I think I will have to smoke one of these too, I just wonder if there is a way to tell the difference between the first and second release, as I got one in a trade a while back. I will have to smoke it and read this review at the same time, thanks for the review.
As Kuzi mentioned, the original 2011 release did not have the pinhole in the foot. It is easy to see on the 2012 so you should have no problem identifying between the two.
Thanks for the review Kuzi. I actually managed to keep a 2012 zombie for myself this time (I gifted all my 2011's away before getting around to smoking one). I might have to burn it down this weekend.
yea I just read the review and see the pin hole reference, seems I just smoked a new one!
This cigar has seen quite a bit of hype.
For those on the cigar.com forum, you are already quite familiar with this name. For those of you who are not familiar, let me give you a quick history on the man.
Ramón Bueso has been in the world of tobacco from a young age. As a boy he literally grew up in tobacco fields. His grandmother had land in his home country of Honduras that she leased to Angel Oliva (of the Oliva tobacco growers, not the Oliva cigar manufacturers) in the 1960s. Honduras was one of the hot spots for Cuban exiles post revolution. By the age of 15 Ramón found himself working at the Villazon Cigar factory that was run by Frank Llaneza (Originator of the non-Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey, Punch, and Bolivar). As a bunchero and a roller he developed his skills and knowledge. Developing quickly, Llaneza took notice of Ramón Bueso and moved him up through the business and eventually became the right hand man of the operation focusing on buying and processing tobacco. It is through Llaneza that Bueso met Estelo Padron, another legend in the industry. Under these two legends Ramón Bueso learned the old Cuban tradition of Tobacco processing, blending, and manufacturing.
More recently, Bueso has been working with Nestor Plasencia in Danli, Honduras.
The Cigar in this review is this tobacco man’s personal blend. It is a cigar that he has worked on for years and previously only handed out to those lucky enough to meet him. He is a bit of a local legend in Honduras and now he is stepping into the international stage with the release of his personal blend dubbed “Genesis: The Project”
Its a good looking cigar. The wrapper is a deep rich brown and it has an oily sheen to it. It is very firm and very smooth. The band has clean lines in black and white. In gold is a script print of the Name of the cigar, “Genesis.” This, at first glance reads almost as a signature. There are a few dominant veins that are visible but none of them feel three dimensional.
The smell has a peat quality to it with a hint of roasted coffee beans. The triple cap looks a bit rough. When I lick the cap there is little taste other than a light sour note and maybe a hint of spice. A cut with my Xi2 opens up to a firm draw that is full of flavors such as earth, coco, and coffee. Once lit with a soft flame there are fresh tilled dark earth notes. This fades into a coffee undertone as spice shows up very late on the finish. Through the nose there is a hint of leather. As the cigar settles in the flavors seem to refine. The earth notes are there and seem to be more of a heavy mushroom. The coffee flavors are mostly on the finish and very defined. It is the same after taste that a dark chocolate covered coffee bean has. The spice has died down and is very soft. This is a unique cigar in the first third.
I find the ash to be a bid flaky and brittle. The burn is not perfect but it seems to correct itself.
As the cigar enters the middle third I find myself enjoying the cleanness of the smoke. The flavors seem crisp and deliberate. There are no lingering unpleasant notes at any point. Just a long soft spice finish. As the middle third continues the chocolatey notes pick up and become sharper. They lean more to a woody note by “drying out” a bit. There is a malty note in there as well. It reminds me of what a true brew-house smells like.
The final third has a more roasted tone to it. The coffee flavors are still there but not as dominant. I keep thinking about the malty aspects of this cigar. I find it very interesting. It is something that I have not tasted in a cigar before and I seem to be focusing on it.
The cigar ends with the same impressions that were in the last third. Its an interesting smoke and it is unique.
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Great review. The whole time I smoked mine, I kept telling myself that it was just a little bit different from anything I'd had before - but in a very good way. I'd draw on it and then hold it out in front of my face at arms length and say to myself "I haven't had anything quite like this". The thing that impressed me right off the bat was the wrapper - dark, almost like a hershey bar - shiney and oily - really a georgeous cigar to look at.
I don't know how kuzi can detect all these subtle flavors - I wish I could - but he's pretty much right on the money. I just want to know how he got almost 2 hours out of this robusto!!
Didn't really enjoy the first one I had. Although the flavors were enjoyable, I thought it was too too. If you know what I mean. I have another in the box. Perhaps it will blend with age.
1-8-13 been in humi since 8-13-12
Alec Bradley Prensado Robusto (5 x 50)
Wrapper: Trojes Honduras Corojo 2006
Binder: Jalapa Nicaraguan
Filler, Trojes Honduras, Nicaraguan
Blender: Arsenio Ramos, Alan Rubin
A big thank you to DrPepperdude for getting this cigar to my humidor.
The Alec Bradley Prensado is a cigar that needs little introduction. Since the Churchill vitola of this blend was the Cigar Aficionado cigar of the year 2011 just about everyone who has ever dabbled in cigars has heard of it. The cigar was released in 2009 and the two years between the release and the award were full of acclaim that started at the IPCPR with this cigar being one of the most talked about releases of the year. With as much fanfare that this cigar has received, I am surprised to find myself about to light this blend for the first time.
This cigar continues with the successful concept that AB started with the Tempus in 2008. This concept, of course, is utilization of the Las Trojes, Honduras tobacco. This tobacco can be found in two places in this cigar: the wrapper and the filler. It is one of the defining characteristics of Alec Bradley's blending style and being that they Trademarked the name “Trojes” it seems that they have every intention of keeping the leaf all to themselves.
The Prensado has a dark chocolate wrapper and, apart from a few veins, is fairly uniform in appearance. The construction looks flawless and the wrapper feels smooth in the hand. The slight box press feels good in the hand . It is not “overly pressed” as its name might imply to some (Prensado is spanish for “press”). There is a very nice triple cap that is distinct and easy to see. A band of blue, gold, black, and brown seems opulent but since the color scheme works well and I will forgive it.
