Fall 98
Volume III
Issue 4

Cigar Rights of America

SMOKE Cigar Ratings
RatingQuality
  
0-2.0Poor
2.1-2.9Fair
3.0-3.5Good
3.6-4.4Excellent
4.5-5.0Superior
Price Codes
A$1.00 to $2.50
B$2.51 to $3.75
C$3.75 to $5.75
D$5.76 to $7.50
E$7.51 to $10.50
F$10.51 to $14.99
G$14.99 and above

Season of Smoke - Coronas


Coronas | Petit Coronas | Gran Coronas | Double Coronas | Aged Cigars






Coronas...
HINDS BROS. HONDURAN Corona
Country: Honduras Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Honduras
Manufacturer: Hinds Brothers, Ltd. Filler: Honduras Price: B
Panelist #1A good afternoon cigar that is mild throughout. Perfect for a day on the golf course or other outdoor activity. SCORE: 3.9
Panelist #2This cigar offers a pleasant and light smoking experience that is right for anytime of the day. It's a meal in itself. SCORE: 3.6
Panelist #3This is a very straightforward cigar that offers good flavor in a well- made package, but doesn't really stand out in a crowd. SCORE: 3.5
Panelist #4This is a good, everyday type of cigar. It's not spectacular, but it has a hearty flavor that will sat- isfy most palates. SCORE: 3.5

LA FLOR DOMINICANA Insurrectos
Country: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Connecticut Binder: Dominican Republic
Manufacturer: La Flor Dominicana Filler: Dominican Republic Price: C
Panelist #1This cigar improves as you smoke it, but it never becomes anything to wake the neighbors about. Aging might improve it. SCORE: 3.0
Panelist #2A decent cigar, but the tobacco might be under-fermented and in need of additional aging. Try again in six months. SCORE: 2.4
Panelist #3This is your basic good Dominican cigar that every humidor should not be without. This is a bargain if under $4. SCORE: 3.3
Panelist #4I think I would like this light cigar better in a torpedo or robusto size, in order to get more smoke. It's OK, but mild. SCORE: 2.9

MIYARES Corona (Maduro)
Country: U.S.A. Wrapper: Connecticut Binder: Indonesian
Manufacturer: Miyares Cigar Co. Filler: DR/Indonesia Price: C
Panelist #1This is an excellent cigar that goes very well with a glass of red wine. It is an elegant smoke, to be savored. SCORE: 4.3
Panelist #2A good-looking cigar with fabulous construction. The flavor is great, and will hold up well after a big meal. SCORE: 4.0
Panelist #3Put this one in the win column! A great cigar for anyone seeking a rich maduro experience. It went perfectly with a dark beer. SCORE: 4.6
Panelist #4My advice is to buy this cigar immediately. Complex flavors abound, they look good, and smoke wonderfully. SCORE: 4.4

CONDAL No. 4
Country: Canary Islands Wrapper: Connecticut Binder: Mexico
Manufacturer: CITA Tabacos Filler: DR/Brazil Price: C
Panelist #1This is not what I would call an outstanding cigar, but certainly nothing to complain about. It's a bit mild for me. SCORE: 3.0
Panelist #2This is a quick-burning cigar that I would smoke during the day due to its light taste. A good choice for beginners. SCORE: 3.3
Panelist #3While not what you would call a "kick ass" cigar, this is a very en- joyable smoke with many virtues. I would buy it. SCORE: 4.3
Panelist #4This cigar is enjoyable, but it does not live up to the expectations its good looks promise. Still, it's a fine, mild smoke. SCORE: 3.5

BERING Plaza
Country: Honduras Wrapper: Honduras Binder: Honduras
Manufacturer: Swisher International Filler: Hon/Mex/DR/Nic Price: A
Panelist #1This is an acceptable everyday cigar that is on the strong side. If you don't expect too much from it, it won't let you down. SCORE: 3.1
Panelist #2This cigar is a feisty little monster. While it starts mild it turns into the Tazmanian Devil. A real punishing smoke. SCORE: 2.2
Panelist #3Not the best looking cigar, but it is well-made. The taste suffers from a dry, tart finish. An OK cigar if it is priced low. SCORE: 2.8
Panelist #4This is a friendly cigar that will appeal to a large audience. It's not overly special, but nothing bad either. SCORE: 3.1

The Zippo Blu!

