When you’re the greatest of all time, nothing else will do when celebrating! Andrew D. Bernstein | Credit: NBAE via Getty Images
Give that man a cigar!
Cigars mean a lot of things to a lot of different people. For some us it brings back fond memories of our relatives, smoking away on special occasions and even offering us our first taste of a real stogie. For some a cigar is about relaxing, taking the time to just sit back and let our minds finally settle down after a chaotic day. Others only see cigars in tandem with the finer things, enjoying it with a fine glass of whiskey or scotch, while reclining on a leather armchair. But for some reason, regardless of how you view cigars, everyone seems to agree on one thing. Cigars mean victory. Doesn’t matter what it is, sports, award shows, even wars, winning is always celebrated with a cigar.
But why? For something so culturally ingrained, no one has a straight answer. It’s one of those things that just isn’t questioned. For good reason, victory and cigars feel completely natural together. Peanut butter and jelly, Spaghetti and meatballs, cigars and winning. It just fits! Now peanut butter and jelly works because it tastes great, and while you can certainly taste a great cigar, you can’t taste victory; although I’m willing to bet you it’d taste just like a great cigar! We need to look back if we’re going to unravel this mystery.
Great men smoke alike!
The easiest answer is that it comes from one of the all time greatest cigar smokers, Winston Churchill. Churchill was famous for his love of stogies, smoking as many as ten per day; his favorite’s being from the Romeo y Julieta brand. Churchill even went so far as to have a specialized humidor built into his home, large enough to house four thousand cigars! For the association with winning, Churchill’s foresight, steady guidance, and resilience in the face of the Nazi war machine was key to the Allied triumph in WWII. Churchill is often credited with the now famous V for victory gesture. Mix that with the fact that there’s rarely a picture of Churchill without a cigar, and it’s only natural the two would become associated.
Never surrender, and never stop smoking! Credit: PA:Press Association
That covers why the two are linked in British culture, but what about American culture? Tobacco is uniquely a product of the Americas, there’s no denying that. It follows it would have a special place in the American zeitgeist. The earliest connection cigars and victory have in our culture would have to be The Great Bambino himself, Babe Ruth. The Babe was almost constantly smoking, only stopping to eat a hot dog or drink a beer. Ruth would even smoke during games between swings at the bat. He actually endorsed White Owl cigars, but said he personally preferred any brand that made their cigars long and fat. If you thought smoking cigars during a game would hinder him, you’d be dead wrong. Babe Ruth’s illustrious twenty two years in baseball saw seven hundred home runs and nine World Series titles, all while chomping on a prime stogie.
The Babe himself doing the two things he was best known for. Creator: Bettmann | Credit: Bettmann Archive
But the figure to most put cigars and achievement together has to be legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach, and his trademark celebrations with a Hoyo de Monterrey Cuban cigar. Auerbach was known to light up right from the bench as a signal that the game was effectively over. He must have had a lot of opportunities to light up, with nine NBA championships under his belt between 1957 and 1966. A confident Auerbach, boldly smoking on the sidelines with his team up twenty points, instantly became iconic in the world of sports. When someone dominates their field that much, and always seems to have a cigar in hand, why wouldn’t you see the two as inherently connected?
The face of a man who knows victory is assured. Creator: Dick Raphael | Credit: NBAE via Getty Images
Whatever the origin, to this day cigars still mean that you have done something worth celebrating. Even if it’s just the choice to smoke a cigar, you deserve a cigar for your great decision making! Make a great decision today and celebrate with some tobacco from our vast selection.
What does a cigar mean to you? What’s the best cigar to celebrate a win? Let us know in the comments!
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As we enter the most wonderful time of the year, we all can’t help but dread one thing. Gift shopping. We know how stressful it can be to find the right gift for each and every loved one. That’s why we went all out this year to make your holiday one to remember! All our gifts have been specially selected to make sure whoever receives it will cherish it for years to come!
No gift of cigars is complete without an ashtray. But it takes something special to truly make it a gift. With four slots, the Arturo Fuente ashtray lets you smoke with ones you love and celebrate the holiday season together.
A must have for anyone in your life who wants to get serious about cigars. More than just a humidor, the My Father Le Bijou is a genuine work of art in form and function. It’s sleek white finish is embolden with the stunning My Father logo, and speaks to craftsmanship that goes into every My Father cigar.
