Brickhouse Toro

Brickhouse Toro

Size: 6"x52
Wrapper: Havana Subido
Filler: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan





Pre-Light


the wrapper is medium brown in color with a sheen that adds a beautiful look to the stick.  I used a medium punch and toasted the end.

1st Third


The Brickhouse lights easy and has a great smooth, cool draw.  Right away, I got a rich, clean tobacco flavor with a hint of tea flavors.  It is very soothing to the palate.  The first third was very consistent throughout.


2nd Third

The flavor of the cigar intensified slightly.  The rich tobacco and tea flavors did not overpower.  This is a very nice part of the cigar.  Soothing, rich and cool.  There was a slight build of mild spice, but very slight.





Final Third

Once again, the cigar intensified, but did not overpower.  The tea flavors faded leaving a rich tobacco flavor.

Overall


I love this stick.  It is medium to full body with a great balance.  The oils from the wrapper give it a brighter and brighter sheen as you smoke it.  It has a great draw and is very well constructed.  It left a soothing tobacco/tea flavor on my palate after I was done.  At around $5 a stick, I highly recommend this cigar!

OMAR SAYS:  17/19

5 Vegas Apotheosis

5.5 X 55

Pre-light

The stick has a dark chocolate appearance, sweet smell, smooth flawless wrapper.

1^st 3^rd

It has a sweet nice maduro dark chocolate taste.  I punched it and it is a super easy draw.  It is medium to full body with a nice full smoke.  There is a little spice but does not overpower the sweetness.  The burn is quite even in the 1^st third.

Dark chocolate notes come through in the end of the 1^st third.  There is a deep rich full smoke on the palate.  A sweet pepper rears its head at the end of the 1^st third.

The pepper disappears to more sweetness and the aftertaste is filled with cedar and sweetness (dark chocolate).  A leather background also appears.

2^nd 3^rd

Dark chocolate wraps around the sides of the tongue and spices leave to sweetness and leather.   Leather becomes dominant in the aftertaste.  The smoke remains full thick and white.  Coffee becomes a dominant flavor with a sweet chocolate finish.  A leather taste diminishes to coffee, chocolate, and spice.  The burn is even.  The after-taste is very pleasant.  The ash lasted to the half-way point of the cigar.

The after taste is still rich in cedar and sweetness.  Smoke is very thick and rich.

The same flavors persist as the 2^nd 3^rd comes toward the end, but a little more spice comes back into play in the finish, especially in the sinus.

3^rd 3^rd

Spice fades and sweet leather comes back.  Sweetness and spice are on the sides of the tongue with a slight spice on the front of the tongue.  The end of the final 3^rd has a strong leather but still a sweetness taste.  This cigar is good to the end, I nubbed it.

Jester says….

This is a great smoke.  If you like maduros this is a great everyday smoke.  This is well worth the price of admission!  Beginning to end this is a fun ride!

16/19

Gran Habano 3 Siglo

I got 5 of these at a good price from CB and decided to give them a whirl.

PRE-LIGHT/LIGHT
It was a 7"x50 Churchill with a good look and a pleasant aroma.  I used a medium punch and toasted the end.
Upon lighting, I noticed a very tough draw with little smoke.

1ST THIRD


I struggled to get any smoke out of this stick.  It was a tough draw with little rewards in regards to smoke.  Hence, finding flavors out of this stick was very difficult.  It as tough to figure out what this cigar wanted to do.  Spicy/cocoa?  Spicy? Cocoa?  Who knows at this point.  It tried to come to it's own, but not until the second third.

2ND THIRD


In the second third, the stick started to come through.  There was a taste of sweet cocoa with a hint of pepper spice.  At this point, I thought It was going to turn pleasant.  I was getting plenty of smoke in the latter half of the second third.  The flavor of cashews started to come through.  I was thinking the final third could be good.

FINAL THIRD


The final third began with a .......... well, nothing!  The flavor left and the stick started to heat up.  In fact, it just got flat out hot.  So much so that after four puffs, I was done.

OVERALL


I was very pleased when I finally got through all five of these "cigars".  The other four were pretty much the same.  The only saving grace of this "cigar" was that it had some flavor during the middle of the 2nd third.

OAR SAYS: 8/19

Cu-Avana Intenso Gordo

Pre-Light

The stick is 54x 4.5.  It is a nice medium to dark chocolate like brown.  The wrapper is mostly smooth, but has some veins.  As you look at the filler you see dark and light tobacco, almost swirled.  The stick has a nice earthy tobacco smell, you can pick up spices and a slight sweetness.  The stick is nice and heavy in your hand.  It is almost like that shorter stature type of guy in the gym you see putting up 300.  I used a medium punch.

