House of Emilio April Newsletter

"The Best of the Boutiques"

 

Fine Cigar AZ blessed us with a wonderful multi-blend review: 

Ezra Zion Tantrum: "I love a cigar with intense flavor and power. This little guy delivers big time despite its deceiving size."

Emilio Cigars Draig Cayuquero:  "I really enjoyed this cigar and the flavor profile it contained. There was a harmony in the flavors of this cigar that made it a delight to smoke."

Epicurean Cigars AG Azul:  "This stick was near perfection in construction, there were no issues at all with the burn. The ash was solid and dark grey. There was tons of smoke production from both ends of the cigar."

Rodrigo Cigars La Fortaleza:  "The Oscuro wrapper has a very strong aroma of earth and leather. Right off the bat you are hit with cedar and pepper with an earthy finish. The main flavor points of the cigar are earth, leather, pepper, cedar, and some fruit notes."

Emilio Cigars AF1:  "The AF1 lives up to what is expected from a cigar rolled and manufactured by A.J Fernandez. It has a solid construction, great flavor profile and near flawless smoking experience."

Guayacan by Noel Rojas: "The initial notes of this cigar are earth, leather, wood and a slight mustiness. Further on into the smoke you will find notes of sweet fruit and spice accompanied by coffee pepper and graham."

Nomad Cigars S307: "Pre light the cold draw there were notes of tobacco a mild sweetness and pepper. After lighting the S-307 you are welcomed into a cigar with flavor notes of spice, nuts, wood, leather, and dark cherry."

Bodega Reunion Digestivo:  "This cigar is a great easy to smoke cigar. The draw is firm but yields a fair amount of smoke. The ash is grey and is solid and hangs on just over the initial third."

Emilio Cigars La Musa Mousa:  "The La Musa Mousa is a great cigar with a depth in flavor profile most cigars only dream of reaching. The way the flavors transition and blend together is sublime. This is for sure a must smoke again."

Click here to see the complete scoring and reviews of all 9 cigars

Beer, Tears, and Smoke Rings reviewed the Emilio Cigars Draig Cayuquero:  "I was both impressed and intrigued with this cigar experience. I enjoyed some complex flavors not commonly blended together, at least in my experience. This stick gave me an initial flavor profile of toasty sweetness in the beginning, then developed more nutty, woodsy flavors with a little spice in the second third and then exploded with complexity and added even more earth and pepper on top of the others in the final third. Each section grabbed my attention, maintained perfect burn integrity and took me for an enjoyable ride to make for a very unique smoking experience."  Full review here

Beer, Tears, and Smoke Rings reviewed the Emilio Cigars La Musa Melete: "The draw is immediately free and heavy cedar wood flavors fill my mouth while more billowing white smoke fills the air. As I progress into the first third of the cigar the complexity builds and more flavors of rich earth and creamy coffee flavors present themselves with the cedar and wood flavors now in the background. The middle third of the Melete moves to more heavy tobacco flavors with a little spice starting to pick up. As I progress to the final third of the smoke the complexity is at its apex, with cedar and creamy coffee and more spice taking charge. All these flavors are set on a backdrop of subtle and sweet earth like what reminds you of a rich forest floor."  Review here

Blind Man's Puff reviewed the Nomad Cigars S307:  "This cigar was so good, I would pick up a box of these in a heartbeat, two if it’s a limited edition. I’m guessing from the look and feel and the spice flavor profile that this is a sumatra wrapper, my favorite. I’m not sure I’ve ever scored a cigar this high blind so I’m excited to see how the other reviewers see it. If everyone else had the same experience, this could be the highest scoring cigar ever, and it would deserve it." The complete review can be found here

Dan Gumm reviewed the Epicurean Cigars Gonzo:  "After toasting and lighting the cigar the first few draws produced a flavor mix of cocoa and rich tobacco. About an inch in the fruity Port wine flavor joined the flavor mix which lasted to the mid point. At the half way point nuances of earth and toast joined in with the cocoa and wine. To my surprise the finish developed as the burn line reached the final third. In the final third my favorite cigar flavor of burnt mocha developed, with a hint of wine, and held steady until the nub."

