Name: Blackened M81 Toro
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Parejo
Size: Toro (6 inches x 52)
Strength: Full

As soon as the Blackened M81 started burning, I ordered an espresso and a bottle of sparkling water. Espresso, of course, because I love pairing full-bodied Nicaraguan cigars with espresso. And sparkling water, of course, because I’ll occasionally need to clean my palate and experience anew the harmony of notes the cigar delivers. Later, a glass of Wild Turkey 101 was added to the mix as well. Why? Because the cigar lounge owner suggested I pair the M81 with a bourbon. So, in the end, I had three different beverages versus one cigar.

Branding: The cigar has two bands. The main band is a narrow one that just says, Blackened. At the foot of the cigar, we have a wider band that has the name and the tagline of the cigar: M81, Maduro to the Core.

Construction: Great.

Pre-light: Promising. You can already tell there’s going to be strong notes of chocolate in there. I close my eyes and see the black leather jacket who a tattooed woman who has just come out of a concert and is looking to take a risk to spend the excess adrenaline she has in her blood.

Cut: Straight cut, as always. I don’t remember the last time I went for a V-cut.

Burn: It burned quite evenly but not 100% of the time. I had to even it a couple of times.

Duration: Almost 120 minutes.

Draw: Excellent.

Smoke: Loved it. A generous amount of thick white smoke.

Ash: Good.

Flavors: (Heavy Metal) Notes of dark chocolate, leather, burnt toast, and black pepper.

Name: Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Espressivo
Country: Nicaragua
Shape: Box-Pressed
Size: (5 inches x 50)
Strength: Medium to Full

The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Espressivo burned evenly and, for its size, produced a generous amount of smoke. It had a firm draw, and it lasted for about 60 minutes.

I paired the first third with espresso and sparkling water, the second third with a glass of Laphroaig Quarter Cask, and the final third with a glass of Port Charlotte 10. All pairings were successful.

It’s a nice cigar to have in one’s smoking repertoire.

Name: Partagas Petit Coronas Especiales
Country: Cuba
Shape: Parejo
Size: (5 1/8 inches x 42)
Strength: Medium

A medium-bodied, casual cigar like the Super Partagas that I enjoy. However, this one is smaller, and it only lasts for about 30 minutes. This makes it, in my opinion, more of a morning cigar. It’s a simple but beautiful smoke that goes well with coffee. I’d smoke it while driving, while running errands on Saturday morning, or after a heavy breakfast in a foreign country. I like to pair it with American coffee, but one can also pair it with a nice cappuccino.