cigarreviews

I have a soft spot for the De La Concha Grand Reserve. Manufactured by Pepin Garcia, it came out in 2003, within roughly a month of the master roller's other creation, the Tatuaje, hit the streets. Both sticks are similar in taste and construction, though the Grand Reserve, which is the house cigar for the tobacconist with which it shares a name, isn't quite as heavy as its cousin. This is my regular, daily cigar and has been since I discovered it, at about the time it came to market.

The Grand Reserve is the first private label cigar created by Pepin Garcia. It is fully Nicaraguan – binder, wrapper and filler – and consequently delivers a bold experience. Momentum gathers through the first third of the Grand Reserve, giving way to a middle third that is a bit peppery with some hefty earth tones. The cigar ends strong but leaves little aftertaste. It generally burns evenly and holds up well against the elements (I smoked one in the snowstorm that hit New York over the weekend).

When you smoke the Grand Reserve, there's no doubt that it's a Pepin product. When I'm away from home (you can only get this cigar in New York), I usually smoke a Tatuaje, as it's quite close.

Smoke this one on a full stomach. The Cain by Oliva – with "Straight Ligero" on the ring as if to warn as much as entice – is a hefty cigar. Several of my friends, who tend to smoke bold sticks, found it to be too much for them. So, this is a cigar that belongs in the hands of a regular consumer of heavy cigars. If you fall into this category, then you are likely to enjoy the Cain.

I was excited about the Cain when a friend gave me a preview over the summer. It was well-constructed and had an incredible taste that changed several times throughout the smoke. It's difficult to balance power and flavor; the blender runs the risk of the former's overtaking the latter. Oliva navigates this peril easily, delivering an interesting and enjoyable cigar from foot to cap.

Unfortunately, the Cain's construction has not lived up to what I saw with that first experience. In a box of torpedo-sized cigars, I found more than half of them with severe cracks in the wrapper.* Other Cain smokers with whom I've spoken did not have a problem this substantial, though they did encounter more than a few cracked wrappers among their purchases.

The wrapper aside, I loved the draw on this cigar. You can pull big mouthfuls of smoke effortlessly. Also, the binder holds together well, so the cracked wrapper doesn't cause the cigar to explode on you.

The Cain could be a fantastic cigar (especially for the price), but the construction issues are a bit of a concern. If the problems with the wrapper are sorted out, this will be an excellent smoke.

*Oliva did offer to remedy the situation, but my tobacconist had already done so.

I saw Camacho Connecticut's wrapper and was immediately suspicious. It was incredibly light, which could only foreshadow the entire experience to come. So, I cut, and I lit, fully expecting to spend the 45 minutes to follow smoking little more than air. As the final ash fell, I was only too happy to admit to myself that I was wrong.

Without a doubt, the Camacho Connecticut is a light cigar, and it's unlikely to become the mainstay for smokers who prefer full-bodied sticks. That being said, it does have a place in even the hefty Nicaraguan devotee's humidor. A bit of variety isn't a bad idea, and the rich flavor in this cigar will keep smokers of medium and heavy cigars engaged from foot to cap. At the same time, cigar smokers who gravitate toward lighter alternatives will find complexity (and overall enjoyment) in the Camacho Connecticut, making this cigar appealing to a broad and diverse constituency.

Conquering the unknown is not easy. When it comes to spirits, restaurants, cities ... and cigars ... we all have our favorites, and trying something new is an unnecessary risk. I know what I like, after all, why would I stray from it?

Well, there are plenty of reasons to try something new, the best being that your next favorite may not be on your radar yet. I'm about as guilty as can be in the cigar shop. I have my favorites, and I tend to stick to them. But, on the rare occasions when I break out and try something new, I'm happy I did.

The hard part is deciding what to try. You may not realize it, but you're surrounded by a wealth of information at home and in the cigar shop. All you have to do is use it.

1. Talk to your tobacconist
This is the easiest and most effective way to get advice. Just ask the professional that you are bound to see when you go to buy a cigar. Most tobacconists – employees at larger, established specialty shops – know the product they carry well. Tell him what your tastes are, and you'll be surprised at the recommendations you receive.

Gallery: De La Concha Tobacconist

All you cigar rookies, stand back! La Flor Dominicana Salamones is a big, hefty, full-bodied cigar that should be enjoyed on a full stomach in the evening while sitting in a comfortable chair with a rare bottle of port by your side. At more than $25 a stick, it's meant to be enjoyed, and the cigar delivers on even the highest of expectations.

This cigar by La Flor Dominicana is part of the recent wave of Salamones-style cigars that has come to market. This shape is quite difficult to create, especially with its large size. The perk, though, is that you get to watch an ash form that mirror's the cigar's original appearance, as a rich brown gives way to light gray.

