Cheap Ash: Gispert Lonsdale
The Gispert line of cigars is produced by Altadis U.S.A. These cigars are produced in Honduras and are draped in a Connecticut Shade Ecuadorian wrapper. Looking back at many of my past reviews I noticed I was smoking a lot of medium to full bodied cigars, so I’m hoping this stick will be a pleasant change of direction. Since I paid $4.00 for this cigar, and it can be found cheaper online, it definitely qualifies as a cheap ash. Check out the video to find out how it smokes.
Lotus 20
The Lotus 20 lighter features a wind resistant triple flame, 8mm cigar punch, fuel window and electronic quartz ignition. I’ve used this lighter for about a month in an attempt to get a good idea of how well the lighter performs. With well over 100 cigars lit and numerous refills it’s time to let you know what how the Lotus 20 stacks up.
At the time of this review the Lotus 20 is on special at BuyLighters.com.
Cubao No. 3
I’m back with another Lancero this week. Today we have EO Brand’s Cubao No. 3, which weighs in at 7.5†x 38. This blend is the brainchild of Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega with the help of Don Pepin Garcia. According to EO/United Tobacco’s website the Cubao is manufactured in EstelÃ, Nicaragua and is comprised of an exquisite blend of aged Nicaraguan tobaccos topped with a beautifully rich and oily Ecuador Sumatra Oscuro wrapper. The Lanceros come in a box of 30 and retail for around $180. Let’s see how this stick does on the heels of the Oliva Serie V and El Triunfador that I have reviewed recently.
Tatuaje RC184
I got this cigar in a trade with Skip Martin (@chiefhava on Twitter) along with some other really great cigars. For me, it was the first time I’ve seen this cigar and, being a huge fan of Tatuaje cigars, I decided to save this for my birthday smoke. My birthday as some of you know was last Wednesday, July 29, and I couldn’t wait to fire this big boy up. This is a monster of a cigar. Its 7 1/4 x 54″ or 184mm long…RC184…..get it? Yea, ok. Anyway, the cigar has a Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler. Each cigar is wrapped with silver foil covering the top half of the cigar with a red, white and blue band as the seam. Its a very well constructed diadema.
Let’s see how it smokes!
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Camacho Connecticut Monarca
Today I’m taking Camacho’s entrant into the world of milder bodied smokes for a spin. The Camacho Connecticut is a great looking stick that according to Camacho is “A spicy yet milder mannered Connecticut wrapped cigar with superb balance and signature Camacho body.†Camacho released this cigar to answer consumer requests for a milder, tamer stick compared to the rest of the Camacho lineup. Lets see if this stick lives up to Camacho’s description.
El Triunfador
I’m back with another lancero. This time it is the El Triunfador from Pete Johnson. Looking for information on the El Triunfador is impossible since it doesn’t even show up on the Havana Cellars/Tatuaje web site but I am more interested in the experience of this cigar anyway. Information or not, I cut into this beautiful stick and puffed away. Let see how it turned out.
Last reminder from me. You have today and tomorrow to enter our “Mr. Punch Says†contest. Submit your entry here.
Fuente Opus X Robusto
First off…Happy Birthday Ben! Have a great day and some great smokes.
Today I have my first Opus X. Unlike other reviews where I would have multiple sticks prior to a review, this time you are witnessing my first experience with the infamous Opus X so take this video for what it is…one cigar, one experience. That being said I expect a cigar of this stature to be what it is supposed to be every time you smoke it. Let see if this Opus lives up to it’s reputation.
G. A. R. Robusto Grande
This week, I’m reviewing the GAR robusto grande made by George A. Rico. George is well known for blending the Gran Habanos cigars as well as the famed 3 Siglos. These cigars are made in Danli, Honduras with Ecuadorian corojo wrapper, Ecuadorian Connecticut binder and blend of Nicaraguan filler. This cigar was very generously gifted to me from @BradInBuffalo on Twitter after I mentioned how I’ve wanted to try one. These cigars come in 4 sizes:
- Corona Gorda – 6 x 46
- Gran Consul – 4.75 x 60
- Torpedo – 6 x 54
- Robusto Grande – 5.5 x 52
Let’s see how it smokes
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El Original Natural
The El Original line was created in 1999 by the Island Smoke Shop in Key Largo, FL. The cigar incorporates a five county blend of tobacco, which is capped of with an Ecuadorian wrapper. The El Original is described as a full-bodied cigar, so I’ll fire it up and let you know my take on it.
While editing this video I realized that I never said whether or not this cigar was full-bodied or not. I would generally classify this cigar as medium-bodied, but full-flavored. Approximately the first inch of this cigar could possibly be classified as full bodied, but the cigar quickly mellowed out.
Now this video runs a bit longer than I originally intended, but this cigar inspired me to talk a little more about the differences between various vitolas. I would certainly appreciate you providing some feedback in the comments section to let me know your take on this subject.
Oliva Serie V Lancero
According to the Oliva Cigar Website, the Oliva Serie V is a complex blend of Nicaraguan long filler tobaccos. Blended with specially fermented Jalapa Valley ligero, and finished with a high priming Habano Sun Grown Wrapper. This cigar is blended to deliver full body taste while maintaining an unparalleled smoothness.
The Lancero vitola is 7†x 38 and carries a price point of around $5.50-$6.50 as a single.
So, for my first official review, let’s see what I thought of this cigar and see if it stands up to Oliva’s claim to be full bodied and smooth.
Remember to check out our July Contest and submit your entry before next Friday.
