 |  | ROMEO Y JULIETA Churchill (Tubo)
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| Country: Cuba | Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Honduras
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| Manufacturer: Habanos S.A. | Filler: Cuba | Price: Above $20
|
| Panelist #1 | This Havana is not as strong as a
Bolivar, but its elegant, full-bodied
complexity reminds us why the
embargo must end. SCORE: 4.8
|
| Panelist #2 | The manufacturer definitely knew
where they were going with this
cigar! A good cigar to spend some
time with. SCORE: 4.1
|
| Panelist #3 | This cigar is good, but not great. It
packs a punch, but the one-note
flavor is more biting than pleasur-
able. Aging might help. SCORE: 3.5
|
| Panelist #4 | Lack of notable flavor and poor
burn and construction problems
hampered this one. I wish I had
better things to say. SCORE: 2.3
|
 |  | HOYO DE MONTERREY EXCALIBUR No. II
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| Country: Honduras | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Honduras
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| Manufacturer: Danby/Villazon | Filler: Hon/DR/Nic | Price: $5.20
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| Panelist #1 | This smooth, polished cigar is good
for any time of the day. It reminds
me of a fine chardonnay: light,
smooth, and tasty. SCORE: 4.3
|
| Panelist #2 | Two stogies up for this one! There's
a lot to like about this great cigar.
I think I will buy a box or two for
my humidor. SCORE: 4.0
|
| Panelist #3 | This cigar has the type of phenomenal flavor that I go for. If you
like mild smokes with character,
check this out. SCORE: 4.1
|
| Panelist #4 | A bit mild for me, but this is a
good smoke that I would easily
recommend to customers looking for a mild cigar. SCORE: 3.9
|
 |  | NAT SHERMAN CITY DESK Tribune
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| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Mexico | Binder: Dominican Republic
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| Manufacturer: N. Sherman/Tabacalera | Filler: DR/Mexico | Price: $7.20
|
| Panelist #1 | This cigar looks good and smokes
well, but the flavor is off the mark.
Aging it may help, or just smoke it
with a strong drink. SCORE: 2.9
|
| Panelist #2 | Despite the one plugged sample,
this cigar proved to be an incredible smoke. It's glorious and great;
no need to say more. SCORE: 4.1
|
| Panelist #3 | There are the makings of a good,
robust cigar here, but it is all
thwarted by poor construction. I'll
pass on this one. SCORE: 2.1
|
| Panelist #4 | This is not my style, but it should
appeal to those looking for a big,
mild cigar that is well-made
and smokes easily. SCORE: 3.2
|
 |  | COLORADO BY DON LINO Churchill
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| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Indonesia | Binder: Dominican Republic
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| Manufacturer: Miami Cigars | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $4.58
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| Panelist #1 | This is a no-brainer. I don't think
there is a cigar smoker on the
planet who wouldn't enjoy this
excellent smoke. SCORE: 4.4
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| Panelist #2 | Despite its mediocrity, this cigar
surprised me. It's an overall good
smoke, once the flavors pick up in
the second half. SCORE: 3.2
|
| Panelist #3 | I usually enjoy big Churchills with
dark wrappers. Unfortunately, this
cigar did not have enough to keep
my attention. SCORE: 2.5
|
| Panelist #4 | This is a cigar to drool over, until
about halfway down, when the
taste regresses and becomes too
one-dimensional. SCORE: 3.2
|
 |  | QUAI D'ORSAY Imperiales
|
| Country: Cuba | Wrapper: Cuba | Binder: Cuba
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| Manufacturer: Habanos S.A. | Filler: Cuba | Price: Above $20
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| Panelist #1 | I can't say enough great things
about this cigar. The flavor is rich,
creamy, and wonderfully complex.
