A Cigar Fit for a Viking Princess ... None Other than Freyja by Las Cumbres Tabaco

The Freyja Cigar



It's not often you meet a Viking Princess in a sea of pirates, villains, witches and warriors, but the Freyja cigar,  blended by Emma Viktorsson, co-owner and marketing manager for Las Cumbres Tabaco, stands out in beauty, refinement and strength. From the gorgeously designed band with two scenes (the Goddess Freyja herself and Viking ships), to the flawless caramel color Dominican Criollo wrapper, the Freyja cigar was designed to stand out nicely on the B&M shelves.

Blend:

- Wrapper: Dominican Criollo ’98

- Binder: Mexican San Andrés

- Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano, Dominican Criollo ’98, Nicaragua Estelí

Vitolas: The names of Freyja´s cigar-line represent her and a few other Viking Gods:

- “Sessrúmnir” is Freyja Heavenly Hall – Sessrúmnir Corona Larga 5 3/4 X 42

- “Valhalla” is the main God Odin´s Heavenly Hall – Valhalla Robusto 5 1/2 X 50

-  Son of Odin, “Thor” – Thor´s Toro 6 X 54

- “Valkyrie” to once again represent this beautiful Goddess – Valkyrie Pyramid 6/2 X 52

"The name Freyja is for me the bridge between my Swedish roots and the Cigar-Countries,” says Emma Viktorsson, a ten-year cigar industry veteran. "Freyja is the main Viking Goddess, Goddess of beauty, love and fertility as well as being the head of the Valkyrie."

Truth be told, I have smoked more than 20 Freyja cigars of various sizes since its release last year, but for this review I smoked 2 Valhalla Robusto cigars. Here is a photo of Freyja at her launch party at Sanji Cigars in Bloomfield, NJ.

Sitting in the comfort of my favorite chair at the Cigar Vault lounge in Staten Island, I guillotine cut the first cigar ( and v-cut the second) and detect molasses, almonds and espresso in the Cold Draw with an earth and spice scent at the Foot.

The first few puffs are very nutty ( peanuts & almonds) joined by a clean white pepper spice that is strong to me but not overwhelming. A little further into the smoking experience, the flavors are joined by sweet hay, wood and espresso. A very good 1st Third with great burn & nicely melded flaves. This is a solid medium at this stage.

While smoking into the 2nd Third my palate is welcomed with caramel and cedar, then chocolate and espresso ! Yum this cigar reminds me of a Caramel Mocha Macchiato ! Pure indulgence on my part as my mind settles down, my shoulders relax and I snuggle into the armchair feeling completely relaxed.

@RobustoBabe 

Just when I  had become complacent with the flavors, the profile changes again challenging my senses-- I love it! In the Final Third, in one cigar the strong espresso and mixed nuts were more prominent. In the second cigar the spicy red pepper was the dominant flavor. But overall I could detect a sumptuous mix of espresso, leather, nuts, spicy pepper with an earth and clove finish.  The Freyja ranges in medium to medium plus in strength but full in flavor all the way through.

The Freyja is a finely blended cigar with complex flavors that tantalizes the tastebuds ! In two words, DELISH™ and Boxworthy !

Freyja has easily become one of my go to cigars and has earned a significant place in my Top 5 Cigars for 2015.

For more information about Freyja, Emma or  Las Cumbres Tabaco, please visit: http://lascumbrestabaco.com/freyja-cigars/ 

For Emma's fabulous Cigar Fantasia blog, please visit http://www.cigarfantasia.com/ 

Wishing you long ashes --

Robusto Cigar Babe

Robusto Cigar Babe's Top 11-25 Cigar Faves of 2015

So many cigars, so little time!

Why did I do a Top 25 Cigar List?

It's because I have smoked so many good sticks in 2015 and I could go on and on  adding to this list with companies like Camacho, La Aurora, Joya De Nicaragua, Jordon Alexander, Sindicato, Arturo Fuente, LFD, and so many more ! Plus, this list doesn't even include house brands by some of my favorite cigar lounges like Santana Cigars in Lefforts Garden, Brooklyn (great owners!) or Oro Cubano Lounge in Vineland, NJ (a swanky lounge), or the much anticipated Martinez Cigars in New York City.

Here is how My List is separated: 

My Top 5 Favorite Cigars are comprised of sticks that I've smoked more than 20 of each of the cigars. They are consistently my go-to cigars for full flavors & pure satisfaction.  See the Top 10 list next week.

My Top 6-12 Cigars are worth the hunt. These cigars are on my mind & have bewitched my senses.

My Top 13-25 Cigars are delicious sticks that are constantly being replenished in my humi.

