Posts Tagged cigar

Liga Privada Único Serie Papas Fritas

Cigar Review by Matt Zaccheo (guest)
Cigar Photography by Jay L (cigarphoto.net)


This week we are photographing and reviewing the Liga Privada Único Serie Papas Fritas. This petit corona, made at the La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate factory in Nicaragua, is one of the latest innovations from the Drew Estate stable.


Cut: Not applicable.  A quick tug at the pigtail did the job. Not elegant….but efficient!
Drink: None
Palate: Fresh
# cigars smoked for review: Three

Prelight: At first glance, the pigtail cap on this cigar is rather unique and commands some attention. It is more reminiscent of the fuse on an M-80 firework or the stem of an apple. No coil: it stands at attention waiting to be torn off. There is no primary banding, just a simple and attractive boquilla band. The wrapper is dark and mottled with an ultrafine tooth and scant amount of oils. It’s resilient and thick. The seams are tight and the cigar feels uniform and well packed throughout its entire length. Nothing to suggest mixed filler here! The initial aromas off the foot are of sweet tobacco, mild cedar, and cocoa. The cold draw yields more sweet tobacco, cocoa, and leather with some raisin, zinfandel, and port notes.  Once the band is off the foot…it begs to be ignited. Let’s get it on!

Draw: Comfortable and fluent from start to finish

Flavors: Initial notes are of dark chocolate, leather, espresso, and sweet cedar. There is a quick burst of spice (cayenne/red pepper) that fades into the background after the first 5-6 draws….only to be acknowledged again on the retrohale. As the cigar gets going there is no doubt about it: it’s broadleaf baby….in all of its gritty glory! The smoke is dense, lush and creamy. It’s big on the palate. You can chew it! Production is not quite colossal, but it is definitely imposing and impressive for such a small stick. Classic Liga! As the cigar hits mid stride, the leather becomes more dominant. The generic sweetness is given a name: blackstrap molasses. From the dark chocolate and bitter espresso emerges a more dry dusty cocoa. The woody finish transitions from mild sweet cedar to more of a dark cherry and nutty toasted oak with some fleeting vanilla notes. Overall, the flavors are rich and intense. They come in waves and roll effortlessly over the palate. It’s game on and full Nica flavor from the get go! My palate interprets the strength to transition from a medium minus to a solid medium as I hit the end of the first third. Don’t worry….what it lacks in strength it more than makes up for with its vigor!

Burn: Excellent. All three samples were razor sharp. Only a few minor touch ups. Two ash drops and my first ash was 1 ½ inches long!

Construction: The excellent construction of this cigar is truly a tribute that must be paid to the rollers. This is no ordinary short filler……this is the result of passion meets performance. Total smoke time was 45 minutes – 1 hr. and 15 minutes.

Descriptive adjectives: “Little Big Man”. “Petite Power”.  “Liga #4.5”. This is ten pounds of Liga in a five pound sack!

Sleeve worthy: Absolutely

Overall: I have yet to meet a Liga I didn’t like. This was no exception. It is not just a commuter cigar! Take the extra 15-30 minutes…. and slow down….to savor and appreciate the gifts from the torcedors’ chaveta! 


Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Brazilian Mata Fina
Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua
Length: 4.5″
Ring: 44

 

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L’Atelier LAT46 Selection Spéciale

Cigar Review by Steve Royston (guest)
Cigar Photography by Jay L (cigarphoto.net)

This week we are photographing and reviewing the L’Atelier LAT46 Selection Spéciale. This corona-gorda vitola, made at the My Father factory in Nicaragua, is the latest release from the L’Atelier Imports stable.

This is a true Corona Gorda vitola, measuring 5 5/8 by 46. In a market plagued with obese sticks, this cigar really tickles me pink. Just as I believe the original LATs coming in boxes of 15 was smart, this one coming in boxes of 10 is even smarter. Same basic box concept as the originals; same original band with the addition of a secondary “Selection Spéciale” band. Alright, enough of this mumbo jumbo. Let’s get down to business.

For starters, the wrapper is noticeably darker than the originals, as it is a higher priming leaf. Same proprietary blend as the original LATs. Construction is flawless with the same flag top finish as the originals. The smell of the foot is of hay and amazing tobacco. It literally transports me back in time some 10 years ago when I was first smitten with everything that had to do with cigars. The draw, with a shallow straight cut, is ideal for me. Just a little bit of tug. This has been consistent in both the prerelease (2) and the market release (2) I have smoked for this review.

