Big Al's Cigar Blog

Here you will find honest reviews about the cigars that I bought myself and smoked myself.  I like to enjoy a fine cigar 3 to 4 times a week, late at night, sipping on some fine bourbon or tequila.  I've been smoking cigars for over 20 years and I try to be unbiased and honest in my reviews.  You can't trust most of the reviews on the internet or posted on most retailer's websites.  I don't really care if some guy tastes every flavor of the dessert buffet on some crappy cigar.  I want to know if it was an enjoyable cigar that satisfied you and you want to smoke another one.  That's what I try to give you.   <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9914815924126887"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

Zino Platinum Grand Master cigar review 6/24/2026 I've had this one for a few years. Might have got it from an atlantic.com grab bag, can't remember. It's made by Davidoff in the Dominican Republic. It ain't cheap. Dominican and Peruvian fillers, Connecticut binder, and Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. It's a classic Dominican smoke when they were known for the best Connecticut wrapped mild to medium smokes. They still are, but just not as popular.  It lights up easily and starts off pretty tasty. I taste a mild spiciness that leaves a good sweet flavor in your mouth. It's really smooth.  It did need some touching up. It's smoking great but seems has a weird spot burning at the tip.  It tastes great. It is mild to medium the first inch. Think of how the old Monticristos used to taste 20+ years ago. This reminds me of those. A very smooth, creamy smoke with a slight woodsy spice. I wouldn't describe it as sweet, but it will bring out the sweetness in your...

Montecristo White Series Toro cigar review 6/19/2026 I've been hoarding this one for a long time, maybe 5 years. The White Series has always been one of the best and smoothest medium smoke you can get. Super consistent.  It seems Connecticut shade wrapped smokes just aren't as popular as they once were. I think it's because there are so many great, mostly Nicaraguan, smokes that are easier and cheaper to make. But there's a reason why these used to be and continue to be popular, while still demanding a top tier price.  Let's light it up. Lights up easily and immediately it's tasting good. I like how it is a little spongy. I don't feel I will crack it. It definitely has some cedar flavor with easy drawing puffs of clouds if smoke. That's the difference between a pretty good cigar and a great one. If it can make clouds of smoke easily and still be smooth. So far this one's doing it.  This cigar is going great with my Chinese liquor. Most people have ne...

Partagas Robusto cigar review 6/8/2026 I haven't smoked a Partagas Robusto in a long time. This used to my go to smoke. It was the epitome of what a Dominican Cameroon wrapped smoke is supposed to be. I probably bought 3 boxes about 20 years ago at $88. They are like double the price now. They got too expensive and I got to where I liked a longer smoking smoke, so I haven't bought. Let's try this one from a 2 pack I bought.  If you don't know, Partagas was known for their Cameroon wrapped smokes, same as Fuente, but I liked Partagas better. Seems not as popular as in the past but they have stayed consistent to their core of making fine smokes at reasonable prices. But I remember only the Robusto was good. I tried many other sizes like the Rothschild, which was good but had a paper like taste.  Lights up good and, yep, it has good taste immediately as I remember. This one is all about that spicy Cameroon wrapper taste. If I remember it is Mexican binder with Dominican...