Cigar Brand Spotlight
Below is a list of half a dozen & a brace of previously KM. reviewed West Tampa offerings.
[Each is a link.
Listed in ABC order.]
Attic
Black
Boliche Blvd
Chef Rick
Circle of Life
Devil Crab
Red
White
::: very :::
Friday, November 13, 2026
West Tampa Tobacco Co: Cigar Brand Spotlight
West Tampa Tobacco Co:
Cigar Brand Spotlight
Below is a list of half a dozen & a brace of previously KM. reviewed West Tampa offerings.
[Each is a link.
Listed in ABC order.]
Attic
Black
Boliche Blvd
Chef Rick
Circle of Life
Devil Crab
Red
White
Cigar Brand Spotlight
Below is a list of half a dozen & a brace of previously KM. reviewed West Tampa offerings.
[Each is a link.
Listed in ABC order.]
Attic
Black
Boliche Blvd
Chef Rick
Circle of Life
Devil Crab
Red
White
Monday, November 9, 2026
Kaplowitz Media. Cigars Star Guide for Autumn 2026
Kaplowitz Media.
Cigars Star Guide
for Autumn 2026
TALLY of STAR RECIPIENTS
as of SUMMER 2026
Aganorsa Leaf (2)
Alec Bradley (1)
Arturo Fuente (2)
AJ Fernandez (2)
Casa Carrillo (2)
Crowned Heads (1)
Diesel (2)
Drew Estate (2)
Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (2)
Espinosa (2)
Foundation (2)
Illusione (2)
La Aurora (1)
La Flor Dominicana (1)
La Gloria Cubana (2)
My Father (3)
Oliva (2)
Padron (3)
Perdomo (1)
Placensia (1)
Punch (1)
Rocky Patel (1)
Rojas (1)
RoMa Craft (1)
Room101 (2)
Stolen Throne (1)
Tatuaje (3)
Villiger (1)
SUMMER 2026 UPDATES
AJ Fernandez (+1)
Aurturo Fuente (+1)
Casa Carrillo (-1)
Illusione (-1)
JC Newman (+2)
Perdomo (+1)
Room101 (-1)
Tatuaje (-1)
COMPLETE KAPLOWITZ MEDIA.
STAR GUIDE for AUTUMN 2026
Aganorsa Leaf (2)
Alec Bradley (1)
Arturo Fuente (3)
AJ Fernandez (3)
Casa Carrillo (1)
Crowned Heads (1)
Diesel (2)
Drew Estate (2)
Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (2)
Espinosa (2)
Foundation (2)
Illusione (1)
JC Newman (2)
La Aurora (1)
La Flor Dominicana (1)
La Gloria Cubana (2)
My Father (3)
Oliva (2)
Padron (3)
Perdomo (2)
Placensia (1)
Punch (1)
Rocky Patel (1)
Rojas (1)
RoMa Craft (1)
Room101 (1)
Stolen Throne (1)
Tatuaje (2)
Villiger (1)
Some settling has occurred.
Cigars Star Guide Index 2026 (LINK)
A happy Autumn to all!
Cigars Star Guide
for Autumn 2026
TALLY of STAR RECIPIENTS
as of SUMMER 2026
Aganorsa Leaf (2)
Alec Bradley (1)
Arturo Fuente (2)
AJ Fernandez (2)
Casa Carrillo (2)
Crowned Heads (1)
Diesel (2)
Drew Estate (2)
Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (2)
Espinosa (2)
Foundation (2)
Illusione (2)
La Aurora (1)
La Flor Dominicana (1)
La Gloria Cubana (2)
My Father (3)
Oliva (2)
Padron (3)
Perdomo (1)
Placensia (1)
Punch (1)
Rocky Patel (1)
Rojas (1)
RoMa Craft (1)
Room101 (2)
Stolen Throne (1)
Tatuaje (3)
Villiger (1)
SUMMER 2026 UPDATES
AJ Fernandez (+1)
Aurturo Fuente (+1)
Casa Carrillo (-1)
Illusione (-1)
JC Newman (+2)
Perdomo (+1)
Room101 (-1)
Tatuaje (-1)
COMPLETE KAPLOWITZ MEDIA.
