San Cristobal (Nic.) Guajiro

Much thanks to Robert Levin for resurrecting the San Cristobal line. And now on with the show, the classic pig tail on this parejo combined with masterful blending of "Don Pepin" Jose Garcia. I find the Gaujiro to provide a pleasant hour's worth of cigar smoking. All the while presenting a marvelous ISOM ash and absolutely free of canoeing even with a 9mm punch to draw from; and a bountiful presentation of flavors. Espresso, leather, a cedary wood, cream, a touch of spice, and some hazelnut.

Nice alfalfa pre-light aroma. Beautifully constructed with no soft spots and vein free dark wrapper. Smooth draw with flaky grey ash which required a few touch-up lights. A spicy dry character throughout with nuances of chocolate and coffee. Medium to full bodied smoke best suited after a meal. Enjoy!

Great construction on this cigar that has a 3 seam cap and pigtail. Very heavy and firm cigar with an oily wrapper. Pre-light draw gave a spicy and earthy taste. Burned very well and gave off a great aroma.
The first 1/3 was earthy and leathery and as the burn continued it became more sweet and coffee-like. Waves of cherry occurred ( which I have never tasted before). I smoked it to the nub. I buying more to lay down.

Picked one up based on the CA, and the Ashton/Pepin connections... and was pretty impressed. It had similar flavors as Anejos, but was WAY BETTER in looks, flavor and definitely construction. Long=lasting cigar (usually don't smoke so many lonsdales, but I loved the burn and long lasting smoke). Great flavor througout, not super=dynamic, yet kept me interested and wanting to try different shapes. The initial burn was tons of smoke and was very flavorful, as was the rest of the cigar which grew a wonderful white ash, in constrast to it;s dark wrapper. Not as long a finish as expected, but I enjoyed nonetheless. Delightful smoke.

This is the pick of the litter in my book. Absolutely tops in all ways: presentation, shape, duration, construction, value (you get what you pay for boys) and flavor experience. The wrapper to filler ratio here is akin to that of the Churchill (Monumento) and provides a dark mysterious almost floral backnote beneath the blatant slathering of dark chocolate and complex coffee sweetness. Yeah, it's that good. Not a bomb - medium in intensity to me...but right in the zone that only a very few cigars attain. When you're smoking the cigars in this entire line you can notice what I interpret to be a sort of wet line at the edge of the wrapper being burned - tobacco oils exuding from the leaf? - sugars being carmelized? - cigar elves giving up their spirits to the sky? - Hey, I don't know, but it's unique...most likely adding to or a part of the flavor developing process. Whatever is going on it's very, very, very positive.

Great looking, solid as a rock, very acceptable draw, and a smooth leathery taste reminiscent of the much cheaper Oliva Serie G Belisoso Maduro. Irregular burn developed, but was easily corrected.

I lean towards sticks w/ medium body at least and lots of flavor. This guy nearly knocked my teeth out during the first inch. After settling down it remained harmonious and sweet but med to full bodied the entire way. Burn was secure and gave billows of smoke on it's solid draw.