Tuesday, August 21, 2007

CAO Soprano Associate


Hmmm. . . after my initial review of these sticks, I though I would revisit this line of cigars, but with a different vitola. this might not be the most in depth review, but you will get the idea of it.

Appearance: The associate is far less intimidating a cigar than the Boss I sampled initially, but beside that it was very similar construction-wise. This is a very firmly packed cigar, quite heavy for its size. This cigar is also very very dark, almost black, wrapped in a smooth veinless pretty leaf.

Pre-Light: Clip was easy with the Palio. Prelight draw was surprisingly free and easy considering the densely packed nature of the stick. The pre light draw was of toasted nuts, coffee, chocolate and burning wood.

Burn/Draw: Spot on! Light and forget it. Burn was right on the whole way down. The ash was bright white and held on for more than an inch. The draw was great for the first two thirds, nice and easy and smokey. That said the last third did get a bit hotter than I would have liked.

Flavors: The smaller size was not nearly as overpowering as the boss I reviewed previously. Do not get me confused, it was still fairly strong, but there was a little space to pick up nuance this time. That said there really wasn't much, mostly there were big bold flavors. French Roasted coffee, unsweetened dark chocolate, and burning cedar. Really quite delicious. the is a great cigar for someone who wants a great cigar, but wants it bold, not nuanced. Great when you are in the mood.

TomC

Tim Wakefield: Unheralded But Effective!

(Coco has a sense of humor.)(Tim Wakefield was dominant, wins his 15th.)(Mike Lowell Goes Deep.)(Dustin Pedroia went 2-4 with a walk.)

Tim Wakefield continues his dominance against the Devil Rays and the Red Sox score a bunch of Scott Kazmir early, leading to a relatively easy 6-0 win last night. Wakefield increased his career record against Tampa Bay to 19-2 and his consecutive scoreless inning streak against the team to 15, wile also registering his 15th win of the season, tying him for the league lead. He has notched a decision in every one of his starts this year. He might not be dominant like Josh Beckett or Johan Santana, but he is putting in exactly the kind of season a division winning team needs.

Today Jon Lester goes for his second win of the season, opposing Tampa's Andy Sonnanstine.

GO SOX!

TomC

Sports Fanaticism

(Red Sox, you're the only, Only, ONLY!)(How firm thy friendship ... OHIO!)(The name that shines in glory "Hanshin Tigers" Oh! Oh! Oh!)
(Spinnuh Bats & Spinnuh Balls!)
(For here all are one, And their hearts are true!)(It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Athenry!)


If you haven't been able to tell yet, I am a bit of a sports fan, and a bit of a varied one at that. So I was going to propose a challenge to those reader out there. I am going to list all the teams I root for in, by sport, and anyone who comes across this post can do the same. It doesnt have to be as neurotically done as I will have, but thatI just want to know where everyone stands on the real important issue of live. Now as usual, remember that while I follow these other sports, and sometimes quite ardently, BASEBALL is my sport of choice, and the RED SOX trump any other team by a wide margin.

Baseball

Major League Baseball - Boston Red Sox (American League East)
Official Website

Nippon Professional Baseball - Hanshin Tigers (Central League)
Official Website

New York - Penn League - Lowell Spinners (Stedler Division)
Official Website

American Football

National Football League - New England Patriots (American Football Conference East)
Official Website

Big Ten Conference (College) - The Ohio State Buckeyes
Official Website

Atlantic Coast Conference (College) - Boston College Eagles (Atlantic Division)
Official Website


Soccer/International Football


Major League Soccer (U.S.) - New England Revolution (Eastern Conference)
Official Website

Scottish Premier League - Celtic F.C. (Football Club)
Offiicial Website

Ice Hockey

National Hockey League (North America) - Boston Bruins (Eastern Conference Northeast Division)
Official Website

Hockey East Conference (College) - University of Massachusetts at Lowell River Hawks
Official Website

Central Collegiate Hockey association - The Ohio State University Buckeyes
Official Website


Now, I follow other sports (NCAA Tournament Basketball, NCAA Baseball, a passing interest in the NBA), but I really do not have a favorite team in any of them, usually defaulting to a team from Ohio or Massachusetts when I watch them. In manners of international competition (World Baseball Classic, World Cup, Olympics, etc.), a little national pride comes through and I root for the United States National Team. If I think of something later, I will add a comment.

TomC

Oliva Serie V Ligero Especial Special V

Size: 6" X 60
Wrapper: Habano Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Jalapa Valley L

Appearance: Before I delve into the finer points of this vitola, I have to say that I guess I was lucky to even happen across one of these bad boys. From what I hear they are practically brand new, having been just released during the 2007 RTDA (Which was August 4-8, in Houston, Texas). This is fine by me, for once I get to put a new cigar through its paces. (For those who would like a great secondary opinion of this cigar, the DOC posted a podcast on this cigar recently.).

Back to the actual cigar. While this was not the IDEAL situation for a review, it wasn't a bad one either. Carrie, her parent's, and I had all gone To Toledo for the afternoon, and we picked up a cigar for the ride home. Theirs all were a little petite coronas and the like, so they were done well before we returned home. Carrie, and her Mom fell asleep, and her Dad was content to listen to the Cleveland Indians broadcast, so I had some time to spend with this beauty. And it really was a beauty. This impeccably constructed, firmly rolled perfecto was adorned by a beautiful veinless slightly cinnamon hued veinless, smooth wrapper. From the fabulously applied triple cap (the first time for an Oliva Brand Cigar, evidently) to the spiffy little nib, this bad boy just oozes class.
Pre-Light: An initial sniff of this stick before clipping revealed beautiful earthy and tangy notes. Clipped easy with the time worn Xikar provided for me at the B & M) this might be the only day you would have ever caught me without a cutter and my triple flame, but alas they were at home), and a quick test of the draw showed that it was going to be perfect. More of the tanginess from the initial nosing, so leatheriness and a beautiful rich tobacco flavor graced the palate pre light.Burn/Draw: Another drawback of forgetting my torch lighter was the fact that I did not have my best tools available when lighting this beauty. Well maybe in the long run that is better for my review. The Perfecto, while quite en vogue these days, arose out of a need for easy to light cigars. Well were gonna test this theory. All I had to light my stogie was my trust red BIC lighter (see above pic) , but it did the job admirably. A few quick puffs, and some patience while waiting for the cigar to open up, and away we go! The burn was surprisingly good, considering I was in a car and there was some moving air around. The burn did wander a smidge on occasion, but with a minor correction, things resumed just fine. I doubt there would have been any issue at all in any of my normal smoking environs. The draw was just how I was hoping it would be, fairly free and easy while being cool and producing a decent amount of smoke. The ash was firm and mostly white with a few dark specs. Flavor: Two things of interest about this cigar. The first is this is a very flavorful smoke. the second is that it does not beat you over the head with its flavor. This cigar is made with a healthy dose of ligero tobacco, which is well know for its more assertive qualities (See The La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero Line for proof.). Now, while I wouldn't suggest this cigar be smoked on an empty stomach, its flavors are more subtle and insidious. Rich and smooth, you start with notes of cedar and robust tobacco. About a third of the way in that beautiful tanginess from the initial nosing returns, along with a slight earthy/dark coffee undertone. Over the last third a myriad of spicy/earthy/rich flavors fade in out in a glorious cacophony of smokey goodness. Did I like this cigar? Hell yeah. Would I suggest it, You know it. Hunt one down today!

Recommended.

TomC