Winter Review - Maduros CAO L'ANNIVERSAIRE Robusto Country: Costa Rica Wrapper: Connecticut Binder: Ecuador Manufacturer: CAO Filler: Nicaragua/DR Price: $6.60 Panelist #1 This is a really impressive cigar, from its wonderful appearance to its pleasant flavors. I would both buy and recommend it.SCORE: 4.3 Panelist #2 Overall, a nice little smoke, definitely one that gears up its flavors when smoked faster. I sense the wrapper might've been hurried. SCORE: 3.5 Panelist #3 Overall, not a bad cigar. Not great either, but one senses it should be. It looked great and, most of the time, tasted quite good. SCORE: 3.5 Panelist #4 If this isn't a CAO L'Anniversaire, I'll take the SMOKE staff out to dinner. Fans of spicy maduros will go nuts for this gem. SCORE: 4.5 LA GLORIA CUBANA No. 2 Country: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Connecticut Binder: Ecuador Manufacturer: El Credito Filler: DR/Nicaragua Price: $3.65 Panelist #1 The overall feel of the cigar reminded me of a Henry Clay. A good but not especially memorable cigar, with a bit of flavor. SCORE: 3.5 Panelist #2 If priced reasonably, I would put this in the rotation. There was enough flavor and complexity to make it a pleasing diversion. SCORE: 3.8 Panelist #3 Here's an example of a cigar that should be put out before the end. Starts off very promising, like a 4.5, but doesn't finish job. SCORE: 3.8 Panelist #4 This is a well-built cigar that would really benefit from a stint in the waiting room. Age would bring flavor to par. SCORE: 3.8 LA TRADICION CABINET SERIES Robusto Country: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Ecuador Manufacturer: Nick's Cigar Co. Filler: Nic/DR/Hon Price: $5.40 Panelist #1 Overall, this fast burning cigar was pretty mild. The aroma was as good as any, and it offers solid construction and likeable flavor. SCORE: 4.0 Panelist #2 It's not terribly complex, but this cigar is still wonderful. It behaved well and had pleasant flavors. I'd have to recommend it. SCORE: 4.1 Panelist #3 This is a decent cigar. It may not blow you away, but it will win you over with its consistency. A strong performer. Try it. SCORE: 3.8 Panelist #4 I'd recommend these. If you like mild but sharp tastes, and the price is right, then go for it. The aroma will win you. SCORE: 3.9 MONTERO MADURO Churchill Country: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Connecticut Binder: Dominican Republic Manufacturer: Davidoff of Geneva Filler: Dominican Republic Price: $5.50 Panelist #1 I'd smoke it if it were priced fairly. Not a beautiful smoke, but it came through in all the important cateories. A solid smoke. SCORE: 4.0 Panelist #2 This is not my type of cigar. It's made well and, for someone who enjoys mild cigars, it would be ideal. Vets won't be wowed. SCORE: 3.6 Panelist #3 This cigar seems to have everything in place … it just needs a little more kick to it. Good for newbies, but lacks complexity. SCORE: 3.9 Panelist #4 An extremely pleasurable smoke with plenty of flavor for a medium-bodied cigar. I would definitely recommend it. SCORE: 3.9 THOMAS HINDS Torpedo Maduro Country: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Nicaragua Manufacturer: Hinds Brothers Filler: Nicaragua Price: $4.95 Panelist #1 This was an all-around excellent cigar. The wrapper never overpowered the filler, and the cigar showed balance throughout. SCORE: 4.3 Panelist #2 A spectacularly mediocre cigar. Have it alongside a glass of red wine or a scotch, but save the single malt for a better stogie. SCORE: 3.2 Panelist #3 A well-made maduro with medium-body flavor, which is sure to please most. The cedar overtones make it a treat. SCORE: 4.5 Panelist #4 The consistency of this cigar is exemplary. I'd recommend them to those who enjoy lighter sticks with good flavor. SCORE: 3.8 HOJA CUBANA XXO Series R Country: Costa Rica Wrapper: Connecticut Binder: Ecuador Manufacturer: Universal Cigar Co. Filler: DR/Nicaragua Price: $8.00 Panelist #1 A truly wonderful smoke that will definitely please most smokers. These provide lots of smoke with an easy draw/burn. SCORE: 3.9 Panelist #2 This stick was very satisfying. I tend to gravitate toward more full-bodied cigars, but this one got the job done. Very impressive. SCORE: 4.2 Panelist #3 This was an all-around fantastic smoke, from the first lighting, to the knuckle-burning end. Please tell me what they are. SCORE: 4.6 Panelist #4 This one's a valuable stick in that it's easy and mild enough to start the day with, and bold enough to top off a big meal. SCORE: 4.4 EL REY DEL MUNDO Flor De La Vonda Country: Honduras