CigarAsh’s Review of Victor Sinclair’s Vintage Doppel Gordo cigar

Victor Sinclair’s Vintage Doppel Gordo cigar

Origins: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Brazilian

Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican

Strength: Medium

Size & Shape: Gordo 6 x 70

Box Pressed

 What can I say about this cigar? I say please pass this offering from Victor Sinclair bye. This would be so far the only blemish on an otherwise good cigar line.

  I bought a bundle of these along with Smokehouse Brown (Also of the Cigar Stop Blog) and it was a triple threat, they burn bad, they taste like yard clippings from your lawn mower and a Box Press on a Gordo is just foolish the cigar is large as it is why make it an awkward shape. Putting this thing in your mouth is like putting your television remote in your mouth! The Cigar is almost bigger than a U.S. Quarter.

 

  Some cigar smokers love them, but I don’t get it. Out of the 20 only 4 did not canoe on me, the smoke was heavy and not appealing at all, the ash was flaky so any breeze at all and you are covered with cigar ash, and the taste was that of dirt and very gritty. I smoked all that I had, but one just to see if I would change my mind and guess what? I didn’t, in fact the one I gave away for someone else to try, said he did not like the flavor the size and that it burned only on one side (it Canoed) and he had to keep lighting the other side to make it burn even.

 

 So there ya go 3 of us that did not like them, but as I have said before this is only my personal opinion on them, I am just a regular guy that likes cigars and I am no expert nor do I represent any manufacturer, company or website. If you try one please let us know here at the Cigar Stop know what your thoughts are on them.

 I rate this Cigar a 1 out of 10

See you next time

B.T.O.L.

~CigarAsh~

CigarAsh reviews Torano's Hogs Head Cigar

Torano Hogs Head Cigar Review

Origin: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican and Pennsylvania broadleaf long fillers

Wrapper: Brazilian maduro

Size: 6.5 x 54

Shape: Torpedo

Strength: Medium/Full

 

 I do not mind telling you that at first sight this bundle scared me, it came in a burlap bag, What I will also say is that  the budget bundle is back with this medium/full flavored selection from the Torano family cigars.

The “Hogs Head” from the Torano Cigars is claimed to be a rich flavored cigar with a blend of Nicaraguan, Dominican and Pennsylvania broadleaf long fillers with a dark Brazilian maduro wrapper. The cigar itself has good construction, firm without being too stiff and has hints of coffee bean, black pepper, maple and cedar, or at least that is what they will let you think your pallet tastes.

 For me I got no maple flavor, no coffee bean flavor and maybe a ever so slight hint of cedar, Mostly I got the black pepper spiciness and what I can only describe as a gritty earthy taste to it, in fact the bundle comes in a burlap bag and if you smell the bag that is what the cigar slightly tastes like. It is a bit too earthy for my tastes. The spice of the pepper hits you right off and then fades as the cigar mellows. The construction is good and the ash is solid with no flaking. The 2 Torpedo’s (6.5x50) I had burned very even without canoeing and it never burned hot and never burned out, so it has that going for it.

  The Hogs Head will run you about $45.00 for a burlap bundle of 20 in most places I have seen them listed. I would try it again, but not sure if the Hogs Head would make my rotation in the everyday smoke department, however it is a good buy and would make my list of top 50 Budget Bundle cigars. Don’t be afraid of it give it a try for yourself and see if I am correct, everyone has different taste and I do not want to scare you off, but I do stand by my review.

 

  On a personal note there were 9 of us that tried these and more than half of us liked them and would purchase or smoke them again, which just proves my point as to I am just a regular guy and I don’t want to sway you or try and sell you on anything… it’s just my point of reference to help you make your choice on things.

 Over all I would give this cigar a rating of 4 1/2 out of 10 on taste and 8 on construction.

 Thanks for reading

B.O.T.L.

~Cigar Ash~

CigarAsh reviews the 1876 Reserve

1876 Reserve

Origins: Dominican Republic

Filler: Dominican

Wrapper: Connecticut

Binder: Sumatra

Size: 6 x 50

Shape: Toro

Strength: Mild

 Here is another one from the Budget Bundle Brigade. It’s the 1876 Reserve; this one is going to be short and to the point ….DON’T Do IT!

 

This is a very Mild Dominican and by very mild I am saying it is like smoking air! They come in a Bundle of 20 and in one catalog I have seen them listed as a “2fer” 2 bundles for between $49.99 and $59.99. They are about a buck a stick and they taste like you should get change back from your dollar.

 Despite them being handmade with 100% long leaf filler the ash is flakey so it is all over you when you smoke, the feel to the wrapper is smooth to the touch, but feels as light as they taste and it is so bland looking it should be over looked!

I have gone to great lengths for you my loyal readers I bought a bundle of Robusto’s 5x50 and a Bundle of Toro’s 6 x 50 and let me just say That if my wife reads this and sees how crappy I say they are and that I bought more than one bundle she may reduce my cigar fund.

 

The only people who should smoke these truly bad boys of the Budget Bundle Brigade are the folks that are just starting out smoking cigars because they are inexpensive, not harsh and it will show them what not to buy ever again.

This one rates 1 out of 10

Thanks for reading – Remember keep your Cigars moist.

B.O.T.L.

CigarAsh14

P.S. They have a Maduro version of this cigar now and it isn’t any better than its predecessor.

Cigar Ash Looks at the Puros Indios Reserva’ Maxima ‘03

Puros Indios Reserva’ Maxima ‘03

What can I say about this brand besides, it is one of the most consistent brands I have had the pleasure of smoking. It may not me the highest on the Cigar Brand totem pole, but it is far from the bottom.

 The brand does have one blemish on their reputation with their Puros Indious Vejeo, but that is a review for another time.

 So here is the skinny on these sticks. This Blend of Puros Indios is the brain child of Rolando Reyes Jr. and his 70 years of experience. This specially aged puros is called “Anejado 2003” and has a blending of Brazilian, Nicaragua and Dominican longleaf tobaccos’ with a Ecuador wrapper that is just a great tasting smoke. 

 Five years the cigars aged in boxes and I have to say that I would buy these often and keep them in stock. They are inexpensive at $29.95 for the Rothschild, $34.95 for the Toro and $39.95 for the Churchill.

 The Maxima ’03 has good construction with very minute if any blemishes and veins in the leaf. There is an earthy and light woody taste to it and so far after smoking 5 to 8 of them at this point I have not had one canoe or unravel. The Head of the cigar is nice and tight as well, I have used a Cigar punch and a V-notch on the cigar and the head of it has stated pretty much in tacked and had a nice smooth draw to it throughout the whole smoke. This cigar gives you a light aroma with a solid light grey ash not flaky at all.

 I would give this cigar a rating of 6 ½ out of 10 for Price, Taste and Quality. This is a perfect everyday cigar choice.

See you next time

B.O.T.L.

~Cigar Ash~