The My Father Le Bijou 1922 is a cigar made by Jose Pepin Garcia to honor his father who was born in the year 1922. As you may know in 2009 Jaime, Jose’s son, created the original My Father to honor Jose. The main difference in these two cigars is the wrapper, the Le Bijou 1922 uses a Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro leaf which is very difficult to grow and the original My Father line used an Ecuadorian wrapper.

This dark Habano Oscuro wrapper has a nice oily sheen and some tooth giving this cigar a very impressive look. It has a notably good construction with no soft or hard spots. The aroma off the tobacco is of rich cedar and dark chocolate. The pre-light draw was perfect with flavors of sweet tobacco.

Right off the bat I experienced a nice and rich smoothness to the smoke. The flavors I received were rich tobacco and a nice long sweetness to the finish. There were subtle hints of spice residing in the background growing in strength the more I smoked. The first third revealed a very creamy mocha flavor, but the spice that once lingered on the finish faded away. In the second third the spice slowly started to come back and flavors of dark chocolate were reminiscent on the finish. The flavors it delivered up to this point were full and creamy. The last third the mocha flavors were exchanged for cedar notes, but the dark chocolate finish remained. The Le Bijou 1922 was a medium bodied cigar until this point where the cigar turned it up a notch to a full body. The spice, yet again, vanished leaving the flavors with an ultra smooth and creamy tone with a hint of bitterness from the dark chocolate flavor.

This cigar had a nice even burn throughout leaving one and a half inch ashes that were solid and white in color. The draw was perfect and there was plenty of smoke to be had. I enjoyed this My Father Le Bijou 1922, it was rich in flavor and the creaminess kept the spices in check, never letting them take over the experience. It’s a cigar definitely worth looking into.

Size: Toro (6.0″ x 52)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price:  ~$11.30
Andrew’s Rating: 90/100

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The Padron Family Reserve No. 45 natural is a magnificent looking cigar. The construction on this box-pressed stogie is superb; no soft spots and a beautiful milk chocolate colored Nicaraguan wrapper. The tobacco used in this cigar ages ten years and it smells of rich tobacco and cedar.

From the get-go, I got a sweet, almost a hazelnut like flavor with a tiny bit of pepper; the sweetness lasted on the finish for quite awhile. Five minutes in and I felt a very warm, spicy sensation on the back of my mouth. The pepper is not that strong initially, but the spiciness creeps up on you. There was still of ton of sweetness with nutty flavors, but I also started to get woodsy notes. An inch in and chocolate notes start to emerge mixing in with that sweet, nutty, and woodsy flavor. The pepper is still present, but it is very subtle and on the finish along with a rich nutty taste. A third in and the smoke just turns super thick and creamy; all the flavors worked so well together and the finish changed to a velvety espresso taste that seems to last forever. As I close in on the halfway point, the flavors change to sweet toasted cedar and a touch of cocoa. The pepper has died down considerably and I don’t get that warm spicy sensation in the back of my mouth anymore. The last third marks the return of rich, creamy espresso and cocoa. At this point I’m feeling light headed from the strength of the cigar, you don’t notice how powerful the Padron 45 years natural is till you’re well into smoking it. Don’t get me wrong, I continued to smoke and enjoy the Padron up to the nub, but smoking it on an empty stomach was a mistake.

I did have some problems with the burn, but in no way did it ruin the experience, a quick touch up with the lighter and I was back in business. The ash had a brilliant white coat and held on for almost two inches, the draw was perfect, and there were tons and tons of creamy, thick smoke. The Padron Family Reserve No. 45 natural is another winner in my book and if Padron continues to blend spectacular cigars like these, I’m going to be broke real fast.

Size: Toro Box-Pressed (6.0″ x 52)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: ~$28
Andrew’s Rating: 96/100

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I’m excited to bring you this Tatuaje Reserva SW review. These have been my “go to” cigars as of late. Sure they double or triple the price of my usual “go to” cigars, but they are so consistent in flavor and the pairing with the Reserva SW and Remy Martin XO Excellence cognac is exquisite. Even without the cognac the cigar still gives a good amount of flavor. The construction is spot on and it sports the famous triple cap by Don Pepin Garcia. This Nicarguan puro smells of aged cedar and rich tobacco with a touch of spice that only gives you a hint of what’s to come.

This cigar immediately starts off with a generous amount of pepper and woodsy notes, but after just a few puffs the pepper mellows out a little and the smoke gets buttery with flavors of toasted wood and a slight sweet and peppery finish. I should also note that I’m pairing the Reserva SW with the Remy Martin cognac which is adding a very sweet and sugary finish to the cigar with a hint of nutty flavors. About a third in I started to pick up creamy coffee flavors on the finish with still that nutty undertone; the pepper has died down quite a bit at this point. At the halfway point the toasty, nutty flavors start to pick up and pepper starts to show itself again. And it seems as if the sweet, creamy coffee finish lasts forever. The last third is just like the beginning, lots of pepper and toasted woodsy notes with a light sweet finish resembling cocoa.

