It’s once time again for another issue of Brian’s The Week In Smoke. In case this is your first Week in Smoke, be advised that it covers many (though not necessarily all) of the cigars I’ve smoked in the past week (or the past month, or however long it has been since the last issue), along with a couple of quick thoughts that came to me at the time. These are not full cigar reviews, but quick blurbs based on a single smoking experience. As such, they may be influenced by the natural variations that occur from one cigar to another. Your mileage may vary. (If I know the cigar well enough to comment, I may mention if an experience strays from what understand to be the norm.)
An appearance in The Week in Smoke does not preclude nor guarantee a future in-depth review. Whenever possible, I’ve linked to more a thoughtful and thorough review of the cigar in question. (Or maybe I’ve linked to a photo of Jerry The ‘Stache. You won’t know until you click.) Enjoy!
Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf Robusto
It’s been a minute since I lit up this old box-worthy favorite that made my Top 10 list back in 2010. It’s an ongoing challenge, balancing enjoyment of older favorites with the great new product on the market. I considered several cigars as I made my way through the humidor that day before I settled on this one. I suspect it had a little time to rest in the shop’s humidor, as it seemed a little more subdued than many I’ve had. But not by that much, and there was no shortage of flavor. I noted more sweet notes than in most previous experiences- caramel, hard candy and even a fruit-like sweetness- along with more robust flavors of earth, pepper, black tea and leather. While it seemed a little different than I remembered, it was still a very good smoke.
Drew Estate Liga Privada Unico Serie Ratzilla *
I’m pretty certain this fun Drew Estate smoke came into my possession at this year’s trade show. Either that or I inadvertently mixed it in with my remaining samples. (Yes, I somehow still have some of those.) I’m a fan of the vitola, and have enjoyed the cigar every time I’ve lit one up, this time included. It offered up a rich, dense profile of earth, chocolate along the lines of a ganache, hearty black tobacco, pepper and a hint of clove. This smoke also seems a little different than the last time, but again in this case, different in good way.
La Aurora Puro Vintage 2006 Edición III Aniversario *
I lit this monster of a cigar up on a leisurely evening when I had time a little time to spare. I enjoy the salomon vitola, but it’s a real time commitment and can be difficult to fit into a busy schedule. That’s part of the attraction, but it’s also why it’s taken me so long to light one up. As expected, the cigar burned well and offered an enjoyable profile of earth, grass, leather, cedar and nuanced spices along with a light sweetness that varied from something akin to frosting early on, to more like melon in later parts of the smoke. La Aurora fans with a little time to burn will be pleased with this cigar.
La Flor Dominicana Coronado Toro
If, like me, you were a little sad when the Coronado by La Flor was discontinued, you were probably also happy to hear that it has returned. It’s been rebranded to better fit in with the other LFD lines, including a slightly tweaked name: La Flor Dominicana Coronado. And it’s still a fine smoke. The one I lit up was full of rich, earthy pepper, leather, meaty and sweet grassy flavors. If you haven’t had a Coronado since it was discontinued a couple years ago, it’s time you did.
Lost & Found Pepper Cream Soda Robusto
Recently I happened to come across the very limited edition Lost & Found Pepper Cream Soda. I had heard good things, and the people at the shop had nothing but praise for the cigar. That was enough for me. I bought one and lit it up this past week. I was not misled, it was a really good smoke. The Pepper Cream Soda got off to a peppery start, but as you might expect from the name transitioned into creamier flavors of caramel, coffee, earth and even a little sour cream. I also noted touches of vanilla and butterscotch as the cigar progressed. I was impressed, and would recommend it if you can find it.
Tatuaje Fausto FT140
This Fausto was another one of those gems from the depths of the humidor. It was only after I slid the cellophane off the cigar that I noticed how orange it was. Yellow cello? Pshaw. Orange cello is where it’s at. Seriously though, this stick was excellent. Aromatic chocolate, mocha, spices, cedar and pepper. Hints of vanilla, slightly floral retrohale. It made the air around me smell like a cup of one of those thick European-style hot chocolates. Man I hope I have one of these old ones left.
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* Big Brother would have you know these cigars were gifts or free samples, and that my opinions on them is suspect. My opinions (and this crazy drifter beard) are my own, your response to them is your own. All your base are belong to us.
** I have too many smokes, and this denotes that the smoke in question has been sitting in one of my humidors for at least a year, and thus qualifies as “aged”. If my collection continues to grow, the chances are good I’ll be on that Discovery Channel show about people who hoard stuff and face eviction.
Some of the pictures in Brian’s The Week In Smoke first appeared on twitter or instagram. If you’d like to see these lists constructed in real time, follow Brian on twitter or instagram. If you don’t, you’ll make the Fail Whale cry. And he’s ugly when he cries.
