Size: 7 x 56
Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Binder and Filler: Dominican, Columbian, & Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium � Full
Price: About $13.00 A Piece

Behind The Stick:

This is the third out of four reviews of the CAO Sopranos line that I am doing, this one specifically being the Boss (play dramatic music). Please check out my review of the Associate and the Soldier for a bit more of a background behind the Sopranos line, the cigars themselves and perhaps you also can tell the subtle differences found within these beasts. One thing that I have really started to like with the Sopranos line is the larger ring gauge in relationship to the length – a normal robusto is not 5 x 50 but rather 5 x 52. Subtle difference but I think it adds that certain ‘something’ – a token not a demonstration. It also appears that each ‘step up’ grants you with a bit larger of a stick, the Associate at 5 x 52, the Soldier at 6 x 54 and now the Boss at 7 x 56. As with the Soldier, this blend is using Dominican, Columbian, & Nicaraguan tobacco for the binder and filler while retaining the dark Brazilian Maduro for a wrapper. Lets see if the Boss earns its name or just got the big promotion to ‘Boss’ due to its size!

Construction:

I can’t believe it but this is another knock out of the park! This is just another reason why I like the CAO company so much, each cigar was nearly identical to the next. Yet again, this stick (even for its size) seems to have almost twice as much tobacco as another cigar of its size although the packing of the cigar does not seem to be overdone – if that makes sense. Their was just the slightest bit of give at the foot and maintained consistency throughout with no soft spots to be found. The wrapper which has been quoted as ‘dark as a hit-man’s soul’ covers this cigar with little to no veins and for some reason the three I tried were lacking the visible oils that the Associate and Soldier provided. Bonus for the Boss though, never once had any issue removing a band, no excess glue or issues sticking to the wrapper!

Flavor:

The flavor profile really was very similar to the Soldier, beginning with a nice earth and tobacco base mixed with a slight sweet sensation that lasted for roughly the first third – I was not expecting much this third mainly due to the monstrous size and the need for the tobacco to warm up. The Boss did not have the huge flavor explosion that the Solider did, although the flavors did melt together smoothly as it progressed, keeping me very interested. A more in your face leather like bitterness started it off, changing very slowly to a more coffee flavor – it may sound like an odd combination but they pulled it off very well. By the midway point I noticed a nice little Coco flavor begin to pick up steam, mixing very well with already solid coffee flavor. The end, much similar to the Soldier, was just god awful. Although the flavors were not as well defined as its smaller counterpart, this one really had a great balance to it – kept me interested but never overwhelmed.

Overall:

This was another great cigar produced by CAO and does add another cigar to their line up although I do feel the other sizes had a more complex flavor profile while this cigar contained more of an imposing and easily distinguishable smoke. Once the foot band had been removed, the black band on black wrapper accented by a minimal amount of red in conjunction with the larger ring gauge (as well as the high cost) made me sit back knowing I was the ‘big boy’ in the room, so if that is what your going after, this is your cigar. Personally, I digress to the flavor profile, which although very enjoyable, did not compete with the little brother the Soldier. Out of the line, I am glad I got these but at $13.00 a pop this is more of a ‘status symbol’ or celebration or unique occasion type cigar rather than a day to day – in my own eyes. I probably wont keep this as a regular addition in my humidor, although I will remember the good choice I once made.

Every Cigar Has A Story, Every Smoke A Memory

Size: 6 x 48 (Toro)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder and Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican
Strength: High Medium to Full
Price: About $6.75 a piece

Behind The Stick:

This is another line by the famous Don Pepin Garcia and although Americas initially look at this brand as ‘Five Vegas’ it is actually pronounced Cinco Vegas (I was corrected in public haha) and has been quite the rage since they started going into production. I attempted to locate more information about this blend, and although Don Pepin himself has had quite a history (more can be found in my review of the Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic) this blend does not seem to have the deep history his other blends do. This does not detract from the cigar, but I always enjoy hearing about the specific blends and how they came to be.

I was able to locate that the Miami edition has been toted as the most elusive blend within the entire 5 Vegas portfolio since it is hand made from 1st generation Cuban-seed grown in Nicaragua. The Long leaf tobacco that is used in this blend has been aged a bit longer than some of their other blends to provide a higher quality and overall more balanced taste. I wonder if this great looking stick will live up to the hype that this is their most elusive and perhaps best blend.

Taken in part from the 5 Vegas website
“A Cuban-esque bouquet of earth and leather mingle with notes of toasted oak, supported by a spicy finish. Full-bodied in character, but exceedingly smooth and balanced from first light down to the satisfying nub. Experience 5 Vegas Miami.”