This medium to full body smoke is packed with flavors and the complexity of the cigar never leaves you bored. The burn was even and the ash held on for an inch. There is a ton of smoke that coats your palate with those awesome complex flavors. I can’t speak highly enough about the Tatuaje Reserva SW; it’s on the pricy side as my “go to” cigar, but it is worth every penny. All that is left to say is thank you to Pete Johnson and Don Pepin Garcia for making this world class stogie.

Size: Churchill (7.0″ x 47)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: ~$11.50
Andrew’s Rating: 94/100

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There are a lot of great cigars coming out of Nicaragua today and the Serie V is one of them. The dark Nicaraguan wrapper is teeming with oils and smells of cedar and cocoa. The pre-light draw is fantastic; just the perfect amount of resistance. This cigar has gotten a lot of press, so I had to see what all the fuss was about.

Immediately I detected a sweet, roasted nutty character with cocoa undertones and spice on the finish. About two inches in and wood, coffee and chocolate started to coat my palate with a little bit of spice still lingering on the finish. This is a full-bodied cigar that’s smooth with tons of creamy white smoke that has a wonderful aroma. A third through this stogie and the spiciness died down, but all those great flavors are still present. Halfway through and roasted coffee bean and nuts work really well together. The smoke was heavy and I could really taste the flavors swirling in my mouth leaving a sweet aftertaste that lingered for awhile. In the final third, I got a strong hit of nicotine that left a minty aftertaste. The coffee flavors had died down, but was still present. The last third isn’t going as well as the first part of this cigar, but it’s still not terrible.

The ash was dark and didn’t hold on for very long. The burn was even and I got plenty of thick, heavy smoke. The first two thirds were exceptional, but the final third the flavor died down and the strong nicotine hit wasn’t the best. Overall, it was a great experience and I enjoyed it, even though the last bit made me wonder where all the great flavors had gone.

Size: Churchill (7.0″ x 54)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: ~$8
Andrew’s Rating: 89/100

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The Decade is supposed to commemorate 10 years in the cigar business for Rocky Patel. It’s wrapped in a gorgeous Ecuadorian leaf that hugs a Honduran binder and Nicaraguan fillers. This well made cigar has no soft spots and smells of sweet cedar and earth. The pre-light draw was very loose, but I’ll gladly take a loose draw over a tight one.

This cigar starts out with woody and earthy notes with lots of spice on the finish. About an inch in and a little sweetness is introduced, but the woodiness, earthiness and spice are still present. Finishing off the first third of the Decade, the smoke got very creamy and the flavor started to mature with hints of bitter dark chocolate and leather. The woody notes and earth were still there, but the spiciness had gone down. The body seemed like it went from full bodied powerhouse in the beginning to a creamy medium body in the first third. As I got down to the halfway point another flavor was added to the list, espresso. This cigar keeps on maturing and adding new flavor as I get further through it; it’s incredible. The final part of this cigar the smoke stayed cool, the earthiness disappeared and the flavors just melded together even more to make a smooth finish to this masterpiece of a stogie.

The ash was a light grey color and held on for about an inch before falling off. The burn was even throughout and it gave some of the most creamy and bountiful smoke. The experience started off with a powerful hit of spice, but the amount of flavors that this thing added along its journey was wonderful. Hats off to Rocky Patel for engineering such a tremendous cigar and crossing the 10 year mark making cigars.

Size: Toro (6.5″ x 52)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Price: ~$10
Andrew’s Rating: 93/100

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When you first pickup this cigar you know right away this is going to be a great smoke. The toothy, milk chocolate colored wrapper looks perfect; no flaws. This hand-made cigar is constructed with absolute precision. It smells of coffee and rich, sweet tobacco.

When lighting this cigar, aromas of sweet, buttery caramel and mocha embrace you. Then you take that first puff and you enter a magical world of creamy and toasty French vanilla coffee with an undertone of nuts. Once you get going on the cigar the flavors stay consistent, but notes of espresso and nuts start to dance on your tongue putting a nice grin on your face. The finish is long and a hint of toasted wood lingers.

This cigar is so well constructed that I only had to ash twice. It’s always a wonderful sight to see 2 inches of beautiful white ash. The smoke is cool, creamy and smooth giving you a mild-medium bodied experience. The draw and burn were absolutely perfect. It’s not a very complex cigar, but it leaves you with such a nice grin and worry free feeling. And that’s what cigar smoking is all about.

