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bgz Offline
#101 Posted: Wed, Mar 30 2016, 9:50 AM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
Ahhh, very nice!

I've only smoked one other Don Carlos, and it was several months ago, but I remember it being very flavorful.

The #3 cigar was definitely flavorful... I nubbed it.

Thanks Shaun!
bgz Offline
#102 Posted: Wed, Mar 30 2016, 1:00 PM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
Er... I take that back, I have smoked several Don Carlos's (actually have some... brain fart), I was thinking this was a different smoke, lol...

Looked it up just now, never had one of these specifically, but if I run into them I could see myself buying them.
dharbolt Offline
#103 Posted: Wed, Mar 30 2016, 1:31 PM EST
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
chazbo wrote:
Smoked #2 from dharbolt
Appearance; 5.5 x 44
Light color wrapper, smooth and triple cap. Very lite in the hand but firm with no soft spots.
Straight cut paired with H2O
First third of cigar needed minor touch up. Easy draw with a drier smoke.
Mild beginning. Flavor pretty much started out with hints of cedar and continued throughout.
Strength built up to medium by the half way mark.
After 50 minutes down to the final 1/4 of the cigar and started to get a little bitter.
Not bad for a morning smoke. My guess is Room101 Connecticut by Camacho.



Just seeing this Charles. I'll check in a bit whenwhen I get home and report back.
dharbolt Offline
#104 Posted: Wed, Mar 30 2016, 2:24 PM EST
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
chazbo, #2 was a Juan Lopez selection #1 from March '11
chazbo Offline
#105 Posted: Wed, Mar 30 2016, 3:49 PM EST
Joined: 01-21-2007
Posts: 8,160
dharbolt wrote:
chazbo, #2 was a Juan Lopez selection #1 from March '11

Didn't think it was a Q-bo d'oh!
delta1 Offline
#106 Posted: Wed, Mar 30 2016, 4:58 PM EST
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,778
Gotta get me some Room 101 connies....
dharbolt Offline
#107 Posted: Wed, Mar 30 2016, 6:16 PM EST
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
delta1 wrote:
Gotta get me some Room 101 connies....


Herfing
bgz Offline
#108 Posted: Wed, Mar 30 2016, 11:46 PM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
Smoked Shaun's #1 Smoke, it was a oval pressed looking toro maduro.

Pre-light draw seemed kind of "earthy" so to speak, constructions seemed pretty good (as stated in my previous review for all 3).

So, I fired it up, it started out a little north of medium, and pretty much stayed there the entire time.

The earthy flavor pretty much dominated for the first 3rd, the ash held for about an inch.

Going into the second third, a little sweetness came to it, but the earth pretty much still dominated.

Rounding in to the final third, I caught a note that reminded me of cardboard.

There was some good notes in there trying to come out, but they never just quite got there.

I gave up on it about an inch and a half.

I'm pretty sure this was the yard gar.
shaun341 Offline
#109 Posted: Thu, Mar 31 2016, 6:14 AM EST
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
bgz wrote:
Smoked Shaun's #1 Smoke, it was a oval pressed looking toro maduro.

Pre-light draw seemed kind of "earthy" so to speak, constructions seemed pretty good (as stated in my previous review for all 3).

So, I fired it up, it started out a little north of medium, and pretty much stayed there the entire time.

The earthy flavor pretty much dominated for the first 3rd, the ash held for about an inch.

Going into the second third, a little sweetness came to it, but the earth pretty much still dominated.

Rounding in to the final third, I caught a note that reminded me of cardboard.

There was some good notes in there trying to come out, but they never just quite got there.

I gave up on it about an inch and a half.

I'm pretty sure this was the yard gar.



You hit that right on the head. That was a Famous Nicaragua 3000. I haven't experienced the cardboard note in them yet but it was definitely not a complex cigar with many notes but for around $1 a piece I think it is decent.
bgz Offline
#110 Posted: Thu, Mar 31 2016, 9:31 AM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
Oh, for a $1, that's a great cigar, lol.

I didn't think it was horrible, I just had to guess which cigar it was. Not too often do you critically evaluate a yard gar :)

Hope I didn't ruin them for you with that cardboard note, lol.
tamapatom Offline
#111 Posted: Thu, Mar 31 2016, 3:26 PM EST
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
bgz wrote:
Oh, for a $1, that's a great cigar, lol.

I didn't think it was horrible, I just had to guess which cigar it was. Not too often do you critically evaluate a yard gar :)

Hope I didn't ruin them for you with that cardboard note, lol.

