Cigars   Black Diamond Oscuro Presidente

The Black Diamond line is hand rolled by Kiki Berger in Esteli, Nicaragua. A delicious medium to full-bodied cigar, offering a handsome Oscuro Nicaraguan Oscuro wrapper, we found it to burn slowly and evenly. If you don't know Kiki, he's the mastermind who blended the 5 Vegas and Cupido brands, two of our favorites. A legend in Esteli, Kiki's one of those unique personalities that always seems to befriend everyone he meets. Cuban born, he moved to the United States as a child and found himself soon involved in politics in Miami. In fact, it was Nicaragua's president that convinced him to open his factory there!

Panel Review: If you favor a rich dark maduro wrapper, you're gonna love this cigar. Note a spicy, and somewhat sweet taste in this medium to full-bodied treat. We were all quite impressed by the silkiness of the wrapper and how evenly it burned and all agreed that it was worthy of the purchase of a couple boxes.
Cigars   Cohiba Maduro Torpedo
Often considered the brand to set the standard for Cuban cigars, Cohiba is also now rolled in the Dominican Republic. The Cuban version, initially developed as a protocol cigar to be presented to visiting dignitaries by Cuban Government officials only, began to see broader distribution beginning in 1982. The brand was first only available in a Lancero, Corona Especiale and Panetela. The Esplendido, Robusto and Exquisito were added in 1989. The series was first rolled in the El Laguito factory in Havana, but today is also produced at the Fernando Perez factory in Germany. While the Dominican and Cuban brands unquestionably different, any lover of the leaf will enjoy them both.

Panel Review: We found Cohiba's torpedo to be medium bodied, somewhat spicy and offering a perfect draw. Note a handsome colorado maduro, oily dark wrapper that had us all to light up and puff away. Overall, it's well-balanced, flavorful and well constructed. Everything you'd expect from this legendary brand.
Cigars   Joya del Jefe Centennial Reserve Presidente
Currently operated by Gilberto Oliva, the Tabacalera Oliva is a family run business that has been passed through no less than five generations. Oliva was Cuba born (right across the street from the Hoya de Monterey factory as a matter of fact!), so you can imagine that he knows a thing or two about our favorite plant. When Castro took control of the country, Gilberto's family moved to Nicaragua, and were soon forced to move again in 1979 at the hands of still yet another civil revolution. He moved back to Nicaragua just 8 years ago and is still producing some of the finest brands being distributed today.

Panel Review: In a word...Flavorful! This box-pressed gem sports a beautiful and highly coveted Cameroon wrapper. It's rolled with a blend of varied Nicaraguan long leaf filler and binder tobaccos. Immediately note the handsome, silky wrapper which we found a pleasure just to touch. Note hints of cocoa and espresso bean in this medium-bodied treat. We'd suggest pairing it with an oatmeal stout or your favorite roasted porter.
Cigars   Monte Cristo Tubo Corona

The Monte Cristo brand Originated in Cuba in 1935, manufactured by Menendez, Garcia y Cia., who at the time also owned the H. Upmann brand. The brand's name was of course inspired by the 1844 novel Le Comte de Monte Cristo written by Alexandre Dumas. The entire line is hand rolled and medium-bodied in strength. The Dominican Republic's version of Cuba's most widely smoked brand is rolled with a blend of Dominican-grown Cubano Piloto and Olor filler tobaccos and Cuban seed Dominican binders as well. The lovely wrapper is none other than Connecticut Shade.

Panel Review: Visual inspection of this masterpiece will tell you that it has been touched by the hands of an expert. We found no soft spots, no irregular lumps, no glue on the wrapper, simply an aesthetically perfect cigar. Note a near-perfect draw that offers earthy flavors and a slight creaminess. Look for a medium to full-bodied smoke with a very pleasant, slightly sweet aroma. Several members of the panel smoked their samples quite a bit beyond the band!
Cigars   Santa Damiana Churchill No. 800
Introduced in 1992, the Santa Damiana brand also originated in Cuba and is now produced in the Dominican Republic as well. The Yellow Series featured this month and Cabinet Selection are both enveloped in a handsome Connecticut Shade wrapper and are blended with Dominican binders and fillers. The Blue Series, however, sports a Nicaraguan-grown Habana 2000 wrapper, a Dominican binder and a blend of Dominican, Brazilian, Connecticut Broadleaf filler tobaccos.

Panel Review: This silky smooth and slightly oily wrapper is Unquestionably one of the softest wrappers we've ever reviewed. Wonderful to the touch and even better to smoke. It's clear why this cigar has been so highly praised. We found it medium-bodied, offering a somewhat nutty character and dry finish. Consider pairing it with your favorite Merlot or Cabernet.