"Overall I found this to be a top of the line cigar with superior construction and flavors. The Gonzo Vintage 2007 is defiantly in contention for “cigar of the year.”
Full review here

Stogie Net reviewed the Epicurean Cigars Gonzo Santeria:  "Steven has a masterpiece on his hands.  The blending is superb and the complexity, construction, and presentation couldn't be better.  I can see this cigar aging very nicely too.  The flavors are already married well and should only add to the complexity in the coming months and years."
The full review is here  

 House of Emilio ratings in the April issue of Cigar Snob Magazine:

Keeping Your Man Card reviewed the Nomad Cigars Connecticut Fuerte:  "Flavor wise, this is quite possibly the best Connecticut cigar on the market right now.  Yes, that is a bold statement, and yes it is my opinion, but this is a fantastic stick.  The flavors I picked up while smoking this stick were that of wood, spice, a strong nuttiness, and some pleasant leathery notes.  This cigar also had a very nice creaminess that was present throughout the entire smoke.  The grand finale, aka the last quarter of this cigar will knock your socks off."
The full review is here
.

Cigar Tipster reviewed the 1502 Cigars Ruby: "The moment I lit the 1502 Ruby I was treated to a mix of sweet grass & pepper that increased prominently as I continued to smoke. And just when I thought I was getting intimate with the early flavors, an undertone of citrus emerged -- though I can't put my finger on whether it was a tart tangerine or grapefruit, but it made the cigar all the more interesting ... I love surprises and this was unexpected. Deep in conversation with my cigar, with pepper, citrus and grass still present I started to detect a slight sweet coffee in the background."   Full review link here

Tiny Tim's Cigar Blog reviewed the Emilio Cigars La Musa Melete:  "A nice feature is the candy like citrus flavor rises above the cedar notes after you expel the smoke. It's almost a secondary effect but it is very nice. The cocoa notes give the finish a very long finish. The finish has changed to a very nice, long cocoa flavor with some dry toast notes. The cigar is medium bodied at this point. The flavors in this cigar are very different for a Nicaraguan cigar."   Full review here

 Ben's Cigars reviewed the Ezra Zion Tantrum: "The Ezra Zion Tantrum, looks like a small and passive little cigar. It is nothing like that. The Tantrum is a limited edition kick in the face that packs the pepper spice and cocoa in a smooth cigar. The burn is sharp, the draw is easy, the flavor is plentiful! What else can you ask for in a cigar?"

"This cigar is a 9 Smoke Ring without a doubt."

Quick review here 

 Tiny Tim reviewed the Epicurean Cigars Gonzo: "
The test draw after cutting the cap was very good. The initial flavors at light up were an overwhelming amount of coffee notes and earth, slightly sweet cedar and black pepper rated at an 8. The cigar comes across as medium to full bodied right out of the gate. The finish is one of roasted nuts with coffee undertones. The coffee notes in the cigar are very close to espresso."  Full review here

Robusto Cigar Babe reviewed the 1502 Cigars Ruby: "The moment I lit the 1502 Ruby I was treated to a mix of sweet grass & pepper that increased prominently as I continued to smoke. And just when I thought I was getting intimate with the early flavors, an undertone of citrus emerged -- tho I can't put my finger on whether it was a tart tangerine or grapefruit, but it made the cigar all the more interesting ... I gazed closer at my new friend. I love surprises and this was unexpected. "

Full review here

Dan Gumm reviewed the Emilio Cigars AF2: "Once the cigar was toasted and burning it produced a nice volume of medium bodied smoke containing flavor nuances of mild pepper, earth and oak. As the razor sharp burn line progressed it left behind a light gray ash that held on for the first third. While the burn progressed other flavors came and went, I could distinguish separate flavor notes of fruit, sugar, brown sugar, toast, sweet cream, coffee and a lot more toast. The long finish, lasting most of the final third, reminded me of coffee with extra cream and sugar."

