A few cigars ago I decided that I was going to catalog (almost) every cigar that I smoked as I smoked it. After much internal debate, I have decided to share this catalog with the good folks at amback. I am already a few pages (cigars) in so I will post from the beginning of my catalog and will catch up quickly.

I know that I am a novice when it comes to cigars. All I can offer to you is my humble opinion on the experiences I have with a certain cigar on a certain day. Every post I make in this thread will be a different cigar, and a different page in my catalog. I will start every post with the day I smoked the cigar and how long its been in my humidor. I will then give the weather conditions, the cigar name, size, country the wrapper is from and country the filler(s) are from.

At this point I will tell you what I get out of the cigar from my pre-light ritual to the last few puffs.

I will then rate the cigar on 5 different criteria on a scale of 1 to 10. The criteria are: Burn, Draw, Appearance, Taste, and Construction.

I started to do this to help me understand cigars better. Maybe it will help you understand cigars better as well. This is from one novice to another. I hope we can understand the cigar world a bit better together.

9-19-06
Been in the Humi since 7-3-06
57* Sunny with a slight breeze
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature. 6 x 47
Natural Cameroon Wrapper. Dominican Filler.

The pre-light smell is very light. The lick on the cap pre-cut has a light cream taste. I cut with a punch. The test draw is firm but now hard. The unlit taste is creamy.

It is an interesting cigar to light with that little point of a foot that it has. The first puff is rich and sweet cream with no after taste whatsoever. After 5 minutes a rich earth and cream taste emerges. A little spice is starting to develop.

The first ash is at almost 2 inches. The taste has evened out to a mellow earth and light sweet. The after taste is a light black pepper. Very smooth in texture. There are no burn issues

At the half way point there is still the earthy taste but an almost caramel taste seems to be there as well. The after taste has built to a very rich earth and a mild black pepper.

The last two inches are burning hotter but the flavor is not lacking. The earth flavor is leaving and is moving to more spice. The draw is getting harder. Coffee hints are present.

I smoked it to the nub and burnt my fingers.

Overall this was a good smoke. This is what a good classic cigar should taste like. I can see why this would be a good breakfast smoke.

The burn time was about 1 hour and 40 min.

Burn: 8 (one corrective light issue)
Draw: 8
Appearance: 10
Taste: 9
Construction: 10


Overall: 9.0

9-22-06 Been in Humi since 8-10-06
60* Mostly cloudy and still.
Punch Magnum 5.2 x 54
Natural Ecuadorian wrapper
Dominican, Nicaraguan, Honduran filler.

Rich smell pre-light.
Pre-cut taste seems spicy.
Cut with a punch.
Light draw with a nutty taste.

The light of this cigar was problematic. My torch ran out of fuel ½ way through and I had to bring it to my mouth and finish with a bic.
The first few puffs are strong with a very bitter after taste. This may be due to the “incorrect” light. This cigar is putting out tons of smoke.
After 5 minutes the cigar has not settled from the light.
The first ash fell at just over 1 ¼ inches. The cigar at this point tastes of red and black pepper but mostly on the aftertaste. The initial taste is very bittersweet… but in a bad way. The wind is starting to pick up.

At the half way point it has built up to a spicy bittersweet fullness. Somehow I expected a better flavor out of the punch brand. It’s not all bad and no where near bad enough to give up on.

By about two inches left the bitter has lessened. A corrective light is needed.
The last few puffs are very spicy and bitter.
Burn time was just over an hour.

This was an ok smoke. I have more of these and I hope the rest are better. Maybe the way I lit the cigar affected it. I will let these sit for a while longer and then try again. I expected more out of this brand and shape.



Burn: 8
Draw: 9
Appearance: 8
Taste: 6
Construction: 8

Overall: 7.8

9-24-06 Been in humi since 8-30-06
62* Sunny and windy.
Petrus Etiquette Rouge Robusto 5 x 50
Connecticut seed Ecuadorian grown wrapper
Nicaraguan, Dominican, Honduran filler.

Pre-light has an earthy smell. It reminds me of hunting with my father, when we used to rest in the old tobacco barns… a good mix of tobacco and hay. It’s got an easy draw after I cut it with a punch.

The first few puffs are kind of grassy. The cigar seems a bit dry though I keep my humi at 65-70 at all times.
The first ash fell after about 1 inch. I must be smoking too fast, it left a cone shape. Very leathery taste with slightly bitter after taste.

I slowed down my puffing by the half way point. The initial taste is sweet and earthy with hints of grass. The after taste is bitter like bad coffee. I may have to update my “taste” category to make them two: Taste, and After Taste.

