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Hopduro

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Prenotes: I know @Hopduro does home rolls and the .75 cap gave it away.
Review #2
Inspection: 43-45 rg 5.5 to 6 inches in length. Some veins, spongie feel
Cut: straight cut smells of tobacco
Light: jetline tritorch View attachment 80054
1st third: very nutty some pepper and wood and tobacco notes. Not alot of smoke output but enough. The flavors change rapidly. Alot of grassy notes a little sweet honey. Room note is carmelized sugar and tobacco.
2nd third: very complex and ever changing. I am pretty sure it has settled into a good sweet hay woodyness.
Last third: it is inching toward a more medium stick, though the first and second third it was pretty full.

Final thoughts, definitely a nice smoke. The changing of flavors made for a very interesting smoke. Required no touch ups the burn went a little wonky in the first third but it corrected it's self. I am dead set on this being g a home roll I will be very surprised if it isn't but now the Revieal

Revieal: Brazilian villan View attachment 80053
Damn cap gave it away! glad you liked it bud, might have been still a little "fresh", but seemed to burn alright for ya.

Can you tell I'm encouraging you to start rolling?

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
 
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Hopduro

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Alright #5 @navyvet from last night



Name: #5
Size: 5.25" x ~50-52
Shape: Robusto

Cigar enjoyed with the following:
Beverage: Diet Coke
Snack: Tortilla chips

Review:
Appearance: Gorgeous wrapper, medium veins causing a loose seam here and there, triple cap is flawless. Smells smooth, some leather and pleasant tobacco on the nose. Nice, firm bunch, little soft at the foot. I V-cut through the cap, perfect draw with a little snug resistance. The pre-light draw is sweet, smooth, and almost creamy! Damn I am excited already!

The Burn: I lit this beast up with my triple flame torch and it caught fairly readily, middle had some difficulties, maybe a crap ton of ligero in the middle. The first few draws reveal a strong presence of spice and pepper, delivered by very dense smoke that coats the palette. Very chewy texture right now. I am detecting plenty of cedar and smoked nuts (cashews maybe?) in the first inch. I am guessing this is a full bodied smoke lol. Maybe a little clove in the finish too?

Second third starts and the flavors are still cloves and nuts; however there is a sour cherry component in here too. The burn is super wavy and the ash is pretty flaky. My lips are tingly and the draw has snugged up, might need a quick slice through the cap soon. The complexity is wild! I can’t keep up with all the flavors.



The flavors remain relatively complex and constant for the remainder of the stick; I have no idea what this could be! There is a musty, soil flavor component that has to be coming from Indonesian or Honduran tobacco, it’s not bad, just not my preferred style.

Overall Impression: This was a very unique and unusual cigar, characterized by flavors of baking spices, pepper, nuts, wood, and some sour cherries. Extremely complex cigar, but had an strange flavor component that I couldn’t nail down potentially from the growing region. The construction was pretty decent, started with a loose draw and snugged up appropriately, keeping the stick burning for 1.5 hours.


Guess: No Clue!



Answer: Montecristo Desde 1935 Club Selection
Thanks Ryan, this was a complex and interesting smoke that I would likely never experience on my own! And check it out, there’s Honduran long fillers in this puppy which explains those overtone flavors.
 
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image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg I'll have to mess around with tapatalk some more and get pics in the right places etc, but I reviewed cigar #1 last night.

Pre light: this is a 6x52 or 54 stick with a nice light colored corojo wrapper, no veins. A little bit of a sloppy triple cap. Looking into the foot of the cigar I don't see any ligero so I am expecting a milder smoke. The only pre-light taste I get is a sweet tobacco flavor. I don't notice anything else.

First 1/3: upon lighting the smoke, and for the first 20 minutes the cigar is fairly one dimensional. That sweet tobacco flavor is mostly all I taste. The draw is rather loose on this stick and there is a ton of smoke output- almost as much as a drew estate offering. It might be a bad cut on my part, or it might not, but the wrapper is coming apart some around the shoulder. My observation is that the wrapper is very thin.

Second third: there is not a lot of flavor change to this point. From time to time I get a hint of spice but nothing overpowering the general sweet tobacco flavor. I notice at the halfway point a sweet sugary taste on my lips from the smoke which falls right in line with what I've been tasting. Cigar goes out suddenly at the halfway mark and a quick relight gets me back going again.

Final third: the cigar really starts to change around the final third mark. Spice and tobacco flavor disappear and I get a very strong oak flavor and a hay/barnyard taste that I always enjoy. Oak more than anything. The cigar gets hot earlier than expected, I assume due to the loose draw. Before I put it out the spice flavors do come back for a minute but never overpower the oak flavor.