STAR GUIDE for AUTUMN 2026
Aganorsa Leaf (2)
Alec Bradley (1)
Arturo Fuente (3)
AJ Fernandez (3)
Casa Carrillo (1)
Crowned Heads (1)
Diesel (2)
Drew Estate (2)
Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (2)
Espinosa (2)
Foundation (2)
Illusione (1)
JC Newman (2)
La Aurora (1)
La Flor Dominicana (1)
La Gloria Cubana (2)
My Father (3)
Oliva (2)
Padron (3)
Perdomo (2)
Placensia (1)
Punch (1)
Rocky Patel (1)
Rojas (1)
RoMa Craft (1)
Room101 (1)
Stolen Throne (1)
Tatuaje (2)
Villiger (1)
Some settling has occurred.
Cigars Star Guide Index 2026 (LINK)
A happy Autumn to all!
::: very :::
Friday, November 6, 2026
West Tampa Cigars Chef Rick in Review
BRAND: West Tampa Tobacco Co.
BLEND: Chef Rick
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian
BINDER: Ecuadorian
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: Toro (652)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2/5
NOTES:
Apple Butter | Cinnamon & Honey Oatmeal | Goat Leather
TASTE: B+ sweet-forward savory-back solid simplicity.
DRAW: B+ some partially empty pulls.
BURN: B+ a bit airy ash; fast-hot accumulation.
BUILD: A- a bit loose perhaps, no issues however.
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
BLEND: Chef Rick
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian
BINDER: Ecuadorian
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: Toro (652)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2/5
NOTES:
Apple Butter | Cinnamon & Honey Oatmeal | Goat Leather
TASTE: B+ sweet-forward savory-back solid simplicity.
DRAW: B+ some partially empty pulls.
BURN: B+ a bit airy ash; fast-hot accumulation.
BUILD: A- a bit loose perhaps, no issues however.
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
::: very :::
Monday, November 2, 2026
West Tampa Cigars Devil Crab in Review
BRAND: West Tampa Tobacco Co.
BLEND: Devil Crab
WRAPPER: Undisclosed
BINDER: Undisclosed
FILLER: Undisclosed
FORMAT: Double Perfecto (41/260) pig-tail
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2/5
Black Bread | Goat Leather | Roasted Saccharin
NOTES:
Black bread, made with cocoa & coffee powders. Goat leather on account of texture and patina. The patina is made up, in part, of that roasted chemical sweetness. A wise man once defended Sweet'N Low thusly: "A couple of lab rats get cancer and everyone gets real cunty about it." I use the stuff regularly.
Orange marmalade gets schmeared on said bread after a slab of it gets left a half-bit too long in the toaster. Chicory, black pepper, and a hint of licorice blend in. A short-not-flat profile, and near-vastly wide. Portly seems appropriate given the format. Burns hot and fast. Some obtrusive veinage, too.
Although it does burn even and draw well right out of the gate, a thing not every cigar of this shape can lay claim to. Pacing does slow a tick upon progression. A crack happens in the top-leaf at mid-way, but gets smoked through cleanly. A no frills profile combined with frilly shape equals a fun little thing.
TASTE: B
DRAW: A-
BURN: B+
BUILD: B
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
BLEND: Devil Crab
WRAPPER: Undisclosed
BINDER: Undisclosed
FILLER: Undisclosed
FORMAT: Double Perfecto (41/260) pig-tail
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2/5
Black Bread | Goat Leather | Roasted Saccharin
NOTES:
Black bread, made with cocoa & coffee powders. Goat leather on account of texture and patina. The patina is made up, in part, of that roasted chemical sweetness. A wise man once defended Sweet'N Low thusly: "A couple of lab rats get cancer and everyone gets real cunty about it." I use the stuff regularly.
