Sancho Panza Extra Fuerte

The Sancho Panza Extra Fuerte is billed as the strongest of the Sancho line. This one is the boxed pressed version in a 6.5" x 50 size. With a reddish Cuban Honduran wrapper and a Honduran and Nicaraguan blend this cigar is slightly stronger than the standard Sancho Panza but not as strong as I would have expected...fuerte...yes...extra fuerte...not hardly. A slight pepper taste is the only noticeable difference and I would attribute it to the wrapper. In the Sancho line, my order of preference is Double Maduro, Regular Sancho and then the Sancho Extra Fuerte and I prefer a full bodied, full flavoured cigar.  The Double Maduro is full flavoured and medium strength a nice combination in my opinion. If you find the Red label strong, I would like to hear your take on it.

Chas

Carlos Torano Exodus 1959 Silver

The Carlos Torano Exodus 1959 Silver Torpedo Especial...whew, what a long namce but a cigar this good deserves to have a memorable name.  This cigar not only has a memorable name but has a unique blend of Costa Rican, Honduran and Mexican tobacco with a 1998 Criollo wrapper.  This blend gives the cigar flavours of cedar, nuts and the unmistakably unique San Andres Mexican earthy taste.  If you have ever had a Te Amo cigar you will recognize the flavour. The tobaccos from this region of Mexico grow at the base of a dormant volcano and this red earth gives the tobacco it's signature flavour. The Torpedo Especial is 165mm x 54 (6.5") and is good for an 1-1/2 hours of enjoyment. If you by them by the box, they come in a Silver adorned cedar box that is worthy to be a desk top humidor.  The price point on a box is less than $10 each, give one a try!

Chas

Gurkha Legend Box Pressed

The Gurkha Legend box pressed Toro is on the agenda for tonight. The size is 6x50 but it actually seems smaller because of the shape. There are 2 words that describe this cigar, spicy leather. The spiciness comes from the Cameroon binder and is enhanced by the Connecticut broadleaf double wrapper. The strength is straight up medium so it is a great anytime smoke. If you like leather like I do, this cigar will satisfy your craving and then some.

Chas

Rocky Patel Edge Corojo

The Rocky Patel Edge Corojo is what I will be reviewing today.  I am smoking the 6x52 Toro size with a latte at one of my favorite coffee houses here is Sacramento, Tupelo.  This a beautiful looking cigar with a light brown wrapper and the perfect parejo shape. The corojo wrapper tingles the tongue with a burst of spice right off the bat. The draw is light to easy and the flavour of the tobacco is leathery, woodsy, and javaish (okay, that last word won't play on Words With Friends). The cigar is classified as strong and yes it is!  If you are a novice to the habit, this cigar will leave your head spinning like you just went 10 rounds with Tyson.  The Edge line of Rocky Patel is the strongest that they roll, but it is strong in a good way.  It's smooth with no bitterness or harshness what so ever but the strength in flavour and nicotine gets you like a sucker punch. I have enjoyed many of these Edge cigars and although they are not any everyday smoke, they are nice to enjoy from time to time.

Chas

CAO Black Ltd. Bengal

The CAO Black Bengal is on the agenda for tonight. This limited edition cigar is part of the black line which is considered by CAO to be their cream of the crop. They only use well aged top tier tobaccos for this small batch line. The Bengal is the 6" x 50 size (Toro) and takes about an hour plus to smoke. The specific tobacco makeup of this cigar is a well guarded secret.  The boxes are hand painted and hand numbered and each cigar is wrapped in cedar. Now onto smoking the cigar itself, it has a creamy taste with a definate white pepper flavour that is unmistakably present on each draw. The smoke is light and smells of cedar which makes for a pleasing aroma for everyone in the area, a definate crowd pleaser. The strength is mild to medium. This is my first CAO Black and I have several more in the humidor which I will enjoy and compare in a later blog. The price point for these is $4 to $8 each which is steal for such a limited edition cigar.

Chas

Alec Bradley Tempus Quadrum

Today I will be reviewing the Alec Bradley Tempus Quadrum box pressed in a 5.5" x 55 size (Robusto). This cigar has a medium brown Habano Seed wrapper with a Honduras and Nicaragua filler and binder. The construction is flawless on the several that I have enjoyed and they burn evenly from start to finish. The flavours are a combination of leather, earth with a hint of pepper. The strength is medium to full with lots of rich creamy smoke. The price point is $6 to $10 a stick at most online retailers. I purchased my cigars from Cigars International in a special bundle for $3 each. This is a great evening smoke and nicely paired with coffee and also goes great with Rum.

Chas