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- 2002 RTDA Report - Rob and Paul's Excellent Adventure
The common mans view of the happenings at and around the 2002 RTDA in Las Vegas.
- Best of 2002 Awards at Top25Cigar.com
The results from our "Best of 2002" poll at Top25Cigar. See which cigars were voted the best of 2002.
- A Day at the Graycliff Hotel and Cigar Company
Rob Shibata visits the Graycliff Hotel and Cigar Company, and finds old world hospitality can be found today as well.
- Jorge and Orlando Padron Interview with Top25Cigar
Remember back when your parents told you "if you treat everyone with respect, and work hard every day your going to be successful"? When talking to Jorge and Jose Padron, one gets the feeling not only have they heard that saying, but they live it every day.
- Cano Ozgener, CEO of C.A.O. International Interview with Top25Cigar
Cano A. Ozgener was a very enjoyable and willing interviewee. As you can see by his answer to the final question, Mr. Ozgener is a man dedicated to his passions, namely his family and the business they are in.
- Cano Ozgener, CEO of C.A.O. International Interview with Top25Cigar
Cano A. Ozgener was a very enjoyable and willing interviewee. As you can see by his answer to the final question, Mr. Ozgener is a man dedicated to his passions, namely his family and the business they are in.
- La Aurora 1903 Preferidos No. 3
If you've been sniffing around the industry, you have probably heard quite a bit about this little cigar.
- La Aurora 1903 Preferidos No. 3
If you've been sniffing around the industry, you have probably heard quite a bit about this little cigar.
- La Aurora 1903 Preferidos No. 3
If you've been sniffing around the industry, you have probably heard quite a bit about this little cigar.
- La Aurora 1903 Preferidos No. 3
If you've been sniffing around the industry, you have probably heard quite a bit about this little cigar.
- Excalibur Prensado Oscuro
The latest, or soon to be latest release in the Excalibur line is the Prensado Oscuro, a cigar that longs to get the box pressed attention of a certain line of cigars from Nicaragua.
- Excalibur Prensado Oscuro
The latest, or soon to be latest release in the Excalibur line is the Prensado Oscuro, a cigar that longs to get the box pressed attention of a certain line of cigars from Nicaragua.
- Excalibur Prensado Oscuro
The latest, or soon to be latest release in the Excalibur line is the Prensado Oscuro, a cigar that longs to get the box pressed attention of a certain line of cigars from Nicaragua.
- Excalibur Prensado Oscuro
The latest, or soon to be latest release in the Excalibur line is the Prensado Oscuro, a cigar that longs to get the box pressed attention of a certain line of cigars from Nicaragua.
- Juan Clemente' Grand Corona
None of our reviewers will be buying these anytime soon.
- Juan Clemente' Grand Corona
None of our reviewers will be buying these anytime soon.
- Juan Clemente' Grand Corona
None of our reviewers will be buying these anytime soon.
- Juan Clemente' Grand Corona
None of our reviewers will be buying these anytime soon.
- Caballeros Corona
If you like pleasant surprises, have we got a cigar for you.
- Caballeros Corona
If you like pleasant surprises, have we got a cigar for you.
- Caballeros Corona
If you like pleasant surprises, have we got a cigar for you.
- Romeo y Julieta Vintage VI
In the RyJ Vintage VI, were talking about a cigar that used to be the undisputed heavyweight favorite of Dominican cigars...at least for a couple of our folks.
- Romeo y Julieta Vintage VI
In the RyJ Vintage VI, were talking about a cigar that used to be the undisputed heavyweight favorite of Dominican cigars...at least for a couple of our folks.
- Romeo y Julieta Vintage VI
In the RyJ Vintage VI, were talking about a cigar that used to be the undisputed heavyweight favorite of Dominican cigars...at least for a couple of our folks.
- Romeo y Julieta Vintage VI
In the RyJ Vintage VI, were talking about a cigar that used to be the undisputed heavyweight favorite of Dominican cigars...at least for a couple of our folks.
- Hoyo de Monterrey Seleccion Royale Senador (Maduro)
Everyone was impressed by how this cigar looked, it really got the tasting off to a great start.
- Hoyo de Monterrey Seleccion Royale Senador (Maduro)
Everyone was impressed by how this cigar looked, it really got the tasting off to a great start.
