Once active, the Black Corona burns at an even pace without the need for re-lighting or touch-ups. The solid white ash contrasts nicely with the cigar's dark wrapper, and the draw was easy. Cohiba delivers on its claim of the Black being a complex smoke, as it serves up many flavors for your palate. A lot of nutty flavor, similar to almonds, is present. There's also a good dose of an espresso flavor. The spice that was apparent in the cold taste comes and goes, and there are also some notes of leather. Dark chocolate adds a nice touch to the overall flavor. The Black Corona is a nice stick to have with a cup of coffee.

The Cohiba Black Corona is a worthwhile smoke. It doesn't knock my socks off, but it is a quality stick. It's solidly constructed, burns well, and offers some good flavors. This is definitely a cigar for full-bodied fans. Novices or those who enjoy milder selections should abstain from the Black Corona, as it could be too strong. As for the price, a single goes for around $10. While this may be a bit high for many to use the Black as a frequent favorite, it does suffice for special occasions every now and then. You can also find it in boxes of 25. The Cohiba Black Corona receives a satisfactory rating of three out of four stars.

Cupido Criollo Commemorative

Cupido is a boutique cigar company that manufactures cigars on a smaller scale than some industry giants. Cupido is Spanish for Cupid, which is an interesting choice as a name. I know that when I think of cigars, the last thing I think about is romance. As far as the Cupido Criollo line goes, it was originally introduced during the cigar boom of the 1990's, disappeared, and was re-introduced in 2008 by Cuban Crafters. Despite its absence, the Cupido Criollo has enjoyed success, earning acclaim in the past as the “Boutique Premium Cigar of the Year” and the “Top Medium-bodied Cigar in America.”

The Cupido Criollo Commemorative measures 5.5x54. It comes in other sizes as well: the 4.5x56 Corto, the 5x50 Revolucion, the 5.5x50 Doble, the 5.5x54 Campana, and the 7x50 Comandante. The Criollo Commemorative is a Nicaraguan puro. Its filler and binder is composed of Nicaraguan Cuban-seed Habano long-leaf tobacco. The cigar is finished off with a premium Nicaraguan Criollo wrapper. Considered mild to medium-bodied, the Commemorative is handmade in Esteli, Nicaragua. As a side note, Cupido box-pressed the cigar, giving it a unique shape, which will be discussed next.