New releases part II

Hello cigar smokers,
In this post I'm detailing the second half of our new holiday items here at the shop. We have lots of rare Fuentes available, not just the Don Carlos Personal Reserve.
First we got 3 new facings of the Fuente Anejo, these cigars feature a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with certain Opus X fillers finished in Cognac barrels. These cigars are very rich and give a faint barrel taste. These are much different than the American Bourbon barrels that Camacho uses for their American Barrel Aged line, I would describe it as a much more subtle barrel taste that only comes to the forefront on the finish.

Each of these vitolas offer a different experience and have their nuances. Each size is named after its ring gauge. First is the #46, this cigar is a corona size then the #48 is a Corona Gorda and finally is the #55 Torpedo. Each of these cigars come in boxes of 25 and feature lots of red on the box and finished with a red ribbon. All that red packages well as a Christmas present, it has an unmistakable look that hops out to all Fuente fans. In my experience this cigar is harder to get than the Opus X for much of the year, and if you ask me it is a better cigar.
Next we have the Fuente Best Seller in a Maduro wrapper. These cigars are a strange perfecto shape that is similar to the Fuente Short Story. These cigars rarely come with a Maduro wrapper and these are not going to last. These are rarely seen and a great take on the famous Fuente Hemingway line.

Here is a side by side comparison to show the difference in wrapper between the Maduro and classic Best Seller cigars.

Exciting times and even more exciting cigars! Please consider doing your holiday shopping for the cigar smokers in your life with us at Disocunt Cigarettes and Cigars, located at 801 Woodside Road Redwood City, CA. Happy holidays and happy smoking,
JT

Holiday releases

Hello Cigar smokers,
This holiday season is shaping up to be a good one for us at Discount Cigarettes and Cigars in Redwood City. There is a multitude of new releases and old favorites making a comeback at our shop. I'm going to detail what's going on with us below.
First off we have the newest addition to the My Father family. First is a brand new release, The Judge. This cigar is a box pressed Gran Toro, measuring 6"x56. This cigar is a dry, slightly peaty blend that goes excellent with scotch whiskeys. It features the familiar My Father Band and has a new box inlay that is in line with the style of previous releases.

Another new release by My Father is their popular Flor de Las Antillas cigar, now available in a Maduro wrapper. These cigars are identical fillers and binder to the original with a new Maduro wrapper. I prefer these much more than the original Flor de Las Antillas, it's about time there is a Maduro if you ask me!

Third we have the Fuente Don Carlos Personal Reserve. It is said that these were the cigars that Carlos Fuente Senior blended for himself, and since his passing they will be on the market for a limited time. They're much richer than the regular Don Carlos line and they only come in a traditional Robusto size. They're a great treat for any Fuente fan.

There are some other items to promote that will be detailed in a new post. The My Fathers are regular production items for the market to enjoy, but the Don Carlos Personal Reserve are a limited run so if you're interested don't hesitate! Happy smoking and happy holidays we hope to accommodate your cigar needs here. Like always any cigar related questions can go to jtcigarsofwoodside@gmail.com or feel free to call at (650) 366-8888

Cigar Review: Casa Magna Jalapa Claro Box Press Toro

Hello Cigar Smokers,
Today I'm reviewing a special cigar from an old favorite brand. The Casa Magna Jalapa Claro is the newest addition to the Casa Magna family, and possibly my favorite yet. The filler and binder tobaccos are the same as the old favorite Casa Magna Colorado, which is known as being 2008's Cigar of the Year from Cigar Aficionado. The difference with this cigar is the sizes and the wrapper. This cigar is a 6"x52 Box Pressed Toro wrapped in a Jalapa Wrapper. The new wrapper is worlds different than the Colorado wrapper featured on the classic. This cigar gives a lighter flavor with more nuance, but gives up the richness of the Colorado. This is a limited release, with Casa Magna only releasing 1,000 boxes of each 3 sizes.

The colors on the box match the wrapper. The Colorado is a deep brown color on the box and wrapper, while the Jalapa Claro has an Orange tint on the box and wrapper. I really like the continuity between lines, it makes them display well on the shelf. The themes of the Casa Magna line stay consistent, but the color coding makes the eye distinguish from lines at a glance. This cigar comes packed in boxes of 20 in more compact boxes than the Colorado. The box pressing is a little inconsistent and each cigar is not exactly the same dimensions, but this is just cosmetic. Each cigar I've smoked draws perfectly with zero burn issues. Casa Magna has been around for long enough to not have quality control issues, this cigar's small production also adds to the overall quality of each box.

Now on to the flavor! This cigar is well balanced and a good step lighter than the Casa Magna Colorado. The most prominent notes I get are Caramel, Cedar wood and a generic pepper taste. These notes balance into being a full bodied cigar, with a medium plus strength. The filler tobaccos are the same as the classic Colorado line which make it more or less equal in strength, but the wrapper takes away the richness of the Colorado and makes the Jalapa Claro woody, peppery and smooth. If you are a fan of Casa Magna this cigar will blow you away with the different taste just a new wrapper makes. As the cigar progresses the caramel note goes away quickly, but the remaining pepper and wood notes come and go and develop into a sweet finish. I smoke these cigars down much further than I normally do, they finish that well.

