Since the cigar boom of the '90's, cigars have become little more than a hoity-toity accessory. Across the web cigar affianados extoll the 'resting smoke' and color of ash of sticks that can cost $5 apiece or more. 'Cigar lifestyle' (whatever the hell that is) is extolled, and cigar smokers debate such absurdities as when to ash, how much of the stick you should smoke, and how often you should take a puff. Anything other than a handmade from the likes of Punch, H. Upmann, or Rocky Patel is the butt of jokes.
But here's my take. A 'good cigar' is one you enjoy. You wanna find out about 'the cigar lifestyle'? Don't ask Liza Minelli or Madonna...go find a stogie-chewing old Jewish guy playing checkers in the park - he's likely been smoking cigars since George Burns puffed El Productos onstage. And he's also likely smoking a King Edward, not some overpriced boutique cigar.
I've smoked many a nice cigar, including Cubans, but I think machine mades aren't getting a fair shake. Not everyone is willing to blow hundreds of bucks a month smoking Gurkha Warlords or Arturo Fuente God of Fire everyday. They want a good tasting stick that can be picked up along with a Slurpee and a newspaper at a local shop. So here I am, to offer a review of these gas station wonders - many of which have been smoked for 100 years - back when they were handmade too. Later I will be reviewing some premium cigars as well.
First up; Antonio Y Cleopatra Candela ('natural') Grenadiers.
Origin: USA (Imported candela wrapper)
Make: Altadis AyC
Length: 6"
Ring Gauge: 24
Wrapper: Candela (natural leaf)
Filler: short-to medium, Cuban seed
Impressions: Firm construction, good draw, very light and consistent flavor. Unfortunately when you find these at a local store they are usually ancient and thus very dry and rather fragile. I have even bought a pack that each stick was sun-bleached through the window on the pack - that's old. I think I may try lay a few of these down in my humidor for awhile and see what happens. I have also found that on many examples when one tries to remove the cello with the tear-off band the botton of the cellophane under the band doesn't want to tear - leading to having to fool with it very carefully since the cigar is so fragile and prone to breakage. Nonetheless, I really like these. The taste is very light and slightly vegetal and the burn is consistent. These would be a great cigar for working outside. I'm a sucker for a candela wrapper though.
Backwoods Original
Origin: USA
Make: Altadis
Length: varies; about 4 1/2"
Ring Gauge: varies (cheroot), about 32
Wrapper: Dark (natural leaf)
Filler: medium
Impressions: I remember when these came out. They were pretty good, and their rustic uneven appearance have a 'Clint Eastwood' kind of feel. Fast-forward 20-some-odd years and it seems like this rustic look has really gotten out of hand. Gigantic veins, bulges, bends (I've gotten some that look like parentheses), and cracks make them smoke poorly. Looks like a cowboy got really drunk before he rolled it. When you get a good one, they are very mild with a rich flavor and good nose. You'd be better off with a De Nobili or Parodi though.
HAV-A-TAMPA Jewels (original)
Origin: USA
Make: Altadis Hav-A-Tampa
Length: 3 7/8" to beginning of tip
Ring Gauge: 24
Wrapper: Homogenized sheet
Filler: short
I gotta admit it, I really like these. Consistent burn, and a light flavor. These would be great for a Friday night poker game with buddies at the house. The wooden tip feels really good..better than the cheap plastic tips that are on so many cigars like these. At 3" there is a hard spot that is visible right through the wrapper. There is a slight 'creaminess' to the flavor. These guys have been around since 1902 and are still a good smoke today.
White Owl New Yorker and Invincible
Origin: USA
Make: White Owl; Dothan, Alabama
Length: 5 5/8" (N.Y.), 5 3/8" (Invincible)
Ring Gauge: 41
Wrapper: Sheet (natural shade)
Filler: short mixed blend ("from five nations")
Impressions: White Owls have been around for a long, long time. Yes, they are machine made with a homogenized sheet wrapper and are some of the cheapest cigars you can get. I bought a box of 50 Invincibles for only $21.00. What you get with White Owls - whether the New Yorker, Ranger, or Invincible is a firm construction, consistent mild flavor cigar after cigar, and a uniform burn with no problems. These are great cigars for everyday..I smoke one on my drive home for work, and it lasts about 40 minutes. The Invincible seems to give off a little less smoke from the tip than the larger New Yorker, but the draw is excellent. These are ones for a guy that just likes a good mild cigar and couldn't give a shit about prestigious bands and fancy boxes.
Middleton's Black and Mild Wine Flavored
Origin: USA
Make: John Middleton
Length: 4 5/8" to tip
Ring Gauge: 30
Wrapper: Sheet
Filler: short pipe tobacco
Impressions: Even burn, consistent flavor. On the upside, these smell and taste really good and won't even get you banished to the porch or back yard by your better half. It's almost like smoking a Jolly Rancher. On the downside is the really rough looking paper binder (which some dub 'cancer paper' and remove) and the slimy, cheap plastic tip. Sometimes these will leave a nasty taste on your tongue, almost acidic no doubt produced by whatever gives it it's 'wine' flavor. I can enjoy these once in awhile, but not something I could smoke all the time.
Labels: Antonio y Cleopatra, Backwoods, Black and Mild, cigar reviews, Hav-A-Tampa, White Owl
