My Favorite Cigars

Did I mention I enjoy cigars? Well I do. Started smoking cubans years ago while abroad and then again recently when I found myself out of cigarettes and the tobacco shop didn't have my brand. I tried a cigar instead and remembered how much I used to like them way back.

I keep a Savoy X-Large humidor 70deg F / 63% RH.

Here's a few of my favorite cigars:

I'm a BIG FAN of the CAO Brazilia box press. There's something about the hint of citrus in these smokes that really makes them stand apart.

Aroma De Cuba's "Mi Amor" is a relatively new blend. The first one I tried knocked my socks off and each one since has been just as good. Smooth, sophisticated, creamy and rich with a hint of spice. Really something!

My first Casa Magna was an "oscuro" and it really made me sit up and take notice of the brand. I smoked a few but then read the "colorado" was the top rated cigar of 2008 or something like that. I tried it and absolutely loved it. Thick, rich smoke with a really nice leathery spiciness, there's also a sort of sweetness to it here and there in the nose. I found it similar to the Padilla 1932, but prefer the CM colorado.

I really enjoy a good Anejo on occasion. I keep a box in the humi, just one of those luxury items for when a great cigar is called for. I like a good range of Arturo Fuente smokes, including the 8-5-8 flor fina, but Anejo is really something special.

While the AF Anejo is a refined delicacy, sometimes you want to get down and dirty. The first time I tried a 5 Vegas "Relic" I laughed out loud...it reminded me of the kind of cigar I imagine Clint Eastwood would smoke in some old western movie. Leather, dust and well...more leather. I wasn't sure if I liked it. I searched around online and read it had mixed reviews, but I had another a few days later and have kept at least a few in the humidor since. I was surprised to find it is one of the only Dominican Puros you can get besides Opus X.

Another full bodied cigar is the Partagas Black Label. CAUTION: this cigar will turn your stomach if you don't respect it. And if there was any question regarding my testosterone level yes, I have smoked these before breakfast, seriously. I wouldn't advise anyone trying it themselves, but believe me it's a hell of a start to the day. Thick smoke, tastes of deep earthiness and black licorice, not for the faint of heart! But then again, nothing else comes close.

The "Excalibur" by Hoya de Monterrey caught me by surprise. I picked one up after watching a video review and was really surprised how much I liked it. Another smooth, creamy smoke but with a toasty nut flavor that makes this smoke unique to my palate. I have noticed this is one of the few cigars Jen will ask me to share.

Another CAO product, the "Gold Maduro" is a great all-around every day sort of smoke. Well balanced, medium body, great flavor you can just relax and enjoy. If you like Gold Maduro but want to kick it up a notch (without going crazy), try the anniversary maduro, which is a touch deeper and more potent.

OK that's all for now...there are literally dozens of other cigars sitting in the humidor that I smoke pretty regularly. I get around and like a wide variety so I don't get bored with the flavors available to me. Some others I like are:

Padron
Nub - Maduro
601 - Oscuro La Punta (green label)
San Cristobal
Ashton - VSG
Alec Bradley - Tempus Imperator

BTW, while I'm not really a fan of Drew Estate, I have smoked a "Dirty Rat" and have the band to prove it. Where the hell a guy can buy a box of these I wish I knew!!!