It’s pretty interesting to note that this celebrates five years of the 20 Minutes with Pete Johnson series of videos here on Stogie Review. So first I want to thank Pete for always being giving with his time. Secondly I want to thank W.Curtis Draper for giving me a home to record for the past five years. This series of videos has turned into a tradition that I hope continues for many more years to come.

In this interview Pete talks about the special release he does for W.Curtis Draper called the WCD 120 Redux. The WCD 120 Redux celebrates Draper’s 125th Anniversary and is based off a Cabaiguan cigar Pete did for W.Curtis Draper 120th Anniversary. Pete also talks about some of the projects we can look forward to in 2012. Most notably the addition of a Little Monster Series as well as an update on the next two releases of the Moster Series and the status of the next La Verité. Pete also takes some time to talk about the La Dueña, a cigar he blended for Janny Garcia, as well as many other things like his most underrated line, Saints and Sinners, Para Ti and FT114…

If the above video isn’t enough for you, stay tuned the rest of the week as I post footage from a two hour discussion between Pete Johnson and George Brightman (Cigar Aficinado fame). It’s a must watch especially for any of my fellow bloggers as they take time to discuss our role in the industry.

With time running short again this week, I searched through my coolidor for some potentially interesting subjects for a first impressions video. I offered a few options to my fellow Stogie Review compadres, and the nearly unanimous choice was the Dunhill 100th Anniversary Edition. I’d never smoked a Dunhill before, let alone this special limited release, and I struggled to find information about this cigar online, so I really had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that it was based on the Dunhill Signed Range, but with “a little more finesse and sweetness,” and that I had received it in a trade with my good buddy @YoungBuckBOTL.

The Dunhill 100th Anniversary Edition was released as a limited run of 20,000 cigars in 2008 to celebrate 100 years of the Dunhill brand, which began in 1907. Originally a Cuban brand, Dunhill has gone through several iterations, including manufacturing stints in the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. From what I understand, when the cigar hit the market, the guys at Casa de Montecristo liked it so much that they snapped up the entire production, essentially turning the 100th Anniversary Edition into a store exclusive.

Dunhill 100th Anniversary Edition by the numbers:
Size: 5.5×50 (estimated)
Vitola: Double Robusto
Wrapper: Nicaragua*
Binder: Cameroon*
Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua*
Strength: Medium-Full
Factory: Toraño in Esteli, Nicaragua
No. smoked for review: 1 (first impressions)
Duration: 1 hour
Source: cigar trade with @YoungBuckBOTL from MikesStogies.com
Price: $20.00 (only available at Casa de Montecristo)
* blend info for the Dunhill Signed Range, upon which this cigar is based

At $20 a pop, expectations were running pretty high. Could it deliver?

iOS users click here for video

(Video length: 10:52)

Soundtrack: “Fly” by MC Jack in the Box (courtesy of ccMixter.org)

Suffice it to say, this cigar blew me away. It was well-balanced, featured tons of complex flavors, and burned beautifully. I thoroughly enjoyed the mix of coffee, chocolate, cinnamon, and caramel, together with the creamy, woody, nutty notes and the undertone of peppery spice. I don’t know how this cigar performed when it was released over three years ago, but with this much age, it’s absolutely rocking right now. In my mind, the only downside is the relatively steep price and limited availability, but believe me, the Dunhill 100th Anniversary Edition is worth the price of admission and the legwork required to track it down.

About Charlie:
Charlie has been enjoying cigars since 2000 and generally prefers a medium-bodied, full-flavored smoke. A USAF vet, he is currently pursuing a PhD in computer science, focusing on artificial intelligence and computational linguistics. Originally from Connecticut and now residing in Delaware, Charlie is also a fan of football, science fiction, political philosophy, and single malt scotch. You can contact Charlie on Twitter @greenbacker.

Back in November, Daniel (aka @Dalamscius) from Casas Fumando held a giveaway contest to raise money for the Movember campaign, which spreads awareness about men’s health issues, particularly prostate cancer. I was happy to make a small donation to help out a pal (who also happens to be active in the Stogie Review Fan Forums), and was thrilled to be chosen to receive a 5-pack of cigars donated by Maldonado Dynasty.

When my 5-pack of the Maldonado Dynasty Mogul arrived in the mail, I let them rest in my coolidor for several weeks before giving them a try. After smoking a few, I decided to shoot a video review. Short on time as I’ve been lately, I took my life into my hands and set up my camcorder to record the review while hurtling down the highway at break-neck speeds in excess (nominally) of the posted limits… when traffic didn’t slow me to a crawl, that is.