Wrapper: Connecticut Binder: Honduras Manufacturer: Santa Clara Cigar Co. Filler: DR/Honduras Price: $4.25 Panelist #1 This is a great stick, one that I'd buy anytime. It's reminiscent of a Flor De La Vonda. (Editor's Note: Bingo!) Tasty. SCORE: 3.8 Panelist #2 It's a fairly straightforward smoke that provides some excitement, but not much. Those who like 'em mild but spicy, you're up. SCORE: 3.4 Panelist #3 This proved to be a powerful cigar that demands to be enjoyed. While you're best off tossing it after the 2/3-point, it's great. SCORE: 4.5 Panelist #4 It's a truly great smoke. I tasted some real spicy flavors, which surprised me in a most pleasant way. Well done. SCORE: 4.2 LA TRADICION Perdomo Reserve Country: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Nicaragua Manufacturer: Nick's Cigar Co. Filler: Nicaragua Price: $7.99 Panelist #1 I was anticipating a great smoking session, by the looks of this thing. It turned out to be very good; I wanted more depth. SCORE: 3.9 Panelist #2 A cigar that looks this good should really come through as an exemplary smoke, but it didn't. Good, but maybe needs more time. SCORE: 3.8 Panelist #3 From the moment you first light up till you put it down, there should be no interruptions for the next hour. An exquisite smoke. SCORE: 4.6 Panelist #4 Plan the right time and place for lighting this up … it's that good. It does all the important things well. Superb. SCORE: 4.5 CUPIDO Toro Negro Country: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Manufacturer: Cupido Cigar Co. Filler: Nicaragua Price: $7.80 Panelist #1 I found this one was best enjoyed with a cup of coffee and the Sunday paper. Never overpowering, but always satisfying. SCORE: 3.5 Panelist #2 I expect a little more from a maduro. This cigar burns well and draws like a dream, but the flavor just doesn't deliver as high marks. SCORE: 3.6 Panelist #3 This is an excellent cigar for those who relish an aromatic maduro. This must've been dipped in sugar cane. A real keeper. SCORE: 4.5 Panelist #4 This is a particularly excellent cigar that maduro lovers will adore. It's full-bodied without being over- powering. Yes!!!! SCORE: 4.6 YUMURI Churchill Country: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Dominican Republic Binder: Dominican Republic Manufacturer: Brown Leaf Co. Filler: Dominican Republic Price: $4.50 Panelist #1 This is a good cigar overall, and would be one to buy at a good price. Not full-bodied, but nonetheless satisfying. SCORE: 4.0 Panelist #2 Overall, it's a good cigar for the mild cigar lover. There were some inconsistencies in the roll job, but for the most part, good work. SCORE: 3.0 Panelist #3 While smoking this one, I forgot where I was and what I was doing. A transcendental stick, really a fine, exemplary cigar. SCORE: 4.5 Panelist #4 Each and every one burned perfectly, and they were durable cigars. Well-made, tasty, and good looking. SCORE: 4.5 MONTAGUE Corona No. 2 Country: Indonesia Wrapper: Brazil Binder: Indonesia Manufacturer: Montague/Swedish Match Filler: Brazil/Indonesia Price: $3.40 Panelist #1 A pretty interesting cigar. The construction was solid, and the mild flavors were gladly accepted by my palate. A solid smoke. SCORE: 3.6 Panelist #2 Not pretty to look at, but not a bad cigar at all. If moderately priced, I would consider putting this in the rotation. SCORE: 3.7 Panelist #3 A real conundrum, this one. Odd looking but attractive. Well-made. Mild-mannered but with some reckless ideas. I like it. SCORE: 3.9 Panelist #4 Not the best looking in the bunch, and not the best tasting either. But a solid .280 hitter. Might need humidor time. SCORE: 3.6 FITTIPALDI Petite Belicoso Country: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Mexico Binder: D.R. Manufacturer: Alliance/Reyes Filler: Dominican Rep. Price: $6 Panelist #1 This is a fine cigar. The size makes it a good choice for a quickie. Best suited for barbecues, yard work, or other outdoor activity. SCORE: 4.2 Panelist #2 I would have to recommend this. It's a user-friendly size, which is good for beginners, and it's also potent enough for vets. SCORE: 4.0 Panelist #3 Not an all-star, but there's not much on the negative side to say about this one. Well-made, good looking, and good tasting. SCORE: 3.9 Panelist #4 Despite a few construction hitches, this one performed like a cigar should. The size is a big selling point. SCORE: 3.5 Continued on next page... CURRENT ISSUE ARCHIVES SUBSCRIBE REVIEWS CIGAR FORUM SEARCH CONTEST SHOPPING HTML Copyright © 1999 by Keys Technologies and SMOKE Magazine. All rights reserved.