El Rey del Mundo (Hon) Robusto Larga

You know what would be cool? *Pause for response* It would be cool if I could smoke cigars in my office. I think I would immediately be the guy in charge. That's probably why it's not allowed. (Editor: The thought of you in charge has permanently dented my brain.)

A smoked this cigar about a week or so ago at Amras. It was a nice place. The staff was really good but the drinks were a tad pricey. We sat outside and some homeless guy walking by asked us for money. He had some story that was more or less the same story you always hear from a homeless guy asking for money. The waiter was nice and stepped in and took care of it. (Editor: OK, now let's hear the true story. There was no homeless guy, was there? It was you. Smelling of urine and failure. AGAIN.)

The cigar I smoked was not homeless however. I gave it a good home until that day. (Did you see that transition? One of the best of all time. I'll probably go to the transition hall of fame) This El rey del mundo looked really nice. The first cigar I ever smoked that came wrapped in tissue paper. It was not a maduro but had a dark oily wrapper as if it were. The cigar felt solid like it was made out of wood. The burn was even and consistent.

The first third of the cigar was peppery with hints of chocolate and leather. Hints is not really the right word. There was more than just hints but the pepper was the strongest flavor. The second third of the cigar was great. All the flavors came together well. This cigar may not have been really complex but the flavors were stood out. Chocolate, coffee, pepper, and leather were all there in abundance. (Editor: Speaking of leather in abundance, can you stop sending me pictures from your "experimenting" in college? Please?) The last third of the cigar I remember being more peppery like first third but not overpowering.

One of the best things about this cigar is the price. $3 is all that it cost and I don't think you would be disappointed if you paid twice or three times that. We should have some bargain seal of approval. Best cigars under $5 or something. Anyway, gets a great bargain seal of approval. I think the seal should have a cigar taking money from it's mom's purse with a slash through it. OR a homeless guy smoking a $50 dollar cigar with a slash through it. (Tied in homeless people again) Ok, we'll discuss the seal design more later.

El Rey del Mundo (Hon)
Size: Robusto Larga (6" x 54 ring)
Taste: Medium
Draw: Good
Burn: Even and consistent
Flavors: Chocolate, Pepper, Coffee, leather
Overall Rating: A smoke good enough to make you forget all about that perm you just got

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...