Reviews by Richard M.

Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Toro 6x52
Burn Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Personal Score: 97

So, most of my staff and several customers have asked me why I have not done a review of the Southern Draw Rose of Sharon, a cigar that I have probably bought 30 boxes of in the past few years…Well, I guess I was just blind to the fact I had not written a review here, but I had done a 30 second review of this cigar on social media early on…so without further ado, here is my story of the Little Brand from Austin Texas…

Many years ago Bobby B. and I were working an evening shift when a tall gentleman walked in wearing a fancy shirt bearing the name “Chief Evangelist”. Bobby said “This guy looks important”! I turn around and across the store I see none other than Robert Holt, Co-founder and Chief Evangelist of Southern Draw Cigars. This was a bit odd to me, since at the time, Cigars International did not carry Southern Draw cigars…or so I thought. I had only enjoyed one Southern Draw Cigar, a Rose of Sharon that Rick N. from Operation: Cigars for Warriors gave me upon his return from CATS fest in Texas, just prior. I introduced myself to Mr. Holt and began a conversation with him about why he was in the store. Before I could get much in conversation wise, he was providing me my second only Rose I had ever lit. After putting fire to the closed foot, I asked him what brought him to our humble little corner of Pennsylvania. He stated we carry his cigars and wanted to educate us on the brand, mission, and cigars. Surprised, Bobby and I checked our point of sale system and sure enough, there were the SKU’s for the entire line of Southern Draw Cigars. That evening meeting would be the start of a long friendship with Mr. Holt, and served as the introduction to my ‘drive to work cigar’.

You see, I have a nearly 50 mile commute to work on Pennsylvania routes 22 & 78. Although not as bad as the 405 in LA, the Cross Bronx Expressway in NYC, or Route 95 in Florida, these roads I travel can get your blood pressure way up, combined with the fact that they are perpetually under construction. So, what does any of this have to do with a cigar review you may ask? Well, this 50 mile ride could take me forty-five or two hours! The way to keep my frustration level down is to enjoy a great morning cigar for the drive in…and what better way than one of my top three favorite Connecticut cigars.  

Named after Roberts’s wife and Southern Draw co-founder Sharon, and hailing from A.J. Fernandez’s factory, this cigar is draped in a silky smooth Ecuador Sun Grown Connecticut surrounding a Nicaraguan binder and Dominican Ligero and Nicaraguan long fillers, this light tan cigar can only be described as beautiful. The wrapper is nearly flawless, with very few noticeable veins and no blemishes. It has two Black, Gold, and Pink bands, one bearing the name of the company, Southern Draw and their moto Soli Deo Gloria, and the other the name of the cigar, Rose of Sharon. Perfectly rolled, uniformly round, and wonderfully balanced, this cigar boasts a closed foot. The purpose of this is that when you are lighting it, you do not toast it first…rather you light and puff right away. This gives you a nice taste of the wrapper right as you light it. This also means that the pre-light draw is slightly tighter than the average cigar, but fret not, any tightness will go away as soon as the matches lights this delightful foot. The notes I get upon puffing through the closed foot is nicely subdued floral, creaminess, and milk chocolate. Once the cigar gets going, there is a wonderful white pepper on the retro-hale, and cedar and oak, sweet cocoa, and hay on the palate. The finish in the first third is so short, it is nearly non-existent, once you puff the smoke, it is as if you are not even smoking a cigar. The body is mild to medium (3 out of 10) and the flavors are medium plus (7 out of 10) yet very balanced.

Before continuing on with this review, I want to speak about Southern Draw Cigars and specifically the Holts. Southern Draw gives back to the community and the factory workers all the time. They support many charities such as Operation: Cigars for Warriors and The Navy Seal Foundation to name a few. The company is owned and operated by Veterans. Southern Draw Cigars remains dedicated to producing unique blends of premium cigars, and providing the most consistent and sustainable products possible. Robert has stopped by the store many times on a social basis, when he is nearby, he will stop in the store and enjoy a cigar and beverage with the staff. Robert and Sharon have also done many events here in my store, including our Beerfest, CIGARFest ticket sales, as well as Thirsty Thursday, amongst others, and you will not find people as nice and as humble as these two. They are truly Southern Hospitality in a person, a true Lady and Gentleman.  

