Corona Chair-Holder's Review: Asylum 13 Authentic Corojo

Size:            5x50

Wrapper:     Honduran Corojo-Seed

Binder:        Honduran

Filler:          Honduran

Notes:        Earthy, nutty toast with traces of cocoa and spice toward the finish. Complex smoke from the 2nd and 3rd stage.

Asylum 13 was created by Kevin Baxter and Tom Lazuka of Miami, Florida is distributed by Christian Eiora's Tabacaleras Unidasauthentic. Typically all the Asylum's I've smoked were puro Nicaraguan.  However, this new line features Honduran Corojo-seed grown and rolled at the Tabacos Rancho Jamastran factory where the Camacho lines are produced. .  

The cigar is well constructed with a sturdy cap.  At first light, a little bite of spice pops with the foot having a  good even burn.  This cigar's taste profile is primarily earthy, toasty with cocoa finish.  Exceptionally smooth medium to full body with great draw and lots of smoke on the first light, flavor becomes complex but builds up with a nice full, strong  finish at end.

I picked up this stick fresh out the box from delivery for about five dollars at the Corona Smokeshop in Okemos.  I really enjoyed the 5x50 (which also makes the monsterous 6x80!) - especially knowing that this new Honduran line has completed the Asylum menu.

Corona Chair-Holder's Review: Espinosa y Ortega Cubao

Size:          6 1/8 x 52 Torpedo No. 2
Wrapper:   Equadorian grown Sumatra Oscuro
Binder:      Nicaraguan
Filler:        Nicaraguan
Notes:       A rich, full-bodied smoke that weaves earthy and dark coffee notes with consistent traces of pepper.  Complexity of wood, earth and pepper dominates the breadth of the smoke.

Produced and aged, at Pepin Garcia's Tabacalera Cubana S.A in Esteli, Nicaragua, the Cubao, the Taino word meaning "Fertile Soil" which is similarly grown from the famous Pinar Del Rio region, has a rich oily wrapper with solid construction on the cap with small veins dispersed throughout the stick. 

The price (about $9.25 at The Corona Smoke Shop in Okemos) seems comparable to the premium lines like Padron or La Aurora for a smooth full-body, considering this line has been discontinued.  However, according to a company source, this cigar will be re-released hopefully the fall after the IPCR show this summer.  

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar from first light to the nub.  The draw is a little tight but burn and ash holds well. I did get a slight buzz going into the third leg of the smoke.  I look forward to seeing more new releases from Espinosa y Ortega.

Corona Chair-holder's Review: Esteban Carreras

Size:           7x54 Churchill
Wrapper:   Connecticut
Binder:       Dominican
Filler:          Dominican and Nicaraguan blend
Notes:        An elegant mild creamy and toasty smoke that turns woody toward the finish.  It draws well and burns even with a grayish ash that holds steady.

I was introduced to Esteban cigars at Sue's Coffee House in St. Clair, Michigan - another jewel of Michigan Cigar places bordering across Canada on the St. Clair River - where I appreciate their lines from the early 1961, Cuban Semilla, and 187 to my favorite, the 10 Anos.  The Carerra Connecticut has always been one of my favorites because of it's incredible creamy and smooth taste from start to finish.  It paired well with my coffee while reading WSJ.  The price is right (at The Corona Smokeshop in Okemos) at about $8.00.

I feel that Esteban has been grossly overlooked by many of my cigar colleagues who occasionally enjoy the smoke and especially the price which range from $5.50 to $11.75.   What little they know is that Esteban has been one of the few originators and producers in Estelli, Nicaragua.  The cigars are always beautifully constructed and aged beyond their release.  This is particularly true to all of the Connecticut vitolas.  Most recently they released the Esteban Connecticut 12 year old (a red sub-band).These age well in humidors and I found that "overlooked" cigars like this Connecticut 12 is most likely aged waiting for that someone to enjoy a rich, smooth smoke.

Corona Chair-Holder's Review: Curivari Reserva Limitada 4000 Belicoso

Size:          6.25x54 Belicoso
Wrapper:  Nicaraguan authentic cuban seed
                Criollo & Corojo
Binder:      Nicaraguan
Filler:        Nicaraguan
Notes:      Roasted Dark Coffee, pepper with hint of
                molasses and Blackberry

This Nicaragua Puro caught my eye a few years ago on the shelf at the Corona Smokeshop in Okemos because of the beautiful construction of the dark Colorado wrapper with a classy and simple gold embossed white label.  When I picked up the cigar I was impressed with the solid, slightly course feel with veins dispersed and a well capped bind.  The smell was incredible.