Final thoughts: as far as a guess is concerned, my thoughts are that this is Dominican tobacco. I can generally tell a Honduran or Nicaraguan puro and this is neither to me. I don't smoke a lot of Dominican stuff so my guess is that. Overall I found the cigar kind of "middle of the road", a good stick for the yard or golf course but maybe not good enough for sitting down and enjoying as it doesn't change much. Not a cigar I would seek out personally, but I'd certainly smoke it if it was handed to me.


I'll look up what it was here in a bit
 
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The cigar reviewed above was a Renzulli "Cuz". Local Philly stick. I've not had many of Espinoza's smokes so this was a new experience to me altogether.
 
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i smoked @Hopduro's #3 in the car so i couldn't take notes but, i had it nailed as an ab but it was a psyko. had alot of fermented tobbaco notes and barnyard was a good smoke first one of it's kind i will have more of them. sorry for the less than attentive review and no pics sorry for that too
 

Hopduro

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i smoked @Hopduro's #3 in the car so i couldn't take notes but, i had it nailed as an ab but it was a psyko. had alot of fermented tobbaco notes and barnyard was a good smoke first one of it's kind i will have more of them. sorry for the less than attentive review and no pics sorry for that too
That's alright! Just wanted to expose you to my fav!

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
 
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I don't much like to conform to things, so I started with #2 from @Kantucky.

It's a beautiful looking cigar. Smelled of hay and looked like perfect construction. Tiny tear in the leaf at the end, but I was about to torch it anyway. :)
IMG_4981.JPG

Fired her up and noticed a nice, easy draw. I think I was right about that good construction. I'm still learning to identify flavor well so take my opinions for what they're worth (very little). This one started off on the mild to medium side. Getting lots of nice flavors of hay and earth. There is a slight cedar flavor coming in too. I'm not a huge fan of cedar smokes, but this one is subtle and balanced so it works for me.

Gets tastier in the 2nd third. Sweet and some spice. Cedar is there and not over-powering. Hay is there as well but balanced out by what seems like leather and maybe a floral (?) flavor. Definitely not a medium-mild cigar. This one is getting a little stronger, fuller, and better as it goes on. I'm going to call it full for sure. I'm thinking the only time I've had something as complex and tasty as this was one of the few Cubans I've smoked. But this one is a little fuller bodied than the Cubans I've had. I don't think it's Cuban, but it is complex in flavors that blend really well. Honestly, I'm kind of tired of trying to figure it out and I'm just going to enjoy this cigar. LOL
IMG_4984.JPG
Toward the end of the second 3rd - start of the final 3rd, I had trouble with the burn and some cracking in the wrapper but this is an enjoyable smoke so I didn't much care.
IMG_4985.JPG
As for a guess... This is probably a better cigar than I normally get. It's also different flavor profile than I'm usually drawn to, so I don't know. Possibly a Cuban that I've never had before (that wouldn't be hard to find..lol). Whatever it is, I've definitely learned to challenge my palate and I'm grateful for that!

IMG_4982.JPG

Holy smokes! It's an Opus X!! Dang bro, that was way generous. I was right. I've never had one of these before. Cool to smoke an Opus X blind though.
Alright, on to the next one. what comes after #2? :)
 
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Keeping with my BOTL Math, the second stick in my blinder 5er from @Kantucky was cigar #3. :)
IMG_4995.JPG
Toro with a nice wrapper. Looks like a My Father La Antiguedad that I'm a fan of but doesn't have the same smell. This one has a nice scent of barnyard and, and.... hmm... what is that smell. As a young boy I had a pet rabbit. I never really took to the rabbit tending. I preferred to play basketball. But that's a whole different story. Anyway, our rabbit hutch had a distinct odor of rabbit crap and alfalfa. This cigar's scent is barnyard/hay and alfalfa. I'm not saying it smells like shit, but my olfactory memory of alfalfa is closely associated with the rabbit hutch droppings. Enough storytelling.

Cut, light, and puff - hay, earth. Nice, thick cloud of smoke. Cedar notes come in next. The cedar lingers but is not overpowering or even really strong. Scent changes to more earth and hay - so the rabbit hutch smell fades. ;)

As I get to the second half of this stick (sorry no pics as I smoked it last night in the dark), the pepper kicks up a bit but doesn't become full strength. In my still limited cigar experience, when I get a pepper kick like this, I think Don Pepin or Tatuaje. I've only had one Tatuaje in this vitola. It was a Tatuaje HCS (made for Holt's, which is walking distance for me in Philly). I know it's not that because the wrapper and flavors are different. But this could be a Pepin of some kind. I'm thinking My Father La Antiguedad but I think the wrapper is wrong in color, flavors are different, and this is milder than I remember them being. What's the name of the other toro from MF I've had? Blanking on it right now. I'll keep smoking and taking notes, maybe it will come to me.

