wavy wafer

There’s a lot of Hype behind this cigar. It pretty much goes “Great flavours, shit construction” The San Andres wrapper is dark and dripping! It is so dark and has so much sheen it looks wet. Thankfully, it is not. The cold draw has very light resistance, now the paranoia sets in. Luckily the draw […]

Drew Estate Factory Smokes Connecticut Shade Toro

I loved the Factory Smokes (Sweet) and I’m sure I will love this version also. You know with the name ‘Factory Smokes’ that this is not going to be the best cigar you have had in any shape or form but it’s worth a try. I found the draw to be a little light once […]

pistoff kristoff gunplay

This cigar looks like it’s straight from the Wild West! I don’t know why but when I think of a Lancero I think of a Connecticut shade wrapper. This Mexican San Andres wrapper is pretty much the polar opposite and is dark as night! First few draws find a sweetness that cannot be mistaken but […]

twin pines

The first thing that comes to mind when I look at this cigar is Rocky Patel. So many RP cigars are the same shape/size and softly boxed pressed. Just perfect. Cutting the cap and lighting greets you with the unmistakable flavour of cedar; the smoke output is great right from the start also. Even though […]

The blanco 9

If you have the pleasure of being a Privada member you will know that the tasting notes can be really handy with helping you define flavours. But it can be equally frustrating when you can’t taste what’s listed! To each their own. In this instance liquorice is right on the money. A flavour that I […]

El Titan De Bronze Sumatra Lancero LE

I just love the look of a Lancero. The fresh scent is of barnyard, which I find frequently in cigars. Maybe I’m imagining old barns of Spanish cedar scattered throughout the countryside. I haven’t used a punch in a while and this ring gauge works just perfect. The first draws bring flavours of peppery cedar […]

Montenegro Batista

The Montenegro Batista gets amazing reviews and from the first draw I understand why. I think this is going to be the perfect celebration cigar! For me the first draw of most cigars is usually not the best, and it takes little while for the flavours to come and smooth out. This cigar is certainly […]

Purple Sky Diablo Del Desierto

Naming a cigar the desert devil, ok then, you have my attention. The fresh scent and cold draw are both of barnyard and hay. What’s most noticeable though is how extremely light the draw is! The first third smokes pretty quick, and is difficult to note any particular flavours. The draw continues to be very […]

HVC Hotcake

And here we have another cigar with a ton of hype behind it. Personally I’d rather the underdog that surprises you out of nowhere, instead of having to live up to expectations. I found it very interesting that this cigar has been designed to have a tight draw. Reinier Lorenzo from HVC describes it as […]

Capo Habano

After a five month break from smoking cigars I am straight back at it with the Capo Habano! Paired with a long island iced tea because, well, why not?! When I look at this cigar it reminds me of an old jazz club (not that I’ve been to one!). The hat and jacket surrounded by […]