Don Kiki Red Label Toro (the original 5 Vegas blend) Review

[craigchilds]

Don Kiki Red Label Toro
Size: 6 x 52
Tobacco: Nicaraguan Puro
Price: $4 (retail), $1.80 (online)

Henry Kiki Berger is well known in the cigar industry for creating a completely vertically integrated company. He owns the tobacco fields, the rolling factories, and controls his own sales and distribution. In particular, his Don Kiki Brown and Cuban Crafters brands consistently get good reviews at sites like StogieGuys.com and ClubStogie.com. I bought a bundle of Don Kiki Reds during a sale at Berger's site http://www.cubancrafters.com

Even though the Don Kiki Reds do not seem to get the same sort of praise and attention as his more expensive lines, Berger claimed in this May 2006 interview that it is his favorite cigar. But what caught my attention was the snippet about the relationship between 5 Vegas and Red Label. Berger resurrected 5 Vegas (an old Cuban brand) in Esteli, Nicaragua in the 1990’s during the Cigar Boom. 5 Vegas was eventually moved to the La Aurora factory, but Kiki continues to sell his blend under the private label Don Kiki Red. (There is also a Green, a Brown , and a White in the line).

I've smoked about 20 of the 25 cigars in the bundle. They are all very ugly, with veiny, bumpy wrappers. They all share a nice peppery aroma. But in terms of flavor-- well, this cigar is consistently inconsistent. Some have been mild to the point of blandness, others have been very spicy and potent. Some have burned straight with a loose smoky draw; others have had burn problems. Some have had cracked wrappers. I've shared a few with friends, and their reactions (like mine) have ranged from "so-so" to "very good". I gave one friend two of them. After the second, he remarked: "That was very good, maybe because it didn't taste at all like the first one."

I've certainly enjoyed many of the cigars, but I would only expect this lack of consistency in a second. I doubt I'll purchase another bundle.

[duckmanco]

If you have not all ready, I am going to give my broken record speech on the Brown Label. You really need to give those a shot, with as much humi time at a lower RH that you can spare. Really rich smoke, with def. licorice/cocoa sweet light spice going on. All of the examples I have had created bombs of smoke and were excellent smokes. These have caused me to order the Cuban Crafters Cabinet sampler, and some J.L. Salazar singles from Lilbrown.com ALONG with my purchase of the Brown Label toro's to match the torps I had to have........ and everyone of those cigars is at the most 2.50 or less by the box.

[BroNeilson]

Interesting wonder why the inconsistency? I haven't tried their red version yet, but of the sound of your experience won't be rushing to order anytime soon.
I want to echo the post "duckmanco" made. I love their brown label for the price.. And the J.L. Salazar and cuban crafters are great imo.

[craigchilds]

Originally Posted by BroNeilson

Interesting wonder why the inconsistency?

I wish I knew

[MarkinCA]

Originally Posted by craigchilds

Don Kiki Red Label Toro
Size: 6 x 52
Tobacco: Nicaraguan Puro
Price: $4 (retail), $1.80 (online)

I've certainly enjoyed many of the cigars, but I would only expect this lack of consistency in a second. I doubt I'll purchase another bundle.

[SIZE=3]At least in the Reds, it appears there's a consistency issue that Berger and his group needs to address here. Sorry to read about the inconsistency in your bundle.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=3]Now the CC Cabinet Select and Cameroons in 5x52 are a couple of sizes that I'm looking forward to burning in the near future...[/SIZE]