Montecristo Villanueva
5 1/2 x 50
Natural
Dominican Republic

I stumbled onto this stick mearly by chance. While browsing one of the online dealers that I shop from occasionally, I noticed it in the ‘recommended’ area. They were selling it by the box, of 10. I forget the price, but it was in the neighborhood of $80 for the box. Anyway, I bought the box and went through it pretty quick, I’m currently into my second box.

All that to say, the first impression in appearance was very good, it’s cedar-wrapped in a sealed glass tube. Very smooth and cream-colored wrapper.

This relatively mild smoke had very good construction, as it had a even draw and smooth burn. I regularly enjoy this smoke. I think that’s obvious, since I’m on that second box.

8 out 10.

JM

Padron Anniversary 1964 Superior
42 x 6 1/2 Natural
Nicaragua

A number of my friends really enjoy Padron cigars, so I’ve heard nothing but good things about them. So I tried one. It was good, but I wasn’t impressed. Since then, I’ve continued to hear similar raves and reading good things about the Anniversary Series, constantly. So I decided that my next Padron experience would be one from the Anniversary line.

I found this particular one, in a shop over in Charleston, while visiting a few weeks ago. I picked it up, along with a couple of other sticks I’d been recently looking for. I knew it was supposed to be good, I just didn’t know how good. Boy, was I in for an experience.

I can’t say enough good things about this cigar. It might just be the best non-cuban I’ve ever had, it’s certainly the best I’ve had since we started this site.

It lit with relative ease. The burn was even. The draw was smooth. The flavor was creamy and full, but not overbearing. Sound perfect? It just about was. I can’t wait to have another one of these.

I give it a 9.5 out of 10

This was my first venture into this brand. And honestly, I haven’t heard or seen many reviews about it, good or bad. Generally, this turns out to be a good thing, so you don’t end up with some pre-concieved notions about any particular smoke.

Anway, this was also my first experience with a “box pressed” stick. For some reason, I consider this “box press” as some sort of novelty, it just seems strange. After some brief, initial difficulty getting it lit, it proceeded to have a smooth draw. However, the burn was quite uneven and made enjoying it a bit more work, as I had to continue to work it even.
The flavor was smooth and mild, making it a good starter stick for the novice smoker.
The finish still mild but was some work, having to re-light a time or two.

I give it a 6.5 out of 10.

More Information on this Cigar:

J.L. SALAZAR y HERMANOS Reserva Especial Robusto is a typical Box-Pressed cigar.  The tobacco leaves in the cigars are aged for over three years and specially cured through four fermentations.

Size: 5.5 ” x 52