I had last weeks cold kicked by Monday, but it seems to have come back a bit. I haven’t had a cold this bad since I quit 
smoking cigarettes (and had sinus surgery) back in 2007. Anyway, I didn’t have any trouble tasting this week, not that I have the greatest palate anyway, but I know what I like. I think Lee Marsh of Stolen Throne Cigars is still mad at me because I didn’t really like the Yorktown Fleet (although I admit it’s growing on me, I’m due to pick up another one and try it), but I hope I redeem myself a little here. I picked up a few of the new Stolen Throne Crook of the Crown 5th Anniversary cigars this week, and had to smoke one right away. I’ve been a fan of the Crook since the first one I tried, so I was excited to try it in what they are calling a Corona, but I’m not sure on what planet a 6″ x 46 is a corona. Gran Corona, perhaps, but a corona is 5½” x 42. It’s too long to be a Corona Gorda. Whatever it is, I like it. It has a Pigtail cap, a partially closed foot, with a San Andrés wrapper, Indonesian binder, and Nicaraguan fillers, made at the Rojas factory. This one has the same Cocoa and spice as its namesake, with a little more focus given the smaller ring. Burn and draw were perfect, this was an amazingly good smoke.
Thursday I lit up the Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Midnight Twist Toro that was handed to me at the Smokeonos event by Charlie Watson of Altadis USA. I don’t have a great track record with Altadis Cigars, many of them just don’t appeal to me. The exception is those that are made by AJ Fernandez, almost universally. The Reserva Real Nicaragua line is made by AJ Fernandez, and I like it. I quite enjoyed the regular Reserva Real Nicaragua and really liked this one. It’s a 6″ x 54 (also comes in the “Love Story” 4½” x 46 perfecto size), with a barber pole wrapper consisting of Nicaraguan Habano & Maduro leaf. It has the same binder and filler as the Reserva Real Nicaragua, which, you guessed, is Nicaraguan. I almost liked this more than the Crook of the Crown…almost. This is a rich and decadent cigar, I got some creamy cocoa and spice. It was really good and I want more. To be fair, if it just had a maduro wrapper, and wasn’t presented as a barber pole, I’d probably like it, but obviously they can’t call it Midnight Twist if it doesn’t have the contrasting wrappers. I believe I enjoyed the Twisted Love Story too.
Also at the Smokeonos I spoke with René Castańeda of Villiger Cigars, who handed me this Villiger Limited Release No. 39 Torpedo. I can’t find any information about this cigar, and my message to René went unanswered. I will update this post when I get a reply. My assumption is that it’s made at the Villiger de Nicaragua factory, which I also assume is a subfactory within the Joya de Nicaragua factory. I also assume that this is a Nicaraguan puro. I can only find info about a No. 29, and a No 41, no No. 39. I was really hoping to hear back from René. One thing I’m not going to assume is that I really liked this cigar, and the fact that I may never find another one is disheartening. I took limited notes as I was enjoying the cigar too much (OK, I always take limited notes). I liked the Chocolate and spice I got, it was really nice. The torpedo shape was well made and it had a good burn and draw. I was quite happy with this cigar, it was a nice way to wrap up the work week.
One of my favorite Saturday afternoon activities is sitting in my screen porch and watching TV with a cigar, after all the chores are done. Yesterday it was “Clarkson’s Farm” season 3, the first three episodes. Jeremy Clarkson is a hoot. Anyway, I chose one more cigar that I was handed at the Smokeonos, a Silencio toro. This is a cigar that Sean Williams, Cohiba brand ambassador, uses as his calling card. Silencio is also the name General Cigars/STG uses on the Cohiba line in Europe, as they can’t use Cohiba there. The cigar has a Nicaraguan wrapper, a Cameroon binder, and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. I found the smoke to be rather drying, which is odd for me. It seemed leathery with some interesting spices. I felt like this would sit well with a European palate for some reason. I always like seeing Sean Williams, he’s just about the nicest guy you’ll want to meet, and he’s cooler than the other side of the pillow. If you see him at an event, maybe he’ll give you one of these. I enjoyed it, but I like the Cohiba Riviera more!
That’s all for now. Please take notice to the Daily Deal graphic on the left sidebar courtesy of Panacea Cigars. It changes daily, and there’s always something good offered. They are great cigars, I might have one today! Until the next time,
CigarCraig