The cigar has very little bouquet unlit. A lick on the triple cap has a leathery taste and a very slight sour note initially but this turns to spice quickly. The oils are felt on the tongue and lips. After a cut with my Xi2 the draw has rich tobacco flavors and the slight spice continues.
The first few puffs have a decent amount of spice to them. It is the woody spice that I associate with Nicaraguan Tobacco. There is a leather earthy note that is pleasant but overall the flavors are fairly muted early on in the cigar. The spice seems to linger. I suspect that the spice blast I am getting is due to lighting to fast and hot. Some time to settle may give this cigar more complexity.
As the cigar settles in a slightly nutty note comes out to play. The spice does down to a simmer and is just enough to keep it interesting. Any hint of bitter disappears, not to say it is sweet but it is sweeter than before via lack of bitter. It is no longer offensive. This confirms to me that the light was just too hot and I scorched the tobacco. A few other issues that I suspect came from the light include an uneven burn. A quick corrective light fixes that. With ay luck that is the last of the issues I will see from my mistake. The leather earthy undertones are still there and bring the nutty and “sweeter” note together. Through the nose the leather and earth and light spice are balanced and work with each other well. The aftertaste is short and clean.
The middle third is full of the same flavors. There is a slight uptick of body but the cigar has not changed much otherwise. The saving grace is that it is all very pleasant and very well balanced. It is easy to smoke without being too mild or leaving you wanting more. The uneven burn continues and the classic trick of rotating the cigar does not help. The minor touch ups do not seem to be effecting the flavor negatively; it is just a minor annoyance for those who are neurotic about an even burn like myself.
The final third of the Prensado brings on a richer leather taste. This has been a slow progression. It is not “in your face” in any way shape or form. Just smooth and subtle. A slight chocolate note is seen from time to time. At this point I would put this cigar in the medium to full range.
The last few puffs bring on more of the leather and earth and it is slowly coming out of balance. This signals the end of the cigar for me.
Burn to the nub
time: 1 hour 45 minutes
I don't think this cigar will get the number one spot in my catalog for the year, but I do understand why it was the 2011 cigar of the year from CA. The way they reach that decision is based off of blind ratings from a group of people. If this cigar is consistent from one to the next, its non-offensive nature will not turn people away. It offers little to be mad about. It is a nice relaxing cigar with good flavors. On the side of the Devil's Advocate, it has little “mind blowing” uniqueness. This is a good “top of the middle ground” cigar. A group of people would like it. A group average would even out the score and since there are no real negatives to bring it down that could place it firmly at the top. This is not a polarizing cigar in my experience. Nobody hates it and a few like it very much.
if you like my reviews please see my blog. If you want to see what im up to between reviews and get micro reviews follow me on twitter (@KuzisCigar) or Facebook
very nice write up sir.have one sitting in my humi now.looking forward to lighting it up now.only been sitting for a few weeks .dont know if i can wait a year tho.lol.
1-16-13
ROTT, no age.
Room 101 One Shot One Kill Filero
4.5 x 52/42 Figurado
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Honduran Corojo
Filler: Honduran Corojo & Dominican Republic Piloto Ligero
Blender: Matt Booth
The Room 101 One Shot One Kill (Named for the Photographer Edgar Hoill who is known for getting incredible photos with one click on short notice) is one of Room 101's most popular and highly regarded blends. It is very limited in production with a run of only 30,000 cigars over three shapes. One of the rumored reasons for this limited quantity is that only one person rolls the cigars and the entire run took over a year to roll.
That is quite an impressive feat.
As interesting as the back-story is to this particular cigar and brand in general, the thing that most excites me about this cigar is the size/shape. It is very reminiscent of the smaller vitolas of the Fuente Hemingway series, somewhere between the short story and the best seller. What makes the vitola so interesting is the constantly changing wrapper to filler ratio. Yes, the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is a rare treat, and the Honduran Corojo is what Camacho calls the only “true” corojo, and the fillers are some of the finest tobaccos on the market, but the vitola can potentially take this cigar to the next level. The perfecto takes full advantage of the fact that the wrapper contributes a significant amount of flavor to the bend. As the the cigar gets wider, more of the filler is showcased in the flavor. As the cigar tapers the wrapper's flavor presence increases. Theoretically, this cigar has a complexity potential that parejo cigars inherently cannot have.
Simply put the OSOK Filero looks good. The cigar has a “true fermentation” look to it. By that I mean that there is some color variation almost like the leaf was muddled a bit. A leaf should look this way if it was fermented until it was dark and never just died to reach some aesthetic goal. The seems are difficult to see and lay flat save for where the cigar makes an extreme taper. Some of the veins are there but they don't have depth and they do not expressly stand out in any way. The silver and black band is simple and it works well. The wrapper feels smooth and oily in the hand and there is a firmness to the overall feel.
The unlit smell is a light barnyard and unremarkable. A lick on the pointed cap leaves a heavy oil feel to the lips and tongue with a slightly spicy note however I get a slight impression of sweet as well. These notes are very slight. It has less flavor at this point than most. A cut with my Xi2 and this cigar really starts to show it flavors. There is a sweeter earth flavor and a licorice undertone. Its quite nice. The draw is smooth and surprisingly easy considering the diameter of the foot.
After a light with a soft flame, the first few puffs have quite a bit of spice and heavy earth flavors. There is an underlying meaty sweetness. As the cigar quickly swells to the widest ring gauge. The spice tames down a bit and becomes soft and enjoyable. However, the burn is not even in any way. This is not a surprise, most figurados have a few burn issues due to the difficulty to roll. Minor touch ups are needed. The cigar smooths out and a shot light sweet nutty flavor comes out early in the puff with the earth flavors and the meaty quality soon to follow. Through the nose there is a bit of spice and a light musk. This cigar is very complex. Even early in this cigar, what I am beginning to recognize as the blending style of Mr. Booth is prevalent. (the other great example is in the Room 101 Connecticut.)
This small cigar reaches the mid point quickly. The sweeter elements seem to keep getting stronger. The light warming spice works very well with the sweet. It balances out the cigar very well. Through the nose it has not changed much at all. The finish is long an mostly made up of the earth and meaty sweet. The balance is quite impressive.
