Author: danielhonigman

(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)

Brand: Fittipaldi
Line: Gold
Vitola: Toro 6 x 50
Origin: Dominican
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Body: Medium
Strength: Medium
Box Price: $151.69 (Box of 25)

I happened to be doing a search recently for small, independent cigar brands, when I ran into this one. I had never heard of Fittipaldi Cigars before, but I figured I’d give it a try.

Since they’re named for Emerson Fittipaldi, one of the top Formula One drivers of the 20th century, it was no surprise to learn these cigars are mainly sold in Europe. (He was F-1 world champion twice in the 1970s, and he even won the Indianapolis 500 twice during the 90s.) In 1997, after his career was over, Fittipaldi, a longtime cigar smoker, teamed up with cigar maker Augusto Reyes, who would oversee Fittipaldi’s stogie production. (Thanks to Josh at Arango Cigar Co. in nearby Northbrook, Ill., for sending me this one; Arango oversees Fittipaldi distribution in the U.S.)

The Fittipaldi Gold a handsome cigar; it’s not toothy, and it has a good-looking band that features dual checkered flags. Pre-light, I noticed the Gold was a complex cigar, as it was chocolaty, with hints of cinnamon. I know I’d be in for a wild ride.

Once I lit up, I noticed the cinnamon went away. The chocolate stayed, and it was joined by hints of leather and coffee. I was quite pleased by the cigar’s complexity.

The Fittipaldi Gold had an awesome draw, feel and burn, but I noticed the ash kept falling off after about an inch and a half or so. Perhaps this isn’t a big deal to you, but I’m an ash-hole; I like to see how big my butt can get. This, I can honestly say, was the only disappointing part of the cigar.

Verdict: Complex, complex smoke. Tasty, and good. It’s a bit hard to find in the states, but it’s worth digging around for a couple.

Similar cigars: The Connecticut/Dominican version of a Carlos Torano Exodus 1959. (I just love those Chocolate flavors!)

(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)

Brand: Nat Sherman
Line: Metropolitan Selection
Vitola: University (Toro) 6 x 50
Origin: Dominican
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Body: Medium-to-full
Strength: Medium-to-full
Box Price: $79.95 (Box of 25)

Next up for Nat Sherman: its Metropolitan line. (Thanks, once again, to Mike Holba from Nat’s for sending me this one.)

The Metropolitan is one of Nat’s best-selling lines, and I can see why. It’ll start you off with a nice toasty flavor, but as you progress through the cigar, you’ll get hints of coffee a touch of spice. It’s not as sweet as its brother, the Host; it’s a bit more balanced, and quite sophisticated.

I did notice, however, that one of the Metropolitans started to fall apart towards the head, mainly around the band. The second Metropolitan I smoked, however, did not.

Verdict: Once again, a consistent smoke throughout with the taste of a slightly more expensive cigar. I paired this one with a Stella Artois — I like some cigars with beer; sue me — as it’s a good smoke to have after a heavy dinner. (I stay away from heavy, heavy smokes after big meals.) As I said earlier, there were some structural issues with one of the cigars, but you may find there aren’t any. Either way, I wouldn’t let this scare me from buying a few.

Similar cigars: I’d compare this to the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real.

(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)

Brand: Nat Sherman
Line: Host Selection
Vitola: Harrington (Corona) 6 x 46
Origin: Honduran
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran
Body: Mild-to-medium
Strength: Mild
Box Price: $74.95 (Box of 25)

Man, it’s been a while since I’ve smoked a Nat Sherman Host. These take me back five years, to the summer after my freshman year of college. I used to stop by here perhaps once a week to pick up a couple of stogies for the week. It’s amazing what can happen in five years, no? (I’ll be reviewing each of the company’s three main lines over the next several weeks. Thanks to Mike Holba from Nat’s for sending them out to me.)

Nat Sherman, located near the main branch of the New York Public Library in Manhattan (remember that building at the very beginning of Ghostbusters? That’s the one.), is one of the oldest tobacconists in the city. The store has been open for a while, but for me, the brand has always had a certain allure and classiness about it. Speaking of which, former president Bill Clinton is known to have enjoyed a Trafalgar No. 4 every once in a while. (Consequently, Monica may have as well…)

Anyhow, the Host is a handsome cigar, smooth in texture, with Nat’s Sherman signature clock adorning its red, green and gold band.

