 |  | HOYO DE MONTERREY Double Corona |
| Country: Cuba | Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba
|
| Manufacturer: Habanos S.A. | Filler: Cuba | Price: G
|
| Panelist #1 | Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!
I'll take 10 more boxes of these,
although I have a sinking feeling
they are illegal. SCORE: 4.9
|
| Panelist #2 | This cigar is extremely reminiscent
of the classic Cuban double coronas.
I actually licked my fingers after
smoking this beauty. SCORE: 4.3
|
| Panelist #3 | This cigar definitely gave me that
Havana Daydreaming feel. It's
similar to a Punch Double Corona,
but not as strong. SCORE: 4.7
|
| Panelist #4 | This cigar does its job perfectly,
leaving no doubt that I would
buy these for myself (if I wasn't
breaking any laws). SCORE: 4.5
|
 |  | NAT SHERMAN LANDMARK SELECT. Dakota |
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Cameroon | Binder: Mexico
|
| Manufacturer: Nat Sherman | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: E
|
| Panelist #1 | A thoroughly enjoyable cigar that
is strong, flavorful, and smooth.
A perfect companion to a single-
batch bourbon. SCORE: 4.2
|
| Panelist #2 | Other than one sample that came
apart during smoking and left a bad
impression, this is a cigar that I
enjoyed smoking. SCORE: 3.7
|
| Panelist #3 | This cigar offers a very interesting
combination of fruity and spicy
flavors that I have not found
before. SCORE: 3.5
|
| Panelist #4 | This is a good medium-bodied
cigar that is smooth and tasty
and can be enjoyed at any
time of the day. SCORE: 3.6
|
 |  | BALMORAL Churchill |
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: DR/Brazil
|
| Manufacturer: Agio Caribbean | Filler: DR/Brazil | Price: C
|
| Panelist #1 | This well-made, light cigar is not
very complex. It's most suitable for
beginners or for that early round
of golf. SCORE: 3.5
|
| Panelist #2 | This is a good-tasting, well-made,
and very mild cigar that is not the
stuff of memories, but still a solid
performer. SCORE: 3.1
|
| Panelist #3 | This cigar tastes very mild and has
a thin smoke. It's not bad, but it
may need more zip to really stand
out in the market. SCORE: 2.5
|
| Panelist #4 | A beautiful cigar to look at and
to hold. It's unfortunate that the
taste is not more bold, but it's
good for beginners. SCORE: 3.0
|
 |  | LA HAVANITA Maestro |
| Country: U.S.A. | Wrapper: Dominican Republic | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: La Havanita | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: E
|
| Panelist #1 | Based on the solid taste, I can easily
recommend this cigar. Based on the
tight draw and self-destructing
wrappers, I cannot. SCORE: 3.2
|
| Panelist #2 | I would have purchased this cigar
based on its appearance and
been disappointed. The flavor is
too grassy. SCORE: 2.4
|
| Panelist #3 | This is a "must try" cigar that I
will definitely let my friends know
about. It is never overbearing,
despite its girth. SCORE: 4.4
|
| Panelist #4 | An inconsistent smoke. Some sam-
ples were beautiful, while others
suffered taste and construction
problems. SCORE: 3.9
|
 |  | GLORIA PALMERA Double Corona |
| Country: Canary Islands | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Indonesia
|
| Manufacturer: P.A.C.O./Comet | Filler: Canary/DR/Brazil | Price: C
|
| Panelist #1 | This cigar is packed with tobacco,
so it's a good thing the blend tastes
good. Although it is young, it has
definite promise. SCORE: 3.7
|
| Panelist #2 | Unfortunately, I found this cigar
just too difficult to like. The
flavor never develops and it has
a harsh quality. SCORE: 2.5
|
| Panelist #3 | In a smaller size, this cigar would
make a good enough morning
cigar. As a double corona, it doesn't
keep my interest. SCORE: 2.6
|
| Panelist #4 | I probably wouldn't smoke this
cigar, but someone who likes a
large cigar without heavy flavor
might like these. SCORE: 2.9
|
 |  | DUNHILL Peravias |
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Lane Ltd. | Filler: DR/Brazil | Price: E
|
| Panelist #1 | A great cigar that is very consistent
in every category. I am guessing
it's a Dunhill, given the excellent
quality. SCORE: 4.1
|
| Panelist #2 | This is a sublime cigar that offers
a complete package of Dominican