Here are my Top 11 - 25 Cigars of 2015

11. Curivari Buenaventura BV560

As you can tell I get a lot of my cigar tips and cravings from friends and reviewers on Twitter. This little yummy is from @HN_JAD. This cigar tastes as close to enjoying a cookie as you can get. The graham cracker taste is very distinct and enjoyable. Who doesn't like Cookies!

12. Davidoff Cigarz on the Avenue 20th Anniversary blend

This cigar was graciously gifted by @CigarzonAve to try along with a Davidoff The Artist, which is also very delicious. But the Cigarz on the Avenue 20th Anniversary blend is smooth and rich in flavors. So good and only available at this shop in Florida. They deliver, but I suggest a road trip anyway!

13. Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf Maduro

Truly the hot chocolate stick, this cigar won my heart immediately and has opened my senses to all of the Casa Fernandez lines. The Aganorsa Leaf Maduro is robust with a San Andres Maduro wrapper blended with Aganorsa fillers and binder tobaccos from Nicaragua. Every stick I've had -- and I buy a box every time I see it -- is a treasure and a treat !

14.  Joseph NicaVana "Mesmerize"

The Mesmerize is a stunner. The blend was introduced to me by @cigarchairman and I really progressed my palate with this cigar. One of four blends created by Alan Fonseca for his new company, the Salamanca Cigar Group (@The_DonFonseca ), Alan was the founding partner of Ezra Zion Cigars. While smoking this cigar, I could actually detect and taste orange peel! It was quite an awakening in my cigar journey. It's a fine cigar that I need to buy more of as of this writing.  Available in AZ and CA right now, but making national distribution in Spring, 2016.

15. Nat Sherman Sterling

In my opinion the Sterling is the most underrated Nat Sherman cigar and probably the best one in their line. The Sterling is a little expensive in NYC, but it's worth every penny. These cigars combine aged Dominican fillers with a Dominican binder and a stunning Ecuador-grown wrapper. It provides a creamy smoke with complex flavors and a long finish. 

16.  Las Cumbres Tabaco "Senorial"

A favorite in my household this cigar is impeccable and flavorful. It's a go-to cigar for when I'm having tea or amaretto. It's an enjoyable smoke any time of the day. Was a favorite in 2014 and it's a wonderful blend for 2015 too. In fact I smoked one yesterday, so it's continues to be freaking awesome any year. Boxworthy!


17.  Acme Cigars "Route 66"

In partnership with AKA Cigars, Acme's Route 66 has a medium to full body, with rich tobacco, sweet and creamy flavors that included cocoa, molasses, coffee, and wood. I can see this cigar becoming a huge seller because it can be smoked in about an hour and is very flavorful. Perfect after dinner smoke. Yumdillicious !

18.  House of Emilio AF2

It's hard to separate my love between AF2 and AF1 but here is the difference: AF2 blended by AJ Fernandez is crafted from rich Nicaraguan fillers with PA Ligero and shows off with a beautiful Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper. Flaves are caramel, coffee, cream and spice. It's an amazing smoke. I always have several in my humi and you should too!


19. Emilio Cigars Draig Cayuquero

One of my favorite Emilio cigars, I believe it is underrated because of the band which does not photograph well. If you overlook that aspect you will find a flavorful and satisfying smoke with accented red and black pepper. Cayuquero is a Nicaraguan blend with a lighter shade Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper. I buy it at Cigar Federation in 5 packs. Which reminds me I need more!


20. Camacho Ecuador

I loved this cigar from the first time I tried it at Cigar Aficion in Staten Island (thanks Passat). This cigar boasts a gorgeous Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with Honduran and Dominican tobaccos bound in an earthy Brazillian Mata Fina leaf. It's potent but really good with coffee and bourbon.

21. House of Emilio AF1

Yes, I love another Emilio Cigar and it's the brother to the AF2. This cigar is loaded with Nicaraguan tobaccos in the filler, covered with a slow fermented San Andres Maduro wrapper. Flaves are rich with spice and sweetness. In limited production, I sometimes have to wait to buy these beauties.  Buy it on Cigar Federation. Worth the hunt for this one !

22.  Camacho Shellback

A limited release from Camacho, in a line known as the Brotherhood Series. The cigar features an Ecuador Habana wrapper and a binder and filler from Nicaragua. medium to full body, this cigar has an initial pepper kick then it is SMOOTH with nutmeg/cinnamon, cedar and earth with underlying sweetness. Buy a box before this goes away. I have 2 boxes in my humi ... ha ha ... I'm no fool. Might do very well with a little bit of age!