The last third of the cigar is the same but all of the flavors seem a bit more intense and they melt together well. The earth note is now through the nose as well. This cigar has a medium to full body but is not overwhelming. As the flavors intensify the licorice flavors that were detected in the cold draw start to come out. It is a steady improvement as the cigar tapers down. The last few puffs are warm and still very pleasant. As it heats it does not become harsh or bitter.
if you like my reviews please see my blog. If you want to see what im up to between reviews and get micro reviews follow me on twitter (@KuzisCigar) or Facebook
Still looking for any of the OSOK that I keep reading about. Seems that none of the local B&Ms or CCOM has them.
These are gone form the market. Tehy were a one time release, and now the guy whom blended it with Matt Booth at Room 101 started his own company, EH cigars. I've had the new blend, and it is alright, but I am not sure if it is as good. Either way, if you find any...let me know!
damn you kuzi. my white whale the osok and you write a awesome review as usuall. now it just makes it worse i can't find one. i mean i just want to smoke one before i die. haha is that to much to ask.
Many cigar smokers follow a similar path in their journey deeper into the car world. Generally speaking, someone who wishes to dabble into cigar will get advice from a more seasoned smoker. The first bit of advice is to start out with a milder blend as to not end up sick on the first go. The new smokes who enjoys these first few mild cigars will buy many of them, filling their first humidor. As fuller bodied cigars are able to be handled, there is a step up to them. As there is a step up in power, there is generally a step up in flavor as well. More flavors are detected. The palate is beginning to be developed. At some point more humidors are purchased and they are filled with increasingly powerful cigars. All the while there is palate development. Months, or even years go by. It becomes easier and easier to recognize flavors, blending styles, signature flavors of a region. At some point, often when the fullest of the full cigars are being enjoyed by the now-not-so-new smoker. The palate is well developed. On a whim, this smoker finds something that is left over from when they liked the mild stuff, or they are sent a mild cigar that someone else enjoys, and they smoke it. But now it is different than before. With a more developed palate and the experience of learning how to retrohale and how to actively taste the cigar it is an entirely new experience. They can taste things in the mild cigar that they never tasted before. There is complexity now where there was once only “smoke.” The smoker looks through the humidors to find other old mild favorites to give a second look at them only to find that the humidors are full of the full bodied cigars and another humidor must be purchased.
That one mild cigar alters the way that cigars are viewed from that point on. There is a new appreciation for all strengths of tobacco.
For me, that one cigar was a Zino Classic Robusto. I feel that now, years later, it is time to give a proper review of the blend that changed my life.
The Zino classic was re-blended by Henke Kelner and released in 2006. As it is with most Davidoff products, there is a ton of respect for tradition. In the case of this cigar it shows up in this cigar not only by carrying the Zino name but by using tobacco from Honduras. This was done on purpose. The original production site of Zino Cigars was in Honduras. This may seem a bit strange to the Davidoff fans out there being that the names "Davidoff" and "Kelner" seem to be synonymous with Dominican tobacco because of the company's heavy investment into the country. However, Kelner also uses Ecuadorian tobacco in the Davidoff Aniversario, Davidoff Classic, Gran Cru, Special Series, and a few LEs, and he uses Honduran tobacco in the Zino Platinum Z-Class. This is by no means out of his realm, nor should it seem strange.
The black tube with gold lettering is an elegant tube, as would be expected from Zino, being a Davidoff product. The cigar itself is a nice tan and there are a few wrinkles to it. It give the cigar a bit of a rustic look. The band is a simple gold and maroon band in a similar shape to Davidoff bands.
the cigar feels light in the hand and there is a slight fuzzy feeling to the wrapper. There are woody and sweet flavors that are boarder-line floral. The lick on the cap has those same flavors but with the tiniest hint of spice as well. After a clip with my double guillotine a slightly firm draw is noted and the flavors are licorice and floral in nature.
I light with a soft flame is quick due to the small ring gauge. The first puffs are woody in nature with soft pepper undertones. Through the nose there is a firmer wood note and a musky undertone, one of the elements that often show up in Kelner blends. The flavors smooth and the body is fairly light. The spice is light but it seems to linger quite a bit. This lingering spice does not seem to fit with the rest of the cigar.
As the cigar settles in a slight nutty note creeps in. it is subtle and mixes well with the over all wood tones.
The cigar changes little through the length of the cigar. It settles in and stays there. Its a good thing it is a pleasant cigar and it is short. It could get boring if it was a larger cigar. The only change to note at the mid point is that the musk has settled down and overall it becomes a bit more “sharp” in nature.
Near the end of the cigar the flavor is about the same relatively unchanged. Its a good little smoke
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1-31-13 fresh no age.
Padilla Reserva Habano Torpedo (6×54)
Wrapper: Cuban seed Ecuadorian Grown Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
The Padilla Reserva Habano is part of Padilla’s re-branding efforts. Much of this re-branding is geared to the brick and mortar market with many potential lines being event only cigars. This new Padilla line-up is met with old friends and new blenders. On the Reserva Habano all of the work is left to the good people at the Oliva Factory in Esteli Nicaragua. The Oliva family is no stranger to Ernesto Padilla. In 2008 the two collaborated to make the Padilla NUB that never actually reached shelves. In 2011 the two got together to make the Padilla Studio-Tobac Limited Edition (rated 93 in CA). The blend on the Reserva Habano is very similar to the Padilla Studio-Tobac Limited Edition partially because the two cigars both sport an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.
The respect Padilla has for Oliva is not a one way street. Oliva has enough respect Padilla that this is the first time Oliva has distributed a non-Oliva brand.
The band is a red, black and gold band that has a the familiar Padilla styling to it. The secondary band reads “Padilla Reserva” in gold on a black background. The maduro version reads “Padilla Reserva Maduro” in gold and white on a red background. The wrapper looks smooth save for a very dominant vein and noticeable seams. I notice the seams because of the thickness of the wrapper.
The cigar has some heft to it. The smell unlit is a bit on the sweet side as far as tobacco goes. The wrapper is smooth on the fingers and oily on the lips. The oils have a sweet and sour note. It seems to linger. The cut with the double guillotine brings a soft spicy note on the slightly firm draw.