For a frame of reference the Jalapa Claro is pictured on the left, with the classic Colorado on the right. I highly recommend this cigar to anybody who is familiar with Casa Magna and wants to try a new take on that brand. This cigar is also great for fans of Habano and Cameroon wrappers, the Jalapa wrapper in my opinion is a good flavor profile to try while being in a similar strength range for most cigars. This cigar would pair really well with a scotch whiskey or even a blended scotch that has some malt to it. These cigars won't be on the market for long, so if you're intrigued try them sooner rather than later. Happy smoking,
JT

Cigar Review: La Aurora 1495 Robusto

Hello cigar smokers,
Today I'm reviewing a new product in our shop, the La Aurora 1495 Series Robusto. This cigar is named after the year Cristopher Columbus made the voyage to land on the islands off of the East Coast, and the Spaniard people discovered smoke-able tobacco. This cigar measures like a standard Robusto 5" by a 50 ring gauge and is wrapped with a Cameroon wrapper, which is La Aurora's trademark wrapper. This cigar comes in simple cardboard boxes with some striking artwork on the bands of the Lion that is present in all La Aurora lines. This cigar, like all Cameroons are right in the middle strength wise a solid 3/5.

Flavor wise this cigar doesn't overwhelm, I would describe it as a lighter body with a medium flavor. This cigar has the prototypical Cameroon flavor, to me the body feels light like a Connecticut shade wrapper but it offers much more flavor than a Shade. This cigar gives notes of cedar wood and a kind of generic spice feeling that comes and goes throughout the cigar. This cigar is characterized mainly by the wood notes with the smoothness that gets bolder towards the end. Overall this cigar is very well balanced, not one dimensional and not flashy with it's flavors.

 This cigar draws well and I haven't experienced any burn issues. I haven't experienced a plugged up cigar from any La Aurora products and these are constructed about as well as I expected. While the box feels cheap, the cigars speak for themselves. Many smokers associate the cardboard box with inferior cigars, but that is not the case from La Aurora. I highly recommend these to any fan of Dominican cigars, fans of Cameroon wrappers, or anybody who is interested in stepping up from mild bodied cigars. I consider the Cameroon wrapper a good transition to fuller bodied cigars for beginner smokers. Happy Smoking!
JT

New item: Fuente Fuente Opus X Rosado Oscuro Oro

Hello Cigar smokers,
We have a new rare Fuente in stock for fans of the Opus X. The Opus X Rosado Oscuro Oro. These cigars are a limited edition rendition of the famous Opus X line. They feature an Oscuro wrapper that is significantly darker than the regular production Opus X. These are sold in a sampler of 15, split between five sizes. The sizes range from a Corona to a Curchill, each featuring the Fuente "Destino al Siglo" band and a yellow ribbon at the end in a striking orange/yellow box. "Oro" is Spanish for gold, but the packaging isn't quite gold.

I haven't smoked one of these to review, we're keeping the sampler together to sell as a set. I hear these are quite special and offer something quite different from the main Opus line. The box in of itself is something special to hold and look at, Fuente definitely doesn't go cheap when it goes to packaging special product like this.

These would be a great gift for a fan of Fuente cigars, or even a personal purchase for those of you that enjoy rare cigars on occasion. You may find that we are priced lower than certain online sources, if you wanted to treat yourself or somebody special jump on these before they go!

Cigar Review: Matilde Quadrata Robusto

Hello Cigar Smokers,
Today I'm smoking the newest addition to the Matilde line, the Quadrata. This cigar is the third release by Matilde and is blended to be inbetween the Renacer and Oscuro. This cigar features an Ecuadorian grown Habano wrapper with a Dominican binder and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The Quadrata Robusto measures 5 1/4 by a 50 ring. This is the first Matilde cigar to be box pressed, which I think is a nice touch. The box and bands on this cigar are a matching shade of orange. I like how Matilde color codes their boxes, with the Renacer being natural wood the Quadrata being Orange and the Oscura is Green.  Like each previous release these cigars come packed in compact cabinet boxes of 20. The colors don't exactly contrast, but when they're in order they guide the eyes down the shelf. I think this is a nice courtesy to retailers, in my opinion many brands will make beautiful boxes that don't display well on a crowded humidor shelf.

 

I notice when I light this cigar up is is reminiscent of the Renacer, the main difference being the draw due to the box pressing. These cigars draw wide open from the start, but aren't loose. A definitely more open draw than the other Matilde cigars I've smoked. The first notes that really jump at me are pepper and caramel. Not to be confused with the Nougat notes I get from the Renacer, this cigar has more of a "punchiness" to it as opposed to the well rounded, smooth flavors of the Renacer. The last third of this cigar gives a woody note, reminiscent of cedar that finishes the cigar.While the Renacer and the Quadrata are both Ecuadorian Habanos, they are not the same cigar. The wrappers on each are the same shade, but the tobaccos in the middle change the flavors immensely. As opposed to the Oscuro, the Quadrata doesn't have the richness of the Oscuro. The Oscuro features a Pennsylvania grown filler with a San Andres Maduro leaf, which are notoriously rich tasting leaves. To distinguish each line with one adjective I would describe the Renacer as well-rounded, the Quadrata as punchy and the Oscuro as rich.