Maybe the cardboard note said, "Don't draw so fast"
bgz Offline
#112 Posted: Thu, Mar 31 2016, 4:26 PM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
tamapatom wrote:
Maybe the cardboard note said, "Don't draw so fast"


No idea what you're talking about.
ZRX1200 Offline
#113 Posted: Thu, Mar 31 2016, 7:04 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,582
The Robustos are best, the Presidente & 6x60 aren't my favorite. 3000 is a solid smoke, not a maduro btw.
shaun341 Offline
#114 Posted: Thu, Mar 31 2016, 7:09 PM EST
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
bgz wrote:
Oh, for a $1, that's a great cigar, lol.

I didn't think it was horrible, I just had to guess which cigar it was. Not too often do you critically evaluate a yard gar :)

Hope I didn't ruin them for you with that cardboard note, lol.



Nope didn't ruin it for me. I don't expect much from them but when I want something but don't want to think too much about I reach for those.

Actually first bundle I am going through here and only got turned onto them from seeing ZRX talk about them so gave them a shot and found how cheap they could be had at that other place so figured they were a no risk try.
bgz Offline
#115 Posted: Thu, Mar 31 2016, 7:40 PM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
Ya, it's only the second one I smoked, the only other I smoked Z sent it to me.

Z. the one Shaun sent was pretty dark. It did have a hint of sweetness to it, and the ash was white, so I mis-took it for a maduro.

Like I said though once you told me what it was, for a buck, it's a great buy.
SmokeMonkey Offline
#116 Posted: Fri, Apr 1 2016, 9:04 AM EST
Joined: 04-05-2015
Posts: 5,688
Al - your is going out today.
chazbo Offline
#117 Posted: Sat, Apr 2 2016, 4:32 PM EST
Joined: 01-21-2007
Posts: 8,160
Smoked dharbolt #1 on the practice putting green today.
Appearance 6 x 38 medium brown, toothy firm wrapper. Razor burn no touch up needed. Medium body throughout. Didn't pick up any certain favors but good solid smoke.
My guess is a Padron Panetela
Chazbo
dharbolt Offline
#118 Posted: Sat, Apr 2 2016, 5:20 PM EST
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
chazbo wrote:
Smoked dharbolt #1 on the practice putting green today.
Appearance 6 x 38 medium brown, toothy firm wrapper. Razor burn no touch up needed. Medium body throughout. Didn't pick up any certain favors but good solid smoke.
My guess is a Padron Panetela
Chazbo



Chazbo that was a tat red label my favorite daily/yard gar
chazbo Offline
#119 Posted: Sat, Apr 2 2016, 5:28 PM EST
Joined: 01-21-2007
Posts: 8,160
Cool, thought it was a lil familiar. Had the BBQ sauce last night with some pulled pork. Good stuff.
stinger88 Offline
#120 Posted: Sat, Apr 2 2016, 7:35 PM EST
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
Namadio, it has finally been shipped out.
tamapatom Offline
#121 Posted: Sun, Apr 3 2016, 7:30 AM EST
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
bgz wrote:
No idea what you're talking about.

Cardboard. Or burnt wood. Just something I notice on some gars if not careful on the draw, coal can burn too hot.
dharbolt Offline
#122 Posted: Sun, Apr 3 2016, 2:10 PM EST
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
chazbo wrote:
Cool, thought it was a lil familiar. Had the BBQ sauce last night with some pulled pork. Good stuff.



I goofed up chazbo. The number 1 was not the tat red label. It was an illusione 33. Sorry for ruining the surprise on the yard gar. Glad to hear you liked the sauce
bgz Offline
#123 Posted: Sun, Apr 3 2016, 4:45 PM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
tamapatom wrote:
Cardboard. Or burnt wood. Just something I notice on some gars if not careful on the draw, coal can burn too hot.


Lol, no... it wasn't that. I wasn't in rush mode, and the note only lasted for a few puffs.

Like others said, it wasn't a bad cigar, it's just it was my duty to give it a critical review.
tamapatom Offline
#124 Posted: Sun, Apr 3 2016, 8:08 PM EST
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
This is what is fun about blind reviews. Bring on more!
bgz Offline
#125 Posted: Sun, Apr 3 2016, 10:13 PM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
Experimented with the Hanks Sauce that Shaun sent tonight, whipped up a steak rub and through it on a t-bone. Some good chit.
danmdevries Offline
#126 Posted: Mon, Apr 4 2016, 12:47 AM EST
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,314
tamapatom wrote:
This is what is fun about blind reviews. Bring on more!