EMIGRANTE Corona
Country: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Indonesia Binder: Dominican Republic
Manufacturer: Santiago Cigar Company Filler: Dominican Republic Price: C
Panelist #1A very pleasant cigar that is not overly complex. It is medium to strong, with a distinct and full- flavored style. SCORE: 3.8
Panelist #2A fine cigar that is powerful yet graceful. Despite the tight roll, I found this to be a perfect after- dinner cigar. SCORE: 4.1
Panelist #3This cigar tastes and smells great, although it is a little dry on the finish. It's a hearty, early-evening treat. SCORE: 3.9
Panelist #4This cigar has a Cuban style. It's spicy, earthy, and smooth, and gets stronger as you smoke it. Good job! SCORE: 4.4

CUESTA REY DOMINICAN No. 5
Country: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Connecticut Binder: Dominican Republic
Manufacturer: J.C. Newman Filler: Dominican Republic Price: C
Panelist #1These samples are very consistent. If I knew what they were, I would buy some right now. Flavorful and medium-bodied. SCORE: 3.9
Panelist #2You can't go wrong with this smoke, especially if you like mild-bodied treats. It is very consistent from sample to sample. SCORE: 3.8
Panelist #3This is a good little cigar that did well in all categories. It looks good, smokes effortlessly, and tastes good. Easy to enjoy. SCORE: 3.6
Panelist #4This cigar gives an awesome presentation, but total enjoyment is thwarted by a fairly mundane flavor. SCORE: 3.0

LA UNICA No. 500 (Natural)
Country: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Connecticut Binder: Dominican Republic
Manufacturer: J.C. Newman Filler: Dominican Republic Price: C
Panelist #1A nice effort here. This cigar is well- made and has a clean and pretty flavor. Best for afternoon, given its lightweight status. SCORE: 3.9
Panelist #2A flavorful smoke that burns well and satisfies. Goes well after dinner with a good scotch. I would smoke these again. SCORE: 3.8
Panelist #3As much as I tried, I just couldn't enjoy this cigar. The mild flavors were overcome by a strong ammonia taste. SCORE: 2.5
Panelist #4This is a cigar with some unique flavor characteristics that make it better as an occasional smoke than for everyday. SCORE: 3.5

NEXT GENERATION Corona
Country: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Indonesia Binder: Dominican Republic
Manufacturer: Quality Cigar Partners Filler: Dominican Republic Price: C
Panelist #1This is a mild- to medium-bodied cigar that I would consider as an everyday pre-lunch smoke. It kept my attention. SCORE: 3.2
Panelist #2This cigar's taste and aroma re- minds me of baking with dark chocolate. Save this treat for after dinner. SCORE: 3.6
Panelist #3This cigar is inoffensive and has its pleasant moments, but loses points for the uneven burn and bland, ordinary flavor. SCORE: 2.5
Panelist #4This cigar is a flat-out gamer. I anticipate a trip to Canada to buy these, but I sure hope I am wrong. SCORE: 4.7

BURT REYNOLDS Corona
Country: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Indonesia (Java) Binder: Dominican Republic
Manufacturer: Tabacalera Don Rafael Filler: Dominican Republic Price: D
Panelist #1This cigar has great construction and a perfectly balanced flavor that makes it suitable as a morning or evening smoke. SCORE: 4.3
Panelist #2This cigar has a rough look, but makes up for it with some truly ass-kicking, robust flavor. It's a very enjoyable smoke. SCORE: 4.1
Panelist #3This cigar wants to be strong, but is unable to deliver, due to a bitterness that undercuts the good flavor it does have. SCORE: 2.6
Panelist #4This horse started quick, gave ground in the middle, and faded late, but it's good enough to try again. SCORE: 3.3