- Hoyo de Monterrey Seleccion Royale Senador (Maduro)
Everyone was impressed by how this cigar looked, it really got the tasting off to a great start.
- La Tradicion Cabinet Series Perdomo Reseve No. 3
Summary
- La Tradicion Cabinet Series Perdomo Reseve No. 3
Summary
- La Tradicion Cabinet Series Perdomo Reseve No. 3
Summary
- Drew Estate Brooklyn
Fughetabawdit, unh? How can any cigar live up to a reputation as dynamic as Brooklyn, New York?
- Drew Estate Brooklyn
Fughetabawdit, unh? How can any cigar live up to a reputation as dynamic as Brooklyn, New York?
- Drew Estate Brooklyn
Fughetabawdit, unh? How can any cigar live up to a reputation as dynamic as Brooklyn, New York?
- Sancho Panza Valiente
Our second Staff Review experience with Sancho Panza this month is the "Valiente", a box-pressed robusto.
- Sancho Panza Valiente
Our second Staff Review experience with Sancho Panza this month is the "Valiente", a box-pressed robusto.
- Sancho Panza Valiente
Our second Staff Review experience with Sancho Panza this month is the "Valiente", a box-pressed robusto.
- Padron 4000
That's a big old cigar hanging out there to your right, in fact it's almost two hours of monster Padron 4000
- Padron 4000
That's a big old cigar hanging out there to your right, in fact it's almost two hours of monster Padron 4000
- Padron 4000
That's a big old cigar hanging out there to your right, in fact it's almost two hours of monster Padron 4000
- Cifuentes Rothschild
If you look up the word schizophrenic in the dictionary, it will have a group picture of the five folks that reviewed this cigar for us.
- Cifuentes Rothschild
If you look up the word schizophrenic in the dictionary, it will have a group picture of the five folks that reviewed this cigar for us.
- Cifuentes Rothschild
If you look up the word schizophrenic in the dictionary, it will have a group picture of the five folks that reviewed this cigar for us.
- La Flor Dominicana El Jocko No. 1
How do you review a cigar when the only consistent comment throughout the reviews was the beauty of the band?
- La Flor Dominicana El Jocko No. 1
How do you review a cigar when the only consistent comment throughout the reviews was the beauty of the band?
- La Flor Dominicana El Jocko No. 1
How do you review a cigar when the only consistent comment throughout the reviews was the beauty of the band?
- La Gloria Cubana "Series R" No. 5
The La Gloria Cubana Series "R" is supposed to be a more aggressive smoke from the famed La Gloria line of cigars, if our experience is any proof, LGC has hit their mark.
- La Gloria Cubana "Series R" No. 5
The La Gloria Cubana Series "R" is supposed to be a more aggressive smoke from the famed La Gloria line of cigars, if our experience is any proof, LGC has hit their mark.
- La Gloria Cubana "Series R" No. 5
The La Gloria Cubana Series "R" is supposed to be a more aggressive smoke from the famed La Gloria line of cigars, if our experience is any proof, LGC has hit their mark.
- Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature
A classic cigar with classic good looks, that's what most reviewers expected with the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature.
- Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature
A classic cigar with classic good looks, that's what most reviewers expected with the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature.
- Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature
A classic cigar with classic good looks, that's what most reviewers expected with the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature.
- JR Ultimate Toro
We've gotten about 10-15 emails in the last couple of years begging us to try the JR Ultimate line of cigars. The emails run pretty much the same, always prompting us to stray from the "name brands" and give a cigar that provides "real value" a try. Okay, we will.
- JR Ultimate Toro
We've gotten about 10-15 emails in the last couple of years begging us to try the JR Ultimate line of cigars. The emails run pretty much the same, always prompting us to stray from the "name brands" and give a cigar that provides "real value" a try. Okay, we will.
- JR Ultimate Toro
We've gotten about 10-15 emails in the last couple of years begging us to try the JR Ultimate line of cigars. The emails run pretty much the same, always prompting us to stray from the "name brands" and give a cigar that provides "real value" a try. Okay, we will.
- El Incomparable Robusto (Single Malt Scotch)
If your a cigar traditionalist, read no further. Wait scratch that, if your a cigar traditionalist, read on! No, that's not right either.
