JANUARY 2003

Toro

6" x 50

The Gurkha cigar line is fairly new to the market and was originally manufactured as one of the company's more affordable cigars. We say "more affordable" because their HRM (His Majesty's Reserve) line of cigars is the world's most expensive production cigar - $5,000 a box! The HRM line is that expensive because it is aroma enhanced with Louis XIII cognac, which happens to cost somewhere around $1,300 a bottle. Fortunately, this cigar doesn't share that same price tag, but does share the same excellent quality and flavor. This hand-made Dominican puro is made using tobacco grown in the fertile Cibao Valley in the Dominican Republic. The Connecticut-shade wrapper adds to the flavor and appearance of this cigar. Look for a rich and creamy flavor with a hint of spices and a pleasantly light finish. This cigar is the perfect match for your favorite cognac or Barleywine-style ale.

Strenth:  5
Panel Rating:  94

Churchill

7" x 48

The Professor Sila cigars were at one time produced in the Canary Islands, but have, like many other manufacturers, moved production to Santiago, Dominican Republic. The Churchill was one of our favorites of the Professor Sila cigars evaluated. Note an aesthetically appealing cigar with a very easy draw. A fine long white ash indicates the tobacco to be aged properly. Look for a rich, nutty body with traces of woodiness. We smoked this one all the way down as far as humanly possible without inhaling the entire butt! Overall, a complex, full tasting smoke. Consider pairing this one with a smooth, sweet Jamaican Rum drink.

Strenth:  6.5
Panel Rating:  91

Corona

5.5" x 43

La Gloria is rolled from complex blend of Brazilian, Ecuadorian, Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. Rated as high as 93 by the Cigar Aficionado magazine, the brand has a solid reputation and has been reviewed as "bursting with strong, rich tobacco aromas and flavors", and "has an even draw and a straightforward, spicy character". We loved the maduro Corona and know that you will as well! This is a consistently well-made cigar. We found the construction impeccable. Nice oily brownish-black appealing wrapper. Rolled firmly with plenty of tobacco, yet still offering a pleasing draw and plenty of smoke volume. Note a trace of cedar in this earthy, somewhat sweet, cigar. Look for big full rich spicy flavors and a smooth well rounded tobacco taste. We found the finish to be slightly sweet and non-lingering. The flavor remained full and smooth from start to finish. Overall, a great cigar. We loved it. Consider pairing it with your favorite roasted Porter.

Strenth:  7
Panel Rating:  93

Robusto

5" x 50

Guillermo Leon Herbert's family has been cultivating tobacco for six generations. His grandfather, Don Edwardo Leon Jimenes, founded La Aurora Cigars, located on the outskirts of Santiago, Dominican Republic, with little more than a dream. The Leon family began farming tobacco in the late 1880s, and in 1903 Don Edwardo began producing a traditional Dominican cigar -- smooth, sweet, and mild -- for public consumption. Fernando Leon, Guillermo's father and the master tabacqueriros who developed the Leon Jimenes line in the 1970s. A very well made Dominican cigar that offers a problem-free smoking. We found the construction is perfect and the taste satisfying. Note an unassuming, elegant cigar that burns slow and even. Look for a very mild, almost creamy tobacco taste and a very smooth smoking experience. For those looking for a quick and mild smoke for the morning or early afternoon, this is your thing. Overall, perfectly balanced construction and a superior blend of mild tobaccos. It would pair up nicely with a medium-bodied ale, bourbon, or blended scotch.

Strenth:  5
Panel Rating:  90

Churchill

7" x 47

Aesthetically, a sweet looking cigar: Medium dark, rich and oily with a beautiful wrapper. Very few noticeable veins and quite smooth to the touch. The samples we received are expertly rolled cigars. No soft spots. Filled to capacity, but not too tight. Simply a superbly crafted smoke. Look for a nice even, slow burn with an easy, loose draw. Note roasted coffee, hazelnut and earthly tones in this smooth, rich cigar. We found it to offer loads of heady, deep flavor in what is obviously well aged and mellowed tobacco. You're going to like it very much. Overall, we unanimously found this to be one of the better cigars we've sampled to date and highly recommend the entire line. Consider pairing this fine cigar with Samuel Smiths' Nut Brown Ale or a Loch Dhu Single Malt Scotch.

Strenth:  5.5
Panel Rating:  92