Robusto Cigar Babe's Top 10 Cigars of 2015

So many cigars, so little time! First off, I'd like to thank all the cigar companies who graciously sent cigar samples to smoke. For the most part, I can find enjoyment in most every cigar I smoke. The best part is even if I don't review the cigars on Twitter or the blog, I talk about every cigar to the Meetup Groups I attend, Cigar Parties I organize, talks at cigar events, etc.

Also a big TY to the managers and owners of all of the cigar lounges I frequent in the TriState area as well as on Twitter: You guys/gals really know what customer service is and I'm so grateful to know you.

If you aren't on Twitter or Instagram or Facebook you are missing a whole world of knowledge and friendships in the cigar world! Just get on and start following people and chatting with them. I've learned so much from all the magazine and professional reviewers online as well as the cigar company owners, sales reps, marketing people, radio shows, cigar lounges, and other bloggers. We started #SundayCigarHerf on Twitter because it's the best place to LEARN how to taste cigars.

Why did I do a Top 25 Cigar List? Overkill, nah, it's just that I have smoked so many good sticks in 2015.  I could go on and on with companies like Camacho, La Aurora, Joya De Nicaragua, Jordon Alexander, Sindicato, Virtuoso, Arturo Fuente, LFD, and so many more ! 

My Top 5 Favorite Cigars: I've smoked more than 20 of each of the cigars. They are consistently my go-to cigars for full flavors & pure satisfaction.

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.

My Top 10 Cigars of 2015



1. Oliva Series V Melanio Maduro

Consistently delicious, completely delectable and sumptuous smoking experience. Well, you know how I feel about Melanio Maduro. This is pure luv !

2. Camacho Barrel Aged

I know this will sound weird to my cigar friends but the Barrel Aged cigar flavors are as close as you can get to an infused cigar without it being one. The story I read about how this cigar was blended intrigued me so much, I had to try it. Love the wide dimensions of flavors, smooth and creamy smoking experience with a touch of bourbon-soaked wood taste and smell. Delish! Buy 1 and join us for #SundayCigarHerf in the coming months.

3.  Las Cumbres Tabaco "Senorial Maduro"

The moment I knew I loved the Senorial cigar, I was waiting for the Maduro to appear. It's a really good cigar blended by Jose Blanco whose reputation in the cigar industry speaks volumes. I can't get enough of this cigar and I had the opportunity to introduce it to many friends at lounges and on Twitter. Supremo ! Boxworthy! Tune into #SundayCigarHerf in coming months to herf this LIVE online.

4. Ashton Symmetry

I first became intrigued by the cigar because @cigarzonave store tweeted about it and then I read about it in Cigar Aficionado Magazine. It looked and sounded like it was in my wheelhouse. I'm really high on Ecuador Habano wrappers lately. The Symmetry is beyond great! Loved it so much I bought a box after smoking my first Symmetry. It's underrated in my opinion. I think the ESG gets more play, but this is truly a great smoke. YUMSymmetry !

5. Las Cumbres Tabaco "Freyja"

Simply it's a cigar that continues to change and delight with every puff I take. The range of flavors blended into Freyja makes a great pairing for coffee, whisky, craft beer, and even Coney Island Rootbeer! Completely Delish ! See full review on the site.

6. Oliva Serie V (also Maduro Especial)

I know! How could this NOT be in the Top 5 ! I hear your thoughts believe me. I love it. I really really do. But lately, hmmmmm, I'm just craving a less full strength. Don't get me wrong, Oliva Serie V is still my FIRST TRUE LOVE, and you never forget your first. Absolutely lovely, dark and handsome smoke. Wait ... maybe this should be #5 part 2 ... You know what I'm talking about !

7. Punch Rare Corojo

Such a satisfying smoke. My #SundayCigarHerf co-host @HN_JAD turned me onto it during a planned meetup of co-hosts and Twitter friends during #Houston2015. From the first few puffs, I was hooked. Now every time I go to a lounge I look for it. If I could find it more, it might have ended up in the Top 5. Really, really great stick !

8. American Kick Ass (AKA) Nth Degree Cigar

Another cigar company that @HN_JAD got me to try and love is AKA Cigars. I think last year my fave from AKA was the Hybrid. I still love it, but it's the Nth Degree this year that seems to be the one I reach for. It might be the captivating smoky scent or the complexity of the coffee, chocolate and creaminess that makes me want more. Made in the Davidoff Factory, this cigar is packed with top shelf tobacco. So Damn Good ...

9  MBombay Kesara Nikka

So, here's the deal. Sometimes I want lighter strength but still full flavor. I've been searching a long time for a cigar like this and Nikka just does it for me. I first became intrigued by @CigarzonAve posting pics on Twitter. Then Mel from @Mbombaycigars graciously sent me some to try. I took the Kesara Nikka with me to a party and WOW, everyone wanted to know what smelled so good. Plus, the BAND is so beautiful, I feel it's attractive to women and men!  I love this cigar and really need to buy more of it. This cigar is Container Worthy ! Yes, I would have said Boxworthy but it's sold in these really cool containers. Innovative and delicious!

10.  1502 Ruby

I've loved the Ruby since it was first introduced to me by #SundayCigarHerf co-host @CigarChairman on Twitter. Love it. But sometimes I can't decide whether I want the Ruby or the Black Gold. Different but equally delish. Company owner and blender Enrique is also a crazy cool sort of guy who owns the most colorful wardrobe. That's the way I think of this cigar, as an expression of Enrique's personality -- fun, unique and talented. It's a very satisfying cigar!

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Thanks for reading!