Taste-wise, it’s a mild-bodied cigar, but it doesn’t fall short in flavor. It’s sweet–almost caramel-flavored–but not overpoweringly so, and after about an inch or so, I noticed hints of almond. The sweet and nutty flavors continued all the way down the cigar and, if anything, I noticed the cigar got even sweeter into the second half.

The Host had a steady, even burn and a full draw throughout, and I didn’t have to relight the cigar. The Harrington, which is a Corona-sized cigar, took me about an hour and a half to finish.

Verdict: It’s a consistent smoke throughout with the taste of a five- or six-dollar cigar. At only a couple of bucks apiece, however, the Host is one of the better deals you’ll find in New York. I’d pair this one with a cup of coffee, as it’s a stellar morning smoke. I smoked it down to the nub. You probably will too.

Similar cigars: Almost A dead ringer for the Macanudo Gold.

(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)

Brand: CAO
Line: Black VR
Vitola: Moby (Toro) 6 x 50
Origin: Honduran
Wrapper: Brazilian
Filler: Nicaraguan, Mexican
Body: Full
Strength: Full
Box Price: $116 (Box of 20)

A little while ago, I reviewed the CAO Black for CigarJack. Now, it’s time for its younger sibling, the CAO Black VR. Once again, Steve from Cigars International came through with this one.

The CAO Black VR is a good-looking cigar. Everything from the band, to the cigar’s oily sheen, all the way down to the extra Jackson Pollock-esque band at the opposite end of the cigar. (Then again, I don’t think I’ve ever seen an ugly CAO.)

When I lit into the stogie, it floored me with a nice 1-2 punch of a full body and a signature maduro spicyness — something I’m used to getting halfway into the cigar. I kept puffing away, a bit nervous about what the rest of the cigar had in store for me.

Then, a funny thing happened: the Black VR mellowed out a bit, giving the Brazilian wrapper a chance to sweeten the deal for me–literally. I got some hints of chocolate and leather, but as I continued, the stogie’s complexity continued to impress me.

Once again, even burn, nice white ash. A good all-around cigar.

Verdict: I enjoyed the Black VR; however, this cigar isn’t for everyone, as it doesn’t strike me as a “traditional” maduro. If I’m smoking a cigar this dark, I tend to enjoy bigger ring gauges, something this line doesn’t offer.

Similar cigars: Partagas Black

(Note: This review originally appeared on CigarJack.)

Brand: CAO
Line: Black
Vitola: Gothic (Torpedo) 6 x 52
Origin: Nicaraguan
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran, Mexican
Body: Medium
Strength: Medium
Box Price: $118 (Box of 20)

It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve posted a review, but I’m glad to be back!

Steve from Cigars International sent me a few of the CAO Black and CAO Black VR (stay tuned for that review later) stogies to check out. (Thanks, Steve!)

Now one of the top brands in the industry, Nashville-based CAO really started on what would become its road to fame in the mid-90s, when the company released the Black. After smoking this, you’ll be able to see why the company became a hit.

As you can see, it’s a good-looking cigar. When packed, it’s wrapped in a thin slice of cedar wood, but after peeling back the cedar, I noticed the wrapper was especially smooth.

Upon lighting up, the cigar had a very even draw and produced a ton of smoke. The Black tasted sweet and nutty at first, but as I continued smoking, it turned a bit spicy…cedary too. (Although that could’ve just been from the way it was wrapped.) All in all, the CAO Black throws a lot of different flavors at you, but I found that it’s a good, well-balanced smoke.

Now about its structure. With many of my past CAO smokes, I’ve noticed they all burn quite evenly and have solid, white ash. The Black is no different; it’s solidly-constructed and is a low-maintenance cigar.

Verdict: Nice medium-bodied, complex smoke. I’d certainly smoke the CAO Black again!

Similar cigars: Rocky Patel Vintage 1999