Take no chances and give the gift that has everything they could ever want. In addition to a polished, modern designed humidor and a pristine built-in ashtray, they’ll get four Cohiba Silencio cigars. The Silencio was made for exclusive events, so you now have the chance to give that special someone a rare beauty of the cigar world.
The best way to get that authentic Cohiba experience, this combination ashtray feels like the old world come to life. Coming with an impressive five Cohiba robustos, this gift compliments any aficionado’s collection.
When nothing but the best will do, give a gift of the cigars that have stood the test of time. The iconic brand sampler will be familiar to anyone who knows their tobacco, and bring a nostalgic smile to the seasoned smoker. Each cigar is a wonder of complex flavors, giving an experience that isn’t soon forgotten.
Gift set includes:
Romeo Y Julieta Reserva Real Toro Natural 6 x 54
Romeo Y Julieta 1875 Exhibition No. 3 Natural 6 x 50
Regal and distinguished, the Montecristo White Toro Collection gives off an unmistakable aura of quality. An easy gift for anyone curious about cigars, this Domincan and Nicaraguan blend will introduce them to the Montecristo brand in style.
Have someone who’s a bit picky on your gift list? The Oliva Serie V sampler lets them find the right cigar for them. Featuring some of the most balanced and smooth cigars on the market, in every size imaginable, this gift will please even the most choosy of friends.
A gift for those who want to make a statement with their cigar choices. This sophisticated traveling case has room for up to twenty toro sized cigars. With a fine leather casing emblazoned with the Rocky Patel signature, this is a bold gift made for a bold breed.
For the seasoned cigar smoker on your gift list, the Taste of Nicaragua Assortment by AJ Fernandez offers a selection of some of the finest tobacco the country has to offer. For anyone that believes variety is the spice of life, this sampler is perfect for those who want to experience the full spectrum of rich, flavorful Nicaraguan cigars.
Gift set includes:
H Upmann Nicaragua Toro 6 x 54
Cohiba Nicaragua Toro 5 1/2 x 54
Trinidad Espiritu Toro 6 x 54
Romeo Y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Toro 6 x 54
Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Torpedo 6 x 52
Onyx Bold Nicaragua Toro 6 x 54
Unsure what to get? Our samplers page has an abundance of deals on every cigar. These samplers can come with fifty cigars, and at two hundred dollars for the set, you’re getting premium level cigars for only four dollars. It’s a can’t miss for anyone shopping on a budget, with enough cigars for family, friends, and even a little treat for yourself!
Looking where to buy cigars? Mike’s delivers near and far!
Are we the only ones who compare our cigars to certain movie stars/famous characters in pop-culture?
I mean, whether it’s Ben Stiller, who might be classified as a short robusto, or Guy Fieri whom we can’t help but giggle as we think of him being a nice double gordo!
The fact is, people are going to have certain classifications for their cigars that they like, and no two opinions are going to be exactly the same. That’s why we came up with that little chart above to start you off with your classifications!
Let us know if you agree, and then tell us YOUR classifications!
The Romeo Y Julieta 1875 cigar brand is named after the popular play written by the one and only, the Bard, Sir William Shakespeare. The workers in the factories loved having it read to them while they rolled cigars. A story of love, being told as they were performing a labor of love. The brand was founded in Cuba in 1875 by Inocencio Alvarez and Mannin Garcia.
Taste
With a medium body taste, this cigar is just perfect for any occasion! After a meal, relaxing by the fire or on the porch, the cigar has nuances of toasty flavors, of aged cedar, nuts, along with a sweet spice creating a well-balanced smoke from start to finish.
Tobacco
Country: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic, Brazil
Wrapper: EMS
Binder: Dominican Republic
Strength: MEDIUM
Bringing the past to present and maintaining the same price is quite a feat with this exceptional cigar. Romeo 1875 is a cigar you’re gonna want to always have stocked in your humidor!
Thanks for checking out Mike’s Cigar of the Week! Check back soon for our next selection!
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Some of the best quotes/philosophies come from anonymous sources.
They make us ask the big questions at night and keep us up thinking.
