we can legally purchase cigars can rival Cuban classics, so don&#8217;t smoke your old favorites in fear of wasting a few bucks on a new cigar you may not like&#8230;.you could be passing up a new favorite smoke without knowing it.</p>
<p>Two days ago I stopped in a cigar shop that is off the beaten path a bit and while I&#8217;ve been in there before, I&#8217;ve never really spent much time there.  The selection is crap compared to the nicer shops in the area, but the seating area is comfy and there always seems to be a nice collection of guys hanging out.<br />
As I sat listening to this group talk about how the Rocky Patel Edge is the best cigar ever, (I almost felt sorry for them) I was moved to ask if they had ever smoked a Tatuaje, Liga Privada or VSG.  I might as well have been speaking a different language.  They had no clue what I was talking about and it didn&#8217;t matter.  Conversation moved back to the main topic and flowed into talks about life, children, work&#8230;you name it.</p>
<p>I guess what I&#8217;m trying to say is cigars are fun to try, review, talk about, share; but the real reason we love smoking is the conversation and comradery that comes with a shared interest.  Cigars offer us a welcome break from our fast paced lives.  They are like mini-time machines is the sense that they take us to a time and place where first names matter and friends and/or strangers can share good conversation.  All men in that smoking circle have an equal right to speak their mind, and everyone is happy to sit back and relax.</p>
<p>Cigars are a wonderful thing.  Not just for what they are, but for what they represent.<br />
I once saw Author/writer for Wall Street Journal, David Brooks, speak at an event.  Mr. Brooks covers both political parties and knows Presidents and Senators on a personal level.  One thing he said in concluding his speech had to do with what is wrong with today&#8217;s cut-throat political landscape.  He said (and I&#8217;m paraphrasing&#8230;) &#8220;The problem is that each party doesn&#8217;t view the other party as human beings anymore.  Years ago, Politicians from both parties would end their day of legislation by sitting down with one another, sharing some bourbon and smoking a cigar.&#8221;</p>
<p>Cigars are a wonderful thing.</p>
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		<title>Guest Review: CAO Brazilia Box Press</title>
		<link>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-cao-brazilia-box-press/</link>
		<comments>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-cao-brazilia-box-press/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:00:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Guest Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Box-press]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brazilia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CAO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mata Fina]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nicetightash.com/?p=3128</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Brian and I met Matt, of Review Cigars, on Saturday while attending the Tatuaje event at the Humidour in Cockeysville, MD. Below you&#8217;ll find a sample of how Matt review&#8217;s cigars, and I think you&#8217;ll agree that he has a interesting persepctive. CAO Brazilia Box Press- I read somewhere, can&#8217;t remember where, that when CAO [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Brian and I met Matt, of <a href="http://www.reviewcigars.blogspot.com/">Review Cigars</a>, on Saturday while attending the Tatuaje event at the <a href="http://www.humidour.com">Humidour</a> in Cockeysville, MD.  Below you&#8217;ll find a sample of how Matt review&#8217;s cigars, and I think you&#8217;ll agree that he has a interesting persepctive.</p>
<p><strong>CAO Brazilia Box Press-</strong> I read somewhere, can&#8217;t remember where, that when CAO was developing the Brazilia line, they were warned against using the Brazilian name and national colors. Evidently, there were some old-school cigar-world prejudices against the Brazilian tobacco industry or something like that. Turns out that didn&#8217;t affect the cigar smoker&#8217;s buying power. Just the opposite; the Brazilia line is one of CAO&#8217;s leading sellers and I can&#8217;t think of a smoker I know that doesn&#8217;t think this is a decent smoke for the money spent.</p>
<p>The Brazilia is a beautiful and unique looking stick. The wrapper is made of a Brazilian tobacco called Matafina. The Matafina is so dark that it almost looks black and shimmers with oil. CAO finished out the Brazilia with Nicaraguan filler and binder. The label is eye-catching, boasting the bright colors of Brazil&#8217;s flag.  It might be me, but anything related to Brazil makes me think of beautiful beaches and gorgeous women. With that in mind, I reach for the Brazilia often.</p>
<p><span id="more-3128"></span></p>
<p>The Brazilia comes in wide variety of sizes. All cleverly named after something from the country&#8217;s culture. Well, except for the one I&#8217;m reviewing. Others include the Anaconda, Gol!, Samba just to name a few. The best is the mini &#8220;Piranha&#8221;. Which is Brazilian slang for a prostitute.</p>