Well, that's all of it. Were you surprised at my Top 10 picks? If you follow me on Twitter, IG or take part in our #SundayCigarHerf, you probably realize what I really enjoy smoking. I look forward to hearing your reactions and tasting notes about these cigars.

Have an amazing 2016 filled with LONG ASHES, delectable CIGARS, lots of FRIENDS on and off line, & a PROFITABLE working year so you can afford all these great sticks !


Robusto Cigar Babe
@RobustoBabe

Robusto Cigar Babe's Top Cigars of 2014

When I think about what the top cigars of 2014 were for me, I have to consider the sticks I gravitated towards over and over again. I call those my "cigar luvrs" and on Twitter or Instagram you will see me refer to them as DELISH !

I do believe Cigar Aficionado magazine got one thing right -- making an Oliva Cigar their top pick. It's a sumptuously delicious line of cigars. The Serie V's are my FAVS, but I wouldn't have picked the Oliva Serie V Melanio as the #1 cigar of 2014. My heart will always go to the Oliva Series V Melanio Maduro. To me, it's pure pleasure and undeniable love.

Ok, so here's the hard part. My favorite part of smoking cigars is trying all the different ones out there. I love trying new boutique brands. I enjoy the legacy brands. To me, enjoying a new cigar every time I want to smoke is the whole reason for smoking. As a good friend and cigar mentor always says, " you gotta try them all !" And @cigarchairman is right. You do. But, when I'm looking for relaxation, comfort, pampering ... I go back to my cigar luvs that drive me crazy and make me want them ... well, all the more ...

Instead of trying to delineate numbers to my Cigar Luvrs, here were my go-to cigars for 2014. Which ones are your faves:

Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro
Oliva Serie V Robusto
Jose Blanco Senorial
Nat Sherman Sterling
Drew Estate Nica Rustica
Drew Estate Liga Privada No 9
AKA Hybrid
House of Emilio AF2
1502 Ruby
Oro Cubano Lounge in Vineland NJ  Hand Rolled Maduro
Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf Maduro

My extended list of side luvrs:

Nat Sherman Epoca
Bodega Premium Blends Digestivo
La Jugada Prieto
LFD Double Ligero
LFD Ligero
Gurkha Ghost

Seriously I could go on and on ...

What I'd like to point out is that I can usually find something I love in almost every cigar I smoke. What I enjoy is the hunt, the connection, the attraction, the afternoon love ... and of course the midnight surrender. It's those relationships with the cigars in my life. Can you feel my passion?

The year is young ... go out and find the cigar luvs of your life for 2015 ... then go brag on Twitter and tag me.

Wishing You Long Ashes my Friends ...

Robusto Cigar Babe

Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro ... This May Be True Love

You may have read somewhere on this blog that I really like Oliva V cigars. I do.
In fact, it was the first cigar to turn my head. I enjoy every version they've put out --
from the Oliva V Series ... the  Melanio ... the Maduro ... and now
the Oliva V Series Melanio Maduro.

This could be true love ... the one I've been waiting for ;-)


Oliva V Cigars have a fantastic smell before lighting. You can tell it's a premium quality cigar by the construction, minimized veins on the wrapper, gorgeous smell pre-lit ... it pulls you in with a tobacco, nutty scent. When I get a box of these beauties, the first thing I want to do is open and inhale the robust intoxicating scent...

Before I think of lighting this stick, I pull out my brandy glass and pour a tasters amount of amaretto. I actually find that this cigar -- more than others -- really responds well to the taste of almonds. It also tastes amazing with coffee that has been brewed with hazelnuts or spice. These flavors don't overwhelm the palate, they enhance the cigar's own natural flavors. When pairing cigars with liquor, remember, it's very similar to wine. The more robust the wine, the richer/stronger flavored food it goes with. So, think the same with cigars. If you pair a strong liquor like bourbon or scotch with a cigar, make sure it can hold it's own. The flavor of the cigar will mellow because the liquor is strong. The cigar should pull out various flavors in the drink, and the liquor should compliment the overall notes of flavor in the stick. This is my favorite part of smoking ... detecting the flavor dimensions in the cigar.

Upon lighting the Melanio Maduro, you'll notice a pop of pepper that's not overwhelming or too strong, but you definitely taste it in the initial draw. But along with it come flavors of toffee, nutmeg, coffee, great tobacco and a delicious creamy smoke that settles nicely in the middle of your mouth. When you draw in, let the smoke sit there a little bit before blowing out. You will love the delicious creaminess of the smoke. So enticing !

This stick is smooth, consistent in it's flavors and holds a fabulous ash. It's the kind of cigar you never want to let go and I find myself wishing I had a pipe or holders so that I can smoke it down to nothing. When I smoke outside my house or at lounges people tell me that I have a look of pure satisfaction, relaxation and a little dreaminess (you know, that look you have after really fantastic sex). It's one of those cigars that you should buy boxes of and enjoy at least once a week.

This is the cigar I sneak away to enjoy by myself.  You might see me at a lounge near my home (like The Humidor in Bay Ridge) or even (Diamante's in Fort Greene). Sometimes I like to relax between business meetings while in Manhattan (Club Macanudo & Circa Tabac).  It really has become my secret lover. My go-to cigar when I just wanna have pure enjoyment and absolutely no guilt !

*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/#!olivia-series-v/c21q0

For more information about Oliva Cigars, check out: http://www.olivacigar.com/serie_vmm_oliva_cigar.aspx

Wishing you all long ashes --

Robusto Babe
chat with me on Twitter: @RobustoBabe
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