Orange marmalade gets schmeared on said bread after a slab of it gets left a half-bit too long in the toaster. Chicory, black pepper, and a hint of licorice blend in. A short-not-flat profile, and near-vastly wide. Portly seems appropriate given the format. Burns hot and fast. Some obtrusive veinage, too.
Although it does burn even and draw well right out of the gate, a thing not every cigar of this shape can lay claim to. Pacing does slow a tick upon progression. A crack happens in the top-leaf at mid-way, but gets smoked through cleanly. A no frills profile combined with frilly shape equals a fun little thing.
TASTE: B
DRAW: A-
BURN: B+
BUILD: B
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
::: very :::
Friday, October 30, 2026
Stolen Throne Cigars Oath Taker in Review
BRAND: Stolen Throne
BLEND: Oath Taker
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano
BINDER/FILLER: Nicaraguan, Panamanian
FORMAT: Toro (652)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua (Rojas)
INTENSITY: Medium/Med.-Full
SPICE: 4/5
Caramelized Lemons | Ginger | Barnyard
NOTES:
A bit of a sugary breakfast cereal happening alongside a Mexican hot cocoa, heavy on the cayenne. Well balanced and delivered via a smooth, sparring kick. Bit of a tight draw. Some wildflowers underneath. Hay and golden earth under that. A calm sense of half-muffled restraint.
Leaves a nice tingle on the smoke-hole. A bissell zetz. Quite crisp, taut not overly rigid. Good nuance with surprisingly well-lit depths considering the weight. Nearly effervescent, with a rather taunt seemingly long-held (aged) tension. Almost jittery but charmingly-so 'can't even.' Handsome.
At some point near the end, I might've also been describing myself as well.
BLEND: Oath Taker
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano
BINDER/FILLER: Nicaraguan, Panamanian
FORMAT: Toro (652)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua (Rojas)
INTENSITY: Medium/Med.-Full
SPICE: 4/5
Caramelized Lemons | Ginger | Barnyard
NOTES:
A bit of a sugary breakfast cereal happening alongside a Mexican hot cocoa, heavy on the cayenne. Well balanced and delivered via a smooth, sparring kick. Bit of a tight draw. Some wildflowers underneath. Hay and golden earth under that. A calm sense of half-muffled restraint.
Leaves a nice tingle on the smoke-hole. A bissell zetz. Quite crisp, taut not overly rigid. Good nuance with surprisingly well-lit depths considering the weight. Nearly effervescent, with a rather taunt seemingly long-held (aged) tension. Almost jittery but charmingly-so 'can't even.' Handsome.
At some point near the end, I might've also been describing myself as well.
::: very :::
Monday, October 26, 2026
Kaplowitz Media. Cigars of the Month for October 2026
Kaplowitz Media.
Cigars of the Month
for October 2026
(listed in alphabetical order)
(names are links to full reviews)
Dunbarton RML Spicy Beef Stick
Dunbarton Sobremesa Tapa Negra
Dunbarton StillWell Star Aromatic Dulce Claro
HDA Sentinel LE
Halloween is for kids.
Cigars of the Month
for October 2026
(listed in alphabetical order)
(names are links to full reviews)
Dunbarton RML Spicy Beef Stick
Dunbarton Sobremesa Tapa Negra
Dunbarton StillWell Star Aromatic Dulce Claro
HDA Sentinel LE
Halloween is for kids.
::: very :::
Friday, October 23, 2026
Dunbarton Cigars English Dulce in Review
BRAND: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
BLEND: English Dulce Maduro
WRAPPER: n/a
BINDER: n/a
FILLER: n/a
FORMAT: Petit Robusto (548)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium/Med.-Full
NOTES:
I prefer an English blend to anything other than perhaps a Balkan. But that's when I smoke a pipe and I haven't now for a spell. This one is quite pipe-ish. Also quite like licking maple syrup off of creosote. Which I'd imagine is preferable to licking creosote off of maple syrup.
