Lone Star Tobacco

Perdomo

Crowned Heads

Excellent draw and burn, the way the draw makes it through this tightly packed stogie is a thing of beauty. The flavor is initially very strong, dark rich chocolate, espresso with cream, and bitter goji berry. After an inch, (wow this ash is gorgeous) the flavor calms down and brown sugar oatmeal moves to the forefront. This is a warm smoke, everytime it fills my mouth, I'm take back by how warm it is. Really pleasant smoke overall with all the right flavors.

E.P. Carrillo

Let me start by saying that out of the wrapper, this cigar looks and smells excellent. The cold draw is splendid with some sweet hay, chocolate and creamy yet strong espresso. I used a v-cutter. Upon lighting, I get the scent of bakers chocolate, coffee, and corn flakes. The first puff yields medium roast coffee, semi sweet cocoa powder. The first half inch of burn begins to canoe slightly, not my fault, I lit it perfectly. I ash at an inch, the draw has become subdued, time to stab it with the ol' draw doctor. The conoeing fixes itself after a while. The char line straightens put. The draw and smoke production improves dramatically after a little intercourse. The retro stays mostly the same but develops a medium brown sugar characteristic that I don't get very often. It compliments 5he subtle spicy notes well. I'm reminded of candied black pepper baken sans the maple syrup. The canoeing is back, more dramatically this time, what a shame. Gave er' a Lil touch up from the triple flame. I'm having a horrible day at work, today is my weekly closing shift, my counterpart handed me a steaming pile of shit this afternoon. Luckily, time stands still while I savor this cigar. For a medium bodied cigar, the retro is pretty mild, far creamier than I'd have expected. Anyone remember corn pops? Not the bad dude that Biden used to talk about, the breakfast cereal. I'm getting an ever so slight flavor that reminds me of that brand. I think I'm one of the few that enjoyed it fondly as a youngster. This cigar would pair excellently with a nice rioja or golden Jamaican rum. Speaking of Jamaica, they're really getting hammered by beryl, thoughts and prayers. I'm nearing the 2/3 mark and though it hasn't evolved much throughout the smoke, I've enjoyed it. Similar to a casa fuente at 1/3 the price. Pretty good cigar for $8 if you ask me. The final 3rd of the cigar gains an unwelcomed harshness but lacks the typical final 3rd ammonia of most newly released blends.

Espinosa

I had one of these in my humidor not too long ago, not sure where it went, never got to smoke it. Locked it up at the local b&m for today's lunchbreak smoke. Had to take points off for appearance because the cap was coming apart, no worries, won't affect the smoke. Super impressed with the perfect, effortless draw, it's very soft to the touch, probably wrapped looser than what I'm used to. A cyber truck drove by, what a massive, hideous beast. The first puff was exquisite, coffee, cacao, and lemon zest. The first retrohale was painful, super spicy, felt like a knuckle sandwich straight in the sniffer. See what I did there? As it burns on, flavor mellows, still getting coffee, and leather but the lemon is a cream pie. I do love a good cream pie. Slight canoeing, probably my faulty torch's fault and not the stick itself. The retro now is soothing and relaxing, they aren't the same thing. Thick liquid dark chocolate coats my sinuses. I believe you can taste with your sinuses, some people say that's falls. Did you know some women claim to be able to taste with their vagina? I love puffing on this stick, smoke production is superb, I feel like I belong in a mobster movie. I wonder how many people who hold my position across my company enjoy a cigar on their lunch. I try to do it once a week to make up for the lack of time at home. I've been smoking about 2/3 of a robusto, I started my lunch break smokes with short coronas, these are better. I want to be satisfied. The ash is a crispy white caterpillar, it looks strong but it's fragile to the touch. I've enjoyed just about everything about this cigar, I made a good choice today. Half way mark and I get bitter green coffee and 100% cacao dark chocolate bar. It just got intense. I miss the cream pie, did I mention how much I love a good cream pie? The intensity subsides, I'm chewing on an oatmeal raisin cookie now. Not the cheap kind, the kind grandma used to make. I've got about 2 minutes left and I need to hit the road, wish I had a beater convertible I could smoke in. Veronica, {a chevy silverado) will never get smoke in her. She said she's allergic. This cigar would have paired nicely with an earthy tempranillo or a peaty scotch, coke zero will suffice for today. Excellent smoke, would buy again.

