Pre release review of the much anticipated Arganese Cigars CL3 and ML3!

[Arganese Cigars-cl]

CREDIT: Velvet Cigar

http://www.velvetcigar.net/?p=279

Velvet Cigar Exclusive: Arganese ML3

“The only cigar in the world to the third power!”. That’s the mantra of the new line of cigars coming out for this year’s IPCPR show from Arganese. The cigars are called the CL3 and the ML3…Corojo Ligero to the 3rd power and Maduro Ligero to the 3rd power respectively, and seem to be Gene Arganese’s answer to all the newer stronger cigars on the market today. If you’ve never had one of the original Arganese cigars, which offer a Maduro, a Nicaraguan wrapper, a Connecticut wrapper, a barber pole called the Double Wrap and their premium hard-to-find Uno; a Dominican puro…you’ve missed out. All their cigars are of fantastic quality and have equally impressive tastes. Iron and I were lucky enough to attend a couple of events here in Minnesota where the man himself, Gene Arganese, attended and debuted in pre-release form these two new sticks and I am convinced these will put Arganese officially on the map of homerun cigars if they weren’t already. And if you pick up this month’s Cigar Aficiando you will see an ad for these new beauties as well as a full page congratulating Arganese on winning the prestigious award for best tobacco crop of the past year…an award that has never been won by an American until now. In hearing Gene talk about his sticks and his factories and his processes, we could really see the passion he has for this business and also could tell how giddy he is about it all like a schoolboy..even though he’s been ramping up the business for the last five years.

There are already pre-orders of close to 10,000 boxes of these new MLs and CLs and the only reason the samples offered at the events were still considered pre-release is because they were draped with some very bright and goofy looking test bands and because, according to Gene, they still needed about 20 more days of aging to help out the draw and the burn. Well, all of this aside, the flavors are ready in my opinion and Gene just couldn’t help himself in teasing event goers with a whiff of the new cigars. I am going to review the ML3 because I am a maduro lover and honestly, the CL3 was just too strong for me. But then again, I blush at the 601 series and pretty much anything made by Don Pepin. But if you like those brands, the CL3 will be much to your liking and there’s a great story behind the blend that might bring some older smokers back to their younger days. Perhaps we will tackle that review soon as well.

The ML3 robusto sports a jet black wrapper much like CAO’s MX2 or one of my favs, the Partagas black. It has a nice oily sheen to it and when I asked Gene how he attained such a beautiful wrapper he explained that they actually cook the leaves in a patented old world style with secret ingredients which add to the flavor of the rich tobacco. The flavor booms out of this stick immediately upon lighting it up. Strong, earthy flavors with a sweeter backing on the finish and notes of espresso and dark chocolate once in awhile mark this cigar. There is a very short burst of heat that fills the palate with every puff but doesn’t linger at the back of the throat like so many new cigars on the market today. There is no need to start downing water or beer to put out the fire like your classic buffalo wing would cause you to do. Instead you gradually get the strength building in your head and stomach and it’s the perfect amount of kick you would crave after a big steak. I would even recommend bringing your Cab Sauv outside with you that was leftover from the meal to go with this stick. Trust me, you won’t drown out the flavor of this hearty smoke with any wine or Scotch…it stands up to any favorite liberation and compliments it well. Then again, if you like a sweeter beverage like white wine or anything and Coke, forget about it. This is a man’s man cigar and demands a man’s drink to go with it. I can’t remember a more balanced, yet powerful cigar I’ve ever had that could stand up to the ML3. Even with 20 days more to wait until these get released to the general public…or at least to the shops smart enough to pre-order….the draw and burn were perfect on the samples I brought home with me.

If you enjoy a ramped up cigar with intoxicating flavors and none of that annoying heat in the back of your throat, look for these on your shelves and tell your local shop to get them in ASAP! I would have to give this cigar the esteemed rating of 5 out of 5…this is a Velvet Couch cigar in the truest sense!

[tx_tuff]

I would like to give the CL3 a shot!

Hey Gene explain "that they actually cook the leaves in a patented old world style with secret ingredients which add to the flavor of the rich tobacco". Of course I don't want to know any secret ingredients but this is new to me. Never heard of cooking a wrapper with ingredients to give it a flavor or color unless it was a flavored cigar.

[Deuce Da Masta]

sounds great. cant wait to give em a try

[patefengreen]

Originally Posted by boomerd35

I've tried them, and they are both very good. Too bad I won't ever be buying any.

True dat! Ha ha I just noticed an attribution line for the article. How nice.

[Wingfan13-cl]

Originally Posted by boomerd35

I've tried them, and they are both very good. Too bad I won't ever be buying any.

Say wha ?

[alnpd-cl]

I second that! :imconfused:

Originally Posted by Wingfan13

Say wha ?

[boomerd35]

I can't say much on this board about my personal experience, but I can say there's more to the cigar business than just making a good tasting cigar.

[Stogie]

I think this is the cigar I smoked and it was strong. I liked the fact that the flavor was hard hitting.

[mhlatke]

Sounds like my taste - can't wait to give them a try!

[samsgrl28]

Originally Posted by tx_tuff

I would like to give the CL3 a shot!

Hey Gene explain "that they actually cook the leaves in a patented old world style with secret ingredients which add to the flavor of the rich tobacco". Of course I don't want to know any secret ingredients but this is new to me. Never heard of cooking a wrapper with ingredients to give it a flavor or color unless it was a flavored cigar.

Hey Frank,
Next time we see you, we will bring you some to try. They will still need a little aging on them. We brought back some from our trip there and don't mind passing on to a great BOTL. We can try and meet up sometime this weekend maybe even at Robusto's Sunday, we will have to see what's going on for sure. Let us know what's good for you.

[boomerd35]

Originally Posted by samsgrl28

We brought back some from our trip there

I asked Gene for some (which was after yall got back), but he told me they weren't ready yet.

[Cypress]

Originally Posted by boomerd35

I asked Gene for some (which was after yall got back), but he told me they weren't ready yet.

I honestly think the ones we have aren't fully ready either. I haven't even smoked one of the ones I have yet. I was wanting to let them sit a couple of months. I'll bring some the next time I see you that way you still won't be buying any.

[Doogie]

going to have to try these.

[tx_tuff]

Originally Posted by samsgrl28

Hey Frank,
Next time we see you, we will bring you some to try. They will still need a little aging on them. We brought back some from our trip there and don't mind passing on to a great BOTL. We can try and meet up sometime this weekend maybe even at Robusto's Sunday, we will have to see what's going on for sure. Let us know what's good for you.

Sunday would be best for me, and thanks But hey if we don't see you sunday its not like we never see each other LOL

[cruisin66stang]

I was with the group who visited Arganese in May and we had a chance to smoke some of the CL3's and ML3's. The CL3's appeared to be a finished product. All they needed was a little more aging. But I got the impression that Arganese were still working on the ML3 blend or had just finished the blend. We saw some of the trial blends where they had been working on the flavor and color (perfecting the secret ingredients). Both were very good cigars and I'm sure the final release will be even better.