San Lantano Maduro
What is with cigars these days and the bands? It’s been a long time since I have seen a cigar with a nice old fashioned band. The San Lantano has two bands, one with the mark and the other telling you that is is the Maduro. I think I might have noticed. This is a nice looking cigar. It has an oily dark wrapper and a nice feel to it. It clipped easily and lit without problem. The...
A Macanudo Duo – part 2
To pick up where we left off, today is the second in a two part series reviewing the new gigante shapes from Macanudo. This shape has become very popular in recent years and I expect that we will see even larger cigars in August at the national trade show. By the way, what is the largest real cigar you know of or have smoked? I have seen a cigar called the chief by Puros Indios. Someone...
A Macanudo Duo- part 1
Just last week I got a package from General with a few new sized sticks in an old line to try. The shipment included a Macanudo Cafe and a Macanudo Maduro in the new Gigangte shape of 6″ by 60 ring. This shape has been gaining popularity over the last few years and all of the manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon making them. I had a long drive the other day and enjoyed the Cafe...
H. Upmann Reserve
I probably haven’t smoked an Upmann cigar in over 20 years. Yet, back when I was in college, in the stone age, I used to smoke them all of the time. One of my favorites was the H. Upmann 2000, which, at the time time, could be had for the princely sum of about $22.00 a box. Oh, and what a cigar it was. A medium bodied beauty, filled with complex flavors and a wonderful construction....
Alec Bradley Black Market
I along with everyone else has heard alot from Alec Bradley these last few years. Within the past while the company has become a major player in the premium cigar field. They position themselves between the big corporate brands and the small boutique brands offering a more traditional approach with some great cigars. So, I finally got a chance to smoke an Alec Bradley. When you first...
Illsione Candela Lancero
Illusione is a boutique cigar made by Dion Giolito. His background in the cigar business is well detailed on his web site. With a music background, and having worked in the cigar business for years, Dion got into manufacturing after buying some cigars from Pete Johnson and deciding that he liked them so much he wanted more. When he ws told they were unavailable he became intrigued...