E.P. Carrillo

I keep several of the toros in my humie at all times, can't finish that on a lunch break so I opted for the robusto today. The draw is tighter on the robusto, not bad but not as effortless as the Toro. Wish I had my perfect draw on me. Oh well. This one is something of an enigma, it's burning slow but very hot. Like hot to the touch around the band and I'm only a 1/2 inch through the opening 3rd. Smoke production is mute, probably due to the tightness of the draw. Flavors are subdued compared to the Toro that I usually smoke. Most oak with a hint of charred coffee and earth, the retro is mild too, not getting any kind of a nic hit. Shame, I was looking forward to my neck popping. I need to loosen up. We're starting the 2nd 3rd now and strength improves, the retro is spicier too. Reminds me of fine powdery black pepper, maybe a hint of clove. The oak is toasted now, the coffee gets a splash of cream, the earth transforms into hay. Still no nic hit, I really needed my neck to pop; my back too come to think of it. I've got something cramping my lower rib, no $10 chiropractor today. I won't be able to finish this on my break like I thought, should have got a short corona. This one left me dissatisfied. Sad day. I'm a few minutes away from quitting and something strange hits me, the tip has turned sweet. I know this isn't flavored in anyway, what in tarnation? This has been an odd experience. I don't think I'll buy the robusto again, the Toro does it for me. This one didn't.

Artesano Del Tobacco

Initial thoughts, do I really want something this thick between my lips? This sucker is thicc. I like my cigars how I like my women which is how I like my maple syrup, thick and rich. The pre light draw is a mystery, earth, peat moss, dankness, and something else I can't put my finger on. First puff once it's going and I'm shocked, much lighter and far smoother than I anticipated. This one will be interesting. Almost an inch in, the burn line is almost even, the ash is thick and gray, like concrete mix but more fragile. The draw is deceptive, it feels good, but smoke production is minimal, was it over humidified from the b&m I just bought it from? I'm a proponent of smoking right after buying but I'm also spoiled from my perfect humidor. Nothing beats a great cigar that's spent a few months in my box. The 1st 3rd gave me dark chocolate, medium roast coffee grinds, a hint of leather, and a good amount of charred oak. This cigar looks better than it tastes but it looks pretty darn good so that still leaves room for a decent rating, we will see. I've heard these get compared to padron 1964 and olmec maduro. It's not bad but I'd rather have those other two. Beginning the second half and I'm getting something vegetal, asparagus? No, broccoli, but it's soft instead of sharp, over cooked steamed broccoli. I lost two pairs of Oakleys in the last two weeks. I'm squinting in the Houston sun while I try and enjoy my lunch break. I need a new pair. I the middle of the cigar it mellows out and produces more smoke. Solid B+ now. I enjoy it more when I imagine the wrapper is a lighter color. The dark chocolate gives way to milk chocolate truffle. The coffee grinds become medium strength espresso. The cigar has improved in the second half. It's too hot out to thoroughly enjoy this cigar without an alcoholic beverage. The coke zero isn't cutting it. We're getting into the final 3rd, just took the top band off. Ammonia is present. The retro throughout the entire cigar has been consistently smooth with zero spice. I like spice, almost no nic bite. This is a mild cigar identifying as a medium-full. I love the octopus, the label is very attractive. This really is a beautiful cigar. I wish it was as good as it looked. I accidentally Inhaled because the retro was so light, I hate when I do that. Not enjoyable. I have to quit a bit early, 15 minutes to drive back to work. I don't think I'll buy one again.

Plasencia

Beautiful wrapper, gorgeous construction visually. Surprisingly EXTREMELY mild with almost zero distinguishable flavor. Only a slight tinge of oak and black tea. The draw was far to airy, like sucking sugar through a smoothie straw. Super disappointed with this one, especially at the price.

Perdomo

Nothing special here but not a bad cigar, probably won't buy it again.

Arturo Fuente

I was really excited about trying this one after all the hype and I was initially very disappointed to find that the wrapper was damaged at the foot of the cigar. Could have been a defect, might have happened after I purchased it. The rest of the construction felt of quality. The pre draw yielded smooth chocolate, brown sugar, and cedar. The first 3rd was incredible, right off the bat I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar, it needed no time to get started it was exceptionally delicious from the very first puff. I absolutely savored the first third, it was really something quite special and it developed into a phenomenal masterpiece by the second. The 2nd 3rd was absolutely masterful and was the smoothest burning concoction of oak, coffee, milk chocolate and umami. Unfortunately the final third developed into an indistinguishable harsh mess with just about zero positive notes. I finished it to the nub hoping for everything I liked about the 1st and 2nd to reappear but unfortunately it did not. I would definitely buy it again and give it another try. Hopefully with some age it would develop some character at the end.

Padron

Nutty woody, burn got a little funky half way through

Alec Bradley

La Palina

Easy cool draw. First two thirds had a smooth taste. Last third had a smoky ash flavor.