I keep checking in here a few times a day anxiously awaiting new reviews.
bgz Offline
#127 Posted: Mon, Apr 4 2016, 2:27 AM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
Ya, I'm holding out on my last one till more people start smoking theirs.
SmokeMonkey Offline
#128 Posted: Mon, Apr 4 2016, 8:10 AM EST
Joined: 04-05-2015
Posts: 5,688
Delta, looks as if this is scheduled for delivery today.
tamapatom Offline
#129 Posted: Mon, Apr 4 2016, 8:26 AM EST
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
bgz wrote:
Ya, I'm holding out on my last one till more people start smoking theirs.

The tension is killing us. Go ahead and do it.

I think its best if the test gars in a group are all done within a short period of time so we can get comparisons between the choices. I found it helpful to do one each day take notes and write up my opinions all at once. Just my opinion though.
bgz Offline
#130 Posted: Mon, Apr 4 2016, 9:10 AM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
tamapatom wrote:
The tension is killing us. Go ahead and do it.

I think its best if the test gars in a group are all done within a short period of time so we can get comparisons between the choices. I found it helpful to do one each day take notes and write up my opinions all at once. Just my opinion though.


I don't agree. I think your way sucks, just my opinion.
tamapatom Offline
#131 Posted: Mon, Apr 4 2016, 12:12 PM EST
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
bgz wrote:
I don't agree. I think your way sucks, just my opinion.

That's OK.......it does suck a little in that it takes longer to get the reviews out that way. For me, I didn't want to be influenced by hearing the answers - by the last one it would would be too easy to know which one it was! (though of course the descriptions would likely not be influenced).
bgz Offline
#132 Posted: Mon, Apr 4 2016, 12:36 PM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
I think it would be hard to write about a cigar you smoked last week, 3 days ago... yesterday because it's not fresh in your head.

Hell, I don't even remember what I smoked yesterday, lol.
chazbo Offline
#133 Posted: Mon, Apr 4 2016, 1:48 PM EST
Joined: 01-21-2007
Posts: 8,160
bgz wrote:
I think it would be hard to write about a cigar you smoked last week, 3 days ago... yesterday because it's not fresh in your head.

Hell, I don't even remember what I smoked yesterday, lol.

Quit smoking so much dope🍃
tamapatom Offline
#134 Posted: Mon, Apr 4 2016, 5:59 PM EST
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
bgz wrote:
I think it would be hard to write about a cigar you smoked last week, 3 days ago... yesterday because it's not fresh in your head.

Hell, I don't even remember what I smoked yesterday, lol.

So go ahead and smoke that last one and quickly post the review before you forget! Or maybe you already smoked it and forgot. Now you are in trouble!
bgz Offline
#135 Posted: Mon, Apr 4 2016, 7:11 PM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
Alright, alright!!!

I LIED, I do remember what I smoked yesterday... and the day before that...

but I don't remember Friday, lol.

In any case, I'll smoke the last one when I'm damn well ready.
delta1 Offline
#136 Posted: Tue, Apr 5 2016, 3:16 AM EST
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,778
Received a nearly 5 pound box of goodies from SmokeMonkey today. It had three numbered unbanded cigars, plus a bunch of extras: a big 2 lb bag of McEwen and Sons white grits (yummm), a 32 oz jar of bbq sauce from Dreamland, a company in Birmingham AL, and a bottle of Alabama Sunshine (Fayette, AL) jalapeno hot sauce.

The extra cigars:

CAO Pilon, nh, wanting to try
Davidoff Escurio, nh, wanting to try
Punch Signature, been awhile
and a nice selection of Perdomos
Cabinet Series Limited Edition Cameroon
Champagne Noir Mag 50 entubo
Habano Corojo
Patriarch
10th Anniversary Criollo

I'm gonna let the mystery smokes rest a bit before smoking and reviewing them and will certainly enjoy the others. Thank you so much, SmokeMonkey!
danmdevries Offline
#137 Posted: Tue, Apr 5 2016, 7:37 AM EST
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,314
Damn poo flinging monkey.

Nice hit.

Swung fairly hard at my target, but he didn't flinch. Said box landed via pm, but that was all. Anyone seen fp1 around? Tell him to get smokin
tamapatom Offline
#138 Posted: Tue, Apr 5 2016, 8:38 AM EST
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
That ain't no monkey, must be a gorilla.
SmokeMonkey Offline
#139 Posted: Tue, Apr 5 2016, 8:59 AM EST
Joined: 04-05-2015
Posts: 5,688
No gorilla here, just monkey business.

I think FP1 has had a lot going on. Had a PM from him last week indicating that.
dharbolt Offline
#140 Posted: Tue, Apr 5 2016, 6:55 PM EST
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
Smoking BGZ's #3

By process of elimination i know its the yard gar but...


lightly box pressed robusto with a light brown smooth wrapper. good firm construction with minimal veins.

