u/there_is-no-spoon

Pretty good. It didn't blow me away but it was a very good cigar. I might try another one before deciding if i like it enough to stock up. This one felt a little flat and I think another try might be different. I rested it for 42 days before smoking. The cigars in the shipment this came in have all been flat so I'm wondering if they were not stored well.

I was getting background notes of cream and caramel with some slight saltiness. Those were very nice flavors but they didn't pop the way I expected based on other reviews. Some pepper but very tame and easy to retro.

Very high quality smoke and enjoyable but I'd hope for a little better at this price point based just on this one experience.

Is this a typical thing or indicating anything? I have smoked this pipe about 5 times and never had this happen. I was smoking a bit quicker than my normal pace trying to squeeze in a smoke on lunch but the bowl wasn't hot at all and I didn't feel like i was smoking overly fast. It was towards the end of the bowl and I suddenly noticed my fingers were stained red where I was gripping the bowl.

Good cigar (obviously)

Lots of spice. The spice is very pleasant, not over powering or bitter. I could have done with the spice toning down at some point but it stayed pretty much in the forefront the entire time. Very tingly pepper that is an adventure in and of itself.

Lots of other flavors were popping in and out which made it interesting for sure. Mainly earth but not bitter or mineral. Some sweetness here and there. Some faint coco in the background at times but it wasn't chocolatey for me.

Mostly a spice bomb but very complex. I could see keeping one of these on hand but I don't think i would want this experience often. I'd prefer the thousand series for more frequent smoking, which works out because they are cheaper.

This was the last vitola in the Hemingway line sampler that I needed to try, well except for the 9" one, which i haven't really seen available.

I started with the short story in my sampler, then the best seller and work of art. After those three I wasn't really clicking with the blend and took a couple months off from them. Then I tried the Maduro work of art and really enjoyed that one and i figured the Maduro version of the Hemingway was where I needed to look if I wanted more of this blend.

However, last week I tried the Classic vitola and really liked that. Much more flavor than the smaller perfecto vitolas. It had way more flavor and really let the fermented Dominican tobacco shine. After enjoying the classic vitola so much, i figured the signature vitola would be the perfect size and since I'm looking to place an order that will include a Hemingway 5 pack, I wanted to verify the Signature was going to be my sweet spot.

I lit this cigar to verify this was going to be my choice in size for the order and after the first inch, I was convinced I was going to switch the Signature out of my cart for the Classic. The first inch was not doing it for me. But after I got a little further into the stick, the flavors really began to shine. The smaller ring gauge Hemingways really shined. Great Dominican tobacco fermented funk, nuts, cream and pure camaroon wrapper enjoyment. I think the classic was still a little more memorable but the Signature is an easier size to incorporate in the day so I'm still a little split on which one to go with but I'm leaning towards getting the Classic.

My ranking on the Hemingway line basically starts with the Classic and Signature at the top and then the smaller perfectos I guess in order from largest to smallest. The short story didn't really impress me with its vitola so the larger ones I guess I like better for a little more smoke time.

Macanudo Café Hyde Park

What a delicious Connecticut. This inexpensive cigar could hold its own against Connecticuts costing considerably more.

The first third started with just a really good tobacco flavor supported by cream, nuts, a touch of leather, and a sharp hay spice that I really enjoy. There was plenty of flavor and character despite being a mild cigar.

The second third was the highlight. The sharp hay moved into the background and the profile became creamy and nutty with a wonderful earthy, fermented tobacco note adding depth and body. Some natural tobacco sweetness also began to build. Just a really satisfying combination of flavors.

The final third sputtered a little. Some of the earlier notes popped in and out, including the return of the sharp hay, although it tasted a little more stale than fresh at this point. There were also some blank draws where not much flavor came through. That's not a big issue for me considering how enjoyable the first two thirds were. If anything, now I know I can happily set one down a little early when I don't feel like having a longer smoke.

The Café Hyde Park has tons of flavor and character, and I'd put it up against much more expensive Connecticuts without hesitation. Definitely one I'll be smoking again.

This is the second vitola I've tried this blend in. It's very good but I think the Toro is better for me. This didn't quite get as sweet as the larger vitola did but it had the same rich flavors. Caramel, nuts, spice and leather with a great retro. I think the Toro brought some more chocolate sweetness where this vitola was a little more leather and spice with the sweet and salty nuts and caramel.

