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CURMUDGEONLY_PIPER93
About Me:
I'll try any pipe or blend once. But I love straight Apples, Billiards, and Churchwardens and have yet to find a Balkan I dislike.
Badges
Reviews
Drew Estate - Nica Rustica Broadleaf Belly
Thanks for the Memories
These were great cigars. My daily sticks. I shall miss them immeasurably.
Perdomo - Habano Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maduro Epicure
Good Puro
The flavor is great. Earthy and rich. The construction isn't the finest. Rather lumpy and burns off-center. But all in all not a bad stogy.
La Gloria Cubana - Medio Tiempo Toro
It's alright
It's nothing really unique. Found it rather mild. The wrapper leaves are very coarse and gritty, and the construction is somewhat lumpy. Uneven burn; I'm guessing from the rough exterior. And it's not a very tightly rolled stick. The crown end gets pretty spongy relatively quickly.
Brick House - Corona Larga
Not a lot going on.
Construction is good; Burns evenly. Clocks in at about 40 minutes of smoke time. Very earthy flavor but incredibly mild. Almost bland.
Blackbird - Unkind Corona
It's decent.
Solid construction and even burn. 30 minute smoke time. The flavor doesn't have much going on. Some oats, oak, and spice, but very mild.
Foundation Cigar Company - Charter Oak Maduro Lonsdale
It's OK.
Construction is decent. Flavor profile is rather spicy and harsh on my palate. Only got about 30 minutes of smoke out of it. It's OK for the price.
Joya de Nicaragua - Joya Black Nocturno
Botched Construction
The flavor isn't bad. But the build is terrible. Uneven burn. The wrapper was insanely fragile despite having been kept at a constant humidity of 72% RH. And a massive divet surrounded by several circumferential cracks was concealed beneath the band. Buyer Beware.
Crowned Heads - Four Kicks Maduro Corona Gorda
Not my cup of tea.
The construction is stiff and uneven. Draw was terrible, burned unevenly. And the flavor was rather bland.
Arturo Fuente - Double Chateau Fuente Maduro
Top of the Line
I'll start this by stating that Nicaraguans are my favorite cigars. My father has been smoking 8-5-8 Maduros for 30 years however. And when I want something mellow, Arturo Fuente is my go to. The taste and the smell is like home to me. Creamy and nutty with a touch of zest and spice. Beautiful construction; Not too firm but not spongy either. Clean, even burn right to the nub. When I visit my father, and we smoke 8-5-8's on the back deck, I always find myself wishing they were just a bit longer. This is that cigar; same familiar Fuente flavor but just a touch longer duration. Perfect
Drew Estate - Nica Rustica Broadleaf Brujito
Drew Estate quality on a budget.
Solid Nicaraguan Puro. I prefer the belicoso but, with them being out of stock currently, I decided to give this one a whirl. Solid construction. Closed foot makes it easy to get an even light. Burns about an hour. If you like rich, dark Nicaraguan Puros like me, these are a solid choice for a daily driver.
Aganorsa Leaf - JFR Maduro Super Toro
Solid Puro for the price.
This is a quality cigar, especially for the price. The construction is firm but not restrictive on the pull. The wrapper is rough and not particularly oily. The closed foot makes it easy to light evenly. About an hour and 15 minutes on the burn. Definitely will buy again.
Sampler Packs - Gurkha Blue Nicaragua Fresh Pack Toro Sampler (6 Pack)
Supreme
I bought one of these packs and enjoyed every cigar in it. I love Nicaraguan cigars and between the price point and the quality of construction, Hansotia knocks it out of the park every time.
Samuel Gawith - Skiff Mixture 50g
Helluva bite to it.
It bites me every time I smoke it. And the flavor is too mild and bland to put up with the bite.
Mac Baren - HH Rustica Flake 3.5oz
I'll stick to the HH Bold Kentucky
This blend is not bad. But I don't prefer it more than say HH Bold Kentucky or Solani Silver. And I only want a really strong tobacco on the odd occasion. So I can hardly justify spending $24.99 and getting 3.5 oz when it'll probably take me 3 years to smoke through it. It's not unique enough of a flavor. But it'll be in my cellar and I will revisit it with age.
