How many times have you read a cigar review that goes something like this?
"The Dopus X is an exquisitely erotic Dominican whose true sensuality erupts in multiple flavors immediately upon being kissed by fire. As it burns with passion, evenly and effortlessly, right down to your finger tips, the smoke titillates your tongue with alternating notes of chocolate, cinnamon, and pomegranate. The finish leaves you breathlessly begging for more."
Pure cow patty prose, right? I agree one-hundred percent, which is precisely why I've asked pastor Smokey LaValley to write a series of no-nonsense stogie evaluations for The Churchwarden.
Smokey is eminently qualified to assess the merits and demerits of premium cigars, having been an ardent aficionado since the early 1980's. My own expertise lies in pipes and tobacco, so when the right Reverend recommends a particular stogie I take him at his word. Likewise if he says a certain cigar really stinks, it definitely does. Either way, I've never been steered wrong yet.
Enjoy the reviews, then; use them as a sure guide. Perhaps they'll even improve your sanctification by enabling you--like Spurgeon--to smoke a good cigar to the glory of God.
One of the few enjoyable aspects of being a conservative Presbyterian minister living in liberal Massachusetts is the privilege of purchasing cigars from some of the finest tobacco establishments on the East Coast, and not having to travel far to do so. The difficulty, of course, is finding suitable accommodations for smoking one's purchase, especially given the impropriety of enjoying nicotine in our politically correct new world. My solution to that problem is simple: After a fulfilling but tiring week of visitation, worship-leading, preaching and ministry, I employ Monday (my only day off) by working around the home for my dear wife during the daylight hours. Then, late in the evening, she guiltily sends me packing to my office-warren for a private indulgence of "God's most noble weed." Thus, with the pleasure of a good day's work done, I'll now begin this inaugural cigar review with a classic: a Tatuaje Unicos.
The Tatuaje Unicos is a puro whose entire composition originates in the volcanic soil of Nicaragua. Tatuaje, meaning "tattoo" in Spanish, is a recently created line of "old-world" cigars produced by El Rey de los Habanos in Miami. Because production is assigned to only eight master rollers and limited to approximately 7000 per size, they are hard to find, but nonetheless worth the search.
Tonight's offering was purchased at The Gloucester Street Cigar Company in Boston some four months ago. For a super-premium cigar the price is not as overwhelming as others in the same category--a middle-of-the-line $9.00. Well made, and styled after Cuban cigars with three-seam caps, they provoke an immediate appeal simply by appearance. The warm-brown wrapper with "tooth" and a slightly oily sheen intimate these are not mild cigars, but rather heavy-bodied and consistently wonderful smokes.
First light immediately produces flavors of charcoal and bittersweet cocoa, which stay steadfast to the last; the Unicos is a "first puff" cigar without the wait for a warm up. The smoke seems thin at first, but increases to mouthfuls halfway through. The ash is flakey, white, and holds up well. There's no need to relight since the burn remains consistent. And the scent wafting throughout my study is excellent.
The Tatuaje Unicos is a typical Nicaraguan cigar sporting heavy-bodied flavor with a long and satisfying finish to savor. Again, it's well worth the search.
|
|
©copyright 2006, Perry S. Fuller, 2004
2006 main page
