Gran Habano - Corojo #5

Final Score: (91/100) A-

SPR: 15.16

BIO

Name: Gran Habano - Corojo #5

Origin: Danli, Honduras

Wrapper Color: Maduro (Ma)

Size: Churchill No. 1-3-5

Length/Ring: 7/48

Packaging: Round

Purchase Date: 4 November 2009

Smoke Date: 4 November 2009

Price: $6.00

Meal/Beverage: N/A

Grades

Appearance & Presentation - (17/20) B

Lighting & Burning - (12/15) B-

Construction - (25/30) B-

Taste - 33/35 A

Top Tens

Finally the top ten lists have arrived! (now that I have ten reviews). So here we go with the October top tens.

Top Overall

1) Cain by Olivia [Ma] - 90

2) Macanudo - 90

3) Don Thomas Classico - 88

4) Arturo Fuente - 87

5) Romeo y Julieta - 87

6) Punch - 84

7) Rocky Petal - Autumn Collection '09 - 83

8) J.F.R. [Ma] - 78

9) C.A.O. Gold Label [Ma] - 71

10) Arturo Fuente Special Selection [Ma] - 71

Top Ten - SPR

1) Arturo Fuente Special Selection [Ma] -17.75

2) Don Thomas Classico -16.7

3) J.F.R. [Ma] -13

4) Arturo Fuente -12.6

5) Punch -11.2

6) Romeo y Julieta -11.08

7) Cain by Olivia [Ma] - 10.9

8) Macanudo -10.6

9) C.A.O. Gold Label [Ma] -9.4

10)  Rocky Petal - Autumn Collection '09 -8.09

Macanudo

FINAL SCORE: (90/100) A- 

SPR: 10.6
 

BIO 

Cigar Brand: Macanudo

Origin: Santiago, Dominican Republic

Size: Corona (Hampton Court)

Length/Size: 5 1/2 x 42

Price: $8.50

Purchase: 22 October 2009

Smoke: 5 November 2009

Tubed 

  

Grades 

APPEARANCE & PRESENTATION (19/20) A

LIGHTING & BURNING (15/15) A+

CONSTRUCTION (30/30) A+

TASTE (26/35) C

COMMENTS: Probably the best crafted cigar that I have smoked. The Macanudo's look is almost flawless, the draw was perfect throughout, and the ash probably would never have fallen off. But, Macanudo's have a strange taste. I know people who absolutely love the taste, but personally I feel the cigar tastes like dirt.

Cain Maduro

 

FINAL SCORE: (90/100) A- 

SPR: 10.9

BIO 

Cigar Brand: Cain by Oliva - Maduro

Origin: Nicaragua

Size: Torpedo (Torpedo)

Length/Size: 6 x 54

Price: $8.25

Purchase: 2 November 2009

Smoke: 3 November 2009

Round Pack

 

Grades 

APPEARANCE & PRESENTATION (15/20) C

LIGHTING & BURNING (13/15) B

CONSTRUCTION (29/30) A

TASTE (33/35) A 

COMMENTS: One of my favorites so far. Personally I like stronger cigars that have a strong

flavors, so this cigar is made for me. Has an amazing medium to full spicy flavor, but smokes smooth. This cigar should be smoked with a nice fulfilling beverage, for example, a delicious beer. The reason why the Cain Maduro did not get a better score was because of the rough look, but previous Cains have had a better look than the one I rated.

Arturo Fuente Special Selection - Curly Head Deluxe

 

FINAL SCORE: (71/100) C-

SPR:17.75

BIO 

Cigar Brand: Arturo Fuente Special Selection

Origin: Santiago, Dominican Republic

Size: Corona (Corona)

Length/Size: 6 1/2 x 43

Price: $4.00

Purchase: 31 October 2009

Smoke: 1 November 2009

Round Pack

Grades

APPEARANCE & PRESENTATION (7/20) E

LIGHTING & BURNING (7/15) C-

CONSTRUCTION (25/30) B-

TASTE (28/35) B-

COMMENTS: A guilty pleasure. Under its ugly exterier is a decent smoke. There is nothing great about this cigar (although its construction is good), but it is suprisingly not bad. At $4, and looking like hell, little is expected, and thus you get more than expected. A nice cigar if you want to pay little, and just want something "smokable". Exists in that limbo between "buy" and "don't buy".

Stoudt's Scarlet Lady Ale (E.S.B.)

Score: (40/50) B-

Stoudt's Scarlet Lady Ale

Stoudt's Brewing Company, Adamstown, PA

E.S.B.

Bottle

Appearance: 5/5

Aroma: 7/10

Palate: 4/5

Flavor: 7/10

Overall: 17/20

A pretty standard Bitter. Right off the bat the lack of head on the beer gives a discouraging sign, but the worries are not completely justified. Heavy malt flavor with a bitter palate, nothing wowing, but good. Best characteristic about this beer is the color, just a perfect amber color makes it very appealing.

Just for Retailers [J.F.R.] - Maduro

FINAL SCORE: (78/100) C+

SPR - 13

BIO

Cigar Brand: Just for Retailers [JFR] - Maduro

Origin: Esteli, Nicaragua

Size: Toro (Super Toro)

Length/Size: 6 1/2 x 52

Price: $6.00

Purchase: 24 October 2009

Smoke: 25 October 2009

Round Pack

Grades

APPEARANCE & PRESENTATION (18/20) A-

LIGHTING & BURNING (10/15) D+

CONSTRUCTION (21/30) C-

TASTE (29/35) B

COMMENTS: This is an interesting cigar. First, there is a whole mystery surrounding the cigar. JFR standing for Just For Retailers means just that - these cigars are only sold to retailers. And, nobody seems to know who makes this cigar. Anyway, it is a great tasting cigar, if you like strong cigars. It has a full, strong flavor, which boarders on harsh; with a nice spicy flavor. It also looks fantastic. Not many cigars have such a wonderful polish to them. This maduro is almost black. However, the cigar is poorly constructed. It is wrapped too tight making the draw tight, and I had to burn off boats three time. It is definately worth the buy, you just have to deal with the irritation of relighting.