First, let me apologize for the content, or lack there of as of late. I’ve been on a vacation of sorts and have really enjoyed the chance to reflect and relax. I have smoked many good cigars and tested some really nice lighters, so I can personally assure you that there will be some nice reviews coming soon.

While enjoying some time off I was able to get out with friends several times for a few nice herfs. At one such herf, Tom and I started discussing the possibility of doing our first contest to give away a nice lighter courtesy of our friend Les Mann at Colibri. Once we’ve racked our tiny brains and come up with a fool proof idea/contest we’ll get it posted and let everyone know the ground rules.

Be sure to keep an eye out, because our newest review will be posted very soon. If you follow my tweets (lacking lately as well) you have the unfair advantage of knowing what cigar review will be next. The next review is on a Cameroon wrapped cigar that has been a staple in my humidor since debuting last year. It’s a cigar that I smoke quite a bit, and as a matter of fact actually smoked last night. I smoked the first one and simply had to have more! I knew I wasn’t the only one who shared the same opinion when I saw the cigar garner high praise in Cigar Aficionado’s top cigars of the year. You may (or may not)have guessed by now that the cigar I’m going on and on about is the Partagas Benji Menendez Master Series Majestuoso. So if you’re a fan of this stick keep your eyes on the site over the next couple of days for the review.

Thanks for being patient with us over the last couple of weeks and be sure to keep the comments coming!

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This afternoon I finally made my way to Belle Meade Cigars to enjoy a good cigar.  It’s been a very long weekend and has been way too hot in Tennessee to enjoy a cigar outside on the deck.  The short trip gave me some time to reflect on the cigar I wanted to enjoy while watching this afternoon’s World Cup matches.  After some pondering I decided to go for something new that I hadn’t yet had the pleasure of smoking.

When I toured the humidor there was one new cigar that caught my eye; the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial.  I’ve been looking forward to sampling these cigars since first hearing they were being released.  I had also heard several good things about them a few nights before from several trusted sources.  I was a little disappointed that the Toro Gordo was the only size available because it’s not normally my first choice of vitola.  I was really looking forward to sampling the petite robusto which has been a favorite vitola of mine as of late thanks to the My Father Le Bijou 1922 offering of the same size.

The cigar was very well constructed, but I noticed it was a little wet which made it a little difficult to light.  However, once the cigar got going it produced loads of smoke and held a nice ash with very little flaking.  I picked up a nice sweetness right away which I’m sure was due to the wonderful dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.  The predominant flavors were cocoa and cinnamon along with a slight peppery spice.  The cigar almost seemed to flaten out a little toward the start of the final third, almost like it lost it’s oomph.  I still picked up a lot of the same flavors into the last third, but it never quite graduated to that “next level”.  I did purchase a few additional sticks so I could give this offering another try.  The flavors were nice and I think the cigar deserves a second chance, but I think I’ll dry box the next one for a day to prevent the same issue I experienced today.

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• Cigar – Serafin de Cuba
• Filler – Dominican/Nicaraguan?
• Binder – Dominican/Nicaraguan?
• Wrapper – Ecuadorian
• Price – $100 for Bundle of 25
• Shape – Churchill (7 x 48)

A Couple of weeks ago I contacted Arnold Serafin about possibly reviewing some of his cigars for the Nashville Cigar Club podcast and this site.  Arnold was most gracious and agreed to send us some samples for review.  The fact that the cigars came to us for review does not sway our opinion in the slightest.  We at cigarblog.net remain completely subjective, and regardless of price we can share a true opinion based on the smoking experience.

Serafin’s website has this to say about his creation. “Our Serafin de Cuba Cigars are entirely handmade in our factory in Florida in small batches by skilled Cuban Master rollers. Our cigars are all made from authentic Cuban seed tobacco imported from Nicaragua and The Dominican Republic and beautifully finished with Ecuadorian wrapper, one of the world’s best. This is a blend that can be enjoyed by all.”

Serafin de Cuba cigars are sold in Arnold’s stores in Tarpon Springs and Spring Hill, FL as well as through his website.  I think as any cigar lover would attest, it’s always nice to find something new and a house blend crafted by a Cuban Master Roller definitely fits the bill.  I was extremely excited to light the first of these beauties and see if they smoked as good as they looked and smelled.  The cigar itself is well packed with no soft spots.  The slightly oily caramel colored wrapper maintains a consistent color and does have a few small veins, but overall nothing to get in the way.

After clipping the cap I began my pre-light walkthrough.  The foot emitted aromas of sweet tobacco, hay, and earth.  The pre-light draw gave a little resistance which is always nice and offered up the same flavors with hay being predominant.  The first third of the cigar continued to offer the same notes of hay with the occasional hint of wood and roasted nut on the retrohale, while finishing with a nice creaminess.  The cigar produced loads of nice creamy white smoke and burned wonderfully, with the ash holding well over an inch with no flaking.

The flavor began to pick up a little into the second third.  I was still getting the same notes of hay, wood, and nuts with an occasional touch of black coffee.  The burn was great and the ash was still holding very well.  The cigar was still producing large amounts of smooth smoke which offered the same creamy finish as the first third.

