Here’s a double cigar review, thanks to Super Bowl XLIV. I smoked two cigars while watching the nail biting match-up of the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts. The first review is of the Rocky Patel I-Press and the second is of a classic which has been in hibernation in my humidor for over three years, the Fuente Fuente Opus X Super Belicoso. Congrats to the New Orleans Saints on a historic victory!

Rocky Patel I-Press Toro
The Kick-off:
Keeping these short and sweet. At first glance this cigar looked tasty! The wrapper was shiny and dark like chocolate. The beautiful sharp box press was eye catching and the entire cigar smelled sweet like molasses. Upon lighting the cigar, a cedar, woody aroma filled the air. The cigar had good body and was well constructed. The first quarter was phenomenal like the game.

The 50-yard Line:
Gaining ground like a running back heading towards the 50 yard line, this cigar was burning nicely. Cocoa and cedar were very present and you could taste the sweetness of the blend on your entire palate. My mouth watered with every mouthful of smoke. I was heading towards the end-zone.

The End Zone:
Heading into the end zone, the cigar was coming along wonderfully, a cigar smoker’s fantasy. This cigar surprised me like a blind sided hit from a linebacker. Powerful, yet smooth. Dominant, yet refined. It burned with the finesse of quarterback leading the team into victory. A wonderful choice for an epic night. At just under $6 per stick and a size of 6 x 52, you can’t ask for more. An 8 out of 10!

Fuente Fuente Opus X Super Belicoso
The Kick-off:
Digging into my humidor like a center digging in for the hike, I grabbed an Opus X that had been in my humidor hibernating for about four years. It still had that cinnamon and nutmeg aroma at the foot which enticed me even more. The Rosado wrapper was just as silky as the day I purchased it, it had aged well! After clipping the head at an angle (a trick I learned about at the local tobacconist which is said to help figurado’s burn better), I was ready to enjoy my after dinner treat. At first light the air filled quickly with smoke and the aroma of nutmeg. My mouth had begun to experience the nice spices in the blend as well as the predominant notes of cinnamon and cedar. The burn was a little rough, as most Opus X are known to do, but evened out by the first quarter of the stogie.

The 50-yard Line:
Heading into the halfway point, the spices mellowed out and were replaced with more cinnamon and nutmeg flavors. Some coffee and cream notes were lingering in my palate, but not dominant. Roasted nuts had also made their way into the party and were well accepted! The burn was nice and smoke was thick. A well aged veteran. This classic smoke had impressed me yet again!

The End Zone:
Heading towards a certain victory, the cigar had developed nicely. The draw, burn and flavors ahd merged to create the perfect smoke for a great occasion. Although on the pricey side, $25 to be exact, this was one of those rare moments that a smoker breaks open his humidor for a rare, reserved treat. A most enjoyed moment! A 9 out of 10!

Happy Smoking!
Jorgie

The Light Up:
Don Pepin Garcia released the My Father Le Bijou 1922 cigars at the IPCPR show in New Orleans. The original My Father line was created by Jaime Garcia as a tribute to his father, likewise the Le Bijou which means “the jewel” in French was created by Don Pepin to honor his father who was born in 1922. The Habano Oscuro wrapper was thick and had a beautiful shimmer to it. Using all Nicaraguan tobacco and bearing a new secondary band, this cigar looked more appealing than the original My Father line. Now to the good stuff. Sitting on my back porch, I had in my hand another treat, the My Father Le Bijou 1922 by Don Pepin Garcia. This 6″ x 52 toro was dark and rich. The wrapper had a intriguing scent, like cream or vanilla. The construction was hearty with lots of tobacco packed tightly and wound into perfection by the skilled hands of tobacco artisans. At first puff, the blend was missing the customary Pepin spiciness. I expected there to be more strength like the original, but it lacked in that department a little as well.

The Mid-Stick:
Passing the quarter marker, the cigar began to lose some flavor. The spiciness still remained and was almost unpleasant. The spiciness caught you right in the back of your throat. Some coffee and mocha undertones were present but overpowered. Some hints of sweetness were present and the ash and burn were consistent. I was sitting there contemplating the differences and realized there was no comparison. The original had outdone the current version.

The Finish:
Although the construction was flawless and appearance was gorgeous, I was a little disappointed. I had expected the follow up to blow the original My Father line out of the water. Maybe I got a lemon, who knows. I’ll have to revisit this cigar after aging a few and see what changes occur. The price point didn’t help either. At nearly $12.00 a stick these puppies failed to impress, hey you don’t until you’ve tried them all, right?. We’ll see how it compares the next go around, an 89 in my opinion.

Happy Smoking!
Jorgie