The full review is here

Cigar Coop offered a pre-release review of the 1502 Cigars Emerald lancero: "As the cigar progressed through the first third and second third, the natural tobacco, coffee, and chocolate notes alternated as to which was the primary flavor.  The cedar/pepper spice was still prominent - especially on the finish.  I also found the citrus got less acidic and developed some sweet qualities, but it remained more of a secondary note.

On the last third, I definitely found more in the way of spice.  The citrus sweetness got a little more prominent.  The natural tobacco notes also remained, but I found the coffee and chocolate notes to have pretty much dissipated."    The full review is here

Two Cigar Guys and a Humidor reviewed the Nomad Cigars Connecticut Fuerte: "If you are looking for a Connecticut with a punch of spice and pepper that tetters along the line of a strong medium to full bodied cigar than you are going to want to smoke the Nomad Connecticut Fuerte.  The construction of the cigar was flawless and the burn was almost perfectly razor sharp.  I would recommend trying out the Nomad Connecticut Fuerte and sending a tweet to Fred on Twitter to let him know what you think about the Fuerte."

The complete review is here 

Ultimate Cigar Party reviewed the Rodrigo Cigars Clasico lancero: "She held nothing back during the second third of our rendezvous, offering me every ounce of flavor she had inside of her. She revealed those same flavors of toasted almonds, coffee, citrus, floral and light spice, but added a bit of cedar to her profile. Her strength was a solid medium and I was blown away with her impeccable balance of flavors. None of the flavors was overpowering another. Each individual flavor was subtle and worked together in complete harmony to create one of the best tasting cigars that I have had in a very long time."   The complete review here
 

Seth's Humidor reviewed the Nomad Cigars Connecticut Fuerte: "The flavors of honey, graham cracker, hay and cedar are dominant flavors and it is a smooth and flavorful cigar. There are still some soft stone fruit notes present as well, and it adds just the perfect level of complexity and depth to the initial flavors. Construction is perfect in this third, same as before, and it is showing a razor sharp burn line with a beautiful light gray ash that is holding on firmly. I am getting a wonderful amount of smoke with the draw, and it is an easy draw that is not overwhelming but perfect."

The complete review is here

GC Puffs reviewed the Emilio Cigars La Musa Melete: "About a half inch in, the smoke took on a nice slight creamy effect that seduces the palate and temps for more.
And inch in, and the cigar comes alive with a succulent citrus, almost tangerine, flavor shortly being joined by hints of wood, almost a sweet wood, in the mix. The smoke is ample and slightly creamy, coating the palate and giving the senses rise of anticipation.
Moving from the first to second third, the roasted coffee returns with a slight background of cocoa, the kind you used to get in a dark brown can years ago, making for a delicious combination of flavors now showing their true complex nature".  The full review is here

Dan Gumm reviewed the Epicurean Cigars Gonzo Santeria: "Once the cigar was toasted and burning  with the first mouthful of smoke one thing came to mind; wow, big, big flavor! My first mouthfuls of smoke had a flavor mix of semi-sweet chocolate, oak and rich tobacco. It was nice. As I smoked on I found the flavor mix to be steady with only a few other flavors joining in. I could detect notes of brown sugar, coffee, cream with a final third finish of chocolate, coffee, cream and charcoal (my favorite burnt mocha). I enjoyed the mix so much that I smoked this Gonzo Santeria down to a lip burning nub."

The full review is here

Cigar NewB reviewed the 1502 Cigars Emerald: "I taste more of the floral in this last third of the cigar, mixed with the white pepper and cedar. I also get a faint sweetness as well. The burn has become a bit uneven but it is drawing very nicely still.