I really like this blend. I'm kinda intrigued by the Grande as I'm wondering if the filler is bringing some of those chocolate notes that i found in the larger ring gauge Toro. This Corona Gorda was still very enjoyable though.

I've become a big Foundation fan after about a half a year of going strong on cigars. I was really anticipating trying this stick and it was pretty good. My rating 90

Very nice dark flavors throughout. Dark earth, espresso, faint chocolate and a slight salty note that came and went. Spice was pretty mid for me and I retroed almost every draw. No bitterness or mineral notes. Not much of a noticeable transition but the very end was very flavorful, perhaps the most flavorful spot. Makes me interested in trying a larger vitola.

It really checked all the boxes for me but I think there's even more there that I can find when I revisit this blend. Maybe a little more age or I might try dry boxing my dark cigars because I think a few lately were a little muted. This one I waited 31 days in my 65rh 67 degree humidor before lighting it up. I have 4 more so I might try dry boxing one and I'm sure I'll let one get some more age on it before lighting it up. I can tell it's an excellent stick but I was a little surprised it didn't fully blossom. I'll be on the lookout for other vitola as well to see how that impacts the experience.

Honestly I was optimistic that it would be a little better than it was for me. 90 is my arbitrary line where I say it's a stick I'd seek out so this is in that category, but I'm going to need another one at least to decide if this is a box worthy or just a couple in the humi

I got a Hemingway sampler with the various vitolas. I started with the short story a few months ago and worked my way up. The short story, best seller and work of art were all very average for me and didn't do much. However, the work of art Maduro was great. I skipped the signature and went right the the Classic today, which is the one pictured.

This vitola was great for me. I got a really pleasant nutty note that shifted into roasted nuts and cream. Very enjoyable. I'm wondering if this vitola was the differences. More wrapper ratio maybe.

My palate may have evolved as well though. When I had the smaller ones it was in between a lot of dark Nicaraguan cigars and they may have just seemed washed out with my palate at the time. This one is also a couple more months old which puts it at a little over 4 months in my humidor.

I'm looking forward to the signature now to see if that vitola holds up as well as this one.

I decided to take a stroll through my Connecticut blends since dark cigars were blowing out my palete.

I liked both of these but the Elegancia was really good. They are similar in that they have a little spice, especially in the beginning and then smooth out to some great sweet/creamy/nutty flavors.

The Elegacia was a great cigar with lots in interesting notes providing a lot of complexity. I was getting hay and some pepper with sweet fruit and floral notes coming in and out to keep it very interesting.

The Champagne was pretty good as well but not as complex and flavorful. The Champagne construction was not as good as the Elagancia either and I had some burn issues with an inconsistent draw. I'd put it on par with a Camacho Connecticut which is also pretty good.

Dang. This wasn't very good for me. Lots of dark mineral earth stomping on all the flavors. I could tell there were more subtle sweet notes but they were very hard to activate with the dark bitter note that was like a dark cloud hovering over this blend.

Rested it for 65 days. I have 4 more. Guess I'll sit on them for a while and see if that mineral note chills out.

I didn't get the "chocolate lava cake" but there was a subtle salted caramel flavor that was on the brink of showing up. I was hoping that mineral earth would smooth out in the 2nd and final third but it never went away.

It looked gorgeous and the construction was pretty good, maybe a little tight on the draw but nothing i couldn't live with. If i ever send someone a cigar bomb I'll be sure to throw one of these in lol

Southern Draw Manzanita Robusto

Rest: 41 days | 65% RH | 67°F

Smoke Time: 2 hours

Rating: 89/100

The Southern Draw Manzanita Robusto made an excellent first impression before it was ever lit. The brown wrapper carried a subtle reddish tint, the cigar felt exceptionally firm in the hand, and the construction was outstanding from start to finish. That firm pack translated into a long, slow two-hour smoke.

The opening was decidedly pepper-forward, but after the first inch the cigar settled down and revealed a much richer personality. A satisfying leather note emerged alongside an occasional floral sweetness that drifted in and out of the profile. As the first third progressed, a natural Habano sweetness developed, followed by roasted nuts that added another layer of complexity.