Getting back to the cigar, as the first third transitions to the second third, I found the retro-hale pepper getting much more pronounced, into a dried red pepper and spice. There is also some dried fruit sweetness on the retro and the flavors on the palate really bloom like a rose on a warm summer morning. I found oak, tea, caramel, cinnamon, cream, and sugar, so the middle third was nearly like a graham cracker…leaving me wanting more. At this point in the commute I am generally in the second of four construction zones, and this cigar is doing a fine job of keeping my blood pressure in check. As I pass the Pennsylvania State tree…the construction cone…I am reminded to relax and think of the good times I have spent with the Holts. The finish stays very clean at this point, I feel the body has become a solid medium (5 out of 10) and the flavors have moved up a notch to just under full flavor (8 or 9 out of 10).  

Generally as I pull into the parking lot, I am beginning the final third of this cigar. Often I want to just sit in my SUV and enjoy this until the end, however the work day must start, so I head into work as I head into the end of the cigar. I feel I am getting peanut butter, charred oak, and rye grain notes combined with the red pepper remaining on the retro. I can’t recall having to relight this cigar due to any construction issues, if I have had to relight, it has been due to stopping for gas or food in the morning, but construction as always been flawless for me, even burn, nice combustion line, strong white dime-stack ash, and a crisp and short finish. Unlike other reviews, I generally can’t pair this with too many adult beverages since I am generally driving, so it is often relegated to a soda or ice water. I have been told it works real well with coffee, however since I don’t drink hot brown liquids, I will take your word for that. I will say that in the evening I have sometimes enjoyed this with a Yuengling Lager or Golden Pilsner and it works just fine for that. The cigar finishes similar to the middle third on body and flavor. It is just enough to get me right in the morning, and if I have a case of the Mondays, I can at least be comforted in knowing that my Monday morning commute will be solid as long as I have my Rose of Sharon with me.

As I conclude this review, I am reminded that I need another box, so before I buy all of them, do yourself a favor and pick up a box of these cigars…the Rose of Sharon, like their namesake, is beautiful, and it will not let you down.

Macanudo originally was a name for a size of Cuban Punch cigars. Macanudo roughly translated means ‘magnificent’, Inspirado translates to inspired, and this cigar holds up to this moniker of Inspired Magnificence. I will tell you it has become my all-time favorite Macanudo Blend by far. This is partially due to the fact that I love Brazilian tobacco, and the cigar is draped in a gorgeous Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper, golden brown with plenty of oil and character. It has a nice texture and a magnificent spicy and sweet aroma on the wrapper. Under this lies an Indonesian binder and Columbian and Dominican fillers. A unique four country cocktail that immediately delivers on the pre-light draw. I found the Toro to have a sweet citrus note and a very mild spiced cold draw, but I wanted to fire it up and see what it is all about.

Lighting this cigar with matches was a return to my old ways and it only took my pair of struck matches to toast and get this one ready to enjoy. Coffee bean, cocoa, licorice, and a sweet spice were most noticeable to me. Since this differed from many Brazilian wrapped cigars I have enjoyed in the past, I noted it right away. It began medium body about a 4 out of 10 and the first third of this cigar remained with the calm notes and a very pleasant short finish. Laurel Tilley, Macanudo Brand Ambassador was in the Cigars International Hamburg Superstore prior to the release of this cigar and she teased a bit of the blend. As we discussed this cigar, she hinted that it would be quite a bit different from what I had in mind for Brazilian tobacco, and she was not wrong.  

As I was enjoying the second third of this cigar, I was on the store Facebook page doing a live video review, just after finishing a shift. Several other manufacturers were in the chat and we were discussing the Brazil tobacco and what it can contribute to a cigar. It was then that I noted the body building to more of a 6 out of 10, and I was able to pick up more of the spice and even a black and white table pepper note. The coffee and cocoa had subsided, and that’s when the sweetness transitioned into a cedar spice. In addition, there was very little pepper or spice the retro-hale, just noted natural tobacco goodness. The finish remained very short, and had a pleasing cream and caramel note, which if I had to attribute to one of the tobaccos I would pick the Dominican.   