Overall a fantastic example of a white pepper flavor cigar. The highlight of this cigar was the construction and craftsmanship involved. I enjoyed the looseness of the smoke and the burn was great. A really great smoke for anyone who loves pepper and floral notes within the cigar. I would definitely suggest trying and expanding your taste to a whole new level."  Review

Cigar Fan dual review of the Emilio Cigars AF1 and AF2: "Chocolate and cedar are the highlights of the AF-1. There is a touch of astringency  and a little roughness on the tongue which quickly dissipates, and from there it’s smooth sailing. The richness of the chocolate balances wonderfully with the cedary spiciness — a touch of pepper is a nice flourish. It’s similar to the San Lotano Maduro and also the Montecristo Reserva Negra – but in my opinion, better than either of those. A fantastic smoke."

"The AF-2 is a solid stick, but the draw is very loose. It didn’t seem to affect the burn though, so perhaps the loose draw is by design. This cigar is fairly peppery with some cocoa on the nose and later on some nice caramel sweetness. It’s also quite potent — just the sort of thing that followers of AJ Fernandez will appreciate."  Full review here
 

Cigar Nubs reviewed the Emilio Cigars Draig Cayuquero: "I spent an above average amount of time admiring the stick before lighting, and that has nothing to do with the label. If you were to close your eyes and try to find a imperfection in the wrapper; you would fail. It’s a flawlessly constructed stick that is up there with the La Palina Goldie and Cohiba Behike in the looks department. The Cayuquero is a completely different beast from it’s predecessor and, in my opinion, a far more delicious one."   The full review is here

Smokeasy reviewed the Emilio Cigars La Musa Mousa: "This medium-bodied, medium strength smoke starts with robust mocha coffee flavor with strong black pepper notes. During the second third and through the finish, as the pepper notes begin to diminish, the flavor transitions to more of a charred woodiness with some occasional elements of hickory (not quite like fire-cured tobacco though). From a flavor perspective, pretty straightforward, nothing complex - yet, the flavor is consistent and quite pleasant with a pretty smooth, buttery texture, all the way down to the nub."  Quick review here

Rictus Reviews smoked the Emilio Cigars Serie H Sumatra: "The smoke from this cigar seemed to coat every bit of my mouth. At first I wasn’t really sure what to think. To be honest, it kept the flavors with me long after the cigar was gone. There were a lot of flavors very early on and they seemed to be on a constant rotation throughout the whole stick. The biggest flavor that struck me in the beginning was the woody one. It was a strong woody flavor with a little bit of pepper and spice hiding underneath. Not too far in at this point and the taste of leather snuck its way into the game. As I worked my way past the halfway point I started to notice that the cigar went from a very mild smooth smoke to something a bit stronger. There was definitely a shift in flavors. A spicy almost coffee flavor stuck with it through the last half of the cigar."  The full review is here

Beer, Tears, and Smoke Rings reviewed the Rodrigo Cigars La Fortaleza: "Dominant flavors of leather and earth coat my palate with some wood and light dried fruit notes present and a pepper finish that I would say "pops" more than lingers on the finish. The draw has begun to open up some but it is still fairly tight. The smoke clouds are building in density and I'm not working as much on the draw as I did in the first little bit of the cigar. The flavors are smooth but fuller bodied and this is on the upper end of medium now building toward full strength. Into the final third of this stick, much of the same flavors are noticed. Earth, leather and wood with more pepper now. Both some hot peppers and black pepper are picked up on the finish. It's a full flavored and full-bodied cigar now."  Full review here

Tiny Tim's Blog reviewed the Guayacan by Noel Rojas: "The cigar ended at medium to full bodied but very close to full bodied. The cedar remained, the roasted nuts are secondary, and the coffee is holding the base. The finish is unchanged. This has been an interesting cigar with some nice twists. The roasted nuts with their buttery notes were very nice around the midpoint. This is a cigar well worth trying."
The full review is here
 

Ultimate Cigar Party reviewed the Emilio Cigars La Musa Melete: "In conclusion, La Musa Melete is an incredible cigar with a flavor profile unlike any other. It was indeed the perfect semblance of a maiden willing to satisfy her man. She did not disappoint by any means and lived up to the stellar reputation that Gary Griffith has manifested and continues to exhibit with the Emilio Cigar brand. This is not a cigar that I would recommend to first timers, however, but one that will be adored by experienced smokers who enjoy a full flavored smoke that is deep and rich in character."