Construction:

I have been a big fan of Don Pepin for years, and although his blends are always great, the construction on some of these leave me with a bit more to be desired. The bands usually stick (not terrible but still rough) and the packing is never ‘horrible’ but always give me a fear of a soft spot or a bad burn. I was able to try a few and when it comes to the band, the same issues are present on the Miami. The burn on the other hand was perfect, which really allowed me to focus on the other aspects of the smoke. The wrapper is very attractive with a few veins and a good amount of tooth – these aspects really set this one off right with a seemingly nice rustic type feel.

Flavor:

Not a lot going on here – I’m sorry Don Pepin but this was not your ‘wow cigar’ I had expected when I read it was listed as their most elusive blend. I guess hard to find does not always mean it is supposed to be great! This was not a bad tasting blend so please do not take it the wrong way, but this was no Cuban Classic. Wood, earth, leather… Mild bitterness and a good Pepin kick of spice – As I said before this is not ‘bad’ but not quite what I was expecting from the master. The flavor itself, close to being flat, did not have to complexity or change in flavors, that most of us have grown accustomed to when we hear the name Don Pepin.

Overall:

I would go out and grab a 3 pack if I were you, perhaps these cigars will hit you with a bit more of an oomph than they did me or perhaps I need to age them a bit longer, but I would not run out and purchase a box of these. I could see having these when doing yard work or as a ‘filler cigar’ after lunch or during some down time in between your more ‘desired smokes’ but these are not going to be the “go to celebration cigars”. The price is iffy, at just under $7.00 a cigar I feel I should be getting more bang for my buck but they are not too huge of a strain on the wallet. Would I smoke these, of course there is no reason not to – but at the same time I would not grab any more than a 3 pack at a time.

Every Cigar Has A Story, Every Smoke A Memory

As most of you have seen, I recently acquired an advertiser, Cigars Direct and they have a spot located on the right hand side, who has been gracious enough to include me in their Cigar Of the Month club in which they send you 5 cigars each month as a sampler of different areas or types or brands. Included in this months ‘Dominican Republic Sampler’ included a 5 Vegas Relic, La Aurora E Leon Maduro, Fonseca Habana Selection, Aurora 1495 and the Rocky Patel Puro Cubano.

As well, now that I had a chance to let them rest and was about to fire one up for a review, I find another package on my door step, this time with another set of 5 cigars, but this time all of them were Perdomo’s – hell yes! The Champagne, Habano, Lot 23, Patriarch and Gran Cru.

Again thank you so much Cigars Direct, I can’t wait to get these set up for review. This is only my second sampler coming in from them but you can already tell that the $29.99 a month (free shipping) is well paid for in the selection they send you. This is the first cigar of the month club I have ever been a part of, but one of the fun parts of this is that I really have no idea what I am getting until it shows up on my doorstep, awesome – and to everyone else be sure to sign up as well, you’ll be getting the same cigars I do each month!

Size: 6 x 54
Wrapper: Brazil
Binder and Filler: Columbia, Nicaragua and Dominican Republic
Strength: Full
Price: Just over $10.00 a stick

Behind The Stick:

This is number 2 in my attempt to review the full sampler of the Sopranos Edition cigars by the CAO company. Please check out the CAO Sopranos Associate for a little bit of the back story on this cigar, CAO and the Sopranos Tv show.

Basically, this is the next ‘step up’ from their 5 x 52 (the Soldier sitting at 6 x 54) and has been said to provide a bit more punch than its little brother. I did not feel that the Associate was that much mroe of a nicotine or flavor ‘punch’ although this cigar really did impress me. The main difference with these two is that while the associate uses a blend with Honduran tobacco in the filler/binder while the Soldier swapped that out with tobacco from the Dominican Republic – How much of a difference is that going to make?

Construction:

Just like the Associate, the CAO Sopranos Soldier really was crafted by a master in their own rights. Evenly packed (again, to the point of almost being over-packed) this cigar boasts a super dark Brazilian wrapper filled with minimal veins and a mild amount of tooth making this beast almost as impressive as the Associate. Although this cigar does not appear to have quite the character its little brother had, even when just holding this miniature monster in your hand, it just feels like it belongs their. The head and foot band, adorned with a bold red and a black that almost matches the wrapper, gave the cigar a certain off-set that was very appealing and definitely made a lasting impression.