The light with my Xikar EX lighter brings on a very classic Nicaraguan flavor with a hint of sweet. There is a woody spice with a pulpy texture especially in the finish. A few puffs in, as the cigar is sitting in the ashtray I hear a slight crackling and I can see a spot on the wrapper cracking. There is a fruity sweet undertone. It is mild but it is there. Lingering on the back of the palate is the pulpy textured spice. The spice is strong, but short. The light crackling continues.
As the cigar opens up the ligro flavors show up in spades. The flavor is mouth coating. Through the nose there is a nutty note. One inch square of the wrapper came off when all the cracking is all said and done but it somehow did not effect the burn this is otherwise perfect.
At a bit over the half way point the woody notes pick up a nice smoked meat flavor and strangely enough a floral undertone. I hesitate to use the word “floral” because it isn’t floral but it is the closest thing that I can think of. The finish has mellowed out quite a bit. The spice has died down but it is also a longer finish.
By the final third this cigar has the typical Nicaragua flavor that I am accustomed to receiving from the Oliva factory. In fact there are several point where I could taste similar flavors to the Oliva V and the V Melanio. This Padilla Reserva Habano does have a similar blend to both of those cigars. The spice picks back up in this final third late on the puff and through the nose. A bit more age on these could bring on a balance that could take this to the next level.
The final puffs are about the same. This is a full bodied cigar and is felt in the gut by the end.
Is this the best Padilla I have smoked to date? Yes. Is this the Best cigar to come out of the Oliva Factory? No. The Padilla Reserva is a good cigar and I would be happy to smoke more of them in the future. This brand revamp for Padilla was needed and it gives me hope for the brand in the future, especially for the event only cigars.
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2-13-13 been in humidor since 12-29-12
CyB by Joya de Nicaragua Corona Real (5.5 x 46)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Dominican Piloto Cubana (La Canela Region)
Filler: Nicaragua (Estali (viso) and Omatepe), Peru (Tarapoto region)
Blender: Dr. Alejandro Martínez Cuenca, Jose Blanco
Dr. Alejandro Ernesto Martínez Cuenca was born in Mangua Nicaragua. As a young man, he found himself traveling the world to obtain his education. He attained his bachelor's degree from McGill University in Ontario, Canada; his masters from the University of South Carolina; and his PhD (in economics) from Vanderbilt University. In 1994 Dr. Cuenca purchased Joya de Nicaragua with a plan to revitalize the brand. The cigar boom of the mid 1990s helped with this goal and Dr. Cuenca's economic mind helped keep the cigar company alive in the cigar bust of the late 1990s. With Cuenca blends like the Dark Corojo, the Cabinetta and the Celebracion, it is clear that many things are being done correctly with the brand.
Jose Blanco is no stranger to the cigar world. For over twenty years he was working with La Aurora and many blends stemmed from this relationship making Jose Blanco a very respected name in the industry. In august of 2011 Blanco made a switch and was named the Senior vice president of Joya de Nicaragua.
This partnership, after over 60 test blends and nearly a year of work, has resulted in the CyB by Joya de Nicaragua. This blend is unique for the brand in that this is the first cigar that Joya de Nicaragua has put out that was not a Nicaraguan puro. To keep the cigar as balanced as possible, Blanco insisted that the partnership's debut blend be a multi-country blend. (They can still be the Jewel of Nicaragua even if they are using tobacco from other countries.) Blanco has stated that he has always had respect for Nicaraguan tobacco and this is where the blend started. The Nicaraguan Viso leaf from Estali as a filler was the base for this cigar. then he brings his experience with blending Dominican tobaccos to the mix. Add a bit of high nutrient tobacco from the volcanic island of Omatepe, some high quality Dominican binder and some of the best Ecuadorian leaf for a wrapper and it sounds amazing in print.
It looks pretty good in reality as well. The blue, white, gold and red band is bold and has a very “classic cigar” feel. The wrapper is seamless. Even with a bit of scrutiny, the seams of the wrapper are hard to find. The cap is a bit more noticeable but not by much. The triple cap is very neatly done. The presentation is very nice.
The wrapper has a slightly fuzzy feel to it and the smell is fairly rich and full of earth and hay and maybe a hint of raisins. A lick on the cap has an oily taste that edges to a sour note. After a quick clip of the cap a leathery sweet earth flavor is heavy on the draw. The cut with my Xi2 is not any different than usual save for the impression that the wrapper seems thin and fragile. The draw is a slightly easy one but nothing too bad.
The first few puffs bring on a nice slightly sweet oak flavor and a heavy black pepper note. Through the nose there is spice and musk. And the light Nicaraguan style spice lingers on the finish. As the initial pepper notes start to fade dry woody notes dominate the palate with the musk being an undertone. A now softer spice seems to fade in then hold to the finish and fade out very nicely. I can hear the fragile wrapper cracking as it sits in the ashtray and the ash falls surprisingly early.
The middle third has a slightly sweeter note that is reminiscent of a dark honey. The wood notes are still the main attraction. There are also light coffee with cream notes and a soft bread undertone. The finish has settles down with a musk not replacing most, but not all, of the pepper. The burn has not been perfect but it seems to self correct. No burn issues are noticed.
The last third the cigar starts to flatten out a little bit. The oak notes remain the focus but the sweeter notes have faded considerably. The coffee is very light now and the bread notes are gone. The wrapper remains a fickle friend. Every now and then I hear a crack and a minor burn issues presents itself. Of course it corrects itself quickly but it is a bit disheartening.
Burn to the burn
time 1h 40m
This is a very different blending style from the original Joya de Nicaragua brand. Of course it would be with the addition of Jose Blanco. I feel that this gives the brand a bit more depth and variety. This cigar fills the void that existed in the brand between the Cabinetta and the Celebracion. Its a good addition to the line and with any luck it will be the beginning of a few new lines for the brand that can bring it to the next level.
if you like my reviews please see my blog. If you want to see what im up to between reviews and get micro reviews follow me on twitter (@KuzisCigar) or Facebook
Comments
Genesis The Project Robusto (5 x 50)
Wrapper: Cuban seed Connecticut grown maduro
Binder: Jamastran Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran
Blender: Ramón Bueso
This cigar has seen quite a bit of hype.
