CroMagnon by Adrian's Cigars (Hava Smokeshop)

Between Chris and I, we've sampled every size available.  I promised Skip (@ChiefHava for you tweet punks - www.havacigarshop.com for you old school folks like me) that I'd post a quick thought about his line and here it is:

I have yet to experience anything other than pure delight from this truly boutique brand. Very tasty and a satisfyingly strong Nica, easily in my top 5 of the year.  I'd compare it off bat to the stalk cut flavor of the Liga Privada line by Drew Estate.  Construction and flavors are both consistent and top notch.  Nice and balanced on the retrohale despite the kickass factor.  Extremely oily wrapper!  You're going to need to drink lots of beer (my choice for the needed caloric intake) to pad your stomach for strength here.

My father in law, Chris' Dad, bought us each a 5 pack flight sampler as a father's day gift for us new dads.  Having initially smoked only the "Mandible" a 4.5x60, we knew this was something special.  We ordered a cube of 35 post haste for $194 before the price point had a chance to go up, something that I've begged Skip not to do, but undoubtedly will happen as the popularity of this amazing smoke rises.  The "Mandible" was the most balanced of the vitolas we felt (despite our adversity to huge RG cigars), but overall we've enjoyed them all, large and small.

8 every time and a 9 for the "Mandible".  We have not accepted any gifts from Skip and relay our thoughts as true as his sticks burn.

-V

Quick Reviews

Finally getting around to posting again, sorry for the delay but life happens. Anyway here are some of the more memorable cigars I have smoked since my last post.
Viaje Satori - Not impressed, it has been a while since I smoked it but I remember that it did nothing for me. The only Viaje that I have enjoyed was the Skull & Bones second release, and this will more than likely be the last Viaje that I purchase.


Cohiba Siglo VI- Oh baby what a great smoke, this was a Christmas gift from Vince and I must say that it was probably the best gift I got all year. I smoked it at a mini herf at VBones place with Bruce and Scott (Combat Jack) and I really wish that I took notes while smoking but between the craft brews and goofy juice I really don't remember much other than it being the perfect combination of spicy and creamy flavors.


Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure #2 - This guy was gifted to me from Combat Jack and was my second smoke at the mini herf. Once again no notes but it was a fantastic stick. I vaguely remember medium body with minimum spice, somewhat earthy and very creamy. I definitely want to pick up more of these.

Drew Estate Liga Privada Dirty Rat - This was a pre release cigar that I got from Steve Saka the pres of Drew Estate Cigars. First off let me say that for a corona size cigar the amount of smoke coming from this stick is amazing. Flavor wise it was a complex little number. It started out with a short burst of strong spice that mellowed quickly. Not far into the Rat I began picking up dark chocolate and subtle floral hints. Now don't be alarmed they were not strong infused floral notes just nice and almost fruity. Unfortunately I had to let this guy burn out just 3/4 of the way through and when I came back to it about 45 min later it was no good. I had to pitch it. Over all AWESOME STICK and I want more!
Next up is a pipe shaped cigar that I picked up at a market in Puerto Vallarta almost 2 years ago. I think I payed like $10usd for 3 of them just for the hell of it not expecting anything special or even tolerable. To my surprise it was not that bad. Now it was no Opus X but we will get to that in the next review. No shock in the flavor department, it was just strong Mexican tobacco and it turned out to be a decent stick.


Opus X - I smoked 2 Opus X's in 1 week, I kind of feel like an elitist. One was a Robusto and the other was a Perfection #2 and I can't really say that I could distinguish much difference in the two. The Robusto was also a gift from Combat Jack-He is a hell of a guy-. Flavor wise both of them were nothing special, UNTIL I paired it with a glass of Glenlivet 12. The scotch made flavors just pop and it complemented the cigars perfectly. Sweet tobacco, raisin, cedar and pepper were the main flavors. While smoking the Robusto with Vince we both had to take a break and grab a bite to eat, so be sure to have a full belly before smoking these guys. Over all when properly paired Opus X is a great cigar. Is it worth the steep price? I will let you decide.
**This post has not been prof read or edited for grammar, deal with it**

La Gloria Cubana Serie N

I am going to start out by saying that I was given this cigar as well as a few others as a part of General Cigars Consumer Ambassador program that I signed up for online. This in no part has altered my opinion on the cigar. In fact being a cigar from General I think it automatically drops a point or two. Anyway on to the review.
Pre light this cigar is super dark, almost to dark and even, it leaves me thinking dye job. The N cut out looks out of place on the darkness but it is unique. The roll is uneven and bumpy. The foot has a sweet raisin aroma to it. Getting lit there is a light and sweet aroma and it starts out nice and strong. The sweetness remains and begins to develop into milk chocolate/cocoa flavor. Getting about half way in a spice emerges on the retrohale and the finish is like a sweet mild pepper. It is producing tons of thick white smoke with a great aroma. The second half picks up a strong cocoa and almond flavors with pepper and leather at the nub.
I have to say that this cigar surprised the hell out of me. I could not tell you the last time I have smoked a cigar from General and liked it this much. Would I buy it again--- Yes I would pick up a 5 pack if the price was right. I wouldn't mind seeing what some age would do to it.
Final score 7.5-- due to wrapper concerns and uneven roll.