Big Al's Cigar Blog

  CAO Consigliere Robusto Review 9/30/2022 I've smoked many CAO cigars over 2 decades now and they consistently send out top notch cigars. I got a 10 pack of these 6 months ago for $40.    Smoked a few and they are very average, but not bad. I've smoked some good CAO cigars, like the Gold or Brazilia, but never found them worthy of buying a whole box.   The first inch starts out with little cedar and some toasty flavors.    Maybe a medium flavor profile. Burns and draws well.  20 minutes in and flavor is still mellow, maybe more leathery taste.    Pretty smooth, very subtle flavors. Not the most interesting cigar. Kind of a dry leathery taste.     Burning pretty fast. Leaves a decent aftertaste.    It's definitely a perfectly rolled cigar.    To me, it's not great. It is satisfying, but doesn't have any outstanding flavors.    Maybe not for my pallet.   It's late Friday night and was hoping for a quick strong bodied smoke and this ain't it. It's n

  Punch Gran Puro Toro Review 9/28/ 2022 Looking at band of this one, it is of the older version of Gran Puro line of all Honduran tobaccos.    I don't know when they changed the design, but I think I bought a box of these like 5 years ago.  This one has at least 5 years of aging.    I've always liked most of the Punch line of cigars, liking this one and the Gran Cru the best.    Punch is known as a strong cigar, but to me, there are many stronger brands, such as Joyo De Nicaragua.    So, if you think Punch is too strong, that is just an urban legend.    Try one out. Starts off pretty mild and mellow.    Not too much going on, except a major run on the burn. I have think fast and do the old school spit on the finger wipe on the bad spot trick and light up the other side.    Got a good one inch ash now, starting to add strong toasty graham cracker flavors.  You can see in the picture, the crooked ash. But I think this is past us, we'll, let me touch it up a bit to make

 I've got lots of reviews coming.  I hate to admit it, but I have way too many cigars. I'm not rich and I'm in no way associated with the cigar industry.  I just buy cigars when I see a good deal.  And I know that these cigars get better with age, so I always have like 500+ cigars on hand.  I plan to post a few reviews each week.  Put in the comments if you want a review on some other cigars or even older cigars.  I have many older cigars in my humidors that I will review once I get around to smoking them. 

    Bahia Blu Torpedo Review   9/26/2022 This is another cigar Ive had in my humidor for like a year and don't remember    where I got it, from some sampler.    I must note that this is a good looking cigar, I like the blue band and the shiny wrapper looks good.    It is a Nicaraguan cigar with mostly Nicaraguan tobaccos, which is my favorite of origins. It has a beautiful Corojo wrapper, which,in my experience, is not my liking.  Upon lighting, I taste slight cedar and some slight sweetness. Draw is a little tight, but not bad. I smoke the first inch, transitioning slightly to more mild peppery flavors. Not bad so far. Definitely a mild cigar. Leaves a decent aftertaste of cedar and pepper in your mouth. But you got to puff it pretty hard to get the taste out of it. Holding its ash over an inch, it's burning good. Nothing wrong with this one, just a good mild smoke. Not burning hot or fast. This might be a great go to cigar for fishing or golfing. Too enjoyable and

Esteban Carreras Chupacabra Hellcat Toro Grand Review 9/24/2022 I usually don't take pics of the cigar pre-lit. But this one really does deserve to showcase it's beauty. With it pigtailed foot and box pressed shape, it is meant to impress. Just looking at its dark San Andreas wrapper and smelling the strong flavors, this should be a good one.    Box says packed March 2020. This thing has got some age on it.  Ill be honest, this is my 3rd Toro I've smoke of the the Hellcat line and it has become my favorite cigar. I stumbled on this cigar from an unknown sampler pack and I've been blown away how good it is.    Bought a box of Toros and a Robusto and am searching for more.    Very hard to find cigar. Bummer, right? But the price is right if you can find it.  Upon lighting, it is mild at first. (Note, this box was shipped in a large cardboard box with no fill, so it bounced around and 4 of the cigars had cracks at the foot.    I'm smoking one of the 4 now. Dra

