Date Reviewed: 02/26/18

Rating: 100

Beautiful smooth dark wrapper with a firm bunch and a perfect draw. Aromas of dark chocolate from the shaggy foot and wrapper, more of a spicy vibe from the cold draw. Owner Robert Holt says smoke this one after a good meal. Initial notes are cayenne dark chocolate and cedar. Also very rich, well aged tobacco. It has not knocked me over yet but has already threatened me once. I told it, \"F* you, I\'m Milford!\" and kept smoking, picking up some latte notes. The ash is a firm medium grey and the burn is perfect. The ale is fermented over coffee and cacao nibs and is perfect for this cigar. First third really brought out the dark chocolate and cedar notes with espresso in the background. Knocked the ash off to avoid the ash lap I got yesterday, revealing a conical burn that showed the ligero to be slightly off center, but not terribly so. In the second third the cayenne came through on the retrohale, adding some oomph to the flavor profile. The burn is a little off, but not enough to correct yet. The smoke is plentiful and smooth. The bands slid off perfectly with no damage to the wrapper. At about half I touched up the wrapper and the burn is even again. The smoke remains cool and smooth with lots of flavor. At 13%, I am drinking the ale sparingly as to not affect the finish, which is as flavorful as the smoke. Approaching the final inch of the cigar, the smoke remains cool and pleasant while the strength is picking up, especially the cayenne in the retrohale.

Date Reviewed: 02/26/18

Rating: 100

This cigar has a dark oily wrapper with a couple of veins, a good bunch and an excellent cold draw. Light aromas from the wrapper and foot of nuts and cedar. Tonight\'s beverage is a Westmalle Belgian Trippel Ale. This is a Nicaraguan Puro that starts out smooth on the palate and peppery on the retrohale. I taste rum, cedar and well aged tobacco. The burn is perfect and the ash is light grey. The ash is not flaky and appeared solid but dropped at one inch. After the first third the rum notes are folding into the complex cedar and tobacco notes, and the pepper notes remain steady in the retrohale. Coffee notes are appearing that smooth it all out for a simply excellent flavor. After the second third the burn required a light touch up but is still smoking very smooth. The coffee notes have strengthened but have not completely overtaken the pleasant rum notes. The smoke is leaving a nice light rum finish, especially in the nose. The ale was not as heavy as other trippels that I have tried, but it had a nice spice of its own that complemented the cigar very well. Approaching the final inch I had another touch up on the burn. Otherwise the construction is very good and the complexity of the coffee, rum, pepper, cedar and tobacco notes are very pleasant. When the wrapper became warm I used some light purges and the smoke remained cool.

Date Reviewed: 02/26/18

Rating: 100

Beautiful Habano wrapper with two prominent veins and a nice firm bunch. Fragrant wrapper and shaggy foot with hints of coffee and some savory spices. The cold draw is perfect. Initial flavors are mostly wrapper from the shaggy foot and are very smooth. IPAs match up very well with Habano wrapper and this one is no exception. Getting into the body of the cigar I am picking up coffee and nutmeg notes with a bit of cedar. There is also a light white pepper note in the retrohale. The burn is mostly even; the ash hit my lap at about 1/2 inch. After the first third the cigar is producing plentiful smoke that is very pleasant. Smooth and cool, the nutmeg and cedar are joined by a hint of leather. The citrus notes of the IPA are blending in perfectly. Approaching two thirds, the smoke remains cool and pleasant with a nice clean finish. The burn continues to be even and the complexity is impressive. A nice medium-bodied blend of flavors. I have to stress the quality of construction of this cigar. It is smoking very slowly with plentiful smoke so it\'s staying cool and smooth. I think I have found another cigar that belongs in my rotation.