As soon as I light up, I’m smacked with spice both across my palate and on the retrohale, which is very intense. It has very savory characteristics to start. Toasty, smoky, and cedary. The aftertaste, thus far, is just barely dropping hints of flavor I associate with the core LATs but not quite discernable yet. The lingering mouth feel is smooth with just a touch of grit, almost like an ultra-fine sandpaper; enjoyable. A full inch in, the burn has been RAZOR sharp (not touch-ups) and has a very nice white/gray colors with touches of black throughout. A flavor of toasted artisanal bread has made its way to the forefront of flavor with strong cedar on the retrohale. (Side note: Something interesting I’ve noticed with every one of these I’ve smoked is a tingle on my lips, across my palate, and in the back of my throat. Certainly not unenjoyable, just very interesting.) The spice on the retrohale has stayed fairly intense, but is very enjoyable for me. With the halfway mark approaching, a strong effervescent characteristic has developed. This is something I’ve noticed not only with the LAT46, but the original LATs as well and I thoroughly enjoy it. It’s like menthol without the mint, if that helps explain it any better. The toastiness is still present up front, with the mocha notes I get a lot of in the originals coming through in the aftertaste. With this stick, it’s like clockwork that as soon as you pass the halfway mark, the strength really spikes in intensity. It goes from a nice, consistent medium, to full bodied in the blink of an eye. Cedar is one of most consistent flavors in this stick, which makes sense because it’s very present in the originals. However, I interpret it as a more woody cedar in the 46, whereas it’s sweeter in the originals. I might attribute this to the amped up quality of the wrapper. Nevertheless, it’s a great flavor. Into the final third of the cigar, the construction really shines! Not very warm to the touch and not spongy. The effervescence has really intensified in the retrohale. The mocha aftertaste has all but fade away and has given way to a nice roasted coffee bean characteristic with just a touch of graham cracker. Finally snubbed it out with about a ¾ inch nub.

Final Thoughts:
Smoking time: 1 hour 10 minutes. I personally love this cigar just as a love the original LATs. It’s has the same base bones, but the high priming wrapper really gives it its own unique flare. I often tell people who are trying LATs for the first time that they really need to pay attention to it, as they might overlook a lot of the subtle nuances. The 46, just as its big cousins, seems to make quick changes almost from puff to puff. The flavors jump around and really make for an enjoyable smoking experience. As far as rating this cigar goes, I won’t. I don’t believe in the numbers games. What I will say is this. I will be smoking many more of these! I’ve already set aside a box for aging and I can’t wait to see what time will do to these smokes, provided I can keep my grubby paws off of them! Happy smoking my friends!

Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Sancti Spiritus (Ecuador)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5.625″
Ring: 46

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EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro

This week we are photographing and reviewing the EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro. This lonsdale vitola, made by the master blender Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, is an exclusive release for the Federal Cigar – New Hampshire chain owned by Rick Gadway. Right off the bet one will recognize the obvious a) Medalla D’Oro is a continuation of the New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 and b) Medalla D’Oro packaging is not too far from the Cuban staple – Bolivar Gold Medal. EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro and Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 – REDUX ‘Hassell’ are hitting the market in march of 2013 to commemorate Federal Cigar’s 92nd Anniversary.


Visually, from extra foil packaging to standard bands, from smooth wrapper to elegant pigtail (as depicted below), the EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro screams class ! Slightly oily, golden brown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, well blended seams, visible veins is what is on the cover of the EP Carrillo Medalla D’Oro. The draw was excellent from the very beginning to the very end. In the flavor department: woodiness, nuttiness, hints of dried fruit, spiciness which continued to increase as the time has progressed, and tiny bits of sweetness which at times felt “perfumy-like” (?). Great amount of creamy-in-texture smoke which coated and dried out the palate. Nearly perfect burn line throughout.


Carrillo-Gadway collaboration produces another winner, full stop. I went back and read my thoughts on the New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 after I wrote the above paragraph. Fortunately, not much of a departure ! I enjoyed the New Wave Connecticut Short Run 2012 quite a bit and hoped for a thinner vitola. The Medalla D’Oro is the answer. Delicious assortment of flavors, fantastic construction, good price point ($85 per box / boxes of 10) – box worthy purchase in my humble opinion !