G. L. Pease - Charing Cross 2oz
Proof of Greg Pease's mastery of his craft.
Every G.L. Pease blend I've ever bought has been magnificent. The perfect moisture out of the tin. Never fussy on the light up. Flavor is always top notch Quality is always immaculate with G.L. Pease. This is a member of the G.L. Pease Balkan trifecta that I always keep in stock, along with Abingdon and Odyssey. The Balkan is my favorite style of blend. I've tried all the Balkans I can get my hands on, Arango, Sutliff, Peterson, Hearth and Home, Cornell and Diehl, Sobranie, Sasieni, Bill Bailey's blend, and Joe Lankford's. Mr. Pease's blends rank above them all in my opinion. I don't know how G.L. Pease maintains such perfection, but I thank my lucky stars that he and his brand do. A God amongst us pipe-smoking mortals.
Seattle Pipe Club - Plum Pudding 2oz
Joe Lankford's Greatest Gift
It's saddening to know ol' Joe is gone. But he was a beacon amongst us pipe smokers. A God amongst mortals. This is his Crown Jewel. May Seattle Pipe Club never abandon his great legacy.
G. L. Pease - Abingdon 2oz
Balkan Sobranie, Eat your heart out!
This is my favorite Balkan blend. If I'm being honest it is my favorite all-time blend. Fresh out of the tin it is immaculate. A year cellared, it's somehow even more immaculate. It's the Goldilocks of Balkans. Spicy, earthy, sweet, creamy, rich, smoky, savory. Gregory Pease is a Magician with a grimoire full of perfect blends. This is his Love Potion #9. Sobranie is a penny compared to Abingdon's Silver Dollar
Sutliff - Match 20
A shape-shifter of a blend.
I'll preface my review by stating I started smoking pipes after Dunhill stopped producing tobacco. So I didn't have the privilege of trying the original My Mixture 965 and I've yet to try Peterson's iteration. So I have no frame of reference, just my opinion of this blend. It starts off incredibly mild off the light with a subtle sweetness, almost a vanilla spice flavor. Halfway down the bowl it reaches a medium flavor where the toastiness of the Cavendish shines. Towards the bottom the Latakia's richness and smokiness build the overall complexity to a pleasing crescendo. A very pleasant overall smoke. If you let it sit out and dry a few hours, it's easier to tend. Very decent smoke.
Sutliff - Balkan S Original Mix Match
Better than the current Sobranie.
I never had the privilege to smoke the true Original Sobranie. But I have smoked the current production Sobranie. This is far better. It has a slightly coarser cut than Neo-Sobranie that helps it hold a light better. Less fussy. And it strikes a better balance of flavor between the three components than Sobranie , which I found rather dull. That said, I don't get the Latakia I crave from this smoke.
Alec Bradley - Black Market Torpedo
Neither bad nor great.
The flavor is very mild, almost bland for a maduro cigar. I can't seem to get them to burn evenly and they seem a little too tight for an enjoyable draw. I believe I'll stick with the My Father Opulencia Torpedos and the trustworthy Rocky Patel The Edge
McConnell - Latakia Flake 50g
Top of the Line Flake
Reminds me of campfire s'mores. Latakia gives the wood smoke. Dark Fired Kentucky adds the toastiness, and the Black Cavendish adds the Chocolate richness. Solid blend. Love it.
Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Dark Flake Unscented
Bold and Brash
Sometimes I like a bowl so strong it feels like a punch in the face. This is that punch. Fussy on the light but once lit it burns evenly. This is not for the mellow smoker.
Sillem's - Commodore Flake 50g
Commodore's Ship-of-the-Line
It's rich, earthy and has a tinge of an sweet aromatic quality. It has a very pleasant uniform flavor throughout the bowl. Top of the line. Will be buying again
Partagas - 1845 Extra Fuerte Churchill
Great taste. Terrible draw.