Size: Robusto (5.0″ x 49)
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Mexican
Filler: Dominican-grown Piloto Cubano
Price: ~$8
Andrew’s Rating: 91/100

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This full bodied cigar has enough “punch” to knock you down. The filler tobaccos are Cuban seed Honduran, Dominican and Nicaraguan; wrapped in a dark natural leaf from Ecuador. The smell of this cigar has a very rich milk chocolate scent. Beautifully presented in a long and slender form, this cigar is chock full of delectable tobaccos.

Upon first light there is a sweet and leathery aroma that surrounds you. Flavors of sweet cocoa and nutmeg tease your palate while the spiciness tackles your tongue. About an inch and a half in a sweet flavor comes alive and caresses the tip of your tongue giving a nice long finish. The spiciness mellows out around a third into this stick, leaving you with a rich tobacco flavor with undertones of leather and earth. Then the smoke becomes creamy and brings a soothing cocoa taste. In the final third of this cigar the spiciness returns, but ever so slightly.

The smoke is thick and plentiful, the burn is excellent with beautiful white ash and the draw is wonderful. The name of this cigar says it all, Punch After Dinner. With the full bodied smoke and strength of this cigar you’ll want to smoke this in the evening after a hearty meal. It’s also a stick I would reach for in the colder months when I prefer that full bodied spicy flavor.

Size: After Dinner (7.2″ x 45)
Wrapper: Ecuador
Filler: Cuban seed Honduran, Dominican, Nicaraguan
Price: ~$4
Andrew’s Rating: 90/100

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The El Mejor Emerald is a surprisingly good smoke. When you first pick up this thing you’ll notice it has a “shaggy” foot, the wrapper does not cover one half inch of the cigar. It’s filled with Nicaraguan and Ligero tobacco and wrapped with a golden-brown Honduran corojo leaf.

At first light you get a very mellow smoke with hints of spiciness and toasted cedar, nothing too fancy. Once the burn reaches the corojo wrapper you get and explosion of flavors on the palate. The medium bodied smoke is creamy and sweet with palate bursting rich tobacco and spices; the complexity is mind boggling. Further into the cigar new flavors of nuts and toasted bread get thrown into the laundry list of goodness. At the halfway mark the spiciness tones down and the smoke gets rich and savory.

The draw is consistent and the burn stays in line. The El Mejor Emerald is a highly enjoyable cigar with lots of complexity and an abundance of chewy and tasty smoke. Definitely not the prettiest looking cigar, but the concept of the shaggy foot is interesting. Coming in at under $4 a stick this is a cigar that I would not hesitate to light up again.

Size: Torpedo (6.5″ x 54)
Wrapper: Honduran grown Corojo
Filler: Nicaraguan and Ligero
Price: Under $4
Andrew’s Rating: 91/100

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5 Vegas Classic is such a treat, this has got to be one of my absolute favorites. With its Cuban seed Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers wrapped in a tasty Sumatra leaf and a price tag of under $5, how can it go wrong? This cigar smells of sweet rich tobacco and feels fully packed with it.

Size: Torpedo (6.0″ x 54)
Wrapper: Sumatra
Filler: Cuban seed Nicaraguan and Dominican
Price: Under $5
Andrew’s Rating: 94/100

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Don’t be fooled by the name, these suckers aren’t mistakes or 2nds by any definition. What originally happened was, long ago Cigars International got a batch of Perdomo 2 Milenarios which had an order mix-up. This mix-up caused the cigars to be unbanded and round instead of the original banded and box-pressed. It’s filled with the exact same tobacco as the Perdomo 2 Milenario at half the price. It became such a big hit that Cigars International started ordering them like this from Nick Perdomo.

The dark Nicaraguan maduro wrapper is oily and smooth to the touch. It smells of rich dark chocolate, rich oils and earthiness. The construction of this cigar is one of the best I’ve seen; there are no big veins and no rough spots. This thing is chock full of Nicaraguan tobacco which usually gives it a more full bodied and spicy smoke, but this thing is so smooth.

At first light you get leathery and peppery notes with subtle flavors of bitter dark chocolate. You get a sense of that rich oily tobacco on your palate with spiciness on the back of your tongue. About 1/3 in, nutty flavors start to emerge and if you are drinking a single malt scotch the sweetness is pronounced. This is a medium bodied smoke with tons of flavor constantly teasing your palate and keeping you guessing on which flavors it’s throwing at you.

The burn is even and the ash is beautifully white. The draw is consistent and you get plenty of smoke to satisfy your smoke rings. This is such an awesome deal, under $2.50 a stick from Cigars International [www.cigarsinternational.com]. This cigar is a MUST have, so stock your humidors with them and herf away.

Size: Torpedo (6.5″ x 55)
Wrapper: Double Fermented Nicaraguan Maduro
Filler: Piloto Cubano Nicaraguan
Price: ~$2.40
Andrew’s Rating: 89/100

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