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CUESTA-REY Dominican No. 5
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| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: J.C. Newman Cigar Co. | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $4.65
|
| Panelist #1 |
A well-balanced package that's
mild enough for the daytime, but
bold enough to stand up after a
big meal. I'd buy this. SCORE: 4.8
|
| Panelist #2 |
This corona's strength impressed
me, especially given the demure
size of the cigar. A very pleasant
smoking experience. SCORE: 3.9
|
| Panelist #3 |
This corona is packed with good
flavor. It's an excellent choice for
mild cigar smokers who want a
bit more taste. SCORE: 3.8
|
| Panelist #4 |
A great cigar from start to finish.
You can't go wrong with this
solid performer. Suitable for
newbies and pros. SCORE: 4.1
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DUNHILL DOMINICAN VALVERDES Corona
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| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Lane Ltd. | Filler: DR/Brazil | Price: $5.85
|
| Panelist #1 |
This is an outstanding mild cigar
that will please the experienced
palates, and welcome neophytes
to cigar smoking. SCORE: 4.5
|
| Panelist #2 |
If I bought cigars for the aroma
alone, I'd snatch these up in a
second. Since I don't, I'll have to
pass on this one. SCORE: 3.1
|
| Panelist #3 |
This cigar is a pleasure to smoke,
but its mild character will turn
off the hardened smoker. It's for
the meek at heart. SCORE: 4.1
|
| Panelist #4 |
This cigar went perfectly with a
rich merlot. It's a great cigar for
beginners, because they'll want to
come back for more. SCORE: 4.1
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MONTAGUE Corona No. 3 (Maduro)
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| Country: Indonesia | Wrapper: Brazil | Binder: Indonesia
|
| Manufacturer: Swedish Match, NA | Filler: Indonesia/Brazil | Price: $5.00
|
| Panelist #1 |
This cigar will appeal to those
who prefer strong, complex cigars,
and whose palates can handle a
brash smoke. SCORE: 3.9
|
| Panelist #2 |
This is not a finesse cigar; it comes
out swinging! Experienced smokers
will have fun with this. Some aging
should mellow it out. SCORE: 3.5
|
| Panelist #3 |
This is a good cigar that is probably
best suited for the experienced
smoker. Its strength might be tem-
pered by a little aging. SCORE: 3.7
|
| Panelist #4 |
This sure tastes like a Cuban
cigar, but given the maduro
wrapper, I am doubtful it is. Still,
it's a great smoke. SCORE: 4.1
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PARTAGAS No. 2
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| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Cameroon | Binder: Mexico
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| Manufacturer: General Cigar | Filler: DR/Mexico | Price: $4.75
|
| Panelist #1 |
This easygoing little smoke is
suitable for most any situation.
It tastes so good, I wish it were a
double corona. SCORE: 4.7
|
| Panelist #2 |
Despite a slow start, this cigar
really blossoms. This could be a
Havana. Either way, it's a special-occasion smoke. SCORE: 4.3
|
| Panelist #3 |
Fans of strong, in-your-face cigars
might like this brash smoke, but
I found the hot, one-dimensional
flavor tiresome. SCORE: 2.7
|
| Panelist #4 |
This cigar has amazing strength
and complexity for its size. It's
very similar in style to a Cuban.
Could it be? SCORE: 4.4
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FELIPE GREGORIO Sereno
|
| Country: Honduras | Wrapper: Honduras | Binder: Honduras
|
| Manufacturer: Felipe Gregorio | Filler: Honduras | Price: $6.80
|
| Panelist #1 |
This is a very complex and tasty
cigar, with some unique flavors.
Somewhat similar to a Lars Tetens,
but much better. SCORE: 4.0
|
| Panelist #2 |
Though not great to look at, this
cigar delivers complex, rich flavors
and packs a good punch. For lovers
of full-bodied smokes. SCORE: 3.8
|
| Panelist #3 |
A dry, coarse, medium-strength
cigar with some good flavor, but
the lack of subtlety and complexity
detract slightly. SCORE: 3.2
|
| Panelist #4 |
Despite a youthful sting, this cigar
has some good, rich flavor. I think
a few months in the humidor will
work wonders here. SCORE: 3.6
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HUGO CASSAR DIAMOND DOMINICAN Grand Corona
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| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
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| Manufacturer: Kretek Inc. | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $3.95
|
| Panelist #1 |
The only thing this cigar lacks is
complexity, but if you like a simple,
relaxing, and tasty smoke, this is
one to try. SCORE: 4.3
|
| Panelist #2 |
You can't go wrong with this cigar.
I liked everything about it. It went
particularly well with a bottle of
fine Merlot. SCORE: 4.1
|
| Panelist #3 |
An easy cigar to smoke and to enjoy, with good approachable flavor
that is enjoyable, despite a bitter
quality that creeps in. SCORE: 3.3
|
| Panelist #4 |
This cigar never really asserts itself, and comes across as rather
ordinary. It has a young flavor
that adds a bite. SCORE: 3.0
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FLOR DEL CARIBE Duques
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| Country: Honduras | Wrapper: Indonesia | Binder: Honduras
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| Manufacturer: Arango Cigar | Filler: DR/Hon/Nicaragua | Price: $1.80
|
| Panelist #1 |
While not my size of choice, I
enjoyed this honest cigar. It's not
so strong as to distract, nor so
mild that it bores. SCORE: 4.0
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| Panelist #2 |
This cigar suffers from a tight draw,
which made some of the samples
unsmokable. Too bad, as the flavor
gets higher marks. SCORE: 2.5
|
| Panelist #3 |
An enjoyable medium-bodied cigar
that would be ideal after a seafood
meal with a glass of white wine, or
in the afternoon. SCORE: 3.6
|
| Panelist #4 |
This little cigar provides a ton of
fine tobacco flavor. It's not overly
complicated, but what it does, it
does well. SCORE: 4.2
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HENRY CLAY Brevas
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| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
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| Manufacturer: Consolidated Cigar | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $3.20
|
| Panelist #1 |
Overall, this is a pleasing cigar.
