Name: Don Leon Size: Esplendido
Origin: Costa Rica Construction: Hand(?)
Purchased: N/A Price: See Website
Smoked: Living Room Accompanied by: Old Parr 12 (Scotch)

Some months back a nice fellow by the name of Lynn contacted me about blogging his cigar on my site. He offered to drop off the cigar next time he was in San Jose, and some weeks later he stopped by and dropped me a sample.

At first glance, I saw a well built cigar with a flawless wrapper- dark in color. It did not appear to be rolled too tight, so I knew the draw would be easy; easy draw is a plus for me.

I did not waste any time, and I opened one up. I had a hard time distinguishing the seco from the ligero, but that might just be part of the blend. It was rolled slightly different that I have seen many other cigars, the leaves were slightly more curled, but since it did not appear to be rolled to tight, that did not affect the draw.

For my review, I smoked the Espendido, a 6 inch by 50 ring cigar. I unique vitola that is like the uncommon Cuban "double." The cigars smoked well, proper coning, no significant runners.

Every smoke had a sense of peat in it, and when the smoke first hit the tougue, a tickle of spice come through. "Earthy," would be the term I use to explain this cigar, but do I mean earthy, not grassy. A strong woody flavor mixed with significant hints of roasted coffee passed through my pallet with every draw.

The smoke was thick and less pungent than many Nicaraguan cigars. Overall the cigar lacked aroma, but this was not a show stopper. No overheating, and no relights. The wrapper, although delicate, complimented the cigar well by burning evenly.

Overall, I enjoyed them. And, for being a 100% Costa Rican cigar, I was surprised and happy smoke it.

For more information on Don Leon Cigars, visit their website: http://www.purosdonleon.com

Lynn is a real gentleman, and I appreciate his effort with this cigar in Costa Rica.

TC-Keith

Labels: Cigar-Reviews, Costa-Rican-Cigars, Non-Cuban-Cigars

Permalink posted by Keith @ 12:32 AM, 0 comments links to this post

Venezuelan cigars... Well, I busted my cherry last night- and I was impressed.

Less herby than Nicaraguan or Dominican, strength of a Honduran, and unique spice that tickles the tongue. This is a good cigar.

Review forthcoming.

Keith

Labels: Cigar-Previews, Non-Cuban-Cigars

Permalink posted by Keith @ 10:42 AM, 0 comments links to this post

The name Gomez alone is a good start for me. It is a family name on my wife's side- but let me get back on track. A distributor from the Western part of the US contacted me sometime back asking if I would be interested in reviewing their cigars.

From the onset, I laid it out frank- I can be rough- however, fearless, they sent me the cigars. I have been working on this document for a while, and apologize to the R.D. Gomez distributors for my lateness.

I smoked a sample of robustos and piramides/torpedos that were noted as ?Reserves.? The robustos had both a proper and maduro wrapper, and the reserve had only the proper wrapper. No problem by me, I am over the whole maduro thing as you know.

The presentation of these cigars is sharp. Well constructed, simple ring, and an attractive wrapper. The Reserves come with a cedar band.

All of the cigars drew well, one was probably drawing "too well," but it didn't get too hot- but it did burn fast.

The blend was very similar from cigar to cigar. I opened up a robusto and a reserve, and noticed that there was a good amount of short filler in the robusto. The reserve had full leaves throughout. The robustos did not smoke as equally as the reserve, but it was not unmanageable. I only needed a "catch up" light once or twice per cigar max.

The aroma was a little flat but they have a nice spicy flavor. It was not mild, but not as harsh as many other cigars from Honduras. I especially noticed that there was almost no aftertaste.

I saved one cigar for several months in a special humidor that I have for long term cigar storage. Although they claim the cigars are aged for three years, I feel that the tobacco may have been a little premature because this last cigar I smoked surpassed the others in all areas. It's flavor was much smoother- and the "almost no" aftertaste went to even less. The aroma was still not at a level that I prefer, but time can not really help that.

My overall impression was that this is decent cigar. It was not a high-end cigar, but it is not carrying a high-end price tag either. I would defiantly recommend some added time in the humidor to let it mature, but for a reliable smoke at a good price, you can not go wrong. In addition, go with the reserve if it is available.

Labels: Cigar-Reviews, Non-Cuban-Cigars

Permalink posted by Keith @ 12:43 AM, 2 comments links to this post

I have a couple of pending reviews that I will be publishing in the next couple weeks...

1. R.D. Gomez Cigars -This is a cigar from Honduras, that off the line was a little premature for me, but after some time in my humidor, it became a decent smoke for a very fair price.

2. Marina Maco Cigars - I bumped into this cigar by a reverse link into my site. I have only sampled the first one, but for a non-Cuban cigar... watch out Miami... this is a smooth cigar that may end up as my #1 cigar rolled in the USA.

I hope everyone had a great Holiday season. I look forward to sharing these upcoming reviews.

TC-Keith

Labels: Boutique-Cigars, Cigar-Previews, Non-Cuban-Cigars

Permalink posted by Keith @ 8:13 PM, 0 comments links to this post

After writing that entry, I received a response from Alberto Farinez Lapioli of Farinez Cigars in Venezuela. Read below:

-----------------------------------
Subject: Venezuelan Cigars
From: Alberto Farinez Lapioli
Date: Fri, November 24, 2006 4:56 pm
To: Keith

Dear Keith, Your opinion about Venezuelan cigars is what every body believes, in other words is the general thinking and not without reason. It is my goal to produce true and respected cigars in Venezuela, not quite simple but I think I am already on the right track. I would really appreciate your honest opinion about Farinez Premium Cigars. How can I send you a sample? I would like for you to take the Mundano, since you liked so much the Cohiba Siglo VI. Please find attached a presentation. Best regards,

Alberto Farinez Lapioli
-----------------------------------

I did a little research and it looks like Don Alberto is a successful marketer of some exclusive pleasures. I bumped into an article that said an Alberto Farinez had brought an award-winning premium Venezuelan Rum to market called Ron Macuro. I have not tried this rum, however it was a Gold Medal winner in the Premium Rum section on the Ministry of Rum website, where I have tried several of the other Rums in that winner's circle- for it to be even close to the Zacapa, it must be good.