1^st 3^rd

It is a nice firm draw, needing just a slight pull.  This is how I do like my cigars.  It feels like a nice firm wrap.  It has a nice rich dark coffee flavor with almost a subtle dark chocolate sweetness in the background.  At first a slight bit of spice hits the sinus.  It certainly has a nice full smoke.  The spice really begins to pick up after the first few puffs.  Black Pepper begins to show up.  The spice blends with a nice sweetness.  It has a very intense spice as the first third rolls in….it gets you salivating like a dog looking at a raw steak.  A beautiful smooth sweetness hits the palate right after spices….all I can say is YUM!  Already in the first third this stick keeps the tongue on edge.  The burn is nice and even, no big problems here.  Toward the end of the 1^st third a great slight cocoa flavor with dark chocolate comes through.  I lost the ash at the end of the first third.

2^nd 3^rd

I begin to pick up Cayenne Pepper!  The stick then has a mellowing of sweetness and spice again.  A nut rears its head about half way through the stick, like a dark angry Mr. Goodbar…..a little nut, dark chocolate and add spice.  Black Pepper comes on strong in the last part of the 2^nd 3^rd, before yet another smoothing out with sweetness again.  It is a nice slow even burn. 

3^rd 3^rd

The final 3^rd stays with the spice, but it is a little more mellow.  You get bursts of flavor including cocoa, but the cigar is certainly mellowing out.  It does not burn too hot, but the flavors are not nearly as strong and begin to fade.  It is a little more earthy and a tad leathery in the final 3^rd.

The Jester’s Performance

This will move into my regular rotation.  It is not over the top in respect to sitting down and trying to figure out the flavors, but it has a nice mix of flavors to keep your palate salivating.  It is a well constructed cigar.  If you like spice and a hint of sweetness this is for you, but you must like spice.  It is a very enjoyable smoke.  The final third just mellows a little too much, which hurts the rating.  This stick has a Napoleon complex that not only talks the talk, but it walks the walk.  Keep this little bad boy on your side, it is worth it, it will deliver.

Jester says 14.5/19

Carlos Torano 1916 Churchill

Carlos Torano 1916 Churchill
7"x48
Wrapper: Cameroon
Filler: Nicaraguan/Honduran long filler
Drank water with it

This is just a sleek, good-looking cigar.  It has two band and stored in cedar.  It is a rich looking Cameroon wrapper with a few sun spots.  since I ordered them, I was itching to try one.  If you read any of my other reviews, you know I love a full-bodied, robustly spiced cigar with a large ring gauge.  Now it was time for something different.






1st Third


I used a medium punch and toasted the end.  Upon lighting this stick, I noticed the flavor coming through very nicely.  It had an easy draw with a good cool burn.  As I smoked the first third, the tobacco mellowed slightly allowing the wood and slight spice flavors to come through.  the flavors melded well together, creating a very nice mild to medium flavor.  Now back to the cool burn ....


I was amazed as every draw actually gave me the sensation of cooling my tongue.  This was not like the cooling effect of a breath mint or menthol, just an effect of cigar flavored air passing over my tongue.

The cigar burned evenly with a razor sharp edge on the ash.


2nd Third


I had some trouble in the second third.  The thin wrapper started to peel away from the stick a little.  I had to touch it up a bit and it was fine.  However, it did go out once.  I re-lit it right away and then, no problem.

During the second third, I got exactly what I expected.  A gentle progression to a little more wood and spice flavors.  Still, I was amazed at the "cooling" effect I described earlier.


Final Third

The intensity of the smoke picked up again, however, gently.  At this point, the "cooling effect" was still there, but fading somewhat.  I smoked this one to the nub, enjoying every soothing draw.


Overall


This is a tasty smoke.  It is the type of stick that a veteran smoker can enjoy and appreciate, yet at the same time, a novice smoker can enjoy.  I would definitely like to try this smoke after a nice light dinner (grilled halibut with a tropical salad of some sorts) and a Roussanne wine.


Also, I plan having this stick with various other drinks.  My guess is that this stick brings out the flavors of different liquors, changing the mood of the cigar based on the drink.  Let's see, I am going to smoke several of these and try different drinks with each one I smoke ... look for some drunken posting soon!