Combustion is an issue from its onset, as one part is airy and another seemingly not flammable--but it does improve. The whole thing improves, across the board. Flavors smooth out and settle down. By the 2/3's mid-section, I get a nice semi-sweet chocolate. Soon after, dare I say, a plum pudding.
TASTE: B+
DRAW: B
BURN: B
BUILD: B+
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
BLEND: English Dulce Maduro
WRAPPER: n/a
BINDER: n/a
FILLER: n/a
FORMAT: Petit Robusto (548)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium/Med.-Full
NOTES:
I prefer an English blend to anything other than perhaps a Balkan. But that's when I smoke a pipe and I haven't now for a spell. This one is quite pipe-ish. Also quite like licking maple syrup off of creosote. Which I'd imagine is preferable to licking creosote off of maple syrup.
Combustion is an issue from its onset, as one part is airy and another seemingly not flammable--but it does improve. The whole thing improves, across the board. Flavors smooth out and settle down. By the 2/3's mid-section, I get a nice semi-sweet chocolate. Soon after, dare I say, a plum pudding.
TASTE: B+
DRAW: B
BURN: B
BUILD: B+
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
::: very :::
Monday, October 19, 2026
Dunbarton Cigars StillWell Star Aromatic Dulce Dark in Review
BRAND: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
BLEND: StillWell Star Aromatic Dulce Dark
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian
BINDER: San Andres Negro
FILLER: Black Cavendish, Golden Virginia, Burley (Cornell & Diehl). Nicaraguan (cigar leaf)
FORMAT: Petit Robusto
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium/Medium-Full
Corner Brownie Piece | Red Spices | Candied Almonds
NOTES:
Ingredients seem cooked a tick too. Maillard reaction +. Tightly huddled notes-on-notes won't untangle. Still a good smoke though; ultimately more noise than nosh. Intriguing room-note.
TASTE: B
DRAW: A-
BURN: B+
BUILD: B+
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
BLEND: StillWell Star Aromatic Dulce Dark
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian
BINDER: San Andres Negro
FILLER: Black Cavendish, Golden Virginia, Burley (Cornell & Diehl). Nicaraguan (cigar leaf)
FORMAT: Petit Robusto
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium/Medium-Full
Corner Brownie Piece | Red Spices | Candied Almonds
NOTES:
Ingredients seem cooked a tick too. Maillard reaction +. Tightly huddled notes-on-notes won't untangle. Still a good smoke though; ultimately more noise than nosh. Intriguing room-note.
TASTE: B
DRAW: A-
BURN: B+
BUILD: B+
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
::: very :::
Friday, October 16, 2026
Dunbarton Cigars StillWell Star Aromatic Dulce Claro in Review
BRAND: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
BLEND: StillWell Star Aromatic Dulce Claro
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Shade
BINDER: San Andres Negro
FILLER: Cavendish Burley, Virginia (via Cornell & Diehl) and "Black Cigar Leaf" (Nicaraguan)
FORMAT: Petit Robusto (548)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Mild/Mild-Med.
NOTES:
I know this. For I am a winter baby who's had winter birthdays. Hot cocoa and confetti cake with vanilla icing. The deftly side-stepped threat of Mom's upside-down pineapple cake somehow looming like a spectre. Years later, getting half-drunk off a pastry chef's egregious rum cake at the start of a shift.
Smooth, mostly. A quarter tick throaty as it heats. Cloying but comfortably-so. Lemon meringue? Madeleines, slightly over-baked. I've never been to a ski lodge nor have I worn the appropriate sweater. I couldn't pull that look off any better than plaid flannel. Smokes like a Hallmark holiday movie.
If a Labradoodle were added to Dogs Playing Poker, he'd be smoking this cigar.