At about 2 inches left I took one puff and it was cool with the previously mentioned flavors. The very next puff was hot. It was a very quick change, almost instant. This temp change also came with a flavor change. Now it tastes like a nutty coffee. This late stage of the cigar was the first time it was interesting to smoke. If the rest of the cigar was like this it would be a good smoke. Since I had to wait to the last two inches for it to be any good id say it wasn’t worth the wait. Too little, too late.

Even the last few puffs had no spice to it.
The burn time was almost 1 hour.

This cigar would not shake the bitter. It the entire cigar was like the last two inches the bitter wouldn’t matter.

Burn: 10
Draw: 9
Appearance: 7
Taste: 7
After taste: 4
Construction: 6

Over all: 7.2

9-25-06 been in humi since 7-24-06
57* partly cloudy light sporadic breeze.
Cusano Corojo Vintage 1997 Toro 6 x 50
Cuban seed Ecuador grown corojo wrapper, Sumatra binder.
Dominican Filler.

The pre-light smell was good and light. It’s different in a way that I can’t put my finger on.
Cut with a punch. Nutty and sweet pre-light draw. Draw itself is perfect.

The first few puffs are smooth with a light flavor. By the third puff a nice spice develops. It may be the time of the year but the after taste is of autumn leaves, even though no leaves have fallen this year yet.
The first ash fell off after two inches. There is an ever so slight uneven burn. Nothing that requires a corrective light. Flavor is creamy but not too sweet. There are 3 stages to the flavor of each puff. First is a mild cream followed by a pleasant spice. The spice sets in the way the spice of a hot banana pepper would: easy on, easy off. It then goes to a taste that I can only describe as “autumn evening”
Half way through the cigar the taste is much the same. Not too complex through the stick but complex on each puff. It’s not as sweet as I thought it would be but I am in no way disappointed.
With two inches left there is even more spice. Its not over powering at all, but quite pleasant. It lasts the right amount of time. No bitter at all yet. The cigar is very toast-like. It would go well with a cup of ear grey and buttered toast.
The last few puffs are now spicier than before and a hint of sweet. This cigar waited until the last moment to warm up.

Burn time: 1hr 20min

I am going to get a few of these to smoke next September.

Burn: 9
Draw: 10
Appearance: 8
Taste: 9
After taste: 10
Construction: 9

Overall: 9.2

9-26-06 been in humi since 8-30-06
63* and not a cloud in the sky.
5 Vegas Gold Churchill 7 x 50
Connecticut seed wrapper
Honduran filler

Nutty pre-light smell but very light.
Draw is a bit tight but still doable. Lots of flavor with unlit draw.

The first few puffs bring a sweet cedar taste. The aroma it spews out is very light.
First ash falls at about 1 ½ inches. It’s a very light cigar with lots of cedar and very mild spice on the finish. The burn is even but it construction seems a bit worrisome.
At the halfway point is mellowed to mild cedar and sweet cream. Same light spice on the finish. Smoke is smooth and relaxing. Not complex but no bad flavor.

With two inches left I’m getting much of the same. The smoke starts to heat up shortly after this point.

The last few puffs bring a warm cream with spice flavor.

This cigar was good- not amazing, but good and consistent. Again it was not a complex cigar at all but the taste was pleasant and relaxing.

Burn time: 2 hrs.

Burn: 10
Draw: 8
Appearance: 8
Taste: 8
Aftertaste: 8
Construction: 8

Over all: 8.3

10-1-06 been in humi since 9-1-06
58* sunny with light breeze.
Camacho Havana Toro 6 x 50
Honduran grown Havana seed Corojo Filler
Wrapper is Honduran Grown Jamastran Habano Criollo

The pre-light smell is very bakers chocolate.
Rich and spicy unlit pre-cut taste. Cut with a punch.
Hot chocolate with cream unlit draw. Very easy draw.

The first few puffs taste of sweet coffee and spice. The spice seems to linger.

First ash fell at 1 ½ inches. Its “mellowed” to a medium-full flavor. The taste is caramel and chocolate. That quickly changes to spice then coffee. I’m not a fan of coffee but this is quite pleasant. So far the burn would qualify as “flawless.” Even my poor light corrected itself.

At the half way point the cigar is building again. The chocolate is now in the initial taste and the spice is still in the aftertaste. What girls are made from comes to mind. “…Sugar and spice and all things nice.” Full flavor, full body. I’m glad I’m sitting down. Very relaxing. I wish I had a Captain and coke. The burn is less even now but still no corrective light.

2 inches left. Very full. Caramel and chocolate with hints of coffee. One corrective light now. Spice is moving to initial taste now, but it fades quickly.

In The last few puffs the spice is very pronounced. Its mostly black pepper and coffee.