At first light, already the full body hits you like a freight train:  pepper and roasted coffee was very apparent along with a trail of blackberry.  The cigar had an even burn with a nice gray ash.  Toward the second third, the flavor of coffee and pepper intensifies, yet becomes consistently smooth toward the last third..  What I find remarkable about this cigar -no harsh aftertaste and the right balance of spice and sweet like pepper and molasses.  The Reserva Limitada is my favorite of all the Curivari lines:  Classica's red label, Cafe's brown label and the Gloria de Leon).  The Reserva comes in different sizes from the 1000, 2000, 3000 and of course the 4000 which sells at $7.50 at the Corona.

I have several sticks in my humidor for aging.  I've had this one for about a year before surrendering to the smoking gods while paring with an espresso.  A great way to start the weekend!

Corona Chair-Holder's Review: Torano Salutem Master Series LFC

Size:             4.25x60
Wrapper:      Ecuador
Binder:          Nicaraguan Jalapa
Filler:            Mix of Cameroon, Dominican Corojo and
                     an Esteli blend from Nicaragua.
Notes:          Sweet, spicy full bodied with chocolate,
                   cedar and some black pepper notes.

The Master by Carlos Torano is a cigar blended by Charlie Torano and Cuban master blender Felipe Sosa. The cigar combines a Nicaraguan Jalapa binder, filler tobaccos which includes Nicaraguan Estelli, with a mix of Cameroon, Dominican Corojo, and a Habano wrapper from Ecuador. 

A good, even burn with light gray ash, I found this short stout (which is their LFC Series) soft to the touch showing some veins which indicates it's well constructed.  From the pre-light, smoke was plentiful and tasted some spice, pepper and cedar. Toward the middle of the stick, the flavors become pronounced with chocolate, floral and earthiness are prevalant.  At the last stage, a full sweet spice returns leaving some on the tongue.  Overall, it's a rich, full flavor expected from these blends.

Iced latte or coffee pairs well with this nice short stick which is available at The Corona Smoke Shop for $6.00.

Corona Chair-Holder's Review - CLE Corojo 11/18

Size:           6x48x54x48
Wrapper:   Honduran
Binder:       Honduran
Filler:         Honduran Corojo
Notes:       Grassy, dried cherries and mild spice with some hint of woody cocoa.


This stick, one of Christian Eiroa's creation from his own company, is a Honduran Puro featuring Corojo tobacco which is grown and produced at Tobacos Ranchos Jamastran.

The Handsome shape -a classical figurado with a 48 gauge at both ends and a solid 54 gauge in the middle, has a smooth, beautiful solid Colorado Maduro and is called 11/18 in honor of Christian's mother's birthday.  Strong smoke is prevalent and has an even burn with solid dark gray ash.

I find this to be a good medium flavor with light spice and wood intensifying at the 2nd and 3rd phase of the smoke. You will find that the CLE Corojo 11/18 stick will soften to the touch when you approach the middle .The CLE, a good medium body, is one of the three lines based on strength (Asylum -Full-Bodied; Wynnwood - Mild and smooth body).  Having smoked the Asylum vitolas, I find that the CLE is a pleasant smoke for those who like to take a break from their full-body cigars, but not compromise the demand for a complex flavor mix.  You get a lot of smoke mileage for about $7 (only at the Corona Smoke Shop in Okemos)

Corona Chair-Holder's review: The Legend-Ario

Size:            6x54 Figurado Puro
Wrapper:      Honduran
Binder:         Honduran
Filler:           Honduran
Notes:          Strength Medium to Full. Earthy with a bit of sweetness and a hint of pepper.  The burn is even with some pourous, dark gray ash.

The Camacho Legend-Ario has a rich, earthy flavor throughout. It starts out with a bit of a pepper flavor and becomes meaty with sweet earthy tones. The Camacho Legend-Ario has a coarse appearance and feel, but is certainly solid and well constructed. The wrapper is dark and oily and seamless without much veins. The pre-light draw has very little taste with just a hint of sweet tobacco.  The second third is the "sweet spot" where the earthy becomes prevalent throughout.

 

Like many of the Camacho brand cigars, the Camacho Legend-Ario is still filled with all Honduran tobacco (with the exception of the Connecticut line), and the finest authentic Corojo fillers. The tobacco is grown in the Jamastran Valley in Honduras -a region where perfect soil and ideal climate can compare to Cuba`s renowned Vuelta Abajo Region known for it's sweet bold spice of Cuban cigars.

 

A good single barrel aged Kentucky bourbon pairs well with the Legend-Ario such as Eagle Rare or Buffalo Trace (Thanks to fellow Corona Chair-Holder Mr. Wellman for the introduction of this fine brand) 

 

The Corona Smokeshop has a good stock of different sizes from the 6x50 Toro, 6x60 Bertha and 8x60 Super Bertha - all reasonably priced from $6.75 to $8.00.  This week they have great specials on these fine sticks.  I suggest a post-work smoke as you'll need some time to enjoy.  On a scale from 1 to 5 (5 being exceptional) I give it a 3.75.