Some philosophies are simple: “Man does not eat by bread alone”…well, we know where that came from, but who exactly said it, is unknown.Some philosophies are clear: “Leave your message at the sound of the tone”. Genius.
Some quotes/philosophies take a lifetime, some take minute.
Fact is, we have no idea who this came from but this is the real deal
Today, our team of cigar connoisseurs is reviewing the Alec Bradley Post Embargo Cigar
The Alec Bradley Post Embargo celebrates the end of the Cuban embargo but really is a rallying cry for the cigar maker. Cuban cigars, long to be considered the best in the world, have been hard to obtain for the past 60 years. Bradley built the Post Embargo to say: our cigars can stand up to any around the world. The end of the Cuban embargo will help cigar makers prove theirs are just as good – if not better – than some of the long-sought after Cuban brands unavailable to most smokers.
The Alec Bradley Post Embargo is a beautifully Honduran-wrapped medium-full bodied cigar with both Nicaraguan and Honduran binder and filler. Articulately rolled at the Raices Cubana factory in Honduras, the attention to detail and the beauty of the cigar is clear when you pick it up. Always a fan of great bands, the Post Embargo boasts one of the nicest we’ve seen in a while. With it’s representation of the two women – one Cuban, one American – it catches your eye and really is the first statement you get from this power-packed stick.
The Alec Bradley Post Embargo was unveiled at IPCPR 2015, but didn’t hit the market until the middle of November 2015. There was a bit of a delay because the line took on a new look.
The cigar band almost reminds me a bit of the military is matte in finish with no embossing or use of foil. The red, beige, charcoal, and black is busy but clean. The words, “Taste The Past • Bridge The Gap • Enjoy The Future” sit below the AB logo in a circle rather than the badge we’ve come to know. The cigar itself almost feels soft pressed but this is more from the bundle shipment sent to the rep for sampling. The mocha colored wrapper has some oils visible and is heavy and firm to the touch.
Nice looking cigar. Smooth as silk in the hand. A milk chocolate colored wrapper. Nearly invisible seams. Almost no veins. Very close to being a crisp box press. A flawless, seamless triple cap. And the two flags: American and Cuban. Beautiful cigar band.
Alec Bradley had come up with some nice bands over the last few years. The band on the Post Embargo follows suit. As I mentioned above, the branding for this cigar was changed before it was released and I think it was the right call. The original look was a little “clunky” for my taste.
The cigar itself had a real nice look and feel to it. the construction was spot on. The wrapper gave off some floral notes along with notes of cinnamon, hay and barnyard. The cold draw was a bit tight (it loosened throughout the first third) and offered up notes of raisins, sweet cream and a cinnamon spice.
The Notes:
The cold draw of the Alec Bradley Post Embargo is sweet with notes of caramel, raisin and a touch of hay, while the aroma of the foot is more along the lines of cocoa powder from inside a Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate packet with a touch of pepper and cedar.
From the shaft, I smell sweet honeysuckle, dried fruit, chocolate, coffee, licorice, red pepper, and cedar. From the clipped cap and the foot, I smell a green vegetal note, chocolate, coffee, strong red pepper, sweetness, golden raisins, cedar, and malt. The cold draw presents flavors of chocolate, raisins, sweetness, spiciness, coffee, cedar, and cream.
Once the cigar is properly toasted and lit the initial notes of the cigar are nuts and cedar with some pepper through the nose and some added nuts. As we continue into the first third the cigar serves up some mocha/cocoa notes with a touch of licorice and wisp of cinnamon developing through the nose.
Lighting the Toro cigar, you immediately get the full-bodied experience I and many of the Las Vegas Cigar Guys enjoy. The wrapper wasn’t over oily and the cigar packed nice and tight. Lighting it was a breeze and it started a very consistent burn throughout. Earthy spice and a nutty note was noticed as soon as we lit up.
Right off the bat, my palate is assaulted by a boat load of flavor: Milk chocolate, red pepper, caramel, creaminess, coffee, black licorice, cinnamon, and cedar.
I really dislike box pressed cigars. They are such a pain to light correctly and almost impossible not to have minor runs. Gotta keep an eye on them at the start or they head for the hills. (As it turned out, this must be the first box press that I had zero issues with. Now that’s some great rolling.)
