Biarritz by August Reyes Short Story Perfecto
The Biarritz Grand Prix Collection is hand rolled by Augusto Reyes in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Reyes rolls some of the finest brand's currently produced in the industry, including, but not limited to, Don Lino, Indian Tabac Cameroon Legend, and Fittipaldi. We felt fortunate to secure enough of Augusto's version of the legendary Fuente "Short Story" to be able to present them to you this month. We know you're going to love this cigar.

Panel Review:
They say beautiful things come in small packages... well so do tasty things! Our panel really liked the flavor profile of this little gem. Reyes rolls it with a blend of Dominican Piloto Cubano and Olor binder and fillers, and finishes the job with a 4-year aged Cameroon-seed Indonesian wrapper! Note an incredibly smooth smoke with a subtle spiciness and hints of coffee. We found it medium-bodied and easy to smoke. Consider smoking it with a hoppy pale ale.








Estevan Cruz Natural Robusto

The Estevan Cruz line is hand rolled in the Dominican Republic. The natural robusto is rolled with a blend of Ecuadorian binder tobaccos and Dominican Piloto and Mexican fillers. Estevan wraps the natural line with a Sumatran seed Ecuadorian wrapper. The line is more of a boutique line and not widely distributed. It's been very well reviewed in both Smoke Magazine and Cigar Aficionado and our panel loved it as well!

Panel Review:
Although a somewhat veiny wrapper, this smoke is certainly well made. It offers a nice easy draw and even burn. Look for notes of espresso, a slight woodiness and hints of bitter chocolate. We found it generally earthy with a spicy finish. Overall, a medium-bodied smoke which would age nicely if you have the patience! Pair it with a sweet dessert wine or a tawny port.








Evelio by Nestor Plasencia Churchill

Cuban born Evelio Oviedo is the master roller behind this new super-premium Honduran puro line. Evelio worked at the Havana H. Upmann factory for 23 years before partnering with the Mendez family to open a factory in Brazil. He later moved to Miami with the intent of retiring. Enter Nestor Plasencia, who had other plans for Evelio. Nestor's love for the 'old ways' was truly inspiring and with the assurance that he would be given full control over the entire process, Evelio agreed to the partnership intended on building a premium line of cigars together. And a brand was born! We know you'll appreciate the 50 years of experience and family pride that comes with this cigar.

Panel Review:
Immediately note a very smooth and silky Connecticut wrapper on this extremely well constructed churchill. We found the flavor very pleasant and very mild ... in fact, it's as mild as anything we've reviewed this year. Look for a mellow creaminess, very appealing aroma and plenty of smoke volume. Overall, a wonderfully mild experience perfect any time of the day. Try pairing it with a dry chardonnay or Bavarian hefeweizen.








Perdomo Squared Rhombus Toro
The Perdomo 2 (Perdomo squared) line has been hugely received by the cigar industry primarily because Nick Perdomo knows what he's doing. We've featured the well established La Tradicion and Perdomo Reserve lines previously and have never duplicated the reorder volume on brands produced by Nick. Each Perdomo Squared cigar is box-pressed in the old style Cuban tradicion and rolled with a select blend of Piloto Cubano Nicaraguan tobaccos which have been aged in cedar casks for over 5 years! Are you ready to drop this newsletter and fire yours up right now? The line is one that can be appreciated by all as it offers exceptional tobacco flavor and unparalleled construction.

Panel Review:
You should first admire this handsome cigar, it's flat "rectangular" press, and silky, oily wrapper before firing it up. It's truly a masterpiece. The coveted Cameroon wrapper seals the deal. It double-fermented, moist and oily leaf will made us all eager to light it. There's a real complexity to this cool-smoking, easygoing cigar. We found it rich, spicy, and robust in flavor, and offering a perfect draw. One panel member noted, "This is one of the best, if not the best cigar I have ever smoked!"








Moreno Maduro Churchill
The Moreno line is hand rolled by one of the larger US cigar producers, Altadis who operates production facilities in Puerto Rico, Honduras, Pennsylvania, the Dominican Republic, and Virginia. The leaves used to roll their brands are literally obtained from growers around the globe. The Company's enviable product lines Antonio y Cleopatra, Cabañas, Don Diego, Flamenco, Henry Clay, H. Upmann, La Corona, Montecristo, Montecruz, Onyx Reserve, Primo del Rey, Romeo y Julieta, Santa Damiana, and Te-Amo. You could say they know a thing or two about making great cigars!

Panel Review:
Our panel found this tasty churchill a very smooth smoke and somewhat spicy. It's wrapped in a lovely Connecticut broadleaf wrapper that's been naturally cured to achieve it's darker color and rich, moist, flavor. It's somewhat mild to medium-bodied and packed with flavor. Smoke Magazine notes: "The vast majority of the panel enjoyed the great light-bodied flavor which seemed to be dominated by a creamy sweetness."

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