TASTE: B+
DRAW: A
BURN: A-
BUILD: A-
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
BLEND: StillWell Star Aromatic Dulce Claro
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Shade
BINDER: San Andres Negro
FILLER: Cavendish Burley, Virginia (via Cornell & Diehl) and "Black Cigar Leaf" (Nicaraguan)
FORMAT: Petit Robusto (548)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Mild/Mild-Med.
NOTES:
I know this. For I am a winter baby who's had winter birthdays. Hot cocoa and confetti cake with vanilla icing. The deftly side-stepped threat of Mom's upside-down pineapple cake somehow looming like a spectre. Years later, getting half-drunk off a pastry chef's egregious rum cake at the start of a shift.
Smooth, mostly. A quarter tick throaty as it heats. Cloying but comfortably-so. Lemon meringue? Madeleines, slightly over-baked. I've never been to a ski lodge nor have I worn the appropriate sweater. I couldn't pull that look off any better than plaid flannel. Smokes like a Hallmark holiday movie.
If a Labradoodle were added to Dogs Playing Poker, he'd be smoking this cigar.
TASTE: B+
DRAW: A
BURN: A-
BUILD: A-
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
::: very :::
Monday, October 12, 2026
Happy Columbus Day!
Kaplowitz Media. posting returns to schedule Friday the 16th. New posts are published every Monday and Friday (unless a US Federal holiday). Book-end your week-end (as I did this brief paragraph) with Kaplowitz Media.
::: very :::
Friday, October 9, 2026
HDA (Hemanos de Armas) Cigars Sentinel LE in Review
BRAND: HDA
BLEND: Sentinel
WRAPPER: Mexican San Andres
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: Toro (650)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua (Rojas)
INTENSITY: Med./Medium-full
SPICE: 3.5/5
Black Pepper | Black Licorice | Dark Chocolate
NOTES:
Dark chocolate mousse. Fluffy. A fluffy-smooth profile, really. Even with the front-loaded cracked b. pepper that trails off near-completely before the final third. Till then, there are some jazzy unplayed notes; after then, it's a tick empty. A singed airy salted caramel swirling, does its thing in keeping attns.
Between then, it's a smooth but interesting trip which includes vegetal umami notes of alfalfa grass and fungal tidings of mushroom bullion powder. Pumpernickel bread is pulled from the oven and left to cool on rich top-soil. Hits no notes in err. Does at times feel a bit like shadow boxing in the dark.
TASTE: B+
DRAW: A
BURN: B+
BUILD: A-
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
BLEND: Sentinel
WRAPPER: Mexican San Andres
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: Toro (650)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua (Rojas)
INTENSITY: Med./Medium-full
SPICE: 3.5/5
Black Pepper | Black Licorice | Dark Chocolate
NOTES:
Dark chocolate mousse. Fluffy. A fluffy-smooth profile, really. Even with the front-loaded cracked b. pepper that trails off near-completely before the final third. Till then, there are some jazzy unplayed notes; after then, it's a tick empty. A singed airy salted caramel swirling, does its thing in keeping attns.
Between then, it's a smooth but interesting trip which includes vegetal umami notes of alfalfa grass and fungal tidings of mushroom bullion powder. Pumpernickel bread is pulled from the oven and left to cool on rich top-soil. Hits no notes in err. Does at times feel a bit like shadow boxing in the dark.
TASTE: B+
DRAW: A
BURN: B+
BUILD: A-
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
::: very :::
Monday, October 5, 2026
Dunbarton Cigars DTT 10th Jubilee in Review
BRAND: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
BLEND: DTT 10th Jubilee
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Sumatra Negra
BINDER: Mexican Claro
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: 5.63x48 pig-tail cap
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2/5
Bright spices | Praline | Brushed Leather
NOTES:
Sumac & Coriander sounds like an over-priced 'Gastropub' that operates sans menu. Notes italicized above are laid atop a sand castle underbelly. The praline is of a French varietal with the added amuse-bouche amusement of subbing-out more typical nuts for macadamias. Brushed Leather is NOT suede.
