Awesome cigar weekend (6 semi-reviews)

[dannyboy]

Well, this weekend was just great cigar-wise (and in most other ways as well). I figured I would do a quick review of the smokes I had this past weekend, since some were up in the best smokes I have had to date.

I had off on Friday, so I went out to breakfast (cinamon apple pancakes ) and then lit up a Playboy by Don Diego. I was expecting crap, and had a Butera all lined up to go if I didn't like the first. Man, I was blown away by this smoke. It could have been the low expectations going in, but this thing was perfect for the time. Nice cream and butter throughout, just a hint of spice in the last 1/2, and never turning bitter or sour. I would say it was on the mild side of medium. This really hit the spot, and was a finger burner. I would like to try these again, to get a guage on the smoke without the initially low expectation. Given this experience, I would rate it a 4.0 out of 5.

Then, Friday night after an awesome dinner, I lit up my first Padron Anniversary 1964, this was a natural imperial (I think). I was expecting dissapointment, as this cigar had been praised so highly, I felt there was no way it could live up to the praise. Also, this was the most expensive cigar I have bought, at $9. My expectations of this cigar were surpassed within the first 5 draws. This was amazing. Deep, complex and balanced flavors lit up my taste buds and made them cry for more. I had to force myself to slow down before it started burning too hot and turned bitter, which it never did. I cannot describe exact flavors very well, and this was just so complex I would not even attempt to try without a much more developed palate. I will say that this is by far the best cigar I have had to date. I just kept telling the friend I was with, "Holy crap, this is good," and then a minute later, "Man, this is just an awesome cigar," after he left I would just say, "MMMMMMM" after every draw. I give it a 4.8 out of 5.

On to Saturday. After my mom's birthday lunch, I lit up a Fonseca Classic. Not bad, but not great. Had some of that bitter/acrid taste that I get in a lot of the milder smokes. Not very complex, and the bitter/acrid taste was a bit heavy for my liking. Only smoked this one about 1/2 way down. I would say 2.5/5.

Then, Saturday night after another great dinner, I lit up a Cohiba Red Dot Toro that was gifted to me by my g/f. I had mixed expectations going into this one, as I have heard both very positive and very negative things about this one. Nothing amazing here, just a good straight forward, medium body smoke with a bit of spice and hints of chocolate and leather tones. I actually had a hard time putting this one down, but the g/f convinced me there was somehting better if I did . I just looked up the price of these and have to take some of the score away, as they are certainly not worth what they cost. Overall, I would say 3.75 of 5.

First thing Sunday morning was a Macanudo Cafe Portofino Tubo. This was a very long, skinny stick (7.0 x 34), and I felt a bit effeminate smoking it. It had been gifted to me by my g/f's mother. It was very tight and hard to smoke, and I had a bit of a headach, so the hard draw made that worse. The taste was typical Macanudo Cafe, very mild, but still good for a first thing in the morning smoke. I would give this one a 3 of 5, with points missing for the efeminate feeling it gave me and the tight draw.

Then Sunday night, a Monte Afrique Machame. Delicious. Awesome flavor, great draw, and nearly perfect burn are the reasons I love this smoke. This is a great full bodied smoke. Never turns harsh or bitter, smooth and cool all the way through and a delicious taste that leaves your mouth watering for more. I would give this a 4.5 of 5, superb.

Well, I know my reviews are not the best, but I really just wanted to brag about all the great smokes I had this weekend.

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Dang! You had one heck of a weekend. Would you say that is a typical weekend or just middle of the road?

The Doc

[RPB67]

Wow Danny you were one busy boy !

The Monte and Padrons are definately good cigars. Nice how you paired certain cigars with certain food as well.

Looks like you had a nice weekend.

[Pitbull]

Awesome weekend with some great smokes good review.

[JezterVA]

Sounds like a fabulous weekend Danny.

[SmokusMaximus]

Nice reviews! Gotta love those Afrique's. I have planned many times to have a 2 or 3 cigar day. They just don't pan out.

Glad you had a good weekend!

[dannyboy]

Just to clarify, this was an abnormally heavy smoking weekend, usually I am lucky to squeeze two or three smokes into a weekend. It just happened that I was in the right places to be allowed to smoke and had the time to do so (most of it was while driving). And there was no plan at the start of the days to make them 2 smoke days, I just grabbed a cigar on the way out the door in case there was time (which I usually do) and then had the time while I was out. It worked out well for me, and I enjoyed the many good smokes. Hope to be able to pull off more weekend like this one in the near future, it was fun

[ShawnP]

Originally Posted by dannyboy

Just to clarify, this was an abnormally heavy smoking weekend, usually I am lucky to squeeze two or three smokes into a weekend. It just happened that I was in the right places to be allowed to smoke and had the time to do so (most of it was while driving). And there was no plan at the start of the days to make them 2 smoke days, I just grabbed a cigar on the way out the door in case there was time (which I usually do) and then had the time while I was out. It worked out well for me, and I enjoyed the many good smokes. Hope to be able to pull off more weekend like this one in the near future, it was fun

Great reviews man and an awesome smoking weekend you had. Hope you have another in the near future.

[Jkbd33]

Sounded like a great weekend.

[FpDoc77]

I agree with you on the padron 64...hard to determine the flavors. I consider myself an amateur chef with great taste buds but I couldnt figure this cigar out either. It just tastes good...period.

[tazziedevil]

Sounds like a rough weekend!

[Ivory Tower]

Sounds good. If you're stuck on Padron '64s, try a maduro, it'll be one notch above the natural, I guarantee it.