Category Archives: cigar reviews

The Don Emmanuel Anunnaki Anu isn’t just the larger sibling of the Ki with the same profile—it’s a completely different cigar with its own pacing, tension, and identity. Despite sharing the same blend, the Anu develops in a totally distinct direction, driven by its thicker ring gauge, denser construction, and deliberate design. This cigar moves with purpose from the first draw to the last, proving just how much intention and control Eladio Díaz brings to his work at Tabacalera Díaz Cabrera. If you think the Anu is simply a scaled‑up Ki, you’re missing the entire point.

The Noblesse Monarchy is like Jesse Diggins. It isn’t built to win the first mile. It’s built to show you what refinement in motion looks like, how a backbone strengthens and evolves under pressure, and how a performance can grow more articulate the longer it runs. The race hasn’t begun yet—but the rhythm is already there, waiting to unfold.

I’ve smoked a lot of AJ cigars over the years, and like most people, I used to think his blending lived mostly in the bold, heavy lane—big ignition up front, high‑gravity finishes, that familiar AJ silhouette. But while smoking this cigar, and mentally running through all the AJ sticks I’ve reviewed recently, it became obvious that his range is far wider than that reputation suggests. There’s far more variability, nuance, and controlled motion in his work than he’s given credit for, and this cigar is one of the clearest examples of that depth.

The Partagás Black Label is often described as a strong cigar, but strength is the least interesting thing about it. What makes it compelling is the depth, the structure, and the quiet internal motion — the same qualities that give Miles Davis’ “Blue in Green” its power. Like that track, the Black Label establishes a central theme and then develops it through a series of beautifully shaped variations, each one deepening the clarity of the whole.

The 25th Anniversary Gothic Serpent moves in a warm, steady line—creamy core, soft leather, toasted nuts, and a gentle aromatic lift that holds the experience together. It’s a calm, coherent cigar that settles into its lane early and stays there with discipline. The motion is comforting rather than ambitious, a blend built to maintain a mood rather than chase elevation. It delivers a solid, intentional experience, even if it never fully reaches for the higher arcs of fulfillment that define my top ratings.

This acknowledges the 88 without stating it, and it stays aligned with your voice: architectural, kinetic, and respectful of the cigar’s intent.
If you want, I can also craft a shorter pull‑quote version that captures the same idea in one sentence.

Does a year make a difference? Usually, and for many cigars, it rounds out their sharp edges. But that could be a good thing or a bad thing. Sometimes the sharp edges define a cigar. Take them away, and the cigar feels diminished. But for the most part, I’ve found that time whittling down theContinueContinue reading “Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic 1950 (Black Label) a Year Later”

I’ve been wanting to try this cigar since it was released in the middle of last year. I’m a La Aurora fanboy, and as they hadn’t released anything major since 2000, I knew I needed to get my hands on some. Unfortunately, I never got around to buying any, as I had other sticks thatContinueContinue reading “La Aurora Family Creed Fuerte Sol ROTT”

Purchased: 2 boxes Toro (6 X 52)Price: $49/boxStore: Famous SmokeBuy Again: Yes – and noBox Worthy: ObviouslyExperience Rating: 98 The reason I said “Yes – and no” to Buy Again is that the box price is back to $175 for a box of ten. That said, is it worth $17.50/stick? Yes, I believe it is,ContinueContinue reading “La Gloria Cubana 8th Street 3-Month Time Check”