 |  | HINDS BROS. HONDURAN Corona |
| Country: Honduras | Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Honduras
|
| Manufacturer: Hinds Brothers, Ltd. | Filler: Honduras | Price: B
|
| Panelist #1 | A good afternoon cigar that is
mild throughout. Perfect for a
day on the golf course or other
outdoor activity. SCORE: 3.9
|
| Panelist #2 | This 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 #3 | This 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 #4 | This 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 #1 | This cigar improves as you smoke it,
but it never becomes anything to
wake the neighbors about. Aging
might improve it. SCORE: 3.0
|
| Panelist #2 | A decent cigar, but the tobacco
might be under-fermented and in
need of additional aging. Try again
in six months. SCORE: 2.4
|
| Panelist #3 | This is your basic good Dominican
cigar that every humidor should
not be without. This is a bargain
if under $4. SCORE: 3.3
|
| Panelist #4 | I 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
|
 |  | CONDAL No. 4 |
| Country: Canary Islands | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Mexico
|
| Manufacturer: CITA Tabacos | Filler: DR/Brazil | Price: C
|
| Panelist #1 | This 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 #2 | This 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 #3 | While 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 #4 | This 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
|
 |  | EMIGRANTE Corona |
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Indonesia | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Santiago Cigar Company | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: C
|
| Panelist #1 | A very pleasant cigar that is not
overly complex. It is medium to
strong, with a distinct and full-
flavored style. SCORE: 3.8
|
| Panelist #2 | A 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 #3 | This 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 #4 | This 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 #1 | These samples are very consistent.
If I knew what they were, I would
buy some right now. Flavorful and
medium-bodied. SCORE: 3.9
|
| Panelist #2 | You 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 #3 | This 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 #4 | This 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 #1 | A 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 #2 | A flavorful smoke that burns well
and satisfies. Goes well after dinner
with a good scotch. I would smoke
these again. SCORE: 3.8
|
| Panelist #3 | As 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 #4 | This 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 #1 | This 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 #2 | This cigar's taste and aroma re-
minds me of baking with dark
chocolate. Save this treat for
after dinner. SCORE: 3.6
|
| Panelist #3 | This cigar is inoffensive and has its
pleasant moments, but loses points
for the uneven burn and bland,
ordinary flavor. SCORE: 2.5
|
| Panelist #4 | This 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 #1 | This cigar has great construction
and a perfectly balanced flavor that
makes it suitable as a morning or
evening smoke. SCORE: 4.3
|
| Panelist #2 | This 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 #3 | This 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 #4 | This horse started quick, gave
ground in the middle, and faded
late, but it's good enough to
try again. SCORE: 3.3
|
 |  | TAMBORIL Corona |
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Tamboril Cigar Co. | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: C
|
| Panelist #1 | This 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 #2 | Not a real strong performer. The
combination of flavor, aroma, and
finish are underwhelming and not
to my tastes. SCORE: 2.5
|
| Panelist #3 | This 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 #4 | This 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 #1 | I 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 #2 | This is a very consistent cigar in
regards to construction, but the
taste was missing. It might be
OK for beginners. SCORE: 2.3
|
| Panelist #3 | This 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 #4 | Although 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
|
 |  | J-R ULTIMATE Corona (Natural) |
| Country: Honduras | Wrapper: Honduras | Binder: Honduras
|
| Manufacturer: Cigars by Santa Clara | Filler: Honduras | Price: A
|
| Panelist #1 | This 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 #2 | A 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 #3 | This cigar is exquisitely crafted and
has some pleasant earthy flavors,
but the grassy quality indicates the
need for aging. SCORE: 3.4
|
| Panelist #4 | This 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 #1 | This is a full-bodied little monster
that hits you over the head with
deep, earthy flavors. The flavor
stays strong and satisfying.
|
| Panelist #2 | Wow! 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 #3 | Full-bodied and strong, with a lavish
amount of spicy, earthy, and sweet
flavors. This is a bold cigar for the
adventurous smoker.
|
| Panelist #4 | This cigar packs a punch, but it
eases as you smoke it. There are
strong, earthy flavors and an imp-
ressively thick, sweet quality.
|