* unbelievable draw and smoke production. effortless. must draw with repect.
* lots of pepper up front
* woody with a little leather and a dry and clean finsh with white pepper
* no sweetness on the wrapper…. little surprised by that.
* shortly in there comes a creaminess and some faint dry fruit but it’s short lived.

Reminds me alot of aPadron Natural so far. It is definitely a lighter bodied smoke though and is fairly medium in body. The flavor is definitely more full though with a little pepper punch.

Out of nowhere about 1/3 of the way in I picked up the cigar and out came some ginger and cinnamon. It had been resting a few minutes so maybe it needed that to bring it out but wow!

* no acidity at all.
* burn got a little ugly nbut straightened out quickly with little to no intervention.
 

Past the half I am reminded of a mystical sort of old spice as I am smoking through this. There is something in the aroma that is very exotic and spicey. I can’t quite place it though. It’s definitely a signature Pepin flavor!

* occasional floral marks hit in the aroma
* really impressed with the smoothness of this blend on both the palate and retrohale.
* lots of chocolate in the final 3rd

This really is a good cigar and easily hits a 91 mark on the first go around. There is enough power and complexity in there to keep anyone happy and the medium body shouldn;t be too much for a typical mild smoker.
If you like a bounty of unique enjoyable flavors and complexity with a spicy clean finish then you won’t be disappointed by this one. 91

This beauty was a gift from one of the classiest Gentleman I know. I attended a technology summit and the CEO had some very choice cigars reserved for Elite customers. Glad I fit that bill…although I doubt he knew at the time at least one of the cigars he gave me would  almost immediately be the subject of a glowing Internet review.

First Impressions: This cigar isn’t particularly pungent and the aroma is marked with some sweetness, hazelnut and tobacco. The wrapper looks thick but not particularly oily . Under a close light it glistened with minerals from the soil. This figurado is tightly packed and if it came from some run off the mill factory I would be a little concerned. The cold draw wasn’t particularly open but then again it is a figurado and it is from the Davidoff factory so no worries….yet.

I lit this beauty with a cedar spill, as I typically do these days, so its no surprise that some cedar undertones will be present throughout but it didn’t take much to get it going and the cigar instantly came to life with an outstanding draw. The smoke production was equally impressive after only 3 or so pulls. My palate was already awash with essential Henke Kelner tobacco flavors although the sun grown wrapper was giving it a feisty kick with heavily marked notes of pepper on both the palate and on the retro-hale.  The aroma consists of baking spice, sweet hay, floral notes and of course cedar. The body is medium full right off the bat and I could tell this one wasn’t going to be the typical morning fair that most of the HK blended cigars cater to so well for me due to their incredible flavor but mild body. This cigar was going to be a whole different experience for sure!

Within about 15 minutes I am trying to think back to the last cigar I smoked that performed this well…not to mention the power and complexity. The sun-grown wrapper is really punchy with good strength and overall this cigar is big in every way. Easily the best I have smoked so far this year. Now I have to smoke an Opus tomorrow for comparison but right now I am really digging this smoke and think it will edge out the Opus in a straight up comparison. It is actually relatively close in profile if you just replace the typical HK flavors with the typical flavors the Fuente family tobacco has. Both are very similar as is most ultra-premium Dominican tobacco that is used in the rarer more exclusive blends but I think the Avo has a little bit more muscle to it.

Besides the distinct Kelner profile of background flavors which can also be found plentifully in the Davidoff and Zino blends; with this Avo there is a component of baking spice and a feisty pepper that adds multiple layers of depth, flavor and satisfaction. The finish is long with a slight twang and a warm tingle of pepper. I am reminded of some of the best Corojo cigars I have smoked in the past.

I have been able to sip this cigar all the way down and am so impressed with quality of the construction. Each new draw cools and sets the palate awash with layer after layer of flavor and complexity. To me this cigar is right there with the Padron Anniversaries and Opus X’s of the world. It is easily right there among some of my long standing favorites. I can’t say thank you enough to a true BOTL for bestowing me with this experience. I also got a La Trompeta at the same time I received this so I will definitely review that after it’s rested in my Private Stash humidor for awhile. Thank you DD you are the man! Happy Ashes!