The second third was easily the highlight of the cigar. The pepper retreated well into the background, allowing a creamy, rich sweet tobacco note to take center stage. The sweetness reminded me less of sugar and more of naturally sweet, well-aged tobacco, with hints of brown sugar woven into the profile. Leather remained the foundation while roasted nuts and warm baking spices rounded everything out. The finish carried a pleasant lingering sweetness that made each puff enjoyable and encouraged the next.

The final third held together well. The baking spices became a little more noticeable again, while additional floral and lightly fruity notes appeared to add another layer of complexity. It never became harsh or flat, and the balance remained enjoyable through the end of the smoke.

Overall, this is a well-made Habano that continues to reveal new flavors throughout the experience. It rewards patience, evolving from an assertive, peppery opening into a richer and more balanced profile built around sweet tobacco, leather, roasted nuts, and baking spices. While I enjoyed the cigar and appreciate its complexity, it didn't quite grab me emotionally the way a 90-point cigar needs to. I have four more resting in the humidor, and there's certainly room for this score to improve with additional smoking and more age. For now, though, it lands at 89/100—a cigar I'd gladly reach for when I'm looking for a flavorful Habano and a change of pace, even if it falls just short of my "stock up" category.

Great morning smoke for me. I grabbed a 5 pack and glad I did.

Starts out with that bright hay note that I look for in a Connecticut cigar. The sharp hay provides enough spice to wake up the palate early in the morning with a cup of coffee.

The second half smooths out and brings in a creamy note that pushes the sharp hay to second fiddle but still stays flavorful enough to keep your interest.

Smoked about an hour. Pretty much the perfect experience in the morning. Good traditional Connecticut flavor that doesn't get washed out at the end and the perfect amount of smoke time to keep the morning productive. Will keep on hand, especially at the reasonable price point you can find these at.

My Father Serie JJ Toro (6 x 54)

Rest: 106 days | 65% RH | 67°F

Smoke Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Rating: 87/100

The My Father Serie JJ Toro made a strong first impression with its handsome light brown wrapper and excellent construction. The cold draw offered a sweet bran note that hinted at some underlying sweetness before lighting.

The opening was unmistakably Corojo. Cedar and layers of baking spice dominated the first third, gradually leaning into a clove-like spice that created a slight numbing sensation on my tongue. At times, that spice reminded me of citrus peel, adding an interesting aromatic quality. While I appreciated what the blend was doing, that particular profile has never been one of my favorites. It was more intriguing than enjoyable for my palate. The retrohale, however, remained surprisingly pleasant despite the amount of spice.

The second third was the highlight of the cigar. The clove character backed off, allowing a rich leather note to emerge alongside a touch of natural sweetness. The spice also evolved, shifting from clove toward cinnamon, creating a more balanced and satisfying profile. This is where the cigar really found its stride. One thing I appreciated throughout the smoke was that it never became boring. Instead of flattening out, it continued to introduce new flavors and kept my attention.

Moving into the final third, a subtle nutty note joined the mix while the leather, cinnamon, and sweetness remained. There weren't any dramatic transitions, but the cigar continued adding layers rather than losing them.

Overall, the Serie JJ is a flavorful and well-crafted Corojo that showcases the wrapper's classic character. While I respect what it offers, the clove-forward spice profile simply doesn't align with my personal preferences as much as other blends. The second half was considerably more enjoyable than the first, but not enough to completely overcome my reservations. Fans of traditional Corojo cigars will likely appreciate this blend more than I did. For me, it earns a solid 87/100.

Ave Maria Immaculata Toro

60 days rest | 65% RH | 67°F

Smoke Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Rating: 90

This cigar surprised me. The opening immediately reminded me of cigars like the Ashton Classic and The Griffin's with a bright cedar that quickly transitioned into a sharp hay note. A pleasant white pepper lingered on the back of the throat while a sweet cream note kept everything in balance. It was a Connecticut with some attitude.

About an inch in, the cigar really found its stride. The spice became richer and smoother, and the flavors became more defined. The second third was the highlight of the smoke as the hay moved into the background, the sweet cream became more prominent, and a wonderful fresh baked bread note emerged, replacing the earlier toasted tobacco character. The balance was excellent, and every puff was enjoyable.