The final third is when the citrus I noted on the pre-light had returned and was very noticeable on the retro. I found the cigar body to move back into a solid 5 out of 10 medium. I also found much of the spice was on the front of the draw only, and as the voluminous smoke rolled across my palate that the coffee bean and cedar returned and rounded out each draw. Since this was after work I was enjoying this cigar with a Blue Steel Vodka on the rocks. One thing I love about a vodka is there is generally no adverse effect on the flavors of a cigar, since it is typically neutral. I will say I find Blue Steel Vodka does have a slight vanilla note, and could very well be where I was picking up the cream and caramel note on the middle third finish, but I still think the Dominican tobacco could be contributing to that as well.  

I will close out by saying this is a definite departure from past Macanudo cigars yet is also different enough from other cigars containing Brazilian tobacco that a 5’er is never too far from my frequent purchases. Even more interesting to me is the difference in the three sizes. I have enjoyed all of them and will say I find the Robusto to be similar in notes with slightly more intensity and the Churchill to be the opposite, almost muting or mellowing out the notes. This cigar earned a spot on my staff pick at the store for several weeks, and I find myself still recommending it frequently. I did have to relight and touch up a few times, mostly because I was doing a live video review and talking more than concentrating on pufferating on the cigar…

Diesel Estelí Puro Toro 6x54
Burn Time: 2 hours (slow smoked due to the strength)

“Breaker-breaker-one-nine, this here’s the CigarMagician coming at ya from the information superhighway, haulin’ another load of cigar knowledge straight to yer’ front door good buddy.” [Translation: Listen up friends, Rich here from the internet with another cigar review directly to you]. “So slide into your home-twenty, slam on the jake brake, and get your ears on”, [Sit down, stop what you are doing, and pay attention] because today I am talking about Diesel, a brand that has been known for full bodied cigars, and this one is no exception.  

More iconic than my “K-Whopper Diesel Big Rig” [Kenworth Truck], the big Diesel brand made by the big guy AJ Fernandez is something to behold. “What’s the 10-20 on the make-up of this machine” [where are the tobaccos for this cigar from]…it is a Nicaraguan wrapper from his La Lilia farm, a binder from his San José farm, and fillers from several plots across Estelí, including the famous San Lotano farm, The Diesel Estelí Puro “delivers on all cylinders” [it’s good].  

Weighin’ in at a full 9 out of 10 body this cigar immediately greets you with black pepper on the smooth, pre-light draw. Additionally I was getting fresh-cut green wood on the pre-light. This ain’t no “plain brown wrapper” [unmarked police car], however it has a nice smooth and brown wrapper, clad in a tasteful black and silver band and a cedar sleeve. The cigar was evenly rolled, no soft or tight spots noted, and the wrapper and cap were evenly applied

Once I got “my heater’s a-glowin’”, [lit the cigar] the black pepper remained and I was greeted with red pepper, and now the fresh cut wood was unmistakable. “Burnin’ more rubber” [enjoying more of the cigar], the first third was giving me everything I really personally enjoy in a cigar: pepper, spice, woodiness, and toward the end of the first third some wet earth like a walk in a forest was developing. The first third did have a relatively long finish of sweet cocoa and natural tobacco sweetness. The retro-hale during at this point is strictly “hammer down”, [full speed, lots of flavor] lots of pepper and spice.

As this cigar was “blowin’ my doors off”, [passing my expectations and many other cigars] the second third began to transition into slightly sweeter pepper, like a farm fresh green pepper, sweet and spicy. The retro-hale settled down a little bit and the finish shortened up a bit as well. I would say it still has a nice amount of pepper on the retro and the finish was still flavorful, but more into a medium finish, still with cocoa and natural tobacco sweetness. The wood note also became more of a charred cedar.  

As I “rounded the bend toward the final yardstick” [got toward the final third of this cigar], did this cigar calm down? “Negatory” [no], it stays pedal to the metal! The pepper and spice remain and I think the dried red pepper is back as well as more noticeable sweet cocoa, possibly even milk chocolate at this point. I will say I found it difficult to pin-point other subtle notes under all the pepper, but I could tell they were there, including a bit of dried fruit and possibly even coffee, however I was really enjoying the spice and pepper. The retro-hale remains fuller and stronger and the finish remains medium.  