- El Incomparable Robusto (Single Malt Scotch)
If your a cigar traditionalist, read no further. Wait scratch that, if your a cigar traditionalist, read on! No, that's not right either.
- El Incomparable Robusto (Single Malt Scotch)
If your a cigar traditionalist, read no further. Wait scratch that, if your a cigar traditionalist, read on! No, that's not right either.
- CAO eXtreme Churchill
What is the CAO eXtreme Churchill? We'll let Cano explain that with an excerpt from his interview:
- CAO eXtreme Churchill
What is the CAO eXtreme Churchill? We'll let Cano explain that with an excerpt from his interview:
- CAO eXtreme Churchill
What is the CAO eXtreme Churchill? We'll let Cano explain that with an excerpt from his interview:
- Leon Jimenes Robusto Maduro
The last of Aprils cigars bring us to the new Leon Jimenes Maduro line, more specifically in this case, the Robusto.
- Leon Jimenes Robusto Maduro
The last of Aprils cigars bring us to the new Leon Jimenes Maduro line, more specifically in this case, the Robusto.
- Leon Jimenes Robusto Maduro
The last of Aprils cigars bring us to the new Leon Jimenes Maduro line, more specifically in this case, the Robusto.
- Butera Vintage No. 550 Maduro
We are bound and determined by the end of this return to find something, anything you could say was negative about this cigar...but don't count on us being successful.
- Butera Vintage No. 550 Maduro
We are bound and determined by the end of this return to find something, anything you could say was negative about this cigar...but don't count on us being successful.
- Butera Vintage No. 550 Maduro
We are bound and determined by the end of this return to find something, anything you could say was negative about this cigar...but don't count on us being successful.
- Avo Belicoso Maduro
Introduced in 1987, the Dominican made regular Avo line of cigars is a blend of 5 different mostly Cibao Valley Dominican tobaccos.
- Ron Matusalem Gran Reserve Rum
Ahhh, rum, and good rum at that. We could get used to this.
- Ron Matusalem Gran Reserve Rum
Ahhh, rum, and good rum at that. We could get used to this.
- Devils Weed Cigars
Devils Weed cigars may have the coolest name and best logo in the industry, but how are their cigars?
- Devils Weed Cigars
Devils Weed cigars may have the coolest name and best logo in the industry, but how are their cigars?
- Devils Weed Cigars
Devils Weed cigars may have the coolest name and best logo in the industry, but how are their cigars?
- Devils Weed Cigars
Devils Weed cigars may have the coolest name and best logo in the industry, but how are their cigars?
- Devils Weed Cigars
Devils Weed cigars may have the coolest name and best logo in the industry, but how are their cigars?
- General Cigar Announces Daniel Núñez’ Retirement
General Cigar announced today that Daniel Núñez, president and chief operating officer, will retire during the second quarter of 2009
- General Cigar Announces Daniel Núñez’ Retirement
General Cigar announced today that Daniel Núñez, president and chief operating officer, will retire during the second quarter of 2009
- CAO “TAKES IT TO THE LIMIT” WITH ROCK BAND HINDER
Cutting-Edge Cigar Maker Selected As Exclusive Cigar Sponsor To Hinder Record Release Party
- CAO “TAKES IT TO THE LIMIT” WITH ROCK BAND HINDER
Cutting-Edge Cigar Maker Selected As Exclusive Cigar Sponsor To Hinder Record Release Party
- Dr. Nick's White and Healthy
Can a dentist really be a friend to a cigar smoker? Dr. Nick wants to be.
- Dr. Nick's White and Healthy
Can a dentist really be a friend to a cigar smoker? Dr. Nick wants to be.
- Dr. Nick's White and Healthy
Can a dentist really be a friend to a cigar smoker? Dr. Nick wants to be.
- A Visit to Graycliff
Another visit to Graycliff leaves us as amazed as always.
- A Visit to Graycliff
Another visit to Graycliff leaves us as amazed as always.
- Breaking the Cigar Slump!
Admit it, you have gone through a period where no cigar tastes good. Help is on the way!
- Breaking the Cigar Slump!
Admit it, you have gone through a period where no cigar tastes good. Help is on the way!
- Breaking the Cigar Slump!
Admit it, you have gone through a period where no cigar tastes good. Help is on the way!
- Breaking the Cigar Slump!