Pre-draw is kind of a sweet vanilla caramel, very uncommon flavor,almost like a vanilla coffee energy drink.

First few puffs have a nice cedar sweetness with a bit of pepper on the retro.

Progressing into the first third the burn is perfect, flavor is still a sweet cedar though the pepper has faded from the nose, a mildly bitter (not overly so) finish has developed.

At the halfway point the sweetness has faded into an earthy cedar with a long finish that is still a bit bitter. burn is still razor sharp though the cigar has begun to violently rebel against its box pressed upbringing. While it has not ruptured the wrapper it is definitely not square anymore :) ash held solid for more than an inch.

Into the final third no appreciable changes in flavors, and no growth of the bitterness. Burn stayed perfect and the rapid rounding of the once square cigar never ruptured the wrapper. I had to clip the end again as the draw closed up due to a bit of tar formation at the head but after a trimming i smoked it down to about 3/4 of an inch.

Not a bad yard gar at all, I would definitely smoke more and probably stock them if the price was decent.


So, what was It?
stinger88 Offline
#141 Posted: Tue, Apr 5 2016, 8:25 PM EST
Joined: 05-29-2012
Posts: 6,574
^^sounds like a good one.
frozenphoenix1 Offline
#142 Posted: Tue, Apr 5 2016, 10:19 PM EST
Joined: 02-27-2011
Posts: 1,912
Well... i needed to check in here and say that dr. Dan has some good hot sauce. Blis hot sauce is aged in founders beer barrels and damn is it good. Not rippin hot but really adds some beautiful flavors.

As for the smokes, i hope to get to them this week or next, been running around like a mad man and havent been able to dedicate the time to smoking them correctly for the reviews.

Package outbound for an Alabama smoking monkey as well.
tamapatom Offline
#143 Posted: Tue, Apr 5 2016, 10:34 PM EST
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
shaun341 wrote:
TampaTom package arrived today and since there was a humipak in the bag I decided to start right in.

Review on cigar #5

5x50 dark brown wrapper possible maduro or just light enough in color to be a dark natural. Triple cap and just a small blemish with a wrinkle right near it on the wrapper. Starts out with a strong bitter chocolate taste to it. Initial impressions is that it taste just like a young Le Bijou I once smoked. Just a few minutes in and I decide to do a retro and I pick up some cedar and just a touch of pepper from that. Knocked the ash off at 3/4 inch mark and burn line is pretty straight. Not much change in this cigar besides about midway the pepper picked up ever so slightly but it did always remain in the background and dropped back down shortly after. Towards the end the chocolate lost that bitterness for just a few minutes but then it came back. I would almost swear that this is a young Le Bijou but I know that it is not. Something is telling me that I have smoked one of these before but can't put my finger on what it is.

I could go a couple ways with this one as a local roll or midrange but I think I will go with midrange because it seems like with a little more rest this would be a good. Also if I were to guess on wrapper I would definitely think this is a mexican san andres maduro.

OK, i cant hold out anymore......this was the local rolled La Faraona maduro from an Ybor City 7th Ave. storefront. Nice description. Oliva Tobacco Co. provides most of our local leaf.....dont think they grow any San Andreas though but maybe? I like the tooth. Odelma used to work at Partagas (and also does a nice little culebra). These maduros are 4-5 bucks. Not quite a le bijou but your comments make me want to sock some of these away for a few years and see what happens.

You said you smoked #3 and I look forward to your review. Its not what you think.
danmdevries Offline
#144 Posted: Tue, Apr 5 2016, 11:22 PM EST
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,314
frozenphoenix1 wrote:
Well... i needed to check in here and say that dr. Dan has some good hot sauce. Blis hot sauce is aged in founders beer barrels and damn is it good. Not rippin hot but really adds some beautiful flavors.

As for the smokes, i hope to get to them this week or next, been running around like a mad man and havent been able to dedicate the time to smoking them correctly for the reviews.

Package outbound for an Alabama smoking monkey as well.


Love that sauce.

Looking forward to the reviews
bgz Offline
#145 Posted: Wed, Apr 6 2016, 12:44 AM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
dharbolt wrote:
Smoking BGZ's #3

By process of elimination i know its the yard gar but...


lightly box pressed robusto with a light brown smooth wrapper. good firm construction with minimal veins.

Pre-draw is kind of a sweet vanilla caramel, very uncommon flavor,almost like a vanilla coffee energy drink.

First few puffs have a nice cedar sweetness with a bit of pepper on the retro.

