[caption id="attachment_347" align="alignleft" width="53" caption="Tabak Especial Robusto Negra at My Discount Cigars"][/caption]

Jonathan Drew and the Drew Estate team do it again! Another successful infused blend by Drew Estate that appeals to cigar lovers AND coffee drinkers all over the world.  The Tabak Especial cigar is the culmination of Drew Estate taking the art of blending coffee and cigars to new heights. The process involves slowly infusing rich tobaccos with the finest Fair Trade harvested coffees from the fertile mountains of Nicaragua into the Tabak Especial line. Drew Estate has created a smoking experience that is pure tobacco velvet upon the palate with the perfect nuance of luscious espresso coffee. The combination results in pleasing yet not overpowering flavors of coffee beans and milk chocolate mixed with savory sweetness and the most enticing aroma.

The Tabak Especial line was designed by Drew Estate as a bridge between the smokers who are used to infused cigars, such as their ACID line, and the more traditional cigars that are not infused, like their Chateau Real line. The Tabak Especial cigar comes in 2 lines, the Dulce (Natural) line and the Negra (Maduro) line. Your choice of either extra-dark Connecticut Broadleaf or natural Connecticut Shade wrappers envelop a Sumatra binder and Nicaraguan Criollo filler leaves. Before aging, the cigars are slowly infused with Nicaraguan estate-grown coffee.

The Tabak Especial comes in several sizes both in the Dulce blend as well as the Negra blend. Here are just some of the sizes available:  Belicoso (5 x 54), Cafecita (4 x 32, 10-count Tin), Corona (4 3/4 x 46), Robusto (5 x 54), Toro (6 x 52), Negra Sampler (5 various Negra cigars), and the Dulce Sampler (5 various Dulce cigars).

[caption id="attachment_346" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Tabak Especial Robusto Dulce Cigars At My Discount Cigars"][/caption]

Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Flavor: Dulce - Mild to Medium, Negra - Medium to Full
Wrapper: Dulce - Connecticut Shade-Grown, Negra - Extra Dark Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua Sumatra
Filler: Nicaragua

The cigar smokers who miss the discontinued Drew Estate Kahlua brand, the Tabak Especial cigar is the blend that replaced them. The two blends are nearly identical in flavor. Tantalize your taste buds with a velvety sweet, perfectly balanced Tabak Especial cigar, it's the bomb, we promise. If you have a sweet tooth the Tabak Especial cigar is the cigar for you (you won't even crave dessert after smoking this treat)… it will appeal to even the most die-hard traditionalist!

The Tabak Especial blends are available here at MyDiscountCigar.com.

To read more about the Tabak Especial cigars, please visit DrewEstate.com.

~ Peace, Love, Cigars ~

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Drew Estate's Tabak Especial Toro Negra Cigar Review by Tony Casas

So I decided on the Tabak Especial Toro Negra:

Drew Estate - Tabak Especial - (Image courtesy of cigar.com)

Just like last time cigar.com was really good about shipping these ASAP. If I’m not mistaken they ship from Pennsylvania, and since I live on the western most tip of Texas, I didn’t expect these anytime soon (especially since I’m a cheapskate and shipped value). Again, I was pleasantly surprised to receive my shipment only 3 days later. Each set of 3 cigars came wrapped in cellophane, then placed in air-tight ziplock cigar bags along with humi-care gel packets. Then each bag was shipped in separate boxed filled with air-filled protectant pouches. Pretty impressive.

The Good Stuff:

Strength: Medium  -  Size: 6 x 52  -  Country: Nicaragua  -  Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro  -  Binder & Filler: Nicaraguan Sumatra / Nicaraguan Criollo

The Tabak Especial Toro Negra cigar is yet another amazingly constructed cigar by Drew Estate. It’s very rare that you get less than perfect from them. One of the first noticeable difference between this cigar and many others is the fact that it supports what is called “shaggy foot”. What a shaggy footed cigar is a cigar that’s inner filler tobacco leaves extend far further than the wrapper itself. Although it looks a bit funny it holds a purpose. By constructing a  cigar this way you enable the smoker to enjoy the tastes of both the binder/filler tobacco separate than that of the wrapper. Along with this it is believed that it gives off a much more even burn as well.