Admit it, you have gone through a period where no cigar tastes good. Help is on the way!
- The Big Smoke - Part I
Attending the Big Smoke was quite the experience.
- The Big Smoke - Part I
Attending the Big Smoke was quite the experience.
- The Big Smoke - Part I
Attending the Big Smoke was quite the experience.
- The Big Smoke - Part Two
Part Two of the Big Smoke Experience
- The Big Smoke - Part Two
Part Two of the Big Smoke Experience
- The Big Smoke - Part Two
Part Two of the Big Smoke Experience
- El Centurion Emperadores
Don Pepin Garcia continues to produce one after another world class cigars.
- El Centurion Emperadores
Don Pepin Garcia continues to produce one after another world class cigars.
- El Centurion Emperadores
Don Pepin Garcia continues to produce one after another world class cigars.
- El Centurion Emperadores
Don Pepin Garcia continues to produce one after another world class cigars.
- El Centurion Emperadores
Don Pepin Garcia continues to produce one after another world class cigars.
- Variety Samplers from Tabacos de la Cordillera
For Undecided Smokers, Tabacos de la Cordillera Offers New Fundacion Ancestral Variety Samplers
- Variety Samplers from Tabacos de la Cordillera
For Undecided Smokers, Tabacos de la Cordillera Offers New Fundacion Ancestral Variety Samplers
- “Our Roots Run Deep” Is Theme of New Toraño Ad Campaign
One of only a handful of truly authentic cigar-industry stories, the Toraño family is now in its fourth generation, and only eight years away from a century of producing fine tobacco and premium cigars.
- “Our Roots Run Deep” Is Theme of New Toraño Ad Campaign
One of only a handful of truly authentic cigar-industry stories, the Toraño family is now in its fourth generation, and only eight years away from a century of producing fine tobacco and premium cigars.
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What do you do when you get your October 2000 Cigar Insider from Cigar Aficionado and see a "93" rating for a new cigar that only costs $3.20? If your one of the folks responsible for "Staff Reviews" at Top25Cigar, you quick have T25C order up a box, and get them to some staff and guest reviewers!
Let's put this in perspective, a 93 from CA puts the Sancho Panza Caballero in the same class as the following cigars that CA rated in 2000; Ashton Sun Grown Torpedo, Padron 1964 Anniversary Torpedo Maduro, and the Cuban Punch Punch. Those my friends are the 4 top rated cigars at CA this year...according to their "2000 Year in Review" issue of Cigar Insider.
So what did our crack staff of 3 regular Staff Reviewers and 3 Guest Reviewers decide? Read on.
At opening glance the Sancho Panza Caballero does nothing to set itself apart from the crowd. "At first sight, the Caballero is just one more box pressed stogie on the market.", was not only a quote from one of our reviewers, but pretty much the consensus as to the general appearance of this cigar. There were some irregularities noticed, primarily in the cigar shape, but nothing of great alarm, unless you consider several different ring gauges in the same box of cigars.
The draw of the Caballero was well received. Most of the reviewers were impressed at the smooth and consistent draw, while two folks noticed a varying pull as the cigar was smoked.
The meat of the matter is the flavor and taste. We wish we could say the Caballero blew people away, but that wasn't always the case. In reality, 2 of the reviewers were really down on the Sancho Panza, while the rest generally liked the taste imparted by this long cool drink of water. It's an earthy cigar with a spicy edge. One of the more educated palates described it as follows "For the most part, the cigar served up a cool mug of hazelnut & French vanilla coffee blend, which—though diluted—was still quite enjoyable"
Primarily, it seemed our reviewers were nowhere near as excited as the CA editors became with the Sancho Panza Caballero. As is often the case, the question of buying this cigar with a reviewers own money tells the ultimate story. Even at $3.20 a stick, two-thirds of our reviewers would pass on this cigar. We can't argue with our reviewers, but we also refuse to argue with the price. Our review of this cigar is best summed up with the following reviewer quote, "Perhaps not the best I’ve ever smoked, but definitely a keeper."
Vital Statistics:
Shape = Grand Corona
Length=6 1/4" RG = 45
Wrapper = US, Conn Shade
Filler = US Conn Brdlf
Binder = D.R., Hon., Nic.
Estimated Cost = $3.20 |