Cigar Stats: The Angelenos blend features Dominican binder and filler tobaccos with an Ecuadorian wrapper. It’s offered in six sizes, with the Robusto Gordo JM weighing in at 5½ x 54. Other sizes are Robusto (5¼ x 50), Toro (6 x 50), Lonsdale (6¼ x 44), Gran Toro (6½ x 54), and Double Robusto (5¾ x 52).

Appearance: The golden-brown wrapper is a bit oily and quite smooth, and the construction is firm with a little spring to the touch. It is impeccably rolled, with a flawless cap and minimal veins.
the smoke: The pre-light aroma won’t blow you away, but that’s masking what happens when you strike the match or flick the lighter. There is plenty of rich aroma from start to finish, and it’s one of the cigar’s strong points. As for flavor, the stick falls on the mild- to medium-bodied end of the spectrum, but it is still full of flavor. In the early going, it is quite creamy with notes of citrus and cedar, but what really makes this a satisfying smoke is that the second half delivers just as much flavor and smoothness as the beginning.

Verdict: At about $10 a stick, you should expect a rewarding experience. You’ll get it here – a good 90 minutes of smooth, consistent flavor on a par with the best Connecticuts, and a rich aroma that will linger in the nose and on the fingers. For more information on the Robusto Gordo JM and the entire line of Angelenos cigars, visit www.angelenoscigars.com.

Cigar Stats: The line consists of two blends, a Habano wrapper and, today’s selection, a Connecticut-seed Ecuadorian wrapper. The filler blend for each consists of Piloto Cubano Ligero, Seco Cubano, Olor Dominicano, and Ligero Nicaragua, and an Olor Dominicano binder. Both blends are available in eight sizes: Robusto (5×50), Toro (6×52), Torpedo (6×52), Short Pyramid (5×51), Corona (6×43), Robusto Gordo (5×60), Toro Gordo (6×60), and today’s selection, Churchill (7×48), with an MSRP of $6.50 to $7.25 per stick.

Appearance: The Rock-A-Feller has a medium-brown shade, some minor veins, a minimal amount of oil, and is firm to the touch.

The Smoke: The first two inches of this stick produces zero spice, some tea flavor, and a pleasant buttery texture that coats the mouth. As we approach the mid-section, all of the earlier flavors remain, while also adding a hint of almonds and some straight-up, mild tobacco. And while it is this section of a cigar that usually produces the most flavorful part of the smoke, it is the last third of the Rock-A-Feller that amps up the tobacco, adding just the right amount of spice to the existing flavors.

Verdict: The Rock-A-Feller Churchill is a mild, well-balanced cigar that is a great choice for newbies or even the experienced puffer looking for a pleasant smoke to go with their morning coffee. Anyone interested in trying one out can visit The Carolina Tobacco Emporium, located in the Manchester Parkade, where they’re having a Rock-A-Feller special: Now, through March 17, buy any 3 Rock-A-Feller cigars (Connecticut or Habano) and get a Short Pyramid, either wrapper, free.

Cigar Stats: The Master features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper over a binder from Esteli, Nicaragua and fillers from Esteli and Jalapa, Nicaragua. It is available in four sizes: Robusto (5 x 50), Torpedo (6.25 x 52), BFC (6 x 60), and Churchill (7 x 50). We sampled the Torpedo that was gifted to us by Marketing & Customer Relations Manager, Jack Torano.

Appearance: The Master is a beautiful looking cigar with excellent construction that is firm from head to foot. The medium to dark-brown Habano wrapper is slightly oily with a little bit of tooth. The band, which some would call plain, is simple and clean-looking.

The Smoke: The pre-light of the Master is heavy on the hay but, once lit, it is the spice and black pepper that grab your attention. Mixed in with all that power is some wood (cedar, we think) and leather. After about an inch of burn, the blast of pepper mellows and some almond and floral notes arrive, with the leather a constant in the background. The remainder of the cigar brings back the spice, but also adds the new flavors of wood fire and roasted coffee. The draw, which started a bit firm, ends just fine, and the salt-and-pepper ash holds for an inch-and-a-half, even in a stiff New England wind!

Verdict: The Master, which starts out medium-bodied and builds to full-bodied, doesn’t let the spice overpower the other flavors, making it a very well-balanced cigar. And with the recommended price ranging from $5-$6, how can you go wrong? For more information on the Master and the entire line of Torano Family cigars, visit www.torano.com.

Cigar Stats: The AF1 is produced at Fernandez’s tabacalera in Esteli, Nicaragua, and features a Nicaraguan filler and binder wrapped in a San Andreas maduro from Mexico. It comes in four sizes: Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 X 50), Torpedo (6½ x 52), and BMF (6 x 58). We sampled the Toro.

Appearance: This cigar has a no-nonsense look. Its deep brown wrapper has a couple of prominent veins, and while it may contain a lump or two, it’s tightly wrapped. The black-and-gold band is a model of understatement.