Rustic looking beauty at the b&m. Wrapper is mostly a light cedar aroma. I like the shaggy foot and pigtail and its been some time since I smoked any criollo. Right off the bat this cigar rocks. White pepper and citrus notes with a perfectly balanced sharp but smooth smoke. I lit the shaggy foot with some cedar splinters so as always there is a constant undertone of cedar. The draw volume and burn are spot on. The palate retains a crisp citrus acidity with a white pepper tingle lingering long on the finish. Ash fell at the 3rds. I really enjoy the citrus and pepper.The body is medium but the flavor has gone progressively fuller. The spice is kicking in now with some charcoal notes here and there. This cigar has some complexities for sure. The sweetness is an undertone of molasses at times but not on the lips ever. On the palate this is a damn feisty cigar. Plenty if tingle on the tongue. I would simply describe this cigar as sharp and clean on the palate but complex in aroma. Not a leathery cigar at all. It’s a really awesome cigar. Definite threepeat. 93

The La Riqueza is a nice looking box-pressed cigar. Had a decent aroma on the wrapper. It smelled both sweet and strong eluding to rich tobacco flavors. I have already smoked 4 of these over the past 4 months. I picked up a 5er back in April and I saw a little yellowing in the cellophane. I wouldn’t say it is aged to an optimum level but felt it within acceptable range. I wasn’t blown away by the others so I thought I would give this one a few months before coming to a consensus.

I’m glad I held back on this one and within 10 minute sof lighting it, really enjoying the “full bodied right out of the gate” experience. It is a dry full body.  Very well balanced with acidity but rich with tobacco flavor marked with notes of charcoal, chocolate, wood and pepper. The retrohale is smooth and dry but with that comes a little edge of harshness. The finish is also dry and clean with not much else than the enjoyable tingle of pepper.

Performance is spot on and I have been able to sip this cigar the whole way. The ash hasn’t been particularly strong but that isn’t something that usually bothers me although it’s neat take a Robusto all the way down and never drop ash. This is not that cigar.

This cigar has big bold flavors and could definitely be considered an extra fuerte. The smoke is smooth past the 1st 3rd and the acidity balance is perfect. I never even needed a sip of water throughout this robusto. It was very clean but spicy. This is not offensive to me at all and something I really crave at least once a week. Sometimes you just want something with a little kick to it.  THis cigar can answer that call. Look else where if you want a mild or medium cigar. Appreciate for what it is!! 90

This is how I know the new Edge Sumatra is something special. I was slightly past the half way point when I could take it no more. I had to record in words my thoughts on this cigar as it is really something special to me.  Forget about physical characteristics and performance. Those things should be a given and Rocky has never ever let me down with any experience I ever had while smoking an Edge. They have all performed exceptionally and looked as good as any in the box.

With the Sumatra it’s all about flavor. This is a rich decadent cigar. Theres a ton of rich chocolaty flavors with fruit delivered in smooth full bodied plumes of smoke. The bite of pepper on the finish makes this cigar answer the call for a manly full flavored experience. I would liken it to a Pepinesque nip on the tongue. No problems nubbing this one. I see more of these in my future for sure. Great cigar! 92

Like all of Litto’s Double Ligero line, this monstrosity is a great smoke! It sports the same flavor profile as the rest. Extremely smooth with a good balance of acidity, spice and tons of Vitamin N. This thing will make you sweat! It was well worth the $10 and some change I paid for it at the B&M. Highly recommended to the pros. Don’t waste your money if your a noob. You won’t finish it…..at least in one sitting. I promise you. 90

I’ll start by saying that I was a huge fan of the ESV 1991. Although I can’t find them anymore I often thought about how much I enjoyed them while they lasted. I still have 1 last ESV 1991 Phantom that is a shotgun shell of a vitola measuring in at 4 1/4X52. I have no idea when I will smoke it but I guarantee the cellophane will be so oxidized that it will look darker than the wrapper itself. That will be a good day! But enough about then. This is about now and now Mr Perdomo has released a new ESV; the long awaited and much anticipated ESV 2002. I am sure all the wrappers are good but my first dime spent was on the Natural (Ecuadorian Connecticut). Picked these up at $4 a pop off the Devil.