Combustion starts on a stutter-step stride, smooths continuously throughout. As it does milk chocolate and a yeasty maltiness become apparent. As do wildflower and flinty nods. Nice 'nuff complexities; could use a tick more depth. Olfactory does important and good work in building harmony via filling blanks.
TASTE: A-
DRAW: B+
BURN: B+
BUILD: B+
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
Should receive an honorary mention in the next Cigars of the Month listing.
BLEND: DTT 10th Jubilee
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Sumatra Negra
BINDER: Mexican Claro
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: 5.63x48 pig-tail cap
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2/5
Bright spices | Praline | Brushed Leather
NOTES:
Sumac & Coriander sounds like an over-priced 'Gastropub' that operates sans menu. Notes italicized above are laid atop a sand castle underbelly. The praline is of a French varietal with the added amuse-bouche amusement of subbing-out more typical nuts for macadamias. Brushed Leather is NOT suede.
Combustion starts on a stutter-step stride, smooths continuously throughout. As it does milk chocolate and a yeasty maltiness become apparent. As do wildflower and flinty nods. Nice 'nuff complexities; could use a tick more depth. Olfactory does important and good work in building harmony via filling blanks.
TASTE: A-
DRAW: B+
BURN: B+
BUILD: B+
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
Should receive an honorary mention in the next Cigars of the Month listing.
::: very :::
Friday, October 2, 2026
Dunbarton Cigars Red Meat Lovers Spicy Beef Stick in Review
BRAND: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
BLEND: Red Meat Lovers (RML)
WRAPPER: US Connecticut Broadleaf
BINDER: San Andres Negro
FILLER: Nicaraguan, American
FORMAT: "Spicy Beef Stick" (648)
closed-foot&flat-head
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Med.-Full/Full
SPICE: 4.5/5
Black Pepper | New Orleans Coffee | Leather
NOTES:
A no bull-shit straight-shootin' son-of-a-gun. Sometimes I like being lied to, though. Very consistent smoke; dutifully earning its nom de puff with each and every puff. Cracked black pepper. Boots, belts, and saddle leathers. N'awlins style Cafe du Monde Coffee (& Chicory). Minerality-laced powdery underpinning at back-end--a taste of tzimmes right prior that.
Not exactly my cup of tea, but a sterling example of that kinda cuppa.
TASTE: A-
DRAW: A-
BURN: B+
BUILD: A
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
BLEND: Red Meat Lovers (RML)
WRAPPER: US Connecticut Broadleaf
BINDER: San Andres Negro
FILLER: Nicaraguan, American
FORMAT: "Spicy Beef Stick" (648)
closed-foot&flat-head
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Med.-Full/Full
SPICE: 4.5/5
Black Pepper | New Orleans Coffee | Leather
NOTES:
A no bull-shit straight-shootin' son-of-a-gun. Sometimes I like being lied to, though. Very consistent smoke; dutifully earning its nom de puff with each and every puff. Cracked black pepper. Boots, belts, and saddle leathers. N'awlins style Cafe du Monde Coffee (& Chicory). Minerality-laced powdery underpinning at back-end--a taste of tzimmes right prior that.
Not exactly my cup of tea, but a sterling example of that kinda cuppa.
TASTE: A-
DRAW: A-
BURN: B+
BUILD: A
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
::: very :::
Monday, September 28, 2026
Dunbarton Cigars Sobremesa Tapa Negra in Review
BRAND: Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
BLEND: Sobremesa Tapa Negra
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Shade | Nicaraguan Sungrown
BINDER: San Andres Negro
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: Toro (652)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Mild-med/Medium
SPICE: 1.5/5
White chocolate | Macadamia Nuts | Buttery Suede
NOTES:
Takes a couple ticks to calm down and open up. How is your mom? There's a learning curve to drawing in something quite different than what's on your lips (Shade/Sungrown). Makes full sense sometime in the opening-third. Becomes a nice creamy-sweet thing with nuff white pepper to keep one honest.
