This is more of a tasting note and some quick comments (with price and source information), rather than a full review. Frankly, I do not feel comfortable doing reviews based on only a single cigar, and that’s all I have had of this one.

This came up in response to a question this weekend on the new Cigar Envy Deals and Discussion Yahoogroup. The group is up to over 375 members now in just four days of existence and ranks in the top ten of the 140 cigar-related groups there. Thanks again for the very enthusiastic response.

The factory pressed La Flor Dominicana (officially the LFD Prensado), for those who might not be familiar with it, was just introduced at the RTDA show in New Orleans a few months back. It is a new cigar in Litto Gomez’ Double Ligero series, and is offered in a very limited edition of only 400 boxes.

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Summary:

The flavor of this cigar is unique in my experience, and something that you are almost certain to either love or hate. There is an oaky quality that comes through the entire time, mellowing as you smoke the cigar. It most reminds me of smoking English pipe tobacco — both in the astringency and in the problems with keeping it lit — and seems to pair well with a good Scotch Whisky. The main flaw in the Italia Ciao appears to be very uneven construction. When it is good, it is quite good. However, when it is bad…

Background Information:

At 5 inches with a 56 ring guage, this is a very chubby Robusto. The Italia Ciao is a medium-to-full bodied cigar with a Cuban-seed Honduran Maduro wrapper and binder. The filler is a special Habano seed tobacco from Italy (hence the name), blended with Nicaraguan and Peruvian tobaccos. Manufactured by C.A.O. Fabrica de Tabacos in Honduras for C.A.O. International, Inc.

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Cigar Jack notes that a sampler pack of cigars he ordered from Tabacos de la Cordillera arrived today after delays caused by the hurricanes this fall. Good news for me since it means mine should be arriving any time now as well.

If you missed the article on Tabacos de la Cordillera and the unique line of cigars they are producing from heritage Cuban and Caribbean tobacoo seed stock, here’s a link to it.

Summary:

The new Cusano 18 Paired Maduro Churchill is medium to medium-full bodied with a quiet power like you’ll find in some Cuban cigars. Creamy and refined, it is an extremely flavorful and balanced smoke. This cigar is very new, but has already won a place in my humidor. While quite good now, I believe that it has the potential to become great after a few months of humidor rest. Highly recommended, and a Best Buy at the price.

Background Information:

At 7 1/2 inches with a 50 ring gauge this cigar is slightly longer than a classic Churchill, slightly shorter than a classic Double Corona, and a little fatter than both. It is a full-flavored cigar with a double-cured Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper over a San Vicente Dominican Olor binder. The filler contains the same 18 year old Dominican Olor aged tobacco as the Cusano 18 Double Connecticut, blended with Dominican Piloto Cubano. In addition, the filler also contains Brazilian Mata Fina Maduro leaf. Manufactured by Tabacos Dominicanos S.A. and blended by master craftsman Hendrik Kelner, creator of Davidoff, AVO, Paul Garmirian and The Griffin’s cigars, at his Tabadom factory in the Dominican Republic for Cusano Cigars.

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