Noob Adoption Reviews (Feb. '08)

[GHC_Hambone]

First of I wanna say thanks to reggiebuckeye who has been kind enough to "adopt" me and MCS for the idea:(http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=132828)

I will be putting all my reviews from the first month in this thread, other adoptees are welcome to post in here as well.

For the first month Reggie sent me the following:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj190/GHCHambone/CS/january.jpg

Yesterday a couple of my friends and I decided to go sledding, so I figured I'd bring a cigar along for the ride. I brought along the Padilla Hybrid.

I smoked some in the car and some outside so this isn't gonna be the most in depth review so please bear with me.

The cigar opened nicely, it was nutty and toasty. Draw was very good. After the first few puffs it picked up a bit of spice. Not to strong though and the smoke remianed smooth and creamy. After that the smoke was pretty much the same throughout, but I enjoyed it. I'd classify this as a medium body. Despite being outside the burn was very good as well.

I'd give it a 8/10, a little one-dimensional but still enjoyable smoke.

Hopefully next cigar I will be able to sit down and focus more on the cigar. Thanks for reading.

[reggiebuckeye]

Glad you enjoyed the smoke. The flavor profile does not change much, but it is a good smoke.

Can't wait to see the rest of your reviews.

[MarkinCA]

Nice review hambone. Man, its been years since I've been sledding. Actually, on a toboggan that is. We used to pile on 5 or 6 guys at a time and slide down a long hill and launch off a 2 to 3 foot embankment onto the frozen river during Winter. Fun, fun, fun, and your doing it with a cigar is even better. Rock on hambone...:ss

[GHC_Hambone]

I was able to smoke two more of the cigars this weekend. The first was the Cuba Aliados Double Fuerte.

I took off the cedar wrapping and the cigar didn't look too good. Lots of water spots and a few veins. I cut the cap and it unraveled a bit but after a little I got it to stay in place. It opened up with a mostly coffee flavor. I could taste a little dark chocolate as well. After the first 3rd some peppery flavors came through but the cigar began to get harsh. The peppery flavor remained throughout, I could taste a little of the coffee flavors I was getting before but it was harsh.

I didn't care for this one much, I do smoke full flavored smokes but this one was harsh to me. It did draw well however and the burn was good.

I give this a 5/10.

[GHC_Hambone]

Next up was the CAO Criollo. It was a nice looking cigar with a little pigtail cap. Cut it and the draw was perfect. It opened with a smooth nutty taste, with some hints of sweet spice. As it went on the spice picked up, a cinnamon like spice with a bit of sweetness. The taste was amazing, I'd say a medium body smoke with lots of flavor, but didn't get harsh.

I really enjoyed this smoke. Good construction, great draw and the burn was even. The taste was great, lots of sweet spice that stayed smooth. I will definitely be smoking more of these in the future!

My rating is 9.5/10.

Thanks for reading!

[gnukfu]

Nice review hambone. Man, its been years since I've been sledding. Actually, on a toboggan that is. We used to pile on 5 or 6 guys at a time and slide down a long hill and launch off a 2 to 3 foot embankment onto the frozen river during Winter. Fun, fun, fun, and your doing it with a cigar is even better. Rock on hambone...:ss

Yeah I used to do that too when I was in my teens and 20's. Nothing better than a toboggan with 5 guys on it wiping out when screaming downhill heading toward a tree. I'm surprised no one died. :D It was great fun!

Nice review!

[reggiebuckeye]

I was able to smoke two more of the cigars this weekend. The first was the Cuba Aliados Double Fuerte.

I took off the cedar wrapping and the cigar didn't look too good. Lots of water spots and a few veins. I cut the cap and it unraveled a bit but after a little I got it to stay in place. It opened up with a mostly coffee flavor. I could taste a little dark chocolate as well. After the first 3rd some peppery flavors came through but the cigar began to get harsh. The peppery flavor remained throughout, I could taste a little of the coffee flavors I was getting before but it was harsh.

I didn't care for this one much, I do smoke full flavored smokes but this one was harsh to me. It did draw well however and the burn was good.

I give this a 5/10.

This is my lesson in never buying until you have sampled. I got a good deal so I tried them. They are not my favorites. They don't come off that harsh to me. I am letting them age though. I hope it improves the smoke.



Next up was the CAO Criollo. It was a nice looking cigar with a little pigtail cap. Cut it and the draw was perfect. It opened with a smooth nutty taste, with some hints of sweet spice. As it went on the spice picked up, a cinnamon like spice with a bit of sweetness. The taste was amazing, I'd say a medium body smoke with lots of flavor, but didn't get harsh.

I really enjoyed this smoke. Good construction, great draw and the burn was even. The taste was great, lots of sweet spice that stayed smooth. I will definitely be smoking more of these in the future!

My rating is 9.5/10.

Thanks for reading!

This is one of my favorites. I do not smoke many because I am always sending them out in gift packages. I do love this cigar though.


Thank you for the reviews.

[GHC_Hambone]

This weekend it was warm enough on Saturday for a short smoke, so I pulled out the RyJ Maduro.

Started off ok, the draw was fine. I got coffee flavors with a bit of dark chocolate. It also had a little spice and was a little harsh. Burn was uneven but nothing major. Around the midway point it got a little sweeter and the harshness went away. The burn got better as well. It had good flavor but just not as full as some other maduros I've had. Overall though it was a decent smoke.

I give it a 7/10.

[Ron1YY]

This is one of my favorites. I do not smoke many because I am always sending them out in gift packages. I do love this cigar though.


God, I do love when people post things like this :ss :r


Ron

[reggiebuckeye]

God, I do love when people post things like this :ss :r


Ron

There is nothing to see here, Ron. MOVE ALONG!!!!!

Joe, I am glad you enjoyed most of what you have recieved. I see you saved the Oliva for last. I am very interested in seeing what you have to say about that one. It was one of the first cigars I smoked when I started.

I have your shipment for next month packed already. It is just waiting until the end of the month.

[Freight]

Once again I want to thank MCS for allowing me to be his adoptee.

I don't have any pictures of the 10 cigars MCS sent me yet, but I will once I have the time. Coming back from a much needed vacation and getting married in April is overwhelming! :hn

Anyways enough about me. I was finally able to smoke one of the many cigars sent to me by MCS.


Cuesta Rey Belicoso Review :ss

The cigar had a light brown wrapper and the construction looked good. The cigar burnt well with a consistent draw. The flavor was woody but smooth and then started getting spicy half way through and finally got too spicy for me three-quarters of the way that I had to put it down. :(

My rating: 4/10