 

My final verdict on this cigar is that it is excellent and the perfect distance from the Renacer and the Oscuro. If you have tried either one of these Matilde cigars and both were lacking something you favor in a cigar, the Quadrata may hit the spot. I think this cigar is closer in flavor to the Renacer than the Oscuro, but each are different offerings. The Quadrata I think would pair very well with a scotch whisky, the caramel notes would go well with the malty qualities of a good scotch. The Renacer I would say pairs better with an Irish whiskey or Bourbon, something with more sweetness than the scotch. And finally the Oscuro would go better with a red wine or Cognac, as those really accentuate the richness of that blend. Either way I highly recommend the Quadrata to all smokers that prefer medium bodied cigars and don't mind a box press. I have a lot of new items in stock here, so I'm going to be posting more to keep up with new releases. Happy Smoking!

Cigar Review: Matilde Renacer Corona

Hello Cigar smokers,
Today I'm reviewing a cigar that's been a reliable pick for me lately, the Matilde Renacer Corona. The Matilde Renacer was the first cigar to debut for Matilde, they've expanded the brand since Cigar Aficionado rated the Renacer Corona the #19 cigar of 2014. This cigar measures 5 1/2 by 44 and features an Ecuadorian grown Habano wrapper with an assortment of Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers and a Dominican binder. This is hands down my favorite size of the Renacer line. Each cigar I've observed is free of flaws and quality control issues, they're not squishy to the touch and they're not too firm. I've never seen a cracked wrapper out of the box, and I've never had draw and burn issues. I've smoked well over a box of these cigars since they've come out so I am very confident in saying this is a higher quality cigar as far as construction is concerned.

The draw is what I would call right in the middle. It doesn't draw hard, it's not too easy that it floods your mouth with smoke, it's just right. It starts maybe a little firm, but opens up to a perfect draw quickly. I would attribute this to the size too, the coronas in my experience burn and draw perfect every time. The flavors balance really well, it's a smooth blend, but not boring. I get a lot of nougat and leather type notes with a pepperiness that comes and goes throughout. This cigar is no "flavor bomb" but the flavors work so well together it doesn't need to be overwhelmingly flavorful to make it a great cigar. I can't praise this size enough either, I tend to smoke cigars fast so petite coronas will run hot for me. The 5 1/2 by 44 size gives you more cigar to smoke and has more surface area to stay cool, but is still undeniably a corona. I really like coronas because they have a more concentrated flavor than a Toro or Robusto in most cases, and especially with the Renacer this blend really shines in this size. 

I'm a big fan of Matilde's cigars, and I would classify the Renacer as a "must try" for even the casual smoker. This is a good every day cigar, it's right in the middle as far as strength and body are concerned. The flavor never gets old for me and I never have to worry about ugly wrappers or bad draws. I recommend this cigar to literally everybody who likes cigars. Especially more so for smokers that like to stay in the medium range.

Cigar Review: My Father El Centurion H2K Corona

Hello Cigar smokers,
Today I'm reviewing one of the newer offerings by My Father Cigars, the re-blended Centurion brand. This cigar differs from the original Centurion, which was a Nicaraguan Puro. This cigar features fillers and binders from Nicaragua still, with a hybrid US grown wrapper. The H2K in the name denotes the wrapper, it's a hybrid Habano wrapper grown in the same area that Connecticut Shade wrappers are grown in. This cigar comes packed in boxes of 20 with a sharp box press and 2 bands with a ribbon on it. Much of the cigar is covered in it's packaging, but you can still see the beautiful wrapper underneath. This cigar has a medium colored wrapper with a good amount of tooth on it. The orange colors on the band and ribbon look nice with the wrapper, it pops off the shelf and looks very enticing.

On to the cigar itself, I'm not normally partial to box-pressed cigars, but this cigar draws effortlessly. There is some give when you squeeze this cigar, but it's not sloppy. This cigar measures 5.5" by a 48 ring gauge. This is a kind of strange size for a Corona, it's dimensions are closer to a robusto, but that's just semantics. What really matters is the flavor, and this cigar has it in spades. This cigar is a medium body, but has a lighter flavor than most medium bodies. This cigar feels like a Connecticut Shade cigar with much less dainty flavor that a traditional Connecticut. You still get the smooth, buttery flavor of a Connecticut, but it evolves into a much more interesting cigar. After the initial light up notes of pepper and spice some through and build up. I notice the draw gives the smoothness of a Shade wrapper, while the exhale gives the punch. Especially if you exhale through the nose you really get an explosion of pepper which never gets old.

