• Please note that these are only the cigars that I enjoyed here during 2011 and are not consistent with the newly released cigars of 2011.

1.Cromagnon Cranium ~ A new release cigar company from my twitter pal Skip Martin that was just an awesome smoke!

http://mulley32.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/cromagnon-cranium

2) Pete Johnson’s “The Face” It was truly outrageous!

http://mulley32.wordpress.com/2011/06/25/the-face-by-pete-johnson-of-tatuaje-cigars

3) Monte Cruz Cameroon ~ The sleeper of 2011. Try it you will know what I mean.

http://mulley32.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/monte-cruz-cameroon

4) Liga Privada “Flying Pig” T52 ~ Too expensive for an everyday smoke but well worth the price point.

http://mulley32.wordpress.com/2011/02/01/liga-privada-flying-pig-t52

5) Quesada Oktoberfest ~ Success!

http://mulley32.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/quesada-oktoberfest

So that’s how I see it for 2011. Again “Happy New Year” to you and your family and let the review season for 2012 begin!

Until Next Time

Stew

Hello everyone, today I am reviewing a cigar called the “Black Market” from Alex Bradley.  I came across this cigar while I was visiting the Smoke Stack in North Providence, RI. I have heard some good things about this line so I’m hoping that it lives up to the recommendations it received.  So with the history behind us, I am now ready to give you my verdict on whether it passes the mighty “Stew” test or not.

CIGAR MAKE UP:

WRAPPER: Nicaraguan

BINDER & FILLER: Sumatra / Panamanian and Honduran

Length/Ring: 6 X 60

Strength: Medium to Full

Price: Approximately $ 8.55

My Observations: This cigar is not a bad-looking stick when you first make eye contact with it.  It has a nice deep rich chocolate wrapper that is surrounded by medium size veins. On my finger touch inspection I found no soft spots to speak of and found no imperfections around the wrapper.

Over all “B” in the grading department

Cigar Label: Long label that is wrapped around the bottom portion of the stick that is black and white. Not sure why they chose this type of large label and I personally think it doesn’t really make much sense. I say this because I think they should have went with the traditional label but then again I’m not a marketing strategist.

Snip: Straight cut.

Pre-Draw:  Pepper.

Flavors: The 1st third of this cigar consisted of a pepper blast mixed with spice. The 2nd third consisted of pepper, spice, and earth. The last third continued with these flavors and to tell you the truth I’m very disappointed with it.

Draw: Perfect

Burn line: A bit jagged that needed to be touched up at times.

Liked it: No

Recommend it: No

Hint: None

Over All

Until Next Time

Stew

Until Next Time

Stew

Hello everyone, today I am reviewing the Quesada Oktoberfest. Now before I begin, I know its been awhile since my last post but as stated before time is not my friend as of late. Work, family, and other social events have put a serious strain on being able to post. So, with that behind us, lets see if this fine-looking monster will pass the mighty Stew test or not.

CIGAR MAKE UP:

WRAPPER: Dominican

BINDER & FILLER: Dominican / Dominican

Length/Ring: 6 X 65

Strength: Medium to Full

Price: $9.00

My Observations: This cigar is just an awesome sight to look at. This is due to the outstanding rolling job that was performed by its creator. From top to bottom, I found no imperfections and add its delicious looking chocolate-brown leaf and “Bam” you have perfection! As I twirled it through my fingers, I found no soft spots.

• Over all “A” in the grading department

Cigar Label: Totally Fall looking with its orange, black, gold colors placed on a white background.

Snip: Straight cut.

Pre-Draw:  Earthy.

Flavors: The 1st third of this cigar consisted of earth, and coffee. The 2nd third consisted of earth, coffee, and dark chocolate. The last third continued with these flavors that ended with a nice nutty surprise.

Draw: Perfect

Burn line: Very nice and required no touch ups

Liked it: Yes

Recommend it: Yes.

Hint: None

Over All

Until Next Time

Stew

Hello everyone, today I am reviewing the Monte Cruz Cameroon toro. I am only reviewing this cigar because I was gifted it from my brother Eddie. So before I begin this review, I would like to give him a big thumbs up for bringing my attention to a cigar I probably wouldn’t have tried.  So with the history behind us, I am now ready to give you my verdict on if it passes the mighty “Stew” test or not.

CIGAR MAKE UP:

WRAPPER: Cameroon

BINDER & FILLER: Nicaraguan / Honduran, Nicaraguan, & Peru

Length/Ring: 6 X 56

Strength: Mild to Medium

Price: Gifted but you can get a box from JR’s for $62.50. 

My Observations: For a cheap priced cigar, I was totally impressed by its construction. It was truly rolled to perfection and looked great while I twirled it in my fingers. The wrapper is just beautiful in every way that is surrounded by small non noticeable veins.  On my finger touch inspection, I found no soft spots and if the smoke is anything like its appearance, I know I have a winner on my hands.