The first thing I notice after un-sleeving this beauty and examining it’s relatively flawless wrapper is the total lack of typical aromas on wrapper. It only emanated a very light and slightly sweet tobacco smell and fresh earth. There really wasn’t any barnyard or savory aromas but I bet with age it starts to come out a little. This particular stick has only been resting since April.

The 1st blast off this stick is medium/full bodied with a lot of flavor and a ton of smoke. It’s a little harsh in the throat but very peppery and slightly sweet. There is plenty of body early on with a pretty darn smooth retro-hale considering the pepper on the palate. As always with Perdomo, the draw is effortless and it is totally possible to 1 puff sip this cigar the whole way. Oak ,white pepper and soft citrus are the predominant nuances in the aroma. Dashes of rock candy are sensed here and there with both sweetness on the lips and nuance in the bouquet. There is a long clean but spicy finish that is mouth watering. No beverage needed as the balance is perfect. My palate is totally clean except for a light citrus and tobacco flavor on my lips. This cigar really starts to settle in about 15 mins in. The body drops considerably.

A little further in and any ferocity is non-existent. This cigar starts like a lion and  transitions perfectly into a smooth mild/medium bodied cigar with a very interesting flavor profile. The finish has gotten much creamier and all the pepper has smoothed out.  I am reminded of a Creamsicle and the retrohale has consistently been very smooth and nonirritating. To me this vitola is perfectly balanced for this style cigar.

She finished out very smooth with a nip of pepper making a reappearance at the end. Unfortunately it got a little hot towards the end and I couldn’t nub it although I did my best to improvise ….

I like this cigar a lot. The ESV Natural is a terrific mild/medium bodied cigar that starts like a lion and ends like a lamb. Welcome in my humidor anytime. Highly recommended to pro’s and noobs alike!  91

1st 1/2 -Light Pepper graham leather citrus sweetness slightly creamy. Medium body and flavor. Very similar to macanudo. About 1/3 of the way the the pepper starts dropping a little. Smoothing out the profile. Finish is clean with a little orange citrus and white pepper. Oak starts popping in near the half. Decent burn. Good draw and volume. Not a padron but acceptable.

Very smooth non-irritating retrohale but it’s starting to exhibit a semi-ugly burn by the half.  It’s starting to heat up quite a bit temperature wise which in turn is bringing the peppers back but in a not so enjoyable way. It was like a light switch was turned on just past the half. Probably would have done well to put it out there…. The ash finally dropped in the final 3rd. Smoked it down to the label.

Overall a good cigar. If I had better success rates with CAO I would be more tempted to pick up a 5er if I saw a deal on these. This cigars profile competes directly with Macanudo and Hoya and given the choice I would go Hoya, Mac and then CAO Gold. As long as there are Man o War Virtues and Rocky Patel Vintage Connecticuts or Perdomo Habano Connecticuts it’s going to be real hard for me to pick this cigar up over any of those though. 87

The performance was excellent however the ash was a little crumbly but that wasn’t a major issue at all. The flavor profile is that of a typical Connecticut. Smooth, creamy medium bodied with a kick of pepper from those wonderful Nicaraguan tobaccos. I also got a little evergreen nuance in there from time to time which was different but not unsavory at all. I quite enjoyed it and all in all this was a distinctive and pretty satisfying cigar. Keep an eye out for these if you want a nice morning smoke that isn’t going to break the bank if you get hooked on it. I would definitely smoke this again. 87