 |  | BERING DOMINICAN HALLMARK Toro
|
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Indonesia
|
| Manufacturer: Swisher International | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $3.75
|
| Panelist #1 | This is an elegant, smooth cigar
that I enjoyed thoroughly. I will
buy a box of these and smoke
them anytime. SCORE: 4.5
|
| Panelist #2 | This great cigar kicks some serious
tush! It performs well in every
category, earning the designation of
a 'must smoke' cigar. SCORE: 4.6
|
| Panelist #3 | This is a great cigar to relax with
after a stressful day. I would not
hesitate to recommend it to my
closest friends. SCORE: 4.5
|
| Panelist #4 | This cigar ranks up there with
the Dominican's best and shows
that a mild cigar can be flavorful
and satisfying. SCORE: 4.2
|
 |  | CUESTA-REY No. 60
|
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: J.C. Newman/Fuente | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $5.40
|
| Panelist #1 | A magnificent example of a well-made premium Dominican cigar.
It's mild, but delivers complex,
pleasing flavors. SCORE: 4.2
|
| Panelist #2 | A terrifically rich and flavorful cigar
that is never overbearing or intimidating. It goes especially well with
an Anejo tequila. SCORE: 4.4
|
| Panelist #3 | This cigar isn't bad, but it's nothing
to write home about. Experienced
smokers might look elsewhere for
a mild smoke. SCORE: 3.2
|
| Panelist #4 | This is a cigar that is worth traveling to get. I enjoyed it best
with a ginger ale after a hard
day at the office. SCORE: 4.9
|
 |  | MONTECRUZ Colossus
|
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Lane Ltd. | Filler: Brazil/DR | Price: $5.65
|
| Panelist #1 | An excellent example of what a
good Dominican cigar should taste
like. It's complex and strong, but
not overpowering. SCORE: 4.7
|
| Panelist #2 | This cigar starts flavorful, gets
flat and uninteresting, then picks
up with a burst of nutty, medium-bodied flavor. SCORE: 3.5
|
| Panelist #3 | Despite the great construction, this
cigar is too acrid, salty, and bitter.
Good traits for a kosher pickle, but
not for a cigar. SCORE: 2.8
|
| Panelist #4 | This is a cigar that the seasoned
palate will enjoy. It's a great reward for after dinner, with your
favorite cognac. SCORE: 4.5
|
 |  | THOMAS HINDS NICARAGUAN SELECTION Short Churchill (Maduro) |
| Country: Nicaragua | Wrapper: Ecuador | Binder: Nicaragua
|
| Manufacturer: Hinds Brothers | Filler: Nicaragua | Price: $4.70
|
| Panelist #1 | Not a bad cigar, but it lacks the
quality elements that would make
it memorable. Perhaps a good
hiking or fishing cigar. SCORE: 2.9
|
| Panelist #2 | This brash cigar did all it could to
overpower me, and it largely succeeded. It's not my bag, but some
will appreciate it. SCORE: 2.9
|
| Panelist #3 | I appreciated the complexity and
big flavors this heater provides. It's
definitely not a beginner's cigar, so
proceed with caution. SCORE: 3.9
|
| Panelist #4 | This cigar has a great look, but
not enough substance to back
it up. Still, a smokable cigar
in a pinch. SCORE: 3.4
|
 | | A. FUENTE DON CARLOS Presidente
|
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Cameroon | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Tabacalera A. Fuente | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $9.50
|
| Panelist #1 | I like my cigars strong, and this
one did not disappoint. Weaker
palates may find its strength to
be overwhelming. SCORE: 4.2
|
| Panelist #2 | This cigar had great promise, and
delivers a smooth, cedary, and
floral flavor. The problem is, it never
develops past that. SCORE: 3.2
|
| Panelist #3 | A very good cigar that should appeal
to a broad range of palates, with the
exception of those who only smoke
full-bodied Havanas. SCORE: 4.5
|
| Panelist #4 | I loved this cigar so much I'm
thinking of taking it home to meet
my mother. This is what cigar
smoking is all about. SCORE: 4.8
|
 |  | OLOR VINTAGE Toro
|
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Famous Tobacco/MTR | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $6
|
| Panelist #1 | Not a bad smoke, but it isn't real
memorable, either. Its mild flavor
and body makes it a good cigar
for beginners. SCORE: 3.4
|
| Panelist #2 | A reasonably well-made cigar that
doesn't provide nearly enough
oomph to keep me interested in
smoking or buying it. SCORE: 3.0
|
| Panelist #3 | A decent cigar that delivers a mild
and easygoing smoking experience,
due to good construction and
smooth, aged tobacco. SCORE: 3.2
|
| Panelist #4 | A good, straightforward mild
cigar for when you need to give
your palate a rest. I'll buy these
for my humidor. SCORE: 3.9
|
 | | J-R ULTIMATE Toro (Maduro Maduro)
|
| Country: Honduras | Wrapper: Honduras | Binder: Honduras
|
| Manufacturer: Cigars by Santa Clara | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $2.80
|
| Panelist #1 | Great looking, well-made, and
bursting with flavor. It might be
a bit young, so aging may mellow
it for the better. SCORE: 3.7
|
| Panelist #2 | This cigar offers a pleasant distraction from a busy day. All of the
samples were consistently rolled
and flavorful. SCORE: 3.9
|
| Panelist #3 | Another winning smoke in this review. I'd keep this one around as
an afternoon or evening smoke. It
never gets dull. SCORE: 4.5
|
| Panelist #4 | A good, mellow cigar that was
milder than I expected. Its flavor
is very consistent, but a bit one-dimensional. SCORE: 3.5
|
 | | DON MARCOS Double Corona
|
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Connecticut | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Phillips & King | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $5.10
|
| Panelist #1 | A mild cigar that won't interfere
with a meal if smoked beforehand.
I would give these to those learning
about cigars. SCORE: 4.2
|
| Panelist #2 | These cigars started slowly, but
proved themselves very enjoyable in
the long run, although they are too
light for after dinner. SCORE: 3.9
|
| Panelist #3 | This is a cigar that you can recommend to any level of smoker. It's
mild, but has complex flavor and
and a rich character. SCORE: 3.7
|
| Panelist #4 | A cigar that is worth a try, but it
might not be for everyone, due to
its light flavor. A good cigar to
unwind with. SCORE: 3.6
|
 |  | BRISAS Toro
|
| Country: Dominican Republic | Wrapper: Sumatra | Binder: Dominican Republic
|
| Manufacturer: Cespedes Tabacalera | Filler: Dominican Republic | Price: $3
|
| Panelist #1 | A rather dull cigar that has no
major flaws, but its one-dimensional
flavor didn't keep my attention.
Decent, not great. SCORE: 3.1
|
| Panelist #2 | A straightforward cigar that is hard
to recommend unless it is priced
below $3. This might do well as a
camping/hunting cigar. SCORE: 2.7
|
| Panelist #3 | A rough cigar that might do well
as an everyday smoke if it is priced
low, but it's definitely not a special
occasion cigar. SCORE: 3.0
|
| Panelist #4 | In today's cigar market, with so
many choices available, it is
difficult to find a reason to smoke
this mediocre cigar. SCORE: 2.5
|
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