This smokes smooth and medium to mild. The pepper is there but not strong and the blend is tasty. Maybe it's a Las Antiguas with more age on it? Do they get milder over time? Wait. It's called a Flor de Antillas, or something like that. I can picture the wrapper. It's not as spicey as the La Antiguedad. This stick has more complexity than any of the 3-4 Flor de Antillas I've smoked before (usually at my local shop). This tasty, familiar smoke may be something completely else. Whatever it is, I'm liking it. Either I've found something new or been reminded of a mild smoke I enjoy. Good experience as I smoked this one to the nub. While I think there are lot of cigars this could be (that I've never had), I'm guessing My Father Flor de Antillas toro.

I
IMG_4997.JPG

I can't believe I got it right! That was fun. Thanks again, @Kantucky for the sticks and @navyvet for the thread.
 
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Keeping with my BOTL Math, the second stick in my blinder 5er from @Kantucky was cigar #3. :)
View attachment 80409
Toro with a nice wrapper. Looks like a My Father La Antiguedad that I'm a fan of but doesn't have the same smell. This one has a nice scent of barnyard and, and.... hmm... what is that smell. As a young boy I had a pet rabbit. I never really took to the rabbit tending. I preferred to play basketball. But that's a whole different story. Anyway, our rabbit hutch had a distinct odor of rabbit crap and alfalfa. This cigar's scent is barnyard/hay and alfalfa. I'm not saying it smells like shit, but my olfactory memory of alfalfa is closely associated with the rabbit hutch droppings. Enough storytelling.

Cut, light, and puff - hay, earth. Nice, thick cloud of smoke. Cedar notes come in next. The cedar lingers but is not overpowering or even really strong. Scent changes to more earth and hay - so the rabbit hutch smell fades. ;)

As I get to the second half of this stick (sorry no pics as I smoked it last night in the dark), the pepper kicks up a bit but doesn't become full strength. In my still limited cigar experience, when I get a pepper kick like this, I think Don Pepin or Tatuaje. I've only had one Tatuaje in this vitola. It was a Tatuaje HCS (made for Holt's, which is walking distance for me in Philly). I know it's not that because the wrapper and flavors are different. But this could be a Pepin of some kind. I'm thinking My Father La Antiguedad but I think the wrapper is wrong in color, flavors are different, and this is milder than I remember them being. What's the name of the other toro from MF I've had? Blanking on it right now. I'll keep smoking and taking notes, maybe it will come to me.

This smokes smooth and medium to mild. The pepper is there but not strong and the blend is tasty. Maybe it's a Las Antiguas with more age on it? Do they get milder over time? Wait. It's called a Flor de Antillas, or something like that. I can picture the wrapper. It's not as spicey as the La Antiguedad. This stick has more complexity than any of the 3-4 Flor de Antillas I've smoked before (usually at my local shop). This tasty, familiar smoke may be something completely else. Whatever it is, I'm liking it. Either I've found something new or been reminded of a mild smoke I enjoy. Good experience as I smoked this one to the nub. While I think there are lot of cigars this could be (that I've never had), I'm guessing My Father Flor de Antillas toro.

I
View attachment 80410

I can't believe I got it right! That was fun. Thanks again, @Kantucky for the sticks and @navyvet for the thread.
Yeah its fun. I thought about creating this thread a good month before I actually did
 

Hopduro

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#1 @navyvet

Name: #1
Size: 5.75" x 46-48
Shape: CG

Cigar enjoyed with the following:
Beverage: BOTL RIS
Snack: --



Review:
Appearance: This stick has a gorgeous dark, oscuro wrapper, it looks like a candy bar! Medium veins and relatively tight seams, triple cap is flawless; it also has a perfect feel in the hand, very little give when squeezed. The wrapper smells chocolatey and earthy; the foot has plenty of baking spices. I then slice a V-cut through the cap, snug resistance on the draw. The pre-light draw has a milk chocolate flavor, with a touch of cinnamon.

The Burn: I ignite this beauty with three matches, perfectly igniting the entire foot with the last match. The first draw has some distinguishable pepper, definitely a velvety chocolate texture too. The smoke production is very light, but so smooth. The ash is a very clean white color. This is going to be an excellent smoke!