<p><strong>Prelight</strong>- Just to let you know, this cigar is one of my go to sticks. I smoke at least one or two a week. Usually, when I review a cigar I&#8217;ve smoked before, I try and throw out all of my previous experiences and focus on that particular smoke. Today will be a hybrid of this singular smoke and my past experiences with the Brazilia. </p>
<p>The cigar is hands down beautiful. I think CAO had a Brazilian woman in mind when they envisioned this cigar. I will list three reasons behind my theory and you make the comparison to a sexy Brazilian in your mind.</p>
<p><strong>Brazilia Box-Press vs. Brazilian Beauty</strong><br />
<em>1.)The wrapper is flawless with a sheen of oil on it. It is also a little darker than it&#8217;s peers. (picture a tan Brazilian women in a thong bikini coming off the beach at Copacabana)<br />
2.)In my opinion, this is the best-feeling box-press on the market. This stick is soft, but firm. You&#8217;ve got to squeeze it to believe. (back to the thong)<br />
3.)It has two labels, your normal cigar label up top, and a lower label that reads &#8220;Box Press&#8221;. Because of the nature of a cigar, its best to take the bottom off first. (open for interpretation)</em></p>
<p>Ok, back to the prelight. The cigar smells sweet and begs to be smoked. Time for the torch.</p>
<p><strong>Sparking it</strong>- Puff&#8230;Puff&#8230;Lit&#8230;and we&#8217;re off. The first few drags come across with a little pepper, but mostly a creamy coffee flavor. The pepper quickly subsides as the cherry cools and the smoke progresses. I&#8217;ve heard of complaints of a tight draw but have rarely encountered it. I&#8217;ve had one bad stick out of 30 or so I&#8217;ve smoked. If you run into this problem, try trimming a bit more off the cap. The ash is solid and highlights the quality build of the cigar. The lit end burns off a trail of bluish smoke and it is a pleasure to inhale the resting smoke. The cigar is a medium-full flavored, with medium body. I can&#8217;t help but focus on the creamy texture of the smoke. I really love this cigar.</p>
<p><strong>Smoking it</strong>- The flavor evolves a little as the smoke goes on. I start to taste dark chocolate after the half-way point, and the cigar maintains a coffee taste throughout. A decent amount of complexity to the stick. I cannot over-emphasize the creaminess of the smoke; it is delicious. The cigar burns a little uneven at times, but a quick torch hit evens it out without issue. I&#8217;ve never had a Box-Press burn in a manner that ruined the smoke.</p>
<p>I recommend this to every cigar smoker out there. There are so many qualities in the cigar&#8217;s body and flavor, that everyone could have a chance of enjoying this cigar. Full-flavored smokers will find themselves chewing on the smoke, searching for the next nuance, while milder smokers will expand their horizons, enjoying a fuller smoke with such a smooth and creamy flavor.</p>
<p>At $6-$7 a cigar (and cheaper online) &#8211; this cigar has tremendous value. Maybe I&#8217;m a little bias, because I&#8217;m thinking of Brazilian women when I smoke it. But I think its more of the fact that this cigar fits my criteria of a great cigar.</p>
<p><strong>Overall</strong>- B+</p>
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		<title>Guest Review &#8211; Viaje 50/50 by Dustin</title>
		<link>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-viaje-5050-by-dustin/</link>
		<comments>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-viaje-5050-by-dustin/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:30:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Review]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nicetightash.com/?p=2810</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is a guest review by one of our winners of the holiday review contest we recently held. Dustin submitted this review and we all thought it was well written and he included good pictures to go with it. Without further adieu, here is the review of the Viaje 50/50 by Dustin! I originally found [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This is a guest review by one of our winners of the holiday review contest we recently held.  Dustin submitted this review and we all thought it was well written and he included good pictures to go with it.  Without further adieu, here is the review of the Viaje 50/50 by  Dustin!</em></p>
<p>I originally found this cigar when I recently walked into a local B&#038;M and asked for a cigar that was the kind of thing that maybe I wouldn’t ordinarily try. I’ve always found I like a great number of different cigars so I am always looking forward to smoking cigars I’ve never had before. So a when a couple of other fellow customers in the shop overheard me, they quickly suggested the Viaje Fifty/Fifty Black Label. I was told that it was an excellent cigar with a “variety of really excellent flavors” so naturally I was curious and had to purchase one.<br />
<span id="more-2810"></span></p>
<h3>Initial Impressions:</h3>
<p>The cigar has a very consistent and smooth wrapper. Upon smelling it I noticed that earthy-alfalfa smell which in my experience, is a good indicator of good things to come. When inspecting the foot there were no visible stems or anything like that. However, I did notice that the end of the foot was slightly rectangular in shape which is something I have never seen before. The cut went well and my test draw was flawless.</p>