Black coffee became the predominant flavor toward the end, followed still by notes of wood and roasted nuts.  The cigar did develop a little bitter “bite”toward the end, but if you like a nice strong cup of black coffee it was a nice bitter flavor.  I know that will make sense to those of you that enjoy a strong cup of coffee or espresso.  In spite of the bitter notes it still maintained the smooth creamy texture to the nub.  The cigar offered some nice changes from start to finish and is definitely a stick that I would recommend to anyone without hesitation.  I truly enjoyed these cigars and would safely rate the Serafin de Cuba Churchill a 9 out of 10.

So if you’re looking for a good cigar or just something new, look up Arnold Serafin and his Serafin de Cuba cigars and place an order.  He offers several different vitolas in both a Connecticut and Maduro wrapper that range in price from $100 to $125 for a bundle of 25 well crafted cigars.  The cigar offered great flavor and as you can see, the price is a steal for such a good cigar.

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Last night I had the pleasure of having a cigar with Mel Gonzalez, the president of Canimao cigars. I have had a Canimao Classic Natural before, but it was a little on the mild side and better suited for a morning smoke. I have only seen them at a few locations, and they are strict about allowing distributors and online retailers carrying their brand, which I respect a lot.

When I first sat down with Mel, I smoked one of the naturals they were handing out to try. He asked me what I thought about it, and I proceeded to explain that I liked the construction and burn, but that it was a little milder than I normally smoke. Then he suggested that I try the Canimao Classic Robusto Extra Dark.

I grabbed the cigar and went through my typical pre-light ritual. It had a very nice, dark wrapper, with a nice Cuban twist on the cap. A very well constructed cigar with a very nice aroma. I would have to describe it as earthy. I hit it with the torch and took my first draw and it smoked very well. Full clouds of wonderful smoke, and then it hit me. I have never tasted this before. I mean, when you smoke some cigars, they usually remind you of another cigar that you have had in the past. This one did not, which I really liked a lot, as the flavor profile stood on its own, just as a true boutique brand should.

Smoking the cigar, I never had to touch it up once. It burned even all the way to the end, and left me wanting more. It’s been a long time since I have had a cigar like this. If I had to describe it, it would be like the first time I tried a Tatjuae Unicos when they first came out. I’m not saying it has the spice/pepper, or full body of a Tat, but it did have a great flavor that I found very pleasant.
The flavor profile was noticeable at different stages, making it a nice, complex, cigar. When I said earthy, it’s more of a barn yard aroma. Some wood and chocolate from time to time, but not all at once. I would not hesitate to purchase a box of the extra darks, and it would be something I could smoke daily. It was that good.

While I was talking with Mel as I enjoyed this cigar, a funny thing I noticed was that we both said at the same time… “Passion”. He was discussing his passion for creating a good cigar, rolled in the old Cuban style. I had mentioned how much I enjoy the cigar culture and cigars. We both agreed that we shared the same passion for cigars, which I accept as a compliment.

Another thing we both agreed on was the impact that boutique brands were having on the market. He really has no desire to be a major brand, which I found refreshing. He does love his craft, history and care that goes into blending a well balanced cigar. If you get the opportunity to smoke a Canimao, and the chance to sit and meet with Mel Gonzalez, watch him smile when you tell him you like his cigars and you’ll know what I mean. He gets excited and actually throws his head back laughing while interpreting what we were talking about to his master roller, which didn’t speak English.

I really like the Canimao, and have a great deal of respect for the owner of the company. Seeing his passion about his brand made it all more enjoyable. I highly recommend that you try one of their cigars.

Color: Dark Natural   Size: 6 1/8″ x 52

Canimao cigars are made in Miami, Florida in a very small factory. The cigar is wrapped in an Ecuadorian wrapper, with fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, and an Ecuadorian Sumatra binder.

This cigar is mild to medium-bodied and has a great flavor. It comes in Double Corona (7 ½” x 50), Legendarios (5” x 50), Robusto (5” x 50), Robusto Extra (6 1/8” x 52) and Torpedo (6 1/8” x 52)

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I’ve been away from the site for a few days and while I was out enjoying myself I ran across a great new cigar, the E.P. Carrillo Short Run Delirios.  If you follow my Twitter feed you may have noticed me raving about this cigar. 

Let me start by saying that I’ve been a huge fan of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s offerings for many years and was both sad and excited when he left General and his beloved La Gloria Cubana brand to “start over” with a new brand baring his name.  I was really excited to smoke the first offering from E.P. Carrillo (the Edicion Inagural), and have been even more excited to see how the regular production would perform.  So when I was told that a local shop had juest received their first shipment I made haste. 

The Short Run is an absolutely incredible stick, it’s very complex and full of flavor.  This medium-full beauty offers up notes of wood and a nice spice.  In my opinion one of the finest offerings I’ve seen hit shelves at the local B&M in a while.  I’ve made my first purchase of several to enjoy and I am patiently awaiting the next arrival which has a full box with my name on it!  This is definitely a must try, so if you haven’t done so, find them locally and BUY!

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