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Grand Cru Highlights

  • First a sweet tangy nutty taste
  • Secondly, fresh lawn clippings
  • Thirdly, woodsy and spicy
  • Mellow/Medium body
  • Moderate smoke
  • Pairs well with coffee or light whiskey/beer

Davidoff Grand Cru

Parker- 12/07/2020

One of the few cigars that I can say I enjoyed through and through, the Davidoff Grand Cru is a mellow/medium tasting cigar that is a pleasure to smoke while leaving you free to let you mind wonder.  This 6X54 cigar will cost you, but it is well worth the price as you will experience a smoke like no other.  I soon poured me a Maker’s Mark ‘Maker’s 46’  The first major part of this cigar I noticed was the silky Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper that had a smell of fresh cut grass.  Never before had I experienced such a smell emitting from a cigar.  Next, I noticed how well constructed that the cigar was with no veins and expertly wrapped. 

Already impressed, I decided to go ahead and cut my cigar (which you should do at the first ring of the shoulder, FYI) and light the foot of the cigar using intricate circles around the edge of the cigar to slowly heat and light the cigar.    As the cigar lit, I could instantly smell the fresh cut grass in the medium bodied smoke.  After a few first puffs to clear out the fresh lit flavor, I could taste a nutty taste with a slight tangy flavor along with a slight flavor of fresh cut grass.  Nothing too tangy, just a bit of a kick to let you know it is there. 

A few puffs later, I noticed a strong flavor of fresh cut grass, a surprising but extremely pleasant flavor that was truly making my smoking experience great.  One of the greatest things that I noticed as I continued my smoke was how uniform the flavors were throughout the cigar.  The fresh cut grass flavor was uniform throughout with simple and small adjustments to the flavor profile as the cigar burnt.

After the nutty taste, the 2nd third of the cigar had just fresh cut grass, making for my pleasant experience.  The last third continued my fresh cut grass flavor but also had a woodsy flavor combined with slight flavors of sweet spice. 

This was one of the few cigars I have smoked that was uniform in flavor, construction, and much more.  I can see this cigar paired well with a light whiskey (such as my Maker’s Mark ‘Makers 46’), a light American pilsner beer, or even a light or medium coffee.  It took me around 1 hour to smoke this cigar from start to finish.

By far my favorite high-class cigar, you should expect to pay big for this cigar.  My 6X54 Grand Cru cost me a cool $25.99 with a 4 pack often costing $100+, depending on where you shop.  Typically you do not find many specials with Davidoff, but sometimes you will find a deal where they will add a bar set or a few free cigars, but do not expect to find many “percent off” specials with Davidoff. 

Look to grab a single from your local smoke shop (if they carry them, Davidoff only uses approved retailers), and take your time to enjoy this high-class but tasty cigar.  

  • Mellow/Medium
  • Starts toasty/nutty
  • Sweet Cream secondly
  • Cocoa and sweet spice last

Cohiba Connecticut Gigante (6X60)

Written by: Parker  11/30/2020

 

When I go to my local cigar lounge, I try to indulge in a premium or ultra-premium cigar or two for the day.  This allows me an enjoyable smoking experience while indulging myself just a bit.  Upon speaking with staff, I discovered that a well known Cuban brand (now based outside of Cuba as well) had a milder cigar as well.  Cohiba Connecticut uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper (important as Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper tend to be a hair spicier as a general rule of thumb) with a Mexican binder and Dominican/Brazilian filler.  

Upon lighting the cigar, I noticed a very heavy white smoke that mellowed out once the cigar was lit.  Almost instantly I knew that this was a different type of cigar for a Connecticut wrapper as it developed a flavor that was unusual within moments.  The almondy nutty flavor was almost overwhelming and as the cigar advanced, the sweet cream and sweet spices last hit me and made my head swim. Although I believe that this cigar would be great for some, it produced a headache for hours after smoking it.  Overall the smoke does settle and the aftertaste isn’t terrible, but if you are going to pay around $20-$30 per cigar, I would suggest starting with another premium cigar to try first.  If you do decide to try this one out, get a single before getting a box.

 

Cigars: 10/29/2020

Rocky Patel The Edge Maduro

As I opened my newest addition to my collection, Rocky Patel The Edge Maduro, I noticed several interesting features.  First off the band on the cigar is at the foot, meaning you must remove this band before lighting.  Second is the darker wrapper which I learned was from Costa Rica, something I have never had before.  Lastly was the darker smell and what I know would be a full bodied cigar.  Notes of dark spice could be found coming from the unlit cigar, something that made me nervous.

As I lit the end with my butane lighter (always, ALWAYS use a match or butane lighter), I noticed the initial odor of the smoke to be full, but surprisingly sweet.  After taking my first few draws to draw off the butane taste (you can’t truly judge a cigar until the 3rd or 4th draw), I noticed an almost instant leathery chocolate taste.  As the taste became more complex I noticed notes of wood, coffee, spice (darker in nature I believe), and a hint of creaminess.  One of the truly surprising parts of this cigar was how the flavor stayed consistent throughout the cigar, even during the last 1/3 (where cigars typically become spicier and a bit bitter).  After a few puffs on the last 1/3, I noticed the sickening lightheadedness of a nicotine kick hitting me, something which I do not enjoy.  I instantly stopped and was able to stave off much of the nicotine hit that stronger cigars, such as this one, puts off.