Did you know that CI requires most of their manufacturers to make a 5 x 55 box press for them exclusively? The 55 ring gauge may vary a bit but you get the idea. Just a foot note and actually has nothing to do with this cigar.
Smoke pours from the foot like a house afire. Within just a couple of minutes, the Alec Bradley Post Embargo finds its complexity.
The malts are a big part of the flavor profile. The usual suspects you’ve read described in prior reviews.
This stick has that same kind of panache that the best Ezra Zion cigars have. In fact, it reminds me of the Blessed Leaf Doxology and the All My Ex’s. Very creamy and malty with the right touch of spice.
The Post Embargo started off with a rich profile with some sweet and spicy accents. Notes of leather, cedar and sweet cream were balanced out by cinnamon and baking spice on the retrohale. The flavors were strong right off the bat and held fast through the first third. There was a little harshness on the retrohale early on, but it smoothed out after the first inch.
In the second third of the cigar the primary note becomes licorice that reaches its peak around the half way mark. The notes of licorice are complimented by some cinnamon through the nose. The finish of the cigar is short with some earth and nuts present as well.
The burn was beautiful and consistent in the second third as it was when we first lit the cigar. A few of the guys noticed some cocoa notes in this third, but for me I just really had a nice and well-balanced tobacco taste here. Others picked up some licorice and creamy notes too. This is where the cigar really hit its stride.
Damn complex. Nice balance. Lovely long finish.
I believe I prefer the Alec Bradley Post Embargo to the Doxology. One reason is that the Doxology loses its spiciness quickly. The Post Embargo doesn’t and gets stronger the more you smoke.
I’m getting a tasty salty pretzel element now. Flavors are perfectly balanced. Strength hits full body. The creaminess and the malts are a match made in heaven. The chocolate and coffee are a perfect conglomeration. The black licorice is a nice quirky flavor.
The caramel and honeysuckle work like a team. I reach the halfway point. Smoke time is 40 minutes. For some reason, it slowed down. The packing of the filler may be a little off kilter. That’s OK Alec Bradley Post Embargo…you slow down all you want.
The profile took on a pretty drastic change in the middle third. The leather note remained and was joined by a smokey molasses flavor that reminded me of barbecue. The spice on the retro transitioned from cinnamon/baking to a black pepper. The strength even took a step forward into the medium-plus range. This was a complete 180 from where the cigar started and I found it kind of enjoyable.
The last third of the Post Embargo from Alec Bradley the pepper notes are visible on the palate as well as through the nose. There is some slight sweetness that borders on caramel, with a clean finish.
The end of the experience brought forth more earth and pepper as we finished out this cigar. Despite the spice, the cigar kept its creamy notes as it did in the second third. The burn was, again, amazingly consistent with a nice ash and not much flaking. The cigar remained lit from start to nub. Of the four guys I sat with to smoke the Post Embargo, all loved it and all were quick to buy another. Heck, we bought a box immediately for our LVCG locker at En Fuego Cigars & Lounge.
Flavors don’t let up. The complexity becomes more intense with each puff. The finish lasts forever. It coats my teeth like toothpaste. I fully realize I am going to be lambasted for my opinion. But I don’t care. If you snag some, smoke your first one the day after you receive them. And then try to stop smoking one after another. I noticed that Andrew of SBC took down the announcement for this special on all their A/B blends. I contacted him and he got right back to me. The promo code is still good.
The “tale of two thirds” came to an end in an interesting way. The “smokey” notes subsided and allowed the rich leathery profile to return. There was very little sweetness to be found and the black pepper spice hung on until the end. So some notes from the first third returned while some form the second third hung on. This left rich and leathery notes on the tongue and a nice black pepper spice on the retrohale. The final third of the Post Embargo had a traditional Nicaraguan feel to it.
Conclusion
As I said from the get-go, we really liked the Post Embargo. The smoking experience, consistency, and savory notes made it one of our most enjoyable smokes of 2015. From the band to the taste, it’s flat-out winner. Let’s hope new relations with Cuba are as sweet and savory as the cigar.
The Alec Bradley Post Embargo doesn’t stop climbing the complexity tree. Like a squirrel, it just climbs and climbs. Strength is muy full bodied. I love this cigar. You will too.
