Ashton Virgin Sun Grown (VSG) Torpedo

We have been having a ridiculous run of warm weather recently, especially for December. So when it came to be Friday night and the thermometer stood at 68 degrees F, even at 9PM, I knew I needed to take advantage of these decidedly un-Christmas temperatures. I grabbed this Ashton VSG, which is a stick I have never tried before, and headed out to the porch in a t-shirt. Not too shabby.

I paired this beautiful-looking cigar with a glass of Johnny Walker Green, which I was introduced to by Lawson at the beach last year. Hmm. Despite how that last sentence sounded, it was a thoroughly un-romantic encounter. Well, mostly.

In any case, the JW Green is a great 15-year blended scotch that has a nice smoky flavor balanced by a great smooth feel. I didn't know if it would pair well with the Ashton, but how can you go wrong with scotch?

The cigar started REALLY strong, to the point where I was worried it would be too strong for me. It was harsh and way too spicy. But it very quickly mellowed out, into a nice mix of coffee, leather, and cedar. The only problem is that after that initial hit of super-strong harshness, the normal flavors seemed pretty bland. But as my tastebuds adjusted I really liked it.

The draw was ridiculously loose, almost too much so. It just billowed smoke, and I could barely feel the smoke as I drew on it. I got used to it, but it was a bit too loose for me. The burn was not great at the beginning, I probably had to touch it up about 5 times. But after the first third it really got better.

As the cigar went on, it got sweeter, and less coffee-tasting. But at the end the spice came back (albeit less), and so did the coffee. And I could actually taste some root beer in there, strangely enough.

Overall, it was a good cigar. Very tasty, good draw, and incredibly well-constructed. The main sticking point is the price, averaging around $8-11 depending on the store. I liked the cigar, but not $10 worth.

So, while I enjoyed it, I have to bump it down a notch to a Boss Hogg.

Ashton Virgin Sun Grown (VSG) Torpedo
Size: Churchill (6.5" x 55 ring)
Taste: Medium-Full
Draw: Ridiculous
Burn: Bad at first, but got better
Flavors: coffee, earth, leather, spice
Overall Rating:
If this were a cheaper cigar it would rate higher, but for the price it Hoggs the wallet.

Nub 460 Habano

(Editor's Note: "The Nub" was also Lawson's previous girlfriend's nickname for him.)

I picked up this little thing on a whim - the other Nick had been talking about some recent cigarbid wins, and I was tempted to give it another go (had some bad experiences several years back) - but also having a business trip coming up, the last thing I wanted was for an order of cigars to be left out baking in a box on my back porch for 4 or 5 days...

So I swung by the local shop and picked a couple up, one of which was the Nub 460 Habano. If you've read the hype sheet for these, you'll know:

Rather than wait for a cigar to develop and evolve, which typically occurs an inch to two inches in, the idea behind Nub was to specifically blend it to hit its sweet spot right off the bat and remain at its peak right through to the end.

See what I did there? I assumed you were familiar with the hype, and then included it anyway. (Editor: Just like when that glorious day comes when I can finally fire you. You'll know it's coming, but I'll still tell you in person.)

So... does it live up? Sorta. Maybe. I guess it depends how your read into it.

Let's start with construction, it's a beautiful little cigar - small but with a good heft. The draw was consistent, and it built up a solid bit of almost-white ash as I smoked.

Anyway, out of the gate, the cigar had some nutty, almost almond overtones that stuck with it throughout, but it started with a bit of heat that mellowed out quickly - if that "heat" was the cigar "developing and evolving" - they might have missed their mark with their stated goal... but that said, I don't really care. (Editor: Congratulations! Neither do I!)

It was a charming little cigar, packing enough punch to leave me quite lightheaded by the finish, and I'm eager to try some of the other styles in this line. At approximately $4.50 for the tiny stick, don't be fooled, it's a solid hour-long smoke, and a powerhouse at that - I wish it was a bit cheaper, to make a good "weekday" stick, but it was still enjoyable. (Editor: Hey, speaking of enjoyable - remember that time when you wrote a review that I loved? Haha just kidding.)

Short, stocky and lovable, this one gets a Hogg.