There are many different types of Rocky Patel The Edge including a Connecticut wrapper (typically more mild, which I should have gotten) but I wanted to try the Costa Rican wrapper which I had never had before.  I noticed that the smoke coming from the cigar was heavy and lasted in the air for a long time, perhaps a turn off for some who do not live heavy smoke.  As I always smoke outdoors, this did not bother me nearly as much.

Overall I believe that, for a medium-full/strong cigar, this is a great choice.  The spice doesn’t hit you as hard as some full cigars and the stronger leather and wood taste makes for an interesting flavor profile.  The best part of this cigar is the flavor consistency is little changed throughout.  I would caution any newer smoker to perhaps gain some experience with milder cigars before jumping into this one as the nicotine hit can be much.  Overall, for a darker cigar, I believe that this is a well rounded and well constructed cigar that has good flavor, a long burn time, and has a good aroma.  

 

  • Strong/Full cigar with good complexity and flavor
  • Strong leather and wood flavoring
  • Heavy smoke
  • Can hit with nicotine; not for novices
  • Long lasting, approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your smoking rate.
  • Oily and dark wrapper, dark spice but not a heavy spice.

 

 

 

Written by: Parker

Parker has been enjoying the art of smoking cigars for almost two years and specializes in mild/mellow and medium cigars.  Parker has worked with his friend Alan to develop a wide-ranging array of cigars, accessories, and drinks to combine together and develop the “perfect combination” of cigar and drink.  His goal is to make this process stress free and introduce you to the leaf.  

  • Strength and Spiciness
  • Taste and Aroma
  • Cost and Quality
  • Smoke

The Cigar And You: 10/26/2020

If you are new to cigars or are a seasoned connoisseur, cigars can be an often expensive and disappointing endeavor, especially for those new to the leaf.  To avoid these pitfalls, we need to determine what your tastes are when it comes to cigars.  

Cigars come in a range of flavors, sizes, wrappers, fillers, strengths, smokes, aromas, spiciness, costs, qualities, and more.  For a first time smoker, I believe two of the most important aspects of novice smokers is that of strength and spiciness.  Strength because this determines how much nicotine that a cigar has  and spiciness because this determines how much kick the cigar has.  In later posts, I will go over the wrapper, filler, and other terms that helps you determine your preferences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strength: 10/26/2020

It’s all about the Nicotine

Do you have experience with nicotine?  If not, I suggest that you start with a mild/mellow cigar that doesn’t have much nicotine.  This allows you to slowly develop a taste for it and it not to be a sickening experience.  I prefer a milder smoke, regardless.   There are several milder cigars on the market depending on your preferences, but if you want to save a chunk of money, maybe try the Casa de Garcia Connecticut (one of my personal favorites) or if you are okay to spend a bit more, try the Rocky Patel Vintage 1999.  

 

+The Casa de Garcia Connecticut, one of my personal favorites, is mild with good flavor.  It uses vintage Honduran and Dominican fillers with a Connecticut wrapper.  This cigar typically costs around $5 per cigar (depending on size, of course) and is a great hand rolled (preferred) option for the novice smoker or the experienced smoker who wishes to have a milder smoke.  This smoke has almost no spice, although it gets just a tiny bit spicy toward the end.  Hints of caramel, cocoa, leather, and creamy tobacco make this smoke a great mellow smoke.

 

+The Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 serves as a higher-end option to the Casa above.  This cigar is a bit more strong than the Casa, but only a bit.  Costing around $10-$15 a cigar (depending on size), the Rocky Patel is a great option for a mid-range cost smoke and is a great conversation starter with other cigar smokers as the double band is a beautiful addition to the series.  Sophistication and a mild smoke with hints of sweet cream, baking spices, cocoa, cedar, and leather, this smoke will blow you away!

 

+Either of these smokes have several good options to pair with it.  If you want to go with a coffee, I would suggest a mild breakfast blend coffee with cream and sugar, if you like.  In terms of Beer, I would suggest a light pilsner or lager, possibly a domestic even.  I would go with something a bit more sophisticated with the Rocky Vintage 1999, however.  Liquor for these need to be mild, perhaps a Maker’s Mark Vintage 46 or a Gentleman Jack.  A good Glenlivet Scotch goes well with the Rocky Vintage 1999.

Written by: Parker

Parker has been enjoying the art of smoking cigars for almost two years and specializes in mild/mellow and medium cigars.  Parker has worked with his friend Alan to develop a wide-ranging array of cigars, accessories, and drinks to combine together and develop the “perfect combination” of cigar and drink.  His goal is to make this process stress free and introduce you to the leaf.  

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