This was a good cigar. Full and complex. I always have and always will have a handful of these on hand.

burn time 1h 40 min


Burn: 9
Draw: 8
Appearance: 9
Taste: 10
Aftertaste: 9
Construction: 10

Over all: 9.2

10-2-06 been in humi since 8-30-06
61* overcast and calm.
Pueblo Dominicano Torpedo 6.2 x 52
Ecuadorian Sun grown Wrapper.
Filler is a 6 country blend.

Pre-light smell is of rich soil; almost farm-like
Precut flavor of very light spice and leather.
Cut with a double guillotine.
Chocolate on an unlit draw. Draw is a bit stiff.

The first few puffs are sweet and leathery. Earth as an aftertaste. There is a quick shot of spice right after the initial taste but before the after taste. Very short on the palate.
The first ash falls after 1.5 inches. Draw is becoming tighter. The flavor starts out sweet the fades to spicy and then rich earth. The spice comes and goes it isn’t consistent.
The burn is great. Very even.

At the halfway point I get more of the same, Im not amazed by this cigar but I am in no way upset with it either. Is it worth the price? For me, yes. (I won it in a PIF I think) Would I pay full price for another? Probably not. There is nothing wrong with it… just not for me.

The last two inches still have a perfect burn. I am approaching the spot where I squeezed too hard to try and loosen the draw. Burn may not be so perfect then. The flavor is more earthy then sweet now.

The last few puffs are more of the same. This cigar was cool till the end.

Burn time 1h 35min.

Burn: 10
Draw: 7
Appearance: 9
Taste: 8
Aftertaste: 9
Construction: 8

Overall: 8.5

10-3-06 been in humi since 8-10-06
65* sun and cloud mix.
Gurkha Class Regent Toro 6 x 50
Honduran Wrapper
Honduran Filler.
Box pressed.

Pre-light smell is earthy with a hint of (I’m not making this up) raisins. Light taste pre-cut.
Cut with a punch. Draw is firm and again tastes of raisins.

The first few puffs are sweet and almost fruity. There is a slight spice. No after taste as of yet.
The first ash fell at just over an inch. Very smooth but with a fair amount of spice. The sweet has faded. Earthy aftertaste with a hint of raisins. Even burn.
At the half way point the cigar is of medium body and is smooth and earthy. Spice is in the taste and it is cool on the after taste. I think the raisin taste is from the smell of the cigar. It smells much sweeter than it tastes. It’s a very interesting cigar. Id like the draw to be a bit lighter.
The last two inches: Slightly warmer smoke and that brings a bit of a bite but no extra spice or harshness. A flavor of rye is coming on. This is a great way to finish a very good cigar.
The last few puffs are warm and rich spice with no bitter. It is toasty and smooth. A wonderful smell accompanies. There is less than an inch left and I want more. I must resist the urge to go grab another one.
There has been a slow perfect burn all the way down.

Burn time 1h 50min

Burn: 10
Draw: 7
Appearance: 10
Taste: 9
After taste: 9
Construction: 10

Overall: 9.2

10-5-05 been in humi since 9-7-06
55* sunny
Gurkha Regent Nepalese Warrior Toro 6 x 50 box pressed.
Honduran Filler
Cameroon wrapper.
This is the same cigar as the Class Regent but with a Cameroon wrapper.

Pre-light smell is woody and sweet. The taste before the cut is leathery and peppery. Cut with a punch. Draw is good with hints of cinnamon.
First few puffs are earthy and light. The spice is a bit on the cinnamon side.

First ash fell after about 1 ½ inches. The flavor is medium. It is sweet and earthy initially and fades to cinnamon. The cinnamon reminds me of the old atomic fireballs I used to have as a kid, just more mild. This fades to leather. Not a very even burn but no corrective lights have been needed.

At the half way point it is still earthy. The spice comes and goes. Any sweet that I detect reminds me of a light raisin. The taste is very light but if the smoke is held it builds fast. The after taste is very leather. However this cigar is more flat than I would have expected. It’s burning fast.

Last two inches: cinnamon is building again. Leather after taste. A corrective light is now needed. There is a touch of bitter but it isn’t a big deal.
The last few puffs are warmer and more pepper than cinnamon.

Burn time 1h 15 min

This cigar is not as well rounded as the original regent. It is not as smooth and not as dynamic. It’s more bitter. It’s not that the original was sweet, just that this one had a touch of bitter. The Nepalese warrior has a more woody taste and aroma than the regent and that is very pleasant.