If you love full flavored and full body cigars, grab “a few green-stamps from your moth holder” [Grab some money from your wallet] and be sure to pick up a convoy of the Diesel Estelí Puro. I find them best enjoyed with a Rye Old Fashioned or even a Manhattan. The Old Fashioned brings out more of the subtle notes and calms the pepper just a bit, and the Manhattan does the opposite, and mutes the sweetness and really enhances the spice and pepper. I did have to touch the cigar up one time but it immediately corrected itself with a quick touch up. You definitely don’t have to be a Diesel trucker to enjoy the Diesel Estelí Puro, although it would probably help to understand half of the lingo I used.  

So we will see you on the flip side, until then…keep the sunny side up, the rubber side down, and the bugs off your…glass…I’m gone…[Be safe…bye-bye for now]

Cigar: CAO Zócalo
Size: Toro 6.2”x54
Burn Time: 1 hour, 55 minutes

This cigar was first offered in 2018 as just the 6x60. So some people missed out on it because their preference is not for larger ring gauge cigars. But now, it is back in three sizes, being produced at the STG Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

This cigar wears a dark brown and rough wrapper with a rustic appearance, but feels well rolled, with no soft (or hard spots) and well balanced. The cap appears pretty large, leaving over a 1/16th of an inch after a guillotine cut.

The blend is unique to say the least. It features a Mexican Morrón wrapper from the San Andrés Valley, a Cameroon Binder and Nicaraguan long-fillers. If you have followed my 30 Second Reviews or the 30 Second/30 Minute reviews for any length of time, you know I love Cameroon Tobacco. Placing this as the binder on a stronger cigar makes for a unique complexity. I don’t think I pick up direct Cameroon notes, however what I do find in the beginning is warm baked buttered sweet bread. I once had a recipe to use in my bread maker for Portuguese Sweet bread, and this reminds me of that…I wish I knew where my recipe for that was…oh well. Now that butter note could definitely be the Cameroon binder, since that is a note I often associate with Cameroon. As a side note, speaking with Rick Rodriquez (the blender of this and many CAO cigars) in the past, it is not that he dislikes Cameroon tobacco, but as I remember it, it is far from his favorite.

After the sweet bread, there is a typical dry and spicy component I find with many San Andrés wrapped cigars. This is unfortunately polarizing for some, we find that typical San Andrés causes some to not even have a willingness to pick up the cigar. However, if you remember your tobacco history, Mexican San Andrés is the father leaf of all black tobacco, the specific type of tobacco used in nearly all premium cigars. There have been a few exceptions, but that is for another day. So since this is the genesis of all cigar tobacco, it should not be as divisive as it has been in the past.

As I entered the 2nd third of the cigar, I get what I can best describe as the crust of a brownie, chocolaty and charred. The baked bread is also more toast like now, and there may be a hint of citrus on the retro-hale. The burn line is pretty noticeable, it is straight, but noticeable, likely due to the thick Mexican wrapper. Without knowing the specifics of the filler tobaccos, I find it characteristic of Esteli and Jalapa, with the spice from the former, and the sweetness from the later. The retro-hale is very approachable, not overpowering at all, even with this being a medium plus cigar.

So, people ask what Zócalo means? Derived from the Mexican wrapper leaf, it is named after Mexico City’s Plaza del Zócalo, the city’s main square, popular for art and cultural displays as well as gatherings. This particular square goes back to the Aztec days. It is also fitting that it is named after the center square, a gathering place, since us cigar folks often gather to enjoy these works of art together.

Continuing on with the final third, I think the body of the cigar remains just above medium, about a 6 out of 10, with a full flavor profile continuing the spice as well as developing more earthiness and the citrus I thought I found in the middle has developed into full orange zest and floral on the retro-hale. The baked sweet bread returns toward the end, but I really have to “look” for it. So, I am not sure if I want the bread notes to be there since I enjoyed them so much in the beginning, or if they are not there, but I will just say it is there as an underlying note, especially noticeable on the medium finish.