The narrow foot results in a slight tightness of draw at first; the shape doesn't allow as much air to pass through. Over the first two or three minutes, you'll feel the Salamones open up, with greater volumes of smoke entering your mouth until you're enjoying the substantial mouthful's yielded by this delightful creation.

Nothing equates to having a cigar of this magnitude in your hand. It is enormous (roughly as big as a double corona), emits an amazing aroma and has a beautiful, oily wrapper. The ash holds easily for two inches before showing any signs of wanting to fall.

The box alone suggests that the contents are fascinating. Slick black with orange trim, the only reason you disturb the presentation is because you know what's inside. The Gurkha Black Dragon Tubo cigars sit within, each encased in a frosted glass tube. Slide the metal cap from the case, and extract the cedar-wrapped cigar ... the ritual itself shapes the smoking experience that follows.

The Black Dragon is far more powerful than most of the Gurkha cigars you've smoked. The dark wrapper belies its fuller taste, which is just a bit north of medium-bodied. Like any sophisticated cigar, the flavor does evolve from one end to the other, as the cigar gains momentum especially after the first two inches. The fullness stays with you to the end, maintaining its potency to the end rather than receding to a disappointing mildness.

Unlike most fuller-bodied cigars, the Black Dragon is able to bring in a touch of the sharpness that is only found in some lighter-wrapper sticks. To call it acidic evokes the wrong emotion – this sensation is noticeable without being harsh. What results is a touch of character that makes this cigar distinctly Ghurka, the sort of personality you expect from an expensive cigar.

The Black Dragon, like every Ghurka, distinguishes itself in construction. I gave this cigar my usual battery of tests, smoking it outside on the windy Manhattan streets and even in the rain. It survived without even the slightest sign of unevenness. I smoked several Black Dragons in a variety of conditions, and they all burned the same way. The consistency was impressive ... and increasingly rare.

Of course, quality – and design – comes with a price. Ghurka cigars tend to be pricey, and the Black Dragon is no exception. But, investing in this experience will reward you with the convergence of taste, structure and style. The Black Dragon is a lifestyle cigar: enjoy every aspect of smoking it.

Light does not have to lack flavor. The Gurkha Elegance does not overwhelm, as its light wrapper would suggest, but it is an enjoyable smoke from start to finish. The Elegance consists of a Connecticut wrapper, Connecticut binder and Dominican filler. The cigar has a ring gauge of 50 and measures 7 inches long. Only 800 boxes are being made, so few will be able to enjoy this intentionally rare treat.

As with any other Gurkha experience, the Elegance begins with the box. The light wood, hihgly polished masterpiece invites you to open it and extract your first (or next) stick simply through its appearance. This is a cigar box you'd be happy to leave on your desk, and I'm sure someone in your family will steal it from you as soon as it's empty.

The Elegance is quite well-constructed. In the comfort of a controlled environment, it burns evenly from start to finish, even if it is lit by unskilled hands. Of course, this could be said for most cigars. The real test was during my morning walk to the office. Varying temperatures and swift, brutal Manhattan winds were unable disrupt the consistent burn for the entire hour I enjoyed the cigar. The Gurkha Elegance was unbeatable under adverse conditions.

For me, the Elegance was a bit light. I do prefer bolder, heavier cigars, and this one is on the softer side of medium. If you enjoy a milder stick, though, this one is a winner. The first inch is uneventful, but the cigar seems to be gathering momentum, which materializes quickly and persists through the majority of the smoke. The taste is smooth and consistent, which makes it an ideal breakfast cigar for me but may serve other smokers better in the evening.

The Gurkha Elegance is certainly an upscale cigar – it's certainly not entry level. For the smoker who prefers mild but demands taste, it's a great place to start.

If you're in New York, join me at the Gurkha in-store event at De La Concha, my neighborhood haunt. It's on April 23, 2009 from noon to 6 PM.

The Avo Campanero is at least the best Avo limited edition cigar since the Avo 80. It might be better, but I haven't smoked the latter in a year and a half or so, so a comparison would be unfair. Anyway, the Campanero does not need to be measured against a predecessor; it does just fine on its own.

When you pick up the Campanero – even before you cut and light – you can tell you have something special between your fingers. The wrapper has a slightly reddish tint, and a quick sniff of the unlit tobacco suggests a little "zing," a sign of the taste that will come when the stick is ignited. I've smoked a handful of Avo Campaneros, and the construction has been incredibly consistent. The cigar burns evenly (even if it doesn't start with a competent torch-handler) and steadily from foot to cap. For me, the smoke takes an hour, though I do have a tendency to burn through cigars fairly quickly. If you add conversation, coffee or a cocktail to the experience, the Campanero could deliver up to an hour and a half of satisfaction.