23.  1502 Nicaragua

Enrique teased Twitter with the idea of Nicaragua long before I ever smoked this cigar by the same name as the country, so his marketing genius worked in my opinion. Besides that, the cigar is the perfect addition to the two other 1502 cigars I treasure -- the Ruby and Black Gold!  Nicaragua contains tobaccos from the four main growing regions: Esteli, Jalapa, Condega and Ometepe. It exudes honey and vanilla, with a delicate fruitiness and some nuts. You gotta try this cigar!

24. Ventura Cigars, Psyko Seven

Many people will be surprised that I didn't list the Maduro version in the Top 25, which is unusual given my love for Maduro, but I really find it takes away from the complexity of the original Psyko Seven.  First, I love the mixture of the 7 regions in this cigar. It's a fantastic idea that introduces the great flavors that can be achieved through thoughtful blending. Haven't tried this cigar? You are definitely missing a great smoke. Yep, it's a good one !

25. Nat Sherman Timeless 556 Nicaragua

On twitter I would see @cigarchairman smoking this cigar every weekend. So, I bought a few and tried it out and wasn't impressed at all -- which surprised me because I find the CM and I have similar likes in cigars. Then I realized that I bought the Dominican version by mistake ! The moment I tried THIS cigar I realized how much I love spice ! A Nicaraguan puro, it is rich and full bodied creamy experience. I like to smoke it with an alcoholic beverage and it goes very nicely with Johnny Walker Blue (but really what wouldn't) and a Maker's Mark 46. Everyone should have this stick in their humi!

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Thanks for reading!

I look forward to hearing your reactions and tasting notes about these cigars. Tune in next week to read about my Top 10 cigar picks for 2015.

Don't forget to put your guesses of what you think are my Top 5 Cigars of 2016 below in the comment section before January 10th.

Robusto Cigar Babe
@RobustoBabe

That Long Night I Spent With LFD Chapter One Cigar

 

 

Just because you like one of the boys in a family doesn't mean all the brothers have the same character. But I had to have a little fling with each to determine which got my attention ... It's the journey  of the discovery that turns me on the most.

I was intrigued with the La Flor Dominicana Chapter One because of my infatuation with the LFD Lingero & then my discovery of the Double Lingero. An attractive       6 1/2 x 58 Chisel box-pressed construction, the Chapter One sports a Brazilian Oscuro wrapper, with Connecticut Broadleaf binder with Dominican filler. I've seen others say the retail price is $10, but I paid $13 at a Staten Island lounge. 

 

My first reaction to this cigar was "POW" this baby packs a punch. The entire first inch has an incredible strong, full bodied powerhouse of tobacco strength with a prominent spicy red pepper punch. Even the wrapper leaves a spicy flavor on my lips. I started to think the cigar had a touch of harshness to it when i detected a scratchy smokey feeling sitting in the back of my throat. This peppery flavor stays with the cigar through half way, then practically disappears, and with it, the profile changes from full to medium. 

What emerges is earth and a little grassiness. Then all of a sudden a sour taste comes forward, but only lasts a few puffs. About 2/3s in I'm able to taste notes of coffee, cream and nuts intermingling with the underlying earthiness. Another pop of pepper emerges and then dissipates quickly and the cigar smoothes out to a delicious creamy tasty stick that I don't want to stop smoking.

 

I smoked a second cigar, this time with 15 year Rum which smartly stood up to the full character throughout the first half of the stick.  I was able to enjoy the rich flavors that complimented the rum & brought out a burnt sugar flavor. During the second half, I smoked the Chapter One with a Kona coffee that beautifully complimented the medium bodied flavor bringing out a mocha flavor I didn't detect the day before. 

 

Chapter One produces lots of smoke & has the most delicious aroma in a cigar. I enjoyed smelling the smoke a little more than  I enjoyed smoking this stick in the beginning. This is a long smoke. It burns slowly giving me lots of time to get to know this cigar, one puff at a time. 

For more information about all of La Flor Dominicana Cigars, go to: http://www.laflordominicana.com/

Wishing you long ashes -- The Robusto Cigar Babe

Chat with me on Twitter @RobustoBabe
& Share your pics with me on Instagram #RobustoCigarBabe

The Kristoff Maduro Torpedo - A Girl Likes A Challenge

Sometimes a girl likes a challenge.

Ladies tell me all the time how they have a "type." Me, while I enjoy cigars to be well put together and a little on the darker side, I am intrigued when I pass by a stick that looks a little different from all the rest. Sometimes it's the band that catches my attention. Or the sleek oily wrapper that makes my head turn. Or it's just the way it stands out amongst the hundred or so others. Heck, variety is a beautiful thing -- especially when it comes to cigars.