The Farinez cigar website is currently under construction, but can be visited here. The presentation he included said 100% of the tobacco is from Venezuela. As I mentioned, I am not sure if this is good or bad, but it is professed in such a way, that I have to assume they have something good. Their tagline, "Enjoy the ritual of sharing..." appears throught the presentation slides.

Presentation appears to be faultess on both accounts (seen above). The jar/canister presentation for the cigars is very distinct. Is there more to come? Could this be the a new Davidoff of South America? Only time will tell, but I am going to do my best to get my hands on both the rum and the cigars to judge for myself.

TC-Keith

Labels: Non-Cuban-Cigars

Permalink posted by Keith @ 4:58 PM, 1 comments links to this post

I want to see a non-doctored photo of Hugo Chavez smoking a "Vohiba Lancero" before I smoke one of these. Ok, I admit it- bad joke... but I have to have some fun.

Honestly, I have never smoked a cigar from Venezuala, atleast not that I can remember. This is an interesting article that deserves a little read.

Everyone claims to have cigars that compare with the Habano, but in my opinion few have come even far from close (if that makes sense). Don Miguel Patino, president of the Bermudez tobacco factory in Venezuela, makes this claim. Don Miguel, I wish you the best.

Next trip to the states, I will see what I can find and give them a try.

Read the article HERE

Labels: Cigar-Comentaries, Non-Cuban-Cigars

Permalink posted by Keith @ 11:04 PM, 0 comments links to this post

Don Benigno Cigars was created nearly 10 years ago in beautiful Costa Rica, although the story of Don Benigno, and his family's tradition of cigar rolling began generations before.

Don Benigno Arronte was was born in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba in the 1950s. Pinar Del Rio, right in the middle of the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba, is known as the international capital of tobacco cultivation. Pre-revolution Cuba had hundreds of cigar factories throughout the country. One of these factories, Ceniza (Spanish for ash), was owned by Benigno's grandfather. Benigno, at a very young age, was involved in Cuba's tobacco world.

In those times, most affluent (and often most experienced) cigar smokers would not be caught dead smoking a brand name Habano, rather they had a personal tabaquero, or cigar roller. Their tabaquero, often a friend, would roll them the best cigar possible, using the finest materials and strictest quality controls. One of Benigno's uncle's, Jose, was a reknown master cigar roller and personal tabaquero for many prestigious friends and clients, mainly from Spain. It was this uncle, that taught young Benigno how to roll cigars. Jose loved to roll cigars, and rolled his own cigars up until his death several years ago.

Following the Revolution, the needs of Cuba changed, and the Ceniza Cigar Factory closed as the large cigar factories of Havana took precedent. Professionally, Don Benigno and his family pursued other callings. Don Benigno studied education, and became a history professor, but his love of cigars and cigar rolling never ended. A life long smoker, he rolled his own cigars while living in Cuba. Not only were the name brand cigars too expensive for the average Cuban, but he was unable to find a cigar that consistently satisfied his needs as a smoker.

In 1997, Don Benigno immigrated to Costa Rica and immediately pursued a career in his true calling, cigar rolling. Starting with basically nothing but his skills and bare hands, Don Benigno Cigars was born. First on his kitchen table with the most basic tools, Don Benigno quickly gained notoriety in Costa Rica's cigar smoking circles. Shortly there after, Don Benigno opened his first Cigar Shop in a historical district of San Jose near the city's beautiful National Theater (Theatro Nacional) where he rolled cigars and administered the store.

After building a solid clientèle, and wanting to focus more on the production of his brand, Benigno and his wife rolled cigars full time in there home. Don Benigno was please with the success of his signature cigar brand, and with the help of a close friend and fellow cigar smoker Gary Naffer they developed a logo, rings, and a box design, and registered the brand. These designs have not changed since their creation.

Within no time, Don Benigno knew that they were going to be unable to keep up with demand, and had to find additional cigar rollers to help produce the now popular Don Benigno Cigar. Starting first with one, and incrementally adding more, Don Benigno hired career cigar rollers from Costa Rica. Knowing that he needed to instruct them in the meticulous art that had been passed down to him, Don Benigno cautiously moved them through the ranks in his family workshop. But, being trained educator, he had great success teaching them his family's methods.

Today, Don Benigno has become the Cigar Guru of his adopted country, Costa Rica; he has been interviewed by the local media both for feature pieces as well as a source in cigar related articles, he is frequently visited by national and international dignitaries who are (or become) friends and clients, and hundreds of tourists annually are introduced to his cigar when they arrive to Costa Rica and ask, "Where can I get a great cigar?"

The story continues today, in a quiet suburb of San Jose he produces his cigars with the tradition of excellence that he was taught in his youth. Don Benigno Cigars are a limited production that cigar aims to satisfy the most demanding smoker. His commitment to quality, skilled methods, and impeccable final product have distinguished Don Benigno as a True Cigar Master.

For More Information about Don Benigno Cigars, see the link in my earler post.

Labels: Boutique-Cigars, Cigar-Stories, Costa-Rican-Cigars, Non-Cuban-Cigars

Permalink posted by Keith @ 2:25 AM, 2 comments links to this post