What A Year+ can do (Multiple Reviews)

Alright, Today I revisited the Sol Cubana Artisan. I wrote in quick notes a year ago when I had this that I liked the constant flavor transitions back and fourth as it burned the leafs. But I initially didn't like the construction and burn. Had 8 touch ups and part of the barber style unraveled on me half way through last time.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...ps9c6ivhco.jpg

Sorry for the blurry pics, hard to get phone to focus while bouncing excessively. The construction feels solid. The pack feels semi tight but not overly done. I made sure to inspect the cigar for any places where the wrapper looks loose so I could make sure to watch it closer. Looks good

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...psklxs5jee.jpg

Into the first third this cigar starts very nicely. Im getting primarily a tobacco flavor with hints of cocoa, white pepper and a woodyness.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...psvejhacir.jpg

A little over half way through I have finally pin pointed what flavors come from where. The natural wrapper has all the woodsy tobacco flavor and white salt flavors im getting and the maduro parts really hit you with a good cocoa experience. That was the last pic I took as I got frustrated trying to not take blurry pics.

The cigar ended pretty consistently. Never had any surprises in construction or re lights this time. I got a ten pack of these last January for $23. At $2.30 these are a great morning smoke at least. Aging/resting them any longer won't benefit any of the flavors though.

I really like the idea of this thread. I haven't been smoking but for a few months so I'm in the beginning stages of doing this exact thing with some Gran Habanos Vintage 2002

Alright, today I picked the Graycliff 1666. I was going to grab the Diesel but wasn't sure I had enough time to give it a fair smoke. The first time I smoked this I really liked the flavors but about 1/4 of the way in it went total dirt in the mouth nasty bomb on me. Last time I smoked this was 11/30/13 so this one has a little longer on it.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...psq2l5gp6c.jpg

The construction feels good. You can really tell it is a lightly packed cigar, really doesn't weigh very much at all. Light it up no issues starts spitting a ton of smoke right away

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...psg6bkgxz1.jpg

1/3 of the way in. I cant decide if the cigar is burning really fast or if I'm puffing more to deal with the stress of the gf's driving. This smoke has a really great sweetness to it. Reminds me of some kind of candy but really can't pinpoint it. All I know is at this point I'm glad I have 3 more.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...ps9cauqigq.jpg

Half way through in under 40 minutes. Very fast burn time. The cigar is still pumping the nice sweetness to compliment tobacco undertones. I really can't think of any other Graycliffs I ever felt like were good. So this one has me in a shock.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...psrqk8gmke.jpg

At the hour point I have a little less then a third left as you can see^ The problem showed its ugly head in the last third. Like the first time the awesome flavors completely died off. Immediately started tasting like a mouthfull of dirt. With only another 5 mins. to go I decided to throw it out.

Wrapping things up, so far, this Graycliff has been the best of the 5 so far for putting a solid year rest on it. Really enjoyed it until the last third. No clue what I paid for this 5er but would recommend anyone to set these down if you can score them for cheap

So got some bad news on the Curivari. Wen't to smoke it this weekend. I knew it had a minor bit of foot damage but did not think much of it. But when I went to cut and smoke the half the wrapper unraveled to the point of not smoke-able. Sadly, I must have traded away the other 3 from the 5er because I cannot find them.

This morning I lit up the D.7 maduro gordo. I will preface this review with I do not smoke this size cigar hardly ever. 7 in. is too long to keep me paying attention. So i figured a 3 hour drive would force me to be interested.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...pskneg5po8.jpg

Before I lit the cigar I noticed how light it was for such a big cigar. This usually means light packing so I wondered how long it would burn and if it would lead to any burns issues. The first time I smoked this cigar I really like the flavors but had to correct the burn more than I would of preferred. Right away the cigar starts smoking a lot and I got a great sweetness to compliment a dark expressoy nut flavor.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...ps5llerhza.jpg

1/3 of the way in I am enjoying the cigar. A lot of the flavors I'm getting remind me of a Liga 9. Stand out flavors and a lot of smoke. Even the wrapper is leaving hints of tobacco oils on my finger tips.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...pszwxr6zdj.jpg

Nothing really changes from the 1/3 mark to the last third. Everything stays like its been until the burn issues strike. At the final third mark the cigar has been going a little over two hours. The second I re light it to correct the burn all the flavors as anticipated change to a hot earthy flavor. So for me, I was ready to put it down.

I really feel like this cigar aged well. I don't remember it reminding me of a liga 9 the first time I had it so I would say resting had something to do with that.
@Tombstone you said you wanted to see what I thought

I will probably seek out a few robustos and maybe a box to sit on for awhile.

Thanks for taking the time to review it. I like what you had to say about it. Fresh I was underwhelmed with it but aged sounds great.

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Originally Posted by Tombstone

Thanks for taking the time to review it. I like what you had to say about it. Fresh I was underwhelmed with it but aged sounds great.

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Pm me your addy if this size is your cup o tea

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Originally Posted by defetis

So I chose the Pinolera first for two reasons. The first one I smoked I royally hated. It had a funny harshness to it that really put me off. I usually don't smoke this size but I scored the 5er for $13.00 so it was worth a shot

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...pswljelikl.jpg
Construction on these is good. Feels like a very even pack. Can see the seems in a few places. Def. a barnyard smell to it

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Why didn't you get the big one? :)

Good review.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by defetis

So got some bad news on the Curivari. Wen't to smoke it this weekend. I knew it had a minor bit of foot damage but did not think much of it. But when I went to cut and smoke the half the wrapper unraveled to the point of not smoke-able. Sadly, I must have traded away the other 3 from the 5er because I cannot find them.

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Oh that's really unfortunate. Those are truly excellent cigars, I like them better than the Buenaventura.

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Originally Posted by Billb1960

Oh that's really unfortunate. Those are truly excellent cigars, I like them better than the Buenaventura.

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Ya i gotta get more into those lines from what I have heard