For those on the cigar.com forum, you are already quite familiar with this name. For those of you who are not familiar, let me give you a quick history on the man.
Ramón Bueso has been in the world of tobacco from a young age. As a boy he literally grew up in tobacco fields. His grandmother had land in his home country of Honduras that she leased to Angel Oliva (of the Oliva tobacco growers, not the Oliva cigar manufacturers) in the 1960s. Honduras was one of the hot spots for Cuban exiles post revolution. By the age of 15 Ramón found himself working at the Villazon Cigar factory that was run by Frank Llaneza (Originator of the non-Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey, Punch, and Bolivar). As a bunchero and a roller he developed his skills and knowledge. Developing quickly, Llaneza took notice of Ramón Bueso and moved him up through the business and eventually became the right hand man of the operation focusing on buying and processing tobacco. It is through Llaneza that Bueso met Estelo Padron, another legend in the industry. Under these two legends Ramón Bueso learned the old Cuban tradition of Tobacco processing, blending, and manufacturing.
More recently, Bueso has been working with Nestor Plasencia in Danli, Honduras.
The Cigar in this review is this tobacco man’s personal blend. It is a cigar that he has worked on for years and previously only handed out to those lucky enough to meet him. He is a bit of a local legend in Honduras and now he is stepping into the international stage with the release of his personal blend dubbed “Genesis: The Project”
Its a good looking cigar. The wrapper is a deep rich brown and it has an oily sheen to it. It is very firm and very smooth. The band has clean lines in black and white. In gold is a script print of the Name of the cigar, “Genesis.” This, at first glance reads almost as a signature. There are a few dominant veins that are visible but none of them feel three dimensional.
The smell has a peat quality to it with a hint of roasted coffee beans. The triple cap looks a bit rough. When I lick the cap there is little taste other than a light sour note and maybe a hint of spice. A cut with my Xi2 opens up to a firm draw that is full of flavors such as earth, coco, and coffee. Once lit with a soft flame there are fresh tilled dark earth notes. This fades into a coffee undertone as spice shows up very late on the finish. Through the nose there is a hint of leather. As the cigar settles in the flavors seem to refine. The earth notes are there and seem to be more of a heavy mushroom. The coffee flavors are mostly on the finish and very defined. It is the same after taste that a dark chocolate covered coffee bean has. The spice has died down and is very soft. This is a unique cigar in the first third.
I find the ash to be a bid flaky and brittle. The burn is not perfect but it seems to correct itself.
As the cigar enters the middle third I find myself enjoying the cleanness of the smoke. The flavors seem crisp and deliberate. There are no lingering unpleasant notes at any point. Just a long soft spice finish. As the middle third continues the chocolatey notes pick up and become sharper. They lean more to a woody note by “drying out” a bit. There is a malty note in there as well. It reminds me of what a true brew-house smells like.
The final third has a more roasted tone to it. The coffee flavors are still there but not as dominant. I keep thinking about the malty aspects of this cigar. I find it very interesting. It is something that I have not tasted in a cigar before and I seem to be focusing on it.
The cigar ends with the same impressions that were in the last third. Its an interesting smoke and it is unique.
Burn to the burn
time: 1hour 55minutes
Burn: 9
Draw: 9
Taste: 9
Aftertaste: 9
Construction: 9
Balance: 9
Feel: 9
Overall: 9.0 of 10
if you like my reviews please see my blog. If you want to see what im up to between reviews and get micro reviews follow me on twitter (@KuzisCigar) or Facebook
I don't know how kuzi can detect all these subtle flavors - I wish I could - but he's pretty much right on the money. I just want to know how he got almost 2 hours out of this robusto!!
out of sight out of mind kinda thing. couldnt have said it better myself.
I haven't had one, but the wife grabbed on the other night when we went out. Said I should get more.
Alec Bradley Prensado Robusto (5 x 50)
Wrapper: Trojes Honduras Corojo 2006
Binder: Jalapa Nicaraguan
Filler, Trojes Honduras, Nicaraguan
Blender: Arsenio Ramos, Alan Rubin
A big thank you to DrPepperdude for getting this cigar to my humidor.
The Alec Bradley Prensado is a cigar that needs little introduction. Since the Churchill vitola of this blend was the Cigar Aficionado cigar of the year 2011 just about everyone who has ever dabbled in cigars has heard of it. The cigar was released in 2009 and the two years between the release and the award were full of acclaim that started at the IPCPR with this cigar being one of the most talked about releases of the year. With as much fanfare that this cigar has received, I am surprised to find myself about to light this blend for the first time.
This cigar continues with the successful concept that AB started with the Tempus in 2008. This concept, of course, is utilization of the Las Trojes, Honduras tobacco. This tobacco can be found in two places in this cigar: the wrapper and the filler. It is one of the defining characteristics of Alec Bradley's blending style and being that they Trademarked the name “Trojes” it seems that they have every intention of keeping the leaf all to themselves.
The Prensado has a dark chocolate wrapper and, apart from a few veins, is fairly uniform in appearance. The construction looks flawless and the wrapper feels smooth in the hand. The slight box press feels good in the hand . It is not “overly pressed” as its name might imply to some (Prensado is spanish for “press”). There is a very nice triple cap that is distinct and easy to see. A band of blue, gold, black, and brown seems opulent but since the color scheme works well and I will forgive it.
The cigar has very little bouquet unlit. A lick on the triple cap has a leathery taste and a very slight sour note initially but this turns to spice quickly. The oils are felt on the tongue and lips. After a cut with my Xi2 the draw has rich tobacco flavors and the slight spice continues.
The first few puffs have a decent amount of spice to them. It is the woody spice that I associate with Nicaraguan Tobacco. There is a leather earthy note that is pleasant but overall the flavors are fairly muted early on in the cigar. The spice seems to linger. I suspect that the spice blast I am getting is due to lighting to fast and hot. Some time to settle may give this cigar more complexity.
