The Cigar Stop Review of the Gurkha: Park Avenue Cigar

Name: Gurkha: Park Avenue - Maduro

Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Habano Maduro

Filler/Binder: Nicaraguan

Shape/Size: Torpedo only

Strength: Medium

Box/Bundle: Bundle of 20

Flavored: No

Price: $4.00 per Single – Per Bundle $60.00 - $70.00

 I found this cigar to be a triple threat; A Maduro, Affordable and Delicious. What else can I tell you about this one? BUY IT, it ranks in the top 10 of our Budget Bundles, it has the quality and flavor of a $12.00 cigar at a $4.00 price tag.

 I have seen this offering from Gurkha on sale and clearance at some online companies and ample supplies of them at the “brick & mortar’s” pick one up and give it a try see if 3 of our reviewers are correct in their opinions.

 We rate this cigar a 5.5 out of 10

It doesn’t have to be expensive to have quality and taste

B.O.T.L.

~CigarAsh~

The Cigar Stops review of Drew Estate’s Tabak Especial Limited – Café’ Con Leche’

Name: Drew Estate’s Tabak Especial Limited – Café’ Con Leche’

Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf & Ecuador Connecticut Broadleaf

Filler/Binder: Nicaraguan

Shape/Size: Belicoso (5.5 x 54)

Strength: Mild, but can Vary due to infusion 

Box/Bundle: Box of 20

Flavored: yes (coffee – Espresso – milk chocolate)

 Price:  $12.00 per single $100.00 to $125.00 per box

 There are plenty of flavored cigars out there, but if you are looking for one that is not over powering with sweetness, while maintain great construction, this is the one you want, however I must warn you, you will pay a pretty penny for this one. This cigars is one of 4 that I would empty the piggy bang for every once in a while.

 This is a duel wrapper so it starts off sweet with hints of coffee and chocolate, then it tappers down to a nice mellow inviting smoke and at the very end of the cigar it gets sweet again so that you have a great finish and it doesn’t taste like wet dog like most flavored cigars when you get down to the end. With this one you never want it to go out, but alas how you would get to light another one if the first one doesn’t go out!

 So there always is a sad note and this one is in the all in the name… “Limited” that’s right the reason for the expense and the rare availability is due to the fact that they use two premium wrappers and that the whole cigar wrapper and filler is all infused and aged. If there were a King of Infuse cigars that king would be Drew Estates and if there was one flavored cigar that was to be held high on a pedestal it would be this one. 

If you are a fan of infused cigars or flavored cigars try this one and you tell us here at the cigar stop if we were wrong in our review. 

I rate this cigar a 8.5 out of 10

B.O.T.L.

~CigarAsh~

Review of Drew Estate’s Java – Mint Flavored cigar

                    Drew Estate’s Java – Mint

Origins: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Brazilian

Filler/Binder: Nicaraguan

Shape/Size: Corona, Gordo, Robusto, Toro

Strength: Medium

Box/Bundle: Box of 24

Flavored: yes – Mint

Box Pressed: Yes

Price: $7.00 to $10.00 per single - $150.00 to $180.00 per box

 

If you’re a flavored cigar fan than Drew Estate is your company. Drew Estate has a great selection of flavored cigars; the latest is the Java Mint.

 

 This is a Medium strength cigar made with Nicaraguan tobaccos and a Connecticut Ecuadorian leaf with a dark rich Maduro wrapper. I have done nothing but rave about Drew Estate cigars over the years, but as with everything you can’t be 100% on the edge without falling off once in a while, and for me that is what this one does.

Drew Estate Java - Mint Flavor
 

 

 The Java Mint is not one I will smoke again nor will I recommend it to anyone…good concept, bad cigar.

 The Ash is not typical is seams very flaky to me, the flavor although ok at first is not throughout the whole cigar it is only on the tip of it so it gets bitter fast, the box press shape I am also not a fan of.

For me $170.00 for a box is way out of line on this one. Even a 5 pack is 25 bucks, want to try it buy one and see if I am right? Than go to any Brick and Mortar’s (store) they should carry them and they should be about $9.00 to $10.00 each. Remember just because I didn’t like them doesn’t mean you will dislike them. Don’t be afraid to try things.

 

 I rate this one a 4 out of 10, Sorry Drew Estate.

~ CigarAsh~

CigarAsh's Review of the Indian Tabac Maduro

                                  Indian Tabac maduro

Origin: Honduran

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Filler/Binder: Costa Rican, Honduran & Nicaraguan

Shape/Size: Pyramid – Robusto - Toro

Strength: Full

Box/Bundle: Box of 20

Flavored: No

Price: $2.20 per single – per Box $54.00 to $59.00

 

 

 

Indian Tabac Maduro comes in 3 sizes Boxer (4.5x50), Teepee (5.5x52) and Tomahawk (6x52). And these yummy black heathens come in a box of 25.

 These Full bodied dark bad boys are smooth, rich and have a hint of spice and sport and even burn, great construction and a nice solid ash that doesn’t even consider flaking out on you.

They are made with 5 year aged Nicaraguan, Costa Rican and Honduran fillers with Nicaraguan Habano binders and a Connecticut maduro broadleaf wrapper.

 

Ever since purchasing the Brad Rocky Patel has just left it as is and that shape is fantastic! They are price very reasonable that range from $54.50 to $59.50 for a box of 25 so they won’t break the bank.

 If you are a fan of Full bodied cigars this is the one for you, give 1 a try and I bet you will try them over and over again. They are a little strong for an everyday cigar, but they well worth the weekend warrior smoker.

 

 Want a medium or mild version of this great cigar they are available in the Classic line of Indian Tabac.

I rate this one 6 out of 10

Happy Smoking

~CigarAsh~

Sosa Family's - Sosa Cigar Review

Sosa Cigars

Origin: Honduras

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Filler/Binder: Dominican & Honduran

Shape/Size: Robusto, Toro, Belicoso & Churchill

Strength: Medium

Box/Bundle: Box of 20

Flavored: No

$2.50 singles - $45.00 to $55.00 per bundle

 

 

The return of the king… When I started out smoking cigars eons ago, there were some big names like Arturo Feuente, Romeo and Juliette and Cohiba, there was also Sosa.

 The Sosa family had some of the smoothest and rich cigars for affordable prices, but unfortunately back then not everyone carried all the brand and you had to order in catalogs or like me be lucky enough to be in Florida and stumble into one of the Sosa Family stores, I dropped some coin that day I tell you, but I was set for quite some time for cigars while I was down there.

And now Sosa has reemerged with its first United States public offering, entitled simply “Sosa”. I have only seen them listed in 2 catalogs so far, and they were listed at a nice price of $45.00 for a bundle of 20. I expect some old timers such as myself to find the brand and stock up with this Central American treasure.

 The Size I like is the Toro size (6x52). The cigar is a well constructed medium smoke that has Dominican and Honduran filler with a dark maduro wrapper, with a nice ash with no flaking. The flavor is smooth and earthy.

I hope Sosa is making a comeback, but it’s my opinion that if they don’t get a boost buy the brick and mortars they will fade back into the dark closet of other Brand names that have faded into obscurity.

I have to say I am slightly disappointed with this cigar, it was dry and then the 2^nd time I smoke one it was better humidified, but it still seemed to lack in flavor. I hope they do better in the next Sosa offering

 I rate this Cigar a 5 out of 10.

Happy Smoking

~CigarAsh~