<h3>First Third:</h3>
<p>Right away the spice of the wrapper hit my lips and as the smoke filled my mouth I felt my taste buds open right up to help me take in all the flavors this cigar had to offer. Upon every draw that initial spice that filled my mouth and hit my lips was always followed by a very smooth tasting and flavorful cream, almost a cappuccino taste. The creamy, almost cappuccino taste seemed to linger in my mouth for about 20 seconds before the slight taste of a nutty flavor kicked in. None of the flavors ever over powered each other and instead complemented each other in their own individually unique ways.<br />
The burn during the first third was good for the first half-inch; however, after that it was all over the place to the point where, for a while I thought it might be necessary for me to do a touch up. The ash was also not as tight as I have come to expect from the average cigar. However, both the issues with the burn and the tightness of the ash were probably due to the fact that it was windy.<br />
<a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Viaje_50-50_Black_Label-IMG11.jpg"><img src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Viaje_50-50_Black_Label-IMG11.jpg" alt="" title="Viaje_50-50_Black_Label-IMG1" width="450" height="324" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2815" /></a></p>
<h3>Second Third:</h3>
<p>As I started on the second third of the Viaje Fifty/Fifty Black Label, I found that the burn started to recover itself and the ash began to tighten up. As I reached about 50% into the cigar, the flavors started to morph and transform on me. Initially I wasn’t sure what was happening as the flavors seemed to become stronger and at the same time much more complex.</p>
<h3>Final Third:</h3>
<p>Starting on the final third of this cigar, the flavor had undeniably completely changed from the flavors I was getting off it during the first 50% of the cigar. The creamy taste had become a creamy-sweet taste leaving behind its cappuccino taste. The spice became significantly lighter but just to the point where it was possible to still taste it, but not so much that it over powered the new creamy-sweet taste. I felt as though this cigar was talking to me… Telling me, “Hey I’m not just a spicy cigar with some cappuccino-like taste; I’ve got some sweetness in me too.”<br />
<a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Viaje_50-50_Black_Label-IMG2.jpg"><img src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Viaje_50-50_Black_Label-IMG2.jpg" alt="" title="Viaje_50-50_Black_Label-IMG2" width="450" height="309" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2816" /></a></p>
<h3>Overall Impression:</h3>
<p>All the way through I feel like this cigar, first and foremost, demonstrated its excellent build quality in the way it was able to bring its burn back nice and even. The Viaje Fifty/Fifty Black Label did not let the wind take its glory from its burn. The flavors were amazing, and in fact I even nubbed this cigar which I rarely do. The nub also tasted amazing by adding an earthy flavor to the sweetness introduced in the last 50% of the cigar.<br />
The aftertaste also blew me away, and for me, what I taste in my mouth for the next hour or two is just as important as the taste while smoking my cigar. Some cigars are awesome but leave a terrible after taste a couple of hours later. The Viaje Fifty/Fifty left that same earthy, yet sweet taste in my mouth which I enjoyed for several hours after smoking the cigar. I liked the after taste so much that it was a massive disappointment when it went away later in the day.<br />
Bottom line, this is an excellent cigar with amazing flavors and aromas, very good build quality and burn. This easily rates as one of the top cigars I have ever smoked and I highly recommend trying one.</p>
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		<title>Guest Review: Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Petit Corona</title>
		<link>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-rocky-patel-vintage-1992-petit-corona/</link>
		<comments>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-rocky-patel-vintage-1992-petit-corona/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:25:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brian</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Quick Ash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Honduras]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rocky Patel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vinatge 1992]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nicetightash.com/?p=2725</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[All right folks. I know I am not here again. But today I have a double whammy. Today I have for you a guest review from our review contest and following this post will be an update to our Troop Donation Program. I will be back for sure next week with the second set of [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>All right folks.  I know I am not here again.  But today I have a double whammy.  Today I have for you a guest review from our review contest and following this post will be an update to our Troop Donation Program.  I will be back for sure next week with the second set of 3 cigars from Roberto Cigars and I have a full line of reviews lined up for the immediate future.  In the mean time, lets see how Jaime does with this RP Vintage 1992.<br />