It's hard to describe this cigar's flavor, but I call it a medium body with a light to medium strength. I classify it as a 2/5 strength, but its more of a hard 2 or soft 3. At first I was a skeptic, but this cigar has really grown on me. The construction and draw are top notch, the flavor seems to hit my palate differently every time I revisit this cigar and it never gets old. I prefer this as a change of pace cigar. I recommend this cigar to anybody who prefers Connecticut Shade cigars, this will give you more flavor without being too much to palate. I also recommend this cigar to people who prefer full bodied cigars who want a change of pace. I think this is a good candidate to age long term and I plan on adding a box to my humidor collection. Happy smoking and feel free to email questions to jtcigarsofwoodside@gmail.com
JT

Cigar Review: Regius Red Label Fat Perfecto

Hello Cigar Smokers,
Today I'm reviewing a familiar cigar in a different size, the Regius Red Label, but this time I'm reviewing the Fat Perfecto size. I'm a fan of Regius, and especially their fat perfecto size, which is similar to the Drew Estate Flying Pig. After that, all comparisons are off between the Regius and Drew Estate products. This cigar measures 5 3/4"x54x60x54, the way perfectos measure the first gauge is the foot of the cigar the second gauge is the middle of the cigar and the last gauge is the head of the cigar. So this cigar is a 54 ring gauge at both ends and balloons to a 60 for much of the middle of the cigar. This cigar has the regular Regius band, as well as a secondary band that reads "Exclusivo USA." The secondary band is similar is design and font to Cuban brands that release "Exclusivo" lines for a certain market.

This cigar is a Nicaraguan Puro wrapped in a Jalapa wrapper. The Jalapa wrapper gives this cigar a nice leathery quality to it, without being too strong. Many Nicaraguan Puros I've smoked tend to be on the much fuller side, and while this is no doubt a full bodied cigar, it doesn't have an overwhelming strength to it. This cigar is a 4/5 on our strength ranking scale, but I don't think that tells the full story. Where this cigar is most different than the lancero is in the draw. The Lancero has a concentrated flavor and a tighter draw, while the Fat Perfecto billows with smoke from the first draw. That's what I enjoy the most from large ring perfectos, the draw is wide open, but the taper at the end reins it in and keeps it from being too much. Cigars this size tend to burn unevenly, but I notice with this cigar, as well as the entire "Exclusivo USA" line, that if you let it burn and don't smoke it too fast it will correct itself into an even burn line. The two prominent notes I get from this cigar are leather and spice, it definitely opens with a pleasant leather feeling on the palate and that fades into a satisfying spiciness and peppery quality. As soon as I taste the spicy notes the finish gets way longer too, Jalapa wrappers tend to have a long finish to them in my experience. The leather notes come and go throughout the cigar, and a nutty sweetness comes through at times, especially in the middle of this smoke. When this cigar nears the end the leather note comes back, and relieves you from the pepper, which comes through still in the finish.

This isn't the most complex cigar on the market, but I like the flavors coming and going, it definitely isn't one dimensional. Between the Fat Perfecto and Lancero I'm split as to which one I prefer, but I think I give the edge to the Fat Perfecto due to the draw. These Fat Perfecto's are just too much fun to smoke, and they're well constructed to boot. Overall I recommend this cigar to anybody who enjoys smoking odd sized cigars, anybody who is a fan of Nicaraguan cigars, or anybody who is tired of earth toned and creamy cigars. Variety is the spice of life, and this cigar has plenty of spice! Regius is one of my favorite brands and I'm sure one of their offerings is right for you.

New promotion: Robusto sampler packs

Hello Cigar smokers,
I notice that many online cigar services will offer assorted sampler packs, so I've decided to do the same for customers that want to try new cigars as well as get a good deal. Every week or two I will assemble a new sampler, with a new theme for each one. My goal here is to help you as a smoker find your new favorite cigar. The theme for my first sampler pack is Robustos, I've put together 4 different Robustos of different origins and strengths as listed below, they're pictured right to left:
1 Montecristo Classic Robusto, these cigars are easy going and light. The name doesn't lie these are a definite classic.
1 H Upmann Vintage Cameroon, these are my favorite H Upmann, featuring a Cameroon African grown wrapper, which is also one of my favorite wrapper leafs.
1 Illusione Rothschilds, these are a more robust Nicaraguan puro that feature a stout, earthy flavor.
1 Regius Black Label Robusto, these cigars are strong, yet smooth. Another Nicaraguan Puro from a lesser known brand that delivers high quality without the high price tag.

I balanced this sampler with 2 Nicaraguan cigars and 2 Dominican cigars. These cigars range from 2's to 4's on our strength ranking system. The cigars I've assembled in this sampler pack range from more mass produced cigars to some "boutique" cigars that are made in smaller numbers and not distributed as widely. If this promotion interests you, come to Discount Cigarettes and Cigars on 801 Woodside Road in Redwood City, CA on Saturdays and Sundays and ask for JT's latest sampler pack. I'll make a new post each time I introduce a new sampler, each one is a limited time deal. For further questions please email at jtcigarsofwoodside@gmail.com

Cigar Review: Regius Blue Label Oscuro Fat Perfecto

Hello Cigar Smokers,
Today I'm reviewing an excellent cigar from an excellent company, Regius' newest cigar, the Blue Label Oscuro. This cigar is rolled into an interesting perfecto shape, very similar to the Drew Estate Flying Pig. The cigar is wrapped in a thick and oily San Andres Maduro wrapper and fillers and a binder from Nicaragua. These cigars come packed in a striking blue box to match the primary band, with the familiar "Exclusivo USA" secondary band like the other Regius exclusive blends. The exact dimensions of this cigar is 5 3/4 x 54 x60, so it is a 60 ring at the fattest point and tapers to a 54 near the head of the cigar.