OMAR SAYS: 14/19

Renee

Thanks to Renee http://twitter.com/#!/bbmobad for following us on Twitter!

La Aurora Preferido #2 Ruby Edition Tube - Maduro

Size 5"x54
Wrapper Maduro (Connecticut Broadleaf)
Drank Jim Beam Rye on the rocks with Pelligrino and a lemon wedge.

I was so excitied about this stick.  I have had the La Aurora Gold (Corojo) and the Platinum (Cameroon).  I absolutely loved both of those sticks and could not wait for the Ruby.  the look of the cigar is what you would expect out of a La Aurora Preferido.  A great looking cigar with small veins in the wrapper.  Wrapped to perfection.  I snipped the end less than 1/4".

1st Third

 When I lit the cigar, the flavors came through immediately.  there was no waiting for the tip to burn.  I got the taste of rich tobacco.  Plenty of smoke filled my mouth on every draw.  This was a very smooth stick with a nice easy draw.  As I continued in the first third, I got a progression to a slightly spicy flavor, but not peppery.  Did I mention the incredible boneless New York Strip I had that night?  I was so freakin' good.  I had it with grilled asparagus.  Both of them were brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with Weber's Chicago Steak seasoning.  I digressed.






2nd Third


In the second third, the stick transitioned into a cigar with the same flavors as the first third, but much bolder.  The consistent flavor of the ruby had me smiling for about 30 minutes, and then there was the final third.



Last Third


The ruby began to get harsh.  It left a residue on my tongue.  In fact, this turned into exactly what I never want from the final third of a cigar.  It gave me a little bit of ammonia flavor.  I was extremely disappointed in the final third.  So much so that I threw it out before I even got through the first half of the final third.



In General

I love the La Aurora name and every stick I have smoked by them ... except the Ruby.  I would not buy this again.  I would rather spend the same amount of money on two less expensive, better sticks.

OMAR SAYS:   11/19

Oliveros Eight Zero Toro

This cigar was aged about two months in my humidor at 70-72%.  It is a beautiful stick to gaze your eyes upon.  It is a dark brown, slightly oily Habano wrapper that is smooth with very little to no noticeable veins.  The cigar is firm with no soft spots and has a well wrapped crown.  The smell is a nice mild tobacco yet spicy with sweet accents.  In all honesty, I was salivating just waiting to light this stick!  I used a medium sized punch on this stick.  During the light I loved the pull, it was nice and easy needing just the slightest pull.

1^st 3^rd

It had some earthy tones and enough of an edge to the flavor without being overly smooth.  It left a sweetness on the lips.  A creamy flavor developed with sweetness on the back of the tongue, almost a caramel and dark chocolate that was hiding itself.  The burn to start is perfect.  At the end of the first third the creaminess blended with the sweetness of dark chocolate and hints of coffee came into play.

2^nd 3^rd

Creamy smooth coffee….loving it (If Starbucks tasted like this I would be as addicted as my wife).  The coffee flavors lead into dark chocolate with a bitter chocolate ending.

Last 3^rd

We really begin to add spice.  Don’t get me wrong there has been a nice spice to this stick in between, but it picks it up a notch.  There is dark chocolate and nut in the sinus.  It eventually gives way to a more tobacco and cream flavor.  The end burned a little warmer, but nothing to be concerned about.  Coffee notes continued with a nuttiness toward the end.

The Jester’s Performance

This is overall a well-balanced cigar.  It is a medium to full-bodied cigar.  I was very impressed with this cigar and certainly would place it in my normal rotation.  The best compliment I can give is that this cigar provided me with a great relaxing night that was enjoyable with every puff.  My taste buds did not have to strain to pick out what this cigar was offering, yet it offered a perfect buffet of flavors.  I wouldn’t wait to be comp'ed to go to this buffet in Vegas, I would be willing to pay out of pocket!

Jester says 16/19

Room 101 (808)

Ok, before I start on this cigar review I have to give you a little background.  We went to an event at Mojitos Cigar lounge in Cave Creek, AZ.  If you happen to find yourself in Arizona, Mojitos is a GREAT place to smoke a cigar and play a few games of cards.  Also know we are not related in the slightest to Mojitos, but we have enjoyed the atmosphere, the events, and staff.  I initially tried a box press Room 101 cigar and was on the fence, but I also knew that I am a lover of a larger gauge cigar.  I gave the 808 (60 x 6) a shot.  You know how it is…..a cigar event, friends, and family, what is there to lose in a stick under $10.  I decided to take notes on my Blackberry in case I never wanted to try the stick again.  The wrapper on the 808 was medium to dark brown and smooth.  I used a larger punch that was available at the shop.  The cap was very uneven and had a large bump in the crown, which made it a little awkward on the lips.  The wrapper was slightly cracked on the bottom, but that was taken care of when the stick burned up and did not affect the draw (on a side note the staff said they would take care of it, if it affected the stick).