<span id="more-2725"></span><br />
Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Petit Corona<br />
By Jaime Vives-Rivera</p>
<p><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/DSC00052.jpg"><img src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/DSC00052-300x225.jpg" alt="" title="DSC00052" width="300" height="225" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2729" /></a></p>
<p>Country of Origin: Honduras<br />
Size: 44 x 4.5<br />
Wrapper: 10 year old Ecuadorian Sumatra<br />
Binder: Mexico<br />
Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua<br />
Price: About a $100.00 per box of 20 ($5.00 per cigar)</p>
<p><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/DSC00085.jpg"><img src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/DSC00085-300x225.jpg" alt="" title="DSC00085" width="300" height="225" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2730" /></a></p>
<p>Before I start with my review let me say that I do not consider myself an expert, a beginner to intermediate in terms of “palate” at best. I have been smoking cigars daily for about year now.  In that period of time I have tried a variety of stogies, all handmade, from budget to premium.  This has helped me develop my senses a bit.</p>
<p>In my search for the perfect short smoke I a came across the Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Petit Corona and let me tell you that this little vitola slapped me in the face.  It is box pressed and packed with tobacco.  I was surprised at how solid it felt to the touch, and a little worried that this could cause draw and burn problems.  Boy was I wrong.  The draw was perfect, with a little resistance, the way I like it. The burn was razor sharp leaving behind a light gray ash which was fairly sturdy for such a small cigar, it held for about an inch every time.  Also surprising was the fact that it burned for one hour and 5 minutes (timed).</p>
<p><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/DSC00049.jpg"><img src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/DSC00049-300x225.jpg" alt="" title="DSC00049" width="300" height="225" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2728" /></a></p>
<p>In terms of flavor, that is where this petit corona stands out above the rest.  I picked up hints of coffee and unsweetened chocolate flavors with a little spice through the nose during the first half of the cigar (No point doing thirds since is a small size cigar).  These stayed pretty consistent during the smoking experience, but during the last half the spice increased a bit.  I could feel it in the tongue, palate and through the nose in a good and satisfying way.  I liked it so much I burned my fingers a few times trying to nub it.  This cigar also produced a LOT of resting smoke with a very pleasant aroma.</p>
<p><a href="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/DSC00092.jpg"><img src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/DSC00092-300x225.jpg" alt="" title="DSC00092" width="300" height="225" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2731" /></a></p>
<p>Compared to my few experiences with larger sized cigars of this line the complexity and variance in flavors cannot develop the same way, but their essence is there.  This is justifiable; again, it is a small cigar.  The only negative I can find is the price, about $100.00 for a box of 20.  There are a lot of choices in this price range.  Would I buy again? most likely.  I have a few left and they are perfect for when time is not on my side.</p>
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		<title>Guest Review: Rocky Patel Winter Blend 2009</title>
		<link>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-rocky-patel-winter-blend-2009/</link>
		<comments>http://nicetightash.com/guest-review-rocky-patel-winter-blend-2009/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:30:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brian</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maduro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pennsylvania]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rocky Patel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Winter Blend]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nicetightash.com/?p=2429</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Today we have a guest review for you. This comes by way of Brent and Brett, and with the official start of winter just a mere week and a half away they have provided us with a review of the Rocky Patel Winter Blend 2009. Brent actually recorded this review long before his debut in [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today we have a guest review for you.  This comes by way of Brent and Brett, and with the official start of winter just a mere week and a half away they have provided us with a review of the Rocky Patel Winter Blend 2009.  Brent actually recorded this review long before his debut in the CAO Brazilia joint review that we did at Jungle Jim&#8217;s so let’s see how his first crack at cigar reviewing went.</p>
<p align="center"><embed src="http://blip.tv/play/gvNYgbW_bAA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="550" height="405" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></p>