Date Reviewed: 02/26/18

Rating: 100

This cigar features a dark wrapper with a couple of veins and a closed foot. The wrapper and foot smell like dark chocolate and leather. The bunch is firm and the cold draw is good. Tonight\'s beverage is a Samuel Smith\'s Chocolate Stout. Not surprisingly, the initial flavor notes are dark chocolate and leather, with a hint of cedar. The burn is perfect and the ash is a mottled grey with no flakes. There is a light white pepper note in the retrohale. The construction is top notch. The ash dropped at 1/2 inch. This cigar is definitely full bodied. During the first third the flavors continue to be leather and dark chocolate with some cedar and the white pepper notes building in the retrohale. The finish is a bit dry. The burn continues to be even despite the veins. The second third continues to be pleasant and the with plentiful cool smoke. The finish is no longer dry and is smooth and rich. The flavor notes are blending nicely. The cedar notes have picked up a bit while the chocolate and leather notes are consistent. The burn continues to be even. Approaching the final inch the dark chocolate has become really rich, especially on deep draws. The burn is still even. I really like this cigar and recommend it to anyone who likes a full bodied smoke.

Date Reviewed: 02/26/18

Rating: 100

Wrapper looked a bit \"rustic,\" but smelled wonderful and the cigar had a nice firm bunch. (By rustic, I mean it was not perfectly flat and smooth, which does not bother me.) Clipped easily and had a perfect draw. First puff revealed a complexity that was more than I expected, and knowing how exacting Mr. Saka is with his cigars, my expectations were pretty high. A huge mouthful of toasted tobacco and leather with a light spiciness. The burn was razor-straight and the ash was light grey and firm. Medium to full bodied cigar, plenty of smoke. Pepper notes kicked in after the first third of the cigar, smoother leather tones and steady strong tobacco flavors. A light sweetness developed on the lips, and the cigar did not heat up. At the 2/3 mark, some cinnamon notes developed to mix with the other flavors, which continued to deepen until I was forced to put the cigar down with less than 1\" left.

Date Reviewed: 02/26/18

Rating: 90

The Bailey family is in its fourth generation of growing tobacco in Virginia. This marks the third year of their entry into the premium cigar field. Steven Bailey is a very congenial Southern Gentleman The brand is named for his great-grandfather (Cornelius) and his middle name (Anthony). Very aromatic wrapper with less in the foot. Good bunch and very good cold draw. A few veins in the Colorado shade wrapper. First impression, tons of smoke in the medium+ range. The smoke is smooth and elegant with leather and cedar notes. There is also a hint of ginger, even before opening my Ginger Beer, which seems like a good choice. Very light grey ash is solid and the burn is mostly even. At one third the tobacco notes have picked up as the strength has built a bit. Still a very smooth smoke. Gravity claimed the ash at about one inch, so I am knocking it off every inch or so. The burn continues to be even. Second third the overall strength backed down allowing for more complexity of flavor including more cedar and ginger with a velvety finish. The construction is proving to be excellent with an even burn and no wrapper issues. The draw remains perfect while still producing plentiful smoke. Approaching the final inch the flavors remain a pleasant medium with the same smooth finish. Some pepper notes have appeared to add to the complexity.

Date Reviewed: 03/22/18

Rating: 90

New blend for 2017, the cigar has a light aroma of gingerbread on the wrapper and foot. The wrapper is oily and has one large vein. The bunch is firm and the cold draw is a bit tight. Tonight\'s beverage is a Real Ale Three Lions IPA. First impression is the classic Sungrown profile with a medium to full body. Flavor notes include almond and toasted tobacco with red pepper in the retrohale. The burn is even and the ash is light grey with some flaking. The draw remains a bit tight but is producing plentiful smoke. During the first third the ash firms up while the burn remains even. The smoke has developed a sweetness to complement the almond and tobacco notes. The cigar is burning slowly with plentiful smoke. The second third continues continues to smoke smooth and cool. The sweetness has built enough to hide the almond notes and the red pepper notes have picked up in the retrohale. The burn remains even and the ash continues to be fairly firm. Approaching the final inch the cigar remains cool and pleasant. The sweet tobacco notes continue to be very tasty. The burn is still even. The construction has turned out to be excellent.

Date Reviewed: 03/22/18

Rating: 90

Mostly smooth oily dark wrapper with a couple of veins, rich dark tobacco aromas from the wrapper and foot. A perfect clip leading to a great draw. Tonight’s beverage is an Oscar Blues Old Chubb. A nearly perfect start for a good maduro cigar; a light sweetness with a healthy dose of well aged toasted tobacco. The name of the cigar derives from Steven Anthony’s Dachshund, and he must be the sweetest little dog ever. Along with copious amounts of tasty smoke, the cigar burns perfect and has a nice light grey ash. The cigar is smoking very slowly with plentiful smoke and is very cool. Light cocoa notes appear during the first third along with just the right amount of pepper in the retrohale. Definitely not an in-your-face maduro, this cigar is definitely medium bodied but very nuanced and complex. During the second third the strength increases to a very good maduro with cocoa, cedar and toasted tobacco notes. The burn continues to be perfect and the ash remains solid. Approaching the final inch the flavors remain complex and pleasant. The construction of the cigar is perfect and the burn continues to be perfect. This is definitely not your run-of-the mill maduro.