The first third is quite mellow with hints of spicy, Mexican style chocolate, yum! Definitely still a little pepper, but not in your face. This stick is a candy bar! I feel like I’ve smoked one before… Maybe a Tat? Do they even make CG’s? No, not enough pepper to be them… The ash is still a gorgeous peppery white, but only stays on for about an inch. Oh well.



Second third starts with identical flavors as before, however, there is a red pepper component that really highlights the Mexican candy bar that this stick has become! The draw snugged up a bit too much for my liking, so I carved another V in to make an X. Quick purge and the draw is perfect. I haven’t even mentioned the burn line since it’s perfect and unnoticeable. The wrapper is burning great, very small cone when the ash falls, plus I can set it down and type for a few minutes. I love no maintenance cigars. Strength is medium-full, glad I had a big burger for dinner, I want to enjoy this down to the nub!

Finally nearing the last third, the stick is so damn smooth. I am starting to pick up vanilla and a hint of bourbon and molasses, on top of the continuing chocolate and pepper. Maybe this is a tat? Or La Imperiosa? It has the right wrapper and vitola for that. Either way, I am buying more of this cigar after the reveal!

Overall Impression: This is an awesome cigar, hot damn! Flavors escalated to the very end with red pepper, velvety milk and dark chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, and plenty of complex spices. If I had a “desert island” smoke this would be it. Perfect construction, perfect burn, no harshness. Only complaints are the snug draw, loose ash, and low smoke production, but honestly who cares? This is an absolute gem.

Guess: Tat or La imperiosa



Answer: Unbelievable! It’s an AB American Sun Grown! The cigar that sent me down this crazy slope! Maybe I need a box… I have a few of these in the humi… I need to revisit them. Thanks Ryan for letting me relive my favorite from over a year ago; how old was this one?! Damn it was good!
 
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#1 @navyvet

Name: #1
Size: 5.75" x 46-48
Shape: CG

Cigar enjoyed with the following:
Beverage: BOTL RIS
Snack: --

Review:
Appearance: This stick has a gorgeous dark, oscuro wrapper, it looks like a candy bar! Medium veins and relatively tight seams, triple cap is flawless; it also has a perfect feel in the hand, very little give when squeezed. The wrapper smells chocolatey and earthy; the foot has plenty of baking spices. I then slice a V-cut through the cap, snug resistance on the draw. The pre-light draw has a milk chocolate flavor, with a touch of cinnamon.

The Burn: I ignite this beauty with three matches, perfectly igniting the entire foot with the last match. The first draw has some distinguishable pepper, definitely a velvety chocolate texture too. The smoke production is very light, but so smooth. The ash is a very clean white color. This is going to be an excellent smoke!

The first third is quite mellow with hints of spicy, Mexican style chocolate, yum! Definitely still a little pepper, but not in your face. This stick is a candy bar! I feel like I’ve smoked one before… Maybe a Tat? Do they even make CG’s? No, not enough pepper to be them… The ash is still a gorgeous peppery white, but only stays on for about an inch. Oh well.

Second third starts with identical flavors as before, however, there is a red pepper component that really highlights the Mexican candy bar that this stick has become! The draw snugged up a bit too much for my liking, so I carved another V in to make an X. Quick purge and the draw is perfect. I haven’t even mentioned the burn line since it’s perfect and unnoticeable. The wrapper is burning great, very small cone when the ash falls, plus I can set it down and type for a few minutes. I love no maintenance cigars. Strength is medium-full, glad I had a big burger for dinner, I want to enjoy this down to the nub!

Finally nearing the last third, the stick is so damn smooth. I am starting to pick up vanilla and a hint of bourbon and molasses, on top of the continuing chocolate and pepper. Maybe this is a tat? Or La Imperiosa? It has the right wrapper and vitola for that. Either way, I am buying more of this cigar after the reveal!

Overall Impression: This is an awesome cigar, hot damn! Flavors escalated to the very end with red pepper, velvety milk and dark chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, and plenty of complex spices. If I had a “desert island” smoke this would be it. Perfect construction, perfect burn, no harshness. Only complaints are the snug draw, loose ash, and low smoke production, but honestly who cares? This is an absolute gem.

Guess: Tat or La imperiosa


Answer: Unbelievable! It’s an AB American Sun Grown! The cigar that sent me down this crazy slope! Maybe I need a box… I have a few of these in the humi… I need to revisit them. Thanks Ryan for letting me relive my favorite from over a year ago; how old was this one?! Damn it was good!
It's from nov.
 
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