Nub 460 Habano
Size: 4" x 60 ring
Taste: Medium-Wild
Draw: Good
Burn: Even and consistent
Flavors: Almonds and Tobacco.
Overall Rating:

Montecristo Platinum Toro

It was a cold night in Louisville. I stepped outside to enjoy a well touted Montecristo Platinum Toro, wondering to myself "Self, I wonder if there's anything to this cigar, or if it's merely the sort of thing that posers pick up because of a certain combination of brand name, and flashy label." (Editor: "Self, review applications more thoroughly in the future, before just hiring any moron with a typing hand who walks through the door. Sincerely, Joe Editor (you)" )

Little did I know that in less than 24 hours, I'd be dead.

Ok, not dead, just stranded in Kentucky with a bad alternator.

Which is pretty much the same thing. (Editor: You jerk, you got my hopes up.)

As I lit the cigar, I wasn't impressed with the draw. It was alright, but nothing to write home about.

In a completely obvious statement, the cigar began with strong tobbacco notes, but a third of the way in, what I could only describe as mulled spices began to take over. Prior to this point, I really wasn't feeling any love for this smoke. It was cold, and at this point (about 30 minutes in) I really considered dousing the thing and heading inside.

As I said, once I hit the 1/3 mark, savory tones began to creep in, with those same mulled spices. Halfway through, it took on an eggy savoriness (a strange description, I'm sure, but it was something that really struck me - it was something akin to well peppered scrambled eggs, and certainly wasn't unpleasant). (Editor: OK, so your cigar tasted like eggs, and you figured - "Hey, what the hell, let's keep it going"? Well let me give you a little hint. If it starts tasting like spoiled milk, just toss it. ) Two-thirds through, nutty tones begin to take over, and remained until the literal bitter end - as enjoying as the ride was, the cigar finished on a terribly bitter note before I pitched it.

Overall I enjoyed the smoke - it was far more complex than I expected, and when it really took off, the flavors and warmth were enough to keep me outside in the cold long enough to see it to the end.

There were some drawbacks - a boring first first third, a very bitter end, and less than ideal draw hold this cigar back from an 8, and firmly plant it as a 7.


Montecristo Platinum Toro
Size: Toro (6" x 50 ring)
Taste: Medium
Draw: Ok
Burn: Fairly Even, minor touchup required.
Flavors: Complex, mulled spices, savory and nutty tones.
Overall Rating:

Tierra Del Sol (Maduro)

So... as I mentioned previously, it's damned cold in Ohio right now. Real cold. (Editor: Isn't that like saying it's wet in the sea?)

So when the opportunity arose to travel to a luxurious hotel in Charlotte (with a nice balcony) I lept at the chance. Ok, it wasn’t really an opportunity, but a work obligation, and it wasn’t luxurious, it was a regular old business class hotel, which happened to have a balcony.

The reality is that I packed these, got to Charlotte, and then proceeded to work several 17 hour days, all of which started at 4 or 5 am. (Editor: Hold on, I need a minute to dry my eyes from all the tears I am shedding for you.) By the time sunday night rolled around, I decided to take time to enjoy. It was cool, mid-40’s by the time I had this – with a pretty good wind whipping around. Thankfully that helped keep the cigar smoke from drifting back into the room, but made for some pretty terrible lighting conditions (matches only, thank you, TSA).

I had my v-cutter with me, so I figured I’d give it a shot – the torpedo made for a perfect cut, but also made for an absolutely horrible draw – I went with a regular cut and didn’t look back. (Editor: It's a good thing, too. Looking back would only show you the series of embarassing failures that have brought your life to the point it is at now.)
It was spicier than I expected at first – very peppery on the nose, but part of that could have been attributed to lighting the cigar with matches in the middle of a windstorm – pretty inconsistent, and I had to overheat a bit to get her going.

Quickly it mellowed out, to what I can only describe as an earthy, peaty charcoal. I really wish I had been able to pair this with an Islay Scotch, instead it was crappy hotel coffee, but it actually wasn’t bad – a fuller-bodied coffee would be perfectly at home with this cigar.

The only oddity I found was that it wound up being a lot milder than I expected for a Maduro – it had its moments, but overall it was right in the mild-to-medium range.

I picked up a bundle of these awhile back, kept a few in wrapper for travel, while unwrapping the rest – given my experience with this cigar, I’m really eager to see what these develop into with some aging and mellowing. (Editor: Just as you will find that as your friends age and mellow, they only hate you more and more.)

So far, I’m happy with the purchase, so happy, in fact, I’m giving it a Hogg.