The complete review is here 

Halfwheel reviewed the 1502 Cigars Black Gold Lancero: "
The final third of the 1502 Black Gold lancero sees a noticeable increase in strength as well as a significant decrease in the sweetness that is present in the profile. While the sweetness does not die off completely, it does become almost a non-factor, and the other main notes of leather, earth, espresso, cocoa and creamy oak move back to the forefront."   Full review here
 

Dan Gumm reviewed the Emilio Cigars Serie H maduro: "the initial flavors were a mix of spicy cedar, cocoa and a hint of fruit, while the wrapper left behind a nice sweetness on the lips. These flavors remained pretty consistent for the first half of the cigar but in the final third the flavor mix kicked into high gear. In the final half, the flavor mix jumped around with nearly each draw. There were flavors of sweet chocolate, black pepper, cream, sugar, earth, espresso and fruit"

"the construction was great, in fact it was so good I gave it a 20. Only one other cigar has ever achieved that rating for construction."    Full review here

 A Cigar Smoker reviewed the Bodega Reunion Digestivo: "The cold draw of this smoke has a wonderful rich sweetness that reminds me of plums, figs and a hint of molasses. On the nose the molasses is stronger from the aroma of the foot. Once the cigar is lit there is a district taste from the San Andreas, which is a little bit salty and a little bit bitter. As we smoke into the first third there are notes of wood with a faint note of apricot in the background. In the second third of the cigar the wood notes are dominant with a hint of earth and spice."
Full review here

Ultimate Cigar Party reviewed the Rodrigo Cigars La Fortaleza: "The final third of our night was magical. Her flavors started to get a bit bolder and her strength started to creep up. But, I still didn’t find her to be a full strength powerhouse but more on the upper medium echelon. Her flavors started to change a bit again. During these final moments together she offered me everything she had, erupting with earth, barnyard, wood, toasted nuts, sweet tobacco and pepper. Yes, her peppery ‘tude came back but not to the point where I wanted to kick her out of bed."  

 The full review is here

Rictus Cigar Reviews smoked the Bodega Reunion Digestivo: "To say that the flavors are complex would be more than a little understated. The flavors that really stood out to me were the spicy, almost raisin like notes that sneak around under the earthy and leathery flavors. I think this would have been a good cigar without those more subtle flavors, but with them it is phenomenal. Those softer flavors are truly the stars of this stick. There is a woody flavor also, though it doesn’t feel like the standard Spanish cedar I’m used to. It tastes more like these were aged in wine barrels. I know that sounds a little odd but it is the best way I can describe the flavor."  The full review is here

Cigar Craig smoked the Emilio Cigars Draig Cayuquero: "the Draig Cayuquero sat on the top shelf of my humidor for a while, begging to be smoked, yet scaring me a little, would I like this iteration of the Draig? Like it’s predecessor, this cigar had a unique flavor, unlike anything I can remember. Unlike the Draig K, I liked it and it burned perfectly.  It was savory, meaty, and different. I don;t know how many of these are out in the market place, but if you see them, give one a try."
Complete article is here

Up in Smoke reviewed the Rodrigo Cigars La Fortaleza: "This is actually a good Monday cigar. Starting out I was mostly getting a very soft earth, but at about the halfway point I got a boom of pepper. A nice easy transition, and simple but effective flavor profile. Nice for when I really just want to enjoy the smoke and not get to intense, but still get some power."   The complete review is here

Cigar Surgeon reviewed the 1502 Cigars Black Gold: "The earth morphs into an oaky earth combination in the second third.   You can still really taste a significant amount of ligero here.  The pepper has become quite soft by this point, almost not detectable.
The middle third closes out with a really strong earthy-ligero flavor."