Still smooth to the point of lacking some in structure. Complexity is nice but mellow and needs looked for. A quiet smoke. Hints of lemon cleanse well. Slight dandelion dalliances. Salted caramel comes on in a mid-way shift toward dessert notes. Ends in a black pepper shot of espresso at the nub.
TASTE: A-
DRAW: B+
BURN: A
BUILD: A-
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
BLEND: Sobremesa Tapa Negra
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Shade | Nicaraguan Sungrown
BINDER: San Andres Negro
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: Toro (652)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Mild-med/Medium
SPICE: 1.5/5
White chocolate | Macadamia Nuts | Buttery Suede
NOTES:
Takes a couple ticks to calm down and open up. How is your mom? There's a learning curve to drawing in something quite different than what's on your lips (Shade/Sungrown). Makes full sense sometime in the opening-third. Becomes a nice creamy-sweet thing with nuff white pepper to keep one honest.
Still smooth to the point of lacking some in structure. Complexity is nice but mellow and needs looked for. A quiet smoke. Hints of lemon cleanse well. Slight dandelion dalliances. Salted caramel comes on in a mid-way shift toward dessert notes. Ends in a black pepper shot of espresso at the nub.
TASTE: A-
DRAW: B+
BURN: A
BUILD: A-
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
::: very :::
Friday, September 25, 2026
Kaplowitz Media. Cigars of the Month for September 2026
Kaplowitz Media.
Cigars of the Month
for September 2026
(listed in alphabetical order)
(names are links to full reviews)
Room101 Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro
That's the list. Hey, maybe check out these links...
Brand Spotlights:
Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
La Gloria Cubana
Villiger
Cigars of the Month 2026 Index
Cigars of the Month
for September 2026
(listed in alphabetical order)
(names are links to full reviews)
Room101 Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro
That's the list. Hey, maybe check out these links...
Brand Spotlights:
Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust
La Gloria Cubana
Villiger
Cigars of the Month 2026 Index
::: very :::
Monday, September 21, 2026
Room101 Cigars 17th ANNV in Review
BRAND: Room101
BLEND: 17th Anniversary LE
WRAPPER: Nicaraguan
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: Toro (652)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua (AJF)
INTENSITY: Full
SPICE: 4.5/5
Espresso Beans | Black Peppercorn | Star Anise
NOTES:
The spice is more feels than flavor. The strength far nuff surpasses the body to be noteworthy. A screamer. A scorcher. Not to ill-effect, however, and all seems according to plan. Please too, to note the difference between aniseed and star anise. I feel I've failed to be overly clear here in the past.
A ghosting of beef jerky. Sniff an empty bag of the stuff with your mouth opened. A slight potpourri vibe. There is more here than meets the eye, but the glare is there. I bet with another ANNV or so rest, this blend will bear brilliance. Not bad right now, if you buckle up.
Dark chocolate comes in at the third/third. At first waxy then rich. See ya next year, babe.
TASTE: B+
DRAW: B+
BURN: B+
BUILD: B+
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
BLEND: 17th Anniversary LE
WRAPPER: Nicaraguan
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: Toro (652)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua (AJF)
INTENSITY: Full
SPICE: 4.5/5
Espresso Beans | Black Peppercorn | Star Anise
NOTES:
The spice is more feels than flavor. The strength far nuff surpasses the body to be noteworthy. A screamer. A scorcher. Not to ill-effect, however, and all seems according to plan. Please too, to note the difference between aniseed and star anise. I feel I've failed to be overly clear here in the past.
A ghosting of beef jerky. Sniff an empty bag of the stuff with your mouth opened. A slight potpourri vibe. There is more here than meets the eye, but the glare is there. I bet with another ANNV or so rest, this blend will bear brilliance. Not bad right now, if you buckle up.
Dark chocolate comes in at the third/third. At first waxy then rich. See ya next year, babe.
