HDA (Hermanos de Armas) Cigars Robusto Redux Reviews of Cataclysm, Descending Shadows, & Veiled Mutiny

BRAND: HDA
BLEND: Cataclysm

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Robusto (548)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium-full/Full
SPICE: 4/5

NOTES:
Black pepper & anise | Mocha Latte | Almond Extract

TASTE: A-
DRAW: A-
BURN: B+
BUILD: A-

FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

The previous KM. review of this blend in Toro can be found at this LINK.

::: | :::

BRAND: HDA
BLEND: Descending Shadows

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Sun Grown
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Robusto (548)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium-full
SPICE: 3.5/5

NOTES:
Black Pepper | Burnt coffee | Beef Jerky

TASTE: B
DRAW: B
BURN: B
BUILD: B

FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

The previous KM. review of this blend in Toro can be found at this LINK.

::: | :::

BRAND: HDA
BLEND: Veiled Mutiny

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Maduro
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Robusto (548)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2.5/5

NOTES:
Zagnut | White Chocolate | Berries

TASTE: A-
DRAW: B+
BURN: B+
BUILD: A-

FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

The previous KM. review of this blend in Toro can be found at this LINK.

::: very ::: 

Gearing Up for 250: American Cigar Offerings

Gearing Up for 250: American Cigar Offerings

This is gonna be a bigger 250th birthday bash than was Abe Vigoda's and it is ongoing. America's upcoming semiquincentennial blast is gonna be and is rightfully BIG. There's the usual fireworks, naturally, also more music, some good ol' fisticuffs (as I write this), and no small about of adult beverages and red meat. 

Wow.

But how, I hear you asking, is it best to pair my cigar(s) to this illustrious string of proud Americanism? Broadleaf & burgers? Connie & corn dogs? Habano & hooch? Sure, go ahead. I'm a fan of sentiments littered with alliteration. Or, maybe light something up with a connection to the good ol' US of A.

In alphabetical order below, is an index of recommendations which all share varying links to amber waves of grain. Be it wrapper, binder, filler, or factory--Uncle Sam's stamping grounds factor in somehow. So grab one of these, or one of those already in your humidor, and God Bless the USA.

Drew Estate Blackened M81
Dunbarton Red Meat Lovers Fritanga
My Father Blue
Partagas Y Nada Mas Cibao
Powstanie Sumatra

That'll do. One handful of possibilities and the other hand wrapped around a flagstaff. Happy Birthday, America. E Pluribus Unum.

::: very ::: 

Cohiba Cigars Serie M Reserva Plata 2026 in Review

BRAND: Cohiba
BLEND: Serie M Reserva Plata

WRAPPER: Mexican San Andres
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Dominican, Nicaraguan

FORMAT: Toro (652) fan-tail cap.
ORIGIN: USA
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 1.5/5

NOTES:
Chocolate | Wood | Sauce au poivre*

When I was a kid, Dad would make me hot cocoa using just one packet. It always tasted watery. When I got old enough, I would make my own, only occasionally throwing in two packets. Occasionally, because he was still buying. If Dad had used a wet wooden spoon as a stirrer, I'd be reliving that, smoking this.

Very much a lulling profile. A bit like meditating side-by-side with another person. We ain't interacting, it's very quiet, and try as I might--my mind wanders. *Beef stock, brandy, black pepper creaminess. A snug damp draw. Brilliant Ash, though. Muted aroma. Nice, rich mouthfeel--but not so much a taste attached.

TASTE: B
DRAW: B-
BURN: B+
BUILD: B+

FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

::: very ::: 

Room101 Cigars The Big Payback Extra Fuerte 70s in Review

BRAND: Room101
BLEND: The Big Payback Extra Fuerte 70s

WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Honduran, Nicaraguan, Dominican

FORMAT: 770
ORIGIN: Honduras
INTENSITY: Medium-full
SPICE: 2/5

NOTES:
Scorched Woods | Seared Meats | Raisin Wine

A kicky harmony. Simple black pepper. Weird that the Maillard Effect isn't more seen in smokes; it is here. Dark, darkly toasted grains. Plurals run rampant. Anise. A certain starchiness on the mouth feel brings a pot of cholent to mind. Broiled grapefruit. Weighty. Sometimes mushy.

An at-once open and less than responsive draw. Solid though un-pretty ash growth off a fairly quirky perhaps too cooled burn. Requires a lot of puffs, still though, avoids feelings of labor. Uneven smoke out-put from petering to plethora. Well-built. Chocolate bread hits olfactory, misses mouth.

TASTE: B+
DRAW: B
BURN: B
BUILD: B+

FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79

::: very :::