Federal collaborations featured on cigarphoto.net:

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Length: 6.5″
Ring: 44

Construction > Excellent
Burn > Excellent
Enjoy > Absolutely ! 
Recommend > Absolutely ! 

Buy > Box(es) worthy !

 

 

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Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 – REDUX ‘Hassell’

This week, the CigarPhoto is displaying, not reviewing, the latest offering from Rick Gadway’s Federal CigarTatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 – REDUX ‘Hassell.’ If you are familiar with the original Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 Reserva, please be aware that the latest REDUX ‘Hassell’ release is not a continuation of the original Reserva batch but instead, and I quote “… this is fresh new product made with broadleaf and with Hassell band on it – Pete Johnson …


Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 releases:

  • 2011 march – 90th Anniversary release – 300 Rosado boxes (reviewed HERE) / 100 Reserva boxes
  • 2012 december – continuation of the original release with Limited band (both Rosado & Reserva)
  • 2013 march – 92nd Anniversary release with Hassell band (60 boxes / 40 bundles)



It is my understanding that the Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 – REDUX ‘Hassell’ will be available for purchase at the Federal Cigar Plaistow location on March 16th, 2013 (in-person only) and on March 18th, 2013 (call). Hassell boxes and bundles are priced at $250 each.


First row / 2nd photograph illustrates the progression of the Tatuaje Federal Cigar 90th Anniversary 109 (l to r): Rosado OR, Reserva OR, Rosado 2nd release, Reserva 2nd release, Hassell.

 

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La Palina Goldie Laguito No.2

This week we are photographing and reviewing the La Palina Goldie Laguito No.2 – one of the latest releases from La Palina stable. Produced at the El Titan de Bronze factory in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, the entire collection of Goldie has been rolled in the Laguito No. 2 vitola (hence the name) by master roller Maria Sierra.

La Palina Goldie Laguito No.2 press release:
Goldie Drell Paley, the namesake of our brand, was the wife of Sam Paley, who in 1896 founded La Palina Cigars. To celebrate the history, contributions and accomplishments of women in the cigar industry, we are proud to release the La Palina Collection Goldie. e Goldie is a limited 1000 box release. Produced at the El Titan de Bronze factory in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, the Goldie is made under the supervision of owner Sandy Cobas. The entire collection has been rolled in the Laguito No. 2 vitola (6×38) by master roller Maria Sierra. Maria is one of the ?rst women trained to roll cigars in Cuba. Her historic 32 year career at Villa El Laguito began July 22, 1967. Maria is a 95 rated, category 9 roller trained by Fidel Castro’s personal roller Eduardo Rivera Irizarri, as well as Avelino Lara, the creator of the legendary Cohiba blend. Each cigar is ?nished in the traditional Laguito style with a fan cap, exclusively taught to rollers at Villa El Laguito. e Goldie is blended with the prized Medio Tiempo leaf, found on only 10% of tobacco plants. The La Palina Collection Goldie embodies the tradition, expertise, and passion of women in the cigar industry.

Visually, the La Palina Goldie Laguito No.2 screams elegance. Smooth, light brown wrapper, well blended seams, visible veins, triple cap, traditional yet striking band and last but surely not least, exotic fan cap. The draw was superb from the very beginning to the very end. In the flavor department: slightly spicy finish, hints of nuttiness, woodiness. Toward the end, noticeable increase in spice and pepper on the tongue. A very apparent fruity flavor lingering in the mouth throughout the cigar. Considering vitola size, insanely strong and very light ash in the first half. That firm ash begin to flake starting in the second half. Good amount of smoke as depicted below. Near perfect burn line throughout.


Personally, the La Palina Goldie Laguito No.2 has it all a smoker would want. Approachable vitola size, great presentation, fantastic construction and burn, complex flavors which start on the medium plus and go up to full, creamy texture, etc … accolades continue. If you think this is not for you b/c of the shade of the wrapper, the size, the presentation, you are doing yourself a disservice. Seek out La Palina Goldie Laguito No.2. You will not regret it.


Country of Origin: USA (El Titan de Bronze)
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Ecuador
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Length: 6″ Ring: 38

Construction > Excellent
Burn > Excellent
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Absolutely !

Buy >Absolutely !

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