From the initial light up this cigar greets you with the familiar richness that San Andres wrappers are known for. The difference I would say is in the fillers, the all Nicaraguan fillers give this cigar more "punch" than similar cigars on the market. I would say this cigar has more of a peppery quality than other San Andres Maduro cigars. The flavor starts out with earth tones and a slight woody flavor, and it develops those pepper notes a little bit into the cigar. What I notice most on this cigar is the richness, it is reminiscent of the Padron 1964 to me. This cigar isn't the same at all as the Padron 1964, but it gives similar impressions on the palate and they're definitely comparable to me. These perfectos are well constructed, the thick wrapper is not prone to cracking, even with this tricky size. I do notice that I need to take extra care in lighting this cigar to ensure an even burn from the start. Most perfectos behave like that in my experience, I toast the foot of the cigar then puff on it slightly and it's off! If you roast it correctly from the beginning you will get a reliable burn.

It's no mystery that San Andres Maduro is my favorite wrapper, and with it being a popular wrapper now there are always new choices to try out on the market. I am a fan of Regius cigars, and the Blue Label Oscuro is by far my favorite. I'm excited to try each vitola of this cigar over time. I recommend this cigar to anybody who likes Nicaraguan maduro cigars, fans of San Andres wrappers, or anybody who wants to explore some of the more interesting sizes on the market. Smoking perfectos is a much different experience than regular rounded cigars, the difference mainly being in the draw. I would describe it as a more open, airy draw. Some people prefer them, some people can't stand them, but the only way to find out is to try for yourself! Happy smoking
JT

Cigar review: La Gloria Cubana R Serie no 5

Hello Cigar Smokers,
Today I'm reviewing a very reliable cigar that's been on the market for a while now, the La Gloria Cubana R Serie. This cigar is produced by General Cigar Company in the Dominican Republic. La Gloria Cubana was started by Ernesto Perez Carillo, a very well known and highly renowned cigar maker. This cigar is wrapped in an Ecuadorian grown Sumatra wrapper, with a Nicaraguan binder and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The No 5 measures 5.5 inches by a 54 ring gauge. This cigar is very robust, especially for a Sumatra wrapper, I rank this cigar a 4/5 on our strength ranking system.

The first thing I notice about this cigar is how rich and oily the wrapper is, as well as how well constructed it is. This cigar is bunched well, not too tight and not too loose. This ensures an even burn throughout and the 54 ring gauge gives it a nice, open draw without being sloppy. There are some veins present in the wrapper leaves, but this doesn't really hurt the quality of the smoke in my experiences. Sometimes having veins on the wrapper will make it burn unevenly or hurt the overall flavor of the cigar, but the fillers being bunched well negates this. To describe the flavor I would say this cigar has a strong, earthy core. From the initial light up you are greeted with a strong leather like quality to the smoke that does not let up throughout. Sumatra wrappers aren't terribly strong, so it doesn't overwhelm you with that earthy quality, which mostly comes from the fillers. Around the core flavor of the cigar I notice some spicy notes that come and go around halfway through the cigar. The flavor is strong and reliable, the La Gloria R Serie is dependable in that it gives a consistent flavor box to box.

This cigar comes highly recommended by me, I recommend this cigar to anybody who enjoys fuller bodied cigars. I also recommend this cigar to anybody interested in trying Sumatra wrappers, there aren't that many quality Sumatra wrappers prevalent on the market compared to the other choices in wrapper leaf. This cigar, with it's leather and earthy qualities pair well with a scotch specifically or a lamb or steak meal. I say this cigar is a good choice to enjoy with some good drinks and good barbecue on this holiday weekend. Happy smoking!
JT

Different shades of Connecticut Shade

Hello Cigar smokers,
Today's topic isn't a review, but analysis of something that I think is misleading to a lot of smokers. Not all Connecticut Shade wrappers are created equally, and not all Connecticut Shade wrappers are grown in Connecticut. Connecticut Shade is a wrapper favored by many smokers that prefer lighter cigars. It is a thin wrapper that is much less oily than many other choices, less oils gives it a lighter flavor and a less intense feeling on the palate. Shade wrappers have a buttery or creamy quality to them and are smoother than many other wrappers. Here are the two different varieties of Connecticut Shade wrapper both blended into two popular Montecristo cigars.

On the left is the Montecristo White Series and on the right is the Montecristo Classic. The Montecristo Classic features a Connecticut shade wrapper grown in Connecticut and the White Series is a Shade wrapper grown in Ecuador. The Connecticut grown Shade wrapper featured in the Classic Series is grown under Nylon tents in Connecticut. Growing the tobacco under tents filters out sunlight, by doing that the tobacco doesn't grow as thick or develop as many oils, resulting in a lighter tobacco. The Ecuadorian Grown tobacco isn't grown under tents, but Ecuador is overcast for much of the year so it filters sunlight similar to the effect of the tents in Connecticut.