The Post Embargo was like three different cigars rolled into one. It started off with a rich profile that I loved, transitioned into an earthy and smokey profile, and finally combined elements of the two in the final third. There was a lot going on and it was a fun ride, but after the first third I found myself wanting those rich and sweet notes to return.
Looking where to buy cigars? Mike’s delivers near and far!
Near the Oliva Cigar Co. factories, in Estelí, Nicaragua, there is a school that offers a great education for children, but at a price that’s too high for the company’s factory workers to afford, until now.
As part of a long-term commitment, Oliva Cigars, which is owned by Belgium-based J. Cortès, is donating part of its profits directly to the Catholic primary school (now called Escuela Oliva) so that children of factory workers can attend.
According to a press release, Oliva is providing financial support for the school’s teachers, and is handling the cost of one meal a day for the students.
“It’s giving this young generation hope and a good education,” said Wilmer Jeronimo Lagos, the English teacher at Escuela Oliva.
“Not only did we make significant improvements to working conditions, we also invested in the school so that the children of our colleagues are now able to attend classes there,” said J. Cortès CEO Frederik Vandermarliere.
Tabacalera Oliva & Fabretto Children´s Foundation
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Today, I’d like to introduce you to a little trick I like to call the “pre-hale.”
What is Pre-hale?
Pre-haling is a simple technique that anyone can use to enhance their cigar smoking experience. Even those who find retro-haling too intense an experience for their nose will find they can appreciate new sensations with this technique.
Each leaf contained in a cigars “blend” or “liga” brings something different to the table. Wrapper leaves, high in oils, contribute a great deal of the aromatic components to the cigar.
Binder leaves are also usually relatively high in oil content and contribute to the aroma of the cigar as well. Finally, the filler leaves, particularly the seco (or Volado), contribute a great deal to the overall mouth feel and taste one perceives.
As a cigar is lit the heat initiates subtle changes within the tobacco leaves at the foot of the cigar. The first to occur is the warming of the leaves, followed by browning and finally combustion of the tobacco at the foot of the cigar.
As the tobacco leaves brown in the heat, the volatile oils in the tobacco leaf warm and, when the leaves ignite (combust) and the heat within the cigar increases, these same oils become mixed with steam, becoming part of the vaporized components we know as smoke.
The key to the “pre-hale” is to stimulate the browning of the tobacco leaves without actually initiating combustion.
What’s the point?
The goal of pre-haling is to garner a preview of the aromatic qualities of the cigar by warming the essential oils in the tobacco leaves just to the point when they first become recognizable. We are not out to light the cigar, merely to warm the foot.
To pre-hale, begin with a cigar that has already been visually inspected and cut. Perform your pre-light inspection including smelling the wrapper leaf as well as the tobacco at the foot.
Be certain to inspect the bunching at the foot as the pattern can provide insight into how the cigar is constructed and hints at the various leaves contained in the blend.
Using your lighter very gently begin to pass the flame near the cigar’s foot. Hold the cigar at a 45 degree angle to the flame to minimize the chance of scorching the wrapper.
When the tobacco at the foot of the cigar begins to darken and the first wisps of smoke begin to form remove the flame and check the foot of the cigar.
If there are areas that have not begun to brown, return the flame, even more gently, until the entire foot shows signs of darkening. If combustion begins, remove the flame and allow the cigar a moment or two to stop burning.
The untoasted foot of a cigar
The partly toasted foot of a cigar
Well browned and ready for the “pre-hale”
When the entire foot of the cigar has been gently browned and produces slight tendrils of smoke, it’s time to “pre-hale.”
Raise the warmed foot of the cigar to your nose, holding it an inch or less away, and gently inhale the scent through your nose. You should be able to apprehend subtle aromas rising from the foot of the cigar. If not, re-warm the foot slightly and try again.
Conclusion
What you will find is that there are smells you haven’t noticed before. This is especially true if you are not one to retrohale.
When I use this technique on some cigars I pick up on spicy aromas that I later recognize in the smoke. However, I’ve also identified smells similar to warm toast and roast marshmallows in some blends which have not translated to the retro-haled aroma of the cigar when smoked.
My favorite pre-hale profile, currently at least, is the Partagas brand which features an African Cameroon wrapper, Mexican binder, and Dominican filler blend. In the Partagas I pick up a “baking spice” aroma with a subtle sweetness similar to caramelized sugar.
