Some of the things I accomplished this year include publishing a book — A Poet’s Cigar Journal and Ten Poems — , meeting new BOTLs, and getting to smoke a lot of great cigars. The Master Mason Toro, which I will review shortly, was one of those great cigars. But before I begin talking about it, allow me to share a thought.
2023 will be here in less than two weeks, and I’m thinking of a new way to review the cigars I smoke.
I understand my pervious “Have a Cigar” posts were more of journal entries and weren’t ‘real’ reviews. And I’d like to keep things that way, especially when the muses come to me with poems. But I’d also like to add more details about the smoking experience itself. For instance, I’m thinking something like the below. In this case, of course, I’m talking about the Master Mason Toro.
Experience:
Construction: Excellent.
Pre-light: Promising.
Cut: Straight cut, no problems.
Burn: Even, all the way. It burned for 90 minutes, and it never went out.
Draw: Near perfect.
Smoke: It produced a decent amount of smoke; however, not as thick and heavy as I expected it to be.
Ash: Good. Light grey. Not perfect.
Flavor: Rich. Strong. Well-balanced. Notes of dark roast coffee, bread, cedar, burnt caramel.
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I also considered giving each cigar a rating, but I chose not to in the end. But I am happy with the “Experience” section, so far.
Honestly, I’ve had much better cigars. I chose this smoke because I wanted to try something new. It became my first Peruvian cigar. But it wasn’t as satisfying as I wanted it to be. I expected at least a little more.
The cigar burned quite evenly, and I got some nutty and leathery notes. Unfortunately, there was nothing about the cigar that was impressive. It was just okay. Will I ever try this cigar again? I’m not sure. But probably not.
I burned a lot of cigars in 2022. I even published a book called A Poet’s Cigar Journal and Ten Poems, which is now available on Amazon. I hope all my BOTLs out there get the chance to read it.
Now, as the year is coming to an end, I guess it’s the perfect time for me to list the Top 10 cigars I had in 2022. So, without any further ado, here we go:
One of the most interesting discoveries of 2022. The LFD Double Ligero Chisel Maduro is a strong cigar that instantly found its place in my smoking repertoire. It is affordable and suitable for almost all occasions. I like to pair it with all sorts of drinks, including peated whiskies, dark rums, stout beers, and gold/reposado tequilas.
A good-looking, well-constructed cigar that doesn’t have any weaknesses. It’s simply a great smoking experience. I like lighting up the Undercrown 10 Toro when I’m outdoors for some reason. It burns quite nicely and slowly, and it produces a decent amount of smoke.
I have good memories smoking this cigar. As it’s well-known by cigar smokers, sometimes it’s the atmosphere and the people you’re surrounded with that make the cigar a great cigar. Therefore, in a way, this cigar guaranteed its spot in the top 10 from the moment I decided to light it. I guess it was the right cigar at the right time.
I’ve met a lot of people who love the VSG line, and I can see why. Great smoke. Great taste. Great for parties. It’s a blend that provides a rich and powerful experience. Two thumbs up for this one.
A true classic and also the best Cuban cigar I had this year. Reading Hegel’s The Phenomenology of Mind made me want to light it. I don’t think there are many aficionados out there who do not like the Montecristo No. 2… It definitely deserves its place on this list.
I would never say no to the Oliva V Melanio Figurado. A beautiful smoke from start to finish. Clearly, there is a good reason why it was once Cigar Aficionado’s cigar of the year.
For many months in 2022, the Camacho Triple Maduro Gordo was my favorite cigar. We’re talking about great size, great power, great taste, and great beauty here. I used to smoke Camacho Triple Maduro Gordo cigars in bars and clubs all the time, and I still do occasionally. I smoke less of them these days only because there are many cigars out there that I’d like to try, and life is too short to stick with one cigar.
Here’s a celebration cigar perfect for birthday gatherings and weddings. I smoked only one Salomon Maduro this year, and it was to celebrate a BOTL’s birthday. It’s great stuff. I wouldn’t mind lighting another one up on New Year’s Eve. But I’m keeping my options open for now.
And the number one cigar of the year 2022 is El Septimo’s Botticelli from the Sacred Arts collection. From all the El Septimo cigars I smoked, this one was the best. The Botticelli wins!
*** Remember: Smoking is bad for you. If you haven’t started smoking yet, don’t.
Bored Absurdist 