Monday, November 30, 2015

I am in mourning tonight.  It is time to replenish my aging humidor with a few new boxes. I was all set to order two boxes of 5 Vegas High Primings, my absolute favorite "budget" cigar, only to discover the line has been discontinued. Just my luck!

On to tonight's review....


Te Amo World Selection Series Cuban Style
Size: 6 x 54
Wrapper: Central America (criollo)
Binder San Andres, Mexico criollo
Filler: Central American criollo
Price: $5.13

So, this purchase was just an out-and-out mistake on my part.  I have always heard about Te-Amo being made from Mexican tobacco.  I periodically come across articles that talk about how Mexican cigars are cheap and widely disdained, but in reality Te Amo cigars are actually pretty good.  They have a loyal, almost cult following among cigar smokers. I bought this box thinking I would like to try them for myself.

I should have read this fine print.  The World Selection Series was an attempt to showcase the craftsmanship of Te Amo using tobacco from more traditional countries like Honduras and Nicaragua. These cigars were rolled in Mexico, but only the binders are actually Mexican tobacco.

There was a Honduran cigar, a Nicaraguan cigar, a Dominican cigar, and a "Cuban Style" cigar made from unnamed Central American tobaccos.

2 or 3 cigars from this box were very good, with a unique pre-light bouquet (almost sweet) and a nutty medium-bodied taste.   Most of them suffered from an extremely tight draw and dead, soft spots near the head.  One cigar had a putrid aroma that I could not explain (my friends did not actually realize it was my cigar, and they spent a half hour searching their garage to find out what small furry animal had died!).

Would not try again.
Cuba Libre One Churchill
Size: 7 x 52
Wrapper: Honduras ligero
Binder: Nicaragua & Costa Rica
Filler: Nicaragua & Honduras 
Price: $3.50

I got taken in by the larger-than-life Cigars International copy on this cigar:

  • Made by Nestor Plasencia
  • "An ultra-bold, mega-flavorful super-premium" 
  •  "A traditional and Cuban-esque blend with some punch and zest you won't soon forget.​"

Nonsense.

This is just a low-end maduro stick.  Medium body.  Decent construction.  Nothing distinctive or even much enjoyable about it.
Honduran Factory Corojo Belicoso
Size: 6 x 60
Wrapper: Costa Rica / Ecuador Sumatra
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Dominican/Honduras/Nicaraguan
Price: $1.72

Made by Nestor Plasencia.  Sold in naked wheels of 50.  Can easily be found for $1/stick on JR Cigars auction site.  Earthy flavors, medium profile.  Smoke fast with a very loose draw.  They are tasty for the price. Construction is lacking, but so what? If one burns bad, just chunk it and grab another one.

Jesus Fuego Corojo Oscuro
Size: 7 x 50
Wrapper: Ecuador - Habano Corojo Oscuro
Filler: Nicaragua
Origin: Rolled in Honduras
Price: $6.50 (store), $2.26 (online)

A beautiful cigar.  Dark reddish wrapper, spicy prelight aroma. Blast of pepper on the tongue when you first light it, then mellows out into a medium-full profile.

Unfortunately, most of the cigars in my bundle were plagued with soft spots, flaky ash, and inconsistent burn issues.  Poor construction all around.  Will not purchase again.