As the cigar settles in a slightly nutty note comes out to play. The spice does down to a simmer and is just enough to keep it interesting. Any hint of bitter disappears, not to say it is sweet but it is sweeter than before via lack of bitter. It is no longer offensive. This confirms to me that the light was just too hot and I scorched the tobacco. A few other issues that I suspect came from the light include an uneven burn. A quick corrective light fixes that. With ay luck that is the last of the issues I will see from my mistake. The leather earthy undertones are still there and bring the nutty and “sweeter” note together. Through the nose the leather and earth and light spice are balanced and work with each other well. The aftertaste is short and clean.
The middle third is full of the same flavors. There is a slight uptick of body but the cigar has not changed much otherwise. The saving grace is that it is all very pleasant and very well balanced. It is easy to smoke without being too mild or leaving you wanting more. The uneven burn continues and the classic trick of rotating the cigar does not help. The minor touch ups do not seem to be effecting the flavor negatively; it is just a minor annoyance for those who are neurotic about an even burn like myself.
The final third of the Prensado brings on a richer leather taste. This has been a slow progression. It is not “in your face” in any way shape or form. Just smooth and subtle. A slight chocolate note is seen from time to time. At this point I would put this cigar in the medium to full range.
The last few puffs bring on more of the leather and earth and it is slowly coming out of balance. This signals the end of the cigar for me.
Burn to the nub
time: 1 hour 45 minutes
I don't think this cigar will get the number one spot in my catalog for the year, but I do understand why it was the 2011 cigar of the year from CA. The way they reach that decision is based off of blind ratings from a group of people. If this cigar is consistent from one to the next, its non-offensive nature will not turn people away. It offers little to be mad about. It is a nice relaxing cigar with good flavors. On the side of the Devil's Advocate, it has little “mind blowing” uniqueness. This is a good “top of the middle ground” cigar. A group of people would like it. A group average would even out the score and since there are no real negatives to bring it down that could place it firmly at the top. This is not a polarizing cigar in my experience. Nobody hates it and a few like it very much.
Burn: 8
Draw: 10
Taste: 8
Aftertaste: 8
Construction: 10
Balance: 10
Feel: 9
Overall: 9.0 of 10
if you like my reviews please see my blog. If you want to see what im up to between reviews and get micro reviews follow me on twitter (@KuzisCigar) or Facebook
Room 101 One Shot One Kill Filero
4.5 x 52/42 Figurado
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Honduran Corojo
Filler: Honduran Corojo & Dominican Republic Piloto Ligero
Blender: Matt Booth
The Room 101 One Shot One Kill (Named for the Photographer Edgar Hoill who is known for getting incredible photos with one click on short notice) is one of Room 101's most popular and highly regarded blends. It is very limited in production with a run of only 30,000 cigars over three shapes. One of the rumored reasons for this limited quantity is that only one person rolls the cigars and the entire run took over a year to roll.
That is quite an impressive feat.
As interesting as the back-story is to this particular cigar and brand in general, the thing that most excites me about this cigar is the size/shape. It is very reminiscent of the smaller vitolas of the Fuente Hemingway series, somewhere between the short story and the best seller. What makes the vitola so interesting is the constantly changing wrapper to filler ratio. Yes, the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is a rare treat, and the Honduran Corojo is what Camacho calls the only “true” corojo, and the fillers are some of the finest tobaccos on the market, but the vitola can potentially take this cigar to the next level. The perfecto takes full advantage of the fact that the wrapper contributes a significant amount of flavor to the bend. As the the cigar gets wider, more of the filler is showcased in the flavor. As the cigar tapers the wrapper's flavor presence increases. Theoretically, this cigar has a complexity potential that parejo cigars inherently cannot have.
Simply put the OSOK Filero looks good. The cigar has a “true fermentation” look to it. By that I mean that there is some color variation almost like the leaf was muddled a bit. A leaf should look this way if it was fermented until it was dark and never just died to reach some aesthetic goal. The seems are difficult to see and lay flat save for where the cigar makes an extreme taper. Some of the veins are there but they don't have depth and they do not expressly stand out in any way. The silver and black band is simple and it works well. The wrapper feels smooth and oily in the hand and there is a firmness to the overall feel.
The unlit smell is a light barnyard and unremarkable. A lick on the pointed cap leaves a heavy oil feel to the lips and tongue with a slightly spicy note however I get a slight impression of sweet as well. These notes are very slight. It has less flavor at this point than most. A cut with my Xi2 and this cigar really starts to show it flavors. There is a sweeter earth flavor and a licorice undertone. Its quite nice. The draw is smooth and surprisingly easy considering the diameter of the foot.
After a light with a soft flame, the first few puffs have quite a bit of spice and heavy earth flavors. There is an underlying meaty sweetness. As the cigar quickly swells to the widest ring gauge. The spice tames down a bit and becomes soft and enjoyable. However, the burn is not even in any way. This is not a surprise, most figurados have a few burn issues due to the difficulty to roll. Minor touch ups are needed. The cigar smooths out and a shot light sweet nutty flavor comes out early in the puff with the earth flavors and the meaty quality soon to follow. Through the nose there is a bit of spice and a light musk. This cigar is very complex. Even early in this cigar, what I am beginning to recognize as the blending style of Mr. Booth is prevalent. (the other great example is in the Room 101 Connecticut.)
This small cigar reaches the mid point quickly. The sweeter elements seem to keep getting stronger. The light warming spice works very well with the sweet. It balances out the cigar very well. Through the nose it has not changed much at all. The finish is long an mostly made up of the earth and meaty sweet. The balance is quite impressive.
The last third of the cigar is the same but all of the flavors seem a bit more intense and they melt together well. The earth note is now through the nose as well. This cigar has a medium to full body but is not overwhelming. As the flavors intensify the licorice flavors that were detected in the cold draw start to come out. It is a steady improvement as the cigar tapers down. The last few puffs are warm and still very pleasant. As it heats it does not become harsh or bitter.
Burn to the burn
time 1hour 45 minutes
It burns longer than it looks like it would.