Don't let its rough look fool you.
This well-made cigar is full of bold
and assertive flavor. SCORE: 3.7
|
| Panelist #2 |
This is a cigar that I can easily
recommend to my friends. It's well-constructed, has good flavor, and
plenty of character. SCORE: 4.4
|
| Panelist #3 |
A steady performer. Good construction with mature leaf that provides
a light, spicy taste, makes this a
cigar not to turn down. SCORE: 3.6
|
| Panelist #4 |
This cigar starts rough, although
some decent flavors come through
too late. Still, it might be worth a
shot if priced low. SCORE: 2.5
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DON DOMINGUEZ SIGNATURE SERIES Corona
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| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Indonesia | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Don Dominguez Inc. | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $6.00
|
| Panelist #1 |
A well-made, mild corona that provides plenty of complex flavor for
the palate to savor. It held up well
with a single malt. SCORE: 4.3
|
| Panelist #2 |
Not a cigar for meek palates, due
to its significant strength. I dreamed
of the tobacco fields of Cuba while
smoking this one. SCORE: 4.2
|
| Panelist #3 |
This is a smoke for experienced
smokers. While I won't put money
on it, I'd say this is Cuban. If not,
I'm extra impressed. SCORE: 4.1
|
| Panelist #4 |
A Cinderella story. This ugly-duck-
ling cigar proves itself a classy
and mature player. An extremely
pleasant surprise. SCORE: 3.7
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ASHTON Corona
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| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
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| Manufacturer: Holt's Cigar Co. | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $6.00
|
| Panelist #1 |
This is a very special cigar that
excels in every category. It was
a pleasure to smoke. I can't wait
to find out what it is. SCORE: 4.6
|
| Panelist #2 |
A cigar that helps hardcore smokers
regulate their palates, and reminds
them of the joys to be found in a
kinder, gentler cigar. SCORE: 4.5
|
| Panelist #3 |
I loved this cigar! While I usually
prefer strong, robust cigars, I fully
appreciated this one's mellow and
refined style. SCORE: 4.8
|
| Panelist #4 |
I lit this up after a dinner with my
stuffy boss, and she even complimented its fine aroma. This is a
cigar to show off. SCORE: 4.1
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BOLIVAR Cuadrado No. 4
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| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Mexico
|
| Manufacturer: Cigars by Santa Clara | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $4.25
|
| Panelist #1 |
A quality smoke that satisfies as
is, and will likely improve with some
aging. I especially enjoyed it with a
cup of coffee. SCORE: 4.3
|
| Panelist #2 |
A great cigar that is obviously made
with top-quality materials, by the
most skilled hands. This one is easy
to recommend. SCORE: 4.5
|
| Panelist #3 |
Given the quality materials and construction, this cigar is likely expensive.
Could still be a bargain, since you can
smoke it to the end. SCORE: 3.8
|
| Panelist #4 |
A good, mellow cigar for early-afternoon smoking. I especially
recommend it with a glass of cool,
fruity wine. SCORE: 3.9
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ZINO CONNOISSEUR SERIES No. 300
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| Country: Honduras | Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Honduras
|
| Manufacturer: Davidoff of Geneva | Filler: Honduras | Price: $8.00
|
| Panelist #1 |
This cigar ranks with some of my
favorite smokes. It excels in all
categories and I can't wait to
smoke it again. SCORE: 4.5
|
| Panelist #2 |
This is one of the best cigars that I
reviewed. It's a cigar that is perfect
for a special occasion, or a day on
the golf course. SCORE: 4.0
|
| Panelist #3 |
A sublime, rich cigar that provides
a complex, smooth, luscious flavor.
I'll stock up on this cigar as soon as
I discover what it is. SCORE: 4.6
|
| Panelist #4 |
This is an excellent all-around
cigar that most cigar lovers will
find quite enjoyable. It's a sure-fire winner. SCORE: 3.7
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NEXT GENERATION Corona
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| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Indonesia | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Quality Cigar Partners | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $4.00
|
| Panelist #1 |
I've seen cigars so ugly they were
handsome, but this isn't one of
them. However, this one tastes
pretty darn good. SCORE: 3.3
|
| Panelist #2 |
This is a cigar that I will add to my
list of keepers, once I find out what
it is. A good cigar for the late afternoon or evening. SCORE: 3.8
|
| Panelist #3 |
This cigar has above-average flavor
and aroma, but the construction
suffers and adds extra effort to the
whole experience. SCORE: 3.1
|
| Panelist #4 |
The port I was drinking over-powered this cigar. Perhaps a light
ale would be better. Still, this is a
decent tasting cigar. SCORE: 3.6
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EMIGRANTE Belicoso
|
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Indonesia | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Santiago Cigar Co. | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $4.00
|
| Panelist #1 |
While I won't tell you to keep your
Montecristos and Cohibas, this is
one of the best cigars I've smoked
in a long while. SCORE: 4.6
|
| Panelist #2 |
A superb smoke! A unique, robust,
rich, and satisfying cigar that both
beginners and experts should get
a big kick out of. SCORE: 4.3
|
| Panelist #3 |
A uniquely flavored cigar that grew
more exciting to smoke with each
puff. I'd go out of my way to try
this cigar again. SCORE: 4.4
|
| Panelist #4 |
This cigar has a vibrant array of
flavors, spearheaded by a distinct,
sweet quality. It's like eating a
big, lavish dessert. SCORE: 4.1
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