• Over all “A” in the grading department

Cigar Label: Very cool with the shield and swords. The colors blend very well too which are made up of yellow, black, red, and white.

Snip: Straight cut.

Pre-Draw:  Slight hint of spice.

Flavors: The 1st third of this cigar consisted of light spice, and coffee. The 2nd third consisted of spice, coffee, and chocolate. The last third continued with these flavors and that’s how she finished out.

Draw: Perfect

Burn line: Even.

Liked it: Yes

Recommend it: Yes.

Hint: Well worth the money

Over All

Until Next Time

Stew

Hello everyone, today I am reviewing the Room 101 LTD Edition Conjura by Camacho Cigars and Matt Booth. I am hoping that this cigar will be as nice as the first Room 101 released a couple of years ago. Now I came across this cigar while spending a gift certificate at Mr. Cigar in North Providence, RI. I have wanted to try this one since it was released but just didn’t seem to come across it at my local B&M’s. So now you have the history on how I found it, lets see if it passes the mighty Stew test or not.

CIGAR MAKE UP:

WRAPPER: Rosado

BINDER & FILLER: Dominican & Nicaraguan

Length/Ring: 6 .5 X 54

Strength: Medium to Full

Price: $10.50

My Observations: This cigar was poorly rolled from start to finish that included patches around the wrapper in attempt to hide the rollers mistakes. To tell you the truth, I was totally stunned that it actually made it past the quality control stage and then placed in a box to be shipped to the B&M’s to be sold at $10.50. I truly expected more from the folks at Camacho Cigars but so far this is not the case.  Please note as I stated in my earlier reviews “The look has nothing to do with the smoke and you should not judge the stick on that fact alone!”  but so far, I’m not really expecting much.

Finally, as I spun this stick through my fingers I did find many soft spots and really not sure why after it was housed in my humidor that is kept at 68 to 70.

• Over all “D” in the grading department

Cigar Label: Black and silver which reminds me of the Oakland Raiders. Colors blend well and its about the only thing that saves this cigar in the appearance department.

Snip: Straight cut.

Pre-Draw:  Peppery.

Flavors: The 1st third of this cigar consisted of  pepper, earth, and coffee. The 2nd third consisted of pepper, earth, coffee, and cocoa. I must note that during the 2nd third a bitter harsh flavor reared its ugly head and put a serious damper in the enjoyment department. Due to this fact, I was really hoping that this smoking experience would end so that I could end this misery. The last third continued with the harshness which over powered the coffee, earth, and cocoa. Finally, I must mention that I had to re-light several times during this review and if it hadn’t been for this review it would have sailed over the railing of my  deck during the 1st third. What a  true disaster.

Draw: Perfect

Burn line: Jagged at times but seemed to correct itself.

Liked it: No

Recommend it: No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hint: Quality control goes a long way boys. Also bring your lighter that’s full because you’re going to need it!

Over All

Until Next Time

Stew

Hello everyone, today I am reviewing the Devils Weed “Maduro” found exclusively at Cigars International. I was sent a couple of these to review from my good friend Mike Forry of theStogie Review and Stogie411. I was told by him that these cigars are a complete disaster but in true form I “Stew” always draw my own conclusions. So before I get to this review I want to send out a big “Thanks” to Mike for sending me these!

Now before we get into the review, these are supposedly not the same blend as the original, which I reviewed back in 2008. Back then, I did like the original and gave it a thumbs up so I’m really hoping that I get the same results. So with that said, I am now ready to give you my verdict on if it passes the mighty “Stew” test or not.

CIGAR MAKE UP:

WRAPPER: ????

BINDER & FILLER: ???? / ????

Length/Ring: 7 x 50

Strength: Medium

Price: Gifted but costs $39.99 for 20.

My Observations: This cigar is kind of ugly and not much to look at but for the price for twenty what do you expect. Starting with the wrapper, I found it to be sort of rough with tons and tons of small bumps. To the touch, I found no soft spots as I twirled it in my fingers but hell its the smoke I care about not really the appearance so lets see what she’s like.

• Over all “C” in the grading department

Cigar Label: Gold and maroon.

Snip: Straight cut.

Pre-Draw: Cedar.

Flavors: The 1st third of this cigar consisted of small hints of pepper and chocolate. The 2nd third continued with these flavors but seem to become sour. The last third took a nose dive and became sour and gross.

Draw: Smooth

Burn line: Jagged.

Liked it: No

Recommend it: Save your money.

Over All

Until Next Time

Stew

Hello everyone, please join the cigar community on July 22nd for the 4th Annual Smoke a JJ for JJ Day. I know my good friend Jerry Cruz of the Stogie Review would be deeply touched if you do. For information, please go to http://www.stogiereview.com/2011/07/14/4th-annual-smoke-a-jj-for-jj-day for information.

TWITTER #JJ4JJ

“Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.” ~ Jesus Christ

GOD BLESS YOU JJ, YOU ARE TRULY MISSED!

STEW