Now the difference in taste is more nuanced, they both have a light bodied flavor and an easy draw. The difference I notice is that many of the Ecuadorian variety Shade wrappers are blended into cigars with slightly stronger fillers than the Connecticut grown variety.  To compare the Montecristo Classic to the Montecristo White I notice the Classic maintains the light draw and buttery flavor throughout the cigar, while the White Series tends to pick up and finish with a more medium bodied flavor. They both are on the lighter side, but the White Series definitely changes in flavor more than the Classics.

If you prefer Connecticut Shade wrappers, take notice to where the wrapper leaf is grown and notice the differences between Connecticut grown and Ecuadorian grown. You may be surprised to find out that your favorite Connecticut Shade wrapper isn't actually grown in Connecticut. Talking about cigars is as much fun as smoking them to me. Please leave a comment if this post interests you or email any cigar related questions to jtcigarsofwoodside@gmail.com.
Happy smoking,
JT

Cigar Review: Drew Estate Nica Rustica El Brujito

Hello Cigar Smokers,
Today I'm reviewing a popular and reliable smoke that is proven on the market, Drew Estate's Nica Rustica. These cigars come in a tray display, often times you will find them on the bottom shelves of large humidors. The cigars themselves come in bundles of 25 that come wrapped in construction paper, and retailers load them into the trays as needed. The packaging is definitely cheap, but the cigar itself offers a good value. These cigars are wrapped in a dark Connecticut broadleaf wrapper with a San Andres Mexico binder leaf, with fillers from Nicaragua. This blend all together makes a rich, definitely full bodied cigar. This smoke is a 4/5 strength.

The construction of these cigars is acceptable, some cracked wrappers and other imperfections can be noticed, but in general they are fine. I have noticed imperfections that do affect the quality of the cigar, so be diligent and inspect these before selecting. These cigars are finished with a little pigtail at the cap, which I enjoy it makes them hold together better at the end in my opinion. Some cigars will be on the looser side, I haven't seen a Nica Rustica that is rolled too tight, but I've seen cracked wrappers that result in a cigar almost unraveling on me due to the loose roll and cracked wrapper. This is more of a nitpick than my judgment on the cigar, overall more of these are going to be just fine than give you problems.

On to the smoke itself, from the initial light up you get a strong, full flavor. The Maduro wrapper and binder leaf give you a richness that is very familiar to fans of Maduro cigars. This cigar definitely has strength, but not necessarily complexity. The tobaccos don't build up and change flavors on you. The flavor is good and satisfying, giving a velvety sensation on the palate similar to other rich Maduro wrappers, but it leaves you with the same flavor at the finish as the initial light up. Overall I like this cigar, but I don't love it. It is priced lower than other more premium offerings from Drew Estate and for the value is a very satisfying cigar in it's price point. Overall I recommend this cigar to anybody who does not want to break the bank and wants an introduction into fuller bodied cigars.

Cigar Review: Matilde Oscura Toro Bravo

Hello Cigar Smokers!
Today I'm reviewing another new product, and a quick favorite of mine, the Matilde Oscura. We stock two sizes of this cigar, the Toro Brevas, which measures  6 1/2" by 54. We also stock a Corona which measures 5 1/2" by 44. This cigar is wrapped in a Mexican grown San Andres Maduro leaf with fillers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Pennsylvania with a Sumatra Binder leaf. This cigar comes in boxes of 20 in a striking green cabinet style box. This is definitely a full bodied cigar, I rank this cigar a 4/5 strength.

These cigars come with a dark, lush wrapper, very much like other San Andres wrapper cigars. They are rolled on the tighter side, they are pretty firm when you give them a slight squeeze, but they are not rolled tight enough to affect the draw negatively. I haven't seen any blemishes in my experience with this cigar. The draw is well balanced and opens up as the cigar progresses, which I like for this blend. The cigar is rich from the initial light up, if you smoke lots of San Andres Maduro cigars the richness is very familiar. Once you get into the cigar a peppery quality starts to develop behind the velvety, rich feeling on the palate. The ash holds on to the foot of the cigar for a long time, which I attribute to the tightness of the fillers. It is a very satisfying cigar to smoke that takes a long time for the flavors to develop.

Overall I am very happy with this cigar, personally San Andres Maduro is my favorite wrapper leaf, and I think this cigar has merits over similar offerings. I think this cigar has more complexity than the Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor, which is a popular San Andres cigar on the market. This cigar pairs well with a full bodied red wine, as both would give similar sensations on the palate. I recommend this cigar to anybody that is a fan of San Andres Maduro wrappers, like myself. Or for anybody who is used to Dominican cigars but wants to try something stronger.

New Product: Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Belicoso

Hello Cigar Smokers!
Today I'm proud to present our newest addition to our Fuente collection, the Don Carlos Belicoso. This is the same cigar that Cigar Aficionado ranked the #4 cigar of 2015, and is a real treat for any fan of Arturo Fuente Cigars. This cigar is a 3/5 strength and fits in nicely with our range of Arturo Fuente's.