Burn: 8
Draw: 10
Taste: 9
Aftertaste: 9
Construction: 9
Balance: 10
Feel: 10
Overall: 9.2
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Zino Classic No.7 (4.6 x 34)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian grown Connecticut seed
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran, Dominican
Blender: Henke Kelner
Many cigar smokers follow a similar path in their journey deeper into the car world. Generally speaking, someone who wishes to dabble into cigar will get advice from a more seasoned smoker. The first bit of advice is to start out with a milder blend as to not end up sick on the first go. The new smokes who enjoys these first few mild cigars will buy many of them, filling their first humidor. As fuller bodied cigars are able to be handled, there is a step up to them. As there is a step up in power, there is generally a step up in flavor as well. More flavors are detected. The palate is beginning to be developed. At some point more humidors are purchased and they are filled with increasingly powerful cigars. All the while there is palate development. Months, or even years go by. It becomes easier and easier to recognize flavors, blending styles, signature flavors of a region. At some point, often when the fullest of the full cigars are being enjoyed by the now-not-so-new smoker. The palate is well developed. On a whim, this smoker finds something that is left over from when they liked the mild stuff, or they are sent a mild cigar that someone else enjoys, and they smoke it. But now it is different than before. With a more developed palate and the experience of learning how to retrohale and how to actively taste the cigar it is an entirely new experience. They can taste things in the mild cigar that they never tasted before. There is complexity now where there was once only “smoke.” The smoker looks through the humidors to find other old mild favorites to give a second look at them only to find that the humidors are full of the full bodied cigars and another humidor must be purchased.
That one mild cigar alters the way that cigars are viewed from that point on. There is a new appreciation for all strengths of tobacco.
For me, that one cigar was a Zino Classic Robusto. I feel that now, years later, it is time to give a proper review of the blend that changed my life.
The Zino classic was re-blended by Henke Kelner and released in 2006. As it is with most Davidoff products, there is a ton of respect for tradition. In the case of this cigar it shows up in this cigar not only by carrying the Zino name but by using tobacco from Honduras. This was done on purpose. The original production site of Zino Cigars was in Honduras. This may seem a bit strange to the Davidoff fans out there being that the names "Davidoff" and "Kelner" seem to be synonymous with Dominican tobacco because of the company's heavy investment into the country. However, Kelner also uses Ecuadorian tobacco in the Davidoff Aniversario, Davidoff Classic, Gran Cru, Special Series, and a few LEs, and he uses Honduran tobacco in the Zino Platinum Z-Class. This is by no means out of his realm, nor should it seem strange.
The black tube with gold lettering is an elegant tube, as would be expected from Zino, being a Davidoff product. The cigar itself is a nice tan and there are a few wrinkles to it. It give the cigar a bit of a rustic look. The band is a simple gold and maroon band in a similar shape to Davidoff bands.
the cigar feels light in the hand and there is a slight fuzzy feeling to the wrapper. There are woody and sweet flavors that are boarder-line floral. The lick on the cap has those same flavors but with the tiniest hint of spice as well. After a clip with my double guillotine a slightly firm draw is noted and the flavors are licorice and floral in nature.
I light with a soft flame is quick due to the small ring gauge. The first puffs are woody in nature with soft pepper undertones. Through the nose there is a firmer wood note and a musky undertone, one of the elements that often show up in Kelner blends. The flavors smooth and the body is fairly light. The spice is light but it seems to linger quite a bit. This lingering spice does not seem to fit with the rest of the cigar.
As the cigar settles in a slight nutty note creeps in. it is subtle and mixes well with the over all wood tones.
The cigar changes little through the length of the cigar. It settles in and stays there. Its a good thing it is a pleasant cigar and it is short. It could get boring if it was a larger cigar. The only change to note at the mid point is that the musk has settled down and overall it becomes a bit more “sharp” in nature.
Near the end of the cigar the flavor is about the same relatively unchanged. Its a good little smoke
burn to the burn
time: 1 hour
burn: 10
draw: 8
taste: 9
aftertaste: 8
construction: 10
balance: 9
feel: 8
overall: 8.8
if you like my reviews please see my blog. If you want to see what im up to between reviews and get micro reviews follow me on twitter (@KuzisCigar) or Facebook
Padilla Reserva Habano Torpedo (6×54)
Wrapper: Cuban seed Ecuadorian Grown Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
The Padilla Reserva Habano is part of Padilla’s re-branding efforts. Much of this re-branding is geared to the brick and mortar market with many potential lines being event only cigars. This new Padilla line-up is met with old friends and new blenders. On the Reserva Habano all of the work is left to the good people at the Oliva Factory in Esteli Nicaragua. The Oliva family is no stranger to Ernesto Padilla. In 2008 the two collaborated to make the Padilla NUB that never actually reached shelves. In 2011 the two got together to make the Padilla Studio-Tobac Limited Edition (rated 93 in CA). The blend on the Reserva Habano is very similar to the Padilla Studio-Tobac Limited Edition partially because the two cigars both sport an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.
The respect Padilla has for Oliva is not a one way street. Oliva has enough respect Padilla that this is the first time Oliva has distributed a non-Oliva brand.
The band is a red, black and gold band that has a the familiar Padilla styling to it. The secondary band reads “Padilla Reserva” in gold on a black background. The maduro version reads “Padilla Reserva Maduro” in gold and white on a red background. The wrapper looks smooth save for a very dominant vein and noticeable seams. I notice the seams because of the thickness of the wrapper.
The cigar has some heft to it. The smell unlit is a bit on the sweet side as far as tobacco goes. The wrapper is smooth on the fingers and oily on the lips. The oils have a sweet and sour note. It seems to linger. The cut with the double guillotine brings a soft spicy note on the slightly firm draw.
The light with my Xikar EX lighter brings on a very classic Nicaraguan flavor with a hint of sweet. There is a woody spice with a pulpy texture especially in the finish. A few puffs in, as the cigar is sitting in the ashtray I hear a slight crackling and I can see a spot on the wrapper cracking. There is a fruity sweet undertone. It is mild but it is there. Lingering on the back of the palate is the pulpy textured spice. The spice is strong, but short. The light crackling continues.