"the burn on this cigar was excellent from start to finish.    Total smoking time was almost exactly 1 hour and 45 minutes."
The complete review is here

Halfwheel reviewed the 1502 Cigars Ruby lancero: "The spice added in makes it almost custard like, though the earth, cedar and pepper are still in the background. Unfortunately the vanilla fades after only an inch, though the enjoyable creamy cedar, spice and pepper are still there. The cigar finishes smoothly, without getting harsh at the end making it easy to smoke down until it’s burning my fingers."
The full review is here

Beer, Tears, and Smoke Rings reviewed the Bodega Reunion Aperitivo: "From first light all the way to the end of the smoke, the flavors were pleasant, interesting and smooth. I especially loved the consistent sweet hay and floral flavors. It was very unique and enjoyable to me. Possibly, I smoke too high a ratio of medium-full to full bodied sticks to get these flavor profiles very often. The Aperitivo gave me those subtle notes while still delivering some full flavor."


 The complete review is here

Beer, Tears, and Smoke Rings reviewed the Bodega Reunion Digestivo: "The Reunion Digestivo by Bodega Premium Blends was a very well-blended cigar for my taste. It was medium-full to full in strength and body and definitely full flavored with nice complexity. The flavor profile of earth, wood, pepper, and subtle sweetness would make it a great pairing for brandy, whiskey, or ports. Craft beer lovers would be rewarded with a strong scotch ale or a barleywine pairing. I paired mine with Glenmorangie The Quinta Ruban."

The full review is here 

Cigar Nubs reviewed the Ezra Zion Cigars Tantrum: "The first couple puffs delivered an incredibly spicy pepper bomb. This is the spice equivalent to fat guy in a little coat. The spice is the fat guy in this analogy, ok? I thought he would be more chill, but apparently he’s overcompensating for his small stature by bringing a powerful kick.
The pepper doesn’t die down, but a roasted wood and hay flavor are introduced rather quickly after lighting. As I reached the halfway point, I’m becoming more and more concerned, as the pepper is building in strength and it was already powerful."  Full review here 

Stogie Bink reviewed the Emilio Cigars AF2: " After lighting, it's already full in body.  On the draw your met with a rich tobacco and black pepper.  The black pepper is pretty powerful.  On my pepper "zing" scale, I'll give it a 8 out of 10.  It has a nice warm feel on the lips and goes down to the back of your throat and down into your chest. The finish and after taste are the rich tobacco and slight earth.  The draw is slightly snug, but giving off adequate smoke output.  The burn for the first inch has been razor sharp."


The complete review is here

Sticks and Whiskey reviewed the Emilio Cigars AF2: "The stick lit beautifully, no issues at all, it took the flame well and lit evenly.  Right off the bat you are flooded with cedar, milk and white chocolate, flavors that would hang till the end.  The draw is sublime with just the right amount of resistance.  Towards the end of the first third the flavors became very spicy.  There was a distinct tingling sensation over my entire palate.  If you have ever tasted Mayan hot chocolate, this is it, chocolate and spice. "  The full review is here

 

Cigar Coop reviewed the Bodega Reunion Digestivo: "The start to the Reunión Digestivo provided a nice shot of white pepper (the pepper was definitely more defined once I lit up this cigar).  Some notes of coffee soon emerged.  As the Digestivo moved through the early phases the coffee moved into more of a primary note.  There was a nice sweetness that surfaced.  Meanwhile the white pepper notes receded to the background.  I also detected a mild grass note - which was a distant tertiary flavor."  Full review here

Cigar Memoir reviewed the Bodega Reunion Digestivo: "pumpernickel, wet earth and herbal tea. Underneath this trifecta of flavors was dark chocolate, faint hazelnut and two new additions: petrol and oak. Although these flavors are deep and dark, their delivery is subtle and at times hard to notice due to their lack of intensity. The smoke characteristic remained the same throughout the entire cigar, silky, arid and slightly parching. Wet earth, dark chocolate, herbal tea and oak on a medium-length finish." Full review here

Cigar NewB reviewed the Emilio Cigars Serie H Maduro: "Overall a really enjoyable cigar that highlights the quality that cocoa and coffee notes bring to the mix of a cigar. As a Maduro I found it to be on the lighter end thus making this a fantastic entry level Maduro for newer smokers out there. For the price you cant beat the smokabilty and flavor."