  Esteban Carreras Chupacabra Habano Robusto Grande Review 9/23/2022 If you haven't heard of this brand, do yourself a favor and try one. I smoked my first Hellcat mid 2022 and it became my favorite. This is the same but instead of the San Andreas wrapper, it has a Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro wrapper.    Same flavors, but not quite as flavorful and maybe milder. Haven't tried the Maduro version, but I would bet it is as equally good.  Lighting it up, seems pretty tame but nice and mellow. I guess I like Nicaraguan tobaccos the best and that is what this one delivers. This box was packed Feb 2022, so it has at least 6 months aging. I've had it a month.  First 15 min or first inch is mellow, not that great at first, but no harsh tones, slight tastes of caramel. Pretty smooth and satisfying. The Hellcats I have are like 10 years old and smoke a lot better, more flavor and has twice as much smoke with each puff. May need to age this one a few years. But still a great

  Guillermo Rico Azteca Robusto Review 9/21/2022 To  be honest, I don't remember where I acquired this cigar. My favorite cigar, the Esteban Carreras Hellcat, was discovered the same way, maybe in the same batch, I really don't know but should really look into this source of these fine cigars.   Nice shiney, brown wrapper. Sponge feel, hope it is not hot and burning fast.  Well, first light was very mild, smooth and not very eventful. But, it is smoking decent and smooth and seems to not smoke hot or quick at all. Already I know this is a quality smoke, even though it hasn't really done much. Really loose draw, kind of mild but building flavors of roasted caramel and some cedar. Smoking really good, unfortunately got a defective spot, see picture. But, seems to still smoke perfectly, won't touch it up unless needed.  Dropped it's one inch ash, along with the defective spot. I hope no more problems, as it tastes really good and it is so smooth. Seemed to

  Alec Bradley American Classic Blend Robusto Review 9/17/2022 Had this one the humidor for maybe a year. Lighting up it has a mild flavor, seems a little green. Has a bit of bite to it.     Hope it mellow out. Great roll though. But only 25 min in and I feel I'm close to peak on this stick.  Still some bite. Maybe this not the cigar for me. I want to smoke it it a lot to pull some good flavors which it has, but you really have to dig it out and smoke it fast. Might be good for a golfing just slowly smoking it every now and then.  Down to an inch or so and still burning hot.  Hasn't really given that great of flavors. I think you can pay less and get similar flavors and last a lot longer. Don't get me wrong. I'm a huge fan of AB cigars. Bought 4 boxes of different AB cigars in the last year. Maybe this is just not the one for me. Not a bad cigar, just not for me. I think if it was a churchhill and get to really relish the flavors longer and much cheaper, it'

  Montecristo Platinum Series Belicoso Review 9/16/2022 This one has been in the humidor for over a year. Previous ones have been top notch and really enjoyable even when smoked right after buying. First light was pretty mild but after a few minutes it gave a strong cedar taste. Still mild to medium but a strong cedar aftertaste. After an inch, needed a slight touch up with the lighter, but only minor. Starting to be less cedar aggressive and move smooth leathery taste. Turning more earthy flavors, not full bodied, still medium in body but good flavors.    Still smooth and mellow.    Ash still hanging on an inch and a half.    Ash fell, not a perfect cone, touched it up a second time with my torch lighter.   Getting close to halfway point, still smooth, showing more body, tickling my nose, flavors transitioning from Dominican flavors to more Nicaraguan, if you know what I mean, which I like both, but like the stronger Nicaraguan flavors.    Maybe can taste some of the Mexican

  Montecristo Monte Robusto Review 9/12/2022 Started off with a good spice and some chocolately smooth flavors. Lots of smoke. Had this one, from a 5 pack in the humidor for almost a year. First 2 smoked a little green and harsh with only a few months aging. This one is much better, totally different taste, nuch improved.  Changing now to same spice but much more leathery rich smoke. Burns pretty even, no touch up.    Starting to really like this one.  Burning about average speed, wishing it'd slow a bit to really relish the flavors. Leaving    a very good aftertaste. Top notch for sure. Going good with my aged tequila. Burning perfect. Can feel some relaxation, this what smoking is all about. Not a huge cigar but does it all about perfect, wishing it was a Gordo only a third done, but half way done now.  I'd call it a med full in body and flavor. Hasn't changed much,but pulling strong creamy robust complex flavors with an inch ash that is not hot or harsh at all,