As the cigar opens up the ligro flavors show up in spades. The flavor is mouth coating. Through the nose there is a nutty note. One inch square of the wrapper came off when all the cracking is all said and done but it somehow did not effect the burn this is otherwise perfect.
At a bit over the half way point the woody notes pick up a nice smoked meat flavor and strangely enough a floral undertone. I hesitate to use the word “floral” because it isn’t floral but it is the closest thing that I can think of. The finish has mellowed out quite a bit. The spice has died down but it is also a longer finish.
By the final third this cigar has the typical Nicaragua flavor that I am accustomed to receiving from the Oliva factory. In fact there are several point where I could taste similar flavors to the Oliva V and the V Melanio. This Padilla Reserva Habano does have a similar blend to both of those cigars. The spice picks back up in this final third late on the puff and through the nose. A bit more age on these could bring on a balance that could take this to the next level.
The final puffs are about the same. This is a full bodied cigar and is felt in the gut by the end.
Is this the best Padilla I have smoked to date? Yes. Is this the Best cigar to come out of the Oliva Factory? No. The Padilla Reserva is a good cigar and I would be happy to smoke more of them in the future. This brand revamp for Padilla was needed and it gives me hope for the brand in the future, especially for the event only cigars.
Burn to the nub
time: 1 hour 55 min
burn: 9
draw: 9
taste: 9
aftertaste: 8
construction: 9
balance: 9
feel: 8
overall 8.7
if you like my reviews please see my blog. If you want to see what im up to between reviews and get micro reviews follow me on twitter (@KuzisCigar) or Facebook
CyB by Joya de Nicaragua Corona Real (5.5 x 46)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Dominican Piloto Cubana (La Canela Region)
Filler: Nicaragua (Estali (viso) and Omatepe), Peru (Tarapoto region)
Blender: Dr. Alejandro Martínez Cuenca, Jose Blanco
Dr. Alejandro Ernesto Martínez Cuenca was born in Mangua Nicaragua. As a young man, he found himself traveling the world to obtain his education. He attained his bachelor's degree from McGill University in Ontario, Canada; his masters from the University of South Carolina; and his PhD (in economics) from Vanderbilt University. In 1994 Dr. Cuenca purchased Joya de Nicaragua with a plan to revitalize the brand. The cigar boom of the mid 1990s helped with this goal and Dr. Cuenca's economic mind helped keep the cigar company alive in the cigar bust of the late 1990s. With Cuenca blends like the Dark Corojo, the Cabinetta and the Celebracion, it is clear that many things are being done correctly with the brand.
Jose Blanco is no stranger to the cigar world. For over twenty years he was working with La Aurora and many blends stemmed from this relationship making Jose Blanco a very respected name in the industry. In august of 2011 Blanco made a switch and was named the Senior vice president of Joya de Nicaragua.
This partnership, after over 60 test blends and nearly a year of work, has resulted in the CyB by Joya de Nicaragua. This blend is unique for the brand in that this is the first cigar that Joya de Nicaragua has put out that was not a Nicaraguan puro. To keep the cigar as balanced as possible, Blanco insisted that the partnership's debut blend be a multi-country blend. (They can still be the Jewel of Nicaragua even if they are using tobacco from other countries.) Blanco has stated that he has always had respect for Nicaraguan tobacco and this is where the blend started. The Nicaraguan Viso leaf from Estali as a filler was the base for this cigar. then he brings his experience with blending Dominican tobaccos to the mix. Add a bit of high nutrient tobacco from the volcanic island of Omatepe, some high quality Dominican binder and some of the best Ecuadorian leaf for a wrapper and it sounds amazing in print.
It looks pretty good in reality as well. The blue, white, gold and red band is bold and has a very “classic cigar” feel. The wrapper is seamless. Even with a bit of scrutiny, the seams of the wrapper are hard to find. The cap is a bit more noticeable but not by much. The triple cap is very neatly done. The presentation is very nice.
The wrapper has a slightly fuzzy feel to it and the smell is fairly rich and full of earth and hay and maybe a hint of raisins. A lick on the cap has an oily taste that edges to a sour note. After a quick clip of the cap a leathery sweet earth flavor is heavy on the draw. The cut with my Xi2 is not any different than usual save for the impression that the wrapper seems thin and fragile. The draw is a slightly easy one but nothing too bad.
The first few puffs bring on a nice slightly sweet oak flavor and a heavy black pepper note. Through the nose there is spice and musk. And the light Nicaraguan style spice lingers on the finish. As the initial pepper notes start to fade dry woody notes dominate the palate with the musk being an undertone. A now softer spice seems to fade in then hold to the finish and fade out very nicely. I can hear the fragile wrapper cracking as it sits in the ashtray and the ash falls surprisingly early.
The middle third has a slightly sweeter note that is reminiscent of a dark honey. The wood notes are still the main attraction. There are also light coffee with cream notes and a soft bread undertone. The finish has settles down with a musk not replacing most, but not all, of the pepper. The burn has not been perfect but it seems to self correct. No burn issues are noticed.
The last third the cigar starts to flatten out a little bit. The oak notes remain the focus but the sweeter notes have faded considerably. The coffee is very light now and the bread notes are gone. The wrapper remains a fickle friend. Every now and then I hear a crack and a minor burn issues presents itself. Of course it corrects itself quickly but it is a bit disheartening.
Burn to the burn
time 1h 40m
This is a very different blending style from the original Joya de Nicaragua brand. Of course it would be with the addition of Jose Blanco. I feel that this gives the brand a bit more depth and variety. This cigar fills the void that existed in the brand between the Cabinetta and the Celebracion. Its a good addition to the line and with any luck it will be the beginning of a few new lines for the brand that can bring it to the next level.
burn: 8
draw: 9
taste: 9
aftertaste: 9
construction: 10
balance: 10
feel: 8
overall 9.0
if you like my reviews please see my blog. If you want to see what im up to between reviews and get micro reviews follow me on twitter (@KuzisCigar) or Facebook