I did not have an adult beverage with this cigar the first time I enjoyed it for this review, and I don’t have a beverage now. What I will say is that it would be my opinion you would want to go bold, maybe even a barrel or cask strength whiskey, or a higher proofed liquor, and if you go the non-whiskey route, maybe go sweet? I had Diet Coke both times…exciting.

Cigar: Ave Maria Dark Knight

Size: Robusto 5.2 x 54

Burn Time: 1 Hour, 30 minutes

Working in the retail stores we get to meet new people every day and discuss our passion for cigars. We discuss why the staff and customers like certain cigars, including specifics about what we personally like about each one, including flavor profiles, strength, size preferences, value, and overall satisfaction. Additionally, we get to discuss some of the biggest names in the premium cigar industry. I don’t think there is any bigger than Abel Fernandez, known as AJ Fernandez to nearly all the cigar community. Well, what happens when an iconic brand such as Ave Maria gets a new blend from AJ? I will tell you what happens, we in the retail biz go crazy!

See, Ave Maria is one of my go to brands, with not only the core brand but the elegant Divinia and bold and daring Reconquista. Enter…The Ave Maria Dark Knight…featuring a Knight clad in white and red, holding his shield and a gold and black sub band emblazoned with Dark Knight. This cigar immediately had my attention the moment I opened the matte black coffin protecting the treasure with-in. I was greeted with a dark and toothy wrapper and a pre-light aroma of cocoa bean.

But was I already getting ahead of myself? Did I already set an expectation subconsciously about what I was getting into? Well, that remained to be seen, but there was no way to know other than cutting and lighting this loyal subject and exploring its realm. Giving it a straight cut and grabbing the nearest source of fire I set forth on a quest to discover if I had found the next cigar I would have to buy a box of. The cut was firm, so I knew the Nicaraguan Broadleaf Maduro wrapper was going to hold something special.  

Immediately I realized this was richer than the Reconquista, not in strength at the time mind you, but in where I saw this cigar taking me. Rich and deep notes of leather, cocoa, and black pepper were hitting within the first few puffs, and there was a significant spice and pepper on the retro-hale. I knew if this cigar was going to be enjoyed with a beverage, it would have to stand up to some pretty dominating notes. Well, a double, neat Basil Hayden Dark Rye fit that bill very nice, and was a complimentary pairing, working well to enhance the spice and pepper while making the cocoa very noticeable. 

Since this is a Robusto, I would have to pay closer attention to the transitions since they could likely happen quicker. As the middle third of this cigar started in, I could not help but find the cocoa developing into dark chocolate. It was still rich, smooth, and full of character. It was at this point that I realized I was enjoying this cigar too much and that I had been puffing just a bit too fast, so I made a conscious effort to slow down an appreciate it for what it was, and not for what was coming next…it would get there, but patience is a virtue.

The Dark Night is rising in body, and if I had to say, once I passed the half-way point, this cigar is bolder to my palate and deeper and more complex. I feel this is the strongest Ave Maria I have yet enjoyed, and I was not done yet. The final third saw it all coming together. The retro-hale had leveled out for me, with the spice and pepper becoming less…shall we say eye-watering. The rich dark chocolate remained even over the Dark Rye I was enjoying with it, and I found them to both complement each other very well. I was not sure if I wanted to sip then puff, or puff then sip. If I sip then puff, I found the cocoa was dominant, however if I puffed then sipped I found the spice lead this dance.

As the cigar was winding down, I was pleased to find it had a medium yet clean finish, with the cocoa lingering just a little. When AJ puts out bold cigars you know when you are enjoying one, and this one was no exception. I knew this was the real deal, and was going to be a box purchase in the near future.

During the entire cigar I did not have to relight at any point, and I did not notice any burn issues. Since it was my fault I was smoking this one a bit too fast in the middle, I was surprised it did not have a burn issue or even any bitterness developing. Once I was about one and a quarter inches from the end, I decided it was time to place my sword and shield down for the evening and retire as the sun was setting.

If you are a fan of rich and bold cigars, grab a hand full of these to enjoy on your next dark night…