Unlike any other Fuente, the Don Carlos comes with a premium aged Cameroon wrapper. The flagship Fuente Gran Reserva comes with a Cameroon wrapper, but do not mistake those with the Don Carlos. The construction of the Don Carlos is top notch, I would put it's general quality up there with the Opus X line. The wrappers are all uniform and each cigar is well made, I haven't experienced any crooked burns, plugged fillers or any other quality control bungles.

This cigar brings a smoothness and easy draw that is characteristic of Fuente cigars, but gives a little bit of bite from the Cameroon wrapper. It gives a lot of flavor without being a very full bodied cigar. I would put the Don Carlos in the "must try" category like the Opus X. I recommend this cigar to Arturo Fuente fans, people who enjoy lighter cigars but want to try something with more flavor or anybody who is a fan of the Cameroon wrapper. I consider this the best example of a Cameroon wrapper cigar I have tried to date.

Cigar review: Illusione Rothschilds

Hello Cigar Smokers,
Today, leading up to the 4th of July I'm reviewing a cigar that is special to me, the Illusione Rothschilds. I'm expecting a hot day on the 4th, and a larger sized cigar is often times too much in scorching weather. I've definitely taken on too much cigar on a hot day and ended up a little dizzy, cutting my cigar experience short. Now I err on the side of caution and stick to medium bodied and smaller cigars when the weather gets on the hotter side. This Illusione is a perfect balance for me on those kind of days. The Illusione Rothschilds is a Nicaraguan Puro that measures 4.5 inches by a 50 ring gauge and features a pretty simple band. Like many Rothschilds on the market this cigar is packed in boxes of 50 that come in a bundle. The packaging is understated and easy to pass by on the shelf, however if you notice them I wouldn't pass them by.

All the cigars are reasonably well made, none are rolled too tight or too loose. I haven't had a bad draw from one of these cigars, or a plugged up filler that ruins the draw. I do notice that there are some imperfections on some wrappers in the box, but not frequently enough to bother me. The blemished wrappers don't taste any different or smoke any different in my experience. This cigar delivers a smooth, but earthy flavor that stays in the medium flavor range. I rank this cigar's strength as a 3/5. This cigar leaves a strong impression on the palate and the earthiness I describe hits the tongue more than anything. The finish is strong for a smaller cigar, and it burns in a straight line across the cigar for the duration.

Overall I think this is a perfect shorter smoke. It delivers a strong flavor that I like with an easy draw, but it isn't sickening like some of my favorite cigars can be on a hot day. While this cigar isn't very complex, the flavors it does deliver are very nice and well blended. I know I'm going to smoke a couple of these at least on Monday for the 4th. The flavors here would go well with beer or sugary mixed drinks, like many people opt for on Independence Day. I wouldn't call this cigar neutral, but this cigar has mass appeal for the smoker that enjoys heavier or lighter cigars, with this being the bridge between full bodied and light bodied. I hope you all have a good holiday with good smokes and good company!

Cigar Review: Regius Red Lancero Extra

Hello Cigar Smokers,
Today on the Official Cigar Blog of the Woodside area I'm reviewing a cigar that I really like, The Regius Red Lancero Extra. I'm a big fan of the Lancero Extra size, it's the ring gauge of a Corona, but the length of a Churchill. The exact dimensions of this cigar are 7 1/2" by a 42 ring gauge. Many Lancero's are typically a little thinner than a Corona with a ring gauge 38-40, but this is blended with a leaf of Ometepe tobacco in it, which has an earthy, sweet and mouth watering quality to it. The Ometepe tobacco needs to be balanced with a little extra filler so it doesn't overwhelm the blend. This line of cigars are different than the mainline Black Regius, which debuted in the UK market where Cuban cigars are #1. Regius Black is blended for people used to the taste of Cuban tobacco, and it's the number #1 selling Nicaraguan cigar in the UK.  Regius Red is blended and distributed exclusively for the US market. There is a second band on the cigar that reads "Exclusivo USA." The owner of Regius, Akhil, who I got to meet recently, described his philosophy in having USA exclusive cigars. He described to me how the typical UK smoker differs from the typical US smoker, in that Cuban cigars tend to get stronger as they progress, while many US smokers prefer cigars that start with their full flavor and mellow out towards the finish. So instead of trying to cater to both markets with the same product, he created a separate line that would resonate better with the US smoker.

Regius Red is a Nicaraguan Puro that is medium to full in flavor, if you are a fan of Nicaraguan cigars this will fit right in with what your palate is used to. It is not as strong as some other Nicaraguan puros on the market, especially the Maduros, but this is no weak cigar. These Lanceros are beautiful and uniform, the wrappers come unblemished and the second band makes the cigars stand out of the box. The Lancero size, if rolled well, results in one of the most pleasing smoking experiences. The smaller ring gauge brings a lot of flavor out of the wrapper because there is less filler to taste. From the initial light up this cigar gives a stronger, more concentrated flavor than the Regius Red Fat Perfecto, with a tighter draw. The flavor changes about each third of the cigar, it rounds out more from the initial concentrated flavor and when it finishes it brings back the flavor that you start with. The smoke is full in flavor and has an earthy, leather like quality to it as it progresses. The smoke is rich and fills your mouth, leaving different impressions on the tongue and palate. As the leather like quality fills your mouth, a peppery undertone develops in the back of the palate. I would attribute the leather-like quality of the smoke to the Ometepe tobacco, which is really prominent in the middle section of the cigar, which also has an interesting sweetness to it along with the earthy, leather like quality. The finish brings more of the peppery quality back, and the smoke is calmer and less mouth watering.