PuroExpress.Com

AZ Corona
Country: Mexico Wrapper: Mexico Binder: Mexico
Manufacturer: Herdman Distributors Filler: Mexico Price: B
Panelist #1Some cigars just taste good, and this is one of them. This is a very enjoyable way to spend an hour. SCORE: 4.2
Panelist #2This is not a cigar for me. While others may like its direct style, it didn't have enough to win my attention. SCORE: 2.9
Panelist #3This cigar is deserving of a space in anybody's humidor. It is a refreshing pleasure, just like a crisp February afternoon. SCORE: 4.0
Panelist #4Lovers of strong cigars may go for this, but my palate had trouble dealing with this stogie's pure strength. SCORE: 3.2

TAMBORIL Corona
Country: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Connecticut Binder: Dominican Republic
Manufacturer: Tamboril Cigar Co. Filler: Dominican Republic Price: C
Panelist #1This is a cigar that is consistent in flavor and intensity. It's probably best enjoyed in the morning, or after a light meal. SCORE: 3.6
Panelist #2Not a real strong performer. The combination of flavor, aroma, and finish are underwhelming and not to my tastes. SCORE: 2.5
Panelist #3This mild- to medium-bodied cigar grew on me and won my favor as a cigar to start the day with, or to smoke before dinner. SCORE: 3.4
Panelist #4This cigar is certainly not bad, but it lacks the lush, complex flavors I like. A good outdoor activity cigar. SCORE: 3.2

JOSE LLOPIS No. 4
Country: Panama Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Mexico
Manufacturer: Arango Filler: DR/Honduras/Panama Price: C
Panelist #1I started ambivalent about this cigar, but it won me over with its charms. It's well-crafted, and has above-average taste. SCORE: 4.3
Panelist #2This is a very consistent cigar in regards to construction, but the taste was missing. It might be OK for beginners. SCORE: 2.3
Panelist #3This is the most consistent cigar in the review. It is surprisingly tasty, and worth buying and aging to see it improve further. SCORE: 3.9
Panelist #4Although I love the way these cigars look, the flavor does not do it for me. I kept hoping for a smoother taste. SCORE: 3.1

ROYAL JAMAICA Corona
Country: Jamaica Wrapper: Java Binder: Mexico
Manufacturer: Lane Ltd./Jamaica Tobacco Filler: Jamaica/DR/Sumatra Price: C
Panelist #1I smoked these in the morning with some strong black coffee and it was a great way to start my day. SCORE: 4.0
Panelist #2This cigar looks and feels good, but the pleasure for me ended there. Perhaps some aging will improve it. SCORE: 2.7
Panelist #3This cigar loses points for the tight draw, which inhibits the flavor. I feel this blend in a bigger size would fare much better. SCORE: 3.4
Panelist #4Sitting outside with this cigar while drinking multiple pints of Carlsberg is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.SCORE: 4.2

J-R ULTIMATE Corona (Natural)
Country: Honduras Wrapper: Honduras Binder: Honduras
Manufacturer: Cigars by Santa Clara Filler: Honduras Price: A
Panelist #1This is a spectacular cigar that I look forward to smoking again. It tastes so good I could smoke it all day long. SCORE: 4.3
Panelist #2A good afternoon or pre-lunch cigar, due to its light style. If the price is low, this would be a great everyday smoke. SCORE: 3.5
Panelist #3This cigar is exquisitely crafted and has some pleasant earthy flavors, but the grassy quality indicates the need for aging. SCORE: 3.4
Panelist #4This cigar is very good in all cate- gories and is suitable for all smo- kers, except for those who only smoke strong cigars. SCORE: 4.1

PUROFINO DOM El Fumo
Country: Honduras Wrapper: Connecticut Binder: Pennsylvania
Manufacturer: Purofino Cigars Filler: Nicaragua/DR Price: E
Panelist #1This is a full-bodied little monster that hits you over the head with deep, earthy flavors. The flavor stays strong and satisfying.
Panelist #2Wow! This strong and spicy cigar gives a ton of nose burn. There are big flavors here, but only the experienced won't be overwhelmed.
Panelist #3Full-bodied and strong, with a lavish amount of spicy, earthy, and sweet flavors. This is a bold cigar for the adventurous smoker.
Panelist #4This cigar packs a punch, but it eases as you smoke it. There are strong, earthy flavors and an imp- ressively thick, sweet quality.


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