Macanudo maduro

Purchased: Stockholm, Sweden
Smoked: 26/7/2014 London
Size: small torpedo
Stars: 1.5
Notes: quite a damning score but remember this rating is for this particular experience. The lowness is due primarily to the wrapping coming off throughout the smoke making it impossible to finish, even though I wasn't ready for it to. The flavours evolved quite drastically throughout - hints of Armagnac at one stage - but was difficult to get past the physical detriment. It had a slightly uneven burn as well, which leads me to think this cigar wasn't made with love. I don't want it to taste like love, but I do want to enjoy it still

Toscano Del Presidente

Stars: 3
Purchased: A tabacchi, Siena
Smoked: Siena 25/07/14
Country: Italy
Size: Toscano
Notes: When in Rome, right? The same has to be said for Tuscany. This was my first European smoke, though certainly not my first non-Caribbean (Mexico, Philippines before). The great thing about these Toscanos is they're cheap, and comfy to hold. Rolled right here in Tuscany with Kentucky shade leaves. I hate to say it tasted like a cigar, but it did. Quite a medium taste. Draw was a little tough but the burn was even and long. Indeed, this tiny finger-burner took the better half of 35mins to finish. I would certainly try one again; there's something appealing about the notes - very chocolatey, perhaps a hint of coffee bean. Would go great after a Tuscan meal of wild boar ribbon pasta and a hearty Brunello. Absolutely.

Bossner Reserva Half Corona

Stars: 3
Purchased: XXX - Stockholm

Smoked: Edinburgh 13/7/14

Country: Nicaragua/Dom. Republic

Size: Half Corona

Notes: A great little 30min smoke that deserves to be explored again. Unfortunately lit this one up in a beer garden and was quickly joined by some friends, who were shocked and amused at seeing a brown stogie in my hand. Thus, I was a little self-conscious and couldn’t appreciate its notes as much as I’d wanted. But I’ll try to describe – very nutty, perhaps even some vanilla pod scents. Great size, perfect if you don’t want to spend an hour with a robusto between your digits. Quite enjoyable pre-food, and would also be very pleasant post, though not something too heavy. A creamy pasta would be ideal. It’s quite a short number so be careful to remove the two bands before they start to burn themselves (waiting for the stogie to heat up first of course).

*NB. I'm giving this cigar three stars, not because it wasn't worth more, but because I don't remember it being that memorable. Don't get me wrong - it was an excellent smoke, but I've had less tastier cigars that were more memorable, and I think that certainly plays a factor.

Oliva Maduro Robusto

Stars: 3.5
Purchased: XXX - Stockholm

Smoked: Edinburgh 30/5/14
Country: Nicaragua
Size: Robusto (box-pressed)

Notes: The term 'finger burner' is usually applied to short cigars, with the HDM Petit Robusto the most obvious example. This was my first Oliva - I hadn't heard the name before and originally thought it was a typo. Quite a dark, box-pressed little number, the Maduro Robusto was pleasantly surprising. Not too strong and certainly not light, spicy, complex, rewarding. Would match with a coffee or similarly-based cocktail. Construction was very good with no burn issues. The only irk was there seemed to be some empty space between the wrapper and the tobacco, but perhaps that is the nature of the box-press (the Punch Punch doesn't seem to have this issue though). I would go there again. And yes, it was a finger burner.

Macanudo Titan 1968

Stars: 4.5
Purchased: Robert Graham - Edinburgh

Smoked: London 12/04/14
Country: Dominican Republic
Size: Petit Robusto

Notes: When I first met Señor Titan he was staring up at me lazily from within his plastic tomb - a first encounter that rarely bodes well. Little did I know, that lifeless and placid this stick was anything but. Let's start with the size - the ring gauge is fatter than anything I've ever smoked, even wider than most robustos. Don't be deceived by the length - this looks like a 40min run but it's more like a 65min short marathon through the greatest cities in human civilization. With each draw I felt I was racing through Babylon, Damascus, Athens, a quick detour through Muscat and Casablanca, and winding up somewhere along the Dutch East India Company's spice route. This is truly a cigar that you do not want to end, and thus you do not want the night to end. Thank God they didn't make just one.

http://cigarbreaks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/macanudo-1968-titan.html

Cohiba Maduro 5

Stars: 4.5
Purchased: A la Civette - Paris

Smoked: London 25/1/14
Country: Cuba
Size: Secretos

Notes: Seemingly small and innocuous, the Cohiba Maduro 5 surprised me after a few minutes of correct lighting. Wholesomely flavoursome and friendly with surprising longevity. I enjoyed this stick with some Baileys and managed to get through 3 glasses of the stuff. Ultimately a very enjoyable smoke and will be keeping my eye out for these in future. 

Punch Punch

Stars: 3.5
Purchased: A la Civette - Paris
Smoked: Edinburgh 4/1/14
Country: Cuba

Notes: A good companion, stalwart and reliable, but not overly creative. This is how I think of the Punch Punch. 5 star for build and burn, but nothing overly exciting about the flavours.