The full review is here

Rictus Cigar Reviews smoked the Ezra Zion Jamais Vu: "With the combination of great construction and fantastic mixtures of flavors it is really easy to see why these are super boutique sticks. This isn’t a label some schmuck at a deck thought sounded like good marketing. This is a label that is well deserved and if you love a good Nicaraguan than this great Nicaraguan will not let you down. This is my first Ezra Zion and until a local shop start carrying them it will most likely be my last. A fact that breaks my heart more than you understand."

The full review is here 

 Stogie Guys reviewed the Nomad Cigars CT Fuerte: "his approach to the line was to create a standout smoke, not just another Connecticut on the shelf. The result is a four-vitola line that boasts a clean Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, an Ecuadorian Habano binder, and a filler blend from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The Toro (6 x 52), which sells for about $8, has near-perfect construction. Flavors range from cinnamon and white pepper to cream and roasted nuts. I think Rewey’s hard work is paying off."
The full review is here

Cigar Craig smoked the Epicurean Cigars Gonzo Santeria: "My draw and burn were perfect and I smoked it to a finger-burning little nub. I really like the broadleaf wrapped Gonzo line, and this takes it one step better. Steve Ysidron of Epicurean Cigars has another winner here. This is a stellar smoke that gets a solid 98 on my scale. (here’s where my rating scale will get me in trouble! On the linked page for this cigar, there’s a badge with Cigar-Coop’s 92 rating. If you don’t read about my rating scale on my “About” page, it may take something away from my esteemed colleague’s rating! I assure you this is not my intention)"

Full review here 

Cigar NewB reviewed the Epicurean Cigars Gonzo Santeria: "
Overall a fantastic smoke that I know will appeal to any seasoned cigar smoker out there. I would be cautious if you are a newer smoker however, as the spice may not sit well with you. The mixture of cocoa and peppery spices are spot on and really show Ysidron’s passion come to life. The craftsmanship is seen throughout the cigar while smoking. Pick some up and you will not regret it."

 Full review here

Cigars and Scripture reviewed the Rodrigo Cigars La Fortaleza: "While enjoying the experience of the Rodrigo – La Fortaleza, I couldn’t stop asking myself, “why has it taken me so long to light one up?” The profile of the Rodrigo – La Fortaleza doesn't take any huge shifts or changes, but, it does grow slightly in strength. The Rodrigo – La Fortaleza did have one change, as the stick burned on, the sweetness went from being the dominant note, to the spice and woods being the front runner. The burn and smoke was on point from beginning to end and aside from the one touch up in the first third, no others were needed."

The complete review is here

Tiny Tim reviewed the Ezra Zion Cigars Eminence: "The cigar continued to change all the way to the end. There are now charred cedar notes. The cocoa seemed to come and go quickly. The front end still has lots of dark notes; dark chocolate, espresso, dry cedar, and the nutmeg was faint at the end. The pepper remained good and the finish remained consistent. The charred cedar seemed to give the cigar some sweetness. As you can see from the picture the cigar took quite awhile to smoke. If you are a lover of lots of dark notes in your cigar you may like this cigar. It is full of various dark notes. "  The complete review is here

Cigar Mayven reviewed the Rodrigo Clasico Lancero: "The initial flavor was strongly earthy with some sweetness but this mellowed out quickly to include some pepper and leather.  The draw was good as was the volume of smoke.  By the end the cigar mellowed a bit more with some spice and a nutty finish."