TASTE: B+
DRAW: B+
BURN: B+
BUILD: B+
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
::: very :::
Friday, September 18, 2026
Room101 Cigars Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro Robusto in Review
BRAND: Room101
BLEND: Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro
WRAPPER: Nicaraguan Maduro
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: Robusto (550)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua (AJF)
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2/5
Malted Barley | Salted Dark Caramel | Leathery Oils
NOTES:
Sweet not dessert-ish spice array. Honey comes, goes, never overstaying. Harmonious. Unlazily comfortable. Crisp cider lends tension on far-end. A lovely subtly lively autumnal smoke.
TASTE: A-
DRAW: B+
BURN: B+
BUILD: A-
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
BLEND: Johnny Tobacconaut Maduro
WRAPPER: Nicaraguan Maduro
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
FORMAT: Robusto (550)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua (AJF)
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2/5
Malted Barley | Salted Dark Caramel | Leathery Oils
NOTES:
Sweet not dessert-ish spice array. Honey comes, goes, never overstaying. Harmonious. Unlazily comfortable. Crisp cider lends tension on far-end. A lovely subtly lively autumnal smoke.
TASTE: A-
DRAW: B+
BURN: B+
BUILD: A-
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
::: very :::
Monday, September 14, 2026
Mr Punch by Punch Cigars in Review
BRAND: Punch
BLEND: Mr Punch
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Sumatra
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Nicaragua
FORMAT: Toro (654)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2/5
Cocoa powder (Low sugar) | Hay & Dust | Apricot
NOTES:
Late summer/early autumn hay bales on sun-dried earth. A nearby apricot orchard is occasionally upwind, kicking-up some olfactory but also some dust. White pepper.
TASTE: B+
DRAW: B
BURN: B+
BUILD: A-
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
BLEND: Mr Punch
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Sumatra
BINDER: Nicaragua
FILLER: Nicaragua
FORMAT: Toro (654)
ORIGIN: Nicaragua
INTENSITY: Medium
SPICE: 2/5
Cocoa powder (Low sugar) | Hay & Dust | Apricot
NOTES:
Late summer/early autumn hay bales on sun-dried earth. A nearby apricot orchard is occasionally upwind, kicking-up some olfactory but also some dust. White pepper.
TASTE: B+
DRAW: B
BURN: B+
BUILD: A-
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79
::: very :::
Friday, September 11, 2026
The Plight of the Schvitzer?
Short-filler, Cuban Sandwich, factory seconds. Yardgars & Dog Walkers. Premium-shaped objects to smoke when you have less time and attention to lend the experience. Might I remind you instead of machine-mades, cigarettes, and even pipe smoking (a fair lunt) before trying to find a decent cheap stogie that won't tunnel, run, plug, and also will stay lit? Oh, how the poor stay poor.
The not as wealthy stay not as wealthy. The plight of the schvitzer?
Must we always live like kings and get the gout? There's no shame outside the fat cat cigar game, unless you BYO shame to said game. Smoke premium? Of fucking course! When you can, and when that is, get the best you can. It's pretty simple. Not to mention but in closing I shall--maybe we don't have to wrap up our whole identities in smoking, and on occasion, actually abstain.
Imagine!
The not as wealthy stay not as wealthy. The plight of the schvitzer?
Must we always live like kings and get the gout? There's no shame outside the fat cat cigar game, unless you BYO shame to said game. Smoke premium? Of fucking course! When you can, and when that is, get the best you can. It's pretty simple. Not to mention but in closing I shall--maybe we don't have to wrap up our whole identities in smoking, and on occasion, actually abstain.
Imagine!
::: very :::
Monday, September 7, 2026
Happy Labor Day!
Take a load off.
Kaplowitz Media. posting returns to schedule Friday the 11th. New posts are published every Monday and Friday (unless a holiday). Book-end your week-end (and this brief paragraph) with Kaplowitz Media.
Kaplowitz Media. posting returns to schedule Friday the 11th. New posts are published every Monday and Friday (unless a holiday). Book-end your week-end (and this brief paragraph) with Kaplowitz Media.
::: very :::
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