Prelight: Again, the Tabak Especial Toro by Drew Estate cigar sports a flawless construction. The wrapper is a deep, extremely dark maduro which makes even the smallest flaw stand out. The Tabak Especial’s aroma consisted of very strong coffee with hints of cedar and cocoa. Unlike most other Drew Estates this cigar carries with it a dual band. One on the neck, and one at the foot of cigar. I am assuming this has something to do with the shaggy foot technique. The Tabak Especial Toro has a very well construction rounded cap, and a very oily wrapper. There were no soft spots. Again I am trusting my Cuban Crafters Perfecto double blade cutter, and a standard single flame Colibri torch.

First Smoke: First of all the Drew Estate Tabak Especial Negra Toro cigar was incredibly easy to light. This again, has to do with the shaggy foot. The toasting of the cigar was effortless, and resulted in a complete, perfect burn. The first scents were that of milk chocolate, lined with coffee, and of course tobacco. Unlike the Drew Estate – Rocky Patel Java, this cigar was much more mellow, and a lot sweeter. The cigar produced a very large draw right off the back , with large hefty smoke accompanying it. To my surprise the ask only held on for a little over 3/4 of an inch before releasing into my ash tray. The cigar was moist, so this was a shocker.

Halfway There: One great thing about the Tabak Especial Negra Toro cigar is even halfway through and further the draw doesn’t change, and neither for the strengths and flavor. Tabak Especial is a lighter strength cigar making the smoke very easy and relaxing. The ash is still spilling off quickly, but this is not bothersome in anyway. The cigar remains intact and there is absolutely no unwrapping of any kind.

Finish: As stated in previous posts, I’m not a nub smoker. I usually give in with an inch or so still left. I don’t know if it was the amazing conversation or the fact that this Drew Estate Tabak Especial Negra Toro cigar is so remarkable, but I took it all the way down to nothing. Literally, I burned the tips of my fingers trying to get every last drop outta this thing. This cigar is remarkable. It finishes just as easy as it begins holding its flavor all the way through. Absolutely no signs of unwrapping.

Overview: What can I say?! Drew Estate delivers again. The Tabak Especial Toro Negra is a remarkable cigar, from the burn, and construction to the draw and the flavors. I can honestly say even the most die-hard non-infused cigar smoker would be stupid not the at least give these a run.

On a side note: Recently I reviewed a Rocky Patel – Drew Estate – Java Maduro Box pressed cigar. To sum the differences up is pretty simple. Tabak Especial is a lot creamier, sweeter, and lighter than the Java line. Java boasts HUGE draws, and in your face strengths. Both come from opposites ends of the “coffee infused”  spectrum.

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Thanks for the great review and insight, Tony!

 

[caption id="attachment_337" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Perdomo Grand Cru Cigars at My Discount Cigars"][/caption]

We recently had the pleasure of sampling the latest creation of Nick Perdomo Jr., the Perdomo Grand Cru blends.  The Perdomo Grand Cru cigar is a very well-balanced Nicaraguan puro blended with all Cuban seed Semilla Habano tobacco that make up the fillers, binder as well as the wrapper. The "Grand Cru" which is basically the best yield of the best field, are blended with tobaccos which were hand-selected from Perdomo's farm in 2004. The Perdomo Grand Cru cigars are offered in 3 different blends: the bold and full-flavored earthy Corojo, a dark, oily sweeter Maduro and a milder, creamy and pleasant Connecticut shade wrapper. (The bands are the only way to tell them apart. The Connecticut has a white background, the Maduro a black bacground and the Corojo a rusty colored background.)  The Perdomo Grand Cru cigars are packaged in elegant, traditional boxes with 20 sticks each and are available in 4 sizes from a Churchill, to a Robusto, a Toro and as well as a Torpedo.

Connecticut Blend: The Perdomo Grand Cru Connecticut has a very smooth, light brown wrapper with no large veins, a gorgeous large cap and is firm to the touch without any soft spots. The flavor profile of the Perdomo Grand Cru Connecticut cigar progresses from a lovely mild and nutty forefront with just enough smoke, not too much, to a short-lived hint of bourbon that lingers for a few seconds, and finishes off with more spicy and peppery elements in the final third. The creamy consistency remains in the background from beginning to the end of the Perdomo Grand Cru Connecticut cigar.