The final third mellowed, but it never completely lost its identity. The flavors softened while remaining bright and pleasant, doing just enough to avoid becoming generic. I found myself wishing for a little more intensity at the end, which makes me think the Robusto may be the ideal size for this blend.

Overall, this is the kind of Connecticut I enjoy because it has enough character to be satisfying at the end of the day, not just with a morning coffee. It's balanced, refined, and evolves nicely throughout the smoke. I'll definitely smoke it again, and next time I'll probably reach for the Robusto to see if the shorter format keeps those peak flavors front and center. 90/100.

Acquiring the harbor freight light on the weekend sale got me looking for a rig to put it on. Coincidentally I had a cgw ultra-lite kit that I had been putting off installing in this SP-01. So I decided to get this into working shape.

Got the trigger breaking every pull at 4.5 lbs on single action but we'll see what a few hundred rounds does for it. I forgot to measure it before the install but it's noticeably lighter in dual and single action.

This is one heavy som bitch though. I haven't loaded this thing and topped off the +1 yet but I'm imagining that will be impressive. I think this is already the pistol I shoot best but this heavy ass light on the front end should make it even more flat shooting. For some reason the way the trigger breaks in my hand it seems to stay perfectly on target. Rapid fire should be pretty fun.

I grabbed the apache pistol case also and this seems like the perfect travel setup the case for.

Nica Libre Toro

This cigar pleasantly surprised me. I picked these up during a CI deal for around $3–4 each, expecting a decent yard gar, but it turned out to be much more enjoyable than I anticipated.

It's a nice medium-bodied Maduro with notes of coffee, chocolate, and earth, along with enough transitions to keep things interesting. I wasn't planning to review it, so I didn't take detailed notes, but it definitely delivered more complexity than I expected at this price point.

I reached for it after smoking the My Father The Judge, Ashton VSG, and Man O' War Armada over the weekend because I wanted something a little milder. Ironically, I may have enjoyed this one more than all three of those cigars.

Part of that is probably due to expectations. I expected a solid budget smoke and got a cigar that overperformed. But even taking that into account, I think the Nica Libre has earned a place in my regular rotation over those other three. It's an excellent value in my opinion.

Ashton VSG Robusto

Rest: 55 days at 65% RH, 67°F

Smoke Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Rating: 8.9/10

The Ashton VSG has long been regarded as one of the premier full-bodied cigars on the market, so I was eager to finally spend some time with it. After a 55-day rest, it delivered exactly what I expected in terms of refinement, even if it stopped just short of becoming a personal favorite.

The cigar made a great first impression with its elegant appearance. The cold draw was fairly neutral, but the first few puffs immediately revealed a rich, dark, refined tobacco profile. It actually reminded me of the Ashton Esquire Maduro cigarillos I've enjoyed, only with more complexity and polish.

The first third featured rich tobacco supported by cedar and leather. While there wasn't much sweetness initially, and I generally gravitate toward sweeter profiles, the overall refinement of the blend made that easy to overlook. Every puff felt balanced and composed rather than aggressive.

As the second third developed, the cigar became even smoother. A subtle natural tobacco sweetness began to emerge, tying everything together nicely. The retrohale was one of the highlights of the experience: incredibly smooth, flavorful, and effortless. The VSG delivered deep, dark tobacco flavor without ever feeling like it was trying to overpower my palate, and that's something I really appreciated.

The final third stayed true to the rest of the cigar. It remained elegant, satisfying, and consistent, never losing its balance or becoming harsh. While I kept waiting for a dramatic jump in complexity or a true "wow" moment, the cigar instead chose consistency over fireworks.

Construction was pretty good throughout the entire one hour and forty-five minute smoke. Smoke production was excellent although there were a few burn issues with uneven burn and canoeing. Nothing that impacted the experience though.

In the end, I came away impressed by the VSG's elegance and refinement. It's a cigar I genuinely enjoyed and one I'd happily smoke again. That said, it didn't quite reach my personal benchmark of a 9.0, the point where I actively start looking to stock a cigar deep in the humidor. I still have a couple more resting, and I wouldn't be surprised if a future revisit changes my opinion. For now, it's a very satisfying, exceptionally well-made cigar that earns my respect, even if it falls just shy of becoming a regular purchase.

