With the temperatures hovering in the 105 degree range after a weekend that was even hotter, I find myself gravitating toward smaller cigars. If I can manage to sneak out late at night, a larger cigar is still worth contemplating, but during the week that’s not so easy to accomplish. So I’ve been smoking the little guys, or the first half of cheaper cigars like the Pirate’s Gold that are only good for the first half anyway.
The London Club measures 5 x 40 and comes in an Ecuadoran grown wrapper in the EMS or a Connecticut Broadleaf maduro. The binder in both EMS and maduro is Connecticut broadleaf, and the filler is a combination of Honduran, Nicaraguan, and Dominican piloto cubano. Now how they get all that into a cigar with a 40 ring gauge (if in fact they do), I’m not sure.
A pretty cigar it is not — but good looks are not really a priority here. if you’re out on the town trying to impress the crowd with a $1.50 petite corona, you might want to reconsider your choice of cigar.
The roll on this stick is firm to the touch, and the prelight draw is a little tight. It lights up easily on a single match and opens with a strong taste of sweet rich maduro. There’s plenty of smoke here despite its diminutive stature. After a few puffs the taste becomes a little grassy with some earthy tones.
I sometimes find myself pulling a little hard and little too often on smaller cigars. The end result is a hot burn and an inferior taste. Smoked properly, puffing once or twice a minute, this cigar should last a good half hour and taste like it should. The foundation of earth and grass will become bitter and overly tannic if smoked too quickly.
The London Club is made in Cofradia, Honduras in the Honduras American Tobacco S.A. (HATSA/Villazon) factory, as are the other classic Villazon cigars like the Hoyo de Monterrey, Bolivar, et al.
This little guy has all the same flavor as its big brothers, and nearly as good construction. I’ve had a few in the past with very tight draws, but recently they’ve been much better. I prefer the maduro in this size, but both flavors are decent cigars, if just a little bit temperamental. Be kind to them, and they’ll be kind to you.
Cigarfan.net 
I think you hit the nail on the head with regards to smoking these smaller stogies. I think folks (me included) tend to think everything is at least a 50 ring and draw accordingly. Sometimes I wonder if the tough draw is actually due to me drawing too hard on it. But you’re definitely correct that you have to be a little more gentle and patient with these smaller stogies. Great review as always!
Good review – this guy reminds me of the Punch Elite Maduro. Its pretty much my everyday smoke. For only 2.75 a stick it burns incredibly well, has a good draw and can last up to an hour or more, depending on how well its lit. Try them if you haven’t.