Maduro Blend: The Perdomo Grand Cru Maduro cigars are well balanced and blended with the "Grand Cru", or the best of the best hand-selected yield from Perdomo's farms from their 2004 vintage tobaccos.  The Perdomo Grand Cru Maduro cigar will offer a consistent burn, great draw and a solid ash.  The flavor profile of the Perdomo Grand Cru Maduro cigar resonates dark and sweet chocolates, earthiness, pepper and a slight caramel undertone. Its flavors are consistent from start to end with a dry, mild peppery finish While the Perdomo Grand Cru Maduro starts off more medium bodied with a sweetness and an acidic tang, it finishes as a full-bodied cigar with leather undertones and burns cool.

With 4 sizes and 3 blends to choose from you simply can't go wrong with the Perdomo Grand Cru cigars. Spring for a Perdomo Grand Cru cigar, kick up your feet and enjoy a luxurious smoking experience this weekend!

[caption id="attachment_338" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Perdomo Grand Cru Cigars at My Discount Cigars"][/caption]

Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Flavor: Medium to Full
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

The Perdomo Grand Cru cigars can be found online here at MyDiscountCigar.com.

To read more about the Perdomo Grand Cru cigars please visit PerdomoCigars.com.

~ Peace, Love, Cigars ~

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Perdomo Grand Cru Maduro Robusto Cigar Review by Todd Wilson of Indulge Cigars

Size: 5×50
Country: Nicaraguan Puro
Wrapper: Semilla Habano
Binder: Semilla Habano
Filler: Semilla Habano
Strength: Mild-Medium
Cost: $5.29 per

The Cigar: The Perdomo Grand Cru Robusto Maduro is available also in Corojo, the Perdomo Grand Cru Maduro Robusto is packaged in traditional 20 count boxes with an ugly brown band.  Perdomo promotes this line by stating that the wrapper, filler and binder are all, “Cuban-seed (Semilla Habano).  The best of the best yeild from our farms in 2004″.  Let’s find out.

The prelight aroma of the Perdomo Grand Cru Robusto Maduro is both rich and sweet.  The pre-light draw is very easy and the cigar simply looks beautiful with its dark, oily, toothy wrapper.    Good looks are a trademark of Perdomo cigars, but the proof is in the puffing.

1st 3rd: So far, the Perdomo Grand Cru Robusto Maduro has the easiest draw of any perdomo I’ve ever smoked.  There’s a base of coffee and caramel with a touch of cedar and a remarkably long, malty finish.  The white ash is speckled, which is no surprise when considering the tooth on the wrapper.

2nd 3rd: I’ve read a couple reviews on this cigar that ciriticized the burn, but so far, it’s burning and drawing perfectly.  The first ash makes it past the inch mark, which exceeded my expections because of the easy draw.  Cedar is really coming through now and a spicy kick is keeping me interested in this full bodied cigar.  The sweet smoke is also ruining the discipline that normally keeps me from puffing too fast, I need to slow down.

Final 3rd: Do not smoke the Grand Cru outdoors.  The aroma is zesty and tantilizing on the nose and really adds to the experience.  The final stretch is producing a flavor and scent of charred marshmallow on a stick over a campfire.   I know that line sounds like bullshit, but it really does.  The sweet, cedary spices last all the way to the end and grow slightly in their intensity.

The vedict: I really like this cigar.  The Perdomo Grand Cru Maduro Robusto is a sweeter, spicier version of the Perdomo Habano Maduro.  An effortless burn and draw convinces me that Perdomo is finally starting to realize that a pretty cigar is no good unless smoke comes out of it.  I guess I’m still bitter from all the blood vessels I burst during the begining of the decade trying to produce smoke from a Perdomo Squared.  Let’s hope that chapter is finally starting to close.

Pairing: This Perdomo Grand Cru Maduro Robusto went very nicely with a glass of Glenmorangie 10yr Single Malt Scotch.

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Thanks for an awesome review Todd!