Maldonado Dynasty Mogul by the numbers:
Size: 6×50
Vitola: Toro
Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic (plus Peruvian & Colombian?)
Strength: Medium-Full
No. smoked for review: 4
Duration: 1 hour
Source: won in giveaway from Casas Fumando (donated by Maldonado Dynasty)
MSRP: $11.00
Website: www.maldonadodynasty.com
Twitter: @MaldonadoDynsty

How did everything turn out? Was I issued a citation for reckless driving? And how was the cigar? Watch the video to find out the answers to these questions, and more…

iOS users click here for video

(Video length: 10:02)

Soundtrack: “New Life” by Fireproof_Babies (courtesy of ccMixter.org)

As it turns out, my experiment with recording a review while driving turned out just fine. I might have to do one again in the future if I’m short on time, so it’s nice to have a workable backup option. The cigar on the other hand, while it wasn’t bad, just didn’t do it for me flavor-wise. I couldn’t get past the sour notes, and the tight draw on multiple samples was quite frustrating. I’d smoke another if given the opportunity, but the Maldonado Dynasty Mogul probably isn’t something I’ll be seeking out.

Thanks again to Daniel & Tony from Casas Fumando for the giveaway and to Maldonado Dynasty for donating the cigars!

About Charlie:
Charlie has been enjoying cigars since 2000 and generally prefers a medium-bodied, full-flavored smoke. A USAF vet, he is currently pursuing a PhD in computer science, focusing on artificial intelligence and computational linguistics. Originally from Connecticut and now residing in Delaware, Charlie is also a fan of football, science fiction, political philosophy, and single malt scotch. You can contact Charlie on Twitter @greenbacker.

The Padilla Black Bear seems to be one of those Cigars International and Cigar.com exclusives based on the popular Padilla Series 1968 blend. While I can’t confirm its the same binder and filler as the Series 1968, the Padilla Black Bear does have the popular Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper in the ever popular 6×60 size. Typically not a size I enjoy but lately I’ve been coming across blends where the 6×60 format actually works. At $7 a single you definitely appear to be getting a bargain. Highly rated 1968 blend in a 6×60 format with a killer Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper. On the surface you have all the ingredients for a great cigar.

Video runs a little under 11 minutes and I found the Padilla Black Bear to be less than the sum of it’s parts. Like I said above, on the surface everything sounds great but the devil is in the details. There wasn’t anything that really brings the flavor profile together. Sure the slight pepperiness, sweet coffee and nutty flavors were delightful and until the end, nice and smooth. But I found myself tasting a spattering of flavors that didn’t really taste like it was a blend of flavors working together. Add to that the constant relighting and constant touch ups made for a less than enjoyable and definitely not a relaxing experience. Cigar smoking is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable and not meant to feel like a chore. Smoking the Padilla Black Bear felt more like a chore. I spent more time babysitting the cigar than I did actually enjoying it. $7 sounds like a great bargain but it really felt like I spent $14. $7 for the cigar and $7 on butane to keep it lit. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose…in this instance, the Padilla Black Bear was lost on me.

The story behind the Humo Jaguar is a simple one. The story goes that during the Honduran Cigar Festival this blend by Nestor Placenia was judged by 200 or so judges as the best blend of the Honduran Cigar Festival which I hear bears the same name as the cigar. Fast forward to IPCPR 2011 and the blend makes an appearance at the Miami Cigar booth. The Humo Jaguar is a Honduran puro with all of it’s elements (wrapper, binder and filler) originating in Honduras. Available in three size one of which, the 5 x 52 Robusto, I’m reviewing.

Video runs a little over 12 minutes and as my friend and former blogger, now turned marketing peep at Miami Cigar, Barry Stein would say, blew me away. Not an easy cigar to find and I ended up ordering from one of those “dirty” online retailers for $2 cheaper than I could find anywhere through local channels. We beat up online retailers and beat the drum about buying from your local B&M but hey…$2 cheaper! The Humo Jaguar shined with flawless construction and deep palate penetrating pepperiness that transformed into a rich sweet nutty flavor as I approached the halfway point. Beautiful bouquet of aromas that gave off a pleasant fruity/citrus notes that lingered even with me smoking outside. Double digit price tag thats well worth the price even if you don’t buy online.