Burn: 8
Draw: 10
Appearance: 10
Taste: 8
Aftertaste: 8
Construction: 10

Overall: 9.0

10-6-06 been in humi since 8-30-06
52* sunny and windy.
Macanudo Vintage 1997 no.3, 5.9 x 43
Connecticut Shade Wrapper
Dominican and Mexican Filler.

Pre-light smell is very light and smells of hey. Uncut taste is slightly bitter in a nutty sort of way. Cut with a punch. Nutty unlit draw.
First few puffs are light and mildly sweet with a bitter aftertaste that fades fast.
Fist ash at almost an inch. Taste is sweet and nutty with a shot of spice on the finish. All of this is very light and I find myself drawing on it more to try and get more flavor. The burn is even. The bitter aftertaste is so light that is it almost non existent.

Half way point: the cigar has settled to a very mild flavor; a bit nutty but almost too light to tell. The only real taste is a shot of spice. Nothing else jumps out and the draw is a bit hard.

Last two inches start to burn hot and brings along a cedar smell. Still little taste.
The last few puffs are a hotter version of the above. I’m unimpressed, but the burn was perfect.

Burn time 1h 10min


Burn: 10
Draw: 7
Appearance: 9
Taste: 7
Aftertaste: 7
Construction: 9

Overall: 8.2

10-10-06 been in humi since 9-18-06
70* and sunny
Bolivar Churchill 7 x 49
Honduran grown San Augustine Ligero Wrapper
Nicaraguan and Honduran Filler.

Pre-light smell is rich and chocolaty and uncut taste is creamy. I cut with a punch. The draw tastes of a good combination of the two afore mentioned tastes. It’s a bit tight.
The first few puffs are creamy and surprisingly light. No aftertaste this early.
First ash at 1.5 inches. Now a chocolate and cream taste with coffee undertones and aftertaste. The amount of smoke is small considering the taste. Full flavor medium body. The smoke seems to have a drying effect in my mouth. Very light spice every now and then. I needed a corrective light and the wrapper has a crack in it that I did not see before. I think I caused it myself.
Half way through the spice a built a tiny bit and burnt chocolate in the main taste. The coffee is still there. The aroma is creamy coffee.
With two inches left it is sweeter with more cream that is sort of warm. And a corrective light was needed not long before.
The last few puffs are more of the same.

Burn time 1h 50 min
Not a bad smoke. I’m not a big fan of coffee but this isn’t bad. None of the bitter I usually associate with coffee is in this cigar. The cream and the chocolate taste balances out the coffee well. I have heard of people talking about a “balanced” cigar. Now I know what they mean. This isn’t the taste I usually go for but still a good smoke.

Burn: 8
Draw: 8
Appearance: 8
Taste: 8
Aftertaste: 8
Construction: 9

Overall: 8.2

I feel that this rating does not reflect my opinion accurately. My impression is that it would have been a higher rating. I may need to rethink my rating system to include the intangible impression I get from the cigar. If I include that, my new rating would be either an 8.4 or 8.5.

Keep up the good work!

kuzi, I love your reviews. Keep up the hard work.

Thank you.

10-10-06 been in humi since 9-21-06
56* overcast and a bit of drizzle
El Cobre by Oliva Torpedo 6.5 x 52
Nicaraguan Wrapper
Habano seed Nicaraguan grown filler

Pre-light smell is earthy. Pre-cut taste is sweet and creamy. Cut with a double edge guillotine. Unlit Draw is firm and the taste is a spicy sweet.

The first few puffs are creamy and a hint of sweet with a slow building spice. It takes a quite some time for the spice to hit. Very black pepper and leather.

First ash was accidental. I brushed against the arm of my chair at about ¾ of an inch. Until that point it had been a razors edge perfect burn and a perfect ash. The taste is full and earthy and peppery. The aftertaste holds the spice and a hint of sweet comes on.

Half way point. I have never seen a cigar burn so evenly. On a scale of one to 10 this gets an 11. The ash is straight and even and strong. Very full flavor leather and earth with no bitter. Sweet and spice. The sweet is mild. There is a lot going on in this cigar. The draw is a bit tight and some more time in the humi may do it some good. I’m impressed with this cigars strength. I’m glad I ate. Very strong and very relaxing.

Two inches left. This cigar has kicked into high gear. The initial taste of leather is instant. There is no ½ second to wait before the flavor hits. The spice is constant but not overpowering. The finish is quick and earthy. Very nice. This cigar makes me want to take a nap and sitting down is good.
The last few puffs are of warm earth. They are spicy and full. I’ve got a good cigar buzz.

Burn time 1h 45 min


Burn: 11! (mine goes up to 11…)
Draw: 8
Appearance: 9
Taste: 9
Aftertaste: 8
Construction: 10

Overall: 9.1