The Smoke: The pre-light draw suggests a lot of taste and aroma, and the stick delivers when the flame arrives, particularly in the aroma department – it’s deep and rich from start to finish. There’s a bit of spice and coffee at the start, but it soon develops a very woody (cedar, it seems) taste that is not harsh at all, with some chocolate thrown in. The maduro wrapper adds a nice counterbalance of sweet aftertaste. The draw is a little on the loose side when a cutter is used, but firms up a bit with a punch. The whitish ash holds together for quite a while, and the burn line is flawless. No touchups required.

Verdict: The buzz generated by the AF1 in 2011 was well-founded. This is a tasty, medium- to full-bodied experience. In the $7-9 range, it’s an excellent value. For more information on the AF1 and the entire line of Emilio Cigars visit emiliocigars.com.

Who knew that one or more of the movers and shakers at Torano Family Cigars is a Bob Dylan fan? Actually, we don’t know that, but when Torano goes into its back pages for a new product, we have to wonder. Which brings us to Torano’s Vault, introduced last summer. Vault’s origins stem from Charlie Torano and Bruce Lewis paging back through the family’s blend book, which has recorded the composition of every cigar Torano has produced, or considered producing, since 1982. They discovered one unreleased blend from 2000 – Liga A-008 – that piqued their interest. And with a bit of tweaking – adding a second ligero binder from Ometepe, Nicaragua, to add a bit more kick – they had their new full-bodied concoction.

Cigar Stats: The updated Vault features filler from Nicaragua, binder from Nicaragua and Honduras, and a Shade-Grown Nicaraguan Colorado wrapper. It’s available in four sizes: Robusto
(5 x 52), Toro (6 x 50), Torpedo (6 1/8 x 52) and Corona Gorda 5 5/8 x 46). We sampled the Toro.

Appearance: This is an understated, yet elegant stick. A simple silver and black label adorns the dark brown wrapper that contains a couple of noticeable veins. It is tightly rolled, yet retains some spring to the touch. The 50 ring gauge may seem  a bit on the small side with the recent proliferation of wide-body sticks, but it’s not insignificant.

The Smoke: Vault’s pre-light aroma is deep and rich, accurately signaling the full-bodied smoking experience you are about to get when you light up. But full-bodied doesn’t mean rough in this case. After an initial wave of coffee and woody notes, the flavor soon develops into a very smooth, almost creamy blend of cedar and earthy flavors. Meanwhile, the rich aroma keeps coming. The most impressive aspect of the smoke is that the second half is as flavorful and smooth as the first. In addition, the draw is consistently firm throughout, and the burn line is impeccable.

Verdict: The Vault packs plenty of flavor, making for a very satisfying 90-minute or so smoke. You can expect to pay $7-8 a stick, and you won’t feel short-changed. For more information on the Vault and the entire line of Torano cigars visit www.torano.com.

Cigar Stats: Paul Stulac cigars feature an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that surrounds a blend of Nicaraguan long-fillers and binder. All of the cigars in the Stulac line are box-pressed and are available in the following vitolas: Phantom (Torpedo, 6 x 53), Angel (Robusto, 5 x 58), Ghost (Toro, 6 x 58),  Skull (Salomone, 7 x 58), and Cross (Gigantico, 7 x 64). We sampled the Ghost.

Appearance: The Ghost is adorned with a label at the foot, bearing the cigar’s name, and a main label that has a medievel thing going on and bears the company name and the inscription “Regalo de Dios” or “Gift from God.” The cigar itself is big and bumpy with some prominent veins. To call it ugly would be a little harsh, but not totally out of line.

The Smoke: Whatever it lacks in the looks department it more than makes up for in flavor. The Ghost has just the right amount of spice — mild — that lingers on the back of the throat while leather, oak, nuts, butter, and cream all battle for the attention of our taste buds. The draw is near perfect and the gray ash holds for about an inch-and-a-half.

Verdict: The Ghost is an impressive medium-bodied, full-flavored smoke from Paul Stulac, well-worth the 90 minutes we spent freezing our butts off for this review. And if that’s not high praise we don’t know what is. For more information on the Ghost and the entire line of Paul Stulac cigars visit http://paulstulac.com/cigar.

Cigar Stats: Swag has kept things simple in this regard. The Limitado is made entirely from ligeros from a single Domincan farm, with a Habano wrapper from the aforementioned bale. And it is available in only one size – a 6 x 54 toro dubbed the “Infamous.” Expect to pay about $9.50 a stick.

Appearance: This is a good-looking stick, dressed up in the singular red bands that characterize Swag products. The brown leather, slightly oily wrapper has a couple of prominent veins, and it is wrapped on the tight side with an impeccably constructed cap. To top it off, the 54 ring gauge is just about the ideal size, providing heft but not heaviness.

The Smoke: While not overpowering, the pre-light aroma hints at a rich smoking experience. When the flame comes into play, one quickly tastes plenty of woody, earthy notes, along with coffee. The smoke really smooths out after about an inch, but the coffee and wood remains prominent throughout. An added bonus is the sweet, tangy aftertaste generated by the Habano wrapper. From start to finish, the draw is near perfect, and the aroma is rich, if a bit understated. One of the samples required a burn correction in the early going, but there were no issues after that.

