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. 

Corona Chair-Holder's review: Daruma Edition from Room 101 LTD

 

Size:          4x42 Papi Chulo

Blend:        Honduran & Ecuadorian Habano

Notes:       Cedar with hint of Chocolate and earthiness

This new Room 101 entry blended by Camacho Cigars which is one of three lines of their Far East Warrior theme: Namakubi, Hollywood, and of course the Daruma.   

If size matters, than this short medium to full body cigar demonstrates that good things come in small packages, because it’s chalked with consistent, cedar and chocolate notes with some earthy tone.  The Daruma Papi produces a solid white ash and can hold its weight in long burn for an hour sitting.

The price ($6.00 at the Corona Smoke Shop) is worth its weight in gold.  In general, many cigar enthusiasts may scoff or underestimate the little shorties anticipating a quick smoke or simply may feel they’ll disintegrate the papi chulo in one draw.  

If you want a consistent and flavorful smoke as a prologue to your evening, then this is worth trying. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being exceptional), I give it a 4.5.