<p>Also, don’t forget about our cigar drive for the Troops.  We have received a ton of cigars from some very generous people thus far and as a thank you for your generosity we will be giving away:<br />
•	Box of CAO La Traviata,<br />
•	3 CAO 3 finger ashtrays,<br />
•	A boat load of CAO La Traviata Hats,<br />
•	A Xikar Xi2 Bloodstone Cutter, and<br />
•	A Lotus Vertigo Lighter.<br />
There is still plenty of time to send in some sticks so check out the <a href="http://nicetightash.com/holiday-smokes-for-our-heroes/">full story here</a>, round up a few sticks and send them to the men and women who can’t be home this holiday because they are defending your rights and freedoms.</p>
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		<title>Cuchillos Cubanos ~46~</title>
		<link>http://nicetightash.com/cuchillos-cubanos-46/</link>
		<comments>http://nicetightash.com/cuchillos-cubanos-46/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:30:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nice Tight Ash</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cuchillos Cubanos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dion Giolito]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Illusione]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[~46~]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nicetightash.com/?p=1137</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here is another guest review from Dave (@DX_FXN). The Cuchillos Cubanos is Illusione’s entry into the world of “budget” smokes. Each cigar is a 60/40 blend of long and medium filler and is available in a number of different sizes that come in five packs and retail for UNDER $20 each! Tobacco Origin: Nicaragua Size: [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1138" title="b7fe5c88" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/b7fe5c88-225x300.jpg" alt="b7fe5c88" width="225" height="300" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Here is another guest review from Dave (@DX_FXN).</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Cuchillos Cubanos is <a href="http://www.illusionecigars.com/">Illusione’s</a> entry into the world of “budget” smokes. Each cigar is a 60/40 blend of long and medium filler and is available in a number of different sizes that come in five packs and retail for UNDER $20 each!</p>
<p>Tobacco Origin: Nicaragua<br />
Size: 4.5” x 46 <br />
Price: $18 a five pack ($3.60 a stick)<span id="more-1137"></span></p>
<p>The stick itself is not banded and you will notice that the wrapper is a bit spotted with a reddish hue. The wrapper smells sweet and I detected a bit of cocoa and pepper at the foot. After cutting the stick, the pre-light draw is easy and smooth, but I wasn’t able to really pick up on any discernable flavors. </p>
<p>As I am firing this bad boy up, plumes of white smoke are everywhere. Flavors in that first third were a bit vegetal to start, but became toasty and peppery after a few puffs. Exiting the first third, I am greeted by a blast of cocoa and toasted marshmallow as I enter into the second third. The ash is loose and crumbly at this point and I am picking up on some real nice cocoa and coffee flavors. The final third ended with some real nice woodsy notes and there was a toasty finish left on the palette which was quite nice. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1139" title="d9935e24" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/d9935e24-225x300.jpg" alt="d9935e24" width="225" height="300" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I picked this up on a whim one night when I received an email from a retailer advising that they had just been released. For the price, I honestly wasn’t expecting too much, but I was pleasantly surprised. This cigar really provided a hearty bang for the buck and I recommend it to anyone that is a fan of illusione’s products. Worst-case scenario: you buy them and don’t like them and you’re only down $18 (not too bad IMO). No worries though, chances are you’ll be hooked on these and end up keeping a number of them in your humidor. </p>
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		<title>Man O’ War Ruination Belicoso</title>
		<link>http://nicetightash.com/man-o%e2%80%99-war-ruination-belicoso/</link>
		<comments>http://nicetightash.com/man-o%e2%80%99-war-ruination-belicoso/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2009 16:30:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nice Tight Ash</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cigar Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strong Ash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AJ Fernandez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Belicoso]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ligero]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Man O' War Ruination]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nicetightash.com/?p=1087</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[    This review comes courtesy of our good friend Brian.  We met Brian via Twitter, and found out he only lives about an hour away.  We&#8217;ve had the opportunity to hang our a few times and enjoy some great cigars.  So we were happy when he decided to give reviewing cigars a try, so [...]