Flavor:

I did not expect one portion of a blend to entirely change the flavor profile of a cigar. Although full body, this cigar started off with a mild sweetness that quickly built into an earthy, tobacco flavor that really lingered through the first portion. I was expecting a little bit more of a kick, again since the Associate had impressed me so much – but the Solider had its own secrets hidden away. Once I had finished with the 1/3 of the smoke it dawned on me that I need to ash this beast, and once I did so the flavors this beauty had hidden inside decided to explod. Coco, coffee, mild leather – a great bitter/salty/savoriness combination decided to bombard my palate and did not leave for the rest of the smoke. The intensity of each flavor seemed to ebb from one to another as the cigar progressed – I must say, up to this point the cigar has been flawless.

Although the Solider held great throughout the majority of the stick, the last 1/5th to 1/6th was terrible, just simply god awful. Perhaps it was the tar buildup, perhaps I was smoking it too fast but none the less, a dark, syrupy type ‘burnt’ flavor at the end caused me to let this one take it’s own life, resting at the bottom of my ash tray.

Overall:

I am thoroughly impressed with these Sopranos edition cigars and have been so happy that I was able to give them a try. This was one of the first ‘gimmick’ type cigars that I purchased and I wish that all the others delivered the same way that the Sopranos Soldier did. I liked the Associate, it was a great cigar but this Solider really just blew me away. Yes $10.00 a cigar I think this is a bit on the expensive side but for that once in a rare while, I think this cigar is worth the price tag. It is right at that threshold of where name, blend and delivery meet together at a happy, round number. If it was not for the price I would get a box, but I’ve already ordered another 5 pack.

Every Cigar Has A Story, Every Stick A Memory

Size: 5 x 50 Robusto
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder and Filler: Honduran and Nicaraguan
Strength: Medium
Price: Just over $6.00/single

Behind The Stick:

Here we go, another ‘new blend’ to come out of the famous Rocky Patel line. I’ve heard it said before that it is not a difficult challenge for everyone to enjoy at least one of Rocky’s blends, simply because he has so many different types. It seems like every time I think I have at minimum heard about all his cigars I find 5 more that I never even knew existed. The 1961 blend, which was one of three blends he released at the most recent IPCPR, is the first to be made at the Tabacalera Villa Cuba, Rocky�s newest factory in Nicaragua.

The 1961 commemorates the year of his birth which I think the way they made this band is one of the more appealing of his bands that have been produced lately. This is not the standard single or dual color band that has a shiny RP emblem but rather a more rugged – in your face kind of band and I like it.

I was able pick this cigar up via Texcigars – head over and pick yourself up a few and check them out yourself!

Construction:

One thing that Rocky really has improved on (in my opinion) is the construction of his entire line of cigars. Perhaps it is because this cigar is named after his birth year, perhaps its because it was made in his new factory and he wanting to ensure high quality from the beginning – whatever it is that he did, my hat goes off to him.

Sweet dark chocolate coloring with minimal veins and a slightly rough wrapper which was evenly packed – well, almost over packed you may comment. I say that because this stick felt like a lead weight, not only heavy from size but also jam packed dense and full of tobacco. On two of these cigars that I had, I did notice that the band stuck to the wrapper and did cause some issues when I removed it, but the others I had seemed to have no issues, perhaps a minor oversight on a new product. All in all, I think the construction more than deserves the RP emblem.

Flavor:

The flavor profile was alright – I’m sorry Rocky but it just was not one of your ‘knock it out of the park’ smokes. Nice, sweet earth started this cigar off but roughly by midpoint of the first third, the body of the cigar was easily in the full range, a mild pepper joining the sweet earth and creating a very enjoyable flavor profile. The middle portion of the smoke seemed to be the real transition period, nothing really jumped out at me as ‘hey, it tastes like _____” but the changes were enjoyable and kept me interested in the smoke. Around the last third, the cigar took a turn to the darker side, coffee and nut type flavors as well as a mild bitterness started to counteract the semi-sweet flavors from before. As I said, not a bad cigar by any means, and one I would try again but it just didn’t ‘wow’ me like I was expecting from a cigar carrying the birth date of the manufacturer.

Overall:

This is a stick I would probably smoke after lunch if I was planning on working in the yard or on the car, not that it is bad by any stretch of the imagination, just rather that the first 10 to 15 minutes is where this cigar really shines. After the initial third the flavor remains pleasant but please do not think that your going to be getting very many flavor changes, or complexity, out of this one. The price is one of the more appealing aspects and makes it a great ‘working cigar’ – I would not be afraid to set this one down (and return later) near the half way point for fear of throwing 5 to 10 dollars worth of cigar out (which I did once) and even after relighting the Rocky Patel 1961, the flavor didn’t ‘drop off’ or go bland or bitter so that was very impressive to me. All in all, for the price I highly recommend you pick one up but this would not be a box recommendation at this time.

Every Cigar Has A Story, Every Smoke A Memory