Verdict: The Limitado is another solid full-bodied performer from Swag. It offers plenty of taste and a worthwhile 90-minute smoke as we move into the frigid time of the year. For more information on Swag Cigars visit http://swagcigars.com.

Cigar Stats: The filler comes from Nicaragua, surrounded by a Ecuadorian Sumatra binder, and finished in a dark-chocolate Oscuro Maduro wrapper of mysterious origins. It is offered in only one size, a beefy 6½ x 56 Toro Grande.

Appearance: This is a dark, rustic-looking stick with a few noticeable veins. It is tightly rolled, with a triple cap. There were one or two spongy spots on our sample, but they were of no consequence. Its size, color and presentation give it an imposing air.

The Smoke: The pre-light aroma suggests earth and coffee flavors, but it’s not overwhelming. And that is misleading, to say the least, for when the tobacco meets flame, Dark Rituals produces some of the richest smoke you will encounter. This full-bodied stick has plenty of wood, coffee and earth notes, with a bit of spice, early in the smoke, but it soon develops a smoothness that is quite pleasant. The maduro wrapper adds a bit of sweetness that is a nice counterpart to the darker, richer flavors. All in all, it’s a tasty cigar, but the thick smoke and rich aroma are the stars of the show. The draw is on the easy side at the start, but it firms up as the smoke progresses. In keeping with its appearance, the ash is quite dark, but it holds together well.

Verdict: At $13-15 a stick, Dark Rituals is on the pricey side, but it delivers a bang for your buck. It will give you a solid 90-minute to two-hour smoke, and you will feel you got your money’s worth. For more information on Dark Rituals and the entire line of E.P. Carrillo cigars visit http://epcarrillo.com.

Cigar Stats: The Reinado is a Nicaraguan Puro made at the Cubanero Cigar Factory. The wrapper is a Nicaraguan Habano Rosado with the Binder and Filler also from Nicaragua. The blend is offered in five sizes: Robusto (5.5 x 50), Torpedo (6.125 x 52), Churchill (7.625 x 48), and the latest two in the line, Habanito (4 x 38), and El Emperador (6 x 60). We sampled The Emperor, gifted to us by Antonio.

Appearance: This thing is a monster. It has a rustic appearance, dark tan in color with some prominent veins. It is slightly oily with a few bumps for character. To call this cigar firm is an understatement. This thing is packed tighter than a Walmart on Black Friday.

The Smoke: From the start this stick is smooth and very well balanced with equal amounts of leather, coffee, and nuts, with a little bit of spice playing out in the background. The draw, as expected, is a little tight, but not enough to ruin the smoking experience. The ash, slightly flaky, is an even mix of white and grey that holds up well. As the razor sharp burn line progresses (no touch-ups needed) the flavors get a little sweeter and creamier, but overall the same core flavor profile. For the curtain call El Emperador ramps up the spice, which makes for a very nice complement to the aforementioned creaminess.

Verdict: The Reinado El Emperador is an extremely tasty, medium-bodied stick with a finish on the full side, making it a decent selection for cigar rookies and experts alike.For more information on Reinado Cigars visit www.reinadocigars.com.

With a 2011 production of 30,000, the Four Kicks is available at only 66 retailers nationwide. Fortunately, Buttheads Tobacco Emporium in Danbury, owned by the very knowledgeable Kevin Paige, is one of those lucky retailers.

Cigar Stats: The Four Kicks blend, manufactured at Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. under the supervision of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, owner of EPC Cigar Company, is made up of a Nicaraguan binder and filler encompased by a beautiful Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Packaged in 24-count boxes, the Four Kicks is available in four sizes: Corona Gorda (5 5/8 x 46, $6.95), Robusto (5 x 50, $7.60), Sublime (6 x 54, $8.40), and Piramide (6 1/8 x 52, $8.65). We sampled the Sublime.

Appearance: The wrapper is medium brown with a few minor veins and an occasional soft spot, but nothing of major concern. The 54 ring guage gives it a nice heft and the red and gold band is understated, yet elegant.

The Smoke: While the first half-inch of this cigar is super spicy, the next inch or so is very creamy, bordering on buttery. There is tons and tons of smoke and the ash, strong and white, holds firm until the 2 inch mark. As we progress, strong notes of leather take over with the cream backing off a bit and the spice coming back in the mix. Nearing the end of this hour-and-a-half smoke the spice comes back full throttle along with the creaminess from the beginning and a new player, some nuttiness, which makes for a very pleasant finish.

Verdict: The Crowned Heads Four Kicks, a cigar that got better each time we smoked one, is a medium to full-bodied cigar that has fantastic, well-balanced flavors, a perfect draw, and tons of aromatic smoke, all causing us to puff each one right down to the nub. For more information on the Four Kicks and the Crowned Heads Cigar Company visit http://crownedheads.com.