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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1086" title="photo_1" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/photo_1-300x161.jpg" alt="photo_1" width="300" height="161" /></p>
<p> </p>
<div>
<p align="center"> </p>
<p>This review comes courtesy of our good friend Brian.  We met Brian via Twitter, and found out he only lives about an hour away.  We&#8217;ve had the opportunity to hang our a few times and enjoy some great cigars.  So we were happy when he decided to give reviewing cigars a try, so without further ado, here is Brian&#8217;s Nice Tight Ash debut.</p>
<p>Not much information can be found on this stick.  From what I can gather, AJ Fernandez developed this is a blend as a power house addition to his well received Man O’ War line.  The line is rolled in the Tabacalera Fernandez factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.  I do know that the majority, if not all, of this stick is made up of ligero which lends credence to the powerhouse stigma.  This line comes in 3 vitolas:</p>
<p>Belicoso &#8211; 5.7&#8243; x 56</p>
<p>Robusto No. 1 &#8211; 5.5&#8243; x 54</p>
<p>Robusto No. 2 &#8211; 6.0&#8243; x 60 </p>
<p>Today we are smoking the Belicoso.  The vitals on this stick are:</p>
<p><span id="more-1087"></span></p>
<p>Company: Tabacalera Fernandez<br />
Made In: Esteli, Nicaragua<br />
Made By: Tabacalera Fernandez<br />
Size: 5.7&#8243; x 56 Belicoso<br />
Wrapper: Habano Ecuadorian Ligero<br />
Filler: Mix of Cuban-seed Honduran and Nicaraguan long leaf ligeros<br />
Binder: Unknown<br />
MSRP: $11.00 as a single</p>
<h3>Pre-light</h3>
<p>The first thing I notice when I pull this stick from the humidor is its weight.  This is a HEAVY stick.  Fully packed with a large ring, this stick is firm from head to foot.  There is a distinctive barnyard smell on the dark ligero wrapper leaf while a very nice sweetness comes at the foot.  There are some prominent veins throughout but nothing out of the ordinary.  This is a nice looking stick.  Clipped only about ¼” off of the tapered head of this belicoso to reveal an absolutely perfect draw that had a slight sweet tobacco flavor.</p>
<h3>First Third</h3>
<p>The foot took the light well and immediately began emitting a TON of thick smoke.  The sweet taste from the pre-light is no where to be found as a blast of black pepper spice hits hard right up front.  It is absolutely awesome.  Though it is a heavy spice, if your nasal cavity can handle it, I highly recommend a small percentage of retrohale.  The smoke through the nose really brings that spice forward.  The first few puffs yield earth and leather flavors behind the pepper spice.  At about the 1” mark the spice mellows just a bit with leather becoming much richer and hints of wood begin to come through.  The spice is definitely still there but not as prominent. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1088" title="photo_2" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/photo_2-300x148.jpg" alt="photo_2" width="300" height="148" /></p>
<p align="center"> </p>
<h3>Second Third</h3>
<p>As we enter the second third there is still tons of smoke coming off this cigar.  As spicy and strong as this cigar is, the aroma of the resting smoke is quite pleasant, almost sweet.  The flavors at this point are rich leather and earth.  The spice continues to gradually fade but there is still plenty there at this point.  The burn line is near perfect with a strong tight medium grey ash that has yet to come loose as we get to the half way point.  The finish has developed an almost “sweet” wood flavor that is very interesting and pleasant.  Just after the half way point, the burn went a little crazy on one side and required a minor touch up.  After this touch up, the ash finally dropped at 2 ¼” and stayed completely intact in ashtray.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1089" title="photo_3" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/photo_3-300x165.jpg" alt="photo_3" width="300" height="165" /></p>
<h3>Last Third</h3>
<p>As we enter the final third, the spice has really mellowed out.  Flavors have changed a bit.  They aren’t quite as rich as they were and the leather is not nearly as prevalent.  The dominant flavor at his point is the earth with undertones of a toasty/charred wood and maybe some bitter coffee.  It progressed this way until the end as the finish became “dry” (not unpleasant) and the spice completely fades out as the cigar comes to a close.  No further touch ups were required and the burn line was even the rest of the way through.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1090" title="photo_4" src="http://nicetightash.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/photo_4-300x225.jpg" alt="photo_4" width="300" height="225" /></p>
<p class="center"> </p>
<h3>Final Thoughts</h3>
<p>The cigar is excellent.  It is well worth the $8.00/stick box price and at $5.00 it is a steal.  You get your moneys worth with the complexity of the stick as well as the amount of time you get to enjoy this thing.  This vitola consistently lasts me right around 2 hours.  Just to compare I am probably a slightly slower than average smoker.  The flavors are great and changes in the flavors and the intensity of the spice keeps it interesting throughout.  The construction of this stick is really impressive.  Other than the minor touchup needed at the half way point, the stick was flawless.  Great burn and perfect draw throughout.  If you like full bodied, full flavored smokes with a good shot of spice, I highly recommend you pick up some of these sticks.  This is definitely a box worthy stick for me which turned out to be a good thing since I bought a box blind at Cigarfest.  Sometimes things work out.</p>
<p>Anyway, hope you get something out of this review as it is my first shot at it and remember what the guys always say…Nothing Beats a Nice Tight Ash.</p>
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