Tierra Del Sol (Maduro)
Size: Torpedo Maduro (6.1" x 50 ring)
Taste: Medium-Mild
Draw: Excellent (with Guillotine Cut)
Burn: Ok (with poor lighting conditions)
Flavors: "Peppery, Earthy Charcoal"
Overall Rating: "Hoggin' it up and havin' a good time!"

Macanudo Maduro Hampton Court

While Nick was smoking his AVO Maduro #3 I was smoking this Macanudo. Havana's is a great bar. Cushy chairs, leather couches, great bartenders, dark and classy. I wish this bar was off the back of my house. Attention Lawson: When you come to town we will go. (Editor: What about me, you ingrate?)

Anyway, on to the cigar. There are some in the cigar world that bad-mouth macanudos. Well, some of the criticism may be founded, but I equate it with film snobs who hate any movie that has financial success or was made in the last 30 years. That being said on to the cigar! (for real this time) (Editor: ..wha? Oh, sorry, I fell asleep while you took THIRTY SEVEN YEARS getting to the body of the review!)

This was a great looking cigar and had a sweet cocoa smell.

This cigar burned nicely. Perfectly even throughout.

The draw was a bit tight for my taste. Maybe a few more months in the humidor would fix this.

Now on to the flavor. I was a bit surprised by the taste of the cigar. The cigar started with medium body with hints of chocolate and coffee. In the second third of the cigar the flavors came to the forefront and I really enjoyed it. In the last third of the cigar the flavors were gradually drawn out as the harshness of the cigar took over. Don't get me wrong though, I smoked this baby down to the nub.

This cigar was not complex but extremely solid. This would be a great cigar to have on a Saturday morning with a cup of joe. (Editor: Or, in Curt's case, with a guy named Joe on a Saturday morning after yet another "mistake".)

This stick costs about $4 to $5. I would recommend this cigar for its solid taste and reliability.

Macanudo Maduro Hampton Court
Size: Corona (5.5" x 42 ring)
Taste: Medium
Draw: A little Tight
Burn: Even and consistent
Flavors: Coffee, Chocolate, Nutty
Overall Rating: Squeaked into the boss hogg, not unlike... well, you fill in the blank...

Carlos Toraño Virtuoso Encore

This was another cigar from that sampler pack I got from Cigars International. I picked it because I wanted to review something with a maduro wrapper, and also because it was short and I knew the temperature was dropping.

And drop it did. When I started the temperature was around 62, and just a short time later it was already 52. Now, a shower and straight-razor shave later, it's down to 48. I guess I picked the right time of night! Aren't you excited? I know you are.



As you can see, it's a nice-looking stick, on the short side. On we go!

Well it didn't start promising, as it seems I've lost my cutter. I looked everywhere and couldn't find it, but to no avail. So out came the trusty kitchen knife. Here's a tip, dear readers: use a sharp knife, not a dull thing unworthy of the title "knife". What a cut! It looked like a dog had gnawed off the end. On the plus side, it didn't unravel at all. It just looked like hell.

But thanks to my new trusty lighter, it lit right up. Man, this is a full-bodied cigar, lots of powerful tastes. I was hoping for a bit more complexity, but what it did have was really nice. There was a really strong peppery taste throughout, and near the middle I got some coffee flavor in there, too.

Like the other Toraños I have had, this was perfectly constructed and the burn was great. It needed one little touchup, but nothing significant. The draw was very nice, too.

Basically, my only complaint with this one, and probably what will keep me from buying a lot of them, is that there's not a lot there. What you get at the beginning is what you get at the end. The flavors don't evolve much over the course of the cigar, and that makes it a little dull near the end, no matter how strong it gets (and believe me, near the end it got really strong). I paired it with some more of that Evan Williams Single Barrel to decent effect, although it tended to overpower the bourbon a bit.

This is a nice cigar, and I'd love to try one that had been aged for a while to see if there were some more flavors in there. Overall, it was an enjoyable smoke, and took quite a while to burn for its size. Recommended to fans of strong, peppery maduro cigars.

Carlos Toraño Virtuoso Encore
Size: Toro (4.5" x 52 ring)
Taste: Wild
Draw: Very good
Burn: Even with one touchup
Flavors: Strong pepper and some coffee.
Overall Rating:
Just barely made a Boss Hogg.