1^st 3^rd

The stick did have a slight uneven burn (which lasted throughout).  A creamy cocoa sweetness began.  It was a very mellow stick.  The sweetness fades into a leathery flavor.  Dark Chocolate and leather came into the end of the first third.  The ash was a little flaky, but hung on for over an inch.  The ash did have a slight bend by the end o the 1^st 3^rd.

2^nd 3^rd

The spice begins to hit.  It has a relatively full amount of smoke.  The burn is getting quite a bit uneven.  The same flavors rear their heads with sweetness and dark chocolate tones retuning.  The flavor is consistent through the end of the 2^nd 3^rd.

Last 3^rd

I can’t really say there are any changes the flavors are consistent.  There is more of a leather flavor in the last inch.  The stick finally burned a little more even in the final 3^rd.  There was leather flavor in the last inch and it burned cool to the end.

The Jester’s Performance

The stick was more medium bodied.  It was enjoyable, but did not bring the bling, bling expected with the event.  The L.A. marketing provided the show.  It was a very consistent stick in terms of flavor.  I would smoke it again, but not put it into a regular rotation.  It was a relaxing stick.  It would be worth the wait in line for the first experience, but the second time around you would wait for the lines to die down.

Jester says 13/19

CAO LX2 Belicoso

The look of the cigar is smooth.  There are no outstanding veins.  The smell is very inviting with a nice mild tobacco smell with a little sweetness.  I put about a ¼ inch cut on the cigar.  The wrapper was a medium dark brown.

1^st 3^rd

Right off the bat I could tell this is a full bodied smoke.  It had a nice rich tobacco flavor at the beginning.  It was a very easy draw.  The cigar had an earthy cocoa background.  The cigar from the start told its story.  This cigar was going to be a carousel of spice and sweetness.  The second half of the first third witnessed a smoothing out of flavors between spice and sweetness.  The sweetness began to disappear and the spice kicked into play.   The sides of my cheeks were watering.  The ash was a little soft and a slight bend appeared.  The ash did not fall until the end of the 1^st third.  At the end of the first third the cocoa flavors came on strong.

2^nd 3^rd

The carousel was again in affect.  The sweet gave into spice, and then the spice gave into sweetness making the middle of my tongue water.  Before long the spice came back as the predominant flavor.  A slight uneven burn began about half way through the cigar.  In the back half of the 2^nd third it became a perfect marriage between sweet and spicy.  This was well worth the wait!  This was definitely my favorite point of the cigar. The burn began to correct itself as well.  The crazy part of this cigar is that the flavor of cumin began to hit the palate.  The spice and sweetness was rolled into a very smooth flavor.  The flavor of Hungarian paprika came to my palate.

Final third

Again, smooth sweet spice filled my palate and my sinus.  The front and forward sides of my tongue were watering.  The back side of my tongue was definitely picking up spices.   Cocoa sweetness could be found.  The sweetness definitely faded into a spice flavor as the final third rolled on.  A tobacco flavor also came back into play in the final third of the cigar.  The final 1 ¼ inch was not burning hot at all.  The cigar definitely gave flavor until the bitter end.

Overall

A carousel of spice and sweetness is definitely the best way to describe he cigar.  It was a full bodied cigar that tried to bully the flavors onto your palate.  I was not anything extraordinary, the burn was ok, and the mixture of flavors seemed simple enough.  A spice with a flare of sweetness was achieved, but the cigar was nothing too profound.  Honestly, like a carousel after a couple times around the excitement was over.  Once the carousel stopped I was not aching for another go around.  If you wan a full bodied cigar without a massive amount of complexity this fit the bill.  Keep your ride tickets and enjoy the teacups.

Jester says 13/19

Mojito's Cigar Lounge

If you live in the northern part of the Phoenix Valley, check out Mojito's Cigar Lounge!  

www.mojitocigarlounge.com/

Mojito's is my favorite place to kick back, play cards and enjoy a good stick.  The staff is friendly and extremely knowledgeable.  They take the time to get to know their customers by name.  They even know what type of cigars you like and make excellent recommendations.  They are located on the Carefree Highway, just West of Cave Creek Rd.