Date Reviewed: 03/22/18

Rating: 100

This special cigar had a perfect bunch and a flawless cold draw. The draw and the aromas from the wrapper and foot are flawless. The initial notes are perfect Nicaraguan tobacco with a very elegant finish. There are some light pepper notes in the retrohale that complement the overall flavors of the cigar . The overall sensational is very smooth and cool tobacco with an undercurrent of meatiness in the flavors .There is a peppery undercurrent that is not limited to the retrohale. This may be one of the finest Nicaraguan puros I have ever had the pleasure to smoke . The flavors are not merely tobacco, but have undertones of black pepper as well as savory spices like thyme and oregano. This is a truly complex cigar that will hold your attention throughout. The burn even and the ash is firm. Nuances of cinnamon also appear, making this one of the best complex cigars I have had in quite some time.

Date Reviewed: 03/22/18

Rating: 80

A very attractive perfecto. Smooth dark wrapper with light hints of cocoa from the wrapper and foot. The cold draw is perfect. Today’s beverage is a Deschutes Black Butte Porter. Initial hints of cocoa with a nice dose of pepper in the retrohale. There is also a light sweetness on the lips from the wrapper. The burn is a bit uneven but I will give it a chance to correct itself. At one third the burn continues to run so I corrected it. The flavors are very smooth and pleasant. The ash is solid and holding firm. During the second third the draw became difficult so I clipped more of the head and it opened up nicely. The cocoa notes have faded and the flavors have settled to a smooth tobacco flavor with increased pepper on the palate. The burn remains even after the touch up. Approaching the final inch the oils are collecting at the head requiring several purges. Resting the cigar also minimizes any bitterness. I will smoke this cigar again.

Date Reviewed: 03/22/18

Rating: 90

This is a medium brown wrapper cigar as smooth as silk. Nice pigtail head and unfinished foot. The bunch is nice and firm with no soft or hard spots. The cold draw is perfect. Today’s beverage is a Lagunitas Imperial Stout. The unfinished foot gives off a nice nutty flavor. Once I get to the filler a nice bold espresso note develops with a good dose of black pepper in the retrohale. This is definitely a full bodied smoke. The burn is very even. An interesting note: when I clipped the head, I only clipped off the ropy pigtail, leaving the cap leaf almost fully intact. The solid light gray ash held for one inch. At one third the burn is still very even. The espresso and nut flavors are joined by some cedar. The Imperial Stout is proving to be an excellent pairing for the cigar. During the second third the flavors are holding steady. A nice complex blend of cedar, nuts and espresso. Also, the smoke is very smooth for such a full bodied cigar. The burn is still very even and the ash remains solid with no flakes, although it does drop off periodically. Approaching the final inch the excellent construction and complexity remain very good. The pepper in the retrohale also remains consistent.

Date Reviewed: 03/22/18

Rating: 90

Country of Origin: USA Factory: El Titan De Bronze Wrapper: Ecuador Binder: Ecuador Filler: Nicaragua and Dominican Republic The Bailey family is in its fourth generation of growing tobacco in Virginia. This marks the third year of their entry into the premium cigar field. Steven Bailey is a very congenial Southern Gentleman The brand is named for his great-grandfather (Cornelius) and his middle name (Anthony). Very aromatic wrapper with less in the foot. Good bunch and very good cold draw. A few veins in the Colorado shade wrapper. First impression, tons of smoke in the medium+ range. The smoke is smooth and elegant with leather and cedar notes. There is also a hint of ginger, even before opening my Ginger Beer, which seems like a good choice. Very light grey ash is solid and the burn is mostly even. At one third the tobacco notes have picked up as the strength has built a bit. Still a very smooth smoke. Gravity claimed the ash at about one inch, so I am knocking it off every inch or so. The burn continues to be even. Second third the overall strength backed down allowing for more complexity of flavor including more cedar and ginger with a velvety finish. The construction is proving to be excellent with an even burn and no wrapper issues. The draw remains perfect while still producing plentiful smoke. Approaching the final inch the flavors remain a pleasant medium with the same smooth finish. Some pepper notes have appeared to add to the complexity. Overall a very nice cigar.