I recommend this cigar to people who prefer Nicaraguan cigars, fans of the Lancero size or people who want a less mouth drying cigar blend. It is definitely an interesting blend and size that brings a lot of flavor from a thin cigar. I notice similarities between this cigar and the AVO Syncro. They have a similar sweetness and earthiness to them, although the AVO is milder and the Regius Red Lancero brings more flavor over the course of the cigar. I think Regius Red is a good segue into Nicaraguan puros to a smoker that sticks generally with Dominican Tobacco. This blend has a good balance of strength and flavor without being too much, and it won't dry your mouth out like some fuller bodied cigars will.

Fuente Fuente Opus X

Hello cigar smokers,
Today I have something that's sure to make connoisseurs and Dominican cigar enthusiasts alike drool, the Fuente Fuente Opus X. These elusive cigars are marked as "the first Dominican Puro" and have been loved since their debut. Every leaf of tobacco in this cigar is grown by the Fuente family on their farm, Chateau de la Fuente, and is rolled in their rolling facility in the Dominican Republic. These cigars are subject to frequent shortages, due to limited numbers and high demand. But here at 801 Woodside Road, we are proud to have 3 facings of the Fuente Fuente Opus X, subject to availability.

The 3 sizes we stock are the Perfexion no 5, which is a decent sized corona, measuring at 4 7/8 with a 40 ring gauge. Then there is the Perfexion no 5 which measures at 5 3/16 by 43, which makes it a slightly oversized corona. And finally the Belicoso XXX which measures at 4 5/8 by 49. The sizes these cigars are rolled in are kind of odd, but it makes these cigars stand out more. Each of the 3 sizes we stock come in boxes of 42. The bix boxes with the backdrop of Carlos Fuente Jr. and Sr. look outstanding on the shelf and I think, tie together our Fuente collection very nicely. 

When you light up an Opus X cigar you are greeted with spice and flavor that is uncharacteristic of a Dominican Cigar. The wrappers are very thick and oily, and produce more flavor as the cigar progresses.

The draw of these cigars is perfect all the way through, I have never smoked an Opus X that has problems with uneven burns or plugged up draws. The wrappers are consistent and evenly colored throughout the box. When we receive a box I look through them to find any inconsistencies or damaged wrappers and I've yet to be disappointed by an Opus X, these all leave Chateau de la Fuente in perfect condition to be enjoyed.

These cigars are a 4/5 on our strength rating system. These cigars pack a serious punch, but I don't think they're as strong as some cigars with maduro wrappers, specifically some of the Nicaraguan varieties. a 4.5/5 may be a more accurate rating, but I like to stick to round numbers. This cigar is definitely one of the strongest Dominican cigars out on the market.

These cigars are definitely priced at a premium, and limited supply is a driving factor in bringing the price up, but to the Opus X enthusiast you'll find we are more generous than other stores when it comes to pricing Opus X cigars. These are well worth the money to the cigar enthusiast and aficionado, and I recommend that smokers on the fence treat themselves to an Opus X at least once on a great occasion.

Cigar Review: AVO Syncro Toro

Hello Cigar Smokers,

Today I'm smoking the newest addition to the AVO brand, the Syncro in the Toro size. This cigar is a couple of firsts for AVO. This is their first blend using a Nicaraguan wrapper leaf and this is the first box pressed AVO cigar. The motto for this blend is "Nicaraguan Fire. Dominican Flair. A World of stories." This cigar's release follows a trend of typically Dominican cigars starting to utilize Nicaraguan tobaccos as the US market is trending towards more Nicaraguan cigars. Montecristo, Romeo Y Julieta and Davidoff have all introduced Nicaraguan blends in recent years, and AVO, a subsidiary of Davidoff follows suit this year with the Syncro. This band features the familiar AVO branding, but it has an extra section on the bottom that reads "Nicaragua."

This cigar is has all the indications of quality that I expect from AVO. No ugly wrappers, they're all of uniform construction and the box pressing is consistent. From the first light up it has the pepper like quality and strength that is typical of Nicaraguan tobacco. As the cigar progresses the Dominican filler tobaccos even out the blend. Overall this cigar is not as strong as many Nicaraguan blended cigars, but it fits the bill for AVO, it's smooth and has a decent array of flavors as the cigar progresses. Many Nicaraguan cigars I would not describe as smooth, so when I do find a Nicaraguan wrapper that is smooth I make a point of describing it as such. I recommend this cigar to fans of the AVO brand, a smoker that wants to reach out and try stronger cigars, or somebody who is interested in trying more Nicaraguan cigars.