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Smoke's Top Rated Summer Cigars (cont.)
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 |  | GARO X ANIVERSARIO Salomon | Country:
DR | Manufacturer:
Garo Habano | Size:
7 x 58 | Filler:
DR/Nic/Peru | Binder:
Indo | Wrapper:
Nic | | Panelist #1 | A first-class experience, from my first impression to my last puff. This large cigar is a connoisseur's choice.
9.9 SUPERIOR | | Panelist #2 | Settle into a leather recliner for this one, and set aside an hour-and-a-half. And you may want a good book.
8.6 VERY GOOD | | Panelist #3 | Nothing wrong with this one, but if you're looking for more power, you may want to invest time elsewhere.
8.1 GOOD | | Panelist #4 | A four-course meal is the right lead-in to this cigar, and a well-aged Cognac is the perfect companion.
9.1 EXCELLENT |
 |  | E. ZARZUELA Toro Grande | Country:
DR | Manufacturer:
Cuba Tobacco Trading | Size:
6 x 52 | Filler:
Nic/DR | Binder:
Nic | Wrapper:
Nic | | Panelist #1 | This stogie will grab you by the hair and take you to the edge! I'd buy these by the truckload!
9.8 SUPERIOR | | Panelist #2 | It looked better than it performed, but this cigar might work well with a sweet liqueur, like Frangelico.
7.8 ABOVE AVERAGE | | Panelist #3 | This cigar would be good with a big red wine and a piece of beef, or outside on a brisk, cool day.
8.3 GOOD | | Panelist #4 | I found this cigar to be rich enough to follow a meal, but tame enough to enjoy with a morning espresso.
8.6 VERY GOOD |
 |  | GRAYCLIFF G2 PG | Country:
Costa R | Manufacturer:
Graycliff Cigar Co. | Size:
5 1/4 x 50 | Filler:
Nic/Phil/Hon | Binder:
Costa R | Wrapper:
Ecu | | Panelist #1 | This short smoke burns a little hot but its full-flavored character make it worth it all the way to the end.
9.1 EXCELLENT | | Panelist #2 | A pleasant aftertaste tops it off. This is an exquisite cigar that I would recommend to a discerning smoker.
8.4 GOOD | | Panelist #3 | The Paris Hilton of cigars: more on the outside than inside. It's worth trying for something different.
8.2 GOOD | | Panelist #4 | Pleasant taste, clean finish, and no annoying construction problems. I could enjoy several of these a day!
9.7 SUPERIOR |
 | | CARLOS TORANO 1916 CAMEROON Corona | Country:
Nic | Manufacturer:
Torano Cigar Co. | Size:
5 1/2 x 42 | Filler:
Hon/Nic | Binder:
Nic | Wrapper:
Cam | | Panelist #1 | The perfect shorty when a little spice is in order. I fired this one up for a ride in the ol' convertible.
9.5 EXCELLENT | | Panelist #2 | For the right price, I would keep a few of these around for hanging out, but not for special occasions.
8.2 GOOD | | Panelist #3 | Superb in its looks and its construction, this cigar's flavors may need some time to develop complexity.
7.8 ABOVE AVERAGE | | Panelist #4 | The cigar would pair nicely with a good blended Scotch, but it's even better as a lunchbreak smoke.
8.7 VERY GOOD |
 |  | FITTIPALDI Anniversary Edition Robusto | Country:
DR | Manufacturer:
Corporacion Cigar Export | Size:
5 x 50 | Filler:
DR | Binder:
DR | Wrapper:
Ecu | | Panelist #1 | A stellar choice. Pair it with a 10-year-old port or hand it out at the 19th hole to make new friends.
9.5 EXCELLENT | | Panelist #2 | Here's a great cigar to smoke in a friendly bar with a martini and other appreciative cigar smokers present.
8.8 VERY GOOD | | Panelist #3 | Even my wife liked the aroma this one left. A great breakfast or "one more before bed" smoke.
8.9 VERY GOOD | | Panelist #4 | This little cigar's attention-getting flavor was a pleasant surprise. Keep it in your lunchbox for a treat.