Date Reviewed: 03/28/18

Rating: 80

This cigar has a beautiful chocolate brown wrapper. The wrapper has a nutty aroma while the foot smells of cocoa. The bunch is firm. The cold draw is perfect. Tonight’s beverage is a Dos Equis Lager. The initial flavors are nuts and cocoa. The smoke is very smooth from the beginning. The burn and draw are perfect. The ash is light grey and looks solid. In the first third the burn developed a fairly bad run, so I corrected. We’ll see what happens. The cigar is burning in a cone, so it’s not a filler issue; it could be a wind problem since the big doors of the lounge are open and a storm just blew through. The flavors continue to be a nice blend of nuts and cocoa. The retrohale is very smooth. During the second third the correction worked and the cigar is burning evenly. A bit of cedar has joined the flavors and is blending in well. The smoke is very smooth and the ash remained solid even though the correction. Approaching the final inch the flavors remain the same. Still decently complex but didn’t develop much. Except for the one run, the construction is good. 8.25/10, Joe Bob says check it out.

Date Reviewed: 10/25/18

Rating: 100

This once a year release is rolled at the Oveja Negra Factory in Esteli. It has a nice smooth dark wrapper. The bunch is firm without being hard. Aromas from the foot are earthy and a bit spicy. The cold draw is perfect. This evening’s beverage is a New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA. The cigar starts out medium to full bodied. There are strong red pepper notes on the palate and in the retrohale. The flavor profile is also earthy with some anise in the mix. The burn is perfect. The first third is delicious. The pepper notes settle down and a bit of cedar joins the flavor profile. The smoke is very smooth and thick. The cigar is now definitely a full bodied smoke. The burn remains perfect. During the second third the cigar went out but relit perfectly. The complexity of flavors is amazing. I also finished the IPA and grabbed a Santa Fe Brewing Java Stout. The IPA was a good pairing but the darker, richer stout is excellent. Approaching the final inch the complexity of flavors remains excellent. This is definitely a full bodied cigar. The construction is solid and the smoke is very smooth.

Date Reviewed: 10/25/18

Rating: 100

This cedar-sleeved beauty has a smooth and silky wrapper. Aromas from the foot are cocoa and coffee. The cold draw is perfect. This morning’s beverage is a Steep18 Cold Brew Coffee. The initial flavors are cocoa and coffee. The retrohale is smooth with just the right amount of black pepper. The burn is very even. In the first third some cedar notes join the flavor profile. This is a smooth medium to full bodied cigar. The pepper in the retrohale has backed off a bit. The burn remains very even. During the second third complexity of flavors remains excellent. The retrohale is smooth with just the right amount of pepper. The burn remains very even. This cigar is very consistent. The construction is excellent and the complexity of flavors remains perfect. The cigar does progress to a full bodied smoke.

Date Reviewed: 10/25/18

Rating: 100

This cigar has a nice dark wrapper with a rustic quality. Heavy box press and a good firm bunch. The draw is perfect. A heavy dark aroma comes from the wrapper. Today’s beverage is a Wasatch Devastator Double Bock. This is a very full bodied cigar. The predominant initial flavor is strong black coffee with hints of spice playing around the edges. The smoke is very smooth. The burn is perfect and the ash is a solid mottled grey. The first third is exceptional. Cedar and cocoa notes appear to join the flavors. There is a very light touch of pepper in the retrohale. The burn remains flawless and the ash is solid. The somewhat sweet beer is an excellent pairing. During the second third a sweet note has joined the melange of flavors. The pepper in the retrohale remains light and pleasant. The draw remains perfect with lots of thick creamy smoke. The finish is long and leathery. Approaching the final inch the smoke is heating up a bit, but not enough to be a problem. The flavor profile is holding steady and very pleasant. This cigar is as good as I have heard and is an excellent addition to the Southern Draw line. 9.75/10, Joe Bob says check it out.