The Kristoff torpedo looks very different from other cigars. It  ends in a wrapped package-look at the foot with a pig tail that you screw off to reveal a ready made punch for smoking. Pre-lit, the stick has a beautiful deep tobacco & molasses smell with a dark Maduro wrapper.  Available in four sizes: Torpedo (6 1/8×52), Churchill (7×48), Robusto (5.5×54), and the Matador (6.5×56),  the Kristoff Maduro cigars contain a well-aged blend of Dominican Olor and Cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobaccos, encased in a dark, Brazilian Maduro wrapper. 

I have to tell you, I LOVE me some Brazilian  ... but, ohhh, yes we are talking cigars here ... LOL.

Not only was the look of the cigar a challenge (I had to ask Angelo at The Humidor in Bay Ridge) what to do with the pig tail, but the initial smoking aspect was a bit daunting.

The first 1/3 was hard to draw so I sliced off the punch hole, but it didn't seem to help. I puffed and re-lit the cigar thinking that the lack of smoke was because I didn't light it properly. Finally, the draw got better after an inch of ash appeared.

The cigar lists as a medium to full cigar, but I felt that the stick was overwhelmingly full for at least half of the smoke. Upon lighting the Maduro, you'll notice a strong earthy taste with notes of leather with a gritty dirt taste. If you enjoy a strong earthy flavor, you won't be disappointed her. However, this isn't my favorite profile.

Thankfully, I kept smoking because halfway through the profile changed to medium, smoothed out and a nutty, coffee flavor emerged making the second half of the stick thoroughly enjoyable. As I smoked a little further, notes of dark sweetness emerged making me think of molasses, which better complimented the underlying earth that was present throughout the experience. 

In addition to the flavor profile shifting, the smoke changed too producing billowing gray smoke.  The stick finishes with more leather and coffee holding its profile all the way to the end. 

If I could have cut the cigar in half it would have become one of my favorite cigars -- but, I've been told by more experienced smokers I can't do that. And, I don't think anyone should miss out on fully experiencing a stick -- for better or worse. I smoked a second Kristoff Maduro the next day to see if my taste buds were off or if that dirty gritty taste was still there -- and it wasn't as much as the first time.  

A robust cigar this certainly is ... And in the end I enjoyed the way the cigar played with my taste buds, giving me an opportunity to expand my palate while easing in different flavors.  I have smoked a second cigar and paired it with a cinnamon latte (no whip) and it was a wonderful accompaniment. The coffee balanced out the fullness of the smoke in the early 1/3, while cutting down on the earthy taste that isn't my style. What was really special was the way that the cinnamon tantalized with the nutty sweetness that emerged in the middle of the stick. It was pure enjoyment letting the smoke sit in my mouth with the cinnamon latte.

I think I may have been a little too excited over the coffee and Kristoff -- but that's what happens when a girl tries something completely unexpected. I encourage you to go beyond your typical type and try something different. You never know what's going to turn you on unless you try !

*Note: a portion of this review was originally published on Cigar Tipsters. I recommend you check out their other cigar reviews too:    http://www.cigartipsters.com

For more information about Kristoff Cigars, check out: http://kristoff.com/

Wishing you all long ashes --

Robusto Babe
chat with me on Twitter: @RobustoBabe
share with me on Instagram: #RobustoCigarBabe

I Went Looking For A Macanudo Cigar

I went looking for Macanudo Vintage 1997 cigar and found instead the Macanudo Maduro, which was 5½-inches long and had a ring size of 42. It is a slender cigar, so it is a little easier for a woman to smoke -- we usually have smaller mouths.

I'm always surprised when a woman asks me to help them find a mild cigar. My first question is always, "why mild?"  The first cigar I ever tried was medium to full -- and it was even better when I found a Maduro version. Ladies, please don't be afraid of the dark wrapper -- this could be the one that lures you into smoking Maduros. This cigar had a slightly sweet on the lips flavor with notes of roasted nuts that sits in the middle of your mouth throughout.

This Macanudo lists as a mild to medium cigar, and for the first 2/3s of the stick, I completely agree. The construction was nice, it lit easily, didn't need relighting and burned consistently throughout the experience. The last part of the cigar turned very rough -- not so much a full bodied smoke -- but actually producing a bitter aftertaste. 

All in all the Macanudo Maduro could be a good morning or after lunch smoke for the Maduro cigar lover.  I would smoke it again, but it wasn't what I fully expected from the manufacturer. 

 

Before writing this review I smoked a second cigar with a freshly brewed pumpkin spice coffee. While most people know that coffee compliments cigars nicely, what I enjoyed about this spiced coffee is that the cigar drew out the nutmeg out of the coffee and the drink complimented the slightly sweet nutty characteristics of cigar. So you can see, the cigar could be a nice addition to your morning coffee -- especially on a lazy Sunday in Autumn.

*Note: a portion of this review was originally published on Cigar Tipsters. I recommend you check out their other cigar reviews too:

http://www.cigartipsters.com