One good thing about Cigar Aficionado’s Annual Top 25 List is that it occasionally puts the spot light on a popular cigar that we may have overlooked over the years. The La Reloba Seleccion Sumatra by My Father Cigars is one such cigar we’ve overlooked. Brian reviewed the La Reloba Seleccion Habano when it was released in 2010 and I reviewed the La Reloba Seleccion Mexico when the La Reloba line expanded in 2011. Some how we managed to review one of the original releases and the first extension but overlooked the La Reloba Seleccion Sumatra when it was released along with the Seleccion Habano. All three versions of the La Reloba feature the same binder and filler and as I’m sure you’ve figured out, the only difference between the trio are their wrappers. This Seleccion Sumatra features an Ecuadorian grown Sumatra wrapper.

Video runs a little over 10 minutes and to be completely honest. Its a winner. Its nice to have choices. Its nice to have an affordable cigar and not have to sacrifice construction, complexity or balance. The La Reloba Seleccion Sumatra doesn’t have that kick you in the nuts peppery blast that we’ve grown accustomed to from My Father Cigars. Its there but all things being equal, its not on the same level…and thats a good thing. Like I said, its nice to have choices. I’ll have to revisit the Seleccion Mexico and give the Seleccion Habano a try but right now, the La Reloba Seleccion Sumatra is a winner with it’s fuller body and complexity that you typically don’t find in this price range.

Recently, the marketing folks at Villiger Stokkebye reached out to us here at the Stogie Review to see if we’d be interested in reviewing a new cigar they were about to release. Best known for their pipe tobaccos, Villiger has produced machine-made cigars for over 120 years and added premium hand-rolled cigars to their repertoire in 2009. Their newest addition is La Capitana, which is designed to provide a full-bodied smoking experience.

I responded to Villiger by saying that I’d be happy to check out their new cigar. I’d never smoked any of their products before, and didn’t know much about them, but I’m always up for trying something new. They sent out a nice little La Capitana review pack, including a sampler box with some of their other cigars. Things have been crazy busy around here lately, but I finally found some time to sit down and record a review video. After watching, be sure to enter for the giveaway at the end of this post.

Villiger La Capitana by the numbers:
Size: 5×50
Vitola: Robusto
Wrapper: Habano Colorado
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium-Full
No. smoked for review: 2
Duration: 50 minutes
Source: review samples courtesy of Villiger Stokkebye
Website: www.vsicigar.com

iOS users click here for video

(Video length: 8:56)

Soundtrack: “pieces of life” by cdk (courtesy of ccMixter.org)

The pre-light inspection was really promising, with a particularly enticing dark chocolate and manure scent emanating from the wrapper. Unfortunately, once lit, the La Capitana didn’t quite live up to that promise. Early on, all I got was a vegetal, young tobacco taste with perhaps a hint of paper(?). In one of the samples, I also ran into some tunneling issues, a wavy burn, and a relight. Additionally, although billed as a full-bodied cigar, the La Capitana only barely built up into the medium to full range. The flavors improved towards then end, with woody & nutty notes developing along with some sweetness, but still nothing overly impressive.

Giveaway

Here’s another really easy giveaway with a nice prize. Simply leave a comment below and I’ll randomly select one lucky Stogie Review reader to win a four pack robusto sampler from Villiger Stokkebye containing:

• (1) Villiger 1888 – Villiger’s first premium hand-rolled cigar, originally released in 2009
• (1) Villiger 1888 Fuerte – Featuring a Negro San Andreas Claro wrapper, Peruvian Havana-seed binder, and a filler of Santo Domingo & Nicaraguan ligeros
• (2) Villiger La Libertad – Made in the Dominican Republic with a Peruvian Havana-seed wrapper, a Peruvian Nicaraguan-seed binder, and filled with mostly ligeros from the DR & Nicaragua

Contest ends January 24, 2012; residents of the US & Canada only; must be 19 or older. Good luck!

Updated: Jan 26, 2012 7:10PM
Congratulations to Tod O, whose entry was randomly selected as the winner of this giveaway. Please check your email for instructions on how to claim your prize, and thanks to everyone for entering.

About Charlie:
Charlie has been enjoying cigars since 2000 and generally prefers a medium-bodied, full-flavored smoke. A USAF vet, he is currently pursuing a PhD in computer science, focusing on artificial intelligence and computational linguistics. Originally from Connecticut and now residing in Delaware, Charlie is also a fan of football, science fiction, political philosophy, and single malt scotch. You can contact Charlie on Twitter @greenbacker