flavor. It's rich, smooth, sweet, and
very easygoing. SCORE: 3.8
|
| Panelist #3 | A mild and friendly flavor is the
highlight here, but it would have
scored much higher if the draw had
been more generous. SCORE: 3.3
|
| Panelist #4 | This cigar is light in flavor, but
heavy in character. It is very
consistent in every category and
earns high marks. SCORE: 4.0
|
 |  | EL REY DEL MUNDO Robustos Suprema |
| Country: Honduras | Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Honduras
|
| Manufacturer: Cigars by Santa Clara | Filler: DR/Honduras | Price: C
|
| Panelist #1 | Make sure to leave enough time
to savor this splendid stogie; it's
a great stress reliever, especially
with a good scotch. SCORE: 4.1
|
| Panelist #2 | Set aside at least 90 minutes for
this impressive looking cigar, but
don't expect the taste to be as
good as its looks. SCORE: 3.4
|
| Panelist #3 | The wrapper on this cigar has an
unusual beauty. The flavor is gutsy
and eventful, providing plenty of
smoking pleasure. SCORE: 4.5
|
| Panelist #4 | This is a beautiful cigar that
is just short of being a great
one. Still, there is a lot here for
people to enjoy. SCORE: 3.6
|
 |  | POR MATAMOR DJB |
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Club Imports | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: C
|
| Panelist #1 | There is nothing wrong with this
cigar's construction, but the flavor
is extremely light. It's not bad, just
don't expect much. SCORE: 3.3
|
| Panelist #2 | Despite its extreme mildness, this
cigar's clean and lightly sweet
flavor grew on me. Fans of mild
cigars will like this. SCORE: 3.6
|
| Panelist #3 | This well-crafted cigar offers an
easy smoking experience, but the
mild blend comes up short in
the flavor department. SCORE: 2.7
|
| Panelist #4 | This is a good, basic Dominican
cigar, best-suited for early in the
day, as a heavy meal or drink will
overpower it. SCORE: 3.0
|
 |  | PUNCH Chateau L (Double Maduro) |
| Country: Honduras | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Honduras
|
| Manufacturer: Danby-Villazon | Filler: DR/Hon/Nic | Price: C
|
| Panelist #1 | A well-made, above average, large
maduro cigar that is best enjoyed
after dinner, although it's not as
strong as you think. SCORE: 3.9
|
| Panelist #2 | This cigar shows good quality in all
respects. The flavors are subtle
and well-balanced, and the con-
struction is superb. SCORE: 3.6
|
| Panelist #3 | This is a mild and pleasant cigar,
with a well-balanced flavor. It's
good for anytime of the day, if
you have the time. SCORE: 3.7
|
| Panelist #4 | This cigar will appeal to lovers
of earthy Honduran tobacco,
maduro flavor, and well-made
big cigars. SCORE: 3.6
|
 |  | LEON JIMENES No. 1 |
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: La Aurora, S.A. | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: C
|
| Panelist #1 | A very well-made Dominican cigar
that offers a problem-free smoking
experience, but for this size I wish
it had more kick. SCORE: 3.5
|
| Panelist #2 | This cigar provides a showcase on
how a big cigar should perform.
The construction is perfect and
the taste satisfying. SCORE: 4.0
|
| Panelist #3 | An unassuming, elegant cigar that
smokes slow and lacks smoke pro-
duction, but that is suitable for
mild cigar smokers. SCORE: 3.8
|
| Panelist #4 | Smoking this cigar is a symphonic
experience of perfectly balanced
construction and a superior blend
of mild tobaccos. SCORE: 4.4
|
 |  | DON LINO Churchill |
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Miami Cigars | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: C
|
| Panelist #1 | This cigar definitely shines. I am
truly impressed with how good
it tastes and smokes. It's a re-
warding experience. SCORE: 4.6
|
| Panelist #2 | If you've smoked Davidoff, Fuente,
or Ashton, you know what this
cigar is all about. I'm making room
for it in my humidor. SCORE: 4.3
|
| Panelist #3 | A well-constructed cigar that burns
nice and slowly, allowing for a long,
leisurely smoke, but I could have
used a bit more flavor. SCORE: 3.6
|
| Panelist #4 | You can't complain about a cigar
like this, as it accomplishes all
it is built for. Lovers of light cigars
should consider this. SCORE: 4.1
|