So, before you light up that cigar, take a moment to try this technique to gain a new perspective on your favorite premium blend.
Our team of cigar connoisseurs is reviewing La Opulencia Cigar by My Father Cigars
My Father La Opulencia features a Mexican Rosado Oscuro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and fillers. It is the first My Father branded cigar to use a Mexican wrapper that is in regular production. The cigar is available in six sizes, each is packaged in 20-count boxes.
Blend Profile
Wrapper: Mexican Rosado Oscuro Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Country of Origin: Nicaragua (My Father Cigars SA)
Vitolas Available
Petite: 4 1/2 x 48 Corona: 5 x 46 Robusto: 5 1/2 x 52 Toro: 6 x 54 Super Toro: 6 x 60 Toro Gordo : 7 x 56
This cigar is an extension to the company’s core My Father line, sharing the same primary band but adding a new secondary band. The cigar uses a Mexican rosado oscuro wrapper with a dual Nicaraguan binder featuring criollo and corojo leaves, while the filler comes from the García’s farms in Nicaragua.
The line is named for an old Cuban brand that translates as “the opulent.”
Appearance
I hate the term candy bar when used in reference to cigars as much as any term, but in the case of the My Father La Opulencia, it does seem a bit appropriate. The box press and rounded head give it a distinctive shape, while this particular shade of wrapper isn’t the color of a judge’s black robe, but rather lighter than most chocolate bars you’d find on shelves, but works in conveying the comparison.
The ribbon foot band has become a more regular sighting on a number of cigars, and My Father has used it a number of times as well.
While a good bit of it is covered up by two paper bands and the fabric foot band, the wrapper offers a fantastically smooth feel to the fingers aided by a light sheen of oil. The foot offers a peppery lead aroma that is rounded out by damp wood barrels, a bit of earth, chocolate and a sharp note of cold coffee that seems to be on the acidic side.
The cold draw is much more subdued and almost sweet in the sense of toffee and a bit of blueberry, though pepper does come through on the lips after a few tugs, backed by a bit of espresso.
The wrapper has a fantastic dark brown color with just a bit of sheen that reminds me of coffee beans and leather, and while the veins are noticeable they’re not distracting, save for the largest vein on the cigar which was found on the backside of both sticks near the head, perfectly averted from view if you were to look at these in a box.
As you can imagine with a double banded cigar, a good portion of the wrapper is covered up, but not so much that you can’t get a good look at it.
The pre-light aromas are light and sweet, with a note of banana as the one that stood out most, while the cold draw is just the slightest bit firm, which is fine with me, and offers an interesting note of smoky molasses and just a touch of pepper.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that La Opulencia puts out a good amount of smoke shortly after being lit, though the burn line seems to be in no rush to make its way up the cigar. While I wouldn’t call it a creamy start, there is certainly some creamy undertones to the subtly sweet earth and just a touch of smoky darkness, with a pork note coming along after that.
First Third
It’s by no means an explosion of pepper, but the complexities are impressive and make it known fairly quickly that it will be worth paying attention to the cigar’s intricacies. The burn line continues to crawl as with 45 minutes elapsed I’m still in the first third—including samples that need a touch up or relight—and now it has gotten a bit uneven.
In the third sample, which got a bit of dryboxing, the flavor is a bit lighter and shows creamy peanut butter at the end of the first inch, something that makes me like the cigar even more. Ash flakes off a bit and is more distraction than anything, though the core clump of ash holds on quite well before the flaking leads to a crack and subsequent departure.
Pepper becomes a bit more noticeable, increasing its tingle on the senses as the flavor lightens up a bit as sweet cream grows in intensity as the burn line creeps into the second third and towards the secondary band.
There is a good amount of pepper in the first few puffs, though the signature Pepín blast isn’t quite as overwhelming as might be expected, at least until you get a few puffs in and the smoke has had a chance to work over your senses for a few minutes.
It’s about half an inch in that the My Father La Opulencia hits its first winning combination, as the pepper, earth, and just a touch of grilled meats come together to create an attention grabbing aroma.
