Old Fashioned #550
Size: 5 x 50
Origin: Dominican Republic
Price: $2.40

The Old Fashioned #550 is a second to Macanudo Hyde Park. This was an unpleasant cigar with an ugly, bumpy wrapper and a bitter taste.

Mister B's Handmade Cigars

You can't get many handmade cigars for $0.50 apiece, so I ordered a few bundles from JRCigars.com when they became available. Apparently, I'm not the only one who's had this epiphany, because more often then not these cigars are out of stock.

First, it just can't be ignored, these are some ugly stogies. The wrappers are often wrinkled, vein-y (is that a word?), and bumped. That's probably why they're sold at such low prices. But most of them smoke well, because as we all know, the wrapper rarely affects taste or burn. They are loosely wrapped concoctions, with fair but not great quality tobacco. On the plus side, they smoke fast when you don't have much time, but they also tend to go out quickly if you don't attend to them often. I don't particularly care for the taste of the naturals, but the maduros were smooth.

I may try them again, but for now I'd rather pay a little extra ($1.25) for the JR Alternatives






Macanudo Crystal Cafe

James and Laura gave me a box of 8 for my 30th birthday. & let me say, these are easily the best Macanudos I've ever had. Smooth, evenly rolled, slow-burning, perhaps a bit too mild -- but definitely a Ritzy cigar. They come in airtight glass tubes with foam-padded, gold-tasselled corks at the top. I probably can't justify the price (nearly $5 apiece), but a very good smoke. Redeemed the Macanudo brand name, in my opinion -- just don't give me anymore of those damn Hampton Courts!

















Excalibur Prensado (JR Alternative)

Another excellent heavy-bodied cigar from the JR Alternative line for the economically challenged. As good as -- if not maybe a tad better -- than the JR Ultimates.

It's been a year and half since I updated my cigar blog. There's a very good reason for this: In late August 2003, I purchased two Cuban Montecristo #2 cigars from a vendor in Jamaica ($7 ea). I smoked them on the top deck of the Carnival Conquest cruise ship, and I knew instantly that my searching was over. I had found the perfect cigar: perfect taste, perfect size, lasted over an hour and the cigar never faltered or grew hot. It became my standard--and no other has even come close to topping it.

I abandoned the blog, because there was nothing else to say.

Of course, you can't buy those treasured delights in the States, unless you are willing to break the law and (more importantly) shell out $50 for each one. So, over the past 18 months, I've mainly stuck with brands I already knew. There have been a few excursions into the unknown, most noticeably:

1) A Davidoff, purchased in Amsterdam, smoked during a boat ride down the River Seine in Paris.

2) A Cuban Cohiba (from the same Jamaican vendor) that did not live up to its billing. It had been improperly stored and even a few weeks in my humidor couldn't do anything for it.

3) An eight-inch behemoth from Romeo Y Julieta, smoked while watching the 2005 Sugar Bowl with friends.

4) A box of Elvis Presley cigars, hand rolled in Honduras, given to me by a Tennessee fan I met while watching the AL-TENN game at a local hangout.

5) A box of $1 JR Alternatives (Punch Double Corona), that tasted--and perhaps were--exactly like the "real" thing. Easily the best cigar value I've ever found. Usually, the JR Alternatives are just excess inventory from the manufacturer, sans the pretty packaging.

6) 3 more Cuban Montecristo #2's, smuggled back from Mexico by a friend. This time I shared with both Anthony (who is becoming as hooked on this hobby as I am) and Donnie Taylor, who waxed poetic, agreeing it was the best cigar he's ever had and made a standing offer to pay up to $500 dollars if I can get him a box.

But mostly, it was the same old, same old:

• The occasional Onyx Reserve (now $3.75 at JR Cigars)
• Arturo Fuentes (Double Chateau, Curly Head Deluxe)
• Montecristo (Afriques, when I can afford them, which is not often)
• Macanudos (they all taste the same)
• Two bad experiences with H. Uppmans and El Rey del Mundos.

But I've come back to the blog now, because more and more frequently I find myself in the cigar stores or online at JR Cigars, wondering Have I tried this brand before? Did I like it?

So, the blog will no longer record my pursuit for the perfect cigar. Instead, I will only add to it when I try new ones and want to record my impressions and opinions.

Arturo Fuente Curly Head Deluxe
When I reviewed my first Curly Head Deluxe, I had mixed feeelings but decided to try some more. Fortunately, letting them age in the humidor yielded excellent results. The draw improved considerably and the taste evolved from what I originally termed "utter blandness" to a huskier, heavier flavor. There is still some gumminess and loose leaves at the end. But they last a long time and are a terrific bargain for the price.


Stoker's Seconds
MSRP: $2.50

Seconds are cigars rejected from the brand label assembly lines. They may be rejected due to inferior leaves, the quality of the construction, or simply because the tobacco roller is a novice-in-training. Obviously, they vary greatly in quality and are usually inexpensive. Many smokers swear they can't tell the difference between seconds and premium cigars. Many well-known labels -- like Arturo Fuente and Cohiba -- sell seconds under a different label. Other companies package seconds as generic products.

I don't know who makes Stoker's. The robustos I smoked were were pretty good. The flavor was nice, although they burned too quickly.


Al Capone
Shape: Corona

I purchased a box of 25 Al Capones from a tobacco store that was liquidating the former owner's stock to make room for a better selection. These cigars were severely dried out, and I bought them for $1 apiece. I wanted to perform an experiment to find out how to re-hydrate the cigars & find out if the taste be restored.

Some cigars I stored in my humidor, some at room temperature, some in the refrigerator in a wooden box with wet towelettes, and some in the refrigerator with no towelette. The refrigerator method worked to some degree, but a few months in the humidor yielded the best results. The cigar was not a quality brand, to begin with, and none were restored to a perfect state. But I will never listen to anyone again when they say the refrigerator method is an acceptable alternative to a humidor.


Antonio y Cleopatra
MSRP: $5.00

Nothing very memorable about this cigar.






Macanudo Portifino
CA Rating: 82
Filler: Dominican, Mexican
Size: 7 inches
Style: Panetela
MSRP: $5.20

A long thin cigar with a smooth, bland-ish taste and a very poor draw. I would try another Macanudo cigar, if it were a different series. The long, thin shape is what makes the draw so difficult. The taste of the tobacco itself was enjoyable.