6 1/8 x 52

Wrapper: San Andres Marron (Mexico)

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Honduras and Nicaragua

Here be another Altadis cigar with a brand name borrowed (in the loosest sense) from a traditional Cuban make. The original was created in the 40’s by Simon Palaez in the Pinar del Rio region and designed to be a discount, bargain smoke. Charles del Tedesco’s The Havana Cigar, (1997) lists only three sizes, and says each one is “for beginners.” Elsewhere I’ve read that they are considered to be a collector’s item due to their scarcity.

The Honduran variety may be considered a bargain cigar as well. Both the Natural and the Maduro fall in the 3 to 5 dollar range, and both are pretty decent cigars.

The Maduro is a square pressed, medium bodied, sweet smoke with a bite. Not a very nuanced cigar, but reasonable for the price. It starts out a little rough, and doesn’t get real friendly at any point. At the halfway point it picks up a musky element, which is a nice counterpoint to the sweet aroma. A short finish. Don’t think I would ever nub this one.

My only serious criticism of the belicoso is the construction: a loose roll, which I think may contribute to the bite, and an uneven burn which required three or four touch ups with a torch. (I haven’t had this problem with the toro.) But even with these flaws, at 3 bucks a pop it’s a good value everyday cigar.

4 x 42

Wrapper: Mexico (San Andres)

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian

I think this is a discontinued size, since Altadis USA does not list it. I think it may have also been called the “Petite No. 2.” It’s a tasty little treat when you’re pressed for time or just in the mood for a short smoke.

It fires up nicely and burns well with no construction issues. The wrapper is exceptional, a Mexican grown Cuban seed leaf — I’ve had bad luck with Mexican produced cigars, so maybe this is a good sign.

The flavor profile is toasty, with some nuts with a bit of spice. Since this is such a small cigar there isn’t much time for development. It pretty much ends where it started. I’ve noticed an unpleasant metallic tinge on other Platinums (and no, it’s not word association) but nothing like that on this little guy. If you can find these cheap, which you might because it looks like they’re closing them out, grab a few. Tins of four are their usual mode of transport.

The Felipe II Reserva “N” is a petite corona with a lot of heart. Made in Felipe Gregorio’s Nicaraguan factory with filler from the Condega and Jalapa regions, a binder from Esteli, and a shade grown Habana 92 wrapper, this is a mighty little smoke.

Especially nice at this time of year for those of us who are relegated to smoking in the great outdoors– big flavor in a ten to fifteen minute smoke. Long enough to enjoy the cigar, but not enough to succumb to hypothermia.

You might say that I have no grounds for complaint, seeing that I reside in the Mojave desert. And you would be right. I am in no danger of frostbite as I walk down Las Vegas Boulevard. But the nights can still drive the mercury down, sometimes as low as 35 degrees.
Okay, it’s not the battle of Stalingrad. But I do remember years ago when I lived in rural Minnesota — so I do know what real cold is. And if I had to pick a quick smoke to puff in the garage for ten minutes, this little 4.5 x 44 beauty is what I’d grab:

It’s a smooth, rich smoke with a nutty, creamy base and some coffee notes. No harshness to speak of, but if you get greedy it will in turn get a little bitter. Take your time and resist the urge to huff it. And to gild the lily, it’s reasonably priced.

Stay warm and fire one up!

The filler in the Cusano 18 line is reportedly 18 year old Dominican Oro. It was originally grown on an experimental basis by Hendrik Kelner, producer for Davidoff and many others, in an attempt to develop a Dominican wrapper leaf. Evidently that didn’t work out– according to an interview with Michael Chiusano in Smoke magazine they couldn’t roll a cigar longer than four inches with the resulting product. So after many years it found its way into the filler for the Cusano 18.

Both the binder and the wrapper are Connecticut Shade, and it’s a handsome wrapper, as you can see here:

There are spots of green which I wasn’t able to pick up with my camera (still working on that lighting thing.) Aside from that, it’s a truly gorgeous cigar.

It was given a very respectable 91 by Cigar Insider, and at around 3.00 US it’s also eminently affordable. I wouldn’t rate it as high as that, I’m afraid.
It starts out a little rough, and it has an aftertaste I don’t particularly care for. For a mild to medium bodied smoke the nicotine content is quite high. On the plus side, it burns evenly with a lovely aroma. Woody with a caramel overtone, and a little vanilla. There’s also a nice spice here. For three bucks it’s definitely worth a shot.

It sounds stupid to say these might improve with age, seeing that they’re made with 18 year old filler, but they still seemed a little young to me. I might put a few away as an experiment, mad scientist that I am…emphasis on the mad. If I can find a Paired Maduro version I’ll be a maduro scientist!

Bwaa haa haa!!!

… here comes my wife with the fire extinguisher again. Gotta run.