Author: danielhonigman

(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)

Brand: CAO
Line: Vision
Vitola: Prana (Torpedo 6.25 x 52), Catalyst (Robusto 5 x 50)
Origin: Dominican
Wrapper: Domincan
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan, Brazilian
Body: Medium
Strength: Medium
Box Price: $320 (Box of 20)

I’m always for lighting up a much-hyped cigar. And few have been hyped more than the CAO Vision, Cigar Aficionado‘s #9-ranked cigar of 2007.

In the cigar blogosphere, CAO seems to have a reputation for flexing more marketing muscle than other companies. For the Vision, perhaps it’s justified.

It’s CAO’s first Dominican-made cigar, and it comes in some rather innovative packaging: a high-tech humidor complete with a built-in hygrometer, a digital display and neon blue LED lights. It’s an impressive-looking thingamajig, and the cigars are equally impressive.

The Vision has a veiny, four-year-old Dominican Corojo wrapper, an earthy, leathery scent, along with a good prelight draw. Both the Prana and Catalyst vitolas continued to draw extremely well as I smoked them down. They continued to taste earthy, but they smoothed out towards the middle, as hints of cream and roasted peanuts were added to the mix, probably from the aged wrapper. At the end, the Vision got a tad spicy, which I also enjoyed.

Verdict: The burns on these were even, but slow, so I smoked the Prana for almost two hours, and the Catalyst for about 80 minutes. The Vision is extremely consistent through these two vitolas — I didn’t try the Epiphany (Toro, 6 x 50) — but I think you’ll find it’s a pleasant cigar overall. With a price tag of $12-$16, it’s a good medium-bodied, special-occasion smoke.

Similar cigars: The Graycliff Crystal, which I’ll hopefully have a chance to review soon!

(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)

Brand: Bobalu Cigar Company
Line: Wedge
Vitola: Belicoso 6.5 x 50
Origin: United States
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Dominican
Body: Medium
Strength: Medium
Box Price: $105.00 (Box of 25)

Continuing on my recent string of independent and boutique cigar companies, the Bobalu Cigar Co. is a great story. Based in Austin, Texas, it’s a cigar shop that features about a dozen of its own lines, ranging from spicy Ecuadorian cigars to smoother Dominican stogies.

Bobalu seems to pride itself on the skill of its rollers, which are available for events. Most of the time, you can even watch them roll cigars at work on the Live RollerCam. Company manager John Haddad sent me out a few of his cigars to try, and the first one is the maduro Wedge.

Pre-smoke, you’ll notice the Wedge’s interesting shape. There’s something to be said about a cigar that naturally looks like it should hang, gangster-style, out of your mouth. You’ll find it smells nutty, mainly, with hints of chocolate.

The Wedge starts out spicy, but once it smoothed out, I found it was smooth and creamy, with a nutty aftertaste. It was so fragrant and tasty, I smoked it all the way to the nub. (The cigar’s shape helped me out with that one as well, but when Mollie, my girlfriend, comments on the cigar I happen to be smoking, that’s a good thing.)

Bobalu’s rollers did a good job with this one too. After a jagged burn to start, the Wedge corrected itself after about 3/4 of an inch, and I didn’t have to touch it up at all.

Verdict: If you like supporting local rollers, there’s nothing better than going with someone in the good ol’ U.S. of A. I really enjoyed this one, and I look forward to Bobalu’s other cigars.

Similar cigars: A stunt double for La Flor Dominican Double Ligero Maduro Chisel shape-wise, but it tastes like the Camacho SLR Maduro.

(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)

Brand: Nat Sherman
Line: Metropolitan Maduro Selection
Vitola: University (Toro) 6 x 50
Origin: Dominican
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Body: Medium-to-full
Strength: Medium-to-full
Box Price: $80.08 (Box of 25)

Last week, I reviewed the Nat Sherman Metropolitan Selection. To round out the Nat Shermans, I bring you its darker Sicilian cousin — or, in this case, its Connecticut Broadleaf-wrapped cousin — the Metropolitan Maduro. (Thanks to Mike from Nat’s.)

Pre-light, the cigar was as subtle as its cousins. It smelled a touch spicy, but not overwhelmingly so. In fact, I was struck by its sweetness. Upon lighting up, I noticed hints of cinnamon and oak, but as I progressed through the cigar, it got a bit peppery. But for a Broadleaf, I wasn’t hit in the face. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised; it is a Nat Sherman.

Like the other Nats, the construction was quite good. With Broadleaf wrappers, I’ve found, I’ll sometimes get uneven burns. The Maduro burned evenly and didn’t go out once.

Verdict: Like the Metropolitan and Host selections, the Maduro is consistent throughout. It’s not overly complex, and its sweetness enhances the taste, rounding out the sharpness you would expect from a maduro. But if you like your cigars dark, this one is not for you. It would be a good beginner’s stogie, however.

Similar cigars: I’d compare this to the Occidental Reserve Double Maduro.