OMAR SAYS: 19/19

JESTER!

Will somebody kindly tell Jester he is behind on his posts!?  No excuses, my friend!

601 Serie Green Habano Oscuro Tronco 5"x52

Looking at this cigar, I was itching to fire this puppy up!  The oily Nicaraguan Habano wrapper had me anticipating and rich, tasty smoked filled with mouth watering spices.  I was not disappointed!  I used a shallow medium punch, just enough to cut through the cap.  After toasting the end, I was beaming with joy when I took the first few puffs.  A soothing smoke filled my mouth with a mixture of spice and nuts.  


First Third

The spiciness of this stick was soothing.  Nothing overpowering, but an intensity you could feel throughout your mouth and nose.  the flavor bursts into your mouth, but teases you into believing your going to be overwhelmed.  However, the balance of the cigar did not let this happen.  The entire first third was a consistent, pleasant spiciness mixed with a nutty hint on the back end.


Second Third


Again, a great balance of spice and nuttiness.  Not much of a drastic change here.  She mellowed out a little bit but still maintained that nice balance.  The middle third had a soothing flavor and gave a certain creaminess that had a nice calming effect on me.  This part of the 601 was my favorite.  












Final Third


The cigar picked up the pace in the final third ... put seat belts on your taste buds, they are in for a great ride! The final third eased into a very rich smoke with bold spiciness and a hint of nuts.  I was pleasantly surprised at this point.  As rich and bold as it was, there was no hint of harshness.  I smoked it down to the nub, when the spice and creaminess left ... it was over.


Overall


I really enjoyed this cigar.  A great blend of spice, nuts and creaminess.  This cigar is full flavored throughout, yet soothing and relaxing.  This cigar would pair well with a good Bourbon, Bookers on the rocks would be my choice, after a good filet mignon dinner.  I will definitely have this stick again to see if I can pick up the leather and wood flavors I have read about in other reviews ... maybe I should have two or three or four more before I comment on my review!


OMAR SAYS: 17/19

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My Father Le Bijou 1922

My Father Le Bijou 1922

6 ½ x 52 Toro

Looking at this cigar gives you a small sense of security.  It lulls you into thinking your in for a mellow sweet aromatic cigar.  The wrapper is Pelo de Oro, which gives you a interesting story for you to research on your own.  There were small veins in it, but did not affect the burn at all.  I drank water with it to fully get the flavor of the cigar.

1^st Third

I used a large punch and toasted the end before lighting.  Upon lighting this stick, I noticed nothing special about it.  It had a rich tobacco flavor with no distinguishable after tones.  The stick smokes well with an easy draw.  The wrapper had a pleasant taste on my tongue.  In the middle of the first third, the pepper and cocoa flavors started to come through.  It was a mild pepper taste.  It had a good combination of pepper, cocoa and tobacco.  Simply stated, soothing and relaxing.  As for a transition to the second third, the cocoa started to fade and the pepper began to dominate the palate.

2^nd Third

During the second third, the pepper flavor transitioned into a chili pepper flavor as the cocoa began to fade.  As the chili pepper flavor came through, it reminded of the lingering pepper flavor about 15 minutes after a good Mexican meal.  Pleasant peppery after tones lingered and intensified throughout this part.  As far as the transition to the final third … NONE!

Final Third

WOW!  Now there is definitely a spice to this cigar.  The flavor went from 0 to 320 in one draw.   Every draw gave me the bold flavor of spicy chili peppers, yes, habanera pepper style!  The main spice settled on the back of my upper lip.  This bold flavor lasted and lasted and lasted and then just as abruptly as it started … BOOM … gone.   Of course, this was at the nub.  She definitely let me know when she was finished.  It was like being in a top fuel dragster when the chutes open.

Overall

This is a cigar I would love to smoke again.  I would pair it with a very good sipping tequila (Corralejo or Cazadores are two of my favorites) after a good spicy Mexican steak.

Omar Says: 16/19

Our Introduction

This blog is all about two friends that just love to play cards, drink booze, beer and wine and, of course, love cigars.  We will not wow you with boring, stale cigar talk.  We are just two average Joe’s with nothing better to do … hence, Two idiots in the Backyard Reviewing Cigars.

All our reviews will come with a rating out of 19.  Why 19 you ask … because we have had too many hands of 19 in cribbage!  Feel free to comment on our blog.  We accept all criticism with a grain of salt.

Jester and Omar