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

Hello CAO Mx2 - So Glad We Had A Beautiful Interlude

Being a lady who enjoys exploring cigars affords me some really unexpected and fun relationships.

My tweeps @CigarChairman  @CJT_24  @HN_JAD  @LuluandLaz  @smoking_cubans  @petzilla @cigartipster give me an opportunity to read whatever everyone else is smoking, while sharing my own loves. It's great that we mostly have different cigar tastes and some of us have an amazing palate (Chairman !). But we delight in learning from each other and sharing this common hobby and lifestyle.  You should really get your own cigar tweeps -- they are a wacky fun crew to chat with.

With that said, I saw one of my cohorts smoking a CAO Mx2 on Twitter. His description seemed to fit my flavor profile, but as they say, to each HER own when it comes to cigar tastes. It's great to smoke a favorite stick, but nothing compares to that chance meeting when you least expect it something catches your eye ... it's all about the interlude you share with that stick. So, when I was browsing the shelves at Mom's Cigars in Scarsdale, NY, on the way to a Latin dinner at Mambo 64,  I noticed this dark beauty just sitting there.  Well, helloooo CAO. So nice to meet you.

This dark little lovely had a very complex favor profile. It features both a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper and Maduro binder, with fillers from Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic and Peru. The wrapper is a dark chocolate color with a silky oil gloss. But it was the intoxicating pre-lit scent that drew me in ... quickly ... making me want it all the more.

The first 1/3 of Cao exuded cocoa, dark espresso and what I would describe as a pecan flavor. A touch of sweetness with a great complexity that pulls you in and holds you there. Towards the middle the stick mellowed a bit and took on notes of hay and a sour flavor, which isn't my favorite, but I've learned to appreciate the way a smoke changes with each puff. Then, when I thought I was getting a handle on the flavor, it changed back to a dark chocolate flavor with coffee  -- getting stronger with every puff.

I would have smoked this down to the nub, but it got too hot for my lips to handle, so I was forced to let it go. However, I can tell you I would have taken this one home with me. It could become a cigar to keep in rotation, when I want to sit back, admire his beauty and let the delicious smoke caress my palate.  If I wasn't the type of girl who couldn't commit to one smoke, I might keep Cao around. But, for now, I'll consider this stick for my regular cigar fling. My afternoon booty call.

For more information about CAO Cigars, check out www.caocigars.com

Wishing you all long ashes --

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

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
share with me on Instagram: #RobustoCigarBabe

Tell Them "Monte" Sent You ... Montecristo Monte Cigar

So, I have to admit, I really like to get suggestions from older guys who have been smoking for a long time. I love to go into cigar lounges in the late afternoon, go pick out my cigar, and settle down and watch the boyz smoke.

Yes, they ask me all the time, "if I'm buying the cigar for my father, husband, boss ... " and they are equally inquisitive when I sit down, pull out my Montecristo cutter, my own torch and light up. Their eyes are fixed on the band and me drawing in on the smoke. I think I even giggle a little when they tell me, "gee you have good taste." Because I do.

So, from hanging out with older guys in the afternoons between business meetings or younger guys on Saturday nights, everyone wants to give you a tip. I enjoy talking and asking questions about their favorite smokes (as my Twitter followers will attest) -- I just want to know what types of cigars people enjoy and why.

After spending a little time last week at my local place and sharing my favorite new cigars and why, a few of the older gentlemen told me that if I like a medium cigar with notes of flavor I HAVE to try the Montecristo Monte. So, I did. And ... well ... it had the smoothness of what you'd come to expect from this premium brand. It is well-constructed. The band is really attractive, with big letters. It looked "modern" if that is possible for a traditional brand. It features two binders: Dominican Olor and Nicaraguan Corojo - which are two of my favorites and it came box-pressed.

But, I must admit, it didn't have the complex flavor notes that I've come to enjoy from other cigar brands. It had two or three distinctive notes -- creamy slightly sweet smoke, with a little sour taste that sat on the middle of my mouth through the first 1/3 of the cigar with a healthy woodsy flavor. Then, 2/3 in, the flavor profiles disappeared a bit and the cigar was a bit too bland for my tastes. I know, some people will tell me that is called "smoothness" but I prefer a little more dimension during the middle of my smoking time. Then, all of a sudden, in the last 1/3 the cigar became stronger with more pronounced woodsy cedar notes that I really ended up liking in the end.

Would I buy it again? Maybe. It might be something I'd consider smoking with a dessert or sweeter wine. I was drinking a caramel latte with my Monte and the pairing seemed to enjoy the company.  If you are a daily smoker and you want to add a smoother cigar into your rotation, then yes, try it ... and tell me what you like about it.

Life is too short to smoke bad cigars ... enjoy the Monte my friends and thanks for stopping by to read about my cigar explorations ...


~ The Robusto Cigar Babe
Interact with me on Twitter: @RobustoBabe
& Come see my photos on Instagram: @RobustoCigarBabe