As expected, the burn line is sharp and even, smoke production is sufficient and air moves through the cigar with no issues whatsoever. When the first chunk of ash breaks off, an astonishing amount of pepper joins the smoke, filling the nose with a nostril-tingling sensation that reawakens the senses in preparation for the next section.
Out of the creaminess and what seems like a touch of oiliness associated with the peanut butter flavor comes a different spin on the earthiness, as La Opulencia now tastes much more of clay and soil, lighter and more distinct but also a bit sharper and more defined on the palate.
A huge hit of pepper gets introduced at the midpoint, the first real appearance it has made and gets right to work on unsuspecting nostrils via a retrohale and then via the ambient air, while also giving the palate a hearty dose to boot.
Second Third
The middle third has been shown an interesting back-and-forth in terms of strength, something that intrigues me given La Opulencia’s billing as being a fuller cigar than the My Father core line, which I find to be already fairly full.
La Opulencia begins a slight pivot towards a more robust profile, as the pepper gets a bit scratchier on the tongue and throat, and the nicotine level nudges up a notch or two. There have been some combustion issues in this section as well that have hampered its progress.
While pepper is the lead note carrying the My Father La Opulencia Robusto into the second third, the supporting and distinct notes of soil and its nutrients are readily apparent heading into the second half, and the bright white ash only reinforces that these leaves came from some well-cared for land.
Notes of white pepper and chalk carry the cigar across its halfway point and prevent any halftime lull from occurring. An intense but fleeting note of sweetness starts to develop past the midpoint and is present on almost every puff after, delivering a syrupy, buttery note that is delicious though all too brief.
Last Third
The creaminess is long gone by the start of the final third, as La Opulencia seems the heartier Nicaraguan tobacco has taken the driver’s seat of the profile, and put it on par with the My Father core line in terms of strength, if not nudging it slightly past it on certain puffs to live up to its billing.
It’s also begun to get a good bit stronger in terms of nicotine, a dual-pronged approach to kick itself fully into the full-bodied and full-strength realm. Retrohales are the more pepper-packed way to engage the cigar, while each puff seems to hit further and further back in the throat, almost reaching into the top of the chest at its most potent.
Sadly, burn issues continue into the final third, further slowing the smoking time and adding a bit of frustration, though the flavors survive each relight. The peanut butter flavor from earlier returns for some welcomed sweetness in the last two inches, manifesting along the lines of Nutter Butters with some vanilla cookie added on this encounter.
Some rough, rocky pepper closes out the cigar as the time nears the three-hour mark and the burn line tries to stay relatively even.
The sweetness found earlier has largely departed, though there are some remnants floating around in the background and providing a soft landing for the palate once the stronger notes of earth and pepper fade away.
The earth and black pepper notes have returned, and now that the My Father La Opulencia Robusto is entrenched in its final third, it seems destined to leave with almost as much of a bang as it started with. While the flavor is not as upfront as it was earlier, it remains medium-plus all the way to the end, and with the solid construction still performing flawlessly, allows the cigar to be smoked as far down as time or your fingertips will allow.
Conclusion
Much like judges get reputations, La Opulencia came with a bit of a reputation of being a full-bodied big vitola of a cigar. There are certainly plenty of points where it lives up to that billing, but there are a number of other spots where the cigar is pleasingly medium-bodied, creamy and even sweet in a subtle and tempered way.
La Opulencia offers more complexity than I would have given it prior to smoking several samples, while the transitions are smooth and logical without being boring. Burn issues hampered this cigar a bit, something that has been written about too many cigars coming out as of late, and something that will hopefully get resolved with future batches.
While I’m not crazy about the size and would welcome seeing this blend in something slimmer, the box-press and flavor profile more than made up for my objection to it.
As one of its staple core lines, My Father Cigars clearly believes in the La Opulencia line and for good reason: it offers a sensory-engaging blend of pepper and earth with occasional notes of grilled meat and sweetness to soften it at just the right times.
The question on this particular cigar is whether or not the Robusto vitola makes the blend sing as opposed to the rest of the sizes, and in particular, in comparison to the very similar Petit Robusto, which is just half an inch shorter.
I don’t think that’s the case, but that’s by no means a knock on the cigar. If anything, this limited production Robusto is a great reminder about how solid the My Father La Opulencia line is in whatever vitola you happen to find or prefer.
