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~

Dark Shark Cigar Review

                        

Dark Shark

Origins: Honduras

Filler: Nicaraugan

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf

Size: 7 x 50

Shape: Churchill

Strength: Medium

 

 Dark Shark is what they call a “House” Brand, and all that means is that companies make a deal with a manufacture to make cigars with certain tobaccos in them and at a certain price point that only they offer.

 I say do not let the Dark Shark take a bite out of you, your wallet or your taste buds… This little bastard was actually on a Un- smokeble List.

This Dominican Handmade should be handed back. It is supposed to be a mild to medium bodied cigar made from dark broadleaf maduro wrapper with a filler made up of Cuban seed tobaccos, But I call it like I taste them . . .  they are crap!

 

 What can I say about them other than I have tortured my pallet for you … save yours and ignore this taste bud predator? When you see the Dark Shark’s fin circling your catalog, website and wallet, throw some chum at it and get out of its way!

I rate this cigar 1/2 out of 10 . . . let this shark swim on by!

                      Call Quint this Shark needs to be put down!

 

 

Happy Smoking

B.T.O.L.

 CigarAsh

Johnny V's Cigar Review

Johnny V has picked out for his first Cigar Review a hidden treasure that many Cigar lovers have not discovered yet. One of Drew Estate's Lesser known cigars and very reasonably priced, Isla del Sol. Going with the usual Drew Estate feel it does have a flavor and stands up to the usual scrutiny of Drew Estate quality.

Cigar Stats

_________

Cigar: Isla del Sol
Company: Drew Estates
Wrapper(s): Sumatra
Filler(s): Nicaraguan
Origin(s): Nicaragua
Size: (Ring Gauge): 5x52
Style: (Robusto est..) Robusto
Price at the Time: (box & Single): $30.99 a Box & Singles are around $2.00 - 3.00
Smell: Sweet with a hint of Coffee
Ash: (Good, Bad, Weak, Solid): good solid ash
Taste: Mild smoke with a sweet tip
Strength: Mild - Medium
Construction: (good, bad, est..): good construction
Rating: (1-10) 9

Review Questions

1. Did you like the Cigar? Yes
2. Would you smoke it again? Yes
3. Was the Cigar worth the money? Definitely
4. Would you recommend it to others? Yes
5. Best time to smoke this particular Cigar? Anytime … I think it would be perfect as an after dinner treat
6. Any particular drink that would go with this Cigar? I enjoyed this cigar with a Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier today but a cup of coffee or a whiskey would compliment it beautifully.
7. Anything else you would like to say about the cigar? This cigar has been a consistent favorite for me, I have yet to be let down by this cigar. I plan to make it a regular in my smoking selection.