Progressing into the first third the burn is perfect, flavor is still a sweet cedar though the pepper has faded from the nose, a mildly bitter (not overly so) finish has developed.

At the halfway point the sweetness has faded into an earthy cedar with a long finish that is still a bit bitter. burn is still razor sharp though the cigar has begun to violently rebel against its box pressed upbringing. While it has not ruptured the wrapper it is definitely not square anymore :) ash held solid for more than an inch.

Into the final third no appreciable changes in flavors, and no growth of the bitterness. Burn stayed perfect and the rapid rounding of the once square cigar never ruptured the wrapper. I had to clip the end again as the draw closed up due to a bit of tar formation at the head but after a trimming i smoked it down to about 3/4 of an inch.

Not a bad yard gar at all, I would definitely smoke more and probably stock them if the price was decent.


So, what was It?


Excellent review, I must say, you are a much better reviewer of cigars than I am.

Technically, I don't think the cigar can be classified as a yard gar, but I really don't have many true yard gars any more, and the rule of the game, was to send as a cigar that you smoke while screwing around in the yard so to speak... and what I sent you is my goto for that. Actually, it's one of my main gotos period...

Fuente Magnum R44 is what that was, a very good, cheap cigar.
shaun341 Offline
#146 Posted: Wed, Apr 6 2016, 5:46 AM EST
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
tamapatom wrote:
OK, i cant hold out anymore......this was the local rolled La Faraona maduro from an Ybor City 7th Ave. storefront. Nice description. Oliva Tobacco Co. provides most of our local leaf.....dont think they grow any San Andreas though but maybe? I like the tooth. Odelma used to work at Partagas (and also does a nice little culebra). These maduros are 4-5 bucks. Not quite a le bijou but your comments make me want to sock some of these away for a few years and see what happens.

You said you smoked #3 and I look forward to your review. Its not what you think.



That makes sense that the most of the tobacco would come from Oliva Tobacco Co. because it did have a good taste to it and any brand I know that uses leaves from Oliva is pretty decent. If I have time befroe work this morning I will post my reviews for #4 and #3. I was going to wait until this weekend cause I figure to finish this up then but now is as good a time as any.
tamapatom Offline
#147 Posted: Wed, Apr 6 2016, 6:37 AM EST
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
shaun341 wrote:
That makes sense that the most of the tobacco would come from Oliva Tobacco Co. because it did have a good taste to it and any brand I know that uses leaves from Oliva is pretty decent. If I have time befroe work this morning I will post my reviews for #4 and #3. I was going to wait until this weekend cause I figure to finish this up then but now is as good a time as any.

No rush.....it might be cool to do the rest together. Either way, have fun.
dharbolt Offline
#148 Posted: Wed, Apr 6 2016, 7:03 AM EST
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
bgz wrote:
Excellent review, I must say, you are a much better reviewer of cigars than I am.

Technically, I don't think the cigar can be classified as a yard gar, but I really don't have many true yard gars any more, and the rule of the game, was to send as a cigar that you smoke while screwing around in the yard so to speak... and what I sent you is my goto for that. Actually, it's one of my main gotos period...

Fuente Magnum R44 is what that was, a very good, cheap cigar.



LOL I wondered. Very good go to smoke.
tamapatom Offline
#149 Posted: Wed, Apr 6 2016, 8:11 AM EST
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
bgz wrote:
Excellent review, I must say, you are a much better reviewer of cigars than I am.

Technically, I don't think the cigar can be classified as a yard gar, but I really don't have many true yard gars any more, and the rule of the game, was to send as a cigar that you smoke while screwing around in the yard so to speak... and what I sent you is my goto for that. Actually, it's one of my main gotos period...

Fuente Magnum R44 is what that was, a very good, cheap cigar.

One of my faves!!!.......i put it in the old standby category rather than yard gar. Creamy little smoke.

A yard gar to me is one you light up and dont worry if you have to abandon it or interupt it and you want something simple and cheap but neither harsh or flavorless.. To me the magnum is a great deal at 6 or 7 bucks but not yard gar category. A yard gar should be bigger and cheaper IMO.

My personal yard gar level is the sub $3 buck a stick but i am getting tired of finding decent cheapies - lots of chafe to search through. And i have been disappointed with blends going downhill or prices going up and ruining a former great yard gar. I have been trying to smoke less but smoke better and its more rewarding. i commend Dan for having such a great cigar for his low bar.
bgz Offline
#150 Posted: Wed, Apr 6 2016, 9:41 AM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
Yep tamapa, less and better is better.

I was smoking quite a bit there for a while, but I find I enjoy cigars more when I don't smoke as often.

I do smoke more still when I go golfing though.
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