I wanted to like this cigar. The taste is good. But you'll make yourself dizzy trying to get a decent pull off of it. The draw with a regular cut is terrible. Maybe it's better with a bullet punch.
My Father - Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo Box Pressed
Definitely a jewel
I love torpedo and pyramid cigars more than any other. They really concentrate the flavor. I also love deep dark Oscuro wrappers. My favorite was La Gloria Cubana's Serie N. They didn't offer it in a Torpedo and now its discontinued. My go to sticks now are Serino Expats, Punch Diablos, and Rocky Patel The Edge maduro Torpedo. And if you were to blend all of those into one cigar it would be this one. Rich, earthy, slightly spicy, smooth. And it gains intensity and complexity the further down it burns. It concentrates into a crescendo of deep flavor. Top of the line cigar. Definitely my new special occasion smoke.
Serino - The Expat Corona Gorda
A suitable replacement
Ever since La Gloria Cubana discontinued the Serie N line I've searched for a suitable replacement. This is by far the closest I've ever found. Its dark and rich, earthy, spicy, but also smooth. I love these cigars.
G. L. Pease - Odyssey 2oz
More like a Fantastic Voyage
Easily in my top 5 Balkan blends. It's a carousel of flavors; at once Latakia forward, then next Oriental. The Virginias add sweetness to the richness and savory smokiness of Latakia and Orientals. Top notch Pease blend for sure
Cornell & Diehl - Atlas Balkan
Balkan blend on an Even Keel
Not what I'd consider a overly Latakia-centered blend compared to several other Balkans. C+D's Super Balkan is my go-to Balkan. This blend is the mature, well-mannered father of the brawny ne'er-do-well son that is Super Balkan. I'd call Atlas Balkan a decent medium Balkan.
Rocky Patel - Vintage 1990 Toro
Consistent and Flavorful
I had my first one of these sticks about a decade ago. It was good. Rich but not too rich. Medium strength. Decent twist and even burn. I just bought one today after only having them here and there over the last 10 years. It was just as good. Same quality, same consistent burn and flavor. Definitely a good line.
Drew Estate - Deadwood Sweet Jane (10 Pack)
Not my preference
I prefer dark Nicaraguan cigars. And these are dark Nicaraguans. But, like the name implies, the are sweet. In my opinion too sweet. They taste like they have the same topping they put on Swisher Sweets. It robs the Nicaraguan leaf of its natural earthy richness. My other complaint is that they are entirely too loosely twisted. They squish almost immediately.
Punch - Diablo Diabolitos (6 Pack)
Rich Little Beauties
My favorite cigars for a decade were La Gloria Cubana Serie N. Beautiful rich Nicaraguan Oscuros. I loved them and La Gloria Cubana took them from me. The Punch Diablos come close in flavor. My new main cigar of choice. Bravo, Punch!
Cornell & Diehl - Odessa 2oz
Decent medium body English
Odessa is decently balanced in blend. Cool smoke, no bite, medium bodied. What I do notice is that similar cigar characteristic of it growing steadily more intense as it burns down. It concentrates to a dizzying apex of rich flavor at the bottom of the bowl. Lovely English altogether.
G. L. Pease - Spark Plug 2oz
Garage Gaslight
Gaslight is my favorite plug hands down. But this is a close 2nd. Gaslight make me reminisce about dark winter nights reading by the fireplace. Spark Plug makes me reminisce about summer mornings in my uncle's garage: Coffee with a dash of Cream, Oil, and Smoke. It is a milder plug than Gaslight but not so much as to lose the richness of flavor that only a plug can supply. I like slicing it thin enough to make shag. Dries relatively quickly and burns down to a fine white ash.
Mac Baren - Plumcake 3.5oz
Best of both Worlds
In my opinion this is one of the best English Aromatics to be found. As English, Balkan, and Scottish blends are my preference I was immediately satisfied by the blend beneath the topping; All three are represented brilliantly and smoothly meld together into a wonderful blend. As for the topping, it is just enough for the rum spice and fruity sweetness to come through without leaving goop all over your briar. I love this blend and can't recommend it enough.