"The lancero vitola is a long and slim cigar measuring  7 x 38.  Lancero is Spanish for “lancer”, hence the logic behind the name for this cigar style."

Complete review here

The Humidor Blog reviewed the Bodega Reunion Aperitivo: "
Overall, this cigar is a unique delight. I have to say that I am partial to the corona size for so many reasons, the primary being the focus on a good wrapper. This Reunion Aperitivo really is a joy to smoke. Very flavorful and easy to smoke, beautiful floral notes with some spicy pepper and the right amount of complimentary flavors, I would recommend this before a good meal. The namesake Aperitivo is so very apropros here.   The full review is here

Dan Gumm reviewed the Kairos by Blessed Leaf: "Once the cigar was toasted and burning it produced a large volume of mild bodied smoke with an oak, brown sugar flavor mix that left behind a lingering sweetness. Testing the flavors with a quick retro hale I could sense nuts and cream. As the burn progressed it left behind a soft light gray ash and flavors of hay, sweet cream, caramel and nuts joined the mix. By the final third the strength had moved more into the medium range while flavors of coffee and leather dominated the mix."

Full review here 

 Cigars featured in this months issue of Cigars & Spirits Magazine

Cigar Fan reviewed the Ezra Zion Cigars FHK and the Rodrigo Cigars La Fortaleza: "The “Truth” opens smoothly with coffee flavors and a slightly sweet chocolate on the nose. (In this case, the Truth does not hurt.) The smoke texture is dense and chewy, a perfect accompaniment for the richness of the flavor."

"The Fortaleza’s strength (if I can put it that way) is still power, but it’s not a monotonous power. I’m not sure I could handle this in a churchill or toro size, but the robusto was a nice little punch in the gut, and it is surprisingly sophisticated."    Full review here

Cigar Mayven reviewed the Rodrigo Cigars La Fortaleza: "The initial flavor was strongly earthy without any sweetness but this changed  quickly to leather and spice. As the cigar grew shorter, the flavors intensified and included some creaminess.  Final result is a cigar at the mild end of full bodied. The nutty aftertaste was also stronger at the end of the 1 hour and 10 minutes I took to smoke it."

"I found this cigar to rate above average in every category and give it a 4.0 out of 5."

Full review here

Cigar Moment reviewed the Ezra Zion Cigars FHK: "it tastes like a combo of chocolate caramel and cedar. It's really a pleasant taste. Not earthy but just a good chocolate creamy caramel taste."

"Last third the flavor didn't change. Sometimes the chocolate flavor is coming back but not always.

I like the fact that the flavor is changing while I smoke it till the end."
Complete review here 

Ultimate Cigar Party reviewed the Nomad Cigars Connecticut Fuerte: "The smoke output was impeccable and aromatic. Her screams of creamy smoke billowed through the air like floating clouds on a spring day. This little lady was the perfect companion – satisfying and maintenance free. She burned cool with a sharp char line that produced a tight, light charcoal colored ash that grew to over two inches before depositing itself on my lap."

Complete review here 

All photos courtesy the originating reviewer

Video reviews and Podcasts

The Cigar Vixen reviews the 1502 Cigars Emerald

Sticks and Whiskey reviewed the Nomad Cigars S307

Cigar Review TV smoked the 1502 Cigars Black Gold  

Kyle's Cigar Reviews smokes the 1502 Cigars Ruby 

Poolside Cigar Reviews smokes the Epicurean Cigars Gonzo Santeria 

Sticks and Whiskey reviewed the Emilio Cigars AF1

Stogie Fresh reviewed the Nomad Cigars CT Fuerte  

Desert Smokes reviewed the Epicurean Cigars Gonzo Santeria

Desert Smokes reviewed the 1502 Cigars Black Gold  

Desert Smokes reviewed the Ezra Zion Cigars Tantrum

Sticks and Whiskey reviewed the Bodega Reunion Digestivo 
 

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