I loved every inch! SCORE: 4.8
|
| Panelist #2 | This cigar is the epitome of how
a cigar should be made. Good
construction, a superb blend, tons
of body and complexity. SCORE: 4.6
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| Panelist #3 | I doubt this cigar is legal in the U.S.,
but I say it is worth any price to get
it. I kept smoking it and saying
"Wow" after each puff. SCORE: 4.7
|
| Panelist #4 | An all around winner! It is rare
for a cigar to be so good from
start to finish, but the exotic
flavor never quits. SCORE: 4.8
|
 |  | ROMEO Y JULIETA VINTAGE No. V
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| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Mexico
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| Manufacturer: Hollco-Rohr | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $7.90
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| Panelist #1 | This great cigar has all the qualities
of a true premium. You had better
hide these because everybody is
going to want them. SCORE: 4.5
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| Panelist #2 | A top-notch smoke loaded with
character and complexity. There
is something in this cigar for
every level of smoker. SCORE: 4.6
|
| Panelist #3 | This is a grand cigar that rewards
the smoker in many different ways.
It's flavorful, but never pushy, and
very satisfying! SCORE: 4.0
|
| Panelist #4 | While I would have liked a more
robust taste, I still found this cigar
well-balanced and flavorful. I can
smoke this all day. SCORE: 3.7
|
 | | JIMENEZ Churchill
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| Country: USA | Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Ecuador
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| Manufacturer: Jimenez Cigars | Filler: Dominican/Honduras | Price: $6.00
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| Panelist #1 | I greatly enjoyed this cigar, which
might possibly be of Cuban origin.
It's a classy stogie, with a lovely
creamy smoke. SCORE: 4.3
|
| Panelist #2 | This is a good tasting cigar with a
few construction problems that get
in the way of total enjoyment. Still,
it's worth a try. SCORE: 3.3
|
| Panelist #3 | Clearly a well-blended cigar, as
evidenced by its smooth, nutty,
oaky flavors. A better draw will
really improve it. SCORE: 3.6
|
| Panelist #4 | This cigar has some interesting
characteristics, but it is too mild
for my tastes. It's a good introductory cigar. SCORE: 3.4
|
 |  | PUROS INDIOS Churchill Especial (Maduro)
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| Country: Honduras | Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Ecuador
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| Manufacturer: Rolando Reyes | Filler: Braz/DR/Jam/Nic | Price: $5.80
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| Panelist #1 | I smoked this full-bodied treat with
a glass of vintage port and it was
a match made in heaven. I would
smoke this again. SCORE: 4.0
|
| Panelist #2 | This cigar thoroughly kicked my ass
with its bold and peppery kick. I
may be a wussy, but some smokers
will eat this up. SCORE: 3.5
|
| Panelist #3 | A real man's cigar that will bowl
over novices, but should thrill the
smoker who relishes big, spicy,
complex cigars. SCORE: 4.1
|
| Panelist #4 | This cigar seemed to burn forever,
and ultimately pummeled me
into submission at the end. I
loved it! SCORE: 3.8
|
 | | MACANUDO ROBUST Prince Phillip
|
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Connecticut
|
| Manufacturer: General Cigar | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $6
|
| Panelist #1 | I usually don't have the time to
smoke big cigars, but I will make
the time for this one when I find
out what it is. SCORE: 4.4
|
| Panelist #2 | I can't find anything negative to say
about this fine cigar. It stays good
from beginning to end, even after
a couple of relights. SCORE: 3.8
|
| Panelist #3 | A quality smoke that is easy on the
palate, and hopefully as easy on the
wallet. Put aside some time to enjoy this big one. SCORE: 4.1
|
| Panelist #4 | Everything about this cigar is
quite impressive. The flavor is
very unusual and definitely worth
experiencing. SCORE: 4.3
|
 |  | V CENTENNIAL Churchill (Natural)
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| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Mexico
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| Manufacturer: Tropical Tobacco | Filler: DR/Honduras/Nic | Price: $7
|
| Panelist #1 | This cigar will please those looking
for a light, rich, and classy cigar
with plenty of complexity and
finesse. Superb! SCORE: 4.4
|
| Panelist #2 | This is a great cigar. I was expecting
much less flavor, but this cigar
delivered plenty of bold taste. I hope
it's affordable. SCORE: 4.7
|
| Panelist #3 | An intriguing smoking experience,
in which the flavor more than made
up for the construction difficulties.