Drucquer & Sons - Loch Ness 100g
Brilliant Layers of Flavor
This blend is mellow, but complex. Every component is in synchronicity with the others. I find myself hit by an endless parade of beautifully concerted flavors. At one moment slightly fruity, the next nutty, then smoky, spicy then sweet. A Carousel of Taste. Truly Brilliant. Immaculately Conceived! Truly far superior than 5 stars can convey.
Cornell & Diehl - Pirate Kake 2oz
This is the Latakia M.O.A.B.
If you are completely enamored with Latakia, you cannot go wrong with Pirate Kake. You get a decent cross section of the blend in the first third of the bowl after lighting up. But as you go deeper the Latakia conquers the palate bringing with it an intensely rich, savory and smoky flavor. Pairs up well with Islay scotches.
Hearth & Home - WhiteKnight 1.75oz
Not Bad but a bit fussy.
Not a bad flavor. We'll begin there. Very mild Balkan flavor profile. My only complaint is the burn quality. I find that when I smoke this blend, I do so with the matchbox perpetually in one hand and the Czech tool perpetually in the other. It burns fussily
Drucquer & Sons - Levant Mixture 100g
Medium Body Tongue Tickler
In my opinion it's not as strong as other Balkans. It comes across to me as a medium strength. The tin I received was relatively moist upon opening. The more it dries, the more the Orientals come through with some tongue tickling spiciness. Altogether pleasant.
McConnell - Latakia Mixture 1848 50g
Brilliantly Simple Blend
I love Balkan Blends and Latakia Bombs. This is a Latakia lover's dream. Smoky, savory, rich and sweet. Beautifully uncomplicated and masterfully executed.
Balkan Sasieni - Balkan Sasieni 50g
Top of the Line Balkan
People tend to put Balkan Sobranie on an unassailable perch. But I find Sasieni just as, if not more satisfying. I love Balkan-style blends. This is easily in my top 3.
Peterson - De Luxe Navy Rolls 50g
Lovely Va/Per
A very friendly tobacco. Mellow, but not too mellow. And the coins are easy to use and burn easily with minimal tending.
Capstan - Flake Blue 1.75oz
Average Virginia Flake
What can I say, its a legendary label with many famous adherents. But, at the end of the day, it is a straight unadulterated Virginia flake. If you love Virginia, you'll love Capstan. If you expect more, keep looking.
Cornell & Diehl - Super Balkan 2oz
Balkan Lover's delight
One of my favorite blends is C+D Byzantium. So when I opened this and lit up the first bowl my immediate impression was that this is Byzantium's muscular older brother. I like to start my day with a strong blend and end my day on a mellower blend. Byzantium has been my mellow end of shift go-to for a minute now. I think Super Balkan will be a go-to for my morning bowl.
G. L. Pease - Gaslight 2oz
Exquisite from the first light.
Truly immaculate. Similar, in my opinion, to C+D Mississippi Mud. But more complex and mature. The plug process gives it a very layered and rich flavor.
Cornell & Diehl - Mississippi Mud 2oz
Pretty good.
It's not bad. When I smoke it, I prefer to blend it with a touch of C+D Bright Virginia to make it really pop. The name is no joke. Its definitely muddy and earthy on the palate.
Cornell & Diehl - Irish Blessing 2oz
One of my favorite aromatics.
When first opening the tin it's relatively damp. But if you set it out to breathe a half an hour or more before smoking it, it lights up well and with the proper cadence you can avoid tongue bite. In my humble opinion it has the subtle tastes and aromas of chocolate, vanilla, and whiskey. As a lover of Black Cavendish this is one of my favorite aromatic blends.
Cornell & Diehl - Byzantium 2oz
Balkan Magnificence!
This is easily one of my favorite English blends. The absence of Virginia allows the Latakia to take center stage and the Orientals are the perfect support. The Perique is flawlessly blended for the perfect amount of spice. I love it!
