Ashton Corona

We're thrilled to share with you what we think is one finest cigars in the world today. The Ashton line is crafted by the Fuente family at their Dominican Tabacalera A. Fuente factory. This tasty smoke is rolled using expertly cured 3-5 yr. old Dominican filler and binder tobaccos under the watchful eyes of Carlos Fuente, Sr.

Panel Review:
Note a beautiful golden brown Connecticut shade wrapper encasing the Ashton corona. Our panel found it mild to medium-bodied, delivering a complex yet smooth, distinctively rich flavor. Look for a creamy smoothness and slight herbal quality. We'd suggest pairing this corona with a very dry Chardonnay or hoppy India Pale Ale.








Cubano Especial Torpedo

Produced in Santiago, the Cubana Especial line has been highly praised and is currently available in only the ruddy Ecuadorian Rosado Colorado Maduro wrapper that encases this month's featured cigar. Unlike many emerging cigar lines, which often appear to simply take one trip to the Dominican Republic, buy a load of unbanded smokes, slap a band on them and call them their own, Cubana Especial owns their tobacco farms and factory. And both are solely dedicated to producing only for the Cubano line. Each cigar is rolled with Habano Seco filler and all tobaccos are aged for 36 months prior to rolling.

Panel Review:
You'll first note a near-perfect draw in this well-constructed cigar. We found no soft spots and all samples reviewed were consistently rolled. Look for an even burn and plenty of smoke volume. Each panel member really liked this cigar, unanimously finding it medium-to-full bodied and pleasantly spicy. Note a slight bite in the aftertaste. Overall, a very easy smoking cigar offering great taste and solid construction. We'd pair it up with a hoppy Pale Ale.








Puros Indios Especial Maduro Toro
This brand is, simply put, a great cigar line. And rightfully so, it's been argued as one of the best brands in the industry today. The line is carefully blended by Rolando Reyes, hand rolled in Honduras using Nicaraguan and Dominican filler tobaccos, and enveloped in an oily Ecuadorian wrapper. Rated up to '91' by C.A., the magazine's editors commented: "A medium to full-bodied powerhouse of a smoke."

Panel Review:
Well... our panel members are all big fans as well. The Puros Indios Toro featured this month is rolled from a blend of Ecuadorian, Brazilian, Dominican Republic, Jamaican, and Nicaraguan tobaccos. Our panel found it medium to full-bodied and slightly spicy. Look for solid construction, a good burn, and slightly firm draw. And how about that ring gauge?! Talk about a cool smoke! Note very little aftertaste. Consider pairing it with Old Forrester Bourbon.








Siglo 21 Robusto Robusto

The Siglo 21 brand, which translates to "21st century", is a Dominican line hand rolled with a Cuban seed long-filler Dominican blend, wrapped nicely with an Ecuadorian grown Connecticut shade leaf. The brand is known for its excellent construction, silky smooth wrappers, slow, even burn, and firm white ash.

Panel Review:
Siglo's Robusto lives up to the line's reputation. We found the flavor smooth and mellow, with hints of rosemary. Note a light, cedary finish. Consider pairing it with your favorite single malt scotch or brandy as an after dinner cigar.








Vegas de Guyaquil Regios Toro

The Vegas de Guyaguil Regios Toro is a unique long leaf, hand-rolled, Ecuadorian cigar. This premium line comes packaged in an attractive, sterling tube and sports a handsome sun grown Ecuadorian wrapper. Vegas uses Ecuadorian and Dominican tobaccos in the filler blend.

Panel Review:
Our panel found this toro to offer a pleasant medium to full-bodied flavor. It's complex and creamy on the palate. It starts mild, and builds in strength as you get into it. Note a distinct cedary aroma and loads of smoke volume. We noted quite a bit of cedar and some spice as well as a touch of sweetness that must come from the Ecuadorian wrapper. Overall, a flavor packed smoke. You might smoke it with a pinot noir or full-bodied Merlot.

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