Final Rating: 8.9/10

40% off today on these. Got both out the door for $60.

My Father The Judge Corona Gorda

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra

Rest: 117 days at 65% RH, 67°F

Smoke Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Rating: 8.4/10

My Father has built a reputation for producing bold, flavorful cigars, so I was excited to finally spend some time with The Judge. While I respected its quality, this one ultimately didn't align with my personal palate.

The cigar opened with a stout, satisfying tobacco profile that immediately caught my attention. Interestingly, it reminded me of Sir Walter Raleigh pipe tobacco, not because it tasted the same, but because it shared that honest, naturally sweet tobacco character. Since I've started smoking a pipe, I've found myself appreciating the flavor of quality tobacco itself much more, and The Judge certainly delivered that. Medium spice and a pleasant retrohale rounded out the opening, while notes of leather and mixed nuts added some welcome complexity.

Unfortunately, the second third is where the cigar lost momentum for me. The leather and nut notes gradually disappeared, leaving behind a predominantly stout tobacco flavor. It never became unpleasant, but it also never found the sweetness or additional layers I kept hoping would emerge. The profile felt more linear than I expected.

The final third improved slightly, with a bit of sweet tobacco returning, but it largely followed the same path as the middle section. By the end, I appreciated the quality of the tobacco, but I was left wanting more balance and complexity.

Construction was excellent from start to finish. The draw and burn were effortless, and after taking a closer look, I noticed the wrapper had a nice fine tooth that gave the cigar a rugged, attractive appearance.

In the end, I can absolutely understand why many smokers enjoy The Judge. If you love a cigar centered on rich, natural tobacco with restrained spice, this may be right up your alley. For my palate, though, I prefer cigars that pair that quality tobacco with more sweetness, cream, cocoa, baking spice, or other evolving flavors. The Judge is a well-made cigar that I respect, but it's not one I'll be seeking out again.

Final Rating: 8.4/10

Ashton Cabinet Pyramid

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade

Binder: Dominican Republic

Filler: Dominican Republic

Rested: 53 days at 65% RH, 67°F

Smoke Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

The Ashton Cabinet Pyramid made a terrific first impression. The smooth, golden Connecticut Shade wrapper is elegant, the pyramid shape is beautifully executed, and the ornate presentation fits the premium reputation of the Cabinet line. I made a slight angled straight cut to preserve the tapered cap, and the cold draw greeted me with a sweet hay aroma that promised a refined morning smoke.

The opening delivered exactly that. Sweet vanilla cream and fresh hay immediately stood out, creating a mouthwatering combination that was delicate yet surprisingly complex. It was obvious from the first few puffs that this cigar wasn't chasing strength, it was built around finesse and balance. As a morning cigar, the profile felt perfectly appropriate.

As the cigar settled into the second third, however, the flavors became even more restrained. The vanilla cream, hay, and subtle tangy sweetness remained, but they gradually softened into the background. The smoke became exceptionally smooth, though I found myself wishing the flavors would become more expressive rather than more delicate. I even increased my smoking cadence to see if the blend would reveal additional depth. Aside from an occasional hint of spice, the flavor intensity remained largely unchanged.

The final third brought a welcome touch of mild white pepper that added a little more definition, but it wasn't enough to significantly change the overall profile. The cigar remained elegant, refined, and impeccably smooth from beginning to end.

Where the Ashton Cabinet truly excelled was its craftsmanship. The draw was effortless, the burn stayed razor straight, and the ash was outstanding throughout the entire hour and a half. From a construction standpoint, it was about as flawless as a cigar can be.

I've come to genuinely appreciate mild cigars, especially in the morning, but this one ultimately landed just below my preferred level of flavor intensity. The first inch was easily my favorite, when the sweet vanilla cream and hay were at their most vibrant. As the cigar progressed, those flavors became increasingly muted, leaving me wanting just a little more presence without asking for more strength.

I still have two more Ashton Cabinets waiting in the humidor (another Pyramid and a #8) so I'm interested to see whether a different vitola changes the experience. Based on this first impression, though, I don't see myself actively pursuing this blend in the future. For my palate, there are other Connecticut-wrapped cigars, including the Ashton Classic and The Griffin's, that deliver the same elegance while offering a little more flavor intensity.

Rating: 8.7/10