A mighty tasty smoke! SCORE: 4.1
|
| Panelist #4 | What looks like a mild Dominican
cigar tastes like a full-flavored
Honduran. Excellent! Hopefully
it is affordable. SCORE: 4.3
|
 |  | MIYARES Churchill (Natural)
|
| Country: USA | Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Indonesia
|
| Manufacturer: Miyares Cigar Co. | Filler: DR/Indonesia | Price: $7
|
| Panelist #1 | A big, impressively-made cigar with
straightforward, mild- to medium-
bodied character. Mild cigar lovers
will like this. SCORE: 3.7
|
| Panelist #2 | This is a good, high-quality cigar,
but there are many cigars out there
like it. If priced well, it may stand
out in the pack. SCORE: 3.7
|
| Panelist #3 | Another high-quality Dominican
type of cigar. I know there are many
smokers out there who appreciate
these, so here it is. SCORE: 4.2
|
| Panelist #4 | Another quality offering for the
Macanudo/Davidoff crowd, or a
good stogie to get a newbie in-
terested in cigars. SCORE: 3.6
|
 | | FONSECA 10-10
|
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Mexico
|
| Manufacturer: MATASA/SAG Imports | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $5.25
|
| Panelist #1 | I love this cigar and would smoke
these every day if they are affordable. This is a cigar that many
smokers will enjoy. SCORE: 4.9
|
| Panelist #2 | A well-constructed cigar, with a
core of solid flavors. Unfortunately,
a lingering bitterness detracts
from the experience. SCORE: 3.4
|
| Panelist #3 | An above-average cigar, with very
consistent, mild flavor, but it suffers
from a tight draw. Smoke it for a
relaxing diversion. SCORE: 3.6
|
| Panelist #4 | Fans of Davidoff, Ashton, and
Fonseca will like this cigar. It has
good, mild flavors in a pretty, unassuming package. SCORE: 3.7
|
 | | ASTRAL VINTAGE 1992 Maestro
|
| Country: Honduras | Wrapper: Indonesia | Binder: Mexico
|
| Manufacturer: UST | Filler: DR/Mexico | Price: $6.25
|
| Panelist #1 | This is not a run-of-the-mill cigar,
but an historic event of cultural
significance. One of the best cigars
I've had in some time. SCORE: 4.9
|
| Panelist #2 | Despite an inconsistent appearance,
the character and flavor of this fine
cigar is anything but. This is a cigar
to savor. SCORE: 4.0
|
| Panelist #3 | I love this cigar and want more. It's
not a morning smoke, but goes
great in the evening with a fine port
and a wedge of Stilton. SCORE: 4.5
|
| Panelist #4 | A bad draw put me off on this one.
Even though it showed some good,
mellow flavor, I want more from
a cigar of this size. SCORE: 3.4
|
 | | CRUZ REAL EDICION ESPECIAL Emperador
|
| Country: Mexico | Wrapper: Mexico | Binder: Mexico
|
| Manufacturer: Tabacos Y Puros de SA | Filler: Mexico | Price: $8.50
|
| Panelist #1 | This cigar takes you on a pleasant
journey and packs in some surprises along the way. This cigar will
enhance your day. SCORE: 4.4
|
| Panelist #2 | A fairly generic, Dominican-styled
cigar with a fairly plain presentation, but I still enjoyed it in the
morning with a Coke. SCORE: 3.3
|
| Panelist #3 | I enjoyed this cigar. It has great
consistency and smokes perfectly,
requiring no extra attention. A new
regular for my humidor. SCORE: 3.8
|
| Panelist #4 | A great looking cigar, of imposing
length. It takes a lot of time to
smoke, and delivers a mostly
average experience. SCORE: 3.5
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