Review - Top Shelf Signature Select Series

[padlcnu]

First I apologize for being so late with this review. Jim Cronin provided three cigars that he has specially blended for his store, Top Shelf. In turn he was looking for reviews and feedback from other BOTLs. I have smoked a lot of "store" smokes. I am usually disappointed as they just do not measure up to the Pete Johnson's, Don Pepin's or Litto Gomez's of the world. So while I was looking forward to the opportunity, I was not expecting any surprises. That's why I love trying new cigars - you never know when you will make a real find - like I did. I am going to go in order of my preference:

[SIZE="5"]Pure Corojo[/SIZE]
Size: Toro Extra
Wrapper: Corojo
Binder: Corojo
Filler: Corojo


Appearance and Construction: This is a very nicely made cigar. Firm to the touch with a smooth unblemished wrapper. It feels good in your hand. It smells like premium tobacco and, after cutting, had a very nice draw. It had a nice spicy taste. All around you knew you had a good cigar in your hands.


1st Third:
It has a perfect draw with lots of smoke. Right away I got some spice and pepper, which I like. Not much more then 1/2 an inch into the cigar I started to get lots of flavor. Now I have been smoking awhile and I know when I am getting lots of flavor and complexity, but my problem is in trying to describe the flavors - you know like "hints of cinnamon and spice" or "a peach citrus taste" or my favorite "notes of steel" LOL. Just believe me when I tell you it had lots of flavor and complexity. I did get lots of chocolate, coffee and spice. This thing can go head to head with any Pete Johnson or Don Pepin blend. Anyway I am really impressed with this cigar. I had a small burn problem in the first third that evened out in the middle third. The ash was dark grey and firm. For you ash measurers I think you could get a pretty long one.

2nd Third:
Still lots of smoke and the burn has evened out. Still lots of flavor - it didn't back off at all. I don't mean to get all sappy about this but I am amazed at each draw how much I am enjoying the flavor profile. It is a nice medium-full strength.

Last Third:
The cigar is burning razor sharp. Still lots of smoke. The flavors are changing for me. Loosing a little of the spice but picking up richer tones of leather. The fullness of the cigar is just right. I nubbed this baby. This was a a really nice surprise.

Remarks:
I saw where Jim talked about changing the blend to reduce the spice in the first 1/3 - I love it just the way it is. The flavor and strength combination was a home run for me and probably anyone reading this that loves Nicaraguan Cigars. I give this a big thumbs up as I cigar I would highly recommend.

Score: 95


[SIZE="5"]Top Shelf Signature Select Blue[/SIZE]
Size: Toro Extra 6x50
Wrapper: Corojo '99 Jalapa Valley (mid-priming)
Binder: Corojo '99 Jalapa Valley
Filler: Criollo '98 Jalapa Valley


Appearance and Construction: Again this was another very nicely made cigar. Firm to the touch with a smooth unblemished wrapper. There was not a lot of smell. After cutting it had a nice spicy taste with a hint of sweet. No problems at all with appearance or construction.


1st Third:
Again a perfect draw with lots of smoke. I got some spice and a vanilla taste - very nice. The flavor is there but not as pronounced as the Corojo. I had another small burn problem in the first third that evened out in the middle third. The ash was dark grey and firm.

2nd Third:
Still lots of smoke and the burn has evened out. Still lots of flavor - more delicate with continued spice and vanilla flavors. It is a nice medium strength.

Last Third:
The cigar is burning razor sharp. Still lots of smoke. I seemed to loose the spice and it smoothed out. I nubbed this one too.

Remarks:
This is another blend that could go head to head with the best. The flavor and strength profile would make this a really nice early day cigar and the pure corojo as an "evening" smoke. I plan on buying some of both the pure corojo and the Blue Label. I give this a big thumbs up as another cigar I would highly recommend.

Score: 85

[SIZE="4"]Top Shelf Signature Select Black[/SIZE]
Size: Corona Gorda 6X52
Wrapper: Corojo '99 Jalapa Valley, Nicaragua (high-priming)
Binder: Criollo '98 Esteli, Nic
Filler: Criollo '98 Jalapa Valley with 1 Esteli Ligero (high-priming powerful) leaf



Appearance and Construction: Again this was another very nicely made cigar. Firm to the touch with a smooth unblemished wrapper. Smell was very faint with a very mild pre-draw. No problems at all with appearance or construction.


1st Third:
Again a perfect draw with lots of smoke. This has a much lighter flavor profile then the other two. I got some grassy or tea flavors. I did not have any burn problems. The ash was dark grey and firm.

2nd Third:
Still lots of smoke and a great draw. This is more of a medium or mild-medium cigar and in all fairness I prefer medium-full to full. I am getting a different taste, not sure what - a little bitterness- not necessarily bad.

Last Third:
The cigar is burning razor sharp. Still lots of smoke. The flavors seem to disappear on me.

Remarks:
The flavors are there but are more delicate then the other two. Because I normally smoke full bodied and strength cigars, this one did not fit my profile. I think it is a great cigar for someone that like a little less body and strength.

Score: 80


These are really some great cigars. I especially recommend the Pure Corojo. It is really a nice cigar. Thanks to Jim for the opportunity to sample his cigars and provide a review. Enjoy!

[Cypress]

Great review. I enjoyed reading it.

[tx_tuff]

I would rated mine the same way as far as 1, 2, and 3. But I thought the Blue and Pure Corojo where closer to each other then you have them. In fact if the Blue didn't lose its flavor in the last third I would have rated it better then the Pure.

Also I agree the ash on all was nice and firm, held longer then most cigars. And what I loved the most with all 3 of them was the amount of smoke!! A ton of smoke with all 3 of them.

Great reviews!

[saxmanJJ-cl]

I put up a special on these on the site here.

[padlcnu]

did you post it Jim? I can't find it.
Dave

[saxmanJJ-cl]

Yes, I posted it.

[saxmanJJ-cl]

It's under "Marketplace/Cigar Specials".