9.0 VERY GOOD |
 | | LOS BLANCOS Criollo Robusto | Country:
Nic | Manufacturer:
Los Blancos Cigar Co. | Size:
5 x 52 | Filler:
Nic | Binder:
Hon | Wrapper:
Hon | | Panelist #1 | Be proud to hand this out at your next poker game, and enjoy it with a leisurely glass of claret or brandy.
9.6 SUPERIOR | | Panelist #2 | This one ended too soon. It stayed flavorful the whole way. A great match for your favorite single malt.
8.8 VERY GOOD | | Panelist #3 | A model of consistent taste and complexity. Hopefully, the price is right so I can smoke a few more.
8.4 GOOD | | Panelist #4 | An all-around winner; buy them by the crate if you can! Keep them to yourself; it's okay to be greedy!
9.6 SUPERIOR |
 |  | FLOR DE JARDIN Don Juan | Country:
Hon | Manufacturer:
Flor de Jardin Cigars | Size:
5 x 50 | Filler:
Hon/Nic | Binder:
Hon | Wrapper:
Mex | | Panelist #1 | Perhaps best paired with a heavy merlot or cabernet, I could definitely recommend this one to friends.
9.0 VERY GOOD | | Panelist #2 | This cigar was a joy to smoke: smooth mellow woody flavor, tons of smoke, and no harshness at all.
9.0 VERY GOOD | | Panelist #3 | More mild than anticipated, this stick would pair nicely with an after-dinner martini. Very nicely done.
8.0 GOOD | | Panelist #4 | A tough-looking cigar with a more nuanced core. Enjoy it after lunch with a coffee or a good dark lager.
8.9 VERY GOOD |
 | | PUNCH GRAN PURO Libertad | Country:
Hon | Manufacturer:
General Cigar Co. | Size:
5 x 52 | Filler:
Hon | Binder:
Hon | Wrapper:
Hon | | Panelist #1 | A solid contender from start to finish! This cigar leans toward full flavor without being overpowering.
9.0 VERY GOOD | | Panelist #2 | Well-balanced despite its power, this actually could be an anytime cigar. I enjoyed it with espresso after lunch.
8.1 GOOD | | Panelist #3 | I enjoyed this with my good friend Remy Martin. If you like full-flavored smokes as I do, this is a must-have!
9.0 VERY GOOD | | Panelist #4 | A great-looking big boy with flavor that lives up to its billing. Save this one for an after-dinner spirit.
9.7 SUPERIOR |
 | | CUABA Tradicionales | Country:
Cuba | Manufacturer:
Habanos S.A. | Size:
4 3/4 x 41 | Filler:
Cuba | Binder:
Cuba | Wrapper:
Cuba | | Panelist #1 | A well-balanced small cigar with tremendous flavor packed into a small format. Save an hour for it.
9.2 EXCELLENT | | Panelist #2 | The tough draw makes it hard for me to recommend this one, but I'd try it after six months in the humi.
8.4 GOOD | | Panelist #3 | I'd probably appreciate this blend more in a bigger ring gauge. Here, it's stifled by construction problems.
7.6 ABOVE AVERAGE | | Panelist #4 | A small cigar with big taste. I enjoyed it after dinner with a 12-year-old Macallan single malt.
9.0 VERY GOOD |
 | | P. BELLO Y CIA. Rothschild | Country:
DR | Manufacturer:
Cuba Tobacco Trading | Size:
5 x 58 | Filler:
DR | Binder:
Nic | Wrapper:
Nic | | Panelist #1 | A well-balanced smoke. I enjoyed it on Friday night playing cards with my buddies, after beer and pizza.
9.0 VERY GOOD | | Panelist #2 | A complex hour-long cigar that changed as it burned. Definitely suited for the afternoon or evening.
8.7 VERY GOOD | | Panelist #3 | This fat boy shows lots of promise. With some humidor time, I expect it will go from "good" to "very good."
8.2 GOOD | | Panelist #4 | Enjoy this tasty monster only after a big meal; novices are forewarned: this smoke is for Ÿbermen only!
8.9 VERY GOOD |
 Continued on next page...
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